809——————==

True Martial Home

The Asura of the Eight Parts of the Divine and the Absolute Being of Tianzhu’s Martial World, Pasun, were quite the formidable characters. Even after casting the Evil God’s spell in the past, I somehow managed to take no fatal damage and recovered with a secondary transformation. Let’s just say that even borrowing the power of the Great Immortal was barely enough for me to last. At that time, if Cheon Gong-pyo hadn’t joined in with his overwhelming martial techniques, I would have been assassinated by that guy during the 24th round in Dark Heaven Village.

That’s why the moment I laid eyes on him, I figured it would be worth trying a Life and Death Decision.

Because he too was an expert who reached the Absolute Realm. Of course, the odds were terribly low, but the essence of this challenge was to seek the impossible enlightenment through wrestling with a nemesis, as Yeodong-bin proposed in the trials of ten rounds. However, with Zhuge Sa’s scheme currently in motion, I could only stand by and watch as the Master of the White Lotus Sect joined the Bancheon Alliance and felt the urge to battle him.

‘Which side will win?’

If the Asura reveals the strength of the Eight Parts of the Divine, it’s obvious he would claim victory. I had heard that he was a Demon King-level force amongst the Eight Parts—meaning even a Sect Master wielding the power of the Primordial Spirit would find defeating him a tiresome task.

Yet, the Asura emphasized his mercenary status while downplaying his true identity, highlighting Pasun’s human origin. This meant he had no intention of laying bare his true form, and it was uncertain whether he would fully commit to this confrontational affair.

The Eight Parts of the Divine can’t easily reveal their real powers to the world. That’s because the Three Sovereigns are always on the lookout for Chi You, and revealing one’s true power on the Central Plains is akin to signing a death warrant. This was confirmed when a fellow, the Celestial Sage Tripitaka, had to stop Yacha from transforming during Yeodong-bin’s recollection.

So, the pressing question was: whose martial arts would triumph when comparing Pasun in his pure human form with the Sect Master? This was an unknown territory I’d never explored, thus I felt compelled to focus all my energy on the duel unfolding before me. Wars at the Absolute Realm are lessons in their own right.

Spar!

In an instant, Pasun’s left arm vanished. Just as I thought it disappeared, the space directly in front of the Sect Master suddenly cracked with a thud. The overwhelming Protection Energy he’d conjured was shattered by Pasun’s saber energy, and the Sect Master remained still, hand hanging, simply observing Pasun as if this degree of assault was no big deal.

“Hmm.”

With a smirk, Pasun said, “Interesting… Are you planning to counter my attack?”

[……]

The Sect Master said nothing, but I understood from Pasun’s words that the first clash had led to a key situation.

‘The Sect Master has abandoned the initiative. He plans to steer the battle into a counterattack.’

That was the only interpretation I could come to. Pasun’s first strike demonstrated the power of the Absolute Realm, but it was not something entirely unsustainable. It was likely that Pasun had gingerly gauged the situation, but realized the Sect Master’s reaction was rather defensive. This could only be read as the Sect Master preparing for a counter after a preemptive defense.

But why?

I couldn’t wrap my head around why the Sect Master chose an extreme defensive response for his first move. After all, he bore the techniques of an Absolute First Attack, and if he could initiate with the range of that power, the overwhelming advantage he could gain was evident. Naturally, in fights between experts, the initial strike yielded immense benefits, so the Sect Master’s decision did not align with Muwak’s wisdom. Though countering is theoretically a solid strategy, it is ultimately a defensive maneuver that risks boosting the opponent’s momentum with unintended consequences.

Woo-wooo-wooo

Numerous mandalas rose around the Sect Master, and I thought, ‘That’s definitely Heart of Heaven’s Abundance!’

With the combat coming to a standstill, he could fully tap into the Primordial Spirit’s potential! This signaled the Sect Master was throwing everything into the initial stages. Still, even with the overwhelming offensive capabilities of Heart of Heaven’s Abundance, he continued to refrain from attacking while the mandalas surrounded him like a fortress.

The earth beneath was at the mercy of the Sect Master’s will. Demolishing that defense was beyond even the most unmatched experts.

Seeing that defense, Pasun admired, “Impressive… Truly beautiful.”

[Come forth.]

“Certainly…”

The expression on Pasun shifted with a spark of excitement. Stimulated by the Sect Master’s prowess, an ominous glow flickered in his eyes, and his weapons surged with purple energy like lightning. He declared ominously, “Three seconds.”

[……]

“Three seconds until I take your arm.”

A taunting remark, but the Sect Master responded coolly.

[Give it a try.]

“I’m going.”

