TL: Ok, so I did make a translating error with one of the corps names. Muk Inhyeok is the vice-commander of the Flame Wing Sword Corps not the Martial Heaven Corps. The two of them have nothing to do with each other. The errors should be fixed now.
A month earlier.
Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion, Gongsun Dankyung’s secret chamber.
There, Gongsun Dankyung and Bu Eunseol sat with heads together, deliberating the Heaven-Human Cult subjugation strategy.
With the Divine Might Division, Flame Wing Sword Corps, and Gongsun Dankyung’s command, exterminating the Heaven-Human Cult was, in truth, not difficult.
The key was Bu Eunseol establishing merit.
In this operation, he must achieve the great deed needed to become a first-grade Captain—one that would inevitably secure the approval of more than half the Martial Alliance hall masters.
“The Alliance ultimately dispatched only two divisions. And even those are forces under the vice-commanders.” Gongsun Dankyung spoke in a low voice. “Moreover, the morale of the participating vice-commanders and their warriors is abysmal.”
That was only natural.
She had presented the elders with deliberately circumstantial evidence, not the clear proof Bu Eunseol had brought. Since the hall masters stayed back and vice-commanders were forced to the front, the warriors’ spirits had plummeted.
“Investigation reveals that while forging the Sword Tomb, the Heaven-Human Cult simultaneously prepared for large-scale war. They knew their atrocities would one day be exposed.” She continued in the same hushed tone. “Since the Alliance has moved, victory is decided. The Heaven-Human Cult will not devise a way to win, but a way to end the fight.”
She pointed to the Haseo region on the unfolded map.
“Judging by the Sword Tomb’s scale at Taiping Branch… the Heaven-Human Cult must have a master of mechanisms and formations. They surely built secret passages from their Yangmun Mountain stronghold to the outside.”
Bu Eunseol grasped her plan and nodded. “If defeat looms, they will raid the Commander’s location.”
“Exactly. It’s the only way they survive.”
Even if the Heaven-Human Cult grew tenfold, they could not defeat the Martial Alliance. But if they captured Gongsun Dankyung, who commanded the army?
It would be like gaining a bargaining chip for armistice negotiations with the Martial Alliance. The war could end instantly.
“But will this be all right?” Having fully understood her stratagem, Bu Eunseol stroked his chin. “If they dare raid the Commander directly, Cult Leader Ho Yeon-gyeong must possess far greater martial prowess than known in the martial world.”
“Sharp analysis.”
“Then you must have a separate counter-plan…”
“I trust you.”
Gongsun Dankyung looked straight at Bu Eunseol.
“No matter how formidable Ho Yeon-gyeong is, no matter how many troops they bring… Captain Seon will surely triumph.”
***
Snapping out of the recollection, Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
‘She knew not only that the Heaven-Human Cult leader’s martial arts were exceptional, but that he possessed a demonic blade.’
His gaze deepened as he fathomed Gongsun Dankyung’s intent.
‘If I lack the skill to defeat him, I should abandon any thought of becoming a first-grade Captain.’
Until now, he had planned to elevate Seon Woojin’s reputation step by step. But to succeed in Gongsun Dankyung’s scheme, he must reveal the prowess of a young grandmaster in one stroke.
In short, he had to surpass the ability ceiling set for Seon Woojin by the Divine Mountain Sage and himself.
To become a first-grade Captain, not only intellect but matching martial might and merit was required.
If commanding Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong to breach the Heaven-Human Cult’s defenses proved his wisdom, now he must fell Ho Yeon-gyeong to demonstrate martial prowess worthy of a first-grade Captain.
Hummm.
Gripping his iron sword, Bu Eunseol immediately raised his inner energy.
The maximum he could wield under Seon Woojin’s profile was roughly two hundred fifty years’ worth.
That placed him at the pinnacle among the younger generation of experts, but slightly lacking against heaven-shaking masters.
Thus, Seon Woojin had to win not through overwhelming inner energy, but through superior martial principles and swordsmanship.
‘I’ll use the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms.’
The version refined by the Divine Sage specialized in defense and counterattack.
He resolved to handle Ho Yeon-gyeong without resorting to demonic moves.
Shrrk! Whizz!
Timing Ho Yeon-gyeong’s blade strikes, Bu Eunseol swung, causing blade energies to rebound endlessly.
“Petty swordplay!” Realizing Bu Eunseol was spinning his blade energies back at him, Ho Yeon-gyeong varied his strikes—swift and short.
