전생검신 87권 17화

Life and death are tangled together.

The reason I started thinking that way was straightforward.

‘Everything in this world might be a mere illusion… but if even pain is an illusion, then this ridiculous obsession and suffering makes no sense… So…’

Isn’t the pain and screams emanating from this Desert of Isolation not from the past but a present reality, which makes it all the more desperate and agonizing?

And affirming my speculation, the Wheel King picked up a handful of sand from the ground of the Desert of Isolation.

“The state where life and death overlap… is why this handful of sand is permeated with eons of resentment.”

“Does that mean… this Desert of Isolation is… alive?”

“Indeed. Countless entities that are neither living nor dead are thrashing about even now in this desert… They cannot be classified as either life or death according to the standards of this universe… not even as ghosts…”

“……”

I let out a gut-wrenching groan.

“Ugh… So… you were talking about the scope of life. This Desert of Isolation is essentially a living being too!”

The implication that the scope of life could be much broader than I thought included the Desert of Isolation? Certainly, I had never even considered the terrain of something like the Desert of Isolation itself being alive. After a moment of silence, the Wheel King spoke.

“Baek Woong, do you know why the people of the Central Plains refer to life as a separate unit, ‘destiny,’ for living beings?”

“What? Out of the blue…”

“As a creation of Chinese characters, ‘destiny’ was meant to command living beings through the mouth; this was the intent of History Emperor Changhil. I realized this after reading your memory.”

Rustle

The Wheel King continued.

“History Emperor Changhil tried to dominate the human race through commands. That’s why the unit of life was limited to be under the control of his commands using these characters. And you humans who used these characters naturally became more bound to his commands, unable to resist the gods.”

“What?!”

“Moreover, interpretations of ‘life’ have been extremely restrictive, making it very difficult to connect with the divine powers directly linked to the universe. All this came from the command of a single character, ‘destiny.’ The mouth of ‘destiny’ was essentially Changhil’s mouth, instructing you humans to obey his words without question.”

“……!!”

“However, you have transcended History Emperor Changhil. You must not be trapped in interpretations of the cycle of life that he intended.”

Could it be that even to this extent, Changhil’s intentions seeped in?

Could a god truly orchestrate such elaborate schemes?

As I stood frozen by this absurd realization, the Wheel King continued.

“Baek Woong, may I ask you one thing? If life and death are混在 in this Desert of Isolation, how will you kill the Desert of Isolation?”

“……”

Hmm…

I found the Wheel King’s words perplexing, and I unconsciously opened my mouth.

‘What would it even take to kill something that exists in the limbo between life and death?’

I felt utterly bewildered; I had never expected such a complex question would be thrown at me like this. I racked my brain, desperate to respond.

“Well… if I’m acting with intent, wouldn’t that mean I have life? So, I guess if I hit it hard enough with the power of isolation, it might work…”

“You again unconsciously emphasize ‘intent’ as a criterion for life. So, does that mean lacking intent equates to lacking life?”

“Isn’t that how it is?”

“Your words contain the answer. Think it over again.”

“……?”

What kind of philosophical riddle was this? Hadn’t I already answered it?

In my state of confusion, the Wheel King smoothly drew a sword and pointed it forward.

“With this principle, the Hat Warrior can kill the Desert of Isolation. Just like this.”

Swaaa!!

In the next moment, the strike from the Wheel King sliced through a part of the Desert of Isolation, leaving a scar all the way to the horizon. The overwhelming martial will made it hard to distinguish whether he was a god or a martial artist, but what astonished me even more was what happened next.

Swish!!

Suddenly, the gloomy and dark malign aura swirling in the Desert of Isolation was purified, allowing me to breathe in fresh air. It was evident that the malevolent presence that filled the Desert of Isolation had also significantly diminished.

“……!!”

“Did you see? I have killed a part of the Desert of Isolation. Surely, even the Hat Warrior would be able to do the same.”

“How? How did you do that?”

“Baek Woong, this is a very challenging issue, but I hope one day you will gain insight, so let me explain… listen carefully.”

In a soft voice, the Wheel King continued.

“The existence of life and death here can’t even be considered as ghosts. This is because those entities are cut off from their ties to this universe, thus they are not even permitted to have souls. This is why the likes of you, a master of the Soul Exchange Technique, or Zhuge Sa, cannot use the technique in this desert.”

“Hmm!”

“However, there exists at least a minimum form of life within those beings… because life and death are intertwined, this Desert of Isolation maintains that connection with them. And that connection has created their intent, allowing them to wield influence over the evil outside.”

“……”

“Now, is the Desert of Isolation nothing (無) or void (空)?”

“……”

“Alright… I’ve elaborated enough. Do you now understand how I killed the Desert of Isolation?”

Ugh… damn…

This is tough…!!

I found myself frozen in place, for I couldn’t grasp a single word.

