Chapter 750
Bu Eun-seol's primary safe house was a Demon Hall hideout located in Western Peace Prefecture.
This hideout wasn't too far from Henan, where the Martial Alliance was based.
Above all, the Western Peace Prefecture hideout had never once been exposed to external factions.
In truth, the foremost principle of security was to avoid repeatedly visiting the same location.
Or to never take the same predetermined route at the same time, without fail.
Of course, Bu Eun-seol was well aware of this.
But he had been overwhelmingly busy with various matters, and more importantly, evading the gaze of intelligence networks.
Establishing a new safe house was anything but an easy task.
Thus, security was maintained by having the Death Soul Squad perfectly conceal Bu Eun-seol's movements.
However, there was a variable...
Someone knew that the identity of Seon-u Jin was his shadow.
Zing.
A peculiar sensation brushed past Bu Eun-seol's ear as he raced toward Western Peace Prefecture.
It was a faint, paper-thin Sound of Breaking Air and an eerie Shockwave that felt as though it were chasing him.
This wasn't something detectable through Internal Energy or Extrasensory Perception—it was more akin to the Two Spirit Energies flowing naturally through his body.
A natural yet profound ripple of power.
The same unsettling Intuition he had felt whenever formidable figures appeared.
Back when he had always been in his identity as the Martial Soul Lord.
'It's about time for this to happen.'
A flash flickered through Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
'Let's see which faction it is.'
Truthfully, he had long anticipated this situation.
Because no matter how well one concealed their movements.
He knew all too well how dangerous it was to periodically visit the same location.
The more the persona of Seon-u Jin made a name for itself in Murim.
The more attention it would draw from the factions lurking in the shadows.
Yet, he hadn't changed the rendezvous point or prepared new security measures.
Because only then could he identify and Wipe Out in One Sweep the factions targeting him.
'They're not waiting at the safe house—they're tracking me as I head toward it...'
Currently, Bu Eun-seol hadn't yet arrived at the safe house and was swiftly moving toward Western Peace Prefecture.
Which meant the faction secretly tracking him hadn't pinpointed the exact location of the Western Peace hideout.
They had merely obtained information that he frequented Western Peace Prefecture.
And had lain in wait nearby for a long time to launch their ambush.
'I'll confirm it myself.'
Having made up his mind, Bu Eun-seol sent a Thousand-Li Voice Transmission to So-yo.
[There are forces secretly following me. Maintain your distance from now on.]
[Understood.]
[Tell Seo Jin-ha not to wait at the safe house and to return to the Demon Hall immediately.]
Whoosh!
Bu Eun-seol immediately changed direction, veering away from Western Peace Prefecture toward Taek Prefecture.
Kwa-wooong!
As he rapidly executed his Movement Technique, a vast Reed Field came into view ahead.
Using the hand technique of Wild Wind and Swift Rain, Bu Eun-seol occasionally spun his body, generating a fierce vortex, before abruptly turning toward the reed field.
Sssssssss.
Then, accompanied by the bizarre Sound of Breaking Air—like fluttering paper—a transparent energy, almost as if alive.
Left traces in the reed field, visibly following the path of his movement.
'It wasn't the Stealth Pursuit Tracking Art.'
No matter how skilled a Murim Master was in the Stealth Pursuit Tracking Art, if they had clung this closely to him.
The Death Soul Squad would have detected the tracker's location long ago.
But the pursuer wasn't using Martial Arts like Body Movement Martial Art or stealth techniques—they were employing some strange Art of Spells to follow him.
"I'll wait."
Bu Eun-seol halted his Movement Technique altogether and stood firmly in the heart of the reed field.
Sssssssss.
The spreading sound grew louder and louder.
Until it finally began resonating across the entire reed field, soon becoming so sharp it felt like it would split eardrums.
Yet Bu Eun-seol remained unmoved, standing tall as he observed the rippling energy.
Tsk-tsk-tsk.
Then, just as suddenly, the sound ceased, and the clear sky gradually began staining red.
Whoosh.
Simultaneously, a Black Shadow slowly began forming directly in front of Bu Eun-seol.
Just from this bizarre Appearance, it was clear this wasn't an ordinary Murim faction.
