Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: The Madman's Method
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As Bu Eun-seol savored the realization dawning in his mind, his eyes flashed.
‘To defeat a seasoned foe, I must not only possess superior martial skill but also dominate the flow of battle.’
Of course, that was not something he could achieve overnight.
So, what he had to do now was...
‘Turn this into a fight where experience means nothing!’
Fwoosh!
At that moment, the techniques flowing from the Hae-u-do changed.
Suddenly, the blade’s light scattered in all directions, then began to converge on Bu Eun-seol’s body.
Snip.
The blade’s light grazed past his ear. Though he wasn't wounded, a few strands of his hair were severed.
He had dodged perfectly, but Gongson Gu-reung had anticipated his movement and altered his technique mid-strike.
“I almost made a mistake.”
Gongson Gu-reung abruptly halted his assault, revealing his yellowed teeth.
“I nearly blemished that beautiful skin of yours.”
Judging by his ecstatic expression, it seemed he could see through the Face-Altering Bone-Shifting Art to Bu Eun-seol's true skin.
Fwoosh!
Before he could finish his mutterings, a sharp blade aura grazed Bu Eun-seol's body once more.
This time, he had no chance to evade and took a direct hit. Blood dripped from his forearm.
Sizzle!
Simultaneously, three sharp streams of internal energy pierced Bu Eun-seol's meridians.
Gongson Gu-reung had intended to damage Bu Eun-seol's meridians by injecting his potent internal energy.
However, the powerful Reversal True Ki flowing within him easily repelled the invading energy.
“Your internal energy is impressive, but that's all there is to you...”
As Gongson Gu-reung smiled sinisterly and prepared to swing his Hae-u-do again, his expression turned strange.
Because despite being struck on the forearm, Bu Eun-seol was smiling brightly.
“A madman, you say. A madman.”
A pleased smile on his face, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“Then from now on, I'll switch to a tactic befitting a madman.”
“What did you say?”
At that moment, with a soft hiss, the Muk-geom's sword forms began to change.
Bu Eun-seol didn't infuse it with sword aura, nor did he use the profound techniques of the Mu-sang-cheon-ryu or the powerful Gwon-ma-chil-sik.
Flash! Flash!
It was pure will, a struggle driven solely by the intent to hack the enemy to pieces.
When Gongson Gu-reung dodged like a madman, he slashed like a madman. When Gongson Gu-reung attacked like a madman, he defended like a madman.
In truth, Gongson Gu-reung wasn't using conventional martial principles but the profound art of Reversal.
And Bu Eun-seol, having seen through this, was now attacking Gongson Gu-reung with the very same principle of Reversal.
Clang! Swish! Whoosh!
If his opponent rolled on the ground, he rolled on the ground with him and struck. If he swung his blade wildly, Bu Eun-seol matched him, swinging his sword without any set form.
‘This brat is going to be a real problem!’
Gongson Gu-reung felt a chill run down his spine as Bu Eun-seol instantly mimicked his style.
The art of Reversal wasn't just about pretending to be insane.
Hidden within were profound methods of mixing feints into every move, luring the enemy into openings.
But to adapt one's own techniques to match the enemy's martial art? Wasn't that a combat style only grandmasters of martial arts were capable of?
Papapat!
In the end, wounded not just on his face but all over his body by Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom, Gongson Gu-reung threw himself backward with all his might.
Rip!
He tore off the tattered skin mask, revealing the face of a middle-aged man riddled with wrinkles.
This was Gongson Gu-reung's true face.
“Was there truly such a martial genius among the brats of the Demonic Path?”
Despite his injuries, Gongson Gu-reung let out a sinister laugh.
“But surely you don't think the art of Reversal is all I have up my sleeve?”
“Is your best asset that mouth of yours?”
As Bu Eun-seol scoffed, Gongson Gu-reung gripped his Hae-u-do, a vicious smile spreading across his face.
“Let me show you the great enlightenment I've gained from dissecting martial artists alive!”
Vwoom!
This time, he must have drawn out his internal energy to its fullest, as a blade aura about a foot long erupted from the Hae-u-do.
Fwoosh!
Gongson Gu-reung lunged forward, swinging his blade once more.
Bu Eun-seol also unleashed his sword forms to counter, but strangely, there was no clash.
The techniques Gongson Gu-reung employed weren't aimed at Bu Eun-seol; it was as if he were painting pictures in the empty air.
Even as he executed his forms, wasn't he keenly observing Bu Eun-seol's movements and nodding?
“Judging by your nerve reactions and the speed of your muscle contractions, you've learned a variety of demonic sword arts!”
Shwaaa!
Suddenly, Gongson Gu-reung spun his Hae-u-do like a windmill, instantly severing the net-like sword forms Bu Eun-seol had unleashed.
At the same time, he closed the distance and began to swing his blade.
“But you haven't trained in chaotic sword techniques!”
Gongson Gu-reung had used strange, bizarre forms to carefully observe Bu Eun-seol's movements.
And in the process, he had identified the true sword arts Bu Eun-seol had mastered.
