Chapter 780
"Hohoho."
Un Hak-bi wore an enigmatic smile.
"What difference does it make even if you've realized it now?"
When he readily admitted it, Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his astonishment.
Even if he'd anticipated it, the ability was nothing short of shocking.
"Then that means even masters like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor or the Righteous Heavenly Emperor could be trapped within your domain."
"Hohoho. Who knows."
Though Un Hak-bi gazed at Bu Eun-seol as if he were nothing more than a caught fish, he gave no clear answer.
"Though if that ability were truly omnipotent, you would have long since ascended as the world's foremost master."
At Bu Eun-seol's provocation, Un Hak-bi refused to take the bait any further and instead began channeling his internal energy once more.
"Enough chatter. Now, prepare to die."
A triumphant smile hung in Un Hak-bi's eyes.
No matter what martial art Bu Eun-seol might unleash—
He could counter it with the very same technique, only amplified in might.
As long as Bu Eun-seol remained within this domain, there was no possible way for him to defeat Un Hak-bi.
Sshhk! Sshhk!
Un Hak-bi, who had been continuously manifesting the Willful True Binding, shuddered as if absorbing something once again.
Clack.
Then, abruptly, he sheathed his treasured sword.
The Ultra Fast Killing Sword—a technique that seized the perfect moment, allowing one to savor death with their own eyes.
He was preparing to unleash the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
"I can see your death now."
Gripping the hilt of his sword, Un Hak-bi moved like a specter, mirroring Bu Eun-seol as he dodged the Willful True Binding.
The instant Bu Eun-seol showed even the slightest opening, his head would inevitably roll.
Whoosh!
Perhaps due to a momentary lapse in focus—
The Willful True Binding grazed Bu Eun-seol's cheek before plunging deep into the ground.
Clack.
In that instant, the sword hilt in Un Hak-bi's hand twitched slightly.
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form was about to be unleashed.
Whoosh!
Sensing this, Bu Eun-seol spun his body at high speed before mustering all his combat power to execute the Ultimate Speed Shadowless.
Because of this, Un Hak-bi ultimately failed to seize the perfect moment to unleash the Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
Reluctantly, he was forced to halt his offensive for a brief moment.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
As Bu Eun-seol landed back on the ground, droplets of blood splattered onto the floor.
Un Hak-bi observed his battered form, covered in wounds, and smiled faintly.
"Have you finished struggling?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol stared at the blood pooling beneath him.
'...'
Truthfully, up until now, he had deliberately avoided counterattacking—only dodging Un Hak-bi's assaults.
If the Jungson Clan had truly made their appearance in earnest...
If the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars allowed them to dominate a certain domain...
Then he needed to fully grasp the essence of that power.
Otherwise, he might fall victim to the unpredictable abilities of the One Hundred and Eight Stars at any moment.
And now.
He had finally found the clue.
'So that's how it is.'
To ensure his death, the Jungson Clan had lured Gongson Dan-gyeong—one of the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking senior members—into their scheme.
They had also sent Un Hak-bi, who wielded the terrifying power of the Earth Water Star, to establish a domain in this place.
If they had gone to such lengths to achieve perfection...
If they had been even more determined to kill him...
Then they should have at least brought subordinates capable of fighting alongside him within the Earth Water Star's domain.
Yet, like fools who couldn't even calculate properly—
The Jungson Clan had sent only Un Hak-bi alone to lure him to this remote mountain cabin.
Which meant, conversely—
Un Hak-bi had to come to this Crescent Moon Mountain Villa...
Alone.
'The domain.'
Un Hak-bi had created his domain here at Crescent Moon Mountain Villa.
And within that domain, he had instantly absorbed Bu Eun-seol's abilities.
The strange thing was—there wasn't even a single ant in this villa.
Not even the frogs or bugs one would commonly find around a cabin deep in the woods.
"No one else can enter this domain with you."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"That's why you lured me to this isolated place. Because no one else—not even the smallest creature—can be allowed inside."
Un Hak-bi's expression shifted slightly.
He hadn't expected Bu Eun-seol to decipher the entirety of his power in such a short time.
"Knowing that changes nothing."
Un Hak-bi smirked.
"No one can enter this space. And not only have I stationed subordinates around the villa, but I've also blocked off all approaches to prevent anyone from getting close."
He spoke with absolute confidence.
"Even if you've urgently summoned an army from the Demon Hall or the Martial Alliance, there's no way they could reach this place."
"No need for an army."
Piiii—
As Bu Eun-seol channeled his internal energy and let out a sharp whistle, the ground around the villa began to tremble as if struck by an earthquake.
