Episode 652: Return of the Martial Arts Master

Sabiran wielded only the martial arts she had learned from her four masters.

The Flashing Thunder Sword, the Dragon-Slaying Heaven Sword, the Black Heaven Blade Technique, and the Giant Blood Shield Blade…

These were all techniques she had learned from Mok Dan-hwa, Yeon Woo-gyeong, Seok Tan-gang, and Yoo Song-ryeong.

She combined these sword and blade techniques in such a way that they seemed like a new martial art altogether.

It wasn’t intentional.

In truth, as she studied under various masters, her martial arts naturally evolved in that direction.

How does one surpass their master?

It’s simple.

When the pinnacle of the past is absorbed with the flexibility of the present, transformation occurs.

And often, this transformation surpasses the past’s pinnacle.

Tradition is always rigid.

The higher the level, the more so.

Because one must protect what has been built and achieved.

However, those just starting out always approach with a spirit of challenge.

They seek the new, and often, the new becomes strength.

Thus, they naturally strive to absorb everything newly learned, blending it seamlessly.

No disciple can be exactly like their master.

There are innate traits and different life experiences.

That’s why all martial arts, over time, either evolve or regress as they are passed down.

But one thing is certain.

When martial arts evolve, it’s because something has been added to the existing method, causing change.

Ultimately, it’s about fusion.

In the conservative orthodox martial world, such ideas were not favored.

The martial arts deemed the best were always hidden and concealed.

As a result, fusion was difficult to achieve.

This mindset was shattered right after the Great Demon War.

At that time, the martial world broke down the walls between the orthodox and unorthodox, uniting against the demons.

Faced with a formidable enemy, humans naturally came together.

This was when the most vigorous integration occurred.

Especially after the victory in the Great Demon War, the orthodox and unorthodox mixed completely, leading to rapid martial arts development.

The orthodox sects moved away from their outdated methods, adopting more flexible thinking and pursuing stronger, more efficient martial arts.

The unorthodox sects, realizing the importance of solid fundamentals over luck, gradually strengthened their foundations.

But is eternal peace ever possible?

Gradually, divisions began to appear between the orthodox and unorthodox, and the development of martial arts started to stagnate.

Although the distinction between orthodox and unorthodox was still vague, if this peace continued, the martial world would soon be filled with self-serving individuals, voluntarily inviting chaos.

Just as the Swordwood Clan and the Black Heaven Blade Clan, who seemed unlikely to do so, had done.

At this moment, the warriors of the Swordwood Clan and the Black Heaven Blade Clan wore slightly flushed expressions.

It was inevitable, as they had just witnessed the breaking of the limits of the martial arts they had practiced.

Their thoughts began to stir.

Until now, they had maintained their pride, thinking, “Our martial arts are far superior to yours.”

There had been nothing but constant provocation over which martial art was better.

But now they thought differently.

If the martial arts of the two clans were to merge, they would become even stronger!

It seemed like a simple principle, but to them, it was a fresh shock.

Of course, Yeon Woo-gyeong, Mok Dan-hwa, Seok Tan-gang, and Yoo Song-ryeong also sensed the agitation among their warriors.

Yeon Woo-gyeong cleared his throat and spoke.

“Nothing pleases a master more than the progress of their disciple. You’ve surpassed us.”

“You flatter me. It’s all thanks to what I learned from Master Yeon.”

“Haha, I taught you the Dragon-Slaying Heaven Sword, but I never taught you how to harmonize it with other martial arts.”

“I also taught you the Black Heaven Blade Technique, but I never mentioned mixing it with other martial arts.”

Seok Tan-gang added to Yeon Woo-gyeong’s words.

Sabiran smiled faintly.

“Of course, my masters never did.”

After all, back then, the two clans were like sworn enemies.

“No matter how many masters you learned from, I never expected you to blend them so naturally. It seemed like a completely different martial art.”

“In fact, I think I understand why you showed us this way. But I also think it’s possible because it’s you. It might sound odd coming from your master, but you’re the child of that person.”

Mok Dan-hwa’s words were continued by Yoo Song-ryeong.

Sabiran nodded.

“You mean my father.”

“Yes, how did you manage to harmonize such different martial arts so seamlessly? Did the Lord teach you?”

Yoo Song-ryeong asked again, and Sabiran nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. In fact, as I learned from various masters, my martial arts naturally began to blend. Unconsciously. But not as naturally as this.”

“Does that mean only the martial arts of your family and the Swordwood Clan naturally harmonize?”

“Yes. My father specifically taught me that.”

“I see. But why only that…?”

This time, Sabiran looked puzzled.

“Don’t you really know?”

“What do you mean?”

“My father said… it was the four of you who achieved this harmony.”

The four of them widened their eyes in surprise and questioned simultaneously.

“Us? We did? We?”

“Yes. That’s what I heard.”

Sabiran nodded and continued.

“My father didn’t teach me a non-existent method. He said the four of you directly told him that such harmony was possible.”

Yeon Woo-gyeong, Mok Dan-hwa, Seok Tan-gang, and Yoo Song-ryeong looked at each other blankly.

The same thought crossed their minds.

