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00463  Dark Heaven Village  ————————————————————————

Currently, my best methods for effectively using Huaying (火曜) and the Fire Dragon Sword (火龍神劍) were the Reverse Sword Technique (逆二刀) and the Twin Sword Technique (雙劍術). The former was a martial style practiced by Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, utilizing both long and short swords. The latter, while not common in the Central Plains, often emerged as a unique style in swordplay.

I had to choose one of the two whether I liked it or not because I knew a major secret: [To find and free Huaying (火曜)]. [As far as I know, Gan Jiang and Huaying were created as a pair among the Seven Luminaries. It is said that by using Gan Jiang and Huaying together, one can gain immense power that could even obliterate a deity.]

This was the information Master Mangnyang had given me during my previous life! The knowledge that Su Yao and Huaying were created as a pair from the start meant that when Su Yao and Moon Sovereign resonated with each other, they could unleash power exceeding that of anything known, enough to be referred to as capable of exterminating even gods. This was the reason I had used every means available to acquire Huaying.

Now, I had both Su Yao and Huaying in my possession. However, only Huaying had been released, while Su Yao remained sealed. While I could forcibly seek a higher-grade master to perform the Offering Ceremony, I intentionally hadn’t released Su Yao yet. It was obvious that should I ask to unseal Su Yao, Jeon Wook would balk at the request.

The more Seven Luminaries one acquires, the greater power the owner possesses; however, unsealing all Seven Luminaries signifies the breaking of the Non-aggression Pact between the Three Sovereigns and the [Old Ruler], as it involves releasing the anchors in the East. Therefore, once Su Yao was also released following Huaying, it would mean that Moon Sovereign was already in a state of release, thus three luminaries would be unsealed, a situation that Nüwa was extremely wary of and opposed to. Jeon Wook would undoubtedly not disregard Nüwa’s opinions either.

In essence, I had to find a way to acquire all Seven Luminaries while also figuring out how to persuade the Three Sovereigns. Before that, the best combination I could currently achieve was the liberated Huaying and the Fire Dragon Sword, thus I had to learn martial arts suitable for utilizing these two weapons effectively.

‘Hmm… While the power of the Reverse Sword Technique is indeed monumental…’

The effectiveness of the Reverse Sword Technique recorded in the Book of Five Relationships is no joke. It pulled Sasaki Kojiro, an ordinary warrior, up to the level of the greatest swordsman Dongyoung in an instant, and the true owner, Miyamoto Musashi, was already in the Absolute Realm. The Reverse Sword Technique from the Book of Five Relationships is one of the strongest martial arts existing, and absolute mastery is assured.

However, it also requires a tremendous amount of talent. The fact that the Sword Demon openly claimed this technique was made solely for geniuses shows just how difficult it is. Given my below-average talent in martial arts, mastering it was nearly impossible.

Should I learn the Twin Sword Technique of Fire Spirit instead?

“……”

That’s a vague problem too. Just because the Reverse Sword Technique is hard doesn’t mean the Twin Sword Technique is easy. Besides, if I wanted to learn the Fire Spirit style, it would require entering the Fire Spirit Sect, which would mean forming ties with the White Lotus Sect and introducing significant variables into my future steps. Also, how my current martial arts would be received by the folks of the White Lotus Sect was something I couldn’t predict.

After pondering for a while, I decided to go find the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon was one of the most reliable figures I could consult about Muwak.

Pa-at!

“Oh, you’ve arrived.”

The Sword Demon spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“I’ve been wondering when you would come.”

“It’s been a while since we last met.”

“Haha. Please, take a seat.”

I exchanged stories with the Sword Demon about recent events. Listening to my tales, the Sword Demon nodded with a serious expression.

“Indeed… To wield both arms with god-level weapons, one must handle either Twin Swords or the Reverse Sword Technique… Sounds plausible.”

“But as you know, either option is quite challenging.”

“Absolutely accurate. Unlike your familiarity with spears and swords, mastering Twin Swords and the Reverse Sword Technique means starting entirely from scratch.”

Muttering to himself, the Sword Demon said.

“Hmm… I’ve been working steadily with my master to grow the Shadowless Alliance significantly. Currently, I’ve taken control of Anhui’s martial world, which was previously dominated by the Namgung Clan, and even secured a Non-aggression Pact with the Wudang Sect. Soon enough, I plan to subjugate the Eight Demons of the Demon Path as well.”

