Chapter 793
"Brother Bu!"
The ancient gate creaked open, and a man in blue robes rushed out with arms wide open.
It was Hyeok So-jin.
"So-jin."
"Hahaha! How long has it been?"
Hyeok So-jin grabbed both of Bu Eun-seol's hands and shook them excitedly, as if dancing with joy.
Bu Eun-seol, who had declared he would seek the power of the Death God, had arrived at the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary somewhat abruptly.
"You didn't send word—what brings you here?"
"I was passing by and thought I'd stop in. It's been a while since I last saw the elders. I also wanted to check if Peach Blossom Paradise is running smoothly."
"Is that so? Come in, come in!"
Like a waiter ushering in a guest, Hyeok So-jin gestured repeatedly as he personally guided Bu Eun-seol inside.
Then, he loudly announced to the sanctuary:
"Grandfather! Look who's here!"
A grand feast was being held at the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary—a rare occurrence.
Since this was a place where retired demonic martial artists lived in quiet seclusion, even distinguished guests seldom warranted such a celebration.
Even when they did, it was usually a modest gathering in a small banquet hall.
But now, every resident of the sanctuary had come out to revel in the festivities.
All because Bu Eun-seol had arrived.
He had saved the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary when it was on the brink of collapse.
He had cured the ailments of the former Great Demons who had fallen into despair—even restoring the health of the sanctuary master, Hyeok Gong-baek.
And he had completely transformed the life of the next sanctuary master, Hyeok So-jin, who had been wasting his talent in despondency.
Bu Eun-seol was their greatest guest and benefactor. His arrival sparked an unprecedented celebration.
—Hahahaha!
At Bu Eun-seol's request, the feast was held in Peach Blossom Paradise, where the former Great Demons resided.
Unlike in the past, the elders' eyes now brimmed with vitality, their bodies overflowing with energy.
The twilight years of a martial artist could often be pitiful.
Especially for those whose Internal Power had waned or who had suffered injuries in their later years—such thoughts weighed heavily on them.
But Bu Eun-seol had restored the pride of the neglected Great Demons of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
He never forgot that the Demonic Path had flourished because of their existence.
When a Great Demon of Peach Blossom Paradise passed away...
No matter how busy he was, the Heir of the Demon Hall—the leading master of the new generation of the Demonic Path—would personally prepare the body, craft the coffin, and remain by their side in mourning until the very end.
Just receiving such respect allowed the former Great Demons to stand tall.
To know that their lives had not been in vain.
To declare that their final years were anything but pitiful.
To secure the support of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary, Bu Eun-seol had vowed to honor the Great Demons of Peach Blossom Paradise until their last moments.
And he had kept that promise without fail.
—Piiiii!Boom!
The mischievous Hyeok So-jin had even prepared firecrackers to set off during the feast.
Perhaps people became more childlike with age?
The fireworks painting the night sky...
Were enjoyed far more by the elders of Peach Blossom Paradise than by Bu Eun-seol himself.
Amid endless laughter, the celebration lasted well into the night.
The next day...
Bu Eun-seol conversed with the Great Demons of Peach Blossom Paradise, including Hyeok Gong-baek.
Whether as the Heir of the Demon Hall or as the Martial Soul Lord whose name shook the world...
Bu Eun-seol treated the elders with the same blunt yet warm demeanor he had during his days as one of the Ten Demonic Heirs.
After spending the entire day in conversation, Bu Eun-seol quietly slipped out of the sanctuary at dawn.
With the sanctuary's expanded influence, Hyeok Gong-baek and Hyeok So-jin were extremely busy.
Yet if he announced his departure, they would insist on stopping him repeatedly—and every resident would exhaust themselves seeing him off.
Not wishing to burden them further after their overwhelming hospitality...
Bu Eun-seol chose to leave in silence.
After exiting the sanctuary and walking for some time, he reached a fork in the road where a large tree stood.
Whoosh.
