Clatter, clatter.
The sound of carriage wheels rolling over the parched earth broke the tranquil silence.
It was a notably wide carriage—comfortable but slow. This allowed Bu Eunseol to read the manual in a leisurely manner.
“Young Master,” Black Leopard, sitting at the driver’s seat and guiding the carriage, said in a low voice. “It looks like we’ll need to camp out tonight.”
“No matter,” Bu Eunseol replied.
At his response, Black Leopard slowly brought the carriage to a halt. It had been nine days since they left Dongpyoseorang in the carriage. During that time, Bu Eunseol had been engrossed in reading the Fist Demon manual given to him by Do Myeong.
Each time he delved into the fist techniques of the Fist Demon, he felt like a mountain boy stepping into the emperor’s palace, unable to suppress his astonishment.
There was another realm I didn’t know existed.
He had never studied fist or palm techniques before. To become stronger quickly, he had focused on swordsmanship, feeling no need for anything else. But after reading the Fist Demon manual, Bu Eunseol realized the shallowness and limitations of his martial knowledge.
Snap.
Having fully memorized the Fist Demon manual, Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
If martial arts were the techniques or skills expressed through the body, martial theory was the academic study that explained those techniques. The fist techniques in the Fist Demon manual were among the highest echelons of martial arts, encompassing fists, palms, hands, fingers, and claws—reaching the pinnacle of mastery.
By studying the principles and methods of this fist technique, Bu Eunseol had touched another realm of martial prowess.
If I deeply master this fist technique, I could conquer the world with my two hands. But…
“This manual is incomplete. No matter how profound its techniques or principles, it lacks its finest essence.” Recalling Do Myeong’s words, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
It was an accurate assessment. Even if Nangyang possessed this manual, they wouldn’t have been able to teach the fist technique to their disciples.
The reason was simple.
- First Form: Fist Demon’s Emergence
- Second Form: Extreme Lightning Chaos
- Third Form: Self-Oblivion Shatter
- Fourth Form: Heavenly Hand Void Wave
- …
The manual consisted of seven forms, split into the first four and the final three. The supreme techniques of the last three forms had been lost.
Even so… it’s remarkable.
The first four forms alone were enough to contend with the greatest masters of the martial world. If Nangyang hadn’t pursued the ultimate pinnacle of martial arts and instead focused on expanding its influence, this Fist Demon manual could have produced exceptional warriors.
Hmm.
As Bu Eunseol was lost in deep thought, Black Leopard’s clear voice rang out.
“Young Master, I’ve started a fire. Come have something to eat.”
“Alright,” Bu Eunseol replied curtly, stepping out of the carriage with the manual in hand.
Thud. As soon as he emerged, he tossed the manual into the roaring campfire.
Whoosh. The old manual ignited, red flames flaring before turning to gray ash.
Thus, the supreme fist technique of Nangyang, the Fist Demon, now existed only in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
“Young Master, I have some Nohung liquor from the last village. Would you like a drink?” Black Leopard asked.
Having lived as a mercenaries since childhood, Black Leopard was sharp-witted and quick to read the situation. Even after seeing Bu Eunseol burn the manual, he acted as if he hadn’t noticed.
“It pairs wonderfully with jerky,” he added.
“Let’s do it,” Bu Eunseol said. Black Leopard hurriedly retrieved a jug of liquor and a bundle of jerky from the carriage.
Gulp, gulp.
As the strong liquor slid down his throat, even the cold night breeze felt sweet. Sitting by the campfire, Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard polished off a bundle of jerky and half a jug of liquor.
“Ahh, camping like this brings back memories,” Black Leopard said, his face slightly flushed as he gazed at the distant sky. “When I first started as a mercenaries, I wandered beyond the passes, camping out often. Tibet, Nanman, the Great Desert… there wasn’t a place I didn’t go.”
He turned to Bu Eunseol. “With your vast experience in the martial world, Young Master, you must have traveled even more than me, right?”
“I haven’t traveled much,” Bu Eunseol said, downing the remaining liquor. “Until I was fifteen, I lived only in Pyeongan. I’ve been in the martial world for three years, but I’ve only wandered for one.”
“One year…?” Black Leopard shook his head in disbelief.
