Chapter 95: Encounter (2)

On his way back to the inn, Jang Woo-hyun spotted a stall at the market that caught his interest and settled down there.

He took a seat in a corner, ordered food, and placed a book on the table. Before reading, Jang Woo-hyun decided to organize his upcoming plans.

‘First, I need to stop by the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect.’

After recounting the story of the battles with the Ascension Cult and Bi Ik-ryeon, he intended to meet with other sects. Following that, he planned to seek out Cho-su and Cho-yul, and third, to find the Storm Archipelago, which Kim Min-soo had mentioned.

He had asked Maeng Ye-ju about it along the way, but even she wasn’t familiar with the Storm Archipelago. It appeared to be a hidden or obscure location.

Aside from that, he also needed to meet Cheol Geuk-jin and find out how much time had gone awry.

He wanted to thrash the ones from Bi Ik-ryeon and the Ascension Cult, too, but those weren't urgent. They could wait.

Moreover, locating Cheol Geuk-jin in the Central Heavens Martial Realm, a land incomparably larger than the Central Plains, was no simple task.

After organizing his plans, he turned to the first page of Introduction to Central Heavens Martial Arts, just as the food he had ordered arrived.

“Enjoy your meal.”

He picked up a skewer of grilled Bicheon-eo, a fish that flies through clouds, and turned to the first page of the book.

The opening section described famous sects and notable locations in the Central Heavens Martial Realm, so he flipped through it quickly. He wasn’t particularly interested and figured he could look into it later.

What truly interested Jang Woo-hyun was the section in the latter half that discussed the realms of the Central Heavens Martial Realm.

He swiftly skimmed past the part describing the stages below Transcendence and began reading attentively from the part about expert-level cultivation.

[Transcendence, a realm known to surpass humanity within the Lower Realm. In this stage, the body is restructured, granting a new physical form……]

[……There is not a significant difference in raw power from the previous stage. What this means is, if one were to divide the power of Transcendence and the Absolute Realm merely by destructive force, the magnitude wouldn’t differ much……]

[……What sets Transcendence apart lies in the realm of perception.

The Realm of Transcendent Perception. Or the Realm of Transcendence. Another term: Time of Transcendence.

Those who enter Transcendence move within a different timeline than the ordinary.]

A space where everything seemed to come to a halt.

Within that realm, ordinary people's movements appeared frozen, and only those who had entered Transcendence could move properly.

[……This is what differentiates Transcendence from the prior realm, the Absolute Realm.]

Although it was something he already knew, Jang Woo-hyun read the text with full concentration.

[……At the end of Transcendence, one may—though this varies by individual—be able to use Thundersteel (뇌강)……]

‘Thundersteel? What is that?’

It was a term he had never heard before. Gwak Yu-chan had never explained it, and even Maeng Ye-ju, who had reached the end of Transcendence, had not demonstrated it.

[……Thunder Qi, the strongest force within the natural world. As Qi Projection is compressed, it may evolve past the Qi Ring, and depending on the martial artist, it may transform similarly. Thundersteel refers to a technique that might not be attainable unless one achieves proper elevation in realm.]

[……A stage where compressed Qi Projection changes again into natural energy……]

As he continued reading, he understood why Gwak Yu-chan hadn’t explained it.

Thundersteel was a shortcut used by those who couldn’t break past the wall of the Boundless Realm from Transcendence. In a way, it resembled the Shadow Serpent Coiling Sword of the Silent Night Three Swords that Jang Woo-hyun had used before.

‘The Shadow Serpent Coiling Sword also amplified sword qi by pouring in excessive internal energy.’

Thundersteel was a technique to enhance destructive force by compressing Qi Projection—used by those who couldn't escape Transcendence.

After finishing the section on Transcendence, Jang Woo-hyun moved on.

[Boundless Realm.

Boundless means immeasurable. In other words, infinite. A realm without limits.

It is the stage where one endlessly expands the will.]

At this stage, one could attack enemies from afar, and even condense that expanded will into creating a Projection of oneself……

[……And upon reaching the end of the Boundless Realm, one may sever space and soul.]

Jang Woo-hyun sharpened his focus as the section he was searching for appeared.

[……Referred to as Space Slash (공간참), Severance (절리), or Soul Severance (단혼).

Commonly known as Space Severance.

Frankly, can that even be called a martial art or technique?

It literally slices through space, severs reason, and cuts the soul. It’s a technique capable of slashing even the intangible, such as the soul.]

‘Cutting the soul?’

