Tremble.
Bu Eunseol’s pitch-black body shook violently.
At the same time, the rising black energy began to fade. Ak Muryeong was forcibly injecting power into Bu Eunseol’s meridians, dissipating the Wishful True Binding’s power.
“…” But something was strange.
As Ak Muryeong’s power flowed in, his mind cleared, and an abnormal energy surged within his body.
‘Follow the Spirit’s Path…’ Suddenly, the final teaching of the Emotion Severing Secret flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘In other words, wield your will according to your heart.’ Ak Muryeong, with no trace of emotion in his heart, had effectively reached the highest realm of the Emotion Severing Secret. As he injected the power of Illusion Upon Illusion, the incomplete Emotion Severing Secret began to solidify.
‘My energy and blood aren’t raging.’ Using the Wishful True Binding at this level would normally cause his energy and blood to burn or twist. But now, there were no symptoms; his mind felt refreshed, and his body overflowed with vitality.
Flash!
A radiant light shone from Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he broke free from Ak Muryeong’s power. Seeing this, a fierce gleam shot from Ak Muryeong’s eyes.
[Sado Muryeong, you cunning bastard…] The Demon Emperor had likely predicted that Ak Muryeong would pour out the power of Illusion Upon Illusion upon meeting Bu Eunseol. And he foresaw that this power would stabilize Bu Eunseol’s Emotion Severing Secret.
‘How mysterious.’ Bu Eunseol felt a strange thought.
The power Ak Muryeong poured out to destroy the Emotion Severing Secret had instead become a force protecting his energy and blood? Could it be that the Demon Emperor had anticipated this and made him learn the Emotion Severing Secret?
‘If so… the Demon Emperor…’ Bu Eunseol felt confused.
He had thought the Emotion Severing Secret was a method to forge him into a blade for the Demon Emperor to wield. Yet, it not only blocked Ak Muryeong’s Illusion Upon Illusion but also stabilized his meridians, allowing him to better wield the Wishful True Binding.
Then, Ak Muryeong let out a deep sigh.
[Sado Muryeong. Sado Muryeong…!] As awe and rivalry toward the Demon Emperor surged, the power of Illusion Upon Illusion he was pouring out weakened.
‘Now!’ With his mind fully clear, a red bloodlight flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
If he missed this moment, he could not escape Ak Muryeong’s bizarre power. Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol drew his black sword.
Shing!
Without pause, he unleashed the Supreme Heavenly Flow toward Ak Muryeong.
A direct attack.
This was the only way to shift Ak Muryeong’s mental assault into a physical battle.
Thud!
As the black sword aimed for his neck, Ak Muryeong lightly flicked his finger.
Clang!
With a clear metallic sound, the sword bent like a bow, and Bu Eunseol was pushed back dozens of paces.
Drip, drip.
Blood flowed from Bu Eunseol’s hand gripping the sword. Ak Muryeong’s powerful finger wind had struck the sword, tearing his grip.
Flash.
Then, with a greenish gleam, a lightning-like light descended from the sky.
It was Dan Cheong.
“Pavilion Leader!” Having descended Iron Staff Peak, he sensed Ak Muryeong’s power and returned. “This boy is the future of the Nangyang Pavilion.”
“…”
“Do you intend to repeat that incident?” Despite his earnest plea, Ak Muryeong’s expression remained unchanged.
Dan Cheong tensed.
Though he feared nothing in this world, Ak Muryeong was an exception. Not just because of his martial prowess, but because Dan Cheong knew that, to achieve the pinnacle of martial arts, Ak Muryeong could slaughter every Nangyang Pavilion disciple without blinking.
[Heh heh heh…] Suddenly, Ak Muryeong pointed at Bu Eunseol and burst into laughter.
[Hahaha!]
Looking skyward, his laugh abruptly stopped.
[Why did you turn a mental assault into a physical fight?]
Gazing at the bleeding Bu Eunseol, he spoke.
[Did you truly intend to fight this Pavilion Leader earnestly?]
“Of course not,” Bu Eunseol replied steadily, gripping his sword. “I merely struggled with all I had.”
[Struggled, you say.]
Muttering, Ak Muryeong looked down at Bu Eunseol.
His unwavering eyes shone with a subtle yet radiant glow, like the full moon in the night sky. For a moment, strength gathered in Ak Muryeong’s hand.
‘Sado Muryeong, you bastard…’ Only then did he understand why the Demon Emperor valued Bu Eunseol and what he desired.
‘Fine. Let’s see how this plays out.’
[With a clear goal, nothing can hinder you. That’s why you’ve transcended the constraints of sword techniques and group affiliations.] Ak Muryeong’s gaze toward Bu Eunseol had changed. [Obsession with a single goal aligns with an empty heart. To achieve your goal, you have no hesitation or obstacles.]
