"Bu Eunseol."
So Jeon opened his mouth as he watched Bu Eunseol slowly walking over.
"How are you-"
Bu Eunseol, who was quickly surveying the situation on the battlefield, asked in a low voice.
"Commander. May I assist you a little?"
As the next Pavilion Master recognized by Ak Muryeong, Bu Eunseol could issue orders to each Commander. However, he was respecting So Jeon's status and asking for his intention first.
"Mmm."
So Jeon conflicted.
Just by Bu Eunseol's arrival, the corps members could win without a single hair on their heads being hurt.
However, from the perspective of the Spear God Corps members, they would end up losing the priceless experience of a life-and-death struggle.
But at that moment,
"It is alright!" Gang Un, who was leading the Spear God Corps members, shouted. "We can do it ourselves!"
The Spear God Corps members were already exhausted, and their fatigue had reached its peak. However, upon seeing the divine might of Bu Eunseol, who was like a divine dragon, their morale rose greatly.
Then, the remaining corps members also shouted at the top of their lungs.
"That is right. We can do it ourselves!"
"Just watch!"
So Jeon, who was proudly watching the young corps members filled with fighting spirit, smiled and said.
"It seems you will have no occasion to play an active part today."
"But-"
"It is alright. Those children are all ones who trained with you as their goal."
So Jeon shrugged his shoulders.
"They are fellows like a pack of wolves who have risked their lives to seize victory in the midst of any crisis. Let us trust and leave it to them."
Feeling embarrassed, Bu Eunseol avoided his gaze and muttered, "I will have to prepare plenty of spiritual medicine in Nangyang Pavilion."
—Let us go!
The Spear God Corps members, whose morale was soaring to the sky, disbanded their formation on their own.
Giining.
As the transparent protective barrier vanished, they each began to show off their martial arts.
The young Spear God Corps members revered Bu Eunseol, so they invariably wore swords and did not cling to initial moves. They used sensory and instinctive moves using the Beast Way, without being bound by old martial arts masters or the concepts of orthodox and unorthodox, as if mimicking Bu Eunseol's specialty of identifying and breaking through the enemy's weak points.
"That is not the battle method of the Spear God Corps, is it."
Feeling an inexplicable embarrassment, Bu Eunseol scratched the back of his head.
"That is truly a lack of individuality." So Jeon snorted. "Would I have taught them like that on purpose? Those fellows refined it that way while saying they respect you."
The battle method used by Bu Eunseol carried the danger of having to risk one's life even in small fights, and in a large-scale battle like now, there was no need to obstinately adhere to that method.
Despite this, as if they had made a promise, after thoroughly analyzing the attack patterns and techniques of the Blood Cave cultists, they were repeating a method of battle that delivered a decisive blow.
—Huu, huu.
Before anyone knew it, the corps members, who had exerted their full strength, had struck down more than two-thirds of the Blood Cave cultists.
However, about five hundred people still remained.
Even though it was a desperate situation, they were continuing the battle without fear.
"It cannot be helped."
So Jeon drew his great saber.
"Those bastards will not say anything just because this Commander helps."
Paah!
Returning to the battlefield, as he wielded his great saber, the heads of ten people flew into the sky in an instant.
So Jeon had also broken through his limits and broken through them again while continuing grueling training and battles bordering on life and death. He had also become one of the strongest masters in the martial world. It was just that his reputation was not widely known.
Hududuk.
Once So Jeon joined, the remaining Blood Cave cultists were easily cleaned up. Even though defeat was certain, they only fought to the death and did not flee or surrender.
Seogeok, paah!
In the end, So Jeon, who had even cut off the neck of the leader of the Blood Cave, sheathed his great saber.
"Before long, I must root out those Blood Cult fellows."
So Jeon shook his head as he looked around at the landscape that had become a sea of blood.
"I truly do not know by what method these evil Blood Cult bastards brainwash people, that they easily use a battle method of throwing away their lives without hesitation."
He was one who enjoyed a fight, but this battle with the Blood Cave cultists was entirely different.
Rather than a fight, this was close to a life-and-death struggle to block the madness of those who threw away their lives to commit suicide attacks.
He could not help but realize again just how atrocious the Blood Cult was, and how lightly they regarded life.
