Two heavy impacts rocked the air.
Bu Eunseol unleashed the Demonic Fist Transcending Manifestation, driving his strikes squarely into Gu Ju-hon’s Danjung acupoint. It was a blow that would have ruptured the heart of any ordinary martial artist, forcing them to vomit blood and die instantly.
“Kuhahaha!”
Yet, Gu Ju-hon merely burst into sinister laughter. Unfazed, he lunged through the impact, his momentum unchecked.
“A Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being?”
Watching from the periphery, Jongri Sayu let out a gasp of sheer astonishment.
“To think they actually succeeded in creating a Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being…”
“Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being? What is that?” Yu Hwa-ryeong asked urgently, parrying a stray lash of energy.
“The medical and poison clans have researched ways to delay death for centuries,” Jongri Sayu explained, her face pale with dread. “The theoretical pinnacle of that research is the Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being. It was supposed to be a myth; no one has ever succeeded in creating one.”
“Are you saying he is a Jiangshi?”
“It is distinct from a Jiangshi. Simply put, they have forcibly anchored his life force to his vessel so that his bodily functions do not cease, even after sustaining fatal wounds.”
She said “simply put,” but confusion still clouded Yu Hwa-ryeong’s eyes. “If it’s a living mind in a dead body… is there no way to kill him?”
“You must sever the head.”
“His head…”
Yu Hwa-ryeong’s jaw tightened.
Gu Ju-hon was moving with the speed of lightning, wielding the Blood-Chained Sword with devastating ferocity despite injuries that should have left him a corpse. To sever the head of a man displaying martial prowess touching the Supreme Heavenly Realm seemed an impossible task, even for Bu Eunseol.
“Is there no other way?”
At Yu Hwa-ryeong’s desperate query, Jongri Sayu shook her head. “The only other method is to extract the catalyst drugs being injected into his system. The reason he moves despite death is the power of those alchemical agents.”
“Injected drugs? But he’s bleeding coagulated blood. I see no external mechanism.”
“The Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being is a legend passed down through the ages. I do not know the specifics of their success, but…” She trailed off, eyes darting over the combatants. “They must have connected a device to inject the drugs somewhere on his person.”
“I see.”
Having heard enough, Yu Hwa-ryeong raised his sword, his expression grim. The only option now was to join the fray, prepared to die. He had to create even a sliver of an opening to give Bu Eunseol the chance to take the monster’s head.
Meanwhile, Bu Eunseol’s robes were becoming drenched in gore.
In terms of pure martial prowess, Gu Ju-hon could not match Bu Eunseol, who had stepped into the realm of the Extreme Heavenly. However, reborn as a Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being, the creature possessed abnormal strength and boundless internal energy, coupled with a tenacious vitality that allowed him to shrug off a pierced heart.
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, it was a war of attrition against an immortal monster.
‘A Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being.’
Bu Eunseol’s sharp senses caught the conversation between Yu Hwa-ryeong and Jongri Sayu. A being capable of movement despite instant-death wounds. To halt its activity, one had to sever the head or remove the source of the drugs.
‘It must be hidden somewhere inside.’
Whoosh.
A brilliant white light began to flow from Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he raised the Way of the Beast to its absolute peak.
Spirit Communion with the Empty Mind.
By reading the dispersion of Gu Ju-hon’s true energy every time their weapons clashed, he intended to glimpse a fragment of the creature’s emotions and spirit.
Clang. Thrum.
With every collision of steel, subtle emotions transmitted themselves into Bu Eunseol’s consciousness.
‘So that was it.’
From the torrential attacks of the Blood-Chained Sword, he felt a distinct strand of sorrowful grief.
Gu Ju-hon had been a natural genius of martial arts, but he had never received proper instruction. By chance, he encountered the chain-sickle and modified it, birthing his unique Blood-Chained Sword. However, the orthodox world disregarded him, mocking his weapon as bizarre, something fit only for the barbarous Eastern Sea. Furthermore, because he hadn’t been taught internal cultivation methods in his youth, his internal energy remained shallow compared to his physical technique.
‘So that is why he drifted here. To resolve that grudge.’
He had only traced a single thread of emotion, yet Gu Ju-hon’s life flashed vividly through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
—Kuuuuh!
Wielding the chain, Gu Ju-hon let out a hideous roar. It was the scream of a martial artist who had failed to become strong simply because the world had denied him a teacher.
Pa-at!
Instantly retreating, Bu Eunseol spoke, his voice low but cutting through the noise of battle.
“Even so, choosing such a crooked path cannot be justified.”
Click.
Sheathing the Dark Sword mid-combat, he spoke coldly.
“You should have walked your own path, regardless of the gaze of others.”
—Kraaaaa!
