At that moment, the tip of Myeong Un’s sword, locked against the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, glowed red-hot.
Hiss.
He was pushed back four full steps.
Even Myeong Un, who had perfectly inherited Neung Ryeong’s abilities through the Returning to One Realm’s great method, could not withstand Bu Eunseol’s inner power.
“Heh heh. Were you so confident merely because of your inner strength?”
Though he had been forced back by Bu Eunseol’s overwhelming inner power, Myeong Un wore a satisfied smile.
He had perfectly read and defended against the killing strike unleashed by the world-renowned Bu Eunseol.
“So this is the extent of the Martial Soul Command Lord’s true vacuum swordsmanship.”
Pride filled Myeong Un’s eyes.
He had seen through that this single move was Bu Eunseol’s true vacuum sword art.
In other words—if one set aside the disparity in inner power—he was a master equal to the famed Bu Eunseol in swordsmanship alone.
“Do you truly believe that?”
Clank.
Bu Eunseol sheathed the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and assumed his stance once more.
Yet Myeong Un merely smiled faintly.
“No matter what sword form you unleash, it will be useless. It won’t work on me.”
“A pity.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze narrowed.
“Because you did not attain it through your own arduous refinement, but inherited it easily through their great method…”
Bzzz!
In that instant, the Meteor Chasing the Moon Escape Form unfolded once again.
The entire world seemed to freeze, and only the crimson-tinged Silent Tiger Soul Sword slowly stabbed toward Myeong Un’s throat.
Bzzz!
Yet Myeong Un once more precisely met the tip of Bu Eunseol’s blade with his own.
He had blocked the sword art a second time.
Drip, drip, drip.
Blood trickled from the corner of Myeong Un’s mouth.
Had he suffered internal injuries from failing to fully withstand the immense counterforce contained in the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form?
‘This is…’
But regrettably, this was not due to the gap in inner power.
‘He did it… on purpose.’
Only then did Myeong Un realize.
The reason he could read the trajectory of this terrifying ultimate-speed killing technique was not because Bu Eunseol had truly aimed for his throat, but because from the beginning, Bu Eunseol had targeted the tip of his own sword.
Had Bu Eunseol truly intended to kill him, his head would have fallen with that single strike.
“The Hyungsan Sect’s sword arts survived only because they were specialized against wielders of demonic swords.”
Shaaa!
Dozens of blades formed from true qi materialized around Bu Eunseol’s body.
Soaring six chang into the air, the blades of true qi curved as if alive, glaring at Myeong Un before halting.
“If you had fought the overlords who dominate the martial world, you would already be a wandering ghost in the nine heavens.”
Had he truly wished to kill Myeong Un?
He would have instantly severed his throat with the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form.
Even if, by some miracle, Myeong Un had evaded it, Bu Eunseol could simply pierce his body with the Wishful True Binding as he was doing now.
In other words, the only reason Myeong Un had blocked the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form twice was Bu Eunseol’s mercy—he had waited until Myeong Un himself felt the disparity in skill.
“In the end, it was nothing but a dream.”
Myeong Un’s eyes grew dim.
Two hundred years ago, Neung Ryeong had been the foremost swordsman among the Nine Great Sects and One Union.
His swordsmanship was so exquisite that none could rival it, and he prided himself on being worthy to contend with the grandmasters of his era.
But he had overlooked one thing.
To reach such a realm, Neung Ryeong had undergone countless years of bitter refinement, fought innumerable battles against experts, and attained profound enlightenment through that process.
In contrast, Myeong Un had merely inherited that refined martial learning easily through the Returning to One Realm’s great method.
Ultimately, victory in combat cannot be secured simply by mastering a supreme art.
“I forgot that to reach such boundless heights… an equal measure of effort and hardship is required.”
Drip.
Blood flowed from Myeong Un’s mouth.
Only now did he realize that even though he had inherited martial arts through the Returning to One Realm’s great method, he could never rebuild the Hyungsan Sect.
