Dae Guhwi.
He was the son of the Wild Beast Palace Lord’s third wife, a peerless genius proven from childhood to possess exceptional the Power of the Wild.
Thus, he had monopolized Lord Dae Gon’s favor.
But the first wife, jealous of the disrupted succession, ordered her subordinates to poison Dae Guhwi.
The one poisoned, however, was his caring mother, causing Dae Guhwi to witness her agonizing death. The full truth was uncovered, and the instigators and accomplices were all punished, yet the shock left Dae Guhwi unable to manifest the Power of the Wild any longer.
He fell from the Lord’s favor, and all his supporters abandoned him.
Moreover, his siblings despised and ostracized him.
The Wild Beast Palace was currently preparing for the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony, a tournament to select the strongest warrior among the successors’ subordinates.
But due to his siblings’ sabotage and bullying, every subordinate Dae Guhwi had prepared for the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony suffered severe injuries.
Having learned all this in advance through the Death Spirit Corps, Bu Eunseol tracked Dae Guhwi’s movements. Then, with a Death Spirit Corps agent, he staged a little play.
If he demonstrated subduing an enemy with profound martial principles without using inner energy? It would surely capture Dae Guhwi’s interest and earn an invitation into the Wild Beast Palace.
And in the end, the scheme succeeded.
“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol pretended to hesitate briefly, then nodded. “Very well.”
The youth, Dae Guhwi, beamed and ordered the attendants standing nearby. “Pay generously to repair this ruined inn.”
He extended a hand. “Come with me. I have a carriage prepared.”
Clack-clack.
The carriage that left the inn rumbled on endlessly. Only then did Nae Bihon, riding inside, quietly ask Bu Eunseol.
“That young man must be from the Wild Beast Palace.”
Though memory-less, Nae Bihon was no fool. In fact, his keen insight and observation, once veiled by madness, now shone brighter.
He had instantly guessed the inn fight was Bu Eunseol’s doing.
The man’s martial arts were impressive, but with Bu Eunseol’s skill, there had been no need to prolong it.
“He is the Wild Beast Palace Lord’s youngest son, Dae Guhwi.” Bu Eunseol calmly explained about Dae Guhwi.
“But even if we catch his eye, can we obtain the Field of Divine Spirits?”
“The Wild Beast Palace is currently preparing for the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony. They select the most valiant among the subordinates and award prizes.” Bu Eunseol continued. “The Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony chooses those skilled in taming beasts and proficient in the Wild Beast Style.”
“Hmm.”
“But Dae Guhwi has no subordinates left to enter the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony. His siblings injured them all.”
“He’s backed into a corner.”
“Exactly.” A faint gleam flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes. “If he fails to achieve decent results in this Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony, he’ll be completely eliminated from the succession.”
“But we’re outsiders. Not disciples of the Wild Beast Palace.” Nae Bihon pointed out sharply, and Bu Eunseol smiled calmly.
“The Wild Beast Palace has a unique rule. They believe recognizing outstanding talent from outside and recruiting them is also part of a successor’s capability.”
“You mean we’ll temporarily become his subordinates and participate.”
“Yes. Normally, the Wild Beast Palace successors actively recruit outsiders to win.” Nae Bihon’s eyes sparkled.
“Impressive. Remarkable intelligence.”
To investigate another sect in detail—especially an outer sect like the Wild Beast Palace.
To predict the successor Dae Guhwi’s travel routes and stage events in advance. That required intelligence on the scale of a sect, not a mere information network.
“In today’s martial world, nothing money can’t buy. With ample funds, one can personally command a vast intelligence force.”
“I see.” The carriage finally stopped at a grand manor overlooking the Wild Beast Palace.
“That’s the Wild Beast Palace.” Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant Wild Beast Palace.
Carved from an entire mountain, its majesty resembled Nangyang Pavilion, which occupied all of Iron Staff Mountain. But its scale was over ten times larger.
Like the North Sea Ice Palace surrounded by vassals guarding the main palace, successors also formed independent forces. They resided separately, centered around the Wild Beast Palace.
