Chapter 711
Sssssk—
In that brief moment, another surge of the Black Divine Artifact's radiance grazed past his forearm.
That beam of light was no mere illumination—it was more akin to a condensed mass of True Qi, searing with extreme heat.
Upon contact, it didn't just scorch the skin; it violently agitated the meridians as though it would melt them away.
'No matter how extraordinary the Black Divine Artifact is...'
A peculiar thought flickered through Bu Eun-seol's mind as he gazed at the wound on his forearm.
'How can it emit such light on its own?'
How could a mere piece of metal attached to a human body unleash such an intense radiance spontaneously?
Could it be that, like the Ancient Sword Forest, it was using human life force as the foundation for its power?
'That makes no sense.'
Tang Pae, afflicted by illness, was in a weakened physical state and advanced in years.
Even if his body were fully restored, if the Black Divine Artifact truly drew upon life force as its foundation...
He would inevitably perish after only a handful of uses.
"So this is all you've got."
At that moment, Geum Cheon-gun shook his head with an expression of waning interest.
"You're only good at scurrying away like a rat. Seems you've got no real skill to speak of."
He chuckled coldly.
"Let's end this quickly."
The light streaming from the metal in Geum Cheon-gun's grip grew increasingly intense.
It was as though he was fiercely condensing the once-sporadic beams, aiming to melt Bu Eun-seol's meridians in a single strike.
But pausing to gather strength for a decisive blow was a mistake.
Because Bu Eun-seol was—
At this very moment, activating the Langya Mind's Eye, a state where, upon reaching the Extreme Realm, one could instantly penetrate the principles of the Myriad Phenomena and comprehend the profound truths of heaven and earth.
'Found it.'
The moment the murderous beams ceased their relentless assault, Bu Eun-seol caught sight of Geum Cheon-gun's movements.
His pupils, radiating the Langya Mind's Eye, flashed.
Before gathering power, Geum Cheon-gun's gaze had briefly flickered upward toward the sky.
That fleeting glance—and the mere shape of the weapon—was all Bu Eun-seol needed.
In an instant, he grasped how the Black Divine Artifact functioned.
'It uses moonlight to unleash its killing beams.'
When condensing its radiance, Geum Cheon-gun's eyes had unconsciously turned toward the full moon hanging in the sky.
In other words, the Black Divine Artifact possessed mirror-like properties.
And its murderous beams could only be unleashed under the light of the moon.
Fwsh!
Bu Eun-seol leapt into the air.
Then, he began swinging Ink Soul Sword with frenzied intensity.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
The Sword Qi didn't target Geum Cheon-gun—instead, it rained down upon the surrounding trees.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
The severed trees began to rise above Geum Cheon-gun's head, forming the shape of a massive umbrella.
Using the principles of the Ten-Finger Spirit-Returning Rotation that Tang Pae had demonstrated earlier—
Bu Eun-seol manipulated the wooden fragments, ensuring Geum Cheon-gun could no longer harness the moonlight.
Zzzzzzzz—
Gradually, the mirror that had been emitting such intense radiance began to dim.
Like the Martial Arts of the Moon Shadow Demon Venerable, who was said to be invincible beneath the moon—
This Black Divine Artifact drew upon moonlight to unleash its power.
"You bastard!"
Enraged that the artifact's weakness had been exposed, Geum Cheon-gun attempted to destroy the wooden fragments Bu Eun-seol had created.
But no matter how many beams he fired, it was futile.
Bu Eun-seol continuously rotated the wood using the Ten-Finger Spirit-Returning Rotation.
Clink. Clink.
Deprived of moonlight, the light around Geum Cheon-gun's body faded, and his once-diamond-hard physique returned to normal.
'Now.'
Sssssk—
A crimson light erupted from Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword.
The Extreme-Speed Killing Form—a technique that seized the perfect instant of death to sever an enemy's breath in a single stroke.
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form was unleashed.
