Chapter 1006
Tremble. Tremble.
Myeong-myeol shook uncontrollably, unable to contain his humiliation and rage.
Until now, he had slaughtered countless martial artists who had never even revealed themselves in the martial world.
Not long ago, he had even defeated the Blood God Heaven Lord.
And yet—this mere brat, not even thirty years old, had managed to land a sword strike on his back?
"Heh heh heh."
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Myeong-myeol suppressed his fury, clenched his teeth, and let out a low chuckle.
"Good. Very good."
Swirl. Swirl.
In an instant, a crimson mist began to rise from his body.
"To think you've polished an ordinary Sword Form to Great Perfection and reached Ultimate Transcendence."
Had Bu Eun-seol refined Advanced Sword Studies to the realm of Ultimate Transcendence?
This exchange would never have happened. Within a few moves, his limbs would have been severed or his eyes gouged out.
Myeong-myeol had discerned that Bu Eun-seol had mastered an extremely basic sword art flawlessly, allowing him to unleash such power.
"It was clever not to use Limitless Power, striking at this old man's blind spot. But..."
Myeong-myeol bared his massive teeth in a sinister grin.
"You should have also learned that in this world, there exists a power that disregards even the most profound mysteries of martial arts."
Boom.
Suddenly, with a low vibration, three distinct waves of intense light surged from Myeong-myeol's entire body, spreading like a whirlwind.
'A fusion of powers.'
Bu Eun-seol instinctively realized that Myeong-myeol, like himself, was blending multiple forces.
In truth, the nature of Soul-Demon Magic Energy was no different from such a fusion.
"The energy of the practitioner follows the principle of yin and yang—when one side flourishes, the other declines."
"And in this world, there is only one force that achieves perfect balance—Soul-Demon Magic Energy."
Long ago, when Gwi-jin-ja, the Forest Lord of Sage Forest, had perceived that Bu Eun-seol had merged various energies within his body, he had declared that he must possess Soul-Demon Magic Energy.
"Only the True Demon's Soul-Demon Magic Energy can perfectly control a fusion of powers."
Soul-Demon Magic Energy was the power to absorb all the scattered energies of the world and wield them freely.
"Ultimate Transcendence? Even if you've reached Divine Realm Inviolability, I'll shatter it in an instant!"
Until now, Myeong-myeol had used his Limitless Power and Devouring to defeat countless formidable foes, storing their strength within his body.
And by pouring out that power alongside Soul-Demon Magic Energy in a single burst, he had created a Secret Art capable of unleashing waves of destruction—one that could defy not only the mysteries of martial arts but even the laws of nature itself.
But Myeong-myeol never got the chance to fully unleash his power.
Whoosh.
As if transcending space and time, in the blink of an eye, Bu Eun-seol's silent sword was already aimed at his lower dantian.
"The Servants of the True Demon all lack real combat experience."
In a life-or-death battle, the one thing you must never do is—
Gather your strength for a decisive strike, or perform an extravagant Starting Stance riddled with unnecessary movements.
"Caught you."
Yet the moment the sword touched his dantian, Myeong-myeol instead twisted his lips into a sly smirk.
"With Soul-Demon Magic Energy, there's no need to gather power."
He had deliberately exposed a flaw in his movements—despite having no need for a Starting Stance—to lure Bu Eun-seol into close range.
"This is the blade you can never evade—Annihilation Sword!"
Boom.
Before anyone realized, thousands of crimson blades had materialized in the sky above.
Annihilation Sword.
A technique that fused and condensed all the Limitless Power he had absorbed from his enemies, capable of toppling mountains and splitting oceans in a single strike.
But its true terror lay not just in its overwhelming destructive force.
The space where Annihilation Sword unfolded was saturated with Soul-Demon Magic Energy, meaning that even a master who had reached transcendent martial realms could not evade its attack.
In that space, filled with the energy of Soul-Demon Magic Energy, even breathing became difficult, and movement slowed dozens of times over.
And in such a space, if blades blotted out the sky like rain—?
No existence could possibly block or dodge Annihilation Sword.
"Die."
With that short cry, crimson Blood Swords began pouring down like rain.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!
Bu Eun-seol stared blankly at the crimson blades cascading toward him.
