Chapter 467
Gongson Dan-a's beauty was such that even if placed on a scale against Yeon So-ha—known as "A Glance Worth a Thousand Gold"—it wouldn't tilt by even an inch.
Moreover, she was renowned as a prodigy whose medical skills rivaled those of the physicians hailed as "Divine Healers" in the murim.
"So you were the prodigy of the Divine Beast Palace, known as the Flower of Eloquence."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol nod in understanding.
To think that a woman counted among the most beautiful in the world would prefer disguising herself as a beggar—what an eccentric.
No wonder she had been on the verge of tears, nearly throwing a tantrum out of sheer frustration.
"But why do you go around dressed like a beggar?"
"Well..."
Gongson Dan-a was already regretting having impulsively revealed her face.
Men, after all, were all the same.
The moment they saw a beautiful face, they either lost their minds or couldn't help but harbor lecherous thoughts.
"..."
But that regret soon turned to astonishment.
Because the eyes behind that mask—
They hadn't changed in the slightest, whether looking at her true appearance or when she had been disguised as that eccentric old woman.
"I see. No need to explain."
At those words, Gongson Dan-a's gaze darkened once more.
Just what was going on inside that masked man's head...?
When she didn't answer, his eyes filled with pity, as if he were freely conjuring wild assumptions.
"Since childhood, I was acknowledged to have talent in both academics and martial arts. Thanks to that, even though I wasn't born with a Water Spirit Constitution..."
Gongson Dan-a began explaining her circumstances, as though she had no choice.
"The Divine Beast Palace Lord personally sought me out, asking me to become her disciple. She said I had the potential to achieve Great Completion in the Divine Beast Palace's martial arts."
"After that, I became the Palace Lord's final disciple and devoted myself to rigorous training. Over time, I accomplished many feats and eventually rose to become a candidate for Young Palace Lord."
As if a dam had broken, her words poured out rapidly.
"And as the Palace Lord's trust in me grew deeper, she even formed a personal unit that would obey only my commands."
Her expression turned desolate as she lowered her head.
"But do you know what people say behind my back?"
Without waiting for Bu Eun-seol to respond, she continued without pause.
"In the palace, they whisper that I used my looks to bewitch the Palace Lord and the leadership to climb to this position. And men—wherever I go—they either leer at me with lustful eyes or endlessly pester me with courtship."
Once she began pouring out the grievances she had never shared with anyone, her emotions surged uncontrollably.
"If I don't disguise myself, I can't even rest or eat a meal in peace. But you know what's really funny?"
When she widened her eyes, waiting for his response, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to speak.
"...I don't."
"My older sister is beautiful and brilliant too. That's how she rose to the position of Chief Strategist in the Martial Alliance. But do you know how much gossip she has to deal with? None!"
Gongson Dan-a cried out with an aggrieved expression.
"But just because I'm counted among the Three Beauties—or the Three Uglies—of the World, I'm constantly subjected to prejudice and jealousy!"
"Miss Gongson."
"Do you have any idea what this feels like? How dare you say such things knowing nothing! Everything I've achieved up to now has been solely through my own ability!"
Bu Eun-seol wore a dazed expression.
He had heard of people facing discrimination for being unattractive.
But suffering hardships because of one's beauty? That was something he had never encountered before.
"My apologies."
He had no choice but to apologize.
He had carelessly assumed she disguised herself as a hobby, ignorant of her struggles.
"Most beautiful women receive preferential treatment, yet you've suffered terrible wounds precisely because of your beauty."
When Bu Eun-seol offered warm consolation, Gongson Dan-a sniffled and spoke again.
"I hate this old woman disguise too. I want to dress beautifully, like other women."
"Then do so."
"Whenever I do anything in my true appearance, they say it's because of my looks, that I'm benefiting from my beauty. Even if I just talk to a man for a moment, I immediately become the subject of gossip."
Hunched over with her face buried, Gongson Dan-a spoke as if sobbing.
"But when I go around dressed like a beggar, at least people don't slander me. What other choice do I have?"
"I see."
It was like being struck by lightning for a single careless remark.
Once it seemed she had finished venting, Bu Eun-seol swiftly changed the subject.
"Then this journey into the martial world wasn't under the Divine Beast Palace Lord's orders, was it?"
"I've always traveled the martial world in this disguise. Hearing that soulless ones were swarming Nine-Bend Mountain, I came here hoping to distinguish myself."
Understanding the situation, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
It seemed the Divine Beast Palace was currently selecting its next Young Palace Lord, with candidates traveling the martial world to prove their worth.