“Why on earth…”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze clouded.
He had deliberately restrained his killing intent and given Myeong Un chances to spare his life.
Yet in the end, Myeong Un severed his own heart meridians.
“Defeat means death. Better this than dying wretchedly from the gu poison.”
Myeong Un spoke calmly.
“This is how the Returning to One Realm keeps its secrets.”
Gu poison.
To safeguard their secrets, the Returning to One Realm implanted gu poison in everyone.
“I’m sorry.”
Myeong Un looked at Bu Eunseol with sorrowful eyes.
“I promised to repay the debt of liquor, yet I cannot.”
There was no regret on his face.
Only then did Bu Eunseol understand.
Even though Myeong Un had sensed he could not win, he had proudly faced him in battle.
“You should have simply fled.”
At Bu Eunseol’s sigh, Myeong Un smiled faintly.
“All my life, the thing I hated most was fleeing with my martial brothers whenever we met a strong enemy.”
“…”
“Heaven has shown mercy and granted me our sect’s martial arts… How could I choose to flee again?”
“Have all your martial brothers joined the Returning to One Realm?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Myeong Un lowered his head and replied,
“Several years ago, while escorting a caravan, they encountered a master from the Green Forest and all perished. Well… it was only a matter of time.”
At that time, the martial skill of the Hyungsan Sect’s martial brothers was merely second-rate—neither more nor less.
Wandering the Central Plains as escorts to survive, they would have died the moment they met true first-rate experts.
In truth, they had lasted longer than Myeong Un expected.
“I alone barely survived… but I lacked the strength to rebuild the Hyungsan Sect.”
Gush.
Myeong Un coughed up a mouthful of bright red blood and staggered.
“Because of the great method, even severing my heart meridians does not let me die easily.”
“Where is the Returning to One Realm’s main base?” Bu Eunseol immediately infused true qi into Myeong Un’s life gate acupoint. “Even a subordinate branch will do. I must recover my grandfather’s remains that they stole.”
Myeong Un shook his head.
“They are thorough. They would never reveal the main base to an outsider like me.” Gasping, he continued, “I merely agreed to obey the orders of the Special Divine Ranks like a puppet in exchange for the Hyungsan Sect’s martial arts. However…”
With fading eyes, Myeong Un said, “I once heard that, more than ten years ago, the Returning to One Realm’s banner changed completely.”
“Banner?”
“Yes. They said the sect leader became an entirely different person…”
Myeong Un tried to say more, but sensing his life ending, his eyes widened.
“I have a request.”
With his last remaining strength, he drew out a manual and a small glass vial from his bosom.
“It is not a precise transcription, since I attained it through the great method, but I did my best to restore it. Please… deliver this manual to someone worthy of rebuilding the Hyungsan Sect.”
The cover of the manual Myeong Un had kept close to his heart was now stained red with his blood.
“If you do this, even in hell I will never forget your grace.”
Bu Eunseol accepted the manual with a grave expression and nodded.
From that solemn, resolute look alone, Myeong Un could feel he would surely keep the promise.
“And with this Hwagolsan… please take care of the aftermath.”
Receiving the vial, Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered like ripples.
The Three Realms were always like this.
They manipulated people by exploiting their desperate wishes, then took their lives like discarding pawns to protect their secrets.
This alone was why he could never forgive the Three Realms.
Hummm.
Bu Eunseol ceaselessly infused the Ban-Geuk Method into Myeong Un.
Once the heart meridians are severed, not even the Hua Tuo could save him. Yet to ensure Myeong Un felt no pain, Bu Eunseol continuously poured pure true qi into him.
Filled with sorrow and compassion, Bu Eunseol gazed at him.
Myeong Un smiled as he looked into those eyes.
The heir of Majeon who shook the world, the young grandmaster who moved the demonic martial world, was known as utterly ruthless.
