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True Martial Home

Why has it turned into this Half White Half Black?

I was left dumbfounded. So I immediately called for Yeodong-bin.

“Come here! Yeodong-bin!”

Yeodong-bin appeared right before my eyes. I shot my question at him.

“My Invincible Sword has turned into Half White Half Black during my training. Why is this happening?”

[…….]

Yeodong-bin stared blankly at my sword and said.

[I don’t know.]

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

[As I said before, it was originally a technique of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman that I re-created in my own way. I alone have learned and applied that technique in this world. The only one who has learned it from someone else is the Dharma Protector, so if any side effects or changes occur, I wouldn’t have any way of knowing.]

I found myself gaping.

“Oh… so that’s why you didn’t say anything when my sword was completely black last time.”

[Because it was something I had never seen before. I can’t just carelessly talk about what I don’t understand.]

I felt utterly astounded. I thought Yeodong-bin saying nothing meant it was part of the usual training process. But in fact, Yeodong-bin had no intention of teaching others the sword techniques, they were purely for his own training. So if any changes occurred when someone else learned it, he was at a loss for words!

“Ugh, but what if I die from side effects while training?”

[Then you die. Isn’t it natural for a warrior to risk their life for training? Besides, I don’t recall having passed down any training methods to you.]

Yeodong-bin’s attitude was chillingly indifferent. I realized from decades of training experiences that if I continued like this, I’d be wandering aimlessly without any advice. I called out urgently.

“Damn… isn’t that a bit irresponsible? After all, I am the successor of your disciple! Help me out here!”

Yeodong-bin raised an eyebrow.

[Then tell me what caused the change.]

“I realized that a circle is round.”

After my response, Yeodong-bin fell silent for a moment. Then he said.

[What does it mean that a circle is round?]

“It has neither a beginning nor an end, and it ends where it starts.”

For the first time, something glimmered in Yeodong-bin’s eyes.

[You’ve taken the first step into the Immortal Sword Technique. Haven’t you realized more than that?]

“Uh… so…”

I stuttered. Earlier I had called for Zhu Xian to explain my realization, but now that I was about to voice it, I found it hard to express its meaning. I felt like I understood it, but it was too intuitive to articulate.

‘Damn it… I feel like I’ve studied a lot in my life but can’t put what’s in my head into words. It’s so frustrating!’

As I fumbled for words, Yeodong-bin spoke.

[You’ve already realized, so there’s no need to put it into words. That’s what enlightenment is.]

“What do you mean?”

[Draw a circle with your sword.]

Wooong

I drew a circle with my Invincible Sword as Yeodong-bin instructed. The residual traces of the sword in the air left the shape of a circle, and I overlapped a few more circles on top of that. After swinging my sword countless times over the past months, I was confident in drawing at least one circle better than anyone else.

Yeodong-bin, looking at the circle I drew, commented.

[A clever mind would immediately grasp what you meant by “a circle is round.” But nobody can draw with the same intent you have now. No matter how brilliant a scholar is, embodiment is a different matter.]

“I think I’ve heard that before.”

[The circle you drew honestly expresses as much as you have realized. This could be called martial essence (武).]

“Martial essence…”

[Martial arts aren’t merely done with the mouth and head. Isn’t that right?]

“Hmm… true!”

[If you’ve succeeded in embodying your realization, there’s no need for further words. Enlightenment is for oneself, not a gift for others.]

I felt somewhat moved by Yeodong-bin’s words. I could relate to why his words were utterly correct based on the journey I’ve taken so far.

Indeed.

Martial arts are not merely about talking!

It’s about the extreme willpower and tenacity that pushes one to endure even when they feel like they might die, and stacking up those moments where the body itself converses with the mind. And accumulating martial arts without any words is what makes a true martial artist. Even though I might lack talent, I was certainly grasping the nature of martial arts.

As I mulled over those words, I spoke to Yeodong-bin.

“However, I feel stuck at this stage. Back then, you said I had to reach a realm where I could sharpen the blade of my sword, but in this state, it cannot be honed.”

[Why is it necessary to sharpen the blade?]

“……? To increase the attacking power of my sword, right?”

[Then try sharpening it now.]

Wooong!

I surrounded my Invincible Sword with intent and created sword strength (劍罡). But I soon realized from earlier conversations with Yeodong-bin that this was not the same as sharpening the blade.

Tsu Tsu Tsu

I dissipated the sword strength, recalling something Yeodong-bin said before.

[Your sword is still unsharpened. A true Invincible Sword can cut without merely relying on its sharpness alone.]

[Baek Woong, sharpening the sword means you can utilize the Spirit Sword (心劍).]

