Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: The Heart-Striking Bell
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Musang-cheonryu Eighth Form. Lament of the Heavens.
An ultimate counter-attack form that unleashes an unavoidable sword strike the very moment an enemy's decisive blow makes contact.
*CRACK!*
At that moment, with a sound like thunder, a powerful energy erupted from Gwang-yeon's hands, sharp enough to pierce a Vajra Bronze Statue in a single blow, and sliced through the air.
It was the profound art of the Banseon Hand, one of the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts of Shaolin.
Just as the Banseon Hand was about to reach Bu Eun-seol's body,
*Vmmmm.*
With a strange vibration, the light surrounding Bu Eun-seol vanished. It then split the Banseon Hand and plunged into Gwang-yeon's chest.
Bu Eun-seol had spread his true energy throughout his body, grasping the entire trajectory of the Banseon Hand. He had finally unleashed the Lament of the Heavens.
*SHIIIIINK!*
However, something unexpected happened.
Gwang-yeon's technique, which had been unleashing the Banseon Hand, suddenly changed, and a magnificent fist energy rained down on Bu Eun-seol's chest.
*'What?'*
This time, Bu Eun-seol was truly stunned.
His ultimate technique, meant to defeat Geol-wang, had been completely shattered by Gwang-yeon?
The shock lasted but a moment.
Having reached a state of heightened perception, Bu Eun-seol could experience time several times slower than ordinary people.
*WHOOSH!*
In that instant, a force powerful enough to split Mount Tai struck Bu Eun-seol's chest.
*FWIP!*
He dodged by unleashing Geuk-sok-mu-yeong with all his might, and the force crashed into the giant tree behind him.
*Pssssss.*
The great tree dissolved into dust and scattered in all directions.
Arhat Divine Fist.
Shaolin's greatest fist art, long thought lost, had been recreated in Gwang-yeon's hands.
*'He changed his technique mid-move.'*
Sensing the unusual power in Bu Eun-seol's attack, Gwang-yeon had instantly switched from the Banseon Hand to the Arhat Divine Fist.
Yijang-bodan.
He had used the principle of Yijang-bodan—the same one used by Seong-ryun, the Grand Master of the Beggars' Union—to alter the Banseon Hand mid-execution.
*SHAAA.*
Gwang-yeon's assault wasn't over.
A ghostly fist energy had already coiled around Bu Eun-seol's body once more.
The fist energy grazed past him, as gentle as a soft breeze, but it carried enough power to shatter every bone in his body upon impact.
"Amitabha."
Gwang-yeon called out as he watched Bu Eun-seol frantically dodging.
"I can see the end of this fight now."
A victorious smile played on his lips.
He had seen the aura building around Bu Eun-seol and instantly predicted that a fearsome counter-attack was coming.
That was why he had immediately changed his technique mid-move, unleashing the Arhat Divine Fist, the ultimate fist art of Buddhism.
*CRACK!*
The fist energy grazed another rock, turning it to dust that scattered in the wind.
The purpose of Buddhist martial arts is to suppress killing intent to the utmost, rendering the enemy incapable of fighting back.
However, the Arhat Divine Fist was so powerful that a direct hit could instantly snuff out a life.
*THUD.*
As the assault continued, Bu Eun-seol's body dropped low to the ground before springing up like a coil.
He would crouch down, then shoot into the air, scattering into dozens of afterimages in an instant, only to converge and disperse again and again.
He was evading the unseen and unfelt power of the Arhat Divine Fist.
"Ya-su-do?"
Gwang-yeon exclaimed in amazement once more.
Ya-su-do.
Why did such a life-threatening movement art become a fundamental skill of Nang-ya-gak?
It was because of the very nature of Nang-ya-gak's martial arts, which required one to advance through enlightenment gained in real combat. If one died, it would all be for nothing.
Bu Eun-seol was now fully utilizing this movement art from Nang-ya-gak, designed for tenacious survival in any fight.
*FWOOSH!*
Just then, the cascading fist energy completely cut off Bu Eun-seol's escape routes.
This astonishing Buddhist fist art, much like the Saryeongbyeok-hyeolchang of the Saryeongmun, possessed the ability to make its projected force linger in the air for an extended time.
"This is the end!"
Gwang-yeon layered dozens of streams of fist energy and sent them crashing down on Bu Eun-seol's head.
He wasn't aiming to strike a vital point or hit the body directly, but to overwhelm him with immense fist energy and render him incapacitated.
*'Dozens of streams of fist energy into one...'*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes glinted as he watched the layered Arhat Divine Fist that Gwang-yeon unleashed.
A technique, in the end, is a series of movements that connect and culminate in a single point.
Whether it changes mid-course or splits into a thousand different paths, what ultimately makes contact is just one thing.
*'I see.'*
In that moment of absolute crisis, a faint light emanated from Bu Eun-seol's entire body as he attained enlightenment.
