Chapter 341
Chapter 341
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 341
Chapter Title: Yan Emperor's Legacy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fwoosh!
As Bu Eun-seol extended his left hand, a torrent of pure white frost erupted, and the bodies of the charging warriors began to freeze in an instant.
Fwoosh! Fwoooooosh!
Suspended in mid-air, Bu Eun-seol continued to relentlessly pour the frost upon them.
Through the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art, he converted all his Reverse Polarity True Qi into the art's power, unleashing a torrent of frost.
Its might was comparable to a great glacier pouring down from the heavens.
"Incredible!"
The disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace, watching the scene, stood with their mouths agape.
"How can an outsider unleash our palace's Frigid Ice Palm?"
They had no idea that Bu Eun-seol had learned the martial art of the Glacial Grand Emperor.
They mistakenly believed he was unleashing the ultimate Frigid Ice Palm, a feat only the Palace Lord who had absorbed the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal could perform.
Fwoosh! Fwoooosh!
However, the disciples soon realized something was wrong.
The Glacial Heavenly Flow Art pouring from Bu Eun-seol’s left hand was being unleashed with a staggering six cycles of internal energy.
As it instantly froze the enemies positioned dozens of yards away, they realized this was no ordinary Frigid Ice Palm.
Rumble!
As Bu Eun-seol instantly froze the group in treasured armor, they crashed to the ground like blocks of ice.
The Glacial Heavenly Flow Art of the Glacial Grand Emperor.
The ultimate art of extreme yin, said to be capable of freezing the very heavens, was demonstrating an unimaginably formidable power when combined with Bu Eun-seol’s fearsome internal energy.
Thud, thud.
As the men in treasured armor fell in an instant, another group appeared behind them, wielding unique blades.
But just then,
Zing.
Bu Eun-seol sensed a peculiar gaze from dozens of yards away.
Turning his head, he saw a silhouette standing tall atop the roof of a distant pavilion.
He wore a strange mask that reflected the light, and his eyes blazed like fire.
That gaze was so clear and bright that it was distinctly visible even from dozens of yards away.
‘A descendant of the Eight Desolate Three Sages.’
Bu Eun-seol knew it instinctively.
That this masked man was the descendant of the Eight Desolate Three Sages who had orchestrated this entire incident.
“Yu Un-ryong! Hold them back!”
With a loud shout, Bu Eun-seol immediately executed his movement technique and landed on the roof of the pavilion where the masked man stood.
Shwaak!
The masked man on the roof immediately began to flee, heading out of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Tssss! Krakoom!
Two streaks of lightning began to slice through the air.
The masked man's movement technique was indeed like a flash of lightning, but it was far too simple.
He seemed to have no intention of shaking Bu Eun-seol, who was in pursuit. Was he simply running in a straight line toward the distant snow-covered mountain?
Thud.
Finally reaching the cliffs of the snow-covered mountain, the masked man halted his movement technique and stood firm.
“You followed well.”
As Bu Eun-seol had expected, the masked man had intentionally lured him here.
His appearance on the pavilion and his gaze were likely all part of the plan to draw him out.
Shing.
As Bu Eun-seol calmly drew the Muk-geom, the masked man let out a smirk.
“Always so confident.”
The masked man's voice was grim, but he did not sound very old.
“But I know all your tricks.”
Shing.
The masked man also drew a large blade from his waist.
It was a peculiar blade, its body covered in fine protrusions like scales.
“Shall we begin?”
Fwoosh.
As the masked man infused his energy into the blade, its body began to glow red-hot.
Upon closer inspection, the protrusions on the blade were constantly vibrating.
As he infused his internal energy, the protrusions rubbed against each other furiously, like living scales, heating the blade.
“It's called the Hwa-ryeong-do.”
The masked man’s eyes crinkled as he looked down at the red-hot blade.
“An Ancient Treasure Saber, even older than that Spirit Serpent Divine Sword of yours.”
Bu Eun-seol had no intention of listening to his chatter.
Flash!
