Chapter 613
"Very well."
Further conversation was meaningless.
There was no choice but to subdue her and take her back to the Sword Pavilion.
"Make your move first."
Bu Eun-seol extended his hand.
This wasn't out of disregard for her.
Bu Eun-seol's specialty was not preemptive attacks but counter techniques.
Having undergone the Azure River Realm's brainwashing, her martial arts must have grown several times stronger than before.
Rather than dragging out the fight, he intended to counter her attack the moment it came and subdue her in one strike.
"Alright."
Swish!
The moment she drew her sword, a fierce wind surged toward Bu Eun-seol's face.
Her blade moved with the agility of a living creature, unleashing torrents of sword qi.
Sssssshhk!
In an instant, sharp sword flowers densely filled the space around Bu Eun-seol's body.
Thrum—
With a low sword resonance, a razor-sharp cross-shaped sword qi split the sword flowers vertically, driving toward A-yeon's forehead.
Seeing her opening move as ordinary, Bu Eun-seol sought to instantly subdue her with the Waning Moon Morning Star form, a technique of overwhelming force.
Zzziiing!
But suddenly, a cluster of sword flowers bloomed at the tip of A-yeon's longsword, effortlessly deflecting the cross-shaped sword qi he had unleashed.
At the same time, sword qi flashed out in all directions with such speed that the eye could barely follow.
Though they appeared haphazard, they perfectly blocked Bu Eun-seol's follow-up attacks while simultaneously securing control over the battlefield.
'Fast.'
Clang!
As sword qi filled the surroundings, Bu Eun-seol struck the tip of A-yeon's longsword precisely with Ink Soul Sword.
No matter how flawless her sword strokes were, Bu Eun-seol had fully grasped the variations of the Elegant Dream Sword's opening forms.
With a single decisive strike, he blocked her move.
Tssk—
The moment Bu Eun-seol broke her move, A-yeon immediately retreated and adjusted her posture.
"As expected of the next master of Langya Pavilion."
Having realized that Bu Eun-seol had completely deciphered the variations of the Elegant Dream Sword's opening forms, A-yeon calmly raised her longsword to mid-guard.
"But things will be different from now on."
So far, she had perfectly embodied the demeanor of an orthodox swordswoman.
Whoooosh!
Suddenly, a fierce surge of qi erupted from her longsword, transforming into a gale that seemed capable of sweeping the world away.
Every gust was a manifestation of her sword techniques.
'What kind of sword art is this?'
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his surprise.
To master Advanced Sword Studies, one needed not only grueling, bone-grinding training—
But also a high level of spiritual and mental cultivation and exceptional observational skills.
Because even in the heat of battle, one must discern the enemy's intent and adapt their sword techniques accordingly.
Bu Eun-seol, too, had always shifted his stances fluidly in response to his opponents' attacks, seizing victory.
But such tactics were useless against A-yeon.
From the very beginning, her sword techniques were flawless, infused with the Power of Harmony.
No opening stance could break them.
Crash!
With no other choice, Bu Eun-seol formed a wide barrier of light with Ink Soul Sword and retreated.
Whoooosh!
Seizing the momentum, she pursued him, unleashing a relentless barrage of sword techniques.
Flash!
But then, a brilliant light erupted from the center of the barrier Bu Eun-seol had created.
Sword techniques, like the ebb and flow of tides, have moments where power surges and fades.
Anticipating her relentless pursuit, Bu Eun-seol struck at the exact moment her sword techniques were about to surge—
Layering the Waning Moon Morning Star and Caged Bird Longing for Clouds forms repeatedly, he crushed her flawless sword forms with sheer force.
Swish! Shatter!
The Formless Heavenly Flow techniques surged forth like waves, tearing through the storm of sword winds she had unleashed.
"Hmph."
A-yeon scoffed and flicked her treasured sword lightly.
Then, like the Taiji Wisdom Sword's Wishful Unmoving Form, circular sword qi poured forth endlessly, deflecting Bu Eun-seol's sword strokes.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Bu Eun-seol, knowing she would easily break his strokes, had already shifted his stance.