"Before long..." Bu Eunseol said, "I will wipe out the Blood Cult completely."
Among the plans he had been continuously carrying out, the total destruction of the Blood Cult, which not only threatened the safety of the Central Plains martial world but also took the lives of innocent civilians in vain, was included.
"By the way, what brings you here?"
So Jeon threw a joke as he looked at the stiffened Bu Eunseol.
"The next Pavilion Master should be busy with all sorts of public and private affairs."
It had spread throughout Nangyang Pavilion that Bu Eunseol had discovered the Nangyang Plaque during his travels in the martial world, and that Pavilion Master Ak Muryeong had told him to keep it just as it was.
In other words, it was just that the inauguration ceremony had not been held.
Bu Eunseol was already recognized as the practical Pavilion Master.
"I am looking for Elder Sa."
"Elder Sa?"
In an instant, So Jeon's complexion stiffened coldly.
"Are you speaking of Sa Woo."
"That is correct."
"Why?"
So Jeon's voice was splitting slightly, unlike him.
"Is there a reason you must absolutely find him?"
His expression was as if he had opened a box that should never be opened, and had seen something forbidden inside.
"There is a story I must absolutely meet Elder Sa and hear."
"Absolutely..."
So Jeon, who was watching Bu Eunseol's determined expression, let out a deep sigh.
Bu Eunseol was someone who did everything that he said. Since such a man spoke to that extent, even if the sky were to fall, it could not be stopped.
"Right."
So Jeon's gaze deepened infinitely.
After hesitating for a moment, he took a deep breath and pulled something out from his bosom.
It was a small calabash bottle split in half.
"This is…?"
"If it is you, you would know."
So Jeon said in a gloomy voice. "Since you already possess the number one information network of the Demonic Path."
At that moment, Bu Eunseol instinctively felt an ominous premonition.
Didn’t the Holy One who was in the Stone Gate Village say that if one becomes the Vessel of Pamyeong, not only do their martial arts and abilities rapidly increase, but they also commit mass massacres?
"Keep it in mind."
At that time, So Jeon spoke again.
"That when you see that fellow, you must show him the piece of the calabash bottle first."
He looked at the sky with an incomparably lonely expression.
"Because otherwise, he will avoid the place immediately, and you will not be able to hear any answer."
"I understand."
"And deliver my words as well."
So Jeon said with an incomparably lonely expression. "Once a disciple of our pavilion, always a disciple of our pavilion."
Bu Eunseol wanted to ask what kind of deep story there could possibly be. However, seeing that So Jeon's eyes were slightly red, he could not bring himself to speak.
"I understand. I will absolutely deliver it."
He immediately changed the subject.
"And I think it would be good to pass this on to the corps members."
Bu Eunseol pointed to the countless lines drawn under his feet.
From the time So Jeon was cutting down the Blood Cave cultists, he had deployed finger force and drawn something densely on the ground.
"It is good that the corps members refine the essence of practical martial arts, but they are forcefully mimicking my method and killing their respective individualities."
He said with an embarrassed expression.
"The Commander will guide them as he sees fit, but it seems it would be good to have the corps members refine this sword method in the future."
What was drawn on the ground was a diagram made so that the subtle principles could be easily learned by extremely simply breaking down the sword secrets of the Supreme Heavenly Flow Fourth Move, Caged Bird Yearning for Clouds, which allows one to freely move sword qi poured into the empty space.
"Right, so it is."
Because the Supreme Heavenly Flow was a compilation of the sword studies of Nangyang Pavilion, So Jeon could realize its principles at once with just a simple diagram.
"I understand. I will have them refine this sword form once as well."
If it were the past, it would have been dismissed as an arrogant act. However, Bu Eunseol was a grandmaster who had surpassed even himself, and someone that would soon ascend to the position of Pavilion Master. Therefore, he did not feel bad about this advice and accepted it readily.
"I will drop by Iron Staff Mountain later."
When Bu Eunseol showed courtesy, So Jeon waved his hand.
"Do not come. If you do, the young disciples will just do absurd training again."
As if to prove that, the Spear God Corps members standing far away could not dare to approach Bu Eunseol and were watching with twinkling eyes.
"I understand."
And looking at the corps members one by one, he made eye contact and said, "All of you, make steady progress."
