Shouting made him feel a bit refreshed.
By the time Do Cheonlin, having regained his composure, turned around—
“What are you doing?”
A clear voice drifted from behind him.
Turning his head back, he saw a beautiful woman in a yellow dress blinking her eyes while holding a large basket. Was it not none other than Dam Yuyeon, his fiancée and the strategist of the Martial Soul Society?
‘What a blunder.’
Do Cheonlin’s face flushed red. He had been so lost in his reason, shouting at the top of his lungs, that he hadn’t even noticed her approach.
“Yeon-mae.”
Do Cheonlin instantly changed his expression to a serious one as if nothing had happened and approached her.
“What brings you here?”
“Is… something wrong?”
When Dam Yuyeon showed a worried look, Do Cheonlin shrugged his shoulders.
“What could be wrong?”
“I could hear the sound of someone venting their anger and shouting curses from 600 meters away.”
Do Cheonlin, who was trying to maintain a calm expression, flushed red once again.
In fact, throughout his entire life, he had never acted frivolously or used foul language. However, because Bu Eunseol had suggested this bizarre training—no, because of those guys who wouldn’t listen to a word he said—he had been filled with unprecedented resentment and fury.
“It’s not that. If those annoying fellows had listened to even a bit of what I said, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Pardon?”
“Something like that happened.”
When Do Cheonlin wore a troubled expression, she did not ask further.
“First, please eat.”
She opened the basket she brought and took out the contents one by one. They were various dishes she had made herself, along with snacks like fruit and rice cakes.
“Why on earth did you bring all this out here?”
Looking at the quantity, it was clear she had packed the food for everyone, including Bu Eunseol and the others. However, guessing that Do Cheonlin had had an unpleasant encounter with them, she set the table for him alone.
“Taking care of you is my job.”
As Dam Yuyeon looked after him with such devotion, Do Cheonlin rubbed his nose sheepishly.
“Are you telling me to eat all of this?”
“You haven’t been able to eat properly while training in harsh terrain with the Mercenary Corps, have you?”
She then took out the food one by one and placed it in front of Do Cheonlin to make it easy for him to eat.
“It’s alright to leave some, so please eat slowly.”
Do Cheonlin had no choice but to start putting the food she brought into his mouth. Meanwhile, Dam Yuyeon silently served the food or poured wine so that he could dine comfortably.
‘She is truly a wise woman.’
Dam Yuyeon always prioritized his feelings and looked after him with meticulous care in every detail.
‘It feels as if my heart is being healed.’
Receiving delicious food and a gaze full of concern, Do Cheonlin was able to regain his clear spirit. And once again, Dam Yuyeon looked exceptionally lovely to him.
She was wise and gentle, rounding out his sharp edges. The reason he, who had always prioritized cynicism and sharpness, was able to operate the Mercenary Corps smoothly was because he met a wise woman like Dam Yuyeon, who rounded his character and gave him a broad way of thinking.
“Actually…”
Eventually, Do Cheonlin began to pour out his situation to her.
“That guy made such an absurd suggestion.”
He explained with great animation how much Seo Jinha and the others ignored him, and how they were cold-blooded fellows without a mustard seed’s worth of camaraderie.
“I see. You must have been upset. Especially since you have been working so hard without rest.”
At Dam Yuyeon’s consolation, Do Cheonlin suddenly felt a deep sense of reflection.
“Actually, when I was young, everything felt easy.”
Looking up at the distant sky, he unconsciously recalled memories of the past.
“At that time, I realized everything on my own, so from the age of ten, I was even able to vaguely create necessary martial principles.”
Do Cheonlin wore a bashful expression.
“But after losing to him, I felt a fairly large emptiness.”
After losing to Bu Eunseol, he became a person who was not recognized by his father or even within his family. Realizing that the training methods within the Blood Flame Blade Sect were not the only way, he began his journey through the Jianghu.
In that process, he obtained the Demon-Killer Sword scattered by the Returning to One Realm. Because of that connection, he clashed with Bu Eunseol, which conversely became an opportunity to get closer to him, and he eventually ended up in this position.