Spirit Sword…!!

This could be seen as the absolute level that all martial artists dream of in martial history, and in fact, the only person to have reached that level could be the Sword Master, Yeodong-bin. No martial artist in the history of Jianghu who reached such an absolute level could use the Spirit Sword. The strongest sword hero, Miyamoto Musashi, seemed to utilize abilities similar to the Spirit Sword, but his version was somehow incomplete.

In that sense, the Spirit Sword was a dimension beyond techniques like the Invincible Sword.

‘Could I also use the Spirit Sword?’

I recalled the Mind Blade (心刃) created by Miyamoto Musashi. Although what he wielded wasn’t a perfect Spirit Sword, since the intent and attack arrived simultaneously, it was hard for opponents to distinguish. It was a martial art that could be at the level of a practical Spirit Sword.

Oh, blade of the heart.

Rise up!

Jjeoeng!!

As I used the Intent Heavenly Pillar to focus my intent on the Invincible Sword, I felt the blade of the heart materialize and merge with my sword. The stronger my will, the greater the cutting power, making my current sword the most famous sword in the world.

As I maintained my concentration, Yeodong-bin commented.

[That’s wrong. Your idea of the Heart Blade isn’t bad, but the direction is completely different.]

Ssss

I erased the heart of the Absolute Realm and tilted my head.

“How are the Heart Blade and Spirit Sword different directions?”

[The Heart Blade is just one cutting blade. It can harm itself and is inevitably bound by the cycle of basic techniques. However, sharpening the Spirit Sword means breaking free of that cycle.]

“……?”

I found myself puzzled, staring blankly at Yeodong-bin, when suddenly memories of the clash between Miyamoto Musashi and the Sword Demon flooded in.

‘…Right. The Sword Demon clearly said something similar.’

In the Absolute Level of the Spirit Sword, during the confrontation with Buddha Slash, he managed to block it without using the Heart Blade. And he had criticized Musashi’s Buddha Slash, claiming it was trapped within the cycle of basic techniques even though it appeared like a Spirit Sword.

….

Then what is the cycle of basic techniques…?

If we’re talking about the Non-Action Technique (無招式), it typically means possessing an extraordinary level of proficiency in all basic techniques to the point that one naturally responds according to the situation without conscious thought. It also means being able to mix techniques freely or recreate techniques after breaking them down into crumbles. In Jianghu, only a select few had reached this level.

However, if we consider this meaning of Non-Action Technique… Miyamoto Musashi, the master of the Absolute Realm, was a being who had far surpassed it. The moment he absorbed all the secrets of martial arts merely by looking, he had become strong on his own without a master, rendering any attempt to measure him against the level of Non-Action Technique absurd.

Moreover, as the Grand Master of practical swordplay, he frequently altered his moves infinitely according to circumstances, transcending all basic techniques. This was why I could never fight him with conventional tactics. He was so much of a genius that he created new techniques on the spot that didn’t exist in the world.

But.

Even then, the Sword Demon had also assessed that the blade of the heart he used was still trapped within the cycle of basic techniques. If that’s the case, then the cycle of basic techniques must be something that can’t be explained by what Jianghu means by Non-Action Technique.

As I pondered, Yeodong-bin spoke.

[A true Spirit Sword can perform the act of saving lives. This is the clue I can provide you.]

“Saving lives? You mean bringing people back to life?”

[Yes.]

“That… that’s a bit….”

I expressed my reluctance.

The idea of using a sword to save lives was mostly something touted by the orthodox sects. But that was just a guise for promoting righteousness, as every sword technique’s ultimate goal was defeating and massacring opponents. A sword technique that fails to kill the opponent was seen as weak, and such martial arts would ultimately be eliminated. Pure self-defense swordsmanship didn’t exist.

Yet, hearing Yeodong-bin say that the Spirit Sword saved lives couldn’t help but feel disheartening.

‘No… I might be too tied up in the teachings of the Thunder God Lineage. I need to broaden my perspective.’

I shook my head. Now that I had surpassed the standard level of Jianghu and reached the Absolute Realm, wasn’t it time to free myself from mere conventions? I decided to literally approach the realm of the Spirit Sword that Yeodong-bin described.

So?

How do I save a person with a sword?

Do I just unleash vitality with the sword?

‘Hmm… that’s too simplistic.’

Since I had only killed people with a sword throughout my life, this turned out to be a rather complex problem.

As I fell deep in thought, Yeodong-bin spoke.

[Think carefully about the differences between the Spirit Sword and the Heart Blade… This will be the clue to sharpening your Invincible Sword.]

