Black God Martial Art (2)
Black God Martial Art. There are many in this world who don't know the true nature of this meridian. But after I shared information about the Black God Martial Art with the old-timers who haunt the community forums, their verdict was unanimous.
The Black God Martial Art is the strongest martial art.
'What a crazy martial art.'
The Reverse Heaven Body is a constitution where Reverse Heaven Qi flows through the body, making it impossible to use mana. And this Reverse Heaven Body possesses the power to nullify most mana-based abilities.
Reverse Heaven Qi. Martial arts powered by this force—
The Black God Martial Art can only be used with the Reverse Heaven Qi inherent to the Reverse Heaven Body. If someone tries to use the Black God Martial Art without Reverse Heaven Qi... it's just a half-baked version. Sure, it might still rank in the top tiers, but...
A martial art created from the power that renders all mana-based abilities, martial arts, magic, and the like null and void—
To explain the Black God Martial Art simply: it turns the opponent's every defense and attack into nothing.
That's right. This insane martial art called the Black God Martial Art pierces through all defenses.
However, the entry barrier is high. You need a Reverse Heaven Body just to start learning it. And that's not the end of it. It also requires spiritual talent, and Reverse Heaven Qi doesn't accumulate as easily as you might think.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword had explained it up to that point.
Well, words alone probably won't make it click. You won't get it unless you learn it in real combat.
Ssssh!
Black qi erupted from the Black Heaven Demon Sword, quickly taking shape.
It formed into the figure of a woman. Black hair, red eyes. She wore a cheongsam with black stripes on a white base, a pipe in hand.
"The sword's form can't easily teach its master. Consider yourself lucky, Master. Thanks to the previous owner's preparations, I was able to manifest in this world."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword smiled languidly.
"Or maybe it's the other way around. A pubescent boy's hormones might find this body of mine quite stimulating."
She smirked, pursing her lips.
In normal circumstances, I might have been tempted.
"Not interested."
But my situation isn't normal. I might not die tomorrow, but soon enough. No time to get hung up on a woman in a situation like this.
"No fun."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword pouted.
"Let's get on with it. The sooner I master this martial art, even by a day, the lower my odds of sudden death."
"...Fine. Let's start with some light breathing exercises, then?"
"Breathing?"
"Yes, breathing. Here, I'll demonstrate."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword put the pipe in her mouth and moved behind my back. She placed her hand on it.
"Reverse Heaven Qi is different in nature from mana. If you were an ordinary mana practitioner, it wouldn't be dangerous, but if you move, you might end up crippled even if you're lucky. Stay still."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword warned me. I nodded.
"Here goes."
Something began flowing in from my back. It coursed through my body.
This is Reverse Heaven Qi.
Fierce, ferocious black qi, guided by the Black Heaven Demon Sword, began threading through my body. Slowly. She was being careful.
A sudden doubt arose. The Reverse Heaven Qi didn't seem as dangerous as I'd thought. Not dangerous—familiar.
Is it because of my incomprehensible talent?
Still, I followed the Black Heaven Demon Sword's guidance. Reverse Heaven Qi is dangerous. A mistake in directing it could cripple you, even if you're lucky. Touching it might be the trigger itself. No need to poke the hornet's nest.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword gathered the Reverse Heaven Qi in the center. Toward the heart. The lower dantian, as it's commonly called. Or the place where magic circles are formed, the source of spells.
She shaped it into a sphere there.
"Phew. Finally made it."
"That's it?"
"No, this is just the basics of the basics. The Black God Martial Art begins by harboring the Black God within the body. For now, start by infusing Reverse Heaven Qi into the black essence formed in your heart."
"Like this?"
"...?"
As I gathered the Reverse Heaven Qi I felt inside toward my heart, the Black Heaven Demon Sword stared at me in a daze.
"H-how did you...?"
"It just worked."
Literally, it just did. The Reverse Heaven Qi moved at my will. It occasionally resisted like a tantrum, but settled down and obeyed right away.
"...Move the qi. The Reverse Heaven Body constantly accumulates Reverse Heaven Qi within. Scrape it all out from inside to form the black essence."
I followed the Black Heaven Demon Sword's guidance. The black essence formed in no time.
My Reverse Heaven Body was acquired postnatally. Not much Reverse Heaven Qi yet.
