“Huuu.”
A sound escaped her lips—whether a groan or a laugh, it was hard to tell.
“Ahahaha!”
Surprisingly, even after confirming Bu Eunseol's death, A-Yeon's personality had yet to emerge.
“That's good. That's really good.”
Eunra nodded with a relieved expression.
The only thing that had worried her all along was one man: Bu Eunseol, the one A-Yeon had been obsessed with.
The grand method had succeeded, but the duration had been far too short, causing the two personalities to remain mixed. However, it was Eunra, not A-Yeon—the one burdened with heartbreak—who had taken control of everything.
Now that he was dead and A-Yeon's personality remained asleep, there was nothing left to fear.
Her martial arts ranked unmatched among female masters, and her status was secure.
All that remained was to forget this man and roam the martial world freely.
“Now that he's dead, the martial world will regain its peace.” Eunra said with a smile.
Yet something was strange.
Her eyes burned hot. Her chest felt as if it were tearing apart.
An inexplicable anxiety and anguish assaulted her.
‘The man is no longer in this world.’
A low voice echoed in her mind.
‘If so, the shorter this life is, the better.’
At the same time, unbearable despair spread from her head to her toes.
‘Don't be ridiculous!’ Eunra shouted inwardly. ‘You were never someone I loved in the first place!’
‘It wasn't his love I wanted.’
A-Yeon's sorrowful voice resounded in her head.
‘I simply loved him. That was all.’
A-Yeon's voice grew endlessly faint.
‘The man I loved with my life, the man I longed for so desperately... ended up dying right before my eyes.’
A-Yeon murmured as if weeping.
‘I can never see him again.’
Bukgung Ryeong and Song Ak stared at Eunra with puzzled expressions.
Feeling their blatant gazes, she ignored A-Yeon's ceaseless voice ringing in her mind and forced a smile.
“Thank you. For saving me.”
She clasped her hands toward Bukgung Ryeong and Song Ak.
“Then, I'll be on my way.”
She nodded casually and began walking slowly.
But with every step, her eyes grew hotter.
The entire world filled with darkness, and each movement felt like falling into a bottomless pit.
Saaak.
With every step, her face paled, and her hair began turning white as if frosted.
“Aaah!”
Two eerie voices burst from Eunra's mouth simultaneously.
She could no longer endure this torment.
At the same time, she drew her treasured sword and charged at Song Ak.
Paa!
The sword techniques she unleashed were the most brutal killing forms of the Crimson Dream Sword.
Even so, Eunra couldn't understand her own actions.
I am not A-Yeon.
So why despair over his death? Why rage and scream?
Why seek revenge for him?
“Aaah!”
The white-haired Eunra began pouring sword strikes not only at Song Ak but also at Bukgung Ryeong.
Chang! Chang! Chang!
Bukgung Ryeong and Song Ak blocked A-Yeon's sword energy as if anticipating the attack, using the Inner Bullet Technique Technique and Taichi Wisdom Sword.
The more she poured out her inner energy, the more her hair turned silver, and her eyes burned red.
‘Though I couldn't win his love in this life.’
A-Yeon's voice echoed relentlessly in her mind.
‘I want to die with him at the same moment.’
Eunra swung her sword madly.
She had to take revenge on these people.
Then, she would be buried with him at the same time.
Chaarang!
The sharp clanging of metal rang out repeatedly as keen sword energy spread in all directions.
The more she poured out her resentment, the more she unleashed dangerous and reckless martial arts.
The boundary between life and death felt so thin and vain.
“Separated from my beloved in life,”
Eunra recited some verse, clear tears streaming endlessly from her eyes.
“We are far apart, each at the edge of the sky.”
By now, her vision blurred white.
Having parted like this, how could they meet again in another life?
Where could she even find the one who had left?
“Lady A-Yeon.”
At that moment, something unbelievable happened.
A low, familiar voice came from behind her.
She widened her eyes.
Did I hear wrong?
