LD Vol.3 Chapter 20

Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong’s Lecture on Hidden Weapons

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. I intend to shatter the existing, fixed, and narrow common sense you have held until now. I hope you prepare your minds so as not to suffer a severe blow from the collapse of your common sense.”

The lecture began with a grandiose statement.

“Ordinary people seem to think that the stories in martial arts novels are impossible. Isn’t that so?”

Having opened with those words, Dang-pyeong looked around with a leisurely gaze.

“Yes, that’s right,” the students reluctantly answered. The current class was called “Contemplation on the 108 Hidden Weapons in the Martial Arts World,” and it was taught by Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong from the Four Evils Sect. Today was the first class, and it was their first encounter with him. Judging by his skinny physique, gloomy yet sharp gaze, and overall assessment, he didn’t give a likable impression at all. The general evaluation was that his personality was as eccentric as his appearance.

“Not only ordinary people who have no connection to the martial arts world but even those who are called masters by those around them think it’s a lie.”

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

What was he getting at? Shouldn’t he state the topic clearly before starting the lecture?

“Teacher, what are you talking about?”

It was a protest that the topic should be clearly presented when giving a lecture.

“Oh, did I not mention it?”

Faced with the absurd question, the 40 students nodded their heads.

“Ahem, well, what I want to talk about is hidden weapons techniques.”

The blackboard clearly stated that today’s lesson was on the relationship between martial arts and the five senses, so everyone was aware of the class content. Of course, the purpose of the class was to learn about the countless hidden weapon techniques and how to use and counter them.

“When people read martial arts novels or hear stories passed down about masters, they usually have doubts about one fact. Do you know what that is? It’s the discrepancy between time and thought.”

The students still couldn’t understand Dang-pyeong’s abstract lecture.

“I’m sure you’ve all felt it at least once.”

Dang-pyeong surveyed the room again, drawing attention to emphasize his point. This was the main point, so he wanted to focus the students’ attention even more. Moyong Hwee was still diligently and actively consuming ink and paper. Dang-pyeong had a very satisfied smile on his lips as he looked at him. It was a smile that seemed to say, ‘That’s the attitude of a true student.’

“How can one think so extensively in a duel where every second counts? How can one contemplate and analyze the opponent’s techniques and martial arts when a sword is flashing towards one’s neck like lightning? Doesn’t it seem strange? Could this be a lie?”

Only then did the students nod their heads in agreement. That was a question anyone would have had at least once while reading martial arts novels. Especially in the popular supreme master series “Records of the Three Heavenly Sages” or the book “Absolute Records of the Martial God” about the Supreme Martial God Hyeok Wol-rin, which was at the peak of popularity, many such passages appeared, and everyone knew that well. The literature of the martial arts world in this era mostly consisted of books recording the lives and exploits of previous generation masters. Among them, the most popular were the writings about the Supreme Martial God Hyeok Wol-rin, who saved the martial arts world from the Thousand Calamities Spirit a hundred years ago, and the Three Heavenly Sages. There were countless types and titles of stories written by numerous authors about them. They were stories that everyone had read at least once in their childhood.

