Clang!
The moment the sword tips collided, a metallic ring echoed alongside a storm-like shockwave that rippled outward in all directions.
Bu Eunseol’s Meteor Chasing the Moon Form was a sword technique that could only be unleashed when perfectly seizing an enemy’s opening.
Once deployed, even if it failed to kill, it was an extreme swift-kill style guaranteed to inflict a fatal wound.
He had clearly captured the flaw and executed it.
Yet how had Yang Daeryang not only precisely read the trajectory of the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form, but replicated Bu Eunseol’s own exclusive sword art in exactly the same way?
Moreover, despite initiating the technique later, how had he managed to clash blades at the exact same instant?
Whoosh!
Swallowing his shock, Bu Eunseol immediately retreated three zhang backward.
Yang Daeryang, however, did not pursue. He stood firmly in place, wearing a calm smile.
Through this exchange, Bu Eunseol had lost momentum, while Yang Daeryang had effectively gained the upper hand.
“Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol.”
Yang Daeryang curled the corner of his mouth.
“So the new-generation successor of Majeon was pretending to be a wandering mercenary.”
In that instant, a flash sparked in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
‘As expected, he’s from the Three Realms.’
When Bu Eunseol first encountered Yang Daeryang, he had deliberately presented himself as a mercenary yet he had made no attempt to hide his identity, openly displaying his exclusive sword art, the Supreme Heavenly Flow Form.
Because the Three Realms had, until now, obsessively tracked and studied every trace of his martial arts.
If Yang Daeryang were one of their agents, he would surely recognize the Supreme Heavenly Flow Form… allowing Bu Eunseol to identify which faction he belonged to.
“You’re from the Three Realms.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze narrowed.
One of the Seven Great Commanders that supported the Martial Alliance, and a leading candidate for the next Alliance Leader… had finally been revealed as a planted spy of the Three Realms.
That meant, just as he had suspected earlier, the remaining Commanders could all be external spies as well.
“Now I understand why you deliberately spread the tale of suddenly obtaining a heavenly fortune.” Bu Eunseol murmured lowly. “You joined the Three Realms long ago… and were learning martial arts that transcended ordinary principles.”
“Heh heh heh. What difference does it make if you realize that now?” Yang Daeryang chuckled, raising the corner of his mouth as if enjoying himself. “If I take your head, claiming the position of next Martial Alliance Leader won’t be just a dream.”
“Are you from the Infinite Realm? Or the Returning to One Realm?”
“Think whatever you like.”
He maintained a relaxed expression even knowing Bu Eunseol’s true identity.
Anyone from the Three Realms would know that Bu Eunseol had single-handedly slain the Heavenly Deity.
Did that mean he was stronger than the Heavenly Deity?
‘Or is he truly that confident because of this so-called absorption martial art?’
If Yang Daeryang’s words were true, he possessed an unprecedented technique that could perfectly absorb and replicate an opponent’s martial arts.
‘No, such a martial art doesn’t exist.’
If such a method had ever been created, the very concept of “exclusive martial arts” would have vanished from the martial world long ago.
‘Let’s try once more.’
Bu Eunseol twisted his grip on the Silent Soul Sword.
Flash!
In that instant, massive cross-shaped sword energies poured forth in succession, caging Yang Daeryang and sealing all paths of retreat.
He had deliberately used the Waning Moon, Dawn Star to provoke a clash of sword techniques.
Flash!
Then, once again, something bizarre occurred.
Yang Daeryang’s chained swords flashed, unleashing the exact same cross-shaped sword energies.
Booooom!
As the enormous cross energies intertwined in midair, a storm capable of blowing away the entire world erupted, sending waves of true qi soaring to the ends of the sky.
In the end, Yang Daeryang had perfectly replicated Bu Eunseol’s sword technique once more.
Hsssss.
With the sound of receding waves, the sword energies vanished in an instant.
“Is that all you have?”
The moment Yang Daeryang smiled,
Keeeeeee.
A wail like a ghost’s lament rang out as black smoke rose from Bu Eunseol’s body.
The deadly blade art that brought calamity to all living things the moment it was unleashed—the Seven Blood Tear Forms—had been deployed.
Ssssss.
