Chapter 810
Further conversation with the Buddhist Venerable was meaningless.
He knew neither the perpetrator of Grandfather's death nor Bu Eun-seol's own origins, nor had he come to impart any new knowledge.
With only a benevolent expression—
He had come solely to say what he wished to say.
As Bu Eun-seol turned to leave,
"Then."
Whoosh.
Before anyone could react, the man carrying the greatsword moved like lightning, blocking Bu Eun-seol's path.
"How dare you spout such insolence in the presence of the Honored One!"
The man roared.
"Apologize for your disrespect."
"Well-trained, I see."
Bu Eun-seol let out a derisive snort.
"A dog should wag its tail properly for the one holding its leash."
BOOM!
In that instant, a thunderous explosion erupted, sending plumes of dust billowing in all directions.
The man had drawn his greatsword with lightning speed and swung it down toward Bu Eun-seol's head.
Whoooosh—
As the dust settled, an astonishing sight was revealed.
The greatsword had stopped just a finger's breadth above Bu Eun-seol's head.
The explosive sound had come from—
The man's sword technique, which carried both the Subtle Principle of Speed and the energy of thunder.
"Save your arrogant words for after you've survived my blade."
"You mean after your guts have spilled out?"
Zzzzing—
Before anyone realized, dozens of True Qi blades, each as thin as a strand of hair, hovered just above the man's lower abdomen.
The moment he drew his sword, Bu Eun-seol had already unleashed the Willful True Binding.
'This bastard!'
The man's face stiffened.
Techniques that materialize True Qi inherently take longer to execute compared to conventional martial arts.
Yet, their attacks had landed simultaneously.
No—Bu Eun-seol had stopped his True Qi blades a hair's breadth away, while the man had halted his sword a finger's width short...
In the end, it proved that Bu Eun-seol's reflexes were several times faster than the man's Fast Sword.
"Do not act rashly."
It was then that the Buddhist Venerable spoke.
"Benefactor Bu is not our enemy."
Clank.
The man sheathed his greatsword and clasped his hands together.
"This disciple has shamed himself."
"Benefactor Bu."
The Buddhist Venerable's voice was low.
"The affairs of the Martial World grow ever more urgent. Do not turn a blind eye to this any longer."
Bu Eun-seol offered no further reply, only a slight bow.
Fwoosh—
Then, in an instant, he activated his Movement Technique and vanished from the scene.
Watching his retreating figure from afar, the Buddhist Venerable sighed in admiration.
"As expected, the old monk's eyes did not deceive him. He has ascended to an immeasurable realm."
"You mean that man, Honored One?"
The man's face twisted with indignation.
"I admit his reflexes are fast, but had we fought head-on, I would never have been outmatched."
"Do you truly believe that?"
The Buddhist Venerable smiled faintly, his gaze shifting to the greatsword in the man's grip.
Crackle—
At the same moment, spiderweb-like fissures began spreading across the Mysterious Iron greatsword.
"How—?"
The man's eyes bulged.
When had he even drawn his sword?
"Did you not see Benefactor Bu's blade?"
"This disciple...!"
The man bit his lip, unable to respond, as the Buddhist Venerable spoke calmly.
"He used True Qi Martial Arts only afterward. Had you not halted your sword mid-strike... he would have severed not just your blade, but your neck as well."
The man's face flushed crimson.
He had prided himself on the speed of his Fast Sword, believing it comparable to lightning itself.
Yet, in that same span of time—
Bu Eun-seol had drawn his sword, shattered the greatsword into fragments, and unleashed True Qi Martial Arts.
"Do you understand now? All of you must eventually pass through the remaining Gates."
The man gnawed at his lip.
They were all meant to pass through ten Gates, yet they had stalled before the seventh.
They had grown complacent, believing that surpassing six Gates was enough to stand among the world's elite.
Moreover, none knew how much time it would take to clear all ten—
Or whether they could even retain their sense of self beyond the seventh.
But today, he had learned the truth.
At least eight Gates must be cleared to rival the true Masters of the world.
