Chapter 351
Chapter 351
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 351
Chapter Title: The Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber
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‘He’s going to counter?’
When Bu Eun-seol extended his fist, it was Ok Yu-ha’s turn to be unable to hide her surprise.
A young man, barely of age, was daring to raise his internal energy to meet her first move, as if to compete with her in martial arts?
*Boom!*
A loud explosion erupted as the finger sword and the fist collided.
But the result was unexpected.
“Ugh.”
With a frustrated groan, Ok Yu-ha, who had struck first, staggered back four steps.
‘How can his martial arts be so advanced, yet his internal energy so shallow?’
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his bewilderment at the unexpected outcome.
From that single finger sword technique, it was clear that Ok Yu-ha had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
But her internal energy was barely over sixty years’ worth?
‘Has her power crumbled away?’
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Internal power was like water; once it starts to leak, it drains away in an instant.
It was impossible to leave behind precisely sixty years’ worth.
“You…”
Ok Yu-ha’s face hardened in astonishment.
She had never dreamed that Bu Eun-seol would counter her attack from within the Sword Pavilion.
“Elder. Head Elder.”
Just then, the door opened and a disciple rushed in.
“The Young Mistress’s condition is critical.”
“What?”
“Master Chunghyeon, who is treating her, says that his efforts alone will not be enough…”
Fortunately, an elder from the Wudang Sect, Chunghyeon, was staying at the Sword Pavilion.
He was not only a great martial artist but also a man of remarkable medical skill.
Upon hearing that A-yeon had not regained consciousness, he had begun treating her alongside the Head of the Medicine Hall.
“Not enough on his own? Aren’t there countless disciples in the Medicine Hall?”
Ok Yu-ha shouted sharply and strode quickly out of the hall.
Her attitude, as if nothing had happened until now, and her annoyed, rash tone were not befitting of the Head Elder of the Sword Pavilion.
‘How utterly reckless. She really is like a twenty-year-old child.’
Watching Ok Yu-ha leave, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Just as he was about to leave the Cloud Mist Pavilion,
“Young Master.”
Elder Neungin, who had been standing quietly, spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
“Please try to understand the Head Elder.”
“What is there for me to understand?”
Bu Eun-seol retorted curtly.
Originally, because of the righteous A-yeon, he had held a very favorable view of the Sword Pavilion.
But after meeting Ok Yu-ha, the Head Elder and former Sword Empress, that feeling had completely changed. Naturally, his attitude and tone couldn't help but be cold.
Elder Neungin seemed to sense his feelings and spoke cautiously.
“To be frank, she has long suffered from an illness of the heart. That is why she despises men so vehemently.”
Bu Eun-seol looked uncomprehending. An orthodox master with an illness of the heart.
“That can’t be.”
Seeing Bu Eun-seol’s disbelief, Elder Neungin spoke in a low, murmuring voice.
“It is true. It was because of that old ailment that she ultimately could not ascend to the position of Sect Leader.”
Elder Neungin said with a bitter expression.
“That is why our sect has been without a leader for decades.”
Bu Eun-seol felt a sense of doubt.
—The Sect Leader is in seclusion.
That was what A-yeon had said when they first met.
But now it seemed the position had been vacant all along?
‘They must have been trying to keep it a secret.’
Since the appearance of the Sword Empress, the identity of the Sword Pavilion’s leader had never been revealed.
A-yeon might have said that because she felt no need to explain the Pavilion's situation to an outsider.
But that raised another question.
Who was currently leading the Sword Pavilion?
As Bu Eun-seol was lost in deep thought,
“She can’t help but speak with thorns when she sees a man, so please understand.”
Elder Neungin said in a low voice.
“In fact, our sect hasn’t allowed a man inside for decades.”
Bu Eun-seol asked, dumbfounded.
“Are you saying the man from Wudang isn’t a man?”
“The elder from Wudang is a Taoist who cultivates the Way, is he not?”
Elder Neungin shook her head.
“Monks and Taoists are all members of the Orthodox Sects, so naturally, we do not consider them men.”
‘Is she really afflicted with a man-hating sickness?’
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his disbelief.
Judging by Elder Neungin's expression, it wasn't a lie. The Sword Empress, so revered by the orthodox factions, was afflicted with a sickness that made her despise men?
