Chapter 525
About a month earlier.
Hidden Moon Hall, Murim Alliance—Gongson Dan-gyeong's private chamber.
There, Gongson Dan-gyeong and Bu Eun-seol sat facing each other, heads bent close as they strategized the operation to subjugate the Heavenly Human Cult.
With the combined forces of the Divine Guard Unit and the Heavenly Martial Division under Gongson Dan-gyeong's command, crushing the Heavenly Human Cult wasn't particularly difficult.
But the crucial point was ensuring Bu Eun-seol could distinguish himself.
He needed to achieve a feat in this campaign that would secure him the rank of First-Grade Commander—one that would unquestionably earn the approval of the majority of the Alliance's hall leaders.
"In the end, the Alliance only committed two combat units—and even those are under the command of deputy leaders," Gongson Dan-gyeong murmured in a low voice.
"Not only that, but the morale of the deputy leaders and their warriors is utterly dismal."
This was only natural.
She had presented the senior officials not with the irrefutable evidence Bu Eun-seol had gathered, but with deliberately circumstantial proof.
Moreover, since the hall leaders themselves weren't taking the field, forcing their deputies to lead instead, the warriors' fighting spirit had plummeted.
"After investigating, I've confirmed the Heavenly Human Cult has been preparing for large-scale combat while constructing the Sword Tomb. They knew their atrocities would eventually come to light," Gongson Dan-gyeong continued quietly.
"Now that the Alliance has stepped in, the outcome is already decided. The cult won't be scheming for victory—they'll be searching for a way to stop this battle."
Her finger traced the map spread before them, stopping near the Haseo region.
"Judging by the scale of the Sword Tomb they built in the Taiping branch... the cult must have an adept of Mechanism Formations. Without a doubt, they've prepared a secret escape route from their main temple at Yangmun Mountain."
Bu Eun-seol nodded, grasping her plan.
"If defeat seems imminent, they'll attempt a lightning strike on the commander's position."
"Exactly. It's their only possible path to survival."
Even if the Heavenly Human Cult grew tenfold in strength, they could never defeat the Murim Alliance.
But what if they could capture Gongson Dan-gyeong, who commanded the Alliance's forces?
It would give them the bargaining chip to negotiate a ceasefire—a way to end the war instantly.
"But are you certain this will work?"
Having fully understood her scheme, Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
"If their leader is bold enough to attempt a direct assault on the commander, then Ho Yeon-gyeong must possess martial prowess far beyond what's publicly known."
"A precise analysis."
"In that case, have you prepared a separate stratagem...?"
"I have faith."
Gongson Dan-gyeong met Bu Eun-seol's gaze squarely.
"No matter how formidable a master Ho Yeon-gyeong is, no matter how many troops he brings... Commander Seon-u will undoubtedly prevail."
Emerging from his recollection, Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
'She must have known the Heavenly Human Cult's leader not only possessed extraordinary martial arts but also wielded the Demonic Path.'
His gaze deepened as he deciphered Gongson Dan-gyeong's underlying intent.
'If I lacked the strength to crush him, I shouldn't have even entertained the thought of becoming a First-Grade Commander.'
Until now, he had planned to elevate Seon-u Jin's reputation gradually, step by step.
But to succeed in Gongson Dan-gyeong's scheme, he would have to reveal—in one stroke—strength befitting a young grandmaster.
In other words, he would have to surpass the limits the Divine Calculator—and Bu Eun-seol himself—had set for Seon-u Jin's capabilities.
To rise to the rank of First-Grade Commander, he needed not only strategic brilliance but martial prowess and achievements to match.
If breaking through the Heavenly Human Cult's defensive lines while commanding Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong had proven his wisdom...
Now, he had to prove he possessed the martial might worthy of a First-Grade Commander by defeating Ho Yeon-gyeong.
Hwoong.
Gripping his iron sword, Bu Eun-seol immediately surged his internal power.
The maximum internal energy Seon-u Jin could wield was roughly two hundred and fifty years' worth.
While that placed him among the foremost young masters of the era...
It was still slightly lacking when facing true masters who roamed the world.
