Chapter 164
Swish.
At that moment, Song-ak's sword stroke transformed once more.
As an unexpected series of opening moves continued in rapid succession, Bu Eun-seol swiftly twisted his body to evade the sword strokes.
In response, Song-ak switched again to the Two Modes Sword, thrusting toward the vital point on Bu Eun-seol's upper chest.
'This man's swordsmanship is unfathomably profound.'
If what Song-ak had displayed were merely simple sword strokes, altering them from the Middle Path would not have been difficult.
But to swiftly shift between the opening strokes of intricate and profound sword techniques like the Two Modes Sword and the Taiji Wisdom Sword—renowned as the most mystical in the world?
That was nearly impossible unless one had not only spent years honing the sword but also achieved perfect comprehension of the sword techniques themselves.
'Is this the difference in time spent refining sword arts?'
Bu Eun-seol had not yet reached the realm where he could freely transform the sword strokes of the Formless Heavenly Flow.
Because of this, he couldn't respond swiftly enough to Song-ak's ever-shifting sword strokes from the Middle Path.
Clang, clang.
Meanwhile, Song-ak conjured dozens of circular sword flowers around Bu Eun-seol.
This was the pinnacle stroke of the Taiji Wisdom Sword—a technique that continuously traced arcs of sword qi, forming an impenetrable defense around the wielder.
Flash!
In an instant, Bu Eun-seol scattered radiant white cross-shaped sword qi in all directions, rapidly altering his sword strokes to push back against the Taiji Wisdom Sword's circular barrier.
Yet no matter what sword strokes he unleashed, he couldn't shatter those circular waves of sword qi. And since this wasn't a Killing Sword Form, even the Fluorescent Sword Control couldn't block it.
Moreover, just as Bu Eun-seol's attacks ended, those circular waves of Taiji Wisdom Sword qi would sometimes shift into the Two Modes Sword's razor-sharp assaults.
'There's only one way left!'
Unable to destroy the circular sword qi dominating the space, Bu Eun-seol deliberately exposed an opening.
If he couldn't breach the Taiji Wisdom Sword's defensive stance, he would seize the moment when Song-ak switched to offense.
Clang!
Finally, the Taiji Wisdom Sword shifted to attack.
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol channeled his true qi with full force.
Whoooosh—
Having reached the Fifth Layer of the Counter-Polar Internal Art, Bu Eun-seol's internal energy surpassed even three sixty-year cycles.
As he unleashed his full power, tangible true qi began coalescing around the Ink Sword.
"Haaap!"
With a battle cry, Bu Eun-seol launched his attack.
But instead of the Ink Sword, he stretched out his left palm wide—unleashing the Fist Demon Seven Forms.
Fwoooosh!
An intangible current of energy surged outward, and a storm of overwhelming true qi crashed against the circular sword qi.
This was the fourth form of the Fist Demon Seven Forms—the Heavenly Hand Empty Wave, said to annihilate all in its path.
BOOOOM!
It should have been impossible to repel sword qi with an intangible fist technique.
But Bu Eun-seol had materialized his internal true qi, forcibly pushing back Song-ak's sword qi inch by inch.
"...!"
As the sword qi was driven back by the overwhelming fist energy, Song-ak, startled, halted the Taiji Wisdom Sword.
With that, Song-ak's figure was revealed at the center of the dispersing circular sword qi.
Snap!
Bu Eun-seol didn't miss the opening. He lunged straight toward Song-ak at the center.
The remnants of the circular sword qi tore through both of Bu Eun-seol's shoulders, but he paid it no mind, thrusting the Ink Sword forward.
'The sword strokes I've used so far won't work!'
Song-ak's sword techniques had already reached the Heaven-Earth Void Completion.
If Bu Eun-seol missed this chance, only defeat awaited him.
Huuuum...
With a low sword resonance, the tip of the Ink Sword bent like a thread of barley malt syrup, continuously transforming.
At last, a sword form he had never attempted before.
The seventh stroke of the Formless Heavenly Flow—a single sword unleashing one hundred and eight transformations to pierce through every defense.
The Returning God Destroying Earth was unleashed.
Claaaang!
At the same moment, Song-ak's Taiji Sword also erupted in dazzling light, clashing against Bu Eun-seol's strike.
As a gust of wind scattered the swirling dust, the two swordsmen's final strokes were about to collide—
"..."
Suddenly, the world fell silent. No sound could be heard.
Whoooosh...
A dry wind swept through the forest, clearing away the thick dust.
Then, gradually, the figures of the two men were revealed.
"..."
Bu Eun-seol stood tall, the tip of his Ink Sword resting against Song-ak's uvula.