But a figure belonging to a mysterious organization that never revealed itself in Murim.
"Seon-u Jin."
The Black Shadow gazed down at Bu Eun-seol and spoke coldly.
"Is that you?"
This wasn't a question awaiting an answer—it was a probe to gauge Bu Eun-seol's reaction.
Even if he answered "No."
There was no deceiving the Dharma Eye of the man who bore this Black Shadow.
"I see."
Just as Bu Eun-seol expected, the Black Shadow didn't wait for a reply.
Instead, it observed his physiological reactions and the glint in his eyes before nodding.
'A true Master.'
Bu Eun-seol was impressed.
No matter how keen one's observational skills were.
Piercing the physiological reactions of a Master who had reached the pinnacle of Stillness was no simple feat.
"Are you from the Three Clans?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, the energy flowing from the Black Shadow wavered slightly.
"Why would you think that?"
"If you were from the Three Realms, you would've at least attempted to recruit someone of the same standing as me."
Bu Eun-seol replied nonchalantly.
"And if you were from a faction like Neither-Human-Nor-Beast, you wouldn't have revealed yourself—you'd have unleashed all sorts of monstrosities instead."
The shadow stared at Bu Eun-seol for a long moment before narrowing its eyes.
"I wondered why you came to Seo-ryeong Mountain to interfere with our clan's affairs..."
The shadow's eyes flashed as if about to say something.
"You're someone we absolutely cannot let live."
'So it's the Jungson Clan.'
In the Past, members of the Jungson Clan had surrounded Seo-ryeong Mountain and pursued Man-wol.
The fact that it mentioned this confirmed the shadow was undoubtedly from the Jungson Clan.
"Is that so?"
As Bu Eun-seol maintained his composed Expression, the Black Shadow chuckled darkly.
"So you think matching the Sword Demon makes you invincible? How presumptuous."
"Perhaps."
"Of course, you might have cultivated martial arts far beyond what's publicly known."
The shadow shook his head.
"But you've been far too complacent."
Hiss—hisssss—
In an instant, thousands of black insects erupted from the surrounding reeds, leaping into the sky.
The eerie sound that had been lingering all along—it had been the movement of these insects.
'He controls ants?'
The swarming insects were none other than ants.
Bu Eun-seol frowned as he watched the rising tide of ants blotting out the sky.
"And you call this your trump card?"
Martial artists could deflect even falling raindrops with their swords, or erect barriers like the Protective Aura.
Even if he were controlling beasts instead of insects, they would pose no threat.
Was this the best the man could muster against Seon-u Jin, the Sword King renowned throughout the world? Just a swarm of ants?
CRACK!
Then, the surging ants abruptly wove themselves into a massive net, swallowing Bu Eun-seol whole.
Instinctively, he unleashed his Internal Energy, erecting an Astral Energy Barrier.
"Got you!"
The black shadow cackled.
Why would deploying the barrier mean he was caught?
"You shouldn't underestimate the power of the Earth Yi Star."
'One of the One Hundred and Eight Stars?'
Shockingly, the black shadow was none other than the Earth Yi Star.
"Now, hell unfolds before you."
Tap.
With those words, the reed field beneath Bu Eun-seol's feet rippled like disturbed water.
Simultaneously, hundreds—no, thousands of masked figures emerged, encircling him.
To Bu Eun-seol, whose senses could detect everything within roughly three hundred meters—
these masked men had appeared out of nowhere, as if they had been hiding in the vast reed field all along.
"Rather peaceful for hell."
Bu Eun-seol's expression remained indifferent, but the Earth Yi Star smirked.
"Is that so?"
RUMBLE—
As soon as the words left his mouth, the sound of stampeding cattle accompanied the masked figures charging toward Bu Eun-seol.
Flash!
Bu Eun-seol instantly beheaded one with the Ink Soul Sword.
But then, something unbelievable happened.
CLANG!
A metallic ring resounded—not from a severed head, but from his sword rebounding.
'They've all mastered External Arts?'
Frowning, Bu Eun-seol finally sensed something amiss.
The masked figures' bodies were abnormally large, their limbs so thin they were almost invisible.
'Don't tell me—'
Shhk—shhk—shhk!
