Staring into the distant sky with hardened eyes, Sa Woo left the funeral parlor behind.
He activated his movement technique and exited Huangzhou Prefecture.
‘So this is my body now.’
His skin, which had once been as thin and pale as hanji paper, now glowed with a healthy bronze luster. His shoulders were as broad and solid as Mount Tai, and his waist was slim yet sturdy like a log. In his once-empty dantian, energy as powerful as the sun now resided. It flowed like a waterfall according to his will, spreading immense true qi throughout his body.
His beast-like senses had also been maximized, allowing him to hear the sound of a leaf falling from two hundred zhang away.
‘At this rate, the Extreme Heavenly Spiritual Water has become unnecessary.’
He had originally prepared the Extreme Heavenly Spiritual Water—a heavenly treasure capable of fully expelling impurities from the body and replenishing insufficient internal energy once the body recovered. Drinking it could make the body even stronger, but at his current level, which had already surpassed the limits of the human body, it might have no effect.
‘It feels wasteful to consume it, yet regrettable to leave it unused.’
However, while running for a long time, Sa Woo suddenly clutched his head. Black smoke burst from his mouth, and endless murderous intent spread through his mind.
To have one’s soul completely dominated meant that someone from the outside had drilled a hole into it. Although the hole had somehow been sealed for now, cracks would soon form and completely collapse the foundation of his solid soul. In the end, he was fated to become an evil spirit repeating massacres once more.
“That cannot be allowed.”
Sa Woo took a deep breath and invoked the Qingxin Secret Art of Nangyang Pavilion to calm his mind.
—If one has committed a sin, should they not live with the suffering and pain, and pay the price?
Recalling the words the god had spoken to him unconsciously, Sa Woo clenched his fists tightly.
“I must pay for my sins before I die.”
Having made up his mind, he did not return to Nangyang Pavilion but headed instead to Mokka Village. There, he began rebuilding the village once again.
When hungry, he would enter the forest to gather pine needles and seeds to eat, then return to continue working. The remaining villagers of Mokka Village could not understand why this martial artist had suddenly come to their village to rebuild it.
—Could he be connected to the one who massacred this place?
However, Sa Woo’s eyes were so deep and filled with despair that no one dared to ask.
One day, one month… one year.
Seasons changed and years passed, yet he silently devoted himself solely to reconstruction. Since he never spoke a single word, the people simply thought of him as a mute. In this way, after staying in Mokka Village for several years, rebuilding the village, caring for the injured, and teaching the children, Sa Woo had unknowingly become the village’s writing teacher.
Boom.
Then, an unexpected visitor came looking for Sa Woo.
It was the Lord of Nangyang Pavilion, Human Demon Ak Muryeong.
“My Lord.”
Upon spotting Ak Muryeong, Sa Woo immediately ran over and knelt.
Until now, he had deliberately cut off contact with Nangyang Pavilion, erased his tracks, and lived in Mokka Village. Yet Ak Muryeong already knew everything Sa Woo had been doing.
Flash!
Ak Muryeong’s yellowish eyes meticulously scanned Sa Woo’s body.
“You are forcibly enduring the collapse of your soul.”
Ak Muryeong was considered the foremost expert in soul techniques among the current generation of supreme experts. He instantly saw through the fact that Sa Woo’s soul had already been shattered and that he had been suppressing its collapse for several years.
Boom.
At that moment, a murderous intent that seemed to pierce the heavens erupted from Ak Muryeong’s entire body.
A disciple of Nangyang Pavilion is a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion forever, and among them, there is no one who massacres ordinary civilians. He intended to deal with Sa Woo cleanly with his own hands before his soul completely collapsed.
“My Lord, please give me one more year.”
Sa Woo knelt and earnestly pleaded.
“I have not yet finished rebuilding the village or completing my atonement.”
He slammed his forehead against the ground until it bled.
“I beg you, my Lord.”
A long silence followed. Suddenly, an old manual fell in front of the prostrated Sa Woo.
It was the True Heart Secret Learning—a technique where one buries the body deep into the ground like the Earth Concealment Art, absorbs the earth’s energy, and fills the cracks in the soul.
“With this, you should be able to endure for five years.”
Ak Muryeong spoke in a stern voice.
“The Ten Demon Warriors Tournament, which that Sado Muryeong has been clamoring about, will be held this time. Each sect has agreed to send at least one instructor. You will go.”
“Me… as an instructor?”
Sa Woo was puzzled, but having received the mental technique manual from Ak Muryeong, he could not easily refuse.
“Understood.”
When Sa Woo bowed his head in reply, Ak Muryeong turned his body and spoke in a low voice.
“When the village is mostly rebuilt… I will personally take your life.”
