The Value of Divine Sense Arts
The term divine sense art refers to secret techniques that allow one to strike an opponent’s divine sense and mind directly, or to defend against such attacks.
As Han Yujin had considered back when pondering the Crimson Lotus Transformation Art, the value of these divine sense arts in the cultivation world was almost on par with the Heavenly Spirit Treasure. It was no exaggeration.
Of course, it depends on the specific divine sense art…
According to common knowledge in the cultivation world, divine sense arts would grow stronger in proportion to the practitioner’s realm, provided they had no innate flaws.
In other words, simply comprehending the secrets of the Life-and-Death Realm in this world would yield benefits comparable to obtaining a Heavenly Spirit Treasure.
Nice. Very nice.
It was clear that this world had developed in this particular direction simply because its environment was harsh. In a way, it could be seen as an extremely primitive form of the cultivation world.
Sophisticated techniques developed over a long history.
Spiritual pills that could rapidly accelerate progress in those techniques.
Spiritual artifacts that reinforced offensive and defensive capabilities in place of difficult spells.
Talismans used as trump cards in special situations.
Without such things, humans would naturally focus on training the body to grow stronger and increase their combat power. After all, the body was far more accessible than the soul.
In fact, even looking at the history of the cultivation world, from the primordial era through the ancient times and into antiquity, the number of body cultivators had never been small.
It was simply that, over the passage of time, training methods emphasizing qi over the body proved superior. Relatively speaking, body cultivation was harder to advance in realm and lacked distinct advantages, so it gradually fell into obscurity.
Therefore, viewing this martial world as an extremely primitive form of the cultivation world was by no means a stretch.
There’s evidence for it, too.
With that thought, Han Yujin took out a wooden box from his sleeve and opened the lid. Inside was a finger-length worm with a bizarre black-and-white mottled pattern. It was called a Yin-Yang Gu.
This… is definitely a spell matrix.
That strange black-and-white pattern wasn’t merely following the worm’s shape—it was a clear spell matrix. No, it was a systematic spell formula composed of several interlocking spell matrices.
In short, this Yin-Yang Gu was a kind of sorcery that used an insect as its medium.
“Tell me about the Dark Shadow Cult.”
While walking along the official road as the sun had completely set and darkness fell.
Seogwang Gahu flinched at the voice that suddenly broke the long silence. Eun Miryeong looked slightly startled as well, though not as much as he was. Because of the mental shock he had suffered, she had been answering Han Yujin’s questions in place of her unwell comrade.
As he listened to Eun Miryeong’s resumed explanation and occasionally added a few follow-up questions, Han Yujin gradually broadened his understanding of this world.
The history of this so-called martial world spanned roughly three to four thousand years. That was over a thousand years longer than Earth’s recorded history.
The Dark Shadow Cult, however, had only begun making its name known in earnest less than a hundred years ago.
Yet for such a young upstart force, it had grown powerful at an alarming rate, to the point where it now threatened both the Orthodox Alliance and the Heretical Alliance at the same time. It was enough to leave the older, more established factions utterly stunned.
Is there something more to them?
For a newly emerged force with such shallow history to be capable of using something like the Yin-Yang Gu.
Even to an outsider like Han Yujin, it seemed distinctly suspicious, which naturally piqued his interest. He decided that once he finished refining the Dragon Heart, he would have to pay them a visit.
He continued asking several more questions, then was genuinely surprised by one particular piece of information.
“Awakening Incense…?”
“Yes. Without it, most people cannot even begin practicing martial arts.”
As she answered his endless stream of questions, Eun Miryeong gradually realized that this man dressed as a Daoist priest lacked even the most basic common sense. Yet she dared not ask why and could only respond passively.
Regardless, thanks to her, Han Yujin learned yet another crucial fact.
Since the martial arts of this world were also methods of handling qi, without the talent to sense that qi, proper entry was impossible.
In other words, one needed spiritual roots capable of resonating with spiritual energy.
However, this world possessed an item called Awakening Incense, made from a spiritual plant known as the Awakening Herb. By inhaling its scent while training for several years, roughly one in ten people could awaken at least the minimal level of qi sensitivity.
Doesn’t that mean it can turn one out of ten spiritually rootless people into those with spiritual roots?
What was more, the Awakening Herb itself was not particularly rare. It was easy to obtain and simple to cultivate. If he brought it back to Earth and spread it, he could expect an enormous harvest of karma.
This might yield an even greater harvest than divine sense arts.
