Chapter 747
—The Wudang Sect and the Martial Soul Society dealt with the Killing Ghosts tormenting civilians and those behind them.
The news that the Martial Soul Society—a coalition between orthodox and unorthodox factions—had finally taken action after a long silence sent tremors through the murim.
Both the Martial Soul Society and the Wudang Sect announced that they had eliminated a faction that had been infusing civilians with strange evil qi.
—They called them Ghost Spirits. They were sent by the same force behind the Ghost Child that the Martial Soul Society had previously dealt with.
Murim citizens found this perplexing.
Even when the Martial Soul Lord first spoke of these so-called Ghost Child figures, people could only wonder—Where could such a faction possibly exist?
But now, beings called Ghost Spirits had appeared?
Even after multiple intelligence organizations within the murim investigated, no one could uncover where these entities had come from.
—Could there be something in the murim that we don't know about?
Only then did the martial artists begin to sense something amiss.
The murim sects had intelligence networks and countless informants.
Yet, every incident the Martial Soul Lord had handled so far had no traceable origin.
The same was true for the Five Poisons Sect and the Heavenly Medicine Forest.
And now, strange boys called Ghost Child had emerged, followed by these vicious Ghost Spirit Daoist priests.
But no one knew where they came from or what their purpose was?
—Something is going terribly wrong.
Countless sects, unsettled by this strangeness, mobilized their intelligence networks to investigate the Ghost Child, Ghost Spirits, and other unknown organizations lurking in the murim.
And this was precisely the grand scheme Bu Eun-seol had painted.
Even if they didn't discover it immediately,
sooner or later, they too would peer into the abyss hidden within the murim.
* * *
Hidden Cave in the Dabie Mountains—Martial Venerable's Hideout
"This is troubling."
The Martial Venerable's eyes, fixed on the empty void before him, darkened with deep shadows.
Though he had sealed the hidden cave containing secrets related to Jeong Cheon-je and himself, his unease remained.
An unknown figure—one who had never trained in martial arts—had infiltrated his secret cave.
And worse, they had taken all the power stored within the Boundary-Prosperity Jade from the Silver River Land.
In this world, there was only one person who could wield such power, wasn't there?
'It's too late now.'
Unless he opened the Baekri Clan's Hidden Estate, there would be no way to stop those who would soon emerge.
"I can't afford to delay any longer."
The Martial Venerable bit his lip.
"The longer this drags on, the more that bastard will grow..."
Bu Eun-seol was, after all, merely a key meant to unlock the Baekri Clan's Secret Vault.
Left unchecked, he would eventually grow into a figure capable of swaying the entire murim's political landscape.
Given enough time, even the Martial Venerable might find it impossible to act against him.
"I have no choice."
Crack.
Disguised once more as the Divine Calculator, the Martial Venerable sighed and gazed at the distant sky.
"I'll have to make use of them."
Among the Three Clans, the Jungson Clan held the greatest power over the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
If anyone could awaken the dormant Baekri Clan's power within Bu Eun-seol...
it would be them.
* * *
Shaanxi, Martial Soul Society—Grand Training Grounds
Hundreds of rogue warriors were gathered there, either training in martial arts or refining their battle formations.
And overseeing their instruction was Do Cheon-rin.
The recent extermination of the Ghost Spirits had made him realize something.
—The disparity in individual martial prowess is far too great.
In the past, following Yu Hwa-ryeong's advice, Do Cheon-rin had organized the Rogue Vanguard by classifying warriors based on their martial skill and temperament.
But he had overlooked one crucial detail.
Wanderers possessed a unique trait that set them completely apart from orthodox martial artists.
—How can there be such a gap between real combat and training?
Time and again, those who had shown no particular distinction during regular training would suddenly display astonishing skill in actual battle.
—What in the world is going on?
It was common for those who excelled in training to falter in real combat—after all, training and real battle were fundamentally different.
The tension of live combat often prevented warriors from performing at their full potential.
But for someone to perform poorly in training and brilliantly in battle?
That was impossible unless they were deliberately holding back.
—It's not that they're hiding their strength. The classification method itself is flawed.
Finally, Do Cheon-rin identified the root cause.
