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True Martial Home

I started learning the secret technique, Technique of All Things, from the Divine Thief.

The Divine Thief said, “Give the Dragon Transformation Technique a try.”

As tools for the Dragon Transformation appeared in this space, I followed his instructions and cast the technique to change my appearance. When I transformed into a completely different look, the Divine Thief observed closely and said, “Not only have you acquired the Dragon Transformation, but you’ve also grasped other secret techniques. What is that?”

“…Taoist Technique.”

“What?”

“Mutation Technique!”

When I quipped that, the Divine Thief blinked and remarked, “Well, it seems like a useful skill. This must be a considerable master technique.”

“……”

“Even so, that technique has its limits.”

“Limits?”

The Divine Thief nodded. “That technique seems to accelerate the speed of pulling the roots and bones in alignment with the mind’s expectations. Am I right?”

“Correct.”

“It likely won’t last long.”

In an instant, the Divine Thief pinpointed the flaw of the Mutation Technique, causing me to flinch. As he said, the Mutation Technique was a splendid skill close to transformation arts, but because it pulled the roots and bones at such a rapid pace, it was impossible to maintain that shape for long in a human body.

This was not something I could control with my internal power either, because if I forced my internal power to maintain such a sudden alteration of roots and bones, my body would be at risk of breaking down.

I said to the Divine Thief, “Isn’t that unavoidable? Theoretically, there shouldn’t be any superior technique than Mutation. It’s impossible to compress or pull the roots and bones beyond this.”

“That’s true. But theoretically, there exists an even superior technique. That’s what we refer to as the Technique of All Things.”

“Really? Better than this?”

I glanced skeptically at the Divine Thief. It was hard to believe because when I had been using the Mutation Technique to steal, excluding peculiar individuals like Yong Junil, not a single renowned sect leader or their associates ever caught on. Sure, the Mutation Technique has a weird name, but it was undoubtedly a top-tier skill. How could there be something better?

The Divine Thief said, “Once you reach the pinnacle of the Technique of All Things, it’ll not only be more seamless than the Mutation Technique but also easier to maintain for a long time.”

“……!!”

“If that’s the case, you won’t just be able to steal; you’ll be able to hide anywhere you desire.”

“An art of transformation that’s even greater…!!”

As I trembled in surprise, the Divine Thief shook his head. “Ah, the Technique of All Things isn’t about transforming the roots and bones. While it uses those techniques, it doesn’t pursue the extremes like the Mutation Technique.”

I looked bewildered. “Huh? If it doesn’t pursue the transformation of the roots and bones, then what principle of transformation is it based on?”

The Divine Thief grinned, then pulled out a mask and slowly draped it over his face.

“It’s borrowing the power of the mask.”

Swish!!

In that instant, the Divine Thief suddenly transformed into a beautiful woman. I could confirm that this change was not due to altering the roots and bones; it felt more like he changed into a different appearance the moment he wore the mask.

Speaking in the woman’s voice, the Divine Thief said, “See? The voice is clearly different, right?”

“……”

“Hehe. Are you so surprised that you can’t even speak?”

Swish!

As the Divine Thief brought his hand to his face, the mask peeled off, and he returned to his original form. I coldly observed his transformation and said, “That’s… a transformation technique or an illusion technique.”

“Yep. Of course, you’d think that.”

While resting his chin on his hand in a sitting position, the Divine Thief continued, “The truth is that no matter how much a human practices transformation arts and disguises, they can never surpass the essence of transformation arts, which is like the pinnacle of all tricks in the human world.”

“That’s right.”

Transformation arts! It was an incredible technique where humans realized their dream of becoming ‘something else.’ Naturally, it was at the top tier among techniques, and all sorcerers on the continent wanted to master transformation arts.

“But it’s common for even the genius Taoist Master who has practiced the Qimen Dunjia for decades to fail at this art of transformation. Folklore even says that mastering transformation arts requires at least a hundred years of practice. Anyone who can use transformation arts freely has already passed through the gate of exaltation to ascend to the immortal realm. Isn’t that right?”

“That right.”

Hence, the Celestial Sage is remarkable. He can seamlessly execute 72 transformation arts, which even a single mastery grants one the status of an immortal. Generally, it’s rare for a normal human to master transformation arts even after a lifetime of training.

“So you think the Technique of All Things isn’t a transformation art, but an illusion technique?”

“…….”

“You’re a bit clueless there. In fact, it’s closer to an illusion technique.”

