Absolute Sword Sense Chapter 257

< Episode 85 Agent (1) >

A hundred years in the distant future?

I was momentarily confused by the swordsman's words.

If we take this literally, the swordsman I am seeing now is not the Baek I met, and that Baek is from the distant future.

That means, the swordsman I am meeting now is…

-Past inspection?

At Sodamgeom's words, Geomseon nodded with his brow still furrowed.

Is it really true that the swordsman in front of me is someone from the past?

"under….."

If I hadn't gone through regression, I would never have believed this.

I just passed through the foggy forest and came across the swordsman of the past.

I thought it was strange that he looked younger than when I first met him in the drama.

-How is the past swordsmanship in the present?

I also found that strange after hearing Sodamgeom's words.

People, including Geomseon, were hidden in a mysterious formation in the foggy forest.

I can't figure out what's going on here.

As I was wondering about the reason, the thought of Mosanpa flashed through my mind.

'The first disciple of Geomseon said that there was a Mosanpa.'

Just a moment, that's it,

“……Elder. The Mosan faction has been extinct for a long time in the place where I used to be. But you speak as if the Mosan faction is still alive and well. Is this place the past, or is it the past for me?”

My voice was shaking the whole time I was speaking.

If this really was the past I thought it was, then this wasn't all that surprising.

That means I've come to the past.

In response to my question, Geomseon looked at me with a strange look in his eyes and asked back.

“The Mosan faction is extinct?”

“Yes.”

“Huh….So that’s what happened in the end.”

“……Elder. Didn’t you see my memories directly?”

I read your memories with a flash, so why are you talking like you don't know?

At my words, Geomseon shook his head.

“I just got in touch with another me inside you.”

“Yes? Are you saying that you came into contact with the elder’s Baek?”

By the way, I absorbed the 100 swordsmanship points I got from the second treasure with Cheon Kwon.

I thought that white had melted into me, but does it still have a will and exist?

The swordsman sighed and spoke without letting go of my hand.

“I see how you managed to get in here. It was possible because you had the old man’s bag.”

“Because you have the old man’s bag?”

“Only those who are invited can enter this fuse. Otherwise, you won’t even be allowed to set foot in it.”

So when you try to enter the foggy forest, it seems like you've come out of the forest on the other side.

But I also went to the forest on the other side a couple of times.

Then I was able to get in by going up,

'Ah! Ok-hyung.'

It seems to have come in while opening the Ok-hyung among the Big Dippers.

It was truly a coincidence.

But the question still remains unanswered.

“Honestly, from my perspective, I still don’t understand. Even if it is true that I came to this place inside the foggy forest, why did I come to the past….”

At those words, Geomseon stroked his beard and spoke to me.

“The person called Nobu may be someone from long ago to you. However, the fuse here is not that kind of concept.”

"yes?"

What does this mean?

When asked whether this was a mystery, Geomseon answered.

“The fuse is not a place that can be defined by past, present, and future.”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“The fuse is a place where one completely cuts off from everything in order to sever ties with the secular world. The fuse is nowhere and everywhere. And it is no different from being there at any time and not being there at any time.”

“…….”

It's a very contradictory statement.

What does it mean to be everywhere and yet not there, and to be everywhere and yet not there?

It is questionable whether that statement is even possible.

“I still don’t know enough, so it’s hard for me to understand what you’re saying. Could you explain it to me in simpler terms?”

“Haha, since you haven’t practiced the Tao, it’s only natural that you don’t understand.”

If you learn the Tao, will you be able to understand it?

“The fuse here is a place completely independent of the passage of time and the changes that occur outside. That’s why you were able to come here from the time you were there.”

It's difficult, it's difficult.

But if I understand correctly, it seems like the concept of time is completely different here.

Anyway, as Geomseon said, I am not a Taoist who learns the Tao, so I don't think I need to take this too hard.

Geomseon said, clicking his tongue.

“What a coincidence. The person who got the hundred that I was going to leave behind saw through countless odds and guessed when and where the fuse would be lit.”

If you listen, it seems like there is something beyond coincidence and coincidence.

Maybe it was fate that I came here and met the swordsman from the past.

It's truly amazing.

Now that that question has been answered, there was something more important.

“Elder. If I go out of this fuse, will I be able to go back to the time I was in?”

In response to my question, Geomseon let go of the hand he was holding.

Then he said in an urgent voice.

“I almost got into trouble.”

"yes?"

“Let’s go.”

“Are you talking about now?”

“You have to hurry. The entrance to the fuse is constantly changing. If you’re not careful, you might miss your original time and place.”

“Is that true?”

If that's the case, there's no time to be like this.

As Geomseon waved his hand, the body that had been bound by his energy was freed.

“I will return the swords.”

Strangely enough, when Geomseon raised his hand, the disintegrated wooden armor came back together and returned to its original form. Then, the Blood Demon Sword and the Four-leaf Sword that were lying on the floor floated up and entered the wooden armor.

“Follow the old man.”

-Wow!

