Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm (天界)

What does that mean?

When I looked at him warily in response to Yi Cheong-un's sudden words, he spoke.

"First off, I know well that while you lack talent, your will and resolve are firm, and you're no evil man. If you had been lacking in virtue, cruel, or arrogant, heroes like Maeng-ryang or Sword Demon would never have helped you. The mere fact that you've built a force to fight centered around you proves you're a man of considerable ability."

Yi Cheong-un, having evaluated me, continued indifferently.

"But that has nothing to do with the true essence of martial arts. Anything else aside, Thunder God Soul Unity is impossible. You can never attain it."

"Why not?"

"I told you. You lack talent."

I felt something surging up inside me.

I'd lived with those words for over a hundred years. I thought I'd grown used to it, but facing the essence of myself like this still brought agony. Yet the man before me was an absolute authority in martial arts, the master of the Thunder God Style, so rebutting him was difficult. I forced the words out.

"I've put in the effort. For over a hundred years..."

"I know. If we count only the years you've trained in martial arts, it's more than mine."

"I've mastered most of the Thunder God Style's supreme arts."

Yi Cheong-un nodded.

"I acknowledge that too. Even in the Thunder God Style's golden age, few possessed as many supreme arts in one body as you. You're not a full master, but you certainly qualify as a core disciple or dharma protector."

"Now that I've laid all the foundations, why can't I challenge Thunder God Soul Unity..."

He pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Hm... You've revived me and devoted much effort and loyalty to the Thunder God Style in the meantime. For that merit, I'll explain Thunder God Soul Unity. Strictly speaking, you're no outsider, so sit there."

Following his words, I sat beneath the dim mine light. Yi Cheong-un, sitting across from me, began his tale.

"You've gathered much information on the Thunder God Style's ultimate technique over time. And you've learned that the transitional stage to the ultimate realm called Martial Soul is Thunder God Soul Unity."

"Yes."

"Then let me ask one thing. Why do you think the Thunder God Style pursued the ultimate Martial Soul that transcends human martial prowess without compromising at a reasonable level? If they had set their ultimate technique at an appropriate boundary like the Wind God Style or Fire God Style, the flow of martial arts would have stabilized."

"Hm..."

That was something I'd wondered about too. I knew all other Four Great Martial Styles had ultimate techniques, so why was the Thunder God Style the only one with an unfinished ultimate passed down through generations? Even Lee Gwang only knew hearsay and not the real reason. After thinking, I replied.

"I don't know."

"It's because they encountered the Martial God."

"...?"

I tilted my head at the out-of-place remark.

"Martial God?"

It sounded familiar. Racking my brain, I suddenly remembered.

[I've heard the tale of that outsider too, so I always train with joy. Thinking that someday I might meet that Martial God.]

[Could it be you've met the Martial God too? Did the Martial God appear to you as well?]

[Heh heh... Yes. I consider it a blessing.]

Jin So-cheong. Yeo Dong-bin, White Lotus Cult Leader.

They were beings I'd met who were absolute in martial arts, and each had mentioned it once. Jin So-cheong's story stuck because it was so memorable, and Yeo Dong-bin and the White Lotus Cult Leader's conversation was recent. Seeing my realization, Yi Cheong-un said.

"In your memories, three have encountered the Martial God. And they were worthy of it."

"What... is the Martial God?"

"Exactly as it sounds. The god of martial arts. Called a phantom by some, but those who surpass the absolute or have the qualifications to do so will meet him."

"...!!"

I exclaimed in shock.

"No way... There's a divine being overseeing the pure realm of martial arts?!"

I'd never even imagined it, so I couldn't help being stunned. The divine beings I'd met were all immortals or ancient rulers—more powerful entities. I'd never thought of a transcendent overseeing the vast, uncertain concept of martial arts. As I faltered in response, Yi Cheong-un nodded.

"The Thunder God Style's martial arts actually reached their peak five generations ago. They overwhelmed the world's finest arts and, at equal realms, none could match them except the Water God Style. You, having learned them up to now, know best how outstanding they are."

"That's true."

I affirmed his words honestly.

