Bu Eunseol’s gaze sank coldly.
‘The fact that they specifically chose this Hundred Swords Sect means they surely needed something to take advantage of this geographical merit.’
The Hundred Swords Sect had long ago installed special checkpoints so that outsiders could not enter all at once, forcing them to pass through the gates one by one to gain entry. Even in the forest at the entrance, the trees moved on their own to block outsiders, and the terrain seemed alive, closing off exits by itself.
It was not just a typical gate; it was an organic formation integrated with the geography.
‘To begin with, being able to detect outsiders... No matter how profound a formation is, the formation itself has no way to filter out internal intruders. Yet, when entering this place, it functioned as if the formation automatically identified intruders. The assassins hiding within utilized the power of that formation to dispose of enemies.’
‘In that case... could it be that the ground or the terrain itself has the function to distinguish the qi-waves of outsiders?’
In truth, the idea of the earth or terrain itself sensing an outsider’s qi was a somewhat wild imagination. However, Bu Eunseol lacked the common prejudices held by martial artists and possessed a broad way of thinking.
‘Then...’
Whenever he tried to detect something, he usually used Void Heart Command, a supersensory ability that could easily find traces from a very long time ago. But this time, he unexpectedly placed his hand on the ground and raised the Heavenly Glacial Secret. If this terrain or the earth itself had a certain power inscribed within it, as if it were alive, he thought the Heavenly Glacial Secret—which allowed him to look into the flow of another's true qi—would be more suitable.
‘What is this?’
After detecting the surrounding terrain for a long while, Bu Eunseol tilted his head. Sensing the ground through the Heavenly Glacial Secret, he realized the pavilions built here were not ordinary buildings but felt like a maze or a formation designed to block entry.
‘In the end, its purpose is to hide something.’
Bu Eunseol moved between the pavilions while maintaining the sensations of the Heavenly Glacial Secret.
As he did, the pavilions stretched out like taffy as if they were alive, blocking his path and spreading a strange power. If he tried to force his way through, an energy that felt like it would melt bone and flesh began to radiate.
‘Sealed Demon Fragments?’
The energy emitted by the ground and the pavilions was none other than the very Sealed Demon Fragments that the True Demon was said to have intentionally spread throughout the world.
‘It means no one can enter unless they possess the same energy.’
Only then could Bu Eunseol penetrate the secret of the pavilions built inside the Hundred Swords Sect.
These pavilions were detecting outsiders by spreading the Sealed Demon Fragments in the form of a vibrating wave. In other words, to pass through here, one had to emit an energy similar to the Sealed Demon Fragments.
“If this is a place that can only be found if one has the Sealed Demon Fragments, then it must be a secret vault related to the True Demon.”
Finally, the mystery was solved. The reason vast funds and manpower had been supported for the Hundred Swords Sect was to create a secret vault—much like the one of the Baekri Clan—that only the bloodlines or kin of the True Demon could enter.
Rumble.
Bu Eunseol did not resist the Sealed Demon Fragments flowing from all directions and accepted them naturally. Since he had absorbed Sealed Demon Fragments several times before and a certain amount of that energy remained in his body, synchronizing with the energy flowing from the pavilions was not very difficult.
Growl.
Finally, the pavilions that had been emitting the strange energy moved as if bending and opened a path. Following that path slowly, he saw a single door stained black.
Upon opening the door, an infinitely long passage appeared. The interior was a mix of blood-red brilliance and darkness, looking like the throat of a monster.
Bu Eunseol stepped inside without hesitation. As soon as he set foot there, he felt a strange sensation as if he had entered water.
‘Even this is a checkpoint.’
As he went deeper, the passage gradually widened. On the other side, he could see a black shadow crouching. Bu Eunseol approached the crouching shadow slowly with cautious movements.
Swish.
The shadow, as if sensing Bu Eunseol’s approach, lifted its head and slowly stood up. But when the shadow rose, a startling sight unfolded.
The form of the shadow was exactly the same as Bu Eunseol’s.
Seeing the black shadow in his own likeness, Bu Eunseol let out a snort.
“A common trick.”
While facing the Hundred and Eight Stars, he had encountered enemies who perfectly mimicked not only his form but even his martial arts. Therefore, it was not surprising that the black shadow had the same form as himself.
