Chapter 572
"So this is all the Earthly Killing Star amounts to."
As Bu Eun-seol gazed at the cascading black radiance, a translucent glow streamed from his back.
He had unfolded the Willful True Binding infused with Water Essence Divine Qi, shaping it into a massive umbrella.
Thud-thud-thud.
Even though it was a reinforced version of the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy, it dissipated powerlessly, unable to pierce through the Willful True Binding imbued with Water Essence Divine Qi.
[Ugh...]
The Earthly Killing Star refused to give up, unleashing another wave of the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy to attack Bu Eun-seol.
The Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy was something that could neither be cut nor blocked by any means.
Yet before the Willful True Binding infused with Water Essence Divine Qi, it tore apart like paper.
Shwaaak!
After obliterating the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy in an instant, Bu Eun-seol relentlessly slashed at the Earthly Killing Star with the Willful True Binding, stabbing his vital points.
Each time the solidified True Qi, sharp as a blade, struck him, the Earthly Killing Star suffered fatal wounds.
[Guh—!]
Finally, with a single scream, the Earthly Killing Star died once more.
[Heh-heh-heh...]
Yet, as if it had never happened, he burst into laughter and stood back up like a roly-poly doll.
Pshht!
This time, Bu Eun-seol pierced the Earthly Killing Star's heart with the True Qi of the Willful True Binding.
As long as he possessed a human body, there was no way he could rise again.
The Earthly Killing Star, his pupils losing focus, collapsed to the ground.
Thud.
After staring down at him for a long while, Bu Eun-seol turned to leave—
BANG!
Seizing the opportunity, the Earthly Killing Star unleashed the Demon-Sealing Soul-Summoning Hand upon Bu Eun-seol's back, like a massive iron hammer.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion sent dust flying in all directions.
Tap-tap.
But Bu Eun-seol merely brushed off his clothes, completely unharmed.
[Ugh...!]
The Earthly Killing Star let out a groan filled with rage.
The level of Internal Energy and strength possessed by the Earthly Killing Star, who had yet to unleash slaughter on the scale of the Great Blood Calamity, was still far from enough to even breach Bu Eun-seol's Body Protection True Qi—which held five hundred years' worth of Internal Energy.
[...]
Trembling with anger, the Earthly Killing Star suddenly regained his cold, indifferent expression.
Crunch.
Without hesitation, he bit into the artery of his left arm.
Gulp-gulp.
Then, he began drinking his own blood endlessly.
As he did, his body transformed once more—from a young man back into an old man's form.
"Since you can't kill others, you resort to drinking your own blood to grow stronger."
Bu Eun-seol watched the Earthly Killing Star's actions with cold eyes.
Simply killing him like this wouldn't be satisfying.
He wanted to make him realize that even after exhausting all his trump cards, he still couldn't win—to drown him in unbearable fear and despair.
[Haa...]
The eyes of the Earthly Killing Star, now reverted to an old man's form, had turned pitch black.
Shwaaak!
At the same time, a searing red Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy erupted from his body.
Sizzle!
In an instant, it melted through the Willful True Binding and burrowed into Bu Eun-seol's body.
Grrr...
The scorching, violent force pierced even Bu Eun-seol's skin.
That power disregarded even five hundred years' worth of Internal Energy, flooding his meridians with razor-sharp energy.
Shling!
Drawing the Ink Soul Sword, Bu Eun-seol immediately severed the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy and began carving into the Earthly Killing Star's body once more.
Slash-slash-slash-slash!
Blood sprayed in all directions, but the Earthly Killing Star only smirked sinisterly.
No matter how much flesh and muscle were sliced apart or bones were severed, his body endlessly regenerated the wounds.
[Heh-heh-heh...]
The Earthly Killing Star laughed darkly.
Because he could clearly see Bu Eun-seol's frustration at his body, which revived again and again no matter how many times it was killed.
"An immortal, then."
But contrary to his expectations, Bu Eun-seol muttered with an indifferent expression.
"As if such a thing could exist."
Then, he spread the Water Essence Divine Qi wide.
Not to attack the Earthly Killing Star—but to use the translucent Water Essence Divine Qi to search for the weakness in his endlessly regenerating body.
Zzziiing.
With the Water Essence Divine Qi swirling in his pupils, Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly.
"You regenerate using the Essence Blood of the dead. Just like how Thunder Essence Divine Qi restores the body?"