In other words, the character of Seon-u Jin couldn't rely on overwhelming internal power—he had to secure victory through profound martial insight and sword techniques.
'I'll use the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms.'
The Divine Calculator's refined version of the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms specialized in defense and counterattacks.
Bu Eun-seol resolved to defeat Ho Yeon-gyeong without resorting to the True Void.
Swish! Whiik!
As Ho Yeon-gyeong unleashed a torrent of saber strokes, Bu Eun-seol swung his sword in perfect sync, sending the saber energy spiraling back relentlessly.
"What a vexing sword technique!"
Ho Yeon-gyeong quickly discerned Bu Eun-seol's method—constantly redirecting and returning his saber energy through precise rotations.
He altered his saber strokes, shifting to rapid, abbreviated bursts.
"Like this, you can't catch the energy imbued in my strikes to send them back!"
But that was his fatal miscalculation.
Whiik!
After his battle with Paeng Ryun, Bu Eun-seol's sword art had ascended to new heights.
No matter how cunningly Ho Yeon-gyeong varied his saber techniques or how swiftly he struck—
No matter how thread-thin the sword energy was, he was catching and deflecting it with ghostly precision.
—So Commander Seon-u's martial arts were at that level?
—He might even surpass our own commander!
—His Internal Energy is impressive, but his sword techniques are truly exceptional!
The members of the Universal Sword Guard all let out exclamations of admiration.
The Universal Sword Guard was a first-grade sword unit, and its commander, Naeng Gyeom, possessed strength formidable enough to dominate an entire region.
Yet even he had been unable to block Ho Yeon-gyeong's single slash and was sent flying in an instant.
But this second-grade commander was effortlessly deflecting the attacks?
"A dangerous one, aren't you?"
By the time they had exchanged over thirty blows, Ho Yeon-gyeong's eyes flashed.
"I absolutely cannot let you live."
Oooong!
As he raised his Internal Power, a sickly yellow mist began to rise from the demonic saber in his grip.
"The Blood Wheel Demon Blade possesses many abilities."
Kiiii—!
From the Blood Wheel Demon Blade in Ho Yeon-gyeong's hand came a demonic shriek that threatened to rupture eardrums.
The Demon Sword Path itself held strange and mysterious powers,
and the Blood Wheel Demon Blade was a demonic saber nearly as formidable as the legendary Blood of a Thousand People that Cheon Hwa-in had once wielded.
'To awaken that blade, he must have slaughtered countless people.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he observed the eerie glow emanating from the Blood Wheel Demon Blade.
For a demonic weapon to unleash its power, a fitting price must be paid.
Undoubtedly, Ho Yeon-gyeong had sacrificed countless lives to wield this blade.
CLANG!
Then, something strange happened.
When executing the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms, the profound principle of Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade ensured that the swords should never clash.
Yet Ho Yeon-gyeong's demonic saber kept forcibly drawing Bu Eun-seol's iron sword into collision.
Zzzreng!
And with each clash, it felt as though the strength gathered in Bu Eun-seol's body was being drained away.
Chiiik.
After several exchanges, Bu Eun-seol gradually began to be pushed back.
The more their weapons clashed, the weaker his Internal Power seemed to become, and his entire body burned as if his blood were boiling.
The first ability of the Blood Wheel Demon Blade—
It stole the very vitality of its opponent with every weapon clash.
"Crush that little-fry bastard in one go!"
As Bu Eun-seol was forced back, Ho Yeon-gyeong roared in triumph and ordered the Ghost-Faced Envoys to attack again.
"Protect the Chief Strategist!"
The sword guards bravely fought against the Ghost-Faced Envoys surging forward once more.
Bu Eun-seol was risking his life to protect Gongson Dan-gyeong and the others from Ho Yeon-gyeong.
Then they, too, had to stake their lives to eliminate these enemies.
Kwaaaang! Shatter-shatter-shatter-shatter!
A deafening roar shook the earth as, like scattered fragments from Ho Yeon-gyeong's blood wheel, dozens of tiny blade rings sprayed toward Bu Eun-seol's body.
To create blade rings required pouring out at least three centuries' worth of Internal Energy.
