Chapter 188
Though Bu Eun-seol had clearly seen through the blackened depths of Gongson Gu-reung's mind, he obediently explained his reasoning.
"Carrying that large bamboo crate was your mistake."
His eyes grew distant, as if recalling a memory from long ago.
"Since childhood, I've carried large bamboo crates filled with ceremonial offerings."
"I don't follow."
When Gongson Gu-reung's face twisted in genuine confusion, Bu Eun-seol continued impassively.
"The human spine naturally curves. But the bamboo crates used for transporting goods are too large even for an adult to carry comfortably—they hang down past the buttocks."
Then, he pointed a finger at Gongson Gu-reung's waist, where the bamboo crate rested.
"So those who carry large bamboo crates for long periods naturally bend their backs slightly to adjust the angle."
Bu Eun-seol gestured to Gongson Gu-reung's posture—shoulders slumped excessively, back bent far beyond what was natural.
"You overarched your back like a drawn bow to appear like an ordinary young man. But a porter with no martial arts wouldn't carry a basket like that. His back would hurt too much to even walk."
"Heh heh heh. So that's how it was."
Finally understanding the secret he'd missed, Gongson Gu-reung erupted in sinister laughter.
"I suppose I shouldn't bother carrying useless crates anymore."
At that, Hwangbo Cheon-gyeong, who had been flanking Gongson Gu-reung, smirked arrogantly.
"Gongson Gu-reung. Do you really think there will be a 'from now on' after today?"
The sudden interruption made a sickly yellow killing intent bloom in Gongson Gu-reung's pupils.
"Stay out of this, brat."
"Brat? Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"Hahahaha!"
Gongson Gu-reung suddenly burst into mad laughter.
His Internal Power infused that laughter, making the mountains and rivers tremble with its resonance.
"Oh, I know exactly who you are—little whelps of the Eight Great Clans."
"Then you must also know today will be your last."
Jegal Seo-un's icy retort only made Gongson Gu-reung grin more darkly.
"You clever lot—did you really think you'd tracked me down?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying I knew everything from the start. That you brats from three clans were chasing me on your own."
The smile vanished from Jegal Seo-un's lips in an instant.
Because that single remark from Gongson Gu-reung shattered every prediction Jegal Seo-un had meticulously planned until now.
"From the fact that pursuers from the families have surrounded the area near Daemyeong Mountain..."
Gongson Gu-reung bared his white teeth in a wide grin.
"...to the fact that you've all joined forces to guard this path."
As he chuckled malevolently, the skin stretched over his face twitched unnaturally, creating a grotesque atmosphere.
Jegal Seo-un's eyelids trembled faintly.
Gongson Gu-reung's words meant not only had all the families' intelligence been leaked, but that a formidable information network was backing him.
"If you knew, why come here at all?"
Moyong Gyeong, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up. Gongson Gu-reung smirked.
"Because I'd rather skin young, tender brats than withered old men."
His tongue flicked out as he gazed at Bu Eun-seol with rapture.
"And because I've finally found a treasure I couldn't locate in decades of searching."
Bu Eun-seol's face and skin, altered by the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, appeared utterly ordinary.
But the Suspicious Madman, who had dissected humans for decades, seemed to see right through to his true skin.
"I'm glad I listened to him. Heh heh heh."
'Him?'
A flash of insight crossed Bu Eun-seol's mind in that instant.
The image of the masked figures aboard the Jiaolong Gang's ship surfaced in his thoughts.
"Rant all you want, Gongson Gu-reung."
Moyong Gyeong stepped forward, his expression calm.
"The fact that you'll die today remains unchanged."
Shiiing.
Moyong Gyeong drew the sharp treasured sword at his waist.
In response, the Hwangbo siblings also unleashed a razor-sharp energy, as if channeling their Internal Power.
Just as the tension reached its breaking point, Jegal Seo-un shouted loudly:
"Lin, now!"
A feigned battle stance followed by a sudden escape—a common tactic among fugitives.
Knowing this full well, they immediately deployed a defensive formation to block any escape routes.