He immediately unleashed the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form, a sharp glint of light piercing toward the masked man’s neck.
Clang!
The Muk-geom and the Hwa-ryeong-do collided.
In that moment, to his surprise, Bu Eun-seol was pushed back a step.
‘This is…’
Unable to hide his surprise, Bu Eun-seol raised an eyebrow.
“Always so confident in your internal energy, weren't you?”
The masked man said with a low laugh.
“But my clan's Yan Emperor's Qi incinerates all external forces in an instant. No matter what it is, or how powerful.”
‘A descendant of the Yan Emperor, then.’
Four hundred years ago, the Yan Emperor used the Yan Emperor's Power, capable of melting even iron, to command a martial art that incinerated everything.
And that power could even annihilate any incoming internal energy.
‘The martial arts of the Eight Desolate Three Sages are certainly unique. They operate on a different plane from the ultimate arts developed by the current Murim.’
Despite hearing of its fearsome ability, a smile played on Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
The Yan Emperor's Qi, which could instantly burn away all external forces and even internal energy. He was intrigued by the prospect of facing this new and powerful force.
Fwoosh!
Bu Eun-seol instantly unleashed a palm strike with his left hand, brimming with frigid energy.
He had executed the Frigid Ice Palm through the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art.
“It seems weaker than before.”
But the formidable frost he had displayed in front of the Ice Crystal Pavilion was not forthcoming.
Bu Eun-seol had only been learning this art for a mere four days.
Because he had exhausted a great deal of his internal energy dealing with the warriors who had stormed the Ice Crystal Pavilion, it seemed the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art was not displaying its true power.
Tssss!
The masked man swung his Hwa-ryeong-do, instantly dissipating the Frigid Ice Palm that Bu Eun-seol had unleashed.
“The North Sea Ice Palace's arts are indeed our polar opposite… but this is just pathetic.”
But Bu Eun-seol, anticipating the masked man's counter, had already closed the distance in a flash.
Flash!
Having closed the gap, Bu Eun-seol deployed the Formless Heavenly Flow.
Simultaneously, sharp strands of true qi spread out from behind his back like a spiderweb.
He had instantly unleashed the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol.
Tssss!
But something astounding happened.
The Yan Emperor's True Qi that poured from the masked man’s Hwa-ryeong-do instantly annihilated even the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol, which could slice through anything.
Shwaak!
Unfazed, Bu Eun-seol executed the Shark Fist with his left hand.
He intended to use the Thirteen Nights to pierce through the Yan Emperor's Qi and tear the masked man’s body apart.
“So this is the technique.”
As the masked man swung his Hwa-ryeong-do in a flurry, the force of the Thirteen Nights also vanished in an instant, like mist.
Halt.
As Bu Eun-seol stopped his movements, the masked man’s eyes narrowed.
“I know that you not only possess immense internal energy, but you also use it as a foundation for a wide variety of martial arts.”
It was astonishing.
This masked man knew about the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol and the Thirteen Nights, which could be called Bu Eun-seol's two signature arts.
“Show me more of your little tricks! It doesn't matter, my clan's Yan Emperor's Power will burn everything away!”
Fwoosh!
As he swung the Hwa-ryeong-do, dozens of streams of fire shot toward Bu Eun-seol’s body.
It was a heaven-shattering power that could not be nullified by swordsmanship, the Yeo-ui-jin-gyeol, or the Thirteen Nights.
‘How fascinating.’
Watching the Hwa-ryeong-do descend upon him as if to burn his body to ash, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes sparkled with interest.
The martial art of the Yan Emperor.
Its powerful thermal energy not only nullified internal true qi but also the ultimate arts of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions.
It could even instantly dissipate any counterattack the enemy launched.
‘He didn't just watch my duel with the Heavenly Sword.’
Moreover, the masked man before him had a prior understanding of Bu Eun-seol's martial arts and techniques.
It was clear that he hadn't just studied the duel with the Heavenly Sword, but had thoroughly investigated every trace of the martial arts Bu Eun-seol had left behind.
‘I'll have to use that to my advantage.’