Bu Eunseol had always had one goal.
As an orphan, it was to avoid starvation.
After meeting Bu Zhanyang, it was to become the greatest assassin to aid his grandfather.
And now, to become a martial artist who would not lose to anyone, in order to exact revenge for his grandfather.
Despite his exceptional talent and striking appearance, which could charm any woman, how many people could remain so singularly focused on one goal without being swayed?
[Very well.] Ak Muryeong spoke in a low voice.
[Put Majeon matter on hold for now.]
Dan Cheong was shocked.
Never before had Ak Muryeong reversed his own words. In that brief moment, Ak Muryeong’s gaze and voice had changed. Turning away, he looked at the distant sky.
It was an unspoken dismissal.
Bu Eunseol, unable to comprehend the sudden shift, sheathed his sword and clasped his hands.
“Then.” Bu Eunseol descended Iron Staff Peak with Dan Cheong.
Having faced countless crises, none had brought him as close to death as this. The Nangyang Pavilion Leader, Ak Muryeong, was a great demon beyond human comprehension.
“Ugh.” Recalling Ak Muryeong, Bu Eunseol let out a groan, and Dan Cheong frowned.
“Bu Eunseol.”
“I’m fine,” Bu Eunseol said, forcing a smile. “By the way, the Pavilion Leader has truly reached a boundless realm.”
The Pavilion Leader hadn’t even used his full power. To him, it was like swatting an annoying insect, only to release it when it didn’t die.
“You should be proud,” Dan Cheong said with a pleased expression. “You’re likely the first of your age to withstand the Pavilion Leader’s Spirit-Converging Divine Transformation and Illusion Upon Illusion.”
Bu Eunseol gave a wry smile. “It seems he had no intention of killing me from the start.”
If Ak Muryeong had used his full power, even a master at the peak of the Supreme Heaven Realm would have lost their ego and become an idiot.
“You endured a power few could withstand without their minds collapsing.”
“Is that so?” Having narrowly escaped the abyss of eternal damnation, Bu Eunseol looked as if he’d merely been roughed up by street thugs.
‘Ugh.’ Dan Cheong shook his head.
Ak Muryeong, with his inhuman appearance and power, was monstrous enough, but Bu Eunseol, with his delicate beauty, now seemed just as monstrous.
‘What kind of will lies beneath that frail-looking body that even the Pavilion Leader couldn’t break?’
Then Bu Eunseol spoke, as if struck by a thought. “Any word from Majeon?”
“There was a message,” Dan Cheong said with a bitter smile. “Majeon’s Sect Leader said if you weren’t returned intact, he’d send his forces.”
Bu Eunseol chuckled.
Ak Muryeong wasn’t the only one feeling competitive. The Demon Emperor was also unwilling to let go of a talent like Bu Eunseol, even threatening force.
‘The Demon Emperor…’ Thinking of him, Bu Eunseol shook his head. He couldn’t tell whether the man harbored goodwill or malice, or what he truly knew.
“Bu Eunseol,” Dan Cheong said. “You may find the Pavilion Leader harsh, but he’s not entirely bad.”
“I know.”
“But Majeon’s Sect Leader is different.” Bu Eunseol blinked at the unexpected words. “He rose to the top of Majeon without being one of the Ten Demon Sects. He suppressed the Elder Council, the Ten Demon Sects, and even external forces to claim his position.”
“…”
“No one knows his true intentions or plans. Isn’t it telling that the Vice-Sect Leader position remains vacant?”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
He could read the intentions of most top masters to some extent. But the Demon Emperor was an enigma, giving the impression he knew something Bu Eunseol didn’t.
“You can’t guard against him fully, but be cautious,” Dan Cheong said quietly. “Majeon Leader and Majeon are far more dangerous and sinister than you think.”
“I understand.”
As Bu Eunseol bowed, Dan Cheong continued, “Are you returning to Majeon?”
“Yes.”
“There’s something you must do first.” Dan Cheong’s expression was grave, indicating a serious task. Bu Eunseol steeled himself and clasped his hands.
“Entrust it to me.”
With a grave look, Dan Cheong said, “The Pavilion is short-handed to the point of collapse.” Gripping Bu Eunseol’s shoulder like a talon, he added, “Don’t go to Majeon yet. Help with Pavilion affairs for half a month.”
* * *
Late at night.
In a newly built, gleaming residence, Bu Eunseol sat at a desk, diligently wielding a brush.
Scritch, scritch.
He was writing a martial arts manual.