Shake, shake.
When Bu Eunseol shook his head, the black shadow shook its head as well. However, when Bu Eunseol’s expression remained too relaxed and his vital signs did not change, a strange sound leaked from the black shadow’s mouth.
Cr-crack.
Then, it suddenly tilted its head and extended its hand. It was as if it were saying that to enter this place, he had to take its hand.
Cr-crack.
When Bu Eunseol showed no reaction, the shadow extended its hand with an even more earnest gesture. It seemed to be saying it would never harm him and to trust it. Now, two choices remained: to take the hand of the shadow extending its arm in a friendly gesture, or to immediately draw his sword and attack. His deliberation was not long.
Shring.
As Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword—
“Skreeeeeee!”
The black shadow suddenly let out a monster-like roar. It appeared to be enraged that its goodwill had been rejected.
“You’re showing your true colors.”
Flash!
A terrifyingly fast quick-sword strike sliced through the shadow’s neck.
Drip, drip.
Its neck tilted as if it were shedding black blood, but then—
Slurp.
Its body suddenly flowed down again like liquid, and this time, it transformed into a form wearing the exact same clothes as Bu Eunseol.
Sssss.
At that moment, an auspicious energy spread from the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, and a mist-like white sword qi instantly engulfed the black shadow. It was the tenth Form of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, which returns everything to its natural state.
The Martial Mist and Waves technique, containing the energy of nature, was unleashed.
Sizzle.
As the black shadow was exposed to the Martial Mist and Waves, which contained the mysteries of the Nature Sword, it showed painful movements, constantly changing its colors.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
However, as time passed, it began to greedily absorb the sword qi of the Martial Mist and Waves instead.
Hum.
In the hand of the black shadow that had absorbed the Martial Mist and Waves, a sword of the same shape as the Silent Tiger Soul Sword appeared. It was as if every time Bu Eunseol attacked, it absorbed that power and changed its body into a form even more similar to his.
“The more it is attacked, the more it resembles the enemy... I see.”
Looking at the shadow now holding even the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, a smile instead drifted across Bu Eunseol’s lips.
“In reality, it’s a trick to shake the enemy’s psyche.”
Having seen through everything, a mysterious brilliance flashed in his eyes.
“It could have transformed exactly like the enemy from the very beginning, but it’s deliberately changing one thing at a time whenever it takes an attack.”
The shadow tilted its head. It seemed to say, ‘Even if you know that, what changes?’
“Does the True Demon enjoy using psychological tactics like the Demon Emperor?”
The terrifying thing about the Demon Emperor was his ability to perfectly grasp the enemy’s psychology and pierce through the essence of their techniques. And this shadow, too, was using a meticulous and cunning method to shake the enemy's heart rather than causing immediate damage.
“It’s a trap one could fall into endlessly if they get sucked in.”
Click.
Sheathing his sword, Bu Eunseol walked calmly toward the shadow.
“It won’t work on me.”
“Skreeeeeee!”
The shadow roared once more. But Bu Eunseol ignored it and approached the shadow calmly. Regardless, the more he attacked, the more it would transform into his likeness. If he wanted to annihilate it, he would have to pour out everything until his internal power and mental strength were exhausted. He chose to do nothing and simply pass by.
Whoosh!
Realizing its tactic was seen through, the shadow suddenly began to pour out black flames. The black flames instantly began to burn its body fiercely.
It was so hot that it felt as if even his bones were softening in an instant.
Thump, thump.
No one would endure an attack that felt like their body was burning and continue walking toward the enemy. Yet, Bu Eunseol moved his feet without hesitation and without resisting.
“As I thought.”
It was because he had already realized the attribute of the power the shadow possessed.
“It was the Soul Demon Method.”
The shadow’s black flames were a device to identify those who possessed the Soul Demon Method.
“The kin of the True Demon are quite skilled.”
Because Bu Eunseol had already grasped the shadow's essence, he approached the shadow defenselessly without a shred of doubt.
Falter, falter.
As Bu Eunseol walked in a relaxed posture without making any attack, the shadow retreated little by little. Finally, toward him who approached with a dignified movement, it slowly knelt down.
Flash!
It bowed its head and soon turned into black smoke and vanished.