“Got it.”

[And don’t miss drawing circles even for a day.]

Pa-at

After Yeodong-bin finished speaking, he vanished.

“Alright, time to train.”

Feeling like I had received some valuable instruction, I sat down and began meditating on Yeodong-bin’s words. After about six moments passed—I continued to meditate but ultimately realized that I knew nothing.

How do I save someone with the Spirit Sword?

What even is the Spirit Sword to begin with?

As I was lost in thought, I finally went to find Zhu Xian and Lee Seol-pyo.

“I have something to consult.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

I recounted my conversation with Yeodong-bin and explained how I was currently practicing the Invincible Sword. Zhu Xian and Lee Seol-pyo sat there, listening intently with serious expressions.

“…So, what do you think the Spirit Sword that saves lives means?”

“Haha… that is… no… I think this is the most advanced discussion I’ve heard in all my life about martial arts theories… Truly, the beings who reach the Absolute Realm…”

Lee Seol-pyo mused, then added, “As you may know, there have been claims within the Thunder God Lineage about saving lives through martial arts… However, most of those usually mean mercilessly beating down evildoers to uphold justice… so while it might have social significance, it hasn’t changed the fact that martial arts are all about killing.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

I fully grasped Lee Seol-pyo’s perspective. That was the Thunder God Lineage, and the ideology held by most martial artists in the food chain of the Jianghu. In a way, the first Thunder God Lineage Grand Master, Cho Mu-rin, likely butchered thousands of demons, representing that ideology.

After pondering deeply, Zhu Xian spoke.

“Your Majesty. We might be too low-level to discuss the absolute theories of the Absolute Realm. It’s also meaningless for scholars to delve into dictionary knowledge about the Spirit Sword that saves lives.”

“That’s true.”

“Instead of wasting time, why not seek out discussions with other masters of the Absolute Realm?”

“Are you suggesting I call Cho Mu-rin?”

“Or it might be good to have a chat with Sagong Lin as well.”

“……?”

Huh?

I was left bewildered by Zhu Xian’s sudden comment.

“Why Sagong Lin out of nowhere?”

Since I was pondering if there was any way to call Jang Sam-bong, who would be in the Celestial Realm, I couldn’t help but think Zhu Xian’s comment was strange. Zhu Xian then responded.

“Sagong Lin is also known to have reached the Absolute Realm.”

“Oh!”

“While she no longer involves herself in the Jianghu since becoming an Emperor, she was one of the absolute masters ruling the Jianghu before that.”

“Why is that said in the past tense?”

“It’s all passed down through literature from hundreds of years ago… so someone like me wouldn’t know much about medieval happenings.”

Zhu Xian scratched his head.

“In fact, she has never showcased martial arts even once in front of us agents. She never performs any public demonstration. Not even once during daily life or major operations!”

“Hm.”

“Even so, it’s certain she has class in the Absolute Realm. There are historical records.”

That makes sense.

I recalled that I had overlooked Sagong Lin. I thought she merely awakened the power of the Heavenly Demon, but in fact, she possessed incredible martial talent that even Zhuge Yulong, the Shadow of the Imperial Palace, had his eyes on.

It would be expected that she reached the Absolute Realm since she must have continued training after I disappeared.

‘But she hasn’t showcased any martial arts at all, as Zhu Xian said… Why?’

Could it be that her heavenly powers alone were sufficient, so she didn’t use martial arts?

“I understand. I’ll go.”

Feeling something was hidden beneath the surface, I headed straight for Sagong Lin.

Pa-at!

The moment I met Sagong Lin, I shared my ongoing dilemma. Wearing relatively comfortable attire instead of imperial robes, Sagong Lin listened intently before responding.

“So Zhu Xian told you to come see me?”

“Yeah. He said it would be good to discuss the Absolute Realm.”

“With Cho Mu-rin…”

“Since they belong to the Thunder God Lineage, I figured there wouldn’t be a different reaction if I brought up the Saving Lives through the Spirit Sword.”

Plus, with Yeodong-bin’s Formless Sword technique, I faced humiliation in the Celestial Realm, so if I mentioned this, the response wouldn’t be good either. I didn’t want to create a hassle over the matter, so if I talked to them, it would likely have to be in some secluded valley.

Sagong Lin then said.

“Baek Woong, I’m sorry for not telling you until now.”

“For what? For being in the Absolute Realm?”

“No.”

Sagong Lin’s expression turned solemn.

Then the continuation of her words left me wide-eyed.

“I lost my martial arts when I awakened my Heavenly Demon powers. I am not in the Absolute Realm now.”