Chapter 268
'They used the Raging River to get in!'
Crunch.
Do Cheon-rin, having grasped the entire situation, gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had accomplished every mission deemed impossible.
Do Cheon-rin was well aware of this fact and had remained vigilant all along.
That was why he had even dispatched spies and messengers to monitor Bu Eun-seol and the Death Shadow Squad's movements, yet...
How in the world had they deceived all eyes and instantly penetrated deep into the heart of the Black Alliance?
Moreover, the Raging River was a direct route to All Swords Land—wasn't it supposed to be one of the Black Alliance' most heavily defended areas?
'Don't tell me... the Seven Sword Gates of Qinghai?'
Do Cheon-rin quickly shook his head.
Just in case, he had been closely monitoring the movements of the Seven Sword Gates of Qinghai.
But their forces had shown no signs of mobilization. In fact, the vessels they operated were nothing more than small merchant ships, weren't they?
'Could they have breached the coastal defenses with just the Death Shadow Squad?'
There was one thing the so-called Perfect Scholar, Do Cheon-rin, had overlooked...
And that was the martial prowess of the Death Shadow Squad.
He had known Bu Eun-seol was exceptional, but he hadn't considered the Death Shadow Squad—composed of former Rootless Squad members—to be particularly formidable.
'That was my mistake.'
Do Cheon-rin bit his lip.
Only now did he realize that the martial prowess of the Death Shadow Squad members storming into the Heuksa Palace was on par with that of a first-grade combat unit.
KWAANG!
Meanwhile, the Death Shadow Squad shattered the defensive line and immediately charged into the Heuksa Palace, where the Black Alliance Leader resided.
Watching this unfold, Do Cheon-rin's eyes widened as if they might tear apart.
"No!"
Finally losing his composure, he unleashed the full might of the Bloodflame Blade Technique and dashed forward.
No matter what, he had to stop Bu Eun-seol from beheading the Black Alliance Leader.
As the Death Shadow Squad breached the Heuksa Palace, Black Alliance disciples guarding the place surged forth like a tidal wave.
"Won Se-mun! We must send the Commander ahead first!"
At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward and unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons.
The Blood Mist Corps would soon descend upon them.
Before that happened, Bu Eun-seol absolutely had to sever the Black Alliance Leader's head.
"Shut up! I know that already!"
Won Se-mun roared, unleashing a powerful sword aura to push back the Black Alliance disciples.
"Jo Nam-cheon! What the hell is the Third Squad doing?!"
No sooner had his words ended than the Third Squad members, trained in the Black Poison Demon Art, rushed forward with full force, driving the Black Alliance disciples back.
As Jo Nam-cheon and the Third Squad tore through the frontlines with the Black Poison Demon Art, Wi Cheon-gyeong and the Second Squad scattered left and right, collapsing the enemy's formation.
When Won Se-mun and the First Squad broke through the center, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, leading the Fourth and Fifth Squads, poured in with relentless offense.
The remaining stragglers were left to the successors of the Seven Sword Gates of Qinghai at the rear.
"Commander! We'll handle things here!"
At Won Se-mun's shout, Bu Eun-seol gave a brief nod and darted past his unit members like an arrow, unleashing his movement technique.
Then Jo Nam-cheon shouted in succession.
"Brother Myo, Brother Yu! Follow the Commander!"
Aside from Bu Eun-seol, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong possessed the strongest martial arts.
"We'll take care of this side!"
"Don't get complacent! We're barely holding on here too!"
As Myo Cheon-u unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, Jo Nam-cheon bellowed.
"You think that bandit leader is just sitting alone in there?! Hurry up and go!"
At his cry, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong exchanged glances.
The Death Shadow Squad valued Bu Eun-seol's safety more than their own.
If anything happened to him, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.
"Fine!"
Yu Un-ryong was the first to break from the frontline and chase after Bu Eun-seol. Myo Cheon-u immediately followed, activating his movement technique.
SWISH!
Pushing their limits, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong charged deep into the Heuksa Palace.
As they reached the entrance to the Grand Hall, five Black Alliance disciples, each wielding a different weapon, blocked their path.
They were none other than the Five Great Killing Gods—the five Hall Leaders of the Black Alliance.
"The defensive line hasn't even been breached. How the hell did the Demon Hall bastards get this far?"
