Chapter 8
After completing his training at Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol returned to the cave.
As he stepped inside, an odd expression crossed his face. Unlike when he had first entered the cave, he could now sense countless things.
The bugs crawling across the cave floor, the musty, damp flow of the air... Information he could never have perceived before now felt as vivid as if he were seeing it with his own eyes.
'I need to recover my body quickly.'
Bu Eun-seol was in a state of extreme exhaustion and fatigue.
He had walked without rest for a month to enter the Demon Hall, and as soon as he arrived, he had fought a battle in which his life was at stake.
Above all, the reason Bu Eun-seol felt such extreme fatigue was because he had learned the Way of the Beast.
'There are too many things to sense.'
Sensing and feeling countless things also meant having to process that much information in his head.
Having only just learned the Way of the Beast, Bu Eun-seol was unconsciously and ceaselessly analyzing the information transmitted through his senses.
Even just sitting still, it was as exhausting as writing with one hand while reading a book with the other.
'I need to sleep, even just a little.'
Bu Eun-seol suppressed the sensations flooding his entire body as much as he could and closed his eyes.
But even if he did fall asleep, the senses of the Way of the Beast would not disappear.
This was an incomparably excellent condition for a martial artist, but when it came to resting, it was an obstacle.
Drip.
At that moment, a single drop of water that had formed on the cave ceiling fell.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
'I see!'
Bu Eun-seol, who had been counting the water droplets falling at a steady pace, suddenly realized.
'The pouring sensations must be locked away, like water falling one drop at a time.'
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol slowly closed his eyes.
And he practiced gradually dulling the blade-sharp senses of the Way of the Beast, little by little.
In fact, what Bu Eun-seol was attempting was a practical application technique that even the masters of Langya Pavilion, who were accustomed to the Way of the Beast, found difficult.
Bu Eun-seol focused with all his might in order to recover his body quickly.
Without even realizing it, he was independently mastering the technique of finely controlling the senses of the Way of the Beast.
Drip.
At last, Bu Eun-seol counted up to three thousand one hundred forty-two water droplets falling.
Because he had considerably reduced the senses of the Way of the Beast, his fatigue had lifted as if he had slept deeply.
When he slowly rose to his feet and stepped out of the cave, day had already broken.
"Now, where should I go?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had come out to the clearing in front of Stone Mountain, looked once more at the parchment on which the location of the martial hall was drawn.
In the moment he was deliberating with a serious expression, the words Sa-u had spoken suddenly came to mind.
―Do you think the time to learn martial arts on Hell Island is infinite?
If those words were true, then there was not much time left to learn martial arts.
In that case, he needed to become stronger as quickly as possible, and more efficiently.
"There is no choice."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring at one spot on the parchment, nodded.
That place was the location of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, called the strongest among the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Masters of the Righteous Path choose the sword.
Masters of the Demonic Path choose the saber.
This was a choice akin to an unwritten rule of the murim.
Unlike the sword, saber techniques were overbearing and unbound by forms and laws. Their might was also on the stronger side, so in the Demonic Path, which revered the overbearing way, everyone chose the saber.
That is, before the Fire Rain Sword Sect was established.
Seven hundred years ago, the Fire Rain Sword Emperor, Jeok Hwa-un, who appeared in the Demonic Martial World like a comet, was a peerless martial grandmaster rivaling the Heavenly Demon Emperor who had founded the Demonic Path.
Having comprehensively gathered the sword studies of the Demonic Path, which had not been systematized, he finally created a single sword technique, and that was precisely the Fire Rain Sword.
This sword technique, which truly seemed as though drops of fire rain were falling from the sky, became the foremost demonic sword study, and now it had become the sect occupying the top rank among the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
"This place is..."
Bu Eun-seol, following the map, had entered deep into the rocky mountains of Hell Island.
There, he saw a martial hall built with a total of five buildings, including a training ground.
"The martial hall of the Fire Rain Sword Sect..."
Although it was made of old wooden buildings, compared to Sa-u's thatched cottage, it looked like a palace.
