Thud.
The open door of the forge was firmly locked. Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol began examining Yeo Hwajin’s sword with eyes full of fervor.
‘This is the sword of a master…’ The blade’s edge was entirely undamaged, but the body of the sword was subtly warped. It looked as if a heated piece of taffy had been twisted back and forth.
This was a completely different kind of distortion from the damage seen in swords used for Verdant Rain or Drifting Wind techniques.
‘Is the sword warped because of the true energy spreading throughout the blade?’
The Flowing Cloud sword technique.
The supreme swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect, which unleashed a sharp edge within extreme softness. It was also the pinnacle of the flowing sword, capable of deflecting anything it faced like the wind.
‘But there’s no trace of the sword technique being used or of it cutting anything.’
Other than the warped blade, there wasn’t a single mark of it having struck or clashed with anything. After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eunseol retrieved a hidden booklet from a corner of the forge. It contained diagrams and lines detailing the sword paths and techniques of the Verdant Rain and Drifting Wind sword techniques he had gleaned from repairing swords thus far.
‘First, let’s compare it with the traces on the swords I’ve seen so far.’ Though a sect’s sword techniques may vary, they share a common root. If he could identify common characteristics in the Verdant Rain and Drifting Wind techniques, he reasoned he might find something in Yeo Hwajin’s sword.
‘I can’t find anything.’ Bu Eunseol closed his eyes and shook his head. No matter how closely he looked, there were no traces to be found.
‘Is it impossible?’ As the hard-won opportunity proved fruitless, his hope turned to disappointment. If he faced Yeo Hwajin with such wavering emotions, Bu Eunseol would surely lose every battle. He wouldn’t survive under his sword.
‘I need to steady my mind.’ Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol circulated the Ban Geuk Inner Technique. His distractions vanished, and his spirit settled into a calm state.
Whoosh.
At that moment, a breeze blew through the window, flipping through the pages of the booklet on the workbench.
Flip, flip, flip.
The sound of the pages fluttering during his meditation revived the senses of the Beast Way.
‘This is…’ As the Beast Way’s senses surged during meditation, Bu Eunseol felt a strange sensation. It was as if time had stopped, and even the dust floating in the air was vividly visible.
“The Inner Technique… I see.”
The Ban-geuk Inner Technique. An extreme inner energy method that tempers the mind with the powerful internal energy generated through the principles of yin and yang. While Bu Eunseol was meditating to calm his mind rather than circulating energy, the heightened senses of the Beast Way propelled him to a higher state.
‘Could this be the Empty Mind Illumination?’
“The true essence of the Beast Way lies not in maximizing senses, but in seeing the unseen and feeling the unfelt.”
Bu Eunseol recalled the teachings of Sa Woo from Hell Island when he passed down the Beast Way’s mantra.
“Seeing the unseen, feeling the unfelt?”
“Exactly. It’s called the Empty Mind Illumination. But it’s not a state achieved simply by long practice of the Beast Way.” Sa Woo had murmured, gazing at the distant sky. “Like seeds carried by the wind, or a butterfly spreading seeds as it flits from flower to flower… it happens naturally, by chance.”
‘If that’s the case…’ If this was the state of Empty Mind Illumination, the pinnacle of the Beast Way? Raising the heightened senses of the Beast Way to the level of the upper path once more, Bu Eunseol examined the sword.
“…!” He saw faint fingernail marks on the hilt that he hadn’t noticed before.
These were traces often seen in the Drifting Wind and Verdant Rain techniques, used to add rotational force. Staring at the sword for a long time, Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his astonishment.
Yeo Hwajin’s longsword bore no traces of the techniques or their variations. Instead, the habits and movements used while wielding the sword were felt in the form of sensations.
‘This is Empty Mind Illumination.’ Just by looking at and touching the sword Yeo Hwajin had used for so long, Bu Eunseol could vividly sense how he had wielded it.
‘This man has completely mastered the principle of formless victory over form.’ A state where one could freely wield swordsmanship without being bound by specific techniques. Because Yeo Hwajin had reached this state, no traces of technique variations remained.
Yet, the terrifyingly amplified senses of the Beast Way, the Empty Mind Illumination, conveyed every sensation left by Yeo Hwajin’s swordplay to Bu Eunseol.
‘If I hadn’t understood the variations of the Drifting Wind and Verdant Rain techniques, even the Beast Way wouldn’t have allowed me to detect these traces.’ Taking a brief breath, Bu Eunseol imagined Yeo Hwajin performing the Drifting Wind and Verdant Rain techniques, mimicking his habits and movements.
‘Something’s off.’ His eyes gleamed as he grasped the habits, movements, and even the sword’s intent. There was something hidden, entirely different from what he had seen so far.