No Gon, the Evil Sword and leader of the Five Great Killing Gods, narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me they came by boat?"
"Bu Eun-seol."
At that moment, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong stepped forward.
"We'll handle them. Go ahead."
Bu Eun-seol hesitated briefly.
The Five Great Killing Gods were renowned masters of the Transcendence Realm, feared throughout the Murim for years.
Even though Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong had recently grown significantly stronger, this would still be an extremely dangerous fight.
"There's no time to hesitate!"
Yu Un-ryong shouted.
"Do Cheon-rin will be here any moment. Are you going to let our unit's efforts go to waste?!"
Hearing this, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
ZING!
Drawing upon his internal power, Bu Eun-seol instantly thrust out his left hand.
Threads of internal energy, like spider silk, erupted, forcefully pushing the Five Great Killing Gods aside to clear the path to the Grand Hall.
"What the hell is this?!"
Startled, they drew their weapons to counter.
But Bu Eun-seol had already slipped through the gap like lightning, using his movement technique.
CLANG!
In an instant, he vanished into the Grand Hall.
"After him!"
As the Five Great Killing Gods frantically tried to pursue,
WHOOSH!
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong blocked the entrance to the Grand Hall, unleashing explosive force.
"Not one step further!"
SWISH!
The moment Bu Eun-seol stepped deep into the Grand Hall, an eerie sensation washed over him.
As Bu Eun-seol stepped inside the Grand Hall, an eerie atmosphere enveloped him, accompanied by a strange fragrance that tickled his nostrils.
'Human Blossoms?'
The peculiar scent wafting through the hall was identical to the one he had encountered in that secret underground facility when infiltrating it with Yu Hwaryeong.
Why would such a fragrance linger in the dwelling of the Black Alliance' leader?
Thud. Thud.
Sensing something amiss, Bu Eun-seol slowly advanced deeper into the hall.
At the center stood a shield-shaped statue symbolizing the Black Alliance, and leaning against it was a shadow clad in black clothes.
Long, disheveled hair spilled in all directions, and a lengthy sword hung at the waist.
This was Dong Li-jeok—once known as Black Death, the bandit leader who had once plunged the Great Desert into terror, now the sovereign of the Black Alliance.
"How unexpected."
Dong Li-jeok, who had been leaning against the statue, tilted his head as he studied Bu Eun-seol.
"I assumed the Demon Hall's forces would come swarming in. Yet here you are, alone."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze wasn't fixed on Dong Li-jeok's face but on his fingers—stained entirely black from cultivating the Black Blood Finger Force, a unique Finger Art.
The Black Blood Finger Force could be wielded like a Claw Art or unleashed as Finger Wind.
Moreover, it was said that those who reached the Great Origin Realm could even use their fingers like swords.
Given that Dong Li-jeok's fingers were completely blackened... there was no doubt—he had attained the Great Origin Realm and mastered Finger Swords.
"So that's what it is."
Dong Li-jeok nodded as if he had just realized something.
"You must be one of the Demon Hall's Successor Candidates."
Having seemingly grasped the situation, he chuckled darkly.
"No wonder the position of Successor is hanging over my neck."
Bu Eun-seol's expression flickered with surprise.
It wasn't that Dong Li-jeok had somehow infiltrated the Demon Hall's inner circle—spies were embedded everywhere, after all.
But the Black Alliance' leader was known as a ruthless Killing Ghost.
Yet now, his eyes exuded a solemn dignity, almost like that of an orthodox martial Master.
"You've reached the Extreme Demon Realm," Bu Eun-seol remarked flatly, staring straight at him.
"That's why your killing intent has vanished."
"Hohoho. After passing sixty, the killing intent within me suddenly disappeared," Dong Li-jeok replied with a grin.
"Ever since, I lost interest in personally slaughtering people and focused on expanding my faction instead."
"How pitiful."
Bu Eun-seol clicked his tongue in disdain.
"Drenched in medicine just to cling to life."
"Oh? Sharp eyes."
Dong Li-jeok maintained the appearance of a man barely past his prime.
It was impossible for him to have achieved Reverse Aging through the Martial Extreme Realm.
Moreover, though his face was youthful, his body reeked of the same scent that permeated the Human Blossom cultivation chambers...
Undoubtedly, he was preserving his youth through some grotesque method.
