Chapter 464
Chapter 464
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 464
Chapter Title: The Cursed Mountain of Gugok
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Meanwhile, Yuk Cheong-a, who had visited the Zhongli Clan, met with Zhongli Sa-hyeon to discuss several matters.
Then, she once again climbed Gold King Mountain to persuade Bukgung Ryeong.
However, when she reached the area where she had met Bukgung Ryeong, a large boulder stood there.
As she drew closer, she saw that the large boulder was inscribed with these words.
—I will not leave the martial world. But I will not join the Martial Alliance either.
Bukgung Ryeong, knowing full well that Yuk Cheong-a would return, had used his internal energy to carve the words into the rock before departing.
Gazing blankly at the words carved into the hard rock with a single, fluid stroke, her eyes sparkled.
“Still, it seems he has changed his mind about leaving the martial world.”
Yesterday, the look in Bukgung Ryeong's eyes was like burnt ash.
There was no emotion in them, not a hint of lingering attachment.
But the words he carved into the rock overflowed with vitality and life.
In other words, in just one day.
He had completely changed his mind and regained his spirit.
“What on earth could have happened overnight?”
Bu Eun-seol, recalling his night of drinking with Bukgung Ryeong, smiled faintly and said,
“Perhaps after wandering the martial world and enduring many hardships, he has finally attained enlightenment.”
“You think so?”
“Isn't it common for old veterans of his age to be whimsical?”
“Well... I suppose that's possible.”
Yuk Cheong-a shook her head.
“Enlightenment always comes unexpectedly.”
Gazing at the distant sky, she sighed deeply and said,
“I knew inviting Elder Tan-wang to the Alliance wouldn't be easy... but I didn't expect him to just up and leave like this.”
Though she said that, her expression didn't show much disappointment.
“Well then, let's head back as well.”
As she turned, Yuk Cheong-a looked at Bu Eun-seol as if she had just remembered something.
“Aren't you disappointed, Branch Leader Seon-u?”
“About what?”
“This is the first mission you've failed so far.”
“Not at all.”
Bu Eun-seol said with a serious expression.
“If I had considered it my mission, I would never have taken it on.”
Understanding his meaning, Yuk Cheong-a smiled faintly.
“So, from your perspective, it was an impossible mission from the start.”
“That's right. It would be stranger if a man who has walked his own path in the martial world his entire life changed his mind just because we tried to persuade him.”
Bu Eun-seol added one more thing.
“Of course, I'm sure you had a backup plan in mind, my lady.”
Yuk Cheong-a asked, looking slightly surprised.
“A backup plan?”
“Recruiting Tan-wang may be impossible, but haven't you prepared a way to achieve a comparable accomplishment?”
Bu Eun-seol smiled.
“And I imagine it has something to do with the Zhongli Clan.”
In the end, Yuk Cheong-a couldn't hide her admiration and nodded.
“Indeed, I can't fool you, Branch Leader Seon-u.”
Then she spoke honestly.
“For generations, the Zhongli Clan has been researching how to reverse the effects on demonic creatures that have appeared in the martial world, like the Inhwa and the Spiritless.”
Yuk Cheong-a gave a calm smile.
“And I've heard that their research has finally shown some results. They've partially neutralized the properties of the Inhwa, allowing them to restore those who have recently become Spiritless.”
Bu Eun-seol was greatly surprised.
Although he held the information networks of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions in his grasp, he had never heard such news.
In other words, the Zhongli Clan's research was not known to the martial world.
That meant Yuk Cheong-a either had an informant who could access news from the Zhongli Clan.
Or she possessed a special intelligence network that Bu Eun-seol was unaware of.
‘She has an information network that neither the Four Soul Unit nor the Absolute Peak Unit can access...’
In short, Yuk Cheong-a had the intelligence-gathering capability to obtain information unknown to Bu Eun-seol.
‘Of course, she could have placed her own informant in the Zhongli Clan, or there might be a new information network known only to the Martial Alliance's leadership. But...’
There was a minuscule chance that she could be a person of the Three Realms.
“I see. I was not aware.”
As Bu Eun-seol replied with a nonchalant expression, Yuk Cheong-a smiled and said,
“If the Alliance supports and collaborates on the Zhongli Clan's research, it would be a great benefit.”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
When Bu Eun-seol showed a look of admiration, Yuk Cheong-a shrugged.
