Chapter 838
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke.
"He tried to kill you by using Fist Adept. But in the end, you survived."
She shook her head.
"At the time, my emotions were too complicated, so I couldn't properly consider this point."
"So... you're saying his prediction was wrong."
"Correct. Unlike the legends, he isn't able to accurately foresee every variable."
After taking a deep breath, she continued.
"This time, he deliberately sent someone who could execute the First Move of Heavenly Extremity Returning to Origin—and whose body was even harder than a Vajra Indestructible Body."
"..."
"To gauge the combat power of Seon-u Jin. To uncover his secret arts."
Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled faintly.
"But you didn't rely on some grand martial technique—just quick thinking—and drove your sword straight through his mouth. I can confidently say that this outcome was never part of his calculations."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
This had merely been an improvised move executed through the Langya Mind's Eye—not some profound martial prowess or secret art.
"And he must be baffled. He can only tell that your martial arts are exceptional, but he can't accurately measure the full extent of Seon-u Jin's combat power."
Chu-so, who could foresee the future, was the Heavenly Mechanism Star capable of presiding over all things in the world.
But in reality, he too made mistakes. There were things even he couldn't predict.
"In the end, he's just an ordinary human. Which means counterattacking him is entirely possible."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke calmly.
"Honestly, until now, I believed that nothing Chu-so did could ever be stopped. That's why I sought to meet him directly like this."
Her voice carried conviction.
"But today, I finally realized it. He's just an ordinary human... and in the future, we can absolutely bring him down."
Whoosh—
At that moment, the densely layered energy of the Absolute Boundary began to slowly disperse.
Because Bu Eun-seol had pierced through part of the boundary, the formation ultimately lost its balance and collapsed.
"Fascinating. I never knew such a formation existed in this world."
"This isn't a formation."
Gongson Dan-gyeong explained composedly.
"This is what the Three Clans call the Absolute Boundary. It's a secret art that layers countless formations to completely separate a space from the rest of the world."
"Absolute Boundary. I see."
Now it made sense—how the Three Clans and other secret factions had been able to conceal their bases so flawlessly.
And how, in the past, the Ancient Sword Forest had existed within a space entirely distinct from the ordinary world.
All of it was thanks to this secret method capable of severing space itself.
"But the Absolute Boundary can't be broken by anyone except the one who cast it."
Gongson Dan-gyeong looked at Bu Eun-seol with astonishment.
"How in the world did you break it?"
Had this been before, she might have questioned whether Bu Eun-seol was somehow connected to the Three Clans.
But now, her expression held nothing but pure curiosity.
"I possess the Three Divine Powers."
Bu Eun-seol answered just as honestly.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had now become more than just a comrade he could trust with his life.
"The Three Divine Powers?"
"Indeed. I obtained them while trying to regulate the energy in my body..."
Bu Eun-seol calmly recounted how he had acquired the Three Divine Powers.
However, he didn't mention that Gongson Dan-a had given him the Taoist Cultivation Secret necessary to wield all three simultaneously.
Given the complicated history between them, bringing her up would have been awkward.
"Then... has the Three Realms ever sought the Four Divine Powers before?"
At her question, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Correct. In the past, the Infinite Realm was even obsessed with obtaining the Four Divine Powers."
"I see."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"In that case, the Three Realms have likely never used the Spatial Boundary Method. And they've never attempted to integrate a power like the Four Divine Powers into their martial arts."
"Right."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes sparkled.
"It's just a guess, but... I think the reason the Three Realms sought the Four Divine Powers was to break the Three Clans' Absolute Boundary."
If the Four Divine Powers contained the ability to shatter the Absolute Boundary—and the Three Realms had desired them—
Then was their goal to destroy the Three Clans' boundary all along? That was the thought driving her now.
"Artificially manifesting the Four Divine Powers would be difficult, but if the purpose was to break the Absolute Boundary, there might still be ways to produce a similar effect."
