A wind as sharp as a blade sliced across the summit of Iron Palm Peak on Mount Geommi. Perched precariously on the cliff’s edge of this desolate pinnacle, a solitary figure stood with eyes closed against the gale.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Whoosh!
With a piercing shriek of tearing air, a fist-sized stone shot toward his back. Infused with formidable internal energy, the projectile struck with such force that it could bore through flesh and bone. However, the moment it made contact, it disintegrated into dust and scattered to the wind.
Kaboom!
This time, accompanied by a thunderous roar, a massive boulder hurtled toward him.
Crunch. Whishhh.
Astonishingly, the boulder crumbled into powder and drifted away before it could even deliver its impact.
“As of today, you have reached the First Stage.”
A hulking figure emerged from behind Bu Eunseol. Clad in monk’s robes but covered in a tapestry of scars, it was Hyeol Geum-gang, the Demonic Monk who had defected from the renowned Heavenly Dragon Temple in Dali to walk the path of the demon.
“Elder.”
Bu Eunseol turned slowly as the giant approached, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully.
Ziiiing!
Without warning, Hyeol Geum-gang extended a finger, unleashing a ferocious streak of finger force.
Thwack-thwack-thwack.
Three blasts of energy struck the major acupoints on Bu Eunseol’s chest with pinpoint accuracy. Yet the young man stood immovable, fierce and rooted as an old pine, as if he felt nothing at all.
“Solid.”
Hyeol Geum-gang withdrew his hand, nodding in satisfaction. “When you reach the First Stage, True Energy overflows into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, hardening the body as if you had spent a lifetime tempering it with external arts.”
He continued, his tone calm but laced with pride. “Your foundation in internal energy is incredibly sturdy. Furthermore, the Life-Nourishing Cultivation Art you practiced aligns perfectly with the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art… that is how you have achieved such results.”
His eyes shone with warmth for his disciple, but Bu Eunseol shook his head, his expression somber.
“I am ashamed.”
“Ashamed? Of what?”
“I am dull-witted. Even after two months of grinding training, I remain stuck at the First Stage.”
“What nonsense is… I…”
Hyeol Geum-gang trailed off, shutting his mouth abruptly. The Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art was an art that the untalented could not grasp even after a decade of training. Even he, once hailed as the greatest prodigy in the history of Heavenly Dragon Temple, had taken a full two years to reach the First Stage. Yet Bu Eunseol, having achieved in two months what took others years, was blaming himself for being slow.
Absurd.
“Ahem.” Hyeol Geum-gang cleared his throat and patted the boy’s shoulder heavily. “Your future is bright. If you devote yourself a little more, good results will follow.”
“Thank you.”
“Come to think of it, two months have already passed.”
The monk sighed deeply as he looked at his disciple. The once-scrawny Bu Eunseol had transformed into a sturdy youth over the last sixty days; learning internal cultivation and spreading the accumulated True Energy through his meridians had improved his health beyond recognition.
Whoosh.
A sharp whirlwind swept around the peaks of Iron Palm, tugging at their robes.
“Has it been that long already?” Bu Eunseol murmured, gazing at the distant sky.
For two months, he had learned the basics of the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art from Hyeol Geum-gang. The pain and suffering he endured during that time defied description, a hell of torn muscles and burning veins.
“Then, let us begin training.”
“Yes.”
At the master’s command, Bu Eunseol climbed onto the flat rock in front of the thatched cottage and sat properly. Thanks to the Sutra of Changing Tendons and Washing Marrow, he could circulate energy in any posture, but he assumed the lotus position on Hyeol Geum-gang’s advice.
From now on, even when alone, you must assume the lotus position to circulate energy. If you use other postures, people might realize you have learned the Sutra of Changing Tendons and Washing Marrow.
Hyeol Geum-gang always worried about Bu Eunseol’s future, caring for him with a meticulous detail that belied his rough appearance.
Just like now.
Vibrate.
Bu Eunseol’s body trembled lightly as he entered a state of energy circulation. Black mist began to rise thickly from the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head.
Crack.
The sound of shifting bones began to echo from his entire body.
What?
Hyeol Geum-gang’s eyes snapped wide. This phenomenon only appeared when one reached the Second Stage of the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art.
Has he already reached the Second Stage? The Realm of Unstained Muscle and Bone?
Upon reaching the Second Stage, the muscles and bones realign to an optimal state, allowing the body to exert maximum physical power without restriction. As if proving he had entered this realm, Bu Eunseol’s frame shifted and contorted continuously under his robes.
Rumble.
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol’s body began to shake violently, shuddering like the earth itself during a quake.
“Oh no.”
A groan burst from Hyeol Geum-gang’s lips. Reaching the Second Stage so abruptly had pushed the boy into a state of deviation; he couldn’t control the overflowing, massive torrent of True Energy.
Drip.
Dark blood trickled from the corner of Bu Eunseol’s mouth. If he failed to control the energy rushing through his blood points, he would suffer fatal internal injuries.
“Abandon distractions and focus!”
Thud.
Hyeol Geum-gang slammed his palm against the Mingmen acupoint on Bu Eunseol’s lower back, pouring in his own powerful Polarity Reversal True Energy without hesitation.
Tremble.
As Hyeol Geum-gang guided the chaotic energy, Bu Eunseol’s violent shaking began to subside. Conversely, the monk’s face turned rapidly pale. He was injecting his own Primordial Essence True Energy, which is the very foundation of his life force to suppress the rampage within his disciple.
Urgh.
Just as Hyeol Geum-gang poured the last of the necessary energy into the Mingmen point, Bu Eunseol, who had been lost in a trance, slowly opened his eyes.
