Chapter 470
Jeong Cheon did not hesitate.
Drinking this wretched thing was nothing.
If it could make him stronger.
If he could perfectly master this formidable saber technique—
Then he could personally tear out his own soul and offer it to the demon and offer it up.
From that day on, Jeong Cheon gradually began to grasp the first two forms of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
Yet, he still couldn't perfectly comprehend the Blade Essence and martial forms.
Paradoxically, it was because of—
The enhanced severalfold internal energy, his steel-like stamina that never waned, and the drug's energy that made even death feel numb.
He was supposed to fear no death, to savor its meaning.
But instead, it was precisely because of his amplified internal power, stamina, and spirit that he couldn't fully master the saber technique.
'I can execute the technique somehow, but it becomes a different saber art from its original Blade Essence.'
Though he had grasped it in his own way, compared to what the Man in Black had demonstrated, it felt sorely lacking.
If so, then against the one he considered his rival—the Heir of the Demon Hall who shook the world—he wouldn't achieve a great victory.
'I just need to try harder. More.'
Jeong Cheon increased his dosage of the Human Blossom and consumed the artificial inner elixirs and various medicines they provided.
As a result, the might of his saber technique grew stronger, but—
The more it did, the more his body deteriorated, and his spirit, beyond mere resilience, grew numb.
"Keheheh! Hahahaha!"
Finally, Jeong Cheon completed his own version of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
Venturing beyond Nine-Bend Mountain, he slaughtered not only the Soulless Ones but also the martial artists who had come seeking this place.
And not long ago, he had even managed to bring down an old man who appeared to be the Bullet King in a single exchange of forms.
"Now, may I devour them?"
But then, a masked old man appeared.
As if he had known Jeong Cheon had completed the technique, he arrived like a ghost.
Crash!
Yet, Jeong Cheon couldn't defeat the old man.
After ten or so moves, he suffered a fatal wound and collapsed to the ground.
"In the end, it was futile."
The masked old man looked down at Jeong Cheon, who had crumpled into a pool of blood, and muttered.
"So the Bloody Tears Seven Forms isn't just about martial talent—it seems only those whose spirit aligns with the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade can truly master it."
Then, clicking his tongue in disappointment, he added,
"Tsk, what a waste of time."
The masked old man gazed coldly at Jeong Cheon, curled up like a bug.
"You're of no further use. Let's repurpose you as a test subject."
After that, Jeong Cheon was dragged away by them, his body bound in iron chains.
He was injected with all manner of drugs and subjected to human experimentation.
That was the last memory Jeong Cheon could recall.
Finishing his recollection, Jeong Cheon let out a bitter laugh.
"And so it came to be."
As Bu Eun-seol listened to the entire story, a bloody light surged in his pupils.
The Three Realms—again, the Three Realms.
They had exploited Jeong Cheon's desire to grow stronger, plunging this exceptional prodigy into an irreversible abyss.
And in the end, they had even committed atrocities that should never have been done.
Then, when the Underground Castle collapsed because of Bu Eun-seol and Gongson Dan-a... they abandoned Jeong Cheon, now a Soulless One, and fled.
"There's no one to blame. In the end, it was my own wrong choice."
"Brother Jeong."
"From the beginning, I was never someone who could surpass you."
Drip.
Before he knew it, black blood had begun trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"I tried to master the Bloody Tears Seven Forms to surpass you... yet, ridiculously, the true version was with you all along."
Jeong Cheon sighed as he spoke.
"You were the true successor of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade."
Bu Eun-seol nodded grimly.
"I came across the legacy by chance."
"Ah, so that's how it was."
A deep, dark light swirled in Jeong Cheon's eyes.
The man he had so desperately wanted to surpass had, in the end, even possessed the complete, authentic legacy of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
Even if he had perfectly mastered those two forms, the victory he had envisioned would never have come to pass.
"Brother Jeong. Where did the Man in Black who taught you the saber technique go?"
Bu Eun-seol had to find that Man in Black.
Only by finding him could he uncover the truth about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
"He never told me his exact destination. But—"
Jeong Cheon smiled faintly.
