Thud.

The open door of the smithy was firmly locked. Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol began to examine Yeo Hwan-jin’s sword with eyes full of fervor.

This is the sword of a Master of Great Righteousness…

There was no damage to the edge at all, but the blade was subtly twisted. It looked as if someone had grabbed a piece of red-hot taffy by both ends and twisted it. This was a distortion completely different from the traces of damage left when the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art or Drifting Gale Sword Art were deployed.

Is the blade twisted because of True Energy spreading throughout the entire sword?

Ever-Flowing Cloud Sword Art.

The supreme sword art of Mount Zhong, pouring out a single streak of sharpness within extreme softness. It was also the pinnacle of the Flowing Sword, capable of flowing past anything that opposed the sword art like the wind.

But there are no traces of deploying sword arts or cutting anything.

Aside from the twisted blade, there were no traces of cutting or clashing against anything even once.

Pondering for a moment, Bu Eunseol took out a booklet he had hidden in a corner of the smithy.

In it, the sword paths and moves of the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art and Drifting Gale Sword Art, which he had figured out while repairing swords until now, were recorded in the form of figures and lines.

First, let’s compare the traces with the swords I’ve seen so far.

Although sword arts created by a single sect are diverse, a foundation always exists. He judged that if he found common features appearing in the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art and Drifting Gale Sword Art, he could find something in Yeo Hwan-jin’s sword as well.

I can’t find it.

Bu Eunseol shook his head with his eyes closed. No matter how much he looked, he couldn’t find any traces.

Is it impossible after all?

As the opportunity he had painstakingly acquired turned futile, hope transformed into despair. If he engaged Yeo Hwan-jin with such shaken emotions, Bu Eunseol would inevitably succumb to defeat in a hundred battles. He would never escape the lethal grasp of his sword.

I must steady my mind.

Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol drew up the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art. At that, distracting thoughts disappeared, and his spirit settled in a quiet place again.

Whoosh.

At that moment, the wind blowing through the window swept over the booklet placed on the workbench.

Flutter, flutter.

As the sound of the open booklet fluttering reached his ears during energy circulation, the senses of the Way of the Beast, which he had locked away, revived.

This is…

As the senses of the Way of the Beast surged during energy circulation, Bu Eunseol felt a strange sensation.

It was as if time had stopped, and even the dust floating in the air was clearly visible.

Cultivation Art… so that’s it.

Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art is an extreme internal cultivation art that harnesses the immense internal energy generated by the principles of Yin and Yang through the mind. While Bu Eunseol was channeling energy not to move True Energy but to control his mind, the senses of the Way of the Beast were activated, propelling him to a higher realm simultaneously.

Could this be the Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind?

—The true beauty of the Way of the Beast is not maximizing the senses, but allowing one to see the invisible and feel the unfeelable.

Bu Eunseol recalled the memory of when Sa Wu passed down the mnemonic chant of the Way of the Beast on Hell Island in the past.

—You mean it allows one to see the invisible and feel the unfeelable?

—That is correct. It is called Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind. However, this is not a realm obtained simply by training the Way of the Beast for a long time.

Sa Wu had muttered while looking at the distant sky.

—Like seeds spreading in the blowing wind, like a butterfly sitting on a flower and spreading seeds… it happens naturally and coincidentally.

If so…

What if this was the realm of Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind, which could be considered the pinnacle of the Way of the Beast? Drawing upon the heightened senses of the Way of the Beast that had once again reached a higher realm, Bu Eunseol gazed into the sword.

“…!”

Then, minute fingernail marks stamped on the sword handle, which had been hidden before, came into view. These marks were meant to add rotational force, a characteristic often seen in the Drifting Gale Sword Art and Emerald Rainfall Sword Art as well.

Bu Eunseol stared at the sword for a long time, unable to hide his surprised expression.

Unlike the long sword of Yeo Hwan-jin, which didn’t reveal any traces of moves or changes in sword arts, the sword’s habits and movements were felt in the form of sensations.

This is Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind.

