Chapter 867
"It wasn't reversing time—it was a Great Art that uses light to penetrate the Spirit and Mind, was it?"
Clack.
Bu Eun-seol raised the Ink Soul Sword to a middle stance and spoke in a low voice.
"That black form and light—if stared at for too long, they must exert a force akin to a Great Art that affects the Spirit and Mind."
The light flowing from the black shadow wasn't merely meant to instill intimidation.
It possessed a power potent enough to pierce even Bu Eun-seol's spiritual barrier, having reached the realm of Empty Mind Spirit Perception.
And it had planted the suggestion that he had reversed his physical body.
Even if, by some impossible concession, his body's time had truly been reversed—
A power that only a Master who had attained martial prowess beyond the Extreme Heaven Realm could wield—
The ability to infinitely split and manipulate time would not have been possible to use.
Tap-tap!
Instead of answering, the shadow unleashed hundreds of sharp palm strikes, like needles of Palm Energy.
'In the end, the answer lies in Harmonization.'
The Great Art wielded by that pitch-black shadow was akin to a kind of Limitless Power.
If he wrapped himself in Harmonization, he could easily break free from that force.
But having rushed here at full combat strength, the energy within his body still hadn't stabilized.
He couldn't use Harmonization right now.
'Then I'll rely on Martial Arts.'
Bu Eun-seol decided to fight the shadow without dispelling the suggestion.
Even if it were something a child could perform.
He resolved to wield the profound principles of Martial Arts.
'With just four ounces of force, one can unleash the might of a thousand pounds.'
Whirr.
As he spun the Ink Soul Sword in circles, the barrage of attacks coiled smoothly around the blade like strands of taffy.
He blended the subtleties of Four Ounces Move a Thousand Pounds with Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade, a technique that simultaneously blocked attacks and countered them.
Flick. Whirrr.
With every arc the Ink Soul Sword drew, the shadow's fierce assaults were deflected back.
'What happens if I deal with this proxy?'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he effortlessly repelled the shadow's attacks.
The Executioner could turn ordinary civilians into puppets in an instant.
If that black shadow was a puppet—or the Executioner itself—what would happen if he defeated it?
Click, click.
Then, the shadow tilted its head.
Suddenly, it paused its assault and began scanning its surroundings.
A faint energy had begun to seep out from the Boundary Formation where Han Sang-ja was hiding.
'Han Sang-ja noticed my arrival.'
Once the battle with the shadow began, Han Sang-ja must have realized that all his plans had gone awry.
He was clearly in the process of gradually dismantling that formidable Boundary Formation.
'Then that thing is just a puppet.'
Click, click.
The reason that shadow kept jerking its head was obvious.
It had perfectly replicated his Heart Scent and detected Han Sang-ja hiding within the Boundary Formation.
Yet it merely halted its attacks, repeating only strange motions.
'Could it be... the Executioner has no physical form?'
The Executioner prided itself as an existence that upheld the Laws of the Martial World.
If a method like this had been exposed—
At the very least, it would have shown some reaction or brought more Executioners.
But that shadow merely watched the Boundary Formation, like a hound waiting for its master's command.
Ziiing.
Then, with an eerie sound, a faint light spread in all directions.
Han Sang-ja had finally released the Boundary Formation and stepped out.
"I miscalculated."
Han Sang-ja spoke to Bu Eun-seol with an ashamed expression.
"I thought I could detain you, Lord, for at least an hour."
"Han Sang-ja."
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
"After all this time together, you still haven't grasped my personality?"
"I know. That's precisely why I thought it would be worth it."
Han Sang-ja replied with a bitter expression.
"And I believed this was the only way to draw out the Executioner's higher existence—to uncover what this Covenant truly is."
Click, click.
Han Sang-ja sighed as he watched the shadow, still jerking its head like a beast.
"But all my calculations were off, and now we're left facing this thing—whether it's a lackey or just a shell."
He let out a lament as he stared at the shadow dyed in darkness.
"My apologies. I've been of no help at all."
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol raised his Internal Energy.
"The Executioner might be watching from somewhere. If you stay by my side, you'll become a puppet. I'll take my leave now."
Han Sang-ja's plan—to lure out the Executioner's higher existence and shatter the Covenant—had completely failed.
From now on, until he found a way to stop those beings, Bu Eun-seol would have to wander the Rivers and Lakes alone.
"Take care, Han Sang-ja."
"Wait just a moment."
Han Sang-ja quickly continued speaking.
"Wouldn't it be shameful to end things like this?"
