Chapter 475
Chapter 475
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 475
Chapter Title: Penitence Grotto
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‘Good.’
Seeing the mysterious power of the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, Bu Eun-seol’s competitive spirit was ignited instead.
‘Let’s see if you can block this, too.’
When he had fought the descendant of the Sword Emperor, Bu Eun-seol realized he had forgotten one thing.
The Thirteen Nocturnal Arts.
A supreme master from four hundred years ago, a great scholar of martial arts who had come close to being the strongest in the orthodox faction, and one of the Three Sages of the Eight Desolations.
He, too, had learned a martial art that contained a mysterious function capable of transcending the limits of one's martial realm.
*Swoosh! Swoosh!*
As he unfolded the Thirteen Nocturnal Arts, seven streams of energy instantly swirled around his body.
With his ever-increasing internal energy and deepening martial arts, he had at some point become capable of creating seven streams.
*Swish!*
The moment Bu Eun-seol unleashed the Thirteen Nocturnal Arts,
*Fwoosh!*
The massive illusion of the warrior monk, which had appeared as a single entity, vanished in an instant, and the true form of the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation began to reveal itself.
“How can this be?”
Gonggong, who was watching from a distance, widened his eyes.
The One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, which had undergone continuous development, had finally reached a stage where it could perfectly unify the power of all the warrior monks within the formation.
And yet, this young masked man had shattered the essence of the formation in a single move?
“A martial art of mysterious power.”
The improved One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation was more profound and solid than any other. No matter how great a master was, they could not easily break it.
But to dismantle its function just by unleashing a few strands of energy?
‘No?’
Gonggong’s admiration quickly turned into a look of disbelief.
The masked man who had broken the essence of the formation was effortlessly deflecting the attacks pouring in from the one hundred and eight Shaolin disciples.
But it didn't seem to be a proper martial art; it looked improvised, completely lacking in form or discipline.
‘This man must never be allowed to leave the temple grounds!’
It was surprising enough that he could break the function of the extensively improved One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation in one go.
But to think he was easily blocking the monks’ attacks with what seemed like improvised movements, without using any particular martial art?
“Kneel!”
In the end, Gonggong personally entered the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation to take command.
Shaolin’s high-ranking monks do not venture into the martial world unless there are special circumstances.
Therefore, their martial prowess and power are gauged by their status within Shaolin.
And the martial skill of the high monks in charge of the various halls and courtyards was on a level that would not be outmatched by the renowned masters of the martial world.
*Thwack. Papapapak!*
As Gonggong commanded the Arhat Formation, the warrior monks’ attacks became more refined, and their power increased.
‘Impressive.’
Bu Eun-seol was inwardly amazed.
Gonggong hadn't attacked directly; he had merely taken command of the broken formation.
But with just that, the shattered formation became solid again, its profundity and power multiplying several times over.
‘This move alone shows the true depth of Shaolin.’
But admiration was just admiration.
The attacks were not threatening enough to be a danger to Bu Eun-seol.
If he wanted to, he could instantly break the formation and escape through the passage.
Yet, he was still biding his time, holding his ground within the formation.
There was only one reason.
From the dark passage far away, he could feel a chilling gaze.
Blood Shaolin.
Inside this underground scripture pavilion.
It was clear that not only Gonggong and the one hundred and eight warrior monks were present, but also the monks of Blood Shaolin, crouched in the darkness, observing the situation.
‘The fact that Shaolin imprisons great demonic figures is not known to the martial world. That means it must be related to the Blood Shaolin, who operate in absolute secrecy.’
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol moved his hands in a blur.
*Swoosh! Swoosh!*
“Kugh!”
“Argh!”
He began to properly utilize his internal energy, launching the Thirteen Nocturnal Arts.
“Kugh.”
“Urk.”
Each time the sharp energy winds of the Thirteen Nocturnal Arts grazed them, warrior monks fell in droves with screams.
“Maintain the formation!”
Gonggong shouted, but once the number of fallen monks exceeded a third, the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation finally collapsed completely.
‘This man.’
