Step. Step. Step.
Bu Eunseol walked on indifferently, still bleeding.
Although he had cut down over a hundred members of the Flame Emperor Squad, his own body could not remain unscathed.
The Seven Blood Tear Forms could annihilate the Flame Emperor energy, but it had not been able to completely block their desperate counterattacks.
Even so, he did not stop walking, nor did he call for his subordinates.
He simply continued onward alone toward Majeon, slowly dragging his injured body.
Even if another attack came, it did not matter.
No matter where or what powerful enemies attacked him, no matter what trials awaited… he would never retreat and would handle everything by himself.
Because he was the grandson of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang—that great and peerless martial artist.
Huuuiiiing.
The sky, which had been fiercely blowing the chilling north wind, was now pouring down large snowflakes.
Yet the white snow melted before it could even touch Bu Eunseol’s body.
White steam rose straight up from the crown of his head.
The Ban-Geuk Method allowed him to circulate energy in any posture.
He was recovering his body while walking slowly.
Oooong.
By now, a hazy mist was rising from his body.
His body and mind had become one, and even though he was walking through muddy ground, he left no footprints behind.
Rumble.
Then, from very far away, the sound of the ground shaking and a sonic boom reached him.
‘An incredible movement technique.’
That massive sonic boom was the sound produced when an expert with extraordinary qinggong tore through the air at extreme speed.
‘He has detected me.’
Bu Eunseol realized that the person using the movement technique was heading straight toward him and tilted his head slightly.
In a situation where the intelligence division of the Death Spirit Corps was constantly erasing his tracks, the fact that someone was rushing directly toward him meant… it was probably not an enemy.
More likely, it was someone who had located him through the Death Spirit Corps’ intelligence network.
He stopped walking and stood still.
Soon, a loud rumble echoed from the sky.
Whirrr, thud.
A black figure created a vortex as it landed right in front of him.
The man wore old, rough black clothes and a face cloth commonly used by wanderers.
On his shoulders, he had dull metallic shoulder guards.
It was the Black Leopard, who operated outside the Central Plains.
“My Lord!”
“Black Leopard?”
Black Leopard, who had been running over joyfully, opened his mouth wide upon seeing Bu Eunseol’s condition.
“H-how…?”
His appearance was that of a blood-soaked man. No—it was more like King Yama rising from hell to destroy the human world.
“What on earth happened?”
“There was a battle.”
“A battle…”
At Bu Eunseol’s calm reply, Black Leopard stood frozen like ice for a long time, visibly shocked.
He too had been engaged in constant battles outside the Central Plains but he had never once fought to the point of looking like this.
“I see. Then I must be even more lacking.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Only then did Black Leopard snap out of it and respectfully salute.
“My Lord, I hope you have been well.”
“Why have you come so suddenly?”
“I wanted to see you, so I tracked you down through the Death Spirit Corps' intelligence network.”
Black Leopard scratched his head with an awkward expression.
It did not seem like he had come simply because he missed his face.
“You may speak honestly.”
After hesitating for a moment, Black Leopard lowered his head.
“It seems I have hit another wall.”
Avoiding Bu Eunseol’s direct gaze, he continued with his head down.
“I thought no matter how hard I tried, there was no progress.”
“No progress?”
“Yes. But seeing you now… it seems I simply wasn’t trying hard enough.”
Black Leopard looked at the blood-covered Bu Eunseol with a ashamed expression.
“My Lord, you are still crossing the line between life and death… while I have been living while hoping for mere luck.”
Bu Eunseol looked somewhat dumbfounded.
In the past, when he had been shocked by the true martial prowess of the Evil Spirit Lord and had lost confidence, wandering aimlessly, he had met Black Leopard near the Jade Gate Pass.
At that time, Black Leopard had also been lamenting his lack of progress.
Yet less than half a year had passed since then.
Black Leopard’s martial prowess and aura had risen to a level incomparable to before.
And yet he claimed there was no progress?
“What is the basis for that judgment?”
“While leading the mercenaries and carrying out several missions in the Qingtang Gula Mountains, I encountered a strange being whose body was covered in metal.”
“A strange being covered in metal?”
“Yes. That person had reached an incredible level of martial prowess—one I could not possibly face.”
The reason Black Leopard was called the Mercenary King was not only due to his outstanding leadership, cool-headedness, and spirit of sacrifice, but above all because of his powerful martial strength that allowed him to successfully complete even impossible missions.
