Chapter 535
The Demon Swordsmith immediately began crafting the scabbard.
The Slaughter Demon Sword that Bu Eun-seol carried was no ordinary weapon—it was a Black Divine Artifact, entirely different from anything he had handled before.
For the Demon Swordsmith, who had spent his entire life as a master blacksmith, this was both a magnificent final challenge and an immense trial.
"Beyond mere spirituality... This sword is practically human."
The Demon Swordsmith muttered with a troubled expression.
Ordinary demonic swords could be sheathed simply by crafting a scabbard from the same material.
But Bu Eun-seol's Slaughter Demon Sword rejected every attempt, as if dissatisfied with each scabbard presented to it.
Oong! Oong!
When placed inside the scabbard the Demon Swordsmith had made, the sword resonated endlessly, as though displeased.
"Hmm. It seems this one doesn't suit its taste either."
Yet the Demon Swordsmith refused to give up. He tirelessly experimented, blending various metals and repeatedly reforging the scabbard.
Though it was called "crafting a scabbard,"
Creating one from the Slaughter Demon Sword's material was as arduous a task as forging a Divine Sword and Demon Saber.
It was something only someone who had spent their entire life handling demonic swords would dare attempt.
But after repeated failures, the Demon Swordsmith suddenly behaved strangely.
He halted his work,
"Ah, so that's how it is."
Closed the forge's door, shut himself inside, and began conversing with the Slaughter Demon Sword like a madman.
"You dislike standing out. Yes, that makes sense."
After muttering to himself for a full day and night, he resumed crafting the scabbard.
And by the third day—
"It's done!"
A triumphant shout burst from the tightly sealed workshop.
When Bu Eun-seol hurried inside, he saw the darkened sword resting within its scabbard.
At last, a scabbard had been made that satisfied the Slaughter Demon Sword.
"This... is the Slaughter Demon Sword's scabbard?"
Bu Eun-seol wore a slightly bewildered expression.
The scabbard the Demon Swordsmith had crafted, forsaking food and drink—
Was nothing more than an ordinary scabbard, the kind that could be bought at any common forge.
Moreover, it had a dull, rust-stained appearance, so shabby that anyone would assume it housed a cheap iron sword.
"It may look like rusted iron, but it's unmistakably made from the same material as the Slaughter Demon Sword. Incredibly sturdy."
The Demon Swordsmith lifted the sword with both hands and presented it to Bu Eun-seol.
"Here, take a look."
Bu Eun-seol accepted the sword and examined it closely.
Oong.
The Slaughter Demon Sword emitted a pleased, low hum—as if urging him to channel his Two Spirit Energies into it.
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol drew upon the Two Spirit Energies circulating within him.
But unlike before, no emblems or light manifested.
'Has the seal disappeared?'
Startled, he poured in the maximum amount of energy.
Zzziiing.
Then, a mysterious emblem surfaced on the scabbard's exterior, and golden and dark crimson light simultaneously radiated forth.
"What is this? Why are the emblems appearing on the scabbard?"
"Heh heh heh. Since it's the same material, the patterns must have transferred there."
"Has the seal been undone?"
"Impossible. Only the location has changed. The sword and scabbard are one and the same, after all."
"I see."
Only then did he understand.
To the Slaughter Demon Sword, the seal's emblem must have been like a convict's brand—a mark of shame.
But now that the Demon Swordsmith had crafted a scabbard of equal material, the light and patterns had been concealed within it.
"And it wanted the scabbard to look like scrap metal."
The Demon Swordsmith nodded as he observed the emblem and light emerging from the Slaughter Demon Sword's scabbard.
"It wishes to avoid revealing its true form as much as possible."
"You truly spoke with the sword?"
"Heh heh, does it sound like a lie?"
Bu Eun-seol shook his head at the question.
This was a man who had spent his entire life shaping metal.
It seemed entirely plausible that he could understand even the murmurs of ordinary iron.
"Moreover, the Demonic Energy has completely vanished. Even a master blacksmith of my caliber wouldn't recognize this as a Black Divine Artifact."
Bu Eun-seol nodded in agreement.
Unless he channeled the full extent of his Two Spirit Energies, its true nature would remain hidden.
