801——————==

True Martial Home

Mangnyang has become Ji-seon!

I decided to genuinely congratulate him on his achievement.

“Congratulations! So now you’re a disciple of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens, huh?”

Mangnyang passing through the gates to become an Immortal of the Celestial Realm and, in turn, becoming the disciple of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman to learn the Corpse Dissolution Technique was originally our plan. Just thinking about our plan coming to fruition made me unreasonably happy, even though it wasn’t my own achievement.

“Yes, but right now, I was given a mission to oversee the surveillance of the Central Plains’ Initial Region and have come down to Earth.”

“The Corpse Dissolution Technique…”

“I can use it.”

“Oh wow!”

The Corpse Dissolution Technique!

From my previous experience in the 24th round, it was, literally, an incredibly versatile and powerful technique capable of handling almost anything effortlessly. And I also learned that it wasn’t really a technique, but a power derived from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. So ideally, one shouldn’t be able to learn it, but since Mangnyang had prior experience from his past life, I was hopeful.

If we had an ally capable of using the Corpse Dissolution Technique, we’d be in a much stronger position going forward!

Feeling genuinely pleased with how things were unfolding, Mangnyang spoke up.

“I need to know the current situation. Time is of the essence for me.”

“What do you mean you don’t have time?”

Mangnyang sighed.

“Surveillance of the Initial Region means that the tasks of the Celestial Realm’s Ji-seon have officially begun. Being a disciple of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman grants me some flexibility, and I could delay the mission for up to 49 days, but after that, I’ll have no choice but to manage all the mountain deities and lower-level immortals in the Initial Region for 50 or even 100 years. By then, it will be very difficult for me to contact or assist you in this way.”

I was puzzled by his words and spoke up.

“No… didn’t the previous Ji-seon Mangnyang freely enter the Imperial Palace? What’s the difference now?”

“The Ji-seon Mangnyang of that time was tasked with controlling and exterminating the Imperial Palace itself. The difference lies in the nature of the mission; in my case, I’ve been appointed to a management position in the rear instead of being thrown into such a reckless operation…. In any case, once I’m granted authority as Ji-seon, I won’t be able to move from there.”

“Hmm, that’s troublesome…”

It was great that Mangnyang had become a strong ally, but if he was bound as a mid-level manager of the Celestial Realm, he’d be almost useless. This wouldn’t bring any results. Then, Mangnyang smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry. I can get everything done in 49 days if necessary. And if it gets too bad later, I can just escape the Celestial Realm.”

“Got it. Let me fill you in on the current situation.”

Pa-at

I relayed my memories up to this point to Mangnyang using the obsidian. He savored the memories for a moment before saying.

“Understood. Then let’s go see Uncle together.”

Following Mangnyang’s lead, I quickly used the Golden Lamp technique to head to Jangryeong Valley, where the Zhuge Clan resided. Upon seeing us, Zhuge Sa grinned.

“Did Hyun finally return after passing the imperial examination he dreamed of?”

“I wasn’t exactly dreaming of passing the imperial exam, Uncle.”

“Well, that makes sense. You could have passed, but you chose to stop at the third rank of Tanhwa to avoid drawing attention as part of the Astronomer clan, right? Anyway, congratulations.”

Zhuge Sa continued.

“I assume you’ve heard all about the situation from Baek Woong. What brings you here?”

Mangnyang relayed everything he experienced in the Celestial Realm to Zhuge Sa before getting to the point.

“I’ve come to see if I can help with something.”

“If it’s about helping… there’s not nothing, but…”

Zhuge Sa looked somewhat troubled.

“No, this won’t do. Even though I’d like to borrow a cat’s paw, you’re not the right fit.”

“Why not?”

“You’ve already become a significant high-ranking figure in the Celestial Realm with official duties assigned. Being the favored disciple of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman means that even the Great Immortal can’t treat you carelessly. If you use your power to interfere, the Celestial Realm will have no choice but to keep an eye on you. The risks outweigh the benefits, so you should just teach Baek Woong some techniques and take your leave.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

As I listened on, I spoke to Zhuge Sa.

“Zhuge Sa, wanting to borrow even a cat’s paw implies things are quite tough for you, huh?”

