Chapter 356
Chapter 356
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 356
Chapter Title: Half-Life, Half-Death
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“Death is a return to the origin.”
*Whoosh!*
Black rings of sword energy began to pour from Bu Eun-seol’s Black Sword.
“Kugh!”
Then, with screams, the disciples of the Sword Pavilion began to suffer grievous wounds from the rings of energy.
This was a level of power that even Bu Eun-seol, who had intended to use the Return to Death, had not anticipated.
‘This technique will be useful when facing multiple enemies.’
The Return to Death was a saber art that required one to be prepared for death when facing a single foe.
But when fighting many, it transformed into a demonic art that delivered death to all enemies in the vicinity.
*Swish, swish, swish, swish!*
The Flame Blossom and Lotus Blossom Units deflected the rings of sword energy that scattered in all directions and began to rapidly close in on Bu Eun-seol.
Ordinary disciples would not have dared to deflect the rings, but dozens of them had unleashed their sword energy in unison, amplifying their power.
‘Martial arts are not about power, but about profundity.’
*Shik! Shik!*
Two sharp streams of inner force began to swirl around his body.
As the power of the sword formation increased, Bu Eun-seol stopped using the Seven Forms of Blood Tears and instead unleashed the Thirteen Nocturnes with his left hand.
Then he would switch back to the Seven Forms of Blood Tears, scattering the rings of sword energy.
*Charrarang!*
Rings of energy and blades of sword energy. Inner force and sword winds clashed in succession, unleashing a storm that seemed poised to swallow the world.
Simultaneously, the shockwaves from the collisions in the air soared to the very edge of the sky.
‘That bastard!’
Abbess Neung-in, who was watching the battle, felt her eyes widen.
It was not because of the profound power of the Thirteen Nocturnes. It was because she saw the mysterious tide of sword rings rising like seafoam.
‘That man is using the techniques of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber?’
Abbess Neung-in had once chanced upon a duel between a renowned hero of the Orthodox Faction, the Iron Essence Flying Dagger, and the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber.
She recognized that the saber art Bu Eun-seol was now using was remarkably similar to the one the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber had used to sever the head of the Iron Essence Flying Dagger.
“Are you saying that man is the successor of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber?”
Abbess Neung-in’s body trembled.
The Great Slaughterer who had once plunged the world into terror. To think the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber had left a successor.
Was that why this man had reached such a level of martial prowess at such a young age?
“He must be killed!”
The Flame Blossom Unit and Flame Blossom Squad were composed of disciples who had trained for over fifteen years to master the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion, a technique that dominated the world.
They were, in effect, the Sword Pavilion’s greatest fighting force.
Even if they didn't know about the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, they should surely be able to capture this young upstart.
“Second formation! Use the Form of Hateful Encounter to destroy his sword techniques!”
At Abbess Neung-in’s command, the sword styles of the Lotus Blossom and Flame Blossom Units changed once again.
Hateful Encounter.
It signified the suffering of being forced to meet those one despises.
But in the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion, it referred to a technique that combined the practitioners’ internal energy into a single stream of sword energy, which would then clash with the opponent’s weapon… overpowering the enemy with its immense force.
*Swish! Swish!*
The sword energy did not aim for Bu Eun-seol’s vital points, but instead followed the Black Sword he held.
Landing a blow of sword energy on a highly skilled martial artist was an exceedingly difficult task.
But aiming to clash with their weapon was not nearly as difficult.
*Chiiing!*
As the sword energy, like a living creature, surged into his Black Sword, Bu Eun-seol felt a jarring pain in his bones, and the sweet taste of blood filled his mouth.
But the more he was injured, the more his eyes burned crimson.
The Seven Forms of Blood Tears.
This saber art of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, Bu Zan-yang, grew more powerful the closer one came to death.
‘I will shatter the sword formation in one blow with the Seeking Life in Death form.’
The second form of the Seven Forms of Blood Tears, which instantly eliminated the enemy’s path of retreat as they unleashed a decisive strike.
He intended to use Seeking Life in Death to break the formation.
*Thud! Thud!*
Bu Eun-seol deliberately let his body be shaken by the powerful sword energy.
As if the formation was taking its toll, blood began to trickle from the corner of his mouth, and the momentum of his sword began to weaken.
The disciples shouted in triumph and moved to cut his throat in a single motion.