Rogues who came from orthodox sects or martial academies were well-accustomed to structured training.
But those who had lived as rogues since childhood struggled with—or outright rejected—rigid training regimens.
Because they hadn't learned through prescribed drills.
They had honed their skills entirely through real combat.
—Experience also creates vast differences in ability.
Even among those who had reached the same level of martial skill, actual combat capability varied wildly depending on experience.
For example, rogues who had been deployed across multiple battlefields possessed extensive large-scale combat experience.
They excelled in miscellaneous skills and demonstrated exceptional prowess in clashes between massive forces.
On the other hand, those who primarily took on escort missions or guarded small merchant caravans were unaccustomed to large-scale battles.
Yet they excelled in one-against-many fights and localized skirmishes.
—This is complicated.
Do Cheon-rin's head began to ache.
Of course, if this were just leading an ordinary band of rogue martial artists, he could have simply grouped them by numbers and called it a day.
But now, they were officially affiliated warriors under the banner of the Unbreakable Soul Society.
To properly deploy the Rogue Vanguard,
he needed to accurately classify each warrior's martial prowess and standardize their skills.
Even though he had clearly identified the problem, no solution came to mind.
—Unless you've lived as a rogue yourself...
Do Cheon-rin was the Young Clan Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family, one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates—effectively a sect leader.
In other words, he was an elite warrior who had received the finest education from renowned masters since childhood.
No matter how intelligent or insightful he was,
it was nearly impossible for him to fully grasp the nature of rogue martial artists or solve their problems in a short time.
—At this rate, I'll have to ask Bu Eun-seol for help.
Bu Eun-seol had trained in the martial arts of Langya Pavilion, which emphasized practical combat.
When he had joined,
Langya Pavilion's system was practically no different from living as a rogue in a band.
Even the teaching process lacked structure—
he had to learn martial arts through trial and error in real battles, just like rogues.
He had to master a disorganized, lineage-less martial art through self-study and personal research.
In essence, Bu Eun-seol's experience was no different from that of a long-time rogue.
Moreover, his journey in the martial world had begun as a rogue, and he had spent years alongside Heuk-pyo, an exceptional rogue martial artist.
So when it came to understanding the traits of rogues, few were as knowledgeable as he was.
—Help me out. I think you'll have to reorganize the Rogue Vanguard yourself.
In the end, Do Cheon-rin turned to Bu Eun-seol for assistance.
—Understood.
At Do Cheon-rin's request, Bu Eun-seol immediately set aside all other tasks and headed to the Unbreakable Soul Society.
Together with Do Cheon-rin,
he began swiftly categorizing the characteristics and martial prowess of thousands of rogue warriors.
He was a master of practical combat martial arts and exceptionally well-versed in human anatomy.
Taking into account not just martial skills but also physical traits and temperaments,
he assigned suitable martial arts and training methods to each warrior.
He also organized small combat squads by grouping rogues with similar dispositions, ensuring they could synergize effectively.
—To assess a rogue's temperament, first examine their preferred weapons and the scars on their body.
Even as he rapidly classified the rogues, Bu Eun-seol imparted his methods to Do Cheon-rin.
—You can gauge their martial prowess and specialties just by their gait or stance.
—Scars also reveal the types of battles they've experienced. The wounds from large-scale battles differ from those in small skirmishes.
—But you must distinguish between those with deep scars and those covered in minor ones.
Depending on their martial skill and temperament, some sustain wounds they should have avoided entirely.
—If you're deploying the Vanguard, those wielding odd weapons must be separated. Warriors with unique weapons can never adapt to standard squad tactics.
Under Bu Eun-seol's meticulous guidance, Do Cheon-rin diligently learned to identify the rogues' traits.
"You should take a break."
While Bu Eun-seol and Do Cheon-rin were deep in discussion at the Grand Martial Training Ground where the Rogue Vanguard had gathered,
a beauty in yellow robes arrived carrying a basket.
It was Dam Yu-yeon.
Since becoming the Unbreakable Soul Society's strategist, she had been so busy she barely had time to eat.
But after Yu Hwa-ryeong, the Chief Steward, arrived, her workload lightened, and she could delegate some of her duties.