“Since Elder Tan-wang has left anyway, I plan to stay with the Zhongli Clan for a while to secure their cooperation on this matter.”
She smiled warmly and said gently,
“There's nothing left for you to do here, Branch Leader, so you may return to the Alliance first.”
“Understood.”
Bu Eun-seol parted ways with Yuk Cheong-a and immediately headed for the Martial Alliance.
However, his expression was heavy.
Yuk Cheong-a.
He had thought she was simply a talented woman full of ambition.
But now he saw that there was much to be wary of about her.
‘I need to be careful.’
As long as he was Seon-u Jin, he couldn't let his guard down for a single moment.
Realizing anew that the Martial Alliance was a den of dragons and a lair of tigers, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and executed his lightness technique.
***
The next day.
Bu Eun-seol sent an order through the Four Soul Unit to Seo Jin-ha to switch identities.
In other words, it was time for Seo Jin-ha to enter the Martial Alliance for the first time.
Fortunately, with Yuk Cheong-a out in the martial world, there were no special circumstances, but just in case, he sent So-yo to Seo Jin-ha's side.
This was to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
Especially now that he knew how excellent Yuk Cheong-a's information network was, it was best to strive for perfection when acting as Seon-u Jin.
Having returned to his original identity, Bu Eun-seol immediately headed for Gugok Mountain.
He went to find the man in black who used the saber arts of the Seven-Branch Demonic Saber, as mentioned by Bukgung Ryeong.
‘The fact that he's staying on Gugok Mountain of all places is unsettling.’
Gugok Mountain, also known as Mount Mo, was once home to the Mosan Sect.
Recently, Spiritless have been appearing frequently near Gugok Mountain, and it has reportedly become a cursed land that people no longer set foot in.
Despite all the effort to eradicate the Spiritless, they still remained in various parts of the martial world.
This also meant that the Three Realms were still secretly producing the Inhwa.
‘Was the Great Cloud Forest just a small part of it?’
Bu Eun-seol had thought he had eliminated all the Spiritless by striking the Great Cloud Forest, which was in league with the Hell Blood Fortress.
But Spiritless were still appearing in the martial world.
Moreover, their numbers seemed to be increasing, suggesting the Great Cloud Forest was only a fraction of the operation.
‘In that case, the man in black being on Gugok Mountain, where the Spiritless appear, can't be a coincidence.’
Putting everything else aside, a user of the Seven-Branch Demonic Saber's arts is staying on Gugok Mountain?
That could not possibly be a coincidence.
‘Of course, he could be training his martial arts against the Spiritless. But.’
The power of the Seven Forms of Blood Tears was so overwhelming that it was not suitable for training against living martial artists.
‘His saber arts wouldn't improve that way.’
The strength of the Spiritless lay not in their martial skill, but in their tenacious life force.
Therefore, it was better to use techniques that relied on brute force rather than executing profound martial arts.
They were by no means suitable opponents for honing a refined and supreme ultimate art like the Seven Forms of Blood Tears.
This meant he must be someone connected to the Three Realms.
‘I'll find out when I get there.’
Bu Eun-seol shot forward in a single breath.
He intended to find the man who used the arts of the Seven-Branch Demonic Saber and uncover his secrets.
Before long, Bu Eun-seol arrived at Guyong Prefecture in Jiangsu.
Gugok Mountain, also called Mount Mo, was a mountain nestled in the middle of the Yeongjin Mountain Range, its terrain so rugged that it was untouched by human feet.
‘Even martial artists are nowhere to be seen now.’
Until recently, Gugok Mountain was said to be filled with martial artists seeking to claim the bounty on the heads of the Spiritless.
But now, perhaps because they had all been caught, the Spiritless no longer appeared... The area around Gugok Mountain was littered with pools of blood, and only the stench of rotting corpses filled the air.
No matter how much it was cleaned, the smell lingered, and with no more Spiritless, the martial artists stopped coming. The local officials also seemed to have given up on cleaning the area.
“Hmph.”
Surveying his surroundings, Bu Eun-seol took out a cloth mask from his robes that could block minute poisons and foul odors, and put it on.
While he could block the poison, the stench was so overwhelming that wearing the mask felt like the better option.
Inhwa, artificial internal energy cores, Spiritless.