Realizing that the man had studied his martial arts, various ways to deal with him came to Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
He decided to use the fastest method among them.
Click.
As Bu Eun-seol suddenly sheathed his sword, the masked man let out a cold laugh.
“Given up?”
“I have just one question.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
“Do you have the Gratitude Coin?”
“Looking for the Divine Calculator?”
The masked man smirked.
“Finding one coin won't change anything. All you can get is a single story.”
The unexpected reply made Bu Eun-seol’s eyebrow twitch.
“It seems you know what I’m looking for.”
“Hmph, no need to rack your brain. After today, you’ll be nothing but a cold corpse.”
“You talk too much.”
Bu Eun-seol said, beckoning with his fingers.
“Come on. Let’s end this now.”
“Arrogant fool.”
The masked man snorted coldly and drew upon his energy.
“I’ll erase every trace that you ever existed in this world.”
Fwoosh!
A yellowish-white flame erupted around the masked man’s entire body.
It was more intense than a hot flame, and its color had turned even more yellow. It seemed the color of the flame changed with the depth of his energy.
“Curious. Why don't those flames burn your clothes?”
Bu Eun-seol asked leisurely, and the masked man snorted.
“Die.”
Shwaak!
That single sword strike contained the formidable Yan Emperor's Power, capable of annihilating any counterattack.
No matter what incredible martial art Bu Eun-seol displayed, no matter what power he unleashed, he would never be able to block or counter it.
That was what the masked man thought.
Click.
But in Bu Eun-seol’s right hand, a short dagger had already appeared.
As he drew the dagger, as black as darkness, countless points of light began to bloom between him and the masked man.
The signature saber art of the Seven-Branched Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang.
The first form of the Blood Tears Seven Forms: Life's Origin, Death's Return, had been unleashed.
“Useless!”
But something astounding happened.
The masked man seemed to have a perfect grasp of even the Blood Tears Seven Forms. Before the points of light could even fully bloom, he fearlessly charged toward Bu Eun-seol like a bolt of lightning.
It could be called the ultimate counter to the Blood Tears Seven Forms.
Swoosh!
Just as the sharp edge of the masked man’s Hwa-ryeong-do was about to gently pierce Bu Eun-seol’s chest,
Tsss!
White smoke rose from Bu Eun-seol’s chest.
Even though his body had been touched by the Hwa-ryeong-do, which annihilated everything, only his clothes had melted.
He stood there, perfectly unharmed.
The Glacial Heavenly Flow Art.
It could not only unleash a formidable frigid true qi but also freeze one’s own body to be as hard as a ten-thousand-year-old ice crystal… allowing one to defend against an enemy’s attack.
Thwip.
One of the points of light that had erupted from Bu Eun-seol’s path passed through the masked man’s neck.
Thud.
The masked man powerlessly dropped the Hwa-ryeong-do he held in his hand.
“How… did you learn the Glacial Grand Emperor’s art….”
Pshhh!
In that instant, blood spurted from the masked man’s neck, and his head separated from his body and fell.
The Blood Tears Seven Forms of the Seven-Branched Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang.
This saber art was truly demonic. Once unleashed, no one could escape death.
“It feels like I'm wielding death itself.”
That was the honest feeling Bu Eun-seol had every time he used the Blood Tears Seven Forms.
This art felt less like a set of forms and more like he was creating a blade from the very concept of death… killing the enemy, and then storing that death back within himself.
“Your mistake was being arrogant enough to think you had figured out all my martial arts.”
Bu Eun-seol muttered as he approached the fallen masked man.
He had already realized that the masked man had investigated every trace of the martial arts he had displayed so far.
In that case, he must have only researched the counter to Life's Origin, Death's Return of the Blood Tears Seven Forms.
But he could never have known that Bu Eun-seol had learned the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art of the Glacial Grand Emperor in the North Sea Ice Palace.
Bu Eun-seol used that fact to deploy the Grand Ice Essence Body of the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art, blocking the Hwa-ryeong-do’s attack while using the Blood Tears Seven Forms as planned.
