Bu Eunseol furrowed his brows.
‘But the Absolute Boundary cannot be detected with mere supersensory perception alone.’
Myeong Un’s martial prowess had not yet reached a stable level yet not only had he sensed the Absolute Boundary, he had even precisely located the exact spot where it had been broken and entered it?
‘So that’s how it is.’
After pondering for a moment, he soon realized the reason.
‘It was because of the sensation he gained from controlling the puppets.’
Myeong Un was born with exceptional senses, and for a long time he had manipulated puppets connected by threads so fine they were nearly invisible. By repeatedly operating threads too thin to see, he had trained extremely precise hand movements and delicate tactile sensitivity. As a result, his sensory nerves had developed to the extreme, as if he had mastered the Beast Way.
Later on, he reached the point where he could detect those minute movements even without his fingertips touching the threads. Just as a spider perceives the location of its prey through vibrations in its web, he could read the space using only the trembling of threads and the flow of air.
This state was extremely similar to the sensory realm of Bu Eunseol, who possessed the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
“So when I went in there…”
Myeong Un spoke while wiping cold sweat, as if recalling the situation at the time.
“A monstrous being with tremendous skill tried to kill me. It was wearing what seemed like clothing made of metal. It made monstrous sounds and we couldn’t communicate at all.”
Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard looked at each other.
The monstrous being Myeong Un had seen.
Its appearance and behavior perfectly matched the one Black Leopard had encountered outside the Central Plains.
“After a desperate fight, I barely managed to preserve my life and escape… but as I was getting out of that place, I heard human screams and the sound of something collapsing from deeper inside.”
Myeong Un spoke with a grave expression.
“I thought the ones inside that bizarre hole might be the lackeys of the abyssal forces that the Lord mentioned, so I contacted you.”
Black Leopard, who had been listening silently, nodded toward Bu Eunseol with a serious face.
The situation was exactly the same, and the metal monster’s skill level was also similar.
“Lord. I think we should go take a look.”
As soon as Black Leopard spoke, Myeong Un stepped forward.
“I will guide you.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“The sect leader should stay here. And for the time being, it would be best to take your disciples and move to another location-”
“Even if my martial arts are lacking, I am the sect leader of Hyungsan.”
Myeong Un spoke firmly.
“I tried to resolve this incident with the power of my own sect since it occurred within our faction… but I contacted you because I thought this information might be of help to the Lord.”
Having sensed Myeong Un’s resolute will, Bu Eunseol nodded with an expression that said he had no choice.
“I understand.”
After nodding, Bu Eunseol took a deep breath with an extremely serious expression.
There was no way the metal monsters from outside the Central Plains would suddenly appear all the way in the Southern Peak of the Central Plains.
If so, that meant they had not only created Absolute Boundaries outside the Central Plains, but also in various strategic locations throughout the Central Plains, and were plotting something.
Moonlight shattered into countless pieces, brightly illuminating the entire world.
Bu Eunseol headed toward the Mirror Polishing Platform together with Black Leopard and Myeong Un.
Originally, the Mirror Polishing Platform had been scattered with large boulders. Now, the rocks were sliced as cleanly as tofu, their smooth cross-sections sparkling as they reflected the moonlight.
Around them lay countless large and small stone fragments, and on several rocks, sharp sword marks were clearly visible.
“Are these the rocks that Sect Leader Myeong broke?”
Black Leopard, who had lowered his head to carefully examine the broken traces on the rocks, let out an exclamation.
“Sect Leader, you have already grasped the true essence of Hyungsan Sect’s sword studies.”
Having followed Bu Eunseol, Black Leopard had learned how to read the traces left on corpses, and through his life as a ronin, he had perfected that experience into knowledge. That was why he could instantly recognize how outstanding Myeong Un’s sword studies were and how exceptional his talent was.
“Is that so?”
Myeong Un smiled brightly, delighted by Black Leopard’s praise.
“I don’t know what to do with myself now that a great hero like you has praised me.”
“However, it seems you controlled your strength too delicately, so the power of your sword studies has decreased somewhat.”
But at Black Leopard’s following words, Myeong Un’s face darkened again.
“I-Is that right?”
“Of course, delicate is better than crude, but the sword techniques passed down through generations in Hyungsan…”
Myeong Un listened attentively with pricked ears to Black Leopard’s continuing explanation.
