Chapter 010. Master, I Have a Favor to Ask. (2)
“I don't have anything more to tell you in particular, Master…….”
Dam Jeok-san answered, shaking his head at the Martial Sovereign's words.
“Then I shall ask.”
The Martial Sovereign asked, guzzling the liquor contained in the gourd bottle.
“Have you already become able to imbue your will into the tip of your sword?”
“……!”
At that question, a faint ripple arose in Dam Jeok-san's eyes.
Not an answer to the question of whether he could tear Woo Seo-gwang's limbs apart, nor a question of how he could become stronger while killing a monster.
To think he would throw a question asking if he could imbue will into the tip of his sword.
‘Is it because I called him Master.’
What is the duty of a master?
Rightfully checking the disciple's achievement and informing them of the path forward.
The Martial Sovereign was not a diligent master even with kind words.
Because he focused more on protecting the safety of the world than polishing the gems called disciples.
But that didn't mean he didn't fulfill his duties to his disciples either.
Clearly, it was so.
Until before Dam Jeok-san lost his dantian.
‘Although I was completely neglected after losing my dantian…….’
As he regained his dantian, the Martial Sovereign discusses his achievement as if nothing had happened.
Whether it is something to be grateful for, or something to be angry about.
Dam Jeok-san couldn't easily distinguish.
However, one certain thing is that there is no need for emotions to take precedence.
The head of the Eight Sovereigns of Murim, and an absolute master counted on one hand in the world, the Martial Sovereign.
Isn't he personally saying he would give teachings to Dam Jeok-san?
To become stronger, he must set everything aside and seize this opportunity.
“I was lucky.”
Dam Jeok-san said, recalling the moment he cut the formless barrier created by the Martial Sovereign's psychokinesis.
At that moment, he thought the only way to cut the barrier was to imbue will into the sword.
So he just did it.
What really happened was ultimately luck.
“It is not something that can be done simply by luck.”
However, the Martial Sovereign flatly denied Dam Jeok-san's words.
Luck?
The Martial Sovereign smirked.
Nonsense.
Making will, in other words, intent dwell in the sword path is not something possible by a fluke.
Because that is tantamount to the beginning of transcending humanity and heading toward a supreme realm.
‘However, it doesn't look like he is telling a lie.’
The Martial Sovereign thought, looking at Dam Jeok-san's calm eyes.
He is a master who has reached an absolute realm where he can notice even the most trivial changes in a person.
Even an assassin trained to castrate emotions dares not tell a lie and hide it before the Martial Sovereign.
Then it seems Dam Jeok-san sincerely considers that he accomplished it by chance.
‘Ha, although it feels new again, it is a monstrous talent.’
The Martial Sovereign thought, sighing dispiritedly.
Right, because he is a guy of this level, he picked him up from the streets and made him a disciple.
And also because he is a guy of this level, he must have found a way to live even in a situation where his dantian was shattered.
But there is a need to inform him just how amazing what he has done is.
As a master.
“Do not take what you have done lightly.”
The Martial Sovereign said with his hands leisurely clasped behind his back.
At the same time, his presence, which felt blurry by assimilating with nature, began to swell madly.
A domineering spirit as if to make the whole world kneel just by breathing.
“……!”
The spirit of the Martial Sovereign, who decided to reveal his presence, was not easy to handle even for Dam Jeok-san who recovered his dantian.
However, he endured everything with his molars clenched tight.
No, beyond enduring, he straightened his waist even more upright and looked at the Martial Sovereign.
A faint smile hung on the lips of the Martial Sovereign who saw such a Dam Jeok-san.
Generally, if one is a warrior of the Martial Sovereign Castle, one should not shrink back when facing an unmanageable disaster.
Monsters are ultimately disasters that humans cannot handle. However, the Martial Sovereign Castle must block that disaster and protect the Central Plains.
In that aspect, Dam Jeok-san was excellent enough.
“Look. How far the small beginning you grasped can go.”
With those words, he pulled his right hand up to his chest.
It was an extremely natural movement, but Dam Jeok-san felt goosebumps rising all over his spine.
As if an incomprehensibly powerful monster opened its maw and stared at him.