"So that is why you sought him out."
The man finally understood.
By arranging this encounter with Bu Eun-seol—the most exceptional among the new generation of Grandmasters—
The Buddhist Venerable had forced him to recognize his own inadequacy and resolve to challenge the Gates once more.
Facing such a Master was far more stirring—
Than any number of persuasive words could ever be.
"Do you truly believe worldly matters are so simple?"
The Buddhist Venerable's expression was sorrowful.
"Elevating your martial attainment is but a trivial matter. Yet he is the absolute figure necessary to complete the greater plan."
He sighed deeply, shaking his head.
"However... a being who can defy fate through sheer will, who contradicts the very Laws with his existence, has now intervened..."
The Buddhist Venerable's murmurs grew so faint that none could hear them.
"Return."
Shaking his head, he addressed the man.
"And relay to your comrades all that you witnessed and felt today."
"Is that all I must do?"
The Buddhist Venerable smiled at the man's question.
"Yes. That will suffice."
With those words, he vanished in an instant.
The man stared blankly in the direction where the Buddhist Venerable had disappeared.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Then he clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
"I swear I'll surpass you."
After parting ways with the Buddhist Venerable, Bu Eun-seol felt a growing heaviness in his chest.
Growing older didn't necessarily mean one's character or temperament would become refined and fragrant like his grandfather's.
On the contrary, the longer one lived, the more one risked becoming a decrepit old monster reeking of foulness.
"He's become a specter."
Shaolin was indisputably the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of Orthodox Murim, and the Buddhist Venerable had long been a high monk of Shaolin, deeply involved in the martial world's affairs.
But his grand plan had failed, leading to the massacre of even Shaolin's elite soldiers.
And even now, they had yet to recover their former vitality... The weight of his guilt must have been immense.
In the end, to atone for past mistakes—
Under the pretext of the impending Tribulation of Final Extinction—
Or perhaps, to compensate for the years he had lost... the Buddhist Venerable was now advancing a new Absolute Demon Saber Project.
"Even a philosopher like the Buddhist Venerable repeats his mistakes."
Foolish humans endlessly repeated their past errors.
But the fact that even the Buddhist Venerable—
A living legend of Shaolin, a Divine Monk of the Buddhist Order—could not escape this truth...
KWAOOO—!
Doubling the speed of his Movement Technique, he soon found himself entering the outskirts of Gongchangbu.
But then, abruptly, the distant sky darkened—
Krrrrrr—
A bizarre, beast-like cry echoed through the air.
"It seems the Buddhist Venerable wasn't the only one who took the bait."
Feeling the strange energy closing in from all directions, Bu Eun-seol instead curled his lips into a faint smile.
It seemed that his trail—the one left after killing the Spear Master—had not been followed by the Buddhist Venerable alone.
"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter."
Whether it was the Eight Heavenly Servants or a True Demon, it made no difference.
If hidden experts revealed themselves, he would simply crush them.
If a conspiracy unfolded, he would shatter it.
Without bothering to evade the darkening energy staining the sky, Bu Eun-seol slowed his pace and came to a stop in the middle of a vast plain.
Gurgle. Krrrrr—
Then, with another eerie sound—
Shwip!
A black shadow materialized directly in front of him before rapidly shifting through a spectrum of colors, finally taking on a distinct form.
Swish.
At last, it solidified into the figure of an old man in blue robes, resembling an immortal.
Unbeknownst to Bu Eun-seol—
This was none other than the Old Man in Blue, who had clashed twice with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—the man who had been fishing by the riverbank.
"Truly remarkable."
The Old Man in Blue, having suddenly appeared, studied Bu Eun-seol's stilled pupils before nodding approvingly.
"Even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor hadn't reached your level at your age."
"Who are you?"
An unprecedented sense of bewilderment rose in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
He realized that the old man before him possessed a power more bizarre and unique than any other Master he had encountered thus far—a truly mysterious figure.
"Who am I, you ask?"
The Old Man in Blue made an odd expression before narrowing his eyes faintly.
