---

“What are the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?”

I almost decided to visit Jangryeong Valley directly, but I gave up. With the Thunder God Lineage folks and Mangnyang visiting, it didn’t seem like anything major would happen. Besides, unless you’re the Master of the White Lotus Sect, there’s hardly anyone powerful enough to mess with them. Plus, Mangnyang had already said he didn’t need to pursue me, so I figured it was best to just relax.

“What could Sword Strength be?”

For days, that thought kept nagging me while I played around with Miho.

Sword Strength!

It referred to the highest levels of swordsmanship, alongside the Invincible Sword. It meant not just gathering and releasing energy, but creating a transcendent momentum, visually akin to a cluster of stars. Sword Strength was said to possess a power that was on another level from Sword Qi or Sword Flame.

But even the greatest masters I had met couldn’t use Sword Strength as naturally as breathing. Dharma Guardians or top-tier experts like Lee Kwang occasionally used it in their absolute strikes, but they achieved it through highly refined techniques. For someone like me, forcing it out through sheer power was pretty much impossible.

On top of that, there was also no clear way to manifest or explain this Sword Strength, even Lee Kwang couldn’t readily explain it to me. Even though he had been holding back my enlightenment until now, his feelings about Sword Strength felt completely different. Even if I asked the Sword Demon or Jin So-cheong, they also struggled to explain it properly. Clearly, Sword Strength was a study at a different dimension from what I had learned so far.

So, while chatting with Miho by the valley, I brought it up.

“Sword Strength? Sword Energy? Who’d have thought you to be a martial artist too…”

Miho chuckled while splashing her white feet in the valley water, sitting on a rock.

“Didn’t you say you earned the insights of Jang Sam-bong? Was there no mention of that?”

“That’s a bit odd.”

“What’s odd about it?”

“It’s completely devoid of a specific method to manifest Sword Energy or techniques, and just filled with metaphysical explanations!”

Even in the insights I had from Jang Sam-bong, there was no clear definition of Sword Energy. It should have at least said that using a specific technique would yield Sword Energy, but there was nothing of the sort.

Instead, what filled it was a dense metaphysical aura, making it difficult even for someone like me, who had studied Qimen Dunjia and martial techniques. Probably, it was tightly packed with Jang Sam-bong’s unique enlightenment, thus making it cryptic.

After a bit of pondering, Miho finally suggested, “Hmm… I think I might have a way.”

“What is it?”

“Compare the differences between those who can use Sword Energy and you, objectively. Then you might figure out what you need.”

“Is that so?”

Upon hearing her words, something came to mind. I jumped to my feet and declared, “Miho, I’m off for a day. If Mangnyang or the Thunder God folks come back, tell them I went off to train.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

“To the Shadowless Gate in Henan.”

“Got it. Don’t worry and have a good trip.”

Whoosh!

I soon used my technique to head toward the Shadowless Gate. After appearing near it with a flourish, I walked toward the gate. Sure enough, the guard warriors at the gate shot me a sharp look and asked, “Who goes there?”

“I am Baek Woong, here to meet the Lord of the Shadowless Gate.”

“Hmm… Is it you, Baek Woong?”

The captain of the guards made a noise. After confirming my identity, he probably recalled my previous visit. In a moment, he went inside to make a report.

“The lord is expecting you,” he announced.

I followed them into the Shadowless Gate. The familiar interior I’d seen before greeted me, leading to the reception room where the Lord of the Shadowless Gate and the leader of the Eight Demons of Martial Daos, the Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, awaited.

He spoke calmly, “What brings you here?”

“I, Baek Woong of Jianghu, have come to seek guidance from the master.”

I greeted him with a respectful bow. Last time, I had come as Seo Mun-hye’s benefactor, but this time I had no such standing. The Sword Demon waved his hand and chuckled, “A junior? Too much humility for yourself. The affairs of your sect have already spread throughout Jianghu.”

“Oh?”

“Since the Thunder God Lineage wiped out the Huashan Sect, all forces in Jianghu are on edge. They’ve begun betting on whether your sect can match up to the Nine Great Sects.”

“…”

Apparently, during my unconsciousness, the actions of the Thunder God Lineage had sent ripples across Jianghu. Seo Mun-dae-ryong pressed his palm on the table and continued, “I had a feeling you were destined for greatness, but I didn’t expect you to be a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage… So did you arrive today because of their rumors?”

It seemed he was guessing that I had come as a messenger of the Thunder God Lineage. Given the circumstances, that seemed highly likely. Of course, that wasn’t the case, so I hurriedly shook my head. “Not at all. Today, I’ve come as a mere swordsman to learn from a great senior.”

