"Sensing martial arts is about creating a single domain of information centered around yourself."
Sa Woo's clear voice resonated in front of the thatched cottage.
"It is to instantaneously capture and analyze all signs, flows, killing intent, and changes that enter that domain... and to choose the optimal response for every moment based on those signs."
This was back when Bu Eunseol was learning the Beast Way from Sa Woo in the Hell Road.
Bu Eunseol, who had been squatting in front of the cottage listening to his lecture for a long time, asked a question.
"Then is there an attack that surpasses the senses or perception of the Beast Way?"
"What?"
"If there are sensing martial arts like the Beast Way, I thought there might be martial arts specifically designed to destroy the enemy's senses or will."
At the sudden question, Sa Woo knit his brows and sank into thought for a long time.
"There is, but it is effectively a useless worry."
And he answered like this.
"To destroy the senses of the Beast Way, the beginning and end of the sword technique must be nonexistent... and even if the cause is shown, it must not produce any result."
"I do not understand what you mean."
Sa Woo tapped the crown of Bu Eunseol's head.
"If there is no light, no shadow is cast."
He bared his fangs.
"If a master capable of breaking sensing martial arts unsheathed their sword, you would have to completely close off your consciousness itself... you must not look, not try to sense, and not try to predict."
Sa Woo wore a pathetic expression.
"How many peerless swordsmen in the world could break sensing martial arts, and will the day ever come when you reach such a supreme realm to exchange blows with such a master in the realm of the unconscious?"
The eyes of Bu Eunseol, who finished his recollection, became transparent.
By entering the boundary of the unconscious for execution, he had reached a state where he could not see, could not try to sense, and could not predict.
At that moment, Weiji Mu-a’s branch thrust toward Bu Eunseol's neck.
Bu Eunseol, with a focusless expression, struck out three times and neutralized that initial move.
When Bu Eunseol easily neutralized the sword technique, Weiji Mu-a extended the branch downward again to attack his lower abdomen.
Bu Eunseol and Weiji Mu-a exchanged over ten moves in an instant.
Weiji Mu-a’s swordsmanship was complex, and despite its boundless changes, there wasn't a single opening. Nevertheless, was Bu Eunseol not parrying the sword techniques as if reacting in rhythm every time Weiji Mu-a moved his sword?
"Ho."
Weiji Mu-a let out an exclamation.
Even though no swordsmanship could match the rapid speed and profound mystery of the Hwa Wu Sword, he was continuing the exchange, blocking several situations where his neck could have been taken instantly.
Sashak!
Weiji Mu-a changed his swordsmanship once more, and several traces of energy grazed Bu Eunseol's body.
Every time that happened, a faint light flowed from Bu Eunseol's entire body.
Not only was his internal energy the thickest in the world, but due to the Endless Heavenly Light Art, which combined the three divine artifacts, small wounds were being healed in an instant.
Shwa-shwa!
However, as the attacks continued, his healing speed eventually could not keep up with the power of the sword techniques, and his body began to be covered in wounds.
It was a branch that looked like it couldn't even cut a piece of tofu, but once held in Weiji Mu-a’s hand, it displayed power no different from a divine sword or precious saber.
"It is the end now."
With Weiji Mu-a’s shout, the branch dug into Bu Eunseol's dantian.
Even before the energy touched his stomach, the flesh near his lower abdomen tore and throbbed as if his dantian would be destroyed.
According to the principles of swordsmanship, in this situation, one must retreat to dissipate the force and seize an opportunity for a counterattack.
However, Bu Eunseol, who had entered the realm of the unconscious, did not care about the energy digging into his lower abdomen. Instead, as if seeking a mutual certain death, he simultaneously thrust his sword toward Weiji Mu-a’s neck.
Hwi-ik!
Faced with the unexpected counterattack, Weiji Mu-a had no choice but to pull his body back without being able to deeply pierce Bu Eunseol's abdomen.
But at that moment, a strange sight unfolded.
Drip.
The blood flowing from Bu Eunseol's body was not coming from his pierced lower abdomen, but from his left shoulder.
Inconstant Form-Breaking.
Until now, Weiji Mu-a had been unfolding the supreme mystery of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, where the sword technique changes subtly mid-way, making it impossible to predict or sense.
"You truly are the successor of the Nangyang Pavilion."
Weiji Mu-a, having realized everything, nodded his head.
"To recognize the technique of Inconstant Form-Breaking, forcibly sever your consciousness, and fight in the unconscious."
Severing one's consciousness is something an ordinary martial artist cannot even attempt. One must reach the end of the Soul-Seeking martial arts to perform such a technique, and even then, one must risk their life.
