Five streaks of lightning erupted from Bu Eunseol’s fist—the Thunderflash Disorientation Strike, the second form of the Seven Forms of the Demonic Fist. In response, the masked man’s fingers danced through the empty air, moving as softly and fluidly as if he were plucking the strings of a zither.
Boom! Crash!
As the two immense forces collided head-on, shockwaves rippled outward in rapid succession, shaking the very air around them.
“Is that truly power a human can possess…?”
Watching the spectacle unfold, Namgung Woon let his jaw drop in disbelief. Every time the two combatants clashed, the sky seemed to darken, casting a gloom over the battlefield as if a sudden storm of wind and rain were pouring down from nowhere. The blast radius of their fist and claw techniques continued to expand with such ferocity that observers on both sides were forced to retreat dozens of steps further to avoid being swept up in the devastation.
Bang!
In that brief, chaotic opening, Bu Eunseol and the masked man collided once more.
Ugh.
With every clash against those fingers, Bu Eunseol felt a crushing pressure weigh down his entire body. It was a shocking revelation; the masked man’s internal energy was on par with his own, despite Bu Eunseol having reached the third stage of the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art.
I need to create distance.
Making a split-second decision, Bu Eunseol channeled his internal energy to pull the crimson-stained claw shadows toward himself rather than pushing them away. Suspecting a trap in this counter-intuitive move, the masked man slowed his offensive and retreated.
Now.
Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Bu Eunseol unleashed the Shadowless Supreme Speed technique. The masked man realized Bu Eunseol’s intent a beat too late, but he pursued instantly, attempting to seal off any escape route.
Swish.
However, Bu Eunseol, utilizing the erratic and unpredictable movements of his footwork, shifted his trajectory in mid-air, finally escaping the deadly range of the claw technique.
“Your movement technique is impressive. To think you could escape the Heavenly Net Claw Shadow.”
The masked man snorted, watching Bu Eunseol distance himself, though his tone held a grudging respect. “However, if what you’ve shown so far is the extent of your ability, you will die.”
As if preparing a final, decisive blow, a crimson haze began to rise from the masked man’s body. It was clear he intended to draw upon his full power to decide the battle in a single, earth-shattering strike—a gamble of heaven and earth.
There must be a gap.
Techniques focused on extreme speed often lacked precision and adaptability. Having realized this truth during his duel with Jeong Cheon regarding the Mother and Child Spear Art, Bu Eunseol regulated his breathing, calming his turbulent internal energy and raising his power to its absolute limit.
Crack.
The moment the masked man cracked his knuckles, his body became shrouded in a red mist.
Flash!
He transformed into a streak of light, closing the distance in an instant to strike at Bu Eunseol’s vital points.
Pa-pa-pa-pat!
Eighty-nine claw shadows poured down with the force to crush a mountain, a deluge of lethal strikes.
I can’t dodge this!
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed with realization. He intuitively sensed that he could not counter this sudden, overwhelming assault with the Seven Forms of the Demonic Fist alone.
Flash!
At that critical moment, a streak of dark light soared from his back.
Wooooong!
With a sword cry that resonated like the striking of a great temple bell, the Dark Sword left its sheath. Simultaneously, the ink-black sword energy took the form of a great roc spreading its massive wings, striking down the eighty-nine claw shadows. It was a life-saving ultimate technique, a sublime fusion of the Mastery Radiance Sword Control and the Returning the Spirit to Origin.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
As fingernails clashed with the divine sword, a deafening metallic screech rang out, and dust billowed in all directions, obscuring the combatants.
Whoooosh.
A dry wind swept through the grounds of the Thunder Heaven Sect, clearing the dust to reveal the silhouettes of the two men standing in the clearing.
“Ah!”
Namgung Woon, pointing a trembling finger at the masked man, shouted.
“Brother Seol won!”
Blood dripped steadily from three of the masked man’s fingers. They had failed to withstand the supernatural sharpness of the Dark Sword during the collision and had been sliced at the tips.
“The Spiritual Profound Divine Sword?”
