With an utterly somber expression, Gwanhai Geum sighed deeply, shook his head, and looked at Bu Eunseol.
“If you wish to find that person, go to Shaolin.” Pausing briefly, he continued. “You’ll likely find answers there.”
“Shaolin… you say?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t understand.
Shaolin was the bastion of the righteous faction. Why would he need to go to Shaolin to find his benefactor’s whereabouts?
Did this mean his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang, was the shadow of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade and the one who taught Gwanhai Geum?
“Normally, I’d never reveal their whereabouts. But since you’ve mastered all the Seven Blood Tear Forms…” Recalling something, Gwanhai Geum shook his head and muttered.
“This shouldn’t break my oath.”
Bu Eunseol’s mind grew even more tangled.
From Gwanhai Geum’s words, he couldn’t tell if his grandfather was the Seven-Finger Demon Blade or his shadow.
But judging by his expression and eyes, he wasn’t lying. And it was clear he deeply respected the benefactor who taught him the techniques.
‘If Gwanhai Geum’s benefactor is in Shaolin and is the shadow of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade…’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened.
Bu Zhanyang had been poisoned, his eyes gouged out, his arms severed, and died brutally.
Bu Eunseol had personally prepared and buried him.
Unless he rose from his grave, he couldn’t be in Shaolin. Thus, the likelihood of his grandfather being the shadow of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade was slim.
‘Was he simply someone who lived with similar ideals as my grandfather?’
“Thank you.” Sorting his complex thoughts, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands respectfully.
Gwanhai Geum had been pursued by the Three Realms and the monstrous old man his entire life to keep his promise to his benefactor. Yet he neither complained nor showed distress, still honoring his oath.
His steadfastness alone earned Bu Eunseol’s respect.
“But why tell me these things?”
Gwanhai Geum had become someone who couldn’t trust others due to the Three Realms’ pursuit. Yet he shared everything that didn’t violate his oath without a shred of doubt.
“Well.” Gwanhai Geum gave a bitter smile. “Perhaps because you’re the inheritor of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s legacy. A technique that cannot be mastered without being free from all constraints.”
At the lake, Bu Eunseol examined the altered traces of the saber technique left by Gwanhai Geum and immediately mimicked them. He could instantly replicate the interpretation of the Seven Blood Tear Forms by a righteous figure, free from biases or constraints of righteous or demonic paths.
And that disposition perfectly matched the mindset of Bu Zhanyang, who created the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Though their paths and ages were entirely different, Gwanhai Geum firmly believed in Bu Eunseol simply because he had perfectly mastered the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
The Seven Blood Tear Forms.
It was a martial art etched with the soul of Bu Zhanyang, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, his legacy.
“After visiting Shaolin, I’ll return to report the situation.”
The benefactor who taught Gwanhai Geum was, in essence, his master. Thus, Bu Eunseol promised to find the benefactor in Shaolin and relay their news.
“Thank you.” Feeling Bu Eunseol’s consideration, Gwanhai Geum smiled.
“I hope you achieve your goal.”
Pop.
He immediately deployed his movement technique and vanished. Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered as he looked in the direction Gwanhai Geum disappeared.
His mind was still filled with confusion.
What was his story? Why did the one who taught him the Seven Blood Tear Forms go to Shaolin?
Why was such a fact unknown in the martial world?
‘What’s certain is that the Seven-Finger Demon Blade had a shadow.’
In the past, he thought deceiving the Demon Emperor of Majeon was impossible. But Hyeok Ryeon-eung boldly concealed his identity, and Bu Eunseol himself could deceive the Demon Emperor.
The Seven-Finger Demon Blade likely had the ability to deceive the Demon Emperor as well.
‘And my grandfather was from Shaolin.’
His grandfather, Bu Zhanyang, had mastered Shaolin’s martial arts, and Bu Eunseol’s body carried Shaolin’s two supreme techniques. If his grandfather was the Seven-Finger Demon Blade himself, it meant the deputy lord of Majeon, an invincible warrior revered as the greatest in the world, was actually from Shaolin.
“I’ll learn the truth in Shaolin.”
Exhaling heavily, he slowly turned.
Once again, fate was sending him to Shaolin.
