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True Martial Home

In the instant before facing Musashi, he blazed forward with the mightiest strike.

Ultimate Technique

Peerless Slash

The ultimate move that had once slain countless Sea God Clan creatures in a single blow!

With that overwhelming power etched in my memory, I couldn’t help but feel the chilling grip of death, and at the same time, I realized Musashi wasn’t planning on dragging this fight out.

Why? Because unlike his usual stance during battles with the Sword Demon, he opted for a head-on clash of sword energies as if he wanted to showcase skills. Jumping straight into using the Peerless Slash was a clear declaration that he wanted to end this quickly.

‘Does he see me as an underling?’

Nah, that can’t be it.

If he thought of me as a mere underling, he would’ve started with basic techniques to gauge my strength before ending it. By using the Peerless Slash right off the bat, he was likely expressing his desire for a quick victory without underestimating me. He also presumed that the Peerless Slash would reveal my true capabilities. In that fleeting moment, I discreetly observed the aura of the Peerless Slash, and beyond its transparent essence, I could see it slicing through dimensions, poised to exploit my flaws.

My hand drew the Tai Chi symbol.

As my right hand took lead, my foot landed on the Ground-impact Technique, and just when the sound of that overwhelming strike echoed through the ground, the ultimate technique of the peerless combat master erupted from my hands.

Peerless Technique!

Boom!

A bloodstorm erupted all around, creating a whirlwind. It felt almost apocalyptic as the whirlwind began to dismantle the Dragon Cloud Palace bit by bit, lifting fragments of rock into the sky, causing me to frown in disdain.

‘Looks like I couldn’t completely nullify his power…’

If I had perfectly neutralized the Peerless Slash with my technique, such destructive energy wouldn’t spill into the surroundings. I needed to turn Musashi’s blade into air with nothing more than the void of my own swordplay. But the sheer force packed into the Peerless Slash, infused with the power of the absolute realm, was too much. Sure, I managed to defend against the Peerless Slash, but the aftermath was unavoidable. Musashi’s expression lit up as he witnessed my ability to block his strike.

“Remarkable! Did you really just defend against the Peerless Slash? What technique is that?”

“Don’t you know?”

I teased him, but Musashi merely nodded.

“I don’t! I’ve never seen such martial arts in Dongyoung or Goryeo. Enlighten me.”

“…….”

Isn’t that a bit too honest?

But given he was a real martial artist who’s just obsessed with martial prowess, it was understandable that morals didn’t really exist for him.

I had no reason to deceive him, so I replied slowly.

“Wudang Sect’s Seven Great Techniques, the ultimate Peerless Technique!”

“The Peerless Technique… Huh… fascinating indeed.”

Musashi grinned with satisfaction, but that smile sent chills down my spine.

‘Damn it. That guy must have already figured out the essence of the Peerless Technique and he’s still smiling?’

As a master of the absolute realm, Musashi undoubtedly understood that the Peerless Technique had the power to nullify an opponent’s strength. Given that, it’s practically the worst match-up for him, but he still remained composed. Instead, when I tensed up slightly, Musashi said:

“It’s been ages since I’ve faced a worthy opponent. Heh heh…”

Musashi’s nonchalance was irking me. I was feeling increasingly unhappy, like he was looking down on me. So, I shot back.

“Don’t act so high and mighty. You got wrecked by Ha Eun-cheon, remember?”

That’s a fact he couldn’t really argue against!

“……”

Musashi’s expression turned cold in an instant.

Winning might involve a bit of psychological warfare too. I kept prattling on smoothly, aiming to throw him off balance.

“You might be seeking a way to counter Ha Eun-cheon’s Heavenly Unrestrained Technique by searching for master martial artists from the Central Plains, but wake up! You’re not the strongest swordbearer yet!”

“Not the strongest…?”

“Yup.”

“So you have seen a swordsman stronger than me? Really, is there anyone like that in the Central Plains?”

An air of suspicion clouded Musashi’s face. I frowned.

‘Seriously, what an arrogant twig…’

That question itself was outlandish, essentially him asserting that no one could ever outshine him in swordsmanship.

But I firmly replied.

