전생검신 96권 18화

Why is reading [Flow] seen as a mistake?!

I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. The ability to read this [Flow] came with countless ups and downs.

Originally, I learned Tai Chi from the Supreme Master Jang Sam-bong to master the Peerless Technique, which helped me grasp how to read the flow of power. Plus, Asura had multiple methods to decode the Nirvana of the Absolute by understanding how various intents create a unified flow artificially. During my training session in the 28th round, Asura also emphasized the importance of [Flow].

Moreover, the words of the Master of the White Lotus Sect I met in the [Throne Room] held great significance for me.

[“It’s Flow. Even in chaos, there exists its own flow; try cutting the pulse of that flow.”]

[Chaos might seem to encompass everything, but within it lies an opportunity to discern unique laws. It feels like chaos enjoys endless freedom, but it inherently seeks to return to the great source. To read this, you must immerse yourself in chaos.]

Training to strike the Master using the Immortal Sword! At that time, while executing the Dark Night Slash, I felt the [Flow] and sensed the absorption of two opposing forces. After that, during hundreds of years of training with Shim Su-ryeok in the Training World, I got wrapped up in various matters and ultimately confirmed I reached the threshold of the Divine Realm facing Gong Sun Da-rang’s Natural Sword.

In other words, the ability to read [Flow] wasn’t gained by chance; it was earned through numerous teachings from peerless masters, enlightenment, and effort! Therefore, its power was absolute. I even managed to block the Divine Skill these days, and I was able to turn back Roland who had reached the Absolute Realm with even a mechanical body lacking internal power.

But… you’re saying that the [Flow] itself was wrong?!

As I stood frozen in shock, Pangu said quietly.

“Recall what Asura said regarding Yeodong-bin.”

“Huh?”

“I share all your memories. I know everything you’ve experienced up to this point.”

“……!”

Whoa!

I couldn’t help but be surprised. How could Pangu know everything about me?!

As I shot him a suspicious glance, he spoke.

“As the observer said, the Outer God can easily read your past journey records. I can do roughly what they can do.”

“Ah….”

“Realizations can come back to you only after eons, so don’t waste time on pointless questions; focus on your own memories.”

“Understood.”

If Pangu is the being he claims to be, it would be foolish to be shocked at this. I decided to save my doubts for later and immersed myself in thought.

“What did Asura say about Yeodong-bin…?”

…Ah!

[What if you clash with a master for tens of thousands of rounds, and someone completely reads the flow of your sword techniques, seizing victory?]

[He could read your subtle emotional currents and biased preferences as if reading the future… that is, if it were Yeodong-bin.]

[In terms of speed or power, you might be far ahead, yet there were times you couldn’t land a hit because Yeodong-bin seemed to know exactly how your attacks would unfold, right?]

[Actually, I can do something similar too.]

…Indeed.

That was a brief exchange during training with Asura, but I remembered it well due to my exceptional memory. Strengthened over many lifetimes by various trainings and special treatments, I could recall even the most minute details. Reflecting on that memory, I told Pangu.

“At that time, Asura mentioned that Yeodong-bin possesses the ability to read the [Flow] of the Divine Realm. And he claimed he had similar abilities too…”

“That’s right.”

“What was the reason you wanted me to recall this memory?”

“You realized that Yeodong-bin’s ability to read the [Flow] of the Divine Realm is a result of the Moon-Style Defense Technique through your martial arts training. This implies Asura can also use the Moon-Style Defense Technique.”

“Hmm…”

I pondered over Pangu’s question, lost in thought before finally conceding.

“I guess that’s true.”

This fact had already been confirmed during discussions with Gong Sun Da-rang. In fact, both Asura and Howol likely possess the same abilities. As I nodded in affirmation, Pangu unexpectedly continued.

“Then how much did Asura utilize the Moon-Style Defense Technique when confronting Gong Sun Da-rang in the 28th round?”

“…?”

Huh? What does this mean…?

I was bewildered, struggling to understand the intent behind his question. After a long while, I finally comprehended Pangu’s meaning and my face hardened.

“…There’s not just a possibility of using it. Both Asura and Gong Sun Da-rang would be continuously activating the skills of the Moon-Style Defense Technique.”

“Exactly. So what happens when Howol and Dao Xin face off against the Divine Skill?”

