823——————==

True Martial Home

The Master of the Twelve Joules blocked my path just to stop Jang Sam-bong’s final move. Of course, it’s not like he genuinely wants to show me the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique.

‘He’s trying to prevent me… from committing suicide.’

I’m desperate for information. Even a morsel of it would justify my death, so I’m dying to know about the Absolute Realm, the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique of the Master of the Twelve Joules, which has been on my mind for a while. The Master of the Twelve Joules figured this out, so instead of forcefully stopping my suicide, he made it so I couldn’t die due to my desires.

And that strategy worked like a charm. The moment I heard those words, the option of suicide vanished. Considering how hard my companions and I had been working to uncover the facts about the Master of the Twelve Joules, I couldn’t refuse the opportunity he presented.

As I kept silent, the Master of the Twelve Joules spoke.

“The killing intent has disappeared. Good thinking.”

“Did you also see the memories of the obsidian?”

“What’s the point of asking? That’s why you’re here.”

“You were spying on the Celestial Realm from the start, huh?”

“…….”

The Master of the Twelve Joules suddenly stared at me in silence. I couldn’t read his expression due to the mask, but I sensed a kind of disbelief coming through. Sure enough, he eventually burst into laughter.

“Ha ha! Is that what you call a conversation? You want to have a battle of wits with me? It’s amusing, really, perhaps even foolish…”

He laughed heartily and continued.

“Think from my perspective, Baek Woong. We’re no longer in a position to be friendly.”

“We’re just a relationship of mutual necessity now.”

Think from his perspective?

As I pondered his words, Jang Sam-bong spoke to the Master of the Twelve Joules.

“I’m truly curious about what you are, Master of the Twelve Joules. No matter how much Goryeo is a land filled with extraordinary people, someone like you shouldn’t exist.”

“Everyone who’s seen Baek Woong’s memories thinks the same. Since Baek Woong has revealed quite a bit about me during his reincarnation, it sent shivers down my spine— I might have been at risk of losing my base if I wasn’t careful.”

Shrugging, the Master of the Twelve Joules spoke flatly.

“Well, let’s skip that. We have limited time, so let’s have a go, Jang Sam-bong.”

“Get rid of your foolish desires.”

“Desires are what moves the world.”

Pi-ying –

With a sound like a thread snapping, the first clash between Jang Sam-bong and the Master of the Twelve Joules, Ha Eun-cheon, began!

With a clash that echoed a ‘Kak-kang’, the Cosmic Fragment and Jang Sam-bong’s sword met, and as if following an unspoken agreement, Jang Sam-bong’s Tai Chi Sword Form unleashed fifteen variations to sweep across Ha Eun-cheon’s front. Each one was imbued with the purity of the Wudang Sect’s swordsmanship, and given their differing natures, a single slip in defense would mean being torn apart.

Thud-thud-thud!

The chains of the Cosmic Fragment naturally surrendered the energy of the first Tai Chi move, ‘Push’, as its second chain got caught up in a transforming sword move called ‘Lift’; the nature of the third, which was the Illusory Sword ‘Cut’, burst forth like a spear. Just as the third chain spun away, it eloquently fended off Jang Sam-bong’s initial assault without a trace of waste!

“……!!”

I was taken aback by the Master of the Twelve Joules’ defense from behind.

‘Wow… Perfect!!’

It was utterly flawless, sending chills down my spine!

Jang Sam-bong wasn’t just on par with Yeodong-bin in terms of fist techniques but was undoubtedly the best martial artist in the world. If he were to try and block or dodge the changes in Tai Chi that Jang Sam-bong executed, it would be inevitable that he would show some form of disturbance. Yet the Master of the Twelve Joules, as if it were meant to be, had no waste whatsoever in his defensive movements! That in itself was the epitome of the kind of natural defense that experts dream of, even in their sleep!

“Hmm.”

After twitching his eyebrows, Jang Sam-bong reached out with the Three Refined Masters’ ‘Triumph Hand’ towards the Master of the Twelve Joules. The immense force intended to crush the opponent wouldn’t be easy to blow off, but the Master of the Twelve Joules effortlessly parried it with his chains set as if they were a long sword, charging with the palm of the hand from his Triumphant Foil.

