Chapter 855
As she felt his blatant gaze, her large eyes sparkled.
"Huh? What?"
Bu Eun-seol immediately shook his head.
"It's nothing."
'Was I mistaken?'
Perhaps he'd grown overly sensitive due to the Executioner incident.
Shaking his head, he promptly brought up the main subject.
"The ones who captured members of the One Hundred and Eight Stars for experiments, as you mentioned earlier... weren't some faction, but rather a man named Chu-so."
He then recounted in detail the events involving the Young Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace, Sindo Un-hwi.
"...In the end, the Young Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace was seduced by that Heavenly Mechanism Star and subjected to an abominable Great Art—the kind only the vilest scum of the Infinite Realm would perform—that modified the human body."
Having finished his account, Bu Eun-seol stared directly at Yang Seol-rin.
"And that Chu-so was said to have been born under the Heavenly Mechanism Star among the One Hundred and Eight Stars, and was one of the children abducted by the Jungson Clan in the past."
Yang Seol-rin listened in silence, her expression graver than ever.
Observing her, Bu Eun-seol subtly inquired,
"By any chance, do you know anything about this Chu-so?"
According to Gongson Dan-gyeong,
Yang Seol-rin had been one of the children abducted by the Jungson Clan back then, going by the name Hwasu at the time.
Yet Yang Seol-rin remembered nothing of those events—
specifically, she had no recollection whatsoever of her life between ages six and seven.
"Not at all. This is the first I'm hearing of it."
Yang Seol-rin shook her head.
Her expression wasn't feigned—she genuinely seemed unaware.
"And the Heavenly Mechanism Star, you say? One of the One Hundred and Eight Stars that haven't appeared in five hundred years just suddenly showed up?"
"That's correct."
Bu Eun-seol's voice lowered subtly.
"Are parts of your childhood memories still missing?"
"Yeah."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed infinitely as he studied Yang Seol-rin's guileless expression.
Something was definitely off.
Unlike him, she hadn't been placed under any Restrictive Seal, nor had she experienced any particularly traumatic events.
Yet for parts of her childhood memories to simply vanish... defied all common sense.
'Someone clearly intervened.'
The Murim held countless Great Arts,
and innumerable mysterious Esoteric Ritual Arts.
Even if no traces of the Soul-Seizing Art could currently be detected in her body,
that didn't prove no one had tampered with her.
Just as Bu Eun-seol sank deep into thought—
Flicker.
A mysterious light swirled in Yang Seol-rin's eyes.
Simultaneously, with imperceptible subtlety,
a devastating power capable of annihilating the entire world surged through her hands.
But then—
Whoooosh!
A tremendous Sound of Breaking Air echoed from afar as a blurry shadow raced toward them.
"Brother Bu!"
A clear voice rang through the air before a dashing young man materialized before Bu Eun-seol.
It was none other than Hyeok So-jin.
"How long has it been?"
Beaming, Hyeok So-jin clasped Bu Eun-seol's hands.
Having grown slightly taller,
he now stood nearly eye-to-eye with Bu Eun-seol.
"Did you bring it?"
"Of course."
Hyeok So-jin rummaged through his robes.
"Though I'm not entirely sure this will work. The Soul-Seizing Art comes in so many variants with entirely different functions."
He produced a small wooden case.
Click.
Opening it revealed a tiny orb pulsing with an eerie black glow.
"Who—?"
Yang Seol-rin's gaze turned wary.
Her meetings with Bu Eun-seol were top secret—why had another person come here?
Had Hyeok So-jin's eyes not been so warm and his expression so bright, she would have assumed him an enemy and acted immediately.
"Ah? Greetings!"
Hyeok So-jin grinned broadly at Yang Seol-rin and pressed his palms together.
"I'm Hyeok So-jin. You could say I'm Brother Bu's one and only sworn younger brother? Hahaha."
With easy charm, he approached Yang Seol-rin and spoke in a friendly tone.
"I wondered why Brother Bu had me run this errand, but if it's a gift for his lover then—Ghk!"
Bu Eun-seol silenced Hyeok So-jin's nonsense by covering his mouth, then handed the wooden case to Yang Seol-rin.
"I feel I've never properly repaid you... I thought this might help."
What Hyeok So-jin had brought was called the Purifying Heart Pearl.
Keeping it constantly on one's person
could not only cleanse worldly afflictions,
but also possessed the mystical power to shatter Soul-Seizing Arts that disturbed one's Spirit and Mind.
