905——————==

True Martial Home

I picked up my sword. Then I turned to Yeodong-bin.

“Did the Martial God laugh?!”

“……”

“Can you see his smile?”

What kind of relationship does Yeodong-bin have with the Martial God?

Yeodong-bin didn’t answer my barrage of questions. Instead, what he said contained unexpected content.

“Renowned one, do you think the end of this world is an outcome?”

“Uhh…?”

What does that mean?

It hit me that he was referring to ’cause and effect.’ So I replied.

“Isn’t it? If the creation of this world is the cause, then its destruction would be the effect.”

“… From the perspective of us, insignificant beings, that might be the case.”

Yeodong-bin gazed at the sky and continued.

“But depending on the perspective, even the end of the universe might not be considered an outcome…”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“It’s not just a simple accumulation of time that constitutes cause and effect.”

Swish.

Yeodong-bin slowly moved his sword. His swordsmanship sliced through the air at an angle, and soon he began to calmly unfold his sword technique.

“That’s the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.”

The graceful movements were the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique that I was well acquainted with, so I carefully observed the development of his form. Once the technique was complete, Yeodong-bin said.

“Do you feel that the principles of cause and effect are contained in the swing of the sword?”

“Wait, what?!”

Was it really?!

I stuttered uncertainly.

“No… I didn’t feel anything at all…”

Yeodong-bin replied.

“You’re honest. I certainly didn’t do that. I simply executed the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.”

“……”

What on earth?!

“But even if I had infused the principles of cause and effect into my swing, you wouldn’t have been able to sense it.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“The Immortal Sword Technique accumulating and sometimes releasing its cause and effect is not the power that manifests in the world like what we commonly deal with: Qi, sorcery, demonic arts, or spirits. The power of cause and effect is a more elusive and hard-to-detect essence, which normally cannot be accumulated through practice.”

“Ah…”

“That’s why an Immortal Sword Master shouldn’t exist by nature. Elevating the Immortal Sword Technique to another realm of power through training is impossible for ordinary beings. Cause and effect cannot be cultivated like qi.”

Now I finally grasped what Yeodong-bin was trying to convey.

The Immortal Sword Technique is nearly impossible to master!

The growth ability that involves the accumulation of cause and effect is rooted too deeply in metaphysics and cosmic laws. Instead, I’d probably often rely on the auxiliary ability of [Disconnection of Cause].

‘That’s why the Heavenly Mysterious Woman didn’t discuss methods of accumulating cause and effect separately.’

While I pondered deeply about the Immortal Sword Technique, Yeodong-bin continued.

“Because the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is originally a highly exalted being, it was possible for her to develop a technique that accumulates cause and effect… Therefore, the Immortal Sword Technique is not a combat technique.”

“……”

“However, if you understand the nature of cause and effect, it can be possible to rapidly increase the accumulation speed of the Immortal Sword Technique.”

“Please teach me that method.”

Yeodong-bin stared at me intensely.

After a while, he finally spoke.

“It’s a circle.”

A circle!

As he mentioned it, Yeodong-bin slowly traced a circle in the air with his sword. He alternated between drawing small and large circles for a while, and soon the circles began to visually manifest due to the residue of his Qi. The circles he drew dominated the void without overlapping, boasting numerous shapes and sizes.

After finishing his drawing, Yeodong-bin stated.

“The essence of cause and effect is round, so if you understand the principle of the circle, you’ll be able to practice the hidden nuances of the Immortal Sword Technique.”

“What does the principle of the circle entail?”

“Speaking it merely obstructs enlightenment. It’s best for you to ponder and realize it on your own.”

“……”

When I stared at Yeodong-bin with bewildered eyes, he looked toward the distant mountains, solemnly beginning to speak.

“…Even so, it might take you forever to realize it alone. I’ll give you a clue, so I hope you practice earnestly.”

“Got it!”

“When you use the Immortal Sword Technique, you’ll feel the pulse within the sword connect to your heart and blood. Try it once.”

Whoosh!!

