Chapter 212
Mount Tai Among Poisons. Dok Mu-jeong.
He was the master of a highly unique Poison Art called the Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi, one of countless poison techniques devised by the Hell Blood Citadel.
Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi.
It was an esoteric martial art of Hell Blood Citadel that converted all the poison energy within one's body into internal force, unleashing tremendous pressure to rupture an opponent's blood vessels.
Every time he deployed the Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi, it was said to feel like hurling a mountain forged from poison—earning him the epithet "Mount Tai Among Poisons."
"Then those must be the Blood Hand Ten Poisons..."
Heuk-pyo couldn't hide his dismayed expression.
For over a decade, Dok Mu-jeong had roamed the martial world alongside the Blood Hand Ten Poisons, whom he had personally trained.
For such a formidable master of Hell Blood Citadel to appear in a mere skirmish between the Wind Tiger Gang and hired warriors—how?
"Try blocking it again."
Whoom. Whoom.
From Dok Mu-jeong's hands poured another overwhelming pressure, as if he were hurling Mount Tai itself.
Heuk-pyo, gripping his dagger, unleashed his sword technique once more to neutralize the force, but—
Pfft!
In the end, he spat out a pebble-sized clot of blood and dropped to one knee.
With his current level of skill, Heuk-pyo simply couldn't withstand the successive waves of Heavenly Thousandfold Venom Qi's crushing pressure.
"You blocked it again..."
Dok Mu-jeong's eyes narrowed.
He had intended to crush Heuk-pyo's life in an instant, yet astonishingly, the man had endured another strike.
"You're someone who must never be left alive."
A chilling killing intent surged from his pupils.
Realizing that Heuk-pyo would become a major threat in the future, he sought to obliterate his blood vessels in one decisive strike.
"Why would a master like you involve yourself in such a petty fight?"
At that moment, Im Hwan shouted as if he couldn't comprehend it at all.
"What does Hell Blood Citadel stand to gain from this?"
Dok Mu-jeong chuckled darkly.
"You wouldn't understand."
His gaze was that of someone looking down at an insignificant insect.
And in truth, it was fitting—he could crush a man like a bug in an instant.
"Die."
Then, raising both hands, an immense pressure descended with a low vibration, bearing down like an avalanche.
Im Hwan's eyes widened as he stared into the empty air. It was an unstoppable force, like a colossal Mount Tai crashing upon them.
Swish!
But suddenly, with the sharp Sound of Breaking Air, a flying dagger shot from nowhere, aiming straight for Dok Mu-jeong's forehead.
"Hmph!"
Dok Mu-jeong redirected a portion of his Heavenly Thousandfold Venom Qi, attempting to deflect the incoming dagger.
Yet the dagger refused to yield to the pressure, continuing its deadly trajectory toward his brow.
"What—?"
Startled, Dok Mu-jeong twisted his body to evade.
Thunk.
The dagger embedded itself into a massive boulder beside him.
A cheap dagger, the kind sold in any blacksmith's shop, pierced the rock as effortlessly as tofu—as if it were a peerless treasure blade.
"This technique..."
Heuk-pyo's eyes, dim with exhaustion, widened as he stared at the boulder.
The martial world was vast, but few masters could throw such a light dagger with such crushing weight.
Moreover, this was a dagger technique meant not to kill, but to interrupt an attack.
Aside from himself, wasn't there only one person in the entire martial world who wielded such a method?
Whoosh!
A tall, striking figure descended from the sky, landing beside Heuk-pyo.
A towering stature, refined features, and strapped to his back was a strange divine sword, its scabbard dyed pitch-black.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Young Master!"
Heuk-pyo scrambled to his feet, shouting.
"Young Master! How did you—?"
"Save the explanations for later."
Bu Eun-seol bared his white teeth as he stared at Dok Mu-jeong.
"We have bugs to crush."
"Oh-ho."
Dok Mu-jeong, recognizing Bu Eun-seol at a glance, curled his lips into a frosty smile.
"An enemy of our citadel has come to me of his own accord."
"Talkative for a dead man."
At Bu Eun-seol's icy sneer, Dok Mu-jeong scoffed in disbelief.
"Bold words. Did becoming the Demon Hall's Chief go to your head?"
Then, as if remembering something, he clapped his hands and nodded.
"Ah, but I suppose it doesn't matter. Once we melt even your corpse into nothing, who will ever know?"
With a dark chuckle, Dok Mu-jeong jerked his chin toward the Blood Hand Ten Poisons.
"Dispose of him. Then use the Bone-Melting Powder."
The martial artists of the Blood Hand Ten Poisons flashed their eyes and swiftly encircled Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo.
Whoosh. Thud!
At that moment, three more figures descended from the sky with the Sound of Breaking Air, landing around Bu Eun-seol.
Hyeok So-jin, Myo Cheon-u, and Yu Un-ryong.
"So it really is the Hell Blood Citadel bastards."
Yu Un-ryong, immediately recognizing Dok Mu-jeong's identity, bared his teeth in a grin.
"Bu Eun-seol. I'll handle these stragglers."
