Chapter 681
The moment the Boundary Formation shattered completely, the mirrors that had surrounded Bu Eun-seol on all sides vanished in an instant.
Then, from the depths of the darkness far ahead, another gate opened with a metallic clang.
The gate, wide open in the darkness, resembled the gaping maw of a Monstrous Beast.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been observing the gate from a distance, shook his head.
'Judging by its appearance, this can't be the only gate left.'
From the darkness, the wide-open gate seemed to exude nothing but an Ominous Aura.
It was clear—beyond this, there would undoubtedly be another absurdly treacherous gate waiting.
Come to think of it, someone like Gongson Hwa-uk wouldn't test only Martial Arts and Wisdom.
Surely, he would also examine temperament and Personality to select a partner befitting his daughter.
'I should turn back.'
He had already done more than enough.
There was no need to push through any more perilous gates.
Bu Eun-seol turned and stepped back out of the Great Hall.
"..."
But the path back was blocked—no, it had collapsed.
When he had used the Heavenly Hand Empty Wave on the adamantine walls, it seemed the entire Mechanism of the Heavenly Star Retreat had been damaged.
However, Bu Eun-seol had been too preoccupied with pressing deeper inside and fighting mindlessly against the Evil Ghosts in the mirror-lined gate to notice the entrance had crumbled.
"So that's why the Family Head didn't come."
With the entrance collapsed, they must have assumed something had gone wrong and were likely gathering their Dependents to clear the debris.
At this rate, it would take quite a while before he could get out.
"Then it's better to just break through forward."
Of course, if it were Bu Eun-seol, he could either clear the collapsed area or unleash Harmonization to sweep it all away at once.
But doing so would reveal an overwhelming level of Internal Energy or Martial Prowess that couldn't be explained by his current identity as Seon-u Jin.
Rather than waiting indefinitely for the path to be cleared, it seemed better to just move forward.
Rumble—
As he stepped out of the clearing, another long passageway came into view.
"Is there another hidden gate here?"
His steps, which had been heading toward the exit, halted abruptly.
There should only be one exit at the end of the passage, yet his senses detected the presence of another gate.
It was an Intuition honed from repeatedly clashing with Esoteric Ritual Arts and Imperial Court Martial Arts.
Zzziiing—
When he unfurled the Water Essence Divine Qi, a previously unseen gate swung open.
'Was this part of the test too?'
Bu Eun-seol hesitated briefly.
If there were both an intact gate and a hidden one—which should he choose?
The answer required no thought.
Creak—
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol opened the hidden gate and stepped inside.
But then, something strange happened.
Zzziiing—
The moment he entered the long passageway, the energies contained within his body—
Began spilling out on their own.
It was as if a Martial Arts deity had descended, extracting and scrutinizing every ounce of power within Bu Eun-seol's body.
Zzziiing— Zzziiing—
The energies flowing from his body spread outward ceaselessly, as though something in the passageway was greedily sucking them in.
'How dare a mere Boundary Formation—'
Bu Eun-seol's gaze turned icy.
A mere Boundary Formation, siphoning his energy?
This went beyond a test—it was an affront to the Pride of a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
Whoosh—
As his Rage erupted, black flames coiled around his entire body.
But then—something was off.
He had only tried to raise his Internal Power, yet somewhere deep within his heart—
A profound darkness seemed to stir awake.
'This is—'
It coursed through his body as smoothly as if it had always been there—and it was overwhelming.
As though unleashing it could destroy the entire world.
"Haah."
As he exhaled, a glint flashed in his eyes, and the power of the world itself seemed to surge into his hands.
Just as Bu Eun-seol's pupils were about to turn completely black—
Wiiing—
A sudden, pure energy erupted from the Brain Gate Acupoint near his crown, suppressing the rising tide of inky darkness.
'This is—'
The energy was pristine, as if washing over each of his bones—and shockingly, it wasn't generated from within.
It was an unfamiliar energy, forcibly injected from the outside.
'That energy from back then.'
When he had regained his memories as Beggar Mumu and began another Metamorphosis and Bone Renewal—
Along with fragmented childhood recollections—
It was the same mysterious, elusive energy that had merged with his Original True Qi, its origins unknown.
