The Holy One continued his explanation.
"As long as the retinue following the True Demon, and the Mixed Magic Demonic Energy exists, the karma left behind in the chain of reincarnation is inherited."
Bu Eunseol could understand those words immediately.
According to the words of Yi Neungso, who had been the Dark God Heavenly Lord, the retinue of the True Demon are bestowed with strength and authority by a higher existence.
In other words, now that the True Demon was wandering with his memories lost.
If one disposed of all the retinue of the True Demon?
It meant an uncontaminated chain of reincarnation could be handed over.
'So that is why.'
Currently, the Heavenly Emperor was insane.
If so, was it because he ultimately failed to dispose of all the retinue of the True Demon before inheriting the chain of reincarnation that he became a madman and was destroying the Baekri Secret Vault?
"Why did Grandfather hand it over to the Heavenly Emperor?"
"Find the vessel of Pamyeong."
The Holy One muttered in a low voice with dim eyes.
"He stole one of the True Demon's secret arts. He hid while bearing injuries after fighting against the True Demon and suffering defeat."
Rustle.
At that moment, the Holy One's left hand slowly began to turn to powder.
"He is looking for his vessel and causing chaos."
Then, the light leaking from the Holy One's body grew uncontrollably intense.
"Look for a person who committed a mass slaughter among those whose abilities were augmented without any reason or who achieved a transcendental development."
The Holy One stared straight at Bu Eunseol with a dim gaze.
"Once someone becomes the vessel of Pamyeong, they fall into a demonic nature along with a transcendental development, so if you find such a person, perhaps you can know the reason."
Rustle!
In an instant, the Holy One's body turned into a dazzling light and then scattered as powder.
Because he possessed the purest Manifestation Divine Technique among the Holy Ones, he had merely prolonged his life for a short while even after being hit by the Silent Tiger Soul First Form. Now that the source of all his power was annihilated, it was a natural principle that his existence would also fade away.
"Pamyeong."
Bu Eunseol was confused.
Did this mean the chaos of the martial world until now was committed not by the True Demon, but by Pamyeong?
Furthermore, even though Grandfather possessed the chain of reincarnation, he killed the retinue of the True Demon and those who used the Mixed Magic Demonic Energy.
"Grandfather always harbored regret."
The reason Grandfather worked as a corpse examiner was to repent for his past, which was stained with grief and regret.
"Then..."
Bu Eunseol's mind rotated like light.
"Could it be that Grandfather also had a period when he was encroached upon by the will of the True Demon?"
Grandfather inherited the karma of the True Demon and committed evil deeds, but he came to find a clear mind through Father's help, or for some kind of reason.
And to atone for the sins he committed, he resolved to hand over the chain of reincarnation to the Heavenly Emperor, who was known as the most righteous person at the time.
Could he have left the martial world after disposing of the people related to the True Demon?
"It is merely my speculation, but..."
As far as Bu Eunseol knew, Grandfather was a person more righteous and stronger in compassion than anyone else. Nevertheless, he lived his entire life in regret and pain, and walked the path of repentance while working as a corpse examiner.
If that was because he wore the chain of reincarnation? If it was because he was encroached upon by the will of the True Demon...
The reason he suffered for such a long time was understandable to some extent.
"At first, through the Absolute Demonic Blade Project, he cut down the people of the unorthodox factions as a spy of the orthodox factions."
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
"Did he commit unwanted evil deeds afterward, because he was encroached upon by the True Demon?"
If that were the case, Grandfather's life itself was an endless pain, and a continuation of regret and reflection.
What if it were Bu Eunseol himself?
He might not have maintained a clear mind, or he might have ended his own life.
"Whatever the truth may be, this is also a matter I must shoulder."
If Grandfather had a sin, he should naturally shoulder it. Fortunately, Father had left behind the secret to drive away the Mixed Magic Demonic Energy through the Silent Tiger Soul First Form.
The one who tied the knot must untie it.
Since all these matters originated from Grandfather and Father, it was fitting that he should step forward and bring it to an end.
"Grandfather knew the Heavenly Emperor."
The Heavenly Mirror Heart Technique.
Because Grandfather had mastered the distinct family secret study of the Heavenly Emperor, the two must surely know each other well.
"He said the vessel of Pamyeong, huh."
He said Pamyeong suffered a great defeat by the True Demon, and was throwing the martial world into disorder after finding a vessel.
