Chapter 172
Bu Eun-seol, who had departed from the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary, had already arrived in Yellow County.
The moment he entered the Bu Estate, he sought out an inn where he could rest comfortably. After much deliberation, he chose the Silver Flower Pavilion—the most luxurious establishment in the vicinity.
"I'd like to rent out the entire Separate Garden."
As soon as he entered, Bu Eun-seol handed a thousand-nyang banknote to the attendant.
At that, the chief steward, who had been in a private room on the first floor, rushed out barefoot.
"You wish to rent out the entire Separate Garden?"
"That's correct."
"Please follow me first."
Walking along the small path behind the inn, they came upon a beautiful flower garden.
Following the tranquil stone path, they soon saw a cozy building perched atop a small hill.
"There are two villas in the main pavilion's Separate Garden. One of them—"
"I'll take both."
"Alone?"
The chief steward waved his hands and earnestly dissuaded him.
"Young Master, the two villas in the main pavilion are right next to each other. If someone reserves one, the other is never rented out separately."
"It doesn't matter. I'll take both."
"Even if money is no object, how could we charge double without reason?"
Rubbing his hands together, the steward spoke with a solemn expression.
"The reason this pavilion has thrived in Yellow County for over a hundred years is not only because we provide the highest-grade facilities and top-tier service to our esteemed guests, but also because we prioritize honesty above all—"
One of the things Bu Eun-seol hated most was listening to meaningless chatter from others.
Seeing no sign of the steward's dazzlingly agile tongue stopping anytime soon, he immediately turned to leave.
"I'll go elsewhere."
At that, as if nothing had happened, the steward's eyes widened, and he exclaimed:
"Understood! We'll prepare both villas for you immediately. Attendants will be sent to assist you at once."
"..."
"The reason this pavilion has thrived for over a hundred years is precisely because we diligently fulfill our guests' every request."
The steward's lips twitched, and his mouth once again began spewing chatter.
"Incidentally, the attendants assigned to the pavilion's villas are all well-versed in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and—"
"Don't let anyone in unless I call for them. That includes the attendants."
"Pardon?"
"One more word, and I'm leaving."
"As you comm—"
Remembering Bu Eun-seol's warning just in time, the steward hastily swallowed the words that had nearly spilled from his lips.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol nod in satisfaction before turning and stepping into the inner part of the villa.
"Haaah..."
Entering the lavishly decorated bedroom, he immediately lay down.
Though matters at the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary had been resolved, the toll had left him utterly exhausted.
No matter how neutral they claimed to be, the sanctuary was still one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Entering that place alone was no different from stepping into a tiger's den.
Especially the Illusion Demon, Hyeok Gong-baek—a Great Demon whose emotions could never be read. What if even the slightest thing had gone wrong?
No matter how skilled he was at slipping away, there would have been no way to escape the pursuit of the Illusion Demon in the heart of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
In truth, he had risked his life just by setting foot in the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
'But... the gains were just as substantial.'
Though the residents of Peach Blossom Paradise all appeared as gentle old men, they were, in truth, Great Demons who had once shaken the world.
Over the past two months, while crafting coffins, he had not only learned their Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques but also uncovered their hidden secrets, one by one...
Bu Eun-seol had acquired knowledge and martial arts that even years of wandering the martial world could not have granted him.
"I'll have to absorb them slowly. All of it."
Murmuring softly, Bu Eun-seol settled into the lotus position on the bed.
Before heading to the Fleeting Moment Boat, he intended to slowly digest the insights he had gained during this time.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Having rested comfortably, Bu Eun-seol slowly rose to the sound of birdsong.
"Hmm."
Gazing up at the blazing sunlight, he felt a rare pang of hunger.
During his stay at the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary, he had barely eaten, and after four straight days of using Lightness Art to leave Lanzhou—where the sanctuary was located—he had consumed nothing but a single sip of water the day before.
No wonder hunger was creeping up on him now.
Creeeak.
As he opened the door and stepped outside the villa, pleasant sunlight and a gentle breeze greeted him.
Passing through the beautifully arranged garden and nearing the small artificial pond...
"Ah, you've finally emerged?"
A young man, who had been crouching against a large ornamental rock, sprang up and began blustering.
"Good morning!"
He was nearly as tall as Bu Eun-seol, with strikingly long, sharp eyes and pupils that gleamed intensely.
It was none other than Hyeok So-jin, the Successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
"Do you have business with me?"
Bu Eun-seol wasn't particularly surprised.
