Kwa-ong!
With a deafening explosion, as if a meteor from the distant sky had plummeted into the earth, the ground for dozens of feet around where Ak Muryeong and Bu Eunseol stood was instantly devastated. At that same moment, a shadow like a pitch-black phantom revealed itself before the two men.
His hair was jagged and scattered, looking like thunderclouds splitting apart. Though it seemed to flutter in the fierce wind, each individual strand stood wildly on its own like a living creature. His gaze was both dark and bright, reminiscent of a well in the deep of night, and within them flickered a faint flame as if he had swallowed the passage of long ages.
The scraps of cloth covering his shoulders fluttered lightly like mist, and the fabric wrapping his feet exuded a worn and eerie atmosphere—like the hem of a dead man’s robe walking the boundary between this world and the underworld.
"Jongbaek."
In an instant, a flame ignited in Ak Muryeong’s eyes.
Jongbaek.
He was the senior disciple of the former Pavilion Master Sang Gwan-sohong and the man who had murdered Ak Muryeong’s master. He had suddenly appeared here.
Though he was nearly ninety years old, his appearance differed little from the middle-aged Ak Muryeong.
"You’ve grown a lot," Jongbaek said.
At his words, a yellowish radiance surged from Ak Muryeong’s pupils. The very man who had killed his master and created the most shameful history for the Nangyang Pavilion had appeared of his own volition.
Finally, the time had come to thoroughly clean the gates of the Nangyang Pavilion, a task long delayed.
"You’ve certainly found a proper place to die," Ak Muryeong said in a sinister voice. "I didn't hunt you down to the end only because of the Pavilion Master’s last words."
In truth, even if he had wanted revenge, he couldn't have taken it. Jongbaek had vanished without a trace after that day and could not be found anywhere.
"The successor of this Pavilion is quite the fellow, I see." Ak Muryeong stepped forward, a murderous smile playing on his lips. "He managed to fish out the rebel of our Pavilion, whose whereabouts remained unknown for a lifetime."
"Successor, is it?" Jongbaek finally glanced at Bu Eunseol and nodded. "It is a pity that the lineage of the Nangyang Pavilion ends today."
When Ak Muryeong and Bu Eunseol were together, even the Majeon Emperor did not take them lightly. Yet, Jongbaek was looking down on them as if they were mere third-rate martial artists.
Ak Muryeong snorted and looked down at Jongbaek.
"You’ve lost your senses after becoming someone else’s dog."
"When one reaches such a vast and high realm as I have, everyone tends to succumb to delusions," Jongbaek laughed lowly. "They cannot even imagine where I stand, yet they dare think I am within their reach."
Ak Muryeong made a huffing sound and spoke to Bu Eunseol.
"Leave immediately."
Jongbaek was the one who had assassinated his master and vanished. Ak Muryeong intended to kill him with his own hands.
"I understand."
Bu Eunseol offered a polite greeting and prepared to leave so that Ak Muryeong could fight with his full strength.
'If he unfolds his ultimate, his super-sensory perception will spread for three hundred feet. I shall watch the duel from a distance.'
But then, Jongbaek spoke.
"You cannot leave."
Ji-im.
At that moment, a black energy began to spread.
It was the formation of the Soul-Locking Death Array, from which one could never escape until one of the two died, and the Gate of Life could only be opened by the enemy's death.
The Life-and-Death Battle Array had been deployed.
"Ak Muryeong. Not to mention you, but the successor of the Nangyang Pavilion is also on the death list," Jongbaek said in a low voice. "Both of you must die here."
Ak Muryeong suddenly furrowed his brow. He carefully observed the interior of the Life-and-Death Battle Array that Jongbaek had cast.
Suddenly, his eyes crinkled like half-moons, and a mad laughter that seemed capable of collapsing heaven and earth erupted.
"Khahahahaha!"
Every time Ak Muryeong’s laughter echoed, the air distorted and the sky shook.
The ground cracked as if an earthquake had struck, and trees turned to dust, their leaves vanishing into the wind.
That laughter was not only a mixture of destruction and madness, but it felt like a demonic hand grasping the listener's soul and dragging it into the bottomless abyss. It contained not only terrifying internal energy but also the power to destroy a person's spirit.
