“Fine.”
Further conversation was meaningless.
He had no choice but to subdue her and take her back to the Sword Pavilion.
“Make the first move.”
Bu Eunseol extended his hand.
This was not out of disrespect toward her.
His specialty lay not in preemptive strikes, but in counterattacks.
Her martial arts, enhanced by the Clear River Realm’s brainwashing, were likely several times stronger than before.
Rather than prolonging the fight, he intended to counter the moment her attack came and subdue her in one decisive blow.
“Very well.”
Swish!
The instant she drew her sword, a fierce wind blasted toward Bu Eunseol’s face.
Her blade moved with lively agility, as if alive, unleashing waves of sword energy.
Sasasasak!
In the blink of an eye, sharp sword flowers filled the space around Bu Eunseol’s body.
Sring!
With a low ring of the sword, a keen cross-shaped sword energy cleaved vertically through the sword flowers and bore toward A-Yeon’s forehead.
Since her opening move had been ordinary, he aimed to subdue her immediately with the powerful Waning Moon, Dawn Star.
Bzzz.
Yet suddenly, a single sword flower formed at the tip of A-Yeon’s long sword and lightly deflected the cross-shaped sword energies Bu Eunseol had unleashed.
At the same moment, sword energies too fast for the eye to follow flashed outward in all directions.
They seemed haphazardly released, but in truth, they perfectly blocked Bu Eunseol’s follow-up attacks while seizing control of the space.
‘Fast.’
Clang!
As sword energies filled every direction, Bu Eunseol precisely struck the tip of A-Yeon’s long sword with his Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
No matter how flawless her sword move had been, Bu Eunseol had fully grasped the variations of the Crimson Dream Sword technique.
He shattered it in an instant with overwhelming force.
Hiss.
A-Yeon immediately retreated, regrouping her stance as Bu Eunseol broke her opening move in one strike.
“As expected of the next Lord of Nangyang Pavilion.”
Realizing Bu Eunseol had completely deciphered the variations of the Crimson Dream Sword, A-Yeon calmly raised her long sword to mid-guard.
“But from now on, it will be different.”
Until this moment, A-Yeon had perfectly displayed the demeanor of an orthodox swordmaster.
Whooosh!
Suddenly, fierce energy erupted from her long sword, turning into winds powerful enough to sweep away the entire world.
All those winds were sword techniques she had created.
‘What kind of swordsmanship is this?’
Bu Eunseol could not hide his astonishment.
To complete the Supreme Sword Doctrine, grueling training that carved the bones, as well as a high level of spiritual cultivation and exceptional observational prowess was required.
Even in fierce combat, one had to read the opponent’s intent and flexibly adapt the sword technique accordingly.
Bu Eunseol himself had always seized victory by fluidly changing his moves in response to the enemy’s attacks.
But such tactics were useless against A-Yeon.
Her swordsmanship was fundamentally perfect, containing the power of heaven and earth’s harmony.
No technique could break it.
Splash!
With no other choice, Bu Eunseol created a wide barrier of light with his Silent Tiger Soul Sword and retreated.
Whooosh!
Seizing the momentum, she pursued him, relentlessly unleashing sword techniques.
Flash!
Then, from the center of the light barrier Bu Eunseol had formed, brilliant radiance exploded outward.
Sword techniques, like the ebb and flow of tides, have fleeting moments when power surges and fades.
Predicting she would close in aggressively, Bu Eunseol had overlapped the Waning Moon, Dawn Star and the Lament of the River Technique multiple times at the exact instant her power was about to surge after unleashing her moves.
He overwhelmed her flawless sword forms with sheer force.
Crash! Craaash!
The Supreme Heavenly Flow Technique poured forth like waves, beginning to tear through the sword winds she had unleashed.
“Hmph.” A-Yeon snorted, lightly shaking her sword.
