Chapter 44 : Ill-Fated Ties

Chapter 44: Ill-Fated Ties

"Is this really what Tang Myung left behind?"

Suppressing his excitement, Jang Woo-hyun asked.

"This can't be all of it. There's no way Tang Ga-ryang managed to bring everything out. It's possible everything he did was a lie. Maybe the Tang Clan was simply chasing him down because he stole the Secret Sword of the Hidden Heavens manual."

Although Tang Ga-ryang was undoubtedly a piece of trash, Hwang An's speculation was plausible.

"So, Brother Jang, if you're going to read this, keep one thing in mind. You might end up crossing the Tang Clan. That manual is extremely important to them."

"Got it."

Even though Hwang An spoke gravely, Jang Woo-hyun let the words in one ear and out the other. If this held a clue for progressing past the Absolute Realm, what did it matter if he clashed with the Tang Clan?

As Jang Woo-hyun turned the first page of the manual, Hwang An muttered to himself, "Knew it," and Jin Ha-un smiled quietly at the sight of the two.

Jang Woo-hyun slowly read through the contents as if savoring every word.

The contents written in the Tang Clan’s Hidden Heaven Manual weren't a complete martial art, but rather fragments of techniques or realizations.

The core concept recorded in the manual was Splitting Intent.

It was a method of dividing one’s focused intent and embedding it into weapons.

Jang Woo-hyun then examined another manual without a title, presumably also written by Tang Ga-ryang. It wasn't exactly a martial art, but more like a record of how Tang Ga-ryang had manipulated throwing needles.

The latter half even contained some of his personal insights.

After finishing both books, Jang Woo-hyun realized something.

The mysterious skill Tang Ga-ryang had demonstrated with throwing needles had been born from the enlightenment he gained from the Tang Clan’s Hidden Heaven Manual.

Though his will wasn’t particularly complex, he had imbued each throwing needle with his intent to move them as he pleased.

Jang Woo-hyun incorporated the contents of both books and adjusted them to suit himself.

He applied the method of manipulating throwing needles to the way he moved strands of Qi for situational awareness, and fused the Splitting Intent method from the Tang Clan’s Hidden Heaven Manual with another martial art.

Heaven-Earth Yin-Yang Dual Hands.

A manual he had acquired at the Shangguan Clan’s auction.

Comparable to Wudang’s Yang Mind Technique, this incomplete manual—with only odd-numbered pages—was said to allow one to perform different martial arts with each hand if mastered. Jang Woo-hyun thought he could fill in the missing parts using the Splitting Intent method.

“In the end, it’s all about dividing one’s thoughts.”

Both Heaven-Earth Yin-Yang Dual Hands and Yang Mind Technique required one person to execute two different martial arts simultaneously—essentially involving dual thoughts and dual actions, akin to the Splitting Intent method.

Recognizing this common ground, Jang Woo-hyun secluded himself for several days to master the techniques.

Ten days passed.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

“What the... is this?”

Hwang An pointed at the chopsticks dancing in midair.

There were six of them.

Strangely enough, they didn’t just move aimlessly—they were paired up and clashing against each other as if executing sword techniques. It looked as if tiny invisible people were dueling with chopsticks.

This wasn’t Object Control in Midair using Qi, which couldn't animate objects with such lifelike precision.

“Huh? What?”

“This! These chopsticks moving like they’re possessed in midair!”

“Oh, that.”

When Hwang An raised his voice, Jang Woo-hyun finally looked up from the manual he had been reading.

At the moment, he was turning the pages of the manual with his right hand, while invisible strands of Qi extended from his left hand, moving the chopsticks.

“I combined the Tang Clan’s Hidden Heaven Manual with Heaven-Earth Yin-Yang Dual Hands. It’s still rough, but once I master it, I think I’ll be able to control several swords simultaneously.”

He calls that rough?

It was such an impressive trick that if he joined a circus troupe, he’d rake in a fortune—yet he said it so casually that Hwang An was left speechless.

“Yeah, of course you would. What are you reading now?”

Jang Woo-hyun showed the manual he had been reading. The cover read Destruction Fist of the Falling Peak (멸악신권)—the secret manual he had obtained from Hwi Jeon.

