For Bu Eunseol, who had reached the Supreme Heavenly Realm, Formless Energy was no more threatening than a passing breeze.
Yet, when the middle-aged man unleashed his Formless Energy, it reminded Bu Eunseol of the Sword Demon, Wi Hyeokgun, who had attacked him in the Hellish Blade Realm.
“Mmm.” But such thoughts lasted only a fleeting moment.
Bu Eunseol deliberately staggered back a few steps, pretending to be overwhelmed by the energy. If his true strength were exposed, his entire plan would unravel.
“Do you understand?” the middle-aged man asked.
With a pained expression, Bu Eunseol bowed his head. “I understand.” Satisfied with Bu Eunseol’s submissive demeanor, the middle-aged man nodded approvingly.
“And… if you ever tire of being a mercenary, come find this Hall Leader.” Casting one last glance at Bu Eunseol’s face, the middle-aged man turned and walked away without lingering.
“What just happened?” Jong Jeongyak approached, asking. “The Seven Strings Sect? Are you really a successor of that sect?”
Bu Eunseol staggered again, as if greatly affected by the Formless Energy, and shook his head.
“Who was that man?”
Blinking her large eyes, Jong Jeongyak whispered, “You really don’t know?”
“What do you mean?”
“That was Master Yuk Jangcheon, the Hall Leader of the Ascendant Martial Hall.”
“Yuk Jangcheon, the Palm King?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
That hulking middle-aged man was Yuk Jangcheon, the Palm King—one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, the supreme commander of the Martial Alliance’s martial arts instructors?
“I didn’t know,” Bu Eunseol said, feigning a shiver of fear.
Jong Jeongyak laughed. “It’s alright. Since Master Yuk has acknowledged you, you should be fine from now on.”
‘Acknowledged, huh… Perfect.’ Hearing her words, Bu Eunseol inwardly smirked.
The Martial Alliance was indeed the Martial Alliance.
It might seem lax on the surface, but in reality, it was far more formidable than Majeon’s headquarters.
When an outside mercenary like him entered, they likely mobilized their entire intelligence network to scrutinize every detail of his background. Finding no issues, they had sent a terrifying master like Yuk Jangcheon to verify his identity once more.
‘It was fortunate I entered the Martial Emperor’s Vault.’
If Bu Eunseol had merely imitated righteous martial arts as he did in the past, his true nature would have been exposed immediately. But having deeply studied various martial arts in the Martial Emperor’s Vault, he could wield righteous techniques authentically.
Thus, he had perfectly deceived even a formidable master like Yuk Jangcheon, the Palm King.
‘The Martial Alliance. Nothing here is easy.’
The righteous martial world’s power surpassed that of the demonic path, and the Martial Alliance’s might outstripped Majeon’s strength.
A single misstep here, and even someone like Bu Eunseol would face instant death.
“You seem quite shaken,” Jong Jeongyak said.
Bu Eunseol forced a smile. “I’ll be fine after a short rest.”
Staggering as if deeply shocked, he headed back to his quarters.
***
By nightfall, Jong Jeongyak was meeting daily with the Secret Flower Garden Master to prepare for a successful Ten Righteous Conference.
With the Secret Flower Garden Master’s help, she began gathering evidence to prove Danri Muk’s misconduct. Neung Joun, having seemingly let go of his wariness toward Bu Eunseol, stopped guarding him and went to assist Jong Jeongyak.
“If you feel restless, it’s fine to take a walk. The guards will stop you if you try to enter restricted areas,” Neung Joun had said.
Moreover, after learning of Bu Eunseol’s supposed sect, his attitude had become noticeably friendlier.
Most mercenarys hailed from demonic or dark paths. But upon learning that Bu Eunseol was a successor of the once-renowned righteous sect, the Seven Strings Sect, Neung Joun showed considerable goodwill.
Click.
As Neung Joun left, Bu Eunseol slipped out of the quarters discreetly.
