Chapter 1050
When Bu Eun-seol halted his movements, Jegal Seo-un sent another voice transmission.
[I have a plan.]
He rapidly continued the transmission.
[The culprit must be a descendant of the Western Regions Demon Sect. The only reason she could seize Young Lady Tang's body is surely due to the Black Soul Devouring Great Art.]
Jegal Seo-un had discerned that the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship was crafted through the Ten Thousand Souls Flesh Forging Art, thereby deducing her origins from the Western Regions Demon Sect.
[Our family has passed down the Soul Transfer Grand Art through generations. Though it's not the complete scripture, it should still be enough to save Young Lady Tang.]
The soul has two aspects: the conscious spirit, and the corporeal soul, which dwells in the body and governs vital functions and sensation.
The Soul Transfer Grand Art cannot truly transfer a person's entire soul.
Instead, it is a secret art that intricately links the "corporeal soul," responsible for movement and sensation.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
The interior of this Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship was akin to the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's own body—even voice transmissions could be detected here.
Moreover, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor was the grandmaster of spells and great arts. No matter how much Jegal Seo-un had refined the Jegal Family's profound secret arts,
there was simply no way he could break her great art.
So why was he taking such actions?
"Young Lady Tang. Look into my eyes."
As Jegal Seo-un approached the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor,
he drew talismans in the void with his hands—Void Talisman Scripting—and traced a battle formation with his feet—Heaven and Earth Formation Binding.
Talismans in the air, formations on the ground, and at the center—a person, Jegal Seo-un himself.
Finally, as he completed the Soul Transfer Grand Art,
Ziiing—
Light began to flow from the ground beneath the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's feet.
Pfft—
Instantly, a sinister laugh burst from the corner of the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's lips.
Not only did she possess a method to reverse any great art, but she could also suppress an opponent's soul and body using Illusion Substance.
The moment Jegal Seo-un stepped forward to unleash his great art, she immediately employed the Illusion Substance,
instead corroding his soul and body.
"......?"
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor furrowed her brow.
Though she had flawlessly executed the spell,
an unpleasant sensation, as if her body had been submerged in filthy water, crept over her.
It was a bizarre feeling she had never experienced before.
Sssk—
When she saw the smile curling at Jegal Seo-un's lips, she sensed something had gone wrong.
"It's done, Lord!"
At that moment, Jegal Seo-un shouted.
"I've synchronized the pain perception transfer with the demon who has possessed Young Lady Tang!"
"Pain perception transfer?"
As the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor blinked in confusion, Jegal Seo-un grinned.
"Did you really think our family would pass down something like the Soul Transfer Grand Art?"
Crossing his arms, Jegal Seo-un laughed with confidence.
"It's the Body Sensation Transfer Technique."
The Body Sensation Transfer Technique utilizes the "corporeal soul", which governs life activities and sensations,
to forcibly link pain perception—a precise secret art of the Jegal Family.
In the past, when it was impossible to torture countless prisoners individually,
the military sought the Jegal Family's cooperation and employed this secret art, forcing even the most stubborn men to their knees all at once.
"Truthfully, the Body Sensation Transfer Technique isn't something someone like me can successfully execute alone. I don't even know the secret method to link the 'corporeal soul.'"
Jegal Seo-un bared his teeth in a grin.
"But if I pretended to perform the Soul Transfer Grand Art, surely you—the grandmaster of spells—would immediately counter it by manipulating the 'corporeal soul,' wouldn't you?"
He had analyzed the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's psychology, deliberately feeding Bu Eun-seol a voice transmission to set up a scheme that would ensure the Body Sensation Transfer Technique's success.
"So."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's violet eyes flashed.
"What exactly do you intend to do?"
Instead of answering, Jegal Seo-un turned to Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon.
"Subduing a demon like the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor is no easy task."
His expression turned solemn.
"To save Young Lady Tang, we must inflict pain."
Jegal Seo-un planned to torture himself, forcing the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor to abandon Tang Cheong's body.
"Brother Jegal..."
As Tang Gon made a worried expression,
"Do not hesitate!"
Riiip—
Jegal Seo-un tore off his sleeve and stuffed it into his own mouth.