The Three Realms still haven't let go of these things.
This meant the Three Realms were still in conflict and had desires of their own.
But the common people and martial artists were the ones bearing the full brunt of the damage.
‘I will destroy them all.’
No matter how long it takes.
Bu Eun-seol swore that he would find every single organization of the Three Realms and crush them.
Step, step.
As he walked deep into the mountain for some time, a thick fog began to set in.
Bu Eun-seol perceived that the fog spreading through the forest was not a natural phenomenon, but that a unique magical art had been set up in the woods.
‘Something set up by the old Mosan Sect.’
Most of the magical arts used by the Mosan Sect were derived from Taoism.
But at some point, they began to dabble not only in Taoist arts but also in various demonic spells and funerary arts.
Not only that, but their disciples modified these secret arts as they pleased.
It was said that it reached a point where even fellow disciples could not dispel each other's arts.
In the end, the Mosan Sect walked the path of decline and ruin.
As a result, many of the magical arts and spells set up throughout Gugok Mountain remained undispelled.
“There was a good reason for it.”
Bu Eun-seol realized why the martial artists who had come to Gugok Mountain to hunt Spiritless had been continuously sacrificed until now.
The secret arts installed throughout Gugok Mountain could not be disarmed like mechanical traps or formations.
In other words, because mysterious magical arts were set up everywhere, even the most skilled masters would have gotten lost or confused.
Fighting the Spiritless in such an exhausted and depleted state, they would have been severely injured or lost their lives.
Furthermore, the deeper he walked, the more a thick, unpleasant stench dug into his nostrils.
‘This is definitely different from a formation.’
The fog rising from all directions not only obscured his vision but also confused his senses.
If one were to try and create this effect with a formation, they would have had to tear up the entire forest.
‘Can I break it with force?’
Though Bu Eun-seol had become proficient in countless orthodox and unorthodox martial arts during his travels, he knew nothing about magical arts.
After moving silently for a long time, Bu Eun-seol finally stopped.
The fog grew ever thicker, reaching a point where it could shatter not only the body's senses but also the fortitude of the spirit.
Of course, since Bu Eun-seol had achieved Spiritual Aperture Enlightenment, no power could break his mind.
‘I have no choice.’
Whoooosh.
A red energy swirled around Bu Eun-seol's left fist.
Not knowing how to break the magical arts, he planned to unleash the Seven Forms of the Demonic Fist repeatedly to destroy the energies blanketing the forest with brute force.
Fwoosh.
But just then, he heard a low sound of something cutting through the air.
Simultaneously, a small figure appeared before Bu Eun-seol.
It was wearing blue martial arts attire, a rare sight in the martial world, with a large gourd tied to its waist.
Its hair was disheveled, and through the strands, pus-filled scabs were plastered to its skin.
It was a very hideous-looking old woman.
“Why have you come to this Gugok Mountain?”
The old woman's voice was low and eerie, like the caw of a crow.
If she had been an ordinary woman, he wouldn't have even answered.
But thanks to the teachings of his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, Bu Eun-seol was quite respectful of his elders.
“I came on business.”
At Bu Eun-seol's blunt reply, the old woman furrowed her brow deeply.
“Which sect are you a disciple of?”
“Just a wanderer.”
Seeing that Bu Eun-seol was wearing the cloth mask commonly used by wandering warriors, the old woman nodded as if she understood his identity.
“A wandering warrior trying to earn a few coins by hunting the Spiritless roaming Gugok Mountain.”
When Bu Eun-seol said nothing, the old woman spoke again.
“Go back. The Spiritless here are not something you can handle with mere bravado.”
Beneath the mask, the corners of Bu Eun-seol's mouth lifted slightly.
Because though her words were harsh, her voice held a note of concern for others.
“It's not just because of the Spiritless.”
“Hmph.”
The old woman laughed coldly and turned away.
“If you don't want to die, you'd best turn back.”
The old woman quickly moved past Bu Eun-seol and walked on ahead.
Though her face was full of wrinkles, her body was lean without an ounce of fat, and her steps were as light as a young person's.
She was clearly an old woman who had mastered a formidable martial art.
Step, step.
Bu Eun-seol walked slowly.
His goal was, after all, the saber wielder who used the Seven Forms of Blood Tears.
He had no interest in what the old woman was doing.
‘Hmm?’
