Chapter 988
Zing, zing.
As the latent Killing Intent erupted, the Spirit and Mind that had been entirely filled with Righteous Grandeur reverted to the same level of severity as before his confrontation with the Profound Yin Ancestor.
Yet it did not recover any further.
'Was this the Reversal?'
The more he focused his mind, the more his consciousness flickered between haziness and clarity.
The more he tried to empty himself of distracting thoughts, the more countless illusions and memories brushed past the confines of his mind.
Whenever he attempted to wield his Internal Power, a sinister energy instead burrowed into his Meridians.
What poured forth from this place was neither a pre-existing Battle Formation, poison, nor Great Art—but a vile Supernatural Ability that denied the very concept of will itself, forcing it into Reversal.
'This could very well be a trap personally laid by Great Master Wooden Buddha.'
Steeling his mind, Bu Eun-seol turned back toward the depths of the cave.
With every step he took, the world around him shook incessantly.
Unwanted memories and unpleasant Emotions slithered up like creeping vines.
'I must empty my mind into a state of Void.'
Yet the moment he tried to purge all distracting thoughts from his mind, the energy of Reversal only made the most agonizing memories—ones he never wished to recall—resurface.
It was the moment his grandfather had breathed his last.
Merely recalling that memory felt like a sharp, jagged Artifact Blade endlessly raking across his Spirit and Mind.
'Is this, too, fate?'
Had his Spirit and Mind not been saturated with Righteous Grandeur, the resulting Rage and Killing Intent would have exploded forth uncontrollably.
But because his current Spirit and Mind brimmed with hope and Righteous Grandeur—
He could desperately cling to his sanity and press onward.
Sizzle.
Before he knew it, green liquid began dripping from the cave's ceiling.
Each drop that struck the ground melted the stone beneath as though it were water.
Step, step.
By the time he reached the heart of the cave, the malice of the Supernatural Ability had vanished—only for the hem of his robes to begin fluttering.
As though invisible hands were tugging at his clothes.
Flutter.
With every sway of his sleeves, his Spirit and Mind trembled violently, and all manner of illusions flickered before his eyes.
'I'd rather fight with my sword drawn.'
What if, even for a moment, he lost himself in those illusions or failed to regain his senses?
He would lose his Ego forever, plummeting into an abyss from which there could be no return for ten thousand ages.
Finally, as he reached the cave's farthest depths—
"...!"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened in irrepressible Surprise.
There stood a massive wall, upon which was painted the image of a monk walking in Penance.
And beyond it, there was no path forward.
'This is—'
As Bu Eun-seol scrutinized the mural, his eyes gleamed.
Depicted within it were all the hallucinations and distracting thoughts he had endured thus far.
And at the very end, the monk seemed to have finally attained Realization.
'This is undoubtedly a painting by the Great Master himself.'
The brushstrokes appeared somehow frail, yet suffused with Benevolence.
Though Bu Eun-seol could not discern artistic styles, he could instinctively tell this was painted by Wooden Buddha's own hand.
"Penance... Penance."
Gazing at the mural, a peculiar Thought struck him.
Because Wooden Buddha could perfectly read Heaven's Will, every Dominator in existence coveted his possession.
Since the Martial Venerable knew this better than anyone, Bu Eun-seol thought he had created an impenetrable sanctuary for him.
But Bu Eun-seol now realized how mistaken that assumption had been.
'There exists no space or place in Murim that cannot be breached.'
The Martial Venerable had not prepared a perfect refuge—he had merely provided the minimal manpower needed for the place Wooden Buddha himself required.
No space or place in Murim is truly inviolable.
Only Wooden Buddha's foresight could create such a place.
'Then why did the Great Master craft such a trap?'
As Bu Eun-seol recalled the terrifying poisons and traps littered throughout the cave—
"So that's it."
Only after a long pause did he grasp the truth, letting out a hollow laugh.
"The Great Master is not here."
At last, he understood.
Wooden Buddha was not here.
To be precise, he had been here—but had since departed.
Because he could read Heaven's Will and foresee the Future.
Even Heaven would understand his need to predict the Future to preserve his own Life.
"The Great Master knew from the very beginning that I would come here..."
Wooden Buddha must have foreseen Bu Eun-seol's arrival—and chosen to absent himself regardless.