The Martial Sovereign raised his hand to his chest and set it sharply like a hand blade (Su-Do) and swung it.
His hand blade fell from top to bottom drawing an extremely simple trajectory. Without technique or anything.
And.
The world split in half.
From the moon floating high in the sky to the pavilion of the Heavenly Martial Hall soaring endlessly.
Everything was split exactly in half.
“……!”
Astonishment bloomed in the eyes of Dam Jeok-san who saw that scene.
He couldn't figure out what on earth had happened.
Clearly, the Martial Sovereign's hand blade crossed the empty air.
And in the next moment, the world split.
‘No, the world didn't split.’
Dam Jeok-san shook his head violently and denied the situation.
Yes.
What the Martial Sovereign split is not the world.
He just split Dam Jeok-san's mind in half.
A blade forged by the mind that cuts the mind.
It is Mind Qi Image Blade.
A more commonly used term is Heart Sword (Sim-Geom).
Dam Jeok-san felt as if lightning struck his brain.
“Surely…… is imbuing will into the sword the beginning of achieving the Heart Sword?”
Looking at Dam Jeok-san asking with a surprised voice, the Martial Sovereign slowly nodded.
“That is correct.”
Of course, the will Dam Jeok-san imbued was weak beyond measure. Compared to the Martial Sovereign's Heart Sword, it was a difference like the sun and a firefly.
But what is important is that he harbored the possibility.
And the Martial Sovereign had the duty as a master to make that possibility bloom.
What is the best way to reflect on the realization that came unwittingly.
It is review.
It is even better if a situation similar to when the realization was obtained can be reproduced.
“If you understood, try doing it again.”
The Martial Sovereign said so and lightly reached out his hand toward Dam Jeok-san.
The moment the Martial Sovereign's hand lightly pushed the empty air, Dam Jeok-san's body was pushed by powerful pressure and fell beneath the Heavenly Martial Hall.
It was a Void-Striking Palm that reached a literally transcendental realm.
At the same time, the Martial Sovereign's will pressed down powerfully on Dam Jeok-san's body.
A situation where he has no choice but to fall beneath the Heavenly Martial Hall at this rate.
“Try to get out.”
The Martial Sovereign grinned and said.
Although the situation is a little different from before, wouldn't giving this much variation make the training worthwhile?
“……!!”
Dam Jeok-san looked at the Martial Sovereign with eyes saying it was absurd, but he just laughed hollowly.
When toxicity slowly dwelt in Dam Jeok-san's eyes.
“Jeok-san, if you cut my will once again…….”
I will grant your favor.
The Martial Sovereign recited in a low voice.
Unknown bitterness lingered in his transparent eyes.
* * *
I will grant your favor.
The moment Dam Jeok-san heard those words, he forgot all distracting thoughts.
Yes.
That is enough.
What more is needed.
Just, cut.
I will cut that vicious will, and furthermore, I will crush that damn Second Senior Brother too.
Dam Jeok-san raised his sword with that single thought.
However, the Martial Sovereign's will was not something that could be easily cut.
‘Crazy……! It became more solid than before.’
Dam Jeok-san sighed.
This is the Martial Sovereign's bad taste.
Throwing unbearable hardships and trials at the disciple continuously and inducing growth through that.
The second, Woo Seo-gwang, couldn't endure it and ended up becoming estranged from the Martial Sovereign.
Well, but…….
‘Master underestimated me too much.’
He began to circulate the Extreme Heaven Sovereign Destruction Art and the Prajna Heart Technique simultaneously.
Although they are peerless martial arts difficult to operate properly even doing just one, Dam Jeok-san recited the two chants simultaneously with the resolve to die. Since if he can't cut the will, dying is the same anyway.
His head heats up hotly and black blood trickles down from his nose.
But the result alone was very excellent.
What dwelt in the Prajna Heart Technique was tenacious persistence enough to awaken a past life.
What dwelt in the Extreme Heaven Sovereign Destruction Art was sharp will enough to cut the world.
As long as the two became one.
“I cut anything.”
Dam Jeok-san was convinced so.
The sword blade cuts through the empty air like a thunderbolt.