“But that is true,” Dang-pyeong solemnly declared. “The protagonists in these old factual records of martial arts literature, especially in the life-and-death battles or duels where every second counts, are strangely relaxed. It takes but the blink of an eye for an ordinary master—isn’t a master already extraordinary?—to split a tree in front of them into sixteen pieces with their sword. Let me briefly quote from the Sword Saint chapter of the Records of the Three Heavenly Sages by Jin Seo-wol, which is recognized as the most credible story completed through oral narration. The accidental encounter between Moyong Cheon, the Divine Sword Hero who later became known as the Sword Saint, one of the Three Heavenly Sages, and Cho Gae-hyeon, the Bloody Demon Sword, took place at a ferry on the Janggang River. The Bloody Demon Sword, who was part of the despicable evil group, was a well-known mid-level master of the Thousand Calamities Spirit at that time and couldn’t tolerate the young and vigorous new talent Moyong Cheon of the Righteous Alliance with his eyes wide open. The cursed demon sword Cheok-hyeol, which boasted of having drunk dozens of buckets of blood from the righteous and upright young heroes of the martial arts world, was grasped in his hand, ready to summon blood. Like a cowardly and treacherous minion of the Thousand Calamities Spirit, the Bloody Demon Sword Cho Gae-hyeon launched an unannounced offensive. “Blood Wave Sword Technique!” A sword energy as red as fresh blood spurted from his cursed demon sword, threatening the life of Divine Sword Hero Moyong Cheon, who was like the rising sun. However, Divine Sword Hero Moyong Cheon was not shaken by the treacherous sword technique of the Thousand Calamities Spirit’s minion. He began to respond carefully. ‘Sixteen variations, ten real techniques, four false techniques, and two variable techniques.’ Divine Sword Hero Moyong Cheon realized that the treacherous sword technique unleashed by that son of a bitch Bloody Demon Sword Cho Gae-hyeon was the Blood Wave Sword, the despicable demon sword technique exclusive to the Thousand Calamities Spirit, which had summoned the blood of numerous righteous talents. Moreover, his divine eyes not only revealed the identity of that despicable and cursed sword technique but also saw through the weakness of the Bloody Demon Sword Cho Gae-hyeon. ‘Hmm, upon closer inspection, there’s an opening below his shoulder blade.’ Divine Sword Hero Moyong Cheon’s sword was not dull enough to miss the weakness. Judging that the most efficient attack in that state was the ultimate technique Silver River Overflowing from his Silver River Meteor Sword Technique, he unleashed the ultimate technique Silver River Overflowing with all his might. “Silver River Overflowing!” As cursed blood spurted out like a fountain, the arm of the Bloody Demon Sword Cho Gae-hyeon fell off his body. He became a pitiful state, no longer able to hold the cursed demon sword and threaten the lives of righteous heroes. And Divine Sword Hero Moyong Cheon’s final strike was added to the flustered and agonized Cho Gae-hyeon, and his cursed and filthy life was returned to the heavens. Cho Gae-hyeon’s soul left his body to take a look at hell. As can be seen from the above, even in a fight with a supreme master, the protagonist Moyong Cheon thinks of tens of thousands of things while wielding his sword. But is this not a lie?”

If so, what is the basis for it? How can a person fight while having tens of thousands of thoughts in a fleeting moment? It was an incomprehensible story.

“It’s true. There is no falsehood here,” Dang-pyeong said, looking around at the students who still had doubtful expressions.

“Teacher, then what is the basis for that? I believe there must be a reason,” Hyo-ryong raised his hand and boldly asked. Dang-pyeong inwardly praised Hyo-ryong’s courageous action and then nodded his head up and down.

“Of course.”

Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong’s full-fledged lecture began. Perhaps because the story of his grandfather was mentioned, Moyong Hwee was more enthusiastically dipping his brush in ink and playing it on paper than ever before.

“What is the most important and fundamental aspect of all martial arts, including hidden weapons techniques? It is the eyes. The training of the eyes is the most basic and core practice of all martial arts. The eyes are the gateway to the mind and energy. The eyes are the passage connecting the inner and outer worlds, so many turbid energies can come and go through them. And the various colors and intricate shapes can captivate us. That is why people close their eyes when immersing themselves in internal energy cultivation and meditation. To prevent the mind from turning outward and to keep it inward, as everyone has experienced, it should be easy to understand.”

Up to this point, even Hyo-ryong could understand. Dang-pyeong’s lecture continued.

“When the eyes are open, fatigue easily sets in. This is because one’s mind becomes active without even realizing it. Through the open vision, a vast amount of information flows into our brain, and our brain, whether we like it or not, is forced to endure the hard labor of processing that vast amount of information. That is what comes to us as fatigue. However, when the eyes are closed, fatigue does not easily come, and the accumulated fatigue even dissipates. This can be sufficiently experienced by setting aside time to try it. When the eyes are closed, the mind and energy are stored in the inner world. It becomes easier for the mind and energy to accumulate in the inner world. I believe that you, who have accumulated this level of training, have all experienced this.”

