Chapter 748
The Jungson Clan had managed to sustain their bloodline without ever revealing the location of their main house—all thanks to a secret technique called the Absolute Boundary.
Even among sects specializing in the Art of Spells, such a method existed.
However, deploying it required an enormous amount of time, manpower, and countless tools.
Yet the Jungson Clan could create an Absolute Boundary with ease and freedom.
Because of this, even though they were situated in Chengdu, one of the most bustling cities,
no one had ever been able to pinpoint the Jungson Clan's true location.
"I've reserved the annex."
Jade Water Inn.
A small guest inn on the outskirts of Chengdu.
With its worn-out furnishings and exorbitant prices for food and lodging,
even wandering travelers and casual visitors who didn't know better avoided the place.
And yet, someone had rented out the entire annex of that very inn.
That someone was none other than the Divine Calculator—no, the Martial Venerable.
"A waste, but there's no helping it."
Entering the study in the annex, the Martial Venerable retrieved a single Boundary-Prosperity Jade from his robes.
It contained the power of the Heavenly Chief Star, one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, and possessed the ability to nullify all Supernatural Powers.
Whoosh—
As the Boundary-Prosperity Jade crumbled into dust and scattered,
the walls inside the study began to flutter apart like petals, and soon, a massive gate materialized in one corner.
That place was the entrance leading to the Jungson Clan.
'This can't possibly be their headquarters.'
If this were the true entrance to the Jungson Clan, a mere Boundary-Prosperity Jade wouldn't have been enough to break through their Absolute Boundary.
Most likely, this was just one of the branch locations the Jungson Clan had established within the Murim.
'Who knows how many more places like this they've set up.'
Swallowing his thoughts, the Martial Venerable stepped into the light-engulfed entrance.
Then, from within the white radiance, a shadowy black figure took form.
"Divine Calculator."
As if already familiar with the Divine Calculator's identity, the shadow spoke in a chilling voice.
"You didn't come here because you have a death wish. So why have you crawled your way in?"
"I came to deliver the information you desire."
When the Martial Venerable answered in an utterly indifferent tone, the shadow responded coldly.
"Don't tell me you've found the whereabouts of the Heavenly Mechanism Star."
Heavenly Mechanism Star.
A divine being of wisdom said to be capable of altering the very fate of the world—one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars the Jungson Clan had ceaselessly sought.
"Hardly."
The Divine Calculator shook his head.
"I came to tell you the identity of the one who interfered at Seo-ryeong Mountain."
"And who might that be?"
"Sword King, Seon-u Jin."
The Divine Calculator spoke in a low voice.
"He was the one who saved Man-wol."
"Is this information reliable?"
"It comes from the highest echelons of the Martial Alliance. I'd stake my neck on it."
The surface of the black shadow rippled.
"Surely she hasn't obtained the Key again...?"
Realizing he had misspoken, the shadow waved a hand dismissively.
"What do you want?"
"Boundary-Prosperity Jades. Three of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars."
Clink.
Three translucent orbs materialized at the Divine Calculator's feet.
"Too small."
"I could reduce it to two."
Clicking his tongue in disappointment, the Martial Venerable tucked the Boundary-Prosperity Jades into his robes.
"No helping it, then."
Then, slowly, he turned away.
"Work hard."
The shadow stared intently at the Divine Calculator's retreating figure.
"To think you'd dare manipulate the main house under the guise of a sage."
His voice was as frigid as death itself.
"I'll kill that brat first. And soon enough, you'll follow."
By the time the Martial Venerable returned to the study, his face was deeply fatigued.
The Jungson Clan's Absolute Boundary was a kind of Mindscape they had created.
Not only could it block Internal Energy, but it also drained the Mental Power of any human who entered its domain to an extreme degree.
"If they truly set their minds to it, the power of the Baekri Clan will manifest."
Recalling Bu Eun-seol's face, the Martial Venerable allowed a faint smile to surface.
"If he falls into danger because of this, I'll help him. That way, some of the suspicion toward me might also fade."
Since ancient times, there had been only one surefire way to win a person's heart:
Deliberately set a trap, then personally rescue them when they fall into it.
