Chapter 325
Chapter 325
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: The Seven-Branched Demon Blade’s Legacy
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“Give up.”
The Sword Sovereign, Heonwon Dam-cheong, spoke with a bitter expression.
“Is there any need to die a painful death crossing swords with this old man?”
He then looked at Bu Eun-seol with impassive eyes.
“Take your own life. That is the only kindness this old man will offer you.”
Even under the threat of the fearsome Sword Sovereign, Bu Eun-seol’s gaze remained placid.
“Do you think I’ll just sit here and wait to die?”
“So you intend to fight after all.”
The Sword Sovereign wore a grim expression.
For him to personally deal with Bu Eun-seol was akin to a grown man attacking a newborn.
Bu Eun-seol was a young prodigy who had just entered the Transcendent Realm.
But was he not a Grandmaster of Martial Arts who had reached the Absolute Realm long ago?
“This old man found that child, Cheon-geom, when I was wandering the world in search of a quiet place to retire from the martial world. That is why I had no intention of taking a disciple.”
The Sword Sovereign’s face twisted in pain.
“But that child, Cheon-geom, was so pitiful. His parents were slaughtered by a band of demonic bandits, and he had suffered a head injury that made him forget even his parents’ faces, even his own name.”
His eyes deepened as if recalling the tragic events of that time.
“That is why this old man named him Cheon-geom. I hoped he would become the sword of heaven, one that would bring justice to this world.”
Bu Eun-seol no longer cared about Cheon-geom’s past.
The only reason he listened in silence was because he fully understood the bitter heart of one seeking revenge.
He, too, lived for vengeance and was still walking that path.
“But before he could become the Sword of Justice that would act in heaven’s stead, he fell for your vile scheme and became a lonely spirit.”
The Sword Sovereign’s eyes were filled with sorrow.
“Even as his body grew cold, his honor was dragged through the mud, and the name Cheon-geom became one that even the orthodox factions turned away from.”
His tone was gentle, but every word placed the blame squarely on Bu Eun-seol.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand why Cheon-geom had lacked such a proper character.
‘He simply pitied him and felt sorry for him, so he couldn't discipline him strictly.’
Disciples and children should be raised with love, but their mistakes must be strictly corrected.
Otherwise, they come to believe that everything in the world will bend to their will.
“Did you really have to go that far?”
The Sword Sovereign had trusted Cheon-geom, who had inherited the essence of his swordsmanship, and so had not gone to the Seokgwang Plains.
But upon hearing that Cheon-geom had been defeated and beheaded, he immediately pursued Bu Eun-seol, believing he had won through a vicious scheme.
However, the moment he saw Bu Eun-seol draw his sword, he perceived that his true martial prowess surpassed Cheon-geom’s.
Having lost his justification for revenge… he was now grasping at straws.
“Like master, like disciple.”
Bu Eun-seol said coldly.
“There’s no need for long speeches. Make your move.”
The aura of a grandmaster who looked down upon the world began to emanate from Bu Eun-seol’s entire body.
That dignified and majestic presence was a more scathing rebuttal to the Sword Sovereign’s forced argument than a hundred words could ever be.
In truth, the Sword Sovereign knew it too.
It was Cheon-geom’s way to shamelessly use petty tricks to achieve victory.
He was simply unable to bear the grief of losing his beloved disciple and was looking for someone to vent his anger on.
“You were raised well.”
The Sword Sovereign’s expression was a mixture of apology and anguish.
“I admit that this old man raised his disciple poorly.”
He then stared intently into Bu Eun-seol’s eyes and spoke.
“And I am well aware that for me to personally lay a hand on a child like you goes against the laws of the martial world.”
With a deep sigh, the Sword Sovereign finally spoke frankly.
“But… I simply cannot refrain from avenging that pitiful boy.”
“Do it.”
As the Sword Sovereign spoke honestly, Bu Eun-seol replied in a calm voice.
“There is no one here to condemn you.”
The Sword Sovereign realized that not only was Bu Eun-seol’s spirit noble and lofty, but his mind had also not strayed into the demonic path.
The Middle Way.
To think that the successor of the Demonic Cult followed the Middle Way instead of the demonic path was astonishing.
“Very well.”
As if having made a great decision, the Sword Sovereign picked up a fallen tree branch from the ground and said.
“This is all this old man’s unreasonable doing, so I will not take your life.”