If he could find that person, not only could he rescue that person from the clutches of Pamyeong, but he could also uncover the tracks of the Three Families, which had been hidden in mystery all along.
***
Returning to the Majeon, Bu Eunseol continuously moved the information network.
The person who became the vessel of Pamyeong…
The Holy One said that person would commit mass slaughter because he suddenly grew strong, or showed a transcendental development and fell into a demonic nature.
If he tracked a person who possessed such tracks in the martial world, he could obtain clues about Grandfather or the Heavenly Emperor, which had been obscured so far.
—Investigate thoroughly whether there is such a person.
As Bu Eunseol's order fell, the Death Spirit Corps moved swiftly.
Before long, Mu Heon, the Commander of the Death Spirit Corps, came directly to the Suppressed Demon Pavilion and reported to Bu Eunseol.
"There was certainly a person corresponding to that."
The information power of the Death Spirit Corps had grown incomparably. Now, as long as clear conditions were given, unless it was a person protected by an information organization, the tracks of ordinary people could be easily found.
"A person who committed mass slaughter like a slaughter ghost... and whose martial arts augmented rapidly beyond the level of a fortuitous encounter."
Pausing his words for a moment, Mu Heon wore an incomparably serious expression.
"The only person who possessed such tracks within the last ten years is one person..."
And he continued his shocking words.
"It is only the Lord of the Secret Pavilion of Nangyang Pavilion, Sa Woo. Elder Sa."
Bu Eunseol could not hide his surprise.
The person who fit the conditions the Holy One had informed him about.
To think that it was none other than Sa Woo, the benefactor who first taught him martial arts on Hell Island?
"In the past, Elder Sa's martial arts augmented so rapidly that he was even mentioned for the position of successor."
"If so, why did he not rise to the position of successor of this pavilion?"
Bu Eunseol wore an embarrassed expression right after spitting out the question.
Even though he was the de facto next Pavilion Lord recognized by Ak Muryeong, he did not yet know deeply about Nangyang Pavilion.
Of course, there was an excuse.
Except for the matter of Jongbaek, Nangyang Pavilion had long distanced itself from the conspiracies of the martial world, so he had not thought to dig into its hidden history.
"We could not know that clearly either."
Mu Heon shook his head.
"However, Elder Sa suddenly left the martial world and did not return to Nangyang Pavilion for a long time... before returning in time for the Ten Demon Warriors Plan."
Instantly, Bu Eunseol recalled the face of Sa Woo, who used to guard the martial arts hall of Hell Island with a languid expression while sporting a spiky beard.
'Considering Elder Sa's martial might at that time...'
With his martial might at that time, he would have been fully able to rise to the position of successor.
But why did he wander the martial world without returning to Nangyang Pavilion all along?
Why did he return in time for the Ten Demon Warriors Plan?
'There is surely some incident.'
"Then, after the Majeon summoned the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders to hold the Ten Demon Warriors Plan..."
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"You are saying the Pavilion Master made Elder Sa participate as an instructor of the Ten Demon Warriors Plan."
"That is correct."
Mu Heon explained further.
"But after the Ten Demon Warriors Plan ended, Elder Sa vanished without a trace once again."
—Why is Elder Sa not seen in Nangyang Pavilion?
Even without this, when Bu Eunseol first entered Nangyang Pavilion, he had scanned Dan Cheong for Sa Woo's whereabouts.
—He is the Secret Pavilion Lord who develops the martial arts of this pavilion, so it is a matter of course for him to wander the martial world and research martial arts.
Dan Cheong had replied like this.
In reality, Nangyang Pavilion was divided into those who stayed at Iron Staff Mountain at all times, and those who frequently went out to the martial world to cultivate their martial arts.
Bu Eunseol wished to see Sa Woo, but because it might interfere with his martial arts research by any chance, he did not ask about his whereabouts any further.
"Of course, we could have investigated deeper, but..."
The expression of Mu Heon, who was conveying the information, was extremely cautious.
"Since he is part of the Lord's family after all, we did not investigate deeper beyond this."
"You did well."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
There was no need for the Death Spirit Corps to investigate such a matter. It was a matter that would be resolved if he just went to Nangyang Pavilion and asked.
"I will personally go to the main pavilion and find out the rest. You have worked hard."
Flutter.
For the first time, Bu Eunseol left the Majeon quietly without even informing Yoo Unryong. He intuitively felt that this matter was another hidden story of Nangyang Pavilion.
