The Hall of Solitary Enlightenment.
It was a library pavilion that gathered the outstanding martial arts manuals of the righteous sects, akin to Majeon’s Myriad Demon Scripture Vault.
“For the hall master or great master-level figures who achieve the greatest merit, grant access to the second floor of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment. And for the previous generation’s grand masters who render the greatest service, permit entry to the first floor or bestow elixirs that elevate inner energy.”
Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong slapped their knees in unison.
‘Why didn’t we think of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment?’
When it came to sword techniques and secret manuals, martial artists would leap from their beds at the mere mention. The martial arts of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment? It could instantly revive the morale of warriors who had hit rock bottom.
“We can open up to the second floor through the Commander, can we not?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Gongsun Dankyung nodded. “That is correct.”
“The end is near.”
With such rewards on the line, the morale of both divisions would pierce the heavens. Even if ordered not to, they would stake their lives to annihilate the Heaven-Human Cult. The finale was truly approaching.
“Relay this to the subordinates under the two vice-commanders.”
“Understood.”
“After sufficient rest, at the break of dawn, immediately exterminate the Heaven-Human Cult.”
Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong clasped their hands and bowed respectfully.
Gongsun Dankyung and Bu Eunseol, were figures whose stratagems and wisdom none could dare to match. Realizing this, they naturally submitted in admiration.
As the two vice-commanders departed, silence settled over the tent.
“It’s the final stretch.” Exchanging a subtle glance with Bu Eunseol, Gongsun Dankyung whispered. “Since we’ve pitched camp here, the Heaven-Human Cult will move soon, won’t they?”
“Yes.”
“My life now rests with Captain Seon.”
Bu Eunseol asked cautiously, “Are you not afraid?”
“Afraid?”
“If this gamble fails—if my abilities fall short—the Commander’s life could be in danger.”
“I don’t gamble. I only calculate.”
The final plan was about to begin. Should it fail… Gongsun Dankyung might lose her life. Yet far from fear, a smile played at her lips.
“And besides.” She lifted her long lashes and stared directly at Bu Eunseol.
“I trust Captain Seon.”
Confidence flowed from her jewel-bright eyes. Outwardly, she seemed an endlessly beautiful and gentle woman, but in truth, among all the women Bu Eunseol had met, she possessed unparalleled intellect and an unpredictable inner nature. He sensed she, too, hid some secret.
“I will do my utmost.” Hiding his thoughts, Bu Eunseol answered formally. Gongsun Dankyung offered a faint smile.
Now the true plan, staking their lives, would begin. If it succeeded… Bu Eunseol could immediately rise to a first-grade Captain of the Martial Alliance.
***
―To the hall master-level figure who achieves the greatest merit in the battle against the Heaven-Human Cult, the second floor of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment will be opened.
―To the previous generation’s warriors who fight most valiantly, the first floor will be opened.
When Gongsun Dankyung’s decree spread, the martial artists buzzed with excitement. It was the ultimate reward they could hope for.
Moreover, a battle without justification transformed in an instant into one they must win.
―Waaaah!
―Let’s go!
With morale soaring sky-high, the Divine Might Corps and Flame Wing Sword Corps charged straight toward the Heaven-Human Cult entrenched on Yangmun Mountain.
The battle erupted.
―Huh?
Only then did the Heaven-Human Cult sense something amiss. The Divine Might and Flame Wing Sword Corps, who always fought cautiously and sought only stable victories, now charged like rabid dogs, drooling, eyes rolled back, giving their all.
They no longer feared injury. In fact, they almost wished for it. The fiercer their fighting spirit, the higher their chance of reward.
Rumble.
In a single rush, the Divine Might and Flame Wing Sword Corps reached the Heaven-Human Cult’s main base and engaged in fierce combat.
No matter their twenty-fold numbers, no matter their desperate resistance—the bulk of the Heaven-Human Cult’s forces were third-rate warriors. They could not withstand the elite divisions, each man worth a hundred, charging in desperate hope of wounds.
―Send the Ghost-Masked Envoys!
Though the Heaven-Human Cult deployed every Ghost-Masked Envoy with superior martial arts, they could not halt the unstoppable advance.
As the two divisions dominated the battlefield, the prowess of Vice-Commanders Seong Joyeong and Muk Inhyeok began to shine.
Swish! Papapapa!
Seong Joyeong, heir of the orthodox sword clan Snow Shadow Sect, had mastered their swordsmanship to its pinnacle and created the Soaring Eagle Sword Technique, blending chaotic sword and scattered sword methods. Undefeated in every battle, he had finally become vice-commander of the Divine Might Division.
