Chapter 1029
Wi Ji-mua suddenly found himself reminiscing about the past.
He had been a man of extraordinary talent.
From the moment he first held a sword, he had advanced his martial arts at an astonishing pace without ever facing a single setback.
—At this rate, breaking past the limits of the Martial Extreme Realm to reach the Heavenly Will Realm might not be an impossible dream.
But when he became the sect leader—
When he uncovered the ugly truth of the vile Great Art that had been passed down endlessly, when he learned why the Wi Clan had been able to dominate the Fire Rain Sword Sect—
Everything suddenly felt hollow.
What use was there in achieving the Sword Path? What would change even if he broke through the Martial Extreme Realm?
Even if he became the greatest swordsman under heaven, even if the Fire Rain Sword Sect seized hegemony over the martial world...
None of it would mean anything.
—Do as you please. I never cared for the position of sect leader in the first place.
When he saw them bestowing a new personality upon the newborn Wi Ji-hye-sang—
Disgusted and disillusioned, Wi Ji-mua let go of everything. He idly sipped tea and lived like a man without purpose.
—Perhaps misfortune has turned to fortune.
But in abandoning everything, in living without hindrance or restraint, completely free—
He unexpectedly broke through the Extreme Demon Realm and reached the Super Demon Realm.
—After all, if you look back at the history of the martial world, even the Fire Rain Sword Sect is but a fleeting moment.
His temperament grew endlessly gentle, then serene.
All his interest in the Fire Rain Sword Sect, his disillusionment with the Wi Clan, his concern for martial supremacy—everything vanished without a trace.
In the end, Wi Ji-mua discarded the demonic sword he had honed all this time.
But when he began practicing the sword anew within the Super Demon Realm, he finally realized—
—I cannot remain idle like this.
He had to restore everything to how it once was.
Yet, in the end, he could not bring himself to act.
No matter how hard he tried, he knew he could not resolve it himself.
—Bu Eun-seol. I believe we must deal with him.
Even when Wi Ji-hye-sang—before his new personality had manifested—said those words—
—Bu Eun-seol. That man will soon become this sect's greatest adversary.
Even when Wi Hyeok-gun, the Chief Instructor who managed the sect's affairs, spoke those words—
Wi Ji-mua paid no attention.
After all, what meaning was there even if some "Ten Demonic Heir" became the Heir of the Demon Hall?
But Bu Eun-seol tore through the Fire Rain Sword Sect and, before long, began altering the very landscape of the martial world.
—If we leave him be, he will become a calamity.
Eventually, even the hidden personality within Wi Ji-hye-sang's body awakened.
Yet Wi Ji-mua remained indifferent.
—The Jin Hall Master, who had been residing on Golden Sand Island, was killed by the Martial Soul Lord.
But when he heard the news of Jin Gak's death—
Wi Ji-mua, who had met all things with apathy, set out for Golden Sand Island.
There, a small grave containing his remains had been erected.
—He made it so that when summer comes and the water rises again, it will disappear...
As he examined the traces of the grave, he could sense it.
Jin Gak had chosen this place as his final resting place, where his long journey would come to an end.
That he had taught Bu Eun-seol the Fire Rain Sword he had mastered.
That Bu Eun-seol... had honored Jin Gak as a master.
—Jin Gak, I understand your will now.
And that Jin Gak, too... had recognized Bu Eun-seol as the disciple who would inherit the Fire Rain Sword.
"You have grasped the ultimate secret of the Fire Rain Sword—something no other disciple of this sect has ever realized."
Emerging from his reminiscence, Wi Ji-mua wore a faint smile.
"How could I cut down a talent capable of elevating this sect's Sword Studies to dazzling new heights?"
Bu Eun-seol had received teachings in succession from Jin Gak, Cheon Un-gwang, and Dan Cheon-yang on Hell Island.
And after entering Langya Pavilion—
He fused its sword studies with his own to create a new swordsmanship.
Yet the foundation of his sword studies still lay rooted in the Fire Rain Sword.
