However, Bu Eunseol did not wait for the Blood Emperor to prepare his next attack.
“In the end, you were nothing more than a puppet.”
With a short sigh, Bu Eunseol struck vertically downward at the Blood Emperor’s head using the Mount Tai Pressing Crown form.
“Hmph!”
The Blood Emperor spun both hands in circles, creating a fierce whirlwind of qi.
But Bu Eunseol’s sword technique shifted once more.
The overwhelming strike that seemed to crush Mount Tai transformed in an instant into a supple, whip-like sword qi.
Passing through the whirlwind the Blood Emperor had unleashed, it viciously pierced his body.
Unlike before, this time he had used true energy to fire sword qi.
Pop pop!
Unable to defend against the sword qi, the Blood Emperor flailed his hands wildly and retreated three zhang.
Whoooosh!
Realizing that Bu Eunseol was once again using inner true energy in his swordplay, the Blood Emperor spread Blood Emperor Qi once more, attempting to induce a clash of true energy.
But that was the Blood Emperor’s misconception.
“Huh…?”
The sword strike he had just unleashed did not employ true energy; instead, it amplified power through the profound principles of martial arts.
Flash!
As Bu Eunseol thrust the Silent Tiger Soul Sword forward, cannon-like sword qi erupted.
The Blood Emperor released Blood Emperor Qi again, but in truth, it was not sword qi—it was merely sword shadows created by Bu Eunseol’s ultra-fast swordplay.
“Huuu!”
The Blood Emperor roared in fury.
When he thought true energy was infused, Bu Eunseol used ordinary strikes.
When he tried to overwhelm with raw power, Bu Eunseol either employed true energy or unleashed bizarre sword vigor.
Shaaa!
In that gap, crescent-shaped sharp sword qi sliced keenly into the Blood Emperor’s neck and waist.
It was the Dragon Roar Swordsmanship, once boasted as the most unique sword art by former Vice Leader Je Woon of the Spear God Corps.
Thud!
Unable to discern Bu Eunseol’s method, the Blood Emperor leaped into the air instead of meeting him head-on.
As if he had been waiting for it,
Shaaa!
Bu Eunseol swung the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, raining sword qi down like a storm from the sky.
The Dragon Roar Swordsmanship he had just used was merely a preparatory form to further confuse the Blood Emperor’s judgment and lure him into jumping.
Papapapa!
The rain-like sword qi concentrated on the Blood Emperor’s body, leaving countless cuts.
“Ugh!”
Enraged, the Blood Emperor changed tactics again.
From now on, no matter what method Bu Eunseol used, he resolved to spread Blood Emperor Qi.
After all, even sharp attacks without infused inner energy could not break through the powerful protective profound qi enveloping his body.
“Hahaha!”
The Blood Emperor forced his way through the sword shadows Bu Eunseol created and unleashed palm force laden with Blood Emperor Qi.
Whoooosh.
As Bu Eunseol retreated, the Blood Emperor raised both arms, forming walls of crimson mist around them.
By deploying Blood Wall Mirroring Mist at close range, he intended to completely seal escape routes and evaporate Bu Eunseol’s blood in one fell swoop.
But that was the Blood Emperor’s grave mistake.
“I knew you’d do that.”
A smile touched Bu Eunseol’s lips.
Shaaaaak!
The Silent Tiger Soul Sword spun at high speed, beginning to unleash terrifying sword qi.
Astonishingly, even surrounded by Blood Wall Mirroring Mist, he poured out fearsome sword qi and began slicing into the Blood Emperor’s body at close range.
Among martial principles, there exists a profound art that can unleash immense power through the subtlety of initial forms alone, without inner energy.
However, such profundity can only be wielded by great masters who have mastered all martial arts, like the Martial Venerable or Human Demon Ak Muryeong.
Indeed, hadn't the Martial Venerable once driven a fragile wooden sword deep into a stone wall with a mere touch?
Of course, Bu Eunseol had not yet reached that realm.
