Chapter 316
Bu Eun-seol cautiously touched the metal attached to the coupling mechanism once more.
Shwak!
At that moment, the poison needles that had protruded from the hilt vanished without a trace.
"So that's how it was."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been examining the hilt closely, nodded in understanding.
This hidden mechanism had two purposes.
Most likely, it was meant to prevent weapon theft when the Small Saber and the Great Saber were combined—and to fully discharge the poison needles for ambushing enemies at close range.
"An unusual material."
The blade of the Small Saber was stained black.
Bu Eun-seol's beloved sword, the Ink Sword, was also black, but as befitting a divine weapon, its surface shimmered with an eerie luster.
Yet this Small Saber absorbed all the light in the world, devoid of any gleam.
Had the hilt not been there, it would have looked like nothing more than a black, sword-shaped fissure in the air.
"It's not a sword I can wield."
A single weapon—the Ink Sword—was enough for him.
Moreover, he had never trained in any particularly useful saber techniques...
Having no greed for weapons, Bu Eun-seol felt no particular interest in the Small Saber.
"I'm here to trace the footsteps of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, not to claim his weapon."
Swish.
Yet despite his words, Bu Eun-seol tucked the Small Saber into his robes.
While it was good not to covet treasures, he couldn't just leave behind something that might later prove to be a clue.
Tap.
Just then, as his bloodstained glove brushed against the demonic saber,
Uuung...
The blade of the Small Saber suddenly began trembling violently. At the same time, a faint click sounded near the hilt.
"Another hidden mechanism for discharging poison needles?"
Drawing upon the Empty Mind Spirit Communion, a white radiance spilled from Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
As he scrutinized the hilt, now marked by his touch, his gaze abruptly halted on the pitch-black ornament at the pommel.
Clack.
When he channeled a trace of Internal Power into the ornament,
Tung.
The pommel decoration opened, and a tightly rolled piece of aged paper sprang out.
"Blade Essence?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed as he stared at the bloodstained, ancient paper.
Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
Surprisingly, what had been hidden inside the hilt was not a hidden weapon—but a saber technique composed of seven martial forms.
"Bloody Tears Seven Forms..."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't comprehend it.
The names of Demonic Path Martial Arts usually reflected their power or characteristics.
Yet the name "Bloody Tears Seven Forms" carried a desolate weight unbefitting a saber technique.
"This is..."
As Bu Eun-seol read the characters inscribed on the aged paper, the white glow in his eyes deepened.
Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
These were not mere sword techniques—they were Blade Essences, principles he had only ever imagined while hypothesizing about reaching the Martial Extreme Realm.
The martial prowess of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang, who had created this technique, was far more unfathomable than he had ever anticipated.
"Astonishing."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't tear his eyes away as he read through the Blade Essence.
This was no ordinary saber art—it unleashed the unstoppable force of nature itself.
Moreover, it was a unique technique that required burning away both body and soul to perform it.
"Why would the former Deputy Hall Lord of the Demon Hall create such a sorrowful, wretched technique?"
—First Form, Life is a Sojourn, Death is a Return.
This world is but a temporary dwelling. To die is to return to one's original state.
—Second Form, Seeking Life Amidst Death.
In a situation where death is inevitable, a single thread of life is found... yet...
—Third Form, Half-Alive, Half-Dead.
Reaching a state where one does not know whether they will live or die.
—Fourth Form, Desire Death, No Place to Die.
Even if one wishes to die, there is no place to die.
—Fifth Form, Death Without Closing the Eyes.
Even when the time of death arrives, the eyes refuse to close.
—Sixth Form, Death Without Remaining Regret.
Even in death, there remains no lingering resentment...
—Seventh Form, Death With Remaining Guilt.
Yet even after death, sins endure... nothing but regret.
Every principle of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms revolved around death.
Bu Eun-seol could feel it.
The Bu Jan-yang who had devised this technique had carried death in his heart all his life—and in the end, he had yearned for death itself.
"Why...?"
Bu Eun-seol couldn't understand.
"Even after creating a saber technique that reached the pinnacle of the Saber Path, why was he drowned in such sorrow?"