"Either the Great Master deemed it not yet time to meet me..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Or before my arrival, a Superlative Martial Expert came—one so formidable that he had no choice but to flee."
Even if Wooden Buddha had wished to see him—
What if a Superlative Martial Expert capable of breaching this Absolute Boundary had appeared first?
Wooden Buddha would have had no choice but to withdraw.
"No. That can't be."
No matter how formidable the visitor, the Great Master Wooden Buddha—who could read Heaven's Will—would never flee in such disarray.
"Then even the Silver Spirit Mushroom... was prepared by the Great Master."
Clenching his fist, Bu Eun-seol arrived at a Realization.
"He foresaw that Lord Jwa would deliver them to me."
In other words, everything in this Great Wind Gorge... had been Wooden Buddha's arrangement to aid him in his plight.
"He must have left me a Divine Message."
Wooden Buddha was a figure of Benevolence.
He had shared a deep Bond with Bu Eun-seol's grandfather and, above all, held Bu Eun-seol himself in high regard.
There was no way he would let such an Opportunity to meet again—to convey his words—slip away so meaninglessly.
Zing.
Drawing upon Empty Mind Spirit Perception, Bu Eun-seol began meticulously examining the mural-covered wall and every inch of the surrounding interior.
But no matter where he searched, he could find no clues or traces that Wooden Buddha might have left behind.
'It must be somewhere...'
Just as he was about to survey his surroundings again, the unpleasant delusions and hallucinations that had been creeping from the cave brushed against his mind once more.
He focused his spirit again and continued investigating the cave.
Yet no matter how many times he searched, there were no traces left by Wooden Buddha.
"No, there are."
Wooden Buddha had indeed left clear traces.
Precisely within the cave... in that strange power that induced hallucinations.
"The Great Monk left words for me here."
Among those seeking Wooden Buddha, there would be none weaker in martial arts or lacking in spiritual cultivation compared to Bu Eun-seol.
"In other words... I must surrender to those illusions."
Having calmed his mind, Bu Eun-seol gazed at the mural once more.
"If my judgment is wrong, I will fall prey to my inner demons."
Taking a deep breath, he stopped resisting the flood of illusions and accepted them with equanimity.
The agonizing, wretched memories.
Instead of avoiding them, he faced them directly—and suddenly, the surging power and illusions ceased, replaced by light radiating in all directions.
Once again, the wall with the mural came into view.
But now, the paintings were gone. In their place were characters carved as if pieced together from wooden fragments.
Golden Sand Island.
"Golden Sand Island... That uninhabited isle in Dongting Lake?"
Dongting Lake experienced drastic water level changes with the seasons, altering the shape of its islands or submerging parts of them.
And Golden Sand Island was an uninhabited isle that partially disappeared in summer, only revealing its complete form from autumn to spring.
"He's telling me I can reclaim my true self there."
Wooden Buddha must have grasped the entire situation.
By leaving these words, he had shown Bu Eun-seol the place where he could fully restore his identity.
Swoosh.
But just as he turned to leave, another line of small characters appeared carved into the wall:
―Your power is immense
Yet its eradication takes time,
Those who covet it are many.
Staring at the words for a long moment, Bu Eun-seol nodded in admiration.
"You already knew."
Wooden Buddha had already discerned that Bu Eun-seol's goal wasn't to grow his power—but to completely extinguish it.
Not only that, but he had also foreseen that someone sought to steal that power.
"Everything..."
In truth, Bu Eun-seol had long sensed it too.
That there were those who coveted the diverse powers embedded deep within his body.
"Thank you, Great Monk."
Bowing respectfully, Bu Eun-seol paid his respects.
Though the words left by Wooden Buddha appeared simple on the surface...
To Bu Eun-seol, they were more reassuring than commanding a ten-million-strong army, more precious than obtaining thousands of peerless martial manuals.
For such an absolute seer...
Had affirmed that Bu Eun-seol's predictions were correct.
Had granted him the conviction that the path he walked, the path he pursued, was the right one.
"And I am not afraid."
Because what he desired wasn't to gain power—but to burn away all of it.
"Soon enough... everything will return to its natural state."
Muttering softly, Bu Eun-seol slowly turned away.
Thudthudthudthud.
The warriors of the Death Shadow War Unit, who had been on the brink of clashing with the Heaven's Will Unit, quietly withdrew from Great Wind Gorge.
