800——————==

True Martial Home

The words of the Zen Master held some weight.

If we could resurrect the Great Master Dharma or the Divine Maiden, we might discover tremendous secrets. However, I shook my head and replied, “It’s something I’ve thought about, but it doesn’t seem like the right time now.”

“Are you focused on martial arts?”

“Yes.”

As Jin So-cheong said, I wasn’t yet sincere in my martial pursuits. I was not in a state to chase mythical clues; instead, I needed to focus on one purpose, even if it meant not trying that method in this life.

“It’s not a scheme that hasn’t crossed the minds of strategists before.”

“Hmm…”

“The issue isn’t that. The biggest problem is the lack of ‘power.’”

Exactly. The brilliant strategists around me, like Zhuge Sa and Mangnyang, casually mentioned that potential. However, the situation was unkind, and I kept getting swept away by it, unable to escape hardship. With things like this, even the best scheme would just flounder aimlessly.

‘A simpler approach is necessary.’

I needed to grow stronger.

Of course, even if I got stronger, there were countless beings out there who transcended ordinary limits. But I wasn’t alone; I had countless treasures, information, strategists, and heroes with me, which meant my potential for strength was even greater. When the power of unity reached a certain level, I would possess the momentum to dig deep into the problem.

The Zen Master seemed to understand my words and nodded.

“You’ve become someone who isn’t easily swayed by others. I look forward to your achievements in this life.”

“Zen Master, can you help the Leader of the Bancheon Alliance going forward?”

“Of course. I’ll provide unlimited resources to him and his companions. I will also ensure that the True Heaven Alliance doesn’t recklessly antagonize the Bancheon Alliance.”

At that moment, Zhuge Sa interjected.

“I have a question. Doesn’t your Shaolin Temple pass down legends concerning the Four Great Spirit Deities?”

“Hmm… I suspected you’d ask that. Our origin is the Great Master Dharma, and thus we share a fraternal bond with the White Lotus Sect.”

“That’s an important question. Answer it carefully.”

“Even if I received all the secrets of Shaolin Temple, I have never heard of the Four Great Spirit Deities. If I had, I would’ve mentioned it in Baek Woong’s 24th life. If there are similar legends…”

The Zen Master pondered for a moment before speaking.

“…The only legend is that of the Maitreya Buddha.”

“Maitreya Buddha?”

“Yes. The Maitreya Buddha… a legend that probably only our Shaolin Temple and the White Lotus Sect share. According to that legend, it’s often cited when talking about the insight of the Heart’s Birth and Death Gate. It says that after the Buddha Gautama attained Nirvana, 56 billion 700 million years later, he descends from the Tusita Heaven to this world.”

Zhuge Sa said with a deadpan expression, “And the Maitreya Buddha is said to save sentient beings, spreading his teaching throughout this world to awaken them all. Isn’t that a famous tale even scholars with some knowledge are familiar with? Why act like it’s a huge revelation….”

Zhuge Sa grumbled, but the Zen Master continued calmly.

“Yes. However, I’ve recently been filled with great doubts regarding the memory of Baek Woong that I inherited. It’s because the legend of Maitreya Buddha passed down within Shaolin Temple is somewhat different from what the common people say.”

“Different? How so?”

The Zen Master raised his voice slightly and then replied steadily.

“Though it’s said that the Maitreya Buddha is born beneath the Dragon Flower Tree, he is believed to be an incomplete being who has gained the Eight Consciousnesses but lost the True Heart. Originally, the world changes from the True Heart wherein the boundless ignorance of the unoriginated misconception arises, transforming into countless forms… However, the Maitreya Buddha uniquely descends from the Tusita Heaven with only the realization, completely devoid of the True Heart.”

“……”

“Therefore, it is said that the monks of this temple and all practitioners of Buddha Dharma throughout the world have the duty to transmit the True Nature Dharma to such a Maitreya Buddha to complete it… Helping him achieve fulfillment in Buddha Dharma is spreading Gautama’s teachings throughout the world.”

What is this nonsense?

I stood there blankly, feeling lost since I wasn’t familiar with Buddhist studies. Yet Zhuge Sa, being a genius, seemed to comprehend swiftly, his expression turning serious.

“Interesting… That sounds a lot like the Demiurge of the Landlord Doctrines. Isn’t that not just a savior but also has the attributes of a false creator?”

“Hmm… I don’t know much about the study of the Landlord Doctrines, but calling Maitreya a false creator might not be too far off. Because…”

The Zen Master’s ensuing words were bizarre.

“Maitreya is a defeated being.”

“What does that mean?”

“To truly listen to the voices of all beings, one must have the Eight Consciousnesses as well as the True Heart. So even after descending from Tusita Heaven for countless eons, Maitreya is someone who endlessly suffers and experiences defeat.”

