Giiiing.
At last, the moment the condensed energy of life within him was about to burst past its limit,
“Elder. Release your killing intent immediately.”
But an unexpected answer came back.
“I refuse.”
Sa Woo shook his head.
“I know your martial learning is extraordinary. However…”
He looked down at his own body.
“The power engraved in this flesh is still something even I cannot fully control.”
He added, “If my killing intent erupts and I become a bloodthirsty demon, even if the Pavilion Lord himself comes, he will not be able to stop me.”
“I am aware.”
Bu Eunseol spoke as if making an oath.
“Even if it costs my life, I will definitely prevent such a thing from happening.”
Intense heat capable of melting iron blazed in his eyes.
Then he took out an old, antique command plaque from his chest.
“The Nangyang Plaque?”
Sa Woo’s eyes widened.
Why did he possess the lost sacred artifact of Nangyang Pavilion?
“The Lord ordered me to keep it.”
Bu Eunseol explained in detail how he had obtained the Nangyang Plaque and the process behind it.
After listening to the entire story, Sa Woo let out a deep sigh.
“Why are you going this far for me?”
“Grandfather also lived a life of atonement, just like you, Elder.”
Bu Eunseol said.
“And if he were still alive, he would have surely found a way to fill the cracks in your soul and help you.”
“In any case, I should have died long ago.”
“Have you completed your atonement?”
Bu Eunseol asked earnestly.
“Ending one’s life is easy. But continuing to live while carrying the weight of one’s sins is something not just anyone can do.”
Having watched his grandfather’s life, Bu Eunseol understood this fact all too well.
“Yes, I am afraid.”
Sa Woo spoke honestly.
“Of living on while enduring any more suffering than this.”
If he continued living like this, he would have to hear the faces of the dying and their pain-filled groans every night in his dreams.
“Grandfather once said,”
Bu Eunseol continued in a earnest voice.
“That he became a mortician in order to atone.”
Bu Zhanyang had never said this directly to Bu Eunseol.
But after traveling the martial world and thoroughly examining his grandfather’s traces and life, he now understood. His grandfather had sent off the dead with utmost care, driven by a heart of atonement.
“While preparing the bodies, Grandfather must have recalled the people who died by his hands every single day. And that must have been a pain greater than death itself.”
Bu Eunseol said, “Yet he endured that suffering and carefully prepared the deceased to look as they did in life. Through that, he received salvation.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with eyes full of longing.
“Because he realized that although atonement has no end, one can attain peace through atonement.”
Sa Woo took a deep breath.
As he listened to Bu Eunseol’s words, the painful and tormented life experienced by that peerless swordsman was conveyed into his heart.
“Atonement has no end, yet through atonement one can attain peace…”
He unconsciously murmured the words in a low voice.
Could he face those pains head-on day after day while continuing to live?
Could he find peace through atonement?
“Very well.”
Sa Woo nodded as if he had made a decision.
“In the worst case, you will be able to handle it.”
The Life-and-Death Battle Formation created by Bu Eunseol was reinforced with overlapping formations from the Gongsun family’s secret techniques, making it difficult to break even if Sa Woo used his full power.
Moreover, since Bu Eunseol held the Nangyang Plaque and had earned Ak Muryeong’s recognition…
In the worst case, he would definitely finish him off.
“Of course.”
Although he had resolved to die by the Lord’s hand, Sa Woo nodded.
“You are the successor who will soon become the Lord of this pavilion, so there is not much difference.”
After taking a deep breath, Sa Woo nodded once more.
“I will trust you.”
Uuuung.
He then cut off the Qingxin Secret Art he had been forcibly operating and began accelerating the collapse of his soul.
Crack.
A bone-crunching sound echoed from Sa Woo’s body. His skin turned deathly pale, and his face became gaunt as if he had not eaten for days.
Nevertheless, the energy flowing through his entire body became even sharper and more ferocious. With the complete collapse of his soul’s foundation, he gained boundless killing intent and transformed into a figure as sharp as a single blade.
