Chapter 1153
“The Soul of the Evil God?”
The Sword Demon summoned the Sword Spirit once more, hovering around his blade as he seemed to concentrate. His eyes briefly locked with Jang Sam-bong’s, and the Sword Demon took a step forward. They hadn’t closed the distance much, but it felt like they were about to clash swords at arm’s length.
Swish, swish.
The sword spirit flared up. I murmured, watching the duel with wary eyes.
“What on earth… is that? A soul?”
“Baek Woong. Don’t just look with your eyes.”
I swiftly turned to the side.
“Dokgo Seong.”
Dokgo Seong had already challenged and lost once, so he couldn’t make another attempt. His expression was a bit sour as he spectated, and while watching, he spoke to me. Maybe still feeling the effects of his injuries, he rubbed his shoulder before continuing.
“As I said before, our techniques in the Absolute Realm hold way more information than can be judged by just sight. Of course, having good dynamic vision isn’t bad, but being able to read intentions is even more crucial. So you need to develop the habit of looking at the intentions first.”
“I get that, but something feels off when trying to see the intentions….”
“Are you really looking at the intentions? What is intention?”
Dokgo Seong kept his gaze steady on the tense standoff in front of us.
“Intention isn’t just about manipulating Qi through the Intent Heavenly Pillar. The will itself is an intention. Sometimes, it’s more important to know how to change things rather than just exhibiting a show of strength….”
“….”
“Look at the direction. Which way is the path leading?”
What? Sounds like some vague mumbo jumbo…. But I’m starting to get it.
Intention isn’t a simple reality-distorting ability. If it was, I’d rather learn some magic and amass power through human sacrifice. Intention is about a martial artist manifesting the essence of their lifelong training in the most powerful form—it’s like pulling the trigger of a gun, and when you do, intention can change the rules of the world.
The advice to see the root of intention clicked for me, but I was still distracted by the sword spirit in front of me. With such a vivid spirit right there, how could I read its direction? Confused, I clenched my eyes shut.
“Argh!”
If looking is what’s hindering me, then I might as well not look!
Let’s focus only on the intention!
So, I began sensing the surroundings using my inner sight and auditory perception, tuning solely into the intent. It was a skill I had in my Peak Expert phase, but it became even more refined at the Absolute Realm, allowing me to perceive my environment without needing to see it. As I closed my eyes and concentrated, I could sense what was happening between Jang Sam-bong and the Sword Demon.
Chirring!
Keening!
“……!!”
I can see it. No, I can feel it! The sword spirit, in the dark world lacking sight, clearly exuded hostility and spewed forth thousands of intentions. Each one, while not yet manifested in reality, left residual space filling the area around Jang Sam-bong. Jang Sam-bong was also releasing his own intentions, countering the pressure created by the sword spirit while maintaining some space of his own.
Amid this perilous standoff, I felt an avalanche of virtual slashes rushing past, and I gulped involuntarily.
“What is this…. It’s like an unformulated killing intent… just a metaphysical intention, yet it feels so clear.”
What I felt was not killing intent. It wasn’t even the kind of mental warfare that typical experts engaged in. It was merely a faint will asserting, “I could do this,” and that ghostly intention was spread across reality. Thus, it wasn’t even heavy enough to be considered killing intent, yet witnessing that faint will clashing in the realm of intentions was astonishing.
Feeling utterly baffled, I spoke up.
“Wha… what does this kind of exchange even mean? If that intention were to land on the opponent, it would need to materialize to actually inflict damage. There’s no way it can do that before another expert intervenes… It’s better to just unleash killing intent….”
This made no sense. Peak Experts and those at the Absolute Realm didn’t avoid this kind of thing because they couldn’t; it’s simply that just dangling a half-formed intention like a twig isn’t an attack and is utterly pointless.
At that rate, it’s almost like just glaring at someone, thinking you’d like to kill them. It’s just an abstract thought, not something worthy of being called a Peak Expert. Why are such skilled practitioners acting like children?
“Normally, sure,”
Dokgo Seong remarked sharply, staring straight ahead.
“But keep watching. You’ll understand what I mean.”
I felt a mix of doubt and curiosity as I observed the sword demon and Jang Sam-bong locked in their second exchange.
Woosh, woosh.
The intense, imaginary clash still raged on. The sword spirit scattered countless sword paths like white dandelion seeds, as if it was about to slice Jang Sam-bong in half. Jang Sam-bong was fending off each imaginary intent one by one. Then, for the first time, the Sword Demon stretched his sword leisurely.
Big swing. The sword beautifully carved into Jang Sam-bong’s left side, the sweeping slash was remarkably precise. I thought it was just another imaginary sword path, but realized this time it was an actual strike!
‘Finally an attack?’
But Jang Sam-bong didn’t block it at all. The real strike was about to reach his face, and he didn’t even flinch. I thought this was it; Jang Sam-bong was doomed, but he stayed as still as stone.
Swoosh!
‘Huh?!’
Just as the Sword Demon’s strike seemed about to penetrate Jang Sam-bong’s head, I realized it was a feint! Jang Sam-bong hadn’t blocked it because he saw through the ruse. I was astonished by this revelation.
