Chapter 157
—Bu Eun-seol, the Ten Demonic Heir from Langya Pavilion, has overwhelmed the Great Righteous Experts!
The incident where three Great Righteous Experts were defeated by a single Ten Demonic Heir.
After the so-called Longsword Mountain Villa incident, the Murim world was thrown into an uproar.
Until now, the prevailing view in the martial world was that the Ten Demonic Heirs were a step below the Great Righteous Experts.
Yet the Inheritor from Langya Pavilion had defeated Gwan Seok-cheon, a Great Righteous Expert from the Diancang Sect, at Longsword Mountain Villa.
Moreover, he had crushed even the combined assault of Han Seong and Cheong Cho-hyeon, Great Righteous Experts from Longsword Mountain Villa and the Emei Sect.
—How is that possible? It must be false rumors.
Most martial artists who first heard the news refused to believe it.
No matter how exceptional the martial arts of a Ten Demonic Heir might be, the Great Righteous Experts were all Rising Talents of the Younger Generation who had reached the Transcendence Realm.
It was simply impossible for one person to take on two of them alone.
—To locate the Ten Demonic Heir from Langya Pavilion, the Eighteen Arhats of Shaolin and the Seven Disciples of Wudang had mobilized.
But now, the leading masters of Shaolin and Wudang had descended into the martial world to hunt down Langya Pavilion's Inheritor.
This movement by Shaolin and Wudang ultimately served as undeniable proof that the events at Longsword Mountain Villa were entirely true.
—They seek to restore the fallen prestige of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang!
The Ten Demonic Heir from Langya Pavilion had achieved victory against the majority of the Nine Great Sects and One Great School's masters.
Unable to endure this spectacle, Shaolin and Wudang had moved to exact revenge.
Yet after the Longsword Mountain Villa incident, the Ten Demonic Heir from Langya Pavilion had not shown his face in the martial world.
Iron Palm Peak, Langya Pavilion.
At the edge of a sheer cliff, a man sat perfectly still.
Between the glossy strands of his black hair, one could see his straight nose bridge and smooth jawline.
Had it not been for his thick eyebrows, his beautiful features could have easily been mistaken for those of a peerless beauty. It was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
"Truly, a sight to behold."
Just then, a scholar in flowing blue robes approached from behind.
A middle-aged man with an immortal-like demeanor and languid eyes.
His clear pupils made him seem like a carefree idler untouched by worldly worries.
In truth, however, he was a terrifying figure capable of overturning the entire martial world. The deputy pavilion master of Langya Pavilion—Dan Cheong.
"Deputy Pavilion Master."
As Bu Eun-seol rose and bowed his head, Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
"Were you in the midst of Qi Circulation?"
"No."
The pupils of Bu Eun-seol, now standing, were clouded with a faint delusion.
Dan Cheong, staring intently at those eyes, spoke plainly.
"You were reminiscing about him, weren't you?"
"No."
Though his words denied it, the haze in Bu Eun-seol's eyes continued to spread.
"Has your body fully recovered now?"
"Yes."
After annihilating the Great Righteous Experts, Bu Eun-seol had immediately returned to Langya Pavilion.
This was partly to safely recover and recuperate from the severe internal injuries he had sustained.
But more than anything, it was to ask Blood Vajra about the strange phenomenon that kept recurring—where his internal energy grew stronger each time he was injured.
Yet by the time Bu Eun-seol returned, Blood Vajra had already left Langya Pavilion.
Though Bu Eun-seol inquired about his whereabouts, even the Wind Cloud Brigade claimed to have no knowledge of it.
"I hadn't even repaid his kindness. I never imagined he would leave so soon."
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had learned martial arts from numerous masters.
But the ones he truly considered his teachers in his heart were Sa-u and Blood Vajra. That was why he never forgot to climb Iron Palm Peak whenever he returned to Langya Pavilion.
Internal Energy Method.
It was the foundation of a martial artist, the lighthouse that guided one through the vast, trackless sea.
