Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

A promise to lay the foundation for the Absolute Realm within a month?

I had my doubts, but Jin So-cheong was right—right now, I truly had nothing pressing to do. It wasn't as if I could achieve some monumental breakthrough in just a month anyway, so I'd been pacing anxiously when he made this intriguing proposal.

"Very well."

Jin So-cheong headed to the training ground with me. Then he spoke.

"To be honest, though I just said that, I don't actually believe I've fully surpassed the Superlative Realm to reach the Absolute Realm. My own training time has been too short; I'm just catching glimpses of it. I think I need some catalyst to truly arrive there."

"I see."

From what I could tell, Jin So-cheong was at the very cusp of entering the Absolute Realm. Someone on a similar level might be Yong-jung.

"But in the memories of martial arts you've accumulated, I caught a fleeting glimpse of Martial Unity. Based on that realization, I came to understand that to first attain Thunder God Unity, you're missing a crucial foundation."

Jin So-cheong nodded.

"To obtain Thunder God Unity, you need a special incantation, and that incantation is of tremendous difficulty. Baek Woong, in your opinion, why do you think it's so hard?"

I thought for a moment before answering.

"Because it compresses a vast amount into a brief incantation?"

"Exactly. It's a method that gathers the lifelong achievements of not just one, but dozens of Thunder God Style geniuses, compresses them into an incantation, and uses that to forge Thunder God Unity. That's why only geniuses can learn it from the start."

Jin So-cheong continued.

"But while pondering Thunder God Unity, I realized you need additional training, Baek Woong."

"Hm?"

"To attain Martial Unity, you receive transmission from masters who have mastered fist, sword, and spear, then repeat the processes of shedding and forgetting the foul. This is likely just symbolic. In other words, whether mastering Thunder God Unity or reaching Martial Unity, it requires proof that you've mastered 'everything' of the Thunder God Style."

"Everything...?"

"Exactly as it sounds. As a grandmaster, you must reach mastery in every martial art of the Thunder God Style—from fist techniques, swordsmanship, spearmanship, grappling, and body techniques."

Whoosh.

Jin So-cheong aimed his spear at me.

"Until now, Yi Cheong-un never mentioned this to you. He assumed that by the time you're ready to challenge Thunder God Unity, you'd have already mastered all the miscellaneous techniques. But in my view, Baek Woong, you're lacking in the Thunder God Style's grappling and body techniques. A prime example is Annihilation Soul Step Heavenly Light."

I protested against Jin So-cheong's words.

"I use Annihilation Soul Step quite proficiently."

"You must ascend to the level of the secret technique Heavenly Light. That's why I went to the trouble of rescuing Cheongvol—to learn that ambiguous incantation. If you can't elevate Annihilation Soul Step to true mastery, you'll never reach Thunder God Unity and waste your time. Alternatively, you'd have to perfect Thunder Shadow Step or Heaven Lord Kill to the pinnacle, but that's even harder and more time-consuming."

"......"

"Grappling is the same. In my opinion, Baek Woong, you need to seek out Elder Green Moon from the later generation."

"Green Moon... You mean the Thunderclap Three Venerables from the Ghost Soul Branch of the Thunder God Style."

Jin So-cheong nodded.

"Yes. The Ghost Soul Branch holds the most diverse techniques in the Thunder God Style and excels in sorcery as well. I suspect Yi Cheong-un had largely mastered their techniques too."

"Understood."

"And one more thing. Among fist, spear, and sword, you lack proficiency in fists. So in Luoyang, seek out Jeong Yun-ho, the guard warrior, or Elder Crimson Moon and learn fists from them."

As I listened to Jin So-cheong's advice, I felt overwhelmed.

"Good heavens... Why didn't Yi Cheong-un tell me any of this?"

"Because there wasn't even enough time to transmit the Eight Immortal Divine Skills... And if you went around learning the Thunder God Style's myriad techniques without properly mastering the Eight Immortal Divine Skills, your martial flow would get tangled again."

"You're right."

"I can't help you with everything right now. But I'll do what I can."

And so the training began.

Heavenly Light!

Shuuushuk.

In the blink of an eye, an illusion of light burst forth, displaying fantastical movement combined with Annihilation Soul Step footwork. Jin So-cheong had grasped the missing incantation and immediately unleashed the secret technique of Annihilation Soul Step. Still, given the outrageous feats he'd pulled off before, this wasn't all that surprising anymore.

Having first demonstrated Annihilation Soul Step Heavenly Light for me, Jin So-cheong said,

"My way of teaching Heavenly Light will differ from others."

"Hm?"

