"What on earth is that."
When Baekri Geomha asked while looking out the window, the girl calmly said.
"What are you referring to."
"The sky twisted and then became normal again."
Only then did the girl calmly answer, as if she had understood.
"The power of the Absolute Domain has somewhat weakened."
'So that is the Absolute Domain of the House of the True Demon.'
Baekri Geomha immediately grasped the situation.
This Earthen Chamber had an Absolute Domain installed, created by the bloodlines of the True Demon.
"I will begin again."
The girl began injecting Soul Demon Dharma Energy once more.
Baekri Geomha's body was truly like a deep ocean, infinitely absorbing the Soul Demon Dharma Energy she poured in.
Thick veins bulged all over the girl's body, and large beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
It was a wonder she didn't collapse just like that.
Stagger.
As if feeling dizzy, the girl swayed for a moment and then bowed her head.
"I apologize. I will inject it again."
Seeing that, Baekri Geomha snorted and spoke coldly.
"For all that effort, my power isn't returning, is it?"
"I apologize."
In fact, his external injuries were almost completely healed.
However, even though the girl was injecting Soul Demon Dharma Energy every day.
Including the energy of the Heaven-Dark Star, all the power within his body showed no signs of returning.
Perhaps it was because he was not a Baek-Extinguisher.
This treatment of simply injecting Soul Demon Dharma Energy might not be working.
'Originally, I was planning to kill them all.'
He had intended to smash this secret Earthen Chamber in one breath once his body fully recovered.
But seeing the girl wasting away day by day to treat him.
And seeing the Earthen Figures over there carrying the exact same fate, collapsing from exhaustion while caring for other wounded people by carving away their own lives.
He simply couldn't bring himself to do it.
'Even if I don't purposely lift a finger, they will all die anyway.'
Even if he didn't kill them, they were destined to die from their life force draining away while treating the injured Baek-Extinguishers.
There was no need for him to purposely dirty his hands.
'Damn it.'
Baekri Geomha inwardly let out an annoyed sigh.
It would have been better if he hadn't known.
'I have no choice but to just leave.'
No matter how self-willed and somewhat wicked his personality was.
He wasn't shameless enough to recover his strength by leeching off someone else's life force.
"Enough."
"Pardon?"
"Get out because I hate the sight of you."
Baekri Geomha spoke coldly.
"If you appear before me before three days pass, I will really kill you then."
A faint smile, barely visible, appeared on the girl's lips.
He was always like that.
He would act so annoyed when she fed him, but the one time hot soup splashed on his face, he never threw a fit again.
While walking on the mountain, he would curse non-stop, yet he tenaciously kept pace so she could quickly return and rest.
And now, telling her to get lost for three days.
It was undoubtedly because he guessed it would take about that much time for her body to recover, so he shouted like that.
"Then, please rest comfortably."
Just as she packed her things and was about to open the door,
"Your name?"
Baekri Geomha asked toward the turning girl.
"Even if you aren't human, you must have a name, don't you."
When he had asked for her name before, she had only said she was not human.
That was why he was asking like this.
"……."
The girl kept her mouth tightly shut and only blinked her large eyes.
"If you don't tell me, I won't receive treatment from now on."
Even as he said it, Baekri Geomha smacked his forehead.
Since his refusal to receive treatment wouldn't possibly serve as a threat to her.
But wasn't the girl unexpectedly showing signs of great inner conflict?
"I am……."
Just as she was about to open her mouth,
Ssk-ssk-ssk.
A sound shattering the silence of the manor rang out.
It was an eerie sound, like insects scattering in all directions.
"What is this sound now."
When Baekri Geomha looked out the window, numerous individuals in black clothing were suddenly entering the manor.
Along with a fishy and cold smell of blood, an energy that seemed capable of freezing all living things was swirling from their bodies.
They were unmistakably the kin or bloodlines of the True Demon.
"What is it?"
"They are the ones who manage the Earthen Chamber."
The girl spoke calmly.
"Please do not come out of the room until they leave."
Leaving behind that single phrase, the girl immediately turned her body and left.
"Truly devoid of any warmth."
Baekri Geomha muttered in an annoyed voice.
"There's probably no need to stay here any longer."
Although his power had not returned, his external injuries were almost fully recovered.
He just needed to leave this place and find some other way.
Because there were many outstanding subordinates and capable individuals around Bu Eunseol.
"It is bizarre. This place called the martial world."
Baekri Geomha looked up at the night sky where moonlight settled beyond the window.
While being trapped deep within the abyss of the spirit for a long time.
He had received the memories, knowledge, and numerous experiences Bu Eunseol had gone through.
The process of meeting people, clashing, realizing things, and forming debts of gratitude and grudges... although it sometimes plunged Bu Eunseol into pain.
