Weiji Mu-a suddenly recalled the days of the past.
He possessed a genius-like talent. From the moment he first held a sword, he was able to raise his martial arts rapidly without experiencing a single setback.
"At this rate, reaching the Heaven's Will Realm beyond the limits of the Limitless Realm will not be a dream."
However, after becoming the Sect Leader and uncovering the wretched truth of the constantly inherited, hideous Great Method—learning the reason why the Weiji family was able to dominate the Hwa Wu Sword Sect—everything began to feel futile.
What use was attaining the Way of the Sword, and what would change even if he broke through the Limitless Realm?
Even if he became the Greatest Swordsman Under Heaven, even if the Hwa Wu Sword Sect seized hegemony over the world, it would all be for nothing.
"Do as you wish. I was never attached to the position of Sect Leader in the first place."
Looking at the newborn Weiji Hyesang, as a new personality was being bestowed upon the child, Weiji Mu-a felt a deep sense of loathing and disillusionment. He let go of everything, drinking tea in leisure and living like a vagabond.
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. By living a free, unhindered life of non-action while having abandoned everything, he conversely broke through the realm of the Ultimate Demon and reached the Transcendental Demon.
Looking back at the history of martial arts, the Hwa Wu Sword Sect was merely a brief, fleeting moment. His nature became infinitely soft and quiet; his interest in the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, his disillusionment with the Weiji family, and his desire for hegemony in the martial world all vanished entirely.
Eventually, Weiji Mu-a discarded the Demon-Killer Sword he had trained with until then. However, when he began to train with the sword anew from the realm of the Transcendental Demon, he finally realized:
"I cannot stay still like this. I must return everything to how it was."
Despite this, he ultimately could not act. No matter how hard he tried, he could not resolve it himself.
"I believe we must deal with that man, Bu Eunseol."
Even when Weiji Hyesang, whose new personality had not yet manifested, said those words—and even when Wi Hyeok-gun, the Chief Instructor who managed the sect’s affairs, warned that Bu Eunseol would soon become the sect's enemy—Weiji Mu-a paid no attention. It was meaningless for a mere Ten Demon Warrior to become the heir to the Majeon.
However, Bu Eunseol was tearing through the Hwa Wu Sword Sect and was already changing the very aspect of the martial world.
"If we leave that fellow alone, he will become the root of calamity."
In the end, even the new personality hidden within Weiji Hyesang’s body awakened.
Yet, Weiji Mu-a remained consistently indifferent.
"Hall Master Jingak, who was staying on Geumsado Island, has died at the hands of the Martial Soul Command Lord."
But upon hearing the news that Jingak had died, Weiji Mu-a, who had responded to everything with indifference, headed to Geumsado Island. There, a small grave containing the remains had been made.
"You made it so that it would disappear when the water level rises again in the summer."
Checking the traces of the grave, he could feel it. Jingak had chosen this place as his final resting place to conclude his long journey of life. He felt that Jingak had taught the Hwa Wu Sword he had mastered to Bu Eunseol. He felt that Bu Eunseol had served Jingak with the respect due to a master.
"Jingak, I understand your intent now."
And he realized that Jingak had also recognized Bu Eunseol as the disciple who would inherit the Hwa Wu Sword.
"You have mastered the profound meaning of the Hwa Wu Sword, which no other disciple of this sect has ever realized."
Weiji Mu-a, awakening from his recollection, wore a faint smile.
"How could I cut down with my own hands the one who will brilliantly develop the martial arts of this sect?"
Bu Eunseol had received the teachings of Jingak, Cheon Un-gwang, and Dan Cheonyang in succession at Hell Island.
After entering the Nangyang Pavilion, he created a new swordsmanship by combining it with the Pavilion's martial arts.
Despite this, the foundation of his martial arts was still rooted in the Hwa Wu Sword.