Crack—!
Before anyone knew it, the spot where he had stood was now a massive black crater dozens of yards wide, spewing dark flames.
Rumble—!
The earth shook, and the once-flat Golden Summit Platform transformed into rugged, uneven terrain.
This destructive technique, a fusion of Limitless Power and Soul-Demon Magic Energy, had altered the landscape in an instant.
"HA HA HA HA!"
As Bu Eun-seol's figure vanished, Myeong-myeol erupted into triumphant laughter.
"To think I struggled over a single brat."
No matter how exceptional a master one was, surviving the power of Annihilation Sword—infused with Soul-Demon Magic Energy—was unthinkable.
Crackle.
But from within the rising dust, a sound like sparks bursting reached his ears.
At the same time, a shadow hovered above the massive crater.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"You—!"
Myeong-myeol's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Just how?"
No matter how profound one's Internal Energy might be—
Or even if one had achieved the Heavenly Dipper Body—the Annihilation Sword could obliterate everything.
And yet, even with Soul-Demon Magic Energy concentrated within it, how could he remain completely unharmed after taking such a strike?
"You didn't hit me."
Bu Eun-seol, having read Myeong-myeol's thoughts, spoke flatly.
"Didn't hit you?"
"That's right."
"How?"
"I dodged it."
Myeong-myeol's expression twisted as if he had seen a ghost.
The Annihilation Sword contained the power of Limitless Power, capable of dominating and erasing the very space where the enemy stood—
Just how had he managed to evade it?
"......"
Seeing the focus fade from Myeong-myeol's pupils, Bu Eun-seol drew a deep breath.
The truth was, as a hybrid of the two bloodlines, he was largely unaffected by forces like Manifestation Art Energy or Soul-Demon Magic Energy.
Had Myeong-myeol shaped the Soul-Demon Magic Energy into an actual attack, he might have suffered severe damage.
But merely filling dozens of yards of space with it? That did little to him.
Tremble.
Unconsciously, Myeong-myeol's fingertips shook.
Not from rage or humiliation—but from fear.
Am I... afraid?
He stared down at his own trembling hand.
This body...?
Originally, he had been the Blood Lord of the Blood God Heaven, managing the faction in place of its long-absent Heaven Lord.
Then, while assisting with matters concerning the New Bloodline in India, he absorbed their Blood Essence—
And his Soul-Demon Magic Energy multiplied several times over.
Coincidentally, the Blood God Heaven Lord had already lost the "Domination" ability that the master of the Divine Heavens should possess.
And after creating the New Bloodline in India, the Three Attendants had vanished without a trace...
So in the end, Myeong-myeol hunted down the Blood God Heaven Lord and killed him.
Soon, when the Three Attendants returned, he intended to be recognized as the new ruler of the Blood God Heaven.
After all, the Servants of the True Demon were permitted to devour one another.
He had been utterly convinced he would soon become the foremost of the Four Divine Heavens—
And yet, here he was, being toyed with by some mere brat?
An impossibility.
"This is impossible!"
Myeong-myeol roared in fury.
"This body, which has even consumed Blood Essence—cannot lose to some lowly martial artist!"
The Servants of the True Demon were all chosen ones, possessing transcendent power and bodies.
And after obtaining a portion of the New Bloodline's Blood Essence, martial artists had seemed nothing more than inferior animals to him.
And now, that inferior existence dared surpass him?
He could never accept such a thing.
"Haaap!"
Myeong-myeol spread both hands wide.
Once again, Annihilation Swords began raining down toward Bu Eun-seol.
Thud-thud-thud.
At the same time, Myeong-myeol unleashed the full extent of the Devouring power he had accumulated over a hundred and fifty years.
He would pour out every last drop of his strength—even if it meant annihilating this entire area—to wipe Bu Eun-seol out in a single stroke.
FWOOOOSH!
A crimson radiance, capable of destroying the world, surged to the ends of the sky.
It was the sum total of all the power he had taken from the martial artists he had defeated thus far.
Shiiiing! Shatter-shatter-shatter!
But then, the sound of something slicing through the air rang out—and the Ink Soul Sword began mincing that radiance into fragments.
