Chapter 491
I sat quietly meditating, waiting for Jang Sam-bong to assess my martial arts, including the Seven Great Techniques. With the Soul Exchange Technique, I could perform two actions simultaneously, and my internal power and sorcery skills had improved significantly, so meditation alone was yielding considerable benefits.
It wasn’t until two half-moments had passed that Jang Sam-bong finally spoke up.
“I don’t understand, Nata.”
“What do you mean?”
As I asked, Jang Sam-bong seemed flustered.
“You already possess Yeodong-bin’s Sword, yet you’ve returned in this roundabout way… Truly a path of hardship… If only you had relied on Yeodong-bin back then…”
“…?”
“But… perhaps it’s all fate.”
What did Jang Sam-bong mean by that? I couldn’t help but break my meditation, feeling uneasy.
Upon getting up, Jang Sam-bong continued, “Nata. Before we train, I must first speak about the existence of the Martial God.”
That one statement drew my utmost attention.
Martial God!
Jin So-cheong had encountered that being when she was young, and it was hinted that both Yeodong-bin and the Master of the White Lotus Sect had also crossed paths with it. Jang Sam-bong conjured an illusion of himself that only I could see, resembling the well-known portrait of him—a truly ethereal presence, like an immortal straight out of a story.
“I too encountered the Martial God before ascending.”
“Is that true? What kind of being is he?”
“He was like a mirage…”
“A divine being?”
Jang Sam-bong hesitated before continuing.
“Perhaps.”
“That sounds vague.”
“Nobody in the Celestial Realm knows exactly what that being is… It appears unpredictably across time and space and harms no one. It only transmits its will and disappears.”
“So that’s why you called it a mirage.”
As I pondered, I asked, “Could it be that this Martial God imparted insight to Jin So-cheong?”
“No. That’s not the case. None who encountered him, including myself, received insight or accomplishment. He never directly interferes with the Law of Cause and Effect.”
“What? Then what did he…”
“Simply, he posed questions.”
Jang Sam-bong’s illusion stared at me intensely before asking, “Nata, what do you think is the extreme of martial arts?”
The extreme of martial arts? It felt like an unexpected question. I wondered if this was some kind of philosophical riddle but couldn’t read Jang Sam-bong’s intention. What was clear was the intense energy emanating from the question, compelling me to respond appropriately.
‘Hmm… That’s a question anyone might ponder at least once.’
Having thought about it from my martial arts experience, I finally responded. “Could it be becoming the strongest?”
“Haha.”
“Was I… wrong?”
I asked cautiously, to which Jang Sam-bong replied.
“Then let me ask again.”
“Sure.”
“Among the martial arts you’ve seen, what was the most powerful and fearsome?”
I took a moment to think before answering, “It was the martial arts of the Master of the White Lotus Sect and Yeodong-bin.”
“That’s right. What was their power?”
“Well… they obliterated mountains in a single strike and shattered the earth.”
“Could you imagine a martial art more powerful than that?”
I thought even deeper. ‘Something stronger than that?’ If that existed, it wouldn’t even qualify as martial arts. The battle between the Master of the White Lotus Sect and Yeodong-bin almost obliterated Luoyang, and anything stronger than that couldn’t even be called martial art. But still, I nodded, confirming I could vaguely imagine it.
“Eh, well, I can imagine it.”
“What about a hundred times stronger than what you just imagined?”
Just imagining such power was absurd enough to make me chuckle.
“Um, would a fight between martial artists destroy the Ancient Middle Kingdom?”
As I bluntly responded to Jang Sam-bong’s question, he laughed and said, “If human martial arts develop to the extent where one sword could destroy the world, would you consider that to be the extreme of martial arts, without a doubt?”
“……”
“What if a martial art could crush the Great Universe?”
Hmm… I had never thought of such a possibility. Could martial arts really do that? It was too unimaginable, and without hesitation, I nodded.
“Of course. Everyone would die, wouldn’t that be the extreme of martial arts?”