He rummaged through his robes.
"Even if it costs me my life, I'll at least uncover how the Executioner creates its puppets."
Then he drew out a mysteriously glimmering orb—
The Sage Forest's greatest treasure.
The Measure of Boundless Light, a relic capable of measuring all things that exist in this world.
"If they attempt to turn me into a puppet, the Measure will react."
"Brother Han."
"Before I become a puppet... I'll relay to you what kind of power they wield, whether it's a form of Esoteric Ritual Arts or a Great Art..."
Han Sang-ja intended to stay by Bu Eun-seol's side, Measure in hand—
Even if it meant his own body would be torn apart—
To aid him, and to uncover the Executioner's power.
"You're saying that thing can even identify the nature of their power?"
"Of course. Though interpreting it depends on my judgment... I'm confident I can discern it."
As befitting a Sage of the Sage Forest—
Han Sang-ja was versed in all manner of Esoteric Ritual Arts and Great Arts. He could decipher the power flowing through the Measure.
"If that's possible..."
Bu Eun-seol blinked, then pointed at the still-twitching black shadow.
"Wouldn't it be simpler to just measure his power?"
"Ah."
Han Sang-ja smacked his forehead, wearing an embarrassed expression.
"I'm always like this. My master often scolded me for losing sight of the essence due to excessive enthusiasm."
He immediately activated the Measure of Boundless Light to analyze the shadow's power.
After observing the flowing light for a long moment, Han Sang-ja's eyes gleamed.
"The Executioner's method of creating puppets seems similar to Body-Striking Transmission Art—transferring its own power into another."
"Body-Striking Transmission Art?"
"Correct. The energy flow suggests it's not their original power but something externally infused."
He studied the light emanating from the Measure once more before continuing.
"It doesn't seize control of the target's Spirit and Mind or physical body... Rather, it injects a Supernatural Ability akin to the Art of Spells, issuing commands that way."
The Measure of Boundless Light was a marvel capable of quantifying all things in existence—
Even the essence of the power dwelling within the shadow.
"It resembles a Secret Art like Mysterious Extremity Returning to Origin—akin to the Domain of the 108 Stars. The black light radiating from its body is also due to that power."
Han Sang-ja spoke matter-of-factly.
"Such methods are rare in Murim, but from the perspective of ancient Secret Arts, it's not particularly extraordinary."
"Then... mass-producing puppets would be impossible, you mean."
"Precisely."
"No wonder they only send them one at a time..."
This was critical information.
The Executioner didn't create puppets endlessly—
Instead, it selected one person and transferred its power to that person.
"And judging by this method..."
Han Sang-ja's gaze sharpened with conviction.
"Whether it's the Executioner or the higher beings commanding it... they aren't transcendent entities. They're humans who've mastered Dharma Arts or Great Arts."
Twitch.
Just then, the black shadow's eyes trembled violently before it collapsed to its knees.
Had the Measure's revelation of its Domain and power's origin nullified the mysterious energy within it?
Gurgle.
The black shadow's form melted away, revealing the pale face of a man.
He didn't appear old, yet his face was creased like an elder who had endured countless hardships—
And his body trembled incessantly, as if he had just emerged from icy waters.
"It seems the power was withdrawn."
At Bu Eun-seol's murmur, Han Sang-ja's expression darkened.
"That means the Executioner was observing this entire situation."
"Likely so."
Bu Eun-seol frowned in concern.
"It may have reclaimed its power to turn you into a puppet instead."
"No. I'll be fine."
Han Sang-ja gripped the Measure tightly and raised his voice.
"If the Executioner employs Great Arts or Esoteric Ritual Arts, I have countermeasures."
'He's deliberately provoking the Executioner—forcing it to reveal itself.'
Understanding Han Sang-ja's intent, Bu Eun-seol summoned Wind & Cloud Divine Qi at full strength.
Huuuuum.
A tremor shook the earth as a mysterious wind surged from his entire body.
He immediately dispersed the energy, probing the surroundings for any trace of the Executioner.
'Nothing.'
Yet no presence could be detected.
However, spreading the Divine Energy revealed an unexpected fact—
The trembling man before them wasn't an ordinary civilian.
Bu Eun-seol sensed that he was a figure akin to a mage, one who wielded either extremely profound Dharma Arts or a Supernatural Ability.
"He wasn't turned into a puppet. He was a subordinate serving under the Executioner."
"What do you mean?"
As Han Sang-ja asked in surprise, Bu Eun-seol studied the man closely.
"I detect a strange mystical energy emanating from you, much like the old man I encountered previously."