‘I should investigate another area tonight.’
The mechanism in the storage warehouse was highly suspicious, but Danri Muk had altered the tile arrangement the previous night. Since it was unlikely he’d leave traces so soon, Bu Eunseol planned to explore other areas in the meantime.
‘Shall I venture a bit deeper?’
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol moved slowly, heading toward the eastern gate of the Martial Alliance, an area he hadn’t explored the previous night.
That was where the residences of masters on the level of the Alliance Leader or the Four Gods and Seven Kings were located.
‘About fifty paces should be enough.’ Bu Eunseol planned to use his Mind-Piercing Technique from a distance of about fifty paces, avoiding getting too close.
Any closer, and he risked arousing suspicion. If a direct confrontation occurred? He’d face an endless stream of masters against whom he stood no chance.
‘A mechanism sound.’ As he approached the eastern gate, Bu Eunseol perked up his ears and stared at a building.
It resembled a large tower, and a faint grinding sound of mechanisms emanated from the entire structure.
‘There’s a hidden space.’ Carefully surveying the tower’s surroundings, Bu Eunseol covered his face with a pillowcase from his pocket.
He cautiously entered and followed a passage illuminated by soft light. Upon reaching the end, he found a vast hall with small stone caskets placed throughout.
‘These are…’ Examining the caskets closely, he saw they were inscribed with the Dharma names of monks.
‘I came to the wrong place.’
This was likely a reliquary tower, storing the relics of eminent monks affiliated with the Martial Alliance.
‘These are precious treasures in their own right, so there would be mechanisms.’ Nodding faintly, Bu Eunseol turned to leave the passage when— “Amitabha.”
A low chant came from behind him.
“What brings a nocturnal visitor to this old monk’s sanctuary at such a late hour?”
Bu Eunseol was startled.
Not only had someone approached so closely, bypassing his Beast Way’s senses, but…
Even though the voice came from behind, it resonated clearly in his ears.
‘An opponent I can’t handle.’ Tensing, Bu Eunseol slowly turned around.
There stood an elderly monk in robes, wearing a faint smile. His eyes sparkled with the clarity of a youth, and his long, willow-like eyebrows were white as snow.
He was undoubtedly a high-ranking monk from the Shaolin Temple.
“I didn’t come with ill intentions,” Bu Eunseol said respectfully, clasping his hands. “If the great master shows mercy, I’ll quietly withdraw.”
“Heh, this is a sacred Buddhist sanctuary, off-limits to outsiders.” The monk smiled innocently, like a child. “Shouldn’t you at least tell this old monk your sect and name, so I have something to say to the Buddha?”
“If I intended to reveal that, I wouldn’t have worn a mask.”
“Fair enough.” The monk shook his head regretfully and said, “Then I’ll have to ask your body directly.”
Whoosh!
The monk lightly waved his hands, as if shooing a fly. Instantly, a gale-like force tore toward Bu Eunseol’s face, threatening to rip his skin.
‘Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm?’
The technique was the initial move of the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm, considered Shaolin’s greatest technique, once used by the genius monk Kwang Yeon.
But when Kwangym Yeon performed it, it was soft, with the palm’s force spreading slowly. This monk’s version, however, unleashed a tempest, its force so profound that it stripped away the characteristic gentleness of Buddhist martial arts.
‘Tch.’ Bu Eunseol immediately used Swift Beyond Shadow to evade the palm force. But in that instant, the force split into thirty-two streams, enveloping his body.
‘I can’t dodge this.’ Bu Eunseol panicked.
To seal all his escape routes in just two seconds?
‘Think later.’ He attempted to counter with the Thousand Hands Shattering Form to neutralize the palm force.
But a thought flashed through his mind.
‘I mustn’t use demonic martial arts.’ There was no malice in the monk’s eyes, and a faint smile played on his lips.