With the destruction of the Great Universe, no one would survive. Even if gods existed, they too would perish, right? The concept of death aside, the destruction of the universe meant just that. After my answer, Jang Sam-bong shook his head.
“No.”
It was an unexpected denial.
“What?”
“Even if that martial art achieves a hundred victories, it cannot prove to be the strongest. For example, if another martial art emerged a thousand times more destructive, wouldn’t that be considered the extreme of martial arts?”
If that’s the case, it’s like kids arguing over who is stronger. “Um… well…”
I found myself stunned and contemplating Jang Sam-bong’s words. ‘Is this just wordplay?’ But it didn’t seem like he was merely joking around. As I desperately tried to grasp what he was trying to convey, I finally realized and said, “So being the strongest doesn’t mean being the best.”
Jang Sam-bong laughed.
“Exactly. Ultimately, such comparisons are just games of numbers and hypothetical scenarios. The extreme of martial arts is a question without an answer. There is always something above.”
“From my perspective, simply achieving the Absolute Realm or being at the level of the Seven Luminaries seems extreme enough…”
That made sense, but I grumbled slightly. Honestly, even twisting laws in the Absolute Realm to display miraculous strength was already an extraordinary feat. Yet here I was, grappling with concepts even more unfathomable than that.
Jang Sam-bong smiled subtly.
“However… the Martial God provided a glimpse of the extreme of martial arts for just a moment. That alone inspires a boundless enthusiasm to pursue martial arts.”
“Hmm…”
Feeling puzzled, I stated, “Honestly, I don’t understand it right now.”
“But, Nata, when you grow stronger… and the day comes when you confront the Martial God, you’ll understand what I meant.”
Jang Sam-bong’s hand patted my shoulder, akin to an encouraging gesture. I asked him, “So all those who have reached the Absolute Realm met the Martial God, right?”
“Not at all. It’s rather the opposite.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure, but the Martial God doesn’t just show up because someone’s martial arts level is high. There must be a unique criterion that only he possesses.”
Thinking back, I recalled that Jin So-cheong met the Martial God as a child. So she couldn’t have been a master at the Absolute Realm. This meant that there had to be another criterion the Martial God used to choose whom to visit.
‘Whatever.’
There was no point in overthinking it, given my current state. I was simply satisfied to have gained more information about the Martial God. I turned to Jang Sam-bong and said, “Now please teach me the Seven Great Techniques.”
……
“Grand Master Jang?”
After my request, Jang Sam-bong hesitated before replying.
“Nata, your capacity is nearing its limit.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“The Yeodong-bin’s Sword has forcibly blocked your growth, which will soon reach its maximum.”
“Ah…”
“Not only the Seven Great Techniques but each derived potential of the Eight Great Techniques is a peerless divine technique developed by geniuses. It’s impossible for you to master them all.”
I realized what Jang Sam-bong was saying. I had previously received Yeodong-bin’s Heavenly Escape Sword Technique up to the fifth level to control the confusion within my sword family. And because of that, even after reaching the Peak Expert realm, I had been able to continue training smoothly. But according to Jang Sam-bong, the control effect I had obtained back then had its limits.
‘Am I going to face confusion within my martial arts once again?’
As I trembled with anxiety, Jang Sam-bong continued, “The fundamental solution is to strengthen the Heavenly Escape Sword embedded within your soul. However, only Yeodong-bin can accomplish that in this world. All I can do is to slightly widen your capacity and delay its limit…”
“But Yeodong-bin is…”
I murmured, but then stopped. There was no way to rescue Yeodong-bin, who was at the brink of self-destruction due to the Sea God’s seal. I had not anticipated being hindered in this way, and as I sighed in despair, Jang Sam-bong spoke.
“Nata. First, let me bestow my blessing and delay your training setbacks for about ten years.”