*Woong.*
At that moment, with a low hum, a black haze shimmered to life on the blade of the Black Sword.
Simultaneously, a black aura flowed from Bu Eun-seol’s body and began to envelop the charging disciples of the Sword Pavilion.
If he were to execute his saber art along the trajectory of that aura, all life within that space would be extinguished.
But to the eyes of Abbess Neung-in, who did not know the abilities of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, it looked as if Bu Eun-seol was thrashing about in a final, desperate act before death.
*Click.*
Just as Bu Eun-seol twisted the Black Sword in his grip and prepared to unleash his saber art,
“Stop!”
A clear voice echoed through the sky.
*Shiiik!*
A massive, pure-white stream of sword energy descended from the sky, landing between Bu Eun-seol and the sword formation.
*Kooong!*
With a deafening roar, a large crater was gouged into the ground between Bu Eun-seol and the Lotus and Flame Blossom Sword Units.
*Tap.*
At the same time, a figure in white robes descended from the air. It was Ah-yeon.
“Why are you here?”
Abbess Neung-in asked with a surprised expression. Ah-yeon sighed and replied.
“Elder, why would you do such a thing?”
“It is all for you.”
“Is repaying a kindness with enmity for my sake?”
“Is there any other way to dispel the demon in your heart?”
“Absolutely not.”
Ah-yeon said firmly.
“Do you truly not understand that such a method will instead shatter my spirit to pieces?”
“Of course, it will be painful for now.”
Abbess Neung-in said with a resolute expression.
“But in the future, you will thank me.”
Looking into the eyes of Abbess Neung-in, who was consumed by her own stubbornness, Ah-yeon finally realized one thing.
Having witnessed the successor she had personally raised fall into ruin, Abbess Neung-in also…
had an unshakable demon dwelling in her heart.
“There is no other way.”
As Ah-yeon raised her hand, a multitude of people poured out from behind her.
They were the leaders and disciples of the Sword Pavilion who had opposed the tyranny and unilateral decisions of the elder, Abbess Neung-in.
“Is the successor who will lead this Pavilion now trying to divide it and start a fight?”
“I am not dividing it. I am doing what is right.”
“You are wrong. For the sake of saving that demonic man, you have split our Pavilion in two!”
“Elder.”
“Go on, try it!”
Abbess Neung-in said coldly.
“The number of people who follow this Elder is at least half. Go ahead and split our Pavilion in two for that man’s sake!”
Ah-yeon bit her lip.
In truth, Abbess Neung-in loved the Sword Pavilion more than anyone.
However, a twisted past had led her to become obsessed with the Pavilion’s power and its successor, gradually turning her into a dogmatist.
One could not simply blame her for everything.
“Abbess.”
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward.
“I heard just now that this sword formation was designed to eliminate the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber.”
“That is correct.”
Neung-in smiled coldly.
“If Ah-yeon had not interfered, your head would already be severed and wandering the netherworld.”
“Very well, then. Let us make a wager.”
“A wager?”
Bu Eun-seol glanced over the Flame Blossom and Lotus Blossom Units and said.
“What will you do if I break their formation?”
“What did you say?”
“I asked what you will do if I, the Lord of this order, break that formation by myself.”
“What nonsense is this?”
“The Abbess claimed you could capture the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber with this, but that is nothing more than an empty dream.”
“Hahaha.”
Abbess Neung-in spoke as if it were laughable.
“You are the one dreaming.”
Though he had broken the first formation, Bu Eun-seol’s body, which had been trapped within it, was covered in wounds.
Furthermore, had he not just been saved by Ah-yeon before being struck by the second formation’s decisive blow?
“Is it not the Abbess who is dreaming the empty dream?”
Bu Eun-seol scoffed and said.
“To think you tried to capture the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, an invincible saber master of his time, with a mere formation like this.”
“A mere formation like this?”
“Indeed. The very fact that you fail to realize that is proof that the Abbess is incapable of judging the current of the times, is it not?”
“How amusing. Very well.”
Realizing Bu Eun-seol’s intention, Abbess Neung-in readily nodded her head.
“If you can break the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion by yourself, this old woman will voluntarily step down from the position of Chief Elder. And I shall no longer interfere in the affairs of this Pavilion.”
“Good.”
Bu Eun-seol stepped forward calmly.
“Then let us begin.”
At that, Ah-yeon tried to stop him.
