Having left the Sichuan Tang Clan, Bu Eunseol was heading south without delay.

While riding in the carriage, he was diligently reading the Compendium of Daggers given by Tang Pae. The hidden weapon techniques recorded in this manual were, in truth, nothing extraordinary. However, it contained detailed information about flying dagger techniques, which could be considered the foundation of all hidden weapon arts.

‘I see why they say flying dagger techniques are the foundation of all hidden weapon arts under the heavens.’

According to the Compendium of Daggers, flying dagger techniques did not rely simply on speed and technique. Rather, it pursued the steadfastness of the user’s spirit when releasing the dagger.

This aligned with the martial principle of Unity of Sword and Spirit, where outstanding swordsmen synchronize their sword with their own spirit.

‘As expected of the Sichuan Tang Clan.’

Sects and prestigious families passed down through generations in the Murim all had their reasons. Tang Pae, who had seemed only fierce and cold, was also a Grandmaster of hidden weapons, lacking nothing to lead the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Furthermore, there was a striking similarity between the techniques of flying daggers and fist arts.

It was the stable distribution of power.

To deliver a powerful punch, a firm lower body and power connecting through the waist to the fist were necessary. The same conditions were required to launch a flying dagger with speed.

Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Origin.

Martial arts seemed to branch out in many directions, but in the end, their flow and core principles all converged into one.

‘But… he left out the core essence of flying dagger techniques.’

To reach the pinnacle of flying dagger techniques, the Four-Senses Awareness Technique, which maximized the sensitivity of the fingers, was necessary. It was said that masters of hidden weapons saw, heard, and felt everything through their fingertips.

However, that secret was passed down orally, and the Tang Clan was no exception.

‘Regrettable, but unavoidable.’

In the meantime, the carriage had already reached Nanjing. Upon entering the provincial capital, Bu Eunseol stopped the carriage and stayed in a special room at a nearby inn with Black Leopard.

Black Leopard, who had been following silently all this time, could no longer contain his curiosity and spoke.

“Young Master. Are you perhaps looking for something?”

Sitting neatly, he looked at Bu Eunseol, who was gazing out the window, and asked again.

“It seems you have a specific reason for coming here.”

After a moment of silence, Bu Eunseol spoke slowly, “The reason I came to Gangho this time was to further develop the Pavilion’s practical martial arts to the next level.”

“More than now?”

“Correct. But wandering aimlessly would only be a waste of time.”

Having experienced the events at the Sichuan Tang Clan, Bu Eunseol had realized two facts. If he continued his Gangho journey in this state, his identity and true nature might eventually be exposed. And even if he wandered the Murim aimlessly, opportunities to fight strong opponents were fewer than expected.

“I do not quite understand what you mean.”

“I cannot just seek out strong masters and pick fights blindly, can I?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Black Leopard exclaim as if understanding.

He knew well that Bu Eunseol thirsted for battles with strong opponents. But there was a problem. Bu Eunseol’s skill was at the highest level even among the younger generation. Because of this, it was difficult to find masters who could properly cross swords with him.

“But as far as I know, there are no masters in Nanjing right now who can match skills with you, Young Master.”

At that, Bu Eunseol grinned, unlike his usual self.

“Is there not Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth here?”

Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.

The largest wandering vagrant market in Shaanxi, its scale was three or four times that of the East Drifter, West Wanderer in Guizhou. Unlike the East Drifter, West Wanderer, which mainly received jobs from outside the pass or the merchant world, Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth attracted jobs from all over the Central Plains Murim.

“Do you intend to become a wandering vagrant, Young Master?”

“Not that I will become a wandering vagrant, but that I will easily find strong opponents.”

“But to become a wandering vagrant, you would have to completely change your identity.”

Since winning the Sword Tournament at the East Drifter, West Wanderer, Bu Eunseol had been making a name for himself in the Murim. To suddenly leave behind the fame he had built and live as a wandering vagrant seemed nonsensical.

“I know. I’ll have to change my appearance entirely.”

“So you have learned disguise techniques as well, Young Master.”

Leaving Black Leopard’s admiration behind, Bu Eunseol activated the Face Changing Bone Altering Art.

His face twisted slightly, and his sharp jawline became blunt.

Crack.

Thanks to his significantly increased internal energy, he could change his facial bone structure very lightly and easily. As his bone structure became wider, his large eyes narrowed slightly, and the bridge of his nose lowered a bit. Soon, as he roughly tied up his long hair, he transformed into the appearance of an ordinary wandering vagrant warrior one might see anywhere.

“Can you… change your face at will?”

As Black Leopard gaped, Bu Eunseol shook his head.

“I merely shifted the facial muscles and bones a little.”

“Ah, as expected of you.”

Black Leopard was an information wandering vagrant who mainly took jobs digging up confidential information. Therefore, he had mastered techniques similar to the Face Changing Bone Altering Art Bu Eunseol used.

“Then I will try changing my face a little too.”

Tap tap.

However, because Black Leopard’s internal energy level was not very high, he could not change his bone structure significantly. Still, due to the change in his eyes and increased cheek flesh, he looked like a different person.

“How is it? Young Master.”

“You changed your appearance somewhat, but an overall awkwardness remains. The sharp feeling is still alive too.”

“Pardon?”

“Disguise is not just about changing the face. You must become a different person entirely.”

“A different person…”

“Correct. To do that, you must change even the objects you carry daily and your clothes. The most important things are your voice and eyes. And changing even your thoughts.”

Black Leopard could not hide his surprised expression as he spoke.

“I understand what you mean… but I don’t know well how to change them.”

‘The Art of Crowing Like a Rooster and Stealing Like a Dog is likely not a martial art exclusive to the Pavilion.’

