Budul-budul.
Myeong Myeol trembled, unable to suppress his disgrace and fury. He had spent his life slaughtering countless hidden experts of the martial world who had never revealed themselves to the world, and just recently, he had even defeated a Lord of the Four Divine Heavens. Yet, to think he had been struck in the back by a single sword from a brat who wasn't even thirty years old?
As if struck by a sudden thought, Myeong Myeol calmed his anger, gritted his teeth, and let out a low laugh.
“Fine, very good.”
Mungge-mungge.
In an instant, a red mist began to rise from his body.
“It seems you have reached Ultimate Transcendence by honing ordinary sword forms to the Realm of Great Completion. But what if you had honed Transcendental Sword Arts to the state of Ultimate Transcendence? There would have been no clash like this; you would have severed my limbs or pierced my eyes in just two or three forms.”
Myeong Myeol had perceived that Bu Eunseol was producing such power by flawlessly mastering extremely ordinary, basic sword techniques.
“It was clever of you to catch me off guard by not using Infinite Reversal Power. However…”
Myeong Myeol laughed sinisterly, baring his large teeth.
“You should have also known that there exists a power in this world that ignores the mysteries of any martial art.”
Kwoong—
With a sudden low vibration, waves of three different intense lights began to spread from Myeong Myeol's body like a whirlpool.
‘A mixture of forces.’
Bu Eunseol instinctively sensed that Myeong Myeol was mixing multiple powers within himself, just as he did. In reality, the nature of a Sealed Demon Fragment was little different from a mixture of various forces.
—That person’s aura is structured like the principles of Yin and Yang; when one side flourishes, the other declines. And there is only one power in this world that achieves perfect balance: the Sealed Demon Fragment.
In the past, Gwijin-ja, the Lord of the Sage Forest, had asserted that Bu Eunseol possessed a Sealed Demon Fragment upon realizing he had mixed various powers within his body.
—Only the Sealed Demon Fragment of a True Demon can perfectly handle mixed powers.
The Sealed Demon Fragment was a power that could absorb all forces scattered throughout the world and wield them at will.
“Ultimate Transcendence? Even if you have reached the state of Divine Realm Inviolability, I shall crush it in an instant!”
Until now, Myeong Myeol had used his Infinite Reversal Power, Devouring, to strike down countless formidable enemies and store their power within his body. By pouring all that power out at once along with the Sealed Demon Fragment, he had created a secret technique capable of spreading waves of destruction that defied not only martial mysteries but the very laws of nature.
However, Myeong Myeol could not fully release that power.
Cheok.
As if transcending space and time, in the blink of an eye, Bu Eunseol’s Silent Tiger Soul Sword was already aimed at his lower dantian.
“The retainers of the True Demon are all alike in their lack of actual combat experience.”
The one thing one must never do in a life-and-death battle is gather strength or perform a grand opening stance containing unnecessary movements just to deliver a decisive blow.
“I’ve caught you.”
However, as the sword touched his dantian, Myeong Myeol instead let out a devious smile.
“With the Sealed Demon Fragment, there is no need to gather strength.”
He had deliberately performed a movement revealing an opening—even though no opening stance was necessary—to lure Bu Eunseol into close range.
“This is the blade that can never be avoided, the Ruination Sword!”
Thousands of blades stained in red were now poised high in the sky.
The Ruination Sword was a concentration of the Infinite Reversal Power he had absorbed from his enemies, possessing the destructive force to collapse mountains and split the great seas in a single strike.
Yet the truly terrifying aspect was not just its massive power. Because the space where the Ruination Sword was deployed was filled with the energy of the Sealed Demon Fragment, even a master who had reached a transcendent state of martial arts could not avoid the attack. In that space, breathing became difficult and movement became dozens of times slower.
If thousands of blades covering the sky were pouring down like rain in such a space, it was impossible for any being to block or evade the Ruination Sword.
“Die.”
With a short shout, the red-stained blood swords began to pour down like rain. Bu Eunseol stared blankly at the crimson blades falling toward him.
Paaaaa!