Watching them leave, Jin Baek-hon smirked triumphantly.
"Kehkehkehke..."
That peerless Martial Soul Lord had marched in with such momentum, only to waste time without even entering Great Wind Gorge before retreating.
"All talk and no substance—even the Martial Soul Lord is nothing special."
Bringing just three hundred troops against nearly eight thousand of the Heaven's Will Unit, he had entered with such confidence.
Jin Baek-hon had expected some grand strategy.
Yet in the end, he just stalled for time before slinking away with his tail between his legs?
The Demonic Path's young Grandmaster, who had boasted an undefeated record until now, would bear a deep scar to his reputation and authority because of this.
Jin Baek-hon was thoroughly satisfied.
At least, until he heard the rumors spreading through Murim days later.
―The Martial Soul Lord has retrieved all the Silver Spirit Mushrooms hidden in Great Wind Gorge and is returning!
Jin Baek-hon couldn't comprehend it.
The Death Shadow War Unit had been confronting them the entire time—how could this have happened?
Moreover, the Toxic Land within Great Wind Gorge was saturated with such lethal poison that even Poison People couldn't endure it.
And the Elder Hall Master overseeing this operation had been inspecting the interior.
How was this possible?
"Check the Silver Spirit Mushrooms in the swamp—no, I'll go myself!"
He sprinted madly toward Great Wind Gorge.
Thud.
In the end, Jin Baek-hon fell to his knees.
Not a single one remained.
Every last Silver Spirit Mushroom that had flourished near the swamp had vanished without a trace.
"How... how is this possible?"
The fruits of the Silver Spirit Mushrooms grown in Toxic Land exhibited efficacy rivaling even the Golden Spirit Immortal Fruit.
And the quantity had been abundant enough to craft over fifty of Shaolin's Great Reversion Pills.
Yet not a single one had been left behind—all plundered completely?
"Ughhhh..."
His eyes rolling back, Jin Baek-hon clutched the nape of his neck.
He had never been a standout figure in the Martial Alliance, merely a leader operating in the shadows.
But upon becoming the Heaven's Will Unit Commander tasked with protecting Great Wind Gorge's Toxic Land, he had aspired to make his name renowned across the land.
Yet because of the Demon Hall's Martial Soul Lord, he had been humiliated from the very start.
Golden Sand Island.
A mysterious isle that reveals its full form only during the desolate winters when the waters of Dongting Lake recede.
Having long been concealed beneath the surface, its gradual emergence was as mystical as a forgotten legend from the dust of time reclaiming its breath.
Swish—
A shadow, unfurling an ethereal Movement Technique akin to an immortal's, soared from the distant sky and landed in one swift motion upon the barren island.
It was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
'Thank the heavens for the Heavenly Light Endless Art.'
Under Seo Jin-ha's command, the warriors of the Death Shadow War Unit were slowly making their way back to the Demon Hall.
In the meantime, Bu Eun-seol had immediately employed his Lightness Skill to head straight for Golden Sand Island.
Thanks to the Heavenly Light Endless Art, the speed of his Movement Technique had increased nearly threefold.
'Since Un-ryong requested the Blood Mist Corps' escort for their return, they should make it back safely.'
The Death Shadow War Unit operated with an exceedingly small force.
Even if they completed their mission, there was always the risk of being ambushed by Martial Alliance trackers on their way back.
That was why he had preemptively mobilized the Blood Mist War Corps to ensure their safe return.
Thus, even if the Heaven's Will Unit sent pursuers to reclaim the Silver Spirit Mushroom, there was no need to worry.
The Death Shadow War Unit's return, now merged with the Blood Mist Corps, would take at least six days.
In the meantime, Bu Eun-seol intended to investigate Golden Sand Island—completely erasing all traces of his presence.
'How desolate.'
His sharp eyes narrowed as he surveyed the surroundings.
The island's terrain was rugged and eerily silent.
Sand rippled softly with each gust of wind, while jagged rocks jutted out here and there, lending the place a stark yet serene atmosphere.
Whooo—
Every time a sharp wind passed, it scraped against the rock surfaces, producing a low, drawn-out hum.
Vegetation was scarce, save for the occasional withered tree with exposed roots, standing as if bearing witness to the weight of time.
'There are traces of human presence.'
Faint footprints marked the ground, swept over yet still visible beneath the biting winter winds that raged across the island.