Eunra turned her head very slowly.
There stood a man in black robes.
His face was pale, blood trickling from his lips, but his gaze was clear and resolute.
It was Bu Eunseol, who had been dead.
Clang.
Eunra threw down her sword.
It was the treasured blade that had never left A-Yeon's body in her lifetime.
At the same time, her consciousness sank endlessly downward.
Finally, a clear and transparent mind settled into her body.
“You.” A-Yeon spoke cautiously in a trembling voice. “How are you here….”
A-Yeon looked at Bu Eunseol with a dazed expression, as if awakening from a dream.
“Are you awake?”
At Bu Eunseol's gentle voice, A-Yeon's eyes rippled like waves.
Only then did she realize she was in an unfamiliar forest. And who were the old man and young Taoist?
“Benefactress.”
At that moment, the young Taoist behind Bu Eunseol—Song Ak—approached.
“It's been a while. Do you remember this humble one?”
Song Ak smiled faintly.
A-Yeon nodded, finally recalling Song Ak from the days when Bu Eunseol was a Ten Demon Warrior.
“Why are you here?”
“You were captured by an evil witch who stole your soul. The Martial Soul Command Lord knew and devised a plan to save you.”
Song Ak pointed to Bukgung Ryeong.
“Lord Bukgung knew a method like this.”
“What method?”
“To break your brainwashing, the lifelong goal you dreamed of had to vanish.”
“Brainwashing?”
“You don't remember anything?”
In an instant, all the lost memories flooded A-Yeon's mind.
Her despair at failing to win Bu Eunseol's love.
The temptations from the Three Realms' figures.
The personality that clung to her body during torturous rituals... Eunra.
And even Bu Eunseol, who had opposed her.
“So the Command Lord faked his death to save me…”
“Exactly.”
Clear tears flowed from A-Yeon's eyes.
All she had ever wanted was Bu Eunseol's affection.
When she learned he had died, her entire world collapsed.
That was why Eunra's personality vanished.
“The Command Lord said his body would be damaged but he had to die, so he used the Wudang Sect's Floating Cloud Concealing White Sword.”
The Floating Cloud Concealing White Sword was one of Wudang's supreme sword techniques.
Like floating clouds hiding the sun.
It appeared to deliver certain death to the enemy, yet it avoided vital organs and acupoints, leaving no lasting harm.
Song Ak had executed it perfectly, and Bu Eunseol had protected himself with the Crystal Divine Energy. Thus, he avoided fatal wounds—only superficial flesh injuries.
“I see.” A-Yeon's face brightened with realization. “But the Martial Soul Command Lord in my heart has passed away.”
Though his death was fake, she had accepted it as real.
Because of that, the Bu Eunseol in her heart died too.
And... the woman who clung to love died with him.
Now, she had become A-Yeon, a Buddhist nun.
“Thank you.”
A-Yeon bowed deeply to Bukgung Ryeong and Song Ak.
Then she turned to face Bu Eunseol.
“I know you've been opposing the Three Realms. This was probably part of handling those matters, and you found me.”
“Indeed.”
“In the Clear River Realm, they said they allied with the Inbiin for this brainwashing.”
Inbiin.
A Buddhist term.
Beings who are neither human, animal, nor divine.
“And those brainwashed like me could become Inbiin.”
It was cryptic.
‘Something's off.’
Bu Eunseol had always felt a subtle unease.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung said one of the Three Realms harbored a terrifying plan, and Infinite Realm acted to stop it.
Bu Eunseol had been certain it was the Returning to One Realm.
When the Heavenly Deity learned Bu Eunseol shared similar thoughts with the Returning to One Realm's banner, he declared they could never coexist and attacked.
But now, he sensed the strangeness.
What the Clear River Realm was doing was even more bizarre than the Infinite or Returning to One Realms.
‘So the Three Realms were trying to stop forces from the abyss?’
“Is Inbiin the name of a faction?”