“Has it really progressed that far?”

I was slightly astonished. Not much time had passed since I last parted ways with the Sword Demon, and it hadn’t been long since the defeat of the Namgung Clan’s leaders. Yet the power of the Shadowless Alliance had grown to the point that it could rightfully claim to be the lord of the Eight Demons of the Demon Path. The Sword Demon replied.

“My master has provided tremendous assistance. With this strength, I plan to help you to the best of my ability.”

“Thank you very much.”

“As part of this… we should first find a master of the Twin Sword Technique in the martial world. Even if it isn’t as great as the Fire Spirit’s Twin Sword Technique, receiving instruction from someone who has reached the mastery level would surely benefit you, wouldn’t it?”

“If you could do that…”

I felt a strong belief that the Shadowless Alliance would indeed be helpful. The Sword Demon’s influence had surpassed that of the Black Dao and had exceeded parity with the Nine Great Sects, effectively making him an excellent asset for finding talents or resources. While I was inwardly pleased, the Sword Demon continued.

“And I have two more methods up my sleeve.”

“Really?”

“One of them… we can do right here.”

The Sword Demon called out towards the outside.

“Bring over Sasaki Kojiro.”

Before long, Sasaki Kojiro approached us. It seemed difficult for him to call Dongyoung by the official title, so he must have taken to using the nickname “Socharang”. Sasaki Kojiro was staring at us with his usual stoic expression when the Sword Demon spoke.

“Socharang Kojiro. There’s something to discuss, a consultation that only the master of the Reverse Sword Technique can help with.”

“I shall comply with your wishes, my lord.”

“It’s regarding the fact that Baek Woong…”

The Sword Demon began asking Sasaki Kojiro why I was interested in the Twin Sword Technique and the Reverse Sword Technique, and how I should train in them. Sasaki Kojiro closed his eyes and pondered for a while before speaking slowly in his clumsy Central Plains dialect.

“I will teach you myself. Baek Woong, follow me.”

We followed Sasaki Kojiro to the training ground. He took out both the short and long swords and tossed one of each to me. Then he said,

“You seem capable in Dongyoung language, so I’ll explain in that.”

“Understood.”

Kojiro slowly explained in his mother tongue.

“From your perspective, the Reverse Sword Technique and Twin Sword Technique are fundamentally different sword styles from the start. The Reverse Sword Technique uses swords of different lengths (二刀), diverging from the martial flow sought with Twin Swords. First, utilize the Reverse Sword Technique to block my initial attack for just ten seconds.”

“Got it.”

Shuaak!

Kacchh!

I used the Reverse Sword Technique to block Kojiro’s attack. Despite Kojiro being significantly weaker than me, I expected to block his strikes comfortably. However, after I blocked three of his initial strikes, I suddenly realized my stance was faltering, with gaps beginning to form unintentionally, and by the eighth strike, I was breaking out into a cold sweat. By the tenth strike, I couldn’t block it directly and only managed to escape using reflexes and a quick technique.

After ten strikes, Kojiro stepped back and said,

“Even if you’ve never held the Reverse Sword Technique before, you must have felt it just now. The Reverse Sword Technique doesn’t merely blend offense and defense; it requires utmost intuition and combat sense. Prioritizing offense over defense stands in stark contrast to the Twin Sword Technique, which aims to harmonize the left and right sword balances for a perfect offense and defense. The Reverse Sword Technique is aggressive by nature.”

“I see…!!”

I could instantly grasp the differences between the two martial arts from Kojiro’s explanation. Experiencing it firsthand means understanding better than a hundred words could convey. Facing the master of the Reverse Sword Technique while I held it, I easily comprehended the nuances. Kojiro continued,

“The foundational stances for the Reverse Sword Technique and the Twin Sword Technique are entirely different, so I would advise against trying to master both.”

“Good advice, thank you.”

I felt that I had gained insightful counsel from Kojiro. As he stepped back, I relayed our conversation to the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon listened joyfully and laughed.

“Haha, indeed!”

“I think I should try to master the Twin Sword Technique, after all.”

“Sounds about right. Then I will share the other method with you.”

“Another method, you say?”

As I questioned back, the Sword Demon settled into a chair and replied.

“Though masters of the Twin Sword Technique are rare, they can be found among the Fire Spirit Sect, somewhere in the Central Plains martial world, and there’s certainly one more place.”

