Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
Upon returning to Jeoksamun and Muyoung Gate with Zhuge Sa, I recounted recent events to the Sword Demon. He listened calmly before speaking.
"You did well. Lifting the curse is what matters."
"Was it really successful?"
I confided my honest feelings to him.
"He's far too dangerous."
The Sword Demon stared at me steadily before replying.
"Yet he's capable. In our current situation, it's hard to find anyone in the Central Plains as capable as him."
"But—"
"The key is observing where his abilities come from and how he achieves what he does. I believe it will aid White Dharma Protector's growth."
"Understood."
"White Dharma Protector..."
The Sword Demon trailed off briefly before continuing.
"First, head to Dragon King Valley. That would be best."
"Will that suffice?"
"Of course."
At that moment, his voice transmission reached me simultaneously.
[It won't. But you still need to go to Dragon King Valley.]
To hear a transmission completely contrary to our conversation!
Caught off guard by this first-time experience, I quickly composed myself and played along nonchalantly with the Sword Demon's words.
"My heart races at the thought of training."
[Why must I go to Dragon King Valley?]
"Heh, enlightenment in martial arts doesn't happen overnight. It'll be a profound lesson."
[With you gone, Jeoksamun will begin its true moves. That's what I aim to provoke.]
"I had some chicken porridge for lunch, and the new cook they hired has impressive skills."
[You mean to observe Jeoksamun's true intentions.]
"The cook was specially recommended by the Jeong family, so naturally. His skills outshine most in the Central Plains."
[Decide quickly whether to keep or cast out Jeoksamun. Remember, this matter is crucial.]
"Haha! I've prattled on too long. I'll take my leave."
[Excellent!]
"Take care."
[Train diligently, regardless of the mission.]
I ended that bizarre exchange and stepped outside with an unperturbed expression. My heart pounded slightly. It was my first time sharing a secret conversation out of the blue. My mind grew complicated even in those few steps.
'Jeoksamun is about to make its move?'
Does that mean Jeoksamun is currently watching my every move? Paying close attention to me? I'd only sensed Jeoksamun acting on its own whims, so the Sword Demon's actions puzzled me at first.
But realization soon dawned.
The Sword Demon was observing Jeoksamun.
I was the one who recruited Zhuge Sa and engaged in extensive conversations with him, allowing his talents to shine. The Sword Demon had merely watched from the sidelines, offering only necessary words. To a third party, he might seem disinterested, but in truth, he had been meticulously observing what kind of man Zhuge Sa was and what he thought.
And his conclusion was that Zhuge Sa was adjusting his actions because of me. Unable to grasp the sect leader's grand vision, I tilted my head in confusion.
Was Zhuge Sa wary of me because I'm the master of the Seven Essentials?
If so, why had he consistently spoken down to me and treated me with disdain?
What did he expect Zhuge Sa to do next?
I buried these questions in a corner of my mind and sighed inwardly.
'I lack experience in reading people.'
No matter that I'd lived over a hundred years, encountering every sort of person through every trial, it paled against the Sword Demon's experience as the foremost figure in the Evil Faction. He had undoubtedly seen countless demons, vicious fiends, and human scum from the Eight Demonic Sects and beyond. I felt the need to learn from his discerning eye in sifting jade from stone amid such company.
Shaking off my thoughts, I headed straight for Dragon King Valley. The mist swirling fiercely through the gorge, as if alive, sent chills down my spine. I climbed to the top of an unnamed cliff in Dragon King Valley and called out.
"I've arrived."
No need for a lion's roar. Dokgo Seong's detection range covered the entire valley, so even the slightest presence or sound would draw him.
Sure enough, moments later, I sensed Dokgo Seong approaching through the mist via Void Step. The figure materialized three zhang away in an instant.
Dokgo Seong stared piercingly at me before speaking.
"You look lost in thought. If you're in that mindset for training, get lost now."
"......"
His sudden barrage left me dumbfounded.
But I soon saw the logic in his words. I'd just heard the Sword Demon's true intent and was still rattled, which a supreme expert like Dokgo Seong had read. Training under such a master while distracted was disrespectful.
