Chapter 534
Bu Eun-seol asked with an expression of incomprehension.
"Why did they order you to make that?"
"This old man doesn't know either."
"Then did you make it anyway?"
"To some extent."
The Demon Swordsmith shook his head.
"But their demands knew no end. And among the conditions for crafting any demon weapon was that not a shred of affection could remain."
Tears of blood streamed from the Demon Swordsmith's eyes.
"In the end, that bastard killed my entire family. I too tried to escape that demonic fiend, but... instead, he turned everyone around me into puppets and kept me under surveillance."
Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
Only then could he fully grasp the entire situation.
"Guardians' Faction Master Hyeokryeon Eung. So it was he who threatened you, old master."
"How did you know that?"
The Demon Swordsmith's mouth fell open in shock, but Bu Eun-seol only shook his head with a bitter expression.
"I've also suffered at that bastard's hands, you see."
"'Suffered'? Didn't you say you were the Martial Soul Lord?"
Having lived in hiding for ten years, he had heard no news from the martial world.
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply and briefly explained his circumstances—how Hyeokryeon Eung's true identity had been exposed, how he had vanished not only from the Demon Hall but also from Prince Wei's Residence, and how a bounty of a million taels had been placed on his capture.
"I see."
The Demon Swordsmith let out a heavy sigh.
"To overcome his Mind-Seizing Secret Art at such a young age... Truly, you are worthy of being called the Heir of the Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol found the thought strange.
"But why were you threatened by him, old master?"
Hyeokryeon Eung had mastered the Spirit Summoning Secret Voice to Grand Perfection, enabling him to subdue a person's spirit and mind in an instant.
If he had wanted to control the Demon Swordsmith, there would have been no need for threats—he could have simply turned him into a puppet.
"And you don't seem to have trained in martial arts either."
"That's what he said."
The Demon Swordsmith spoke with a bitter expression.
"This old man has spent his entire life resisting the demonic energy that seeps into one's spirit and mind while forging weapons of the Demon Sword Path... He claimed his Mind-Seizing Secret Art wouldn't work on me."
The temptations emanating from demonic swords are comparable to the most vicious Mind-Gathering Arts.
Having endured them for so long while crafting demon weapons, he could withstand Hyeokryeon Eung's Mind-Seizing Secret Art as well.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"It seems you can no longer rely on the Martial Alliance's protection either. Will you come with me?"
At that, the Demon Swordsmith's face twisted in pain.
Though he had ultimately left the Demon Hall for the Martial Alliance, even they had not trusted him.
Under the pretext of protection, they had confined him to a Martial Alliance training hall, but it was only for surveillance.
And when someone from the Demonic Path came looking for him, they had tried to kill him.
"You want this old man to return to the Demon Hall? If Hyeokryeon Eung is a spy of the Three Realms, there must be others like him."
Bu Eun-seol understood his feelings.
Tormented by both the Three Realms' spies and Hyeokryeon Eung, the Demon Hall must have felt like a den of evil ghosts to him.
Even if Hyeokryeon Eung were gone.
From the Demon Swordsmith's perspective, there was always the fear that another like him might be lurking somewhere.
"I'd rather you kill me than take me back to the Demon Hall."
The Demon Swordsmith spoke resolutely.
"Even if it costs me my life, I will never set foot in the Demon Hall again."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol nodded as if there was nothing more to be done.
The Supreme Cult Commander had only wanted information on the Demon Swordsmith's whereabouts. Since he hadn't explicitly ordered him to be brought back, his duty was effectively done.
"Live well, then. Farewell."
"You're just leaving like that?"
"That's right."
The Demon Swordsmith looked puzzled.
If Bu Eun-seol was truly the Martial Soul Lord, shouldn't he be taking him back for the Demon Hall's benefit?
Yet here he was, walking away without a second thought?
"Why?"
The Demon Swordsmith pressed the question.
"Won't there be no one left to manage the demon weapons in the Demon Hall? I was the one who maintained them all this time."
"What can I do?"
Bu Eun-seol replied with an indifferent expression.
"You've endured enough suffering in that wretched place. I can't force you."
The Demon Swordsmith stared blankly.
The Heir of the Demon Hall was calling the Demon Hall a wretched place.
This was beyond just something being wrong—it was utterly absurd.
"I hope you spend your remaining years in happiness."
Bu Eun-seol turned away after one last look at the Demon Swordsmith.
He truly seemed ready to leave just like that.
The Demon Swordsmith took a deep breath and glanced at the sharp swords in the forge.
He loathed the Demon Hall.
But with the Heavenly Martial Brigade warriors who had been surveilling this place now dead... the Martial Alliance would inevitably brand him a spy of the Demon Hall.