Once counted among Murim's most treasured artifacts,
it had passed through countless hands before finally ending up with the Righteousness-Destroying Madman at the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary.
"This looks precious. You're really giving it to me?"
Yang Seol-rin beamed as she held the Purifying Heart Pearl.
Zzziiing!
The moment she accepted it,
the intense affection in her eyes softened somewhat, and her complexion seemed to brighten.
'There's definitely something there.'
Swallowing his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Indeed. They say carrying it brings good fortune, so keep it with you at all times."
"Thank you!"
She clasped his hands.
"I'll carry it always."
The gesture was so childishly pure that Bu Eun-seol didn't pull away, letting her hold them.
Heh heh heh.
Hyeok So-jin stood between them, eyes curved into crescents, suppressing a mute chuckle.
When Bu Eun-seol had sought out a treasure like the Purifying Heart Pearl, Hyeok So-jin had assumed that someone in the Death Shadow War Unit had fallen victim to a severe Soul-Seizing Art.
But who would have imagined the target would be such a breathtaking beauty?
Moreover, seeing Bu Eun-seol—who was typically indifferent to women—so readily hand over such a treasure...
Hyeok So-jin, unaware of the full context, was overjoyed, believing Bu Eun-seol had finally found his match.
Kuuung.
Yet, a strange vibration suddenly shook the surroundings.
Pududuk.
The tremor was so intense that birds perched on nearby trees hastily took flight into the sky.
"Someone else is coming, it seems?"
Yang Seol-rin blinked and glanced at Bu Eun-seol, assuming he had summoned yet another person.
"No. I haven't called anyone else."
Bu Eun-seol's expression hardened slightly.
This meeting had been conducted in absolute secrecy—no intelligence organization should have been able to detect it.
Good people don't come; those who come aren't good.
Yet, if someone had arrived uninvited at this clandestine gathering...
They could not possibly harbor good intentions.
Thud.
A shadow that had been slicing swiftly through mid-air descended to the ground a little over thirty meters away from where Bu Eun-seol stood.
Juk-juk.
At the same time, slow, deliberate footsteps approached.
The figure was a gray-clad man, a massive great blade strapped to his back.
That man...
Bu Eun-seol recognized him.
Wasn't he the one who had been standing behind the Buddhist Venerable earlier?
The very man rumored to be part of the new Absolute Demon Saber Project?
"So, it's true—you've been colluding with the Three Clans."
The gray-clad man clicked his tongue as his sharp gaze flickered between Bu Eun-seol and Yang Seol-rin.
"Either way, your fate was always to be slaughtered."
"Who are you?"
Hyeok So-jin's expression turned razor-sharp as he glared at the man.
Anyone who spoke of killing Bu Eun-seol so casually couldn't possibly be here with good intentions.
Kuuung.
Instead of answering, the man drew his great blade.
Another tremor rippled through the air.
"Seop Jeong-ung."
The gray-clad man—Seop Jeong-ung—held his great blade at middle level and spoke flatly.
"That is the name of the one who will send you all to hell."
Hyeok So-jin's face stiffened.
He had fought countless battles and trained relentlessly, greatly advancing his martial prowess.
Yet, he had never heard the name Seop Jeong-ung before.
Still, the man's presence was undeniably formidable—he was undoubtedly affiliated with the Abyssal Forces.
"How did you find us?"
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward.
Though this was an unwelcome intruder, given his prior connection with the Buddhist Venerable, he chose to remain courteous rather than immediately draw his weapon.
"I happened to acquire some information."
Seop Jeong-ung's piercing eyes swept over Bu Eun-seol and Yang Seol-rin like blades.
"Martial Soul Lord. The intel said you were meeting with a lackey of the Three Clans here."
"What? A lackey?"
Yang Seol-rin's voice flared in outrage, but Bu Eun-seol raised a hand to silence her.
"So, it seems you've come to kill her and me."
"Precisely."
Seop Jeong-ung's voice was icy.
"In the martial world, the Three Clans—and all those associated with them—must be eradicated."
"Let's hear your reasoning."
Bu Eun-seol remained unfazed as he asked,
"Why must the Three Clans and their affiliates be eliminated?"
Seop Jeong-ung, who had been staring coldly at Bu Eun-seol, replied,
"If you ask the King of Hell, he might enlighten you."
"Ridiculous."
Hyeok So-jin stepped forward then.
"Brother Bu, are you really going to keep listening to this arrogant bastard?"