But from behind the tree, a tall figure emerged as if he had been waiting.
It was Hyeok So-jin.
"So-jin."
"Let me accompany you."
Hyeok So-jin grinned as he spoke.
"Whether to hell or the ends of heaven, I'll accompany you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you really think you can fool me?"
Hyeok So-jin's gaze was deadly serious.
"Your body isn't normal, is it? You've suffered a severe injury, haven't you?"
Hyeok So-jin had traveled the martial world with Bu Eun-seol for a long time—he knew all his habits, even the subtlest shifts in his gaze.
Bu Eun-seol's senses were especially sharp; he could detect the sound of a leaf falling from hundreds of yards away.
During the feast, Hyeok So-jin had set off firecrackers.
The Bu Eun-seol of old would have looked at the sky before the fireworks even exploded.
But this time, Bu Eun-seol only looked up after they burst.
And now, it was the same.
Had his senses been intact, he would have detected Hyeok So-jin's presence and spoken before he even revealed himself.
In other words, Bu Eun-seol right now...
Had completely lost the extrasensory perception that was fundamental to any martial artist.
If that was the case, then his Internal Energy had undoubtedly plummeted—and it was clear he had suffered a grave injury.
Yet he had said nothing, maintaining a calm smile the entire time.
Hyeok So-jin had sensed Bu Eun-seol would suddenly leave and had been waiting here first.
"Nonsense."
Bu Eun-seol flatly denied it.
"If I were injured, I would be getting treatment. Why would I come here?"
"Because you need treatment."
A flash flickered in Hyeok So-jin's pupils.
"With the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi."
"The Wind & Cloud Divine Qi?"
"Didn't you casually ask the old men of Peach Blossom Paradise about the legend of the Wind God Tower?"
Hyeok So-jin's gaze was filled with conviction.
"Then what you need to restore your body must be the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi."
Bu Eun-seol fell silent.
He was right.
After examining his physical condition over the past few days,
the only way to restore his severed Two Spirit Energies and his senses was to obtain another of the Four Spirit Energies.
And among the remaining energies, the fastest and most certain method was to find the Wind God Tower.
Even though the Wind God Palace had been inactive in the martial world for over a hundred years, and even its location remained unknown,
the Wind God Tower was said to appear periodically.
If he could find it, he could visit it at any time.
—The only ones who might know the location of the Wind God Tower would be them.
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol sought out the former Great Demons gathered at the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
Since they had spent their lives criticizing the martial world, they must have heard the legend of the Wind God Tower at least once.
And among them, there might be someone who knew a clue about it.
"Hmm."
Finishing his recollection, Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
"It's dangerous."
"Isn't that what wandering the martial world is all about?"
"The current martial world's power structure has completely changed."
"Power structure?"
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol explained about the True Demon and the Eight Heavenly Servants.
After all, if he were to obtain the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi, the information would spread through the network anyway.
"I see."
Hyeok So-jin wasn't particularly surprised.
"It's similar to the legends of the martial world that Grandfather told me when I was young."
The Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary was a place where the secret manuals of the Great Demons had been preserved for generations.
Though Hyeok Gong-baek was not one of the Three Demons and Three Venerables, he was a Great Demon comparable to them...
So it was possible he had known something about the True Demon.
"If what you say is true, then we must follow through."
Hyeok So-jin smiled confidently.
"If it weren't dangerous, it wouldn't be a journey through the martial world. And only through danger can martial arts grow further."
"So-jin."
"If you wander the martial world alone while injured, how could I possibly sleep peacefully?"
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
Hyeok So-jin was being so sincere and considerate—he couldn't just dismiss that.
"What about the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary and the elders if you leave?"
Realizing that this was permission, Hyeok So-jin beamed.
"It's fine. I've already taken care of most of my duties. The only thing keeping me busy lately is the repair work in Peach Blossom Paradise."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled and nodded.
"Fine. We'll go together."