It constantly became the driving force that changed and grew him.
However, from Baekri Geomha's perspective, since he hadn't experienced it directly, he didn't feel any particular great inspiration.
But upon experiencing the grudges and gratitude of the martial world firsthand like this.
He had become able to faintly sympathize... with the processes by which Bu Eunseol's frozen heart had slowly melted.
'Am I also changing.'
The Bu Eunseol who first stepped out into the martial world had an exceedingly ruthless and cold personality.
But through friendship with men possessing the demeanor of heroes... such as Black Leopard, Yu Hwaryeong, Dang Gon, and Namgung Un.
Due to the bonds with those who treated him with deep affection and sincerity... such as Dan Sook, Yeon Soha, Ah-yeon, Jin Seol, and Gongson Dangyeong.
Before he knew it, he had come to cherish the people around him as much as his revenge.
Even though Baekri Geomha had watched that process from deep within the spirit.
He had felt no inspiration whatsoever, as if watching a boring Peking opera.
But now that he had actually come out into the world and clashed with people.
Baekri Geomha himself was also changing little by little.
"It is time for this Earthen Chamber to be closed down."
At that moment, a low voice was heard from outside the window.
"It's full of useless wretches whose Dharma Energy is exhausted."
It was a voice like a well-sharpened ice blade, without a single drop of emotion attached to it.
'Closed down?'
Baekri Geomha, who was quietly looking out the window, furrowed his brow.
Inside the manor where the air had settled heavily, about thirty individuals in black clothing were standing.
And in front of them, boys and girls called Earthen Figures were lined up.
"If there are many whose Soul Demon Dharma Energy is exhausted, the Absolute Domain spread over this Earthen Chamber will be exposed."
As it turned out, an Absolute Domain was spread over the entire Earthen Chamber, and it seemed to be a place where only those with Soul Demon Dharma Energy could hide.
'Is that so.'
Baekri Geomha immediately grasped the situation.
What if those called Earthen Figures continuously exhausted their true power while providing treatment?
Not only would they eventually die from exhausted life force, but because they would become ordinary bodies.
The probability of this Absolute Domain being detected by outsiders would increase.
"Let's slowly cull them now."
As the one who appeared to be the leader of the black-clothed individuals nodded, those who seemed to be his subordinates stepped forward.
And looking at the lined-up individuals, they pointed out a girl.
"You, step forward."
And then spat out words that made one doubt their ears.
"Commit suicide. So that not a single handful of ash or a single piece of bone remains."
As soon as the order was given,
Fwoosh!
As if she had practiced for a long time, the girl used the Soul Demon Dharma Energy within her body to ignite flames upon herself.
In an instant, her flesh and bones burned away, and a sickening smell along with thick smoke spread inside the manor.
The Earthen Figures, literally like clay dolls, had continuously treated the combat members of the True Demon known as Baek-Extinguishers.
And true to their name, like dolls made of clay.
Without emotion or will, solely following orders, they healed the torn bodies and damaged qi and blood of the injured, which wasn't even enough.
When their life force was exhausted and they became useless……
They had to commit suicide to cleanly erase even the traces of their existence, under the pretext that the location of the Earthen Chamber could be exposed to the outside.
"You, you."
Every time the cruel orders of the black-clothed individuals fell, children stepped forward and committed suicide.
Sometimes there were children who hesitated, trembling in fear of death.
Then the black-clothed individuals unfailingly approached, mercilessly cut their throats, and burned their bodies.
'These things are worse than demons!'
Bloodshot veins stood out in Baekri Geomha's eyes as he watched the tragedy out the window.
Simply because they were born with Soul Demon Dharma Energy.
Not only were young children being used like tools, but they were being burned to death so that not even a trace of them having lived could be found?
"You."
At that time, the black-clothed individual pointed to a girl once again.
It was precisely the girl who had been constantly taking care of Baekri Geomha.
With a calm expression, the girl walked towards the burning corpses.
Standing in the center of the manor where ashes fluttered like snow, the girl stopped her steps for a moment.
Was it a coincidence?
She turned her gaze towards the pavilion where Baekri Geomha was.
At that moment, a very faint ripple arose in her doll-like eyes, which had always been empty.
Soon, as if having resigned herself to everything, the girl ignited a spark like a blue butterfly even on her slender palm.
It was just as that radiant and deadly flame slowly tried to approach her own heart.
"Stop――!"
Simultaneously with a scream that tore the night air.
The door of the pavilion burst open, and a shadow that swiftly ran out blocked the girl's path.
It was Baekri Geomha.
He gripped the slender wrist of the girl who was blooming the flame so hard it seemed it would break.
"Is this the destiny you were talking about?"
Turning his body, Baekri Geomha shouted towards the black-clothed individuals who were like demons of hell.
