Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: An Unavoidable Bond
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Five streaks of lightning fire erupted from Bu Eun-seol's fist. It was the exquisite technique of the Gwon-ma-chil-sik's second form, the Geuk-jeon-hon-hyo.
In response, the masked man's fingers moved gracefully through the air, as if playing a zither.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! CRASH!*
As the two powerful forces collided head-on, shockwaves of energy rippled out in succession.
“Is that really the power a human can wield…?”
Namgung Un, who was watching the scene, stood with his mouth agape.
Each time the two clashed, the sky seemed to darken, and a tempestuous storm raged from an unseen source.
Moreover, the range of their fist and claw techniques continued to expand, forcing both sides to retreat dozens more paces.
*BOOM! BOOM!*
In that time, Bu Eun-seol and the masked man clashed once more.
*‘Ghk.’*
With every clash of their fingers, Bu Eun-seol felt a crushing pressure throughout his entire body.
Surprisingly, the masked man's level of internal energy was comparable to that of Bu Eun-seol, who had reached the third stage of the Ban-geuk-sim-beop.
*‘I need to create distance.’*
Bu Eun-seol used his internal energy to pull the red-stained claw shadows toward himself.
The masked man, sensing a trick, slowed his assault and retreated.
*‘Now.’*
Seizing the opportunity, Bu Eun-seol executed the Geuk-sok-mu-yeong.
The masked man finally realized Bu Eun-seol's intention and pursued him relentlessly, blocking his escape route.
*Shhhhk.*
However, as Bu Eun-seol, using the Geuk-sok-mu-yeong, repeatedly changed direction in mid-air, he finally escaped the range of the claw technique.
“Impressive movement technique. To think you could escape the Cheon-ra-jo-yeong.”
The masked man scoffed as he looked at Bu Eun-seol, who had finally retreated.
“But if that's all you have, you will die.”
Then, as if preparing a final blow, a red haze began to rise from the masked man's body.
He was clearly raising his internal energy to its peak, intending to settle the match in a single, all-or-nothing strike.
*‘There must be a flaw.’*
Rapid martial techniques lack precision and are limited in their variations.
Having realized this truth during the duel between Jamo-chang and Jeong-cheon, Bu Eun-seol regulated his inner breath and raised his power to its maximum.
*Crack.*
The moment the masked man cracked his knuckles and his body was enveloped in a red mist,
*Fwaat!*
His body became a streak of light, instantly closing the distance and striking at Bu Eun-seol's major acupoints.
*P-p-p-pak!*
The number of claw shadows, raining down with enough force to crush a great mountain, was a staggering eighty-nine.
*‘I can't dodge this!’*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
He instinctively knew that he couldn't counter this sudden attack with the Gwon-ma-chil-sik as it was now.
*Flash!*
In that instant, a streak of black light shot up from his back.
*Wooooong!*
With a sword cry like the ringing of a great temple bell, the Muk-geom left its sheath.
Simultaneously, an ink-black sword energy, in the form of a great roc spreading its wings, struck the eighty-nine claw shadows.
It was a life-saving technique, a mixture of the Neung-hyeong-eo-geom and the Hwan-gwi-bon-ju's forms.
*Cl-cl-cl-clang!*
As the claws and the divine sword clashed, a deafening metallic sound rang out, and dust and dirt flew in all directions.
*Whooosh.*
As a dry wind swept through the Jin-cheon-mun, the silhouettes of two men standing in the clearing became visible.
“Ah!”
At that moment, Namgung Un pointed at the masked man and shouted.
“Brother Seol won!”
Red blood dripped from three of the masked man's fingers.
Unable to withstand the sharpness of the Muk-geom after repeated clashes, the tips of his fingers had been cut.
“The Yeong-sa-sin-geom?”
The masked man's eyes narrowed as he looked at the Muk-geom, which glinted with a strange light as it reflected the sun.
“So you're the one who won the Dong-pyo-seo-rang martial arts tournament.”
