“Wind Cloud Young Master.”
The chiefs and senior members of the Four Holy Clans bowed their heads with worried expressions.
“You don’t need to take such risks for our sake…”
“It is not only for your sake. In any case, he and I have already become mortal enemies who cannot live under the same sky.”
Given the Elephant King’s personality—one that considered even the humiliation of his subordinates as his own disgrace—he would never leave the one who killed his son alone.
“Even if I eliminate the Elephant King, the same problem remains.”
Bu Eunseol continued calmly.
“If you do not quickly build up your strength, another powerful figure will come targeting the sacred object.”
The tribespeople lowered their heads once more.
They had finally realized the heart with which Bu Eunseol had come here.
—The Wind Cloud Young Master is a divine being who came to protect our tribe.
Ever since the appearance of the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants, the people of Cheonchuk had lost all sense of altruism and consideration. It had become accepted as natural that the weak would be trampled by the strong.
But the Wind Cloud Young Master was different.
He followed the long-held belief of the Four Holy Clans—the belief in showing consideration for the weak.
Perhaps the priestess from two hundred years ago had foreseen all of this and left behind the prophecy about the Wind Cloud Young Master.
Bu Eunseol looked around at everyone with a solemn expression and said,
“I will take care of the matter with the Elephant King. You must focus on building your strength. Protect and help the weak. If you do not, the Four Holy Clans will also disappear into the back alleys of history.”
All the tribespeople bowed their heads.
They were inherently kind and had never trampled on others. Perhaps that was precisely why they had been able to receive Bu Eunseol’s help.
“Then, until we meet again.”
When Bu Eunseol turned to leave, Ahwan quickly tried to follow him.
But Anan Geuk, who noticed this, swiftly grabbed her sleeve.
Anan Geuk shook his head.
“The Wind Cloud Young Master now faces a monumental task. You must never disturb his mind.”
Ahwan wanted to protest, but Anan Geuk’s gaze was far too solemn.
And it was undeniably true.
The Wind Cloud Young Master was heading out to behead the absolute ruler of Napsageukseong in order to protect the Four Holy Clans.
Grip.
Ahwan nodded while tightly clutching her sleeve.
Now was not the time to shake his heart.
***
At the northern edge of Napsageukseong.
On a vast plateau that seemed to touch the sky stood a grand and magnificent building resembling a royal palace.
It was the Elephant Sect, led by the Elephant King—one of the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants and the cultivator of Cheonchuk’s greatest external arts.
The palaces, built like giant lotus peaks rising from the earth, overwhelmed the plateau as if they were the dwelling places of gods. The walls and halls constructed from golden sandstone and dazzling white marble shone brilliantly under the sun.
Beneath countless spires soaring toward the sky and rounded domed roofs, the walls and pillars were intricately and lavishly carved with sacred elephants, lotus flowers, and heavenly dancers.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol, unfolding Swift Beyond Shadow, approached the Elephant Sect without hesitation.
In front of the massive main gate stood giant elephant statues on both sides.
Armed guards stood solemnly before them, yet they failed to detect even the slightest trace of Bu Eunseol, who was moving stealthily with his movement technique.
Swish.
Bu Eunseol leaped over the gate in a single bound. Inside, a large pond came into view.
Colorful water lilies bloomed beautifully on the surface, and the clear, gentle sound of wind chimes mixed with the scent of incense spread on the breeze.
‘It really looks like a temple.’
The Elephant King was known as a greedy and cruel tyrant.
Yet paradoxically, the sect he led boasted a landscape as beautiful and majestic as a Cheonchuk temple.
‘I will quietly cut off his head.’
The Elephant Sect had over a hundred thousand troops.
Inside the sect, there were also formations and defensive mechanisms prepared against powerful intruders.
However, since he could not slaughter innocent disciples as well, Bu Eunseol decided to focus solely on one target—the leader of the Elephant Sect, the Elephant King, who coveted the sacred object of the Four Holy Clans and tormented civilians.
