Chapter 627
Even when unleashing the Ultimate Speed Shadowless, the sword strike was too fast to raise a blade in time to block.
Yet there was just enough time left to twist his neck.
Snap.
Bu Eun-seol's jaw strength was extraordinary—he shattered the tip of the iron sword in a single bite.
[Krrgh...]
A strange sound spilled from the shadow's mouth.
The Quick Sword Form was a One-Strike Kill technique, a method that moved solely toward its target in the shortest possible path. The subtleties of Striking Later to Control the Opponent did not apply here.
But Bu Eun-seol had done something unprecedented.
He had blocked it with an absurd technique—stopping the Quick Sword Form with his teeth.
Because he didn't need to be faster than his enemy.
Because all he needed was to survive.
That, combined with the heightened senses of the Way of the Beast, was unbound by any Martial Arts Law.
It was a radical, unrestrained disposition.
[Grrgh...]
The shadow let out another eerie sound before—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, its form scattered in all directions like mist.
Perhaps because the Quick Sword Slash had been blocked, it seemed the gate trial had concluded.
Drip, drip.
Blood trickled from Bu Eun-seol's mouth.
Stopping a Sword Form with one's teeth was an act of extreme recklessness.
Even though he had clamped down on the iron sword with precision, his tongue and the inside of his mouth were wounded.
What if he had failed to seize that fleeting moment? What if his bite had been even slightly slower?
The iron sword would have pierced through his mouth—or his tongue would have been severed.
"So this is what one might call the Ultimate Principle of Martial Arts."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled in admiration, having gleaned enlightenment from the shadow's Sword Stroke.
Combat was not merely a comparison of whose Martial Arts were superior.
Even if one mastered techniques stronger than their enemy's, they could still lose. Conversely, seizing the precise Fixed Moment could allow even a simple technique to defeat a stronger opponent.
Location also mattered.
The force of a leap differed subtly between solid ground and mud.
The techniques and movements used in an empty clearing differed from those in a crowded guest inn or a bustling marketplace.
Time was no exception.
One's Line of Sight was not the same when fighting under the sunlight as it was under the moonlight.
And what of emotions?
The speed at which the Quick Sword Form was unleashed varied between moments of rage and moments of calm.
Whether one immediately defended against an enemy's attack or lightly deflected it could alter the follow-up strikes.
Thus, by accounting for the enemy's skill, Martial Arts, the location and time of battle, emotions, and all other factors...
The finest of margins decided life and death.
Adapting to Circumstances.
Many Martial Arts texts likened the Ultimate Principle of Martial Arts to this concept.
The one who could assess time, place, emotions, and all other variables more thoroughly than their opponent—
And respond appropriately to each situation—would emerge victorious.
The shadow's Sword Form had not merely demonstrated the Martial Arts principle of the Fixed Moment—it had embodied the profound Natural Order of Adapting to Circumstances.
"I've learned much."
Clank.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed the Ink Soul Sword and stepped through the gate once more.
Though he moved with composure, cold sweat drenched his back.
The Quick Sword Slash had been akin to Lightning Flash, its execution flawless—so much so that evasion or countering had been impossible.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had chosen a method to survive by any means necessary.
It had been the best solution, a move befitting the meaning of Adapting to Circumstances—one of the Ultimate Principles of Martial Arts.
Step, step.
Passing through the Gate of Martial Arts, Bu Eun-seol arrived at yet another passageway.
This time, the character for "Heart" was inscribed.
'The Gate of the Heart.'
The sturdiness of his Spirit and Mind was second to none. If this was a trial of the heart, he should be able to break through without issue.
Yet Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
'She said even a fortified Spirit and Mind wouldn't be enough to pass.'
Bi-yeon had been fully aware of the resilience of his Spirit and Mind, yet she had confidently stated that this place was impassable.
That could only mean the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough would grant him no advantage here.
Creak.
As the door opened, a staircase leading upward came into view.
A faint light seeped into the interior, and with each step, the sound of his footsteps echoed loudly.
Unfazed, Bu Eun-seol ascended the stairs with solemn bearing.
But something was strange.
With every step, an excruciating regret burrowed into his mind.
This was not the result of any spiritual attack or Mind-Seizing Art—it was the combined effect of the gloomy scenery, the texture of the stairs, the echoing sounds around him...
A meticulously arranged harmony of all these elements.
'Looking back, I should have shaken off Grandfather's hand.'
What if he had refused to follow his grandfather? What if he had never lived as an undertaker?
Then his grandfather would never have died at the hands of the murderer.
He would have lived peacefully, performing funeral rites alone for many years.