In truth, he was a warm-hearted man who felt deep affection and experienced others’ pain as his own.
“I always end up owing you.”
With all his strength, Myeong Un moved to bow formally to Bu Eunseol.
“Even as a ghost, I will surely repay this grace…”
The moment he finally brought his hands together, the light flickering in his eyes slowly faded.
He had finally passed.
“Do not worry.”
Bu Eunseol gently closed the eyes of Myeong Un, who had died while bowing to him.
“The Hyungsan Sect will surely be rebuilt before long.”
At those words, a faint smile appeared on the lips of the deceased Myeong Un.
As if he had heard them.
With a pained expression, Bu Eunseol picked up the vial of Hwagolsan in Myeong Un’s hand.
If Myeong Un left a corpse, the Returning to One Realm might use his body again.
He had already become the Neung Ryeong of two hundred years ago. His body could never be buried.
Hiss…
As the Hwagolsan was poured, Myeong Un’s flesh began to melt softly.
Unable to watch Myeong Un’s body being horribly dissolved, Bu Eunseol turned away slowly, pressing his palms together in solemn respect.
***
Returning to the Martial Soul Society, Do Cheonlin quickly recovered from the wounds inflicted by Myeong Un.
Because of the wandering warriors who lived with injuries, mercenary markets always stocked up on useful medicines. Moreover, the Martial Soul Society had originally been the largest mercenary market in Shaanxi, the Red Sky Veil, so it possessed virtually every kind of external wound medicine scattered throughout the martial world.
After treatment, Do Cheonlin wasted no time checking the skills of the Mercenary Corps' warriors and conducting training suited to their levels.
The Mercenary Corps had become a massive unit more than twice the size of other battalions.
After changing from Red Sky Veil to the Martial Soul Society, Dam Yuyeon and Do Cheonlin had both been certain that most mercenaries would leave.
Mercenaries generally loved wandering freely without ties.
But contrary to expectations, the majority chose to become official warriors of the Martial Soul Society.
They were the ones who had fought alongside Dam Yuyeon, risking their lives, when the Black Flag Society invaded.
“We shouldn’t keep wandering aimlessly. Isn’t it time we did something big?”
The mercenaries sensed it instinctively.
Though it might seem insignificant at the start, the Martial Soul Society would one day become a core force capable of reshaping the martial world.
When it was announced that the Mercenary Corps would be formed and official warriors would receive generous salaries according to their skill, the mercenaries chose not to leave and instead all wished to become official members.
While Do Cheonlin trained the mercenaries, Dam Yuyeon ceaselessly tracked the locations of the demonic beings using the intelligence network Bu Eunseol had provided.
Since the intelligence networks of the Death Spirit Corps and the Supreme Corps were now partially integrated, they could detect and pinpoint the locations of demonic beings across the Central Plains faster than any other information organization.
She provided their locations to the Martial Alliance and the black path factions so they could deal with them, while simultaneously spreading rumors so that common folk became aware of the demonic beings’ existence.
“The warriors of the Martial Alliance and the black path are protecting us.”
As the commoners’ attention focused, the black path factions—who had been quietly trying to withdraw—began diligently handling the demonic beings again.
If they pulled out now, under such scrutiny?
Not only would their faction’s prestige plummet, but the reputation of the black market organizations—the backbone of the black path—would hit rock bottom as well.
If the black market organizations, who lived among the common folk, lost power, the black path sects themselves would shrink in influence.
“Now… we cannot withdraw even if we want to.”
The black path factions gritted their teeth.
They had no choice but to continue dealing with the demonic beings.
“I’m sorry.”
When Bu Eunseol returned to the Martial Soul Society, Do Cheonlin quickly sought him out and spoke earnestly.
“Please do not tell her.”
Upon returning to Red Sky Veil, Do Cheonlin had lied to Dam Yuyeon.
If he told her the truth—that he had nearly died from a Returning to One Realm ambush—she would realize he had not activated the emergency system and endured alone.
