Chapter 653
At that moment, the tip of Myeong-un's sword, clashing against the Ink Soul Sword, flared crimson—
Sssk—
—and he was forced back four full steps.
Even Myeong-un, who had perfectly inherited Neung-ryeong's abilities through the Return-to-One Realm Grand Art, could not withstand Bu Eun-seol's internal energy.
"Hoho. So you were that confident, relying solely on your internal energy?"
Despite being pushed back, unable to match Bu Eun-seol's internal energy, Myeong-un wore a satisfied smile.
After all, he had perfectly grasped and defended against the sword stroke unleashed by Bu Eun-seol, a man renowned throughout the world.
"So this is the extent of the Martial Soul Lord's True Void."
Pride brimmed in Myeong-un's eyes.
He had discerned that this single strike was Bu Eun-seol's True Void Sword Study.
In other words, setting aside the disparity in internal energy... he was a master who had matched Bu Eun-seol—a man whose name shook the world—in sword techniques.
"Do you truly believe that?"
Clack.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed the Ink Soul Sword and took stance once more.
But Myeong-un only smiled faintly in response.
"No matter what sword form you employ, it's futile. It won't work on me."
"How unfortunate."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze sharpened.
"You did not attain your skills through arduous refinement but merely inherited them through the Grand Art..."
Zzziiing—
In that instant, the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form unfolded once again.
The world stood still, and only the crimson-stained Ink Soul Sword slowly thrust toward Myeong-un's throat.
Zzziiing—
Yet again, Myeong-un precisely met the tip of Bu Eun-seol's blade with his own.
He had blocked the sword technique a second time.
Drip, drip, drip.
Blood trickled from the corner of Myeong-un's lips.
Had he suffered internal injuries from withstanding the tremendous rebellious force contained within the Meteor Chasing Moon Form?
'This...'
But unfortunately... this phenomenon was not due to the disparity in internal energy.
'You... did this intentionally.'
Only now did Myeong-un realize.
The reason he could perceive the trajectory of this terrifying Extreme-Speed Killing Form—
—was because Bu Eun-seol had never truly aimed for his throat in the first place.
From the very beginning, Bu Eun-seol had targeted his sword tip.
Had Bu Eun-seol truly intended to kill him, his head would have already been severed in that single strike.
"You survived only because the Mount Heng Sect's sword studies specialize in countering demonic sword wielders."
Shwaaak—
Dozens of true qi blades materialized around Bu Eun-seol's body.
The sixty-foot-high blades of true qi hovered like living creatures—
—their curved edges frozen mid-air as if glaring at Myeong-un.
"Had you fought the true powerhouses who dominate the murim, you would have long become a wandering spirit, lost in the Nine Heavens."
Had Bu Eun-seol truly sought to kill him?
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form would have instantly beheaded him.
Even if, by some miracle, he had dodged that, Bu Eun-seol could have simply pierced through his body with the Willful True Binding as he was doing now.
In other words, the reason he had blocked the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form twice—
—was solely due to Bu Eun-seol's mercy, waiting for him to realize the gap in their strength.
"In the end... it was all just a dream."
Myeong-un's eyes dimmed.
Two hundred years ago, Neung-ryeong had been the foremost swordsman among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
His sword techniques were so exquisite that none could rival him, and he prided himself on being second to none, even among the grandmasters of his era.
But there was something he had overlooked.
Neung-ryeong had spent countless years in refinement to reach that realm.
He had fought innumerable battles against powerful foes, and through those struggles, he had attained the highest realizations.
In contrast, Myeong-un had merely inherited those martial arts through the Return-to-One Realm Grand Art...
In the end, victory in battle could not be achieved simply by mastering superior martial arts.
"I had forgotten... that to reach such heights, one must endure the necessary effort and suffering."
Drip, drip.
Blood spilled from Myeong-un's lips.
Only now did he understand—even with the Return-to-One Realm Grand Art, inheriting Neung-ryeong's martial arts did not mean he could restore the Mount Heng Sect.
"Why?"
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
He had deliberately restrained his killing move and given Myeong-un a chance to survive.
