Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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And so, my life at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall began. By now, it should have felt tedious or frustrating, but instead, I was in high spirits because things were going better than ever before. It was all because I was certain that mastering the Soul Annihilation Step would elevate my abilities to a whole new level.
'My motivation is through the roof!'
The very next day, after exchanging greetings with Jin So-cheong, I began learning the Soul Annihilation Step from Geuk-ho. Of course, I had already memorized all its oral formulas from hearing them before, and I'd even reinforced them by passing them on to the sword experts of Dongyeong, so memorization wasn't an issue.
After reciting the formulas for me, Geuk-ho scratched his head with a somewhat awkward expression.
"Um... Truth be told, junior brother, no one in the Azure Dragon Martial Hall besides me has managed to master the Soul Annihilation Step yet. So, it's not strange if you can't learn it."
Geuk-ho's tone was far more cautious than his usual carefree, cheeky banter. It was probably because of the weight I carried in his mind due to my contributions to the Thunder God Style.
From his perspective, I'd generously shared profound swordsmanship insights, so handing over something as vague as the Soul Annihilation Step in return must have felt uncomfortable. And that made sense, given it was a unique art that couldn't be achieved through mere talent or effort alone.
Pretending to practice it as Geuk-ho instructed, I spoke up.
"Senior Brother Geuk-ho. Isn't this an art tied to one's temperament?"
I'd already recited the Soul Annihilation Step's formulas once before and deliberately let myself sink into self-absorption in front of him. Just as expected, he looked disappointed, as if thinking, "Here we go again." But my question snapped him out of it. He turned to me and asked,
"What do you mean by that, Junior Brother Baek Woong?"
"It's like... throwing yourself away, you know? That destructive pull is impossible to follow. I can't even maintain my awareness. Doesn't this relate to innate personality traits... or temperament?"
"......!!"
"Unlike others, maybe only Senior Brother Geuk-ho has the natural temperament for it..."
Geuk-ho's face lit up as if he'd grasped something in an instant. He pondered deeply for a moment before saying,
"Hold on a second, junior brother. I'll go consult Master Lee Gwang and be right back."
He returned from the Crouching Dragon Hall about half a shichen later. The delay was likely because he'd discussed the Soul Annihilation Step with Lee Gwang. With his face slightly flushed from excitement, Geuk-ho said,
"Master will be here shortly."
Sure enough, Lee Gwang arrived—and Jin So-cheong came along too. Lee Gwang glanced at me and said,
"Baek Woong. Your guess seems correct."
"Then..."
"It appears the Soul Annihilation Step is only accessible to those with an innately destructive, wandering, and free-spirited temperament. We've tested it various ways, and it's confirmed."
I didn't know the details, but Lee Gwang had evidently run his own experiments and gained conviction. Jin So-cheong, standing beside him, wore a pleased expression, suggesting no room for doubt. As I stood there blankly, Lee Gwang continued,
"If the requirement for the Soul Annihilation Step is a wild soul temperament, it's not entirely hopeless. There are two methods to artificially acquire it."
The sword experts of Dongyeong hadn't found any solutions at this stage. But true to his status as a transcendent master, Lee Gwang had devised some.
"What methods?"
"First, refine your mind-soul to match the conditions for the Soul Annihilation Step. To do this, I'd need to reach the level of a generational grandmaster in mind cultivation, requiring immense focus. It'd be best to create a separate heart method formula using Thunder Spirit energy to control it."
"Hmm."
Lee Gwang crossed his arms and continued.
"Second, cultivate the Dual Intent Heart Art."
"The Dual Intent Heart Art?"
"It's known as the rarest and most elusive heart method in the martial world. It allows splitting one's mind to operate it simultaneously—a secret transmission known only to a tiny handful even among Daoist sects. The most famous version is from the Wudang Sect, but acquiring it would be like plucking stars from the sky."
"......!!"
"The second method isn't realistic, so we'll go with the first. It'll take quite some time..."
A thought flashed through my mind at Lee Gwang's words.
'Wait. Dual Intent Heart Art... Wudang Sect...?'
I'd already learned the true essence formula of Wudang's Mystic Heaven Divine Art and evolved it one step further into the Baek Woong Formula by maximizing its effects with my inner energy. While it suited the Mystic Heaven Divine Art well, I knew it definitely had the effects of the Dual Intent Heart Art. I hurriedly said to Lee Gwang,
"What if we use this?"
"Hm?"
I revealed the Baek Woong Formula to the gathered Thunder God Style experts. As I transmitted its full oral formula, shock washed over their faces. Jin So-cheong, listening nearby, was so excited he grabbed my shoulders and shook them.
"Amazing, junior brother! How did you come to know this? Merging it with Thunder Spirit energy would perfectly integrate it into Thunder God Style arts!"
