Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: A Change of Mind
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*Shudder.*
Bu Eun-seol’s body, dyed pitch-black, trembled violently.
At the same time, the dark true energy that had been relentlessly surging began to gradually fade.
Ak Mu-ryeong was forcibly injecting his power into Bu Eun-seol’s meridians, extinguishing the force of the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol.
“…”
But something was strange.
As Ak Mu-ryeong’s power flowed into him, Bu Eun-seol’s mind grew clearer, and an abnormal strength began to overflow within his body.
*‘The mind must operate according to the will….’*
The final passage of the Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol flashed through Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
*‘That is, one must channel their will according to their heart.’*
Ak Mu-ryeong, a man devoid of any sentiment, was akin to someone who had reached the highest state of the Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol.
When he infused the power of Hwan-sang-bu-hwan, it paradoxically began to solidify the once-incomplete Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol.
*‘My ki and blood aren’t boiling.’*
Had he used the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol to this extent in succession, his ki and blood should have been boiling as if on fire, or twisted into knots.
But now, there were no such symptoms. Instead, his mind felt refreshed, and his body surged with vitality.
*Flash!*
A brilliant light shone from Bu Eun-seol’s eyes as he completely broke free from Ak Mu-ryeong’s power.
Watching him, a sharp, blue glint flared in Ak Mu-ryeong’s eyes.
[Sado Mu-myeong, that conniving bastard….]
The Ma Cheon-je must have predicted that Ak Mu-ryeong would unleash the power of Hwan-sang-bu-hwan when he met Bu Eun-seol.
And he had foreseen that this power would help stabilize Bu Eun-seol’s Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol.
*‘How strange.’*
Bu Eun-seol, too, found it odd.
How could Ak Mu-ryeong’s power, meant to extinguish the Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol, end up protecting his ki and blood instead?
Could it be that the Ma Cheon-je had anticipated this and had him learn the Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol for this very reason?
*‘If that’s the case… the Ma Cheon-je is….’*
Bu Eun-seol felt a surge of confusion.
He had thought the Sak-jeong-bi-gyeol was merely a technique to forge him into a sword the Ma Cheon-je could wield at will.
But for it to not only block Ak Mu-ryeong’s Hwan-sang-bu-hwan but also regulate his meridians to better utilize the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol…
Just then, Ak Mu-ryeong let out a deep sigh.
[Sado Mu-myeong. Sado Mu-myeong…!]
As a mix of reverence and rivalry toward the Ma Cheon-je arose within him, the force of the Hwan-sang-bu-hwan he was emitting slackened.
*‘Now!’*
With his mind completely clear, a crimson glint flashed once more in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
If he missed this moment, he would never escape Ak Mu-ryeong’s bizarre power.
Without a second thought, Bu Eun-seol drew the Muk-geom.
*Srrng!*
And without hesitation, he unleashed Mu-sang-cheon-ryu toward Ak Mu-ryeong.
A direct attack.
This was the only way to shift Ak Mu-ryeong’s spiritual assault into a physical battle.
*Twoong!*
As the Muk-geom drove toward his neck, Ak Mu-ryeong casually flicked his finger.
*Taaang!*
With a clear metallic ring, the Muk-geom bent like a bow, and Bu Eun-seol was thrown back several dozen feet.
*Thud, thud, thud.*
Blood dripped from the hand Bu Eun-seol used to grip the Muk-geom.
Ak Mu-ryeong’s immense finger-wind had struck the sword with such force that the flesh of his palm had torn.
*Flash.*
At that moment, a light-green radiance appeared as a bolt of lightning-like light descended from the sky.
It was Dan Cheong.
“Lord!”
He had been descending the Iron Cudgel Peak when he sensed Ak Mu-ryeong unleashing his power and had returned.
“This child is the successor who will be responsible for the future of Nang-ya-gak.”
“…”
“Are you trying to repeat what happened back then?”
Despite the earnest plea, Ak Mu-ryeong’s expression remained unchanged.
Dan Cheong grew tense.
Though he feared nothing in this world, Ak Mu-ryeong was the one exception.
It wasn’t simply because of his formidable martial arts, but because he knew all too well that this was a man who would slaughter every disciple in Nang-ya-gak without batting an eye if it meant reaching the apex of martial arts.