Bu Eunseol exuded the aura of a seasoned veteran, and his skills backed it up. Yet, only one year of wandering?
“If that’s true, Young Master, you must have gone through unimaginable trials.” Bu Eunseol said nothing.
As soon as he entered the martial world, he fought life-or-death battles to become one of the Ten Demon Warriors. After joining the Nine Death Corps, he took on dangerous and filthy missions.
Few in the martial world could claim a more brutal life than Bu Eunseol.
“That’s not true,” he said, denying it. “The martial world is inherently brutal. If you don’t think so, you haven’t truly lived in it.”
“Is that so?” Black Leopard smiled but couldn’t agree.
Having lived as a mercenaries since childhood, he had seen countless types of people. Yet, he had never met anyone as enigmatic as Bu Eunseol, whose emotions were impossible to read.
What kind of life has he lived? Curiosity surged, but he suppressed it.
To build a good relationship, one must maintain a proper distance—especially for martial artists living by the sword in the martial world.
“I’ll take a short walk to get some air,” Black Leopard said, subtly excusing himself.
But Bu Eunseol’s normally impassive eyes suddenly flared with a crimson bloodlust.
“Young Master, is something wrong…?” Before Black Leopard could finish—
Flash!
Bu Eunseol moved like lightning, thrusting his sheathed sword to deflect a steel needle aimed at Black Leopard’s temple.
Clang!
The needle, deflected by the scabbard, embedded itself in a nearby branch. With a hiss, smoke rose from the branch, and its leaves withered instantly.
“Golden Cicada Poison Needle?” Black Leopard gasped, his jaw dropping.
Once, while secretly gathering information, he had been poisoned by a deadly toxin and nearly died. That poison was the Golden Cicada Poison Needle of Hell’s Blood Fortress.
“Hell’s Blood Fortress!” Black Leopard shouted.
At the same moment—
Rustle!
A figure in a red-tinted robe emerged from the distant bushes like a ghost. It was Yang Myeong, the Venomous Hand Flying Demon of Hell’s Blood Fortress.
“Bu Eunseol.” Under the moonlight, Yang Myeong’s face appeared wrinkled and aged compared to before. His internal energy had diminished after the concentrated power of his Venomous Stength Demon Binding Art was disrupted.
“Did you think you could leave Guizhou alive?” Yang Myeong growled, grinding his teeth.
His right hand now wore a metal gauntlet, likely an artificial limb to replace the nerves and bones shattered by Bu Eunseol.
“Do I need your permission to leave Guizhou?” Bu Eunseol retorted.
“Heh heh heh. Others might, but you? You don’t leave without my say-so,” Yang Myeong sneered, pointing at the dark sword strapped to Bu Eunseol’s back. “Hand over the Yeongsasin Sword. Give me the sword, and I’ll let you go quietly.”
“Its name is Black Blade,” Bu Eunseol corrected.
“Stop spouting nonsense!” Yang Myeong roared.
Bu Eunseol smirked. “A master of Hell’s Blood Fortress resorting to banditry?”
“Shut up!” Yang Myeong bellowed, his eyes radiating dark venom. “The Yeongsasin Sword was meant to be a tribute to our castle. You barged in and ruined everything!”
“That’s curious,” Bu Eunseol said, crossing his arms. “If that’s true, why was it offered as the tournament prize?”
“That was Ok Hobang! That dog’s idea!” Yang Myeong spat, grinding his teeth. “He said Dongpyoseorang would eventually fall under Hell’s Blood Fortress’s influence. So, why not use the Yeongsasin Sword to promote the Jeongmu Tournament and profit from it?”
“You have a head of your own. You agreed to such a foolish plan?” Bu Eunseol said, uncharacteristically verbose. “What if a master from Majeon appeared at the tournament? Or one of the Ten Demonic Sects?”
“Hmph, you know one thing but not the other. Majeon and the Ten Demonic Sects have countless divine weapons. No master would bother with a tournament for a single sword,” Yang Myeong said, grinding his teeth.
“Except for you dogs from Nangyang.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes turned cold. “You don’t seem to be here to beg.”
