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Chapter 797: The True East

“Summoning the Great Immortal really drains your mental strength.”

I thought calling upon someone like Jang Sam-bong would be easy, but it wasn’t. Last time, Mangnyang couldn’t figure out how to do it because he worried that Jang Sam-bong would squeeze into Mangnyang’s mind and blow his sanity apart.

But when I talked to Jin So-cheong, he confidently claimed that he could handle summoning the Great Immortal now. The reason he gave was pretty bittersweet for me but made sense in an odd way.

Pa-at!

Yeodong-bin, who was possessing my body, suddenly spoke to Jang Sam-bong, who was controlling Jin So-cheong.

“Don’t worry about showing off to the juniors. I’m not in the mood for a display fight.”

What the?!

Yeodong-bin’s unexpected words took Jang Sam-bong by surprise.

“That’s not my plan… To achieve what the Dharma Protector desires, we must engage sincerely.”

“Exactly. I also want to know what answer you’ve found regarding the Martial God, purely as a fellow martial artist.”

“Ah, I feel the same way.”

Swoosh—

A whirlwind whipped up between them for a brief moment before everything fell silent. The leaves had long since dropped, and the moonlight shone quietly, adding a ghostly feel to the scene.

A single streak of sword light cleaved through the pale moonlight. The Heavenly Escape Sword Qi shot forth, piercing the air with a rush and striking right in front of Jang Sam-bong. A wind sharp enough to slice through eyelids surged forth, yet Jang Sam-bong stood firm, moving his left hand slowly to counter the incoming blade.

Piying!

What seemed like a prelude to a fatal exchange turned out to be my misunderstanding. The Heavenly Escape Sword Qi couldn’t penetrate the eerie aura surrounding Jang Sam-bong and simply slid off. Jang Sam-bong’s counterattack seemed to be anticipated by Yeodong-bin, who dodged effortlessly.

Before they could even think about the missed attacks, Yeodong-bin unleashed a torrential downpour of strikes using the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram, while Jang Sam-bong’s hands shimmered as if drawing the Tai Chi symbol. The brief exchange didn’t yield any victories; they were already creating new offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Crash—

Like a shattering glass, a monumental aura surged from Jang Sam-bong’s palm, manifesting the shape of Tai Chi into a myriad of angles that defied perception. It was nearly impossible to track the position of the Tai Chi flow as time seemed to fracture within that endless moment.

Seven Great Techniques!

Combined Understanding!

Nine Palace Heavenly Net Tenth Segment!

In the past, Jang Sam-bong had pulled out the Combined Understanding technique against the joint attack of Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon! The Nine Palace technique’s changes weren’t just about creating confusion; it was an unending, irreversible disruption meant to overwhelm. With ten facets constantly attacking unpredictable vital points, even a single failure in defense meant losing the match.

‘I’ve never dodged the Nine Palace technique without using the Soul Removal Technique…’

I hadn’t even gotten the chance to try. The reason that attack deserved its notorious reputation was its erratic nature. Instead of weakening or becoming predictable, it only grew stronger and expanded its range. As the transformations occurred, the power of the strike actually intensified rather than diluted, a perfect technique that broke through the standard flaws of predictable martial arts.

Even at my current level, blocking six out of ten attacks from the Nine Palace technique in a simulated spar would be impossible, ultimately forcing me to use the Soul Removal technique. And even then, I occasionally came out with a hit or two. I thought that just the Nine Palace technique alone could solidify one’s standing among the peerless masters of the Jianghu.

How was Yeodong-bin going to face such a gruesome technique?

“What a fine martial art!”

But contrary to my anxious anticipation, Yeodong-bin handled the onslaught with ease. His sword danced as fluidly as seawater, plunging right into the heart of the attack, pulling off the solution of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven’s rainfall.

“No way…!!”

Can you respond like that?!

Even if you pierce one layer of attack, wouldn’t the subsequent ones come crashing down on you? I was taken aback, instinctively thinking Yeodong-bin made a foolish choice, yet that surprise quickly morphed into a different kind of shock.

Whooo—

The sound of the crashing waves seemed to originate from the tip of his sword, cutting through the first layer of the Nine Palace technique. The deep blue resonance of his blade twisted and turned, throwing the trajectory of his attacks into disarray, and as Yeodong-bin surged forward, the entire Nine Palace Heavenly Net Tenth Segment collapsed into chaos!

“……!!”

What?! Is it really that easy to break through?!

I hadn’t even considered it!

I felt a surge of excitement coursing through me, thinking I might be able to use that technique to counter the Nine Palace Heavenly Net. But as the clash between the two masters continued, my thoughts fled.