“We’ve arrived.” Dae Guhwi’s residence was on the outermost edge of the Wild Beast Palace.
As a nominal successor, he occupied land the size of a small village. Yet there were more servants and maids than the Wild Beast Palace warriors.
“This way.” Dae Guhwi smiled and led Bu Eunseol and Nae Bihon to his quarters.
The banquet was prepared swiftly by the servants. Bu Eunseol and Nae Bihon drank with Dae Guhwi through the night.
Surprisingly, Dae Guhwi clicked better with Nae Bihon.
The two talked openly, like old friends despite the age gap, sharing drinks. Perhaps because their personalities and auras were remarkably similar.
“Could it be that Master Nae is the Thunder God, Master Nae Bihon—one of the Four Gods who dominate the martial world?” Dae Guhwi joked with a laugh.
The Thunder God’s body always emanated Thunder God Spirit Energy, making disguise impossible. Thus, Dae Guhwi could only assume Nae Bihon shared the name with the Thunder God.
“Then there’d be no need to intervene at the inn—Brother Thunder could’ve handled it with a flick of his finger.” Bu Eunseol replied, and Dae Guhwi laughed brightly.
“You’re right.” As the drinking deepened, Dae Guhwi broached the subject subtly.
“Actually, I have an earnest request for you both.”
“Speak.”
“Soon, the main palace will hold the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony.”
“I know. A tournament to select the most valiant and outstanding subordinates of the Wild Beast Palace.”
“Publicly, yes, but in truth, it’s to determine which successor has the strongest subordinates. The true elite warriors of the Wild Beast Palace don’t participate.” Dae Guhwi spoke gravely. “But the subordinates I cherish were all injured by my siblings—to prevent any upsets.”
Nae Bihon, listening silently, asked, “What exactly does the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony compete in?”
“It’s divided into the Bare-Handed Battle, which is physical combat using only the body’s natural strength without inner energy, and the Majestic Power Battle, taming beasts.”
In short, the Bare-Handed Battle tested physical power; the Majestic Power Battle tested Ten Thousand Beasts, the ability to command animals.
“I’ve never stood out in the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony. I turn eighteen this year… I must win at least one of the two to maintain my successor status.”
Dae Guhwi detailed his circumstances.
After his mother’s tragic death, he could no longer use the Power of the Wild.
His siblings bullied him, and all support vanished.
“At the inn, Master Seol subdued that lecher with profound fist arts without inner energy. With that skill, I believe you could excel in the Bare-Handed Battle.”
“So you didn’t invite us just for camaraderie.”
At Nae Bihon’s words, Dae Guhwi said sheepishly, “At first, yes, but not now. I genuinely like you both.” He added, embarrassed, “You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to. It was just… my thought.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “Young Master Dae is too honest for your own good.”
From the start, Bu Eunseol’s goal was to use Dae Guhwi to enter the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony. But seeing his pure, frank attitude, Bu Eunseol felt a twinge of guilt.
“But we’re outsiders—can we participate in the Wild Beast Palace’s tournament?” Bu Eunseol asked, feigning ignorance of the rules, and Dae Guhwi answered quickly.
“Of course. One condition to become the palace leader is the eye to recognize external talent and the ability to recruit them.” He sighed. “In fact, many of my brothers’ subordinates are masters not originally from the palace.”
“I see.” Bu Eunseol and Nae Bihon exchanged glances and nodded.
Dae Guhwi had laid bare his situation without deceit.
Both felt great fondness for him.
“If Master Seol wins the Bare-Handed Battle, I will reward you handsomely…” Before he finished, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Very well. I’ll participate.”
“Really? Thank you!” Dae Guhwi’s face lit up, and Bu Eunseol slyly brought up the main point.
“But if I win, could I receive one of the Wild Beast Palace’s treasures? For example… the Field of Divine Spirits?”
“The Field of Divine Spirits?” Dae Guhwi blinked in surprise at the unexpected word. “If I could give it, I would right now. But it’s beyond my authority.”
He shook his head. “To be granted a palace treasure, one must win both the Bare-Handed Battle and the Majestic Power Battle. Then the Lord asks what you desire.”
