The stories flowing from the pond once again seeped into Bu Eunseol’s mind.
―The minions of the True Demon have long ruled the martial world in secret, suppressing the development of martial artists’ cultivation.
After much deliberation, our clan gave birth to a new force to inherit our power: the Three Realms.
The Infinite Realm inherited our clan’s physical body.
The Clear River Realm inherited our clan’s mind.
The Returning to One Realm inherited our clan’s profound great dharma.
Through them, we protected the martial world.
And once more, so that martial arts could flourish brilliantly again, we divided the Profound Divine Technique Qi—something ordinary martial artists could never wield—into eleven stems and taught them.
Through this, the Three Realms nurtured the peerless grandmasters known as the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
As he savored the information pouring into his mind, Bu Eunseol’s eyes dimmed faintly.
An unexpected statement had flowed out.
―But was it fate?
Or perhaps because they had ruled the martial world for far too long?
In the end, the Three Realms betrayed us and turned their blades against our clan.
‘Betrayal…’
While Bu Eunseol mulled over the word, the voice in his mind continued.
―How many times has this happened now?
Our clan was deeply disappointed.
This was not the first time a force we had created had fallen into corruption—just like the Three Realms.
Having repeatedly witnessed greed and power leading to collapse and depravity, our clan was greatly disheartened.
We retrieved all eleven powers we had bestowed upon them and quietly departed.
To a place beyond the footsteps of martial artists, to a place where foolish humans could never reach…
After all, among the True Demon’s minions remaining in the present martial world, only Incheon is left.
‘Baekri.’
At last, Bu Eunseol understood.
The “clan” they spoke of was none other than the Baekri Clan, which had completely vanished from the martial world three hundred years ago.
Unlike the Yangseol family or the Jungson family, the Baekri Clan had disappeared in an instant, as though it had evaporated.
―But as time passed, we learned one unexpected truth.
The Three Realms, which we thought had all fallen, had split into two.
The righteous ones continued their lineage in secret, quietly restoring the Profound Divine Technique Qi our clan had taught them, and preparing to oppose Incheon.
The voice flowing from the pond gradually grew quieter.
It seemed the story was nearing its conclusion.
―Soon the world will plunge into chaos and ruin. We have already reached the very edge of the laws for a long time.
Huuuk.
Suddenly, the arm touching the pond began to grow hot.
At the same time, something unknown surged up his forearm and poured relentlessly into his body.
And instead of the voice in his mind, vivid moving images suddenly appeared clearly before his eyes.
‘What in the world is this?’
The lights in the pond gathered into the shape of a key, and showed it seeping into his left arm.
Watching the moving scenes unfold before him felt like looking at a living picture book, marvelous and strange, and the images etched themselves clearly into his mind.
―Before crossing the Absolute Boundary, we sought you out but ultimately could not connect.
With no other choice, we convey this message through the Vast Abyss of Wise Intellect…
Incheon is only the beginning. You must perfectly restore the eleven powers our clan bestowed and maintain your force while waiting.
This is the final message our clan leaves for you.
Wuuung.
The pouring light vanished, and every voice that had flowed from the pond into his mind fell completely silent.
Bu Eunseol stood frozen like a stone statue for a long while.
“There is a righteous faction within the Three Realms… and they are continuing their lineage?”
It turned out this vault was not a place holding the power of the Baekri Clan, but rather a repository left behind by the Baekri Clan—disappointed in the Three Realms that had turned their blades on one another in self-destruction—for the righteous remnant they had finally discovered.
“The Baekri Clan… created the Three Realms.”
What he had long considered only a possibility was now confirmed as fact.
“Then the original Three Realms truly were protecting the martial world.”
According to the message, the Three Realms inherited the Baekri Clan’s power and protected the martial world in their stead.
But corrupt elements arose, the banner was twisted, and evildoers who trampled people were left behind.
“The righteous Three Realms that the Baekri Clan belatedly discovered… are restoring the eleven powers.” Bu Eunseol wore a hollow expression. “In other words, the corrupted Three Realms abandoned that power and became mired in something else. Then…”
After taking a deep breath, his eyes flashed.
The voice from the pond had repeatedly mentioned the True Demon.
That is, the Demon spoken of by Yohee, the founder of the Divine Maiden Palace—the being that reincarnates infinitely while retaining its memories.
It was highly likely that was the True Demon.
And perhaps… the Three Realms had been tainted by it?
“In any case, the Baekri Clan were good people.”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
What a relief.
