Chapter 850
Flash!
Bu Eun-seol left a streak of light through the night sky and, in the blink of an eye, left the Jinan area behind.
Running at full speed, he soon spotted a vast, empty Reed Field and immediately descended.
[Ugh...]
By then, Seong Su-ryeo's face had completely transformed into that of another person.
Bu Eun-seol urgently channeled Reverse Polarity True Qi into her Life Gate Acupoint.
Boom!
But with a deafening explosion, his body was flung back about thirty feet.
Before he knew it, Seong Su-ryeo had struck his chest with a single palm strike.
Sssss—
The force of her unleashed Palm Energy was immense.
The fabric near Bu Eun-seol's chest melted away, and white smoke rose from the wound.
"Haa... haa..."
Seong Su-ryeo, having delivered the strike, gasped for breath.
With every inhale and exhale, her complexion and expression flickered—returning to normal one moment, twisting grotesquely the next.
"Miss Su-ryeo."
As Bu Eun-seol approached, she answered not with words but with another burst of Palm Energy.
He could have countered, but he couldn't bring himself to attack her—so he dodged instead.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Then, as if poisoned, she began slashing wildly through the air with razor-sharp fingernails, unleashing a flurry of Claw Art strikes.
This was no reckless flailing—it was a refined technique, eerily similar to Shaolin's Dragon Claw Hand.
Her movements were as stable and deadly as if she had spent a lifetime mastering Claw Art.
'How is this possible?'
Bu Eun-seol's mind reeled, but he could neither blindly evade nor subdue her.
Pressure-point strikes were completely ineffective, and there were no restraints nearby to bind her.
Whoosh—
With no other choice, Bu Eun-seol used the Grappling Hand Technique to seize her arms and pull her into an embrace.
"Snap out of it."
Crunch!
Instead of responding, she sank her teeth into his neck.
Ting!
But thanks to his thick Internal Energy, her teeth bounced off like rubber.
[Kgh—!]
Frustrated that her attack failed, Seong Su-ryeo contorted her face violently.
Breaking free from his grip, she formed a dagger-hand and stabbed at his throat.
Her fingers carried enough force to pierce metal, yet—
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol deliberately took the blow on his shoulder.
Then, gripping her hand, he spoke in a low voice.
"Please, come to your senses. Miss."
Had his desperate plea reached her?
"Mumu..."
For a brief moment, Seong Su-ryeo regained clarity, tears streaming down her face.
"This is wrong... I—I don't understand why I'm doing this."
"It's not your fault."
"My body... it's—"
She shook her head violently, but contrary to her will, the fingers embedded in Bu Eun-seol's shoulder only dug deeper.
Yet he remained composed, gazing at her steadily.
"I'll be fine. Try to focus again."
As if afraid she might suffer emotionally, he paid no mind to his own pain.
"Mumu."
Feeling his gentle consideration, Seong Su-ryeo wept.
Then she smiled brightly.
"I'm sorry."
Without hesitation, she drove her free right hand toward her own temple.
Choosing suicide over harming Bu Eun-seol.
Crack.
But her fingers only grazed the skin before stopping.
Bu Eun-seol had reacted with lightning speed, seizing her wrist.
"Don't give up."
Drip... drip...
Using force despite his deep wound caused fresh blood to gush from his shoulder.
Yet he held her hand firmly, speaking calmly.
"I'll fix this."
"My body won't listen... If this continues, I'll hurt you."
"Don't worry. I won't die."
"Why is this happening?"
Seeing her tearful, anguished expression, Bu Eun-seol finally remembered.
—"You will weep tears of blood and regret this."
The Old Man in Blue's warning from the past.
—"This is the last warning. From now on, even if you survive... you won't truly be living. You'll drown in tears of blood and regret."
And the Coachman's Curse, uttered before his body exploded.
'So this is it.'
This very situation was the price—
The cost of rejecting the Covenant, just as the Old Man in Blue had foretold.
But even if he could turn back time, he could never submit to the Covenant.
Doing so might mean failing to avenge his grandfather.
Because it would mean obeying the Laws of the Covenant against his will.
'Perhaps... the Three Divine Powers could work.'
Having grasped a fragment of the Sword Sovereign's Nature Sword, Bu Eun-seol had created the Ninth Form of the Formless Heavenly Flow—
River Waves Spreading Across the Lake, a technique that restored all things to their original state.