As if daring him to copy it if he could, Bu Eunseol chose not the Life Lodges, Death Returns form he was most confident in, but the absolute blade style that transformed endlessly according to the enemy’s movements: the Half-Life, Half-Death Form.
Shaaaa.
The blade energy spreading like ink shifted infinitely in response to Yang Daeryang’s actions.
Keeeeeee.
Then, unbelievably, the same ghostly wail resounded from Yang Daeryang’s chained swords.
Ssssss.
He was executing the exact same Half-Life Half-Death Form that Bu Eunseol had just displayed.
Shaaaaa!
When the two endlessly changing blade energies collided, they dissipated like mist in an instant.
Whoosh!
In that opening, Yang Daeryang pierced Bu Eunseol’s defense and unleashed a lightning-fast sword strike.
It was the ultimate sword art once wielded by the leader of the Thousand Swords Society—the Soul-Shattering Flash Form.
Slash!
The sharp sword energy tore into Bu Eunseol’s body in a single breath.
It arrived at the perfect moment, leaving no room to move.
Buzzzz!
At that instant, a pitch-black barrier formed in front of Bu Eunseol.
With no time to dodge, he had instantly deployed the Wishful True Binding.
Boom!
Amid the explosion, Bu Eunseol was flung more than ten zhang outward.
Rustle.
His body crashed into an ancient tree, scattering leaves in all directions.
Thanks to the Wishful True Binding, his body remained intact, but the internal force contained in Yang Daeryang’s strike had shaken his organs, leaving his complexion slightly pale.
“Heh heh heh.”
Yang Daeryang did not press the attack, instead watching Bu Eunseol’s flustered expression with amusement.
“Did killing the Heavenly Deity make you think nothing could touch you?”
Step by step.
As Bu Eunseol emerged through the dust, Yang Daeryang spoke with a sneer.
“From this Commander’s perspective, the Heavenly Deity was nothing more than a pitiful old man—neither dead nor alive.”
His confidence was no bluff.
To instantly replicate both the Supreme Heavenly Flow Form—the culmination of Nangyang Pavilion’s practical sword arts—and even the absolute blade art of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, the Seven Blood Tear Forms?
His martial prowess was truly worthy of being called a Commander.
“You’re said to have many more tricks. Show them.”
Despite Yang Daeryang’s mockery, Bu Eunseol maintained a calm expression, quietly analyzing how his opponent possessed such ability.
The Supreme Heavenly Flow Form was something he himself had created and continually refined.
Moreover, the Seven Blood Tear Forms were an ultimate absolute blade art that could only produce proper blade strikes when the practitioner’s spirit and will perfectly aligned with his grandfather Bu Zhanyang’s.
To replicate such things instantly and perfectly?
‘In the past, the Earth-Killer Star did display a similar ability.’
But that was only possible through bizarre demonic arts using the corpses of those he had killed.
Yet Yang Daeryang showed no trace of evil energy or sorcery.
He had genuinely performed the exact same martial arts as Bu Eunseol.
How could such a thing happen?
“Let us end this.”
As Yang Daeryang raised his chained swords, light-like sword energies aimed for Bu Eunseol’s throat.
Lightning-fast sword flashes dug into his left and right flanks.
He was simultaneously executing the Blue Rain Purple Lightning Sword Form and the Soul-Shattering Flash Form.
Whoooosh.
At that moment, an inky glow rose from Bu Eunseol’s Silent Soul Sword.
Slash!
In the form of sword-body unity, it shot toward Yang Daeryang.
It was a rather forced supreme move meant to block both techniques.
“Hmph.”
Seeing Bu Eunseol seemingly resort to desperate, sloppy sword-body unity,
Slash!
Yang Daeryang likewise charged forward like a bolt of lightning, performing the exact same sword-body unity.
Flash!
As flashes swept left and right, the two passed through each other’s bodies.
Because they had executed perfectly identical martial arts, neither suffered damage.
In the end, Yang Daeryang had once again proven he could instantly replicate his opponent’s techniques.
“Have you revealed all your cards now, Martial Soul Command Lord?” Yang Daeryang approached with a confident expression. “You’ve been stirring up the martial world as you pleased all this time.”
Intense light poured from the chained swords Yang Daeryang raised.
It was the Thousand Swords Society’s ultimate art, said to reduce even a diamond-copper guardian to dust—the Great Heaven-Shattering Sword Force.
