The Martial Soul Society, Absolute Domain.
Inside, Bu Eunseol, Han Sangja, and Gongsun Dankyung were putting their heads together.
―There's no way a figure of Chu So's level would kidnap children from all walks of life bearing the risk of his entire force being wiped out.
Bu Eunseol felt it was strange when he learned that the Jungson Family had used wandering troupes to kidnap not only vagrants but also children from all walks of life, and even the offspring of high-ranking officials.
What if these matters were brought to light?
If such things were to come to light?
No matter how great a military force he had, or how many factions he had pulled strings with.
It could absolutely not be easily smoothed over.
―If so, there must surely be some kind of brainwashing.
Bu Eunseol figured out Chu So's stratagem and prepared countermeasures to resolve it.
There were only two people under heaven who could make such a thing possible.
Han Sangja, possessing intellect capable of opposing the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
And Gongsun Dankyung, who had a grasp on the Heavenly Mechanism Star's personality and abilities.
"It was as you expected, Command Lord."
Gongsun Dankyung, having met the kidnapped children, confirmed their conditions, and finished investigating, spoke up.
"There are signs of the Mind-Seizing Great Art having been deployed. Only…… I can't even begin to guess what kind of secret art was used."
She spoke with a dark gaze.
"What's more despairing is that the targets are young children."
"Is it difficult to unravel?"
"Because children keep growing."
Gongsun Dankyung calmly continued her words.
"Just as they grow taller, the states of their spirits change and shift as they grow up. Ultimately, the Heavenly Mechanism Star created a secret art that changes to match any environment."
Even from hearing just that one explanation.
One could tell just how incredible a Mind-Seizing Secret Art the Heavenly Mechanism Star had birthed.
"It is probably the Thought-Imprint, a Soul-Urging secret art that has already gone extinct in the martial world."
At that time, Han Sangja spoke.
"With that secret art, even if it's children with constantly changing spirits, it should be possible to seize their souls."
"Is there a solution?"
At Bu Eunseol's question, Han Sangja shook his head as if ashamed.
"As of now, there are none."
Chu So looked young but was not only quite old; he had also researched lost ancient secret arts for a long time.
However, Han Sangja was in a situation where he had only started his research barely a few years ago.
Closing the gap with the Heavenly Mechanism Star in a short time was an extremely difficult matter.
"He must have shaken off the Jungson Family without lingering attachments, as he guaranteed we wouldn't be able to break the Mind-Seizing Secret Art."
Bu Eunseol spoke, narrowing his brow.
"Since we can't turn a blind eye to the anxiously waiting parents and keep holding the children forever."
At that moment, Gongsun Dankyung, who had been lost in deep thought, sparkled her eyes.
"I'm not certain, but there is one method."
"What method is that?"
"Hwa Su, no, Yangseol Rin."
She spoke in a low voice.
"Chu So brainwashed her and then released her again, thereby controlling the Yangseol Family bit by bit."
"Hmm."
"However, I heard she recently regained a clear mind and is striving to recall her lost past memories."
That was not something Gongsun Dankyung had investigated herself, but a fact she learned because she shared the Death Spirit Corps' information.
"Are you saying there is someone who woke up despite being brainwashed by the Heavenly Mechanism Star himself?"
At Han Sangja's question, Gongsun Dankyung nodded her head.
"Yes. Although it's not perfect."
"In that case, the Clear Heart Jade Bead might also become a clue."
In the past, Bu Eunseol had seen through that Yangseol Rin's condition was unusual and had handed her a Clear Heart Jade Bead.
Perhaps it was thanks to that that Yangseol Rin was able to regain her mind.
"If there is such a person, she will definitely be of help in breaking the secret art."
Han Sangja showed a hopeful smile mixed with a bit of excitement.
"Because we will clearly be able to obtain a clue to breaking the Thought-Imprint."
Then, as if he suddenly thought of something, he asked Bu Eunseol.
"But is there a way to summon her?"
The Yangseol Family was a place even more mysterious than the Jungson Family, and their main branch had not been revealed.
So by what means could they summon her?
"About that."
Bu Eunseol scratched his cheek with an embarrassed expression.