“…?”

“The Thunder God Lineage.”

“Wha—!?”

I had not considered this possibility, and I gasped. The Sword Demon leaned forward and said,

“I noticed peculiar traces in your obsidian regarding a unique faction of the Thunder God Lineage known as the Ghostly Spirit Sect. I also know they specialize in not just martial paths and forbidden laws, but also unique martial arts such as the Twin Sword Technique. It would be a method to seek out a master of the Ghostly Spirit Sect in the Thunder God Lineage.”

Certainly, that makes sense. In the past, during my training with the Thunder God Lineage, I had learned the Ghostly Spirit Sect’s distinct techniques—that is, the Magnetism Ghost Blade and Hell King’s Hand—from the previous master, Green Moon. Of course, with my talent, I could only grasp the basics and foundational stances, but I did indeed come into contact with the Ghostly Spirit Sect. Additionally, Green Moon had boasted about various techniques his faction possessed, including Twin Sword Technique and Secret Technique.

Hesitating, I said, “Hmm… I would prefer to keep that as a last resort.”

“Are you reluctant to engage with the Thunder God Lineage? Surely, a master of the Twin Sword Technique would be a formidable expert.”

“……”

“I see. Then I will make inquiries in my own way.”

“Thank you.”

Finding Green Moon wouldn’t be too hard. He’s currently running the Black Moon Group, eyeing a resurgence of the Thunder God Lineage. Since the Sword Demon also inherited memories from my obsidian, he could find Green Moon and his forces in no time should he set his mind to it; that’s why he had asked me. However, I wanted to avoid contacting Green Moon for now.

‘Hmm… As expected, the best answer lies within the Fire Spirit Sect…’

I secretly thought my best option among the various methods would be to learn the Twin Sword Technique of the Fire Spirit. In fact, I had already sensed this before coming to find the Sword Demon. However, due to dying multiple times, I had developed a habit of circling my thoughts, going around in circles without reaching a conclusion.

While I was deep in thought, the Sword Demon said, “Baek Woong. Can you properly teach me the Seven Great Techniques?”

“Yes, I will.”

It felt like the better choice to refine what I currently had alongside the Sword Demon. With my mind drowning in complexities and the immediate issue unresolved, it was the ideal time to train. I decided to remain with the Shadowless Gate for a while to impart the Seven Great Techniques to him.

After securing a good chunk of that enormous obsidian, I infused it with the memories of martial arts and sent it to the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon savored those memories for a moment before expressing admiration.

“Indeed! Splendid work.”

“Then I shall also train.”

“Feel free! I shall provide space specifically for you.”

The Sword Demon prepared a large separate room for me to stay in while also arranging wardens. I felt a sense of relief at finally having the space to train by myself.

‘Soul Exchange Technique, Peaceful Art, Seven Great Techniques…’

I had three techniques to master. Revisiting what I already possessed before stepping into the new realm of Twin Sword Technique was never a bad idea. Moreover, after meeting my nineteenth death, I hadn’t thoroughly explored the eight possibilities of the Seven Great Techniques, making the need for training all the more pressing.

The eight possibilities created by the previous Thunder God Lineage master, Lee Cheong-un, in his research of the Seven Great Techniques are as follows:

Three Treasure Technique (三步絶技)

Landlord’s Hell King (蜘蛛冥王)

Reverse Celestial Wheel (易天寶輪)

Residual Void Cloud Phase (殘空雲曜)

Ninety-Nine Harmonious Returns (九十九合理歸)

Five Elements Strong Qi (五行?氣)

Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique (七星爆雷指)

Ruyi Radiance (如意照靈)

To be precise, among these, the Three Treasure Technique and the Landlord’s Hell King weren’t originally devised by Lee Cheong-un; he simply systematized them. Thus, it can be said that the pure techniques created by Lee Cheong-un comprise a total of six. Since I had only barely mastered the Three Treasure Technique among them, thinking about when I would master the remaining seven left me feeling quite cloudy.

‘But… I need to reestablish the fundamentals to make sure I don’t forget!’

I lack talent. However, I have always given my best effort to learn martial arts and techniques, borrowing the talents of others where necessary. Even if I may serve only as a storehouse of martial arts knowledge, I will undoubtedly gain the ultimate ability necessary to topple the deities that dominate heaven and earth!

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