“You keep circling around the explanation. What’s the point?”

“There’s a reason why when you practiced the Dragon Transformation of the Hundred Transformations technique, you also trained in changing masks. It’s necessary for mastering the higher technique, the Technique of All Things.”

Boom!

The Divine Thief snapped his fingers, sending a mask flying my way, which I quickly caught.

As I stared at the mask, the Divine Thief asked, “What kind of mask is that?”

I examined the mask and replied, “This symbolizes ‘sorrow.’”

“Ah, that’s a sorrowful mask,” he said. The mask he gave me had drooping eyes and a frown, clearly representing sadness.

“Then, how many sorrow masks are used in a single performance of Peking Opera?”

“Um… about fifty, I suppose?”

“Fifty masks are likely swapped based on the flow, learned through the Dragon Transformation. If you’ve mastered that well, you should have no trouble learning the Technique of All Things.”

As the Divine Thief spoke, he held onto a mask, and I followed suit. The Divine Thief slowly donned the mask and said, “Change masks ten times within five steps.”

Fluttering!

I did as instructed. Once I had changed masks, the Divine Thief commented, “Your speed is decent. No need for basic training time.”

“No matter how I change masks, I still can’t change my appearance like you did just now.”

“Hey. If you’re wearing the sorrow mask, are you sad?”

“……?”

“Are you sad?”

What kind of sudden question is this?

Dumbfounded, I responded to his inquiry. “No.”

“Why aren’t you sad? The mask is sad, but why aren’t you sad?”

“Um… a mask is just a mask. Why on earth should the one wearing it also be sad?”

“Idiot. If you don’t understand that, you can’t grasp the Technique of All Things.”

“Excuse me?”

“What is a mask? A mask is an identity. A top-tier mask artist should be able to switch identities every time they change masks.”

Fluttering!

At that moment, the Divine Thief changed his mask ten times in five steps, astonishingly transforming into completely different individuals with each change! The divine positions he assumed were unbelievable even to my eyes, causing me to gasp as he removed the mask, saying, “You’ve learned how to ‘steal’ from me, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you.”

“Steal?”

“Yeah. Steal. What are you stealing? You’re stealing the emotions and identities of this mask and making them yours.”

“……”

“If you achieve that, mastering the Technique of All Things will be halfway done.”

Is that really possible? Stealing the identity of a mask? By taking something fictional and making it mine, is that really how transformation arts work?

Since it was a mystical skill unlike martial arts, my mind spun in confusion as the Divine Thief said, “Humans originally live by ‘stealing’ from others’ identities. Mask artists merely maximize that ability, which every human possesses from birth. The crucial part is understanding what an identity is and transforming it into something you can steal.”

“I still don’t understand what you mean by stealing identity.”

“Really, do I have to explain this too?”

The Divine Thief looked at me with disbelief and scratched his head. “Damn… you seem like you’ve had quite a few twists in your life. After going through those, didn’t something change inside you? You’ve met good folks, bad folks, weirdos, and all sorts of people, right? Haven’t those folks changed your personality or attitude?”

“Ah….”

“That could be called being influenced by others, but alternatively, it could be expressed as ‘stealing’ their identities. Because their identities, good or bad, reflect back at you like a mirror. That image remains inside you.”

I kind of get it now. I was lost in thought about the Divine Thief’s words when I countered, “But that can’t really be called stealing. Even if their identities leave an imprint on me through our relationship, their identities themselves haven’t changed. Stealing would mean taking something from its place, which means nothing should remain there.”

“Oh! You looked like a fool, but you’ve actually thought that through?”

The Divine Thief smirked and replied, “It’s indeed stealing because the influence in a relationship isn’t only one way. You’re the one affected, but so are they. In light of everything being transformed, it can be expressed as ‘stolen.’ You absorb the fleeting identities of others.”

“……?”

What does that even mean…?

“Quit talking nonsense and give it a try. If you can’t become a top-tier mask artist, I can’t properly teach you the Technique of All Things.”

Steal the identity of a mask…

This was my first-ever training like this, making me fumble as I continued changing masks, trying to adapt my emotions to match each mask’s depicted emotion. However, it was no ordinary task, and adjusting my mind as quickly as I changed masks felt utterly impossible.

Swish, swish, swish!

“Hey, that isn’t right. Do you think you can change expressions according to emotions like joy and sadness in a snap?”

“Ugh.”

“Do it again!”