The masked man stared at the Dark Sword, which gleamed with a strange, dark brilliance in the sunlight, and narrowed his eyes. “So, the one who won the Martial Arts Tournament at the East Drifter, West Wanderer was you.”
His internal energy is incredible.
Bu Eunseol gripped his sword in silence, masking his pain. The clash of their immense internal forces had left both Bu Eunseol and the masked man with minor internal injuries. Although Bu Eunseol had taken the upper hand in this exchange, his expression was far from pleasant. He had been unable to block the masked man’s final move with the level of the Seven Forms of the Demonic Fist he had currently mastered. Being forced to deploy the Supreme Heavenly Flow… it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Heh heh heh.”
The masked man let out a low chuckle, his voice filled with genuine delight. “To block the Jade-Shattering Blood Demon Claw at your age. Truly impressive.”
Jade-Shattering Blood Demon Claw?
Bu Eunseol frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. He knew more about the sects and martial arts of the Murim than anyone, yet he had never heard of a technique by that name.
“Let’s continue,” Bu Eunseol said, his voice cold. “We haven’t seen the end yet.”
Neither of them had displayed their true, full capabilities. If Bu Eunseol were to properly utilize the harmony contained within the Supreme Heavenly Flow, they could engage in a true battle for supremacy.
Click.
As Bu Eunseol raised the Dark Sword, the masked man shook his head.
“No, let’s end it here.”
The masked man’s gaze was fixed not on Bu Eunseol, but on the Thunder Heaven Sect’s camp.
“Does that mean you admit defeat?”
At the question from Wang In-hwa, who was watching from afar, the masked man glanced back at the Tyrant Saber Sect’s formation behind him before nodding lightly. “Well, I suppose it comes to that.”
At this, Gwan Dok-gun, the Sect Leader of the Tyrant Saber Sect, rushed out in a fluster, his face flushed with indignation. “If you do that, it means our sect has lost this contest!”
“It can’t be helped. It seems the Thunder Heaven Sect’s fate has not yet run out.”
The masked man looked once more at Bu Eunseol, who stood tall like a heavenly general descended to earth, then turned away without lingering attachment.
“I cannot accept this!”
Veins bulged in Gwan Dok-gun’s eyes, bloodshot with rage. “The outcome hasn’t been decided yet! Keep fighting!”
“You’re noisy.”
“W-What did you say?”
As Gwan Dok-gun flew into a sputtering rage, a sickly yellow killing intent rose like a haze from the masked man’s eyes. “I asked what you have done until now to warrant squealing like a pig.”
In that instant, goosebumps rose all over Gwan Dok-gun’s body. He felt the terrifying illusion of a massive monster opening its maw right behind the masked man’s back, ready to devour him.
“To speak such insolence to this Sect Leader…!”
Gwan Dok-gun tried to shout, but his words were cut short.
Swish.
The masked man extended a finger and casually touched the area near Gwan Dok-gun’s heart. The Sect Leader’s head twisted unnaturally to the side, and he suddenly collapsed.
“Ughk!”
With a sound like a pig being slaughtered, Gwan Dok-gun’s massive body began to roll on the ground. His agony was so intense that his eyes rolled back into his head, showing only the whites, and white foam bubbled from his mouth. It looked as though he were suffering the torture of Bone-Scraping, having his tendons pulled and bones ground together while still alive.
Thud.
Finally, Gwan Dok-gun, eyes still rolled back in terror, breathed his last.
“……”
A silence like death fell over the Tyrant Saber Sect’s camp. Even if Gwan Dok-gun’s character had been frivolous, he was still the leader of a sect. To kill such a master instantly with a single finger…
“Let’s go.”
The masked man and his master walked out through the ranks of the Tyrant Saber Sect as if nothing had happened. Though countless sect members watched closely, paralyzed by fear, not one dared to block their path.
“Our sect will leave Xiangyang immediately.”
After a long silence, Kang Jung-hwan, the Squad Captain of the Tyrant Saber Sect, stepped forward to address Wang In-hwa. “And as long as the Thunder Heaven Sect exists, we shall never step foot on this land again.”
