Chapter 494
Dae Gu-hwi.
He was the son of the Beast Palace Lord's third wife, a prodigy whose extraordinary innate Beast Force had been evident since childhood.
For this reason, he had once enjoyed the exclusive favor of Beast Palace Lord Dae Gon.
However, the first wife, envious of the disrupted succession dynamics, ordered her subordinates to poison him.
Yet it was not Dae Gu-hwi who drank the poison—it was his mother, who had been caring for him. He was forced to watch as she died in agony.
Though the truth was uncovered and all those involved were punished, the shock left Dae Gu-hwi unable to wield his Beast Force ever again.
As a result, he lost the palace lord's attention, and all his supporters abandoned him.
Not only that, but he also became the target of his siblings' hatred and ostracization.
Currently, the Beast Palace was preparing for the Beast Tournament, a competition to select the greatest warriors from among the heirs' followers.
But due to his siblings' interference and sabotage, all the subordinates Dae Gu-hwi had prepared for the tournament had suffered severe injuries.
Having uncovered these facts in advance through the Evil Soul Squad, Bu Eun-seol tracked down Dae Gu-hwi's movements and,
along with the unit's members, staged an elaborate act.
If he could demonstrate the ability to subdue enemies with the profound principles of martial arts—without even using internal energy—
he would undoubtedly capture Dae Gu-hwi's attention and secure an invitation to the Beast Palace.
And in the end, the scheme succeeded.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol pretended to hesitate for a moment before nodding.
"Very well."
The young man, Dae Gu-hwi, was overjoyed and immediately turned to the servants standing nearby.
"Pay generously for the repairs to this ruined guest inn."
Then, he extended his hand.
"Shall we go? I've prepared a carriage."
Clack, clack.
The carriage departed the inn, rolling endlessly onward.
Once inside, Noe Bi-hon finally leaned in and quietly asked Bu Eun-seol,
"That young man must be someone important from the Beast Palace, I take it?"
Though Noe Bi-hon had lost his memories, he was no fool.
In fact, the keen insight and observational skills that had once been obscured by his madness now shone even more clearly.
He had immediately guessed that the fight at the inn had been orchestrated by Bu Eun-seol.
The man's martial arts were formidable, but with Bu Eun-seol's skill, there should have been no need to drag out the battle like that.
"He is Dae Gu-hwi, the youngest son of the Beast Palace Lord."
Bu Eun-seol calmly explained the situation regarding Dae Gu-hwi.
"But just because we've caught his eye doesn't mean we can obtain the Divine Spirit Staff yet."
"The Beast Palace is currently preparing for the Beast Tournament. They'll select the most valiant warrior from among the followers and award them a prize."
Bu Eun-seol continued,
"The Beast Tournament evaluates two types of competitors: those who can tame beasts and those who excel in Beast Martial Arts."
"Hmm."
"But Dae Gu-hwi has no followers left to participate. His siblings ensured they were all injured beforehand."
"So he's been backed into a corner."
"Precisely."
A faint light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"If he fails to achieve decent results in this tournament, he'll be completely pushed out of the succession race."
"But we're outsiders. We're not disciples of the Beast Palace, are we?"
When Noe Bi-hon pointed this out sharply, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"The Beast Palace has a unique rule. They consider the ability to recruit exceptional talent from outside as part of an heir's competence."
"So we'll temporarily become his followers and participate."
"Yes. In fact, the heirs often actively recruit outsiders to secure victory."
Noe Bi-hon's eyes gleamed as he remarked,
"Impressive. That's some formidable intelligence-gathering."
To have investigated the affairs of another sect—especially a sect beyond the frontier like the Beast Palace—in such detail,
and to have predicted Dae Gu-hwi's movements well enough to set up this entire scheme in advance...
That would require intelligence networks on the scale of an entire sect, not just some small information guild.
"In the current murim, there's nothing money can't buy. With sufficient funds, even large intelligence factions can be hired privately."
"I see."
The carriage finally came to a stop before a vast manor overlooking the Beast Palace.
"That is the Beast Palace."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant structure.
The majesty of the Beast Palace, carved whole from a mountain, was reminiscent of Langya Pavilion, which occupied all of Sword Brow Mountain.
But in scale, it was easily ten times larger.
Like the North Sea Ice Palace, where retainers encircled the main palace as if guarding it, the heirs of the Beast Palace also maintained independent forces,
residing separately around the palace's central grounds.
"We've arrived."
Dae Gu-hwi's residence was located on the outermost edge of the Beast Palace.
Though he was nominally an heir, the land he occupied was no larger than a small village.