He then raised the branch to a middle guard and spoke calmly.
“Instead, I will take one of your arms.”
From the Sword Sovereign's perspective, this was the greatest mercy he could offer.
With Bu Eun-seol’s talent, he would likely recover his skills in no time, even with left-handed swordsmanship.
“I don’t care. Attack me properly.”
“What did you say?”
“It’s just a self-imposed restriction because you know your actions are shameful.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly, holding his Ice Soul Sword.
“Make your move.”
The Sword Sovereign had broken through to the Transcendent Realm long ago and had realized the ultimate principles of the sword.
Yet his understanding of human affairs seemed less than Bu Eun-seol’s.
“Shameful. Truly shameful.”
The Sword Sovereign shook his head, holding the branch.
“After I take your arm, this old man will leave the martial world for good. And I will never show my face in the world again.”
He then said calmly.
“You may strike first. If this old man makes the first move, you won’t even have a chance to display your swordsmanship.”
It was not a threat, but a consideration filled with sincerity.
Bu Eun-seol nodded and drew upon his internal energy with all his might.
Without hesitation, he unleashed the essence of the Musang-cheonryu.
*Swoosh!*
A jet-black sword energy coiled around Heonwon Dam-cheong’s body like a ferocious black dragon.
“A fine sword art.”
The Sword Sovereign exclaimed in admiration.
Bu Eun-seol’s sword form contained no flaws or openings.
It was exceedingly difficult for someone so young to execute such a stable and exquisite sword technique.
The Sword Sovereign did not attack, simply standing his ground and lightly evading the technique.
*CRACKLE!*
Expecting the Sword Sovereign to easily dodge, Bu Eun-seol unleashed the Danak-ilkwon with his left hand.
*Swoosh! Swoosh!*
Two streams of sharp energy shot toward the Sword Sovereign’s sides.
“A remarkable technique.”
But the Sword Sovereign still stood in the same spot.
And the Musang-cheonryu and the Thirteenth Night Arts had vanished as if they were melting snow.
“This seems like an art of the orthodox faction…”
The Sword Sovereign tilted his head and looked at Bu Eun-seol.
His eyes showed only curiosity, not a shred of wariness toward the Thirteenth Night Arts.
‘Is it not working?’
Seeing the Sword Sovereign’s relaxed demeanor, Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
He had seen several masters who had reached the Absolute Realm before.
The Demonic Emperor, the Elder of the Council, the Master of Nang-ya-gak, and even the Buddhist Sovereign.
They all possessed martial prowess beyond imagination, but they were still humans residing in the mortal world.
But once the battle began, the Sword Sovereign felt like an immortal who had entered the realm of sages, merely wearing a human shell to descend upon the world for a time.
No matter what martial art he used, it simply couldn’t reach his body.
He seemed to be standing right in front of him, yet it felt as if he were tens of thousands of miles away.
*Swish.*
The branch in the Sword Sovereign’s hand moved gently.
At the same time, a small point of light fell toward Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder.
It was minuscule, yet it was a living thing brimming with potent life force.
Although it hadn’t touched his skin, just seeing it felt as if it were seeping into his shoulder, passing through skin and bone.
‘A living sword technique.’
With this single move, Bu Eun-seol realized the Sword Sovereign’s greatness.
The Mansang-ilshik he had created was not a mere compilation of orthodox sword arts. He had captured all the phenomena of the natural world to…
Create a living sword art.
*Tap.*
The point of light finally touched Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder. But it did not pass through.
*Zzzing.*
Bu Eun-seol had already unleashed the Yeoui Jin-gyeol, completely protecting his arm.
Even so, blood flowed from Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder, and the flesh was deeply cut.
‘Now.’
A brilliant light shone in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
The Sword Sovereign had already declared that he would cut off Bu Eun-seol’s right arm, so he had anticipated that he would focus his attacks there.
He had unleashed the Yeoui Jin-gyeol in preparation for a final counterattack.
—Seek victory in the midst of crisis.
Recalling a line from the principles of the Seven Forms of the Blood Tear, a fiery courage rose in Bu Eun-seol’s chest.
He couldn’t win against the Sword Sovereign anyway.
If that was the case, why not become a madman and leave this world with him?
Saeng-gi-sa-gwi.
The ultimate saber art of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, the first form of the Seven Forms of the Blood Tear, was once again unleashed from Bu Eun-seol’s hands.