Yet in the end, Myeong-un had severed his own heart meridian.
"Defeat is death. Better this than dying miserably from the Poison Parasite."
Myeong-un spoke calmly.
"This is how the Return-to-One Realm keeps its secrets."
The Poison Parasite.
The Return-to-One Realm had implanted Poison Parasites in all its members to safeguard its secrets.
"I'm sorry."
Myeong-un looked at Bu Eun-seol with sorrowful eyes.
"I promised to repay you for the alcohol... but it seems I won't be able to."
There was no regret on his face.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize—
Even though Myeong-un had instinctively known he could not win, he had still faced him with dignity.
"You should have just run away."
At Bu Eun-seol's sigh, Myeong-un smiled faintly.
"The one thing I've spent my whole life resenting... was running away with my martial brothers whenever we encountered a strong foe."
"..."
"Heaven granted me the martial arts of our sect... How could I choose to flee again?"
"Have all your martial brothers joined the Return-to-One Realm?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Myeong-un lowered his head and spoke.
"A few years ago, during an escort mission... we encountered a master from the Green Forest. They all died. Well... it was bound to happen sooner or later."
At the time, the martial arts level of his Mount Heng Sect brothers had been second-rate—neither more nor less.
They had wandered the Central Plains, taking on escort jobs just to survive, but against even a single first-rate master, they were as good as dead.
If anything, they had lasted longer than Myeong-un had expected.
"I barely survived alone... but I didn't have the strength to rebuild the Mount Heng Sect."
Gurgle.
Myeong-un spat out a mouthful of bright arterial blood, his body swaying unsteadily.
"Thanks to the Great Art, even with my heart meridian severed, I don't die easily."
"Where is the headquarters of the Infinite Realm?"
Bu Eun-seol immediately channeled true qi into his Life Gate Acupoint.
"Even a subordinate branch will do. I need to recover my grandfather's physical body—the one they stole."
Myeong-un shook his head.
"They're thorough. They would never reveal their headquarters to an outsider like me."
He gasped for breath before continuing.
"I only agreed to obey the Special Divine Rank's orders like a puppet in exchange for the Mount Heng Sect's martial arts. But..."
His fading gaze met Bu Eun-seol's.
"I heard that over a decade ago, the Infinite Realm's banner changed completely."
"Banner?"
"Yes. They say their leader became an entirely different person..."
Myeong-un tried to say more, but his eyes widened as if realizing his life was at its end.
"I have a request."
With the last of his strength, he pulled out a martial arts manual and a small glass vial from his robes.
"It's not an accurate scripture—just what I managed to restore after learning it through the Great Art. Please... pass this manual to someone worthy of rebuilding the Mount Heng Sect."
The cover of the manual, which Myeong-un had kept close to his heart, was now stained crimson with his blood.
"If you do this... even in hell, I won't forget your kindness."
Bu Eun-seol accepted the manual with a solemn nod.
The gravity and resolve in his expression alone told Myeong-un that he would keep his promise without fail.
"And... use this Bone-Melting Powder... to dispose of my remains."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes trembled like rippling water as he took the vial.
The Three Realms were always like this.
They manipulated people by exploiting their deepest desires. And to keep their secrets, they discarded lives as if they were worthless.
This was exactly why Bu Eun-seol could never forgive them.
Huuuuung.
He continued channeling Reverse Polarity True Qi into Myeong-un without pause.
Once the heart meridian was severed, not even a Great Luo Immortal could save him. But at the very least, he could ensure Myeong-un felt no pain.
He poured in pure true qi without cease—
Filled with sorrow and compassion.
Myeong-un smiled faintly as he gazed into Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The Heir of the Demon Hall, the young grandmaster who moved the demonic martial world—
Though he was known to be ruthless beyond measure—
In truth, he was a warm-hearted man who felt others' pain as his own.
"I always end up indebted to you."
With the last of his strength, Myeong-un bowed deeply to Bu Eun-seol.
"Even as a ghost... I swear I'll repay this kindness..."
Just as his hands came together in final reverence—
The light in his eyes slowly faded.
At last, he breathed his last.
"Don't worry."