The Bloody Tears Seven Forms engraved into the blade by the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was not the foremost saber art of the Demonic Path.
It was nothing less than the Number One Saber Art Under Heaven.
Despite possessing a technique that had reached such heights, despite holding the exalted position of Deputy Hall Lord of the Demon Hall...
Why had he lived such a tormented and weary life?
"Was that not Grandfather?"
Grandfather Bu Jan-yang had always given Bu Eun-seol hope and encouragement, teaching him not to dwell on past mistakes.
The mindset of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang who had created this technique was worlds apart from that.
"I can't make sense of it."
Originally, he had instinctively believed that Grandfather and the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade were the same person.
But after seeing this Blade Essence, it felt as though they were two entirely different people.
"And this Blade Essence..."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Even now, the seven foundational forms were beyond his ability to master.
Because each of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms was inscribed with its own corresponding Mind-Training Formula.
And unless one harmonized Spirit and Mind with the body in accordance with these formulas, the technique's true power could not be unleashed.
In short, this was an extraordinarily unique and peerless saber art—one that could not even be executed unless Spirit and Mind were unified with the body for each form.
At present, the only form Bu Eun-seol could barely comprehend was the First Form: Life is a Sojourn, Death is a Return.
—This world is but a temporary dwelling. To die is to return to one's original state.
This perfectly aligned with Bu Eun-seol's own philosophy that equated life and death.
"So he wasn't a ruthless murderer after all."
According to Jongri Sa-hyeon's words, contrary to popular belief, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade had not been a truly wicked man.
And Bu Eun-seol could sense it too.
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
He had lived drowning in sorrow and anguish—no, he had even yearned for his own death.
That was why he had been able to create such a sword technique... and why he had reigned as an invincible force.
"Seven Fingers Demonic Blade."
Bu Eun-seol tightened his grip on the short sword in his hand.
He could feel it—this blade was his destiny.
Click.
When he drew the scabbard, the faintly engraved characters "Journey" were visible at the base.
Most likely, Bu Jan-yang himself had named it.
"Journey."
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
To give such a lonely name—"Traveler's Path"—to a blade he had always carried close...
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang had not only lived a long life in solitude...
He must have also regarded the blood-soaked existence of a martial artist as nothing more than a fleeting "traveler's path."
Click.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed Journey back into its scabbard.
As the blade slid into the old, rusted sheath, its sinister black luster vanished, leaving it looking like nothing more than a plain, worn-out sword.
"Time to return."
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol turned away.
On Ghost Island, he had mended the fractures in his spirit and mind, and he had realized that martial arts were not merely contests of raw power—
They were the pursuit of the pinnacle of profundity.
And now, having even mastered the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's ultimate sword art, the Bloody Tears Seven Forms... he was finally ready to sever the neck of that vile Heavenly Sword.
The martial world was in an uproar.
On the island known as Ghost Island, renowned heroes of the orthodox faction had been massacred in droves.
Their bodies bore numerous scars, but the most fatal wounds were those left by the Inner Energy Bullet Art—a technique that had shattered their flesh like brittle cookies.
And that was none other than the signature martial art of the Bullet King.
"Are you saying the Bullet King slaughtered the orthodox heroes?"
The martial world, especially the righteous faction, was in disbelief.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
He had been a lofty, solitary wanderer who had performed countless righteous deeds—a paragon of virtue, a man as unyielding as an iron rod.
Yet the bodies of the slain heroes bore traces of the Purple Lightning Golden Pellets, and even the cave entrance on Ghost Island was marked with the character "Dan "—symbolizing the Bullet King.
But the Bullet King himself had vanished, and no one knew the truth behind it all.
The orthodox faction had mobilized their intelligence networks to track his movements, but he had disappeared without a trace—as if evaporated into thin air.
"This matter cannot be judged so easily."
In the end, the orthodox faction chose their words carefully.
Unless the Bullet King himself stepped forward, the truth would remain unknown.
But this was merely their public stance.
"Find that masked butcher!"
"How could a grandmaster revered by the righteous faction for decades commit such slaughter?!"
