As the hidden weapons they had poured out returned with precision, the Blood Ghosts shouted in shock.

What kind of sword art is that!

Yang Myeong widened his eyes in disbelief.

He had roamed the Gangho for over twenty years, but he had never seen a technique that returned hidden weapons with sword art.

“Dodge!”

At his shout, the Blood Ghosts hiding in the forest quickly evaded.

Thud, thud, thud!

Then, the returning hidden weapons embedded themselves in the giant trees where they had been hiding. The fact that the fired hidden weapons returned exactly as they were meant they marked the locations where the Blood Ghosts were hiding.

“Was it there?”

Unfolding the Shadowless Supreme Speed, Bu Eunseol moved like a ghost and began to cut down the hiding Blood Ghosts one by one.

“Aaaagh!”

“Ugh!”

Every time the flashing sword light gleamed in the forest, screams of the Blood Ghosts erupted without fail.

As five Blood Ghosts fell in a short moment, Yang Myeong shouted, “Deploy the formation!”

Rustle, rustle.

In that instant, a strong wind blew from the forest, and the sound of rustling leaves echoed in all directions. The attack formation the Blood Ghost Hall boasted of began to unfold.

“Young Master. Be careful!”

Black Leopard, hiding in a tree near where Bu Eunseol stood, shouted urgently.

“It is the Dark Slaughter Subduing Lock Formation that completely obscures vision!”

Hearing those words, Bu Eunseol let out a faint smile.

An attack formation was akin to different individuals painting a single, promised picture. However, each of them possessed unique physiques, strides, and even personalities, as well as varying martial arts levels. Bu Eunseol, having mastered the extreme Way of the Beast, could consistently identify minute gaps where harmony was disrupted within the formation.

Swaaaaa.

As the formation unfolded, Bu Eunseol’s vision turned pitch black.

The capability of the Dark Slaughter Subduing Lock Formation was to block the opponent’s vision and senses, neutralizing counterattacks.

“Senses and vision blocked… is it?”

Bu Eunseol, standing in the darkness, snorted and began to unfold movement techniques and sword arts simultaneously.

Swish, swish, swish!

It looked as if he were swinging his sword recklessly without any fixed moves, ignoring all formalities.

“Aaaagh!”

Once again, screams erupted from all directions.

Yang Myeong couldn’t hide his astonishment as Bu Eunseol cut down Blood Ghosts despite unfolding clumsy sword arts.

Did he possess such outstanding swordsmanship that even swinging recklessly with absurd movements exerted tremendous power?

“Seems you haven’t used it against a master before.”

Bu Eunseol smirked. He was alone in the formation, surrounded by enemies. With no one to hinder him, he could swing his sword recklessly without hesitation. However, the masters of the Blood Ghost Hall were bound by their own rules. They couldn’t use hidden weapons or freely wield sword arts. Instead, they could only attack in predetermined patterns.

“D-Disband the formation!”

Only then realizing the flaw of the formation, Yang Myeong shouted loudly.

Those caught in the Dark Slaughter Subduing Lock Formation usually panic and don’t know what to do… to think that bastard grasped the flaw at once!

Yang Myeong, a master of exceptional martial arts, had never commanded the entire Blood Ghost Hall. Since the Infernal Blood Fortress emerged in the Murim, had they ever unleashed Blood Ghosts in large numbers to confront a single enemy? Considering their presence in the Murim for over two decades, bolstered by the prestige of the Ten Demonic Sects, such tactics had become unnecessary.

“Aaaagh!”

Even in the meantime, screams continued.

“Eeeek…”

Finally, when the formation was disbanded, a wretched scene was revealed before their eyes.

Blood was flowing from where the Blood Ghosts had been hiding, and fallen corpses could be seen among them.

The number was no less than fourteen.

In less than half a gak (about 7.5 minutes), one-third of the Blood Ghosts had fallen.

“You bastard…” Grinding his teeth, Yang Myeong shouted, “Beat him to death!”

The remaining Blood Ghosts flashed their eyes and surrounded Bu Eunseol. Not only were they personally trained by Yang Myeong, but all of them had mastered the Poison Visage Demon Knot to the third stage or higher, making their bodies hard as steel.

But this was Yang Myeong’s mistake.

He should have ambushed Bu Eunseol before he obtained the Dark Sword.

Woonng.

As he infused Polarity Reversal True Energy into the Dark Sword, a dark radiance soared into the air along with a low hum.

