1138——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I was puzzled by the Sword Demon’s words.

‘Sword Spirit?’

What on earth did he mean by singularity and all that? Confused, I asked the Sword Demon, “What do you mean? Are you saying there’s a secret within the Sword Spirit?”

“…….”

After a moment of silence, the Sword Demon continued.

“Honestly, ever since I received the obsidian from you, I’ve always wanted to emulate the achievements of the Sword Demon from the past. I found it was proven that if one could overcome the Small Cycle, they could sufficiently battle against enemies of the Demon King level. So, I always tried to perceive the Primordial Void, but I could never feel a thing.”

He gazed at the distant sky.

“Fortunately, that training helped me reach the Absolute Realm. Even after arriving in the Celestial Realm, I didn’t skip my training, but then something strange happened.”

“Strange thing?”

“You know we were exploring Fuxi, and I heard that our first trial involved conquering the Great Sea.”

“Yeah. It was about finding an exit while moving between several islands floating in the big ocean….”

The Sword Demon nodded.

“Compared to now, it wasn’t that difficult of a trial, but at that time, we were all rookies, and our allied forces were no stronger than the beginning of the Absolute Realm. So, we faced a fair share of critical situations against terrifying enemies. There was one time we were really on the brink of extermination… that was the final demon of the first trial.”

He spoke as if recalling the past.

“The Sword Spirit awakened at that time. Thanks to the awakening of the Sword Spirit, we barely won. Looking back, that enemy was at least as strong as mid-level techniques.”

“I see. But what does that have to do with what we’re talking about now?”

I wasn’t quite sure, but it felt like the Sword Demon was hesitant to continue. Though he seemed to be sharing information, it felt like he was beating around the bush. Then he opened his mouth slowly, as if steeling himself for something.

“…When I awakened the Sword Spirit, it was as if I temporarily felt the transcendent state that the past Sword Demon experienced with the Small Cycle. But at that moment, I also saw something.”

The Sword Demon spoke heavily.

“In the immense time-space that could only be perceived by a lofty mental power… from beyond an unfathomably deep dimension, I saw myself beheading my daughter.”

“……!!”

“It felt like… I was gazing into fragments of my future.”

I was stunned.

‘The Sword Demon kills his daughter, Seo Mun-hye?’

How could such a future even exist?

In disbelief, I said to the Sword Demon, “In some cases, an exceptional master might see visions when they reach enlightenment. These visions are often mere reflections of the unconscious. Are you putting too much weight on that vision?”

“Of course, I thought that at first too. How could I easily accept such an outrageous thing as the truth? But… can you see?”

Oooh

He recalled the Sword Spirit. As the translucent spirit of the sword rose as if alive, he turned the sword blade towards me and said, “Touch the Sword Spirit.”

Swish

Without hesitation, I touched the Sword Spirit. Suddenly, the scenery before my eyes changed.

My perception was being pulled in.

The self (ego) momentarily froze, and I transformed into an observer—an entirely new world; at the center of this world, an event was unfolding.

Stars fell, and the blue light of the universe enveloped the continent in a cataclysmic horror!

In that moment of profound sorrow, the immensely angry Sword Demon, Seo Mun-dae-ryong, was vaulting through the air to strike somewhere. He roared with fury.

[Die!!]

Whoosh

His fearsome sword energy swiftly severed one of the opponents.

For a moment, as the severed opponent soared through the sky, our eyes met.

Seo Mun-hye was smiling.

“……!!”

I was abruptly dragged back to reality, feeling dizzy. It felt so vivid that I simply couldn’t believe it was fake.

Is this really something that could happen?!

I couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I turned to the Sword Demon and said, “I’ve seen countless visions and prophecies throughout my life. While this isn’t something easily dismissed, a skilled sorcerer can create such illusions at this level. Isn’t it too hasty to conclude?”

Illusions transcend human senses so easily. I initially thought if my five senses were intact, I could grasp any illusions, but after witnessing Cheon Woo-jin’s illusions over multiple lifetimes, that belief completely evaporated. A true illusionist can easily manipulate not just the five senses but also human reason and even the perception of time. So, it’s dangerous to hastily conclude that any vivid illusion is the future.

