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I had been learning the Seven Great Techniques based on the Six Harmonies from Jang Sam-bong, and it felt completely different compared to my lessons from Lee Cheong-un or the Sect Leader.

It felt like this was how it was supposed to be all along.

In reality, the content of the teachings hadn’t changed much; I was just referencing the flow of the Six Harmonies. But that made all the difference! It was like stepping out of a dark cave relying on a dim light and suddenly finding myself on a bright sunny road. Until now, I’d been relying on genius and intuition to understand the connections of the Seven Great Techniques, but now I could organize them according to a structured flow.

Thanks to that, even in just one day, I gained a much deeper understanding of the links in the Seven Great Techniques. I felt like I could grasp the Eight Great Possibilities of the Seven Great Techniques.

However, Jang Sam-bong frowned when the Eight Great Possibilities were mentioned.

“The Eight Great Possibilities are of the Seven Great Techniques, but they are not the Seven Great Techniques themselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“That is a unique possibility honed using the research results you’ve accumulated for decades, along with the resources of the Thunder God Lineage. I never thought such a combination would be possible while understanding the way of the void.” He continued, “In other words, Jin So-cheong or Lee Cheong-un created something that didn’t exist in this world.”

Confounded, I asked, “But Lee Cheong-un and the Sect Leader said that all possibilities are open. So, I figured you had everything arranged…”

“Of course, it was I who studied the Tai Chi and the Six Harmonies that opened that possibility. But the ones who can ‘open’ it are, in themselves, great talents of the ages! If you’ve trained, you know that it doesn’t just happen by mixing things randomly.”

“That’s true, but…” It seems mixing any secret from among the Six Great Techniques looks like it leads to the Divine Arts Technique, but the secrets held within each martial art were profound and mystical. Even the simplest combination, the Landlord King, wouldn’t have been created without a deep understanding of the Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword.

“The martial arts referred to as the Eight Great Possibilities are already separate Divine Arts Techniques that can stand independent from the original source I created. To be honest, I had hoped that the martial artists of the Wudang Sect would develop them further.”

Jang Sam-bong sighed and added, “Therefore, I can’t guarantee that I can lead you to the pinnacle state by teaching the Eight Great Possibilities.”

“That’s fine. I am just grateful to learn.”

“Hmm…”

“Please teach me.” I realized that in order to fully train the Eight Great Possibilities, I needed Jang Sam-bong’s help. The problem was that only the Master of the White Lotus Sect or Lee Cheong-un, or perhaps the artificially grown Jin So-cheong could teach me properly. Since there were issues with contacting all three, I had no choice but to receive teachings from Jang Sam-bong.

I spent the dawn getting taught about the Eight Great Possibilities by Jang Sam-bong.

He certainly knew his stuff.

Though he said it was hard to explain verbally, the way he taught me actually seemed easy and straightforward. To effectively transmit knowledge, the educator must fully understand it themselves, and Jang Sam-bong had mastered the Eight Great Possibilities and pierced through to its depths.

To comprehend the Eight Great Possibilities in a single morning—now that was incredible!

This was the style of Jang Sam-bong!

While watching the rising morning sun, Jang Sam-bong said, “But calling it the Eight Great Possibilities doesn’t sound right for such magnificent martial arts…”

“Would you like to name it something else?”

“That would be good.”

“You have the authority to name it, Master.” I urged Jang Sam-bong to name it, as the creator and authority.

After some thought, he finally suggested, “How about calling it the Eight Immortals Divine Art?”

I looked at him with intrigue at his choice.

“Are you thinking of the Eight Immortals?”

“Indeed.”

He added, seemingly a bit shy, “I’ve admired them since I was young, which is why I wanted to attach their names.”

Upon reflection, Jang Sam-bong was indeed much later than Yeodong-bin. Although he was from hundreds of years ago, he wasn’t from the Tang Dynasty. In that sense, one could say Jang Sam-bong was a junior to Yeodong-bin, but it didn’t seem like the style of the Eight Immortals to hold strict seniority.