*Woooong!*
Hundreds of sword rings materialized around Bu Eun-seol and the Sword Sovereign.
‘This world is but a temporary stop.’
As he recalled the principles of the Seven Forms of the Blood Tear, a sense of loneliness and desolation washed over him.
And like a man yearning for death, he plunged into the midst of the sword rings without hesitation.
*FLASH!*
Bu Eun-seol, his body and weapon united as one, transformed into a brilliant halo of light. He then passed through the body of his foe, who stood as firm as a great mountain.
He had unleashed the Extreme Speed, No Shadow at its peak from point-blank range while simultaneously pouring out Saeng-gi-sa-gwi, cutting down the Sword Sovereign in the blink of an eye.
“……”
An abrupt silence fell upon the Seven Swords Ridge.
*Twaaang!*
A strange sound came from Bu Eun-seol’s Ice Soul Sword as he held his stance after passing through the Sword Sovereign’s body.
At the same time, spiderweb-like cracks began to form on the blade.
*Crack.*
Simultaneously, the Sword Sovereign’s right sleeve was slightly torn.
Despite pouring everything he had into that single move, he had only managed to cut his sleeve.
“How can this be?”
But the Sword Sovereign’s eyes were wide enough to tear.
It wasn't because Bu Eun-seol had landed a blow on him.
It was because he realized the sword art Bu Eun-seol had used was actually a saber art, the art of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade.
“Who are you?”
Heonwon Dam-cheong’s expression turned bizarre.
“The Seven-Branched Demon Blade… is he alive?”
Bu Eun-seol was not particularly surprised.
The Seven-Branched Demon Blade, Bu Jan-yang, was a contemporary of the Sword Sovereign. It was highly likely that the two had clashed.
“Are you his disciple?”
When Bu Eun-seol didn’t answer, Heonwon Dam-cheong asked again.
“Or are you his blood relative?”
Bu Eun-seol’s expression was peculiar.
The Seven-Branched Demon Blade was the greatest demonic master of his time, so he should have been on bad terms with him.
But Heonwon Dam-cheong’s expression now was not one of hostility, but was veiled in a strange mix of longing and astonishment.
“How on earth can you use his saber art?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Bu Eun-seol had no intention of explaining to him the process of learning the Blood Tear Forms.
Heonwon Dam-cheong then spoke with a complicated expression.
“I see. Then I have no choice but to ask your body.”
He once again brandished the branch in his hand.
In Bu Eun-seol’s eyes, dozens of living points of light appeared.
Not only did these points of light possess a spiritual nature, but they also altered their speed and angle to match his movements.
*Thwack.*
Bu Eun-seol did his utmost to extinguish them.
That fleeting moment felt like an eternity.
But the points of light did not disappear; instead, as they met his sword, they seemed to turn into dark, black clouds.
‘So, countering them changes their nature.’
A flash of insight lit up Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
At the same time, the tip of his Ice Soul Sword began to tremble.
Mansang-ilshik.
He was about to use the principle of Diverting a Thousand Pounds with Four Ounces, which he had learned from Cheon-geom, to counter the Sword Sovereign.
*Sssshhk.*
Even as sword art met sword art and light met light, the sound of tearing silk echoed.
When the light that had enveloped the world faded,
*Flutter.*
Bu Eun-seol’s clothes were revealed, torn in several places, with his pockets completely exposed.
The Sword Sovereign had not intended to take Bu Eun-seol’s life, but to knock out all the weapons and items hidden in his clothes.
“What is this?”
The Sword Sovereign looked at the small sword hanging from Bu Eun-seol’s waist.
It was the size of an ordinary dagger, but its hilt was disproportionately large, like that of a great saber.
“Yeoro?”
The Sword Sovereign cried out as if shouting.
“You are his successor.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened.
To his astonishment, he had even recognized the sword of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade.
“To think that the successor of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade would also appear…”
The Sword Sovereign had said ‘also’.
But Bu Eun-seol was too shocked to notice it.
Finding the trail of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, Bu Jan-yang, had been one of his goals.
“How do you know him?”
“Is this too the will of heaven?”
Heonwon Dam-cheong’s expression was strange.
He seemed to be worried about something, yet at the same time, pleased.
The Sword Sovereign raised his head and looked into Bu Eun-seol’s unwavering eyes.