Moreover, his combat experience was so rich that it could rival Bu Eunseol’s, making him unmatched among experts of the same age.
And yet he could not even handle a single metal-clad freak?
“You were defeated.”
“Yes.”
Black Leopard took a deep breath and continued.
“I fought desperately, barely clinging to life, but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat.”
“Hmm.”
“If it had been an ordinary human, it would have been fine. But the fact that it was made of metal means it was ultimately a puppet controlled by someone.”
Black Leopard lowered his head deeply.
If he had been defeated by a master who had trained in outstanding martial arts, he could have cleanly accepted the loss and devoted himself to training.
But losing to a mere lump of metal created as a puppet was something he could not accept.
“It seems all my training methods so far have been wrong.”
Black Leopard looked at him with earnest eyes.
“I tried to find another method, but nothing worked… After much deliberation, I came to see you, Lord.”
“Hmm.”
Having grasped the situation, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“I do not know how strong that metal being was. However…”
He spoke honestly.
“I guarantee that among those of the same age, there is no one stronger than you—even if you search all eighteen thousand li of the Central Plains.”
“Being the strongest among those of the same age is meaningless, isn’t it?”
Black Leopard spoke with intense longing in his eyes.
“I want to become endlessly strong like you, my Lord.”
Bu Eunseol showed a troubled expression.
In truth, it was only a matter of time.
Black Leopard’s growth speed was already comparable to his own.
He was simply feeling impatient because he had been defeated by a metal puppet controlled by someone else.
“But now I understand.”
Black Leopard smiled brightly with somewhat unfocused eyes.
“From now on, I too will risk my life and fight alone like you, my Lord.”
Then he looked toward the distant sky and said vigorously,
“I am thinking of going to the Blood Cult this time. Either they die, or I die.”
‘Umm.’
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
Black Leopard must have come after much deliberation on his own.
And after seeing Bu Eunseol, who faced large armies alone and stood peerless under the heavens, he had felt ashamed, and had instead reached the wrong enlightenment and was making a self-destructive choice.
“That is the wrong judgment.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“That would not be a battle—it would be going to commit suicide.”
“But aren’t you doing exactly that, Lord?”
Black Leopard said.
“You don’t first assess the enemy’s strength, confirm victory, and then risk your life, do you?”
“……”
“I will also start with battles that others consider impossible, just like you, Lord.”
Bu Eunseol swallowed a groan.
Black Leopard was brave, but still far too young.
Having enjoyed continuous success under the name of the Mercenary King and roaming freely outside the Central Plains, an unexpected defeat had caused him to feel unbearable frustration and despair.
‘Moreover, if the one who defeated him was a metal puppet made by an unknown person…’
Bu Eunseol could fully understand Black Leopard’s feelings.
It must feel like a person who prided himself on being a supreme expert had been defeated by a mere metal doll moved by mechanisms.
‘But in the current situation, there is nothing I can teach him.’
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, Black Leopard was already strong enough, and he could not see anything in particular that needed improvement right now.
‘Ah, there was that method.’
Suddenly, he recalled one method he had used in the past to develop rapidly.
If it was that method, Black Leopard would surely be able to find his own shortcomings and achieve explosive growth.
‘But for that, fate must align.’
Black Leopard, who had somehow sensed that Bu Eunseol was hesitating to pass on a teaching, suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud.
“Please grant me your guidance, my Lord.”
He knelt and pleaded.
“I will do whatever you command.”
“Umm.”
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
“Black Leopard.”
“Please.”
When Black Leopard earnestly clasped his hands together, Bu Eunseol closed his mouth.
If he refused to give guidance in this situation, Black Leopard would fall even deeper into despair.
“Very well. First…”
The moment Bu Eunseol nodded and began to speak,
Fwoosh.
Along with a light sonic boom, a small whispering voice transmission pierced Bu Eunseol’s ear.
[My Lord. This is Leng Huan.]
It was the voice transmission from Leng Huan, one of the most capable members of the Death Spirit Corps.
[The Sect Leader of the Hyungsan Sect is requesting help from you, Lord.]
[Myeong Un? Him?]
In the past, the supreme arts of the Hyungsan Sect had been cut off.
The remaining disciples had been living miserable lives, carrying escort goods for other sects or running small errands.