But in battling the Blood Emperor, he had temporarily grasped the profundity of the Nangyang Heart Eye, allowing him to unleash such power.
Flash flash!
Bu Eunseol continued his swordplay without pause.
Though he used no inner energy, sharp sword vigor emerged, steadily crumbling the Blood Emperor’s sturdy protective profound qi.
“Ugh!”
In the end, the Blood Emperor abandoned the tactic of spreading Blood Emperor Qi to evaporate Bu Eunseol’s blood.
He switched to using Blood Emperor Dense Soul Qi to withstand the attacks and destroy Bu Eunseol’s flesh.
But Bu Eunseol’s methods were already as free as he wished.
Nangyang Heart Eye, manifested through extreme concentration, completely transcended the limitations of a single longsword.
It wielded the profundities and variations of all manner of weapons as if by magic so no matter how the Blood Emperor changed his combat style, he could not overcome Bu Eunseol.
Shaaak! Shaaak!
Each time the Silent Soul Sword cleaved the air, the Blood Emperor’s massive frame was pushed steadily backward.
This was not due to overwhelming power, but because he precisely struck vital points in accordance with the Blood Emperor’s movements.
Was it the phenomenon of Return to Origin?
The sword strikes Bu Eunseol unleashed through Nangyang Heart Eye closely resembled the profound principle of Seven Blood Tear Forms, third form—Half-Life, Half-Death—which broke defenses in response to the enemy’s movements.
In truth, because Bu Zhanyang mastered the profundities of all martial arts, he was able to create the Seven Blood Tear Forms, a power that transcended the boundaries of blade arts—nay, martial arts itself.
And with the Nangyang Heart Eye activated, Bu Eunseol unconsciously employed the profundities contained within Seven Blood Tear Forms to instantly devise and wield terrifying sword techniques.
“Huuu!”
Sssss.
Unable to endure the downpour of Bu Eunseol’s swordplay, the Blood Emperor’s body was continually pushed back.
The Blood Emperor.
Among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, he wielded the most bizarre martial arts.
He had created the transcendent secret art known as Blood Emperor Qi and dispatched countless powerful foes…
Yet in the end, he became obsessed with Blood Emperor Qi and failed to reach the pinnacle of martial arts.
“So the Blood Emperor is merely the Blood Emperor.”
No matter how extraordinary or mystical a martial art, once dismantled and broken, it feels like nothing special.
“I thought you rivaled the Three Demons and Three Venerables… but you were merely wielding something like a black divine artifact that sucks blood.”
Bu Eunseol muttered with regret, yellowish light flickering in his eyes.
Through the power of Nangyang Heart Eye, he had perfectly dismantled the Blood Emperor’s martial arts from four hundred years ago, grasping every weakness and limitation in detail.
“Perhaps Blood Emperor Qi was merely a shortcut to quickly escape the tedium of martial training.”
Viewed through Nangyang Heart Eye, the Blood Emperor’s Blood Emperor Qi felt like a convenient method to swiftly deal with opponents stronger than himself.
“Now, let us end this.”
Shaaaaak!
Bu Eunseol spun the Silent Tiger Soul Sword fiercely and began unleashing sword techniques.
This was not mere warrior subtlety, but the very essence of the Nangyang Pavilion’s practical sword arts.
Pop pop!
Each time the Silent Tiger Soul Sword grazed past, blood sprayed a zhang high from the Blood Emperor’s body.
He began severing all the meridians in the limbs, preventing resistance.
Crack.
Over deep wounds, white tendons protruded like tree branches yet Bu Eunseol did not stop his sword; instead, he continued the strikes with a smile on his lips.
“Huuu!”
The Blood Emperor let out a pained groan as he gazed at the protruding tendons.
Only then did Bu Eunseol snap back to awareness, a chill running down his spine.
‘To think I would use such cruel methods…’
Nangyang Heart Eye.
It is the culmination of Nangyang Pavilion’s martial arts, capable of instantly grasping or dismantling any martial profundity…
But if one becomes engulfed by this power, one could completely lose the self and become a great demon who destroys everything.