“But I have occasionally had these thoughts.”
For the first time, Do Cheonlin opened up about a concern he had never told anyone.
“Is being by his side just a way to justify my failure…?”
“Dear.”
“Knowing that I can never defeat Bu Eunseol, perhaps I became his friend for that reason.”
Do Cheonlin lowered his head. Bu Eunseol had become such a powerful god-like being that he could no longer even be considered an enemy. Therefore, he felt a sense of self-loathing, wondering if he had entered under his command while wearing the mask of a friend.
“Could it be that the Lord told you to take time to look back at yourself?”
Dam Yuyeon, who had been listening silently, spoke up carefully.
“Since you were young, you’ve always prided yourself on being outstanding, and you had to prove that excellence to others.”
She met Do Cheonlin’s eyes with a warm gaze.
“But because of that, you never had a chance to look back at yourself.”
Internal Observation.
When martial artists reach a certain level, they take time for internal observation—completely cutting off external stimuli through meditation to look into their own inner selves. To leap past a stage and to progress, one must clearly determine where they are and where the path they must take lies.
However, Do Cheonlin had not recognized his own position. His goal had always been to be the number one in the Demonic Path, and he believed he would surely reach that place. With the appearance of Bu Eunseol, he lost his goal and suddenly lost the path he was supposed to take.
Although he worked tirelessly, developed constantly, and achieved several breakthroughs, he still had not realized exactly where he stood or where he needed to go.
“Furthermore, because the Lord is walking his own path without any classification of martial realms… those watching him can’t help but feel even more confused.”
Do Cheonlin wore a dazed expression. Due to Bu Eunseol’s appearance, the goal he had dreamed of since childhood had vanished. Because of that, he hadn’t realized it, but he had always been maintaining an unstable state.
“I see.”
Only then did Do Cheonlin realize why Bu Eunseol had made the absurd suggestion for him to make Seo Jinha and the others his subordinates.
‘Those guys don’t have the same concerns as I do.’
In the past, they too had the goal of being the number one in the Demonic Path, and they were people whose goals were frustrated by Bu Eunseol. But they didn’t have the same concerns he did. That was because they directly clashed with Bu Eunseol and performed missions closely with him.
However, because he was the Mercenary Corps Leader of the Martial Soul Society and had less time to clash with him, his confusion about his current position and his past glory had not yet been cleanly settled.
‘I must re-establish my lost goal accurately and look into my inner self through internal observation.’
Only then could he surpass his current limits and move forward.
“Since I wouldn’t have understood if he just said it plainly…”
Do Cheonlin, finally realizing everything, shook his head with a hollow expression.
“He thought of a way to stimulate my spirit.”
In order for a person to realize something, a certain occasion is necessary. Just because someone says ‘do it this way’ or commands ‘how about doing it like this?’, the heart doesn’t move. Therefore, one must realize it for themselves.
Bu Eunseol, under the guise of training, had provided an opportunity for Do Cheonlin to recognize his own flaws.
“Thank you, Yeon-mae.”
Do Cheonlin said to Dam Yuyeon in a tender voice.
“Thanks to you, one of my worries has been resolved.”
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
Dam Yuyeon packed the basket and stood up.
“Are you leaving already?”
When Do Cheonlin wore a disappointed expression, Dam Yuyeon smiled beautifully.
“They say if you don’t act immediately upon gaining insight, the effect diminishes.”
Then she said in a warm voice, “Take your time, don’t rush, and move forward carefully.”
Because Dam Yuyeon had seen Bu Eunseol since the Red Sky Veil days, she knew well how outstanding a person he was.
But Do Cheonlin was also a peerless genius that might appear once in a hundred years. Given more time, he could become a peerless grandmaster no less than him, but because of his arrogant temperament of looking down on others… he couldn’t leisurely accept the widening gap.
Arrogance is a common characteristic of geniuses with outstanding abilities, and it can even lead to further development, but in a confusing situation like this, it can also become a factor that hinders progress.
“Don’t worry.”