***
In a deep cave in the Heavenly Mountains, Bu Eunseol, So Okrim, and Soyo gathered again.
“Phew, I finally got to stretch my limbs.” So Okrim swung her arms as if refreshed.
She had faced over a thousand puppets in the Heavenly Mountains.
The last ones they encountered were puppets trained in various supreme techniques, called Bound Asuras.
“Those puppets learned all sorts of mixed martial arts? One of them even used some Flea Fist Technique from the Beggar Sect’s founder? Hahaha!” Finding it amusing, So Okrim rested her chin on Soyo’s head, baring her massive teeth in a grin. “There was even one that moved like a spider, connecting hands and feet! Right?”
Amid So Okrim’s endless chatter above her head, Soyo stood like a doll with unfocused eyes.
Bu Eunseol, ignoring So Okrim’s chatter, was lost in deep thought.
Fortunately, the monstrous old man, a descendant of the Blade Emperor, seemed to have given up pursuing Gwanhai Geum and no longer appeared. But he was someone they’d have to face eventually.
‘His saber techniques nullified all external forces.’
Bu Eunseol needed to master the Seven Blood Tear Forms more deeply or find a way to completely counter the Blade Emperor’s techniques.
“What’s with the long face? Didn’t you meet that guy?”
“I did.” Bu Eunseol lied to So Okrim. “But perhaps due to the hardships he’s endured, he didn’t trust anyone. I couldn’t learn anything.”
“Hmm, that’s only natural.” So Okrim said something unexpected. “Even martial artists get fed up after being pursued by assassins for just three days. Being chased for so long, of course he trusts no one.”
“Is that so?”
“Obviously.” Smacking her lips, So Okrim asked. “So, what now?”
“Since I gained nothing, I’ll return for now.”
Bu Eunseol asked So Okrim. “Will you return with me to Majeon?”
“Hmm? Well…” After a moment of thought, she crossed her arms and said. “I think I need to train a bit more.”
“Didn’t you say you finished training your spirit?”
“No, this time I’m refining my martial arts.” So Okrim eyed Bu Eunseol’s body, smacking her lips. “Your skills have improved a lot, haven’t they?”
Having observed Bu Eunseol’s prowess at the lake, she sensed his martial ability far surpassed hers.
“Heh, no need to get cocky. You’re not so far ahead that I can’t catch up.”
“Right, I’m sure you will.” For the first time, Bu Eunseol gave So Okrim an unguarded smile.
He didn’t know much about her, but her pure pursuit of strength felt like looking in a mirror, evoking a strange sense of kinship.
‘What’s that? Is he flirting with me?’ Seeing Bu Eunseol’s toothy grin, So Okrim pursed her lips and turned away. ‘He’s making my heart flutter for no reason.’
Hiding her feelings, So Okrim puffed out her cheeks and spoke gruffly.
“Hmph, laugh all you want. I’ll catch up soon.”
“Don’t overdo it. Return whenever you’re ready.” Bu Eunseol snorted. “The captains and members are always waiting for your return.”
Bu Eunseol didn’t know much about So Okrim. But sometimes, things are understood without words.
He knew she wasn’t an evil person.
“Hahaha, those guys are waiting for me?” Realizing her role as an instructor of the Death Shadow Corps, So Okrim laughed heartily. “Alright, tell them I’ll be back soon. I’ll train them until they cry!”
Having a place to return to was always comforting.
So Okrim laughed for a while before turning to Soyo.
“See you next time, little one.” Reluctantly, she pinched Soyo’s cheek and patted her head. “I’ll be back soon, so look forward to it. Hahaha!”
Laughing heartily at Bu Eunseol, she vanished into the air. Staring at where she disappeared, Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and said.
“Soyo, I’m going to Shaolin now.”
“Shaolin?”
“Yes.”
Soyo shook her head. “Shaolin’s dangerous.”
Even the most skilled informants in the demonic path avoided two places: the Martial Alliance and Shaolin. Both were filled with countless masters and undetectable mechanisms.
No matter how stealthy one was, discovery was inevitable.
“It’s fine. I’m not going to fight.” Bu Eunseol handed his Ice Soul Sword to Soyo.
As a symbol of his identity, he couldn’t bring it while infiltrating Shaolin.
“Help Seo Jinha until I return.”
“Got it.”