"What is so noble about submitting to these demon bastards wearing human masks!"
"What is this now."
The leader of the black-clothed individuals furrowed his brow while looking at the furious Baekri Geomha.
"Is it another defective product."
"What?"
"For a Baek-Extinguisher to not even have proper Soul Demon Dharma Energy and fail to control his emotions."
"Shut up and get lost right now……."
Around the time flames were rising in Baekri Geomha's eyes,
Bang!
His body was launched like a cannonball, flying over a dozen yards and smashing into the wall.
Before anyone knew it, a black-clothed individual had unleashed a mighty palm force.
"You were just trash with a loud mouth."
Baekri Geomha's true power.
Was the 'innate' power... such as the power of the Heaven-Dark Star and the Profound Divine Technique Qi and Soul Demon Dharma Energy contained within his body.
Even though he shared Bu Eunseol's experiences and could unfold martial arts to some extent.
Because he had never properly cultivated martial arts, his attainment had no choice but to be shallow.
Rustle.
Getting up from the crumbled wall, Baekri Geomha clenched his fists tightly.
'With martial arts like that guy!'
Even when all his power vanished, Bu Eunseol defeated powerful enemies fearlessly with just a single sword.
Baekri Geomha intended to mimic Bu Eunseol's martial arts and face them with swordsmanship.
Schwing.
Drawing his sword, Baekri Geomha closed the distance in a single breath.
The Supreme Heavenly Flow requires immense internal energy backing it to reveal its proper power.
Therefore, using the profound principle of Formlessness Breaking Form, he wildly swung his sword like a drunkard.
"Hmm."
The leader's eyes flashed.
Not only were the sword forms pouring in front of his eyes indistinguishable between orthodox and demonic.
It was not at all the kind of swordsmanship that the Baek-Extinguishers they nurtured would unfold.
"Who are you."
Lightly dodging the sword, the leader's eyes flashed.
Swish!
But in that meantime, Baekri Geomha closed the distance in an instant and simultaneously targeted the black-clothed individual's lower abdomen and neck.
It was the exquisite move of Overturning the Four Seas, from the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms.
"The Hwa Wu Sword? So you are a spy."
Certain that Baekri Geomha was not a Baek-Extinguisher, the leader shouted coldly.
"Strike him down!"
Then, about thirty black-clothed individuals surrounded Baekri Geomha in an instant.
Crack. Drip, drip, drip!
As they exerted their power, true energy resembling tree branches materialized from the ground.
Flap, flap, flap.
Soon, it turned into hundreds of bat forms and began to pour down.
They intended to subdue Baekri Geomha by unfolding a secret art utilizing Soul Demon Dharma Energy rather than martial arts.
Slash, slash, slash!
Baekri Geomha rapidly cut down the flock of bats with the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, but,
Fwoosh! Pow, pow!
Each time, his body shook violently as if gunpowder had exploded along with crimson flames.
"What a strange fellow."
The leader shook his head side to side as if it were bizarre.
"To think he withstands the attacks with such feeble Soul Demon Dharma Energy?"
Unlike the Profound Divine Technique Qi, Soul Demon Dharma Energy.
Has a set total volume, and superiors and subordinates are clearly divided according to that amount.
While the Baekri Family uses Dragon Transformation Manifestation, because the House of the True Demon has no secret art to transform the physical body.
If someone with an ordinary body uses that power, their body will be greatly ruined or it will gnaw away their lifespan.
However, even though Baekri Geomha possessed extremely feeble Soul Demon Dharma Energy and his body had no power whatsoever.
He was overcoming the Black Earth Kalpa Fire secret art unleashed by thirty-some Baek-Extinguishers.
"He's not a Baekri Family bastard. I don't know who created such a useless thing."
The leader snorted.
"Since a sturdy body seems to be his specialty, unfold the Spiral Phantom Demon Aura."
As soon as those words ended, the thirty-some black-clothed individuals spun round and round.
Rumble!
They became a black storm and covered Baekri Geomha.
Baekri Geomha tried to deflect them by unfolding swordsmanship, but.
Regrettably, unlike Bu Eunseol.
He could not unfold the exceedingly high profound mysteries of swordsmanship such as Half Above, Half Below, and Shifting Heaven's Force.
Sizzle.
Eventually, his entire body that grazed the Spiral Phantom Demon Aura was torn, and even the hand holding the Silent Tiger Soul Sword became like a rag.
As Baekri Geomha suffered a miserable injury in an instant, the observing leader said.
"Since we need to know who is behind him, leave his neck intact. We need to extract everything inside his head using the Ghost Soul Burn."
At that command, the black-clothed individuals who had been spinning as a black storm,
Shoooo.