Realizing this, Jin Gak imparted to him the ultimate secret hidden within the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms—left behind by the Founder, Jeok Hwa-un—that no other disciple of the Fire Rain Sword Sect had ever grasped.
As a result, unlike the other disciples who pursued only strength and forgot the essence of the Fire Rain Sword—
Bu Eun-seol became the only one to fully embody its true ultimate secret.
"This must be the natural order of things."
Wi Ji-mua laughed and stepped aside.
"This sect leader could not do it... but you can."
"Are you certain?"
When Bu Eun-seol cautiously asked—
Nod.
Wi Ji-mua nodded, his smile carrying an indescribable loneliness.
"You said you already know what will unfold in the future, did you not? I will trust in that."
"Then, from now on, Sect Leader, you will...?"
"I have discarded my sword, and I have discarded my position as this sect's leader."
From his robes, he withdrew a single, very small and worn-out sword.
It looked like a toy sword a child might play with, but it was the Sect Leader's Token of the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
"Sect Leader."
"The beginning and the end should be the same, should they not?"
Wi Ji-mua spoke indifferently.
"You shall be the one to finish this as well."
Thud.
After tossing the Sect Leader's Token to Bu Eun-seol, he gazed at the distant sky with a dry smile.
"Perhaps I should finally try polishing the Dao."
Then, slowly, he turned away.
"May you achieve your will."
Whoooosh—
Before anyone realized, his body dissolved into the form of nature, transforming into countless specks of light that scattered into the heavens.
The sight was eerily similar to when the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had vanished.
Perhaps Wi Ji-mua... had long since transcended the Martial Extreme Realm, detached from all things.
It was possible he had never held interest in anything from the very beginning.
"May you attain the Dao."
Abandoning the sword at last, attaining the Dao.
Wi Ji-mua had cast aside his sword, severed all lingering attachments to the martial world, and departed.
Whether he would attain the Dao and become an immortal—
Or whether he would eventually return to the martial world to challenge the unknown realm of the Heavenly Will—
No one could know.
Creeeak—
After walking for a long while, Bu Eun-seol pushed open a massive gate and finally stepped into the Inner Court of the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
This place, too, was utterly empty, with no disciples in sight.
If Wi Ji-mua had truly intended to incite his disciples, even the hidden mastermind controlling the Fire Rain Sword Sect would have faced difficulties.
Most likely, they had reached a compromise, leading to this kind of conclusion.
'They must have been confident they wouldn't lose.'
Whoever was manipulating the Fire Rain Sword Sect in Wi Ji-mua's stead must have been certain of their own invincibility.
As Bu Eun-seol slowly advanced—
Swish!
A black shadow abruptly descended from the sky, blocking his path.
It was Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun and the swordsmen of the Sword Demon Hall under his command.
"Chief Instructor Wi."
When Bu Eun-seol calmly bowed in greeting, Wi Hyeok-gun gritted his teeth.
"The Sect Leader may have allowed you entry, but I cannot!"
Shiiing—
Drawing his sword, Wi Hyeok-gun slammed the scabbard into the ground with a thud.
A declaration—even at the cost of his life, he would never let Bu Eun-seol pass.
"I understand."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Wi Ji-mua had not only transcended the distinction between Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths but had also abandoned all lingering attachments to the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
But for an ordinary martial artist—
Of course, they would act exactly as Wi Hyeok-gun was now.
"Do you truly not realize what will happen if our sect collapses?"
"I do."
Bu Eun-seol replied indifferently.
"All the balance maintained until now will shatter, and the martial world will plunge into chaos."
"And yet you still dare to do this?"
"Because it is the natural order."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with utmost courtesy.
"I hope the Chief Instructor will come to understand that as well."
"Nonsense!"
The Founder, Jeok Hwa-un, had grasped the principles of the sword by observing flames—
And had attained the pinnacle of swordsmanship by watching falling rain.
Whoosh—Clatter—
As Wi Hyeok-gun raised his hand, thirty-two swordsmen of the Sword Demon Hall took the form of flames, encircling Bu Eun-seol.
"Begin!"