Rumors spread that the friends, kin, and sects of the heroes who had died on Ghost Island had either set out to hunt the Bullet King themselves or hired mercenaries at exorbitant prices.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
A man who had safeguarded the martial world for so long, who had walked the path of righteousness and justice...
Had now been branded as a murderer who had concealed his true nature for decades.
Upon returning to the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol immediately entered seclusion.
His goal? To master the Bloody Tears Seven Forms of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
"Old man..."
Before retreating, Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened as he recalled Bukgung Ryeong.
He had heard all the rumors shaking the martial world about the Bullet King.
"As expected, they moved to erase his reputation first."
Given how swiftly news of the incident on the remote Ghost Island had spread, it was clear that the same forces behind the Treasure Map scheme were responsible.
Originally, Bu Eun-seol had anticipated this and had even promised to take the blame himself.
But Bukgung Ryeong had refused—choosing instead to play into their hands.
All because he believed Bu Eun-seol could one day become the foundation of the martial world.
"It will take time..."
Entering the training room, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and muttered to himself.
"But I will restore your honor, old man."
Every time they met, Bukgung Ryeong had bestowed opportunities upon Bu Eun-seol through the Inner Energy Bullet Art.
Even if only to repay that debt, Bu Eun-seol resolved to one day reclaim the Bullet King's lost honor.
Four days later.
Having secluded himself in the training room to study the Blade Essence, Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a weary expression.
"Still not enough."
He had memorized every hidden stroke of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms inscribed on Journey's hilt and burned the written blade formula.
Day and night, he had poured himself into grasping the Blade Essence.
The reflection in the mirror showed dark circles beneath his eyes.
Though he could go four nights without sleep and remain sharp, the Blade Essence of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms was nearly on par with the most advanced mind-cultivation techniques.
In fact, it was even harder to master than the combined teachings of the Severing Emotion Secret Art—the supreme mental discipline of the demonic path—and the Martial Emperor's Enlightenment of the orthodox faction.
"But even this first form alone can cut down the world."
There had been progress.
Bu Eun-seol had successfully unified his spirit and the Blade Essence, mastering the first form—Life is a Sojourn, Death is a Return.
He could say with certainty:
In all the vast world, only a handful could withstand this single stroke of his blade.
Click.
As he stepped outside, the midday sun bathed him in its light.
Emerging from his quarters, Bu Eun-seol headed straight for the Flower Red Pavilion.
Having just ended his long seclusion, he intended to clear his mind with a stroll.
But in the distance, Mu-gwang—Yu Un-ryong's adjutant—approached.
"Lord."
Clasping his hands respectfully, he spoke cautiously.
"The Sword Unit Commander Yu and Commander Myo are waiting for you in the conference room, Lord."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed instantly.
The fact that these two had sought him out—
It could only mean their investigation into the Heavenly Sword had finally concluded.
Without delay, Bu Eun-seol headed straight for the conference room.
Inside, Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u sat at the large table, their faces haggard with exhaustion.
They must have burned the midnight oil dissecting every detail about the Heavenly Sword and refining the intelligence.
"You've worked hard."
Bu Eun-seol acknowledged their efforts before even hearing their report.
Myo Cheon-u responded with a dry smile.
"Hard work? This is our fight too."
Avenging Yeong Mun-ho's death at the hands of the Heavenly Sword wasn't just Bu Eun-seol's duty—it was something all the Ten Demonic Heirs had to do.
"The Kill-Seeking Unit Commander was a tremendous help," Yu Un-ryong said, his voice weary.
"Now I understand why you spent a fortune to bring them under your direct command. Without their assistance, gathering this level of intel on the Heavenly Sword would've been impossible."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The Heavenly Sword had always moved covertly through the Martial World.
And now that he'd been appointed as a first-grade Sword Unit Commander of the Martial Alliance, their formal intelligence network would have actively concealed his tracks.
That left only one organization capable of uncovering his secrets—the Kill-Seeking Unit, the sole rival to the Secret Shadow Pavilion in espionage.
"To summarize briefly," Yu Un-ryong began calmly, "that lunatic is currently mimicking you."