At that moment, Geum Cheon-gun's eyes widened in horror. It was as though the entire world had flooded with blood, and he could see his own neck being sliced.
Splurt!
Blood gushed from Geum Cheon-gun's throat in an instant.
Had the technique missed?
Yet his head remained intact.
Thud.
Then, something astonishing happened.
Geum Cheon-gun's face, wounded at the neck, grew broad again—and his face began to transform.
Into the dignified visage of Tang Pae.
The consciousness of Tang Pae, which had vanished within Geum Cheon-gun, had reawakened.
"How...?"
Tang Pae stared at his own body and hands in disbelief.
"Once the dominance of consciousness is relinquished, there should be no way to reclaim it."
"The Meteor Chasing Moon Form I executed allows one to see the form of death before it arrives," Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"Thanks to savoring death, Geum Cheon-gun's consciousness must have faded."
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form—
So swift that it paradoxically appeared slow.
Through the terrifying function of this Sword Form, which forced its victim to witness the moment of their own demise—
Geum Cheon-gun had been tricked into believing his neck had already been severed, allowing Tang Pae to reclaim control.
"I see."
As Tang Pae nodded, Bu Eun-seol extended his hand.
"Now, unleash it to your heart's content."
Click.
Sheathing Ink Soul Sword, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"Family Head, the martial arts you have perfected."
Tang Pae's body, its Black Divine Artifact power broken, was once again losing vitality.
Bu Eun-seol had deliberately unleashed the Meteor Chasing Moon technique not only to plunge Geum Cheon-gun's consciousness into death and awaken Tang Pae, but also to give him the opportunity to display the martial arts he had spent his lifetime developing.
"Is there really a need for that?"
Tang Pae shook his head.
"This body will soon return to the earth anyway."
As he neared death, all his past efforts seemed futile to him.
"You must demonstrate it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
"Only then can that friend of yours learn the Family Head's great teachings."
"What do you—"
As Tang Pae turned his head, a dark shadow slowly revealed itself.
It was Tang Gon.
"Ah, right. That's how it was."
For a moment, Tang Pae had forgotten.
Even while clashing endlessly with Jin Cheon-gun's consciousness, he had sent a secret message summoning Bu Eun-seol to the Thousand Poison Forest.
He had reunited Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon here for one purpose—to pass on the martial arts enlightenment he had attained to them both.
"You've gotten faster now."
Tang Pae gazed coldly at Tang Gon.
"You were always slow before."
Since his last encounter with Bu Eun-seol, Tang Gon had begun his breakthrough, gaining enlightenment and greatly advancing his martial arts.
His wisdom and observational skills had also grown exponentially, making him an entirely different person from before.
He knew that Bu Eun-seol's meeting with Tang Pae was no coincidence.
When Bu Eun-seol refused the drinking gathering, citing exhaustion,
Tang Gon sensed that something significant had transpired between the Family Head and him.
So he pretended to be heavily drunk and left, only to secretly follow Bu Eun-seol's trail.
"Family Head, it's enough now."
Tang Gon spoke with desperate urgency.
"The main house has many potent medicines. We can find a way to treat you."
"Enough."
Tang Pae shook his head.
"I've already lived far longer than the lifespan Heaven granted me."
With a desolate expression, Tang Pae gazed at the distant sky.
"My only regret is that I tried, all alone, to improve our clan's secret arts, which had stagnated for centuries."
Turning his gaze to Tang Gon, Tang Pae smiled brightly.
"You, and your descendants, will carry on that legacy... I was foolish to stubbornly pursue perfection alone."
Only now did Tang Pae realize it.
Tang Gon possessed talent far beyond what he had ever imagined.
Had they researched together, they could have perfected their martial arts much sooner.
And yet, in his obsession with martial research,
he had spent so little time with Tang Gon.
"Family Head."
"Watch closely. I will bestow upon you my final lesson."
Tang Gon shook his head.
"I don't care about martial arts. I only wish for you to receive treatment and recover."
"Silence!"
Tang Pae's voice was stern.