‘It is definitely the True Demon’s secret vault.’
The black shadow was a gatekeeper guarding this place so that only those with the Soul Demon Method could enter. As the shadow disappeared, a passage lit by night-luminescent pearls appeared. The passage felt as if vengeful spirits were lurking.
In the faint darkness, a chilling energy radiated as if someone were breathing while crouching. Finally reaching the end of the passage, a stone gate made of large rocks appeared. Opening that door—
“An armory.”
An armory storing various weapons revealed itself.
The interior was vast beyond sight, and dark red mist crept up. Strange-looking racks were all over the walls, and upon them, weapons waiting for their masters emitted a cold brilliance. From some weapons, a blood-like liquid seemed to flow, while others sent out slight tremors like living creatures. And throughout the warehouse, circular altars were situated, upon which countless bones were piled.
It looked as if a bizarre ritual had been performed to imprison souls here.
“It’s too gloomy to be called just an armory.”
There was not a single breath of wind here, and the sound of low screams constantly brushed against his ears.
Click.
Bu Eunseol picked up a single sword placed on one side.
“This isn't an ordinary weapon.”
The weapons here, like demon swords, contained deep resentment and were constantly thirsting for blood.
“The space was divided.”
Inside the warehouse, a door leading to another storage area was secretly hidden. Going inside, he saw extremely ordinary weapons that could be seen anywhere lined up.
“These are the signature weapons of past martial artists.”
On one side, thrown haphazardly, was the Poison Blade Demon Saber of Gwak Doyang, who was called the Anonymous Red Slayer. What looked like a hoop at his feet was the Moon-Crescent Heaven and Earth Ring of the Yin-Yang Monk. Also hanging were the Stone Evil Sword of Daoist Yak-Hwang and the Disciple’s Silk Whip of Seok Oryang, who was once called the greatest in the imperial palace.
In short, the signature weapons of famous figures from all walks of the martial world, or masters of the merchant world and officialdom who had once gained fame, were lined up.
“In that case...”
Bu Eunseol could reach one conclusion.
“The kin of the True Demon killed the figures of each circle and took their weapons.”
Until now, he had thought the kin of the True Demon rarely revealed themselves in the martial world, but in fact, they had been active secretly, killing past martial artists and famous figures.
“But is there a need for the True Demon’s kin to collect such trophies?”
Since a signature weapon is usually tailored to its master’s body, another person taking it does not mean they can use it freely. Of course, there are divine weapons that show immense power regardless of who uses them.
However, the signature weapons here were not divine weapons; they were all unique and tailored to their masters. They had no particular value as a collection.
“Then there is only one reason.”
A light flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“To steal their identities.”
A signature weapon, in other words, could be called an identification tag that proves that person's identity. Since it is like a martial artist's life, they would never let it leave their body.
“No way.”
Feeling a sense of urgency, he began to search the place quickly.
“As I thought, there are also weapons of current martial artists.”
The weapons here included not only those of past masters but also many belonging to those currently enjoying fame in the martial world. Even weapons of masters belonging to the Nine Sects and One Union or the Eight Great Families were among them.
‘They are replacing the leadership.’
In the past, by the order of Gongsun Dankyung, Bu Eunseol had disposed of an elder from the Mount Hua Sect who had used Black Divine Qi. At that time, he only thought the abyssal groups were playing tricks and did not know the clear mastermind.
But was it the kin of the True Demon who plotted such things?
‘Then this is not a simple armory.’
His heart racing, Bu Eunseol moved to the next space. But this place was empty. There were no weapons, and the interior was clean without a speck of dust.
“They’ve hidden it.”
Bu Eunseol let out a snort.
This interior space of the warehouse was much larger than the others. In other words, it was perfect for hiding something. There was no way they would create an empty space for no reason.
Hum.
As he spread Void Heart Command, a white light emanated from Bu Eunseol’s eyes. But nothing could be felt. It was the same even when he used the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed. Throughout his travels in the martial world, he had dismantled numerous mechanical formations and found secret vaults and caves. No matter how cleverly hidden, it could never deceive his dharma eyes.
“Haven’t they already given the clue?”
The Soul Demon Method.
The absolute device that could hide this vault was none other than the Soul Demon Method. In other words, all secrets had to be unlocked with the Soul Demon Method.
