Chapter 992
During the time he lived as an orphan with no memories.
He believed the world had abandoned him, that no one cared about him at all.
But through the boundless love of Grandfather Bu Jan-yang, his heart—frozen solid—gradually began to thaw.
And he learned to face the world with upright sincerity once more.
Yet after Grandfather's death.
His heart froze over again.
The tender hands that had once carefully cleansed the dead were now stained with blood.
The clear eyes that had once captured beautiful landscapes, drawn by the warmth of another's touch.
Had transformed into the cold, ruthless gaze of a Death God, piercing through the demise of his enemies.
The boy who had been content with a simple bowl of noodles.
Who would read by the light of an oil lamp at night, lulled to sleep by the sound of fireflies...
Who had been grateful for each peaceful day.
Had, before he knew it, become an incarnation of death that even the mightiest in the world trembled before.
And as he walked his unending path of blood, even those he cherished began leaving him, one by one.
Outwardly, he appeared composed...
But deep within, his heart had long been crumbling under the weight of unhealed wounds.
And yet—when he heard the earnest sutra recitation, as if Jijang Bodhisattva were saving all suffering beings.
Without realizing it, he let a single tear fall.
"Patron, your heart bears deep wounds."
The novice monk who had been chanting the sutras had, at some point, drawn near Bu Eun-seol.
"What sorrow could have carved such a hollow in one so young?"
Those of pure heart among the Buddhists.
Were said to sometimes glimpse into the hearts of others.
Remarkably, the novice had perceived the state of Bu Eun-seol's spirit and mind at a glance.
"Who in the martial world is without sorrow?"
"Enough to weep so suddenly?"
"I did not weep."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"I was merely lost in thought upon hearing your sutras."
"Those tears did not spring from fleeting thoughts. They came from waters buried deep within... as if something long sealed had finally found its way to the surface."
As Bu Eun-seol fell silent, the novice spoke again.
"You asked who is without sorrow? You are right. Even a blade of grass, even a pebble—each carries its own tale."
"..."
"Yet some tales are too heavy to bear alone, and some wounds too deep—left to fester, they only rot further."
The novice's voice was clear and gentle.
"In your gaze, I sense a winter colder than blade winds. In your silence, a cry more desolate than thunder."
He spoke carefully.
"Rather than keeping it locked inside, might it not help to speak of it?"
"I did so long ago."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath before answering.
"The wind carries away faint sighs of sorrow, and the grass and trees listen in silent solace."
For a moment, the novice looked startled.
Though the words might have sounded like idle musings.
They held profound meaning.
Even as his heart remained filled with wounds and grief too deep to empty.
They revealed that, through deep insight and wisdom, he had begun slowly freeing himself from them.
"I see."
Realizing that time alone would bring resolution, the novice pressed his palms together in prayer, gazing into Bu Eun-seol's eyes—still brimming with endless longing and loneliness.
"May you overcome your trials and find liberation."
After Jin Gak's departure, Bu Eun-seol had lost his smile.
But now, as genuine concern seeped into his parched heart, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
"You do not seem a disciple of the Central Plains' Buddhist sects."
Though the novice had a somewhat rigid demeanor, his nature was noble and pure.
Bu Eun-seol found himself rather taken with him and asked:
"What brings you so far from home?"
"Does it show that much?"
The novice chuckled sheepishly before lowering his voice.
"I came to train."
"Train..."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol felt an odd intuition.
A disciple of a Buddhist sect from Beyond the Frontier, wielding the Origin-Flow Martial Arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, coming all the way to the Central Plains to train?
Was this not eerily similar to So Ok-rim's own situation—secretly honing his skills within the hidden vaults scattered across the Central Plains?
"By any chance."
Bu Eun-seol, uncharacteristically cautious, ventured:
"Are you not a disciple of the Three Pure Realms?"
"You—"
The novice recoiled in clear alarm, swiftly stepping back.