Of course, it was a killing technique—useless for saving Seong Su-ryeo.
But what if he combined the natural energy, akin to the Great Abyss Qi, with the Four Divine Powers?
Perhaps Seong Su-ryeo could be restored to her original state?
'I'll try.'
Zzziiing.
Bu Eun-seol channeled the Three Divine Powers and infused them into Seong Su-ryeo.
Thud-thud-thud.
Instantly, thick veins bulged across her body as she began letting out agonized moans.
Originally, the Four Divine Powers could only be borne by those with special physiques granted by heaven.
The reason Bu Eun-seol, with his ordinary body, could withstand the Three Divine Powers was that
his body contained both Orthodox and Unorthodox Martial Arts,
and conversely, the power of the Four Divine Powers harmonized them.
Otherwise, even with ten Cycles' worth of Internal Energy,
he could never have contained all Three Divine Powers within a single body.
Plop.
Blood trickled from Seong Su-ryeo's eyes as if she couldn't endure the power.
In the end, even infusing the Three Divine Powers couldn't restore her to her original state.
"Kill me."
Suppressing her pain, Su-ryeo smiled at Bu Eun-seol.
"I can't hold on any longer."
She deliberately grinned widely—
so he wouldn't feel guilt. So he would be certain to kill her.
"Help me die as myself."
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head, she pleaded desperately.
"Because of me, not just you but countless others will die."
She was right.
Even if she were somehow subdued, she might self-destruct at any moment using the Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast.
If not, someone might manipulate her again to commit slaughter.
The only remaining choice was death.
Zzziiing.
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol gathered his Internal Power and erected a massive wall of True Qi.
"Hold on a little longer. I'll call my subordinates here."
"Mumu."
"And until we find a solution, I'll stay here with you."
If he couldn't restore Seong Su-ryeo immediately,
then even if it meant perishing here alongside her in an explosion—he would remain by her side.
"No, no!"
Seong Su-ryeo shook her head, but Bu Eun-seol's expression didn't waver.
"You ended up like this because of me,"
he said calmly.
"How could I abandon you and live on alone?"
Outwardly, Bu Eun-seol seemed endlessly cold and emotionless.
But in truth, he was someone whose emotions ran as deep as the ocean and as vast as the roots of a thousand-year-old Great Tree.
And because of that depth of feeling,
he had formed bonds with countless people, refused to abandon his revenge,
and wandered the Rivers and Lakes like this.
"Wait just a moment."
Just as he was about to whistle and summon the Death Soul Squad—
'This—'
A strange sensation surged through his mind, accompanied by scorching Heat Qi.
That unmistakable presence he could always sense even from dozens of miles away.
Wasn't this the Man-wol's Energy?
Zzziiing.
Not long after, a translucent light shimmered opposite Bu Eun-seol,
and a stunning woman clad in resplendent red robes appeared.
It was Man-wol herself.
"Lady Man-wol."
"Withdraw your True Qi and step away from her."
Man-wol was levitating a gaunt-faced man in midair, his features concealed behind a mask.
"Hurry, there's no time!"
At Man-wol's urgent cry, Bu Eun-seol didn't hesitate—he retracted the Willful True Binding and leapt back from Seong Su-ryeo.
Thud.
Then, she hurled the masked man, bound in chains, right in front of Seong Su-ryeo.
Simultaneously, she formed a hand seal and began murmuring low True Words.
Mutter-mutter.
As she continuously recited the incantation,
Zzziiing, zzziiing.
Mysterious lights flickered around Man-wol's body like stars in the night sky.
At the same time, the eerie energy coiled around Seong Su-ryeo's body gradually dissipated—
Slither.
—and began slowly shifting toward the masked man.
"Now. Finish it quickly."
Man-wol pointed at the man.
"The Executioner's power afflicting her has transferred to him. Kill him, and it's over."
'Executioner?'
Bu Eun-seol muttered under his breath, then shook his head as he grasped the situation.
"I can't kill an innocent man to save her."
His grandfather had shown kindness even to the corpses of complete strangers.
If he killed someone to save another? Then there would be no need to avenge his grandfather at all.
"He's not innocent!"
Man-wol said urgently.
"This man is the Flower-Plucking Lecher, who raped and murdered countless women. I brought a death-row convict here!"
"Ghh—"
Just then, a grotesque gurgle erupted from the masked man's mouth.
Simultaneously, a metallic sheen began spreading across his skin.
