However, a surprising thing happened.
Sshhhhh.
Even though the man in white was exposed to Harmony, he only emitted white smoke from his entire body. His body did not perish.
“Ugh.”
The man in white let out a groan.
His body hadn’t broken, but he trembled like an aspen leaf, and the divine light that had been flowing through his entire body had vanished before he knew it. It was a sight that closely resembled Palm King Yuk Jangcheon, who had lost all his power after being exposed to the Harmony.
[No… use!]
Flash!
In the end, the man in white performed a technique using his life force as collateral, striking one of the white spheres he had created in the air into Bu Eunseol’s body.
Rumble.
It weighed down on his body like a living creature, gradually swallowing his physical form into a deep abyss within the earth.
Rumble. Crackle.
Eventually, in the spot where Bu Eunseol had been lying, a black pit of unknown depth was created along with white flames.
“How could this happen…?”
The voice of the man in white no longer resonated like the Six-Harmonies Transmission.
He looked down at his hands with a pale expression.
This was the strongest power, the laws of the universe itself, capable of opposing the Mixed Demonic Magic Energy of the True Demon that can destroy everything.
His Manifestation Divine Technique had been completely blocked.
“Just what was that radiance?”
As all the power within his body was completely suppressed, his skin, which had been dyed white like snowflakes, was turning dark and dull like a common person’s. If he stayed still in this state and encountered the subordinates of the True Demon or powerful enemies, he would be captured or killed instantly.
“A power that doesn’t exist…?”
The man in white clenched his fists. He had heard that besides the Mixed Demonic Magic Energy of the True Demon, there was a third power in the Baekri family that affected the physical body.
Then, was that young fellow ‘him’?
“The time of death has only been delayed a little anyway.”
Stagger.
The man in white eventually faltered and knelt on one knee.
“Since the power of the technique has permeated his body, it cannot be discharged or resolved…”
He looked down into the deep pit where white smoke was rising.
“He will eventually die. When that happens, I will take his head…”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a light like a brilliant meteor soared from within the pit toward the sky.
Thud.
The light that had ascended to the clouds became a human-shaped shadow again and landed in front of the man in white.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Sshhhhh.
White smoke was still rising from his body, and his complexion had turned extremely pale.
“A subordinate of the Baekri family… committing such a petty sneak attack.”
Beyond surging anger, he felt a sense of futility. How could a righteous family that had fought against the evil of the True Demon since the beginning of time take such a low-life as a subordinate?
Drip.
Even though he had unleashed Harmony, a red line of blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth due to being exposed to the power of the Manifestation Divine Technique.
“You’re… alive?”
The man in white had even carried out a sneak attack by staking everything. He had even performed a Manifestation Divine Technique using his life force as collateral to completely annihilate the other’s soul and body. How could he come out alive and intact?
“This can’t be…”
The man in white once again created a pure white light throughout his body. He was trying to squeeze out all the remaining light of his life to attack Bu Eunseol once more.
Flash!
With a flash, the whole world was dyed pure white. But that light did not come from the man in white…
Sizzle.
It was emitted from Bu Eunseol’s Silent Tiger Soul Sword, which had been drawn at some point. Because the bodies of the Baekri family members are so perfect that they cannot be compared to the bodies of the Heavenly Golden Immortals of the Limitless Realm, it is difficult to damage them with ordinary martial arts or weapons. Therefore, he had unleashed Harmony once again in the form of ‘Rule-Making’ using the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
“You are not qualified to be a subordinate of the Baekri family.”
An ordinary person of the martial world wouldn’t have even dreamed of touching someone from the Baekri family. However, Bu Eunseol had never failed to settle a grudge clearly. Since the man from the Baekri family had touched him first and committed a petty sneak attack, he was delivering the corresponding retribution.
“I only…”
The man in white looked down at Bu Eunseol and spoke coldly.
“Wanted to stabilize the world by eliminating the True Demon and its subordinates.”
In a state where the Manifestation Divine Technique was blocked by Harmony, the body of the man in white, once again exposed to the Harmony of the Rule-Making technique, began to show thousands of white cracks.
