Chapter 709
Bu Eun-seol, who had been reading the letter for quite some time, fell into deep contemplation.
Then, in a composed voice, he spoke.
"For the time being, I will be traveling the martial world under the identity of the wandering martial artist Seol-so. Tell Seo Jin-ha to leave the Demon Hall and handle affairs in the martial world as well. Unexpected situations may arise."
Currently, the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall were still in a standoff, and Seo Jin-ha was carrying out his duties as the Martial Soul Lord within the Demon Hall.
What if the standoff suddenly changed?
They might summon him—the Martial Soul Lord himself.
By sending Seo Jin-ha to roam the martial world, Bu Eun-seol intended to preemptively prevent any unforeseen incidents.
"Suddenly, just like that?"
Tae Mu-ryong's expression shifted.
Bu Eun-seol was someone who always moved according to plan.
Yet now he was making an abrupt decision to travel the martial world—something urgent must have happened.
"It's nothing serious."
Bu Eun-seol forced a smile.
"I just have some personal matters to attend to, that's all."
A lie.
Despite his extraordinary intellect and ability to conceal his expressions and emotions,
strangely enough, he was still clumsy when it came to lying for the sake of others.
"Understood."
But Tae Mu-ryong showed no outward reaction and merely bowed his head.
"Please take care on your journey."
Bu Eun-seol's martial arts were formidable—even if a master of considerable skill came after him, escaping unscathed would hardly be difficult.
The only thing he could do now was
quickly analyze and relay information to ensure Bu Eun-seol didn't fall into danger, no matter what.
Immediately after leaving the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol disguised himself as Seol-so.
He then had Soyo create a trail of Seon-u Jin's movements.
Whoosh.
Passing through the western river basin, he entered Sichuan and headed straight for the Tang Clan estate.
'Something has happened to the Family Head.'
Tang Pae had been bedridden with a serious illness for some time but had recently shaken it off and made a full recovery.
With Tang Gon now fully prepared to succeed him as the next Family Head, there should have been no lingering regrets for Tang Pae.
So why had he sent such a letter?
—Martial Soul Lord. I challenge you.
Had it been an ordinary letter, Bu Eun-seol would have laughed it off or even happily visited the Tang Clan.
But the letter had been written in blood.
Meaning Tang Pae had sincerely, earnestly challenged him with that blood letter.
—Ten days from now, in the Thousand Poison Forest at Mount Tang.
Moreover, the designated location for the duel was the Thousand Poison Forest, right before Mount Tang.
That place was the Tang Clan's fifth secret ground, alongside the Hidden Shadow Palace, the Ten-Thousand-Poison Abyss, the Black Tortoise Cave, and the Beyond-Heaven Site.
And from a common-sense standpoint,
issuing a challenge while insisting on fighting within one's own territory—no, within one's own household—was utterly nonsensical.
'Surely no other faction is involved...'
Bu Eun-seol felt an inexplicable urgency.
Tang Pae was the father of his close friend Tang Gon,
and a man who had recognized his talent even during his nameless days, treating him with kindness.
If something had happened to him,
it was a matter that transcended political allegiances—one he would roll up his sleeves and resolve without fail.
Whoosh.
Stealthily ascending Mount Tang, Bu Eun-seol arrived at the Thousand Poison Forest.
Despite its fearsome name, the forest was a beautiful bamboo grove, lush with blue-tinged bamboos.
The Sichuan Tang Clan had first made their name in the martial world
with bamboo concealed weapons and the Five-Poison Divine Sand, both crafted from bamboo.
And the Thousand Poison Forest was the historic site where those varied bamboo concealed weapons had first been created,
a secret ground that held one of Mount Tang's most breathtaking sceneries.
Crunch.
Entering the forest, Bu Eun-seol reverted to his original appearance.
As he stepped deeper into the grove after removing his disguise,
Swish-swish-swish!
Hundreds of concealed weapons suddenly shot toward him.
Whirr! Whizz!