Realizing this fact, Jingak had passed down the profound meaning contained within the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms—left behind by the progenitor, Jeok Hwa-un—which was hidden within the ordinary formulas and remained unmastered by any other disciple of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
As a result, unlike other disciples who only sought power and forgot the essence of the Hwa Wu Sword, Bu Eunseol became the only person to fully master the true profound meaning of the Hwa Wu Sword.
"This must be the natural order."
Weiji Mu-a smiled and cleared the path.
"I was unable to do it, but you will be able to."
"Will you be alright?"
When Bu Eunseol asked cautiously, Weiji Mu-a nodded and showed a most lonely smile.
"Since you say you know well what will happen in the future, I shall trust you."
"Then, from now on, what will the Sect Leader..."
"I have abandoned the sword, and I have abandoned the position of Sect Leader."
He took out a very small, worn sword from his robe. It looked like a toy sword children would play with, but it was the Sect Leader's Token of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
"Sect Leader."
"Should the beginning and the end not be the same?"
Weiji Mu-a spoke calmly.
"You should be the one to finish it."
Tossing the token to Bu Eunseol, he looked up at the far sky with a dry smile.
"Perhaps I really should try to seek the Way."
Then, he slowly turned his body.
"I hope you achieve your aim."
Saaaaa.
Before long, his body transformed into a natural form, eventually becoming millions of points of light and disappearing into the sky. It was very similar to the way the Demon Emperor disappeared in the past.
Perhaps Weiji Mu-a had long ago left the Limitless Realm and transcended all things, and thus had no interest in anything from the beginning.
"I hope you attain the Way."
Finally Abandoning the Sword to Gain the Way. Weiji Mu-a abandoned the sword, abandoned all lingering regrets of the martial world, and departed. Whether he would attain the Way and become an immortal, or whether he would eventually return to the martial world to challenge the unknown Heaven's Will Realm, no one could know.
Kreeeeak.
After walking for a long time and opening a large gate, Bu Eunseol finally entered the Inner Court of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect. This place was also empty, and no disciples were to be seen. If Weiji Mu-a had intended to incite the disciples, it would have been troublesome even for the mastermind who had seized control of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect; perhaps they had compromised to create this kind of conclusion.
"Because they would have been confident they wouldn't lose."
The one moving the Hwa Wu Sword Sect in place of Weiji Mu-a must have been certain of their own victory. As he walked slowly inside…
Swish!
Suddenly, a black shadow descended from the sky and blocked Bu Eunseol’s path.
It was the Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun and the swordsmen of the Sword Demon Hall he led.
"Chief Instructor Wi."
When Bu Eunseol gave a calm greeting, Wi Hyeok-gun grit his teeth.
"The Sect Leader told us to let you in, but I cannot do that!"
Schwing.
Drawing his sword, Wi Hyeok-gun drove the scabbard into the ground with a thud. He showed his will that even if he were to throw away his life, he would never let Bu Eunseol pass.
"I understand."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Weiji Mu-a had not only transcended the concepts of justice and evil but had even abandoned his lingering attachment to the Hwa Wu Sword Sect. However, an ordinary person of the martial world would naturally act like Wi Hyeok-gun.
"Do you really not know what happens if this sect falls?"
"I know," Bu Eunseol said calmly. "I know that all the balance built up until now will be broken and the martial world will fall into great chaos."
"You do this even while knowing that?"
"Because this is the natural order."
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost politeness.
"I hope the Chief Instructor understands that point as well."
"Nonsense!"
It was said that the founder, Jeok Hwa-un, mastered the principles of the sword by watching flames and realized the pinnacle of swordsmanship by watching falling rain.
Chak, chararara.
As Wi Hyeok-gun raised his hand, thirty-two swordsmen of the Sword Demon Hall took the form of flames and surrounded Bu Eunseol.
"Begin!"
At Wi Hyeok-gun’s shout, the thirty-two swordsmen unfolded the Hwa Wu Sword Sect's sword formation, the Red Cloud Crushing Formation. Although the Red Cloud Crushing Formation did not have any grand secrets compared to the other sword formations of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, it was inevitably the strongest. It was a method that concentrated all the essence of the swordsmanship of thirty-two swordsmen who had mastered the Hwa Wu Sword.