In that instant, the Earthly Killing Star's eyes widened.
The reason the Earthly Killing Star grew stronger the more he slaughtered—
It was because of his ability to endlessly absorb the Essence Blood of the dead.
Just as Noe Bi-hon recovered from wounds with the intense Thunder Essence Divine Qi inherited in his body—
He, too, absorbed the Essence Blood of those he killed, instantly healing even fatal wounds that should have ended his life.
[You...]
The Earthly Killing Star trembled.
Only now did he realize what kind of power Bu Eun-seol possessed.
[You wield one of the Four Spirit Energies.]
The Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy was a power bestowed by the heavens—
In other words, its nature was extremely similar to the Four Spirit Energies, the power of nature itself, which was why they could oppose each other's strength.
[But in the end, you're the one who will die.]
The Earthly Killing Star could absorb the Essence Blood of the dead and restore his body.
But if Bu Eun-seol suffered a fatal wound, his life would immediately be in peril—so the victor was already decided.
[Die!]
Wreathed in the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy, the Earthly Killing Star closed in for a direct attack.
No matter how much Bu Eun-seol neutralized the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy and unleashed his martial arts—
He couldn't block his relentless attacks forever, not when he fought without fear of death, resorting to Mutual Destruction tactics at every turn.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Bu Eun-seol unleashed a relentless barrage of sword techniques.
But the thickly layered Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy prevented him from severing the opponent's neck or limbs.
Moreover, even if he inflicted fatal wounds, the enemy could recover in an instant.
In the end, the Earthly Killing Star was attempting a strategy of Mutual Destruction against Bu Eun-seol.
[Got you.]
Finally closing the distance, the Earthly Killing Star curled his lips into a triumphant smile.
At this proximity, even the greatest master couldn't evade each other's attacks.
Even if they struck simultaneously, the Earthly Killing Star could regenerate his body in moments—the outcome was obvious.
"You still haven't realized it, have you?"
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol muttered with a bored expression.
Simultaneously, a violet flash erupted from his body—
And a thunderous force, as if capable of incinerating the entire world, began coiling around the Earthly Killing Star's form.
It was the Thunder Essence Divine Qi.
[Aaaargh!]
As the Thunder Essence Divine Qi relentlessly tore into his flesh, the Earthly Killing Star let out a scream of agony.
[How...?]
His pupils lost focus as he writhed in pain.
How could someone who already possessed Water Essence Divine Qi also wield Thunder Essence Divine Qi?
"It's too early to be surprised."
Within Bu Eun-seol's blazing eyes, a glacial coldness—akin to the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal—bloomed simultaneously.
"Now, I'll begin the stacking."
[Stacking?!]
The moment the Earthly Killing Star blinked—
WHOOSH!
An overwhelming heat, accompanying the Thunder Essence Divine Qi, began scorching his body.
Bu Eun-seol had stacked the Hot River Great Essence True Qi and unleashed it.
Sssss—
The Earthly Killing Star's body collapsed like a lump of charcoal.
[Im...possible.]
Crack.
Yet again, his body regenerated, and he staggered back to his feet.
Even the Extreme Yang Force, amplified by Thunder Essence Divine Qi, couldn't stop his recovery through Essence Blood.
"Good. You got up."
Bu Eun-seol nodded faintly at the sight.
"You're still far from experiencing true despair and terror."
Huuuung—
Immediately, he channeled the Two Spirit Energies into the Ink Soul Sword.
A dazzling emblem, entwined with golden and crimson light, emerged from the scabbard.
The Earthly Killing Star sensed imminent doom and instantly wrapped himself in Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy, lunging at Bu Eun-seol.
Swish! Swish! SWISHHH!
But Bu Eun-seol's sword was faster.
Four afterimages, swift as lightning, flickered through the air—
And slashed across the Earthly Killing Star's body.
The Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder had been unleashed.
Shhk!
A crimson line split across his neck.
The Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder had cleanly severed it in a single stroke.
Drip... drip...
But then, something unbelievable happened.
The sharp wound filled with black mist—and in an instant, it healed completely.
The Earthly Killing Star, brimming with confidence, roared like a beast.
[Hahaha! I am... immortal—!]
Yet his words never reached their end.
Suddenly, hundreds of crimson Sword Rings floated around his body.
