1029——————==

True Martial Home

At that moment, Cho Mu-rin saw the Divine Maiden, Princess Ayuta, behind Ho-wol open her eyes.

‘She wasn’t blind….’

But he couldn’t help but gasp. The moment her eyes shone silver, all the white lotus around bloomed, and his entire field of vision was obscured by a single lotus leaf. Even though he thought he was seeing an illusion, Cho Mu-rin could not deny it felt real no matter how much he heightened his senses.

What on Earth is happening?

Eventually, Cho Mu-rin realized he had become a speck smaller than a speck of dust on the lotus leaf, and the world had expanded to an unimaginable size. Inside of it, the Four Great Spirit Deities were radiating their light while the Divine Maiden and Ho-wol floated in the air, reaching out towards the Four Great Spirit Deities.

Kugugugu

Even though Cho Mu-rin was clueless about martial arts, he could tell the two were conducting a colossal ritual.

After about a meal’s length of time, the Divine Maiden, Princess Ayuta, spoke with her silver eyes gleaming.

“…The seal of Indra is impossible. We must give up.”

Ho-wol clearly looked flustered.

“Really? If we miss this chance, there won’t be another…”

Cho Mu-rin was shocked to hear them.

‘Master seems really anxious….’

He could feel the evident tension in Ho-wol’s voice when he questioned the Divine Maiden. Over the decade since Cho Mu-rin became Ho-wol’s disciple, he had never once seen him anxious or flustered. Ho-wol was literally invincible, not even flinching in front of an emperor or a hundred thousand soldiers.

To think Ho-wol was showing such severe anxiety over the stalled sealing!

As Princess Ayuta continued to reach towards the Four Great Spirit Deities, she spoke.

“We’re covering the world to stabilize the other three spirit deities, but Indra alone remains uncooperative and shows a strong will for battle. He’s even trying to pull in the other deities to fully unleash the seal.”

“What? Pulling them in?”

“Even now, Indra is actively persuading the other spirits….”

Ho-wol was dumbfounded.

“How can that be? This lotus world is not our power but Master’s divine authority. The scale of power he has accumulated over countless years to seal them should be unresistable, even for an ancient god. Why is that one acting out like this?”

“…….”

Princess Ayuta slowly opened her mouth.

“Something… is entirely different. At least, during my glimpses into countless worlds with my Divine Eye, I’ve never seen such a being. Is what’s inside Vajra truly the ancient god of the earth?”

“What do you mean?”

“You must be feeling it as well, but the nature of this power is definitely not the soil of the universe. It doesn’t even fit into the elements or the Four Symbols and Six Harmonies. Under normal circumstances, this should belong to a chaotic existence, saturating with the power of distant constellations, yet this being does not belong to chaos at all. It’s not even a constellation.”

“…….”

“No matter how much we wield the power of the Divine Eye, we cannot proceed with sealing while we remain ignorant of Indra’s true identity within Vajra. We tried to force it this time, but it’s simply impossible.”

“That means….”

“I hate to admit it, but Indra’s power overwhelms the protective blessing left by Master. If we continue as we are, Indra will be released.”

Ho-wol gritted his teeth in disbelief. Then he said.

“That’s absurd! Then I’ll go directly inside the Four Great Spirit Deities myself.”

“That’s too dangerous.”

“I at least have to prevent Indra from convincing the others. Let me in.”

“But there’s no guarantee you’ll return.”

Just as they were bickering away.

Tsuah!

Cho Mu-rin suddenly felt a ‘presence’ watching him from inside Vajra. As soon as that gaze landed on him, his body jolted as if struck by lightning. He instinctively sensed danger and shouted.

“Master! Vajra is….”

Then Ho-wol raised his hand and gripped Vajra tightly.

Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun

The Arm of the Martial Dragon

Crack!!

Crack!!

The sound of something breaking repeatedly roared as Ho-wol’s arm transformed like a dragon’s, crushing Vajra. Cho Mu-rin gulped at the horrid sound of bones and muscles breaking in real-time, while Ho-wol glared intensely at Vajra, enduring excruciating pain with sheer willpower.

“Even the Dragon Form can’t do it against the Eight Parts of the Divine? You really are one hell of a monster.”

Ho-wol roared.