Not only would he face nagging, but Dam Yuyeon would worry day and night that he might be attacked again.
“I told her we got carried away during sparring and ended up like this.”
Do Cheonlin said in a low voice.
“If she learns it was a Returning to One Realm attack… with her personality, she won’t stay quiet. She might even demand to reorganize the Martial Soul Society’s intelligence network again.”
One of the most painful things in the world is seeing the person you love lose sleep and worry because of you.
“And knowing that, you still didn’t activate the emergency system?”
“I understand. I’ll be careful from now on.”
Do Cheonlin took the opportunity to voice concerns he had long kept inside.
“But from now on, you need to steel your heart as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to order me to flee like a rat whenever a strong enemy appears?” He continued with a solemn expression. “I know you value your subordinates more than your own life. But you cannot forever take responsibility for all their lives.”
He too had once been the young lord of the massive Blood Flame Blade Sect, commanding countless warriors like limbs while managing the demonic world.
Through the many experiences shared with Bu Eunseol, Do Cheonlin had seen that beneath his blunt exterior lay deeper affection than anyone else, and he sensed that this would become a great weakness in the future.
Now he intended to point it out bluntly.
“If the Martial Soul Society is to grow into a martial alliance in the future, the blood of countless subordinates will be required. Will you despair and suffer each time?”
“I…”
Bu Eunseol avoided Do Cheonlin’s gaze and muttered softly.
“I merely do what I can to keep those around me from harm.”
“I know. I know that you handle these matters not out of some noble mission to save the martial world, but to protect the people around you.”
Do Cheonlin knew.
The greatest reason Bu Eunseol had founded the Martial Soul Society was to protect those he cherished.
To create a sanctuary no one could touch.
Neither Majeon nor the Martial Alliance was safe anymore.
They had become little more than hells filled with demons.
“But listen well, Bu Eunseol.”
Do Cheonlin spoke in an utterly grave voice.
“I, your close friends, your subordinates—we are all warriors who stake our lives on the edge of the blade.”
“…”
“We have all chosen the life of martial fools who sleep with our swords as pillows!”
“We are all warriors living on the edge of the blade, martial fools who sleep with swords as pillows.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
Just as he himself had once wandered the martial world with a single sword, heedless of his life, for revenge… so too had they lived in this martial world of mingled grace and grudge, endlessly wiping blood from their blades.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Bu Eunseol gave Do Cheonlin a faint smile.
“I will make sure such words are never spoken again.”
‘That smile.’
Seeing his smile, clear as an autumn sky, Do Cheonlin sighed.
The closer one grew to Bu Eunseol, the clearer the true self hidden behind that cold face became.
Behind the peerless grandmaster who moved the martial world lay a gentle child who would sit quietly in peaceful times, cleaning corpses with his grandfather and happily eating noodle soup with a single piece of pickled radish, content with an uneventful day.
‘Yes, what fault is it of yours?’
Do Cheonlin bit his lip.
‘It is the martial world that turned an innocent child into a demon of vengeance.’
And he resolved once more.
‘I will protect you. So that the gentle child survives the martial world to the end.’
That was surely the heart of everyone who truly cherished Bu Eunseol.
They never wished to see that child cry, and they would ensure nothing ever caused it.
Do Cheonlin swore it in his heart again and again.
***
Bu Eunseol boarded a carriage and headed back toward Majeon.
Originally, he had planned to direct various matters at the Martial Soul Society and return to Majeon once things stabilized but Do Cheonlin and Dam Yuyeon were managing the Martial Soul Society better than he ever could.
Moreover, Dae Guhwi and Bing Hanpung were training diligently with their subordinates to face the demonic beings.
There was nothing for him to do right now.
[A letter has arrived.]
At that moment, Soyo’s thousand-li sound transmission reached him.
Bu Eunseol immediately stepped down from the carriage and met Soyo in a secluded forest.
