Chapter 46: Change

“What… is the name of the martial art wrapped around your body?”

Gi Il-gwang’s tone had changed before anyone realized.

Where once he had seen Jang Woo-hyun as someone he must kill, he now looked at him as a fellow martial artist.

No, more than that—he recognized him as a junior with skills that surpassed his own.

Jang Woo-hyun deactivated the armor of Qi enveloping his body.

As he did, the omnipotence that had filled him vanished, the lofty gaze that looked down on everything faded, and the aura of a sovereign being wrapped in divine power disappeared.

Now, the nearly perfect Secret Flowing Body Technique made him appear as just an ordinary man.

“Heav…”

He started to speak the name but stopped.

Was it really the same as the Heaven-Dominating Divine Armor?

It probably wasn’t.

This wasn’t just an imitation—it was a new martial art created by Jang Woo-hyun as he broke through the wall of the absolute.

Even if he had learned the same martial art, with Jang Woo-hyun’s level, the Heaven-Dominating Divine Armor would have been little more than a reference point.

It had now completely diverged from Cheol Geuk-jin’s martial art.

That was the realm he had reached.

“It doesn’t have a name yet.”

Naturally, it had no name—it had just been completed.

“I see… Then, would it be alright if I gave it a name?”

At Gi Il-gwang’s request, Jang Woo-hyun gave a small nod.

“The light (輝) of the sky (天) where stars (星) shine flows (流) along your body. How about Heavenly Starlight Flowing Armor? I can’t think of a name more fitting.”

“That’s good.”

“Is it? Then I’m glad. It’s an honor to name such a martial art.”

Gi Il-gwang looked at Jang Woo-hyun with dimming eyes.

A man standing calmly.

He had stood alone against the Ten Demonic Paths, and now he had defeated the Right Envoy of the Divine Sect.

Just how far would he grow?

Once he died, the Left Envoy would soon know. Then, it would only be a matter of time before the Sect Leader found out.

Jang Woo-hyun would inevitably become entangled with the sect.

Would there be anyone there who could fight him?

The first to come to mind was the Sect Leader, but from what he had personally experienced, that wouldn’t be easy.

‘Unless he’s perfected the Black Darkness…’

If not, he wouldn’t be able to stand against the Heavenly Starlight Flowing Armor.

And if he overwhelmed the Sect Leader…

‘Eventually…’

Jang Woo-hyun would reach them.

The beings beyond the sky.

Those on the brink of transcending humanity.

With little time left, Gi Il-gwang decided to tell him about them.

“The sect will target you. It won’t be easy.”

Even knowing that a power vastly greater than the Asura Sword Sect, one of the Ten Demonic Paths, was after him, Jang Woo-hyun showed not a hint of unease. His attitude was almost daring—let them try.

“And if you surpass the sect…”

With his fading consciousness slipping away, Gi Il-gwang continued.

“…You’ll meet the True Demons.”

At those words, Jang Woo-hyun’s aura shifted. Even within his fading awareness, Gi Il-gwang could sense his excitement.

“True Demons? Are you referring to the Palace of True Demons?”

“Heh… You know of them?”

“I’ve heard stories. But who exactly are they, and where can they be found?”

“Heh heh… Who they are, you ask…”

Gi Il-gwang slowly closed his eyes once, then opened them as he continued.

“They are those on the verge of transcendence. Immortals who still remain on this land.”

“Please speak clearly… No, where must I go to meet them?”

Pressed by urgency, Gi Il-gwang merely smiled.

“You, of all people, may be able to reach that place. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. My time is up.”

As he spoke, light burst from Gi Il-gwang’s body—as if a fireball of light had detonated within him.

Soon, his body was engulfed in radiance, breaking apart into particles of light and scattering.

“If you’re going to say something, say it properly. Transcending beings? Immortals? What the hell is all that supposed to mean…”

Surrounded by the drifting particles of light, Jang Woo-hyun was left alone, grumbling to himself.

***  

“Brother Jang!”

Seeing Jang Woo-hyun return, Hwang An was startled.

And understandably so—his clothes were torn all over, his chest was soaked in red as if he had vomited blood, and dried blood was smeared across his face.

“What in the world… What happened? Why are your clothes like that? Are you hurt? For you to be in this state… Did you fight even one of the Eight Lords?”