A-Yeon said in a low voice. “I don't know. But when mentioning Inbiin, the Clear River Realm often referred to a place.”
“Where?”
“Jijung Mountain.”
“Jijung Mountain.”
Bu Eunseol frowned.
No mountain or place in the Central Plains bore that name.
It was likely not a location, but one of the abyss forces that had never revealed itself.
“It must be accurate. It's not my memory... but hers.”
Her voice carried a touch of sorrow.
Though Eunra was a witch who devoured her body, she was also... another version of herself.
‘The Clear River Realm has definitely allied with external forces.’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
He had thought the Three Realms were self-contained. But the Clear River Realm had joined another power.
That meant upheaval in the Three Realms.
“Then where are these Inbiin?”
“They're hidden across the Central Plains. They'll reveal themselves soon.”
Unfortunately, as the Jade, A-Yeon had never truly operated and knew little of the Clear River Realm's high-level secrets.
“Sorry. I wasn't any help.”
A-Yeon gave a self-deprecating smile.
Brainwashed, she had caused Bu Eunseol immense harm. Even allied with the Clear River Realm, she provided no information.
“Not at all. You've been a great help.”
“Then, I'll return to my temple.”
She gazed at Bu Eunseol with deep, earnest eyes before breaking into a radiant smile.
It wasn't a smile full of affection, but the enlightened smile of a Buddhist nun who had transcended love.
“And I will never forget the grace you've shown me.”
She had finally crossed the gate of profound, distant affection.
“Then.”
Before Bu Eunseol could reply, A-Yeon swiftly executed her movement technique and vanished like mist.
“Benefactor Bu.”
Song Ak approached Bu Eunseol.
“It was a lie.”
“A lie?”
“Lady A-Yeon hasn't fully transcended the gate of affection. She merely lied for your sake.”
Song Ak had seen tears in her eyes as she turned.
Those were not the tears of a woman devoted to Buddhism, but of a woman resigned to unattainable love.
“She was crying.” Song Ak sighed and murmured. “So she could let her beloved depart in peace by giving up.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
It hadn't been long, nor had there been a chance to exchange hearts.
Yet she harbored such deep affection for him.
“That's right.” Bukgung Ryeong chimed in. “If the girl truly intended to fully devote herself to Buddhism, she wouldn't have said she'd never forget the grace.”
Buddhism taught to forget even great kindness and deep grudges. Attachment only breeds more suffering.
But A-Yeon said she wouldn't forget.
She had unwittingly spoken her true feelings.
“Affection is a mysterious thing.”
Bukgung Ryeong said, looking at Bu Eunseol's complicated expression.
“A fleeting encounter, a single moment, can lead to instant understanding... or lifelong longing.”
After a pause, he spoke solemnly.
“Take her in. Otherwise, she'll long for you forever and die.”
“Old man.”
“You already have two wives?”
“Fiancées. Formal ones.”
“Then formally, consider it saving one more life.” Bukgung Ryeong said with utmost seriousness. “Two or three, it's the same anyway.”
“I'll handle it myself.”
“You? After I played matchmaker?”
When Bukgung Ryeong grew annoyed, Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“I have much to do. I don't want to create unnecessary ties when I might die any day.”
Bu Eunseol had to press forward, unravel all the mysteries surrounding him, and avenge his grandfather and parents.
Forming a family before that was impossible.
“What if you finish everything?”
Bukgung Ryeong's insistence made Bu Eunseol shake his head with a bitter smile.
“If I can, it would be heaven taking pity and helping me... For now, I just hope she resolves everything well.”
Realizing Bu Eunseol's gaze was utterly serious, Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
“Fate is indeed inevitable.”
He had roamed the martial world alone, meeting many ties, yet failed to achieve his goals. Until his dying breath, his aim had been to uphold the martial world's righteousness.
Bukgung Ryeong sensed Bu Eunseol had a goal he must accomplish.
“Still, this old man hopes... you can form a family.”