This would prove invaluable when facing formidable enemies under the guise of Seon-u Jin.
Clank.
Yet when he sheathed the sword again, the Slaughter Demon Sword let out a discontented hum.
Oong oong.
"Now what's the matter?"
"Give it a name."
The Demon Swordsmith spoke as if reading the sword's heart.
"Now that it has a scabbard, it seems ready to serve its master properly."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol recalled the Ink Sword he had lost.
The Ice Soul Sword, meanwhile, was stored at the safe house for Seo Jin-ha to use whenever he needed to change identities, leaving him perpetually longing for the presence of the Ink Sword.
Now, this Slaughter Demon Sword would become Bu Eun-seol's new beloved sword.
"Muk-hon."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the sword and spoke firmly.
"From now on, I shall call you Muk-hon."
If the Ink Sword had a soul—
He had named the Slaughter Demon Sword "Muk-hon," hoping that its spirit might dwell within this blade.
Oooong!
The Slaughter Demon Sword—no, Muk-hon—resonated loudly, as if delighted by its new name.
The Demon Swordsmith observed the humming Ink Soul Sword and smiled faintly.
"That sword's spirituality is so profound, it's practically human."
"I've been feeling the same way myself."
"Take good care of it. I don't know why its abilities were sealed, but it's quite an exceptional sword."
Bu Eun-seol, who had strapped the Slaughter Demon Sword to his waist, respectfully clasped his hands together.
"My gratitude. Thanks to you, it feels like I've obtained an entirely new sword."
"Hohoho. This old man feels fulfilled as well. That last hammer strike crafted the scabbard for the next Demon Sword Lord's blade."
With a relieved expression, he flung the hammer away.
Whoosh!
The hammer traced a long arc through the air before disappearing deep into the forest.
Watching this, Bu Eun-seol nodded firmly and declared:
"Then let us depart."
The Demon Swordsmith had taken a liking to Langya Pavilion.
To be precise, he'd grown exceptionally fond of Master Cheol.
Though not quite the Demon Swordsmith's equal, Master Cheol was still a Master Blacksmith who'd worked metal for decades.
At a glance, he could tell the man was a superb smith rivaling his own skill—gruff in temperament like himself, and equally fond of liquor...
It felt like reuniting with a long-lost close friend.
Bu Eun-seol observed the Demon Swordsmith's satisfied smile before quietly taking his leave.
After sharing drinks and parting words with Dan Cheong, Baek Yeon, So-jeon and other figures, he departed Langya Pavilion.
"Now to return to the Martial Alliance."
As Seon-u Jin, Bu Eun-seol had successfully arranged a meeting with Chief Inspector Gong.
He'd also located the Demon Swordsmith through Yeop Hyo-cheon's intelligence network, sending a letter saying the smith was staying at Langya Pavilion.
Now with the Ink Soul Sword obtained and his duties as Martial Soul Lord complete, it was time to reunite with Seo Jin-ha, switch identities again, and begin his return to the Martial Alliance.
Rustle.
Bu Eun-seol assumed Seon-u Jin's disguise, wearing the tattered robes of a wandering mercenary.
After all, Seon-u Jin was always away from the Alliance on pretext of gathering intelligence across the Rivers and Lakes.
Tap. Whoosh.
Rather than taking a carriage, he unleashed his Movement Technique.
Zzzzing.
But something felt wrong.
For some time now, an utterly bizarre sensation had been creeping over him.
Like some unfathomable monster had appeared in the distant horizon.
Yet his Way of the Beast senses detected nothing.
It was more accurate to call this feeling pure intuition.
'Hmm.'
Bu Eun-seol never dismissed even the faintest thread of intuition.
After brief consideration, he veered westward upon leaving Chengdu.
Moving swiftly with Lightness Skill, he circled repeatedly before stopping at the entrance to a secluded village.
His goal was to backtrack—to identify any pursuers and discern their motives.
'Shall we wait and see?'
Surveying the village outskirts, Bu Eun-seol immediately strode toward the marketplace.
Yet something was amiss.
Even for a remote village, midday should be bustling with activity. But not a single soul stirred here.
