Chapter 656
The letter delivered by Bu Eun-seol contained shocking news:
The Thousand Swords Society had already been annihilated by the leader of the Heaven-Piercing Unit.
"Because of me..."
Yu Hwa-ryeong bit his lip.
In the end, due to the plan he had executed, the Thousand Swords Society—which had barely managed to cling to existence—had been completely uprooted.
Thud.
His head dropped in guilt.
He had intended to sacrifice his life in a mutual destruction with the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader to exact revenge.
Instead, because of him, the entire Thousand Swords Society had been wiped out.
"Why should I stay alive?"
Tears streamed down Yu Hwa-ryeong's face as he gathered his internal energy.
He was about to sever his heart meridian—ending his life on the spot.
"Society Leader. Do not act rashly."
The Splendid Beauty Palace Master, having guessed his intentions, spoke quickly.
"If you take your own life like this, your deceased brothers-in-arms will never be able to close their eyes in peace."
Yu Hwa-ryeong shook his head.
"But I no longer have the strength for revenge."
"Read the rest of the letter first."
"...The letter?"
Wiping his tear-filled eyes, Yu Hwa-ryeong continued reading.
The letter stated that Bu Eun-seol was already moving to deal with the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader.
It also urged him to rest and recover well until his dantian was restored at the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace.
"He... intends to kill the Martial Alliance's unit leader for my sake?"
Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall.
If he killed the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader without justification, not only would the Martial Alliance retaliate—it could trigger the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War.
"Do not worry. Do you not know the Lord's wisdom? He will handle it without issue."
The Splendid Beauty Palace Master smiled gently.
"There is no need for you to feel burdened. The Lord had long since marked the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader for execution."
"The letter doesn't mention that."
"The Lord personally relayed those details to this Palace Master separately."
Her faint smile deepened.
"Of course, he also gave another reason. He said that only by avenging the Thousand Swords Society's bloodied grudge could he rightfully invite you to serve as Chief Steward."
"Chief Steward?"
Yu Hwa-ryeong read the letter to the end.
The final lines contained an invitation for him to become the Chief Steward overseeing the operations of the Shadowless Society—
In exchange for the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader's death.
"So, he was the one who created the Shadowless Society."
He had vaguely heard rumors about the emergence of the Shadowless Society, formed in response to the bizarre factions like the Gwianyi.
And how they had finally gained recognition as a new force in the martial world.
But for Bu Eun-seol to personally invite him as Chief Steward?
"Then, contrary to rumors, it really was him who founded it."
"Indeed. The Lord established the Shadowless Society to save countless people."
The Splendid Beauty Palace Master met his gaze steadily.
"However, he mentioned that without a proper Chief Steward, its operations have been struggling."
She paused before adding,
"He said that to invite you as Chief Steward, the Heaven-Piercing Unit leader must be eliminated first."
Yu Hwa-ryeong suppressed his emotions as he stared at the letter.
Ending his own life would be easy.
But living on, carrying the weight of all those who had died because of him—that would not be.
If, thanks to Bu Eun-seol, he could fulfill their blood-soaked vengeance—
And if by joining the Shadowless Society, he could save countless others—
Then perhaps this agonizing, endless life...
Would hold some meaning.
And one day, he could face his master and brothers-in-arms in the afterlife with dignity.
"I understand. Thank you, Palace Master."
Wiping away his tears, Yu Hwa-ryeong smiled.
His duty was now complete.
From here on, he would remain by Bu Eun-seol's side and assist him in saving countless lives.
Martial Alliance, Heaven-Piercing Pavilion.
Yang Dae-ryang, seated in his office, opened a letter—and his expression twisted in shock.
The Thousand Swords Society had never been an active faction in the martial world, but this incident had ensured their complete annihilation.
Uproot the grass, tear out the roots.
Sooner or later, the Thousand Swords Society would have become a problem.
Though their martial arts had declined to a pitiful level, their accumulated wealth over generations was no joke.