Like living creatures, the weapons twisted freely through the air in all directions, sealing off any escape routes.
Rather than dodging, Bu Eun-seol caught each one with his bare hands.
Snap-snap-snap!
The moment they touched his palms, the concealed weapons scattered tiny needles in all directions.
Ting-ting-ting.
But the needles failed to pierce his skin, and those that struck his body merely clattered to the ground as if hitting an invisible barrier.
Clap-clap-clap.
Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed as a dignified figure emerged from the bamboo forest.
A man of striking presence, dressed in fine silk robes, his thick beard neatly groomed.
It was none other than the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan—Tang Pae.
Despite having entered old age, his profound internal energy allowed him to maintain the appearance of a middle-aged man.
"It's been a while."
In Tang Pae's hand was an exquisitely carved bamboo tube—
the very Black Bamboo Ten-Thousand-Burst Tube that had just unleashed the concealed weapons at Bu Eun-seol.
"Have you been well all this time, Family Head?"
Bu Eun-seol greeted him warmly.
Tang Pae, who had been rumored to be bedridden, appeared fully recovered, radiating an internal energy more formidable than ever before.
"Your martial prowess has far exceeded this Family Head's expectations."
Yet what was strange was his demeanor.
Unlike the warm welcome of the past, Tang Pae's expression was icy, his gaze somewhat sharp.
"Are you prepared?"
"For what, may I ask?"
"You received the challenge, did you not?"
Bu Eun-seol wore a puzzled expression.
"Do you truly intend to duel me?"
"Duel? Hardly."
Tang Pae spoke calmly.
"As written in the challenge, I intend to engage you in a fight to the death."
A fight to the death.
It meant a battle that would only end when one of them lay dead.
Why would Tang Pae, who bore no grudge against him, seek such a thing?
"May I ask the reason?"
"Are you not a seed of the Demonic Path?"
"..."
"Had I disposed of you the moment we first met, the Martial World would have been far more stable by now. But I left you unchecked, and you grew far too strong."
Tang Pae spoke dispassionately.
"Even now, I intend to kill you—to restore the Martial World's rightful order and elevate my family's honor."
Bu Eun-seol stared blankly.
He couldn't tell whether Tang Pae truly meant to fight him or if this was some kind of jest.
"Are you serious?"
"If not, why would I have wasted precious blood writing a blood letter?"
Killing intent swirled violently in Tang Pae's eyes.
"Since coexistence is impossible, let us forget past bonds."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Tang Pae's gaze and qi were solemn, with not a trace of jest.
He genuinely intended to fight Bu Eun-seol to the death.
"You—!"
But then—
A booming cheer echoed from afar, and a figure came sprinting toward them.
A man with a towering physique and a prominent nose. It was none other than the Tang Clan's Young Clan Head, Tang Gon.
Thud!
Tang Gon threw his arms around Bu Eun-seol and shouted.
"How long has it been?!"
He enthusiastically pounded Bu Eun-seol's shoulders for a long moment before finally pulling away.
"Family Head."
Only then noticing Tang Pae, Tang Gon scratched his head sheepishly.
"You were here too."
"How did you know to come here?"
"I noticed unusual movements near the Thousand Poison Forest... I came to investigate."
Tang Gon grinned, flashing white teeth.
"I had no idea this friend would be here!"
The wandering martial artist Seol-so had been framed as the Bullet King's disciple to resolve the Wudang Sect's affairs.
Meaning he was no longer just an ordinary wanderer—he had become a figure of some standing.
Bu Eun-seol had deliberately not concealed his movements as he headed toward the Tang Clan, partly to test whether they could track Seol-so's whereabouts and partly to gauge the level of their intelligence network.
'Fortunately, there's no issue.'
Bu Eun-seol allowed himself a faint smile.
In the current martial world, victory was determined not by who could draw their blade faster, but by who could gather intelligence faster.
Had Tang Gon failed to track his movements?
