As he expected, the traps continued.
Sick elderly people would suddenly unleash swift sword strikes or throw hidden weapons, launching all sorts of ambushes as poisonous mist erupted.
But such skills couldn’t touch a single hair on the Heavenly Sword, who was on high alert and prepared. With his senses heightened to the extreme, he treated the elderly and swiftly retreated from any suspicious huts.
“If they gathered this many old people… it must be the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect,” the Heavenly Sword realized, nodding as he exited his thirtieth house.
A group of elderly martial artists with such skill could only belong to the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“If only I could’ve caught one of them.”
Their traps and escape routes were so meticulously planned that even with his martial prowess, he couldn’t pursue them, and they vanished like ghosts.
“Doesn’t matter. I just need to keep treating people,” the Heavenly Sword said, smirking.
In a few days, he would visit all the elderly in the Heungsan region.
Rumor has it that the Heavenly Sword, leader of the Martial Alliance’s Divine Might Corps, went to Heungsan alone to treat elderly people afflicted by a plague.
Fortunately, word of his actions was already spreading through the martial world.
Using his internal energy to treat strangers, especially elderly people in a remote mountain village, was no easy feat for a martial artist.
Expending internal energy for treatment meant he would need to recover it through secluded training.
The Heavenly Sword. He’s truly trying to save the common people.
As rumors spread that the Heavenly Sword was using his internal energy to treat commoners, the public’s view of him as a madman changed overnight.
He was now praised as a righteous figure, a model for orthodox martial artists.
Individuals may be wise, but the masses are foolish.
Public opinion is always shaped and swayed by rumors and sentiment.
“Is it done?” the Heavenly Sword mused.
With the rumors spreading and most of the sick elderly treated, he could likely return to the Martial Alliance and quell the negative opinions to some extent.
“Just one last stop.”
Having covered the entire Heungsan region, only one small village remained.
Once he treated the elderly there, his mission would be complete.
Though he had expended considerable internal energy, a month of secluded training would restore him fully.
“Excuse me,” he said, explaining the situation and taking an old man’s pulse.
Upon close inspection, the man was an ordinary elderly person, with no suspicious signs.
“Then I’ll treat you.” As the Heavenly Sword prepared to channel energy into the old man’s life gate acupoint, the bedridden man let out a low sigh.
“You’re doing everything to conserve your energy, aren’t you?”
The Heavenly Sword’s eyes blazed with anger.
‘This one’s from the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect too.’ Furious, he abandoned the idea of injecting energy and instead unleashed a palm strike with an irritated expression.
Boom!
The old man’s body crashed through the door and flew outside.
But something was off.
The sensation in his palm felt oddly soft, and the old man, who should have fled quickly, was trembling on the ground.
‘Could it be?!’ A bad feeling washed over the Heavenly Sword as he immediately examined the old man.
‘He’s wearing protective armor.’
Beneath the old man’s clothes was a glossy garment designed to absorb impact.
Yet, despite the armor, the old man’s face was pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
Sensing something was wrong, the Heavenly Sword quickly checked the man’s pulse again.
‘An elixir too?’
Not only was he wearing protective armor, but he had also consumed an elixir that strengthened his organs. Thanks to this, the old man wasn’t severely injured by the Heavenly Sword’s strike, though he had bruises and minor internal injuries.
“Spare me, please,” the old man pleaded, trembling in fear and unable to move, rubbing his hands together. “I only did what I was told.”
The Heavenly Sword leaned in close and asked, “What do you mean?”
“A month ago, a warrior gave me a lot of money, good medicine, and fine clothes,” the old man said, trembling as he lay on the ground.
“He said that when I got sick from the medicine, he’d send someone to treat me…”
Barely able to meet the Heavenly Sword’s gaze, the old man gasped, “But in return, when someone checked my pulse, I was to say, ‘You’re doing everything to conserve your energy.’”
Unable to endure the fear and pain, the old man fainted. Even with the elixir and armor, he couldn’t fully withstand the Heavenly Sword’s strike.
‘Damn it!’ The Heavenly Sword’s eyes blazed with realization.
He had fallen into a trap.
‘If word spreads that I harmed a commoner, all my efforts will be for nothing!’ As he prepared to inject energy to heal the old man completely, a voice called out.
“Captain Heavenly Sword.” From the sky descended a middle-aged man in a fiery robe, followed by dozens of martial artists.
It was Jeong Ilryong, the head of the Martial Alliance’s Inspection Corps, and his subordinates.
“What exactly are you doing?” Jeong Ilryong demanded.
The Heavenly Sword was at a loss for words.
The protective armor bore clear traces of the Sword Venerable’s unique palm technique, the Carefree Hidden Sky Palm.
“It’s a trap,” the Heavenly Sword said.
“A trap?”
“Look. Why would an old man in a place like this have the money to wear expensive protective armor?”
Jeong Ilryong frowned deeply. “An old man in a place like this?”
