Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: Cheonsangjitan
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Long ago, Bu Eun-seol’s martial prowess had reached a level where he could face two masters of the Great Way.
But Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong had not been idle.
They had honed their skills with grim determination, reaching a level of power incomparable to their past selves.
It began with Myo Cheon-u’s Annihilating Palm.
The Annihilating Palace had established its dominance in the demonic world with nothing but two bare palms, for the power of its palm arts surpassed that of any divine weapon.
*Paaaaa!*
As the palm energy poured out, holes riddled the rocks around where Bu Eun-seol stood.
*Chwaak!*
Just then, a whip, like a white viper, struck at Bu Eun-seol's throat as he moved to escape the range of the palm strike.
*Tsssk.*
But his body blurred, and the White Horse Whip cut through empty air. He had begun to use the Extreme Speed Formless Movement.
*Chwaak! Paat!*
As the supreme movement art of Nang-ya-gak was fully unleashed, the two men’s attacks repeatedly struck nothing but air.
Seeing Bu Eun-seol effortlessly evade his attacks, Myo Cheon-u grew irritated and fiercely drew upon his true energy.
“You won't be able to dodge this.”
*Saaaaa!*
Dozens of palm imprints that filled the air suddenly turned into a mist, enveloping Bu Eun-seol’s body.
He had unleashed the Annihilating Mist Palm, the same technique he had used to save Seok U-haeng at the Longsword Manor.
*Swaek!*
In that instant, Yu Un-ryong’s body spun like a top, unleashing a torrent of countless whip shadows toward Bu Eun-seol.
It was the ultimate technique of the White Horse Temple, the Hopyeonga, used from a distance.
*Papak!*
The Annihilating Palm and the White Horse Whip filled the entire space.
Facing this overwhelming combined assault, Bu Eun-seol finally reached for the sword on his back.
*Sreureung!*
With a low cry from the blade, a single sword flower bloomed in the air.
At the same time, a series of sword forms, too fast for the eye to follow, began to pour out.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
The sword energy erupting from the tip of the Ink Sword began to deflect the two ultimate arts of the Annihilating Palace and the White Horse Temple, which rained down without a single gap.
“Kuhk.”
As their techniques clashed head-on, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong leaped back as if electrocuted.
The immense internal energy contained within the Ink Sword had pierced their bodies like an awl, invading their meridians.
*Paat!*
As the two retreated, Bu Eun-seol’s sword form changed once more.
A jet-black sword aura soared to stain the entire sky, then began to fall back to the earth like a downpour of rain.
He had used Meteor Chasing the Moon and Waning Moon, Morning Star in quick succession.
*Paat!*
As if by agreement, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong scattered to the left and right.
Realizing a direct clash would result in internal injuries, they had moved completely out of the sword technique's range.
“Not a chance!”
Though they had been forced back by his internal energy, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong’s momentum had not diminished in the slightest.
On the contrary, as if greatly excited, they instantly unleashed another dozen techniques.
*Kwarreung! Swaek!*
In response, Bu Eun-seol seemed to flick his left fingers to launch a gust of wind, while his right hand unleashed a single sword strike.
He had executed Hyeonhyomaji and Manroehyeolgeom, techniques of the Jeolcheonmyeolji, with each hand respectively.
*Chwarak!*
When he used the arts of Jeolcheonmyeolji instead of Mu-sang-cheon-ryu, Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u immediately found an opening and counterattacked.
*Woong!*
But it was a feint by Bu Eun-seol.
Having anticipated their counter, he closed the distance, ensnaring the White Horse Whip with his Ink Sword and seizing Myo Cheon-u’s wrist with his left hand.
He had drawn them into a contest of internal energy.
*Woong!*
Heat immediately rose from the bodies of the three.
‘Impossible.’
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong’s eyes widened as they poured out their internal energy.
The two of them, each possessing internal energy surpassing a full sixty-year cycle, were combining their power, yet Bu Eun-seol was receiving their assault with ease.
*Fwoosh!*
Realizing they were no match for him even in a contest of internal energy, Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u immediately pulled back.