Stopping his laughter, Ak Muryeong looked down at Bu Eunseol with an expression that suggested his excitement had cooled.
"He isn't even worth the Pavilion Master’s personal intervention."
Ak Muryeong had seen through the principles of the martial world from the end of a vast abyss. His path was the endless pursuit of the Martial Dao, and his final destination was the Majeon Emperor, who stood at the pinnacle of martial arts.
Within that journey, killing Jongbaek for assassinating his master had held a place as a long-held desire.
He had finally found his enemy, but the man was a mere insect, unworthy of even his hatred. The grudge he had harbored for so many years scattered like a hollow echo; the man was not even worth the effort of a strike.
"Bu Eunseol." He nodded toward him. "You do it."
Bu Eunseol was no longer a disciple leaning on the shadow of the Nangyang Pavilion; he had already grown into a Grandmaster who stood tall with the world beneath his feet. The path Ak Muryeong now had to take was to excise every human emotion—sorrow, joy, grief, and elation—and achieve a peerless martial art under heaven. No other path existed.
"Me?" When Bu Eunseol reacted in surprise, Ak Muryeong snorted and spoke enigmatically.
"Remember this phrase: 'Reflect the heart’s mirror in reverse to shake the enemy’s spirit and shatter their soul.'" He grunted. "If you realize it too quickly, it will be a very boring fight."
'Use the mirror of the mind in reverse to shake the enemy's spirit and collapse their soul?' As Bu Eunseol chewed on Ak Muryeong’s words, Jongbaek spoke.
"Are you afraid, Ak Muryeong?" Jongbaek sneered, as if deliberately trying to provoke him. "As you know, your master also died by my hand in the end. You may have reached the Limitless Realm while calling yourself one of the Three Demons, but in my eyes, you are still just a fledgling."
"Indeed, he isn't worth my direct intervention," Ak Muryeong sighed deeply instead. "To think such a person was a disciple of this Pavilion."
As if finding it laughable, Ak Muryeong bared his fangs while looking at Jongbaek. "I suppose that’s why you’ve ended up as someone else’s dog, running around to recover command tokens."
"What?" Though he was once a senior uncle, Jongbaek’s eyes turned extremely cold when Ak Muryeong treated him like an inferior. "Ak Muryeong, your madness remains the same."
"Jongbaek, do you still think the Master lost to you?"
"What?" Jongbaek’s eyes flashed. "What does that mean?"
Sang Gwan-sohong’s internal organs had clearly been shattered by his power. He had even confirmed the funeral held at the Nangyang Pavilion. Why was he saying he hadn't lost?
"Well, do your best." Ak Muryeong tossed the Nangyang Plaque he was holding to Bu Eunseol. "If you kill this guy, you can take the Nangyang Plaque."
The Nangyang Plaque was a treasure inscribed with the supreme hidden secrets of the Nangyang Pavilion, which only a Pavilion Master could learn.
Yet he had tossed it to his successor and told the enemy to kill him to take it?
Step, step. Whether Jongbaek was surprised or not, Ak Muryeong calmly walked out of the Life-and-Death Battle Array.
Kwa-ang!
As Bu Eunseol drew up his internal energy, a brilliant radiance began to surge in the distant sky. As he released all of his internal strength, which exceeded several jia, the shockwaves of his True Qi took physical form and soared to the ends of the heaven.
Jongbaek was somewhat surprised. How could a fellow who wasn't even thirty years old accumulate such internal energy?
"It seems you know well that you won't be treated as an elder of the sect." Bu Eunseol’s eyes froze cold. "Let’s not waste words; let's have at it."
Jongbaek, who had been wearing a bewildered expression, lifted his head and laughed toward the heavens. After laughing for a long while, he shook his head.
"You really aren't being treated as a true successor by Ak Muryeong." Jongbaek curled his lip. "I heard you were from the Ten Majeon Warriors chosen by Sado Muryeong? Ak Muryeong has not only worshiped the Nangyang Pavilion since his youth but also hated Sado Muryeong to death. There’s no way he would accept someone chosen by that man as his successor."
