Chapter 444
Demon Hall, Hidden Demon Pavilion. Grand Conference Chamber.
Every Unit Leader of the Death Shadow War Unit had gathered there, and at the center sat Bu Eun-seol.
"What did you say?"
The moment he took his seat, Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened upon hearing Yu Un-ryong's report.
It had been a rare opportunity for him to shed the identity of Seon-u Jin and return to the Demon Hall.
No matter how perfectly Seo Jin-ha played the role of his shadow, Bu Eun-seol still had to periodically return to the Demon Hall.
But before he could even properly begin his duties, Yu Un-ryong had delivered shocking news.
"The Elder is undertaking a penitential journey?"
Blood Vajra was the master and benefactor who had laid the foundation for Bu Eun-seol's internal energy and martial arts.
The Reverse Polarity True Qi he had imparted flowed through Bu Eun-seol's body for twelve double-hours, acting as both his shield and a weapon against formidable enemies.
And yet, Blood Vajra had suddenly cast aside his life and embarked on a penitential journey to settle old grudges in the martial world?
"That's correct. Blood Vajra... no, Master Blood is walking barefoot all the way to Heavenly Dragon Temple in Dali, Yunnan, enduring every attack from those who hold grievances against him."
Yu Un-ryong bit his lip with a troubled expression.
"The fortunate thing is that, given how unprecedented this penitential journey is—and the sincerity he's displaying—most figures are ending their vengeance with a single strike or by spitting on him."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
If it were truly that simple, Yu Un-ryong wouldn't have reported it with such a grave face.
As if confirming his suspicion, Yu Un-ryong continued with a solemn tone.
"But... increasingly, vile individuals who've heard rumors of Master Blood's penitential journey are gathering in Yunnan. They seek to claim the reputation of the Blood Vajra—the man who slaughtered countless members of the Righteous Path in the past."
If someone with an unforgivable grudge against Blood Vajra were to appear and deliver a fatal blow, that would be something Blood Vajra would willingly accept.
After all, he had offered his life for this very purpose.
But what if he were to be killed by those who attacked him falsely, merely to claim his fame?
Blood Vajra would die unable to close his eyes in peace.
"Elder..."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
Considering Blood Vajra's status and pride, enduring spittle and humiliation was—
—far more disgraceful than death itself.
Yet he was willingly undertaking this penitential journey, making his way to Yunnan.
And now, vile men were gathering to kill him under false pretenses? That was something Bu Eun-seol could never stand by and watch.
"Assign Unit Leader Wi and his subordinates to protect the Elder."
"I already did. That's how we found out."
Yu Un-ryong glanced at Wi Cheon-gyeong and nodded.
At that, Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke with a grim expression.
"My abilities were insufficient to deceive the Elder's notice. And if we attempt to assign guards again... he swore he would take his own life."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed hard.
It seemed Wi Cheon-gyeong had pleaded earnestly, but Blood Vajra's unyielding temperament could not be swayed.
If they ignored his wishes and sent guards anyway? He truly would end his life without hesitation.
"I'll go."
Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat without pause.
"I am the Elder's disciple. If his student wishes to accompany him on his final journey, surely he won't refuse that."
"But... you can't."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"If you go alone, you could fall into danger. It's no different from venturing into the martial world unprotected."
But Bu Eun-seol was resolute.
"If I abandon my duty out of fear of danger, how can I call myself your Lord?"
At those words, the Unit Leaders of the Death Shadow War Unit fell silent.
The reason Bu Eun-seol commanded the unwavering support and devotion of most Demonic Path members—
—was not just because of his martial prowess and wisdom.
Principle.
As a member of the Demonic Path, as a martial artist, as the Heir of the Demon Hall and a disciple of Langya Pavilion...
He had never once forsaken what was right, upholding his duties to this very day.
If he turned a blind eye to Blood Vajra's peril? He would no longer be the Martial Soul Lord whose name shook the martial world.
"Don't worry."
Bu Eun-seol nodded reassuringly at the Unit Leaders.
"I'll just see the Elder off and return immediately."
"Then, travel carefu—"
Before all the Unit Leaders could even rise and clasp their hands in farewell, Bu Eun-seol had already stepped out of the conference chamber.