Ziiing.
Sa Woo’s eyes gradually turned pitch black.
At the same time, hundreds of blades began forming in the air.
Just like the Heavenly Killing Star, he poured out infinite killing intent to create blades capable of cutting down anything. Those blades did not stop and continued to generate endlessly. Because of the endlessly growing murderous aura, they kept forming without pause, as if they would fill the entire sky.
‘As expected, this is why the Elder was anxious.’
If someone capable of endlessly creating blades with such infinite killing intent were to become a bloodthirsty demon, an ordinary city would be reduced to ruins in a single day. There must not be even the slightest mistake.
Jiim.
Bu Eunseol first deployed the Illusion Upon Illusion.
Sa Woo’s eyes immediately became hazy, and the creation of blades stopped.
‘Good.’
At the same time, strange patterns began engraving themselves on the ground, and fresh green sprouts started growing from the surrounding soil.
As he raised the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, the Endless Heavenly Light Art naturally manifested in the form of natural energy, breathing life into the mountains, rivers, and vegetation.
The earth began to shake.
The distance between Sa Woo and Bu Eunseol was only about two zhang. Moreover, because of the spreading energy of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, the ground trembled and cracks started forming in the Life-and-Death Battle Formation, which had ancient techniques layered within it.
“Kuuu…”
With both eyes turned completely white, Sa Woo,
“Uaaaaah!”
Ran on all fours like a wild beast, moving at incredible speed. He instinctively sensed that the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse would deal a massive blow to his body and was trying to evade the sword form with lightning-fast movements.
‘The Illusion Upon Illusion has been broken.’
Pat! Pat!
Sa Woo’s figure had already disappeared. Due to his speed, which made it impossible to follow with the eyes, it was as if he had evaporated into thin air.
Bu Eunseol stood motionless with his eyes closed, just like when he had first learned the Beast Way.
The foundational martial art of Nangyang Pavilion and the pinnacle of body techniques that maximally activates the body’s power—the Beast Way.
In the past, the reason Bu Eunseol had learned this secret art first in Hell Island was to maximize the body’s innate power, gain rapid recovery and tenacious vitality, and survive even in extreme situations.
Additionally, this secret art granted lightning-fast reflexes and super senses.
‘Elder Sa is a master who has reached the extreme of the Beast Way.’
Bu Eunseol proceeded with the utmost caution. A Sa Woo who had mastered the Beast Way could avoid fatal attacks and find a path to survival in any situation.
‘I must aim for a single point.’
Sa Woo’s body contained an even more intense energy than that of the saints. Instead of spreading the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse in wave form like before, he had to strike with a small, precise impact point.
Pat! Pat!
He still could not detect Sa Woo’s presence or see his movements. However, to Bu Eunseol, who had experienced countless battles both large and small, faint afterimages occasionally appeared.
Giiiing.
As if understanding Bu Eunseol’s heart, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword let out a low cry and continuously condensed the energy of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse.
Meanwhile, mist began spreading inside the Life-and-Death Battle Formation. Sa Woo, in order to defeat Bu Eunseol, was spreading waves of killing intent to erase all of his senses and turn the entire space within thirty zhang into his own domain.
Zzzzt.
When the energy of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse collided with the waves Sa Woo emitted, sparks flew in the air.
The Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, which handled the energy of life.
The deadly mist of killing intent that Sa Woo spread infinitely.
Which one would strike first?
Flash!
Brilliant light suddenly erupted from Bu Eunseol’s eyes. He had detected Sa Woo’s presence first.
Jiim.
Mysterious patterns appeared beneath his feet, and points of light rose from the Silent Tiger Soul Sword held in reverse grip.
Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse.
The absolute sword form created by Baekri Muha was once again unleashed by Bu Eunseol’s hand.
Kwaaaang!
Along with a thunderous roar that shook heaven and earth, Thunder Spirit Energy spread out. Following it came the cold, river-like Crystal Spirit Energy, and then the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi that enveloped everything.