Crumble.
His body turned into white fragments and began to scatter in all directions. A subordinate of the Baekri family, who had mastered the Manifestation Divine Technique—called the strongest power in existence—had been turned into dust in an instant.
Clang.
Bu Eunseol, who dropped the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, collapsed to the ground again.
Sizzle.
In terms of martial arts, it was at the level of thirty percent, but its essence was the Manifestation Divine Technique, the law of the universe itself that shakes all of creation.
No matter how many powers Bu Eunseol had mixed within him, it contained an unprecedented force that seemed to melt the earth and burn the sky, which was impossible to endure.
Thump.
The skin of the unconscious Bu Eunseol was cracking like dry land. At this rate, his body would turn to dust and scatter in all directions in less than fifteen minutes.
Swish.
But then, one of the powers that had been blocking Bu Eunseol’s baihui acupoint began to spread through his body. It was solemn yet alien… It seemed like a power of creation born from the infinite void, yet it was also like a power of destruction that annihilates all life.
“Ugh.”
Those alien and contradictory powers that could not coexist began to collide with the Manifestation Divine Technique that was destroying his internal body.
Bang! Bang!
Eventually, an explosion occurred in the deepest part of his body, and soon the power of the technique became like scattering sparks of debris.
Those remnants, like a new life being reborn, were breathing strength into his body.
The Manifestation Divine Technique.
That great power of the Baekri family, which had fought the True Demon since ancient times… was also inherent in his body. Bu Eunseol, who had lost consciousness and fainted, was falling into an infinitely deep abyss.
—Geomha.
At that moment, a kind yet low voice reached Bu Eunseol’s ears. It was the voice of his father, Baekri Muha.
‘Father.’
Bu Eunseol, who was slowly sinking into the deep, deep abyss, opened his eyes at that voice. Then, a round and bright light floated before his eyes. The light was divine and had an elasticity like a child’s cute cheek.
Reach.
Bu Eunseol unknowingly reached out his finger toward that light.
Flash.
The entire world spread out into light, and soon the scenery of Saha Manor began to appear. In the small pond in front of the pavilion, his father, Baekri Muha, wearing a blue robe, and young Baekri Geomha, with round cheeks, stood side by side.
—All members of our family are born with two personalities.
Baekri Muha, who was looking at a pair of fish swimming leisurely in the pond, spoke.
—That is why the people of our family practice how to control their personalities from a young age, and how to use different personalities to develop each other.
—Can different personalities develop each other?
Baekri Geomha said, opening his large eyes even wider.
—The Flawless Scripture says that even if a human has multiple personalities, there is a limit to sharing information with each other.
—That’s right, you know it well.
Baekri Muha nodded as if his son was commendable.
—That is why our family created a special dharma door that allows personalities to freely share information.
Baekri Geomha opened his eyes wide once again. If different personalities could share information and achieve harmony, it would not only allow different talents to bloom but also enable transcendental judgment beyond human limits.
—Can I be like that too?
When Baekri Geomha asked with an excited face, Baekri Muha shook his head.
—But you are different. You were not born with a dual personality.
—Is that so?
Baekri Geomha puffed his cheeks slightly as if disappointed. However, he couldn’t help but open his eyes wide in surprise at the words that followed.
—Because you inherited the abilities of both this father and your mother… if you wish, you can create as many new personalities as you want and store them within you.
—Create personalities?
—That’s right.
Baekri Muha continued his explanation calmly.
—A perfectly controlled multiple-personality structure… is in itself a highly evolved mental structure. And such a thing is only possible for you.
Knowing that his son was an extraordinary genius, he was explaining profound principles, forgetting the fact that Baekri Geomha was only six years old.
—Think about it. What if multiple personalities could freely share information and immediately switch with each other at the necessary moment? Moreover, what if each personality possessed its own special ability?
With a dazed expression, Baekri Geomha soon smiled brightly as if he had realized something and replied.
—Just like one person doing the work of many, I can become incredibly strong!
—Exactly.
