Chapter 861
An unexpected reply made Seok Gyeong-ja respond with an expression of incomprehension.
"That fiend you mean?"
Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"To call him a fiend—there's neither Demonic Energy nor evil in his eyes."
"Wasn't that the same for that Demon?"
Seok Gyeong-ja bit his lip.
"He clearly pretended to be virtuous with cunning, only to annihilate our sect once more."
"The one who showed restraint even toward the Yin-Killing Soul-Transferring Men?"
Seok Gyeong-ja turned his head away.
As Gwi-jin-ja had said, the Yin-Killing Soul-Transferring Men—
Though their joints were damaged and they couldn't move, their lives were unharmed.
To injure only the joints of an attacking enemy while holding back strength is far more difficult and taxing than beheading them in one stroke.
Through that single move, Gwi-jin-ja had discerned Bu Eun-seol's virtuous nature.
"Perhaps he hid sinister intentions and deliberately held back."
"Enough. If that man had wanted to kill us, he could have slaughtered every last one without a second thought."
"What nonsense—"
"Look."
Gwi-jin-ja pointed at Bu Eun-seol and said,
"At the energy flowing through his body."
Seok Gyeong-ja observed Bu Eun-seol for a long while.
As descendants of the Sages, they—
Not only had mastered knowledge spanning all ages and regions, but could also perceive energies undetectable to ordinary people.
"Nothing particularly unusual stands out."
Seok Gyeong-ja shook his head.
No matter how closely he looked, he couldn't sense any special energy.
"Your training is still lacking."
Gwi-jin-ja clicked his tongue.
"Since you cannot perceive it, naturally you wouldn't know."
At this Zen-like reply, Seok Gyeong-ja blinked.
Then, sharpening his Enhanced Vision, he scrutinized Bu Eun-seol again—yet found only the most ordinary energy.
No distinctive traits whatsoever.
"This disciple doesn't understand. All I see is that he possesses utterly unremarkable energy, nothing more..."
As he trailed off, Seok Gyeong-ja's eyes widened.
Utterly unremarkable.
How could a Master who had cultivated such formidable martial arts possess only ordinary energy?
How could he be more perfectly ordinary—
Than a herb gatherer or woodcutter?
"So that's it."
Seok Gyeong-ja finally nodded as if enlightened.
"Everything is completely intertwined. There are degrees even to concealment."
There are limits to hiding what exists.
But when perfectly blended, the traces become unfindable.
It aligns with the profound principles of martial arts.
At Seok Gyeong-ja's muttering, Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"It's not mere blending. It's because disparate, opposing forces embrace one another in balanced Harmonization."
Gwi-jin-ja gazed at Bu Eun-seol and said,
"His energy follows the subtlety of Yin and Yang—when one waxes, the other wanes. And in this world, only one force can achieve perfect equilibrium."
"What is it?"
"Soul-Demon Magic Energy."
Gwi-jin-ja declared.
"Only the True Demon's Soul-Demon Magic Energy can perfectly wield blended forces."
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flew open.
He had said the exact same thing as the old man from before.
'Do I truly carry the True Demon's bloodline?'
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Every circumstance pointed to him being of the True Demon's lineage.
'But.'
Analyzing the situation coldly, he shook his head.
'Could they all be mistaken?'
Even if the world remained oblivious—
His grandfather must have known the truth.
If he were truly the True Demon's blood relative, destined to destroy the martial world and plunge the world into Chaos—
Would his grandfather, who treasured even a blade of grass or a bug's life,
Who treated the dead as if they were still living,
Ever have raised him?
'Of course, Grandfather might have raised me believing he could suppress the Soul-Demon Magic Energy.'
But there was a second, definitive reason.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
If the Sages could discern at a glance that he carried the True Demon's blood—
How could the Demonic Heavenly Emperor fail to notice?
The one who repeatedly entered Closed Door Training to defeat the hidden powerhouses of the martial world—
Would never stand idly by while a spark that could turn all of the martial world into a pit of flames existed.
"That can't be."
Having sorted his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"If I truly inherited the True Demon's bloodline, even if the world remained ignorant, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would have known."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"Martial artists would have no way of knowing."
Then, in a hoarse, aged voice, he added,
"But the Sages of our forest have studied not only the world's knowledge but also generations of people... Hence, we can recognize it."
"People, you say."
"Naturally, that includes the Baekri Clan and the True Demon. They too are undeniably people."
With a calm expression, he continued,
"The Sages of our forest can perceive energies existing in this world—and other energies invisible to ordinary people."
"Then do I truly possess the True Demon's energy?"
"Of course."
Then he pointed at Bu Eun-seol's arm.
"Can't you see the faint Soul-Demon Magic Energy coiled around your left arm?"
"My left arm."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol grasp the situation.
Before arriving here, he had encountered—
An old man who was once a retainer of the True Demon's family, who had attacked him.
As a result, some Soul-Demon Magic Energy had been absorbed into his arm.
And Gwi-jin-ja had detected it as if by supernatural means, even discerning the blended energies within his body.
Thus, he had no choice but to conclude that Bu Eun-seol was of the True Demon's lineage.
'It would be better to speak frankly and seek answers.'
Between the drooping willow-like brows of Gwi-jin-ja, his small pupils—
His eyes were as clear and transparent as a child's, making it impossible to mistake him for an evil person.
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and recounted everything in detail.
"I happened to defeat an old man who could be considered a retainer of the True Demon's household. At that time, I believe a portion of the Soul-Demon Magic Energy was absorbed into me."
Gwi-jin-ja, who had been listening to the explanation for a while, shook his head.
"No matter how exceptional one's martial arts may be, absorbing Soul-Demon Magic Energy is impossible."
Then he spoke decisively.
"Unless there exists a human capable of mingling numerous energies within their body without exploding and remaining perfectly intact."
Bu Eun-seol was at a loss for words.
A human who could mix countless energies within their body without bursting—
That was no different from referring to himself.
"I mastered the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and Buddhist martial arts all at once..."
After taking another deep breath, he spoke calmly.
"And within my body resides the power of the Three Divine Powers, part of the Four Divine Powers."
"What did you say?"
Gwi-jin-ja shook his head in disbelief.
"How is such a thing possible?"
"I don't know. It just... happened."
Gwi-jin-ja's expression turned solemn.
"Such things do not occur by coincidence. And they certainly do not happen in a short span of time."
He continued,
"If what you say is true, then there must have been a process that allowed you to wield such power."
"A process..."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned blank.
It suddenly occurred to him that Gwi-jin-ja might know the exact circumstances of his origins.
'Since I've already started, I might as well tell him everything.'
Ever since he had heard that he, as an existence, was merely a shadow deliberately created by Baekri Mu-ha—
He had completely abandoned any lingering questions about his own background.
But now, meeting a sage who seemed to know everything...
He found himself wanting to ask about his own tumultuous past.
"Truthfully, I was an orphan taken in by my grandfather. Then a vicious man killed him... and I entered the martial world to seek revenge."
Bu Eun-seol recounted his past life and circumstances in detail.
"As I continued my journey through the martial world, I was constantly mistaken for the Heavenly Darkness Star, and until recently, I was convinced I was a descendant of the Baekri Clan."
"The Baekri Clan?"
"Yes. I thought I was a descendant of Saha Manor Lord, Baekri Mu-ha... but I later learned that I was merely a shadow created to protect the true bloodline of the Baekri Clan."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a troubled expression.
"But now I'm being told I'm a descendant of the True Demon... Honestly, I don't even know who I am anymore."
Gwi-jin-ja wore a dazed expression.
He had been certain this young man was a descendant of the True Demon, but he never expected his history to be so convoluted.
"Since you've shared your story so openly, this Forest Lord will also speak frankly."
Gwi-jin-ja began calmly.
"Over thirty years ago, our forest was annihilated by the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade... and the surviving sages, including this Forest Lord, were forced to retreat to Layered Colors Mountain after much deliberation."
He continued steadily,
"Only this mountain could perfectly deploy the Annihilation Formation capable of defending against his attacks."
"Then..."
As Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth in realization, Gwi-jin-ja nodded.
"Correct. The information our forest possesses about the martial world stopped thirty years ago. If we were to venture out now... our location might be exposed."
Gwi-jin-ja let out a deep sigh.
"Which is why I know nothing precise about Saha Manor's Blood Calamity or Baekri Mu-ha, who was once called the First Beauty of the martial world."
Baekri Mu-ha's activities coincided with the time Bu Eun-seol's grandfather had retired.
Thus, the Sage Forest remained unaware of Saha Manor's Blood Eye or the truth about Baekri Mu-ha.
"However..."
Gwi-jin-ja began to share something astonishing.
"If, as you say, Baekri Mu-ha was truly a descendant of the Baekri Clan, he could not have established a manor like Saha Manor and lived among people."
"Why do you say that?"
"Though it is said the Baekri Clan vanished in an instant three hundred years ago... the truth is different."
A profound light flickered in Gwi-jin-ja's eyes.
"They merely changed their structure and methods of operation. Using the secret arts of the Absolute Boundary, they concealed themselves, spreading their roots covertly throughout the martial world."
"Using the Absolute Boundary to secretly establish roots in the martial world..."
That matched what the Deathly One, whom he had met at Pungsin Palace, had said.
Which meant the Baekri Clan had not disappeared—
Even now, at this very moment... they were secretly maintaining their lineage somewhere in the martial world.
"I once met one of the Eight Heavenly Servants, a Servant of the True Demon called the Deathly One."
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
"And he spoke of the Baekri Clan as if they were a harmful presence in the martial world."
Gwi-jin-ja nodded.
"Strictly speaking, the Baekri Clan and the True Demon cannot be divided into good and evil. That's likely why he spoke that way."
"Why do you say that?"
"The Servants of the True Demon have never inflicted any major harm upon the martial world. Of course, they have restricted, controlled, and even killed martial artists... but never to the extent of a Blood Calamity."
Gwi-jin-ja sighed.
"In contrast, the Baekri Clan are those who would not hesitate to do anything to eradicate the True Demon and its Servants. In fact, there are records suggesting that several Blood Calamities in the martial world... were orchestrated by the Baekri Clan."
"If it's just records, does that mean it hasn't been confirmed?"
"Ancient secret texts contain such accounts. But the truth is something no one can know for certain."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned blank.
If that were true—
Then there was ample reason to consider the Baekri Clan as evil, capable of committing any atrocity.
'Wait.'
Something didn't add up.
Gwi-jin-ja had said the Servants of the True Demon had never committed any great harm.
But then what about their master, the True Demon?
According to the records left by Yo-hui, the Founder of the Divine Maiden Palace, the True Demon was an ancient entity—both a demon and evil itself, was it not?
'Moreover, the Forest Lord maintained a favorable attitude even after learning I possessed Soul-Demon Magic Energy.'
A chill ran down his spine.
It occurred to Bu Eun-seol that the Sage Forest might be affiliated with the Servants of the True Demon—or perhaps even its followers.
'Was I too hasty?'
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had instinctively distinguished good from evil, and his intuition had never once been wrong.
But overconfidence in that instinct had led him to recklessly divulge his personal history to Gwi-jin-ja.
"Hohoho."
Unexpectedly, Gwi-jin-ja responded with surprising words.
"It's not unreasonable for you to think that way. But there's no need to worry."
Smiling faintly, he continued in a composed tone.
"Our forest has maintained neutrality for generations. I merely spoke from that perspective."
Astonishingly, he had completely read Bu Eun-seol's thoughts.
"If you still have doubts, we need not continue this conversation. Rest assured, I will never disclose what you've shared."
Bu Eun-seol's suspicion toward Gwi-jin-ja wasn't solely because the man had remained friendly despite sensing the Soul-Demon Magic Energy surrounding him.
'Even if he is a sage who has attained enlightenment... could he truly be this kind to the grandson of the man who brutally slaughtered his sworn brothers?'
The Sage Forest had been annihilated by his grandfather, and these were the survivors who had escaped that massacre.
No matter how enlightened they were—
Could they really treat the grandson, who inherited the legacy of their nemesis, with such warmth?
"The answers to the questions you hold now... I will provide them once our conversation concludes."
Gwi-jin-ja, as if peering straight into Bu Eun-seol's mind, spoke again.
'He is someone I can trust.'
Bu Eun-seol's intuition flared once more.
Just as it had from the beginning—
He felt certain that Gwi-jin-ja was a trustworthy figure.
Besides, he had already revealed the most critical secret of all—
the chaotic energies coexisting within his body.
At this point, halting the conversation—
doubting him—
would gain him nothing.
"Then... does that mean there's a chance I could be of the True Demon's bloodline, as the old man I met earlier suggested?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Gwi-jin-ja offered a faint smile before extending his hand.
"Let me examine you more thoroughly. Come into our forest."
Seok Gyeong-ja, hearing this, paled and vehemently shook his head.
"Forest Lord! Have you forgotten he is Bu Jan-yang's grandson?!"
"We're merely talking. He is no threat to our forest."
"Then why not speak here instead?"
Seok Gyeong-ja pleaded urgently.
"If you insist on bringing him inside, you may as well take my head first."
Gwi-jin-ja sighed.
Seok Gyeong-ja's concern wasn't unfounded.
Like all members of the Sage Forest, he was a survivor who had narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
And the Sage Forest's true battle formation had yet to be activated.
What if Bu Eun-seol turned hostile once inside?
They all knew they stood no chance against a young Grandmaster wielding such terrifying martial prowess.
"Very well. Then I'll examine him here."
Murmurs spread.
Meanwhile, disciples of the Sage Forest began gathering at the entrance one by one.
Soon, a crowd of about forty or fifty had formed.
After sweeping his gaze over them, Gwi-jin-ja approached Bu Eun-seol.
He scrutinized his features, examined his bone and muscle structure, and finally extended a finger to take his pulse like a physician.
"Hoh..."
With each shift of his fingers, Gwi-jin-ja let out soft exclamations.
"This... shouldn't be possible."
"What do you mean?"
"You are neither of the Baekri Clan's lineage nor the True Demon's blood. At your core, you possess an utterly ordinary body—one that should be incapable of accommodating either Manifestation Art Energy or Soul-Demon Magic Energy."
Gwi-jin-ja furrowed his brow.
"Yet somehow, the impossible has occurred. I cannot fathom how."
"What's wrong?"
"To put it simply, you have an extremely ordinary physique... yet..."
He continued, sounding almost bewildered.
"...you've somehow stabilized the coexistence of numerous conflicting energies within you, transforming into a vessel capable of accepting any form of power."
Then, his expression turned solemn.
"Such a body cannot be artificially created. Even if a method existed, it could never be achieved in a short time."
Gwi-jin-ja's eyes narrowed.
"Unless... you were trained from childhood to merge the secrets and mental cultivation methods of both Orthodox and Unorthodox Martial Arts."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed dryly.
Just as Gwi-jin-ja said—
he had been subjected to the infusion of both Orthodox and Unorthodox techniques since childhood.
But that was only because—
his grandfather had exhausted every means to strengthen his frail body.
He hadn't even realized that everything—including the breathing techniques—were martial arts methods until he entered the martial world.
'To think all of it was training to forge a body capable of assimilating any power...'
His mind reeled.
'Could Grandfather have done this intentionally?'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
No—that couldn't be.
Until his last breath, his grandfather had only wished for him to live an ordinary, happy life.
There was absolutely no way.
"My body was always weak."
Regaining his composure, Bu Eun-seol answered.
"That's why Grandfather infused me with various energies."
"Weak body... infused with various energies... you say."
"Then isn't it possible this was just an unintended outcome?"
"Had it been any other martial artist, I might have called it coincidence."
Gwi-jin-ja stared directly into Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"But when it comes to a peerless Grandmaster like Bu Jan-yang—there's no chance he wouldn't have calculated every possibility."
A philosopher like Bu Jan-yang—
would never have carelessly imparted such powers and martial arts without understanding their implications.
Which could only mean one thing—
"...Bu Jan-yang deliberately and ceaselessly infused opposing forces of energy into you..."
"...transforming Bu Eun-seol into a physical vessel capable of assimilating any power."
"As if he knew you would become a martial artist in the future."
"As if he foresaw that you would learn numerous martial arts."