Chapter 231
The carriage raced nonstop out of Chengdu and soon arrived at Yellow Creek.
The local specialty here was roadside taverns overlooking the wide-open riverbank.
Though it was broad daylight, many people lounged around the stalls, drinking liquor while enjoying the riverside breeze.
Hyeok So-jin, who had been gazing out the window, broke into a grin and said:
"They say since ancient times, liquor drunk by Yellow Creek's banks tastes sweeter than wine poured by the fairest beauties."
Bu Eun-seol had no interest in such romantic notions. Though Hyeok So-jin knew it was futile, he continued excitedly:
"Despite its name meaning 'yellow,' there are many springs with excellent water in this area, so countless travelers—"
"Let's go."
Bu Eun-seol gave a short nod.
"Since we're already here."
"Truly?"
Hyeok So-jin's face lit up with surprise as he clapped his hands.
"Then we must hurry!"
Bu Eun-seol ordered the coachman to halt the carriage and rose from his seat.
Watching this, Hyeok So-jin teased in a playful tone:
"But what's come over you? For Brother Bu to suggest this first—"
His lively expression faltered as something occurred to him, his eyes darkening.
This was Hyeok So-jin's final journey through the martial world.
Bu Eun-seol knew this, and thus sought to share whatever pleasant moments they could.
Whoosh.
Just then, a young man brushed past Bu Eun-seol.
For the briefest instant, the youth's lips moved almost imperceptibly—a fleeting moment.
"That area seems to have fine scenery."
When Bu Eun-seol pointed to a tavern, Hyeok So-jin followed without question.
As they walked toward a stall with a clear river view, Bu Eun-seol scanned their surroundings and spoke in a low voice:
"The Sanctuary Master sent word that he's nearly fully recovered. He said you shouldn't worry."
The youth who had just passed them had delivered a report on the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary's status.
With the Fleeting Moment Boat's intelligence network now integrated with the Wind and Cloud Corps, Bu Eun-seol could send and receive information anywhere.
"I see. That's fortunate."
"With his grandson returning, the Sanctuary Master must have found new strength."
Bu Eun-seol offered uncharacteristically warm words.
Both men shared the experience of being raised by their grandfathers' hands. Thus, he understood Hyeok So-jin's feelings all the more.
Hyeok So-jin rubbed his nose, seemingly embarrassed.
"You needn't relay every bit of news to me."
Then he flashed a bright smile.
"Grandfather is strong. I wasn't worried to begin with."
Side by side, they slipped into a riverside tavern where the proprietor, a towel wrapped around his head, was stir-frying peanuts in a large wok.
"Is this all you have for side dishes?"
When Hyeok So-jin made a disappointed face, the owner grinned.
"Not just us—every tavern here only serves peanuts fried with dried chilies and spices."
"Hmm."
"One swig of Yellow Rice Wine followed by a spicy peanut, and even immortals would envy you!"
At the owner's vivid description, Hyeok So-jin nodded eagerly, mouth watering.
"Can't pass that up. Three jugs of Yellow Wine here, and heap those peanuts high."
"Right away, sirs!"
The owner soon brought three bottles of Yellow Rice Wine and a heaping plate of fried peanuts.
"Brother Bu. Have a drink with me."
Hyeok So-jin filled Bu Eun-seol's cup to the brim.
But then, as if struck by a thought, he frowned deeply.
"They should arrive in about the time it takes to drink three cups."
"Your perception has grown remarkably sharp."
"All thanks to you, Brother."
Gulp.
As Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin downed their third cup—
Swoosh!
A series of razor-sharp Sounds of Breaking Air sliced through the sky.
Soon after, dozens of martial artists emerged around the tavern where they sat.
Hyeok So-jin, mid-sip, scowled at the character for "Mystery" embroidered on their plain gray uniforms.
"The Dark Heaven Gang?"
The Dark Heaven Gang was a Black Path factions faction that had spread its influence throughout the Yellow Creek region.
However, their ties to the Government Office and connections to the Upper Realm prevented them from being recognized as a true Demonic Path faction.
So why had they come here with dozens of subordinates?
"I am Gwak Seung, chief of the Dark Heaven Gang."
A ruggedly handsome man in ornate martial robes stepped forward from the crowd and clasped his hands.
"Bu Eun-seol. You are the Young Hero Bu, correct?"
Though the Dark Heaven Gang couldn't be considered a top faction in the martial world, Gwak Seung was still a Dominator who wielded power across an entire region.
Yet his manner toward Bu Eun-seol was impeccably respectful.
"That's right."
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, Gwak Seung's face brightened with a smile.
"Pouring our entire treasury into that information was worth every coin."
Bu Eun-seol wore a puzzled expression as Gwak Seung's eyes flashed brightly before he spoke.
"Gwak Seung, Chief of the Dark Heaven Gang, challenges you to a duel."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
A sudden, out-of-nowhere challenge?