Though he had a vague sense of it, the idea of cutting the soul was unfamiliar and hard for Jang Woo-hyun to grasp. Yet, the sensation faintly lingered in his memory.

The Black Full Moon he unleashed while battling Sa Do-woong—

That definitely seemed capable of cutting through everything.

‘Space Severance. Space Slash, Severance, Soul Severance.’

Murmuring the names to himself, he continued reading.

The text on the power of Space Severance repeated similar phrases for a while before moving on.

[Realm of Wish.

A realm where everything follows one’s will.

The Realm of Wish is the stage where one projects the laws of one’s inner microcosm onto the world. It is said that at this stage, one can apply their own laws and alter the world’s natural order.]

[……I once witnessed a martial artist who had reached the Realm of Wish. The law he projected onto the world was distortion and absorption.

His power, exerting overwhelming gravity, was enough to suck in an entire Floating Continent into a tiny black hole.]

‘A small hole? A continent got sucked in? This……’

It seemed to refer to something that should only exist in outer space.

‘Can a human even do something like this?’

No, beyond that, it didn’t even seem appropriate to call this martial arts anymore.

[……Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? That’s the Realm of Wish. From there on, it’s hard to even consider it martial arts. It transcends all logic and human imagination……]

Gwak Yu-chan had said the same. That from the Realm of Wish onward, it was no longer martial arts but rather some kind of mysterious or absolute power.

Though it was a realm difficult to comprehend, Jang Woo-hyun continued reading the book.

As absurd as it sounded, it piqued his curiosity. He turned the page, wondering just how outrageous the next stage would be.

“Hm?”

A young man eating inside the inn suddenly looked up and glanced around.

“What’s the matter all of a sudden?”

The middle-aged man sitting across from him, sharing food and drink, opened his mouth.

Outwardly, the middle-aged man appeared older, but this was the Central Heavens Martial Realm. There were many who had Ascended, and those who had reversed aging through Body Rejuvenation were common enough that appearances didn’t matter much here.

“Was I mistaken? But it feels right. It’s unclear.”

“Let me in on it too. What are you going on about alone?”

The young man, frowning and tilting his head, turned back to the middle-aged man.

“You said no one skilled with hidden weapons came up with us, right?”

“Out of nowhere? Yeah, no one. The Tang Clan Leader had some reputation, but he never even reached the Absolute Realm.”

“Then who could it be? It feels right, though.”

“Come on, let me in on it. What’s going on?”

“I need to go check. Let’s move.”

The young man said only what he wanted.

“Already? We’ve barely even sat down.”

“Then stay here. I’ll go alone. I need to confirm it myself.”

Seeing the young man decide everything on his own, the middle-aged man felt an overwhelming urge to smack him. But he suppressed that feeling. The monster before his eyes was not someone he could hit with his level of skill.

“Do as you please. I’ll stay here.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

Saying that, the young man rose and exited the inn.

To confirm the energy of a weapon he had once used long ago.

[……The Immortal Realm is a stage nearing divinity. I’ve never seen it myself, nor met a martial artist of such level. I cannot fathom the extent of that power or how strong it might be.]

[……I once met a merchant who traveled several Middle Realms. Using his words, I will attempt to describe the Immortal Realm.]

[The Immortal Realm is the stage where one attains divinity and steps upon the divine throne.

If one is a heavenly god, he will create a palace and territory; if a demon of the Abyss, he will forge a throne and a hell of his own.]

‘……What is this even saying. What the……’

He couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Suddenly talking about hell and the territories of gods?

It was such an abrupt tangent that Jang Woo-hyun stared blankly for a moment before reading on. The following parts were full of pointless details and basic techniques, including Void Movement Technique.

The incomprehensible words gave him a headache.

Up to the Realm of Wish, he could—if he gave a lot of leeway—try to grasp the idea. But the Immortal Realm was beyond his understanding.

“Phew.”

Letting out a small sigh, Jang Woo-hyun lifted his head, which had been bowed in concentration, and leaned back into the chair.

“Hm?”

As he looked up, a man he had never seen before stood before him. He hadn’t even noticed the man while reading.

As soon as their eyes met, the man took a clasped-hands greeting.

“I’m Neung Un-bi, affiliated with the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect. If you don’t mind, may I join you?”

Jang Woo-hyun narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the man who suddenly appeared. Asking to sit together was odd enough, and it was suspicious that he chose this spot among so many.

“I, uh… I know I spoke suddenly, but there really are no seats left right now…”

Flustered by Jang Woo-hyun’s gaze, the man turned to gesture at the surrounding area. Only then did Jang Woo-hyun drop his suspicion. While he had been reading, the place had filled with people and there wasn’t a single empty seat.

