Chapter 253
Bu Eun-seol remained at the Fleeting Moment Boat for some time.
It was both to await any information about Wicked Incense and to thoroughly examine all the records stored in the Pavilion of Distant Heaven.
The Pavilion of Distant Heaven.
It was a repository for the books containing the information collected by the Fleeting Moment Boat.
From baseless rumors circulating in the martial world to high-level intelligence that significantly influenced sects and factions, everything was meticulously organized in chronological order.
Bu Eun-seol was combing through these volumes, alongside the Martial World Directory, to uncover any information about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
Rustle, rustle.
He swiftly skimmed through records spanning over thirty years, from the rumors and martial world affairs of the past to the present.
He reasoned that if he examined the records from the era when the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade had vanished without a trace up to now, he might find a clue.
'This is strange.'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as he flipped through the pages.
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang, known as the Demon Path's Foremost Bladesman, had never once used hidden weapons or poison.
Naturally, there was also no mention of him having mastered the Indian Yoga Art.
'Was the Empty-Handed Divine Thief spouting nonsense before he died?'
Moreover, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's skill and reputation were unparalleled.
Especially during his prime, when he roamed the martial world, there was no one who could stand against him. He had no reason to resort to something like Wicked Incense's hidden weapons.
'There's also the matter of the time gap...'
The period when the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang suddenly disappeared.
And the time when his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, the undertaker affiliated with the Magistrate's Office, first appeared—there was a difference of several years.
Of course, that gap could have been the result of preparation time needed to completely transform his identity.
'The martial world has organizations that specialize in identity laundering, doesn't it?'
Groups like the Hao Clan, the Myriad Views Gang, or the Twelve Earthly Branches—underworld criminals and factions deeply connected to the Black Gangs.
There were also sects like the Private Gate and the Blood Dragon Gang, which exclusively specialized in laundering identities.
In the martial world, these factions were collectively referred to as Wind-Polished and Rain-Washed—places "worn down by the wind and cleansed by the rain."
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol closed the book and shook his head.
In the end, he could find no connection between the Demon Path's Foremost Bladesman, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang, and his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang.
'If I can't do it with my current status, then I just need to climb higher.'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist tightly.
This was only the beginning.
If he ascended further, if he attained a higher position... he would undoubtedly uncover more clues.
'I still can't find any information about the murderer either.'
Shaking his head, Bu Eun-seol eventually left the Pavilion of Distant Heaven.
In the past, he had already tried using the Kill-Seeking Unit's intelligence network to search for information about the killer who murdered his grandfather.
A person who favored the use of Rotting Flesh Splitting Heat Poison, wielded Wicked Incense's hidden weapons, employed the Indian Yoga Art, and possessed exceptional mastery of the Demonic Sword Arts.
Among the known masters in the current martial world, there was not a single individual who matched these conditions.
'The information I can access is far too limited.'
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang had been the greatest bladesman of his time.
Under normal circumstances, uncovering the hidden activities of a prominent figure wouldn't be so difficult.
But he had vanished far too abruptly, and there was no trace of his movements afterward.
'Still... I must find him.'
The only person whose whereabouts they might still be able to trace was the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang.
For now, Bu Eun-seol intended to focus on him and gradually work his way toward uncovering the murderer.
"Young Master."
A fragrant woman approached Bu Eun-seol as he stepped out of the Pavilion of Distant Heaven. It was Mi-ryeong, the Wisdom Peak Pavilion Master.
"The Pavilion Master wishes to see you."
"Understood. Where should I go?"
"She requests your presence at the Refined Gold Pavilion."
'Did she find something?'
Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded.
The fact that Geuk Hye-ryeong had summoned him to the Refined Gold Pavilion could only mean one thing—she must have found information about Wicked Incense.
If the Beggars' Sect gathered intelligence through merchants, guest inns, or waiters, the Fleeting Moment Boat obtained theirs through the underworld—places like courtesan houses and gambling halls.
In other words, while their targets differed, the largest intelligence networks of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths operated under strikingly similar structures.
Of course, such a system inevitably flooded them with an overwhelming amount of information, necessitating a filtering mechanism.
And if that filter functioned properly...
What might otherwise take a year to uncover could be found in a single day.
The Refined Gold Pavilion—Geuk Hye-ryeong's office.
Her expression was deeply somber as she sat at the table.
Clink.
After taking a sip of tea, she spoke in a low voice.
"Even after mobilizing all of our intelligence resources, uncovering Wicked Incense's headquarters proved impossible."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
It had been unreasonable from the start to expect to locate the stronghold of a mysterious sect that had been entrenched in the martial world for centuries in a single stroke.