After hearing the entire story, Bu Eunseol was shocked.
In the end, Pamyeong had realized he could not obtain the chains of reincarnation and was attempting to achieve immortality by completing the True Demon’s Return Soul Grand Technique. But what shocked him even more was the identity of the god-like extraordinary beings who had saved Sa Woo.
‘Father saved the Elder…’
The man in blue robes who had destroyed Pamyeong’s Return Soul Grand Technique with a single sword form—that was his father, Baekri Muha.
‘And Grandfather gave him the strength to continue living.’
The one who had saved Sa Woo from his suicide attempt was not a god, but his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang.
The power of karma.
Meeting someone is like a flower blooming.
Because Baekri Muha and Bu Zhanyang had pulled Sa Woo out of the abyss, Bu Eunseol was able to learn the Beast Way from Hell Island.
In other words, the fact that he could stand here now was the result of all those seed-like causes and connections coming together.
“After Hell Island, the Elder immediately left the martial world, didn’t he?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Pyeongan Funeral Home in Huangzhou Prefecture… was a place run by my grandfather, who was once called the Seven-Finger Demon Blade.”
Sa Woo’s eyes widened.
Other than briefly serving as an instructor at Hell Island, he had never paid any attention to the affairs of the martial world. He had devoted himself solely to rebuilding Mokka Village. Yet the Pyeongan Funeral Home where he had awakened was the seclusion place of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade Bu Zhanyang?
“Then the one who saved me…”
Sa Woo clutched his forehead with a confused expression.
The voice of the god that had commanded him to live until now had actually belonged to the absolute swordsman who had once plunged the world into terror—Seven-Finger Demon Blade Bu Zhanyang?
“…I did not know.”
Sa Woo spoke in a low voice.
“Just as you said, after briefly acting as an instructor in Hell Island, I immediately came here. I only heard around the time I was about to leave that you were the grandson of Seven-Finger Demon Blade.”
As if recalling that day, he shook his head.
“Hell Island was the optimal place to absorb the earth’s energy. From the beginning, I had no intention of teaching anyone and only intended to train the techniques bestowed by the Lord.”
“I see.”
This explained why Sa Woo had been annoyed when Bu Eunseol, the only one who had the visited Nangyang Pavilion martial hall while he was buried in the ground.
“Then, after that, you never once returned to the main branch?”
Sa Woo quickly cut off the words with a calm gaze.
“After the Ten Demon Warriors Tournament ended, I have been here the entire time, rebuilding the village and teaching the children. While waiting for the Lord.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize why So Jeon had desperately wanted to see Sa Woo yet never came here.
Since the village was almost fully rebuilt, Sa Woo would soon have to die by the Lord’s hand. So Jeon did not want to witness that.
“Is there really no other way?”
Bu Eunseol pleaded earnestly.
“There are many mysterious secret arts in the martial world. Among the people I know, there is someone who can use ancient techniques.”
Han Sangja was a genius comparable to the Heavenly Mechanism Star. Perhaps he could find a way to save Sa Woo.
“That cannot be done.”
Sa Woo spoke firmly.
“Pamyeong used the Return Soul Grand Technique on me, which created cracks in my soul. Even your grandfather, the esteemed Seven-Finger Demon Blade, could not do anything about it.”
He took a deep breath.
“Eventually, due to the hole created by those cracks, I will become a bloodthirsty demon craving slaughter.”
The void in the soul torn and damaged by the Return Soul Grand Technique brought an unquenchable thirst and pain that could only be filled by slaughter and destruction.
“But aren’t you controlling it sufficiently right now?”
At the moment, there were no visible signs of the soul cracks in Sa Woo, and even if present, they did not seem large.
“It only appears that way. I have already reached my limit.”
Sa Woo spoke decisively.
“One must never let their guard down in such matters.”
If he dragged things out with hopeful observations or vague expectations and missed the timing, an uncontrollable bloodthirsty demon would appear in the martial world.
“Above all, the Lord will never tolerate such an attempt.”
A person like the Human Demon Ak Muryeong would never stand by and watch a situation where a Nangyang Pavilion disciple becomes a demon and commits slaughter, no matter how slim the chance.
“But…”
“Enough.”
Sa Woo shook his head.
“If this Elder becomes a bloodthirsty demon, can you take responsibility?”
He spoke solemnly.
“Can you bear the greatest shame and disgrace in the seven-hundred-year history of Nangyang Pavilion?”
Bu Eunseol could not give any answer.
If Sa Woo were to once again commit a great massacre against civilians like he did in Mokka Village, who could possibly bear that sin?
“Elder.”
“It’s fine.”
Sa Woo smiled calmly.
“I have lived on the boundary between life and death all this time.”