Only then did Gonggong realize that this masked man’s martial prowess was immense, and that he could not be subdued even with one hundred and eight warrior monks.
‘Must I use that method?’
Gonggong’s eyes flashed, and he shouted loudly.
“Deploy the True Suchness Path Formation!”
At his words, the formation of the Shaolin monks, which had been moving chaotically, completely changed.
It was no longer a circular formation intended to exhaust the enemy by constantly consuming their energy.
Instead, they formed a shape like a giant spearhead, continuously forcing Bu Eun-seol backward.
Not only that, but as the formation changed, Bu Eun-seol’s sharp senses momentarily dulled.
He felt the illusion of a thick fog rising all around him.
‘It seems they’re finally about to start.’
Shaolin, a place that imprisons great demonic figures whose very existence threatens the world.
That meant they had a secret method for capturing these masters of outstanding martial arts.
And… a space where they could imprison them without it ever being revealed to the outside world.
‘It’s likely not unrelated to this secret passage.’
The only secretly constructed facility within the Shaolin grounds was this one, connecting the scripture pavilion and the Blood Shaolin.
And both spaces were abnormally large to be just for secretly storing scriptures.
Which means…
The Penitence Grotto, where the great demonic figures are imprisoned, is somewhere nearby, and it is managed by the Blood Shaolin.
‘Changing the formation must be a signal to call the members of Blood Shaolin.’
*Chiiik.*
Just then, the formation, now shaped like a spearhead, pressed in on Bu Eun-seol.
*Whoom! Whoom!*
As Bu Eun-seol was being relentlessly pushed back by the immense pressure and sharp attacks,
*Rustle.*
With a feeling like the fog was dispersing, a silent, formless palm strike shot toward Bu Eun-seol’s back.
It was a palm strike unleashed by a Blood Shaolin master hidden in the darkness, timed with Gonggong’s signal.
Just as Bu Eun-seol had expected.
Changing the formation to the True Suchness Path Formation was a signal to request the aid of the Blood Shaolin for subjugation.
‘Good.’
As the Blood Shaolin monks unleashed their palm strikes, Bu Eun-seol drove his formidable internal energy into his sealed acupoints and fine meridians.
His internal energy level instantly dropped to about half its strength.
*Pow!*
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol was struck in the back by the palm strike and flew through the air like a broken kite.
*Pfft!*
Intentionally biting his lip to spit out a few drops of blood, Bu Eun-seol staggered.
*Swish!*
Not missing the opportunity, Gonggong launched a continuous barrage of Hundred-Pace Divine Fists.
Knowing his opponent’s prowess was immense, he showed absolutely no mercy.
*Kwa-kwang!*
With a thunderous roar, Bu Eun-seol’s body was repeatedly knocked back.
*Kooong!*
A low vibration sounded as another powerful palm strike slammed into Bu Eun-seol’s back.
The Blood Shaolin monk hiding in the darkness had struck again.
*Thud.*
Hit from both front and back by Shaolin’s ultimate techniques, Bu Eun-seol was flung into the air before crashing to the ground.
‘So this was how they did it.’
The True Suchness Path Formation, a variation of the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, was designed to completely conceal the Blood Shaolin monks.
It was a formation for subduing powerful enemies with unseen blows.
Most likely, Shaolin had been dealing with great demonic figures who had either trespassed on their grounds or caused chaos in the martial world using this tactic.
“Kuh.”
Bu Eun-seol let out a groan.
The palm strike from the Blood Shaolin master contained a heaven-shattering, earth-sundering power.
It was a level he could never withstand with his internal energy reduced by half.
“Kuhh.”
Groaning, Bu Eun-seol forced himself to his feet again.
To appear as a demonic master, he deliberately activated the Withered Branch Arts of his As-You-Will True Arts on a grand scale.
*Zzzzzing!*
A bizarre, wailing sound erupted as a powerful demonic energy swirled from his body.
*Kwang!*
But another unseen palm strike slammed into his back.
*Thump.*
Staggering, Bu Eun-seol eventually collapsed again.
“So he was a member of the demonic path after all.”
