Chapter 233
A flash of light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he watched the Cold-Blooded Ghosts charging toward him.
Swoosh!
With a sword resonance resembling a dragon's roar, razor-sharp sword energy erupted from the Ink Sword—so fast it was nearly invisible.
Shhk!
A chilling slicing sound echoed as the five Cold-Blooded Ghosts rushing at him were instantly cleaved in two.
"...!"
A faint glow rose in Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
The sensation transmitted through his fingertips wasn't light or agile—it was dull and heavy.
The bodies of the Cold-Blooded Ghosts, forged from blood and flesh, were far harder than steel.
"They've tempered their bodies with drugs too."
It seemed they had hardened their physiques to the extreme, likely to unleash suicidal attacks in their final moments.
Then, the Cold-Blooded Ghosts charged at Bu Eun-seol once more, this time not in a reckless rush but maintaining distance from different angles as they advanced.
Having realized that Bu Eun-seol's sword techniques far surpassed their expectations, they intended to exploit their numerical advantage—alternating between attacks and retreats in a rotating wheel battle to wear him down.
"A crude method, but a good choice!"
Bu Eun-seol sneered as he drew forth his internal power at full strength.
Zzzing!
Black fog seeped from his pupils, and a shimmering, spherical black mass formed in his left hand.
He had instantly unleashed the ancient secret art—the Willful True Binding—which allowed him to freely materialize his formidable internal true qi.
Whoosh!
As he extended his left palm as though pouring out palm energy, half of the condensed, materialized true qi spread outward like a spiderweb.
Immediately, the Cold-Blooded Ghosts, who had scattered to attack from all directions, converged into a single mass.
Swish!
At the same time, Bu Eun-seol's Ink Sword unleashed peerless sword strokes.
Slash-slash-slash-slash!
A frigid sword aura, cold enough to freeze even the sun in an instant, swept through the clustered bodies of the Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
Thud-thud-thud!
A dozen Cold-Blooded Ghosts collapsed like bundles of straw.
'Once is still manageable.'
Even though he had used the Willful True Binding without the Emotion Severing Secret Art, his qi vessels did not surge uncontrollably.
This was a change that had occurred after the power of Phantom Restoration, unleashed by the enraged Langya Pavilion Lord Ak Mu-ryeong, had pierced through his meridians.
Step-step.
Yet, the remaining Cold-Blooded Ghosts approached without hesitation, utterly indifferent to their comrades' deaths.
Huum!
Bu Eun-seol spread the remaining true qi in his left hand like a web once more.
Again, the Cold-Blooded Ghosts were forced into a clustered formation.
Shhk!
With another grotesque slicing sound, the Ink Sword split the air—and another dozen Cold-Blooded Ghosts were instantly bisected, collapsing in a heap.
"That...!"
Hyeok So-jin, watching this, clenched his fists.
He realized that Bu Eun-seol's method of manipulating materialized true qi was mimicking his own Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
'So Divine-Rending Demonic Qi can be used like that too.'
Hyeok So-jin had only ever employed it for defense or counterattacks.
But witnessing Bu Eun-seol's technique, he understood it could be adapted in countless ways—such as sealing an enemy's movements.
—Do not be constrained by technique. Adapt your martial arts to the situation.
It was as if Bu Eun-seol was teaching him this very lesson.
Hiss—
As Bu Eun-seol repeatedly activated the Willful True Binding, scorching heat radiated from his body.
But unlike before, there was no pain or sensation of falling into an inner demon.
Instead, unleashing the technique invigorated his true qi, filling his spirit with exhilaration and killing intent.
Slash!
Now, Bu Eun-seol charged forward himself, cutting down the Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
In a melee, stopping means death.
There was no time to catch his breath, no safe space to retreat to.
Shhk! Shhk!
Each time the Ink Sword emitted a faint sound of breaking air, bone-chilling sword light poured forth.
The heads of the Cold-Blooded Ghosts fell like autumn leaves—or sometimes shot skyward like firecrackers.
Bu Eun-seol's body had already merged completely with the Ink Sword.
With every sword stroke, a soul-reaping radiance surged; with every slash through the air, an aura like the Grim Reaper's claws extended in all directions.
Huuuum...
Whenever the offensive briefly waned, white smoke unfailingly rose from Bu Eun-seol's body.