Flash!
With a dazzling light, Ink Soul Sword twisted strangely, driving toward her throat.
The Peerless Thunderbolt form had been unleashed.
Ping!
But it failed to pierce through the circular sword qi she had unleashed and ultimately dissipated.
Undeterred, Bu Eun-seol altered the Peerless Thunderbolt form once more.
Swish! Swish!
Ink Soul Sword bent like a whip, lashing out rapidly to strike her vital points.
He had transformed the Thunderbolt Incomparable Form into the Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder, creating four variations midair.
Whoosh!
As the Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder unfolded, A-yeon spun her body and leapt, releasing a continuous stream of sword flowers.
In response, an impenetrable ring of light formed around her.
The Heartlight Capturing Guard of the Elegant Dream Sword.
'She can envelop sword qi like a barrier?'
The opening stance of the Heartlight Capturing Guard she had unleashed didn't fade—instead, it perfectly shielded her body, didn't it?
Thud!
At the same time, a sinister, yielding force pierced sharply into Bu Eun-seol's chest.
A-yeon had extended her index and middle fingers in a sword finger stance, unleashing the opening form of Sentient Beings Without Karmic Affinity.
Tzzzzzt—!
The finger sword vanished the moment it touched Bu Eun-seol's chest, reacting with his Body Protection True Qi in an instant.
Though not a single hair on his body had been harmed, he was slightly shaken.
'So this is her level now.'
Objectively speaking, A-yeon's martial prowess wasn't even worth ten moves from Bu Eun-seol.
But after undergoing the Azure River Realm's brainwashing and having her personality split in two, she had become a master of such overwhelming strength that the outcome of a fight could no longer be predicted.
'Suppressing her is impossible at this point.'
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
Originally, he had planned to overwhelm A-yeon with an aggressive assault, subdue her, and then take her back to the Sword Pavilion to find a way to undo the brainwashing.
But her martial prowess had grown far too formidable.
Casually suppressing her was now out of the question, and he couldn't just kill her either...
That left only two options.
'Either fight her to the death, or flee right now.'
After taking a deep breath—
Pah-ang!
Bu Eun-seol unleashed a movement technique like a storm and descended the mountain.
Without hesitation, he had chosen the latter.
'I'll find a way to undo that brainwashing and then come back for her!'
Just because A-yeon had become the Azure River Realm's Jade Clarity Superior didn't mean she needed to be killed immediately.
Knowing she was unharmed, he would retreat for now and search for a solution.
Tsuuuuu!
As Bu Eun-seol fled without looking back, A-yeon let out a startled shout.
"Stop!"
A-yeon, too, unleashed a movement technique like a fan of arrows.
Her movement technique was also extraordinary, allowing her to catch up to Bu Eun-seol in an instant.
'Terrifying.'
When Bu Eun-seol glanced back, a chill ran down his spine.
A-yeon's face, as she pursued him, had transformed into something resembling a raven's, her pupils completely blackened.
That was likely the appearance of the witch fused with A-yeon.
'Did her movement technique also get enhanced because of the personality fusion?'
Kwa-rong!
Bu Eun-seol began merging Thunder Essence Divine Qi with his Ultimate Speed Shadowless.
In an instant, he became like a bolt of lightning, streaking down the mountainside.
A-yeon pushed her movement technique to its limits, but she couldn't catch up.
"The Martial Soul Lord of the world is running away?!" A-yeon shouted.
Bu Eun-seol retorted without turning back.
"Isn't movement technique also a branch of martial arts? If you can keep up, then try!"
And just like that, he left Martial Valley Temple behind, vanishing into the distant sky.
Once he was clear of the temple, Bu Eun-seol didn't even glance back—he fled Sichuan entirely.
Now that A-yeon had become one of the Azure River Realm's Special Divine Rank, she could likely mobilize their vast information network.
To avoid being tracked, he had to disappear far beyond her reach.
'There's no time.'
Upon finally arriving at the Secret Safehouse in Xi'an Prefecture, Bu Eun-seol summoned Tak Il-hon.