"When I wander around like this, whether it's an old man or a child, no one even looks at me with a frown."
Gongson Dan-a smiled a pure smile as she recalled Bu Eun-seol's composed demeanor.
"But you treated me with utmost courtesy and kept calling me 'elder' the entire time."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. That's when I knew you were a true gentleman."
As Gongson Dan-a spoke the words she had kept in her heart, she laughed brightly, as if a weight had been lifted.
"Now it's your turn."
"My turn for what?"
"I've introduced myself, so isn't it your turn now?"
Despite her delicate appearance, Gongson Dan-a seemed to have a remarkably bold and cheerful personality.
"Come on, take off that mask and tell me your name. Judging by your martial arts, you're no ordinary wanderer. Which sect's esteemed elder are you?"
Not once in his life had revealing his face to a woman ever ended well for Bu Eun-seol.
After a brief hesitation, he averted his gaze slightly and replied,
"I'm Seol-so, a wandering martial artist under Red Sky Curtain Branch. Just a nameless drifter."
The Divine Beast Palace had always been an orthodox sect.
Revealing his identity as the Martial Soul Lord would bring nothing but trouble.
Besides, once they left Nine-Bend Mountain, they'd never cross paths again—so he lied without reservation.
"A wanderer? With skills like yours?"
"Many wanderers have no desire to make a name for themselves. I'm one of them."
"I see. But why keep the mask on?"
"If a wanderer's face becomes too well-known, it limits the jobs they can take. So I cover my face as much as possible when traveling the martial world."
"Hmm. A wanderer, huh? Perfect."
Gongson Dan-a grinned playfully and gestured to her leg.
"I'm injured right now and need an escort. How much would it cost?"
Bu Eun-seol briefly treated her injury before resuming their journey.
Surprisingly, her Internal Energy was remarkably stable.
With just a little assistance guiding her Internal Energy, her internal injuries could be healed in an instant.
But her sprained leg couldn't be fixed so easily, leaving her with no choice but to limp along.
Bu Eun-seol walked slowly through the cave with Gongson Dan-a trailing behind him.
She immediately noticed why he moved so cautiously, sword drawn.
It was to instantly deal with any sudden traps or enemies that might appear—to protect her at the rear.
Sensing his consideration, Gongson Dan-a nodded to herself.
This man... His words are as stiff as stone, but his heart is warm.
Even though they were walking through a dangerous underground cave filled with Soulless Ones, she felt at ease.
Partly because Bu Eun-seol's martial arts were formidable, but mostly because this was the first man she'd met who remained completely unfazed by her beauty.
So comfortable.
Until now, the gazes of men had only ever been one of two things:
Either dazed and vacant, or lecherous and sinister.
But this gruff wanderer maintained an indifferent gaze, like a monk deep in meditation.
And Gongson Dan-a found that gaze incredibly soothing and reassuring.
If only all men in the world were like him.
As she followed him, lost in thought, they passed a fork in the path and came upon a massive gate.
Bu Eun-seol frowned as he studied it.
Clearly, this gate was the only way out.
The problem was—this cave was designed to keep intruders out.
Meaning, there had to be a dangerous trap waiting on the other side.
Maybe I shouldn't have brought up the wanderer act.
If he unleashed his True Void, he could handle any danger.
But since he'd claimed to be a wanderer, he might have to suppress his power awkwardly.
"It's fine."
Just then, Gongson Dan-a flashed a bright smile and winked.
"My leg's the only problem. I can still lend a hand."
She was quick-witted and perceptive.
Having discerned that Bu Eun-seol was worried about her, she reassured him with her words.
"Good."
Clank.
Bu Eun-seol pushed the iron gate open at once.
Beyond it lay a vast space with a gaping hole in the ceiling and walls made of smooth metal.
No exit was visible on the other side, and the metal walls looked unnaturally sturdy.
"What is this place?"
Gongson Dan-a stared up at the impossibly high ceiling.
It had to be at least a thousand feet tall.
Standing beneath it felt like being at the bottom of a volcano's crater, staring up at an open sky.
"Are we supposed to climb up there?"
She ran her hand along the slick metal wall and shook her head.
"The wall's too smooth—even the Gecko Wall-Clinging Palm wouldn't work. And the space between the walls is too wide to get a running start."
Rumble...
Then, with a low, ominous sound, the unexpected happened.
From the dizzying heights above, a pitch-black mass slowly descended.
It was an enormous boulder, large enough to crush the entire hundred-foot space beneath it.
"This is impossible."
Gongson Dan-a's mouth fell open as she stared at the sight before her.
"They're going to drop that thing down on us."