Bu Eun-seol would have immediately proposed restructuring the Tang Clan's intelligence network and discussed improvements.
But Tang Gon had managed his intelligence operations far better than expected.
"I see, is that so?"
Tang Pae regarded Tang Gon with an unreadable expression—somewhere between admiration and regret.
"But, Family Head, you were—"
"I noticed suspicious activity and came to investigate, only to find him near our estate. So I summoned him here—to guide him to our secret chamber."
In truth, the Tang Clan's secret chamber was strictly forbidden to non-blood kin.
But Bu Eun-seol was the Tang Clan's benefactor, and his bond with Tang Gon ran deeper than that of blood brothers.
Thus, Tang Gon merely nodded without suspicion.
"I see."
"Let us return to the estate now."
Understanding Tang Pae's intent, Bu Eun-seol nodded and played along.
"Understood."
The Tang Clan was wealthy, yet exceedingly strict with their finances.
Because they manufactured and researched high-grade concealed weapons and poisons.
If they carelessly spent money, they could easily go bankrupt.
Thus, frugality was ingrained in the Tang Clan's very bones.
Even when hosting esteemed guests, their feasts typically featured only Sichuan's famed liquor, Jiannan Spring, and six of their preferred spicy dishes.
But now, the Tang Clan's banquet hall was filled with a table laden with delicacies—enough to seat over twenty with room to spare.
Every dish had been prepared with the utmost effort by the clan's cooks, and there were over sixty dishes in total.
Not even Tang Pae's seventieth birthday had warranted such extravagance.
Even if the Emperor himself had visited, they would not have gone to such lengths.
But Bu Eun-seol was the man who had saved the Tang Clan and Tang Gon from crisis multiple times.
At the Family Head's command, the cooks had procured every premium ingredient from nearby and prepared this lavish feast.
"Forgive my rudeness."
After entering the banquet hall and sharing three cups of wine with Bu Eun-seol, Tang Pae rose from his seat.
"My recovery is still recent—I grow weary easily."
It seemed like consideration, allowing Tang Gon and Bu Eun-seol to enjoy themselves freely.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together as Tang Pae indifferently exited the banquet hall.
Though smiling, an inexplicable shadow lingered in his pupils.
Just what is the Family Head thinking?
From the looks of it, Tang Gon was unaware that Tang Pae had sent a challenge.
But no matter how much he tried to hide it, the truth would eventually come out.
So why go through the trouble of arranging this behind Tang Gon's back?
He's definitely doing this on purpose.
A man like Tang Pae—
There was no way he believed he could deceive Tang Gon's eyes and face Bu Eun-seol alone in the Thousand Poison Forest.
And his declaration of a Fight to the Death was sincere too.
Judging by his resolute gaze,
Tang Pae had truly steeled himself for a life-and-death battle.
But then why deliberately make him cross paths with Tang Gon, giving them a chance to settle old feelings?
As Bu Eun-seol sank deep into thought—
"It's been a while."
An indescribably sweet fragrance accompanied a beauty in blue robes as she approached him.
It was Tang Cheong.
"I can't even remember how long it's been."
The youthful liveliness she once had was gone,
replaced by a grace so breathtaking it made her title as Sichuan's Greatest Beauty seem insufficient.
"Young Lady Tang."
Bu Eun-seol offered an awkward smile and a polite bow.
Back at Shaolin, when they had met by chance, Tang Cheong had instantly recognized him despite his disguise as Seol-so.
As it turned out, she had mastered the art of distinguishing people by scent.
Though his identity had been exposed, Tang Cheong had kept his secret.
And thanks to her, he had discovered the mechanism to enter Blood Shaolin...
So he had always held goodwill toward her.
"You've grown even more dignified since then."
Tang Cheong smiled prettily as she lifted a wine cup with delicate hands.
"Please accept a cup from me as well."
Standing demurely beside him and pouring his wine, she looked every bit the wise mother and good wife attending her husband.
"Cheong-i's changed. That little ruffian of a girl..."
