Seeing Bukgung Ryeong’s bewildered expression, Bu Eunseol, as if reading his thoughts, said calmly, “You’ll understand if you watch.”
“…Very well.” With a deep sigh, Bukgung Ryeong nodded and stepped back.
Bu Eunseol walked forward confidently. Watching Bukgung Ryeong fall into a heart demon had granted him a profound realization.
Bukgung Ryeong’s Inner Bullet Technique was an orthodox technique that maximized energy to unleash explosive power. And energy stemmed from the heart. Even a grandmaster like Bukgung Ryeong, revered as a pillar of the righteous path, saw his energy weaken when his spirit faltered.
‘The difference between the demonic and righteous paths is ultimately meaningless.’
When the heart wavers, energy scatters. When energy is lacking, the heart falters. The demonic and righteous paths, though divided, converge at their peak. They are merely arranged in a different order—one leading, the other following.
‘All this time, I was too obsessed with the power of martial arts.’
Looking back, it all began when he shattered the Four Fragrances. In a state of rage, with his spirit fused with the Emotion-Severing Secret, he fully embraced the demonic path, achieving near-invincible prowess. Though he eventually returned to a balanced state, he became fixated on the overwhelming, destructive power of the Wishful True Binding. The intense, devastating strength he felt when consumed by the demonic path haunted him, driving an endless desire to reclaim it.
‘But the true power of martial arts lies in its subtlety.’
To free Bukgung Ryeong from his heart demon, Bu Eunseol had poured everything into the Seven Demon Fists. With each move, he focused his mind, countering Bukgung Ryeong’s Inner Bullet Technique at point-blank range. By prioritizing the intricacy of martial arts and coldly analyzing his opponent’s techniques, he had subdued the Bullet King with nothing but his fists.
‘The paths of demonic and righteous are no longer important.’
Unlike ordinary people, Bu Eunseol’s spirit was a blend of both paths, capable of merging or shifting at any moment. He didn’t need to choose one yet—it wasn’t time. There was no need to unify them or reject either, for he had not yet mastered the full subtlety of both paths.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol turned and strode toward the Five Heroes.
“You really think you can take us alone?” Ku Yeonghwa sneered, eyeing Bu Eunseol’s battered body.
“Afraid?” Bu Eunseol retorted.
“Hmph.”
Wooong!
Bu Eunseol summoned the Martial Emperor’s Absolute Technique. The dark energy flowing from him transformed into a golden wave. A single, sharp strand of energy swirled around him. Instead of forcing out five strands, he lightly employed an orthodox technique. Power wasn’t the key—using the subtlety of the Thirteen Guiding Energies to strike precisely was what mattered.
“He’s using some bizarre martial art! Take him down now!”
―Biii!
With the sound of the Heavenly Golden Flute, the four weapons unleashed their full might, resembling Bukgung Ryeong’s Inner Bullet Technique split into four streams.
Whiiik!
Facing their onslaught, Bu Eunseol unleashed the hand technique, Blazing Blood Hand, with his left hand. A sharp burst of energy surged from his wrist.
Shraaaak!
“What is that?!”
The Five Heroes recoiled in shock. A crescent-shaped wave of energy surged toward them, threatening to cleave their bodies. They combined the power of the Ten Cosmic Weapons to block it, but something strange happened.
Shiiik!
The energy split into five strands, swiftly targeting their wrists.
Slash.
Blood sprayed as the right hands of all Five Heroes, still clutching their weapons, fell to the ground.
“Argh!” Screaming briefly, they quickly sealed the pressure points on their wrists. Even then, they retrieved their weapons with their left hands.
“Ugh…” The Five Heroes, faces mixed with fear, stared at Bu Eunseol.
‘This is the essence of martial arts.’
In the past, he would have unleashed all five strands of the Thirteen Guiding Energies from the start. But this time, he deliberately used a single strand to lure their guard down. When they casually countered, he seized the moment, splitting the energy into five strands to sever their wrists in one stroke.
“Ugh…” The Five Heroes retreated, trembling with fear. To think that they, who had fought Bukgung Ryeong for over forty exchanges, had their wrists cut in a single move? Had this young man reached the Supreme Realm?
“Pathetic,” Bu Eunseol said, his expression dripping with disdain. “Did you really think you fought the old man as equals?”
He cast a scornful glance. “Even after seeing him fall into a heart demon trying to spare you?”
Unable to refute his piercing words, the Five Heroes hung their heads.
Bukgung Ryeong stepped forward. “Drop your weapons.”
The Five Heroes, faces pale with fear, shook their heads. Despite trembling, they clung to their weapons.
“We can’t,” Ku Yeonghwa said, mustering courage. “With these weapons, we can roam the martial world with pride.” His face contorted as if spitting blood. “How can we abandon what we sacrificed everything to obtain?”
