Chapter 158
Before anyone knew it, spring had returned to Langya Pavilion as well.
On a certain day in the third month of spring, when a favorable wind blew, a martial artist clad in plain black robes arrived at Langya Pavilion.
"By the decree of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the disciple of Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol, is to be summoned to the Demon Hall."
He did not disclose his affiliation.
Because embroidered on his sleeve was the emblem of the Twin Dragons Vying for the Pearl—the symbol representing the Demon Hall.
It was a mark only granted to those of Hall Master rank or higher within the Demon Hall, its most distinguished figures.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol bid farewell to Dan Cheong, Master Cheol, and the members of the Innovation Unit.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped outside.
At the entrance of Langya Pavilion stood a resplendent Eight Horse Carriage gleaming with a black luster, surrounded by an escort corps mounted on black steeds.
'How peculiar.'
Though Bu Eun-seol had entered the Demon Hall twice before, he had never received such treatment.
A candidate for the position of successor to the Demon Hall. Only now, upon seeing the escort corps, did he truly grasp the extent of the status he held.
"Please board."
The martial artist extended his hand toward the carriage with utmost courtesy.
Once he entered the Demon Hall now...
Bu Eun-seol would be formally acknowledged as a candidate for the position of successor to the Demon Hall.
Clack, clack.
The black Eight Horse Carriage, bearing the banners of the Demon Hall, departed from Sword Brow Mountain and raced along the highway.
Ahead of the carriage, martial artists on black steeds led the way, while masters of the Demon Hall discreetly guarded its surroundings.
Inside the carriage, Bu Eun-seol sat with hollow eyes, gazing out the window.
'A candidate for the position of successor to the Demon Hall...'
He drew a deep breath and lightly shook his head.
'I only wished to remain a disciple of Langya Pavilion.'
Rising to a high position is not always a blessing.
To reign over countless others demands blood in equal measure.
'I suppose I've already mounted the tiger's back.'
Once seized, power is difficult to relinquish.
Partly because of the sweetness its overwhelming strength offers, but also because letting go of that power could turn it into a dagger pointed at oneself.
'Now that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor is aware of my existence, all the powerholders of the high command and the Demonic Path Ten Gates will be watching me.'
Bu Eun-seol wore a bitter smile.
If he could not avoid the situation of ascending as a candidate for the position of successor to the Demon Hall, then he would have to hold onto that position to the very end.
But something was strange.
Shouldn't the carriage be heading toward Chengdu? Yet it had abruptly turned toward a desolate outskirts.
The swiftly moving carriage arrived at the entrance of a vast abandoned manor where no one lived.
Soon, the carriage came to a halt, but no sound could be heard.
Creak.
As Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the carriage, the escort corps that had been guarding him—even the coachman—had all vanished.
'Is this another test from the Demon Hall? Or perhaps...'
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the wide-open gates of the abandoned manor.
Unfazed, he slowly stepped inside.
While dust had gathered outside the manor, the interior had been neatly cleaned, as if someone had tidied it.
"Welcome."
As he ventured further in, he found pristine curtains drawn, and from behind them came the low voice of a man.
"You've become quite the martial artist in the meantime."
The voice behind the curtain was somehow familiar.
Bu Eun-seol remained silent, and from behind the drapes, a tall shadow gradually revealed itself.
The man who emerged from behind the curtain was clad in luxurious silk robes.
Though he concealed his face behind a fan, the exposed gleam of his eyes and his physique alone allowed Bu Eun-seol to instantly discern his identity.
"...!"
"You seem to recognize who I am."
The man spoke to Bu Eun-seol in an exceedingly friendly tone.
"I don't recall ever showing you my true face."
"Your voice and the look in your eyes are the same."
"Oh-ho. Your memory is impressive. No—perhaps I should say your perception is sharp."
The man let out an admiring sigh and slowly lowered the fan covering his face.
He was a handsome man with pale skin and a prominent nose. Yet his gaze carried an inexplicable air of weariness and decadence.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly."
The man smiled faintly as he spoke.
"I am Do Cheon-rin, the Young Clan Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family."
The masked man who had first approached Bu Eun-seol on Hell Island, urging him to join their ranks.
