Chapter 363
Bu Eun-seol's pupils trembled for an instant.
He had been utterly convinced that the probability of Bu Jan-yang being the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was extremely high.
But now, the secret technique passed down by his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, turned out to be the exclusive mind-training formula of Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi?
'Does the Deputy Pavilion Master know about Jeong Cheon-je's martial arts?'
Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi.
A peerless grandmaster who had reached the pinnacle of orthodox martial arts, and the current leader of the Martial Alliance.
Yet, no one knew what kind of martial arts he practiced or just how profound his level was.
Because he had never once publicly engaged in a decisive battle. Occasionally, there were those who challenged him, but they all reportedly acknowledged their own defeat upon realizing the insurmountable gap between them.
"Have you faced Jeong Cheon-je before?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Dan Cheong let out a soft chuckle.
Just from that smile, Bu Eun-seol instantly grasped one fact.
"You and Jeong Cheon-je have crossed blades."
"Indeed. After clashing with him, the Pavilion Lord roared in frustration—'That damn raccoon-like bastard's True Void technique synchronizes with Qi circulation to steal mind-training formulas!'"
Dan Cheong's eyes narrowed faintly, as if recalling that memory.
"Well, it's not just the Pavilion Lord. The leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates already know about it too."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's expression stiffened as if he had been struck on the back of the head.
"The leaders of the Ten Gates have also fought Jeong Cheon-je?"
"Correct. The leaders of the Fire Rain Sword Sect and the Bloodflame Blade Family faced him alone, while the rest of the Ten Gates' leaders reportedly joined forces against him at one point."
Bu Eun-seol's lips parted in shock.
"Why hasn't such information spread throughout the martial world?"
"Doesn't our Martial Soul Lord also go to great lengths to conceal his martial prowess and deeds?"
"That's..."
"Exactly. It's only natural."
Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
"The abilities of those who stand at the pinnacle of the martial world are truly unfathomable. No matter how exceptional an intelligence network may be, unless they wish it, their secrets can never be uncovered."
Bu Eun-seol nodded faintly in understanding.
Not long ago, he had met the Profound Demon, Wi Ji-mua, and even then, he couldn't begin to gauge the depths of that man's martial prowess.
"Now then, tell me. How did you do it?"
Dan Cheong's eyes gleamed as he asked.
"Did you meet Jeong Cheon-je?"
A cold sweat trickled down Bu Eun-seol's spine.
Originally, he had intended to honestly explain the Heavenly Robe Mind Art.
But if the Heavenly Robe Mind Art was Jeong Cheon-je's martial technique...?
Then he couldn't reveal this fact to Dan Cheong—or to anyone from the Demonic Path.
Because this martial art had been implanted in him by his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, and its true nature remained unknown.
"The truth is... while pursuing the organization that creates Human Blossoms, I discovered a method in the texts they left behind."
Bu Eun-seol fabricated a plausible excuse.
"There are only ten blood circuits capable of containing an Internal Core. I assumed they would insert them in the order listed, so I split them open."
Even if his words were true,
from a probability standpoint, it was a reckless gamble.
Yet Dan Cheong nodded as if satisfied.
"I see."
"Then I shall return to the Demon Hall now."
At that, Master Cheol spoke up.
"The Ice Soul Sword is still being repaired. Once the repairs are complete, I'll send it to you immediately."
"Understood."
As Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply to the two men, Dan Cheong took a deep breath.
"Eun-seol."
Then, in an exceedingly gentle voice, he said:
"If you ever have troubles you cannot resolve, or if anything arises, visit this pavilion at any time."
'So he noticed after all.'
Dan Cheong had read the shock and bewilderment in Bu Eun-seol's eyes moments ago.
And he had likely vaguely discerned the lie as well.
Yet he deliberately pretended not to know and played along... It was impossible to measure just how much trust he placed in Bu Eun-seol.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply once more.
And he felt it again.
No matter how much he was the Heir of the Demon Hall. No matter how much authority he now held.
His home was here.
The Langya Pavilion.
Upon returning to the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol secluded himself in his quarters.
The truth he had learned from Dan Cheong was far too shocking.
—In this world, there is only one person capable of stealing another's Qi circulation method.
'Jeong Cheon-je.'
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
His grandfather had been a master from Shaolin.
So the fact that he learned a secret martial technique from the greatest master of the orthodox path wasn't that surprising.
Orthodox practitioners placed great importance on bonds, and if fate allowed, they would generously pass down their martial arts.
But what if, by any chance, his grandfather was the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade—and had learned martial arts from the leader of the Martial Alliance?
'A double spy.'
If that were true, then his grandfather was a double spy dispatched by the orthodox faction—no, by the Martial Alliance—to infiltrate the Demonic Path.
"The probability is high."
Only then did the scattered pieces in Bu Eun-seol's mind finally click into place.