“Pathetic,” Bukgung Ryeong said in a low voice. “You couldn’t even defeat this young man with those weapons, yet you dream of dominating the martial world?”
“How many in the martial world have his level of skill?”
“Hahaha.” Bukgung Ryeong let out a hollow laugh, realizing these men were beyond redemption, their character utterly deplorable. “They massacred righteous martial artists here with vile methods… and still dream of roaming the martial world, avoiding the strong?”
“…”
“Now I understand why you could never advance your martial arts,” Bukgung Ryeong said, his face filled with rage. “You lack even the basic convictions of a martial artist. You’re nothing but chaff.”
Wooong!
As Bukgung Ryeong spread his five fingers, a brilliant light burst forth, and the weapons in their hands floated into the air.
Whiiiing!
A storm of unprecedented energy swirled around him. With a flash of blue light in his eyes, the five floating weapons shattered into pieces and fell to the ground. He had obliterated them by colliding them with his Inner Bullet Technique.
Thud.
The Five Heroes, staring blankly at the broken weapons, collapsed to their knees, finally grasping the true power of the Bullet King.
“Without weapons and with crippled arms…” Ku Yeonghwa said to Bukgung Ryeong. “Kill us. Cleanly.” As Bukgung Ryeong sneered and raised his finger, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“If you lose an arm, does that mean you can’t wield a sword?” he said. “If I lost my right arm, I’d train with my left. If I lost both, I’d master kicks with my legs.”
Among the masters of the Nangyang Pavilion, many were disabled, injured in real battles. Yet, they didn’t despair. With their broken bodies, they deepened their martial arts, becoming exceptional masters. Overcoming despair and dedicating oneself to martial arts could lead to greater strength. That was the greatness of humanity. With a heart of steel, any obstacle—physical or spiritual—could be overcome.
“Those words are for heaven-blessed masters like you…” Ku Yeonghwa muttered.
Splatter!
Blood suddenly burst from his mouth. Crippled and knowing their deeds would disgrace them in the martial world, he lost all hope and ended his life. The other four followed suit, blood spraying from their mouths.
Thud.
The Five Heroes’ lifeless bodies fell, their eyes wide open. Bukgung Ryeong gazed at them coldly and shook his head.
“Indeed, losing an arm doesn’t make one a cripple,” he said. Had he lost his right arm, he would have trained his left. Even without both, he would have found another way to unleash his Inner Bullet Technique.
“But these fools gave up their lives over a single arm.” Muttering hollowly, Bukgung Ryeong’s face was a mix of emotions. “I’ve protected the righteous martial world all my life because I believed in their righteousness.”
“There’s no need to despair,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “How many in the world can claim righteousness like you?”
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head. “The righteousness I speak of is the basic decency humans should have—not killing or harming others for personal gain, like those of the demonic path.”
His eyes slowly lost their light as he fell silent. “But now, I don’t know what righteousness or evil truly is.”
Bu Eunseol spoke slowly. “In this world, the victor becomes king, and the loser a traitor. Those with power are righteous; those without are wicked.”
“…”
“When a righteous martial artist kills, it’s called upholding justice. When a demonic martial artist kills, they’re condemned as savage.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“That’s just how the world works,” Bu Eunseol said with a sigh. “Martial artists kill without hesitation, just because they walk different paths.”
Pondering his words, Bukgung Ryeong suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahaha.” Though he laughed heartily, his eyes carried a trace of sorrow.
“I’m ashamed,” he said. He realized Bu Eunseol had not only mended his fractured spirit but had ascended to a higher realm. Yet, he himself was still caught in the confusion of righteous and demonic paths.
But Bu Eunseol’s words had calmed the storm in his heart.
“At my age, to fall into a heart demon…”
“It was a situation that could drive anyone to it,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “I went through something similar long ago. Falling into a heart demon is an opportunity to advance your spirit. Next time, use it to seek enlightenment.”
“Heh, thank you.” Looking at the distant sky, Bukgung Ryeong said wistfully, “I realized long ago, even at my age, that I hadn’t broken through my heart’s barriers.”
What is the righteous path? What is the demonic path? Were they just convenient concepts created to bind oneself or others? Countless realizations pierced Bukgung Ryeong’s mind. Through this ordeal, he had elevated his spirit to a new level and reclaimed his wavering beliefs.
Hoo.
With a deep breath, dozens of golden orbs floated around him—the Violet Lightning Golden Orbs, his signature weapon.
Kwauung!
As he pointed, the orbs embedded deeply into the cave’s entrance, carving the character for “Bullet” into the stone. The orbs then rose again, raining down like a storm, destroying the bodies of the Five Heroes and all others around.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong, was taking responsibility for the carnage on Ghost Island, claiming it as his own.