"That could very well be the case."
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"If it's alright with you, could you ask the Gongson Family Head to research methods for breaking the Absolute Boundary?"
"My father?"
"Yes. I have a strong intuition that this Absolute Boundary will become a crucial clue in the future."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"Understood. I'll arrange it."
"And..."
Bu Eun-seol wanted to say something to strengthen her resolve.
Because of Chu-so, her entire past had been completely negated.
Though she acted composed, the immense shock she had suffered was plain to see.
"Thank you."
Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled beautifully, as if she had peered straight into Bu Eun-seol's heart.
"I'll do my best."
A strange thought occurred to Bu Eun-seol.
Had Gongson Dan-gyeong, at some point, gained the ability to read his mind as clearly as if she were using mind-reading arts?
And strangely enough, he didn't particularly dislike that feeling.
Whoosh—
Just then, the sound of breaking air echoed from the distant sky.
With the Absolute Boundary shattered, the elite unit members who had been patrolling the area like madmen were now swarming in.
"Follow them back to headquarters. I have business to attend to at the Demon Hall."
"Understood. Be careful."
"You as well, Commander."
When their gazes met, he felt oddly flustered for some reason. Bu Eun-seol turned away and unleashed his movement technique at full speed.
The Death Shadow War Unit occupied the most unique position within the Demon Hall.
Despite being the direct subordinate force of the Martial Soul Lord, the Heir of the Demon Hall, and wielding immense authority—
They rarely involved themselves in the affairs of the Demon Hall itself.
Moreover, whenever the Martial Soul Decree was activated, Sanghak Unit Commander Yu Un-ryong was appointed as the Deputy Martial Soul Lord to oversee and command inspection duties.
The problem was that all the Death Shadow War Unit commanders were only treated as Second- and Third-grade Commanders.
Considering their martial prowess and past achievements—
Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u should at least be Special-Grade Commanders, while the rest should hold First-Grade Commander status.
Yet the Martial Soul Lord had no intention of promoting anyone within the Death Shadow War Unit.
And none of the commanders ever demanded higher ranks either.
Because of this, whenever figures like Wi Cheon-gyeong—
Or even Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong paid their respects to higher-ranking commanders—
The latter would often respond with awkward coughs and stiff, uncomfortable acknowledgments.
—Why won't he promote them?
Even if Special-Grade Commanders had to be appointed by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself, First-Grade Commander status was well within the Martial Soul Lord's authority to grant.
Yet he acted as if he intended to keep his subordinates as low-ranking grunts forever, showing no signs of ever promoting them.
Because of this, some of the senior officers occasionally voiced their dissatisfaction to the Martial Soul Lord, but Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
In truth, the reason was simple.
Second-grade Commanders, who only followed orders from their superiors, bore no real responsibilities.
But becoming a Special- or First-Grade Commander meant shouldering greater duties and even attending high-level council meetings.
As long as Bu Eun-seol remained in the Demon Hall—
He wanted to ensure his subordinates never had to bear any responsibility and would remain free from outside interference.
That said, there was one exception—
A single instance where Bu Eun-seol had used his absolute authority to grant someone a position akin to special privilege.
And now, that very person had finally returned to the Demon Hall, heading straight for the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
Inside the Grand Martial Training Ground within the pavilion—
Murmurs filled the air.
Won Se-mun, Jo Nam-cheon, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and even the squad leaders of each unit stood in horse stances—
Using nothing but the strength of their physical bodies, and had been doing so for the past two hours.
"Ughhh..."
Their faces were flushed crimson, thick veins bulging on their foreheads.
And standing imposingly atop the training platform, arms crossed and long hair swaying—
Was none other than One Hand Crushing Heaven, So Ok-rim.
Bu Eun-seol had leveraged his authority as the Martial Soul Lord to appoint her as the Death Shadow War Unit's Martial Arts Instructor—
A position equivalent to that of a First-Grade Commander.