“Got it.” From now on, let’s refer to the Eight Great Possibilities as the Eight Immortals Divine Art, as decided by Jang Sam-bong.

While I was inwardly making that determination, Jang Sam-bong said, “But can you concentrate on training?”

“Ah… about that…”

“Your mind is elsewhere.”

As expected, the senses of the Eight Immortals were unmatchable. I scratched my head and replied, “Actually, the deadline for meeting someone is approaching. I’m worried about that.”

“Hmm… You’re not going to achieve great success in a single morning anyway. Focus on what you need to do first before training.”

“Yes.” With that, I spent the remaining time meditating to refine my mental state and physical strength to the peak. Then on the day of the appointment, I left Jangryeong Valley at dawn. When facing significant matters, it’s often better to prepare oneself than to train.

Pa-at!

I arrived at the Han Clan using the Apostle’s Power instead of the golden lamp technique. While using the golden lamp might have been more comfortable, I had to quickly get used to the Apostle’s Power for future convenience.

Upon arriving in the garden of the Han Clan, I found Han Baek-ryeong waiting for me on a wooden bridge. Despite my early start, she was already fully dressed, proving she certainly remembered the appointment.

When Han Baek-ryeong saw me, she remarked, “You can’t possibly be the Dragon’s Avatar?”

“That’s correct.”

“That’s absurd! You transformed from a boy to a young man overnight?” Han Baek-ryeong looked at me with suspicion. It was indeed hard to believe that someone could change their appearance overnight. Even Mangnyang found it hard to believe, let alone Han Baek-ryeong.

“Believe it or not, I’m here to keep my promise to you. I’ve come to deliver the answer regarding the assassination of the Master of the White Lotus Sect as you requested.”

Understanding the situation, Han Baek-ryeong stiffened and said, “That’s ridiculous… Aren’t you being overly brazen for a stand-in?”

“I am who I am.”

With a swift movement, I drew my Fire Spirit and unleashed its power, sending waves of intense fiery energy rippling around, causing Han Baek-ryeong to furrow her brow at the illusory flames.

Displaying the might of the Fire Spirit, I brusquely stated, “Whether you believe me or not is up to you. If you don’t, then I shall take my leave.”

“Wait a moment.” Han Baek-ryeong raised her hand to halt me. After some thought, she declared, “Even if you are a stand-in, I believe speaking with the Dragon’s Avatar would be different.” She seemed to have judged that regardless of whether I was genuine or fake, engaging with my forces made a difference. It was a strategy to secure her interests.

“Do as you wish.”

“Why did you become like this?”

I replied nonchalantly, “I have many connections with divine beings. This form is how I aged rapidly in a short time.”

“…And you expect me to believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not, I can’t help that. If my words are true and you were in my place, how would you explain this transformation to others?”

“I can’t argue with that.” Han Baek-ryeong seemed skeptical but eventually conceded, “Regardless, please tell me the answer from before.”

Han Baek-ryeong requested my assistance in killing the Master of the White Lotus Sect and was willing to share weaknesses and information needed for the deed. I had already discussed answers to this question with my strategists, so I replied without hesitation.

“There are conditions.”

“What are those conditions?”

“You must persuade the Wind Spirit Sect to become allies.”

“……”

“And you need the scholars as allies as well.”

Proposing Zhuge Sa’s plan, her expression turned sour, as expected. It was just that much trouble for her. She countered, “I don’t think it’s necessary to involve them in this matter…”

“That’s not the case. If we exclude the Wind Spirit Sect and they side with the Sect Leader later, what then? And if we don’t solidify our alliance with the scholars, our influence in Luoyang will decrease significantly.”

“That’s merely a minor issue unrelated to conquering the Sect Leader. It’s trivial.”

“Hmph.”

She was right. Everything I had countered was akin to excuses. Calmly, I continued, “But I won’t join hands with someone who can’t even handle minor matters.”

“……!!”

“Just as you call this trivial, eliminating the Master of the White Lotus Sect isn’t essential for me either. Compared to what I stand to gain, bridging that risky gap is excessive. That’s why I’m asking for a fundamental procedure to handle this. Is that so hard?”