The moment one is trapped in the formation, even a Diamond Indestructible Body would be turned to powder in an instant; thus, death is unavoidable once caught in the Red Cloud Crushing Formation.
"It is understandable why the Sect Leader thought that way."
Even though pressure and sword winds capable of overlapping heaven and earth were pouring down, Bu Eunseol stood calmly as if facing a light breeze. No, rather, he shook his head with a look of pity.
"This is not a sword formation, but merely the attack of a cornered wild boar meant to strike down an enemy."
Jeok Hwa-un had established the essence of the Demon Path's swordsmanship, which was disorganized at the time, and through that, he gave birth to the transcendent martial art known as the Hwa Wu Sword. The Hwa Wu Sword Sect rose to the position of the greatest sect of the Demon Path, but as time passed, the disciples forgot an important fact.
Fire, and raindrops.
Ultimately, the Hwa Wu Sword was also a Demon Path martial art derived from and interpreted through nature. Yet, the disciples ignored the subtlety of the martial arts synthesized by the progenitor and were obsessed only with its power.
"Of course, it couldn't be helped."
The reason Jeok Hwa-un synthesized the Demon Path martial arts was, in the end, because he knew all too well that geniuses capable of appreciating nature and gaining enlightenment from it like himself were rare.
"Stop your nonsense!"
The Red Cloud Crushing Formation commanded by Wi Hyeok-gun was activated, and before long, brilliant drops of fire began to pour in front of Bu Eunseol’s nose. Each drop in that sword path contained power that felt as if his body would explode just by touching it.
Nevertheless, the Hwa Wu Sword is the Hwa Wu Sword.
Its foundation is so solid that even someone with no talent for martial arts can enter the ranks of first-class masters by learning it. Furthermore, the power of the martial arts performed by thirty-two swordsmen who had mastered the ultimate essence of the Demon Path swordsmanship showed a momentum that seemed ready to swallow everything in the world.
Swish, parururu!
Before long, Bu Eunseol’s body was swept away by the fire droplets and disappeared without a trace. Wi Hyeok-gun then wore a look of relief.
"Arrogance has finally led you to death."
The moment the Red Cloud Crushing Formation is unfolded, it is no exaggeration to say that death is already certain. If he had wanted to live, he should not have just stared at it. He should have fled before the formation was completed or prevented it.
Raaaaargh!
The red storm created at the spot where Bu Eunseol had stood finally vanished into the sky.
"No..."
Wi Hyeok-gun had no choice but to doubt his own eyes. Was Bu Eunseol, who had disappeared in an instant after being swept by the sword qi, not standing tall and perfectly fine?
Shoooooook.
In his hands, a red storm was gathered. The sword qi of the Red Cloud Crushing Formation, which felt like it could encompass the whole world in an instant, was now concentrated and held within his two hands.
"Are you even human?"
Wi Hyeok-gun’s eyes widened.
To catch the sword qi joined by thirty-two swordsmen of the Sword Demon Hall with his hands like a piece of taffy? Could it be that the Martial Soul Command Lord could perform a sorcery that perfectly neutralized the Hwa Wu martial arts, and that was why the Sect Leader gave up resisting?
"If you think this is sorcery, then you have not properly learned the Hwa Wu Sword."
Hwayong!
As Bu Eunseol raised his hands, the storm of red sword qi that had been concentrated soared into the sky like a blood dragon.
"Formless Sword. When you refine the Hwa Wu Sword, you no longer depend on the tool called a sword."
Seeing this, cold sweat broke out on Wi Hyeok-gun.
What if Bu Eunseol had poured the energy of the Red Cloud Crushing Formation concentrated in his hands toward him? Even if Wi Hyeok-gun himself could have blocked it, half of the thirty-two swordsmen would have lost their lives.
"Have you mastered the Hwa Wu Sword of this sect?"
"Is this the Hwa Wu Sword?"
"What?"