“Heh heh heh. You’ve figured it out,” Yang Myeong said, his eyes oozing dark malice. “Even if you kneel and offer the sword, I won’t let you live.”
Black Leopard’s expression changed. “Young Master Bu is one of the Ten Demon Warriors of Nangyang. Do you want Hell’s Blood Fortress to clash head-on with Nangyang, one of the Ten Demonic Sects?”
Yang Myeong sneered wickedly. “If I kill you here and dissolve your bodies with Bone-Melting Powder, who would know?” It was clear he had come fully prepared to kill Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard.
“You’re already surrounded by our castle’s masters. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t escape!” Yang Myeong declared.
At his shout, a rustle echoed through the forest. The sound of leaves brushing against each other filled the air, and Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed in the darkness.
His Beast Way ability, Heart-Eye Wave, activated, allowing him to scan his surroundings through subtle air vibrations.
Fifty of them… Having gauged the number and positions of the Hell’s Blood Fortress’ masters surrounding the forest, Bu Eunseol spoke to Black Leopard.
“Have you mastered the movement technique I taught you?”
“I’ve only reached about twenty percent proficiency,” Black Leopard admitted.
“That’s enough,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Don’t worry,” Black Leopard said resolutely, guessing Bu Eunseol’s intent. “Even if it costs my life, I’ll break through and deliver this news to Nangyang.”
“What are you talking about?” Bu Eunseol said impassively. “Those rats hiding in the shadows will soon unleash a barrage of hidden weapons. While I deal with them, use your skills to stay out of harm’s way.”
“What?” Black Leopard’s jaw dropped.
Was he planning to take on all the Hell’s Blood Fortress masters in the forest alone?
“Young Master, you can’t!” Black Leopard protested.
It was a reckless plan. Bu Eunseol’s prowess had been fully displayed at the Martial Tournament. Yang Myeong, having experienced it firsthand, wouldn’t have ambushed him without absolute confidence in victory.
“Hahaha!” Yang Myeong burst into incredulous laughter at Bu Eunseol’s words. “You madman. You think you can take on the entire Hell’s Blood Fortress alone?”
“If I feared rats shooting poisoned weapons from the shadows, I wouldn’t have stepped into the martial world,” Bu Eunseol retorted.
“You’re relying on that pathetic swordsmanship?” Yang Myeong sneered.
He knew Bu Eunseol possessed astonishing sword techniques. But such techniques were effective only in one-on-one duels. Surrounded by multiple enemies wielding hidden weapons, swordsmanship was not an effective counter.
Snap.
Yang Myeong raised a hand sharply.
Rustle, rustle.
The trees in the forest swayed chaotically, and an eerie pressure began to emanate from all directions.
“Fire!” Yang Myeong commanded.
In an instant, Bu Eunseol’s vision darkened completely. It felt like being trapped in a sealed room with no light.
Whoosh!
With a faint whistle, dozens of steel needles rained down from somewhere. The Blood Demons had blanketed the area with hidden weapons, leaving no room to dodge.
An attack tailored to counter the Beast Way’s abilities.
Since Nangyang’s masters all trained in the Beast Way, they feared neither darkness nor hidden weapons. Knowing this, Yang Myeong had obscured their vision while flooding the area with a massive barrage of hidden weapons to dominate the space.
“One against many is common in the martial world.”
His master, Sa Woo, had said this when teaching him the Beast Way.
“You don’t think fair duels are the only thing out there, do you?”
Bu Eunseol knew well there was no such thing as a fair duel.
When he created the Supreme Heavenly Flow, one of the key techniques he studied was for facing multiple enemies. And for countering hidden weapons.
“I’ll return them to you,” Bu Eunseol declared.
Finally, he drew the Black Blade from his back.
Shing.
As the blade was unsheathed, it vibrated as if a dragon hidden in the clouds had summoned lightning and wind.
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol unleashed the second form of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, Return to Origin, a technique to redirect hidden weapons.
Flash!
With a brilliant light, the Black Blade wove a dark rainbow through the air. The incoming hidden weapons abruptly changed direction.
“What is that?!” the hidden Blood Demons cried out in alarm.
As Bu Eunseol executed his sword technique, most of the hidden weapons veered sharply, returning to their senders.
