Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Five Moves
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Yu-hon-gok.
This valley, nestled in Mount Gwangjeong in Uiju, was once home to a sect known as the Nok-hyeol-bang.
The Nok-hyeol-bang created a small poison pit using venoms collected from Mount Gwangjeong, and there they honed their poison arts.
When their poison arts reached the peak of mastery, even their blood turned a ghastly green. The Nok-hyeol-bang would then use the blood of those who had become Dok-in—Poison Men—to create an even more lethal toxin.
That toxin was the O-su-hyeol-jeong, known as the most vicious poison in the Murim.
With the O-su-hyeol-jeong, a single drop of which could kill hundreds, the Nok-hyeol-bang threw the Murim into chaos and amassed power.
However, they were eventually condemned by both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions, declared public enemies of the Murim, and swiftly annihilated.
The Nok-hyeol-bang, a fallen sect now only mentioned when old-timers tell stories to their grandchildren.
It has since become a valley of the dead where no living creature can survive, earning it the name Yu-hon-gok, the Valley of Wandering Souls.
“Sects that use poison never seem to meet a good end.”
Hyeok So-jin said, his face contorting in disgust as he walked toward Yu-hon-gok.
“The sect may have fallen long ago, but its stench lingers through the generations.”
The deeper they went into the mountains, the more a sour scent seeped into their nostrils.
Not only that, but an indescribable, unpleasant energy seemed to coil around everything.
“A common trait of the poisonous and the wicked.”
Bu Eun-seol muttered under his breath.
“Even when their flesh turns to decaying soil and vanishes… they still leave behind a foul infamy, much like a stench.”
His words were like a verse left by a sage who had experienced all of life’s vicissitudes.
Mulling over the words, Hyeok So-jin noticed Bu Eun-seol’s grave expression and threw out a lighthearted joke.
“Aren’t those two different kinds of stench?”
But Bu Eun-seol took even the joke seriously.
“They aren’t so different. The bodies of the wicked and the poisonous are disposed of in the same way.”
“The same way?”
“The corpse of a Dok-in is a poison in itself. Bury it, and it contaminates the surrounding land. Burn it carelessly, and the toxic fumes will devastate the entire area.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes grew distant, as if recalling memories from his days handling the dead.
“Therefore, to dispose of a Dok-in, one had to go somewhere untouched by human feet and secretly burn the body.”
“But what does that have to do with wicked men?”
“Wicked men commit many evil deeds, so even after death, their graves are desecrated by those who hold grudges against them.”
“Hmm.”
“That is why the wicked, like the poisonous, must also be secretly buried in places untouched by human feet.”
“Ah.”
Hyeok So-jin slapped his knee and nodded.
“Indeed. It seems the principles of the world are all the same.”
He then looked around, his face twisting in disgust again.
“And since the Nok-hyeol-bang were not only poisonous but also vicious… their stench seems even worse.”
Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening silently to their conversation, gave a faint smile.
*He’s changed a lot.*
Back on Hell Island, Bu Eun-seol had not only been exceedingly cold but had also rarely spoken.
But now, he not only carried a conversation well but also employed a unique way of speaking that drew one in.
*Come to think of it…*
Suddenly, the image of Bu Eun-seol fighting back-to-back with Seo Jin-ha, their gazes meeting, flashed through his mind.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
Myo Cheon-u, lost in thought, approached Bu Eun-seol and asked with a serious expression.
“Do you trust me?”
It was an abrupt question.
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, unable to understand.
“Trust?”
“You had me join you in taking on Geol-wang. Doesn’t that mean you trust me to some extent?”
At his unexpected words, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“No.”
“No?”
“It’s just a hollow word.”
He said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
“In the Murim, all you need is enough faith that someone won’t stab you in the back.”
“So… that’s what it was?”
“What do you mean?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Myo Cheon-u realized it only now.
The core of Bu Eun-seol hadn’t changed, not from his time on Hell Island to now.
*The selection process on Hell Island awakened madness and the instinct to kill…*
Most of the people on Hell Island couldn’t maintain their sanity, left with only madness and a destructive urge.
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
He wasn't swept away by madness; he still viewed everything with cynicism and reason.
Even when he joined forces with Seo Jin-ha. And even now…
Bu Eun-seol still maintained a personality that didn’t believe in things like loyalty or trust.
*Thinking about it, perhaps it couldn’t be helped.*
During his time on Hell Island, Bu Eun-seol was focused solely on survival.
Therefore, Seo Jin-ha’s character and whether he could be trusted wouldn’t have mattered.
All that was needed was enough faith that he wouldn’t stab him in the back.
*But this isn’t Hell Island.*
Myo Cheon-u wore a bitter smile.
It was as if Bu Eun-seol were still on Hell Island… holding values not much different from the ones he had there.
