Chapter 782
"What do you mean?"
"The fist technique you're using."
The old man smiled contentedly as he spoke.
"Isn't that the fist of Heaven?"
'Heaven?'
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
Seven Forms of the Fist Demon and Azure Heaven Seven Forms.
Though they were divided between the Demonic Path and the Righteous Faction, their roots were the same.
'Does that mean both the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon and the Azure Heaven Seven Forms originated from that old man's sect?'
The Langya Pavilion had no records of the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon as a secret technique.
Yet Domyeong, the Wolf Lord of the Wandering Drifters and a disciple of the Langya Pavilion, had called the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon a martial art of the Langya Pavilion—and had passed its secret manual to him.
If so, the original source of the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon must have lain elsewhere from the beginning.
And perhaps the Langya Pavilion, upon learning of it, had excluded the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon from its orthodox martial arts.
"If it's Heaven..."
Just then, Gongson Dan-gyeong uttered something unexpected.
"Don't tell me—are you one of the Servants of the True Demon, one of the Eight Heavenly Servants?"
"Oh-ho."
The old man's eyes widened in surprise at her words.
"So you know of Heaven."
Hearing his response, Gongson Dan-gyeong's pupils dimmed.
"The legends were true."
Finally grasping the old man's identity, she muttered under her breath.
"That's why you were searching for the Heavenly Mechanism Star."
When she had been abducted by the Jungson Clan...
She had once secretly infiltrated their Secret Vault.
And there, she had read a book containing legends secretly passed down within Murim.
In Murim, there existed an Absolute Evil—the True Demon—who carried memories of past lives and cycled endlessly through reincarnation.
It was said that the Baekri Clan, one of the legendary Three Clans, had strived to destroy it but ultimately failed and sealed it away instead.
And that the True Demon, to prepare for its resurrection, had left behind fifteen servants: three attendants known as the Three Attendants, beneath whom stood the Four Divine Heavens and the Eight Heavenly Servants.
And the Heavenly Mechanism Star, capable of analyzing the present flow of events and predicting even the future...
Naturally, it would be aware of the True Demon's existence—and would act to stop it.
Which meant, from the perspective of the Eight Heavenly Servants, it would be the first target to eliminate.
"How do you know of Heaven?"
At the old man's question, Gongson Dan-gyeong pressed her lips tightly together.
After a long moment of contemplation, the old man seemed to realize something and smiled faintly.
"Heh heh heh. Could it be... you were one of the children taken in droves by the Jungson Clan and survived?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes widened.
How did this old man know that the Jungson Clan had abducted children?
'I wasn't the only one who survived.'
Moreover, he had said, "one of the children who survived."
Which meant...
There might be others who had lived besides her and Hwasu.
"Chief Strategist. What is that old man talking about?"
Unable to guess the old man's identity, Bu Eun-seol asked, and Gongson Dan-gyeong exhaled a heavy breath before answering.
"The True Demon."
"The True Demon?"
"An evil said to have existed since ancient times. One that reincarnates over and over, retaining memories of past lives."
She pointed at the old man.
"And that old man is one of the True Demon's fifteen servants."
"Heh heh heh."
The old man laughed and nodded.
"Correct. This old man is none other than the Fist Adept."
This giant of an old man...
Was one of the Eight Heavenly Servants—those beneath the Three Attendants and the Four Divine Heavens.
The Fist Adept.
"The Jungson Clan bastards are impressive. To have explained the existence of Heaven in such detail even to a mere consumable."
For some reason, Gongson Dan-gyeong answered readily.
"I only happened to see a secret manual that the Jungson Clan treated like a sacred relic... together with someone."
The someone she had seen it with was none other than Chu-so.
He had discovered the entrance to the Jungson Clan's Secret Vault and shared it with her.
They had sneaked in together and read the books inside.
The memory of being there with Chu-so remained an unforgettable part of her life.
"Someone, you say..."
The old man's eyes flashed.
"I'll have to wipe out the Jungson Clan root and stem later."
'So the Heavenly Servants have no connection to the Jungson Clan.'
Deliberately...
Gongson Dan-gyeong had made it sound as though someone within the Jungson Clan had helped her read the secret manual.
And upon hearing that, the old man had shown hostility toward the Jungson Clan.
Which meant she had deduced that the Heavenly Servants were unrelated to them.
"We've talked long enough."
The Fist Adept observed Gongson Dan-gyeong's sharp gaze and faintly nodded.
"I assume you've all made your preparations to die?"
Though he spoke with the tone and demeanor of a kindly old man...
An overwhelming Demonic Energy—so vast even the Blood Demon Jeok Bung would have to yield—rippled across his entire body.
