Chapter 47
Sword Brow Mountain, Iron Staff Peak.
The sharpest peak rising at the easternmost edge of Langya Pavilion, a place so rugged the terrain defies description.
Swoosh.
A shadow walked that sheer mountain path as if it were flat ground.
Between the long strands of hanging hair, eyes frozen like blocks of ice were visible. The tightly shut lips beneath the sharp nose seemed to display unshakable stubbornness and an Immovable Mind.
It was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
He was taking more than thirty steps in the span of a single exhaled breath.
This was proof that his internal energy was considerably profound.
Tap.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been walking swiftly, finally arrived at the summit.
"Hoo."
After lightly steadying his breath, Bu Eun-seol looked up at the piercingly blue sky.
Iron Staff Peak.
This was the place where he had entered Langya Pavilion and formally learned martial arts. From an eccentric named Blood Vajra, he had received the Reverse Polarity Heart Method, which was proudly claimed to be the greatest internal energy method in the martial world.
'But I only learned it.'
Bu Eun-seol was feeling it.
That he had learned martial arts far too suddenly. And because of that, he had absolutely lacked the time to digest it.
In particular, the first thing he needed was to organize his understanding of the internal energy method.
'There is definitely a change in my internal energy.'
After his Hidden Acupoints had activated, several streams of powerful true qi had been stored within Bu Eun-seol's body.
But he still did not know what level his internal energy had reached, nor what level his mental cultivation method had attained.
"It has been a long time."
At that moment, along with a low voice, a muscular middle-aged man wearing a monk's robe slowly approached from behind Bu Eun-seol.
It was Blood Vajra.
"Elder."
Bu Eun-seol brought his hands together and bowed his head respectfully.
The internal energy method is the foundation of martial arts. Although they were not formally master and disciple, Bu Eun-seol inwardly treated Blood Vajra as his master.
"I have heard well of your exploits during this time."
Blood Vajra nodded as he looked at the faint light shimmering in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"And in that time, you have grown even more."
"It is all thanks to your teachings, Elder."
"Your way with words has improved as well."
Blood Vajra nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Have you come because questions arose about the internal energy method?"
"That is correct."
Bu Eun-seol spoke respectfully.
"Only after experiencing many things did I realize that I do not know my internal energy level or what layer of the Reverse Polarity Heart Method I have reached."
"Hmm."
Blood Vajra nodded as if he had expected this.
"The time has finally come for me to give you your last teaching."
His gaze toward Bu Eun-seol was filled with pride and surprise.
"Even if you are a once-in-a-generation prodigy, I thought you would need more than three years of grueling training to reach the Third Layer of the Reverse Polarity Heart Method."
Blood Vajra smiled faintly and spoke in a low voice.
"But this humble monk's expectations have been proven wrong."
Then he raised his hand and grasped Bu Eun-seol's Pulse Gate.
"At present, your internal energy level slightly exceeds Sixty Years of Inner Force."
"You mean my internal energy surpasses sixty years?"
"Your Hidden Acupoints have activated. Because of that, the pure true qi you had been generating through breathing exercises has been converted into Reverse Polarity True Qi."
"Fifty-some years..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes grew wide.
He too had felt that his Hidden Acupoints had activated.
But he had not known that when the pure true qi generated through breathing exercises was converted by the mental cultivation method, one's internal power would swell like a snowball.
"If one grasps the Pulse Gate, can one know anything as you do, Elder?"
"That is not so. This humble monk and you have cultivated the same mental cultivation method, which is why I can easily gauge your Qi Circulation."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been thinking about something for a moment, asked again.
"Then how does one measure internal energy level?"
"It can be estimated through Counterforce. When grasping the Pulse Gate, the force that can push back one pun (0.3cm) can be regarded as roughly three years of internal energy."
"Is there no other way to know?"
"If there is one more, it would be through a contest of internal energy. By calculating the Counterforce with which the opponent's internal energy pushes against me, one can roughly estimate their internal energy level."
Blood Vajra continued his explanation without pause.
And Bu Eun-seol was also able to hear in detail about the realms of the Reverse Polarity Heart Method.
"For reference, your Reverse Polarity Heart Method has already entered the Third Layer. The Counter-Extreme Fire Light has formed in your eyes, after all. In terms of martial arts realms, this is equivalent to reaching the threshold of the Peak."
"The Peak... you say?"
As Bu Eun-seol blinked, Blood Vajra wore a deflated expression.
"I see. You have not even learned about the realms of martial arts."
Clicking his tongue, he explained.
"The Peak is a state where, having surpassed the First-rate level, the physical body and internal energy have reached their limits. Breaking through the state of the Peak is called the Transcendent Realm."
"The Transcendent Realm..."
