Chapter 500
Chapter 500
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 500
Chapter Title: The Three-Move Test
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“I will ask you one more time. There is a way.”
“You mean you, Young Master Seol?”
“That’s right. However, it may take some time, so wait below with Brother Roe.”
Sensing the unusual aura emanating from Bu Eun-seol, Dae Gu-hwi nodded.
“Understood.”
“Don’t worry, go on.”
Contrary to Bu Eun-seol’s burning impatience, Roe Bi-hon spoke as if this was a welcome development.
“I’ll be training with this fellow whenever I have the time.”
He was quite content just to spend time with Dae Gu-hwi.
Bu Eun-seol watched the two descend before turning around.
*Crack.*
He immediately reverted to his original appearance.
‘We are both part of the Four Deities, after all. Why won’t they even open the gate?’
He had no intention of visiting the Divine Water Palace in his true identity unless absolutely necessary.
He had hoped to follow Dan-a’s advice and receive a small amount of the Divine Water Spirit Energy to help stabilize his body.
But Sa Cheong-ha treated Roe Bi-hon like an enemy.
If he revealed himself as the Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall under these circumstances, his chances of obtaining the Divine Water Spirit Energy could be ruined.
‘Is there no other choice?’
According to Gongson Dan-a, he needed the power of the Four Deities to fully recover his body and use his martial arts freely.
The Divine Water Spirit Energy, in particular, was connected to the extreme yin art known as the Glacial River Arts, so he had to obtain it.
But what if a conflict arose from trying to get Roe Bi-hon into the Thunder Sword Pond?
Far from obtaining the Divine Water Spirit Energy, he could end up making an enemy of the Divine Water Palace.
‘Still, Brother Roe’s recovery is more important.’
Even if it meant giving up the Divine Water Spirit Energy, one of the keys to his own recovery, Bu Eun-seol was determined to meet the Palace Lord of the Divine Water Palace as the Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall without hesitation.
*Step, step.*
Bu Eun-seol walked unhesitatingly up the stairs leading to the Divine Water Palace.
A disciple of the Divine Water Palace, wearing a blue mask, blocked his path.
“What brings you here?”
“The Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall.”
Bu Eun-seol unleashed a formidable aura, spreading a bloody light.
“Announce that Bu Eun-seol, the successor of the Demonic Cult, requests an audience with the Palace Lord.”
He immediately showed the Twin Dragons Competing for the Pearl token, the symbol of the Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall.
The flustered disciple immediately went inside.
*Creeak.*
Not long after, the tightly shut gates of the Divine Water Palace opened.
A tree is known by its shade, a man by his name.
The gates that had remained shut even for the Thunder God swung wide open at the mere mention of Bu Eun-seol’s name.
Even for the Divine Water Palace, they could not ignore the successor of the Demonic Cult, a force with immense influence in the martial world.
“Please follow me.”
As he was led inside by the disciple, a mystical interior came into view.
Unlike the typical layout of a martial sect, beautiful flower gardens and plants bloomed everywhere, and springs of clear water flowed throughout.
As the Divine Water Palace used water as a weapon, they had created small, endlessly flowing streams within their grounds.
“This way.”
The disciple guided Bu Eun-seol to the most magnificent hall within the Divine Water Palace.
Inside, a brilliantly shimmering beaded curtain hung at the front, and behind it, the shadow of a person wearing an ornate hat could be seen.
Although the figure was not visible, the shadow alone exuded a solemn and majestic atmosphere.
It was Sa Cheong-ha, the Vice Palace Lord of the Divine Water Palace.
Bu Eun-seol immediately clasped his hands.
“Bu Eun-seol, a disciple of the Wolf Fang Pavilion, greets the Vice Palace Lord.”
As a sign of respect for the Divine Water Palace and to facilitate a smooth negotiation, Bu Eun-seol lowered his status to that of a Wolf Fang Pavilion disciple.
“Hmph.”
A low, cold sigh came from the shadow behind the curtain.
“Our paths are different, and we have no connection. For what reason have you visited my palace?”
The voice was sharp, sounding somewhat irritable.
It seemed she was not pleased with the sudden visit and felt a sense of displeasure.
“I know it is impolite to disturb the Vice Palace Lord’s peace with this sudden visit… but I have come on an urgent matter.”
For the successor of the Demonic Cult, his words were exceedingly polite and courteous.
Sa Cheong-ha’s displeasure seemed to have eased considerably as she nodded and said.
“Very well, what is it?”