'Going to the Demon Hall was also the wrong choice.'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had held the Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament without reaching a full consensus with the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
It was impossible to know whether it had been intentional, but as a result, the Ten Demonic Heirs and the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates engaged in pointless secret struggles.
Eventually, the atmosphere became one where only the interests of each sect mattered, serving as an opportunity for loyalty and unity toward the Demon Hall to weaken.
In such a situation, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was always in closed-door training, the Chief Doctrine Commander was connected to the Three Realms, and rather than being loyal to the Demon Hall, he had other loyalties.
What if he had chosen the Martial Alliance instead?
Without such a convoluted process.
He would have steadily risen in rank, and perhaps he could have attained a high position early on and found the murderer of his grandfather.
Thud, thud.
As negative thoughts continued endlessly, his footsteps slowed.
The physical body is governed by the spirit and mind.
The more regret weighed on him, the heavier his body became, as if the darkness of the tower coiled around him and pressed down.
And as his body grew heavier, his heart sank deeper into an abyss of despair.
—Seol-a.
But then, a warm voice echoed in Bu Eun-seol's ears.
It was the voice of his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang, who had always been a ray of light in his darkest moments.
'Grandfather.'
When he was freezing to death, when he was exhausted, when he was frustrated by failure—
Grandfather Bu Jan-yang had always been there, watching over him.
And without fail, he would gaze at him with that same gentle smile.
Moreover, his grandfather had told him that he didn't smile because life was happy and joyful—
Rather, it was because he smiled that he could lead a happy life.
Indeed, his grandfather had lived every single moment in gratitude.
—We are all incomplete beings. That is why, no matter what choice we make, we will inevitably feel regret.
Bu Jan-yang emphasized that regretting the past was also a perfectly natural thing.
—There's no need to view regret solely through a negative lens. It is precisely because of regret that humans can grow.
He advised acknowledging past mistakes but using them as opportunities for further growth.
—Feel the sorrow, but do not dwell in regret. Time that has passed cannot be undone.
Bu Jan-yang stressed that even human imperfection could be an opportunity for growth.
And that great teaching—
Remained vividly in Bu Eun-seol's heart, supporting him even now.
'It was because I went to the Demon Hall that I could grow strong so quickly.'
Going to the Demon Hall had not been the wrong choice.
The master of the Secret Transmission Hall, Sa-u, had recognized Bu Eun-seol's talent and even fed him elixirs—
Allowing him to rapidly build the foundation of the Way of the Beast.
Thanks to the teachings of Cheon Un-gwang and Dan Cheon-yang, Bu Eun-seol had been able to lay the groundwork for mastering Superior Martial Arts.
And the family of Langya Pavilion had passed down extraordinary martial arts, enabling him to stand tall in the Murim.
'I also met comrades.'
Yu Un-ryong, Myo Cheon-u, and Seo Jin-ha.
Those who had once been competitors had, before he knew it, become friends and allies who protected him as if he were their own life.
Through his journey with Hyeok So-jin, he had even gained the support needed to become the successor of the Demon Hall.
"It's natural to feel sorrow."
Bu Eun-seol opened his eyes again and resolutely pressed forward through the dark passage.
Because he was human.
Because he was an imperfect being, it was only natural to feel sorrow for the past.
"But I have no regrets."
He would no longer dwell in regret.
The past could not be undone, and regret only gnawed at one's emotions.
All he needed to do was ensure he did not repeat the same mistakes—
And use the memories of the past as stepping stones for growth.
Tap.
The moment he shook off the regret blooming in his mind, his footsteps came to a natural halt.
He had climbed exactly one hundred and eight steps.
Rumble...
Then, far ahead, the sealed passage door swung open.
'I was supposed to stop precisely here.'
What if he had failed to cast off the regret rising in his heart? This staircase would have stretched on endlessly.
But because Bu Eun-seol had immediately shaken off his inner demon, he could stop at the one hundred and eighth step.
Having already passed the trial of martial prowess, he had now also overcome the trial of the heart.
Rumble...
As he ascended the final step, another small door came into view.
Click.
When he opened it and stepped inside, a massive hemispherical vessel stood before him, filled with a black liquid that rippled ominously.
Ooooh...
As Bu Eun-seol approached, the black liquid surged violently before morphing into the shape of a human face.
[You are suitable.]
The black face hovered in the air, observing Bu Eun-seol as it spoke.
[With you, we may finally become one.]
Sluuurp.
Without hesitation, the black liquid in the air enveloped Bu Eun-seol's face.
[After this long, long journey... the Black Divine Artifact is finally—]
Then, countless memories began flooding into his mind.
They were the memories of the numerous people who had entered this tower before him.
'This can't be...'