As Jang Sam-bong’s hand glowed on my shoulder, my mind inexplicably cleared, feeling refreshing. He looked at me with concern and continued, “From now on, I will teach you the Seven Great Techniques as much as possible, but I hope you will control your own training afterward. Otherwise, cracks will form in your capacity, leading to madness in your spirit. If you wish to avoid true Walking Fire Entering Demon, remember my words.”
……
To create an opportunity to train, I now had to find another solution!
I felt a surge of frustration but managed to calm myself as I had faced even worse circumstances. After all, having ten years to improve my martial arts is a fantastic chance!
“Alright. I’ll train hard and reach the Absolute Realm within ten years to overcome my limits!”
I will succeed!
If I’ve killed a Sea God, what can I not achieve!
“Uh… um… well…”
As I clenched my fist and boldly shouted, Jang Sam-bong stared at me for a moment with a dazed expression. After a while of contemplation, he managed his expression and said, “Uh… that will be the case, Nata!”
His response seemed a bit off. Nevertheless, I decided not to dwell on it right now. What mattered was my eagerness to keep working hard.
Thus, for nearly a whole day, I relearned the fundamentals of the Seven Great Techniques from Jang Sam-bong. Jang Sam-bong appeared determined not to teach me the derived techniques of the Seven Great Techniques right away but to help me solidify the basics first. Initially, I wondered what the point of relearning the basics was, but as I went on, I realized it wasn’t a waste at all.
“The essence of the Seven Great Techniques lies in the Six Harmonies. The result formed by the Six Harmonies is the Peerless Technique.”
Jang Sam-bong slowly raised his hand to channel the energy of Tai Chi. The energy harmoniously blended Yin and Yang, enveloping Jang Sam-bong’s illusion. He gradually assumed the posture of Tai Chi, a technique commonly practiced in Wudang Sect and widespread among the civilians, known for its relatively weak power, often regarded as a secondary martial art.
Clap!
At that moment, as Jang Sam-bong took the Tai Chi posture, he transformed into the basic techniques of the Seven Great Techniques. I carefully observed the flow of those techniques. Throughout the twenty-four forms he enacted, I noticed the power flowed without a single flaw, culminating back into the Tai Chi form. I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Ah!”
It truly was smooth.
And strong.
It felt almost beautiful!
‘Is this what the Wudang Sect refers to as the true essence of Skill and Strength?’
I had seen Wudang Sect experts use the essence of Skill and Strength before, but I felt I could easily crush their softness with the techniques of the Thunder God Lineage. However, if I charged at Jang Sam-bong’s current Tai Chi posture, I got the feeling I would be swept away and shattered by its gentleness.
“The special nature of the Six Harmonies signifies the enhancement of change.”
“Enhancement of change?”
“Have you ever heard of the Branches of Heaven?”
“I’ve studied sorcery and ways of Dao, so I know about it.”
I learned that during my three years studying under Mangnyang to grasp the basics of techniques like Qimen Dunjia. To master the fundamentals of Dao, one had to be familiar with the Earthly Branches and Heavenly Stems as well as the Eight Trigrams.
“The state of being imbued with the Heavenly Branches carries a special nature. Do you know it?”
“Are you referring to immutability?”
“Correct. It does not change. Therefore, it’s treated more lightly than the Five Elements and is often overlooked by masters. Unlike the dynamic and ever-changing concepts of Yin and Yang, the Heavenly Branches are fixed and do not move.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“However, the Six Harmonies embrace the Heavenly Stems within their equilibrium.”
What message was he trying to convey?
“Infinite change results in immutability; immutability results in infinite change. They seem to loop back on each other.”
“……?”
“The deeper you delve, the more meaningless it becomes. The changes in Yin and Yang are limited, but in essence, the immutability defines infinity. What a paradox.”
As Jang Sam-bong lightly brushed his fist through the air, it felt as if the very ground was shuddering. Realizing that this was merely the first form of Tai Chi, I shuddered at the elegance of Jang Sam-bong’s martial arts.
“In martial arts and sorcery, the frequent mention of the Six Harmonies reflects their unique characteristics that resonate with the laws of the world.”
