전생검신 Volume 80 Chapter 6

Subori, who was watching nearby, asked me a question.

“Did you figure out the essence of the Six Heaven Unity Spear?”

“Yes… this is… a martial art that must be completely flawless.”

“Hmm?”

Whoosh!

I quickly unfurled the Thrust technique. As Subori and my clones turned their gazes toward me, I continued.

“This thrust is a basic technique that anyone can perform.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“However, to achieve the most perfect thrust, it has to be done in such a way that not everyone can do it. The essence of six different thrusts must unite to penetrate a single point of intent…”

“……”

“There’s an unimaginable difficulty in gathering that essence of intent. It’s like threading pearls onto a string repeatedly…”

Upon hearing my explanation, Subori tilted his head, deep in thought, and then managed a wry smile.

“Sorry, Baek Woong. I can’t grasp it. I’m not a martial artist, so I can’t use intent nor understand it.”

“Um….”

Am I not explaining well?

“However, that Shim Su-ryeok fellow seems to understand.”

Sure enough, Shim Su-ryeok, who had been listening with arms crossed, nodded his head.

“I get it! But it doesn’t make sense in another way.”

“What do you mean?”

“I felt your intent spreading, but that intent didn’t differentiate. To outside observers, the intent still looked like one. But why do you assume it separates into six?”

“?!”

I was taken aback by Shim Su-ryeok’s words.

“What do you mean? My clones and I share the same world of intent, and at that moment, six different intents were manifesting separate basic techniques.”

“It didn’t seem that way at all. From where I was standing, it looked like you were performing a single technique by yourself.”

“…….”

What is happening here?

While I was feeling flustered, Subori asked Shim Su-ryeok.

“Stop talking in a way only peerless masters would understand and explain it to me too. What exactly is this immense difficulty Baek Woong mentioned, and why does it lead to explosions?”

“Hmm, I think it should be you explaining it, but you seem out of sorts, so I’ll say what I understand.”

Shim Su-ryeok calmly continued.

“Baek Woong aims to embody the ultimate thrust by collecting all basic thrusts from single movement to six directions into one point. Merely gathering intent in a single point creates one ‘form’, and all movements derived from that form are infinite. Yet, listening to what Baek Woong said, it seems that at the moment of transitioning from one point to binary, the infinite possibility collapses into one correct answer.”

“Hmm.”

“That answer requires another answer when transitioning from binary to three. If this continues, it sounds like a brutal difficulty of having to find the correct answers in a chain from the moment it starts at one point to six directions.”

After saying that, Shim Su-ryeok subtly looked my way.

“Baek Woong, is my understanding correct?”

“That’s right.”

He explained it so well that I hardly had anything to add. I marveled at how quickly Shim Su-ryeok understood the essence during that brief moment.

‘Indeed impressive. Right now, Shim Su-ryeok’s grasp of martial arts may surpass even that of the Master of the White Lotus Sect.’

Of course, since this was insight, it doesn’t necessarily correlate with how I grasped it. Still, judging from his ability to quickly grasp the key concept, it’s clear that Shim Su-ryeok possesses the potential to fully master the Six Heaven Unity Spear.

Then, Subori nodded his head.

“Indeed… I have a rough idea now. So, the reason Baek Woong suddenly exploded and died while practicing the Six Heaven Unity Spear is that he couldn’t find that answer?”

I answered Subori’s question.

“That’s probably it. I was flowing from single movement to six directions as I pleased, but in fact, the very first thrust that starts at one point decides the one correct answer needed for the ‘most perfect thrust’. Only if that answer is pinpointed with absolute precision can the Six Heaven Unity Spear be executed.”

“Hmm… so that’s how it is… interesting. There’s a similar concept in sorcery too.”

Subori stroked his chin, chuckling.

“The more difficult the casting conditions are set, the higher the magical power obtained as a reward. The harder it gets, the more the original sorcery, even if weak, can amplify its power to several hundred or thousand times. But if the difficulty is raised too high, it becomes practically impossible to use, which renders that restriction meaningless. Because if a low-level sorcerer can meet those brutal conditions and cast spells, using an ordinary high-level spell becomes a hundred times easier…”

“……”

“It seems the Six Heaven Unity Spear resembles that concept. I don’t know much about martial arts or intent, but… the real kicker might be the overlapping part?”

