‘What a peculiar demonic sword.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened as he gazed at the blade.
The demonic sword clutched in Do Cheonlin’s hand had a slender blade that shimmered with a myriad of colors, as delicate as a willow branch.
Its graceful curve resembled that of a full-moon saber.
Its appearance was so extravagantly beautiful that, if compared to a person, it seemed like a stunning beauty draped in the finest silks.
‘Is there no other way?’ Bu Eunseol let out a quiet sigh.
He knew the secret of the demonic swords scattered throughout the Three Realms by the Three Realms Sovereign.
And since he had resolved to wield one of those swords and rise to the position of the Sovereign’s blade, sooner or later—whether now or in the future—he was fated to cross swords with Do Cheonlin.
Shiiing.
Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Do Cheonlin narrowed his eyes as he stared at the dull, blackened blade that looked like an old iron sword.
“You’ve perfectly concealed the demonic aura.” He gave a faint nod. “Or perhaps this is a demonic sword that only releases its aura when you wish it to.”
From sensing the demonic energy just once, Do Cheonlin had already deduced a great deal about the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
“I’ll yield the first move.”
Do Cheonlin offered the initiative.
Having reached the realm of Tranquil Clarity, Bu Eunseol’s martial presence and inner energy remained completely hidden until the moment he unleashed his technique.
To any observer, he would appear no different from an ordinary, unremarkable martial artist.
“Very well.” Bu Eunseol raised the Silent Tiger Soul Sword as he gazed at Do Cheonlin, whose wild charisma overflowed like a beast’s.
‘Hmm.’
Yet something felt off.
From their time on Hell Island until now, Do Cheonlin had treated him relatively well.
Even if it had been to bring him under his banner, Bu Eunseol had never harbored true ill will toward the man—from beginning to end.
“You still haven’t awakened it, have you?” When Bu Eunseol hesitated to strike, Do Cheonlin spoke something unexpected.
“Awakened? What do you mean?” As Bu Eunseol tilted his head in puzzlement, Do Cheonlin let out a low sigh.
“You haven’t held that demonic sword for long.”
“That’s true.”
“The more strong opponents you cut down, the deeper the demonic sword’s radiance becomes. Only then can you properly wield the powers it truly possesses.”
‘So that’s how it is.’
Only now did Bu Eunseol understand why the emissary of the Three Realms had once asked Wang Cheol whether he had “awakened” his sword yet.
“I see. I was unaware.”
Do Cheonlin drew a deep breath as Bu Eunseol continued to treat him with unwavering courtesy.
“Hmm.” Do Cheonlin snorted and shook his head.
He had realized that Bu Eunseol had no real desire to fight him.
In truth, somewhere deep in his own heart, Do Cheonlin had also lost all interest in this duel.
Clack.
In the end, Do Cheonlin sheathed the sword he had drawn.
“Let me give you one piece of advice.” After exhaling, he pointed at the Silent Tiger Soul Sword in Bu Eunseol’s hand.
“If you wish to keep your life, throw that sword off the cliff right now.” Turning away, he spoke calmly. “You wouldn’t have survived this fight anyway.”
The moment he unfolded his movement technique to leave—
Bzzzz!
A strange sensation pierced Do Cheonlin’s mind.
In that instant, he felt the powerful aura of another demonic sword.
It came from hundreds of zhang away.
To be detectable from such a distance, the owner had to be a master of exceptional skill wielding an equally powerful demonic sword.
“This should be interesting.”
A smile touched Do Cheonlin’s lips as he instantly executed the Cleansing Sweep technique.
KWAAANG!
He leaped into the air like a bolt of lightning and vanished from the spot in a flash.
The moment Do Cheonlin’s figure turned into a black speck and disappeared, Bu Eunseol let out a sigh mixed with admiration.
“Your skill has grown tremendously.”
Even judging only by his movement technique, it was on a completely different level from the past. Clearly, he had undergone bone-crushing training, and his martial prowess had advanced by leaps and bounds.
‘He sensed something.’
