Suppressing the surge of emotion, Bukgung Ryeong shouted loudly.
“Hmph, you think I’d need help from the likes of you?” His rejection was harsh, but his voice trembled slightly.
“I’m not offering help—it’s mutual benefit,” Bu Eunseol said with a smirk, speaking casually. “As long as I don’t return to Majeon, the attacks on me will continue. If we join forces, won’t my journey through the martial world be a bit easier?”
In truth, it was an excuse.
If he wasn’t going to fight Bukgung Ryeong, he could simply return to Majeon and be done with it.
“Join forces, huh…” Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes twitched.
If he teamed up with this exceptional young talent of the demonic path, they would form an unstoppable duo.
“Hmph, easier? This journey will put our lives on the line,” Bukgung Ryeong said, suppressing his rising emotions with a snort. “They’ll stop at nothing to prevent me from finding the Ten Cosmic Weapons.”
“Isn’t that just part of roaming the martial world?” Bu Eunseol replied.
“Fine,” Bukgung Ryeong said, nodding as if he’d made up his mind. “Once this matter is settled, I’ll give you that fight. A real one, enough to shatter any hesitation in your spirit in an instant.”
“Deal,” Bu Eunseol said, a smile spreading across his face.
In the end, the two men, transcending age and faction, became temporary allies.
“Where are those Ten Cosmic Weapons?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Bukgung Ryeong gazed at the dimming sky and said in an eerie voice, “Ghost Island.”
***
Not far from Deungju Prefecture, there was an uninhabited island where the Shadow Sect once thrived.
The disciples of the Shadow Sect were all masters of mechanisms and esoteric formations. It was said they could hide themselves with just a single pebble. They had set up intricate mechanisms and formations across the island, making it appear completely empty to outsiders.
This was why the island where the Shadow Sect resided was named Ghost Island.
But forty years ago, the Shadow Sect, renowned for its marvelous mechanisms and formations, vanished from the martial world.
They were annihilated by the Great Slaughter Star of the demonic path, Bu Zhanyang, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade. The reason was their collaboration with the Assassination Veil, which had repeatedly attempted to assassinate Bu Zhanyang.
In fact, most of the traps set by the Assassination Veil to kill Bu Zhanyang were crafted by the Shadow Sect. Upon learning this, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade single-handedly stormed Ghost Island and eradicated the sect.
Swish.
A massive sail billowed tautly, embracing the wind.
A ship, riding a favorable breeze, surged through the waves toward Ghost Island. On the deck stood an old man in white robes and a man in gray-black attire, side by side.
They were Bukgung Ryeong and Bu Eunseol.
“It’s been years since I’ve fought such a brutal battle,” Bukgung Ryeong said, shaking his head as he looked at his hands.
The journey to board the ship and reach Ghost Island had been a blood-soaked path.
Every step was stained with crimson.
Assassins came relentlessly, no matter where they went. At inns, poison was slipped into their food; at lodgings, traps and hidden weapons awaited.
A merchant at a street stall would attack, or a woman holding a child would hurl an explosive. Due to the unending onslaught of assassins, the two had to avoid cities, traveling only remote paths, sleeping outdoors, and foraging for their own food.
“If it weren’t for your help, I still wouldn’t be on this ship,” Bukgung Ryeong said, offering rare, sincere praise. “You’re young, but you seem to have more experience in the martial world than I do.”
Without Bu Eunseol’s aid, even with his exceptional skill, Bukgung Ryeong would still be overwhelmed dealing with the relentless assassins.
“Likewise,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Without you, I would’ve had to abandon this journey long ago and return to Majeon.”
Without Bukgung Ryeong’s help, Bu Eunseol’s quest to advance his martial arts would have been cut short, forcing him back to Majeon while fending off assassins.
“Here,” Bu Eunseol said, pulling a mask from his robes and handing it to Bukgung Ryeong as a faint island appeared in the distance. “We don’t know what’ll happen next, so it’s best to wear a mask.”
“No need. Those on the island are all righteous heroes,” Bukgung Ryeong replied.
“Righteous heroes, huh,” Bu Eunseol said, shaking his head as he gazed at the distant sky. “If they were truly worthy of being called heroes, they wouldn’t have come here.”
Bukgung Ryeong fell silent.
If they truly possessed the upright values and detached mindset of heroes, they wouldn’t have come to Ghost Island to seize the Ten Cosmic Weapons.
“You might be right,” Bukgung Ryeong said with a deep sigh.
Though a seasoned veteran with keen insight, he felt like a child before Bu Eunseol.
“As I’ve said before, you feel like an old man who’s lived longer than I have,” he said, shaking his head with a bitter expression. “Wearing a mask is pointless anyway. My martial arts are recognizable even to the blind.”
The Bullet King’s Inner Bullet Technique produced thunderous sounds. When he unleashed his skills, martial artists could identify him from a hundred paces away.