Even mid-battle, he was circulating qi to restore his internal energy.
"This bastard..."
Go Geuk-sin bit his lip.
Already, over forty Cold-Blooded Ghosts had fallen to Bu Eun-seol. If this continued, even if they won, the Blood Sea Demon Well's combat strength would be severely crippled.
"You four—join them."
Go Geuk-sin commanded the four Cold-Blooded Ghosts standing before him.
They were the Commanders of the Ten, leading and directing a hundred Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
Shhk!
The Commanders clasped their hands together and charged into the battlefield without hesitation.
Shhk! Shhk!
As the four Commanders unleashed bizarre claw arts and palm energy like striking lightning—
Splat!
Blood splashed onto Bu Eun-seol's shoulder as he was cutting through the horde.
"Die, you bastard!"
At the same time, Go Geuk-sin closed in from behind and unleashed the Night Soul White Bone Claw.
Though his body hovered mid-air, the claw force tore through the wind, already piercing Bu Eun-seol's vital points.
Splat-splat!
As the Night Soul White Bone Claw raged, more blood sprayed from Bu Eun-seol's body.
"Don't give him a moment to breathe!"
With Go Geuk-sin wielding the Night Soul White Bone Claw and the Commanders joining the fray simultaneously, the tide of battle shifted in an instant.
They launched their attacks individually, yet whenever Bu Eun-seol's counterblows poured forth, they defended as one with seamless coordination, as if they had become a single entity.
"Hmph!"
At that moment, Go Geuk-sin, with a guttural roar, struck Bu Eun-seol's Ink Sword with his full might.
CLANG!
A clear metallic sound rang out as he was forced back about three meters, but Bu Eun-seol's sword technique also came to an abrupt halt.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Seizing the opening, the Commanders of the Ten drove their razor-sharp claws toward him in a frenzied assault.
FLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Then, in that instant, Bu Eun-seol's Ink Sword writhed like a living fish before unleashing hundreds of streaks of light.
The absolute defensive sword technique, Fluorescent Sword Control, which reacted to killing intent, had been deployed.
(Fluorescent Sword Control...)
Hyeok So-jin had witnessed Bu Eun-seol's signature technique multiple times before.
But something was strange.
Bu Eun-seol's Ink Sword wasn't just deflecting the enemy's attacks—it was carving through the air like a living dragon, cleaving through the Commanders of the Ten as it moved.
(Sword Control by Qi? No...)
Hyeok So-jin's eyes sharpened as he observed from a distance.
He realized that at the exact moment the Ink Sword deflected an attack, it retaliated with the same motion, replicating the opponent's technique.
Bu Eun-seol had merged the fifth form of the Formless Heavenly Flow, Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin, with Fluorescent Sword Control.
WHOOSH—!
As their own attacks were reflected back at them, the Cold-Blooded Ghosts could do nothing but retreat helplessly.
Even Go Geuk-sin, who had been wildly swinging his Shadow Strike, faltered in shock, stumbling backward in confusion.
FLASH!
In that brief moment, Bu Eun-seol once again mowed down the scattered Cold-Blooded Ghosts like stalks of wheat.
Had he finally exhausted himself?
Unlike before, his swordplay was no longer refined, his movements growing increasingly exaggerated.
SWISH!
As Bu Eun-seol's opening was exposed, the Commanders of the Ten closed in without hesitation, unleashing a furious assault.
But it was a trap.
BUZZ—
The tip of Bu Eun-seol's sword trembled faintly before hundreds of sword qi pierced through the vital points of the Commanders and the Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
He had deliberately revealed a flaw to bait them into committing their full strength—then, applying the principles of Return to the Original Owner, he struck their acupoints.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
After felling every last Cold-Blooded Ghost that had rushed him, Bu Eun-seol's sword technique shifted once more.
Simultaneously, a violet flame traced a zigzag path toward the openings of the Commanders.
The Killing Sword, Peerless Thunderbolt Form, unfolded—a technique that felled foes regardless of circumstance.
SCHLICK!
At the same time, crimson blood gushed like a fountain from the carotid arteries of the Commanders.
Though it seemed like a single strike, he had in fact unleashed the Peerless Thunderbolt Form in rapid succession, beheading four men in one motion.
DRIP. DRIP. DRIP.
