“I will make one more earnest request. There is a way.”
“Master Seol?”
“Yes. However, it may take some time, so wait below with Brother Thunder.”
Sensing the extraordinary aura rising from Bu Eunseol, Dae Guhwi nodded.
“Understood.”
“Go without worry.” Unlike Bu Eunseol’s burning urgency, Nae Bihon spoke as if it were for the best. “I will train martial arts with this lad whenever time allows.”
He was deeply content merely spending time with Dae Guhwi.
Watching the two descend, Bu Eunseol turned.
Crack.
He immediately reverted to his original appearance.
‘Even if they belong to the same Four Gods, why refuse to open the gate?’
He had never intended to visit the Divine Water Palace in his true identity unless absolutely necessary. He had hoped, per Gongsun Dana’s advice, to receive a small share of Crystal Water Energy to stabilize his body.
But Sa Cheongha treated Nae Bihon like a mortal enemy.
In this situation, if he stepped forward as Martial Soul Command Lord, obtaining the Crystal Water Energy in the future could fall through.
‘No choice.’
According to Gongsun Dana, fully recovering and freely wielding martial arts required the Four Gods’ power. Especially the Crystal Water Energy, connected to the extreme yin secret art Heavenly Glacial Secret, had to be obtained.
But if conflict arose to get Nae Bihon into the Pool of Demon Blades?
Far from gaining Crystal Water Energy, he might make an enemy of Divine Water Palace.
‘Still, Brother Thunder’s recovery is more important.’
Even if it meant forsaking Divine Water Energy—one key to restoring his own body—
Bu Eunseol would unhesitatingly meet the Divine Water Palace Lord as Martial Soul Command Lord.
Step, step.
He ascended the stairs to the Divine Water Palace without hesitation.
A Divine Water Palace disciple wearing a blue mask blocked his path.
“What brings you here?”
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Bu Eunseol unleashed a fearsome aura, radiating bloodlight.
“Bu Eunseol, successor of Majeon, requests an audience with the Palace Lord.”
He immediately displayed the Twin Dragon Contention Command Token symbolizing Martial Soul Command Lord.
The disciple, flustered, hurried inside.
Creak.
Soon after, the firmly shut gate of the Divine Water Palace opened.
Trees have shade, people have names.
The gate, sealed even against Thunder God, swung wide at the name Bu Eunseol alone.
No matter how aloof the Divine Water Palace, they could not ignore Majeon’s successor with immense influence in the martial world.
“Follow me.”
Guided inside, a mystical interior unfolded.
Unlike typical sects, beautiful flower gardens and plants bloomed everywhere, clear springs flowing in places. The Divine Water Palace, wielding water as a weapon, had created endlessly flowing streams within.
“This way.” The disciple led Bu Eunseol to the most splendid hall in Divine Water Palace.
Inside, gorgeous beaded curtains shimmered ahead, a shadow visible wearing an ornate hat. Though unseen, the shadow alone exuded solemn majesty.
It was Divine Water Palace’s Vice Palace Master, Sa Cheongha.
Bu Eunseol immediately clasped his hands.
“Nangyang Pavilion disciple Bu Eunseol greets the Vice Palace Master.”
Out of respect for Divine Water Palace and for smooth negotiation, he humbled his status to Nangyang Pavilion disciple.
“Hm.” A low, cold sigh came from behind the curtains. “Our paths differ, no ties bind us—why visit this palace?”
Her voice was sharp, somehow irritable.
Likely displeased by the sudden visit, she seemed offended.
“I know disturbing the Vice Palace Master’s peace is discourteous… but urgent business compelled me to come.”
For Majeon’s successor, it was exceedingly polite and courteous.
Sa Cheongha, her displeasure somewhat eased, nodded.
“Very well, what is it?”
“I wish to briefly visit the Pool of Demon Blades within Divine Water Palace.”
“The Pool of Demon Blades?”
“Yes.”
“To train new martial arts?”
The Pool of Demon Blades, struck by lightning constantly, brimmed with thunder energy and violet lightning energy nearby. Thus, arts like the Thunderclap Palm or the Wind-Thunder Palm could help advance realms swiftly.
Sa Cheongha likely assumed Bu Eunseol sought the Pool of Demon Blades to train such arts.
“No, to restore my sworn brother’s martial arts.”
“To restore your sworn brother’s martial arts? Wait, that brother wouldn’t be…”
“Yes. Nae Bihon, Brother Thunder is my sworn brother.”
