Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Road to the Demonic Hall
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Spring had once again returned to Nang-ya-gak.
One day in the third month of spring, when a gentle breeze was blowing, a martial artist in black robes visited Nang-ya-gak.
“By order of the Ma-cheon-je, the disciple of Nang-ya-gak, Bu Eun-seol, is to be brought to the Majeon.”
He did not reveal his affiliation.
This was because the emblem of two dragons fighting over a pearl, the symbol of the Majeon, was embroidered on his sleeve.
It was a mark that only high-ranking officials of the Majeon, at the level of a hall master or above, could bear.
“I understand.”
Bu Eun-seol bid farewell to Dan-cheong, Master Cheol, and Changsin Daewon.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped outside.
At the entrance of Nang-ya-gak, a magnificent eight-horse carriage with a black luster stood waiting, surrounded by an honor guard mounted on black horses.
*‘How unexpected.’*
Bu Eun-seol had entered the Majeon twice before, but he had never received such treatment.
A candidate for the heir to the Majeon. Only after seeing the honor guard did he truly grasp the level of that position.
“Please, get in.”
The martial artist politely extended a hand toward the carriage.
Now, if he were to enter the Majeon…
Bu Eun-seol would be formally recognized as a candidate for the heir to the Majeon.
*Clatter, clatter.*
The black eight-horse carriage, flying the flag of the Majeon, left Geommi Mountain and traveled down the main road.
In front of the carriage, martial artists on black horses led the way, while masters of the Majeon secretly guarded the carriage from the surroundings.
Sitting inside the carriage, Bu Eun-seol stared out the window with a vacant gaze.
*‘A candidate for the heir to the Majeon.’*
Taking a deep breath, he lightly shook his head.
*‘I wanted to remain just a disciple of Nang-ya-gak, if possible.’*
Rising to a high position isn't always a good thing.
To reign over countless others demands an equal measure of blood.
*‘I suppose I’m already riding the tiger.’*
Power is something that, once held, is difficult to release.
Not only because of the sweetness its immense strength provides, but also because the moment you let go of it, it can turn into a dagger that stabs you.
*‘Now that the Ma-cheon-je knows of my existence, the leaders and all the powerful figures of the Ten Demonic Sects will be watching me.’*
Bu Eun-seol wore a bitter smile.
In the end, if he couldn't avoid becoming a candidate for the heir to the Majeon, he would have to hold on to that position until the very end.
But something was strange.
Why was the carriage, which should have been heading for the Holy Capital, suddenly turning toward the desolate outskirts?
The swiftly moving carriage arrived at the entrance of a vast, abandoned manor where no one lived.
Eventually, the carriage came to a halt, but not a sound could be heard.
*Creeak.*
When Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the carriage, everyone from the surrounding honor guard to the coachman had vanished.
*‘Is this another test from the Majeon? Or...’*
Bu Eun-seol looked at the wide-open gates of the abandoned manor.
Completely unfazed, he slowly stepped inside.
The exterior of the manor was covered in dust, but the inside was neatly cleaned as if someone had tidied up.
“Welcome.”
As he went further in, he found a clean beaded curtain, and from behind it came a man's low voice.
“You've become a true man of the Jianghu in the time we've been apart.”
The voice from behind the curtain was somehow familiar.
As Bu Eun-seol remained silent, a tall shadow slowly revealed itself from behind the curtain.
The person who emerged from behind the curtain was a man dressed in splendid silk clothes.
Though he covered his face with a fan, Bu Eun-seol could instantly discern the man's identity just from his visible eyes and physique.
“…!”
“It seems you know who I am.”
The man spoke to Bu Eun-seol in a very familiar voice.
“Even though I don't recall ever showing you my true face.”
“Your voice and the shape of your eyes are the same.”
“Hoh. You have a good memory. No, should I say you have a keen eye?”
The man, who had let out a sound of admiration, slowly lowered the fan covering his face.
He was a handsome man with pale skin and a high-bridged nose. However, his eyes were somehow world-weary and languid, giving him a decadent air.
“Let me introduce myself formally.”
The man spoke with a faint smile.
“I am Do Cheon-rin, the Young Lord of the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga.”