During that time, Bu Eunseol—then operating as a member of the Nine Deaths Squad—had formed a brief connection with Myeong Un, the youngest disciple of the Hyungsan Sect.
Later, the Hyungsan disciples transporting goods for the Emei Sect had all been killed.
The only survivor, Myeong Un, had pursued strength and ultimately become a puppet of the Three Realms.
Knowing he would lose anyway, Myeong Un had carried out the Three Realms’ order to attack Bu Eunseol.
Because he had to rebuild the Hyungsan Sect.
Because he, who had dirtied himself by joining a filthy faction, could never return to the Hyungsan Sect.
Before dying under Bu Eunseol’s sword, he had entrusted him with a secret manual that restored the Hyungsan Sect’s martial arts and asked him to take care of its future.
Accepting that earnest request, Bu Eunseol—while wandering the martial world—had discovered an unnamed wandering boy who controlled puppets and possessed extraordinary talent capable of mastering the Hyungsan Sect’s martial arts.
He had given the boy the name “Myeong Un” and passed on the martial arts, entrusting him with the reconstruction of the Hyungsan Sect.
According to later reports from the Death Spirit Corps, the boy Myeong Un was gradually restoring the prestige of the Hyungsan Sect through his outstanding talent and excellent management skills.
But why was he suddenly asking for help?
‘With Myeong Un’s personality, he would not contact me over a trivial matter.’
Sensing that something had happened to the Hyungsan Sect, Bu Eunseol sent a voice transmission in reply.
[I understand. I will head there now.]
Black Leopard, seeing Bu Eunseol’s expression, realized he had received a voice transmission and smiled.
He knew about the existence of Soyo, who always hovered around Bu Eunseol like a shadow.
“It seems Deputy Leader Soyo sent you a voice transmission.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“She is currently training in martial arts at Mount Baekdu. So there is no separate waiting member right now—we are only exchanging information.”
“Ah, I see.”
Black Leopard asked cautiously, “Is something wrong?”
“It seems there has been trouble at the Hyungsan Sect.”
Bu Eunseol briefly explained about Myeong Un and the Hyungsan Sect.
Then, raising his internal energy, he said, “Fortunately, this place is close to Mount Heng. Let us go there immediately.”
“Yes.”
Kwa-rung.
Bu Eunseol unleashed Swift Beyond Shadow with full power.
He became a streak of purple lightning that split the air.
Black Leopard realized this was a test of his own qinggong and poured all his energy into it.
Shiiiiiiik!
Black Leopard became a black line slicing through the air but before even half an incense stick’s time had passed, he felt a crushing sense of frustration and despair.
‘I can’t keep up.’
He bit his lip.
‘Qinggong is my specialty. If I’m still like this, how can I ask the Lord for guidance?’
Forgetting that Bu Eunseol’s qinggong was among the best in the world, he poured every ounce of his power into it.
Then, from the Piercing Plume—no, the Black Wings—attached to his left shoulder, a sound like enormous amounts of air being sucked in erupted.
Kwaaaaa!
With a loud explosion, Black Leopard began to catch up with Bu Eunseol, who was slicing through the air.
Rumble. Boom!
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol released another explosive boom and accelerated once more, becoming even faster.
‘Even with the Black Wings, I can’t catch him.’
Watching Bu Eunseol grow endlessly distant, Black Leopard’s eyes became blurry.
After obtaining the Black Wings, his qinggong had become more than twice as fast, and he had thought that if he wanted, no one in the world could catch up to him in movement technique. Yet he could not even follow the distant figure of Bu Eunseol wrapped in purple lightning—before long, he had become so far away that he was no longer visible.
‘He really is doing well.’
On the other hand, Bu Eunseol sensed the distance of the following Black Leopard and inwardly admired him.
‘Even with the help of a treasured item, at that age I had not yet mastered such movement arts.’
Black Leopard was born with the physique and temperament perfectly suited for learning movement techniques. The only difference was the level of internal energy and the special power of the Three Divine Energies.
If one considered only the field of movement techniques, Black Leopard had already surpassed his own talent.
‘That metal-clad freak must truly be formidable.’
To suffer such a miserable defeat against a metal puppet despite being able to display this level of movement technique, meant that not only was its martial prowess great, but it had also mastered terrifying lightness techniques capable of neutralizing Black Leopard’s movement arts.
‘The martial world is vast, and there are many hidden masters.’