He swiftly altered his sword technique, slicing away their masks and robes.
What he saw defied belief.
'Ants?!'
Unbelievably, the masked figures weren't human—they were human-sized ants.
Beneath the torn masks were bristling hairs and pincer-like jaws.
Their entire bodies were encased in armor-like exoskeletons.
'This is worse than Neither-Human-Nor-Beast.'
Neither-Human-Nor-Beast had wielded the Mindscape, a power that could at least be explained through martial theory.
But the One Hundred and Eight Stars were different.
This was a power beyond human limits—a Supernatural Ability akin to that of yokai.
"Fine."
His shock lasted only a moment.
Bu Eun-seol doubled his Internal Energy, intent on cleaving through their grotesque bodies.
Ants or not, destruction was destruction.
Squelch! Crunch!
With every slash, thick fluid splattered.
No matter how tough their shells, they couldn't withstand a blade infused with overwhelming Internal Energy.
Hiss—
But with each swing, white smoke began rising from Bu Eun-seol's body.
The energy emanating from the ground was rapidly draining his Internal Power.
'Earthly Killing Star was the same.'
The first of the One Hundred and Eight Stars he'd encountered, the Earthly Killing Star, had used the corpses of his victims to create a Domain.
Within it, he possessed a near-immortal body—
and the ability to instantly mimic his opponent's martial arts.
The sheer absurdity of the One Hundred and Eight Stars' powers was such that—
during his duel with the Sword Demon, Bu Eun-seol had once used the energy stored in the Boundary-Prosperity Jade to trigger an earthquake across an entire island.
Compared to that, turning ants into human-sized monstrosities was almost believable.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
As his Internal Energy dwindled, every strike against the masked figures echoed with metallic reverberations.
The swarming martial artists had fully transformed into insects—not only did they possess rock-hard bodies,
but they had no blind spots in their vision and wielded monstrous strength.
"HAAAH!"
When his sword could no longer cut them down, Bu Eun-seol abandoned blade techniques and unleashed the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon.
BOOM—
With each burst of Fist Energy, a violent storm erupted, flinging the masked figures away.
Since their bodies were tougher than steel,
he aimed to fling their bodies like hidden weapons, taking out the attackers charging at him too.
Whoosh—
But with every use of the Seven Forms, his Internal Power drained in chunks.
The depletion worsened—now, even breathing sapped his energy.
'This isn't working.'
The Neither-Human-Nor-Beast who commanded ghost spirits had once used a mysterious Art of Spells to erase Internal Energy,
but after restoring his strength in the Martial Venerable's Treasury, it had stopped affecting him.
Yet the Earth Yi Star's power was different—his reserves were steadily hitting rock bottom.
'So the Mindscape used by Neither-Human-Nor-Beast and the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars are fundamentally distinct.'
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Even so, Bu Eun-seol swung the Ink Soul Sword relentlessly, forcing the masked figures back.
Fighting against thousands of formidable enemies without a single drop of internal energy was by no means an easy task.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had once battled desperately against assassins while completely drained of internal energy.
Since then, he had learned to amplify the lethality of his sword techniques through martial principles alone—without relying on internal energy.
Thanks to that, he hadn't faced any critical danger yet.
Shwaaak!
But then, a masked man with razor-sharp claws exploited a gap in Bu Eun-seol's swordplay and slashed his shoulder.
Zzzt—!
As the sharp claws dug in, the Thunder Essence Divine Qi within his body instinctively activated, greatly mitigating the attack's impact.
However, the moment the Thunder Essence Divine Qi flared—
Just like his internal energy, it too began gradually dissipating.
'So this is what the One Hundred and Eight Stars are capable of.'
This vast Reed Field was already Earth Yi Star's domain.
If Bu Eun-seol used internal energy, it would be suppressed.
If he used Thunder Essence Divine Qi, that too would be sealed away.
'Then I must not rely on the Two Spirit Energies.'
There might be other allies nearby. As Seon-u Jin, he absolutely could not reveal his possession of the Two Spirit Energies.
Shwaaak!
Instead, Bu Eun-seol wielded Light Outside and Heavy at Heart—a sword principle where the movements were feather-light, yet the striking force carried crushing weight—
And slowly, he began piercing through the masked men's hardened exoskeletons.
