“You… already reached the Limitless Realm at that age?”
Song Baekdo’s voice trembled.
He was under the delusion that Bu Eunseol had peered entirely into his soul.
“No.”
“Then how do you know about Hyeok Ryeon-eung?”
“Because Hyeok Ryeon-eung unleashed the Soul-Seizing Spirit Words to kill me.”
When Song Baekdo’s face twisted in confusion, Bu Eunseol swiftly explained the events.
“…So in the end, you luckily leaped off a cliff and saved your life.”
Having heard the full story, Song Baekdo tilted his head.
“But why do you think this old man taught Hyeok Ryeon-eung? I never used the Soul-Seizing Spirit Words.”
“At the time, Hyeok Ryeon-eung claimed he was a disciple who had learned the Mind-Seizing Art from Sa Okcheong, known as the Illusion King. Yet no matter how vast the Three Realms may be, it seemed odd that two men who rose to fame in the same era had a master-disciple bond.”
“Hm.”
“Only later did I realize Hyeok Ryeon-eung had lied to me, and that a separate figure had imparted the Mind-Seizing Secret Arts to both men.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
“Moreover, the Soul-Seizing Spirit Words of the Illusion King and that of Hyeok Ryeon-eung differed vastly in power. It was as if the latter had been newly refined.” Bu Eunseol spoke with force. “And upon witnessing the ‘Harmony’ arrayed at Ghost Valley Pavilion, I began to suspect that the Valley Lord might be the master who taught Hyeok Ryeon-eung.”
Song Baekdo’s face showed incomprehension.
“You observed that Harmony?”
“Yes.”
“Then you truly have reached the Limitless Realm.”
To sense and savor the Harmony deployed at Ghost Valley Pavilion meant a level where no Mind-Seizing Secret Art could penetrate.
And only a master of the Limitless Realm could erect such a barrier of the soul.
“No. I merely achieved Spirit Regulation Harmony, allowing me to forge a soul-barrier.”
“Spirit Regulation Harmony? You achieved that, yet claim not to have reached the Limitless Realm?”
“My internal energy alone has abnormally reached an extreme height.”
“What?” Song Baekdo muttered with an expression of utter incomprehension. “To reach that level through inner power alone would require at least four hundred years of cultivation.”
“It’s a little over…… five hundred years.”
Song Baekdo froze as if struck on the back of the head.
Only then did he grasp that the young man before him had attained an unfathomable level of martial prowess.
Gulp.
Swallowing hard, Song Baekdo asked with a face still lost in confusion, “Speak precisely. What is it you want from this old man?”
“As I said, the Profound Hunt Stone.”
Bu Eunseol stared straight at Song Baekdo.
“Of course, since you say you were part of the Three Realms, it would be even better if you told me everything about them.”
Song Baekdo fell silent.
What was certain was that the young man before him truly opposed the Three Realms, and not a single word was a lie.
“How much do you know about the Three Realms?”
“That they control the entire martial world, are divided into the Infinite Realm and the Clear River Realm, and have messengers called Emissaries who convey orders. Beyond that, nothing.”
“Hm.”
“I know nothing of why or when they arose, why they are called the Three Realms, or what their purpose is.”
“Hm.” Song Baekdo fell silent again.
Then, drawing a deep breath, he slowly opened his mouth.
“This old man once led the Heaven-Seizing Sect.”
Song Baekdo.
His true identity was Do Songbaek, the former Sect Leader of Heaven-Seizing Sect, said to have reached the pinnacle of Mind-Seizing Secret Arts.
“You, sir…”
This time Bu Eunseol could not hide his shock.
Thirty years before the Illusion King appeared in the martial world, the Heaven-Seizing Sect Leader had already reached the apex of Mind-Seizing Secret Arts…
To think he was leading the Valley of Lost Souls in such robust health?
“To be precise, this old man did not teach Hyeok Ryeon-eung.”
Song Baekdo—no, Do Songbaek—continued in a low voice.
“Hyeok Ryeon-eung had already achieved considerable mastery in Mind-Seizing Art on his own. He came to me and proposed we research Mind-Seizing Secret Arts together, claiming that if two such men combined their strength, we could reach the ultimate pinnacle.”
“I see.” Bu Eunseol nodded faintly.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s absurdly advanced Mind-Seizing Art had come from researching the secret arts alongside a genius like Do Songbaek.
“Yet all of that was this old man’s delusion. The Mind-Seizing Art we created together…… instead destroyed men’s minds and threw the martial world into chaos.”