Once all the Wishful True Binding energy Bu Eunseol had poured into the Silent Tiger Soul Sword vanished, he could no longer detect the demonic aura of another sword user. Yet judging by how Do Cheonlin’s battle spirit flared and he dashed away with his movement art, Bu Eunseol guessed that another demonic sword bearer had been found.
Shhhk!
Bu Eunseol leaped into the air and followed the direction Do Cheonlin had vanished, unfolding his own movement technique.
The place Do Cheonlin arrived at, riding a gale-like movement art, was the cliff atop a desolate mountain peak. There stood a man holding a demonic sword whose blade was densely engraved with scale-like protrusions.
Tak.
Do Cheonlin landed lightly in front of the man, glanced around, and sneered.
“You put some thought into this.”
After scanning the cliff’s surroundings twice, he muttered in a low voice, “It wasn’t one powerful demonic aura you released, but several of you pouring out your auras at once.”
Swish.
The moment his muttering ended, two more men slowly revealed themselves behind him.
All three were in league. They had deliberately released their demonic auras together, luring in anyone drawn to the energy, then ambushing them all at once to claim victory.
“Heh heh heh.” The three martial artists grinned wickedly when they saw the demonic sword at Do Cheonlin’s waist.
“That looks like a demonic sword with quite excellent abilities.”
“Hand it over if you don’t want to die.”
“If this old man is in a good mood, we might even let you live.”
Do Cheonlin yawned and shook his head. “Do you really believe you can become the final victor by stealing demonic swords this way?”
“Heh heh heh. You should know better than anyone that each demonic sword’s abilities differ vastly.” The muscular man standing at the front smirked sinisterly. “The more we have, the more varied powers we can wield.”
They had realized that the more demonic swords one possessed, the more diverse abilities one could use, and had banded together to collect them.
“A tactic only the weak would resort to in order to survive.” Do Cheonlin smiled coldly at the men surrounding him. “But a demonic sword’s abilities are merely supplementary. In the end, if you yourself are not strong, you cannot survive.”
Shiiing.
The moment Do Cheonlin drew his sword, their faces paled.
They had fought countless demonic sword users, yet they had never seen a blade radiating such intense brilliance and demonic aura.
“It was… this strong?”
Only now did they realize they had provoked Yama, the God of Death, himself.
“W-wait!” The three men frantically waved their hands. “There’s no need for a fight like—”
Clack.
Do Cheonlin cut them off by raising his demonic sword horizontally to head height—an overtly threatening stance that looked ready to pierce their faces at any moment.
‘That’s not a Blood Flame Blade stance.’
From afar, Bu Eunseol—who had been watching the entire scene—narrowed his eyes.
As the young master of the Blood Flame Blade Sect, Do Cheonlin had trained for years in the Blood Flame Blade Art, the highest saber art of the Demonic Path. Yet the stance he assumed now was one used by eastern warriors, brimming with ferocious intensity that seemed ready to charge and thrust at any second—a one-strike-kill posture that made opponents hesitate to approach.
“Damn it! Even if he’s strong, there are three of us!”
Realizing escape was impossible, the three men steeled themselves and attacked.
Bzzzz.
As the battle truly began, brilliant light poured from the demonic swords the three men wielded.
The special ability of their swords was simple: even ordinary techniques unleashed power comparable to supreme orthodox sword arts.
When three such blades unleashed their strikes simultaneously, the might was enough to cleave the heavens and shatter the earth.
Flash!
In that instant, Do Cheonlin’s body became a streak of lightning.
Slash!
At the same moment, the head of the man standing in the center soared into the sky.
‘That was…’ Bu Eunseol, watching from hiding, could not conceal his shock.
The sword art Do Cheonlin had just used was not the Blood Flame Blade Art, but the true divine swordsmanship of the Illusory Demon Venerable who had swept the martial world four hundred years ago—the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword.
‘Impressive.’ Bu Eunseol nodded.
Do Cheonlin’s martial arts had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching a level incomparable to the past.
‘He has perfectly blended the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword with the Blood Flame Blade Art.’
By exquisitely merging the strengths of both arts, Do Cheonlin displayed a clear gap in martial prowess against those who relied solely on their demonic swords’ abilities.