“……”

“Now do you understand what I’m getting at?”

“But that….”

I grasped what Pangu was implying, yet I couldn’t fully digest it, which made me hesitate in my response.

“Isn’t it meaningless to think about such a transcendental state…?”

When I responded with hesitation, Pangu, devoid of emotion, remarked.

“If there were no realm beyond the Divine Realm, that might hold true. But since there exists the realm beyond color, it carries significance.”

“……!”

“Do you understand?”

Pangu’s subsequent words challenged everything I had held to be true about martial arts.

“As you’ve realized in the Training World, the ability to grasp [Flow] like the Moon-Style Defense Technique is merely a fundamental skill for masters of the Divine Realm… Yeodong-bin has simply developed that basic skill into a technical domain, implying that any master of the Divine Realm, including you, can read [Flow] like this. Hence, it also means they can distort or deceive that [Flow].”

Exactly.

Pangu’s words clearly articulated the facts.

I had merely been relying on the ‘basics’ of the Divine Realm while failing to understand the realities of true combat!

However, I couldn’t accept that either, so I shot back at Pangu.

“But how could that be possible…? With my insight into [Flow], I could automatically block any attacks, regardless of speed or power. Even masters of the Absolute Realm couldn’t deceive that flow; how can that make sense?!”

“No. Before you faced me, you encountered such a person.”

Pangu looked at me with profound eyes and continued.

“In your past life, you dueled with Howol. I know that too.”

“Howol…? Yes, I did have a duel with him.”

“During that time, you couldn’t seize the winning opportunity against Howol and were pushed to defense instead in just a few basic moves. If [Flow] is indeed absolute and unchangeable, it would follow that you and Howol should be equals. Why were you losing?”

“…….”

I flinched!

Indeed, Pangu’s statement pinpointed what I hadn’t deeply considered back then.

I distinctly felt overwhelmed when facing Howol’s maneuvering during that battle. In fact, it would be reasonable to say I was defeated. I replied to Pangu.

“It was because he mastered the Sun and Moon Divine Art and the Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun.”

“Hmm. If you think so, then you also mastered the Soul of the Evil God and the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique. You’re saying that given your status in the Divine Realm, those arts would be reasons for losing? In fact, the Three Talents Sword Technique could also topple the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique after reaching the Divine Realm.”

“…….”

“When Howol wasn’t fully committed, you still lost. Did you gain nothing from how the flow of his techniques unfolded?”

“Um…that’s….”

Gradually, I felt more cornered by Pangu’s words. It was as if he was continuously poking at the contradictions I had been unwilling to face. Eventually, I resolved to acknowledge that contradiction and said.

“…I noticed a weakness in Howol’s spear technique, but I couldn’t bring myself to exploit that weakness. I felt it would cause a significant problem.”

“Exactly. You’re finally starting to see your own shortcomings.”

“Do you know the principle behind this?”

“As I said earlier, Howol has mastered the Divine Realm to an exceptional degree, thus he could deceive the [Flow]. You only followed the [Flow] with your techniques, hence you couldn’t discern Howol’s changes. Even so, you relied on the martial experiences accumulated until then to understand your danger and managed to avoid the worst-case scenario.”

“……!”

The moment I heard Pangu’s explanation, a memory surfaced of a past remark by Howol.

[You’re wandering at the threshold of the Divine Realm, but the prospect seems promising!]

I couldn’t understand why Howol said that back then. What was I wandering about? I had no inkling whatsoever and simply thought he was expressing his confidence. But now, after Pangu’s words, it started to make a modicum of sense.

Wandering at the threshold of the Divine Realm—

That was a harsh realization pointing out that I failed to grasp the ability to read [Flow], which should be standard among masters of the Divine Realm, and thus I couldn’t perceive how to deceive [Flow]!

“Look.”

As I finally recognized this fact, Pangu slowly extended his fist towards me. It was a punch that appeared slow even to the average person’s eye. When I stared blankly at that punch, it connected with my chest.

Pangu then spoke from that position.

“To a master of the Divine Realm, reading [Flow] works like this. You see my fist, observe the trajectory it’s taking, and anticipate where it will land. What distinguishes this from lower realms is that you can recognize the source of the [Flow].”

“The source of [Flow] means….”

