Bu Eunseol blinked at Dan Cheong’s astonished expression.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, your martial arts level… how did it…” Dan Cheong, still blinking, suddenly closed his mouth. He realized his behavior was unbecoming of his position as Deputy Pavilion Master.
‘What in the world happened? To think his martial arts realm could change so much in just a year?’ Though he rarely ventured into the martial world and stayed mostly within Nangyang Pavilion, resulting in modest renown, Dan Cheong was, in truth, one of the great masters of martial arts, overseeing the martial world.
He instantly discerned that Bu Eunseol’s prowess had reached the mid-stage of the Supreme Realm, far beyond its initial stage.
“Ahem.” Looking at Bu Eunseol, Dan Cheong cleared his throat again and said, “Your journey through the martial world wasn’t in vain. You’ve made significant progress.”
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a soft knock on the door was followed by the maid’s quiet voice.
“The Great Lord of the Peongan Corps has arrived.”
“Let him in.” At Dan Cheong’s command, a middle-aged man with a jade-like appearance, clad in white silk, entered. It was Baek Yeon, the Great Lord of the Peongan Corps.
“Great Lord.” Bu Eunseol bowed, and Baek Yeon’s face showed slight surprise.
“I heard you had returned, but…” After scanning Bu Eunseol’s form, Baek Yeon’s eyebrows arched slightly upward. “You’ve made considerable progress. I hardly recognize you.”
At this point, Bu Eunseol grew curious. Everyone he met marveled at how much he had changed, yet he himself felt no difference.
“Do I seem that different?”
“Hm?”
“I’ve heard it several times since arriving at the pavilion… but I don’t feel anything in particular.” At Bu Eunseol’s serious expression, Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon exchanged glances and burst into hearty laughter.
“That’s only natural,” Baek Yeon said, chuckling. “The realm of martial arts isn’t something you can confirm with your eyes or measure with an objective standard. It’s merely a yardstick created for convenience by the great masters of martial arts.”
Pondering Baek Yeon’s explanation, Bu Eunseol asked again, “So, you’re saying I still lack the discernment to feel that yardstick?”
“Not quite. If my martial arts had advanced compared to a year ago, you’d have noticed it clearly. But it’s hard to perceive changes in your own aura.”
Dan Cheong, who had been listening silently, added, “Martial arts, at their core, come from observing things outside oneself—beasts or nature, for instance—and finding principles within them.” Gazing at Bu Eunseol, Dan Cheong continued in a low voice, “But when you master those principles, you can discern and unravel the phenomena and changes within your own body. Those who reach that level are what we call great masters of martial arts.”
Dan Cheong’s explanation not only clarified the meaning of a great master but also conveyed the profound principles of martial arts.
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned dazed, as if struck on the back of the head, before his eyes gleamed. Stepping back, he bowed deeply, his head nearly touching the ground.
“Thank you for your enlightenment.” Thanks to Dan Cheong’s guidance, Bu Eunseol resolved several lingering questions about martial arts.
Of course, this was only possible due to his exceptional insight and comprehension.
“I can guess your martial arts level without looking, but I’m curious about your actual skill,” Baek Yeon said.
Dan Cheong nodded. “Indeed. Since it’s a rare occasion… shall I test him myself?”
Bu Eunseol’s face lit up at the prospect of Dan Cheong personally guiding him.
“Will you teach me a lesson?”
But Baek Yeon shook his head firmly. “Absolutely not.”
“What?”
“Teaching techniques is one thing, but sparring is out of the question.”
Due to his limited activity in the martial world, Dan Cheong’s martial prowess was not widely known. But Baek Yeon, who had grown up with him, knew that Dan Cheong’s true strength was terrifying enough to tear heaven and earth apart.
What if, in the heat of sparring, Dan Cheong got carried away and failed to control his strength? Bu Eunseol could sustain severe, irreparable injuries.
“You’ve already entered the Supreme Realm. Knowing your personality, you’d keep pushing until you dropped. That could lead to the Deputy Pavilion Master injuring you.” In other words, Bu Eunseol’s martial arts had reached a level that couldn’t be taken lightly.
‘I’m not sure whether to be happy about this or not.’
As Bu Eunseol’s face fell, Baek Yeon said, “Don’t worry. There’s someone perfectly suited to be your opponent.”
Near the reed field by the back garden of Clear Breeze Pavilion, a man stood tall, wielding a massive sword.
It was So Jeon, the Great Lord of the Changsin Corps.