“Then I’ll bet my life on this!”

Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun

The Pinnacle

The Twin Dragon Arms

Wudududuk!!

Both of Ho-wol’s arms transformed into dragon arms, covered in scales. Seeing that, Cho Mu-rin couldn’t help but gasp.

“Ah! Master, you can’t do that!”

The Absolute Realm’s Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun gradually erodes into the mad power of a dragon, causing the user to forget themselves. Given the nature of the Absolute Realm that encapsulates a person’s life and philosophy, no one truly understood how a human like Ho-wol could create the Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun, but one thing was certain: it was indeed referred to as an unparalleled demonic art.

Cho Mu-rin had heard of the time when Ho-wol lost control of the Great Dragon of the Reflecting Sun, causing a great disaster. If he got consumed by the dragon again, Ho-wol could become a calamity capable of destroying the world, which is why he hesitated to tap into his true power.

‘If my Master goes berserk here, not only the White Lotus Sect but Gansu Province will become a dead land….’

Having witnessed Ho-wol feeling the agonizing sting caused by the dragon’s might during his training, Cho Mu-rin realized the gravity of the situation. Those dragon arms meant Ho-wol was allowing the dragon to invade his body, and the moment he lost control of his consciousness, the dragon’s horrifying power would manifest into the world.

Pahjijijik

“Hah, uh….”

While Ho-wol’s dragon arms gripped Vajra, he looked to be panting due to severe thirst and pain. Gritting his teeth, Ho-wol gathered all the power of his Intent Heavenly Pillar and began to cast his Absolute Techniques.

“Haap!”

The space contracted. The ring of will transferred through his dragon arms suppressed the electricity seeping from Vajra. Since it was the ultimate technique powered by Ho-wol’s true strength, it seemed Vajra was about to be sealed.

Pajijijik! Pazik!

At that moment, a strange shape unveiled itself from Vajra like an apparition. The object was a humanoid figure constructed from blinding lightning. This Thunder Being crossed its arms, gazing at Ho-wol as if it were judging him.

[You dare interrupt me? You’re asking for death.]

Pervavek!

Both of Ho-wol’s arms were pierced by tens of thousands of lightning arrows, and a colossal spear of thunder plunged down into his heart. As time and space twisted, Ho-wol could neither evade nor defend with martial arts. Ho-wol began to spit blood, and his vision turned dark.

“Kurhak…!! No, the Great Dragon….”

Krrrlr….

As he cried out in despair, Ho-wol’s body began to transform into a proper dragon. As his limbs morphed, dragon wings sprouted from his back, causing the Thunder Being to murmur with interest.

[Very well. It sounds fun ripping a dragon apart.]

“That won’t do.”

From behind, the Divine Maiden Ayuta, who was observing the situation, shut her eyes for a moment before reopening her silver eyes.

Divine Eye

Heavenly Web of Destiny

Chwalarak!!

In the blink of her eye, countless lotus petals fluttered around. Suddenly, the petals covered everyone’s field of view, and when vision returned, Ho-wol’s body had been restored. All the power he had lost had come back, and even his wounds vanished.

The Thunder Being watched in displeasure.

[In this space, can you control the ‘Small Cycle’ with the universe overlaid? How dare a human intervene in the realm of gods….]

“…….”

[You have eyes far too good for your kind. I shall take them.]

Pervavek!!

“Hrgh.”

The moment the Thunder Being’s hand seemed to vanish, the Divine Maiden’s two eyes were plucked out.

[Die.]

Suppressing a scream, the Thunder Being pointed a finger at her, and the Divine Maiden was lifted into the air, instantly being enveloped in thunder. As the blue lightning surged, there was a crack, and her whole being burst apart.

Perung

Although the Divine Maiden died tragically, Ho-wol appeared unfazed. In fact, he seemed to be waiting for something, and soon in the void of despair, the Divine Maiden began to stride out, looking perfectly fine.

She resumed the prayer position of the White Lotus Sect. Her plucked eyes had returned to their original state.

“……?!”

The one more flabbergasted than anyone was Cho Mu-rin, keeping an eye on the scene. Just moments earlier, the Divine Maiden had been horrifically killed by thunder, yet now she seemed completely unharmed? As absurd events unfolded one after another, Cho Mu-rin felt like he was losing his mind, but soon the Thunder Being grumbled, clearly annoyed.