“Hmm… Interesting. I thought you were seeking to train with us,” Seo Mun-dae-ryong replied.

“That could be a possibility later, but today I don’t have any suitable topic.”

“Hahaha. Alright then, tell me.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong laughed heartily. I stared at him for some time before asking, “What do you think Sword Strength is?”

“… You’re setting down quite a difficult topic all of a sudden.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong wore an astonished expression. I sighed and explained, “I believe I need to consult the Thunder God Lineage about my issue, but since you’re an expert in swordsmanship, I definitely wanted to hear your thoughts.”

“I see… Your swordsmanship isn’t low. You could even call yourself a sword hero. There must be a reason for you to ponder this.”

“Sword Strength is like a cluster of stars, and I can’t understand how it can’t be explained with conventional methods. I’ve been mulling over this, but I simply can’t find an answer. Many masters seem hesitant to speak openly about it…”

“Hmm…”

He crossed his arms in contemplation. Then he said, “Alright, follow me.”

I followed him to the sparring arena at the Shadowless Gate. He stood facing me, maintaining a distance of about three steps as he held a true sword. “Can you perform Void Object Manipulation?”

“Within a radius of one palm, I can do it.”

“Show me.”

I threw an iron sword into the ground, then used Void Object Manipulation to reel it back into my hands. As Seo Mun-dae-ryong observed this series of actions, he asked again, “Then can you perform the Invincible Sword?”

“I can’t.”

“Why can’t you? You can exert force within three steps.”

“That’s a different matter. Moving an object with energy is one thing, but just moving the sword sounds like a whole other ball game.”

“That’s the tricky part about the Invincible Sword.” Seo Mun-dae-ryong chuckled sadly. “Sword Flying Technique is the highest level of swordsmanship, and its ultimate goal is to set the sword free from the physical body. Do you understand this so far?”

“Yes.”

“It divides into three stages: Hand’s Control Sword Technique, Eye’s Control Sword Technique, and Heart’s Control Sword Technique. The degree of progression in these stages ultimately depends on how much you’ve surpassed the limitations of your body. Can you liberate the sword with your hands or with your eyes? Either way, the utilization becomes increasingly refined.”

Slowly, Seo Mun-dae-ryong extended his arm. The sword floated from his fingertips, suspended in mid-air as if it were anchored to a singular point.

“This is Hand’s Control Sword Technique.”

“Yes…”

“The reason many people confuse Sword Flying Technique with Sword Control Techniques is that many experts fail to advance beyond the initial Hand’s Control stage. Before reaching the pinnacle, it’s accurate to say that Sword Control Techniques are lackluster compared to using only basic techniques.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong lowered his hand and closed his eyes, seemingly blocking his senses.

Whoosh!

Separately from that, the sword was already racing toward my face at an incredible speed, faster than I could track.

“…!!”

What is moving this quickly?!

It was almost like light!

I felt chills run down my spine. Even without activating my Thunderclap or Baek Woong’s Formation, Seo Mun-dae-ryong could have effortlessly ended me with that strike. While I remained frozen in surprise, he opened his eyes and reeled his sword back.

“This is the Eye’s Control Sword Technique, the pinnacle I’ve reached.”

“Eye’s Control Sword Technique? But you just closed your eyes.”

“Not those eyes. I visualized my inner intent and consciousness as sight.”

“…?”

I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Not opening my eyes, yet utilizing Eye’s Control. And manifesting my intent as sight. This was worlds apart from the martial theory I’d been considering. Seo Mun-dae-ryong said, “You seem to not fully grasp this, so let me explain again. Your use of Void Object Manipulation stemmed from energy, but my Sword Control Techniques are based on intent. Energy is the auxiliary; intent is the main. Similarly, Sword Strength shouldn’t originate from energy either.”

“B-but…”

I was still struggling to understand. As I pondered, Seo Mun-dae-ryong let out a chuckle. “Do you know the principle behind Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence?”

“The speed at which internal energy accumulates changes depending on one’s will, and the operation of blood vessels and Qi also varies,” I answered.

“Have you never thought Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence is strange? If one possesses unparalleled will, they should be able to accumulate internal energy at an unprecedented speed, yet there are clear limits.”

“That’s the limit of blood vessels in the human body.”

“Exactly. No matter how great one’s mental or willpower, the effects gained through Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence have limits. But…”

Whoosh!

