Reincarnation Sword God

---

Heavenly Realm

With his back to the morning sun, Jin So-cheong held his spear in a stable posture. This position was just before the emission of Lan, allowing for a whopping sixteen Transformation Techniques to follow. The hallmark of the Thunder God Lineage spear techniques was the ability to seamlessly transition into the next movement from any posture, so what Jin So-cheong would do next was known only to him.

Jin So-cheong spoke.

“Baek Woong, before I share my realizations, I’d like to explain some Martial Discussions.”

I nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“What do you think is the reason the spear is stronger than the sword?”

At Jin So-cheong‘s question, I let out a hum. This question cut to the essence of martial arts, something I had pondered for a long time. Because of this, I could honestly answer without any hesitation.

“It’s because of Length and Advantage.”

Jin So-cheong nodded.

“Exactly. No matter how much one tries to compensate with Sword Strength or Invincible Sword, there’s a fatal difference in range. Attempting to bridge that gap with other techniques will only harm your internal power. Therefore, a Master wielding a spear is invariably more advanced than a swordsman. If both are of equal skill level, defeating a spear with a sword is a daunting task, is it not?”

I sighed.

“I have realized this long ago.”

When I once trained in spear techniques, I was captivated by its immense convenience and power. Using a spear made any opponent with a sword or dagger seem like nothing more than a minor obstacle. The reason I had struggled to surpass Lee Kwang was precisely because he was a master of spear techniques, wielding it like an extension of his body, which gave him a tremendous advantage.

“Knowing this early on, I believed that as I mastered the fundamentals of spear techniques, I could get stronger much faster. The reason I dedicated myself to training Lan, Na, and Chal was entirely based on that principle. I decided to delve into this for a month.”

What was he trying to say?

As I looked at him, Jin So-cheong continued.

“I examined what the past ‘Jin So-cheong’ thought while studying Jang Sam-bong’s Absolute Techniques. I connected my thoughts to the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, deducing their relationship to Sky Island. Initially, it was hard to grasp, but as time passed, I arrived at one conclusion.”

“What conclusion?”

“It was Three Steps.”

Three Steps?

Three paces?

I found Jin So-cheong‘s statement hard to grasp. Then, maintaining his stance, he said,

“Baek Woong, come closer. It will be easier to feel its meaning.”

“Alright!”

Without hesitation, I drew my sword. Harnessing the Myeolhon Method, I swiftly attacked Jin So-cheong. My martial arts were adept in both the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, and I could also utilize the clever techniques of the Thunder God Sword Dance. Normally, the original Jin So-cheong would have been too focused on just defending against my attack due to our internal power difference.

Clang!

However, my confidently delivered five Absolute Slashes were easily deflected by Jin So-cheong‘s defense. A strong metallic sound erupted, but I felt a more profound pain coursing through my chest. I was startled by that unfamiliar agony.

‘What?!’

My chest hurt. That meant my internal power had been forced back due to Jin So-cheong‘s counterattack. Digging deeper, it signified that the intent behind Jin So-cheong‘s counter had breached my defenses and protective energy! This exchange truly showed me how much Jin So-cheong had improved.

“Come closer.”

“Ha!”

Clang! Clang!

Clang! Clang!

Clang! Clang!

For a full thirty seconds, I unleashed my attacks while using the Cave-Collapsing Blade. But Jin So-cheong stood resolutely like a mountain, effortlessly blocking or deflecting my strikes without wasting any effort. Even when I leveraged my internal power to execute the greatly aggressive Heavenly Soaring Strike, Jin So-cheong easily repelled it as if he knew the vulnerabilities of that move!

As I pulled back, Jin So-cheong calmly said,

“Do you feel something odd?”

“……?”

“I did not move for three steps against you.”

“Gasp!”

It dawned on me. Despite hurling every possible sword strike at Jin So-cheong, he hadn’t moved even an inch—almost as if an invisible barrier had kept him within those three steps.

While it seemed reasonable at first glance, it was nonsensical. My current skill level exceeded that of Lee Kwang, even surpassing the early stages of my previous life. It would not be an overstatement to say that opponents who could defend like Jin So-cheong were nearly nonexistent in the martial world.

As I looked at Jin So-cheong in surprise, he spoke gravely.