If A-yeon was left unchecked, she might commit atrocities in the meantime.
And even if she were later freed from the brainwashing and regained her senses...
She would never forgive herself.
'Her voice changed midway.'
A-yeon had already developed a split personality, merging with a cruel and vicious one.
She was furious that he had fled.
Which meant she wouldn't hesitate to commit atrocities if it meant luring him out.
Creak.
At that moment, the door to the safehouse opened, and an elderly man with refined features entered alongside So-yo.
It was none other than the Protector of the Death Shadow War Unit—the Great Demon who had once terrorized the martial world under the alias Flying Demon: Tak Il-hon.
"My Lord."
But all traces of his former ferocity were gone, replaced by a dignified and graceful aura.
As Tak Il-hon bowed, Bu Eun-seol returned the gesture lightly.
"Protector Tak."
"I heard the news through the Death Soul Squad."
Tak Il-hon wore a somewhat bitter smile.
"The disciples of the Flying Demon Palace have become lackeys of a wicked faction, acting as transporters for abducted women."
His face was filled with shame and anguish.
Once, the Flying Demon Palace had shaken the world, reigning as the overlords of a region.
Especially the palace disciples—including Eun Jung-hwi—whom he had personally trained, all of them gifted talents.
And now, those very elites had been reduced to mere kidnappers and petty criminals...
His heart was in ruins.
"I'll handle the matter cleanly. I'll ensure their ties to the Flying Demon Palace remain hidden."
Tak Il-hon's smile was pained.
"I'm ashamed to have troubled you with such a disgraceful affair."
Bu Eun-seol treated him with the respect due to an elder, despite his position as Protector.
Because of that consideration, Tak Il-hon spoke to Bu Eun-seol informally, but deep down, he saw himself as nothing more than Bu Eun-seol's old servant.
And now, his own descendants had sunk to such depravity—he could barely endure the humiliation.
"That won't be necessary."
Bu Eun-seol calmly voiced his thoughts.
"The Death Soul Squad's scale has grown uncontrollably, and new bases are being established everywhere... We'll need more swift-footed masters, won't we?"
Understanding his meaning, Tak Il-hon shook his head.
"That's out of the question. The Death Soul Squad is your personal intelligence force, an extension of your will. If we let those wretches in, disaster will follow sooner or later."
"There's plenty of work just relaying messages or transporting goods."
Bu Eun-seol continued,
"I met Eun Jung-hwi in person. He didn't strike me as someone who'd willingly commit such evil acts."
Bu Eun-seol had already relayed this to Tak Il-hon via the Death Soul Squad in a letter.
Bu Eun-seol recounted once more the story of Eun Jung-hwi, the man who had once led the elite forces of the Bima Palace.
Tak Il-hon listened silently before bowing his head in shame.
"What a disgrace. If you've fallen so low that you can't even live as a rogue, you should have left the martial world entirely..."
Eun Jung-hwi had been the last young prodigy to whom Tak Il-hon had taught his movement technique.
He had privately considered the man something of a disciple.
To think that such a person had ended up transporting kidnapped women alongside the elites of the Bima Palace...
His heart was filled with unbearable wretchedness and humiliation.
"He couldn't turn his back on the subordinates who followed him. He made that choice to preserve the legacy of the Bima Palace. And he's gathered solid evidence of their misdeeds."
Bu Eun-seol explained Eun Jung-hwi's circumstances once more before continuing.
"At any rate, we have a matter to resolve this time. It wouldn't be a bad idea to put him to use."
"A matter to resolve? What do you mean?"
Bu Eun-seol then spoke of his encounter with A-yeon.
How she had succumbed to the temptations of the Azure River Realm, merging with a malevolent persona.
And how there was a high probability she would target those around him to lure him out.
"Then there's only one likely target."
At that moment, So-yo, who had been silently listening beside Tak Il-hon, spoke up.
"The Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace."
Her voice was filled with certainty.
Yeon So-ha was publicly known as Bu Eun-seol's betrothed.
