Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: A Miscalculated Offer
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The Seven Severing Sword Style.
It was one of the sword arts created by the elder masters of the Murim Alliance for the eighteen Masters of Great Righteousness.
A sword style that transformed the righteous faction's techniques—in which killing intent was extremely suppressed—into a practical form for real combat, it was characterized by a relentless barrage of lethal moves.
*Swish!*
The flurry of Yeong-ji-wi’s sword strikes sliced through the hem of Bu Eun-seol’s robes.
No matter how he employed the Extreme Speed Shadowless Step to shift his position, the moves of the Seven Severing Sword Style clung to him like leeches.
*Swish! Swish!*
Altering its form again in mid-air, the Seven Severing Sword Style sent strands of Bu Eun-seol’s hair flying.
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes gleamed.
‘The Seven Severing Sword Style… so that’s what it is.’
By heightening the senses of his Way of the Beast, Bu Eun-seol was able to grasp the principles of the sword style.
‘Just like when I first learned the sword.’
Bu Eun-seol had first learned swordsmanship back in the Hellish Isles.
Even if it was the ordinary Thirteen Swords of the Fire Rain, when he performed it, the path of his sword transformed into unpredictable killing strikes.
That was because he had just awakened the Way of the Beast, and his heart at the time had been filled with an uncontrollable killing intent.
Because he had mastered the Way of the Beast so quickly that it defied the common principles of martial arts, fueled by an irrepressible killing aura, every sword move he executed became a bizarre and lethal strike.
‘The key is movement and killing strikes that deviate from the principles of martial arts!’
Having seen through the core of the Seven Severing Sword Style, Bu Eun-seol brought his longsword behind his back.
*Zzzing.*
An immense pressure erupted, completely altering the trajectory of the sword moves pouring from Yeong-ji-wi.
He had unleashed the Heavenly Tyrant Sword Apex at its peak.
“The Sword Apex?”
Yeong-ji-wi was greatly flustered to see Bu Eun-seol execute the Sword Apex technique, something only masters of the sword could perform.
“Wasn’t he a master of the swift sword?”
Pushing back the pressure of the Sword Apex by raising his internal energy, Yeong-ji-wi swung his sword rapidly.
*Ch-chik!*
Breaking free from the pressure of the Sword Apex, Yeong-ji-wi once again used the Seven Severing Sword Style, blanketing the area around Bu Eun-seol in a web of cold light.
“You can’t block the Seven Severing Sword Style with the Sword Apex!”
Yeong-ji-wi’s Seven Severing Sword Style had completely dominated the space around where Bu Eun-seol stood.
The moment he spotted a minuscule gap in the Sword Apex, Yeong-ji-wi cried out in triumph.
‘He must not have much real combat experience!’
Seeing Bu Eun-seol still holding the Sword Apex, oblivious to the opening he had revealed, he quickly thrust his longsword forward.
*Sak.*
As Bu Eun-seol finally took a defensive stance, albeit belatedly,
‘Hmph! You think you can block the Seven Severing Sword with a move like that?’
A smirk on his face, Yeong-ji-wi channeled his energy and struck Bu Eun-seol’s sword.
*KABOOM!*
With an explosive sound, Yeong-ji-wi was sent flying backward as if he had been flung.
—Waaaaah!
At that moment, a roar of cheers erupted from the martial artists in the spectator stands of the plaza.
To send a Master of Great Righteousness, a representative of the righteous faction, flying back in a single blow! The ultimate technique Bu Eun-seol had displayed was as exhilarating as downing a cool glass of wine.
“Gah.”
As he tried to regain his posture, Yeong-ji-wi coughed up blood.
The moment his sword had clashed with Bu Eun-seol’s, a powerful force had swept through his body, as if piercing him.
“The Heavy Sword…”
Yeong-ji-wi wore a look of utter defeat.
He realized that what Bu Eun-seol had used was the Heavy Sword style, which possessed the weightiest and most tyrannical energy among all the world's sword arts.
“And this level of internal energy…”
Yeong-ji-wi, now on his knees, had a vacant look in his eyes. It wasn't just swordsmanship; he couldn't even match Bu Eun-seol's level of internal energy.
Never since he had first picked up a sword had he been forced into such a defensive position.
“Ugh…”
Yeong-ji-wi looked down at the sword in his hand.
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't come up with a way to break through Bu Eun-seol’s Heavy Sword and Sword Apex.
Was it because he had always walked a smooth path, without a single setback? As his sword techniques were broken one after another, he began to sweat, growing flustered.
“Ah, what a shame. I should have practiced my martial arts a little more.”
As if he had barely managed to compose himself, Yeong-ji-wi looked at Bu Eun-seol with a bitter smile.
“It hasn't been long since I entered the world of martial arts. That’s why, compared to the other Masters of Great Righteousness, I haven't honed my skills…”
*Whoosh!*
His excuse was cut short.
Bu Eun-seol had closed the distance in an instant and brought his sword down to split Yeong-ji-wi’s head.
“Khh.”
Caught by the sudden attack, Yeong-ji-wi quickly raised his sword.
*Chiiing!*
A clear, ringing sound echoed as Yeong-ji-wi's treasured sword split into two pieces.
“How can this be?”
Damaging a weapon by clashing sword against sword was a scene one would only expect to see in a fight between third-rate martial artists.
Moreover, Bu Eun-seol had cut Yeong-ji-wi’s treasured sword with a worn-out iron sword.
This was proof that the internal energy Bu Eun-seol had infused into the iron sword was more than double that of Yeong-ji-wi.
“If you don’t want to die, return to Mount Jeomchang.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke coldly after shattering Yeong-ji-wi’s sword.
“And train your sword and internal energy for three years. Then, you may re-enter the martial world.”
“Wh-what did you say…”
Yeong-ji-wi bit his lip at Bu Eun-seol’s humiliating advice.
He was young and talented with the sword.
But compared to Bu Eun-seol, he was nothing more than a novice.
‘Ugh…’
Yeong-ji-wi was now realizing it with painful clarity.
The only reason he had managed to stay alive until now was that he had never met a truly skilled expert in the martial world.
“Did you… spare me because I am a Master of Great Righteousness?”
In the martial world, people always yielded a step to the Masters of Great Righteousness. Because it had always been that way, today's events felt all the more humiliating.
But Bu Eun-seol replied coldly.
“It was not the title ‘Master of Great Righteousness’ that saved your life, but Mount Jeomchang.”
And without a second thought, he turned away.
As Bu Eun-seol left the dueling stage, Cho Mun-cheon shouted in a loud voice.
“The winner is Young Master Bu!”
But a strange silence swept through the plaza.
The Masters of Great Righteousness were the rising suns of the martial world, figures destined to carry the righteous faction.
For a Master of Great Righteousness, who boasted such a brilliant reputation, to be defeated by an unknown young man?
“Anyone who wishes to challenge Young Master Bu, come to the stage now!”
But only a long silence flowed through the plaza.
Bu Eun-seol's movements and sword techniques surpassed those of the renowned masters of the martial world. There was no need to challenge a powerhouse who was clearly on a roll.
“Young Master Bu passes the preliminaries!”
At Cho Mun-cheon’s cry, Bu Eun-seol impassively turned and left the plaza.
“How strange.”
A tall pavilion erected in the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.
From there, a shadow that had been looking down at the dueling stage from afar spoke in a low voice.
“Even if he has mastered the Heavy Sword and the Sword Apex, to defeat Yeong-ji-wi, who has mastered the Sa-il Sword Style and the Seven Severing Sword Style, in an instant.”
The shadow, its eyes glinting in the darkness, spoke again.
“Moreover, looking at his sword moves, he seems to have learned only the martial techniques separately. That means he has a separate internal art…”
At the shadow's murmuring, an old man standing at attention in front bowed his head.
“Shall this old servant investigate?”
The shadow shook its head.
“No need. Everything will be revealed at the Grand Martial Arts Tournament anyway. For now, just keep a close watch.”
“Understood.”
At the old man's words, the shadow left, seeming to melt back into the darkness.
***
Bu Eun-seol rested in his room at the inn for half the day.
It wasn't because he was tired or exhausted. He had spent the entire time pondering whether he should continue in this Grand Martial Arts Tournament.
‘This is too much of a coincidence.’
It wasn't surprising that the Murim Alliance had dispatched a Master of Great Righteousness. After all, the sharper the blade, the sturdier the scabbard it needs.
The problem was that a Master of Great Righteousness had appeared as soon as he participated in the tournament, as if they had been tracking his movements.
‘Have my movements already been exposed?’
The probability of that was low.
He had operated under a false face for a year as part of the Nine Kills Squad, and the name Bu Eun-seol was known only to a very small fraction of the Demonic Cult's leadership.
Furthermore, Baek Yeon, the Lord of the Wind and Cloud Division, was currently scrambling any information regarding him.
If assassination had been the goal, there had been plenty of opportunities on the way to the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.
‘In the end, it must be a coincidence upon a coincidence.’
Bu Eun-seol stood up and shook his head.
‘I haven't been able to shake my habits from the Nine Kills Squad.’
His reason for venturing into the Jianghu was to face unexpected trials and dangers.
But he still hadn't shed the habits of a Nine Kills Squad member, analyzing every situation and predicting every danger.
“This is something to think about after the Grand Martial Arts Tournament is over.”
Leaving the inn, Bu Eun-seol went to the plaza where the tournament was being held.
The preliminaries were already over, and a bracket for the thirty-six masters had been completed. By the end of tomorrow’s duels, only sixteen participants would remain.
“My next opponent is…”
After checking the bracket, Bu Eun-seol turned away without a second glance.
Deep in the night.
*Ssssk.*
The sound of stealthy footsteps could be heard outside the door of the room where Bu Eun-seol was staying.
It was a sound so faint that even a master with keen hearing might have missed it, but to Bu Eun-seol, who had mastered the Way of the Beast, it was as blatant as a formal announcement of a visitor.
“Hmph.”
However, instead of going to the door, Bu Eun-seol walked toward the window.
“Ah!”
A dark figure, already hiding in the shadows, was standing there.
“Your senses are quite sharp.”
As Bu Eun-seol spotted him at once, the dark figure rose from the shadows.
“Just from that one move, I can tell you possess incredible skill…”
The figure’s confident voice was cut short. Bu Eun-seol had drawn his sword in an instant and pressed it to the figure’s neck.
“The Indian Yoga Art?”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes burned red like embers.
He had clearly seen the figure shrink its body to enter through the narrow window in the darkness.
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Answer me.”
An intense light, like that of the sun, poured from Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
“If your next words are anything but an answer, you will die.”
The killing intent pouring from Bu Eun-seol’s body seemed as if it would pierce the ceiling.
Pressed by the terrifying aura, the figure spoke in a trembling voice.
“How could someone of my standing learn an esoteric art from a foreign land like the Yoga Art? It is merely the Tendon-Shrinking and Bone-Contracting Art.”
Bu Eun-seol, staring intently at the figure, spoke in a low voice.
“Who are you?”
“I am a wanderer affiliated with the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.”
“I asked who you are.”
“I-I am called Heuk-pyo.”
“Heuk-pyo?”
“Most of the wanderers affiliated with the Dong-pyo hide their past and use aliases.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes glinted coldly in the darkness.
“What is your business?”
“I-I came to ask for a favor.”
Slowly sheathing his sword, Bu Eun-seol spoke in a chilly tone.
“If you don’t want to die, don’t use such cheap tricks from now on.”
*Click.*
As the longsword slid into its scabbard, Heuk-pyo felt as if his neck had been cut once again.
‘I’ve never been caught before.’
Heuk-pyo had inwardly trusted his Tendon-Shrinking and Bone-Contracting Art. But today, he painfully realized that to true masters, it was nothing more than a cheap trick.
“I will keep that in mind.”
Bowing his head respectfully, he spoke in a low voice.
“I have a favor to ask. O-of course, I will provide corresponding payment.”
“I am not a wanderer.”
“It will not be a difficult task for you, young master.”
As Heuk-pyo took a step forward, his face, which had been hidden in the shadows, was revealed.
Was he perhaps thirteen or fourteen years old?
Though dressed in black martial arts robes, he was a handsome youth who had yet to shed his boyishness.
Bu Eun-seol, staring at him, said curtly.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Thank you.”
Heuk-pyo spoke in a low voice.
“Please kill your opponent tomorrow, Yeop Hwa.”
“What did you say?”
Bu Eun-seol asked with a look of disbelief.
“Do you even know who Yeop Hwa is?”
Bu Eun-seol’s opponent tomorrow was Yeop Hwa. His title was the Chivalrous Hero Among Wanderers.
To ask him to kill a man who held the title of the greatest hero among the wanderers in a tournament duel?
“Of course, I do. He has been in the martial world for a long time and is one of the wanderers who holds sway here in the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.”
“Why do you want him dead?”
“He has committed countless evil deeds. That man.”
Heuk-pyo said, clenching his fists.
“Whenever he ventures into the Jianghu, he secretly commits lecherous acts. He especially targets young children. All the time.”
Bu Eun-seol frowned.
Yeop Hwa, though a wanderer, was treated as an equal to the renowned heroes of the righteous faction. For such a man to be a depraved fiend who committed such heinous acts?
“Your proof?”
“There is none.”
Gritting his teeth, Heuk-pyo said.
“He is experienced in the ways of the Jianghu and never leaves a trail to be followed. Moreover, his martial arts are so profound that no one dares to investigate his activities.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
“So. You want me to kill a man without any proof in the Grand Martial Arts Tournament?”
Instead of answering, Heuk-pyo took out a small wooden box, placed it on the table, and slowly opened it.
Inside, three round stones that looked like cat’s eyes were sparkling. They were Cat’s Eye Stones, each said to be worth a thousand gold taels.
“This should be able to serve as proof, wouldn’t it?”
The Bu Eun-seol of the past would have scoffed.
But having gained experience in the Jianghu as a member of the Nine Kills Squad, Bu Eun-seol knew well what incredible power money held.
*Jeon-ga-tong-sin.*
With enough money, you could even command the spirits. This was a saying that held true even in the Jianghu.
“With that much money, one could kill a person without proof.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Heuk-pyo’s face brightened.
“Thank you!”
“But your calculation is wrong.”
Bu Eun-seol, looking down at the Cat’s Eye Stones, wore a cold smile.
“If you want to hire someone, you don’t lead with money.”