‘Even if it’s true, it’s none of my business.’
Bu Eun-seol nodded nonchalantly and said.
“I see. Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait.”
Elder Neungin extended her hand.
“Do you not know why this old nun has told you a story that could be considered our sect’s shame?”
“I do not.”
“This nun is asking for your help with A-yeon.”
From the moment she appeared, Elder Neungin had sided with Bu Eun-seol, and her words and actions were gentle.
As the highest-ranking elder of the Sword Pavilion continued to treat him with respect, Bu Eun-seol suppressed his anger and spoke.
“What is there for me to help with?”
“Just now, Master Chunghyeon said, ‘his efforts alone will not be enough.’”
Elder Neungin said calmly.
“Despite the thousands of disciples in our sect, for him to say he is alone must mean that a man’s power—that is, Pure Yang Qi—is needed.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
It seemed Elder Neungin was not only wise but also possessed great insight.
“In that case, aren’t you the only one in our sect who can wield Pure Yang Qi?”
The Great Sword Mountain was far from Chengdu, situated at the peak of a high mountain that was difficult for ordinary people to climb.
Summoning a powerful martial artist immediately was impossible.
Elder Neungin was trying to keep Bu Eun-seol here, just in case.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eun-seol, who had been lost in thought, said with a glint in his eyes.
“Did I not say it before? I have mastered an ice art.”
One who masters a yin-cold internal art cannot produce yang-type Qi.
Since Bu Eun-seol had injected Icy Frost Qi into A-yeon, he would naturally be someone incapable of wielding searing yang Qi.
“That cannot be.”
But Elder Neungin smiled.
“Did you not master an art that allows you to use both yin and yang energy?”
“What are you talking about?”
As Bu Eun-seol feigned ignorance, she stated calmly.
“When you just clashed with the Head Elder, did you not use ordinary internal power instead of Icy Frost Qi?”
If Bu Eun-seol wanted to insist he had only mastered an ice art, he should have used Icy Frost Qi when he struck Ok Yu-ha.
But he had used his ordinary internal power to execute his fist technique.
Having witnessed this, Elder Neungin had seen through the fact that Bu Eun-seol had mastered an art that allowed him to use both yin and yang energy.
‘Indeed.’
Bu Eun-seol nodded faintly.
‘In that case…’
Just as the thoughts swirling in his head reached a conclusion,
“Until we have a final say on A-yeon’s condition, could you not stay in our sect for a little while?”
Elder Neungin spoke again.
“This nun asks this of you.”
As Elder Neungin approached with her aged body and bowed so low she nearly touched the floor, Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh.
‘Didn’t I come all this way to save her anyway?’
*Rustle.*
Just then, with the sound of hurried footsteps, the entrance door opened once more.
And in walked Ok Yu-ha, her eyes blazing fiercely.
She strode right up to Bu Eun-seol and shouted again.
“You will take responsibility for this.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Ok Yu-ha bit her lip and said sharply.
“Because of your Icy Frost Qi, that child is dying!”
“Explain calmly. What on earth do you mean?”
Just as Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth to look at Ok Yu-ha,
“Infinite Life Buddha.”
A middle-aged Taoist in priestly robes walked out from behind her.
Though his body was gaunt, his eyes were clear as a child’s, and his face had a slight apricot hue.
It was the Wudang elder staying at the Sword Pavilion, Master Chunghyeon.
His complexion was poor, as if he had severely depleted his Qi while treating A-yeon, and beads of sweat constantly trickled down his forehead.
“Head Elder. How can you berate a young man who has done a wonderful thing?”
“A wonderful thing? Isn’t A-yeon dying because he injected her with Icy Frost Qi?”
“Head Elder, if this young man had not injected her with Icy Frost Qi, her meridians would have melted and she would have died before ever arriving here.”
Master Chunghyeon looked at Bu Eun-seol and smiled faintly.
“This young man, despite having no connection to the Sword Pavilion, carefully placed her in a coffin and traveled thousands of miles while continuously infusing her with his Qi.”
He then looked back at Ok Yu-ha and sighed.
“For that alone, the Sword Pavilion should be kneeling and bowing to this young man. How can you berate him in such a manner?”