"I don't even remember the last time someone asked me that."
Seemingly lost in deep reminiscence, the old man exhaled a turbid breath as he gazed at the distant sky.
"If I must put it into words... my current existence could best be described as a messenger—one who conveys intent."
"Are you from the Three Realms?"
"No."
The Old Man in Blue gave an ambiguous answer.
"I am not of Murim's sects. It would be more accurate to say I stand at the boundary of the Laws."
"I detest games like Twenty Questions."
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
"If you won't clearly state your identity, then this conversation ends here."
As he immediately turned to leave—
The Old Man in Blue moved like a phantom, grasping Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
Then, with an exceedingly amiable expression, he continued.
"There's no need to be so hostile. Today's conversation will bring you nothing but benefit—no harm whatsoever."
Bu Eun-seol was stunned.
His martial prowess had risen sharply in recent times, and ever since obtaining the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi, his senses had transcended even those of the Beast Path, granting him an almost mystical Extrasensory Perception that made even the flow of air seem sluggish.
Yet this man had effortlessly placed a hand on his shoulder?
"Hmm... Well, well."
The Old Man in Blue, too, seemed surprised.
The moment his hand touched Bu Eun-seol's shoulder, a strange flash flickered before he let out an exclamation.
"Sado Mu-myeong... Now I understand why he tried to prevent the Three Realms from eliminating you."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol froze, forgetting even to blink.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had stopped the Three Realms from killing him? What kind of nonsense was this?
"Though it was likely a calculated decision—that keeping you alive was more advantageous... Still, astonishing."
Unable to hide his admiration, the Old Man in Blue nodded slowly.
"In the history of Murim, no one as young as you has ever reached the state of Detachment Beyond the World and the Empty Heart and Tranquil Realm."
Bu Eun-seol was deeply shaken.
The Old Man in Blue had precisely identified and articulated the very stages of martial cultivation that even he himself had yet to fully comprehend.
Detachment Beyond the World—meaning, standing aloof from all worldly concerns.
...free and transcendent, having reached a lofty and liberated state beyond worldly desires.
Empty Heart and Tranquil Realm. A mind so empty that the boundaries of existence grow still.
Detached from the obsessions of life and death, entering a state of serene peace.
With just those eight characters, the Old Man in Blue had perfectly articulated the realm Bu Eun-seol had attained.
'A transcendent master beyond this world.'
Bu Eun-seol realized that this Old Man in Blue was not only someone of extraordinary status—
but also a terrifyingly powerful master whose existence had remained hidden from the martial world.
"What business brings you to seek me out?"
"You've now reached the qualification to join the Covenant."
"The Covenant?"
"Hmm, to put it simply—"
The Old Man in Blue continued with an utterly shocking revelation.
"You could call it an agreement passed down through generations of the martial world's strongest."
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
The strongest had been bound by an agreement since ancient times?
"Otherwise, everything would have been doomed long ago."
The Old Man in Blue elaborated.
"The Covenant was established to prevent unnecessary destruction and conflict, maintaining peace within each faction's domain."
"Peace."
Hearing such a word from someone like the Old Man in Blue felt somewhat unfamiliar.
Peace—it was a term that had no place among superlative martial experts.
"When the strong clash, the resulting devastation threatens not only minor sects but even the lives of ordinary civilians, no?"
"That can't be the real reason."
The Old Man in Blue smiled faintly.
"It's simply that such clashes would disrupt the balance—hence the use of the word 'peace.'"
"Balance?"
"Indeed. If superhumans were to endlessly collide, the delicate equilibrium painstakingly built up until now would crumble."
The word balance was common enough.
But when the Old Man in Blue uttered it, it carried an entirely different weight.
"Then, are all the strong recognized by your faction bound by this Covenant?"
"Hmm."
The Old Man in Blue evaded the question, but a face surfaced in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
'Then, has the Martial Venerable also been part of the Covenant for a long time?'
If he had accepted the Covenant—
then Bu Eun-seol might finally have an answer to a question that had long plagued him.