Bu Eunseol stood quietly and watched the two men.
Their appearance reminded him of his past self and Black Leopard.
‘He’s better than me.’
Black Leopard’s current explanation and analysis.
It was having a far greater effect than when Bu Eunseol himself taught Myeong Un, as the publicly active Mercenary King’s prestige, with his clear track record, would seem far more impressive to Myeong Un than the Martial Soul Command Lord of the demonic path, who completely hid his movements while dealing with the powerful beings in the abyss.
“I’m sorry.”
At that moment, Black Leopard felt Bu Eunseol’s steady gaze and scratched his head.
“I got carried away and gave unsolicited advice to Sect Leader Myeong even though I’m not perfect yet.”
“Not at all. It was a good interpretation.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“The only difference is that orthodox sect sword techniques emphasize formality somewhat more than freedom. Demonic martial arts tend to view the formalities passed down through generations as outdated.”
“I see.”
Black Leopard let out an exclamation as if he had realized something significant.
“So the righteous factions interpret ‘formality’ differently from the demonic path. They even consider it part of their sect’s unique character.”
“Exactly.”
Black Leopard enthusiastically continued explaining the principles of martial arts to Myeong Un.
“Sect Leader. Until now, I also had several questions regarding my dagger techniques, but listening to the Lord’s words has resolved them.”
He broke off a tree branch and began drawing diagrams on the ground.
“This will probably be of great help in advancing Hyungsan Sect’s sword studies as well.”
Then, for a long while, he squatted down and explained the profound principles of martial arts.
‘Things are resolving well.’
Without even thinking about searching for the Absolute Boundary on the Mirror Polishing Platform, Bu Eunseol unconsciously smiled as he watched the two men sitting together talking about martial arts.
‘So there was such a method.’
Previously, after listening to Black Leopard’s complaints, Bu Eunseol had thought of one way for him to develop rapidly.
But for that, the right connection is necessary.
That method was precisely for Black Leopard to ‘teach someone else.’
In the past, Bu Eunseol had also taught Black Leopard, and as a result, his own martial arts had advanced greatly. Hadn’t Hyeok Sojin also experienced a massive increase in martial prowess when he taught Bu Eunseol and the Hundred Flower Maidens of the Affectionate Blossom Sect?
Teaching someone was an excellent opportunity to review everything one had learned so far.
It was also a way to systematically organize one’s knowledge and experience.
Thanks to the incident at Hyungsan, such a thing had happened naturally without Bu Eunseol having to lift a finger.
‘Those two will become good rivals for each other in the future, and pillars that will support the martial world.’
“I’m sorry.”
At that moment, Myeong Un, who had been listening to Black Leopard’s explanation, suddenly looked at Bu Eunseol with an embarrassed expression.
Only now had he realized that Bu Eunseol had been silently waiting while he received the martial arts instruction.
“Great Hero Black Leopard explained so kindly that I momentarily forgot about the situation.”
“Not at all. There’s no rush to arrive, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask Black Leopard anytime.”
“Thank you!”
Bu Eunseol led the two men and slowly moved deeper into the Mirror Polishing Platform again.
Since Myeong Un had turned most of the area where the rocks had been into a flat, wide space, it looked like it could soon be used as a training ground.
Clearing the rocks to this extent with Hyungsan sword techniques, which prioritize precision and elegance, meant that he had trained his sword skills with full power every single day without rest. When Bu Eunseol nodded faintly in admiration, Black Leopard, noticing this, showed a pleased smile as if he were looking at his own disciple.
After walking for quite some time, a large hole appeared in the rocky cliff area at the edge of the Mirror Polishing Platform.
It looked like the widely opened black maw of a monster.
As they slowly entered, a strange sensation spread out.
The interior did not seem like a naturally formed cave. The ceiling soared high, and not a single ray of light reached it. The walls were engraved with patterns resembling the folds of limestone that had formed over thousands of years, yet they somehow looked somewhat artificial.
Far deeper inside the cave, a faint light sparkled, as if signaling an exit.
“It’s blocked.”
However, as they approached the light, they could no longer move forward.
It felt as if an invisible wall was blocking the space.
“It really was an Absolute Boundary.”
“Is it the Three Realms?”
At Black Leopard’s question, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“The Three Realms do not use Absolute Boundaries. It would be more accurate to call it the Three Families or the abyssal forces.”