“If you haven't mastered the chaotic sword, it's hard to counter attacks at point-blank range!”
Swish! Swish!
Several red lines appeared on Bu Eun-seol's body.
The chaotic sword, for slashing foes at extremely close range.
For one who hasn't mastered its techniques, allowing a chaotic sword master to get close is as good as defeat.
‘He predicts which sword arts I've learned by watching my muscle movements...’
Having grasped another of Gongson Gu-reung's abilities, Bu Eun-seol gave a faint nod.
For example, someone who has mastered a fast sword style develops entirely different muscles from someone who has mastered a heavy sword style.
Having dissected countless human bodies, Gongson Gu-reung was predicting which sword arts his opponent had acquired based on their muscle movements.
‘So this was why he dissected martial artists.’
Gongson Gu-reung possessed an ability quite similar to Bu Eun-seol's, who could predict changes in techniques by looking at the scars left on a corpse.
“A pity.”
Parrying the Hae-u-do as it sliced at his skin, Bu Eun-seol wore a disappointed expression.
“To think you did all that just to gauge an enemy's martial arts techniques.”
In truth, Bu Eun-seol had held some expectations for the Soul-Stealing Madman.
In the past, his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, had been able to grasp and read all the divine arts a deceased person had mastered in life, simply in the process of preparing the corpse for burial.
But Gongson Gu-reung, despite dissecting living people, could only predict what their main martial art was?
“Hmph, try to act so composed while properly blocking my attacks!”
As Gongson Gu-reung snorted, Bu Eun-seol slowly raised his blood-soaked arm.
Holding the Muk-geom horizontally, he gave a faint smile.
“I will.”
After his short reply, Bu Eun-seol condensed the Muk-geom's presence.
And then, he moved even closer, into point-blank range.
Flash!
Simultaneously, the Muk-geom unleashed a torrent of black light.
The radiance filled the world with darkness, then transformed into fine rays of light that poured down on Gongson Gu-reung's body.
The Fourth Form of the Mu-sang-cheon-ryu, which moved sword energy freely: Dense Fog and Lingering Clouds.
And it was a technique combined with the Fifth Form, Ten Thousand Swords Return to One, which used the ultimate senses of the Ya-su-do to instantly mimic an enemy's sword art.
“What?”
In an instant, the Muk-geom's edge condensed, unleashing an unexpected technique that countered his chaotic sword. Gongson Gu-reung quickly retreated.
But Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom followed like a ghost, slashing at his ankle as he fell back.
Slice.
With a grotesque cutting sound, Gongson Gu-reung suffered a deep wound to his calf.
“How can you use such a sword art.”
As Gongson Gu-reung panicked, Bu Eun-seol sighed.
“Weren't these things carved into my muscles?”
“What?”
“The kinds of sword arts I've faced until now.”
Bu Eun-seol had already crossed swords with Jeong Cheon, who could be called a supreme master of the chaotic sword.
In other words, though he had never learned the chaotic sword himself, he could create any number of techniques to counter Gongson Gu-reung's.
“You tried to cover your own dullness with killing techniques.”
As Bu Eun-seol looked at him with pity, thick veins bulged on Gongson Gu-reung's face.
“You bastard!”
“Or was it just an excuse to get human skin? Because you didn't want to be killed by your pursuers?”
Gongson Gu-reung had originally been a man mad for martial arts.
But when he saw no progress no matter how hard he tried, he began capturing and dissecting martial artists weaker than himself, and finally, he barely managed to cross the wall to the peak level.
Not only that, but in the process, he also obtained human skin to hide his hideous appearance.
And now, some snot-nosed brat was belittling his efforts, which were steeped in blood and sweat?
“What the hell does a punk like you know!”
Enraged, he injected his internal energy to its maximum, and the blade aura on his Hae-u-do stretched out.
“Or do you think you've won just because you cut my leg!”
He began to unleash the Bone-Penetrating Blade Art, which he had been using with restraint, in a frenzy.
He had abandoned his desire to obtain Bu Eun-seol's pristine skin, driven now only by the single-minded intent to end his life.
“I don't need your damn hide anymore!”
Along with killing intent spreading in all directions, the sharp techniques of the Hae-u-do poured forth.
Watching this, Bu Eun-seol, contrary to expectations, broke into a bright smile as if he had been waiting for this.
“Finally showing your killing intent.”
At that moment, the Muk-geom began to leap and bound like a live carp.
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol's body was enveloped in a sphere of light, and he began to block the incoming sword forms one by one.
Gongson Gu-reung had always intended to capture Bu Eun-seol and skin him alive, so he hadn't fully imbued his techniques with killing intent.
But as he unleashed his killing moves in a rage, the absolute defense that responded to killing intent—the Neung-hyeong-eo-geom—was finally activated.
Ch-ch-ch-clang!
A sound like wind chimes hanging under the eaves, rustling in the breeze, echoed continuously.
As the Neung-hyeong-eo-geom shattered the incoming techniques, finely fragmented points of light were left hanging emptily in the air.
