Chapter 497
'Or perhaps... the Power of Harmony?'
Through the arrangement of his office, the Sacred Sword Baekri Mu-jo had revealed both perfection and the Power of Harmony.
Perhaps the boundary formation of this Ghost Valley Pass, combined with the Mind-Seizing Art, was designed to draw forth the memories of others through such an arrangement.
—The Valley of Forgotten Souls is highly likely to have been established as a communal settlement by a cult organization.
Suddenly, the Evil Soul Squad's report on the Valley of Forgotten Souls surfaced in his mind.
According to their investigation, those who had successfully settled in the Valley of Forgotten Souls were—
Martial artists burdened with pain, the very condition they had set.
How could martial artists, perpetually tormented by suffering and regret, find happiness simply by entering the Valley of Forgotten Souls, a place severed from the world?
If that were true, then the Valley of Forgotten Souls most likely exploited the cracks in the fractured spirits of those drowning in anguish, employing brainwashing or the Mind-Seizing Art.
'In that case... it might be to steal their martial arts.'
The condition for entering the Valley of Forgotten Souls was "martial artists consumed by sorrow." If so, perhaps they had lured them here to plunder their martial techniques.
'But... something's off.'
Whether it was the Mind-Seizing Art or something else, if they had shown such illusions, they should have followed up with a means to subdue their minds.
Yet this mechanism merely—
Evoked serene scenery and a gentle breeze, conjuring beautiful memories of the past—nothing more.
—Depending on the thoughts one carries, a person's life can be filled with happiness... or misery.
Abruptly, the voice of his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, echoed in his ears.
Bu Jan-yang had given his all in everything he could do, never yearning for what was beyond his reach or lamenting what he lacked.
He found contentment in the modest meals he ate daily and was grateful for the work of an undertaker—preparing the deceased and conducting funeral rites.
'But I... don't seek happiness, Grandfather.'
Bu Eun-seol had not ventured into the martial world for his own happiness.
It was to hunt down those who had brutally killed his grandfather and disturbed his eternal rest.
Because he couldn't live otherwise.
Because he couldn't leave this world without facing the one who had done that to his grandfather.
Whoosh.
Yet again, a clear breeze brushed past Bu Eun-seol's ears.
Then, the beautiful garden transformed into a gruesome landscape—piled high with corpses, rivers of blood flowing like a crimson tide.
The place that had been beautiful when he recalled memories of his grandfather...
Had turned into Hell Island the moment he thought of revenge.
'Is this telling me I'm walking the wrong path?'
Crack.
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
'I'm not here to debate right and wrong!'
There was no such thing as absolute right or wrong in this world.
Even if others unanimously declared it the wrong path, to someone else, it could be the most righteous act.
"Because if I don't avenge Grandfather, none of this means anything!"
Crash!
As Bu Eun-seol unleashed a Lion's Roar, the scenery before him shattered into nothingness.
Simultaneously, the true form of the Ghost Valley Pass was revealed.
"Flowers... and wind."
The passage was utterly empty, save for a single artificial flower crafted by human hands.
And nothing more than a faint breeze drifting in through an open window.
"So the flowers were just flowers, and the wind was just wind."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his astonishment.
To think they could shake a person's heart with nothing but flowers and wind.
If so, then the Valley Lord of the Forgotten Souls was undoubtedly a figure of immense ability—far beyond what was known.
"My son! My boy! Where have you gone, leaving your father behind?"
"Mother! Mother, you died in such misery!"
Unlike Bu Eun-seol, Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi remained trapped in the formation, wailing in agony.
Unlike him, they were reliving nothing but painful, tormenting memories.
'So that's how it was.'
Bu Eun-seol had achieved the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, making it impossible for the Ghost Valley Pass to invade his spirit.
Thus, when he recalled pleasant memories, a beautiful landscape unfolded.
And when he unleashed his rage, a horrific scene took its place.
Creak—
At that moment, the door at the end of the passage swung open, flooding the space with radiant light.
Step, step.
As if entranced, Bu Eun-seol walked outside.
There stood a middle-aged man with sharp, distinct features and well-balanced facial structure, smiling warmly.
"Welcome to our valley."
"Are you the Valley Lord of the Forgotten Souls?"
"No, I am merely a guide."
The middle-aged man extended his hand toward Bu Eun-seol.
"Come with me. I'll take you to the Valley Lord."
"Only me?"