He had always worried, ever since learning the Jungson family had fallen. whether the Baekri Clan might also have degenerated, or whether they might be an evil force.
But according to the words from the pond, the Baekri Clan was a family of divine beings who had existed alongside the history of the martial world.
They were righteous people who created guardians in their place to protect the world.
“But who could it be?”
This vault had finally revealed to Bu Eunseol the origin of the Three Realms he had so desperately wanted to know.
As though someone had deliberately led him here.
As though the power of the Martial Emperor was the key to this place.
‘The Demon Emperor… the Martial Venerable.’
The only ones who knew his true identity in detail and possessed an intelligence network surpassing even the Death Spirit Corps were those two.
‘But they have no reason to show me this kindness.’
Telling him the origin of the Three Realms—which he had longed to know—brought them no benefit.
‘If one of them orchestrated this…’
Was it the Demon Emperor trying to sow confusion in him?
Or was the Martial Venerable, contrary to expectation, actually a righteous person connected to the Baekri Clan, secretly helping him from the shadows?
“Let’s head back first.”
No amount of thinking here would yield answers.
Moreover, ever since the energy from the pond embedded itself in his arm, a sudden, crushing fatigue had descended, and he felt a ravenous hunger as though he hadn’t eaten in three days.
After taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol turned around.
He immediately unfolded his divine movement technique and swiftly left Unmun Mountain.
Shuuu—
As Bu Eunseol departed, a white shadow formed in front of the vault.
It was the Martial Venerable.
“How could such a thing…”
He had completely concealed his presence using his personal techniques—Body Escape and Absolute Concealment—and hidden inside the cave.
Thanks to that, just like Bu Eunseol, he had received every message the pond conveyed.
“So this vault wasn’t holding the power of the Baekri Clan… it was merely a place to leave a final message for the descendants of the Three Realms?”
Even he, who knew more about the Three Realms than anyone, had been unaware that they were a force created by the Baekri Clan.
“Moreover, the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars were built upon the powers the Baekri Clan passed down to the Three Realms.”
the Martial Venerable gritted his teeth.
What he desperately desired was not information about the Three Realms, but the power of the Baekri Clan.
However, all he gained here was the origin linking the Baekri Clan and the Three Realms, and confirmation that Bu Eunseol had fully obtained the Martial Emperor’s martial arts.
Worst of all, he still couldn’t verify whether Bu Eunseol truly carried the Baekri bloodline—the thing he considered most important.
“It’s still too early to be disappointed.”
The Martial Venerable bit his lip.
“There are still many vaults left behind by the Baekri Clan in the martial world.”
He had yet to find a way to break the Absolute Boundaries they created, but thanks to the Wood Buddha, he had already located several sites presumed to be their hidden vaults.
“I will obtain it without fail.”
The Martial Venerable clenched his fist tightly.
He would not give up.
No—he could not give up.
Without obtaining the Baekri Clan’s power, everything he had planned until now would collapse in flames.
“First, I must deal with this place.”
Wuuung.
His eyes deepened and a low vibration emanated from his left hand.
Instantly the surroundings fell into utter stillness.
Ziiing.
A tremendous energy wave surged from his palm, and lightning-like flashes beginning to whirl.
“I’ll seal this place first, then search for the other vaults.”
He extended his left hand.
An energy blending darkness and light spread in all directions.
The cave trembled and began to collapse, and the ground cracked open.
With Infinite Reverse Power, he instantly demolished the cave.
“Wait for me… I will definitely…”
His final words were so faint no one could hear them.
Muttering lowly, the Martial Venerable’s form vanished like mist amid the collapsing cave.
***
The grand hall was shrouded in darkness.
The ceiling was so high its shape could not be seen.
The pitch-black floor exhaled faint mist as though it were a living creature.
At the center stood a tall altar, densely surrounded by flickering candles.
On the altar, encircled by the candles, rested a square box emitting an infinitely dark sheen.
It was a metal coffin.
From its seams, red mist leaked out along with trickling crimson blood.
Drip. Drip.
The flow of blood gradually increased.
Chiii— Kuuuung.
With a resounding metallic groan, red mist exploded outward in all directions as the coffin lid slowly opened.
Splash.
Blood poured everywhere.
From the open coffin, a black shadow slowly rose.
Drip, drip, drip.
The black shadow took the form of a muscular man whose flesh was honed like a razor-sharp blade.
An unknown energy emanated from his entire body.
Between his disheveled hair, two blood-red eyes gleamed.
As the shadow rose, every candle illuminating the hall went out simultaneously.