Despite holding the position of Martial Alliance Chief, despite possessing the greatest martial prowess among the orthodox factions—
the reason he had been unable to deal with the Seven Great Leaders himself and had instead drawn Bu Eun-seol into the conflict.
'Could it be that even the Martial Venerable is bound by some restriction imposed by the Covenant?'
Even if the Martial Alliance was the Three Realms' headquarters—
if the Martial Venerable had truly wished it, he could have eliminated them through assassination, exploited the Divine Calculator's status—by any means necessary.
Yet he had taken the risk of involving an outsider.
Perhaps he was bound by the Covenant the Old Man in Blue spoke of.
Perhaps that was the limitation holding him back.
"We've strayed from the topic."
The Old Man in Blue spoke again.
"You have been marked as a candidate for the Covenant."
"What does it mean to be a candidate?"
"Let's say... someone who has broken past the limits of Human Heaven, or grown strong enough to disrupt the balance."
There it was again—balance.
Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but press further.
"What exactly is this balance?"
"You'll understand once you join the Covenant."
"And if I refuse?"
"Simple."
The Old Man in Blue answered with an indifferent expression.
"You die—or live a life of utter misery."
The reply was so absurd it made Bu Eun-seol doubt his ears.
What kind of sudden, baseless threat was this?
"Are you saying you will attack me, old man?"
The Old Man in Blue certainly possessed the ability and martial prowess to threaten Bu Eun-seol's life.
But the old man shook his head.
"Your executioner will be someone else."
Then he added something even more incomprehensible.
"The Executioner cannot be stopped. Even if you erase your tracks through intelligence networks or create diversions, it will find you without fail."
"..."
"You might hold it off once or twice. But they will keep coming—until you die, until your life is utterly destroyed."
In short, assassins would be sent after him relentlessly until his death.
"Isn't that just the fate of any martial artist?"
Bu Eun-seol scoffed.
He had long walked a dangerous path where assassins could strike at any moment.
He had enemies across both orthodox and unorthodox factions, and he stood opposed to the Three Realms—the hidden mastermind ruling the martial world.
So even if some legendary assassin were targeting him, it wouldn't feel like a threat or intimidation at all.
"Heh. Is that so?"
The Old Man in Blue said something unexpected.
"I won't force you. If you refuse, then I'll simply take my leave."
"You'll just walk away?"
"That's right."
Bu Eun-seol felt uneasy.
The Old Man in Blue clearly had an imposing bearing surpassing even Human Heaven's.
Yet instead of coercing him with force, he was merely confirming whether Bu Eun-seol would willingly join the Covenant?
That alone made it seem like something truly terrifying would happen if he refused.
"Can't you explain the Covenant in detail?"
"..."
"I should at least know what I'm getting into."
Bu Eun-seol subtly redirected the conversation.
"What happens if I do accept the Covenant?"
"Nothing changes. You simply submit to the Laws."
"By 'laws,' you mean—"
The Old Man in Blue assumed a solemn expression.
"Even if you don't join the Covenant, I can answer a few things. But in that case, you'll have to undergo a test."
"A test?"
"You must withstand my attack. Practically speaking, it'd be suicide just to hear a few words."
In short, if Bu Eun-seol wanted answers, he would have to endure a terrifying strike from the Old Man in Blue.
"Fine."
Yet Bu Eun-seol nodded without hesitation.
"I'll take the attack. Now, give me your answers."
"Your martial prowess is impressive. But worldly affairs cannot be resolved by martial arts alone."
The implication was clear—there existed means beyond the power of martial techniques.
"That doesn't matter."
For a moment, the Old Man in Blue's expression filled with pity, as if he thought Bu Eun-seol was being recklessly overconfident.
'No, is that it?'
The Old Man in Blue suppressed a smile.
Seeing the unwavering confidence in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, he had discerned his true intent.
'If he realizes he can't win, he'll immediately change his mind and agree to join the Covenant.'
What if, while enduring the attack, Bu Eun-seol suddenly declared he would join the Covenant?