Clang!
Then, with a clear metallic ring, one of the men’s swords was sent flying off the cliff.
“Argh!” At the same time, the fatally wounded man let out a bloodcurdling scream as he tumbled over the edge.
The overwhelming power contained in Do Cheonlin’s strike had ruptured the man’s internals and hurled him off the cliff.
Slash! Thud.
In less than a dozen exchanges, the head of the last remaining man rolled across the ground.
“If you’ve enjoyed the show, come out.” Having cut down all three, Do Cheonlin suddenly turned and shouted.
His gaze was fixed precisely on the tree where Bu Eunseol had concealed himself.
‘Has he truly reached the same level as me?’ Discovered, Bu Eunseol could not hide his astonishment.
To sense his completely concealed presence from over twenty zhang away?
Did that mean Do Cheonlin had unexpectedly reached a realm of martial prowess nearly equal to his own?
“Impressive.” Having no choice, Bu Eunseol slowly descended from the tree. “To detect my presence at this level…”
Do Cheonlin shook his head.
“It wasn’t my martial skill that sensed you—it was this Illusory Demon Sword.” A bitter expression crossed his face. “Your scabbard seems to be made from the same Spirit-Sealing Stone as mine.”
“What a marvelous ability.”
“If it could completely fool even my senses, you must be a master of considerable standing.” When Bu Eunseol answered calmly, flames ignited in Do Cheonlin’s eyes. “Were you hoping to toy with me while hiding your true strength?”
“I—” Bu Eunseol began to speak, then shook his head.
A duel was now unavoidable.
With no other choice, he drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Shiiing.
As the dull, iron-like black blade revealed itself, a chilling sharpness spread in all directions.
Even without infusing it with intent to kill, the blade exuded keenness.
It was as though the Silent Tiger Soul Sword had sensed that Do Cheonlin and his Illusory Demon Sword possessed power equal to its own.
Sizzle!
Without a word, Do Cheonlin attacked first.
Unlike orthodox sect members, demonic path warriors do not bother with formalities or courtesies once battle begins—they fight solely to fell their opponent.
FWOOOO!
Moreover, the hallmark of the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword Art was that it appeared deceptively slow on the surface, yet in truth it was faster than any swift sword.
The strikes that drifted like butterflies suddenly produced a short ripping sound and in an instant, the tip of Do Cheonlin’s sword touched Bu Eunseol’s chest.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol instantly executed the Swift Beyond Shadow Form to evade the strike. But Do Cheonlin, having already predicted the movement, changed his sword technique.
The tip of the Illusory Demon Sword pursued Bu Eunseol like a living creature, clinging relentlessly.
BOOM!
When the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and Illusory Demon Sword clashed, a sound like a massive temple bell rang out, and waves of true energy rippled in all directions.
“Your swordsmanship is quite remarkable.” Realizing Bu Eunseol was still holding back, Do Cheonlin’s eyes flashed. “But I haven’t yet unleashed my true power!”
A strand of rainbow-colored light surged from Do Cheonlin’s demonic sword. As it drew near Bu Eunseol’s body, it split into dozens of sword qi strands and struck toward vital points faster than lightning.
He had once again fused the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword with a technique from the Blood Flame Blade Art.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Bu Eunseol unfolded the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms and repelled the sword qi in a single motion.
Yet the weight of Do Cheonlin’s sword qi felt like massive iron balls hurled at him.
Vmmm!
In the end, one strand that the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms failed to fully block grazed Bu Eunseol’s cheek. But paying no mind to the wound on his cheek, Bu Eunseol sent the Silent Tiger Soul Sword behind his back.
Clang!
A clear metallic ring resounded.
It was astonishing.
All the sword qi Bu Eunseol had seemingly deflected had secretly looped back to target his spine.
A ghostly, flawless Returning Spiral Secret.
“Impressive.” Bu Eunseol exclaimed in genuine admiration.
In all his battles against countless masters, he had never even heard of a technique that could secretly return deflected sword qi.
Clang! Clang!
Moreover, with every clash of blades, a heavy force traveled through his fingertips.