"You are soon to become the Family Head of the main house—how long will you cling to childish behavior?"
Thud.
Tang Gon lowered his head, unable to speak, his fists clenched tight.
Seeing this, Tang Pae sighed deeply.
"I know you are a good child. But the main house has stood tall in the Murim for centuries, and it must continue to overcome hardships."
For the first time, Tang Pae looked at Tang Gon with gentle warmth.
"Now, you must lead the Tang Clan."
Drip.
Blood trickled from Tang Pae's mouth—his life force was nearly spent.
"I've kept you waiting long enough."
Turning, Tang Pae smiled faintly at Bu Eun-seol.
"Shall we perform one last dance?"
"You—you must stop him!"
Despite Tang Gon's plea, Bu Eun-seol silently drew his Ink Soul Sword.
Tang Pae was offering his last moments to grant Tang Gon enlightenment.
How could anyone stop that?
"Step back."
"You—"
"And open your eyes wide."
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a heavy voice.
"Witness the martial arts the Family Head has achieved."
Tang Gon, about to protest, finally noticed the pain in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
He, too, was suffering.
Yet for Tang Gon's sake,
he willingly bore this torment.
"Forgive me... Forgive me."
Swallowing his tears, Tang Gon stepped back.
Tang Pae gathered his Internal Power and spoke solemnly to Bu Eun-seol.
"This technique has elevated the Tang Clan's Eight Great Secret Arts—long stagnant—to the pinnacle of the current Murim in a single stroke."
Then, with benevolent eyes, he gazed at Bu Eun-seol.
"So be careful."
"Understood."
Whoosh—
A natural energy flow surged from Tang Pae's body.
It contained the essence of the Tang Clan's Eight Great Secret Arts—
a current of power capable of creating the ultimate light,
the same light that could silence an enemy in an instant,
just as he had seen in the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's saber techniques.
"HAH!"
Tang Pae roared.
Above his head, an impossibly thin line formed.
It was a line that should have pierced Bu Eun-seol's brow.
But Tang Pae had drawn it in the air first, allowing Bu Eun-seol to perceive his technique.
So that's how it is.
At last, Bu Eun-seol understood what Tang Pae had seen in the Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
—The Sixth Form: Death Without Regret.
Even in death, no lingering resentment remains...
What Grandfather had unleashed when slaughtering the Martial Alliance elders was the Sixth Form of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
A single stroke that contained the essence of Daoist teachings scattered across the world—the Death Without Regret Form.
Fwip!
The line Tang Pae had drawn finally poured toward Bu Eun-seol's glabella.
It contained the full essence of the Tang Clan's legacy—something that could neither be dodged nor blocked.
Zzzzing.
Yet that line never pierced Bu Eun-seol's forehead.
Because, before he knew it, six lines conjured by the Ink Soul Sword had already impaled Tang Pae's body.
In the end, Bu Eun-seol had performed it for Tang Pae's sake.
The Sixth Form of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms—the Death Without Regret Form.
He couldn't bring himself to ignore the man's lifelong aspiration—to surpass his grandfather, to dedicate his entire being to forging that single stroke of light.
A man like him deserved to rest beneath the greatest blade in the world.
"Ah... yes. That's how it was."
Tang Pae looked down at the faint sword qi piercing his body and nodded slowly.
"Back then, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade could conjure ten strands of saber qi in a single move, you know."
He chuckled sheepishly.
"Well? Was it a little awkward?"
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together solemnly.
"Swift and majestic—as befitting the martial arts of the Tang Clan, renowned throughout the world."
"Hohoho."
Tang Pae gazed at the distant sky before murmuring softly.
"Though this Family Head could only produce a single stroke... Tang Gon, and the rest of our bloodline... will one day forge a radiance bright enough to illuminate the entire murim."
"It will surely come to pass."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly and bowed deeply.
It was both praise and reverence for the Family Head, who had once again elevated the martial arts of the Sichuan Tang Clan to terrifying heights.