The Sword Demon said sourly, “If it were merely an illusion, I would have sensed it. However, during the time I possessed and wielded the Sword Spirit, I have gradually felt my soul being drawn into that Sword Spirit.”

“My soul being drawn in?”

He crossed his arms and sighed. “How should I put it…? The future shown in this illusion isn’t simple. Right now, it revealed a moment, but at times it also shows a glimpse ahead or even from another’s perspective. During this time, I’ve gained a taste of ‘future experiences.'”

“……?!”

“Becoming the strongest among the expedition team was precisely because of that. However, the more I accepted those experiences, the more I sensed my body and soul gradually approaching that future.”

Future experiences?!

I was confused and said to the Sword Demon, “What do you mean? Are you saying that what we just saw might actually be the real future?”

“I don’t want to think that way, but it’s starting to feel like it.”

“That’s absurd….”

“Ever since that point, experiences I hadn’t trained for randomly absorbed into me. As you know, even masters in the Absolute Realm can further cultivate their techniques, but it typically requires decades of hard training. However, it was like out of the blue, skills that should require that hard work would surface like inspirations.”

“……”

“If I hadn’t gained these experiences, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome the time wasted in meditation for Primordial training and grown even stronger. Among those gathered here in the expedition team, there isn’t a single one who isn’t a genius. No matter how I was the greatest in my lifetime, it wouldn’t have been possible without that!”

“Hmm.”

If the Sword Demon said that, then it might very well be true.

He must have genuinely gained future experiences. I remembered how Jang Sam-bong acknowledged the Sword Demon as the strongest in the expedition, so I had no choice but to accept his words.

“I can’t believe it.”

“I didn’t really have anyone to discuss this with. I rarely went down to the Celestial Realm, and honestly, I couldn’t confide in Mangnyang either out of suspicion. So, I reached the conclusion myself that this is my [singularity].”

Singularity.

Hearing that, memories of the past Sword Demon surfaced in my mind. I pondered it before saying, “The past Sword Demon elevated their mental ability and witnessed the singularity of the Small Cycle, right? Are you saying the Sword Spirit is such a singularity?”

“That’s what I think. The singularity manifested differently than it did then.”

“I don’t have any evidence, though….”

“But if that’s not the case, I can’t explain how I gained future experiences.”

The Sword Demon continued slowly, “I might not have transcended to the level that can surpass the Small Cycle, but I feel like I’m indirectly connected to the future through the Sword Spirit. If I think of the future as part of the Small Cycle, it seems thoroughly plausible.”

“Hmm….”

“But as a price for this…. I think among the futures, I’m gradually coming closer to that future.”

Upon understanding the Sword Demon’s words, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“You mean the future is pulling the past?”

“That’s precisely the Law of Cause and Effect. An inverted Law of Cause and Effect.”

“But if that’s true, then you should refrain from using the Sword Spirit….”

I asked in confusion, and the Sword Demon smiled wryly.

“After you went missing, the last 500 years were no walk in the park. If I didn’t have the Sword Spirit in the Celestial Realm, I wouldn’t have lasted a day. The collapse of your dream is far more significant than my personal matters.”

“Don’t say that.”

“…….”

The Sword Demon gazed at me, his eyes somewhat vacant, and said, “If others discover this, they might try to misuse my Sword Spirit. Or perhaps lead me to use it more often, hastening my demise. That’s why I wanted to share this only with you.”

This was indeed dangerous information for both the Sword Demon and Seo Mun-hye. I understood why he distorted time and space with the Sword Spirit to keep it hidden, and I nodded.

“I’ll keep it absolutely secret.”

“Heh…. It feels a bit relieving to share this with you.”

“I’ll make sure that kind of ending doesn’t come to be.”

The Sword Demon smiled. Then he said, “One more thing. You mentioned you’d give me information to get ahead.”

“That’s right.”

“Creating a connection between the end and the beginning…. Let me enlighten you since it seems you haven’t grasped it yet.”

Gently, the Sword Demon drew a circle with his sword.

As I saw that motion, I gasped.

“…Oh!!”

Why did I not realize that earlier?

I muttered in shock, “Connecting the end and the beginning means the end disappears, turning into a circle…!!”

During my training in the Immortal Sword Technique under Yeodong-bin, I killed myself drawing circles, how could I not have realized it?!