‘The Pavilion Lord is truly remarkable.’
Bu Eunseol felt renewed respect for Ak Muryeong.
The world calls the Human Demon the most cold-hearted and cruel great demon under heaven.
Yet in reality, he was merely domineering. He maintains an extremely meticulous and coldly rational personality.
To reach the highest realm of Nangyang Heart Eye and still preserve such a mental state was no easy feat.
“Ughhh.”
The Blood Emperor trembled, unable to move his body.
Though he had transcended time to obtain the flesh and power of a great master who advanced martial arts four hundred years ago, he had not inherited that great master’s enlightenment from four hundred years past, merely wielding dead martial arts with no development.
It could not work against the ever-evolving martial arts of Nangyang Pavilion, which changed and grew like a living creature, or against Bu Eunseol, who had fully embraced its profundities.
“Even if you are not the true Blood Emperor… you can still be called his remnant.”
Clack.
With a solemn expression, Bu Eunseol sheathed the Silent Tiger Soul Sword once more.
Death was now imminent, so he intended to grant at least minimal courtesy.
“Rest in peace.”
Hummm.
In that instant, crimson haze began rising from Bu Eunseol’s entire body.
Shiiing.
As a sword cry like a dragon’s roar echoed in all directions, time itself seemed to freeze.
At the same moment, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, glowing red-hot, emerged from its sheath.
The ultimate swift killing sword form that seizes the perfect instant to sever the enemy’s life in one stroke.
The Meteor Chasing the Moon Escape Technique was unleashed.
Slash.
With a sharp cutting sound, a red bloodline was drawn across the Blood Emperor’s thick neck.
“…….”
The Blood Emperor gazed down at Bu Eunseol impassively.
In his eyes was not pain or rage, but tranquility.
As if grateful to finally return to eternal sleep.
Thud.
The eight-chi-tall giant collapsed.
Thus, the wraith of the Blood Emperor, reborn by the Infinite Realm, vanished by Bu Eunseol’s hand.
***
“Kaaah!”
The boys who burst from the coffins let out eerie shouts as they charged at So Okrim.
Normally, upon becoming Bound Asuras, joints stiffen and normal thought becomes impossible. Thus, even if one had mastered superior martial arts, they could not properly execute them.
But these children, with their supple bones and joints, had become Bound Asuras, commanded by their host, Cheonwoong.
Therefore, the children could unleash natural and flawless forms, as if the martial masters were wielding their lifelong arts in person.
Moreover, using their small frames, they displayed agile and exquisite movements.
Even a master like So Okrim could not easily predict their actions.
Boom boom boom!
Each time the boys unleashed martial arts, explosive sounds rang out, and So Okrim’s body was pushed steadily backward.
Originally, she had resolved to quickly kill them and free them from this cruel shackle, but facing them directly, it was not easy.
These were all children she had cared for like younger siblings over many years.
Children who always opened their arms to hug her… who rubbed their chubby cheeks against hers with bright smiles.
They had become puppets of the Three Realms.
Weapons of the Three Realms.
How could she shatter those tiny, tender hands and soft, slender bodies with her own?
Shrrrrr!
Meanwhile, the children pressed in, unleashing bizarre demonic arts.
They carried power enough to tear apart a Diamond Indestructible Body in an instant.
Though So Okrim continually defended, the children attacked without regard for their own lives.
In the end, only wounds accumulated on her body.
“Heh heh heh.”
A strange laugh escaped Cheonwoong, who commanded the children from within the coffins.
As if his humanity had been eradicated, he laughed in amusement even as So Okrim wore a pained expression, unable to counterattack.
Whoooosh.
Soon, faint light glimmered in So Okrim’s hands.
She intended to unleash the Heavenly Collapse Finger Strike, said to crumble the sky with a single finger.
Hummm.
Yet in the end, she could not attack and lowered her hands.
‘I can’t do it.’
She seemed the most boisterous and reckless in the world, but surprisingly, So Okrim had a soft heart.
Her habitually rough speech and fierce demeanor were merely a way to hide that tender heart.