"There is a way."
When Bu Eunseol moved the Death Spirit Corps.
Not long after, Yangseol Rin immediately visited a certain safe house Bu Eunseol had prepared.
―The Martial Soul Command Lord is anxiously looking for the young master of the Yangseol Family, among the legendary Three Families.
Such contents were covertly released into the Death Spirit Corps' information network spread throughout the entire martial world.
All he did was merely that.
But Yangseol Rin immediately grasped Bu Eunseol's location and came looking for him.
She was the head who moved the Yangseol Family's intelligence organization spread throughout the martial world.
And because she missed Bu Eunseol and wanted to see him every day.
As soon as she acquired such information, she quickly came out to the martial world as if she had been waiting.
―Help?
Yangseol Rin, who had come to the Death Shadow Corps' safe house, looked back and forth between Bu Eunseol and Han Sangja next to him.
Gongsun Dankyung did not come here.
Not only did she not know that much about the Mind-Seizing Secret Art, but she also didn't want to needlessly provoke Yangseol Rin.
Since she hadn't perfectly regained her memories yet.
―All right.
Having heard all the explanations, Yangseol Rin unexpectedly complied readily.
―It's a matter of saving children, and also your matter.
Afterward, Yangseol Rin spent three days and nights together with Han Sangja, sharing long conversations.
Although he still fell short of Chu So, Han Sangja possessed extraordinary wisdom thanks to his extensive reading of the Sage Forest's numerous secret texts and ancient literature.
During his conversations with her, Han Sangja quickly began to find a way to break Chu So's Thought-Imprint.
And finally, a conclusion was reached.
"……It was affection."
The Martial Soul Society, Absolute Domain's secret room.
Han Sangja, with Bu Eunseol and Gongsun Dankyung in front of him, spoke firmly.
"The Clear Heart Jade Bead the Command Lord gave her merely wrapped up the already broken Mind-Seizing Secret Art."
He looked at Bu Eunseol.
"What broke the Thought-Imprint technique was a great change in her state of mind, so……."
He spoke while slyly checking Gongsun Dankyung's reaction.
"It was after she came to like the Command Lord that a crack formed in the Great Art."
Originally, the spirit was soft and flexible, harboring infinite possibilities.
Chu So's Mind-Seizing Secret Art, the Thought-Imprint, was.
A cruel ultimate technique that twisted and entangled the flexible meridians of the spirit, forcing it to follow only a single implanted command.
This was like forcibly twisting the Eight Extraordinary Meridians to create a deformed physical body existing solely for a specific martial art.
The heart meridian, where the energy of emotions and ego should flow, froze solid, and the implanted obsessive thought became the sole standard dominating the Spirit Platform……
It looked like they were living in a perfectly fine state, but in reality, they had suffered a qi deviation.
"Especially from the time you got her to promise to fulfill three requests for you, Command Lord……."
As Han Sangja even started bringing up personal stories recklessly, Bu Eunseol quickly cut him off.
"Brother Han. Perhaps you made a wrong judgment?"
"Not at all."
As Bu Eunseol secretly blinked one eye to signal him, Han Sangja furrowed his brow.
"Command Lord, are your eyes perhaps uncomfortable?"
"No, they aren't."
Bu Eunseol held out his hand with a resigned expression.
"Please continue."
"Whenever Lady Yangseol spoke of you, Command Lord, whenever she harbored a passionate, romantic affection in her heart, I could confirm a tempest of energy swirling within her Spirit Platform as if heaven and earth were being torn apart."
A Spirit Platform dominated by the Mind-Seizing Secret Art.
Was practically the same as a barren land covered in ten-thousand-year ice.
And affection was like a sun that melted away that frozen land.
The moment feelings of love budded.
The Mysterious Gate at the deepest part of the Spirit Platform, governing pleasure and reward, opened, and.
Warm energy filled with vitality poured out like a waterfall.
"The emotion called romantic affection is not a simple change in one's state of mind. Should I say it is like a Heaven-Breaking Divine Art that simultaneously shakes the twelve sectors of the Spirit Platform, reorganizing all heart meridians such as reward, motivation, and bonds with others?"