*‘His internal energy is incredible.’*
Bu Eun-seol silently gripped his sword.
The collision of their immense internal energies had left both Bu Eun-seol and the masked man with minor internal injuries.
Although he had gained the upper hand in this clash, his expression was far from pleased.
With his still-imperfect mastery of the Gwon-ma-chil-sik, he hadn't been able to block the masked man's final move.
Having been forced to finally deploy the Mu-sang-cheon-ryu... he was not in a good mood.
“Hahaha.”
The masked man let out a low laugh and spoke in a pleased voice.
“To block the Bung-ok-hyeol-ma-jo at your age. Truly impressive.”
*‘Bung-ok-hyeol-ma-jo?’*
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
He knew more about the martial sects and their techniques than anyone, but he had never heard of a martial art with that name.
“Let's continue.”
Bu Eun-seol said coldly.
“We haven't seen this to the end.”
Neither of them had yet displayed their true skills.
If Bu Eun-seol could properly utilize the harmony within the Mu-sang-cheon-ryu, he could have a true showdown with the masked man.
*Chk.*
As Bu Eun-seol raised his Muk-geom, the masked man shook his head.
“No, let's stop here.”
The masked man's gaze was fixed not on Bu Eun-seol, but on the Jin-cheon-mun'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 Pae-do-mun's camp behind him.
Then he gave a slight nod.
“Well, I suppose it does.”
At that, the Pae-do-mun's leader, Gwan Dok-gun, rushed out panting and shouted at the masked man.
“Then that means our sect has lost this fight, doesn't it?”
“It can't be helped. It seems the Jin-cheon-mun's fate has not yet run its course.”
The masked man, after looking at Bu Eun-seol standing tall like a heavenly general descended from the sky, turned without any lingering attachment.
“I cannot accept this!”
Gwan Dok-gun's eyes were bloodshot.
“The match isn't over! So keep fighting!”
“You're noisy.”
“W-What did you say?”
As Gwan Dok-gun flared up, a yellowish killing intent shimmered like heat haze in the masked man's eyes.
“What have you done this whole time to be squealing like a pig?”
In that instant, the hair on Gwan Dok-gun's entire body stood on end.
He had the illusion of a giant monster opening its massive maw behind the masked man.
“To speak such nonsense to this sect leader...!”
Gwan Dok-gun's furious shout was cut short.
*Shk.*
The masked man's extended finger touched the area near his heart, and Gwan Dok-gun's head twisted at an angle before he suddenly collapsed.
“Ugh!”
With a sound like a pig being slaughtered, Gwan Dok-gun's heavy body began to roll on the ground.
He was in such agony that the whites of his eyes showed, and white foam frothed from his mouth.
He looked as if he were being subjected to the torture of having his muscles torn and bones displaced.
*Thud.*
In the end, the tormented Gwan Dok-gun's eyes rolled back in his head, and he died.
“...”
At that moment, a deathly silence fell over the Pae-do-mun's camp.
No matter how rash Gwan Dok-gun's personality was, he was still the leader of a sect.
To kill such a master with a single finger in an instant...
“Let's go.”
The masked man and Myeong-in walked out through the Pae-do-mun's ranks as if nothing had happened.
Countless Pae-do-mun disciples watched him up close, but no one dared to block his path.
“Our sect will leave Sangyang immediately.”
After a long silence, the Pae-do-mun's Blade Division Leader, Gang Jung-hwan, stepped forward before Wang In-hwa and spoke.
“And as long as the Jin-cheon-mun exists, we will never set foot on this land again.”
Despite Gang Jung-hwan's devastated expression, Wang In-hwa nodded calmly.
This battle had been started by the Pae-do-mun's one-sided surprise attack. It was only natural for them to take full responsibility.
“You've worked hard, Young Master.”
“Brother Seol. You were truly amazing. It was a real eye-opener.”