Even though their names were not known throughout the world, there were as many hidden experts with abilities and martial prowess that surpassed imagination as there were grains of sand.
Rumble. Shiiik.
Before long, Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard arrived at Mount Heng.
Mount Heng, known as the Southern Peak among the Five Great Mountains, had gentle slopes and sharp cliffs, with a majestic aura flowing like a dragon that embraced heaven and earth.
The main base of the Hyungsan Sect was located near Huiyan Peak, south of Mount Heng.
The interior, which perfectly reproduced the original Hyungsan Sect buildings, not only harmonized with the surrounding scenery, but also embodied the balance pursued by the Hyungsan Sect and the elegant sword arts that resembled the flow of nature.
Thud.
Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard did not enter the Hyungsan Sect directly. Instead, they deliberately arrived at the bottom of Huiyan Peak and slowly climbed up.
No matter how much the sect’s prestige had declined, the Hyungsan Sect was still a proper orthodox famous sect.
They intended to visit with proper etiquette rather than intrude recklessly.
After walking for a long time along a path dense with trees, they saw a place with white walls built against the mountainside.
It was the entrance to the Hyungsan Sect.
As Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard approached, a middle-aged man carrying a vegetable basket headed somewhere came over and asked,
“How may I help you?”
The middle-aged man’s basket was full of daikon radishes, so he looked more like a herb gatherer or a kitchen cook than a disciple of the Hyungsan Sect.
However, Bu Eunseol saw that he was wearing the Hyungsan Sect’s uniform and politely saluted.
“I am a wanderer named Seolso, and this friend is my attendant. I have an appointment with Sect Leader Myeong, so please deliver this visiting card.”
“With the Sect Leader?”
Although he was disguised as Seol So, the unique aura and temperament of a martial arts master who commanded the world could not be hidden.
The middle-aged man carefully set down his basket and said, “Please wait a moment.”
He hurriedly took the visiting card and went inside.
Soon afterward, a boy wearing blue martial robes came running frantically.
It was Myeong Un, who had become the current Sect Leader of the Hyungsan Sect.
“Benefactor!”
By now, Myeong Un had the lively appearance of a righteous young hero of the orthodox faction.
“Please accept my bow first.”
He immediately recognized Bu Eunseol, who was disguised as Seolso, and tried to prostrate himself.
“How can the leader of a sect show such great courtesy?”
Bu Eunseol raised his energy to prevent Myeong Un from bowing.
Oooong.
Under that power, Myeong Un could only lower his head.
‘Benefactor’s internal energy level is truly peerless under heaven.’
Myeong Un was born with a constitution that allowed him to accumulate internal energy quickly. Moreover, he had recently obtained a fortuitous encounter by consuming the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng.
His internal energy level had now reached a realm that did not fall short even when compared to previous generation experts.
Yet Bu Eunseol had rendered him unable to move his body with just a flicker of power, without lifting a single finger?
‘He has grown a lot in the meantime.’
Bu Eunseol was greatly surprised in his own way.
From Myeong Un’s internal energy level, he could guess that he had obtained a fortuitous encounter.
What surprised him was not the depth of internal energy, but the boy’s outstanding ‘sense.’
The moment the energy poured out, Myeong Un had instinctively tried to cleverly deflect it.
It was not because his internal energy was deep, but a natural movement born from his deep understanding of the principles of sword arts.
“Have you been well, Sect Leader Myeong?”
When Bu Eunseol greeted him, Myeong Un bowed once more.
“Of course. Thanks to the help you bestowed upon us, both I and the sect… have been living without trouble.”
Although he had only just shed his boyish appearance, his innate intelligence combined with the bitter and sweet experiences of wandering the streets for a long time meant that even at a young age, he was leading the Hyungsan Sect well.
“You have gained many disciples.”
There were many young children inside the Hyungsan Sect, as well as elderly people and middle-aged adults.
“They are not martial world warriors… they are simply members of our sect.”
Myeong Un spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“Those suited for learning martial arts do so. Those who are not suited help with the daily affairs of the sect.”
While diligently training in martial arts, Myeong Un had been taking in people with nowhere to go, one by one, just like his past self.
“That is how it should be done.”
Bu Eunseol nodded with an approving expression.
“A sect is a nest and a place to meet new family.”
