Reincarnation Sword God

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Heavenly Realm

I began teaching Jin So-cheong the insights and martial arts I knew. First, I introduced him to the Baek Woong Technique and the Split Heart Technique for a day. The Baek Woong Technique significantly accelerated Jin So-cheong’s speed and granted him the effects of the Thunder Wind Strike, while the Split Heart Technique was essential for mastering the Soul Destruction Technique. Listening to the essentials, Jin So-cheong easily grasped both techniques with just a little practice, and by the next day, they were entirely his.

Not stopping there, I also gave him the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and the Black and White Lotus. Jin So-cheong looked at me with surprise and asked,

“Is it really okay to give this to me?”

“What are you asking me for? It’s not like I’ll gain anything significant by consuming it. But for you, it would certainly be a big help.”

“Hmmm. Well then, I shall gratefully consume it.”

Whoooosh!

Jin So-cheong consumed the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and began to cultivate his inner energy. Normally, consuming the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng would require balancing the extreme cold energy it contained, so it was advisable to take it with the Black and White Lotus. However, given Jin So-cheong’s exceptional foundational skills, he could manage taking it solo without any issues. After finishing his cultivation, the change in his aura was distinct—he exuded tremendous power.

In fact, with just this, it could be said that Jin So-cheong had already completed ten years’ worth of progress. At this rate, he could easily become one of the top ten martial artists of the world in the future. However, since our enemies were far stronger than humans, I pondered inwardly,

‘How strong can Jin So-cheong become?’

It was pure curiosity. I wanted to lift Jin So-cheong to a height that I could never reach with my own talent. So I considered what else I could impart and said to him,

“Now, I will teach you the ultimate techniques of Jang Sam-bong.”

“Before that, I have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

Jin So-cheong lowered his spear and asked,

“What do you think the Final Technique of Thunder God Lineage is?”

“Hmm…”

It was an incredibly difficult question.

The Final Technique of Thunder God Lineage—what a weighty topic!

It might have been a secret fiercely defended by the Thunder God’s protector, Lee Cheong-un, while also being a supreme martial art desperately sought after by the Black Lotus leader. Theoretically, one had to master the sword, fist, and spear techniques up to the Final Phase, receive the Heavenly Spirit Pill, then the three renowned figures of the Thunder God Lineage would exhaust their efforts to assist in its completion. Only after all this and the total forgetting and rearranging would the Final Technique be revealed.

But the conditions for obtaining it were utterly preposterous. I could forgive the Heavenly Spirit Pill, but how could one possibly master such difficult martial arts to their Final Phase?

What was even more absurd was that no one knew what the name of the Final Technique was or what skills it entailed. What kind of nonsensical story is it to say you must perfect a phase for which no shape is even known? Jin So-cheong must have learned about the Final Technique through my memories, prompting his question.

I shook my head.

“The Final Phase of Thunder God Swordsmanship is the Thunder God Sword Dance. That’s all I know. As for the Final Phases of spear and fist techniques, I’m not so sure.”

After thinking for a moment, Jin So-cheong replied,

“The reason I brought this up is that I have a hunch about the Final Technique.”

“What?!”

I was taken aback.

Honestly, while I had considered the Thunder God Lineage’s Final Technique, I had dismissed it as a mere legend—something too ridiculous to take seriously. However, now Jin So-cheong was claiming to have a clue! Jin So-cheong looked at me with calm eyes and said,

“If the Thunder God Sword Dance is the Final Phase of swordsmanship, then there must be a corresponding technique within spear techniques as well.”

“Is it the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear?”

“I thought so too, but as I practiced Ranna Chul, I realized that isn’t the case.”

Jin So-cheong quietly lifted his spear.

Swish!

Then, in an instant, he unleashed an astonishing strike with immense speed, and his body appeared three feet away with a whooshing sound. It looked like a simple thrust, but I instinctively sensed a deep essence hidden within it.

“What the…? That’s not just a simple thrust.”

It wasn’t even a composite technique of Ranna Chul. The essence of the spear technique differed on a more fundamental level. It could be said that I was witnessing a martial art I’d never seen before.

Jin So-cheong nodded.

“When I fought you a while back, I didn’t showcase it because it was an incomplete technique. But I see this as the next step in the Thunder God Lineage’s spear techniques.”

“The next step?”

“I consulted my master about this step, and he mentioned it’s a stage of combining the Six Harmonies of spear techniques into one.”

I pondered this for a moment before responding,

“Could the Six Harmonies of spear techniques refer to the One Strike, Two Advances, Three Turns, Four Entangles, Five Grabs, and Six Alignments?”

“Indeed, you have once studied spear techniques deeply. Just as you said.”

I felt a bit embarrassed. Every year of intensive hellish training trying to master spear techniques resurfaced in my mind, reminding me how I thought the spear was stronger than the sword.

