“No way, that’s not right,” So Okrim protested, waving her finger. “No matter how well a man disguises as a woman, there’s a distinct aura. I’d be better at it.”
Won Semun scolded her. “Teach, are you trying to ruin everything?”
“What?”
“Your frame is too large.”
So Okrim’s eyebrows twitched as she shouted irritably, “I can use the Bone-Shrinking Technique!”
Crunch.
As she applied the technique, her height shrank to about five feet.
But her robust frame and thick muscles made her look like a snowball when compressed.
“She could roll from a hill all the way to the North Sea,” Bu Eunseol muttered.
The captains nodded simultaneously in agreement.
“I’m still better for it,” So Okrim insisted, returning to her original form.
“You need to see it for yourself,” Myo Cheonwoo said, shrugging. “We can’t let a carefully planned mission fail.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Bu Eunseol reluctantly used the Bone-Shrinking Technique.
Crunch.
His tall frame shrank, transforming into a petite figure.
“Hmm. With your fair skin and red lips… just trimming the eyebrows should suffice, no need for makeup,” Myo Cheonwoo said, pulling out a dagger and delicately shaping Bu Eunseol’s sword-like eyebrows.
“How about tying your hair like this?” He lifted Bu Eunseol’s long hair into a cloud-like style, revealing his neckline.
Under the sunlight streaming through the window, with long eyelashes lowered, he resembled Chang’e, the moon goddess, in breathtaking beauty.
“Ohh!”
Exclamations erupted in the room.
Majeon had many beautiful women, like Jin Seol or Dan So-ok, renowned for their stunning looks.
But even they paled in comparison to Bu Eunseol’s disguised appearance. His captivating beauty left even Won Semun and the usually stoic Wi Cheongyeong blushing.
Crunch.
As Bu Eunseol returned to his original form, sighs of disappointment filled the room.
The captains collectively sighed, wishing they could summon an artist to capture his disguised beauty on canvas. His appearance was so enchanting it could make one’s soul soar to the heavens.
“What do you think, Teach?” Myo Cheonwoo asked.
So Okrim, puffing out her cheeks, shouted irritably, “Do whatever you want!”
Bu Eunseol and So Okrim left Majeon for Shandong. This mission had to remain absolutely confidential.
Publicly, Bu Eunseol claimed he was inspecting the sect’s branches across various regions before slipping away.
He then disguised himself as Seolso, the mercenary.
His face was recognizable due to his duel with the Heavenly Sword, but more importantly, he needed to completely conceal his movements.
As Majeon’s successor, Bu Eunseol was the focus of every intelligence organization’s attention. Hiding his movements was difficult and costly. But by assuming the identity and appearance of the mercenary Seolso, he could easily obscure his trail.
‘This venture into the martial world must be covert, so absolutely do not follow.’
Bu Eunseol had ordered his trail to be erased, and absolutely prohibited any secret escort.
The Black-and-White Witch had evaded countless pursuits. She might detect the movements of the Nine Deaths Squad or other covert intelligence groups.
Bu Eunseol and So Okrim arrived near Pyeongdo, where the Black-and-White Witch was frequently sighted.
As dusk fell, they entered an inn to eat.
Bu Eunseol ordered three bottles of yellow wine. So Okrim ordered chicken noodle soup but only sipped a bit of the warm broth.
‘She must have reached the Five Energies Converging to the Origin.’
When one’s cultivation reached its peak, the five energies within the body condensed into a liquid in the dantian. At this stage, the body could generate its own vital energy, allowing survival with minimal food intake.
Bu Eunseol had reached this state long ago, eating very little. Seeing So Okrim barely touch her food, it was clear she too had attained this level.
‘Her skills are definitely not below mine.’
Among the younger generation Bu Eunseol had encountered, So Okrim was the strongest. Her strength wasn’t just in martial arts but encompassed her intelligence, talent, and overall capabilities.
Despite her rough appearance, So Okrim was exceptionally sharp and insightful.
When Bu Eunseol dealt with the traitor of the North Sea Ice Palace’s five families and planned the alliance, she had vaguely grasped his intentions without being told.
This alone showed her intelligence and acumen were on par with his.