"If the power is so strong that it cannot be blocked by martial arts, like the Infinite Reversal Power, is that the Hwa Wu Sword?" Bu Eunseol said coldly. "Or if you change it according to your temperament like the Chief Instructor, is that the Hwa Wu Sword?"
In an instant, flames ignited in Wi Hyeok-gun’s eyes. He revered the Hwa Wu Sword Sect like his own life and had spent his entire life refining the Hwa Wu Sword. For a brat who hadn't even held a sword for ten years to argue about the Hwa Wu Sword was something he could not forgive.
"What do you know about this sect's sword to be spouting such nonsense!"
"Can the Chief Instructor differentiate?"
"What?"
"I am asking if you can speak about the Hwa Wu Sword."
Thinking that Bu Eunseol was insulting Wi Hyeok-gun, the thirty-two swordsmen surrounded Bu Eunseol once more.
"Do not step forward."
Stopping them, Wi Hyeok-gun walked steadily toward Bu Eunseol.
"I should have cut off all your energy back then."
Thinking of the past, Wi Hyeok-gun let out a lamenting sigh.
When he saw Bu Eunseol at Hell Island, he was just a cocky kid who had been rejected from entering the Hwa Wu Sword Sect to his face. That scruffy boy from the Ten Demon Warriors background, who had been fatally wounded by his own martial energy and barely survived with Dan Cheonyang’s help—to think he would come as a master he couldn't touch to tear down the Hwa Wu Sword Sect?
"Go ahead and show off that grand martial art of the Nangyang Pavilion."
"You strike first."
"What?"
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly, extending his open hand.
"Through you, I shall confirm once more what the Hwa Wu Sword is."
"Hahaha!"
Wi Hyeok-gun burst into mad laughter.
Flash!
After closing the distance in an instant, he immediately unfolded the Hwa Wu Sword with his left hand.
In his past duel with Seon Woojin, the meridians in his right arm were heavily damaged and eventually became paralyzed. However, he did not give up and trained in left-handed swordsmanship, mastering a new secret technique in the process.
Wi Hyeok-gun’s precious sword danced while hung on his left fingers.
Swish, swish.
A strange thing happened. Even though Bu Eunseol clearly avoided Wi Hyeok-gun’s sword technique completely, blood was splashing from his body.
Idea Projection.
The reason Wi Hyeok-gun hung the sword on his fingers was not to quickly deploy a sword technique to cut the enemy, but a process of projecting the 'idea' of cutting the enemy.
"Try blocking this!"
Wi Hyeok-gun deployed the sword technique triumphantly. By developing Idea Projection—cutting the enemy’s body solely with the user's will without any contact from sword qi or the blade—he had forged the Flowing Fire Secret Sword, one of the supreme secrets of the Hwa Wu Sword.
Chak! Pa-pa-pa!
While deploying the Flowing Fire Secret Sword, Wi Hyeok-gun simultaneously used a method of seizing the space itself by leaving sword qi in the wind. Without any contact from sword qi or the blade, purely through the abyss of the user who has become one with the sword—that is, the blade of the heart—he inflicted actual wounds on the enemy.
It was effectively the entry level to the Realm of the Heart Sword.
However, since Bu Eunseol had already faced Weiji Mu-a’s state of mind, this kind of swordsmanship posed no danger. Wi Hyeok-gun, who had no idea of that fact, wore a triumphant expression as Bu Eunseol retreated repeatedly.
"I don't know how you persuaded the Sect Leader, but you won't be able to smooth-talk me."
"To enter the threshold of the Heart Sword through Idea Projection."
While repeatedly evading the Idea Projection, Bu Eunseol let out a sincere exclamation of admiration.
"Your tenacity is grand."
The reason Weiji Mu-a had tried to protect and hold onto the Hwa Wu Sword Sect until the end, even after attaining the Transcendental Demon and reaching enlightenment, must be because there are disciples like Wi Hyeok-gun who train and advance their sword techniques to the limit with their left hand when their right is injured.