Her eyes widened as she looked up at the ceiling that had risen.
That boulder had to weigh at least tens of thousands of jin.
If a rock large enough to fill this hundred-foot-wide stone chamber were to fall from a height of over a thousand feet—
No human strength could possibly withstand such a thing.
"Are we going to die here?"
Gongson Dan-a's voice trembled as she watched the massive boulder slowly obscuring the ceiling.
"No matter how exceptional one's martial arts may be... there's no way to block a boulder falling from such a height—one that perfectly matches the floor's dimensions, is there?"
Her body shook with fear.
This place had been designed as a death trap, one that would surely eliminate any intruder.
"I guess we shouldn't have come to Nine-Bend Mountain after all."
Her voice quivered as she spoke.
"If I'd known this would happen, I should've lived a more ordinary life. Dressed prettily... met more people..."
Facing death, she regretted the way she had lived.
She reflected on her foolish past actions, trembling in terror.
"Aren't you afraid?"
And in the end, she longed to feel another's warmth.
As if seeking even the slightest comfort.
"Say something. Please."
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
In the face of death—
The world around him grew utterly silent... his spirit and flesh merging into one.
His spirit and mind had reached an unparalleled height, entering a state of deep meditation.
Only strength.
Gazing at the iron mass looming above, he sank into profound contemplation.
That metal was like the physical manifestation of absolute death.
To shatter it, martial arts would be useless.
Only destructive force.
Only a power transcending human capability—transcendental might.
Something capable of surpassing all the forces contained within this world.
How can such a thing be possible?
At that moment, a faint word surfaced in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
—Phenomenon.
Those who reached the Martial Extreme Realm each manifested their own phenomenon.
And the term phenomenon was one Bu Eun-seol himself had coined.
Because they wielded abilities no human should possess—
Or created things that should not exist in this world.
And looking back, all of them were forces that did not belong to this realm.
—If you've gathered all these things like a beggar, shouldn't you mix them together and devour them as you please!
Suddenly, Ak Mu-ryeong's voice echoed in his ears.
Bu Eun-seol's body, which contained all the forces of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist Arts, was gradually collapsing.
If Ak Mu-ryeong hadn't both tested him and used his Internal Power to heal Bu Eun-seol's body back then—
He wouldn't have survived until now.
—If you don't erase all the unnecessary things within your body and fully return to the Demonic Path... the same thing will happen again someday, and no power will be able to stop it then.
That was what Ak Mu-ryeong had said.
But instead of embracing the Demonic Path, Bu Eun-seol had chosen a new path.
Forcibly merging the clashing forces of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist Arts, then using the overwhelming power Ak Mu-ryeong poured into him to fuse them into one.
Harmonization.
And when he unleashed Harmonization, even Ak Mu-ryeong dared not face it directly, forced to divert it with the power of Phantom Restoration Return.
BOOM!
At that moment, with a low rumble, the iron mass began to fall through the air.
"Ah—!"
As death loomed, Gongson Dan-a curled into herself and let out a short scream.
But Bu Eun-seol remained standing, watching the descending iron mass.
Time stood still.
His spirit and mind grew infinitely tranquil... reaching a world of nothingness, devoid of all existence.
The power within my body isn't enough to resist... I must once again use the external pressure pouring down to unfold Harmonization!
WHOOSH.
The formidable forces of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist Arts simultaneously surged from Bu Eun-seol's body, swirling like a whirlwind to envelop him.
CRASH!
In that instant, the massive boulder plummeted toward Bu Eun-seol's head.
That boulder was like a phenomenon unleashed by a Martial Extreme Realm Master.
No strength, no martial art, could oppose it.
And the moment the boulder was upon him, a golden light flickered across Bu Eun-seol's body.
The overwhelming pressure had triggered the Prajna Great Power instinctively.
Now!
Bu Eun-seol immediately aligned the four forces into Harmonization and unleashed them in a single burst. But at that moment, an absurd thought crossed his mind.
Wouldn't it be better if everything just disappeared? Even phenomena... if they all vanished, wouldn't that be fine?
And with all his might, he stretched out his hand.
BOOM!
Simultaneously, a thunderous pressure and impact struck him.
The world spun violently, and his meridians felt as though they were being torn apart.
GUSH.
He felt a surge of blood rise from his lower abdomen and spill from his mouth.
And then, at last, Bu Eun-seol gradually lost consciousness.
Drip—
Was it raining?
He felt cold droplets falling on his cheeks and forehead.
Bu Eun-seol faintly opened his eyes.
Then, the face of a beautiful woman with long, cascading hair came into view.