"As you wish."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod, and Heuk-pyo swiftly stepped forward.
"Young Master, you mustn't."
Heuk-pyo spoke in a low voice as he watched Yu Un-ryong stepping forward alone.
"The Blood Hand Ten Poisons are no ordinary opponents. No matter how formidable his martial prowess may be..."
His words trailed off.
Swish!
A white light erupted from Yu Un-ryong's hand, and one of the Blood Hand Ten Poisons' masters split cleanly in two.
Heuk-pyo's eyes widened.
Only now did he realize that every single one of Bu Eun-seol's companions was an extraordinary master who had crossed into the Transcendence Realm.
"You bastards—!"
But Heuk-pyo wasn't the only one shocked.
Dok Mu-jeong's eyes trembled like rippling water as he stared at the bisected corpse of his subordinate.
"The Ten Demonic Heir!"
His voice roared, the corners of his eyes twitching faintly.
Dok Mu-jeong, who had acted like a Death God, crushing his enemies like insects—now he was trembling in fear.
Because he had realized, even if he were to die and come back to life, he stood no chance against Bu Eun-seol and his group.
"Why—why are the Ten Demonic Heirs interfering in this fight?!"
Dok Mu-jeong bellowed in fury.
"The Demonic Path Ten Gates do not encroach upon each other's affairs! Aren't you all still members of the Demonic Path Ten Gates?!"
"There are no more Ten Demonic Heirs."
Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Dok Mu-jeong. Then he gestured to the black sword at his waist.
"We are all now wandering mercenaries under the Eastern Drifters, Western Wanderers."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Not that it matters."
Bu Eun-seol's smile remained as he spoke indifferently.
"We just have to kill you all."
Dok Mu-jeong's face turned ashen.
Those were the exact words he himself had thrown at Bu Eun-seol moments ago.
'He's really going to do it.'
He could sense it—Bu Eun-seol was dead serious about slaughtering every last one of them.
"So this is how it ends."
Dok Mu-jeong shook his head bitterly.
This battle was unavoidable. Only defeat—no, only death awaited him.
For someone who had once commanded fear across the Martial World, the emotions surging within him now were indescribable.
"This matter has nothing to do with Hell Blood Citadel."
As if clinging to his last shred of pride, Dok Mu-jeong spoke quietly.
"I only intervened because of my acquaintance with the Wind Tiger Gang's leader. That's all."
Bu Eun-seol didn't respond.
From the start, Hell Blood Citadel had never looked favorably upon the Eastern Drifters, Western Wanderers.
If not for that underlying tension, a figure like Dok Mu-jeong would never have involved himself in such a fight.
"Myo Cheon-u. Yu Un-ryong."
Bu Eun-seol drew his sword and spoke calmly.
"I'll handle him. You two deal with the Blood Hand Ten Poisons."
"Don't order me around, Bu Eun-seol."
Unlike Myo Cheon-u, who stepped forward without complaint, Yu Un-ryong snapped irritably.
Yet his body moved obediently, gripping the White Horse Whip as he followed Bu Eun-seol's command.
Swish!
The first strike came from Yu Un-ryong.
The White Horse Whip split into two streaks of light, piercing through the left and right flanks of the Blood Hand Ten Poisons, forcing their formation to scatter.
Whoosh!
Through the gaps, a mist-like surge of palm energy spread outward—Myo Cheon-u's Seal-Destroying Palm.
"Tch!"
"Ghk—!"
Groans burst from the lips of the Blood Hand Ten Poisons' masters as they desperately dodged or blocked the whip strikes and palm energy.
Every time the whip or palm energy grazed their skin, terrifying internal force pierced through, seeping into their meridians.
"Argh—!"
"Kyaaagh—!"
The groans soon turned into agonized screams.
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong had long regarded each other as rivals, engaging in sparring sessions so intense they resembled real battles.
Because they were intimately familiar with each other's techniques, they could anticipate every move—and their coordination was seamless.
Their combined assault unleashed overwhelming force, as if they had spent years perfecting their teamwork.
Seamless as a Heavenly Robe.
Their attacks formed a flawless Combined Attack Art, herding the Blood Hand Ten Poisons like rats in a trap before obliterating them.
"Let's begin."
Shhhhk.
Bu Eun-seol stepped forward, slowly drawing the Ink Sword.
"Give me everything you've got."
But something was strange.
Unlike usual, Bu Eun-seol held his sword in a reverse grip, his stance unusually low.
Swish!
In an instant, he closed the distance, condensing the blade's reach as he unleashed a flurry of Sword Strokes.
From afar, it almost looked like he was wielding a dagger.
"Young Master..."
Heuk-pyo's voice trembled with awe as he watched.
He realized Bu Eun-seol was demonstrating the very same Dagger Art techniques he had once used—but perfected beyond comparison.
"Kgh—!"
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, Dok Mu-jeong hastily attempted to unleash his Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi.
But the moment he attempted to exert even the slightest pressure, the Ink Sword slid like silk, coiling around his wrist.