Just by looking at and touching the sword Yeo Hwan-jin had used for a long time, he could clearly feel how he had used the sword until now.

This person has completely mastered the principle of ‘No Form Wins Over Form’.

A realm where one can use sword arts freely without being bound by moves.

Because Yeo Hwan-jin had reached that realm, traces of move changes did not remain.

However, the terrifyingly amplified senses of the Way of the Beast, the realm of Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind, were conveying all the sensations he had left while deploying the sword to Bu Eunseol.

If I hadn’t known the changes of the Drifting Gale Sword Art and Emerald Rainfall Sword Art, I wouldn’t have been able to discover these traces even with the Way of the Beast.

Taking a deep breath for a moment, Bu Eunseol followed his habits and movements, imagining Yeo Hwan-jin deploying the Drifting Gale Sword Art and Emerald Rainfall Sword Art.

Something is strange.

Having grasped the habits, movements, and even the sword intent, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed. Because something completely different from what he had seen so far was hidden there.

This is…

Finally, Bu Eunseol was able to discover Yeo Hwan-jin’s secret move hidden in the sword.

This was possible only because Yeo Hwan-jin had used the same sword consistently for twenty years. If he had used a divine sword that didn’t even get scratched, or if he had commissioned a new sword, Bu Eunseol would never have seen it.

I was truly lucky.

Staring at the sword as if possessed, Bu Eunseol sighed.

Although he couldn’t examine the changes in sword moves, he was able to obtain countless pieces of information about Yeo Hwan-jin through the senses of the Way of the Beast and Spirit Communication of the Empty Mind that he had accidentally obtained.

This could only be called heavenly luck.

I must remember all of this and make my body react.

From Bu Eunseol’s eyes, which had absorbed much information from Yeo Hwan-jin’s sword, red energy spread out like burning charcoal.

***

Zhuangshan Gorge, located at the southern tip of Tangshan, showcases a magnificent view formed by weathered, broken, and compacted rocks over an extended period. The sheer rocks stacked in layers resemble the creation of the Giant Spirit God, Pangu, by swinging his axe. As the setting sun painted the rocks of the gorge in hues of red, a man dressed in white stood tall like a statue on the sheer cliff of Zhuangshan Gorge. He was Yeo Hwan-jin.

Whoosh.

Facing the cool, blowing wind and gazing down at the leisurely flowing river water, he let out a deep sigh.

“What a strange dream,” he murmured, recalling the recurring dream he had been having for the past few days.

In the dream, a red-hot dragon had entered his embrace, leaving an afterimage of its presence in his mind even after waking up.

“Is it because I feel empty without that guy in my hand?” he wondered, reflecting on the fact that he had entrusted the Jade Water Sword, a weapon he had carried on his body for twenty years, to the smithy to repair its twisted blade.

This act of sending away a long-time friend had left Yeo Hwan-jin with an emptiness, as if he had lost a dear companion.

Determined to overcome this emptiness, he resolved to practice furiously tomorrow.

Just as he smiled faintly, shook his head, and turned around, a faint sound of footsteps echoed from afar.

“Footsteps?” he wondered, recognizing the sound as the footsteps of a sturdy adult male.

“Did the Martial Hall send someone?” he asked, considering the rough terrain of Zhuangshan Gorge, where he was staying. Even herb gatherers avoided it, so it was unusual to hear footsteps at this hour.

“You are…” Yeo Hwan-jin’s expression turned strange as he noticed the approaching shadow.

The person walking straight toward him, with the setting sun at their back, was none other than the young blacksmith who had taken on the task of repairing the Jade Water Sword at the Tangshan Iron Clan.

“What brings you here?” Yeo Hwan-jin asked, bewildered.

“Because the sword is finished,” the young blacksmith replied.

“What?” Yeo Hwan-jin exclaimed, surprised.

It was astonishing that a young blacksmith from the Tangshan Iron Clan knew his dwelling, but to come up this sheer mountain path without making a single sound?

“Would you like to take a look?” the young blacksmith offered, holding out the sword wrapped in soft cloth.