As Geomseon nodded, a sword that had been hanging on the wall flew over.

He climbed onto the sword, carrying the backpack on his back.

The swordsman told me.

“Now that you understand Okhyung, you can do it too.”

Yes, of course I can do it.

I just can't take my eyes off the original form of the sword flying.

'Namcheon.'

-i get it!

Namcheoncheolgeom lay down on his side so that I could climb on top.

I too got on the sword.

Then, as if he had been waiting, Geomseon rode the sword first and escaped through the window.

I also flew after him.

-Shoooooooo!

The sword line stretched straight into the sky in the south direction from where I had flown.

I too followed suit and soon the sun that was high in the sky disappeared and the sky became covered in darkness.

It was truly a strange phenomenon.

The warm air at the fuse also turned very cold.

'Is it cold?'

Then, his breath came out.

'!?'

It's not winter now, so what on earth is this?

The moment I looked down, I became dazed.

-Unhwi… The forest is covered in snow.

As Sodamgeom said, the entire forest on the ground was covered in white snow, but the terrain of the place itself was completely different from the forest I was originally in.

The swordsman flew in on his sword and spoke to me.

“Are you sure this is where you came from?”

To this I replied in a bewildered voice.

“No. It wasn’t winter when I was there.”

"this….."

At those words, Geomseon couldn't hide his embarrassment.

It was a situation that no one could have predicted, let alone expected, for this to happen.

'Sima Ying… Asong… Zuobai….'

They were the first thing that came to mind.

I don't know where I am or what time it is, but from the group's perspective, I think I flew over the foggy forest and disappeared.

“Sir! Is there no other way to get to where I was?”

The swordsman spoke to me in a serious voice.

“There’s no way something could change in such a short period of time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow me.”

The sword changed direction and flew back to where the fuse was.

I felt frustrated, but since there was nothing I could do about it, I followed him.

As we entered the fuse, the sunlight shone brightly again and a paradise was revealed.

The swordsmanship passed temple-like buildings and lakes, and headed up the highest hill in the area.

There appeared to be a cave-like place there.

He got down from the sword and nodded for me to follow him.

“Where is this place?”

“It’s the center of the fuse.”

"heart?"

“Just follow me without saying anything.”

"All right."

I followed the sword trail into the cave.

Usually, when you enter a cave, you feel a damp air, but this cave was free of that, as if it had been created artificially.

Rather, I even felt warm.

What is it like to feel even hotter inside a cave?

But then the swordsman frowned and made a serious face, and flew the new form into the cave.

I followed him and picked up speed, and soon a large cavity was revealed.

-Whooooooow!

“What the heck is this…..”

The entire large hall was ablaze with fire.

The walls inside the building were covered with red-lettered Buddhist scriptures like talismans, and these were used to spread the fire quickly.

"ha!"

Geomseon waved his sleeves toward the flames with a deep sigh.

Then, the fire that was spreading throughout the cave like a wildfire was extinguished by the strong wind pressure.

-Wheww!

It was a profound aerodynamic feat that put out the flames in one breath.

How deep must the aerodynamics be that a single gesture can instantly put out the fire in this large space?

It seems that he is not called a sage for nothing.

“I wondered why the change happened so quickly…”

“Sir. What on earth is going on?”

“……It seems like someone set fire to the text of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Positions Sutra at the center of the fuse.”

“Are you saying you set the fire on purpose?”

The inspector nodded his head in confidence.

I asked in an anxious voice.

“Does this have anything to do with me running back to where I came from?”

The sword pointed upward.

I didn't notice it until I looked up and saw that there was a small hole at the top of the cavity.

It was a hole no bigger than a fist, but light streamed in through it, stretching down one side of the cave.

“If you examine the 36 Heavenly Paths of the Heavenly Path Sutra with this, you can look back in time to see when you came to be, but it’s gone.”

“Then what should I do?”

A sense of ominousness came over me.

If we continue like this, won't we never be able to return to the time we were in?

At my words, Geomseon let out a deep sigh and said.

“I’ll be honest with you. You’ve already missed your chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is impossible to match the original time and place.”

'!!!'

I was speechless at those words from the swordsman.

So does that mean we can't go back to the time we were in?

For a moment, my chest felt stuffy.

I'm at a loss as to what to do about this.

So does that mean I'm stuck in an unknown time?

The worst could not have been worse.

Then the swordsman spoke to me.

“I know the direction that the shadow is shining, so if I delay and restore the scriptures, I think I can go to a similar time.”

Those words left me dumbfounded.

For a moment, I felt foolish for feeling frustrated and despairing.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to go back… Sir?”

But the expression on the swordsman's face wasn't that bright.

The swordsman said as if he felt sorry for the people.

“Look here. How many scriptures do you think were in this room?”

I looked around.

Just looking at the paper of the scriptures, it was difficult to guess the number.

Judging from the size of the unburned paper and the letters, there appeared to be at least several thousand sheets.

But shocking words came out of Geomseon's mouth.

“A total of 386,760 years old.”

“…….”

