Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: As You Will
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“Mumyeong Jin-gyeol…”
Mumyeong was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s name.
Had the Demonic Heavenly Emperor named a martial art after himself?
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Based on its contents, he could surmise that Mumyeong Jin-gyeol was a term derived from the Buddhist concept of *mumyeong-gyeol*.
*Mumyeong-gyeol*. It referred to the worldly afflictions that arose from failing to properly understand truth and phenomena.
Nothing in this world was eternal, immutable; all was but a phenomenon perceived by the senses of sight and hearing.
And if one were to perfectly master Mumyeong Jin-gyeol, they would be able to see that truth and those phenomena with clarity.
But it was strange.
Why would the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, a peerless grandmaster who reigned over the entire demonic world, choose a Buddhist term for his secret art?
“I cannot understand it.”
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin and shook his head.
“Could it be that at the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s level, the so-called distinction between righteous and demonic disappears?”
Then again, what did a name matter?
What was important was that mastering the secrets of this Mumyeong Jin-gyeol would not only allow him to change the form of his true qi at will…
It was an incredible secret art that would allow him to sense and grasp various phenomena through his manifested true qi.
Expanding one’s senses through manifested true qi.
That was a feat only martial artists who had reached the Transcendent Heaven Realm could perform.
‘To think that a realm one could reach naturally can also be unraveled through martial arts.’
Reading the manual, Bu Eun-seol shook his head in disbelief.
If such a thing were possible, then there would have been martial arts categorized by their respective realms…
Like ‘Peak Realm Martial Arts’ or ‘Transcendent Heaven Realm Martial Arts.’
‘Theoretically, it should be impossible for a martial art.’
Bu Eun-seol let out a low groan.
He realized he still lacked the ability to perfectly comprehend the essence of the manual written by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, let alone savor its depths.
‘I have no choice. For now, I can only learn it.’
Bu Eun-seol cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and began to memorize the manual.
On the final day of the ten-day period.
Bu Eun-seol had reached a level where he could perform the secrets of Mumyeong Jin-gyeol to some extent.
Was this, too, a coincidence?
The manual stated that it originally required at least three hundred days of arduous training to perform Mumyeong Jin-gyeol.
However, the method of circulating true qi in Mumyeong Jin-gyeol was an exact match with the Reverse Polarity Heart Law, almost as if it had been modeled after it.
That was why Bu Eun-seol was able to perform Mumyeong Jin-gyeol to some degree in such a short time.
“Shall I give it a try?”
As Bu Eun-seol drew upon his internal energy, his eyes flashed not with the bloody light of the Reverse Polarity, but with a golden gleam.
*Chiiik.*
When Bu Eun-seol extended his finger, dozens of shimmering, thread-like forms appeared.
He had given form to the potent true qi flowing within his meridians.
*Swish.*
As he moved his fingertips, a flash of light appeared, and the shape of a wooden box formed.
He doubled his true qi and waved his hand, and this time the wooden box transformed into the shape of an intricate key.
*Click.*
The moment he placed the key made of true qi on the table, Bu Eun-seol could perceive everything about it—its texture, its temperature.
And even the shape of its unseen legs.
“The sensations are transmitted perfectly… but for now, this is the only form I can manage.”
He had only performed it for a moment, yet beads of sweat had formed on Bu Eun-seol’s forehead, and he felt dizzy, as if the qi and blood throughout his body were tangled.
“But with more practice, I should be able to create even more intricate shapes.”
Had any other martial artist witnessed this, they would have been utterly astounded.
Once one’s internal energy surpassed sixty years, they could faintly manifest their true qi. At one hundred and eighty years, they could maintain that form with some clarity.
However, that manifestation was limited to expressing the explosive momentum from one’s body as a wave of qi when their true qi was drawn out at full power…
Or infusing it into a weapon to mimic the form of a sword aura.
Nowhere in the entire martial world could one find a manual that taught how to create various intricate forms at will.
Yet Bu Eun-seol, having created a complex shape like a key, was still not satisfied.