When Bu Eun-seol glanced back at Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi, still screaming in anguish, the middle-aged man offered a faint smile.
"Don't worry. Their painful memories are fleeting. Soon, they'll find peace."
As his words faded, several men emerged from behind him, approaching.
They were all dressed in clean clothing, and with every movement, a sweet fragrance wafted from them.
"It's alright. Those were just bad memories. Please come with us."
They supported the weeping Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi, leading them away somewhere.
Judging by their expressions and movements, devoid of any malice, they didn't seem intent on causing harm at all.
"Follow me."
With no other choice, Bu Eun-seol followed the middle-aged man into the Valley of Forgotten Souls.
And there, an astonishing sight unfolded before him.
The interior was arranged like a large, sunlit mountain village, with well-tended fields and orchards visible all around.
They were living here self-sufficiently.
"This way."
The middle-aged man guided him to a house deep within the village.
Then, pointing at the gate, he said:
"Go on in."
Bu Eun-seol nodded and stepped inside the small house.
When he pushed open the aged door, the interior was filled with the scent of incense, and wooden floors stretched before him.
It looked like a place where venerable monks might engage in meditation.
And at the table, an elderly man dressed in white sat with perfect posture.
His hair had turned as white as the roots of green onions, and the deep wrinkles on his skin resembled the bark of an ancient tree.
"I am Song Baek-do, the master of this valley."
Contrary to his appearance, the old man's voice was clear and resonant. His gaze, too, was so pure that he didn't seem like an evil person in the slightest.
"I am Seol-so, a wandering martial artist."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together, Song Baek-do smiled faintly.
"If you've reached a level where the Ghost Valley Formation doesn't affect you, then you must have attained the pinnacle of the Mind-Seizing Secret Art."
He spoke in a low voice.
"You should be able to manipulate your Spirit and Mind at will. So why have you come to this valley?"
Song Baek-do didn't even consider the possibility that Bu Eun-seol had achieved the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough.
He assumed Bu Eun-seol had simply mastered an extraordinary level of the Mind-Seizing Secret Art, rendering him immune to the Ghost Valley Formation.
"I came to borrow the Mysterious Leaf Stone."
"The Mysterious Leaf Stone?"
Song Baek-do narrowed his eyes slightly before nodding.
"Is that all you need?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll lend it to you—take it."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned blank.
Who would have thought things would go this smoothly?
"However, there is a condition."
"Please tell me."
"Stay here for three days and assist with the affairs of this valley. If you do that, I'll give you the Mysterious Leaf Stone immediately."
"What kind of assistance would you require?"
"Nothing much."
Song Baek-do bared his white teeth in a manner unbefitting an old man.
"Simply follow the same daily routine as the people of this valley."
Bu Eun-seol felt puzzled.
Was Song Baek-do really willing to lend out a treasure like the Mysterious Leaf Stone just for three days of living like the valley's residents?
That made no sense at all.
"I'll consult my companions before deciding."
"What is there to consult?"
Song Baek-do smiled faintly.
"You alone can make this decision."
His gaze was so deep that it was impossible to guess his true intentions.
There's no malice.
Having achieved the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, Bu Eun-seol had gained an instinctive ability to distinguish goodwill from ill intent.
And the energy radiating from Song Baek-do's body was undeniably benevolent.
Though my intuition could still be wrong.
After a moment of deep thought, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Very well. Then I'll do as you say."
"A wise decision."
Song Baek-do chuckled and extended his hand.
"Then make yourself at home."
From that day onward, Bu Eun-seol and his companions began living in the Valley of Forgotten Souls.
The people of the valley followed the same daily routine in perfect unison.
They woke at the same time, ate together in the large dining room, tilled the fields together, and slept at the same hour.
During breaks, they recited calming scriptures like the Clear Bright Secret Manual—
Or shared parables from Buddhist texts.
Though their meals consisted only of rice and vegetables, delicious fruits were served alongside them.
And to stave off hunger between meals, they were given sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other simple foods.
Bu Eun-seol, Noe Bi-hon, and Dae Gu-hwi worked diligently, ate heartily, and recited the Ancient Maxims as if they had truly become residents of the valley.
By the time the second day passed, a change had come over the two men.
A serene energy flowed from their bodies, and their expressions grew as gentle as the Buddha's.
The concept of time blurred, and their Spirit and Mind filled with boundless tranquility.