"But fortunately, we were able to locate a place closely linked to Wicked Incense."
"Where is it?"
"The Seong Family Ironworks in Zhejiang Dragon Spring."
"Seong Family Ironworks..."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned puzzled.
Dragon Spring was famous for producing high-quality steel, home to numerous forges. Yet he had never heard of the Seong Family Ironworks.
"A small forge established near Jade Flow Mountain. They've been crafting farming tools for generations."
Geuk Hye-ryeong's voice was exceedingly low.
"Though they claim to be a forge for farming tools, they've been procuring large quantities of tin and bronze."
"Tin and brass..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
"They're manufacturing springs."
"Precisely."
Springs used in hidden weapon devices were typically made by alloying tin and brass.
A forge that supposedly produced farming tools would have no reason to stockpile such materials in bulk.
"Our informants who attempted to thoroughly investigate the Seong Family Ironworks suddenly vanished. That alone suggests a connection to Wicked Incense."
She exhaled a sigh before continuing.
"Go to the Seong Family Ironworks. You'll undoubtedly find information about Wicked Incense there."
"Thank you."
"You're leaving immediately?"
"Yes."
"Be careful."
Geuk Hye-ryeong's voice remained low.
"Wicked Incense is an assassin sect that has remained hidden from the martial world for generations. Their roots run deeper than you can imagine."
Her eyes brimmed with concern.
Bu Eun-seol was a figure of exceptional wisdom and martial prowess, but he occasionally acted recklessly, as if fear did not exist within him.
That was a trait common among the extraordinary, but when dealing with a mysterious sect like Wicked Incense, extreme caution was necessary.
"Please take care as well, Pavilion Master."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together in respect.
Without delay, he departed from the Fleeting Moment Boat.
'I must hurry.'
If the pavilion's informants had gone missing, Wicked Incense must already be aware their tracks had been exposed.
He needed to arrive swiftly—before they erased all traces and slipped away.
The moment he left the pavilion, Bu Eun-seol unleashed his full combat power, propelling himself forward with Lightness Art.
Having reached the perfected realm of the Fifth Layer of the Counter-Polar Internal Art, he could maintain his Lightness Art for four days and nights without exhaustion.
Three days had already passed, yet he had not taken a single sip of water, pushing his Movement Technique to its limits as he raced toward Dragon Spring.
Swish!
The sound of breaking air was unrestrained as Bu Eun-seol's extreme-speed movement tore through the earth like a meteor.
But the weather was strange.
The closer he got to Dragon Spring, the once-clear sky darkened, thick with ominous clouds.
As if foretelling something ill-fated.
Just as Bu Eun-seol's figure descended into the deep mountain valley where the small village lay—
"..."
A sharp glint crossed his eyes.
In the distance, plumes of gray smoke billowed upward.
Thud.
Landing on the ground, Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
'Damn it.'
The small mountain village was already engulfed in flames.
And at its edge, the forge was burning fiercely as well.
It seemed Wicked Incense, realizing they had been cornered, had set both the village and the forge ablaze.
Crrrrumble.
Finally, the forge's warehouse—the last structure still standing—collapsed.
Judging by the state of the fire, it had been less than half a day since the village and forge were set aflame.
'A mere assassin sect operating an intelligence network rivaling the Demonic Path Ten Gates?'
Bu Eun-seol had pushed his Lightness Art to the limit, arriving in just three days after receiving the information.
Yet they had severed their trail this quickly?
Didn't that prove Wicked Incense's intelligence network was on par with the Fleeting Moment Boat's?
'I can still pursue them.'
To devastate the village and set the fires in such a short time would have required a large number of masters.
If he acted now, he could still catch those fleeing the area.
Just as Bu Eun-seol prepared to unleash his Movement Technique again, he abruptly halted.
Amid the fire demon consuming the village, black shadows emerged like ghosts.
"Meticulous."
Bu Eun-seol let out an admiring sigh.
The arsonists had stationed assassins here to eliminate him the moment he arrived.
"Perfect."
Instead of dismay, a pleased smile touched his lips.
Even if these weren't Wicked Incense's assassins, it didn't matter. Whoever had hired them would know something.
If he captured and interrogated them, he would undoubtedly trace their origins.
Shhhhk—
Finally, the assassins fully revealed themselves—a staggering hundred in number.
Their shoulders and arms bulged unnaturally, suggesting they wore multiple hidden weapon devices beneath their Killing Outfits.
'They weren't hired—they were sent directly by Wicked Incense.'
Swish!
Without hesitation, the hundred assassins attacked Bu Eun-seol.
But their method was somewhat peculiar.