“You look utterly perplexed. Hah… I can only offer a clue.”

Seeing my expression, the Wheel King sighed.

“The original nothingness (本來無一物). Go to the ground and ponder this, interpreting it yourself.”

“Original nothingness? What does that mean?”

“If you ask your brilliant advisors and subordinates, you’ll probably find the answer easily. But don’t do that.”

The Wheel King glared at me with a stern expression I had never seen before.

“You must think for yourself to uncover the answer! If you depend on others, even after eons, you will never grasp the power of isolation.”

“……Ah, understood.”

Why do I feel like I’m being scolded? Yet the Wheel King’s words seemed so profound that it probably wouldn’t be easy for me to comprehend all at once. Just as he said, I would need to toil and practice diligently to reach that level of understanding.

I suddenly felt a bit aggrieved and spoke up.

“Wait… just who is that Hat Warrior guy anyway… how can someone like you, a top-tier divine being, use insights that effortlessly?! Is that even possible?!”

“Well, that’s your own karma, so I can’t say much. However, know this.”

The Wheel King’s eyes suddenly flickered with cold clarity.

“Everything in this world is self-causing (自緣). There is nothing that cannot happen in this world. If a phenomenon presents itself before you… it necessarily implies that its cause exists. Isn’t it just self-inflicted consequences (自業自得)?”

“……”

“It seems continuing your training with me would be pointless now. You may leave.”

“Wait? Aren’t we going to continue training in isolation?”

Hearing this, the Wheel King glanced at me and replied.

“You have already gained significant resistance and understanding of isolation. If nothing else, you might have garnered enough time to flee from that Hat Warrior’s peak secret technique if you didn’t meet it head-on. Depending on your martial wisdom, you could even manage to defend or evade…”

“Ah!”

“Moreover, continuing your training would only bolster your resistance to isolation by throwing you into it yet again. But can your soul truly withstand that repetitive ordeal?”

“……”

I had no arguments left.

Having just endured the torturous pains of hell, I could hardly muster the words to do it all over again.

Physical pain was one thing, but the pain of the soul was not something one could just easily brush off.

“And in case you might not meet me again later…”

The Wheel King spoke slowly.

“If I’m not present in the world of the future, you must recover the cycle of karma (業輪) in the Underworld.”

“The cycle of karma?”

“Correct. Only I can impart the power of isolation to you, but if I am not around, rotating the karmic wheel is your only option to build resistance and power against isolation.”

“……”

I looked directly at the Wheel King and said.

“Don’t say such ominous things. I will return to train with you again.”

“Haha… I hope so.”

With an air of jest, the Wheel King waved me off lightly.

“Then, you may return. It was an enjoyable encounter.”

Boom!!

The moment I collected my senses, I found myself back in the earthly realm. I noticed my body was intact, and a voice soon sounded right beside me.

[Master. Did you meet the Wheel King?]

“Heuk Woong.”

Turning to the figure next to me, I frowned.

“This… bastard… No, honestly, did you have a lot of complaints about me?”

Could it be that Heuk Woong truly intended to kill me during our sparring?

But Heuk Woong, with crossed arms, boldly replied.

[Did you think I’d have no complaints serving a master who is foolish, clumsy, and greedy?]

“What did you say? Damn.”

[Yet no matter, you are my creator. I will always act in ways to help you and will never betray you.]

“……”

I fell silent, lost in thought, before breaking into a smirk.

“Tch, you little jerk. I won’t forget this grudge, just wait.”

[Hahaha. Speaking as though it’s not how it’s always been. I know everything, so don’t worry.]

Chuckling merrily, Heuk Woong said.

[So, did you gain anything from the Wheel King?]

“Hmm. I learned about isolation…”

I recounted my insights about isolation to Heuk Woong, being careful to leave out the part about ‘original nothingness’ as it was something I needed to discover for myself.

Heuk Woong responded.

[It seems like the Wheel King is hiding something.]

“Hiding something?”

[The true intent behind sending you to the Wheel King wasn’t to enhance your isolation resistance, but rather, it was hoped that you could wield the power of isolation for yourself. Gaining such a formidable force, one that could even cut through the divine, would surely be advantageous, right?]

“Hmm, that’s true. I was actually hoping for that too…”

[But the Wheel King only gave you the minimum defenses necessary to handle enemies. Logically, that’s acceptable, but it feels a bit off. I wished for you to be able to use that strike of isolation the Wheel King executed… ]

“……Hmm.”

Heuk Woong’s words did have a point. I contemplated and then said.

“No need to worry too much. In truth, the Wheel King imparted quite a profound realization to me. I suppose I can’t learn ‘attacks’ until I’ve absorbed that realization.”

[You received a realization? Why didn’t you share it?]

“He said that I needed to figure it out on my own. He told me not to rely on my companions’ help.”