“Hahaha! So it comes to this.” Looking down at Bu Eunseol, he laughed heartily, as if exhilarated. “My hands were itching to see how much you’ve grown, and now the Deputy Pavilion Master has even set the stage.”
Instead of responding, Bu Eunseol scanned his surroundings.
In the reed field were not only Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon but also Deputy Lord Je Woon, members of the Changsin Corps, and young experts from Nangyang Pavilion who had previously sparred with Bu Eunseol.
“Does a spar need to be this grand?” Feeling the weight of the gazes, Bu Eunseol wore a troubled expression, but Dan Cheong spoke up.
“Weren’t these the same sect members who helped you build your practical martial arts foundation before? Now they’re here to learn from you.”
“Understood.”
“Then let’s begin.” At Dan Cheong’s words, Bu Eunseol immediately drew his Black Blade.
Shing.
Seeing the gleaming black sword accompanied by a sword cry, So Jeon bared his white teeth in a grin.
“You’ve acquired a fine sword.”
“It’s sharp, so be careful.”
“Hah! Who do you think you’re warning?” So Jeon, with his great sword slung over his shoulder, beckoned with his hand.
“Strike first.” Nodding, Bu Eunseol unhesitatingly swung his Black Blade upward from below, executing the first move of Heaven and Earth Divide.
It was a technique combining the Supreme Heavenly Blade and heavy sword methods. With this move, Bu Eunseol paid respect to So Jeon, whose teachings had laid the foundation for his Supreme Heavenly Flow.
“You’ve modified the Supreme Heavenly Blade.”
“It’s more like the Supreme Heavenly Sword.” Nodding, So Jeon swept his great sword horizontally, pushing back the pressure Bu Eunseol unleashed.
“…!” Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
So Jeon’s single move not only blocked his attack but completely sealed off the three subsequent sword paths.
‘To read my follow-up moves at a glance.’ Bu Eunseol realized anew just how exceptional So Jeon’s prowess was. ‘Even at full strength, he’s a tough opponent.’
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol unhesitatingly unleashed the Supreme Heavenly Flow, thrusting at So Jeon’s throat. The move embodied the principle of Breaking Form with Formlessness, subtly inducing gaps in the opponent’s defense while protecting his own body.
“Well done!”
Unable to find a flaw in Bu Eunseol’s move, So Jeon offered praise.
“It doesn’t encompass all techniques—it’s unbound by technique itself.”
Instantly grasping the sword intent of Breaking Form with Formlessness, So Jeon unleashed the Supreme Heavenly Blade.
“Block this!” Raising his great sword overhead, a tremendous force surged, pushing back Bu Eunseol’s sword move.
The power seemed several times greater than the Supreme Heavenly Sword Bu Eunseol used.
Whoosh!
So Jeon’s great sword came crashing down, as if to split heaven and earth, aiming to cleave Bu Eunseol’s head.
‘I can’t dodge!’ Bu Eunseol attempted to use Swift Beyond Shadow, but it was too late.
The sword aura flowing from the great sword’s tip sealed off all his evasion routes and retreat paths.
Clang!
Left with no choice, Bu Eunseol raised his Black Blade to meet the great sword head-on.
Boom.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol’s knee nearly touched the ground. A mountain-like internal energy erupted from the great sword, pressing down on his body.
‘I can’t match his internal energy either.’ Though Bu Eunseol’s Ban-geuk Method had reached the cusp of the third level, So Jeon’s internal energy was a step above.
‘I need to counter with technique!’ Bu Eunseol spun his Black Blade rapidly to disperse the incoming force. But So Jeon adapted, shifting his moves in response—tightening when Bu Eunseol deflected, and pressing when he relaxed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew in the air as the Black Blade and great sword clashed relentlessly, swirling like a vortex. After about twenty exchanges, the two stepped back as if by mutual agreement.
So Jeon stood calmly, holding his great sword aloft, while Bu Eunseol, with his Black Blade lowered, was breathing heavily.
“Haa… haa…” Bu Eunseol, whose stamina could endure days of relentless qinggong without faltering, was panting after just twenty exchanges with So Jeon.
“Heh heh heh. I’ll have to get serious.” With a clank, So Jeon lowered his great sword to mid-level, baring his fangs in a grin. “No holding back now… no way.”
Rumble.
At that moment, a thunderous sound erupted from So Jeon’s great sword. He was about to unleash a deadly move, drawing on his full internal energy.
“So Jeon, that’s enough,” Baek Yeon shouted, watching the scene, but his words didn’t reach So Jeon.
“You’d better give it your all for this one!”
Rumble!