Shiiiik!
In that moment, sharp energy pierced toward So Okrim’s throat.
It was Wan-wan—the child who always ate the most—exploiting an opening to unleash Demon Master Capturing Claw Form.
“Ugh.”
Lost in deep thought, So Okrim had no time to evade.
The only way was to form fist vigor and strike back with equal force, but that would injure Wan-wan.
“Yeop!”
At that moment, a thunderous shout erupted, and a figure descended before So Okrim.
Clang clang!
The figure—Yu Cheongrim—had somehow drawn daggers and blocked the Demon Capturing Claw Form aimed at So Okrim’s flank.
“Lady So, have you gone mad?”
Clang!
Pushing back Wan-wan’s claws with force, Yu Cheongrim shouted loudly.
“What are you doing just standing there?”
“Then you’re telling me to kill those cute children with my own hands?”
“These children weren’t kidnapped and turned into puppets!”
Yu Cheongrim repeated the exact words the Returning to One Realm boy had spoken.
“This orphanage itself is a den of evil spirits they created!”
He had tried to subdue the Returning to One Realm figures in the carriage, but they all escaped.
Left with no choice, he rushed to evacuate the children inside the orphanage. After evacuating everyone, he was about to leave when he sensed something odd in the orphanage facilities.
Using his specialty, he located secret documents hidden within.
He discovered that the very purpose of establishing this orphanage… was to dispose of children who had been experimental subjects of the Infinite Realm.
“The children from Seyang Orphanage that Lady So supported are the same! They were monsters from the beginning!”
“Shut up!”
“What? You already knew?”
As Yu Cheongrim looked stunned, So Okrim gritted her teeth and spoke.
“I didn’t know they were experimental subjects, but to me, they were like real younger siblings!”
“So, you’re going to let them roam the martial world in that state?”
Thud!
Meanwhile, arrow-like energy fired by the children pierced her shoulder.
Drip.
Even so, So Okrim merely frowned and did not counterattack.
Unable to watch any longer, Yu Cheongrim stepped forward again.
Clang clang clang!
Gripping daggers in both hands, Yu Cheongrim blocked the relentless attacks of the oncoming children.
Terrifying strikes that seemed to sever his neck in an instant poured down.
Yet he could not blame So Okrim for standing there like a fool.
He could guess how much pain she was in.
The face that always wore a fierce scowl now looked like a child holding back tears.
“I know too.”
So Okrim gazed blankly at Yu Cheongrim, who was blocking attacks, and muttered.
“I already know that but I can’t just leave them like this…”
So Okrim had a soft heart.
But she was neither lacking in intelligence nor cold rationality.
She had simply hesitated again and again because she could not bear to destroy with her own hands the children she had watched over for so long.
“That’s why I was waiting for Bu Eunseol, that guy…”
So Okrim wiped away the slight tears welling in her eyes and took a deep breath.
“But now it’s fine.”
“Lady So!”
Yu Cheongrim, struggling desperately, shouted loudly as he saw that So Okrim seemed to have made her resolve.
“If you’ve come to your senses, help me quickly! I can’t hold out much longer!”
“…Because you came.”
“What?”
White flash exploded from So Okrim’s eyes as she spread both arms.
At the same moment, strange power began surging into Yu Cheongrim’s struggling body.
“Huh? Wh-what?”
Feeling as if his body would burst, Yu Cheongrim looked at So Okrim.
He realized she was infusing him with immense inner energy through a method akin to Strike Body Energy Transfer, without even touching him.
Hummm!
As boundless inner energy filled him, terrifying three-chi sword vigor soared from the daggers Yu Cheongrim gripped.
“Ugh! Uaaah!”
Yet pained screams burst from Yu Cheongrim’s mouth.
The overwhelming inner energy made control impossible so his movements became clumsy instead.
Leap!
Panicked, Yu Cheongrim jumped into the air.
Boom!
But a light leap sent him nearly twenty zhang upward, crashing his head into the ceiling.