An ominous, boundless darkness spread.
[Hm.]
The shadow let out a short groan.
His voice carried a low, deep resonance yet also the violent crash of thunder.
“The cycle is growing shorter.”
Below the dais, a masked figure was already kneeling.
“It will not be long before full recovery.”
The masked man bowed so low that lifting his head even slightly seemed as though his neck would be severed.
“Their traces have been discovered. Soon we will be able to pinpoint each exact location…”
The shadow listened silently.
Then-
[Krrgh.]
With a sudden groan, he clutched his head.
The bloodlust in his eyes deepened and ceaseless cracking sounds of bones echoed from his body.
[Krrrrrrrgh.]
For a long while the shadow emitted pained groans.
Thud.
He heavily waved his hand.
The masked figures, accustomed to such scenes, politely saluted and swiftly retreated from the hall.
Crack. Crack-crack.
The bone-cracking sounds from the shadow’s body grew worse and the bones of his face began to protrude.
Finally, covering his face with both hands, he trembled for a long time.
Tuk.
When the sounds finally stopped, the extinguished candles reignited brightly.
At the same time, a middle-aged man appeared, with perfectly symmetrical features, and eyes of unfathomably deep violet.
The black shadow was none other than the supreme righteous leader, called the Heaven of the Righteous Path: the Heavenly Emperor, Shin Domubi.
[This…]
Stroking his own face, the shadow let out another agonized groan.
[Uuuugh.]
Crunch. Crack-crack.
Once again, bone-cracking sounds rang throughout his body.
In the darkness-drowned grand hall, for a long, long time, only tortured groans continued to echo.
***
Regardless of the underlying truth, the martial world had recently been remarkably peaceful.
Neither Ghost Children nor Ghosts had appeared again.
Righteous sects, demonic paths, unorthodox factions, and black path sects, they all remained unusually quiet, without conflict.
Then, suddenly, an unbelievable, shocking rumor began to spread across the martial world.
—The Sword Venerable has challenged the Demon Emperor.
The Sword Venerable, Heonwon Damcheong.
The supreme sword of the righteous path and grandmaster of sword studies, who created the Myriad Phenomena Sword Style—the greatest sword art in a hundred years—had publicly challenged the supreme of the demonic path: the Demon Emperor.
—He means to fight a life-and-death duel.
Grandmasters who have reached such heights rarely clash unless they stake their lives.
Because both have attained realms far too lofty.
Even if one wins, the victor usually suffers fatal injury or irreparable damage. Especially in a public spar, honor is on the line, and onlookers are given the perfect opportunity to analyze every weakness and flaw in their martial arts.
Thus, such confrontations are inevitably life-and-death duels.
A similar precedent existed: when Bu Eunseol fought the Sword Demon in the past, had an unexpected earthquake not occurred… one of them would already have become a departed soul.
—The Sword Venerable must have made a great breakthrough in his later years.
The Sword Venerable had already entered the Supreme Sword Path in his youth.
After reaching the Limitless Realm, he completely transcended fame and fortune.
He even grew weary of the clamor of the martial world and, at the height of his prime, chose seclusion, retiring from the martial world.
For such a man to suddenly challenge the Demon Emperor could only mean one of two things:
Either, facing death, he sought to accomplish a goal long unattained, or in his later years he experienced a sudden enlightenment and advanced his martial prowess so greatly that he now believed he could surely defeat the Demon Emperor.
Since the Sword Venerable was still hale and his internal energy said to be even deeper, the latter was surely the reason.
—The Demon Emperor has accepted the challenge!
The martial world trembled once more.
The Demon Emperor had accepted the Sword Venerable’s public challenge.
Yet neither the date nor the location of the duel had been revealed.
Though called a public challenge, the fight itself would not be public.
—Where on earth is the duel site!
Countless martial artists burned with fervor, scouring for any clue to the time and place of the two supreme grandmasters’ confrontation.
The Demon Emperor, said to have reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
The Sword Venerable, said to have reached the ultimate realm of sword studies.
To witness their battle in person?
Even dying immediately afterward would leave no regrets.
And to behold such a duel?
It would bring immeasurable, enormous insight.
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion. Bu Eunseol’s office.
Sitting in his chair, Bu Eunseol pondered deeply.
Upon hearing of the duel between the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable, he had mobilized his entire intelligence network at full force, yet still could not locate the site.
He had held countless strategy meetings to predict the location and mobilized every connection to track the Demon Emperor’s movements.
But it was impossible.
The Demon Emperor was not the type to bring subordinates along or discuss such matters with advisors.