"Hold on."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward and asked:
"If the old man is Fist Adept, then among these so-called Servants of the True Demon... is Neither-Human-Nor-Beast also present?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Seeing how Ghost Children and Ghost Spirits keep appearing in the Martial World these days, I suspected there might be a connection."
In response to Bu Eun-seol's question, Fist Adept nodded readily and smiled warmly.
"Correct. Neither-Human-Nor-Beast also belongs to Heaven."
Instantly, Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
'So that's how it was.'
Until now, he had assumed "Neither-Human-Nor-Beast" was just another name for the Demonic Cult.
Even the Supreme Emperor of the Infinite Realm had explained it that way.
But as it turned out, Neither-Human-Nor-Beast was merely the lowest of the True Demon's fifteen servants—one of the eight Heavens.
"Then why does Neither-Human-Nor-Beast periodically emerge in the Martial World to create Ghost Children and Ghost Spirits?"
"That's none of your concern."
Fist Adept looked down at Bu Eun-seol and let out a thoughtful hum.
"Do you know why this elder is even entertaining your questions?"
"I don't."
"The Lord of Heaven values bonds above all."
He seemed entirely sincere.
Fist Adept gazed at Bu Eun-seol with unmistakable goodwill.
"The martial arts of Heaven ultimately took root in the Martial World. And you proved it."
"..."
"Because of that, this one can now freely step into the Martial World."
Though the specifics were unclear,
it seemed some kind of Restrictive Seal had broken due to Bu Eun-seol.
"Regardless, since we have no favors or grudges between us, we'll take our leave now."
As Bu Eun-seol turned to go, Fist Adept narrowed his eyes into crescents.
"That won't do."
"Why not?"
"Didn't I say earlier?"
Fist Adept glanced at Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"The Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars are all dangerous existences."
He spoke with a gentle smile.
"We can't let such a fine opportunity slip away."
Then, in an exceedingly kind tone, he added:
"Leave her behind. Do that, and I'll spare your life."
No man would flee after hearing such words.
Fist Adept looked at Bu Eun-seol and spoke in a coaxing voice:
"Someone like you should know this well, no? Even if you've reached the Martial Extreme Realm, you cannot oppose the Lord of Heaven."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
Fist Adept's words weren't a threat or empty arrogance.
His martial prowess was genuinely terrifying—to the point where total victory couldn't be assured.
"Most who reach the Astonishing Realm at a young age don't make ordinary choices."
Fist Adept spoke as if delivering a verdict.
"Decide. Now."
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands toward Fist Adept. Then, without hesitation, he strode out of Heavenly Heart Valley.
Not even sparing a glance at Gongson Dan-gyeong, he immediately turned and sprinted away.
"Heh heh heh."
Fist Adept laughed darkly as he watched Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"You've got no luck with men."
Slowly, he extended his hand.
If he unleashed his Internal Power, Gongson Dan-gyeong's head would explode instantly.
But something was odd.
Wasn't Gongson Dan-gyeong... smiling?
"What's so amusing?"
"Nothing. I just think I'm quite lucky with men."
"Lucky with men?"
As Fist Adept tilted his head in confusion, Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled.
"Choosing a glorious last stand to avoid humiliation is easy. But enduring disgrace to plan for the future? That's far harder."
She gazed at the spot where Bu Eun-seol had vanished and smiled.
"Few in the Martial World could display such courage."
"Pretty words. Do you actually think he'll return to save you?"
"Of course not."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's smile was dry.
She hadn't cultivated exceptional martial arts.
But she possessed the ability to gauge others' capabilities.
"He knows too. That there are scarcely any figures in the Martial World who could kill you."
"Then what courage did he show?"
"He ran outside for one reason only—to avenge me."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke with conviction.
"You can't take revenge unless you survive."
Then she added quietly:
"Someone with that kind of courage won't forget today's disgrace."
"Heh heh heh heh."
Fist Adept burst into laughter.
"You don't fear death at all."
He raised his thumb approvingly.
"The Lord of Heaven favors brilliant young talent."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's vital signs were eerily calm in the face of death.
And Fist Adept seemed thoroughly taken with her unshakable composure.
"If you weren't one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars, I might have spared you."
He shook his head with genuine regret.
"But there's no helping it."
Kwoom.
The sky darkened, and the earth trembled with a deep, resonant vibration.
Finally, Fist Adept was about to unleash his power—to obliterate Gongson Dan-gyeong's body in a single strike.
Just as his overwhelming Internal Power surged toward her—
Kurururung!
Suddenly, the entirety of Heavenly Heart Valley began to quake.
At the same time, massive boulders rained down toward Fist Adept.