Although Black Leopard lived a life-risking mercenary existence with the outside regions as his stage, he had personally been continuously purchasing information about the Central Plains at high prices. Above all, thanks to Bu Eunseol, he accurately understood the current state of the martial world.
“What exactly are the Three Realms or Absolute Boundaries?”
However, Myeong Un, who was only now growing the Hyungsan Sect into a rising faction while honing his martial arts, knew nothing at all about the martial world’s hidden forces or information.
“Learning about it now would only hinder the operation of the Hyungsan Sect.” Black Leopard spoke euphemistically and indirectly.
There was nothing good about Myeong Un learning about the abyss of the martial world from now on. No, if he lived as an ordinary martial world person, it was better to never know such information for his entire life.
“I see.”
But Myeong Un’s eyes sparkled as he clenched his fists tightly.
“From now on, I think I should pay attention to news from the martial world beyond just training my martial arts.”
‘Well, there’s no way someone with such outstanding talent would live an ordinary life.’
Black Leopard nodded and said, “Once this matter is over, I will explain the situation to you roughly. Later, once the Hyungsan Sect stabilizes, operating an information organization wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
“Yes.”
Whiiiing.
While the two were talking, Bu Eunseol spread the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi and began to carefully examine the Absolute Boundary.
And he detected the broken part of the Absolute Boundary that Myeong Un had sensed.
‘It was not naturally occurring.’
At first, he had thought that when Myeong Un destroyed the rocks, the cliff collapsed and part of the Absolute Boundary was torn as a result. But the shape of the Absolute Boundary he now felt through the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi looked as if someone had forcibly torn it apart with powerful force.
“Someone deliberately broke it.”
“Does that mean there was an intruder?”
At Black Leopard’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“We’ll know once we go inside.”
Ziiing.
As they entered, a space filled with auspicious mist came into view.
The pure white mist was extremely artificial, and it was familiar to Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
‘Ancient Sword Forest?’
It was very similar to the mist he had seen at the entrance of the Ancient Sword Forest in the past.
‘So it wasn’t an Absolute Boundary of the Three Families.’
Kiiiiii.
Then, bizarre monstrous sounds rang out from all directions.
At the same time, a shadow with a single gleaming eye slowly began to walk out.
It shimmered with a silvery light as if wearing clothing made of metal, and it appeared to be over seven feet tall.
Its face was completely covered by a mask, and both the exposed arms and legs were entirely covered in metal.
Rather than a human, it looked like a weapon made of iron lumps.
“Is that the one?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Black Leopard nodded with a heavy expression.
“Yes. It looks exactly like the monster I saw.”
Even from Bu Eunseol’s perspective, they were not human.
They were undoubtedly troops secretly raised by some faction—demonic creatures.
Clank. Clank.
The metal monster with the gleaming single eye spotted Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard and slowly walked toward them.
Light flashed from its metal-glittering clothing, and radiance emanated from the shape of its eyes visible through the mask.
“Dodge!”
At Bu Eunseol’s shout, the two split to the left and right.
Sizzle.
At that moment, the ground where the two had been standing turned black and began to emit smoke.
“This is…”
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned to shock.
There had been no martial arts technique deployed, nor any trace of power being exerted yet the metal monster was displaying power that completely transcended the boundaries of martial arts.
‘An attack with no presence to this degree… ordinary martial artists would die without even knowing why.’
Whiiiing. Whiiiing.
Every time the monster’s eyes flashed, a mysterious power undetectable by normal senses was assaulting the three.
‘Formless slashing strikes accompanied by heat.’
Bu Eunseol, who had spread his supersensory perception, immediately understood the monster’s attacks.
‘Black Leopard and Myeong Un probably cannot detect it smoothly yet.’
Their supersensory perception had not yet reached Bu Eunseol’s level.
If things continued like this, they would lose their lives before they could even grasp the situation.
‘There’s only one way.’
Boom!
Bu Eunseol drew out the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi within his body at full power.
He then began pouring that energy into the vital points on the two men’s bodies.
Flash!
In an instant, blue light flashed in Black Leopard and Myeong Un’s eyes.
He had temporarily greatly amplified their reflexes through the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
Sizzle!
At that moment, the two were also able to detect the metal monster’s attacks, just like Bu Eunseol.
“How did you do that?”