"The Thunder God Style's martial arts are a supreme art of an era."

Excluding sword immortals like Yeo Dong-bin or Wudang's Jang Sam-bong, the Thunder God Style was undeniably top-tier. Even in my clumsy days with vast inner energy, mastering it led to explosive growth, and I'd rarely seen anything more profound except from a few supreme masters.

At best, the other Four Great Martial Styles posed a challenge, but the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families of the Central Plains couldn't touch it. Perhaps only the Shadowless School, leader of the unorthodox and a solo-transmission sect, could compete?

There was a gap in pure martial prowess, but the arts themselves never felt short. Considering the vastness of the Central Plains martial world, that was remarkable.

Fists, spears, swords—any weapon infused with profundity, bearing thousands of years of history, the ultimate martial arts!

Even now, half-declined, look at Wall Thunder Three Venerables, Lee Gwang, or Duggo Seong's levels. The Thunder God Style's arts undoubtedly vied for the world's best.

Yi Cheong-un continued.

"The founder five generations ago refined the Thunder God Style to surpass the Intent Realm. But feeling a wall, during Intent, the Martial God appeared. The Martial God showed the path to transcendent martial arts and revealed the Martial Soul realm. From then, Thunder God Style masters strove endlessly for Martial Soul."

"So that's how it was."

"...That realm is the domain of imagination. Surpassing Intent Realm is superhuman; how could humans fathom what lies beyond? Thus, masters needed stepping stones first."

That must be Thunder God Soul Unity.

As I listened silently, he spoke calmly under the firelight.

"Baek Woong. Do you understand?"

"What?"

Yi Cheong-un stated firmly.

"A Thunder God Style master is a martial genius of the ages who, after decades of effort, attains it. Thunder God Soul Unity was created by such masters. Thus, it's fundamentally made by geniuses, for geniuses!"

"...!!"

"Because research into Martial Soul is a mission passed only among masters. The entry requirement can only be genius."

Muttering that, Yi Cheong-un said bitterly.

"Do you know why the Thunder God Soul Unity incantation became an incomprehensible spell? Because the insights were so vast, dozens of advanced realizations were encrypted and compressed. Each one would take an ordinary person a lifetime to grasp. Without a once-in-an-era genius, it can't be deciphered or even begun. Understand?"

I did.

In the Thunder God Style's prime, there were said to be three or four at Heavenly Thunder Realm beyond Wall Thunder Three Venerables. Sword Thunder users, equaling or surpassing Shadowless Sword Emperor Namgung Jo just by reaching it.

Piercing that completion to lead as master was Dharma Protector Lion Yi Cheong-un, his genius inspiring inferiority and awe in all past masters. Even the White Lotus Cult Leader lacked confidence to win alone, hence teaming with Duggo Jun.

Thus, I accepted his explanation without doubt. He wasn't boasting; as the greatest Thunder God Style master ever, he spoke pure truth. Yet I couldn't convince my heart, so I said.

"With human lifespan, it may be impossible. But I reincarnate, so I can train for hundreds of years!"

"True. But even a hundred years of yours won't match one year of Jin So-cheong's."

"..."

"You've already felt the talent gap through the Three Treasures Absolute Arts example."

His blunt truth left me speechless. Yi Cheong-un sighed.

"This is for your sake. You've raised your realm using supreme masters' insights, teachings, and fortuitous encounters despite lacking talent. That worked up to peak Intent Realm. But the next stages multiply difficulty dozens-fold. Even I was shocked countless times training Thunder God Soul Unity."

"B-But..."

"Clinging to an unattainable dream forever—how horrific? Quitting midway is happiness. Do you know how much confidence and pride you'll lose reincarnating dozens of times over centuries, struggling with an indecipherable art?"

"Ugh."

"Even Jin So-cheong can't master it in ten years. I stake my name on it."

His words were too persuasive.

Even now, I fidgeted awaiting the Cult Leader's interpretation of one Three Treasures Absolute Art. How much sanity would centuries of ant-like toll on the far harder Thunder God Soul Unity drain? I'd cease to be human.

Yi Cheong-un calmed me.