‘Did we achieve such harmony? Why? When?’

They couldn’t remember at all.

If it had happened, it would have been thirty years ago.

During the height of the Great Demon War.

Yes, it was too long ago to recall clearly.

Yet, at the same time, another thought emerged.

‘We were that strong back then.’

Compared to the peace-laden present, they had indeed been formidable in their prime.

Martial arts typically develop with age, and it seemed they had reached their peak back then.

Since then, it had been mostly stagnation.

But now, it seemed more like regression than stagnation.

Sabiran continued speaking clearly.

“It’s no lie. The reason I can use such powerful martial arts and grow stronger is undoubtedly because of the four of you. Not only that, but also because of the other masters. But it’s a pity. It’s unfortunate that you can’t pass on these martial arts to children you cherish and love as much as… or even more than me. It’s a shame that only I can learn such excellent martial arts.”

”…”

The four masters remained silent.

Sabiran’s words continued softly.

“I’ve heard that martial arts journeys are about going out into the vast world, seeing, hearing, and experiencing many things to grow. But if you can’t see, hear, or experience the excellent environment right nearby, what’s the point of a martial arts journey? If you don’t approach the world with an open mind, it will become a solitary journey instead. So I…”

”…?”

“…don’t intend to take both of them with me.”

”…!”

The four masters exchanged bewildered glances.

The warriors of both clans also murmured, looking at each other.

From the sidelines, Dan Ri-hyuk furrowed his brow, grumbling with a ‘why bother with the duel then’ expression, while Ong Soo-ryeong clenched her hands tightly, looking surprised.

Only Deung Ga-hwi had a barely visible smile.

‘She’s quite the mischief-maker.’

Sabiran looked around at the surprised faces of the four and continued.

“Of course, if the four of you permit, both of them will approach this mission with an open mind, and I’ll take them with me. But if not… it’s better to leave it as it is.”

Sabiran finished speaking, looking at the four with a meaningful gaze.

It was a call for them to make a decision.

Not only her, but the surrounding warriors also looked at the four.

Watching this scene, Dam Jin-woo smiled faintly.

‘This time, the leader was right.’

When Sabiran first mentioned this plan, he hadn’t understood.

“Why? Why go through with the duel?”

“Because the relationship won’t be resolved so easily.”

“But these people were very close. I thought that having their children kidnapped, facing a common enemy, and fighting together would be enough to open the door to reconciliation.”

“No, that won’t be enough. Of course, the plan is excellent. But as you said, these people were very close. Yet, they’ve drifted apart enough to break even that bond. The wall of distrust is that thick.”

“Then… what’s the purpose of the duel?”

“It’s precisely to…”

“First, create a crack in the wall of distrust between the clan leaders, and second, create a crack in the hearts of the affiliated warriors…”

Dam Jin-woo recited what he had heard from Sabiran.

By now, the warriors of the two clans were surely feeling their hearts race.

For a warrior, mastering advanced martial arts is the ultimate value.

But now, they saw a clear way to learn something stronger than what they had thought was the best.

And Sabiran delivered the final blow.

“What do you think? In my opinion, it wouldn’t be bad if the two clans could reconcile like before and pass on more advanced martial arts to their disciples.”

As Sabiran finished speaking, the warriors looked at the clan leaders with eyes full of longing.

If they hadn’t known, it would have been different, but now they knew that stronger martial arts could emerge.

What warrior would want to learn something with clear limits?

After a long silence, Yeon Woo-gyeong let out a small laugh.

“Well, well, we’ve been thoroughly caught. What do you think?”

His gaze turned to Seok Tan-gang.

“Hmm. I don’t remember everything clearly, but one thing’s for sure. Back then, we were strong. Stronger than anyone.”

At those words, Mok Dan-hwa and Yoo Song-ryeong nodded silently in agreement.

The “we” he referred to wasn’t just the four of them.

It encompassed both the Cheonmyeoldae and the Shinsaengjo.

They taught and learned martial arts from each other without hesitation.

They harmonized and fused together seamlessly.

And now, as they looked at Sabiran, they thought to themselves.

It was like seeing their younger selves.

No, it was more than that.

Perhaps it was because she had embraced new things over the years.

Mok Dan-hwa, with a faint smile, spoke up.

“I remember what he used to say. The Lord once told the Demon King that humanity’s greatest weapon is empathy. That connecting and empathizing are humanity’s greatest strengths. Maybe we’ve been living, forgetting the most important thing….”

Yoo Song-ryeong fiddled with the thread tied to his sword.

“Well… for my son’s sake, I might overlook their mistakes.”

“What? No way. You should keep an eye on your son first, especially if he’s flirting with someone else’s precious daughter.”

“Flirting? Who made the first move, huh?”

“Who made the move? Did you see it?”

“I don’t need to see it to know!”

“What did you say?”

The two of them were at it again, pointing fingers and raising their voices.

Sabiran let out a light sigh.

“So, Masters… what are you going to do? Are you sending them on the mission…?”

“We’re sending them! We are!”

The two turned around and shouted in unison.

Sabiran couldn’t help but chuckle.

And from afar, there were those quietly observing the scene.