I gathered the Reverse Heaven Qi toward my heart. The seed-sized black essence grew to about half the size of a thumbnail.
"Done."
"...Already?"
I thought there'd be no more surprises, but this talent surpasses imagination.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword, now in front of me, widened her eyes. She looked kinda cute like that.
Entered the Black God Martial Art Breathing Method.
Learned the Forgotten Meridian!
2,000p awarded!
I looked at the Black Heaven Demon Sword. Up close, she was like a fairy.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword gazed at Lee Seoha with quiet eyes.
This boy was no ordinary person. Honestly, she hadn't even expected as much from the previous owner. That woman had been extraordinarily gifted, even by the Black Heaven Demon Sword's standards.
Grandmaster. One exceptionally talented in creating martial arts.
She had Reverse Heaven Qi but couldn't learn existing martial arts. So she created her own.
The framework was the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Possible only because of her position as vice sect leader.
She harnessed Reverse Heaven Qi and clothed it in martial arts. And she reigned as the world's greatest of her era.
Then the master prepared to find her successor.
10 years. 100 years. 300 years passed.
No one with the Reverse Heaven Body aptitude appeared. As if it were a mistake of the heavens.
So the master laid countless contingencies into the world.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword was one of them.
Perhaps I can witness the end of your meridian.
The meridian the previous owner created was theoretically perfect. She couldn't master it fully due to her congenital disability, but the successor is different.
Perhaps stronger than her back then— no, definitely stronger.
Because that's how she'll make him.
"I've changed my mind. I was going to focus on mastering the breathing method today, but given your talent, entry-level breathing won't suffice."
"What's next?"
"I'll teach you the forms of the Black God Martial Art."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword reached out. The Black Heaven Demon Sword on the floor floated up and flew into her grasp like it was sucked in.
"Master, have you learned any martial arts before?"
"No, not a single one."
"That's a shame. The Black God Martial Art isn't bound to weapons. Its essence is breaking the opponent's defense and striking them. It's the natural predator of anything powered by mana. Protective auras or wizards' barriers painstakingly built over hundreds of days can't block Reverse Heaven Qi."
"So the Black God Martial Art ignores weapons. Faster. Straighter. That's enough to leave no opponents for its practitioners."
Yes, borrowing the previous owner's words, she added with evident delight.
"The Black God Martial Art is, if anything, just a better way to use your body. That's enough to have no rivals. But its depth is shallow as a result. No need to worry, though. The previous owner was a grandmaster. The Black God Martial Art covers many weapons."
"Then I should learn self-defense and swordsmanship."
"Good thinking. A martial artist must always assume the worst. I want to stick to you like a leech, but we might get separated."
"Just start the lesson."
"No heart."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword assumed a stance.
"One of the Black God Martial Art meridians: Black Flash Sword Method."
She moved.
The sword forms of the Black Flash Sword Method.
My impression of the Black Flash Sword Method was simple.
Fast.
The Black Flash Sword Method was just fast.
"As you saw, the Black Flash Sword Method is purely about speed. The next sword method changes things a bit, but for entry-level swordsmanship, nothing beats it."
"Yeah?"
I picked up a wooden sword scattered nearby and mimicked the Black Flash Sword Method.
The next day, class proceeded.
Understanding close-quarters combat. This class hones close-combat senses mainly through 'sparring.' They say one real fight beats several theory lessons.
"With that in mind, today's first lesson is straight into sparring."
The instructor said with a solemn expression.
"First pair: Lee Seoha. And Park Unhyeok."
"W-what?! M-me, with L-Lee Seoha?!"
"Unhyeok, you scared or something?"
"S-scared? What nonsense. Right now, I'm just a tiny bit behind him. Maybe later, but now..."
"That's what they call being scared."
Park Unhyeok and Kim Seohyeon were bickering.
"Of course, since it's sparring, no mana or talents allowed. Got it, Lee Seoha?"
The instructor looked at me. Park Unhyeok's expression eased.
He seemed to think a no-mana, no-talent spar was winnable.
"Hah, no choice. Come at me, Lee Seoha. I'll show you the difference in 'rank.'"
"Pathetic, Park Unhyeok..."
I stepped into the sparring ring wordlessly.
Reverse Heaven Qi isn't mana.
I had zero confidence. Zero confidence I'd lose.