1028——————==

True Martial Home

Indra?

I turned to Cho Mu-rin, baffled.

“What’s this Indra nonsense?”

“…You don’t know Indra, the owner of the Four Great Spirit Deities? Don’t you possess the Thunder God’s technique?”

“Well, I refer to it as Vajra…”

“……”

Cho Mu-rin seemed dazed for a moment before responding.

“Did you conceal its essence? The seal of the Four Great Spirit Deities seems safe. Hmm…”

“So you know something about the Four Great Spirit Deities. Don’t hide it, spill the beans.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t disclose anything with an outsider present.”

Cho Mu-rin’s gaze shifted to Yeodong-bin, who flatly stated,

“The story of the Four Great Spirit Deities has nothing to do with my martial arts improvement. Just go chat somewhere else.”

I felt an inner appreciation for Yeodong-bin; he was truly a straight shooter. One would be tempted to learn about the secrets of the Four Great Spirit Deities, yet he brushed it off as irrelevant to his martial practices.

“Yeodong-bin, thinking of continuing your training here?”

“I’ll be wandering around the world occasionally.”

“Then I’ll be counting on you going forward.”

Having formed a bond with Yeodong-bin, I could now summon him for spirit summoning.

Crash!

I used the Golden Lamp technique, teleporting with Cho Mu-rin to the secluded highland of the west. I said to him,

“There’s no one here. Tell me about Indra.”

“Let me ask again. Have you never encountered the essence of the Four Great Spirit Deities?”

“The essence? Are you talking about the Ancient God? Hmm…”

I pondered.

‘I may have met the Ancient God sealed by the Four Great Spirit Deities in the outer universe. But something tells me that’s not what Cho Mu-rin is hinting at.’

After a moment, I shook my head.

“Nope. The Four Great Spirit Deities have been like this ever since I returned from the outer universe.”

“Have you never heard their voice?”

“Ah… the Wind Spirit did speak to me once.”

“My Master has been wary of that phenomenon, ultimately paying a great price to seal the awareness of the Four Great Spirit Deities.”

“……!!”

What a surprise!

I casually mentioned the Fire Spirit and Water Spirit.

“I awakened the spirits residing within the Fire Spirit and Water Spirit using Spirit Power. So what you’re saying is, if I channel Spirit Power into the Four Great Spirit Deities, I can also awaken the Ancient Gods?”

Cho Mu-rin tilted his head.

“I’m not quite sure about that complicated stuff. Ask an expert.”

“Hmm.”

It seemed Cho Mu-rin, as a manifestation of martial prowess, wasn’t in the know about techniques or spirits either.

“However, the beings bound to the Four Great Spirit Deities are ridiculously powerful; they once brought my Master, me, and the Divine Maiden to death’s doorstep.”

“What? You mean the Ancient God tried to attack you?”

“That was a long time ago. I’ll recount that tale as best as I can.”

*

Age 7 for Cho Mu-rin.

It was the late Six Dynasties era, and he was living in the North. The northern Central Plains were home to numerous nomadic tribes that the Han people deemed barbaric, and Cho Mu-rin grew up gaining knowledge and culture as part of a nomadic people. His tribe was one of the Malgal.

Cho Mu-rin’s fate changed the day the hostile tribe attacked, destroying his village and leaving him orphaned. Despite his young age, he wielded a sword courageously in battle but ultimately faced death, and his neck was on the line.

Wham!!

About ten adult warriors, trying to kill Cho Mu-rin, collapsed in a single instant. A random Central Plains man who saved him said,

“Kid, are you alright? I was on my way to find Eulji Mundeok from Goguryeo when I stumbled into this ugly scene.”

“……”

“Kid, I’m Ho-wol, a Grand Master of the Four Great Families of the White Lotus Sect. What’s your name?”

“My name is…”

Upon hearing Cho Mu-rin’s original name, Ho-wol commented,

“Your name sounds tough to pronounce in the Central Plains. Let me give you a Central Plains name: how about Cho Mu-rin?”

“Thank you.”

Tears streamed down Cho Mu-rin’s cheeks. Even at such a young age, he understood who Ho-wol was. Not many would take in an orphan and treat him like family. That day, he resolved to regard Ho-wol as a new parent.

Ho-wol brought Cho Mu-rin along with Hye Ga to Goguryeo, but after meeting Eulji Mundeok, he grumbled in disappointment, and young Cho Mu-rin heard him clearly.