He raised his Buddhist whisk defensively and demanded:
"Are you one of the Three Realms?"
The Three Pure Realms, guarding the origins of the Baekri Clan, were locked in constant conflict with the corrupted Three Realms.
And those who even knew the name "Three Pure Realms" were, by and large, affiliated with the Three Realms themselves.
"No, do not misunderstand."
Realizing the novice was indeed from the Three Pure Realms, Bu Eun-seol softened his expression.
"I am Bu Eun-seol, a disciple of Langya Pavilion. If anything, I too stand opposed to the Three Realms."
"Bu Eun-seol."
Though the Three Pure Realms didn't form large groups like the Three Realms and instead operated small independent factions to uphold the legacy of the Baekri Clan,
even they couldn't be unaware of a Grandmaster of the Demonic Path whose name shook the entire Martial World.
"But how did you come to know about the Three Pure Realms...?"
Even if this novice monk was indeed a member of the Three Pure Realms,
Bu Eun-seol still didn't know his true identity, so he avoided mentioning So Ok-rim and spoke vaguely.
"I happened to cross paths with someone from the Three Pure Realms before. That's how I learned of them."
"I see."
Though the explanation wasn't particularly convincing, the novice monk nodded.
"I am Hye-ga, a disciple of the Three Pure Realms based in Mount Baekdu."
"Hye-ga."
The dharma name "Hye-ga" belonged to Bodhidharma's disciple, the very figure who laid the foundation for the Zen Sect.
Since Buddhist schools refrain from casually using the names of patriarchs, Central Plains sects would never assign such a dharma name.
'And Mount Baekdu, no less...'
That was where So-yo was currently learning martial arts from Ja Su-ryeon.
"Did you perhaps train in the original martial lineage of the Snow Emperor?"
Bu Eun-seol had already sensed that the mysterious True Qi the monk had displayed earlier was Extreme Yin Qi.
However, all its sinister energy had been purified into something righteous—unlike the Snow Emperor's martial arts he had encountered before—
leading him to conclude it must be the true original lineage of the Snow Emperor's teachings.
"Something like that. Though not exactly the Snow Emperor's martial arts."
Probing too deeply into another sect's martial techniques would be discourteous.
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol changed the subject.
"Do you not meet with the other successors of the Three Pure Realms?"
"For the most part, no."
Hye-ga replied calmly.
"We know all too well what happens when factions grow too large."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Regardless of other factions, those of the Three Pure Realms could be considered allies.
"The Central Plains Martial World is treacherous. Travel as cautiously as you can."
He had discerned that Hye-ga not only had an innocent disposition but was also inexperienced in worldly affairs.
Then, he retrieved the Martial Soul Order Token from his robes and offered it to him.
"If you ever need help, go to the largest guest inn in Chengdu and wear this token at your waist. Someone will come to your aid."
The reason Bu Eun-seol showed such goodwill was none other than the monk's deeply moving recitation of the Poison Scripture.
Unable to immediately strike at the Fire Rain Sword Sect,
his spirit was filled with grief and indignation.
Yet, in Hye-ga's chanting of the scripture, he had found unexpected solace and tranquility.
Moreover, recognizing the monk's pure and untainted nature, he wished to extend his assistance.
"That won't be necessary."
Hye-ga declined the token with a shake of his head.
"But this humble monk has many pressing matters to attend to now..."
Then, pointing inside the cave, he added,
"Lord, could you escort her to a safe place?"
Judging by his deeply furrowed brow, there seemed to be complicated circumstances at play.
Uncharacteristically, Bu Eun-seol pressed once more.
"Are you certain you don't need help?"
"Quite certain."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I will ensure this woman reaches safety."
Hye-ga smiled faintly and pressed his palms together in a respectful bow.
"Thank you. Then..."
With that, radiant light shimmered around him as he vanished into mid-air in an instant.
"An extraordinary movement technique."
