Chapter 227
Shudder.
Bu Eun-seol's pitch-black body trembled violently.
At the same time, the thick, roiling black True Qi rising from him began to fade away.
Ak Mu-ryeong was forcibly injecting his power into Bu Eun-seol's meridians, extinguishing the force of the Willful True Binding.
"..."
But something was strange.
As Ak Mu-ryeong's power flowed in, Bu Eun-seol's mind instead grew clearer, and an abnormal energy surged through his body.
'Mind Obeys, Spirit Moves...'
Suddenly, the final verse of the Emotion Severing Secret Art flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
'That is, one must wield intent in accordance with the mind.'
Ak Mu-ryeong, who harbored no trace of emotion in his heart, had reached the pinnacle of the Emotion Severing Secret Art.
And now, as he poured the power of Phantom Restoration into Bu Eun-seol, the incomplete Emotion Severing Secret Art began to stabilize.
'My qi and blood aren't boiling.'
Had he used the Willful True Binding to this extent consecutively, his qi and blood would have been searing hot, twisted and scorched.
But now, there were no symptoms at all. Instead, his mind felt refreshed, and his body brimmed with vitality.
Flash!
A glimmer of light rose in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he fully emerged from Ak Mu-ryeong's power.
Watching this, a cold blue glow flared in Ak Mu-ryeong's pupils.
[Sado Mu-myeong... This bastard is playing tricks...]
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor must have predicted that if Ak Mu-ryeong met Bu Eun-seol, he would unleash the power of Phantom Restoration.
And he must have foreseen that Phantom Restoration's power would stabilize Bu Eun-seol's Emotion Severing Secret Art even further.
'Fascinating.'
Bu Eun-seol, too, found it strange.
The power Ak Mu-ryeong had poured in to erase the Emotion Severing Secret Art had instead become a force protecting his qi and blood?
Could it be that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had anticipated this and made him learn the Emotion Severing Secret Art?
'If so... then the Demonic Heavenly Emperor...'
Bu Eun-seol felt a wave of confusion.
He had thought the Emotion Severing Secret Art was merely a method for making him into a sword the Demonic Heavenly Emperor could wield as he pleased.
Yet here it was, shielding him from Ak Mu-ryeong's Phantom Restoration while simultaneously refining his meridians to better harness the Willful True Binding.
Just then, Ak Mu-ryeong let out a deep sigh.
[Sado Mu-myeong. Sado Mu-myeong...!]
As reverence and rivalry toward the Demonic Heavenly Emperor surged within him, the flow of Phantom Restoration's power weakened.
'Now!'
The crimson glow of Blood Light flashed once more in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, his mind now perfectly clear.
If he missed this moment, he wouldn't escape Ak Mu-ryeong's bizarre power.
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Sword.
Swiish!
And without pause, he unleashed the Formless Heavenly Flow toward Ak Mu-ryeong.
A direct attack.
This was the only way to transform Ak Mu-ryeong's mental assault into a physical battle.
Thud!
As the Ink Sword drove toward his throat, Ak Mu-ryeong flicked his finger lightly.
Clang!
With a clear Metallic Sound, the sword bent like a bow, sending Bu Eun-seol flying back dozens of yards.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Blood dripped from Bu Eun-seol's hand gripping the Ink Sword.
Ak Mu-ryeong's overwhelming Finger Wind had struck the blade, tearing his grasp apart.
Flash!
Then, a jade-green light streaked down from the sky like lightning.
It was Dan Cheong.
"Pavilion Lord!"
He had sensed Ak Mu-ryeong unleashing his power while descending Iron Palm Peak and had rushed back.
"This child is the one who will shoulder Langya Pavilion's future."
"..."
"Do you intend to repeat the same tragedy?"
Despite his desperate plea, Ak Mu-ryeong's expression remained unchanged.
Dan Cheong tensed.
Though he feared nothing in this world, Ak Mu-ryeong was the sole exception.
Not simply because of his overwhelming martial prowess—but because he knew all too well that Ak Mu-ryeong, in his pursuit of the pinnacle of martial arts, would slaughter every disciple of Langya Pavilion without batting an eye.