However, because Sa Woo had not stayed at Nangyang Pavilion since a long time ago and was secretly hiding his tracks. Even if he went to Nangyang Pavilion, finding his whereabouts was not an easy matter. Nevertheless, Bu Eunseol departed for Nangyang Pavilion without hesitation.
Because there was a person there who knew his tracks for certain.
'If it is Commander So, he will surely know.'
Bu Eunseol had not asked only Dan Cheong about Sa Woo's whereabouts.
When he first entered Nangyang Pavilion, he had also asked Baek Yeon, who did not spare various pieces of advice for him.
At that time, Baek Yeon had replied like this.
—I do not know. He must be wandering aimlessly somewhere again.
—Then can I never see Elder Sa again?
—Well, if there is someone who knows his whereabouts, it would only be So Jeon.
Baek Yeon had said with a calm smile.
—Because he is in a relationship like blood brothers with Sa Woo.
The Commander of the Spear God Corps, So Jeon.
Because he had entered Nangyang Pavilion together with Sa Woo, he possessed a closer friendship than anyone else.
—But never look for him.
Turning his body with a dark expression, Baek Yeon had ended with these words.
Bu Eunseol was about to ask, 'Why on earth is that?' but because Baek Yeon's face was so dark at that time, he could not bring himself to ask for the exact reason.
Furthermore, because that was a period when he had lost his reason to a desperate desire for revenge. He did not care much about the inner affairs between the fellow disciples of Nangyang Pavilion either.
—Three days ago, Commander So led the Spear God Corps and left Iron Staff Mountain to strike the Blood Cave located in Lanzhou.
However, before departing for Nangyang Pavilion, he received an unexpected message.
The Blood Cult had once again created a heterodox group called the Secret Cave in the Lanzhou area.
'They do not even tire.'
If they left the Blood Cult to create secret branches in the Central Plains, the damage would be boundless, as it was certain that based on their massive financial power and manpower, they would always manipulate the sects of the Central Plains from behind or plot various matters to cause collisions or chaos between sects.
And when the Peongan Corps obtained such information,
—An excellent opportunity!
It was said that So Jeon was extremely delighted.
Currently, the Spear God Corps consisted of the Old Spear God Corps and the New Spear God Corps composed of young disciples.
But because the present martial world was so peaceful, and in fact, Nangyang Pavilion had become the Number One Demonic Sect replacing the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, situations where they fought battles risking their lives no longer occurred easily.
Just at that time, when the branch of the Blood Cult was detected, So Jeon immediately led the newly formed young Spear God Corps and departed to strike that place.
'He did it half for my sake.'
Even after making an agreement with Bu Eunseol that they would not invade the Central Plains, the Blood Cult was secretly, relentlessly, and continuously targeting the Central Plains.
If they failed to block the Blood Cult properly or if they caused even the slightest damage to the Central Plains?
That would return as Bu Eunseol's responsibility.
Therefore, as soon as So Jeon obtained this information, he had gone to destroy the Blood Cave concurrently.
'But it is too reckless.'
No matter how thorough a training they were given, the number of the young Spear God Corps was fifty, but the troop strength of the cultists of the Blood Cave was close to as many as two thousand.
Furthermore, considering the point that the Blood Cult was a sect that mainly deployed sinister grand methods.
It was difficult to expect a complete victory for the Spear God Corps.
'Is he really intending to risk their lives?'
So Jeon was the most courageous and fearless even within Nangyang Pavilion, and a hot-blooded martial artist who believed that martial arts could be developed only in extreme combat.
Even if he took a large amount of damage, he had gone to face the Blood Cave accompanied only by the young Spear God Corps members.
Thud.
Awakening from his recollection, Bu Eunseol had before he knew it entered the Lanzhou area.
***
Deep inside a remote valley untouched by human feet, there was the Blood Cave, a secret branch of the Blood Cult and a new cult.
The inside of the valley was filled with blood-stained walls and strangely shaped statues, and here and there, bizarre items emitting a fishy energy like squirming living creatures were displayed.
Rustle.
Into that gloomy space, about fifty shadows began to infiltrate secretly.
Their attire was covered in dirt dust, but their gazes were like unshakeable blades. The momentum emitting from their bodies was sharp enough to overwhelm an army of thousands.
It was precisely the combat squad composed of masters of real-combat martial arts, meant to completely crush the enemies that posed a threat to Nangyang Pavilion.