"Ha... haha..."
As expected, Lee Gwang couldn't hide his delight and said,
"Hmm. Need to examine it more, but this clearly has the effects of the Dual Intent Heart Art. If we extract just the heart method's function, crafting a formula tailored for the Soul Annihilation Step will be straightforward. Far faster than creating from nothing—dozens of times over!"
"Ooh..."
"But how did you learn this?"
I told Lee Gwang,
"I received it from that eccentric of the Wudang Sect I mentioned before. Back then, I just used it to aid my true essence cultivation, but who knew it'd be this helpful."
"Hmm... Do you know his name or appearance?"
"I'm sorry. As payment for transmission, I swore on the honor of the Thunder God Style not to reveal it."
"Hmm."
Mentioning the Thunder God Style's honor left Lee Gwang with no choice. He might sense something off in my words, but with the disciples watching and honor invoked, he couldn't press. Gruffly, he said,
"No big deal. Between your enigmatic swordsmanship and creating transcendent arts like this, I figured he must be one of the world's top masters."
That went without saying. It was Zhang Sanfeng's martial art, after all.
"Yes..."
I nodded vaguely and asked Lee Gwang,
"But the Soul Annihilation Step feels oddly out of place. Unlike other Thunder God Style arts, it sticks out like it appeared out of nowhere..."
"The Thunder God Style has an incredibly long history. Countless masters and experts have researched and reformed it over time. The Soul Annihilation Step likely emerged by chance during such experiments, but the proper transmission line was severed when chaos erupted in the White Lotus Cult."
"Ah..."
"There were probably linking arts or techniques that naturally led into it originally. But with the inheritors scattered, it's unknowable now..."
A sigh laced Lee Gwang's words. They implied even he didn't know all the Thunder God Style's arts. Listening, I thought,
'Finding the other inheritors will be tough. At least until the Thunder God Style rises again, others won't gather under its banner without effort.'
I practiced the Soul Annihilation Step a bit more in front of Geuk-ho, confirming there was no progress, and ended the day. The Thunder God Style experts had me repeat the Baek Woong Formula a few more times until they memorized it, then dove into personal cultivation. It felt like I was the only one losing out, but with the Soul Annihilation Step research taking time, there was no helping it.
'Tch. Then I'll practice more of Zhang Sanfeng's insights.'
I began diligently pulling out and practicing each of Zhang Sanfeng's insights preserved in my memory one by one. For now, only the Dragon Subduing Thrust and Heavenly Pivot Sword were ones I could properly teach others; reestablishing the rest would take immense time. And for someone without exceptional talent like me, that meant prolonged training.
At least, during Yeo Dongbin's possessions to fight demons, he'd wielded ultimate techniques as if it were his own body, letting me internalize those sensations and shorten my training period. I realized I needed to create more opportunities to summon Yeo Dongbin frequently.
The next day, Miho appeared at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall disguised as a bratty young girl. She threw a tantrum demanding entry, and I casually suggested it might be fine. Lee Gwang admitted her as a third-line disciple.
That night, Miho sneaked into my quarters and giggled softly.
"Hee hee, learning human martial arts might be fun."
"Don't lie. You don't need it or care about it."
I replied curtly. From her previous stint at the hall, she'd train diligently for a month or two before quitting out of boredom and hassle. Mastering martial arts was grueling and humbling. Miho laughed merrily.
"Ahaha... What would I even do with martial arts?"
"Fighting with Thunder God Style arts wouldn't make you even stronger?"
Miho had slipped into my bedding and was whispering softly.
"As if. Whether martial arts or spells, you only end up using the higher realms anyway. To me, martial arts are like chicken ribs—pointless distraction. I'd rather refine my spells in that time."
"Hmm."
"So, is training bearable?"
I nodded inside the covers.
"Just endure five years. I'm aiming for results in that time."
"Hmm... It's boring."
Then Miho wagged her tail and pressed her voluptuous body against mine. It was so embarrassing I didn't know where to put my hands under the blanket. I shook my head.
"Please. You know what happens if we arouse suspicion here? Everything goes down the drain."
Miho was half-consenting, so I could probably just pin her down and release, but such commotion wouldn't escape Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong. I wanted to, but the situation forbade it.
"It's really boring, you know. Should I toy with the disciples instead?"
"Ugh... Please hold back."
Seeing the mischief on Miho's face filled me with dread. She could absolutely seduce and play with innocent disciples. Even without her Charm Spell, her innate allure and beauty would suffice. And that would put me in serious trouble.
Miho giggled and said,
"Just kidding. Life here seems dull anyway, so I'll leave the hall soon and head to True Wolf Valley."
"To help Mangnyang?"
"Honestly, staying too long risks exposure. Lee Gwang aside, that Jin So-cheong has incredibly sharp senses."