Although it lacked the Earth Divine Energy and thus could not achieve perfect unity, the wave containing the energy of life became a tidal wave that swallowed everything and instantly engulfed Sa Woo.
Kiaaaaa! Crash!
Along with a scream as if space itself was twisting, the black mist spreading everywhere shattered like glass and scattered in all directions.
Shuuu. Chiiii.
Through the gap, Sa Woo finally revealed himself. He was kneeling on one knee, trembling.
The burning in his eyes had faded, and his face showed an ordinary expression filled with fatigue and confusion. It was full of pain, regret, and the emptiness of life.
‘Did it succeed?’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
Through the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, Sa Woo had finally completely driven out the abnormal turbulence in his soul.
“Elder.”
With a joyful expression, Bu Eunseol approached Sa Woo.
The moment he tried to support him,
Boom!
With an explosion, his body was sent flying more than ten zhang away.
“Haaa.”
Sa Woo’s eyes had turned pitch black once more, and sinister black smoke poured from his mouth.
‘Did it fail?’
Chaang!
Bu Eunseol tried to deploy the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse once again, quickly.
Chiiii.
White smoke rose from Bu Eunseol’s chest as he stood up. The extreme killing intent Sa Woo had unleashed had penetrated his body, breaking its purity and making it impossible for him to deploy the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse any further.
‘This is bad.’
“Kaaat!”
In the meantime, Sa Woo let out a bizarre shout and attacked Bu Eunseol like a madman.
Flash! Chiiii!
Hundreds of rays of light pierced his body, releasing white smoke.
The reason Sa Woo had been able to rise to the position of Secret Head at a young age was not only because of his extraordinary talent, which earned him the title of natural martial genius, but also because of his outstanding wisdom in researching and developing Nangyang Pavilion’s martial arts. Now, with a near-perfect body granted by Pamyeong and his innate combat senses added on top, he could unleash nearly flawless, supreme attacks no matter what martial art he used.
At that moment, black rays of true qi burst forth from Bu Eunseol’s body like blooming flower buds and wrapped around Sa Woo.
He had deployed the Wishful True Binding to somehow stop Sa Woo’s rampage and suppress him once more.
“Kiaaaa!”
But it was by no means easy.
Sa Woo, realizing the power of Bu Eunseol’s martial arts, refused to confront him head-on. Instead, he moved at ultra-high speed, pouring out blades of true qi made of killing intent from a distance while constantly trying to break the Life-and-Death Battle Formation.
‘In the end, must I send the Elder off?’
If Sa Woo escaped like this, an uncontrollable massacre would occur.
Bu Eunseol raised his power to the maximum.
There was no other way now. He had to put an end to Sa Woo’s life so that he would suffer no more, and prevent another tragedy like the Mokka Village massacre from happening.
Giiiing.
From the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, which had been spreading the energy of life, a piercing wail like the cries of ghosts spread out. In the end, he unleashed the Seven Blood Tear Forms—the absolute sword art that brought death to all things.
Pat!
Sa Woo stopped his attack and vanished at the speed of light.
He had sensed that the Seven Blood Tear Forms contained the energy of death and was avoiding direct collision.
Pat! Pat!
To cut off Sa Woo’s breath, he had to increase the intensity of the blade energy no matter what. However, at such ultra-high speed, no matter how he deployed the Seven Blood Tear Forms, he could not cut him down.
‘Fine.’
Kwaaaang!
Bu Eunseol raised the Endless Heavenly Light Art to full power and began combining it with the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Whirr, shiririric.
In an instant, the area within thirty zhang began filling with pitch-black blade energy.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes became bloodshot.
Even with infinite power and profound martial learning, filling the entire thirty zhang area with blade energy was practically impossible. Yet Bu Eunseol was determined to stop Sa Woo from committing evil, even if it meant his body bursting apart.
Was it a coincidence?