Bu Eun-seol carefully closed the eyes of Myeong-un, who had died mid-bow.
"Soon... the Mount Heng Sect will be rebuilt."
As if hearing those words, the faintest smile appeared on Myeong-un's lifeless lips.
With a pained expression, Bu Eun-seol picked up the vial of Bone-Melting Acid.
If Myeong-un's corpse remained, the Infinite Realm might use his body again.
He had already become another Neung-ryeong from two hundred years ago. His remains could never be laid to rest.
Sssssss.
As he poured the acid, Myeong-un's flesh began to melt away softly.
Unable to bear watching his body collapse into ruin, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together in silent prayer before slowly turning away.
Upon returning to the Martial Soul Society, Do Cheon-rin quickly recovered from the injuries Myeong-un had inflicted.
Since wandering martial artists often lived with wounds, the Wanderers' Market was well-stocked with effective medicines.
Moreover, the Martial Soul Society had originally been Shaanxi's largest wanderer market, the Red Sky Curtain Branch... meaning it was equipped with all manner of trauma remedies scattered throughout the martial world.
Once treated, Do Cheon-rin wasted no time assessing the Rogue Vanguard's fighters and tailoring their training to their skill levels.
After all, the Rogue Vanguard had grown into a force more than twice the size of any other combat unit.
After the transition from the Red Sky Curtain Branch to the Martial Soul Society—
Dam Yu-yeon and Do Cheon-rin had been certain most wanderers would leave.
Wanderers were drifters by nature, preferring to roam without ties.
Yet, against all expectations—
Most had chosen to become formal warriors of the Martial Soul Society.
They were the ones who had risked their lives fighting alongside Dam Yu-yeon when the Black Banner Society had invaded.
"Shouldn't we stop wandering and finally take on something greater?"
The rogues had sensed it intuitively.
Though its beginnings might seem insignificant,
the Martial Soul Society would one day become a pivotal force capable of shifting the balance of the martial world.
And when the Society announced it would organize the Rogue Vanguard and offer generous stipends to formal martial artists commensurate with their skills,
the rogues chose not to leave, instead hoping to become full-fledged members en masse.
While Do Cheon-rin trained the rogues,
Dam Yu-yeon tirelessly tracked the Ghost Children's locations through the intelligence network Bu Eun-seol had provided.
Since the intelligence networks of the Death Soul Squad and the Supreme Blade Unit had already been partially integrated,
they could detect and pinpoint the Ghost Children's positions across the Central Plains faster than any other information organization.
She provided location data to both the Martial Alliance and the Black Path factions so they could deal with the Ghost Children,
while simultaneously spreading rumors to ensure civilians became aware of the entities' existence.
"The Martial Alliance and the Black Path warriors are protecting us!"
As the civilians' attention turned toward them, the Black Path factions members—who had been quietly trying to withdraw—found themselves forced to resume hunting the Ghost Children in earnest.
If they feigned ignorance and backed out under such scrutiny?
Not only would the gang's reputation plummet to the ground,
but the prestige of the Black Syndicate organizations—the very backbone of the Black Path factions—would also be dragged through the mud.
And if the Black Syndicate, which coexisted with civilians, lost its ability to exert influence?
Ultimately, even the Black Path sects would see their power wane.
"Now... even if we wanted to withdraw, we can't."
The Black Path factions members gritted their teeth.
They had no choice but to clench their jaws and keep eliminating the Ghost Children.
"My apologies."
When Bu Eun-seol returned to the Martial Soul Society, Do Cheon-rin swiftly sought him out and spoke earnestly.
"Don't tell her."
Upon returning to the Red Sky Curtain Branch, Do Cheon-rin had lied to Dam Yu-yeon.
If he truthfully recounted how he'd nearly died in the Infinite Realm's attack, it would reveal he'd resisted activating the emergency protocols.
Not only would he face endless nagging for it,
but Dam Yu-yeon would also lose sleep day and night, worrying he might be attacked again.
"I lied and said we got carried away during our duel and ended up like this."
Do Cheon-rin lowered his voice.
"If she finds out it was the Infinite Realm's attack... you know her temperament. She won't let it go. She might even reorganize the Society's intelligence network again."