He was none other than the rightful successor of the Bloodflame Blade Family—Do Cheon-rin.
"Curious. Can the Bloodflame Blade Family command the masters of the Demon Hall?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Do Cheon-rin chuckled softly.
"The main house didn't summon the Demon Hall's masters. It's just that the Demon Hall's masters were already our people."
Do Cheon-rin studied Bu Eun-seol like an amusing toy.
"Still the same, I see. Even back on Hell Island, you were a man of few words."
He paused briefly, then his eyes gleamed.
"You're not asking anything. Aren't you curious why I brought you here?"
"You'll tell me anyway."
At Bu Eun-seol's reply, Do Cheon-rin grinned and nodded.
"Straight to the point, as always. I like that."
Twirling his fan idly, his expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Give up on going to the Demon Hall."
His tone shifted abruptly, taking on the commanding edge of someone addressing a subordinate.
"..."
"The position of the Demon Hall's heir is not one that a martial artist like you, devoted solely to the Martial Way, can endure."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
But this silence carried a different meaning now—it was an unmistakable refusal.
"If you refuse, then from this moment on, the path to the Demon Hall will become a path of blood."
Do Cheon-rin sighed and shook his head.
"Because there are far too many who don't want you to be recognized as the heir."
"And one of them must be the Young Clan Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family."
"Hahaha."
Do Cheon-rin nodded frankly.
"Correct. Truth be told, I don't want you becoming a candidate for the Demon Hall's heir either."
The condescension in his voice faded, replaced once more by the familiar tone of an old friend.
"If you abandon your path to the Demon Hall, the main house will guarantee your safety."
"Safety?"
"Indeed. Whatever else, it was a grave mistake to leave Langya Pavilion alone, trusting only in the Demon Hall's envoys."
His voice turned icy.
"There are many masters from both the Righteous and Demonic Paths who seek your life. They will arrive here soon. By then, even if you wish to return to Langya Pavilion, it will be impossible."
"..."
"But if you renounce your claim to the Demon Hall's succession, the main house's masters will escort you immediately. So that you may return safely to Langya Pavilion."
"How strange."
Bu Eun-seol spoke flatly.
"One of the Demonic Path Ten Gates dares obstruct a disciple of Langya Pavilion, who travels under the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's decree."
"In all things, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor pays no mind to the struggles between heir candidates. After all, even He endured such trials to reach His throne."
Do Cheon-rin's eyes flashed.
"What will you do? Will you abandon your path to the Demon Hall?"
"I refuse."
At Bu Eun-seol's resolute answer, Do Cheon-rin let out a deep sigh.
"You always reject my offers. Truly a pity."
Shaking his head, he stepped back with a smile.
"Regrettable, but today may be the last time I see you."
"Perhaps."
"I know full well that you are the greatest among the Ten Demonic Heirs... but this time, survival will be difficult."
Gazing at the distant sky, Do Cheon-rin bared his white teeth.
"It seems things have already begun. Then, I wish you luck in staying alive."
Without hesitation, he turned and stepped back behind the curtain.
Swish.
With the sound of the curtain fluttering, Do Cheon-rin's presence vanished without a trace.
Watching him go, Bu Eun-seol turned toward the abandoned manor's exit.
Do Cheon-rin's words—that it had already begun—were true.
The moment he stepped beyond the great gate, seven Taoists in flowing robes blocked his path.
Though not particularly old, their eyes burned with intensity, and at their waists hung the Taiji Swords of the Wudang Sect.
They were the Seven Disciples of Wudang.
Just as Shaolin had the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, Wudang possessed two supreme formations passed down through the ages—the Seven Star Solitary Sword Formation and the Heavenly Dipper Formation.
The Seven Star Solitary Sword Formation required only mastery of the formation itself, but the Heavenly Dipper Formation demanded seven masters who had perfected the Small Blue Sword.
The Wudang Sect had always carefully selected disciples capable of fully unleashing the essence of this formation—those very disciples were the Seven Swords of Wudang.
"So you are the Ten Demonic Heir from Langya Pavilion."
Yeong-heo, the eldest among the Seven Swords, stepped forward.
When Bu Eun-seol nodded slightly, Yeong-heo spoke in a low voice.
"I see. Then prepare yourself."