If this man had been a little more cautious in facing Bu Eun-seol, if he hadn't been so complacent…
He would not have been able to achieve such a complete victory in such a short time.
‘It’s a good thing I only unleashed the frigid true qi of the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art in front of the Ice Crystal Pavilion.’
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol walked over to the dead masked man.
Ssk.
The face of a young man, not much older than Bu Eun-seol himself, was revealed.
“He was young. And strong.”
Bu Eun-seol had to admit it.
The descendants of the Eight Desolate Three Sages were as strong as he was.
That meant the figures above them would be even stronger.
“I won't give them another clue.”
Shiiiik!
Bu Eun-seol extended his left hand, and an intense chill poured out.
The human body is composed mostly of water.
Therefore, when the body freezes rapidly, the internal water expands, damaging the skin and organs.
It was a principle similar to how a firm fruit turns mushy when frozen and then thawed.
But to the eyes of a martial artist, it would leave only a bizarre trace…
From now on, by using the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art, he could leave behind no trace of his martial arts.
Swoosh.
Just then, a gray shadow landed on the ground from the sky. It was Yu Un-ryong.
“You got him.”
“The Palace Lord and So Ok-rim.”
“They’ve all entered and are cleaning up. Her martial arts are truly incredible.”
Yu Un-ryong shook his head as if he was fed up.
“If it weren't for her, we would never have been able to protect the young lords.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
So Ok-rim's martial arts were truly the second coming of the Saintly Emperor from four hundred years ago. Among the younger generation, no one could withstand a single strike from her.
“If someone asked me to name the next greatest female martial artist, in the past, I would have chosen the successor of the Sword Pavilion.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a peculiar expression.
“But now, I would choose So Ok-rim. Her martial arts not only surpass the successor of the Sword Pavilion, but she could even contend for the title of the greatest in the Orthodox Faction.”
“I agree.”
Yu Un-ryong shrugged.
Then he looked at the fallen masked man.
“Was this the descendant of the Eight Desolate Three Sages?”
“Yes.”
Yu Un-ryong saw the masked man’s young face and shook his head.
“I doubt this one was the leader.”
“Probably not.”
“Hmm.”
As a sharp wind blew past, Yu Un-ryong took a deep breath.
As So Ok-rim had said, the Eight Desolate Three Sages had secretly taken root and had spies in every sect.
That meant many more trials would befall the Four Shadows Hall and Bu Eun-seol in the future.
“Well, you can't expect to be full after the first bite.”
Yu Un-ryong smiled brightly and turned around.
“Just by solving this, we've at least knocked those old geezers down a peg.”
Then he looked toward the North Sea Ice Palace and said energetically.
“Let's go back. It's time to clean up!”
If you want to be a source of strength for someone, it’s best to wear a bright expression. And just be by their side.
Yu Un-ryong made a silent vow.
No matter what trials came, he would stay by Bu Eun-seol’s side and help him.
***
Having executed the traitors and driven out the external forces, the North Sea Ice Palace slowly began to restore order.
The Dong Clan’s forces had all been suppressed, and Dong Yu-gak had taken his own life.
However, his crimes were too great for him to bear alone.
In the end, the North Sea Ice Palace disbanded the Dong Clan and expelled them from the North Sea. The Dong Clan’s forces and assets were completely divided and absorbed by the five other clans.
Using the Purple Elixir Pill he always carried and his Reverse Polarity True Qi, Bu Eun-seol treated Bing Han-pung's illness, the Glacial Wind, which had been caused by internal fire, and healed Han Ja-uk's frozen blood vessels.
The Glacial Heavenly Flow Art was the foundational heart law of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Since Bu Eun-seol had mastered it, he could perfectly understand the circulation of their true qi and heal them completely.
The grand training grounds of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Bing Han-pung stood on a platform there.
Having fully recovered his former power, his presence was strong enough to freeze heaven and earth.
And below him were tens of thousands of disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace.