*He must have a purpose. A reason he must survive and become stronger.*
He had exchanged fewer than ten sentences with Bu Eun-seol on the way to Yu-hon-gok.
And yet, Myo Cheon-u could see through his character as if they had been friends for decades.
And that was possible because he genuinely liked Bu Eun-seol.
Friendship.
Countless heroes in the world cry out for friendship.
But most people turn their backs the moment they face a loss.
Instead, the world is filled with those who would push a struggling friend into a pit of despair or wish for their failure.
But Myo Cheon-u was different.
He was a true man, capable of upholding the great emotion of friendship without wavering.
*Perhaps we can become close quickly.*
Myo Cheon-u grinned.
Bu Eun-seol didn’t place any expectations on others.
Conversely, that also meant if one offered him even a small bit of faith, one could approach him at any time.
*Wait, if that’s the case, then Yu Un-ryong too…*
Myo Cheon-u’s face stiffened.
He finally understood why Bu Eun-seol was so confidently seeking out Yu Un-ryong.
*He can bring him along precisely because he doesn't trust him.*
Bu Eun-seol hadn’t come to Myeol-in-gung out of infinite trust or deep friendship for Myo Cheon-u.
He had simply given him sufficient reason and benefit to have no choice but to follow him.
And he would surely use the same method on Yu Un-ryong.
*But…*
Myo Cheon-u made a silent resolve.
That one day, he would make Bu Eun-seol feel the emotion of trust.
“We’re here.”
In the meantime, Wi Cheon-gyeong, who had been walking ahead, came to a stop.
Among the three team leaders, Wi Cheon-gyeong was the fastest and most cautious.
Thus, whenever they went somewhere with potential danger, he always took the lead.
“This is Yu-hon-gok.”
Yu-hon-gok.
Contrary to its name, which suggested corpses strewn about, the valley was lush with vegetation and blooming beautifully.
However, the stench was so much worse that one felt they would vomit immediately if they didn’t firmly circulate their internal energy.
After walking for a long while along a winding path, they came upon a large bamboo forest, tinged with green.
“It looks like traces of someone practicing their martial arts.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong narrowed his eyes as he examined the splintered bamboo stalks.
“What incredible skill. To be able to split bamboo like this.”
The shattered bamboo was split not horizontally, but vertically, with hundreds of strands maintaining a uniform size.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol, carefully observing the bamboo Wi Cheon-gyeong pointed to, closed his eyes for a moment.
Instantly, the image of a long whip moving like a living creature appeared in his mind.
The whip traced straight and curved lines, creating sixty-one variations in a single breath.
“Shin-gi-jo-hwa…”
Bu Eun-seol surmised that this was the Shin-gi-jo-hwa technique, one of the supreme methods of the Baek-ma-pyeon-beop.
“No doubt about it, these are Yu Un-ryong’s traces.”
At Myo Cheon-u’s words, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“No, these traces were not made by Yu Un-ryong.”
“What?”
“Long ago, he mastered the Ho-pyeon-ga-ui, which is far more complex than this. There’s no way he would produce a mere sixty-one variations.”
“You can tell the number of variations in the moves just by looking at the splintered bamboo?”
“It’s not particularly difficult.”
As Bu Eun-seol replied nonchalantly, frowning at the path leading into the bamboo forest,
*Fwoosh!*
with a sound of slicing air, some thirty shadows descended from the sky.
They wore snow-white martial uniforms and had gleaming white whips coiled at their waists.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
The man at the very front of the warriors glared.
It was Go Gun-pyeong, the Muk-ryong-dae-ju of the Demonic Palace, who had once tested Bu Eun-seol with five moves.
“It’s been a while.”
“Dae-ju Go.”
Bu Eun-seol gave a light bow.
Although they had met as enemies, Go Gun-pyeong was a warrior who knew pride.
That was why he had held back to some extent when he tested Bu Eun-seol with five moves.
If he had truly intended to kill Bu Eun-seol, he would have unleashed a fatal strike from the very first move and ended his life.
“Don’t tell me you’ve come looking for Yu Un-ryong.”
“I have.”
“Just turn back.”
Go Gun-pyeong said coldly, looking at Bu Eun-seol.
“Yu Un-ryong has defied the Temple Master’s order to return to the main temple and is currently in hiding in this area.”
“Why is a Dae-ju of the Demonic Palace chasing after a Sip-ma-jeon-in from the White Horse Temple?”
“Hmph, this is our temple’s business. It’s not for you to interfere.”
“I will interfere.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Bu Eun-seol stated firmly.
“Because he must come with me.”
“Hahahaha!”
Go Gun-pyeong burst out laughing, looking at the distant sky with a ludicrous expression.
“Bu Eun-seol. It seems gaining the paltry position of a third-rank brigade’s Dae-ju has made you lose your mind.”
His laughter abruptly stopped as he spoke in a cold voice.