When Tang Gon teased her, Tang Cheong whipped her head around and glared at him sharply.
"...She's a proper lady now. Must be time for her to marry."
As Tang Gon deflected with unfocused eyes, Tang Cheong flushed and lowered her head.
"As if that's up to me."
Despite her words, she stole a glance at Bu Eun-seol.
Unable to endure her scorching gaze, Bu Eun-seol swiftly changed the subject.
"It's a relief to hear the Family Head has recovered."
"Indeed. There was a time I feared the worst."
"What exactly happened?"
"I'm not sure myself. Suddenly, three months ago..."
Tang Gon explained calmly.
Tang Pae had suffered from an inexplicable illness, weakened to the point of immobility.
But three months ago, he abruptly rose from his sickbed, fully recovered.
Tang Gon had been overjoyed at his father's recovery.
However, from that day on, Tang Pae began acting like a completely different person.
He abandoned all clan affairs and secluded himself in the Black Tortoise Cave to train in martial arts.
Though Tang Gon couldn't understand this behavior, he didn't dwell on it.
Just seeing his father rise from his sickbed was enough to make him grateful to the heavens.
"Training in the Black Tortoise Cave...?"
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned blank.
If he had just recovered, practicing martial arts to regain his strength wasn't unusual.
But the Black Tortoise Cave was different.
It was a training chamber where one pushed the Eight Great Secret Arts of the Tang Family to their limits—hardly a place for someone who had barely recovered.
Hmm...
Bu Eun-seol faintly sensed Tang Pae's intentions.
But he couldn't be certain.
The only thing clear was that this wasn't some jesting challenge.
"I see."
"By the way, what brings you here so suddenly? Especially in these chaotic times."
Tang Gon asked with a mix of joy and concern.
"Is it really alright for you to visit the main house like this?"
The current martial world was in turmoil, with the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance locked in extreme confrontation.
For Bu Eun-seol, the successor of the Demon Hall, to visit the Tang Clan now was incredibly dangerous—for the Tang Clan itself.
Yet Tang Gon only asked, "Is it really alright for you?" His worry was solely for Bu Eun-seol's safety.
"It's fine."
Feeling the warmth of Tang Gon's friendship, which transcended life and death, Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"I just... wanted to see you again."
It was a lie.
One meant not just for Tang Pae, but for Tang Gon as well.
A father wouldn't want his child to know of his suffering.
Unless Tang Pae spoke of it himself, nothing should be revealed.
"Wanted to see me?"
Tang Gon's mouth fell open like a wooden bucket.
His eyes widened in shock.
For his usually rigid, block-like friend to say such a thing—nothing could have made him happier.
"I was thinking of staying at the Tang Clan for a while. Would that be alright?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke carefully.
"Of course, I've thoroughly erased my traces. No intelligence organization in the murim could possibly know I'm here."
"You call that an excuse?"
At those words, Tang Gon burst into laughter, spreading his arms wide.
"Even if the entire murim knew you were here, it wouldn't matter! Stay as long as you like and leave whenever you please!"
Even after the banquet ended, Bu Eun-seol drank through the night with Tang Gon.
After emptying six jugs of Jiannan Spring, Tang Gon, unable to handle the mounting drunkenness, began to sway unsteadily.
"Oof."
"You should go rest now."
"What nonsense is that? The clan's wine cellar still has at least a hundred more jugs of Jiannan Spring!"
"But today isn't the only day we'll drink."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"I'm tired from the long journey."
"Ah, right! I hadn't considered that. My apologies."
Only then did Tang Gon scratch his head sheepishly and wave his hand.
"Then rest well tonight. And tomorrow, we'll start drinking from noon—that'll be perfect."
His nose flushed red like a seasoned drunkard's, he rose from his seat and waved.
In that moment, he didn't look like the young clan head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, who commanded respect across the martial world, but rather like a carefree boy returning home after playing wildly with his childhood friend.
