“Master already knew.”
Only then did Do Myeong finally realize why Yong Mungyeok had called the Seven Fist Demon Forms a heretical path.
Such fist arts must never be passed down through the generations of the martial world.
But unfortunately… Do Myeong had already been eroded by the demonic art.
Before he knew it, he had become a murderous fiend who felt ecstasy from beating people to death with his fists.
“You have ultimately fallen into the heretical path.”
When Do Myeong turned into a slaughter star tormented by bloodlust, the aged Yong Mungyeok personally sought him out as he wandered the martial world.
“Our pavilion pursues the true martial path. Once you become a murderous fiend, you can no longer be a disciple of our pavilion.”
He gently persuaded him.
“Even now, abandon that fist art and return to the pavilion. Let us slowly find a way to remove that demonic energy.”
“I refuse.”
“Then cut off both your hands.”
Because such fist arts are demonic techniques that a disciple of our pavilion must never learn.
But Do Myeong, who had already deeply mastered the Seven Fist Demon Forms and fallen into demonic nature, no longer cared even for Yong Mungyeok, who had been like a grandfather to him.
“If you have the ability, then come and cut them off yourself!”
After all, the demonic path respected the strong.
Do Myeong planned to use this opportunity to defeat not only Yong Mungyeok but also the current Pavilion Lord and even the next Pavilion Lord, Ak Muryeong, and become the Lord of the Nangyang Pavilion himself.
“Your demonic nature has already penetrated to the marrow.”
“What is so wrong about learning a powerful fist art!”
Yong Mungyeok sighed and said, “Do you really not know that the reason you were able to obtain the secret manual of the Seven Fist Demon Forms was because you submitted to a secret force within the martial world?”
In truth, Yong Mungyeok knew everything.
He knew that Do Myeong had not discovered the secret manual by chance.
While wandering the martial world to deepen his real-combat martial arts, he had failed to overcome his limits, and some force had given him the authentic copy of the Seven Fist Demon Forms in exchange for recruitment.
“I trusted you. I waited for the day you would return as a disciple of our pavilion.”
Yong Mungyeok spoke with a devastated expression.
“But in the end, it has come to this.”
Do Myeong felt wronged.
“I accepted that secret manual not only for my own advancement but because I hoped such a fist art would be passed down through our pavilion for generations!”
“Did our pavilion look that weak to you?”
When he saw Yong Mungyeok’s expression grow solemn, Do Myeong instinctively realized he would be expelled.
For a brief moment, his mind cleared, and he clasped his hands together and begged.
“I only intended to obtain the fist art and leave that place. Please forgive me, Master.”
Yong Mungyeok firmly shook his head.
“You are no longer a disciple of our pavilion.”
Do Myeong gritted his teeth.
“Didn’t I say I would leave that place soon!”
He was already captive to the evil energy inherent in the Seven Fist Demon Forms.
In the end, he lost his reason once again and lunged at Yong Mungyeok.
But with a single fist from the aged Yong Mungyeok, both of Do Myeong’s arms were broken.
He could have cut off Do Myeong’s arms, but he could not bear to harm the arms of the disciple he had raised like a son.
“No matter how powerful it is, what is so great about a fist art that turns a person’s mind into a complete mess?”
Yong Mungyeok shook his head.
“According to the laws of our pavilion, I should cut off both your arms, but I cannot bring myself to do so…”
Then he turned away without looking back.
He had long since surpassed even the extreme demonic realm and entered the super-demonic stage.
Above all, he had cherished Do Myeong like a grandson… so in the end, he ended their relationship by expelling him from the Nangyang Pavilion.
“The Pavilion Lord knew everything.”
Only after feeling the excruciating pain as if his arms were breaking did Do Myeong’s mind clear again.
The Seven Fist Demon Forms he had learned contained immense evil energy that destroyed the practitioner’s mind.
Because Yong Mungyeok knew this, he had desperately tried to stop Do Myeong from learning it.
“It has already become irreversible.”
Do Myeong changed his appearance from that day onward.
He became a wanderer and roamed every corner of the martial world.