“Yu Un-ryong is a disciple of our temple. If you want to meddle, do it after you become the successor of the Demonic Palace.”
“There’s no need to become the successor.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly took a token from his robes.
“I have the authority to do so right now.”
The token, gleaming with five colors, was engraved with the character for ‘General’ (總). It was the token symbolizing the Chong-gyo-ryeong, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
“Why do you have the Chong-gyo-ryeong’s token?”
To the flustered Go Gun-pyeong’s question, Bu Eun-seol answered calmly.
“The Chong-gyo-ryeong gave his permission. He said he would allow me to take a Sip-ma-jeon-in as a subordinate from any of the Ten Demonic Sects that has not produced a successor candidate.”
“Something like that… the Chong-gyo-ryeong permitted?”
“He did.”
—I have a favor to ask.
Before leaving the Demonic Palace, Bu Eun-seol had secretly made a request to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
It was a request for the power to free the remaining Sip-ma-jeon-in from the shackles of the Ten Demonic Sects.
In response, Yeop Hyo-cheon had granted Bu Eun-seol conditional power.
—For now, I will permit it only for the Demonic Sects that currently have no successor candidates for the Demonic Palace.
‘Currently’ having no successor candidates for the Demonic Palace.
In other words, Yeop Hyo-cheon had promised to give him the power to release the Sip-ma-jeon-in belonging to Hell's Blood Fortress, the White Horse Temple, and the Spirit Command Sect from their shackles.
However, Seo Jin-ha, the Sip-ma-jeon-in of Hell's Blood Fortress, had become a member of the Heavenly Killing Brigade, breaking free of those shackles on his own.
And the Sip-ma-jeon-in of the Spirit Command Sect had long since become a cold corpse at the hands of the Dae-ui-go-su…
In the end, this token was effective only for Yu Un-ryong.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Go Gun-pyeong roared.
“Even if he is the Chong-gyo-ryeong, by what right can he take away a Sip-ma-jeon-in our temple has nurtured!”
“Until now, the Sip-ma-jeon-in have suffered endlessly due to the machinations of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Bu Eun-seol said with a solemn expression.
“Enough is enough. Let him go now.”
“Hmph, nonsense.”
“Are you saying you will defy the Chong-gyo-ryeong’s command?”
“Hehehe. If this were the Demonic Palace, of course I couldn’t.”
A cruel smile spread across Go Gun-pyeong’s face.
“But this is a remote mountain valley where no one comes. Besides, the dead tell no tales.”
“A fine plan.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded leisurely.
“The Valley of Wandering Souls, untouched by human feet, is a perfect place for murder and silencing.”
“You know that well.”
“But are you confident?”
“Confident?”
“Are you confident you can kill my entire brigade?”
At that, Go Gun-pyeong let out a scoff with a look of disbelief.
“Hehehe. It seems you’ve gotten cocky after dealing with a few runts from the fleeing Ma-ban-mun. You dare to stand against my Muk-ryong-dae?”
The Muk-ryong-dae possessed the most outstanding skills among the second-rank brigades.
The members were not only disciples carefully selected from the White Horse Temple, but he had also trained them himself.
Every one of them possessed skills at the peak realm, and they were elite members who had completed countless missions over a long period.
“Ah, of course, I’m well aware your martial prowess is different from before.”
He gave a cold nod.
At that, the rigidly standing members of the Muk-ryong-dae surged forward.
“But all of them possess skills at the peak realm. Do you understand what that means?”
*Kwaang!*
Just then, with a sudden explosive sound, a large boulder next to Bu Eun-seol shattered.
Myo Cheon-u, angered by Go Gun-pyeong’s arrogance, had unleashed his Annihilating Palm Force.
“Bu Eun-seol. How much longer are you going to listen to that windbag?”
Go Gun-pyeong’s eyes widened as he stared at the shattered boulder.
The surfaces of the shattered pieces were riddled with tiny holes.
“The Annihilating Palm…?”
Staring intently at Myo Cheon-u’s face, he gaped.
“Are you the Sip-ma-jeon-in of Myeol-in-gung?”
“Hmph, Sip-ma-jeon-in my foot. If you’re interested, just say the word. I’ll take you on.”
The color drained from Go Gun-pyeong’s face.
Weren’t the Sip-ma-jeon-in transcendent masters who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bu Eun-seol?
On top of that, with Hyeok So-jin, the successor of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, present, there was no way the Muk-ryong-dae members could win, no matter how hard they tried.
“Dae-ju Go. I have a proposal.”
Bu Eun-seol said with a faint smile, looking at Go Gun-pyeong, who was breaking out in a cold sweat.
“Is there really a need to sacrifice the lives of your innocent Muk-ryong-dae members?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just withstand five of my moves. If you do, I will turn back.”
For a moment, Go Gun-pyeong’s body trembled.
He was reminded of the five-move test he had forced upon Bu Eun-seol in the past.