Chapter 467
Chapter 467
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 467
Chapter Title: The Phenomenon of Annihilation
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Gongson Dan-a's beauty was so remarkable that even when weighed against Yeon So-ha, whose face was said to be worth a thousand gold, the scales would not tip an inch.
She was also a woman of great talent, known to possess medical skills that rivaled even the divine physicians of the martial world.
“So you were the famed talent of the Divine Water Palace.”
Bu Eun-seol finally nodded in understanding.
He had mistaken one of the most beautiful women in the world for a strange woman who enjoyed dressing up as a beggar.
It was no wonder she had thrown a fit, feeling so terribly wronged.
“But why do you go around dressed as a beggar?”
“Well, that’s…”
Gongson Dan-a was beginning to regret impulsively revealing her face.
Men were all the same, after all.
They were creatures who couldn't keep their wits about them or would harbor lewd thoughts at the sight of a beautiful face.
“...!”
But her regret quickly turned to surprise.
The eyes behind that mask.
Even after seeing her true face, they remained completely unchanged from when he had seen her disguised as a cranky old woman.
“I see. There’s no need to explain.”
At his words, Gongson Dan-a’s expression darkened again.
Just what was going on inside that masked man’s head…
Because when she didn’t answer.
His eyes filled with pity, as if he were making his own wild assumptions.
“Since I was young, I was recognized for my talent in both scholarship and martial arts. Thanks to that, even though I wasn’t born with a body suited for the Divine Water Palace’s arts…”
As if she had no other choice, Gongson Dan-a began to explain her circumstances.
“The Palace Lord of the Divine Water Palace personally came to ask me to be her disciple, saying I had the aptitude to master the martial arts of the palace.”
“…”
“After that, I became the Palace Lord’s final disciple and trained diligently in martial arts. I continued to achieve many things and was eventually nominated as a candidate for Young Palace Lord.”
As if the floodgates had opened, she continued her story rapidly.
“And the Palace Lord’s trust in me grew, to the point where a direct unit that answered only to my command was created.”
She lowered her head with a sorrowful expression.
“But do you know what everyone says about me behind my back?”
Before Bu Eun-seol could answer, Gongson Dan-a spoke without a pause.
“Within the palace, they whisper that I used my looks to bewitch the Palace Lord and the high-ranking members to get to this position. And wherever I go, men either stare at me with lecherous eyes or relentlessly try to court me.”
As she began to pour out the story she had never told anyone, her emotions surged uncontrollably.
“If I don’t disguise myself, I can’t even rest or eat in peace anywhere. But you know what’s funny?”
She glared, waiting for an answer, and Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to speak.
“…I do not.”
“My older sister is also pretty and smart. That’s how she became a commander in the Martial Alliance. But there are no such rumors about my sister, not a single one!”
Gongson Dan-a cried out with a look of injustice.
“But just because I’m supposedly one of the Three Beauties of the World, or whatever, I always have to endure this kind of prejudice and jealousy!”
“Lady Gongson.”
“Do you have any idea what this hardship is like? Do you even know what you’re talking about?! The only reason I’ve come this far is because of my own skill!”
Bu Eun-seol wore a blank expression.
He knew that one could face discrimination for being unattractive.
But he had never heard of someone suffering because of their beautiful appearance.
“I apologize.”
Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to apologize.
He had, without knowing her struggles, assumed she disguised herself as a hobby.
“Usually, a beautiful woman is treated accordingly, but it seems your beauty has instead caused you terrible wounds.”
As Bu Eun-seol offered his warm comfort, Gongson Dan-a sniffled and spoke.
“I hate this old woman costume, too. I want to dress up beautifully like other women.”
“Then you should.”
“If I do anything in my original form, they whisper it’s because of my looks, that I benefited from my appearance. If I talk to a man for even a moment looking normal, rumors start immediately.”
Crouched down with her head buried in her arms, Gongson Dan-a spoke as if sobbing.
“But when I dress like a beggar like this, at least people don’t speak ill of me. What other choice do I have?”
“I see.”
One wrong word had brought on a storm.
Sensing that she had finished her venting, Bu Eun-seol quickly changed the subject.
“In that case, you must not have come on this journey under the orders of the Divine Water Palace Lord.”
“I’ve always traveled the martial world like this. I heard that Gory-Souled Ones were swarming Gugok Mountain, so I came here to build merit.”
Understanding the situation, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The Divine Water Palace was in the midst of selecting the next Young Palace Lord, and it seemed the candidates were traveling to build their own accomplishments.
“When I wander around looking like this, everyone, old and young, scowls and won’t even look at me.”