Wang In-hwa nodded calmly at Kang Jung-hwan’s wretched expression. This battle had begun with a unilateral surprise attack by the Tyrant Saber Sect. It was only natural they bear full responsibility.
“You worked hard, Young Master.”
“Brother Seol. That was truly amazing. Thanks to you, my eyes have been opened.”
Just as Black Leopard and Namgung Woon approached Bu Eunseol to speak, Wang In-hwa and Mun Gwang came up behind him, expressions full of emotion.
“Young Hero Seol.”
“You are the benefactor who saved our sect from crisis. Please accept this old man’s bow.”
As Wang In-hwa attempted to bow, Bu Eunseol quickly stopped him. “I am merely a contracted wandering vagrant.”
“How could such words express our gratitude? Our sect will…”
As Wang In-hwa began a lengthy speech, Bu Eunseol turned away without hesitation. “I have done what I came to do, so I will return now.”
“We will hold a banquet at the sect. Please, stay a little longer.”
“That is fine.”
As Bu Eunseol walked away, Mun Gwang followed urgently. “At least take your payment before you go. You won’t be returning to the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth, will you?”
Mun Gwang had realized it. Bu Eunseol was no mere wandering vagrant. And since his identity as the winner of the East Drifter, West Wanderer Martial Arts Tournament had been revealed, he would not be returning to the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.
“I didn’t do it because I needed the money.”
Leaving only that single sentence behind, Bu Eunseol walked away without looking back, with Black Leopard and Namgung Woon following close behind. The Thunder Heaven Sect Leader, Mun Gwang, and the others could only watch their retreating figures blankly, mouths agape.
***
Leaving the Thunder Heaven Sect, Bu Eunseol’s party departed Xiangyang and arrived at a village near Lake An.
“Brother Seol. Let’s wet our throats first.”
They had been on a forced march involving bloody battles, eating nothing but tasteless dry rations and water for days. Furthermore, they had used light footwork day and night until arriving at this village; it was natural to be exhausted.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol looked around and started toward a small inn in front of them, but Namgung Woon shook his head with a serious expression.
“Let’s drink good wine today. I’m buying.”
The place Namgung Woon chose was the largest and most luxurious inn in the village. Taking a private room in the three-story pavilion, he ordered thirteen dishes and plenty of expensive Fen wine. However, Black Leopard sat in the corner without touching the food, and Bu Eunseol sat still with his arms crossed.
This was because Namgung Woon’s expression as he sat down was grave.
“Brother Seol.”
After a long silence, Namgung Woon poured wine into a cup and asked, “Or should I call you Brother Bu now?”
The winner of the East Drifter, West Wanderer Martial Arts Tournament. The mysterious master who killed the Blood Demon Squad Captain from the Infernal Blood Fortress. It was a well-known fact in the Murim that his name was Bu Eunseol.
“Call me whatever is comfortable.”
At Bu Eunseol’s calm reply, Namgung Woon drained his cup of Fen wine in one gulp. “Seeing as the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth didn’t know Brother Bu’s identity at all, I assume you are hiding not just your name, but your appearance as well.”
“That is correct.”
Namgung Woon turned to Black Leopard. “You too, little brother?”
“Yes.”
Black Leopard spoke to Bu Eunseol as if he had made a decision. “Would it be alright if I showed Young Master Namgung my true face?”
“Do as you wish.”
Permission granted, Black Leopard immediately released his disguise technique and brought his hands together respectfully toward Namgung Woon. “Young Master. In truth, I am Black Leopard, the wandering vagrant from East Drifter, West Wanderer.”
“I thought so. So you were the Black Whirlwind.”
Nodding, Namgung Woon turned back to Bu Eunseol. “Won’t you show me your face, Brother Bu?”
“It’s bothersome.”
At the cold refusal, Namgung Woon made a terribly sorrowful face. “Even so, we fought back-to-back in battle. Isn’t it too much to hide your face?”
“That is what the Gangho is.”