“Well, what I mean is…” Though he disliked Jeong Ilryong’s haughty gaze, the Heavenly Sword held his tongue and explained the situation.
As the head of the Inspection Corps, Jeong Ilryong lived by evidence, so the armor alone should prove his innocence.
“But what brings you here?” the Heavenly Sword asked.
Jeong Ilryong sighed. “According to our intelligence, the plague in Heungsan was caused deliberately.”
“Exactly! It was—”
“To restore your reputation, you intentionally caused the plague.”
The Heavenly Sword’s eyebrows twitched. “Are you saying I did this?”
Jeong Ilryong paused, then said coldly, “Our investigation revealed that the elderly aren’t suffering from a plague but from side effects of an elixir.”
“…”
“And you, Captain Heavenly Sword, haven’t been treating them—you’ve been injecting minimal energy to merely alleviate symptoms.”
“That’s—”
Cutting him off, Jeong Ilryong continued, “You’re avoiding significant energy expenditure while trying to spread word of your good deeds.”
“…”
“And now, you’re attacking commoners and then treating them?”
The Heavenly Sword burst into laughter. “Hahaha!”
He finally understood.
He had been floundering in a meticulously crafted trap set by Bu Eunseol. No matter how much he explained, it wouldn’t matter.
The stage had already been perfectly set against him.
“Haa,” the Heavenly Sword sighed, shaking his head after laughing maniacally. “Is the Martial Alliance really full of nothing but idiots?”
Jeong Ilryong’s eyes flashed with fury. “What did you say?”
“As the head of the Inspection Corps, shouldn’t you investigate more thoroughly?” the Heavenly Sword said with a sneer. “To think Majeon’s schemes got you to personally show up. Where did your information come from? Are you sure it’s reliable?”
“Captain Heavenly Sword, you’re too reckless,” Jeong Ilryong said, pointing to a female inspector standing behind him.
It was Jongjeong Yak, who had once uncovered Danri Muk’s corruption alongside Bu Eunseol.
“Are you saying my inspector is a pawn of Majeon?”
“Where did your information come from?”
“From the Red Sky Veil. My inspector investigated it personally.”
“See? It’s a meticulous trap! Can’t you tell? They’ve even hidden the source of the information twice over!”
Jeong Ilryong’s gaze grew sharper with every word. “If everything you’re saying is true, you would’ve known it was a trap from the start.”
“Exactly. Now you’re getting it.”
“Then why didn’t you contact the Alliance? Why didn’t you devise a way to escape the trap? Why did you keep treating people?”
“Well… I mean…” The Heavenly Sword mussed his hair and fell silent.
Even he could see the gaping holes in his own explanation.
“Captain Heavenly Sword,” Jeong Ilryong said sternly.
“The leader of a Martial Alliance corps holds great authority and must bear corresponding responsibility.”
“And?”
“You should have acted in a manner befitting your position.”
“Heh, hahaha!” the Heavenly Sword laughed wildly. “This overly complicated system is why the Martial Alliance never progresses. Got it?”
“Heavenly Sword!”
“Enough. I know I’m screwed.” Stopping his laughter, the Heavenly Sword shrugged. “I’ll quit the position of corps captain myself.”
Without hesitation, he turned and walked away.
“Heavenly Sword!” Jeong Ilryong shouted, but the Heavenly Sword ignored him and kept walking.
Looking at the distant sky, he clenched his fists tightly.
“From now on, I’ll play for real, Bu Eunseol.”
***
Strange rumors began to spread through the martial world.
The Heavenly Sword, disciple of the Sword Venerable, known as the Golden Divine Eye for his secretive wanderings in the martial world…
In reality, he was said to be mentally unstable and wicked, and these rumors spread rapidly.
“They say his treatments in Heungsan were just for show.”
“Yeah. Afraid of expending his energy, he didn’t actually treat them—just alleviated symptoms.”
“And he even attacked sick old people before treating them?”
It didn’t take long for the once-revered Golden Divine Eye, the Heavenly Sword, to see his reputation plummet to rock bottom.
The Heavenly Sword had been too confident in himself.
He trusted in his exceptional martial arts and his clever mind.
But the world cannot be navigated alone.
To break a system, one must first adapt to it, as Bu Eunseol, the heir of Majeon, had done.
Now, the Heavenly Sword had no options left.
All that remained was a direct confrontation with Bu Eunseol. But, like the madman he was, the Heavenly Sword began another bizarre act.
“Bu Eunseol, I challenge you.”
He boldly declared a fight with Bu Eunseol to the entire martial world.
“If you have the courage, face me openly at Taijeong Mountain’s Seokgwang Plain on the night of the full moon in August!”
Taijeong Mountain, a rocky mountain, had a vast open area of stone slabs at its base called Seokgwang Plain, large enough to accommodate thousands of people.
The Heavenly Sword’s final gambit.
By issuing a public challenge, he aimed to erase his tarnished reputation and regain immense fame.
“Oooh!”