He had already sensed Hyeok So-jin crouching in the garden while he rested in the Separate Garden.
The only reason he hadn't acknowledged him sooner was because the man hadn't even bothered to conceal his presence.
"Well, not exactly business," Hyeok So-jin said, scratching his head.
"I just plan to wander the Martial World. Advancing in martial arts requires accumulating all kinds of experience, after all."
Bu Eun-seol immediately grasped his underlying intent.
Though he was the Successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, from another perspective, Hyeok So-jin was nothing more than a novice who had just stepped into the Martial World.
Rather than aimlessly drifting through murim, his intention was clear—to hone his skills by accompanying someone more experienced.
"I refuse."
"Are you serious? Traveling together would be mutually beneficial, you know?"
Bu Eun-seol gave him a puzzled look at his persistent attitude.
Since when had Hyeok So-jin, who always wore an expression of annoyance, become so shameless?
'He must have found a goal.'
A man with a purpose changes.
A blazing determination for martial arts flickered in Hyeok So-jin's eyes, gleaming with a faint radiance.
"Hmph."
Bu Eun-seol let out a cold snort and walked past him toward the guest inn's entrance.
Hyeok So-jin, who had been staring blankly at his retreating figure, bit his lip.
In all his years as the Successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, had he ever been dismissed like this?
"Fine. If I lose my temper, my journey through the Martial World will be ruined."
If he clashed with Bu Eun-seol in this situation, he wouldn't be able to properly experience the Rivers and Lakes.
For now, he would have to swallow his pride as one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates' successors.
Bu Eun-seol's meal was modest.
He ordered nothing more than a bowl of plain noodles and a plate of stir-fried vegetables.
In stark contrast, Hyeok So-jin had five different dishes brought out, along with a bottle of Snow-Red Wine that cost over thirty taels.
Not satisfied with that, he even tipped a servant to fetch additional fruits and rice cakes separately.
"Hmm, every ingredient here is of fine quality."
With an utterly nonchalant expression, Hyeok So-jin took a seat beside Bu Eun-seol.
Unconcerned by the stares of those around him, he leisurely sampled the dishes on the table—
Taking only a single bite of each.
"Though the cook's skills are somewhat lacking. They didn't bring out the ingredients' full flavor."
After surveying the spread of food before him, he set down his chopsticks with a look of disappointment.
To others, it might seem like extravagance, but for the Successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, this was simply an ordinary meal.
"Hmm."
With nothing left to do, Hyeok So-jin stole glances at Bu Eun-seol as he ate.
'He eats well.'
Bu Eun-seol moved his chopsticks slowly but ceaselessly.
Though he took small portions each time, not a single strand of noodle or piece of vegetable was left behind—each bite chewed thoroughly.
The solemn way he brought food to his mouth was almost reminiscent of an ascetic monk performing penance.
'Everything he does looks so deliberate. Is it because of those eyes?'
Intrigued, Hyeok So-jin soon found himself openly staring at Bu Eun-seol.
'Wait—'
As he scrutinized him, Hyeok So-jin's pupils gradually dilated as if he had noticed something.
There was something subtly peculiar about the way Bu Eun-seol handled his chopsticks.
A strange precision lingered in his movements—concise yet carrying an inexplicable discipline.
'He's practicing martial arts?'
Even in the simple act of lifting noodles or picking up vegetables, Bu Eun-seol was weaving the principles of martial arts into his chopstick technique.
'Madness. Absolute madness.'
Hyeok So-jin's mouth fell open as he realized Bu Eun-seol's chopsticks were executing the Chain Sword Forms.
'Researching martial arts even while eating.'
Then, Bu Eun-seol's chopstick movements shifted again.
They repeated the same motions, yet with an uncanny refinement. Slippery noodles were lifted strand by strand, clinging to the chopsticks like iron to a magnet.
'Now he's training his sense of balance?'
This time, Bu Eun-seol was refining his equilibrium, distributing force and angles with impeccable precision.
'So this is what it was.'
As he silently observed, Hyeok So-jin finally understood something.
Researching martial arts while eating, contemplating the principles of martial studies even in sleep.
Every breath, every movement—all existed solely to further his mastery of martial arts.
The Martial World was filled with countless eccentrics, but Hyeok So-jin had never imagined someone so utterly consumed by martial studies.
'And yet, his skills don't fall short compared to the other Demonic Path Ten Gates successors.'
It defied all comprehension.
'Just what drives him to immerse himself so completely in martial arts?'
Hyeok So-jin didn't know.
He didn't know that after meeting the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, Bu Eun-seol had gained a new goal.