I activated the Immortal Sword as instructed. Now that I was consciously aware of it, I definitely sensed thin threads of light extending from the sword connecting to my heart and blood vessels. As I recognized that sensation, Yeodong-bin continued.

“Qi is cultivated according to the principles of Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence. Qi and intent are interconnected. Likewise, the Immortal Sword Technique is also influenced by Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence, as it’s linked to them. Therefore, you should use Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence as a foundation to develop the Immortal Sword Technique.”

“Are you saying to strengthen my intent?”

“You’ll end up using that method later. However, it’s not the case at the basic stage. For now, try to merge with the sword while maintaining the connection.”

Merge, huh…

‘Should I think of the sword as my arm?’

I may not know much, but I’ve practiced Qi techniques for a long time. So, I quickly grasped Yeodong-bin’s words. I focused on the Qi connecting to the sword and tried to regard the sword as if it were part of my arm. Moments later, I opened my eyes slightly and heightened my concentration, feeling an intimate unity as if I was holding the sword.

Swish!

Seeing me concentrate, Yeodong-bin said.

“Good. Draw a circle with the sword in that state.”

Wooosh!

I attempted to draw a circle just like Yeodong-bin did earlier. Finishing one circle, Yeodong-bin kept staring at me, and sensing the silent pressure to keep drawing, I continued to sketch circles in the void.

How much time passed, I don’t know.

After drawing more than a hundred circles, Yeodong-bin remarked.

“This is the basic training. You must draw at least one hundred circles daily, connecting the Immortal Sword to your heart and blood.”

“What does this practice signify?”

“You mentioned that the way you visualize the sword materializing is no different from the way an ordinary iron sword would be empowered.”

“Yeah.”

“This exercise enhances the proficiency of your sword. You can never truly experience its essence if you treat the sword as an otherworldly item or a mere summoned weapon; you must unify it with yourself and handle it as if it were your own body.”

Got it!

I understood immediately since Yeodong-bin’s method was often used in weaponry techniques. Moreover, I realized that while this training may seem simple, it required immense persistence and was utterly tedious. To attach proficiency to one’s body, thousands or tens of thousands of arduous efforts were necessary.

Yeodong-bin continued.

“When your proficiency reaches a certain level, you’ll be able to sharpen the blade of the sword.”

“Sharpen… the blade?”

I tilted my head.

The sword that’s currently summoned has a perfectly intact blade, right? In fact, I had cut various objects with that Immortal Sword Technique.

However, Yeodong-bin shook his head.

“Your sword isn’t sharp yet. A true Immortal Sword can exist without just its cutting edge.”

“……!!”

Suddenly, I recalled the principle of the Technique of All Things I had learned from the Divine Thief.

Stealing that which does not exist.

Cutting that which does not exist.

Aren’t they similar?

I said to Yeodong-bin.

“Actually, I learned a technique known as the Technique of All Things from the Divine Thief. Its principle seems somewhat similar to what you mentioned.”

Yeodong-bin twitched his eyebrows at my words.

“… What is it? Show me.”

“Okay.”

Whoosh!

I lunged at Yeodong-bin, attempting to steal his Qi using the Technique of All Things. It was the most common way to use it, a method of stealing intangible existence. Just as I passed by him and activated the Technique of All Things…

Swoosh!

“Cough!”

I couldn’t help but scream. Just as I almost succeeded with the Technique, suddenly, in a split second, my wrist was severed and flying through the air! When I widened my eyes in shock, Yeodong-bin calmly said.

“You weren’t cut.”

“……”

After blinking, I examined my wrist again. I thought it had been severed by his sword, but it was still intact. However, it felt as if I couldn’t connect with it; even when I tried to exert force, my hand wouldn’t move, and I still felt the sensation of being severed.

‘Damn… it feels like my wrist is cut off.’

With a chill running down my spine, Yeodong-bin nodded in understanding.

“The Divine Thief. It seems he too has pioneered a realm similar to the Path of The Heart Sword.”

“The Path of the Heart Sword…?”

“Yes.”

Yeodong-bin continued with a calm demeanor.

