Walking beside Dan Cheong was a middle-aged man with a cold demeanor, as if not even a needle could draw a drop of blood from him.
It was Baek Yeon, the Great Leader of the Peongan Corps.
“No one can stop that So Jeon fellow. It’s a relief it ended safely,” Baek Yeon said.
“Vice-Sect Leader. Corps Leader.” Bu Eunseol bowed deeply to both men, and Dan Cheong laughed heartily.
“You’ve become quite the stalwart man in just a year!”
As Dan Cheong offered praise, Baek Yeon stepped forward and said, “You saved the jewel of Majeon and, in the end, dealt with the Gong Twin Demons?”
“How did you know?” Bu Eunseol asked.
The missions and details of Nine Deaths Squad members were strictly confidential. Even the higher-ups in Majeon couldn’t access such information unless directly involved. Seeing Bu Eunseol’s surprised expression, Baek Yeon gave a faint smile.
“Under normal circumstances, that information would’ve been hard to come by.” With an enigmatic smile, Baek Yeon continued, “But because you turned Yueyang upside down, every intelligence organization has taken notice of you.” Since Bu Eunseol arrived in Yueyang, the orthodox sect’s intelligence networks in the Hunan region had been nearly annihilated.
As a result, not only Majeon but also the orthodox sects were desperate to uncover the mysterious Number Eighteen who had silently wreaked havoc in Yueyang.
“I didn’t know,” Bu Eunseol said.
It was a lie.
He had already accessed all the information flowing into the Yueyang Branch. Thus, he was somewhat aware of the movements of both Majeon and the Martial Alliance. Unaware that Bu Eunseol was feigning ignorance, Baek Yeon raised the corner of his mouth.
“Of course you wouldn’t. Majeon’s intelligence organizations have been working tirelessly to conceal your identity.”
“Majeon was helping me?”
“If your identity were exposed, the blame would fall on Majeon. Thanks to that, our sect has been sending Peongan Corps members to Yueyang almost daily.” Listening to Baek Yeon, Dan Cheong laughed heartily, as if something amused him.
“There was much debate about which faction sent Number Eighteen to the Yueyang Branch. When it was revealed to be you, Majeon was utterly shocked. Heh heh heh.”
“It’s not a laughing matter, Vice-Sect Leader,” Baek Yeon said with a sigh. “Because this kid stirred up Hunan as a Nine Deaths Squad member, we’ve attracted unnecessary attention.”
“Unnecessary attention?”
“Majeon is preparing to make full use of the Ten Demon Successors. But if this kid keeps drawing attention, it could lead to harsher assignments.”
“Hmm.”
The Ten Demon Successors.
Modeled after the Martial Alliance’s Righteous Successors plan, they were individuals trained in the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects without regard for their original affiliations.
The problem was that, despite the title of “Successors,” they were essentially treated as expendable tools to deal with top-tier masters. Most of the Ten Demonic Sects already had excellent disciples and warriors. For them to accept the rapidly created Ten Demon Successors as true disciples, formed through Majeon’s initiative, was no easy task.
“The more outstanding he is, the harsher the missions he’ll receive,” Dan Cheong said.
Baek Yeon nodded. “Moreover, the heirs of the existing Ten Demonic Sects view the Ten Demon Successors with disdain. After all, they’ve been freely taught their sects’ ultimate techniques.”
“No matter how exceptional the Ten Demon Successors are, they’re still outsiders.”
“Exactly.” Looking at Bu Eunseol, Baek Yeon shook his head. “The disciples and factions of the existing Ten Demonic Sects hope the Ten Demon Successors will perish alongside the top-tier masters. That’s why they keep pressuring Majeon to deploy them.”
“Hmm.” Dan Cheong narrowed his eyes. “Indeed, when I was at Hell Island, there were many who seemed exceptionally talented besides this kid.”
“Unlike our sect, the other Ten Demonic Sects are entangled with various factions and internal power struggles for succession. They can’t simply rejoice at gaining an outstanding Ten Demon Warrior.” Dan Cheong chuckled at Baek Yeon’s explanation.
“The higher-ups of the other Ten Demonic Sects must have quite a headache, except for our sect.”