Gongson Dan-a recalled Bu Eun-seol’s calm demeanor and gave a pure smile.
“But you treated me very politely and always called me ‘Elder’.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. From that moment, I knew you were a true gentleman.”
Having spoken her mind, Gongson Dan-a smiled brightly, as if a weight had been lifted.
“Now it’s your turn.”
“What is?”
“I’ve introduced myself, so isn’t it your turn now?”
Contrary to her appearance, Gongson Dan-a seemed to have a very bold and cheerful personality.
“Come on, you take off your mask and tell me your name. Judging by your martial arts, you don’t seem like a nobody. What school are you from?”
He had never had a good experience revealing his face in front of a woman.
After a moment of hesitation, Bu Eun-seol averted his gaze and spoke.
“I am Seol-so, a mercenary from the Crimson Sky Pavilion. Just a wandering mercenary.”
The Divine Water Palace had always followed the path of the Orthodox Faction.
Revealing his identity as the Lord of the Martial Soul Order would do him no good.
Since they wouldn't see each other again after leaving Gugok Mountain anyway, he lied without a second thought.
“A mercenary? With skills like yours?”
“There are many mercenaries who have no intention of making a name for themselves. I am one of them.”
“I see. But why do you keep wearing the mask?”
“If a mercenary becomes too well-known, it can limit his missions. That’s why I cover my face whenever possible while traveling.”
“Hmm. A mercenary, you say? That’s perfect.”
Gongson Dan-a smiled playfully and pointed to her leg.
“I’m injured right now and need a bodyguard. How much will it cost?”
***
Bu Eun-seol lightly treated Gongson Dan-a’s injuries, and they set off again.
Her internal energy was surprisingly solid.
With a little help circulating her internal energy, her internal injuries healed at once.
However, her sprained leg couldn't be fixed, so she had no choice but to walk with a limp.
Bu Eun-seol had Gongson Dan-a walk behind him as he slowly made his way out of the cave.
She immediately understood why he walked so cautiously with his sword drawn.
It was to instantly deal with any sudden traps or enemies that might appear, thereby protecting her at the rear.
Sensing Bu Eun-seol’s consideration, Gongson Dan-a nodded.
‘This man. He speaks so stiffly, but his heart is warm.’
Although they were walking through a dangerous underground cave where Gory-Souled Ones were being created, she felt at ease.
It was partly because of Bu Eun-seol’s powerful martial arts, but also because she had met a man for the first time who was completely unmoved by her appearance.
‘This is comfortable.’
The gazes of men she had seen until now were of only two kinds.
They either looked dumbstruck or lecherous.
But this blunt mercenary maintained an indifferent gaze, like a monk in training.
And to Gongson Dan-a, that gaze was incredibly comfortable and reassuring.
‘If only all men in the world were like him.’
As she followed behind, lost in idle thoughts, they passed a fork in the path and saw a large door.
“Hm.”
Bu Eun-seol grunted as he looked at the door.
They clearly had to pass through this door to reach the exit.
The problem was that this entire cave was designed to stop intruders.
This meant there was bound to be a dangerous trap on the other side.
‘Shouldn't have mentioned being a mercenary.’
If he used his True Void, he was confident he could handle any danger.
But having claimed to be a mercenary, Bu Eun-seol might have to unfairly seal his own True Void.
“It’s okay.”
Just then, Gongson Dan-a revealed her white teeth and winked.
“My leg is the only thing that’s bothering me. I can still lend a hand.”
Gongson Dan-a was a cheerful and remarkably perceptive woman.
She had figured out that Bu Eun-seol was worried about her and was telling him not to worry.
“Very well.”
*Clank.*
Bu Eun-seol immediately opened the iron door.
It revealed a space with a wide-open ceiling and walls made of smooth metal.
There was no exit on the other side, and the metal walls looked incredibly sturdy.
“What is this place?”
Gongson Dan-a looked up at the gaping, distant ceiling.
It had to be at least a hundred zhang high.
It felt like standing at the bottom of a volcanic crater with an open top.
“Don’t tell me we have to climb up there?”
She touched the smooth metal wall and shook her head.
“The wall is too smooth. It seems impossible to climb even using the Gecko Wall-Crawling Art. And the space between the walls is too wide to get a running start.”
*Rumble.*
Just then, with a low, monstrous sound, something completely unexpected happened.
A dark object slowly revealed itself from the distant ceiling.
It was a massive rock, large enough to completely crush the ten-zhang-wide space inside.
“No way.”
Gongson Dan-a’s mouth fell open as she watched.
“They’re going to drop that on us.”
Gazing at the ceiling, Gongson Dan-a’s eyes widened.