‘But I still can’t fully trust her.’
Yet Bu Eunseol couldn’t completely trust So Okrim. Almost no one in the martial world knew her, and her sudden appearance was too abrupt.
Making a dramatic entrance often indicated a fabricated identity. Still, he continued to work with her because she knew more about the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars than anyone else.
“Why are you drinking so much?” So Okrim asked, eyes wide, as Bu Eunseol downed five jugs of yellow wine in quick succession. “Is something wrong?”
“Asking why I’m drinking at an inn?” Bu Eunseol said softly, filling his cup. “That’s the epitome of a foolish question.”
“No, I mean, you’re drinking a lot more than I expected.”
“It’s good wine.”
“Is it tasty?” He didn’t understand why she was asking, but her wide eyes seemed filled with innocent curiosity.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never drunk alcohol.”
“I tried it once,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“Just once?”
When Bu Eunseol frowned, she continued, “I promised to drink my next drink with my destined partner, as a nuptial wine.”
“Nuptial wine for your next drink?” Bu Eunseol hadn’t planned to entertain her chatter, but her words were so bizarre he couldn’t help but ask.
“You drank with your master, then?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you remember from that time?”
“Nothing.”
Bu Eunseol nearly burst out laughing. He realized why her master had said such a thing.
‘She must become a mess when drunk.’
So Okrim’s personality was such that she’d swing her fists at anything—person or object—that annoyed her.
If she got drunk, she likely caused a ruckus. Her master, fed up with it, must have given her that instruction.
“But seeing you enjoy your drink makes me want to try one,” she said.
Bu Eunseol’s heart chilled.
The inn was crowded, with even a merchant dining with his child.
“Your master’s instructions must be followed,” he said firmly.
“Hmm, maybe just one drink?”
“One drink becomes two, and two become a whole bottle. If you intend to keep your promise, it’s best not to touch it at all.”
When Bu Eunseol spoke sternly, she thankfully understood, smacking her lips. “Fine.”
“It’s getting dark. Let’s take a look around the area.”
According to the Nine Deaths Squad’ intelligence, the Black-and-White Witch often appeared in deep mountains or places where travelers rested.
Thus, Bu Eunseol planned to first investigate nearby temples or abandoned shrines in the Pyeongdo region. Afterward, he would disguise himself as the Black-and-White Witch to cause a stir and lure out the real one.
Buzz, buzz.
As they stepped outside the inn, the atmosphere felt oddly chaotic.
Looking around, they saw a middle-aged man in ornate martial attire striding forward, leading dozens of young martial artists.
It was Ouyang Chun, a renowned swordsman in Shandong who had amassed wealth by establishing the Blue Cloud Academy.
But Bu Eunseol, as if seeing something astonishing, stared intently around Ouyang Chun and exclaimed, “Impressive.”
So Okrim, standing beside him, widened her eyes and nodded. “Wow, really impressive.”
As the two murmured side by side,
“Argh!” Ouyang Chun, who had been walking confidently, suddenly screamed.
“Thief!” He realized the precious sword at his waist was gone.
“Find the sword!” At his shout, the martial artists scrambled, frantically searching the surroundings.
But all they saw were merchants and onlookers blinking at them. They couldn’t even tell who had taken the sword.
‘A theft technique and earth-escape skill indistinguishable to the eye.’
As Bu Eunseol stepped out of the inn, he had seen a shadow swiftly pass by Ouyang Chun as he led his group.
In that fleeting moment, the shadow, with lightning-fast hands, slipped the sword into their robe and vanished using an earth-escape technique. However, the figure moved so quickly that their appearance couldn’t be discerned.
“To steal so boldly in front of dozens of people—truly impressive,” So Okrim said, equally amazed. “Such swift movement and traceless earth-escape skill.”
She stroked her chin, deep in thought.
The earth-escape technique involved using inner energy to burrow through the ground like a mole, leaving clear traces. Yet the thief’s earth-escape left no mark at all.
“This is going to be fun,” So Okrim said, a spark of excitement in her eyes as she turned to Bu Eunseol. “Let’s catch him.”