He likely had no idea Bu Eunseol was from the demonic path, assuming him to be a late-stage disciple of the Martial Alliance.
Swish!
While Bu Eunseol was lost in thought, the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm grazed his face. In an instant, the mask covering his face was snatched away by the monk.
‘How is this possible?’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes filled with shock.
Even if he was briefly distracted, to have his mask taken so easily? If the monk had harbored malice, he could have crushed Bu Eunseol’s face with a single move.
‘This unassuming old monk possesses martial arts that could shake the heavens.’
“Oh?” The monk, gazing at Bu Eunseol’s revealed face, let out a gasp.
Though Bu Eunseol was using the Face and Bone Shifting Art at the cost of one-tenth of his inner energy, the monk’s eyes seemed to pierce through to his true appearance.
“Not only is your face radiant, but your eyes are brimming with vigor. Filled with killing intent, yet devoid of malevolence…” The monk smiled innocently and said, “Which sect could have produced such an outstanding disciple?”
He was convinced Bu Eunseol was a disciple of a righteous sect, not the demonic path.
“Judging by your eyes, you won’t tell me.” The monk spread his small hands wide again.
“Shall we ask your body once more?”
Whoosh!
His words were long, but his movements were lightning-fast. The monk’s small palms unleashed another sticky, powerful Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm.
‘I can’t block this.’ This version was a hundred times stronger than Kwang Yeon’s.
No righteous martial art Bu Eunseol could mimic could possibly counter it.
‘No choice.’ Even if the monk had no intent to kill, being struck by that force would leave him with severe internal injuries or unconsciousness.
That would ruin his mission to thoroughly investigate the Martial Alliance.
Swish! Swish!
At that moment, sharp energy erupted from Bu Eunseol’s body. From his legs and arms, he unleashed a blend of different righteous martial arts in a single burst.
It was the Thirteen Guiding Energies of the Martial Emperor, the ultimate righteous martial art from four hundred years ago.
“Oh?” The monk gasped in admiration.
The sharp energy Bu Eunseol unleashed began to dispel the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm one by one.
“Remarkable martial arts…” The monk, still marveling, lightly waved his hands.
Despite the casual motion, the energy of the Thirteen Guiding Energies dissipated like melting snow.
‘Prajna Great Power?’ The monk hadn’t used a special technique to counter the Thirteen Guiding Energies.
With the immense, resilient force of Prajna Great Power, he had instantly altered the principles of the Thirteen Guiding Energies.
‘A master of the Infinite Realm?’
Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded.
To manipulate the nature of an opponent’s martial arts with formless power? This monk’s skill proved he had surpassed the Supreme Heavenly Realm, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.
“Now, try receiving this.” The monk drew his hands back to his chest and spread them wide again.
Whoosh.
This time, sixty-four palm shadows enveloped Bu Eunseol’s body.
It was another Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm.
Whoosh…
But something astonishing happened. The palm shadows moved as if time had slowed to a crawl.
“…!” Bu Eunseol’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.
The slowly unfolding Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm wasn’t merely a multiplication of palm shadows.
Each strike was imbued with different angles and timing. In other words, the monk had created an entirely new martial art within a single technique.
‘This is…’
A brilliant realization sparked in Bu Eunseol’s eyes. At the same time, his hands lightly traced a circle.
It resembled the movements of the Taichi Fist of the Wudang Sect.
Crack!
Five streams of energy surged from Bu Eunseol’s body. These streams began to erase the sixty-four palm shadows one by one.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Unlike before, the energy of the Thirteen Guiding Energies was now incredibly sharp, moving freely through the air like living dragons.
If he had previously forced the martial arts together to form the Thirteen Guiding Energies, now he unleashed powerful, precise energy with natural movements.
Boom!
As Bu Eunseol finally dispelled all sixty-four palm shadows, the monk’s hands slowly came to a stop.
“Haa, haa.” Bu Eunseol breathed heavily.
It wasn’t from exertion.
