Speed and variation cannot coexist.
As the three Hall Masters forcibly extended their spear shadows to block Bu Eunseol’s escape routes, the weaknesses of the Purple Spear Technique gradually became apparent.
That guy…
Sensing the flaw, Yak Ran spoke in a low voice. “Watch your head. He’s about to counterattack.”
At her words, the other two Hall Masters, startled, tightened their spear shadows to protect themselves. But Bu Eunseol, undeterred, drew upon his inner strength.
I can’t use the Fist Demon’s First Manifestation.
The techniques of the Fist Demon’s First Manifestation may seem like light punches, but they unleash tremendous power. As such, they couldn’t slip through the tightly woven spear shadows.
The strength of the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon lies not in its techniques but in freely controlling the unleashed fist power.
Controlling sword energy with a weapon is not uncommon in the martial world. Bu Eunseol’s creation, the Supreme Heavenly Flow’s Fourth Form, Cloud-Taming Smoke, was no exception. However, a fist technique that manipulates unleashed power with bare hands is unique to the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon in martial history.
Let’s give it a try. With a glint in his eyes, Bu Eunseol slowly extended a single fist.
Ordinary fist techniques are executed in sync with the punch. But the fist Bu Eunseol unleashed So-ared upward, as if a massive mountain were plummeting from the sky, its power crashing downward.
They can’t dodge this. Left with no choice, Yak Ran and the others thrust their long spears forward with all their might to counter the force.
And that was their mistake.
“What?” The mountain-like fist power didn’t press down on the spears but instead pulled them forward.
It was akin to a raging boar charging headlong and tripping over a tree root.
Crash! With a loud explosion, the three women tumbled forward unceremoniously.
That fist technique… Yeon Jami’s eyes widened as she witnessed it. To her knowledge, there was only one fist technique in the martial world that was both so domineering and so intricate.
Is he a disciple of the Beggars’ Sect? The technique Bu Eunseol used closely resembled the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, known as the pinnacle of external martial arts.
No, it’s not the Dragon Subduing Palms.
The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms unleashes every move with overwhelming force, as if pouring out one’s life energy. But Bu Eunseol’s technique was seven parts pushing and three parts pulling—a hallmark not of external martial arts but of the subtle principles of internal fist techniques.
Which sect’s disciple is he? Yeon Jami had been confident that this duel would reveal Bu Eunseol’s origins in detail. But she hadn’t anticipated that the Purple Spear Technique would be shattered in a single move by an unknown fist technique.
As a result, this duel only made Bu Eunseol’s identity even more enigmatic.
“I’ve learned much,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands in respect.
The three Hall Masters adjusted their stances and returned the gesture, though they looked rather disheveled, having lost their spears and covered in dust.
“He won!” Yeon Soha exclaimed.
Namgung Sea nodded with a smile. “Indeed. Young Master Seol has emerged victorious.”
“Hmph.”
With a cold snort, Yeon Jami abruptly stood and turned to walk away.
***
At the banquet hall in the separate courtyard.
Still wrapped in bandages, Namgung Un let out a boisterous laugh.
“Hahaha!” After clutching his sides in laughter, he looked at Bu Eunseol and shouted, “Brother Seol, you should’ve seen the Palace Master’s face! Heehee!”
Laughing like a madman, he chugged a bottle of Seolsamju liquor and wiped his tears. “When Brother Seol won, the Palace Master jumped up as if her backside was on fire. Her cheeks were flushed like she’d been slapped!”
Taking another swig, Namgung Un shouted, “I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing in front of my aunt. Thanks to that, I was holding in farts like my life depended on it!”
At his crude joke, Black Leopard, who was chewing on shrimp nearby, choked with a grunt. Namgung Un’s speech was not only playful but also as unrestrained as a street thug’s. It was hard to believe such a character came from the dignified and disciplined Namgung family.
“By the way, Brother Seol, congratulations!” Namgung Un suddenly clasped his hands, grinning widely. “Now that you’re the Divine Maiden Palace’s son-in-law, you can retire from the mercenary’s life and live among flowers! Hahaha!”
At Namgung Un’s relentless chatter, Bu Eunseol frowned. “I’ll soon head to the Red Sky Veil.”
“What? What do you mean, leave?” Namgung Un asked, bewildered.
Bu Eunseol calmly emptied his cup. “I’ve obtained the Divine Origin Pearl. There’s no reason to stay.”
“That doesn’t make sense! If you leave, the Palace Master will hunt you down to the ends of hell and split your head in two!”
“I’ve already spoken with the Palace Master.”
“You’ve settled it?” Namgung Un’s eyes widened as if he’d seen a ghost.
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile. “Yes.”
He then recalled the conversation he’d had with Yeon Jami in her office a few hours earlier.
***
“So… do you truly intend to marry Soha?” Yeon Jami asked, unconsciously gripping her sleeve tightly.
She feared that if Bu Eunseol said, “Of course!” she might, without thinking, strike his head.
But his response was entirely unexpected.
“How could I possibly be a match for the Young Palace Master?”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I said.” Bu Eunseol spoke fluently, as if he’d rehearsed his words. “I merely challenged the trial out of admiration for the Divine Maiden Palace and the Young Palace Master’s reputation. I have no further ambitions.”
“Is that… truly your intention?”
