Swish.
Song Ak’s sword technique shifted once again.
As unexpected moves chained together, Bu Eunseol swiftly spun his body, dodging the strikes. Song Ak, switching back to the Yang Intent Sword, aimed for the vital points on Bu Eunseol’s chest.
‘This man’s swordsmanship is boundless,’ Bu Eunseol thought.
If Song Ak’s techniques were mere sword moves, changing them mid-motion would be manageable. But to swiftly alter the intricate and profound techniques of the Yang Intent Sword and Tai Chi Wisdom Sword—the most enigmatic sword arts in the world? That required not only years of dedicated practice but also a perfect understanding of swordsmanship, a feat nearly impossible otherwise.
‘Is it the difference in time spent honing swordsmanship?’ Bu Eunseol wondered.
He had yet to reach the level of freely transforming the techniques of the Supreme Heavenly Flow. Thus, he couldn’t keep up with Song Ak’s constantly shifting strikes.
Swish.
Meanwhile, Song Ak conjured dozens of circular sword energies around Bu Eunseol. These were the ultimate techniques of the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword, forming a flawless defensive barrier by weaving continuous circular sword energy.
Flash!
Bu Eunseol unleashed a radiant cross-shaped sword energy in all directions, swiftly changing techniques to push back the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword’s circles. But no matter what technique he used, he couldn’t break the circular sword energy, and as it wasn’t a killing sword style, he couldn’t counter it with the Formless Sword Control.
Moreover, as Bu Eunseol’s attacks waned, the circular sword energy of the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword occasionally transformed into the sharp attacks of the Yang Intent Sword.
‘There’s only one way!’ Bu Eunseol thought.
Unable to destroy the dominating circular sword energy, he deliberately exposed a vulnerability, aiming to exploit the moment Song Ak shifted to offense, as the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword’s defensive stance was impenetrable.
Swish!
At last, the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword transitioned to attack. In that instant, Bu Eunseol summoned his full inner power.
Whoosh.
Having reached the Fifth level of the Ban-geuk Method, his inner power surpassed three sixty-year cycles. As he unleashed it fully, tangible energy began to gather in his ink-black sword.
“Hah!” Bu Eunseol shouted, launching his attack.
But instead of the ink-black sword, he extended his left hand, unleashing the Seven Fist Demon Forms.
Boom!
An intangible current spread outward, a storm of immense energy crashing into the circular sword energy—the fourth technique of the Seven Fist Demon Forms, the Heaven-Shattering Fist, capable of destroying all.
Boom!
Pushing back sword energy with an intangible fist technique was impossible. Yet, by materializing his inner energy, Bu Eunseol forced Song Ak’s sword energy back.
“…!” Song Ak, stunned as his sword energy was repelled by the overwhelming fist power, halted his Tai Chi Wisdom Sword.
This revealed Song Ak at the center of the circular sword energy.
Crack!
Seizing the moment, Bu Eunseol leaped into the center. Though the lingering circular sword energy tore into his shoulders, he ignored the pain and thrust his ink-black sword forward.
‘The techniques I’ve used so far won’t do!’ he thought. Song Ak’s swordsmanship had reached the realm of Heaven and Earth Perfection. Missing this chance would mean defeat for Bu Eunseol.
Hum!
With a low sword hum, the tip of his ink-black sword bent like taffy, constantly shifting. It was a technique he had never attempted before—the seventh technique of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, Ashes of Body and Mind, which unleashed 108 variations in a single strike to pierce all defenses.
Clang!
At that moment, Song Ak’s Tai Chi sword radiated brilliance, clashing with Bu Eunseol. As a gust of wind scattered dust, the two swordsmen’s ultimate techniques collided.
“…” Suddenly, the world fell silent, devoid of sound.
Whoosh.
A dry breeze swept through the forest, clearing the thick dust. The figures of the two swordsmen emerged.
“…”
Bu Eunseol stood tall, his ink-black sword touching Song Ak’s throat. Song Ak, twisting his body with his arm extended, had his sword at Bu Eunseol’s lower abdomen.
Their swords touched each other’s bodies simultaneously, preventing either from striking.
Drip.
Blood trickled from Song Ak’s neck, cut by the sharp blade.
“Your inner power is remarkable,” Song Ak said.
Though both had struck simultaneously, Song Ak’s sword missed Bu Eunseol’s skin by a hair’s breadth, pushed back by the immense energy of Ashes of Body and Mind.
“Inner power is part of martial arts, so I suppose this counts as my defeat,” Song Ak said.
But Bu Eunseol’s expression remained grim. ‘I’m still far off.’
Ashes of Body and Mind was a technique inspired by Dan Cheong’s swordsmanship, designed to unleash 108 variations in one strike. Had he executed it perfectly, Song Ak’s head would have fallen. But he had only managed 81 variations.
Click. Clank.
As if by agreement, both sheathed their swords. Their swordsmanship was evenly matched; only their inner power differed.
Song Ak gave a wry smile. “I thought Kwang Yeon was the only one among the younger generation who could match me, but there was another hidden dragon.”
“Kwang Yeon?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“A Great Righteous Master from Shaolin,” Song Ak replied. “Despite his low rank, relegated to sweeping duties, his martial prowess is Shaolin’s greatest talent.”
He stared at Bu Eunseol and continued, “I acknowledge my defeat today. But next time will be different.”
Bu Eunseol nodded, and Song Ak coughed lightly. “How about a drink before our next duel? What do you say?”
A radiant smile, like sunlight, spread across his face.
Bu Eunseol sighed softly and nodded. “Fine.”
“It’s a promise,” Song Ak said, flashing his white teeth before vanishing into the air with his movement technique.
Bu Eunseol watched silently, then suddenly spat out a pebble-sized clot of blood with a pfft.