He held out his two hands and spoke.
"Ultimately, as the spirit changed due to new emotions…… the prison forcibly erected by the Thought-Imprint lost its power and collapsed from within."
Despite the grandiose and tremendous words, Gongsun Dankyung nodded her head as if she had understood it all.
"In short, you mean that only a great change in emotions such as affection causes a crack in the spirit hardened by the Thought-Imprint technique?"
"That is exactly right."
To put it simply, the method to break the Thought-Imprint was.
To make them feel a new emotion like love, shocking their spirit with that impact. Because of that, she was able to regain a clear mind.
"Will this apply to the children as well?"
At Gongsun Dankyung's words, Han Sangja nodded his head.
"It doesn't necessarily have to be affection. We just need to make them feel new emotions they haven't felt before."
"But didn't Lady Yangseol break it because of affection?"
"No. As I've been saying, a new emotion softens the spirit hardened by the Thought-Imprint and causes a crack……."
"Lady Yangseol's was affection, wasn't it?"
Han Sangja shut his mouth.
Only then did he notice that Gongsun Dankyung's pupils, which always wore a gentle expression, had frozen coldly.
'She's not asking a question.'
Thick beads of sweat were forming on Han Sangja's forehead.
She was just picking a fight.
'It's because I constantly kept blabbering about affection and romantic feelings that she was displeased.'
"Now, since we've obtained a clue."
Han Sangja quickly got up from his seat.
"I will go create a secret art that can break the Thought-Imprint and make them feel new emotions."
Han Sangja expressed his courtesies and quickly bolted.
"Come to think of it……."
Bu Eunseol also got up from his seat with an awkward expression.
"This Pavilion possesses Illusion Upon Illusion, which can be called the highest dharma gate of Mind-Seizing Secret Arts, so…… I can personally assist Brother Han with it."
As he muttered in an exaggerated voice and tried to go outside, Gongsun Dankyung blocked his path.
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to assist Brother Han."
"You really……."
Gongsun Dankyung threw a scolding mixed with resignation.
"Will you only be satisfied if you embrace all the beauties in the world?"
"What are you talking about?"
"She hasn't even properly regained her past memories yet. But just what on earth did you say for her to……."
She continued speaking with an astounded expression.
"Did you make a woman who isn't even completely well harbor such deep romantic affection?"
"That's a misunderstanding."
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
"I only engaged in official matters with Lady Yangseol and never had any personal conversations."
"What's this story about making three requests?"
"That, too, was an official conversation for the greater cause……."
"Whether official or personal, I'm telling you to refrain from bumping into women in the first place!"
For a while, Gongsun Dankyung rambled on with her nagging until Bu Eunseol's straight neck and waist were bent over.
* * *
Han Sangja finally created a secret art to break the Thought-Imprint.
Memories are not fixed like secret manuals placed in a library.
Every time humans recall past memories, they refine and reinterpret them anew according to their current state of mind and flow of qi.
In Mind-Seizing Secret Arts, this is called the forging of memory.
And the Thought-Imprint was a sinister art that blockaded this process of forging and hardened specific memories and minds solid like steel.
―We must make them feel overwhelming emotions that cannot be compared to any existing experiences, throwing the tightly shut doors of the Spirit Platform wide open.
Forcibly trying to drive out the sinister qi, or persuading them with logic was.
A foolish plan equivalent to trying to break down a tightly shut castle gate from the outside.
In the deepest part of the children's hearts, a place no one had ever reached, Bu Eunseol and Han Sangja.
Created opportunities to ignite the sparks of new emotions they had never once felt.
Each in different ways.
―Spirits take on different forms for each person, like human faces.
It could be love, or it could be a passionate friendship that resonated with them.
Or it could be the pure ecstasy felt when achieving something.
Han Sangja, with an ancient Mind-Seizing Secret Art.
Bu Eunseol, with the dharma gate of Illusion Upon Illusion.
They found the warmest spring breeze suited for each child's disposition and blew it into their frozen Spirit Platforms.
―Children have richer imaginations than adults, and their awe and yearning for wondrous and mysterious things are immense.