Even in this barren environment—
Someone had lingered here, like stubborn reeds refusing to be uprooted.
'There.'
Bu Eun-seol slowly shifted his steps.
At one end of the island, where faint murmurs of water sounded like fragments of a song, stood a solitary thatched cottage.
Its walls were woven from rough timber and bamboo, its roof barely shielded from wind and rain by a layer of reeds.
The cottage door was open, revealing only the barest necessities inside—a bed, a table, and the like.
In one corner, a stand had been fashioned for a sword, but it stood empty.
This meant someone lived here—and had taken their sword outside.
Yet, since no presence could be detected around the island... whoever it was had to be a Master of extraordinary skill.
'Who could it be?'
His heart pounded.
Whoever dwelled here had either reached a level of harmony with nature—
Or ascended to such heights of martial prowess that they could deceive even his senses.
'In that case...'
Lost in thought, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands behind his back and closed his eyes.
His personality had gradually shifted toward righteousness, nearly erasing the senses of the Way of the Beast.
Unconsciously, he was now employing a principle from orthodox martial arts—
Using qi to synchronize with the surrounding environment, expanding his senses through resonance.
'Still nothing.'
No matter how far he stretched his awareness, no presence revealed itself.
But there was no need to grow impatient.
If this person lived here, they would surely return to the cottage by sunset.
'Still... is it even possible to forge a personality?'
Bu Eun-seol glanced down at himself.
Against his will, his inner self was now saturated with noble traits, and—
For the first time in his life—
He found himself standing with his hands behind his back, lost in contemplation.
It wasn't necessarily wrong—just like wearing ill-fitting clothes, it simply didn't suit him.
Because within his body, the energies of both orthodox and unorthodox paths coexisted, and his temperament remained balanced on the Middle Path, neither righteous nor demonic.
Yet now, forced to maintain this excessively noble demeanor and speech, he could no longer wield the martial arts of the demonic path or the Mind-Training Formula—
Nor could he utilize the various strengths and traits that had once been his advantages, now muddled by this internal conflict.
Before he knew it, the sun was sinking low.
Thud. Thud.
Then, against the sunset, a figure approached the cottage.
Blending seamlessly into the crimson-stained scenery, they looked as though sculpted from light itself.
"You—"
The moment Bu Eun-seol recognized the figure's face, he couldn't conceal his shock.
It was none other than—
The former head instructor of the Fire Rain Sword Sect's First Hall on Hell Island.
The very man who had first taught Bu Eun-seol the art of the sword—
Jin Gak, the Hall Leader of the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
"Instructor."
Bu Eun-seol bowed with utmost reverence.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Jin Gak showed no surprise, merely nodding indifferently.
"So you've come."
"I hope you've been well all this time."
When Bu Eun-seol greeted him warmly, Jin Gak exhaled a quiet sigh, his gaze lifting to the distant sky.
"Is this fate, then?"
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't come to admire the scenery of this quiet, uninhabited island."
Jin Gak's eyes flashed as they landed on the Ink Soul Sword at Bu Eun-seol's waist.
"No, no."
Realizing he was being misunderstood, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"The reason I came here..."
He couldn't mention Wooden Buddha, so he offered a flimsy excuse instead.
"I was handling some matters nearby and stopped by briefly for... personal reasons."
There could be no personal business on Golden Sand Island, where no one lived.
Yet Jin Gak pressed no further, simply nodding again.
"I see."
He glanced around, changing the subject.
"Though this Golden Sand Island may seem barren, it is beautiful in its own way."
Jin Gak gazed at the darkening sky as he spoke.
"The scenery here... it brings much inspiration."
Bu Eun-seol followed Jin Gak's gaze and lifted his head.
Beneath the fading sky, countless reeds swayed like golden waves, transforming the surroundings of the thatched cottage into a mystical, isolated landscape—as if cut off from the world.
"Do you drink?"
Jin Gak, who had been eyeing the cottage, spoke in a low voice.
"I've got a jar of homemade liquor inside."
Bu Eun-seol answered smoothly.
"I've been catching whiffs of a fine aroma since earlier. I was just thinking it'd be a shame not to be offered a drink."
"Hohoho."
Jin Gak chuckled and stepped into the cottage.
When he emerged again, a large glass bottle was cradled in both hands.
"Your speech and mannerisms have changed so much. One might mistake you for a different person."