[Heh heh heh...]
Suddenly, Ak Mu-ryeong pointed at Bu Eun-seol and burst into laughter.
[Ahahaha!]
His Mad Laughter, directed at the sky, abruptly ceased.
[Why did you turn a mental assault into a real fight?]
Then, looking down at Bu Eun-seol, whose blood dripped steadily, he spoke.
[Don't tell me you truly intended to fight this Pavilion Lord in earnest.]
"How could I?"
Bu Eun-seol answered without faltering, his grip on the Ink Sword firm.
"I merely struggled as best as I could."
[Struggled, you say.]
Ak Mu-ryeong's murmur was low as he studied Bu Eun-seol.
His unwavering eyes shimmered like the full moon in the night sky—soft yet radiant.
In that instant, Ak Mu-ryeong's hand tensed.
'Sado Mu-myeong. You bastard...'
Only now did he understand why the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had been watching Bu Eun-seol—and what he desired.
'Fine. We'll see.'
[Your goal is clear, so there is no need for restraint. That is why you broke free from the constraints of sword techniques and factional discipline.]
The look in Ak Mu-ryeong's eyes as he regarded Bu Eun-seol had changed.
[Obsession with a single purpose aligns with the state of Empty Mind. You hesitate at nothing, allow no obstacle to stand in your way to achieve your goal.]
Bu Eun-seol had always had only one goal.
As an orphan, it was simply not starving to death.
After meeting Bu Jan-yang, it was to become the greatest undertaker to help his grandfather.
And now, he strives to become a martial artist who will bow to no one in order to avenge his grandfather.
With innate talent and ability—not to mention looks so striking that any woman would fall for him—
how many people could remain utterly fixated on a single goal without ever being distracted by anything else?
[Good.]
Ak Mu-ryeong spoke in a low voice.
[Let us postpone matters concerning the Demon Hall for now.]
Dan Cheong was greatly startled.
Never before had Ak Mu-ryeong gone back on his own words—not even once.
Swish.
In that brief moment, Ak Mu-ryeong's gaze and voice had shifted. Withdrawing his stare, he slowly turned his body and gazed at the distant sky.
A silent expulsion order.
Bu Eun-seol couldn't comprehend this abrupt change, but he immediately sheathed his Ink Sword and clasped his hands together.
"Then."
Bu Eun-seol descended Iron Staff Peak alongside Dan Cheong.
He had faced countless crises before, but never had death felt so close.
The Pavilion Lord of Langya Pavilion, Ak Mu-ryeong, was a Great Demonic Person whose mindset defied the comprehension of ordinary humans.
"Hmm."
As Bu Eun-seol let out a quiet sigh while recalling Ak Mu-ryeong's presence, Dan Cheong furrowed his brow.
"Bu Eun-seol."
"I'm fine."
Bu Eun-seol forced a smile as he spoke.
"By the way, Pavilion Lord, you've truly reached an unfathomable realm."
The Pavilion Lord hadn't even exerted his full strength.
From his perspective, it was merely a matter of crushing an annoying bug—only to find, unexpectedly, that it hadn't died—prompting him to lift his finger.
"At your age, you're likely the first to withstand the power of Summit-Gathering Spirit Transformation and Phantom Restoration Return that the Pavilion Lord unleashed."
At Dan Cheong's words, Bu Eun-seol wore a dry smile.
"I don't think the Pavilion Lord ever intended to kill me in the first place."
Had Ak Mu-ryeong truly exerted his full power?
Even a master standing at the threshold of the Extreme Heaven Realm would have lost their ego and turned into a mindless husk.
"You should take pride in that."
Dan Cheong spoke with a satisfied expression.
"The number of people who could endure such power without their spirit collapsing can be counted on one hand."
"Is that so?"
Even though he had teetered on the brink of annihilation in an inescapable abyss of suffering,
Bu Eun-seol's expression was as if he had merely been roughed up by some local thugs.
Hmm.
Dan Cheong shook his head.
Ak Mu-ryeong, with his inhuman appearance and power, was one thing—
but even Bu Eun-seol, with his ethereally beautiful features, now seemed like a monster in his own right.