Such as taking a stroll above the clouds riding a flying dragon, or walking through a forest full of trees bearing star candies.
Han Sangja gifted overwhelming wonders and joys that transcended the children's imaginations, delivering pure happiness.
Bu Eunseol, through Illusion Upon Illusion.
Carefully connected his clear and sturdy spirit to the children.
Not only emotions like joy, sorrow, curiosity, and surprise.
But he also calmly transmitted desperate rage and boundless loneliness that children couldn't feel.
As if letting someone who hadn't heard for a long time hear sound again.
―It's a success.
Stimulated by the vivid waves of emotions transmitted from the outside, the children were finally able to escape from the prison of the Thought-Imprint.
This was because a Great Grandmaster who had achieved peerless martial arts at a young age, and the greatest genius ever born in the Sage Forest, had pooled their wills together.
What if the two of them hadn't worked together?
The Thought-Imprint, which even Chu So had guaranteed was impossible to break, would absolutely never have collapsed this quickly.
―With this method, can we awaken all those whose spirits have been encroached upon by Chu So?
When Bu Eunseol asked like this, Han Sangja shook his head.
―That won't be the case.
Because the Heavenly Mechanism Star would, both now and in the future.
Develop and change everything every single hour.
He continued speaking with a confident expression.
―But just like now, I will definitely find a way.
Just as Chu So developed, Han Sangja was also developing.
Perhaps his potential was above Chu So's.
Before long, he would surely catch up to the time gap that had widened up until now.
―Please take all the children.
Once all the Great Arts were unraveled, all the kidnapped children returned to their rightful places.
What if they had just sent the children as they were?
They would have had to visit them one by one to unravel the Great Art, and perhaps the parents might not even have permitted this process itself.
However, because they anticipated this situation beforehand, they were able to finish it even faster than expected.
But Bu Eunseol didn't know until this moment.
That because he perfectly smashed Chu So's stratagem.
The blade of Pamyeong, one of the Three Attendants, had turned towards him.
* * *
Chu So came out of the Xuanyao Pavilion and moved covertly for a long while.
During that journey, he heard the story that the Thought-Imprints of all the children kidnapped through the Jungson Family had been broken, but.
He wasn't particularly surprised.
The Martial Soul Command Lord.
He was no longer a figure he pondered over whether to kill or not.
For the grand design, for all future plans.
He had become a figure who absolutely had to die.
"Ah, I didn't want to go."
Letting out a sigh, Chu So had unknowingly arrived at a secret place that wasn't even on a map.
It was an entrance that could move to a place separated from the world like the Land of the Limitless through a mysterious ancient formation art.
Chu So dropped a single drop of his blood onto the altar.
In an instant, the vitality of all grass, trees, and insects within a radius of several ri centered around the altar withered away in a flash.
At the same time, a massive wave of vitality spread out, and a small entrance was created before Chu So's eyes.
Upon entering, a covert valley with a lake emanating a mighty demonic qi came into view.
The moon in the sky was perfectly fine, but the shadow of the moon reflected on the water's surface was dyed blood-red and began filling up in reverse.
It was truly exuding divine majesty and ominousness, and an overwhelming power.
Especially if one were to witness the lake's surface and the moon becoming dyed in blood?
No matter how brave a person was, they would be able to feel an incomprehensible terror and an omen of disaster.
However, Chu So was leisurely looking up at the sky with his hands clasped behind his back.
As if waiting for something.
The scenery of the lake enveloped in pitch-black darkness was like a black and sticky abyss.
The moment when not a single breeze blew and everything around seemed to have stopped.
Swoosh.
As if something massive opened its eyes deep underwater, an ominous sound that shattered the silence echoed out.
Soon, the center of the lake began to boil and bubble, and a dark red light began to leak out along with a fishy smell of blood.
Whoosh.
It seemed as if resentful specters were tangled together and swirling in a vortex.
And from the center of it, a dissonance as if space itself was twisting burst forth.
Rumble!
The pillar of water that suddenly shot up soon transformed into a tornado of death as if black ink had been released.
Whirrr.
The center of the tornado slowly began to open, and things like gruesome flesh and tangled blood vessels squirmed to form a shape.