Thanks to Man-wol's incantation, the energy tormenting Seong Su-ryeo had transferred to him.
Crack-crack.
And just like the coachman before, he began transforming into another monstrous aberration.
"There's no time!"
At Man-wol's cry, Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Soul Sword.
Since the coachman from earlier had also possessed a formidable physical body that couldn't be killed with ordinary palm energy, he intended to use sword techniques instead.
Swoosh.
A sword resonance that reverberated through the chest, accompanied by a sharp, crimson light, erupted at the man's neck.
The Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form had been unleashed.
Fwshh!
A spray of blood shot up a foot high, and in the next instant, the head of the man wrapped in cloth tumbled to the ground.
Thud.
As the man became a headless corpse, Seong Su-ryeo, who had been convulsing, collapsed as if fainting.
"Miss Su-ryeo."
Bu Eun-seol swiftly caught her and examined her condition.
Fortunately, there were no serious abnormalities, and her pulse had returned to normal.
However, it seemed she had completely exhausted her energy and lost consciousness.
"Miss, what is happening?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Man-wol took a deep breath and spoke.
"The Executioner always selects those closest to its target and infects them."
Her expression was grave beyond measure.
"That's why, even if you possess the strength to survive the Executioner's hands... you'll have no choice but to live a lonely, solitary life. There's simply no way to stop its methods."
"I don't understand what you're saying. What is this Executioner?"
"Did the Covenant member not tell you?"
"The Covenant member—do you mean that Old Man in Blue who tried to force me into joining the Covenant?"
Man-wol shook her head.
"There is more than one Covenant member. But if he spoke to you about the Covenant, then yes, it must have been him."
"Speak plainly."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was as heavy as stone.
"What is this Executioner? Why did Miss Su-ryeo turn into a monster?"
Man-wol took another deep breath.
Then, calmly, she began.
"For balance."
"Balance?"
"Think of this world as a great basket, and people as small balls inside it."
Her voice was steady.
"Not just ordinary balls—if too many large ones keep appearing, the balance will inevitably collapse."
"So you mean..."
Bu Eun-seol grasped her meaning instantly and opened his mouth.
"There's a set limit to the total number of martial experts who surpass human ability in this world?"
"Close. It's more a matter of choice, really."
"What choice?"
Man-wol shook her head again.
"That part... I shouldn't explain. You'll find out soon enough."
"Miss."
"If I tell you now, I might ruin everything."
Her voice was pleading.
"Trust me. It won't take long. You'll understand before you know it."
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
But seeing the earnest worry in Man-wol's eyes, he had no choice but to nod.
"Very well."
Then he asked,
"Then can you at least explain more about this Executioner?"
"The Executioner is a being meant to deal with powerful individuals who try to escape the Covenant. And escape is impossible."
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
What kind of absurdity was this?
"The Executioner infects those extremely close to its target, turning them into proxies to carry out its will."
"Those close...?"
Finally, understanding dawned on him.
"You mean physical proximity."
The coachman, and now Seong Su-ryeo.
Both had been in extremely close proximity to him.
In other words, the Executioner—
It seemed to turn those within a certain distance of its target into its puppets.
"Correct."
"Does the Executioner come for anyone who refuses to join the Covenant?"
"Not necessarily. But the criteria... even I don't know."
Bu Eun-seol pressed further.
"Then are all the superlative martial experts of the world, including the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, part of the Covenant?"
The superlative experts—
Most of them secluded themselves in closed-door training or lived in isolation.
But that didn't mean they were completely cut off from others.
Hadn't the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself spent time with his cherished Upper Blossom, Jin Seol?
"I don't know."
"How does the Executioner turn people into puppets? Does it only infect one person at a time?"
"The Executioner's methods are also part of the Laws."
"Laws?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
He had heard the term "Laws" from a few individuals before.
"What are the Laws?"
"Exactly what they sound like. They're like natural laws, passed down through generations."
Man-wol's gaze grew even sharper.
"We know such things happen... but why they happen, how they operate—those are unknowable."
But something was strange.
As she spoke, Man-wol's complexion rapidly worsened.
And before he knew it, a few strands of white hair had appeared near her temples.
"Miss Man-wol."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed as he realized something.
"Was the price of that spell you just cast... your lifespan?"
There hadn't been a single white strand in her hair when she first appeared.
But after reciting that strange incantation to save Seong Su-ryeo, her hair had turned white like this.