Of course, all the students in the Cheonjajo Hall had such experiences. It was something that had to be gone through when transitioning from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Occasionally, there were people who went insane and never regained their senses at this stage, but that level of risk was already accepted when starting. Everyone was silently listening attentively to Dang-pyeong’s lecture. Dang-pyeong looked at them one by one with sharp eyes.

“If you were to choose the three senses most closely related to martial arts, you could pick vision, hearing, and touch. Just as the eyes are windows to the world, the ears are another passage connected to the world. Of course, the sense of touch, which can feel the yin and yang and five elements of the sun and moon, water and fire, wind and earth, cannot be overlooked either. However, unlike the eyes, the ears and the sense of touch are not easy to control. All sorts of worldly thoughts enter through the ears and confuse us. However, we must never be captivated by such things. Most of the miscellaneous thoughts come into our bodies through the senses of sight, hearing, and touch, driving the mind into chaos. Of course, a delicious aroma or a blissful taste can also confuse the senses of taste and smell, but they are not as fatal as these three. Meditation is necessary to eliminate this confusion and these various thoughts.”

The lecture on eye techniques suddenly shifted to hearing and touch, and the content abruptly flowed towards meditation. It was not yet clear what Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong ultimately wanted to say. Regardless, Dang-pyeong’s lecture continued.

“Meditation sees the ultimate completion as reaching a state of no-thought and no-image by clearing away the tens of thousands and millions of thoughts that arise in the mind, one by one, like sweeping, until nothing remains. Our body and its interior are mysteriously and wondrously a vast microcosm in itself. Because of this, humans can become endlessly vast and immense beings. It is an ultimate world of endless depth and vastness. Through introspection and enlightenment of the inner world, the mind can endlessly soar, crossing this endless expanse of the inner microcosm in an instant, faster than light, reaching the realm of divinity. There, through the training and seeking of the mind via inner introspection and meditation, our minds soar with wings. Endlessly soaring through the endless inner microcosm, the infinite universe, in a fleeting moment. Thus, we can attain the ultimate sixth sense, transcending the five senses.”

Dang-pyeong’s lecture was reaching its climax. The speed of Moyong Hwee’s note-taking was getting faster and faster. Bi Ryu-yeon found it amazing how he could keep his eyes fixed on Dang-pyeong while separately playing the brush on the paper without a single mistake.

Dang-pyeong’s voice was filled with conviction.

“Do you know what the fastest thing in this world is?”

Dang-pyeong suddenly asked the students.

“Is it light?”

Hyo-ryong answered. With an attitude of knowing he would say that, Dang-pyeong shook his head.

“No. It is the speed of the soul. To put it simply, it can be seen as the speed of thought. When the senses and mind of the entire body are trained to the extreme, the inner and outer aspects of a human have different times. In other words, thoughts precede the actions of the body. The waves of thought grasp this world at a speed faster than light and convey that information to our brain, which analyzes and judges it to determine future actions. I call that realm the ‘Absolute Realm Hyper-Sense’ or ‘Celestial Perception.'”

Even those who had undergone countless training couldn’t believe Dang-pyeong’s explanation. However, Dang-pyeong was not discouraged by the students’ disbelief.

“Upon reaching this realm, when using this sense, one experiences the illusion of the world’s time slowing down. It is a sense of disconnection that arises because our minds are moving at a speed faster than light. Our bodies feel heavy and sluggish, as if moving hundreds of feet below the water’s surface. Only those who have reached this realm of ‘Absolute Realm Hyper-Sense’ can act like Moyong Jeong-cheon in the story I mentioned earlier. Ultimately, one can possess superhuman reaction speed.”

“Then, are you saying that you have already reached that realm, Master?”

Hyo-ryong, who had been attentively listening to the lecture, raised his hand and asked a bold question. He made that guess because Dang-pyeong’s story sounded like he was recounting his own experience, filled with conviction.

“No, I have not yet reached the complete realm of the Absolute Realm. Unfortunately, I am still at the beginning stage. However, I know that the Three Heavenly Sages, the Heavenly Academy Director, and the Alliance Leader have already reached this realm long ago. Of course, there are individual differences.” Even being at the beginning stage of the Absolute Sense is a skill that is as different as heaven and earth compared to ordinary people.