In the martial world, even if one had many masters, the one who imparted the Internal Energy Method was revered as the highest teacher.
Excluding sleep, they had to devote themselves daily to aiding the cultivation of internal energy, spending long hours interpreting esoteric teachings until their very breath carried the scent of patience—only then could one barely grasp the basics.
In short, transmitting an Internal Energy Method was akin to painstakingly raising another's newborn child with utmost care.
And Blood Vajra had nurtured that newborn into a young man possessing internal energy of the highest caliber in the martial world.
"He promised to pass down the Counter-Polar Internal Art to a disciple of our pavilion. It was merely an exchange of conditions—you owe him no debt."
"No."
"What do you mean, no?"
Bu Eun-seol shook his head firmly.
"Because the venerable one imparted more to me than just the Internal Energy Method."
"What are you talking about?"
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol pointed to the lower part of the cliff where he had been sitting.
There, characters had been carved with sharp Finger Wind:
—By the time you come looking for this penniless monk again, you will likely notice something unusual in your body.
But do not worry. It is merely a phenomenon occurring as the Original Source Qi I once infused into you merges with your own Original True Qi.
"Original Source Qi?"
Dan Cheong blinked as he read the inscribed words.
There, written in detail, were the reasons why Bu Eun-seol's internal power had surged so abruptly.
And why his internal energy grew stronger each time he was injured.
"Blood Vajra—he infused you with Original Source Qi?"
"Yes. When my True Qi ran wild while I was training in the Counter-Polar Internal Art, the venerable one generously infused it into me to heal me."
"Hmm..."
Dan Cheong spoke with an extremely grave expression.
"May this Deputy Pavilion Lord examine your pulse?"
"Of course."
As Bu Eun-seol extended his arm, Dan Cheong tried to press two fingers against his pulse gate.
Thwung!
But before his fingers could touch the pulse gate, a spring-like anti-elastic force surged, violently repelling his fingers.
'Huh?'
Perplexed, Dan Cheong stared intently at Bu Eun-seol.
"This is merely a pulse diagnosis. There's no need to be so guarded."
"What do you mean?"
But something was off.
Bu Eun-seol blinked blankly, seemingly unaware of what had just happened.
'Don't tell me... he didn't intentionally generate that anti-elastic force?'
Flustered, Dan Cheong strengthened his grip and forcibly seized Bu Eun-seol's pulse gate.
'This—!'
As he assessed the flow of Bu Eun-seol's true qi and the level of his internal power, Dan Cheong's eyes lost focus.
'To think his internal energy has reached this level...'
His clenched teeth involuntarily slackened.
Bu Eun-seol's internal energy had already far surpassed three sixty-year cycles.
'Three sixty-year cycles... Three sixty-year cycle?'
Even if martial prowess wasn't solely determined by internal energy levels, this was enough to stand toe-to-toe with the greatest masters of the era in a contest of pure power.
'Blood Vajra has created a monster!'
"Is something wrong?"
Snapped out of his daze by Bu Eun-seol's question, Dan Cheong coughed awkwardly and composed himself.
"Nothing. Your internal energy is... remarkable."
"Thank you."
As Dan Cheong withdrew his fingers, he muttered under his breath,
"Well, in all the martial world, the only heart method capable of transferring internal energy to another is the Counter-Polar Internal Art."
Then, after surveying the surroundings of Iron Palm Peak, he spoke again.
"Blood Vajra has essentially left you as his clone."
Dan Cheong was mistaken.
He assumed Bu Eun-seol's current level of internal energy was solely due to the Primordial Essence True Qi Blood Vajra had infused into him.
Had he known that most of that energy lay dormant deep within Bu Eun-seol's Eight Extraordinary Meridians, he would have leapt up onto Iron Palm Peak in shock.
"But this isn't entirely a good thing."
Dan Cheong's expression darkened with concern.
"When internal power surges too rapidly—whether through elixirs or external aid—certain problems can arise."
"What kind of problems?"
"What happens when you give a sharp treasured sword to someone who's just begun learning sword techniques?"
Dan Cheong continued calmly.
"The same applies to internal energy methods. If you can't control the sudden increase in power, it may harm your body instead."
Thanks to the breathing techniques Bu Jan-yang had taught him, Bu Eun-seol had built a foundation sturdier than anyone else's, accumulating immense internal energy in his dantian.
Thus, he was already capable of delicately controlling his power, now equivalent to three sixty-year cycles.
But Dan Cheong fretted over him like a bank clerk teaching a nouveau riche how to manage sudden wealth.
"Don't worry. I'll work even harder."
Even Blood Vajra, who had taught the Counter-Polar Internal Art, had only reached the fifth stage.
That alone had been enough to face the greatest masters without yielding an inch.
The stages beyond were uncharted territory.
Yet Bu Eun-seol, feeling his own realm was still lacking, vowed to surpass even that.
"Good."
Dan Cheong smiled faintly at his words.
"If it's you, you'll manage."
"But what brings you here personally?"
Having noticed the worry lingering in Dan Cheong's brow, Bu Eun-seol cautiously asked,
"Has there been word from the Demon Hall?"
"Yes."
Dan Cheong inhaled deeply before speaking.
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor has finally emerged from seclusion."
Bu Eun-seol wasn't particularly surprised.
He had already received hints from the Wind Cloud Brigade's leader, and besides, it had nothing to do with him.
"It doesn't concern me. I never intended to become a candidate for the Demon Hall's heir anyway."
"What?"
Dan Cheong's expression turned peculiar.
"You've already killed three Great Righteous Experts."
"That wasn't to become the Demon Hall's heir."
"Hoh."
Dan Cheong let out an odd sigh.
He found Bu Eun-seol endearing—a man without ambition who treated Langya Pavilion like his own home.
But at the same time, it was utterly baffling.
"The position of the Demon Hall's heir is something every demonic practitioner dreams of. Do you truly lack ambition?"
"I am a disciple of Langya Pavilion. Isn't that enough?"
"Hahaha!"
Dan Cheong burst into hearty laughter at his reply.
A fond smile played on his lips, as if he were watching a grandchild perform an adorable trick.
"If the Pavilion Lord heard that, he'd be overjoyed."
But soon, the smile faded, and Dan Cheong shook his head gravely.
"First, let me answer your question—it's impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Because you must become the Demon Hall's heir."
The unexpected declaration left Bu Eun-seol stunned.
"Me?"
As Bu Eun-seol blinked in confusion, Dan Cheong spoke with solemn finality.
"Indeed. And there are three reasons for this."
Dan Cheong, who had been gazing at the distant sky for a moment, spoke gravely.
"First, though you are young, you have mastered the Practical Combat Martial Arts of our pavilion in the most orthodox manner. There is no longer any meaning in refining mere martial techniques."
After a brief pause, he continued in a low voice.
"Because of that, learning other martial arts from our pavilion's masters has become meaningless."
It was an accurate judgment.
Bu Eun-seol's Formless Heavenly Flow already encompassed every technique of the Under-Heaven Sword Art.
There was one reason for this.
In the past, Dan Cheong had imparted to Bu Eun-seol the entirety of the Under-Heaven Sword Art's variations through a single sword stroke.
And within a year, Bu Eun-seol had mastered all of them. Not only that, but he had also further developed his sword studies on that foundation by sparring with Murim masters.
Thus, there was no longer any need to learn martial arts from Langya Pavilion's masters.
"What is the second reason?"
"Is your goal not solely to grow stronger? For that, learning the martial arts of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would be a far better way to become stronger than training within our pavilion."
"I have yet to fully master the martial arts I've already learned."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"And I believe I can become strong enough with just this pavilion's martial arts."
Dan Cheong inwardly nodded.
Truthfully, Langya Pavilion had produced the World's Greatest Martial Artist multiple times.
It was simply that few could perfectly digest its unfathomably profound Practical Combat Martial Arts.
