Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
The Eight Demonic Sects’ Shadowless Sect.
As the Sword Demon’s sect, it was the foremost among demonic paths, and in my past lives, I had once been taught the Shadowless Sect’s true martial arts by the Sword Demon himself. That was why I recognized that the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Strike the Shadowless Sword Emperor had just executed bore an astonishing resemblance to the Shadowless Sect’s signature technique.
[In truth, this is two martial arts combined. Because it deploys Shadowless Swordsmanship and Soul-Seizing Swordsmanship simultaneously, it’s called the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Sword.]
[Your opponent merely perceives it as sword shadows, but in reality, the Soul-Seizing Swordsmanship is secretly unfolding, silently slitting their throat without a sound. That is the essence of the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Sword.]
Shadowless Soul-Seizing Swordsmanship!
It was the Shadowless Sect’s signature technique and the Sword Demon’s martial art. This swordsmanship unleashed two forms at once, with silent sword shadows targeting the opponent’s weaknesses. It concealed an exquisite subtlety uncharacteristic of unorthodox path techniques. Indeed, the Sword Demon had seized the throne of the unorthodox paths solely through mastery of the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Swordsmanship.
I had my suspicions during the clash with Yeo Dongbin, earlier, but the moment he used the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Strike, my convictions solidified. While the basic forms and overall flow differed from the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Sword, the flow emanating when executing the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Strike was strikingly similar. The name alone made it undeniable that they hailed from the same sect.
At that, the Shadowless Sword Emperor’s face briefly stiffened. He sent me a transmission.
[Understood.]
I agreed with the Shadowless Sword Emperor and headed to a nearby hillock. True to his word, after roughly an hour, I spotted him approaching. The Shadowless Sword Emperor gazed steadily at me standing by the pond and spoke.
“Baek Woong.”
“Please speak.”
“What is your true identity?”
As I silently met his gaze, the Shadowless Sword Emperor continued.
“That incredible martial prowess and inner energy… It’s impossible to believe you’re a boy of that age. Do you know why I was itching to cross swords with you earlier? You’re surely a rejuvenated elder master.”
“… …”
“Yet you summon the legendary Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin… and recognize the Shadowless Sect’s techniques at a glance… I’ve never encountered anyone as enigmatic as you.”
I replied calmly to his words.
“I hold the position of Dharma Protector in the Shadowless Sect, so naturally I know them. As for Yeo Dongbin, I obtained a fortuitous encounter that allowed me to summon him by chance. But what matters now isn’t my identity—it’s why you wield the Shadowless Sect’s martial arts.”
“Hmm… Did the Sword Demon send you to find me?”
“No. I simply heard rumors of a hidden genius in the Nangong Clan.”
“Hmm.”
With a short hum, the Shadowless Sword Emperor pondered deeply before speaking.
“There’s no issue with me using the Shadowless Sect’s martial arts. Because I, too, am a disciple of the Shadowless Sect.”
“… ……!”
It was a statement I had half-expected, yet I couldn’t help being shocked.
The former world’s greatest swordsman—and likely the Nangong Clan’s strongest expert ever—the Shadowless Sword Emperor was a disciple of the unorthodox Shadowless Sect!
I regarded him steadily.
“It’s hard to comprehend. Please explain in detail.”
“Very well. It seems you won’t let it go without hearing the full story.”
The Shadowless Sword Emperor continued.
“It was over a hundred years ago… I was the Nangong Clan’s top prodigy, drawing acclaim as one of the righteous faction’s rising stars. Ignorant of the world’s dangers, I roamed the martial world under the banner of chivalrous deeds. Then I encountered a foe beyond my measure and faced death.”
He spoke with self-mockery.
“I sought to test myself against a famed peak expert of the unorthodox paths, but my comrades all perished. Back then, I was truly a green novice. I had no grounds to complain even in death.”
“But you’re alive now, aren’t you?”
“Indeed. The one who saved my life was my master, the Shadowless Sect’s great-grand patriarch, Ximen Jie.”
Ximen Jie!
As expected, the Shadowless Sect passed down its arts through bloodlines generation after generation. As I looked at the Shadowless Sword Emperor, he continued.
“I desperately begged Elder Ximen Jie to teach me the Shadowless Sect’s martial arts. Despite his refusal due to my status as the Nangong Clan’s direct descendant, I pleaded that I would abandon the Nangong Clan if need be. In the end, I became a disciple of the Shadowless Sect and his second disciple.”
“Second disciple?”
“His first was Elder Ximen Jie’s own son.”
With that brief reply, the Shadowless Sword Emperor sat on a nearby rock.