At Subori’s remark, I slowly nodded.

“Yes. It’s about finding that one correct answer amidst a continuous flow… that alone is an unrealistic level… and repeating it several times.”

If calculated arithmetically, it would likely reach an astronomical proportion when transitioning from one point to binary. While I could say it’s a chance of one in several million or even tens of millions, the moment I find that answer is a fleeting instant within the world of intent, where I have to rely solely on my senses and insights, not my brain, to find the flow of martial arts. Such a challenge can only be seen as surreal.

Subori said, “However, if… you successfully unify all six changes to achieve the ‘perfect thrust’, it means you can unleash pure destructive power into the outside world without having to worry about self-destruction, which you have been troubled by.”

“…… maybe.”

“That’s quite something. The martial art that’s called the Six Heaven Unity Spear surely embodies absolute invulnerability in terms of offensive power.”

I thought that too.

A reward proportional to the overwhelming difficulty—it is simply the value of that reward itself. Since the difficulty isn’t fixed, the power of this martial art doesn’t have to consider the limits of humanity. The fact that all abilities contribute to amplifying damage guarantees colossal offensive power!

Unlike the Peerless Technique, it doesn’t require adjustments for defense and simply focuses on destruction! It could certainly be considered the ultimate technique of the spear, which is inherently specialized for offense and real combat beyond just swordplay.

It stands in contrast to the ultimate defense of the Peerless Technique, being the epitome of offensive power!

However, I sighed.

“But my current worry isn’t that. Really… does my intent not differentiate?”

“?”

Subori showed a puzzled expression again, but Shim Su-ryeok spoke with a serious tone.

“Yeah. Are you saying you felt the moments of intent with your clones? But if that’s the case, I didn’t feel the intent differentiating at all.”

“That’s nonsense. That’s a contradiction.”

“Even if it’s a contradiction, if you doubt my eyesight, you wouldn’t believe any high-level masters out there.”

“Ugh…”

I was troubled.

This is the problem. The outcome of the Six Heaven Unity Spear guaranteeing absolute invulnerability isn’t the important part; how to achieve it in the first place is what matters. In theory, even the Three Sovereigns could slice a neck in one hit, but if I can’t make it a reality, what use is there?

‘Damn. This is ridiculous….’

The moment of intent should ideally differentiate within that intent realm.

‘Six basic techniques are performed simultaneously. Those techniques ultimately pierce a single point. Yet… it appears as one when viewed from outside that realm?’

That doesn’t make sense. The moment I feel when I execute the Six Heaven Unity Spear is that ‘I’ span across multiple worlds, fusing into one at the last moment. Thus, theoretically, the realm of intent should be split into six or seven parts.

How could Shim Su-ryeok, who can read the moment of intent that I evoke, perceive it as though I’m executing a single thrust? It means that though the clones are in the intent realm, they weren’t perceived as separate entities by him?

Before that, why was it that the clones were present within my realm of intent together?

They were both present, yet why did it lack any signs of recognition? Was I the only one perceiving them?

It’s a contradiction. This is completely different from what I feel. How can the experiences of the person executing the technique and the observer from outside be so utterly different?

Tremble, tremble.

I could feel my hands shaking at that moment. At a loss for why this was happening, Shim Su-ryeok spoke.

“It seems your reason is oblivious, but your senses have already intuited something.”

With Shim Su-ryeok’s ongoing words, I felt my heart sink.

“What you’ve discovered now is only the tip of the iceberg of the essence of the Six Heaven Unity Spear. To truly uncover it thoroughly may take thousands of years.”

“……”

“Are you really okay? You might not be able to execute the Six Heaven Unity Spear even in three hundred years, let alone three thousand. This martial art might be the endpoint of martial history in a sense.”

“T-That…”

I couldn’t confidently claim that I could wield it even in three thousand years. Because at that moment, just as Shim Su-ryeok said, I had realized.