As soon as permission was granted, Hyeok So-jin's face lit up like a child's, and he nearly jumped for joy.
At his young age, managing the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary with his grandfather had kept him from even considering a journey through the martial world.
But now, he was setting out with Bu Eun-seol again?
He was so excited he could dance with joy.
"You made the right decision. Hahaha. Honestly, who else would accompany you if not me?"
Hyeok So-jin's booming voice echoed into the distant sky.
Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin unleashed their Lightness Skill and raced endlessly southward.
The place where the legend of the Wind God Tower had been passed down was none other than the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Though Bu Eun-seol had lost his extrasensory perception and his internal power had greatly diminished, he was still capable of using Lightness Skill.
Even so, Hyeok So-jin occasionally rented long-distance carriages along the way.
If they could secure a carriage pulled by a Snow-Cluster Horse or a Sweat-Blood Horse—horses said to travel a thousand li in a day—
it wouldn't be as fast as Lightness Skill, but it would still be a comfortable and swift means of travel.
—We're wasting too much time.
But Bu Eun-seol couldn't afford to lose even a single day.
In the end, the two abandoned the idea of carriages altogether and relied solely on Lightness Skill to head toward the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
They traveled by day and camped out at night, choosing suitable spots to rest.
During their previous travels through the martial world, they had mostly roamed around Chengdu,
so they had rarely slept under the open sky, exposed to the night dew.
But covering such a long distance at speed left them no choice but to camp.
Crackle.
The sound of burning firewood echoed through the silent, empty forest.
After half a day of continuous Lightness Skill, Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin had settled in a forest clearing by a stream to rest.
"Brother Bu. Are you feeling unwell?"
Hyeok So-jin watched Bu Eun-seol with a worried expression as he sat in meditation, eyes closed.
He seemed to have grown thinner, and his complexion wasn't good.
"I didn't want to ask unless absolutely necessary, but..."
Hyeok So-jin took a deep breath before speaking.
"I think I should know just how bad your condition is."
Bu Eun-seol slowly opened his eyes.
"Every energy pathway in my body is blocked. I have less than 120 years of internal energy remaining. Even my extrasensory perception has vanished."
"You've lost your senses too?"
Hyeok So-jin's expression darkened.
Losing internal energy temporarily or feeling drained was one thing.
But losing even one's senses meant that all capabilities as a martial artist had disappeared.
Bu Eun-seol's condition was far more severe than he had imagined.
"What in the world happened?"
"Considering I was exposed bare-handed to the Hardening Force of the Fist Adept—whose power destroys everything—I got off cheap."
"So you really did fight one of the Eight Heavenly Servants."
From the moment Bu Eun-seol mentioned the Eight Heavenly Servants,
Hyeok So-jin had suspected that he had already clashed with them and suffered injuries as a result.
"How strong was the Fist Adept?"
But since he hadn't heard the details of the battle, he took this chance to ask discreetly.
"Surely he wasn't stronger than the Three Demons, was he?"
Bu Eun-seol recounted his fight with the Fist Adept in detail.
"And you're saying that man was the lowest-ranked?"
Hyeok So-jin's jaw dropped.
The stories of the True Demon, who had manipulated the world through countless cycles of reincarnation, were so grandiose they felt like myths—hard to believe.
But the Eight Heavenly Servants were real figures currently roaming the Murim, people who had directly confronted Bu Eun-seol.
And the lowest among the True Demon's servants, the Human Heavens, were on par with the strongest masters of the martial world?
"Haha."
Hyeok So-jin let out a hollow laugh.
It felt absurd, like being insulted by a complete stranger for no reason—ridiculous and infuriating.
"I always suspected something was off... but this feels like hearing a sick joke."
Shaking his head, Hyeok So-jin spoke again.
"So in the end, you were struck by Limitless Power and injured?"
"Correct."
"But... is that even possible?"
Limitless Power was less a martial art and more a transcendent force beyond the limits of what a human could wield.
Unless one could unleash Limitless Power themselves—or something close to it—there was no way to block it.