[Are you manipulating the parallel world to revive yourself? You’re quite advanced for mortals….]

“Thanks for the compliment.”

[Did you plan to fight the gods from the very beginning?]

“That’s right. I’ve been battling beings like you since before my master’s passing… Without such mechanisms, a human would never stand a chance.”

[Don’t kid yourself. I can’t tolerate your kind trying to suppress me. Do you really think you can trap a god with your divine techniques?]

There was a tone dripping with boredom and arrogance. The Thunder Being raised both hands, summoning thunder around him.

[I am not afraid of the Three Sovereigns. I am the Thunder God, one who transcends destiny and can even claim the throne of the universe!]

Kwarururung!

Kwa-rung!!

“Uaaaargh…!”

“What the—?!”

In that short moment, what on earth happened?

Amid the screams echoing in all directions, Cho Mu-rin realized he was being brutally struck down by thunder powers.

‘A… unbelievable….’

All the martial arts skills he had honed to the peak proved utterly useless. Something flew past him at the speed of light, and he was already dead. As he lay limply, his limbs twisted like a bug’s, he noticed light fading from his eyes, and then he felt himself revived.

‘Thanks to the Divine Maiden’s Divine Eye?’

When he finally managed to stand up again, he noticed a barrage of tens of thousands of lightning bolts hurtling toward him once more. There was no way to dodge or defend.

Pervaberung!!

Cho Mu-rin died instantly again. He came back to life, but upon witnessing the scene before him, he understood.

Kuuoooh—

Half-transformed into the Great Dragon, his master was charging directly at the Thunder God. The dragon’s scales rebuffed attacks moving at the speed of light, threatening to tear the Thunder God apart, yet his attacks didn’t seem to have any effect whatsoever.

Peeing—

Kukwakwa-Kwak!

With just the flicker of millions of thunderbolts, this lotus world was on the brink of destruction. Behind Ho-wol, the Divine Maiden was enveloped in lotus, maintaining her prayer position, and every time Ho-wol faced death from the Thunder God’s powers, she would shut her eyes and bring him back to life.

Uwoong

Each time the Great Dragon revived, Cho Mu-rin could feel the layers of the world overlaying anew! With the scale of the battle so immense, he didn’t even dare think of getting involved.

Kuwakwakwa!

“Krack!”

Among the millions of incoming lightning bolts, some turned Cho Mu-rin into shredded bits once more, filling him with despair.

‘Monsters…!’

Now that Ho-wol had transformed into the Great Dragon, he was hundreds of times stronger than Cho Mu-rin, yet the Thunder God was at least dozens of times stronger than Ho-wol.

No, it might be even more than that. He was literally a god! With such a massive disparity in power, Ho-wol had no choice but to attack, neglecting defense and the Divine Maiden was supporting him each time the Thunder God claimed his life. Meanwhile, as layers of space were overlaid with the Heavenly Web of Destiny, he was revived along with Ho-wol.

Petals of the lotus drifted. Gradually, the Divine Maiden seemed to reach her limits; she was bleeding from her eyes, nose, ears, and mouth while still bringing Ho-wol closer to the Thunder God every time she opened them.

Finally, when Ho-wol was within three steps of the Thunder God.

Wooaaah!!

[Take this!]

Ho-wol’s body suddenly began absorbing chaotic energies as a dark cloud, like a halo, rose from behind his head. Morphed into the vague shape of a dark Buddha, Ho-wol swung his dragon arm wide.

Ultimate Technique

Desiring the Chaos

Kuwakwakuwa!

For a moment, the mania of lightning halted. And in the clearing of smoke, Ho-wol’s arm was tightly gripping the Thunder God’s neck.

Ho-wol looked like a dragon person. Wrapped in chaotic light, he moved his non-human vocal cords.

[Please, be sealed peacefully, Thunder God! If you allow this distance for a mortal, our request will no longer be an imposition on your virtues.]

[…….]

[We have proven our strength.]

[If that is the case.]

Shuruk

The Thunder God, originally taking the form of a Thunder Being, transformed into a sphere of lightning after a while. The statement of having proven their strength seemed to have moved him.