"This leader united scattered bandit factions into the Black Alliance, surpassing even orthodox martial sects," Dong Li-jeok said, his smile unchanging.
"Now that my Grand Endeavor has just been achieved, wouldn't it be a shame to watch it all crumble away in old age?"
"Then was it the Eastern Depot that backed the Black Alliance' rise?"
"The Eastern Depot? Hahaha."
Dong Li-jeok shook his head, laughing hoarsely.
"I see now—you truly know nothing."
He stared intently at Bu Eun-seol as he slowly advanced.
Then, he spoke words laden with meaning.
"Then again, as the Demon Hall's Successor, how could you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Dong Li-jeok raised his fingers, black heat haze swirling around them.
"King Enma will tell you the rest."
Thud. Thud.
Dong Li-jeok's presence differed slightly from the other demonic Masters Bu Eun-seol had faced.
He didn't exude overwhelming killing intent—instead, his aura was almost gentle, like a teacher imparting a lesson.
'Similar to Gu Ju-hon's situation.'
Under normal circumstances, the Black Alliance' leader, Dong Li-jeok, would be no match for Bu Eun-seol, who had already stepped into the Extreme Heaven Realm.
But the bizarre and unique medicine derived from Human Blossoms had abruptly elevated both his physical body and Martial Arts True Scripture.
For a fleeting moment, Bu Eun-seol entertained an absurd thought—
What would happen if an absolute powerhouse like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor consumed that drug?
'Its effects likely cap at the Transcendent Realm.'
To set foot in the Extreme Heaven Realm meant reaching the limits of the physical body.
In other words, without profound enlightenment, no amount of medicine or elixirs could push one even an inch further.
Snikt!
In that instant, a sharp Finger Force pierced toward Bu Eun-seol's glabella.
It was a silent, formless strike—utterly imperceptible.
Yet he could faintly hear it, thanks to the heightened senses of the Way of the Beast.
Fwoosh—
Bu Eun-seol activated Ultimate Speed Shadowless, his figure blurring.
Simultaneously, he unleashed Formless Heavenly Flow without hesitation.
Flash!
A brilliant light erupted as his Fast Sword shot toward Dong Li-jeok's brow—or at least, it should have.
Screech!
In that split second, Dong Li-jeok had predicted the Sword Path of Formless Heavenly Flow and intercepted its unfolding with the Black Blood Finger Force.
'Swordless Victory Over Sword?'
Dong Li-jeok had executed the principle of Swordless Victory Over Sword—suppressing an armed opponent without a weapon—using the Black Blood Finger Force.
'Interesting.'
Back on Hell Island, when Bu Eun-seol had first entered the Upper-Level Hall of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, Instructor Dan Cheon-yang had commanded him to demonstrate Swordless Victory Over Sword.
But at that time, he had lacked profound insight into Sword Studies.
In the end, he had expressed the principle of Swordlessness Surpasses Swordsmanship by using the Way of the Beast to snatch Dan Cheon-yang's sword away.
But now, it's different.
Bu Eun-seol spun the Ink Sword in reverse grip.
Then, focusing Internal Power into his index and middle fingers, he simultaneously targeted Dong Li-jeok's neck and lower abdomen.
Swish!
A blade-sharp surge of Internal Power poured forth, exploiting an opening. Dong Li-jeok had no choice but to halt his attack and retreat several steps.
"Your martial prowess is considerable."
Dong Li-jeok let out an admiring sigh.
The highest realm of Swordlessness Surpasses Swordsmanship was the ability to wield sword techniques without restriction—whether a blade was present or not.
Not only had Bu Eun-seol displayed power comparable to an actual sword while executing sword techniques barehanded... but his timing and positioning had been flawless.
He was overwhelming Dong Li-jeok in both Internal Power and depth of Sword Studies.
"Then let's get serious."
A sickly yellow energy seeped from Dong Li-jeok's eyes as he realized Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess surpassed his own.
It was clear he wasn't just relying on Human Blossoms—some kind of Great Art or drug was amplifying his martial arts.
So he's different from Gu Ju-hon.
Unlike Gu Ju-hon, Dong Li-jeok retained a lucid mind. Moreover, Bu Eun-seol couldn't sense any separate space storing Essence Blood or Elixirs.
Kwa-rurrung!
In that instant, Dong Li-jeok unleashed Black Blood Finger Force, aiming to sever Bu Eun-seol's neck.