“What you faced was merely the first stage of the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion. The third stage, where its true power emerges, can never be broken by mere internal energy or sword techniques.”
She then stood in front of Bu Eun-seol.
“This is a matter for our Pavilion. There is no need for you to risk your life.”
In fact, Ah-yeon knew.
Bu Eun-seol had made this reckless wager to peacefully resolve the conflict that was dividing the Sword Pavilion.
“That is not the only reason.”
“What is it?”
“It is also to open the Abbess’s distorted eyes.”
The Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber was a saber master who had boasted invincibility, and Bu Eun-seol could be considered the successor who inherited his art.
Yet this woman brandished a single formation and boasted she could capture him?
It was also a matter of Bu Eun-seol’s pride.
‘It doesn't matter if my grandfather was the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber or not.’
While learning the Seven Forms of Blood Tears, Bu Eun-seol had realized that the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, Bu Zan-yang, was a man who had transcended life and death, a peerless grandmaster who had never known a single defeat.
The Seven Forms of Blood Tears he had created was not an art that would fall to a mere sword formation.
“Then let us begin.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Abbess Neung-in smiled.
“Very well.”
Bu Eun-seol then voluntarily stood at the center of the formation.
Abbess Neung-in raised her hand.
“Immediately deploy the third formation, A Lesson Beyond Words.”
An immense wave of energy blew forth, wrapping around Bu Eun-seol’s body.
His body grew heavy, as if he had plunged dozens of feet underwater, and time itself seemed to slow down.
‘This is completely different from any formation I’ve experienced before.’
Most martial formations in the world were designed to either seal movement through profound patterns or to amplify power by unifying the internal energy of many.
But this profound formation of the Sword Pavilion was designed from the outset to seize control of the enemy’s mind and body, making it impossible for them to even counterattack.
*Woong!*
The waves of energy spreading from the sixty sword tips finally enveloped the entire world.
Simultaneously, the figures of the disciples vanished, and a vast, round light formed a thin film around Bu Eun-seol.
It was made of pure sword energy, and it felt as if the moment it touched his body, it would instantly melt his meridians and tear his flesh from his bones.
*Shiiik!*
Bu Eun-seol used the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form in overlapping succession, attempting to shatter the transparent barrier of sword energy that surrounded him.
*Shwoook!*
But the sword techniques he unleashed were absorbed into the round barrier of energy as if they were nothing, and vanished.
‘Impressive.’
As he hesitated to unleash another technique while observing the surprisingly powerful formation,
*Shiiik!*
Not missing that momentary pause, a sharp stream of sword energy shot out from the round barrier and pierced toward his vital points.
*Tssst.*
He used the Extreme Speed Shadowless Movement to evade the sword energy, and once again the massive barrier calmly surrounded his body.
The Formation of Tranquil Oblivion, third stage.
It absorbed any attack that touched it and countered the moment an opponent revealed an opening…
It was a living barrier of sword energy that could neither be destroyed nor escaped, trapping the enemy within.
‘His head will fall soon.’
Seeing Bu Eun-seol standing motionless within the transparent barrier of sword energy, Abbess Neung-in rejoiced.
The core principles and swordsmanship of the Sword Pavilion could be expressed with a single character: stillness (靜).
They used defense as their offense and sealed movement through tranquility.
And the third stage of the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion maximized this secret of stillness… a strange formation that trapped the enemy within a barrier of sword energy that could not be broken by force, waiting only for an opening.
‘Soon he will thrash about like a wounded beast.’
Abbess Neung-in was certain that Bu Eun-seol would eventually be unable to bear the wait and would rage like a lion trapped in an iron cage.
But something was strange.
Bu Eun-seol, trapped in the barrier of sword energy, was holding a peculiar posture, as if he were trying to figure something out.
At the same time, his body blurred, seemingly becoming one with the transparent barrier of sword energy.
‘Don’t tell me he’s using our Pavilion’s Severing Shadow Divine Art?’
Abbess Neung-in saw through Bu Eun-seol’s intention and, contrary to her concern, scoffed.
Bu Eun-seol had memorized the entire incantation of the Severing Shadow Divine Art. He was now trying to apply its principles to the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion.
‘Hmph, it seems he doesn’t know that our Pavilion’s swordsmanship and internal arts are separate.’
In most orthodox sects, like the Mount Hua Sect or Wudang, sword techniques and internal energy secrets were in harmony.
