Chapter 130
It was the first time Seo Mun-Hwarin had thrown a punch not for defense, but for a counterattack.
A fist imbued with red qi burst forward so fast and straight that it gave the illusion of swelling in size. The moment it entered his sight, instinct told him—
‘That can’t be blocked.’
Even if the energy surrounding his sword were not sword flame, but solid sword qi, it would be the same. Better to dodge than try to meet it head-on. There would be no one who could stop that fist in a frontal clash.
That was how overwhelming the force of the strike felt.
But once a sword is swung, it cannot be recalled.
The fiercely burning sword flame collided with the tightly condensed fist imbued with fist qi. And then—
It shattered the sword flame as it pushed forward, an unrelenting blow that allowed not a single moment of resistance.
Even a sword that traced an incomprehensible trajectory thanks to Divine Sword Unity could not be compared to Seo Mun-Hwarin’s fist.
As he clenched his teeth in anticipation of the impact— Suddenly, the momentum radiating from Seo Mun-Hwarin’s fist weakened. The fist qi remained, but the oppressive aura that had been present a moment ago vanished. And then—
KWAANG!
With a tremendous roar, his body was flung backward.
“Kuhugh!”
“A-Are you alright? You could’ve just let go of the sword! Why were you being so stubborn!”
Seo Mun-Hwarin flapped both arms as she rushed over, anxiously examining his arms. Her reaction drew a helpless chuckle from him.
Still, wasn’t the difference between when she clenched her fist and when she didn’t a little too drastic?
Of course, Seo Mun-Hwarin, displeased with him smiling to himself, puffed out her cheeks and glared at him resentfully.
“What’s so funny? You're not fully recovered, just like Hyang, and yet you're grinning like a fool. Do you want to end up flat on your back again as soon as you’re up?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then why were you gripping that sword so tightly? I know you're serious about your sword, but you're not some Daoist who believes he must never let go of it under any circumstance.”
“Well, if letting go of my sword would let me win, or if I could just get a little hurt instead of dying, I’d gladly let it go. But in this case, I really had no choice.”
“Explain.”
“It becomes difficult to let go of the sword while maintaining Divine Sword Unity.”
“I see. The state of becoming one with your sword. I hadn’t thought of that since I’m a fist user and my fists have always been a part of me. No matter how urgent the situation, it's hard to just detach your own arm.”
“Yes. That’s why I have to deliberately break my concentration to disrupt Divine Sword Unity or intentionally build a technique around letting go of the sword. However—”
“However?”
Seo Mun-Hwarin tilted her head, and he continued, clenching and opening his fist as though trying to grasp the lingering sensation.
“The final sword strike... was beyond my understanding. I don’t even know how I swung it. How could I control it?”
That had been the issue tormenting him these past few days.
Divine Sword Unity is a state where one can swing their sword exactly as they envision. It allows for flawless execution, but it also means one cannot go beyond what they themselves understand.
And yet, the final strike that felled the Blood Flame Sword Demon was the most perfect sword technique he had ever performed—no, it was beyond that.
At a level that surpassed his own comprehension.
No matter how many times he tried to replicate it alone, it was impossible.
It had been a good decision to ask Seo Mun-Hwarin for help. Even if it took a bit of time, to succeed in just one spar was—
It was like chasing after someone running just ahead rather than running alone in uncertainty—one runs faster that way.
He nodded inwardly and continued.
“Isn’t it strange? I know that enlightenment often comes like that. At first, you don’t understand it, but retracing your steps helps you grasp it little by little. You keep swinging your sword, guided by that vague understanding and lingering sensation, until it becomes part of you... But even so, no one denies the enlightenment they've already attained, do they?”
“Hm. So that’s what’s been troubling you.”
“Yes. Divine Sword Unity is the highest realization I’ve attained, and the one most tied to my life. I don’t know if it’s right to deny it.”
The sensation he felt when he fought the Blood Flame Sword Demon was gradually fading. Unable to recreate the sword from that moment, his body couldn’t internalize it.
With effort, he could reclaim it. It would just take longer than usual.
That wasn’t the part that truly bothered him.
What did disturb him—was the idea that Divine Sword Unity, born of the lament of a wretched swordsman who had lost everything and clung to one sword, might have been wrong.
He didn’t want to deny it. How could he?
It was a realization born from the very Heartscape that formed the foundation of who he was, even if he had undone those tragedies through regression.
If someday his Heartscape changed, and Divine Sword Unity changed with it, that would be fine. But he didn’t want to suddenly prioritize some unfamiliar enlightenment over what came before.
Even if that new insight might lead to the future.
Yes, he knew it well.