“I would like to briefly visit the Thunder Sword Pond within the Divine Water Palace.”
“The Thunder Sword Pond?”
“Yes.”
“Are you trying to learn a new martial art?”
The Thunder Sword Pond was a place where lightning constantly struck, so its vicinity was filled with lightning ki and violet lightning ki.
Therefore, it was the perfect place to rapidly advance in martial arts like the Thunderclap Palm or the Wind and Thunder Palm.
Sa Cheong-ha assumed Bu Eun-seol was going to the Thunder Sword Pond to practice such martial arts.
“That is not the case. I am here to restore my sworn brother’s martial arts.”
“To restore your sworn brother’s martial arts? Wait, that sworn brother of yours wouldn’t happen to be…”
“That is correct. Roe Bi-hon, Brother Roe, is my sworn brother.”
*Swoosh.*
A cold wind instantly billowed from behind the beaded curtain.
At the same time, a voice as frigid as falling ice dust was heard.
“I will pretend I did not hear what you just said.”
“Vice Palace Lord.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke with utmost politeness.
“His martial arts cannot be restored without the Thunder Sword Pond. Please, grant me this favor…”
“Though our paths may differ, if you were the one seeking to train, I might have granted you access to the Thunder Sword Pond.”
“…”
“No, I might even grant it to the greatest villain in the world. But Roe Bi-hon, and him alone, will never be allowed. Do you understand what I mean?”
Sa Cheong-ha’s voice was filled with a resentment that could freeze the very heavens.
It was clear she hated him due to a personal grudge.
“Vice Palace Lord. My intention to restore Brother Roe’s martial arts is not for personal reasons.”
Bu Eun-seol said with the utmost respect.
“It is because he can only do what is right once his martial arts are restored.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Brother Roe was attacked by a vicious enemy and lost not only his martial arts but also his memories. That person is a villain who throws the world into chaos, and in order to track him…”
“He lost his memories?”
Sa Cheong-ha ignored the more important part of the story and was surprised by the news of Roe Bi-hon’s memory loss.
“So that’s why he shamelessly came to my palace… That’s why he had the gall to come here.”
Her low, humming voice was laced with an icy resentment.
Hearing her tone, Bu Eun-seol could somewhat grasp the situation.
‘Was it a matter between a man and a woman?’
It seemed there had been a romantic issue between Roe Bi-hon and Sa Cheong-ha, which had led to her intense hatred.
‘Still, it can’t be helped.’
Normally, he would never meddle in the affairs between a man and a woman.
But Bu Eun-seol was indebted to Roe Bi-hon and had to catch the descendant of the Sword Emperor.
To do that, he had to persuade the Vice Palace Lord, who handled all of the Divine Water Palace’s affairs, no matter what.
“Vice Palace Lord.”
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands.
“I do not know what history you have with Brother Roe, but for the sake of the martial world, could you not set aside your personal feelings for a moment?”
“You make it sound so simple.”
Sa Cheong-ha spoke with a voice that seemed to rain down ice.
“Does the successor of the Demonic Cult think he is the supreme ruler of the martial world? Why do you presume to dictate the personal affairs of others?”
“Then what must I do to change your mind?”
Bu Eun-seol maintained his patience and treated her with respect.
He knew he could not enter the Thunder Sword Pond without her permission.
“Roe Bi-hon. If he kneels before me and apologizes.”
Sa Cheong-ha said in a cold voice.
“And second, if he can withstand three of my moves, I will allow him to use the Thunder Sword Pond.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eun-seol readily agreed.
“However, since Brother Roe has lost his martial arts, I will receive those three moves in his stead.”
“You will?”
After a moment of consideration, she readily nodded.
“That is not a bad proposal.”
Sa Cheong-ha’s voice was filled with a bitter resentment.
“If you become crippled, Roe Bi-hon’s heart will be shattered as well.”
From her tone, it was clear that Sa Cheong-ha intended to use this promise as a pretext to severely injure Bu Eun-seol.
“If you are afraid, you should quit now, Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall.”
Sa Cheong-ha spoke with the utmost seriousness.
“A promise is a promise. I have no intention of going easy on you, even if I have to get other sects to witness this.”
She was declaring her intent to kill or maim Bu Eun-seol under the guise of this wager.
But Bu Eun-seol’s expression remained calm, showing no fear at all.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Bu Eun-seol extended a finger and drew on the floor.
*Scrape! Scrape!*
Slender characters were carved into the hard bluestone slab.