Flash.
Before long, a massive eye opened at its center.
The pitch-black pupil was like absolute emptiness and the abyss itself, refusing to permit any starlight.
Chu So politely expressed his courtesies towards the pupil.
"Elder Pamyeong."
Pamyeong.
One of the Three Attendants and a collaborator with Chu So, Pamyeong, had finally made his appearance.
"This lowly one has something to say, so even knowing that I am taking up your precious time, I seek an audience with your esteemed countenance."
It was a supremely polite tone of speech, but.
Because his expression was far too excessive and artificial, it instead felt like a joke.
The pupil looked down at Chu So for a long while before,
[So all your plans went awry.]
It let out a voice with a deep resonance that did not sound like a human's voice.
[I understand you put in effort for quite a long time.]
"It turned out that way."
Despite the polite expression and serious voice, Chu So's gaze somehow looked like he was smiling.
The single eye looked at that Chu So and let out a snort.
[A created breed, as expected.]
A created breed.
From Chu So's standpoint, it was an unbearably insulting remark.
However, he instead smiled brightly.
"Isn't that exactly why I dare to attempt creating the Chains of Samsara?"
Chu So, who was smiling foolishly, said.
"Since I am a created existence, I am also good at creating other things."
He seemed to be groveling, but his gaze and tone were showing a clear meaning.
―You and I are in a cooperative relationship.
He was speaking like this even to Pamyeong, who was one of the Three Attendants.
"It was truly hard to obtain, but."
Chu So took out a single bead from his bosom and held it out.
That bead had countless lights forming in it as if it contained the universe.
Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor.
The greatest treasure of the martial world, capable of reading memories or inheriting the karma accumulated in a bloodline through the information imprinted in blood.
One of those nine beads was grasped in Chu So's hand.
[To think you'd give me the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor, which you considered more important than your life.]
"I suppose there's nothing more important than one's life, but."
Chu So curved his eyes like half-moons.
"I was worried whether you would be able to make a transaction befitting the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl, Elder."
[You mean you want me to kill the Martial Soul Command Lord.]
"Would it be possible?"
Chu So purposely wore a worried expression.
"The wounds on your body have not fully healed, and you bear the heavy responsibility of leading the merchant guild…… I am merely apologetic for even asking."
He looked relaxed, but he was backed into a corner.
Having seen through that, the shape of the single eye narrowed as if sneering.
And that was strictly true.
Because this failure was truly deeply painful.
The Jungson Family was a piece he had put effort into for a long time, and he had made it so it would be useful until the very end in one way or another.
Yet, without a single thing being used properly, he had vainly lost it due to the Martial Soul Command Lord.
"That's right."
Chu So obediently admitted it.
"He has ruined all my plans so far. He deviates from heaven's design, and he's a figure who lacks nothing in wisdom, martial arts, or anything else."
Chu So smiled and looked at the large single eye Pamyeong had created.
"Just like the Seven-Finger Demon Blade that no one dared to touch."
Grrrr.
The large single eye looked down at Chu So for a long time.
Was it because of the phrase Seven-Finger Demon Blade?
Or was he pondering whether to kill the arrogant Chu So or not?
Within that pupil, tens of thousands of emotions were swirling. And the greatest among them was precisely murderous intent.
Whir.
The murderous intent soon disappeared.
Chu So was a figure who possessed far too many advantages to kill in one breath.
If he didn't cooperate, let alone creating the Chains of Samsara, it would even be difficult to recover his body that had been ruined by the failure of the Great Art.
"I say this out of anxiety, but."
At that time, Chu So spoke.
"Unless you step forward with your true body, you will not be able to kill him."
[Unless the Seven-Finger Demon Blade comes back alive.]
A supremely chilling voice echoed out from the single eye.
[That will not happen.]
Swoosh.
The massive single eye slowly began to go back inside the lake.
At the same time, starting from the lake, this entire valley disappeared.
From the very beginning, the entire valley was a space created by Pamyeong's power.
"It's done."
Chu So showed a satisfied smile when he saw that even the bead he was holding out had disappeared.
"It's a pity, but it can't be helped."