Un Hak-bi let out a hoarse laugh as he watched.
"Fool. Did you really think I'd leave even a single bug in the ground after deploying my domain around this mountain cabin?"
To his credit, Un Hak-bi had meticulously detected and eliminated every mole, snake, and creature lurking underground—all to unleash the Earth Water Star's power without interference.
This was precisely the limitation.
No matter how unfathomable or overwhelming the Earth Water Star's power was, it could never make him the world's greatest.
Clack.
Un Hak-bi shifted into the stance of the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form, facing Bu Eun-seol, who was channeling his Internal Power.
"You're dying here."
Scree—
But then, the distant cry of a hawk pierced the air.
At the same time, a massive messenger hawk began circling above Bu Eun-seol's head.
As it turned out, Bu Eun-seol had used his immense Internal Power to amplify his whistle, sending it dozens of li away—summoning the messenger hawk used by the Death Soul Squad.
"Hahaha! Even if you called it, how do you plan to bring them inside? You can't possibly break through the barrier of this domain!"
Un Hak-bi burst into laughter, but Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a frosty smile.
"Who knows?"
Clack.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed his Ink Soul Sword and mirrored the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
"I may not be able to shatter the domain's barrier, but I've been carving out just enough of a gap to let one messenger hawk slip through."
"Then try it."
"No. Only when I'm certain I can kill you."
A fierce light erupted in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"I'll let the hawk in the moment you unleash your martial arts. That's the only way to ensure your head rolls clean off."
His sharp aura expanded as he scrutinized Un Hak-bi, searching for the slightest opening to execute his own Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
"Bluffing, are we?"
Un Hak-bi sneered.
"Do you really think such a cheap lie would work on me?"
If Bu Eun-seol truly had a way to bring the pigeon inside, he would've done it already. There was no need to wait for some precarious moment.
"How tedious."
Bu Eun-seol's smile deepened.
"Then I'll make it easier for you to use Meteor Chasing Moon."
Shhhhk—
Drawing his Ink Soul Sword once more, he slowly advanced toward Un Hak-bi.
Step. Step.
With each footfall, a faint radiance bloomed around his body.
...Is he serious?
Un Hak-bi's brow twitched.
The Meteor Chasing Moon Form was the Ultra Fast Killing Sword—a technique that severed an enemy's breath in the perfect instant.
Yet this man was walking toward him so calmly, as if inviting him to use it?
Does he really have a way to let that hawk inside at the decisive moment?
If the pigeon slipped in the moment he activated the Earth Water Star's power...
The domain would collapse entirely.
And before he could even understand why, his head would be flying through the air.
"No wonder you hold positions in both the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance."
Un Hak-bi smirked.
"Rumors say your brilliance lies not just in martial arts, but in your extraordinary intellect and Mystic Calculation Strategy."
"..."
"But no matter how sharp your mind is, even the main house's elites couldn't dismantle this domain in one strike."
Un Hak-bi's smile didn't waver.
"You're clearly putting on a show to lure out an opening—"
Scree—
Just then, the circling messenger hawk cried out again.
Twitch.
Un Hak-bi flinched.
The hawk had swooped low, as if it truly intended to breach the domain.
"Why aren't you attacking?"
Bu Eun-seol's smile turned enigmatic.
"If you're uneasy, why not rely on martial arts instead of the One Hundred and Eight Stars' power?"
"..."
"Do the Jungson Clan members only wag their tongues instead of honing their skills?"
"Shut your mouth!"
Of course, the Jungson Clan trained in martial arts—and their level surpassed most orthodox sects.
But the problem was that the man before him was a Master against whom such martial arts were utterly ineffective.
This bastard is a monster who doesn't lose even to past-generation Masters.
If the domain shattered, Un Hak-bi stood no chance in a martial confrontation.
He had no choice but to be cautious.
"Afraid the domain will break?"
Bu Eun-seol's smile deepened.
"Because you can't win with martial arts alone?"
Was it sharp perception, or could he peer into his very spirit and mind?
This freakish bastard was deducing far too much just from his expression.
"If you won't come, then I will."
Bu Eun-seol released his grip on the sword hilt and stepped forward.
The sheer naturalness of his movements made Un Hak-bi feel like his skull was splitting.
---"Does that bastard truly have the ability to slip in a messenger hawk at the decisive moment?"
---"Is this mere bluster? Would a person like him gamble with his life so carelessly?"
Un Hak-bi's pupils trembled incessantly, his expression twisting.
He did not know.