Gonggong’s eyes turned cold.
“Who are you?”
“…”
When Bu Eun-seol didn’t answer, Gonggong tore off his mask.
The face of Seol-so, an ordinary man one could see anywhere, was revealed.
“If you do not answer, I will cripple your martial arts.”
Gonggong asked again in a solemn tone.
“Who are you? How did you find this temple’s secret passage?”
“I was searching here and there for the Shaolin Scripture Pavilion… and happened to find it by chance.”
As Bu Eun-seol spoke with a feigned expression of fear, Gonggong’s eyes narrowed.
Shaolin’s divine arts and ultimate techniques were the foundation of the orthodox faction’s martial arts, and mastering even one could allow a person to dominate the martial world.
Thus, those who coveted the manuals in the scripture pavilion constantly came, attempting to steal them.
‘This man’s words cannot be trusted.’
But Gonggong didn’t believe him.
Judging by the terrifying demonic energy and outstanding martial arts he had just displayed, Gonggong concluded he had ulterior motives beyond the scriptures.
‘The Abbot is too merciful. If I merely subdue this man, he will inform his sect again. He will be released soon enough.’
Shaolin was currently in a state of chaos due to the invasion, and the Abbot, who should be leading all the disciples, was down after being ambushed.
In this situation, subduing and interrogating an unknown demonic disciple, then notifying his sect, was simply too troublesome.
‘His identity can be uncovered later.’
Having made up his mind, Gonggong, without a second thought, fiercely launched his Finger Flick Divine Arts.
*Papak!*
A finger wind capable of piercing rock shot out and sealed Bu Eun-seol’s dantian.
Considering Gonggong’s internal energy and the technique of his Finger Flick Divine Arts, unless a master with over four hundred years of internal energy helped from the outside, the sealed dantian could never be opened.
“Lock this man in the Penitence Grotto. The Abbot will interrogate him personally once the chaos in the temple has settled.”
‘Success.’
Bu Eun-seol inwardly rejoiced.
He had planned this in advance, but to think he could get into the Penitence Grotto so easily in one go?
*Ssk.*
At Gonggong’s words, the Blood Shaolin monks silently hoisted Bu Eun-seol’s body.
They then slowly disappeared into the dark passage leading to the Blood Shaolin’s domain.
‘Hmph.’
Gonggong let out a sigh.
He was someone who did not particularly approve of the Blood Shaolin’s existence.
Under the pretext of protecting Shaolin, the Blood Shaolin not only dabbled in all sorts of unorthodox martial arts but also committed acts of killing without hesitation.
Though they were called Shaolin, in the eyes of the official disciples, they were nothing more than murderers in monk robes.
“In the end, the Blood Shaolin has found its justification to move.”
A deep sigh escaped Gonggong.
Due to this ambush incident, the Blood Shaolin were now moving openly.
This was because of a rule that allowed them to act on their own without the Abbot’s command if Shaolin was in danger.
“Amitabha.”
Feeling a dark cloud hanging over Shaolin’s future, a Buddhist chant naturally escaped his lips.
Until now, Shaolin had overcome every crisis and survived to the end.
Surely, this time too, they would be able to resolve everything.
***
*Clomp, clomp.*
The Blood Shaolin monks carrying Bu Eun-seol walked endlessly down a deep, dark passage.
Finally, they reached a certain spot and stopped.
It was a wide space where not a single ray of light entered, and on one side was a square hole about five feet wide.
*Fling.*
Without hesitation, the Blood Shaolin monks threw Bu Eun-seol into the square hole.
*Whoooosh.*
Bu Eun-seol’s body fell endlessly downward.
*Flash!*
In the midst of his rapid descent, Bu Eun-seol finally opened his eyes.
Below was an endless darkness. If he fell like this, it was only a matter of time before his entire body was shattered.
‘I need to recover my internal energy, fast.’
*Woooong!*
Bu Eun-seol once again drew up the internal energy he had hidden in his sealed acupoints and fine meridians.
The completely blocked Sea of Qi slowly began to open, and his internal energy gradually started to return.
