Bu Eunseol couldn’t immediately grasp Hyeok Gongbaek’s words.
After a long moment of deep thought, he cautiously spoke. “What do you mean by ‘awaken your grandson’?”
“My apologies. In my haste, I skipped to the conclusion,” Hyeok Gongbaek said with a soft chuckle before continuing. “I have a grandson. My son and his wife passed early, so he’s the only blood kin I have left.” Sighing deeply, he went on, “But that boy has no interest in anything. He just wastes his days gambling and idling, even though he’s destined to be the next leader of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
Bu Eunseol, sensing something, asked, “Is your grandson, by chance, a young man in blue robes with a listless expression?”
“Exactly. That’s my grandson, Hyeok Sojin,” Hyeok Gongbaek confirmed.
The handsome young man with an air of indifference was none other than Hyeok Sojin, the grandson of the Phantom Demon, Hyeok Gongbaek.
“I won’t live forever,” Hyeok Gongbaek said. “I wish he’d quickly regain his passion for the martial world, but it’s not easy.”
“I don’t understand,” Bu Eunseol said. “As your grandson, he must have trained in martial arts more diligently than anyone.”
Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, one of the Ten Demonic Sects, was a haven for great demonic masters who once dominated the martial world and a treasure trove of supreme demonic techniques. Most of the secret manuals stored in Majeon’s Ten Thousand Demon Repository originated from Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“Moreover, as the next leader, he must have grown up with demonic technique manuals in hand,” Bu Eunseol added.
“There are two reasons,” Hyeok Gongbaek said, his expression turning somber. “First, his parents died young. Despite their formidable martial arts, they succumbed to a strange illness, perhaps due to heaven’s jealousy. After that, the boy became cynical about everything.”
No matter how great one’s martial arts, they couldn’t overcome the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. Witnessing his parents’ deaths at such a young age and living among the aging demonic masters of Peach Blossom Paradise, Hyeok Sojin had clearly developed a sense of life’s futility.
‘Indeed, Peach Blossom Paradise is beautiful in scenery, but it’s filled with elders nearing their final journey,’ Bu Eunseol thought. To the young left behind, it was no different from being a mortician handling affairs for the dead.
“The second reason is that his talent is too prodigious,” Hyeok Gongbaek said, a proud smile touching his lips as he sipped his tea. “By the age of ten, he had already mastered thirty percent of my supreme techniques.”
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Not only that, he’s internalized a significant portion of the exceptional demonic techniques here.” To master thirty percent of the Phantom Demon’s world-shaking techniques by age ten was proof of an extraordinary martial genius. “Those with exceptional talent often feel loneliness or emptiness early,” Hyeok Gongbaek said.
Bu Eunseol nodded, prompting him to continue. “After turning ten, he completely lost interest in martial arts. Since he learned everything so easily, he believed no one could surpass him.”
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said.
“I’ve tried many methods, but nothing worked. No one could change his heart,” Hyeok Gongbaek said.
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed. “I think I have a way.”
“A way?” Hyeok Gongbaek asked.
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Does it matter what method I use?”
“Of course not. If you can pull that boy out of his lethargy and make him rise as a successor…” Hyeok Gongbaek said firmly, “I’ll be your ally for life.”
Bu Eunseol nodded decisively. “Then call your grandson to the training ground.”
Hyeok Gongbaek, after a moment of thought, sighed. “Are you planning a spar?” He chuckled and shook his head. “The Hell's Blood Fortress successor who came before you also challenged him to a spar.”
“Was there such a thing?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Even that Hell's Blood Fortress successor couldn’t subdue Sojin. Of course, it’s partly because he couldn’t use poison techniques…” Hyeok Gongbaek said.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled. The legitimate successor of Hell's Blood Fortress couldn’t defeat this idle loafer?
“He’s stronger than anyone, even with only a superficial grasp of martial arts,” Hyeok Gongbaek said.
Hyeok Sojin wasn’t just a Ten Demon Warrior but a prepared successor of the Ten Demonic Sects.
From childhood, he had studied and mastered all of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s demonic technique manuals and inherited the Phantom Demon’s supreme techniques. If he weren’t Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s successor, he’d already be a formidable candidate for Majeon’s successor.
“Interesting,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Hm?”