It was clear Do Cheonlin had devoted himself not only to sword techniques but to inner energy cultivation as well.
“Haaap!” Seeing Bu Eunseol block the Returning Spiral as if it were nothing, Do Cheonlin shouted in surprise and changed his sword technique with lightning-fast movements.
Yet the more he attacked, the more his expression twisted.
Though Bu Eunseol seemed to thrust carelessly, he effortlessly parried the profound mysteries of both the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword and Blood Flame Blade Art.
There was not the slightest trace of tension on his face—it was as relaxed as if he were strolling through the neighborhood.
‘This man…’ Do Cheonlin bit his lip.
After wandering the martial world, training with desperate resolve, and obtaining the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword, his martial arts had soared. He had believed almost no one among the new generation could rival him.
Yet here was a master of similar age who had been hiding such overwhelming skill?
Sizzle.
Do Cheonlin momentarily halted his assault and stepped back.
“Among those of our generation who have reached this level, their identities are usually obvious… yet I do not recognize your face at all.”
Raising his Illusory Demon Sword with a tense expression, he asked again, “You are no unknown soldier. Reveal your name.”
“Does it matter who I am?” At Bu Eunseol’s reply, Do Cheonlin’s face hardened.
The answer sounded like mockery.
“It’s too early to celebrate. I have yet to show my true strength.”
Hundreds of arrow-like killing intents exploded from Do Cheonlin’s body. At the same time, a faint light glimmered from the Illusory Demon Sword.
‘He intends to use every ability of his demonic sword.’
Every demonic sword scattered by the Three Realms possessed destructive powers that defied martial reason.
Until now, Do Cheonlin had fought honorably with pure martial skill.
But from this moment, he planned to amplify his martial might by unleashing the sword’s full abilities.
KURURURU—BOOM!
Do Cheonlin’s body seemed to fall forward parallel to the ground, then a thunderous explosion erupted. At the same instant, ghostly sword qi that was nearly impossible to detect poured forth.
The explosion appeared to be a technique meant to mask the trajectories of those sword qi.
‘One from the right, one from above.’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed. ‘The rest sweep in from the left rear. Each carries different speeds and martial principles.’
Hidden within the deafening explosion that numbed the ears, these were strikes that even masters with hyper-acute senses could never detect. Yet Bu Eunseol, who had reached the pinnacle of beast-like intuition, clearly perceived the trajectories of sword qi that could neither be seen nor felt.
He instantly swung the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and annihilated them all.
KABOOM!
Yet an unexpected outcome unfolded.
When he struck the sword qi, an explosion sent Bu Eunseol’s body sliding backward.
“Hoh.” Bu Eunseol exclaimed softly.
Only now did he realize that Do Cheonlin’s sword qi not only contained explosive heavy-sword principles, but had also predicted the timing and motion of his defense, accelerating the pressure accordingly.
Such a strike was extremely difficult to execute successfully, but when it landed, the effect was devastating—merely having one’s movements read could shatter fighting spirit.
Unfortunately for Do Cheonlin, his opponent was Bu Eunseol.
‘He has truly grown strong.’ Rather than feel discouraged, Bu Eunseol’s battle spirit blazed higher at this astonishing display of swordsmanship.
He already stood at the very pinnacle among the younger generation. Moreover, every life-or-death battle Bu Eunseol had fought until now had been against veterans far older and more skilled—battles of excruciating mental warfare and nerve-wracking tension.
To now face a pure, honest duel against a next-generation master of the same age filled him with unexpected joy.
‘I almost wish we could fight a little longer.’ Bu Eunseol felt a twinge of regret.
Even if he won in the end, he wanted to cross blades with this man just a bit more.
Shhk! Shhk! Shhk!
To block Do Cheonlin’s swordsmanship, Bu Eunseol unleashed three consecutive strikes.
Sharp sword qi soared through the air like dragons, piercing toward Do Cheonlin’s vital points.
It was the Dragon-Slaying Demon Sword he had learned from the Heaven and Earth Severing Art.
‘Demonic swordsmanship?’ Do Cheonlin’s brow twitched.