‘An intelligence network is truly crucial.’
Originally, he had planned to use his intelligence organization to thoroughly learn the internal layout and terrain of the Elephant Sect beforehand, then cut off the Elephant King’s head perfectly without leaving a trace.
But because he had infiltrated recklessly, he had already wasted a day and a half just figuring out the internal structure and situation, and now he had no choice but to improvise on the spot.
‘It feels like I’m back in the Nine Deaths Squad.’
In the past, the Nine Deaths Squad had often been given near-impossible missions to eliminate targets with almost no information. Most of those missions ended in failure, and countless members lost their lives in vain.
Bu Eunseol, however, had been the exception.
No matter the mission, no matter how unfavorable or harsh the conditions, he had always completed it.
And now, he intended to prove that ability once again.
‘That must be the Elephant King’s residence.’
While stealthily advancing deep inside, Bu Eunseol stopped in front of a splendid building located in the heart of the complex.
The roof was covered in gold and shone brilliantly under the sunlight, while the walls were adorned with jewels that seemed to absorb light. It was a true palace.
The massive doors were cast in silver, with intricate patterns engraved in the center.
Using the Wind Cloud Divine Energy to enter stealthily, a maze-like network of corridors appeared.
On the walls were murals depicting a figure presumed to be the Elephant King creating elephant shapes in the air, surrounded by countless people worshiping him.
It was a painting that clearly displayed the Elephant King’s arrogant and self-aggrandizing personality.
‘Strange.’
Even after entering the residence, there was no trace of anyone.
‘To manage a palace of this scale, there should be at least ten maids or servants.’
Inside the residence, furniture made of the highest-grade rosewood and ebony could be seen, along with golden scrolls and crystal tablets engraved with ancient characters on display.
Yet not even a single ant was visible inside.
‘There is only one case where a residence is this empty.’
Closed-door training.
He was undoubtedly undergoing closed-door training in a secret chamber or hidden facility inside.
Because external sounds could flow into the chamber and disturb one’s composure, not only servants but even disciples and family members were forbidden from approaching the building where closed-door training was taking place.
If he were not in closed-door training, it would be impossible for such a grand and luxurious palace to have no one inside.
‘This has become easier.’
The optimal conditions for assassination had arranged themselves naturally.
While examining the interior, Bu Eunseol looked up at the ceiling painted in a deep blue color like the night sky.
Countless diamonds were embedded in it like actual constellations, emitting a soft glow.
‘Constellation movement.’
The movements of celestial bodies followed fixed cycles, but those cycles were either extremely long or overlapped in highly complex patterns.
That was why many martial artists imitated the movement of constellations when installing formations or mechanical devices.
‘This is simple.’
Having identified that the jewels on the ceiling were the mechanism controlling the secret device, Bu Eunseol shifted the positions of the diamonds embedded in the ceiling.
Rumble.
The wall where the bed was placed split open to the left and right, revealing a staircase leading downward.
Chzzzt.
Bu Eunseol unfolded his movement technique and immediately descended.
As he went down the stairs, a wide cave was revealed.
Huge stalactites and stalagmites served as natural pillars, and unknown ores embedded throughout the walls emitted faint but colorful light that illuminated the darkness.
After walking deeper for some time, the space suddenly widened into a vast open area.
Glowing night pearls like stars dotted the ceiling, and mineral veins emitting blue phosphorescence like blood vessels ran along the walls, filling the entire interior with a dreamy blue light and soft white glow.
In the center of the open area was a small pond shimmering with mysterious radiance.
At the far end stood a smooth, solid rock face engraved with martial arts manuals written in the Cheonchuk language.
A massive shadow with a back as imposing as a sheer cliff sat crouched in front of it.
The figure wore luxurious silk robes, and heavy jeweled necklaces hung from his shoulders and chest.
“Are you the Elephant King?”
Bu Eunseol revealed himself without bothering to hide his presence and asked.
Since this underground cavern was quite far from the main Elephant Sect, even a world-shaking battle here would not be noticed outside. Therefore, he intended to defeat the king fairly instead of assassinating him.
“Bayura tribe?”
The voice was filled with such domineering power that it reverberated throughout the cavern.
When the crouched shadow raised its head, a face with overwhelming pressure that could stop a person’s breath was revealed.
Deep-set eyes were filled with cold cruelty, and sharp light flowed from them.
The Elephant King, Sangdo Gangcheon.
The ruler of Napsageukseong and one of the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants had been undergoing closed-door training in this underground cavern.
“No, you are a Central Plains person.”
After carefully examining Bu Eunseol’s disguised appearance as Seolso, blade-like killing intent spread in all directions from Sangdo Gangcheon’s eyes.
“Who are you?”
Although he spoke in the Han language, Bu Eunseol was lost in deep thought.
‘He sent his son even while in closed-door training?’
Closed-door training was not something one began on a whim.
That meant that even during seclusion, he had been receiving reports from his subordinates and directing them, or perhaps the order to attack the Four Holy Clans and retrieve the sacred object had been given by someone else.
“I asked who you are.”
Sangdo Gangcheon, who had turned one hundred years old this year, maintained the appearance of a man in his fifties, and even his voice sounded quite young.
“Martial Soul Society. Seolso.”
“Martial Soul Society?”
“Correct.”
The Elephant King’s eyes flashed.
“So you are the Martial Soul Society Lord who has never revealed himself until now.”
He operated a powerful intelligence network and was extremely well-informed about the situation in the Central Plains martial world. Moreover, as befitting a tyrant of Cheonchuk, he had instantly recognized that despite his ordinary appearance, Bu Eunseol’s aura was far from ordinary. That was how he immediately identified him as the Martial Soul Society Lord.
“Correct.”
Bu Eunseol said coldly.
“Even now, if you stop touching the Four Holy Clans, strictly discipline your disciples, and cease your tyranny against the people of Napsageukseong, I will spare your life.”
“Four Holy Clans?”
Only then did the Elephant King nod as if he finally understood everything.
“So you were the Wind Cloud Young Master who came from the Central Plains.”
Since the Wind Cloud Young Master was a name that appeared in the priestess's prophecy, it was not strange that the Elephant King, who knew well about the sacred object, recognized the name.
However, Bu Eunseol felt a faint sense of suspicion.
Would a man as confident as the Elephant King truly desire the sacred object of the Four Holy Clans so desperately?
“The one who turned my son into a frozen corpse, I presume.”
‘So he was commanding the sect even while in closed-door training.’
Not only had the Elephant King been receiving reports and issuing orders from here during his seclusion, but as the ruler who held Napsageukseong in his grasp, he clearly possessed an intelligence network that allowed him to see through everything happening inside the castle like the palm of his hand.
Bu Eunseol had killed Sangdo Yumong and arrived at the Elephant Sect in just one day, spending only another day examining the surrounding terrain and interior.
Yet if he already knew the outcome of the battle between Sangdo Yumong and the Four Holy Clans, he must have received the report through messenger hawks.
“Since you must avenge your son, there is no room for negotiation.”
“Avenge my son?”
The Elephant King, wearing a cruel smile, said something unexpected.
“I have many sons. That boy simply became the Young Sect Leader because he was particularly good at handling affairs and managing people.”
People who were cruel and obsessed with power often poured even more affection on their blood relatives.
Bu Eunseol had naturally assumed the Elephant King would be greatly enraged by Sangdo Yumong’s death.
Yet the Elephant King was a cold-hearted father, exactly like the Extinction Palace Lord who had watched his own son, the young palace lord Shin Do-unhwi, rush toward destruction without stopping him.
“Good. I was curious who had helped the Four Holy Clans anyway.”
When the crouched Elephant King stood up, it felt as if the vast open area was completely filled.
The shape of an elephant became clearly visible behind his back.
“So there has been progress in the Eight Iron Arts.”
Bu Eunseol realized, upon seeing the eight elephant shapes behind the Elephant King, that he was approaching the eighth level of the Eight Iron Arts.
“Let’s end the conversation here.”
“You must have many questions.”
Bu Eunseol tilted his head slightly.
“Such as why the Martial Soul Society Lord is helping the Four Holy Clans.”
“Anyway, after I tear your limbs apart, you will spill everything during interrogation.”
As if annoyed, the Elephant King threw a fist at Bu Eunseol.
Bu Eunseol did not dodge and threw his own fist as well.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, the entire cavern shook.
Chiiik.
Bu Eunseol was pushed back a step.
Could it be that he, who possessed the greatest inner energy under the heavens, had less power than the Elephant King?
‘As expected.’
Rather, Bu Eunseol had fully anticipated this result.
When external arts reached the extreme, there was almost no loss of power, and the might of martial techniques was maximized.
In simple terms, even if the same martial art was used, there was a difference like hitting a wall with a soft rubber ball versus hitting it with a steel ball.
Swish!
At that moment, Bu Eunseol’s arm began spinning at high speed, and then—
Spurt!
Blood suddenly sprayed out.
The Eight Iron Arts could absorb or deflect incoming force.
The Elephant King had reflected the strike contained in Bu Eunseol’s fist back at him.
Bu Eunseol had spun his arm to offset that force.
In that short instant, the two great masters had not only seen through each other’s skill but had also proven that their fist techniques were evenly matched.
“The Martial Soul Society Lord is nothing special either.”
If their skill levels were equal, then the Elephant King, who possessed an indestructible body and the Eight Iron Arts that could return all external force, would inevitably hold the advantage.
“Now just collapse already.”
Boom!
Explosions that shook heaven and earth rang out continuously as Bu Eunseol’s body began to be pushed back.
“How long can you endure?”
A blue haze began rising from the Elephant King’s eyes as he wore a mocking smile.
Boom boom boom!
Every time he threw a punch, the shape of a massive elephant rose like haze behind his back.
That blurry illusion soon transformed into an overwhelming pressure as if it possessed physical form.
It then became a ferocious aura capable of trampling and crushing the world, shattering Bu Eunseol’s body apart separately from the fist technique itself.
Infinite Reversal Power.
The Elephant King had surpassed the limits of martial arts and was unleashing Infinite Reversal Power.
With every punch, he poured out a sacred yet terrifying power as if a mythical elephant god had descended by borrowing his body, destroying Bu Eunseol’s physique.
Ziiing. Ziiing.
Every time the Elephant King’s strikes landed, a faint light spread from Bu Eunseol’s body.
He had wrapped the combined force of the mixed energies within his body around himself in the form of Infinite Reversal Energy.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Like the moon falling from the sky, an absolute wave of power that could neither be avoided nor blocked sliced through space and struck Bu Eunseol directly.
Wherever his fist grazed, space distorted, and huge footprints as if an elephant had charged remained on the ground.
Chiiiiii.
Then something strange happened.
White steam began rising from the body of the attacking Elephant King.
The left side of his body turned red hot, while the right side turned a deep blue.
Even while receiving the attacks, Bu Eunseol had been unfolding the Yeolha Great True Energy and the Heavenly Glacial Secret with both hands, destroying the king’s body from within.
“Extreme yin and extreme yang power.”
The Elephant King paused his attack for a moment, looked down at his own body, and snorted.
“The Eight Iron Arts deflects all external force!”
He then activated the Rigid Body Rebound Energy of the Eight Iron Arts and instantly bounced the power away.
Boom!
When the extreme yin and yang power poured back toward Bu Eunseol, he could not block it and was sent flying into the stone wall behind him.
Rumble.
Bu Eunseol stood up again and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing him covered in dust, the Elephant King burst into wild laughter.
“With only that much skill…”
But he could not finish his sentence.
Crack…
Suddenly, both of his palms began splitting apart like crackers.
Reverse Flow Rebound Strike.
Bu Eunseol had not been helplessly taking the Elephant King’s attacks all this time.
He had analyzed the profound principles of the Eight Iron Arts, realized he could not destroy the body in a single blow, and had been gradually returning the king’s power while simultaneously unfolding the Heavenly Glacial Secret and the Yeolha Great True Energy.
It was easy to say, but to accomplish such a feat required enormous inner energy that transcended martial theory and divine skill that demanded splitting time several times more finely than even an expert at the Supreme Heavenly Realm.
In other words, Bu Eunseol was currently displaying the ability of a master who had essentially reached the Limitless Realm.
“You bastard…”
For the first time, the Elephant King’s complexion changed.
Only now did he realize that Bu Eunseol was a master who surpassed him.
“Martial Soul Society Lord. Are you saying you stand shoulder to shoulder with the Three Demons and Three Venerables?”
“You still don’t know much about the Central Plains martial arts.”
Bu Eunseol snorted.
“Compared to them, this Society Lord is still a baby who has just learned to walk.”
It was an exaggerated expression, but if one considered the rapid growth in martial prowess of figures like the Human Demon or the Buddha Venerable, it was not entirely wrong.
The great masters of the Central Plains had already stepped beyond the boundaries of the Limitless Realm.
“You have only just awakened the Limitless Realm and are clumsily using Infinite Reversal Power.”
Step. Step. Step.
Bu Eunseol approached the Elephant King slowly, radiating an aura like the god of death, and extended his hand.
“In your next life, be born as a good person.”
Whoooong.
At the same time, red energy swirled around Bu Eunseol’s left fist.
He had raised the Heavenly Hand Void Wave—the single technique with the strongest destructive power—using sixty years of inner energy.
Whaaaa!
The red fist energy swirling from his fist became a blood-colored dragon that ravaged the interior of the cavern.
If that hand struck, not even the Elephant King would survive.
“Wait!”
At that moment, the Elephant King shouted loudly.
“If you kill me, the Four Holy Clans will not survive.”
“……”
“Will you kill all the disciples of this gate? Even if you kill this king, the Ten Great Elephant Generals will surely slaughter the Four Holy Clans first.”
It was not a lie.
Even if he killed the Elephant King, ninety thousand subordinates still remained, along with the Ten Great Elephant Generals who had trained the Eight Iron Arts up to the sixth level.
As long as they were not all eliminated, the aftermath would continue.
“Looking at you, you don’t seem like a cruel enough person to take the lives of all the disciples under this king.”
“Are you begging for your life?”
“Not at all.”
The Elephant King said,
“This king has only just entered the initial stage of the eighth level of the Eight Iron Arts. If I train for another three hundred days here… I will reach the Great Perfection realm that no one in Cheonchuk history has ever achieved.”
The Elephant King spoke proudly.
“I will not attack the Four Holy Clans. Instead, after three hundred days, once I have achieved the eighth level of the Eight Iron Arts, let us fight again.”
Bu Eunseol stared directly into the Elephant King’s eyes.
He was not afraid of death.
He was genuinely resentful at the thought of dying without reaching the extreme of the Eight Iron Arts.
“You boast so much about your martial arts, yet you desperately want the sacred object of the Four Holy Clans?”
“The power of the Four Holy Artifacts is the strongest in Cheonchuk. Naturally…”
“If that were the case, the other Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants would not have stayed still.”
Light flowed from Bu Eunseol’s fist.
“Since you lied, the negotiation is over.”
The Elephant King spoke quickly.
“It was the Great One who ordered it.”
“The Great One?”
“Correct. The one who ordered this king to hand over the area near Napgi Lake to the Poison King and to retrieve the sacred object of the Four Holy Clans—it was all commanded by that person.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
No matter how low-ranking he was among the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants, the being that the Elephant King would call “that person” with fear and trembling was all too obvious.
‘True Demon.’
Surprisingly, the True Demon had already been devouring Cheonchuk for a long time.
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