But just when he thought he had eradicated them completely, it seemed an unexpected weed had survived.
A letter had arrived in his office—bearing the seal of the Thousand Swords Society.
"So that bastard is still alive?"
Of course, it was possible Yu Hwa-ryeong had survived.
The martial world had spirit medicines—perhaps he had been lucky enough to recover.
But no matter how wealthy the Thousand Swords Society was, no matter if Yu Hwa-ryeong had miraculously restored his body—
Sending a letter secretly into his office within the Martial Alliance headquarters...
That should have been impossible.
"There's no way the Thousand Swords Society had a hidden intelligence network."
It defied all logic.
And the contents of the letter were even more absurd.
It stated that if he agreed to a one-on-one duel, the memorial tablet of his mother—stolen from Prajna Temple—would be returned safely.
"Despite having stationed the Heaven-Piercing Unit's elite members to guard Prajna Temple at all times for precisely this scenario..."
Yang Dae-ryang furrowed his brow.
The masters secretly stationed at Prajna Temple were among the Heaven-Piercing Unit's most exceptional operatives.
Yet how could someone have infiltrated the temple like a ghost, stealing the memorial tablet without being detected?
"Ten days hence, at sunset. Yeongpa Island."
Yang Dae-ryang stroked his chin as he repeated the location written in the letter.
It was a tiny uninhabited island near Dongting Lake—a small islet with open visibility on all sides, utterly unsuitable for hiding troops.
"So they truly desire a one-on-one duel?"
If another faction had sought to ambush him, they would never have invoked the Thousand Swords Society's name.
In short, the sender of this letter was genuinely from the Thousand Swords Society and intended to face him alone.
"Amusing."
He feared nothing—not the Thousand Swords Society, nor even the combined might of an entire sect.
With his Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art, he could perfectly deflect any attack, and he possessed lethal martial techniques unknown to others.
Few in the martial world could kill him in single combat.
"It seems an entertaining diversion has come my way."
Yang Dae-ryang smiled.
He would accept this challenger's invitation—both to retrieve the tablet and for the sport of it.
From that day onward,
Yang Dae-ryang immediately mobilized his intelligence network, conducting thorough investigations not only of Yeongpa Island but also of troop movements and factions near Dongting Lake.
Yet nothing was amiss anywhere.
He even dispatched elite operatives to Yeongpa Island in advance, but there were no hidden battle formations or traps.
The sender truly intended to appear there ten days later.
Ten days passed.
Arriving at Yeongpa Island by small boat, Yang Dae-ryang surveyed his surroundings with keen curiosity.
Sunset was still an hour away.
The moment he landed, he began meticulously examining the island's terrain and the sun's position.
A battle between masters is decided in an instant—
and by the smallest of details.
True to his reputation as a Martial Alliance commander, he scrutinized every minute factor that might influence the outcome.
Crunch. Crunch.
As twilight deepened, a faint shadow emerged onto the island.
The man wore the plain gray martial robes common among wandering warriors, his face utterly ordinary.
"A disguise."
Yang Dae-ryang recognized it immediately.
As leader of the Heaven-Piercing Unit, there were few in the martial world he wouldn't recognize.
If someone with such potent qi remained unknown to him?
It could only mean a disguise.
"If you're disguised, you're not from the Thousand Swords Society?"
"Correct."
The black-clad man replied indifferently.
"I'm a wanderer."
"A wanderer?"
"Indeed."
Yang Dae-ryang's eyes narrowed.
While many masters in the martial world operated under various identities,
few chose the status of a wanderer—it was considered as lowly as that of assassins who lived by the blade.
"To claim the identity of a wanderer, which offers no benefits..."
Yang Dae-ryang tilted his head.
"Means you hold a position so high you must conceal it at all costs?"
"Well deduced."
"You admit it so readily?"
Yang Dae-ryang's eyes became slits.
"Then there must be another reason for the disguise."