He was also quite surprised by the stories about the Hair-Cutting and Marrow-Cleansing Method, which required all sorts of spiritual herbs and the refined techniques of at least a Transformation Realm expert.
It was an unorthodox secret art capable of elevating ordinary spiritual root talent all the way to the highest tier!
If they have divine sense arts and even unorthodox secret techniques related to spiritual roots, it would be difficult to simply call this world’s level low.
It would be more accurate to say that its developmental progress was slow due to environmental limitations. After all, its history was also extremely short compared to the cultivation world.
He continued questioning Eun Miryeong while simultaneously forming plans for the future in a corner of his mind.
Besides refining the Dragon Heart, it seemed he would reap many other rewards. The prospect filled him with considerable satisfaction.
The map fragment Seogwang Gahu possessed was only a partial piece. It seemed one had to collect all the fragments appearing across the martial world to determine the exact location of the hidden treasure.
There was much speculation that the sudden appearance of these map fragments was a conspiracy by the Heretical Alliance to provoke conflict between the Orthodox and Demonic factions, but Han Yujin had little interest in such behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Political and strategic responses were for the people of this world to handle. His only concern was what he might obtain through the map fragment that seemed connected to him.
In any case.
He needed to head to the Orthodox Alliance headquarters in order to gather the other fragments. And that headquarters was located in the territory of the Sun Gate in Gangseo, which Eun Miryeong had mentioned earlier.
There were no notable pursuits or clashes until they reached the Gangseo region.
Considering they had not hurried at all, it was clear the Dark Shadow Cult had judged that sending a single Yin Demon Elder would be sufficient to capture the pair. They had clearly not anticipated the current outcome where that elder had died.
Upon entering the Sun Gate’s territory, Han Yujin saw Eun Miryeong and Seogwang Gahu visibly relax. Without much deliberation, he said,
“Let’s head to the Orthodox Alliance.”
“Yes!”
“Y-yes…”
Seogwang Gahu’s complexion was terribly haggard as he answered in a voice that sounded half-dead.
Suddenly feeling a pang of pity for the tall young man who continued to look so crushed, Han Yujin offered a few brief words of comfort.
Since he had no intention of punishing him anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to give him a pat on the back.
“Hey, friend.”
“Y-yes, please speak.”
“Don’t torment yourself so much. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and acts pathetic at times. I’ve done it often myself.”
“……”
“What matters is not repeating the same mistakes and pathetic behavior. Understand?”
“Yes… th-thank… you…”
It had been little more than a perfunctory consolation, yet Seogwang Gahu immediately began to sob.
“I’m not the type to run my mouth, so don’t worry about rumors spreading. The only other people who were there already know whether that Yin Demon Elder was a eunuch or not, and he’s dead anyway. And Eun Miryeong here is your comrade, so she won’t go around blabbing. Right?”
“Yes, Great Hero. Of course. I will erase it completely from my mind.”
When Eun Miryeong answered immediately, Seogwang Gahu squeezed his eyes shut and let the tears flow freely. It was easy to imagine how much mental anguish he had endured until now.
“How old are you?”
“I have just entered my twentieth year…”
The expression was awkward, but with his transcendent comprehension, Han Yujin understood it meant the same as “just come of age” on Earth. In short, he was twenty.
“You’re still basically a kid. At that age, it’s understandable. Everyone builds up a few dark histories while growing up.”
As he spoke, it suddenly occurred to him that no matter what, this was the guy who had tried to kill him to save his own skin. There was no real need to comfort him this much. The thought made him feel a bit annoyed.
Even if the actions had been done under threat.
“Stop crying. It’s unpleasant to watch a big grown man snivel like that.”
“Yes, Great Hero!”
After roughly disciplining Seogwang Gahu, the three continued onward.
Although they had not rested once until now, Seogwang Gahu seemed to have gained strength from Han Yujin’s words and no longer slowed them down. Eun Miryeong was in a difficult state but not to the point of collapsing immediately.
After traveling for another half a day, they finally arrived at the Orthodox Alliance headquarters.
It was an incredibly vast and classical-looking place. Even the large, ornate main gate seemed to display the Orthodox Alliance’s power, enough to make even Han Yujin feel a sense of admiration.
“I’d like to stay here as a guest for a while. Can you handle the arrangements with your position?”
“Of course, Great Hero. I will take care of everything.”
He had spoken to Eun Miryeong, but Seogwang Gahu answered in a firm voice from the side. The young man then strode confidently toward the gate guards with a dignified bearing.