And Muk Inhyeok? As the legitimate son of the Iron Lion Sword Sect, he had roamed the martial world since age ten with a single Makcheon Lion Sword. Mastering sorcery and formations from a chance Taoist secret record, he was personally recruited by the Moon Shadow Great Master into the Martial Alliance. His outstanding merits in the Moon Shadow Corps caught the Flame Wing Commander’s eye, leading countless victories.
As the two vice-commanders unleashed their swordsmanship with full power, no one could block a single strike; enemies fell like autumn leaves in a storm.
Boom!
With an explosion, the gates of the Heaven-Human Cult’s main palace shattered. Seong Joyeong and Muk Inhyeok, having cut through countless Ghost-Masked Envoys, pushed into the grand hall where the cult leader resided.
“……!”
Glancing around, their eyes widened.
They had blockaded both paths of the Heaven-Human Cult the entire time. Yet the leader and key elders had already fled Yangmun Mountain?
―No way.
Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong exchanged looks.
Come to think of it, something was off. The forces at the entrance had fought with skill worthy of such fierce resistance, yet inside the cult, the warriors were pitifully weak, and defenses crumbled easily.
“A trap…!” They uttered it simultaneously.
If preparing for war with the Martial Alliance—if planning long-term—they would have devised such a strategy. And they had found the simplest way to end the fight.
“The Commander is in danger!”
The two immediately unleashed their qinggong and raced down Yangmun Mountain.
But reaching the Haseo camp would take at least half a sichen. The Heaven-Human Cult surely predicted their return time; the camp where Gongsun Dankyung stayed was already under attack.
“No!”
They flew like madmen with their qinggong.
If anything happened to Gongsun Dankyung, the Divine Might and Flame Wing Sword Corps could not escape responsibility.
***
Rumble.
Like a stampeding herd, over a thousand black-clad troops began encircling the plains near Haseo where Gongsun Dankyung’s tent stood.
All wore unique swords and black ghost masks. The Heaven-Human Cult’s elite forces, who had secretly slipped out of Yangmun Mountain through hidden passages—the Ghost-Masked Envoys.
“Who goes there!”
When the Flame Wing Sword Corps guarding the tent shouted,
―Kill them all!
The Ghost-Masked Envoys attacked instantly.
“Enemies have breached!”
At the Flame Wing Sword Corps’ whistle, the tent’s guard forces rushed to meet them. But only three hundred warriors were stationed here.
Blocking a thousand flooding Ghost-Masked Envoys was impossible.
“Commander!” The Flame Wing Sword Corps leader, Naeng Geom, ran up. “It’s a Heaven-Human Cult raid! You must evacuate at once!”
Gongsun Dankyung followed Naeng Geom out of the tent without delay.
But the surroundings were already packed with black-robed Heaven-Human warriors.
“Protect the Commander!”
The Flame Wing Sword Corps formed a circle around her tent, defending against the pouring attacks. Each possessed outstanding skill. Yet the Ghost-Masked Envoys wielded sharp swords and employed highly unusual swordsmanship. With numbers triple theirs, the situation was untenable.
“Urgh.” The corps fought desperately but half soon suffered grave wounds.
Whizz! Whirririk!
Then, sharp hidden darts rained from somewhere.
“Argh.”
“Guh!”
With screams, Ghost-Masked Envoys collapsed as if struck by invisible maces.
Tap.
At the same moment, a white-robed figure descended from the air before the sword corps.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Escort the Commander to safety now!”
With that short shout, Bu Eunseol fired more darts.
Every dart he launched struck true. Whenever lightning flashed, Ghost-Masked Envoys fell without fail. Boosted by Bu Eunseol’s efforts, the Flame Wing Sword Corps broke the encirclement and attempted escape.
But their numbers were too great; success eluded them.
“We cannot breach their ring!”
When Naeng Geom shouted, Bu Eunseol declared, “I’ll open a path!”
He drew his iron sword and unleashed a storm of sword energy.
Swish! Papapapapa!
His swordsmanship lacked raw power but was exquisitely precise, striking the Ghost-Masked Envoys’ vital points exactly. As one section of the encirclement collapsed under his onslaught, Naeng Geom immediately carved a route.
Tatatak.
With Naeng Geom leading, the Flame Wing Sword Corps and Gongsun Dankyung dashed forward.
They deployed qinggong to flee the area, but Haseo was already layered with the Heaven-Human Cult’s heavy nets. No direction offered escape, so Gongsun Dankyung cried, “Climb the cliff!”