"You know nothing," Bu Eunseol snorted. "Are you truly a disciple of this Pavilion?"
"What?"
"The Pavilion Master can push me into a death trap because he considers me his true successor."
Ak Muryeong pursued the ultimate Martial Dao.
And his recognition of Bu Eunseol as his successor was not because the Nangyang Pavilion had designated it internally, but because Bu Eunseol had proven himself by defeating powerful enemies. And even now, he was demanding the same.
—If you are the successor of this Pavilion, survive. And realize.
If he could not survive here, if he could not gain enlightenment from this fight, he was being told he was disqualified as a successor.
"He pushed you into a death trap because you're the successor? Against an enemy who is a level above you?"
"That is what it means to be the successor of this Pavilion," Bu Eunseol said as if it were obvious. "If the enemy were several levels higher, I’d have to run until my feet caught fire, because there would be no way to survive. But..." A relaxed smile hung on his lips as he continued. "If the enemy is just one level higher, one must survive under any adverse conditions and prove their skill."
Bu Eunseol squared his shoulders and spoke proudly. "If you want to recover the token, kill me and take it."
Jongbaek shook his head. "It is that arrogance of yours that brought the Nangyang Pavilion down."
Bu Eunseol had intended to strike regardless of what Jongbaek said, but he could not let those words slide. "The Pavilion is falling because of arrogance?"
"How much longer do you think the Nangyang Pavilion can hold out in the martial world?" Jongbaek laughed coldly. "When the Baekri Clan or the True Demon make their full appearance, it will collapse without lasting a single day."
"Are you saying you became corrupt because of their power?"
"It’s not corruption; I realized the truth." Jongbaek’s eyes grew infinitely deep. "If you knew the truth of the martial world, you would have no choice but to choose as I did."
Jongbaek had also loved the Nangyang Pavilion once. However, he could not understand why, despite having such formidable power, they did not engage in the affairs of the world, living like villagers in self-sufficiency while pursuing only the Martial Dao.
In reality, the Nangyang Pavilion was less of a demonic sect and more like a gathering of madmen who only practiced martial arts.
—Why does our Pavilion not create a large sphere of influence in the martial world? With our strength, we could easily dominate the world.
Jongbaek had constantly pleaded with Yong Mungyeok, but to no avail. Despite holding the supreme position of the Ten Sects of the Demonic Path and having numerous experts within their ranks, he could not understand why they stayed holed up in Mount Geommi, living like Taoists while practicing martial arts.
—You will know soon enough.
—Can't you just tell me now?
Yong Mungyeok was firm.
—I cannot. If I tell you the whole truth prematurely, it will instead ruin your future.
Eventually, Jongbaek gave up on persuading Yong Mungyeok and his fellow disciples and set out into the world alone. He traveled secretly through the martial world, rallying people to build a powerful force, and in that process, he began his journey to complete his own Martial Dao.
It was a process very similar to Bu Eunseol's, who had gone out into the world for revenge, created a massive information organization, and gathered many people.
It was inevitable; though their motives differed, the process of becoming a superpower in the martial world—training in martial arts and building an organization—was similar for everyone.
—So that was it.
And finally, he too realized the truth of the martial world. The world had already been swallowed by terrifying entities known as the Baekri Clan and the True Demon; this entire world was their playground. Without knowing such facts, he had been agonizing over the Nangyang Pavilion's failure to expand its influence.
—Make the Covenant.
And finally, a Covenanter found Jongbaek as well.
—If I tell you the whole truth prematurely, it will instead ruin your future.
Only then did he understand what Yong Mungyeok had meant. The "whole truth" his master wanted to tell him was that the super-experts of the martial world must unconditionally be subordinate to the Baekri Clan or the True Demon kin.
—I must become a subordinate of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon kin?
Jongbaek was flabbergasted. No, everything felt futile. No matter how much one practiced and refined martial arts, one could not face the Baekri bloodline, who possessed innate, terrifying power. Even if one practiced martial arts for a thousand years from now, one could not defeat the True Demon kin, who had descended from ancient times and repeated the cycle of reincarnation.
