Chapter 243
Deep night.
Seated at the desk in his office, Bu Eun-seol was ceaselessly moving his brush.
He was organizing the secret martial manuals of various orthodox martial arts he had seen in the Martial Emperor's Secret Repository.
Four hundred years ago, the Martial Emperor, Seop Mu-heun, had dominated the murim.
It was known that he had mastered orthodox martial arts—techniques not particularly difficult to learn—and wielded them with formidable might.
However, Bu Eun-seol, who had learned all the martial refinements within the Martial Emperor's Secret Repository, realized that this was a misconception.
The Martial Emperor's True Void was the Thirteenfold Qi Induction—a method of pouring different orthodox martial arts into a single unified force, creating an entirely new martial art.
Moreover, like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, he had pursued the tempering of spirit and mind.
Had he not, he would never have been able to use the Martial Emperor's Enlightenment, a definitive scripture on mind cultivation.
Swish, swish.
Bu Eun-seol was expressing the dharma texts stored in his mind not as words, but as lines and geometric shapes.
After all, this was the Demon Hall.
Even if the man in question had lived four hundred years ago, there was no way they would tolerate him studying and mastering the secret manuals of the Martial Emperor—a figure once hailed as the foremost of the righteous path.
"Great Lord, are you unwell?"
When Bu Eun-seol did not emerge from his office for two full days, unit members occasionally came by to check on him.
But when he still gave no response, Myo Cheon-u, unable to stand by any longer, finally stepped inside.
"Bu Eun-seol. I'm coming in."
Even as Myo Cheon-u entered, Bu Eun-seol paid no heed, continuing to gesture in the air or sketch bizarre geometric shapes.
"You've been refining your martial arts, then."
Recognizing that Bu Eun-seol had fallen into a state of samadhi while researching profound martial principles, Myo Cheon-u instructed the Death Shadow Squad members:
"The Great Lord is in the midst of crucial martial training. Do not disturb him."
From that day onward, the area around Bu Eun-seol's office became so quiet it was almost desolate.
To avoid disrupting his training, the unit members refrained from even approaching the pavilion where he resided.
Before long, three days had passed.
Bu Eun-seol had by now filled over forty books with ceaselessly drawn lines and shapes.
Something kept rising in his mind, yet it stubbornly refused to take concrete form.
"Still only about two, it seems."
Shaking his head, Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, executing the Heaven and Earth Parting—a form from the Orchid-Splitting Bloodless Hand—with his left hand.
As force gathered in his legs, he unconsciously unleashed the Ba Bridge Severing the Current, a technique from the Shadowless Leg Art among the Thirty-Six Routes.
Then, something astonishing happened.
Sssk—!
The chair he had just risen from suddenly split into two pieces, as though sliced by a blade.
Had any martial artist witnessed this, they would have recoiled in shock, leaping to their feet in disbelief.
To simultaneously execute a hand technique and a leg technique, only to unleash razor-sharp True Qi—how was such a thing possible?
"Still too weak."
Yet Bu Eun-seol wore a dissatisfied expression as he carefully examined the lines and shapes he had drawn thus far.
Most of the martial arts installed in the Martial Emperor's Secret Repository were fist-palm-finger techniques and footwork methods.
"Fist-palm-finger techniques and footwork..."
As if struck by realization, Bu Eun-seol unleashed the Tiger Claw Great Power Fist with his left hand while simultaneously executing the Ten Thousand Stillness Divine Step.
Then, something strange occurred.
Amidst this, another hand technique naturally surfaced in his mind—wasn't this the dharma text of the Great Rock Shaking Heaven Hand, which he had seen in the Martial Emperor's Secret Repository?
Paff!
As he executed three forms in rapid succession, Bu Eun-seol naturally shifted to the left, and a sharp surge of energy spontaneously erupted from his right hand.
Thunk.
Simultaneously, the decorative vase placed at the center of the side table split cleanly in two.
By employing three distinct martial arts at once, he had created a martial technique where offense and defense were exquisitely harmonized.
"'Master them perfectly'... So this is what he meant."
At last, Bu Eun-seol grasped the profound martial principle behind the Thirteenfold Qi Induction left behind by the Martial Emperor.
The Thirteenfold Qi Induction was not merely about harmonizing specific martial arts.
It required combining martial techniques where attack and defense—gongsu—were seamlessly blended.
"But to continuously execute footwork, leg techniques, and entirely different fist-palm-finger arts is nearly impossible."
Just now, Bu Eun-seol had merely fused three of the simplest and most easily executed martial arts from the Martial Emperor's Secret Repository.
To fully manifest the profundity of the Thirteenfold Qi Induction, two conditions were necessary.
First, one must deeply master orthodox martial arts—enough to comprehend and adapt the principles and secret techniques embedded within them.
Second, one must be able to move both legs, the body, and even both hands independently, deploying martial arts in entirely distinct ways.
This was a feat incomparably more difficult than the Divided Mind Dual Wielding or the Two Hands Mutual Combat technique—methods that allowed one to execute different martial arts with each hand.
