Bu Eunseol’s eyes trembled violently.
The Martial Emperor’s techniques, ended in solitude four hundred years ago, had been inherited by Bu Eunseol after he found the Martial Emperor’s Vault. Yet no one had ever recognized the Thirteen Guiding Energies as the Martial Emperor’s technique. Even the Chief Instructor, well-versed in all martial arts, hadn’t discerned its origin.
How had she identified it instantly?
“Hmph, so you’re cocky because you’re the Martial Emperor’s successor?” So Okrim smirked, cracking her knuckles. “But even among the Eight Emperors’ martial arts, the user determines their strength.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered again.
“The same Eight Emperors?”
“What, thought you were the only special one?” With a sneer, she pointed to herself with her thumb. “This lady is So Okrim, descendant of the Celestial Emperor, So Mubin.”
Thud.
Bu Eunseol felt as if he’d been struck in the back of the head.
A descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars appearing in this era? And not just a martial successor, but a direct bloodline?
—”You’ll soon find out.”
The Sword Venerable’s words flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind. Were the peerless prodigies he mentioned the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars?
“How do you know the Martial Emperor’s techniques?”
A glint of bloodlust flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The Martial Emperor had died a lonely death, unable to find a disciple to pass on his techniques, and created the Martial Emperor’s Vault.
How could a descendant of the Celestial Emperor recognize his martial arts?
“You didn’t know?” So Okrim grinned. “The Thirteen Guiding Energies included the technique of the Dual-Severed Galaxy.”
“Included?”
“Well, back in their youth, the two great masters combined their skills to create a technique… something like that.”
So Okrim dropped a bombshell.
The Martial Emperor and Celestial Emperor had exchanged their martial arts, and the Thirteen Guiding Energies were a unique technique born from that collaboration?
‘It doesn’t make sense.’ If their bond was deep enough to share their most precious techniques, it must have been profound.
So why had the Celestial Emperor stood by when the Martial Emperor was falsely accused?
Had he believed the slander that the Martial Emperor was a spy and turned his back until the end?
‘Even if I ask, I won’t get a truthful answer.’ Though doubts swirled in his mind, Bu Eunseol didn’t press further.
There was no guarantee So Okrim would give an honest response. If he couldn’t uncover her intentions immediately, there was no need to let her know he was suspicious.
“It’s none of my concern.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “Don’t follow us anymore. We have important matters to attend to.”
“Important matters? Like what?”
“I can’t say.”
“Then I’m coming along.” So Okrim glanced at Seo Jinha and said. “I can’t just let my fated match go, can I?”
As Bu Eunseol’s gaze hardened, she quickly added.
“The Divine Evaluator. Don’t you know him? The sage who reads the will of the heavens above and the principles of the earth below?” Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow.
In truth, he didn’t believe So Okrim’s nonsense.
Spending two years searching for the elusive Divine Evaluator, all to find a fated match? Did a master like her have nothing better to do?
“Oh, it was a side goal.” Seeing through Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, So Okrim rubbed her nose and said, “I had other things to investigate too.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.” She said with a deeply serious expression. “I told you it took me two years to find that old man. I’m serious.”
Bu Eunseol fell silent for a moment.
Everyone in the martial world knew the Divine Evaluator was a sage who read the heavens. His predictions were said to never be wrong. If So Okrim had truly found him and received such a prophecy…
Bu Eunseol couldn’t simply dismiss it.
‘Fated match, huh.’ After a moment of deep thought, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“Then you really shouldn’t follow.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because I need to heal that fated match.”
Seo Jinha blinked at Bu Eunseol. Wouldn’t such words only pique her curiosity or make her follow even more determinedly?
But Bu Eunseol had other intentions. If the Sword Venerable was right, rivals matching his caliber would soon appear in the martial world. He needed to determine whether they were enemies and what their goals were.
‘Confirming if she’s truly the Celestial Emperor’s descendant wouldn’t hurt either.’ If So Okrim harbored ulterior motives or was connected to the shadowy forces he’d repeatedly encountered…
‘Her emphasis on her high status is odd too.’ Even if she were a descendant of the Celestial Emperor from four hundred years ago, So Mubin himself wouldn’t have risen from the grave to teach her.
Her focus on status suggested she had a master of incredibly high standing.
‘Claiming to be the Celestial Emperor’s descendant while hinting at another master is strange.’ As Bu Eunseol pondered, So Okrim tilted her head and asked.
“Healing? You came all this way to cure a disease?”
Bu Eunseol answered honestly. “Not a disease, but a destroyed dantian. It caused the loss of most of his energy.”
“Dantian…” So Okrim’s expression went blank for a moment before her eyes widened. “Aha, you’re trying to open the upper dantian to restore his energy. Because he was originally very powerful?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as So Okrim instantly grasped his plan. Being well-versed in martial principles meant she was exceptionally sharp. Though she appeared brash and reckless, it could be a deliberate act to conceal her true nature.
“Exactly.” As Bu Eunseol answered readily, So Okrim asked.
“So, where are you headed? Potala Palace?”