It was Gongson Dan-a.
"Are you... alright?"
Her face was streaked with tears, and her body trembled lightly.
When Bu Eun-seol opened his eyes, he found himself lying on Gongson Dan-a's lap, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"How did this—"
He tried to slowly sit up.
Thud.
But his entire body crumbled in agony, forcing him back onto her lap.
"I—I apologize."
Flustered, Bu Eun-seol struggled to move.
"This... was absolutely not intentional."
"It's alright. Stay lying down a little longer."
Gongson Dan-a wiped her tears and smiled as he regained his senses.
"The Water Spirit Energy hasn't fully absorbed into your body yet."
"What do you mean? Water Spirit Energy?"
As Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, Gongson Dan-a continued.
"You collapsed, bleeding from your ears and nose. When I checked your pulse, I realized your body was simultaneously holding four different energies."
Most of the human body is composed of water.
The disciples of the Divine Water Palace train in martial arts that deeply attune to the properties of water and alter its nature...
Thus, they can discern the condition of another's body more thoroughly than any physician.
Moreover, Gongson Dan-a was a prodigy whose medical skills rivaled those of the so-called "Divine Physicians."
She had instantly grasped the state of Bu Eun-seol's body.
"After you erased that, the four energies clashed, tearing your body apart."
"That?"
Gongson Dan-a pointed upward.
"That boulder."
Bu Eun-seol weakly turned his gaze to the ceiling.
The terrifying boulder that had been falling with crushing force—hadn't it vanished without a trace?
"If I hadn't infused you with Water Spirit Energy, your body would have already shattered into pieces and exploded."
"What exactly happened?"
Bu Eun-seol forced himself up again with great effort.
"Are you saying I destroyed that boulder?"
"I don't know. I didn't see it clearly either."
As Bu Eun-seol blinked, Gongson Dan-a lowered her hands and shook her head.
"I was so terrified when the boulder fell that I ducked my head. But even after a long time passed, nothing happened."
Her expression was one of bewilderment as she continued.
"Hmm."
"So I cautiously looked around and raised my head... and there you were, standing tall, your body glowing, while the falling boulder had disappeared."
—If I erase everything, wouldn't that solve it? Phenomena like this...
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol recalled the last thought he had before losing consciousness.
Did I... manifest a phenomenon?
He examined his body.
A soft, warm energy flowed through him, seemingly mending his torn meridians.
It was likely the Water Spirit Energy Gongson Dan-a had infused into him.
"Are you... allowed to transfer this energy to another?"
His voice carried concern for Gongson Dan-a.
Imparting a sect's martial arts or internal power to an outsider without permission was the most strictly forbidden act in any school.
"What else could I do? If I hadn't, your body would have burst and you would have died."
Then, in a quieter voice, she added:
"Saving the life of a benefactor who once saved mine—even the Palace Master would understand."
"That's a relief."
Nodding, Bu Eun-seol checked his body again.
He had suffered no internal injuries, and his internal power was intact, but his external wounds were severe.
His skin had split all over, unable to withstand the energy surging through him, and blood still seeped out.
Gone... It's gone.
As if realizing something, Bu Eun-seol faintly nodded.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, Ak Mu-ryeong, Wi Ji-mua, even the Divine Calculator...
He had wanted to erase all the phenomena manifested by the Martial Extreme Realm masters he had encountered.
And unconsciously, that desire had seemingly influenced his technique.
But I... haven't reached the Martial Extreme Realm.
The Martial Extreme Realm meant attaining the pinnacle of martial arts, where one could consciously manifest phenomena.
Moreover, even when manifesting phenomena, the body would not be destroyed.
In other words, Bu Eun-seol had not reached the Martial Extreme Realm—he had merely harmonized the power of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist Arts to unleash a force comparable to a phenomenon.
Well, whatever.
Instead, he found hope.
Because he had discovered a clue to a power that could rival Martial Extreme Realm masters without having reached that realm himself.
If he could wield this power freely? Then he could stand toe-to-toe with Martial Extreme Realm experts.
It will happen. Without a doubt.
In truth, this incident was a sign—a harbinger—that Bu Eun-seol would soon transcend the boundaries of body and spirit beyond the Extreme Heaven Realm, stepping into a state of true freedom.
That is, the possibility of ascending to the Martial Extreme Realm—the Awakening to Martial Pinnacle.
But even after countless battles with formidable foes, opportunities to refine his spirit and unleash such power over such a prolonged period would be exceedingly rare...
The moment Bu Eun-seol would fully realize this truth belonged to a story yet to come.