There were more attendants and servants visible than actual martial artists of the Beast Palace.
"Please come this way."
Dae Gu-hwi smiled as he guided Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon to his residence.
The servants had swiftly prepared a feast.
Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon drank with Dae Gu-hwi late into the night.
Surprisingly, however, Dae Gu-hwi got along better with Noe Bi-hon.
The two conversed openly as if they had been lifelong friends, drinking together without reservation.
Perhaps it was because their personalities and temperaments were strikingly similar.
"Surely, Great Hero Noe, you aren't the Noe Bi-hon—the Thunder God, one of the Grim Reapers who dominates the martial world?"
Dae Gu-hwi laughed as he made the joke.
Since Thunder Essence Divine Qi constantly emanated from the Thunder God's body, concealing his identity was impossible.
Thus, Dae Gu-hwi had no choice but to assume Noe Bi-hon simply shared the same name.
"If that were the case, there'd have been no need for me to step in at the guest inn—Brother Noe could've handled it with a single finger."
When Bu Eun-seol replied, Dae Gu-hwi beamed brightly.
"Ah, that's true."
As the drinking deepened, Dae Gu-hwi cautiously broached a subject.
"Actually... there's something I'd like to earnestly ask of both of you."
"Go ahead."
"Soon, the Beast Grand Tournament will be held in the main palace."
"I'm aware. It's a competition to select the most valiant and outstanding subordinates among the Beast Palace's forces."
"That's how it's publicly known, but in truth, it's more about determining which successor has the strongest followers. The Beast Palace's true elite warriors don't even participate."
Dae Gu-hwi's expression turned grave.
"But the subordinates I value have all been injured by my siblings. They likely wanted to prevent any potential upsets."
Noe Bi-hon, who had been silently listening until now, finally spoke.
"What exactly does the Beast Grand Tournament entail?"
"It's divided into two contests: the Barehanded Contest, where participants compete using only their raw physical strength without internal energy, and the Beast-Taming Contest, where they demonstrate their ability to tame wild beasts."
In short, the Barehanded Contest tested pure physical prowess, while the Beast-Taming Contest measured mastery over the Control of Ten Thousand Beasts.
"Until now, I've never stood out in the Beast Grand Tournament. But this year, I turn eighteen... If I don't win at least one of the contests, I'll lose my position as a successor."
Dae Gu-hwi explained his circumstances in detail—how, after his mother's tragic death, he lost the ability to wield Beast Force, and how his siblings ostracized him, causing all his supporters to abandon him.
"At the guest inn, Young Hero Seol subdued those bandits without using internal energy, relying solely on profound fist techniques. With that level of skill, I believe you could easily dominate the Barehanded Contest."
"So you didn't invite us purely out of camaraderie."
At Noe Bi-hon's blunt words, Dae Gu-hwi flushed slightly.
"At first, yes. But not anymore. I genuinely admire both of you now."
He spoke with visible embarrassment.
"You don't have to participate if you don't want to. It was just... a thought I had."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"You're far too straightforward, Great Hero Dae."
Originally, Bu Eun-seol's goal had been to use Dae Gu-hwi to enter the tournament.
But seeing how sincere and guileless the young man was, he felt a twinge of guilt.
"But we're outsiders. Would we even be allowed to participate in the Beast Palace's tournament?"
When Bu Eun-seol feigned ignorance of the rules, Dae Gu-hwi quickly answered.
"Of course. One of the key qualities of a future palace lord is the ability to recognize and recruit exceptional talent from outside."
Then he sighed.
"In fact, many of my elder brothers' top subordinates aren't even from the main palace."
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon exchanged glances and nodded.
Dae Gu-hwi had laid bare his situation without a single falsehood.
Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon found themselves genuinely fond of him.
"If Young Hero Seol wins the Barehanded Contest, I'll make sure to repay you handsomely—"
Before he could finish, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Very well. I'll participate."
"Really? Thank you!"
As color returned to Dae Gu-hwi's face, Bu Eun-seol casually steered the conversation toward his true objective.
"By the way, if one wins... would they be able to obtain any treasures the Beast Palace possesses? For example... something like the Divine Spirit Staff?"
"The Divine Spirit Staff?"
Dae Gu-hwi blinked in surprise at the unexpected mention.
"If I could give it to you, I would right now. But that's something beyond my power to obtain."
Dae Gu-hwi shook his head.
"If you wish to receive one of our palace's treasures as a reward, you must win both the Barehanded Contest and the Beast-Taming Contest. Only then will the Palace Lord ask if you have any requests."
"I see."
At that, Noe Bi-hon nodded.
"Then I shall participate in the Beast-Taming Contest."