“Now you cannot catch the energy in the blade to return it!”
But that was his miscalculation.
Whizz!
Since fighting Pang Ryun, Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship had improved greatly.
No matter how cunningly or rapidly Ho Yeon-gyeong deployed his blade art, even the thinnest thread of energy was ghost-like seized and flung back.
―Captain Seon’s martial arts are that profound?
―He surpasses even our captain!
―His inner energy is impressive, but his swordsmanship is truly superb!
The Flame Wing Sword Corps exclaimed in unison.
The Flame Wing Sword Corps was a first-grade unit, which meant their leader Naeng Geom possessed the might of a regional hegemon.
Yet he had been flung away by a single strike from Ho Yeon-gyeong.
How, then, did this second-grade Captain block the attacks with ease?
“A dangerous fellow.” After thirty-odd exchanges, Ho Yeon-gyeong’s eyes flashed. “I cannot let you live.”
Hummm!
As he raised his energy, yellowish mist rose from the demonic blade.
“The Blood Wheel Demonic Blade has many abilities.”
Kiiiii!
A shriek like eardrums tearing erupted from the Blood Wheel in Ho Yeon-gyeong’s grip.
Demonic swords inherently possess strange powers. The Blood Wheel was a demonic blade rivaling the Thousand Souls Blood sword once held by Cheon Hwain.
‘He must have killed countless to awaken that sword.’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed at the eerie light emanating from the Blood Wheel.
A demonic blade demands payment to exert its power.
Ho Yeon-gyeong had surely sacrificed many lives to wield it.
Clang!
Then something strange occurred.
With Thirteen Iron Sword Forms, thanks to the marvel of Grafting Flowers onto Jade, blades should never clash. Yet Ho Yeon-gyeong’s demonic blade kept pulling Bu Eunseol’s iron sword into collisions.
Clang!
With each impact, the strength in Bu Eunseol’s body seemed to drain.
Sizzle.
After several exchanges, he began retreating.
The more weapons clashed, the weaker his energy felt; his blood boiled.
The Blood Wheel’s first ability: it sapped the opponent’s vitality with every strike.
“Crush that little fish all at once!” Seeing Bu Eunseol pushed back, Ho Yeon-gyeong crowed and ordered the Ghost-Masked Envoys to attack again.
“Protect the Commander!”
The sword corps fought bravely against the renewed onslaught.
Bu Eunseol was risking his life to shield Gongsun Dankyung and them from Ho Yeon-gyeong.
They, too, must stake their lives to eliminate the enemy.
Boom! Shhhshhh!
Earth-shaking roars resounded in the background as dozens of pea-sized blade rings scattered from the Blood Wheel, sprayed toward Bu Eunseol.
Creating blade rings required at least three hundred years of inner energy, yet Ho Yeon-gyeong produced hundreds with a casual gesture?
That was the Blood Wheel’s second ability.
When blade energy was poured in continuously, the Blood Wheel released it as blade rings.
Swish! Crack!
“Aaagh!”
“Guhk!”
Sword swordsmen fighting Ghost-Masked Envoys died horribly.
Thanks to his Beast Way, Bu Eunseol could track the invisible blade rings’ trajectories, but the Flame Wing Sword Corps could not.
‘I cannot dodge.’
Blade rings were condensed blade energy with terrifying destructive force. If he evaded, not only Gongsun Dankyung but the remaining sword corps would be annihilated instantly.
Swish!
Bu Eunseol had no choice but to stand his ground, using Thirteen Iron Sword Forms to rebound the rings.
Yet merely nearing them left razor-like wounds on his body.
Shhhshhh!
As Ho Yeon-gyeong’s blade rings poured like waves, Bu Eunseol’s movements quickened.
His white robes were now crimson, with no patch of skin unscathed. Yet he did not falter, focusing his mind to deploy Thirteen Iron Sword Forms.
A single mistake would mean death for the swordsmen.
―He stands in place to shield us from the blade rings.
The sword corps bit their lips.
A second-grade Captain was protecting them without dodging?
“Hurry and finish them—aid Captain Seon!”
At Naeng Geom’s shout, the sword corps roared and fought with renewed valor.
Shrrk!
All the while, Bu Eunseol kept rebounding the rings.
‘How is this possible?’
Only now did Ho Yeon-gyeong sense something amiss.