"Correct. The state of reaching the Extreme Point of the martial arts one has acquired is called the Transcendent Realm. Beyond that, there is a realm called the Extreme Heaven Realm."
Blood Vajra's expression grew solemn.
"Upon reaching the Extreme Heaven Realm, one gains complete control over both body and spirit, transcending the limitations of internal energy and physical constraints."
After a brief pause, he continued.
"All dominators who rule over a region or renowned masters have attained this realm. Of course, even within the same realm, there are distinctions—like the difference between the initial stage and its peak."
"Then... is there a realm beyond that?"
"Naturally. When one reaches the ultimate principle of martial arts, achieving a state of flawless perfection in all actions, it is called the Martial Extreme Realm. However, depending on the depth of one's enlightenment, even that perfection can be broken—so there are subtle differences even within the Martial Extreme Realm."
Bu Eun-seol pondered for a moment before responding.
"Then the supreme masters who dominate the martial world must have reached the Martial Extreme Realm."
Blood Vajra nodded.
"Correct. Among them, the Demon Hall Lord and the Martial Alliance Leader are both said to stand at the very edge of the Martial Extreme Realm. That is why they are collectively known as the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic."
"The Twin Heavenly Emperors..."
So, the two greatest figures overseeing the martial world had ascended to its highest peak.
"Beneath them stand the Three Demons and the Three Venerables. And below them, the Four Gods and Seven Kings."
'There are countless masters in the martial world...'
The more Blood Vajra explained, the more Bu Eun-seol realized how far behind he was—not just in skill, but in knowledge as well.
Then, a sudden thought struck him, and he asked again.
"If there are those who have reached the Martial Extreme Realm... then surely there must be a realm beyond even that."
"Indeed. It is called the Heavenly Will Realm. One transcends human limits and comes to understand the will of heaven itself. You could say it is an infinite state, merging with the primordial existence. However... no human in martial history has ever reached it."
Bu Eun-seol drew a sharp breath.
Hearing of these realms he had never known before, the path he must walk was finally becoming clear.
"Have you finished your questions?"
At Blood Vajra's inquiry, Bu Eun-seol snapped back to attention.
He remembered—this wasn't the time to ask about martial realms. He needed to focus on internal energy.
"Then, what happens when one reaches the third layer of the Reverse Polarity Heart Method?"
"First, you attain the state of Impervious to Water and Fire."
"Impervious to Water and Fire..."
Only now did Bu Eun-seol understand why he had remained unaffected by the frigid cold of the lake's Frost Essence.
"Not only that, but your internal energy becomes freely manipulable, allowing you to employ Qi Gathering Poison. In short, reaching the third layer means you've attained a level of internal energy sufficient to make a name for yourself in the martial world."
But Bu Eun-seol didn't stop questioning.
Before coming here, he had made a resolution. And because of that resolution, today might very well be the last time he saw Blood Vajra.
"And what of the fourth layer?"
"Upon reaching the fourth layer, you can generate Body Protection True Qi, protecting your entire body like Mystic Gate Protective Qi. In terms of martial realms, it would mean breaking past the Peak Realm and entering the Transcendent Realm."
"The Transcendent Realm..."
"Correct. And by the fifth layer, you can materialize your internal true qi. At this point, you surpass the Transcendent Realm."
Blood Vajra continued his explanation.
"According to the scriptures, the sixth layer grants inexhaustible internal energy, and the seventh allows you to escape the limitations of the physical body. Finally, the eighth layer bestows the power of Great Nature itself, enabling you to intervene in the cycle of creation and destruction."
"I don't understand. How can a human wield the power of nature and interfere with life and death?"
"The scriptures are just scriptures. Realms beyond reach are often filled in by human imagination."
Blood Vajra smiled bitterly.
"This penniless monk reached only the edge of the fifth layer, yet in contests of internal energy against renowned masters, I have never once been outmatched. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never advance to the sixth layer."
He let out a deep sigh and murmured quietly.
"Perhaps... it is nothing more than an imagined realm."
All the questions in his heart had been answered.
Blood Vajra, gazing into Bu Eun-seol's eyes, chuckled.
"So. Have you resolved to venture into the martial world?"
"How did you know?"
"Now that you've reached the third layer, your internal energy will grow denser day by day, even without daily Qi Circulation."
Blood Vajra spoke plainly, as if he had already seen through Bu Eun-seol's intentions.
"If you weren't planning to step into the martial world, there'd be no need for you to seek me out and ask all these questions."
After a brief silence, Blood Vajra's expression lightened.
"With this, my debt to Langya Pavilion is fully repaid... Now, this humble monk can leave this place with peace of mind."
"Are you planning to leave right away?"
"Hmm."
Judging by his tone and gaze, it didn't seem like he intended to depart from Langya Pavilion immediately.