It wasn't even a proper sword technique—just a simple method of endlessly swinging the blade in circular motions.
Yet as those motions gathered—
A flawless circle was finally completed, and the Devouring power Myeong-myeol had been trying to unleash was abruptly cut off.
Squelch.
At the same time, a chilling sound echoed.
In an instant, Myeong-myeol's vision blurred as the world around him shifted.
An arc had been carved into his body.
"There was... no Starting Stance."
"To me, you moved unbearably slow."
Having honed his swordplay endlessly in the Land of the Ultimate Void, Bu Eun-seol saw Myeong-myeol's movements as sluggish beyond measure.
Myeong-myeol looked down at his own abdomen and asked again.
"What Martial Form was that?"
"The twelfth stroke of the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was low and dark.
"Peerless Under Heaven."
"Peerless Under Heaven..."
Myeong-myeol raised his head once more to stare at Bu Eun-seol.
"Truly, the finest Sword Stroke of this era—one none can withstand."
Splurtch!
At the same moment, a circular wound tore open in Myeong-myeol's stomach, and his entrails began spilling out.
His body, giant as it was, meant the spillage was equally massive in scale.
Drip-drip-drip.
Simultaneously, his flesh split apart like spiderwebs, and black light began erupting from within.
As he drew his last breath, the Soul-Demon Magic Energy within him slowly seeped outward.
"So you truly are unaffected by Soul-Demon Magic Energy..."
Myeong-myeol wore a hollow expression as he stared at the gaping hole in his abdomen.
He had devised the invincible technique known as the Annihilation Sword—a fusion of Soul-Demon Magic Energy, which dominated martial artists' bodies, and ancient Martial Arts—and with it, he had reigned supreme.
But to Bu Eun-seol, who remained untouched by Soul-Demon Magic Energy, it was nothing more than an unusual sword technique.
"Had the Soul-Demon Magic Energy worked... victory would have been mine."
Myeong-myeol looked at Bu Eun-seol and asked—
"Neither a descendant of the Baekri Clan nor possessing Manifestation Art Energy... How did you block the Soul-Demon Magic Energy?"
"I am..."
This victory wasn't purely due to skill.
Rather, it was a stroke of luck—because Myeong-myeol's hidden trump card, the one he had kept in reserve, happened to be ineffective against Bu Eun-seol alone.
"The grandson of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, the child of Baekri Mu-ha—a blood descendant of the Baekri Clan—and Sa Ah, the Saintess of the True Demon Family."
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol finally revealed the truth to Myeong-myeol.
"As long as the attack isn't deliberately directed at me, I remain largely unaffected by Manifestation Art Energy or Soul-Demon Magic Energy."
At that moment, Myeong-myeol let out a strangled scream.
It had long been known that Bu Eun-seol was a survivor of Saha Manor.
But because Bu Jan-yang had completely altered his constitution, turning him into an ordinary martial artist devoid of the Baekri Clan's or the True Demon's power...
Even if there had been a possibility that he was truly Baekri Mu-ha's child, no one had paid it any attention.
Yet now, he claimed to be unaffected by Manifestation Art Energy or Soul-Demon Magic Energy?
"Bu Jan-yang... He deceived everyone."
They had all assumed that, lacking the power of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon, Bu Eun-seol was merely an ordinary martial artist.
But in truth, he had forged a body that could nullify even Manifestation Art Energy and Soul-Demon Magic Energy.
If this truth were to spread?
The Baekri Clan and the True Demon would have to completely revise all the plans they had been secretly advancing until now.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh."
Myeong-myeol pointed a trembling finger at Bu Eun-seol.
"Hahahahaha!"
Then, after a long, hearty laugh—
Thud.
His laughter abruptly ceased.
Crash.
He collapsed face-first into the ground, dead.
Whoosh!
Black light erupted outward, and in an instant, his body vanished.
Myeong-myeol—who could practically be called the Blood God Heaven Lord—
Had been struck down by the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms, the foundational technique of the Fire Rain Sword Technique, and met his end.
Click.
Bu Eun-seol calmly sheathed his Ink Soul Sword.
Despite having felled a terrifying foe in a single stroke, not a trace of emotion surfaced on his face.
