“Hmm.” Dan Cheonyang’s brow furrowed deeply.
It seemed as though he was suppressing anger or lost in deep thought.
Formless Mystery, capable of deflecting sudden and sharp enemy attacks, could be considered the most solemn and intricate sword form in the demonic path. However, Bu Eunseol’s execution was unrestrained and unpredictable, with every movement imbued with sharp killing intent.
“You may return to your seat.” Dan Cheonyang did not comment on Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship.
Instead, he looked at one of the trainees and said,
“Seo Jinha.” A figure with a sword strapped to their back stepped forward to the center of the training ground.
Their hair was neatly parted in two without being tied up, revealing large, striking eyes. With a slender frame and delicate facial features, even their thin eyebrows made it difficult to discern whether they were male or female.
“You called for me?” Their voice was clear and refreshing, like a spring breeze, but their eyes seemed to shoot out hundreds of needles.
‘They’ve systematically trained in martial arts since childhood.’ A mortician's job involves constantly dressing and undressing others. Though the youth’s frame appeared slim and delicate, Bu Eunseol immediately discerned that they possessed resilient and well-balanced muscles.
“Show me your sword.” At Dan Cheonyang’s command, Seo Jinha clasped their hands together before drawing their sword.
Ching.
A clear, resonant sound, like that of a fine blade, rang out from the rusty scabbard as the old iron sword was drawn. This was because Seo Jinha had infused the sword with robust inner energy as they drew it.
Swish!
As they executed the sword form, an unsettling sound, like a venomous snake hissing, echoed from the ground. At the same time, sharp sword strokes spread outward in concentric circles from Seo Jinha’s feet.
Papapapa!
With a sound like a flag flapping in a storm, the sword shadows created by the iron sword surged into the air.
Clank.
As the sword shadows that had filled the air vanished cleanly, Seo Jinha was already sheathing the sword.
“Hmm.” Another low groan escaped Dan Cheonyang’s lips.
The single strike Seo Jinha had just performed was a form designed to counter Bu Eunseol’s Formless Mystery. ‘Have they already smelled blood?’
Bu Eunseol and Seo Jinha.
As if by agreement, both had concealed their true skills and spontaneously created new sword forms. It was as if they had anticipated the impending storm of blood and violence.
‘Well, such prodigies wouldn’t fail to foresee such things.’ With a bitter smile, Dan Cheonyang looked into the disciplined and sharp eyes of the trainees.
He had to acknowledge it.
All the trainees in this advanced gate had already mastered the essence of Formless Mystery. And they possessed the keen intellect to predict the events soon to unfold on Hell Island.
***
When training at the martial hall ended, most trainees returned to their quarters to rest or practice. But Bu Eunseol, after training, wandered around Hell Island like a leisurely traveler. Passing through a dense forest, he came upon a pond emitting a musty smell, with a large martial hall in front of it. Recalling the map written on parchment in front of the cave, Bu Eunseol nodded.
‘That must be the martial hall of Hell’s Blood Fortress.’ Though it was an isolated island far from the mainland, Hell Island was by no means small. Not only were the ten martial halls of the Ten Demonic Sects scattered across it, but vast stone mountains, forests, and mysterious pavilions of unknown purpose were built throughout the island.
“You cannot enter here.” At times, when he wandered through unremarkable forests or the island’s outskirts, figures would appear like ghosts.
Their martial skills were too advanced to be mere guards, and their demeanor and gaze were too extraordinary to be instructors. Each time, Bu Eunseol would survey his surroundings and turn back without hesitation.
‘As expected… there’s something here.’
“You’re only now exploring the island?” A low voice came from behind a large tree to his left.
Turning his head, he saw a youth with long hair, smiling at him. It was Seo Jinha.
“Shouldn’t you have familiarized yourself with the terrain from the first day you arrived?” A sharp glint, like a lightning bolt, flashed in Seo Jinha’s eyes. “Wandering the island like this now will only draw attention from others. You must know that.” Bu Eunseol could sense both sharp hostility and an intense aura in Seo Jinha’s voice.
“There were things I had to do before exploring the island.” Bu Eunseol replied calmly. “Unlike some, I didn’t have the luxury of observing others from the moment I arrived.”
“Oh? So you’ve been aware of my presence all along? That shouldn’t be possible.”
“Those who pride themselves on their cleverness often make mistakes.” Bu Eunseol fixed his gaze on Seo Jinha’s eyes and said evenly, “They think they’re the only ones performing certain actions.” After mastering the Beast Way, Bu Eunseol had sensed multiple gazes watching him.
Among them were masters who concealed their presence almost completely, as well as those he suspected were fellow trainees.
“I thought you were the taciturn type. You’re quite the amusing talker.” Though Seo Jinha said it was amusing, his eyes and mouth showed no trace of a smile.
Instead, the sharp aura emanating from him seemed to intensify.
“Let me ask you directly. Bu Eunseol, whose side are you on?”
“Side?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
“You didn’t learn how to have a proper conversation at your age?” Bu Eunseol turned away with an indifferent expression. “When talking to others, you shouldn’t just blurt out whatever you want like a newborn baby.”
At that, Seo Jinha spoke in a low voice.