Even mastering Grafting Flowers onto Jade’s marvels, continuously returning destructive blade rings upon contact should be impossible. Yet every time the youth spun his dark sword, the rings unfailingly returned?
In truth, Bu Eunseol’s inner energy and swordsmanship were so profound they merely appeared as Grafting Flowers onto Jade. He had actually reached the Limitless Realm, freely wielding martial profundities.
‘This bastard!’
Ho Yeon-gyeong, unaware, was flabbergasted, steam practically rising from his ears.
Though the youth swung wildly like a drunkard, he not only flicked away blade rings but suddenly thrust sharp sword forms that stabbed vital points.
“Hmph!” Unaware of the truth, Ho Yeon-gyeong snorted in irritation, unable to inflict damage despite endless rings.
Until now, the Blood Wheel’s second ability had felled countless foes.
To need the third ability against a greenhorn?
Wuuuum!
Ho Yeon-gyeong finally unleashed the Blood Wheel’s third power.
Suddenly, the world went pitch black.
“Die!” When light returned, lightning-like blade energy pierced Bu Eunseol’s chest.
The Blood Wheel’s third ability: it confused the enemy’s sight and senses, making blade techniques and strikes vanish completely.
‘This is easy.’ Bu Eunseol inwardly rejoiced.
Though breaking Ho Yeon-gyeong’s blade art with Seon Woojin’s swordsmanship was hard, dodging was simple.
Whirl.
With a relaxed expression, Bu Eunseol leisurely evaded.
“What?” Ho Yeon-gyeong’s eyes bulged.
Among demonic blades that had appeared in the martial world, the Blood Wheel boasted the strongest abilities. Especially this sense-confusing power—even a Supreme Heavenly Realm master could not dodge.
Yet this nobody evaded as if nothing?
“Who are you?” Ho Yeon-gyeong lowered his blade and demanded.
“I said, who the hell are you?”
“Pausing mid-fight for introductions?” Bu Eunseol muttered with a scowl. “If you don’t want to die, kneel quickly. Stop wasting breath.”
He deliberately provoked to silence Ho Yeon-gyeong’s nonsense.
Crack.
It worked; veins bulged on Ho Yeon-gyeong’s forehead as he unleashed thunderous blade strikes.
“Die!”
Each swing darkened the world, shifting the sky’s light.
Despite the tremendous power, to Bu Eunseol it was merely a curious toy changing sky colors. Thanks to mastering the Beast Way, his super-senses neared the Six Spiritual Communications.
Even if the Blood Wheel perfectly blocked his five senses, Bu Eunseol could instinctively evade.
Clang! Swish!
‘He was hiding his true skill!’ Only now did Ho Yeon-gyeong realize the youth was not inferior and had deliberately taken wounds.
‘Good.’ Ho Yeon-gyeong took a deep breath.
Since obtaining the demonic Blood Wheel, he too had concealed his martial studies.
The blade’s power alone could fell any foe.
But to kill this youth, he must unleash the Blood Wheel’s final ability and all his hidden prowess.
‘So that’s it.’ Spotting Gongsun Dankyung calmly watching, Ho Yeon-gyeong narrowed his eyes. ‘She deliberately camped in Haseo to create this situation.’
Only now did he grasp that all this was Gongsun Dankyung’s design.
But he could not comprehend.
If she predicted everything, secretly placing one vice-commander here would have ended it.
Why stage such a fierce battle?
Yet seeing the blood-soaked Bu Eunseol staring straight at him, the answer came instantly.
She intended a solo duel to skyrocket the youth’s fame and prowess.
“You thought to use me as a stepping stone?”
Step.
Ho Yeon-gyeong suddenly halted and removed his mask.
A grotesquely melted face was revealed—only the eyes were intact, with everything else dissolved and crushed.
The Demonic Blood Wheel.
The more it was used, the more it melted the wielder’s flesh—a terrifying blade.
“Now it ends.”
As he raised the Blood Wheel, the sky darkened again.
Crack crack.
Ho Yeon-gyeong’s body began splitting, blood flowing.
Simultaneously, blood seeped from Bu Eunseol, his skin cracking.
The Blood Wheel’s final ability: it trapped wielder and foe in a demonic energy barrier, melting both bodies.
“This leader has mastered the Ash Soul Ghost White Art—I won’t die from this.” Ho Yeon-gyeong smiled faintly, blood at his lips. “But your body will burst in less than half a ke.”
Crack crack.
More blood poured from Bu Eunseol.
Skin flaked like crumbling crackers.