“There is! Your Spirit Sword’s brilliance doesn’t even touch the level of their sword forms.”

“And who are they?”

“If they could land a proper strike on me, then I’ll let you know.”

“Alright….”

I was still poking at him, yet Musashi’s gaze deepened, indicating he was entering a state of extreme focus. Noticing this shift, a chill ran down my spine.

‘Crap! Now he’s actually honing in even sharper? What’s with this guy…’

It seems Musashi really is Musashi.

Though feeling bitterness in my mouth, I focused on his assault.

Boom!

This time, Musashi didn’t launch a massive technique like the Peerless Slash, but instead entered the Dongyoung Swordplay stance, demonstrating his unique footwork. His position was angled upward from the lower stance, showcasing classic forms.

Yet – it was mesmerizing, devoid of even the slightest waste.

Being knowledgeable about Dongyoung Swordplay, I recognized the technique immediately.

‘Heavenly Tengu’s One Sword Slash!’

This was surely a technique once utilized by the Kashima Sword Hero! A martial art where offense and defense occur in a single breath, reputed for its long history. I’d thought it might have been a too simplistic technique for someone like Musashi, but his execution was far smoother and more restrained than what I had witnessed before.

‘… Surely he’s internalized the techniques from the Kashima Sword Hero. But how could a side-glance prodigy outdo the original?’

What insane talent!

Whoosh!

Though I admired his skill, I deployed my Ultimate Technique while channeling my Protective Energy Technique to whirl around me. This time, my intent was to read the trajectory of his blade and deflect his attack. I didn’t use the Peerless Technique because I sensed Musashi had realized its essence.

‘If I use the Peerless Technique outside of blocking a major blow, my risk factor would accumulate.’

I had no solid reasoning, but my instinct urged that. By opting to attack with a technique potentially stronger than the Peerless Slash, he was likely aiming to exploit the opening left after the Peerless Technique was executed. Naturally, I couldn’t afford to give him that opening, so I needed to counter his attack deftly.

Whizz!

As my technique unfolded, I read Musashi’s attacking trajectory and was able to parry his strike to the side. But just then, Musashi’s sword intent immediately shifted, brutally changing its path to slice my throat. With a swift demeanor, I responded by using the Thunder Sword to confront him head-on.

Boom!!

The Thunder Sword erupted with light to dazzle my eyes, and Musashi’s killing intent erupted. As the flashes played out like fireworks, I struggled to keep my grip on my shaking hands while clashing against Musashi.

Crash!

Boom!!

It was as if we were hammering each other with actual hammers! Musashi and I abandoned the finesse of sword energy and engaged in raw power, seeking to measure dominance and timing.

Then it dawned on me.

‘… It’s an even match.’

In truth, our advantages seemed to cancel each other out.

Given my internal power and the strength of the Thunder Sword, it should have been natural for me to dominate. However, Musashi’s Intent Heavenly Pillar, as befitting a master of the absolute realm, was making up for any difference instantly. As a result, neither of us could gain the upper hand only through sheer strength, and it would transform into a battle of wits and skill.

“Ugh.”

I grunted at the weight of the situation, and Musashi raised his sword horizontally.

“This is entertaining. This is the first time I’ve fought like this.”

“What?”

“My battlefield instincts against your techniques… let’s see which side prevails!”

His eyes were now glowing with determination as if he were tapping into an even deeper focus. I swallowed, recognizing that the key variable at this moment was clear.

‘Divine Kill Slash!’

While my history with the Divine Kill Slash hadn’t been stellar, it’s still the most potent sword energy Musashi possesses. And since the Peerless Technique hadn’t fully shadowed his power, it meant there was a chance the Divine Kill Slash could breach through.

Sure, this was the worst case scenario. If I maintain full focus on the Peerless Technique, I could definitely block the Divine Kill Slash. But Musashi wasn’t some wooden puppet; he would strategically distract me to prevent unwavering focus on the Peerless Technique. He’d likely utilize the myriad techniques he knew from Dongyoung Swordplay to create openings. No doubt about that.

If the Divine Kill Slash came crashing down and I tried to block it, that could mean victory for me. Feeling exhaustion hit after using the Divine Kill Slash, Musashi would surely find himself worn down, and I could steer the battle towards a culmination of stamina and qi to claim my win.

