844——————==

True Martial Home

So, Miyamoto Musashi’s gonna get hit with the Soul Exchange Technique using the Lunar Kill Technique?

I was a bit dazed by Zhuge Sa’s scheme, but I quickly snapped back and said, “Zhuge Sa! He’s a master in the Absolute Realm! If it were some other random guy, sure, but how can anyone—”

“Miao Xiang Xian Ling (Cat Collar Bell)… Does that sound like a mouse asking for a bell to be put around a cat’s neck?”

“Kind of.”

“The hard part is if you’re the mouse. But you’re not a mouse.”

“What?”

Zhuge Sa let out a short sigh.

“Ha… If we’re talking pure martial arts level, you’re naturally weaker than Miyamoto Musashi. But if you’re not picky about your tactics, you could definitely surpass him.”

“…”

“Giving you this tactic might not even help you much. So for now, figure out a way yourself to catch Musashi.”

“Um… got it.”

It seems Zhuge Sa thinks that if I harness all my potential, I could take on Musashi alone. It’s kind of embarrassing since I’ve leaned on him a bit too much. After a moment, I asked Zhuge Sa, “It sounds great to get the Lunar Kill Technique, but isn’t it pointless if I learn it now?”

“Why would it be pointless?”

“Because it’s a martial technique meant specifically for geniuses, and it’s a derivative that Musashi reinvented. It’s not like the Seven Great Techniques or other legitimate martial arts. Plus, with all the martial skills I already have, I don’t really need it…”

“That might be true from a martial arts perspective.”

Zhuge Sa glanced at me and continued.

“But at the same time, it’s the only absolute martial art designed to target ‘Divine Killing.'”

“……!!”

“While the divine arts of the Four Great Families or the Seven Great Techniques aren’t necessarily inferior to the Lunar Kill Technique, their symbolism is different. The inheritance that aims for Divine Killing is solely the Lunar Kill Technique. That means that its source must have some mythical secret. Why? Because if you aren’t aware of the god, the ‘Old Ruler’ who dominates the darkness in this world, you couldn’t even conceive of a concept like Divine Killing.”

“Uh-huh.”

That made sense.

“And no matter how much of a genius Musashi is, he can’t recreate something that doesn’t exist. Especially when it comes to an absolute martial art, it can’t be created from nothing. He would definitely have had something, like a book, an ancient ruin, or a person who could be called a ‘master.’ Chasing after that clue is key to uncovering the essence of the Lunar Kill Technique.”

“Got it.”

“While we’re at it, let’s try and catch Miyamoto Musashi with the Soul Exchange Technique and find out what situation he was in when he faced the King of the Life Sea.”

As I stepped out in front of Zhuge Sa, I thought, ‘Hmm… how on earth do I catch Musashi…?’

Finding Miyamoto Musashi shouldn’t be hard. He’s currently working as a special investigator for the Twelve Joules, using the techniques of the Absolute Realm to hide his aura by slicing through space in order to monitor the abnormal happenings in the Imperial Palace. Of course, he might not be there, but based on past lives, there’s an 80-90% chance he is.

Because from the perspective of the Master of the Twelve Joules, having Musashi stationed in the Imperial Palace means a tremendous advantage. He could simultaneously gain real-time information about the palace, which is the most concerning demonic force, and his informant is a master of the Absolute Realm, making it impossible for anyone to meddle with him. So they wouldn’t just send him away.

But what should I do once I get there?

I could call out to Musashi and make him come over. Out of curiosity, he would likely reveal himself to a phantom who sensed his aura, and given his prideful and confident personality, he’d be even more likely to do it.

The problem comes afterward. I could hold my own against Musashi unarmed but I couldn’t create an opening to unleash the Soul Exchange Technique. I’d need at least twenty breaths’ worth of touch to link the Soul Exchange Technique, and creating a gap like that with an absolute master like Musashi is almost impossible.

With the crude techniques I know, like sorcery or magic, I can’t find an opening against Musashi. I’d have to be at least a high-level sorcerer for anything to work on him, but I just don’t have that capability. Techniques like shadow skills or stealth won’t get past the Absolute Realm—that’s obvious. Plus, using my strongest spell, the Evil God’s command, would just end up killing Musashi instead of giving me a chance for the Soul Exchange Technique. It would be super awkward to kill him, especially when I wanted to cast the Soul Exchange Technique. And honestly, using the Evil God’s command on him would feel like a waste.

So, the options left would be the Moon Sovereign and the Great Destruction.

If I fought utilizing the power of the Three Divine Tools with the Moon Sovereign properly, I could match or even exceed Musashi’s level. But that’s just speculation, and if I really fought with a master of the Absolute Realm, I don’t know how it would go. The Absolute Realm is a state that bends the laws with Intent Heavenly Pillar, so who knows how Musashi’s genius combat instincts would influence the fight?

‘ Surely, I’d be able to take Musashi down with the Great Destruction technique. But…’

I don’t have confidence in using it. The Great Destruction would boost my combat power dramatically, but controlling my own martial arts would be tricky, making it impossible not to kill someone as skilled as Musashi. Besides, going in and quickly dispatching him and then calling his soul back with the Heavenly Secret would just be too dark and against the rules, making me hesitant. Musashi might be a conceited guy, but I wouldn’t go so far as to consider him evil.