He had entered a trance-like state, having comprehended a profound new principle, and unleashed the Thirteen Guiding Energies instinctively.
“Why…” Bu Eunseol said, barely regulating his inner breath, clasping his hands toward the monk.
“Why did you impart such teachings to me?”
The monk hadn’t attacked him.
By slowly unfolding the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm, he had transmitted profound martial principles to Bu Eunseol.
“Not only have you deeply mastered various righteous martial arts, blending them into one, but your inner energy is as pure and robust as this old monk’s…” The monk stared into Bu Eunseol’s eyes and said, “How could I not impart a lesson to such a disciple?”
‘Does he mistake me for a Great Righteous Master?’
The Great Righteous Masters were trained in the ultimate techniques of the Nine Great Sects, tailored to their abilities. The monk likely mistook Bu Eunseol for one of the eighteen Great Righteous Masters cultivated by the Martial Alliance.
“But in return, make one promise to this old monk.” Yet the monk’s next words made Bu Eunseol realize it wasn’t a misunderstanding.
“When great danger arises in the future… promise to be an unshakable pillar of the martial world.” The monk smiled warmly and said, “No matter where you stand, remain steadfast…”
His eyes, sparkling mysteriously, were filled with trust.
‘It wasn’t a misunderstanding.’ From his tone and demeanor, the monk wasn’t mistaking Bu Eunseol for a Great Righteous Master.
Then why had he imparted such enlightenment?
Did he know of the Martial Emperor’s techniques?
Or was it simply because he recognized Bu Eunseol as a late-stage disciple who had deeply mastered righteous martial arts?
Or perhaps… did he possess the ability to see the future through the Insight of Destiny?
“I understand,” Bu Eunseol said.
Though his thoughts lingered, his actions were swift. Seeing the compassionate light in the monk’s eyes, Bu Eunseol instinctively clasped his hands deeply and bowed.
“I will do so.”
“Then, that’s enough.” The monk smiled warmly and turned away. “We’ll meet again if fate allows.”
He slowly vanished into the darkness beyond the stone caskets.
“…” Bu Eunseol stared blankly at the passage where the monk had disappeared.
Even after emerging from the tower, he felt as if he were still under a spell.
The moonlight shone brightly, yet he felt like he was wandering in a dream.
***
The next day, Jong Jeongyak and Neung Joun were still frantically organizing documents.
When mealtime arrived, Bu Eunseol joined them at a nearby dining hall. Perhaps because it was late for breakfast, the hall was nearly empty.
“Last night, while taking a walk, I saw an interesting place,” Bu Eunseol said, clearing his throat and speaking softly. “There was a small tower visible near the eastern gate.”
Jong Jeongyak blinked and nodded. “You mean the Golden Phoenix Tower. Why?”
“Who lives there?”
“No one lives there, actually.”
According to her explanation, the Golden Phoenix Tower was a place where the relics of eminent righteous martial artists who had protected the martial world were enshrined.
Naturally, no one resided there, and only the cleaning monks occasionally entered to maintain it.
Then was the monk Bu Eunseol saw last night a ghost?
‘It wasn’t a ghost.’
The sleeve of his robe was sharply torn from the residual force of the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm. Even if the monk were a ghost, it made no sense.
Why would a Shaolin high monk appear as a ghost to teach him about the Thirteen Guiding Energies by modifying the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm?
“Was there any Buddhist ceremony held there recently?” Bu Eunseol asked, rephrasing his question.
Jong Jeongyak nodded. “How did you know? Once a year, the Shaolin Temple holds a Dharma ceremony there.”
Scratching her forehead, she nodded again and said, “Not long ago, the Divine Monk, Master Hong Hyeon, personally conducted a special ceremony.”
“Hong Hyeon…”
A spark flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“You mean Master Hong Hyeon, the Buddha Venerable of the Three Venerables, said to be over two hundred years old?”