Master Chunghyeon’s words were logical and reasonable.
Ok Yu-ha surely knew this in her heart as well.
But perhaps due to the illness of her heart, what came out of her mouth were once again words bordering on obstinacy.
“Our sect has always protected the martial world. So isn’t it only natural that he bring our injured successor here?”
Master Chunghyeon no longer responded to her stubbornness and instead turned to Bu Eun-seol.
“A-yeon has been suffering from a minor inner demon for a long time. When she was exposed to a mind-affecting art, that inner demon deepened, and the affliction finally reached her physical body.”
He calmly explained A-yeon’s condition.
“With the Head Elder’s help, I assessed the state of her Qi circulation and first restored her damaged body. However, your ice art is so profound that I failed to restore her completely.”
“Are you saying my ice art is related to her condition?”
“A-yeon was born with a Body of Radiant Yang and possesses the energy of True Yang, which is directly linked to her life force.”
Master Chunghyeon sighed and said.
“But when her blood vessels were on the verge of freezing due to the powerful ice art, that True Yang energy was completely extinguished.”
In short, the Glacier Heavenly Flow Art had prolonged her life, but it was also the reason she couldn't awaken.
“However, the internal arts practiced by the disciples of the Sword Pavilion are all of the Profound Yin type, so they are unable to reignite her True Yang.”
Master Chunghyeon wiped the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his robe.
“Because of this incident, this humble Taoist has consumed too much Qi. I too will need to enter seclusion for forty-nine days to recover my power.”
Master Chunghyeon gazed at Bu Eun-seol with an earnest look.
“If we cannot revive the flame of her True Yang within the next few days, she will not last more than four days before she passes away.”
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
In the end, Elder Neungin’s prediction had been spot on.
“There are many masters in the Sword Pavilion, so why did you alone, Master, have to expend your precious cultivation?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Master Chunghyeon replied calmly.
“Let this Taoist ask you. Why did you travel thousands of miles from Pyeongdo to the Great Sword Mountain to save A-yeon?”
When Bu Eun-seol didn't answer immediately, Master Chunghyeon smiled faintly.
“This humble Taoist simply feels the same as you.”
He then clasped his hands and said.
“Please, for the sake of my sect and my own honor, lend her your Qi…”
But he couldn't finish his sentence and staggered.
He had consumed so much Qi that he didn't even have the strength to stand properly.
“Master.”
As Elder Neungin and Ok Yu-ha rushed over, Master Chunghyeon waved his hand.
“I am fine. It is just a pity that my abilities were insufficient to save her.”
He showed no concern for his own body, worrying only for A-yeon.
Seeing this, Bu Eun-seol was suddenly reminded of the Wudang Sect’s Paragon of Righteousness, Song Ak.
He had met Song Ak around the same time as A-yeon, a remarkably clear and pure-hearted man.
And he was someone who had shown him kindness, transcending the boundaries of righteousness and evil.
‘The people of Wudang are generally decent.’
Just then, Elder Neungin pointed at the disciples and said.
“What are you staring at? Quickly escort the Master to the Medicine Hall.”
“Yes, yes.”
The disciples finally came to their senses and helped the exhausted Master Chunghyeon outside.
“What are you doing?”
Ok Yu-ha glared at Bu Eun-seol and shouted.
“You heard the story, so hurry up and treat A-yeon!”
‘Truly beyond saving.’
A deep sigh escaped Bu Eun-seol.
No matter how youthful her appearance, Ok Yu-ha was nearly sixty years old.
Yet she was throwing a tantrum without any sense of propriety? Bu Eun-seol was beyond anger; he was on the verge of laughing.
‘Do I have to understand her sickness too?’
Bu Eun-seol had no connection to the Sword Pavilion.
Even if Ok Yu-ha had a fatal illness, not just one of the heart, there was no reason for him to make allowances for her.
“Head Elder. Even in this situation, you can still spew such thoughtless words?”
“W-What did you say?”
Bu Eun-seol ignored her reaction and spoke in a stern voice.
“Even the Wudang elder puts others before himself without a care for his own body. How can you, an elder of the Sword Pavilion, speak such senile nonsense?”
“Senile?”
A murderous glint appeared in Ok Yu-ha’s eyes.