Even then, the force that had recruited him gave him missions once every few years.
It was no different from the occasional odd jobs that mercenaries took on.
‘If it’s going to be like this, I might as well live as a real mercenary.’
As he wandered without destination, he eventually drifted into Dongpyoseorang in Guizhou, where he steadily built up his power.
He eventually rose to the position of Lord, but deep in his heart, there was always a longing to return to the Nangyang Pavilion as a disciple once more.
‘If I can create a version of the Seven Fist Demon Forms without the evil energy… perhaps the Nangyang Pavilion will accept me again.’
Even while leading the mercenaries as the Lord of Dongpyoseorang, Do Myeong endlessly revised and improved the Seven Fist Demon Forms.
Finally, he succeeded in transforming it into a perfect demonic path fist art by removing the evil energy and supplementing its power.
Unfortunately, with his ability, he could only create the first four forms.
Time flowed endlessly, and the hair at his temples turned white.
During that time, his master Yong Mungyeok had exhausted his lifespan and passed away, and the previous Pavilion Lord had suddenly disappeared.
The Nangyang Pavilion was now led by Ak Muryeong, who had risen to the exalted position of the Three Demons.
‘I am no longer a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion, so I cannot even visit Master’s grave in the pavilion.’
Do Myeong continued living while constantly regretting the past.
Then one day, the next-generation successor of the Nangyang Pavilion—Bu Eunseol—came to him.
‘Is this also fate?’
He gave Bu Eunseol the secret manual containing the first four forms of the Seven Fist Demon Forms, which he had revised into the Nangyang Pavilion’s fist arts and which held all his regrets.
Because that was the only way he could atone as a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion.
***
After hearing the entire story, Bu Eunseol could only let out a regretful sigh.
At the same time, he could understand Do Myeong’s heart.
The experts of the Nangyang Pavilion had a higher chance of falling for the temptations of sinister forces like the Three Realms than the members of any other faction.
Because they endlessly pursued strength.
Because those with immense power and influence could easily fulfill their desires.
For that reason, Nangyang Pavilion disciples inevitably had to be few in number.
No matter how strong one’s martial arts became, if one abandoned their pride, they could not remain a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion.
“It is called the United Heart Society.”
Do Myeong spoke with a bitter smile.
“The force that gave me the secret manual of the Seven Fist Demon Forms in order to recruit me.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
He had naturally assumed the Seven Fist Demon Forms belonged to the Fist Man of the Eight Human Heavens, and therefore that Do Myeong had been recruited as a subordinate of the True Demon. But suddenly the United Heart Society?
“You seem to know about the United Heart Society.”
At Do Myeong’s words, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“I heard that the Buddha Venerable is one of its high-ranking members. He said they are resuming the Absolute Demonic Blade Project.”
“He is not the leader of the United Heart Society. The Absolute Demonic Blade Project is merely something carried out by the organization led by the Buddha Venerable.”
Do Myeong said something unexpected.
“The United Heart Society is simply a gathering of forces that are hostile toward the Baekri family and the True Demon. The methods they use to achieve their goal differ from faction to faction.”
Bu Eunseol blinked, unable to hide his astonishment.
“Then does that mean the leader of the United Heart Society has no authority over the individual organizations?”
“If the goal is to eliminate the Baekri family and the True Demon, the leader imposes no restrictions. Each organization moves organically anyway.”
Bu Eunseol was dumbfounded.
The structure and operation of the United Heart Society were unique and bizarre—something that had never appeared even once in the history of the martial world.
In short, they had only gathered for the common enemy of the Baekri family and the True Demon.
Each organization had its own leader and carried out independent missions in their own way.
“Is something like that even possible?”
“Of course.”
Do Myeong shrugged.
“It has simply been hidden behind the history of the Baekri family and the True Demon. The United Heart Society has also been passed down for quite a long time.”
He continued, “Think about it. How futile must the martial world practitioners who know the truth about the Baekri family and the True Demon feel? Naturally, they would want to gather whatever power they can to crush that existence.”
“So you are saying the United Heart Society is the gathering of ‘all’ forces capable of opposing the Baekri family and the True Demon?”