The Six Heaven Unity Spear—this is an absolute martial art that I definitely can’t handle at my current level!!

If the Peerless Technique is a martial art adjusted somewhat for human execution with extreme dedication and willpower, the Six Heaven Unity Spear is nothing but pure raw form, with no compromises whatsoever. It represents the extreme of martial arts, overlooking the limits of humans while merely proposing the theory.

‘While the Peerless Technique could potentially yield similar results if it combined the six ultimate techniques without any transformation… still… the difficulty is overwhelmingly hopeless. Beyond practical concerns, it’s merely a fantasy.’

Using Wu Wei’s transformation to ease the difficulty might sound foolish on the surface, but it indicates that Jang Sam-bong is a renowned master of martial arts. If even one of those elements—either Wu Wei transformation or Tai Chi—is missing, the difficulty multiplies by several hundred times. On the contrary, the Peerless Technique can be applied defensively without directly using the strength of such techniques, making it several hundred times more practical than the Six Heaven Unity Spear. Though the power of the Six Heaven Unity Spear multiplies as well, it’s still a martial art that leads to self-destruction if one doesn’t pinpoint that singular correct answer at an astronomically low probability.

That doesn’t mean merely learning it carries any significance. Rather, it’s highly likely to become a poison. To properly execute the Six Heaven Unity Spear even once, one must possibly forget all other martial arts but the Six Heaven Unity Spear.

Am I truly going to train this insane martial art?

Shim Su-ryeok is asking me that.

‘No way. A human can never wield this martial art!!’

It’s not that I’m complaining about facing a high-level technique. I realized that since I’ve reached an absolute realm and stepped at the threshold of the divine realm. The martial arts that are said to be difficult in the world are unfathomable compared to the extreme difficulty represented by the Six Heaven Unity Spear. If humanity’s limits are defined as 100, the martial arts that reach 80 or 90 are those labeled as difficult within the absolute realm, while the Six Heaven Unity Spear starts at more than 150. Even if I reach that starting point, it doesn’t mean it can be executed right away; the difficulty continues to escalate, making it a nightmare to be able to execute even once in a lifetime.

I don’t know. Perhaps beings like Asura or Yeodong-bin, who train for thousands of years, might have a slim chance. But can I do that right now? If I challenge it with talents that don’t even come close to theirs, isn’t it sheer folly to even begin?

“……”

Gritting my teeth, I answered.

“I, I will not retreat. No matter how difficult it is… I feel the same way.”

Then Shim Su-ryeok spoke to me in a strangely fierce tone.

“Is that so, even if you go insane while practicing the Six Heaven Unity Spear?”

“What?”

“Going mad while mastering a martial technique isn’t caused by demonic energy seeping into your bones. Those cases are actually rare. It’s typically due to someone trying to master high-level techniques or ultimate forms that aren’t suited to their innate talents, resulting in their brains and willpower reaching their limits and breaking down. I’ve seen many such cases in Jianghu.”

“……”

“Insisting on waiting for thousands of years is easy. Words exist right after they are spoken, and you don’t have to pick them up again. However, promising a mere thousand years through meaningless words and actions is merciless towards those who challenge with dedication and effort. Such things are set aside for those seeking an ‘end’.”

Shim Su-ryeok’s eyes gleamed.

“I assert, if you linger on in this manner, challenging the Six Heaven Unity Spear, you’ll undoubtedly go insane. Because if you don’t forget everything except the Six Heaven Unity Spear, the vessel of martial arts will shatter!”

“!!”

“Think it through more. And take your challenge seriously. Right now, you’re intoxicated by your own words.”

“Ugh…”

Hearing Shim Su-ryeok’s words made my stomach twist. Am I really intoxicated like that? I’ve just realized my understanding of the empty within the Reverse Root Water Mirror and am finally moving forward as a master of martial arts—does it even make sense to be scared and retreat because of one martial art?

… No, could this dizzying sensation be what Shim Su-ryeok meant by intoxication?