"And... I learned well, Family Head."
Tang Pae had deliberately slowed his stroke to impart to Bu Eun-seol the intricacies of the Tang Clan's secret techniques embedded within that line of death.
It was his gratitude—for allowing him to unleash his martial arts without regret in the face of death, for becoming his final opponent.
"Take this."
Tang Pae retrieved an orb from his robes and handed it over.
"An orb I obtained by chance. No matter how much I investigated, I could never discern its true nature."
It was small, glimmering with a transparent sheen.
"But given how the Special Divine Rank of the Azure River Realm sought it so desperately they seized our main house... it must hold considerable value."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol finally realize—
The true, final reason the Azure River Realm had gone so far as to take control of the Tang Clan.
They had wanted this orb, secretly obtained by Tang Pae.
Yet Tang Pae had hidden it until the very end... only to pass it to Bu Eun-seol now.
The reason he had willingly become their puppet—
Was to pass on the essence of his martial arts to Tang Gon... and to entrust this orb to Bu Eun-seol.
Because Bu Eun-seol... would surely bring down the Azure River Realm one day.
"Thank you."
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol's ears twitched.
Tang Pae had sent him a telepathic transmission.
It carefully revealed the true nature of the Special Divine Rank of the Azure River Realm—the one who had trapped him in this predicament.
If Tang Gon found out, he would lose all reason and charge blindly into revenge.
"...I understand."
Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply to Tang Gon once more.
Then he turned and gave Tang Gon a firm nod.
"Family Head!"
Tang Gon rushed forward, trying to support Tang Pae.
But Tang Pae waved him off and stood tall.
"Enough. Do you think this Family Head needs anyone's support?"
"Family Head..."
"Did you see the culmination of the Tang Clan's secret arts clearly?"
At Tang Pae's solemn question, Tang Gon nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
Tang Pae spoke calmly.
"Now, your father must depart on a long journey."
"Family Head...!"
"In the past, I would have told you to lead the main house well..."
His gaze, which had been fixed on the distant sky, now turned to Tang Gon with unmistakable affection.
"But as time passed and I reflected... the so-called revival and prosperity of the clan... held little meaning."
Tang Pae gently stroked Tang Gon's head.
"From now on, cherish the main house more... and take good care of those around you."
Tang Pae—the ruthless father who had always demanded strength from his children.
Yet in the face of death, he finally spoke to Tang Gon of the importance of familial love.
"And this... is your father's final gift."
Tang Pae retrieved a small cloth bundle from his robes and handed it to Tang Gon.
Inside was a piece of hardened malt candy.
Though shattered by the aftermath of their fierce battle, Tang Pae held it out as if it were a treasure.
"When you were young... I scolded you so harshly for sneaking candy instead of training in martial arts."
"Family Head..."
"It weighed on my conscience, so I bought more candy back then... but I never had the courage to give it to you."
Tang Pae smiled sheepishly.
For so long, he had wanted to apologize to his beloved son—but couldn't.
And so, the candy he had bought remained with him all this time, carried like a talisman.
"I'm sorry... for that time."
Wobble.
Tang Pae swayed, no longer able to stand.
"Family Head!"
Hot tears streamed from Tang Gon's eyes.
"Father! Father!"
For the first time in his life, he cried out the word he had never dared to speak.
"Father!"
"Don't cry."
Tang Pae smiled faintly.
"You are now the rightful Family Head of the main house."
His expression was at peace.
Somehow, that snot-nosed child had grown so dependable, strong enough to support him firmly now.
Why hadn't he embraced him warmly sooner?
"Gon-ah."
Tang Pae spread his arms and hugged Tang Gon tightly.
"Be happy."
Ssshh.
Then, slowly, he closed his eyes.
Thus passed the peerless master who had elevated the Sichuan Tang Clan to the second seat among the Eight Great Clans—
And whose name had resounded throughout the murim with unmatched prestige.
That was Tang Pae's final moment.