Twitch.
Yet even when he cleanly impaled them, the masked men simply rose again and lunged at him.
'Are they truly insects?'
Insects had no pressure points—only tenacious vitality and relentless fighting spirit.
Even as their comrades fell like bundles of straw—
They paid no heed, attacking like frenzied beasts.
Splat! Splurt!
Gradually, blood began spraying from Bu Eun-seol's body.
The number of masked men still remaining was beyond counting.
They were, in every sense, monstrous human-sized ants—terrifying in strength and endurance.
"Impressive. To last over a quarter of an hour in the Demon Ant Assault Formation."
Earth Yi Star, who had been murmuring in admiration, suddenly burst into a sinister laugh and shouted—
"But you won't last much longer! You of all people should know just how strong ants can be!"
At those words, Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
"Ants? You mean you enlarged real ants?"
"Indeed."
"I see."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
Earth Yi Star had made a mistake.
Because with that single remark—
He had revealed the truth behind how these impossibly massive, human-sized ants could exist.
Shkreeek!
Cutting down another charging masked man, Bu Eun-seol muttered under his breath—
"So it's all about belief. You made me believe they really are ant-men."
Having achieved Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, Bu Eun-seol was immune to all forms of Soul-Seizing Art or mental attacks.
But the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars was absolute within their domain—capable of manifesting their abilities under any circumstance.
And Earth Yi Star's power did not control minds or force actions against one's will.
Rather, it synchronized the target's own thoughts and intentions indirectly.
In other words, even while Bu Eun-seol remained perfectly rational—
He had been made to accept the existence of giant ants, something that should be impossible in reality.
"Remarkable. To realize that mid-battle."
Hearing Bu Eun-seol's mutter, Earth Yi Star sneered.
"But what does it change? You've already accepted that these are ants."
"..."
"No matter how strong your mental barriers are, even if you were a master capable of wielding Limitless Power—you'd still never survive this!"
At Earth Yi Star's declaration, another flash of insight lit up Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
'It can never be broken.'
Those words sparked an idea in his mind—a way to counter this bizarre power.
'Do I even need to break it?'
Suddenly, memories from his past surfaced.
As a child, Bu Eun-seol had once seen insects carrying objects many times their own size.
If those insects grew as large as humans, wouldn't they become the ultimate predators, surpassing even the fiercest beasts?
"If insects grew as big as humans, wouldn't they become the strongest species in the world?"
Right before bed, young Bu Eun-seol had asked Bu Jan-yang, who was reading a book.
In response, Bu Jan-yang chuckled and shook his head.
"No. Insects are strong precisely because they are small."
"Because they're small?"
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's confusion, Bu Jan-yang closed his book and smiled kindly.
"Think about it. If an insect grew as massive and heavy as a human—could its strength and agility truly scale proportionally?"
He explained patiently.
"Growing larger means an increase in volume. But insects lack skeletons like humans—they only have hard exoskeletons. The conclusion is obvious."
Gently ruffling Bu Eun-seol's hair, he added—
"In short, bigger doesn't always mean stronger."
Flash!
Snapping out of the memory, Bu Eun-seol's eyes blazed with realization.
If an insect grew as large as a human, its exoskeleton would need to be impossibly thick to support its weight.
And if an ant became human-sized?
Its weight would increase millions of times—
But the strength of its spindly legs would only grow hundreds of thousands of times at best. It would struggle just to stand.
"If you're truly insects, then that's how it should be, no?"
Bu Eun-seol's rationality still acknowledged them as giant insects.
And now, he understood.
If human-sized ants existed in the real world—
What would inevitably happen?
Stagger—
The masked men, who had been moving with lightning speed, suddenly slowed to a crawl.
Earth Yi Star's suggestion had not been broken.
Bu Eun-seol still believed they were real ant-men.
And that was precisely why—
And as he became acutely aware of the phenomena that occur when ants grow as large as humans, those very things began unfolding before his eyes in reality.
Crunch. Crackle.
Their slender legs, unable to bear their own weight, began snapping like brittle crackers.
Just from the weight of his gaze alone.
The spindly legs of the masked men who had filled the Reed Field were shattering one after another.