At Wi Hyeok-gun's command, the thirty-two swordsmen unleashed the Fire Rain Sword Sect's Crimson Cloud Lock Formation.
Though the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation was not particularly extraordinary compared to the sect's other sword formations, it was inevitably the strongest.
Because it concentrated the full refinement of sword techniques from thirty-two swordsmen who had mastered the Fire Rain Sword.
The moment one was trapped within this formation, even a Diamond Bronze Man would be crushed to dust in an instant.
Once caught in the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation, death was unavoidable.
"No wonder the Sect Leader thought as he did."
Despite the overwhelming pressure and sword winds capable of splitting heaven and earth, Bu Eun-seol stood as calmly as if facing a gentle breeze.
No—rather, he shook his head with a pitying expression.
"This is not a sword formation. It is merely the reckless charge of a boar struck by a bullet."
Jeok Hwa-un had once systematized the chaotic sword techniques of the Demonic Sword Arts—
And through that, birthed the supreme Fire Rain Sword Studies.
Though the Fire Rain Sword Sect had risen to become the foremost among the Demonic Path, its disciples had, over time, forgotten a crucial truth.
Flames. And raindrops.
The Fire Rain Sword, too, had originated from nature—an interpretation of the Demonic Sword Arts.
Yet the disciples ignored the profound subtleties of the Founder's refined sword studies, obsessing only over its destructive power.
"Of course, they had no choice."
The reason Jeok Hwa-un had systematized the Demonic Sword Arts was simple—
He knew all too well how rare it was to find prodigies capable of appreciating nature and gaining enlightenment from it.
"Enough of your nonsense!"
The Crimson Cloud Lock Formation, commanded by Wi Hyeok-gun, activated, and dazzling droplets of fiery light began raining down right before Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Within each drop of sword energy—
Each drop of sword energy contained such devastating power that merely touching it would have made one's body explode.
'Yet, the Fire Rain Sword remains the Fire Rain Sword.'
The Fire Rain Sword Art was so fundamentally solid that even someone with no talent for martial arts could reach the level of a first-rate master by mastering it.
How much more terrifying, then, was the might of a formation executed by thirty-two swordsmen who had reached the pinnacle of the Demonic Sword Arts?
It radiated a force that seemed capable of swallowing the entire world.
Swish! CRACKLE!
Before anyone realized it, Bu Eun-seol's body had been swept away by the droplets of light, vanishing without a trace.
Seeing this, Wi Hyeok-gun let out a relieved expression.
"Arrogance ultimately leads to death."
The moment the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation was unleashed, death was all but guaranteed.
If he had wanted to live, he shouldn't have stood there staring at it—he should have either fled or disrupted the formation before it was complete.
ROOOAR!
The crimson storm that had formed where Bu Eun-seol once stood finally dissipated into the distant sky.
"No."
Wi Hyeok-gun couldn't believe his eyes.
Bu Eun-seol, who should have been obliterated in an instant by the sword energy, was standing there unharmed.
Whooosh.
In his hands swirled the very same crimson storm.
The sword energy of the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation, capable of tearing the world apart in a single breath, had now condensed and gathered within his palms.
"Are you employing sorcery?"
Wi Hyeok-gun's eyes widened.
To grasp the combined sword energy of thirty-two swordsmen as if it were mere strands of taffy—was such a thing possible?
Could it be that the Martial Soul Lord possessed a sorcery capable of perfectly neutralizing the Fire Rain Sword Art?
Was that why the sect leader had abandoned resistance?
"If you think this is sorcery, then you haven't truly mastered the Fire Rain Sword."
BOOM!
As Bu Eun-seol raised his hands, the condensed crimson storm of sword energy surged into the sky like a blood dragon.
"'Skill Transcends the Sword.' When one refines the Fire Rain Sword to its peak, one no longer relies on the tool of the blade itself."
Wi Hyeok-gun broke out in a cold sweat.
Had Bu Eun-seol unleashed the condensed sword energy of the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation toward him instead...
Even if he could have blocked it, most of the thirty-two swordsmen would have lost their lives.
"Are you saying you've mastered our sect's Fire Rain Sword?"