[Hehehe…]
Ak Mu-ryeong suddenly pointed at Bu Eun-seol and burst into laughter.
[Hahahahaha!]
After laughing maniacally at the sky, Ak Mu-ryeong abruptly stopped.
[Why did you turn a spiritual attack into a physical fight?]
He looked down at the blood-drenched Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
[Did you truly intend to challenge this Lord in earnest?]
“How could that be?”
Bu Eun-seol, gripping his Muk-geom, answered without wavering.
“I was merely struggling in the only way I could.”
[Struggling, you say.]
Ak Mu-ryeong murmured softly, looking down at Bu Eun-seol.
His unwavering eyes scattered a gentle yet brilliant radiance, like a full moon in the night sky.
For a moment, Ak Mu-ryeong’s hand tensed.
*‘Sado Mu-myeong. You bastard….’*
Only then did he understand why the Ma Cheon-je was watching Bu Eun-seol and what he wanted.
*‘Very well. Let us see how this plays out.’*
[Your objective is so clear that nothing stands in your way. That is why you have shed the techniques of swordsmanship and the constraints of form.]
The look in Ak Mu-ryeong’s eyes as he gazed at Bu Eun-seol had changed.
[To be obsessed with a single thing is akin to having an empty mind. To achieve your goal, you have no hesitation, no obstacles.]
Bu Eun-seol had always had only one goal.
As an orphan, it was to not starve to death.
After meeting Bu Jan-yang, it was to become the best salt merchant to help his grandfather.
And now, it was to become a martial artist who would lose to no one, to avenge his grandfather.
He possessed natural aptitude and talent, along with handsome features that could charm any woman…
How many people were there who, despite all this, would not be distracted and would devote themselves single-mindedly to one goal?
[Good.]
Ak Mu-ryeong said in a low voice.
[We shall put the matter of the Ma-jeon on hold for now.]
Dan Cheong was utterly astonished.
Never before had Ak Mu-ryeong gone back on his word.
*Ssk.*
In that short time, Ak Mu-ryeong’s gaze and voice had changed. Averting his eyes, he slowly turned his body and looked toward the distant sky.
It was a silent dismissal.
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t comprehend the sudden change, but he immediately sheathed his Muk-geom and cupped his hands.
“Then.”
Bu Eun-seol was once again descending Iron Cudgel Peak with Dan Cheong.
He had faced countless crises until now, but never had he been so close to death.
The Lord of Nang-ya-gak, Ak Mu-ryeong, was a grand demon beyond the comprehension of any ordinary man.
“Hmm.”
As Bu Eun-seol recalled Ak Mu-ryeong’s image and let out a soft groan, Dan Cheong frowned.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
“I’m alright.”
Bu Eun-seol forced a smile.
“In any case, the Lord has truly reached an immeasurable realm.”
The Lord of Nang-ya-gak hadn’t even used his full strength.
From his perspective, it was as if he had tried to crush a bothersome insect, only to lift his finger when it surprisingly didn’t die.
“You are likely the first at your age to withstand the Lord’s Chwi-jeong-hwa-sin and Hwan-sang-bu-hwan.”
At Dan Cheong’s words, Bu Eun-seol offered a dry smile.
“I believe the Lord never intended to kill me in the first place.”
What if Ak Mu-ryeong had used his full power?
Not just Bu Eun-seol, but even a master at the very peak of the Transcendent Realm would have lost their ego and become a mindless fool.
“You should take pride in that.”
Dan Cheong said with a satisfied expression.
“Those who have not had their minds shattered after he unleashed such an art can be counted on one hand.”
“Is that so?”
He had just survived having his spirit nearly annihilated in an inescapable hell, yet Bu Eun-seol’s expression was as if he had just gotten into a scuffle with some neighborhood thugs.
*‘Hmm.’*
Dan Cheong shook his head.
Ak Mu-ryeong, with his inhuman looks and power, was one thing…
But Bu Eun-seol, with his beauty rivaling that of a peerless maiden, was now starting to look like a monster himself.
*‘What in the world lies beneath that seemingly delicate body to house a will that even the Lord could not break?’*
Just then, as if remembering something, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
“Has there been any word from the Ma-jeon?”