“So you want to demonstrate your capabilities?”

“Interpret as you wish.”

Han Baek-ryeong looked contemplative for a moment before nodding, “I will give it a try.”

“Good.” I decided that once Han Baek-ryeong succeeded in her tasks, I would receive news through the messenger Sangwan Hyuk.

“How’s the progress of the Sword Demon’s Twin Sword Technique?”

“He has only recently begun training.”

“Ah… I see…”

“But he’s already mastered the basics.”

When I looked at her in surprise, Han Baek-ryeong explained, “He’s a genius who was already nearing the peak in his former field.”

I went to the training ground of the Sword Demon to meet him. The Sword Demon was meditating at dawn, and upon receiving my visit, his expression soured with unease.

“Who are you?”

“Baek Woong.”

As I spoke, the Sword Demon’s expression darkened further. “Baek Woong is just a boy.”

“I’ve aged.”

“Ha ha ha!!”

The Sword Demon looked at me as if I were joking and turned his head away, clearly dismissing me. I felt a pang of disappointment, but anyone hearing that I’d aged over 20 years in an instant would think I was crazy. His reaction was entirely reasonable.

With no other options, I approached the Sword Demon and presented the obsidian.

“This is my proof.”

“I can’t trust you. What guarantees do I have that it isn’t a trap intended to brainwash or mislead me?”

The Sword Demon glared at me with suspicion. Then, it was Han Baek-ryeong, watching from the back, who spoke up, “Sword Demon! This is no time to waste! Will you drive away this noble person or speak with him?”

“Han Baek-ryeong.”

“Stop the shenanigans and make a choice.”

It appeared that regardless of whether I was real or not, she detested having an outsider linger in her sect’s critical area. Under Han Baek-ryeong’s urging, the Sword Demon pondered for quite some time and finally nodded reluctantly.

“Fine, I’ll give you a chance.”

Pa-at!

“Huh!”

The Sword Demon read what had transpired and looked astonished. His wariness diminished as he sent me a secret transmission.

[Sorry for my suspicion.]

[No worries, it’s expected.]

Then, he started a conversation with the intention of showing Han Baek-ryeong.

“I’ve heard your recent achievements have been remarkable.”

“I’m still just at the crawling stage.”

I pretended to be having a regular conversation while actually communicating through a secret message.

As he spoke, he remarked, [There must have been a lot happening. It seems I’ll also need to leave this training ground soon. The world is going to undergo dramatic changes.]

[When would be a good time?]

[Originally, I thought it would be two years, but I think I will move it up. If Han Baek-ryeong acknowledges you as my disciple, I could teach you the Twin Sword Technique.]

[I will be waiting.]

Had he spent his time digging deeper into the Seven Great Techniques instead of focusing on the Twin Sword Technique, he might have achieved much more. Regardless, since I would need to use the Twin Sword Technique, he was willingly sacrificing his time for my benefit. Knowing this, I resolved to repay the Sword Demon adequately later on.

[As a piece of advice, you should seek out the Prophet.]

[The Prophet?]

[Looks like your strategists were too busy with their own matters and failed to realize that the Prophet knows the current information and movements about the otherworldly race the best. Prepare offerings to glean information from him.]

[Oh!]

[To prepare for the great disaster, having information about the otherworldly race may be crucial. Well then, good luck.]

I left the Han Clan and headed towards Jinrang Valley.

‘I’m worried about Mangnyang, who must be fighting against divine fever.’

I headed toward the estate where Mangnyang resided. When I arrived and observed him lying on a rock, he seemed to be motionless, almost as if he were fainting. His body was devoid of heat, and his complexion was so pale he looked like a corpse. It was evident that he was unconscious.

“Mangnyang!” I called out in a panic and grasped his wrist. In that moment, a wave of scorching heat surged through his wrist and into me. The overwhelming spirit energy felt like it could end my life in an instant. Just then, Jang Sam-bong raised his divine skill to shield me from that energy.

Jang Sam-bong spoke, “Dharma Protector, there’s tremendous divine energy swirling within him. He will die if this continues.”

 

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