Even if a Martial Arts Instructor held First-Grade Commander status—
They were bound by no restrictions, bore no responsibilities, and were never forced to carry out missions.
And as if proud of being the only First-Grade Commander in the Death Shadow War Unit—
Every time she visited the Hidden Demon Pavilion, she put the martial artists through brutal training sessions, treating them like mice to be toyed with.
"Tsk, look at this flabby belly. Have you been stuffing your face with booze and lazing around every day?"
So Ok-rim pinched Won Se-mun's soft belly and pulled hard.
"Ughhh..."
Won Se-mun was seething with anger but gritted his teeth.
How many times had he suffered for defying her before?
And her fists were so vicious—
A single hit left bruises that didn't fade even after a month, and even a glancing blow made his bones ache at the slightest breeze.
If he wanted to live out his later years in peace without suffering...
He absolutely could not provoke So Ok-rim's temper.
"Ugh! I can't do this anymore!"
At that moment, Jo Nam-cheon abruptly broke his stance and stood up.
"What kind of nonsense is this in front of subordinates?"
He had his own confidence.
As someone who primarily trained in External Arts, he had long since reached the realm of the First Breath of Rigid Qi—
Where even the mere act of breathing radiated overwhelming astral energy.
At this level, not only was he impervious to ordinary swords—
He could even withstand strikes from the Internal Force Layering Technique, a method specifically designed to break External Arts.
"Instructor So! We too have our own—"
But Jo Nam-cheon's words were cut short.
So Ok-rim's fist had already buried itself deep into his lower abdomen.
"Guh—!"
The confident expression on Jo Nam-cheon's face—
Instantly twisted, his pupils rolling back as his lips formed a perfect "O."
It was just a single, casual punch—
Yet it felt as if his organs had been yanked out and spun around violently.
"See this? See this? This is what happens when you drink all the time—your belly turns to mush."
Grabbing Jo Nam-cheon's hair—his eyes still rolled back and mouth gaping—
So Ok-rim spun him toward the line of martial artists and clicked her tongue.
"Is this what you call External Arts training? Or are you just practicing the Divine Art of Whining?"
Gulp, gulp...
The martial artists, watching as she held Jo by the hair—
Jo Nam-cheon's eyes rolled back, foam bubbling at his mouth as his face contorted—
Thud. Gasp.
The martial artists moved with systematic precision, swiftly regaining their stances.
Crunch. Crunch.
Just then, a man clad in black strode into the Grand Martial Training Ground.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Instructor So."
After parting with Gongson Dan-gyeong, he had stopped by the Murim Association to handle some business before hearing from Yu Un-ryong that So Ok-rim had entered the Demon Hall. He had rushed here immediately.
"You've been well?"
So Ok-rim, who had been glaring at the martial artists with dagger-like eyes, now wore a bright smile, like a child sucking on candy.
—Tsk, look at that brat—no, that bear of a man.
—Even if Lord Guan smiled, he'd still just be Lord Guan!
The Death Shadow War Unit warriors pouted, but none dared voice such thoughts aloud—none were bold enough for that.
"Is something the matter?"
"Mhm. Good news."
"Ah, in that case—"
As Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth as if recalling something, So Ok-rim nodded.
"Right. I found it."
A confident smile played on her lips.
"Finally, one of the Secret Vaults."
A hidden vault said to contain the power of the Baekri Clan.
At last, So Ok-rim had located it.
***
WHOOSH!
Having left the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim surged southward with movement techniques swift as a gale.
The Baekri Clan Secret Vault she had discovered was—
Once, the domain of a mysterious sect.
Now, a secluded valley deep in the mountains of Yunnan, where a few minor tribes dwelled in the wilderness.
It was a place once called a Sacred Land, blessed by the gods.
Yet upon arrival... the landscape was so barren it seemed more cursed than blessed.