Instead of closing the distance, they maintained a considerable gap, relentlessly showering him with hidden weapons.
Pah-pah-pah-pah!
The blue sky was blotted out in an instant.
The hidden weapons they unleashed were unlike anything commonly seen in the murim—both in shape and firing mechanism, they were drastically different from standard concealed weapon devices.
'They're definitely Wicked Incense's assassins.'
Their hidden weapon devices weren't just spring-loaded—some were gunpowder-propelled, others fired from small crossbows strapped to their forearms, and still others were mounted on their backs or shoulders, releasing volleys in rapid succession.
Bang-bang-bang!
With no room to evade, Bu Eun-seol activated Return to the Original Owner, deflecting the projectiles back at their senders.
Whoosh!
But among the barrage were hidden weapons that sprayed Energy-Dispersing Poison Powder upon impact, while others erupted in flames and exploded.
Kwaaang!
Amid the chaos, one projectile grazed Ink Sword and detonated near Bu Eun-seol's body, scattering shrapnel.
Rumble...
A massive crater formed where he had stood.
Had he not swiftly escaped the blast radius, the damage would have been severe.
'So even this is Wicked Incense's handiwork?'
In the murim, there were martial families who specialized in firearms and explosives, but they were exceedingly rare—only Thunderbolt Hall, famed for their thunderbolt bombs, and Extreme Fury Gate, known for their Heaven-Crushing Explosive Pellet, came to mind.
Yet Wicked Incense could freely manufacture firearms and explosives as well?
Kwaaang!
Meanwhile, the rain of hidden weapons swallowed Bu Eun-seol in flames.
Each explosion sent tremors through the ground, leaving gaping craters where he had stood moments before.
'Even a master in the Transcendence Realm would struggle against this trap.'
The sheer volume of attacks from these heavily armed assassins could wipe out a small sect in an instant.
Had Bu Eun-seol not possessed Beast Path, allowing him to perceive every incoming projectile—
Had he not mastered Swift Shadowless, enabling him to change direction ninety-nine times in a single leap—
Had his internal energy, which exceeded four sixty-year cycle, not allowed him to envelop himself in Body Protection True Qi—
He would never have survived this ambush.
Kwa-rung! Koo-woong!
Gradually, the onslaught of hidden weapons began to wane.
No matter how many they had brought, their ammunition wasn't infinite.
Whooosh...
A cold gust of wind swept through the haze of dust, revealing a pair of sharp, gleaming eyes.
"Now it's my turn."
Muttering low under his breath, Bu Eun-seol unleashed his movement technique at full speed, charging straight into the crowd of assassins.
Swish!
Activating Swift Shadowless, his figure blurred like a streak of lightning as he slipped among them—
Flash!
And in the same instant, a brilliant sword light erupted.
It looked as though a colossal beam of light had exploded from the center of the assassins' formation.
He had unleashed Meteor Chasing Moon, infused with overwhelming internal energy.
CLANG!
But then, something astonishing happened.
Ten nearby assassins simultaneously deployed their sword techniques, blocking Meteor Chasing Moon.
Tsk!
Yet Bu Eun-seol, as if he had anticipated this, closed the distance even further.
Their hidden weapon devices were designed for long-range bombardment—up close, they lost their effectiveness and risked harming their own allies, rendering them useless.
Schlick!
A chilling slash echoed as a crimson line appeared across an assassin's throat.
Bu Eun-seol had executed Peerless Thunderbolt, beheading one in a single stroke.
Chuk!
But at that moment, the remaining nine assassins rushed him in a suicidal charge, encircling him.
Their reckless assault made it clear—they had no regard for their own lives.
The instant Bu Eun-seol swung his sword to cut them down—
Kwaaang!
A deafening explosion erupted.
As the wind howled and white smoke dispersed, a lone figure stood tall amidst the devastation.
Zzzt—zzzzzt!
Bu Eun-seol remained standing, his entire body wreathed in crackling black true qi, resembling flickering flames.
The moment the explosion detonated, he had used Willful True Binding to materialize his true qi into a protective barrier.
'They even turned their own bodies into weapons...'
Even Bu Eun-seol, who rarely flinched at anything, stiffened.
He hadn't expected the assassins to charge at him with explosives strapped to their bodies, willing to die in the process.
'They're drugged.'
The eyes of the surrounding assassins were lifeless, like those of dead fish—their pupils dilated, the whites barely visible.
They must have been injected with some kind of drug to suppress their emotions and control their spirit and mind.
"Capturing them is pointless."
At last, Bu Eun-seol understood.
No words could be extracted from these men.
There was only one way to obtain information—kill them all and examine their corpses.