From his speech and demeanor, he had assumed Bu Eunseol was an orthodox master or at least a wandering swordsman who maintained distance from both orthodox and demonic paths.
Yet he was actually a demonic practitioner?
‘No matter. I’ll simply crush him.’
Do Cheonlin snorted and raised his sword to parry—then his expression changed.
The Dragon-Slaying Demon Sword was a pinnacle demonic sword art, but its deployment was relatively slow. Yet the version Bu Eunseol unleashed was not only lightning-fast but carried power enough to shatter demonic swords.
KWA-RUUUM! Sizzle!
Moreover, with every strike, violet lightning crackled in all directions.
It was as if the legendary thunder god Nae Bihon had suddenly descended and begun wielding the Dragon-Slaying Demon Sword.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Clear sword cries rang out as the two blades clashed, bringing the fighters close enough to see each other’s faces.
In that instant, Do Cheonlin met eyes as cold and still as eternal ice—yet deep within burned flames hotter than the sun.
‘They’re alike.’
Do Cheonlin knew one other person who possessed such eyes.
The most famous figure in the current Demonic Path, the next-generation leader destined to command Majeon.
‘But if I fight him again now, I can win!’
Slash!
Do Cheonlin twisted his grip on the Illusory Demon Sword, and a ghostly sword qi erupted from the ground—utterly undetectable. Thanks to the Illusory Demon Sword’s nature, close-quarters exchanges were frequent.
Thus, Do Cheonlin combined the ultimate technique of the Illusory Demon Sword, Grudge Blinded Vision, with the White Rainbow Techniques of the Blood Flame Blade Art, creating an unblockable killing move.
Bzzzz!
Yet at that moment, transparent energy poured from Bu Eunseol’s left hand.
Having predicted Do Cheonlin’s hidden upward strike from the ground, he unleashed the Wishful True Binding Art fused with Crystal Divine Energy, forcibly suppressing the sword qi.
Flash!
Then something utterly unforeseen occurred.
Far in the sky, light exploded outward, scattering like fireworks into thousands of sword qi that rained down like a storm.
And those arrow-like rays of sword qi did not spread wide—they concentrated solely on Bu Eunseol and Do Cheonlin.
‘Damn it.’ Do Cheonlin cursed inwardly.
That light—that was the Blood Arrow Thunder Energy of the Blood Battle Demonic Sword he had been chasing all this time.
He had thought the wielder was still fleeing, avoiding direct confrontation. Who would have imagined they had been circling, waiting for the perfect moment to ambush?
Brrrr!
But then, hundreds of sword flowers bloomed overhead like clusters of blossoms, annihilating the raining sword qi.
Bu Eunseol had swung his sword and blocked every last strand of the Blood Battle Demonic Sword’s Blood Arrow Thunder Energy.
‘Impossible…’ Do Cheonlin’s eyes widened.
His own ultimate hidden technique and the Blood Arrow Thunder Energy had been unleashed almost simultaneously.
Yet Bu Eunseol had blocked both at once.
That meant he was a master who could utilize time twice as efficiently as Do Cheonlin himself.
Clang-clang-clang!
As sword flowers and Blood Arrow Thunder Energy collided in rapid succession, sharp metallic notes rang out.
A single volley of Blood Arrow Thunder Energy consisted of at least a hundred strands of sword qi. Blocking them all at once was impossible—one had to swing the sword many times.
Flash!
In that brief gap, sharp light glinted in Do Cheonlin’s eyes.
Because Bu Eunseol had split his focus to block attacks from above and below simultaneously, a perfect opening had appeared.
‘Now—I can kill him.’
Demonic sword wielders were fated to clash until only one remained. Not only for the chance to claim new abilities, but because the more strong opponents one defeated, the stronger one’s own demonic sword became.
Crack.
Do Cheonlin gripped his Illusory Demon Sword tighter.
The more strong warriors you slay, the stronger you become.
If he cut down a master of this caliber, the Illusory Demon Sword’s power could double—or more.
And that perfect opportunity now lay before him.
For any warrior wielding a demonic sword, this was a temptation impossible to resist.