“By the way, are you sure this is fine?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“What do you mean?”
“We’ve already been delayed by those masked assassins.”
“Even if we’re ten days late, it doesn’t matter,” Bukgung Ryeong said confidently. “A treasure hunt only ends when a supreme master or a coalition like the Martial Alliance or Demon Sect intervenes.”
Narrowing his eyes, he continued, “Only overwhelming martial power, too great to challenge, can subdue those blinded by greed.”
“That might be true in the heart of the Central Plains, but this is a remote island far from the mainland,” Bu Eunseol said, his eyes gleaming meaningfully as he gazed at the sky. “They came with their own maps, but by now, they’d know many others are on the island. They’ve likely already formed groups.”
“Groups?”
“Yes.” In a situation where many are gathered and only a few can survive, people instinctively band together with like-minded allies and eliminate the rest.
Back on Hell Island, Bu Eunseol and a few others had formed groups early on for this reason.
“If they’ve formed groups, the hunt would’ve ended quickly,” Bu Eunseol said. “The victors might already have the weapons in hand… or they could’ve left for the mainland.”
“If you knew that, why bring it up now?” Bukgung Ryeong asked, bewildered.
If that were true, hadn’t they come to Ghost Island for nothing?
Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant sky with a calm expression. “First, because the timing is uncertain. I can only predict it ended quickly.” He continued matter-of-factly, “Second, even if the hunt is over, we need to find clues—how the fight ended, which weapons surfaced, and who to pursue.”
Turning to face Bukgung Ryeong, he added, “Lastly, on a deserted island with no one to interfere, we can have a proper fight, can’t we? That’s why I came here.”
Bukgung Ryeong stared blankly.
Looking at Bu Eunseol, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d wasted his own life.
‘Even if this kid started roaming the martial world as a baby, he couldn’t have more experience than me.’
It was because Bu Eunseol had learned deep insight and the ways of the world through Bu Zhanyang’s teachings, but Bukgung Ryeong, unaware of this, felt a pang of self-doubt.
“I have a question,” Bu Eunseol said, as if something had occurred to him. “Those who came here are already consumed by their desire for the divine weapons.”
He continued with a puzzled expression, “How exactly did you plan to stop them?”
Those driven mad by martial manuals and divine weapons couldn’t be restrained even by immortals. In hindsight, Bukgung Ryeong had come to Ghost Island with the natural assumption of saving them.
“Don’t tell me you need those weapons too?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Bukgung Ryeong burst into laughter. “Do I look like I need divine weapons?”
Bu Eunseol shook his head faintly.
The Bullet King’s Inner Bullet Technique was unparalleled in the martial world, more powerful and refined than any divine weapon.
“I’ve roamed the martial world for years and met many righteous heroes,” Bukgung Ryeong said, taking a deep breath. “And in their hearts, there was always a consistent sense of justice. If I tell them this map is a trap meant to make them kill each other, they won’t engage in meaningless conflict.”
Bukgung Ryeong believed in the righteousness of the righteous faction.
This belief was likely the driving force behind his mission to protect the martial world. His desire to save the heroes lured by this map stemmed from his conviction that they could become pillars to dispel the martial world’s dark clouds.
But to Bu Eunseol, it sounded like a fairy tale filled with dreams and hope.
‘No need to pour cold water on it,’ Bu Eunseol thought.
He didn’t want to shatter Bukgung Ryeong’s hopes and beliefs.
Everyone lives with hope, clinging to their convictions.
No one has the right to break another’s beliefs.
“If you have something to say, spit it out,” Bukgung Ryeong said, as if sensing Bu Eunseol’s thoughts. “Your tongue is sharp, but I know you don’t speak nonsense.”
Bu Eunseol spoke reluctantly. “If this were the heart of the Central Plains, your plan might’ve worked. The reputation they’ve built would’ve held them back, like it or not.”
“Hm.” “As I said, this is a remote island far from the mainland,” Bu Eunseol continued.
He didn’t believe humans were inherently good. Having experienced similar situations, he couldn’t believe even if he wanted to.
“So they’ve already started a slaughter?” Bukgung Ryeong asked.
“Yes, without any hesitation,” Bu Eunseol replied.
A brief silence fell.
Gazing at the distant Ghost Island, Bukgung Ryeong spoke firmly. “They might form groups, but they’re experienced martial artists. They wouldn’t make the wrong choice.”
Bu Eunseol said nothing.
Everyone has their own beliefs.
He only hoped Bukgung Ryeong wouldn’t face the same confusion or chaos he had.
Swish.
The ship finally reached Ghost Island and began to dock.
The two disembarked and immediately used their qinggong to explore the island. At the island’s center, jagged rocks, a towering mountain, and a dense forest unfolded.
To the west lay a vast plain with lush greenery.
The peaceful scenery belied the name Ghost Island.