Bu Eunseol filled his empty cup and spoke calmly. “It is best not to reveal one’s true self if possible, and to always hide about thirty percent of one’s skill.”
Namgung Woon looked unconvinced. “That certainly isn’t wrong… but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s somewhat sad.”
Emptying his cup, Namgung Woon spoke in a low voice. “They say the Gangho is heartless, but it isn’t only a place of killing and dying.”
Bu Eunseol neither affirmed nor denied the statement, simply drinking his wine. He looked as if he were left alone between heaven and earth. For reasons he couldn’t explain, Namgung Woon caught a glimpse of Bu Eunseol’s true nature in that moment.
His personality isn’t cold. His heart has completely frozen over due to some incident.
Namgung Woon was naturally mischievous and warm-hearted. And he wished for his surroundings, for the whole world, to be warm.
“Brother Bu.”
As if making a resolution, Namgung Woon lifted the wine bottle and respectfully filled Bu Eunseol’s cup. “Please accept a drink from me.”
Then, Namgung Woon held out his own empty cup to Bu Eunseol. “Would you fill my cup as well?”
His expression was far too solemn for someone simply asking for a refill. Bu Eunseol stared intently at Namgung Woon’s face, then sighed. He had realized the meaning behind the request to ‘fill the cup.’
“I am merely a wanderer.”
“And I’m rumored to be the trashing dog of my clan.”
Namgung Woon laughed. “A wanderer and a trash dog. Don’t we suit each other well?”
Though he spoke lightly, Namgung Woon’s eyes held a lion-like dignity, and his entire body radiated a confident and imposing aura. He merely disregarded secular etiquette and laws; he was a man with the spirit of a hero.
“Do you intend to return to your clan?”
“I do.”
Namgung Woon politely held out his cup once more. “Will you fill my cup?”
“Do you say that knowing what kind of person I am?”
“I trust my eyes. Even if the whole world points fingers at you and calls you a villain… I will believe in you, Brother Bu.”
At Namgung Woon’s conviction-filled words, Bu Eunseol sighed deeply. He had only wished to travel the Gangho and fight the strong. He didn’t know why these bonds kept forming.
—Relationships are like the natural law of birth and destruction.
Suddenly, the words Bu Jan-yang had spoken while preparing the body of his lover, who had died away from home, echoed in his ears.
—A seed naturally meets the soil to become a flower, and that flower naturally meets the rain and wind. Relationships are just as natural as that.
—Like how I met you, Grandfather?
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Bu Jan-yang had burst into hearty laughter and nodded.
—Exactly. It is just like that.
Bu Eunseol realized it then.
That human connection is not something that can be stopped. That one must let it flow naturally… just like that.
Crack.
In that moment, Bu Eunseol’s face rippled like water. Simultaneously, a countenance as radiant as sunlight scattering on the water’s surface was revealed. He had released the Face Changing Bone Altering Art and revealed his true appearance.
That is Brother Bu’s true face. In that moment, Namgung Woon understood why Bu Eunseol had hidden his face all this time. If he had revealed this face, it wouldn’t be the Young Palace Mistress of the Divine Maiden Palace, but the Palace Master herself who wouldn’t have let him go.
Namgung Woon had thought his own looks were second to none, but compared to Bu Eunseol’s true face, he felt the difference between a firefly and the sun.
“Once one sees Brother Bu’s face, they could never forget it for a lifetime.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head at Namgung Woon’s praise. “Take it.”
He lifted the wine bottle and filled Namgung Woon’s cup.
“Thank you.”
Namgung Woon held out his cup with great joy. “From now on, please call me Woon comfortably.”
Then, he took a sharp golden needle from his bosom—the Golden Needle Token, a sacred object symbolizing the direct lineage of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Woon grinned sheepishly. “If you have time, please visit the clan once.”
“I will.”
Though he said so, Bu Eunseol shook his head faintly. In a journey through the Gangho where the future could not be predicted, he did not know when he would ever have reason to stop by the Namgung Clan.
However, he realized one thing for certain.
Because of Namgung Woon, the Namgung Clan would come to wield even greater fame.