Unlike before, a faint thunderclap resonated, and the Black Blood Finger Force became so dense it was nearly visible.
Or perhaps the drug has been refined since then.
What if Dong Li-jeok, like Gu Ju-hon, could still move even after suffering fatal wounds?
This fight would become far more difficult than anticipated.
Swish-swish-swish!
Evading the Black Blood Finger Force, Bu Eun-seol swiftly swung the Ink Sword, generating dozens of Sword Qi blades.
Then, with staggered timing, those blades shot toward Dong Li-jeok's body.
It was the exquisite subtlety of Caged Bird Longing for Clouds.
"Hmph."
Dong Li-jeok dodged the raining Sword Qi one after another, closing the distance with Bu Eun-seol instead.
Then, pouring Black Blood Finger Force through all five fingers, he began executing Finger Sword Technique.
Chik-chik!
The Finger Swords forged from Black Blood Finger Force could adjust their sharp Internal Power at will, like a Treasured Sword.
Whenever Bu Eun-seol tried to slash them with the Ink Sword, Dong Li-jeok would instantly dissolve the Internal Power and counter with a piercing thrust.
Yet, unable to withstand Bu Eun-seol's Internal Power and sword techniques, he kept being forced back.
Specialized in tactics against stronger opponents.
Bu Eun-seol felt an odd sensation.
He had always fought those above him—overwhelming them with superior tactics and improvisation.
But now, the situation was completely reversed.
Bu Eun-seol was superior in both Internal Power and martial arts, yet Dong Li-jeok was unraveling each attack with varied techniques and quick thinking.
So this is how it feels.
As their fierce battle raged on, a strange sense of ease blossomed in Bu Eun-seol's heart.
It wasn't arrogance—just a natural reaction.
Having reached the threshold of the Extreme Heaven Realm, he could predict every one of Dong Li-jeok's movements and techniques.
Thus, he didn't need to fight at full strength, and a psychological ease settled over him.
I should be wary.
An ordinary martial artist might have assumed victory and fought leisurely.
But Bu Eun-seol had never once been complacent about winning.
He had always staked his life on every battle.
Chiiing!
As Bu Eun-seol's sword techniques showed not the slightest flaw or hesitation, Dong Li-jeok's gaze shifted.
"Your martial arts are extraordinary!"
With that exclamation—
Whoosh!
Dong Li-jeok abruptly retreated, then suddenly gritted his teeth.
Poison? No.
With a click, he swallowed something, and his eyes turned sickly yellow.
Simultaneously, his pupils elongated into reptilian slits, and veins bulged across his entire body.
I see. There are stages.
Only now did Bu Eun-seol understand everything.
That drug—enhancing physical ability and Internal Power through Human Essence Blood and Elixirs—
Its potency varied by how many times it was taken and how much was consumed. And the stronger it became, the more it corroded even the Spirit and Mind.
Paaat!
Dong Li-jeok's Black Blood Finger Force, now amplified by his heightened martial power, tore into Bu Eun-seol's body.
His original strength already surpassed Gu Ju-hon's, and his mind remained intact.
By consuming more of the drug, he had become a martial artist capable of standing against Bu Eun-seol.
Good.
The stronger Dong Li-jeok grew, the more Bu Eun-seol's focus sharpened.
With each attack he endured, his body and Spirit and Mind merged further, and the power of his sword techniques intensified.
The stronger the enemy, the stronger I become.
That was the essence of Langya Pavilion Martial Arts—and Bu Eun-seol's unique talent for evolving his martial arts through life-and-death battles.
"DIE!"
After the exchange had continued for over a quarter of an hour, Dong Li-jeok, sensing his disadvantage, unleashed a Great Roar before darting forward.
Hiss-hiss-hiss-hiss!
As if using a Clone Technique, he split into four shadowy figures, each channeling Black Blood Finger Force through all ten fingers to encircle Bu Eun-seol.
This was his ultimate technique—his final trump card:
Black Blood World.
A trap?
A strange light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
They were still mid-battle, and neither had found the perfect moment for a decisive strike.
Yet Dong Li-jeok was recklessly pouring all his Internal Power into this final technique now?
Swish!
As Black Blood World surged like a whirlwind, about to engulf Bu Eun-seol—
Something bizarre happened.
Halt.
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol stopped moving.
He stood perfectly still.