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**Rebirth Sword God Vol. 83 Chapter 6**

Is it called Mountain Sound?

Hearing Yu Mang’s words, I was momentarily dumbfounded, confused about what he meant.

Then, suddenly a memory flashed in my mind, and I called out.

“Ah…!!”

Mountain Sound!

It was a word I had heard just before my one-on-one duel with Yu Mang in the underworld, when I had entered the training world. I could faintly recall the words he mentioned during that time, and gradually, they became clearer.

[Hahaha. I knew you would bring that up. A warrior following the Mountain Sound always talks like that.]

[But what exactly is purity? If someone is weak and loses but doesn’t use divine power, is that pure? Why can’t the pure strength you people talk about be called martial prowess (武)?]

[In a life-and-death battle, where’s the foul play? I actually find that purity in question. Are you satisfied with being weak and pure?]

[Got it. Then, as you say, I will give my all, so promise me this: if I win, you’ll tell me what this Mountain Sound is!]

[I expected that. Your kin have always longed for that existence without knowing what it truly is…]

[Promise.]

At that time, with the harmonious combination of the condensed divine power, I had resurrected Heuk Woong and fought Yu Mang to a standstill using His power. Afterward, I was suddenly transported somewhere else in the underworld, and amidst the chaos with Fuxi, I wasn’t able to discuss anything further with Yu Mang, leaving the conclusion vague and muddled.

‘In my perception, it must have been hundreds of years ago, so I couldn’t recall it immediately…’

While recalling the memory, I realized something was strange and spoke up.

“…Huh? Back then, I revealed my identity as Heuk Woong, how did you figure it out?”

I thought Yu Mang wouldn’t have suspected me since I had come out wearing the mask given by the Wheel King and had disguised my name as Heuk Woong. Yet, here he was, having come to conclude our wager as if he had known all along.

Yu Mang wore a dazed expression for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Khahhaha!! Did you really think you deceived me?”

“What?”

“Of course the mask of the Wheel King concealed your true power and aura, making it hard to identify you. However, you hardly changed your appearance at that time! You still had one arm.”

“…!!”

“Plus, your speech and attitude gave you away, and there’s no one in the world as remarkable as you who approached the underworld. Sure, the Wheel King’s mask might have fooled others, but unlike other divine beings, I don’t judge someone solely by their power, so it was obvious who you were. And you changed only one character from Baek Woong to Heuk Woong, what a lack of conscience!”

I was left speechless by Yu Mang’s logically sound remark. Could it have unfolded that way?

“Ha, but back then, you acted like you didn’t know at all.”

“Well, of course I pretended not to know. It was a scene being watched over by the Wheel King and Shennong, and if I acted as if I knew you, it would have caused troublesome issues, right? Takrok Village could have suffered some bad luck for my mishaps.”

“….”

So he had known all along!

As I was inwardly shocked by the truth I learned after hundreds of years, Heuk Woong, who had been standing next to me, spoke.

[I had a faint suspicion. While you gave your all, I felt a lack of killing intent.]

Yu Mang smiled at Heuk Woong.

“So you fought using Baek Woong’s body; it must have been you khuhuh…”

[However, the outcome of that battle was a tie for both sides. You can’t claim you lost!]

In response to Heuk Woong’s query, Yu Mang maintained his smile and spoke.

“I pride myself as one of the strongest warriors of the Giant Race. In millions of years, apart from the Giant God Suin, no one has been a worthy opponent for me. Since I couldn’t overpower you, it’s similar to losing!”

[…….]

“Don’t look at me like that. If I bestow you a favor, be grateful.”

Heuk Woong turned his gaze to me briefly, and after a moment’s thought, I nodded.

“……Then I’ll graciously accept the favor. But before I ask about the Mountain Sound you mentioned, can I ask one thing?”

“Sure.”

I opened my mouth cautiously.

“Yu Mang, you are undoubtedly using martial arts (武功), and at a level beyond the absolute realm…!! How is that possible?”

This was the greatest question I had felt at that time but had brushed off, unable to arrive at a clear answer.

Yu Mang was not just a powerful foreign divine being. Unlike Zhu Rong or Xuan Tian, he was a master of martial arts, and surely his martial arts level had long surpassed the peak level and reached the absolute realm. That was something I had felt intensely while fighting in Heuk Woong’s body, leaving no room for doubt.

‘An intent-laden essence of the crafty sword. If it’s at that level of formlessness, even Miyamoto Musashi’s technique would struggle to surpass it in terms of pure skill.’