"I could tell. That he had returned to Tianshan."
"Tianshan."
"Yes. At the time, I was training near Tianshan... and his clothes were thick, made of animal hide."
If he was being pursued by a massive organization like the Three Realms—if he had nowhere left to run—
Then the vast, snow-covered expanse of Tianshan, stretching endlessly under perpetual ice, would make for an excellent hiding place.
"Brother Jeong. Hold on. Let's get you down and treat you."
Bu Eun-seol placed his hand on Jeong Cheon's Life Gate Acupoint and infused it with true qi.
But Jeong Cheon shook his head, then managed a faint smile.
"It's fine. There's no hope for me—don't waste your precious true qi."
"Brother Jeong."
"Still... to have been able to challenge the future Number One of the Demonic Path in my final moments... I'm truly fortunate."
With trembling hands, he grasped Bu Eun-seol's.
"Yu-yeon. That child will be left alone now. I carried her on my back and raised her since she was little."
He must have been speaking of Dam Yu-yeon—the master of the Scripture Instruction Hall in Silent Sky Lonely Earth, and her junior fellow disciple.
"Brother Jeong!"
"That child... I leave her to you."
Thud.
With his hand still clutching Bu Eun-seol's, Jeong Cheon drew his last breath, a peaceful smile on his lips.
He had been a man of exceptional martial talent and an optimistic nature.
But after competing with Bu Eun-seol, who possessed a blazing warrior spirit, his life had changed completely.
He, too, had pursued the Martial Way, striving to achieve martial prowess that would bow to no one.
Yet in the end, he had succumbed to the temptations of the Three Realms and became one of their test subjects.
But by Heaven's grace, his final destination had been beneath the blade of the young Grandmaster of the Demon Hall—the very Bu Eun-seol he had so desperately wished to surpass.
One could say he had met his end without disgrace.
"Brother Jeong."
Bu Eun-seol carefully gathered his remains in his arms.
Dam Yu-yeon, the Hall Master of the Scripture Instruction Hall at the Red Sky Curtain Branch, had loved Jeong Cheon.
Therefore, it was only right that his remains be returned to her.
Rumble.
When he stepped outside, a clear sky stretched above him.
At last, they had escaped the suffocating underground facility of Mosan.
"Lord."
Just then, Gongson Dan-a spoke.
"Are you the successor of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade?"
By all rights, this was a secret that should never have been revealed.
Yet Bu Eun-seol instinctively felt he could trust Gongson Dan-a.
Even if he couldn't quite place why.
"Since I inherited the Bloody Tears Seven Forms, you could say so."
"Is he well?"
An odd question.
Bu Eun-seol tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"He disappeared over thirty years ago, did he not?"
"Then another Seven Fingers Demonic Blade must still be active."
"Another Seven Fingers Demonic Blade? What do you mean?"
Gongson Dan-a hesitated before answering.
"It's just something I overheard... but our Palace Lord once mentioned having a considerable bond with the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
The Man in Black who had taught Jeong Cheon the Bloody Tears Seven Forms had not been the original Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
Which meant there was another who had passed down the saber technique to him.
Could it be that the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was not only alive but also had ties to the Divine Beast Palace Lord?
"You're saying he's alive?"
"I don't know. The Palace Lord spoke of it as if it were a story from long ago."
"Do you know where he is?"
"That, I don't know either. I only overheard the Palace Lord speaking with the Nam Family Hall Leader by chance."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
It seemed he would have to visit the Divine Beast Palace after all.
"Will you be returning to the Divine Beast Palace?"
"Yes."
"Would a figure from the Demonic Path be permitted to visit?"
At his words, Gongson Dan-a nodded eagerly.
"Of course. Our Palace Lord doesn't care for the divide between Orthodox and Unorthodox—she admires outstanding individuals regardless. And if she learns you are the successor of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, she'll be delighted."
"Why would she be pleased?"
"Does it matter? The Palace Lord once said the true Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was a remarkably righteous man."
"The true Seven Fingers Demonic Blade?"
Gongson Dan-a replied nonchalantly.
"According to her, there were several individuals who operated under that name at the time."