When neither Water Essence Divine Qi nor Thunder Essence Divine Qi could sever his life, Bu Eun-seol executed the first form of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms—
True Life-and-Death Ghost.
SHWAAAAA—!
In that moment, amidst the countless Sword Rings, the Earthly Killing Star finally tasted the meaning of death—something he had never felt before.
It was darkness so profound he couldn't see ahead.
Lonely.
Slightly cold.
And... terrifying.
When the darkness finally faded from his vision—
Shhk!
Two crimson lines, forming an X, had been carved into both his forearms.
The absolute martial principle that governed true death—
Before the Bloody Tears Seven Forms, no vitality could boast immortality.
SPLURT!
As his arm muscles split and blood gushed, the Earthly Killing Star screamed.
Pain unlike anything he had ever endured.
And an indescribable terror coiled around his mind.
[AAAAARGH!]
Shhk!
When the True Life-and-Death Ghost struck again, blood cascaded from both his thighs.
[Ugh... ugh...]
Now, he couldn't even scream—only tears streamed down his face.
The divine authority of an absolute transcendent.
The horror of death.
Unfamiliar emotions and agony, never before experienced, crashed over him all at once.
[Kill me...]
The Earthly Killing Star began to wail.
[Please... just kill me.]
Bu Eun-seol had never intended to show mercy.
But seeing him drenched in blood, wailing as blood poured from his limbs—
The image of his grandfather, dying in misery, resurfaced in his mind.
Grit.
Bu Eun-seol tightened his grip on the Ink Soul Sword.
Groooowl—
As he resolved to execute the Bloody Tears Seven Forms, a black mist rose from his body.
The closer he drew to the ultimate art of the True Bloody Tears Seven Forms—
The more he emanated the aura of a Death God, truly delivering death itself.
FLASH!
A single black line, unseen in this world, sliced through the air—
And carved a black blood line across the Earthly Killing Star's neck.
SCHLICK!
Simultaneously, his body split in two, gushing blood.
The Earthly Killing Star—
A monster who grew stronger with every kill,
Who turned slaughter grounds into his domain, regenerating instantly—
The being had finally sunk deep into the river of death.
Boom!
With a sudden explosive sound, the Earthly Killing Star's body burst apart as if detonating from within.
As the flesh that had absorbed essence blood to regenerate collapsed, all the wounds he'd been enduring erupted at once.
Drip... drip...
Every trace of the Earthly Killing Star's existence vanished, leaving only rivers of blood spreading in all directions.
Clink.
But then, from the bloody mire, a small fragment rolled to a stop before Bu Eun-seol's feet.
It was a tiny jade emitting a faint glow.
"This..."
Without thinking, Bu Eun-seol picked it up.
The moment he did, a bizarre energy prickled up his spine like icy fingers tracing his vertebrae.
—It might be because the Boundary-Prosperity Jade was broken.
Yang Seol-rin's words suddenly resurfaced in his mind.
If this jade was the Boundary-Prosperity Jade they'd mentioned...
'Is this how the Earthly Killing Star could conceal his energy?'
Acting on instinct, Bu Eun-seol slipped the jade into his robes.
"Ugh..."
A pained groan escaped Baek Mu-seong's lips as he lay motionless like a corpse.
"Brother Baek."
Bu Eun-seol immediately moved to his side, examining his condition once more.
Thanks to mastering the Buddhist School's Heart-Guarding Art, Baek Mu-seong was unconsciously circulating his true qi to heal internal injuries even while unconscious.
But that was all.
His right arm, ravaged by the Hundred-Spirit Earthly Killing Energy, remained a gruesome ruin.
'If only it were his dantian...'
The Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace stood at the pinnacle of martial arts for repairing damaged dantians.
But severe external injuries like this? Impossible.
"Commander!"
A shout came from the distance as a dozen martial artists came running.
It was Tae Mu-ryong and the Peak Realm Members who'd followed Bu Eun-seol here.
"What in the world—"
Tae Mu-ryong and the others gaped at the horrific scene.
The massacred villagers and their fallen comrades' corpses were bad enough.
But to see Baek Mu-seong—that prodigious Grandmaster of the new generation's martial arts—lying unconscious as if dead?
"Commander, what happened here?"
At Tae Mu-ryong's question, Bu Eun-seol deliberately feigned exhaustion as he gestured to the bloodbath.
"When I arrived, Commander Baek was already fighting the Killing Ghost."
"The Killing Ghost?"
"Correct. I assisted him, but it wasn't enough. They exchanged final blows simultaneously—the Killing Ghost perished, while he lost consciousness."
Bu Eun-seol intentionally credited Baek Mu-seong with the victory.
Otherwise, the man would completely collapse.
Unaware of this, Tae Mu-ryong and the others nodded gravely.
"I see."
"Let's return."
Bu Eun-seol gazed wearily at the distant sky.
Contrary to expectations, the Earthly Killing Star had died by his hand rather than Yang Seol-rin's, and Baek Mu-seong had lost the use of his right arm.
'The Earthly Killing Star... To think such beings truly exist in this world.'
Just as Yang Seol-rin had said.
The Earthly Killing Star had been destined to become a Great Killing Star slaughtering martial artists and civilians indiscriminately.
Which meant the One Hundred and Eight Stars weren't mere myth, but tangible reality.
'And the Yang Clan must be part of that same framework.'
Though they claimed to have imprisoned the Earthly Killing Star for the Murim's sake, Bu Eun-seol couldn't bring himself to view the Yang Clan as righteous guardians.
It wasn't that he believed the Earthly Killing Star's words—rather, he sensed they might be even more sinister and bizarre than the Three Realms.
'In the end, there's nowhere in the Murim to place one's trust.'
Every individual, every sect.
All merely pursuing their own benefits and purposes.
'How exhausting. For once...'
Was he simply tired?
Suddenly, memories of Langya Pavilion surfaced in his mind.
Constantly embroiled in covert struggles and schemes while navigating between the Demon Hall and Martial Alliance had worn him down.
A place dedicated solely to honing martial arts and studying combat principles. Untouched by the Murim's political tides.
He found himself longing for Langya Pavilion's simplicity.
'But there's no time for that.'
Too many tasks demanded Bu Eun-seol's attention.
Those days at Langya Pavilion—risking his life to master techniques, contemplating only the principles of martial arts—
At the time, they'd seemed endlessly grueling and precarious.
Yet looking back, they'd been the most peaceful and carefree period since becoming a martial artist... An irretrievable dream now, like a memory from another life.
A shocking rumor spread through the Martial Alliance.
The slaughtering demon of Qinghai, initially thought to be a mere Killing Ghost, was actually a master comparable to the Great Killing Star Hyeol Mu-geuk from three centuries ago.
—Commander Baek has temporarily left the Martial Alliance, they say.
Moreover, Baek Mu-seong—the rising Grandmaster called the Golden Upright Divine Dragon, who'd attained the rank of First-Grade Commander—publicly announced his departure from the Alliance.
—What could have possibly happened?
Since joining the Alliance, he'd continuously achieved great merits.
Hadn't he just risked his life to eliminate the Killing Ghost terrorizing Qinghai and Sichuan?
A man who could've swiftly risen to Hall Leader—why would he return to being a wandering martial artist?
Within days, the truth came out.
—"They say his right arm was crippled."
It was said he had sustained severe injuries to his right hand while eliminating the Killing Ghost.
The Martial Alliance bestowed spirit medicine upon him and summoned the finest physicians to restore his hand, but—
They could not mend the muscles and nerves that had been torn to shreds.
—"Even if his arm is slightly impaired, couldn't he still accomplish great things?"
When Baek Mu-seong announced his departure,
not only did the Dragon Coil Hall's lord—his direct superior—attempt to dissuade him, but even Vice Alliance Leader Bukri Seung stepped forward to stop him.
Yet Baek Mu-seong's resolve was unshakable.
—"Of course. Once my arm is fully healed, I will return."
With those final words, he abruptly left the Martial Alliance.
Without even seeking out Gongson Dan-gyeong, whom he had loved so dearly, or Bu Eun-seol, who had been his close friend.
***
In the Hall of Ascending Martial, within Yuk Jang-cheon's office—
Yuk Jang-cheon and Bu Eun-seol sat side by side at a table, deep in conversation.
"Baek Mu-seong barely managed to defeat the Killing Ghost after a fierce battle..."
Yuk Jang-cheon nodded as if he had expected as much.
Though Seon-u Jin had displayed astonishing martial prowess and ability thus far, he could not compare to Baek Mu-seong, the disciple of the Buddhist Venerable.
Even Yuk Jang-cheon himself had privately—
—been certain that Baek Mu-seong would achieve great merit in this mission.
The only thing he couldn't comprehend was Baek Mu-seong's actions.
"This hall leader simply cannot understand it. Even if his right arm is unusable, for someone of his standing, it shouldn't be such a grave matter."
Yuk Jang-cheon tilted his head in puzzlement.
"Shaolin martial arts are unlike any other—whether one has one arm or three, their might does not diminish."
Bu Eun-seol knew all too well why Baek Mu-seong had made this decision.
The first reason was Gongson Dan-gyeong.
He must have found his crippled state unbearable.
To Baek Mu-seong, Gongson Dan-gyeong was more than just a celestial maiden—she was perfection itself, beauty and grace incarnate.
Now that he had been rendered disabled, unable to use his arm, he must have believed himself unworthy of her.
"Perhaps he seeks a way to restore his arm. The martial world is home to many eccentric masters who remain hidden."
"Hm. That may be so. But if that's the case, there was no need for him to leave the Alliance in such haste."
And the second reason—
Baek Mu-seong's pride had been deeply wounded.
In truth, it was Bu Eun-seol who had slain the Earthly Killing Star. Baek Mu-seong had failed to block the ambush and lost consciousness.
Bu Eun-seol had testified that, just before passing out, Baek Mu-seong had unleashed the Diamond Prajna Palm, obliterating the Earthly Killing Star's body—
But Baek Mu-seong knew the truth.
That it was Bu Eun-seol who had killed the Earthly Killing Star.
And that realization must have been unbearable for him.
He, who had always been hailed as the greatest prodigy.
He, who had never once imagined that a man like Seon-u Jin could surpass him.
That was why he had boldly declared he would become the hall leader and bring Seon-u Jin under his command as his deputy.
But Seon-u Jin, impossibly, possessed strength that eclipsed his own—
And now, stripped of the glory of the Golden Upright Divine Dragon, his weakness had been laid bare.
Even so, Bu Eun-seol had credited him with slaying the Killing Ghost, allowing him to save face—
Yet from his perspective, it must have filled him with unspeakable self-loathing.
"Regardless, this is a stroke of luck for us. With Baek Mu-seong gone, Cheong-a and the Dragon Coil Hall's lord have been left like a dog chasing a chicken."
Yuk Jang-cheon let out a satisfied laugh.
He had never expected this.
Though it might only be temporary, Baek Mu-seong had voluntarily left the Martial Alliance.
Even if he returned, he would no longer be a threat.
The trump cards held by the Dragon Coil Hall's lord and Yuk Cheong-a had effectively vanished.
"It seems fortune favors you whenever you take on a mission. Hahaha."
Chuckling heartily, Yuk Jang-cheon nodded with a pleased expression.
"You've worked hard. The position of hall leader is now within your grasp. Good news awaits you."
"Thank you."
"Go and rest now."
Bu Eun-seol bowed and turned to leave.
But at this moment, he had no idea—
That his true identity would soon be exposed by an unexpected figure.
That he would be unable to contain his uncontrollable rage—
And that he would strike down one of the Martial Alliance's most prominent figures.
***
Within a mysterious space shrouded in thick darkness, Baek Mu-seong knelt.
[The time has come for you to return.]
From the abyss before him, an impossibly deep and resonant voice echoed.
[With this power, you may claim anything you desire.]
Prostrating himself, Baek Mu-seong replied—
"Gongson Dan-gyeong. She is all I need."
[You still cling to a woman?]
Baek Mu-seong remained silent, bowing his head.
As if displeased, the voice from the darkness grew even lower, more sinister.
[Very well. She shall be yours.]
Gongson Dan-gyeong was the Martial Alliance's chief strategist, one of the most esteemed figures in the orthodox Murim.
No one could force anything upon her—
Yet the voice in the darkness spoke of her as if she were some common courtesan to be bought at will.
"Thank you."
[However.]
The voice from the abyss was utterly resolute.
[You can no longer live as the Golden Upright Divine Dragon.]
Instead of answering, Baek Mu-seong bowed his head once more.
To abandon the name of the Golden Upright Divine Dragon and seize her heart by force—
Was more unbearable than death itself.
But he had realized—unless he did this, he would never have her.
Now, he would offer his very life and soul—
To make her his.