"What even is the Fire Rain Sword?"
"What?"
"If something is so overwhelmingly powerful that no martial art can block it—like the Limitless Power—does that make it the Fire Rain Sword?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"Or if one adapts it to their own disposition—like the Chief Instructor—does that make it the Fire Rain Sword?"
For an instant, flames flickered in Wi Hyeok-gun's pupils.
He revered the Fire Rain Sword Sect as his very life, dedicating his entire existence to mastering its techniques.
Yet here was this brat, who hadn't even held a sword for ten years, daring to lecture him about the Fire Rain Sword?
This was unforgivable.
"What could you possibly know about our sect's sword to spout such nonsense?!"
"Can the Chief Instructor spout nonsense?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if he is allowed to speak about the Fire Rain Sword."
RUMBLE.
As if taking Bu Eun-seol's words as an insult, the thirty-two swordsmen moved to encircle him once more.
"Stand down."
Wi Hyeok-gun stopped them with a gesture and strode toward Bu Eun-seol.
"I should have severed every last one of your meridians back then."
Recalling the past, Wi Hyeok-gun let out a sigh of regret.
When he had first seen Bu Eun-seol on Hell Island, the boy had been nothing more than an insolent brat who dared to refuse entry into the Fire Rain Sword Sect to his face.
After suffering a near-fatal wound from his formless qi, he had barely survived with Dan Cheong's help.
That wretched boy, once a mere Ten Demonic Heir—when had he grown into a master so formidable that he could now come to destroy the Fire Rain Sword Sect?
"Go on, then. Show me the vaunted martial arts of Langya Pavilion."
"You strike first."
"What?"
Bu Eun-seol extended his left hand indifferently.
"Through you, I will ask once more—what is the Fire Rain Sword?"
"Kuhahahaha!"
Wi Hyeok-gun burst into mad laughter—
FLASH!
—and in an instant, closed the distance, immediately unleashing the Fire Rain Sword with his left hand.
In his past battle with Seon-u Jin,
the meridians in his right arm had been severely damaged, leaving it paralyzed.
But he had refused to give up, training his left-handed sword instead—and in doing so, he had grasped a new secret art.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Wi Hyeok-gun's treasured sword danced at the tip of his left fingers.
Splat! Splat! Splat!
Something strange happened.
Despite Bu Eun-seol clearly evading every strike, blood still sprayed from his body.
Projection of Intent.
Wi Hyeok-gun hadn't placed his sword upon his fingertip to swiftly unleash sword strokes and cut down his opponent.
It was a process of projecting the intent to cut.
"Try blocking this!"
Wi Hyeok-gun flourished his sword strokes with triumphant arrogance.
He had developed Projection of Intent—a technique that could sever an opponent's body through sheer will alone, without the need for sword energy or blade contact.
And from it, he had refined Flickering Secret Sword, one of the highest secret arts of the Fire Rain Sword.
Sshhk—! Pah-pah-pah!
As Wi Hyeok-gun unleashed Flickering Secret Sword,
he simultaneously employed a method that left sword energy lingering in the air, dominating even the space itself.
Without sword energy or blade contact—
only the Heart's Blade, the wielder's mind unified with the sword—
he inflicted real wounds upon his foe.
It was, in essence, the threshold of Heart Sword.
But Bu Eun-seol had already faced Wi Ji-mua's Heart Sword.
To him, such swordplay posed no threat.
Unaware of this, Wi Hyeok-gun wore a smug expression as Bu Eun-seol retreated repeatedly.
"I don't know how you convinced the Sect Leader, but you won't be able to win me over!"
"To enter the threshold of Heart Sword through Projection of Intent..."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been evading the projections, let out a genuine sigh of admiration.
"Your dedication is remarkable."
Even Wi Ji-mua, who had ascended to the Super Demon Realm and transcended all worldly attachments, had clung to the Fire Rain Sword Sect until the very end.
And it was precisely because of disciples like Wi Hyeok-gun—
those who, when their right arm was injured, would push their left arm to the absolute limit in refining their swordplay—
that he had done so.