Nangyang valued ability above all. But that was a unique trait of Nangyang.
Fundamentally, a sect is a coalition of power and order. Selecting warriors while completely ignoring internal factions was no simple matter.
“I expect that within a year, perhaps a year and a half, Majeon will summon the Ten Demon Successors.”
“A year?”
“I initially predicted three years, but with the factions of the Ten Demonic Sects applying so much pressure, Majeon will likely make a decision within a year at the latest.”
“I see.” Predicting future events by gathering all the martial world’s information was the role of the Great Leader of the Peongan Corps. And Baek Yeon’s predictions had never been wrong.
“Good. I was planning to keep an eye on this kid for a year anyway. We have our sect’s pride to uphold.”
“Indeed,” Baek Yeon nodded, then added unexpectedly, “But… now that I think about it, isn’t he too grown to call him a kid?”
“You’re right,” Dan Cheong said, looking at Bu Eunseol, who exuded the aura of a formidable martial artist, and sighed. “He no longer looks like a kid… but in my eyes, he’s still that skinny boy.” It was likely because Dan Cheong felt affection for Bu Eunseol. Knowing this, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands.
“I’m merely a disciple of Nangyang. Call me whatever feels comfortable.”
“Haha, your way with words has improved quite a bit.” Laughing heartily, Dan Cheong nodded and said, “Bu Eunseol. Would you like to learn martial arts under this Vice-Sect Leader for a year?”
It was the second time.
Dan Cheong had previously offered to teach Bu Eunseol, but he was refused due to Bu Eunseol’s determination to master practical martial arts. But given how things had unfolded, Dan Cheong was certain he wouldn’t be refused this time.
“Can you show me a move?” Bu Eunseol asked unexpectedly.
“What?”
“I want to perfect my own practical martial arts.” Dan Cheong mulled over Bu Eunseol’s words for a long moment before his eyes widened.
“So, you’re saying I need to prove my skill to teach you? Is that what you mean?”
“No, it’s through real combat that…”
“Heh heh heh.” Holding his forehead, Dan Cheong suddenly looked to the distant sky and burst into laughter. “Hahahahaha!”
After laughing for a while, he turned to Baek Yeon and said, “I really like this kid. He’s never once acted as I expected!”
Baek Yeon, with a serious expression, said to Bu Eunseol, “Take back those words immediately. Do you realize what you’re saying?”
“Let him be,” Dan Cheong said, grinning. “This kid learns incredibly fast. Rather than teaching him martial arts for a year, it’s better for him to feel and observe directly.”
“Vice-Sect Leader.”
Despite Baek Yeon’s words, Dan Cheong smiled and asked Bu Eunseol, “What should this Vice-Sect Leader teach you? Fist techniques, the Eighteen Weapons—anything you like.”
“Teach me swordsmanship.”
“I knew it.”
Shing.
Dan Cheong drew a flexible sword from his waist.
“Take your stance.” Bu Eunseol nodded and drew his sword. He stood casually, yet showed no openings.
“Good stance.”
“Thank you.”
Holding the flexible sword, Dan Cheong said calmly, “I’ll execute just one move. Block it as you see fit.”
“Understood.” As Bu Eunseol responded, Dan Cheong moved his flexible sword.
Instantly, Bu Eunseol’s vision turned white. No, the entire world seemed to glow white.
Swish, swish, swish.
The light was as dazzling as morning sunlight, yet it shifted to the soft glow of countless stars illuminating the night sky. Those intense yet gentle beams transformed into countless sword strikes, enveloping Bu Eunseol’s entire body.
“Vice-Sect Leader, show some mercy…!” Baek Yeon shouted in alarm.
Crack!
The longsword made of refined steel in Bu Eunseol’s hand shattered into dozens of pieces, falling to the ground. At the same time, faint sword marks were etched across his clothing.
Flutter.
As his tattered clothes flapped in the wind like rags, a massive boulder standing dozens of yards away split into two and rolled to the ground.
Rumble, rumble.
Hearing the sound of the boulder collapsing, Bu Eunseol’s chest trembled as if his body had been cleaved in two.