Then, like the Taichi Wisdom Sword, circular sword energies continuously poured out, deflecting Bu Eunseol’s sword moves.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Knowing she would easily shatter them, Bu Eunseol had already changed his technique.
Flash!
With dazzling light, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword bent strangely and struck toward her throat.
He had unleashed the Unmatched Thunderbolt Technique.
Ping!
Yet it failed to pierce the circular sword energies she had released and ultimately dissipated.
Undaunted, Bu Eunseol transformed the Unmatched Thunderbolt Technique once more.
Crash! Crash!
The Silent Tiger Soul Sword whipped multiple times, swiftly targeting her vital points.
He had shifted the Unmatched Thunderbolt Technique into the Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder Technique, creating four variations in midair.
Whoosh!
As the Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder unfolded, A-Yeon spun her body and leaped, consecutively unleashing sword flowers.
A perfectly impenetrable ring of light formed around her.
It was the Mind Light Guardian Technique of the Crimson Dream Sword.
‘She can surround herself with sword energy like a barrier?’
The Mind Light Guardian Technique she unleashed did not vanish—it protected her body flawlessly.
Pat!
At the same instant, a soft yet sharp energy pierced toward Bu Eunseol’s chest.
With her index and middle fingers extended in a finger sword, A-Yeon had unleashed the Beings Without Affinity Technique.
Sizzle!
The finger sword touched his chest and reacted with his protective energy, vanishing in an instant.
Though he was unharmed by a hair’s breadth, Bu Eunseol felt a slight shock.
‘This is how strong she has become.’
Objectively, A-Yeon’s martial prowess was not even a tenth of Bu Eunseol’s. Yet after undergoing the Clear River Realm’s brainwashing and splitting her personality, she had become a master so formidable that the outcome was unpredictable.
‘Subduing her is impossible at this level.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened.
Originally, he had planned to overwhelm her with force, take her to the Sword Pavilion, and somehow undo the brainwashing.
But her martial prowess had risen far too high.
Casually subduing her was now impossible, and he could not kill her either…
Only two options remained.
‘Fight to the death, or flee as is.’
After a brief deep breath, Bu Eunseol
Boom!
unleashed a storm-like movement technique and descended the mountain.
Without hesitation, he chose the latter.
‘I will find a way to undo the brainwashing, then seek her out again!’
Just because A-Yeon had become the Jade of the Clear River Realm did not mean he had to kill her now.
Knowing she was safe, he would retreat one step to find a solution.
Whiiiir!
As Bu Eunseol fled without looking back, A-Yeon cried out in apparent panic.
“Stop!”
A-Yeon also unleashed a movement technique swift as arrow rain.
Her technique was extraordinary—she closed the distance in an instant.
‘Terrifying.’
Glancing behind, Bu Eunseol felt a chill run down his spine.
A-Yeon’s face, as she pursued him, had turned raven-black, her eyes completely darkened.
That was likely the appearance of the demonic woman fused with her.
‘Even her movement technique has been enhanced by the merged personality?’
Rumble!
Bu Eunseol began combining Thunder Spirit Energy with his Swift Beyond Shadow technique.
He truly became a bolt of lightning, rapidly descending the mountain.
A-Yeon gave full effort to her movement technique but could not catch him.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord of the world is fleeing!”
As A-Yeon shouted, Bu Eunseol responded. “Is movement technique not also a branch of martial arts? If you can catch me, then try!”
Without looking back, he exited Mugok Temple and vanished into the distant sky.
Once free of Mugok Temple, Bu Eunseol did not glance behind and left Sichuan Province entirely.
Now a Special Divine Rank of the Clear River Realm, A-Yeon could use their formidable intelligence network.
He had fled far away to avoid being tracked from the start.
‘There is no time.’
Finally arriving at a secret safehouse in Xi’an Prefecture, Bu Eunseol summoned Tak Ilhon.
If he left A-Yeon as she was, she might commit evil deeds in the meantime.