‘No, no way! That definitely looked like a real attack?!”
Let alone, I wasn’t even looking; I was just sensing the intentions. There’s no way something like a fake can mislead me in this state! How can such a detailed feint deceive my senses at the Absolute Realm? Unbelievable! And the fact that Jang Sam-bong noticed that massive distinction was even more shocking.
Chirping –
Like a bell ringing, I heard a sound. Then in a moment imperceptible to me, Jang Sam-bong moved, instantly unleashing the Peerless Technique. In fact, it looked like he didn’t even need to see to perform it, making me wonder if he had lost his marbles. Before I realized it, an utterly unexpected real sword pierced upwards from his lower left quadrant, directly targeting Jang Sam-bong’s ribs.
Swoosh….
“Impressive.”
“You haven’t even grazed a hair and you’re already mocking me? What a surprise…”
“Hehe, it’s a compliment.”
Watching their banter during the exchange left me in a daze. Observing the duel through pure intention made for an entirely different scene than moments before.
Dokgo Seong asked, “Are you starting to realize?”
I nodded faintly.
“…Those guys can turn the fleeting intention into a real and fake blow.”
“Exactly. That’s why they engage in such absurd pre-emptive exchanges with intent.”
The reason they projected even the intention that wasn’t killing intent was so that, unlike other experts, Jang Sam-bong and the Sword Demon could instantly flip that hazy intention into reality.
The pinnacle of controlling intention!
Is this the result of honing intention for hundreds of years?
I could mimic it to some extent, but reading intentions that precisely and sublimating them into reality in an instant was impossible for me. Their level of attention to detail was staggering.
“But normally, there isn’t much need for this, right? They might gain a bit of an edge for the moment, but the effort to attain such a level isn’t worth a hill of beans in an actual fight….”
Impressive as it was, the practical benefits are minimal.
‘That won’t end the battle. If that were the case, the greatest experts on the ground wouldn’t be able to compete with intent users….’
They say that a paper-thin difference can dictate matters of life and death, but even so, this isn’t a remarkable skill.
After all, in a world of speed, that stuff carries little meaning.
“That’s true. Even if the Sword Demon or Jang Sam-bong fought us, they wouldn’t gain much of an advantage relying solely on that ability. After all, we can still react using our full intent, even if they mix things up with intricate variations. But the Sword Demon is a different matter….”
“Different how?”
“His sword spirit just completely flipped between real and fake, didn’t it? Normally, that’s impossible, but the Sword Demon’s Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit makes it possible.”
“Hmm….”
“I don’t know the details either, but the outcome of this match hinges on the Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit.”
That looks plausible.
I was secretly grateful for Dokgo Seong’s advice, keeping an eye on the situation.
‘In this confrontation, the Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit pierced halfway through the Peerless Technique.’
It was a subtle change, but deeper penetration than the previous clash. This showed that the Sword Demon was starting to sense and exploit the blind spots in the towering defense of the Peerless Technique. Encouraged by this fact, I focused all my consciousness on the ongoing duel.
Could the Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit truly break through the Peerless Technique?
Third round.
Swish!
This time, the Sword Demon held his sword differently. It looked like he was bracing for a powerful downward strike, adopting a majestic stance often referred to as the Conquering Slash in Jianghu. Though this stance provided sheer slicing power, it exposed many openings, thus rarely used unless there’s a large skill differential in real combat.
‘Whatever, the stance doesn’t hold that much weight….’
This was just symbolic anyway. It merely expressed the Sword Demon’s will to end it with this strike.
That intent resonated with Jang Sam-bong too, as he faintly smiled.
“Sword Demon. You don’t plan to let this extend to the fourth round.”
“If I can’t break through in three seconds, there’s no way I’ll have another chance, right? Don’t think of me as naïve enough to have any leniency against the Peerless Technique.”
“Naïve? More like arrogant.”
“Enough chatter, face the attack.”
The Sword Demon’s eyes gleamed bright.
“This won’t be easy!”
Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit!
Blood Sword!
Chiiing!
I closed my eyes just before the clash. Like I said earlier, it’s a duel that can’t be grasped with sight. As the Sword Demon’s sword spirit made a sound, it completely lost its form, leaving behind starlight-like residual flashes as it rushed at Jang Sam-bong.
Even in its vanished state, the Sword Demon’s stance remained unchanged, as if waiting for Jang Sam-bong to execute the Peerless Technique. In that fleeting moment, I caught the sound of Jang Sam-bong murmuring.
[I haven’t even ascended to the left of the God of War, yet here I am at this level…]
Peerless Technique!
Jang Sam-bong configured his palms into a Tai Chi form. In that instant of the Tai Chi’s unfathomable transformation, the sword path was unleashed. Just as if he were waiting, the Sword Demon struck down solidly from his stance, and I could hardly believe what I felt, tightening my fist.
Wiying – !!
Like a flickering starlight-type sword energy pierced through the Tai Chi, it wasn’t vague penetration like earlier; the Blood Sword’s sword energy cleanly pierced the Peerless Technique, reaching Jang Sam-bong’s face, and this time he seemed genuinely in trouble, his expression stiffening.