“Exactly.”
Do Myeong said, “The Three Realms, which are hostile to the Baekri family… can also be considered part of the United Heart Society.”
Bu Eunseol had already guessed through his meeting with the strange old man Dong Wolhyeon that the United Heart Society and the Three Realms were in the same boat.
But the United Heart Society itself being the gathering of all forces aiming to eliminate the Baekri family and the True Demon?
‘So that was what it meant.’
A member of the United Heart Society had said they could persuade the Three Realms.
At the time, he could not understand it at all, but after hearing Do Myeong’s explanation, their actions finally made sense.
‘Just as the Lord said, each organization moves organically and cooperates with one another.’
At that moment, Do Myeong said something else unexpected.
“And in the current generation, the power of the United Heart Society has reached a level where it can oppose the Baekri family and the True Demon.”
It was unbelievable.
The United Heart Society possessed power comparable to the Baekri family or the True Demon?
If so, then a new force capable of breaking the balance between the Baekri family and the True Demon had been completed.
“Anyone in the martial world who knows of the existence of the Baekri family and the True Demon and opposes them can be called part of the United Heart Society.”
“Then where does the Sacred Domain belong?”
“The Sacred Domain?”
Do Myeong shook his head.
“I have never heard of such a force.”
‘The Lord’s skill is high enough to detect my presence. Then why has the covenant not come for him?’
“Has the covenant not come for you?”
Bu Eunseol briefly explained the Covenant to Do Myeong. After listening for a long time, Do Myeong sighed and said, “Looking back, I suppose I was already no different from a subordinate of the True Demon.”
From the moment he had gone mad with the Seven Fist Demon Forms and attacked his master Yong Mungyeok… he must have been recognized as a subordinate of the True Demon.
“I’m sorry.”
Bu Eunseol, who had unintentionally touched Do Myeong’s wound, quickly changed the subject.
“Then the United Heart Society must be trying to recruit all capable individuals who do not belong to the forces of the Baekri family or the True Demon.”
“That’s right.”
“Then someone like the Buddha Venerable is not a core member of the United Heart Society? With his fame and power, he wouldn’t have simply remained the leader of Shaolin.”
“I do not know the internal affairs of the United Heart Society.”
Do Myeong shook his head.
“Nor did I want to know.”
For a long time, he had lived a life of atonement while revising the Seven Fist Demon Forms.
Even if the United Heart Society was a gathering place for immortals, he would not have paid it any attention.
“Then how did you obtain the secret manual of the Seven Fist Demon Forms in the past?”
“I heard that those born with the same Hundred and Eight Stars can perfectly reproduce the martial arts of their predecessors. The fact that I was able to obtain the Seven Fist Demon Forms must have been part of their meticulous plan.”
After calmly listening to how Do Myeong had obtained the Seven Fist Demon Forms, Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
“If the forces of the Three Realms have joined the United Heart Society, then the main axis must be the Returning to One Realm.”
The attempt to connect the previous generation’s Hundred and Eight Stars with the next generation’s.
Wasn’t that exactly what the Returning to One Realm had been doing all along?
They had been researching by using the Demon-Killer Swords to select those who possessed the Hundred and Eight Stars and passing down the martial arts of the high experts born with them in the past.
“It’s not certain.”
Do Myeong looked apologetic.
“I was only focused on revising the fist arts. I never paid attention to what they were doing.”
“No, it’s fine. It was simply an important issue for me, so I had to ask.”
Ever since Bu Eunseol had learned that Do Myeong was from the Nangyang Pavilion, he had always treated him as a martial brother and spoken to him with respect.
Sensing that heart, Do Myeong smiled gently and said, “If you have anything else to ask, feel free. Though I know almost nothing.”
Bu Eunseol did not hesitate and asked, “Since the Baekri family and the True Demon side could not possibly be unaware of these facts, why are they staying silent?”
“If you look back at the history of the martial world, forces that tried to oppose the Baekri family and the True Demon have always existed. From their perspective, the United Heart Society is just another alliance that appears repeatedly and then disappears.”