And yet, he had stopped it with his bare body?
"The Harmonization I mastered had the ability to neutralize the force of Limitless Power. That's how it was possible."
"Harmonization... you mean blending multiple martial arts? That kind of Harmonization?"
"Similar, but different. The Harmonization I use is, simply put, an alignment of forces—the closest thing to my maximum possible output."
Hyeok So-jin tilted his head, clearly unable to grasp it.
With no other choice, Bu Eun-seol explained Harmonization in detail.
After listening for a long while, Hyeok So-jin's face brightened.
"Then, in reality, you've already entered the Martial Extreme Realm, haven't you? Harmonization is also a form of Limitless Power."
"No. I erased the Martial Extremity Equal Enlightenment and outright rejected the very concept of the Martial Extreme Realm."
"I don't understand. If you rejected the Martial Extreme Realm, how could you wield power capable of opposing Limitless Power?"
"The system of realms is treated as absolute truth, but in reality, it doesn't account for individuality or innate disposition. In other words, it's an imprecise classification."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"That's why even those in the same realm don't possess equal martial prowess. Murim practitioners tried to compensate by categorizing stages like 'entry,' 'seasoned,' and 'peak,' but that alone isn't enough."
"Hmm."
"More importantly, the very word 'realm'... unconsciously restricts martial artists. All because they follow in the footsteps of their predecessors."
"You mean because of the way abilities are classified by realm?"
"Something like that. Those who reached the Martial Extreme Realm naturally accepted the Martial Extremity Equal Enlightenment when it manifested. Because that's what the masters before them had done."
Hyeok So-jin stroked his chin as if realizing something.
"So you questioned it and refused to accept it."
"Correct. Because the Martial Extreme Realm was never my goal to begin with."
When Bu Eun-seol first learned martial arts, his goal had been vague—simply to never lose to anyone.
But after experiencing and clashing with the power of the strongest in Murim, that goal became more concrete.
He wanted to reduce their terrifying strength to that of ordinary humans.
And that determination—
Because it clashed entirely with the established truths of martial realms and systems—
Allowed him to discard the Martial Extreme Realm without hesitation.
"I see."
Only now did Hyeok So-jin fully understand Bu Eun-seol's words.
"Even the Martial Extreme Realm, which all martial artists dream of, wasn't enough for you."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"It wasn't that it wasn't enough. I simply had no interest in it. I was only walking my own path."
Murim practitioners had, as if bound by some unspoken promise, revered the Martial Extreme Realm.
They considered the Heavenly Will Realm an unreachable height—a Heaven Beyond Heaven.
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
He had entered Murim for revenge—nothing more.
He hadn't even been aware that he was a martial artist himself.
That was why he had never coveted or yearned for the so-called realms of martial arts established thus far.
"But Elder Brother Bu, I doubt you turned away from the Martial Extreme Realm solely because of that."
Hyeok So-jin knew Bu Eun-seol's personality all too well.
It wasn't just out of mere curiosity.
Nor was it simply because he wanted to walk his own path.
He wouldn't have rejected Limitless Equal Enlightenment for such reasons alone.
"Of course not."
Bu Eun-seol recounted the moment he had sensed Limitless Equal Enlightenment.
"When Limitless Equal Enlightenment manifested, it didn't feel like a step toward the Martial Extreme Realm. If anything, it felt like an Inner Demon."
"An Inner Demon?"
"Yes. The 'phenomenon' I referred to at the time—what I called Limitless Power—felt like it was demanding I choose one path."
The first time Limitless Equal Enlightenment had manifested was when he unleashed Harmonization.
And that manifestation—
It had felt as though it were telling him that if he reached the Martial Extreme Realm, he would have to choose a single Limitless Power, like Harmonization.
But from Bu Eun-seol's perspective—
No matter how extraordinary an ability it was, Harmonization was merely one of the profound mysteries of martial arts.