“A message did arrive, in fact.”
Dan Cheong said with a bitter smile.
“The Lord of the Ma-jeon himself commanded that if you were not sent back unharmed, he would dispatch the forces of the Ma-jeon.”
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol felt like laughing.
It wasn’t just Ak Mu-ryeong who felt a sense of rivalry.
The Ma Cheon-je, too, was showing his willingness to use force so as not to lose a talent like Bu Eun-seol.
*‘The Ma Cheon-je….’*
Thinking of the Ma Cheon-je, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
He couldn’t even begin to fathom what kind of person he was, or whether his intentions toward him were of goodwill or malice.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
Dan Cheong spoke then.
“You may have found the Lord terrifying, but he is not entirely a bad person.”
“I know.”
“But the Lord of the Ma-jeon is different.”
The unexpected words made Bu Eun-seol blink.
“That man became the master of the Ma-jeon despite not being from the Ten Demonic Sects. He is a formidable figure who rose to that position by suppressing the Council of Elders that threatened him, the Ten Demonic Sects, and even the external powers.”
“…”
“No one can read his mind, and no one knows what he is planning. Isn’t it telling that the position of Vice-Lord has remained vacant for so long, and yet he leaves it as is?”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The other supreme masters he had encountered were, to some extent, comprehensible.
But the Ma Cheon-je was the only one whose intentions were not only unreadable, but who also seemed to know something that he himself did not.
“It’s not something you can guard against just by being wary, but you must still be careful.”
Dan Cheong said in a low voice.
“The Lord of the Ma-jeon, and the Ma-jeon itself, are more treacherous and sinister than you can imagine.”
“I understand.”
As Bu Eun-seol bowed his head, Dan Cheong spoke again.
“Will you be going to the Ma-jeon?”
“Yes.”
“There is something you must do before that.”
Dan Cheong’s expression was very serious and grave.
Whatever this task was, it was clearly not going to be easy. Bu Eun-seol steeled himself and cupped his hands.
“Please entrust me with anything.”
Then, with an extremely serious look, Dan Cheong said.
“This pavilion is so short-staffed I’m about to die.”
Dan Cheong’s hand clamped down on Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder like a hawk’s talon as he spoke earnestly.
“Don’t go to the Ma-jeon just yet. Help with the pavilion’s work for about two weeks.”
Deep in the night.
Bu Eun-seol, staying in his new, gleaming quarters, sat at a desk, his brush moving diligently.
*Swish, swish.*
He was writing a martial arts manual.
In truth, Nang-ya-gak lacked systematic teachings.
Well aware of this, he had spent several days and nights writing a manual called ‘Nang-ya-yu-jin’.
—Your job is to go around the pavilion and show your face.
A few days ago, this was the order Dan Cheong had given him.
—Tell the new disciples about your experiences in the martial world. Or give them a brief demonstration of your martial arts.
It was a rather odd command, but Bu Eun-seol had carried it out faithfully.
And in doing so, he felt a keen sense of disappointment.
The foundational martial art of Nang-ya-gak, Ya-su-do.
Because this esoteric art was impossible to learn without innate talent…
Many disciples were failing to even pass the initiation, tasting bitter defeat.
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol had begun to write down the contents of Ya-su-do, which every disciple of Nang-ya-gak must learn.
*‘This isn’t easy.’*
Pausing for a moment, Bu Eun-seol smacked his lips.
Learning Ya-su-do not only required risking one’s life, but also a step-by-step awakening of the senses.
Even if thunderstorms raged like in the Asura Path, without exceptional enlightenment like Bu Eun-seol’s, it was impossible to learn.
*‘This isn’t going to work.’*
The more he wrote, the more sighs escaped Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
The martial arts of Nang-ya-gak depended solely on enlightenment, so conveying it systematically was no easy task.
If it were possible, Nang-ya-gak would have unified its martial arts transmission process long ago.
*‘Still, I will complete it.’*
Bu Eun-seol did not despair over immediate failure.
He resolved that one day, he would establish a systematic foundation for martial arts in Nang-ya-gak.
*Chirp, chirp, chirp.*
Sunlight began to seep through the window, and birds were chirping outside.