Meanwhile, Song-ak, twisted in posture with his arm extended, had his sword pressed against Bu Eun-seol's lower abdomen.
Because their blades touched each other's bodies simultaneously, neither could complete their thrust.
Drip, drip.
Blood trickled down Song-ak's neck, sliced by the razor-sharp edge of the sword.
"Your internal energy is formidable."
Though both had thrust their swords simultaneously, Song-ak's blade had stopped just a hair's breadth from Bu Eun-seol's skin.
The overwhelming qi energy imbued within Returning God Destroying Earth had forced his sword back ever so slightly.
"Internal energy is still part of martial arts. In the end, this can be considered my defeat."
Even as Song-ak spoke, Bu Eun-seol's expression remained grim.
'I still have a long way to go.'
Returning God Destroying Earth was an opening technique he had devised based on Dan Cheong's Sword Art, which could unleash one hundred and eight transformations in a single strike.
Had he executed it perfectly, Song-ak's head would have already been severed.
But the transformations he had managed to produce numbered only eighty-one.
Clang. Click.
As if by mutual agreement, both sheathed their swords at the same time.
Their swordsmanship was evenly matched—only the depth of their internal energy differed.
Song-ak wore a bitter expression.
"Among the younger generation, I thought the only one who could rival me was Gwang-yeon... Yet it seems there was another Hidden Dragon."
"Gwang-yeon?"
"A Great Righteous Expert from Shaolin. Though his seniority is low, confining him to the role of a Sweeping Monk, his martial prowess is unmatched—truly Shaolin's Greatest Prodigy."
Having said this, he fixed Bu Eun-seol with a piercing gaze.
"Today, I concede defeat. But next time, things will be different."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod, and Song-ak cleared his throat before adding:
"Though before our next duel, let's share a drink. What do you say?"
A smile as bright as sunlight played at the corners of his lips.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring at him silently, exhaled a low sigh and nodded again.
"Fine."
"It's a promise, then."
With a flash of white teeth, Song-ak laughed, then vanished mid-air with a burst of Movement Technique.
Bu Eun-seol watched his departure in silence—until suddenly, ptui—he spat out a pebble-sized clot of blood onto the ground.
"Hngh..."
His pupils trembled like rippling water.
The Formless Heavenly Flow, composed of six initial and four final sword forms, was a culmination of Langya Pavilion'sSword Studies.
The latter four forms, in particular, were techniques that could only be executed upon reaching the Extreme Heaven Realm—crafted under Dan Cheong's guidance.
"As expected of Wudang. Truly worthy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Shaolin."
Recalling Song-ak's Sword Techniques, he shook his head.
What if he hadn't reached the Fifth Layer of the Counter-Polar Internal Art?
Forcing Returning God Destroying Earth would have been impossible—and Song-ak's sword would have pierced straight through his abdomen.
"This isn't an injury that will heal easily."
Though he had always recovered swiftly from internal wounds, this time was different.
This was no external impact—his qi vessels had reversed from forcibly executing the sword technique, leaving him with a deep internal injury that wouldn't mend quickly.
It would take roughly three days to reach the Demon Hall.
But there was no guarantee enemies wouldn't come for him before then.
"No matter."
Bu Eun-seol would not yield to any trial.
Like a man forged of steel, indifferent to pain, he silently resumed his steps.
The dark sky gradually brightened.
Having pressed onward without rest, Bu Eun-seol finally entered Chengdu, where the Demon Hall stood.
Just half a day's journey remained.
The streets bustled as if it were market day, vendors setting up stalls wherever space allowed.
His footsteps heavy, he suddenly halted.
The world fell silent—then, as if parting waves, the merchants and townsfolk began to withdraw.
Soon, only overturned stalls and produce rolling in the desolate wind remained scattered across the road.
Yet Bu Eun-seol walked forward as if seeing nothing.
At the end of the street, lined up like soldiers, stood a force of at least three hundred martial artists.
"You've all come at once."
Blocking the entire road were the masters of Hell Blood Citadel and White Horse Temple.
But Bu Eun-seol regarded them with indifference.
At the vanguard stood three familiar figures—Ok Gi-ryung, Eum Wi, and Jin Ja-myeong.
"Bu Eun-seol! You will never set foot in the Demon Hall!" Jin Ja-myeong roared.
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"We'll see."
His internal injury had yet to heal. Worse, after three days and nights of relentless travel, his stamina was already at its limit.
But he squared his shoulders and strode forward.
"Let's give it a try."
Bu Eun-seol's steps were as dignified as a lion's, heavier than Mount Tai itself.