That rock had to weigh at least tens of thousands of catties.
If a rock that filled the entire ten-zhang-wide chamber were dropped from a height of over a hundred zhang?
It was absolutely unstoppable by human strength.
“Are we going to die here?”
Gongson Dan-a’s voice trembled as she looked at the massive rock slowly obscuring the ceiling.
“No matter how great your martial arts are, there’s no way to block a rock that perfectly matches the width of the floor… falling from such a height, is there?”
She trembled with fear.
A death trap had been built here, one that could unfailingly eliminate any intruder.
“I shouldn’t have come to Gugok Mountain.”
Gongson Dan-a said in a shaky voice.
“If I knew this would happen, I would have lived a little more normally. Dressed up nicely… and met more people.”
Facing death, she regretted her past life.
She was reflecting on her foolish actions. And she was trembling with fear.
“Aren’t you scared?”
In her final moments, she yearned for the warmth of another person.
As if trying to find even a little stability.
“Say something. Please.”
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
As he faced death.
The entire world grew silent… and his mind and body were merging into one.
The level of his spirit reached an unparalleled height, entering a state of meditation.
‘Only power.’
He gazed at the mass of metal hanging above his head, lost in deep thought.
That metal was like an absolute ‘death’ given form.
To destroy it, martial arts were useless.
Only destructive power.
A transcendent force that surpassed any ability a human could exert.
Something that could transcend all the power contained in the world was needed.
‘How can such a thing be possible?’
At that moment, a faint word surfaced in Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
‘Phenomenon.’
Warriors who reached the Transcendent Realm each manifested a ‘phenomenon.’
And the word ‘phenomenon’ was one Bu Eun-seol himself had named.
Because they created abilities that were impossible to manifest with human strength.
Or things that could not exist in this world.
And looking back, all of them were powers that did not exist in this world.
—If you’ve picked up this and that like a beggar, shouldn’t you be resourceful enough to mix them and eat!
Suddenly, Ak Mu-ryeong’s voice echoed in his ears.
Bu Eun-seol’s body, which contained the powers of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist factions all in one vessel, was slowly collapsing.
What if Ak Mu-ryeong hadn't tested him and simultaneously used his own power to heal his body back then?
He would not have survived until now.
—If you cannot erase all the unnecessary things in your body and completely turn to the Demonic Path… the same thing will happen again someday, and then, no power will be able to stop it.
That was what Ak Mu-ryeong had said.
But Bu Eun-seol had not entered the Demonic Path and had chosen a new way.
He forcibly fused the conflicting powers of the four factions, then used the immense power pouring from Ak Mu-ryeong to meld them into one.
Harmony.
And when he unleashed that Harmony, even Ak Mu-ryeong had not dared to face it head-on, instead using the power of Illusionary Return to divert its course.
*Thump!*
Just then, with a low sound, the mass of metal began to fall from the air.
“Ah!”
As the moment of death arrived, Gongson Dan-a curled up and let out a short scream.
But Bu Eun-seol stood tall, watching the falling metal.
Time stood still.
His spirit grew infinitely calm… reaching a world of nothingness where naught existed.
‘The power within my body cannot contend with this… so once again, I will use the external pressure to unleash Harmony!’
*Whoosh.*
The powerful energies of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist factions flowed out of Bu Eun-seol’s body simultaneously, beginning to swirl around him like a whirlwind.
*CRASH!*
At that moment, the giant rock fell upon Bu Eun-seol.
That rock was like a phenomenon unleashed by a master of the Transcendent Realm.
It couldn't be blocked by any power or martial art.
And the moment the rock was right before him, a golden light enveloped Bu Eun-seol’s body.
The immense pressure had spontaneously activated the Great Prajna Power.
‘Now!’
Bu Eun-seol instantly aligned the four powers in ‘Harmony’ and thrust them out in a single breath. But in that instant, a stray thought crossed his mind.
‘What if I just made it all disappear? It would be nice if even things like phenomena disappeared…’
And he stretched out his hand with all his might.
*BOOM!*
Simultaneously, he felt a thunderous pressure and impact.
The whole world spun, and his meridians felt as if they were being torn to shreds.
*Gack.*
He felt a clot of blood surge up from his lower abdomen and pour out of his mouth.
And finally, Bu Eun-seol slowly lost consciousness.
*Plip, plip, plip.*
Was it raining?
He could feel cold droplets falling on his cheeks and forehead.
Bu Eun-seol faintly opened his eyes.
He saw the face of a beautiful woman with hair like black silk cascading down.
It was Gongson Dan-a.
“Are you… okay?”