Creeak.
Peering into an open house revealed the same emptiness.
No inhabitants—just vacant stillness.
Then he noticed something peculiar.
Steaming dishes sat upon a table, their aromas still rising.
Meaning people had been eating here moments before his arrival.
Yet now, complete abandonment.
'Don't tell me...'
Exiting, he inspected other houses.
But nowhere could he find traces of human presence.
'In that case...'
Zzzzing.
White energy began pouring from his pupils.
He activated Empty Mind Spirit Perception, scanning the surroundings.
'Approximately about fifteen minutes before my arrival... people were here.'
Bu Eun-seol frowned while examining residual traces.
About fifteen minutes prior, clear signs indicated villagers moving busily about.
Yet now they'd all vanished as if evaporated.
'No—vanishing is impossible.'
Even if every villager were a Murim Master who'd fled via Lightness Skill before his arrival...
There should still be traces of their departure.
Yet the surroundings showed absolutely nothing.
His survey revealed rapidly pacing footprints leading toward a large warehouse at the village outskirts.
Likely a storage facility for farming tools and bulk goods.
Thud.
Approaching cautiously, Bu Eun-seol pushed the door open.
His pupils trembled violently at the sight within.
The warehouse was packed floor-to-ceiling with villagers' corpses.
"This can't be..."
The bodies still retained warmth.
Cause of death: cardiac arrest.
But so many hearts couldn't have stopped simultaneously, nor could corpses have walked here themselves.
Meaning someone had massacred the villagers en masse and piled them here.
"Who would commit such—"
KWAOOO!
Fury erupting through his core, Bu Eun-seol's Orthodox Unorthodox Demonic and Buddhist Arts merged with his Two Spirit Energies, surging skyward in a towering pillar.
To so brutally slaughter innocent civilians—
Rushing outside to pursue the killer, he immediately intensified his Empty Mind Spirit Perception.
"...!"
Then he detected it—a faint human presence.
And not just anyone's.
A Superlative Martial Expert's presence.
Tchk.
Bu Eun-seol instantly propelled himself mid-air, concealing his presence.
His agility and stealth were so mysteriously flawless, it was as if he had performed some Taoist art.
Whoosh.
At the same time, a gray-hued shadow arrived in front of the warehouse from the opposite path.
Judging by his disheveled, rough attire and weathered appearance, he seemed to be a wandering martial artist—a drifter who roamed from place to place.
At his waist hung a strangely gleaming dagger.
"Hmm. I definitely sensed an intense shockwave."
The wandering martial artist tilted his head as he surveyed the surroundings before stepping inside the open warehouse.
"Who did this?!"
With a thunderous roar, the wanderer stormed back outside—
Shwip!
Suddenly, a black shadow erupted from the ground as if sprouting from the earth, revealing itself before the warehouse.
From his shoes to his black martial uniform and even his mask—everything was dyed black, etched with bizarre emblems.
"Was it you who did this?"
At the wanderer's question, the masked man tilted his head.
[How strange.]
The masked man's voice was as grating as a raven's croak, as if it had crawled up from the depths of the earth.
[I sensed a fairly strong energy, yet you still haven't awakened it?]
Muttering low, the masked man's gaze wasn't fixed on the wanderer's face—but on the small dagger strapped to his waist.
'A Messenger of the Three Realms.'
Hidden in the shadows, Bu Eun-seol recognized the masked man's voice instantly.
Not an agent of the Infinite Realm or the Azure River Realm, but a new Messenger of the Three Realms—one who had never revealed himself before.
As if to prove it, the masked man's attire and emblems were starkly different from any other Messenger of the Three Realms seen thus far.
Even the energy flowing from his body was incomparably superior.
Grit.
Bu Eun-seol forcibly suppressed his rage and momentum.
Though he wanted to strike down the Messenger who had slaughtered innocent civilians, he needed to assess the situation first.
"I asked if you were the one who killed the villagers."
[Hmm.]
Despite the wanderer's repeated question, the masked man did not answer.
He seemed lost in deep thought for a long moment before finally speaking.
[Yes.]
At the blunt reply, the wanderer let out a furious shout.