Myeong-myeol had concealed his ultimate secret art—a fusion of Soul-Demon Magic Energy and martial arts—instead of wielding Domination.
And that trump card...
Had, at the critical moment, exposed a fatal flaw far more glaring than any technique he had displayed thus far.
In the end, it had been an unexpectedly hollow victory.
"Still, I've improved somewhat."
But there was no denying his growth.
Before, he had struggled even against Blood Spirits and Blood Gods, and ordinary attacks had been utterly ineffective against Myeong-myeol's body.
Yet now, he had cleaved through his flesh with nothing but the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms.
"As expected, my foundation was lacking."
He had never had the time to calmly study or refine his martial arts.
And after his martial prowess had surged dramatically...
Unless he experienced a special revelation or insight,
Simply dedicating time to training could no longer bring progress through training alone.
Thus, he had always been forced to develop his martial arts in the heat of battle.
But after six days of relentless training in the Land of the Ultimate Void—where both body and spirit could be honed to their limits—
He had achieved another great leap forward.
"Because my martial power advanced too rapidly."
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had repeatedly experienced sudden, explosive growth in his martial arts.
It was like a brilliant but naive child suddenly becoming obscenely wealthy—
No matter how intelligently he tried to manage his fortune,
He had no real grasp of how much he truly possessed or how to wield it.
Realizing this, Bu Eun-seol had focused solely on refining the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms—the most fundamental sword art he had ever learned—within the Land of the Ultimate Void.
And as a result, he had effortlessly defeated Myeong-myeol, an opponent he once couldn't have dared to face.
"Though I can't consciously perceive the improvement in my martial arts..."
Even as he calmly examined his hands, he felt no tangible change.
But by rebuilding the foundation of his sword studies—something he had neglected until now—he had grown slightly stronger.
"The foundation of my sword studies was always the Fire Rain Sword..."
The first martial art he had ever learned was the Beast Path.
And the first sword art he had learned was the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms.
In a way, because he had learned the fundamentals of the Fire Rain Sword—renowned as the foremost sword art of the demonic path—
He had been able to quickly grasp the sword techniques of Langya Pavilion as well.
"I must become even more proficient."
Myeong-myeol had praised his Fire Rain Thirteen Forms as having reached the Ultimate Transcendence.
But in truth, he hadn't perfected it—he had merely become familiar with it for the first time.
"Like Instructor Jin Gak."
If he trained in the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms for years, reaching the true Ultimate Transcendence as Jin Gak had...
If he could fully master both the Formless Heavenly Flow and the Bloody Tears Seven Forms...
If he became truly adept in all the martial arts he had grasped thus far...
Only then could he confidently claim that no one could defeat him.
"I will find a way to suppress my enemies' martial prowess."
No matter how high their realm, no matter what supernatural powers they wielded—
He would seal away the abilities of those who had transcended human limits, perfecting a force governed solely by pure martial arts.
If he continued training relentlessly, elevating his martial arts to perfection—
Before long, he would be able to topple every last powerhouse in the world.
"I owe the Return-to-One Realm Lord a debt."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
He was a villain—one who sought to use him.
"But this time, I undoubtedly received his help."
Thanks to that, I was able to achieve rapid progress and step into a new realm of martial arts.
The Return-to-One Realm Lord had lured Myeong-myeol here to fight me, as if testing my current level.
Had I failed to grow during those six days? I would have lost my life in this battle.
"He'll approach me again someday."
Flames like those of an active volcano blazed in Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
"And when that time comes, he won't escape."
Even if he were Grandfather's flesh and blood, it wouldn't matter.
He disturbed Grandfather's eternal rest and took his remains. That sin could never be forgiven, no matter what.
"And I will uncover everything."
The Return-to-One Realm Lord would inevitably bare his fangs before long. I had to prepare many things in anticipation of that moment.
Bu Eun-seol returned to the Demon Hall.
But the moment he arrived, an unexpected person was waiting for him.
Seo Jin-ha, who had flawlessly performed as his shadow until now.
He had abruptly requested Demon Leave and was waiting in the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
"One month?"
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh as he reviewed Seo Jin-ha's leave application in his office.
The Demon Leave Seo Jin-ha had requested was merely a single month.