Also, even if I unleashed the Great Destruction, I’d still need the Life Force Sharing technique to survive, and right now, the only one who could perform that technique with me is Zhuge Sa. I can’t afford to shorten his lifespan even more when he already has so much on his plate, so using the Great Destruction isn’t an option.

Do I just plunge in and try something?

If I had the National Seal, I could’ve amplified my power using its spirit to fight, but giving that away to a prophet as information feels like a sore point. It was definitely valuable info, but it kinda stings when you need the force.

I was pondering this when a historical proverb popped into my head.

Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win a hundred battles.

‘ Now that I think about it, I have experience with Musashi teaching the Sword Demon his techniques…!!’

Mangnyang, through the Mirror of Clarity, gathered the experience from my companions and poured it all into me! Among those memories was when Miyamoto Musashi trained his comrades, including the Sword Demon, who was part of an earlier unit, to prepare for the assault from the Eight Divine Beings. I hadn’t paid much attention to those memories until now. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a way to fight Musashi recorded in that training.

I immediately moved to the Cave of Jangryeong and began meditating, trying to revive those memories.

[ It’s a fixation close to madness. All masters have their own beliefs, but those who can push beyond that and abandon everything with absolute conviction… can cut down even a Buddha if they meet one… Only such beings can elevate their ‘level.’ ]

[ You can’t use overwhelming talent to break through like me or that Jin So-cheong. If that’s not possible, you’ve got no choice but to break through with philosophy. ]

[ Is there a way to think of training? ]

[ It’s a million cuts training. ]

Musashi instructed the Sword Demon, Jin So-cheong, Cheongwol, and the Extreme Tiger to make a million cuts. It sounds like a lot, but practicing swinging that many times a day would be torturous; they swung over a hundred times that short time! They went all day without rest, swinging until their muscles felt like they were tearing off.

Ouch.

Just reading that training memory made me flinch in acute muscle pain. No matter how high-level you are, a million cuts is no joke. Excluding the Sword Demon, the other three collapsed midway through the training, only the Sword Demon could transcend himself and endure until the end.

And only after making a million cuts did Musashi finally share his martial discussion.

[ Look, Sword Demon. What exists in this empty space? ]

[ Nothing exists. ]

[ Even the state of non-existence is still ‘existence.’ ]

BANG!!

In that moment, Musashi slashed right through the empty space. The Sword Demon, who witnessed the art of the Absolute Realm up close, forgot his fatigue and was in awe, but Musashi slowly sheathed his sword and coldly said,

[ If you think everything in this world is ‘existence,’ you can slash through everything. And to achieve that realm, your sword must reach ‘non-existence.’ This doesn’t mean merely practicing emptiness but granting emptiness to your very self. This is the martial discussion I’ve honed, the essence of the Book of Five Wheels. ]

[ ‘Emptiness’… So, does that imply the Primordial Void…? ]

[ I don’t know what that is. But I feel you must first kill your own self to kill everything else. ]

Swoosh.

Musashi’s body gradually became hazy and then completely disappeared from that space. He cut through his presence to completely conceal himself from the world. Then Musashi used the Six Harmonies Assembly to speak to the Sword Demon.

[ You realized that while you were making a million cuts, you forgot yourself and focused only on ‘slicing.’ Keep that state and forget all your senses to achieve ’emptiness.’ ]

[ ……!! ]

[ Slice the void with emptiness. Cut that which does not exist! ]

The Sword Demon closed his eyes. He began to eliminate all his senses and even his sixth sense. Born with a natural talent for martial arts, he was able to grasp how to elevate his level due to Musashi’s word. After a while, Musashi reappeared from his stealth and struck the Sword Demon.

Clang!!

In that moment, the Sword Demon and Musashi’s swords clashed. It was a surprise attack coming from behind without any forewarning, yet the Sword Demon firmly sensed Musashi’s blow from the Absolute Realm and blocked it! Musashi withdrew his sword and smiled with satisfaction.

[ I’ve done this thousands of times with Kojiro, and he’s still clueless… but you’ve now taken your first step into the Absolute Realm. ]

From that point on, the Sword Demon fully realized the insights and conviction he’d taken into the Absolute Realm. Of course, afterward Musashi and the Sword Demon fought two more times to mutual destruction, but their training undeniably embodied the sprit of a Grand Master.

After viewing the entire memory, I contemplated.

Is the key to the Lunar Kill Technique ’emptiness’?

‘ Achieving emptiness within yourself, treating everything but yourself as ‘existence’ so you can consider it something you can cut—that is Musashi’s Absolute Realm?’

It seemed somewhat similar to the Buddhist concept of void, but it was entirely different. Because Musashi’s emptiness held violent aggression and extreme murderous intent. Moreover, he chose to refine emptiness not as a means of achieving enlightenment but as a sharp weapon.

‘ Should I prepare for this…?’