"Isn't tilling the fields truly rewarding?"
Noe Bi-hon, who had been hoeing for a while, wiped the sweat from his brow and asked Dae Gu-hwi.
"Indeed."
Dae Gu-hwi straightened his waist and flashed a bright smile, revealing his white teeth.
"I never knew working up a sweat could bring such happiness."
It was astonishing.
Only two days had passed, yet the two of them had already perfectly adapted to life in the Valley of Forgotten Souls.
Not only that, but their lips now bore a relaxed smile that had never been there before.
'Something is wrong.'
Bu Eun-seol, who had been silently observing them, finally sensed that something was amiss.
Peace of mind and happiness—
They did not come so suddenly, so quickly.
Especially in Noe Bi-hon's case. Even if he had lost his memories, only his temperament had softened—his sharp, ruthless edge still lingered beneath the surface.
Yet now, he looked like a monk who had renounced all worldly attachments, as if he had abandoned every last shred of obsession.
"Brother Noe."
Bu Eun-seol approached Noe Bi-hon and spoke calmly.
"The promised three days are almost upon us. Shouldn't we prepare to leave immediately after obtaining the Mysterious Leaf Stone from the Valley Master?"
"Hm?"
Noe Bi-hon, who had been tilling the field, wore a slightly dazed expression.
"Leave?"
His face twisted with faint unease.
"What's the rush? What difference does a day or two make?"
Dae Gu-hwi, who had been listening, nodded in agreement.
"He's right. We've only been here three days. Wouldn't leaving so soon be discourteous to the Valley Master, who has shown us such kindness?"
"Are you saying you won't leave?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Dae Gu-hwi scratched his head awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.
"It doesn't seem like the right time to go just yet."
Though he was smiling, his eyes were resolute.
If Bu Eun-seol tried to drag them away by force, they would likely escape and return here as soon as possible.
'This isn't something to handle with force.'
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly as he studied Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi.
"Understood. I'll first seek out the Valley Master and ask for his opinion."
"Yes, go ask him. Find out how long we're allowed to stay."
"Exactly. We should only remain if the Valley Master permits it, shouldn't we?"
Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi were already indistinguishable from the other residents of the Valley of Forgotten Souls.
Without another word, Bu Eun-seol immediately headed toward the house where Song Baek-do resided.
The agreed-upon duration was three days.
There was no need to delay any further.
"Valley Master."
When Bu Eun-seol arrived at the house, Song Baek-do was already waiting outside, as if he had anticipated his visit.
"You've come."
"Tomorrow marks the third day."
"Yes, so it does."
Song Baek-do studied him.
"Do you intend to leave the valley?"
"Yes."
"I see. You were unaffected by the formation from the very beginning."
Song Baek-do smiled faintly.
That smile confirmed Bu Eun-seol's suspicions—all of this had been orchestrated by Song Baek-do.
"Valley Master."
Bu Eun-seol spoke as if he couldn't comprehend it.
"Why force peace upon people?"
Every person in the Valley of Forgotten Souls—they hadn't attained peace through their own efforts.
All of it had been handed to them by Song Baek-do, the Valley Master—stability and peace, artificially imposed.
And it wasn't the Mind-Seizing Art or some Great Art. If it had been, Bu Eun-seol would have shattered it immediately and attacked Song Baek-do without hesitation.
The peace the valley's residents felt—
It was all an artificial "Harmonization" crafted by Song Baek-do.
Every sight in the Valley of Forgotten Souls—
The food, the monotonous daily routine, the Mind-Training Formula, the shape of the household items, the tranquil scent that lingered in the air...
Everything in this valley had been meticulously woven together to induce overwhelming stability and peace.
"The gods gave humans the gift of forgetting... but regrettably, they made it impossible for them to erase truly painful memories on their own."
"..."
"As time passes, those agonizing memories only grow sharper."
Song Baek-do gazed at the distant sky as he spoke.
"Some people suffer their entire lives because of those unerasable memories, only to die in torment."
He let out a deep sigh.
"Time cannot be reversed, and no amount of suffering changes anything..."
His eyes locked onto Bu Eun-seol.
"You have such memories too, don't you?"
"I do."
"Didn't you want to forget them?"
Bu Eun-seol took a slow, deep breath.
"There were times I wanted to forget. But I knew I must never lose them."
"Why?"
"Because if I forgot, I would have no reason to keep living."