“Hm, that’s all theory and not an actual martial art or finishing move…”

The theoretical Six Harmonies of spear techniques diverged from the fanciful concepts of various styles. It embodied the perfect combat flow: thrusting on the first move, advancing on the second, using Ranna Chul on the third, weaving through the opponent’s attacks on the fourth, and finally stabbing at the heart to finish it off. There was no clearer and more intuitive theory for a spear martial artist than this.

Jin So-cheong spoke softly,

“Though it’s incomplete, would you like to give it a try?”

“Let’s see it.”

I readied my combat stance. It hadn’t seemed remarkable when I first observed from the side, so I proceeded to cultivate my inner energy, preparing to use the Cave Collapsing Sword. The Cave Collapsing Sword could function as a defensive ultimate technique against any attack if used correctly.

Jin So-cheong focused, then launched his strike.

“Harm!”

Clang!

In the next moment, our weapons clashed mid-air.

“……!!”

It was unbelievable, but neither Jin So-cheong nor I could withstand the pressure of each other’s strikes and ended up dropping our weapons! Just a moment before, I believed I had expertly countered Jin So-cheong’s strike using the Cave Collapsing Sword, but that assumption was entirely wrong.

His strike twisted through the distortion of our techniques as if it were alive, forcing me to awkwardly move my sword to block. The unexpected recoil from this second collision caused our grips to slip apart. Of course, Jin So-cheong’s recently acquired energy from the elixir played a significant part in this as well.

“What… what was that?!”

I stood there with my mouth agape, bewildered. This technique was genuinely a first for me! Jin So-cheong, while tending to his injured hand, explained,

“I can’t describe it well, but it’s about condensing the entire process from the One Strike to the Six Alignments into a single maneuver. My master described this stage as the ultimate limits of thrusting.”

“……”

“It’ll probably become something I’ll research for my entire life.”

While I felt astonished, I also thought it made sense.

‘The swordsmanship clearly delineates its stages up to the Thunder God Sword Dance, but there’s no way the spear techniques would lag behind that.’

I began to suspect that the strike Jin So-cheong had just invoked might relate to the stage of intention. The Final Phase of the spear techniques, unlike the swords, was passed down with the assumption that the successor had achieved the Stage of Intent. The swordsmanship, developed for formal ceremonial purposes, focused on technique transmission, while the Thunder God Lineage’s spear techniques couldn’t afford to ignore the pinnacle of the Stage of Intent due to their practical application.

With this progression, it became evident why neither Jin So-cheong nor Lee Kwang were experiencing significant breakthroughs. The martial essence was of such a high level that they continued their research without a clear path forward. Even now, it felt like Jin So-cheong had merely used his enhanced inner energy to attempt this technique, not fully embodying it as his own.

‘Of course, if he perfected that technique, I wouldn’t stand a chance against him…’

Jin So-cheong continued,

“Then someone must know the Final Technique of the Thunder God Lineage’s Fist Techniques as well. The adept of the Fist Technique among the Thunder God Lineage, known as the Red Moon Protector, is the most likely candidate.”

“I see. So the Final Technique of Thunder God Lineage isn’t just a fanciful notion after all.”

“Thinking up to this point strangely gives me an instinct…”

Jin So-cheong hesitated for a moment before saying,

“The Final Technique must exist without a doubt. And I think it will take a much more concrete form than we expect.”

I tilted my head.

“Why do you think so? It’s one thing to argue that mastering all three martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage to the Final Phase is feasible, but going through a period of disarray and then re-establishing it is far too unrealistic…”

“I don’t know the complex reasons, but the circumstances suggest so.”

Jin So-cheong spoke firmly,

“Both the great master Lee Cheong-un and the current Black Lotus leader must realize the Final Technique exists, which is why they must have clashed.”

“If that’s the case… why did the leader’s actions seem so strange? If the Final Technique genuinely existed, they shouldn’t have purged the Thunder God Lineage. They should have waited until it was completed and taken it by force instead of putting them in a nearly impossible situation.”

“The Final Technique of the Thunder God Lineage is likely stronger than his own martial arts. He probably thought he wouldn’t be able to handle it if it were completed.”

“……”

That could be plausible. If the Final Technique of Thunder God Lineage posed a threat to him, it would make sense to eliminate it; nevertheless, perhaps he desired its power enough to leave the Thunder God Lineage alive? While I was mulling over the conspiratorial thoughts in my head, Jin So-cheong continued.

“Baek Woong, I understand you have ill feelings toward my master. I know our Thunder God Lineage has held you back in your past life. But please, don’t hate us for being part of the Thunder God Lineage; I hope you’ll lend us your assistance.”

I felt a bit awkward. It was evident that my bittersweet feelings toward the Thunder God Lineage had been laid bare, leading Jin So-cheong to speak like this.

“I understand. I will do my best.”

With that, I concluded my conversation with Jin So-cheong and began transmitting the ultimate techniques of Jang Sam-bong. I started with the Cave Collapsing Sword, Heavenly Contraction Sword, Tai Chi Flowing Sword, Seven Star Cave Shadow, Dark Sky Seamless Strike, True Martial Seven Sections Mirror, and the techniques of the Unmatched Dominance Alliteration in order, taking approximately three days to pass on just the essentials. The basics of the techniques took about another full week to convey.