In the end, no matter how vast the world was, there would be no place left for him to take refuge.
"So this Smoke Moon Valley is to be the final stop of my long and tormented life."
It had been a long and wearisome life.
He let out a deep sigh and gripped the sharp dagger in his hand.
"All I ever wanted was to become an exceptional master blacksmith..."
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol, who had been about to leave, sensed something amiss and turned around.
He had realized what the Demon Swordsmith intended to do.
'I was too indifferent.'
Being hunted by the two great factions that divided Murim, the Demon Swordsmith had nowhere left to go—no place to call his own.
Thunk!
Bu Eun-seol immediately channeled his internal energy and deflected the dagger far away.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Old man, come to my pavilion instead."
"Your pavilion?"
"Let us go to Langya Pavilion."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with an utterly solemn gaze.
"If you come to Langya Pavilion, you will be able to live undisturbed, in peace."
"Hmph. So now you want me to forge weapons for Langya Pavilion?"
The Demon Swordsmith, who had swiftly snatched the fallen dagger from the ground, replied coldly.
"In the end, even you intend to use this old man—"
"There are no wielders of Divine Swords, Treasured Sabers, or demon weapons in my pavilion."
Bu Eun-seol cut him off.
"To truly master the combat arts of Langya Pavilion, sharp weapons only become a hindrance."
The Demon Swordsmith froze mid-motion.
Now that he thought about it, among the masters of Langya Pavilion, there were hardly any who relied on exceptional weapons.
Hadn't even the Pavilion Lord, the Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong, scorned the weaklings who depended on weapons, choosing instead to fight barehanded?
"If you go there, you will never have to lift a hammer again in your life."
"You mean... it doesn't matter if I never forge another weapon?"
"That's right. Haven't you forged enough weapons to be sick of them in your lifetime? Wouldn't it be good to rest now?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"Lay down your hammer. It wouldn't be so bad to spend your days drinking with the old men of my pavilion."
The Demon Swordsmith wore a dazed expression.
Never in his life had anyone told him to put down his hammer.
Weapons. Weapons. Weapons. Weapons.
Those who knew him had only ever begged him to forge weapons until they became sacred relics.
But this man—
He was telling him to stop forging weapons altogether.
"Why are you making such an offer to this old man?"
"My master once said..."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky as he spoke.
"Those who walked a single path their entire lives, never straying, have earned the right to rest in their twilight years."
Turning his head, he looked at the Demon Swordsmith and clasped his hands together.
"As the Heir of the Demon Hall, I sincerely apologize... for failing to weed out the demonic seeds like Hyeokryeon Eung and the spies of the Demon Hall, and for causing you suffering."
There was no need for this young man to feel responsible or apologize for failing to stop Hyeokryeon Eung's evil deeds.
Yet, this blunt Heir of the Demon Hall was worried—whether he might take his own life or abandon living altogether.
"Hohoho."
For the first time since meeting Bu Eun-seol, the Demon Swordsmith let out a relieved smile.
"Laying down the hammer... huh."
It was something he had never once considered.
But living like that didn't seem so bad after all.
Then, the Demon Swordsmith pointed at Bu Eun-seol's sword.
"But do you intend to keep using that demon sword?"
"For the time being, yes."
The Demon Swordsmith smiled faintly.
"Then I must make a scabbard for it. That way, the demonic energy won't leak out, and it won't harm its owner."
"A demon sword harms its owner?"
"You didn't know? A demon sword, in its climax, devours even its owner's fate. That's what makes it a demon sword."
"I see."
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol extended the Slaughter Demon Sword to the Demon Swordsmith.
"Then, aside from you, would other master blacksmiths be able to forge a scabbard for this sword?"
Given the bizarre nature of demon swords—
Unless it was the original paired scabbard, they would reject any other.
Especially this Slaughter Demon Sword, which possessed the power to shatter any demon sword, yet—
Its appearance was made of a unique, lustrous metal that could easily be mistaken for an ordinary iron sword.
"Forging a scabbard is easier than forging a demon sword. You only need to craft it from the same material."
The Demon Swordsmith blinked as he carefully examined the Slaughter Demon Sword.
Only now did he realize that Bu Eun-seol's sword was no ordinary demon sword.
"Wait a moment—what is this?"
"What do you mean?"
"This isn't just a demon sword, is it? It's as if a divine sword and a demon sword were fused together."
Frowning, the Demon Swordsmith pressed further.
"Where in the world did you obtain such a blade?"
'There's no need to explain the events at the Sword Tomb to the old man.'
Bu Eun-seol brushed it off.