This was obsession—another form of inner demon.
Maybe sensing his inner turmoil, Seo Mun-Hwarin spoke with a faint smile.
“I didn’t think you’d face it so soon... But in truth, your confusion is surprisingly common.”
“...What?”
“The sword strike you just performed. Do you know why you couldn’t understand it, or why I was shocked enough to respond seriously?”
“I do not.”
“It’s because that strike—though only faintly—contained Willpower.”
“Willpower?”
It was an utterly unexpected answer.
The biggest barrier between Peak Stage and Flowering Stage. In his previous life, he had faced death countless times and even died once, but could never reach it—Willpower.
They said Willpower was the embodiment of will and thought.
Most martial artists use it consciously or unconsciously, but the effect is minimal, almost imperceptible.
Much like how all living things possess qi, but not all are martial artists.
Even the killing intent he frequently used was a basic application of Willpower, where thought is given form.
But once one began wielding Willpower in earnest, everything changed.
Just like how saltwater will no longer absorb salt at a certain point, no matter how much internal energy one pours into a point, it can’t condense beyond Qi Flame. But—
Willpower forces that to happen. It forges massive amounts of internal energy—many times stronger than Qi Flame—into something denser, harder.
That’s why Willpower can only be countered with Willpower. Even with defensive qi, a swarm of Peak Stage masters would struggle to land a proper hit.
With it, one could split rivers with a punch, stir up deadly poison that kills both man and qi, or ensure an attack always hits its target.
In short, Willpower made the impossible possible.
“You’re saying I used Willpower?”
“Correct. It was crude and clumsy... but it was unmistakable.”
“That’s... a little shocking.”
Certainly, the insight he gained from battling the Blood Flame Sword Demon had expanded his limits.
But no matter how large a step, a single step was still just that—a step.
He’d assumed it would be a long road to Willpower.
Seo Mun-Hwarin chuckled at his bewildered expression.
“Why so surprised? You’ve always infused your swordsmanship with killing intent, haven’t you?”
“There are many martial artists who exude killing intent. But that doesn’t mean all of them wield Willpower.”
“True. But your case is special. How many people carry such dense killing intent as you?”
That was hard to deny.
“It’s simple. Until now, your sword swung first and killing intent—some Willpower—followed. This time, Willpower stirred first, and the sword followed.”
“So that’s why I couldn’t understand or reproduce it. I didn’t consciously swing.”
“Exactly. And that’s also why it’s not a contradiction to Divine Sword Unity. You said it yourself—Divine Sword Unity turns your ideal sword trajectory into reality. But where does that ideal trajectory come from?”
“From all the swords I’ve swung until now.”
“Then isn’t it natural that you couldn’t imagine, let alone execute, a sword you’ve never even considered before?”
“I understand. But there’s still one thing that bothers me.”
“What is it?”
“If that was my Willpower, why couldn’t I feel it? If Willpower is will and thought, shouldn’t I be the first to notice?”
“You already did. You just didn’t realize it consciously.”
Of all things, self-control was what he prided himself on. So that stung a little. But what she said next made perfect sense.
“Well, your Willpower is only at a fledgling level. It’s just a clue leading toward the Flowering Stage... But don’t get too arrogant or excited. Many martial artists cling to this clue their entire lives and die without advancing.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Still, a little advice wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
“I suppose. I can offer vague, general advice. That much is fine. That’s why I too imbued my last strike with Willpower. But— I can’t tell you what it was.”
“Why not?”
He asked, a bit hurt. Seo Mun-Hwarin’s eyes flickered slightly, then she shook her head and spoke firmly.
“As I said, your Willpower is still in its infancy. Who knows what kind of person a child will grow into? If I define it now, based on a faint impression, I’ll only be placing limits on you.”
“Ah...”
“You are still young, and not someone who will stop here. So don’t rush, don’t settle. Just think fiercely and yearn deeply. Don’t cage your own martial path.”
With those words, she raised her fist toward him.
Then, somewhat sheepishly, she added,
“Of course, if you want general advice, I can always offer that.”
“To me, even that is precious.”
He bowed his head, and Seo Mun-Hwarin lightly tapped his forehead with her raised fist.
“Willpower is just single-minded thought. Don’t forget that.”
“I’ll remember.”
As he raised his head again, she withdrew her fist with a slightly regretful look.
Then, after glancing at it, he cautiously asked,
“Senior Seo Mun-Hwarin. There’s still a lot of time until dinner... would you be willing to spar with me a bit more?”
“Hmm?”
Her eyes widened, then she smiled brightly and nodded vigorously.
“Of course! Come at me again!”
What followed was an absolute mess of a spar.