If one fully mastered it, they could undoubtedly reign as the greatest in the world.
"Of course, that is true. But that path is equally difficult, is it not?"
"I will succeed."
"Well, perhaps you might. But this third reason is why you must go to the Demon Hall."
Dan Cheong paused briefly, his expression solemn.
"The Demon Hall's master has personally summoned you."
This time, even Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his surprise.
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor called for me?"
"Indeed. The Supreme Cult Commander relayed word of you to the Demon Hall's master."
Yeop Hyo-cheon, the Dark King.
A master counted among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, and the Demon Hall's Supreme Cult Commander, he had only exchanged brief words with Bu Eun-seol.
So why had he spoken of him to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?
"Truthfully, the Ten Demonic Heirs have already endured more than enough of the Demonic Path Ten Gates' successors' schemes."
Dan Cheong spoke as if to unravel Bu Eun-seol's confusion.
"But now that a prodigy has emerged who can openly break through them, it must be to prevent any further underhanded plots."
Bu Eun-seol recalled Yeop Hyo-cheon grinning slyly in the darkness.
Looking back, it seemed he had been orchestrating the grand scheme from the Ten Demonic Heirs' side all along.
"Given that the Demon Hall's master has ended his seclusion, the Pavilion Lord will likely emerge soon as well. So it would be best to go to the Demon Hall before then."
"Why is that?"
"Because once the Pavilion Lord emerges, he will never allow you to stand before the Demon Hall's master."
Dan Cheong glanced at Bu Eun-seol and smirked.
"This deputy pavilion master wishes for you to meet the Demon Hall's master, endure trials, and leap forward stronger and faster. But the Pavilion Lord... harbors a sense of rivalry toward him."
"A sense of rivalry..."
Bu Eun-seol mulled over Dan Cheong's words before asking with a puzzled expression.
"Then the reason the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Pavilion Lord entered seclusion..."
"Yes. It's time you knew."
Dan Cheong, who had been staring at the distant sky, spoke in a low voice.
"The Pavilion Lord and the Demon Hall's master entered seclusion side by side... because they clashed with such force that heaven and earth were nearly torn apart."
Kuh-kung.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as if he had been struck on the back of the head.
The master of Langya Pavilion had fought the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?
The authority of the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic, who stood at the pinnacle of martial arts, was absolute.
No matter how much the Langya Pavilion Lord was a Worldshaking Transcendent counted among the Three Demons and Three Venerables...
The difference between him and the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, called the Absolute One of the Demonic Path, was like that of heaven and earth.
"Few in the martial world know this, but the Demon Hall's master and the Pavilion Lord have sparred for a long time. The very reason the Demonic Heavenly Emperor could ascend to his throne was because he had always clashed with the Pavilion Lord."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded.
Did that mean the Langya Pavilion Lord was a master on par with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?
"Then... has the Pavilion Lord also reached the apex of the Martial Extreme Realm?"
"No one has witnessed their duels. How could someone like me dare to measure the martial prowess of the Pavilion Lord or the Demon Hall's master?"
In truth, Dan Cheong was a peerless master who had reached the edge of the Extreme Heaven Realm and stood at the threshold of the Martial Extreme Realm.
Yet even he could not begin to fathom the martial attainments of the Langya Pavilion Lord or the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had reached the supreme limits of the Martial Extreme Realm.
"However, even within the same Martial Extreme Realm, differences exist based on enlightenment. And beyond that lies the unknown realm of the Heavenly Will Realm."
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's eyes sparkling like a child's, Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
"At any rate, I have nothing more to say. The Wind and Cloud Corps' leader is also away on business in the martial world..."
Baek Yeon, leader of the Wind and Cloud Corps, had taken to the martial world to command intelligence forces upon hearing of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's return.
With a figure capable of shifting the balance of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Martial World re-emerging, he needed to meticulously grasp the currents and movements of the martial world.
"The Demon Hall will soon send an envoy."
Dan Cheong patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
"Now, go and challenge your new fate."