Therefore, if one knew the internal energy secrets, they could deduce the sword’s intent, and if they learned the sword techniques, they could predict to some extent how the internal art was operated.
But the Sword Pavilion was different.
The Pavilion’s internal arts and sword techniques were separate, with almost no common principles between them.
‘Try all you want.’
Abbess Neung-in smiled faintly.
Even if he stood there for ten days, he would never be able to grasp the profound mystery of the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion.
***
Meanwhile, Bu Eun-seol,
‘This state could be called half-life, half-death.’
Contrary to Abbess Neung-in’s expectations, he was unraveling the mysteries of the Seven Forms of Blood Tears.
As he was surrounded by the transparent sword energy, the epitome of stillness, and entered a prolonged stalemate…
the incantation for the third form of the Seven Forms of Blood Tears, Half-Life, Half-Death, which he had been unable to understand until now, came to mind.
—Third Form, Half-Life, Half-Death (半生半死).
Reaching a state where one knows not if they will live or die…
When he first read the incantation, Bu Eun-seol thought this technique was meant to be used in a state between life and death.
But considering the undefeated path of the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber, it made no sense.
He could unleash enough power to split the great sea with a single form. Who could possibly beat him to a pulp?
‘Perhaps the meaning of neither living nor dying refers to a stalemate like this one?’
The Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber must have also encountered enemies who, like a turtle in its shell, revealed no openings and only waited for a mistake.
And Half-Life, Half-Death was perhaps the absolute saber form that could break that defense and shatter the enemy in an instant? That was the thought that came to him.
‘If I were the Seven-Fingered Demonic Saber… I would first try to understand the abilities of this Formation of Tranquil Oblivion.’
The round barrier of the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion dulled Bu Eun-seol’s senses and made his limbs feel heavy.
Moreover, behind that indestructible transparent barrier, sixty disciples were waiting with eyes wide open for him to execute a sword technique.
Whenever one executed a technique, there was always a moment of recovery. And in that extremely short time, a subtle opening would appear.
And the disciples waiting in the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion would not miss that fleeting opening to counterattack.
In other words, no matter what technique Bu Eun-seol unleashed, the counterattack from the Formation of Tranquil Oblivion was already as good as launched.
‘A counterattack already launched, though it cannot be seen.’
A brilliant light swirled in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
In a life-or-death situation, he was grasping the mysteries of the Seven Forms of Blood Tears, seeking to advance his martial arts once again.
‘But if I cannot clearly read the enemy’s mind and the movements of their body… is Half-Life, Half-Death not a saber art that can never be performed?’
*Pat.*
At that moment, a sharp stream of sword energy shot out from the round barrier and grazed Bu Eun-seol’s back.
Not only were they hunkered down, but if Bu Eun-seol revealed an opening, they would seize the perfect moment to launch an unavoidable attack.
*Psh!*
As blood spurted out, a warm stream flowed down his back, accompanied by a sharp pain.
‘A warm back.’
Simultaneously, a memory flashed through Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
Something his grandfather had taught him when he had fallen to his inner demon.
The Secret Art of Celestial Attunement, which allowed one to momentarily synchronize with the enemy’s energy circulation, came to mind.
But that was a secret art that could only be activated by touching the opponent’s body.
‘Could it be possible with the Way of the Beast?’
A flash of insight struck Bu Eun-seol.
The Secret Art of Celestial Attunement, which required skin-to-skin contact to read the flow of energy.
But what about with the extreme senses of the Way of the Beast? Could he perhaps discern it through the clash of weapons? That was the thought that occurred to him.
*Woooong.*
Bu Eun-seol immediately pushed the Way of the Beast to its maximum. Then, he deliberately revealed an opening near his chest.
*Swish!*
Another stream of sword energy flew at him.
Bu Eun-seol did not evade but stood firm. However, he minutely moved his Black Sword to protect the major acupoint on his chest.
*Chaeng!*
In that instant, sparks flew, and a stream of sword energy shot toward Bu Eun-seol’s neck.
A strange sensation washed over his mind and body.
‘It works.’
The Mind’s Eye to Pierce the Void, which could sense even the vibrations of the air. The Heart’s Understanding of the Void, which could discern traces left a decade ago.
When these two abilities were maximized, the clash of weapons alone could create a sensation as if his own skin had been touched.
That meant… he could activate the Secret Art of Celestial Attunement through the clash of weapons alone.