“Once performed, I must wait for my qi and blood to stabilize… is it?”
A flicker of conflict appeared in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
To use Mumyeong Jin-gyeol repeatedly, he would have to master the Secret Art of Erasing Emotions, a technique that eliminated feelings and cleared the mind to fortify the spirit.
Otherwise, he would only be able to use it for extremely short periods, just as he had now.
“If I could use Mumyeong Jin-gyeol freely, I could say I’ve stepped into the Transcendent Heaven Realm in an instant.”
Had he not met Geuk Hye-bin, he would have mastered the Secret Art of Erasing Emotions without hesitation.
But Bu Jan-yang had taken the hand of the young, emotionless Bu Eun-seol, guided him to appreciate nature, and taught him the beauty of the world.
He had taught him how to observe people and how to live among them.
He had planted the seed of emotion in Bu Eun-seol’s heart, which had been as desolate as a desert.
How could he possibly return to his past self?
“I will try it my own way. To freely use Mumyeong Jin-gyeol without the Secret Art of Erasing Emotions.”
The greatest gain he had made here was this martial art secret, which gave him the conviction that he could enter the Transcendent Heaven Realm.
“If I can reach such a state… I can finally be considered to have reached the pinnacle of the Transcendent Heaven Realm…”
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes flashed.
He realized he had been subconsciously obsessed with the realm known as the Transcendent Heaven Realm.
“I must walk a path no one has walked. I must reach a realm no one has achieved.”
As he remembered this forgotten truth, a mysterious light filled his eyes.
In the past, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had said this.
—If you wish to reign over all, you must not climb the stairs built by others.
“I will walk a new path that no one has tread before. And this Mumyeong Jin-gyeol… will be the guide that helps me navigate this new path.”
Muttering softly, Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh and said.
“However, the name Mumyeong Jin-gyeol is too bleak…”
He pondered for a moment, his eyes twinkling.
“I will call it Yeoui Jin-gyeol.”
*Yeoui*.
It meant the ability to do whatever one desired, like a Buddha.
And through Yeoui Jin-gyeol, Bu Eun-seol would cast aside the stairs built by others… and leap onto a new path no one had ever taken.
***
Inside the Sacred Demonic Hall.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor looked down at Bu Eun-seol, who stood below the altar with his hands clasped and his head bowed, and nodded.
“Well done.”
Then, still seated in the grand chair, he continued in a low voice.
“There is nothing better than filling what you lack. Especially if it becomes a stepping stone to ascend higher.”
Amazingly, just by looking at Bu Eun-seol upon his return from the Myriad Demons Engraved Jade Pavilion, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor seemed to have grasped what kind of martial art he had learned.
He seemed to have understood its essence and the enlightenment it brought in a single glance.
Of course, this was likely only possible for the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had reached the very edge of the boundless martial realm known as the Formless Realm.
“That should be enough to qualify.”
Just as Bu Eun-seol looked up with a curious expression, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor rose to his feet and nodded.
“Give that child a mission as well.”
He then turned and vanished on the spot.
As the Demonic Heavenly Emperor disappeared after leaving a single short remark, Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his confusion.
“I will explain the rest.”
*Swoosh.*
At that moment, a low, gentle voice was heard, and a figure emerged from the shadows to the left.
It was a tall, middle-aged man dressed as a scholar. He appeared thin, but his eyes were large and deep, radiating a wisdom that was apparent at first glance.
It was none other than the Hall Lord of the Hall of Myriad Knowledge, Baek Jeon-cheon.
“Hall Lord.”
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands in surprise.
It was startling enough that he had appeared alone in the Sacred Demonic Hall where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor resided, but even more so that he had been unable to detect his presence until he emerged from the shadows.
‘So the Hall Lord was also this skilled in martial arts.’
Despite his high position, Baek Jeon-cheon had never been considered a particularly remarkable figure, seen only as a man of letters.
But in reality, he was a master with fearsome martial prowess.
‘Then again, it’s only natural.’