With that, Pasun strode in with three swift steps, displaying his Basic Technique. The blades in his hands swung with the flair of a sword technique, scattering a stream of deadly cuts like a series of connected lines.

Purple Shadow Illusions Wave!!

‘That’s it!!’

Without a doubt, that was a technique previously employed by the Asura when unleashing the Nirvana of the Absolute! I hadn’t been able to properly observe all six forms back then due to their overwhelming strength, but I definitely remembered that style.

‘So, he can deploy each of the techniques from Nirvana of the Absolute individually?’

The technique of Purple Shadow Illusions Wave was exceedingly swift and intricate. I could confidently claim that it surpassed any type of sword technique I had witnessed over my life, radiating beauty. Moreover, the overwhelming pressure at the intersections of the energies emitted bright purple light was palpable even from a distance. And as the dozens of dividing sword lights converged into a singular line, the Twin Dragons struck first against the Sect Master’s Protection Energy with impeccable precision.

Crash!!

“……!!”

It shattered!!

The Protection Energy scattered wide, unleashed by the infinite prowess of the Primordial Spirit, was far mightier and stable than what I could produce, and despite being swathed in mandalas, it was thoroughly vanquished. The destructive force was unbelievable!

Yet, the Sect Master seemed to have predicted this, promptly filling the void with another mandala and waving his hand to launch a counterattack. At that point, Pasun had yet to lay a single finger on him.

Thud!!

A flash erupted from the mandalas, striking the spot where Pasun had been standing with the speed of light. Given the rush of that response, typical martial techniques or evasions couldn’t have saved him, not to mention that Pasun was left vulnerable right after executing an attack.

Pa-at!

In a moment of unbelievable audacity, Pasun tossed both swords skyward! At the same time, he drew a long sword from his waist, a swirling weapon, and unleashed the Musha of the Absolute Realm once more.

Explosive Destruction Sword!!

Orange energy swirled fiercely, extending from Pasun’s blade. The power of the Explosive Destruction Sword intersected with the rays of the mandalas and redirected them smoothly, allowing him to glide backwards without losing momentum. He then approached the Sect Master with steps as light as clouds.

‘He’s allowing himself to get close!’

Moreover, Pasun not only possessed the brute force of Muwak but also knew how to employ finesse! Having trained in Tai Chi, I could perceive the flow of power, and right now, Pasun was executing the strong technique of the Explosive Destruction Sword with an exquisitely soft maneuver, indicative of extraordinary skill.

Clenching my hand in anticipation, I recognized him as a Peerless Master and a martial arts grandmaster. If Pasun had merely rushed in with power, I would have felt different. Instead, he was using his technique precisely, skillfully syncing with the Sect Master.

As Pasun closed in, radiant energy whispered forth from his eyes, a ferocious energy building up in both arms.

Moon Blade!!

From the twin swords, two fiendish dragons erupted, crashing directly into the Sect Master’s mandalas. This time, an explosive sound did not accompany their impact because the twin dragons, with the force of Leap to the Heavens, sent the Sect Master flying back completely.

Shatter!

The mandalas broke like glass. The Sect Master was hurled backward as if shot from a bow, crashing into a building.

Boom…!!

“Sect Master!!”

Han Baek-ryeong cried out in shock, while the other Dharma Protectors could only stare wide-eyed, unable to fathom the spectacle before them. Who would have guessed that the great Sect Master of the White Lotus would be pushed back in merely three seconds?!

However, after sending the Sect Master crashing into the building, Pasun looked at the dust cloud and shook his head, as if tasting something bitter.

“…Not bad.”

Drip, drop.

In the next moment, a thin stream of blood trickled from Pasun’s mouth. Simultaneously, from the dust cloud, the Sect Master rose, encircled by a sphere of white mandalas. It appeared the Sect Master had taken a hit; his shoulder bore a terrible tear. As Pasun, wounded internally, staggered to one knee, the Sect Master gazed down at him.

[You used four seconds. If you hadn’t fixated on cutting off my arm, I would have been in some trouble.]

“I have no excuse.”

Having witnessed their final clash, I understood precisely what transpired. I hadn’t been capable of observing the battle at the Absolute Realm before, but now I was finally gaining that ability.

‘When the Moon Blade crashed through the mandalas… Pasun unleashed the Purple Shadow Illusions Wave again.’

Pasun could execute multiple techniques from the Absolute Realm at once. So, he deceived the Sect Master into underestimating him, and at the moment he shattered the Sect Master’s defense, he unleashed two techniques simultaneously. The plan was clearly to sever the Sect Master’s arm in one blow, something achievable only seconds ago.

But the Sect Master activated the Primordial Spirit just as the mandalas shattered!