“Is there such a legend? Here in the illustrious center of Buddha Dharma?”

“I too harbor such questions. The legacy regarding this existence is so strange that even within Shaolin Temple, a conclusion has not been reached in a millennia. However, this may be the only legend shared with the White Lotus Sect, meaning the White Lotus Sect likely holds a similar legend regarding Maitreya as well.”

“……”

Zhuge Sa wore a serious expression. Then he turned to the Zen Master and said, “Zen Master, it seems that I will have something to utilize you for soon. I must ensure that my scheme succeeds by sacrificing my life.”

“Understood.”

Despite Zhuge Sa openly stating his intention to use the Zen Master, he seemed to accept it calmly. It seemed to be a reaction stemming from the knowledge that my existence centered around this world’s rebirth.

We left the Shaolin Temple, and Zhuge Sa said to me, “Baek Woong, do you have an enemy or plan you want to challenge first?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Not yet.”

“Why so?”

“I’m learning the techniques of Jang Sam-bong, but there’s so much I lack and so much more to learn. It feels like it would take at least ten years to sort that out….”

“I see. Then I’ll suggest your first opponent.”

Zhuge Sa’s eyes gleamed.

“The first opponent for your Life and Death Decision to reach the Absolute Realm is undoubtedly the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Keep that in mind.”

“What? It’s not that I can’t, but….”

“If you say you can, then it means you will. Just make sure you don’t mess up.”

“……”

Zhuge Sa continued in a blunt manner, “Let’s set the training period to ten years, assess your condition after that, and then you can challenge the Master of the White Lotus Sect. That seems like a reasonable plan.”

“Do you think the Master of the White Lotus Sect will fight one-on-one?”

“I’ll create that situation for you. And…”

Zhuge Sa turned to Jin So-cheong, who had been following behind.

“Jin So-cheong. I need to have a little talk with you.”

“Understood.”

The two of them had a discussion exclusively between themselves and then returned. I was curious about what secrets they were concocting, but their calm demeanor suggested it would be futile to pry. I felt a bit hurt towards Zhuge Sa and said, “Tsk! Why are you hiding things from me too?”

“Because you, the easily swayed noble, often end up with more harm than good. Can you at least maintain some conscience?”

“……”

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing significant. And starting today, Jin So-cheong will train at the facilities of the Shaolin Temple instead of with you. That way, they can elevate their internal power more quickly.”

“Got it.”

“Take care.”

Even if they had to have talked about something significant, I couldn’t help but let it go.

‘From now on, I’ll be training alone….’

Regardless, since Jin So-cheong and I were on different levels of martial arts advancement, it wouldn’t benefit either of us to train together, yet I still felt a little left out. But being taught by Jang Sam-bong would surely make time fly, so I left Zhuge Sa behind and returned to the training grounds of Sichuan.

After calling upon Jang Sam-bong to discuss what had happened at the Shaolin Temple, he said, [Hmm… so your first target is the Master of the White Lotus Sect, huh? What’s his primary martial skill?]

“It’s the Su Shin Sect’s techniques, but he can also perform all the techniques of the Four Great Families. Additionally, he possesses the Absolute Realm and likely has martial prowess equal to Yeodong-bin.”

[Wow! That’s impressive. The Master of the White Lotus Sect in my time wasn’t that strong… How can a person be so powerful?]

“I can assure you, he’s not just an ordinary person.”

[It seems they’ve produced an exceptional successor in the White Lotus Sect. Haha…]

Jang Sam-bong looked somewhat astonished. Observing his expression, I thought, ‘Maybe the Master of the White Lotus Sect from Jang Sam-bong’s era was the generation just above the current one….’

The previous Master of the Sect apparently wasn’t as strong as the current Master of the White Lotus Sect, which is likely why Jang Sam-bong was able to secure his place in the martial world without a hitch.

After a moment of thought, Jang Sam-bong said, [Indeed, this opponent is quite fitting for your Life and Death Decision training. However, if you were to fight him in your current state, you would be killed within a hundred breaths at most.]

“……”

[But no matter how much the Life and Death Decision training progresses, if you’re unaware of your opponent, fighting with everything you have won’t yield any success. You need to know at least some of his techniques to develop a strategy.]

“A strategy, you say?”

[Yes. Right now, you’re just steadily building your foundation, but training tailored to your opponent makes all the difference.]

“Hmm! Are you saying I just need to tell you the techniques of the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

[For someone with that level of skill, it’s certain it can’t be described in mere words. It would be better to see it firsthand… ]

“…Understood.”

I guess I had no choice but to use the Obsidian.