—They say he who knows the times is a hero, right?
When he realized that no matter how much he trained or gathered forces, he couldn't even defeat the subordinates of the True Demon kin, let alone the True Demon kin themselves, everything became dull.
—What would be the point of creating a great power in the martial world?
He would rather dive into their world himself and look down on people from the realm of the Heaven Beyond Heaven.
—I cannot accept being forced into a Covenant!
Ultimately, Jongbaek refused the Covenant.
A Covenant only meant standing on the side of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon kin and taking their orders; it did not mean becoming a subordinate of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon kin to gain their power.
—I shall compare the superiority of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon kin and personally become a subordinate who obtains their power.
However, he could not simply avoid the Covenanter’s pact. Jongbaek struggled to escape the Covenant and finally found a way.
'If I kill someone I truly cherish and love in my heart, I can avoid the Covenanter's pursuit through the ruin and emptiness of my spirit.'
"Sang Gwan-sohong."
Jongbaek immediately thought of one person.
His junior disciple, whom he cherished more than anyone else—so much so that he would have handed over the position of Pavilion Master without hesitation. If he eliminated Sang Gwan-sohong, he could escape the Covenant.
—Jongbaek, using your status, you must infiltrate the Nangyang Pavilion and obtain the Pavilion's sacred artifact.
A perfect opportunity arose.
One of the True Demon subordinates came to find him. They were secretly seizing control of the martial world, replacing the leaders of various sects and the experts of the martial world with their own subordinates.
—There is no need for that. I will bring that command token myself. —What? —In exchange, give me the power that you people use.
The True Demon subordinate snorted at Jongbaek's proposal.
—A fellow who hasn't even escaped the Covenant has big dreams.
Then, he made a proposal.
—Fine. If you can shake off the Covenant, I will give you a Primal Demon Artifact and unleash your potential.
Hearing those words, Jongbaek wore a triumphant smile.
—Good. I was already planning to break that filthy Covenant anyway.
Ultimately, Jongbaek went to find Sang Gwan-sohong. Was it a coincidence? It was the day Ak Muryeong ascended to the position of Pavilion Master, and Sang Gwan-sohong had lightheartedly climbed the Iron Palm Peak. The strange thing was that Sang Gwan-sohong already knew Jongbaek had come.
In the end, the fight began. After defeating Sang Gwan-sohong, Jongbaek grasped the Nangyang Plaque in his hand. He felt a pain and guilt unto death, but there was no choice.
—I've yielded many things until now... think of this as me taking my due.
Leaving the Nangyang Pavilion once more, he offered the Nangyang Plaque to the True Demon subordinate and finally obtained the power he had dreamed of.
The Primal Demon Artifact.
When a martial artist is injected with it, their latent potential is released, and like the legendary Hundred and Eight Stars or members of the Three Families, their innate supernatural power is awakened.
From that day on, Jongbaek became a follower carrying the will of the True Demon kin, carrying out their orders while manipulating the large and small affairs of the martial world to his liking. There was no longer a need to be obsessed with martial world sects or physical strength. As if he had become a god, he could swap out people and forces, or raise or erase sects from existence.
"You know nothing." Bu Eunseol, who had been silently listening to Jongbaek, shook his head. "Do you think it's possible to have your presence detected by someone weaker than yourself?"
Jongbaek narrowed his eyes.
He too had felt it was somewhat strange that Sang Gwan-sohong had been waiting for him. However, when the time of death approaches, mysterious abilities are often displayed, or the five senses become terrifyingly sharp. Since Sang Gwan-sohong had mastered the Beast Path faster than anyone and had a talent for sensory martial arts, he hadn't thought much of it at the time.
"Well, does that matter?" Jongbaek said coldly. "The fact remains that you are going to die."
U-woong.
At that moment, Jongbaek’s body slowly turned black. Even the whites of his eyes turned black, and a lingering image in the form of black flaming embers could be seen around his entire body. His appearance was no longer human; he looked like the incarnation of a black flame.
Having become a subordinate of the True Demon kin, he had released his latent potential and gained mysterious supernatural powers.
Though Jongbaek displayed a terrifying majesty, Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh upon seeing him.