As Sa Woo dodged through a gap in the pouring blade energy like a snake using Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, something fell from his body.
It was the fragment of the small gourd he had once shared with So Jeon in his childhood, given to him by Bu Eunseol.
Chiiiik.
Before long, Sa Woo reappeared while emitting black smoke. Seeing the fallen gourd fragment, he regained a moment of clear consciousness.
“I have caused you much trouble.”
Sa Woo showed a single line of refined smile.
“Now, finish it.”
Clench.
Bu Eunseol bit his lip and gripped the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
That benevolent smile, worrying about those left behind more than himself who was about to die—it was exactly like the smile his grandfather had shown right before passing away.
Ziiing.
As profound sorrow and pain overwhelmed his body, the blade energy of the Seven Blood Tear Forms on the Silent Tiger Soul Sword grew even more intense.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol realized one thing.
‘It was my emotions that were the problem.’
To perform the Seven Blood Tear Forms, the user themselves must enter the realm of death.
The reason his grandfather could become an unrivaled swordsman was because, the moment he deployed the Seven Blood Tear Forms, he became death itself, excluding all incoming power.
‘I performed the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse only to save Elder Sa.’
Since he himself had not reached the realm of life and had not created a perfect mental technique to handle the energy of life, the true power of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse could not be conveyed to Sa Woo.
‘But I cannot use the Martial Emperor’s Tranquil Awakening.’
Bu Eunseol’s heart was currently filled with sadness and grief. How could he suddenly see the world as bright and beautiful?
“Bu Eunseol.”
Sa Woo spoke with difficulty.
“Hurry.”
A single tear flowed from the corner of Sa Woo’s eye. Though he was forcing a smile, the pain and suffering were so great that tears still fell.
‘Was Father always joyful and happy?’
That could not be. He could not have always seen the world as beautiful.
The Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse had been created to save those who committed sins against their will and lived their entire lives in suffering and sorrow.
Rather, the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse was closer to death, like his grandfather’s Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Those eroded by Mixed Magic Demonic Energy ultimately longed for complete death. Every human wishes to complete a grand journey and die without regrets.
But those whose bodies were stolen by the True Demon and his servants? They had no choice but to live lives of endless torment, craving death.
The Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse sought to deliver the most perfect death to those bearing such sorrow.
‘The vitality that blooms within death.’
Jiim.
Once again, mysterious patterns appeared beneath Bu Eunseol’s feet. The patterns started from the sheath of the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, spread across the blade, and reached his forearm.
“Haaap!”
Finally completing the full sword technique of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, Bu Eunseol poured everything he had toward Sa Woo.
Paaaaaaa!
For a moment, the light of life dyed the entire world white.
Shuuuu…
Slowly, the radiance faded.
When the light disappeared, Sa Woo stood with a dazed expression. Through the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, the torn cracks in his soul gradually vanished, returning him to a normal state of mind.
Hwaaaaak.
The aftermath of the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse naturally disintegrated even the Life-and-Death Battle Formation that had been blocking the surroundings.
“Elder.”
Bu Eunseol sheathed his sword and quickly approached the dazed Sa Woo.
“Are you alright?”
Sa Woo, who had been wearing a blank expression, carefully examined his own body for a long time.
“Probably.”
He looked at Bu Eunseol and nodded.
“It seems to have been resolved.”
The twisting of killing intent and emptiness that he had constantly suppressed through the Qingxin Secret Art could no longer be felt.
“I am glad.”
Bu Eunseol wiped his sweat and smiled brightly.
He had finally saved a person suffering like his father through the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse.
“The Lord may arrive soon, so I will quickly send news through the Death Spirit Corps.”
“Will the Lord listen?”
Ak Muryeong was a man who kept his word even if the sky fell. Even if they explained the Silent Tiger Soul Eclipse, he would not leave any future risks and would absolutely not spare Sa Woo.
“Then I have no choice but to use this.”
Bu Eunseol took out the Nangyang Plaque from his chest and grinned.