The Heaven-Piercing Unit leader was known for one peculiar trait: his fondness for difficult questions and answers.
He delighted in probing mysteries and would never rest until satisfying his curiosity.
"Just as I heard—you truly relish these interrogations."
The wanderer in gray robes was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
He had come to kill Yang Dae-ryang—the man who had slaughtered the Thousand Swords Society's Ten Seats and might have killed his grandfather.
"I've accepted a commission from the Thousand Swords Society to take your head."
"Heh... heh heh! Hahahaha!"
Yang Dae-ryang burst into laughter as if watching the most farcical Beijing opera performance imaginable.
A wanderer taking a contract to kill one of the Martial Alliance's Seven Great Leaders?
"You might as well claim a back-alley thug has become the Black Path Alliance's leader! Hah!"
"If the pay's right, what job is beneath me?"
"Enough of this pitiful act."
Yang Dae-ryang's laughter vanished, his voice turning icy.
"I care not whether you're truly a wanderer or from the Thousand Swords Society. I seek only one thing."
His eyes flashed.
"Where is the tablet?"
"Why ask me that?"
"What did you say?"
"Evil men who trample on others' lives share one delusion."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"Because they themselves act thus, they believe others must surely do the same."
"What do you mean by that?"
"The remains and memorial tablet enshrined at Prajna Temple remain untouched."
A chilling killing intent radiated from Yang Dae-ryang's pupils.
"My subordinates have already confirmed the tablet's disappearance."
"Deceiving the warriors of the Heaven-Piercing Unit would indeed be difficult."
Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to surface.
"But bribing the greedy bald monks of Prajna Temple? That was hardly a challenge."
"So you claim you never touched the tablet or remains?"
"Indeed. Verify it yourself once more."
"I don't understand."
Yang Dae-ryang shook his head.
"And for a mere wanderer, to know my identity yet remain so composed..."
Even if the so-called Wandering King, who supposedly ruled the lands Beyond the Frontier, were to appear before him, he wouldn't so much as blink.
Yet this mere Special-Grade Wanderer dared to face him alone?
"Shall we begin?"
Bu Eun-seol extended his hand leisurely.
But his vigilance never wavered.
Yang Dae-ryang, leader of the Heaven-Piercing Unit.
To conceal the terrifying martial arts he had cultivated,
he had spread false tales of encountering fortuitous encounters like lightning strikes.
The martial art he publicly displayed—
the orthodox Heavenly Outer Absolute Art, the Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art—could supposedly seize any attack between his fingers.
But the martial arts he had hidden were far more formidable.
'This is also a good opportunity.'
Bu Eun-seol had previously crossed blades with two of the Seven Great Leaders—Jo Cheon-wang of the Martial Heaven Unit and Baekri Mu-jo of the Star Guard Corps.
However, the gap in their martial prowess had been too vast, making it impossible to gauge the average strength of the Seven Great Leaders.
But by killing Yang Dae-ryang now, he could finally measure the true capabilities of the Martial Alliance's elite.
'And if this man is the Demon the Thousand Swords Society has been hunting... he might also be the murderer who killed Grandfather.'
Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded.
Once the battle began,
he would learn whether Yang Dae-ryang possessed the skill to kill his grandfather—and what martial arts he had truly mastered.
Shring.
When Bu Eun-seol drew Ink Soul Sword, surprise flickered in Yang Dae-ryang's eyes.
"You're no mere Special-Grade Wanderer."
True masters could gauge an opponent's skill just by the way they drew their blade.
Instantly, Yang Dae-ryang recognized that Bu Eun-seol was a formidable expert—one capable of standing toe-to-toe with him.
"You—"
His words cut off.
Bu Eun-seol had closed the distance in an instant, unleashing a flurry of sword strokes.
Yang Dae-ryang immediately deployed the Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art, attempting to snatch Ink Soul Sword mid-air.
Swish!
But the sword strokes shifted unpredictably before thrusting toward his throat.