“It’s nothing. Just… something happened.”

Though Jang Woo-hyun remained calm despite his injuries, Hwang An was anything but.

“This doesn’t look like ‘just something.’ Are you really okay? You’re not in pain?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now.”

“This isn’t the time to be talking. I’ll go find a physician. Ha-un, you stay right here. Don’t let him go anywhere.”

“…”

“Ha-un! Jin Ha-un!”

“Huh? Y-yes, you called?”

Jin Ha-un, who had been dazed like a man who lost his soul, finally snapped out of it at Hwang An’s shout.

“Right. Why are you spacing out? Keep an eye on Brother Jang. I’ll bring a doctor and some new clothes.”

“Yes, understood.”

As Hwang An rushed out, Jin Ha-un continued to stare at Jang Woo-hyun with a blank expression.

Unlike Hwang An, he was stunned in a different way.

Sure, he had been shocked at the sight of Jang Woo-hyun’s injuries—but that wasn’t what really mattered now.

“Hyung… nim?”

He carefully addressed the man he had been traveling with all this time.

And he realized.

He was completely different.

This wasn’t the same man he’d known.

It wasn’t just his energy or aura—it was something beyond that.

It was as if the very class of the person had changed.

Before, he had seemed like a tall mountain—formidable but still within reach. Now, he had become the sky—something unreachable, no matter how far one stretched their hand.

‘Just like…’

His master at Mount Qingcheng.

‘Could it be… No way…’

The Absolute Realm.

Jang Woo-hyun had stepped into that supreme state.

He had believed that reaching the level of an absolute master at such a young age would be nearly impossible—even for Jang Woo-hyun. But perhaps he had been wrong.

“Hyungnim, by any chance…”

“Ha-un, let’s talk later. I need to rest.”

Jang Woo-hyun felt oddly fatigued.

He had already reached the end of human limits.

Even if he didn’t sleep for days and pushed his body, he should not have felt tired. And yet, his body felt heavy.

He was oddly reluctant to do anything.

So, leaving Jin Ha-un behind, he went into their lodging and lay down.

***  

Jang Woo-hyun was walking down a path.

Suddenly, a pillar of light descended from the sky.

As he stepped into it, wings sprouted from his back.

Without a single flap, his feet slowly rose from the ground, and he began ascending the pillar of light.

Effortlessly, higher and higher into the sky.

Strangely, even as he soared into the heavens, his gaze remained downward.

He could see people below, busily going about their lives.

To him, they looked like ants.

Tiny ants.

Insects that could be crushed underfoot without a second thought.

Living things he could kill with a press of his finger.

Unconsciously, he extended his thumb—just as one would squash a bug.

“Hyungnim.”

A voice called out, snapping Jang Woo-hyun out of the sky and back to reality.

Opening his eyes, he saw the ceiling of the inn room where his companions were staying.

‘What was that just now? That didn’t feel like a dream…’

Since coming to this world, he had never dreamed. And yet, his first dream here had been this bizarre vision—it left a bad feeling.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

From outside, Jin Ha-un’s concerned voice rang out, prompting Jang Woo-hyun to rise from his spot.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I think I was just a bit tired.”

“That’s unusual. You’ve never overslept before, Hyung-nim.”

“Yeah, I know.”

It had never happened before. He usually woke early to perform Qi Circulation Breathing Technique and swing his sword. But today, for the first time, he had overslept.

And that was just the beginning.

A few days later.

Their journey toward the Sichuan Tang Clan continued, but Hwang An and Jin Ha-un were deeply troubled.

“It’s strange, right?”

“Yes, very.”

“He doesn’t eat. Barely drinks water. It’s like… he could survive without eating.”

The first change they noticed was his food intake.

Ever since the day Jang Woo-hyun returned injured, something had changed.

The most noticeable shift was in his meals. He ate only once a day—sometimes only once every two or three days. And even then, it was barely anything.

On top of that, he hardly drank water. As though he didn’t need it to live.

“He doesn’t train anymore, either.”

At first, he trained every other day, but starting two days ago, he had even stopped his morning practice.

But the most important thing was—

“He seems to have lost all motivation.”