Visible between the rocks, she looked somewhat thinner.
Following Bu Eunseol day and night or swiftly carrying information between Majeon and the Martial Alliance—she could not help but be exhausted.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Bu Eunseol spoke aloud to Soyo.
The integration of the orthodox and demonic intelligence networks had been possible only because of her, a secret agent unmatched in the world.
[Hard work? Nonsense.]
“Within a hundred jang, it’s safe. You can speak normally.”
[No. We must still be cautious, just in case.]
Bu Eunseol felt apologetic.
“How about taking a leave for a while? Now we have Protector Tak and the Flying Demon Corps.”
Tak Ilhon possessed qinggong rivaling Soyo’s, and the Flying Demon Corps had become spies surpassing even the elite of the Death Spirit Corps.
They could more than fill her absence.
[I agree with that.]
“Then I’ll speak to Protector Tak at once.”
Yet Soyo said something unexpected.
[Not that. I mean the part about not worrying too much about those around you.]
At the sudden words, Bu Eunseol blinked for a long while.
Only after some time did he realize she was referring to the conversation he had with Do Cheonlin at the Martial Soul Society.
In truth, Soyo had known far longer than anyone that Bu Eunseol possessed a tender heart.
That was why she had never left his side, not even for a single day.
[Me, the Death Spirit Corps, the Flying Demon Corps—we are all warriors.]
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol gave an embarrassed smile toward Soyo, hidden among the rocks.
“I made you worry over nothing.”
[Here.]
She extended her hand through the crevice, and a sealed envelope flew straight toward him.
Swish.
Opening the envelope and reading the letter inside, Bu Eunseol’s expression grew strange.
‘Brother Yoo?’
An utterly unexpected person.
It was a letter from Yoo Hwaryeong of the Thousand Swords Society.
“I’m sorry. I promised never to seek you again, yet here I am sending a letter.”
In the past, to honor his promise to the Thousand Swords Society, Bu Eunseol had pursued the culprit at the risk of his life in Sichuan, even clashing with the Eastern Division.
In the end, he only destroyed the Infinite Realm’s underground holy land and failed to find the one called the demon.
Yet Yoo Hwaryeong had been satisfied.
To avoid causing further harm to Bu Eunseol, now the successor of Majeon, he had declared that the debt to the Thousand Swords Society was settled and he would never seek him again.
But now he had suddenly sent a letter.
Feeling an ominous premonition, Bu Eunseol hurriedly read on.
“This concerns our society, but I felt I absolutely had to inform you as well.”
The longer Yoo Hwaryeong’s handwriting reflected in his eyes, the deeper Bu Eunseol’s gaze became.
“No matter how hard our society tried, we could not find the culprit. We attempted many methods long ago.”
“One of them was seeking the Boeun Coin.”
‘Boeun Coin.’
It was not a bad choice.
Bu Eunseol too, unable to find the culprit who killed his grandfather, had chosen that method, and in the end, through the Divine Mountain Sage, he learned the culprit was one of the Seven Great Division Commanders.
“Yet obtaining the Boeun Coin and finding the greatest sage of the martial world was never easy.”
“But heaven showed mercy and thanks to pouring vast wealth and manpower, we barely succeeded in acquiring the Boeun Coin.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes darkened as he read.
After their leader and most of the Ten Seats perished, the Thousand Swords Society had become a sect unable to properly function in the martial world but the accumulated wealth passed down through generations was unmatched by any sect, allowing them to conduct various secret operations.
But the Boeun Coin could not be obtained through wealth or manpower alone.
Because the Divine Mountain Sage did not scatter the Boeun Coin randomly.
He meticulously calculated whose hands it would fall into before releasing it.
‘Is he… trying to manipulate the Thousand Swords Society?’
Lightning flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The Thousand Swords Society obtaining the Boeun Coin was neither due to money nor coincidence…
It was ultimately the result intended by the Divine Mountain Sage.
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