What in the world lies beneath that seemingly frail body, to possess a will even the Pavilion Lord couldn't break?
Just then, Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth as if remembering something.
"Has there been any word from the Demon Hall?"
"A message had come, as a matter of fact."
Dan Cheong gave a wry smile.
"The Demon Hall Lord declared that if we didn't send you back unharmed, he would dispatch the Demon Hall's troops."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol nearly laughed.
It wasn't just Ak Mu-ryeong who felt a sense of rivalry.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, too, had made it clear he wouldn't hesitate to use force to keep hold of a talent like Bu Eun-seol.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor...
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as he thought of him.
What kind of man was he? Were his intentions toward Bu Eun-seol benevolent or malicious? It was impossible to tell.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Dan Cheong spoke then.
"The Pavilion Lord may have seemed murderous to you, but he isn't purely a bad-natured man."
"I know."
"But the Demon Hall Lord is different."
At this unexpected remark, Bu Eun-seol blinked.
"That man became the ruler of the Demon Hall despite not being from the Demonic Path Ten Gates. He crushed the Elders' Hall, the Ten Gates, and even forces from Beyond the World to claim that position."
"..."
"No one can fathom his true nature, and no one knows what he plans. Why else would the position of Deputy Hall Lord remain vacant for so long?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The strongest figures he had encountered so far had at least been somewhat predictable.
But the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was the only one whose depths were unfathomable—and who gave the unsettling impression that he knew something Bu Eun-seol didn't.
"It's not a level of threat you can guard against, but you must still be cautious."
Dan Cheong's voice was low.
"The Demon Hall Lord—and the Demon Hall itself—are far more treacherous and sinister than you imagine."
"Understood."
As Bu Eun-seol bowed his head, Dan Cheong spoke again.
"Will you go to the Demon Hall?"
"Yes."
"Before that, there's something you must do."
Dan Cheong's expression was grave and solemn.
Whatever this task was, it clearly wouldn't be easy. Bu Eun-seol steeled his resolve and clasped his hands firmly.
"I will take on anything you ask of me."
Then, with utmost seriousness, Dan Cheong said:
"The pavilion is critically short-handed—we're practically dying from overwork."
Dan Cheong gripped Bu Eun-seol's shoulder like a hawk's talons and spoke earnestly.
"Don't leave for the Demon Hall just yet. Stay and help with the pavilion's work for half a month."
Late at night.
In his newly built, gleaming quarters, Bu Eun-seol sat at a desk, diligently wielding his brush.
Swish, swish.
What he was writing was a martial arts manual.
The truth was, Langya Pavilion lacked systematic instruction.
Well aware of this, he had spent several sleepless nights composing a secret manual titled Langya Flowing Formation.
"Your task is to make the rounds throughout our pavilion and show your face."
A few days prior, Dan Cheong had given Bu Eun-seol this order.
"Tell the new disciples about your past exploits in the martial world. Or demonstrate a martial technique—briefly."
Though somewhat peculiar, Bu Eun-seol faithfully carried out the command.
And in doing so, he felt a deep pang of regret.
Langya Pavilion's foundational martial art, the Way of the Beast.
Because of this esoteric discipline—one that could not even be learned without innate talent—
Many disciples were forced to abandon their training before even completing the initiation process.
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol had begun writing down everything a Langya Pavilion disciple must know about mastering the Way of the Beast.
'This isn't easy.'
Bu Eun-seol paused briefly, licking his lips.
To master the Way of the Beast, one had to stake their life on it—and even then, they had to awaken their senses step by step.
Even if one endured torrential rain and thunderbolts like those on Hell Island, without exceptional insight like Bu Eun-seol's, it was impossible to grasp.
'This won't be sustainable.'
The further he wrote into the manual, the more sighs escaped Bu Eun-seol's lips.
Langya Pavilion's martial arts relied solely on enlightenment, making it difficult to systematize their teachings.
If it had been possible, the pavilion would have standardized its training methods long ago.
'But I will complete it.'
Bu Eun-seol refused to despair just because it couldn't be done immediately.