“A bit. Trying to prevent the Imperial Palace’s demon path from consolidating while not revealing our identities is no easy task. Surprisingly, the Sword Demon has been holding up well, but honestly, it was daunting from the start. Plus, lately, the Imperial Palace and Wind Spirit Sect have been openly employing Dragon People…”

Zhuge Sa continued.

“But you shouldn’t concern yourself with it. We promised each other ten years, so just focus on your training until then.”

“…Got it.”

Zhuge Sa was worried I might jump in to avoid temporary hardship, causing a total imbalance and spiraling into an uncontrollable disaster. Naturally, even if things turned out that way, I’d gain something, but that wasn’t the purpose of this life. I could only tell my companions to hang in there knowing how hard it was for them.

I returned to the manor in Sichuan with Mangnyang. He then said,

“Baek Woong. It seems you’re struggling with the Five Elements change; let me help.”

“How can you help?”

“The Five Elements change can also be interpreted using the Eight Trigrams. The reason you’re needlessly struggling with the Five Elements change using your intent is that you don’t fully understand the principles of balance that come into play. It would be easier to learn some theory from me rather than relying solely on gut instinct in your training.”

Following Mangnyang’s advice, I received teachings from him to easily grasp the Five Elements change. Although I initially feared it would be difficult, it surprisingly clicked in my head. Maybe that’s why, just seven nights after receiving his teachings, I was able to master the Five Elements change.

‘No way…!!’

I had thought that after three years of not getting it half right, I’d need one more year of preparation, yet here I was learning it in just seven nights?

I was astounded by Mangnyang’s abilities. Engaging in the Five Elements change with intent and doing it through a technique was fundamentally different; he had deciphered a completely separate system of skill and presented it so clearly as to teach me. While I was dumbfounded, the Supreme Master Jang spoke up, looking satisfied.

[They say the disciple of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is impressive. With your abilities, you could ascend to be a Great Immortal within a century.]

“I’m flattered by the Supreme Master’s excessive praise.”

[Would it be possible for you to assist Baek Woong in the next training session?]

“Of course.”

I entered the next phase of training with the two immortals. With the mastery of the Five Elements change under my belt to counter the Sect Leader’s approach, it was time to train against the Sect Leader’s Absolute Realm technique known as the Form of Time. Supreme Master Jang summoned a projection to begin explaining to me.

[Baek Woong, what do you think the Sect Leader’s Form of Time technique entails?]

“Hmm…”

I recalled the state of battle when the Sect Leader used the Form of Time. Then I said,

“It seems like a technique that slows down time…”

[Try to describe it more accurately.]

“By dominating the space around them and forcing everything into a moment, they accelerate themselves to gain a relative speed advantage.”

[Indeed. You have a solid grasp of that technique’s essence. Then tell me, how should one fight against the Form of Time?]

“……”

I became like a deer caught in headlights. Though I knew what the Sect Leader’s Form of Time technique was, I had no idea how to deal with it. How does a mere martial artist fight against a technique that dominates space and transcends the perception of time and consciousness? Against such a technique, any basic martial movement would simply become a mindless dance with a sword. Even the Apostle Daji could do nothing but take a beatdown against the Form of Time. Even if I tried to use the Soul Removal Technique, I wouldn’t escape its grasp.

Supreme Master Jang said,

[In the normal realm of basic techniques, one cannot withstand such an attack. Therefore, when confronting the Form of Time, it is essential to possess the Absolute Realm first.]

“What? The Absolute Realm?”

[Yes. The Form of Time is ultimately an amplification of the properties of space dominance derived from the Heavenly Pillar attained in the Absolute Realm. If your Heavenly Pillar is sturdy and your will can withstand their intent, you’ll be able to fight on equal terms. You may slow down slightly, but it won’t be disadvantageous. As proof, the Form of Time may seem invincible, yet surprisingly, the Sect Leader rarely deploys it against masters of the Absolute Realm, right? It works well against monstrous beings who don’t practice martial arts.]

“Ah….”

Now that I thought about it, he was right. I expressed my surprise, and Supreme Master Jang continued.

[However, if you misstep while using the Form of Time, even a master of the Absolute Realm could instantly perish. Knowing that the Form can be deployed means there’s a chance to respond accordingly; however, the Sect Leader also understands this characteristic, so they use it strategically rather than recklessly. Of course, against someone weaker than the Sect Leader, the Form is pure despair….]