Even if the brainwashing were later undone and she regained her senses…
She would never forgive herself.
‘Her voice changed midway.’
A-Yeon had already become dual-personality, fused with a cruel and vicious one.
She was extremely enraged that he had fled.
To lure him out, she might commit ruthless acts without hesitation.
Creak.
The door of the secret safehouse opened, and an elderly man with clear, refined features entered alongside Soyo.
It was Tak Ilhon, Protector of the Death Shadow Corps and the great demonic master once known as the Flying Demon, who had plunged the martial world into terror.
“My Lord.”
Yet all his former ferocious aura had vanished and he now exuded a noble and dignified air.
As Tak Ilhon paid his respects, Bu Eunseol lightly returned the courtesy.
“Protector Tak.”
“I heard the news through the Death Spirit Corps.” Tak Ilhon wore a somewhat lonely smile. “That the disciples of the Secret Demon Palace have become underlings of a wicked force, reduced to porters carrying abducted women.”
His expression was filled with shame and pain.
The Secret Demon Palace had once shaken the world, ruling as overlord of a region. Especially the elite palace disciples, including Eun Junghwi, whom he had personally taught and trained.
For those elites to now serve as mere thugs aiding in abductions…
His feelings were indescribably wretched.
“I will handle the matter cleanly. So that their origins in the Secret Demon Palace are never revealed.” Tak Ilhon showed a bitter smile. “I am ashamed to have troubled the Lord over such a trifling affair.”
Bu Eunseol treated him as a Protector and with the respect due an elder.
Thanks to that consideration, Tak Ilhon spoke to him with moderate informality, yet always regarded himself as Bu Eunseol’s old servant.
For his own descendants to commit such base acts—he could not bear the shame.
“There is no need for that.” Bu Eunseol calmly conveyed his thoughts. “The Death Spirit Corps has grown uncontrollably large, with many bases sprouting across regions… Would we not need more swift-footed experts?”
Understanding Bu Eunseol’s intent, Tak Ilhon shook his head.
“That cannot be. The Death Spirit Corps is the Lord’s limbs and eyes—an intelligence organization, is it not? Inserting such men would sooner or later cause trouble.”
“There are also many tasks involving simply relaying messages or traveling.”
Bu Eunseol said.
“I met Eun Junghwi in person—he is by no means stained by evil in committing such acts.”
Through the Death Spirit Corps, Bu Eunseol had already informed Tak Ilhon by letter. He now recounted once more the story of Eun Junghwi, the man who had led the Secret Demon Palace’s elites.
Listening silently, Tak Ilhon lowered his head in shame.
“Foolish fellow. If he was reduced to being pointed at and unable to even live as a wandering swordsman, he should have left the martial world…”
Eun Junghwi was the last young prodigy to whom Tak Ilhon had taught movement techniques.
He had inwardly regarded him almost as a disciple.
For that man, along with the Secret Demon Palace’s elites, to handle transporting abducted women…
His heart was beyond description—wretched and ashamed.
“He could not abandon the subordinates who followed him. To preserve the Secret Demon Palace’s lineage, he made that choice. He has also carefully gathered evidence of the evil deeds.” Explaining Eun Junghwi’s circumstances once more, Bu Eunseol continued. “In any case, there is a matter to resolve this time, so trying them out would not be bad.”
“A matter to resolve? What has happened?”
Bu Eunseol recounted his encounter with A-Yeon.
How she had fallen to the Clear River Realm’s temptation and fused with a wicked personality.
And how she was highly likely to target those around him to lure him out.
“Then there can be only one target.”
At that moment, Soyo, who had been silently listening beside Tak Ilhon, spoke.
“The Young Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace.”
Her voice was filled with certainty.
Yeon Soha was known as Bu Eunseol’s betrothed.
Though the Divine Maiden Palace belonged to the Eight Great Mysterious Sects, that was due to its immense wealth and superb array arts.