He shook his head.
"I have to pay the price to move a big shot of that caliber."
The sky, which had been dyed in a bizarre color before he knew it, began to find its original color.
"……It will be over soon."
As far as he knew, Pamyeong had been continuously chasing the Martial Soul Command Lord's traces.
Since he had even given him the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl, he would go to kill him in one breath without dragging it out.
* * *
Jenam, Geumran Manor.
In the broad yard of Geumran Manor in Jenam land.
A massive awning that seemed to cover the sky was draped.
Beneath it, more than a hundred wooden tables lined up endlessly, creating a spectacular sight.
The savory smell of oil and the fragrant scent of liquor drifting from outside the village entrance was enough to even stop the footsteps of passing pedestrians.
In the middle of the yard, several cauldrons as big as houses were hung, ceaselessly billowing milky-white steam.
Inside the pots, thick meat broth was boiling and bubbling, and on the grill next to them, whole roasted pigs dripping with fat were turning a golden hue.
Freshly steamed, pure white dumplings puffed out steam in bamboo steamers, and sweetfish freshly caught from a clear river were roasted to a golden brown over charcoal fires.
The food laid out on every table was extremely extravagant.
On crude earthenware dishes, everything from plates of seasoned mountain greens to meat mixed with marinade, and egg soup boiled with plenty of precious mushrooms was generously piled up.
The clear grain liquor filling each jar exuded a profound fragrance, waiting for the guests.
Although the appearances of those gathered for the banquet were shabby.
On their faces, the joy and deep emotion toward the abundance they felt for the first time in a long while lingered.
―Hahaha!
Endless sounds of laughter flowed out from all directions.
The reason an unusual vitality was overflowing.
Was because a certain philanthropist had been deeply moved by Geumran Manor's good deeds and had thrown a grand banquet lasting three days and nights.
―Those who are hungry, those who have suffered sorrow, and those with nowhere to lean on, please all come!
The people who heard the rumor all flocked to Geumran Manor.
Children bit into steamed buns with oil-stained hands until their cheeks were bursting, and the elderly warmed their freezing bodies with warm soup, continuously nodding their heads.
On one side, a one-armed man who had been a former escort leader was surrounded by youths, unraveling heroic tales from the past.
Matching his stories, the hearty laughter of the people burst out.
As the sun set and large bonfires flared up in various parts of the yard, the excitement of the banquet reached its climax.
When a man, thoroughly tipsy from liquor, got up from his seat and belted out a lively song, words of encouragement burst out from here and there.
Soon, someone started playing a huqin, and that sorrowful yet powerful melody echoed out into the night sky.
"Hahaha."
And on one side where the banquet was being held, a place was separately prepared for figures of the merchant guild or martial arts circles to drink.
The Geumran Manor Lord, Bu Bok-un, had helped many people in need, and in that process, he had formed deep friendships with people from all walks of life.
Upon hearing the news that a banquet was being held at Geumran Manor, they had come looking for him with various gifts to save his face as well.
Bu Bok-un welcomed them all night long.
He was innately strong in stamina, and ever since his constitution changed after opening his fine meridians, he didn't get drunk even after drinking tens of geun of liquor.
'But.'
Bu Bok-un gazed at the distant sky.
The person he actually wanted to see didn't come.
Since it had been so long, he had carefully asked about his well-being through his intelligence organization, but no reply came back.
He had recently given birth to twins, but.
Thinking he might be busy, he didn't contact him anymore.
"Manor Lord."
A servant carefully approached Bu Bok-un, who had been entertaining the VIPs all night, and whispered in his ear.
In an instant, his eyes flashed, and he hurriedly headed toward the east gate.
There stood an ordinary man wearing gray clothes.
He didn't have a single distinct feature anywhere, but.
Bu Bok-un could tell that he was the sworn brother he had been anxiously wishing to see.
Because there was no one in the world with an atmosphere as solitary, quiet, and lonely as him.
Trickle.
When their gazes met.
The man's face wavered like ripples, and soon a peerlessly handsome man, elegant and dark like the moonlight, revealed his figure.
It was precisely Bu Eunseol.
Comments