The Ink Sword, having drunk its fill of blood, spat the excess onto the ground.
"You..."
Go Geuk-sin, whose gaze met Bu Eun-seol's blood-soaked figure, trembled uncontrollably.
Only now did he realize—
Bu Eun-seol had not slain the Beggar King with the help of some trick or outside aid.
One-Man Army.
Bu Eun-seol was precisely that—a terrifying force of nature deserving of the title.
"So you... are one of the Chosen."
Throughout history, the supreme martial experts who dominated the murim had all perfected their prowess at a young age, shaking the heavens and earth as they carved out new legends.
Thus, they were called the Chosen—or sometimes, Divine Beings.
STEP. STEP.
As Bu Eun-seol approached, Go Geuk-sin's eyes widened.
It was neither fear nor terror that gripped him.
It was the divine authority of an Absolute One—the overwhelming presence of a supreme martial artist that froze his body in place.
STEP. STEP...
But Bu Eun-seol walked past him without stopping.
"Are you sparing me?"
Go Geuk-sin muttered in disbelief as Bu Eun-seol ignored him entirely.
DRIP. DRIP.
Then, watching the blood pooling at his feet, he let out a hollow laugh.
"No... That can't be."
SQUELCH!
A thin red line split open across his lower abdomen before a torrent of blood gushed forth.
Rather than killing him, Bu Eun-seol had destroyed his dantian, erasing his internal power entirely.
"Deliver a message to the Blood Sea Demon Well."
Bu Eun-seol spoke without turning back, his voice low.
"If they dare touch me again, the Blood Sea Demon Well will be wiped from the murim."
CLACK.
Sheathing the Ink Sword, he added coldly:
"That is the only reason your life remains."
THUD.
Go Geuk-sin collapsed to his knees.
His internal energy had vanished completely, reducing him to a cripple, his muscles withering away.
But more agonizing than the loss of his power was the crushing weight of the aura radiating from Bu Eun-seol.
(The Court was mistaken...)
There were two kinds of people in the murim one must never provoke.
Supreme martial experts who never forgave those who crossed them—and madmen who cared not even for their own lives.
And Bu Eun-seol...
He belonged to both.
A Death God who brought calamity upon all who dared challenge him.
"Understood."
Go Geuk-sin staggered to his feet.
With his internal power gone, his once-middle-aged appearance had withered into that of a feeble old man.
He limped away, his back turned to the setting sun.
It was the retreating figure of a defeated man—a cripple who had left behind the glory of his past.
"Haaah..."
Once Go Geuk-sin was gone, Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply.
The martial prowess he had displayed was not that of someone who had just barely stepped into the Extreme Heaven Realm.
Due to his formidable internal energy and the unfathomable martial art known as the Willful True Binding, he was capable of feats far beyond what his current realm should allow.
"Let's go."
Bu Eun-seol returned to the carriage as if nothing had happened.
Only then did Hyeok So-jin regain his composure and take a deep breath.
"Please board. I'll drive the carriage."
Since the coachman had already fled, Hyeok So-jin climbed onto the driver's seat.
'Brother Bu is rewriting the history of the murim.'
As he gazed at the fading sunset, an overwhelming smile rose to Hyeok So-jin's lips.
He felt proud.
To be living in the same era as a figure like Bu Eun-seol... and to have traveled the martial world with him.
Even when his hair turned white with age, he would remember this fact with more pride than anyone.
Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary, Mountain and River Hall.
The Old Man in Blue, who had been observing the garden blooming with rare flowers beyond the window, rose from his sickbed.
Though his face bore clear signs of illness, his silver-streaked hair was neatly combed back, and his eyes occasionally flashed with violet light.
This was none other than the Sanctuary Master of Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying—the Phantom Demon, Hyeok Gong-baek.
"So-jin should be arriving soon."
At Hyeok Gong-baek's murmur, the Mad Master Pung Yeo-ryang standing beside him spoke softly.
"I heard he's coming in a single stride after learning you collapsed."
"There was no need to go that far."
"You've suffered enough all this while. Now that So-jin has grown, you should rest."
Following Hyeok Gong-baek's gaze to the garden, a smile touched Pung Yeo-ryang's lips.
"By the way..."
"...?"
"Your choice was undoubtedly correct. That Bu Eun-seol fellow."