"What is this?"
Frowning, Fist Adept flicked his wrist.
In an instant, the boulders plummeting toward him turned to dust, scattering in the wind.
Zzziiing!
But then, something even stranger happened.
The ground beneath Fist Adept's feet began to shimmer—before abruptly transforming into a gaping, bottomless pit.
Kurururur—
Fist Adept vanished into the black abyss in the blink of an eye, and immediately after, an uncountable number of boulders—
Uurururur!
—poured into the pit, filling it completely.
Kukukwoom!
Finally, when the rockfall ceased, the place where Fist Adept had stood was now a towering Stone Mountain.
Swoosh!
At the same moment, a white-clad figure appeared before Gongson Dan-gyeong at the entrance of Heavenly Heart Valley.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Commander Seon-u..."
Gongson Dan-gyeong was stunned.
How could Bu Eun-seol wield such power?
Had he truly reached the Martial Extreme Realm—where one could shake the earth and reshape the very terrain itself?
"Didn't I mention it earlier?"
Bu Eun-seol's expression remained calm.
"The Boundary Formations laid here were meant to test the martial prowess of those who enter. And..."
A faint smile curled on his lips as he continued.
"...the formations near the entrance can be controlled in overlapping layers."
Bu Eun-seol had recalled the formations embedded in the passageway leading into Heavenly Heart Valley.
He had rushed there, manipulating the formations woven throughout the valley—digging a massive pit beneath Fist Adept and ensuring an endless cascade of boulders would bury him.
Kurung!
But then—
A tremendous tremor erupted from within the Stone Mountain that had buried Fist Adept.
KWA-UUUNG!
At the same time, an overwhelming, terrifying Energy burst through the mountain, shooting into the sky.
Even buried under millions of pounds of rock, within a place reinforced by hundreds of overlapping formations—
He was about to shatter it all in a single strike.
"We have no time. Forgive my rudeness."
There was no time to hesitate.
Bu Eun-seol scooped Gongson Dan-gyeong into his arms and instantly activated his Movement Technique.
Swish! Kwarung!
In an instant, he had escaped Heavenly Heart Valley, racing toward Chengdu.
But soon, his Extrasensory Perception began blaring a warning.
'This won't work.'
Fist Adept's strength had reached a level beyond comprehension.
If Bu Eun-seol were fleeing alone, perhaps—
But carrying Gongson Dan-gyeong while using his Movement Technique?
They would inevitably be caught.
Tak.
He immediately halted his technique, descending into a nearby forest.
"Chief Strategist, do you trust me?"
Understanding his implication, Gongson Dan-gyeong shook her head.
"We escape together."
"No. We'll be caught eventually."
"We can't fight him."
"I know."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was firm.
"That's why at least one of us must survive."
Gongson Dan-gyeong shook her head again.
"Then it should be you, Commander Seon-u."
Her tone was resolute.
"Only then can you avenge me."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"I won't die."
Then—
In a single motion, he struck 360 Blood Circuits across her body.
Instantly, her body stiffened, and her eyes closed.
He had activated the Turtle Breath Grand Art, plunging her into a perfect state of suspended animation.
"Rest for a while."
Hummm.
This time, Bu Eun-seol used the Body-Striking Transmission Art, momentarily hardening Gongson Dan-gyeong's body like diamond.
Thud. Thud-thud-thud!
Then, he began embedding her into the earth.
Just as Ak Mu-ryeong had once done to him—he would conceal her within nature itself.
'He might detect Chief Strategist Gongson's energy.'
Realizing something, Bu Eun-seol paused briefly, retrieving the Boundary-Prosperity Jade from his robes and placing it within her grasp.
'This should keep her safe.'
Kukukuk.
Once more, he channeled his Internal Power—
Erasing all traces of her burial before immediately activating the Land-Flying Technique.
He had to escape this area swiftly—to ensure Gongson Dan-gyeong's safety.
Swoosh! Fwaaa!
But just as he had dashed several miles in a single breath—
BANG!
A deafening explosion struck him, sending him crashing to the ground like a bird with broken wings.
The sky turned pitch black as an overwhelming surge of energy, vast enough to blot out the heavens, came crashing down upon him from somewhere.
Rumble—
Bu Eun-seol, who had plummeted into the ground, sent dirt and dust scattering in all directions as he carved out a massive crater.
BOOM.
Then, a colossal shadow descended before the crater.
It was the Fist Adept.
In an instant, he had burst through the rocky mountain and unleashed a fist strike like a cannonball toward Bu Eun-seol, who had been soaring through the air with his Land-Flying Technique.
And just like that, he sent him crashing back to the earth.