The martial world was abuzz.
Bu Eunseol, who had risen to the rank of one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings at a young age and inherited the legacy of Nangyang Pavilion, was Majeon’s heir.
He was the greatest prodigy of the unorthodox path and considered the top young martial artist of his generation.
But who was the Heavenly Sword?
A man who had fully mastered the Sword Venerable’s Myriad Phenomena Sword Style, hailed as the second Sword Venerable.
A public duel between two once-in-a-generation prodigies!
“Let’s go! To Seokgwang Plain!”
Martial artists, without distinction, began packing their bags.
To witness the clash between Bu Eunseol and the Heavenly Sword, they all headed to Seokgwang Plain.
***
Suppressed Demon Pavilion Meeting Room
“That lunatic is scheming to the very end,” Yoo Unryong said, spitting out the words as he sat on a bookshelf.
“If he wins this public challenge, he could wipe away all his disgrace in an instant.” Clenching his fist, he added coldly, “The martial world revels in the strong. That’s its nature.”
Myo Cheonwoo, listening quietly, nodded. “Even if he loses, he might be trying to show off his skills and techniques to the orthodox factions.” Pausing, he continued, “Or perhaps he wants to paint you as a cruel demon.”
Bu Eunseol’s goal was to bring the Heavenly Sword to justice for brutally killing Yeong Munho.
But to martial artists unaware of their feud, Bu Eunseol’s aggressive killing moves might seem incomprehensible, potentially branding him as a ruthless demon.
“That doesn’t matter,” Yoo Unryong said, shaking his head. “Killing an enemy in a fair duel, whether in a spar or otherwise, is common.”
“True, but…” Myo Cheonwoo stroked his chin. “A public duel is worrisome. These kinds of duels fell out of favor because they leave too much room for trickery.”
“Hm.”
“Someone could give advice through secret transmissions, use hidden weapons, or, worst case, interfere with the duel.”
“Would a disciple of the Sword Venerable resort to such tactics?” Yoo Unryong asked.
Myo Cheonwoo shook his head. “That guy’s a lunatic. If he cared about honor, he wouldn’t have used techniques that cause slow, agonizing deaths in the first place.”
“Hm.” Yoo Unryong fell silent at Myo Cheonwoo’s words.
Bu Eunseol was the heir of Majeon.
A public fight was unlikely to favor him.
Moreover, having risen to the rank of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, he would face countless challengers in the future.
Revealing his ultimate techniques publicly would allow enemies to prepare countermeasures.
Creak.
The door opened, and Bu Eunseol entered.
Yoo Unryong spoke up immediately. “Bu Eunseol, the Heavenly Sword’s prowess is no small matter. You risk exposing your full capabilities in this duel.”
Pausing, he continued with a serious expression, “His reputation is already in ruins. You’ll have plenty of chances to kill him later. There’s no need to accept his challenge now.”
But Bu Eunseol only stared out the window, giving no response.
Unable to hold back, Myo Cheonwoo spoke up. “He has nothing to lose, but you…”
“It doesn’t matter,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Bu Eunseol.”
“It’s fine.” With a confident expression, he said, “What you’re worried about will never happen.”
“How? Your sword techniques will be fully exposed.”
“I’ll bring the Ice Soul Sword,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Using the Ice Soul Sword will conceal my techniques to some extent.”
The Ice Soul Sword had two unique traits.
When infused with energy and swung, it emitted a cold mist, and when reflected in moonlight, its blade became transparent. The combatants could see the sword’s trajectory, but onlookers from a distance wouldn’t be able to discern the intricacies of its techniques.
Coincidentally, Majeon’s leader had bestowed upon Bu Eunseol a sword perfectly suited for such a duel.
“Besides, the sword techniques of this pavilion aren’t fixed forms. If the enemy’s swordsmanship is strong, my swordsmanship grows stronger in response,” Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“Unless they understand the essence of the Supreme Heavenly Flow, no matter how many times they see my techniques, they’ll never counter them.”
“Then there’s no need to bring the Ice Soul Sword,” Myo Cheonwoo said. “Using an unfamiliar sword in such a duel would put you at a disadvantage.”
He was right.
Every swordsman has a favored blade, and Bu Eunseol’s black sword was in perfect harmony with his body and mind.
“No, I’ll bring the Ice Soul Sword,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Hm?”03
“There’s a reason I need to use it.”
A faint smile played on his lips.
Yoo Unryong and Myo Cheonwoo exchanged glances and nodded reluctantly.
“Alright,” Yoo Unryong said, taking a deep breath.
“I’ll announce that you accept the challenge.”
Bu Eunseol wasn’t just intelligent; he prepared for every contingency. There was no way he’d make a mistake driven by vengeance.
If he was confident nothing would go wrong, then it wouldn’t.
Over time, Bu Eunseol had sown countless seeds to bring down the Heavenly Sword without clashing with the Martial Alliance.
Now, it was time to reap the harvest.3