Why his grandfather had concealed his identity. And why he had been killed.
"If this is true, then the arrow must naturally point toward the Demon Hall."
What if his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, had been the Invincible Saber Master—the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade—who had mastered the martial arts of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths?
In that case, no matter what anyone said, the ones who would have had reason to kill him were undoubtedly the Demonic Path... and the Demon Hall.
Hadn't the murderer, in fact, wielded the terrifying sword techniques of the Demonic Path?
"Looking back, it was the sound of weapons clashing."
That ominous yet distinct metallic resonance Bu Eun-seol had heard while emerging from the iron coffin during the Corpse Game—now that he thought about it, it had unmistakably been the sound of weapons colliding.
But hadn't his grandfather been unarmed at the time?
Then why had there been the sound of weapons clashing? Could it be that he had snatched the enemy's weapon and fought back?
"Impossible."
Yet the murderer had forced his grandfather to extend his own arms before severing them.
That could only mean one thing—he had likely used Bu Eun-seol's life, still residing at Peaceful Burial House, as leverage.
From the very beginning, his grandfather had been in no position to kill the murderer.
"One thing is certain—the murderer's martial prowess is formidable enough to dominate the entire murim."
One thing was certain: his grandfather had mastered Shaolin's supreme internal techniques and even knew the secret arts of the Orthodox Heavenly Emperor.
To be able to launch an attack against such a master—that alone proved the murderer possessed overwhelming martial might.
If he were to narrow down figures within the Demonic Path capable of such power, they would be limited to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Three Demons, the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, and the Supreme Cult Commander.
"It's possible the culprit is within this very Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
At this point, whether his grandfather had truly been the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade no longer mattered.
But if his grandfather had been connected to the Orthodox Heavenly Emperor—
Then the murderer's identity could only lie within the Demonic Path.
"And those who created the Human Blossoms must also be connected to his death."
If they were figures standing at the pinnacle of the martial world, they would inevitably be entangled in its affairs.
In fact, there was a high probability that those who had manufactured the Human Blossoms were linked to the murderer who had killed his grandfather.
"Then I must start by tracking down the creators of the Human Blossoms."
Up until now, all the information regarding the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade had come to him incidentally—as byproducts of solving other matters.
But rather than chasing after the elusive trail of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade with no leads, following this concrete clue was—
At present, the far better choice.
"Summon the Division Chiefs."
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
He intended to pursue the lead of the artificial inner elixir and once again expose their true nature.
Disguised as Seol-so, Bu Eun-seol slipped out of the Demon Hall in secret.
"Just how deeply have the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars entrenched themselves in the murim?"
Creating artificial inner elixirs using Human Blossoms was nothing short of revolutionary—yet it bordered on the impossible.
Yet they had succeeded.
And to achieve such results would have required decades—perhaps even centuries—of research.
If so, it would be no exaggeration to say that the murim had long been in the grasp of the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
—"It's possible the descendants of the Medical Saint among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars orchestrated this."
That had been Yu Un-ryong's opinion.
If one could artificially create an inner elixir, it would mean possessing medical arts so advanced they could touch the heavens.
In that case, the probability was high that the descendants of the Medical Saint had been involved.
—"As the Lord predicted, figures worthy of being called the Killing Star have recently appeared throughout the murim."
That had been So Ja-myeong's report, following the investigation Bu Eun-seol had requested.
If the children abducted by Wicked Incense long ago had been fed artificial inner elixirs—then it was only natural that others had also been used as test subjects.
Outwardly, the artificial inner elixir showed no side effects, but when agitated, it unleashed an uncontrollable surge of killing intent.
Which meant those who had ingested it would inevitably cause incidents.
That was why Bu Eun-seol had predicted that figures worthy of being called the Killing Star would soon emerge in the murim.
—"Recently, an overwhelming Killing Star has appeared in the Imgang Prefecture region."
Upon hearing So Ja-myeong's words, Bu Eun-seol concluded the meeting and immediately headed for Imgang Prefecture.
If he could capture this Killing Star, he would undoubtedly be able to seize the tail of the forces behind the artificial inner elixir.
Whoosh—
Without pause, Bu Eun-seol employed his Lightness Skill, arriving in an instant at Seomok Mountain in Imgang Prefecture.
Thanks to the incident with the Black-White Witch, Bu Eun-seol had grown accustomed to tracking and interrogating the movements of certain individuals.
Investigating the nearby area, he confirmed that a Killing Star afflicted with Slaughter Frenzy had indeed appeared in the Seomok Mountain region, attacking murim members.
"Reliable information."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze grew distant as he stared at the distant sky.
"From now on, I must handle as many matters as possible alone."
Originally, he had planned to report the matter of the artificial inner elixir to the Demon Hall and dispatch a large number of executioners.