Rolling up his sleeves, he declared,
"I'll handle this lunatic myself."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod, and Hyeok So-jin smirked as he faced Seop Jeong-ung.
"What now? Brother Bu doesn't even consider you worth his time."
"If you wish to go to hell first, so be it."
Hwoong.
As Seop Jeong-ung swung his great blade in a wide arc, a blue mist spread outward.
He had materialized his Blade Stance, transforming the surrounding area into his own Domain.
This was less a martial technique and more akin to Esoteric Ritual Arts.
"You may all attack me at once."
Seop Jeong-ung's confidence was overwhelming—
He was declaring that even if Bu Eun-seol, whose name shook the martial world, joined forces with Hyeok So-jin and Yang Seol-rin, it wouldn't matter.
"What an absolute joke."
Ziiing.
At the same time, a violet radiance erupted from Hyeok So-jin's body.
He had summoned the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, the supreme technique of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying lineage.
Billowing.
Unlike before, his Divine-Rending Demonic Qi no longer carried only razor-sharp killing intent—
It now possessed a suction force capable of devouring all things in this world.
"Save that arrogance for after you've beaten me first."
Seop Jeong-ung said nothing, merely thrusting his great blade forward.
Hwoong.
In that instant, Hyeok So-jin felt as though his soul was being hurled into the sky.
With just a single thrust of the blade—
A terrifying shockwave rippled outward, as if forcibly expelling the soul from his physical body.
"What the hell is this?!"
Hyeok So-jin, greatly alarmed, unleashed his Divine-Rending Demonic Qi in full force.
Hwung-hwung.
As Seop Jeong-ung swung his great blade like a windmill, the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi dissipated like mist.
Iron-Blood Saber.
The supreme saber technique of the legendary Iron-Blooded Wanderer, once hailed as the greatest saber fighter under heaven, had transcended generations to reappear in the martial world.
'Whoever strikes first wins.'
Realizing the sheer magnitude of Seop Jeong-ung's martial prowess,
Hyeok So-jin immediately channeled his Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, targeting all thirty-six of his opponent's major pressure points.
Paaat!
As the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi pierced through, blood sprayed into the air.
Yet, the Body Protection True Qi was so dense that it had only pierced his skin.
"Got it!"
Hyeok So-jin doubled his internal power, this time unleashing a violet-hued mist.
The Divine-Rending Demonic Qi could not only condense into a piercing force but also spread in wide shockwaves to violently shake an opponent's internal organs.
KWAANG!
As the invisible energy Hyeok So-jin unleashed radiated outward, Seop Jeong-ung's hair shot skyward.
He hadn't even tried to dodge the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi—instead, he countered by spreading his Body Protection True Qi.
The true terror of the Iron-Blood Saber technique lay not in its brutal saber forms but in the unique Mystic Gate Protective Qi and Iron-Blood Qi embedded within its Blade Essence.
The more Seop Jeong-ung was struck, the more he bled—and the more powerful the Mystic Gate Protective Qi enveloping his body became. Over time, he transformed into a monster capable of shrugging off any attack.
Oooong...
Wrapped in an even thicker layer of Iron-Blood Qi, Seop Jeong-ung closed the distance with Hyeok So-jin, who was still unleashing Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
Though the technique excelled at long range, Hyeok So-jin didn't retreat—he charged in as well.
PAT! PAT!
At extreme close quarters, the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi grew sharper and more intricate.
Seop Jeong-ung's massive saber was too large and heavy to react swiftly to the nimble, shifting energy.
But the more he was wounded—
The denser his Mystic Gate Protective Qi became, and the more blood he shed, the more devastating his saber technique grew.
HOONG! HOONG! HOONG!
Like a wild boar struck by a torch, Seop Jeong-ung swung his saber wildly, charging forward with reckless abandon.
He had deliberately chosen close-quarters combat to amplify the Iron-Blood Saber's power.
'Tch.'
The increasingly dense energy was deflecting the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi's force.
PA-PA-PA-PA!
As Hyeok So-jin momentarily faltered—
Seop Jeong-ung seized the opening, scattering dozens of sword qi chaotically to press him further.
"Not a chance!"
There was no need to fight on the enemy's terms.
Hyeok So-jin manipulated the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi with precision, slipping past the storm of saber energy and widening the gap once more.
But the Iron-Blood Saber technique contained a suction force capable of dragging in even boulders.
No matter how much distance he created, he couldn't fully escape the range of its Blade Stance.