He had surely arranged the site with the Sword Venerable in advance and would go there alone.
“I absolutely cannot miss the chance to witness this duel.”
While Bu Eunseol was lost in deep thought,
Knock knock.
A low voice came from beyond the door along with the knock.
“Lord. It is Wi Cheongyeong.”
“Come in.”
The door opened and Wi Cheongyeong extended a small envelope toward Bu Eunseol.
“A letter addressed to the Lord.”
“Who sent it?”
“That… I do not know.” Wi Cheongyeong spoke with a grave expression. “No matter how much we mobilized the intelligence network, we could not detect anything.”
“If it wasn’t detected, where did you obtain the letter?”
“It was placed on the table in my office along with instructions to deliver it to the Lord in utmost secrecy.”
“In your office?”
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew serious.
The Suppressed Demon Pavilion was the brain of his organization. Despite its seemingly loose appearance, internal security was extremely strict.
Yet an unidentified person had freely entered and left?
“Even the greatest master could not infiltrate the Suppressed Demon Pavilion so secretly. It must be the work of an insider currently within our main pavilion.” Wi Cheongyeong spoke cautiously. “There is nothing unusual on the envelope’s surface… but judging it to be a major matter, I brought it to consult with the Lord first.”
Bu Eunseol immediately opened the envelope and took out the paper inside.
But the paper was completely blank and pristine.
“Blank paper?”
Wi Cheongyeong blinked in great surprise.
“Could there be poison applied to the paper?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol raised his Void Heart Command. The texture beneath his fingertip on the empty white sheet felt subtly different.
‘It was him.’
Finally realizing who had sent the note, Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
‘Among the subordinates, Wi Cheongyeong is the most cautious and tight-lipped, so he sent it through him.’
The sender was none other than Baek Jeoncheon.
Bu Eunseol had fully mastered the Demonic Path’s foremost sensory martial art, the Beast Way.
Baek Jeoncheon knew this well and had drawn out his internal energy into an extremely fine thread, inscribing invisible characters on the paper that only someone with senses raised to the extreme could detect.
“My Lord.”
“It’s fine.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “In the future, such letters may occasionally appear on desks.”
Since it would do no good for it to become known within Majeon that he was working with Baek Jeoncheon, the latter would likely continue communicating this way.
“If anything like this appears, bring it to me immediately. Never open the envelope.”
“Was this person an information source connected to the Lord?”
“Indeed.”
“Understood.”
An ordinary subordinate might ask for details or at least show curiosity but Wi Cheongyeong simply obeyed without another word the moment Bu Eunseol gave the order.
To him, Bu Eunseol was like a living guardian deity.
“Then.”
After saluting and departing, Bu Eunseol once again stroked the letter.
Thump-thump-thump.
His heart pounded fiercely, almost bursting.
‘Four days from now, at the hour when the sun is highest, on Seungsa Island.’
Those were the words written on the note.
It was the exact location of the duel between the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable.
―Wouldn’t it be wise to see in advance the terrifying abilities of the formidable enemy you must one day defeat?
It almost felt as though he could see Baek Jeoncheon’s smiling face in the letter.
He hadn’t provided such precious information because he favored Bu Eunseol. It was because Bu Eunseol had promised to defeat the Demon Emperor and establish a new demonic order.
Baek Jeoncheon had given him the location of the duel between the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable so that Bu Eunseol could grow further and gauge the strength of the powerful foe he would eventually have to overcome.
‘I must go.’
To reach a new realm of martial arts, Bu Eunseol was wandering a path no one had ever taken—an endlessly dark and perilous road.
If he could witness the battle between these two supreme masters in person?
Not only would he find clues to further advance his martial arts, but he would gain immeasurable, enormous insight.
‘The chance of being discovered by the Demon Emperor is over ninety percent.’
In the entire martial world, only the Three Demons and Three Venerables were qualified to spectate this fight. If someone unqualified like himself went to Seungsa Island and was discovered by the Demon Emperor?
He would never survive.
‘No—I can do it.’
In the past, he had once evaded the Martial Venerable’s sight while hiding.
Though the Martial Venerable’s terrifying intuition had sensed someone was concealing themselves, he never pinpointed the exact location.
‘I’ll arrive at Seungsa Island in advance and find a way to completely erase even my presence.’
Grip.
A volcanic light blazed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Within these four days, he had to accomplish the impossible.
He had to devise a technique that could deceive the eyes of the Demon Emperor, the Three Demons, and the Three Venerables.