“I see.” Nae Bihon nodded. “Then I’ll enter the Majestic Power Battle.”
Even Bu Eunseol hadn’t expected that curveball.
“Brother Thunder, to win the Majestic Power Battle, you need mastery of the Ten Thousand Beasts Art to freely command animals.”
The Ten Thousand Beasts Art.
The Wild Beast Palace’s supreme secret art, the hardest to learn—it could subdue every animal in the world. What made the Ten Thousand Beasts Art especially difficult was that innate disposition mattered most.
No matter how talented, without the ability to easily commune with animals… one could never master it.
How could Nae Bihon, who hadn’t even learned the Ten Thousand Beasts Art and had his Thunder God Spirit Energy sealed, participate in the Majestic Power Battle?
“No.” Before Bu Eunseol could speak, Dae Guhwi said firmly. “Master Nae plans to use inner energy, right? But inner energy is forbidden in the Majestic Power Battle too.”
“I never intended to use inner energy.”
“You mean to subdue them bare-handed? That makes it even worse.” Dae Guhwi shook his head. “The beasts in the Majestic Power Battle are no ordinary animals. Most are ferocious and untamable.”
“You think I’d beat them into submission?”
“Isn’t that it?”
“Of course not.” Nae Bihon said leisurely. “Animals are no different from humans. I believe the Ten Thousand Beasts Art was created with that in mind.”
“Master Nae.”
“Nothing to lose, right? No expectations, no disappointment.” His confident words left Dae Guhwi no choice.
“Fine. But if it seems impossible, forfeit immediately. You won’t get badly hurt.”
“Will do.” With the talk concluded, the drinking grew merrier.
Dae Guhwi drank with them through the night before leaving. That night, Bu Eunseol and Nae Bihon rested in the large room Dae Guhwi provided.
“Brother Thunder.” Bu Eunseol said, bewildered. “What are you thinking? You haven’t learned the Ten Thousand Beasts Art, yet you’ll enter the Majestic Power Battle?”
“That young lad is desperately struggling alone.” A strange light gleamed in Nae Bihon’s eyes as he stared at the ceiling. “He’s fighting to survive, so this old man just wants to lend a hand.”
If his son had lived, he’d be about Dae Guhwi’s age. Though memories were lost, Nae Bihon’s instincts clearly yearned for his child unconsciously.
“But I’ve never commanded beasts… so I’ll need some preparations.”
“Preparations?”
“All I have is this body.” Nae Bihon chuckled lowly, his eyes sparkling.
He looked less like the world-shaking Thunder God and more like a scheming strategist.
***
Finally, the day of the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony arrived.
At the Wild Beast Palace’s center stood two massive structures.
One was an iron cage like a giant prison; the other a bizarre building with only entrance and exit visible. The cage was the stage for the Bare-Handed Battle; the odd structure housed the mechanisms for the Majestic Power Battle.
Before them rose a high platform where a middle-aged giant—eight cheok tall—sat.
The Wild Beast Palace Lord Dae Gon.
Born with a perfect Beastly Physique, he exuded the aura of a beast more than a man. Yet his eyes brimmed with wisdom, like a great beast transformed into human form.
—Let the Grand Wild Cultivation Ceremony begin.
The event was hosted by the Wild Beast Palace’s chief steward, Yong Mun-gyeok.
—First, the Bare-Handed Battle!
At his shout, the enormous iron cage—dozens of jang wide—opened on all sides.
Muscular men waiting nearby flooded in.
“Master Seol, I’m counting on you.”
Bu Eunseol nodded calmly and entered the cage.
Jeers echoed from all directions.
Tall but scrawny, with no presence or intensity in his eyes.
The Wild Beast Palace experts could gauge physical power at a glance, so they deemed Bu Eunseol’s strength unimpressive.
“Here.” As Bu Eunseol entered, a pill waited at the cage door.
Sangongdan—it completely blocked inner energy use.
Moreover, mist that dispersed inner energy rose sporadically inside the cage.
Judges with piercing eyes watched from every side making sure no inner energy could be used.