Flash!
Yet Bu Eunseol launched a rather unexpected attack.
He suddenly drew a hidden dagger from his bosom and hurled it toward Yang Daeryang’s forehead.
Slash!
Yang Daeryang, caught off guard by the absurdity, snatched the dagger with his left hand.
“Was this your final struggle?”
As he sneered and moved to crush it,
Boom!
The dagger exploded with a roar, purple thunder energy flashing.
He had not thrown it with ordinary means; he had concentrated his Thunder Spirit Energy within and launched it using the Explosive Thunder Flight technique.
Crackle.
As Thunder Spirit Energy spread everywhere, strange light flickered from Yang Daeryang’s index and middle fingers.
What had appeared to be normal fingers were in fact intricately crafted artifacts he wore.
“So that was the secret allowing you to absorb martial arts.”
Bu Eunseol looked at the gleaming fingers and curled his lips.
“The Black Divine Artifact.”
Yang Daeryang’s expression instantly hardened.
The Black Divine Artifact—his trump card that had never once failed while cutting down countless rivals in the martial world.
How had he seen through it?
“You knew in advance?”
“At first, I didn’t.”
A flash passed through Bu Eunseol’s long eyes.
“The Three Realms kept doing such bizarre things… I wondered if a method to truly absorb others’ martial arts actually existed.”
“…”
“But there’s a limit to absorbing martial arts.”
Contempt filled Bu Eunseol’s gaze as he looked at Yang Daeryang.
“Being able to instantly imitate an opponent’s martial art means instantly grasping its profound principles.”
Only then did Yang Daeryang realize his mistake.
“You deliberately used sword-body unity.”
He had thought the sudden sword-body unity was a desperate final move.
But in truth, Bu Eunseol had intentionally executed a flawed version riddled with openings.
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol snorted and shook his head. “Even though I performed a shoddy sword-body unity, instead of exploiting the openings, you stubbornly copied the technique. As if some external force compelled you to do so.”
The sword-body unity Bu Eunseol used was powerful, yet it was a poor move that exposed weaknesses unsuited to the situation.
If Yang Daeryang were truly a once-in-a-generation genius capable of instantly replicating any martial art, he would have immediately spotted the flaws and dealt Bu Eunseol a fatal blow.
But just as he had done until now, Yang Daeryang merely replicated the exact same technique, nullifying the attack.
In other words, he had not reached such heights through his own martial attainment…
But through some external aid.
“You figured it out from just that?”
When Yang Daeryang tilted his head, Bu Eunseol smirked.
“You boasted about your true strength, yet never used that vaunted Immortal Thread Finger Art.”
The Immortal Thread Finger Art was a mighty technique capable of blocking any martial art.
Yet once the real fight began, Yang Daeryang never employed it.
If he had properly combined it with his other skills, he could have displayed far more refined swordsmanship.
“Instead, whenever you executed martial arts, you hid those two fingers like precious treasures.”
Despite possessing the exclusive ultimate art known as Immortal Thread Finger Art, he rarely used it.
That suggested he had placed some mechanism on those fingers instead.
Bu Eunseol had applied light and shock to them via the Explosive Thunder Flight, instantly detecting the equipped Black Divine Artifact.
“You merely borrowed the Black Divine Artifact’s power to climb to that position…”
Disappointment filled Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he looked down at Yang Daeryang.
“So in the end, you weren’t the true culprit who killed my grandfather.”
“What nonsense is that?”
“You don’t even have the skill to massacre the entire Thousand Swords Society, let alone kill my grandfather.”
He continued in a voice thick with disappointment.
“Most likely, killing Seok Song and Woo Hak was done on someone’s orders.”
Yang Daeryang flinched.
How did this bastard know even that?
“If you can wield the Black Divine Artifact alone, you must be one of the Three Realms’ Special Divine Ranks or higher… Asking questions would be pointless.”
Yang Daeryang bit his lip.
Not only did this man look at him like a fish already caught, but upon realizing his overwhelming martial prowess came from the Black Divine Artifact’s function, he was showing deep disappointment.
“Don’t make me laugh!”
Sizzle!
As he gathered his inner force, tremendous light poured from Yang Daeryang’s index and middle fingers.