The Nangyang Pavilion lacked a systematic teaching method. Knowing this, Bu Eunseol had stayed up nights writing a manual called Nangyang True Excellence.
—Your task is to go around the Pavilion, showing your face.
Days ago, Dan Cheong had instructed him:
—Tell the new disciples about your martial world adventures. Or demonstrate some techniques briefly.
It seemed an odd request, but Bu Eunseol followed it faithfully.
And he felt a deep regret.
The Nangyang Pavilion’s foundational martial art, Beast Way.
Without exceptional talent, it was impossible to learn, causing many disciples to fail the entry process. After much thought, Bu Eunseol began compiling the essentials of Beast Way for the Pavilion’s disciples.
‘This isn’t easy.’ Pausing, Bu Eunseol clicked his tongue.
Learning Beast Way required risking one’s life and awakening senses in stages. Even in a thunderstorm like hell, without insight like Bu Eunseol’s, it was unattainable.
‘This won’t do.’ The more he wrote, the more he sighed.
The Pavilion’s martial arts relied on enlightenment, making systematic transmission difficult. If it were possible, the Pavilion would have unified its teaching process long ago.
‘But I’ll complete it.’ Bu Eunseol refused to give in to despair.
He resolved to establish a systematic martial arts foundation for the Pavilion someday.
Chirp, chirp.
Sunlight filtered through the window, and birds chirped. Bu Eunseol had stayed up all night writing the manual.
“Bu Eunseol.” A deep voice came from outside, accompanied by footsteps.
It was So Jeon, the Leader of the Changsin Unit.
“What brings you here, Leader?” Bu Eunseol looked puzzled.
Whenever he returned to the Pavilion, he sparred with So Jeon. Could he be itching for a fight even now?
‘I could take him on properly now.’ Filled with anticipation, Bu Eunseol stepped outside, only to find So Jeon with a grave expression.
His eyes were sunken, his face stern—not the look of someone seeking a spar.
“Follow me for a moment.”
“What’s the matter?”
With a serious look, So Jeon said, “You’ll see.”
He led Bu Eunseol to a large training ground where about a hundred boys were gathered. They were talented youths who had mastered the basics of Beast Way and were recognized as Pavilion disciples.
“These are the official disciples of the Pavilion. They need to be assigned to their desired corps, but…” So Jeon’s expression was grave.
“You need to explain what the Changsin Unit is about.”
“Explain?”
“Yes, explain.” With a stern yet shameless face, So Jeon said, “To be precise, explain the benefits of joining Changsin Unit.”
Bu Eunseol sighed.
So Jeon was scheming to recruit as many disciples as possible to Changsin Unit with his help.
“Let them choose as they always have,” Bu Eunseol said, slumping his shoulders. “They’re talented; they’ll choose well on their own.”
The Nangyang Pavilion didn’t force disciples to learn specific martial arts or join specific corps. Disciples decided based on their abilities and temperament. But now, with an influx of exceptional disciples, the situation had changed.
“Bu Eunseol.” So Jeon’s bloodshot eyes glared as he leaned in close. “I’m serious. Changsin Unit needs talented disciples too.”
He looked ready to grab Bu Eunseol by the collar if he refused.
“Fine.” Bu Eunseol reluctantly stepped before the disciples.
Having achieved great feats at a young age and defeated one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, with his otherworldly appearance, Bu Eunseol was an idol to the young disciples.
“I was once a temporary member of Changsin Unit. Through its missions, I learned martial arts I couldn’t have mastered alone.”
Though it was So Jeon’s request, it was true.
Bu Eunseol’s early techniques were learned from Changsin Unit masters.
“Joining Changsin Unit will grant you exceptional martial arts unobtainable through mere training.”
The disciples’ eyes sparkled, and they rushed toward So Jeon.
“Haha.” A low laugh sounded as a middle-aged man in scholar’s robes approached.
It was Baek Yeon, the Leader of the Peongan Corps.
“Leader.” Bu Eunseol bowed, and Baek Yeon nodded with a warm smile.
“With you saying that, they’ll think Changsin Unit is the best place in the Pavilion.” He had overheard Bu Eunseol’s speech from a distance.
“Changsin Unit is great, but the Peongan Corps has its own merits, doesn’t it?” Stepping closer, Baek Yeon gently placed a hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
“The best disciples should naturally join my corps.”
Crack.
Oddly, Baek Yeon’s grip tightened.
Looking up, Bu Eunseol saw a fiery intensity in Baek Yeon’s usually cold eyes.
“Right?”
“…” As Bu Eunseol averted his gaze with a dark expression, Baek Yeon whispered in a low, ominous voice.
“Now, I’d like you to explain the Peongan Corps as well.”
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