At his encouragement, the faces of the Spear God Corps members brightened brilliantly.
—Yes!
The corps members all answered loudly.
Nodding his head, Bu Eunseol politely showed courtesy to So Jeon and then deployed his movement technique again, disappearing into the distant sky.
—It was the Mokka Village of Mount Seokchwi.
Through the piece of the calabash bottle handed over by So Jeon, the Death Spirit Corps tracked down Sa Woo's whereabouts in an instant.
According to their information, Mokka Village, located deep in the mountains of Mount Seokchwi, was a place abundant in high-quality wood and was a village specializing in baking charcoal. Also, Mount Seokchwi, just as its name implied, possessed a unique soil abundant in jade-colored minerals, so the gourds growing only here had exceptionally hard skins.
The people of Mokka Village harvested these gourds and hung them above the charcoal kilns, exposing them for dozens of days to the very low-temperature smoke coming out during the process of baking charcoal. Gourds dried slowly like this would have their skins harden further, and the interiors would not rot.
In other words, the piece of the calabash bottle handed over by So Jeon was manufactured in Mokka Village on Mount Seokchwi.
—A massacre took place there in the past.
Bu Eunseol, who captured the location of Mokka Village at once through the information network, arrived at Mount Seokchwi after staying up for two consecutive nights.
'In the end, does it mean the same thing happened?'
The previous Stone Gate Village was also located in a deep mountain valley untouched by human feet.
And Mokka Village was also located in a rugged mountain that ordinary people could not enter, called Mount Seokchwi.
'It is not a coincidence.'
That these things were not coincidences, but definitely had some sort of reason. Under the setting sunset, the appearance of a tranquil village where bird sounds were echoing from somewhere came into view.
Cheucheucheut.
Bu Eunseol, who deployed stealth techniques, carefully passed through the village and inspected the interior. Even if an outsider entered such an isolated village, it would only arouse wariness.
'It is strange.'
The brow of Bu Eunseol, who was secretly looking around the village, narrowed.
Contrary to the Stone Gate Village, in Mokka Village, there were almost no old people and young people were the majority.
The village was empty, as if even those who were there had mostly gone to make charcoal.
'To think Elder Sa is here.'
Why on earth is Sa Woo staying settled in an isolated village located in a deep mountain valley where even food is scarce?
'Understanding the situation is for later.'
Bu Eunseol searched every corner of the village, looking for a place where Sa Woo might be. However, no matter how much he looked, there was no place where Sa Woo could stay.
After wandering around for a long time, he discovered a small schoolroom located a bit away from the village.
There, runny-nosed children were studying hard.
Bu Eunseol naturally thought Sa Woo would not be there and was about to turn his body away.
'There is no way the Elder would act as a writing teacher.'
Sa Woo's appearance was on the handsome side, but with a muscular huge frame reaching seven cheon and even sharp eye light, newborn babies would burst into tears just by making eye contact.
For such a man to sit in a small schoolroom and teach children was something that could not even be imagined.
'Should I check anyway.'
Bu Eunseol, who was about to turn away, slowly walked toward the inside where the schoolroom was, just in case.
Then, discovering the figure of a man sitting neatly inside, his mouth opened.
He wore wide-hemmed clothes, but the outlines of solid muscles could be seen, and his gaze was infinitely deep.
'Elder Sa?'
The huge man who was enthusiastically teaching letters to the children.
He was precisely the Secret Hall Master of Nangyang Pavilion, and the Sa Woo who had first taught the Beast Way to Bu Eunseol when he was in Hell Island.
Seueukseueuk.
But it is strange.
Was not Sa Woo conducting teaching writing and sharing conversations through sign language and written communication, as if he were a mute?
Sa Woo, who was enthusiastically teaching the children, turned and looked at the distant sky, then let out a deep sigh.
And gesturing with his hands and feet, he conveyed his meaning.
—Let us stop for today.
The children, who understood that meaning, packed their books haphazardly and crowded out to the outside with excited expressions.
As a writing teacher almost did not exist in a mountain village, he was precious, but playing was still better than studying writing for the children.
Seueuk.
Once the children left, Sa Woo slowly raised his body.
Coming outside with his hands clasped behind his back, he looked toward the side where Bu Eunseol was hiding and said,
"Come out."