'Chief Instructor Wi, you truly deserve to be called the Sword Demon.'
What if both his arms were cut off? Wi Hyeok-gun would have trained with his toes; if he had no toes, he would have trained by holding the sword in his teeth. Such tenacity and talent were more than enough to not only become the Chief Instructor who commands and teaches the disciples of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, but also to receive the name of the Sword Demon of the era.
"That is why he gave the Sect Leader's Token to me."
If Wi Hyeok-gun was able to realize the profound meaning of the Hwa Wu Sword in the future… the next generation of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect would develop further.
Schwing.
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Psh.
Blood flowed from Wi Hyeok-gun’s shoulder. He hadn't seen or felt it, yet Bu Eunseol had already struck out with the Thirteen Swords and lightly cut his shoulder thirteen times.
If Bu Eunseol had set his mind to it, Wi Hyeok-gun’s right arm would have been severed from the shoulder.
"How..."
Wi Hyeok-gun, stopping his movements, could not believe it. His Idea Projection should be able to break any sword technique and destroy any force that touches his body. How could this swordsmanship, which perfectly harmonizes offense and defense, be broken in a single stroke?
"What on earth is this?" Wi Hyeok-gun asked.
The moment he asked such a thing, he was admitting he was the inferior one. But even knowing that, he could not help but ask.
"What on earth is the swordsmanship you are using!"
Bu Eunseol sheathed his sword and said calmly, "Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms."
"What?"
"I learned the basics of the sword through the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms. After that, I learned the Hwa Wu Lightning Sword." He looked at the wide-eyed Wi Hyeok-gun and said firmly, "Just by learning those two basic martial arts, I had no trouble creating the Supreme Heavenly Flow, which destroys all the sword techniques of every sect under heaven."
"Nonsense."
"Think carefully from now on," Bu Eunseol said with a solemn expression. "Why did the founder of the Hwa Wu Sword leave these two excellent swordsmanship as the basic martial arts?"
The training process of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect involves learning the basic martial arts—the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms and the Hwa Wu Lightning Sword—before beginning the study of the Hwa Wu Sword in earnest. This is because it is absolutely impossible to master the Hwa Wu Sword without being proficient in these two.
However, becoming proficient in those two swordsmanship takes more time than expected. Thus, in the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, they train in the basic martial arts moderately and then move on to creating their own unique Hwa Wu martial art.
Bu Eunseol said calmly, "Is it not possible that transforming the basic martial arts to fit one's own body is only possible for those who have reached the pinnacle of the sword?"
Wi Hyeok-gun’s eyes narrowed.
In fact, three hundred years ago, the Hwa Wu Sword Sect was divided into factions—the Jeok family and the Weiji family—and they fought fiercely. This was because the two families had entirely different methods of refining the Hwa Wu Sword.
—No matter how much the Hwa Wu Sword can change, it must not be changed at will.
The Jeok family aimed to perfectly master the actual moves of the Hwa Wu Sword passed down through generations.
—The Hwa Wu Sword is a synthesis of Demon Path swordsmanship. Thus, it can change infinitely. Since each person’s temperament and personality are different, why not strive to further develop a seven-hundred-year-old swordsmanship?
The Weiji family judged it right to change the Hwa Wu Sword according to one's personality. Even if they were from the same sect, having different views and interpretations of martial arts was like having an uncrossable river between the two factions. The conflict grew, and eventually, an incident occurred where fellow disciples turned their blades on one another.
—From now on, the Hwa Wu Sword can be changed according to each individual’s personality!
The Weiji family, supported by the majority of the disciples, pushed out the Jeok family, and the training method changed to mastering the basic martial arts and then creating one's own Hwa Wu Sword.
"Why do you say such things when you clearly know the history of this sect?" Wi Hyeok-gun knit his brows. As the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol must have investigated the Ten Gates of the Demon Path thoroughly; there was no way he didn't know the history of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect from three hundred years ago. "Do you also think the old-fashioned way is right?"