He spoke with a pleased expression.
"He's someone who keeps his promises properly. After he left, young martial artists kept visiting to share news about our sanctuary."
"Hohoho."
Leaning against the bed, Hyeok Gong-baek chuckled lightly.
"The martial world was already in an uproar over that child's deeds. Would you believe it? Not only did he kill the Beggar King, but he single-handedly annihilated an entire unit from the Blood Sea Demon Well."
The current murim was abuzz with unprecedented tales of this new-generation master.
Bu Eun-seol had long been known for killing members of the Four Gods and Seven Kings through underhanded means.
Yet this time, he had single-handedly destroyed a unit of Cold-Blooded Ghosts from the Blood Sea Demon Well.
What kind of beings were Cold-Blooded Ghosts?
Not only were they tempered through bizarre drugs and forbidden methods, but they were also killing machines that would sacrifice their lives without hesitation to eliminate stronger martial artists.
Moreover, a unit composed of Cold-Blooded Ghosts could erase entire small factions without leaving a trace.
And he had wiped them out alone?
Through this feat, Bu Eun-seol had proven his martial arts had reached the Extreme Heaven Realm.
—The Beggars' Sect pulled a petty trick.
As such rumors spread, the martial world immediately condemned the Beggars' Sect.
And once again, they found themselves agonizing over what epithet to bestow upon this young grandmaster.
However, very little of his activities as the Ten Demonic Heir had been revealed. Worse still, most who had witnessed Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess had become lonely ghosts beneath his blade.
Though inheritors of Shaolin, Wudang, and the Sword Pavilion had survived, they maintained absolute silence about him.
With no clear martial techniques revealed and no firsthand witnesses to his power...
Various opinions clashed, but ultimately, they failed to properly assign an epithet to this young grandmaster of the new generation.
"Strangely enough, So-jin ended up receiving an epithet too. Something about cutting down enemies with bizarre silver threads—Blood Thread... whatever it was."
"Blood-Silk Demon Shadow, they called it."
Hyeok Gong-baek wore a faint smile.
Having consistently supported Bu Eun-seol and defeated numerous powerful foes, Hyeok So-jin had unwittingly earned the epithet "Blood-Silk Demon Shadow."
"Still, headaches await ahead."
As if recalling something, Pung Yeo-ryang let out a sigh.
"From past-generation masters to young grandmasters—every martial artist looking to prove their strength will come challenging him now."
From newcomers taking their first steps into the martial world to veterans with graying hair...
What all martial artists uniformly desired was martial prowess and fame that would let them reign above others.
And Bu Eun-seol possessed both.
Simply put, killing him would allow one to easily claim that glory.
"Even if the entire martial world comes at him, given that boy's personality, he'd never request protection from the Demon Hall or Langya Pavilion..."
Deep wrinkles formed between Pung Yeo-ryang's brows.
Truthfully, the Beggar King's martial prowess had only just entered the threshold of the Extreme Heaven Realm—hardly exceptional compared to the murim's superlative experts.
The reason he could occupy a Seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings was due to the immense influence of controlling the Beggars' Sect—the righteous faction's largest intelligence network—and his high seniority.
But now a newcomer who had just begun his martial journey had killed him...
From the perspective of powerful martial artists, this was like fresh, tantalizing prey appearing before them.
From now on, every strong fighter in the murim would eye Bu Eun-seol with predatory intent.
"No need to worry."
Hyeok Gong-baek smiled faintly as he spoke.
"He awakened So-jin's dormant potential and elevated him to the level of a Demonic Path Ten Gates successor in mere months."
Boundless trust shone in his eyes.
"He will undoubtedly overcome all trials and stand tall at the apex of the Four Gods and Seven Kings..."
Knock knock.
Just then, the sound of knocking accompanied by a young man's quiet voice.
"Commander of the True Guard Unit, Un-yeop, reporting."
"Enter."
At Hyeok Gong-baek's calm response, a man in navy martial robes carefully entered.
This was Un-yeop, commander of the True Guard Unit responsible for the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sect's outer security.
"The Young Master has arrived."
Taking a deep breath, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded.
"Understood."
"But do you truly intend not to tell him?"
As Un-yeop bowed and exited, Pung Yeo-ryang asked in a low voice.
"That your life hangs by a thread...?"