Moreover, because most of the Ten Demonic Heirs candidates on Hell Island had flocked to this place, a clamorous noise could be heard even from outside.
"What is the matter?"
A gatekeeper stood in front of the martial hall, and judging by his piercing gaze, he seemed to be a master who had deeply cultivated martial arts.
"I have come to learn the martial arts of the Fire Rain Sword Sect."
When Bu Eun-seol answered respectfully, the gatekeeper pointed to the martial hall.
"The martial hall is divided into the Beginner Hall, the Intermediate Hall, and the Upper-Level Hall, and a separate instructor is assigned to each hall."
The gatekeeper, with a cold expression, pointed to the small martial hall built on the left.
"Go to the Beginner Hall."
Bu Eun-seol slowly walked into the small martial hall the gatekeeper had indicated.
Contrary to its outward appearance, the interior was very plain. It was almost identical to the appearance of a small martial hall commonly seen in the Bu Estate.
At the end of the martial hall, where weapons were installed, there was a small office, and inside it, a man in black sat neatly.
'That person is...'
Bu Eun-seol wore a slightly surprised expression.
The man sitting in the office was none other than the man in black who had led the children on the ship.
'So he was a master of the Fire Rain Sword Sect.'
"You."
The black-clothed man, upon spotting Bu Eun-seol, wore a puzzled expression.
"What brings you here?"
"I have come to learn the martial arts of the Fire Rain Sword Sect."
"You came to learn the sword studies of this sect?"
The black-clothed man felt a sense of bewilderment.
The sword studies of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, which encompassed all demonic sword arts, were as deep and vast as the martial arts of Shaolin, making them exceedingly difficult to master.
That was why those who wished to learn sword techniques, or the foremost demonic sword studies, had entered the martial hall early on.
"You intend to learn this sect's sword only after fifteen days has passed?"
"That is correct."
When a confident answer came back, the black-clothed man wore a disapproving expression.
'So the strange talent was simply my misjudgment.'
After clearing his throat, he spoke in a low voice.
"Those who entered before you have mostly finished their training and moved on to the Intermediate Hall. Among them, some came having already deeply understood sword studies, yet they still have not advanced to the Upper-Level Hall."
The black-clothed man, who had been looking down at Bu Eun-seol, spoke again.
"This sect's sword studies are the most extensive among demonic path martial arts and consume a great deal of time."
"That means..."
"That in learning this sect's sword studies, fifteen days is enough time for the gap in training to widen to the difference between heaven and earth."
"I understand."
When Bu Eun-seol's gaze did not waver, the black-clothed man asked with a puzzled expression.
"What in the world were you doing for fifteen days?"
"I was learning martial arts at Langya Pavilion."
"Langya Pavilion?"
The black-clothed man spoke as if he could not comprehend it.
"You were at Langya Pavilion for fifteen days?"
"That is correct."
The black-clothed man, who had been mulling something over, asked again.
"Surely you were not learning the Way of the Beast?"
"That is correct."
The black-clothed man furrowed his brow.
The Way of the Beast, the foundational martial art of Langya Pavilion, was not only exceedingly difficult to learn, but nine out of ten who attempted it lost their lives.
And yet he had been there for fifteen days in perfectly fine condition?
'He must have given up after learning it half-heartedly.'
In fifteen days, he would not have even grasped the basics of the Way of the Beast.
The black-clothed man openly wore a look of contempt.
"It is not too late even now, so choose another martial hall. Elsewhere, depending on your ability, you could quickly catch up on about fifteen days of training."
The black-clothed man's expression, as if looking at a troublesome object, bore a striking resemblance to someone from somewhere.
It was exactly like Sa-u, who had been buried in the ground in front of the Thatched Cottage.
"Thank you for your concern and advice."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together with an impassive expression.
"But I will learn the Fire Rain Sword."
"Hm."
The black-clothed man nodded as if he had no choice.
"What is your name?"
Bu Eun-seol bowed his head politely and clasped his hands.