The Martial Emperor.
True to his epithet, he was a sovereign who could preside over martial arts—a peerless grandmaster.
"It's impossible to master in such a short time."
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol had hit a wall.
No matter how effortlessly he had always been able to mimic any martial art and grasp its ultimate techniques... the Martial Emperor's martial arts—no, the orthodox martial arts—could not be mastered in an instant. They required long, grueling refinement.
'So this is the difference between demonic path martial arts and orthodox martial arts.'
Demonic path martial arts were practical, something one could learn and deploy swiftly.
But orthodox martial arts? Unless one fully comprehended every principle embedded within them, their true power would never manifest.
'Hmm.'
Bu Eun-seol let out a short hum before shifting his footwork, gliding past the wooden pillar in his office.
To the untrained eye, it looked like nothing more than the basic Three Calamities Footwork.
But in truth, he had seamlessly executed three techniques in rapid succession—Nine Provinces One Flash, Water Dragon Palm, and Three Calamities Footwork.
Shhk.
A sharp scar was left on the thick wooden pillar.
The three footwork techniques had merged into a unique leg technique, leaving behind a razor-sharp mark.
"So this is why the rumors said the Martial Emperor mastered even the most ordinary martial arts to perfection."
The Martial Emperor's martial arts could not be stolen by sight, nor did they appear extraordinary at a glance.
To murim outsiders who couldn't grasp the profound principles embedded within, they must have seemed like nothing more than basic techniques.
"Just like the martial arts of my sect, they leave no trace."
Because the Thirteenfold Qi Induction fused different orthodox martial arts into a single entity, it bore no distinctive marks of orthodox martial arts.
"There's no end to it. The path of martial arts."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Though he had fortuitously encountered and absorbed numerous exceptional martial arts, it would still take considerable time to elevate them to the Great Origin Realm.
"Then I'll have to integrate them in real combat."
An ordinary martial artist would have refined their techniques until they became second nature.
But Bu Eun-seol had a goal.
Rather than simply spending time honing his martial arts, he intended to perfect them through real battle.
That path was a thorny one, tangled with trials—one misstep, and he could plunge into the quagmire of death.
Yet he advanced down it without fear.
Bu Eun-seol finally emerged after four days of closed-door training.
Outside, he saw the members of the Death Shadow Squad gathered in the training grounds, refining their martial arts.
Bu Eun-seol, a prodigy of the new generation—a Grandmaster despite his youth, possessing martial prowess so immense he could face the Beggar King alone.
The sight of him relentlessly pushing forward served as a burning inspiration to his unit members.
The First Squad, led by Won Se-mun, now exuded a sharp aura, as if they had become true Peak Realm swordsmen.
The Third Squad had seemingly mastered the Black Poison Demon Art to perfection, their skin gleaming with an eerie luster.
Their mastery had advanced well beyond five-tenths—now, even slashes from ordinary blades would leave no mark on their skin.
But the most remarkable progress belonged to the Second Squad.
Though they had previously specialized solely in Light Body Technique, focusing only on movement arts and Hidden Weapon Arts, things were different now.
Having been taught various martial arts by Bu Eun-seol, they had become all-round warriors, capable of holding their own in both chaotic melees and direct confrontations.
"Lord Commander, you've come out?"
As Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon rose to their feet, the resting unit members also stood up one by one.
"Don't mind me. Carry on with your training."
Bu Eun-seol waved a hand dismissively and walked past the training grounds toward the Bamboo Forest behind the living quarters.
There, the Second Squad, led by Wi Cheon-gyeong, along with the Fourth and Fifth Squads under Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, were undergoing training.
'Hm.'
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes as he observed them.
'These ones still have a ways to go.'
His gaze lingered on the Fourth and Fifth Squads led by Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
'This will take quite some time.'
Though the two were exceptional martial artists, unfortunately, neither had ever taught others before.
Moreover, they were martial geniuses who far surpassed the standards of ordinary people, making it impossible for them to adjust their teaching to the unit members' level.
As a result, even imparting basic martial arts was proving to be a struggle.
"Lord Commander."
Wi Cheon-gyeong, having just finished instructing the unit members, approached Bu Eun-seol in the bamboo forest and clasped his hands respectfully.
"Have you finished your closed-door training?"
"I merely took some time to contemplate my insights."
"I see. But..."
Wi Cheon-gyeong lowered his voice.
"Shouldn't you step in and help, Lord Commander?"
He glanced toward where the Fourth and Fifth Squads were gathered before continuing in a hushed tone.
"The new recruits seem to be growing increasingly dissatisfied with the training."
"That process is also part of their training."
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"Right now, they struggle because they don't yet understand each other's temperaments and personalities. But once they overcome this, the unit will be tightly united."
"...I see."
Wi Cheon-gyeong nodded in admiration.
If they were to overcome the trials of hardship too easily, it might actually hinder their unity.
"That's enough for today."
"Dismissed!"