“What exactly is the Infinite Realm’s purpose in doing such things?”
“According to Hyeok Ryeon-eung, the Infinite Realm’s goal is to save the martial world from rushing toward destruction.”
“Destruction…”
“Literal destruction. Everything obliterated, leaving nothing behind.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
The word destruction felt eerily similar to the ‘annihilation’ of the martial world prophesied long ago by Dharma Seeker Moryun.
“The Infinite Realm claims to save the martial world?”
“Indeed.”
Bu Eunseol asked with a face of incomprehension, “Then what is the Clear River Realm?”
“I only followed Hyeok Ryeon-eung into the Infinite Realm and researched Mind-Seizing Secret Arts; I know little of the other realms. However…”
Do Songbaek said, “What I do know is that the highest figure in the Infinite Realm is the Heavenly Deity. All plans are decided by them. The Clear River Realm is likely the same.”
“Are they the realm lords?”
“That I cannot say. Whether there is someone even higher…… this old man does not know for certain.”
Drawing another deep breath, Do Songbaek began explaining in detail what he knew.
“The Infinite Realm has ordinary ranks who only receive orders, and above them the Emissaries who issue those orders. Emissaries can freely use the Infinite Realm’s troops and intelligence network.”
Pausing, he continued with a sigh, “And above the Emissaries are the Special Divine Ranks.”
“Special Divine Ranks…”
“Yes. The Special Divine Ranks gather opinions and relay them to the Heavenly Venerable and Emperor God; the Infinite Realm operates according to their conclusions.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened at the unexpected revelation.
He had assumed the opposing Three Realms were a perfect parallel point-organization.
In reality, the Infinite Realm had a supreme leadership at the top and a clear vertical chain of command and control—no different from any other sect.
“So the Special Divine Rank not only commands Emissaries but also conveys opinions to the Heavenly Venerable and Emperor God.”
“Precisely.”
“Then Hyeok Ryeon-eung……”
“Correct. Hyeok Ryeon-eung held the extremely high title of Dharma Demon Reverend among the Special Divine Ranks.”
“Dharma Demon Reverend.”
“And…” Do Songbaek continued in a low voice, “What the Infinite Realm feared most was not the Clear River Realm, but the third realm that has yet to reveal itself. According to Hyeok Ryeon-eung, the moment they step forward in earnest… everything ends.”
Drawing a deep breath, he said with a sigh, “That is all this old man knows of the Infinite Realm.”
Bu Eunseol inhaled deeply.
By sheer chance entering the Valley of Lost Souls and through Do Songbaek, he had finally grasped the long-sought system and structure of the Three Realms.
‘And the Infinite Realm claims to save the martial world from destruction.’
Until now, the Infinite Realm had manufactured human flowers and puppets while committing every atrocity in the martial world.
Yet they claimed to save it from destruction?
What was stranger still was the intuition that Hyeok Ryeon-eung had not simply lied.
“Perhaps this too is fate.”
At that moment Do Songbaek spoke again.
“This old man founded the Valley of Lost Souls to atone for the sins committed while part of the Three Realms. Countless people were manipulated by them and died because of it.”
Do Songbaek had joined the Three Realms because of Hyeok Ryeon-eung.
He had created a powerful Mind-Seizing Art, but in the end it became a tool for the Infinite Realm to control the martial world.
Realizing too late that everything was wrong, Do Songbaek left the Three Realms and lived helping others.
“No more long tales are needed. To this old man, it is all in the past.”
Swish.
Do Songbaek drew from his bosom a stone emitting blue light.
It was the Profound Hunt Stone.
“Take it. And there is no need to return it.” Do Songbaek spoke earnestly.
“Everyone in the Valley of Lost Souls lives having forgotten painful memories—including this old man.”
Only after hearing this did Bu Eunseol understand.
Do Songbaek, under the pretext of researching Mind-Seizing Secret Arts with Hyeok Ryeon-eung, had committed unforgivable atrocities.
And now, by helping others writhing in pain… he sought to forget his past sins and torment.
“If one can forget, forgetting is best.”
Placing the stone in Bu Eunseol’s hand, Do Songbaek turned away weakly. He looked like just another soul of the Valley of Lost Souls, tormented by memories he could not forget.
‘Hm.’
A strange sentiment stirred in Bu Eunseol.
Some people grow through hardship and adversity, while others merely wish to forget pain.
Do Songbaek had reached the pinnacle of Mind-Seizing Secret Arts. Yet unable to control his anguished emotions, he simply longed for the endless torment to cease.