Clang!
Yang Dae-ryang deftly flicked the tip of Ink Soul Sword aside.
"...!"
His expression stiffened slightly.
The internal energy imbued in the blade was far denser than he had anticipated.
"Impressive internal power."
Yang Dae-ryang chuckled lightly, straightening his posture.
"But that's all."
Flash!
A violet sword qi slashed diagonally toward his neck—
the Peerless Thunderbolt, a killing sword technique of extreme speed.
Snap.
Yet something astonishing happened.
Ink Soul Sword froze mid-air.
Yang Dae-ryang had caught it between his index and middle fingers using the Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art.
"Heh."
He immediately exerted force, intending to snap the blade in two.
Crack!
But then, Ink Soul Sword began spinning violently.
Once caught by the Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art, a weapon would not escape even if it shattered.
Yet Bu Eun-seol simultaneously unleashed three advanced martial principles—
the Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade from the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms,
the Sword Sovereign's Move Heaven Exchange Force,
and the Silk-Winding Principle embedded within the Fist Demon Seven Forms' Forgetful Shattering Together—
freeing himself from the crushing pressure in an instant.
"Tch."
Yang Dae-ryang couldn't hide his astonishment.
To harmonize three supreme martial principles in a single stroke?
At this level, wasn't this man at least as skilled as he was?
His expression hardened as he studied Bu Eun-seol in silence.
"Fine. I'll acknowledge your skill."
Though he always feigned amiability, his true nature was cruel and arrogant.
Wherever this brat had crawled out from—
his audacity to stand so boldly before the Heaven-Piercing Unit's leader was unforgivable.
"Truthfully, the Spirit Immortal Two-Finger Art was merely for show."
A pure white killing intent bloomed in Yang Dae-ryang's eyes.
"I couldn't use the martial arts I perfected through slaughter, after all."
Shing!
At the same moment, an impossibly slender flexible sword shot from Yang Dae-ryang's right sleeve.
He had discarded his original sword and scabbard, concealing this specialized flexible sword within his wide sleeves all along.
Whoosh!
As Yang Dae-ryang's arm extended, a razor-sharp gust of wind sliced toward Bu Eun-seol's cheek.
It was the Brahma Heaven Radiance Sword—the signature sword art of Seoksong, the Second Seat of the Thousand Swords Society.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The moment Bu Eun-seol swung the Soul-Summoning Sword, a deafening explosion erupted, instantly shattering the opening strike.
Yet, despite breaking the initial attack, razor-sharp internal energy still pierced into Bu Eun-seol's body.
Upon closer inspection, it was only the Brahma Heaven Radiance Sword in appearance—in truth, it was the Radiant Willow Sword Method of the Radiant Sun Gate.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every time Yang Dae-ryang's sharp internal energy clashed against the weapon, it burrowed deeper into Bu Eun-seol's meridians.
Hiss—
Then, white steam began rising from his body.
He had completely nullified the invasive internal energy with Reverse Polarity True Qi.
"Not bad. Both your internal energy and sword techniques."
As Yang Dae-ryang tossed out the compliment, Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
"So you've stolen not just the Thousand Swords Society's techniques, but also those of orthodox sects like the Radiant Sun Gate?"
The Radiant Sun Gate, much like the Thousand Swords Society, had lost its entire leadership in a single stroke, reducing it to a mere Vanished Sect.
"Stolen? Hahaha."
A cold aura flickered in Yang Dae-ryang's gaze.
"Do I look like the kind of leader who would infiltrate places like the Thousand Swords Society or the Radiant Sun Gate just to steal martial arts manuals?"
'Then...'
A sharp glint flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"Don't tell me you gain martial arts by killing your enemies?"
"Hohoho. You're quite sharp."
An unreadable light flashed in Yang Dae-ryang's eyes.
"I've mastered the Absorption Art."
"Absorption?"
There was no such martial art in the Murim known as Absorption.