“For about twenty years, I forgot the Nangong Clan and honed the Shadowless Sect’s martial arts with blood and flesh. I learned the Shadowless Soul-Seizing Swordsmanship then as well. When Elder Ximen Jie passed into eternal rest, I held his funeral rites and returned to the Nangong Clan.”
“I see.”
“…But upon my return, scarcely anyone remembered me. Many scorned me, so I discarded my name and wandered the world as a lone swordsman.”
Then the Shadowless Sword Emperor chuckled.
“It was amusing. Among all those martial artists, none could withstand a hundred exchanges against me. I was victorious in a hundred battles, and within a few years, I earned the titles of World’s Greatest Sword and Shadowless Sword Emperor. My arrogance soared; I scorned the Nangong Clan and dreamed of founding the strongest sect.”
“What happened?”
Something must have occurred for the Shadowless Sword Emperor to become a wild swordsman. Guessing as much, I asked, and he sighed ruefully.
“Just then, my senior brother—the Shadowless Sect’s first disciple, Ximen Hui—came to me. Senior Brother Ximen Hui spoke of formally establishing the sect and asked for my aid. But deeming myself superior, I demanded the sect leader position for myself.”
“You two vied for the leadership.”
“Yes. Senior Brother Ximen Hui’s martial arts far surpassed mine; I was utterly defeated.”
The Shadowless Sword Emperor spoke bitterly.
“It was mortifying! The title of World’s Greatest Sword was mere empty fame among pretenders. Yet Senior Brother Ximen Hui spared me, considering my merit in spreading our sect’s arts across the world. In exchange, I vowed lifelong seclusion and self-cultivation.”
Now I understood and nodded.
“And you’ve remained in seclusion for the past century.”
“Indeed.”
“But I don’t understand why you took the Nangong Clan’s manuals with you…”
The Shadowless Sword Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I thought the Nangong Clan’s martial arts were too weak. They neglected fundamentals, relying on flashy forms, hitting a wall at higher realms. I believed dependence on manuals was the cause, so I took them into seclusion.”
“Did it work?”
“It did. As you’ve seen, my descendant reached great heights through oral transmission and voluntary training. I believe taking the manuals was the right choice.”
I understood.
No matter how much one preaches, martial arts are ultimately mastered through the body. Without voluntary training, ambition for improvement, and creative insight—relying on manuals leads only to regression. Sword King Nangong Myong’s growth to the pinnacle of the martial world exemplified the Shadowless Sword Emperor’s plan.
Sorting the information in my mind, I asked.
“What is your relation to the current Shadowless Sect Leader, the Sword Demon?”
“Sword Demon Ximen Daeryong is Senior Brother Ximen Hui’s own son. I’m his martial uncle of sorts, but I have no intention of revealing myself to him.”
“Why not?”
“For the same reason he doesn’t seek me out.”
“… …”
In that instant, I grasped the Shadowless Sword Emperor’s meaning.
The Sword Demon undoubtedly knew of his existence. But since the Shadowless Sword Emperor honored his promise to his senior brother with a century of steadfast seclusion, there was no need to disturb him. Though an awkward figure for the Sword Demon, they maintained a peaceful distance.
The Shadowless Sword Emperor said.
“I’ve told you everything. Now, won’t you reveal your identity and intentions?”
“I’ve already explained…”
“That’s no answer. I sense you’re hiding a tremendous secret.”
Swoooosh
The Shadowless Sword Emperor slowly emanated his Shadowless Sword Qi. I hastily drew my sword to counter the pressure, but facing his intent directly felt like plunging into an ice cavern. The Shadowless Sword Emperor’s abilities, honed over a century of transcendent swordsmanship, far exceeded the martial world’s norms. Even now, defeating him one-on-one was absolutely impossible for me.
I glared at him.
“If you continue, I’ll have no choice but to summon Yeo Dongbin again.”
“Then so be it…”
Flustered at the mention of Yeo Dongbin, the Shadowless Sword Emperor eased his aura. Yet wariness lingered on his face.
“Those scoundrels were baseborn wretches, but I slew my clan’s blood kin and heirs. Today’s events will forever mark my life’s turmoil. Yet you manipulate me to your ends, use me, and plan to vanish?”
“… …”
“I cannot tolerate that. I hope you have at least some conscience.”
I pondered.
‘Hmh… True, I’ve exploited Nangong Jo too thoroughly.’
Though he razed the Nangong Clan, Nangong Jo himself bore no great sin. He pursued justice despite the burden of kin-slaying out of personal conscience. Withholding the full story from him was indeed underhanded.