Flash!
Emitting a gaze as intense as the midday sun, he finally regained his senses.
“It is done.”
Seeing Bu Eunseol stabilize, Hyeol Geum-gang removed his hand from the boy’s back, his face drawn and exhausted.
Stumble.
The monk’s body swayed precariously. He had expended excessive energy to correct Bu Eunseol’s qi flow, draining himself to the dregs.
“Elder.”
Bu Eunseol fell to his knees before Hyeol Geum-gang. “Why do you bestow such grace upon me?”
His tangled energy had not only stabilized, but now a powerful Polarity Reversal True Energy, far exceeding what he could cultivate at his current level, filled his Eight Extraordinary Meridians. This was due to Hyeol Geum-gang generously pouring in his Original Essence. For a martial artist, internal energy is more vital than life itself; Hyeol Geum-gang had essentially sacrificed his own flesh and blood to protect Bu Eunseol.
“Hmph. If you don’t learn the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art properly, I cannot leave Wolf Fang Pavilion, can I?”
“Elder…”
The monk waved his hand, speaking with a nonchalant expression that failed to hide his fatigue. “Pay it no mind.”
Bu Eunseol could only bow his head in silence.
His words and appearance are harsh, but he has a heart full of affection.
Living together for two months, Bu Eunseol realized that while Hyeol Geum-gang looked ferocious, his nature was incredibly kind. And that kindness weighed heavily on Bu Eunseol’s heart.
“I will never forget the grace you have shown me, Elder.”
At those words, Hyeol Geum-gang’s eyes wavered for the first time.
“Forget it.”
He sighed, staring intently into Bu Eunseol’s eyes. “Forgetting my existence… that is the true way to repay this kindness.”
In that moment, the last words of his friend Sa Wu flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
—Forget it. That is what the Murim is. Grace, grudges… if possible, it is best to forget them all.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes dimmed. Why did those people always ask to forget all debts and grudges? Why did they wish to be erased?
“Is there no other way to repay you?” Bu Eunseol asked persistently, emotion coloring his voice. “If there is anything you left undone, or something you could not finish… I will do it.”
Hyeol Geum-gang’s consumption of his Original Essence, his very life force, signified the absence of any lingering attachment to existence. Bu Eunseol believed that there might be an unfulfilled wish within him that could be fulfilled in his stead.
“The Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art is a Grand Origin of all cultivation arts under the heavens.” Specks of light slowly rose around Hyeol Geum-gang’s pupils as he spoke. “But I lacked the talent, and reaching the end of the Fifth Stage was my limit.”
A gentle smile, like that of a Buddha, blossomed on his scarred lips.
“One day, attain enlightenment and reach the Eighth Stage, the Realm of Great Origin. That will be the way to repay me.”
Hyeol Geum-gang seemed to have already transcended worldly desires. Bu Eunseol bowed his head, his voice thick with emotion.
“I understand, Elder.”
***
The next morning.
Having rested comfortably in his quarters, Bu Eunseol stepped outside to head toward Iron Palm Peak.
Buzz buzz.
A strange, chaotic noise drifted from the distance. Walking out to investigate, he saw about twenty men entering the interior grounds of Wolf Fang Pavilion. As if returning from a conquest, their bodies bore the marks of fierce battle—bloodstains, nicked blades—and they looked somewhat exhausted.
At the forge, Wang Geol, the Iron Master who was hammering metal, muttered under his breath.
“The Trailblazer Squad has returned.”
“What is the Trailblazer Squad?”
Wang Geol glanced at Bu Eunseol and spoke in a low voice. “The Trailblazer Squad is a martial combat squad specialized in dealing with factions that oppose the Pavilion.”
“Factions that… oppose us?”
“Correct. This time, they returned after wiping out the Blue Dragon Society.”
The Blue Dragon Society.
Though not part of the Demonic Palace, it was a faction that dominated the Yellow River, boasting over five thousand members. Yet Wolf Fang Pavilion had wiped out such a massive group with only twenty men.
Unaware of the terrifying scale of this feat, Bu Eunseol nodded nonchalantly. “Why did they deal with this Blue Dragon Society?”
“Because they touched a disciple of the Pavilion.”
Wang Geol’s calm eyes turned sharp as a blade. “Those who touch a disciple of the Pavilion die. Factions that invade the Pavilion’s territory face extermination.”
Turning his gaze back to his workbench, Wang Geol spoke in a low, heavy tone. “That is the creed of this Pavilion.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize once again why Wolf Fang Pavilion was counted among the Ten Demonic Sects.
Wolf Fang Pavilion is Wolf Fang Pavilion. Even to fellow demonic practitioners, they show no mercy.
They were like a pack of beasts guarding their territory. They did not forgive intruders, and if provoked, they exacted a bloody vengeance.
I actually like this.
Sure revenge was better than clumsy tolerance. Bu Eunseol found himself agreeing with Wolf Fang Pavilion’s creed.
“……”
At that moment, a man from the gathering group—a giant with a beard sticking out like hedgehog quills—strode toward the smithy where Wang Geol worked.
Clang.
The bearded man unslung the massive saber from his back and slammed it onto the table with a grin.
“Iron Master. Fix this sword for me.”
“Hmm.” Wang Geol picked up the saber and scowled deeply. “Not just the edge, but the blade body is entirely ruined. I’ve told you repeatedly to use something like a flail if you’re going to fight like this.”
“Hahaha! If this body uses a flail, wouldn’t people be unable to tell if I’m a human or a gorilla?”
The bearded man, laughing boisterously, suddenly tilted his head.
“Huh?”
Only then did he notice Bu Eunseol standing there blankly.