Come to think of it, Baek Jeon-cheon was responsible for the operation of the Ten Demonic Champions alongside the Chief Instructor, Hyeok-ryeon Eung.
If he were merely a brilliant scholar, he would never have been entrusted with such a vital role.
Moreover, his appearance in this situation… clearly showed that he held the deep trust of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
“It has been a while, Young Master Bu.”
Baek Jeon-cheon greeted Bu Eun-seol with his usual faint, gentle smile.
“They say to look upon a scholar with new eyes after just three days apart… Young Master Bu, you astonish me every time we meet.”
Despite being a high-ranking official of the Demonic Cult, Baek Jeon-cheon always remained prudent and humble, constantly lowering himself to elevate others.
Bu Eun-seol was once again struck by what a formidable man Baek Jeon-cheon was.
“Have you been well in my absence?”
As Bu Eun-seol offered the greeting, Baek Jeon-cheon blinked with a slightly surprised expression.
“It seems Young Master Bu has truly become accustomed to the ways of the martial world.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I was just a little surprised.”
A faint smile on his lips, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke.
“I did not expect to hear such a greeting from you so soon.”
It turned out to be a lighthearted jest.
It seemed intended to ease the tension of the rigid Bu Eun-seol.
“In any case, we are short on time, so I shall explain quickly. You must embark on another arduous journey, Young Master Bu.”
“What must I do?”
“To inherit the position of successor requires not only the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s approval but also the consent of the Ten Demonic Sects and the Council of Elders. In other words, you must gain the approval of the powers that support this cult.”
As Baek Jeon-cheon continued, his gaze was solemn, yet it also held a warmth, like that of a teacher looking at his student.
“Therefore, to become the successor of this cult, you must prove not only your martial skill but also your capabilities.”
That much was obvious.
As Bu Eun-seol listened with a serious expression, he continued.
“While you were out in the martial world solidifying your position as a successor, the other candidates selected by the Ten Demonic Sects and the Council of Elders have been undertaking various missions to prove their abilities.”
‘Is that so.’
Unlike the other successor candidates, Bu Eun-seol had no support base whatsoever.
Because of that, he had spent four months passing through the Absolute Heaven Annihilating Earth and the Carefree Abode before re-entering the Demonic Cult. During that time, the other candidates had been handling various missions.
“The position of the Demonic Cult’s successor is not determined by martial skill alone. Beneath the Ten Demonic Sects, various factions are gathered, so you must prove your ability to lead them.”
Pausing for a moment, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke with a calm gaze.
“Please think of the mission you are about to receive as part of the process of separating the wheat from the chaff.”
“My task has been decided, then.”
“That is correct. However…”
Baek Jeon-cheon suddenly let out a sigh and shook his head.
“To be frank, the mission you’ve been given is nearly impossible. The Ten Demonic Sects and the Council of Elders have conspired to throw an absurd task at you, Young Master Bu.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded as if he had expected it.
Nang-ya-gak had little interaction with the other Demonic Sects. Moreover, Bu Eun-seol was on bad terms with the Blazing Plume Sword Sect, the White Horse Monastery, and the Hellblood Fortress.
On top of that, he had flatly rejected the offer from the Elder of the Council, Jeok Bong…
Which meant that no one in the Ten Demonic Sects or the Council of Elders looked upon him favorably.
In such a situation, it was impossible that a mission suited to his circumstances would be assigned.
“It does not matter. Whatever it is.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s confident demeanor, Baek Jeon-cheon nodded with a look of inner satisfaction.
‘That is the attitude of a true successor to the Demonic Cult.’
This young man’s features were slender and beautiful, but his will was like steel, unbendable by any trial.
Neither he nor Hyeok-ryeon Eung… had misjudged him.
“Very well. I shall deliver the mission assigned to you, Young Master Bu.”
Nodding, Baek Jeon-cheon took out a slip of paper from his robes and read it solemnly.