That created a major variable in the battlefield just now.

‘Just as Pasun concealed his strength, the Sect Master also withheld his technique until the crucial moment.’

The Primordial Spirit slowed down the perception of time. It also twisted the trajectory of the sword storm aimed at his arm, while the Sect Master retaliated, unleashing hundreds of energy strikes from the Primordial Sphere. Pasun, unprepared for such an unexpected counter, nearly found himself facing death, but he quickly expanded the Flying Heavenly Essence Jewel around him to deflect the Sect Master’s counterattack.

This outlined the recent skirmish between Absolute Realms. The outcome was predestined: the Sect Master emerged victorious by merely obstructing Pasun’s Purple Shadow Illusions Wave with a mandala and continued unscathed, whereas Pasun found himself severely wounded even with the Flying Heavenly Essence Jewel at his disposal.

Woo-woo-wooooo

The Sect Master surveyed the hundreds of mandalas as he looked down at Pasun.

[Truly fitting for Tianzhu’s Absolute Being. Out of respect for your strength, I shall go all out to finish this.]

“…Heh!”

[What’s so funny?]

“Just… enjoying this.”

Pasun chuckled lightly, “Indeed, Sect Master. Let’s truly give it our all.”

Sssss

Darkness poured forth from Pasun’s body.

‘No!’

I sensed he intended to return to his true form, and in a hurry, I shouted toward the Sect Master.

“Sect Master!! It’s dangerous. You must forfeit this duel!”

The Sect Master’s eyes turned toward me. I shouted urgently.

“This fight is no longer one of martial artists! I will keep him in check; you must withdraw!”

[What are you talking about?]

“He isn’t a human! He’s a Demon King!”

[……!!]

The Sect Master recoiled in surprise. He seemed to realize that the darkness emanating from Pasun was raw chaos itself.

[Then this changes everything.]

The Sect Master nodded, appearing to concur with my words, and swiftly pulled back. Once again adopting a defensive stance, he summoned forth an impenetrable energy shield.

“……”

Seeing Pasun watch me with a deadly glare as the Sect Master retreated, he asked, “Human. Why are you ruining the duel?”

“It’s you, pretending to be a human while meddling in mortal affairs as a non-human being that’s problematic!”

Suddenly, there was silence in the air.

Pasun stared at me with a shocked expression.

“…Hahaha!!”

Breaking the silence, he burst into maniacal laughter, now radiating palpable fury completely different from his previous demeanor.

“Are you telling me the words you hate the most? That non-humans shouldn’t pursue martial prowess?!”

His anger was intense!

Had I misjudged the situation?

As confusion marred my face, Pasun gripped his head while vehemence blazed in his gaze.

“Fine…. This human Pasun is done! If you wish to treat me like a Demon King, I shall fight accordingly!”

Kugugugu

At that moment, an unmatched storm of chaos swirled around Pasun, engulfing him.

The overwhelming darkness he emitted mere moments ago felt like child’s play compared to this—he was truly awakening the essence of the Asura of the Eight Parts of the Divine!

‘Oh no!’

I realized the mistake I had made. From the get-go, Pasun claimed to have come as a mercenary; there was little chance he’d expose his true form for someone else’s work. Furthermore, with a martial artist’s pride, it wouldn’t suit his character to reveal his true self simply because he lost in a battle bearing his name. Yet, I had provoked him, hurting that pride.

I quickly grasped why this blunder occurred. Had I been unaware, it wouldn’t matter, but with my rebirth ability providing me insight into Pasun’s identity as an Asura, I was only viewing him through that lens. My oversaturated information birthed prejudice, and that very anxiety led to my folly!

I had overlooked the honor possessed by the Asura as a martial artist.

If this continued, I would inadvertently instigate a conflict with the true essence of the Eight Parts of the Divine. And given that Asura was regarded as one of the most potent entities among them, he surely posed a greater threat than Peng Zuo, my ultimate target. Our current forces stood no chance!

‘Ugh, this isn’t the time to panic! I need to rectify my error!’

Suddenly overwhelmed, I took a deep breath to collect myself, desperately racking my brain. As Pasun was on the verge of transforming into his true Asura form, I called out to him.

“I apologize!! It was a mistake, so please pardon the insult to your honor!”

[……]

No response. The fiery glare he cast suggested he was fixated solely on killing us in his rage.

Dammit, what could I say to alleviate this situation?

Determined, I continued to implore, “If you let it slide just this once, I can show you how to meet the Martial God!”

Sssss…

In that moment, Pasun withdrew his overwhelming chaos and unexpectedly reverted to his human form. He looked at me, suspicion clouding his features.

“Is that true?”