Chapter 239
Chapter 239
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 239
Chapter Title: The Martial Emperor's Treasury
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At that moment, a thought flashed through Bukgung Ryeong’s mind.
‘Could it be that only one person can enter that place as well?’
This place was, from the start, meant for a single chosen individual.
But what if two people were to enter that vault?
He was struck by the thought that another trap might be triggered inside.
“Huuup!”
Bukgung Ryeong’s heart pounded with urgency.
Letting out a powerful cry, he began to sprint with all his might.
Fortunately, Bu Eun-seol’s strange sword technique had burned away the poisonous mist in the direction of the entrance, clearing a path straight ahead.
*Hap!*
Finally evading all the obstacles, Bukgung Ryeong reached the entrance first, hurriedly opened the door, and stepped inside.
“Hurry!”
Bukgung Ryeong shouted, but Bu Eun-seol, having unleashed his Annihilating Flame and once again been enveloped by the poisonous mist, gave no reply.
“Is he dead?”
There was no movement to be felt within the toxic fog.
It seemed that the moment he was trapped, Bu Eun-seol had squeezed out the last of his strength, pouring his solar energy into his sword ki.
“I should at least recover his body…”
Bukgung Ryeong’s body froze as he was about to dash back outside.
*Saaaaaah.*
A virulent, poisonous mist was pouring in through the open iron door.
The mist that filled the great hall was being sucked through the open doorway as if drawn by a vacuum.
At this rate, the inside would soon be filled with the toxic fog as well. Bukgung Ryeong had no choice but to close the iron door.
*Krrrr-thump.*
“Hoo, hoo.”
After closing the door, he gasped for breath.
He then looked around, his expression tense.
In truth, he had little interest in the Martial Emperor’s secret manuals.
It was just that the traps set in this place…
Even for Bukgung Ryeong, who had chastised the martial world under the name of the Bullet King, they were not easy to overcome.
Having navigated the traps for a full day without a single sip of water, his mind and body were utterly exhausted.
“Did it not activate because I entered alone?”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Bukgung Ryeong thought of Bu Eun-seol’s face and sighed again.
“Yes, rather than dying by my hand… that way is probably less painful.”
The moment they left this place, Bukgung Ryeong would have to kill Bu Eun-seol anyway.
From his perspective, it was more comforting to let him be, leaving this crumbling hall as his tomb.
“It is a shame, though.”
Not only was he handsome, but his martial arts, wisdom, composure, and agility…
Bu Eun-seol was a perfect prodigy, lacking in nothing.
“If only he hadn't killed that old man in such a cowardly way… I would have risked my life to save him.”
He was unaware of Bu Eun-seol’s terrifying level of internal energy and the Wish-Granting True Arts.
Moreover, having not heard any of the recent rumors in the martial world, he still believed that Bu Eun-seol had killed the Geol-wang through despicable means.
“...!”
But something was strange.
With every step he took, he felt as if he were sinking.
Sensing something was wrong, he tried to use his light-foot technique, but his legs were suddenly stuck to the ground as if they were planted there.
“What is this?”
*Swaaaaaa.*
Looking closely, he saw that the floor was made of golden sand, which was constantly flowing downward.
Quicksand. The solid floor had somehow turned into flowing, water-like quicksand.
“Kuh.”
Bukgung Ryeong tried to leap up in a single bound.
But the suction of the quicksand pulling him down was beyond imagination.
“Damn it.”
Normally, no matter how great the pressure, he would have been able to soar out instantly.
But now, he had used up so much of his true energy that his dantian felt like it would tear. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull his body free.
“At this flow rate, it shouldn't be a problem.”
Regaining his composure, Bukgung Ryeong looked down at the quicksand.
Fortunately, the sinking speed wasn't very fast. If he circulated his ki just once, he should be able to get out without much difficulty.
*Piiing!*
But then, something astonishing happened.
With a sharp, piercing sound, steel wires shot out from the quicksand and wrapped tightly around his legs.
“What?”
Startled, Bukgung Ryeong tried to use his true energy, but his legs, bound by the steel wires, wouldn't budge.
“Hahaha.”
Realizing something, he let out a sigh.
“This old man is not very agile.”
He had always destroyed everything with a single finger.
Therefore, he didn't need to be faster than others. He could gain the upper hand without acting nimbly.
But the traps here allowed for no momentary lapse in concentration.
Because of his deep-rooted arrogance, he had fallen into a trap once again.
*Chiiing!*
Just then, with a metallic screech, a jet-black sword suddenly poked through the gap in the iron door.
*Chiiiiik!*
Sparks flew as the gap in the door was sliced open from top to bottom. Soon, the door opened, revealing a tall, imposing figure. It was Bu Eun-seol.
“How?”
Bukgung Ryeong couldn't hide his surprise.