Nod.
Then, he gave a firm nod.
Shhhhk—
Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Soul Sword.
And once again, he unleashed the Misty Waves of Rivers and Lakes.
Sssssaaah—
As the mist infused with natural qi touched her,
"Ghhh—!"
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor let out a pained groan.
"GAAAH—!"
With a thunderous scream, black smoke began to pour from Tang Cheong's mouth.
The mass of Illusion Substance, which had allowed her to manipulate another's body at will, was now dispersing in the form of black mist.
"Khh— Khhuu—"
Then, Jegal Seo-un's pupils turned white as he began convulsing violently, like a leaf trembling in the wind.
Due to the Body Sensation Transfer Technique, he was experiencing the same agony.
"This... isn't enough."
Clenching his teeth, Jegal Seo-un shouted at Tang Gon.
"Are you going to abandon Young Lady Tang like this, Family Head?!"
At that moment, Tang Gon—
"HYAHP—!"
—let out a battle cry and kicked Jegal Seo-un square in the back.
It wasn't just a simple strike—he relentlessly hammered Jegal Seo-un's spine using the Tang Family's Chain Eighteen Kicks, targeting his pressure points with each blow.
THUD—
Jegal Seo-un, struck eighteen times by kicks strong enough to shatter boulders, crumpled forward.
THWACK—
This time, Bu Eun-seol launched Finger Wind, sealing Jegal Seo-un's pressure points.
"Ugh."
But perhaps because he had inherited the power of the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, Jegal Seo-un’s acupoints could not be sealed at all.
At that moment, Tang Gon launched himself into the air and began unleashing the Linked Ring Leg Technique once more.
Thud thud thud.
It was less a martial technique and more akin to the brutal stomping of Black Gang thugs.
"Uuuugh..."
Tears welled up in Tang Gon's eyes.
But he couldn't let Jegal Seo-un's sacrifice be in vain.
"What are you just standing there for?!"
Tang Gon shouted at Bu Eun-seol, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Start stomping!"
"......"
"Hurry!"
Thwack thwack thwack!
In the end, Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon relentlessly stomped and kicked Jegal Seo-un for fifteen minutes.
Had it been Tang Cheong's body, they wouldn't have dared attempt such a thing.
But they believed Jegal Seo-un, with his long-honed physique, could endure it.
"Ghhh..."
Wasn't there a saying that nothing beats a good beating?
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, writhing in agony, let out a pained groan as she felt every bit of Jegal Seo-un’s suffering.
When had she ever endured such relentless torture before?
Moreover, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's true form was that of a woman.
Unlike Jegal Seo-un, who had a body tempered like steel, her physique was far more fragile—making the pain all the more unbearable.
"Stop."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor tried to command them, but Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon were too absorbed in their brutal assault to hear.
"I said STOP!"
Finally, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor jerked upright and screamed—only for Bu Eun-seol's Shark Fist to slam into her face, followed by Tang Gon's Linked Thirteen Kicks driving into her gut.
"I'll release all the Illusion Substance."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor surrendered at last.
"I'll return the body!"
Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon exchanged bewildered glances.
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor—one of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors, the very origin of the Demonic Path.
Even if she bore the disgraceful name of Life-Clinger, how could she be so frivolous?
How could she fear death so much?
"How can we trust that?"
"I'll restore his consciousness immediately."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor gestured at herself—no, at Tang Cheong's body.
"If I don't release it, he'll never wake up."
"Fine."
As Tang Gon halted his assault,
she laboriously brought both hands to her dantian, pressing her index and middle fingers together.
"Hurk—"
The glowing sigils beneath the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's feet vanished, and a pale liquid spurted from Jegal Seo-un's collapsed form.
The Body Sensation Transfer Technique had been undone.
"You thought I couldn't break a brat's little spell?"
She simply hadn't been able to move under Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon's relentless assault.
But given even the slightest opening, she could dismantle Jegal Seo-un's technique in an instant.
"You fools."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor cackled.
"This Secret Vault is as much a part of me as my own body. Did you really think stealing your bodies would be difficult?"
"We'll capture you again and wring you dry," Tang Gon snapped.