Every moment delayed meant Blood Vajra was in greater danger.
"Hmm..."
Watching him leave, the Unit Leaders of the Death Shadow War Unit sighed and shook their heads.
Bu Eun-seol was the successor of the Demon Hall, leading the Death Shadow War Unit—one of the pivotal figures capable of swaying the entire martial world.
And despite the mysterious faction known as the Three Realms watching him like a hawk...
He had set off alone into the martial world without hesitation.
"No need to worry so much!"
At that moment, Won Se-mun laughed.
"What kind of man is our Lord? The time to fret over him like a child by the riverside is long past. Isn't that right?"
At his words, the other Unit Leaders nodded one by one, each adding their own remark.
"True, there's no need to worry about our Lord."
"It's not just his martial arts that are formidable."
"And though he'll be far away, Deputy Unit Leader So-yo is still with him."
As the Unit Leaders chattered with laughter, Yu Un-ryong spoke.
"Let's adjourn the meeting here."
At that, the Unit Leaders exited the conference hall, chatting as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Yu Un-ryong remained standing as he watched the Unit Leaders exit, his eyes darkening.
Myo Cheon-u...
He gritted his teeth as he watched Myo Cheon-u leave the meeting hall.
Please... this time, don't do anything pointless again!
Favors and grudges in the martial world are difficult to resolve.
No—once a martial artist has tasted the blade, settling grudges becomes an impossible task.
Of course, there is the grand retirement ceremony known as the Gold Basin Washing.
But that is only for orthodox factions who have spent their lives doing righteous deeds—and even then, only those with deep connections across all factions.
Or for renowned heroes who, even in retirement, still possess overwhelming power.
Because even after decades, the "favors and grudges" etched into people's hearts never truly fade or dissolve.
No—the longer they fester, the sharper they become.
That is why so many martial artists prefer a glorious death over retirement.
And sometimes... there are those who embark on penitential journeys, hoping to wash away all grudges and atone for past sins.
When one reaches the twilight of life, regrets of the past linger in the heart.
To leave with nothing but a pair of worn-out shoes.
Not even a speck of dust in one's pocket.
To depart without a single trace—that is the instinct of man.
And Blood Vajra was one such man.
Thud. Thud.
Clad in blood-soaked monk's robes, he walked along the forest path, his body covered in wounds.
Having begun his penitential journey in Sichuan, he had now reached Dali in Yunnan—and there was scarcely an unmarred spot left on his body.
Yet, like a man forged of steel, he walked without the slightest instability, step after step.
I've wandered too far a path.
Even as he neared his destination, Heavenly Dragon Temple, his expression remained somber.
Because he had yet to fully repent.
Even during his penitential journey, he could not shake off the past.
Rather, the closer he got to Heavenly Dragon Temple, the more vividly his memories resurfaced.
Too far a path...
Blood Vajra.
Originally a martial monk from Heavenly Dragon Temple in Dali, Yunnan, his dharma name was Hongdeok.
The epithet he earned while roaming the martial world was Iron Vajra.
A name given to him because his internal energy was so dense and profound that even weapons could not pierce his body.
But he, too, faced a great trial.
Due to his extraordinary talent and his uncompromising, upright, and strict personality—
He had been the constant target of envy and jealousy from his senior brothers.
And when he mastered Heavenly Dragon Temple's supreme internal energy and was marked as the next abbot—
His senior brothers, blinded by jealousy, made a choice they should never have made.
They framed him—not only for breaking the killing precepts during his frequent travels in the martial world—
But also for conspiring with the wicked of the Demonic Path and committing immoral acts.
Heavenly Dragon Temple's rules were strict, and breaking the killing precepts and defiling women were unforgivable sins for a Buddhist monk.
Iron Vajra protested his innocence, but the evidence and circumstances had already been perfectly fabricated.
In the end, unable to clear his name, his internal energy was crippled.
His limbs' meridians severed, he was expelled from Heavenly Dragon Temple.
—What did I do wrong?!
Iron Vajra wept tears of blood in his anguish.
Marked as the next abbot, he had mastered Heavenly Dragon Temple's supreme internal energy secrets—
And while compiling the temple's various mental cultivation methods, he had been on the verge of creating the martial world's greatest internal energy technique.