Whoosh.
A cold wind poured from the curtains.
An icy voice followed, as if frost might fall.
“I will pretend I did not hear that.”
“Vice Palace Master.” Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost courtesy. “Without the Pool of Demon Blades, his martial arts cannot be restored. Please show kindness…”
“Our paths differ, but if you train martial arts, I could lend the Pool of Demon Blades.”
“……”
“No, even to a villain of the world, I could lend the Pool of Demon Blades. But Nae Bihon—that man alone I will never allow. Do you understand?”
Sa Cheongha’s voice carried a grudge cold enough to freeze the heavens.
Clearly personal enmity fueled her hatred.
“Vice Palace Master. My intent to restore Brother Thunder’s martial arts is not personal.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost courtesy.
“He must regain his arts to do what is right.”
“What do you mean?”
“Brother Thunder was attacked by a vicious foe, losing not only martial arts but memories. That man disrupts the world; to track him……”
“He lost his memories?” Sa Cheongha reacted not to the grave matter but startled that Nae Bihon had lost memories. “So you brazenly came to this palace… brazenly came.”
Her low murmur carried an ice-cold grudge. Hearing it, Bu Eunseol grasped the situation somewhat.
‘A matter between man and woman.’
Likely love had soured between Nae Bihon and Sa Cheongha, breeding fierce hatred.
‘No choice.’
Normally, he would never interfere in romantic affairs.
But Bu Eunseol owed Nae Bihon and needed to capture the Blade Emperor’s descendant. To do so, he must persuade the Vice Palace Master handling all Divine Water Palace affairs.
“Vice Palace Master.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands. “I know not your history with Brother Thunder, but for the martial world—could you set aside personal feelings?”
“You speak lightly.” Sa Cheongha’s voice poured like ice. “Is Majeon’s successor the supreme of the martial world? Why dictate others’ affairs?”
“Then what will change your mind?” Bu Eunseol endured patiently, courteously.
Without her permission, the Pool of Demon Blades was impossible.
“Nae Bihon. If he kneels and apologizes to me.” Sa Cheongha said coldly. “If secondly he withstands my three strikes, I will allow the Pool of Demon Blades.”
“Good.” Bu Eunseol agreed readily. “But since Brother Thunder has lost his arts, I will take those three strikes in his stead.”
“You?” After brief thought, she nodded gladly.
“Not a bad proposal.” Sa Cheongha’s voice carried desperate grudge. “If you become crippled, Nae Bihon’s heart will suffer too.”
Her tone made clear: using the promise as pretext, she intended grave injury to Bu Eunseol.
“Fearful? Best quit now, Martial Soul Command Lord.” Sa Cheongha said gravely.
“A promise is a promise. Even with the other sects’ witness, I will show no mercy.”
She declared intent to kill or maim Bu Eunseol via this wager.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s expression remained calm, fearless.
“No need.” He extended a finger, tracing the floor.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
Thin characters etched into solid bluestone.
A handwritten oath: even if he died from the three-strike wager, he would hold no grudge.
“Good.” Sa Cheongha turned behind the curtains. “Bring the Martial Soul Command Lord to the Divine Water Pavilion!”
Divine Water Pavilion.
A flower garden at Divine Water Palace’s center.
At its heart stood a grand sculpture: a miniature spiral Divine Water Palace.
Surrounded by colorful flower-shaped ornaments. Streams from the sculpture flowed down the spiral curve.
Sa Cheongha intended this unsightly three-strike test amid beautiful scenery.
“Ready?”
A middle-aged woman in blue emerged opposite Bu Eunseol.
Veiled in celestial silk, her face unseen, but eyes razor-sharp, brow furrowed.
White killing intent flowed in her pupils, signaling no jest.
“Begin anytime.”
Bu Eunseol raised no power.
He mastered Grafting Flowers onto Jade, an ultimate art of the Boundless Master. Thus he could lightly deflect any external force.
Of course, as it was Seon Woojin’s ultimate art, it required demonic adaptation.
“First strike!”
She instantly unleashed a palm at Bu Eunseol’s chest.
Swift, sharp—no mercy.
Boom.
Bu Eunseol stood firm, taking the palm to the chest.
Splash!
Though bare-handed, wet water sprayed from his chest.
Palm force via Divine Water Energy.
Shuuu!
Droplets scattered everywhere; sharp force grazed past Bu Eunseol’s body.
He had deflected it using Grafting Flowers onto Jade’s wonder.