—Is that really possible?
When Baekri Geomha asked, Baekri Muha nodded.
—Yes. So from now on, you must practice creating new personalities.
—New personalities…
—Yes. You shouldn’t try to imagine and create a completely new personality from the beginning. First, you should start by imitating the personalities of other existing people. Can you do it?
Then, Baekri Geomha pondered for a long time and smiled brightly.
—Then I will follow Father.
After that day, whenever he had time, Baekri Geomha observed his father, Baekri Muha. How he stood, what movements he made when drinking tea, and what posture he slept in. After continuing his observations for a while, Baekri Geomha discovered something very mysterious. Whenever his father walked alone in the backyard, an auspicious and mysterious energy rose throughout his body, and nothing—from small insects to transparent smoke—could even come near him.
Waddle, waddle.
After that day, Baekri Geomha began to consistently imitate the way his father walked with his hands behind his back. As soon as he opened his eyes in the morning, he would run to where his father was and, like a baby duck following a mother duck, he would mimic his father’s gait, incessantly wiggling his bottom with his hands behind his back.
—Honey, how can you teach him such a thing already?
His wife, Saya, was greatly surprised and spoke upon seeing Baekri Geomha walking with his hands behind his back.
—No matter how brilliant Geomha is, he is still young. It’s too early for the secret of handling the soul.
And she added firmly.
—Moreover, if he tries to learn it before his personality is properly established… it could actually become poison.
With a worried expression, Saya spoke again.
—Furthermore, that… Emperor’s Step is too dangerous.
—I know.
Baekri Muha spoke in a low voice, trying to ignore the lovely gaze of his son who was watching him from hiding.
—But if it’s not now… I have a feeling that I won’t be able to pass it on.
Flash.
The scenery of Saha Manor suddenly disappeared, and the surroundings turned into the darkness of a deep abyss.
—Father.
Finally, Bu Eunseol recalled one memory from his time as Baekri Geomha. The sight of his young self following his father’s every action. Although he couldn’t remember the dharma door, his father’s gallant appearance and the mysterious spirit rising from his body were still vivid before his eyes.
[Do you think you can take my memory?]
At that moment, Baekri Geomha, who had been crouching in the abyss, suddenly appeared and pushed Bu Eunseol away strongly.
[A mere created personality like you?]
‘A created personality…’
A sudden chuckle escaped Bu Eunseol.
Baekri Geomha.
He felt that rather, that young and immature personality was the one created by someone.
[What, have you already called it out?]
Then Baekri Geomha pointed his finger at Bu Eunseol.
[You, you’re going to break.]
And he chuckled.
[It’s different from switching with me. If you recklessly call out an incomplete personality that isn’t even finished…]
Bloop, bloop.
But at that moment, because the sound of bubbles popping spread everywhere, Bu Eunseol couldn’t hear the end of Baekri Geomha’s words.
Flash!
At that moment, Bu Eunseol regained consciousness and opened his eyes in reality.
“I…”
He looked down at his hands with a dazed expression.
Everything—from the childhood memories he just saw in the abyss to meeting Baekri Geomha—had been completely forgotten. Fortunately, in the meantime, the energy of the Manifestation Divine Technique that had been encroaching on his physical body had completely disappeared.
“Suddenly my body is back to normal?”
The energy poured out by the man in white was steadily destroying his body. It was such a massive power that it made him lose consciousness in an instant, and he thought it could never be easily extinguished. To think his body recovered in an instant while he was briefly unconscious?
Staring into the air, Bu Eunseol slowly stood up.
It felt strange.
Emotions he had never felt before in his life began to bloom. The world looked infinitely beautiful, and everything seemed to shine brilliantly. For the first time in his life, a mindless laugh escaped Bu Eunseol without him realizing it.
“The power of the Baekri family is nothing special.”
After showing a most refreshing smile, Bu Eunseol released the Black Secret Arts and regained his original appearance.
“Now, shall I go receive a move from Majeon Lord?”
Looking at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol put his hands behind his back. Unlike his usual desolate, serious, and calm demeanor, his gaze shone infinitely kind and transparent.