Making a wet, gargling sound, Gu Ju-hon gripped the Blood-Chained Sword and emitted a pure white killing intent. His twisted visage seemed to scream, ‘What do you know!’
Looking down at him calmly, Bu Eunseol rendered his verdict.
“Now, I will prove that you were wrong.”
—Uwu!
Consumed by rage, Gu Ju-hon roared again, swinging his weapon with renewed fury. Perhaps because he used his full power, the technique became invisible to the naked eye. One couldn’t sense where the Blood-Chained Sword would strike next.
Snap!
At that moment, the impossible occurred.
From Bu Eunseol’s left hand, a net of golden light erupted, sending ripples through the air.
Thud.
And just like that, the invisible Blood-Chained Sword was arrested in mid-air, caught firmly within Bu Eunseol’s palm.
True Knot of Will Manifestation.
An ancient secret art capable of solidifying true energy into any desired form. Using it, he had snatched the invisible death out of the air with his bare hand.
Shing!
With a resonant hum, Bu Eunseol’s Dark Sword cleared its scabbard. Simultaneously, he struck down hard on the body of the chain weapon held in his grasp.
Crack!
The sound was not of metal breaking, but of something organic rupturing. Thick, dark yellow-green liquid began to spray like a fountain from the fractured blade.
—Uwaaaaah!
As the liquid purged itself from the weapon, Gu Ju-hon screamed in agony and writhed on the stone floor.
Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being.
The mysterious elixir maintaining the life force of the corpse had been hidden inside the hollow body of his Blood-Chained Sword all along.
“Even after becoming a Demon-Sealed Infernal Refined Being, you could not discard your obsession with your weapon. How could you ever improve?”
Through Spirit Communion with the Empty Mind, Bu Eunseol had realized that the essence-blood was circulating not through the man, but through the weapon he refused to let go of. Using the True Knot of Will Manifestation, he had seized the vessel and crushed it in a single move.
Thump.
As the last of the essence-blood drained away, Gu Ju-hon fell to his knees, his unnatural strength evaporating.
“Are you alright?”
Yu Hwa-ryeong, who had been steeling himself for a sacrificial charge, approached with a mix of joy and disbelief. “You are… truly amazing. How did you know that drug was inside his weapon?”
“I found a clue by listening to his story.”
“You heard us talking even while fighting such a fierce battle?”
Just as Yu Hwa-ryeong gaped in shock—
“Ah…”
A distinctly human groan escaped the kneeling Gu Ju-hon’s lips. Although his body was dying as the essence-blood left him, it seemed he had regained a clear mind in exchange for his life.
“You’re right.”
Leaning his upper body against the cold cavern wall, Gu Ju-hon looked straight at Bu Eunseol.
“I gained my name through a weapon, so I had no choice but to be obsessed with it.”
A sorrowful smile touched Gu Ju-hon’s bloodied mouth.
“I just didn’t have the courage to shake it off… and start anew.”
Surprisingly, Gu Ju-hon had heard every word Bu Eunseol had spoken.
“Whether fame is high or low, a martial artist’s final resting place is the cold earth…” Blood began to weep slowly from his eyes and nose. “If I had strived without regret every day, death wouldn’t feel so futile…”
Gu Ju-hon closed his eyes.
As if the remorse of his past days had melted away, a single transparent tear tracked through the blood on his cheek.
Gu Ju-hon. A man who had shaken the Murim with the Blood-Chained Sword thanks to his outstanding talent, yet suffered because he couldn’t gain the recognition he craved. Instead of starting over, he chose a crooked path to rise quickly, and in the end, met a regretful demise.
Crack.
Staring at the darkened passage, Bu Eunseol clenched his fist.
Up there, they were likely still conducting experiments using people like Gu Ju-hon—warriors harboring grudges or unfulfilled desires. If he didn’t destroy this place entirely, a second or third monster would be born.
Step. Step.
Bu Eunseol walked past the corpse into the darkness without looking back.
Sizzle.
A haze-like energy began to rise from his body; he was recovering his true energy even as he moved.
“Let’s go together.”
Regaining his senses, Yu Hwa-ryeong hurriedly followed, and Jongri Sayu, who had been standing blankly, scrambled after them.
When they emerged into the open air, the ground shuddered. The underground facilities were collapsing in on themselves. Realizing their location had been compromised, the enemy had scuttled the base and fled without hesitation.
A deep rumbling sound shook the earth as the tunnel entrance imploded.
“If we had been just a moment later…” Yu Hwa-ryeong muttered.
Jongri Sayu nodded. “We would have been buried alive.”
Swish.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol, who had been scanning the terrain, suddenly began to unfold his lightness art.
Tap! Swish!