Yet strangely, Bu Eunseol, who should be trembling in death’s terror amid black mist, wore an odd smile.
“What’s funny?”
“I’m grateful.”
“Grateful?”
“Thirteen Iron Sword Forms alone wasn’t enough…”
Swoosh.
Bu Eunseol glanced at his iron sword and murmured low.
“It’s been clamoring since earlier, but there were too many eyes—I couldn’t feed it.”
He immediately infused the sword with demonic energy.
Whirr.
The blade glimmered faintly; mysterious golden and crimson patterns etched onto the sword body.
The dark iron sword he had worn until now was none other than the Demon-Killer Sword obtained from the Sword Tomb.
Whirr.
Soon the Demon-Killer Sword greedily absorbed the demonic energy emitted by the Blood Wheel through its patterns.
It looked like a maw opened wide to devour prey.
Sizzle!
As all demonic energy vanished and the Demon-Killer Sword’s light threatened to burst outward, Bu Eunseol instantly unleashed Meteor Chasing the Moon Escape form without thought.
The world slowed and crimson light from the Demon-Killer Sword shot forth swiftly.
Crack.
Upon contact, countless fissures spiderwebbed across the Blood Wheel’s blade.
Swish!
Having swallowed the Blood Wheel’s demonic energy, the Demon-Killer Sword devoured everything up to Ho Yeon-gyeong’s neck.
Shaaaa.
The black mist severing space dissipated and Ho Yeon-gyeong stood maskless, rigid. Opposite him knelt Bu Eunseol, iron sword in hand, one knee down, blood streaming.
The duel was decided.
Gurgle.
Foaming blood at his mouth, Ho Yeon-gyeong whispered low.
“Why that sword… to you…”
The voice was too faint for anyone but Bu Eunseol to hear.
“You were… him.”
Muttering incomprehensible words, Ho Yeon-gyeong breathed his last.
‘What did he mean?’
As Bu Eunseol stared wide-eyed at the corpse,
Boom! Rumble!
Thunder shook the earth; two shadows landed from the sky.
Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong.
Realizing they had been deceived, they had raced back from Yangmun Mountain.
“That man?”
Their eyes bulged.
Heaven-Human Cult Leader Ho Yeon-gyeong.
The vile fiend lay dead in a wretched state?
―Waaaaah!
Cheers erupted from all sides.
Naeng Geom and the Flame Wing Sword Corps.
Bu Eunseol had protected not only Gongsun Dankyung but risked his life for them. Without him, they would already be ghosts beneath Ho Yeon-gyeong and the Ghost-Masked Envoys.
“What on earth happened?”
At Muk Inhyeok’s question, Naeng Geom approached and explained. “Captain Seon slew the Heaven-Human Cult leader and saved us and the Commander.”
“What?”
“So, that is…” Naeng Geom quickly recounted the events.
Listening silently, Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong exchanged glances.
The Flame Wing Sword Corps was a first-grade unit.
Even Naeng Geom, who had mastered Trouble-Severing Swordsmanship to its peak, could not withstand the cult leader.
How had Seon Woojin killed him?
As they blinked in disbelief,
“Captain Seon.” Gongsun Dankyung rushed from behind to support Bu Eunseol.
“Are you all right?”
“I am fine.”
Of course he was.
He had only knelt and bitten his tongue to spit blood, feigning a narrow victory over Ho Yeon-gyeong.
Struggling to his feet, Bu Eunseol clasped hands toward Seong Joyeong and Muk Inhyeok.
“You are late.”
The two closed their mouths and looked at each other.
Had things gone wrong, their bright futures would have been utterly ruined.
Without Bu Eunseol?
They would have been demoted from vice-commander for failing to protect the Commander.
But Bu Eunseol had risked his life to safeguard Gongsun Dankyung and the Flame Wing Sword Corps, preserving their necks and positions.
“Well done.” Finally grasping everything, Muk Inhyeok nodded at Bu Eunseol. “No wonder the Commander valued you… a hidden dragon.”
Seong Joyeong, equally impressed, added, “You’ve been through much. You accomplished something tremendous.”
Bu Eunseol calmly shook his head.
“It was merely my duty.”
As the staggering Bu Eunseol turned, the surviving Flame Wing Sword Corps rushed to support him.
Watching, Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong nodded to each other.
With such character, martial prowess, and intellect, he deserved to be a first-grade Captain.
Otherwise, it would be a great loss for the Martial Alliance.
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