“Um… I’m not a suspicious person.”

Seeing his timid demeanor, Jang Woo-hyun gave a slight nod and gestured to the seat.

“I’m Jang Woo-hyun.”

“Ah, so you're Jang Dae-hyeop.”

“I’m no Dae-hyeop. Just call me whatever is comfortable.”

“Then I’ll call you Brother Jang. Thank you for granting my request.”

Neung Un-bi gave a bow and sat across from Jang Woo-hyun.

“I’ll take five skewers too.”

While he ordered food, Jang Woo-hyun observed him.

Tall and good-looking enough to be called a handsome youth. With a kind impression and bright eyes that shone with intelligence, his face was likeable to anyone.

As he had stated his affiliation, the left chest of his white robe was embroidered with the word Samcheong above a Taeguk emblem.

‘Realm is at the peak of Supreme Peak.’

Though his exact age was unclear, Jang Woo-hyun could gauge his cultivation level. By the Central Heavens Martial Realm standard, it wasn't particularly high.

Still, it was strange.

He felt as if the man was hiding something. There was something elusive about him.

Jang Woo-hyun quietly released Qi Threads without Neung Un-bi noticing. Denser than before, the qi surpassed mere strands and became a single current that seized control of the surrounding space.

Because the energy had been extended subtly, Neung Un-bi, whose skill was inferior to Jang Woo-hyun's, had no idea what was happening.

‘Was it just my imagination?’

No matter how carefully he observed, he found nothing unusual.

“Apologies for intruding while you were enjoying your time alone. This is a seat I often use, and since there were no others available, I knew it was rude but still asked.”

As Jang Woo-hyun observed him, Neung Un-bi began speaking with a smile.

“Still, I’m lucky someone like Brother Jang was seated here. Had it been someone else, it would’ve been troublesome.”

“Are you a disciple of the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect?”

“Yes, though not of the main sect. I belong to a branch.”

The Samcheong Tai Chi Sect was renowned in the Central Heavens Martial Realm for its massive size. With so many branches spread across the realm, Neung Un-bi appeared to be from one of them.

“Brother Jang, you seem to have Ascended.”

“How did you know?”

“Well… I happened to see what you were reading. I’m sorry.”

“Ah…”

It seemed that while he had been focused on his reading, Neung Un-bi had seen the contents of Introduction to Central Heavens Martial Arts.

“The higher you go, the more incomprehensible it gets, right? The closer one gets to a Martial God, the more martial arts tend to transcend that framework.”

“Do you know much about the Realm of Wish or the Immortal Realm?”

Taking the opportunity, Jang Woo-hyun asked something he was curious about.

“The Tai Chi Sect is an ancient and vast sect, so information about the higher realms sometimes gets passed down. Some I’ve heard secondhand.”

Neung Un-bi continued as he chewed on his skewered meat.

“If the Realm of Wish is about applying the law of one's own microcosm to the world, then the Immortal Realm is…”

Neung Un-bi paused for a moment, and Jang Woo-hyun felt something strange.

‘What is this?’

He had a nagging sense that he had missed something.

“…The Immortal Realm is the stage where one brings their microcosm into the world. Think of it as manifesting that microcosm. Then the end part of the book might make a bit more sense.”

[If a heavenly god, one creates a palace and territory. If a demon of the Abyss, one creates a throne and a hell.]

That explanation matched the idea of unfolding one's own microcosm into the world.

Even as he listened, Jang Woo-hyun reconsidered if he had missed anything. The content of the conversation wasn’t what mattered—it was the strange feeling he couldn’t shake.

He retraced Neung Un-bi’s actions.

He had approached suddenly and explained exactly what Jang Woo-hyun was curious about.

Jang Woo-hyun stopped thinking and examined his surroundings.

Only now did he realize why something had felt off.

‘The people are all sitting still.’

Before entering the city, Maeng Ye-ju had said it. That to the people of this city, the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect was like a religion. Its disciples were respected everywhere in the city.

But no one among the street vendors even acknowledged him. No one gave up their seat.

–I’m glad someone like Brother Jang was seated here. If it had been someone else, it would’ve been troublesome.

Neung Un-bi had said it outright a moment ago. It implied that if someone else had been seated there, they might have yielded the seat to him.

And lastly—

No matter how focused Jang Woo-hyun had been, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed someone standing directly in front of him.

“You… What are you?”

Fwoooosh!

Sensing something wrong, Jang Woo-hyun drew upon his energy and reached for his sword.

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