“So... how is that one?”

“It’s simple. Really simple.”

The Destruction Fist of the Falling Peak was not complicated.

A brutal martial art focused on delivering power in a single, devastating blow.

The method was straightforward.

Form a barrier of Qi Projection around the fist, store internal energy beyond its threshold inside, and then explode it outward.

That was how Hwi Jeon had unleashed an attack powerful enough to surprise even Jang Woo-hyun.

Naturally, gathering that much power forcibly meant the backlash was enormous. Using it with weapons would wreck their durability, and using it with one’s bare fists, like Hwi Jeon had, would destroy the user's body.

It wasn’t a conventional or refined martial art.

It was a textbook example of a dark path technique—crude, unstable, but powerful. That was the Destruction Fist of the Falling Peak.

“You’re practically rolling in manuals! How many do you have now, anyway? But seriously—when are we going to Sichuan? Are we even going? At this rate, Senior Ma’s going to die of old age.”

Clatter.

Startled by Hwang An’s complaint, the chopsticks fell to the ground.

“Brother Jang?”

By then, Jang Woo-hyun had already closed the manual and was standing with a serious expression.

“W-Whoa, no need to get so serious. I was just messing around. Take your time. What’s more important to a martial artist than training anyway, right?”

Hwang An chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease the mood, but Jang Woo-hyun wasn’t listening.

He took out the manuals and a pouch from his inner robe and placed them on the table.

“Take care of these for me.”

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“I think I have to go out for a bit.”

“Go where? Alone? Let me come with you.”

“No.”

Jang Woo-hyun firmly shook his head.

“I need to do this alone.”

He then picked up his weapons—Silent Night and Flying Swallow—which he had propped against the wall.

“Wait here. I… never mind.”

He didn’t say, ‘If I don’t return, head to Sichuan first.’ There was no need to say that yet.

“What the hell is going on?”

“I’ll explain when I get back. Just take good care of this.”

Leaving those words behind, Jang Woo-hyun used lightness skill and vanished.

“What’s going on that’s got him like this…”

Faced with Jang Woo-hyun’s grim expression, Hwang An couldn’t bring himself to stop or follow him.

Even after leaving the city, Jang Woo-hyun continued running for a long while until he descended into a quiet forest.

There, the person who had summoned him was waiting.

The same presence he had faintly sensed that evening after practicing Three Dantians, Three Origins Technique. It had been this man’s energy.

A sturdy, well-built old man glanced at Jang Woo-hyun and opened his mouth.

“Let’s move to a different place.”

The old man walked ahead, and Jang Woo-hyun followed behind. They didn’t stop until they crossed a nearby mountain.

The old man turned to face Jang Woo-hyun.

“Gi Il-gwang.”

A voice of command, the voice of one who stood above many.

It was only a name, but its weight could be felt.

Though they were standing on equal ground, it felt as if Gi Il-gwang was towering over him, looking down from a high place.

His martial robes were all black. His long hair was tied back into a single strand.

His massive and solid physique resembled a steel tower. His face had pronounced features that matched his size, and his expressionless look resembled a man wearing an iron mask.

Beneath his seemingly indifferent gaze burned an intense killing intent. Jang Woo-hyun had never seen this man before, yet he instantly understood—Gi Il-gwang had come to kill him.

“I’ve come from the Divine Cult. I am the grandfather of the child you killed.”

Those who referred to themselves as the Divine Cult were none other than—

The Demon Cult. The ill-fated ties from the Shangguan Clan’s auction had found him again.

“Jang Woo-hyun,” he replied, drawing Silent Night.

Gi Il-gwang raised his fist in response.

“Hm.”

Just the act of raising his fist changed the atmosphere. No, it wasn't just the atmosphere—everything around them seemed to change.

Heaven and earth responded to his fury, to his actions.

Jang Woo-hyun had seen this before.

A Supreme Master…

It was similar to when Cheol Geuk-jin had clenched his fist. No doubt about it. Gi Il-gwang was a martial artist who had reached the realm of absolutes.

“I serve the Cult as an Usal. The martial art I use is a unique technique based on Bare-Handed Demon Art (Sosu Magong).”

His hand shone white.