Although he had not yet officially taken the position of Lord, Ak Muryeong had already recognized Bu Eunseol as the successor. No matter how much Ak Muryeong ignored others’ words, he would not disregard the authority of the Nangyang Plaque.
“Please wait one mealtime. No, just thirty minutes. I will activate the Lord’s order through the Death Spirit Corps.”
Mokka Village was located deep in a remote mountain valley. To activate the Death Spirit Corps’ information network, he had no choice but to go down to the city.
“Understood.”
As Sa Woo nodded,
Paang!
Bu Eunseol immediately launched himself and disappeared into the distant sky like lightning.
“Huu…”
Watching him leave, Sa Woo took a long breath.
Seeing his movement technique, he realized that Bu Eunseol’s true martial enlightenment had already far surpassed his own.
“Time is truly fleeting.”
After shedding the frailty of his body, Sa Woo had once been designated as the successor to lead the next generation of Nangyang Pavilion. But seeing Bu Eunseol now, he keenly realized he was nowhere near qualified to take the position of Lord.
As he shook his head and turned his body,
Boom.
A vibration as if heaven and earth were shaking came from somewhere.
Flutter.
Suddenly, mountain birds flew into the sky all at once, and the entire bamboo forest began to darken.
Boom. Boom.
The vibrations grew stronger.
Swoosh.
Finally, within the darkness, a large shadow with yellowish eyes slowly emerged.
Human Demon Ak Muryeong.
The peerless great demon who ruled the world with his gaze was slowly entering the bamboo forest to kill Sa Woo, just as promised.
Flicker.
Yellowish light burned like flames in Ak Muryeong’s eyes, and both of his hands contained enough power to destroy the world.
‘This too was fate.’
Sa Woo instead wore a peaceful expression.
‘Even if I explain everything that has happened, nothing will change.’
Thinking back, there was no guarantee that Bu Eunseol’s sword form was perfect, and the cracks in his soul could form again at any time.
“My Lord, I have waited only for this day.”
Sa Woo calmly knelt.
Thus, he too offered no excuses and intended to keep that golden promise.
“Thank you for allowing me to die as a disciple of this pavilion.”
With his back straight, Sa Woo closed his eyes.
Even as he drew his last breath, he would show a dignified end befitting a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.
The earth shook as if an earthquake had struck.
With burning yellowish eyes looking down at the kneeling Sa Woo, a tremendous wave of true qi erupted from Ak Muryeong’s entire body.
Without hesitation, he raised his massive palm, as large as a cauldron lid, into the air, and slammed it down!
Crunch. Drip.
Blood flowed endlessly from the head of the kneeling Sa Woo. Yet he remained kneeling with perfect posture, a smile on his lips.
‘I have no regrets.’
In his fading consciousness, Sa Woo smiled.
Although he had not perfectly completed his atonement, he had spent his time without regrets and left behind an alter ego named Bu Eunseol. For a middle-aged martial artist, it was the grand conclusion of a life journey that could not be asked for more.
‘I am sorry.’
Sa Woo felt apologetic.
Bu Eunseol would surely not accept his decision and would fall into deep sorrow.
‘But this is the unavoidable natural order.’
No matter how many times he thought about it, he could not use the lives of others as collateral just to save his own.
But something was strange.
His consciousness was growing faint, yet the thoughts in his mind did not stop.
‘Could this be what death is?’
Even after a person dies, their thoughts continue, and the soul becomes part of this vast universe, drifting endlessly?
Feeling the strangeness, he opened his eyes.
He saw the Lord looking down at him with sharp, piercing eyes.
He had not died.
“How…”
As Sa Woo parted his lips, Ak Muryeong snorted.
“That brat must have pulled some trick. He opened three of the four blocked acupoints in your body.”
The brat referred to Bu Eunseol.
In truth, he had been searching for a way to restore Sa Woo’s body for a long time. However, due to whatever Pamyeong had done, four of his acupoints were strangely blocked. Even with Ak Muryeong’s power, he could not open them.