Yet, if he manages to pierce through the gaps in my Peerless Technique, I’d be toast.

“……”

With the intuition of a reborn soul, I sensed trouble brewing in this encounter. As Musashi noted, what determines the outcome was his innate battle instinct or the caliber of his talent. If his innate talent transcended the limits of all my training and martial arts, then the Divine Kill Slash could exploit any inadequacies in my Peerless Technique to strike me down.

And though it seemed frustrating, my instincts were screaming that Musashi’s talent held enough potential for that. That guy was an unprecedented genius in the history of Dongyoung martial arts!

A shiver coursed through my spine as I felt a cold sweat bead down. If this dragged into a prolonged battle, leveraging techniques and strategies, I would eventually find myself cornered to an untimely demise!

This wasn’t just instinct; it was the battle experience I gained from clashing with Musashi twice, putting my life on the line. If even the genius Sword Demon struggled against Musashi’s instincts, then my martial arts, however diverse, would inevitably expose weakness. Just look at Jin So-cheong for reference; geniuses can defy the annals of martial arts.

‘Shit! Then I need to throw in a variable to outsmart him! What should I do?’

What should I do?

Use what I’ve got!

Muttering internally, I slowly raised my hands. Seeing my motion as a cue to cast the Peerless Technique, Musashi let out a chuckle.

“That formidable technique requires unwavering focus and perfect harmony of yin and yang to function properly. I will seize upon your lapse!”

“I know. But you’re not the only one with sneaky tricks.”

“What?”

“Heh, just watch.”

I grinned slyly while donning a mask out of nowhere. As the Technique of All Things reached its first level, the essence of a being I had previously met began to envelop me.

Swoosh!

Moments later, my being transformed into that particular entity, and Musashi’s eyes twitched in surprise.

“Who are you turning into?”

I narrowed my eyes and spoke ominously with Six Harmonies Assembly.

[The Greatest in the Central Plains!]

Whoosh!

As I summoned fifty energy orbs in the air creating a vortex of darkness, Miyamoto Musashi swiftly began parrying each of the incoming orbs. Each orb held tremendous force, capable of shredding even a peak expert. Yet, to my surprise, Musashi dispatched them just like tossing aside pebbles.

In that brief moment he was occupied, I concentrated all my internal power into my palms, unleashing a colossal Lion’s Roar coupled with forbidden words.

[Saba ha!]

Grrr…

‘I can’t believe…’

As the immense mandala surged behind me, beaming with energy, I felt the draining effects take hold over my body. It was like experiencing the exhaustion following an onslaught of power akin to what Yeodong-bin displayed when wielding his treasures.

‘For crying out loud… Is my power no match for…? There’s still a gap between me and the true Primordial Spirit…’

Yet, failing here meant defeat, so I steeled my resolve, forcing the mandala into motion, and alongside the sacred incantation, a gigantic beam of energy shot toward Musashi.

Boom!!

“Ugh!!”

For the first time, Musashi let out a scream and staggered back. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, it seemed he couldn’t properly defend, especially since it cloaked itself in chaos. However, he hadn’t suffered serious injuries; it just felt like he chose to retreat to conserve his energy.

Musashi flipped in the air before landing amid the remaining debris of the Dragon Cloud Palace. He scrutinized my transformed figure and remarked, “Next time, I’ll behead you.”

[You’d probably think so. Even if you employ the White Lotus Sect’s tactics, those tricks won’t fool me again.]

“White Lotus Sect?”

Musashi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Swoosh!

I raised my hand once more, swapping out for another mask.

And now I wore the face of Thunder God Lineage’s Zhuge Bu.

“So I suppose I should give it a whirl according to what I know.”

Snapping!

In unison, the power of thunder began to flow through me.

The first level of the Technique of All Things lacks the efficiency to siphon all abilities from my opponent like the second level does.

But—if I understand the enemy well and have enough experience with their persona, I could mimic their abilities just like an actor!

While my abilities and skills may not reach their original heights, it’s still a façade.

‘I will win.’

There’s not a single mask I couldn’t don after being reborn twenty-seven times.