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor only laughed.
"I was merely playing along with your rhythm. Did you really think—?"
Shudder.
Suddenly, her body began to tremble.
The Misty Waves of Rivers and Lakes had continuously disrupted the Illusion Substance's connection,
and Jegal Seo-un's Body Sensation Transfer Technique had inflicted damage on her own body.
As a result, the link binding her to Tang Cheong's body had grown dangerously loose.
"It worked."
Jegal Seo-un, having grasped the situation, smirked.
"Your Great Art is about to shatter. Won't Young Miss Tang wake up soon?"
"Heh heh heh..."
Yet the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor only chuckled darkly.
"Have you forgotten? This is a space I created."
At the same time, an eerie light began to rise from Tang Gon's body.
"I may not be like the True Demon, able to steal another's body and mind outright..."
Zzzing.
His irises began to stain a deep violet.
She was already seizing control of Tang Gon’s body.
"But borrowing the Illusion Substance here to link my consciousness? That's easy."
He glared at Bu Eun-seol.
"Except for you."
Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess had reached an unfathomable level, and his Spirit and Mind was as unshakable as a monk's—making him impossible to invade.
But Tang Gon and Jegal Seo-un? He could take them anytime.
"Troublesome brat."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, now in control of Tang Gon's body, sneered triumphantly.
"Now you're—"
But mid-sentence,
Tang Gon suddenly raised a hand and pressed it against his own heart.
He was resisting his Domination—attempting to kill himself.
"What is this—?!"
Though the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's voice was frantic, Tang Gon's eyes burned with resolve.
"You."
For a brief moment, Tang Gon seemed to shake off his control, speaking in his own voice.
He was willing to die for Bu Eun-seol.
And he knew Bu Eun-seol would thrive even without him—perhaps even elevate the Tang Clan to new heights.
He could die in peace.
"I leave the rest to you."
The instant he drove his hand toward his own heart—
Zzzing.
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor severed the connection controlling Tang Gon's body.
Tang Gon's death wouldn't kill her.
But if he died like this, it would be like forcibly tearing out deeply rooted tendrils—
The portion of his power fused with his body through the Illusion Substance would suffer catastrophic damage.
Zing.
This time, Jegal Seo-un's pupils began to stain with a violet hue.
"Pathetic fools. As if that would—"
Once again, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor found her words cut short.
Was Jegal Seo-un now drawing the Judge's Brush from his waist to pierce his own heart?
"What is this?"
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, who had seized control of Jegal Seo-un, irritably used the host’s left hand to seize the brush-holding right wrist.
"Are none of you afraid to die?"
True to his reputation as the Young Clan Head of the Jegal Family, master of formation studies and secret arts, Jegal Seo-un firmly suppressed the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's power as he spoke.
"I'm but an insignificant junior compared to the Lord or Family Heads anyway."
Jegal Seo-un smirked.
"If I can deal even a slight blow to the illustrious Great Seven Demon Ancestor, wouldn't that be a net gain?"
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor was stunned.
Not only Tang Gon and Jegal Seo-un—
Tang Cheong, too, loved Bu Eun-seol as dearly as her own life. Of course she would die for him without hesitation.
In short, his power no longer held any sway over them.
Then, the demonic energy that had been corroding Jegal Seo-un's body weakened drastically.
'Attachment to Life.'
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol understood the meaning of Attachment to Life.
Life and death. This was the fundamental truth inherent to all living beings, one that could not be defied.
And yet, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor bore the title Demon of Attachment to Life.
Not because he had lived since the dawn of time or escaped death, but—
'Not because he's crude or weak—he draws his power from others' yearning for life.'
The undying demon of attachment, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor.
The source of his power was—
The most basic human desire: the craving to keep living.
"Uuugh..."
Unable to wield her Attachment to Life power at all, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor let out a fearful moan.
Thud. Crash.
Both Tang Cheong and Jegal Seo-un's bodies toppled like felled timber.
At last, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor had abandoned Tang Cheong's body.
'The Blood Cave.'
Bu Eun-seol instantly knew.
Where countless martial artists stood arrayed like exhibits—the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's true body had to be there.