He resolved that one day, he would establish a structured martial foundation for Langya Pavilion.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Before he knew it, sunlight seeped through the window, and birds sang outside.
Bu Eun-seol had ended up staying up all night writing the manual.
"Bu Eun-seol."
At that moment, a deep voice called from outside, accompanied by footsteps.
It was none other than So-jeon, leader of the Innovation Unit.
"What brings you here, Squad Leader?"
Bu Eun-seol wore a puzzled expression.
Come to think of it, every time he returned to Langya Pavilion, he and So-jeon would spar.
Could it be that even now, the man's hands were itching for a fight?
'Right now, I could properly face the Squad Leader.'
Bu Eun-seol stepped outside, brimming with anticipation—only to find So-jeon standing there with an unusually grave expression.
His gaze was lowered, his face stiff—clearly, he hadn't come for a duel.
"Come with me for a moment."
"What's the matter?"
So-jeon's expression was deadly serious.
"You'll understand when we get there."
The place So-jeon took Bu Eun-seol to was the Grand Training Stage, where over a hundred young boys had gathered.
They were all prodigies who had learned the basics to some extent of the Way of the Beast and were now recognized as formal disciples of Langya Pavilion.
"These are the ones who've officially become our pavilion's disciples. Now we need to assign them to their desired units, but..."
So-jeon spoke with utmost gravity.
"You'll have to explain to them what the Innovation Unit is."
"...Explain?"
"Yes. Explain."
So-jeon's face was both resolute and shameless.
"To be precise, it's not just an explanation—it's about listing the advantages of joining the Innovation Unit."
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
Now it was clear—So-jeon intended to use Bu Eun-seol's influence to recruit as many disciples as possible into the Innovation Unit.
"Just let them choose on their own, as usual."
Bu Eun-seol let his shoulders slump.
"They're all exceptional talents—they'll make the right decision."
Langya Pavilion neither forced disciples to learn martial arts nor dictated which unit they should join.
Disciples were expected to assess their own abilities and temperament before making their own choice.
But this time, the situation was different—these were outstanding disciples who would excel no matter where they went.
"Bu Eun-seol."
So-jeon leaned in close, his rock-like face tense, his eyes bloodshot.
"I'm serious. Our Innovation Unit needs to replenish its ranks with outstanding disciples too."
...If Bu Eun-seol refused, it looked like So-jeon might grab him by the collar right then and there.
"Understood."
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward before the disciples.
Not only was Bu Eun-seol young and already renowned for his martial feats, but he had also slain one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
On top of that, his peerless looks made him nothing short of an idol to Langya Pavilion's younger disciples.
"In the past, I was a temporary member of the Innovation Unit. And through my missions, I learned martial arts I could never have mastered alone."
Though he was fulfilling So-jeon's request, everything he said was true.
Many of Bu Eun-seol's early martial techniques had been learned by observing the masters of the Innovation Unit.
"If you join the Innovation Unit, you'll gain martial arts that can't be acquired through mere training."
The disciples' eyes sparkled, and they immediately swarmed toward So-jeon.
"Heh heh."
Just then, a low chuckle sounded as a middle-aged man in scholar's robes slowly stepped forward.
It was Baek Yeon, head of the Wind and Cloud Corps.
"Squad Leader."
Bu Eun-seol bowed his head, and Baek Yeon nodded with a pleased smile.
"If you put it that way, they might mistake the Innovation Unit for the place where only the best disciples go."
He seemed to have overheard everything Bu Eun-seol had said from afar.
"The Innovation Unit is fine. But our Wind and Cloud Corps has its own merits, doesn't it?"
In a single stride, Baek Yeon closed the distance and gently placed a hand on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
"Outstanding disciples should naturally come to our corps."
Creak.
Strangely, the fingers on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder seemed to tighten with increasing force.
When Bu Eun-seol looked up, the usually cold and composed Baek Yeon had flames of fervor burning fiercely in his eyes.
"Right?"
"..."
Bu Eun-seol averted his gaze with a dark expression, prompting Baek Yeon to whisper in an eerily low and chilling voice:
"Now, I'll have you explain the Wind and Cloud Corps as well."