"A murderous fiend beyond redemption!"
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a streak of light shot toward the masked man's throat.
True to his reputation as a wandering martial artist, he had seized the opening to unleash a dagger as swift as lightning.
'Impressive Flying Dagger Art.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly marveled.
Though it lacked the finesse of Master Unhindered's Heavenly Cliff Flying Dagger Art, in terms of sheer speed, it was unexpectedly superior.
Flash!
A streak of light tore through the air—only for the sharp dagger to plunge straight into the masked man's neck.
Thud.
Yet, in the next instant, the dagger vanished—only to reappear pinched between the masked man's two fingers.
[Heh... So this is how you've been using the Extreme Darkness Demonic Sword's power.]
Crack.
Casually shattering the dagger, the masked man stepped toward the wanderer.
[Wang Cheol, the Iron Palm Wanderer.]
Shockingly, the masked envoy had discerned the wanderer's identity at a glance.
He was none other than Wang Cheol—a drifter who wandered without a home, mastering the Nine Yin Iron Palm and facing martial masters with nothing but his bare hands.
[Well? Has our realm's sword served you well?]
And just as Bu Eun-seol had expected, the masked man was indeed a Messenger of the Three Realms.
"Your realm?"
The wanderer—Wang Cheol—furrowed his brow.
"What do you mean by 'your realm'?"
Receiving no answer, Wang Cheol spoke in a solemn voice.
"From the looks of it, you're a heretic sect member. Why did you slaughter the villagers?"
The envoy waved his hand dismissively, as if bored.
[Let's skip the pointless talk. I don't have time to waste.]
He stared at Wang Cheol, then slowly closed his eyes.
[Judging by the energy you've exhibited, you possess sufficient potential...]
After a moment of deep contemplation, the envoy nodded.
[Good. Since I've taken a special interest in you, I'll explain.]
"Spare me your nonsense."
Wang Cheol, as if deeming it unworthy of his attention, drew the sword at his waist.
A frigid aura instantly spread in all directions, and from his body, razor-sharp energy began radiating outward.
Yet the envoy remained unfazed.
[Did you think you just happened to stumble upon that demon sword by luck?]
"What are you talking about?"
[That sword can only be wielded by those with an Empty-Spirit Body. It only responds to their energy.]
Empty-Spirit Body.
Also known as the Saintly Body, it was a constitution where the body's True Yin and True Yang energies were in perfect harmony.
Men with this physique were robust yet meticulous, while women were sharp-witted yet physically formidable.
Moreover, their wisdom was so extraordinary that those with an Empty-Spirit Body excelled in any field they pursued, standing out effortlessly.
Wang Cheol, who had been listening silently, nodded.
"So you're saying your people deliberately planted this sword?"
["That's correct. And when demon swords are in close proximity, they resonate with each other, allowing their wielders to recognize one another. So you'll need to roam diligently."]
A peculiar energy flickered in the pupils behind the envoy's mask as he continued speaking.
[You seem like quite an interesting individual, I must say.]
Wang Cheol, who had been stroking his scruffy beard, furrowed his brow.
"So you're saying those who wield demon swords must kill each other?"
[Precisely.]
The envoy nodded with satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
[From now on, you must wander the martial world, seek out other demon sword wielders, and fight them.]
"I refuse."
Wang Cheol's voice was icy.
"I have no intention of being manipulated by some unknown faction, nor do I plan to commit murder without reason."
Though a wanderer, he was known as a chivalrous hero who understood righteousness and often performed good deeds.
Yet the envoy laughed mockingly.
[Hohoho. That isn't for you to decide.]
The envoy's eyes curved into crescents.
[Once you've grasped a demon sword, the Empty-Spirit Qi within you has already awakened. Soon enough, you'll come to understand the true meaning of that sword.]
Listening in secret, Bu Eun-seol finally pieced together the fragments of suspicion he had long held regarding the Heavenly Human Cult.
'So the ones behind the Sword Tomb incident orchestrated by the Heavenly Human Cult are them.'
The fact that the Heavenly Human Cult could construct a Sword Tomb housing formidable demon swords.
The fact that they could slaughter martial artists to awaken the demon swords and prepare for a prolonged confrontation against the Martial Alliance.