Returned to their original forms and extended palms condensed with Soul Demon Dharma Energy forward.
Craaack.
At that moment, Baekri Geomha's skin slowly began to crack.
'So this is the Soul Demon Dharma Energy used by the bloodlines of the House of the True Demon.'
Until now, the Profound Divine Technique Qi or Soul Demon Dharma Energy had felt like vague concepts.
But the black-clothed individuals who had appeared before his eyes right now.
Were applying Soul Demon Dharma Energy to martial arts.
Pouring out techniques possessing transcendent destructive power that did not exist in the current martial world.
Trickle.
Before he knew it, blood water flowed out like a stream from Baekri Geomha's body.
To begin with, he had only put forward his anger and hot blood.
Trying to strike down the elite warriors of the bloodlines of the House of the True Demon in a state where his power had not recovered was a nonsensical and reckless act.
'If it were that guy, he would have had some method.'
Bu Eunseol's intellect was formidable; he always maintained his cool-headedness and devised outstanding plans.
Although he sometimes lost his reason due to surging emotions, even then he always kept the worst-case scenario in mind.
But right now, Baekri Geomha.
Had completely popped out without any countermeasures.
Even though he was said to be an immature personality that had constantly harbored negative feelings.
This was an all too childish and fatal mistake.
"Cut off that bastard's neck."
At the leader's words, one of the black-clothed individuals reached out his hand. A sharp blade of true energy was created.
In front of the inescapable attack, the moment his neck was about to be torn to shreds,
Pat!
A slender shadow blocked his front without hesitation.
It was the girl who had constantly treated Baekri Geomha.
Vwoom.
She immediately unfolded Soul Demon Dharma Energy to make it like a shield, but.
Thwack!
It was pierced through so easily it was absurd.
Slash, pat, pat, pat!
Ultimately, she had to receive the terrible attack unleashed by the black-clothed individual with her whole body.
Trickle.
Fortunately, thanks to the Soul Demon Dharma Energy, her body wasn't chopped into pieces, but the skin all over her body was torn apart.
Unable to handle the reverse force contained in the sword, crimson blood burst from her mouth.
"Step aside!"
"……."
At the shout of the black-clothed individual, the girl silently only spread her two arms.
As if annoyed, the black-clothed individual immediately reached out his hand and unleashed a palm force.
Bang!
An explosive sound erupted, but the girl stood tall and unyielding.
She was forcibly enduring it using her remaining Soul Demon Dharma Energy.
Gag.
But enduring it was all she could do.
Perhaps her internal organs were destroyed by the palm force, the girl spat out a large clump of blood from her mouth.
"Why are you stepping forward."
As Baekri Geomha asked with trembling eyes, as if he couldn't understand, the girl spoke calmly.
"Because the treatment is not yet finished."
An Earthen Figure heals the Baek-Extinguishers, who are combat members, even if it means sacrificing their own life.
The girl had blocked his front with such a mindset.
"For merely a reason like that……?"
"This too is my destiny."
"Liar."
Baekri Geomha shook his head.
Simply because of a sense of duty? That's impossible. It was clear that the girl had also developed a bit of affection during this short time.
"Tell the truth!"
Unlike Bu Eunseol, Baekri Geomha was impulsive and only faithful to his own emotions.
Even in this desperate situation, he was curious about the girl's feelings.
And he was hoping she would speak the truth.
Slap.
Instead of answering, the girl reached her hand out to Baekri Geomha's chest.
And then she injected him with Soul Demon Dharma Energy containing her entire life force.
"Please run away."
In the girl's eyes, an affectionate light flowed out for a very brief moment.
It was the first emotion she showed to the cold-hearted Baek-Extinguisher who had persistently asked for her name. No, he pretended to be a Baek-Extinguisher, but……
To the boy whose actual inner heart was warm.
"Hurry."
Thud.
Having exhausted all her life force, the girl collapsed with her hair turned white.
Although faint breath remained, since the flame of all life had vanished, she would die within a quarter of an hour.
"Has the education gone wrong."
The leader looked at the two's appearances as if it were bizarre.
"For something like an Earthen Figure to do such a thing?"
And he gestured to his subordinates.
Slaaash.
A sharp Spiral Phantom Demon Aura severed Baekri Geomha's neck.
No, it should have severed it.
Clang.
The Spiral Phantom Demon Aura stood still, touching Baekri Geomha's neck.
Due to the black energy spreading from his entire body, the sharp Phantom Demon Aura was unable to pierce through his skin.
"You bastards……."
A black storm was raging from the body of Baekri Geomha, who had lowered his head.
"……have no value to live."
This was something Bu Eunseol often said in the past when he was greatly enraged, towards enemies he would absolutely not leave alive.
Before he knew it, that phrase…… Baekri Geomha was spitting out identically.
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