The Old Man suspected Bu Eun-seol had already grasped the loophole—that once the Covenant's laws were invoked, he would be powerless to act.
'Should I humor him a little?'
No matter how strong Bu Eun-seol was, from the Old Man's perspective, he was merely a talented young martial artist.
Nothing more, nothing less.
In fact, the way he refused to be cowed by the Old Man's presence and instead relentlessly sought information was almost admirable.
"Very well."
The Old Man in Blue smiled faintly and began his explanation.
"The laws are absolute. And once you abide by them, you must follow them."
"So I become a puppet?"
"Far from it. You submit to the truth."
It was the kind of answer that would sound perfect coming from a cultist.
Had the Old Man not possessed overwhelming martial prowess, Bu Eun-seol might have suspected he was brainwashed by some heretical organization.
"Can one refuse the Covenant even after joining?"
"No."
The Old Man's tone carried a warning.
"If a person subject to the Covenant rejects the Covenant, they die. Even if they survive, their life will be more miserable than death."
The words were incomprehensible.
Bu Eun-seol pondered deeply before asking,
"Is there any way to know who the chosen ones are?"
"No."
The Old Man in Blue, guessing his thoughts, replied calmly.
"The Covenant isn't something that can be summed up in a few words. And there are things you'll only learn after joining."
"About the laws, you mean?"
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol deftly shifted the topic.
"Setting aside the laws—shouldn't I at least know the terms before agreeing to join?"
"You... believe that even after joining, you can defy the laws, don't you?"
The Old Man in Blue chuckled as he observed the glint in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"But once you join, you won't be able to disobey orders. No matter how high your martial realm ascends, even if you become dozens of times stronger than you are now."
That was a significant clue.
'The force that enforces the Covenant has nothing to do with martial prowess.'
"Indeed. It doesn't manipulate martial strength or the spirit."
The Old Man spoke as if peering into Bu Eun-seol's mind.
"Even if you reached Six Senses Communing with Spirit instead of a Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, the outcome would be the same."
It was an astonishing claim.
Just what kind of power did the Covenant wield to enforce such absolute control?
"Then can you at least tell me some of the commands the Covenant imposes?"
Bu Eun-seol needed to extract as much information as possible.
Though the Old Man saw through his intent, he answered willingly—likely because he had taken a liking to him.
'He reminds me of my younger self.'
With a faint smile, the Old Man said:
"The Covenant is a choice."
In truth, this statement was a crucial clue.
But Bu Eun-seol failed to grasp its meaning—it was far too vague.
"Hmm."
Sensing that he wasn't yet ready to face the truth, the Old Man sighed and changed the subject.
"For example, you can only exert your power within your own sphere of influence. If you intrude into or attack another's domain without permission, you'll face severe penalties."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed at this.
'That's surprisingly reasonable.'
Currently, those who had reached the Martial Extreme Realm could, if they wished, enter and devastate any faction or sect alone.
Yet none of them did so. Was it because of the Covenant?
'So it wasn't just to avoid a Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War.'
At present, the Righteous Faction held a slight advantage over the Demonic Path.
But if they refrained from exploiting that advantage, it wasn't out of concern for the countless lives that would be lost—
Perhaps it was because of the Covenant.
"Then how are disputes resolved?"
"Neutral zones are established. Negotiations take place there."
"So there's a dispute resolution body?"
"Of course. But it's not like what you imagine—reducing unnecessary suspicion and hostility between factions to maintain order."
The Old Man in Blue laughed.
"Rather, balance is maintained through decisive duels to the death."
It made no sense.
As Bu Eun-seol's gaze grew clouded, the Old Man cut him off.
"That's all. I can't say more."
"Thank you."
"I see you've made your decision."
"Naturally."
"Before that, there's something you should know."
"Speak."
"Once I act, changing your mind midway will be useless."
The Old Man in Blue smiled faintly, expecting Bu Eun-seol to react with shock or panic at having his scheme exposed.
"That goes without saying."
But instead, Bu Eun-seol nodded without hesitation.
"I refuse the offer."