The slash that became a streak of lightning tore apart the will that was pressing down on Dam Jeok-san like Mount Tai.
Craaaack―!!
With a strange roar, the formless will was completely torn.
And Dam Jeok-san climbed the pavilion again.
‘……Actually, didn't Master aim for this?’
It is certain that he is enjoying watching him struggle and climb the pavilion.
Considering the insidious insides of the master unlike an absolute being, it was a certain assumption.
But Dam Jeok-san didn't mind much.
Because he became able to have a life-and-death duel with the Second Senior Brother.
‘But it’s a bit lacking to receive only that.’
Actually, that is a favor he should have granted originally.
In the first place, as the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle, he should have disciplined the Five Great Families well.
So he should ask for one more thing.
Dam Jeok-san thought so and climbed the Heavenly Martial Hall to the end once again.
“Excellent, you have worked hard.”
The Martial Sovereign rubbed his chin and praised Dam Jeok-san like a Daoist immortal.
“This unworthy disciple has changed his mind.”
Looking at such a Martial Sovereign, Dam Jeok-san said, grinding his teeth.
“Hoh.”
At those words, the Martial Sovereign looked at Dam Jeok-san with a glint in his eyes.
“Do you dare to have something else you wish from me?”
“That is so.”
Dam Jeok-san nodded looking at the Martial Sovereign who saw through his heart clearly.
“Isn't the achievement the disciple obtained not only just the matter from moments ago?”
That is correct.
Dam Jeok-san performed a great feat no one could achieve.
That he restored a crushed dantian.
“Good, first I will bestow the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token, settle the score with the second with that.”
The Martial Sovereign said with a thick smile.
“……!!”
At the word Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token, Dam Jeok-san's eyes trembled finely.
It is an object symbolizing the absolute authority of the Martial Sovereign.
Of course, it cannot be used beyond the permitted purpose, but if he has the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token, he will definitely be able to conclude the matter with Woo Seo-gwang.
“What is the other request?”
The Martial Sovereign said, gesturing with his chin toward Dam Jeok-san.
A gaze of interest rather than thinking it impudent.
It is a good sign.
“Please allow me to enter the Forbidden Demon Forest.”
“Forbidden Demon Forest…….”
At Dam Jeok-san's request, the Martial Sovereign's eyes flashed for an instant.
The Forbidden Demon Forest is a place belonging to the secret grounds of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
A forbidden land where even the highest executives can enter and leave only with the Castle Lord's permission.
Even the Forbidden Demon Forest is surrounded by the Heaven-Honoring Forbidden Demon Formation, one of the rare absolute formations.
Not asking for spiritual medicine or rare treasures, but requesting entry to the Forbidden Demon Forest? The Martial Sovereign seemed to know why he made such a request.
Because none other than monsters are trapped in the Forbidden Demon Forest.
Instead of not being able to eat humans, they eat each other.
So-called cannibalism.
Thus, the inside of the Forbidden Demon Forest is like a Gu poison jar.
Of course, the Martial Sovereign goes in and out frequently to clean up the inside so that excessively strong individuals do not appear.
However, it was certain that it wasn't a place one could easily come and go like a front yard.
Because the Forbidden Demon Forest is a dragon's pool and tiger's den where even masters who reached the peak cannot guarantee life or death even at the entrance.
‘Right, historically to become strong, one must face it with the resolve to chew on dragons and tear apart tigers.’
The Martial Sovereign thought with a satisfied smile.
Of course, he would have to risk his life.
But isn't it natural for a martial artist to risk his life to become strong?
‘Amazing.’
Dam Jeok-san already lost everything due to qi deviation while training martial arts excessively.
Yet he still does not stop dangerous challenges.
As a master, and as another martial artist, it was a matter worthy of praise.
“I shall allow entry to the Forbidden Demon Forest as well.”
However, the Martial Sovereign continued as if adding.
“I will deactivate the Heaven-Honoring Forbidden Demon Formation for only one tea-time from now.”
“…….”
“Enter inside the Forbidden Demon Forest immediately. After six double hours, I will personally take you out. Of course, that is if you are alive…….”
The Martial Sovereign said with a languid smile.