Watching him, Han Yujin let out a silent, wry laugh.
And a strange look flickered across Eun Miryeong’s face as she watched Han Yujin.
The place Han Yujin was guided to was the eastern sector of the Orthodox Alliance, a facility named the Gyeongbin Pavilion reserved for honored guests.
It was a place he rather liked.
The well-maintained garden was filled with all kinds of flowers despite the chilly weather, pleasing to the eye. In the pond, colorful carp swam leisurely, adding to the charm. A small artificial waterfall on one artificial mountain trickled gently, delighting the ears as well.
If the garden was this refined, there was no need to doubt the building’s elegance. Only structures and furnishings considered the height of luxury for this era’s level of civilization were present.
What particularly caught his attention were the several formations spread around the Gyeongbin Pavilion.
Having attended lectures on formation techniques at the Clear Stream Citadel, Han Yujin had no difficulty identifying their existence, purpose, and operating principles.
They seemed designed to block noise from entering and to prevent thieves from sneaking in through places other than the main gate. While any Initiation Stage practitioner could force their way through, the important point was that these clearly purposed formations had been properly established and were functioning perfectly.
It really did seem this world’s level wasn’t low—it was simply progressing slowly.
My combat power here would be at least at the Transformation Realm.
Han Yujin gazed at the pond in the garden, lost in thought.
That puts me on the same level as the Ten Great Masters of the Murim. No matter how much they fail to identify my background, they won’t dare treat me poorly. Naturally, there will also be attempts to recruit me.
He had no desire to become too deeply involved, but some degree of involvement was necessary. He needed to obtain the various cultivation methods and techniques of this martial world.
Having a reputation will make future movements much easier. I’ll also be able to join the map fragment expedition without any unnecessary noise.
As for refining the Dragon Heart?
That could wait a little longer.
Considering he even had means of escape, his combat power wasn’t urgent at all. This world wasn’t scheduled to end in ten years, and his current lifespan was at least two hundred years.
Maybe I should just settle down here and…?
As he continued thinking along those lines based on various factors.
He suddenly sensed someone’s presence and turned his gaze toward the entrance of the Gyeongbin Pavilion. There seemed to be a brief argument with the gate guards, but soon the uninvited guest appeared to enter without issue, suggesting they held some status.
A moment later, a middle-aged man stepped into the garden.
He had deep-set eyes and thick eyebrows that gave him a very intense impression. He wore an antique-style black martial robe with a silver-ornamented belt. Combined with his neatly tied and swept-back hair, he exuded considerable charisma.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time.”
He approached to an appropriate distance and offered a cupped-fist salute.
“I am Dok Junseong, known as the Lightning Flash Sword, and I currently serve as the leader of the Black Tiger Unit of the Orthodox Alliance.”
“Mm, nice to meet you.”
Han Yujin casually raised his hand in greeting and asked,
“What brings you here? I was told I could rest comfortably today.”
“I heard that you, Sir Hero, had slain the Yin Demon Elder. I came despite the rudeness because I was curious whether it was truly the case.”
“It is true.”
At Han Yujin’s simple answer, a gleam seemed to flash in Dok Junseong’s eyes.
“In that case, would you be willing to exchange a few moves with this one?”
“Suddenly?”
“If you are tired, we can postpone it to another day.”
It seemed someone had appeared who couldn’t believe the feat.
It was a perfectly possible occurrence and a good opportunity to make use of. Han Yujin smiled faintly and asked,
“What are the rules for the spar?”
“The usual way. No lethal techniques, and as long as no one’s life is endangered, that should suffice.”
“Mm.”
Han Yujin nodded in understanding and turned his body fully to face him.
“I understand. Let’s begin right away.”
“……”
Dok Junseong’s sharp gaze fixed on Mu-yong, who was nestled in Han Yujin’s arms.
“You intend to face me while holding that beast? Have you truly never heard of me before?”
“It looks like you mainly use a sword as your weapon?”
“…That is correct.”
“Judging by your title, your specialty is swift swordsmanship?”
“Correct. Therefore…”
“Then try to block this.”
Immediately after.
Han Yujin thrust out a sword-finger strike like lightning. Golden light flashed, and the moment Dok Junseong drew his treasured sword in response and swung it—
He realized that the blade of his sword had been severed cleanly from the root.
Clang…!
The severed blade of the treasured sword, which had flown off to who-knows-where, landed on a stone in one corner of the garden and rang out sharply.
“That counts as one death.”
Han Yujin smiled and asked,
“Want to continue?”