'So his earlier taunt wasn't just empty bluster.'
Hyeok So-jin bit his lip.
The Iron-Blood Saber wasn't just powerful—it had the ability to dominate a fixed space.
The fiercer the battle within that domain, the stronger the opponent—
The more devastating the saber technique became.
'Break free!'
Hyeok So-jin altered the Divine-Rending Demonic Qi again.
Now, upon contact with the saber energy, it detonated—inflicting continuous damage on Seop Jeong-ung as he executed his technique.
KWAANG! KWAANG! KWAANG!
With each explosion, Seop Jeong-ung's body shuddered violently.
No matter what method the enemy employed—
Hyeok So-jin adapted, shifting his attacks into varied forms to steadily seize control of the battle.
This wasn't due to superior martial arts but his exceptional combat instincts and improvisation.
"Not bad."
Though drenched in blood from the explosions, Seop Jeong-ung wore a composed expression.
"The Iron-Blood Saber technique can annihilate any martial art in an instant!"
With a Great Roar, he closed the distance again, swinging his massive saber like a madman.
Seop Jeong-ung was confident.
With this technique, he could rival even the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, once known as the Demon Path's Foremost Bladesman.
KWAOOONG!
A strange ripple burst from the spinning saber, melting away the incoming Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
At the same time, black darkness surged around Hyeok So-jin, trapping him within a wall of saber qi capable of slicing through Taesan in a single stroke.
The Iron-Blood Saber's ultimate technique—Imprison and Break the Enemy—had been unleashed.
ZZZIIING—
Hyeok So-jin scattered his Divine-Rending Demonic Qi like spiderwebs to obstruct Seop Jeong-ung's technique, but—
KWA-UUUU!
The man unleashed a storm of saber qi in an instant, lunging at him again.
"You won't escape!"
At those words, a cold glint of killing intent flashed in Hyeok So-jin's eyes.
"You think I'd run?"
BANG!
Wrapping himself in a defensive layer of Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, Hyeok So-jin unleashed the Great Bright Jade Fist, dismantling the incoming saber energy one strike at a time.
But the true horror of Imprison and Break the Enemy was that merely maintaining the stance allowed an endless barrage of saber qi.
A bloody grin twisted Seop Jeong-ung's lips as he swung his saber wildly.
Just like in chess or Go—
Martial arts were best observed with a detached, analytical eye.
By trapping Hyeok So-jin in this storm of saber qi, he could dissect every technique and movement.
'So this was all just probing for weaknesses.'
Hyeok So-jin gritted his teeth as he realized Seop Jeong-ung was coldly analyzing him even while unleashing the storm.
Amid the fierce exchange, the man was scrutinizing his martial arts down to the smallest detail.
At some point, merely assuming a stance was enough to unleash saber qi like a tempest.
Imprison and Break the Enemy.
This technique could trap countless foes at once, dissecting their martial methods—a transcendent saber art beyond ordinary comprehension.
'He wasn't just observing me—he wanted to analyze Brother Bu's martial arts too.'
PA! PA! PA!
In that moment, the Iron-Blood Saber technique shifted once more—
The swirling blade winds that had nearly released Hyeok So-jin ensnared him once more.
'This much, is it.'
Hyeok So-jin was inwardly shaken.
He had believed that among the younger generation of masters—excluding Bu Eun-seol—none could rival him.
Yet Seop Jeong-ung's Iron-Blood Saber Technique defied all conventional martial principles,
displaying abilities bordering on the supernatural.
'Merely maintaining a stance can imprison an opponent...'
But Hyeok So-jin wasn't idly defending either.
The Divine-Rending Demonic Qi could completely nullify all attacks and forces unleashed by an enemy,
rendering any assault harmless and dissipating any energy.
Not only that, it could weave invisible threads—Hidden Current Piercing the Acupoints—that infiltrated the opponent's meridians.
Hyeok So-jin had merely been biding his time, waiting for the perfect strike to melt Seop Jeong-ung's meridians in one blow.
'Go on, try harder.'
Deliberately, he feigned struggle, pretending to falter against the blade winds.
Traveling with Bu Eun-seol had taught him one crucial lesson:
In battle, victory wasn't determined by the level of one's martial arts,
but by adapting fluidly to the enemy's techniques.
'Almost melted now. Heh heh heh.'
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The intangible Divine-Rending Demonic Qi had grown so refined that it now threatened to overwhelm the Iron-Blood Saber's tempest.