I could no longer contain my curiosity and asked, “What do you mean by resonating?”
I dabbled in sorcery but struggled to fully grasp the essence of Jang Sam-bong’s explanation. It would be challenging for anyone dedicated to Dao for dozens or hundreds of years to comprehend his words.
“Because it embodies ‘everything.’ No matter how you connect it, it forms Six Harmonies.”
“That’s too difficult. Can you simplify it a bit?”
“To put it simply, unlike the changes of the Five Elements, the Six Harmonies encompass the total possibilities of fortune. You could say the Six Harmonies represent the broadest realm expressible through fortune.”
“Hmm… I think I get it…”
That explanation seemed familiar. However, none of the Dao texts I had seen delved deep into that area.
“It seems you don’t fully understand.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Organize the explanation you’ve heard so far in your head.”
As I pondered, Jang Sam-bong’s explanation continued to get more elaborate.
“Do you know why sorcerers study Yin and Yang or the Eight Trigrams, yet rarely study the Six Harmonies?”
“Uh… I’m not sure.”
“As I said earlier, the Six Harmonies are immutable yet ever-changing. To study the Six Harmonies means reaching a level of omniscience, where one would understand everything in this world. But no human could undertake such a study.”
“Aha!”
“A blade of grass, a wisp of wind, a drifting cloud—all of these movements can be referred to as the Six Harmonies.”
So, immutability coupled with infinite possibility meant that from a grand perspective, it was the entirety, while from a smaller viewpoint, it was the ceaseless, infinite changes of the very world itself.
‘Wow, what a vast perspective…’
As I expressed my astonishment considering the grandeur of the Six Harmonies, Jang Sam-bong smiled warmly.
“Therefore, the Six Harmonies address not only the external realm of the world but also the conceptual realm.”
“What do you mean by conceptual realm?”
“Broadly, it encompasses fate, divinity, clarity, and the law of cause and effect. These could be seen as spontaneous elements that aren’t well explained in the context of Qimen Dunjia. This viewpoint differs from traditional interpretations, so sorcerer’s approach may vary.”
“……”
“To summarize: ‘the state of all things across all time and space.’ That is the essence of the Six Harmonies.”
As he spoke, Jang Sam-bong suddenly began to flow seamlessly. Then he consecutively executed the six major techniques of the Seven Great Techniques, the rhythm shifting gracefully as if in a dance. Watching Jang Sam-bong embodying the Tai Chi and Six Harmonies was akin to witnessing the moment heaven and earth were divided into Yin and Yang.
Woosh!
At one point, I realized I could no longer see his techniques. Just like Yeodong-bin’s Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, each of Jang Sam-bong’s movements unfurled like raindrops or snowflakes, spreading outward imbued with countless possibilities. In the gentle ripple, the form of the Six Harmonies struck my gaze like an illusion.
Jang Sam-bong’s dance gradually quieted down. I understood that he had just demonstrated a flawless connection of the Six Major Techniques. It was a seamless flow, beyond anything I had learned in the Seven Great Techniques until now.
“The Three Inner Harmonies, the Three Outer Harmonies, and Heart Intent Six Harmonies. Only by understanding this will you be able to use the Peerless Technique.”
It felt like I had just unearthed a significant clue. The principle of martial arts being the Six Harmonies was a secret no one had known until now.
“What on earth is the Peerless Technique?”
“… It’s my foolhardy challenge.”
Jang Sam-bong chuckled bitterly as he said, “It was my interpretation of the Martial God’s question…”
“……?”
“Um… won’t you show me the Peerless Technique?”
“I already have.”
“Huh?”
“Nata… the Peerless Technique is not a martial art with physical power. It is the weakest martial art in the world. It is merely a result of embodying the essence of the Six Harmonies and providing an answer to the Martial God’s question.”
After Jang Sam-bong’s words, I pondered that I should focus on mastering the Six Major Techniques for the time being.
“With the Peerless Technique, you won’t be able to defeat any opponents.”