Yet, for crimes he never committed, he was reduced to a cripple and cast out?
As a lifetime of effort turned to nothing, his fury was absolute.
—I will never forgive them! Never!
Just as the despairing Iron Vajra, now a cripple, had given up—
A Great Demonic Person of the Demonic Path suddenly approached him.
[I can restore your internal energy.]
It was none other than the Human Demon who shook the world—Ak Mu-ryeong.
"Get lost."
When Iron Vajra spat out the curse, Ak Mu-ryeong only chuckled in response.
[Are you truly willing to abandon an internal energy technique that could echo through the ages?]
Iron Vajra was stunned, nearly leaping to his feet.
The Scripture Pavilion of Heavenly Dragon Temple housed not only Buddhist internal energy methods but also numerous secret techniques from beyond the frontier.
He had spent years studying them, combining them with Heavenly Dragon Temple's methods—
To create the martial world's supreme internal energy technique.
More than being reduced to a cripple, the fact that he could not complete that technique gnawed at him...
How did this Great Demonic Person know such a thing?
[My pavilion holds countless living internal energy methods. With those, you could complete your technique even without Heavenly Dragon Temple's secret manuals.]
Iron Vajra was shocked once more.
One of the reasons his technique's completion had been delayed was that all the world's internal energy secrets were expressed only in written words.
To create the supreme internal energy technique, he needed to study the true qi circulation of various masters. But since all of it was confined to text, progress had been difficult.
Yet Ak Mu-ryeong even knew that?
"Don't tell me... you're the one who reduced me to this state?"
Finally realizing something, Iron Vajra clenched his teeth.
Everything Ak Mu-ryeong had said were words he could not possibly know—unless he had been watching him all along.
[Hahaha!]
Ak Mu-ryeong burst into mad laughter.
[Why ask me that? Shouldn't you be directing such questions to your sworn brothers?]
His voice carried a mysterious power capable of taking control of another's spirit and mind in an instant.
Upon hearing Ak Mu-ryeong's voice, an unfamiliar rage—one he had never felt before—surged violently within Iron Vajra's mind.
'Phantom Restoration Return... So that's it!'
At last, Iron Vajra understood the full picture.
No matter how fiercely they had envied him... For his sworn brothers, who had devoted themselves to the Buddhist Order, to falsely accuse him of committing murder and debauchery—something utterly unthinkable—
And to fabricate evidence so meticulously?
It was too excessive, too impossible to make sense of.
'My sworn brothers... They too fell victim to him.'
The reason his sworn brothers had committed such audacious evil deeds—
It was clear. They had been ensnared by Ak Mu-ryeong's Phantom Restoration Return, forced to manifest the darkness lurking in their hearts.
"GAAAAH!"
Iron Vajra roared and lunged at Ak Mu-ryeong.
But his limbs' meridians had been severed, his internal energy completely ruined.
His movements were nothing more than the pitiful, sluggish writhing of a crawling insect.
THUD.
In the end, Iron Vajra collapsed at Ak Mu-ryeong's feet without even getting close.
[I thought you might be of some use. But you're just a whining brat, aren't you?]
"You cast me out as a cripple, expelled from the temple, and now you say that?!"
Ak Mu-ryeong looked down at Iron Vajra, who was protesting with bloody tears streaming down his face, and snorted in derision.
[To temper steel, it must be hammered. To achieve great merit, trials are necessary. Your false accusation was merely part of that process.]
Then, without hesitation, he turned away and spat out words laced with contempt.
[To blame the Pavilion Lord for the darkness that consumed the spirit and mind of Heavenly Dragon Temple's bald monks... You truly are worthless scrap iron.]
Iron Vajra bit his lip until it bled.
The words weren't entirely wrong.
Had there been no darkness in his sworn brothers' hearts? They would never have succumbed to something like Ak Mu-ryeong's Phantom Restoration Return.
'I can't die like this—a cripple!'
Even if he had to die, he had to achieve great merit first.
And he had to strike back at that inhuman monster.
"Fine."
Iron Vajra forced himself up.
Though his meridians were torn beyond repair, making it impossible to stand, he trembled violently yet fixed his gaze straight at Ak Mu-ryeong.