'No time to dwell on it now.'
The energy spreading from his Brain Gate Acupoint transformed Bu Eun-seol's black energy into shimmering emerald and crimson sparks.
Oooom—!
As the sparks dispersed, the bizarre force in the passageway that had been siphoning his energy vanished entirely.
Whoosh—
At last, the passage was filled only with a tranquil energy.
Taking a Deep Breath, Bu Eun-seol swiftly exited the long corridor. There, at the end, stood another massive gate.
'Is this the last one?'
Even without activating the Void-Breaking Mind's Eye, the building's structure made it clear—this was the final gate.
Bu Eun-seol tensed, gathering his Internal Power.
The gates he had faced so far had been unlike anything he had ever encountered—terrifying beyond measure.
Now that he had reached the final passage, this gate would undoubtedly be unimaginably complex and difficult—
Perhaps even one that struck directly at the Spirit and Mind.
Creak—
As the gate finally opened, Bu Eun-seol stepped inside slowly.
But an unexpected sight greeted him.
The interior was exquisitely decorated, and at its center—
Was a chess room, with a Go board placed in the middle.
"Are they seriously making me play Go?"
Bu Eun-seol was dumbfounded.
After setting up Mechanisms that seemed designed to kill, was the final gate really just a game of Go?
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol seated himself before the go board placed on the table.
"I'll play."
But just then—
"This way!"
A frantic voice rang out from the opposite door.
"The passage has completely collapsed! There's a chance they might have gone near the Heaven-Round Earth!"
Thud!
Suddenly, the door burst open, and from the opposite chamber—
Gongson Hwa-uk and dozens of his household members came rushing in like a flood.
"If we deactivate the Battle Formation in reverse order through this chamber—!"
In the midst of urgently directing his people, Gongson Hwa-uk—
—caught sight of Bu Eun-seol sitting calmly at the table and nearly jumped out of his skin.
"You... how—!"
Gongson Hwa-uk blinked rapidly, stunned.
"How did you get in here?"
"I sensed a formation was set up... so I broke through."
"What did you say?"
Gongson Hwa-uk pointed toward the passage Bu Eun-seol had come through, as if he'd seen a ghost.
"You mean to tell me you entered through that passage?"
"Yes."
"You... crossed the Heaven-Round Earth?"
Bu Eun-seol blinked.
"Was something wrong with it?"
"No, no."
As if struck by a thought, Gongson Hwa-uk shook his head with a distant look in his eyes.
Then, with a weary gesture, he motioned for Bu Eun-seol to follow.
"The mechanisms in the Heavenly Star Retreat have collapsed. Let's get you out first. We can play go another time."
Gongson Hwa-uk led Bu Eun-seol out of the retreat.
He took him to a pavilion overlooking a beautiful garden and pond.
By now, the moonlight poured down brilliantly, casting a dreamlike atmosphere over the pavilion.
"Wait here for a moment."
When Gongson Hwa-uk returned after some time, he carried a large wine jar and cups.
"Thirty-year-old Plum Blossom Wine."
Setting the jar down, he rolled up his sleeves and pried open the sealed lid.
"I brewed this when Gyeong-i was born."
As he moved to break the seal, Bu Eun-seol, grasping the situation, reached out to stop him.
"Family Head. Perhaps you should save that for later."
Wine made when Gongson Dan-gyeong was born—
That undoubtedly meant it was brewed to be shared with the man who would become her husband.
There was no way he could allow it to be opened now.
"It's fine."
Gongson Hwa-uk murmured with a somewhat desolate expression.
"Truth be told, if not today, I doubt I'll ever have occasion to drink it."
Shaking his head, he decisively cracked open the seal.
"Who else but someone like you could be Gyeong-i's match?"
"What do you mean?"
"You must have guessed by now—that place was a mechanism to screen prospective sons-in-law. And the test... is already over."
"Already decided?"
"Hm?"
"It feels like something's missing."
Gongson Hwa-uk blinked in surprise.
"Missing?"
"Well... shouldn't you also assess things like character and personality?"
At Bu Eun-seol's frank words, Gongson Hwa-uk gave a faint smile.
"Of course character matters most. More than martial arts or wisdom."