‘This is…’ Finally, Bu Eunseol discovered Yeo Hwajin’s hidden trump card within the sword. This was possible only because Yeo Hwajin had used the same sword for twenty years. Had he used an unblemished divine sword or a newly forged one, Bu Eunseol would never have seen it.
‘I was truly lucky.’ Staring at the sword as if entranced, Bu Eunseol let out a sigh. Though he couldn’t examine the sword technique’s variations, the spontaneously acquired Beast Way’s Empty Mind Illumination had provided a wealth of information about Yeo Hwajin.
It was nothing short of heavenly luck.
‘I must memorize all of this and train my body to react.’
As Bu Eunseol absorbed the vast information from Yeo Hwajin’s sword, a fiery red aura, like burning charcoal, radiated from his eyes.
***
Jangsan Gorge.
Located at the southern tip of Tangshan, this canyon bore the marks of weathering over countless years, creating a breathtaking landscape. The towering, jagged rocks stacked layer upon layer looked as if carved by the giant spirit god or Pangu’s axe.
As the setting sun dyed the canyon’s rocks red, a white-robed man stood like a statue atop the sheer cliffs of Jangsan Gorge.
It was Yeo Hwajin.
Whoosh.
Facing the cool breeze and gazing at the flowing river below, he let out a deep sigh.
‘A strange dream.’ For several days, he had been having peculiar dreams.
A blazing red dragon entering his embrace. Even after waking, the dream lingered as an afterimage in his mind.
‘Is it because I don’t have that sword with me?’ To repair its warped blade, he had entrusted the Beksu Sword, which he had carried for twenty years, to the forge.
As a result, Yeo Hwajin felt an emptiness, as if he had parted with a longtime friend.
‘Tomorrow, I’ll have to train tirelessly.’ With a faint smile, he shook his head and turned to leave.
Step, step.
But then, a faint sound came from the distance.
‘Footsteps?’ It was the sound of a robust adult male’s steps. ‘Did the martial hall send someone?’
Jangsan Gorge, with its rugged terrain, was avoided even by herb gatherers. Aside from Zhongnan branch masters visiting to learn swordsmanship, no one set foot here… So why were there footsteps at this hour?
“You are…” Yeo Hwajin’s expression turned peculiar as he spotted the approaching figure.
Against the backdrop of the setting sun, walking straight toward him was none other than the young blacksmith from the Tangshan Iron House who had taken charge of repairing the Beksu Sword.
“What brings you here?”
“The sword is finished.”
“What?” It was incomprehensible.
Not only was it astonishing that the young blacksmith knew his whereabouts, but to climb the steep mountain path without a single labored breath?
“Would you like to see it?” Bu Eunseol extended the sword, wrapped tightly in soft cloth, with one hand. “Here, take it.”
Despite the bewildering situation, Yeo Hwajin maintained a calm expression and accepted the sword.
Shing.
As he drew the sword, a clearer, deeper hum resonated than before.
“Ho.” Yeo Hwajin’s eyes widened as he gripped the sword’s hilt.
With a light swing through the air, a sharp gleam left a lingering afterimage. The sword was much lighter and easier to hold. It felt as if his arm had been extended.
“How is it?” At Bu Eunseol’s question, Yeo Hwajin nodded with his mouth agape.
“It’s very much to my liking. Beyond expectations.”
“Good to hear.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands together.
“Bu Eunseol, the Ten Demon Warrior of Nangyang, challenges you.”
“A Ten Demon Warrior.” Yeo Hwajin wasn’t greatly surprised.
He had felt the powerful flow of true energy emanating from Bu Eunseol as he approached.
‘I see.’ Recalling the recent rumors that shook the martial world about the Mount Hua Sect and the Ten Demon Warrior, Yeo Hwajin sighed deeply and said,
‘So the Ten Demon Warriors are moving all at once.’ He gave a hollow laugh. ‘As expected of a demonic seed. Disguising yourself as a blacksmith to spy on our sect’s swordsmanship.’
The battle had already begun, in a sense. Yeo Hwajin aimed to unsettle Bu Eunseol’s mind with a single taunt. But Bu Eunseol smirked instead.
“I heard the masters were trained in demonic martial arts by experts well-versed in them. Is that what you’re referring to?”
“You know that much and still dare to challenge me? Reckless.”
Yeo Hwajin chuckled.
“But rest assured. Nangyang’s martial arts lack structure and lineage, so the Alliance doesn’t even consider them demonic martial arts.”
“Indeed, the Zhongnan Sect’s martial arts are impressive.” Bu Eunseol said impassively, “Teaching you to attack your opponent with words before even fighting.”
The relaxed smile Yeo Hwajin had maintained froze coldly. Intending to rattle Bu Eunseol, he had instead been countered and was now the one irritated.
“Hahaha. As expected, I can’t outtalk a demonic seed.” Regaining his composure, Yeo Hwajin leisurely extended one hand. “Shall we see the martial arts of Nangyang, then?” A gust of wind rose from Yeo Hwajin’s body. His outstretched hand exuded the demeanor of an immortal.