In an instant, at the spot where he had been standing, a massive black hole dozens of jang wide sparked with black flames. The earth shook, and the flat plain turned into a jagged, rugged terrain. This destructive technique, a fusion of Infinite Reversal Power and the Sealed Demon Fragment, had reshaped the landscape in an instant.
“Hahahaha!”
As Bu Eunseol disappeared from sight, Myeong Myeol burst into a triumphant, mad laughter.
“I had a bit of trouble dealing with a single brat.”
No matter how great a master was, they should not expect to survive the power of the Ruination Sword.
Jijijik.
However, the sound of sparking flames echoed through the rising dust. At the same time, a shadow could be seen floating above the massive crater. It was Bu Eunseol.
Myeong Myeol’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“How on earth...”
No matter how great one's internal energy was, or if they had completed the Heavenly Steel Body, the Ruination Sword should destroy everything. Even with the Sealed Demon Fragment concentrated within it, how could he remain perfectly fine after being hit?
“I wasn't hit.”
Bu Eunseol, having read Myeong Myeol’s thoughts, spoke flatly.
“You weren't hit?”
“That is correct.”
“How?”
“I avoided it.”
Myeong Myeol’s expression looked as if he were seeing a ghost. The Ruination Sword contained the Infinite Reversal Power to seize and erase the very space the enemy occupied. How could he have avoided that?
Seeing the fighting spirit vanish from Myeong Myeol’s eyes, Bu Eunseol took a deep breath. In truth, as a half-blood of two great lineages, he was not greatly affected by the powers of Manifestation Arts or Sealed Demon Fragments themselves.
If Myeong Myeol had created a specific attack form with the Sealed Demon Fragment, he might have suffered great damage, but simply filling the space with its energy caused him no particular harm.
Pareureu.
Myeong Myeol’s fingertips trembled involuntarily. It was not out of anger or humiliation, but fear.
‘I am afraid?’
He looked down at his own trembling hands.
‘Me?’
Originally, he was a Lord of the Blood God Heaven, and had managed the Blood God Heaven for a long time on behalf of the Blood God Heaven Lord, who had not appeared for ages. While assisting with matters regarding the new bloodline in Cheonchuk, he had absorbed the Blood Essence of that new lineage, causing his Sealed Demon Fragment to amplify several times over.
Coincidentally, the Blood God Heaven Lord had lost the ability of ‘Dominion’ that a ruler of the Blood Heaven should possess.
After creating the new lineage in Cheonchuk, the Three Attendants no longer appeared, so Myeong Myeol eventually found and killed the Blood God Heaven Lord. He intended to be recognized by the soon-to-return Three Attendants as the new ruler of the Blood God Heaven.
Since the kin of the True Demon were permitted to devour one another, he had no doubt he would soon become the head of the Four Divine Heavens. Yet, to be toyed with by such a brat? It was absolutely impossible.
“This cannot be!”
Myeong Myeol shouted in a furious voice.
“I, who have even consumed the Blood Essence! I cannot lose to an inferior martial artist!”
The retainers of the True Demon were all chosen ones, possessing transcendental power and jade-like bodies. Furthermore, after obtaining some of the Blood Essence of the new bloodline—the next generation of humanity—martial artists looked like nothing more than inferior animals. For such an inferior being to dare surpass him?
He could not tolerate this fact.
“Ha-ap!”
Myeong Myeol spread his hands. Once again, the Ruination Swords began to pour toward Bu Eunseol.
Tududuk.
Simultaneously, Myeong Myeol began to unleash the full power of Devouring he had gathered for a hundred and fifty years.
He intended to deal with Bu Eunseol in one go, even if it meant blowing away the entire area.
Paaaaa!
A blood-red radiance that would destroy the whole world soared to the ends of the sky. It was the total sum of the power held by all the martial artists he had defeated until now.
Shwik! Swaeswaeswaeswae!
But then, with a sharp sound cutting through the air, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword began to finely slice that radiance. It could hardly be called a sword technique; it was simply a basic method of constantly swinging the sword in circles. However, as those methods gathered, they finally drew a perfect circle, and the power of Devouring that Myeong Myeol tried to unleash was cut short.