It was such an absurd declaration that even Bu Eun-seol hadn't anticipated it.
"Brother Noe, to win the Beast-Taming Contest, one must master the Control of Ten Thousand Beasts—the ability to freely command animals."
Control of Ten Thousand Beasts.
It was the Beast Palace's most difficult secret art, the foremost of its secret arts, capable of subduing all creatures in the world.
What made it especially hard to master was that innate disposition mattered above all else.
No matter how exceptional one's talent, without the natural ability to commune with animals... it was fundamentally impossible to achieve Great Completion.
But how could Noe Bi-hon, who hadn't even learned the Control of Ten Thousand Beasts—whose Thunder Essence Divine Qi was still sealed—possibly participate in the Beast-Taming Contest?
"That won't do."
Before Bu Eun-seol could say anything, Dae Gu-hwi spoke firmly.
"Great Hero Noe, you're thinking of using your Internal Energy, aren't you? But even in the Beast-Taming Contest, Internal Energy cannot be used."
"I never intended to rely on Internal Energy in the first place."
"So you mean to subdue them barehanded? But that's even more impossible."
Dae Gu-hwi shook his head again.
"The beasts that appear in the Beast-Taming Contest are anything but ordinary. Most are ferocious and impossible to tame."
"Did you truly think I meant to beat them into submission?"
"You... didn't?"
"Of course not."
Noe Bi-hon replied with a leisurely expression.
"Animals are no different from humans. I believe the Control of Ten Thousand Beasts was created with that very principle in mind."
"Great Hero Noe..."
"What's there to lose? I have no expectations, so there will be no disappointment."
Seeing his confidence, Dae Gu-hwi reluctantly relented.
"Very well. But if it becomes utterly impossible, forfeit immediately. That way, you won't be seriously injured."
"Agreed."
With the discussion concluded, the drinking session grew even more lively.
Dae Gu-hwi drank with them through the night before taking his leave.
And when night fell, Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon rested in the spacious quarters Dae Gu-hwi had prepared.
"Brother Noe."
Bu Eun-seol spoke as if he couldn't comprehend it.
"What exactly are you thinking? You haven't learned the Control of Ten Thousand Beasts, yet you insist on participating in the Beast-Taming Contest."
"That greenhorn is straining himself, struggling all alone, isn't he?"
Noe Bi-hon's gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, a peculiar light flickering in his eyes.
"Seeing him fight so hard just to survive... I thought I might lend him a hand."
Had his son lived, he would have been around Dae Gu-hwi's age.
Though his memories were lost, Noe Bi-hon's instincts clearly yearned for his child in the depths of his unconscious.
"However, I've never actually controlled beasts before... So I'll need to make some preparations."
"Preparations?"
"Well, all I have is this body of mine."
Noe Bi-hon chuckled lowly, his eyes gleaming.
In that moment, he resembled not the Thunder God who once shook the heavens, but a strategist weaving a cunning plan.
At last, the day of the Beast Grand Tournament arrived.
At the heart of the Beast Palace, two massive structures had been erected.
One was a colossal iron cage resembling a prison, while the other was a bizarre building with only an entrance and exit visible.
The cage served as the martial arts stage for the Barehanded Contest, while the strange building housed the mechanisms for the Beast-Taming Contest.
Before them stood a high platform, upon which sat a middle-aged man of towering stature—easily eight feet tall.
None other than Dae Gon, Lord of the Beast Palace.
Born with a perfect Beast Body, he exuded an aura more akin to a wild beast than a human.
Yet his eyes brimmed with wisdom, giving the impression of a colossal beast that had taken human form.
—Then let the Beast Grand Tournament commence!
The tournament's proceedings were overseen by the Beast Palace's Chief Steward, Yong Mun-gyeok.
—First, we shall begin with the Barehanded Contest!
At his shout, the enormous iron cage—spanning hundreds of feet—opened on all sides.
Immediately, countless muscular men waiting nearby stepped inside.
"Young Hero Seol. I leave it to you."
Bu Eun-seol gave a calm nod before entering the iron cage.
Mocking laughter erupted from all around him.
Tall but gaunt, with neither presence nor intensity in his gaze.
The masters of the Beast Palace could gauge the strength imbued within a body at a glance.
Thus, they assumed Bu Eun-seol possessed no remarkable power.
"Take this."
As Bu Eun-seol moved to enter, a magic pill lay before the iron cage.
It was the Energy-Dispersing Pill, designed to render one absolutely incapable of using Internal Power.
Not only that, but within the iron cage, a mist that scattered Internal Power periodically rose.
Moreover, judges with sharp eyes were watching from all directions, ensuring that no one could possibly use their Internal Energy.