Thanks to that, she now had enough leisure to enjoy life a little.
"I need to speak with So-yo for a moment."
As soon as Dam Yu-yeon appeared, Bu Eun-seol stood up.
He knew.
That Dam Yu-yeon hadn't brought snacks
out of mere hospitality—but because she wanted to be alone with Do Cheon-rin.
"Here, eat this."
As if anticipating Bu Eun-seol's departure, Dam Yu-yeon had prepared a separate basket for him.
"I'll enjoy it."
Bu Eun-seol glanced up at the trees planted near the training ground.
"So-yo. Come down and rest with me for a while."
Whoosh.
A small, masked shadow materialized before him like a ghost.
It was So-yo.
"You don't need to wear the mask here."
"Mm."
So-yo removed the mask.
Slowly, an indescribably beautiful face was revealed.
—Oh.
The surrounding rogues gasped or gaped at the sight of So-yo's face.
Unfazed, So-yo stared only at Bu Eun-seol, like a loyal puppy.
"Lady Dam brought snacks."
Under the shade of the tree, Bu Eun-seol shared the treats and rice cakes with So-yo.
As So-yo chewed on a rice cake, she suddenly followed Bu Eun-seol's fixed gaze.
There stood Do Cheon-rin and Dam Yu-yeon, standing so close their noses almost touched as they conversed.
The affectionate sight of them.
Made even onlookers feel a quiet, serene warmth.
"Envious?"
At So-yo's question, Bu Eun-seol let out a soft snort before shaking his head.
"No, I want to protect them."
Then, with eyes brimming with deep fondness, he gazed at them once more.
"I know martial artists can't live ordinary lives, but still... I want to help them maintain as peaceful a life as possible."
So-yo blinked blankly before nodding firmly.
"It'll happen."
Then, with unwavering resolve, she added,
"I'll make sure of it."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly as he looked at her.
"Yeah."
Meanwhile, the interior of the Martial Soul Society bustled with countless people coming and going.
Though it was a coalition between orthodox and unorthodox factions, the Martial Soul Society still operated the Wanderers' Market.
In fact, it had transformed into the largest Wanderers' Market in the Central Plains—more systematic and offering even more exceptional wandering martial artists than the old Red Sky Curtain Branch ever had.
Near the main gate of the Martial Soul Society.
Merchants seeking contracts with wandering martial artists and wandering warriors collecting their rewards moved about endlessly.
Murmur, murmur.
Amid the chaotic entrance, a middle-aged man stood, surveying his surroundings.
He wore a high-quality robe and an expensive veil woven from Heavenly Silkworm Silk.
Though his features were obscured, his refined aura suggested he was from a noble family—or at least a wealthy one.
Swoosh.
Instead of negotiating contracts, he strolled leisurely as if out for a casual walk, scrutinizing every corner of the place.
"Hmm."
After observing for a long while, the middle-aged man tilted his head and stepped back outside.
Then he began inspecting the area all over again.
Since the Martial Soul Society was a coalition built upon the foundation of the Wanderers' Market,
aside from a few restricted halls, one could freely roam about.
The middle-aged man wandered aimlessly until he coincidentally arrived near the Grand Martial Training Ground.
"Hmm."
He halted his steps and observed the wandering warriors and martial artists training there.
Then his gaze landed on Do Cheon-rin and Dam Yu-yeon, resting beneath the shade of a tree.
Beneath his veil, the man's pupils darkened.
He stared at them for a long while—
"Sir."
A young wandering warrior approached cautiously.
"This area is the society's training ground—entry is restricted."
"I see."
The middle-aged man nodded before turning away.
"Where do I go to hire wandering warriors?"
Though his voice was low and quiet, it strangely seemed to reverberate through the earth itself.
Flustered, the young warrior pointed toward the Scripture Instruction Hall.
"You can arrange contracts over there."
Nod.
The middle-aged man acknowledged with a nod and turned without another word.
Despite his unremarkable physique,
with every movement, an imposing aura seemed to ripple through the air, accompanied by the faint sound of wind.
"Huh?"
The young warrior, who had been staring dumbfounded as the man walked away, suddenly jolted.