Seogeok—
At the same time, a bone-chilling sound echoed. The vision of Myeong Myeol, who had been spreading his Devouring power, began to blur. A circular line had been drawn across his body before he knew it.
“There was no opening stance...”
“To me, it looked infinitely slow.”
To Bu Eunseol’s eyes, having honed his sword in the Infinite Land, Myeong Myeol’s movements appeared incredibly sluggish. Myeong Myeol looked down at his abdomen and groaned.
“What kind of form is this?”
“Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms, the twelfth form.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a voice that was infinitely low and dark.
“Swift Delight Before Me.”
“Swift Delight Before Me, I see.”
Myeong Myeol raised his head again to look at Bu Eunseol.
‘Indeed, it is the greatest sword form of this era, one that no one can block.’
Hwa-ak!
At that moment, a circular wound opened in Myeong Myeol’s belly, and the organs contained within began to spill out. Because his frame was as large as a giant’s, the byproducts were also of immense size and quantity.
Peojeojeok.
Simultaneously, his body cracked like a spiderweb, and black light began to burst forth. As he drew his final breath, the Sealed Demon Fragment within him began to slowly disperse.
“You truly are unaffected by the Sealed Demon Fragment.”
Looking at the hole in his abdomen, Myeong Myeol wore a hollow expression. He had created the invincible technique ‘Ruination Sword’ by mixing the Sealed Demon Fragment, which seized the bodies of martial artists, with ancient martial arts, and he had reigned supreme with it. But to Bu Eunseol, who was unaffected by the Sealed Demon Fragment, it was merely a curious sword skill.
“If the Sealed Demon Fragment had worked, I would have been the victor.”
Myeong Myeol looked at Bu Eunseol and asked, “You are not a member of the Baekri family, nor do you have Manifestation Arts, so how did you block the Sealed Demon Fragment?”
“I am...”
This victory was less about pure skill and more a kind of luck obtained because Myeong Myeol’s hidden trump card specifically failed against him.
“I am the grandson of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, and the son of the Baekri bloodline's Baekri Muha and the True Demon family’s Holy Maiden, Saya.”
After much deliberation, Bu Eunseol told Myeong Myeol the truth.
“Unless it is a focused, intentional form of attack, I am not particularly affected by Manifestation Arts or Mixed Demonic Magic Energy.”
In that moment, Myeong Myeol let out a choking scream.
It was well known that Bu Eunseol was a survivor of the Saha Manor. However, because Bu Zhanyang had completely altered his constitution into an ordinary body without the power of the Baekri or the True Demon... no one paid attention, even though there was a possibility he was truly Baekri Muha’s child.
But to be unaffected by Manifestation Arts or Mixed Demonic Magic Energy?
“Bu Zhanyang... he deceived everyone.”
Because he lacked the power of the Baekri and the True Demon, they thought he was just an ordinary martial artist. As it turned out, he had created a body that even nullified Manifestation Arts and Mixed Demonic Magic Energy. If this fact were revealed, the Baekri and True Demon families would have to completely revise every plan they had secretly pursued until now.
Myeong Myeol pointed a finger at Bu Eunseol.
After letting out a triumphant, mad laugh for a long time, he ceased his laughter and died right there, with his head bowed to the ground.
Paaaa!
A black light scattered in all directions, and his body vanished in an instant. Myeong Myeol, who was effectively the Lord of the Blood God Heaven, had been struck down by the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms—the very basics of the Hwa Wu Swordsmanship—and had finally breathed his last.
Clack.
Bu Eunseol calmly sheathed the Silent Tiger Soul Sword. Even though he had cut down a terrifying enemy in a single blow, not a single emotion flickered on his face. Myeong Myeol had hidden his secret art—a technique mixing the Sealed Demon Fragment and martial arts—rather than ‘Dominion.’ And at the decisive moment, that trump card had instead revealed a more fatal flaw than the techniques he had displayed until then.
In the end, it was an unexpectedly hollow victory.
“Even so, have I progressed a little?”
But there was certainly progress. Before, he had struggled just to deal with Blood Spirits and Blood Divine warriors, and his normal attacks could not damage Myeong Myeol’s body at all. Now, however, he could cut through that body with just the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms.
“As expected, the basics were what was lacking.”
He had never had the time to calmly research or hone his martial arts. Furthermore, after his martial level had increased significantly, he had reached a state where he couldn't develop further simply by spending time practicing unless there was a special catalyst or realization. Therefore, he always had to develop his martial arts in the midst of fierce battle. But after training with all his might for six days in the Infinite Land—a place where the body and spirit can be tempered to the limit—he had been able to make another great leap forward.
“Because my martial power increased too rapidly.”
In the meantime, Bu Eunseol had repeatedly experienced sudden, massive increases in his martial arts. This was much like a clever child who knows nothing of the world suddenly becoming a billionaire. No matter how brilliant their brain is at managing money, they can't help but be ignorant of how much they actually have or how to spend it.
Realizing this situation, Bu Eunseol had practiced only the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms—the best basic swordsmanship he knew—in the Infinite Land. As a result, he was able to easily strike down Myeong Myeol, whom he could not have dared to face before.
“Though I can't consciously perceive that my martial arts have ascended.”
Even looking down calmly at his hands, he couldn't feel any specific change. He had simply rebuilt the foundations of sword studies he hadn't practiced until now, and as a result, he had become slightly stronger.
“The foundation of my sword studies is indeed the Hwa Wu Sword...”
The first martial art he learned was the Beast Way, and the first sword study he learned was the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms.
In a way, because he learned the basics of the Hwa Wu Sword—known as the greatest demonic sword study—he was also able to quickly master the swordsmanship of the Nangyang Pavilion.
“I must become more accustomed to it.”
Myeong Myeol had evaluated his Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms as Ultimate Transcendence.
In reality, he hadn't perfectly mastered it; he had only just become truly familiar with it for the first time.
“Like Master Jingak.”
If he practiced the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms for a long time and reached the true state of Ultimate Transcendence like Master Jingak... and if he became familiar with all the martial arts he had mastered so far, including the Supreme Heavenly Flow and the Seven Blood Tear Forms... then he would finally be able to guarantee that he would lose to no one.
“I will surely find a way to drag down the enemy’s martial realm.”
No matter how great a realm the opponent reached or what supernatural powers they wielded, it did not matter. He would complete a power that sealed the abilities of those who transcended human limits, where only pure martial arts were valid.
If he continued to hone himself without rest and raised his martial arts to the realm of perfection, he would soon be able to strike down all the strong experts in the world.
“I owe a debt to the Returning to One Realm.”
Bu Eunseol looked toward the distant sky. He was a villain and intended to use him, but this time, he had certainly received his help. Thanks to him, he had achieved a leap in progress and entered a new martial realm.
The Returning to One Realm had lured Myeong Myeol here and made him fight, as if to test his state. If he hadn't grown during those six days, he would have lost his life in this battle.
“He will approach me again someday.”
A flame like an active volcano burned in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“At that time, I will never let him escape.”
It didn't matter even if he was his grandfather’s blood relative. He had disturbed his grandfather’s eternal rest and taken the remains; that sin could not be forgiven in any way.
“And I will uncover everything.”
The Returning to One Realm would surely reveal his demonic hand soon. He had to prepare many things for that time.
Bu Eunseol returned to the Majeon. However, as soon as he returned, an unexpected person was waiting for him.
It was Seo Jinha, who had perfectly served as his shadow until now.
He was waiting in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion to suddenly apply for a leave of absence.
“A month?”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh as he reviewed Seo Jinha’s leave application in his office. The leave Seo Jinha had requested was a mere month.
“You can take more.”
Since taking on the perilous role of a shadow moving between the Majeon and the Martial Soul Society, he had never once rested. It was too short for the first leave of a man who had risked his life to fulfill his role.
“Take a year to rest comfortably.”