Unprecedented.
He sought to reach a realm beyond the Extreme Heaven Realm, beyond the Martial Extreme Realm—a realm no one had ever attained before.
Click.
Just then, Bu Eun-seol, having finished his meal, rose from his seat and walked out of the guest inn.
'Where is he going?'
By the time Hyeok So-jin snapped out of his thoughts and hurried outside, Bu Eun-seol was already gone.
"No need to chase after him. He'll return to the inn eventually."
He was about to leisurely turn back toward the Separate Garden when he abruptly shook his head.
"No. I need to rid myself of this complacency first."
While separated, Bu Eun-seol could encounter powerful enemies or engage in battles against overwhelming numbers.
If Hyeok So-jin couldn't stay by his side for even a single day—twelve double-hours—then his journey through the martial world would be a failure.
"Let's see if I can find him."
Taking a deep breath, Hyeok So-jin crouched low and pressed his ear to the ground.
He activated one of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sect's ultimate arts—the Void Listening Art.
Murmur, murmur.
As the vibrations traveled through the earth, he could sense the movements of everyone within roughly fifty jang.
Among them, one figure moved with near-silent steps, light and swift.
That had to be Bu Eun-seol.
"That way."
Once he pinpointed the direction, Hyeok So-jin hastily set off.
Far from the main village, a slum had formed on the outskirts.
Places like these were usually occupied by the Hao Clan, intelligence networks of the martial world, or black-market dealers trading in poisons and hidden weapons.
As Bu Eun-seol scanned the area, his gaze settled on an old man sitting alone beneath a bridge. Without hesitation, he approached.
Then, he took out a pouch and handed over a sizable silver tael.
"Ah, thank you!"
The old man accepted the silver with trembling hands.
Flick, flick, flick.
In the briefest of moments, the old man's hands moved with imperceptible speed—so fast that no one noticed.
By the time Bu Eun-seol left the slum, a small letter was tucked in his hand.
He walked to a quiet reed field where no one would disturb him and slowly unfolded the letter.
"I wonder what the Pavilion Master has sent."
Before leaving the Demon Hall, he had sent word to Langya Pavilion via messenger pigeon.
He had informed them of his audience with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and his plans to bring the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sect and the Fleeting Moment Boat under his influence.
And now, right on schedule, a member of the Wind and Cloud Corps had delivered the reply.
—Dwell in Reverence, Exhaust the Principle.
Only four short characters were written on the letter.
Dwell in Reverence, Exhaust the Principle.
It meant to guide one's body and mind toward the true path, to devote oneself fully to understanding the principles of all things.
"A reply befitting the Pavilion Master."
For the first time in a while, a faint smile touched Bu Eun-seol's lips.
This brief letter conveyed far more meaning than pages of verbose explanations ever could.
—I believe you will succeed. I will be watching, so persevere to the end.
If he had to summarize the countless meanings condensed into those four words, that would be it.
Baek Yeon, Langya Pavilion—they had always believed in him, always supported him.
Even as he carved his path alone through the martial world, the thought of them strengthened his resolve.
Whoosh.
With a flicker of Samadhi True Fire, the letter in his hand turned to ash in an instant, scattering in the wind.
Rustle.
But just then, a man in blue robes approached swiftly from the distance and stopped before Bu Eun-seol.
It was Hyeok So-jin.
"You've wandered quite far in such a short time."
Though his tone was friendly, Hyeok So-jin couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Because Bu Eun-seol's gaze had grown colder by the second.
"Do you intend to keep following me?"
"Of course."
"I recall refusing you."
Hyeok So-jin met his words with an intensity he had never shown before.
"Then I refuse your refusal. I won't give up, no matter what."
His eyes burned with a fervor that hadn't been there before.
Somewhere along the way, Hyeok So-jin had transformed—no longer just an arrogant heir, but a martial artist truly devoted to the Martial Way.
"Hm."
Recognizing the unshakable resolve in Hyeok So-jin's heart, Bu Eun-seol briefly turned his gaze to the distant sky.
Soon, he would have to go to the Fleeting Moment Boat.
And there, far greater trials awaited him—ordeals incomparable to securing the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sect's support.
He had no time to babysit a naive newcomer.
Frowning slightly, Bu Eun-seol fell into thought—until a sudden idea flashed through his mind like a spark.
"You insist on following me, no matter what?"
"I appreciate your understanding."
"Then let's make a wager."
Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened in surprise.
Bu Eun-seol's voice dropped lower.
"Can you take my head?"