The moment the Nine Palace technique shattered, Jang Sam-bong responded by unleashing the Three Refined Masters Palm with his left hand and the Dark Sky Nine Dragon Wave with his right. Both these techniques belonged to the Seven Great Techniques and were usually not unleashed at the same time. Yet, Jang Sam-bong smoothly transitioned between the two peerless techniques and summoned a colossal Tai Chi symbol in front of him, whispering softly in that brief moment.

“Able to make a single thought…”

What is that supposed to mean?!

At that instant, the Tai Chi spiraled into a tornado, the draconic head exploding with three different powers. Concurrently, Yeodong-bin embodied the cycling forms of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven, resisting the explosive silver energy as he struck the air. In that singular moment, everything was engulfed in a blinding brilliance, and I witnessed the swords of the two masters crossing in an X-shape.

Boom!

The thunderous sound continued to echo. Rather than the ear-splitting explosion, I was far more alarmed by how each of Jang Sam-bong’s movements were encased in ethereal energy. He had crafted illusions that attacked Yeodong-bin simultaneously, while Yeodong-bin retaliated with clones of his own, countering one by one with different techniques.

Wiying—

A buzzing noise filled the air as Jang Sam-bong’s and Yeodong-bin’s illusions burst one by one. And in the remaining space, Jang Sam-bong’s Dark Sky Nine Dragon Wave rushed in like a storm, while Yeodong-bin stood steadfast, continually spinning to absorb its power. A total of eighty-one clones were engaged in an all-out battle, the scene resembling a haunting battlefield of flickering shadows.

Gugugugu—

I couldn’t believe that while all this conflict erupted, neither Yeodong-bin nor Jang Sam-bong even showed a hint of weariness, fighting as if determined to kill each other. Moreover, their techniques were executed with such precision that no hint of emotion distorted their focus, regardless of how brutal the impact was. Only then did I realize the level of this duel was beyond my comprehension.

‘…Unless I understand the Moon-Style Defense Technique, there’s no way I could eradicate the Nine Palace Heavenly Net like Yeodong-bin just did….’

It was an immensely powerful counter that I simply couldn’t replicate.

The opposite scenario was the same.

During our training over the past six months, Jang Sam-bong had never shown me any of the techniques he exhibited against Yeodong-bin, meaning there must be elevated techniques he reserved solely for opponents of his caliber.

One of them was, clearly, the ability to make a single thought, transforming Combined Techniques into Tai Chi. He hadn’t actively withheld this from me, but I assumed my level was too low for him to risk teaching me a potentially lethal technique.

Swoosh—

As the battle reached a critical phase, Jang Sam-bong finally raised his sword. Up until now, he had primarily engaged in unarmed combat, so what was the reason for picking up his sword now? Yeodong-bin perched atop a cliff, glancing down silently at him.

“Is that the Tai Chi sword?”

“You know it well.”

“Your martial arts are already renowned even in the Celestial Realm.”

After a brief moment of silence, Yeodong-bin finally spoke up.

“We’ve revealed nearly all our techniques. Our sword techniques may not lack skill, but are you showing your sword just out of respect for the Dharma Protector’s practice?”

Jang Sam-bong slowly nodded in response.

“The insights of the Sword of Wisdom weren’t left in my clan either, nor were they included in the Seven Great Techniques. The reason is that the Sword of Wisdom could only be envisioned after grasping the Peerless Technique; it isn’t a martial art meant for conflict. It belongs to the realm of the Peerless Technique, which makes it an independent martial art on its own.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ve experienced something similar myself.”

Yeodong-bin’s acknowledgment brought a smile to Jang Sam-bong’s face.

“Ah, to hear you grasp that so easily makes me feel like I’ve truly found a kindred spirit today. Since I could not convey my insights in words during your training, I’d like to share them through experience now.”

“Great! Let’s end this with a single technique.”

“Agreed.”

The two men resumed their stances, maintaining a distance of one foot apart. They could easily cleave the mountains ten leagues away with a single stroke, yet the gap symbolized the pure intentions of a swordsman.

One foot!

In this range, most martial artists would start and end their duels. They had clearly decided to leave something substantial behind in this possession duel. A chilling energy seeped from Yeodong-bin’s sword, while Jang Sam-bong readied the foundational stance of the Tai Chi sword, the most basic swordplay of the Wudang Sect.

‘The Tai Chi sword…?’

Among the techniques of the Wudang Sect, styles like the Four Elements or Nine Palaces were renowned and without peer. Also, the Taiqing Sword Method previously mastered by Master Hyuncheon had a stellar reputation as well. But the Tai Chi sword was merely a basic form that novices were taught and was supposedly not powerful at all. Did Jang Sam-bong manage to obtain a deeper realization from it?