Without hesitation, she leaped into the air, pursuing the traces of the earth-escape technique. Bu Eunseol, with no choice, followed her, employing his own movement technique.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol and So Okrim chased the thief’s trail, swiftly reaching the outskirts of the village. As they approached a quiet reed field, the shadow using the earth-escape technique stopped moving.
Bu Eunseol and So Okrim hid themselves atop a large tree overlooking the reed field.
Rustle.
Suddenly, the ground in the reed field writhed like a living snake, and a small hole appeared.
Swish.
A small head popped out of the dark hole, cautiously scanning the surroundings.
“Phew.” Under the moonlight, the figure slowly emerged.
It was a slender, not particularly tall man, who could be mistaken for a woman from a distance.
His face bore scruffy stubble, but his eyes were clear, and his skin was clean. Yet his mischievous, eccentric expression gave him a somewhat roguish air.
The man scanned the reed field again before drawing the stolen sword.
Shing!
The sword gleamed brilliantly under the moonlight. Its scabbard and hilt were adorned with several diamond-sized gemstones.
“Who puts diamonds on a scabbard and hilt just to show off wealth?” the man chuckled, pulling a sharp dagger from his robe.
He began prying the gemstones from the scabbard and hilt.
“Heehee, this job’s a steal.” As the man gleefully worked,
Whoosh.
So Okrim descended from the tree and strode toward him, saying, “Hey, having fun?”
The man’s face froze.
For this giant woman to approach so closely without him noticing?
‘A master. A terrifying one.’ Realizing So Okrim possessed formidable prowess, the man pocketed the pried gemstones and politely clasped his hands.
“Who might you be?”
“Who do you think?”
“I wouldn’t dare presume…” As he spoke politely, hands clasped,
Whoosh!
He vanished with a gust of wind.
Pretending to converse, he had fled in an instant.
“Ugh.” But he didn’t get far before stopping at the edge of the reed field.
A gray-robed figure with a sword on his back blocked his path.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Your movement technique is remarkably fast!” the man exclaimed, throwing a compliment before attempting to flee skyward again.
But his legs felt rooted to the ground, unable to move.
A massive shadow had approached from behind, pouring out intangible energy.
“Keep running if you want,” So Okrim said, grinning as she loomed close behind him. “I’ll shatter your leg bones so you can’t use movement techniques for a while.”
The man swallowed hard.
Though her words sounded like a jest, he felt she’d genuinely break his legs if he tried to escape.
‘Did Ouyang Chun hire such masters?’ Realizing the man and woman before him not only possessed extraordinary prowess but surpassed his movement techniques, the man adjusted his expression.
“Heh heh, I just borrowed it out of curiosity,” he said, quickly pulling out ten gemstones from his robe. “I’ll return them. I’m truly sorry.”
“No need,” So Okrim said.
“Huh?”
“Keep that stuff.”
At her words, the man scratched his head. “Then why did you chase me?”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Jin Baekrim.”
Whack.
So Okrim’s pot-lid-sized fist struck his head.
“I can tell when someone’s lying.”
“Sorry, my name’s Sa Jinbaek…”
Whack!
“Jin Cheongun… Ok Jamyung… Yoon Kwangseo.”
Whack! Whack! Whack!
“Yu Cheongrim! It’s Yu Cheongrim!”
Whack!
“It’s true!”
“I said I can tell when you’re lying!”
Whack!
As she struck his head again, as if to split it, the man clutched his head and began to cry.
“It’s true! I swear on my life!” He knelt before her, clasping his hands. “My name is really Yu Cheongrim! Please spare me, great heroine!”
“Oh, it was true?” So Okrim said, tilting her head as if realizing something. “Yu Cheongrim? Sounds familiar.”
She nodded as if recalling something. “You’re the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief, aren’t you?”
The Thousand-Faced Divine Thief, Yu Cheongrim.
He was one of the four greatest thieves in the current martial world, renowned for leaving almost no traces and mastering the Thousand Transformations Technique, which allowed him to change his appearance instantly.
With astonishing movement techniques and disguise skills, he was considered the hardest thief to catch.
To think he was such a young man.
“Me, the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief? I’m just…”
Before he could finish,
Whoosh!