“Return first.”
“Okay.” Taking the sword, Soyo deployed her movement technique and left instantly. Showing concern would burden Bu Eunseol, so she left with a nonchalant expression.
Left alone, Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
Infiltrating Shaolin alone was an adventure even for him.
Fortunately, he knew of a secret passage, so reaching the inner sanctum wouldn’t be too difficult.
“There’s no time.” Bu Eunseol immediately took off.
With many challenges ahead, he needed to resolve the Shaolin matter quickly.
***
At Mount Song, a full summer breeze was blowing.
Disguised as Seolso, Bu Eunseol was ascending the mountain path to Shaolin Temple.
This was a deeply personal mission, not as Majeon’s heir.
Given Shaolin’s extreme rejection of the demonic path, even without malicious intent, he couldn’t openly knock on their gate.
“The atmosphere is strange.”
Shaolin’s gates were firmly closed, and no monks from the Guest Reception Hall were in sight. After a moment of thought, Bu Eunseol covered his face with a cloth used by wandering warriors and stealthily scaled the wall.
Swish.
Having broken through the sixth level of the Ban-Geuk Method and achieved the realm of Spirit Regulation, Bu Eunseol could predict the movements of ordinary martial artists with ease.
Combined with the ghostly stealth of Swift Beyond Shadow, his movements were akin to the legendary teleportation technique.
‘Something’s off.’ As he moved stealthily, observing his surroundings, a glint appeared in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Numerous warrior monks in the temple grounds stood on high alert, as if guarding against an external intruder.
‘There’s trouble in Shaolin.’
Before departing for Shaolin, Bu Eunseol had used his intelligence network to check the martial world’s state.
But there was no news of trouble in Shaolin.
This meant something serious had occurred, and Shaolin was desperately hiding it from the outside.
“They say the intruder’s target is the Repentance Cave, unopened for decades.” As he passed near the Discipline Hall, a middle-aged warrior monk spoke to his companion. “They’re the great demons of the world, spared by the temple’s mercy, their internal energy sealed.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed at the words.
The Repentance Cave in Shaolin was known as a place where errant monks practiced wall-facing meditation. Yet, there were great demons who shook the world held there? What did this mean?
“That could be.” The other monk replied in a low voice. “The Repentance Cave holds demons whose mere existence threatens the world…”
The two monks, whispering softly, crossed the temple grounds and headed somewhere. Bu Eunseol, hidden in stealth, wore a dazed expression.
According to the monks, Shaolin had a prison called the Repentance Cave, holding great demons?
‘There’s a possibility.’
The person who taught Gwanhai Geum the techniques was likely from the demonic path. Could they have deliberately let themselves be captured by Shaolin, choosing the Repentance Cave as their final hiding place?
‘I need to investigate the Repentance Cave immediately.’
Bu Eunseol headed toward the location of Shaolin’s secret mechanisms. Given the name “Cave,” the Repentance Cave was likely hidden in a secretive part of Shaolin.
Thus, infiltrating Shaolin’s mechanisms to find it was the best option.
‘Fortunately, I know the secret passage.’
Moving stealthily, Bu Eunseol headed toward the Pagoda Forest, where the relics of past high monks were kept. During a past test by the Divine Mountain Sage, he had come to Shaolin with Tang Cheong and discovered a hidden secret passage here.
It led to the Scripture Pavilion and the secret underground Scripture Pavilion of the Blood Shaolin.
Swish.
Moving a stone in front of a pagoda, a hidden passage in the Pagoda Forest opened.
After checking his surroundings, Bu Eunseol entered the passage.
As the interior of the Scripture Pavilion appeared, he immediately drew up Thousand-Jin Weight Technique to step forward.
‘No, they might have changed the pressure.’
In the past, the Scripture Pavilion’s mechanism required stepping with a weight of nearly 250 pounds to avoid triggering the alarm.
But numbers could change.
“Answers always change depending on the situation. That’s why eternal, unchanging truth is precious.”
His grandfather, Bu Zhanyang, had taught him to beware of fixed frameworks or answers and to always think twice.
This applied to preparing bodies as well.
Even if a wound seemed familiar after seeing it hundreds or thousands of times, he was taught to think and verify once more.
Thus, Bu Eunseol could always accurately determine the cause of death.