"Several?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
It seemed the Divine Beast Palace Lord knew far more about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade than expected.
"Yes. It is said the Palace Lord secretly operated in the Martial World in the past."
This was new information.
The Divine Beast Palace Lord, who had supposedly remained hidden from the martial world, had secretly traveled the Rivers and Lakes—and encountered multiple Seven Fingers Demonic Blades?
Why had such a fact never been known in Murim?
'The martial world is more complex than I thought.'
He had assumed the leaders of major factions only concerned themselves with internal affairs.
But in reality, they were quietly weaving intricate schemes—or even assuming alternate identities—to exert influence over Murim in ways both great and small.
"She also mentioned facing those who claimed to be the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade multiple times. Well, it's common for people to sell the names of renowned figures in the martial world."
Gongson Dan-a spoke as if it were nothing unusual.
"Who knows? There are probably plenty selling the name 'Martial Soul Lord' somewhere too."
Bu Eun-seol scratched his cheek and nodded.
After all, he himself had once sold the name of the Golden Upright Divine Dragon—a name equally revered.
"Then I will visit the Divine Beast Palace without fail."
For now, his priority was not the Divine Beast Palace Lord but the Man in Black who had taught Jeong Cheon the saber technique.
Yet there was something Bu Eun-seol could never have anticipated—that soon, he would visit the Divine Beast Palace not for answers, but to restore someone.
"Take care until then, Miss."
Uncharacteristically, Bu Eun-seol offered a faint smile and a slight bow.
Gongson Dan-a mirrored his gesture, clasping her hands together with a grin.
"I'll look forward to your visit, Lord."
Both possessed peerless beauty, and both were indifferent to beauty and ugliness.
Thus, they could interact with ease, and after weathering trials together—both great and small—a small friendship had begun to blossom between them.
Beneath the dazzling blue autumn sky, a vast mountain range blanketed in snow stretched into the distance.
Tianshan.
Once home to the enigmatic Tianshan Sect, its endless peaks were said to have been dotted with the miraculous herb—
The White-Clear Flower Essence Herb, capable of restoring youth.
Its slopes were eternally clad in snow that never melted, and its many mysterious caverns had drawn not only the Tianshan Sect but countless ascetics seeking enlightenment.
But perhaps due to the exhaustion of spiritual energy, the spiritual herbs that once bloomed throughout the mountains had vanished. Many of the caves scattered across the peaks had collapsed as well.
No longer was this a place where people could linger.
Thus, nowadays, aside from martial artists seeking the legend of the White-Clear Flower Essence Herb or herb gatherers, few ventured into these heights.
Tsk tsk tsk.
At that moment, two shadows were swiftly ascending the frozen slopes of Tianshan.
Despite the bone-piercing cold, they wore neither thick padding nor heavy layers—just a young man clad in thin martial robes and a woman wrapped in white fur garments.
They were Bu Eun-seol and So-yo.
The Three Realms possessed an intelligence network far surpassing that of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Martial World.
If Bu Eun-seol were to mobilize a large force, his movements and destination would be exposed immediately.
Left with no choice, he had summoned So-yo—previously assigned to keep watch over Seo Jin-ha—and the two of them ascended Tianshan alone.
Of course, before that, they had stopped by the Red Sky Curtain Branch to deliver Jeong Cheon's remains with solemn respect.
Dam Yu-yeon had been unable to accept Jeong Cheon's death. Worse, she had mistakenly believed Bu Eun-seol was responsible.
After all, the wounds carved into his body were the sword techniques of the Demonic Path.
Yet Bu Eun-seol offered no explanation.
Once Dam Yu-yeon regained her composure, she would undoubtedly investigate his movements. The truth—that Bu Eun-seol was no murderer—would come to light easily enough.
And in the meantime... having someone to blame might ease her suffering, if only a little.
'If someone who isn't the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade knows the Bloody Tears Seven Forms... then they must be his disciple.'
Emerging from his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol refocused on the task at hand.
Looking back, it was strange.
The Bloody Tears Seven Forms was not a technique just anyone could master—it was a peerless sword art, unrivaled in the current era.