But through this incident, he had come to realize there was a high probability that the forces or spies of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars had taken root within the Demon Hall—or perhaps even the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Which meant that among them, there might very well be the murderer who had killed his grandfather. He had to handle everything possible—alone and in secret.
'Now I don't even know what distinguishes the Demonic Path from the Righteous Path.'
The murim was divided between the Demonic Path and the Righteous Path, and on the surface, they appeared united in purpose.
But in the end, what truly separated those two paths was nothing more than profit and power.
The Demonic Path pursued gains and losses, while the orthodox factions obsessed over fame and expanding their influence. And no matter where you looked, spies were everywhere.
Having experienced all this firsthand, Bu Eun-seol found even the distinction between the Demonic and Righteous Paths growing increasingly blurred in his eyes.
Whoosh.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the village near Seomok Mountain.
The moment he arrived, Bu Eun-seol surveyed his surroundings and questioned the locals to gather information.
And finally, he found the trail.
He confirmed that the Killing Star—who was suspected of possessing the artificial inner elixir—was currently hiding near the ruined Okryu Temple.
Clang! Clash!
But then, something unexpected happened.
The moment Bu Eun-seol reached the vicinity of Okryu Temple, the sounds of weapons clashing rang out one after another.
'There's someone else here.'
Doubling the speed of his movement technique, Bu Eun-seol dashed toward the source of the noise in an instant.
Inside Okryu Temple, in the crumbling courtyard before the Great Hero Hall, two shadowy figures were frantically exchanging blows with their weapons.
Swish! Whoosh!
The figure clad in black robes wielded a great saber, while the masked man in blue robes brandished a slender, needle-thin sword.
Yet, contrary to their weapons, the black-robed masked man's saber technique was swift and elusive, while the blue-robed swordsman's swordplay was heavy and imposing.
'That must be the Killing Star.'
Bu Eun-seol immediately discerned that the black-robed figure was the Killing Star who had been hiding near Okryu Temple.
Not only was the black-robed man's pupils brimming with thick killing intent, but dark energy pulsed from his entire body.
The blue-robed man had likely tracked down the Killing Star before Bu Eun-seol and was now attempting to capture him.
Fwoosh!
Then, the black-robed man's saber technique shifted.
Suddenly, like a raging storm, he swung his great saber, unleashing a torrent of blade winds to pressure the blue-robed man.
Fwip!
At that moment, the blue-robed man's mask was torn away by the wind, revealing his face.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened in shock.
The blue-robed man wielding the slender, needle-like sword was none other than the youngest son of the Namgung Clan—Namgung Un.
'His skills have improved tremendously.'
The fragile, paper-thin aura he had once carried was completely gone, replaced by the sharp pulse of true qi that only the most exceptional swordsmen could emit.
In the time since they had last met, Namgung Un had become an unrecognizably formidable swordsman.
Whoosh!
But then, the great saber of the black-robed man—who had been unleashing a mad flurry of strikes—curved in an eerie arc.
Realizing that Namgung Un wouldn't be pushed back even by his full-force assault, the black-robed man seemed intent on delivering a final, decisive blow.
Fwip!
The saber twisted like a whip, plunging toward Namgung Un's side.
Yet Namgung Un didn't panic. Instead, he raised his gold needle sword skyward.
Huum!
A strange vibration hummed through the air as an overwhelming pressure descended from above.
At the same time, the black-robed man's saber failed to pierce Namgung Un's side, instead embedding itself uselessly into the ground.
Namgung Un hadn't used the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword—instead, he had employed a heavy, domineering greatsword technique.
'That sword technique—'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils dilated as he watched.
The sword technique Namgung Un had just executed—
Wasn't it identical to the greatsword technique used by that mysterious masked man who had once ambushed Dan So-ok?
"Ghk—!"
Unable to withstand the crushing pressure, the black-robed man let out a pained groan and staggered back.
"You'll pay for this!"
The black-masked man activated his movement technique mid-air and attempted to flee.
He had realized there was no way he could defeat Namgung Un as he was now.
Boom!
At that moment, a massive surge of fist energy descended from the sky, cutting off the masked man's escape route.
It was Bu Eun-seol's strike.
"Kgh—!"
The black-robed man twisted his body at the last moment, but the fist energy still grazed his shoulder.
Gritting his teeth, he landed back on the ground and tried to flee in another direction.
Slash!
But in that instant, Namgung Un's sword shot forth like lightning, lightly piercing the black-robed man's chest.
"Urk—!"
The man let out a strangled cry of pain.
The wound itself wasn't deep.
But the sheer force of internal energy that surged through it instantly crushed his organs.
"Ghk—!"
As the black-masked man staggered, coughing up dark blood, Namgung Un struck his pressure points like lightning.
Crunch. Thud.
As the man whose pressure points had been struck collapsed, Namgung Un exhaled a long sigh and surveyed his surroundings.