"First, recall the Seven Great Supreme Arts and Eight Immortal Divine Skills in your mind and execute them with your body once."

I did as Jin So-cheong instructed. Once the demonstration ended, he gripped his spear firmly and said,

"Now, intensely focus on the incantations of what you just performed, and let's spar."

I didn't understand, so I said,

"Spar? You're really planning to transmit the secret technique through sparring?"

Even with repetitive drilling under an expert's guidance, it'd be a stretch—yet relying on a single incantation in your head for sparring training? I'd trained in martial arts for a long time, but I'd never heard of such a transmission method.

"Trust me."

"Hmm..."

"However, suppress your internal energy to half while fighting. That should make it appropriate."

"I don't know what you're thinking, but let's give it a try."

Clang clang!

Soon, Jin So-cheong's spear and my sword clashed in midair, producing a sharp sound. Even at half power, my internal energy far exceeded his, so I easily gained the advantage. Unless he used Will Intent Techniques here, he'd surely be pushed back.

Bwooom.

After clashing with me for a dozen exchanges, Jin So-cheong's momentum suddenly shifted. Like a gale storm, he unleashed a barrage of lan, na, and chal, counterattacking me. I realized then that this simple sequence of forms was itself a Will Intent Technique.

'Strong!'

This was worlds apart from when I'd first recruited him! To avoid getting swept up in the sequence, I held my ground steadily, searching for openings in Jin So-cheong. But midway through his assault, he suddenly switched to Heaven Subduing Five Spirit Incantation from the Seven Great Supreme Arts, attacking me. I lightly deflected the incoming five-colored energy with my palm technique.

Pababat.

"...!?"

In that instant, I sensed Jin So-cheong's body charging toward me like an illusion. Unable to distinguish real from fake, I hurriedly assumed a defensive stance, but he instantly transformed Taiji Fluid Swordplay into a technique, stabbing at my acupoints. It targeted only my flaws, so I panicked and dodged with Annihilation Soul Step—only for Jin So-cheong to pursue with Annihilation Soul Step as well.

In that fleeting moment, I felt a telepathic voice.

Jin So-cheong's inner voice echoed through the space of stillness.

[ This isn't a sparring match to win or lose. ]

In a flash, Jin So-cheong's spear tip slowly approached my throat. But there was no killing intent—only overwhelming pressure.

[ Entrust your body to the flow. And realize that footwork isn't made just for evasion. ]

Shishishuk.

Our Annihilation Soul Step forms intertwined as Jin So-cheong began pursuing me relentlessly. Even as he closed in for ultra-close combat, I couldn't shake him off and could only keep dodging. Whenever I tried using Seven Great Supreme Arts or Eight Immortal Divine Skills, he immediately countered with variations, making escape impossible.

Boom!

Unable to endure, I surged my internal energy, erecting an energy barrier to repel Jin So-cheong. He flipped through the air, landing gracefully, and said,

"That's why I told you not to use full power. It ruins the training."

"Hmm..."

"I'll keep using Seven Great Supreme Arts and Eight Immortal Divine Skills to chase you. No matter what supreme art you use, I'll stick to close range. Realize there's only one way to escape."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jin So-cheong charged again. And so I endured this bizarre sparring for the entire day. After six hours of sweating and moving, Jin So-cheong seemed to tire first. Wiping sweat from his brow, he said,

"As expected, it's not easy. I'll rest and come back, so Baek Woong, you analyze the sparring."

"Got it."

Once Jin So-cheong left to rest, I sat there, deeply contemplating. The more I thought, the more impressed I was by his adaptability and depth of strategy. It was as if he knew exactly what variation I'd attempt next and countered perfectly.

But I couldn't figure out how this sparring led to mastering the Annihilation Soul Step secret technique. After half a shichen of racking my brain, I finally called for Jang Sam-bong.

[ Immortal Jang. Help me. ]

[ Haha, I watched that sparring closely. ]

Jang Sam-bong chuckled and said,

[ To me, the answer is clear—one way only. But he's pushing you hard, fearing you'd fall into verbal traps and miss the essence if explained outright. ]

[ Please advise me. ]

[ Hm... Haven't you already obtained the Three Steps? ]

[ I used the Three Steps Absolute Art to evade just now, but Jin So-cheong followed with the same. ]

[ Was it truly the same? ]

[ Pardon? ]

Jang Sam-bong chuckled softly and said,

[ It's not difficult, so don't overthink it. Just trust the sweat and effort you've put in so far. ]

At that moment, something clicked in my mind.

'Could it be...?'

Two shichen later, Jin So-cheong returned fully recovered. Without a word, the sparring resumed.