He shook his head.
"But there's no need."
"Why not?"
"Two reasons."
Gongson Hwa-uk spoke slowly.
"First—you're the man Gyeong-i chose."
His gaze turned distant as he looked up at the sky.
"Gyeong-i had an eye for people, even as a child. If she chose you, then your character and temperament need no further scrutiny."
He continued.
"Even if your nature were flawed... once someone truly falls in love, they stop listening to their parents' opinions anyway."
Meaning—if his child loved someone, opposing it would be pointless.
"And the second reason..."
Gongson Hwa-uk shook his head as if he still couldn't believe it.
"...is that you crossed the Heaven-Round Earth."
"What does that mean?"
"We'll discuss that later."
Gongson Hwa-uk wore a complicated expression before extending a cup.
"For now, let's drink."
He personally poured Bu Eun-seol a full cup of the Plum Blossom Wine.
Even from the faint aroma, it was potent enough to intoxicate—yet fragrant all the same.
Gulp.
A burning sensation seared his throat before warmth spread through his stomach.
"I brewed it strong on purpose. If Gyeong-a's chosen one had a high tolerance, they'd need enough to last all night."
Gongson Hwa-uk's expression was that of a man truly welcoming a son-in-law.
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly and nodded.
"Indeed. This is fine wine—worthy of sharing with you through the night."
At his words, Gongson Hwa-uk's eyes gleamed.
Not Family Head, but you—as if addressing a father-in-law.
"Good. Shall I teach you go while we drink? You said you don't know how to play."
In high spirits, he ordered a servant to bring a go board.
Then, with meticulous care, he taught Bu Eun-seol the rules.
Bu Eun-seol, sharp and quick-witted, mastered the basics in no time.
'This is a dream. A sweet dream.'
Right now, Bu Eun-seol had truly become the Gongson Clan's son-in-law, and Gongson Hwa-uk had gained a true son-in-law.
But this was a dream that would end at dawn.
One that would linger in memory—
—so sweet, unbearably sweet.
"The wine's already run dry."
Dawn was breaking.
Gongson Hwa-uk peered regretfully into the empty jar.
"Perfect timing—just as the jar's emptied."
Perhaps because it had been brewed with care the year Gongson Dan-gyeong was born, the wine was strong yet fragrant, with a lingering sweetness.
"Thank you for humoring this old man all night. You should rest now."
"It was an honor. Please rest well too, Father."
Just as he turned with a respectful bow,
"Ah, one more thing."
Gongson Hwa-uk retrieved a piece of paper from his sleeve.
"Take this with you."
"What is this?"
"A map. For the person who's been desperately searching for you."
As Bu Eun-seol tilted his head in confusion, Gongson Hwa-uk smiled faintly.
"Twenty years ago, our Family Head once traveled to Sera Utse Mountain in Tibet. The Demon-Subduing Scripture was discovered there, in the Heartless Valley."
Bu Eun-seol let out a small "Ah."
Sera Utse Mountain—it was where he had once gone to borrow the Great Vow Mirror in hopes of reaching the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace. Because that was where Guangyang Temple stood.
"They say the Demon-Subduing Scripture conceals a profound battle formation. But before even setting foot on Sera Utse Mountain, I was nearly killed by a man called the Great Demon Scattering Hand—also known as Bloodwind Shadow."
He continued calmly.
"Just as I was on the verge of death from his attack, an elderly Lama Monk saved me."
When Bu Eun-seol tilted his head again, he added,
"That monk said he had spent his entire life wandering in search of someone. A child bearing the Primordial Chaos Subtle Qi that he had implanted."
"Primordial Chaos Subtle Qi."
"He asked that if I ever found a young person in the Central Plains with such power, I must send them to him."
Gongson Hwa-uk nodded.
"And you—you possess the Primordial Chaos Subtle Qi."
"Me?"
"Yes."
Gongson Hwa-uk said,
"The gates you broke through weren't my creation. They were made based on diagrams the Great Monk provided—to identify the person he sought."
'No wonder they felt like traps.'
Now that he thought about it, the gates Bu Eun-seol had shattered weren't meant to test prospective sons-in-law. They had been placed there to distinguish the person the Tibetan monk was searching for.