The masked man who had first invited Bu Eun-seol to join his group back on Hell Island.
He was none other than Do Cheon-rin, the legitimate heir of the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga.
“How curious. Can the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga command the masters of the Majeon?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Do Cheon-rin let out a smirk.
“My family did not command a master of the Majeon. Rather, a master of the Majeon was a member of my family.”
Do Cheon-rin gazed at Bu Eun-seol as if looking at an amusing toy.
“Still the same, I see. You were quite taciturn on Hell Island as well.”
Pausing for a moment, his eyes twinkled.
“You don't ask anything. Aren't you curious why I brought you here?”
“Because you'll tell me anyway.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Do Cheon-rin smiled faintly and nodded.
“No need for long speeches; you always cut to the heart of the matter. I like that.”
Twirling his fan, he suddenly adopted a solemn expression.
“Give up on going to the Majeon.”
Do Cheon-rin's tone suddenly shifted to a commanding one, as if speaking to a subordinate.
“…”
“The position of heir to the Majeon is not one that a martial artist like you, who is devoted to the Martial Path, can handle.”
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
But this was a different kind of silence than before. It was a clear sign of refusal.
“If you refuse, from the moment you head to the Majeon, that path will become a river of blood.”
Do Cheon-rin sighed and shook his head.
“Because there are far too many people who do not want you to be recognized as the heir.”
“And one of them would be the Young Lord of the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga.”
“Hahaha.”
Do Cheon-rin nodded frankly.
“Correct. In truth, I also do not wish for you to become a candidate for the heir to the Majeon.”
Do Cheon-rin, who had been speaking down to him, once again switched to a friendly tone, as if addressing an old friend.
“If you give up on going to the Majeon, my family will take responsibility for your safety.”
“Safety?”
“That's right. If nothing else, it was a great mistake for you to trust the Majeon's messenger and leave Nang-ya-gak alone.”
Do Cheon-rin spoke coldly.
“There are many masters from both the Orthodox and Demonic factions who are after you. They will arrive here soon. When that happens, you won't be able to return to Nang-ya-gak even if you want to.”
“…”
“However, if you give up on becoming the heir to the Majeon, my family's masters will immediately begin to escort you, ensuring you can return safely to Nang-ya-gak.”
“This is strange.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“To think the Ten Demonic Sects would intercept a disciple of Nang-ya-gak who is on his way to the Majeon under the Ma-cheon-je's orders.”
“If there's one thing to know, it's that the Ma-cheon-je does not concern himself with the squabbles between heir candidates. He himself went through such things to ascend to his position.”
Do Cheon-rin’s eyes flashed as he spoke.
“What will you do? Will you give up the path to the Majeon?”
“I refuse.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s firm reply, Do Cheon-rin let out a deep sigh.
“You always refuse my offers. It's truly a pity.”
Shaking his head, he smiled and readily backed away.
“It's a shame, but this might be the last time I see you.”
“We'll see.”
“I know well that you are by far the best among the Sip-ma-jeon-in... but this time, it will be difficult for you to survive.”
Gazing at the distant sky, Do Cheon-rin bared his white teeth.
“I suppose it has already begun. Well then, I hope you manage to survive.”
Then, without hesitation, he turned and went back behind the beaded curtain.
*Shhhhrrr.*
With the sound of the rustling curtain, Do Cheon-rin, who had gone inside, vanished without a trace.
Watching him go, Bu Eun-seol turned to leave the abandoned manor.
Do Cheon-rin's words that it had already begun were true.
The moment he stepped out the main gate, seven Daoist priests with fluttering robes blocked his path.
They were not very old, but their eyes were sharp, and at their waists, they wore the Taiji Swords used by the Wudang Sect.
They were the Wudang Seven Masters.
If Shaolin had the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, Wudang had the Seven Stars Ancient Sword Formation and the Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin, peerless formations of ages past.
The Seven Stars Ancient Sword Formation only required mastering the formation itself, but the Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin required seven masters who had perfectly mastered the So-cheong Sword.
The Wudang Sect had selected disciples for generations who could perfectly execute the essence of this formation, and they were the Wudang Seven Masters.
“Are you the Sip-ma-jeon-in of Nang-ya-gak?”