As those memories poured in, Bu Eun-seol could not contain his shock.
The countless limbs and eyeballs within the Ancient Sword Forest—they hadn't killed innocent people.
Those people had severed their own limbs.
All for the sake of forging a Black Divine Artifact.
They had sought to create that mysterious Divine Weapon, one capable of overturning the world in exchange for their own flesh.
'This tower...'
Only now did Bu Eun-seol understand the true nature of this tower.
The tower itself was like a forge, designed to create Black Divine Artifacts.
And all who entered became part of those very artifacts.
Now, with the arrival of someone who could finally unite them, they sought to use Bu Eun-seol as a medium to birth a new Black Divine Artifact.
Drip... drip...
Before he knew it, Bu Eun-seol's body was being stained black.
This was the power of a new Black Divine Artifact—one forged in the Ancient Sword Forest, capable of overturning the world.
'If I myself become a Black Divine Artifact... that might not be so bad.'
Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes.
If he could assimilate the power of the Black Divine Artifact into his own flesh... he would no longer need to shuttle between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
He wouldn't have to exhaust himself chasing after the Three Realms' elusive schemes.
With this power, he could simply destroy and dominate everything.
'So this is a Black Divine Artifact.'
The liquid had already seeped into his body, dyeing his skin black.
But then—
—Madam.
A faint light spilled from Bu Eun-seol's crown of his head, and a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
It was his father's voice.
—Why didn't you seal them all back then? You had the perfect opportunity to dispose of them permanently.
Then, a voice as smooth as rolling jade resonated beautifully.
—Because I realized something back then.
It was his mother's voice.
—If we sealed away all the Black Divine Artifacts now... a future shrouded in darkness would unfold.
—That's strange. Aren't those contradictory words?
His father sounded puzzled.
—Then why did you give me a Black Divine Artifact imbued with such overwhelming power? The burden of that absurd strength forced me to use the Sealing Annihilation Form you taught me.
—Oh my, did you really think that belonged to you?
His mother chuckled softly before continuing.
—One day, it will return to its rightful owner. And when that time comes... every Black Divine Artifact in the Murim will vanish.
Flash!
Bu Eun-seol's eyes snapped open, a crimson light erupting from them into the void.
At the same time, the black liquid staining his skin writhed as if alive.
'Mother...'
Shock gripped him.
'Did she know the Ink Soul Sword would end up in my hands?'
His mother's calm voice had carried absolute certainty—as if she had foreseen the future.
And now, it was undeniable: Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword was indeed a Divine-Artifact-Slaying Weapon, capable of destroying Black Divine Artifacts.
—Kiiieeeek!
A scream tore from the black liquid enveloping his body.
It was the collective grudge of countless lives lost here.
Now that Bu Eun-seol had regained his senses and rejected them, they howled in fury.
"How noisy."
Shhhhk—
As Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Soul Sword from his waist, mysterious emblems and light began to rise from the scabbard.
He was furious.
He had finally caught a glimpse of his mother's memory—only for these grudges to disrupt its lingering presence.
Shhhhk!
Sword in hand, Bu Eun-seol began slashing through the liquid entangling him.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Yet no matter how many times he cut, the liquid endlessly reformed.
Huuuum...
Then, not just the scabbard—but the blade itself began to etch with those same mysterious emblems.
Bu Eun-seol had already channeled his Two Spirit Energies into the sword at full power.
Splaaash!
Sensing danger, the liquid surged forward, clinging tightly to his body once more.
"No one—"
At that moment, a dazzling radiance burst from the Ink Soul Sword.
"—can dominate me!"
Fwoooosh!
The light condensed from his Two Spirit Energies exploded outward in an instant, painting the world in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Hiiisss...
The black liquid clinging to Bu Eun-seol's body slowly evaporated under the light.
As the darkness within the tower lifted, the surroundings gradually came into view.
'The Ink Soul Sword... was a gift from Mother.'
Bu Eun-seol embraced the sword as he recalled his mother's voice.
If his prediction was correct... this blade had been given to him because she had foreseen the future.
And the meaning behind her final words was clear.
'She wanted me to destroy the Black Divine Artifacts.'
But he couldn't understand.
How had his mother possessed a Black Divine Artifact? How had she spoken as if peering into the future?
Could it be... that she, like Mo-ryun the Dharma Seeker, had the ability to see what was to come?
"Then why was the manor burned, and why were both of you killed? Who in the world could have murdered them?"
'At least one thing is certain—Mother was no ordinary woman either.'
Father had said he learned the Sealing Annihilation Form from Mother. That meant Mother, too, was an extraordinary figure on par with Father.
Step. Step.
Just then, the door on the opposite side opened, and a small shadow walked toward him.