The Martial Venerable intended to hasten the manifestation of the Baekri Clan's power within Bu Eun-seol's body—
while also securing his trust.
"By now, he should be heading toward Xi'an Prefecture."
Truthfully, Bu Eun-seol had made one critical oversight during this time.
So accustomed was he to navigating the Martial Alliance that—
he had momentarily forgotten there was one other person, aside from Mu-gyeol, who knew the true identity of Seon-u Jin.
"From now on, we'll alter the training regimen—not just to enhance Martial Prowess, but to gradually raise the barriers of Spirit and Mind as well."
Meanwhile, after dealing with the Neither-Human-Nor-Beast who commanded the Ghost Spirits, Bu Eun-seol issued orders to the unit commanders.
This incident had made him realize that the factions lurking in the Abyss, who had remained hidden all this time,
had already taken root and were operating throughout the Central Plains.
There was no telling when or where they might emerge next.
Especially since the unit commanders often carried out missions alone, it was imperative to elevate their Martial Prowess.
'All the unit commanders have reached the Transcendence Realm.'
Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u had already entered the Transcendence Realm by the time they arrived at the Death Shadow War Unit.
Later, Wi Cheon-gyeong also stepped into the Transcendence Realm.
Soon after, thanks to their grueling training, Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon were on the verge of breaking through as well.
But Bu Eun-seol no longer placed much significance on martial rankings or realms.
Because victory and defeat weren't about lining up martial prowess in neat rows.
Outcomes could shift depending on compatibility, and with quick thinking in the heat of battle, one could snatch victory from a superior master.
For leaders of Death Shadow War Unit, there was something far more important than raising their martial prowess.
It was the tempering of their Spirit and Mind—an unshakable core that wouldn't crumble no matter the situation.
The formidable foes they had faced so far had relied more on bizarre techniques than sheer martial skill.
That was why they needed training that could forge their Spirit and Mind into something unbreakable.
But mental fortification was something only possible for those like Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u, who stood at the very edge of the Transcendent Realm.
—How could they build a barrier for their Spirit and Mind?
Bu Eun-seol held a meeting with the squad leaders to discuss this very question.
And they reached one conclusion.
—It would be possible if they fought masters who were one step above them, or who shared similar strengths.
The three squad leaders on the cusp of the Transcendent Realm still didn't fully grasp their own limits and advantages.
What if their signature techniques didn't work on an opponent?
What if the enemy's skills inherently countered their own specialties?
Ordinary masters would feel crushed.
But battling such foes would be highly effective in understanding the limits of their martial prowess—
And an excellent method to forge a Spirit and Mind that wouldn't waver under any circumstances.
"I'll personally select their opponents and oversee the fights myself."
"You're already busy enough. Why go that far?"
At that moment, Myo Cheon-u, who had been silently listening, spoke up.
"I'll handle that myself, so don't worry about it. Just focus on your own work."
"Can you do it?"
"I might not be as good as you, but when I was active in the Martial World, the one thing I did the most was go on sparring tours."
Myo Cheon-u wore a confident smile.
"I'll make sure those brats take another big leap forward. I'll put them through the most grueling duels possible."
"Hmm."
"Don't worry. I might not know much else, but I know those kids inside out—down to whether their shit comes out square or round."
Back in the early days of Death Shadow War Unit,
It was Myo Cheon-u who had trained the three squad leaders under Bu Eun-seol's orders.
Won Se-mun specialized in the fierce Demon-Slaying Swordplay of the Twin Blades, Wi Cheon-gyeong in Light Body Art,
And Jo Nam-cheon in the Black Poison Demon Art, which turned his body as hard as steel.
Myo Cheon-u had studied their innate personalities, physiques, and temperaments—
And pushed them through battle-like duels to force another breakthrough.
"Fine. Then I'll leave it to you."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Myo Cheon-u grinned and nodded.
"Stop fretting."
The Annam Inn was always crowded, thanks to its affordable food and scenic lakeside location.
Lunchtime, especially, was far busier than dinner, packed with diners.
But today, the inn was eerily silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
All because of the man sitting right in the middle of the dining hall.