Yet Ho Yeon-gyeong had just casually produced hundreds of them with a mere flick of his wrist?
That was the second ability of the Blood Wheel Demon Blade.
When channeling Internal Energy to unleash consecutive bursts of sword energy, the blade would manifest them in the form of blade rings.
Schwak! Splat!
"Gyaaah!"
"Keugh—!"
In an instant, the sword guards fighting the Ghost-Faced Envoys around Bu Eun-seol fell in gruesome deaths.
Thanks to the Way of the Beast, Bu Eun-seol could perceive the trajectory of the invisible blade rings, but the members of the Universal Sword Guard could not.
'I can't dodge.'
Blade rings were condensed sword energy, possessing terrifying destructive force.
If he dodged left and right, not only Gongson Dan-gyeong but even the remaining sword guards could be annihilated in an instant.
Schlalak!
With no choice, Bu Eun-seol stood his ground and executed the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms, deflecting the blade rings.
But even their proximity left razor-sharp wounds on his body as if he had been slashed.
Shatter-shatter-shatter-shatter!
As Ho Yeon-gyeong's blade rings poured forth like relentless waves, Bu Eun-seol's movements grew faster and faster.
His white robes were now dyed red, and there was hardly a spot on his body left unwounded.
Yet he did not stop, focusing his mind to continue executing the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms.
The slightest mistake would mean the deaths of his comrades.
—He's standing his ground to block the blade rings and protect us...
The sword guards bit their lips.
A second-grade commander was shielding them, refusing to evade even as he defended?
"Finish them off quickly and assist Commander Seon-u!"
At Naeng Gyeom's shout, the sword guards roared and fought with renewed courage.
Swish!
All the while, Bu Eun-seol continued deflecting the blade rings.
'What the hell is this?'
Only now did Ho Yeon-gyeong sense something amiss.
No matter how deeply one mastered the principles of Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade, deflecting blade rings—each capable of unleashing devastating power upon contact—one after another was impossible.
Yet every time that young man spun his pitch-black sword, the blade rings unfailingly rebounded.
In truth, it wasn't Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade—it was simply that Bu Eun-seol's Internal Energy and sword techniques were so advanced that they appeared as such.
In truth, he had reached the realm of Ultimate Emptiness, freely wielding the profound principles of martial arts as he pleased.
'This bastard!'
Ho Yeon-gyeong, who had no way of knowing this, was so infuriated that steam practically rose from his ears.
Even though the boy was swinging his sword wildly, like a drunkard—
Not only was he effortlessly deflecting the Blade Rings, but sharp Sword Forms would suddenly lash out, striking precisely at vital points.
"Hmph!"
But Ho Yeon-gyeong, unaware of the truth, let out an irritated snort when none of his Blade Rings could land a blow.
Until now, he had felled countless enemies using only the second ability of the Blood Wheel.
Yet now, against some brat whose blood hadn't even dried on his head, he had to resort to the third ability?
Whoooosh—!
Finally, Ho Yeon-gyeong unleashed the Blood Wheel's third power.
Suddenly, the surroundings plunged into darkness—
"Die!"
And when the world brightened again, a blade energy like lightning pierced toward Bu Eun-seol's chest.
This was the Blood Wheel Demon Blade's third ability—
A technique that distorted the enemy's vision and senses, making the saber techniques and blade energy completely vanish from perception.
'If it's just this, easy.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly cheered.
Though breaking Ho Yeon-gyeong's saber techniques with Seon-u Jin's swordplay would be difficult, evading them was entirely within his grasp.
Swish!
With a relaxed expression, Bu Eun-seol effortlessly dodged the attack.
"What?!"
Ho Yeon-gyeong's eyes bulged.
Among all the demonic blades that had ever appeared in Murim, the Blood Wheel Demon Blade boasted the most formidable abilities.
Especially this power—the ability to distort an opponent's senses—was something not even a Master of the Extreme Heaven Realm could evade.
Yet this insignificant brat was dodging it without breaking a sweat?
"Who are you?"
Ho Yeon-gyeong lowered his blade and demanded.
"Just who the hell are you?"
"Exchanging names in the middle of a fight?"