The earth was cracked like shattered porcelain, the soil hard as iron, devoid of any trace of life.
The rocks were stained black and red, and beyond the hill lay a desolate wasteland.
Staring at this scenery, it felt as though they had stepped into a silent space where time itself had frozen.
"The Baekri Clan Secret Vault is here?"
"Mhm."
She walked toward what looked like the dried, twisted remains of a riverbed.
Then, from her robes, she withdrew a radiant orb and pressed it against the ground.
As she took a step forward—
With each movement, a mysterious energy rose from the earth, and an auspicious light lingered around her body.
"This is the entrance. Follow me."
At her words, Bu Eun-seol began tracing the river's remnants.
The light pouring from all directions intensified, and before their eyes, a luminous passageway seemed to materialize.
Finally, at the end, stood a massive gate, tightly sealed.
"Did something go wrong?"
"No, it's working."
From her robes, So Ok-rim produced another shimmering orb.
Similar in shape to the first, but its hue and radiance were entirely different.
The moment she held it out, her body passed effortlessly through the colossal gate.
"The gate is just symbolic. What truly guards this place is a force that divides space itself."
"You mean the Absolute Boundary."
"You know of it?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I've learned many things through experience."
"Is there anything you don't know?"
"Then, can all Baekri Clan Secret Vaults be opened with that orb?"
"No, this is merely a precious artifact that locates the entrance to the Absolute Boundary—not a key to breach it."
She took a deep breath, her smile turning bitter.
"The original entrance here had already collapsed. We just lucked out finding one we could enter."
With a sigh, she stepped forward again.
As Bu Eun-seol followed—
...!
An indescribable shockwave enveloped his skin, and at the same time, an inexplicable thrill coursed through him.
When he froze, So Ok-rim blinked her large eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Her face showed no sign of sensing the shockwave.
"You don't feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"Since entering, I've had this... strange sensation."
"Really?"
So Ok-rim beamed.
"Could it be because you carry the Baekri Clan's blood?"
"I wouldn't know."
What Bu Eun-seol sensed—
It wasn't something perceived through the body, but closer to an unfathomable intuition.
After walking for a while past the gate, a new landscape gradually unveiled itself.
"This place—"
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his astonishment.
The scenery of the Baekri Clan Secret Vault they had finally reached resembled a Peach Blossom Paradise, as if crafted by an immortal dwelling in another world.
A vast, beautiful land blooming with rare flowers and grasses, and at its center, a lake bathed in sacred light.
Its waters shimmered with a blue radiance, and atop the ripples, tiny fragments of light danced as if alive.
Around the lake stood pillar-like structures, their surfaces engraved with intricate emblems.
The ceiling above was adorned with golden specks of light, as if saturated with sunlight—
A visual manifestation of time itself flowing.
"A person could live here quite comfortably."
Bu Eun-seol let out an admiring sigh as he surveyed his surroundings.
The sky, bathed in sunset, burned more beautifully than any real sky could.
A pleasant breeze drifted in from somewhere.
"Indeed."
So Ok-rim also let out a gasp of awe as she took in the interior.
"Once we settle all our affairs, we could retire here in peace."
"This is truly beyond reason."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled heavily as he took in the scenery.
The power of nature may be boundless, but human ability has its limits.
How could anyone separate space itself and create a new sky and sun within it?
"The Baekri Clan existed alongside Murim's history, and they were said to be beyond human."
So Ok-rim shrugged her shoulders.
"That monster, the True Demon, is the same. Though he possesses a human body, he endlessly reincarnates with his memories intact."
Bu Eun-seol fell silent.
Looking back, both the Baekri Clan and the True Demon were profoundly unnatural existences.
Though they spoke of such beings casually, the truth was—
They were aberrations, entities that should not have existed at all.
"Come to think of it, it makes some sense."
"What does?"
"One of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, the Heavenly Mechanism Star, once said that though humans seem free, they are ultimately bound by Laws."