Bu Eun-seol had clearly been trapped in the poisonous mist, his movements halted.
How could he have entered this place completely unscathed?
*Step, step.*
Walking slowly, Bu Eun-seol looked down coldly at Bukgung Ryeong, who was stuck in the quicksand with his feet bound by steel wires.
“Your legs are tied up down there.”
Holding the Muk-geom, Bu Eun-seol assessed Bukgung Ryeong’s situation at a glance, as if he could see through the quicksand.
“Wait!”
Bukgung Ryeong let out a scream-like cry.
What if Bu Eun-seol attacked right now?
He would become a lonely ghost, cut down in a single stroke without even a chance to resist.
“Are you going to kill me?”
“…”
Bu Eun-seol didn't answer. He simply stared blankly at Bukgung Ryeong for a while, then,
*Swoosh. Thud.*
He executed his light-foot technique and leaped over the quicksand in a single bound.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he walked forward.
“Why don't you attack?”
Bukgung Ryeong couldn't understand Bu Eun-seol's actions at all.
“In this state, you could easily take my head.”
If he were to strike now, not only would his life no longer be threatened, but he would also gain the immense honor of having killed two of the Seven Kings of the God of Death.
Why would he cast aside such tremendous fame, the kind any martial artist would dream of, in an instant?
*Step, step.*
Bu Eun-seol simply walked deeper inside without a word.
“Do you think I won't kill you just because of this?”
Bukgung Ryeong said in a loud voice.
“Do you think this old man will forgive you?”
“Who is forgiving whom?”
“You killed Gu Hong-cheong, that old man, using dirty tricks, did you not?”
Bu Eun-seol’s expression was one of contempt.
“I am well aware that most figures of the Orthodox Faction don’t act their age. So just shut your mouth.”
“What? You really…”
“Are you blind and deaf, and have you not been meeting anyone either?”
Though the words were incredibly insulting, Bukgung Ryeong looked rather puzzled.
—*I see now that you are both blind and deaf.*
That was what Bu Eun-seol had said when he was mistaken for a lecherous fiend.
But now, not meeting anyone? Could it be that he was misunderstanding something again?
‘This fellow.’
Thinking back, from the moment they met, he had a personality that spoke his mind without hesitation, even knowing his identity.
‘He’s definitely not the type to resort to dirty tricks.’
He had felt it all along as they navigated the traps together.
Though blunt and seemingly heartless, Bu Eun-seol was not the kind of person who would use despicable methods to assassinate the Geol-wang.
“Fine. Why aren't you killing me?!”
As Bukgung Ryeong shouted as if in a frenzy, Bu Eun-seol snorted and spoke softly.
“You thought I was trapped in the poison mist and were about to come back out to save me, were you not?”
“What?”
“You may be blind, deaf, and ill-tempered, but at least you know how to act like a human being. That is the only reason I am not killing you.”
Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes widened.
It turned out this young man had not only remained unharmed while trapped in the poison mist but had also been watching his actions the entire time.
“Then why aren't you helping me?”
“My goodwill ends with not killing you. Don't expect any obligation to help.”
And with that, he turned away sharply.
Bukgung Ryeong, who had been standing blankly buried in the quicksand, suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
*Chwaaaak! Piiing!*
Along with the sound of his laughter, the steel wires snapped, and he escaped the quicksand in a single bound.
“You are a true eccentric!”
Standing next to Bu Eun-seol, Bukgung Ryeong stared at him with eyes blazing with a bright light.
“And you certainly don't have the personality to kill someone with malicious tricks.”
In truth, he had recovered a fair amount of his power while talking with Bu Eun-seol.
And what if Bu Eun-seol had shown any sign of attacking, taking advantage of his predicament?
He would have immediately unleashed his internal energy explosion and blown his head apart.
But Bu Eun-seol was by no means a vile or petty person.
On the contrary, in his eighty years of life, he was the most manly and stubborn person he had ever seen.
Such a man would never resort to a cowardly ambush.
“I finally see your true nature.”
Bukgung Ryeong exclaimed in admiration.
A warrior's soul.
This young successor of the Demonic Path might be arrogant, but he was truly an epitome of a warrior's soul.
“Let me ask just one thing.”
Bukgung Ryeong finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.
“I know you are not a person who would do something dirty. But… no matter how I look at it, you don't seem to have the skill to kill that old man.”
He had discerned that Bu Eun-seol had just stepped into the threshold of the Transcendent Realm.
But at that level, there was no way he could defeat Gu Hong-cheong.
“How on earth did you beat him?”
As Bukgung Ryeong laid his thoughts bare, Bu Eun-seol sighed and said.
“His ambition was far too strong.”
It was a short answer.
But with that one sentence, Bukgung Ryeong understood how he had dealt with Gu Hong-cheong.