Which could only mean one thing.
The price of wielding that Great Art or Art of Spells had clearly been her life force—or perhaps her youth.
"That can't be."
"Miss."
"I must go now."
Man-wol spoke with sorrowful eyes.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't be of much help."
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh.
Man-wol.
Just what are you, that you come to my aid every time I face a crisis?
Why is it that whenever there is something I must know, you are the one who delivers it to me?
He wanted to shout the questions aloud, but he couldn't bring himself to.
He had no right to demand answers from Man-wol—and more than anything, she was the one suffering.
She was the one who felt guilty for being unable to speak.
Just like now.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Miss."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled heavily.
"If the Executioner's true nature remains unknown, if the way their Great Art spreads is still a mystery..."
Then he nodded firmly.
"I'll ask the Pavilion Lord. He would know about the Covenant and the Executioner."
"You mustn't speak of it."
"Why not?"
"If someone unrelated to the Covenant learns of it, the likelihood of them being killed is high. And those bound by the Covenant cannot speak of it."
Man-wol's voice carried quiet strength as she continued.
"But since you've evaded the Executioner's attack this time, you have roughly sixty days before they appear again."
"They appear every sixty days?"
"That's my estimation. It may not be exact."
Had anyone else said such a thing, Bu Eun-seol would have found it absurd.
But Man-wol was a Shrine Maiden.
Her predictions surely had some basis.
"And in that time, you will undoubtedly resolve this matter."
"Is that the perspective of a Shrine Maiden?"
"No."
A faint, dry smile touched Man-wol's lips.
"Faith. The belief that you will surely find a way."
Then she continued calmly.
"But without even knowing the exact nature of the Executioner, you'd be helpless—which is why I came to you."
So it turned out Man-wol had assessed Bu Eun-seol's situation and bought him two months.
She had come to ensure he could somehow overcome this ordeal.
"Even if you find a method, don't act immediately. Calm your heart first."
She offered one last piece of advice.
"Two months is a long time. Use it to reflect... or if something weighs on your mind, settle it first."
Her words were cryptic.
Of course, two months was by no means short.
But the Executioner's mission was not something that could be delayed even for a moment.
So why was she telling him to take his time?
'Could it be... because I'll fail?'
Yet Man-wol's expression held unwavering conviction.
She wouldn't have bought him two months just for trivial personal matters.
'I don't understand.'
Just what faction did Man-wol belong to?
How did she know such secrets?
Swallowing his curiosity once more, Bu Eun-seol could only ask:
"Why are you helping me?"
"You'll know soon. Without fail."
Her voice was steady, as if lending him strength.
"So grow stronger. Strong enough that no one can defeat you."
—Grow stronger.
Her final words were always the same.
And within them lay a depth of desperation.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol mirrored her faint, dry smile.
If no more information could be gained, he shouldn't torment her further.
"And... thank you for your help."
Man-wol nodded, offering one last smile.
"Then I'll take my leave."
She turned away immediately.
A shimmering aura gathered around her, and in an instant, she vanished.
Bu Eun-seol stood dumbfounded, watching the space where she had disappeared before clenching his fist.
"The Executioner."
If they kept turning those close to him into puppets—
He would be unable to act, and his life would be ruined.
"Then how did Grandfather evade the Executioner's grasp? Or was he... acknowledged?"
Frustration gnawed at him—there was no one to ask.
If he questioned someone unrelated to the Covenant, they would likely be executed.
And those bound by the Covenant couldn't speak of it.
In the end, there was no one he could turn to.
"Even if I conceal my tracks, the Executioner will still find me."
According to Man-wol, the Executioner's methods were part of the Laws of Murim.
Meaning that hiding his identity or using a disguise wouldn't shake them off.
'Then—'
The secret tome he had found in the Myriad Demon Treasury Pavilion.
It had described the dwelling of the Sages in coded language—like a Secret Language.
'Please.'
Bu Eun-seol's fist tightened as he glanced at the peacefully sleeping Seong Su-ryeo.
'Let my assumption be correct.'
He took a deep breath.
Even after a thousand considerations, this was the only path.
But if he followed Man-wol's advice—
He shouldn't go there immediately.
Yet how could he afford to wait in this situation?
'I trust her.'
Was it simply because she resembled the woman he had once thought of as his mother?
He didn't know the reason.
But Bu Eun-seol resolved to follow her words—to steady his heart first.