What if one cannot avoid the enemy's attack in an unconscious state?
They would meet their death without even knowing why.
However, Bu Eunseol trusted his martial arts, which he had refined tirelessly for many years, and entered the realm of the unconscious.
And finally, he broke Inconstant Form-Breaking, one of the supreme mysteries of the Hwa Wu Sword.
As if to signal he would no longer use Inconstant Form-Breaking, Weiji Mu-a swung the branch honestly, creating a sharp sword soul beneath Bu Eunseol's feet.
At that moment, the light returned to Bu Eunseol's transparent eyes.
He had awakened from the realm of the unconscious.
"Now, let us do this for real."
The branch held in Weiji Mu-a’s hand drew an arc in the air, and sharp sword qi poured down like a gale and rainstorm. The sword qi changed the moment it was defended, and even its shooting angle shifted. However, Bu Eunseol stood his ground without moving an inch, taking a defensive stance by subtly moving the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
"Good."
As if enjoying himself, Weiji Mu-a swung the branch and unfolded successive sword techniques. It moved so smoothly that it seemed unable to even nick the skin, but in reality, it was a terrifying attack that could slash flesh and sever bone with just a graze.
However, no matter what angle the attack came from or what sword technique was unfolded, Bu Eunseol blocked the attacks, which were like spreading rays of light, in a single stroke.
"Amazing."
Weiji Mu-a let out an exclamation with an impressed expression, and then suddenly began to unfold sword techniques at random.
In response, Bu Eunseol's swordsmanship also switched to a way of swinging and sweeping like a madman, regardless of front, back, left, or right.
He had displayed the Ten Thousand Swords Returning to One, the fifth move of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, which immediately mimics and follows the sword path of the techniques poured out by the enemy.
Weiji Mu-a eventually let out another exclamation.
The Hwa Wu Sword cannot be neutralized immediately; to block it, one must complete martial arts of the same level.
However, even in a life-and-death struggle, Bu Eunseol mimicked Weiji Mu-a’s swordsmanship in an instant and was mastering the mysteries of the swordsmanship with his body in that fierce moment.
Shwik.
In the meantime, Weiji Mu-a smoothly rotated the branch, striking Bu Eunseol's both shoulders and flanks.
On the surface, it was no different from the high-level sword technique Eight Directions Wind and Rain, but the moment the technique manifested, merciless sword qi pierced Bu Eunseol's entire body as if a thick, invisible fog had set in.
It was the mystery of the third move of the Hwa Wu Sword, Swordless Supreme Mystery.
Instantly, a circular sword barrier bloomed from Bu Eunseol's body.
As a killing sword that could not possibly be blocked at ultra-close range dug in, the Hovering Sword Technique was automatically activated.
Jjang-jjang-jjang! A strange sound echoed as the sword and the branch constantly collided.
However, Weiji Mu-a’s swordsmanship was so exquisite that even the Hovering Sword Technique could not block it.
Hwiriri, sah-ah-ah.
Then, the energy of the Hovering Sword Technique increased to dozens, and suddenly a transparent sword barrier bloomed.
As Weiji Mu-a’s swordsmanship became infinitely high, Bu Eunseol's Hovering Sword Technique also evolved, emitting sword qi like mist, as if pulling the mystery of the Scattered Sword to its limit.
P-ah-ah-ah!
Weiji Mu-a, swinging his sword at ultra-close range, saw Bu Eunseol's face, and his gaze changed slightly.
The expression on Bu Eunseol's face as he swung his sword.
Was he not maintaining a tranquility that felt somewhat leisurely, as if watching a boring play, even though he was in the middle of a decisive battle determining life and death?
P-ah.
As he unfolded a sword technique like a giant ray of light, Weiji Mu-a suddenly retreated and stopped his offensive.
The reason Bu Eunseol did not die and held on until the end, even though he could not completely catch up with Weiji Mu-a’s swordsmanship… It was because he was avoiding the three fatal moves by a hair's breadth and minimizing the damage to the extent of torn skin.
The longer he held on like that, the more he gradually grasped the mysteries of the Hwa Wu Sword and found clues for a counterattack.
As time passed, he was becoming even stronger.
"I see."
Weiji Mu-a wore a relieved expression as the riddle was solved.
"It was a strategy to tie me down with only swordsmanship."
What if Weiji Mu-a had unfolded various martial arts or techniques?
No matter how desperately he held on, he would have been helpless. However, because the match was limited only to the sword, Bu Eunseol was able to look for an opportunity while holding on somehow.
"But you've dragged it out too long."