Realizing his identity was exposed, he used his movement technique to flee for his life.
‘If I’m caught, I’m dead!’ Having stolen not only from the wealthy but also countless treasures from martial factions, he assumed Bu Eunseol and So Okrim were pursuers sent to capture him.
Swish!
Yu Cheongrim’s shadow swiftly exited the reed field.
Thieves dubbed “divine” each possessed exceptional movement techniques.
Yu Cheongrim, in particular, had mastered one of the eight legendary movement techniques, the Great Lightning Flash Shadow.
It was a demonic movement art focused solely on speed, disregarding stealth.
His specialty was the Thousand Transformations Technique, allowing him to change his appearance and attire in an instant, relying on widening the gap with pursuers.
Boom!
Whoosh!
But two shadows soared through the air, instantly latching onto Yu Cheongrim’s shoulders.
“Impressive movement technique,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding as he ran alongside Yu Cheongrim’s left.
So Okrim, blinking, added, “Yeah, he must really be the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief.”
As Bu Eunseol and So Okrim casually conversed while keeping pace, fear filled Yu Cheongrim’s eyes.
He was pushing the Great Lightning Flash Shadow to the point of bursting, yet these two were chatting mid-chase?
“Hey, aren’t you stopping?” So Okrim said, thrusting her fist toward Yu Cheongrim’s face. “Want to get beaten and then stop?”
Seeing her pot-lid-sized fist waving before him, Yu Cheongrim lost all will to fight.
Swish.
He stopped his movement technique and bowed deeply, as if prostrating. “Please spare me! I’m just a man trying to get by day to day…”
Boom!
Before he could finish, So Okrim threw a punch.
A massive gust tore through, ripping Yu Cheongrim’s clothes.
Rustle.
A hidden pouch tore open, spilling secretly stashed gemstones.
“You spend hundreds of thousands of taels to get by day to day?” So Okrim asked.
Yu Cheongrim lowered his head, silent, sweat dripping like grapes from his forehead. He had roamed the martial world, but never had he encountered such terrifying masters.
“Ugh, gross. Are you sick? Why are you sweating so much?” So Okrim said.
“Sorry, I’m just scared.”
“Scared of what? Is someone going to eat you?”
Yu Cheongrim adjusted his expression and clasped his hands. “May I ask the heroine’s name?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Well, you seem like someone of great renown, but I can’t place your name…”
“You’ve roamed the martial world and still lack such perception?”
“Huh?”
So Okrim flung her long hair with her thick arm and crossed her arms. “Doesn’t this beauty remind you of someone?”
“Well, Guan Yu…”
“I’m the Celestial Goddess.”
Yu Cheongrim’s eyes widened. “No way, the Heaven-Collapsing Strike who wrecked the Yangguang martial world?”
Whack!
So Okrim’s fist sent his head sinking into his shoulders. “Who’s the Heaven-Collapsing Strike? I’m the Celestial Goddess!”
“S-Sorry!” Yu Cheongrim’s mind reeled.
Two years ago, So Okrim, the Heaven-Collapsing Strike, had crushed the previous generation’s masters in Yangguang and vanished. Why had such a terrifying master suddenly appeared here?
“What do you think? Seems useful, doesn’t he?” So Okrim said, grinning at Bu Eunseol, showing her white teeth. “Looks like we found an even better bait.”
“Seems so,” Bu Eunseol agreed.
No matter how perfectly one reached the state of Return to Simplicity to conceal their prowess, they couldn’t hide their innate aura.
Even when Bu Eunseol disguised as a woman in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion’s meeting room, an air of elegance and unapproachable dignity had emanated from him.
But Yu Cheongrim had evaded suspicion and pursuit all this time, disguising himself as an ordinary person.
Despite his martial skills, his aura was plain, even exuding a simple charm. His small stature and slender frame made him ideal for disguising as a woman.
“Bait? What’s that?” Yu Cheongrim asked, trembling with unease.
So Okrim waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Her casual tone only heightened his anxiety.
With someone like her, “nothing” often meant something extraordinarily dangerous.
“Hey, you,” So Okrim said, gripping his shoulder firmly with a friendly expression. “How about you do a little job with me?”