“Um…”

I was left momentarily speechless due to the cold water splashed over my thoughts. At the same time, the insights and stirring emotions I had gained vanished, making me feel like I was thrown into a grim reality. Despite working so hard to gain insights, had I merely greased the surface all this time?

Then I heard Subori’s low voice.

“In the Law of Emptiness, there is neither void nor reality.”

Turning to him, I saw him clasp his hands together and bow slowly.

“Baek Woong, what you are feeling about yourself right now is indeed true reality and the law of form. Emptiness isn’t about going to the other side immediately upon realizing it, but rather a continual process of refining yourself.”

“True reality…”

“If you truly possess infinite time… instead of forcing yourself to calm down, you should ponder what you are.”

“……”

His words held profound insights. Normally, if someone spoke in such difficult terms, I would probably dismiss it as nonsense, but at this moment, having gained insight into emptiness, I could perceive the meaning within his words.

That’s right… Realizing isn’t the end.

Realization itself doesn’t guarantee wealth, fame, or status, just as in the mundane world.

It’s merely a step toward the next stage, and I had been lost in the emptiness of getting tangled.

With my eyes closed for a moment, I began to speak.

“It seems my heart has grown impatient with the extreme martial arts before me. I want to restart and examine why I obtained this realization.”

“Do as you will.”

Right, charging forward blindly to train in the Six Heaven Unity Spear seems odd.

‘Why did I obtain this realization? But if I think about it, there has to be significance to it.’

Until now, I simply believed that my martial arts realm had expanded to the level where I could practice the Six Heaven Unity Spear. But if that’s not the case, what then? Above all, no matter how much I intend to master all martial arts realms, my specialty remains in swordplay. Would it be wise to rush headlong into the extreme martial art of spear technique?

Shouldn’t I at least reach an equivalent level in spear techniques, as I have in swordplay, before attempting to access it?

“……”

I can’t help but feel lost. I can’t seem to organize my thoughts.

I’m unsure if I should continue training in the Six Heaven Unity Spear or not.

I need to shift my thoughts…

As I was deep in thought, a clone walked toward me and spoke.

“Hey, aren’t you going to dismiss me?”

I frowned as I was suddenly interrupted by the clone’s question.

“You can go back whenever you want!”

“Seriously, you don’t know anything about sorcery when you aren’t wearing a mask.”

“What?”

My clone, bearing Fuxi’s face, crossed its arms and glared at me.

“There are three conditions for a clone to be dismissed. You can either dismiss it yourself, or we receive powerful damage severe enough to release us; or, alternatively, if time passes and your sorcery power is depleted, then we naturally dissipate.”

“? Then can’t I just wait? It’ll be dismissed with time, right?”

The clone raised its voice, clearly frustrated.

“That’s not how it works! We are currently drawn by your divine power! If this continues, we won’t be dismissed in ten thousand years due to your sorcery power depleting, you fool!”

“Eh?”

What kind of nonsense is this?

As I looked puzzled, Subori chuckled beside me.

“Hahaha, I thought as much…”

“Subori! Is the clone’s claim true?”

“It is. You are consuming divine power to maintain the clones. But your divine power replenishes faster than its depletion, and since the amount is huge, they won’t naturally dissipate even in ten thousand years.”

“Gasp!! Are you saying I have that much divine power?”

“Your divine power might exceed that of the second-in-command below the Three Sovereigns. With that much power, you’re virtually a high-level deity. Can you imagine a god unable to maintain clones?”

“……”

Understanding the situation, I turned to the clone.

“Come here. I’ll settle this.”

Clang!

Then the clone drew its sword. The others behind it followed suit, causing me to panic.

“What are you guys doing?!”

“Are you going to use your fists to beat us up?”

“……”

“We’re your clones! Do you think we don’t know what you’re thinking?”

Caught red-handed…

Clearing my throat, I said, “Then what am I supposed to do?!”

“What do you mean, what? Just wear the damned mask and release the sorcery! You can’t do it while not wearing it.”

“Geez, fine, I got it…”

I reluctantly tried to put on Subori’s mask again when I suddenly hesitated, remembering something. I then turned to the clone.