The moment one retreats from an internal energy contest, their meridians are supposed to burst from the opponent's unleashed power.
However, the two acted this way because they knew Bu Eun-seol would withdraw his energy the instant they retreated.
As Yu Un-ryong fell back and swung his White Horse Whip, Bu Eun-seol immediately pushed Myo Cheon-u away and retreated himself.
*Kwaang!*
In that instant, a dark crater formed where Bu Eun-seol had been standing.
Though it seemed to be swung lightly, the White Horse Whip Art could split iron and shatter rock.
Moreover, the White Horse Whip Art as performed by Yu Un-ryong was on a level that could tear the heavens and shake the earth.
“...”
The bamboo forest was as silent as a tomb.
The martial prowess of Bu Eun-seol and the Sip-ma-jeon-in was like a battle between a heavenly general descended from the sky and a rakshasa demon emerged from the earth.
In the midst of this, the three tangled and fought for another forty exchanges.
Had Bu Eun-seol unleashed his full power, he would have subdued the two without difficulty.
Nongjoyeonun, which moved sword energy at will. Mangeomgwijong, which instantly mimicked an enemy’s techniques.
And Hoesinmyeolji, which could create one hundred and eight variations to pierce through an enemy's tightest defense.
On top of that, he had an ace up his sleeve called the Neung-hyeong-eo-geom-sik, which could react to an enemy’s killing intent and block their attacks.
But what Bu Eun-seol wanted was not to defeat them, but to clash with the supreme arts of the Ten Demonic Sects and achieve another breakthrough.
He was waiting for Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong to unleash their highest-level techniques.
“Excellent!”
Realizing Bu Eun-seol's intent, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong finally began to draw upon their internal energy with all their might.
Yu Un-ryong executed Jeokmyeolcheonha, and Myo Cheon-u performed Myeorinpabyeok.
*Ruuuumble!*
As Bu Eun-seol gazed at the two great arts of the Ten Demonic Sects pouring down on him, a profound and mysterious light gleamed in his eyes.
Gongsimtongnyeong.
This powerful ability of the Ya-su-do was gauging not only the power of the incoming techniques but also the strength contained within their bodies.
‘It's impossible.’
The senses of Gongsimtongnyeong were telling Bu Eun-seol.
That the techniques he had used so far could not overcome the combination of those two arts.
He needed a new technique, one that could pour out all of his immense internal energy.
*Twong!*
In that moment, all the energy drained from Bu Eun-seol’s Ink Sword.
For a moment, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong were baffled.
Even while facing a technique that could tear apart heaven and earth, Bu Eun-seol had slowly lowered the tip of his sword to the ground.
It was the posture of a defeated man, letting his sword drop lightly as if he had given up on everything.
‘What is this?’
The two were confused, but they could not recall the techniques they had already unleashed.
Just as the two ultimate arts of the Annihilating Palace and the White Horse Temple were about to engulf Bu Eun-seol’s body,
*Paang!*
With a powerful explosion of true energy, a golden radiance spread from Bu Eun-seol’s body, and a jet-black sword aura shot up from the Ink Sword.
*Paat!*
Suddenly, a massive sword aura, like a bank of clouds, spread out in all directions. At the same time, the world fell silent, and the sky turned black.
Simultaneously, the techniques of the Annihilating Palm and the White Horse Whip that had been pouring down on Bu Eun-seol vanished completely.
*Hudeuduk.*
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong were thrown back several dozen feet, the sleeves of their robes turned to dust.
Both men were deathly pale, clearly having suffered severe internal injuries.
“What sword art was that?”
To Myo Cheon-u’s question, Bu Eun-seol, who stood with a dazed, dreamlike expression, replied.
“Cheonsangjitan.”
“Cheonsangjitan?”
“The eighth form of Mu-sang-cheon-ryu... I had only established it in theory, never having performed it before.”
Even if an enemy unleashes ten million sword forms, only a single weapon can touch my body.
Cheonsangjitan was an ultimate counter-attack form, one that utilized this principle to discern the enemy’s decisive move and strike back in a single breath.