“Eulji Mundeok of Goguryeo… I can’t fathom his origin. Clearly, he’s an immense genius, but there’s a peculiar law of cause and effect. Could it be that he has ties to a transcendent? Regardless, he’s not the talent I’m looking for…”

After returning to the White Lotus Sect with Cho Mu-rin, Ho-wol began teaching him martial arts.

Being an unmatched martial arts genius in the world, Cho Mu-rin stepped into the realm of peak experts before reaching 14, and by 16, he could hold his own against the powerful leaders of martial arts sects arrayed like swarming demons vying for Ho-wol’s peerless martial arts. Cho Mu-rin believed he was at least as good as the eight great experts within the White Lotus Sect.

Even Ho-wol, who took him in, often marveled at his achievements.

“Very good. The establishment of the Thunder God lineage is accelerating sooner than I expected.”

Cho Mu-rin occasionally felt miffed at Ho-wol’s words. Thus, he retorted,

“Master, you didn’t bring me here to make me the Grand Master of the White Lotus Sect, did you? I don’t plan to settle for just the Thunder God lineage.”

Ho-wol chuckled.

“…You will become the Grand Master of the White Lotus Sect after my time. However.”

He clasped his hands together and said,

“You may become a supreme martial artist, but you cannot surpass that level.”

“……!!”

“That is your limit.”

In that moment, Cho Mu-rin felt an overwhelming shock. He had never heard such words from his Master, Ho-wol, in his entire life. He felt his hands tremble and shouted,

“What lies beyond that? Is there a being stronger than a supreme martial artist? None exist who can surpass the Absolute Realm.”

Since he had been taught by Ho-wol, the strongest martial artist in the world, he was aware of the existence of the Absolute Realm and the Intent Heavenly Pillar and was training accordingly. And he understood better than anyone the power of the Absolute Realm, where a master could annihilate an army of one hundred thousand alone.

Ho-wol then said,

“The Immortals of the Celestial Realm. Among them, those known as Great Immortals can use the power of treasures to transcend the Absolute Realm. Furthermore, among them are those known as Duelists, who were either stronger than the Absolute Realm or its masters even while alive. Facing them, even the Absolute Realm could suffer catastrophic defeat.”

“……”

That was the first he had ever heard of it. Did such a thing as the Celestial Realm even exist?

Lost in thought, Cho Mu-rin said,

“But Master, you must be stronger than them.”

“Of course. If I ever put my full power into the Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun, I could easily kill over ten Great Immortals in one go. They aren’t that difficult of opponents.”

Ho-wol gazed at the sky.

“However… the god who surpassed even the Immortals. The Absolute Being that reigns over the primordial darkness, [the Old Ruler]. Only they are beyond my reach. Especially those that could be likened to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”

“W-what exactly is that? The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are legendary kings from myths!”

“Cho Mu-rin, you don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. That’s not your fate.”

“……”

“What I want to entrust to you is the task of Divine Killing, not the Thunder God lineage. You are to become a disciple of the Thunder God lineage, spreading and flourishing that martial art for future generations.”

“…So that’s my mission?”

Ho-wol didn’t reply, but Cho Mu-rin could see it in his eyes.

His master had no expectations of him.

He had no intention of passing on his burdens to Cho Mu-rin.

‘Ugh…!!’

Cho Mu-rin felt terribly wounded in his pride. He believed he was destined to be the supreme martial artist of the White Lotus Sect and lead the next martial generations. Yet, to think he would be looked down upon by his master like this! Thus, from that day forth, he forgot about meals and dedicated himself to training even more.

As time passed, on his twentieth birthday, Cho Mu-rin recognized that he had reached the pinnacle of peak experts. This was partly due to Ho-wol’s guidance but mainly a result of Cho Mu-rin’s desperate commitment to martial arts as an unparalleled genius. Now, only one step remained until the Absolute Realm.

Seeing Cho Mu-rin’s achievements, Ho-wol remarked,

“It’s time for me to introduce you to the Divine Maiden.”

“The Divine Maiden?”

“My disciple, Ayuta. If you become the Grand Master in the future, you will have to live alongside her clan.”