"Not at all. On the contrary, I also think the Weiji family's method is correct," Bu Eunseol said. "But as I just said, to make changes, you should have refined the original Hwa Wu Sword to the Realm of Great Completion."
Bu Eunseol sighed and said, "Chief Instructor Wi's Idea Projection is enough to defeat any enemy. However, because it strayed from the profound meaning of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, it failed to exert any significant power against me."
"What?"
"Because I have refined the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms to the Realm of the Ultimate Pinnacle."
The Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms is the basic martial art of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, but no one had ever refined it to the Realm of Great Completion. Yet Bu Eunseol was saying he had perfectly completed it.
"It was like an empty gourd clashing with a solid stone. No matter how great that Idea Projection is, even if you reached the realm of Projected Form Killing, it would ultimately be broken by the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms."
Wi Hyeok-gun hung his head with focusless eyes. It was because Bu Eunseol’s words were undeniably true.
"Chief Instructor Wi has refined the Hwa Wu Sword his whole life, so he must have achieved a higher level of swordsmanship than I. I believe you understand this principle well."
Wi Hyeok-gun clenched his fists.
If he had been defeated by that massive internal energy or a mysterious Demon Path martial art, his pride would not have crumbled like this. But what Bu Eunseol used to crush the Red Cloud Crushing Formation and Idea Projection was the Hwa Wu Sword Sect’s own martial art, the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms.
'Jingak... was he right?'
In the past, Jingak had won the Hidden Sword Tournament by refining the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms to the realm of perfection. Weiji Mu-a had praised that point greatly, but Wi Hyeok-gun had not thought highly of that method even then. It was a foolish training method fit for those with mediocre talent.
"I will never think such a method is right."
"Correct. This is just a difference in perspective."
Schwing.
Bu Eunseol took out a small sword from his robe.
It was the Sect Leader's Token of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
Vwoom.
As he exerted his internal power, white smoke rose from the token.
"I hope you find a Hwa Wu Sword that can break that method in the future."
He tossed it to Wi Hyeok-gun and slowly turned his body.
"Are you just giving it to me?"
"I am a person who pays back a debt tenfold."
"I hope you build an even more powerful Hwa Wu Sword Sect. That is the reason I did not cut your throat."
As Bu Eunseol was about to turn away, Wi Hyeok-gun spoke.
"Do you have something to say?"
"You also don't know me well."
Spurt!
Suddenly, blood erupted from Wi Hyeok-gun’s right arm. Bu Eunseol had spared Wi Hyeok-gun’s shoulder. Therefore, he had cut off his own right arm from the shoulder himself.
Thud.
Wi Hyeok-gun threw the severed arm at Bu Eunseol’s feet.
"I am a person who absolutely never owes anyone a debt."
He immediately stopped the bleeding, but Wi Hyeok-gun’s face became pale from losing so much blood. However, he stood with his shoulders squared and said, "I will surely find you and take my revenge."
Bu Eunseol nodded. "I shall look forward to that day."
Then he slowly walked forward.
Wi Hyeok-gun suddenly discovered something carved into the Sect Leader's Token.
So that the Hwa Wu Sword Sect could rise again in the future, and to repay the kindness Weiji Mu-a had shown him, Bu Eunseol had densely carved the final insights of the Hwa Wu Sword he had obtained through Weiji Mu-a in tiny, ant-like letters.
Wi Hyeok-gun bit his lip as he watched Bu Eunseol approach.
"I hope you can handle all the consequences."
Then, after a moment of hesitation, he slowly stepped aside. The Sword Demon of the world had willingly cleared the path for his enemy.
Bu Eunseol, as if he hadn't seen it, moved forward with a calm face, staring only straight ahead. Before him, even within the Inner Court of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, a grand and antique gate leading to an extremely secret deep place was waiting.
It was a splendid and majestic gate, but in his eyes, it looked like a demon opening its mouth to swallow the world.
With a sharp grinding sound, the heavy gate opened.
Without a moment of hesitation, Bu Eunseol stepped over the threshold and walked inside.
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