After trying endlessly for a solid fifteen moments, I finally crumbled and said to the Divine Thief, “Can you at least provide a clue? How do I change my emotions that quickly?”

“Why? Do you think you need a split personality for this training? It’s nothing like that.”

“…….”

“This isn’t about fracturing your identity. It’s about ‘stealing’ while firmly possessing your own identity. Are you still not getting it?”

Not fracturing, but stealing?

As I pondered that, the Divine Thief sighed, seeming exasperated. “Look. In this world, there are colors.”

“Colors exist.”

“What do you get when you mix all colors in the world together?”

“You get black.”

“If there’s ever a case where that result isn’t black, what could it be?”

“…….”

“That’s your clue for now. Figure it out for yourself.”

If you mix all colors but not get black somehow…

Feeling like I was caught in a riddle, I kept switching masks. After repeatedly changing masks until I memorized the colors and shapes, I suddenly felt a sense of understanding.

“Yeah. I’ve accepted it!”

Swish, swish!!

“Oh, yes! That’s it!”

When I attempted the new method I devised, the Divine Thief marveled. It seemed he detected my emotions changing rapidly within the mask.

“Phew.”

Did I finally pass?

As I exhaled in relief, the Divine Thief asked, “How did you do it?”

“I just… accepted it.”

“What did you accept?”

“I realized I can’t truly know what emotions others feel. The emotions portrayed by the mask are simply my thoughts of the feelings, and since each observer may perceive the mask’s emotions differently… uh… so….”

As I stammered, the Divine Thief tidied it up for me. “So, you understood what it felt like to act out a made-up emotion, and you accepted that a mask artist is someone who creates that ‘lie.’ That’s what it means to ‘steal’ something that doesn’t exist.”

“Yeah.”

I really think this answer will fit the riddle about the ‘black color.’ To avoid black from mixing all colors, the painter’s color shouldn’t mix in. Only by observing from a distance can one avoid turning it black.

“Ha ha ha! You really lack finesse in words. But yes, that’s correct.”

The Divine Thief chuckled and said, “Now that you’ve become a top-tier mask artist, I can tell you the essence of the Technique of All Things.”

“The essence is the law?”

“Just like you did, create emotions while simultaneously stealing a fictional identity… Steal the identity from the mask and blend it with your intent.”

“……!!”

Blend in the intent?!

It caught me off guard since it was unexpected, and the Divine Thief explained, “Generally, humans can’t transform with intent alone, can they? Otherwise, masters using the Mind Control Technique would transform into cats and dogs easily. But why can’t you transform with just intent?”

“Hmm… because humanity’s power is too weak to enforce that intent in this world.”

“That’s right. Hence, why you wear the mask.”

Swish.

“Through this mask, you specialize your intent. I’m the ‘stolen’ identity… with that strong self-suggestion, the intent can slightly alter reality. So during the time you wear the mask, you’ll become ‘someone else’ and be able to distort reality to deceive others.”

I tried to understand but still found it confusing. “This explanation is complex; I don’t quite get it…”

“Just accept it as is. In reality, even I didn’t self-study this Technique of All Things; it was a legacy of ancient sorcery that I developed in my own way.”

“Ancient sorcery?”

“Yeah. It seems like it’s a secret from the era of the Three Sovereigns, but I don’t know the name. In any case, it suited me, so I cultivated it and improved it.”

After saying this, the Divine Thief told me, “Now, give it a try.”

Sweeping!

“……!!”

It’s real!

I could feel my body completely changing the moment I stole an identity. This indeed wasn’t an illusion technique but like becoming a brand new person and appearance I envisioned. However, just as I was fascinated, I suddenly reverted to my original self, leaving me confused.

“Why did the transformation end so quickly?”

The Divine Thief, as if he expected that, said, “You need more masks.”

“Why?”

“Due to a lack of experience.”

He began walking forward. “The identity you stole through the mask exists only for an instant, a mere moment, right? To maintain those emotions and identities longer, more experience and self-reflection are needed. Only then can you deceive the world adeptly and distort it.”

“Hmm….”

“The mastery of being a mask artist determines the power of the technique. Now, the real training begins.”

Boom!

Suddenly, the Divine Thief summoned a massive graveyard of masks. It was as if there were so many masks that it could easily fill five halls. Looking stunned at the sheer number of masks, the Divine Thief said, “If you can’t handle at least a thousand masks in succession, how can you call yourself the Technique of All Things?”