Deep into the night.
Seated at the desk in his office, Bu Eunseol tirelessly wielded his brush.
He was organizing the numerous righteous martial arts manuals he had studied in the Martial Emperor’s Hidden Vault.
Four hundred years ago, the Martial Emperor, Seop Muhun, dominated the martial world. He was renowned for perfectly mastering relatively simple righteous martial arts, unleashing formidable power.
But Bu Eunseol, having mastered all the martial arts in the vault, realized this was a misconception. The Martial Emperor’s true skill was the Thirteen Guiding Energies, which combined disparate righteous martial arts into a single, new martial art.
Moreover, like the Demon Emperor, he pursued the refinement of the spirit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to create the Martial Emperor’s Tranquil Awakening, a supreme mental technique.
Swish, swish.
Bu Eunseol transcribed the teachings stored in his mind, not as words but as lines and diagrams.
This was, after all, Majeon.
Even if it was the work of a figure from four hundred years ago, the sect would not tolerate studying the manuals of the Martial Emperor, once hailed as the greatest of the righteous path.
“Leader, are you unwell?” After Bu Eunseol remained in his office for two days straight, members occasionally visited to check on him.
When he gave no response, Myo Cheon-woo, unable to stand by, finally entered.
“Bu Eunseol, I’m coming in,” Myo Cheon-woo announced.
Despite his entrance, Bu Eunseol paid no heed, gesturing in the air or drawing strange diagrams.
“He’s training,” Myo Cheon-woo realized, recognizing that Bu Eunseol was immersed in a profound martial study, perhaps in a state of deep focus. He instructed the Death Shadow Corps members, “The leader is in critical training. Do not disturb him.”
From that day, the area around Bu Eunseol’s office became deathly quiet. To avoid interrupting his training, the members steered clear of the pavilion entirely.
Three days passed.
Bu Eunseol had filled over forty books with ceaseless lines and diagrams. Something kept surfacing in his mind, but it refused to take concrete form.
“Still only two techniques?” he muttered, shaking his head.
He stood, executing the Heaven-Earth Separation move from the Blazing Blood Hand with his left hand. As strength flowed into his legs, he unconsciously performed the Wave-Breaking Flow from the Thirty-Six Shadowless Steps.
Something astonishing happened.
Crack.
The chair he stood from split in two, as if sliced by a sword.
Any martial artist witnessing this would have been stunned. To unleash such sharp energy by merely combining a hand technique and footwork?
“Too weak,” Bu Eunseol said, frowning as he examined the diagrams and lines he had drawn.
Most of the martial arts in the Martial Emperor’s Hidden Vault were fist, palm, and movement techniques.
“Fist, palm, and movement…”
Realizing something, Bu Eunseol executed the Mighty Tiger Fist with his left hand while performing the Ten Thousand Tranquil Steps.
Something strange occurred.
Another hand technique naturally surfaced in his mind—the Great Rock Shaking Heaven Hand from the vault.
Pop!
As he executed three techniques simultaneously, Bu Eunseol shifted leftward, and a sharp energy surged from his right hand.
Crack.
A vase on the side table split in two.
Combining three distinct martial arts had created a technique that perfectly blended offense and defense.
“So this is what it meant to master them perfectly,” Bu Eunseol murmured.
He finally understood the profound principle of the Thirteen Guiding Energies left by the Martial Emperor.
It wasn’t about merely harmonizing specific martial arts. It required combining techniques for offense and defense—attack and guard—in perfect unity.
“But to perform movement, kicks, and different fist or palm techniques simultaneously is nearly impossible,” he mused.
He had only combined three of the simplest and easiest techniques from the vault. To fully unleash the Thirteen Guiding Energies required two conditions.
First, one must deeply master righteous martial arts, understanding their principles and teachings thoroughly.
Second, one’s legs, body, and hands must move independently, executing different techniques simultaneously.
This was far more challenging than dual-wielding techniques like the Dual Mind, Dual Use or Twin Tiger Technique.
The Martial Emperor.
His title was apt—a master who governed martial arts, a great grandmaster.