His grandfather's brutal death—
Of course, it was a memory he wished to forget. But if he lost it, he could never seek revenge.
He could never move forward.
He would lose his purpose.
Just like Noe Bi-hon, who had lost all his memories.
"Painful memories torment humans, yet they also make them grow."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with detached calm.
"To forcibly make someone forget their suffering would be no different from ruining that person's entire life."
His words carried profound profundity.
Song Baek-do nodded as if in agreement, yet shook his head.
"My view differs from yours."
He gazed at the people wandering through the Valley of Forgotten Souls.
"Every one of them once tried to end their lives because of unbearable memories. I established this valley knowing their suffering stemmed from the grudges and favors of the martial world."
He gestured to their surroundings.
"You must have sensed it—every blade of grass, every stone, every tree here... was meticulously arranged to bring solace and tranquility to the human heart."
Song Baek-do exhaled deeply.
"Of course, you're not wrong either. Without suffering, humans would never progress."
Then, he fixed Bu Eun-seol with a sorrowful expression.
"But the world has few like you, who can transform agony and torment into opportunities for growth."
Bu Eun-seol also released a long sigh.
Song Baek-do had created the Valley of Forgotten Souls out of his own goodwill and convictions.
With his extraordinary skill, he sought to save people.
Yet, from Bu Eun-seol's perspective, Song Baek-do's actions could not be called righteous.
Unless one was a god, they had no right to manipulate another's emotions. Humans grew through hardship and suffering.
An infant must struggle and endure countless falls before learning to stand on two feet.
One must never tamper with another's spirit and mind to let them escape pain and sorrow.
"I spent years researching the Mind-Seizing Art," Song Baek-do said, his voice heavy as he gazed at the distant sky.
"And I sought a way to relieve suffering for those who needed oblivion."
He spoke as if weighed down by guilt.
"It was my means of atoning for the sins of my past."
From Song Baek-do's body flowed only an immortal-like energy—no trace of malice.
It seemed he had truly committed grave wrongs in the past and sought redemption by aiding others through the valley.
'At the very least, this isn't some mortal's imitation of divine play.'
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply.
'Moreover, this level of mastery suggests he has reached the pinnacle of the Mind-Seizing Art.'
Simply by arranging the valley's elements, Song Baek-do had granted Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi a peace and stability of spirit they had never known before.
Even when Bu Eun-seol first passed through the gate, the valley's influence had touched his own spirit, despite having undergone the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough.
In other words, Song Baek-do was on par with Hyeokryeon Eung—the man who had once brought Bu Eun-seol to the brink of death.
"You once belonged to the Three Realms, didn't you?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke flatly, as if he had already deduced the truth.
"Likely the Infinite Realm."
Song Baek-do's eyes widened.
In the martial world, those who knew of the Three Realms were exceedingly rare.
Yet this young man had not only guessed his connection to them—but even pinpointed the Infinite Realm?
"You... Were you also a member of the Three Realms?"
"How could that be?"
Bu Eun-seol let out a low breath through his nose.
"You've lived cut off from the world, so you may not know—but many in the current martial world are aware of the Three Realms."
"Then how—"
"I've clashed with them repeatedly."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"Destroying them is my goal."
Song Baek-do shook his head in disbelief.
No individual or faction in the martial world could oppose the Three Realms. Those who defied them were doomed to perish.
Yet this unassuming youth spoke of toppling them as casually as dismantling a local gang.
"Unbelievable. Just who are you?"
As a master of the Mind-Seizing Art, Song Baek-do could easily discern truth from lies.
But Bu Eun-seol, having achieved the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, was impervious to such probing.
"You've already left the secular world behind. It's better you don't know who I am."
Bu Eun-seol wasn't hiding his identity out of arrogance.
He feared that revealing himself might drag Song Baek-do into unnecessary grudges.
"Ha."
Song Baek-do let out a hollow laugh.
"If you know I was part of the Three Realms, then you must know who I was."
"No."
"No? Then how did you know I belonged to them?"
Bu Eun-seol answered impassively.
"Because I nearly died by the Spirit Summoning Secret Voice."
After a steadying breath, his expression turned grave.
"Were you the one who taught Hyeokryeon Eung that technique?"
In that instant, Song Baek-do looked as if his eyes might burst from shock.
How could that name—one he had buried deep, one he never wished to recall even in dreams—have just left Bu Eun-seol's lips?