“Behold the fully unleashed Mysterious Yellow Sword Fingers!”
Terrifying energy capable of shattering heaven and earth condensed on those two fingers.
Realizing that Bu Eunseol—more than twenty years his junior—possessed superior martial prowess, overwhelmed by rage and shame, he released the Black Divine Artifact’s power to its maximum.
Shaaaaa!
A sound like waves crashing from all directions resounded.
Light pouring from the Mysterious Yellow Sword Fingers dyed the entire world white.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s vision turned pure white, and all sensation within his body vanished in a heartbeat.
‘The Black Divine Artifact even affects the senses…’
Suddenly the whole world became white.
His body felt like a block of wood—he could not move a single finger.
“Die!”
Hidden within the halo, Yang Daeryang struck with his sure-kill blow.
But Bu Eunseol, deprived of all senses, stood motionless, unable even to hear the shout.
Tremble.
Yet at that moment, something miraculous happened.
The Silent Soul Sword in his grip thrashed like a freshly caught fish.
Despite every sense and nerve being blocked, the dormant Storm Harmony Secret within his body detected Yang Daeryang’s killing intent, and the Radiant Sword Control activated on its own.
Clang clang clang clang!
Endless metallic rings echoed around Bu Eunseol.
The Radiant Sword Control perfectly blocked Yang Daeryang’s attacks within the halo of the Mysterious Yellow Sword Fingers.
“You bastard!”
Greatly startled, Yang Daeryang hurriedly hid back within the light but because the Radiant Sword Control had activated automatically, sensation briefly returned to Bu Eunseol’s body.
It lasted only long enough to twitch a finger…
Yet for Bu Eunseol, it was an eternity of leisure and plenty.
Buzzzz.
In that moment, gathering all his divine will, mysterious patterns emerged on the Silent Soul Sword’s scabbard.
Hwaaaa.
As the sword absorbed the power of divine energy and swept through the air, the light that had dyed the world white gradually melted away.
Yang Daeryang’s figure, hidden within the halo, was revealed.
‘Now.’
Seizing the fleeting instant, Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form.
Yet something unexpected occurred.
Buzzzz.
The Silent Soul Sword, infused with divine energy, suddenly changed direction on its own.
Instead of Yang Daeryang’s throat, it stabbed toward the Mysterious Yellow Sword Fingers attached to his fingers.
Clang!
The artifacts on Yang Daeryang’s fingers shattered like broken glass.
At the same time, crimson light pouring from the Silent Soul Sword grazed his fingers and stretched into the distant sky.
The Silent Soul Sword.
This demonic-killing sword, placed in his hands by his mother’s arrangement, as if possessing its own will, had arbitrarily altered Bu Eunseol’s attack and deliberately diverted the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form.
Patter.
The Mysterious Yellow Sword Fingers on Yang Daeryang’s hands crumbled completely into dust, scattering on the wind.
Then another strange thing happened.
Like a soulless husk, Yang Daeryang stood with his mouth agape, wearing a vacant expression.
His body stiffened like stone, drool flowing from his mouth.
“Uh… uh…”
His eyes lost focus as he began making bizarre sounds.
Watching this, Bu Eunseol finally understood the entire situation.
‘He couldn’t withstand the backlash of fully unleashing the Black Divine Artifact and became a cripple.’
According to the Demonic Sword Master, a Black Divine Artifact would ultimately destroy its wielder and ravage the world.
As if proving those words, the moment the fully opened artifact was destroyed, its owner Yang Daeryang became an idiot.
“So the Black Divine Artifact is linked to its owner’s spirit.”
Clack.
Sheathing the Silent Soul Sword, Bu Eunseol murmured lowly.
“Live and pay for your sins.”
“Uh… uh…”
The crippled Yang Daeryang drooled, eyes crossed.
Gazing at him, Bu Eunseol looked up at the clouds floating in the distant sky.
There, he seemed to see the faces of Seok Song and Woo Hak, who had taught him the Radiant Sword Control.
‘This man doesn’t seem to be the true culprit behind the fall of the Thousand Swords Society… but for now, be satisfied with this.’
The faces of Seok Song and Woo Hak reflected in the clouds seemed to brighten.
Bu Eunseol gazed at the sky for a long while before quietly departing Yeongpa Island.
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