When had a silver ingot been slipped into his palm without him noticing?
"How...?"
Martial artists' hands were their most sensitive.
Since their lives depended on wielding weapons, they maintained razor-sharp awareness at all times.
Yet this man had placed a heavy silver ingot into his grasp—
so naturally that he hadn't even realized it?
Only now did it dawn on him—
this middle-aged man was a master who had transcended human limits, capable of manipulating the moment beyond ordinary perception.
"Why would a master like him come to hire wandering warriors?"
The young warrior stared at the silver ingot in his hand for a long while before shaking his head.
Thud, thud.
Before he knew it, the middle-aged man had already left the Martial Soul Society.
Walking with a troubled expression, he soon reached a forest path lined with dense trees.
Rustle.
But then, a black shadow emerged from behind a towering tree.
Long hair hung loosely, disheveled,
yet the eyes peering through it gleamed like cold moonlight, and the face was as striking as a beauty's.
It was Do Cheon-rin, leader of the Martial Soul Society's Rogue Vanguard.
Yet the middle-aged man walked past him as if he didn't exist, his expression unchanging.
"Leaving just like that?"
As the man brushed past him, Do Cheon-rin spoke curtly.
"Family Head."
Halt.
The middle-aged man froze mid-step.
Crack.
His lean frame suddenly bulged with muscle,
his eyes transformed into those of a tiger's, and his height increased by three feet.
He was none other than the Demon Path's Foremost Bladesman,
the Family Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family—Do Mu-jeok.
"How did you know?"
Do Mu-jeok narrowed his fierce eyes as he studied Do Cheon-rin.
"I concealed my appearance perfectly."
"If I couldn't detect presences, I'd starve to death—what use is hiding one's face?"
"Hmph."
Do Mu-jeok let out a cold snort before speaking.
"I heard you crawled out of the main family and became the leader of some rogue faction, so I came to see for myself."
Then, with an utterly merciless gaze, he swept his eyes over Do Cheon-rin.
"Just in case you were planning to tarnish the family name."
"I am no longer affiliated with the Bloodflame Blade Family."
Do Cheon-rin's voice was icy.
"So, you needn't concern yourself with me from now on."
"How dare you."
A torch-like glow flared in Do Mu-jeok's pupils.
"Who do you think you're speaking to with that insolent tongue?"
Do Mu-jeok, the head of the Bloodflame Blade Family.
He was ruthless, devoid of sentiment.
A man who would cast out even his own blood if they failed to meet his exacting standards of strength and ability.
In truth, Do Cheon-rin had once been the pride of the Bloodflame Blade Family—but the moment Bu Eun-seol became the Heir of the Demon Hall instead of him, hadn't he been immediately stripped of his position as Young Clan Head?
"Did you not hear me?"
Do Cheon-rin's tone was unyielding.
"I said I am no longer a member of the Bloodflame Blade Family."
Flicker!
A murderous aura flashed in Do Mu-jeok's tiger-like eyes.
Had this been the past, Do Cheon-rin wouldn't have dared meet his gaze—he would have bowed his head.
But now, he squared his shoulders and spoke defiantly.
"I am the leader of the Rogue Vanguard under the Martial Soul Society."
"Heh. Heh. Heh."
For a moment, Do Mu-jeok stood motionless, as if baffled by the words. Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze fully on Do Cheon-rin—and erupted into roaring laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
The sound of that laughter sent a scorching heat surging through Do Cheon-rin's gut, a trickle of blood rising to his throat.
Yet his expression remained unshaken as he stared straight at Do Mu-jeok.
"Did you come here just to flaunt your Internal Power?"
"Insolent brat."
Infuriated by Do Cheon-rin's unyielding defiance from start to finish, Do Mu-jeok unleashed his True Qi in a furious burst.
BOOM.
A massive blade erupted into the sky behind him.
It towered over two hundred feet high, radiating a terrifying Shockwave of True Qi—so overwhelming that even the slightest touch would reduce a man to pulp.
He had conjured the Heart Saber without so much as a gesture.
"Say that insolent nonsense to me one more time."
Do Mu-jeok's eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
"Who do you think you are?"
"The leader of the Rogue Vanguard under the Martial Soul Society—"
CRASH!