Chief Instructor Wi. You truly deserve the title of Sword Demon.
Had both his arms been severed?
Wi Hyeok-gun would have used his toes.
Had he no toes, he would have clenched a sword between his teeth and trained regardless.
Such relentless dedication and talent—
not only made him worthy of being the Chief Instructor, overseeing and teaching the disciples of the Fire Rain Sword Sect—
but also fully justified his title as the Sword Demon of this era.
That must be why the Sect Leader gave me the Sect Leader's token.
In time, Wi Hyeok-gun would undoubtedly grasp the ultimate secrets of the Fire Rain Sword...
And the next generation of the Fire Rain Sword Sect would flourish even further.
Shhhling—
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol drew Ink Soul Sword.
At the same time—
Drip... drip...
Blood trickled from Wi Hyeok-gun's shoulder.
Without seeing or even sensing it—
Bu Eun-seol had already unleashed Thirteen Strokes, lightly slicing Wi Hyeok-gun's shoulder thirteen times.
Had Bu Eun-seol truly willed it, Wi Hyeok-gun's right arm would have been severed clean from the shoulder.
"How—?"
Wi Hyeok-gun froze in disbelief.
His Projection of Intent could shatter any sword technique and annihilate any force that touched his body.
How could this flawless harmony of offense and defense be broken in a single stroke?
"What... is this?"
Wi Hyeok-gun demanded.
The moment he asked—
he was admitting his own inferiority.
Yet even knowing that, he couldn't stop himself.
"Just what kind of swordplay are you using?!"
Shhk.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed his sword and replied flatly:
"Fire Rain Thirteen Forms."
"What?"
"I learned the fundamentals of the sword through Fire Rain Thirteen Forms. Then I mastered Fire Rain Thunder-Splitting Sword."
He met Wi Hyeok-gun's wide-eyed gaze and stated firmly:
"Those two foundational sword studies alone... were more than enough for me to devise Formless Heavenly Flow, a sword art that can dismantle all sword techniques under heaven."
"Nonsense."
"Then think carefully from now on."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned solemn.
"Why the Founder of the Fire Rain Sword left these two exceptional sword studies as fundamentals."
The training regimen of the Fire Rain Sword Sect was thus:
After mastering the foundational Fire Rain Thirteen Forms and Fire Rain Thunder-Splitting Sword, one would begin true training in the Fire Rain Sword.
Without proficiency in these two, one could never learn the Fire Rain Sword.
But mastering them took far longer than most expected.
Thus, disciples of the Fire Rain Sword Sect would train in these basics just enough before moving on to forge their own Fire Rain Sword Art.
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly:
"Transforming foundational sword studies to suit oneself... is something only those who have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship can do."
Wi Hyeok-gun's eyes narrowed.
Three hundred years ago, the Fire Rain Sword Sect had split into factions—the Jeok Clan and the Wi Clan—and clashed violently.
Their methods of refining the Fire Rain Sword were fundamentally different.
—No matter how versatile the Fire Rain Sword may be, it should not be altered recklessly.
The Jeok Clan sought to perfectly master the Ten Strokes of the Fire Rain Sword as passed down through generations.
—The Fire Rain Sword is the culmination of Demonic Sword Arts, and thus can evolve limitlessly.
"If each person has a different temperament and individuality, why stubbornly cling to a seven-hundred-year-old sword study without seeking to advance it further?"
The Wi Clan believed the Fire Rain Sword should adapt to individual characteristics.
Even among fellow disciples.
Differences in martial philosophy and interpretation created an impassable river between the two factions.
The conflict grew increasingly fierce, until eventually, blood was spilled between comrades.
—From now on, the Fire Rain Sword can be adapted to each practitioner's individuality!
With the support of the majority, the Wi Clan pushed out the Jeok Clan.
The training method shifted—first mastering the foundational sword studies, then forging one's own Fire Rain Sword.
"You know the sect's history well. Why ask such a question?"
Wi Hyeok-gun furrowed his brow.
As the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol had long since investigated the Demonic Path Ten Gates thoroughly.