His vocal cords were not damaged; he was intentionally pretending to be a mute.
'You have made great progress during this time.'
Bu Eunseol admired inwardly.
Although he had not deployed stealth techniques, a master who could perceive his presence at once is by no means common.
In the meantime, Sa Woo's martial arts had deepened further.
"Elder."
Bu Eunseol, who quickly revealed his figure, bowed and approached gladly, showing polite courtesy.
"Have you been well during this time?"
"How did you know this place and come looking for it?"
As Sa Woo frowned and asked in a low voice, the atmosphere changed in an instant.
Even though he had merely frowned, it was as if he had changed from the appearance of a kind writing teacher into the face of a martial artist with a firm will. His facial expression management had reached the Transcendent Realm, so he could completely change the atmosphere with just an expression.
"I came looking for you because there is something I want to ask."
"I have nothing to say."
Sa Woo immediately turned his body and looked at the distant sky.
"It seems it is now time to leave this place."
And he immediately tried to deploy a movement technique.
Flustered, Bu Eunseol quickly blocked his front.
"This disciple was able to survive on Hell Island through the Elder's teachings, and could go on doing the right things even in this barren martial world."
And he said with an earnest expression. "And along with my revenge, doubts that cannot be resolved have arisen, and the answer to that can only be given by the Elder."
"Only me? Why?"
Confronting Sa Woo's sharp gaze, Bu Eunseol lost his words for a moment.
—I heard that ten years ago, not only did the Hall Master's martial arts rapidly increase, but they also committed mass massacres like a slaughter ghost. Could it be that among the three types, you became the Vessel of Pamyeong and committed such deeds?
Because he could not bring himself to ask that.
"Therefore, the Elder..."
Seeing Bu Eunseol stammering his words, Sa Woo's gaze shook momentarily.
Even on that Hell Island…
He realized why Bu Eunseol, who never became discomposed even at the threshold of death—even on Hell Island—was slurring his words in front of himself right now of all times.
"Right."
Sa Woo wore an expression as if his chest had been pierced by a sharp knife. "Since you came knowing everything, why are you asking."
And unlike him, he dropped his head.
"Are you telling me to pay the price for the crime regarding what this Elder committed against this Mokka Village even now?"
Sa Woo was acting as a writing teacher in Mokka Village, where he himself had committed a mass massacre.
"If that is so, strike off my neck immediately. I will not resist."
As he closed his eyes, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"No. I really have something to ask the Elder..."
However, Sa Woo closed his eyes with his neck hanging down.
He was showing a determination that if it were not to strike off his neck, he would never say a single word.
—When you see that fellow, show him the piece of the calabash bottle I gave you first.
Bu Eunseol hurriedly searched his bosom as the words So Jeon had urged came to mind.
—Because otherwise, the moment he sees you, he will avoid the place, or you will not be able to hear any answer. "Please accept this."
He carefully offered the split piece of the calabash bottle he had been keeping in his bosom.
"This is…"
Discovering the piece of the calabash bottle, Sa Woo's gaze deepened infinitely.
On the inside, the word Friend was deeply engraved.
So Jeon and Sa Woo were orphans and stayed together in the same beggar pack, relying on each other.
But by chance, in the village where that beggar pack was, a master who held sway over the world appeared.
Neung Gak.
A Master of Nangyang Pavilion who had helped Bu Eunseol when conducting the Five Forms Test of the White Horse Temple, which was being carried out in the Majeon back then.
Before he became the Hyunhyeon Hall Leader of Majeon who restored lost demonic studies, he was a secluded member of Nangyang Pavilion. While traveling the martial world during his youth, he had come to find the traces of demonic studies left behind in this village.
—You possess talent.
Neung Gak, who accidentally discovered So Jeon and Sa Woo.
Discovering So Jeon, who had a sturdy build and good bone structure, he nodded his head.
—Would you like to follow me?
—To where?
—Nangyang Pavilion.
—If so, please take my friend along as well.
At So Jeon's words, Neung Gak examined Sa Woo and opened his eyes wide.
—Oh dear.
And with a pitiful expression, he shook his head.
—The body is greatly damaged, unfortunately, if the body is weak, it cannot handle the martial arts of our pavilion.
Sa Woo was clever and smart, but after suffering from a lung disease during his childhood, his body could not grow properly.