Deploying the Shadowless Supreme Speed, Bu Eunseol shot toward the reed fields, crossing several mountain ridges in a single breath. After running for about fifteen minutes, he spotted a group of martial artists retreating through the tall grass, carrying dozens of heavy boxes on their backs.
They were all wearing the official uniforms of the Eastern Depot.
Swa-aack!
As soon as he identified them, Bu Eunseol unleashed a sword strike without hesitation.
“Kuaak!”
Two officials screamed as their heads fell to the ground instantly. Simultaneously, the sword force shattered several crates, spilling booklets onto the dirt—records of the research conducted in the underground facility.
“Ambush!”
As the porters scattered to avoid the raining sword energy, a middle-aged man wearing a mask stepped forward to intercept Bu Eunseol.
“You all go ahead.”
Slowly drawing the sword at his waist, the masked man spoke calmly. “I will handle him.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
On the man’s scabbard, unmistakable traces of the Mastery Radiance Sword Control remained.
‘How can this be?’
While Bu Eunseol hesitated, the middle-aged man launched a preemptive attack.
Swa-aack! Slash!
Deploying his blade, he simultaneously unleashed a sharp claw technique with his left hand, aiming for Bu Eunseol’s vital points.
Shing!
Bu Eunseol immediately deployed the Supreme Heavenly Flow to counter.
Clang!
As the two weapons clashed in mid-air, a sharp claw shadow swept dangerously across Bu Eunseol’s chest.
Ching! Pa-pa-pat!
The two exchanged over ten moves in a heartbeat. The middle-aged man’s prowess was impressive, but a significant gap existed between him and Bu Eunseol. The only reason he survived the exchange was simple: his swordsmanship had taken Bu Eunseol by surprise.
‘Orthodox?’
The sword art used by the masked man was of the Orthodox lineage, specifically a variation of the Mount Hua Sword Arts.
‘So it was the Orthodox Factions.’
The assassins of the Evil Fragrance also used sword arts derived from Orthodox martial arts as their core. And now this man…
Pat!
Disrupting his thoughts, the middle-aged man threw a flying dagger. Bu Eunseol snapped his head back, but the blade grazed his mask, cutting the strap.
“Amazing martial arts.”
The middle-aged man muttered low, his voice resigned. “I won’t survive this.”
The tone and the look in his eyes betrayed a veteran who had weathered countless storms. Even if Bu Eunseol subdued and tortured him, he would yield no answers.
Zip-zip-zip!
Making up his mind, Bu Eunseol poured out sword forms as sharp as arrows. The man dodged and attempted a counterattack, but that was his final movement in this world.
Swa-swa-swa-swack!
With a sharp tearing sound, the sword energy that had brushed past the man’s body returned, converging on him from behind.
Supreme Heavenly Flow, Fourth Form: Caged Birds Yearning for Clouds.
The wondrous technique ensnared him completely.
Pa-pa-pa-pat!
Dozens of strands of sword energy embedded themselves in his vital points, forcing him to his knees. But that was not the end.
Swa-aack!
With a delayed tempo, a single strand of sword energy swept past the man’s neck like a hawk snatching prey.
Thud.
A red line appeared on his neck, and the head fell to the ground.
Shoo-wook!
Bu Eunseol lightly flicked his finger. The mask covering the severed head flew off, revealing a face with short eyes and a hooked nose—the typical visage of a hardened military officer.
Whoosh!
Curving his palm to unleash the Void-Grasping Art, Bu Eunseol snatched the iron scabbard from the corpse’s waist.
‘So they were imitating the Mastery Radiance Sword Control.’
The marks carved on the scabbard were precise visual imitations of the Mastery Radiance Sword Control unleashed by Seok Song.
“Because they didn’t know it was a defensive sword art, they left traces like this.”
The culprit had no idea that the Mastery Radiance Sword Control was a defensive art that reacted to killing intent. They had copied the physical scars left by Seok Song perfectly but failed to capture the Sword Intent contained within. Instead, they left traces closer to offensive techniques.
‘Knowing I would look for traces on the scabbard, they used it against me.’
The mastermind was a person of great confidence and martial skill. He had intentionally left these misleading marks on the scabbards of various Eastern Depot officials. That implied the culprit was likely the Admiral of the Eastern Depot, or someone of even higher status.
‘No, this might be a trap.’
Not content with building facilities deep underground, they used martial artists like Gu Ju-hon as experimental subjects. They were undoubtedly connected to top figures in the Murim.
‘To hide his identity, he might have used the Eastern Depot against me.’
It was not uncommon for excellent spies to utilize the identity of the forces aiding them to conceal their own. The only certainty was that the culprit who annihilated the Ten Seats of the Heavenly Sword Society was a person colluding with the government.
Swish!