When Black Leopard expressed his astonishment, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“I temporarily amplified your senses through the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi. But if you hold onto it for too long…”
Before he could finish speaking,
“Haaaaah!”
Myeong Un drew his sword and charged at the metal monster.
His movements were like lightning, but madness flowed in his eyes.
Having received the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi while his body was not yet fully matured, the wind energy instead triggered a manic condition.
Shashashasha!
Sparks continuously flew from the metal monster’s body as it was struck by the Hyungsan sword technique.
However, as if it had received no damage at all, the metal monster continued firing formless slashing strikes without concern.
Papapap!
Myeong Un barely dodged the attacks, but his skin was torn and his entire body became covered in blood.
“Huu…”
When Myeong Un paused for a moment, a rough hoarseness that had never been there before flowed from his mouth.
He had originally been a gentle, quiet person who disliked even arguing with others yet when the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi injected by Bu Eunseol triggered the manic condition, the murderous intent and rough, tough temperament he had lacked as a martial artist were instead supplemented.
“Kaah!”
Myeong Un let out a beast-like roar and once again unfolded the Hyungsan sword technique.
The essence of the Hyungsan sword technique was to suppress the cunning with simplicity and suppress change with adaptability.
But as intense Wind-Cloud Divine Qi ran wild and his madness exploded, he instead suppressed stillness with chaos and suppressed emptiness with fullness… unfolding a bizarre demonic sword style.
Crackle.
Nevertheless, Myeong Un’s appearance was incomparably majestic.
Spreading true energy like flames throughout his body and continuously pouring out sword energy, his figure looked as if he were performing the Seven Blood Tear Forms in the form of Strong Energy Infinity, wrapping pitch-black sword energy around himself like armor.
“My Lord.”
Black Leopard spoke with an excited expression.
“Please keep injecting me with the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi like you did for Sect Leader Myeong!”
As Bu Eunseol nodded and prepared to raise the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi,
Shashashashasha!
Myeong Un’s sword technique suddenly began to change with solemn weight.
No matter how much the manic condition dominated his body, the Hyungsan sword technique he had learned through bone-carving training naturally unfolded.
Shiiik! Slash!
Meanwhile, the mania seemed to have worsened. Vomit flowed from Myeong Un’s mouth, and something was leaking down below. Even so, with his mouth tightly shut and his eyes rolled back white, he continuously performed the refined and solemn Hyungsan sword technique.
The sight was so bizarre that even Bu Eunseol, who rarely showed any reaction, could not help but open his mouth.
‘So that’s why.’
Only now did Bu Eunseol truly understand.
Why the palace masters of the Wind God Palace had accepted the humiliating proposal to lend their power to the Wind People.
They would rather die.
No one would want to perform martial arts with their eyes rolled back and defecating and urinating everywhere.
If they did, they would have to retire from the martial world that very day.
“Lord.”
At that moment, Black Leopard spoke resolutely.
“I will fight even if it means death.”
Nod.
When Bu Eunseol nodded, Black Leopard gripped his daggers with both hands and charged at the metal monster.
But for some reason, he maintained a large distance from Myeong Un and continued exchanging attacks.
‘So there was a reason the Wind God Palace masters did not inject the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi into their disciples.’
The Wind-Cloud Divine Qi caused even the Wind People to suffer from mania. It was an energy that could never be injected into ordinary people.
Twinkle.
When Bu Eunseol withdrew the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi he had injected, Myeong Un quickly returned to clear eyes.
Boom!
Bu Eunseol raised the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi again and poured it at full power toward the monster, slowing its movements.
‘If I make its movements even slower… the two of them should adapt quickly.’
In truth, the metal monster’s martial arts itself were not that impressive.
However, Black Leopard and Myeong Un had almost no experience facing enemies with supernatural powers that could not be resolved through martial sense alone.
That was why they had no choice but to struggle when undetectable slashing strikes poured down.
‘If they cannot adapt, they will die.’
From the perspective of an ordinary martial artist, it was a fight with a high chance of death.
But from the perspective of a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion, fighting such a strong enemy was an invaluable opportunity that could not be bought even with money.
“Black Leopard, I will make the enemy’s movements even slower, so try coordinating with Myeong Un.”
Boom!
Recalling the method he had used against the Heavenly Killing Star, Bu Eunseol spread an even stronger Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
He deployed the profound principle of Wind Dispersion Cloud Extinction, wrapping powerful winds around the enemy’s limbs to slow its movements.