When Sa Woo was rejected, So Jeon also shook his head.
—Then I will not go either.
Then, Sa Woo quickly ran over, grabbed So Jeon's shoulder, and shook it.
—Are you crazy? Do you even know what you are blabbering about right now?
The Ten Sects of the Demonic Path.
One of the highest sects of the Demonic Path belonging to the ten pillars that support the Majeon and the sky of the Demonic Path.
To refuse entering that place, and say he will remain in a beggar pack where he gets beaten to death while begging?
Is that not an act of kicking away a blessing that might come once in a lifetime with his own feet?
—You promised. To be together for a lifetime.
So Jeon firmly shook his head.
In fact, the reason Sa Woo came to suffer from lung disease was to rescue So Jeon, who had fallen into the water in the middle of winter when a bone-chilling biting wind blew in the past. At that time, So Jeon, who was crouching on the bridge and begging with difficulty, was captured by the coachman of a luxurious carriage that happened to pass by.
—You are an eyesore!
The coachman, with an arrogant expression, saying a dirty and ragged beggar was blocking the way, swung a long whip toward So Jeon merely for fun.
Wack!
Hit by the whip, So Jeon plunged below the bridge without even being able to let out a scream.
Plop!
The ice-cold river water covered his body in an instant.
So Jeon, who did not know how to swim, floundered in the fear of death. Sa Woo, who was watching this spectacle from afar, jumped into the river water without a moment's hesitation.
Without minding the coldness piercing through his bones, he desperately embraced So Jeon and rescued him to the land.
To So Jeon, who was of strong bone structure, the cold river water was merely a shock enough to lose consciousness for a moment, and he soon regained his energy, but it was deathly to Sa Woo. In the end, he obtained a terrible lung disease from that incident and came to lie in bed.
So Jeon guarded the side of Sa Woo, who had thrown away everything to save him, like a shadow. Nursing him with devotion night and day, he took care of him thoroughly like his own body.
However, despite that devoted care, Sa Woo's condition grew worse day by day, and in the end, his body could not grow properly during his growth period.
—Mister.
At that time, Sa Woo said.
—Do not mind this fellow's nonsense and please take him along.
—I am not going. If I am to leave you behind and go, I will stay here.
—Huhuhuhu.
Neung Gak burst into laughter.
Even martial artists who say they emphasize loyalty and righteousness, mostly turn away as if when did they ever do so, once a matter accompanied by loss to themselves arises. However, for a mere teenage boy to form such a close friendship even in the midst of a bleak beggar life was a very rare thing, and a temperament extremely suitable as a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion who regards fellow disciples like family.
—Indeed, it is a friendship deeper than a thousand pieces of gold.
Neung Gak was greatly moved and nodded his head.
—Although the lung disease is a headache, it is not an incurable illness.
He cut the calabash bottle, which he had obtained after dropping by Mokka Village on Mount Seokchwi previously, in half, and then offered it to them after engraving the word Friend respectively.
—Before you two are disciples of Nangyang Pavilion... do not forget that you are friends who shared a friendship deeper than life.
In the end, Neung Gak decided to take both of them to Nangyang Pavilion.
"That fellow So Jeon was on the meticulous side, unlike his appearance."
Sa Woo, who finished his recollection, took a deep breath while looking at the piece of the calabash bottle and said.
"He deployed a move that binds this body in advance."
"I am sorry."
Bu Eunseol bowed his head.
Because So Jeon handing over the piece of the calabash bottle was not betraying his friendship with him, but solely to help himself.
"There is nothing to be sorry about."
Sa Woo said calmly.
"Since he deployed an appropriate move as a disciple of this pavilion."
"Can I hear the answer?"
Bu Eunseol's expression was cautious.
What if Sa Woo did not speak?
Information about Pamyeong could not be heard from anywhere.
"In the past, I..."
Sa Woo, who paused his words for a moment, brought out the story of bygone days incomparably calmly.
"My body was not that good. Therefore, I uniquely researched secret books with my head in Nangyang Pavilion, and barely learned the Beast Way. After learning martial arts to some extent to find medicine good for my body, I went out into the martial world..."
Sa Woo spoke shocking words with a vacant gaze.
"I saw God."
Comments