Pah!
At first, Jang Sam-bong took two steps back. His toes touched the outer boundary he had established, and the sword energy that penetrated the Peerless Technique felt a murderous intent aiming straight from Jang Sam-bong’s philtrum all the way to his throat.
‘It’s happening!’
Anyone would have to acknowledge the situation! I didn’t understand how it had pierced through the Peerless Technique, but the Blood Sword had undeniably breached it, coming closer to Jang Sam-bong’s true body. I clenched my fist, thinking I’d overcome Jang Sam-bong’s trial.
Neng Eo Il Nyeon!
At that moment, Jang Sam-bong’s movements transformed fluidly and swiftly. Just as the Blood Sword’s slash was about to cut him, another Tai Chi appeared right in front of the sword.
[……!!]
The suddenness of the situation made the Sword Demon visibly lose his composure. In the next moment, Jang Sam-bong’s palm thrust forward, precisely placing a print on the Sword Demon’s chest with perfect timing.
‘A delayed counterattack!’
There’s no way to evade that!
Thud!
The power of the combined Heavenly Battle Technique was not something you could endure while being unguarded, and the Sword Demon found himself collapsing to the ground, spewing blood. Fortunately, it was the strength of his protective barrier that spared him from a collapsed rib.
Thud.
“Cough….”
The outcome was painfully clear. Jang Sam-bong released his Tai Chi stance, returning to his natural form, and spoke gravely.
“Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong… Had it been the past, you would have been utterly overwhelmed by that attack.”
“…….”
“Neng Eo Il Nyeon requires a dedication over a lifetime to utilize even in the founding arts… Not to mention, it’s not something that can be used together with the Peerless Technique. However, five hundred years is not short a time.”
“Cough, cough….”
The Sword Demon chuckled ruefully as he lay there, blood spilling from his mouth.
“Cough… cough. So, you’ve managed to wield the Peerless Technique and Neng Eo Il Nyeon together over five centuries….”
“Indeed.”
“Isn’t that a bit unfair…?”
At his continued words, the atmosphere around us stiffened.
“Simultaneous use of the Peerless Technique… Hahaha, cough.”
Indeed.
What Jang Sam-bong had just shown was the continued use of the Peerless Technique! Originally, the Peerless Technique could only be executed once per second with total concentration, and there’d be no exceptions.
However, Jang Sam-bong managed to deploy two at once. That means that even if an assault from the Absolute Realm were to come that couldn’t be defended against with the Peerless Technique – like now, as he utilizes the Neng Eo Il Nyeon technique, he could use the Peerless Technique simultaneously.
‘Now I understand the Sword Demon’s earlier odds at three out of ten…. He was confident he could pierce through the Peerless Technique using the properties of the Spirit Absorbing Sword Spirit. But….’
The moment you layer on the invincible defense, the result isn’t simply doubled.
Since the Sword Demon has already failed, breaching Jang Sam-bong’s defenses has become virtually impossible.
Jang Sam-bong stated, “Sword Demon. Your achievements are remarkable… In a battle where lives are at stake, you’d certainly be capable of snatching an arm from the likes of me. However, your loss signifies that it was your desire to defeat me that led to your downfall…”
“The loser has no words. Say whatever you like.”
The Sword Demon spat a mouthful of blood and then stood up.
“I’m satisfied showing Baek Woong the way.”
As the Sword Demon stepped back, the tension in the air solidified greatly. No one had any clue how to breach Jang Sam-bong’s defense.
In the midst of everyone’s nervous energy, I heard Mangnyang mumbling something.
“There’s no helping it. Even if I’m getting criticized, I’ll have to….”
In that moment, I remembered the Sword Demon’s warning.
[Mangnyang could very well obliterate Jang Sam-bong.]
He could indeed. If Mangnyang chose to wield his yellow aura power despite the criticism from our side, he could obliterate Jang Sam-bong. Even if he’s facing an insurmountable ordeal right now, is it acceptable to eliminate him using such external means?
‘Jang Sam-bong could become a significant ally in the fight to the bitter end. I can’t let that happen!’
I had to stop Mangnyang.
Gritting my teeth without any other option, I dashed forward.
Thud!
As I stood in front of Jang Sam-bong, his eyes lit up with intrigue.
“I expected you to be the last to arrive.”
“There’s no rule against that, right?”
“Do you have a method to pierce through the Peerless Technique?”
“…….”
I replied to Jang Sam-bong, “I guess I have no choice but to give it a go.”
Swish!
I sheathed the twin blades held in my hands. Then I raised my hands to adopt a Tai Chi stance, which closely mirrored Jang Sam-bong’s fundamental stance, making it feel like a symmetrical reflection in a mirror.
Jang Sam-bong’s eyebrows twitched.
“Oh? Baek Woong, are you really going to do that?”
My body felt tinged with a burning sensation.
With expectations pouring in on me, my whole body instinctively shrank.
But forcing a smile, I said, “Let’s take it head on, Jang Sam-bong.”
With those words, I solidified my determination.
“Let’s duel with the Peerless Technique!”