“Kwangyang Temple.”
“The temple at Vivid Mountain? That won’t do. They specialize in external martial arts.”
“We need the Great Wish Mirror. We have to borrow it.”
“The Great Wish Mirror? How are you going to borrow a temple’s treasure?”
“I brought the Thousand-Hand Heavenly-Eye Kwan-Yin Statue.”
The Thousand-Hand Heavenly-Eye Kwan-Yin Statue was once a treasure of Kwangyang Temple.
Stolen centuries ago, it was stored in Majeon’s vault. Yoo Unryong, anticipating Bu Eunseol’s intentions, had prepared the statue in the envelope.
“But where exactly do you need the Great Wish Mirror for?”
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol replied, “The Azure Cloud Sea Palace.”
“The Cloud Sea Palace? You’re going there?” So Okrim said with a surprised expression. “They say no one knows its true location.”
“I’ve already investigated it.”
“Wow, really? That’s perfect.” So Okrim’s face lit up. “I’ve always wanted to check that place out.”
She spoke of visiting the most mysterious sect in the Western Regions as if it were a trip to a local market.
“Can I come along?” So Okrim winked playfully. “I could be surprisingly helpful, you know?”
“There’s a condition.” Bu Eunseol, as if he’d already planned this, spoke firmly.
“Help us secure the Great Wish Mirror.”
“Of course.” She flexed her arm and said. “I’m good at breaking things.”
Seo Jinha sent a transmission laced with worry and a sigh.
[What are you thinking? Why travel with this crazy woman?]
[Her claim of being a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars bothers me.]
Bu Eunseol didn’t fully trust the Sword Venerable’s words. That peerless prodigies matching his caliber would appear in this era?
He didn’t believe in things like the will of the heavens or fate. If something happened, he believed there was a logical reason behind it.
[So that’s it.] Finally understanding Bu Eunseol’s reasoning, Seo Jinha nodded. Even if So Okrim’s claims were true, the timing was too convenient.
[Alright. Traveling together might reveal her true intentions.]
“Fine. I’ll allow you to join us.”
“This’ll be fun!” At Bu Eunseol’s words, So Okrim beamed.
“Let’s go now!”
***
In the northwest of Lhasa, atop Red Mountain, a magnificent golden structure gleamed.
Potala Palace.
The heart of Western Region Buddhism, this massive temple spanned about thirty thousand pyeong.
Divided into the Red Palace and White Palace, it housed over a thousand rooms, ten thousand reliquary stupas, and two hundred thousand Buddha statues.
Seeing Red Mountain and Potala Palace, Seo Jinha wanted to climb it immediately. But their destination wasn’t Potala Palace, but Kwangyang Temple, roughly twenty li to the northeast.
Disappointed, Seo Jinha reluctantly turned away. Upon reaching Vivid Mountain, a rugged mountain path appeared.
Kwangyang Temple was built from the mountainside to the peak. Though it couldn’t compare to the thirty-thousand-pyeong Potala Palace, it was several times larger than temples in the Central Plains.
As they approached the entrance, stern-looking lamas stood guard.
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s group approach, they politely clasped their hands.
“What brings you to our temple?”
“I’m here to see the head monk, Dagil.” Bu Eunseol spoke courteously, but the lama bowed with a troubled expression.
“This temple prohibits entry to outsiders. Please leave.”
Kwangyang Temple was a secret Buddhist temple that strictly barred outsiders.
Nodding as if he understood, Bu Eunseol said.
“Then please inform Master Dagil that someone has brought the Thousand-Hand Heavenly-Eye Kwan-Yin Statue, a treasure of Kwangyang Temple.”
“The Thousand-Hand Heavenly-Eye Kwan-Yin Statue?” The lama, greatly surprised, clasped his hands.
“Please wait a moment.” He hurriedly entered the temple. Soon, an elderly monk appeared, leading dozens of lamas.
It was Dagil, the head monk of Kwangyang Temple.
“You say you brought our temple’s treasure?”
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol took out a jade Kwan-Yin statue from his robes.
Carved from a single large piece of jade, the statue was exquisitely crafted, its dozens of arms seeming almost alive.
“It’s truly our temple’s treasure.”
Dagil asked. “What do you seek from our temple?”
As an enlightened monk, he intuited that Bu Eunseol wouldn’t offer the treasure without conditions.
“I wish to borrow the Great Wish Mirror for a short time.”
“The Great Wish Mirror of our temple?”
“Yes.”
“That’s impossible.” Dagil said with a grave expression. “The Great Wish Mirror is a sacred treasure that cannot leave the temple.”
“I only need it for four days. I swear to return it undamaged.” Bu Eunseol said earnestly. “If you wish, you may send Kwangyang Temple’s masters to accompany us for those four days.”
“Hmm.” Dagil hesitated, then shook his head. “Even so, we cannot allow a temple treasure to be taken outside.”
“I see.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands as if resigned.
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
“Wait.” Dagil said hurriedly. “Are you saying you’ll leave with our temple’s treasure in your possession?”