One thing was certain—he wasn't talking about fortuitous encounters. No, he was outright stating that he had been killing others and taking their martial arts all along.
"Is it wise to reveal such a secret so freely?"
When Bu Eun-seol questioned him, Yang Dae-ryang responded in a low voice.
"Of course."
A white heat haze rose from Yang Dae-ryang's eyes.
"Because for this power to work, the enemy must know that I possess the energy of Absorption."
Flash!
Suddenly, Yang Dae-ryang unleashed another sword technique.
This time, it was the Azure Rain Purple Lightning Sword Form—the signature technique of Maeng Jo-hyeok, the Third Seat of the Thousand Swords Society, known as the Sun-Returning Sword.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Violet sword qi coiled around Bu Eun-seol's body.
The Azure Rain Purple Lightning Sword Form unleashed a storm of purple lightning-like chain strikes—
But in truth, it was a probing technique designed to expose an enemy's openings.
Slash!
Bu Eun-seol no longer bothered observing his sword forms. Instead, he immediately poured out his strength and swept them aside.
Whoosh!
The Azure Rain Purple Lightning Sword Form melted away like snow, transforming into mist in an instant and piercing toward Bu Eun-seol's vital points.
'A walking martial arts manual.'
Now it was clear—he had only mimicked the outward appearance of the Azure Rain Purple Lightning Sword Form.
In reality, he had executed the Hundred Dreams Returning to Origin Sword, a sword art from the Hundred Paths Gate.
Pat!
The moment mist erupted around him, Bu Eun-seol immediately leapt into the air.
Yet, the arrow-like sword energy that shot from Yang Dae-ryang's hand instantly pierced toward Bu Eun-seol's throat.
It was the Sun-Shooting Sword Art of the Diancang Sect.
Swoosh!
But Bu Eun-seol had seemingly anticipated the attack. The moment he leapt, he activated the Thousand-Catty Drop and immediately descended back to the ground.
Swish!
Upon landing, Bu Eun-seol unleashed a rapid succession of sword techniques.
Though he hadn't seized the perfect moment to execute the Transcendent Formless Heavenly Flow Form,
his swordplay—unrestrained by rigid forms—was more than capable of countering Yang Dae-ryang's techniques.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Utilizing the profound principle of No Form Overcomes Form, Bu Eun-seol unraveled the barrage of attacks one by one.
Meanwhile, Yang Dae-ryang was blending the sword techniques of both orthodox and unorthodox factions in an intricate manner before unleashing them anew as a single, overwhelming force.
Clang!
When their swords collided, shockwaves like a storm erupted in all directions.
Screech—
Both men retreated one jang in unison.
The clash between these two martial masters—
At this point, it was still impossible to determine who held the upper hand.
"Shall I finally unveil the True Void?"
Yang Dae-ryang curled his lips into an eerie smile.
"If you keep playing around like this, your head might just roll off."
Click.
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol sheathed the Soul-Summoning Sword and took a stance.
It was the preparatory posture for the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
"Hmm, your aura has changed."
Yang Dae-ryang nodded in amusement before glancing down at his flexible sword.
Ziiing—
At that moment, a mysterious light flowed from Yang Dae-ryang's flexible sword, and an eerie sword resonance began to spread.
He was pouring immense internal power into the blade to unleash the True Void.
But Bu Eun-seol had already detected an infinitesimal opening in the very motion of his energy infusion.
Srrring—
With a low hum, the Soul-Summoning Sword revealed its blade—now glowing crimson.
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form—a killing sword technique of extreme speed, where the eyes delivered death before the blade even moved—was unleashed.
Time seemed to slow, but the Soul-Summoning Sword shot toward Yang Dae-ryang's throat at blinding speed.
Flash!
But then, something astonishing happened.
A dazzling scarlet light erupted from the flexible sword in Yang Dae-ryang's grip—
And it mirrored Bu Eun-seol's thrust, moving not to block but to match it.
It was a sword form that perfectly replicated the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.