This was a tactic the Demonic Heavenly Emperor frequently employed—one that sowed minute fractures in an enemy's mind, turning their very strengths into weaknesses. A psychological warfare technique.
Even the Sword Sovereign, who had perfected the Nature Sword, suffered a crack in his Spirit and Mind from a single word of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's.
And in the end, hadn't he been killed after being forced to revert the Nature Sword into mere foundational martial forms?
'Even one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars isn't omnipotent, it seems.'
A faint light flickered through Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
At last, he had discerned Un Hak-bi's weakness.
'This man has never tempered himself.'
Though the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars surpassed martial arts, the one wielding it was still only human.
But Un Hak-bi, trusting in his innate strength, had neglected to train his body and Spirit and Mind.
In truth, it was only natural.
If he could absorb all martial abilities of any master who entered his Domain, why would he need training?
'An ordinary Murim Master would not have wavered at such words—they would have attacked without hesitation.'
In truth, the psychological warfare Bu Eun-seol had laid out was not something as trivial as that messenger hawk.
Yet Un Hak-bi—
At the mere suggestion that a messenger hawk could be sent in, he had succumbed to fear.
Unable to maintain a stable Spirit and Mind, he was consumed by endless unease.
---"If my Domain weakens even slightly when I unleash my martial arts...?"
---"Will it shatter in an instant? Will I be bisected by that man's single stroke?"
Just by looking into Un Hak-bi's eyes, Bu Eun-seol could almost hear his thoughts as clearly as if they were spoken aloud.
"To become a supreme master who stands above the world, one must first maintain an unshakable Spirit and Mind."
Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
"Is this the fate of power obtained without effort?"
Even if one held strength capable of shattering the heavens—
If their Spirit and Mind remained incomplete—
Only defeat would await them in the end.
"Heh heh heh."
But then, Un Hak-bi lowered his head and let out a low chuckle—
"HAHAHAHA!"
—before suddenly erupting into Mad Laughter.
"Did you truly believe everything would end just by breaking my Domain?"
With a flick of his hand—
Whoosh.
The transparent barriers blocking their surroundings vanished entirely.
Had he given up on killing Bu Eun-seol?
"Now I understand why that one specifically chose to send me..."
Un Hak-bi's body grew translucent.
Huuuung...
Simultaneously, his movements, even his expressions—
Began to shift, gradually molding into an exact replica of Bu Eun-seol standing before him.
"Hm."
As Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, Un Hak-bi did the same—
Not as an imitation, but as if reflected in a mirror. Perfectly synchronized.
"What an absurd trick."
Zzzzing—
Spotting an opening in Un Hak-bi's stance, Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword erupted with a crimson light.
He unleashed the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form.
SHWAAAK!
But something astonishing happened.
Un Hak-bi, at the exact same moment—
Executed the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form—
At the identical angle and point of impact.
CLANG!
With a Metallic Sound, sparks burst from their clashing blades as both Bu Eun-seol and Un Hak-bi were forced back simultaneously.
"This technique is called the Illusory Secret Mirror."
Un Hak-bi erupted into Mad Laughter.
"Only the true Earth Water Star can wield it."
"Now, you and I have become one. Tell me—can you kill yourself? HAHAHAHA!"
The ultimate secret art of the Earth Water Star—
Its power erased the boundary between foe and self, merging them into a single existence.
A technique embodying the Unity of Self and Object, the Oneness of Self and Other.
"You've become a nightmare—an existence that cannot be killed by any means!"
"'Can you kill yourself?'... you say."
"That's right. Kill me, and you die as well."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze grew transparent.
He had witnessed the Sword Sovereign's Nature Sword firsthand, and in the depths of enlightenment—
After Ak Mu-ryeong had embedded him into the cliffside, he had grasped a fragment of the Great Abyssal Qi in a state of Ultimate Stillness.
And from that, he had devised a Sword Form capable of naturally reversing all things.
But it remained incomplete—less a technique for severing an enemy's life than a Mutual Destruction stance.
No, it was closer to a Self-Destruction Sword Form, one that suppressed its own power.
And now, with Un Hak-bi's Illusory Secret Mirror in play—
A flawless duplicate of himself had appeared.
"To think there exists in this world a being perfectly identical to me, one that can be clearly observed from the outside?"
"Then even if I were to kill myself, could it truly be called self-destruction?"
"How amusing."
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a faint smile.
Thanks to Un Hak-bi's Illusory Secret Mirror, he had instead gained an indescribably profound insight.
He had found the key to unraveling his newly created sword form in an entirely different way.
Whoosh...
A gentle breeze drifted in from somewhere.
And that wind...