Just from that display alone, it was clear the Three Pure Realms' martial arts diverged sharply from ordinary Martial World techniques.
Though they weren't active participants in the Rivers and Lakes,
their relentless refinement of martial skills suggested
it wouldn't be long before they restored the original power of the Baekri Clan.
'I should wake her.'
Entering the cave, Bu Eun-seol studied the woman lying unconscious as if in deep slumber.
She appeared to be around twenty years old—
her unblemished face exuding an air of quiet elegance.
Whoosh.
Bu Eun-seol employed the Remote Acupoint Striking Technique, swiftly unsealing her pressure points.
With a sharp gasp, the woman took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"Where...?"
As awareness returned, she surveyed her surroundings with fearful eyes before fixing them on Bu Eun-seol.
"Be at ease. The one who meant you harm is already dead."
The woman glanced at Bu Eun-seol's upright demeanor and the outer robe draped over her body, then nodded.
"Thank you."
"It wasn't my doing. A novice monk saved you, but he had urgent matters and left first."
"I see. I must repay my debt to you and that monk."
She rose to her feet and stepped out of the cave—
only to find her shoes missing, her soles covered in blood and oozing wounds.
Her feet had been torn apart while fleeing the Blood Mask Wolf Lord.
"I shall escort you to safety."
Her face flushed, and she shook her head.
This was a Deep Mountain Secluded Valley—no carriage could be summoned here.
Did that mean he intended to carry her in his arms?
"Don't worry."
Perceiving her inner thoughts, Bu Eun-seol raised his Internal Energy.
Fwoosh.
Her body levitated lightly about a foot above the ground.
"I swear I won't lay a hand on you. Just tell me where to go."
Bu Eun-seol had deduced from the woman's attire and appearance that she didn't live in Chengdu or any nearby village, hence his words.
"This is..."
The woman bowed her head in astonishment when Bu Eun-seol not only lifted her into the air without so much as lifting a finger,
but also declared he could transport her in this state.
"You must be a Divine Spirit, and I failed to recognize you."
This woman is quite naive too.
"It's nothing special."
In the annals of martial history, those who have attained such profound Internal Energy and demonstrated such feats could be counted on one hand.
"Anyone could do this if they trained hard enough in martial arts."
Moved by the woman's guilelessness, Bu Eun-seol offered this gentle lie before immediately activating his Land-Flying Technique.
"Then let us depart."
The woman lived in a mountain cabin deep in the wilderness, far removed from any village.
As they traveled, Bu Eun-seol pieced together her circumstances.
She lived with her ailing grandfather and occasionally visited Chengdu to procure daily necessities and medicine.
It was on her way back after a meal at a guest inn that she had fallen prey to the Blood Mask Wolf Lord's depravity.
She doesn't seem like an ordinary commoner.
As the distant cabin came into view, a flicker of suspicion arose in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Though called a cabin, its location was remote even by mountain standards—a secluded valley deep in the hinterlands where few ventured.
Such treacherous terrain would challenge even the most agile herb gatherer, let alone an ordinary person.
Moreover, constructing a sizable cabin in such a place would be impossible for common folk—only a trained martial artist could manage it.
Her grandfather was undoubtedly a skilled practitioner of the martial arts.
Running into him now would do no good.
Returning in such a disheveled state with a strange man in tow would surely invite misunderstanding or alarm.
Whoosh.
After gently lowering the woman near the cabin, Bu Eun-seol spoke in a hushed tone.
"It seems we've arrived. I shall take my leave now."
Recognizing his consideration, the woman bowed deeply in gratitude.
"At least tell me your name. I'll pray morning and night for my benefactor's long life and health."
Her utterly guileless demeanor drew an involuntary smile from Bu Eun-seol.
First Hye-ga, the descendant of the Three Pure Realms, and now this woman.
Meeting such pure-hearted souls after so long warmed his spirit.