Bu Eun-seol wrinkled his face in displeasure and muttered,
"If you don't want to die, kneel already. Stop wasting my time."
It was a deliberate provocation—to prevent Ho Yeon-gyeong from spouting nonsense.
Crack!
The taunt hit its mark. A vein bulged on Ho Yeon-gyeong's forehead as he unleashed blade energy like a thunderbolt.
"DIE!"
Every time he swung the Blood Wheel Demon Blade, the world darkened, as if the very light of the sky shifted.
But despite its overwhelming power, to Bu Eun-seol, it was nothing more than a peculiar toy that changed the color of the heavens.
Having achieved Great Completion in the Way of the Beast, his extrasensory perception was nearly at the level of Six Senses Communing with Spirit.
Even if the Blood Wheel Demon Blade perfectly blocked his five senses, Bu Eun-seol could evade attacks purely by instinct.
Clang! Shhhk—!
'This bastard was hiding his strength!'
Only now did Ho Yeon-gyeong realize—Bu Eun-seol was never beneath him in skill. He had deliberately let himself be wounded by the blade energy.
'Fine.'
Ho Yeon-gyeong took a deep breath.
Ever since obtaining the demonic Blood Wheel, he too had been concealing his true martial prowess.
Because with this blade's power alone, he could defeat any formidable foe.
But to kill the brat before him—
He would have to unleash the Blood Wheel's final ability and all the strength he had kept hidden until now.
'So that's it.'
Suddenly, Ho Yeon-gyeong's gaze flickered toward Gongson Dan-gyeong, who was watching the battle with detached calm.
'He deliberately stationed himself in the Haseo region... to create this very situation.'
Only now did he realize—all of this had been orchestrated by Gongson Dan-gyeong.
But it made no sense.
If he had foreseen everything, he could have simply stationed one of the Alliance's deputy leaders here in secret.
Why go through such an intense battle?
Yet when he saw Bu Eun-seol—still drenched in blood yet staring straight at him—he immediately understood.
The plan was to let this young man fight him one-on-one... and use him as a stepping stone to elevate his fame and prowess.
"You thought to use me as a foothold?"
Whoosh.
Suddenly, Ho Yeon-gyeong halted his attacks and removed the mask he wore.
What was revealed beneath was a visage so grotesque it defied description.
Only his eyes remained intact—everything else had melted and collapsed into ruin.
The demonic Blood Wheel.
The more one used it, the more it dissolved the wielder's flesh—a truly terrifying demonic blade.
"Now, let's end this."
As he raised the Blood Wheel Demon Blade, the sky darkened once more—
Then, abruptly, the surroundings turned pitch black, as if Ho Yeon-gyeong and Bu Eun-seol had been transported to another space.
Drip... drip...
At the same time, Ho Yeon-gyeong's body began to split apart, blood oozing from the fissures.
And in that same instant, blood also seeped from Bu Eun-seol's body, his skin cracking open.
The Blood Wheel Demon Blade's final ability—
A technique that trapped both the demonic sword's wielder and his enemy within a barrier of demonic energy, causing their bodies to melt away together.
"The cult leader has mastered the Ashen Soul Hidden White Art. He won't die from something like this."
Ho Yeon-gyeong smiled faintly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"But your body won't even last seven and a half minutes before it bursts apart."
Crackle.
The blood flowing from Bu Eun-seol's body increased.
Then, his skin began to split apart like brittle pastry.
But something was strange.
Bu Eun-seol, who should have been trembling in terror within the pitch-black fog, was instead wearing an eerie smile.
"What's so amusing?"
"I'm grateful, that's all."
"Grateful?"
"The Iron Sword Thirteen Forms alone would never have been enough to break through..."
Swoosh.
Bu Eun-seol lowered his gaze to the iron sword in his hand and spoke in a low voice.
"It's been whining at me since earlier, but with so many eyes watching, I couldn't feed it."
And in that instant, he channeled the Two Spirit Energies into the sword.
Whoooosh.
The blade shimmered faintly, and intricate patterns—gold and crimson—began etching themselves across its surface.
The dull, unremarkable iron sword he had wielded until now was, in truth, a Demon Sword-Slaughtering he had obtained from the Sword Tomb.