"Wherever this monk may be, you need not concern yourself. Are we not all beneath the same sky?"
Blood Vajra chuckled as he patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
"The storms of the martial world are treacherous. Take care of yourself."
His voice was gruff, yet laden with deep affection.
Suppressing the emotions swelling in his chest, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
"Until we meet again, please stay well... Elder."
Returning to his quarters, Bu Eun-seol sank into deep contemplation.
Though he had gained enough internal energy to venture into the martial world, he realized he knew nothing about martial arts itself.
'Looking back, I've learned more martial arts than I thought.'
On Hell Island, he had mastered the foundations of the Way of the Beast and the Fire Rain Sword, even advancing to the supreme martial art of the Killing Sword—the Peerless Thunderbolt Form.
At Langya Pavilion, he had trained in proper internal energy methods, movement techniques, and footwork. From Dan Cheong, he had learned the basics of practical combat martial arts.
And through his time with the Innovation Unit and real battles, he had faintly grasped the Heaven Conquering Blade Ultimate Stance, the Divided Mind Utilization Art, and the Heavy Sword Secret.
'But... none of it is truly mine.'
He had learned martial arts too abruptly, with no time to digest them properly.
Even now, wasn't Cheon Un-gwang's Peerless Thunderbolt Form still beyond his full control?
'The problem is, I don't have time.'
He was already marked as a person of interest by White Horse Monastery, the Fire Rain Sword Sect, Jeok Bung, chief of the Demon Hall's Elders' Hall, and even the Martial Alliance.
He didn't have three years to master Langya Pavilion's martial arts—he needed to grow strong enough to escape their grasp in far less time.
'There's only one way.'
There was no luxury of leisurely training.
'I have to learn martial arts through real combat.'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
All of Langya Pavilion's martial arts were practical combat martial arts.
Traditional methods—maxims, doctrines, and training drills—had their limits.
'It was the same when Elder Sa-u taught me.'
To impart the Way of the Beast, Sa-u had actually attacked him.
Go Wol, who taught him the Swift Shadowless, and Dan Cheong, who taught the foundations of practical combat martial arts, had demonstrated through battle rather than mere instruction.
Knowing this well, Bu Eun-seol had joined the Innovation Unit to master martial secrets through missions.
'If I experience real combat, not just practice, I'll be able to make the martial arts I've learned truly my own.'
Having made up his mind, Bu Eun-seol rose to his feet.
"To do that..."
His eyes flashed as he gazed at the distant sky beyond the window.
He had realized what he needed most before stepping into the martial world.
"The state of the martial world?"
Baek Yeon, seated in the pavilion sipping tea, blinked in surprise.
Bu Eun-seol had abruptly sought him out to ask about the current affairs of the martial world.
"Taking an interest in the martial world's state... Does that mean you intend to become a formal member of our brigade?"
The Wind and Cloud Corps was Langya Pavilion's intelligence organization.
All its members traveled the martial world, handling highly classified information.
Yet Bu Eun-seol, whose martial talent had been acknowledged by Dan Cheong, was showing interest in the Wind and Cloud Corps?
"No. I simply wish to understand the current situation and the major factions."
"The current situation and factions..."
Finally grasping Bu Eun-seol's intent, Baek Yeon frowned.
"You always choose the most difficult path, don't you?"
He sighed deeply and shook his head.
"The information I possess could shift the balance of the martial world. I cannot disclose it to someone who isn't even a member of the Wind and Cloud Corps."
"Understood."
Without another word, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and withdrew.
Watching his resolute retreat, Baek Yeon spoke in a low voice.
"Go find Master Cheol."
"...?"
"What you seek to know, Master Cheol understands best."
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol immediately headed for the forge where Wang Geol (Master Cheol) resided.
Stepping off the pavilion's path, he entered a bustling marketplace. As he walked past rows of shops, the distant clang of metal reached his ears.
It was the sound of Wang Geol's hammer striking iron.
Clang. Clang.
Watching Wang Geol work absentmindedly, a strange thought suddenly struck Bu Eun-seol.
'Now that I think about it... it's odd.'
Those addressed as "Master" in Langya Pavilion were figures who would be considered elders or seniors in other sects.
Yet Wang Geol labored at the forge near the entrance, crafting weapons and answering questions readily.
But upon reflection, it didn't seem like a life he had chosen for himself.
Thud. Thud.
As Bu Eun-seol approached the forge, Wang Geol continued hammering without so much as a glance.
"What do you want?"
"I have something to ask."
"Speak."
"I wish to know about the current state of the martial world."
"The state of the martial world..."
Wang Geol paused mid-swing and straightened.
Studying Bu Eun-seol's gaze, he gave a slow nod.
"Follow me."