Indeed, Yu Mang’s martial arts and skills had put immense pressure on Heuk Woong during our earlier clash, forcing even Heuk Woong to counterattack first while defending. Such proficiency could only be achieved by someone who had honed their intent to perfection.

But was that even possible?

Until now, I had thought martial arts were the domain of humanity. Could it be that the warrior of the Giant Race, said to be one of the mightiest races in the universe, was also a peerless master of martial arts?

Yu Mang’s eyes glimmered with excitement.

“The absolute realm? Hm, you speak of a level where you can use it freely.”

Dooong!!

“……!!”

In that moment, I perceived a surge of intent beaming fiercely from the top of Yu Mang’s head, widening my eyes in disbelief. That vivid and potent essence was something I couldn’t possibly doubt. I was thrown into disarray, stammering.

“That’s… How did you reach that level?”

“How? By diligently honing my martial arts, I came to discover what the strongest martial arts was, and through extensive research over time, I acquired the most natural form. Considering the years I’ve dedicated to martial arts, isn’t it more presumptuous for a human like you to ask ‘how’?”

“…….”

I had no retort. Considering Yu Mang was a divine creature living for tens of billions of years, even if he spent a hundred million years training, it was still a drop in the ocean by human standards.

“Of course, besides myself, no other giants can learn martial arts. Just so you don’t go around asking people.”

Surprised by this unexpected statement, I widened my eyes.

“Huh? Why is that?”

Yu Mang chuckled.

“That’s quite amusing… because I easily defeated both Zhu Rong and Xuan Tian in one-on-one duels by utilizing the advantages of martial arts. I’ve fought them over 36,000 times, and I’ve never lost. So those two knelt before me one day, asking to take them on as apprentices.”

“……!!”

The arrogant Zhu Rong once knelt before Yu Mang, asking to become his disciple?!

This sounded somehow useful for future reference…

As I was getting lost in my thoughts, Yu Mang continued.

“So about 5,000 years ago, I took the time to teach martial arts to those two. What do you think the outcome was?”

“They probably didn’t learn it.”

Zhu Rong had never demonstrated the use of martial arts even in the future. Naturally, he hadn’t learned anything.

With my assumption, Yu Mang nodded.

“Correct… the giants originally cannot learn martial arts. If they did, they’d have to forsake all their chaotic divine powers to immerse themselves solely in martial arts. But since giants are born with the strength to crush ordinary demons barehanded, how could they give up their own divine powers, which can be said to be their lives, and descend to such depths? No giant warrior I’ve trained, including Yu Mang and Xuan Tian, has ever learned martial arts.”

“…….”

“Though the Giant Race never learns martial arts, they remain more than powerful enough, so no problem exists.”

Yu Mang spoke somewhat bitterly. Listening to him, Heuk Woong suddenly interjected.

[Yu Mang, you are an anomaly among the Giants, able to train in martial arts because you were willing to forsake all your divine powers. That’s why you alone among the giants have mastered martial arts.]

To Heuk Woong’s statement, Yu Mang grinned.

“Exactly. It’s because I’m a madman. And that’s why I evolved my divine powers to facilitate martial arts training.”

So that was it.

During our fights, Yu Mang hadn’t employed the powerful unique abilities exclusive to the Giant Race but instead relied on “abilities that don’t take time to change stances”. Even the ability to throw an axe and retrieve it was actually quite menacing in Yu Mang’s hands, but in terms of raw power, it was a rather dull third-rate power. Despite that, because Yu Mang was inherently strong, even such supplementary abilities could become more powerful than most formidable techniques.

As I was piecing together the situation in my mind, I cut to the chase.

“However, you mentioned Mountain Sound. That implies, Yu Mang, you’ve discovered another being in the universe who has learned martial arts, right?”

“…….”

At my question, Yu Mang fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke.

“There aren’t many. Rather, it’s extremely few. Over the billions of years I’ve lived, I’ve barely discovered even 40.”

“……!!”

So there were indeed others.

Among the aliens, there were beings who had practiced martial arts!

‘It seemed likely!!’

The six-armed green-faced warrior of the divine skill I had encountered at the end of the 28th cycle, wielding five massive swords! That existence was actually the alien swordsman ruling over the martial flow known as Argeld! I had been uncertain back then, but it appears those who practiced martial arts were not limited to humans. There must definitely be martial techniques adapted for alien forms.

Yu Mang carefully pulled out a flask from his waist, took a gulp, and said.

“While the practitioners’ appearances and levels vary greatly, they all share a common trait. That is, Mountain Sound.”

“Mountain Sound…?”