But the bottom was already in sight.
*KRAAANG!*
Bu Eun-seol slammed straight into the floor.
*Zzzzzzt.*
Black sparks of true energy began to fly from his body where he had fallen.
With no other choice, he had curled his body at the moment of impact and used the As-You-Will True Arts to create a large shield-like form around his shoulders.
“Kuhh.”
Bu Eun-seol let out a groan.
He had forcibly used the As-You-Will True Arts without his internal energy being fully recovered.
And even with the shield of true energy, it hadn’t completely absorbed the shock of the fall.
“I’m trying all sorts of things.”
Since he was already down.
Bu Eun-seol let out a groan and flopped onto his back, spread-eagled.
He planned to move after recovering his body to some extent by circulating his energy while lying down.
*Clomp, clomp.*
But with the sound of footsteps, numerous shadows began to appear one by one from the darkness.
The eyes of those approaching Bu Eun-seol glinted even in the dark.
They were all grotesque figures with disheveled hair, fierce eyes, and a strange light in their pupils.
“Hehehe.”
The grotesque figures’ eyes glinted with killing intent, and white saliva dripped from the corners of their mouths.
“How long has it been?”
They surrounded Bu Eun-seol in a circle, smacking their lips as they each spoke.
“When was the last time we had such fresh meat?”
“That’s right. They’re always dead and broken when they land.”
“We can finally eat live meat for a change.”
They were the great demonic figures imprisoned in this Penitence Grotto.
And they were treating Bu Eun-seol as nothing more than fresh, living meat.
‘They said these were great demonic figures who would harm the martial world if let out.’
Bu Eun-seol frowned.
It was said that even the most wicked of villains find some measure of redemption in their old age.
But the demonic figures here, despite having lived until their hair turned white while stripped of their internal energy… their vicious aura hadn't diminished in the slightest.
“Let’s not waste time and just carve him up.”
“Right. When was the last time one fell this fresh? Was it that guy, the Blood-Drinking Fiend?”
“No. That one’s limbs were shattered and he died on impact.”
“But what’s with this one? Why does his face look so young?”
While they were chattering, a grotesque man with severe pockmarks on his face pointed at Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
“This one must have eaten something like a youth-retaining fruit.”
“No, this one. He didn’t eat a youth-retaining fruit, he’s actually young, isn’t he? Look at the elasticity of his skin.”
*Murmur, murmur.*
They chattered on for a while, treating Bu Eun-seol like a piece of carved meat.
Just then, a grotesque man who had pulled out a knife made of stone from his robes revealed his yellowed teeth and said.
“It’s probably not a youth-retaining fruit. That old hag over there, the Flowery Enchantress, she ate something like that. Her face is plump, but her eyes are dull.”
“Anyway, we have to take care of all those guys over there to get to that old hag.”
In that moment, a bloody light flared in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
He had never let lecherous fiends live.
The pockmarked old man twirled the dagger fashioned from stone and asked Bu Eun-seol.
“Hey, one last question.”
He licked his lips and asked Bu Eun-seol.
“Why did a young pup like you end up in here?”
“…”
“To end up here at your age, you must have been something else, huh? What did you do to get here? Did you kill the Shaolin Abbot or something?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol slowly got to his feet.
“Shaolin may have kept scum like you alive out of mercy.”
He looked coldly at the old men surrounding him and said in a solemn voice.
“But this Lord has no intention of letting vermin like you live.”
“Hahahaha.”
Not only the pockmarked old man but all the grotesque figures around him burst into laughter.
“This one’s a funny one.”
“Just because our internal energy is gone, do you think we’re just powerless old men?”
*Stab.*
Just then, the pockmarked old man holding the knife stabbed the wall with his left finger.
The finger sank into the wall as if it were tofu.
“The old men here have been scourges of the martial world since before your parents were even born…”
The pockmarked old man trailed off, tilting his head.
Strangely, his voice wouldn't come out, and his neck felt itchy.
“Huh?”
Looking down at his neck, the pockmarked old man made a strange expression.
He felt his head slowly separating from his body.
