Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: An Unlikely Acquaintance
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Yu Hwa-ryeong hurriedly rushed in front of Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
"How can you sever a person's fate so cruelly?"
"You were the one who severed it."
"No, what I mean is, even if they are villains, how could you so unhesitatingly..."
Murmuring to himself, Yu Hwa-ryeong suddenly seemed to recall something and muttered under his breath.
"I see... So that's why my masters wanted someone like you."
Yu Hwa-ryeong's expression was bitter and pained as he shook his head.
"I only wanted to offer you some advice. Let's continue on together as planned."
Though he said so, his expression was heavy.
He was a swordsman from the Cheon-geom-hoe with outstanding martial arts, but unfortunately, he seemed too soft-hearted.
"Great Warrior Yu."
Heuk-pyo, who had been watching, spoke cautiously.
"Instead of that, why not watch for a few more days? Then you will understand why the Young Master acts as he does."
"What do you mean?"
"Because the Murim is a treacherous place."
Heuk-pyo continued, carefully yet calmly.
"I'm certain that people aiming for the Young Master's sword will continue to appear. You believe such a thing won't happen, Great Warrior Yu?"
"Of course."
"Do you really think so?"
Yu Hwa-ryeong nodded firmly.
"This Sichuan is a place full of renowned heroes of the Murim. Things like this don't happen often."
"Very well. Then let's make a wager."
"A wager?"
Heuk-pyo nodded.
"If no one appears to steal the sword within the next few days, I will build a shrine for the Three Ghosts of Yejung and mourn them for three years."
"Hah."
"But if such incidents are repeated, please refrain from criticizing the Young Master for his mercilessness."
Yu Hwa-ryeong looked at Heuk-pyo with new eyes.
He had thought Heuk-pyo was merely a hired wandering attendant, but he held considerable loyalty toward Bu Eun-seol.
"Fine."
Yu Hwa-ryeong answered confidently.
"Let's do that."
He was a disciple of the Cheon-geom-hoe and was well-connected in the Murim. He believed that if he stepped in, such incidents would never happen again.
But how could he have known?
That Bu Eun-seol stirred a strange animosity in villains.
And that he possessed a power that inevitably caused a confrontation whenever he made eye contact with someone bearing hostility...
A few days later, inside the second floor of the Sehyang Teahouse.
*Crack!*
The body of Seok Il-gun of the Nine-Ringed Twin Fliers, who had picked a fight to steal Bu Eun-seol's Muk-geom, shattered a table.
*Crash!*
Ung-gyeom, an assassin from the Bing-sal-mun who tried to use that opening to strike Bu Eun-seol with a poisoned hand, was sent flying through a window.
"..."
Yu Hwa-ryeong, holding a teacup, stared at the scene with wide eyes.
It was already the third time.
People picking fights and attempting ambushes to seize the Muk-geom...
It was as if some madness had taken hold; the moment these masters who coveted the divine sword met Bu Eun-seol's gaze, a fight would immediately break out.
And without fail, they would be beaten to a pulp and sent flying.
*'Uh, umm.'*
Watching this, Yu Hwa-ryeong set down his teacup and his shoulders slumped.
He too had left the Cheon-geom-hoe and traveled for many years. But he had never seen anyone attract trouble as frequently as Bu Eun-seol.
*'Is he a magnet and they're all iron filings?!'*
It was as if all the villains in Sichuan were flocking around Bu Eun-seol.
*'Possessors of divine swords aren't exactly rare in the Murim. So why does this only happen to him?'*
In truth, it was because of Bu Eun-seol's handsome features.
He was tall, but his features were far more beautiful than most beauties. His temples were smooth and his frame was slender, making him look less like a martial artist and more like the pampered son of a wealthy family.
In short, his appearance was so delicate that even a child wouldn't feel guarded around him. That's why hostile martial artists provoked him without hesitation.