It was a girl with a gaunt frame and a sickly pallor.
Bi-yeon.
"You still haven't assimilated, have you?"
Bi-yeon gazed at the empty, hemispherical vessel with an almost proud expression. Originally, it had been filled with a black liquid so alive it seemed to pulse. But now, thanks to the power Bu Eun-seol had unleashed, it had completely evaporated.
"Most die in the Hall of Nothingness, or in the Hall of Sim Ui. Even if they make it this far, they're eventually devoured by grudges and become just another vessel."
Her words were cryptic, but Bu Eun-seol, who had glimpsed the memories of those grudges in his mind, nodded slowly.
"I see."
Then, as if everything had finally clicked into place, he looked at Bi-yeon and asked,
"Were you the Forest Lord of the Ancient Sword Forest?"
"There is no Forest Lord here."
Bi-yeon swept her desolate gaze across the tower.
"Only lingering spirits who cannot die, guarding this place."
Her eyes were dim and dark, like an old man staring at twilight. Even her once-supple skin was gradually wrinkling—her youth fading away.
"What exactly were you doing here?"
"Black Divine Artifacts are things no human should wield. Yet the factions of Murim are desperate to use them."
Bi-yeon spoke calmly.
"They fight to claim more and more of them."
Hearing this, Bu Eun-seol had a strange thought.
The reason the Abyssal Forces, which had maintained their existence without revealing themselves, came into being—was it not to dominate or manipulate Murim from the shadows, but simply to hoard as many Black Divine Artifacts as possible?
'It's entirely possible.'
With just one Black Divine Artifact, one could dominate countless people and overpower countless martial artists. In fact, wielding one alone could elevate one's martial prowess beyond the limits of conventional martial arts.
Rather than painstakingly recruiting followers or manipulating factions to rule the world through hardship—wouldn't it be far easier and more convenient to simply amass Black Divine Artifacts and become the unseen ruler from the shadows?
"The problem is, the more Black Divine Artifacts are used, the closer the world comes to its end."
"End."
Bu Eun-seol found this eerily familiar.
The Absolute Demon Saber Project, and even Yang Seol-rin, who had spoken of the Heavenly Darkness Star—both had used the word "end."
And now, Bi-yeon was saying the same thing.
But with a reason he'd never heard before: the use of Black Divine Artifacts.
"So we tried to create new Black Divine Artifacts using life force as the foundation. But we failed... and in the end, we were left to live alongside the grudges of those who had died."
Her voice was quiet, her expression bleak.
"Unable to die, yet not truly alive."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You saw them. The liquids contained in the Dharma Instruments."
Bi-yeon's tone was matter-of-fact.
"They are also our grudges. We spent so long trying to forge Black Divine Artifacts, but in the end, we never succeeded."
"Our grudges."
Bu Eun-seol's pupils dilated.
"Don't tell me..."
Through the memories of the grudges contained in the hemispherical liquid, Bu Eun-seol already knew.
The byproducts of human bodies stuffed inside the forest trees—they hadn't been torn out by the Neither-Human-Nor-Beasts after being murdered.
They had cut them out themselves, in their attempt to create Black Divine Artifacts.
And the Great Art they had performed to turn their own flesh into Black Divine Artifacts... had irrevocably altered their very existence.
"Right. Each of us tried to become a Black Divine Artifact. But we all failed."
Bu Eun-seol shuddered.
They had died at least a hundred years ago. Yet Bi-yeon still bore the appearance of a young girl.
Did that mean they were all ghosts?
"We're not ghosts. It's just—"
Bi-yeon pointed to her arms, legs, and eyes.
They were all exquisitely crafted prosthetic limbs—an artificial eye, an artificial arm, and artificial legs.
"In our attempt to forge Black Divine Artifacts, we all became vessels... and simply stopped aging."
As she continued speaking, her expression gradually brightened.
"In the end, we couldn't die even if we wanted to—because we couldn't break the Dharma Instrument. There was no one who could shatter it."
It was an astonishing revelation.
All this time, they had been trapped in bodies that couldn't die, simply because no one could destroy that Dharma Instrument?
If they could employ Masters like Seok Chi-haeng as gatekeepers, surely they could have summoned at least someone on the level of the Three Demons and Three Venerables or the Four Gods and Seven Kings—even if they couldn't reach the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic.
"It's not about martial prowess. To break those Dharma Instruments, one must possess not only perfect detachment but also a constitution capable of absorbing Natural Qi."
Bi-yeon shook her head.
"But we couldn't find anyone like that. Because that lineage had already been severed."
"Lineage?"
"Only the people of the Baekri Clan... could absorb Natural Qi."