“It’s the [Heart].”

Pangu stated firmly.

“In a way, this ability might seem similar to telepathy, but it actually entails not only reading the opponent’s heart but also reading the subtle hints across all dimensions of time and space perceived by that [Heart]. This allows you to ignore speed and strength, while also gaining foresight about the opponent’s intentions beyond the expected domain. That’s why your reading of [Flow] was sufficient to confront those beneath your level without a hitch.”

“…….”

“Just as you deciphered the Nirvana of the Absolute, you can sense even the tiniest hint woven into martial arts itself.”

Pangu’s articulate definition of [Flow] struck me with newfound understanding. While I had experienced it myself, I hadn’t dared to express it with such conviction.

Pangu continued,

“However, if both you and I can read [Flow] by perceiving the [Heart]… if that’s truly the case, you and I would engage in such a harmonious mutual relationship that we’d never determine a victor.”

The next moment, Pangu’s punch arrived at a staggering speed with a series of 36 consecutive strikes.

Bang bang bang bang bang!

Every one of those strikes was perfectly defended by my instinctive reading of [Flow], allowing me to block them flawlessly with Thunder Spirit Sealing techniques. Sounds of swift strikes echoed in the air, creating a fantastical display.

Yet I knew that merely blocking them perfectly wasn’t what mattered, so my face remained tense.

“Because we both read [Flow], it’s like we’re pre-announcing and launching attacks against each other.”

The recent exchange proved that point. Pangu’s attack appeared incredibly fast and sharp, but in truth, every move was neatly crafted within the range of what I could read, and I merely placed my hands in proximity.

“Indeed. So how could we bring victory to this confrontation?”

“…….”

Now I finally grasped what Pangu was aiming at and replied.

“We must deceive or change the [Flow].”

“Correct. That was exactly how Howol dealt with you.”

“But… that means even upon reaching such lofty status in the Divine Realm, it would merely become a battle akin to deciphering the flaws of techniques in the mundane martial world? Is that truly the pinnacle of martial arts?”

“I never claimed the Divine Realm was the pinnacle of martial arts. Instead, it’s a process of honing oneself and then moving beyond.”

With that, Pangu again reached out his hand towards me. His hand bore no force or intent, yet I felt anxiety about what could emerge from it. His unyielding voice continued.

“I’ll ask you once more. You may have easily fallen for deceptive maneuvers by others, but Yeodong-bin, Asura, and Gong Sun Da-rang would not be so easily fooled. Why do you think that is?”

“Because of higher realms?”

“Do you think we can just summarize it with that? What is the difference between martial arts and power, then?”

“…….”

Lacking a response, I licked my lips, and Pangu continued.

“Reading [Flow] is desirable. But what you do with that reading is what truly matters from that point on.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When you grasp the [Heart], you step into a realm of emotion that transcends intent. However, this does not mean that intents lose their utility entirely. Intents are essentially a training process for martial artists to wield their blades toward the heavenly realm.”

Suddenly, an eerie energy radiated from Pangu’s outstretched hand. I realized it was a deeply fortified intent, and moments later, that powerful Intent Heavenly Pillar disappeared in an instant. I felt this occurrence occur in a blink of an eye, startling me.

‘What the?!’

And the next moment, Pangu unleashed his strike!

Bam!

Guh!

“Ughh.”

Both my hands shattered, blood-soaked and filled with pain as I groaned. I had been aware that he was attacking the front, but had barely managed to defend against it. Pangu, seeing my condition, remarked with satisfaction.

“Just as I thought. Asura taught you a lot. He truly is a difficult opponent challenging the Palace of Martial Gods, yet he’s commendable.”

“……What is this?”

I looked at Pangu, shouting.

“This is… entirely… like Dark Night Slash!”

This blow came with every intent extinguished!

It felt just like my own Dark Night Slash.

But Pangu coldly replied.

“The principle may be similar, but they aren’t completely identical. Do you see my attack as truly comparable to your Dark Night Slash?”

“…….”

No.

I had no choice but to concede to Pangu’s assertion in my heart. The recent strike was similar yet held something different; there was something present that my Dark Night Slash lacked.

“Asura mentioned it, didn’t he?”

Finally, Pangu said.

“To go beyond the [Heart] is true unity and non-action.”