Do Cheonlin, guessing her concern, nodded his head.
“I won’t do the foolish thing of blaming myself while putting forward arrogance. Even if it’s slow, I will surely reach the goal.”
“Yes.”
Dam Yuyeon smiled beautifully.
“I believe in you.”
Once Dam Yuyeon left, Do Cheonlin began sitting in meditation with an incredibly serious expression.
“I need to re-determine my goal and position.”
For the first time, he contemplated where he stood, what he wanted, and what he should do in the future. He was not only seeking a higher realm by observing himself but was also trying to obtain deep insight and a broad mind in place of the arrogance and coldness he had held until now.
***
Wooden dolls, moving at ultra-high speeds invisible to the eye, were performing the representative fist arts and hidden weapon techniques of both the righteous and demonic paths.
Whir! Tak!
By the fourth day, Yoo Unryong had perfectly adapted to the Wooden Man Formation and reached a level where he could handle the wooden men even with his eyes closed.
When he first entered the formation, he had to carry out a breathless offense and defense against the incessantly pouring attacks of the wooden men. As usual, he couldn’t analyze the enemy or predict movements and had to fight through instantaneous reactions alone.
Notably, the wooden dolls of the Nangyang Pavilion were imitating not only the ancient martial arts of the martial world but also a part of the fist techniques performed by Bu Eunseol. At first, Yoo Unryong had to move instinctively to avoid attacks, and even then, he analyzed their martial principles to create counter-movements.
However, while he was finding flaws and creating counter-moves, the wooden men landed sharp attacks on him. If it had been a real fight, he would have suffered fatal injuries without even being able to respond.
‘Am I thinking too much?’
In the end, a duel between martial artists can be defined as: who can launch an attack faster and inflict a fatal wound on the enemy? But if there are too many thoughts, distractions arise and movements slow down.
At first, he repeated the process of finding flaws and creating counter-moves, but after one day passed, and then two, he began to move as his instincts led him without calculating with his head.
And finally, on the third day, Yoo Unryong became able to instinctively deflect or neutralize the attacks of the wooden men using super-senses, much like the warriors of the Nangyang Pavilion.
‘What if I use these sharp senses to create a technique that can limit the enemy’s movements?’
He wasn’t satisfied with just dealing with the Wooden Man Formation; he began to research ways to face enemies using these super-senses. Ultimately, thanks to the Wooden Man Formation, he mastered the principles of Perceptive Response and Broken Response Combat, where he could move instinctively yet still think, neutralizing the enemy’s martial functions and responding to them.
***
Myo Cheonwoo was sitting cross-legged in meditation at the edge of a cliff on a mountain peak where a violent wind was blowing.
He had succeeded in the lie. But he realized that what Bu Eunseol wanted wasn’t just for him to succeed in lying. Therefore, he sat at the edge of the cliff where the wind blew so hard he could barely keep his senses, and began to research that deep meaning while immersed in meditation.
‘The honesty of the body is like telling the enemy your weakness.’
As he adjusted his biological reactions while lying nonchalantly, he could realize why Bu Eunseol had given him this training.
‘To lie, I first had to grasp the heart and state of the opponent.’
If you talk about a tavern that sells delicious food to someone with a stomachache? They won’t have any interest. But if you talk about a medical family that makes good medicine for stomach pain? They will naturally have no choice but to listen.
In this way, lying means you must closely grasp the psychology and physical state of the opponent, and this is the same in the principles of martial arts.
“That should do it.”
Yoo Unryong, researching martial arts in the Wooden Man Formation again. Myo Cheonwoo, meditating at the edge of the cliff. And Bu Eunseol, who had checked the appearance of Do Cheonlin observing himself inside the cave, nodded.
Now those three have recognized for themselves the flaws that were hindering their progress. Since they possessed outstanding wisdom and talent worthy of being among the Ten Demon Warriors, they would be able to break through on their own from now on.
Now, only Seo Jinha remained.
“You fight just like a master of this pavilion.”