He had dreamed countless times of the nightmare where the blood of civilians stained his hands. Now that the village had been rebuilt to some extent, he could leave without any lingering attachments.
“Anyway, that is everything I remember.”
Sa Woo pointed to his own temples with his finger.
“I’m not sure if any of it was useful information.”
Even after being exposed to the Return Soul Grand Technique, the target does not retain the caster’s memories or information. However, because of the sword form released by Baekri Muha, Sa Woo had regained his mind, and through the mysterious power of that sword form, some of the knowledge Pamyeong possessed had seeped into his consciousness.
“According to the information I found, the chains of reincarnation that the True Demon possessed were first passed to my grandfather… and then to the Heavenly Emperor afterward.”
Bu Eunseol continued carefully.
“And right now, the Heavenly Emperor has lost his reason and is wandering in search of the Baekri family’s secret archives.”
After taking a moment to steady his breathing, he spoke again.
“Do you happen to know anything about this?”
Sa Woo remained silent for a long time before slowly shaking his head.
“I have no such knowledge.”
After thinking for a while, Sa Woo shook his head again.
“Pamyeong has completely given up on the chain of reincarnation. Not only because it is something a human cannot possess…”
He gazed at the distant sky.
“But because the chains of reincarnation have already exerted their power.”
Bu Eunseol wore a dazed expression for a moment.
That would mean the influence of the chains had manifested in reality.
“Someone has become the True Demon’s successor or the next vessel…”
Bu Eunseol’s voice trembled without him realizing it.
“And because of that, a new ring of reincarnation is forming?”
“Who knows.”
Sa Woo shook his head.
“It could be not succession, but extinction.”
He looked straight into Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Since the chains of reincarnation no longer exist, that may be why he is obsessed with the Return Soul Grand Technique.”
“I see.”
Although they had not uncovered the secret regarding the Heavenly Emperor, there had still been some gains. Above all, Bu Eunseol felt proud that the karma of his grandfather and father had borne fruit through Sa Woo and reached him.
“The story ends here.”
Sa Woo, who had been silent, gave a dry smile and offered his final farewell.
“I hope you achieve what you desire.”
Martial artists never know when or where they might die, so they wish to leave behind their alter egos. For Bu Eunseol, the Beast Way that Sa Woo had taught him was constantly protecting his body.
Sa Woo could stand proudly even in the afterlife, even in front of the ancestral shrine of Nangyang Pavilion.
“Now, go back.”
Sa Woo spoke firmly.
“The Lord will arrive soon.”
“Elder.”
“As a disciple of this branch, I wish to end things honorably.”
Bu Eunseol bit his lip.
Sa Woo, whose consciousness had been taken by Pamyeong, had lived through long agony.
Now that he had rebuilt Mokka Village in his own way, he wanted to complete his atonement through death. How could Bu Eunseol dare intervene in such a matter?
“Understood.”
Suppressing his painful heart, Bu Eunseol gave Sa Woo a deep bow.
Watching this, Sa Woo smiled quietly.
The once-skinny boy whose eyes had been filled only with revenge and the will to survive had now grown into a great master revered by a million demonic practitioners. He no longer had any regrets.
“Go quickly.”
At those words, Bu Eunseol could not bear to look at Sa Woo’s face. He lowered his head, turned around, and slowly left the village.
“Haa…”
Watching the departing figure, Sa Woo slowly raised his head and gazed at the distant sky.
Soon, Ak Muryeong would arrive here.
The sunset was already dyeing the mountain ridges red.
Sa Woo climbed the hill overlooking the village.
Suddenly, the blood-red vision of that day flashed before him. Burning houses, people screaming in terror, and himself laughing while destroying everything. That horrific memory was engraved in his soul like an indelible brand.
—Hahaha.
At the sound of laughter coming from somewhere, Sa Woo snapped out of his thoughts.
There was no longer any bloody scene or screams. Children were noisily playing under the trees, and a man carrying freshly burned charcoal on his back was humming as he headed home. Warm conversations by the well echoed gently through the valley.
It was a peaceful scene where everything seemed to be in its rightful place.
Then, a child playing at the bottom of the hill spotted him and waved cheerfully. There was no wariness or fear. In the child’s eyes, he was simply the mute writing teacher.
Sa Woo could not bring himself to wave back.
Instead, something hot flowed down his expressionless face. They were tears of regret, and at the same time, very small tears of salvation.
Returning to his wooden hut, Sa Woo performed a cleansing bath and changed back into the martial uniform he had worn before coming here.
As a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion, he had finished preparing to end his final moment with dignity.
Bu Eunseol, having activated his movement technique, was quickly leaving Seokchwi Mountain.
The sense of powerlessness pressing on his chest felt like it was choking him.