Ho-wol withdrew his hand, and for a moment, it seemed the fight was settling down. However, the Thunder God, not yet appeased, addressed Ho-wol.

[What’s the point of this? What’s your reasoning behind trying so hard to seal a god? Us pesky insects gaining such power is meaningless.]

Ho-wol stumbled but mustered his will to reply.

[That’s right. Humans are but pests compared to a god…. But one who is connected to the Four Great Spirit Deities through the Law of Cause and Effect can never be an insect. I’m asking you to wait for that individual.]

[…….]

[That existence will surely qualify as the master of the Four Great Spirit Deities.]

The Thunder God hesitated before asking a question.

[…Do you perhaps know where that Law of Cause and Effect leads?]

[Um…?]

Ho-wol, startled by the Thunder God’s words, glanced at the Divine Maiden. She then closed her eyes, responding to the Thunder God.

“Thunder God Indra. Are you not the Four Great Deity that handles the properties of the universe? You should possess knowledge spanning billions of years…. Yet it seems like you are behaving like an infant…”

[Answer my question.]

“We also don’t know where the Law of Cause and Effect leads. Only those beyond the Outer Gods would know that. However, the one who qualifies to be the master of the Four Great Spirit Deities surely possesses that capability.”

[Hooh…. Is that so….]

After a moment, the Thunder God fluttered his lightning and spoke.

[Fine. I’ll be sealed as you wish. But.]

“But?”

Indra roared, releasing immense divine power.

[If my master, who has waited for thousands of years, finds you unworthy… I will incinerate that person and break free from this damned divine art, slaughtering the Three Sovereigns, the Old Ruler, and annihilating all! I will bring this world to its knees before my thunder!!]

An overwhelming presence!

[Very well. Then I will seal you.]

Ho-wol remained unfazed by the pressure, yet Cho Mu-rin was overwhelmed by Indra’s aura, kneeling. If he hadn’t trained his martial arts to the brink of the Absolute Realm, that mere aura could have crushed him. He felt it keenly.

‘This is it….’

He wished to forget everything he had seen and heard.

He didn’t want to know such beings existed. Simply getting caught in the fray of these incomprehensible and powerful entities filled him with despair beyond the comprehension of a martial artist.

Hooouung

Ho-wol finally reverted from his dragon form to human. Stumbling, he mumbled.

“…I feel close to my limit.”

“Master.”

“Cho Mu-rin. Work diligently on your martial arts. There won’t be much time left.”

After sealing the Four Great Spirit Deities, Ho-wol dedicated several years to intensively training Cho Mu-rin. Thanks to his teachings, Cho Mu-rin reached the Absolute Realm in barely five years as a youth. Furthermore, from then on, he developed his own unique martial arts techniques: Eight Wilds Shock of Heaven and Fog-shrouded Sky Royal Shadow 108 Techniques.

The moment he reached the Absolute Realm, Cho Mu-rin realized he could easily overcome all challengers in the White Lotus Sect, save for his master, Ho-wol. Though he wished to launch the Thunder God lineage immediately, Ho-wol held him back.

“The Eight Great Experts of the White Lotus Sect are not everything. You still lack the perfection of your realm to face the Blood Blade of Death, Seo Dae-ryeok, who stands behind them.”

Cho Mu-rin was bewildered.

“The Death Lord Seo Dae-ryeok…. I’ve never heard of him. Who on earth is he?”

“He was the one who, using my martial arts as bait, caused the martial world forces to surge into the White Lotus Sect. In the darkness, he defeated all the Eight Great Experts and established the secret organization known as the Thunder God Lineage. He is also a peerless master of the Blood Blade of Death, having reached the Absolute Realm.”

“……!! That kind of person….”

“If you cannot defeat him, leading the White Lotus Sect at your will will be impossible. He is full of thoughts about claiming the White Lotus Sect the moment I am unable to fight.”

“But why didn’t you eliminate him, Master? You seem to have a good grasp on him. No way the Absolute Realm would not be your match.”

At Cho Mu-rin’s inquiry, Ho-wol responded.

“My power is soon to reach the threshold of the Law of Cause and Effect. The more it advances, the harder it becomes for me to intervene directly in this world. If I were to showcase only my strength here, the White Lotus Sect wouldn’t last long.”