At that moment, Seo Mun-dae-ryong appeared behind me. I quickly turned, only to find that he had returned to his original position. I wondered if even with my Soul Removal Technique pushed to the max, I could match that speed. Seo Mun-dae-ryong spoke again. “In the highest realms of martial arts, things are different. The dimensions shift.”

“How did you do that?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t really move. You just mistakenly perceived my intent as being in that location.”

“……”

“Intent is a completely different concept from the mental strength or willpower that we usually think about. It’s closer to the Eight Consciousnesses spoken of in Buddhism.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong sighed. “Hmm… Since you seem to be struggling with this, I’ll leave it here.”

“I apologize for my ignorance.”

“It’s fine. To truly grasp this takes decades of cultivation.”

With a bittersweet tone, Seo Mun-dae-ryong summarized the key point. “Both Sword Strength and Sword Control ultimately come from one’s intent to impose their will on the world. The reason masters at the peak levels couldn’t describe this to you is that the realm surpasses verbal explanation. You can only realize it through your own enlightenment.”

This felt like the most tangible explanation I had received regarding Sword Strength and Intent so far. I pondered, ‘Could the secret to Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong’s strength lie here?’

After several decades of cultivation, I had been tormented by the contradiction of never catching up to them. But if Seo Mun-dae-ryong was right, simply training internal energy and basic techniques wouldn’t allow me to cross that martial boundary. I sincerely appreciated Seo Mun-dae-ryong’s advice as if it were precious gold.

“Thank you.”

“It’s already been quite a while. Why don’t you have something to eat before you go?”

“Sure.”

I accepted his hospitality, deciding to have a meal and rest before leaving. It seemed neither wise to decline his kindness nor could I shake the thought of maybe sparring once more tomorrow. As the meal was served, I found it surprisingly modest, a vegetarian-focused spread.

‘This is different from the last feast I received.’

Last time, it felt like the table was loaded to break, but today it seemed more like a meal prepared with practitioners in mind. Yet even as vegetarian, it was exquisitely prepared and quite enjoyable. For reasons unknown, Seo Mun-hye was sitting right next to me with a gleeful smile.

“You’re eating well, benefactor!”

“……”

“You should try this.”

“Um…”

As Seo Mun-hye handed me her chopsticks filled with a dish, I couldn’t resist taking it, especially since Seo Mun-dae-ryong, sitting across from us, was observing with keen interest. With the three of us seated together, it was hard not to eat under such scrutiny.

“Are you disappointed that it’s not a grand meal?”

“Not at all.”

“Normally, we eat like this. Excessive meat can make one feel sluggish and build up internal heat.”

Even though he led one of the major sects of the Eight Demons of Martial Daos, he managed his body like an ascetic. The Shadowless Gate, simply due to its status, stood on the edge of the Heretical Sects, yet in essence, it felt closer to the Correct and Neutral Sects. While I was eating, my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, “You seem uninterested in expanding influence; why not?”

“Being a big shot in Jianghu isn’t something to brag about. The more hidden grudges you collect, the harder it becomes to manage. Besides, I dislike frightening others with power.”

Clatter.

While munching on pickled vegetables, Seo Mun-dae-ryong continued, “Honestly, I don’t view your Thunder God Lineage’s recent designation as a public entity all that positively. While labeled as a public entity, the Nine Great Sects could manipulate public sentiment and designate anyone quickly.”

“I see…”

“The reason I reign over the Shadowless Gate isn’t just for show. Under the name of the Correct Faction’s Nine Great Sects, countless weak martial artists might suffer; I provide a refuge for them.”

“However, wouldn’t that classify you as a Heretical Sect?”

“It can’t be helped. Those who benefit the most from the black-and-white classification would continue to profit.”

“Profiting, you say?”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong set down his chopsticks and said, “What do you think will happen if there is no enemy like the Eight Demons of Martial Daos for the Nine Great Sects and True Heaven Alliance?”

“Well… They’d wield power without restraint.”

“No, they wouldn’t want that. The True Heaven Alliance exists to combat the villainy of the Eight Demons of Martial Daos, allowing them to gain support from potential martial artists. And the Nine Great Sects often tacitly trade with our leaders.”

“……!!”

I was taken aback. I had always thought the Nine Great Sects and True Heaven Alliance were desperate to eradicate the Eight Demons of Martial Daos, but to learn that they shared a relationship of coexistence through underhanded dealings was shocking! My jaw dropped, and Seo Mun-hye calmly said next to me, “Father, isn’t this a heavy topic?”

“No, Hye. Listen closely; this is the common truth of Jianghu.”

“Yes.”