Following Ho-wol, he met the stunningly beautiful Divine Maiden whose eyes were obscured. Princess Ayuta said to Cho Mu-rin,

“Future disciple of the Thunder God lineage, Cho Mu-rin… Poor thing. You will grapple with despair and, after endless suffering, come to acceptance. You will reject the absolute being unreachable for you and lead yourself into contradiction.”

Cho Mu-rin quietly sighed.

‘Is this the so-called prophetic ability I’ve heard of…!!’

The Divine Maiden Ayuta’s prophecies never missed. It was said that she possessed the strongest foresight ability, one that even interfered with the laws of cause and effect. As Cho Mu-rin held his breath, focusing on her words, she continued,

“However, if you can remain humble and not forget your mission…. Amidst the many branches of fate, you will find salvation. That path will be a thread-thin hope… Do not succumb to your destiny.”

Cho Mu-rin scoffed softly. He clenched his fist tightly.

“What a laugh. I will carve out my own destiny. I have no intention of succumbing to despair and acceptance!”

“……”

In response to Cho Mu-rin’s declaration, the Divine Maiden offered no counter. Instead, she said,

“Senior Brother, you intend to show him the sealing ceremony of the Four Great Spirit Deities?”

Ho-wol nodded at her words.

“Not just that, I plan to reveal their essence.”

“How pitiful that he will be left disheartened.”

Ho-wol murmured indifferently.

“Isn’t that what your prophecy foretold? If he does fail here, then that’s where it stops. I can’t entrust the strongest Thunder God lineage to a weakling.”

Hearing Ho-wol’s words, Cho Mu-rin felt a surge of defiance and shouted,

“Absolutely not! Don’t underestimate me! I will succeed, no matter what!”

“Fine. Just don’t regret that statement. Absolutely…”

Cho Mu-rin noticed a peculiar sense of discomfort in Ho-wol’s words but replied confidently.

“I understand.”

And thus, they followed Ho-wol and the Divine Maiden into the most solemn and secluded area of the White Lotus Sect. There, a shallow lake shimmered and was full of white lotuses. Above many white lotuses, four glowing weapons floated into view.

‘That must be the Four Great Spirit Deities!’

Cho Mu-rin recalled hearing from Ho-wol. The essence left by Bodhidharma at the end of a colossal battle—this was said to be the absolute weapon! The power of the Four Great Spirit Deities was rumored to surpass any treasure in this world.

Ho-wol spoke calmly.

“Originally, Hye Ga intended to communicate with the spirits of the Four Great Spirit Deities to draw out their true power. However, Hye Ga ultimately succumbed to the spirits, and we fought countless times to rescue her, yet we never succeeded.”

“……”

“And the spirits’ power only grows. They won’t lend their strength to mortals, yet they aim to awaken the essence of the Ancient God to escape the sealing of the Four Great Spirit Deities.”

“So you’re attempting to seal them.”

“Right. While we can’t seal the Four Great Spirit Deities themselves, we can at least suppress the spirits to prevent them from harming the users. According to the law of cause and effect, the one destined to wield the Four Great Spirit Deities will eventually break this seal… The Ancient Gods are also beings with power equal to or surpassing [the Old Ruler]… Such tremendous power only brings about destruction, void of good or evil.”

Ho-wol mumbled things Cho Mu-rin couldn’t comprehend.

“I will use my power to conduct the sealing ceremony. You must clearly see what kind of powers and names the revealing spirits possess with your own eyes.”

“…Why? I don’t think I need to be here.”

Cho Mu-rin finally felt something was off. In truth, it seemed Ho-wol and the Divine Maiden could handle this just fine. It felt odd that they hadn’t brought Seong Jin, the master of techniques, along. What was his purpose for being here?

Then Ho-wol said,

“You are to be the founding disciple of the Thunder God lineage. Thus, you must directly see the Thunder God that forms the root of the Thunder God lineage. Only then will the law of cause and effect align as the Divine Maiden foretold.”

Thunder God?

As Cho Mu-rin felt puzzled, Ho-wol slowly walked towards the Four Great Spirit Deities. Then, with a strained voice filled with tension, he said,

“Once not a Fourth Spirit God, but at some point, the mysterious Thunder God seated to the left of the Four Great Spirits; a monster that devoured Hye Ga, who sought to communicate with the spirits…”

The next moment, Ho-wol reached out and grasped the Vajra belonging to the Four Great Spirit Deities.

“Indra, I seal you!”