"I am called Bu Eun-seol."
"Bu Eun-seol."
The black-clothed man, who had murmured the name in a low voice, pointed to himself.
"I am Jin Gak, in charge of the Beginner Hall. Call me Instructor."
"Understood, Instructor."
"Have you ever learned the sword..."
The black-clothed man, Jin Gak, who had been observing Bu Eun-seol's posture with the iron sword at his waist, shook his head.
"...No, you have not."
"How did you know?"
"Any martial artist who has learned even a little sword technique keeps his hands loose so that he can draw his sword at any moment."
Jin Gak narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"But you show no trace of having learned sword techniques."
"That is correct. I have never learned sword techniques."
"Honesty is good, but this is troublesome."
Jin Gak stroked his chin.
"This sect's sword studies are so abstruse that even prodigies with exceptional bone and muscle structure find them difficult to acquire."
"Is that so?"
"Moreover, since you have never learned sword techniques at all, the time it takes to learn will be even longer."
Jin Gak spoke with a regretful expression.
"For the last time, I advise you: it is not too late even now, so go to another martial hall."
"Thank you for your concern. But I will learn the sword studies of the Fire Rain Sword Sect."
"Very well."
Jin Gak, realizing that Bu Eun-seol's resolve was firm, nodded.
"Follow this instructor."
Jin Gak led Bu Eun-seol to the very center of the martial hall and spoke.
"The sword technique I will teach you from now on is called the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms. Within these thirteen forms of sword technique lies the profound principle that allows one to grasp the foundation of the Fire Rain Sword."
Thud.
When Jin Gak stomped his foot, a large parchment unfurled from the ceiling of the martial hall. Upon it were inscribed extremely elaborate illustrations and characters.
"These are the forms and practical application methods of the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms. First, study these illustrations and train your sword."
Bu Eun-seol wore a troubled expression.
Far from learning martial arts, he had never even seen a martial arts manual. And now he was being told to study a manual and learn on his own.
'There's no helping it.'
Bu Eun-seol focused his mind, drew his iron sword, and moved according to the illustrations on the parchment.
'Hmm.'
He had certainly taken the stance exactly as shown in the illustration, but something was different.
His sword trajectory was unsteady, wavering like a drunkard.
Jin Gak, who had been watching this, wore a dumbfounded expression.
"Could it be that you do not know how to read a sword manual?"
"Am I not supposed to simply follow the stances?"
"That is true, but..."
Jin Gak let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"Why are you not applying the martial formulas written beside them?"
"The formulas... you mean?"
"Are they not written beside each form? Read them."
Bu Eun-seol's face showed his difficulty.
"Relax the entire body, let softness flow into one..."
The characters written beside the sword manual were not ordinary phrases, but martial formulas containing the principles of martial arts.
But to Bu Eun-seol, who had never once learned martial arts, they only appeared as strange and incomprehensible meanings.
"Honestly, I do not really know what they mean."
"These are basic formulas that anyone who has read a martial theory text at least once would know."
As Jin Gak stared at him with a strange look, Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
'It was bound to be found out anyway.'
Unlike the Beast Path, which was called an Outlandish Art, the sword studies of the Fire Rain Sword Sect were orthodox martial arts of the Central Plains' Demonic Path.
If he kept hiding the fact that he had never learned martial arts, in the end he would not be able to learn even a single sword technique.
"To be honest, I have never trained in martial arts at all."
"You have never trained in martial arts?"
"That is correct. My master... passed away suddenly, so I was unable to learn martial arts."
"You mean you never learned at all?"
"Yes."
Jin Gak wore a dumbfounded expression.
"No matter how much this is a place that teaches beginner-level sword studies, am I to teach you from the very basics of martial arts?"
"...I apologize."
"Hmm."
Jin Gak let out a groan as if his chest were completely blocked.
If he had his way, he wanted to shout, 'Go learn the basics first and then come back!'
But when he saw Bu Eun-seol's burning eyes blazing with enthusiasm, he could not bring himself to say those words.