Crack!

With a sound that resembled thunder breaking, the foundation of the chain of the Cosmic Fragment spun and pierced through while Jang Sam-bong ended up exposing his weaknesses! I couldn’t help but gasp at the pinpoint accuracy of the Master of the Twelve Joules’ predictions.

‘The Triumphant Hand has its strongest point right in the center, but penetrating it creates its biggest vulnerabilities…. But that’s…’

It’s something I wouldn’t know without firsthand training from Jang Sam-bong!

However, whether by instinct or luck, the Master of the Twelve Joules pierced through the maximum weakness of the Triumphant Hand with minimal effort! At this rate, no matter how much power was condensed in the Triumphant Hand, it was useless.

Crack!

Boom!

In the skirmish lasting a bit over sixty seconds! Throughout it, Jang Sam-bong launched relentless attacks while the Master of the Twelve Joules defended, dodged, and occasionally counterattacked. One might have tried to attack at least once, but the Master of the Twelve Joules seemed oddly disinterested in offense.

‘Is he not thinking of winning?’

No matter how perfect a defense or counterattack, it ultimately remains a passive strategy. If you want to win a fight, you can’t avoid attacking. Yet the Master of the Twelve Joules seemed to be exerting energy deliberately to focus purely on defense.

Thud!

As the Cosmic Fragment and Jang Sam-bong’s Sword Strength collided, Jang Sam-bong took three steps back to adjust his stance and said.

“…The impossible Absolute Realm… perfection… the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique…. I think I understand what it means now.”

“Hm, what does it mean?”

Jang Sam-bong said firmly.

“It suggests that the Absolute Realm was created by a non-human entity… Fighting you implies that I have to overcome nature itself. It’s not self-control but surpassing control.”

“…….”

“Moreover, I learned that you are someone who cannot meet a Martial God…”

The Master of the Twelve Joules nodded.

“I’ve never met one. But why can’t I encounter one?”

“Because you never approach martial arts for the sake of martial arts itself.”

“Ho ho ho….”

Upon hearing Jang Sam-bong’s words, the Master of the Twelve Joules, Ha Eun-cheon, didn’t look surprised. Instead, he smirked for a moment before coldly responding.

“It doesn’t matter. On that day when everything was in agony beneath the stars, there was no such thing as a Martial God. I have no interest in seeking a nonexistent savior.”

“A Martial God is not a savior.”

The Master of the Twelve Joules tossed back remarks.

“Then I couldn’t care less. What difference is there if an absolute being that does nothing is the same as an observer?”

“Hmm….”

“Goodly God, if you’re going to do nothing, then get off the field! You’re just a nuisance to humanity!”

Screaming in rage, Ha Eun-cheon suddenly unleashed a burst of radiance.

“Alright, I think I understand your foundation. Shall we begin dispelling that overlay?!”

Boom!!

With a sound that shattered the air, Ha Eun-cheon threw forth the full extent of his intent from the Absolute Realm towards Jang Sam-bong. Instantaneously, Jang Sam-bong took the stance of the Peerless Technique to nullify his attack, but right at that moment, rather than strike Jang Sam-bong directly, Ha Eun-cheon focused all his power on the ground below. The moment the chains of the Cosmic Fragment touched the ground, the ground over an area of several tens of paces rapidly transformed into icy whiteness.

Kaboom!

It collapses!!

Due to tremendous power, the ground where the cocoon had been located shattered, causing an earthquake. I hurriedly wrapped up the Yacha and attempted to escape from there, and as I leaped to the surface using the Heavenly Sovereign and Light Body Technique, I could see Jang Sam-bong’s Peerless Technique flaring.

Pah-at!

As if summoned through the Cosmic Fragment, an Ice Dragon roared with enormous power, enveloping Jang Sam-bong, only to explode upon the harmony of yin and yang, revealing Jang Sam-bong without a single scratch.

“That level is useless.”

“It seems so. I can’t settle things with martial arts against you.”