The Divine Maiden Palace was one of the Eight Great Mysterious Sects of Murim, but that was due to its vast wealth and mastery of formation study—not martial prowess.
Moreover, since the Young Palace Lord Yeon So-ha was formally engaged to Bu Eun-seol...
A-yeon, who had fallen for Bu Eun-seol to the point of madness, was most likely to target her.
"I agree."
Bu Eun-seol sighed and nodded.
"There's no telling what A-yeon might do or how she'll do it, but to prevent danger in advance... we'll need a large number of swift informants."
Tak Il-hon exhaled deeply.
Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall.
If he wanted to replenish his forces with fast-moving operatives, he could easily summon elite masters from the Demon Hall at any time.
Yet he had specifically mentioned the remnants of the Bima Palace... likely out of consideration for Tak Il-hon himself.
"Understood. Since the Lord insists, I'll personally meet those bastards and see if they're fit for use."
Tak Il-hon bowed deeply.
"...And thank you."
He was known as the most ruthless young grandmaster in the world.
But to those who had earned his loyalty, he was endlessly warm.
Tak Il-hon met Eun Jung-hwi and the Flying Demon Unit under his command in person.
Truthfully, the Flying Demon Unit's wretched state was his own fault.
The former palace lord of Bima Palace, unable to abandon his greed for secret manuals, had secretly infiltrated Shaolin.
And because he had left without telling anyone, for fifteen years in the Wall-Facing Cave, it was as if he had vanished from the martial world.
Since everything was his own fault...
He wanted to cut their throats on the spot, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Kill me."
Eun Jung-hwi knelt before Tak Il-hon.
"Now that I've seen the palace lord again, I have no regrets left."
Tak Il-hon's gaze wavered like rippling water as he looked down at Eun Jung-hwi.
He had outstanding talent, but he had been too young.
Yet he had been the most loyal, following him to the very end.
And after the Bima Palace disbanded...
Burdened by the heavy responsibility of leading the Flying Demon Unit, he had taken whatever work came his way.
"Part of me wants to behead every last one of you..."
Tak Il-hon sighed, recalling Bu Eun-seol's face.
"But the mercy of the one I serve prevents it."
"The one you serve?"
Thud.
Instead of answering, Tak Il-hon tossed him a secret manual.
"Master this movement technique within three days."
It was his own exclusive technique, the one he had been teaching the Death Soul Squad—a refined version of Ghostly Moonlight Stride.
"If you prove yourselves useful this time, you'll never have to do another dirty, dishonorable job again."
Tak Il-hon spoke with pride.
"You'll be able to serve under the Lord."
"Who... who is this Lord you speak of?"
"I serve the Heir of the Demon Hall—the Martial Soul Lord."
Eun Jung-hwi's eyes widened.
The foremost young grandmaster of the Demonic Path.
A man even the Demonic Path Ten Gates dared not provoke—and Tak Il-hon served him?
"If you handle this mission well, the Lord has agreed to accept you as a subordinate branch of the Death Soul Squad."
Tak Il-hon's voice was low.
"Can you do it?"
Eun Jung-hwi trembled faintly.
If they could truly serve under the Martial Soul Lord as Tak Il-hon said...
Then he was right—they would never have to live in filth again.
"Though it's called a subordinate branch, in practice, you'll remain directly under my command. You'll answer to no one but the Lord's orders."
Tak Il-hon's expression was filled with pride.
"The Lord is building his own independent faction. And he takes responsibility for the well-being of every member, from the highest officers to the lowest soldiers..."
"I will give my life."
As Eun Jung-hwi prostrated himself, his subordinates followed suit, shouting in unison.
—We will give our lives.
They had been scorned as descendants of the Vanished Sect, as followers of a Public Enemy of the Martial World, as remnants of the Demonic Path...
They had endured endless mockery and contempt.
But he had never given up, leading his loyal subordinates forward.
Because he had believed—believed that Tak Il-hon would return one day.
That he would guide them once more.
And now, that faith had not been in vain...
At last, it had borne fruit.