As silence lingered in place of an answer, Gwak Seung calmly laid out his story.
"I have long had an unresolved grudge with the Beggar King. For years, I exhausted myself trying to track down that old man, but the Beggars' Sect's interference made it impossible to find even a trace of him."
To summarize Gwak Seung's subsequent explanation:
He had once suffered disgrace at the hands of the Beggar King, and from that day forward, he had devoted himself to martial training in bitter determination.
Yet no matter how many intelligence networks he mobilized, he could never locate the Beggar King. Just as he was about to abandon his revenge, rumors reached him that Bu Eun-seol had killed the man.
And so, Gwak Seung now sought to challenge Bu Eun-seol with the very Internal Power he had honed to face the Beggar King.
'How laughable. He just wants to steal Brother Bu's fame, doesn't he?'
Listening from the side, Hyeok So-jin wore an expression of sheer disbelief.
Gwak Seung's entire story was nothing but an excuse.
The truth was simple—he had been too afraid to challenge the Beggar King all this time.
—Bu Eun-seol, he only killed the Supreme Elder with the Sect Chief's help.
—He merely took advantage of the Supreme Elder's weakened state, his Internal Power diminished by illness.
—The Fortune King, Bu Eun-seol. He's just lucky, that's all.
Gwak Seung must have heard the humiliating epithet and rumors spread by the Beggars' Sect.
And believing them all to be true, he now dared to challenge Bu Eun-seol openly.
After all, if he won this duel, he would gain immense fame in an instant.
"Young Hero Bu, you appeared in the martial world like a comet, defeating the Great Righteous Experts in succession and even capturing the Beggar King—a legendary feat."
Gwak Seung lavished praise on Bu Eun-seol.
That way, if he won, the fruits of victory would taste all the sweeter.
"Ever since, this Gwak has nurtured a small hope—to cross fists with a young Grandmaster like yourself."
Though his faction was minor, the fact that a regional hegemon was issuing a challenge carried great significance.
It meant that even a ruler of one territory coveted and desired... the highest honor Bu Eun-seol now held.
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol nodded readily and gestured toward the riverside.
"This place is too cramped. Let's move over there."
Thud! Crash!
At once, countless patrons drinking at nearby stalls scrambled to their feet.
Bu Eun-seol was the hottest rising storm in the current martial world. And now they could witness his fight firsthand?
There was no way they would let this opportunity slip by.
Boom!
But something absurd happened.
Before the crowd could even lift their backsides to watch the fight, the outcome was already decided.
"Ugh—!"
Gwak Seung, struck by Bu Eun-seol's Seven Forms of the Fist Demon, collapsed to the ground, vomiting blood.
"Ghk—!"
"It's been a while since you last trained your body."
Bu Eun-seol gazed down at Gwak Seung, who had coughed up a mouthful of blood, and spoke impassively.
"A stiff body can't execute proper martial forms. Hone your skills further before challenging me again."
"...How shameful."
Gwak Seung's face burned crimson with humiliation after being defeated in a single strike.
"Then."
Clasping his hands together, he left without a backward glance, using his Lightness Skill to depart with his subordinates.
"That was unexpected."
Hyeok So-jin blinked rapidly as he spoke.
"I didn't realize Brother Bu could be so magnanimous."
The usual Bu Eun-seol would never have let an opportunist like Gwak Seung walk away so easily—at the very least, he would have sent him crawling.
But this time, he had merely inflicted light internal injuries before sending him off with dignity.
"The Dark Heaven Gang may be a minor faction, but he is still a Sect Chief. He challenged me with respect and upheld propriety."
"Ah."
Hyeok So-jin nodded in understanding.
"As the future heir of the Demon Hall, you chose to show magnanimity."
"He is a figure well-disposed toward the Demon Hall. There was no need to crush him utterly and humiliate him."
In short, Bu Eun-seol had deliberately displayed leniency to win the Dark Heaven Gang Chief's favor.
'Wait... Could it be?'
A sudden thought flashed through Hyeok So-jin's mind as he blinked rapidly.
Bu Eun-seol was a true martial artist who never concerned himself with factional benefits or an opponent's pride—he walked solely his own path.
Yet now, he was acting almost as if he had already become the Demon Hall's heir, making politically calculated moves.
'So that's it.'
As he studied Bu Eun-seol's expression, Hyeok So-jin finally grasped the full situation.
The reason behind his actions.
'It was to teach me a lesson.'
As the future leader of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary, Hyeok So-jin could no longer behave like a wandering martial artist of the Rivers and Lakes.
Every step he took would represent his sect, and he must always choose the path that brought the greatest benefit to it.
Bu Eun-seol was teaching Hyeok So-jin until the very end, ensuring he could become a worthy sect leader.
"Why go this far?"
Hyeok So-jin's voice was choked with emotion.
"Why would you... go to such lengths for me?"
"It was a promise with the Sanctuary Master."