“It has been more than ten years since I prepared to separate myself from the secular world.”

I gulped without realizing it at those words.

Looking at the wall, more than a third of it was burned and damaged.

Then, if it took four years to make everything as the swordsman said, doesn't that mean it would take at least three to four years to restore it?

“Then I…..”

“I have no choice but to stay here while the scriptures are restored.”

'!!!'

ah…….

This is driving me crazy.

I came to look for the Sodam Sword and I don't know what kind of disaster this is.

The only good thing is that even if I spend that much time here, I have to console myself with the fact that it will be the same time when I leave.

But here, the swordsman gave even more shocking news.

“…..And even if the restoration of the scriptures is complete, considering the range of errors in the scriptures that the light points to, there will be at least some time errors.”

“How much is that?”

One or two days, or even up to ten days is fine.

But if it gets that long, it'll be hard on the group.

But that wish was shattered mercilessly.

“There will be a margin of error of at least several months and up to a year.”

'…….ah.'

For a moment, I almost swore.

-What are you really going to do? Everyone will think you're dead.

That's what I want to say.

If that guy, the first disciple of the Sword Master, hadn't taken you away by force, this wouldn't have happened.

Of course, it was an honor to actually meet the man who was called the greatest swordsman in the history of martial arts, but I had no idea what would happen if I was absent for almost a year without any news.

The swordsman spoke to me comfortingly.

“It could end with a margin of error of two or three months.”

“…….”

Yes, thank you.

It's not much of a consolation, though.

“Did you say that the pale-faced man was your first disciple?”

“Whew. The old man raised his disciple wrong. If it weren’t for that kid, you wouldn’t have gone through this.”

“…….”

It was definitely not a light matter to say it was okay.

The swordsman spoke to me soothingly.

“He was a pure friend. As a result, he became poisonous and clashed with others and caused many accidents. However, at least it was not born of malice. It was born of purity and a sense of empathy. It was all just because of the lack of teachings from the old man, so don’t blame him too much…”

-Tadadadadak!

"capital punishment!"

Before the swordsman could finish speaking, someone ran into the room.

He was a middle-aged man wearing a martial arts uniform, and everything about him, including his aura, was extraordinary.

But the middle-aged Taoist's expression was very serious.

The swordsman looked at him with a puzzled look and said.

“What is it, priest?”

“She’s dead. Oh no… ahhh!”

“Priest?”

“You made a scripture like this! Self-defense, Inooooooom!”

A middle-aged Taoist man could not help but feel angry when he saw the damaged talisman scriptures inside the temple.

At the word “self-defense,” Geomseon couldn’t hide his bewilderment and asked.

“What are you talking about? A police inspector?”

Now that I think about it, I remember that Geomseon called his first disciple Gyeongjeong.

I think that's his name.

But why do you get so angry and shout his name when you see the damaged scriptures?

Could it be that he was the one who set fire to this place?

I looked at the swordsman.

“……..”

The expression on the swordsman's face darkened beyond description.

I don't know how to describe this feeling, but it felt close to extreme disappointment.

Geomseon slowly opened his lips.

“What is it, priest?”

“That bastard, the Vigilante, ran away with half of the eight fuses.”

"what?"

“Two of the Taoists guarding the Dharma Realm were killed. And according to the wounded Taoists, Yang Seon, the second disciple of the deceased who had tried to stop him, was also taken away by force.”

“How!”

The swordsman stumbled as if he was greatly shocked by those words.

I could guess how much of a psychological blow he had suffered for him to show such a behavior, given his deep self-cultivation.

There is nothing greater than the feeling of betrayal from someone you trusted.

What's more, if it's a disciple you cherish…

-Paaaaaaaaaah!

A strong wind pressure arose around the swordsman.

How deep must the aerodynamics be for the wind pressure to be created just by getting angry?

It's creepy.

I can confidently say that there is no one among the Eight Great Masters or the Four Great Evils who can stand up to him.

The swordsman looked at the scriptures that had been burned in the fire and spoke.

“Are you saying that he did this to prevent tracking?”

“……I guess so. Death penalty. Sigh…..”

The Taoist sighed.

Oh, I think I'm going to get really angry.

So the reason I'm trapped here in this fuse is because of what he did.

The swordsman raised his voice and shouted.

“The old man will go out and catch the guy.”

“I would do the same thing right now, but… Have you forgotten the oath you made to Grand Prince Jeongyang Jinin? Didn’t the seven of us leave this world two hundred years ago and swear not to get involved anymore?”

At those words, Geomseon, who seemed ready to run out at any moment, stopped.

His face turned red and then blue, as if he was forcing himself to suppress his anger.

No matter how deep one's cultivation is, would it be easy to endure this?

I too was furious at the guy, but I watched quietly without interfering.

At that moment, Geomseon's eyes narrowed and he spoke to the middle-aged Taoist monk.

“Priest….wouldn’t it be fine if it weren’t us?”

“What do you mean?”

The swordsman slowly turned his head and looked at me.

'!?'

ⓒ Hanjungwolya