Brushed past Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword before reaching Un Hak-bi, who stood with the same face and posture.
It was a pleasant wind—
At least, for Bu Eun-seol, who held a single breath of the Great Abyss Qi within him.
But for Un Hak-bi, who wielded the grotesque power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, it was anything but.
Crrrrack—
A chilling sound of bones grinding echoed from Un Hak-bi's body as the wind touched him.
This breeze, infused with the essence of the Nature Sword, carried the power to restore all things to their natural order.
In other words, it transformed the utterly unnatural Earth Water Star—which copied all powers as its own and masqueraded as the real despite being a fake—into something natural in an instant.
Drip... drip...
As all his power surged backward in an instant, Un Hak-bi staggered like a drunkard, blood spilling from his lips.
Cough—!
Just from being exposed to that strange breeze Bu Eun-seol had unleashed, he had suffered severe internal injuries.
"This can't be happening!"
Un Hak-bi desperately drew upon his Internal Power.
"You must die with me!"
He pushed the Earth Water Star's power to its absolute limit, but—
Swish—
Bu Eun-seol paid no heed to his movements, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
As if he had completely forgotten Un Hak-bi's very existence.
"The Sword Sovereign... truly reached an unfathomable realm."
With a sigh, he murmured softly,
"Neither forced nor deliberately sought, yet it arises naturally... lacking nothing at all..."
"DIE!"
At that moment, a destructive force capable of annihilating everything surged from Un Hak-bi's sword.
It was his final technique—one that gathered all of Bu Eun-seol's power within his domain before expelling every last drop of his own life force.
Flick—
Bu Eun-seol, who had been holding his hands behind his back with his sword hidden, now extended Ink Soul Sword forward.
And behind him, a scene unfolded—like mist rising over a lakeshore at dawn, rippling gently over the water.
Shhh—
That mist swept past Un Hak-bi's body before vanishing into the distant sky.
Thud.
Un Hak-bi's sword slipped from his grasp.
He stared at Bu Eun-seol in disbelief.
"What kind of sword technique is this?"
"The Ninth Form of the Formless Heavenly Flow."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was infinitely tranquil.
"Misty Waves of Rivers and Lakes."
The Ninth Form of the Formless Heavenly Flow, inspired by a single stroke of the Sword Sovereign's Nature Sword, had finally revealed itself to the martial world.
"Misty... Waves... of Rivers and Lakes..."
Un Hak-bi muttered in a daze.
Splurt—!
At the same time, blood erupted from his seven orifices.
All those who bore the One Hundred and Eight Stars possessed bodies as durable as a Diamond Bronze Man, with terrifying regenerative abilities.
But after being struck by the Misty Waves of Rivers and Lakes, all his unnatural power had vanished, leaving behind nothing but an ordinary body.
"Don't think... you've won."
Un Hak-bi spoke in a low voice, blood streaming from his seven orifices.
"In the end... the master foresaw all of this."
"The master?"
Bu Eun-seol found that peculiar.
Un Hak-bi was a figure of the Jungson Clan.
Logically, the one he served should be the Jungson Clan's leader.
Yet he specifically referred to them as "the master"?
Could there be someone else—a hidden mastermind—pulling the strings behind the Jungson Clan?
"Yes. He is the Divine Being who governs all under heaven. Your death... has already been decided."
The light faded from Un Hak-bi's eyes.
"Where is Chief Strategist Gongson?"
"Heavenly Heart Valley."
Even as he lay dying, Un Hak-bi wore a faint smile.
"You'll go there, won't you? Because the master said you would."
"..."
"But that place... will be your grave. Heh... heh..."
Blood gushed from his mouth as Un Hak-bi burst into mad laughter.
"Kuhahaha! There, you'll face the master's—something you couldn't even begin to imagine—!"
Thud.
His words cut short, his eyes wide open as he drew his last breath.
Bu Eun-seol fell into deep thought, silent.
A Divine Being who governed all under heaven, ruled the Jungson Clan, and knew Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Why would such a being want him—
No, why would they want to kill Seon-u Jin, the chief of the Martial Alliance's Secret Intelligence Bureau?
"I'll find out soon enough."
Clearing his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol gathered his Internal Energy to its peak.
To bring down the Martial Alliance.
And to settle many other matters, he needed Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Even if that weren't the case, he had no desire to let her die at the hands of worthless scum.
BOOM—!
With a surge of Thunder Essence Divine Qi, Bu Eun-seol shot into the distant sky in a single leap.
Even though he knew full well it was a trap.
He was heading straight for Heavenly Heart Valley—to save Gongson Dan-gyeong.