"Even if you have the skill to fly through the skies, you cannot escape this one's grasp."
Crackle. Sizzle.
But then, amidst the billowing dust, flames flickered to life—
And a gray silhouette stepped forward, emerging before the Fist Adept.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Hoh."
The Fist Adept let out an impressed exclamation as he observed Bu Eun-seol stepping forward, sparks of True Qi dancing around him like flames.
"Now that I see you up close, your internal energy exceeds five hundred years' worth. For someone so young, you've reached the pinnacle of internal energy cultivation."
THUD.
At the same time, an overwhelming fist energy surged toward Bu Eun-seol.
Its range spanned over a hundred feet—
A level that no ordinary martial artist could possibly evade.
WHOOSH.
Yet Bu Eun-seol moved like lightning, dodging the mountain-like fist energy in a single breath.
With his immense internal energy and the Ultimate Speed Shadowless Technique pushed to its limits, he traversed more than two hundred feet in an instant.
"Where is she?"
"Try finding her yourself."
"Hmm."
The Fist Adept finally clenched his fist.
He had realized that Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess was far beyond ordinary—no simple attack would bring him down.
"You're not at the Martial Extreme Realm, yet... how curious."
Light began to flow from the Fist Adept's fist.
Bu Eun-seol could sense it—
This was the final form of the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon.
A fist technique that did not exist in the current Murim, now ready to be unleashed in its utmost extremity.
'I must survive.'
THUD-THUD-THUD.
Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded as if it would burst as he faced the Fist Adept.
He had crossed hands with masters of the Martial Extreme Realm before, but never had he fought a life-and-death duel against one.
Those grandmasters, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, were too proud—
No matter how exceptional Bu Eun-seol's martial arts were, they had never considered him a true life-or-death opponent.
But the Fist Adept was genuinely trying to kill him.
Now was the time for their decisive battle.
ZIIING—
From the Fist Adept's fist, a strike capable of severing life and death poured forth.
Its power shone brilliantly, carrying an overwhelming aura of dominance—as if it could tear the heavens apart.
'This... is the true Seven Forms of the Fist Demon.'
It was a single streak of light, transcending time and space—something absolutely unavoidable.
Bu Eun-seol met it head-on with the Forgetful Shattering Together form—
KABOOM!
A deafening explosion sent him flying over a hundred feet away.
'Ghk—!'
A single strike was enough to reverse his qi flow, hot blood surging up to his lips.
He was sent tumbling uncontrollably, his center of balance completely shattered.
The Fist Adept—
As one of the Servants of the True Demon, he was demonstrating martial prowess befitting the strongest in the Murim, just as Bu Eun-seol had expected.
"Hoh."
The Fist Adept nodded in faint surprise, seeing that Bu Eun-seol had endured his attack with only minor internal injuries.
"Try blocking this one too."
His body shone with a dazzling radiance, and his fist gathered an energy as intense as the sun itself.
WHOOSH—
There was no visible stance.
A lightning-like strike, as if splitting the heavens, flashed—
And came crashing down upon Bu Eun-seol's head.
"HAAH—!"
With no time to dodge, Bu Eun-seol unleashed the Heavenly Hand Empty Wave, intercepting the fist energy.
BOOM! BOOM!
With a thunderous roar, his body was sent flying another hundred feet away.
"This is getting interesting."
In an instant, countless fist shadows began to manifest around the Fist Adept's fist.
Their numbers multiplied explosively—
Before Bu Eun-seol could even react, hundreds of fist shadows spread out like firecrackers around the Fist Adept's body.
"Try blocking these too."
With ghostly movement techniques, the Fist Adept relentlessly unleashed fist shadows toward Bu Eun-seol, who was still being flung backward.
Each stance carried boundless power—
And with every surge of fist energy, the heavens split, and the earth crumbled.
BOOM! BOOM!
Before long, the Fist Adept was executing a fist technique never before seen in the Murim—
The Final Three Forms of the Fist Demon Seven Forms.
'These... are the Final Three Forms.'
Even as he was battered mercilessly, Bu Eun-seol began engraving every explosive fist shadow into his mind.
No beginning, no end.
Literally without start or finish—
Neither born nor destroyed, immeasurable and boundless.
It was the absolute pinnacle of fist techniques, endlessly cycling in perfect motion.
Zzzzt—
Bu Eun-seol's yellowed pupils trembled imperceptibly fast.
Through the Feline Mind's Eye—
He was analyzing what even his eyes could not perceive.
The subtleties of a fist technique so sharp it could pierce even the smallest fraction of time.
The stance transformations of the fist shadows that dyed the world in blinding white.
He was dissecting them—
One by one.