“Ugh,” he groaned, his eyes wavering like ripples.
The Supreme Heavenly Flow, comprising six early and four later techniques, encapsulated all of Nangyang Pavilion’s sword arts. The four later techniques, inspired by Dan Cheong’s teachings, could only be used upon reaching the Extreme Heaven Realm.
“Truly Wudang, worthy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Shaolin,” Bu Eunseol muttered, shaking his head.
Had he not reached the Fifth level of the Ban-geuk Method, he couldn’t have attempted Ashes of Body and Mind, and Song Ak’s sword would have pierced his abdomen.
“This isn’t an injury that heals easily,” he said.
Though he had always recovered quickly from internal injuries, this time was different. Forcing the technique had caused his energy and blood to flow backward, resulting in a deep internal injury that wouldn’t heal easily.
Three days remained until he reached Majeon. But there was no guarantee enemies wouldn’t attack in that time.
“No matter,” Bu Eunseol said.
Unyielding to any trial, he moved forward silently, as if made of steel, immune to pain.
***
The dark sky gradually brightened.
Bu Eunseol, pressing forward, entered Chengdu, where Majeon resided. In half a day, he would reach his destination. The village bustled like a market day, with merchants from all over setting up stalls. Moving heavily, Bu Eunseol suddenly stopped.
The world grew silent, and the merchants and people parted like a receding wave. Only overturned stalls and scattered vegetables and fruits remained, rolling in the desolate wind.
Bu Eunseol resumed walking, as if seeing nothing. At the end of the road, over three hundred martial artists stood in formation like soldiers.
“They’ve all come,” Bu Eunseol said.
Blocking the entire road were masters from Hell’s Blood Fortress and White Horse Temple.
Yet Bu Eunseol gazed at them impassively. At the forefront stood three familiar figures: Ok Kiryung, Eum Wi, and Jin Jamyeong.
“Bu Eunseol, you’ll never enter Majeon!” Jin Jamyeong shouted.
Bu Eunseol smiled. “We’ll see.”
His internal injuries hadn’t healed, and three days and nights of relentless travel had drained his stamina. Yet he squared his shoulders and stepped forward.
“Let’s find out,” he said.
His steps were as grand as a lion’s, heavier than Mount Tai.
One step, two steps…
As he approached, killing intent flared in the eyes of the White Horse Temple and Hell’s Blood Fortress warriors. A battle of one against three hundred—an impossible fight. As the prelude to this battle began—
“Who dares block the path of the Sword Pavilion’s successor?” a thunderous voice echoed through the sky.
Twenty masters descended from the air behind Bu Eunseol, landing with a boom.
The first to land was a man with a massive broadsword on his back. Behind him, warriors wielding various weapons formed a V-shaped formation. Though their expressions were relaxed, as if out for a stroll, their presence radiated the weight of Mount Tai.
“Leader?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
They were the Changsin Unit of Nangyang Pavilion.
“Brat, you’ve been holding up well,” So Jeon, the Changsin Unit Leader, said, placing a hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder. “You’ve brought no shame to Nangyang Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol bowed his head, and Je Woon, the deputy leader, grinned. “Bu Eunseol, you looked pretty heroic. Impressive.”
The other unit members laughed and chimed in.
“Didn’t we raise this kid from the start? He’s supposed to be this good!”
“Come back to the Changsin Unit when this is over, Bu Eunseol!”
“Quit your nonsense. Why would the future Nangyang Sect Leader return to the Changsin Unit?”
Despite his injuries, Bu Eunseol had marched toward three hundred enemies without hesitation. The Changsin Unit, watching, swelled with pride, their morale soaring.
“So Jeon…!” Jin Jamyeong gasped, recognizing the Changsin Unit Leader.
So Jeon was an unparalleled warrior of Nangyang Pavilion, capable of single-handedly decimating foes. His subordinates were monsters who could wipe out entire sects with just a few.
Step back.
The warriors of Hell’s Blood Fortress and White Horse Temple retreated. No matter their ferocity, they couldn’t face the Changsin Unit, known for annihilating entire factions.
“Move!” So Jeon bellowed.
The masters hesitated. Refusing meant clashing with the Changsin Unit. Though they didn’t fear death, the outcome was too obvious to ignore.
Jin Jamyeong, Eum Wi, and Ok Kiryung exchanged glances, sweating, before nodding reluctantly.
Swish.
The three hundred warriors parted, forming two lines to open the path.
“Hmph. The Ten Demon Sects rely on numbers alone?” So Jeon scoffed.
They had no retort. Three units from White Horse Temple and Hell’s Blood Fortress had united to kill a single young disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.
“Do well,” So Jeon said, patting Bu Eunseol’s back.
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands and bowed deeply. “I’ll return.”
He resumed his march. One step, two steps… He stood tall before the warriors of Hell’s Blood Fortress and White Horse Temple, pausing to survey them. His presence wasn’t that of an enemy but of a commander inspecting his troops, radiating unshakable authority.
“…!” The warriors meeting his gaze instinctively straightened. From this young man emanated the aura of an absolute master, commanding the world beneath his feet.
Creak.
As Bu Eunseol reached the end of the path, the massive gates of Majeon slowly opened.
At the entrance, black-robed warriors with raised swords stood in two endless rows, paying homage to Bu Eunseol, a candidate to succeed the Demon Emperor, who had overcome countless trials to arrive.
Step.
As Bu Eunseol strode forward confidently, the warriors lowered their swords in respect with each step he took.
Clack, clack, clack.
The formation extended to the heart of Majeon. At its end stood a grand hall, exuding an aura that seemed to press down upon the earth.
‘This is the Sacred Demon Pavilion…’ Bu Eunseol thought.
He had finally arrived at the Sacred Demon Pavilion, where the Demon Emperor resided.