It was as if the man had lost his sense of purpose. He was surrounded by boredom and apathy, spending long stretches of time in a daze.

“Why do you think that is?”

“I’m not sure. But… I do have a guess.”

“A guess? What is it? Hurry up and say it.”

Hwang An urged him after a short pause.

“I think Hyung-nim has surpassed the wall.”

“The wall? What wall? Is he a thief, suddenly climbing walls or— Wait, what?!”

Hwang An shot to his feet in shock. It was that shocking.

Jang Woo-hyun was just in his early thirties.

In the entire history of the martial world, those who reached the Absolute Realm at that age could be counted on one hand.

“Are you serious? Is that even possible? Did you confirm it?”

“Not exactly…”

“Not exactly?”

“I don’t really know how to explain it, but… the aura he gives off—it’s the same as my master.”

“….”

Hwang An frowned and stared at Jin Ha-un. His expression said: That’s it?

“It’s hard to explain. I mean… well… You might not be familiar with him since he has no fame, but… when someone gets to that level…”

“Hey! Why’d you bring up someone being nameless? Are you saying that about me?!”

“I’m just saying that even though I’m not on Hyung-nim’s level, I’m not exactly nameless myself. Yet you still don’t believe me.”

“You little—are you sure about this?”

“I’m not 100% sure… but I’ve stepped into the peak realm myself. Even though Hyung-nim didn’t reveal his energy, I believe I’m right. I’ve had close experience watching someone in the Absolute Realm.”

Hwang An silently stared at Jin Ha-un.

His words made sense.

Jang Woo-hyun was such an extraordinary being that it was easy to forget Jin Ha-un was a genius in his own right.

Not to mention, Jin Ha-un’s master was none other than Red River Sword Saint, a man even referred to as a Sword Immortal. If anyone could sense it, it would be him.

If his feeling was right, then Jang Woo-hyun truly had stepped into the Absolute Realm.

Just how strong is he going to become…

What would he be like in ten, twenty years? It was impossible to even guess.

“But still… would it make him like this?”

“That part I don’t know. My master sometimes shows signs of enlightenment, but never like this.”

The two of them continued speculating together, but no clear answer came.

While they were deep in thought, Jang Woo-hyun silently approached them.

Floating behind his hand were eight chopsticks, drifting in the air.

“Brother Jang!”

“Hyung-nim!”

They shouted with bright faces as they finally noticed him.

Though he had been listless for days, he now looked like the Jang Woo-hyun they knew.

“We should start moving faster.”

Jang Woo-hyun spoke, back to his former self.

***  

Jang Woo-hyun was well aware of his condition.

An unexplainable sense of dullness.

He had no motivation for anything and didn’t feel like moving. He simply remained still, like a tree or a rock.

He spent a long time like that before he began to reflect on what was causing this state.

At first, he thought it was because he had entered the Absolute Realm. But that wasn’t it. If that were the case, Cheol Geuk-jin wouldn’t have treated him the way he did, and Gi Il-gwang wouldn’t have come for revenge.

After thinking for a while, he recalled his battle with Gi Il-gwang and reached a conclusion.

I’ve reached the end.

That would explain how he was able to completely overwhelm Gi Il-gwang, who was also in the Absolute Realm.

The moment he broke through the wall into the Absolute Realm, he had accomplished everything.

In this land, in this world, there was nothing left to do.

He hadn’t met every martial artist in the Central Plains, but Jang Woo-hyun was certain.

Right now, the person closest to being the strongest under heaven… was himself.

He needed to move on to the next level, but he didn’t know in which direction to go.

Unlike before, it didn’t feel like he could reach the next stage just by training.

He had lost his purpose and direction, and without even realizing it, his motivation had drained away, leaving him idle.

So earlier, in a moment of daze, Jang Woo-hyun tried to return to his roots and started circulating his Qi.

Through breathing and examining his inner state, he peeled away the apathy that clung to his body. And once again, he searched for a way forward.

Once I get entangled with the Demon Cult, I’ll naturally come across the Palace of True Demons. So that leaves three places.

Inner Kunlun, Blood Valley, and Forest of Hermits.

He needed information on those three.

And one more thing.

He was planning to search for traces of Kim Min-soo, the Demonic Martial Divine Manual.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep