Psh-sh-shut!
In the meantime, the Primordial Void Light Blade, blooming from the earth, transformed into sharp thorn-like shapes and rapidly dug into Bu Eunseol’s legs. Its speed was truly like a lightning bolt, reaching a level where any movement technique or evasive maneuver would be rendered useless.
Step.
However, Bu Eunseol took a step forward with a leisurely expression, as if wondering what was even happening.
In an instant, the radiance of the Primordial Void Light Blade grazed past Bu Eunseol’s legs. By simply walking an ordinary stride with his hands clasped behind his back, he had naturally avoided the Severing Flame.
Pshut! Pshu-shu-shut!
However, the cherished ultimate technique unleashed by the Profound Sound Elder was not something to be taken lightly.
The moment he resolved to sever Bu Eunseol’s legs by manifesting the Severing Flame, the Primordial Void Light Blade projected his will, moving incessantly like a living creature as it burrowed toward Bu Eunseol’s legs.
Step, step.
Regardless, Bu Eunseol moved his steps naturally. Each time he did, his form grew hazy, and a divine energy radiated from his body.
“Sorcery again!”
As Bu Eunseol leisurely evaded the decisive strike, the Profound Sound Elder, appearing as though his pride were wounded, further heightened the power of the Severing Flame.
Yet, the more he did, the more imposing Bu Eunseol’s footsteps became, and his momentum soared majestically as if to split the heavens.
“You brat!”
The Profound Sound Elder, who was closing the distance while amping up his internal power—
Shiver.
The moment he locked eyes with Bu Eunseol, he trembled involuntarily. It was because the righteousness dwelling within those eyes was as clear and transparent as a cloudless sky, and that deep, pure brilliance emitted a pressure strong enough to shake his very soul.
Zing!
As he gritted his teeth and doubled his internal power, an energy sharper than a blade shot out from the Profound Sound Elder’s entire body.
Pa-pa-pat!
A flash-like energy grazed Bu Eunseol’s legs, spraying blood. However, it only slightly cut the skin; it was far from a fatal wound.
Step.
Before anyone knew it, Bu Eunseol had strode right up to the Profound Sound Elder’s nose.
It was a precarious distance where one could end the opponent’s life just by reaching out a hand. Yet, he only kept his hands behind his back, showing no sign of even attempting an attack.
“Haha.”
A bitter smile hung on the lips of the Profound Sound Elder.
“While I spent the years holed up in this Alliance, has the martial arts of the martial world developed this dazzlingly?”
His expression was full of emptiness and futility.
To think the cherished ultimate technique he achieved by devoting his entire life... had been reduced to a trivial method that merely grazed the skin of a young junior?
“You could have killed this old man with a single finger.”
The Profound Sound Elder was under a firm misunderstanding.
Since the youth could divert the Severing Flame—the essence of the martial arts he had polished for a lifetime—without even moving a hand, he thought Bu Eunseol possessed the skill to kill him in a single move if he so desired.
“Why didn't you kill me?”
“I do not have the ability to kill the Elder Hall Master in a single strike.”
Those were honest words, but the Profound Sound Elder shook his head, thinking he was being modest.
“Tell me honestly.”
Bu Eunseol scratched his cheek.
“If I must give a reason... it is because the Elder Hall Master seems to be a true member of the Righteous Faction.”
“A true member of the Righteous Faction.”
Only then did the Profound Sound Elder realize what kind of person Bu Eunseol was, and he spoke in a low voice.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such words.”
In truth, he was one of the few proper righteous martial artists remaining in the Martial Alliance, and he took pride in that himself.
“Actually, I...”
And in the words that followed, the reason why the Profound Sound Elder despised the Demonic Path could be heard.
“I thought that the Alliance Leader ending up in this state was due to the schemes of those treacherous Demonic Path scoundrels.”
“Regarding what?”
“That Alliance Leader Shin’s internal power has greatly declined.”
The Profound Sound Elder spoke with a sigh.
“And that he has completely changed.”
That was information considered top secret even within the Martial Alliance. Yet, perhaps because of Bu Eunseol’s righteous gaze and unconstrained aura, he was pouring it out without any hesitation.
“Did you ask what the Alliance is doing here?”
When Bu Eunseol nodded, the Profound Sound Elder said, “Alliance Leader Shin changed long ago. He has been incessantly mass-producing secret forces and carrying out bizarre tasks.”
“...”
“The current task of spending massive costs to turn a place like this into a Poison Land, for instance.”
In an instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened. If that were the case—did it not mean that the Martial Venerable, who was playing the role of the Alliance Leader, was the very person who turned the perfectly fine Daephunghyeop into a Poison Land?
“I do not understand.”
Bu Eunseol asked, “Alliance Leader Shin cannot be a fool. If he had a scheme, would he not have proceeded secretly?”
“Are you asking why he bothered to spread rumors in the martial world, deceiving everyone that a Poison Land was a Spirit Land?”
“That is correct.”
The Profound Sound Elder laughed coldly.
“The one who spread the rumors that it was a Spirit Land was not Alliance Leader Shin, but I.”
Then he continued calmly.
“That way, he wouldn't be able to carry out other schemes.”
Bu Eunseol’s mind spun as fast as light. Realizing the entire situation now, he opened his mouth.
“Then it means the Elder Hall Master intentionally spread rumors that Daephunghyeop was a Spirit Land so that Alliance Leader Shin and his forces could not act openly.”
“Exactly.”
The Profound Sound Elder let out a sigh.
“He recently spent massive costs to turn Daephunghyeop into a Poison Land. Since he was hiding that fact secretly, I intended to uncover the truth of it.”
The proper righteous martial artists within the Martial Alliance were in a state where their dissatisfaction with the Martial Venerable—acting as the Alliance Leader—was overflowing.
And the Profound Sound Elder, having accidentally grasped that the Martial Venerable was plotting something here, had deliberately spread the Spirit Land rumor and stationed people here so the Alliance Leader could no longer act freely.
‘Then.’
Bu Eunseol finally came to know the secret of this Daephunghyeop.
‘The figures of the Martial Alliance, including the Elder Hall Master, have all been deceived by the Martial Venerable.’
A person of the Martial Venerable’s caliber could not possibly fail to sense the dissatisfaction erupting within the Martial Alliance. Surely, even while knowing he would be detected, he had intentionally leaked information, wishing for them to occupy this place.
But why on earth?
After thinking for a long time, Bu Eunseol was finally able to find the answer.
‘Absolute Boundary.’
This mysterious formation, capable of perfectly dividing space, is installed in places where people periodically come and go.
That is how its function is maintained.
In other words, the Martial Venerable had unfolded an Absolute Boundary here, and to maintain its function, he had clearly leaked information within the Martial Alliance. Because doing so would surely result in many martial artists being dispatched.
He had very easily devised a scheme to maintain the Absolute Boundary he created in a new location.
‘Then.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression brightened. Ultimately, this was the place where the Martial Venerable had installed the Absolute Boundary...
‘And Great Master Wood Buddha is here.’
His heart pounded.
He could guarantee it.
That the Wood Buddha was definitely hiding here.
‘Then is the Great Master also trapped, unable to break this Absolute Boundary?’
One thing was certain: due to this incident, his evaluation of the Martial Venerable had to be revised. Not only was the Martial Venerable much smarter and possessed superior resourcefulness than thought, but he also had the ability to even unfold an Absolute Boundary.
“It seems you have your answer.”
The Profound Sound Elder nodded as Bu Eunseol was lost in thought with an expression of having realized something.
“There is nothing more to ask, I presume.”
“Correct. It has been a great help.”
As Bu Eunseol politely expressed his courtesy, the Profound Sound Elder asked, “From the looks of it, you seem to know the gist of things.”
Hearing that, Bu Eunseol’s expression turned subtle.
Only then could he sense that the Profound Sound Elder also realized Alliance Leader Shin Mubi was not the real one, and was therefore standing in opposition to him.
“Why didn't you broadcast such a fact to the martial world?” the Profound Sound Elder asked. “Just by knowing that fact, wouldn't you have been able to lead the martial world situation more favorably?”
Just by revealing the fact that the current Martial Alliance Leader was not real, Bu Eunseol could have caused a great ripple and chaos in the righteous martial world. Even without having a wicked heart, he could have gained various benefits from that fact alone.
Yet, he did not do so in the end.
Because the shaking of the orthodox martial world was not what he desired.
“Perhaps... it is because I know that even if I spoke of it, I might not be able to prove it.”
The Martial Venerable was not only meticulous in every matter, but had also been revealed as a person who could now even unfold mysterious Great Laws and the Absolute Boundaries of the Three Families.
Even if various pieces of evidence were presented, or even if his disguise was pointed out, he would have prepared countermeasures for all of it.
“...I see.”
The Profound Sound Elder’s expression softened completely. He had finally clearly grasped what kind of person Bu Eunseol was.
‘Righteous Within Demonic...’
In the history of martial world, there had never been a top figure of the Demonic Path who possessed a righteous spirit and heroic bones.
Furthermore, was this young man not the one slated to be the future number one of the Demonic Path?
“A Poison Land can also be called a Spirit Land.”
The Profound Sound Elder, who had completely opened his heart to Bu Eunseol, let out a low, husky voice.
“And while it is a lie that the Golden Kyong Divine Grass is here... there is a spiritual herb comparable to it. And it is almost time for it to bear fruit.”
He then pointed toward the marsh visible deep within the precipitous valley.
“If you take the fruits borne on the Silver Essence Reishi over there, the Majeon Lord won't be able to say anything to you.”
The Profound Sound Elder also knew Bu Eunseol’s situation well. And he was trying to save him from the pressure of the mission given by the Demon Emperor.
“Why are you going this far for me?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, the Profound Sound Elder wore a thin smile.
“Because this old man is a true member of the Righteous Faction.”
After wearing a blank expression for a moment, a bright smile gradually spread across Bu Eunseol’s lips as well. Heroes have a way of communicating their hearts through just a gaze. In this moment, the two had opened their hearts to each other without reserve, transcending Righteous and Demonic, as well as age.
‘My father would have been the same.’
Boundless righteousness and true heroism can even open the heart of an adversary.
The reason Baekri Muha gained the reputation of being the Greatest of the Martial World with only a short journey through the world must have been due to this kind of temperament.
***
—Survive for a long time.
The Profound Sound Elder, who had shown him the location of the Silver Essence Reishi, left quietly after leaving that single remark.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze became complicated as he watched the departing figure.
Ultimately, through this incident, he learned that the internal situation of the Martial Alliance was far more complex than known, and that even the middle-ranking leaders who did not belong to the Abyss forces had long been doubting the identity of the Alliance Leader.
‘Nonetheless, the Elder Hall Master does not know much about the forces lurking inside the Martial Alliance.’
If the Profound Sound Elder had accurately known the internal affairs of the Martial Alliance, instead of doubting the Martial Venerable’s tracks, he would have dug into the numerous forces hidden within the Alliance.
‘Perhaps the forces in the shadows lurking in the Martial Alliance already know the Martial Venerable’s identity, yet are intentionally leaving him be.’
While acting as the Heavenly Emperor for a long time, the Martial Venerable had shamelessly continued actions that were difficult to understand or suspicious.
If even the middle-ranking leaders who knew nothing suspected him, then what about the forces in the shadows hidden in the Martial Alliance?
Naturally, it was highly likely they had sensed something strange long before and grasped the Martial Venerable’s true nature.
The reason they did not impose any sanctions despite that was... perhaps because it was more advantageous for them to have the Martial Venerable stirring up the Martial Alliance at will and drawing the eyes and suspicion of the middle-ranking leaders onto himself.
Drip.
At that moment, blood flowed from the wound on his leg, torn by the blade of the Primordial Void Light Blade unleashed by the Profound Sound Elder.
If his soul had been perfectly dyed with righteousness, he wouldn't have sustained a wound when he unfolded the Emperor's Step. However, because righteousness and his original personality were still mixed, he had sustained a minute wound like this.
Bu Eunseol, who quickly stopped the bleeding by pressing his blood points, sighed while looking at the traces of the Primordial Void Light Blade.
“Is this why they say the roots of the Righteous Faction are fearsome?”
Demonic martial artists never let go of absolute power as long as they have strength.
On the other hand, righteous martial artists generally retreat into seclusion without intervening in the affairs of the martial world when they grow old.
Although the power landscape of the Righteous and Demonic martial world appears equal on the surface, the reason the Righteous Faction is considered superior is precisely because numerous hidden eccentrics and supreme masters who do not step to the fore are stationed within the Righteous martial world.
The Profound Sound Elder was also one of them.
The blade of true qi that could cut through everything, the Primordial Void Light Blade, and the Heavenly Universe Palm Force, which was difficult to even detect despite spreading out super-senses—these two martial arts were so exquisite that even Bu Eunseol, who had struck down many strong masters, could not easily find a solution to them, even if the user's physical condition was not normal.
‘To think he caused a wound when I unfolded the Emperor's Step, even if it wasn't a perfect version.’
If he hadn't unfolded the Emperor's Step, which could reject any force, against the Profound Sound Elder’s ultimate move, Severing Flame—which overwhelms the enemy from the lower body to the torso with blades of the Primordial Void Light Blade rising from the ground—and if the Profound Sound Elder hadn't intentionally aimed only for the legs?
Even if he had saved his life, he would have suffered a great injury.
‘I must remove this personality stuck in my head as soon as possible.’
Still, contrary to his heart, righteous words poured out of his mouth automatically, and the internal power of the Demonic martial arts stored in his body was also constantly decreasing like a bottomless pot.
‘Moreover, if I return to the Majeon like this, I will eventually be found out.’
At that time, he was able to pass without his abnormality being detected because he didn't have any particular conversation with the Demon Emperor or the middle-ranking leaders.
But if he returned to the Majeon in this state? Putting aside the middle-ranking leaders of the Majeon, the Demon Emperor would surely grasp his abnormal symptoms at once.
He had to thoroughly deal with this personality that had encroached upon his mind.
‘The fortunate thing is that Great Master Wood Buddha is here.’
Surely the Martial Venerable would have prepared the Wood Buddha’s hiding place here. If he found the Wood Buddha, he would surely be able to fix this phenomenon.
‘Wait.’
Suddenly, a strange thought occurred.
The Wood Buddha perfectly read the heavenly secrets, and he was also a person who had treated him with considerable favor. Yet, he doesn't show himself even though I have arrived here? That made no sense.
‘Then either Great Master Wood Buddha is imprisoned by the Martial Venerable...’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
‘Or he has already left this place.’
Currently, the former was more likely. Because although he put forward the pretext of protecting the Wood Buddha on the surface, in reality, it was to restrain his person and keep him as his own possession.
‘Then I must quickly find the place where Great Master Wood Buddha is imprisoned and liberate him.’
Even if he doesn't want to leave, at the very least, I can get advice to fix my messed-up mind.
‘Despite hiding Great Master Wood Buddha here, he leaked fake information that it was a Spirit Land to draw many people’s attention here.’
The Wood Buddha could be called the most precious living treasure in the world. Even though he had to maintain the Absolute Boundary, he still informed many people of the place where he was hidden?
As he surveyed his surroundings, his mind was spinning as fast as light.
‘Then it must be because he has the confidence that no one can find him, even if Great Master Wood Buddha is here.’
Bu Eunseol fell into deep thought for a moment.
Daephunghyeop had changed into a Poison Land where it felt like one’s Immunity to Ten Thousand Poisons would break just by breathing.
Therefore, the only people who could enter this place were supreme masters who had accumulated enough internal power to not fear poison, or Poison Saints who did not fear poison.
To put it another way, the Martial Venerable was confident that even supreme masters or Poison Saints would not be able to sense that the Wood Buddha was hiding here.
‘The only clue to solve this riddle is that he made this place an artificial Poison Land.’
The reason was probably not unrelated to changing the interior of the perfectly fine Daephunghyeop into a Poison Land.
Since he intentionally made it a Poison Land and through that, perfectly hid the Wood Buddha, the key to finding the Martial Venerable—no, the Great Master—would also be ‘poison.’
Bu Eunseol once again scrutinized the surroundings of this precipitous valley.
Before he knew it, the sky was dyed in a hazy violet, and it was filled with murky clouds, so the sunlight hardly shone through.
Poisonous grass and vines grew thick, and eerie-looking flowers bloomed between them. They looked beautiful and colorful, but they contained deadly poison.
‘How dreadful.’
Every time the wind blew, the blades of grass shook, and a characteristic terrible smell spread, making it hard even to breathe.
The purple saps coming from the roots of the poisonous herbs were pooled on the ground, looking like blood shed by the plants.
Wiggle.
However, in the distance, uniquely shaped venomous insects could be seen crawling between the withered trees. The venomous insects moved around actively, unbothered by the rising poison.
Nonetheless, there were places where extreme poison that even the venomous insects could not handle was spreading. The venomous insects did not even approach such places from the start.
‘I see.’
The Wood Buddha has the ability to perfectly blend into nature to the point that no one can detect him. That ability is the same regarding poison. He would have naturally permeated into the poison-filled air, marshes, and plants by becoming an extreme poison himself.
‘It’s a trap that strikes at the blind spot of human psychology.’
For instance, if someone is hidden in this valley and there is a pursuer looking for them?
The pursuer would naturally try to find a place without poison. Because they would think the person surely hid to avoid this terrible poison.
But the Wood Buddha was someone who could achieve Oneness with nature in any environment. He would have instead hidden himself in the most poisonous and dangerous place.
Even if there were someone searching this place, they wouldn't risk their life to search such a place minutely.
‘I just need to find the place with the most atrocious poisonous aura.’
Rapidly unfolding his movement technique, he found a cave from which the most terrible poisonous aura in the valley was being emitted. Even though he hadn't even entered the interior of the cave yet, it was at a level where flesh would melt and bones would be exposed.
‘Here I go.’
Bu Eunseol slowly entered the interior, piercing through the terrible poisonous aura spreading from the cave. A blue-colored mist crawled under his feet, and every time he inhaled, acrid poison powder spread, making his lungs feel numb.
If Bu Eunseol, who had entered the Realm of the Poison Sovereign, felt this much pain, an expert with Immunity to Ten Thousand Poisons would have already become a handful of bloody water.
Tap.
As he placed his hand on the wall of the cave, he felt as if transparent ants that eat away at flesh were crawling up. But regardless, he touched the walls and the floor or spread out waves of True Qi, taking one step, then another without rest.
But it was strange.
Even though he was not affected by the poison in any way, as he went further inside, his body grew heavy and his mind became muddled as if filled with anguish.
‘Heart Poison.’
This cave contained Heart Poison that not only broke down the body but even the soul.
‘Even so, there is no way poison would work on me.’
The stage called the Poison Sovereign does not simply mean detoxifying or creating poison.
One can also change the properties and attributes of poison, and further strengthen the body and mind through poison; it can be called the Progenitor of Poison, controlling everything through it.
Moreover, Bu Eunseol, who had absorbed the Four Poisons of the Poison King, was even breaking through the limits of the Poison Sovereign realm. No matter what kind of extreme poison it was, it could never penetrate his soul and body.
Yet, this much poisonous aura?
‘Poison and supernatural power.’
Bu Eunseol, who intended to absorb the flowing poison and accumulate it as True Qi, soon grasped the situation.
‘Was it a trap?’
Looking at the terrible poisonous aura flowing from the entrance of the cave, anyone would be forced to conclude that there would surely be an atrocious poisonous aura inside as well, and would naturally prepare strictly against poison.
But that was a trap using human psychology.
Everything he thought was poisonous aura was actually a completely different supernatural power... and because of that, one who came deep inside would have no choice but to meet death, unable to even properly resist the power flowing from here.
‘If it’s not poisonous aura, it’s even better.’
In Bu Eunseol’s eyes, a red brilliance that hadn't been seen for a while bloomed.
The power of a wicked supernatural power.
It was reawakening the competitive spirit and bloodlust that had been latent deep in Bu Eunseol’s heart.
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