Her face was streaked with tears, and her body was trembling slightly.
As Bu Eun-seol opened his eyes, he found himself lying on Gongson Dan-a’s lap, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
“How did this.”
Bu Eun-seol slowly tried to sit up.
*Thud.*
But a pain that felt like his entire body was collapsing forced him to lie back down on her lap.
“S-Sorry.”
Greatly flustered, Bu Eun-seol struggled.
“This… was absolutely not intentional.”
“It’s okay. Just lie here a little longer.”
Seeing that he was conscious, Gongson Dan-a wiped her tears and smiled.
“The Water Ki from my technique probably hasn’t been fully absorbed into your body yet.”
“What do you mean by that? Water Ki?”
As Bu Eun-seol frowned, Gongson Dan-a explained.
“You collapsed, bleeding from your ears and nose. When I checked your pulse, I found four different energies contained within your body at once.”
The human body is mostly composed of water.
The disciples of the Divine Water Palace deeply study the properties of water and learn martial arts that alter its nature…
Thus, they could discern the condition of another’s body more thoroughly than any physician.
Moreover, Gongson Dan-a was a woman of talent whose medical skills were on par with those called divine physicians.
She had immediately grasped the state of Bu Eun-seol’s body.
“After you made that thing disappear, the four energies were clashing and destroying your body.”
“That thing?”
Gongson Dan-a pointed at the ceiling.
“That rock.”
Bu Eun-seol faintly looked up at the ceiling.
The rock that had been falling with terrifying force was now gone, wasn't it?
“If I hadn’t injected you with Water Ki, your body would have already exploded into pieces.”
“What on earth happened?”
Bu Eun-seol once again summoned his strength and forced himself to sit up.
“You’re saying I made that rock disappear?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see it clearly either.”
As Bu Eun-seol blinked, Gongson Dan-a dropped her hands and shook her head.
“When the rock was falling, I was so scared that I ducked my head. But after a long while, nothing had happened.”
She continued, her own expression one of disbelief.
“Hmm.”
“So I looked around, and when I looked up… you were standing there, glowing, and the falling rock had vanished.”
—What if I just made it all disappear? Even things like phenomena…
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol recalled his last thought.
‘Don’t tell me I manifested a phenomenon?’
Bu Eun-seol checked his own body.
He felt a soft, warm energy circulating within him, seeming to heal the wounds in his torn meridians.
It was likely the Water Ki that Gongson Dan-a had injected into him.
“This energy… is it alright to inject it into another person?”
Bu Eun-seol’s voice was laced with concern for Gongson Dan-a.
Recklessly transmitting a school’s martial arts or internal energy to an outsider was one of the most strictly forbidden acts in any sect.
“What else could I do? Your body would have exploded and you would have died otherwise.”
Then she added in a low voice.
“It was to save the life of my benefactor. I’m sure the Palace Lord will understand.”
“Then that is a relief.”
Nodding, Bu Eun-seol checked his body again.
He had no internal injuries and his internal energy was fine, but his external injuries were quite severe.
Unable to handle the energy pouring from his body, his skin all over had split, and blood was flowing.
‘It disappeared… it disappeared.’
Realizing something, Bu Eun-seol faintly nodded.
The Heavenly Demon Emperor, Ak Mu-ryeong, Wiji Mu-ah, and even the Divine Schemer.
He had wanted to erase all the phenomena of the Transcendent Realm masters he had met so far.
And it seemed he had unconsciously unleashed a technique that reflected that desire.
‘But I… haven’t reached the Transcendent Realm.’
The Transcendent Realm meant reaching the pinnacle of martial arts and being able to consciously cause a ‘phenomenon.’
Not only that, but unleashing a phenomenon should not cause one’s body to break down.
In other words, Bu Eun-seol had not reached the Transcendent Realm, but had instead ‘harmonized’ the powers of the four factions to exhibit a force comparable to a phenomenon.
‘Whatever it may be.’
Bu Eun-seol actually found hope.
He had found a clue to a power that could contend with masters of the Transcendent Realm without having reached it himself.
If he could use this power freely? He would be able to vie with the masters of the Transcendent Realm.
‘It will definitely happen.’
In truth, this event was a sign that Bu Eun-seol would soon break free from the confines of the Supreme Heavenly Realm in both body and spirit, and enter a state of complete freedom.
In other words, it was a premonition of his ascension to the Transcendent Realm—a glimpse of Martial Enlightenment.
But even in battles against numerous powerful enemies, there were few opportunities to refine one’s spirit for such a long time and exert power in this manner…
It would be some time in the distant future before Bu Eun-seol would come to realize this fact.