Kagang!

I felt Jin So-cheong charging with tremendous momentum again. Trying to shake him off here would just invite a counter. Doubling myself, I unleashed the Three Steps Absolute Art with desperate resolve.

Whirring.

As if waiting, Jin So-cheong countered with the exact same Three Steps Absolute Art, breaching my attack range. Indeed, his technical prowess far surpassed mine.

'Will it work?'

Catching the moment he attacked with his palm technique, I combined Annihilation Soul Step with the Three Steps Absolute Art this time. Annihilation Soul Step felt like the body moved on its own once the incantation activated via energy circulation, so I'd never thought to apply Three Steps to it—until Jang Sam-bong's words sparked the idea.

Pababat!

"......!!"

In that instant, I had opened a massive gap from Jin So-cheong, landing opposite him. He didn't pursue further, instead resting his spear on his shoulder and saying,

"You've got it."

"Using Annihilation Soul Step and Three Steps Absolute Art together... That's how to obtain the Heavenly Light secret technique?"

"That's not all. Tell me more of what you've realized."

I raised my sword with a resolute expression.

"My sword will speak for me!"

Kwang!

Once more, Jin So-cheong's Seven Great Supreme Arts clashed with mine. Coiling Dragon Thrust erupted brilliantly as Earth Holder Wisdom King and Seven Stars Thunderclap Formation adorned the sky. In a trance, I unleashed every supreme art I knew in response to his movements, now maintaining a constant distance while matching him.

After roughly two hundred exchanges, Jin So-cheong withdrew his weapon and said,

"Now, use Heavenly Light."

Zzeeeng.

The moment he spoke, I unleashed flashing shadows, executing Annihilation Soul Step Heavenly Light. Countless rays scattered, disrupting heaven and earth—the Superlative secret technique Heavenly Light was now fully mine. Jin So-cheong grinned.

"Mastered it in a single day. I'm a pretty good teacher, eh?"

I gave a wry smile in acknowledgment.

"You are. But something still doesn't sit right..."

"What?"

"I fused the two arts based on intuition, but why does that lead to mastering the secret technique? I get the incantation for Heavenly Light now."

Jin So-cheong replied,

"Baek Woong, the moment you obtained Three Steps Absolute Art, you essentially had the Annihilation Soul Step secret technique. Why? Because Three Steps Absolute Art is the superior form of all footwork. One who grasps the essence of footwork—what can't they do?

But you were too fixed on using it for absolute evasion, neglecting aggressive applications."

"Hmm."

"You've finally broken your preconceptions, realizing footwork can dominate space to attack foes. Hands and feet always move together, so grasping footwork's essence means grasping everything."

"I think I get it."

I nodded and continued,

"That Three Steps Absolute Art and Coiling Dragon Thrust both command space."

I could tell without further explanation from Jin So-cheong.

To reach the Absolute Realm requires insight far beyond Will Intent Techniques. That insight demands skills surpassing even masters and sages. Through fully comprehending Three Steps Absolute Art and Coiling Dragon Thrust this time, I'd erected a small pillar. By accumulating such insights and solidifying the base, I'd reach Thunder God Unity. I'd glimpsed a fragment of the path to Thunder God Unity.

Jin So-cheong continued,

"Let's keep sparring at this pace. At least seven days and nights."

I replied in disbelief.

"What? I've already mastered the secret technique..."

"That sparring confirmed you haven't digested any of the combat experience you gained during Twin Immortal Descent. If you'd absorbed even half, you'd dispatch someone like me with ease—but you left it all to Jang Sam-bong and Yeo Bong-sin, understanding none of the principles. You made some effort to comprehend, at least."

"......"

No words.

"You and I share similar supreme arts trained via black obsidian. Focus on melting that experience into technique through sparring with me. I believe it'll accelerate your true realm progress immensely."

"Understood."

"Ah...!!"

Suddenly, Jin So-cheong let out an exclamation. Sensing he'd forgotten something, I tensed and shouted,

"What's wrong? Did you have a breakthrough...?"

"No!"

Jin So-cheong seemed flustered and said,

"My stamina and energy are insufficient for continued training. Give me some spare Millennium Snow Ginseng, Black White Lotus, or Spirit Pills."

"......"

Who else in the world demands heavenly elixirs just for training stamina besides Jin So-cheong?

With no choice, I handed over all the elixirs I'd been hoarding. He picked one or two and said,

"Soon, Sword Demon will finish his task and return, and we'll both grind... er, train you. Save the rest for him."

"......"

No doubt about it.

I was facing hellish training once more.

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