“Call him to the training ground,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Are you serious?” Hyeok Gongbaek asked.
“This time, the outcome will be different,” Bu Eunseol said, his eyes flashing sharply as he leaned toward Hyeok Gongbaek and spoke in a low voice. “But make me one promise.”
***
The Heaven and Earth Severing Sect training ground was set in an open area far from both Peach Blossom Paradise and the main mountain.
Heaven and Earth Severing Sect housed countless demonic technique manuals under strict guard. Thus, its warriors had easy access to these techniques, fostering an intense training environment.
“What’s the point of practicing martial arts? Drinking and gambling is a far more enjoyable life,” Hyeok Sojin had said. As the next leader and successor indulged in gambling and drinking, the young warriors of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect naturally followed his example.
“Hmm,” Hyeok Gongbaek mused.
At the center of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect grand training ground stood Hyeok Gongbaek and Pung Yeoryang.
In the middle, a young man in blue robes rubbed his eyes and yawned—Hyeok Sojin, the Phantom Demon’s grandson. Opposite him stood a warrior with a sword strapped to his back, his long hair flowing—Bu Eunseol.
“What a pointless affair,” Hyeok Sojin said, gazing at Bu Eunseol with bored eyes. “I heard you entered as a Ten Demon Warrior and got lucky to be recognized as Nangyang Pavilion’s successor.”
His voice carried a subtle sneer.
But Bu Eunseol nodded calmly. “That’s right.”
“Then you should live within your means,” Hyeok Sojin said.
“Well said,” Bu Eunseol replied, giving an uncharacteristic smile. “That’s why I’m here to teach you how to live within yours.”
Whoosh.
At that moment, a purple glint flickered in Hyeok Sojin’s eyes.
‘He’s definitely inherited Elder Phantom Demon’s power,’ Bu Eunseol thought. The faint purple radiance occasionally seen in Hyeok Gongbaek’s eyes was unmistakably present in Hyeok Sojin’s.
“Regrettably, I’ll pass,” Hyeok Sojin said, regaining his composure as the fiery glint in his eyes cleared. “I’m not the type to cross hands with someone for no reason.”
“Are you afraid of losing?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Hardly. What’s the point of winning or losing?” Hyeok Sojin said, his desolate gaze fixed on the distant sky, filled with loneliness. “When the rest of my life feels like neither living nor dying…”
Such words might suit an elder weary of life, but they were far too cynical for a young man just past his twenties. At an age when one should radiate vibrant energy, Hyeok Sojin seemed to have cast aside his will to live, like an elder facing twilight.
“Then let’s make a bet,” Bu Eunseol proposed.
Hyeok Sojin’s eyes lit up. While he cared for little else, gambling was his one true vice.
“A bet? I like that. What kind?” he asked.
“Three strikes,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Withstand three strikes of my fist technique. If you can take them without dodging, I’ll consider it my loss.”
“Not swordsmanship, but just three strikes of a fist technique?” Hyeok Sojin asked, looking puzzled before giving a low smile. “And if I win? What do I get?”
“Anything. I’ll do whatever I can,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Heh heh, you’ve never gambled before, have you? You shouldn’t make such reckless offers,” Hyeok Sojin said.
“Will you accept?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Hyeok Sojin shrugged. “And if I lose?”
“As I said. Fight me with all your heart,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“Is that really necessary? If I lose, all I have to do is spar with you, right?” Hyeok Sojin said.
A red bloodlight flared in Bu Eunseol’s eyes. “I didn’t say spar. I said fight.”
A fight. Likely a battle to the death.
“Heh heh. Hahaha!” Hyeok Sojin burst into laughter, then smiled coldly. “What an arrogant fellow.” Once again, a purple glint rippled in his eyes. “Do you know who I am?”
“I know well,” Bu Eunseol said, a faint smile on his lips. “A frog in a well.”
Crack.
The ground beneath Hyeok Sojin’s feet sank as he unleashed his inner energy.
“Heh heh heh,” he laughed, his usual bored expression replaced by a lively glint. “Fine. I accept.”
At that moment, a powerful aura surged from his body. A legitimate successor of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Born with the finest constitution, cleansed with elixirs and secret methods, and transformed through marrow-washing to optimize their body for martial arts. From the moment they could walk, the greatest masters and warriors of the demonic path poured their all into teaching them.