As I puzzled over it, the Sword Demon said, “It seems you were trapped in the fixed notion of lines, unable to expand your thoughts. It’s a common mistake that can happen to anyone. Even the most intelligent person can make that error.”

“Thank you for pointing it out.”

The Sword Demon shook his head. “No, it’s not over yet. Simply understanding the Immortal Sword Master’s command as the end and beginning becoming a circle is just the surface.”

“Huh?”

“Only solving the riddle won’t progress your realm. If that were the case, we should have been studying riddle-solving books rather than wielding swords.”

The Sword Demon readied his sword into position.

“He told Mangnyang too, didn’t he? This isn’t a training one can achieve purely through understanding alone.”

Swish

The Sword Demon continued drawing circles, leaving translucent traces in the air. After drawing about five circles, he asked me, “Baek Woong, in your memories I saw you continuously draw circles while training the Immortal Sword Technique. Having trained so much, I’d like to ask you, what is good about a circle?”

“A circle being good…?”

As the Sword Demon stared at me without speaking, I pondered before replying.

“Because it doesn’t have edges….”

“Why?”

“It’s round….”

“Indeed…. You understand it in such a simplistic manner. But since you’ve trained the Immortal Sword Technique for a long time, you grasp the essence of the training, so that’s quite remarkable.”

“…….”

Was that a compliment or not?

As I wrestled with that thought, the Sword Demon said, “Listen closely. The circle symbolizes infinity.”

“Infinity, you say?”

“There are no limits. The beginning and end are the same, so there’s no way there can be a boundary, right? Am I wrong?”

Clang

The moment I heard the Sword Demon’s words, that thrill from the past unfurled in my mind.

‘…Yes…!!’

A circle is round!

As I realized it and the Immortal Sword transformed into the Half-White Half-Black form, I didn’t even know why I was so elated by that realization; I just felt joy. So, I thought I was casually progressing in my Immortal Sword training, but at this moment, something felt like it was stepping boldly into my understanding!

Because I realized why I felt joy over the roundness!

‘It’s because I sensed that causation (cause and effect) isn’t separate but is one. Could it be that this…!!’

I unconsciously shouted out, “The unity of the cause and effect is the true reason!!”

“……!!”

“So that’s why the Immortal Sword can gather causation!”

Was that the reason behind drawing circles?!

Startled by my exclamation, the Sword Demon widened his eyes in surprise. Then he spoke, “I can hardly believe you figured it out without needing further explanation.”

“Hahaha.”

“Hmm. Perhaps you had already understood it in the past, but only now reached the level of embodiment.”

Muttering that, the Sword Demon said, “As you said, within the finite, the infinite is realized, and the causation split converges at a point without distinction is precisely the circle. Therefore, the ultimate form of martial arts must aim for the circle!”

“Hmm. I think I get it.”

“But…. to resist the Small Cycle, there likely exists another challenge.”

The Sword Demon continued.

“Let’s head back soon. With this, you’ll probably be able to get ahead of others.”

We returned together to Jang Sam-bong. When I shared what I had realized with him, he nodded.

“You’ve made good progress. You’re indeed worthy of receiving direct teachings from Yeodong-bin.”

“Haha. Doesn’t this mean I’m the first to gain the ability to resist the Small Cycle?”

“Then, Yeoza. Have you ever thought about this?”

After a long time of feeling good, I laughed, but the next words from Jang Sam-bong froze my expression.

“To draw a circle, one must first start from a point. As long as that point exists, it can’t truly be infinite, can it?”

“……?! Why is that?”

“Because that initial point is the beginning and cause. If the cause exists, the effect must emerge. Thus, regardless of how many circles are drawn, it can’t symbolize true infinity.”

“…….”

“You cannot escape the asymmetry of cause and effect. Thus, a circle is an imperfect infinity.”

Is this ‘another challenge’ the Sword Demon spoke of?

‘But how do I overcome that? If there’s nothing at the start, the point naturally starts, leading to lines, forming a circle.’

How could a circle be drawn without an initial point?!

I felt it was nonsensical, so I said to Jang Sam-bong, “That doesn’t make sense! If that’s the case, true perfection of infinity cannot exist!”

“Indeed. It’s a contradiction that human martial arts cannot overcome.”