“Lady So! You infused too much energy!”
As Yu Cheongrim shouted, So Okrim spread her arms again as if she had no choice.
“Relax your body.”
“What?”
“I said relax your body!”
Shaaak!
At the same time, dozens of thin iron wires shot from So Okrim’s hands.
Stab stab.
The wires embedded into Yu Cheongrim’s major joints.
“Aaaagh!”
In agony as if his joints were being torn out, Yu Cheongrim screamed.
“Lady So! Your aim is off!”
Then something strange happened.
As So Okrim moved her fingers holding the wires, suddenly, like a puppet, Yu Cheongrim’s body began moving regardless of his will.
Living Mirror Wooden Man.
One of the exclusive secret arts of the Celestial Emperor.
A technique that uses thin threads to control another person’s body like an extension of oneself.
In the past, the Celestial Emperor single-handedly toppled the Haotian Clan. It was said that he used this Living Mirror Wooden Man to sweep away eight thousand troops alone.
Across four hundred years of time and space, So Okrim now controlled Yu Cheongrim’s body with iron wires instead of threads.
“Lady So! A-are you listening to me?”
Regardless of Yu Cheongrim’s screams, So Okrim manipulated his body to confront the children turned Bound Asuras.
Shuuu! Boooom!
As So Okrim frantically moved her fingers, Yu Cheongrim repeatedly dashed at extreme speed and halted.
If he were not a master of the Great Lightning Flash Shadow qinggong, that single move alone would have rendered him unconscious.
“L-Lady So! Lady So!”
At that moment, one boy caught up to Yu Cheongrim’s ghostly movements and aimed to sever both his legs.
“Legs! My legs!”
Shiiiik! Shaaa!
But So Okrim made Yu Cheongrim leap once more in the air to evade the attack.
Yet it was too early to relax.
The other children surrounded his body in a circle, continually stabbing at Yu Cheongrim’s vital points.
“Lady So! I’m going to die!”
“I know!”
So Okrim frantically moved her hands to execute martial arts through Yu Cheongrim’s body.
“Uaa! Uaaaah!”
Yet Yu Cheongrim screamed madly, resisting even while caught in Living Mirror Wooden Man.
This caused deviations from the movements So Okrim intended, preventing her from unleashing martial profundity.
“Stay still for a bit!”
“Save me! Please save me!”
“Be quiet! I told you to relax and stay still.”
“How can I relax seeing this? Uaaargh!”
While Yu Cheongrim thrashed in panic, one boy leaped into the air and slashed at his throat.
The timing and speed were so perfect that no matter how So Okrim adjusted, she could not prevent Yu Cheongrim’s neck from being severed.
“Tch!”
So Okrim muttered lowly,
Shaaa!
then suddenly shot Yu Cheongrim forward at extreme speed.
“Huh? Wh-what?”
Yu Cheongrim screamed.
At this rate, their bodies would collide and both perish, wouldn’t they?
“Uaaaagh!”
At the same instant, Yu Cheongrim’s body shot forward like an arrow and collided with the right arm of the attacking boy.
Splaaash!
Blood sprayed in all directions.
The boy’s right arm flew into the air.
Yu Cheongrim’s body remained unharmed.
Thanks to So Okrim infusing all her energy via Strike Body Energy Transfer, his body had momentarily become indestructible like diamond.
“Ugh.”
Though his life was saved, Yu Cheongrim retched. He had been splattered across the face with fluids and debris from the exploded arm.
“Yes, your specialty is movement arts.” So Okrim nodded as if realizing something.
Yu Cheongrim was counted among the greatest qinggong masters in the martial world.
Perhaps because of that, when controlled via Living Mirror Wooden Man, he surged forward even more powerfully than the force she applied.
If she used this point as martial profundity?
If she treated Yu Cheongrim’s body itself like a slingshot?
It could unleash far greater power than awkwardly executing martial arts.
“L-Lady So?”
In that moment, Yu Cheongrim’s eyes widened in terror, as if about to burst.
He had realized what So Okrim was about to do next.
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