“Indeed, remarkable martial arts.” Sa Cheongha praised, but her voice was ice-cold.
Such techniques existed in most sects, differing only in mastery. This praise was forced admiration to lower Bu Eunseol’s guard.
“Second strike!”
She extended her right hand again.
No palm force flew.
Hummm.
A low vibration sounded from Bu Eunseol’s chest.
‘Such a method.’
In that instant, Bu Eunseol saw Sa Cheongha’s intent.
The droplets that touched during the first palm.
She had deliberately scattered them to strike unavoidable Divine Water Energy directly.
Boom!
The droplets on his chest became massive iron weights, hammering his chest.
Sizzle.
Simultaneously, Bu Eunseol slid back five jang.
Droplets vibrated greatly; sharp energy pierced his meridians.
Fail to fully deflect? His chest would collapse, severe internal injury.
Whirl.
Bu Eunseol spun fiercely in place, using Grafting Flowers onto Jade to instantly shed the clinging Divine Water Energy palm force.
But anticipating this, Sa Cheongha sent sticky palm forces in succession.
No matter how fast he spun, he could not shake Divine Water Energy.
Hwaak!
Yet then strange heat rose from Bu Eunseol’s body, annihilating all the Divine Water Energy.
He had used Yeolha Great True Energy to instantly burn invading moisture.
‘Pushing it.’
Unlike the Heavenly Glacial Secret, the Yeolha Great True Energy caused blood discomfort and dizziness each use.
“Hmm.” Sa Cheongha showed little surprise despite Bu Eunseol shedding Divine Water Energy.
The palm forces used were not even a third of her power.
“If you withstand the final strike, I will let you watch Nae Bihon kneel.”
Kurrr.
The Divine Water Palace interior shook and massive water columns rose from all directions.
They converged, soaring above Sa Cheongha’s head.
Transparent water dragons—dozens, hundreds—erupted from her body.
Using Temperament Like Rushing Water, one of Divine Water Palace’s divine arts, she created hundreds of palm forces.
‘This is… excessive.’
Bu Eunseol gritted his teeth, staring at hundreds of water columns soaring skyward.
Exploiting no counterattack, she endlessly gathered power via Divine Water Energy then struck—this Temperament Like Rushing Water strike.
Calling that one move?
Taking it meant hundreds of palm forces at once.
No matter how great his martial arts, none could withstand hundreds of Divine Water Palace’s ultimate palm forces.
“Fearful? Surrender now.”
Sa Cheongha said coldly.
“I do not wish enmity with Majeon.”
“Not at all.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“Strike.”
“Good!”
Boom!
With an explosion from Bu Eunseol’s body, true energy spread everywhere.
He raised his internal power to block Temperament Like Rushing Water.
‘Only this way!’
Splaaash!
Finally, the Temperament Like Rushing Water engulfed Bu Eunseol, like hundreds of transparent small dragons wrapping and burrowing into him.
“Crippled now.” Sa Cheongha remained calm despite instantly crippling Majeon’s successor.
She had promised three strikes and kept it.
With Bu Eunseol’s finger-etched words, even the Demon Emperor could say nothing.
“Hm?”
But strange.
The hundreds of palm forces that should burrow into him remained tangible, still halted?
“That is…”
Only then did Sa Cheongha realize her palm forces hung in midair.
More precisely—not halted, but frozen.
“Such ice art…”
Bu Eunseol had used a fearsome ice art to freeze Temperament Like Rushing Water in one go.
‘Success.’
Bu Eunseol inwardly sighed in relief.
Of course, the Yeolha Great True Energy could have blocked it.
But by martial compatibility, fire loses to water.
To stop the Divine Water Energy with Yeolha Great True Energy required twice Sa Cheongha’s internal power.
Even evaporating the forces would mean loss.
Thus Bu Eunseol used similarly compatible Heavenly Glacial Secret to freeze it instantly.
“It is over.” At Bu Eunseol’s words, blue light flowed from Sa Cheongha’s eyes.
“Why call it over?”
“We promised to withstand three strikes.”
“True. Three strikes.” Malice gleamed in Sa Cheongha’s eyes. “But the final third strike was interrupted, not fully unleashed?”
Clang!
As Sa Cheongha exerted power, Temperament Like Rushing Water shattered ice, becoming water again.
Water can become ice, ice can become water.
Splaaash!
Hundreds of sharp Divine Water Energies became transparent hands, clinging to Bu Eunseol’s vital points.