In terms of pure martial strength, it was not particularly formidable.
Moreover, since Young Palace Master Yeon Soha was betrothed to Bu Eunseol… A-Yeon, driven mad by her love for him, was most likely to target her.
“I think so too.” Bu Eunseol sighed and nodded. “I do not know what A-Yeon might do or how, but to prevent danger in advance… we will need a large number of swift intelligence agents.”
Tak Ilhon let out a sigh.
Bu Eunseol was the successor of the Majeon.
If he wanted swift experts, he could bring as many as he wished from the Majeon.
Yet he specifically mentioned the Secret Demon Palace’s men—this was surely consideration for Tak Ilhon’s sake.
“I understand. Since the Lord says so, I will personally meet those fellows and see if they can be of use.”
Tak Ilhon bowed deeply.
“…And thank you.”
He was known as the most cold-hearted young grandmaster in the world.
Yet to those under his wing, he was endlessly warm.
***
Tak Ilhon personally met Eun Junghwi and the Flying Demon Corps under his command.
In truth, the Flying Demon Corps’ fall to such misery was his own fault.
The palace lord of the Secret Demon Palace had not abandoned his greed for the secret manual and secretly infiltrated Shaolin. Since he had gone without telling anyone, during the fifteen years confined in the Repentance Cave, he was believed to have suddenly vanished from the martial world.
Everything was his fault.
He wanted to behead them immediately, yet he could not bring himself to do so.
“Please kill me.”
Eun Junghwi knelt before Tak Ilhon.
“Now that I have met the Palace Lord, I have no regrets.”
Tak Ilhon’s gaze wavered like ripples as he looked down at Eun Junghwi.
The man possessed outstanding talent but was too young.
Yet he had been the most loyal, following him to the end.
After the Secret Demon Palace’s dissolution, burdened with the heavy responsibility of leading the Flying Demon Corps, he had simply accepted whatever work came his way.
“If I could follow my heart, I would behead you all…” Tak Ilhon sighed, thinking of Bu Eunseol’s face. “But the magnanimity of the one this Protector serves prevents it.”
“The one you serve…?”
Tap.
Instead of answering, Tak Ilhon tossed a manual.
“Master this movement technique within three days.”
It was his exclusive movement art, an improved version of the Ghostly Moonlit Stride that he had been teaching to Death Spirit Corps members.
“If you prove your worth this time, you will never again have to do shameful, filthy work for the rest of your lives.”
Tak Ilhon spoke with pride.
“You will be able to stand under the Lord’s banner.”
“If you speak of the Lord…”
“This Protector serves the successor of the Majeon—the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Eun Junghwi’s eyes widened.
The foremost grandmaster of the Demonic Path.
Tak Ilhon served a figure even the Ten Demonic Sects dared not touch?
“If you handle this matter properly, the Lord has agreed to accept you as a subordinate unit of the Death Spirit Corps.”
Tak Ilhon spoke in a low voice.
“Can you do it?”
Eun Junghwi trembled lightly.
If, as Tak Ilhon said, they could enter the Martial Soul Command Lord’s service?
They would truly never again have to live in disgrace.
“Though called a subordinate unit, in reality you will remain directly under this old man, answering to no one’s orders but the Lord’s.” Tak Ilhon spoke with a proud expression. “The Lord is in the process of building an independent power structure. And he takes responsibility for the safety of everyone from leaders to the lowliest agents…”
“We will devote our lives!”
As Eun Junghwi prostrated himself, his subordinates also bowed deeply and shouted in unison.
—We will devote our lives.
Descendants of a ruined sect, martial world outlaws, remnants of the Demonic Path…
Until now, they had endured every kind of contempt and ridicule.
Yet Eun Junghwi had not given up and had led his loyal subordinates.
Because he believed Tak Ilhon would one day return.
Because he believed the master would once again guide them.
And that faith had finally borne fruit.