'If he says he wants to learn, I should teach him.'
Jin Gak, wrinkles forming around his mouth, spoke with a resigned expression.
"Relax the entire body means that when executing sword techniques, you must release the strength in your body and unfold them fluidly. In particular, you must absolutely release the strength that goes into your stomach and waist."
"I do not know how to release the strength in my stomach and waist."
"You must govern your mind and ease your tension. When your body stiffens, strength naturally enters your stomach, and when strength enters your stomach, your body hardens. And as for letting softness flow into one..."
Jin Gak began teaching the sword techniques, unraveling the formulas one by one.
This was Bu Eun-seol's fortune.
If he had entered the Beginner Hall from the start and learned sword techniques alongside the numerous candidates for Ten Demonic Heir?
He would never have received such detailed instruction.
But because Bu Eun-seol was the only one in the Beginner Hall now, Jin Gak had no choice but to teach him in detail, like swallowing a bitter mustard seed.
"Good. That is how you do it."
Fortunately, Bu Eun-seol was quick to understand.
Jin Gak was teaching sword studies in meticulous detail, as if he had taken in a direct disciple.
Four days later.
Bu Eun-seol was holding an iron sword and executing sword techniques.
Thanks to Jin Gak's detailed instruction, he had become able to execute the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms in only four days.
Swish. Slash, slash.
Bu Eun-seol executed all the sword techniques slowly but with a fair degree of accuracy.
Watching him, Jin Gak spoke again.
"Faster than I expected. You have a talent for sword techniques."
"Thank you."
"Hmm. You have learned all the forms and the sword formulas too..."
Jin Gak, who had been thinking about something for a moment, nodded.
"From now on, imagine there is an enemy before your eyes and execute the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms."
"An enemy... you mean?"
"That is right. That is the test to advance to the Intermediate Hall."
"A test."
It was an opportunity that had come sooner than expected.
Steadying his mind, Bu Eun-seol drew his iron sword and executed the sword techniques.
But as the forms unfolded slowly, Jin Gak shook his head.
"Did I not tell you? You must imagine there is an enemy and execute the sword techniques as if in real battle."
"As if in real battle... you mean?"
"That is right."
Jin Gak spoke with a solemn expression.
"If you merely demonstrate a sword dance without summoning an imaginary enemy, you will fail. Do you understand what I mean?"
"An imaginary enemy..."
"It means you must execute them while thinking there is a real enemy before your eyes. Only then can I see the Sword Intent contained in your forms."
"Understood."
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes.
'An imaginary enemy...'
As he continued to focus his mind, his vision blurred, and suddenly his grandfather's wretched appearance came to mind.
And gradually, a single black shadow appeared before him.
That shadow was probably the master who had driven his grandfather to death.
Shring!
Bu Eun-seol drew his iron sword with all his might and executed the first form of the Fire Rain Thirteen Forms, Whirlwind Without Cause.
Swish!
As if executing a fast sword technique, a single flash of light split the empty air.
'Hmm?'
Jin Gak, who had been watching the first form Bu Eun-seol executed, narrowed his eyes.
'Something is strange.'
Tilting his head, he saw Bu Eun-seol twist his body and execute the third form, Flowing Cloud and Mist, and his eyes flashed.
'What is this now?'
The form of Flowing Cloud and Mist was, literally, meant to unfold the sword strokes softly and fluidly, like clouds drifting and mist spreading.
But the Flowing Cloud and Mist that Bu Eun-seol executed flowed with sharp killing intent, as if he were executing the World Demonic Art.
Not only that, but because the tip of the sword trembled strangely, it was difficult to predict the sword trajectory.
'The sword strokes are minutely different.'
When executing a sword technique, there are only two possible outcomes.
Either the sword formula and forms are accurately contained and proper might is produced, or it is not.
But in Bu Eun-seol's sword technique, the forms were not accurate, yet the might was instead stronger and sharper.
'Could it be... that this brat is a peerless prodigy of the world who can freely transform sword techniques?'