“This treasure was rightfully obtained by me. I brought it as payment for borrowing the Great Wish Mirror.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “But since you won’t lend the Great Wish Mirror, I can’t simply give it to you, can I?”
“To clarify, that is a treasure stolen from our temple long ago.” Dagil said politely but firmly.
“Leave it here.”
“I can’t give it unless you lend the Great Wish Mirror.”
“Benefactor.”
“We’ll leave now.” Dagil’s eyes widened.
No one would simply let someone walk away after showing a treasure passed down for generations.
But using force wasn’t an option.
Bu Eunseol could destroy the Kwan-Yin statue instantly.
“Benefactor, the Thousand-Hand Heavenly-Eye Kwan-Yin Statue is something our temple has sought for ages. Please return it.” As Dagil spoke urgently again, Bu Eunseol turned with a faint smile.
“How about a wager?”
“A wager?”
Bu Eunseol pointed at So Okrim and said. “There’s no master in Kwangyang Temple who can defeat her in the temple grounds.”
Dagil couldn’t hide his disbelief.
Though Kwangyang Temple’s fame and scale didn’t match Potala Palace’s, its Vajra Monks, trained in ascetic practices, all possessed exceptional martial arts.
To say no one could defeat this oversized woman?
“Are you saying that if one of our temple’s masters can defeat her one-on-one, you’ll return the Kwan-Yin statue?”
“Exactly.” Bu Eunseol said confidently. “If anyone can defeat her in three rounds, I’ll return the Kwan-Yin statue immediately.”
“And if our temple loses?”
“You’ll let us borrow the Great Wish Mirror once.”
Dagil gave a faint smile.
Though So Okrim’s aura was formidable, Kwangyang Temple had many masters skilled in unique external martial arts, specialized for one-on-one combat.
‘He seems like someone who keeps his promises.’
As the head monk, Dagil was not only spiritually enlightened but adept at reading people’s faces. Though Bu Eunseol’s face was plain, his eyes were steadfast and clear.
He was no villain and seemed likely to honor his word.
“Very well.” Dagil nodded readily. “Let’s do it.”
[What are you thinking?] At Seo Jinha’s worried transmission, Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
[It’s a chance to confirm her identity again.]
Bu Eunseol had several plans originally.
He could use Kwangyang Temple’s inferiority complex and rivalry with Potala Palace to secure the Great Wish Mirror.
Or reveal his identity as Majeon’s heir, offering face to the temple and negotiating with the Kwan-Yin statue.
With his skills and Swift Beyond Shadow, infiltrating the temple to steal the Great Wish Mirror wasn’t impossible either.
But Bu Eunseol proposed an entirely unexpected approach.
Because So Okrim had joined them.
Her appearance in the martial world was limited to the three months she turned Yangguang upside down two years ago.
This wager could reveal whether her rumored reckless personality was genuine or exaggerated.
‘And whether she’s truly the Celestial Emperor’s descendant.’ He could only guess that her fist techniques mimicked the Heavenly Orbit.
But whether they were truly the Celestial Emperor’s techniques was unclear.
Four hundred years ago, Kwangyang Temple had been defeated by the Celestial Emperor. Since outer region sects often developed their martial arts by studying the techniques of masters who defeated them…
Kwangyang Temple might recognize the Celestial Emperor’s fist techniques.
[Her identity. I see.] Realizing Bu Eunseol’s plan, Seo Jinha nodded in admiration.
When So Okrim claimed her techniques were the Celestial Emperor’s, Seo Jinha hadn’t doubted her.
Her skills were simply too impressive.
But Bu Eunseol was cautious and didn’t easily trust others. Though it could be believable, he didn’t dismiss the possibility it was a lie.
“What? Me?” Having overheard the conversation, So Okrim frowned.
Bu Eunseol was making a wager using her without permission?
Her personality wouldn’t let that slide easily.
“Why do I have to fight them?”
“Shouldn’t you do at least that much for your fated match?” Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile. “Or have you forgotten the condition for joining us?”
So Okrim let out an “ah” sound.
Helping secure the Great Wish Mirror was the condition Bu Eunseol had set for her to travel with them.
“Hmm, fair enough.” So Okrim smacked her lips reluctantly. “Fine. But you’d better help me a lot in return.”
Her request for help seemed to refer to her relationship with Seo Jinha, her chosen fated match.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Alright.” So Okrim cracked her knuckles and stepped forward.
“So, who’s stepping up?”
Dagil’s expression grew serious. With the Kwan-Yin statue at stake, there was no room for mercy.
“Danba.” At Dagil’s call, a muscular Vajra Monk, Danba, stepped forward.
Born with immense natural strength, he had mastered the Diamond Law Existence Technique, similar to the Diamond Indestructible Body Technique, to perfection.
No matter how strong an opponent’s energy, he couldn’t be felled. This wager was already Kwangyang Temple’s victory.
But there was something Dagil didn’t know.
So Okrim wasn’t just a formidable martial artist…
She was someone who used techniques that martial artists feared, without the slightest hesitation.