Since the identity of Seon Woojin—who had been a spy embedded in the Martial Soul Society—was now a Supreme Corps Leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance, he could stably play the shadow role, and there was no longer any great danger.
“And before you go, stop by the Eunryu Pavilion.”
For Seo Jinha, who had risked his life on various missions in the shadows, Bu Eunseol had entrusted the treasures he had acquired during his travels to the Eunryu Pavilion—which managed the gold—under Seo Jinha’s name.
“I don't need money. I’m just going for a short rest.”
“Take it. As much as you need.”
“Fine. If you have that kind of money, use it for the Majeon’s operations and the orphanage you sponsor.”
Ududuk.
Seo Jinha laughed and released his disguise.
His appearance, returning to his own face for a change, looked even more dazzling than in the past. With long hair, sharp yet deep eyes, and a refreshing smile like a river breeze on his lips... if you just removed the playful look in his eyes, he was a handsome man who would not be second to anyone in the world.
“Ah, that feels refreshing. Just how long has it been?”
Looking at Seo Jinha stroking his own face, Bu Eunseol bit his lip slightly.
‘If this continues any longer, his appearance could be ruined.’
Because he had performed disguises so incessantly, extreme fatigue had accumulated in Seo Jinha’s facial muscles and bone structure. Face and Bone Shifting Art was, simply put, a technique that constantly consumed internal energy and applied continuous force to slightly deform bones and muscles. Parts where repeated deformation occurred, like nasal cartilage, would gradually weaken, and the nerves controlling facial muscles would suffer constant pressure, which in severe cases could lead to paralysis. Fortunately, because Bu Eunseol and Seo Jinha had similar facial structures and physiques, there were no major issues yet, but if he continued the shadow life in this state, his body would eventually be ruined.
“And...” Bu Eunseol spoke firmly. “With this leave, your role as a shadow is over.”
“Why?”
“The information system of the Death Spirit Corps is nearly complete. I no longer need a shadow to make my tracks perfect.”
“What about the identity of Seon Woojin? There will still be times when it's needed.”
“No, it’s not needed. From now on, I will only act under the identity of Seolso.”
“Are you saying you're going to suddenly retire Seon Woojin? If the tracks of such a master suddenly vanish, the information organizations might start tracking him.”
“Don't worry. I’ve already prepared measures for that.”
It was a lie.
Seeing Seo Jinha’s original face for the first time in a long while, Bu Eunseol had made up his mind to stop using him as a shadow.
“Really? Then should we do that?”
Seo Jinha, whom he thought would strongly object, surprisingly nodded readily. “Well, the Martial Soul Society is growing well on its own now, and the character Seon Woojin probably only needs to appear occasionally when needed...”
He smiled brightly, baring his white teeth. “It's about time the shadow disappeared, right?”
“That’s right.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, Seo Jinha rubbed his nose. “Still, it’s a bit of a shame. Living under a disguise all this time was actually quite fun.”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. The Death Shadow Corps is always short-handed. If you come, Unryong will welcome you with open arms.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Seo Jinha, wearing a momentarily blank expression, waved his hand. “Then, I’ll be off.”
Turning to leave, Seo Jinha suddenly turned back, approached Bu Eunseol, and gave him a tight hug.
“Take care.”
“And don't forget to visit Lady Sayu of the Jongri family once in a while.”
“Lady Sayu?”
“Have you even forgotten her name? You know! The one who gave you that shiny bronze statue in the Death Shadow Corps warehouse as a gift, the granddaughter of that old man Needle King...”
As Bu Eunseol wore a blank expression, Seo Jinha patted his shoulder with a serious look.
“Never forget. She’s a good match. Trust my eyes, okay? Hahaha.”
With a mindless laugh, he turned around and waved his hand.
“I’m off.”
Seemingly excited about obtaining his leave, he stepped out of the office with a light, rhythmic stride.
Bu Eunseol watched Seo Jinha’s receding back.
For some reason, a corner of his chest felt hollow, and he felt a slight, throbbing ache in his head.
He had felt this way once before in the past. However, because it was such a long time ago... he simply shook his head and sat back down in his seat.
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