"I happened upon it during my travels in the martial world. But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Slaughter Demon Sword that devours other demon swords."
"It devours demonic swords? You mean it destroys them?"
"That's right. This sword demands only demonic blades."
As Bu Eun-seol continued his explanation, he channeled the Two Spirit Energies into the Slaughter Demon Sword.
Huuuung.
In response, intricate patterns etched themselves onto the blade, radiating alternating waves of gold and dark crimson light.
"When I infuse it with power, these patterns and lights emerge."
Since the Demon Swordsmith had no knowledge of martial arts, he wouldn't understand the concept of Two Spirit Energies. So Bu Eun-seol simplified it, referring to them merely as "power."
"This is..."
"So, it truly is a demonic sword, then?"
The Demon Swordsmith's expression twisted strangely as he muttered under his breath, prompting Bu Eun-seol to tilt his head in confusion.
"It seems to be manifesting some hidden function... though I can't fathom how such a thing is possible."
"A hidden function, you say?"
The old smith let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.
"That isn't a function being activated."
"What do you mean?"
"Those patterns... they appear because its power is being suppressed by a seal."
"A seal? You mean the sword's abilities have been sealed away?"
The Demon Swordsmith gave a slow nod, his eyes flashing as he spoke in an unnervingly low voice.
"That sword... is a Black Divine Artifact."
"A Black Divine Artifact?"
Bu Eun-seol had begun his journey in the martial world through the Kill-Seeking Unit and had learned metallurgy from Master Blacksmith Wang Geol. Few could match his knowledge of weapons.
"I've studied extensively and can recognize many ancient weapons..."
His brow furrowed.
"But I've never heard the term 'Black Divine Artifact' before."
"No surprise there."
The Demon Swordsmith took a deep breath before continuing.
"In the current martial world, I am likely the only one who has read the Jungson Clan's Record of Weapons."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
"The Jungson Clan—one of the legendary Three Clans from the myths?"
"Correct."
Jungson, Yangseol, and Baekri.
These were mysterious clans that had once astonished the world with their extraordinary abilities.
Yet, they had appeared and vanished so abruptly that even their traces had been lost to time...
Most martial artists believed the tales of these three clans to be greatly exaggerated.
But now, the Demon Swordsmith claimed to have seen the Jungson Clan's Record of Weapons?
"According to the Record, there were many other hidden clans besides the Three. The Black Divine Artifacts were mentioned in relation to them."
"What is a Black Divine Artifact?"
"They are Divine Artifacts that possess the highest level of power among all such weapons."
Bu Eun-seol frowned, unable to comprehend.
"If they are the pinnacle of Divine Artifacts... why are they called Black?"
"Because their power is so immense that it invites darkness."
The Demon Swordsmith's voice turned grim.
"Their might is so overwhelming that they can bring calamity not only upon their wielder but countless others. The name 'Black' serves as a warning against their perilous nature."
"Hah... You're saying such weapons truly exist in this world?"
Bu Eun-seol pressed urgently.
"Then where is this Record of Weapons now? Can I read it?"
"The Three Realms stole it long ago, back when I was still in the Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"In that case, there's no way to verify whether the book you saw was truly the Jungson Clan's work."
"..."
"Isn't it possible that unverified texts like that are filled with wild exaggerations?"
"The Black Divine Artifacts are real."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I didn't just read about them in a book."
The Demon Swordsmith's gaze bore into Bu Eun-seol with utmost gravity.
"I saw it with my own eyes—a man wielding a Black Divine Artifact."
"Who was it?"
"Baekri Mu-ha."
The old smith's pupils burned like smoldering coals.
"The one they called the Murim's First Beauty—he wielded a Black Divine Artifact just like this."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes trembled violently.
A mysterious master who had descended upon the martial world like a fallen star, effortlessly defeating renowned orthodox and unorthodox experts in quick succession.
Did that mean his overwhelming martial prowess had come from a Black Divine Artifact?
"To stop a flood, he swung his sword once—and altered the very course and depth of the river."
The Demon Swordsmith inhaled deeply.
"That was something no human could ever achieve."
A single slash that changed the flow and depth of a river?
If true, then Baekri Mu-ha was no mere man—he was a god.
No... No.
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
He recalled that those who reached the Martial Extreme Realm could manifest phenomena beyond human comprehension.
"The weapon he used might not have been a Black Divine Artifact."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"You've never trained in martial arts, have you? It's possible you mistook the might of a Divine Sword or Treasured Saber, wielded by a supreme master, for a Black Divine Artifact."
"The weapon he wielded was undoubtedly a Black Divine Artifact."
"How can you be certain?"