Weiji Mu-a let out an exclamation, and his gaze changed.
"From now on, I shall use the Hwa Wu Sword."
Bang!
With an explosive sound, his neatly combed hair rose into the sky.
His hair stood up strand by strand, and his gentle face transformed like a cold-blooded swordsman.
Of course, his appearance itself did not change.
However, because of the extremely soft and gentle atmosphere he originally possessed, even though he only spread the true ripples of his internal power, it felt as if a Buddha's face had changed into the form of a demon fresh out of hell.
'Sect Leader Weiji is about to unfold his own Hwa Wu Sword.'
The Hwa Wu Sword of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect changes and is mastered according to the temperament and personality of the disciple based on the basic martial arts.
When they fought as Seon Woojin, even the one called the Sword Demon, Wi Hyeok-gun, was he not unfolding his own unique Hwa Wu Sword?
'Until now, he was unfolding the Hwa Wu Swordsmanship that has been passed down through generations.'
If Weiji Mu-a unfolded the real Hwa Wu Sword?
It was certain that sword techniques with terrifying power that could overturn the heavens and split the earth would pour out.
'There!'
Bu Eunseol, who was rotating his mind like light, inwardly let out a cry.
Like the Mind Sword from before, he realized that Weiji Mu-a had already unfolded the swordsmanship.
A sound as if air was being sucked in spread from somewhere.
It was the summation of all swordsmanship that a human could unfold and imagine. Those sword energies, as if the stars in the night sky were pouring down all at once, were dazzlingly beautiful and contained all the principles of all things in the universe.
This was a swordsmanship that could never be avoided and would lead one to destroy oneself while suffering in agony.
In his infinitely accelerated thoughts, Weiji Mu-a was looking at Bu Eunseol, who was frozen in bewilderment.
Throughout his life, he had constantly pondered the infinite principles of the universe like a scholar. And he strove to capture those questions in his sword techniques.
Because he had always used such swordsmanship, he was given the nickname Profound Demon.
The sword technique he just unfolded against Bu Eunseol was one he had completed after decades of painful deliberation, something that even a swordsman who had practiced martial arts all his life would inevitably fall into immediate despair and agony.
Even though it was pouring down so slowly, it could not be blocked, nor could it be neutralized.
Shwik!
Finally, at the moment the sharp sword technique was about to cover Bu Eunseol, do you remember the secret formula the Instructor taught you?
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol remembered what Jingak said to him before he passed away.
—Actually, that secret formula was only passed down to the disciples of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect. I did not pass down the last two formulas out of a guilty conscience.
He said with a meaningful expression.
—Receive the remaining two formulas from the Sect Leader.
The ultimate essence of the Hwa Wu Sword.
Bu Eunseol could feel it.
The Hwa Wu Sword unfolded by Weiji Mu-a would be the highest stage of the Hwa Wu Sword and the clue to completing the sword formulas that Jingak had omitted.
Without depth, forgetting the sword.
The mind is sharper than the sword.
One must hide the sword in the mind.
Expressing the will through the sword.
Up to here were the Hwa Wu Sword formulas that Jingak had passed down.
And upon seeing Weiji Mu-a’s Hwa Wu Sword, he was able to master two additional formulas in an instant.
Even an empty hand is like a sword.
Weiji Mu-a was using a measly branch that was worse than the finger he extended with an empty hand, but he was deploying sword techniques more threatening and sharp than holding a real sword.
Sword Form Submerges.
The obsession and form called a sword disappear. Because one has reached the realm of Sword Supreme, the obsession with the sword conversely disappears, and one dominates the sword.
From the hand of Bu Eunseol, who completed the formulas, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Jing!
It was stopped exactly at the tip of the branch extended by Weiji Mu-a.
Weiji Mu-a let out an exclamation and tried to unfold the swordsmanship once more.
But in the meantime, a brilliant radiance bloomed from the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
It was the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms unfolded by Bu Eunseol, and it expressed the path of the sword he had always walked.
"I walked constantly. Even while walking the path, I constantly asked myself if this path was right, what would be at the end of it, and the reason I must reach the ultimate end."
And the answer could be obtained through Jingak.
—Ask yourself constantly, but just do what you can do.
Jingak did not have the extraordinary talent to encompass the world. Therefore, he found what he could do and performed it silently.
That stubbornness and solid will, through the basic martial arts of the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms alone, brought down the best swordsmen of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect and produced the result of winning the Hidden Sword Tournament.
—God did not give everyone many talents. But the possibility to develop infinitely was given fairly. Even if it is a meager talent, if you polish it hard? You can grow and you can develop. Talent does not represent a person's level, it is merely the qualification to make various choices.