As he was heading deep into the forest, Bu Eun-seol stopped.
The old woman, having reached the edge of the forest, had stopped and was standing tall.
“Is something wrong?”
Bu Eun-seol quickened his pace and went to the old woman's side.
Ahead of them, a strange fog spread out like a wall.
With every step, he felt a pain as if formless flames were burning his legs.
Szzzz.
As Bu Eun-seol took a step, white smoke began to rise.
The heat was not an illusion or a trick of the mind; it was real.
‘A magical art.’
Traps and formations generally have the function of confusing the senses.
But magical arts, like this one, could inflict direct harm.
“Hmph.”
The old woman seemed to ponder something for a moment, then raised both hands above her waist.
Tap, tap, tap.
Then, from the old woman's body, not a wave of internal energy, but a clear, transparent aura surged forth.
Fwoooosh!
When the power she had gathered reached its peak.
Suddenly, transparent water droplets rose into the air from the gourd hanging at the old woman's waist.
Paaaaah!
Finally, as she thrust out both palms, the water droplets that had risen all around shot forward, and the surrounding fog began to disperse.
‘Water God's Energy... she was a master from the Divine Water Palace.’
Seeing her emit the transparent energy, Bu Eun-seol realized the old woman was a master from the Divine Water Palace.
The Divine Water Palace.
One of the Seven Great Hidden Palaces of the martial world, occupying the foremost position.
It is the sect led by the Water God, Neung-gyeong, who freely wields the Water God's Energy, one of the Four Divine Energies.
Furthermore, the Divine Water Palace is different from the Thunder Spirit Gate, where only those born with a Thunder Spirit Body can use their martial arts.
Because they can inject the Water God's Energy into another's body, one can use it even without being born with a Water Spirit Body.
Just like the old woman before him.
Swoooosh!
She converted the water in her gourd into Water God's Energy and instantly began to extinguish the magical energy in the forest.
‘A convenient power.’
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The power of the Four Gods originates from nature.
Therefore, it possesses the power to dispel evil, capable of naturally extinguishing impure or unjust forces.
“Hmph.”
Finally, having pushed away all the fog in the forest, the old woman let out a heavy breath.
Then, she glanced at Bu Eun-seol, who had followed her, and scoffed.
“You're lucky. Normally, you would have had to turn back here.”
“...”
“Ordinarily, I should chase you out of Gugok Mountain, but I'm busy, so I'll just be on my way.”
The old woman spat out needlessly thorny words and then left abruptly.
But a smile played on Bu Eun-seol's lips.
Because he could fully understand the old woman's feelings.
“If she's from the Divine Water Palace, it's understandable.”
The old woman wasn't angry because she was rough and arrogant by nature.
The people of the Divine Water Palace utterly despise wandering warriors who sell their swords for money.
This was because twenty years ago, the Wandering Sword, O Ja-myeong, who led a band of wandering warriors and took on independent contracts, had stolen a treasure from the Divine Water Palace.
However, it was never revealed who had commissioned him to steal the treasure, or into whose hands it fell.
After stealing the treasure, O Ja-myeong vanished without a trace, and the whereabouts of the treasure also became unknown.
Rumors circulated that O Ja-myeong had suffered a fatal injury while stealing the treasure and died.
Others claimed that he had made a fortune with the treasure and secretly left the martial world.
But since O Ja-myeong never showed himself again, the truth remained unknown.
In any case, due to these circumstances, everyone from the Divine Water Palace loathed the very mention of wandering warriors.
Step, step.
Bu Eun-seol walked slowly, carefully examining the traces around him.
The fog was gone, but an unpleasant air still flowed from all directions, and a killing intent rising from somewhere seemed to tighten around his neck.
‘Strange.’
The strange stench he had noticed since entering the forest was still present.
Bu Eun-seol had thought the smell was due to the magical art spread throughout Gugok Mountain.
But even though the art had been broken, wasn't the smell still rising from all around?
“Hmm.”
The moment Bu Eun-seol sensed something and walked forward,
Gurgle, gurgle.
The ground on all sides began to heave and crack as if it were a living creature.
Grrrgle.
A strange sound echoed from within the cracked earth, and a red light began to seep out.
Grrrgle. Grrrgle. Grrrgle.
The strange sound grew louder and louder, until it was shaking the entire forest.