I decided to replay the combat between the Sword Demon and Musashi in my mind.

‘ Here I go!’

Closing my eyes, I meditated while reviving the battle memory and began to mentally recreate it. It was a kind of virtual sparring.

Whoosh…

In the darkness, two figures clash. One was Musashi, and the other was the Sword Demon.

I began to feel the state of the Sword Demon wielding his sword and sluggishly unfolded that duel.

Musashi’s strong sword sweep was coming down hard. Since I had already seen this duel in memory, I knew this sword was a clever technique aimed at countering an approach. Thus, while embodying the Sword Demon, I instantly countered with the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique’s Left Soul Snatch.

‘ I know the answer; I can’t be wrong… huh?’

Slashing noise.

But the moment I executed the Left Soul Snatch, Musashi’s first strike broke through my defense and cleaved down on my shoulder and chest. It was a fatal injury, enough to lead to immediate death, and I instantly felt my mind go hazy.

What? The sequence was correct; why did this happen…?

Gulp.

In the next moment of the virtual sparring, the Sword Demon’s head was severed. I paused the simulation in my mind and opened my eyes wide.

” ……!!”

What just happened?

I was bewildered in a situation where I had seemingly written down the answers yet failed to get them right. So, sitting there, I tried recreating the virtual sparring again, but this time I was cut down first as well.

I couldn’t understand why this situation was happening. Feeling confused, I decided to make the virtual sparring a different strategy. But no matter the approach, I kept dying, and the results never changed.

‘ Damn it! If it fails, keep trying until it works…’

After hundreds of attempts, I finally sensed why this was happening.

The pure difference in skill.

I instinctively felt the gap in skill level between me and the masters of the Absolute Realm. So, with my current ability falling short of the Sword Demon’s, using the same technique could yield completely different results! Though it was a mental simulation, it felt like it was reflecting my reality.

” Ugh…”

So, was this really just a waste after all?

Did I just foolishly squander my time again?

I could’ve simply suppressed Musashi with the sorcerous arts, but here I was, letting pride push me into a head-on confrontation!

While all these thoughts swirled in my mind, I bit my lip. And with a bitter heart, I exclaimed, “No!!”

I can’t just stand here awed by the Absolute Realm forever!

I am not in a position to gawk at the Absolute Realm as if it were a marvel.

There are countless enemies who are dozens or hundreds of times stronger than me; how long do I plan to keep this up?!

“I will break through somehow!!”

Driven by stubbornness, I restarted the virtual sparring. After all, this virtual sparring was meant to produce the most realistic result based on my memories and experiences, meaning there’s not just one ‘right answer’ that Musashi laid out. I was determined to mobilize every aspect of the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique to somehow pierce through Musashi’s Camellia Revenge counterattack.

KABOOM!

How many times has my head rolled? I had already run through 250 scenarios, and devastated at never having managed to strike back even once. Unless my strategy was compelling enough to convince that I could indeed defend against Musashi’s supreme fast sword, I couldn’t make progress. Perhaps the fact that I hadn’t even reached the Sword Demon’s toe in mastering the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique was being reflected here.

Then I had to use the martial arts I was most accustomed to and skilled at.

I cast the Peerless Technique to properly defend against Musashi’s attacks. While it certainly held the line, moments later I stiffened and ended up being decapitated from Musashi’s next three strikes. As I executed the Peerless Technique in the virtual sparring, I discovered what went wrong.

‘ … It’s because of my experience fighting the Celestial Sage. If Musashi is as astute as the Celestial Sage, he could pierce through any gaps I’ve left… that’s how I’m dragging this on.’

In reality, that is quite possible. Just as the Celestial Sage coaxed my flail strikes, Musashi could lead me into an opening. I pondered endlessly and started to mentally replay the virtual sparring in short bursts once again.

…

After about ten days and nights of racking my brain, I managed to input approximately 125,000 virtual scenarios. And I reached a conclusion.

” You need to understand what ’emptiness’ is…”

After countless iterations of virtual sparring, I felt I had grasped the core of Musashi’s martial art.

Emptiness.

The difference between the Sword Demon and me lay in whether I understood and could respond to Musashi’s ability to reduce himself to the core of emptiness. If I grasp that concept, I could block or dodge any technique, but if I didn’t, any technique I attempted would be futile.

But I still couldn’t quite comprehend it. I could feel that there was a distortion in the laws surrounding Musashi, creating a strange current, but how on earth should I block or evade it? The flow seemed capable of distorting even thought itself, thus it was beyond what I could tackle right now.

Feeling this wall before me, I finally had no choice but to call upon Yeodong-bin.

[ Dharma Protector, have you called upon me for something? ]

This felt like my first time summoning him in this life.

” I feel stuck at a wall with martial arts… what exactly is ’emptiness’?”

I relayed to Yeodong-bin everything I had been pondering up till now. He seemed to contemplate for a long moment after hearing my story.

[ Dharma Protector, I have a request. ]

” What is it?”

Yeodong-bin gazed at me with pure and serene eyes and said,

[ I wish to borrow your body for a brief moment to have one duel with that Musashi. ]