These were Bu Eunseol’s first words after finishing a short spar with Seo Jinha. Seo Jinha was skilled at improvisation and had a flexible way of thinking. Also, because he was not bound by techniques and had no hesitation, he could accept other martial arts in an instant.
“Is… is that so?”
Seo Jinha wore a bashful expression.
“Being told I fight like a Nangyang Pavilion master seems like quite a compliment.”
“Of course it’s a compliment. The ‘Unrivaled Under Heaven’ master always emphasized improvisation.”
Bu Eunseol continued his explanation.
“Combat is a series of unpredictable situations. Therefore, you must respond flexibly and instantly rather than in a standardized way to strike the enemy’s expectations or target their flaws.”
He added, “And you are doing that properly.”
At the continued praise, Seo Jinha’s eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth rose to the sky.
“Hahaha, it’s not to that extent.”
Seo Jinha smiled broadly and put his hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
“In terms of talent, I’m a bit behind you and a bit better than Do Cheonlin.”
“But you are too impromptu.”
Bu Eunseol, removing Seo Jinha’s hand from his shoulder, continued speaking with a cold expression.
“Improvisation must be used based on a solid martial foundation. However, if you take the approach of always trying to strike the expectations of the enemy according to their attack—”
Even his eyes became fierce as he continued.
“You too can receive an unexpected counterattack. In the end, you’ll have no choice but to dodge frantically. Just like you always have.”
Seo Jinha’s mouth hung open. This guy was always so busy he didn’t even have time to eat, so when on earth did he analyze his fighting style?
“How did you know?”
“Isn’t it strange not to know?”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “You are my other self.”
In an instant, the light in Seo Jinha’s eyes wavered.
‘I see.’
He finally realized. Although he had always treated him with indifference, the person Bu Eunseol cared about most was none other than himself. He had sacrificed everything, even giving up a life in the sun and delaying his own desperate revenge. Even placing the highly useful Tak Ilhon under him despite always being pressed for time—it was all because of that guilt and gratitude.
“Bu Eunseol.”
As Seo Jinha spread his arms as if to embrace him, Bu Eunseol took a step back and said, “First, I’ve thrown you a riddle, so you must solve that first.”
Bu Eunseol, avoiding Seo Jinha’s heated gaze, pointed to the cave in front of them.
“I have made it so there are as few external stimuli as possible. It will be the optimal place to solve the riddle.”
He had not only set up a formation that completely cut off the outside so Seo Jinha could meditate deeply and reach a conclusion quickly, but he had also lit things like Spirit-Dazzling Incense inside to clear the mind and increase internal power.
‘He must have stayed up all night.’
Peeking inside the cave, Seo Jinha sighed inwardly. The cave, which should have been covered in dust and filth, was cleaned as neatly as a private room in a tavern. He must have prepared this place, consuming his own mental energy, solely with the hope that he would improve.
“Anyway, this is just the beginning. Since you have so many things to fix.”
“Yeah. I get it.”
Seo Jinha nodded and entered the cave.
Thump.
As he entered, the entrance of the cave was completely blocked with a low vibration. Due to the function of the profound formation, the interior was sealed as if a door had closed.
“It’s quiet.”
The interior of the cave, where only a faint light spread, was pleasant and the humidity was appropriate. From the faint fragrance drifting through, it seemed to be Heavenly Heart Incense, the most expensive of the Spirit-Dazzling Incenses that stabilizes even the mind.
“Impromptu, huh.”
Seo Jinha sprawled out.
“It’s not that improvisation is wrong.”
And he closed his eyes. Then, endless thoughts rose in his mind.
“My martial foundation is also on the solid side.”
He inwardly prided himself on the fact that no one had built a more solid martial foundation than he had. Even if the Cloud-Gathering Swordsmanship was a second-rate sword art, it was sufficient for establishing the framework of sword study and martial arts. Also, without settling for reality, he had tirelessly practiced and worked to develop the Cloud-Treading Sword further.
“Father was like that, too.”
‘In combat, not only the opponent’s movements but also various factors such as terrain, environment, and the condition of weapons act as variables.’