Understanding her intent, Naeng Geom broke through while heading to the mountaintop.
A death-ground formation.
If escape from the encirclement was impossible, better to back against a river or cliff, block rear attacks, and hold with all strength until reinforcements arrived.
Whoosh.
But the Heaven-Human Cult had perfectly predicted their flight path and laid nets. As they raced up the mountain, reaching a wide clearing in the woods,
Whirririk.
Hundreds of Ghost-Masked Envoys blocked their way as if waiting.
“These bastards planned this from the start!” Naeng Geom bit his lip.
The Heaven-Human Cult, realizing victory over the Martial Alliance was impossible, had waited for the full assault on Yangmun Mountain, then used secret tunnels to exit and raid Gongsun Dankyung—blocking every possible escape route.
‘No way out.’ As Naeng Geom gnashed his teeth,
“Buy me half a ke (~8 minutes).” Gongsun Dankyung began rearranging stones and branches on the ground. “I set a formation on one escape route, just in case.”
At her words, Naeng Geom’s eyes flashed as he nodded.
‘Thank heavens the Commander prepared a formation in advance!’
In case of a raid, securing an escape was obvious. Anticipating a massive enemy assault and blocked routes, Gongsun Dankyung had pre-installed a delaying formation.
Hwaaak.
As she completed it, the surroundings blurred, revealing a narrow path allowing only about twenty men to pass.
“With this Heavenly White Flower Formation, no matter how many troops, they cannot charge all at once.”
At her assurance, Naeng Geom sighed in relief. A small force could now hold a large army. They could endure until the Divine Might and Flame Wing Sword Corps returned.
Rumble.
Meanwhile, twenty-odd Ghost-Masked Envoys poured through the path.
“I’ll take the front.” Bu Eunseol rushed forward, scattering darts.
Thanks to the Heavenly White Flower Formation, though encircled in a circle, Ghost-Masked Envoys appeared only from front and rear paths.
Clang! Clang!
Bu Eunseol alternated Cheonae Dart Technique and Thirteen Iron Sword Forms, dispatching attackers.
―Is Captain Seon’s martial arts that strong?
Naeng Geom and the Flame Wing Sword Corps gaped in awe.
Bu Eunseol was merely a second-grade Captain. They, a first-grade sword corps, believed they had surpassed him.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s martial studies shattered their pride, even evoking shame.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Each swing of his dark iron sword left faint afterimages in the air.
His swordsmanship appeared simple at a glance but contained indescribable profundity and lofty martial principles.
“Grah.”
“Urgh.”
Whenever Bu Eunseol swung, Ghost-Masked Envoys failed to dodge, and vital points were pierced by the sword tip.
It was upright orthodox swordsmanship subduing foes without killing moves.
As Bu Eunseol leisurely handled the charging Ghost-Masked Envoys, the sword corps gained courage and blocked the rear attacks.
“Hold a little longer!” Naeng Geom, directing the men, shouted loudly. “The vice-commanders will soon return with troops!”
Boom. Boom.
Then earth-shaking thuds resounded.
The endlessly charging Ghost-Masked Envoys temporarily retreated.
Boom.
As the ground-shaking noise neared, a figure emerged in the path.
A colossal middle-aged man with the height of practically a mountain appeared. Over eight cheok tall, his body was covered in fur over a cheok long. His face bore a black iron mask with large eye holes, showing slit-like eyes pointed skyward and beastly pupils glaring.
From afar, he resembled a tiger standing on two legs.
It was the Heaven-Human Cult leader, Ho Yeon-gyeong.
“Playing cute games.” Striding forward, he surveyed the Heavenly White Flower Formation’s mist and murmured low.
“Did you think such a formation would stop me?”
Possessing some dharma eye, he instantly spotted Gongsun Dankyung hiding among the men and burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!” He burst into a beastly laugh.
“Gongsun Dankyung! At last, I capture you.”
Strange. The Heaven-Human Cult leader spoke as if he had known Gongsun Dankyung for years.
“If I keep you for a couple years, they’ll come begging to negotiate.”
His inner energy surged and a tremendous aura from Ho Yeon-gyeong soared to the heavens. His eyes froze coldly, but his inner spirit maintained an indescribable calm.
If such a man unleashed swordsmanship, the power would defy imagination.
Tatatatak.
Sensing danger, Flame Wing Sword Corps men advanced, swords raised.
Sring.
Ho Yeon-gyeong drew the blade at his waist.
A bizarre sword with black-dyed blood grooves for smooth drawing when stained with blood or piercing muscle.
“No time—clear the vermin quickly.”
Boom.