There was no way he was unaware of the bloody strife that had torn through the Fire Rain Sword Sect three hundred years ago.
"Don't tell me you also believe that outdated method was correct?"
"Not at all. In fact, I agree with the Wi Clan's approach."
Bu Eun-seol spoke plainly.
"But as I said earlier, to enact change, one must first refine the existing Fire Rain Sword to the Great Origin realm."
He sighed faintly.
"Your projected will could easily defeat any foe. But because it strayed from the essence of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, it held no real power against me."
"What did you say?"
"I have refined the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms to the realm of Ultimate Transcendence."
Though the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms were the sect's foundational sword study, no one had ever mastered them to the Great Origin realm.
Yet Bu Eun-seol claimed to have perfected them.
"Like an empty gourd smashing against solid stone. Even if your projected will had reached the pinnacle of Intent-Form Penetrating Slaughter... it would still have shattered against the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms."
Wi Hyeok-gun lowered his head, his gaze unfocused.
Because Bu Eun-seol's words were undeniably true.
"You've devoted your life to the Fire Rain Sword—your sword study must surpass mine. I trust you understand this principle well."
Wi Hyeok-gun clenched his fist.
Had he lost to overwhelming internal energy or some esoteric demonic technique, his pride wouldn't have crumbled like this.
But Bu Eun-seol had shattered both the Crimson Cloud Lock Formation and his projected will—with the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms.
"Jin Gak... he was right after all."
Long ago, Jin Gak had mastered the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms to perfection and won the Secret Sword Tournament.
Wi Ji-mua had praised him highly, but Wi Hyeok-gun had never held that method in high regard.
It was a crude, brute-force training method, fit only for mediocrities.
"I will never accept that such a method is correct."
"Indeed. It's merely a difference in perspective."
Shhk.
Bu Eun-seol drew a small sword from his robes—the Fire Rain Sword Sect's Sect Leader Token.
Huum.
When he channeled his inner energy, pale smoke began to rise from the token.
"I hope you find a Fire Rain Sword that can one day break that method."
Thud.
He tossed it to Wi Hyeok-gun, then slowly turned away.
"You're just going to leave?"
"I repay my debts tenfold."
"......"
"I hope you rebuild the Fire Rain Sword Sect into something greater. That is why I spared your arm."
As Bu Eun-seol turned to leave, Wi Hyeok-gun spoke again.
"Wait."
"You have something to say?"
"You don't know me either."
Splurt!
Suddenly, blood gushed from Wi Hyeok-gun's right arm.
Bu Eun-seol had spared him by not cutting off his shoulder.
So Wi Hyeok-gun severed his own arm at the shoulder instead.
Thump.
He flung the severed limb at Bu Eun-seol's feet.
"I never leave debts unpaid."
Though he immediately stopped the bleeding, Wi Hyeok-gun's face had gone deathly pale from blood loss.
Yet he squared his shoulders and declared:
"I will find you again and settle this."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I'll look forward to that day."
Then he began walking forward.
Wi Hyeok-gun suddenly noticed something inscribed on the Sect Leader Token.
Sword insights?
For the sake of the Fire Rain Sword Sect's future revival—
To repay the kindness Wi Ji-mua had shown him—
Bu Eun-seol had meticulously engraved the final insights of the Fire Rain Sword he had gained through Wi Ji-mua in tiny, ant-like script.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Wi Hyeok-gun bit his lip as he watched him approach.
"I hope you can handle the consequences of all this."
After a brief hesitation, he slowly stepped aside.
The Sword Demon of the martial world willingly made way for his enemy.
Step. Step.
As if blind to the gesture, Bu Eun-seol walked forward with an impassive expression, his gaze fixed ahead.
Before him stood a towering, ancient gate—
Leading to the deepest, most secluded heart of the Fire Rain Sword Sect's Inner Court.
Though majestic and ornate, to his eyes, it resembled a demon's gaping maw, ready to devour the world.
Screeeech.
With a grating sound, the massive doors swung open.
Without the slightest hesitation, Bu Eun-seol crossed the threshold and stepped inside.