Clad in a pitch-black bamboo hat, his massive frame looked like three grown men fused together,
His body covered in countless scars beyond counting.
Every flicker of his pupils exuded a murderous aura so sharp that just standing near him felt like being sliced apart.
The Black-Hat Fighting Ghost—Gwang Baek.
Most swordsmen earned epithets related to their blades.
But his bore the character for "Fighting", a title usually reserved for fist fighters.
Because of his aggressive, brutal nature—
And his unique martial arts, which blended fist techniques with swordplay.
On top of that, he would pick fights just from a single exchanged glance,
And once a battle started, he never stopped until his opponent was dead.
Yet he wasn't branded an enemy of the Orthodox or Unorthodox factions—
Because the ones he provoked were always skilled martial artists of the Martial World.
In a world where people dropped dead left and right,
No one became a public enemy just for fighting fellow martial artists—no matter how vicious their methods.
In other words, Gwang Baek was a cunning killer who operated within the Martial World's unspoken tolerance—
A ghost who repeated slaughter under the guise of duels.
Gulp.
The martial artists who recognized him averted their eyes, afraid of meeting his gaze.
He was infamous for his battle madness—once a fight started, he wouldn't stop until his opponent was beaten to death or cleaved apart by his sword.
A single accidental glance could be enough to provoke him.
"Hmph."
Gwang Baek smirked in satisfaction at the fear in their eyes before tilting a liquor bottle to his lips.
Truthfully, he had one more special ability—
An uncanny knack for sensing those stronger than himself.
That was why he always scoped out his surroundings first and never picked fights with those he couldn't beat.
In short, he only fought opponents he could defeat—
Which was how he maintained his undefeated record as a Battle Demon.
Thud. Thud.
Just then, another man entered the inn.
His sturdy frame was topped with bristly, hedgehog-like stubble.
It was as if Zhang Fei's divine form had manifested before them.
"Your face looks like a blank sheet of paper. Why the hell did you scribble all over it like that?"
The man glanced at Gwang Baek, then scowled and muttered under his breath.
"Typical of weaklings who lack confidence in their martial arts—always covering their bodies in tattoos."
When Gwang Baek's eyes bulged as he glared, the man smirked and muttered again.
"Bastard. Needs a good beating."
Then, with an utterly indifferent expression, he headed upstairs to the special suite on the second floor.
CRACK!
In an instant, the liquor bottle in Gwang Baek's grip shattered into dust, scattering into the air.
His eyes were wide open, veins bulging like earthworms across his forehead.
"Got some guts, huh."
Gwang Baek shot up from his seat.
Unlike now, where he only picked fights with those weaker than himself—
For the first five years after stepping into the martial world, he had sought out strong opponents and engaged in genuine duels.
And in the process, he had suffered countless wounds.
The scars carved into his body weren't just wounds—they were his history, his medals of honor.
Yet this filthy swine dared to deny and insult his past?
Thud. Thud.
With murderous intent flickering in his pale eyes, Gwang Baek strode toward the man sitting in the corner.
As the seven-foot-tall, muscular figure slowly approached, the guest inn seemed to darken.
"What did you just say?"
Gwang Baek looked down at the man in black with absolute confidence.
His instincts had already analyzed the opponent.
That bastard wasn't stronger than him.
Had he been even slightly superior, Gwang Baek's razor-sharp instincts would have instantly suppressed the boiling rage.
"Why's a non-waiter crawling up here?"
But the man in black just wrinkled his face in disgust and waved him off.
"Look at that mug. Don't they have a place to wash up in your village? Clean yourself before walking around."
Gwang Baek's jaw dropped in disbelief.
The man in black gave him a once-over before snapping irritably.
"You taking orders or what?"
"What did you say?"
"Then move. Busy here."
'Tch, I just told him to hand over the challenge letter.'
From a distance, a man in red watched the scene with narrowed eyes.
He was none other than Myo Cheon-u.
'At this rate, he's going to have no choice but to fight Gwang Baek in a life-and-death duel.'
The man in black was Won Se-mun.
Myo Cheon-u knew Won Se-mun's temperament and martial arts style all too well.
His opening moves were never refined—he always pinpointed weaknesses and exploited them relentlessly.
But against someone who could render Won's specialty useless, who could crush his spirit—
Someone with vast combat experience—
Someone who could read an enemy's openings even better than Won Se-mun—
The Black-Hat Fighting Ghost, Gwang Baek—this was the opponent he had chosen.
—Gwang Baek, this man may be cruel, but he's a figure of high standing. Reveal your identity first and deliver the challenge letter respectfully.
That way, you'll preserve our hall's face, so they won't fight to the death.
Even if Won Se-mun's martial prowess had greatly improved, he was still no match for a master of the Transcendent Realm who had shaken the martial world for over twenty years.
The situation was incomparable.
That's why Myo Cheon-u had personally written the challenge letter for him to deliver.
But instead, Won Se-mun was provoking Gwang Baek like some back-alley thug, flipping his temper upside down.
「Won Se-mun.」
Myo Cheon-u urgently sent a telepathic transmission.
「Step back first. If you keep provoking him like this, that madman will go berserk—」
But it was already too late.
Snap.
Blood vessels burst in Gwang Baek's eyes, and flames of true qi erupted across his body—
BOOM!
With an explosive sound, the man in black—Won Se-mun—was sent flying through the inn's wall.
Thud. Thud.
Gwang Baek stepped out through the shattered wall, cracking his knuckles.
"You crazy bastard, daring to touch this elder's beard—"
Mid-sentence, his eyes bulged.
Ptui.
Won Se-mun spat out a mouthful of blood, sneered, and flicked his fingers.
"Bastard. Talks too much."
In that instant, pure white killing intent surged in Gwang Baek's eyes.
Under normal circumstances, even a battle-crazed man like him would have asked about his opponent's background—checked for any potential repercussions.
But right now, no such thought crossed his mind.
"I won't let you die easily."
Decapitating that swine would be too merciful a death.
Crack.
The sound of bones grinding echoed from Gwang Baek's fists.
He had resolved to beat this blackened bastard to death with his bare hands.
"I'll pummel you to death!"
Gwang Baek's fists erupted with flames.
His sword had never been sharpened for slashing—instead, he favored thrusting and smashing techniques.
So when Gwang Baek used fist techniques, they were no less formidable than his swordplay.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Won Se-mun met him head-on, fists flying as well.
'This bastard?'
Gwang Baek had expected him to draw the twin swords strapped to his back.
But when Won Se-mun came at him with only his fists, Gwang Baek grew even more exhilarated.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The two masters exchanged blows at close range, neither retreating a single step.
With each swing of their fists, the sickening sound of flesh being pummeled echoed through the air.
In mere moments, both men's faces were reduced to bloody messes.
The spectators who had gathered around watched with gaping mouths and stunned expressions.
For martial artists of the Murim—
to engage in a bare-knuckle brawl, face-to-face, was an almost unheard-of spectacle.
'Wh-what the—'
From a distance, Myo Cheon-u's jaw dropped.
He had selected the Black-Hat Fighting Ghost specifically to refine Twin Swords' swordplay, yet here they were, suddenly locked in a brutal fistfight?
And as if his pride had been wounded—
even the Black-Hat Fighting Ghost refused to draw his sword, instead trading blows head-on as if testing who had the tougher hide.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Won Se-mun had always been rough and hot-blooded by nature, and before meeting Bu Eun-seol, he had relied on both blade and fist.
Gwang Baek, too, lived up to his epithet as a Battle Demon—a man who reveled in combat, his sword techniques infused with the essence of Fist Techniques.
With these two refusing to take even a single step back, their brawl became nothing short of savage. Some onlookers couldn't bear the gruesome sight and turned away.
CRACK!
The moment their fists simultaneously smashed into each other's faces—
Screech—
Both were flung back the exact same distance.
"Draw your weapon."
Gwang Baek glared down at Won Se-mun with arrogance.
"Unless you want to die."
"If I draw my swords, you're dead."
"Hahaha!"
Gwang Baek threw his head back in laughter, then snapped his eyes wide open.
"Fine. Let's see you keep up."
And the brawl resumed.
Truthfully, Gwang Baek had the advantage from the start.
Blessed with Innate Divine Strength, his very sword techniques were rooted in the principles of Close Combat Technique.
Though Won Se-mun possessed natural combat instincts, he stood no chance against a seasoned fist fighter like Gwang Baek, who had honed his skills for decades.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Eventually, Won Se-mun took more hits than he gave, his vision blurring.
Then, only one person surfaced in his mind.
'Lord.'
Bu Eun-seol had trained him mercilessly, ensuring he could overcome any foe.
If he lost here, he wouldn't dare show his face before the Lord again.
'But...'
If he drew his swords first, it would be no different from admitting defeat to Gwang Baek.
That wasn't just Won Se-mun's pride—it was the pride of the Death Shadow War Unit's squad leader.
'Lord... What should I do...?'
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol's explosive, dazzling Sword Form flashed through his mind.
A technique that transcended time and space, capable of cutting down any enemy in a single stroke.
"HYAAAH!"
As Won Se-mun roared, a Shockwave of True Qi erupted outward.
At the same time, he reached behind his back—his hands gripping the hilts of his twin swords.
"Hahaha! So now that death's staring you down, that pathetic pride finally cracks?"
Gwang Baek, realizing Won Se-mun was about to unleash his swordplay, also placed a hand on the hilt of his beloved blade.
Screeee—
But then, something bizarre happened.
Time itself seemed to slow—and wasn't a crimson energy suddenly surging from Won Se-mun's body?
'Shooting Star Chasing the Moon?!'
Myo Cheon-u, watching from afar, widened his eyes in shock.
Bu Eun-seol's secret sword art—a Quick Sword Form that delivered death to the enemy's eyes before they could react.
Had Won Se-mun somehow replicated it in such a short time?
BOOOOM!
But the unexpected happened.
Instead of the terrifying Quick Sword Form erupting—
Won Se-mun's massive body shot forward like a bolt of lightning, swords still sheathed.
"Huh?!"
Gwang Baek, who had been waiting for the twin blades to be drawn—
CRASH!
—was instead met head-on by Won Se-mun's skull slamming into his face like a cannonball.
SPLAT!
A brutal crunching sound followed as Gwang Baek's face caved in.
Tremble... tremble...
Though he remained standing, his features were now an unrecognizable ruin.
"Thi..."
As he opened his mouth, the gaps of missing teeth were clearly visible.
"What the hell was that?"
In response to Gwang Baek's question, Won Se-mun folded his arms with pride.
"The Face-Chasing-Moon Form."
Inspired by Bu Eun-seol's Shooting Star Chasing the Moon, he had devised a technique that launched his entire body like a projectile.
"...Bullshit."
With that final word, Gwang Baek collapsed unconscious.
Though not a Killing Ghost, he was a man who had once struck fear into the hearts of Murim warriors—the Black-Hat Fighting Ghost, now felled.
And to think he had been taken down in a single headbutt, like some back-alley thug...
The humiliation was so severe, he'd never dare show his face in the martial world again.
'Ugh...'
From a distance, Myo Cheon-u pressed a hand to his forehead in dismay.
After painstakingly finding a worthy opponent to refine Twin Swords' sword skills, the fight had devolved into a brawl—only to end in a surprise headbutt victory?
'This wasn't part of the plan.'
With a gloomy expression, he shook his head.
His scheme to enhance Won Se-mun's Martial Prowess and temper his Spirit and Mind through battle with the Black-Hat Fighting Ghost had failed spectacularly.
'No... It's fine.'
He nodded to himself.
'Wi Cheon-gyeong is still here.'
Jo Nam-cheon... was a bit unreliable, but—
Wi Cheon-gyeong was a prodigy, excelling in talent, Movement Technique, and even character.
Through the battles he had planned, he would undoubtedly achieve his Breakthrough.
"Heh heh heh..."
A faint smirk crossed Myo Cheon-u's lips as he turned away.
Completely unaware of the bizarre and unpredictable events yet to unfold.