"You can request more."
After taking on the perilous role of a shadow, moving between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
He had never once rested until now.
For someone who had risked his life time and again to fulfill this role in his stead, this first leave was far too short.
"Take a year off and rest properly."
Since Seon-u Jin—the spy who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance—had now risen to become a Peak Leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance.
The shadow role could be maintained stably, and there was no longer any major threat.
"And before you go, stop by the Silver Flow Pavilion."
Though he had never revealed himself openly.
For Seo Jin-ha, who had risked his life in the shadows to carry out numerous missions on his behalf.
He had deposited the treasures acquired during his travels into the Silver Flow Pavilion, the treasury managing funds.
All under Seo Jin-ha's name.
"I don't need money. I'm just taking a short break."
"Take it. As much as you need."
"No. If you have money to spare, use it for the orphanage you and Un-ryong support."
Crack.
Seo Jin-ha laughed and released his disguise.
Returning to his true face for the first time in ages, his features appeared even more dazzling than before.
Long, flowing hair, sharp yet profound eyes, and a refreshing smile like a river breeze at the corners of his lips.
If not for that mischievous glint in his eyes.
He would be an unparalleled handsome man in the world.
"Ahh, this feels great. How long has it been?"
Seeing Seo Jin-ha touch his own face, Bu Eun-seol bit his lip slightly.
'If this continues, his appearance could be damaged.'
Due to the relentless use of disguises, extreme fatigue had accumulated in Seo Jin-ha's facial muscles and bones.
The Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, simply put, continuously consumed internal energy, applying constant force to slightly deform bones and muscles.
Areas like the nasal cartilage, subjected to repeated deformation, gradually weakened.
And the nerves controlling facial muscles endured continuous pressure, which could even lead to paralysis in severe cases.
Fortunately, Bu Eun-seol and Seo Jin-ha had similar facial structures and builds, so no major issues had arisen yet.
But if he continued living as a shadow in this state, his body would eventually break down.
"And."
Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
"After this leave, your role as a shadow ends."
"Why?"
"The intelligence network of the Death Soul Squad is nearly complete. I no longer need a shadow to perfectly mirror my movements."
"What about the Seon-u Jin identity? There might still be times when it's necessary."
"No, it's unnecessary. From now on, I'll only appear as Seol-so."
"Are you suddenly retiring Seon-u Jin? If a master like him abruptly disappears, intelligence organizations might start tracking."
"Don't worry. I've already prepared countermeasures for that."
It was a lie.
Seeing Seo Jin-ha's true face after so long, Bu Eun-seol had resolved to stop using him as a shadow.
"Oh? Then, should I?"
Contrary to expectations, Seo Jin-ha nodded readily without much protest.
"Well, the Soulless Society is growing well on its own, and the persona of Seon-u Jin can make occasional appearances when needed..."
He flashed a bright grin.
"So it's time for the shadow to fade away, right?"
"Correct."
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Seo Jin-ha sniffed.
"Still, it's a bit disappointing. I quite enjoyed living under disguise all this time."
"No need for regrets. The Death Shadow War Unit is always short on personnel. If you join, Un-ryong would welcome you with open arms."
"Yeah. That makes sense."
Seo Jin-ha, who had been momentarily dazed, waved his hand dismissively.
"Then, I'll be off."
As he turned to leave.
He suddenly spun back and pulled Bu Eun-seol into a tight embrace.
"Take care."
"......"
"And don't forget to visit Lady Sa-yu of the Jongri Family once in a while."
"Lady Sa-yu?"
"You forgot her name? You know, the one who gave you that shiny statue as a gift in the Death Shadow War Unit's storage—the Needle King's..."
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's blank expression, Seo Jin-ha patted his shoulder with a serious look.
"Don't forget. She'd make a good match. Trust my judgment, alright? Hahaha."
With a carefree laugh, he turned away, waving his hand.
"I'm off."
With light, cheerful steps, he left the office, seemingly delighted to have secured his leave.
Bu Eun-seol watched Seo Jin-ha's retreating figure.
An inexplicable emptiness settled in his chest, and his head throbbed faintly.
"Hmm."
He had felt this way before.
But it was such a long time ago... He shook his head and simply sat back down.