"Which esteemed elder might you be?"
Whoosh.
The moment Bu Eun-seol descended from the air, Namgung Un's eyes widened as if they might tear.
"You—!"
Staring dumbfounded at Bu Eun-seol's face—now disguised as Seol-so—Namgung Un spread his arms and dashed forward.
"Brother Bu!"
Like a child, he threw his arms around Bu Eun-seol and jumped up and down.
"How long has it been? Hahaha!"
Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
Namgung Un had grown tall enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bu Eun-seol, who stood over six feet, and his frame had filled out impressively.
Yet his laughter remained as pure and carefree as ever, his smile just as untainted.
"You've improved remarkably."
Bu Eun-seol offered the praise before asking,
"That technique you used earlier—it didn't seem like the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword."
"Haha, that?"
Namgung Un scratched his head sheepishly.
"No matter how much I refused, the Family Head forcibly made me a candidate... so I ended up learning the Emperor Sword Form's First Three Styles from the main house."
Instantly, Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
'So the masked man's sword technique... was the Namgung Clan's Emperor Sword Form's First Three Styles?'
"Were you the only one taught the First Three Styles?"
"Of course not."
Namgung Un shook his head.
"My elder brothers learned it long ago. I was the only one who hadn't, since I wasn't a candidate until now."
"I see."
A deep furrow formed between Bu Eun-seol's brows.
Which meant the masked man who had led the assassins in attacking Dan So-ok... was one of the Namgung Clan's direct bloodline.
"But... is something wrong?"
Noticing Bu Eun-seol's hardened expression, Namgung Un cautiously asked,
"Brother, you look awfully serious."
'No need to burden him with this yet.'
"It's nothing. I was just surprised, so I asked."
Quickly smoothing his expression, Bu Eun-seol let out an impressed sigh.
"The Namgung Clan's Heavy Sword Technique truly stands unrivaled in the world."
The praise was genuine.
The Emperor Sword Form was notoriously difficult to master.
It was said that those without innate talent for the sword could spend their entire lives training and still fail to grasp even its basics.
Yet Namgung Un, despite having learned the First Three Styles only recently, wielded them with effortless skill.
Though his playful nature had always overshadowed his true worth... he was, in fact, a rare prodigy.
"Ah, come on. How have you been, Brother?"
Namgung Un scratched his cheek.
"Wait—should I call you Lord now?"
"You knew?"
"When you fought the Heavenly Sword... I was lucky enough to be selected."
Namgung Un rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed.
He had witnessed the duel between Bu Eun-seol—successor of the Demon Hall—and the Heavenly Sword, disciple of the Sword Sovereign.
And so, he had learned that Bu Eun-seol, whom he had only known as the victor of the Martial Arts Tournament and the slayer of the Hell Blood Citadel's Blood Ghost Society leader...
...was, in truth, the successor shaking the foundations of the martial world.
"How could I dare call myself your sworn brother?"
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"You, who will one day lead the Namgung Clan."
Things were different now from when they had met as wandering martial artists.
He was the Demon Hall's heir, and Namgung Un was the Family Head Candidate of the Namgung Clan, foremost among the Eight Great Families.
For himself, Bu Eun-seol had already reached the pinnacle of status—there was nothing left to climb.
But Namgung Un still had a long path ahead. Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but worry that his own reputation might bring him harm.
"You're saying such distant things."
Namgung Un bared his teeth in a grin.
"Have you forgotten my oath? Even if the whole world points fingers and calls you a villain, my faith in you won't waver."
—I trust my own eyes. Even if the world brands you a demon... I will still believe in you.
Back then, when parting ways, Namgung Un had spoken those words to Bu Eun-seol.
And even now, he remembered that vow—and kept it.
'He hasn't changed at all.'
Though known as a reckless brat, Namgung Un was, in truth, a man of broad character and magnanimity.
The reason Bu Eun-seol had been able to swallow his contempt for humanity during his travels in the martial world...
...was because he had met someone like Namgung Un.
"By the way, Brother, you're still the same as ever."
"In what way?"
"Just... everything."
Namgung Un laughed brightly.
Even as the Demon Hall's successor, Bu Eun-seol carried himself without the slightest arrogance.
His speech, his demeanor—all remained unchanged. Only his martial prowess had ascended to unfathomable heights.
Namgung Un couldn't have been prouder to call such a man his sworn brother.
"Likewise."
Namgung Un was still the same good-hearted man who saw the world brightly.
And his mischievous, unruly streak hadn't faded either.
"Hahaha. Guess one's nature isn't so easily changed."
Namgung Un grinned, flashing white teeth.
"But what brings you here?"
Bu Eun-seol answered plainly.
"The Artificial Inner Elixir."
"Eh? How did you know about that?"
Namgung Un blinked rapidly before muttering something strange.
"Don't tell me... the Divine Calculator approached you too?"