He was not a god. He could not prevent others’ deaths, nor could he perfectly protect the people he loved. Even though he knew this well, he could not shake off the painful feeling.
‘Elder Sa is ultimately like Grandfather.’
Like his grandfather, Sa Woo had endured life amid long, deep regret and sorrow, and even in the end, he was trying to conclude things calmly by his own hand.
He wanted to help. Somehow, he wanted to prevent this situation.
‘Return Soul Grand Technique.’
A thought suddenly occurred to Bu Eunseol.
‘In the end, the True Demon’s secret arts also utilize the Mixed Magic Demonic Energy, don’t they?’
Although he had rebelled against the True Demon, the power and techniques Pamyeong used were all the True Demon’s. If so, could his father’s Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse perhaps fill the cracks in the soul?
‘The reason the bodies of those with ability or the saints exploded was because their bodies were eroded by the Mixed Magic Demonic Energy.’
When someone eroded by Mixed Magic Demonic Energy loses their power, their body collapses due to the rebound force.
“But Elder Sa had the chains of Mixed Magic Demonic Energy severed by my father, and his soul cracks were partially healed by Grandfather. Then, by performing the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse once more, through that life-giving sword form… could the cracks in his soul be filled?”
‘Though the possibility is slim.’
Although the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse contains the energy of life, it was unknown whether it could restore a shattered soul. No, the chance was extremely low.
‘Let’s try performing it together with the Lord’s Illusion Upon Illusion.’
Perhaps it could reconstruct the collapsed soul cracks caused by the Return Soul Grand Technique.
Even if the possibility was small, Bu Eunseol would never give up.
Whoosh.
Having made up his mind, Bu Eunseol immediately turned his body.
But Sa Woo was not at the writing school.
Sensing something, Bu Eunseol headed straight for the bamboo forest in the village. There, he saw Sa Woo kneeling in white clothes.
“Why have you come back?”
Sa Woo looked at Bu Eunseol with a solemn expression.
“The Lord will arrive soon. Leave quickly.”
“I will not leave.”
“What?”
“It might be possible to fill it. That crack.”
Bu Eunseol spoke quickly.
“My late father cultivated a mysterious sword art.”
“Sword art?”
“Yes. Because it handles the energy of life, it may be able to heal the cracks in the Elder’s mind.”
Sa Woo frowned.
A sword art was meant to kill enemies. Yet a sword that could handle the energy of life?
Even he, who was second only to Ak Muryeong in scholarly knowledge within Nangyang Pavilion, had never heard of such a concept.
“It is my late father.”
Bu Eunseol brought up the story of his father, Baekri Muha, which he had not mentioned while listening to Sa Woo.
“The blue-robed swordsman you saw.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
“My father is the greatest mysterious figure in the martial world and a blood relative of the Baekri family.”
Sa Woo knew some knowledge and information about the Baekri family and the True Demon, but he did not know about Bu Eunseol’s background. After all, he had been reluctantly dragged to the Ten Demon Warriors Tournament and had remained in Mokka Village the entire time.
“What do you intend to do?”
“I will perform the One-Second Sword Technique.”
Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
“Do not suppress the cracks in your soul. Open them fully and reveal your killing intent.”
In a normal state, the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse would have no effect. Instead, he would allow a complete crack to occur in Sa Woo’s soul, force him to reveal the killing intent and murderous will he had been forcibly holding back until now, and then try to extinguish it with the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse.
“I refuse.”
Having roughly guessed Bu Eunseol’s plan, Sa Woo shook his head.
“What if something goes wrong? You will commit an unforgivable sin.”
If things went awry, he could become a bloodthirsty demon committing uncontrollable massacre. He could not threaten the lives of others with such a slim probability.
‘This must not become a stain on the history of Nangyang Pavilion.’
“I will take responsibility.”
“What?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol raised his power.
Papapak.
Stones and trees around them shot up on their own, and soon a round barrier unfolded within thirty zhang.
He had deployed the Life-and-Death Battle Formation.
“If the sword art fails and the Elder becomes a bloodthirsty demon, I will definitely send you off.”
Srrung.
As Bu Eunseol raised the Endless Heavenly Light Art, brilliant radiance surged from his body.
At that moment, a feeling as if the entire flow of the world had suddenly reversed spread out. The wind died down, and even the faint tremors in the atmosphere disappeared. The energy of life scattered throughout heaven and earth, those faint and delicate breaths, all found their way at once and were being drawn into the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Soft, warm points of light enveloped Bu Eunseol’s body. His skin became as transparent as jade, and his eyes sparkled with mixed green and golden light.
Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse.
As he attempted to perform the sword form that handled the energy of life, the space within the sword momentum began to be dyed in brilliant light.
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