Yet the atmosphere was eerily silent, and the faint smell of blood lingered in the air. Bukgung Ryeong, alongside the masked Bu Eunseol, used his movement techniques to venture deeper into the island.
They were heading toward the secret cave marked on the map. But as they neared the cave, Bukgung Ryeong’s expression darkened.
Bu Eunseol’s prediction was correct.
A battle had already taken place, and countless corpses lay scattered everywhere. If it had been a mere treasure hunt, Bukgung Ryeong’s expression wouldn’t have been so grim.
But this was merciless slaughter. A one-sided assault.
The wounds on the corpses showed that organized groups had ruthlessly exterminated weaker ones.
‘Tch,’ Bu Eunseol inwardly clicked his tongue.
The titles of “righteous” and “hero” were meaningless on this remote island, far from the mainland.
The masks of civility they wore had likely been torn off in an instant. To eliminate rivals and increase their chances of seizing the Ten Cosmic Weapons, they had cut down others without a shred of hesitation.
“How could this happen?” Bukgung Ryeong said, his eyes filled with rage as he looked at the corpses.
He had roamed the martial world, experiencing all manner of events. He had seen treasure maps surface before.
But this was different.
Martial artists who found treasure on an uninhabited island, far from prying eyes, had cast off their heroic facades and unleashed their brutal true natures.
Clang! Boom!
Somewhere, the faint sound of clashing weapons echoed.
“…!”
“…!”
Bu Eunseol and Bukgung Ryeong exchanged glances before soaring into the sky like great rocs.
Whoosh!
Swiftly crossing the forest, they arrived at a steep cliff near the coast. There, five martial artists, each wielding a unique weapon, were attacking over thirty others.
No, it was a one-sided massacre.
Each swing of their weapons sent sharp energy slicing through flesh and bone. They relentlessly hunted down those who fled or hid, stabbing them in the back or severing their necks.
“Stop!” Bukgung Ryeong roared, landing in front of the slaughtering group with a thunderous shout. “You Five Heroes! You’ve got your weapons! Why are you massacring people?”
The five committing the slaughter were heroes active in Shandong.
Bound as sworn brothers and known for their good deeds, they were called the Five Heroes of Shandong. Yet, having obtained the Ten Cosmic Weapons, they were now committing such brutal slaughter?
“You…” Jeong Jungwon, the second of the Five Heroes, flinched and stepped back upon recognizing Bukgung Ryeong.
“The Bullet King?”
The man who could shatter a house-sized boulder with a flick of his finger, one of the Seven Kings of Death. Why had this master of heaven-shattering feats appeared here?
“Bullet King, did you come here coveting the Ten Cosmic Weapons too?” Jeong Jungwon asked with an arrogant expression.
Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes flashed. “What nonsense are you spouting!”
Pointing at the piled corpses, he continued, “You’ve got your weapons, so why not leave? Why slaughter these people?”
His ferocious shout left the Five Heroes speechless, like mutes fed honey.
Among the martial artists on Ghost Island, the Five Heroes were among the most skilled and had no need to form a group. Before the treasure hunt even began, they eliminated rivals one by one and secured the Ten Cosmic Weapons in the cave. Fearing their atrocities would be exposed, they relentlessly hunted down the remaining groups on the island.
—‘We have to kill him.’
The Five Heroes’ eyes gleamed as if in agreement.
If their deeds became known to the martial world, even with the Ten Cosmic Weapons, they could never roam freely again.
“Have you lost all reason to greed?” Bukgung Ryeong said, his face filled with dismay as he looked at them. “Come to your senses, even now. You can’t throw away a lifetime of reputation for some measly weapons, can you?”
Despite his anguished cry, Jeong Jungwon shook his head.
“Bullet King, you’ve been called a great master since your youth, so you wouldn’t understand this regret.” He gazed at the Mighty Tyrant Blade in his left hand and sighed deeply. “But we’ve crossed a wall we could never breach in our lifetime with these weapons. Do you understand?”
The Five Heroes had devoted their lives to the martial path. But the wall of the Supreme Realm wasn’t something effort alone could break.
Yet, with the Ten Cosmic Weapons in hand, they wielded power that instantly surpassed that wall, reaching the level of the Supreme Heavenly Realm.
How could they let go of such a dreamlike opportunity?
“I see,” Bukgung Ryeong said, nodding.
He could fully understand the torment the Five Heroes felt. In his youth, he too had faced despair at the Supreme Realm’s wall, breaking through only after countless life-and-death trials and enlightenments.
But that didn’t justify their greed.
“No need for long words,” said Gu Yeonghwa, the eldest, stepping forward with the azure-tinted Sky Brilliance Flute in hand. “Normally, we wouldn’t dare defy you, Senior Bukgung. But not today.”
Murderous intent gleamed in Gu Yeonghwa’s eyes.
To obtain the weapons, they had killed numerous righteous heroes through cowardly means.
And now, they intended to silence Bukgung Ryeong to cover their crimes.