"You wouldn't offer this for nothing. State your conditions."
At that, Ak Mu-ryeong—whose eyes had been gleaming sharply—bared his fangs in a grin.
[Come to the main pavilion. I will give you everything you need to complete your Internal Energy Method.]
"That's all?"
[Once the method is complete, you need only pass it on to one disciple of this pavilion. After that, you are free. Iron Vajra.]
RIIIP!
Despite his torn meridians, Iron Vajra mustered all his strength to tear off the sleeve of his monk's robe.
"I am no longer Iron Vajra."
Blood dripped from his lips as he declared coldly:
"From this moment on, I am the Demon Monk—Blood Vajra!"
From that day forth, now as Blood Vajra, he entered Langya Pavilion.
And through the miraculous Demon Gate Great Method and the astonishing effects of the Ten-Thousand-Year Earthly Extreme Blood Treasure that Ak Mu-ryeong provided, his body was fully restored.
Once healed, he resided at Iron Staff Peak on Sword Brow Mountain, receiving all the resources needed to create his Internal Energy Method.
Langya Pavilion could hardly be considered a single sect—each disciple practiced different martial arts and cultivation methods.
Thanks to this, he was able to thoroughly study countless demonic cultivation techniques and even the qi circulation methods of masters renowned for their profound internal energy.
His goal was singular: to complete the method.
Only by perfecting it could he—
Prove that his efforts had not been in vain.
And strike back at that demonic fiend, Ak Mu-ryeong.
"The most crucial aspect of a cultivation method is the tempering of the spirit and mind."
Though Heavenly Dragon Temple had perfected an internal energy technique comparable to the Sinew Reforging Classic, it regrettably neglected the refinement of the spirit and mind.
Because of this, his fellow disciples—despite being monks devoted to the Buddhist Order—had been utterly defenseless against Ak Mu-ryeong's Phantom Restoration Return.
"I must reach a realm no one else has ever achieved."
Blood Vajra barely slept, dedicating every moment to research.
"Done!"
But when he finally completed the method, he was met with yet another setback.
In his obsession with refining the spirit and mind—
In aiming for a level unprecedented in martial history—
The cultivation method he had created was so demanding that only someone with exceptional talent and insight, a camel's endurance, and meridians as pure as those of a newborn child could master it.
"I'll master it myself first."
But even that proved grueling.
"Gah—GAAAAH!"
Every time he circulated the new method, it felt like his body was being scorched in hellfire.
Even he—renowned as the greatest talent in the world in internal energy—struggled with its agonizing difficulty.
"If even I can't master it, who else could?!"
CRUNCH.
In the end, Blood Vajra began chewing off his own fingers as he trained.
And when he had gnawed through all five fingers—
At last, the foremost of the Demonic Path—
No, the foremost mental cultivation method in the world had been mastered within his own flesh.
Reverse Extremity.
This Reverse Extremity Heart Method, born from the fusion of the Righteous Faction's internal secrets and the Demonic Path's hidden arts...
Transcended the principles of conventional internal energy methods, allowing one to harness the Energy of Great Nature in an instant.
Moreover, it granted mastery over perfect Yin-Yang Dual Qi, and upon reaching just the Second Layer, one's internal power would swell uncontrollably.
Though Blood Vajra's energy had once been shattered, upon attaining the Fifth Layer,
He had gained a staggering three centuries' worth of internal power.
—Now that it's complete, I must pass it on.
Ak Mu-ryeong, as if sensing the completion of this divine art through some ghostly intuition, sent his disciples to him.
But here, Blood Vajra faced yet another setback.
'Is it truly impossible?'
The prodigies of Langya Pavilion—
Those brilliant, dazzling young talents...
Could not even grasp the foundations of the Reverse Extremity Heart Method, perishing or becoming cripples before they could begin.
If even one of them could inherit it...
He could fulfill his promise to Ak Mu-ryeong and leave in peace.
Yet even these geniuses, who could master any martial art under heaven with ease, crumbled away before reaching the First Layer.
In the end, as countless disciples of Langya Pavilion lost their lives or were reduced to cripples, Blood Vajra secluded himself atop Iron Staff Peak, refusing to emerge—
Until he laid eyes on Bu Eun-seol.