As Bu Eunseol deployed his sword art, the Blood Ghosts were pushed back by formless currents even before the sword moves touched their bodies.

Chik, chik.

As the black-dyed sword tip danced in the air, dozens, hundreds of strands of sword energy poured onto the Blood Ghosts rushing in first.

“Kuh!”

As colleagues in the front fell like straw bundles, Blood Ghosts in the rear and flanks surrounded Bu Eunseol and unfolded poison arts.

As palm force containing extreme poison poured out, it seemed like black mist spread in all directions along with a fishy stench.

“Got you. Bastard!”

Seeing that, Yang Myeong wore a smile of conversion.

No matter how great a master, once surrounded by poison mist, poisoning is inevitable.

Chik, chik. Flutter!

But the sword moves Bu Eunseol poured out became sharper, and his movements were as agile as before.

“Why does that bastard… have no symptoms of poisoning?”

Hearing Yang Myeong’s voice, Bu Eunseol snorted inwardly.

Even before learning proper internal cultivation arts, he could hold his breath for over one gak (15 minutes) while playing dead.

Now he had reached the third stage of the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art. If he wanted, Bu Eunseol was at a level where he could swing his sword while holding his breath for over one shichen (two hours) with just one breath.

“Were you holding your breath?”

Grasping Bu Eunseol’s state, Yang Myeong laughed low.

“Don’t try tricks. The poison arts of my Fortress are absorbed through the skin as well.”

At those words, Bu Eunseol doubled the true energy infused into the Dark Sword.

“Hap!”

Releasing his breath, he cut down all the surrounding Blood Ghosts rushing in with a powerful blow. And suddenly, instead of infusing internal energy into the sword, he spread it to the acupoints of his entire body.

Bang!

As internal energy directed inward, a strong wind poured out around him, scattering his hair.

Seeing flashes forming in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Yang Myeong felt something unusual and shouted loudly.

“Retreat!”

The sword arts Bu Eunseol had poured out so far were like powerful thunderbolts.

He expected that since he was pouring out powerful internal energy, he would unleash an attack of tremendous power.

Drip, drip, drip.

At that moment, black water was dripping from Bu Eunseol’s left hand. Hearing Yang Myeong’s words, he realized there was poison absorbed through the skin. And he immediately used Controlling Qi to Gather Poison.

“Hall Master Yang. It would be better for you to talk less.”

As Bu Eunseol spoke with a grin, poison energy soared from Yang Myeong’s eyes.

“Use poison mist again!”

At Yang Myeong’s shout, the Blood Ghosts poured out poison arts again.

Slash!

But Bu Eunseol’s sword art was faster.

When they extended their arms, it was like putting their hands on the Dark Sword.

“Aaaagh!”

Having cut off the arms of the Blood Ghosts pouring out poison arts, Bu Eunseol broke through the front as it was and swung his sword toward a giant tree twice the size of an adult’s torso.

Slash.

With the sound of tearing air, the giant tree split horizontally, and the bodies of the Blood Ghosts hiding there were cut in two.

Soundless and noiseless.

The more Bu Eunseol swung his sword with full power, the sound of tearing air that should naturally pour from the sword was disappearing.

Indeed, this weapon deserves to be called a divine sword.

Bu Eunseol, unfolding sword arts in silence, admired inwardly.

Flash!

The Dark Sword was made of Earth Ultimate Dark Iron. Therefore, not only could it cut iron like tofu, but just by lightly infusing true energy, it extended sword energy as if infused with full power.

Chik, chik.

As profound sword arts were overlaid on the sharp divine sword, the Blood Ghosts were helpless.

The Blood Ghosts who had looked down on the Gangho for a long time fell like fallen leaves every time Bu Eunseol swung his sword.

“Blargh.”

Sometimes, Blood Ghosts who barely blocked the sword collapsed while vomiting blood. Their internal organs were shaken by the powerful reverse force contained in Bu Eunseol’s sword.

Thud. Thud.

Before the time to drink a cup of tea had passed, all the Blood Ghosts hiding in the forest became ghosts who could not return.

Only then did Yang Myeong realize he had made a big mistake.

He had failed to properly grasp Bu Eunseol’s skills.

This is different from when sparring him in the Elite Martial Arts Tournament.

Unfolding a life-or-death match, Bu Eunseol scattered cruel killing moves without hesitation.