"If blade-fated warriors like us lived long lives, it would be an anomaly in itself."
Uncharacteristically playful, he quipped before retrieving a small vial of Demon-Subduing Divine Pill from his robes.
"Give this to your grandfather. His illness will vanish as if washed away."
Learning that she cared for a grandfather hiding his identity in seclusion struck a chord—it mirrored his own circumstances, prompting this act of kindness.
"How could I... I cannot accept this."
Even unopened, the vial exuded a fragrant aroma, and the woman waved her hands in refusal.
"Such precious Spirit Medicine—you should save it for when you truly need it, honored benefactor."
"It's fine. I have plenty."
Bu Eun-seol chuckled, pressing the vial into her hands.
"Seeing you care for your grandfather felt close to home."
Just as he activated his Lightness Skill to depart—
"Su-wol!"
A hoarse voice rang out as a pale-faced old man staggered through the cabin door.
Having anxiously awaited his granddaughter's return, the old man had grown restless when she failed to appear on time.
Hearing her voice, he'd rushed outside in a panic.
"What in the world happened—"
The moment the old man spotted Su-wol, his face lit up with joy—but as he stepped forward,
"Y-you...!"
His eyes locked onto Bu Eun-seol's face, and his jaw dropped as if he'd seen a ghost.
"U-ugh!"
Without warning, he turned and fled back inside.
"Grandfather!"
Su-wol hurried after him as the frail old man sprinted with inexplicable vigor.
Bu Eun-seol stood frozen for a moment.
He had caught the old man's gaze—the shock in those eyes wasn't mere surprise, but recognition.
He must have mistaken me for someone.
In all his life, Bu Eun-seol had never met anyone who resembled him.
The only possible exception was his father, Baekri Mu-ha.
I need to confirm this.
"Grandfather, what's wrong with you?"
Su-wol's voice echoed from inside.
Realizing the old man might know his father, Bu Eun-seol swiftly entered the cabin.
"Pardon the intrusion, Miss."
As he stepped inside,
"Uwaaah!"
The old man, supported by Su-wol, shrieked again and bolted—
Whoosh—SWISH!
This time, he unleashed Lightning-fast Lightness Skill, attempting to flee the cabin in an instant—
CRASH!
But his Internal Power faltered, and he collapsed before clearing the wall.
"Grandfather!"
Su-wol rushed to him in panic.
But the old man lay motionless, unconscious.
"Grandfather..."
As Su-wol's voice trembled on the verge of tears, Bu Eun-seol immediately rushed forward to examine the old man's condition in detail.
"There's no need for concern. He's merely lost consciousness for a moment."
Though his words were calm, his expression darkened.
Upon checking the pulse, he detected a strange energy within the old man's body—one that was gnawing away at his vitality.
At this rate, he wouldn't last more than a few months before breathing his last.
"First, let's move him inside for treatment."
Bu Eun-seol lifted the old man in his arms and carried him indoors.
There, he administered the Slumbering Demon Elixir and channeled Reverse Polarity True Qi to accelerate the medicine's circulation.
Huuuung...
As the pure True Qi coursed through the blood circuits, spreading the medicinal energy throughout the body, the old man's complexion improved dramatically in an instant.
'This is definitely not an illness.'
If his body had weakened due to disease,
no amount of elixirs or infused True Qi would have restored him so quickly.
'But there's an energy fundamentally corroding his physical form.'
Strangely, even the Slumbering Demon Elixir couldn't cure it, nor could Internal Energy dispel it.
'To treat this, I must first identify its cause.'
"Ugh..."
At that moment, the old man opened his eyes again.
He realized he was lying inside the house, with Bu Eun-seol infusing True Qi into him.
Perhaps due to the medicinal energy and the True Qi, he remained calm this time, lying still without another fit.
"Grandfather."
Su-wol, who had been watching the situation closely, took his hand tearfully as he awoke.
"Are you alright?"