But Bu Eunseol stared only at the distant sky. His gaze was calm, as if he had completely forgotten Yeo Hwajin’s presence. Seeing this, a cold smile curved Yeo Hwajin’s lips.
“You’ve studied our sect’s swords thoroughly, haven’t you?” The swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect, a Taoist faction, specialized in counterattacks rather than initiating strikes.
Thus, attacking first would expose one’s vulnerabilities.
“But I broke free from the constraints of our sect’s swordsmanship long ago!” With a short cry, a surge of sword energy rushed toward Bu Eunseol’s chest.
Yeo Hwajin had struck like lightning.
Shing.
At the same time, Bu Eunseol’s dark sword emerged from its sheath. A chilling aura spread in all directions as it horizontally slashed at Yeo Hwajin’s incoming longsword.
‘A divine sword.’ Noticing the strange sheen from the dark sword, Yeo Hwajin instantly altered his technique. The sword energy aimed at Bu Eunseol’s chest spun lightly in the air, now targeting his shoulder.
It was the Unyielding Heart Water Crystal technique of the Verdant Rain sword.
Slash!
Bu Eunseol didn’t dodge but advanced, thrusting toward Yeo Hwajin’s armpit. It was the weak point of the Unyielding Heart Water Crystal technique.
“You’ve already mastered the Verdant Rain sword. You must have studied all the sword techniques taught at the Tangshan branch, haven’t you?” With a mocking smile, Yeo Hwajin swung his longsword again.
Whirrr.
The blade spun fiercely, sweeping at Bu Eunseol like a broom. It was the Honor Before Advantage, the ultimate technique of the Drifting Wind sword.
Whirrr!
Bu Eunseol’s dark sword also spun fiercely, casting shadows in all directions. It was the Honor Before Advantage technique, even more powerful than Yeo Hwajin’s.
“You’ve mastered the Drifting Wind sword as well?” Quickly altering his technique to avoid a clash, Yeo Hwajin’s eyebrows shot up.
Understanding a sword’s path from its broken traces wasn’t particularly difficult. But Bu Eunseol had grasped not only the paths but also the variations and principles inherent in the techniques.
“Impressive. I’d believe you were a disciple of our sect.” Yeo Hwajin continued to wield his sword while berating Bu Eunseol for stealing their techniques. “After today, I’ll have to view the Ten Demonic Sects differently. Perhaps their martial arts are rooted in orthodox techniques.”
Speaking continuously while wielding a sword was no easy feat. It seemed Yeo Hwajin had trained in taunting while mastering his swordsmanship.
Swish, swish, swish! Whirr!
The two fought at a distance close enough to touch, yet their weapons never clashed once.
This was because, no matter what technique Yeo Hwajin used, Bu Eunseol immediately targeted its weaknesses.
“You’ve trained to this level?” Yeo Hwajin gave a faint smile.
He had deliberately used the Verdant Rain and Drifting Wind swords to test how far Bu Eunseol had analyzed Zhongnan’s swordsmanship.
“Then let’s begin.” With a swishing sound, Yeo Hwajin changed his technique.
A gentle breeze stirred, followed by dozens of sword energies enveloping Bu Eunseol’s body.
It was the Flowing Cloud sword technique, the supreme swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect.
Whirrr!
Bu Eunseol tried to deflect the sword energies with his dark sword, but the Flowing Cloud sword curved like the wind, targeting his vulnerabilities.
“Our sect’s sword is like the wind—it cannot be struck or blocked.” Yeo Hwajin relentlessly unleashed sword energies, pressuring Bu Eunseol.
“…!” Glaring at the incoming energies, Bu Eunseol’s feet began to move dizzyingly across the ground.
Swish, swish, swish.
As if a faint mist had risen, his body blurred, effortlessly dodging the Flowing Cloud sword technique that pierced like the wind.
“Impressive movement technique.” Letting out an exclamation, Yeo Hwajin advanced quickly, unleashing a storm of sword techniques. “But how long can you keep dodging?”
The Flowing Cloud sword technique enveloped the opponent’s body like a breeze, targeting vulnerabilities. Capable of ninety-nine directional changes in a single step, it combined movement and footwork in an ultimate shadowless speed.
The supreme swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect clashed head-on with the ultimate movement technique of Nangyang.
Swish! Shing!
For a moment, the world seemed filled with sword energies and shadows. But soon, the outcome became clear. Bu Eunseol’s clothing began to tear under Yeo Hwajin’s sword.
Smirk. Believing he had secured complete victory, Yeo Hwajin wore a triumphant smile.
But that smile soon turned to puzzlement.
Despite struggling… Bu Eunseol’s eyes remained cold and low, like a beast that had locked onto its prey.
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