Just as Heuk-pyo and Namgung Un approached Bu Eun-seol to talk,
“Young Hero Seol.”
Mun Gwang and Wang In-hwa stood side by side behind Bu Eun-seol, their faces filled with emotion.
“You are the benefactor who saved our sect from crisis. Please accept this old man's bow.”
As Wang In-hwa tried to bow, Bu Eun-seol quickly stopped him.
“I am merely a contracted wanderer.”
“How can such words express our gratitude for your grace? Our sect will...”
As Wang In-hwa's words began to drag on, Bu Eun-seol turned away without hesitation.
“My work here is done, so I will be leaving.”
“Our sect will hold a banquet. Please stay a little longer.”
“That won't be necessary.”
As Bu Eun-seol turned, Mun Gwang followed and spoke urgently.
“At least take your payment before you go. You won't be returning to the Jeok-cheon-mak-ji anyway, will you?”
Mun Gwang had a hunch.
That Bu Eun-seol was no mere wanderer.
And that now that his identity as the winner of the Dong-pyo-seo-rang martial arts tournament was revealed, he would not be returning to the Jeok-cheon-mak-ji.
“I didn't do this for money.”
Leaving those words behind, Bu Eun-seol turned without a second thought. Heuk-pyo and Namgung Un followed him.
The Jin-cheon-mun's leader, Mun Gwang, and the others could only stare blankly at their departing figures, mouths agape.
After leaving the Jin-cheon-mun, Bu Eun-seol's group left Sangyang and arrived at a village near Anho Lake.
“Brother Seol. Let's wet our throats first.”
They had been on a forced march, continuing through battles where blood and flesh flew, so for days, all they had consumed were tasteless dry rations and water.
Moreover, they had used their lightness skill day and night until arriving at this village, so it was natural to be exhausted.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol, looking around, was about to enter a small inn he saw before him.
But Namgung Un shook his head with a serious expression.
“Let's have some good liquor today. It's on me.”
The place Namgung Un chose was the largest and most splendid inn in the village.
He secured a private room in the three-story pavilion and ordered thirteen dishes and a large amount of expensive Fenjiu liquor.
However, Heuk-pyo stayed in a corner seat, not touching the food, and Bu Eun-seol also sat still with his arms crossed.
This was because Namgung Un's expression, now that he was seated, was extremely serious.
“Brother Seol.”
After a long silence, Namgung Un asked as he poured liquor into a cup.
“Or should I call you Brother Bu now?”
The winner of the Dong-pyo-seo-rang martial arts tournament. The mysterious master who killed the Blood Demon Hall Lord of the Hell Blood Fortress.
The fact that his name was Bu Eun-seol was well-known in the Murim.
“Call me whatever you're comfortable with.”
At Bu Eun-seol's calm reply, Namgung Un drained the Fenjiu from his cup.
“Seeing as no one at the Jeok-cheon-mak-ji knew your identity, Brother Bu, you must be hiding not only your name but your appearance as well.”
“That's right.”
Namgung Un asked Heuk-pyo.
“You too, little brother?”
“Yes.”
Heuk-pyo, as if having made a decision, spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
“Would it be alright to show my true appearance to Young Master Namgung?”
“Do as you wish.”
With permission granted, Heuk-pyo immediately released his disguise and cupped his hands toward Namgung Un.
“Young Master. In truth, I am the wanderer of Dong-pyo-seo-rang, Heuk-pyo.”
“I knew it. So you were the Black Whirlwind, little brother.”
Nodding, he turned to Bu Eun-seol.
“Will you not show your face, Brother Bu?”
“It's a bother.”
At the cold reply, Namgung Un made a deeply hurt expression.
“But we fought back-to-back. Hiding your face is too much, isn't it?”
“Such is the way of the Jianghu.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly as he filled his empty cup.
“It is best to never reveal your true self if possible, and to always hide about thirty percent of your skill.”
Namgung Un wore an unconvinced expression.