But to complete this sword form, a technique was needed that could block any form of attack without fail.
And by using the Yeouijin-gyeol, which could manifest true energy into any shape, Bu Eun-seol had finally completed the form.
*Chiiii.*
White steam was rising from Bu Eun-seol’s body.
His blood and energy were boiling from unleashing the Yeouijin-gyeol, and his meridians felt twisted in agony. Yet, he wore a bright smile.
‘I can see the path, bit by bit.’
If I can train deeper in the Yeouijin-gyeol and perfectly master this Cheonsangjitan technique?
I might be able to face Geol-wang in a battle that will decide heaven and earth.
***
The Seolhyangwon was the most famous courtesan house in the city.
The price of drinks here was unimaginably expensive, and its singing girls and dancing girls were all exceptionally talented and possessed looks of unparalleled beauty.
Moreover, the talented women here did not sell their bodies if they did not wish to, so lecherous scoundrels could not even approach them.
Because of this, the Seolhyangwon had a reputation as an establishment frequented only by the region’s notable figures, wealthy magnates, nobles, and high-ranking officials.
“Get out here this instant!”
Just then, a curse broke the tranquility of the Seolhyangwon, followed by the sound of a growing commotion.
*Dal-kak!*
At that, the patrons in the pavilions opened their windows one by one to look down below.
Near the courtyard, a heavily intoxicated man could be seen arguing with a group of servants.
“Jin-won! Where in the world are you? Why aren't you showing your face!”
Jin-won was the most talented courtesan at the Seolhyangwon. Her beauty was world-class, and she possessed outstanding musical skills.
“Bring her to me at once! Now!”
As the man shouted at the top of his lungs, one of the servants grabbed his sleeve.
“She is currently attending a distinguished guest in the Seoleumgak. How could we possibly bring her to you so suddenly?”
“Hah, do you know who I am?”
The man shook off the servant's hand and bellowed in a thick voice.
“I took the precious time to come all the way here, and you're telling me I can't see that girl, Jin-won? Does that make any sense!”
“Young Master.”
“Hmph, do you think I don't have the money?”
The man pulled a bundle of banknotes from his robes and threw it in the servant's face.
“Hurry up and bring her here!”
The bundle of banknotes that hit the servant's face and scattered on the floor looked to be worth at least ten thousand nyang.
It seemed he was the profligate son of some influential family.
“Bring that girl here quickly! Right now!”
*Taak.*
After the man had been causing a disturbance for some time, a window on the third floor of the West Fragrance Pavilion, built on the eastern side, swung open, and a low voice echoed out.
“Listen here, young man. There are many men of renown at this Seolhyangwon. Stop causing a scene and be on your way.”
“Hahaha! Men of renown? What men of renown could there be in a brothel?”
The man guffawed and looked around.
“Men come to brothels to take the virginity of some pretty courtesan, that's all!”
“Young Master, if you continue to act like this, we'll have no choice!”
As the man's rampage worsened, servants from the West Fragrance Pavilion rushed over to drag him away.
“No choice? Hahaha.”
But the man, who seemed to have learned martial arts, laughed heartily as he effortlessly tossed aside the servants, who were known for their strength.
“How dare you lay a hand on this great man's body!”
“Hmph.”
From the third-floor pavilion, the aged voice spoke again.
“What a wretched fellow. We are in the middle of an important discussion. Remove him at once.”
At that, the doors of the West Fragrance Pavilion opened, and a sturdy middle-aged man with the build of a bear and the waist of a tiger walked out.
What was strange was that though his clothes were of fine quality and clean, there was a conspicuous patch near the sleeve.
“Hah, so even beggars visit courtesan houses now?”
At the man's words, the middle-aged man's thick eyebrows twitched.
“Young friend. It seems you've had too much to drink. Go home.”
“If I want to go home, I'll go home on my own. Don't you worry about it.”
“It seems words won't suffice.”
Sensing that further talk was useless, the middle-aged man reached for the man's shoulder.