Gulp.
Bu Eunseol swallowed the pill without hesitation.
‘Poison.’ He smiled bitterly.
The pill contained not only energy-disrupting drugs but a mild hallucinogen to cloud the mind.
Someone had tampered to ensure Dae Guhwi couldn’t win.
‘Pointless.’ Bu Eunseol smirked.
As long as the Ban-Geuk Method circulated, he was virtually immune to all poisons, thus even hundreds of times stronger toxins would have no effect.
Boom.
As he stepped in last, dozens of men crouched inside.
The Wild Beast Palace’s the Bare-Handed Battle differed from ordinary tournaments.
It was a free-for-all melee in the cage; the last one standing won.
Grrr.
Men growled like beasts, scanning surroundings, baring sharp claws.
Only weapon: the body. Nothing else was allowed.
“Kaah!” No formal greetings or salutes.
The moment the cage closed, the fight began—until one remained.
Tat-tat-tat.
A hulking man charged Bu Eunseol.
Gwa Cheok, a subordinate of the Wild Beast Palace’s third son, Dae Unpung.
He had marked Bu Eunseol as prey.
Swish!
While Bu Eunseol stood still, Gwa Cheok flashed past like lightning.
Blood sprayed from Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
The Wild Beast Style.
Even without inner energy, it displayed astonishing movement and power.
‘So this is the Wild Beast Palace’s martial arts.’
The Wild Beast Palace’s Wild Beast Style was said to push the human body to its limits. Seeing it firsthand, showed Bu Eunseol that it was truly well-deserved.
Without inner energy, it rivaled martial experts in strength and agility.
‘But strange. Why do their movements leave afterimages?’
Odd.
Gwa Cheok’s beast-like motions lingered as afterimages in Bu Eunseol’s vision.
The Beast Way.
The keen senses etched in Bu Eunseol’s body reacted to the Wild Beast Palace’s Wild Beast Style.
‘Was the story in the Nangyang Single Turn true?’
Bu Eunseol had once entered Majeon’s Myriad Demon Scripture Vault for the Five Initial Forms trial.
There, he read the Nangyang Single Turn, authored by a Nangyang Pavilion master. It detailed the origins of the Beast Way, tracing them to Namman the Wild Beast Palace’s Wild Beast Style.
He hadn’t thought deeply about it then. But feeling every one of Gwa Cheok’s moves connect to the Beast Way…
He knew it was true.
‘Fascinating. Those movements.’
Gwa Cheok seemed to flail wildly in all directions, yet each was precise and profound.
And every motion instantly imprinted on Bu Eunseol’s body.
‘Pat.’ Unconsciously, Gwa Cheok’s claws grazed Bu Eunseol’s cheek.
At the same time, he opened sharp jaws to tear Bu Eunseol’s throat.
Whoosh!
But something unexpected happened. Bu Eunseol dodged nimbly and bit Gwa Cheok’s throat.
Spurt!
Gwa Cheok, shocked, flipped mid-air and retreated.
Drip-drip-drip.
He avoided vital points, but blood poured endlessly from the torn throat.
“Grrr.” Seeing blood enraged him; he crouched on all fours, growling like a beast.
Not imitation—he became the beast itself.
The Power of the Wild.
Realizing Bu Eunseol was no easy foe, he invoked the Wild Beast Palace’s ultimate art to transcend physical limits.
Riiip.
Clothes tore as his body doubled in size, muscles bulging grotesquely.
“Heh heh.” Murderous intent to kill Bu Eunseol poured from Gwa Cheok.
But something bizarre occurred.
Bu Eunseol inhaled deeply, absorbing even Gwa Cheok’s killing intent through his senses.
“Grrr.” Having absorbed Gwa Cheok’s instincts, Bu Eunseol growled low, standing tall, flexing his back muscles wide.
He looked like a bipedal beast puffing up to intimidate an enemy.
—That man?
The Wild Beast Palace onlookers above the cage gasped in shock.
The overwhelming killing intent from Bu Eunseol.
Was this not the Power of the Wild, achievable only by one who had perfectly mastered the Wild Beast Style?