As he raised the great sword, dark clouds gathered, dimming the sky.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Sensing dread, Naeng Geom charged, unleashing attacks.
He intuited that if Ho Yeon-gyeong fully deployed his blade art, devastating strikes would pour.
“Hap!” He unleashed the pinnacle of the Trouble-Severing Swordsmanship—mist-like sword energy enveloping Ho Yeon-gyeong.
“Hmph.” With a short snort, Ho Yeon-gyeong swung his great sword.
Sizzle.
Instantly, Naeng Geom was flung back as if pulled.
A single swing unleashed overwhelming pressure, repelling both sword energy and body.
Swish!
In that gap, Ho Yeon-gyeong cleaved the men protecting Gongsun Dankyung with his massive blade.
Swish! Swaaash!
With each step, limbs flew skyward.
Shocking. A mere cult leader possessed such profound martial arts? Why had this fact remained unknown to the martial world?
“Ugh.” A young swordsman, paralyzed by fear, trembled as the great sword descended to split him—
Clang!
A clear metallic sound rang out as a dark iron sword blocked the great blade.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Fall back.”
At his words, the man scrambled backwards.
Shrrk!
Fierce energy from the iron sword rebounded.
He had deployed Thirteen Iron Sword Forms.
“Ho.” Ho Yeon-gyeong’s eyes flashed as Bu Eunseol lightly deflected his strike.
“Who are you?”
“None of your concern.”
“Hmph.”
As Ho Yeon-gyeong’s shoulders twitched subtly, Bu Eunseol wasted no words, thrusting at his throat. A sword master’s strike begins with minute shoulder movement.
Ho Yeon-gyeong feigned calm while actually seeking an opening to attack Bu Eunseol.
“Impressive swordsmanship!” Finding no flaw in Bu Eunseol’s strike, Ho Yeon-gyeong retreated.
Flash!
Bu Eunseol’s sword cleaved the air again, scattering dozens of needle-like sword energies.
The pinnacle martial arts of the Boundless Master, the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms.
Ho Yeon-gyeong swung his massive blade at Bu Eunseol once more.
“Begone!”
Flash!
A wondrous blade art blending tyrannical blade, swift blade, and killing blade techniques.
Clang!
Yet Bu Eunseol blocked the oddly angled thrust with ease.
‘Not blade art.’
The moment weapons clashed, Bu Eunseol realized.
Ho Yeon-gyeong wasn’t simultaneously using three blade schools; the sword itself manifested blended energies of the three.
‘A demonic blade.’
It wasn’t Ho Yeon-gyeong’s blade mastery that was high—the sword he wielded was a demonic blade.
“Hehe!” Ho Yeon-gyeong swung the demonic blade like a storm.
Bu Eunseol used Grafting Flowers onto Jade and Thirteen Iron Sword Forms to deflect the torrent-like strikes in one flow.
But the blade energies, perfectly harmonizing three techniques, began breaching Bu Eunseol’s Thirteen Iron Sword Forms defense, nicking his body bit by bit.
Clang! Clang!
The two masters exchanged blows at close range for a time.
Experts gauged skill from a single move, thus Ho Yeon-gyeong realized this young upstart’s martial arts rivaled his own.
Yet he remained utterly relaxed.
Even if the Divine Might and Flame Wing commanders rushed back, it would take half a sichen.
With Gongsun Dankyung and her men fully encircled, there was no hurry.
‘Hmm.’
Conversely, Bu Eunseol could not hide his alarm.
Even for a cult leader, he had expected Seon Woojin’s martial arts to suffice.
But thanks to the demonic blade’s strange powers, Ho Yeon-gyeong displayed skill beyond Seon Woojin’s martial studies.
“You’ll make fine fodder for the Blood Wheel Demonic Blade.”
Ho Yeon-gyeong’s demonic blade, Blood Wheel, grew stronger the more it drank the blood of superior masters.
The greater the foe’s skill, the better the prey.
Bu Eunseol felt Gongsun Dankyung’s gaze from among the guards.
―Unleash your hidden strength.
Her eyes seemed to say exactly that.
‘This too was her plan.’
Even with Ho Yeon-gyeong’s martial prowess far exceeding expectations, her gaze remained steady.
‘To verify my concealed abilities in this fight.’
Moreover, the Flame Wing Sword Corps watched the battle with bloodshot eyes.
All were elite swordsmen who could instantly discern orthodox from demonic sword arts.
If Bu Eunseol used something like the Meteor Chasing the Moon form here?
Forget rising to first-grade Captain—he would have to prepare to leave the Martial Alliance.