He had written a pledge with his own hand, vowing not to hold any grudges even if he died as a result of the three-move wager.
“Good.”
Sa Cheong-ha turned her body from behind the beaded curtain.
“Bring the Scion of the Martial Spirit Hall to the front of the Divine Water Pavilion!”
The Divine Water Pavilion.
It was a garden located in the center of the Divine Water Palace.
In the middle of the pavilion stood a large sculpture, a miniature replica of the spiral-shaped Divine Water Palace.
It was surrounded by colorful and beautiful flower-shaped decorations.
A stream flowing from the sculpture trickled down the spiral curves.
It was amidst this beautiful scenery that Sa Cheong-ha intended to conduct the deadly test of three moves.
“Are you ready?”
At that moment, a middle-aged woman in blue robes walked out to face Bu Eun-seol.
She wore a veil of celestial silk, obscuring her features, but her eyes were extremely sharp and her brow was furrowed.
Moreover, a pure white killing intent flowed in her eyes, making it clear that this wager was no joke.
“Begin whenever you are ready.”
Bu Eun-seol did not even raise his internal energy.
He had learned Jade Grafting, the true esoteric art of the Unhindered One. Therefore, he could lightly deflect any external force.
Of course, since this was Seonwu Jin’s true technique, he had to modify it to use it like a demonic art.
“First move!”
She immediately launched a palm strike at Bu Eun-seol’s chest.
It was a swift and sharp strike, clearly showing no intention of holding back.
*Thud.*
Bu Eun-seol stood firm and took the palm strike to his chest.
*Splash!*
Although she had struck with her bare hand, Bu Eun-seol’s chest was splattered with water.
She had used the Divine Water Spirit Energy to launch her palm force.
*Swoooosh!*
But the water droplets scattered in all directions, and the sharp palm force grazed past Bu Eun-seol’s body.
He had used the principles of Jade Grafting to divert the sharp palm force.
“Indeed, your martial arts are formidable.”
Sa Cheong-ha offered praise, but her voice was as cold as ice.
Techniques like Jade Grafting existed in almost every sect; the only difference was the level of mastery.
This praise was a forced compliment meant to lower Bu Eun-seol’s guard.
“Second move!”
She extended her right hand once more.
But no palm force came flying.
*Voom.*
At the same time, a low vibration sounded from Bu Eun-seol’s chest.
‘So this is her method.’
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol realized Sa Cheong-ha’s scheme.
The water droplets that had touched his body during the first palm strike.
She had intentionally splashed them on him to land a direct, unavoidable hit with her Divine Water Spirit Energy.
*Boom!*
With an explosive sound, the water droplets on his chest became a giant iron hammer and struck Bu Eun-seol’s chest.
*Screech.*
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol was pushed back five paces.
The water droplets clinging to his body vibrated intensely, and a sharp energy pierced his meridians.
If he couldn’t completely deflect this force, his chest would instantly cave in, and he would suffer severe internal injuries.
*Whirl.*
Bu Eun-seol began to spin violently on the spot.
He intended to use the method of Jade Grafting to instantly cast off the Divine Water Spirit Energy’s force clinging to his chest.
However, as if anticipating such a move, Sa Cheong-ha continuously sent out a sticky palm force.
No matter how fast he spun, he could not shake off the Divine Water Spirit Energy.
*Fwoosh!*
But then, a strange heat rose from Bu Eun-seol’s body, completely annihilating the energy of the Divine Water Spirit Energy.
He had ultimately used the Scorching River's True Qi to instantly burn away the moisture penetrating his body.
‘Is this too much?’
Unlike the Glacial River Arts, every time he used the Scorching River's True Qi, his blood and qi felt uncomfortable, and his head grew dizzy.
“Impressive.”
Sa Cheong-ha was not particularly surprised that Bu Eun-seol had dispelled the power of the Divine Water Spirit Energy.
The palm forces she had used so far hadn't even utilized a third of her full power.
“If you can withstand the final move, I will deign to watch Roe Bi-hon kneel.”
*Rumble.*
In that instant, the interior of the Divine Water Palace trembled, and massive streams of water began to shoot up from all directions.
They gathered together and soared above Sa Cheong-ha’s head.
Dozens, no, hundreds of transparent water dragons rose from her body.
She had created hundreds of palm forces using Nature of the Rushing Torrent, one of the esoteric arts of the Divine Water Palace.
‘This… is going too far.’
Bu Eun-seol gritted his teeth as he looked up at the hundreds of water streams soaring into the sky.
The opening move of Nature of the Rushing Torrent, which continuously gathered power using the Divine Water Spirit Energy while the enemy was unable to counterattack.
To insist that this was a single move?
If he were to receive that, Bu Eun-seol would be hit by hundreds of palm strikes at once.
No matter how great one’s martial arts were, no one could withstand hundreds of the Divine Water Palace’s ultimate palm strikes.
“If you are afraid, give up now.”
Sa Cheong-ha said coldly.
“I have no desire to make an enemy of the Demonic Cult.”
“Not at all.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“Please, strike.”
“Fine!”
*Kwaang!*
An explosive sound erupted from Bu Eun-seol’s body as true qi spread out in all directions.
He had raised his internal energy to block the move of Nature of the Rushing Torrent.
‘This is the only way!’
*Swoooosh!*
Finally, the move of Nature of the Rushing Torrent engulfed Bu Eun-seol’s body.
It looked as if hundreds of small, transparent dragons were wrapping around his body and digging into him.
“He must be crippled.”
Sa Cheong-ha was utterly calm, despite having just crippled the successor of the Demonic Cult.
She had made a promise of three moves and had simply kept it.
As long as the words Bu Eun-seol himself had carved with his finger-wind existed, the Heavenly Demon would have nothing to say even if he came to protest.
“Hm?”
But something was strange.
Why were the hundreds of palm forces that should have penetrated his body still materialized and frozen in place?
“That is…”
Only then did Sa Cheong-ha realize that her palm force was suspended in mid-air.
To be more precise, it wasn’t suspended; it was frozen solid.
“Such an ice art…”
Bu Eun-seol had used a terrifying ice art to instantly freeze the move of Nature of the Rushing Torrent.
‘It worked.’
Bu Eun-seol breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Of course, he could have blocked the attack of Nature of the Rushing Torrent with the Scorching River's True Qi.
But according to the principles of elemental counters, fire could not overcome water in this situation.
To block the Divine Water Spirit Energy with the Scorching River's True Qi, he would have had to use twice as much internal energy as Sa Cheong-ha.
Even if he managed to evaporate the palm force, it would be considered a loss.
So, Bu Eun-seol used the Glacial River Arts, which had a similar elemental affinity, to freeze it in an instant.
“It is over.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, a blue light emanated from Sa Cheong-ha’s eyes.
“Why do you say it is over?”
“Did we not promise that I would receive three moves?”
“That’s right. Three moves.”
A vicious light shone in Sa Cheong-ha’s eyes.
“But was the final move not interrupted before it was fully executed?”
*Clang!*
When Sa Cheong-ha used her internal energy, the palm force of Nature of the Rushing Torrent broke the ice and turned back into water.
Water can become ice, and ice can also become water.
*Swoooooosh!*
In the end, hundreds of sharp Divine Water Spirit Energy streams became transparent hands and latched onto Bu Eun-seol’s major acupoints.
Realizing that his internal energy was not only powerful but that he also used an art of extreme yin, she changed her tactics entirely.
Divine Water Spirit Energy.
It was said that when mastered to the extreme, one could condense a flowing river into a single handful of water. The ultimate power of the Divine Water Palace was now unleashed.
Sa Cheong-ha had shattered the frozen move of Nature of the Rushing Torrent.
Then, she drove palm forces like transparent hands into Bu Eun-seol’s body, instantly pouring in the Divine Water Spirit Energy.
*Swoooosh!*
The Divine Water Spirit Energy, said to be the most mystical power in the martial world, poured forth.
Simultaneously, white steam rose from Bu Eun-seol’s body.
Sa Cheong-ha was using the power of the Divine Water Spirit Energy to evaporate all the moisture from within Bu Eun-seol’s body.
Since she had already crossed the line, she would kill him completely to eliminate any future trouble.
*Tsssss!*
But then, a strange thing happened.
As the Divine Water Spirit Energy was injected into his body, he felt a sense of comfort, as if floating in water.
‘This is strange.’
When the power of the Divine Water Spirit Energy made the moisture in the body boil, one should die instantly, becoming a dried-up corpse.
But instead of moisture leaving Bu Eun-seol’s body, wasn't it expelling the turbid energy from within him?
—If you obtain all the Four Deities’ energies, you will be able to harmonize the things injected into your body.
Gongson Dan-a’s words suddenly came to mind.