No matter how many times he retreated to unleash his Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi, Bu Eun-seol gave him no opening whatsoever.
It was as if he were demonstrating to Heuk-pyo how to wield a dagger at point-blank range.
"Good!"
Finding no weakness to exploit, Dok Mu-jeong summoned his full internal energy, channeling it with all his might.
Simultaneously, a dark light surged from his hands.
Poison Rigid Qi. A condensed, razor-sharp force laced with poison—meant to halt Bu Eun-seol's assault.
Swish!
Yet the moment Bu Eun-seol severed the Poison Rigid Qi in a single stroke—
"Got you!"
Dok Mu-jeong let out a triumphant cry as a thick, black poison mist began spreading from his entire body.
The Poison Rigid Qi had been a feint.
The instant Bu Eun-seol cut through it, Dok Mu-jeong employed the "Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao" tactic—diverting his opponent's attention to unleash the true essence of his Heaven-Heavy Myriad Poisons Qi in all directions.
"How predictable."
But Bu Eun-seol had already faced countless poison masters.
The moment Dok Mu-jeong formed his Poison Rigid Qi, he had anticipated such a trick.
Huuung—
With a low hum, the Ink Sword traced a half-circle in the air, and a ring of sword energy enveloped Bu Eun-seol's body.
The sixth stance of the Formless Heavenly Flow—Unchanging Defense.
Hssssss—!
As the scorching Blazing Fire True Qi within the sword energy radiated outward, Dok Mu-jeong's poison mist melted away like snow under flame.
At the same time, Dok Mu-jeong—who had been spewing poison—stood completely exposed.
"Impossible!"
Panicked, he flailed his arms and tried to retreat—
Flash!
A streak of light erupted from the Ink Sword, riding a fierce current of energy.
At first, it spilled forth slowly—then, with terrifying speed, it accelerated toward Dok Mu-jeong's fleeing figure.
The depth of internal energy within the Ink Sword was so profound that the first stroke of Shooting Star Chasing the Moon appeared to accelerate in delayed bursts.
Plip.
As the gleam of light passed by, a single drop of crimson blood fell from Dok Mu-jeong's forehead to the ground.
He glared at Bu Eun-seol, his voice low and venomous.
"Our Citadel... will have its revenge."
Thud.
Those were the final words of Dok Mu-jeong—once known as Mount Tai Among Poisons, a master of the Hell Blood Citadel.
The Wind Tiger Gang vanished from the martial world.
After eliminating Dok Mu-jeong and the Blood Hand Ten Poisons, Bu Eun-seol immediately led his party to crush the gang's stronghold.
By the hands of Bu Eun-seol, Heuk-pyo, Myo Cheon-u, and Yu Un-ryong—the sect that had entrenched itself in Fanjing Mountain was completely annihilated.
And days later...
Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo stood shoulder to shoulder as they arrived at the Heavenly Grace Grove.
In Heuk-pyo's hands was a wooden box containing the severed heads of the Wind Tiger Gang's leader, Wang Jin-gang, and his son, Wang Pung-gang.
"Thank you... Truly, thank you."
The Forest Lord of Heavenly Grace Grove, Jang Gung, received the box with trembling hands.
After lighting incense before his daughter's memorial tablet in the guest hall, he carefully placed the box before it.
"Seol-a... At last, you may rest in peace."
His voice thick with emotion, Jang Gung's hair suddenly turned stark white.
Staggering, he swayed—and Heuk-pyo swiftly caught him.
"Forest Lord!"
Upon closer inspection, a small dagger was embedded in Jang Gung's chest.
After placing the box before the tablet, he had driven the blade into his own heart.
"Thanks to your kindness... I can face my daughter in the underworld with dignity."
Blood trickling from his lips, Jang Gung clasped Heuk-pyo's hands tightly, a faint smile gracing his face.
"...Thank you... truly."
With those final words, his eyes slowly closed. At the same time, the warmth of his body faded into cold stillness.
Originally, he had intended to take his own life after his daughter's death.
But the thought of her brutal end had made it impossible for him to close his eyes in peace.
In the end, Jang Gung had sold all of Heavenly Grace Grove's assets to hire wandering mercenaries.
And now that his vengeance was complete—he departed without regret.
"Forest Lord..."
Heuk-pyo lowered his head, his expression pained.
"I should have foreseen that the Forest Lord would do this."
"It is not your fault."
Bu Eun-seol spoke to Heuk-pyo with a solemn expression.
"He achieved his wish... and left without regrets."
As if to prove those words, a satisfied smile lingered on Jang Gung's lips.
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened as he observed the scene.
Achieving one's purpose could be an endpoint—or perhaps, a new beginning.
He, too, had been running toward his own goal. And the end awaiting him might not be so different from Jang Gung's.
"Contact the Wanderer Corps to handle the aftermath here."
"Understood."
"Then let us return."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Heuk-pyo bowed deeply.
For a long time, he had fulfilled his duties as a battle mercenary of the Wandering Drifters.
Now, he would remain by Bu Eun-seol's side—to aid him once more.