*'If it were just ruffians from the Demonic Path picking fights, I could understand...'*
But among those who had challenged Bu Eun-seol these past few days were renowned heroes and rising stars of the Orthodox Factions, including the Jade Flute Sword and the Wind and Cloud Divine Dragon.
In other words, it was proof that greed for a divine sword knew no distinction between the righteous and the unorthodox.
Just as Yu Hwa-ryeong was staring at the broken window with vacant eyes,
"So, what do you think?"
Heuk-pyo said with a faint smile.
"Does our Young Master still seem like a cruel person who strikes mercilessly for no reason?"
"Ahem."
Yu Hwa-ryeong was at a loss for words.
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, it would be an understatement to say that *not* being merciless would be abnormal.
Countless people were after his life day and night, seeking to snatch his Muk-geom. If he didn't make an example of them, these incidents would surely repeat endlessly.
"I admit I was rash."
Yu Hwa-ryeong let out a heavy sigh and clasped his hands toward Bu Eun-seol.
"I apologize to you as well. I'm sorry."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as if it were nothing.
"Pay it no mind."
Night had deepened before they knew it.
Perhaps due to the hardships of the past few days, Yu Hwa-ryeong fell into a deep sleep as soon as they entered the inn.
Heuk-pyo was squatting in a corner, reading the movement technique manual Bu Eun-seol had given him.
"Hmph."
Looking at Heuk-pyo, Bu Eun-seol spoke softly.
"Don't stay over there. Read comfortably at the table."
"It's alright."
"I'm going out for a bit anyway."
As Bu Eun-seol stood up, Heuk-pyo closed his book and rose as well.
"Are you hungry? Shall I find a good tavern nearby?"
"I'm just going to get some fresh air."
Leaving the inn, Bu Eun-seol used the Geuk-sok-mu-yeong to leap onto the roof of a tall pavilion.
*'It's about time I started practicing the fist art.'*
In fact, ever since reading the Fist Demon's manual, he had been contemplating the principles of the fist art day and night.
He had even wondered if he could meld his swordsmanship into the fist art while performing it. The Fist Demon's profound teachings were that deeply branded into his mind.
Now that the people targeting his sword had mostly disappeared, he intended to practice.
*Swoosh.*
Executing a movement technique as swift as a gust of wind, Bu Eun-seol headed for a forest far from the village.
He happened upon a bamboo grove lush with green leaves, and under the moonlight, he once again recalled the teachings from the Fist Demon's manual.
*Swish.*
Drawing a semicircle, Bu Eun-seol unleashed the first form of the Fist Demon's art.
The way of using one's body, hands, and feet is not so different from the principles of the sword.
But the Fist Demon's art was completely different. It used unrestrained techniques, unbound by the principles of any martial art.
This was because it was based on the confidence that one could shatter the opponent's technique before it was even fully executed.
*Shwook!*
As Bu Eun-seol threw a punch, a powerful gust of wind rose with a sound that tore through the air.
*Rustle.*
At the same time, the bamboo stalk before him vanished without a trace. It had been pulverized by the terrifying force of his fist.
"This isn't it."
But Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a dissatisfied expression.
The Fist Demon's art was not merely about powerful strikes; one had to reach the realm of tracelessness.
In other words, no trace, no sign of it should remain.
*Shwook!*
He unleashed the fist art again, and another bamboo stalk was shattered to pieces.
However, this time, the gust of wind wasn't as strong, and the strike was quieter. Still, reaching the realm of tracelessness seemed a distant goal.
*'I just need to take it slow.'*
Mastering the Fist Demon's art was akin to reaching the ultimate way of the sword.
It couldn't be achieved in a single breath, and even a lifetime of practice might not be enough to reach a satisfactory level.
*Rustle.*
Just then, he heard a faint sound from somewhere. It was a sensation that only Bu Eun-seol, who had mastered the Ya-su-do, could perceive.
*Shwook!*
Once again, Bu Eun-seol's fist cut through the air.
The force of his fist, like sword energy released with all his might, swept through the bamboo stalks a dozen paces away.
"What an incredible fist art."
The person in the bamboo grove didn't counter the blow but instead launched himself into the air.
*Whirl.*
The figure, now airborne, spun like a top to dissipate the force of the punch.
It was the most spectacular yet exquisite movement technique Bu Eun-seol had seen since he entered the Murim.
*Thud.*
The figure that landed back on the ground was a sturdily built man in yellow robes. He approached Bu Eun-seol and politely clasped his hands.
"Forgive my intrusion. I was passing by and unintentionally witnessed your practice."
Watching another's martial arts practice was a taboo in the Murim. Yet, the man clasped his hands with great confidence.
"If you don't mind, I would like to offer you this as a token of my apology."
The man took a single golden flower from a leather pouch.
It was a Pear Blossom Leaf, a hidden weapon carried only by the direct-line masters of the Sa-cheon-dang-ga.
The most famous and common tree in Sichuan is the pear tree.
The Sa-cheon-dang-ga had fashioned their token after the leaf of this pear blossom, and that was the Pear Blossom Leaf.
Bu Eun-seol stared down at the Pear Blossom Leaf.
For a master from one of the Eight Great Families to give their family's token held a very significant meaning. It was something that could only be given to a lover or a close friend.
"I am Dang Gon. And you, brother?"
The man in yellow, Dang Gon, smiled faintly and clasped his hands.
But Bu Eun-seol looked down at the Pear Blossom Leaf with a cold expression.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Just by seeing that single technique, I can tell what a high realm you have achieved."
"Are you saying that martial skill alone is enough to associate with the Dang Clan?"
"That is not what I mean. I simply took a liking to you."
"Have you not considered that I might be a heinous devil or a master of the Demonic Path?"
Bu Eun-seol looked at him with cold eyes.
If Dang Gon had borne any hostility towards Bu Eun-seol, that cold gaze would have ignited his anger and killing intent.
But instead, he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha. My family is on good terms not only with the Orthodox Factions but with various sects of the Demonic Path as well. So being a master of the Demonic Path doesn't matter... and if you were a truly wicked man, then I would have only my own judgment to blame."
Dang Gon said with a confident expression.
As befitting a direct-line master of the Eight Great Families, he not only possessed outstanding martial arts but also prided himself on his keen insight.
"Will you accept it?"
Bu Eun-seol gazed intently at Dang Gon.
His eyes were not only confident but also sparkled with goodwill.
If he accepted this, no one in Sichuan would dare to touch him. And he would have made his first friend since entering the Murim.
—*The storms of the Murim are harsh. Trust no one... and be careful.*
The final words of the Gong Clan Twin Demons suddenly came to mind.
They had belonged to the same organization, but in the end, they became enemies who took each other's lives.
"Hmph."
Letting out a low hum, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
*Flick.*
And he tossed the Pear Blossom Leaf back to Dang Gon.
"Am I, Dang Gon, not worthy of being your friend?"
Looking at Dang Gon's stiffened face, Bu Eun-seol shook his head, his eyes dry.
"Friends are not needed in the Murim."
"Why not?"
"Because you never know when you might have to point your sword at each other."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Dang Gon seemed to ponder something deeply. Then he let out a long sigh.
"That could be true."
Even within the current Dang Clan, blood relatives were secretly fighting over the position of Clan Head.
In the Murim, no matter how good a friendship seemed, people could become enemies at any time if their interests conflicted.
"But surely I have the right to ask your name."
"Bu Eun-seol."
As Bu Eun-seol stated his name curtly, Dang Gon let out a sound of recognition.
"The winner of the Dong-pyo-seo-rang Martial Competition. So you are the rising star who appeared in the Murim like a comet."
Bu Eun-seol didn't answer and turned to leave.
"But you should know this as well."
Dang Gon said with a faint smile.
"That in the Murim, there are also friends who would not hesitate to give their lives for one another."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Bu Eun-seol and Dang Gon turned away from each other.
But, as if by agreement, both men wore faint smiles on their faces.