“Really?”

I was stunned by Jang Sam-bong’s unexpected nod and he spoke in a lonely voice.

“The universe’s contradiction of existing in non-existence but also in existence. Neither I nor Yeodong-bin could overcome that contradiction. I merely threw an unresolved problem at you as a topic for contemplation.”

“Isn’t that meaningless then?”

“No, in this world, nothing is truly meaningless.”

Jang Sam-bong said firmly, “Within this great flow… come to experience the imperfect infinite!”

Whooo!!

In the next moment, Jang Sam-bong unleashed the Peerless Technique, and the translucent Tai Chi he unfolded swept over us all. Surrounded by the Tai Chi, Jang Sam-bong began to dance slowly, which was a strange movement that resembled Tai Chi while not being Tai Chi at all.

‘That’s not just basic technique.’

It was not a movement designed for battle but seemed more like a ritualistic martial art. Despite having trained for many years in the Wudang Sect’s martial arts, this was a motion I had never seen before. However, it had a way of drawing the viewer’s gaze, so I subconsciously immersed myself in the performance, focusing intently.

Jang Sam-bong’s heartfelt words resonated within everyone present.

[Though intent possesses tremendous power, it is still limited. Within the great nature, our Intent Heavenly Pillar is but a reed blowing in the wind. Can you conquer great nature?]

Someone shouted back in rebuttal.

“I can! Even if it is lightning, I can strike it down with my intent!”

In response, Jang Sam-bong shouted angrily, “Arrogance! That arrogance creates the limits of humanity! That is why you fall prey to the [Old Ruler]!”

Oooooh

It felt as though a ringing echo resounded. That ringing didn’t cause pain, but in an instant, I felt as though all the power I possessed was swept away by a wave, causing me to topple back. In reality, murmurs of weakness could be heard from various places.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh….”

The exceptional masters present here wobbled, unable to find their footing. It indicated that our Intent Heavenly Pillar was unable to stabilize within the Tai Chi Jang Sam-bong unleashed. I was no exception, and I felt a surge of horror.

‘The Intent Heavenly Pillar… my very pillar of will is being swept away!’

Just how immense must one’s intent be to interfere with the Intent Heavenly Pillar of the Absolute Realm?!

Whoosh

While I was in shock, Jang Sam-bong suddenly swung his hand in a circular motion. At that moment, it felt as though our bodies were being tossed upside down. The overwhelming current felt like the flow of great nature, causing most in the hall to tumble over without even a hint of resistance.

Whoosh!

Thud

Thud

As one by one fell to the ground, only the Sword Demon and I resisted Jang Sam-bong’s onslaught, trembling in our stances. The Sword Demon summoned the Sword Spirit to counter Jang Sam-bong’s Tai Chi while I, using the Immortal Sword, drew circles, inexplicably managing to hold back. However, we couldn’t hold out for long and eventually succumbed to the onslaught.

Thud!

I couldn’t even take a proper fall technique and tumbled down. It was unbelievable how powerless I felt, and I felt compelled to blink in disbelief, while those around me appeared even more shocked. Could Jang Sam-bong’s realm be this extraordinary?

Dongyoung’s Great Swordsman, Tsukahara Bokuden, lamented as if he were crying out.

“I’ve polished my sword for centuries, yet I find myself treated like a child…. To bear this shame is unbearable; I will take my own life!!”

Clang!

Just as he was about to slice his throat, Kamizumi Nobutsuna next to him deflected his sword to prevent his suicide. Then he spoke softly, “Please hold on, my friend.”

“You mean to say you can endure this humiliation, no matter how much Jang Sam-bong is a sage?! Whether the world perishes or not, it is better to die now!”

“Why should you consider it shameful to face a divine realm?”

“What do you mean?”

Sword Saint Kamizumi Nobutsuna calmly looked at Jang Sam-bong and said, “Jang Sam-bong, isn’t that right?”

All eyes turned towards Jang Sam-bong. He slowly assumed the basic stance of Tai Chi and said, “Exactly.”

With Jang Sam-bong’s following words, everyone was engulfed in a wave of intense tension and challenge.

“This is the Divine Skill, the Peerless Technique! Recognizing the infinity of the circle and conquering it will grant one the strength to resist the Small Cycle.”