“If the Lord knows all these facts, is there any need for you to remain there?”
“I only carried out the orders they gave me from time to time. I had no interest in them. I didn’t even realize I was part of them.”
Do Myeong looked at the distant sky with a face full of regret.
“My only goal was to create a perfect Seven Fist Demon Forms without the evil energy. And that was something I could never achieve alone.”
In the end, in order to complete the full Seven Fist Demon Forms, he had tied his fate to the United Heart Society, which had ruined his life.
Because he believed that was the only way he could return to the Nangyang Pavilion as a disciple once more.
“I heard you defeated the Fist Man?” Do Myeong smiled. “If you saw that Fist Man, you must have completed a new Seven Fist Demon Forms.”
“Yes.”
“I see, so that’s how it was.”
When Do Myeong made a hollow expression, Bu Eunseol quickly said,
“It was only possible because the Lord gave me the secret manual of the first four forms from which you had removed the evil energy.”
The first four forms of the Seven Fist Demon Forms contained the blood and sweat Do Myeong had shed over many long years and because Bu Eunseol had learned the Seven Fist Demon Forms from the manual he had created, he had been able to see the Fist Man’s techniques and complete the remaining three forms.
“Thank you for saying that.”
Do Myeong smiled.
In his youth, a wrong choice had hurt his master and led to his expulsion from the Nangyang Pavilion.
But he had not given up. He had devoted his entire life to completing the Seven Fist Demon Forms and trying to pass it on to the Nangyang Pavilion.
Because he believed that was the only way to atone for the sin he had committed against his master, Yong Mungyeok.
And finally, through Bu Eunseol, he had completed the mission of his lifetime.
“Now I have no more lingering attachments.”
“There is one last thing I would like to ask.”
“I know. You want to know where I took the great sword of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade that I found on Ghost Island.”
“Yes.”
Do Myeong spoke while recalling a distant memory.
“I heard that the great sword I secured was offered to the Society Leader.”
“Why would they give such an important mission to the Lord?”
“They said there was some treasure on Ghost Island, and that it could only be found through the Nangyang Heart Eye.”
It turned out that the United Heart Society had already figured out the situation on Ghost Island and that the legacy of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade had been left there.
If they even knew it could only be found through the Nangyang Heart Eye…
Then the person must definitely be connected to his grandfather.
“Then the reason the leader of the United Heart Society obtained the great sword was…”
Understanding the meaning behind Bu Eunseol’s words, Do Myeong nodded.
“As far as I know, the Society Leader is a divine being who has no need for the sword techniques of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade. If there is a reason, it is probably because…”
His eyes, staring into empty space, narrowed endlessly.
“He wanted to be the only one who knew the secret that the Seven-Finger Demon Blade held.”
He too knew that the truth his grandfather had tried to hide was written on the great sword.
“You did not see the contents on the great sword?”
Do Myeong nodded.
“I looked at it, but there was nothing special. There must have been a separate method to read the contents.”
In the end, the United Heart Society had taken his grandfather’s great sword, and the contents could not be known.
Still, it was fortunate that he had obtained this much information.
“From now on, the United Heart Society will target you. Because they have never tolerated anyone who digs into them.”
“Rather, I have been waiting for that.”
“Is that so.”
Do Myeong laughed lightly.
“It seems I have now achieved everything I aimed for in life.”
His smile was extremely peaceful and refreshed.
“Can you show me the complete fist form?”
At Do Myeong’s words, Bu Eunseol nodded.
Then he lightly extended a fist toward the open window.
At once, a dragon-like tornado that seemed capable of blowing away the entire Dongpyoseorang began to rage.
It was the perfect Seven Fist Demon Forms with the evil energy removed—a new fist art that completely overturned all existing fist principles.
The seventh form of the Seven Fist Demon Forms—Remove the Old, Establish the New—had been unleashed.
“Magnificent.”
Do Myeong wore a bright smile.
“Please pass this complete Seven Fist Demon Forms on to our pavilion.”
For the first time, he referred to the Nangyang Pavilion as “our pavilion.”