“As far as I know, at least a dozen minor sects have tragically faced extermination under the guise of public entities. Many of them have never committed evil; they were simply on the wrong end of a squabble with the Nine Great Sects.”

“Hmm…”

After listening closely, I replied, “But the Eight Demons of Martial Daos aren’t entirely innocent either, are they?”

“That is altogether unavoidable. There are certainly many villains among them.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong chuckled lightly. “But keep in mind; the Eight Demons of Martial Daos do not represent the evil scattered across the world. Even if the Eight Demons were to perish, another Heretical Sect would likely emerge. We should start with dealing with those who artificially create such black-and-white classifications.”

Hearing such unexpected revelations felt surreal.

The close relationship between the Eight Demons of Martial Daos and the True Heaven Alliance! And Seo Mun-dae-ryong’s thoughts. I had plenty to mull over, and I stopped eating to think deeply. After reflecting for a considerable time, I looked at Seo Mun-dae-ryong and asked, “Is that the perspective you would wish for our Thunder God Lineage?”

“You’re not wrong.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong gazed at me with profound eyes and said, “I am willing to forge an alliance with the Thunder God Lineage. If you desire, I can set the Eight Demons of Martial Daos into motion.”

“An alliance…!!”

I sputtered at his intriguing suggestion. “It’s not something I can decide on my own.”

“Of course. I just hope you consider it a light conversation over lunch.”

“……”

What a sly old fox. He casually threw that out there while saying something intense. Having received such heavy discussions made the meal feel somewhat tasteless. ‘I’ll have to discuss this with Mangnyang.’ After finishing the meal, I prepared for bed.

However, Seo Mun-hye followed me into my room. I gazed at her, puzzled, and said, “This isn’t your room, is it?”

“I can’t seem to sleep alone,” she replied, edging closer to sit by my bedside. She took my hand and said, “Would you mind sharing your experiences with me?”

I felt alarm bells ringing. It felt like a casual chat wouldn’t be sufficient. A glint of determination flashed in her eyes. I quickly cleared my throat and replied, “Ahem! I’m quite tired, so I’ll be heading to bed now.”

“Okay.”

As I lay down, Seo Mun-hye nestled beside me.

“……”

“……”

It felt too natural for me to speak up, making it hard to break the silence. Seo Mun-hye said, “Good night.”

“Ah, wait! Why are you lying here?”

“My room is under construction. It can’t be helped.”

“But you could go to another room…”

Seo Mun-hye smiled brightly. “All the other rooms are under construction as well.”

“……”

With no other options, it would be tricky to do any exorcisms now. I felt restless, ultimately sitting her up to say, “I know you have a keen interest in me, but I’m not particularly comfortable with this situation, so please let me be alone.”

“Do you dislike me?”

“Not at all.”

Seo Mun-hye clung tightly to my clothing. With a sorrowful expression, she argued, “Even if you have another woman, I wouldn’t mind. I just want to be with you.”

“There’s no reason for you to be so attached to me. You could find someone better.”

“Why are you rejecting me so fiercely?”

“Because…”

Images of Miho and Mangnyang popped into my mind, along with unpleasant memories from my deaths flashing by like a movie. I suddenly found it amusing that instead of battling my desires, I recalled my past fatalities. “… It’s because I have things to do.”

That’s right.

To avoid dying meaninglessly again.

And to craft the best future with them requires not losing focus. Once I answered decisively, Seo Mun-hye’s eyes welled up with tears as she pleaded, “Please, let me join you in the Thunder God Lineage.”

“What?”

“I beg you. I can’t live without you.”

“That’s nonsense…”

At that moment, Seo Mun-hye pulled a dagger from her sleeve, attempting to stab herself in the chest. Startled, I forcefully snatched the dagger from her hand. Just moments ago, the swordmaster had shown with all her strength, making me doubt it was all an act.

“What are you doing?!”

“Because I have no reason to live.”

“This is insane…”

Seo Mun-hye’s expression was sincere. I pondered for what felt like ages, then sighed, “Then I’ll ask the Sword Demon tomorrow.”

Afterward, I sent Seo Mun-hye to another room.

The next day, after sparring with the Sword Demon, I shared the situation with him. Seo Mun-dae-ryong joyfully said, “That’s fine. Whether you introduce her to the Thunder God Lineage or however you decide to involve her, I’m okay with it.”

“Even if she doesn’t wish to join, if our sect doesn’t want her, we can easily send her back.”

“Do as you please. That can’t be helped.”

Thus, I ended up leading Seo Mun-hye back to the Thunder God Lineage somewhat accidentally.

 

---