There was not a trace of doubt, and a lofty spirit emanated from his entire body.
Watching him, he let out a deep sigh and began to speak of something completely different.
“Indeed, heaven does not send down a divine being alone, but always sends worthy rivals to match them.”
The Twin Celestial Sovereigns of Justice and Evil, the Three Demons and Three Sovereigns.
The martial world always had rivals, and sometimes they appeared from the most unexpected places.
Was it not often said that the martial world was as full of extraordinary people as there were grains of sand?
“You may be called the greatest prodigy of the demonic path, but there are many other prodigies in the martial world who could be your rivals.”
It was a rather abrupt statement, but its meaning was understandable.
Cheon-geom was a prodigy on par with Bu Eun-seol. Then the disciples or children of the Murim Alliance Lord, and the disciples of the other Three Demons and Three Sovereigns, would surely be of a comparable level.
“At least ten of them.”
But his next words made Bu Eun-seol frown.
No matter how wide the world was, the idea that there were more than ten people like him was hard to believe.
“You will soon find out.”
The Sword Sovereign said, gazing at the distant sky.
“Why the descendants of those immensely famous supreme masters… have not yet appeared in the martial world.”
His words were cryptic.
Bu Eun-seol found himself following the Sword Sovereign’s gaze up to the night sky.
There, dazzlingly bright stars shone upon each other.
“Perhaps the emergence of a prodigy like you… is also fate.”
Muttering with vacant eyes, the Sword Sovereign shook his head.
“Well, this old man will be leaving the martial world. What does it matter?”
Muttering incomprehensible words under his breath, Heonwon Dam-cheong tossed the branch aside.
“I will be going.”
He turned his back abruptly and said in a low voice.
“With this, he and I have no more debts.”
And he turned away.
“Sword Sovereign!”
Bu Eun-seol shouted, but the Sword Sovereign’s presence had already vanished.
“The Seven-Branched Demon Blade… just who was he?”
The Seven-Branched Demon Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
He already knew that, contrary to what was known, he was not a cruel killer and that there was another side to him.
But to think he had indebted not only the Bedridden King Jongri Sa-hyeon, but also the Sword Sovereign, a paramount figure of the orthodox faction.
Could it be that he had deliberately worn the mask of a cruel saber wielder to achieve some other purpose?
‘No, the Demonic Cult is not so easily fooled.’
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
The Demonic Emperor had the ability to see into the hearts of others.
There were also Jeok Bung and the Master of the Hwau Sword Sect who were comparable to him, as well as the Master of Nang-ya-gak.
Moreover, the Demonic Cult was a den of demons where great demonic figures whose identities and abilities had not yet been revealed lay in wait.
If he had desperately tried to hide his identity, the Seven-Branched Demon Blade should never have become the Vice-Leader of the Demonic Cult.
“……”
No matter how much he thought, he could not find an answer.
Bu Eun-seol reached out and picked up the Yeoro that had fallen to the ground.
If the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, Bu Jan-yang, was the Salt Merchant, Bu Jan-yang… then this sword was his grandfather’s memento.
“Grandfather.”
Carefully tucking the Yeoro into his robes, Bu Eun-seol looked up at the night sky with blurred eyes.
The circumstances entangled within were so complex that he couldn't even begin to guess the full story.
“I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head.
Why the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, known as a killer, had another side to him.
If his grandfather was the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, why had he abandoned all his glory and hidden his identity to work as a salt merchant.
And who, and for what reason, had killed his grandfather.
‘If the Seven-Branched Demon Blade did many good deeds contrary to what is known, why was that fact never revealed?’
No matter what anyone said, the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, Bu Jan-yang, was a great killer acknowledged by the martial world, a great demon who had brutally slaughtered countless masters of both the orthodox and unorthodox factions.
Putting aside Jongri Sa-hyeon, who rarely appeared in the martial world.
If the Sword Sovereign, who had been active at the time, had seen a different side of Bu Jan-yang, how could such a fact not have become known in the martial world?
“Let’s go back.”
No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t find an answer.
With a deep sigh, he slowly began to walk.
Thanks to the sword of the Seven-Branched Demon Blade, he had saved his arm from the Sword Sovereign’s attack for free.
But Bu Eun-seol was not happy at all.
If he could have learned the whole story, even at the cost of an arm… he would have been truly glad.