Moreover, as he became more accustomed to dealing with poison arts and poison persons, Bu Eunseol’s skills surged again.

Of course, such sudden martial arts enhancement was something no one, not just him, could have predicted…

“How dare you!”

As Bu Eunseol cut down all the Blood Ghosts, Yang Myeong’s eyes burned crimson.

All the fame and status he had achieved over decades, and even his subordinates, were all smashed to pieces.

“I will chew you up and eat you!”

Looking at the rushing Yang Myeong, Bu Eunseol silently raised the Dark Sword diagonally. He intended to pour out a sword art befitting the end of a master of the Ten Demonic Sects.

Seeing that dignified and domineering posture, the martial soul Yang Myeong had hidden deep in his heart boiled over. “No need for petty tricks!”

Bang!

From Yang Myeong’s body, rousing the Poison Visage Demon Knot with all his might, pitch-black energy soared into the sky.

“Face me head-on!”

With a shout, Yang Myeong leaped up and poured out intense finger wind.

Simultaneously, he crashed his body, which had turned into the Poison Visage Demon Knot itself, into Bu Eunseol.

This was the ultimate move he could do right now.

Watching the pouring finger wind, Bu Eunseol drew a cross shape with the Dark Sword with all his might.

Supreme Heavenly Flow, Third Form: Morning Star of the Waning Moon.

Flash!

In that instant, Yang Myeong could see countless halos of light pouring before his eyes.

Rather than sword moves, they were like sad and brilliant… starlight slowly disappearing at dawn.

“A sword art of ever-changing variations.”

Yang Myeong was bleeding from the corner of his mouth.

“Was this the fate of this Hall Master?”

At this juncture, Yang Myeong burst into laughter instead. Despite his cruel demeanor, he was also a master of the Ten Demonic Sects, who had once ruled an era. As he sensed the approach of the final moment, his cruelty vanished, and he exuded a dignified aura.

“This Hall Master did not misjudge your caliber. I just didn’t know you were a martial genius sent by the heavens.”

And he walked toward Bu Eunseol with thudding steps.

Drip.

Dark red blood poured from Yang Myeong’s mouth.

There were no external wounds, but all his internal organs had burst due to the immense pressure contained in the sword.

Yang Myeong, displaying a despondent smile, confessed, “Even if I had no ambition and devoted myself solely to martial arts, I wouldn’t have been able to block this move.” A somewhat relieved expression washed over Yang Myeong’s face. “I spent decades rampaging through the Murim, and at the end, I sought the best sword art. Therefore, I have no regrets.”

Thud.

With those words, he collapsed just like that.

Yang Myeong, renowned as the Blood Ghost Hall Master of the Infernal Blood Fortress for a considerable time, harbored deep regrets in his life. Despite a promising start, he failed to reach the pinnacle of his abilities, leading him to persistently strive for greater heights. Consequently, he volunteered for the perilous mission to retrieve the Spiritual Profound Divine Sword. Tragically, his efforts were thwarted when he met his demise at the hands of Bu Eunseol.

“Young Master.”

Swish.

At that moment, Black Leopard, hiding in the giant tree, came down to the ground.

“I will handle the aftermath.”

“Leave it.”

“If we leave them like this, you and the Infernal Blood Fortress will become enemies.”

At those words, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.

“The Infernal Blood Fortress is not a third-rate gang. Since they got greedy first and attacked preemptively, even if they harbor a grudge, there will be no official protest.”

“Do you think so?”

Bu Eunseol nodded.

“Anyway, poison persons who learned poison arts cannot be buried in the ground carelessly.”

“I have Fire Essence Stones.”

“Since they came out on a mission, the Infernal Blood Fortress must be watching their whereabouts. They will find them soon before the bodies are greatly damaged.”

Click.

Sheathing his sword, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.

“If we burn the bodies arbitrarily, we might receive their criticism instead.”

Black Leopard seemed to agree but couldn’t hide his worried expression.

The Infernal Blood Fortress Leader was a great demon with the cruelest personality in the Murim. He feared that an unresolvable bad relationship with the Infernal Blood Fortress might have been created.

“Understood.”

Although Black Leopard nodded, Bu Eunseol stood still without moving a muscle.

Just as Black Leopard, feeling strange, opened his mouth—

“Come out.”

Bu Eunseol, looking at the distant night sky, spoke in a low voice.

“If you keep hiding, I will consider you an enemy.”