At first glance they seemed fixed in one place, but they constantly changed positions in countless variations, tormenting Sa Woo.
Yet when he arrived, Bu Eunseol was performing a mysterious sword form on Sa Woo. Curious as to what it was, he silently observed.
At that moment, from Bu Eunseol’s sword spread mysterious waves and the power of life that ordinary martial artists could not detect. Afterward, three of Sa Woo’s blocked acupoints were perfectly opened.
Having grasped the entire situation, the moment Bu Eunseol left, he revealed himself and used his lifelong power without reservation to strike and open the last remaining acupoint—the Baihui acupoint—on Sa Woo’s head with his palm.
“Opening the last one was not difficult.”
Having understood the situation, Sa Woo bowed his head with a trembling voice.
“Lord…”
Ak Muryeong was known as a great demon with no emotions, blood, or tears. Sa Woo had only followed his master Neung Gak and had respected yet feared Ak Muryeong.
—The Lord is not that kind of person.
Neung Gak had said this many times, but Sa Woo had not believed it. No, he could not believe it. After all, Ak Muryeong had not even blinked when disciples of Nangyang Pavilion died.
—He is someone who sees through everything.
But his master Neung Gak’s words had been true.
On the surface, the Lord appeared endlessly cold-hearted, but he possessed the insight to see through all things. He had ignored the deaths of his disciples because he knew he could not save them with his own power. Day and night, he researched martial arts, striving to find ways so that no more disciples would die.
Just like now.
Drip.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Sa Woo shed tears.
“You fool!”
Ak Muryeong suddenly let out a great roar and unleashed terrifying pressure.
Unable to withstand it, the bowing Sa Woo coughed up a mouthful of blood. The energy was crushing his entire body as if to shatter it.
“A disciple of this pavilion shedding tears over such a trivial matter like a woman!”
At the thunderous roar, Sa Woo prostrated himself again.
“I am sorry.”
“Are your knees that easily loosened!”
Bang!
With that roar, Sa Woo was sent flying into a large tree more than ten zhang away.
But before he could even feel the pain, he hurriedly stood up. If he dawdled, another lightning-like strike would come.
Ak Muryeong turned around with an angry expression.
“The reconstruction of Mokka Village seems roughly complete, so return within half a year!”
“Yes?”
“If you do not return within a year, I will break both of your legs.”
“My Lord…”
Sa Woo wore a dazed expression.
He had not returned to Nangyang Pavilion for a long time, and while his body was taken, he had harmed countless civilians. Yet he was being told to return to Nangyang Pavilion?
“Since the Secret Head is missing…”
Ak Muryeong let out another thunderous roar.
“All the outstanding disciples are flocking to that So Jeon brat and imitating him uselessly!”
Sa Woo squeezed his eyes shut, feeling as if his eardrums would burst.
‘So everyone was following that kid.’
The outstanding disciples of Nangyang Pavilion revered only Bu Eunseol and were imitating only the techniques and tactics he had mastered. But now that the Secret Head Sa Woo had recovered, he intended to restore the internal atmosphere to normal and raise true disciples of Nangyang Pavilion.
“Understood!”
As Sa Woo bowed his head deeply, Ak Muryeong snorted.
The crushing pressure disappeared, and his body felt lighter than before.
Only now did he realize that, while appearing greatly angry and pouring out immense pressure evenly, Ak Muryeong had helped expel the stagnant impurities that had been trapped in Sa Woo’s body.
“My Lord…”
His chest grew hot enough for blood to rise in his throat.
But when he raised his head, Ak Muryeong had already disappeared.
Sa Woo slowly stood up.
Then he quietly prostrated himself toward the place where Ak Muryeong had stood and bowed deeply.
Once a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion, forever a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.
Even if his body turned to ashes and scattered in the wind, he could only remain within that vast Nangyang Pavilion.
Comments