“Is this necessary?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Bukgung Ryeong gave a dry smile. “If word spreads that they killed each other out of greed for weapons, the foundation of the righteous path will crumble irreparably.”
“I’ll handle it,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “As a disciple of the demonic path, even if I’m blamed for slaughtering the righteous, it won’t matter.”
“No,” Bukgung Ryeong said, gazing at the sky with a faint smile. “One day, you may be the only hope to save the martial world from ruin.”
These were words unimaginable from the Bukgung Ryeong who had once believed only the righteous path was just. He had finally realized that the one to save the martial world wasn’t chosen by the divide between righteous and demonic but by a righteous mind and strong spirit.
“Old man.”
“I’ll leave the martial world for a while.”
“Didn’t you promise to spar with me?”
“Heh,” Bukgung Ryeong said in a low voice, turning away. “Your spirit and martial arts have already reached a higher realm. Let’s postpone our duel.”
Muttering softly to himself, ‘Thank you,’ his words were too quiet to reach anyone but his own mind.
Whiiik!
With a flash of movement, he vanished into the sky, heading for the boats anchored at the shore to leave alone.
“Hmm.” Watching Bukgung Ryeong’s departing figure, Bu Eunseol muttered, “There’s no need to feel ashamed over this.”
He thought Bukgung Ryeong’s hasty departure stemmed from the shameful truth of the righteous path’s fall. But there was something Bu Eunseol couldn’t understand. Why did Bukgung Ryeong, burdened by some debt to the righteous martial world, sacrifice so much to protect it?
Clatter.
A strange sensation caught his attention. A peculiar light shone from among the stones shattered by Bukgung Ryeong’s Violet Lightning Golden Orbs.
Swish.
Drawn to the light, Bu Eunseol reached out. A low mechanical sound followed, and a passage to an underground chamber opened. Its deep structure suggested a hidden treasury.
“The old man’s Inner Bullet Technique tends to cause things like this,” Bu Eunseol said with a smile, recalling how he discovered the Martial Emperor’s Treasury. He stepped inside.
At the passage’s end was an empty stone chamber. Closing his eyes, Bu Eunseol used the Void Heart Command to scan the interior.
“A hidden treasury built by the Shadow Sect that once ruled Ghost Island,” he murmured. Opening his eyes, he sent a sharp gust of energy toward the wall.
Clank! Clank!
The wall slid open like a drawer, revealing a secret compartment crafted with seamless precision by the Shadow Sect.
“Even the forces that spread Jangbodo didn’t find this mechanism,” he noted, seeing the thick dust indicating decades of neglect. The treasury’s ingenious design had eluded even those who set the trap.
“Just weapons,” he said, inspecting the contents—divine weapons rivaling the Ten Cosmic Weapons. But Bu Eunseol had no greed for weapons. Seeing a sharp dagger, armor, and a thin chain, he thought of Myo Cheonwoo, Yoo Unryong, and Black Leopard.
‘They have weapons suited to them.’ Losing interest, he turned to leave, but a strange sensation underfoot stopped him.
Thud!
Striking the floor with the Void Heart Command, he sensed intricate mechanisms within. Another hidden device.
Kuweung.
Using the Thousand Jang Drop, light spilled from the opposite side as a large chest rose.
Click.
Opening it, he found a blackened blade, slightly larger than a dagger but closer to a short sword. Its oversized hilt seemed mismatched.
“What’s this?” Feeling the hilt, Bu Eunseol’s eyes lit with curiosity. Complex mechanisms were embedded within.
“What is it?” Gripping and twisting the hilt, a solid metal piece sprang out from the blade’s spine, designed to connect with another metal component.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol realized. The oversized hilt was meant to combine with a larger blade, likely a hollow greatsword used together with this short sword. “What’s this now?”
Touching a protruding spike under the mechanism, another click sounded, and a thin needle shot out.
“Ugh.” The needle was so sharp it drew blood from Bu Eunseol’s hand instantly. Dropping the sword, his hand swelled blue—the needle was coated with the deadly Flesh-Rotting poison.
Wooong!
Circulating his inner energy to expel the poison, black liquid dripped from the wound, emitting a foul stench.
“Flesh-Rotting Poison…” Staring at the sword’s hilt, Bu Eunseol noticed something odd. The protruding needles were shaped to be held by only two fingers.
‘Could it be?’ He retrieved a glove from the Four Fragrances’ mechanism and carefully put it on before picking up the sword again.
Wooong.
The sword trembled as if recognizing its long-lost master.
“This sword…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes shook. Could this strange short sword be the beloved weapon of Bu Zhanyang, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade?
“No way.” He shook his head. How could Bu Zhanyang’s sword, belonging to the demon who destroyed the Shadow Sect, be stored in their treasury?
“But…”
A sword designed to be held with two fingers—such a weapon was unique to Bu Zhanyang in the martial world.