And a martial artist's True Body Supreme Art was as precious as their life.
So why had the Man in Black given Jeong Cheon a secret manual containing such a technique?
What had he been hoping to achieve?
'And the fact that there are multiple Seven Fingers Demonic Blades...'
Had the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang created shadows like himself and Seo Jin-ha—comrades who shared everything?
Or had the Divine Beast Palace Lord simply encountered martial artists impersonating his legend?
One thing was certain: if they found that Man in Black...
They would uncover the secrets and history of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
"There's probably no better place than this."
Just then, So-yo, running alongside him, spoke up.
"If you're being pursued by a massive force, that is."
Bu Eun-seol turned his head to look at her.
Wearing black martial robes in these snow-covered mountains would make one stand out like a beacon.
That's why he had specially procured white fur garments suitable for snowy terrain.
So-yo, already petite and pale, was now wrapped head to toe in pristine white robes—
She looked like a snow sprite born from the frost itself.
'Surely, So-yo hasn't suffered such things either.'
After meeting Gongson Dan-a, Bu Eun-seol had learned one thing:
A beautiful face could invite envy, jealousy, and discrimination from the world.
"What?"
Feeling his lingering gaze, So-yo blinked.
"Did I... say something?"
"No. I was just agreeing with you."
Bu Eun-seol averted his eyes and shifted the topic.
"A place like this could hold out against an army of tens of thousands for a long time."
Tianshan was divided into Southern Tianshan, Northern Tianshan, and Central Tianshan—its scale was vast, its terrain harsh and treacherous. Unless one possessed exceptional martial prowess, survival here was impossible.
Though the Three Realms held the entire martial world in their grasp, even they couldn't deploy enough troops to comb every corner of these boundless peaks.
Even if they sent tens of thousands, finding a single hidden figure in this wilderness would be futile.
"But while it's an excellent place for long-term hiding..."
So-yo gazed at the snow-white mountains and spoke calmly.
"That also puts us at a disadvantage, doesn't it?"
"It does."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Searching for a lone figure in the vast Tianshan range with just the two of them was impossible from the start.
Moreover, the Man in Black who had taught Jeong Cheon had not only mastered the Bloody Tears Seven Forms—a technique Bu Eun-seol himself hadn't fully grasped—
But he had also evaded the Three Realms' pursuit. His martial arts and cunning must be extraordinary. Such a man wouldn't leave careless traces behind.
"Let's rest for a moment."
Spotting a distant cave, Bu Eun-seol headed toward it.
"How exactly do you plan to find him?"
When So-yo asked, he replied:
"He's been hunted relentlessly for a long time. That means he would've chosen a place where he could endure for extended periods... and observe approaching threats in advance."
"No matter how vast Tianshan is, locations meeting all those conditions would be limited. We'll sweep through them first."
"Surely his pursuers have already tried that."
"Of course. But I have a somewhat unique tracking skill. No matter how old the traces, I can uncover them."
Bu Eun-seol spoke confidently.
"If I carefully distinguish and examine those traces... I'll likely find him."
But So-yo's expression was odd.
Wasn't there a hint of pity and regret in her gaze?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It must be exhausting for you."
"What do you mean?"
Soyo spoke with eyes brimming with pity.
"You've never had an easy day, have you? Calculating everything. Predicting every possibility... That's how you've always lived."
"Isn't that obvious?"
Bu Eun-seol, on the contrary, looked at her as if she were the strange one.
"Any true martial artist lives like that. In the Martial World, those who predict and calculate one step further are the ones who survive."
Instead of answering, Soyo gazed at him with proud eyes.
Her expression looked as if an invisible hand were gently stroking Bu Eun-seol's head.
Perhaps because of their being older than him, she always seemed to believe she had to protect him.
Ding-dang. Ding-dang.
But then, from somewhere, the faint sound of bells began to echo.
Bu Eun-seol and Soyo exchanged glances and immediately suppressed their presence.
They sensed that the sound of the bells was gradually drawing closer—directly toward them.
Ding-dang.
Finally, as the ringing grew distinct, shadowy figures emerged along the mountain ridge.