After rendering the Master of the Twelve Joules’ initial attack ineffective, Jang Sam-bong displayed a majesty akin to an absolute being, swirling with yin and yang behind his back. Even the Master of the Twelve Joules couldn’t pierce through Jang Sam-bong’s absolute defense known as the Peerless Technique.

The Master of the Twelve Joules murmured.

“Then I must conclude this without resorting to martial arts.”

But in the next moment, I was wide-eyed.

Wooooo

Wooooo—

With a strange cry, space opened behind Ha Eun-cheon, and a massive flaming bird began to materialize. The flaming bird curled momentarily, stretching its splendid wings as if mimicking a peacock, each feather ablaze in ethereal flames. It could easily measure thirty paces, and the overwhelming spirit power it held was enough to stifle even from a good distance away.

Caw!

As Ha Eun-cheon mounted the flaming bird and soared into the sky, Jang Sam-bong, who was floating opposite him, spoke with a hardened expression.

“…Phoenix.”

“If all goes well, I might not completely shatter the Peerless Technique with this fellow, but you’re currently forcibly materializing in this state by consuming the Law of Cause and Effect.”

“…….”

The Master of the Twelve Joules crossed his arms as he spoke.

“You need to exit now.”

Whoooosh!

In the next moment, a flash filled my vision. At the same time, the phoenix summoned by the Master of the Twelve Joules merely opened its mouth to unleash blinding light, and it became evident that this sensation was destroying not only the altar where offerings were placed but the castle itself. A quantity of light reminiscent of a pillar of light exploded forth endlessly, and I was caught up in the shockwave, flying outside like a madman.

‘Aaaah!!’

I screamed internally as I was flung outside. I eventually crashed onto the ground, rolling around. For a long time, I was overwhelmed by pain throughout my body and couldn’t move due to the agony. A normal human would have been dead a hundred times over from that impact, but it still felt acceptable.

“Ugh….”

As I staggered to my feet, a moonlit glow flickered before me, opening a rift in space. Emerging through that rift was none other than the Master of the Twelve Joules, Ha Eun-cheon, waving one hand at me.

“Hey! You alright? Can you see this?”

“…Is that the ability of the Moon Sovereign?”

“Seems like it? To be precise, it’s borrowing the power to activate theoretical techniques from the Moon Sovereign. Spatial Transmission Techniques are really convenient.”

“And Jang Sam-bong…?”

“He went back to the Celestial Realm. Poor guy. After taking that much damage while forcefully materialized, he might drop from being a Great Immortal to an Earth Immortal… or even a Human Immortal! Hehe.”

The Master of the Twelve Joules spoke coyly, but I couldn’t help but stare at his left arm.

“You don’t look all that intact yourself.”

Sure enough, the Master of the Twelve Joules was missing his left arm, and his shoulder was covered in blood. Jang Sam-bong had given him a run for his money, as expected. The Master of the Twelve Joules then summoned green light, and his limbs instantly regenerated.

“Eh, now I’m all good.”

He muttered in awe.

“Jang Sam-bong is remarkable. For someone who summoned a phoenix, I ended up taking this much damage. Is that the kind of destructive power your Peerless Technique can unleash?”

The recovery ability of the Sacred Altar Tree truly is absurd!

While I was inwardly astonished, the Master of the Twelve Joules nodded, and shortly after, the Three Masters came into view surrounding me. As I suddenly found myself encircled by the Master of the Twelve Joules and the Three Masters, I grew tense and said to the Master of the Twelve Joules.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

“I already told you. From now on, we’re forming a relationship of mutual necessity.”

“So what exactly does that mean?”

“You seem genuinely perplexed, don’t you? This is quite…”

The Master of the Twelve Joules shook his head and then elaborated.

“What you need is world peace, right? Therefore, I will give you a chance to fight for that peace. In exchange, what I need is your Rebirth Ability, so from now on, I’ll have to extract that from you. Let’s go to a suitable place for that.”

“…….”

As I stiffened, Ha Eun-cheon rested his chin on my shoulder.

“We’ll need to help each other.”