“Are you really clueless?”
“About what?”
“Hmph, do you think everyone gathered here wants to become one of the Ten Demon Successors?” It was a cryptic remark.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes finally glinted.
'So that’s it.' In truth, he had found something odd ever since participating in the Ten Demon Successors tournament.
The Ten Demon Successors Plan.
A competition to select warriors who would fully inherit the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects, perhaps even determining the fate of the demonic path. Yet, in a place like Majeon, filled with legendary masters and scholars, they accepted applicants with just a simple register?
‘Even I passed without issue using a fake sect called Zhanyang Sect.’ Bu Eunseol couldn’t understand why Majeon, rather than thoroughly vetting applicants’ identities, placed more importance on a terrifying contract.
“There are spies.” At Bu Eunseol’s murmur, tinged with a sigh, a spark of interest flashed in Seo Jinha’s eyes.
‘That expression and tone aren’t fake.’
“You’re not one of them.” Realizing instinctively that Bu Eunseol wasn’t a spy, Seo Jinha muttered as if disappointed. “Tch, I thought I’d have some fun.” With an annoyed expression, the sharp aura emanating from Seo Jinha dissipated.
“From now on, don’t stand out at the martial hall and keep a low profile. If you keep catching my eye, I’ll cut you down.” And with that, as if their business was done, Seo Jinha turned and left.
“…” Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as he watched Seo Jinha’s retreating figure.
‘There were many things I was unaware of.’ While he had been diligently mastering the martial arts of Nangyang and the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, much had been happening on Hell Island. From Seo Jinha’s tone, it seemed that among the trainees, there were not only those aiming to become Ten Demon Successors but also spies, and something had occurred among them.
‘They don’t seem to be the person who came to my cave.’ Bu Eunseol had initially thought Seo Jinha might be the shadow who visited his cave. But seeing him now, he was merely a fighter obsessed with rooting out spies.
“It doesn’t matter.” Looking at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol clenched his fists tightly. “It’s about to begin soon.”
Having thoroughly explored Hell Island, Bu Eunseol had already sensed it. This island was on it's way to become a hell.
And soon, many would lose their lives again.
***
“With this, all training is complete.” Closing the book he held, Dan Cheonyang slowly walked to the front of the platform. “Because of your exceptional talents, I ended up focusing more on interpreting the principles of advanced swordsmanship rather than sword techniques.”
He smiled with satisfaction.
The first form of the Hwa Wu Sword, Formless Mystery, would take even a prodigy three years to master. The Hwa Wu Sword Sect had estimated that even a sword genius would need two full months. But contrary to his expectations, the trainees of the advanced gate mastered both the sword’s intent and forms within ten days. And in about a month, they reached the level of adapting the forms to their own styles.
“I imagine many of you found the study of principles tedious.” Dan Cheonyang, smiling silently, gently scanned the trainees. “But even seasoned masters who have faced countless battles set aside time to study the principles of advanced martial arts. Knowing martial arts doesn’t mean you can perform them, and performing them doesn’t mean you know them.” Looking at Bu Eunseol seated in the back, he asked,
“Can you explain this principle?” Bu Eunseol thought for a moment before answering. “Even if you create a brilliant sword form through a moment of insight, if you don’t study the principles and laws of martial arts, you may never be able to perform it again.”
“Exactly.” Nodding with a satisfied smile, Dan Cheonyang said, “I believe my interpretations of the principles will greatly benefit you as you continue your journey in the martial world.” Sweeping his gaze over the trainees seated at the tables, Dan Cheonyang spoke firmly,
“I wish you martial fortune.”
Martial fortune.
A common greeting to younger martial artists. But somehow, it carried an ominous feeling, as if reaching the end of life.
Sure enough.
Zing.
A loud gong suddenly resounded.
“What’s that sound?” Some trainees looked visibly startled.
The sound of the gong echoed not just near the martial hall but across the entirety of Hell Island.
‘It’s starting now.’ Bu Eunseol and a few other trainees weren’t surprised. Having thoroughly explored Hell Island, they had seen large gongs placed throughout the island.
‘They struck the gongs simultaneously on a specific signal.’ Bu Eunseol immediately understood why the gong’s sound could echo across the entire island. It was because numerous people, on someone’s signal, had struck the gongs placed around the island at once.
“It seems the time has come.” Hearing the gong, Dan Cheonyang looked at the trainees and said, “Go now to the stone mountain at the center of the island.”
With heavy expressions, Bu Eunseol and the other trainees slowly moved toward the stone mountain. Since the Hwa Wu Sword Sect’s martial hall was located at the far eastern edge of the island, it was the farthest from the stone mountain compared to other halls.
“...!” Upon arriving near the stone mountain, trainees from other martial halls were already lined up with solemn expressions.
And on a high platform erected before them stood a muscular old man with a lion-like mane and a refined middle-aged man side by side.
Chief Instructor Hyeok Ryeon-eung and the leader of Manbak Hall, Baek Jeoncheon.
“Everyone is gathered.” At Baek Jeoncheon’s words, Hyeok Ryeon-eung nodded and declared in a booming voice,
“Now, we will begin the Third Trial!”
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