Shwak!
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom shot up from between the fragmented points of light.
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's movement and sword form as he crouched low and lunged forward,
“Hahp!”
Gongson Gu-reung suddenly let out a fierce kiai and swung his Hae-u-do like lightning.
He had anticipated that Bu Eun-seol wouldn't miss the opportunity and would unleash a continuous barrage of techniques aimed at his openings.
Sh-sh-sh-shk!
He unleashed the life-saving ultimate technique of the Bone-Penetrating Blade Art, Dong-ak-sang-haeng, which wrapped his body in a tight guard of sword energy.
“...?”
But Bu Eun-seol had already vanished from before his eyes.
At the same time, a faint breeze brushed past his neck.
Ssk.
A faint line of blood was drawn across his throat.
Drip. Drip.
Bu Eun-seol was already back in his original position, red blood dripping from his Muk-geom.
“How...”
Gongson Gu-reung asked with an unfocused gaze, and Bu Eun-seol gave him a contemptuous look.
“You took the lives of others so easily, but it seems you were afraid of your own death.”
Only then did Gongson Gu-reung realize his mistake.
When Bu Eun-seol parried all of his techniques and closed in, he had panicked and used his life-saving ultimate move preemptively.
But Bu Eun-seol hadn't attacked. He had calmly watched, then unleashed his killing move the moment the technique ended.
It was a mistake made by a murderer who had been confident he would never die, a mistake born of fear.
“I...”
He wanted to say something, but no more words came out.
Thud.
Suddenly, the sky flipped upside down, and he saw Bu Eun-seol's feet.
That was the last sight the Soul-Stealing Madman, Gongson Gu-reung, who had terrorized the martial world, ever saw in his life.
***
“Kugh!”
Hyeok So-jin let out a low groan.
Even though he had continuously unleashed the ultimate art of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, the Shin-yeol-ma-gi, Heuk Musang's Black Mirror Demonic Claws followed his face like a ghost.
Clang!
His hastily deployed Ice Soul Phantom Kill Sword clashed with Heuk Musang's claws, sending a metallic sound and a powerful shockwave spreading in all directions.
As a cloud of white dust billowed up, Hyeok So-jin seized the opportunity to retreat a dozen paces in a single breath and regroup.
Thump.
But suddenly, something dull bumped against his heel.
When he turned his head, he saw a severed head, its eyes wide open, still wearing a half-torn skin mask.
It was the head of the Soul-Stealing Madman, Gongson Gu-reung.
“Urk!”
Startled, Hyeok So-jin's gaze was momentarily stolen. As he tried to quickly pull his foot back,
Whoosh!
A dark figure, like a storm cloud, shot forward with blackened claws outstretched, reaching for Hyeok So-jin's throat.
It was Heuk Musang.
“Kkht.”
In a martial artist's battle, a single moment of carelessness decides life and death.
Just by looking down for a moment, Hyeok So-jin had lost his sense of balance, and in that state, he had to face Heuk Musang's overwhelming assault.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a black sword appeared out of nowhere and parried Heuk Musang's claws as they cut through the air.
It was Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom.
Chiiing!
The Black Mirror Demonic Claws contained the technique of the Explosion Art, which detonated true ki with every move.
Therefore, when it clashed with a weapon, it would create a powerful shockwave and push the enemy back.
But when it struck the Muk-geom, no shockwave occurred. Instead, it was Heuk Musang who was pushed back two steps.
Bu Eun-seol's immense internal energy had simply pushed back the force of the Explosion Art.
“Brother Bu.”
Hyeok So-jin exclaimed happily, but Bu Eun-seol spoke with a solemn expression.
“While fighting an enemy, do you not survey your surroundings?”
“Well... this guy's attacks were so relentless and chaotic.”
Hyeok So-jin not only possessed sharp senses but had also mastered the Art of Spacial Awareness and Earthly Hearing, an ability comparable to the Ya-su-do.
But he had little combat experience, and this was his first time facing a powerful foe in a life-threatening situation.
He had focused all his efforts on tracking Heuk Musang's movements, failing to spread his senses evenly across his entire body.
“A warrior does not get a second chance in a fight. If you are not prepared for every situation, your head will fly off before you can even display your skills.”
“I understand.”
As Hyeok So-jin cupped his hands, Bu Eun-seol walked past him.
“Where are you going?”
“They are at their limit.”
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was fixed on Jegal Seo-un's group, who were moving chaotically as they surrounded Baek Musang.
Due to Baek Musang's elusive movement techniques, they were unable to land a proper attack and were repeatedly forced onto the defensive.
“I'm at my limit too, you know?”
“Do not be so quick to decide your limits. You.”
“Huh?”
Before Hyeok So-jin could say anything else, Bu Eun-seol leaped toward Jegal Seo-un and the others.
“...”
As Hyeok So-jin stared blankly at Bu Eun-seol's departing figure, right in front of him,
Grind.
a thoroughly infuriated Heuk Musang was slowly approaching, his eyes filled with rage.