The old man nodded at Su-wol.
Then, glancing briefly at Bu Eun-seol, he spoke.
"Who is this gentleman?"
"He's the one who saved me."
Su-wol calmly explained everything that had happened so far.
After listening for a long while, the old man nodded and turned his gaze back to Bu Eun-seol.
"I've made quite the disgraceful scene before the benefactor who saved my granddaughter."
"It's nothing to worry about."
When Bu Eun-seol replied impassively, the old man addressed Su-wol.
"Would you mind giving us some privacy, child? This old man has something important to discuss with him."
Su-wol looked puzzled, but recognizing the gravity in her grandfather's expression, she nodded.
"Of course."
As she stepped away, the old man's face grew solemn, his tone shifting as he spoke.
"You must have guessed already... The reason I was so startled upon seeing you is that you bear an uncanny resemblance to someone I once knew."
Then, with utmost caution, he uttered:
"Baekri Mu-ha, the First Beauty of Jianghu."
The old man spoke slowly.
"What is your relation to him?"
"He was my father."
"I thought as much."
The old man nodded, his expression a mix of devastation and something like resignation.
"This old man was once known as the Divine Sword of the World's End—Sama Gwang."
'Jiangnan's Greatest Sword?!'
Bu Eun-seol was stunned.
This unremarkable old man was the Grandmaster of the Sword, once revered as the greatest in Jiangnan—a Renowned Chivalrous Hero of the previous generation?
How could a swordsman of such illustrious fame have come to live in seclusion in a place like this?
"Perhaps this, too, is heaven's will."
Muttering to himself, he hesitated and agonized for a long while.
Finally, taking a deep breath, the old man—Sama Gwang—spoke calmly.
"This old man was once the closest of friends with your father."
His voice was low as he continued.
"At that time, Baekri Mu-ha—my younger brother Baekri—eliminated all of the Seven Great Evils, those who tormented the common folk and threw the world into chaos."
"..."
"In the process, he even saved this old man's life when I was counterattacked and nearly killed while attempting to deal with them."
Back then, Baekri Mu-ha had pursued the Seven Great Evils, who committed atrocities against martial artists and civilians.
One by one, he hunted them down, and it was during this time that he met Sama Gwang.
Though there was a significant age gap between them, they became close friends transcending years.
Their friendship endured, lasting even after Baekri Mu-ha married Sa Ah, the Saintess of the True Demon Family, and built Saha Manor.
"Truth be told, this old man was more skilled in Mechanism Formations than in Sword Studies. That's why I contributed greatly to the construction of Saha Manor."
Sama Gwang had a secret few knew—he was originally from Jegal Academy.
Renowned as one of the foremost masters of Battle Formations in the martial world, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gongson Hwa-uk, who had inherited the legacy of Ghost Valley Academy.
"But while I was assisting in Saha Manor's construction, someone approached me—somehow aware of my involvement."
The old man's eyes, lying on the bed, grew damp with moisture.
"He demanded detailed blueprints of the mechanisms installed within Saha Manor. Of course, I refused, but that devilish man threatened me with the lives of my children and granddaughter."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but widen his eyes.
The moment he heard about the one who demanded the blueprints,
he instinctively realized—from Sama Gwang's meeting with his father to his involvement in Saha Manor's Mechanism Formation—
that this had all been part of the man's meticulous orchestration.
Sama Gwang spoke in a pained voice, as if murmuring to himself.
"Not only that... he claimed this was something that would save countless lives."
"..."
"That no matter what happened, it was a deed that absolutely had to be done."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
Previously, the Old Man of the Sacred Realm had relayed his mother's words—that this tragedy had occurred due to someone's betrayal.
"Who was he?"
"Jeong Cheon-je."
Shedding tears of remorse, Sama Gwang continued with an even more shocking revelation.
"The one hailed as the Number One of the Righteous Path was, in truth, a devil wearing the mask of human virtue."