Swish, swish, swish—
The sound of rustling grass filled the air as the edges of the flat clearing blurred, and a faint mist began to coil around them.
Jegal Seo-rin, who had been hiding in the trees, had activated the formation.
"The Jegal Family's Fixed Six Harmonies Formation, is it?"
Gongson Gu-reung, recognizing the formation instantly, curled his lips into a cruel smile.
"Did you really think I'd run?"
The Fixed Six Harmonies Formation wasn't some grand battle array—it was a simple directional trap, meant only to disorient and prevent escape.
"Brat, you must be dreaming. Heh heh heh."
"Hmph. The main house doesn't step forward unless they're confident."
Jegal Seo-un, his confidence restored, allowed himself a faint smile.
Every member of their party was at least at the Peak Realm, and they had two exceptional masters—Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
Even if Gongson Gu-reung's strength neared the Transcendent Realm, this level of combat power was more than enough to handle him.
"For a murderer, you sure run your mouth."
Among the Hwangbo brothers flanking Gongson Gu-reung, Hwangbo Cheon-gyeong adjusted his Thundering Heaven Gauntlets and lowered his stance.
"Shall we begin?"
At that, Jegal Seo-un drew his Six Harmonies Fan, and Moyong Gyeong raised his treasured sword.
But something was strange.
Even as battle loomed, Bu Eun-seol's brows were deeply furrowed, his gaze fixed intently on something behind Gongson Gu-reung.
"Young Hero Bu—"
Just as Jegal Seo-un opened his mouth in confusion—
BOOOOM—
A low vibration shook the earth.
From Gongson Gu-reung's body erupted a sharp energy, followed by an overwhelming surge of True Qi that shot into the sky.
The shockwave took visible form, its outline stark against the air.
"This can't be..."
Jegal Seo-un's eyes widened at the unexpected sight.
Materialized True Qi.
That was a majesty only masters who had reached 120 years of internal energy and perfected the Transcendent Realm could display—wasn't it?
"How... is this possible?"
Even Moyong Gyeong and the Hwangbo brothers stood slack-jawed.
But Jegal Seo-un quickly snapped back to his senses and shouted:
"Stay sharp! Didn't we already consider the possibility he might've broken into the Transcendent Realm?"
This was precisely why they had gone to such lengths to recruit Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
"If we can just withstand his offensive, we can take him down."
Hwangbo Je-gyeong clenched his fist with renewed confidence.
"You're right. My brother and I can—"
His bold words were cut short.
CRACK—BOOM!
A deafening Sound of Breaking Air split the sky as a colossal Palm Energy crashed down where the Hwangbo brothers stood.
"Who's there?!"
Startled, the brothers flung themselves to either side.
KABOOM!
The spot they had occupied a second earlier was now a crater shaped like a massive handprint—a terrifying display of power that defied belief.
Whoooosh—
As the thick dust began to scatter in the wind—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A strange, rhythmic footstep echoed.
Though they stood on a mountain path of dirt and grass, the sound was crisp, as if someone were walking on polished marble.
Tap.
Finally, two figures emerged.
The one on the left wore snow-white robes, while the one on the right was clad in black.
Their skin matched their clothing—the left one's complexion was unnaturally pale, as if painted with powder, while the right one's was ink-black, like ground charcoal.
The tapping came from the wooden clogs they wore.
"Hmph. None of them look particularly tasty."
The black-robed man spoke, revealing teeth stained pitch-black.
"No point ruining my appetite."
The white-robed one grinned, baring sharp, pointed teeth.
"I think they look usable. Might keep them around for a while."
Shiver.
Jegal Seo-un's body trembled slightly as he stared at the grotesque figures.
A name surfaced in his mind—one belonging to the most bizarre and cruel masters in the murim.
"Black and White Impermanence...!"
The Black and White Impermanence.
Monstrous martial artists so depraved that even the Blood Gate, one of Murim's Four Great Vicious Places, had expelled them.
The Black Impermanence, Great Strength God, killed and devoured human flesh.
The White Impermanence, Jeon Mu-yeol, slaughtered women for no reason and indulged in male lovers.
They had long been wanted criminals of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths, having vanished from the martial world ages ago... So why had they appeared here now?