“…” His usually cold, steady eyes were wide open, and cold sweat poured relentlessly down his back.
Is this… a martial art a human can achieve?
He had felt an insurmountable wall facing So Jeon’s martial prowess, but he believed he could one day surpass it. Yet the power Dan Cheong displayed was beyond the heavens.
Dan Cheong, a peerless grandmaster overlooking the martial world, had reached a realm Bu Eunseol couldn’t even imagine.
“The single strike I executed contains all the variations of the world’s swordsmanship,” Dan Cheong said calmly, looking at the stunned Bu Eunseol.
“I deliberately slowed it down fivefold, so you must have grasped the essence of its principles, right?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes twitched faintly.
A sword technique like an invisible light. And that was performed five times slower?
There’s a new realm. In truth, Bu Eunseol had been somewhat prideful about his martial arts.
He had mastered the essence of techniques faster than anyone in a short time. Given enough time, he believed there was no martial art in the world he couldn’t master. But that belief had completely changed.
Even if I surpass my limits multiple times, I may never reach it.
The absolute swordsmanship Dan Cheong displayed was a boundless realm any martial artist would strive to achieve in a lifetime. Witnessing that swordsmanship reignited the passion and martial spirit that had cooled within him.
A vague goal he couldn’t see before. That goal now appeared clearly as a vast sky.
This kid… Noticing the burning intensity in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Baek Yeon inwardly marveled. To make such an expression after seeing that sword strike?
It was a swordsmanship beyond the transcendent realm, reaching the ultimate heavenly realm, capable of disheartening even lifelong sword masters.
Yet Bu Eunseol, like a boy meeting his first love, was calming his pounding heart with fiery eyes.
Heh heh heh. Dan Cheong, watching him, suppressed a burst of laughter.
Just how far would this kid go? What would he become in ten years?
This will be interesting! There was a time Dan Cheong felt life was dull. But since meeting Bu Eunseol, it was as if a new, unknown world had unfolded before him.
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
“Nothing.” As Bu Eunseol shook his head, Dan Cheong turned with a calm expression.
“Study it for about a year, and it’ll greatly help you master swordsmanship.”
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol bowed deeply, and Baek Yeon placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Bu Eunseol.”
“Speak.”
“Don’t be reckless in the future…” Baek Yeon, about to say something, let out a deep sigh. “Forget it. Just do your best.”
Shaking his head for a long while, he eventually turned and followed Dan Cheong back to the courtyard.
***
What makes an exceptional swordsmanship?
What enhances a sword’s power, and what determines its superiority?
Bu Eunseol found the answer in Dan Cheong’s swordsmanship. It was time.
The Vice-Sect Leader unleashed 108 sword shadows in a single strike. If Bu Eunseol swung his sword as fast as possible, he could produce twelve sword shadows in one strike.
But Dan Cheong had unleashed 108 intricate sword strikes. In simple terms, he manipulated time four times more effectively than Bu Eunseol.
Moreover, swordsmanship isn’t just about time.
Dan Cheong’s single strike wove 108 distinct sword shadows into a cohesive whole, each move flowing like water. This was possible because he naturally incorporated all possible variations of martial arts into one strike.
“If I can seamlessly execute these 108 variations like flowing water…” Bu Eunseol gripped his sword tightly.
If he perfectly mastered this single sword technique, he would become adept at all variations of the sword. Then, he could wield swordsmanship freely, unbound by specific forms or techniques.
Swish!
Bu Eunseol thrust his sword forward. It was a simple motion, yet a powerful current of energy surged from the sword’s tip.
Swish, swish!
As the sword strikes shifted in the air, they gained speed, and the sword’s tip spun around his body.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The increasingly rapid sword strikes created a massive whirlwind, and then—
Boom!
They exploded like fireworks, scattering millions of light particles. Though the strikes were fleeting, the fragmented lights lingered in the air for a long time.
“I can’t use an ordinary sword anymore.” As Bu Eunseol muttered softly after executing the sword technique, crack, thud, cracks formed in the sword he held, and its blade shattered into pieces, falling to the ground.
The immense force contained within had completely destroyed the sword.
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