“Once you possess this ability, you won’t be injured by most attacks. Moreover, you will also gain superhuman reaction speed. Another crucial point about this realm is that it has little to do with the level of internal energy. In other words, it can be reached through sensory training alone, without a significant increase in internal energy.” That was truly an enticing story. How could one not be tempted by a realm that could be reached without the advancement of internal energy, which is essential and attached to the progress of martial arts?

“There is something to be cautious about before reaching this realm. It is the fact that when one enters this hyper-sensory state of Celestial Perception, the nerves of the entire body become extremely sharp, so one may go insane if not careful. That is why even the absolute masters cannot always maintain this state of Celestial Perception. There is a risk of mental collapse…”

Up to this point, everything was fine.

“But… ha!”

A handful of hidden needles were rapidly thrown from Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong’s hand. The target was Bi Ryu-yeon. At this time, Bi Ryu-yeon was immersed in a state of half-sleep meditation, moved by the amazing harmony of the great nature with its mild temperature, refreshing wind, and comfortable humidity. Bi Ryu-yeon was not heartless enough to boldly go against the will of the great universe and the physiological activities of the human body, so he decided to obediently follow the natural laws and principles of the great nature and was taking a nap according to his body’s desires. It goes without saying that Dang-pyeong saw Bi Ryu-yeon’s appearance, who was in harmony with the will of the great nature and seeking friendship with the flourishing great nature, as an act that would anger both heaven and man. Thus, Dang-pyeong decided to show a taste of why he was called Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher and immediately put it into action. It was an outrageous punishment for a student who had been distracted while listening to his blood-coughing passionate lecture. In the Heavenly Martial Academy, there were individuals like Ok-hyeon Jinin who were the epitome of gentleness, but there were also masters like Dang-pyeong who had a radical and fiery temper. Anyway, it was dangerous. Even if they weren’t coated with poison, they were hidden weapons thrown by Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong, who was second to none when it came to hidden weapons techniques. Paradoxically, if Dang-pyeong had not been a master of hidden weapons, he would not have thrown the needles as a means of punishment. Dang-pyeong threw the needles without hesitation because he was confident in the hidden weapons he had thrown. He had adjusted the target and force so that Bi Ryu-yeon would not die even if he was hit. However, Bi Ryu-yeon, the expected target of the dozens of flying needles, had no intention of staying still. He had no desire to sit still and become a living hedgehog. Bi Ryu-yeon’s hand, which seemed to be writing a travelogue of a visit to the dream world, oblivious to the world, moved like flowing water. Bi Ryu-yeon’s eyes were open before anyone noticed.

“How can this be?”

Not only Dang-pyeong but all the students in the classroom were surprised together. It was because Bi Ryu-yeon’s hand had split into dozens in midair and caught all the hidden weapons that had flown in close. It was an unbelievable feat. Bi Ryu-yeon had a convenient Lightning Spirit Hand that wouldn’t get a single scratch even from a considerable impact, so he moved his hand without hesitation. Dang-pyeong, who had never imagined that the problematic student Bi Ryu-yeon, who had been distracted and enjoying a nap during his class, would be able to block his technique so easily and flawlessly, was extremely surprised.

“Huh? What’s the matter?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked shamelessly without batting an eye, achieving the feat of greatly raising Dang-pyeong’s blood pressure. However, Dang-pyeong couldn’t reveal his embarrassment for the sake of his dignity.

“Ahem, how many hidden needles did I throw just now?”

Dang-pyeong asked, trying to calm his surprised heart that was beating like a drum during the autumn harvest season. It was a question asked with the intention of finding any fault.

“64.”

Bi Ryu-yeon answered without hesitation. But it was wrong.

“What are you talking about? 64? I don’t remember throwing that many needles. Are you trying to deceive someone now?”

Dang-pyeong, who remembered that the exact number of needles he had thrown was 32, thought to himself that he had caught him and pressured Bi Ryu-yeon.

“But 64 is correct. Check for yourself.”

Saying that, Bi Ryu-yeon held out his hand. There was not a single scratch on his hand, and Dang-pyeong was greatly surprised once again when he saw it. Dang-pyeong immediately ran to check. Thinking that if it was a lie, he wouldn’t let it slide. However, when Dang-pyeong received the object in Bi Ryu-yeon’s hand, his eyes were filled with unexpected astonishment.