Yu Hwa-ryeong and Jongri Sayu arrived, breathless from the chase. Seeing the fallen official and the scabbard in Bu Eunseol’s hand, Yu Hwa-ryeong shouted in joy.
“You succeeded!”
“It was not him.”
“What?”
“Look closely. The traces are different.”
Bu Eunseol held out the scabbard. Yu Hwa-ryeong examined it carefully, then shook his head.
“Honestly, I cannot tell. It looks identical to the trace Uncle-Master left.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong lacked the killing intent required to learn the Mastery Radiance Sword Control or the Wind and Cloud Providence Knot. Therefore, he couldn’t understand the four pillars of its intent: Weakness Overcoming Strength, Reacting to Killing Intent, Controlling with Ease, and Moving without Flowing.
“It is not identical. It seems he carved these minute traces on the swords of the Eastern Depot Guard, or perhaps all officials related to him.”
“How is that possible?”
“Perhaps he holds the rank of Eastern Depot Admiral or higher… or he is a top master of the Murim with close ties to them.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong felt his vision darken. To think the culprit held such high status.
“Do not worry. I will find him.”
Staring at Yu Hwa-ryeong, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “Even if not now, we are bound to clash. I will find him.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong trembled with emotion.
In truth, Bu Eunseol could have simply claimed this dead man was the culprit. Yu Hwa-ryeong had no way to verify the truth. Yet, Bu Eunseol chose to honor his promise fully, acknowledging the difficulty ahead.
“But you are soon to become the successor of the Demonic Palace.”
“It does not matter.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with quiet strength. “I will find him and keep my promise. Return with peace of mind.”
Bu Eunseol had an intuition. The mysterious forces he had encountered so far were connected to the massacre of the Heavenly Sword Society. Even without the promise, he had to find that man.
“Thank you.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong bowed his head deeply, his expression resolute. “But this is enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“You… risked your life to keep the promise made to our Society. How could I ask for more?”
Yu Hwa-ryeong was a good man with the temperament of a true hero. Bu Eunseol had risked his life to chase the Eastern Depot official. He had done his best, far more than could be asked of a stranger. Yu Hwa-ryeong did not want him to fall into further danger under the pretext of a debt.
‘He is a good person.’
Most people prioritize their own interests. But Yu Hwa-ryeong prioritized the safety of the one who had helped him.
‘Just the fact that such a person exists means the Murim is not yet rotten.’
Demonic practitioners moved by the logic of power; Orthodox practitioners were often gathered selfish souls. Few good people remained in the Murim, but men like Yu Hwa-ryeong proved that righteousness and chivalry were not dead.
Perhaps that was why Bu Eunseol, who viewed the world with cynical eyes, continued his journey while guarding his human emotions.
Swish.
At that moment, Jongri Sayu, arriving late, gasped as she saw the face of the fallen man.
“Bang Dae-un?”
“Do you know him?” Yu Hwa-ryeong asked.
She nodded. “He is a Squad Captain of the Eastern Depot who leads the intelligence organization in this region.”
The Eastern Depot investigated literally everything, monitoring even the price of vegetables in the market and their own colleagues, the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Bang Dae-un was the Squad Captain managing this vicinity.
“I see.”
Just as Yu Hwa-ryeong nodded with a somber expression—
Flap.
The cloth covering Bu Eunseol’s face, its strap severed by the earlier dagger, finally slipped and fell to the ground.
In that moment, under the brilliance of the moonlight, Bu Eunseol’s peerless beauty was revealed.
“Uh?”
Jongri Sayu froze, her eyes widening.
Bu Eunseol’s appearance was as shocking as his martial prowess.
‘How can a person… look like that?’
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s face reflected in the moonlight, her heart swelled as if she were listening to a sorrowful, haunting song.
“Brother Yu. Let us meet again.”
The Blood Mist Squad Captain, Jwa Dae-baek, would soon return to the Demonic Palace. Bu Eunseol also had to return to undergo the final successor test given by the Divine Demonic Emperor:
‘Leading the Deathly Shadow Squad to annihilate the Dark Union alongside the Blood Mist Squad.’
Nod.
When Yu Hwa-ryeong nodded firmly, Bu Eunseol’s figure vanished into the night sky, a shadow dissolving into darkness.
Jongri Sayu, who had been standing blankly, came to her senses long after.
“Who on earth was that person…”
She turned her head to ask, but Yu Hwa-ryeong had also departed in silence.
“Heavenly Sword Society…”
Jongri Sayu muttered the name as if waking from a dream.
She had much to do. She had to catch the tail of the force the Needle King’s family had been chasing, and she had to master the Needle King’s Secret Arts.
And in her heart, she added one more task.
“I will definitely…”
I will definitely find that handsome young man from the Heavenly Sword Society…