“Like an echo from an invisible mountain, there existed a guiding voice when they sought to embark on the path of martial arts. Even tentacle monsters and dark dragon races, beings that originally had nothing to do with martial arts, were drawn in by that voice to study martial arts. They called that voice the echo of the mountain, Mountain Sound.”

“……!!”

Heuk Woong and I exchanged glances at this revelation.

There was no doubt.

That Mountain Sound must refer to the Martial God (武神)!

I, filled with anticipation, asked Yu Mang.

“Then, have you met the Martial God, Yu Mang?! No, did you finally enter the Martial God Council?!”

That was the question I most looked forward to!

Based on this inquiry, I might just forge another link leading to the future!

As excitement coursed through me, Yu Mang absent-mindedly scratched his ear.

“Half and half, I’d say. I have met the Martial God you call Mountain Sound, but did not join the Council.”

“……?!”

W-What did you say?

“So you did meet the Martial God…?”

I cautiously echoed as Yu Mang nodded.

“Yes, in a dream.”

“A dream….”

“It’s been so long that I can hardly remember, but he appeared in my dream as my own self, and told me that he would help me if I found martial arts fun… After that day, I seriously embarked on the path of intention.”

“The Martial God helped you.”

“Well, in a sense.”

“But you know what’s funny?”

At Yu Mang’s following words, I felt incredulous.

“Giants normally don’t sleep. So that was the first time I ever had a dream since I was born.”

“……Huh?”

“And since that day, no matter how hard I tried to sleep when I was bored, he never showed up again.”

What on earth did this mean?

I scratched my head in confusion, thinking I couldn’t grasp it, but I still didn’t understand.

“Are you implying that the Martial God can force someone into slumber?”

“More precisely, it’s about extinguishing the chaotic energy to the extreme, leading to near nothingness, at which point the mind enters a state of sleep. Usually, giants don’t experience such a thing as they have no reason to expend their divine powers, which are like their lifeblood, to the point of nearing a state of death. I, however, during that time, out of desperation, kept burning away my chaotic energy until I reached that state… If that can be called ‘sleep,’ then I suppose it was.”

“…….”

“I’m sure you can guess what I’m trying to say, right?”

I nodded at Yu Mang’s words.

“You can meet the Martial God the easier your chaotic energy diminishes!”

“…….”

Upon saying this, Yu Mang stared at me intently and shook his head, suddenly pulling out another flask from his waist and tossing it to me.

Thud.

As I caught the enormous flask that was as large as my torso, Yu Mang gruffly instructed.

“Down that one all at once as your punishment drink!”

“……Huh? Punishment drink? Why….”

“Why would I give you a punishment drink?”

“…….”

So this means my answer was wrong.

I immediately felt this instinct and reluctantly set the flask down to search for the cap to open it. As I did, a bamboo-like aroma wafted out, mingling with a fragrant alcoholic scent that tingled my nostrils. Even though I felt like I would get sick if I drank this much, I shut my eyes tightly and gaped my mouth open.

Glug glug glug.

Gurgle gurgle.

Before long, the flask that was bigger than me was being poured into my mouth, soaking my clothes. I began to drink it like a madman, feeling like I could drain the moisture out of my body and still not match the amount of alcohol I was consuming. Unexpectedly enjoying the taste, I relished the feeling of inebriation.

Thinking back, it had been a long time since I drank this much. Right after my rebirth, having gone drinking wildly with the Extreme Tiger…

Gulp.

Before I realized, I had finished off all the alcohol in the flask. How many barrels could that be? As I swayed from intoxication, Yu Mang chuckled.

“Hahaha. You’re not bad at drinking.”

I wiped my lips and said.

“……The wine is good. It shouldn’t be poisonous, right?”

Since I was immune to all poisons, it wasn’t a huge concern, but I asked anyway!

“Khuhuh… it’s top-notch liquor even Suin would envy. You’ll thank me later.”

“Hmm.”

It was that good of a drink?

‘Though the fragrance was nice…’

Would simply drinking this punishment liquor actually create gratitude?

As I was perplexed, Yu Mang spoke.

“Hey. If the strength of order facilitates meeting the Martial God, why haven’t Fuxi or Shennong met him? Not just them, but amongst the ancient gods, there are many with the pristine laws of the universe imprinted in their bodies. Shouldn’t they have reached the absolute realm of martial arts long ago?”

“Ah…!!”

“Whether one leans towards chaos or order is too simplistic a characteristic to meet him. That’s a rule that the primordial gods manipulate, so the Martial God wouldn’t place much importance on that.”