Yet Hyeok So-jin still—
—purposefully yielded ground, retreating while playing defensively.
Seop Jeong-ung, meanwhile, poured forth saber winds while lowering his stance.
Imprison and Break the Enemy demanded constant blade energy output, requiring an unwavering posture—and drained immense internal power.
Thus, once an opening was spotted, there was no need to prolong the fight. A single decisive slash would suffice.
BOOM!
When razor-sharp saber energy clashed head-on with Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, an earth-shaking explosion erupted.
Hiss—!
A streak of light burst from Seop Jeong-ung's body, abruptly unleashing a surge of sharp energy in an instant.
He had fired his Iron-Blood Qi, coursing through his veins, like a hidden blade.
Fwoosh!
The move was so sudden that Hyeok So-jin couldn't evade—he could only spread his hands wide.
His sleeves writhed like living serpents, then unleashed a dazzling flurry akin to a thousand whips lashing simultaneously.
Countless strands of Divine-Rending Demonic Qi tangled chaotically, blocking the Iron-Blood Qi.
Thud-thud!
But Seop Jeong-ung, like a salmon fighting upstream—
—sliced through the disordered demonic energy as if cutting bamboo, then unleashed a storm of razor-edged saber strikes.
His great saber moved not as a mere weapon, but as a living creature.
The blade energy radiating from the Iron-Blood Saber lashed like a viper's tongue, relentlessly targeting Hyeok So-jin's vital points.
CRACK! CRACKLE!
At close range, their supreme techniques collided endlessly, violet and azure energies intertwining as—
—a massive shockwave exploded outward like a storm.
Their breathing had already turned ragged.
But the tide had shifted in Seop Jeong-ung's favor.
Though Hyeok So-jin continuously expelled Divine-Rending Demonic Qi like thousands of poisoned needles—
—Seop Jeong-ung's Iron-Blood Saber effortlessly severed every attack that entered its reach with a simple sweep.
Drip.
Then—sweat trickled down Hyeok So-jin's brow, his pupils flickering for a split second.
In a battle where even a hair's breadth of error was fatal, this was a deadly mistake.
"Die!"
CRACK!
Seop Jeong-ung finally unleashed his killing technique.
The Iron-Blood Saber vanished as if melting into the air—then reappeared at his chest.
His saber art transcended spatial limits, piercing the enemy's vitals in the blink of an eye.
Thud.
But then—the unexpected happened.
"Ghk—!"
A wretched scream tore through the air as—
—Seop Jeong-ung's body lurched, then suddenly dropped to one knee.
Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
This supreme art of the Demonic Path Ten Gates wasn't limited to unleashing intangible force.
It could retrieve and manipulate energy already released.
Hyeok So-jin, while feigning defense, had been stealthily infiltrating Seop Jeong-ung's body with demonic qi.
Persistently, ruthlessly—
—shredding his meridians and ravaging his flesh from within.
Zzzzt—!
As Hyeok So-jin intensified the demonic qi's spread—
Drip-drip.
Blood began trickling from Seop Jeong-ung's eyes and ears.
Ooom.
But then, with a low hum—
—the blood flow slowed, then stopped.
The formidable Iron-Blood Qi within him was protecting his heart meridian, mending his body.
Drip.
Yet blood still seeped from Seop Jeong-ung's lips.
The Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, spreading in its Hidden Current form, was beginning to overwhelm the Iron-Blood Qi.
'Hold out for two or four hours—it doesn't matter.'
Even if Iron-Blood Qi stalled the destruction of his heart meridian, Hyeok So-jin still held the advantage.
All he had to do was evade attacks while—
—continuously flooding Seop Jeong-ung's body with Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
Riiip.
Flesh tore as Seop Jeong-ung's skin began splitting apart.
His body swelled, unable to expel the invasive Divine-Rending Demonic Qi.
"Grrgh—"
Despite the agony, Seop Jeong-ung forced himself upright.
Whoosh.
As he gripped his great saber and resumed his stance, Hyeok So-jin's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
"Are you a jiangshi?!"
"Those who master the Iron-Blood Saber do not fall."
Swish! Whiik!
Closing the distance, Seop Jeong-ung swung his saber with frenzied precision—his face eerily calm.
"Once struck by the Hidden Current Piercing the Acupoints, one suffers pain ten times more excruciating than even the most infamous torture technique in Murim—the Root Muscle Bone Binding Technique."
"And yet... he can still move his body like that?"