Then, without another word, Bu Eun-seol turned away.
"Enough. Get up now."
Once again, he concealed his goodwill behind the excuse of a promise with the Illusion Demon.
A man's heart is not conveyed through words.
Understanding this all too well, Hyeok So-jin swore silently to himself.
No matter what happens from now on, I will protect this man before me.
Even if it costs me my life.
Thud. Thud.
But then, an unexpected situation unfolded.
The sound of dozens of footsteps echoed as thirty armed martial artists approached the street stall.
'Those people—'
Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened.
The martial artists were all wearing the white headbands (baekgeon) of the Martial Alliance.
They were none other than the Alliance's elite.
At the forefront stood a young man with an arrogant demeanor and a stern-looking middle-aged man.
Both radiated formidable qi, marking them as masters of no ordinary skill.
"Well, well."
The arrogant youth stared intently at Bu Eun-seol's striking features before speaking.
"You must be Bu Eun-seol."
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, the young man curled his lips.
"I am Jo Bi-un."
Jo Bi-un, the Flawless Sword.
One of the Seven Teachings and Three Peaks, a prodigy of the younger generation and a master of swift swordplay.
Since the age of fifteen, he had no equal in the Shanxi region, and now, well past twenty, his skill was said to rival even the Great Righteous Experts from the Martial Alliance.
Moreover, he was the only son of Jo Cheon-wang, the Emperor Dragon Sword—leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade, one of the Seven Great Battle Corps of the Martial Alliance.
The Alliance always provided escorts for the families of its high-ranking members. Thus, Jo Bi-un was perpetually guarded by their elite.
"Rumor has it you've defeated multiple Great Righteous Experts and even crushed the Beggar King himself. Is that true?"
Jo Bi-un's expression was dripping with arrogance.
And why not? He had never tasted defeat in his life.
Having also witnessed Bu Eun-seol's fist technique from afar when he defeated Gwak Seung, he dismissed it as nothing more than brute force.
Surely Bu Eun-seol's skill isn't as impressive as the rumors claim.
When Bu Eun-seol still didn't answer, he pressed on.
"Well? How about a duel?"
His lips curled into a cold smirk as he glanced at the sword at his waist.
"If you can withstand a few moves of my swordplay, you'll earn even greater fame."
'Using the Martial Alliance's protection as a shield, he's after the prestige of driving Bu Eun-seol away.'
Hyeok So-jin immediately saw through Jo Bi-un's scheme.
Surrounding him were the Alliance's Peak Masters, their eyes wide and alert.
And backing him was none other than the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade, one of the Seven Great Battle Corps.
He was provoking Bu Eun-seol deliberately, knowing full well that—even if resurrected from death—Bu Eun-seol wouldn't fight.
Just the reputation of making Bu Eun-seol retreat would be a significant gain.
"Hmph."
Bu Eun-seol turned away as if he hadn't heard a thing.
"Afraid, Fortune King?"
Jo Bi-un boldly flung that disgraceful epithet—crafted by the Beggars' Sect—straight at Bu Eun-seol.
"To think you earned such a pathetic title by killing the Beggar King with dirty, underhanded tricks."
Even as Jo Bi-un sneered, Bu Eun-seol didn't so much as reply, simply continuing on his way.
"Tch. Tucking your tail and running? Guess the rumors about you killing the Beggar King were lies after all. Hahaha!"
At that, Bu Eun-seol finally turned his head.
And smirked.
Jo Bi-un's face instantly stiffened.
The sight of Bu Eun-seol—with his striking beauty—looking down at him with a mocking smile filled him with indescribable humiliation.
"You bastard!"
Trembling with rage, Jo Bi-un roared.
But Bu Eun-seol didn't even glance back, quickening his pace instead.
"Where do you think you're running?!"
Enraged, Jo Bi-un drew his sword and unleashed a blade wind aimed at the back of Bu Eun-seol's head.
It was a feint—meant to force Bu Eun-seol to dodge and face him.
But that move...
Would be Jo Bi-un's last in this life.
Swoosh!
As the blade wind surged, the resonant hum of a sword echoed—and in the next instant, the Ink Sword was in Bu Eun-seol's hand.
Flash!
Without even turning around, he unleashed a dazzling streak of light.
The Shooting Star Chasing the Moon technique—swift as lightning—had been executed.
"..."
Jo Bi-un stood frozen, his eyes wide open.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Crimson blood trickled from between his brows, painting blooming flowers of blood on the ground.
The Shooting Star Chasing the Moon had pierced his forehead in an instant, ending his life on the spot.
Thud.
As his body finally collapsed—
"No!"
The Martial Alliance's masters let out horrified screams.
Simultaneously, the escort captain at the forefront, Gu Dong-ak, drew his sword.
"Halt!"
With a thunderous roar, Gu Dong-ak moved like lightning, blocking Bu Eun-seol's path.