"You have many ways to grow stronger besides martial arts. Right? To me, the Thunder God Style ultimate isn't your path, no matter how I think. Give it up."

"..."

Zhuge Sa, listening in my mind, spoke.

[He's right a hundred times. Yi Cheong-un's a good man. Most would toss the profundity incantation and take credit whether you learn it or not.]

[Lee Gwang would.]

[Know it, then quit. To me, the Thunder God Style ultimate isn't for humans.]

I fell silent.

I wanted to deny it. I still wanted to try, scream why judge me. But realistically, it was sound judgment, even considerate, so I couldn't speak. With final stubbornness, lips tight, I said.

"You know my situation."

"Yes."

"The White Lotus Cult Leader took nearly all my treasures, and under pretext of disciple and dharma protector, I'm forcibly held in the White Lotus Cult."

Yi Cheong-un gazed at me steadily. Meeting his eyes directly, I said.

"I desperately need your help, Lord Yi Cheong-un. Please help me."

"..."

Whoosh.

The torch on the tunnel wall flickered. Yi Cheong-un was silent, then spoke.

"Since you're a reincarnator, I should help you."

The phrasing felt off.

"Huh?"

Why help because I'm a reincarnator? We have no special bond. But regardless of my confusion, he continued.

"But I want to choose the method. I want to meet my disciple first, hear the story so far, and teach him what I couldn't. Fighting the Cult Leader now isn't good."

"Reasonable, but... tell me first."

My eyes gleamed.

"How to obtain the Heavenly Spirit Pill, and what happened that day fifty years ago!"

"As expected, you ask that."

"Yes. Honestly, that's why I revived you, Lord Yi Cheong-un."

"Of course I'll tell. It's payment for reviving me."

Yi Cheong-un spoke slowly.

"But knowing may not mean much."

"...?"

Whether Heavenly Spirit Pill method or the fifty-year secret, it'd be huge.

Why his skeptical reaction?

As I puzzled, Yi Cheong-un opened his mouth.

"First, the way to obtain the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

Finally!

Finally, the infinite inner energy secret—Heavenly Spirit Pill!

Breathless with anticipation and tension, after decades, centuries of longing, the secret unveiled!

"...In the Water God Style rite presided by the Cult Leader, displaying the priests' arts passed to each Four Great Martial Style for three days and nights is the start. As the ritual nears end, you finally promise with the darkness entity."

"A promise?"

"More like a vow."

Muttering, Yi Cheong-un said.

"A profane word of unknown origin brushes my soul at the world's center. Simultaneously, a link forms with something distant, promising my belonging to that darkness."

"...?"

"Once the promise ends, you get the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

What? I understood promising with a darkness entity, but the content baffled me. Tilting my head, I summarized.

"So, need the Cult Leader's help and master the priest arts."

"Something like that. And therein, Baek Woong, you're closer to the Heavenly Spirit Pill than anyone."

His words lifted my gloom somewhat. Continuing as dharma protector, I'd eventually get it! As I inwardly rejoiced, he continued.

"I should tell what happened fifty years ago too."

"Please do."

"..."

"...?"

Yi Cheong-un started to speak but silenced. Puzzled by his change, I looked; he seemed deeply troubled. Then he said.

"Baek Woong. Before that tale, a question."

"Ask."

His question brought fresh distress.

"Can you forgive Lee Gwang?"

"...!!"

"I need your answer to tell that day's events."

What to do.

Truthfully, it was an unresolved question in me. I'd eventually settle with Lee Gwang, but his multifaceted sides seen over time prevented simple summary. Mixed love-hate made killing him hard.

Yi Cheong-un likely sensed this, asking to gauge my intent. Because Lee Gwang was his disciple.

After deep thought, I answered sincerely.

"I'll show Lee Gwang all my memories via the black obsidian. Then hear his true intent and decide. It depends on him, not me."

Best for now. Kill or spare later. Yi Cheong-un gave a wry smile.

"Hmm... Your personality really doesn't match Gwang's."

"I've felt it for a hundred years."

"Hahaha."

Yi Cheong-un burst into hearty laughter, then said.

"Then I'll tell. What happened that day..."

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