“But you did say that the less chaotic energy you have, the easier it is to meet the Martial God?”

“The third state.”

As Yu Mang spoke, he suddenly drew his blade and stood up.

“When the world returns to its origin, there exists another state formed when chaos collides. The stronger it becomes, the more likely even the smallest thing starts to vibrate. And through that vibration, the Martial God reacts.”

“…….”

“But though I’ve recklessly enacted that state multiple times, the Martial God hasn’t met me again since then.”

“Do you have any reasons to think that he wouldn’t meet you again? Could there not be another requirement?”

At my counter inquiry, Yu Mang’s expression grew bitter.

“No… I can tell. While he guided me to understand the realm of intent, he likely had the same reason for not placing me in the Council.”

“……?”

What was he talking about?

As I racked my brain to understand, Yu Mang slowly aimed his blade toward me.

“I’ve got some inkling that you’re plotting something to interfere with Shennong, right?”

Gasp! How did he know?!

I almost flinched at Yu Mang’s pinpoint observation, but I desperately concealed my feelings and replied nonchalantly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yu Mang, scratching his ear, gave me a weary look.

“Yeah, I don’t have any conclusive evidence. Just with the experience of being the longest-serving warrior of the Giant Race over the years, I’ve developed a sixth sense, you know? And according to that hunch, it seems you’re attempting to bring in outside forces to stir trouble.”

“…….”

“Or not, I guess.”

No way, he isn’t just taking a shot in the dark?! That was spot on!

Internally feeling startled, I composed my expression and replied.

“I have no intention of causing any trouble. Besides, what does that have to do with you pointing your weapon at me right now?”

“Something feels off with you too, doesn’t it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re saying you hold a martial art and could easily overpower two formidable warriors like Zhu Rong and Xuan Tian with just a bit of martial arts. Doesn’t that make it feel vaguely wrong for you, having fought me previously to a stalemate?”

“…….”

I glanced at Heuk Woong beside me. Technically, I had lent my body to Heuk Woong, but he had been the one fighting, so I wondered how much Yu Mang’s strength could truly be assessed by Heuk Woong. Heuk Woong crossed his arms and replied.

[Indeed. You surely didn’t give it your all.]

At Heuk Woong’s remark, I was taken aback.

“What? You mean you didn’t use your full strength?!”

Heuk Woong calmly replied.

[Yu Mang was certainly putting on a hard-fought show, but his attacks were oddly exaggerated and contained little substance. His force was strongly manifested, but the qi and spirit were not aligned. Furthermore, his mere change of weaponry didn’t eclipse the overwhelming powers of other warriors’ abilities. In particular, if we compare it to Zhu Rong, the latter’s whip is indeed much fiercer.]

“What do you mean….”

[Yu Mang had seen through your identity and merely ended it as a friendly spar. In truth, he wasn’t even trying to win.]

“……!!”

My eyes widened in disbelief at what Heuk Woong revealed. So he really had known all along!

Yu Mang wore a faint smile as he addressed me.

“Hey, Baek Woong. Do you know why I’m treating you with such fine liquor and kindness?”

“……Because I’m good-looking?”

In that instant, a glimmer of bloodlight flickered in Yu Mang’s eyes, and I felt my heart drop with an inkling. I understood then what I had just sensed in him was his ‘true intention’ and rapidly grasped what he meant by not having given his all.

An overwhelming killing intent that seemed to erase everything in this world!

From that nonchalant demeanor came an ominous energy, thick with the smell of blood, which made me tense up.

‘Speak nonsense and you’ll die.’

Yu Mang’s intent seemed to convey that warning, compelling me to keep my mouth shut.

With just that one shift in aura, Yu Mang shattered my hollow words and glared intensely at me.

“I have been unbearably bored and lonely until now. No matter how much I train in martial arts, the unending thirst only becomes greater. The realm of martial arts has no limits; even training endlessly leaves mountains of things left to do. I have felt that even billions of years are inadequate in that path, yet the loneliness only kept deepening…”

“…….”

“To a martial artist, those who cultivate are comrades at once but also rivals, and yet no practitioner I’ve met has been my true rival. Whenever it seemed they could fight me, they fell in one blow, leaving me in trouble.”

Swish…

From Yu Mang’s blade, crimson bloodlight bubbled, resembling droplets of blood coming to life. It appeared as though sanguine rays colored the air beautifully while threading through in a manner that emitted a level of killing intent unimaginable.

Is that the sword intent (刀罡)?

“No… this isn’t… something so trivial!”