All of this was only possible because the Three Realms stood behind them.
'Does that mean the Ink Soul Sword was also deliberately planted by the Three Realms?'
The Ink Soul Sword had been hidden in the Heavenly Human Cult's Demon Sword Tomb, and even the Demon Swordsmith had identified it as a demon sword.
Yet its true nature was that of a Black Divine Weapon, possessing the energy of both a Divine Sword and a Demon Blade.
'They wouldn't have deliberately buried such a precious sword in the Sword Tomb.'
So did the Three Realms plant the Ink Soul Sword there, believing it to be just another demon sword?
Or did they know its true nature and bury it there regardless?
'But I don't have an Empty-Spirit Body.'
What the Three Realms sought were those with Empty-Spirit Bodies.
Yet he had never been born with such a constitution. So how had he been able to awaken the Slaughter Demon Sword's power?
'In the end... was it because of the Two Spirit Energies?'
The Four Spirit Energies were a natural force existing within the universe.
They likely shared similarities with the Empty-Spirit Qi, which harmonized yin and yang.
[Let me tell you one last thing.]
Despite his frigid gaze, the envoy's tone was surprisingly gentle.
[If you survive the battles against other demon sword wielders until the very end, you will gain the power to dominate the martial world.]
For a moment, Wang Cheol's pupils trembled violently.
No matter what the envoy said next, he had been ready to draw his sword in an instant and deliver merciless punishment for the slaughter of innocent civilians.
But now, he was hearing that they had deliberately scattered demon swords across the martial world.
And that by fighting other wielders, one could gain the power to rule over all.
"The power to dominate the martial world..."
Wang Cheol took a deep breath.
The Supreme Martial Lord.
Wasn't that the glory every martial artist dreamed of?
'This can't be a lie.'
Ever since obtaining this Extreme Darkness Demonic Sword, Wang Cheol's martial prowess had skyrocketed due to its power.
He feared no one now.
And yet, the eerie masked envoy's energy far surpassed his own.
That alone proved this was no mere pawn of some insignificant faction.
"If a demon sword wielder dies, the sword remains. Does that mean this battle will continue forever?"
At Wang Cheol's sharp question, the envoy chuckled.
[That won't happen.]
"Why not?"
[Don't worry. You'll understand when the time comes.]
As the envoy turned to leave, Wang Cheol shouted.
"Wait! Then tell me just one more thing. If I survive the battles against other demon sword wielders, how exactly will I gain the power to dominate the martial world?"
Wang Cheol's voice, which had been cold until now, was suddenly desperate and softened.
In the end, he had succumbed to the envoy's devilishly sweet temptation.
[Hmm.]
The envoy hesitated briefly before nodding.
[Fine. I'll tell you as a special exception.]
Lowering his voice, the envoy whispered.
[If you survive until the end, you can become the Main Realm's 'Sword.']
"A sword?"
[Hohoho. Think of it as something akin to a successor.]
Thud.
A dull sound echoed in Bu Eun-seol's head as he listened in secret.
So the reason they scattered demon swords in the Sword Tomb was to create successors for the Three Realms?
[Who's there?!]
'Damn.'
In that instant, the envoy's hand shot toward the tree where Bu Eun-seol was hiding like lightning.
A terrifying force surged forth, melting every branch in its path.
Crack.
Spinning midair, Bu Eun-seol—his face concealed by cloth—landed on the ground.
Fortunately, dressed as a wanderer, his identity remained hidden.
[Who are you?]
Bu Eun-seol answered in a hoarse voice.
"None of your concern."
[Hmph.]
Goooooo.
The air around them suddenly turned vacuum-like as an intense energy gathered at the envoy's fingertip.
A strange sound reverberated as if the air itself was being sucked in, and a transparent force condensed at his fingertip.
Boom!
That force shot straight toward Bu Eun-seol's chest.
It carried the Heaven-Collapsing Force, capable of toppling even Mount Tai in a single strike—its speed and timing utterly unpredictable.
'Tch.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly exclaimed in bewilderment.
Before he knew it, the envoy's Finger Wind had already reached his pressure point.