Swish!
He instantly performed a movement technique and disappeared into the distant sky. That movement was not his Swift Beyond Shadow, but rather, it closely resembled the movement technique the man in white had performed.
***
—The Martial Soul Command Lord has returned!
As Bu Eunseol entered Majeon, all the warriors were restless.
Although he had been given the task of identifying the person named the Holy One within a month for the crime of killing the secret organization of the Demon Emperor, he had ultimately violated the order and returned a month late.
In other words, he had to receive the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree for violating the solemn order of the Demon Emperor.
—If he had hidden himself instead of returning, he could have preserved his life for a while.
Most warriors in Majeon clicked their tongues.
The Demon Emperor’s orders are never reversed.
No reason can be an excuse.
It wouldn’t have mattered even if he had notified them in advance that he would be late. If his legs were broken, he should have crawled back. If he couldn’t come due to a natural disaster, then it was ultimately his fate to die.
“Command Lord!”
When the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps heard the news that Bu Eunseol had not only returned but was also heading straight for the Sacred Demon Hall, they rushed over and prostrated before him.
“You must not go!”
In fact, this behavior of the Death Shadow Corps warriors was no different from an act of disobedience toward the Demon Emperor. But they had no choice but to do this even though they knew it was a crime.
The moment Bu Eunseol entered the Sacred Demon Hall, he would come out as a cold corpse.
“There is no need to worry.”
Bu Eunseol spoke to his subordinates, who were on the verge of tears as if they were about to wail.
“Because I am fine.”
And he smiled brightly.
“Surely the Demon Emperor wouldn’t actually kill me.”
It was a somewhat inappropriate remark for the situation. The leaders and warriors looked at each other in confusion. Setting aside the leisurely expression and tone before the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree…
‘Surely he wouldn’t kill me?’
An optimistic observation.
Wasn’t that what Bu Eunseol cautioned against the most and strictly forbade his subordinates from doing?
‘Why is he like this?’
In fact, Bu Eunseol was equally flustered. He had simply intended to say a word of ‘No need to worry’ with a stoic expression. But to think his facial muscles would move on their own and spit out useless and deflating words?
“Does the Demon Emperor not… know forgiveness?”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol opened his mouth.
—I will take care of it.
He tried to speak stiffly again, but,
“You all are misunderstanding the Demon Emperor. He is also a person.”
His mouth moved on its own, and wasn’t he even showing a streak of dignified smile?
—‘He’?
The eyes of the subordinates of the Death Shadow Corps became uneven.
—Just what is going on?
The leaders swallowed dry saliva. Unlike usual, the atmosphere was somewhat loose and his expression was too bright. He was even letting out mindless smiles from time to time.
—Could it be that he returned after injuring his head somewhere?
Seeing the leaders’ mouths agape, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“If I calmly explain the circumstances so far, the Demon Emperor will understand.”
These words also did not come from Bu Eunseol’s head.
‘Now that my body has recovered, has my mouth broken?’
Since the words did not come out as he wanted, Bu Eunseol waved his hand, turned around calmly, and walked toward the Sacred Demon Hall. The warriors of the Death Shadow Corps could no longer stop him and opened their eyes wide as if they had seen a ghost.
“It seems the Command Lord… has injured his head.”
At Won Semun’s words, the leaders kept their mouths shut. Because no matter how they looked at it, they couldn’t think otherwise.
“Wasn’t it always like that?”
Yoo Unryong, who was looking at the receding back of Bu Eunseol, muttered lowly.
“The Command Lord reversed the situation with a strategy that struck the weak point.”
“Then you’re saying that’s all the Command Lord’s strategy?”
At Won Semun’s words, Yoo Unryong nodded.
“I suppose so.”
Turning his head, Yoo Unryong spoke forcefully.
“Because he always performed miracles.”
In an instant, all the leaders and warriors nodded. He had always accomplished things they thought were impossible. He had achieved countless things like miracles that were hard to believe. This time, he would surely return alive.