However, once the foundational lessons were complete, Jin So-cheong’s growth rate utterly shocked me.

Boom!

As Jin So-cheong released the energy from his Cave Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, their energies intertwined in the air as he struck a boulder. The stone shattered into countless pieces without a trace remaining. While breaking rocks should not be a significant feat at his level, the key takeaway was that he had now reached a practical level where he could effectively use the Cave Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword.

No matter how exceptional the martial art or how outstanding the talent was, it was remarkable to achieve such mastery within less than a month of training!

Considering it had taken me over a decade to properly apply the Cave Collapsing Sword, this explosive growth rate was unfathomable. Moreover, Jin So-cheong was not done; it seemed he was preparing for further growth by integrating these techniques into his Thunder God Lineage martial arts.

I grew a little curious and decided to teach him the Soul Destruction Technique, along with some other techniques like the Reversing Resurrection and the Famous King Technique. Jin So-cheong found time to practice these as well, showing no signs of struggle in comprehending them. It was as if he could grasp one thing and understand ten more, displaying an even higher rate of growth.

“……”

A profound sense of fear washed over me. Of course, I had been amazed by the Sword Demon’s talent when I taught him the Wudang techniques, but this situation felt wholly different now.

I realized with a heavy heart,

‘Jin So-cheong’s talent is… ten times greater than the Sword Demon.’

Considering that the Sword Demon was recognized as one of the top martial geniuses in the Central Plains, it was truly unfathomable. While I could at least understand the Sword Demon’s growth by observing him closely, Jin So-cheong’s pace felt entirely beyond comprehension. Whenever he learned ten techniques, he was already ahead of learning twenty, vanishing from my sight at some point.

So roughly two months and twelve nights had passed, and I came to a realization.

“I’ve almost taught you everything…”

Jin So-cheong appeared astonished.

“Really?”

“Indeed.”

He genuinely looked surprised.

In terms of swordsmanship, Jin So-cheong already knew everything. All techniques from Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, Manifold Sword Strike, Thunder Dragon Divine Sword, and Thunder God Sword Dance had been grasped by him before turning twenty.

The discussions I had with the Thunder God Lineage’s experts, who had previously passionately debated the contents, had been comprehended by Jin So-cheong in about seven days! He had absorbed much of the martial essence I researched with the Sword Demon for years. Specifics would require further study, but it was a fact that Jin So-cheong had secured an overwhelmingly advantageous position.

It seemed even the techniques I had learned from Nobutsu—the techniques of No Knife—were easy for Jin So-cheong to understand.

If there was anything left to teach him, it might have pertained to techniques like the No Shadow Sword Technique or the Soul Separation Sword Technique, but I didn’t see how much help they would provide him; there was little need to teach them. Jin So-cheong had no necessity for techniques and wouldn’t benefit much even if I taught him medicinal skills at this point.

In other words, I had nearly imparted all I could on martial arts. I still had some things left to teach, but the main points had all been covered. The remainder would be enough for him to train on his own.

I hadn’t expected to find my teaching resources nearly depleted in under three months, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Is this even a human?

How could someone possibly acquire what I had painstakingly built over decades so swiftly?

‘Th-this Lee Kwang. You were truly an incredible human being.’

How could I have the opportunity to teach such a super genius for over ten years?

While I was sinking into doubt, frustration, and inferiority, Jin So-cheong spoke up.

“I haven’t heard anything from Mangnyang for a while; I think we should look for him.”

His words jolted me back to attention.

“You’re right.”

Having focused solely on teaching Jin So-cheong, I neglected the fact that Mangnyang hadn’t reached out in a long time. Considering Mangnyang had mastered the Art of Spatial Movement, it would be peculiar for it to take more than two months to search the altar of the Five Great Mountains. Moreover, no word from him at all during this period truly seemed odd!

As we consulted with Cheon Woo-jin, he said,

“Then I shall accompany you.”

“But there’s no one to guard Jinrang Valley.”

“Regardless, if Mangnyang isn’t with us, then what’s the point of risking it to protect Jinrang Valley? If what you say is true, this is an emergency, and it’s only right I assist you.”

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin handed me a scroll. When I opened it, the drawing depicted Zhuge Sa lounging in a hut with a sullen expression.

“…Could this be…?”

“If necessary, you may use it.”

Right!

This scroll didn’t merely depict Zhuge Sa.

It showed Zhuge Sa sealed within a drawing by Cheon Woo-jin’s technique! I couldn’t believe such a technique existed!

“……”

“If he pulls any funny business, we’ll know right away, so don’t worry.”

I glanced at the scroll with pity as Zhuge Sa had become a victim of Cheon Woo-jin’s whims. Even though he was a crazy person, getting caught by Cheon Woo-jin turned out to be a real nightmare. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Zhuge Sa.

Jin So-cheong said,

“Let’s head to Mount Tai first. That place feels the most suspicious.”

I’ve… slightly downgraded Jin So-cheong…