"I heard him mention the Black Divine Artifact directly, and I even witnessed him sealing it."
The Demon Swordsmith's gaze grew distant as if recalling the memory.
"After altering the river's flow, he stared at the sword and muttered, 'This Black Divine Artifact's might is far too overwhelming.'"
"..."
"Then he raised his index finger, poured forth a white light to carve an emblem onto the blade, and drew blood from his fingertip to feed the sword."
Bu Eun-seol found the account bizarre.
Baekri Mu-ha was renowned for his martial prowess, yet from the Demon Swordsmith's description, he behaved more like an esoteric ritualist—a practitioner of the occult arts.
"Are you suggesting he was a ritualist?"
"I wouldn't know. But engraving emblems onto blades or using blood to suppress demonic weapons is hardly unusual—it's been done since ancient times."
The Demon Swordsmith took a deep breath before continuing.
"Then he turned his head and smirked at this old man, who had been hiding and watching. And in the next instant, he vanished."
Bu Eun-seol inhaled sharply.
If the Demon Swordsmith's words were true, then Baekri Mu-ha—the so-called Murim's First Beauty—was either an Absolute Master who had reached the Martial Extreme Realm...
Or a forgotten ritualist who wielded mystical spells of an arcane nature.
"So, are you saying this sword is the same Black Divine Artifact he once used?"
"I can't say for certain. The rain was pouring too heavily—all I clearly saw was the strange emblem engraved on the blade."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled slowly.
If this Slaughter Demon Sword truly was a Black Divine Artifact... should he discard it?
Wielding such a weapon could hinder his martial development.
'This is needless arrogance.'
But he shook his head immediately.
There was only one reason Bu Eun-seol sought to refine his martial prowess: revenge.
If the sword possessed extraordinary power, he should welcome it with open arms—not fear it.
"Well, don't fret over it."
Yet the Demon Swordsmith's next words rendered his resolve meaningless.
"Without the one who cast the seal, no one can break that seal."
"Not even you?"
"Unfortunately, no. The Jungson Clan's records on demonic weapons made no mention of how to seal or unseal a Black Divine Artifact."
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's blank expression, the old smith chuckled faintly.
"Disappointed?"
"Not at all."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"I chose this sword for two reasons: a minor debt, and the fact that it could destroy demonic blades."
"A debt?"
"You unblocked my meridians once."
"Ah. Granting power to its wielder is common among Divine Swords and Demon Sabers."
The Demon Swordsmith studied the Slaughter Demon Sword intently before drawing a long breath.
"Regardless, if you intend to keep using it, you'll need a proper scabbard. Divine Swords and Demon Sabers grow stronger in spirit when sheathed."
Bu Eun-seol hesitated.
If this was the Black Divine Artifact...
Then the Demon Swordsmith might be the only person in the current Murim capable of forging a scabbard for it.
Earlier, Bu Eun-seol had urged him to lay down his hammer—and the old man had complied.
To ask him now to craft a scabbard would make Bu Eun-seol no different from those who had tormented him.
"Then I suppose I must wield the hammer one last time."
The Demon Swordsmith smiled faintly as he spoke.
"That scabbard is something only this old man can make."
"Elder."
"You're unexpectedly pure-hearted for the Heir of the Demon Hall."
The old smith's lips curled slightly.
"You hesitated because you thought it wrong to ask this of me."
"..."
"But seeing you agonize over it... I can't bring myself to turn you away."
"I wasn't agonizing."
"Well, that's how it looked to these old eyes."
Despite appearances, the Demon Swordsmith recognized the integrity in Bu Eun-seol's heart.
And so, he picked up his hammer once more, ready to forge the scabbard.
"I offer my deepest gratitude."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed.
"And I apologize for making you reverse your decision."
"The Heir of the Demon Hall, bowing over a mere scabbard? Heh heh heh."
The Demon Swordsmith laughed, browning teeth showing.
"Mind you, the seal won't break just because it's sheathed. At most, its spirit will strengthen, and the demonic energy will be fully controlled."
"That's enough."
Bu Eun-seol's expression brightened.
When the Demon Swordsmith identified the Slaughter Demon Sword as a demonic blade, he had assumed he could no longer wield it under the guise of Seon-u Jin.
But if a scabbard could suppress its demonic energy...
It would become a weapon he could carry freely, without fear.
Especially since, as a member of the Righteous Faction, Seon-u Jin would often face the Demonic Path and evildoers.
In truth, Seon-u Jin needed the Slaughter Demon Sword more than Bu Eun-seol ever would.
"Then I leave it in your hands."
The smith grinned and nodded.
"This shall be my final masterpiece."