I deliberated and picked through my memories to extract the combat scenes of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, passing them on to Jang Sam-bong. Of course, given that the opponent was Yeodong-bin, Daji, or even a Divine Being, I had to be cautious in revealing the details, so I deliberately blurred the images to keep their identity hidden. While I couldn’t show him everything, I felt this much would suffice.

Boom

[…….]

Jang Sam-bong seemed to be observing the techniques of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, including Primordial Spirit, with his eyes closed. Then, breaking into a cold sweat, he said, [Indeed, you were not wrong. He’s someone even I would want to engage with my life on the line.]

“…After all, he’s the strongest in the martial world right now.”

[The foundation of Primordial Spirit seems to be the boundless chaos, and the chaotic transformation involves techniques whose basic principles I can’t grasp. Unfortunately, with my current abilities, I won’t be able to instruct you on how to contend against chaotic transformations.]

“What about the Peerless Technique?”

[It would be possible, but it’s impossible for you to learn the Peerless Technique within ten years. It would be quite difficult even within a hundred years.]

“Ugh….”

[However…]

With a grin, Jang Sam-bong said, [If you fight the Master of the White Lotus Sect without using the chaotic transformation, then there’s a way. I’ll make you strong enough to base it on everything you’ve learned over the past ten years. You’ll be able to hold your ground.]

“Thank you!”

[First, we set the timeline to three years. After three years of solidifying the basics as discussed, we’ll initiate the training to prepare you for the Master of the White Lotus Sect.]

From that day on, I trained diligently in the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortals Divine Art under Jang Sam-bong’s guidance. The more I learned, the more I realized just how superficially I had been practicing martial arts. Delving deeper into the Seven Great Techniques, I also grasped just how powerful they were. While I didn’t learn any special techniques or secret skills, simply solidifying my basics and mastering the linkages changed my perspective every day.

‘It feels like when I learned the Thunder God Lineage from Lee Cheong-un…’

As the training progressed into its second year, Jang Sam-bong spoke to me.

[You hardly eat or drink anymore.]

“My internal power has reached its peak, allowing my metabolism to be entirely free of such necessities.”

At my level now, I could maintain vitality for thirty years without consuming a morsel of food or a drop of water. I wouldn’t even need sleep for a whole year. My internal power was so robust that such feats were possible, and I felt a sense of pride, yet Jang Sam-bong looked perplexed.

[…then why hasn’t the Rebirth of Flesh been realized? Your internal energy is nearly invincible among mortals.]

“Even I’m not sure about that….”

Rebirth of Flesh!

I think I once discussed this with Jin So-cheong from the future.

[In the past, the Bright Dragon explained to you that Rebirth of Flesh is a phenomenon where one transforms their body into the ultimate state upon reaching the peak of energy. However, that is only partly correct.]

[Achieving a high level of internal power doesn’t fulfill the basic conditions for Rebirth of Flesh. In reality, it requires need (Necessary) and will (Will). These two must be present.]

[Will means the will of the body itself.]

[In the world of Muwak, things differ. The martial endeavors you’ve accumulated manifest in your body as the martial realm, backing the realm of intent. However, you are….]

[A Reborn Person. The mental endeavors have matured, but the physical body corresponds with that of a teenage boy, which causes continuous conflicts. That is why the spirit and the body do not align, preventing you from achieving Rebirth of Flesh.]

[In my opinion, what you need more than talent is a resolution to reconcile your internal contradictions. Furthermore, a firm belief in your own Absolute Realm is essential.]

Suddenly, recalling his words, I said to Jang Sam-bong, “Come to think of it, someone once told me something like that…”

As I shared Jin So-cheong’s hypothesis, Jang Sam-bong’s expression turned serious, seemingly engrossed in my words. After contemplating for a while, he said, [Whoever explained that to you is someone worthy of at least being in the Absolute Realm and is a significant being. I cannot explain your condition better than that.]

“Hahaha….”

I couldn’t exactly say it was the Jin So-cheong from fifty years in the future, so I just chuckled awkwardly. Jang Sam-bong stated, [Then perhaps the solution could be simpler than you think.]

“Eh? What do you mean?”

[If the body’s discord is the issue, then simply growing the body should suffice. Simply let yourself age to obtain a physique that fits your energy.]

“……!!”

[It’s true that holding such energy in a young child’s body is challenging.]

Aging!

That statement resonated with me. Since I had died and resurrected quickly, I hadn’t truly experienced growing older.

“Uh… how old do you think I need to be?”

[I don’t know either. However, as you continue to train while aligning your temperament and martial skills, you’ll instinctively know.]

“Hmm.”

[That’s a matter of the future. Right now, just focus on the present.]

“Understood.”

Once more, I dedicated two years to solidifying my fundamentals under Jang Sam-bong. The intensity of the training was consistently high, with hardly any sleep as I honed in on my deficiencies day and night. I proudly felt my proficiency had risen far beyond when I initially began training, yet the Absolute Realm remained frustratingly out of reach.