Seo Muwung always urged Seo Jinha.
‘Therefore, if you fight with standardized sword moves, the enemy can easily predict the sword path, and it is difficult to cope in unexpected situations.’
“Actually, that is also because of the limitations of the Cloud-Gathering Swordsmanship.”
Because the Cloud-Gathering Swordsmanship was not powerful and the moves were simple, if he unfolded the sword technique normally, he would have no choice but to suffer an inevitable defeat. Therefore, instead of using standardized martial arts, he chose the method of constantly using variations or sudden attacks according to the situation.
“Doing it that way made it more powerful, too.”
It was the same when he learned the Blood Wheel Slash, the unique sword study of the Black Blood Gang. Instead of using the set sword paths, he always performed them differently. The instructors of the Black Blood Gang saw through this as a means to use a much more powerful Blood Wheel Slash and praised his actions.
“Because this was father’s way.”
There is no correct answer to the ‘Path of Martial Arts.’ What Seo Jinha had always hoped for was not to become a super-strong person who encompasses the world. He just hoped to carry on his father’s life, the path he had walked.
“And that’s why the level of martial arts I learned had to be low.”
Until now, thanks to Bu Eunseol, he had been able to learn countless high-level secret arts. However, rather than using the powerful Wishful True Binding or the Supreme Heavenly Flow, he preferred to use modified secret manuals and sword forms, and he intentionally did not raise his proficiency in those martial arts.
Considering his talent, his achievement in the Supreme Heavenly Flow and the Wishful True Binding should have at least reached the eighth stage. But because he instinctively did not use powerful martial arts and clung only to improvisation, he ultimately couldn’t master those high-level martial arts deeply.
“But I will do it my way.”
If he had intended to take revenge with high-level demonic martial arts? He would have deeply practiced the Wishful True Binding and the Supreme Heavenly Flow long ago.
With these top-grade martial arts, no matter how great a master Yeop Jeokhwa was, he would be able to face him somehow.
But the reason he was immersed only in the Cloud-Gathering Swordsmanship and the technique of mutual death was that, in the end, he wanted to win through improvisation, in his father’s way.
Rumble.
Ultimately, Seo Jinha came out of the cave after a single day. The face of Seo Jinha, who stepped outside, was instead refreshed, and the light in his eyes had deepened. Although he hadn’t made a breakthrough or gained deep enlightenment, he was satisfied just by being certain of the path he had to walk and deciding on it.
“Huh?”
Seo Jinha let out an exclamation. Bu Eunseol was standing in front of him as if he had been waiting.
“Have you been waiting all this time?”
“It would have been a day at most.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “That should be enough time to have confidence in your own path.”
Seo Jinha’s mouth hung open. Now he saw that Bu Eunseol had already known in advance what kind of conclusion he would reach and what method he would choose.
“If you knew I’d choose this way, why on earth did you put me in the cave?”
“Being told by others and realizing it yourself are completely different things.”
Seo Jinha shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it.
“How did you know I’d make this decision? Was it because you closely investigated my past?”
“I told you.”
Bu Eunseol spoke as if it were the most natural thing.
“During that time, you were me.”
The smile disappeared from Seo Jinha’s face.
It was because he realized what Bu Eunseol was trying to say.
Just as Seo Jinha had become Bu Eunseol’s shadow, Bu Eunseol had also worked hard to become Seo Jinha’s shadow.
That way, no matter what happened to the self-sacrificing Seo Jinha, he would be able to do it in his place.
Shadow.
It didn’t mean someone who would secretly erase traces and supplement them; it meant another self.
“I lost.”
Seo Jinha shook his head and smiled lowly.
“From start to finish.”
He simply couldn’t match that guy. Yet he felt good. Because Bu Eunseol wasn’t just measuring him; he was saying they were one body.
Just as Seo Jinha willingly devoted his life for Bu Eunseol, Bu Eunseol had also become a shadow for Seo Jinha, who had been a shadow for him, willingly overlapping his own life and fate upon his shadow to form one body, and accepting everything about him.