In that instant, the twenty-zhang-tall Heart Saber came crashing down upon Do Cheon-rin's head.
It was a strike as unstoppable as the wrath of Great Nature itself.
CRASH!
But then—something astonishing happened.
The colossal Heart Saber halted just an inch above Do Cheon-rin's skull.
At the same time, a storm of True Qi raged violently around his entire body.
Blade Extremity Stance.
His signature saber art—one that could repel all enemy attacks using nothing but the energy flowing from his blade—had manifested.
Creak.
Thick veins bulged across Do Cheon-rin's entire body.
Before he knew it, the Heart Saber had descended to his forehead.
Sssk—CRACK!
Finally, Do Cheon-rin drew the Phantom Demon Sword from his waist and shifted his stance.
Immediately, Do Mu-jeok's Heart Saber was forced back another inch.
It might have seemed like a simple draw—
But in truth, to push back the Heart Saber, he had executed six consecutive, intricate techniques of the Blade Extremity Stance in rapid succession.
"You think blocking it means it's over?"
Do Mu-jeok let out a low scoff.
Then—an enormous pressure began pouring down from the Heart Saber.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Do Cheon-rin's legs slowly sank into the ground.
At the same time, a trickle of bloodstained crimson spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Even if he could block the Heart Saber with the Blade Extremity Stance, the overwhelming pressure contained within it was impossible to fully withstand.
"Kneel."
Do Mu-jeok's voice carried the Divine Authority of a Superhuman—one that brooked no resistance.
Drip. Drip.
Blood seeped from his ears and nose. Agony, as though every bloodline in his body were rupturing, flooded his senses.
"If you resist, you will suffer fatal Internal Injuries."
Yet, despite Do Mu-jeok's warning, Do Cheon-rin did not kneel.
He had long since become a martial artist who would not yield to mere pain and trials.
"Stubborn to the point of foolishness."
Do Mu-jeok doubled the crushing pressure.
But instead of buckling, Do Cheon-rin's eyes flashed—as if he had been waiting for this.
Huuuung...
A low vibration resonated from his body, and his stance began to shift ever so slightly.
To counter the deluge of pressure, he was refining the Blade Extremity Stance—evolving it in an instant.
Huuung... Uuuung...
As if finding the optimal posture and defensive secret amidst the vibrations, Do Cheon-rin gradually began to break free from the pressure.
'This bastard.'
Watching this, Do Mu-jeok's pupils trembled like rippling water.
In his youth, this boy had schemed endlessly to avoid hardship and suffering—
Yet now, he had become a martial artist who refused to yield to pain and trials, one who broke through the limits of his Martial Arts in the face of crisis.
Skree—Skree—
Finally, Do Cheon-rin began to slip out of the Heart Saber's range of influence.
By refining the Blade Extremity Stance in an instant, he had deflected the pressure at an angle.
Thud!
Finally breaking free from the massive Heart Saber's range, Do Cheon-rin drew his Phantom Demon Sword and swung it toward Do Mu-jeok.
"Hmph."
As Do Mu-jeok let out a derisive snort,
Boom!
Do Cheon-rin was instantly flung backward, crashing into a great tree over thirty meters away.
"You've created quite an unusual technique."
Do Mu-jeok sneered as he watched Do Cheon-rin barely manage to rise to his feet.
"But at least you won't die wandering the Rivers and Lakes, so you won't disgrace the main house."
With those words, Do Mu-jeok turned and walked away.
Do Cheon-rin shook his head as he watched his father's cold, ruthless figure retreat.
"Did he come just to confirm I wouldn't tarnish the Bloodflame Blade Family's reputation?"
He had dared to hope, but in the end, it was just as he expected.
His father had always been merciless, devoid of blood or tears.
Yet, in his childhood, he had even revered that cruelty.
He had believed cruelty was one of the conditions for true strength.
But now, he knew better.
Because he had seen someone infinitely strong who still possessed a tender heart.
'Bu Eun-seol.'
Do Cheon-rin gazed at the distant sky and let out a deep sigh.
'Even now, I still haven't become like you.'
Click.