“What you just did was reach out with your mind to steal my Qi. That’s undoubtedly an absolute realm where one can interfere with intangible existence. A wonderful technique, but I just severed that mental hand with my mental sword.”

“……!!”

“There are no limits to that technique; had the Divine Thief himself attempted it, he could have stolen my Qi.”

Mumbling to himself, Yeodong-bin said.

“Baek Woong, sharpening the sword means you’re gaining the ability to use the Path of the Heart Sword.”

“Is that so?”

“You’ve already mastered the Technique of All Things, so if you practice your basic training earnestly, it won’t be long before you can sharpen the blade.”

Now, I finally had an overview of the situation.

‘The Thieves’ Path of the Heart Sword was essentially the Technique of All Things!’

Moreover, Yeodong-bin realized the Path of the Heart Sword while cultivating the Immortal Sword Technique, leading him to refine his absolute realm. I couldn’t help but be amazed by how the branches of Muwak intersect at extremes.

Feeling a surge of motivation, I said.

“So once I can use the Path of the Heart Sword, I can start accumulating cause and effect?”

“That’s how it can be seen. Understanding the principle of the circle allows you to accumulate through the Immortal Sword.”

“What sort of practice do you do at the accumulation stage?”

“If you haven’t comprehended the principle of the circle, speaking of it is just a waste of breath. I’ll discuss it after you finish your basic training.”

“Hmm, understood.”

Though his response felt curt, I accepted it, as it was common in martial training. I had learned by now that no matter how many advanced explanations a beginner hears, it’s pointless until they build some proficiency. Trying to fly without knowing how to walk is futile in the martial world.

‘After all, the Immortal Sword Technique isn’t something I can master immediately. It’ll likely take years, so I must train steadily.’

Determined to practice as Yeodong-bin taught me, I couldn’t resist asking one more question.

“Yeodong-bin, I want to ask about the Divine Thief.”

“Ask away.”

“I’ve obtained information that he went to an Outer Dimension a thousand years ago after finding the Xuanyuan Sword. The reason for trying to break through the Aokigahara Life Sea now is probably because there is a portal to the Outer Dimension at the end of that sea.”

“……”

“I also passed his trials and received training from him. That’s why I’m practicing the Technique of All Things.”

“What do you mean?”

I looked Yeodong-bin directly in the eyes and said.

“Why does the Divine Thief desire the Xuanyuan Sword so much? And do you know why he possesses the seat of the Martial God?”

“… You’re asking two things.”

“I have a feeling you might know.”

Based on the information I obtained during my past life, it was clear that both Yeodong-bin and Jang Sam-bong undoubtedly held the seat of the Martial God. In a way, they could be considered equals to the Divine Thief, so it wasn’t far-fetched to speculate that they had some understanding of him.

Following my inquiry, I continued.

“The Divine Thief believes he is the greatest thief and doesn’t consider himself a martial artist. He has established his identity as both a thief and a great thief.”

“……”

“The seat of the Martial God is a place only reached by supreme martial artists, right? If someone considers themselves a thief, why then can they occupy the seat of the Martial God? What is that standard?”

This was the question that intrigued me the most.

While the Divine Thief would certainly be regarded as an absolute expert in this world, he viewed martial arts as merely a means to an end and did not particularly like them. Nevertheless, it was perplexing that he held the position of the Martial God.

Didn’t the Martial God only invite the ultimate martial artists to its seat?

Yeodong-bin responded to my question.

“I’ll just say that your reasoning is mistaken.”

“Misunderstood?”

“The idea that the Martial God only invites those supreme warriors to the Martial God’s seat is unfounded; it’s merely your assumption. Isn’t that right?”

“… That’s true, but…”

“You seem to have your own definition of martial arts. Then, what is a martial artist?”

“A person who has trained in martial arts to achieve a certain level.”

“That’s a foolish answer.”

“……”

What?!

Naturally, my answer felt like a stab in the dark! However, Yeodong-bin remained unaffected by my distress and continued.

“Humans train in martial arts for a hundred years from birth until they die. That’s the limit of a human lifespan. So if a different race with a lifespan of ten thousand years trained for ten thousand years, would they become an even better martial artist for having trained longer? A hundred times better martial artist, perhaps?”