The darkness cloaked in moonlight suffocated the atmosphere.

Heart and Mind Unified!

Formless Sword!

The glimmer in Yeodong-bin’s eyes illuminated as his Formless Sword sliced through everything, striking right at Jang Sam-bong’s heart! In that moment, neither time nor space existed—only the intent of Yeodong-bin remained, making any form of defense or evasion futile. That was the true Heart Sword, reaching the ultimate state of swordplay.

‘What’s terrifying is that in Formless Sword, there’s no technique at all, leaving no avenue for defense.’

Things with forms obviously have weaknesses, but how could one find points of flaw within formless entities? If intent exists, Yeodong-bin could deliver the Formless Sword through any posture or fusion. The Formless nature stood as his invincibility, and I instinctively sensed that the next moment would see Jang Sam-bong’s chest split open, with blood erupting forth.

But my prediction was wrong.

Swoosh—

In that suspended moment, the trajectory of Yeodong-bin’s Formless Sword halted right in front of Jang Sam-bong’s chest. The light appeared to condense at the spot right in front of Jang Sam-bong’s solar plexus, with the acupoints of his body connected like strands of light. The dantians above and below formed a flawless balance that traversed the world.

The Tai Chi began to ripple, yet in the world, it undulated without regard for perspective. Within that infinite space, it almost seemed as if Jang Sam-bong was dancing, his movement reminiscent of a swan’s grace but lacking strength.

Yet as I observed, I realized that movement was the first technique of the Tai Chi sword, a foundational stance, and soon it transformed into a Radiant Sword, rising to counter the Formless Sword, provoking a breath-stealing majesty.

In that single move—contained the essence of the Martial Arts World, the soul of the Qingyan Sect.

Peerless Technique!

The Dance of Wisdom!

Silence.

The clash of their ultimate techniques didn’t result in a swirling chaos of the battlefield. Yeodong-bin stood at mid-stance, while Jang Sam-bong held his blade to meet him, both exhibiting an infinite calmness that vibrated the world around them.

The first to withdraw his sword was Yeodong-bin. He recited a declaration aloud.

“This move equals my decades of hard work.”

“Mine is similarly true… It was an honor to witness the unparalleled swordsmanship of the Great Sword Master.”

They looked quite satisfied with the outcome of the match.

“…”

But I was left stupefied. Wasn’t the impact of these ultimate techniques supposed to be so great they could send mountains flying? Yet it ended with a dry, mundane pause, and nothing seemed to change? I wondered if perhaps I had missed some lingering vibrational force that could destroy something, but nothing indicated that.

Jang Sam-bong spoke.

“Dharma Protector, you are indeed a blessed existence. Having experienced this duel, you shall soon ascend to the absolute realm…!!”

“Uh, right… but…”

“The Master is already enveloped in that realization…!! Haha! Great blessing!”

Jang Sam-bong seemed more buoyant than usual. I hesitated before cautiously asking.

“What did that final clash mean…?”

“……”

“……”

Both Jang Sam-bong and Yeodong-bin—the latter not having returned to his body—instantly wore expressions filled with astonishment. In particular, Yeodong-bin had a face that said, “Really?!” making me shrink further. It felt as if they were incredulous that I hadn’t felt anything at all from the experience.

Struggling to conceal his surprise, Jang Sam-bong spoke.

“Well… right after the clash of the Formless Sword and the Peerless Technique… we engaged in a ferocious dispute in an infinite spatial realm, drawing ever nearer to the Divine Domain. Did you not feel it…?”

Yeodong-bin interrupted.

“Enough. Unless one has opened the door and can grasp the existence of the Divine Realm, one wouldn’t know. We perhaps overestimated his potential.”

“True…”

“Even someone with a lower realm who managed to sense that domain must be quite the monster…”

Yeodong-bin, glancing sideways at Jin So-cheong’s body, said after a moment.

“Dharma Protector, this approach may not suit you. May I suggest another method for your martial advancement?”

It was the first time Yeodong-bin had taken the initiative to suggest something.

I quickly perked up, replying eagerly.

“Sure!”

Yeodong-bin’s gaze turned icy.

“You’re trying to cram too much into a small vessel; it doesn’t suit you. It might be better to break and toughen that vessel further.”

“What do you mean…?”

“A realm unattainable in life. In that case, it may be better to die.”

With those parting words, Yeodong-bin vanished.

“It’s the Sword Demon’s methodology. You could engage in ten rounds of a genuine life-or-death duel against a warrior on your level or higher, and if you survive, you might learn something.”