“I suppressed those three steps with my intent. No matter what methods you employ, you cannot breach the harmony of these three steps, hence no attack can land on me. This is the principle of Three Steps, which fundamentally constitutes Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island.”

I bristled at his words.

“That’s nonsense! What does three steps even mean?”

“Try again.”

“Alright!”

Whoosh!

This time, I drew forth all my internal power, unleashing my strength and the Myeolhon Method to attack Jin So-cheong. My intention was that even Jin So-cheong couldn’t remain unscathed in the face of sheer force.

Yet before fifty seconds elapsed, I found myself staggering and retreating.

My chest was torn.

I could feel the damage to my muscles from Jin So-cheong‘s counter’s influence.

Moreover, despite unleashing my strenuous Absolute Slash, I still hadn’t managed to move Jin So-cheong beyond three steps!

“……”

I stood there, bewildered, clutching my torn chest. I felt as though I had been enchanted by a ghost. Everything I had unleashed was reputed Absolute Techniques, and my skill level had reached the peak, yet I was being toyed with to such an extent!

Jin So-cheong fixed me with a calm gaze.

“Sky Island penetrated the secrets of the Wind God Lineage, while Reverse Scale Island divided the sky. The driving force resides not in unleashing the peerless Heavenly Techniques, but in firmly establishing one’s own realm of martial arts to realize the invincibility within those three steps.”

It finally clicked!

Jin So-cheong had well and truly surpassed me! After a month of nearly fasting and training like a madman, he had exceeded ordinary limits! Feeling a mix of awe and envy rising, I asked in a trembling voice,

“I don’t understand… What significance do three steps hold?”

“Baek Woong, watch closely. And feel.”

Swish

Jin So-cheong initiated his first movement: Lan.

“The first step is Heaven, determining the world’s direction to carve my path.”

Next came Na.

“The second step is Earth, grasping the opponent’s space to blockade their path.”

Whoosh!

“The final step is Human. With freedom in both offense and defense, one can enjoy the remaining liberties.”

The last movement was as expected: Chal. I could do nothing but stare in a daze at the final thrust.

‘No way…’

I voiced my speculation.

“Jin So-cheong, don’t tell me Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island derive from the techniques of Lan, Na, and Chal?”

“Exactly.”

“How… how?”

It was hard to believe.

What were Lan, Na, and Chal!

These were literally the three fundamental techniques of spear arts, ones practiced repeatedly until calluses erupted on the hands. Certainly, when one reached the level of a master, each would naturally evolve into Absolute Techniques, but at their core, they were incredibly simple movements. The idea that these simple techniques gave birth to the principle of Three Steps and branched out into the dazzling Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island was incredulous.

Jin So-cheong explained.

“Perhaps in your past life, Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong took note of how Jang Sam-bong’s Absolute Techniques manipulated space freely. They then burrowed deeper into the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, and I believe they found practicing their respective essentials rather dull.”

“Dull?”

“Exactly. No matter how excellent the Cave-Collapsing Sword was, it’s limited when it came to swords or spear techniques. The completeness of the moves and techniques would significantly falter.”

“That makes sense…”

I now understood why Jin So-cheong and Lee Kwang appeared to be engaging in a quest for knowledge rather than simply training straight from the foundational formulas during our session with the Thunder God Lineage. As masters of spear techniques, they couldn’t accept swords without tweaking them. As I engrained Jin So-cheong’s explanation in my mind, he continued.

“Furthermore, they discovered clues within Seven Star Constellation Art.”

“Seven Star Constellation Art…”

“The brilliance of the Seven Star Constellation Art lies within the ‘Dou Transformation‘ techniques.”

Swish!

In a flash, Jin So-cheong unfurled the Seven Star Constellation Art, flickering back and forth, creating hazy illusions. Suddenly, Jin So-cheong‘s movements disappeared from my sight, only to find him standing in an unexpected location. He had instantaneously dismantled my vision and sensory perception.

“Gasp.”

“When the stars rise, the Big Dipper switches its position. This principle refracts space (屈空) and contracts the heavens (天縮), seamlessly linking the stars. By studying and employing Dou Transformation, they secured an unrivaled three steps of space.”

Swish!

“Using Three Steps of Heaven, Earth, and Human, the user can execute Lan without any hindrance. The simplest techniques become the strongest. The principles behind the three techniques merge, creating invincibility within those three steps.”

“……!!”