'How can this be...?'
This boy, Bu Eun-seol—
Had breached the First Gate in a single breath—something no Langya Pavilion disciple had ever achieved—and within mere months, ascended to the Second Layer.
This was not merely due to his extraordinary talent and insight, but because he was practicing Shaolin's supreme secret art—the Sinew Reforging Classic.
Moreover, it was as if he had been born to inherit the Reverse Extremity Heart Method.
His body harbored almost no turbid qi—
As if he had honed himself since childhood solely to cultivate the greatest internal energy in the world.
Blood Vajra was ecstatic.
At last, he had found the prodigy destined to complete the Reverse Extremity Heart Method.
'He carries resentment in his heart.'
While teaching him, Blood Vajra came to realize—
Bu Eun-seol, this young boy, bore the same bitter grudge and purpose as he did.
'So that's how it was.'
Only then did Blood Vajra understand—
That the heart method he had created was steeped in agony and resentment.
And as he watched Bu Eun-seol, with his unyielding grudge, grow stronger day by day—
Witnessing his unwavering dedication—
His own heart began to change.
'All this time... I've been a fool.'
For years, Blood Vajra had studied countless internal secrets of the Righteous Faction and the Demonic Path.
Thus, his spirit and mind had naturally come to resemble those of a high monk of the Buddhist Order, seeking profound enlightenment and the Heart Saber.
But upon seeing Bu Eun-seol—this heavenly ancient genius, so much like himself—
He realized the foolish path he had walked all this time.
'It was only a fleeting moment.'
Looking back, it could have been prevented.
If only he had been a little more open-hearted, a little more composed...
He could have embraced his despairing martial brothers despite their crude talents.
And together, they could have progressed.
But back then, he had only looked forward, turning away from all the gazes fixed upon him.
Because of this, his martial brothers were swallowed by despair and darkness—
To the point where even the Phantom Restoration that ensnared them went unnoticed.
A deep and shadowy demon had taken root in his spirit.
'Nor is it Pavilion Lord Ak's fault.'
Blood Vajra realized that Ak Mu-ryeong, like himself, was merely a martial artist who had lived for a single purpose.
Even as a great demon counted among the Three Demons, no matter how he was revered as a peerless grandmaster whose martial arts shook the world...
In the grand scheme of fate, he was nothing more than a chess piece.
'Too late, this realization.'
Before he knew it, even his resentment toward Ak Mu-ryeong had faded.
Perhaps that man, too, had sacrificed everything to achieve his ambition—
Another reflection of himself.
'Now, I shall depart.'
Having witnessed Bu Eun-seol stabilize his mastery of the heart method, Blood Vajra left Langya Pavilion—lighthearted and silent.
Afterward, he wandered the world, embarking once more on a penitential journey.
And in doing so, he came to understand one truth:
That his heart still remained as Goeng-deok, a disciple of Heavenly Dragon Temple.
That the creation of the Reverse Extremity Heart Method had begun solely from his desire to earn his master's recognition.
'Only now can I truly let go of everything.'
Finally confronting his own honest heart, Blood Vajra let out a hoarse laugh.
And so, revealing himself openly, he began his penitential journey toward Heavenly Dragon Temple.
—This humble monk journeys toward Heavenly Dragon Temple! Let all who bear grudges come forth! I shall offer no resistance!
Blood Vajra had realized—
That unless he repaid the blood debts he had accumulated, even if he reached the gates of Heavenly Dragon Temple...
He would never be worthy of stepping inside.
'I must cast off all the evil karma I've amassed and atone completely.'
His time in Langya Pavilion had not been solely to complete the Reverse Extremity Heart Method.
As Blood Vajra, he had reappeared in the martial world, slaughtering the martial brothers who had destroyed his meridians and framed him.
Countless masters of the Righteous Faction, who had attacked him either for turning to the Demonic Path or to claim fame, had fallen to his hands.
'If I die by their blades, so be it—such is this monk's fate. But if, even after paying the price for my evil deeds, I still return alive...'
Blood Vajra gazed at the distant sky.
If he could do that—
Then, perhaps, he would be worthy of stepping through the gates of Heavenly Dragon Temple, having pierced through this long darkness.