They were there to express their gratitude to the departing Bu Eun-seol and to conduct a ceremony marking the alliance between the North Sea Ice Palace and the Demonic Cult.
“Thank you.”
On the verge of the alliance ceremony, Bing Han-pung approached Bu Eun-seol and took both his hands.
All Bing Han-pung had permitted was a simple alliance.
But Bu Eun-seol had not only saved the collapsing North Sea Ice Palace from crisis but had also saved the lives of the next generation of successors.
Not only that, but he had generously used his Reverse Polarity True Qi to heal Bing Han-pung’s illness and Han Ja-uk’s injuries.
“How can I ever repay this debt?”
“Palace Lord, you also generously passed down the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art to me.”
“That was…”
Bing Han-pung said in a whispered, bitter tone.
“To be honest, that was for my own selfish reasons.”
“Selfish reasons…?”
“In the past, I fought against a master of the Central Plains' Demonic Path and was defeated. It was because I had not mastered the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art.”
Bing Han-pung’s eyes grew infinitely deep, as if tracing the past.
“And he left me with some strange words. He said that only by finding a disciple who could master the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art could the North Sea Ice Palace survive the Great Blood Calamity in the future.”
“The Great Blood Calamity… you say?”
“Indeed. It sounded absurd to me as well, but seeing his mysterious martial prowess and his actions, I could not simply dismiss it.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes grew as deep as Bing Han-pung’s.
“Who was he?”
“The Seven-Branched Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang. He was the vice-lord of the Demonic Cult you belong to.”
“The Seven-Branched Demonic Saber.”
Bu Eun-seol could not hide his surprise.
The Seven-Branched Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang.
Had he traveled not only through the Central Plains but also sought out and fought against the powerful figures of the outer regions?
“Why was this fact never known to the Murim?”
“He came to our palace alone. And he left just as quietly… Besides myself, no one knows of this.”
“What did he mean by the Great Blood Calamity?”
“I too have pondered it for a long time, but I could not figure it out. However, those words remained in my mind like a brand… and I have been endlessly searching for a disciple who could master the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art.”
‘So that’s why he asked me to look after the North Sea Ice Palace.’
Bu Eun-seol finally understood why Bing Han-pung had said what he did back when he was teaching him the Glacial Heavenly Flow Art.
“But thinking about it now, I suppose the Great Blood Calamity could have meant the rebellion started by the traitors in my palace.”
If Bu Eun-seol had not appeared, the North Sea Ice Palace would have been stained with blood by the traitorous Dong Clan and the descendant of the Blood Emperor.
“You are the benefactor who saved our palace from that blood calamity.”
‘Does it really refer to that calamity?’
But Bu Eun-seol had his doubts.
He couldn't imagine a great figure like the Seven-Branched Demonic Saber would refer to a mere rebellion as the Great Blood Calamity.
“I was merely… repaying the debt I owed the Palace Lord.”
Clearing his mind of the rising thoughts, Bu Eun-seol offered a smile, and Bing Han-pung shook his head.
“How can passing on a single martial art be the same as saving my entire palace from ruin?”
“It is the same.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled calmly.
“Because I was simply repaying a debt.”
Bing Han-pung looked at Bu Eun-seol for a moment, then suddenly bowed his head.
And he respectfully clasped his hands.
“Grand Master of the Demonic Path, Bu Eun-seol. As long as you are here, my palace will always stand by your side.”
Then he raised his voice and declared solemnly.
“And I, the Palace Lord, will be your friend in any situation, and share in your hardships and difficulties!”
Cheok.
Bu Eun-seol also bowed his head respectfully, showing his courtesy.
“I will never betray the Palace Lord's goodwill.”
"Waaaaaah!"
A great roar erupted from the disciples below the platform.
Bu Eun-seol, the successor of the Demonic Cult.
He had reunited the North Sea Ice Palace, which had been divided by external forces.
Not only that, but he had healed the illnesses of the Palace Lord and Han Ja-uk, and had risked his life to protect the young lords who would lead the palace in the future.
He had become the benefactor of the North Sea Ice Palace, and its eternal friend.