Sizzle. Sizzle.
When the fiercely rotating transparent winds bound the metal monster’s limbs, the speed of its formless slashing strikes also noticeably decreased.
“Haaap!”
Black Leopard, who had already put on a face cloth to block the poisonous energy and stench, let out a battle cry and began swinging his daggers.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
As Black Leopard, now a single black line, slashed at the metal monster’s vital points, Myeong Un’s eyes flashed as he shouted.
“I will try to block its attacks!”
After taking a deep breath, Myeong Un unfolded the Hyungsan sword technique with all his strength.
His initial moves had no unnecessary flourishes.
Using the sensation transmitted from the sword to his fingertips, he was predicting the enemy’s movements in advance.
Chikchikchikchik!
The two momentarily scattered to the left and right repeatedly, targeting the monster’s side vital points.
The sound of blades cutting metal rang in their ears, but the hard outer shell was not cut deeply.
“Sect Leader Myeong, hold on just a little longer.”
Black Leopard soared into the air, slicing through empty space.
Whirrrrr!
Spinning rapidly like a top, he smoothly swung his daggers like living snakes.
He accurately stabbed into the gaps between the metal monster’s joints.
Ziiing.
Then, red energy flowed out from the metal monster’s body.
At the same time, a low vibration was felt at Bu Eunseol’s waist.
‘This is…’
When he looked down, mysterious patterns had formed on the sheath of the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Only then could Bu Eunseol sense what power the metal monster was using and why the attacks had been so undetectable.
‘A Black Divine Artifact.’
The metal monster was using a Black Divine Artifact, the strongest weapon in the martial world.
Ziiiiiing.
The patterns on the sheath grew even darker.
As a result, the metal monster’s movements became faster again, and Black Leopard and Myeong Un once more could not catch its movements.
“Black Leopard, that thing is using a Black Divine Artifact.”
Black Leopard let out a sound of realization.
The reason he had been completely unable to grasp the metal monster’s techniques.
It was because they had been using the power of the transcendent weapon called a Black Divine Artifact from the beginning.
“And it’s quite a powerful a Black Divine Artifact at that. It’s pouring transcendent power like the Hundred and Eight Stars into a certain area.”
“Area…”
Black Leopard’s eyes flashed as he said, “Sect Leader Myeong. I will draw its attacks, so please destroy the weapon hidden inside its body!”
Myeong Un did not know what a Black Divine Artifact was but he clearly understood the instruction to destroy the hidden weapon.
“Understood.”
When Black Leopard deliberately rushed at the metal monster and unfolded dizzying footwork, Myeong Un took the opportunity to close the distance.
However, on the metal-glittering monster’s body, there was nothing that looked particularly like a weapon.
‘No, there it is.’
Myeong Un discovered a flashing bracelet pattern near the left wrist of the rapidly moving metal monster.
Every time it exerted its strange power, light flashed, so it was definitely the hidden weapon.
Slash!
Myeong Un unfolded the ultimate technique of the Hyungsan sword technique—Returning Dragon of Old—and created two strands of sword energy as sharp as needles.
Shashashasha!
Then, just as Bu Eunseol would instantly imitate the enemy’s sword technique with the Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin form, he waved his fingers as if wielding a sword and controlled the sharp sword energy as if pulling threads.
“Haaap!”
Having spotted the opening, Myeong Un crossed the two strands of sword energy and sliced at the bracelet on the monster’s left wrist.
He could shatter even the giant rocks on the Mirror Polishing Platform with his slender Hyungsan sword. Although the sword energy was extremely thin, in reality, it possessed destructive power greater than any swordsman’s full-powered sword gang.
Clang!
The moment the two sharp strands of sword energy touched it, accompanied by a strange metallic sound, the bracelet attached to the monster’s forearm shattered instantly.
Thud.
At the same time, the metal monster’s movements came to a complete stop in an instant.
Its Black Divine Artifact had been destroyed, completely halting its actions.
“I did it!”
The moment Myeong Un turned around and shouted in joy,
“Sect Leader Myeong, danger!”
At that instant, Black Leopard dashed over at extreme speed, blocked in front of Myeong Un, and crossed his daggers.
Boom!
In the end, with a thunderous explosion that shook heaven and earth,
A slashing strike with enough power to twist space itself sent Black Leopard flying more than ten jang away.
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