"Bound?"
"Yes. And to break free from them, they must eliminate the Baekri Clan and the True Demon."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with a grave expression.
"If that statement holds truth, then both the Baekri Clan and the True Demon are shackles upon humanity."
"Hmm."
So Ok-rim, too, fell silent.
The martial arts of the current Murim had reached dazzling heights.
Countless superhumans, including the Twin Celestial Emperors of Righteousness and Demon, were pushing beyond the boundaries of the Martial Extreme Realm.
And yet...
Compared to the legends of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon, they were like infants taking their first unsteady steps.
"They are certainly abnormal."
So Ok-rim nodded in agreement as she took in the scenery.
"The current state of Murim is the same."
The present Murim was far too unnatural.
In the past, the Art of Spells—once called "forbidden sorcery"—had been eradicated precisely because it wielded powers beyond human comprehension.
Yet now, absurd spells and Great Arts had resurfaced.
There existed the Black Divine Artifact, a thing of impossible power.
Martial arts, too, were advancing at an unprecedented rate, shattering the established meanings of martial realms.
Even Bu Eun-seol, with his profound insight into martial arts and keen intellect, could not fully grasp the current state of Murim.
At some point, the speed of Murim's martial development had reached a stage beyond prediction.
"Well, that may be so, but let's not dwell on complicated thoughts for now."
So Ok-rim laughed as she gestured toward the breathtaking landscape.
"Even if we think hard, we can't understand everything. It's like nature's scenery—vast and unfathomable."
Then she added,
"And if you overthink things like you do, you'll age faster."
Seeing the lingering innocence in her eyes, Bu Eun-seol smiled wryly.
"Now that you mention it, I do seem to think too much."
Though So Ok-rim was eccentric and impulsive, Bu Eun-seol didn't dislike her—in fact, he was fond of her.
Precisely because of her pure, childlike nature.
"Right? Just enjoy the scenery. Isn't it nice?"
"Indeed. It is quite beautiful. Enough to make one wish to retire here someday."
"Oh? Then shall we live here together later?"
"What kind of talk is that?"
As Bu Eun-seol stiffened, So Ok-rim quickly backtracked.
"No, no, I meant—like those senior recluses who live together, beyond matters of men and women. Hahaha."
Stammering, she suddenly let out a small gasp.
"Look at that."
She pointed toward a massive, domed building with no roof, where a single beam of light descended endlessly from the sky.
"Fascinating. Let's go."
Side by side, the two approached.
Upon reaching the building's front, they saw a massive gate.
But when they tried to enter—
Thud!
So Ok-rim's sturdy frame was forcefully repelled.
"Huh? What's this?"
She attempted to channel the power of the orb in her possession to pass through, but it was futile.
"If it won't open, I'll just break it."
Gathering her Internal Power, her fist radiated a brilliant white light.
"HYAH!"
BOOM!
She struck with all her might, but only a deafening explosion echoed—the energy barrier before the gate remained untouched.
"What the—? This isn't like the Absolute Boundary."
"We can't get through?"
"No idea. Could it be the Absolute Boundary of another of the Three Clans?"
"Each of the Three Clans has a different method?"
"Yeah, that's what I heard."
So Ok-rim pouted.
"I only read about it in one of the Secret Vault's books that my youngest grandfather told me to check, so I don't know the exact differences."
"I see."
"In that case, we'll just have to smash through with brute force."
Gathering her power once more, she struck with all her might—but the gate didn't budge.
"Let me try."
Bu Eun-seol stepped forward reluctantly.
They couldn't turn back now without learning anything.
'If I unify the Three Divine Powers, I should be able to break through.'
Closing his eyes, he tried to slowly draw upon the Three Divine Powers within him.
Huuuuum...
But then, something strange happened.
A low vibration resonated from the Ink Soul Sword, followed by a Sword Resonance—
And then, a mysterious emblem slowly emerged from the scabbard.