It was neither the dreamlike realm he had envisioned nor his ultimate goal.
That was why he had considered that Limitless Equal Enlightenment might not be a sign of approaching the Martial Extreme Realm—
But rather, an Inner Demon that would shackle him to a single power.
"I understand what you're saying, Elder Brother Bu, but—"
Hyeok So-jin let out a sigh.
Even after listening intently, he couldn't fully grasp it.
The more he heard, the more Bu Eun-seol seemed like some unfathomable being.
Because his thoughts and theories—
Were dismantling everything the Grandmasters of martial arts, who had upheld Murim until now, had established.
"Perhaps that was a thought only you could have had, Elder Brother Bu."
Hyeok So-jin expressed his honest feelings.
"Ordinary martial artists don't manifest Limitless Equal Enlightenment so easily, nor do they store multiple powers within their bodies to begin with."
The reason Bu Eun-seol could wield the power he called Harmonization—
Was because his body was already a crucible of countless intermingling forces.
And in truth, that alone was tantamount to forging an entirely new martial system.
After all, in the history of Murim, no martial artist had ever possessed such diverse powers simultaneously.
"You're right. Perhaps that's why my perspective on the Martial Extreme Realm—or the manifestation of Limitless Equal Enlightenment—differs from others."
Bu Eun-seol acknowledged it.
What if he had walked a single path like ordinary martial artists, devoting himself entirely to mastering one true martial art?
He might have suppressed the manifestation of Limitless Equal Enlightenment—or never even considered diverging from that path.
"Merely possessing the Two Spirit Energies already means my body wields a power that defies martial convention. And besides—"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been about to mention that his Internal Energy had surpassed ten Cycles, shook his head.
"Well, something like that."
"But if you obtain the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi, will your body truly recover? How can you be so certain?"
"The truth is, the Hardening Force is still gnawing at my body. And the Two Spirit Energies are the only thing holding it back."
Even with the faint aura of Harmonization surrounding him—even with the Hardening Force, a Limitless Power, having infiltrated his body—
The sole reason his body hadn't shattered and killed him instantly was because the Two Spirit Energies were resisting it.
"So two forces are fiercely holding it back, and with a third, you could completely repel it?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Exactly. In this state, I can't expel or destroy the Hardening Force."
"Then what if we asked Pavilion Lord Ak? Or even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?"
"The Hardening Force and the Two Spirit Energies are in perfect opposition, maintaining equilibrium. If someone were to interfere from the outside and try to eliminate the Hardening Force—my body would explode."
Hyeok So-jin nodded in understanding.
If there was something inside his body that would detonate the moment it was disturbed—
It had to be resolved from within.
External interference would only increase the likelihood of disaster.
"So you chose the simplest solution. If two forces aren't enough, acquire a third."
"Precisely."
Having grasped the full situation, Hyeok So-jin let out a heavy sigh.
"Having multiple powers like you, Elder Brother Bu, isn't necessarily a good thing either. If you can't perfectly control them—it's worse than not having them at all."
"A fair point."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"That's why the Philosophers of old focused on a single Internal Energy Method and a single martial art, honing them to the realm of Entering Divinity to enhance their Martial Prowess. Mastering one thing thoroughly is a faster path than mixing multiple forces."
In truth, acquiring diverse powers had never been Bu Eun-seol's intention.
Fate had bestowed upon him multiple energies and martial arts, and he had simply accepted them.
What if Bu Eun-seol hadn't possessed such broad-minded thinking and exceptional talent?
He wouldn't have been able to contain this much power to begin with.
"We'll definitely find the Wind God Tower and obtain the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi."
Hyeok So-jin clenched his fist firmly.
"I'll make sure of it."
In truth, Bu Eun-seol's condition was worsening with time, his bloodline gradually hardening as if freezing.
But Bu Eun-seol showed no particular concern.
Instead, he smiled—calm and untroubled.
With Hyeok So-jin by his side, he was certain they would find the Wind God Palace and obtain the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi.