Chapter 862
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring blankly for a long while, slowly shook his head.
"If it was intentional, then there must have been a profound meaning behind it."
Even if his grandfather had done so, it would have been solely for his sake.
"If you're so certain, then there's no harm in believing that."
Gwi-jin-ja's expression was inscrutable.
Seeing that look, Bu Eun-seol felt uneasy. It almost seemed as though the man was doubting his grandfather.
'I won't ask any more about my origins.'
The more he unraveled the threads of his past, the closer he came to doubting even his grandfather.
Rather than risk that, he resolved never to question the past again.
'And forget about the Blood Calamity tied to the Saha Manor.'
Once, his longing for his parents had been overwhelming.
What he had sought most desperately after the culprit's identity was his own roots.
But now, he no longer cared.
Only one thing mattered—
ensuring those dear to him remained unharmed.
The most urgent task at hand was dealing with the Executioner.
"Forest Lord, there's one last thing I wish to ask."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath before speaking in a clear voice.
"The truth is, I came here to eliminate the Executioner."
Murmurs.
The moment the word "Executioner" left Bu Eun-seol's lips, the surrounding sages began whispering in shock.
Never before had they encountered a martial artist who spoke so openly of a being known only through ancient texts.
"May I hear your answer on this matter?"
Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"This Forest Lord places great importance on bonds."
Then, in a low voice, he added,
"That is precisely why the Scripture of All Methods was left in the Martial World."
Gwi-jin-ja then asked,
"By 'eliminating' the Executioner, do you mean killing it?"
"If possible... yes."
Bu Eun-seol's reply was firm.
"The Executioner has appeared and is targeting those close to me."
More murmurs.
At his words, some of the sages exchanged disbelieving whispers.
—The Executioner is interfering with this man's associates?
The Executioner did not appear simply because one possessed high martial prowess.
It was an enforcer that only targeted superlative martial experts powerful enough to break the Laws.
Yet this young man claimed the Executioner had come for him?
"I see."
But Gwi-jin-ja showed no surprise, merely nodding.
"There are several ways to resolve the matter of the Executioner."
Bu Eun-seol's expression brightened instantly.
He hadn't expected to find a solution easily, even after coming to Stacked Brocade Mountain.
Yet here he was, stumbling upon answers so effortlessly—and not just one, but several methods?
'Then at least one of them must be a sure way to eliminate the Executioner.'
"The first," Gwi-jin-ja began, "is to create a power or martial art utterly unprecedented in the Martial World—something with not even a trace of similarity to what exists. If you can achieve this, you may evade the Executioner's judgment."
It was an absurd solution, one Bu Eun-seol had never considered.
Merely by inventing an original martial art, one could escape the Executioner's notice?
'Does that mean the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic and the Three Demons and Three Venerables all avoided the Executioner this way?'
The greatest martial experts of the era did not rely on inherited techniques.
Instead, they wielded martial arts of their own creation—methods never before seen in the Martial World.
Did that mean they were exempt from the Executioner's sanctions from the very beginning?
"That's an impossible condition for me to fulfill right now."
The martial arts Bu Eun-seol had mastered were all Supreme-grade Absolute Arts, pinnacle techniques of their respective fields.
But none were his own creation.
His Formless Heavenly Flow was a synthesis of the Langya Pavilion Sword Art, and even his recently devised Misty Waves of Rivers and Lakes borrowed principles from the Sword Sovereign's Nature Sword.
The Fist Demon Seven Forms originated from Kwon In-cheon.
As for the Willful True Binding, Thirteenfold Qi Induction, Sword Laughs at Xuanyuan, Peerless Thunderbolt, Fluorescent Sword Control, and Bloody Tears Seven Forms—
all were peerless secret arts from past or present masters.
Even his Harmonization was a recreation of a technique devised by the Sacred Sword, Baekri Mu-jo—the Heaven-Shattering Form.
Because he had been struck by lightning-like opportunities—ones others might never encounter in a lifetime—
he hadn't even had the chance to fully digest what he'd learned, let alone create something entirely new.
"Is there another way?"
"Of course."
In response to Bu Eun-seol's question, Gwi-jin-ja offered an even more bizarre solution.
"If you willingly part with the person you love most at this moment, you may escape the Executioner's pursuit."
"What do you mean?"
"It is said the Executioner tracks its targets by the hues of their spirit and mind."
Gwi-jin-ja spoke calmly.
"If you lose the one you love and fall into despair, those hues fade entirely."
"It's akin to mastering the secret of erasing emotions."
"Precisely. Those who despair and suffer eventually become devoid of feeling."
Had Bu Eun-seol heard this explanation upon first entering the Sage Forest, he would not have believed it.
But Gwi-jin-ja had perfectly peered into his spirit and mind, something no one else had ever been able to do.
That mysterious ability alone made the weight of his answer undeniable.
"Is there no other way?"
Gwi-jin-ja wore a bitter smile.
"To the best of my knowledge, those two are the only known methods."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
This was the Forest Lord of the Sage Forest—a man said to possess all the world's knowledge.
There would be no better answer. In the end, he had failed to find a method he could use immediately.
"I understand. Thank you."
As Bu Eun-seol made to leave, Gwi-jin-ja's eyes gleamed.
"Will you choose the second method, then?"
"How could I?"
"Then you plan to seclude yourself in solitude and create an original martial art?"
"Something like that."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky with desolate eyes.
"Wandering the Rivers and Lakes alone, forging my own martial path, tracking down the Executioner's tail..."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"And slaughtering those who commit such atrocities."
"Kill the Executioner? That is impossible."
Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"Not even the Baekri Clan or the True Demon could erase the Executioners. They are part of the Law."
"What is this 'Law'?"
"Just as the name implies—Law. An unchanging truth."
Gwi-jin-ja answered calmly.
"No one can explain the Law. Like the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening, it must happen, but no one knows why."
"I see."
The answer was the same as Man-wol's.
Which meant... perhaps even Gwi-jin-ja, though he knew of the Law, could not speak of it plainly.
'I cannot force an answer out of him.'
Swallowing his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together indifferently.
"I believe nothing is impossible."
Then he bowed deeply.
"I am grateful for your guidance."
The Sage Forest had been annihilated by his grandfather, its legacy barely surviving.
Yet Gwi-jin-ja had recognized his goodwill and extended kindness regardless.
Even if he bowed a hundred times, it would not be enough.
"Why do you not ask?"
Gwi-jin-ja spoke.
"Why this Forest Lord shows such favor to the grandson of Bu Jan-yang?"
Frankly, he was curious—but he dared not ask.
After all, Gwi-jin-ja had shown him boundless kindness without reason.
"I assume there must be a profound story behind it, but I dare not pry—"
[It was this Forest's mistake.]
Just then, Gwi-jin-ja's composed voice transmission reached him.
[We meddled with something we should never have touched, and the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade sought to stop it.]
Bu Eun-seol was stunned.
The Sage Forest had tampered with something forbidden?
[Heavenly Mechanism Star.]
Gwi-jin-ja's voice transmission carried a pained expression.
[The King of the Sages, the Guide of Truth—we artificially birthed him. To create a world ruled by sages.]
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
They had created Heavenly Mechanism Star? Then did that mean Chu-so—was he a monster forged by the Sage Forest?
[For generations—no, from the distant generation before last—this Forest's goal was to create a leader for the sages, Heavenly Mechanism Star. And finally, thirty years ago... we completed the preparations.]
A deep shadow fell over Gwi-jin-ja's eyes.
[But the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade learned of it. He destroyed the spirit beasts, the territories, the spiritual herbs—and razed this Forest.]
[……]
[An artificial Heavenly Mechanism Star would have been nothing less than a calamity capable of annihilating the world.]
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Gwi-jin-ja's expression turned apologetic.
[Yet we could not bring ourselves to reveal this truth to our disciples. If they learned the reality... they would not endure the despair and grief.]
'So that's how it was.'
No matter how benevolent a person might be, the one who slaughtered their sworn brothers was an irreconcilable enemy.
And tolerating his bloodline would be difficult.
Yet Gwi-jin-ja had treated Bu Eun-seol with utmost kindness and answered all his questions precisely because...
The Sage Forest itself had committed a grave sin against the martial world.
[Then Chu-so—you're saying the Sage Forest created him?]
[Chu-so?]
[Yes. He is the current Heavenly Mechanism Star.]
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Gwi-jin-ja narrowed his eyes.
[The sages who carried out this plan went into hiding long ago to escape Bu Jan-yang's assault. However...]
Gazing at the distant sky, he seemed about to say something but shook his head instead.
[This, too, is heaven's will. This Forest can only accept it with humility.]
The words were somewhat cryptic.
But Gwi-jin-ja's expression was so tormented that Bu Eun-seol did not press further.
"Excuse me, Forest Lord."
At that moment, a young man in his early twenties cautiously stepped forward from among the sages behind Gwi-jin-ja.
Though his features were somewhat plain, his sparkling eyes held a mysterious radiance so vivid it could be seen clearly from ten ri away.
The youngest disciple of the Sage Forest, yet possessing extraordinary wisdom—Han Sang-ja.
"If it's alright, I'd like to propose a method to resolve this matter for him."
Rubbing his hands together, Han Sang-ja spoke with a smile.
"Would that be acceptable?"
His demeanor was unmistakably that of a mischievous grandson making a request to his grandfather.
But then—
"You're just looking for another excuse to go outside!"
A sharp rebuke rang out as a middle-aged man yanked Han Sang-ja's ear.
It was none other than his master, Master Red Essence.
"My apologies, Forest Lord. It seems this fool still clings to his delusional dream of venturing into the Martial World."
Master Red Essence stretched Han Sang-ja's ear even further.
"You think I don't know you've been gathering every scrap of news about the martial world?"
Gwi-jin-ja studied Han Sang-ja's face.
His ears were large like the Buddha's, his gaze gentle, his cheeks slightly plump, and his features impeccably balanced.
To anyone's eyes, he was a young man bearing the most auspicious countenance.
"What method do you have in mind?"
When Gwi-jin-ja asked, Han Sang-ja answered confidently.
"That young hero said he would eliminate the Executioner harming him, didn't he?"
Han Sang-ja grinned, revealing white teeth.
"Though the Executioner is called a Law, it is possible to track down the one controlling it."
"What do you mean?"
"The Heavenly Fragrance Constitution."
Han Sang-ja's smile widened.
"If we bring him here, wouldn't we be able to confront it using the method recorded in the Profound Heaven Principles and Mysteries Record?"
Realizing what Han Sang-ja was suggesting, Gwi-jin-ja nodded faintly.
"If the Heavenly Fragrance Constitution is willing to take the risk, then such a method could indeed be attempted."
"Forest Lord, what exactly is this young man talking about?"
Instead of answering Bu Eun-seol's question, Gwi-jin-ja gazed at the distant sky.
"Is this too part of fate?"
With a low sigh, Gwi-jin-ja nodded at Han Sang-ja.
"Go with him."
"Forest Lord! You cannot allow this!"
Master Red Essence protested in alarm, but Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"It will be fine."
"But—"
"If fate can be defied, then so be it."
Master Red Essence, about to say something more, bit his lip and lowered his head.
Like Gwi-jin-ja, he was a sage who could read the will of heaven.
And he knew exactly why the Sage Forest had been annihilated.
"Very well."
With a deep sigh, Master Red Essence nodded at Han Sang-ja.
"I will permit it."
"Thank you!"
As Han Sang-ja bowed deeply, Bu Eun-seol approached and asked,
"How exactly do you plan to stop the Executioner?"
"I'll explain on the way."
Watching Han Sang-ja stride forward without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"You cannot come with me. You too will end up dead at the Executioner's hands."
"But judging by the fact you came to our forest seeking answers, it seems there's still time left, no?"
Han Sang-ja spoke with the confidence of a fortune teller.
"There's no need to rush this. We must plan meticulously and flawlessly."
Though his expression was somewhat playful, his eyes brimmed with profound wisdom.
Finally, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and nodded as if resigned.
"Very well."
Then, clasping his hands together, he bowed to Gwi-jin-ja and the sages.
"I will express my gratitude once again for your kindness."
At that moment, Han Sang-ja scratched his head and added,
"For this task, may I take the Measure of Boundless Light and the Heavenly Bird Divine Book?"
The Measure of Boundless Light was the Sage Forest's greatest treasure, capable of measuring all concepts in existence.
And the Heavenly Bird Divine Book contained the most esoteric knowledge of the Sage Forest.
"Absolutely not. Those must remain in the forest—"
Master Red Essence moved to stop him, but Gwi-jin-ja nodded.
"Very well. You'll need them for this task."
[Forest Lord, what if he finds them?]
Master Red Essence's telepathic transmission was met with Gwi-jin-ja's reply:
[It's fine. He will never find them. No—he won't even need to.]
By the time Han Sang-ja returned from dashing back to the Sage Forest, a large bundle was already tied to his back.
He had already retrieved the books and treasure.
"Thank you!"
Beaming, Han Sang-ja added,
"I'll use them carefully and bring them back."
Then, he bowed respectfully to Gwi-jin-ja and his senior brothers.
"Then I'll be off!"
Afraid Master Red Essence might change his mind, he quickly followed Bu Eun-seol outside.
Master Red Essence let out a sigh as he watched the two figures depart.
"Wasn't it an unchangeable fate?"
At his deeply pained question, Gwi-jin-ja answered calmly.
"No, it will be different."
Gwi-jin-ja shook his head.
"That man possesses the power to overturn fate."
"What do you mean by that?"
"His visit was entirely unexpected. Moreover, he has the most ordinary body in the world, in both name and reality."
"The most ordinary...?"
As if realizing something, Master Red Essence's mouth fell open, and Gwi-jin-ja showed a faint smile.
"Indeed. That's precisely why it will surely work. Haven't we lived long enough already?"
Master Red Essence's expression grew solemn.
In the past, the lineage of the Sage Forest had been severed by the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
But wasn't it said that fate repeats itself, cycling endlessly?
Gwi-jin-ja had known all this, yet he stubbornly maintained the lineage.
All to nurture a single seed.
And that seed of hope... would be Han Sang-ja.
"From today onward, there's no need to guard the entrance."
Gwi-jin-ja spoke to Seok Gyeong-ja, who stood in the distance.
"You've worked hard all this time."
"Why is there no need to guard it anymore?"
Gwi-jin-ja smiled, his expression utterly dry.
"Because that is the Natural Order."
"The Natural Order..."
Seok Gyeong-ja's pupils turned transparent.
He had faintly grasped the meaning behind Gwi-jin-ja's words.
"Forest Lord, surely you don't mean..."
He tried to say something, but Gwi-jin-ja was already walking away.
Having left Stacked Brocade Mountain, Bu Eun-seol slowly made his way back by boat with Han Sang-ja.
It was to have a deep conversation with him.
"Just how do you plan to deal with the Executioner?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Han Sang-ja began explaining smoothly.
"The Heavenly Fragrance Constitution is entirely unknown in the martial world, but it possesses a unique trait—it can perfectly synchronize with the fragrance emanating from another person's Spirit and Mind."
"Heart Fragrance?"
"To put it simply, you could call it a person's aura. Even an aura can be seen as a kind of fragrance from the Spirit and Mind."
According to Han Sang-ja's explanation,
an aura is also a type of Heart Fragrance that flows from the Spirit and Mind.
The Heavenly Fragrance Constitution perfectly contains all the fragrances of the heart that emanate from a person.
And if desired, it can flawlessly mimic the fragrance from another person's Spirit and Mind.
"So, Brother Han, you're saying we should create someone with the exact same aura as me to lure the Executioner?"
Strictly speaking, "Han Sang-ja" was a kind of Daoist name, so his surname wasn't actually "Han."
But the young grandmaster, renowned throughout the world, seemed pleased to be addressed so familiarly as "Brother Han" and nodded.
"Correct. As the rumors say, you truly possess remarkable wisdom, Lord."
Unlike the sages of the Sage Forest, who were ignorant of the affairs of the martial world,
he had repeatedly snuck out in secret, and thanks to that, he was well-informed about the martial world's state of affairs and its major figures.
However, he hadn't known what he looked like,
so at first, he hadn't recognized that Bu Eun-seol was the famed Martial Soul Lord.
"They say the Executioner distinguishes people by the color of their Spirit and Mind. That's why, no matter if one disguises themselves or hides, it can always find them."
"How do you know that, Brother Han?"
"The Executioner is one of the mysteries that our forest has been continuously researching. There are quite a few research materials and texts about its existence."
"Then that means you must have a fair amount of information on the Abyssal Forces as well."
"By Abyssal Forces, do you mean those factions that don't reveal themselves? Of course."
Han Sang-ja smiled faintly.
"Otherwise, would we have left the Scripture of All Methods in the martial world, depicting the Executioner in illustrations?"
The Sage Forest was not only a place that researched and advanced all the scattered knowledge of the world but also one that sought truth.
Given that they had even illustrated the Executioner's behavior in a picture book to inform the world, it was only natural that they had extensive research materials and information on such beings.
"At any rate, returning to the main point... If there were a person with the exact same color of Spirit and Mind as the Lord, how do you think the Executioner would react?"
After posing the question, Han Sang-ja quickly answered it himself.
"Then surely it wouldn't be able to resolve the matter by turning those around it into puppets, right? It would have no choice but to come and verify the situation personally."
As Bu Eun-seol observed Han Sang-ja's delighted expression, he realized something.
The Sage Forest.
They were those who researched all the world's knowledge and pursued truth.
And Han Sang-ja was also one of their sages.
In the end, the Executioner, which had been giving Bu Eun-seol such a headache,
was nothing more than a fascinating research subject to him—something to be uncovered sooner or later.
"Wouldn't it work if we sent two Executioners?"
"They say the Executioner only takes on one target at a time. Most likely, the secret to tracking Heart Fragrance lies in synchronizing with the target's Heart Fragrance."
Han Sang-ja explained swiftly.
"But since it's impossible for a person to suddenly become two, the Executioner would have no choice but to verify this directly."
"If it observes from afar with its eyes, wouldn't it be found out immediately?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Han Sang-ja narrowed his eyes into crescents.
"Isn't that precisely why I brought the Heavenly Bird Divine Book and the Measure of Boundless Light?"