“I’m just a wandering warrior. I use multiple martial arts simultaneously, including the Silent Night Three Swords.”

Gi Il-gwang nodded and said,

“Come.”

That was the signal.

Jang Woo-hyun moved instantly.

He closed the gap using Lightning Step, then used Horse King’s First Step: Sudden Advance to seize an advantageous position.

His next attack—Cross Slash in All Directions.

Black Wolf Fang: Cross Blade.

But it didn’t work.

A glowing white hand suddenly reached out and crushed the slash in its grip.

The slash made of Qi Projection shattered, sending a shockwave through the forest and scattering into particles of light.

Unfazed, Jang Woo-hyun prepared his next attack.

He surrounded Silent Night with rings of Qi—Sevenfold Compression Assault targeted Gi Il-gwang again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Gi Il-gwang blocked all seven successive layers of compressed Qi with seven punches.

Before Jang Woo-hyun could even be surprised, Gi Il-gwang was already in front of him, aiming a palm strike at his chest.

Fast!

For the first time, he couldn’t react to someone’s attack.

Though it was a straightforward thrust, it contained countless variations. Even if he had reacted, he wouldn't have been able to block it properly.

Bang!

Jang Woo-hyun was pushed backward, his feet gouging two long furrows into the ground.

“Guh!”

He clenched his teeth, but a groan still escaped.

“Urgh…”

His insides churned, and blood spilled from his mouth and nose.

He wiped the blood from his nose with his free hand and stared at Gi Il-gwang.

“That strength… not something one should have at your age.”

Despite having every chance to follow up, Gi Il-gwang stood still, looking at him with calm eyes.

“Such a shame for such talent… but this is where it ends.”

“Puh.”

Jang Woo-hyun spat blood and raised Silent Night once more.

The tip of his sword trembled. It was as if he had taken a fatal blow from just one strike.

Seeing that, Gi Il-gwang gave a small nod.

“Yes. That’s how a true martial artist should be.”

He raised his hand, and a bead of Qi formed in his palm.

“What do you think separates those at the Peak Master Level from those who’ve reached the Realm of Absolutes?”

“Some call it Will-Form Qi Projection.”

That meant Qi moved with one’s will and took on form. When using Qi Projection, shapes like dragons, tigers, or even Buddhas appeared—those were manifestations of Will-Form Qi.

“But even some Peak Masters can achieve that, depending on the technique or their insight. Will-Form Qi is just what those who haven’t reached the Realm of Absolutes think it is. But once you arrive here, you realize… what truly changes is your perception.”

Jang Woo-hyun listened, trying to calm his shaken insides while constantly searching for an optimal attack angle.

“Have you settled down now?”

Gi Il-gwang asked, seeming to understand his intentions. He had known Jang Woo-hyun’s state and given him time.

“Then, let’s continue.”

With those words, the bead of Qi in Gi Il-gwang’s hand turned into two white birds that took flight.

The birds flew straight toward him.

Boom! Bang!

Jang Woo-hyun blocked the birds of Qi with Black Wolf Fang: Cross Blade. The resulting force pushed him back over ten steps.

He reinforced his stance and gripped Silent Night tighter.

As Gi Il-gwang closed the distance, Jang Woo-hyun moved again.

He needed time—to use a new technique he had created after studying the Destruction Fist of the Falling Peak.

He unleashed the Horse King's Fourth Step: Eight Shadows to escape Gi Il-gwang’s range at all costs.

“Do you think you can run?”

Even though Jang Woo-hyun gave it his all, he couldn’t fully shake off Gi Il-gwang’s light steps.

Just as Gi Il-gwang seemed to say, ‘If you won’t come, I will,’ and moved forward—

Jang Woo-hyun unleashed the power stored in Silent Night all at once.

BOOOOOM!

A tremendous force exploded outward, and Jang Woo-hyun used Horse King’s Third Step: Sovereign Ruling to hold his ground against the backlash.

Then, he dashed forward again.

He activated the Qi Threads and drew Flying Swallow, now holding two swords.

Drive forward like this!

Just like when he had fought Hwi Jeon and Tang Ga-ryang, he aimed to strike with both hands simultaneously.