"Hmm... Got it."
Miho's true intent had probably been to pose as a low-level disciple and watch over me covertly. But instinct told her Jin So-cheong was dangerous, so she warned me before leaving. I intuitively sensed Jin So-cheong was unexpectedly perilous.
'Jin So-cheong's hiding a lot too.'
Like Lee Gwang, he never revealed everything to those beneath him. He repelled underlings with minimal effort while concealing his true intentions. It was ideal for a martial world denizen, but few hid seventy percent of their strength as thoroughly as he did.
Miho left the hall two days later, citing the training's difficulty. No one paid her departure much mind—except a few disciples who'd hoped to woo her, who were disappointed.
My training and transmissions continued. Daily, I honed Zhang Sanfeng's insights in personal practice while occasionally debating martial theory with visiting Thunder God Style experts. Most discussions focused on integrating the subtleties hidden in the Heavenly Pivot Sword or Dragon Subduing Thrust into Thunder God Style arts.
'Huh?'
Oddly, I thought I'd drop out of these debates soon, but two months, three months passed, and I held my own. In fact, without my input, they stalled. Considering the talents seated there—Lee Gwang, Jin So-cheong, Geuk-ho, second to none—it was astonishing.
I realized the reason ideas bubbled up ceaselessly in my mind: synergistic effects from experiences accumulated through training. I couldn't dismiss it as mere lack of talent anymore; I'd gained real combat experience against the Sword Demon, Twelve Laws Lord, and countless experts. Those vivid martial insights from trials and tribulations breathed within me.
It was paying off.
'This is fun.'
Half a year flew by like an arrow. Strangely, I found training enjoyable as never before. No real breakthroughs or improvements yet, but debating with the Thunder God Style experts was pure enjoyment. It let me share long-held personal epiphanies and witness their genius head-on.
Feeling martial arts fun without power gains.
It was unprecedented in my life so far.
"Today, I have a major announcement."
In the Crouching Dragon Hall, Jin So-cheong, I, and Geuk-ho's attention turned to Lee Gwang. He spoke slowly.
"I've completed the integration formula for the Soul Annihilation Step. Combine it with this to learn the Soul Annihilation Step—call it the Divided Heart Formula."
"Divided Heart Formula!"
"Learn it after the Thunder Shadow Step, then Heavenly Pivot Kill. Use that foundation to reach the Soul Annihilation Step via the Divided Heart Formula. That's the most natural path."
As Lee Gwang said, it took about seven weeks for everyone to grasp the Divided Heart Formula, and all could execute the Soul Annihilation Step. Especially Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong—they exuded immense confidence upon mastering it.
'Wings on a tiger now.'
Even Geuk-ho, who'd already known it, seemed to advance. With better control, few in the world could match his lightness skill now. I'd grasped the basics too; practice would fill the rest.
About three months later, Lee Gwang summoned me.
"Baek Woong. Dongbang Mugeol has returned to the Central Plains."
"......!!"
I felt what was coming had arrived. I'd been absorbed in training, but Dongbang Mugeol mattered too. Lee Gwang must have connections to intelligence networks tracking him.
"He's in Henan now."
I told Lee Gwang,
"We must make contact. We need info from Dongbang Mugeol to proceed."
"I agree. But his skills seem formidable, so caution is key to capturing him."
"What's the plan?"
Lee Gwang thought briefly, then said,
"The full Thunder God Style mobilizing is ideal, but we can't empty the hall. So-cheong, you, Geuk-ho—go as three."
"You're not coming personally?"
"So-cheong can handle him alone. You two focus on the encirclement."
"Yes."
As I turned to leave, Lee Gwang called me back.
"Baek Woong."
"Yes."
I turned, and he stared at me steadily. Then he said,
"You're a mysterious one. Seem like a genius at times, yet your words and actions feel built purely from effort... Sometimes it's like conversing with someone who's lived decades or centuries."
"......"
"Even if I have some suspicions, I'll stake my name and inquire no further. Your heart for the Thunder God Style is genuine, and your transmissions have advanced our arts—fact. You're unmistakably the Thunder God Style's future."
"You're too kind."
"Go and succeed."
"Yes, I will."
Bowing with clasped fists, I walked off thinking,
'Not like Lee Gwang.'
Exposing his inner thoughts like that was impossible for his personality. Yet he voiced his suspicions to show his will to [trust me]. In other words, he was testing whether to trust me.
I halted abruptly, pondering.
Was it right to transmit all of Zhang Sanfeng's insights to the Thunder God Style?
If they grew too strong, wouldn't that bring its own problems?
"...Pointless worry."
I chuckled. With the world's experts and monsters aplenty, it was just baseless fear. A few insights wouldn't let Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong conquer the world overnight.
Thus began the Thunder God Style's operation to capture Dongbang Mugeol.