Of course not. I steadied my emotions and replied.

“… The duration of training doesn’t necessarily determine one’s worth in martial arts.”

“You’re well aware. So, a fledgling who has only held a sword for a day wouldn’t be a martial artist after all? Do they have no value in attaining the Martial God’s seat?”

“……”

This is tricky.

“This is a question every martial artist must ponder for their entire life. It’s also a question about what martial arts truly are…”

Having said that, Yeodong-bin continued.

“The Divine Thief doesn’t qualify to hold the seat of the Martial God.”

“Is it because he’s a thief?”

“That’s a misunderstanding. It has nothing to do with being a thief; he was originally unqualified for that position. It’s unrelated to his disdain for martial arts. Yet, the Martial God recognized that the Divine Thief was also deserving of the seat.”

“…….?”

What does that mean?

Yeodong-bin said.

“If you ever manage to break through to the Outer Dimension and meet the Divine Thief, you must remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

Yeodong-bin spoke solemnly.

“If he wishes to obtain the Xuanyuan Sword, it is likely not merely for the fame of being the greatest thief. It is fundamentally tied to his own issues, so keep that in mind.”

I was taken aback by his unexpected statement.

“He desires the Xuanyuan Sword for his own sake?”

“Yes. It might be a reason you never considered. This is all the advice I can offer you.”

“Hmm…”

So the Divine Thief desires the Xuanyuan Sword for his own issues?

When he spoke of it in relation to the Martial God’s seat, he didn’t phrase it that way at all.

However, Yeodong-bin’s words felt much more credible, and I decided to take his insights as guidance going forward.

Boom!

Just then, Mangnyang appeared, using space manipulation with the Sky-Destruction Sun and Moon Fan in hand. He shouted urgently.

“Baek Woong! Is your training done?!”

“Not quite yet…”

“Sorry, but we’ll have to continue later. Follow me quickly!”

Regretfully, I glanced back at Yeodong-bin. If only I could have spent a few more days training, maybe I could gather more insights from him. I bowed to Yeodong-bin.

“Then, I’ll see you next time.”

Boom!

I followed Mangnyang and left that place. The next destination was the Imperial Palace of the Great Ming Empire. Confused, I asked Mangnyang.

“Mangnyang, why the sudden trip to the Imperial Palace?”

“Due to the fallout from the Element of Gold’s disappearance, the [Old Ruler] has withdrawn their influence in this world.”

“……?!”

“The Demon Subduing Hall’s power will not influence the world for at least the next hundred years. It’s the end of the Heretical Sect.”

What did you just say?!

The manager of the Demon Subduing Hall is leaving this world?!

I was flabbergasted.

“What do you mean? What does that have to do with the two events?”

“I’m not exactly certain, but it seems that as the laws of the world twisted, the [Old Ruler] lost their justification for intervening in the world. Had they suffered any loss, they might have continued their interference, but since that isn’t the case, they’ve retreated.”

“Hmm, is it truly just the loss of a single Element causing such an effect…?”

“Everything in this world is interconnected. If even one aspect of the Element’s balance is lost, it can wield considerable influence.”

“Either way, what’s the problem here?”

“… There are two issues. Firstly, with the departure of the [Old Ruler], the mighty force sustaining Luoyang has vanished, hence causing the Battle Ground of Luoyang to weaken significantly.”

“Um…!!”

“However, this won’t affect things immediately. It’s something easily rectified as I can reinforce the barrier as a disciple of my master. The real problem is…”

Mangnyang gritted his teeth and looked to the eastern sky as he spoke.

“Using this as a pretext, an Evil God is attempting to descend into the Central Plains now. Baek Woong, you need to take control of Luoyang as Jeon Wook’s disciple and counter this Evil God!”

“What?!…”

“This is something only you can do.”

Zing!

In that moment, an ominous figure flickered in the sky above to the east alongside a flash of lightning—was it just my imagination?

But then, I began to recognize reality.

“……”

The grim possibility that I might have to confront the Evil God head-on loomed before me.