“However, you must persuade your companions yourself.” Do Songbaek, pausing mid-step, murmured, “They have already tasted peace of mind…”
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol was not particularly worried.
Nae Bihon had to avenge his son, and Dae Guhwi needed recognition from the Beast Palace Lord to resolve his mother’s tragic death.
Neither man would settle for the peace granted by oblivion.
Rumble.
At that moment, a thunderous boom shook the entire the Valley of Lost Souls.
“Sir!” Simultaneously, a man came running breathlessly to Do Songbaek.
“Sir, disaster!”
“What is it?”
“Someone is using explosives to destroy the valley’s mechanisms and force entry.”
“Explosives?” Do Songbaek’s face paled drastically.
To breach Ghost Valley Gate and forcibly enter the Valley of Lost Souls would require at least tens of thousands of geun of gunpowder.
And the only ones who would pour such gunpowder without hesitation were the Three Realms.
‘They traced Brother Thunder’s movements.’
Sensing they were the Three Realms, Bu Eunseol said to Do Songbaek, “Valley Lord. It is likely because of my sworn brother.”
“Sworn brother?”
“Yes. My brother has long been enemies with the Infinite Realm, and this time he was injured fighting someone using the Blade Emperor’s martial arts.” Bu Eunseol shook his head. “We were careful to erase traces… but it seems they discovered he was recovering and came to interfere.”
Yet the reaction was odd.
Do Songbaek shook his head as if that were not it and told the man, “First, evacuate everyone in the valley to Yeonwol Cave. If it’s there, at least…”
Boom! Bang!
But the explosions were already shaking the interior of the Valley of Lost Souls.
They had charged in without giving time to prepare.
―Aaaah!
Faint screams began erupting from all directions.
Likely the Three Realms’ experts had already entered the Valley of Lost Souls and were indiscriminately slaughtering.
“Do not worry. I will handle it.” As Bu Eunseol gathered his power with a grave expression,
“It’s fine.” Do Songbaek lightly placed a hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
“Do not step forward.”
Stiff.
At that instant, Bu Eunseol’s body froze solid.
Do Songbaek had used a supreme art akin to the Pulse-Sealing Punishment Technique—not point-sealing or mind-seizing, but paralyzing every nerve in the body.
It was so natural and devoid of hostility that Bu Eunseol could not evade it.
“What are you doing?”
“It is not because of your sworn brother; they came looking for this old man.” When Bu Eunseol’s face showed alarm, Do Songbaek said, “I knew they had been searching for this place for some time. I thought there would be no issue since nothing happened until now, but in the end… it has come to this.”
―Aaaah!
Another scream rang out; Do Songbaek shook his head and spoke quickly.
“If they wanted blood, this valley lord would never have founded the Valley of Lost Souls.”
“Valley Lord.”
“What they want is this old man’s life. Give them that, and everything will be resolved.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
Do Songbaek smiled as if he had attained enlightenment.
“They merely fear this old man’s Mind-Seizing Art. There cannot be two with such ability.”
Leaving those words, he hurried toward the direction of the screams.
“That is wrong.” Bu Eunseol shook his head, watching Do Songbaek depart.
“The Three Realms do not stop slaughter once their goal is met. Because their identity must never be exposed.”
Whooosh.
At the same time, five-colored flashes erupted from his body.
Do Songbaek knew Bu Eunseol’s inner power exceeded five hundred years and used a bizarre Pulse-Sealing Punishment Technique that could not be undone by internal energy alone to subdue him.
But Bu Eunseol’s strength was not limited to inner power.
Sizzle.
His body began alternately freezing and melting, emitting heat.
By alternately releasing extreme yin and extreme yang energies, he sought to dissipate the force Do Songbaek had poured into him.
Crack.
The more he alternated the two energies, the more his rigidly frozen body began to move.
‘Hurry.’
Bu Eunseol poured all his power into it.
If he did not deal with them quickly, not only the people of the Valley of Lost Souls but also Nae Bihon and Dae Guhwi’s lives would be in danger.
* * *
“Why……”
Dae Guhwi, who had been tilling the field, trembled.
Since arriving here, he had forgotten all painful memories and savored an unprecedented peace. Yet suddenly monstrous figures poured in, setting the beautiful the Valley of Lost Souls ablaze.
Not only that—they brutally slaughtered the pure people who had cooked delicious meals, worked alongside him sweating, and told heart-soothing stories.
Falling blood formed ponds, piled corpses formed hills.
At that horrific sight, Dae Guhwi felt a rage he had never known.