It was the Spear God Corps.
Their goal was only one: the absolute annihilation of the Blood Cave, the evil Blood Cult branch that had secretly taken root in the Central Plains.
However, an unexpected situation occurred.
As soon as the Spear God Corps infiltrated the Blood Cave, as if they had been waiting, the retreat path was blockaded, and a troop reaching two thousand surrounded them in an instant.
The eyes of the Blood Cave cultists, who threw on red clothes engraved with bizarre patterns, were gleaming with madness.
"The information leaked, huh."
Staring at the Spear God Corps surrounded near the entrance of the Blood Cave, So Jeon bared his large fangs and laughed.
"Excellent. It has become an extreme situation."
Even though a troop strength of two thousand surrounded the members, far from worrying, he crossed his arms with a confident smile.
"There is no way that would happen in the Peongan Corps, so the information must have leaked from the information organization operated by that kid, Bu Eunseol."
The Peongan Corps led by Baek Yeon was a small elite information organization, just like the Supreme Corps of the Azure Heaven Alliance.
But because the Death Spirit Corps had grown so large in scale as to separately place information experts and even install branches across the Central Plains in the past just like the Beggars' Sect, no matter how careful they were, cases where information leaked occurred from time to time.
Mumble, mumble.
Suddenly, the cultists surrounding the Spear God Corps chanted a grotesque incantation all alike. Their skin heated up red, and a blood-colored mist was rising even from their breath.
"Gang Un. You shall command. This Commander will stay out of it."
Ending with those words, So Jeon vanished from sight in an instant.
Thud.
Then, the Vice-Commander of the new Spear God Corps, Gang Un, stepped forward.
He was one of the children Bu Eunseol had rescued from the Sahyang Sect in the past, and possessed an outstanding skill among the young generation of Nangyang Pavilion.
"Everyone, prepare the Nangyang Clear Wall Formation!"
Swish.
About fifty members gathered in a circle and simultaneously brought the sword blades they were holding to one place.
A mysterious light flowed out, and a bluish gas membrane unfolded around them.
Applying the secret study of the Heart Mirror Technique provided by Bu Eunseol, So Jeon not only bound the minds of the members into one, but had also created a defensive formation that enveloped the entire alignment with a gas membrane made by combining the internal energy of the members.
It was the Nangyang Clear Wall Formation.
Rumble.
The cultists of the Blood Cave began to rush in without hesitation before the formation could be completed.
Flash! Flash!
Every time the swords of the Spear God Corps members flashed like lightning, the necks of the rushing Blood Cave cultists fell. Despite the numerical inferiority, under the command of Kang Wun, the Spear God Corps moved organically just like a single massive living creature.
"Do not fall back!"
Maintaining a circular formation, they cleaved the bodies of the Blood Cult cultists who pounced as if leaping from all directions.
A storm of blood sprayed up, and screams and shrieks echoed continuously inside the valley.
"Indeed, one must try using it in real combat to know its true value."
Staring at the battle from afar, So Jeon smacked his lips.
"To think that merely applying that thing called the Heart Mirror Technique slightly would display that degree of might."
The Heart Mirror Technique, discovered by Yoo Unryong and completed together by Bu Eunseol and Han Sangja advanced the studies of the present martial world by several stages.
If there were no such studies?
So Jeon would have absolutely never gone to strike the Blood Cave with only the Spear God Corps members.
"But because they have no choice but to act as a group, there are restrictions in displaying the individual individuality of each member."
To enter the Spear God Corps, each person had to possess their own unique specialty.
But since the Nangyang Clear Wall Formation was a formation deployed by gathering minds and strength as a group, all those individualities and specialties could not help but be obscured.
—Use the grand method!
The cultists of the Blood Cave were not simple fanatics.
Upon realizing that the martial arts of the Spear God Corps members were tremendous, they immediately deployed the bizarre grand method handed down by the Blood Cult.
Rustle.
A blood mist sprayed out from the corpses of the dead cultists lying scattered in all directions.
Whir, flash!
At the same time, bone fragments and corpse fragments flew like hidden weapons and began to pour upon the Spear God Corps members.
That was not all.
Among the forces of the Blood Cave, some blew bizarre musical instruments to cause hallucinations and some were spraying a mist containing poison.
In order to face the encroaching enemies, they had organized a squad possessing various specialties in advance.
—Cha!
The Spear God Corps members stood against them without fear.