It was Bukgung Ryeong's sincere wish—a blessing for Bu Eunseol's long journey.
Bu Eunseol gave a dry smile and nodded.
“I'll try.”
Bukgung Ryeong smiled faintly.
If he could see that arrogant fellow with a family, holding a child who looked just like him...
There would be nothing more to wish for.
“Now, one thing remains.”
Song Ak alternated glances between Bu Eunseol and Bukgung Ryeong.
“It seems the time has come to resolve our sect's crisis.”
Having heard everything about Song Ak from the Martial Alliance, Bukgung Ryeong realized he couldn't solve Wudang's issue alone. He had seen and heard much but he couldn't unravel a mystery even Wudang's finest couldn't.
But fortunately, he knew someone capable.
A genius young man with unmatched observation, wisdom, and insight—who could solve any problem.
Yet he couldn't guarantee the man would help Wudang.
Their paths differed too greatly.
But Bukgung Ryeong saw a glimmer.
Bu Eunseol had first asked about brainwashing and explained A-Yeon's situation.
“I know someone who can make your fake death succeed perfectly.”
After hearing everything, Bukgung Ryeong thought of Song Ak and continued solemnly: “It is better than if I worked alone. But both of us can't coexist with the demonic path.”
He continued solemnly: “If resolved, you must help him once no matter his path. He's in trouble. Can you?”
Bu Eunseol agreed naturally.
This couldn't be done alone.
With Bu Eunseol's consent, Bukgung Ryeong approached Song Ak: “I know someone to resolve this. But he's a demonic path practitioner.”
Bukgung Ryeong spoke gravely: “If you need it desperately, I can bring him. But you must help him first. He's not one to owe debts.”
Confidently adding: “I guarantee he'll resolve Wudang's crisis.”
Thus, Bukgung Ryeong persuaded both and arranged a secret meeting.
Fortunately, Bu Eunseol and Song Ak knew each other and held mutual respect.
“If I help rescue Benefactress A-Yeon, you must assist me once.”
Bu Eunseol, thankfully, didn't ask what help Song Ak needed.
Song Ak was a pure man.
If he sought such desperate aid, it must be worthwhile.
Moreover, offering help first left no reason to refuse.
The plan proceeded smoothly.
‘Hmm.’
Finishing his recollection, Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
“First, explain it to him.”
Song Ak took a deep breath and said to Bu Eunseol: “Our sect's elders have fallen into a sleepwalking sickness.”
A heavy silence fell over the forest.
“Sleepwalking sickness?”
“Yes.”
After a long silence, Bu Eunseol spoke clearly:
“Banxia Sashin Soup, Yigansan, and Yeonggyechulgam Soup are good for treating sleepwalking.”
“...”
Bu Eunseol nodded firmly at Bukgung Ryeong.
“Resolved.”
Song Ak waved his hands and explained, “Not that. It's called sleepwalking, but it's more like a bizarre plague.”
He said with a gloomy expression, “At night, they wander Wudang Mountain, tearing and eating live birds. When there's nothing left... they've even dug up graves behind the ancestral hall.”
Bu Eunseol's eyes widened.
Wudang Taoists of deep cultivation suffering sleepwalking and devouring live beasts was bizarre enough.
But digging graves to desecrate ancestors' bodies?
It sounded like a tale from horror stories.
“No time to waste—let's talk on the way.” Bukgung Ryeong said. “A carriage waits at the mountain base.”
“You're coming too, old man?”
“If not me? What identity will you use to enter Wudang?” Bukgung Ryeong said calmly. “Disguise appropriately and follow. We'll say you're my disciple.”
Using Seon Woojin's identity would reveal dual identities to Song Ak.
Bukgung Ryeong was looking out for Bu Eunseol.
“Understood.”
Crack.
Disguised as mercenary Seolso, Bu Eunseol nodded immediately.
“Let's depart at once.”
At that moment, he had no idea.
By resolving Wudang's crisis...
He would gain clues to his mother's lost memories and the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
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