Unconsciously, Bu Eun-seol found himself smiling as he waved back.
'If I had spent my childhood with him... it truly would have been joyful.'
Once Tang Gon left, Bu Eun-seol sat on the bed and circulated his internal power.
Hwaak!
In an instant, he burned away the alcohol, his eyes flashing sharply.
Tang Pae was not one to waste time.
Most likely, he would come for him again tonight—without fail. He had to be mentally prepared.
Pururut.
No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than a faint Sound of Breaking Air reached his ears from outside.
Bu Eun-seol instinctively knew—it was Tang Pae summoning him.
The distant sound stretched long and deliberate, as if urging him to follow.
Tschut!
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol stepped outside and activated his movement technique.
He was staying in the Inner Courtyard of the Tang Clan, adjacent to Tang Gon's quarters.
Though heavily guarded by numerous martial masters—
Bu Eun-seol, who had mastered Swift Shadowless to Grand Perfection, slipped past their watchful eyes with ease.
Swoosh.
Once outside the Tang estate, he spotted a figure streaking across the night sky like a meteor.
Bu Eun-seol made no move to catch up, instead maintaining a steady distance as he followed.
The figure ahead finally landed in a small clearing deep within a dense forest.
"To slip out of the Inner Courtyard so easily... As expected, you're no ordinary man."
When Tang Pae turned around, his appearance had changed.
His neatly combed hair was now disheveled, and his skin and eyes bore an eerie transformation.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand—
Why Tang Pae had sent that letter.
Why he had summoned him to a place where Tang Gon could easily discover them.
'His desire for a fight to the death clashed with his wish for Tang Gon and me to share one last heart-to-heart.'
Fury and sorrow welled in his eyes.
The Three Realms—the Azure River Realm—
They had to be destroyed.
Otherwise, they would stretch their monstrous claws toward those he cherished once again.
"Family Head."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
In the past, Tang Pae would have had no reason to succumb to the Azure River Realm's temptations.
But after being bedridden, his body paralyzed by a mysterious illness—
He must have had no choice but to accept their offer.
"You need no explanation—you've already guessed, haven't you?"
Tang Pae, his eyes and skin now altered, smirked as if reading Bu Eun-seol's thoughts.
"I know full well how formidable your martial prowess is."
His smile was cold as he continued.
"But the Eight Great Secret Arts of our clan cannot be stopped by martial skill alone."
A murderous aura seeped from Tang Pae's pupils.
"Let's see just how powerful the demonic martial arts truly are."
Grip.
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
If he could avoid this fight, he would. No—even now, he could simply flee.
But Tang Pae had clearly undergone the Azure River Realm's Great Art.
If he irresponsibly disappeared, the Tang Clan could become the Realm's puppet—
And worst of all, even Tang Gon might be endangered.
"Understood."
Resigned, Bu Eun-seol extended his hand.
"Make the first move."
"Arrogant fool."
Kururur.
A chilling radiance unfurled from Tang Pae's body.
The energy emanating from him was no longer the Tang Clan's martial arts—
But something bizarre, pulsating like the power of the Black Divine Weapon or the Art of Spells.
Pahat!
In that instant, something razor-sharp shot toward Bu Eun-seol's forehead.
The speed was blinding, the strike abrupt.
Had Bu Eun-seol not trained in the Way of the Beast, he wouldn't have even sensed the attack.
Swish!
Twisting his body, he narrowly avoided the Iron Caltrop as it grazed his brow.
Even without a direct hit, his skin split, blood trickling down.
That tiny caltrop carried terrifyingly dense internal power.
"Impressive."
Tang Pae nodded approvingly at Bu Eun-seol's evasion, then raised both hands.
"Now try blocking this."
As he splayed all ten fingers, sharp Sounds of Breaking Air erupted, followed by dark, slicing lines.
Ten-Finger Spirit-Returning Rotation.
The pinnacle of the Hidden Weapon Arts—a secret technique only achievable at the highest realm—unleashed from his very hands.