I felt like I could begin to comprehend Jin So-cheong‘s words. Essentially, the principle of Three Steps he demonstrated incorporated all three formidable arts—Cave-Collapsing Sword, Heavenly Contraction Sword, and Seven Star Constellation Art—which is what made it invincible. Still perplexed, I countered,

“Let’s say it’s invincible within those three steps. Then what about Sky Island or Reverse Scale Island?”

“I shall now recreate Sky Island.”

Shhhh

Zing!

Jin So-cheong seemed to perform a light horizontal swing with his spear. His movement appeared to fold into the very fabric of space, and his form emerged layered upon itself, exuding immense pressure as it surged forward.

Lightning shattered the space, resonating with overwhelming thunder. A technique from the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear, the Heavenly Thunder Wolf Demon, echoed out, tracing a line with supreme force. All at once, Jin So-cheong scattered Thunder Shadows as if dancing.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Boom!

With a storm-like charge, when Jin So-cheong took his final step, it exerted an overwhelming display of force akin to a thunder god’s advancement! I could feel a distinct correlation with the movements of Sky Island, which had once eclipsed Wind God’s guardian Yongbi-cheon, rendering me aghast.

“It’s… real!”

Jin So-cheong replicated Sky Island!

That truly meant he had accomplished this in just a month?!

As I erupted in surprise, Jin So-cheong continued.

“Think well. Even now, I moved centered around Three Steps of Heaven, Earth, and Human. Also, Heavenly Thunder Wolf Demon was not an essential technique, and any technique from Lan could be substituted instead. Isn’t that so?”

“Looking back on it…”

“Once you secure the space with intent through the Three Steps, any technique used will amplify in strength. When you attacked earlier, I was solely on defense; however, switching to offense within the influence of those three steps brings forth this level of power.”

Jin So-cheong smirked.

“Do you now understand why Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island have such lofty names? In reality, I simply swung techniques that came to mind within those three steps. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible to call them sheer techniques or Absolute Slash.”

“……”

Reflecting upon this, I remembered how Lee Kwang had stammered in response to my inquiry about the names of his techniques. With names like Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island being so brilliant, no one questioned them, yet they were merely derivative movements of Three Steps.

“Then you can also use Reverse Scale Island?”

“Reverse Scale Island is simply casting Chal at an extremely fast speed. Your master likely opted to strike with speed while executing Three Steps, bursting them one by one. The velocity was so rapid that it might seem like the heavens were being sliced.”

“Hmm…”

“When all bursts have detonated, matching the Guard of Yongbi-cheon‘s strength would be trivial – that was just a side effect.”

I was utterly astounded.

So, Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island weren’t separate entities but were indeed derived from Sword Techniques!

It felt as though decades of questions finally found resolution. For a typical Martial Artist, this would be a point of immense joy. Yet, I could hardly rejoice.

Despite having inherited memories, Jin So-cheong pieced together the past scenario, inferred the finesse of martial arts, and reconstructed it to revive those techniques from a state akin to nothingness. Such capabilities couldn’t just be labeled genius; one could only call him a monster.

Jin So-cheong spoke.

“To fully master Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island, you must delve deeply into the Seven Star Constellation Art. I can impart it to you now.”

“Ha!”

At that moment, I snapped back to my senses. I quickly shook my head.

“No, you kept your word. Let’s go rescue the women abducted by the Namgung clan first.”

“Thank you…”

Thud!

“Wait?! Get a hold of yourself!!”

Suddenly, as Jin So-cheong smiled and collapsed forward, I felt panicked. As I checked his pupils, I realized he had suffered severe fatigue and depletion due to extreme starvation from his intense training. I was horrified to comprehend this!

‘Despite having acquired incredible internal power from taking the Black and White Lotus and Thousand Year Snow Orchid, he trained so harshly that he drained it?!’

He must have exerted every ounce of his being night and day.

“……”

This wasn’t a matter of envy for brilliance. Jin So-cheong had charged into this endeavor hinging on his will as a man, exhausting every bit of his strength to realize his cause. I felt a jumble of emotions as I channeled my energy into Jin So-cheong, retrieving another Black and White Lotus.

“It seems I must make some Lotus Rice.”

Once Jin So-cheong awoke, I’d do my best to fulfill his wishes.

I would rescue the women from the Namgung clan, no matter what!