Then he declared firmly:
"If they can transform ordinary civilians into Murim Masters, then naturally they can turn Murim Masters into even stronger individuals, no?"
Han Sang-ja's eyes widened as he grasped the situation.
"So you're saying the Executioner prepared in advance by turning one of its subordinates into a puppet and sending them here to handle this matter?"
"Most likely."
Bu Eun-seol stepped closer to the man and asked with a solemn expression:
"What faction do you belong to?"
The man opened his mouth wide—revealing a half-severed, purple tongue.
"If you have fingers and toes, why not just write it down?"
At Bu Eun-seol's cold command, a large character carved itself into the ground beneath them.
Revelation.
It signified a transcendent being, like a god, imparting divine truth.
It seemed the man considered the Executioner an agent of the gods.
"Nonsense."
Han Sang-ja's voice turned icy as he read the word.
"If this were truly divine revelation, why would they transform innocent civilians? Only evil men would do such a thing."
The man tightly shut his eyes and shook his head—as if to say that was none of his concern.
"One thing is certain—the Executioner observes its targets meticulously before preparing multiple methods of attack."
Han Sang-ja pointed at the man.
"Since it detected the dispersal of the Heart Scent, it didn't transform someone close to the target. Instead, it sent one of its own subordinates."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Ultimately, the Executioner was merely a human capable of wielding mysterious Great Arts and Secret Arts.
And given that it had subordinates, it clearly belonged to some faction.
"Which means the legends passed down through Murim were fabricated by them."
If the Executioner was human, and if it belonged to an organization—
There was no way its identity could have remained so thoroughly hidden until now.
"Correct. They must have expended vast manpower and wealth to erase all traces—just as they damaged the Scripture of All Methods."
Han Sang-ja wore a hollow expression.
The Executioner—
Those who acted like transcendent beings, imposing their Laws even upon Murim's superlative martial experts—
Were ultimately nothing more than underlings serving another faction lurking in the Abyss.
"Tell me where your headquarters is."
A mysterious light flowed from Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
When the Executioner's identity had remained hidden,
It had been regarded as an unknown, transcendent entity wielding unfathomable power—something he wouldn't have dared interrogate.
But now that he knew it was merely a shadow organization employing Sorcery—
It was almost laughably pathetic.
And if they could locate the Executioner's headquarters—
If they revealed that truth to the entire Murim—
The Executioner, the entity that had tormented generations of martial elites, would vanish completely.
"If you refuse to answer, fine."
Huuung—
Bu Eun-seol summoned his full combat power, drawing up his Internal Energy.
He intended to pierce the Executioner's Spirit and Mind using a force akin to Phantom Restoration Return.
Shudder, shudder—
The man's body trembled like an aspen leaf as he met Bu Eun-seol's gaze, now flickering with a sickly yellow radiance.
"It's useless."
Han Sang-ja shook his head, having discerned Bu Eun-seol's attempt to infiltrate the man's Spirit and Mind.
"They've already activated a Great Art to prevent any interrogation."
As if confirming his words—
Black liquid began seeping from the man's eyeballs.
Sssss—
It seemed they had placed a vicious Restrictive Seal that would melt the body if the Spirit and Mind were attacked.
The man was dying, black fluid streaming from him in rivulets.
Gurgle—
In the end, he couldn't even scream—merely pouring black liquid from his seven apertures before exhaling his last breath.
Drip, drip—
The Restrictive Seal was so cruel that even in death, his entire body darkened, his skin staining black.
"I don't understand."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as he stared at the blackened corpse.
"If they aren't transcendent beings, how could they have intimidated Murim's superlative martial experts?"
"It's simple."
Han Sang-ja spoke as if it were obvious.
"They possess an information network capable of tracking the movements of superlative experts flawlessly."
He shrugged.
"They have the wealth and manpower to locate and destroy any books that mention them..."
Then his eyes gleamed as he added:
"And if they wield the power to transform civilians into formidable Masters in an instant... Wouldn't that make such intimidation possible?"
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"This time, I activated my own information network to completely conceal your and my movements. Not even the Three Realms could detect us."
Han Sang-ja, ever the Sage, immediately grasped the implication.
"But in the end, didn't you reveal yourself at our sect, Lord?"
"Hmm."
"Most likely, they already knew your headquarters was located at Layered Colors Mountain."
"So they had watchers stationed in advance."
"The Fleeting Moment Boat has always sought to uncover transcendent beings like the Executioner... It makes sense they would have surveillance set up there."