“It cannot be mastered in a short time,” Bu Eunseol admitted.
For the first time, he felt a wall.
He had always been able to mimic any martial art and grasp its essence easily.
But the Martial Emperor’s techniques—no, righteous martial arts—could not be mastered instantly and required prolonged refinement.
‘Is this the difference between demonic and righteous martial arts?’
Demonic martial arts were practical, quick to learn, and easy to deploy.
Righteous martial arts, however, required fully grasping their teachings to unleash their true power.
‘Hm.’ With a soft grunt, Bu Eunseol moved past a pillar in his office, performing a movement technique.
It appeared to be a simple Three Calamities Step.
In reality, he had executed the Nine States Single Flash, Water Dragon Palm, and Three Calamities Step in succession.
Slash.
A sharp mark appeared on the thick wooden pillar. The three movement techniques had combined into a unique kick, leaving a precise scar.
“So that’s why they said the Martial Emperor perfectly mastered ordinary techniques,” Bu Eunseol realized.
His martial arts couldn’t be stolen by observation and appeared deceptively simple. To martial artists unable to grasp their profound principles, they seemed like ordinary moves.
“Like the techniques of our pavilion, they leave no trace,” he noted.
The Thirteen Guiding Energies blended various righteous martial arts into one, lacking the distinct traits of righteous techniques.
“There’s no end to the path of martial arts,” Bu Eunseol said, shaking his head.
By chance, he had acquired exceptional techniques, but reaching their ultimate realm would take considerable time.
“I’ll have to integrate them in real combat,” he decided.
Ordinary martial artists would train until their techniques were second nature.
But Bu Eunseol had a goal.
Rather than spending time refining techniques, he aimed to perfect them through real battles.
It was a thorny path fraught with trials, where a single misstep could lead to death.
Yet he advanced fearlessly.
***
After four days of seclusion, Bu Eunseol finally emerged.
He saw the Death Shadow Corps members training diligently in the training ground. A young prodigy capable of facing the Bullet King alone, Bu Eunseol’s relentless dedication inspired his members.
The First Squad, led by Won Semun, now exuded the sharp aura of peak swordsmen.
The Third Squad had mastered the Black Poison Demon Art, their skin gleaming with an eerie sheen. Their skill surpassed level five, rendering their skin impervious to ordinary cuts.
The Second Squad showed the most progress. Previously focused on movement and stealth techniques, they had been trained by Bu Eunseol in various martial arts, becoming versatile warriors capable of holding their own in chaotic or direct combat.
“Leader, you’re out?” Won Semun and Jo Namcheon stood, followed by the resting members.
“Don’t mind me. Continue your tasks,” Bu Eunseol said, waving a hand as he headed toward the bamboo grove behind the quarters.
There, the Second Squad, led by Wi Cheongyeong, and the Fourth and Fifth Squads, led by Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Unryong, were training.
‘Hm.’ Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes, observing.
‘They’re not there yet.’ His gaze fixed on the Fourth and Fifth Squads led by Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Unryong. ‘It’ll take time.’
Their martial skills were exceptional, but they lacked experience teaching others. As martial geniuses far beyond ordinary standards, they struggled to connect with average members. Even imparting basic techniques was proving difficult.
“Leader,” Wi Cheongyeong said, approaching after finishing training, clasping his hands. “Have you ended your seclusion?”
“I was merely reflecting on some insights,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“I see. But…” Wi Cheongyeong lowered his voice, glancing at the Fourth and Fifth Squads. “Shouldn’t you assist them? The new members seem increasingly dissatisfied with training.”
“That process is also training,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “They’re struggling because they don’t yet understand each other’s temperaments. But once it’s over, the members will be tightly united.”
“I understand,” Wi Cheongyeong said, nodding in admiration.
Overcoming hardships together could hinder unity if made too easy.
“That’s all for today.”
“Dismissed!” Having completed their training quota, Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Unryong disbanded their squads.
Watching, Bu Eunseol slowly turned.
But then—
Tap, tap, tap.
With hurried footsteps, a burly man rushed toward him—Han Seowung.