Thus, the legitimate successors of the Ten Demonic Sects invariably reached formidable realms.
‘Always resorting to predictable tactics,’ Hyeok Sojin thought, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked at Bu Eunseol. He knew his grandfather, Hyeok Gongbaek, had made a similar request to the Hell's Blood Fortress successor.
‘To be inspired by witnessing great martial arts, no doubt,’ he thought.
The Hell's Blood Fortress successor had also challenged him to a spar, displaying dazzling techniques to provoke him.
But that was all.
When Hyeok Sojin refused to engage and focused solely on defense, the Hell's Blood Fortress successor had no choice but to give up. No one in Heaven and Earth Severing Sect could harm its legitimate successor.
So when Bu Eunseol repeated the same challenge, it was laughably predictable.
“Go ahead and start whenever,” Hyeok Sojin said with a mocking smile. “Stray dog of Nangyang Pavilion.”
Despite the insult, Bu Eunseol’s eyes remained calm. “First strike.”
With a single word, he unleashed a powerful fist.
It was the Fist Demon Manifestation Technique, powered by thirty percent of his inner energy. As the silent, invisible force of the fist technique surged toward Hyeok Sojin’s chest—
Boom!
A sudden explosive sound split the air, and the fist’s force divided into two, striking at Hyeok Sojin’s sides. It was a miraculous feat of the Seven Fist Demon Forms, using energy to borrow force.
“Heh,” Hyeok Sojin chuckled, unfazed, and lightly shrugged his shoulders.
Whoosh.
A strange force surged from his body, deflecting the fist technique’s energy at an angle.
“Impressive fist technique,” Hyeok Sojin said with a smile.
Bu Eunseol nodded. “Second strike.”
Boom! Rumble!
This time, five sharp streams of fist energy, accompanied by a thunderous roar, enveloped Hyeok Sojin from unavoidable angles.
It was the second form of the Seven Fist Demon Forms, the Extreme Chaos Roar Technique.
“Hmph,” Hyeok Sojin grunted, slightly surprised, and swiftly waved both arms.
A faint purple radiance poured from his hands, merging the five streams of fist energy into one—
Whoosh. The energy passed over his head, as if he had used a Taiji technique to dissipate the force.
“Divine Rift Demon Energy?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Hyeok Sojin nodded. Divine Rift Demon Energy. Less a martial technique and more akin to Shaolin’s Prajna Great Power or the Ming Cult’s Qiankun Great Shift, it was a miraculous skill. Using the body’s formidable Divine Rift Demon Energy, it altered the flow of an opponent’s external force—a world-shaking demonic art.
At its highest level, it could redirect any technique or force back at the opponent. Hyeok Sojin, cloaked in this energy, effortlessly deflected incoming attacks.
“Abandon your futile dreams,” Hyeok Sojin said confidently, reading Bu Eunseol’s intent. “No matter what you do, you can’t break through my Divine Rift Demon Energy.”
Even at thirty percent mastery, the energy was sticky like glue and tough like ox sinew. Without using a vacuum technique, it was unbreakable.
“We’ll see,” Bu Eunseol said.
As he spoke, a red radiance erupted from his body.
Bang!
With another explosive sound, the glowing points turned into crimson beams, shooting skyward.
Hyeok Sojin, witnessing the terrifying spectacle, smirked. ‘Hmph, trying to intimidate me with inner energy. He’s not really going to kill me…’
Crack.
As a sound like cracking bones echoed from Bu Eunseol’s body, the red points soaring skyward were absorbed into his right hand.
Humm…
His eyes, tracing a circle in the air, blazed with Ban-geuk Radiance.
Seven Fist Demon Forms, Fourth Form: Heavenly Hand Void Shatter.
A world-shaking supreme technique that destroyed everything in its path.
“Wait, hold on…!” Hyeok Sojin’s shout was cut off.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar that seemed to tear the heavens and earth, a red radiance poured from Bu Eunseol’s left fist. It was the raw power of the Heaven-Breaking Wildness, capable of destroying everything between sky and earth.
As Hyeok Sojin stared at the incoming Heavenly Hand Void Shatter, his eyes reflected a massive sun.
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