"Stay here."
Bu Eun-seol activated his movement technique and returned to the Grand Hall.
Tang Gon hesitated briefly before following him, leaving Tang Cheong and Jegal Seo-un behind.
Better to protect his friend's life than wait for Tang Cheong's uncertain recovery.
Whoosh.
Bu Eun-seol arrived at the Blood Cave, but no one moved yet.
Zing.
He immediately summoned the Empty Mind Spirit Communion and Heavenly Robe Mind Art—yet detected nothing.
"Is he really here?"
"Most likely. He must be."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"But I can't sense him at all."
'He can't sense it?'
Tang Gon's eyes flashed.
'Of course he wouldn't detect it.'
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's illusion substance couldn't invade Bu Eun-seol's body—he wouldn't recognize its presence.
But Tang Gon's body had once been infiltrated by that very energy.
As a grandmaster, once he identified a foreign energy signature, he would never forget it.
'But the moment I point or send a voice transmission, he'll just shift bodies.'
What if their decisive strike missed?
Knowing Tang Gon could track her illusion substance's energy, she would constantly move from body to body.
Worse—the martial artists trapped in glass tubes would likely die in the crossfire.
And if this repeated?
They'd have to slaughter everyone here to end this.
'Only one way.'
Tang Gon channeled his internal power into the ring on his right hand.
A treasure entwined with the legendary Flood Dragon Sinew Cord.
'Tang Pae's Death Line.'
The previous Family Head, Tang Pae, had drawn inspiration from the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's saber techniques.
He synthesized the Tang Clan's eight great secret arts into a single lethal line.
Passing both the method and his insights to Tang Gon, who named it in his father's honor.
And Tang Pae had taught its intricacies not just to his son—but to Bu Eun-seol as well.
After all, Tang Pae's Death Line owed its origins to the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang's Bloody Tears Seven Forms saber techniques.
'He'll understand my intent.'
Zzzzt.
As internal energy flowed into the Flood Dragon Sinew Cord, a faint glow shimmered.
When Tang Pae gathered his full strength for the attack, Bu Eun-seol locked eyes with him.
Nod.
No words—just a single nod.
Had their minds aligned?
Bu Eun-seol gripped his sword hilt and began gathering every ounce of his power.
'Please let this work.'
Flash!
A brilliant light erupted from Tang Gon's finger.
Three death lines sliced through the air, simultaneously piercing three of the endless glass tubes.
Bu Eun-seol's pupils dilated.
Screech—!
With a dragon-like sword cry—
Flash!
A radiant light burst from Ink Soul Sword.
Harmonization.
Channeling every drop of energy in his body—
He unleashed the most destructive martial art at his disposal.
Sssss—
Black smoke began rising from the withered martial artist inside the tube.
With a clatter.
The martial artist emerged from the coffin, only for black blood to immediately begin oozing out.
Her frame was unimpressive, and her face and skin were utterly filthy.
She was none other than the True Body of the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor.
"How... did this happen?"
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor muttered as if she couldn't believe it.
"We never even exchanged Voice Transmission."
This Blood Cave—no, this entire Secret Vault—was practically an extension of her own body.
Which meant that if Voice Transmission had been used, she would have sensed it immediately. And shifting her body in an instant wouldn't have been difficult either.
But those two had merely exchanged glances—nothing more. How could something like this be possible?
Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth, his voice calm.
"Brother Tang detected you. The coffin you were standing in, another point in the same row, another in the same column, and the intersection where those two lines met."
"......"
"He marked those three points with his strikes, forming three corners of a perfect rectangle."
Clack.
Sheathing his sword, he continued.
"Which meant the remaining point—the empty fourth corner of that rectangle—was exactly where you were hiding."
The moment Tang Gon unleashed three strands of Tang Pae's Death Line, Bu Eun-seol instantly realized he was revealing the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's location.
And the missing point.
The spot where the rectangle's last corner would be—that was where the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor was hiding.
Without a moment's hesitation, without the slightest doubt, he unleashed Harmonization there.
Because he trusted Tang Gon more than his own life.
"I will... kill you."
The Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor's body, glaring at Bu Eun-seol—
Sssss—
Melted into a puddle of blackened blood.
And so, one of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors, the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, finally breathed her last.
Bu Eun-seol stared down at the liquefied remains, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
"Is it over?"
When Tang Gon asked, Bu Eun-seol withdrew his gaze, turned, and nodded.
"It seems so."
"What a relief."
Bu Eun-seol then spoke without looking back.
"Go to Lady Tang. She should have recovered by now."
"Ah!"
Letting out a gasp, Tang Gon hurried over to where Tang Cheong had collapsed.
There, he saw her stirring, slowly rising to her feet.
"Cheong-a!"
As Tang Gon approached with a bright smile—
"Brother!"
Tang Cheong rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"You came to save me."
Truthfully, the two had never been particularly close siblings.
Tang Gon was gentle by nature, while Tang Cheong was brilliant and spirited, possessing talents that even surpassed his.
Not only that, but during a period when Tang Gon had been disheartened, she had tried to manipulate him to suit her own whims.
And though she appreciated his mild temperament—
She had also looked down on him at times, unable to shake the belief that "a man must be ruthless."
But Tang Gon's potential had been far greater than she ever imagined.
After meeting Bu Eun-seol, his hidden talents bloomed, advancing without limit.
And once he became Family Head—
He made an effort to bridge the awkward distance between them, treating her warmly and looking after her.
Because Tang Pae's final words hadn't been about the family's revival—but about cherishing those around him.
Especially after learning that Tang Cheong had fallen for Bu Eun-seol, Tang Gon had used every connection he had to secure her a position as a hall chief within the Azure Heaven Alliance.
He had thought that if Bu Eun-seol, as Seon-u Jin, stayed there, time together would naturally deepen their bond.
But contrary to his expectations, Bu Eun-seol no longer actively operated as Seon-u Jin.
Instead, he quietly supported the Azure Heaven Alliance from the shadows, using his own shadow.
As a result, Tang Cheong grew increasingly despondent, unfairly resenting Tang Gon for it.
But now, seeing how he had abandoned the family and risked his life to save her—
She regretted her past behavior.
She realized, belatedly, that Tang Gon had genuinely cared for her all along—and that she had been the one acting spoiled.
"I'm sorry."
Tang Cheong sniffled.
"For putting you through so much trouble."
"It's fine. Isn't that what an older brother is for?"
Tang Gon gently patted the back of his sister, who had lowered her head in shame.
"You don't need to worry about anything."
"Still... I got this."
She sighed as she pulled a small wooden box from her robes.
"Which is why I fell into the trap and lost consciousness, but..."
Tang Cheong had discovered the location of the Heavenly Yin Immortal Fruit, and in her excitement, she had let her guard down.
That was when the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor had seized the opportunity to inject her with Illusion Substance.
"Brother, please give this to Lord in my stead."
With a bashful expression, she held out the box.
"So he can take it before he grows any older."
"What?"
Tang Gon was stunned.
"You should be the one eating it... Why are you giving it to him?"
"What's so great about my plain face that I'd need something like this?"
Tang Cheong spoke as if embarrassed.
"Of course Lord should be the one to take it."
Even if she wasn't chosen by Bu Eun-seol, she wanted his beautiful appearance to remain eternal.
"Actually, I tried to uncover the secrets of the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship for his sake... but I wasn't capable enough."
She lowered her head.
"This place was the body of someone who wielded bizarre demonic arts. The skills and abilities I had were completely useless here."
"Cheong-a."
Tang Gon's chest tightened.
Tang Cheong had always been a brilliant and bold young woman, unafraid of heaven or earth.
But now, she had fallen so deeply in love that—
For the sake of restoring her beloved's honor and securing his foundation of support—
She had thrown herself into the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship, risking her life, transforming into someone so selflessly devoted.
"This..."
With a bittersweet smile, Tang Gon pushed the box back toward her.
"Give it to him yourself."
"Huh?"
Instead of answering, Tang Gon turned away.
And there, from the passageway, a gray shadow slowly approached.
A man whose beauty was so dazzling it seemed almost divine.
It was Bu Eun-seol, having shed his disguise.