“You're not wrong, but... I can't shake the feeling that it's somehow sad.”
Namgung Un, having emptied his cup, spoke in a low voice.
“They say the Jianghu is heartless, but it isn't only a place for killing and being killed.”
Bu Eun-seol neither affirmed nor denied this, simply downing his drink.
He looked as if he were left all alone between heaven and earth.
Though he didn't know why, in that moment, Namgung Un could see Bu Eun-seol's true self.
*‘His personality isn't cold. Something happened that caused his heart to freeze over completely.’*
Namgung Un was by nature a playful and warm person.
And he wished for his surroundings, for the whole world, to be warm.
“Brother Bu.”
As if having decided something, Namgung Un picked up the liquor bottle.
And he respectfully filled Bu Eun-seol's cup.
“Please accept a cup from me.”
Then, Namgung Un held out his own empty cup to Bu Eun-seol.
“Will you fill my cup as well?”
For someone asking to have their cup filled, his expression was far too solemn.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring intently at Namgung Un's face, let out a sigh. He understood the meaning behind "fill my cup."
“I am just a wanderer.”
“And I'm known as the black sheep of my family.”
Namgung Un said with a smile.
“A wanderer and a black sheep. Don't we make a good pair?”
Though his words were such, Namgung Un's eyes held the dignity of a lion, and his entire being was imbued with a confident and gallant aura.
He merely disregarded worldly etiquette and rules; he was a man with the spirit of a hero.
“Are you planning to return to your family?”
“I am.”
Namgung Un once again respectfully held out his cup.
“Will you fill my cup?”
“Do you even know what kind of person I am to say such a thing?”
“I trust my own eyes. Even if you were a villain condemned by the world... I would still believe in you, Brother Bu.”
At Namgung Un's confident words, Bu Eun-seol sighed deeply.
He had only wanted to travel the Jianghu and fight the strong. He didn't know why he kept forming these connections.
*—Bonds are like the natural laws of life and death.*
Suddenly, the words Bu Jan-yang had spoken while preparing a deceased lover's body for burial echoed in his ears.
*—A seed naturally meets the earth and becomes a flower, and that flower naturally meets the rain and wind. Bonds are just as natural.*
*—Like how I met you, Grandfather?*
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Bu Jan-yang let out a hearty laugh and nodded.
*—Exactly. Just like that.*
Bu Eun-seol realized.
That human connections cannot be stopped.
That one must let them flow... naturally.
*Riiipple.*
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol's face rippled like water. At the same time, a radiant appearance was revealed, like sunlight scattered across a lake's surface.
He had released his Face-Altering Bone-Shifting Art and revealed his true appearance.
*‘So that is Brother Bu's true face.’*
In that moment, Namgung Un understood.
Why Bu Eun-seol had always hidden his appearance.
*‘If he had revealed this face, it wouldn't have been the Young Palace Lord of the Shin-nyeo-gung, but the Palace Lord herself who wouldn't have let him go.’*
Namgung Un, who had thought his own looks were second to none, felt the difference between himself and Bu Eun-seol's true face was like that of the sun and a firefly.
“Once I've seen your face, Brother Bu, I'll never be able to forget it.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head at Namgung Un's praise.
“Take it.”
And he lifted the liquor bottle and filled Namgung Un's cup.
“Thank you.”
Namgung Un, greatly pleased, held out his cup.
“From now on, please call me Un.”
Then, he took out a sharp golden needle from his robes.
It was the Geum-chim-ryeong, a symbolic object representing the direct lineage of the Namgung family.
Namgung Un gave an awkward smile.
“If you have time, please be sure to visit my family's estate.”
“I will.”
Though he said that, Bu Eun-seol faintly shook his head.
On his unpredictable journey through the Jianghu, he didn't know when he would ever have the chance to visit the Namgung family.
But he could realize one thing for certain.
That because of Namgung Un, the Namgung family would achieve even greater renown.