—And if fate allows it and the Palace Lord injects the Divine Water Spirit Energy into you someday… you will be able to completely control the energy of extreme yin.
At the time, Bu Eun-seol had been certain such a thing would never happen.
The Palace Lord of the Divine Water Palace would never inject a power like the Divine Water Spirit Energy into the successor of the Demonic Cult, and he had no intention of ever going to the Divine Water Palace in the first place.
But fate had ultimately led him to the Divine Water Palace.
And Sa Cheong-ha was now injecting the Divine Water Spirit Energy into Bu Eun-seol with all her might.
All for the sake of killing him.
But it was, in fact, healing Bu Eun-seol’s body, which contained the energy of extreme yin.
—Because it is not contained…
…it can never be lost.
As Bu Eun-seol received the Divine Water Spirit Energy poured out by Sa Cheong-ha, the words of the Taoist secret art given to him by Gongson Dan-a continuously echoed in his mind.
The subtlety of this secret art, unlike the internal energy cultivation methods prevalent in the martial world, was that it did not store any power within the body.
‘Whether it’s water or cold energy, can’t I just use it when I need it?’
Having gained this realization, Bu Eun-seol began to accept the vast amount of Divine Water Spirit Energy into his body.
Water exists everywhere in the world. One just needs to draw upon it when needed.
‘The Glacial River Arts is the same.’
Bu Eun-seol had been storing a powerful extreme yin energy within his body.
But originally, storing such extreme yin energy was only possible for someone like the Great Glacial Emperor, who had dedicated himself solely to practicing ice arts and reached the pinnacle of that path.
Furthermore, because Bu Eun-seol contained various other powers within his body, possessing that extreme yin energy had become a poison.
‘To hold it only when needed… I see.’
Bu Eun-seol, having naturally accepted the Divine Water Spirit Energy that Sa Cheong-ha was furiously injecting, closed his eyes.
Ice and water share the same nature.
If he could use the Divine Water Spirit Energy…
Bu Eun-seol would be able to freely use the Glacial River Arts without having to store the extreme yin energy in his body.
*Shhh. Shhhh.*
The incoming Divine Water Spirit Energy did not evaporate the moisture in his body, but was instead continuously stored within him, expelling the extreme yin energy that had been wrecking his body.
Simultaneously, the power of the Divine Water Spirit Energy began to disperse and store itself in Bu Eun-seol’s Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
He then felt as if he had become an immortal, floating on a cloud.
Meanwhile, Sa Cheong-ha, while pouring out the Divine Water Spirit Energy, felt that something was wrong.
‘What is happening?’
The moisture in his body should have completely evaporated, so why did that man look as if he was feeling refreshed instead?
‘This is extreme yin energy?’
Only then did she realize that what she was evaporating was not the moisture in his body… but an extreme yin energy that felt like it could freeze one to the bone.
‘He has learned an ice art, so it’s not strange for him to possess extreme yin energy. But why…’
Why was the extreme yin energy being expelled from his body instead of the moisture?
This was a phenomenon that not even the greatest martial arts masters of the era could comprehend.
Who could have guessed that Bu Eun-seol’s body contained a mixture of righteous, evil, demonic, and unorthodox powers?
And who would have thought that the successor of the Demonic Cult had learned a secret art of the Quanzhen School, a combination of the Five Beasts' Dance and a Taoist secret art, which allowed him to absorb the Divine Water Spirit Energy?
Even if Bu Eun-seol had explained it to her with spittle flying from his mouth, Sa Cheong-ha would not have believed him.
‘How dare this insolent brat withstand the Divine Water Spirit Energy!’
Unaware of these facts, Sa Cheong-ha bit her lip.
If she had stopped injecting the Divine Water Spirit Energy right then, even if Bu Eun-seol had managed to merge the Glacial River Arts with the Divine Water Spirit Energy, he would not have been able to harm her.
But driven by a stubborn refusal to lose, she even began to use her original true qi, infusing him with an even more powerful Divine Water Spirit Energy.
*Tsssssss.*
An even greater amount of extreme yin energy poured out of Bu Eun-seol’s body, and the amount of Divine Water Spirit Energy being injected into his Eight Extraordinary Meridians began to swell like a flood.
The amount was more than half of what Sa Cheong-ha had painstakingly accumulated over her entire life.
*Zing. Zing.*
Bu Eun-seol’s body, having absorbed the Divine Water Spirit Energy, began to glow transparently.
He had finally and completely stored the power of one of the Four Deities within his body.