Striking back the flying bone fragments with their swords, they rather dug into the center where the cultists were crowded.
Flash! Swish!
Everywhere the sword light they poured out reached, a stream of blood shot up.
"They are stickier than I thought, huh?"
Silently scanning the battle situation, So Jeon knitted his brow.
"I must change my evaluation of the Blood Cult again."
The forces of the Blood Cave were stronger than expected.
That meant the grand methods and martial arts of the Blood Cult, which had been crouching in the outer regions all along, had also developed greatly.
The Blood Cult, which would invade the Central Plains someday, would also become a large variable in future plans.
"Is there no choice."
Thud.
Staring from afar, So Jeon drew up his strength.
He had wished for the Spear God Corps members to fight an extreme battle, not for them to lose their lives vainly.
Boom! Flutter!
Leaping up like a giant bird, So Jeon arrived at the battlefield where blood and flesh splattered in an instant.
As he deployed his saber method at the front, the cultists of the Blood Cave, who possessed bodies sturdier than steel by deploying the grand method, were torn like sheets of paper in an instant.
Swish! Flash!
Instead of deploying a powerful and destructive saber method like in the past, he was deploying opening moves solemnly and slowly as if performing a martial exercise alone.
It was extremely similar to when Bu Eunseol practiced the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms in the Infinite Land.
Because So Jeon had also reached a level of perfectly mastering martial arts opening moves, without any need to push in true strength with difficulty, and without any need to deploy opening moves rapidly, he became able to freely unfold the highest subtle principles and might contained within martial arts.
Rip.
Every time the tip of the great saber pointed at the cultists, their physical bodies were torn like sheets of paper and blood burst out.
Thud.
So Jeon had merely been at the front for a short moment, but before he knew it, about a hundred Blood Cave cultists collapsed like bundles of straw.
—Send the Black Flame Men!
As if preparing for the appearance of a super-strong master, Blood Cave cultists emitting a dim light from their bodies appeared and pounced upon So Jeon without fear.
"A useless effort."
Just as So Jeon was about to cleave the flying cultists, the Black Flame Men,
Boom!
Suddenly, a tremendous explosive sound began to spread.
Before being hit by the great saber, their bodies exploded, and their bones and fragments began to scatter in all directions.
"A self-destruction method?"
So Jeon snorted.
So Jeon expanded his saber force greatly, and cleaved them in advance before they could deploy the self-destruction method.
Thud.
But there was no end to their numbers.
"They rolled their heads well in advance, huh."
So Jeon bit his teeth.
If one used this method of expanding the saber force widely in succession, not only would physical strength and internal strength be consumed uncontrollably, but a loophole was bound to be revealed inevitably.
"Damn it all!"
Nevertheless, he could not stop expanding the saber force widely.
If a gap was created in his saber method, the Spear God Corps members would suffer injuries due to the continuously exploding cultists of the Cave.
Flash!
Drawing up his strength with all his might, So Jeon expanded his saber force even larger.
'Retreat, or advance.'
If it were the past, he would have advanced without hesitation even if they suffered damage.
But the Spear God Corps members he brought now were all young members who would take responsibility for the future Nangyang Pavilion.
'But these children must also fight a life-and-death bloody battle.'
The enemies that would pop out in the future would be strong masters incomparable to the remnants of the Blood Cult.
Even if they saw large damage now, they had to fight a deadly struggle and fight again, and achieve an endless breakthrough.
'There is no choice.'
Just as So Jeon, who let out a battle cry, was about to give the order for a general offensive in a loud voice.
Rumble!
A purple thunderbolt flashed in the distant sky, and.
Swish.
A black shadow landed in an instant toward the forces of the Blood Cave where a sturdy gas membrane and formation were being maintained.
At that moment,
Boom!
Along with an explosive sound, a tremendous vibration wave spread out like concentric circles.
Rumble! Boom!
The Blood Cave was deploying a powerful formation, but unable to handle that wave scattered by the black shadow, about a hundred Black Flame Men were sent flying dozens of zhang away.
"What kind of bastard is cutting in!"
So Jeon shouted in a great rage.
This battlefield where bone and flesh burned should be dominated entirely by the Spear God Corps.
To think that an uninvited guest not permitted appeared in this sacred and solemn battlefield?
Crackle.
A purple flame flashed through the dirt dust, and a man wearing black martial attire slowly revealed his form.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Comments