The thunderous sound from the great sword grew louder, and the breeze at his feet turned into a gale. In that instant, Bu Eunseol sheathed his Black Blade behind his back. Closing his eyes, he drew upon his full energy.
Boom!
Suddenly, a red radiance surged from his body like an erupting volcano. He had fully unleashed the Ban-Geuk Energy coursing through him.
“Supreme Heavenly Tyrant Blade—!”
The world darkened, and a bolt of blade aura, like lightning, came crashing down toward Bu Eunseol’s head.
It was a force of nature, impossible to dodge or block.
Shing!
At that moment, the Black Blade, sheathed behind Bu Eunseol’s back, sprang free.
Skree!
A cry like that of a soaring hawk echoed as it met the descending blade aura.
He had successively unleashed the first move of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, Meteor Chasing the Moon, and the fourth, Caged Bird Yearning for Clouds, amplifying their power.
Flash!
A dazzling sword light flared in the small space between Bu Eunseol and So Jeon. As their swords clashed, both simultaneously shifted their techniques.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
To the onlookers, it seemed as though multiple moves were unleashed, but So Jeon executed a single, heavy, and ever-changing blade technique.
Bu Eunseol, appearing to unleash a flurry of strikes, had actually chained three moves of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, creating a swift and unpredictable deadly technique.
“Ugh.” Among the watching Nangyang Pavilion martial artists, those with weaker internal energy closed their eyes.
They lacked the ability to appreciate the intricate interplay of blade and sword shadows, and the complex moves left them dizzy.
“…” The light that had filled the reed field dissipated.
Bu Eunseol’s sword was back in its sheath. So Jeon, too, had his great sword slung over his shoulder again. If someone had just arrived, they might have thought the spar hadn’t even begun.
“Hmm.” So Jeon’s low grunt broke the silence.
Though he had maintained a relaxed smile throughout, his brow was now furrowed as if he’d bitten into a bitter chili.
“How did you train your sword over the past year?”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly, “I sought out the strong and fought them.”
“That’s all?”
“And… I gained many insights.”
“Insights, huh.” Nodding, So Jeon turned abruptly. “Let’s spar again next time.”
Without waiting for Bu Eunseol’s reply, he strode out of the reed field.
“Great Lord, wait for us!” Je Woon and the Changsin Corps members, who had been watching in a daze, bowed to Dan Cheong and hurriedly followed.
The remaining Nangyang Pavilion martial artists also bowed to Dan Cheong before leaving the reed field.
“Impressive.” Baek Yeon approached Bu Eunseol, standing tall in the empty reed field, and smiled.
“To block So Jeon’s blade move head-on—it’s hard to believe even seeing it.”
“I only… managed to block one of the Great Lord’s moves.” Bu Eunseol’s expression was grim.
Despite giving his all, he had barely managed to block a single one of So Jeon’s blade moves.
“One move?” Baek Yeon said, incredulous. “You blocked the Supreme Heavenly Blade, one of So Jeon’s three ultimate moves, without a scratch. How can you call that just one move?”
“Hahaha! That was refreshing!” Dan Cheong approached, laughing heartily and patting Bu Eunseol’s shoulder. “That guy, who never listens to me, had his pride wounded and slinked off? I can’t remember the last time I saw him so deflated. Hahaha!”
Despite Dan Cheong’s jesting, Bu Eunseol’s expression didn’t brighten.
Noticing this, Baek Yeon asked with a puzzled look, “Why the long face since earlier? You look like you suffered a crushing defeat.”
“If the Great Lord So had fought with the intent to kill, I was wondering… whether I could have blocked it.”
“What?” Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon exchanged stunned glances.
It dawned on them that Bu Eunseol had been fighting with real combat in mind, not just a spar.
“Hahaha!” Dan Cheong burst into satisfied laughter and nodded. “That’s it. That’s why this guy has progressed so quickly compared to others.”
In Bu Eunseol’s mind, there was no concept of sparring or competition. In every fight, he focused solely on how to defeat his opponent with full force.
In Nangyang Pavilion, which pursued practical martial arts, it was no surprise his skills advanced so rapidly.
“Bu Eunseol, you’ve grasped and applied the essence of our pavilion’s practical martial arts faster than anyone.” Nodding with an impressed expression, Dan Cheong said something unexpected.
“You may not yet match So Jeon, but at this rate, a confrontation with a Grand Master is something to look forward to.”
“A Grand Master…?”
“Indeed.” A spark, as if it could burn a soul, flashed in Dan Cheong’s eyes.
“An order has been issued to gather all Ten Demonic Warriors at Majeon.”