One step, two steps...
The closer he got, the more killing intent flared in the eyes of the martial artists from White Horse Temple and Hell Blood Citadel.
A battle of one against three hundred.
An impossible fight from the very start. And just as the prelude to that battle was about to begin—
"WHO DARES BLOCK THE PATH OF THE MAIN PAVILION'S SUCCESSOR?!"
A thunderous roar shook the heavens. At the same time, twenty masters descended from the sky, landing one after another behind Bu Eun-seol.
Kwoong.
The first to land was a man carrying an enormous great blade on his back.
Behind him, martial artists wielding all manner of weapons stood in a neat formation, arranged in the shape of the written character for "rank".
Though their expressions were as leisurely as if they had come out for a stroll, an aura as vast as Mount Tai radiated from their entire beings.
"Unit Leader?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
Because they were none other than the members of Langya Pavilion's Innovation Unit.
"Young brat, you've been doing well?"
"Unit Leader. How...?"
"You did well."
So-jeon placed a hand on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder as he spoke.
"As a disciple of Langya Pavilion, you've shown not a single shred of disgrace."
When Bu Eun-seol bowed his head, Je Un, the Deputy Unit Leader standing behind So-jeon, grinned.
"Bu Eun-seol. You looked pretty desperate back there. It was cool."
At that, the other squad members burst into laughter, each chiming in.
"Wasn't he practically raised by us? Of course he'd pull that off!"
"Once everything's settled, you have to come to the Innovation Unit. Bu Eun-seol!"
"Quit spouting nonsense. Why would the future Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion join the Innovation Unit?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had walked forward without hesitation despite facing an army of three hundred while still injured.
The Innovation Unit members, watching that sight, swelled with pride—and because of it, their morale soared to the heavens.
"So-jeon...!"
Jin Ja-myeong's mouth fell open as he recognized So-jeon, Leader of the Innovation Unit.
He was a warrior who could fight a thousand alone, possessing martial prowess that stood unrivaled even within Langya Pavilion.
And weren't his subordinates the very monsters who had annihilated entire sects with just a handful of members?
Step back, step back.
Jin Ja-myeong and the forces of Hell Blood Citadel and White Horse Temple instinctively retreated.
No matter how fierce and brave they were, they stood no chance against the Innovation Unit—the very squad that had swept entire sects off the map.
"Step aside!"
At So-jeon's sharp command, the masters blocking the path from Hell Blood Citadel and White Horse Temple hesitated.
If they didn't move, they would have to clash with the Innovation Unit right here.
Of course, they weren't afraid of death... but the outcome was so painfully obvious that they faltered.
Jin Ja-myeong, Eum Wi, and Ok Gi-ryung exchanged glances, sweat dripping down their faces.
Then, as if resigned, they nodded.
Swoosh—
At once, the three hundred martial artists split into two lines, clearing the path.
"Hmph. To think the Demonic Path Ten Gates would rely on sheer numbers to throw their weight around."
Even at So-jeon's sneer, they couldn't muster a single word in response.
Even if they had ten mouths, they had nothing to say.
After all, they—three entire battle groups from White Horse Temple and Hell Blood Citadel—had joined forces just to corner a single young disciple of Langya Pavilion...
"Do well."
As So-jeon patted his back, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
"Then I will return."
Once more, Bu Eun-seol took a step forward.
One step, two steps... until he stood tall before the martial artists of Hell Blood Citadel and White Horse Temple.
Then, he paused briefly and swept his gaze over the assembled warriors.
His demeanor wasn't that of an enemy—but rather, like a lord surveying his own subordinates.
"...!"
The martial artists who met Bu Eun-seol's eyes unconsciously straightened their postures.
Because from this young man emanated the bearing of an Absolute Grandmaster—one who could tread the world beneath his feet.
Creeeak—
Finally, as Bu Eun-seol reached the end of the path, the massive gates of the Demon Hall, tightly shut until now, slowly began to open.
At the entrance, warriors clad in black martial robes stood in two endless lines, their swords raised high.
A display of respect—
For the candidate to succeed the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the one who would one day rule the Demon Hall...
And for Bu Eun-seol, who had overcome countless trials to arrive here.
Swish.
As Bu Eun-seol strode forward with unwavering dignity—
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud...
With every step he took, the warriors of the Demon Hall set down their swords in unison, bowing once more.
Their formation stretched all the way to the deepest heart of the Demon Hall.
And at its end, a colossal hall loomed, its majesty pressing down upon the earth itself as if to greet him.
'This is the Holy Demon Pavilion...'
At last, he had arrived before the Holy Demon Pavilion—where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor resided.