“Leader, a warrior from the Solitary Light Pavilion seeks you!” Han Seowung said.
“The Chief Instructor must be summoning me,” Bu Eunseol assumed.
“No, it’s not that…” Han Seowung hesitated. “They’ve requested you at the small training ground in front of the True Heaven Hall.”
“The small training ground?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
The True Heaven Hall was used for ceremonies and events within Majeon. The small training ground was typically for lower-ranking warriors receiving formal titles, not for training.
Why summon him there?
“Understood. I’ll go,” Bu Eunseol said.
Descending from the bamboo grove, he saw a warrior in black robes standing respectfully before the training ground—Wi Chung, from the Solitary Light Pavilion.
“Leader,” Wi Chung greeted.
“What’s the matter?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“The Chief Instructor summons you,” Wi Chung said politely.
“Very well. Let’s go,” Bu Eunseol replied, stepping forward.
Wi Chung bowed. “The Chief Instructor ordered that you bring your weapon.”
“My weapon?” Bu Eunseol questioned. Unable to discern the Chief Instructor’s intent, he nodded. “Understood.”
Guided by Wi Chung, Bu Eunseol arrived at the small training ground before the True Heaven Hall.
Though called “small,” it rivaled the size of a major sect’s main training ground. The floor was paved with pale yellowish-brown stone, not bluestone, and a small armory stood to one side.
Step.
As Bu Eunseol stepped onto the training ground, a silver-haired elder stood at its center, hands clasped behind his back.
The Chief Instructor, the Dark King, Yeop Hyocheon.
“Death Shadow Corps Leader Bu Eunseol greets the Chief Instructor,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing respectfully.
Yeop Hyocheon turned slowly. “You stir storms every time you venture into the martial world.”
When Bu Eunseol returned from the Martial Emperor’s Hidden Vault, Yeop Hyocheon had been in an important meeting, so Bu Eunseol had only briefly reported his return before meeting the Purification Hall Master about relocating quarters.
“I heard you encountered Bukgung Ryeong on your way back,” Yeop Hyocheon said.
“That’s correct,” Bu Eunseol confirmed.
“How did you escape his grasp?” Yeop Hyocheon asked, a smile playing on his lips. “They say only traces of his Inner Bullet Technique were found, and you vanished.”
The sect’s search party hadn’t located the Martial Emperor’s Hidden Vault.
Likely, when Bukgung Ryeong broke through the door, it sank into the ground, as it had when Bu Eunseol left.
‘Strange. He didn’t track my movements this time?’ Yeop Hyocheon, alongside the Demon Emperor, always monitored his actions closely. But now, he seemed genuinely unaware, asking for details.
Yeop Hyocheon gazed at Bu Eunseol, lost in thought, with a peculiar smile. “Is that something you need to ponder before answering?”
“No, I was distracted by another thought,” Bu Eunseol replied, feeling a chill. “When he realized I faced the Beggar King honorably, he ceased his attack.”
“I see,” Yeop Hyocheon nodded, as if expecting this. “Bukgung Ryeong—impulsive and reckless, but one of the few upright figures in the righteous path.”
His tone suggested familiarity with Bukgung Ryeong.
“I’m curious,” Yeop Hyocheon said.
“About what?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“You mentioned he stopped, so you must have exchanged a few moves with him,” Yeop Hyocheon said.
“I…” Bu Eunseol began, intending to be honest.
‘I didn’t fight him. I merely dodged a couple of his Inner Bullet Techniques.’
But he swallowed his words as Yeop Hyocheon extended an arm. “Let’s see.”
“See what?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Your skill,” Yeop Hyocheon replied.
Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded.
The Dark King, Yeop Hyocheon.
The foremost of the Seven Kings of Death, his martial prowess was said to rival the Three Demons and Three Venerables.
To spar with such a master—how could he miss this chance?
“Then, forgive my rudeness,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands.
Yeop Hyocheon spoke solemnly. “No need for formalities.”
A faint gleam flickered in his eyes. “Show me your true skill.”
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol said, slowly grasping the hilt of his dark sword.