But—

“The perception of one who’s reached the Realm of Absolutes means they can even sense your actions and thoughts.”

Gi Il-gwang suddenly emerged through the storm of Qi and launched a single punch.

CLANG!

Jang Woo-hyun barely blocked it by crossing both swords in front of him. He couldn't back down now, so he fired off another Black Wolf Fang—but Gi Il-gwang’s hand shattered it with ease.

Still, he didn’t give up and charged forward.

Jang Woo-hyun threw everything he had.

Starting from the very first technique he had learned—Tiger Form Sword—to Silent Night Three Swords, Three Wheels Sword Art, Single-Heart Sword, and even the Six-Legged Horse King's Step. But not a single one worked.

Every technique he used was either broken or blocked.

It wasn’t like fighting someone at the Peak Master Level while he stood at the pinnacle of the Master Realm.

The gap between the Peak Master Level and the Realm of Absolutes was simply too vast. That wall was far too thick.

As he prepared to suppress power through a firm step and launch a Sevenfold Compression Assault, Gi Il-gwang’s hand was already striking Silent Night.

CLANG!

His glowing white hand shattered the ring of Qi surrounding the sword and struck the blade directly.

That was the end of it.

The blade of Silent Night, his loyal companion, shattered—only a third of it remained intact.

Before he could even move Flying Swallow, Gi Il-gwang’s hand closed in.

BOOOM!

Jang Woo-hyun wrapped himself in Qi Projection and summoned internal energy to protect his body, but the approaching hand was overwhelming.

Hit by the immense force, he was sent flying and tumbled across the ground, bouncing as far as he had been thrown.

“Guh! K-heuk...”

It had been only a single blow, but it felt like his body was about to fall apart.

The thought that he might die like this took hold of Jang Woo-hyun’s body.

The greatest crisis since stepping into the Martial World. He had never been pushed this far, never been so wounded in a fight before.

Coughing up blood and choking, he struggled to raise his head.

In the distance, he saw Gi Il-gwang walking toward him slowly.

A supreme master who had reached the pinnacle of human limits.

Someone he couldn’t reach with his current strength.

No... there’s still one thing left.

The day he met Cheol Geuk-jin, the man had warned him.

That unleashing all his power without stepping into the next stage could be dangerous.

So, unconsciously, he had been limiting his strength—for fear of damaging his body.

But now was no time to be cautious.

Even if having more internal energy alone wasn’t enough to face Gi Il-gwang, he had resolved to do everything he could.

Whether I die from a punch… or my body bursts from the inside.

Dying either way was the same.

Making up his mind, Jang Woo-hyun unleashed all of his internal energy without restraint.

He shattered the unconscious seal within himself.

He had always possessed more internal energy than his cultivation level should allow.

He had kept it forcibly suppressed in his dantian. But now, with the dam broken, the sealed internal energy exploded into motion.

Fwoooosh—

His body trembled from the surging energy.

The raging Qi was so wild it became nearly uncontrollable.

But it was different from when he met Cheol Geuk-jin.

Back then, he had only used the lower dantian, but now, after training in Three Dantians, Three Origins Technique just days ago, his middle and upper dantians were in a much more refined state.

A massive amount of internal energy flowed through the middle dantian toward the upper dantian.

The Baihui Point opened.

And at that moment, Jang Woo-hyun fell into a new sensation.

In silence, everything stopped.

No, not stopped—everything was just moving extremely slowly.

Even trying to raise his hand made it feel like time had halted, and broken trees and leaves he had shattered earlier appeared to hang motionless in midair as they gently fell toward the ground.

Only his consciousness accelerated.

A sensation he had never felt before.

Startled, a single thought surfaced in Jang Woo-hyun’s mind.

—And that day, I realized the Realm of Absolutes isn’t the end. How do I know? Well, it’s hard to explain, but after I reached the Realm of Absolutes, I just instinctively understood it.

The words of Kim Min-soo—the stage beyond the Realm of Absolutes.

Just like Kim Min-soo, Jang Woo-hyun instinctively understood.

This sensation was that next stage beyond the Realm of Absolutes, and that this moment wouldn’t last forever.

And right now, he had made a small crack in the wall of the Realm of Absolutes.