The gathering sword energy represented a craft honed to an artistic level, but this felt more than that. It almost carried an existence separate from humanity’s definitions, granting itself a celestial and unfathomable strength like no other. Even the faint trace of Yu Mang’s bloodlight would unleash dire power upon striking.

Could I achieve that level of power with just the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique?

“…….”

I wasn’t sure if I could even concentrate power in one spot at that level.

Yu Mang’s blade housed forces far beyond anything imaginable on a human scale, and I could feel it intensifying. Just swallowing hard, I felt Heuk Woong speak.

[Incredible.]

Heuk Woong continued.

[If my master possesses the strength to stand against the Three Sovereigns, then perhaps even multiple clashes would suffice, which is likely why he’s being so revealing now…]

“What do you mean?!”

As I glared at Yu Mang, confused, he only offered a faint smile.

“Well, if I cannot deal with you, then you can’t even begin to fulfill your own hopes, Baek Woong!”

“Eh….”

“Let’s have a nice fight!”

With the surge of power emanating from Yu Mang, my head felt dizzy.

There was no doubt.

Yu Mang intended to showcase his true skill while engaging me in a life-and-death focused duel!

I screamed in confusion.

“……You’re crazy! Why should I assist in fulfilling your desires, Yu Mang?!”

As I exclaimed, Yu Mang frowned.

“You drank my liquor.”

“Because you forced me to, and it was a punishment drink! Such things don’t count as debt!”

“Ah, stop being so petty… Who would really die? Since in a way, you’re a god, you could be disassembled and wouldn’t even perish.”

While Yu Mang grumbled, he suddenly had a bright idea.

“How about this? If you can take my ten techniques, come what may, I’ll teach you my martial arts.”

“……!!”

“If you consider yourself a martial artist, give it a shot.”

Damn it… I had no notion that in this prehistoric era, I would encounter a battle maniac ready to clash at a moment’s notice.

I found myself overwhelmed and rubbed my head in disbelief, but the allure of his offer was simply too tempting.

‘Just what kind of martial arts does Yu Mang practice that allows him to overpower other warriors?!’

A desire to see his “true intention” began to bloom within me. Plus, the time I had spent cultivating was no small amount, so I felt a sense of determination creeping in; I nodded my head.

“Okay, I accept!”

“Great, we have a deal.”

Yu Mang grinned at what brought him pleasure.

“Then, let’s start with a light strike….”

Kugugugugugu!!

It felt as if the very light of the galaxies condensed into hundreds of masses, blending into a translucent giant figure of a Giant—a form that permeated over the blade.

“……?!”

Under normal circumstances, I would have thought this merely to be the splendid depiction of a peerless divine technique at its peak mastery, but this felt different, yielding a sense of chaos and grandeur entirely.

The next moment, Yu Mang unleashed a tumultuous shockwave forged from the fusion of radiant light and blood-red essence.

Hell to Heaven Sword!

Star God Slash!

Boom!!

With a colossal explosion, I had already fused with Heuk Woong and managed to withstand the attack against the giant’s sword for one breath. Yet my state was dire, the searing pain radiating from my arms signaling the imminent destruction.

‘Guhhh!!’

In that fraction of a moment – instead of using the Three Treasure Technique or the Peerless Technique, I resorted to the Blade-less Technique to deflect the attack.

Though Yu Mang was fighting with earnest intent, as this was close to a friendly match, I wished to witness the full extent of his martial prowess. However, that was a miscalculation, and instead of blocking his strike, my attempts merely shredded apart while my will was forcibly blown away.

Such overwhelming power!

Though tenfold weaker than the blood blade I saw before, I realized that at that moment, I had no choice but to rely on all of the divine powers Heuk Woong had to preemptively defend myself. My arms were shredded raw, and my upper body was in shambles as I staggered, yet soon enough, I applied my divine power and fully recovered.

‘Damn it…!!’

I had long pondered watching, but never had I anticipated the strength to be at this level! Even if I had tried to genuinely defend or evade, it surely would have been a challenging task, causing me to sweat coldly.

‘At least I saw it.’

I had caught a glimpse of the essence of the cosmic martial arts possessed by my opponent!

As I restored my body, Yu Mang spoke incredulously.

“What the hell? You endured all that damage without any preparations? Your divine power is truly extraordinary…”

“…….”

“Let’s keep going….”

As Yu Mang prepared to launch another strike, I softly replied.

“I think I’ve grasped the nature of your powers, Yu Mang.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“Though I can’t be entirely sure.”

In response to his curious inquiry, I gave an answer even I scarcely believed.

“……You possess the ability to transform your divine power directly into intent!”