[Hmm… so be it.]

Heuk Woong sighed with resignation.

[Then you should start getting ready to head into the arena. I won’t interfere in this fight, so do well.]

“Got it.”

Stepping away from Heuk Woong, I headed toward the front of the arena. As I walked out onto the field, there stood a familiar presence.

[You’ve arrived.]

The future Blue Faced Warrior and Mercenary King.

The Sword Saint, Ajidahaka, was facing me.

I gazed at Ajidahaka, who stood there, and said.

“Ajidahaka. You may not realize it, but I’ve prepared a lot for today’s battle.”

[Are you thinking of using some kind of sorcery or magic?]

“Of course not. I won’t stoop to such dirty tactics. But…”

I raised my sword and aimed it at Ajidahaka.

“I hereby declare that you will definitely employ the Divine Skill in today’s battle!!”

[……!!]

Divine Skill!

Knowing that Ajidahaka was the Blue Seat, who had fought alongside Yeodong-bin and the others in the future, I could confidently say this. Naturally, the current Ajidahaka must also be one of the Divine Realm’s White Seats, so I wanted to coax him into using the Divine Skill during our battle.

Just how effective would my Dark Night Slash be against the Divine Skill?

And what was the real level of power the Divine Realm’s White Seats possess!

Ajidahaka fell silent for a moment, then placed his hand on his weapon and replied.

[Very well. Then I shall declare as well… ]

Ajidahaka’s eyes glowed with a fierce light.

[I’ll make you acknowledge that you lack the qualifications to reach the Divine Realm’s White Seat!]

“Give it your best shot!!”

Boom!

In the next instant, the first clash between Ajidahaka and I erupted in the air. I unleashed my Invincible Sword, gathering my Thunder God Lineage energy, while Ajidahaka countered with the Argeldo Lineage’s sword technique, and it felt like unseen forces were trembling in the air, as we both anticipated each other’s attacks.

Thud!

I thrust off the ground, rushing forward as I aimed downwards onto Ajidahaka. While it was a simple downward slash, I infused it with the Absolute Realm intent, so Ajidahaka had no choice but to respond, pushing back his sword to parry the strike.

Clang – !!

From the sound, I realized what technique Ajidahaka had used.

‘Rebound Technique!’

In that brief moment, he utilized multiple rebounds in a splendid combination of force to deflect my downward slash. I realized that while I had exerted 10 power, Ajidahaka had merely used 1 to fend off my attack, causing an instant chill to run down my spine.

‘What… incredible skill. The pinnacle of technique.’

Just because we were both in the Absolute Realm didn’t mean our martial proficiency was at all comparable. Strictly speaking, being in the Absolute Realm merely indicated the ability to wield Intent Heavenly Pillar, and the outcomes derived from it varied drastically. Viewed in that light, Sword Saint Ajidahaka already possessed a level of skill that was worlds apart from other Absolute Realm masters.

The only ones I could compare him to were perhaps only the Asura who had abandoned delusions and dedicated entirely to their training. It goes without saying, that if I faced Ajidahaka with pure technique, I would undoubtedly lose!

‘Then what if I try this.’

In the next instant, I cleared my mind to a state of emptiness and began funneling everything into a single strike. Seeing my rising aura, it seems Ajidahaka sensed something off and readied himself with intense focus. The moment came where I opened my eyes wide and struck.

Infinite Slash!

This wasn’t just an ordinary downward slash; it was a technique I could call my own Absolute Realm’s ultimate move! To explain the principle of this technique, I needed to channel my thoughts into nothing and execute the quickest, most instinctual downward strike. Thanks to my formidable internal power and intent, the Infinite Slash possessed tremendous power that even the Master of the White Lotus Sect would struggle against.

Swoosh!

I felt it! I knew I had struck Ajidahaka and broke into a pleased smile, but soon after, agony surged through me, and I groaned in pain.

“Ugh!”

Splash!

Drops of blood pooled around the tips of our swords as we quickly turned and reappeared to the ground, our bloodstream haphazardly splattered around. In the last exchange, I had grazed Ajidahaka’s wrist, leaving a mark less than a finger’s breadth, while I suffered a similar wound to my ribs.

In a state of realization of what had just transpired, I whimpered.

“…A counter?”

[Correct. That was our best option to face you.]

“……”

Something feels off.

Even if it was a counter, when I had executed the Infinite Slash, I had definitely felt a solid impact. Can a simple counter counteract our injuries so similarly and nullify them? No, I feel as if something had briefly opened up in between…

Unsure of the truth, I questioned him.

“Is that what your Absolute Realm can do?”

[It’s both true and not true.]

I saw a smile grace Ajidahaka’s lips.

[This is my Absolute Realm… Sword Emperor’s Immortal Without a Thousand Techniques. The real power lies in your discovery!]