“How dare you insult me…”
“Listen to the end!”
Bu Eun-seol roared with a solemn voice and continued.
“I will treat Lady A-yeon. But it is not because the Head Elder is browbeating me, but because I do not wish for the efforts of that Wudang Master to be in vain.”
“Do you think you have the right to order me around!”
Enraged, Ok Yu-ha struck out again.
*Swish!*
With a sharp sound of tearing air, her finger sword once again aimed for Bu Eun-seol’s neck.
But as if he had already anticipated the move, the power of the Selfless Chain Fist erupted from his left fist.
*Kwoong!*
With a loud crash, Ok Yu-ha’s body shook violently.
Although he had only infused it with thirty percent of his power, because he had preempted the direction of her finger sword, Ok Yu-ha had suffered a great loss.
“If you continue to act so rashly without any sense of discernment at your age, who would truly follow you, Head Elder?”
In that moment, a grave and solemn aura that could overwhelm Mount Tai flowed from Bu Eun-seol’s entire body.
It was not an aura that could possibly emanate from a mere wanderer.
—You still lack discernment. And you call yourself the next successor of the Sword Pavilion?
For a moment, Ok Yu-ha seemed to hear the voice of the person who had sternly scolded her decades ago.
“You…”
With a dreamlike expression, Ok Yu-ha stared at Bu Eun-seol, who was exuding an aura that could overwhelm all under heaven.
His face, with his hair tied in a topknot, looked ordinary, but his eyes were long and solemn like a phoenix’s, and his entire body flowed with the spirit of a dragon.
That image transcended time and space, overlapping with the image of a man she had hidden deep in her heart… a man she could never forget, even in death.
The image of a peerless demonic saber master whom she hated so much, yet could never forget…
“Bu Jan-yang.”
‘Bu Jan-yang?’
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened.
Why did his grandfather’s name suddenly come from her lips?
“Why didn’t you keep your promise?”
She trembled unknowingly and spoke in a low voice.
Ok Yu-ha’s eyes seemed to be looking not at Bu Eun-seol, but at some faraway place.
“Why did you so viciously… our sect’s elders…”
“Head Elder!”
Elder Neungin shouted loudly and slapped Ok Yu-ha across the cheek.
With a sharp crack, Elder Neungin exclaimed with a solemn expression.
“Get a hold of yourself!”
Startled back to her senses, Ok Yu-ha looked around.
“I…”
Only then realizing her mistake, she spun around and hurriedly ran outside.
After a moment of awkward silence, Elder Neungin spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
“I apologize.”
Elder Neungin looked at the door through which Ok Yu-ha had left and shook her head.
“Her illness has never been this severe. To think she would lose her composure and act so unreasonably.”
Then, she smiled bitterly.
“This nun will apologize on behalf of the Head Elder for her rudeness.”
Bu Eun-seol seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before he spoke.
“The Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber.”
He then stared intently at Elder Neungin’s face and asked.
“Did Head Elder Ok develop her heart’s illness because of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang?”
It was an obvious deduction.
In the last hundred years, the only one known in the martial world by the name Bu Jan-yang was the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber.
“That is correct.”
Elder Neungin was silent for a moment before nodding.
“When she was traveling the martial world, she was gravely injured while dealing with the Northern Desert Blood Sword. It is said she was saved by the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, who happened to be passing by.”
Her brow was deeply furrowed.
“As you know, men of the demonic path are cunning and wicked. He probably conspired with the Northern Desert Blood Sword to sway the child’s heart.”
Bu Eun-seol gave a bitter smile.
“At that time, wasn't the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, Bu Jan-yang, a peerless saber master of the demonic path who boasted of his invincibility? Are you saying he would stoop to scheming just to sway the heart of the Sword Pavilion’s successor?”
“Our sect has dealt with villains for generations. Furthermore, our swordsmanship is the nemesis of the demonic path. He must have intended to bring down our sect, which could have threatened him in the future.”
Elder Neungin said in a resentful voice.
“He used Head Elder Ok, who was the successor at the time, to meet our sect’s seven great elders, and then brutally murdered them all in an instant.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened.
“Are you saying he murdered the elders of the Sword Pavilion?”