As if they had finished their allotted training for the day, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong simultaneously disbanded the unit members.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been watching the scene, slowly turned away.
But just then—
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of rapid footsteps approached, and a man with a burly physique covered the distance to Bu Eun-seol in a single stride. It was Han So-ung.
"Unit Leader. A warrior from the Singular Light Pavilion is looking for you!"
"Is it the Chief Doctrine Commander summoning me?"
"No, it's not that..."
Han So-ung hesitated before speaking.
"They've requested your presence at the Small Training Ground in front of the Heaven-Shaking Hall."
"The Small Training Ground?"
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Heaven-Shaking Hall was a place used for various ceremonies and events within the Demon Hall.
And that Small Training Ground was primarily used for lower-ranking warriors to formally receive their positions, rather than for martial training.
Why would they summon Bu Eun-seol there?
"Understood. I'll go."
As he descended from the bamboo forest, a warrior clad in plain black martial robes stood respectfully at attention in front of the training ground.
It was Wi Chung, a warrior from the Singular Light Pavilion.
"Unit Leader."
"What is the matter?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Wi Chung replied courteously.
"The Chief Doctrine Commander has summoned you."
"Very well. Let's go."
As Bu Eun-seol readily stepped forward, Wi Chung bowed his head.
"The Chief Doctrine Commander instructed that the Unit Leader must bring his weapon."
"My weapon?"
Though he couldn't fathom the Chief Doctrine Commander's intentions, Bu Eun-seol nodded shortly after.
"Understood."
Guided by Wi Chung, Bu Eun-seol arrived at the Small Training Ground near the western edge of the Heaven-Shaking Hall.
Though called a "small" training ground, it was as large as the grand training grounds built by most sects.
Instead of the usual blue stone slabs, the floor was paved with pale yellowish-brown stones, and a small armory stood to one side.
Swoosh.
As Bu Eun-seol stepped onto the training ground, an elderly man with neatly combed silver hair stood imposingly at its center, his hands clasped behind his back.
The Chief Doctrine Commander. The Dark King—Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"Bu Eun-seol, leader of the Death Shadow Squad, greets the Chief Doctrine Commander."
When Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully, Yeop Hyo-cheon, still holding his hands behind his back, slowly turned to face him.
"You stir up storms every time you step into the Rivers and Lakes."
When Bu Eun-seol had returned to the Demon Hall after escaping the Martial Emperor's Secret Vault, Yeop Hyo-cheon had been in the middle of an extremely important meeting.
Thus, after only briefly reporting his return, Bu Eun-seol had met privately with the Cleansing Hall's overseer regarding his living quarters.
"I heard you encountered Bukgung Ryeong on your way back."
"That is correct."
"How did you manage to escape his grasp?"
A faint smile played at the corners of Yeop Hyo-cheon's lips.
"They say only traces of his Inner Energy Bullet Art remained, and then you vanished without a trace."
The Demon Hall's search party had reportedly failed to locate the Martial Emperor's Secret Vault.
Most likely, just as Bu Eun-seol had exited the vault, when Bukgung Ryeong broke through the door, the iron gate had sunk into the ground and disappeared.
'How strange. Did they not investigate my movements this time?'
Yeop Hyo-cheon had always scrutinized his actions alongside the Demonic Heavenly Emperor as if measuring them with a ruler.
But this time, he seemed genuinely unaware, asking for detailed accounts of what had happened.
Yeop Hyo-cheon observed Bu Eun-seol, who appeared lost in thought, with an enigmatic smile.
"Was that something you needed to think about before answering?"
"No. I was momentarily distracted by another matter."
Sensing a chilling energy, Bu Eun-seol answered immediately.
"Once he learned I had faced the Beggar King in a fair duel, he ceased his attacks."
"I see."
Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded as if he had expected as much.
"Bukgung Ryeong. He is impatient and lacks composure in his actions, but he is one of the few proper figures left in the Righteous Path."
From his tone, it seemed Yeop Hyo-cheon knew Bukgung Ryeong quite well.
"I'm curious."
"About what, sir?"
"You said he stopped. That means you must have crossed blades with him."
"I..."
Bu Eun-seol had intended to speak honestly.
—I did not fight him. I merely dodged a few of his Inner Energy Bullet Art techniques, which he had executed with simple hand movements.
But he swallowed those words immediately—because Yeop Hyo-cheon extended his arm and spoke.
"Let me see."
"See what, sir?"
"Your skill."
Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded.
The Dark King, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
His martial arts, ranked foremost among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, were even said to rival those of the Three Demons and Three Honored Ones.
For such a superlative martial expert to propose a spar—how could he let this opportunity slip away?
"Then, I shall be discourteous."
As Bu Eun-seol respectfully clasped his hands together, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke solemnly.
"No need for formalities."
A faint glimmer flashed in his eyes.
"Show me your true strength."
"Understood."
Slowly, Bu Eun-seol gripped the hilt of the Ink Sword sheathed at his back.