'Wait—a Lama Monk?'
Suddenly, it struck him.
He recalled stories he'd heard when he first regained his memories.
Back then, it was said that a Tibetan monk—the one who had handed down the Beast Poison Scripture and other arcane texts—had stayed at the manor.
And around the time he recovered his memories, he had sensed a mysterious energy dormant within his body.
Could it be that the Lama Monk Gongson Hwa-uk spoke of was the very same one who had implanted that strange energy in him?
"Thank you."
After organizing his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
"I'll go and see for myself."
Thump-thump.
Though his words were calm, his heart pounded.
What if this monk was the same one who had stayed with him in his childhood?
He might finally uncover clues about his parents.
After parting ways with Gongson Hwa-uk, Bu Eun-seol entered the quarters prepared for him by the Gongson Clan.
The interior was spotless, furnished with brand-new items.
Yet there was a faint desolation in the air—likely because no one had lived here for a long time.
Dragging his weary body, he immediately headed toward the bed.
Just as he was about to rest and circulate his qi, his gaze was abruptly drawn to a wooden pillar on the opposite side.
He noticed faint characters carved into the upper part of the pillar, where handprints had darkened the wood.
"Was this her room?"
Bu Eun-seol discovered the barely legible characters inscribed at the top.
Gongson Dan-gyeong.
But beside it, another name was faintly carved.
Baek Mu-seong.
"So it's true."
He had heard that Gongson Dan-gyeong and Baek Mu-seong had briefly been lovers in the past.
Given that both their handwriting was etched here, it meant Baek Mu-seong had stayed at the Gongson Clan's manor for some time.
Zzzing.
Without realizing it, Bu Eun-seol activated his Empty Mind Spirit Perception, scrutinizing the traces of the writing.
"Must be from around twenty years ago."
No wonder the characters were so faded, their strokes lacking strength.
Twenty years ago.
Meaning they had carved these when they were around ten years old.
"Childish love, was it?"
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"Why am I even paying attention to this?"
This behavior—wasn't it like some petty man obsessively digging into his former lover's past?
"Pointless curiosity."
Shaking his head, Bu Eun-seol lay down on the bed.
But the thought that this was where Baek Mu-seong had stayed as a child brought a flood of reflections.
"Not like things could ever go back to how they were anyway."
Baek Mu-seong was presumably affiliated with the Three Realms now.
No matter how unchanging Bu Eun-seol's heart might be, Baek Mu-seong would never be the same.
"Sera Utse Mountain..."
Bu Eun-seol stared at the map Gongson Hwa-uk had given him.
They say darkness lies right beneath the lamp.
Who would've thought that near the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, where Guangyang Temple stood, a Tibetan monk was staying?
"If I'm right, I might finally hear about my parents."
His heart raced.
He was tempted to summon Seo Jin-ha right now, delegate his duties, and head straight for Tibet.
"The Madam was so heartbroken back then..."
Just then, a peculiar sound drifted in from outside.
"And now she's returned all grown up, bringing a prospective groom with her."
It was the voices of servants passing by in the distance.
Bu Eun-seol's hearing was sharp enough to detect the sound of a falling leaf about 150 meters away—so their words reached him with perfect clarity.
'Heartbroken?'
Bu Eun-seol couldn't make sense of the servants' words.
"All grown up," they said.
Did that mean something had happened to Gongson Dan-gyeong in her childhood?
Pat-pat.
Then, from farther away, came the sound of soft footsteps.
Bu Eun-seol stiffened.
It was a rhythm he had heard often in the Martial Alliance—the unmistakable gait of Gongson Dan-gyeong.
'Why is she—?'
The direction of those footsteps aligned precisely with the quarters where he was staying.
Why would she come looking for him at the crack of dawn?
"Commander Seon-u."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's gentle voice called from beyond the door.
"Are you still asleep?"
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol felt as if a smooth silk fragment had brushed against the nape of his neck, sending a tingling sensation crawling across his entire body.
Gongson Dan-gyeong's voice was brimming with tenderness, as if calling out to a beloved lover.
"No, I'm not."
Flustered, Bu Eun-seol hastily straightened his robes and opened the door.