“Hmm.”

[For instance, that Dongyoung, a master of the Absolute Realm. His specialty was the Fast Sword, and in terms of pure speed and swordsmanship, he surpassed the Sect Leader. If the Sect Leader unleashed the Form against such a person and failed, he would lose his head in an instant. That person could severely damage the space domination the Form establishes with that extreme speed of his, right? Nonetheless, the Sect Leader can only choose to unleash the Form under favorable conditions, so it can’t really be called a weakness….]

I couldn’t help but look troubled at Supreme Master Jang’s words.

“But… I can’t counter that since I don’t have the Absolute Realm.”

[Correct. However, it doesn’t mean there’s no way. I will impart that method to you starting now.]

Supreme Master Jang slowly extended his hands. His palms drew the symbol of the Taiji, and soon he held the posture of the Taiji in either direction. He said,

[This is… Tai Chi!]

“……”

[Baek Woong, starting today, you will diligently practice Tai Chi for the next four years. Each day, you must perform the form of Tai Chi a thousand times.]

“Four years of doing it every day…?”

[Indeed! You may not even have time to sleep.]

“…No, that’s just….”

I was flabbergasted.

“Why?! Why must it be like that? Tai Chi is the most fundamental martial training, isn’t it?”

Is this even considered martial training? It’s just an exercise for health.

Perhaps Tai Chi was the most famous basic martial art in the Central Plains. Most people, be they scholars, ladies, or even little kids, learn it. It has 24 standard forms, but there’s no mystique of martial prowess, just motions that loosen the joints, increase flexibility, and include breathing techniques for vitality. It’s impossible to become a master from practicing that, and naturally, it could be considered trash compared to the advanced martial arts I was learning. Physically, it’d be tough, but isn’t it nearly the same as not training martial arts at all?

Supreme Master Jang said sternly.

[Regardless of what you believe, if you’re going to face the Form of Time while lacking the Absolute Realm, this is the only way!]

“I want to know why!”

[Even if I tell you the reason, if you become fixated on it, it’ll hinder your training! If you can’t accept it, then our training ends here.]

“Ugh!!”

[Are you wasting time? You can think that way if you want.]

This is absurd.

Me practicing Tai Chi now?

It’s no different from retraining the Three Talents Sword Technique!

Having recognized that while honing the basic techniques leads to countless derivative moves in the Seven Great Techniques and the Eight Immortals Divine Art, it was hard for me to accept. I could become a remarkable master just from mastering those derivatives in a short time; why on earth would I practice Tai Chi a thousand times a day?! Doing that for four years isn’t a walk in the park. Saying “four years” is easy; watching the seasons change four times while spending each day in the mountains, practicing day and night without sleep, would drive anyone insane.

I was furious and about to throw in the towel.

“Damn it! I’m not going to do that….”

Then it happened.

Mangnyang clutched my shoulder tightly. When I turned around, Mangnyang was smiling gently.

“Don’t do that. Let’s just try together.”

“Mangnyang… you….”

“I’ll train with you just until I head to the Initial Region.”

“Th-There’s no need.”

He lowered his hand from my shoulder and said,

“I know you’re struggling with your destiny right now. I know you’re worried about bearing others’ fates and are anxious. It’s not easy to care about your own fate while also worrying about the lives and destinies of your comrades. However, even if I’m a Martial God, I wouldn’t want to show the heights of martial mastery to someone who is anxious.”

“……”

“I often thought of my comrades while training in the Immortal Realm. I felt compelled to do a full share quickly. But the more anxious I became, the more the future loomed over me, and the present faded away. Once I abandoned that anxiety, my martial prowess began to develop swiftly.”

The light in Mangnyang’s eyes glimmered.

“Baek Woong. No matter how grand or splendid the future awaiting us might be, we live in the present. If we diligently live today, tomorrow will surely be better. Like grains of dust accumulating to form a forest, your future starts from today.”

“……!!”

“Trust and follow what Supreme Master Jang said for now. If it fails, you can blame me later.”

I realized how narrow my perspective had become and felt my face flush. I nodded vigorously.

“Understood, I will give it a try!!”

And so it begins.

Practicing Tai Chi a thousand times daily, without rest, for four years!!