Bu Eun-seol stiffened internally but replied with practiced nonchalance.
"Wandering about and clashing with so many Righteous Faction figures must've rubbed off on me."
"Is that so?"
Jin Gak uncorked the bottle, took a swig himself, then tossed it to Bu Eun-seol.
As Bu Eun-seol pulled the cork free, a rich, intoxicating fragrance tickled his nose.
"Fine liquor."
He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent, then downed it in one go without hesitation.
Was it because his personality had changed?
Or was it because he was drinking while admiring the beauty of Golden Sand Island?
The liquor Jin Gak had handed him was the strongest and most fragrant he had ever tasted.
"You drink well."
Jin Gak muttered lowly as he caught the bottle Bu Eun-seol tossed back.
"Most young men gulp it down without savoring the taste."
Gulp.
He took another swig before passing it back.
Pop.
Bu Eun-seol uncorked it again and spoke quietly.
"Life is but suffering, and the martial world is a ruthless place, no?"
It was the kind of bold declaration a drunken young hero of the Righteous Faction might make.
Even as the words left his mouth, Bu Eun-seol winced inwardly.
He had intended to drink in silence, but his tongue had moved on its own again.
"You sound just like one of those Righteous Faction's rising talents."
At Jin Gak's remark, Bu Eun-seol pretended to scratch his cheek while discreetly covering his mouth with his fingers.
At this rate, he'd have to physically restrain his own lips.
Gulp, gulp.
They continued drinking, passing the bottle back and forth in silence.
Neither spoke another word.
Neither looked at the other—only at the scenery with the same gaze.
Before they knew it, the large glass bottle had been emptied.
"A shame."
Jin Gak examined the empty bottle with a dry smile.
"I was just on the verge of getting drunk."
"Shall I fetch more?"
With Bu Eun-seol's Lightness Skill, he could retrieve more liquor from Chengdu within a quarter of an hour.
But Jin Gak shook his head.
"What feast lasts forever?"
He spoke in a calm voice.
"Grains must soak in sunlight and rain, tended by a farmer's devoted hands, through seasons that turn again and again before they ripen slowly."
"..."
"Liquor is the same. Only after waiting and care does it mature into something fragrant... yet drinking a full jar takes but a moment."
Jin Gak's eyes, fixed on the distant sky, grew unfathomably distant.
His words carried profound insight.
After a long silence, he turned to Bu Eun-seol.
"Do you understand this principle?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"A person may spend years honing themselves to achieve a dream, yet the moment of fulfillment feels fleeting and hollow. You speak of that emptiness, don't you?"
Our lives are but a repetition of long toil and brief sweetness.
"Exactly."
Jin Gak's voice was steady.
"Martial artists seek meaning through achievement... yet even that moment is transient."
He continued in a low voice.
"The instant a goal is reached, it births new contradictions and lacks."
"But isn't there value in affirming the process itself—the cycle that repeats eternally?"
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"The moment of fulfillment may be brief... but it is beautiful precisely because it is finite."
His voice grew firm.
"The meaning of life lies not in achievement itself, but in the will to pursue it and the journey along the way."
"'The meaning of life lies not in achievement, but in the will and the journey toward it'..."
Jin Gak's eyes gleamed as if struck by deep realization.
"I wondered how one so young could reach such profound understanding... but you've already inherited and mastered the wisdom of the departed."
"How did you know?"
In truth, everything he had just spouted were words once spoken by his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang.
Under normal circumstances, he would never dare utter them.
But with his altered personality, they had flowed out effortlessly.
"If you had truly reached the level of understanding that 'the moment of fulfillment is fleeting'—realizing it as the force that drives humanity's endless growth..."
Jin Gak's eyes filled with unbearable anguish and pain.
"...you would have drawn your blade the instant you saw me and taken my head."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened instantly.
He understood exactly what Jin Gak meant by those words.
"Why?"
"Orders have been issued."
Jin Gak spoke with chilling composure.
"Instructor Cheon, who imparted the Peerless Thunderbolt to you... me, who taught you sword techniques... and even Dan Cheon-yang, the Hall Leader of the Heaven Cleaver Hall..."
He avoided Bu Eun-seol's gaze, staring instead at the distant sky.
"The order is... if we don't kill you, we are never to return to the Flame Rain Sword Gate."