“I hereby appoint Bu Eun-seol, successor of Nang-ya-gak, as the temporary commander of the Mubon Unit. He is to lead them, drive the Maban Sect from Shaanxi, and eliminate the Maban Sect Leader, Jeon Il-hon, to proclaim the might of our cult throughout the martial world.”
Clearing his throat with a displeased expression, he spoke again.
“The time limit is three months. In case of failure, do not return to the main cult. Return to Nang-ya-gak and await further orders.”
“I accept the command.”
As Bu Eun-seol respectfully clasped his hands, Baek Jeon-cheon put the slip away and spoke with a gloomy expression.
“To be honest, this is an absurd mission. To ask you, Young Master Bu, to handle the Maban Sect—a problem even the main cult could not resolve—with only the members of the Mubon Unit is preposterous.”
The Maban Sect.
It was a faction located in Yulin, near the northern tip of Shaanxi.
Although the Huashan Sect and the Zhongnan Sect were also in Shaanxi, the Maban Sect was so small that neither paid it much mind.
However, the Maban Sect Leader, Jeon Il-hon, was not only skilled in martial arts but also had a knack for expanding his influence and managing people.
He gathered many disciples under the pretext of a new blade art he had created, then selected those from the lowest rungs of society and ordered them to gradually encroach upon the surrounding commercial districts.
Not only that, but Jeon Il-hon personally wielded his blade to absorb the small and large demonic sects in the area, growing his faction’s size.
As he expanded his influence in this way, his fame and power grew by the day. Before long, his sect had become a power that commanded the Yanan region, extending beyond Yulin.
The indifferent Huashan and Zhongnan sects came to regret their inaction, but by then it was too late.
The Maban Sect had grown into a major faction, so large that driving them out would require both sects to brace for considerable losses.
—The main cult will handle it.
When the Maban Sect began to arbitrarily absorb demonic forces and even seize control of the commercial rights in the Yanan area, the Demonic Cult had sent large forces to deal with them several times.
—We cannot allow a large demonic army to pass through!
But each time, the Huashan and Zhongnan sects had interfered.
What if the Demonic Cult stationed a large army in Shaanxi under the pretext of dealing with the Maban Sect?
It would be like letting a tiger into the house while trying to chase out a wolf.
“Furthermore, the Mubon Unit is a temporary squadron where the main cult has gathered all its troublemakers.”
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke again, his expression displeased.
“That is why it is named Mubon, meaning ‘without roots.’”
“Is that so.”
Bu Eun-seol’s expression was nonchalant, but Baek Jeon-cheon’s only grew more grim.
“Frankly, this mission is more of an attempt to pressure you into giving up your claim to the successorship, Young Master Bu.”
“…”
“According to the main cult’s intelligence, the Maban Sect has over three thousand disciples. Moreover, even before he became the Maban Sect Leader, Jeon Il-hon was a formidable master who belonged to the Ten Great Blade Fiends.”
The Ten Great Blade Fiends.
It was a title for the ten most skilled blade users in the demonic martial world.
Each of them possessed a unique specialty, and their martial skills were all at the Peak Realm.
Among them, Jeon Il-hon wielded an ancient treasured blade called the Ghostly Soul Blade, cutting down countless enemies with his mysterious blade art.
Because of this, during his younger days in the martial world, he had earned the fearsome moniker of the Ghostly Soul Blade Fiend.
“Even if you could kill this Jeon Il-hon, Young Master Bu…”
Baek Jeon-cheon couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.
Even for Bu Eun-seol, it was impossible.
A demonic sect that even major factions like Huashan and Zhongnan couldn’t easily touch could not be driven out with just thirty members of the Demonic Cult’s troublemakers.
This was the assessment of Baek Jeon-cheon, the most brilliant strategist in the Demonic Cult and a master of divine schemes and cunning tactics.
“Shaanxi…”
But then, as if realizing something, Bu Eun-seol suddenly broke into a bright smile.
As Baek Jeon-cheon looked on with a puzzled expression, he revealed his white teeth and nodded.
“It does not seem to be a difficult task.”