“By the way, can’t you train instead of me? Like martial arts or sorcery…”

If they trained the Six Heaven Unity Spear for me, maybe I could achieve it easily?

The clones’ faces crumpled.

“What?”

“Hey, what’s with this guy who wants to leech off our training?”

“Seriously, have some conscience!”

“…… Ugh, ugh!!”

Seeing their intense reactions, I cleared my throat and spoke.

“If you’re dismissed, wouldn’t I get that experience too… or something like that?”

Then the clone that had approached me earlier smirked.

“This main body really wants to cheat. If that’s the case, why can’t Subori use martial arts but only sorcery?”

“Eh?”

“Subori has been using clones since thousands of years ago. Why don’t you just lower down clones to train martial arts or miscellaneous techniques? The required sorcery power can be maintained by absorbing the spirit from the spirit realm. Isn’t it strange that he can’t use martial arts?”

“……”

Oh, that’s true?

Then Subori, who had been watching the situation, wore a wry smile.

“Hmmm. It seems I’ve been found out. Even after being dismissed, the experiences or martial arts sorcery obtained by those clones won’t be passed on to you.”

“Tch… so it’s like that.”

“Originally, such a scheme can’t be applied through clone techniques. No matter how pinnacle the clone technique may be, scaling it without such a connection would manifest a chaotic identity, resulting in a dire outcome. How could souls with simultaneous existence exist in multiple forms?”

Subori murmured.

“If there were fitting beings for such circumstances, it might…”

“Hmm?”

“No, just talking to myself.”

He waved his hand dismissively and continued.

“The reason I allowed you to use the clone technique in the first place is different. They may grumble, but they’re good for you and can serve as training partners against yourself.”

“Training partner!”

“It’s not ideal to continually just spar with Shim Su-ryeok. Sometimes, you need to fight against yourself to identify flaws, possibly viewing them in the mirror. I often did that.”

“Oh, that sounds good.”

Then the leading clone spoke.

“Hey.”

“Why do you keep calling me ‘hey’? My name is Baek Woong!”

“Who cares? Of course, we know your name…”

As they struck their chest in frustration, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Alright, fine. After dismissing you, I’ll give that a try.”

At that, the clone said, “What else you got?”

I began to think it was an interesting idea. I then asked Subori beside me.

“Subori, have you ever tried using the clone technique in such a manner?”

“No… I haven’t. Aside from you, I’ve never served as a mask for anyone else. And this train of thought is new.”

“Can I do it?”

“Go ahead and try. If it works, it would indeed be fascinating.”

“Great.”

Whoosh

I put on Subori’s mask and then dismissed the previously summoned clones. This time, I quickly summoned them again using my clone technique.

‘Will it work…?’

Poof!

After a moment, my clones reappeared in the venue. The only difference was that they bore Fuxi’s appearance but also wore the [mask].

The clone at the front slightly lifted its mask and said with a grin.

“Looks like the mask can be duplicated.”

“……”

Wow, it really worked!

I was so intrigued that I began fiddling with the clone’s mask.

“Hey, then is this mask [Subori]?”

“Not sure? Let’s take it off once.”

Swish The clone pulled off the mask, but even then, Subori’s form didn’t show up—it remained merely as the mask itself, with no sign of responding.

“What’s this? So it’s just copying the appearance of a mask. How pointless…”

“Dumbass, look at this.”

The clone reattached the mask and suddenly yanked out a handful of its hair. Realization hit me, and I gasped in surprise.

“Wait, could it be…?”

Boom!

Moments later, the clone technique unfolded in the clone’s hands as hundreds of copies of my clone materialized in the venue. As the clones swarmed, the clone that used the technique laughed uncontrollably.

“Ha ha ha… main body, it turns out the mask can be duplicated.”

“…….”

“Figured it out, didn’t you?”

“Oh… right.”

The [mask] holds intention, yet this alone doesn’t confirm their dignity.

The fact that duplication is possible as a mere tool lacking intention. It’s an overly convenient ability, far too opportunistic to discuss dignity.

They are a race meticulously crafted as mere ‘tools’ by some absolute being in the universe, that’s what [mask] really is.