The Seven Swords assumed stances in the shape of the Big Dipper, drawing their swords in a low, guarded posture.
They were ready to deploy the Heavenly Dipper Formation at any moment.
"I have no particular ties with Wudang... Just walk away."
At this moment, Bu Eun-seol had no desire to engage with the Seven Swords.
They were neither Great Righteous Experts nor swordsmen who relied purely on swordplay—instead, they wielded the power of formations. It simply didn't appeal to him.
"Our sect has always upheld the Path of Righteousness."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Yeong-heo's expression turned solemn as he spoke.
"Lately, the Ten Demonic Heirs emerging from the Demon Hall have not only slain Great Righteous Experts but have also spread havoc throughout the martial world."
"Havoc, you say?"
Bu Eun-seol smirked coldly.
"Surely you don't mean to call mere duels with Great Righteous Experts 'havoc'?"
In truth, the ones who had committed acts worthy of being called "havoc" were all Seok U-haeng's doing.
He had never fought fairly, instead employing every manner of Assassin Secret Arts, poison, and traps against the Great Righteous Experts and their trackers.
"Exactly what 'havoc' have I committed?"
Bu Eun-seol met Yeong-heo's gaze directly as he asked.
"Or does your sect possess any evidence that I've wreaked havoc upon the martial world?"
Unprepared for Bu Eun-seol's relentless questioning, Yeong-heo faltered, his expression flustered.
"Well... of course, we cannot yet say you have caused havoc. But who's to say you won't face our sect's Great Righteous Experts someday?"
"Facing Great Righteous Experts is havoc now?"
"You, too, are a Ten Demonic Heir. Who can say when you'll commit the same atrocities as your peers?"
What a preposterous argument.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he observed Yeong-heo's shameless expression.
'These people are beyond reason.'
Shaolin and Wudang were pillars of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
But after Bu Eun-seol had consecutively defeated Great Righteous Experts from their ranks, they must have felt their prestige had been tarnished.
Otherwise, there was no reason for the highly esteemed Seven Swords of Wudang to come after him.
'This will be a tedious fight.'
The Seven Swords were not so much exceptional swordsmen as they were specialists in executing the Heavenly Dipper Formation.
A battle focused not on clashing sword techniques but on dismantling the unique functions of a formation held little enjoyment for Bu Eun-seol.
"Be warned. We shall now deploy our sect's Heavenly Dipper Formation."
Even at Yeong-heo's words, Bu Eun-seol remained standing in silence.
"Draw your sword."
"I'll draw it when the time comes. Don't concern yourself."
"We do not face those who refuse to wield a weapon."
"How amusing."
"What did you say?"
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky and muttered as if speaking to himself.
"Seven striking one is righteous, but striking an unarmed opponent is unrighteous... How laughable is that?"
His eyes flickered with a bloody light as he looked down at Yeong-heo.
"Don't you find it absurd?"
Yeong-heo's face flushed crimson as he shouted.
"We Taoists uphold the righteous spirit of the orthodox path! How dare you frame it as 'many striking one'?!"
"Is that so? Then by all means, hurry and uphold the martial world's righteous spirit."
Bu Eun-seol flicked his wrist dismissively, his voice icy.
"There's no need to waste any more time."
"A demonic fiend who refuses reason! Begin!"
At Yeong-heo's cry, the remaining Seven Swords moved in a chaotic flurry, their footwork techniques activating.
Faint light shimmered around their bodies as a strange pressure formed around Bu Eun-seol.
The Heavenly Dipper Formation.
At last, the supreme formation of the Wudang Sect was about to unfold.
Whoooosh—
Simultaneously, the air around Bu Eun-seol condensed, and a violent gale surged around his fist.
The Seven Forms of the Fist Demon. With this ancient fist technique, he intended to face the Heavenly Dipper Formation.
Thud-thud-thud—
Then, from the distant sky, the Sound of Breaking Air echoed, followed by the thunderous stampede of dozens of footsteps shaking the earth.
And before long, over forty shadowy figures arrived one by one before the abandoned manor.
'Those people—!'
As Bu Eun-seol turned his head, a crimson aura flared in his eyes.
They were masters clad in the martial uniforms of the Hell Blood Citadel.