“Uwoooo…… Aaaaaah!” A colossal roar resounded through the Valley of Lost Souls.
Simultaneously, Dae Guhwi’s body swelled until it tore his clothes, his eyes emitting crimson energy.
Swish!
He became a streak of light racing through the Valley of Lost Souls.
Every time Dae Guhwi moved so fast his form vanished, fountains of blood sprayed from the assassins’ bodies.
Having found peace and repose, then witnessing a scene reminiscent of hell—
The barrier in his soul shattered in an instant, and the beastly power sealed by his mother’s death erupted all at once.
―Krrrng!
Each time Dae Guhwi’s roar echoed, assassins collapsed like leaves in autumn wind.
The Wild Beast Palace’s martial arts transcended human limits in movement and power.
Attacking instinctively like wild animals, the initial moves were unpredictable.
It exerted even greater might in one-against-many battles.
[So one beast from Beast Palace was mixed in.]
At that moment a low voice sounded, and a black shadow appeared.
A figure wearing a mysterious mask—none other than an Emissary of the Three Realms.
“Kahak!” Spotting the Emissary, Dae Guhwi bared sharp fangs and charged.
It looked clumsy on the surface, but the attack anticipated the Emissary's evasion and counter.
Boom!
A sudden explosion rang out.
At the same time, Dae Guhwi was flung back over a dozen jang as if struck by an invisible iron weight.
“Kaht!”
Yet he sprang up like a coil and lunged again.
A body under beastly power became as tough as if trained in horizontal refinement arts.
[Hmph.] Snorting, the Emissary extended a finger.
Flash!
A razor-sharp beam poured forth—
“Kak!” Blood spurted from Dae Guhwi’s shoulder.
The finger wind, faster than the eye could see, pierced like a blade through Dae Guhwi’s iron-hard body in an instant.
Tremble.
Moreover, the finger wind carried a mysterious power; Dae Guhwi could not move, as if his blood points were sealed.
“Future threats must be uprooted at once.”
The Emissary strode toward the fallen Dae Guhwi.
“Do not harm him!”
At that moment a gaunt middle-aged man over seven cheok tall blocked the Emissary.
It was Nae Bihon.
The Emissary stared at Nae Bihon’s face for a long while, then made a strange expression.
As if he had seen him somewhere but could not recall.
[You…] The Emissary blinked beneath the mask. [Who are you?]
No wonder—the Thunder God had always been shrouded in Thunder Divine Energy, his eyes dyed with madness. But now Nae Bihon stood clear-eyed, free of thunder spirit and madness… utterly unrecognizable.
“You don’t need to know. Get lost.”
The Emissary frowned, then flicked his finger in an instant.
A sharp finger wind pierced toward Nae Bihon’s brow.
Or should have pierced.
Nae Bihon had only lost his memories.
He had not lost the combat sense ingrained in his body.
The instant he sensed the finger wind aiming for his brow, he lowered his stance and threw a punch.
Boom!
An explosion rang out, dust billowing everywhere. At the same time, Nae Bihon, who had struck, was flung five jang away.
He had landed one blow but failed to pierce the Emissary’s protective true energy and was sent flying instead.
[A small fry, then.]
As the Emissary raised his hand again,
Step, step.
An old man in white robes, resembling an immortal, walked before the Emissary.
It was Do Songbaek.
“Goodness.” Do Songbaek’s face was lost in despair as he surveyed the horrific scene.
The people staying in the valley had writhed in pain and suffering their whole lives, finally attaining peace of mind and living happily.
To mercilessly slaughter these pitiful souls who were about to lead happy lives?
[Long time no see.]
The Emissary narrowed his eyes into crescents through the mask.
[I wore out iron shoes searching for you. Who would have thought you were buried in this deep valley of Yunnan, a place we investigated long ago?]
Emissaries of the Three Realms rarely spoke beyond necessity to avoid exposing their identity.
Yet with Do Songbaek, he chattered as if there were no need to hide.
[Try running again. This time I’ll find you within a month.]
“I will not run.” Do Songbaek walked forward calmly and said to the Emissary, “These people have nothing to do with this old man. Attack no further.”
[…….]
The Emissary stared at him for a moment, then lightly raised his right hand.
At that, the assassins attacking the valley people halted simultaneously.
[Very well. Then there is no need to waste time.]
The Emissary looked at Do Songbaek, eyes narrowed into crescents.
And in an utterly sinister voice said,
[Commit suicide cleanly. Then we will withdraw quietly.]
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