During my training, Zhuge Sa and other companions hadn’t visited at all. Thus, I had no idea about the external circumstances; however, I trusted my companions and felt no anxiety.

On the third anniversary of my training, Jang Sam-bong said, [Thanks to your hard work, you’ve managed to finish your foundational training right on time.]

“It was a bit embarrassing, feeling like it was just something ordinary I should have accomplished…”

[No, someone with ordinary talent could not complete that training in just three years. You worked hard for three years; you deserve some pride.]

After praising me, Jang Sam-bong continued, [Now, we will commence intense training over the next seven years in preparation for the Master of the White Lotus Sect.]

“Until now, you haven’t said a word about this training. What exactly is it?”

[The Primordial Spirit of the Master of the White Lotus Sect transforms the chaos into changes of the Five Elements. To illustrate, it works like this…]

Boom

At that moment, Jang Sam-bong raised his hand over the pond, and flames erupted across its surface. I gasped in surprise at the sudden change.

“Ah!”

[This is merely integrating fire (火) into water (水). If you develop this technique further, you can apply it just like him in Water Overcoming Fire.]

“Can you also manipulate the power of chaos?”

[Absolutely not. I lack such ability. The principles differ, but the similarity lies in controlling the Five Elements.]

Shaking his head, Jang Sam-bong added, [Even without chaos, manipulating the Five Elements and transforming them is a technique accomplished with just will. Such techniques lie embedded within the Seven Great Techniques I’ve left for this world. It should be realized by the practitioner’s own insights, but if you are unaware of these techniques, you won’t be able to deal with the Master of the White Lotus Sect if he genuinely intends to kill you, so I’ll teach you now.]

Does that mean from now on, I can wield those powerful techniques such as Water Overcoming Fire?!

I exclaimed in excitement, “Oh! If I understand the changes of the Five Elements, can I deal with the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s chaotic transformations?”

Jang Sam-bong shook his head.

[You cannot. You’ll need separate skills to cope with chaotic transformations. That,

too, is Absolute Realm techniques, and even learning just the countermeasures will be a challenge. I have some thoughts in mind, so don’t worry.]

“…….”

[Three years of training the changes of the Five Elements, three years to counter chaotic transformations… I’m thinking about a year to wrap up the techniques, but honestly, it’s pushing tight… Unless you diligently train with the resolve to die, it’ll be tough to master even one within ten years.]

“What’s with all the difficulty? I haven’t even stepped into the Absolute Realm yet….”

I was dumbfounded.

So it takes ten years not to reach the Absolute Realm but just to learn how to cope? Jang Sam-bong commented.

[Child, with your talent, there’s no guarantee you’ll reach the Absolute Realm even if you train for a thousand years. In fact, you still have far too many shortcomings. If you complain here, you’ll never reach your goals.]

“……”

I gritted my teeth.

“Got it.”

I have no talent, so there’s nothing I can do.

But at least I have a path, right? I decided to stop complaining and solely focus on my training.

And as the training in manipulating the Five Elements progressed, three years flew by.

“Damn… I still don’t feel like I’ve fully grasped it…”

It was just a technique, yet manipulating the Five Elements through will and embodying my intent was proving exceedingly difficult; I hadn’t even mastered half of the transformations regarding the Five Elements. Initially, I thought three years would be sufficient to learn the changes of the Five Elements, but it had turned into a far more arduous journey. I never imagined that learning a skill could be this tough.

This was far more challenging than mastering each part of the Seven Great Techniques. When I asked Jang Sam-bong about why it was so difficult, he explained that it stemmed from the difference in martial systems I had learned before.

Thanks to my foundational training from the Seven Great Techniques, I was at least built upon that, but originally, it was a super high-level technique that I would never have been able to learn with my talent. This struggle reinforced that learning sorcery to manipulate the Five Elements would have been faster; hence, there were few practitioners worldwide. Also, there’s no one in the martial world who could do what the Master of the White Lotus Sect does, manipulating the Five Elements through their Primordial Spirit at will.

I had no choice but to say to Jang Sam-bong, “I’ll commit to training another year…”

[That’s a wise choice.]

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind me. I turned my head, and as soon as I saw him, I exclaimed,

“Mangnyang!”

Mangnyang had changed drastically from before. I was astonished by his appearance and said, “You’re not….”

He seemed moved, wiping away tears as he replied, “All this is thanks to you, Baek Woong. I wanted to be the first to let you know.”

He wore a scholar’s attire and a strange Daoist headpiece I had never seen before. He appeared completely different, and it was a look I had never encountered even during my rebirth. Grinning, Mangnyang announced, “I have now officially become an Earth Immortal.”