So I stood silently, cleared my mind, and said.
"I'm ready now."
"......"
"Any other issues?"
"Kid. Let me ask one thing."
Dokgo Seong crossed his arms as he spoke.
"You've already reached mastery in the Thunder God Style. You're a transcendent expert whom no one in the martial world can make kneel. Because of that, if I teach you, it'll be at a difficulty incomparable to ordinary trainees. Are you willing to endure that for my guidance?"
"Isn't pursuing greater power the essence of the Thunder God Style?"
"No backing down, eh. Then again, that's the Thunder God Style."
Dokgo Seong gave a wry smile.
"Fine. Let's review what you know first."
I demonstrated my swordsmanship for Dokgo Seong once more. As he watched from start to finish calmly, unlike before, there was no surprise in his eyes. Instead, he observed intently, deep in thought.
After a long while, Dokgo Seong spoke.
"You came to learn the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword and Thunder God Sword Dance from me."
"Yes. And you said you'd impart the quintessence of the Thunder God Style's swordsmanship."
"This'll be a hassle."
"What do you mean?"
"Teaching the forms of the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword in your current state is easy, but your swordsmanship has already evolved into your own unique style. To infuse the Celestial Thunder Qi of the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword into your Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula, we'd have to overhaul your entire forms."
"......!!"
My eyes widened in shock. I asked.
"You mean overhaul the foundations of all the swordsmanship I've built up so far?"
"Probably over sixty percent."
"Is infusing Celestial Thunder Qi into the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula that crucial to warrant it?"
"Hmm..."
Dokgo Seong sighed before explaining.
"You've already learned peerless arts like Turtle Shell Sword and Tianzhu Sword, so whether it's necessary is debatable. In fact, you could say the issue arises precisely because you've mastered those two supreme techniques. Their exquisite principles have elevated your Thunder God Style swordsmanship to another level."
"Hmm."
"But let me be clear. Grasping your sword stance with Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship and infusing Celestial Thunder Qi into the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula is the bare minimum for learning the Thunder God Sword Dance. If you want it, prepare to abandon everything you've achieved."
"......"
Faced with this unexpected trial, I pondered.
Overhaul sixty percent of the forms!
This wasn't like relearning basic forms from a local dojo. It meant dismantling the habits, stances, breathing, and footwork I'd built over a century of swordsmanship. It would demand effort equivalent to starting martial arts from scratch.
Seeing my hesitation, Dokgo Seong said.
"Think carefully. Even I've never experienced this, so I can't advise you."
"Is there no easier path?"
"You might be better off abandoning the Thunder God Sword Dance and training under the Sword Demon. Half-assing it could be worse than nothing."
He was telling me to choose.
Master Jang Sam-bong's supreme arts and ascend to higher realms?
Or relentlessly pursue the Thunder God Sword Dance to obtain the Thunder God Style's quintessence?
After agonizing, I said.
"No. I'll learn it."
"Good."
Jang Sam-bong's arts were comparable—no, perhaps superior—to the completed Thunder God Sword Dance. Yet I had a gut feeling that passing it by due to difficulty meant I'd never learn it again. Even if this choice led to another century of suffering, I had to learn it.
Dokgo Seong sat in a wide clearing on the mountaintop and began explaining.
"The essence of the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword is drawing out Celestial Thunder Qi."
"What is Celestial Thunder Qi?"
"You know the Thunder God Style fundamentally handles the Thunder Spirit Qi existing between heaven and earth. Whether spear, fist, or sword, our ultimate and supreme techniques all incorporate it. That's because Thunder Spirit Qi is refined natural power with tremendous efficiency and might. You know this much, right?"
"Yes."
Dokgo Seong nodded and continued.
"The Thunder Dragon Divine Sword was created to maximize its use. It draws Thunder Spirit Qi from between heaven and earth into the swordsmanship flow for free manipulation."
"Creating a Thunder Sword?"
"That happens at higher attainment in the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword."
"But in actual combat, that seems..."
As I hesitated, Dokgo Seong chuckled.
"Right. It's weak. Generating Celestial Thunder Qi by pulling external Thunder Spirit Qi is no different from sword qi or sword flame."