Yeong-heo, the eldest of the Wudang Seven Masters, stepped forward.
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, Yeong-heo spoke in a low voice.
“I see. Then, prepare yourself.”
The Wudang Seven Masters stood in the shape of the Big Dipper and drew their swords in a low stance.
They intended to immediately deploy the Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin.
“I have no particular ties with Wudang... so just be on your way.”
Right now, Bu Eun-seol had no desire to deal with the Wudang Seven Masters.
They were not Dae-ui-go-su, and they were martial artists who relied more on the power of their formation than their swordsmanship... so he wasn't particularly interested.
“Our sect has always valued the path of chivalry and justice.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Yeong-heo spoke with a solemn expression.
“I hear that the Sip-ma-jeon-in recently produced by the Majeon are not only killing Dae-ui-go-su but also causing great harm in the martial world.”
“Great harm?”
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
“Surely you're not referring to dueling with Dae-ui-go-su as 'great harm'.”
In truth, the one who had committed acts that could be called 'great harm' was Seok U-haeng.
He had not fought fair duels, instead using all sorts of deadly hidden weapons, poisons, and traps against the Dae-ui-go-su and his pursuers.
“What 'great harm' have I supposedly committed?”
Bu Eun-seol looked directly at Yeong-heo and asked.
“Or does your esteemed sect have any proof that I have caused great harm in the martial world?”
Not expecting Bu Eun-seol to press the matter so meticulously, Yeong-heo stammered with a flustered expression.
“Of course... we cannot say you have caused harm yet. But won't you eventually face our sect's Dae-ui-go-su again?”
“Is facing a Dae-ui-go-su considered 'great harm'?”
“You are also a Sip-ma-jeon-in, so who knows when you might commit the same acts as your comrades?”
It was a forced argument.
Looking at Yeong-heo's shameless expression, Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
*‘These people are impossible to reason with.’*
Shaolin and Wudang are the pillars of the Nine Sects One Alliance.
But now that Bu Eun-seol had defeated a series of Dae-ui-go-su from the Nine Sects One Alliance, they felt they had lost face.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Wudang Seven Masters, who held a high seniority, to come and attack Bu Eun-seol.
*‘This will be a boring fight.’*
A battle focused not on clashing swordsmanship but on breaking the unique functions of a formation was not a particularly enjoyable one for Bu Eun-seol.
“Be careful. We will now deploy our sect's Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin.”
Despite Yeong-heo’s words, Bu Eun-seol stood tall and silent.
“Draw your sword.”
“I will draw it when the time comes. Don't concern yourself with it.”
“We do not fight an unarmed opponent.”
“How ridiculous.”
“What did you say?”
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky and muttered as if to himself.
“Seven against one is righteous, but striking an opponent who has not drawn his weapon is unrighteous....”
A bloody light flickered in his eyes as Bu Eun-seol looked down at Yeong-heo.
“How could that not be laughable?”
Yeong-heo’s face flushed red as he shouted.
“We Daoists are merely upholding the spirit of the Orthodox Faction! How can you describe this as the strength of many striking one!”
“I see. In that case, you should hurry up and uphold the spirit of the martial world.”
Bu Eun-seol beckoned with his finger and said coldly.
“There's no need to waste any more time.”
“A demonic fiend who cannot be reasoned with. Begin!”
At Yeong-heo’s shout, the other Wudang Seven Masters began to move erratically, treading out a footwork pattern.
A faint light then enveloped their bodies, creating a strange pressure around Bu Eun-seol.
Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin.
At last, the ultimate formation of the Wudang Sect was about to be unleashed.
*Whooosh.*
At the same time, the air around Bu Eun-seol's body condensed, and a fierce wind swirled from his fists.
Gwon-ma-chil-sik. He intended to face the Cheon-gang-buk-du-jin with this ancient fist art.
*Th-th-thump.*
Just then, the sound of tearing air from the distant sky was heard, along with the sound of dozens of footsteps pounding the earth.
And not long after, some forty figures arrived one by one in front of the abandoned manor.
*‘They are…!’*
As Bu Eun-seol turned his head, a red aura spread from his eyes.
They were masters dressed in the martial robes of the Ji-ok-hyeol-seong.