"Leading his own unit independently, cracking down on sects that have been thorns in the Martial Alliance's side. And eliminating those who harm civilians—all to further amplify his reputation."
"Hmm."
"His martial prowess is extraordinary, and he fears nothing. Likely due to a head injury in his childhood."
"A head injury?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Yu Un-ryong nodded and continued.
"They say the Heavenly Sword was the sole survivor of a village massacred by demonic bandits when he was a child."
After a brief sigh, he resumed the tale.
"The last house the bandits slaughtered was his own... and just as the child was about to die, the Sword Sage appeared."
The demonic bandits had raided the village, butchering its inhabitants with brutal efficiency.
During their final sweep, they discovered a child hiding in a barn.
When the bandits spotted him, the boy clenched his tiny fists.
Then he charged at the men who had slaughtered his family, swinging his small hands wildly.
"Tch."
Annoyed, one of the bandits kicked him with full force.
Thud.
The boy was sent flying over a hundred feet, his head smashing against a rock. Blood gushed freely, yet his breath stubbornly refused to fade. He even tried to rise again.
"Persistent little rat."
The bandit strode forward, intent on finishing the job.
CRACK!
A thunderclap split the air as a white-robed figure descended from the heavens.
It was Heonwon Dam-cheong, the Sword Sage, drawn to the scene by the agonized screams.
But the village had already been wiped out—only the blood-soaked child remained.
"Vermin unworthy of life."
In less than eight minutes, his wrath reduced hundreds of bandits to corpses.
"..."
The Sword Sage's gaze wavered as he observed the surviving child.
The boy writhed weakly against the rock.
Not only was his fate cruel—to be the lone survivor of such carnage—but his bone and muscle structure was astonishingly exceptional.
"Hmm."
Heonwon Dam-cheong already had fully grown disciples.
And with no lingering attachments to the Martial World, he had been preparing to leave it all behind.
Yet seeing this child, the sole survivor of the bandits' slaughter, he sensed an inescapable destiny.
"Perhaps this too is heaven's will."
Though born a peasant, the boy possessed Innate Martial Bone—a prodigious gift. Resolved, the Sword Sage spoke in a low voice.
"What is your name?"
But the boy only stared back with hollow eyes, his mind likely shattered from the impact.
"His brain meridian is damaged."
The collision with the rock had robbed him of all memory.
BOOM!
Thunder roared as rain began to pour.
Heonwon Dam-cheong stepped closer.
"Will you follow me?"
The boy, still seated with vacant eyes, nodded slowly.
Hummm...
A blue light erupted from the Sword Sage's body, followed by an overwhelming aura like that of a towering mountain.
"So that these evils may no longer roam free, bringing harm to the world... you shall become Heaven's Sword, cutting down the wicked."
"Heaven's... Sword."
"Indeed."
Gazing at the softly murmuring child, Heonwon Dam-cheong declared in a solemn voice:
"From this day forth, your name shall be Cheon-geom—the Heavenly Sword."
"And so, the Heavenly Sword became the Sword Sage's disciple," Yu Un-ryong concluded.
Myo Cheon-u stroked his chin skeptically.
"Too contrived. Anyone hearing this would think it's some legendary folktale."
"Likely a narrative deliberately spread by the Sword Sage's faction," Yu Un-ryong shrugged.
"Otherwise, details known only to those two wouldn't have circulated so vividly in the Martial World."
Then he turned back to Bu Eun-seol.
"After that, the Heavenly Sword inherited the Sword Sage's entire legacy of sword studies."
By all accounts, his martial bone was so extraordinary it stunned even the Sword Sage himself.
Perhaps due to his head injury?
Not only did he possess innate talent for martial arts, but he reportedly felt no fear whatsoever.
He also left the weak alone—only in challenging the strong.
His sole flaw was his merciless, brutal approach when dealing with evildoers...
But from the orthodox faction's perspective, that was hardly a flaw at all.
"So he has no weaknesses whatsoever."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, a glint flashed in Yu Un-ryong's pupils.
"No. He does."
And then, in a voice brimming with conviction, he spoke.
"I discovered it after meticulously analyzing every single movement. That so-called Heavenly Blade has a fatal flaw."