'It was a trap!'
Jegal Seo-un's instincts screamed in alarm.
The long-missing Black and White Impermanence appearing alongside the Suspicious Madman on the very same day? This was no mere coincidence—such a situation could never occur by chance.
"That one's skin belongs to me,"
Just then, the Suspicious Madman pointed at Bu Eun-seol and declared.
"I won't yield that boy's hide even in death."
"Hohoho. No need to worry."
Baring his pointed teeth in a grin, White Impermanence stretched out a finger.
"I prefer rugged, manly boys like those over there rather than girlish brats like him."
Instantly, the faces of the Hwangbo brothers turned ashen.
White Impermanence's outstretched finger was pointing directly at them.
"Then it's settled."
At this, Black Impermanence tilted his head toward the towering tree opposite them, revealing his blackened teeth.
"In that case, the little one hiding up there is mine."
His gaze fixed upon the very tree where Jegal Seo-rin lay concealed.
"Looks tender enough to chew whole."
Grind.
As the Black and White Impermanence gnashed their teeth in unison, Jegal Seo-un, Moyong Gyeong, and the Hwangbo brothers felt their souls nearly flee their bodies.
'How is this—'
A nightmare beyond imagination was unfolding before their eyes.
The Suspicious Madman, once known as a Peak Realm assassin, had now reached the perfected Transcendent Realm.
Behind him stood a terrifying intelligence network capable of toying with the intelligence-gathering prowess of the Eight Great Clans—and now, monsters like the Black and White Impermanence had emerged to aid him?
Victory was impossible. Even escape was out of the question.
'I was wrong.'
At last, Jegal Seo-un understood.
Why the pursuit teams of the Three Great Families had joined forces just to hunt down a single murderer.
Why the elders of the clans had ignored his advice and refused to split their forces.
'The chiefs anticipated even this unforeseen development—that's why they didn't divide the pursuit teams further.'
Jegal Seo-un lowered his head.
No matter how skilled he was in Mystic Calculation Strategy, compared to seasoned veterans of the martial world, he was still just a greenhorn.
In the battles of the martial world, misjudging the enemy meant only one outcome—death.
"Shall we begin?"
Snap!
Black Impermanence moved first. Licking his lips, he lunged toward the towering tree.
Yet Jegal Seo-un and his party could only stand frozen, their gazes unfocused.
Overwhelming terror had locked their bodies in place.
"Hehehe."
Just as Black Impermanence stretched out his hand toward the tree where Jegal Seo-rin hid—
Crackle!
A flame like the sun erupted into the night sky, followed by—
BOOM!
Five streaks of fist energy tore through the air, slamming into Black Impermanence's chest and face.
"Guh—!"
Forced back by the razor-sharp force, Black Impermanence twisted midair and landed back on the ground.
"Who dares?!"
Thud.
As his feet touched the earth, Black Impermanence's jaw dropped at the sight before him.
"How...?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been standing before the Suspicious Madman mere moments ago, now blocked his path.
In that instant, not just Black Impermanence, but even the Suspicious Madman and White Impermanence widened their eyes in shock.
When had Bu Eun-seol moved? How had he crossed the distance to intercept Black Impermanence without a trace?
"To think such a ghostly movement technique existed in the martial world..."
Black Impermanence let out an intrigued chuckle.
"I've devoured countless young brats, but never one with a stealth technique like yours."
Unfazed by the praise, Bu Eun-seol coolly turned his gaze toward the empty air opposite him.
"So-jin."
"Yes."
"This one is yours."
"Understood."
With a low reply, Hyeok So-jin—who had concealed his presence until now—stepped forward before Black Impermanence.
"Ugh."
Taking in the sight of Black Impermanence's blackened teeth, Hyeok So-jin grimaced and muttered,
"When was the last time you brushed these?"
'This insolent little—'
Crack.
In that instant, veins bulged across Black Impermanence's forehead before—
"Die!"
Five razor-sharp streaks of energy surged toward Hyeok So-jin's face.
At last, Black Impermanence unleashed his True Body Supreme Art—the Black Force Demon Claw.