*Splaash!*
As the head detached from the torso, crimson blood spurted up to the top of the cave wall.
At the same time, Bu Eun-seol slowly rose to his feet.
*Crack.*
Having slowly recovered his depleted internal energy, the sound of bones cracking echoed from his body.
*Woooong!*
A powerful wave of true energy erupted, threatening to pierce the cave walls.
Simultaneously, a wave of black true energy spread out in all directions from behind Bu Eun-seol.
He had instantly unleashed his As-You-Will True Arts, severing the necks of all the grotesque figures surrounding him.
*Swoooosh! Splaaash!*
The area around the cave was instantly dyed with blood, and dozens of headless bodies rolled on the ground.
*Wriggle, wriggle.*
Just then, more shadows began to crawl out from the darkness.
They were demonic figures who had been weak and starving until now.
When Bu Eun-seol beheaded dozens of the grotesque men in an instant, and the scent of blood filled the air, they began to slowly crawl out, licking their lips at the smell.
“This is hell.”
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and looked up at the place he had fallen from.
Shaolin, under the guise of mercy, had thrown these great demonic figures into this bottomless pit and had not even provided them with proper food.
—*Keeeeuh.*
They were afraid of Bu Eun-seol, yet they cautiously approached the corpses of the grotesque men.
White saliva dripped from their mouths.
Their bodies trembled slightly at the thought of soon feasting on fresh meat.
Bu Eun-seol watched them for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and said.
“I pray that in your next lives, you are born as good people.”
*Splaaaaash!*
Once again, the sharp blades of the As-You-Will True Arts swept through the cave.
The necks of the grotesque figures who had been drawn by the smell of blood were sent rolling in all directions.
*Clomp, clomp.*
Looking around at the mountain of corpses and sea of blood, Bu Eun-seol walked with a stoic expression toward the darkness.
The interior of this cave was vast.
He had discerned that the visible space was not all there was and intended to survey the surroundings.
*Swaaaaah.*
But as he continued forward, he heard the sound of flowing water from somewhere.
If there was flowing water inside a cave, didn't that mean there must be an exit for that water to escape?
“Hmm.”
As he walked deeper, he saw a new cave.
Passing by several branching tunnels, he saw a faint light flowing from one, unlike before.
And scattered about were old men, dressed in clothes that were dirty but had been washed clean, living their lives here and there.
‘So that’s how it was.’
The grotesque figures in front of the place where people fell in this Penitence Grotto were likely the ones who had not abandoned their ferocity and preyed on those who fell later.
And this place was a cave where the demonic figures who had lost their internal energy, their power, and their ambition had gathered to live peacefully like ordinary old men.
“Who are you?”
Just then, a simple-looking old man looked at Bu Eun-seol and tilted his head.
“How did you get here? In front of that bottomless pit, there should be a bunch of crazy cannibals gathered.”
Bu Eun-seol answered calmly.
“I walked.”
“You walked?”
“Didn’t you ask how I got here?”
The old man questioning Bu Eun-seol had once been a great demonic figure of high standing in the world, one who never let those who annoyed him live.
But now, his personality had completely changed, and he didn't seem to mind Bu Eun-seol’s blunt reply at all.
“Still, it seems there are some decent old men here.”
The old man looked at the relaxed Bu Eun-seol and his eyes narrowed slightly.
“You’re no ordinary person. Then again, if you were, you wouldn’t have fallen into the Penitence Grotto at your age.”
“Are you asking yourself that question?”
“Hahaha. Is that how it is?”
The old man, his curiosity piqued by Bu Eun-seol, said with a smile.
“This old one is Tak Il-hon.”
“Tak Il-hon.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes narrowed.
There was only one person in the martial world known as Tak Il-hon, wasn't there?
“You mean the Tak Il-hon who was called the Flying Demon?”
The Flying Demon, Tak Il-hon.
Was he not the great master of movement arts who created the Ghostly Shadow Moonlit Walk, one of the Eight Great Movement Arts of the Martial World?
And was he not the great thief of the world who would steal any martial arts manual he laid his eyes on?