Whoooosh.
Before anyone realized it, the Demon Sword-Slaughtering was greedily devouring the demonic energy pouring from the Blood Wheel Demon Blade.
It looked like a predator baring its maw to swallow its prey whole.
Shiiiiing!
The moment the last traces of demonic energy vanished and the sword's radiance burst forth—
Bu Eun-seol unleashed the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form without hesitation.
The world seemed to slow as a streak of crimson light shot from the Demon Sword-Slaughtering.
Crack.
Upon contact, countless fissures spiderwebbed across the Blood Wheel Demon Blade's edge.
Splaaat!
Having consumed the demonic energy, the Demon Sword-Slaughtering had already reached Ho Yeon-gyeong's throat.
Haaaaa...
The black fog that had severed space dissipated, revealing Ho Yeon-gyeong standing tall, his mask gone.
Opposite him, Bu Eun-seol knelt on one knee, blood dripping from his lips, still gripping his iron sword.
The battle was finally over.
Gurgle.
Ho Yeon-gyeong, frothing blood in his mouth, spoke in a whisper too faint for anyone but Bu Eun-seol to hear.
"Why... did that sword... be with you...?"
Then, with one last murmur—
"So... it was you..."
—he exhaled his final breath.
'What the hell was he talking about?'
As Bu Eun-seol stared wide-eyed at the corpse—
BOOOOM!CRACKLE!
A thunderous roar shook the earth, and two figures descended from the sky.
Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong.
They had realized they'd been deceived and rushed back from Yangmun Mountain.
"Him?!"
Seong Jo-yeong and Muk In-hyeok's eyes bulged.
Ho Yeon-gyeong, leader of the Heavenly Human Cult—
That vile figure lay dead in a gruesome state.
"WAAAAAH!"
A deafening cheer erupted from all sides.
It came from Naeng Gyeom and the surviving members of the Universal Sword Guard.
Bu Eun-seol had not only protected Gongson Dan-gyeong—he had risked his life to shield them all.
Had it not been for him, they would have already become wandering spirits beneath the feet of Ho Yeon-gyeong and the Ghost-Faced Envoys.
"What the hell happened here?"
At Muk In-hyeok's question, Naeng Gyeom stepped forward to explain.
"Commander Seon-u slew the Heavenly Human Cult leader and saved us—along with the chief strategist."
"What?!"
"To put it simply..."
Naeng Gyeom swiftly recounted the events.
Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong listened in silence, then exchanged glances.
The Universal Sword Guard was a first-tier unit.
Even Naeng Gyeom, their captain—who had mastered the Heaven-Cutting Sword Art to Grand Perfection—had been unable to defeat Ho Yeon-gyeong.
So how had Seon-u Jin done it?
Just as they blinked in disbelief—
"Commander Seon-u!"
Gongson Dan-gyeong rushed forward and steadied Bu Eun-seol.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Of course he was.
He had only forced himself to kneel and bit his tongue to bleed—just to sell the illusion of a hard-won victory.
With great effort, Bu Eun-seol rose and clasped his hands toward Seong Jo-yeong and Muk In-hyeok.
"You're late."
The two men exchanged silent glances.
Had things gone even slightly wrong, their promising futures would have been ruined.
If not for Bu Eun-seol—
They would have been stripped of their deputy commander positions for failing to protect the chief strategist.
But because Bu Eun-seol had risked his life to shield Gongson Dan-gyeong and the Universal Sword Guard, their necks—and their ranks—were safe.
"You've done well."
Finally grasping the full situation, Muk In-hyeok nodded at Bu Eun-seol.
"No wonder the chief strategist holds you in such high regard... You were a Hidden Dragon all along."
Seong Jo-yeong, too, looked at him with admiration.
"You've worked hard. This was no small feat."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head indifferently.
"I only did what was necessary."
As he staggered, the surviving Universal Sword Guard members rushed to support him.
Watching this, Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong exchanged another nod.
With such character, martial prowess, and wisdom—
He deserved to be a first-grade commander.
For the Martial Alliance, failing to recognize that would be an unforgivable loss.