It looked like a simple restraining motion, but the middle-aged man’s fingers contained enough power to shatter the bones of a bull.
He intended to dislocate the man's shoulder in one go, using the pain to sober him up.
*Udeuk!*
In that instant, a dull crack echoed out.
But it was strange.
The middle-aged man who had tried to grab the man's shoulder was the one who stumbled back, his face contorted in a grimace.
“Kngh.”
Clutching his fingers, the middle-aged man let out a pained groan.
When he poured fierce energy into his fingers to dislocate the man's shoulder, his own fingers had been bent back and broken.
“For his body to be this hard...”
The Gyeonjeong acupoint, located between the neck and the tip of the shoulder, was a spot that would hurt even if pressed by someone who hadn't learned martial arts.
To think he had trained that vulnerable spot to be hard enough to repel fingers imbued with internal energy.
Could this wastrel have trained in an external martial art like the Iron Shirt Technique?
“Just as expected of a beggar. Your hands are rough and they stink.”
The man pointed to the hole torn in his shoulder by the middle-aged man's fingers.
“This wretched beggar tore my precious silk clothes. Do you even have the money to pay for it?”
“It seems you think you're something special just because you learned some external martial art.”
*Ududuk.*
The middle-aged man clenched his fist again, and with the sound of cracking knuckles, a powerful aura flowed from him.
“I'll show you that there's always a sky above the sky.”
*Peok! Kung! Pagagak!*
A series of dull thuds echoed through the front yard of the West Fragrance Pavilion.
Indeed, there was a sky above the sky.
The only unfortunate thing was that the higher sky belonged not to the middle-aged man, but to the drunken rampager.
“This beggar doesn't know his place!”
*Thwack. Thwack.*
With each of the man's kicks, the middle-aged man was forced to curl up like a pill bug.
It didn't seem like he was using much force, but every time a kick landed, his bones ached and the strength drained from his entire body.
‘How can this be.’
The middle-aged man lay on the ground, his eyes having lost their focus.
He was Je No-sam, a Branch Leader of the Beggars' Sect.
His moniker was Eungcheonilak.
He was a master of close-quarters combat who had mastered over eighty percent of the Hyeonrajingwon, one of the Beggars' Sect's exclusive fist arts.
And yet, here he was, unable to block the kicks of a drunken wastrel, rolling on the ground like a dog.
“S-Stop!”
Unable to bear the pain, Je No-sam cried out, and the man stopped kicking.
“Then go get her.”
“Get who?”
“I said, bring Jin-won.”
“What kind of bullshit is—”
Je No-sam's words were cut short.
The kicking had started again.
“Hoh. I see now, you are a young master.”
A deep sigh came from the third-floor pavilion, and an old man suddenly appeared before Je No-sam.
“To incapacitate Branch Leader Je, a practitioner of the Hyeonrajingwon, with mere kicks.”
The old man narrowed his long eyes and spoke.
“Which clan do you hail from, I wonder.”
“What a bunch of funny beggars.”
The man pointed a finger at the white-haired old man's face.
“If you're a beggar, you should act like one and beg outside. What are you doing crawling into a brothel where a single table of drinks costs three hundred nyang?”
“Watch your mouth.”
The old man's eyes flashed as he spoke.
“Our sect may walk the path of righteousness, but we are not so magnanimous as to ignore scoundrels.”
“So you like righteousness.”
The man sneered.
“Is it the work of a righteous sect to sell high-level information circulating throughout the martial world in exchange for entertainment and large sums of money?”
“...”
“And by the Hobundangju of the Eight Routes, no less, who classifies key information sent to the Beggars' Sect headquarters?”
*Murmur, murmur.*
Instantly, murmurs began to ripple through the pavilions.
The Seolhyangwon was, after all, a place visited by high officials, nobles, and notable figures from all walks of life.
And yet, a Hobundangju, a key figure in the Beggars' Sect, was being treated to entertainment in exchange for selling information?
“Who are you?”
The old man's expression turned as cold as a thousand-year-old glacier.
He realized the man wasn't just drunk; he had deliberately picked this fight.