Pondering for a moment, Bu Eunseol transmitted the formula of the Art of Crowing Like a Rooster and Stealing Like a Dog—a supreme disguise technique.

Having heard the entire explanation of the formula, Black Leopard opened his eyes wide in admiration.

“I see. I always wondered why, even though I disguised myself well, it felt lacking and awkward.”

Black Leopard was very clever; teach him one thing, and he understood ten.

As he grasped the profound meaning of the Art of Crowing Like a Rooster and Stealing Like a Dog in an instant and began changing his face and eyes again, Bu Eunseol felt strangely gratified.

‘Was this how it felt?’

Suddenly, the gaze of his teacher, Bu Jan-yang, looking at him with satisfaction on Hell Island came to mind. To pass on an outstanding secret technique one knew to an outstanding individual. It made him feel a wondrous and strange sensation, as if creating an extension of himself.

“By the way, what do you intend to do with the Dark Sword?”

The Dark Sword was very conspicuous because not only the blade but even the scabbard emitted a mysterious dark light.

“I prepared for it in advance.”

This time, Bu Eunseol mixed several chemicals from a box and began applying them to the surface of the Dark Sword. Soon, the Dark Sword, which had glistened with inky luster, transformed into an ordinary, rusty longsword.

“Young Master, won’t you be unable to use the sword if you do that?”

No matter how carefully painted, the divine sword would not absorb the color. If it clashed with another weapon while infused with true energy, the paint would surely flake off easily.

“I will not use it for the time being.”

Bu Eunseol looked down at his two hands.

While living as a wandering vagrant, he intended to use the Fist Demon’s fist arts, not the Supreme Heavenly Flow.

“You mean to use fist arts?”

“Correct.”

Black Leopard wore a puzzled expression.

The Wolf Fang Pavilion had produced outstanding masters for generations, but they all used swords. There was not a single one who had made a name for themselves with fist arts.

‘Did the Wolf Fang Pavilion have fist arts too?’

Swallowing hard, Black Leopard spoke cautiously.

“Still, shouldn’t you have a weapon?”

“I intend to use flying daggers, at least.”

As Bu Eunseol lifted his sleeve, sharp flying daggers were revealed above his fingers before anyone knew it.

While coming to Nanjing, Bu Eunseol had completely memorized the Compendium of Daggers received from Tang Pae. Today, he had visited not only shops but also a smithy to buy several flying daggers.

“To seal even your true martial arts to hide your identity… isn’t that too dangerous?”

“Of course, if a situation comes where I must draw my sword, I will draw it.”

Bu Eunseol massaged his hands and wore a faint smile.

“That is why I am going to the wandering vagrant market.”

“…I see.”

Black Leopard swallowed hard.

If anyone else had said this, Black Leopard would have inwardly scoffed. A master’s fight is one where a moment of carelessness leads to death. Fighting in actual combat while hiding one’s true martial arts was akin to playing with one’s life.

But when Bu Eunseol said it, it didn’t seem ridiculous or arrogant at all.

‘Just how many supreme arts has the Young Master mastered?’

Rather, thinking that Bu Eunseol had mastered not only sword arts but various terrifying supreme arts, a chill ran down his spine.

“What are you staring at?”

“Pardon? Ah, nothing.”

Regaining his senses, Black Leopard changed his eyes, tone, and even his clothes. Then, the sharp and sparkling feeling disappeared, and a slightly dull atmosphere flowed.

“How is it? Young Master.”

“It’s passable.”

“Ah, right. But there is something else I’m worried about.”

“What is it?”

“Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth has ordinary wandering vagrant, but it’s also a place with many criminals hiding their identities and ruffians.”

Unlike the East Drifter, West Wanderer, which maintained a strict order under the Lord of East Drifter, West Wanderer’s command, the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth however, was a place that handled anything for money. Because of this, many criminals hiding their identities gathered there, and slaughter among wandering vagrant occurred frequently.

“I worry that going there might lead to situations that displease you, Young Master.”

“The more, the better.”

Bu Eunseol laughed, revealing his white teeth.

“I hope there are many strong ruffians.”

***

The next day.

Riding a carriage, Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard passed the official road and stopped in front of a large building on the outskirts of Nanjing.

Red lacquer was painted on a massive gate like a fortress, and a shining plaque was attached above it.

Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.

A wandering vagrant market where wandering vagrant from not only Shaanxi but also the Hunan and Hubei regions received jobs. Its exterior appearance was built like the manor of a wealthy tycoon.

“Young Master. This way.”

As many wandering vagrant came and went, there were no guards, and the main gate of Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth was wide open.

Entering inside, they saw a pavilion labeled Hall of Receiving Scriptures where numerous martial artists were wandering about.

Upon entering the interior, the first thing visible was a large wooden board labeled Free Contract. Papers with dense writing were posted there, and wandering vagrant were gathered in small groups. It seemed to be a notice board where wandering vagrant could take jobs.

“It’s big.”

Bu Eunseol admired.

He had heard it was larger in scale than the East Drifter, West Wanderer in Guizhou, but he hadn’t expected it to be decorated as stylishly as a respectable large sect.

On one side of the luxuriously decorated Hall of Receiving Scriptures, dozens of partitions were set up, and counters were placed in front of them. And wandering vagrant were conversing with the figures of Hall of Receiving Scriptures behind the counters or exchanging something. It seemed to be a place for receiving jobs secretly or exchanging rewards for completed jobs.

“I hope there are many jobs where I can fight strong opponents.”

At Bu Eunseol’s words, Black Leopard spoke in a low voice.

“Young Master. To receive jobs, we must register as wandering vagrant first.”