He had betrayed his master through his own mistake and had been expelled from the Nangyang Pavilion.
All that remained was to fully pass on the Seven Fist Demon Forms and wash away his sin.
Since he had accomplished that, there was nothing more to wish for…
And he could once again proudly call himself a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion.
“I will definitely deliver it.”
Bu Eunseol bowed with utmost sincerity.
“And as the successor of our pavilion, I deeply thank you for completing the highest fist art of our pavilion to be passed down to the disciples for generations.”
Do Myeong smiled brightly.
Although he had disappointed his master with a mistake in his youth and left the Nangyang Pavilion, after a long time, he had returned and received recognition for his fist art from the successor of the Nangyang Pavilion.
What more lingering attachment could there be?
***
Do Myeong’s funeral was held quietly.
He passed away with a satisfied smile on his face.
The high-ranking members of Dongpyoseorang could not understand why Do Myeong—who had no illness and possessed strong martial arts—had suddenly died.
However, on the table in his office, a will was left stating that he was entrusting the position of Lord to Ok Hobang, so they could only guess that he had taken his own life.
‘It seems he had his own circumstances.’
When the high-ranking members of Dongpyoseorang saw the peaceful and satisfied smile on the lips of the deceased Do Myeong, they no longer wondered about the reason.
Black Leopard, who had been outside the region, also attended the funeral and mourned his death.
Not only the mercenaries of Dongpyoseorang but also countless mercenaries from across the martial world attended and prayed for his soul.
In his youth, while living as a mercenary, Do Myeong had risked danger to save many people.
It had been an action taken because he had no lingering attachment to life, but because of it, many mercenaries had been able to survive.
He thought he had lived a life filled with regret… but looking back, it had been a worthwhile and meaningful life.
‘Master Ok will do well.’
Watching Ok Hobang, who was presiding over the funeral with grief, Bu Eunseol nodded.
He had long since turned over a new leaf, cherished the mercenaries, and operated the mercenary market fairly.
From now on, Dongpyoseorang would prosper greatly… so there was nothing to worry about.
***
After leaving Dongpyoseorang, Bu Eunseol did not return to Majeon but wandered aimlessly around the Guizhou region.
At Bu Eunseol’s request, Do Myeong had deliberately left traces of his movements before he died.
The most important thing for a secret society was maintaining secrecy.
From the United Heart Society’s perspective, since they could not know how much information Do Myeong had passed to Bu Eunseol right before his death,
They would definitely try to confirm the facts or silence him to protect the secret.
‘The United Heart Society is vastly different from ordinary secret organizations.’
Bu Eunseol fell into deep thought.
Ordinary secret organizations clearly divided information between layers.
Lower ranks could not grasp the overall structure of the organization, and information was restricted to only what was related to their given missions.
They also usually maintained security by imposing terrifying restrictions or prohibitions according to rank.
However, the United Heart Society, which could be called the greatest secret society in the martial world, did not particularly try to hide itself, nor did it impose any restrictions on its members.
Hadn’t even the subordinates under the Buddha Venerable proudly revealed their identity as the United Heart Society before?
‘It is tremendous confidence.’
Perhaps the United Heart Society believed they had perfectly dominated the martial world to the point where such things were unnecessary.
Otherwise, they would not have failed to impose sanctions when the story about the United Heart Society was revealed.
‘Anyway, since the Lord is dead, someone from the United Heart Society related to him will come looking for me.’
Because I was the only person he met at the very end before he died.
‘It seems the forces in the abyss have almost all revealed themselves now.’
The Baekri family and the True Demon, who have been in opposition since the beginning of time.
The Sacred Domain, which sanctifies their fight and forces the covenant.
The United Heart Society, which seeks to completely shatter this carefully arranged board.
Of course there would be other forces beyond them, but there would be no greater powers than these.
“Now it is my turn to test your strength.”
The place where all those who reject the Baekri family and the True Demon have gathered.
It was time for him to test just how great their hidden power was and what kind of military force they possessed.
‘They’re here.’
A faint chill could be felt from somewhere.
It was the gaze of an extremely powerful expert directed at him.
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