‘If they set the mechanism’s pressure lighter than an average person’s weight… I’d be exposed immediately.’
The previous mechanism required 250 pounds, roughly the weight of three average adult women.
But if the weight was changed to, say, 16 pounds, the weight of a small dog?
Stepping on the floor would trigger the alarm instantly.
‘There’s a way.’ Scanning the surroundings, Bu Eunseol looked at the bookshelves.
Even if mechanisms were installed on the floor, they likely weren’t under the bookshelves. If they were, the weight of the shelves and the floor would need to be calibrated differently, making the mechanism overly complex.
Swish.
Making his body as light as possible, Bu Eunseol lightly stepped on the upper part of a bookshelf.
Tap. Swish.
The bookshelf’s wood was sturdy but quite old.
Applying too much force could cause it to collapse.
But Bu Eunseol moved forward, keeping his body as light as a feather.
Tap.
He passed through the Scripture Pavilion without any approaching presence.
‘Hmm.’ Bu Eunseol paused to think.
Should he continue through the Scripture Pavilion or enter the underground passage to Blood Shaolin as before?
‘If they’re holding great demons, it would be in an extremely secretive place. This route is more likely.’
Scanning the surroundings, he opened the door to the underground passage leading to Blood Shaolin.
Creak.
As the door opened, he entered immediately.
A vast stone chamber appeared.
It was the Scripture Pavilion of Blood Shaolin.
“Something’s off.” An unexpected situation arose.
The bookshelves that should have held countless martial arts manuals were gone, and the interior was completely empty.
Step, step.
Then, from the opposite side, footsteps echoed as if waiting for him.
Over a hundred warrior monks poured out in front of Bu Eunseol. At their forefront stood a stern-faced elderly monk with white eyebrows.
It was Gonggong, the head of the Scripture Pavilion.
“You used this passage, as expected.” Gonggong looked at the masked Bu Eunseol and roared. “After sparing the abbot’s life, did you come back to ensure his assassination?”
Bu Eunseol was greatly shocked.
From Gonggong’s words, it seemed a master had infiltrated Shaolin’s inner sanctum through this secret passage and attempted to assassinate the abbot before Bu Eunseol arrived.
‘A checkmate.’ Bu Eunseol sighed.
This was a secret passage beneath Shaolin’s grounds. With the warrior monks deliberately surrounding him, there was no escape.
‘Of all times for this to happen.’
“Even if I say it’s not true, you won’t believe me.” Bu Eunseol shook his head.
Having entered through Shaolin’s secret passage, no words would convince them. Moreover, wasn’t he Majeon’s heir? He couldn’t reveal his identity honestly.
“Remove your mask and kneel!”
At Gonggong’s words, Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes and assumed a defensive stance. Seeing him lower his stance as if to resist, Gonggong shouted to the monks.
“Form the Arhat Formation!”
Swish, swish, swish.
The 108 disciples chaotically surrounded Bu Eunseol.
The 108 Arhat Formation.
Shaolin’s signature formation, the foundation of righteous faction formations, was now deployed in the underground passage of Blood Shaolin. The monks’ encirclement alone exuded immense pressure, blocking all escape routes.
‘I need to break through the formation and escape.’ With no other choice, Bu Eunseol drew up his energy and unleashed a punch.
It was a simple technique with no variation.
But it carried 300 years of internal energy, capable of shattering mountains and splitting the earth.
Boom.
Yet, something strange happened.
Instead of breaking the formation, a white light poured out as his punch landed.
At the same time, the monks surrounding him vanished…
And an illusion of a single giant warrior monk standing tall appeared before him.
‘Remarkable.’ Bu Eunseol unleashed three more punches in succession.
Pop, pop, pop!
The giant monk’s shadow, enveloped in light, lightly deflected the punches. Despite the immense force capable of collapsing mountains, it was brushed off like child’s play.
“All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin.”
Shaolin’s martial arts were said to be the root of all righteous faction techniques.
But Shaolin didn’t rest on its laurels, constantly improving its seventy-two supreme arts and all its martial techniques.
Thus, the 108 Arhat Formation, once designed to trap enemies and amplify the monks’ power, had evolved.
Now, with Shaolin’s elite monks, it could combine their strength into a single perfect entity.
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