One of the most agonizing things in the world was watching someone you loved lose sleep over worry—especially when you were the cause.
"So you knew, yet still refused to activate emergency protocols?"
"I understand. I'll be more careful from now on."
Seizing the moment, Do Cheon-rin unburdened himself of thoughts he'd long kept bottled up.
"But from now on, you too must harden your resolve."
"What do you mean?"
"Are you going to order your subordinates to flee like rats every time a formidable enemy appears?"
His expression grew solemn as he continued.
"I know you care for your subordinates more than your own life. But you can't shoulder responsibility for all their lives forever."
He, too, had once been the Young Clan Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family—a massive gang where he commanded countless martial artists like extensions of his own limbs, managing the Demonic Murim.
After experiencing many trials alongside Bu Eun-seol,
Do Cheon-rin had discerned that beneath his stoic exterior lay a man of deeper sentiment than most—
and he'd intuited this would become a critical weakness in time.
Now, he aimed to confront it head-on.
"If the Martial Soul Society is to grow into a martial coalition someday, it will demand the blood of countless subordinates. Will you despair and suffer each time that happens?"
"I..."
Bu Eun-seol averted Do Cheon-rin's gaze and muttered quietly.
"I only strive to ensure those around me remain unharmed, to the best of my ability."
"I know. That even your actions in handling such matters aren't driven by some lofty mission to 'save the martial world'—but rather to protect those close to you."
Do Cheon-rin understood.
The primary reason Bu Eun-seol had founded the Martial Soul Society was to safeguard those he cherished.
To create an unassailable sanctuary.
Because neither the Demon Hall nor the Martial Alliance
were safe anymore.
If anything, they had become more like pits of carnage.
"But listen well, Bu Eun-seol."
Do Cheon-rin's voice was graver than ever.
"I, your sworn friends, your subordinates—we are all martial artists who stake our lives on the edge of a blade."
"..."
"We've all chosen the life of warriors—sleeping with swords as our pillows!"
—We are all martial artists who stake our lives on the edge of a blade, warriors who rest with swords as our pillows.
Bu Eun-seol's pupils dilated.
Just as he had once wandered the martial world, gripping a single sword without regard for his life, seeking vengeance—
so too had they lived in this world where gratitude and grudines intertwined, endlessly wiping blood from their blades.
"You're right. I'm sorry."
Bu Eun-seol offered Do Cheon-rin a faint smile.
"I'll make sure such words never leave my mouth again."
That smile.
Do Cheon-rin let out a sigh as he saw that faint, autumn-sky-clear smile on Bu Eun-seol's lips.
The closer he got to Bu Eun-seol... the clearer the true face hidden beneath that icy exterior became.
Behind the image of the peerless grandmaster who moved the martial world—
There lived a tender child. One who sat quietly in the morgue, wiping down corpses alongside his grandfather. One who found happiness in the simple joy of eating noodles topped with a single pickled radish on an uneventful day.
'Right. What fault could there be in you?'
Do Cheon-rin bit his lip.
'It's the martial world's fault—the one that turned an innocent child into an avenger.'
And once more, he resolved himself.
'I'll protect you. I'll make sure that fragile child survives in this ruthless world.'
That was the sentiment of all who truly cherished Bu Eun-seol.
They never wanted to see that child weep. They would ensure such a thing never came to pass.
Do Cheon-rin swore this oath in his heart, over and over.
Bu Eun-seol boarded the carriage and set off once more toward the Demon Hall.
Originally, he had planned to oversee various matters at the Martial Soul Society and return to the Demon Hall only once the situation stabilized.
But Do Cheon-rin and Dam Yu-yeon were managing the Martial Soul Society even more efficiently than he could.
Meanwhile, Dae Gu-hwi and Bing Han-pung were rigorously training with their subordinates to prepare for the Ghost Children.
At the moment, there was nothing left for him to do.
[A letter has arrived.]
Just then, So-yo's Thousand-Li Voice Transmission reached him.
Bu Eun-seol immediately stepped out of the carriage and met her in a secluded forest clearing.