Gulp.
Bu Eun-seol swallowed the pill without hesitation.
'There's poison in it.'
A bitter smile curled at the corners of his lips.
The pill not only contained medicine to disrupt Internal Power but also a faint narcotic component meant to dull the mind.
Someone had tampered with it to ensure Dae Gu-hwi would have no chance of victory.
'A pointless effort.'
Bu Eun-seol let out a quiet scoff.
As long as Reverse Polarity True Qi flowed through his veins, he was practically a Myriad-Poison-Immunity Body.
Even if he ingested a narcotic hundreds of times stronger, it would have no effect on him.
Kwoong.
As he finally stepped inside, dozens of men crouched within, waiting.
The Beast Palace's Barehanded Contest was different from ordinary duels.
Inside this iron cage, they had to fight indiscriminately—only the last one standing would claim victory.
Grrrl.
The men around him growled like beasts, their sharp claws bared as they surveyed their surroundings.
The only weapon allowed was the physical body. Nothing else could be used.
"KAAH!"
There were no formal greetings, no Starting Stance.
The moment one entered the cage, the fight began—and it would continue until only one remained.
Tap-tap-tap!
Just then, a massive man charged toward Bu Eun-seol.
It was Gwa Cheok, the subordinate of Dae Un-pung, the third son of the Beast Palace.
He had decided that Bu Eun-seol would be his prey.
Sshhk!
While Bu Eun-seol stood motionless, Gwa Cheok flashed past him like lightning.
Blood sprayed from Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
Beast Martial Arts.
Even without Internal Power, it displayed astonishing speed and strength.
'So this is the Beast Palace's martial arts.'
The Beast Palace's Beast Martial Arts were said to push the human body to its absolute limits.
And seeing it firsthand, the reputation was well-deserved.
Even without Internal Power, it exhibited strength and agility that rivaled that of a Murim Master.
'But something's strange. Why are their movements leaving afterimages in my vision?'
It was odd.
Gwa Cheok's beast-like movements lingered in Bu Eun-seol's sight like afterimages.
The Way of the Beast.
The acute senses engraved into Bu Eun-seol's body were reacting to the Beast Palace's Beast Martial Arts.
'So what was written in the Langya First Transformation was true.'
In the past, to test the Five Forms, Bu Eun-seol had entered the Demon Hall's Ten Thousand Demonic Secret Archive.
There, he had read a book called Langya First Transformation, written by a master of Langya Pavilion.
It detailed the origins of the Way of the Beast, tracing it back to the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's Beast Martial Arts.
At the time, he hadn't dwelled on it. But now, feeling how every one of Gwa Cheok's movements connected to the Way of the Beast, he realized—
It was all true.
'Fascinating. That movement.'
Though Gwa Cheok seemed to be moving wildly in all directions, his motions were actually precise and intricate.
And every single one of them was being instantly absorbed into Bu Eun-seol's body.
Fwip!
Unconsciously, Gwa Cheok's claws grazed Bu Eun-seol's cheek.
At the same time, he bared his fangs and lunged for Bu Eun-seol's throat.
Hwaak!
But then, something unexpected happened.
Bu Eun-seol swiftly dodged the attack—and instead, he bit into Gwa Cheok's neck.
Pshht!
Gwa Cheok, his neck torn open, recoiled in shock, flipping midair before retreating.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Though he had avoided a fatal pressure point, blood gushed endlessly from the wound on his neck.
"Grrrl."
Seeing his own blood, Gwa Cheok crouched on all fours, snarling like a beast.
This wasn't an imitation—it was the very essence of a wild beast.
Beast Force.
Realizing that Bu Eun-seol wouldn't be an easy opponent, he was about to use the Beast Palace's ultimate technique—one that shattered the body's limits.
Riiip.
With the sound of tearing fabric, his body doubled in size, his muscles swelling grotesquely.
"Heh heh."
From Gwa Cheok's body, only one thing emanated—pure Killing Intent, focused solely on killing Bu Eun-seol.
But then, something bizarre occurred.
As Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath, he began absorbing even the Killing Intent radiating from Gwa Cheok as if it were sensory input.
"Grrrl."
Having assimilated all of Gwa Cheok's instincts, Bu Eun-seol let out a low growl, straightening his posture and expanding the muscles of his back.
He looked like a beast standing on two legs, puffing itself up before its prey.
"—What is this?"
The figures of the Beast Palace watching from above the cage were stunned.
The overwhelming Killing Intent pouring from Bu Eun-seol's body—
Wasn't this the Beast Force, something only a true master of Beast Martial Arts could unleash?