Bu Eun-seol had ended up pulling an all-nighter writing the manual.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
Just then, he sensed a presence, and a deep voice called from outside.
It was the voice of So Jeon, Lord of the Chang-sin-dae.
“What brings you here, Lord?”
Bu Eun-seol wore a puzzled expression.
Come to think of it, whenever he returned to Nang-ya-gak, he would always have a bout with So Jeon.
Could it be that even in this situation, his hands were itching for a fight, and he had come seeking him out?
*‘At this point, I could probably have a proper match with the Lord.’*
As Bu Eun-seol stepped outside, filled with anticipation, he saw So Jeon standing there with a very serious expression.
His eyes were downcast and his face was grim; it didn’t seem like he had come for a duel.
“Follow me for a moment.”
“What is it?”
So Jeon spoke with an exceedingly grave expression.
“You’ll know when you get there.”
The place So Jeon took Bu Eun-seol to was the grand training ground, where about a hundred young boys were gathered.
They were all martial prodigies who had shown enough talent to master the basics of Ya-su-do and be recognized as disciples of Nang-ya-gak.
“These are the ones who have officially become disciples of the pavilion. It’s time to send them to the units they wish to join, but…”
So Jeon spoke with an incredibly serious face.
“I need you to explain what kind of place the Chang-sin-dae is.”
“…Explain, you say?”
“Yes. Explain.”
So Jeon said with a resolute and shameless expression.
“To be precise, it’s not just an explanation of the Chang-sin-dae, but a speech on the advantages of joining it.”
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
It was now clear that So Jeon intended to use his help to recruit a large number of official disciples into the Chang-sin-dae.
“Let’s just do as we always have and let them choose for themselves.”
Bu Eun-seol said, his shoulders slumping.
“They are all outstanding talents; they will choose well on their own.”
Nang-ya-gak never forced its disciples to learn a certain martial art, nor did it assign them to a specific unit.
The disciples themselves were the ones to decide after considering their own abilities and temperaments.
But now, a large number of exceptional disciples had gathered, all of whom would excel wherever they went.
In other words, the situation was vastly different from before.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
So Jeon brought his rock-like face close, his eyes bloodshot.
“This Lord is serious. Our Chang-sin-dae also needs to be replenished with outstanding disciples.”
…It was a look that said he would grab him by the collar if he didn’t comply.
“I understand.”
Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to step before the disciples.
At a young age, Bu Eun-seol had not only achieved remarkable military feats but had also slain one of the Seven Kings of the Messenger Gods.
Moreover, with his peerless looks, he was a new-generation idol to the young disciples of Nang-ya-gak.
“In the past, I was a temporary member of the Chang-sin-dae. I was given a mission and learned martial arts that I could never have mastered alone.”
Though it was at So Jeon’s request, it was all true.
His early martial techniques were things he had learned over the shoulders of the masters in the Chang-sin-dae.
“If you go to the Chang-sin-dae, you will gain outstanding martial arts that cannot be obtained through mere training.”
At that, the disciples’ eyes sparkled, and they swarmed toward So Jeon.
“Hoho.”
Just then, with a low chuckle, a middle-aged man in scholar’s robes slowly walked out.
It was Baek Yeon, Lord of the Pung-un-dae.
“Lord.”
As Bu Eun-seol bowed his head, Baek Yeon smiled warmly and nodded.
“When you put it like that, one might mistake the Chang-sin-dae as the only place for the pavilion’s top disciples.”
It seemed he had heard everything Bu Eun-seol said from a distance.
“The Chang-sin-dae is fine, of course. But wouldn’t our Pung-un-dae have its own advantages?”
Approaching in a single stride, Baek Yeon gently placed a hand on Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder.
“Outstanding disciples should naturally come to our unit.”
*Creek.*
Strangely, the pressure from Baek Yeon’s fingers on his shoulder seemed to be increasing.
When he looked up, he saw that Baek Yeon’s eyes, usually frozen with cold composure, were now blazing with a fiery passion.
“Right?”
“…”
As Bu Eun-seol averted his gaze with a dark expression, Baek Yeon whispered in an endlessly low and sinister voice.
“Now, I’ll ask you to give an explanation about the Pung-un-dae as well.”