Peeking out from between the rocks, she looked somewhat gaunt.
Exhaustion was inevitable—she had been trailing Bu Eun-seol day and night, darting between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance to relay information at breakneck speed.
"You've worked hard."
Bu Eun-seol spoke to her aloud.
The reason the intelligence networks of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths could be integrated was solely because of her—a secret agent so rare that there were scarcely two like her in the world.
[Hardly 'hard work.']
"It's safe within about three hundred meters. You can speak aloud."
[No. Even so, we must be cautious.]
Bu Eun-seol felt a pang of guilt.
"How about taking Demon Leave for a while? With Protector Tak and the Flying Demon Unit here now..."
Not only did Tak Il-hon possess a mastery of Lightness Body Art nearly on par with So-yo's, but the Flying Demon Unit had also become a force of spies surpassing even the elite of the Death Soul Squad.
They were more than capable of filling the void in her absence.
[I agree with that.]
"Then I'll inform Protector Tak immediately."
But then, So-yo said something unexpected.
[Not that. I mean, stop worrying so much about the people around you.]
The abrupt remark made Bu Eun-seol blink in confusion for a long moment.
Only after a considerable pause did he realize she was referring to the conversation he'd had with Do Cheon-rin at the Muhon Society.
Truthfully, So-yo had known about Bu Eun-seol's tender heart far longer than anyone else.
That was why she had never left his side—not even for a single day.
[I, the Death Soul Squad, the Flying Demon Unit... we're all martial artists too.]
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol offered an awkward smile toward So-yo, still hidden between the rocks.
"I've troubled you with unnecessary concerns."
[Here.]
As she stretched her hand out from the crevice, an envelope shot toward him in a straight line.
Swish.
Bu Eun-seol's expression grew peculiar as he unfolded the letter inside.
'Brother Yu?'
An entirely unexpected figure.
Because the letter had been sent by Yu Hwa-ryeong of the Heavenly Sword Society.
―My apologies. I promised I would never seek you out again, yet here I am, sending you this letter.
In the past, to uphold his promise to the Heavenly Sword Society, Bu Eun-seol had risked his life—even clashing with the Eastern Depot in Sichuan—to hunt down the murderer.
But in the end, all he had accomplished was the destruction of the Infinite Realm's Underground Castle. The Demon himself remained at large.
Yet Yu Hwa-ryeong had been satisfied with that.
To ensure no further harm came to Bu Eun-seol, now the Heir of the Demon Hall, he had declared that their debt was settled—and that he would never seek him out again.
For such a man to suddenly send a letter...
A sense of foreboding gripped Bu Eun-seol as he hastily read on.
―This concerns the Society's affairs, but I felt you had to be informed.
The longer Yu Hwa-ryeong's words lingered in his vision, the deeper the shadows in Bu Eun-seol's eyes grew.
―No matter how hard we searched, we couldn't find the murderer. We tried many methods over the years.
One of them was seeking out the Gratitude Coin.
'The Gratitude Coin.'
That wasn't a bad choice.
Bu Eun-seol, too, had resorted to the same method when he found no other way to track down his grandfather's killer.
And through the Divine Calculator, he had eventually learned that the murderer was one of the Seven Great Leaders.
―But obtaining the Gratitude Coin to seek out the Foremost Sage of the Murim was no easy feat.
Yet by Heaven's grace...
After pouring vast wealth and manpower into the effort, we finally succeeded in acquiring one.
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened as he continued reading.
After the deaths of its leader and most of the Ten Seats, the Heavenly Sword Society had become a sect incapable of proper activity in the martial world.
However, the financial resources they had accumulated over generations remained unmatched, allowing them to carry out various covert operations.
But the Gratitude Coin wasn't something one could obtain simply by mobilizing wealth or manpower.
Because the Divine Calculator didn't distribute them indiscriminately—
He calculated precisely whose hands they would fall into before releasing them.
'Is he... manipulating the Heavenly Sword Society?'
A flash of light surged in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The fact that the Heavenly Sword Society had obtained the Gratitude Coin wasn't due to money, nor was it coincidence—
It was the intended outcome of the Divine Calculator's designs.