“Here, take it,” Yeo Hwan-jin replied, accepting the sword with a composed expression, even in this incomprehensible situation.

Shing.

As Yeo Hwan-jin drew the sword, a clearer and deeper sword cry resonated through the air, surpassing the previous one.

“Hoh.”

Yeo Hwan-jin’s eyes, holding the sword handle, gradually widened in astonishment.

As he swung the sword lightly in the air, a sharp radiance lingered as an afterimage for an extended period. The sword felt remarkably lighter and more comfortable to grip, as if one of his arms had been extended longer.

“How is it?”

At Bu Eunseol’s inquiry, Yeo Hwan-jin opened his mouth and nodded. “I absolutely love it. It exceeds my expectations.”

“I understand. That’s fortunate.” Bu Eunseol nodded and gathered his hands. “I, Bu Eunseol, the Ten Demonic Successor of the Wolf Fang Pavilion, challenge you.”

“Ten Demonic Successor, you say?”

Yeo Hwan-jin wasn’t particularly surprised. He had been sensing the surge of powerful True Energy emanating from Bu Eunseol’s body ever since he had walked this path.

“I see.”

Yeo Hwan-jin, who had recently heard rumors of the Mount Hua Sect and the Ten Demonic Successors causing significant disturbances in the Murim, sighed deeply and spoke.

“So, the Ten Demonic Successors are moving simultaneously.”

He laughed hollowly.

“As expected of a descendant of the Demonic Path. Did you intend to observe our sect’s sword arts disguised as a blacksmith?”

The battle had already begun, with Yeo Hwan-jin attempting to unsettle Bu Eunseol by delivering a single, sharp critique. However, Bu Eunseol responded with a sneer instead.

“I’ve heard that the Masters of Great Righteousness were trained in martial arts by masters skilled in Demonic Martial Arts. Are you referring to something like that?”

“To challenge me while you know that? How reckless.”

Yeo Hwan-jin smirked.

“But rest assured. Since the martial arts of the Wolf Fang Pavilion lack a system or genealogy, our Alliance doesn’t even consider them Demonic Martial Arts.”

“Indeed. The martial arts of the Zhongnan Sect are truly remarkable, ”Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “To think they teach how to attack an opponent with the snout before even engaging in combat.”

Yeo Hwan-jin’s expression, which had been relaxed and smiling throughout, hardened into a cold glare. He had attempted to pierce Bu Eunseol’s defenses, only to be counterattacked and left with a sour taste in his mouth.

“Hahaha. As expected, one cannot defeat a seed of the Demonic Path with mere words.”

Yeo Hwan-jin, as if regaining his composure, leisurely extended one hand.

“Then, let’s examine the martial arts of the Wolf Fang Pavilion.”

A streak of wind emanated from Yeo Hwan-jin’s body, and his hand extended revealed a celestial aura. However, Bu Eunseol remained fixated on the distant sky, his eyes composed as if he had completely forgotten Yeo Hwan-jin’s presence.

Watching that sight, the corners of Yeo Hwan-jin’s mouth curled into a cold smile. “It appears you’ve studied our sect’s sword extensively.”

The swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect, a Taoist sect, specializes in counterattacks rather than initiating strikes. Consequently, attacking first would be akin to exposing an opening.

“However, this body has long since transcended the limitations of our sect’s swordsmanship!”

With a swift shout, a torrent of sword energy surged into Bu Eunseol’s chest.

Yeo Hwan-jin had unleashed a lightning-fast move before anyone could react.

Shing.

Simultaneously, Bu Eunseol’s Dark Sword materialized from its scabbard.

Instantly, a chilling energy spread in all directions, slicing horizontally at Yeo Hwan-jin’s long sword that was thrusting forward.

“A divine sword.”

Discovering the strange luster flowing from the Dark Sword, Yeo Hwan-jin immediately changed his sword move.

The sword energy that had been digging into the chest rotated lightly in the air and slashed at Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.

It was the move River Deep, Water Still of the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art.

Chik!

Bu Eunseol did not dodge the attack but rather moved forward, stabbing at Yeo Hwan-jin’s armpit. That was where the opening of the River Deep, Water Still move lay.