—The path I take is only one.
Since that day, Bu Eunseol did not care about the realm of martial arts. He only hoped that those who encompass the world would become ordinary humans and fight.
Pyeong!
Bu Eunseol was pushed back again with an explosive sound.
But it was different from before.
Even though he was pushed away from Weiji Mu-a’s side, another sword technique popped out abruptly.
Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms.
This swordsmanship, the first one Bu Eunseol learned and the foundation of the Hwa Wu Sword, was showing power equal to Weiji Mu-a’s Hwa Wu Sword.
Chyang! Chang-chang-chang!
Weiji Mu-a felt a strange and unfamiliar sensation as Bu Eunseol continued the exchange with him constantly.
Hwa Wu Sword.
Why was he unfolding the true martial arts of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect? How could he compete equally with the sword against someone like himself, who had contemplated it for decades?
Weiji Mu-a finally realized.
'So that's why he asked to compete with swords.'
At first, he thought it was simply an attempt to bind him with swordsmanship. But looking back, that could not be the case.
No matter how much of a genius Bu Eunseol was, he was not yet at a level where he could compete with him in swords.
But what if the swordsmanship was the same?
While Bu Eunseol had been unfolding the swordsmanship of the Nangyang Pavilion, he had exquisitely melted in the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms he learned from Jingak.
Since the roots of the two swordsmanship were the same, he could see through the changes and mysteries of the Hwa Wu Sword within the exchange of techniques, and eventually, he was able to constantly receive and face them.
Laughter broke out.
He could realize why Jingak, Cheon Un-gwang, and Dan Cheonyang had generously passed down the mysteries of the Hwa Wu Sword to Bu Eunseol.
'This guy is the real deal.'
Jingak, Cheon Un-gwang, and Dan Cheonyang, who had served as instructors in Hell Island, were actually against the Ten Demon Warriors plan and tried not to bring the Ten Demon Warriors to the Hwa Wu Sword Sect using any excuse.
But they suddenly changed their minds. Among the surviving children, they spoke with one voice that they had found a genius capable of completing the sect's martial arts.
In the end, Wi Hyeok-gun believed those words and tried to take the child without hesitation. Because there was no way their eyes were wrong.
Bu Eunseol. He truly was a peerless genius who could raise the Hwa Wu Sword, which no one had been able to complete for seven hundred years, to the realm of Great Completion.
Jing.
Instantly, a sharp blue light flowed from Weiji Mu-a’s eyes.
It was not only because he had raised his internal power to its peak, but also because his spirit had reached an ultimate state.
Chyang!
He intentionally let the Silent Tiger Soul Sword clash with the branch, and at that moment, he spread a powerful true ripple.
"Ah."
As the true ripple swept through his body, Bu Eunseol's entire body froze for a moment.
In this single move, the Way of the Sword that a person named Weiji Mu-a had built up throughout his life was contained.
Thud.
Nevertheless, Weiji Mu-a conversely withdrew the branch.
Although his body was paralyzed for just a fleeting moment, to masters, it was an infinitely long time.
What if Weiji Mu-a had not missed that opportunity and had deployed a killing move? Even if he did not lose his life, Bu Eunseol would have suffered a fatal injury.
But he stopped his hand without any regret.
"Just why."
Bu Eunseol could not understand.
Why, for what reason, did he withdraw the sword on his own?
"You have mastered all the techniques of the Hwa Wu Sword by seeing my sword."
Weiji Mu-a threw an unexpected question.
"Is it not so?"
"It is so."
"I see."
Weiji Mu-a wore a faint smile.
"Finally Abandoning the Sword to Gain the Way."
"That is a new technique I have created."
Bu Eunseol had obtained not only the formulas of the Hwa Wu Sword, which are said to be passed down only to the direct disciples of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, but also the essence of the martial arts that Weiji Mu-a had mastered.
Finally Abandoning the Sword to Gain the Way.
Finally, one abandons the sword and attains the Way.
The last formula was a summary of the technique Weiji Mu-a had unfolded, Void Sword, into a single sentence. However, the meaning contained in that phrase was so profound that it was nearly impossible to realize in a short period.
Even for someone like Bu Eunseol, it would take a long time to fully master it.
"Sect Leader."
Bu Eunseol had no choice but to ask again.
"Why did you pass down your insights to me?"
"Because you will be able to do it."
Weiji Mu-a wore an infinitely quiet and lonely expression, as if carrying all the silence and emptiness of the world.
"Because the only one who can preserve the legitimacy of the Hwa Wu Sword and return our sect to its peak is you."
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