"Did you betray this Pavilion just to obtain such a power?"
Supernatural power can easily suppress an opponent with formidable might without any effort. However, this is not a power that can be obtained through effort, nor is it even known by what principle it manifests. In other words, its very essence is incomplete and possesses attributes that make perfect control impossible.
"Save your nonsense for King Yama!"
Sa-ak.
In an instant, white smoke rose from the spot where Bu Eunseol had been standing. It was a speed so rapid that even super-sensory perception could not detect it.
Pat!
However, Bu Eunseol had already leapt into the air, pouring out sword qi toward Jongbaek, who was moving like a ghost. Thanks to his constant clashes with powerful enemies possessing supernatural powers, he had instinctively sensed the manifestation of that power. Over a hundred and eighty strands of sword qi rained down like rain, blocking Jongbaek’s path of retreat.
Since the enemy's movements were elusive, he had applied the simple sword-sweep style using demonic sword arts.
Swiririk.
Jongbaek moved like a phantom, evading the pouring sword qi. Judging by the constant shadow-like trails left in the air as he moved, it wasn't a simple footwork technique but one infused with sorcery.
Flash! Pa-pa-pa-pat!
Dozens of sword qi strands hovered in a stationary state around Bu Eunseol’s body. He had unfolded the Caged Bird Yearning for Clouds, firing the sword qi as if tracking Jongbaek’s movements.
Swiririk.
However, Jongbaek easily evaded the Caged Bird Yearning for Clouds and poured out a bizarre power.
Sa-ak.
With just a graze, white steam rose from Bu Eunseol’s body, and a chunk of all the power circulating within him evaporated. The power Jongbaek was wielding could neither be sensed nor blocked; it was evaporating the enemy's strength.
'He is worthy of looking down on martial arts.'
At the time, it was said that Jongbaek had sufficient talent to become the Pavilion Master of Nangyang.
Although he had left the Nangyang Pavilion due to his ambition to dominate the world rather than devoting himself to the Martial Dao, the fact remained that he was a master who had mastered the subtleties of the Nangyang Pavilion’s practical martial arts, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's strongest.
Now that such a man had released his latent potential, he was showcasing a subtle power on a completely different level from the various supernatural power users Bu Eunseol had faced so far.
'If he had continued to refine his martial arts, the history of the martial world would have changed.'
Even while exercising supernatural power, a high level of martial arts attainment was implicitly visible. Furthermore, despite wielding a bizarre power, he maintained a posture devoid of openings.
'However...'
Bu Eunseol swallowed a deep sigh. He finally realized what Ak Muryeong was trying to say.
'He has not fought against the current powerhouses of the martial world.'
It was said that Jongbaek possessed peerless talent, enough to inherit the position of Pavilion Master of the Nangyang Pavilion in the past. But now, he was nothing more or less than an enemy who used supernatural power and martial power in harmony.
The current supreme experts of the martial world were already moving beyond the boundaries of the Limitless Realm. Moreover, Bu Eunseol was more accustomed to supernatural power than any other expert in the martial world. These attacks posed no threat at all.
'Perhaps the Pavilion Master wants me to enlighten him.'
What if Ak Muryeong had taken action?
Perhaps Jongbaek would have opened his eyes in the Hall of Yama without even knowing why.
But since Bu Eunseol had fought countless times with those possessing supernatural powers, he could distinguish the boundary between martial arts and supernatural power more clearly than anyone else. He thought he was the most suitable person to teach Jongbaek the reality of the situation.
'In the end, the Pavilion Master intends to hand over the position to me.'
Tidying up the gates of the Nangyang Pavilion was the inherent authority of the Pavilion Master, and Jongbaek was a rebel who had assassinated the former Pavilion Master.
Nevertheless, not only did he give the Nangyang Plaque to Bu Eunseol, but even giving the order to teach the rebel Jongbaek a lesson...
—Now you are the Pavilion Master.
While announcing that he would soon put him forward as the official Pavilion Master of the Nangyang Pavilion, it was also a tacit instruction to lead the gates and operations of the Nangyang Pavilion entirely according to his own will and convictions from now on.
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