Sheathing the Phantom Demon Sword, Do Cheon-rin slowly made his way back to where the Unrestrained Society was gathered.
Crunch. Crunch.
Do Mu-jeok walked leisurely along the forest path.
Then, he glanced down at his own palm.
'Hmph.'
His palm was cracked like the bark of an ancient tree.
Though invisible to the eye, Do Cheon-rin had unleashed dozens of counterattacks while executing the Blade Extremity Stance.
'He's grown a lot.'
The corner of his lips twitched, as if threatening to rise.
But then,
Swish.
A gray shadow slowly materialized before him.
Its eyes were endlessly cold and motionless, and an aura of desolation seemed to rise from its entire body.
It was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
"Family Head Do."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together in an uncharacteristically respectful bow.
But Do Mu-jeok glared at him with a gaze as frigid as the glaciers of the North Sea.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Since you've come all this way, I thought it only proper to greet you."
Bu Eun-seol had been aware of Do Mu-jeok's presence in the Unrestrained Society from the moment he arrived.
"So you dare show yourself after turning my son into the leader of a band of vagrants?"
Do Mu-jeok exuded a murderous energy, as if he might unleash the Heart Saber at any moment.
Yet Bu Eun-seol replied in an utterly composed voice.
"What matters isn't which faction he leads, but what kind of person he has become, don't you think?"
Instead of answering, Do Mu-jeok let a chilling aura spread across his entire body.
The situation was so tense that the Bloodflame Blade Art might erupt at any second.
But there was no wavering in Bu Eun-seol's gaze.
'Perhaps it wasn't just a cursed bond after all.'
He had always believed Bu Eun-seol was the one who ruined his two exceptional sons.
Only now did he realize that had been a mistaken thought.
Since associating with Bu Eun-seol,
Do Cheon-rin had begun mastering the Bloodflame Blade Art in his own unique way.
And Do Yong-rin, who had returned in disgrace after being utterly defeated by Bu Eun-seol,
had, thanks to that, realized there were heavens beyond the heavens and dedicated himself to martial arts, achieving yet another breakthrough.
Though he had brought trials upon his sons,
in the end, he had led them to greater heights.
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, Do Mu-jeok brushed past Bu Eun-seol without another word.
Watching his retreating figure, Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply once more.
Because he was the father of a friend he would trade his life for. That was why he could bend his waist again.
Unrestrained Society, Hall of Lost Souls. Dam Yu-yeon's office.
"What did you just say?"
Do Cheon-rin's expression twisted oddly as he entered her office after recovering from his internal injuries.
Because what she had just said was utterly bizarre.
"So... an unnamed middle-aged merchant left a fortune in your name?"
"That's right."
As Dam Yu-yeon puffed her cheeks in frustration, Do Cheon-rin pressed further.
"A million taels?"
"Yes. He didn't hire any wandering martial artists—just left the money in my name."
Crossing her arms, Dam Yu-yeon stared gravely at the banknote placed on the table.
"I think we should find him and return it."
Watching her troubled expression, Do Cheon-rin's eyes suddenly gleamed.
"Did this middle-aged man happen to be wearing a veil and a high-quality silk robe?"
"That's right. How did you know?"
As Dam Yu-yeon's eyes widened in surprise, Do Cheon-rin clenched his fist.
'Family Head.'
Family Head Do Mu-jeok—
He hadn't just come to confirm whether Do Cheon-rin was skilled enough to disgrace the Bloodflame Blade Family.
Nor had he come merely to mock him for leading a band of drifters.
"Just use it."
"Huh?"
"It's money left in your name, so just use it."
"How can I? It's someone else's money."
Do Cheon-rin exhaled deeply before replying.
"It's not someone else's money."
Leaving only those words behind, he walked out of the office.
"Not... someone else's money?"
Blinking her large eyes, Dam Yu-yeon scrutinized the banknote once more.
"Shanxi... Hagok Exchange?"
As she examined the issuing location, realization dawned on her, and she let out a soft chuckle.
She had remembered which sect primarily conducted business with the Hagok Exchange.
"What the..."
Setting the banknote back down, she muttered under her breath.
"So it was an allowance."
Turning away with a pout, her face flushed bright red.