"Then why—"
"It was originally learned by shamans for White Lotus Cult rituals. Some lack of combat viability is inevitable. It's a sword art focused solely on manifesting the heavenly thunder spirit between heaven and earth. Many who started Thunder God Style swordsmanship quit at the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword stage out of disappointment."
After explaining that far, Dokgo Seong clenched his fist.
"But that's not the whole story. Master the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword properly, enter the Thunder God Sword Dance, and reach profound realms—everything changes."
"Then what must I do?"
"First, I'll teach you the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword forms in one day. Eighteen forms total—not hard to memorize."
*Shwing!*
I memorized the movements while watching Dokgo Seong's demonstration of the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword. Eighteen forms might seem numerous at first glance, but as an expert, I could precisely grasp the body's muscle and bone motions. Understanding the flow made the intent clear, and memorization easy.
It took about five shichen to roughly memorize the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword movements—from dawn until sunset. Satisfied, Dokgo Seong explained applications.
"Now, I'll teach you how to draw Celestial Thunder Qi with the sword formula."
"Is there a special key?"
"Naturally. If not, would every Tom, Dick, and Harry from the White Lotus Cult's four schools wield Celestial Thunder Qi just because they share basic natural qi? This is a sect secret—keep it from anyone but direct lineage disciples."
*Crackle!*
"......!!"
Moments later, witnessing Dokgo Seong's Thunder Dragon Divine Sword, I couldn't hide my awe. Surging thunder light clung and swirled around the blade in a way that made it unbelievable this was the same art. Watching the ceaseless lightning flow like river water along the sword body mesmerized me.
Finally ending the demonstration, Dokgo Seong said.
"Start by familiarizing yourself with drawing Celestial Thunder Qi via the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword key. Once accustomed, we'll move to infusing it into the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula."
"Must it be the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Dokgo Seong fell silent at my question for a long time. Then he blurted out.
"I don't know exactly!"
"Pardon?"
"I've mastered the Thunder God Sword Dance to its limit, so I grasp the gist. But that doesn't explain the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula. It's a secret known only to the Thunder God Style's founding patriarch."
"It's hard to understand."
"When you reach my level, you'll know what I mean."
Dokgo Seong stopped there, unwilling to elaborate. I felt lingering unease but accepted that describing such peak martial arts verbally risked distorting the true intent, making detailed explanation difficult.
For the next ten days, I practiced drawing Celestial Thunder Qi from the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword per the key under Dokgo Seong. Days blurred into endless repetition.
*Crackle!!*
It took three days for Celestial Thunder Qi to properly manifest via the key. Watching, Dokgo Seong said.
"A bit more practice, and you'll fully infuse it into the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword."
"It's coming along quickly."
I felt wonder. My martial talent was average, yet progress in the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword was swift. Dokgo Seong replied indifferently.
"Well, you're a master of Thunder God Style swordsmanship—it's only natural. With forms and key fully provided, taking longer would be odd."
"Hmm."
"That's not the point. Now it'll get tough."
At first, I didn't grasp his meaning. But after about six weeks familiarizing with infusing Celestial Thunder Qi into the Thunder Dragon Divine Sword and moving to the next phase, I understood.
As I first attempted infusing Celestial Thunder Qi into the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula, Dokgo Seong bellowed while watching my technique deployment.
"You're doing it wrong!"
"Pardon?"
"Why couldn't you evenly distribute Celestial Thunder Qi in the Ten Thousand Cavalry Sword Formula's Illusion form?"
"Because maintaining Thunder Spirit Qi simultaneously while scattering illusion swords is difficult..."
"Ugh... I knew it."
Dokgo Seong clutched his head and said.
"Do you know why it's hard to maintain simultaneously? It's because Turtle Shell Sword and Tianzhu Sword keys are etched into your marrow."
"......!!"
"Those who only learned Thunder God Style swordsmanship don't struggle with this."
Grumbling, Dokgo Seong delivered the words heralding hell.
"We'll have to overhaul from the roots after all!"
Dokgo Seong's eyes gleamed fiercely.
Reminiscent of a fierce tiger, it filled me with despair.