The Divine Maiden Palace possessed vast treasures through the ages, and Yeon Soha’s beauty was considered one of the three most stunning in the world. For someone to refuse to be her match? Yeon Jami couldn’t believe her ears.
“Are you serious? I didn’t mishear you, did I?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Soha’s lips curled into a wide smile as she stared at him. She had spent a sleepless night worrying about how to handle him if he clung to her persistently. And now, this man was willingly stepping back?
“I’m grateful you feel that way,” Yeon Jami said. “But…” She shook her head as a thought occurred to her. “Even if that’s your intention, the arrow has already left the bow.”
“What do you mean?”
With a troubled expression, Yeon Jami explained, “I publicly declared that I would choose a match for the Young Palace Master from those who passed the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation. Everyone knows this.” She touched her forehead, her expression pained. “If I fail to keep my word and promise, it will tarnish my honor and dignity as Palace Master.”
One of the Seven Great Secret Palaces of the martial world, the Divine Maiden Palace’s word was as good as gold. If she went back on her promise, she would become a laughingstock among martial artists.
“Don’t worry,” Bu Eunseol said with a gentle smile. “The Palace Master need only keep her promise.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your promise was to choose a match for the Young Palace Master from those who pass the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation. But won’t others pass it in the future?”
“But…”
“That was the extent of your promise. The Young Palace Master merely gave me the Divine Origin Pearl.”
Yeon Jami’s expression was one of partial understanding mixed with unease. “But the Divine Origin Pearl is a betrothal gift, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. The Palace Master need only change that.”
“What do you mean?”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly. “A betrothal gift can be changed, can it not?”
He continued, “I understand the Divine Maiden Palace possesses many treasures. Changing the gift won’t diminish the Palace Master’s dignity.”
At his words, Yeon Jami slapped her knee. “That’s it!”
She had promised that the Young Palace Master could choose a match from those who passed the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation, with the Divine Origin Pearl as the betrothal gift. But if the gift Bu Eunseol received was replaced with another?
She could keep her word, and the Young Palace Master wouldn’t have to marry Bu Eunseol just because she gave him the pearl.
Overjoyed, Yeon Jami grabbed Bu Eunseol’s shoulders. “Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“But you risked your life to pass the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation. It feels wrong to offer you no reward,” she said with a smile. “Is there anything you need? I’ll give you anything.”
It was an extraordinary offer. The Divine Maiden Palace held countless treasures and divine artifacts. Taking even one would make one immensely wealthy or grant a rare divine weapon.
But Bu Eunseol calmly shook his head. “I’ve already obtained the Divine Origin Pearl. That’s enough.”
His words were so charmingly said. If only his background and lineage were as impressive, Yeon Jami might have tried to keep him.
He’s a fine talent, but not enough to be Soha’s match.
She smiled warmly and nodded. “Thank you.”
***
Having recounted the entire conversation, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “That’s how it happened.”
“I see. So the Palace Master isn’t breaking her promise,” Namgung Un said, shaking his head regretfully. “But settling for the Divine Origin Pearl as the Divine Maiden Palace’s son-in-law? Isn’t that a huge loss?”
Bu Eunseol merely tilted his cup in silence.
“Young Master Seol,” a maid’s voice called from outside. “A guest has arrived.”
“A guest? Is it my aunt?” Namgung Un scrambled to leave, knowing that if Namgung Sea caught him drinking while still injured, she wouldn’t let it slide.
But with a creak, the door slid open, and a dazzling beauty wearing a veil stepped inside.
It was Yeon Soha.
“Young Master Seol,” she said.
“Young Palace Master?” Bu Eunseol responded, slightly surprised.
With an embarrassed expression, she spoke, “I was hoping we could talk for a moment…”
Glancing at the drinking gathering, she added cautiously, “Could you step outside?”
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol and Yeon Soha walked side by side through the Divine Maiden Palace. They stopped by a pond illuminated by Munlight.
For a while, silence hung over the pavilion.
As a cool breeze brushed past, Yeon Soha spoke softly. “I heard you rejected me.”
Bu Eunseol said nothing, his silence an implicit confirmation.
“So it’s true,” she said, nodding. Suddenly, she removed the veil covering her face.
Swish.
As the white veil slid off, grazing her cheek, the pavilion seemed to brighten.
“…!” Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
He had never been particularly interested in women, nor did he care much about beauty or ugliness. His long life as a mercenary had led him to see appearances as mere shells, useless in the grand scheme.
But Yeon Soha’s stunning beauty shattered that notion entirely.
I understand the Palace Master’s intentions now.
He realized why the Palace Master had set up the ruthless Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation and sought such an exceptional Young Master for her daughter. Yeon Soha’s beauty transcended personal taste, radiating a flawless allure that could captivate anyone.
“Don’t you find me appealing?” she asked.
Bu Eunseol gazed at her face. No man could look at her and claim otherwise.
“That’s not the case,” he replied.
“Then will you reconsider accepting me?”
“I cannot.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not worthy.”
“Don’t lie,” Yeon Soha said coldly.
“Fine. Let me rephrase the question,” she continued, taking a deep breath before speaking in a chilly tone. “Why did you challenge the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation in the first place?”
“…”
“Was it all for the Divine Origin Pearl?”
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