Although Nangyang Pavilion was different, orthodox sects that emphasized master-disciple relationships inevitably developed bonds like family.
They ate together, slept together, and grew up together.
Joining a sect meant welcoming new family.
Without anyone teaching him, Myeong Un had been steadily building the foundation of the sect from the very beginning.
“By the way, this person is…”
When Myeong Un pointed at Black Leopard and asked,
“My name is Black Leopard, Sect Leader.”
Black Leopard also politely saluted the young boy Myeong Un.
“I lead mercenaries outside the Central Plains and barely make a living.”
“The Mercenary King!”
Myeong Un opened his mouth in awe.
“You mean you yourself are the great hero known as the Mercenary King?”
“I merely gained an undeserved reputation by chance.”
Even with Black Leopard’s humble words, Myeong Un’s cheeks turned red and he kept his mouth open in admiration.
The Mercenary King, Black Leopard.
That name was an object of admiration not only for martial artists but even for street thugs in the marketplaces.
The story of how a young boy who had once been an information agent for Dongpyoseorang had met the successor of the Nangyang Pavilion and traveled together, how he had accumulated incredible martial prowess while journeying through the martial world, how he had later operated alone as a wanderer and gained tremendous fame outside the Central Plains, and how he had not only mastered martial arts that commanded the world but had also become the leader of wanderers with endlessly rough and terrifying skills…
That legendary tale was now the greatest object of admiration for young boys who had just begun to harbor ambitions of shaking the world—surpassing even the Martial Soul Command Lord.
“It is an honor. It is truly an honor.”
Myeong Un repeatedly waved both hands with a face flushed red.
His expression was ten times more moved than when he had faced Bu Eunseol.
‘Even though he is the Sect Leader, he still hasn’t completely shed his boyish side.’
As Black Leopard smiled bitterly,
“By the way, how did you contact the Death Spirit Corps?”
Bu Eunseol asked gravely.
“Contacting our squad’s intelligence network is something that should only be done when the survival of the sect is at stake.”
No matter what his heart felt, Bu Eunseol was a demonic figure.
If it became known that Myeong Un was connected to him, it would not be a good thing and could tarnish the honor of the Hyungsan Sect.
That was why, when he had informed Myeong Un of the Death Spirit Corps' intelligence network, he had warned him to refrain from contacting them unless it concerned the survival of the sect.
“It is a matter concerning the survival of our sect,”
Myeong Un said after taking a deep breath.
“And above all, I thought it would be of help to you, Lord.”
“Help?”
“Yes.”
Myeong Un gestured toward the entrance of the Hyungsan Sect like the head manager of an inn welcoming an important guest.
“Please come inside first and let us talk.”
Myeong Un guided Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard to the guest hall and served them tea.
Then he explained in detail.
“The Mirror Polishing Platform of our sect was originally a place for seated meditation. However, thanks to the mental technique you restored for us, there is no longer any need to meditate there…”
“Just call me Lord, Sect Leader.”
“Ah, yes. Thanks to the mental technique the Lord restored, there was no longer any reason to visit the Mirror Polishing Platform… so I was removing the rocks there to turn it into a training ground while also practicing my sword arts.”
“You removed the rocks?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol looked at Myeong Un’s sword in surprise.
The sword of the Hyungsan Sect used extremely refined and swift techniques, so it was as thin as the Golden Needle Sword of the Namgung family.
Moreover, the sword Myeong Un currently wore was a cheap iron sword that could be bought for about two taels at a blacksmith shop.
And yet he had smashed the massive rocks on the Mirror Polishing Platform?
‘He has already deeply grasped the profound principles of the Hyungsan Sect’s sword arts.’
Smashing rocks with a thin sword was not something that could be done simply by injecting internal energy.
Guessing that Myeong Un’s sword arts had reached a considerable level, Bu Eunseol nodded with a pleased expression.
“Please continue.”
“While smashing the rocks, I discovered a strange place. It was like a cave… and when I reached the end, there was something like a transparent wall that prevented me from going any further.”
“A transparent wall.”
“Yes. Out of curiosity, I looked around and sensed a part of that transparent wall that seemed as if it had been broken somewhere.”
At that moment, flames flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
From the description, what Myeong Un had discovered was undoubtedly an Absolute Boundary.
If so, then somewhere on Mount Heng, there was either a treasure vault of the Baekri family, or a secret location where the Three Families were secretly conducting something.
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