“How… how can this be…?”

Dang-pyeong’s eyes turned sharply towards Bi Ryu-yeon.

‘That cheeky bastard.’ After receiving the needles he had thrown from Bi Ryu-yeon, surprisingly, the exact number was 64. Bi Ryu-yeon’s calculation was accurate. The problem was that the length of the needles he had thrown had all been reduced by half.

‘This… this bastard, my cherished Hidden Wasp needles…’ Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong was at a loss for words. His Hidden Wasp needles were made by mixing pure silver, with particular attention paid to the sharpness of the needle tip. Because of their small size, countless delicate processes were required to make good Hidden Wasp needles. But to think he had broken 32 of them in half. Dang-pyeong was silent for a moment, mixed with a sense of emptiness, anger, and surprise. Although the demise of his cherished Hidden Wasp needles was heartbreaking, he honestly couldn’t help but admire it. He had never imagined that Bi Ryu-yeon would be able to read and catch the Hidden Wasp needles he had thrown so accurately. After witnessing Bi Ryu-yeon’s skill, he had nothing to say in accusation. In the end, Dang-pyeong continued the class without saying a word, even though he was boiling with anger inside over Bi Ryu-yeon’s nap. The flow of the class, which had been briefly interrupted due to Bi Ryu-yeon’s distraction, resumed. Dang-pyeong hastily resumed the class to redeem himself, who had been startled by Bi Ryu-yeon.

“The class was delayed due to an unfortunate incident. Unlike this hyper-sense of the Absolute Realm, there is also something called the Dragon Eyes in this world.”

“What exactly are the Dragon Eyes?”

“It is a kind of precognitive vision. You may think it is similar to the Absolute Realm, but its nature is completely different. Precognitive vision? Yes, or it can be seen as ‘Mind Reading Eyes.’ If the hyper-sense of the Absolute Realm can be ultimately acquired through special training, the Dragon Eyes can be said to be attributed to innate abilities. In this world, there are people who are born with the special ability to read the minds or actions of others. There are actually people who can unconsciously interpret the energies and information that fill the world, foresee the near future, albeit for a brief moment, and look into people’s minds without their permission.”

Dang-pyeong’s voice was filled with conviction.

“Do such people really exist?”

It was hard to believe that there were people with the ability to predict the immediate future. If such a person really existed, wouldn’t they never be defeated by others?

“Are you doubting me now?”

Dang-pyeong’s eyes glinted sharply as he glared at Yoon Jun-ho. Those eyes were as sharp as a viper eyeing its lunch.

“N-no, that’s not it.”

For the timid Yoon Jun-ho, his gaze was too much to bear. Yoon Jun-ho immediately shook his head from side to side, expressing his denial. Only then did Dang-pyeong’s sharp eyes slightly lower in intensity.

“Then that’s fortunate.”

What would he have done if it hadn’t been fortunate? Like in the case of Bi Ryu-yeon, he might have suddenly thrown an iron needle in front of Yoon Jun-ho’s nose. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Yoon Jun-ho had to let out a sigh of relief. And he decided never to argue with Dang-pyeong’s words again. It was a precious lesson learned through direct experience and the living experience of life.

“Although the probability is said to be one in several million, possessors of the Dragon Eyes definitely exist in this world. Although they are an extreme minority, if their abilities were to be combined with martial arts, the results would be truly terrifying. What would be the power of someone who could read the next technique their opponent would use if they held a sword in their hand? That is precisely what the Dragon Eyes are.”

Heavenly Hand, Soul Snatcher Dang-pyeong, the teacher in charge of the hidden weapons lecture, was convinced of the existence of the Dragon Eyes. It was an ability that could be frequently seen in legends or folk tales, but it was still questionable whether such an unbelievable ability actually existed. However, judging by the conviction of a person of his caliber, it seemed to really exist in this world. Dang-pyeong’s lecture concluded with a stern warning to be extra cautious if they were to encounter a possessor of the Dragon Eyes by chance in the future.