At the same time, the Muk-geom in his hand shot out a single streak of light.
*SHWAAAAA!*
Black points of light poured from the Muk-geom and wrapped around the Arhat Divine Fist descending upon him.
Simultaneously, a strange phenomenon occurred.
The Arhat Divine Fist that had been aimed at Bu Eun-seol was suddenly redirected back toward Gwang-yeon himself.
"How..."
Gwang-yeon couldn't believe it.
Wasn't this like throwing a stone at a flying bird, only for it to come back and hit him in the face?
"Ugh."
Greatly startled, Gwang-yeon unleashed the Banseon Hand and the Great Prajna Power simultaneously, deflecting the returning Arhat Divine Fist at an angle.
*RUMBLE! RUUUMBLE!*
With a thunderous roar, Gwang-yeon's body was thrown backward, and the area around his sleeves disintegrated into dust.
*FLASH!*
In that opening, Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom, not missing the chance, plunged into Gwang-yeon's side.
"Hap!"
Unable to dodge the Muk-geom, Gwang-yeon let out a sharp cry and activated the Vajra Indestructible Body Divine Art.
*BANG!*
Struck in the side by the Muk-geom, Gwang-yeon crashed into a rock dozens of feet away before falling ungracefully to the ground.
"Gack."
He immediately coughed up fresh blood and dropped to one knee.
The Vajra Indestructible Body Divine Art had saved him from being cut in half, but it couldn't block the powerful reverse force contained within the Muk-geom.
"How is this..."
*Swish!*
There was no time for shock.
Bu Eun-seol had already unleashed another sword technique, aiming for his neck.
"Ugh."
Startled, Gwang-yeon quickly threw himself backward to evade the sword strike.
Gwang-yeon, known as Shaolin's greatest talent, had used the Naryeotagon to save his life.
But Bu Eun-seol's Geuk-sok-mu-yeong was faster.
*CHK.*
Like a freshly caught carp flopping on the ground, Gwang-yeon sprang up, only to find the Muk-geom already waiting at his throat.
*Drip.*
As the blade touched his neck, the skin split, and a trickle of red blood flowed out.
"To think there exists a martial art that can turn back our temple's greatest fist art..."
Watching the drops of blood fall, he lowered his head with a look of utter defeat.
"This humble monk has lost."
Gwang-yeon had been confident of a perfect victory from the start. But the result was Bu Eun-seol's complete triumph.
"Benefactor Bu, your abilities are truly limitless. To think you created a new martial art in a moment of mortal danger."
Admiration filled Gwang-yeon's eyes.
Bu Eun-seol had not given up even in a desperate situation, and he had seized victory by transforming his martial arts mid-battle.
This was an unexpected burst of growth that neither Gwang-yeon nor even Bu Eun-seol himself had anticipated.
"The limits of Buddhist martial arts."
Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
"If you had tried to kill me with that fist art, you wouldn't have lost so miserably."
What if Gwang-yeon had harbored malicious intent and tried to smash the Arhat Divine Fist directly into Bu Eun-seol's body?
He would not have been defeated so easily.
But Gwang-yeon had only tried to subdue Bu Eun-seol by layering his fist energy.
"Our temple's martial arts are not meant for killing enemies, but for disciplining the body and mind to further cultivate the teachings of Buddha."
Even facing death, Gwang-yeon smiled gently.
"How could a disciple of Buddha, obsessed with victory or defeat, resort to lethal techniques?"
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol looked down at Gwang-yeon with cold eyes.
This wasn't a mere sparring match. If Bu Eun-seol had lost, Gwang-yeon would have crippled his dantian without hesitation.
But since Bu Eun-seol had won, it was only right that he deliver death to his opponent.
"Amitabha."
Gwang-yeon closed his eyes and put his palms together, preparing to meet death without fear.
Just as Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom was about to pierce his throat without hesitation,
*KWAAAAA!*
With a sound like a cascading waterfall, a palm energy as immense as Mount Tai rained down on Bu Eun-seol.
There were thirty-two hand imprints in total, each one sharp enough to pierce steel.
If Bu Eun-seol didn't move immediately, his entire body would be riddled with holes by those hand imprints.
*Tssssss.*
But something unexpected happened.
Bu Eun-seol's body blurred, and the descending palm energies began to pass right through him.
He had executed Geuk-sok-mu-yeong, which allowed him to change direction ninety-nine times in mid-air.
*FLUTTER.*
With the sound of robes fluttering in the wind, eighteen monks in red kasayas descended from the sky.
"Amitabha."
The monk at the forefront sighed as he looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"Not only your martial arts, but your movement technique is truly remarkable."
Even after eighteen hands fired their palm energy, Bu Eun-seol still had his sword at Gwang-yeon's throat.
The monk sighed deeply once more and shook his head.