“Yes, so that’s how it was.”
He must have used Gu Hong-cheong’s ambition to provoke him, shattering his steadfast spirit.
Moreover, being daring and wise, he must have prepared a way to break through the Geol-wang’s Nine-Transformation Flash Palms.
“At this age, it is common to cast aside fame and fortune.”
Bukgung Ryeong sighed and muttered.
“Gu Hong-cheong, that old man, never once abandoned his ambition to become the Clan Leader.”
He knew Gu Hong-cheong better than anyone. Thus, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.
“But that was because he wished for the revival of the Beggars' Union more than his own honor.”
“That, too, is merely ambition.”
“What did you say?”
Leaving that one remark, Bu Eun-seol walked deeper inside.
*Thud, thud.*
His steps were unhesitating, as if he had already determined there were no more traps.
“That, too, is merely ambition…”
Repeating Bu Eun-seol's words, Bukgung Ryeong gave a bitter smile.
He realized that the statement wasn't meant to mock Gu Hong-cheong, but was born from diverse experience and deep insight.
“Truly an old soul in a young body.”
With a slight smile, he quickened his pace to walk shoulder to shoulder with Bu Eun-seol.
With that, he signaled that he had let go of the animosity he held toward him.
“So this is the Martial Emperor's treasury.”
Finally passing through the door at the end of the passage, a wide space came into view.
The place resembled a library, with numerous bookshelves packed tightly together.
On one side, there was a basin with clear underground water flowing into it, and a storage area piled with grain pills.
Bu Eun-seol and Bukgung Ryeong drank their fill of the cool, clear water.
However, most of the grain pills had rotted, so there were hardly any that were edible.
Bukgung Ryeong rummaged through a corner of the storage area and found glass jars filled with honey.
“This should be edible.”
Unlike other foods, honey can be consumed even after hundreds of years if stored properly.
The two selected jars of honey that were in good condition and slowly swallowed the contents.
As the water and honey entered their bodies, their minds grew clearer, and their bodies surged with strength.
Not only that, but the various wounds they had sustained healed in an instant, and a stream of heat began to rise from their dantians.
“This… is no ordinary honey.”
Bukgung Ryeong said, carefully examining a jar filled with clear honey.
“It must be the honey of the Jade Bees, which was only known through stories.”
“The honey of Jade Bees…”
He had once read a book in the library of the Nine Kills Squad that detailed the effects of spiritual creatures.
Recalling the properties of the Jade Bee, Bu Eun-seol, as if struck by a thought, placed a jar of honey in good condition into his robes.
“But compared to that, the secret manuals are all quite ordinary.”
Bukgung Ryeong, who had been looking through the bookshelves, shook his head with a disappointed expression.
The shelves held advanced martial arts manuals of the Orthodox Faction, but from his perspective, they were nothing special.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol, also examining the shelves, let out a low hum.
Although he had just entered the Transcendent Realm, he too was in a state that surpassed techniques and forms.
He didn't even have much interest in the martial arts of the Orthodox Faction to begin with.
“It seems that saying was true.”
Bukgung Ryeong muttered as if remembering something.
“The Martial Emperor, he said that even ordinary martial arts could display tremendous power if mastered perfectly.”
The Martial Emperor had always faced powerful enemies with ordinary martial arts, and he used to say that the secret was to ‘perfectly master the martial art.’
The Martial Emperor, Seop Mu-heun.
He was a martial arts genius who could master any technique in an instant.
Because he could learn even the most difficult martial arts with such ease, he was able to use the words ‘perfectly master.’
Seop Mu-heun was even capable of immediately writing down a secret manual of a martial art he had seen with his own eyes.
In fact, there was a legendary tale that the Hainan Sect Leader of that time, Go Tae-un, had once challenged him, asking if he could create a manual after witnessing the Hainan Sword Art.
In response, Seop Mu-heun immediately wrote down the entire Hainan Sword Sect's manual in one go.
Greatly astonished, Go Tae-un begged for forgiveness and burned the manual.
“Absurd. So he’s telling us to become the Martial Emperor by perfectly mastering these manuals just like him…”
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head with a bewildered expression.
“It seems his genius was so overwhelming that he never learned how to teach others.”
Just then, Bu Eun-seol pulled out a large book from the end of a bookshelf.
*The Secret Record of the Martial Emperor.*
The cover was in pristine condition, looking like a manual that had never been touched by human hands.
—*How unjust, how vexing!*
The preface of the *Secret Record of the Martial Emperor* was filled with words of injustice and indignation.
—*I strove to uproot the forces that threw the martial world into chaos, yet in the end, no matter how much I pulled, they could not be rooted out… and this emperor was framed and forced to flee.*
The book contained the story of the forces that had encroached upon the martial world four hundred years ago.