Their pupils were pitch-black, and they staggered as if drunk.
From a distance, they looked like a horde of soulless beings marching in unison.
They were the Soulless Ones, created by the Three Realms.
"An amusing method, I must admit."
Bu Eun-seol nodded in acknowledgment.
The Soulless Ones were impervious to heat and cold, and their stamina far surpassed that of ordinary people.
If one were to unleash a horde of these bloodthirsty Soulless Ones across the vast expanse of Tianshan—
Wouldn't it be an efficient way to flush out those in hiding?
"And they even devised a way to quickly detect anomalies."
Bells were tied around the waists of the Soulless Ones, chiming with every movement.
As long as they hadn't found prey, their steps would remain sluggish, and the bells would ring at a steady pace.
But once they spotted an enemy, they would move swiftly—
And the bells would chime frantically.
By releasing a swarm of Soulless Ones, they had created an effective means of easily tracking down hidden targets.
"I'll handle this."
As Soyo stepped forward, Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
She had only recently revealed herself to travel the Martial World. Naturally, this was the perfect opportunity for her to stretch her limbs.
Twang!
Drawing her short bow, Soyo unleashed a volley of arrows toward the Soulless Ones.
Swish!
As the arrows flew, the Soulless Ones clumsily swung the great blades they held.
Whoosh.
But in the blink of an eye, the arrows vanished.
At the same time—
Thunk!
An arrow suddenly pierced through the backs of their heads. Though it seemed like a single shot, she had actually fired two arrows using the Spinning Ultimate Technique.
Ding-dang. Ding-dang.
The Soulless Ones struck by the arrows collapsed instantly. But those untouched showed no reaction.
Ding-ding-dang!
Then, as if finally spotting Soyo, they suddenly charged forward at terrifying speed.
—Grooaaah!
Closing the distance in an instant, the Soulless Ones swung their massive blades at her.
Their saber techniques were crude and monotonous, hardly a threat—
But the problem was their sheer numbers.
Tap!
As the Soulless Ones swarmed in, Soyo leaped high and fired a rapid succession of arrows.
Thud! Thud!
Instead of striking the Soulless Ones, the arrows embedded themselves into the ground around them.
The Soulless Ones snarled viciously, raising their blades as they waited for Soyo to land.
But then, the unexpected happened.
Whiik! Whiirik!
Razor-sharp wires burst from the arrows lodged in the ground, instantly severing the legs of the Soulless Ones.
As the grotesque figures wobbled, their ankles cut—
Sshhk!
Soyo, landing smoothly, drew a dagger and, like lightning, slashed through their throats.
"An unorthodox fighting style."
Bu Eun-seol let out an impressed murmur.
The White Rank Assassination Sect was renowned for crafting diverse and unique arrows.
Soyo, once a Special-Grade Assassin of that sect, had inherited its techniques.
And as the Deputy Unit Leader of the Death Soul Squad, she had further developed arrows with various functions during her training.
Now, she wielded those specialized arrows whenever necessary.
Ding-dang. Ding-dang. Ding-dang.
But then, another clamor of bells erupted from the surroundings.
Though Soyo had swiftly dealt with the Soulless Ones, the ringing had attracted another wave.
Ding-ding-dang!
The newly arrived Soulless Ones lunged at her.
Crash!
But before Soyo could fire another shot, a crimson whirlwind swept past her—
Sending the charging Soulless Ones flying dozens of jang away.
Bu Eun-seol had used the Forgetful Shattering Together technique.
"Soyo. There's no need to fight them one by one. They've unleashed far too many."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With consecutive strikes of the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon, Bu Eun-seol sent the remaining Soulless Ones hurtling into a distant cave.
Bu Eun-seol was erasing the battle traces so the controller couldn't track them.
If they could evade notice, tracking the Black-Clothed Man would be much easier.
"Let's move again."
"Right."
Just as Bu Eun-seol and Soyo prepared to leave—
"Damn it!"
An irritated shout suddenly echoed from inside the cave—
KABOOM!
—and the Soulless Ones that had been flung inside came hurtling back out.
Shattered into pieces.