After thinking, I said to the Shadowless Sword Emperor.
“Very well. Would you accompany me to meet the Sword Demon? I cannot decide this alone; it requires discussion with the sect leader.”
The Shadowless Sword Emperor openly grimaced.
“He would cast me out. And facing him isn’t pleasant for me.”
“You’ll know only after meeting. I cannot reveal more without consulting the sect leader.”
“Urgh…”
He hummed, then nodded.
“Fine. I’ll meet him once.”
“You’ve made the right choice.”
Flash!
Soon after, I took him via flight to the Shadowless Sect and went straight to the Sword Demon.
The Sword Demon sat motionless on the sparring platform, seemingly in mental meditation. Sensing my presence, he opened his eyes, turned toward me, and noticed Nangong Jo beside me.
“Baek Woong. Who is he?”
“Nangong Jo, disciple of Great-Grand Patriarch Ximen Jie.”
“… …”
The Sword Demon’s eyes gleamed. He descended the platform and offered Nangong Jo a clasped-hand salute.
“I’ve heard the details, Martial Uncle Nangong Jo.”
Nangong Jo turned away awkwardly before returning the salute.
“I lack the face to return. But I haven’t broken my promise to Senior Brother Ximen Hui.”
“I wish to know the full circumstances.”
“That’s for me to…”
I chipped off a piece of obsidian and infused it with memories, conveying to the Sword Demon a brief account of the Nangong Clan incident. Reviewing the visual memories, the Sword Demon soon nodded.
“I see. If it’s clan matters, I acknowledge it, Martial Uncle.”
Nangong Jo sighed deeply.
“I swear I raised no successor in that time, nor leaked the Shadowless Sect’s arts outside. Believe me.”
“Who wouldn’t trust the words of the Shadowless Sword Emperor, once the world’s greatest sword?”
“Ahem…”
As Nangong Jo cleared his throat, the Sword Demon said.
“Martial Uncle, why not return to the Shadowless Sect?”
“No, I cannot. What shame allows a sinner like me—who coveted the leadership and betrayed propriety—to return? I’ll bury my bones here in the wilds.”
“You needn’t think that way.”
The Sword Demon continued calmly.
“Surely you know why my father, the previous sect leader, sought to formally establish the Shadowless Sect, an ancient lineage passed to single heirs.”
“Senior Brother Ximen Hui wished to aid those suffering under hypocrites’ oppression, as the martial world drowned in chaos.”
“Precisely.”
The Sword Demon said.
“I inherited this sect my father founded and have guarded the Eight Demonic Sects’ leadership for decades, preventing those called unorthodox from fully descending into the demonic path. I also protect the weak misunderstood and endangered. But I feel my strength insufficient now.”
“Insufficient?”
Nangong Jo said incredulously.
“I heard from my senior brother that your talent is the greatest among Shadowless Sect Leaders in history. In decades, you could claim the world’s top spot. Your current arts are already profound—how can you say insufficient?”
“White Lotus Cult!”
“… ……!”
“You’ve heard of the Dharma Protectors’ might.”
Nangong Jo hummed.
“…Of course. I nearly died to Dokgo Jun of the Divine Immortal Style once.”
“Why did you fight him?”
“He sought me out, deeming my ‘World’s Greatest Sword’ title arrogant. I barely survived on his mercy.”
Evidently, even Shadowless Sword Emperor Nangong Jo had lost to Divine Immortal Style’s Dharma Protector Dokgo Jun.
“To get ahead: The White Lotus Cult now secretly dominates the Eight Demonic Sects, Five Great Families, and Righteous Heaven Alliance, poised to rule the world. My power alone is too lacking to oppose them—please aid us, Martial Uncle.”
“You truly intend to fight those monsters? The Heavenly Spirit Pills transcend human realms.”
“That’s why we have White Dharma Protector here.”
The Sword Demon indicated me.
“White Dharma Protector has the potential to defeat even the Dharma Protectors, perhaps the White Lotus Cult Leader. He will overcome them someday.”
“… ……! Is that true?”
“… ……”
I did not deny the Sword Demon’s words, for they rang true.
Yes, someday I would overcome them.
The question was how many tens or hundreds of deaths it would take.
Nangong Jo spoke with resolve.
“Very well. Henceforth, I’ll reform the Nangong Clan and pledge full cooperation.”
“I beseech you.”
In this, my 19th reincarnation, I felt the start was promising.
From the outset, I had gained as a comrade the former world’s greatest swordsman, transcendent expert of the Shadowless Sect—the Shadowless Sword Emperor.
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