"To think such an outstanding talent has fallen to the demonic path..."
"Who are you?"
The monk looked Bu Eun-seol straight in the eye and spoke in a solemn voice.
"This humble monk is Gong-myeong, the head of the Eighteen Arhats."
The warrior monks of Shaolin, said to handle all matters, great and small, in the martial world.
The Eighteen Arhats had suddenly appeared before Bu Eun-seol.
"So that's how it is."
Their appearance allowed Bu Eun-seol to discern a new truth.
The Beggars' Union had prepared a pawn named Gwang-yeon. And in case that pawn failed, they had prepared another: the Eighteen Arhats.
"I didn't realize Shaolin had become a subordinate of the Beggars' Union."
Despite Bu Eun-seol's scathing ridicule, Gong-myeong spoke calmly.
"Do not misunderstand. Our temple's orders were not to kill you, but to secretly protect Gwang-yeon after he entered the martial world."
"Shaolin is so very merciful."
Bu Eun-seol said with a cold smile.
"To mobilize the famous Eighteen Arhats just to protect a single young monk who has entered the world..."
"That is a matter for our temple. It is not something an outsider need concern himself with."
Gong-myeong looked at Bu Eun-seol with a stern gaze.
"Let Gwang-yeon go. If you do, we will not pursue this matter with you any further."
"Pursue?"
Bu Eun-seol let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Strange words. What crime have I committed against Shaolin?"
"The man you hold at knifepoint is a disciple of our temple."
"So a disciple of Shaolin cannot be touched by anyone, but a disciple of the demonic path can?"
"Hasn't the victor already been decided? That should be enough."
"Victory and defeat do not matter to me."
A cold light glinted in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"He tried to cripple my martial arts."
"And for that, you must take his life?"
"When one tries to turn another into a cripple, shouldn't they come prepared for the same fate?"
At that, Gwang-yeon, who had been kneeling silently, spoke.
"Benefactor Bu is right. I tried to cripple his martial arts... I have no right to complain if he kills me."
"Gwang-yeon. Stay out of this."
After rebuking Gwang-yeon with a stern look, Gong-myeong turned his head to Bu Eun-seol.
"So you insist on killing him?"
"I do."
"The demonic nature has seeped into your very bones."
He then said, his eyes blazing with a fierce light.
"This is the path you have chosen, so do not resent this humble monk."
*Woooong.*
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol's vision blurred.
A magnificent energy poured out from the bodies of the Eighteen Arhats surrounding him, instantly binding him.
*—If you ever encounter the Eighteen Arhats in the martial world, be sure to keep a distance of at least a dozen jang.*
Suddenly, a memory surfaced in Bu Eun-seol's mind: the words of Eumgoe-magyeom from Do-won-hyang, who had told him stories of his own days in the Murim.
*—The people of the demonic path fear their Eighteen Arhat Formation, but in truth, their most fearsome technique is something else entirely.*
*—What is it?*
*—A technique called the Goshimjong, the Heart-Striking Bell.*
At the time, Bu Eun-seol had tilted his head in confusion, and Eumgoe-magyeom had spoken with an incredibly serious expression.
*—It's a secret Shaolin art that unleashes a powerful wave of internal energy all at once to rupture the meridians. You can't even sense it being deployed, and once you're trapped, there's no escape until your meridians burst.*
*'So this is the Goshimjong.'*
Under the crushing force of the internal energy, Bu Eun-seol's vision began to turn black.
It was a technique difficult to block even when used by a single Shaolin master, but now eighteen warrior monks, handpicked by Shaolin, were unleashing their internal energy simultaneously...
Truly, not even a Great Luo Immortal could hope to escape it.
*CRACK.*
As the immense pressure bore down, the sound of bones cracking echoed from Bu Eun-seol's body.
Even with over two hundred and forty years of internal energy, blocking the combined power of the Eighteen Arhats was an impossible feat.
*CRACKLE.*
Suddenly, thick veins bulged on Bu Eun-seol's face.
If this continued, his meridians would eventually be shattered to pieces by the Goshimjong.
*—But it's not an inescapable technique, is it?*
As another memory from Do-won-hyang surfaced, Bu Eun-seol could almost hear Eumgoe-magyeom's voice in his ears.
*—What do you mean?*
*—You're still alive, aren't you, old man?*
*—How did you know I escaped the Goshimjong? I've never told anyone.*
*—Because your eyes were filled with pride the entire time you were talking about it.*
*—Hahaha! You're a sharp one. The truth about that technique is...*
*WHOOSH.*
Just then, a light wind blew, and millions of points of light began to rise from beneath Bu Eun-seol's feet.
At the same time, a crimson light and a golden light flickered together in his eyes.
*Chiiiik.*
Then, something incredible happened.
The bodies of the Eighteen Arhats, who were unleashing the Goshimjong, began to be pushed back.