“You are already proficient in the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art. You must have studied all the sword arts taught as main techniques at the Tangshan Branch School, right?”

Harboring a sneer, Yeo Hwan-jin swung his long sword again.

Whirrr.

Then, the blade rotated furiously, sweeping Bu Eunseol like a broom.

It was Seeing Gain, Thinking of Righteousness, an ultimate move of the Drifting Gale Sword Art.

Whirrr!

Then, Bu Eunseol’s Dark Sword also rotated furiously, raising shadows in all directions. It was a move of Seeing Gain, Thinking of Righteousness with even stronger power than the Drifting Gale Sword Art Yeo Hwan-jin had unfolded.

“You’ve even mastered the Drifting Gale Sword Art?”

Yeo Hwan-jin, who quickly switched sword moves to avoid a clash, raised his eyebrows.

Knowing the sword path by looking at the traces of a broken sword is actually not that difficult. But Bu Eunseol had grasped not only the sword path but also the changes and sword principles inherent in the sword moves.

“Impressive. I’d believe it if you said you were a disciple of our sect.”

Yeo Hwan-jin was constantly criticizing Bu Eunseol for stealing the sword arts while ceaselessly unfolding sword arts.

“After today, I’ll have to view the Ten Demonic Sects differently. Perhaps the root of their martial arts is Orthodox Martial Arts.”

It is not easy to speak ceaselessly while unfolding a sword.

Yeo Hwan-jin seemed to have polished the way to flap his gums incessantly even while learning sword arts.

Sak-sak-sak! Whish!

The two men unfolded sword arts at a distance where they could touch if they reached out, yet they never clashed weapons even once. This was because no matter what sword art Yeo Hwan-jin unfolded, Bu Eunseol immediately dug into that opening and stabbed.

“You’ve trained to this extent?”

Yeo Hwan-jin harbored a faint smile.

Using the Emerald Rainfall Sword Art and Drifting Gale Sword Art on purpose until now was to test to what level Bu Eunseol recognized the Zhongnan Sword Art.

“Then let’s begin.”

With a swishing sound, Yeo Hwan-jin changed his sword art. Then, a light wind rippled, and soon dozens of strands of sword energy poured down, wrapping around Bu Eunseol’s body. It was the supreme sword art of the Zhongnan Sect, the Ever-Flowing Cloud Sword Art.

Whirrr!

Bu Eunseol tried to strike away the sword energy with the Dark Sword, but the Ever-Flowing Cloud Sword drew curves like the wind and dug into openings.

“Our sect’s sword is like the wind; it cannot be clashed with or blocked.”

Yeo Hwan-jin constantly poured out sword energy, pressuring Bu Eunseol.

“…!”

Bu Eunseol, glaring at the pouring sword energy, began to step on the ground dizzily.

Swish-swish-swish.

As if a thin mist were rising, Bu Eunseol’s body turned blurry and lightly dodged the Ever-Flowing Cloud Sword Art digging in like the wind.

“Your movement technique is impressive.”

Spitting out an exclamation, Yeo Hwan-jin advanced quickly and poured out storm-like sword moves.

“But how long can you dodge?”

The Ever-Flowing Cloud Sword Art, a streak of wind wrapping around the enemy’s body, digs into openings. The Shadowless Supreme Speed, capable of ninety-nine-degree turns in a single step, combines body movement and footwork. This clash was between the supreme sword art of the Zhongnan Sect and the ultimate movement martial art of the Wolf Fang Pavilion.

Chirrrrik. Swish-swish!

In an instant, heaven and earth were filled with sword energy and shadows. But soon, the outcome of the battle became evident. Yeo Hwan-jin’s sword tore through Bu Eunseol’s clothes.

Grin.

Yeo Hwan-jin, believing he had achieved complete victory, wore a triumphant smile. However, that smile quickly transformed into a doubtful expression. Despite his persistent struggles, Bu Eunseol’s eyes remained cold and sunken low, as if a beast had spotted its prey.