Wung.
As he synchronized his body’s energy according to the Soul Demon Method he had felt earlier, black geometric shapes began to be drawn on the floor. As expected, they had made it so that anyone who was not a kin of the True Demon could never find what was hidden.
‘This is convenient in its own way.’
Bu Eunseol belonged to neither the Baekri Clan nor the True Demon and was hardly affected by their power. Nevertheless, because he could calmly absorb their energy, he could operate the mechanisms here very easily.
Click, click.
Before long, the shapes drawn on the floor became numerous protrusions and popped up. Bu Eunseol firmly stepped on the large protrusion in the center. Then, with a rumbling sound, a large altar suddenly began to emerge.
Upon the finally completed altar, a uniquely shaped sword hilt was plunged. The blue-lit energy leaking from the hilt seemed to distort the space as it clashed with the black Soul Demon Method.
As if possessed, Bu Eunseol approached and picked up the hilt. Then, he saw a blade only about the length of a finger joint.
“The Supreme Swift Sword?”
Surprisingly, was this not the signature weapon of the Heavenly Emperor, the Supreme Swift Sword?
“Is it a fake?”
He carefully injected his internal energy.
Wung.
Then, responding to his internal energy, a sharp blade was formed. However, even with that powerful internal energy, he could not create a proper blade. Because the Supreme Swift Sword usually only has a short blade that cannot kill a person, a sharp blade is only formed when an enemy's killing intent is detected or when the Golden Cicada True qi—the signature internal power of the Heavenly Emperor—is injected.
“It’s the real thing.”
The weight, density, and balance.
And as if proving it was held by a supreme powerhouse who looked down upon the martial world, the hilt bore traces of numerous battles and the injection of immense internal power.
Since Bu Eunseol had learned metallurgy from the Iron Master Wang Geol and had inherited the knowledge of the Demonic Sword Master, he could distinguish divine swords and verify their authenticity.
This was indeed the Supreme Swift Sword, the cherished sword of the Heavenly Emperor.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
“Then, did the Heavenly Emperor lose to the kin of the True Demon and wander the martial world in such a wretched state?”
If it were the kin of the True Demon? They would certainly have enough power to defeat the great Heavenly Emperor and drive him mad. Moreover, had he not lost his Golden Cicada True Qi because of the Martial Venerable? If he were attacked by the kin of the True Demon while in a weakened state, he could have been easily suppressed.
“But he learned the martial arts of the Four Divines.”
Shaking his head, his eyes soon sparkled.
“Since the Three Families are corrupt, perhaps among them, there might be a faction that shares the same goals as the kin of the True Demon.”
If not that?
He might have been attacked by the True Demon or their kin and left in a wretched state, then accidentally saved by the Three Families, and as a result, became their experimental subject or puppet.
“No way.”
Bu Eunseol quickly turned his body.
If the genuine Supreme Swift Sword used by the Heavenly Emperor was stored here, there was a high probability that the items of other powerhouses comparable to him were also kept here.
Clack, vroom.
Bu Eunseol stepped on all the protrusions inside and began to search through the hidden weapons.
Thump.
Every time a mechanism was activated, the weapons hidden inside revealed themselves one by one. Just as Bu Eunseol expected, the weapons hidden here were not those of ordinary martial artists, but were all the cherished weapons of masters who looked down upon the world.
“As I thought.”
In the end, his worrisome prediction was becoming a reality. The fact that the weapons of the past martial world’s powerhouses were displayed here meant they had ultimately been murdered by the kin of the True Demon and would likely be replaced by someone else before long.
“There are empty spots.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze darkened. When the mechanisms operated, the weapons were not always revealed; sometimes, there were empty places. That meant someone was already posing as a fake with those weapons.
Clack.
At that moment, a mechanism in the corner moved. What revealed itself with a clicking sound was a small iron box.
Ting.
Opening the iron box and looking inside, his eyes widened as if he couldn't believe it. He had received a shock so great it felt like the back of his head was splitting at the unexpected situation.
Placed in the iron box was none other than a spirit tablet engraved with the image of a wolf.
“The Nangyang Plaque.”
It was the very sacred object that only the Pavilion Master of the Nangyang Pavilion could wear—the Nangyang Plaque.
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