In the end, the forces behind the Executioner not only had informants spread throughout the martial world but also possessed complete intelligence on every faction and its key figures.
"Since you and I went to the Fleeting Moment Boat, they must have already known what we were planning."
Han Sang-ja continued, "And once they realized my scheme, they sent a puppet like this powerful one to kill me."
"Hmm."
"While the Executioner can torment you at any time by sending puppets, a sage who could unravel their secrets must be eliminated as quickly as possible."
Bu Eun-seol found the situation oddly suspicious.
Han Sang-ja had pieced everything together far too neatly.
"So you mean to say, even though you roughly anticipated this situation, you deliberately proceeded with this plan?"
"Not exactly. However..."
Han Sang-ja wiped his nose with an apologetic expression.
"If they truly were transcendent beings, there would have been no stopping them anyway... And if they were just ordinary humans, I figured they would resort to something like this."
If the Executioner was truly a transcendent being, no matter how meticulously planned, their scheme would have failed.
But if they were merely martial artists with unique abilities?
Then they would have perceived Han Sang-ja as a dangerous threat and moved to eliminate him first.
And though their objective wasn't fully achieved, they had still gained something.
After all, they had confirmed that the Executioner was not a transcendent being—but a puppet controlled by some faction skilled in sorcery.
Drip, drip...
At that moment, the blackened corpse of the man completely liquefied, streaming down into the ground.
Watching this, Han Sang-ja took a deep breath.
"It seems they've given up for now and will wait for another opportunity."
"So it appears."
"You possess formidable martial prowess and exceptional wisdom... Even traveling alone, you'll undoubtedly track them down eventually."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
This incident had revealed that the Executioner was not a transcendent being but another faction lurking in the Abyss.
Which meant that if he continued investigating relentlessly through his intelligence network...
Sooner or later, he would succeed in tracing them. No matter how formidable their power, there would come a day when he could uproot them entirely.
Screeeech—
But then, a strange sound echoed from the distant sky.
At the same time, a figure wrapped in a mysterious light began descending slowly.
A young boy, clad in snow-white robes, with pupils starkly divided between black and white.
Truly, as if he had descended from the heavens, the boy glanced at the liquefied man and Han Sang-ja before speaking in a low voice.
"Outsiders, step aside."
In that instant, Han Sang-ja's eyes turned white, and he collapsed like a felled log.
Whoosh—
Simultaneously, the thirty-two members of the Death Soul Squad, who had just emerged from the boundary formation, lost consciousness in the blink of an eye.
"Who are you?"
Bu Eun-seol gathered his Internal Power, his expression grave.
Though outwardly a child no older than ten, he could sense an ancient, yokai-like power emanating from the boy—one that had existed for centuries.
"Would you call me the Executioner you speak of?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
The true Executioner—the one who could explain the Laws—had finally appeared before him.
"You seem prepared."
The boy smiled as he looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"Correct. I have come to execute you, who has not joined the Covenant."
"I don't understand."
Without so much as lifting a finger—without manifesting any power or even the slightest presence—
The boy had obliterated the consciousness of not only Han Sang-ja but also the Death Soul Squad members, who had endured brutal training.
Why would a peerless master with such abilities feel the need to impose a Covenant on the martial world's strongest?
"What could someone with your power possibly fear, that you would seek to control the martial world's experts?"
"Hahaha. Yes, that must be the part you can't comprehend."
The boy chuckled faintly.
"That's why you orchestrated this little scheme to evade my strike."
"Indeed."
The boy shook his head as he met Bu Eun-seol's calm gaze.
"You truly are dangerous. You handle the unpredictable, and your martial prowess has reached an unfathomable level."
"..."
"That's why, before executing you, I've come to reveal the truth. An exception, just this once."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes sharpened.
At last, he would uncover the truth about the Executioner.
"Only by telling you everything will you stop these reckless antics."
The boy looked at Bu Eun-seol as if he were an unruly grandchild.
"What I am about to say is something only those bound by the Covenant may hear. So listen closely."
The boy stretched out his hand.
The surroundings darkened, and the space where Bu Eun-seol and the boy stood began to separate—
As if they were now on the other side of a glass pane.
A power similar to the Absolute Boundary—
And the boy had conjured it with a mere flick of his wrist.
"The place I belong to is called the Sanctuary."
Sanctuary?
—Divine Energy Completely Disappears, Heavenly God Becomes Mortal? Was he a figure from the Sanctuary?
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol recalled the words of the blind old man in the cave, who had been convinced he was the True Demon's descendant.