Realizing his immense power and extreme yin mastery, she changed tactics entirely.
Crystal Water Energy.
Mastered to extremity, it could condense flowing rivers into a handful—Divine Water Palace’s supreme power unleashed.
Sa Cheongha shattered the frozen Temperament Like Rushing Water strike.
Then drove transparent hand-like forces into Bu Eunseol, pouring Crystal Water Energy in one go.
Shwaaaa!
The martial world’s most mystical power, Crystal Water Energy, flooded.
White steam rose from Bu Eunseol’s body.
Sa Cheongha sought to evaporate all moisture in his body using Crystal Water Energy.
Since she had acted, better kill completely, leaving no future trouble.
Sizzle!
Yet it was strange.
As the Crystal Water Energy entered, he felt comfort, like floating in water.
‘Odd.’
The Crystal Water Energy should boil bodily moisture, killing instantly via desiccation.
But in Bu Eunseol, moisture did not exit.
Instead, it expelled internal turbidity?
―If you obtain all Four Gods Energies, you can harmonize what is injected into your body.
Gongsun Dana’s words suddenly resurfaced.
―And later, if fate allows the Palace Lord to inject Crystal Water Energy into you… you can fully master extreme yin energy.
At the time, Bu Eunseol swore it would be impossible.
The Divine Water Palace Lord would never inject such power into a demonic successor, nor did he plan to visit.
But fate led him to the Divine Water Palace.
And Sa Cheongha poured Crystal Water Energy into Bu Eunseol with full force.
To kill him.
Yet it restored Bu Eunseol’s body holding extreme yin energy.
―Only it does not sink…
Thus nothing is lost.
Receiving Sa Cheongha’s Crystal Water Energy, Gongsun Dana’s Taoist secret formula endlessly circled Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Its wonder, unlike scattered internal arts, was that it stored no power in the body.
‘Water or cold—use when needed?’
With that realization, Bu Eunseol began accepting the vast Crystal Water Energy.
Water exists everywhere. Draw and use when needed.
‘The Heavenly Glacial Secret too.’
Bu Eunseol had stored immense extreme yin energy internally, but originally, storing such in the body was possible only for one like the Glacier Great Emperor, who mastered ice to pinnacle via ice arts alone.
Moreover, with various powers in Bu Eunseol, that extreme yin had been poison.
‘Store and use only when needed…’
Naturally accepting Sa Cheongha’s fierce Crystal Water Energy, Bu Eunseol closed his eyes.
Ice and water share nature.
If he could wield the Crystal Water Energy?
Bu Eunseol could freely use Heavenly Glacial Secret without storing extreme yin internally.
Shuuk. Shuuuu.
Incoming Crystal Water Energy did not evaporate bodily moisture but endlessly stored within.
It expelled the extreme yin energy wrecking his body.
Simultaneously, the Crystal Water Energy dispersed and stored itself in his eight extraordinary meridians.
He felt like an immortal floating on clouds.
Meanwhile, Sa Cheongha pouring Crystal Water Energy sensed an anomaly.
‘What is this?’ Bodily moisture should fully evaporate—why did he look refreshed?
‘Is this extreme yin energy?’
Only then did she realize she evaporated not moisture but bone-freezing extreme yin energy.
‘He masters ice arts, so extreme yin is not strange. But why…’
Why did extreme yin, not moisture, exit the body?
Even a grand martial master of the age could not comprehend.
Who would guess that Bu Eunseol held mixed orthodox-demonic powers…
Or that Majeon’s successor mastered the Quanzhen Sect’s secret combining Five Animal Frolics and Taoist formulas to absorb the Crystal Water Energy?
Even if Bu Eunseol explained foaming at the mouth, Sa Cheongha would not have believed it.
‘This insolent wretch is withstanding the Crystal Water Energy!’
Unaware, Sa Cheongha bit her lip.
If she stopped now, though Bu Eunseol fused Heavenly Glacial Secret with Divine Water Energy—
He wouldn’t harm her.
But her pride refusing defeat flared and she even used original essence energy, pouring immense power into the Crystal Water Energy.
Sizzzzle.
Extreme yin energy poured faster from Bu Eunseol as the Crystal Water Energy flooding his meridians swelled like a flood.
The amount exceeded half of what Sa Cheongha had cultivated her whole life.
Jiiing. Jiiing.
Absorbing the Crystal Water Energy, Bu Eunseol’s body began glowing transparently.
Finally, he fully stored one of the Four Gods' Energies within.
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