“The Law of Cause and Effect?”

“Powers unacceptable in the human world will draw attention from the gods and mighty deities in the celestial realm. Until now, I have carefully hidden it… but when I sealed the Thunder God Indra, the ripples of my power echoed through the heavens.”

“…….”

“And I believe you could defeat even the Death Lord Seo Dae-ryeok. This is a test I’m giving you.”

“Of course.”

Despite carrying a hint of doubt inside him, Cho Mu-rin dedicated himself assiduously to martial training. Even reaching the Absolute Realm was vastly different from mastering it; he understood that his master had reasons to worry.

And five years later.

The Four Great Families officially launched from the White Lotus Sect. With the initial Seven Elders, including Cho Mu-rin, they began to emerge. Cho Mu-rin formally established the Thunder God lineage, starting to build his own influence, collaborating with fellow disciples of Ho-wol who had similarly received his teachings.

Before long, Cho Mu-rin discovered the whereabouts of the Death Lord Seo Dae-ryeok through his own power. He had quietly summoned the Eight Great Experts of the White Lotus Sect and was meticulously waiting for the moment Ho-wol would weaken.

‘I need to go kill him.’

Thinking he needn’t waste any more time, Cho Mu-rin set out to confront Seo Dae-ryeok. Upon reaching the Death Valley, his Thunder God Whip began to move ominously.

After a brief moment.

“Kurkh… Ugh….”

Seo Dae-ryeok lay bloodied on the ground, losing an arm and defeated after only three hundred seconds. His prideful Blood Blade of Death laid shattered, while deep lacerations marred his innards.

Also, the previously esteemed Eight Great Experts of the old White Lotus Sect lay strewn like gory corpses along Cho Mu-rin’s path. None could withstand his Thunder God Whip for more than ten seconds.

Though Cho Mu-rin displayed the ultimate limits of the Eight Desolates Heavenly Demon, he noticed a bruise on his own arm and grimaced.

“…Hmph.”

Despite both being in the Absolute Realm, Cho Mu-rin’s Eight Desolates Heavenly Demon could easily overpower Seo Dae-ryeok’s Blood Blade of Death. The fact he hadn’t dispatched him swiftly left him wanting.

“Cree… Cree… Cho Mu-rin, you don’t seem satisfied….”

Seo Dae-ryeok white-knuckled a smirk through blood. When Cho Mu-rin silently glared at him, he spoke.

“Aha. I was right…. My challenge was reckless… Ho-wol has reached the Divine Realm…. Hehe.”

“What?”

Cho Mu-rin’s brows twitched at his words.

“Having subdued the western martial world with the Blood Blade of Death… How foolish was I to challenge him. This disciple is this strong… Hehe. A hundred years, dedicating my whole life to martial arts now feels pointless.”

Swoosh!

Cho Mu-rin dashed forward and seized Seo Dae-ryeok by the collar.

“What’s this Divine Realm? Tell me.”

“……?”

Seo Dae-ryeok looked puzzled. Then he burst out laughing.

“Ha… Ha! I see…. Ho-wol… Can’t even believe in his own disciple… hasn’t told you the rumors that drift among legends between Absolute Beings?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Divine Realm is a level where a human can become a god… or perhaps the level where they can kill a god. Yet no one has reached it… They say even the famed sages of Tianzhu who are hundreds of years old couldn’t grasp it… It’s just an urban legend, I thought.”

“…….”

“But to think, within just twenty years, someone like you could be nurtured…. Such martial arts aren’t human… Ho-wol has indeed reached the Divine Realm, hahaha.”

“Shut up, scum!”

Swoosh!!

In one swift motion, Cho Mu-rin beheaded Seo Dae-ryeok. The once revered master, ruling as the Death Lord in the western martial world, met a pathetic end. Gritting his teeth, he muttered.

“Shut your mouth.”

The phrase “Divine Killing” couldn’t possibly imply the threshold of the Divine Realm, could it?

In that instant, a wave of anguish surged within Cho Mu-rin’s heart.

The supreme existence of the White Lotus Sect.

The Grand Master of the Thunder God lineage.

All of it felt like a limit and fate etched by his master.