Chapter 127: Enlightenment

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RUMMMMMBLE-!

Cheol Ryu-heun’s body shook.

It was the effect of another thunder-like vibration occurring within his body.

Before long.

FLOAT.

His form, rising like a feather blown by the wind, suddenly emitted a strange light.

FLASH!

A blinding flash burst out explosively, and instantly the dark interior of the cave became bright.

Immediately after.

BOOM-

Along with an explosive-like sound, Cheol Ryu-heun’s blood-soaked clothes were torn to shreds, and the gray dead skin that had piled up inside scattered chaotically in all directions.

FLUTTER, FLUTTER, FLUTTER…

Though the painful Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing was still in progress, a smile still hung on Cheol Ryu-heun’s lips.

Because the extreme joy at this unexpected achievement had completely dominated even the physical pain.

The current mid-air levitation explosion was a phenomenon where the virtual meridians had turned to powder and dissolved due to the Shattering-the-Void Realm, bestowing tremendous power.

This was the first time.

This kind of feeling.

It was like energy with absolutely no attribute at all.

Finally, the Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing process reached its final stage as all bones found their original places, and the last of the dead skin fluttered down as new flesh regenerated rapidly.

Thus, the energy light enveloping his form vanished without a trace.

Along with it, the red radiance in his two pupils that he himself had not yet realized also quietly disappeared.

TAP.

Standing on the ground, Cheol Ryu-heun steadied his breathing and then experimentally operated a set amount of internal energy.

BOOM… BOOOOM…

Due to the formless energy that immediately arose, the cave’s atmosphere and floor vibrated several times.

“Done.”

Confirming there was nothing wrong with his physical condition, Cheol Ryu-heun organized the true energy within his body while scanning the lightless dark space with his eyes.

He could see.

Quite clearly.

From the uneven cave floor to the walls and the shape of the ceiling.

His eyesight had increased.

No.

It was evolution.

In other words, rather than amplifying senses like eyesight by operating internal energy, his pure physical abilities had developed several levels higher.

‘Interesting. The existing divine energy… After neutralizing the demonic and celestial energies, it converted them into new energy that enhanced all the body’s abilities?’

It was a satisfying result.

However, there was one slightly regrettable point.

Originally, the plan was to absorb all the energy here and then separately extract the divine power fragments for later use.

He had intended to make it a kind of seed to germinate the functions from when he was the Divine Martial Sword.

But due to the sudden Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing and Shattering-the-Void Realm, all three energies had dissolved into his body, and that opportunity had flown away for now…

‘Well, it’s a bit regrettable, but there’s no need to cling to it. I can find another path.’

Indeed.

Mobilizing all his martial arts knowledge accumulated over a thousand years, he firmly believed he could open even paths that didn’t exist before.

Just this level of enlightenment alone was tremendously rapid growth, so being impatient would be greedy.

“Phew.”

Cheol Ryu-heun steadied his breathing again and lightly moved his body, then held a gleam in his eyes.

‘Now my body has completely transcended all limits. Then, going further, if I don’t even consciously think about controlling power when handling it…’

Simultaneously, he operated his internal energy and began several experiments.

RUMBLE, RUMBLE-

The darkness shook.

The trembling continued, then soon came a quiet mutter to himself.

“Phew… Yes, even this is possible.”

A voice containing surprise.

Cheol Ryu-heun clenched his fist tightly and wore a smile brighter than any he had shown before.

As if he had newly awakened to hidden essentials and mysterious uses of his wondrous body.

What had he discovered?

Having stored his internal energy, he tied together several pieces of fallen clothing to roughly cover his lower body, then walked toward the outside of the cave.

STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP…

A short while later, a faint light came into his field of vision from beyond, and within it, one person flickered up like a phantom and then vanished.

He had suddenly thought of the unidentified wanderer who had destroyed the Divine Martial Sword.

‘You, look forward to it. The day you see me again, I’ll make you unable to contain your shock…’

* * *

Taoist Cheon Mu, who had been sitting on a boulder outside the cave entrance, was watching the last remaining incense stick burn down when he soon detected a change.

‘Hm?’

He noticed that the series of energies lurking in the pitch-black space had completely disappeared.

‘This can’t be! Since when…?’

Exclaiming internally, he hurriedly went to stand before the entrance.

His gaze rippled like waves.

They were gone.

Both celestial energy and demonic energy.

Nothing reached his energy sense at all.

At that moment, Baek Pyeong and Baek Hae standing beside him tilted their heads.

“Sect Leader…?”

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

Taoist Cheon Mu, fixing his gaze into the dark cave, quietly opened his mouth.

“That cave… Has returned to its original state.”

At that, the startled Baek Pyeong and Baek Hae went closer to the entrance, raised their energy senses, and widened their eyes greatly.

“Good heavens…!”

“I-it really has!”

Taoist Cheon Mu muttered while stroking his long beard.

“Ha, has Sect Master Cheol truly gained enlightenment? And a very great enlightenment at that…”

Before long, the sound of footsteps reached their ears.

STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP…

When Cheol Ryu-heun finally walked out in a nearly naked state, Taoist Cheon Mu’s expression hardened in disbelief.

‘Wait, that appearance… Could it be… Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing!’

Sure enough, Cheol Ryu-heun himself confirmed it.

“Thanks to your permission to enter the forbidden zone, I achieved Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing.”

Baek Pyeong and Baek Hae heard those words and cast dazed gazes.

‘To achieve Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing at that age…!’

Taoist Cheon Mu clicked his tongue, then asked casually.

“Then is this forbidden zone no longer forbidden?”

It was a question containing the meaning: did those energies that created the chaotic space disappear because you absorbed them all?

Cheol Ryu-heun nodded and replied.

“Yes, that’s right. Due to my enlightenment, the forbidden zone has become a sacred ground once again.”

“Ha… That means you absorbed the celestial and demonic energy and reached Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing.”

Taoist Cheon Mu was genuinely impressed.

He never thought such a tremendously talented person would appear in White Peak Sword Sect.

Inwardly clicking his tongue, he soon looked to the side and instructed.

“Quickly go and bring something for Sect Master Cheol to wear. And bring a bottle of cool water too.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Only then did Baek Pyeong and Baek Hae snap to their senses and dash toward the temple in the forest.

“Sect Master Cheol, you are truly remarkable. So, is there nothing else wrong with your body?”

“No. It couldn’t be better than this.”

“Thank you. Thanks to Sect Master Cheol, our sect has regained our sacred ground.”

“I’m more grateful. And… There is something I wish to show you, so could you arrange a separate time later?”

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes.”

Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice somehow seemed significant.

Sensing that, Taoist Cheon Mu nodded his head.

“Very well, I shall. I’m quite curious what you want to show me.”

“It’s related to my new power. To say in advance, it could be called an ability that will shake the history of the martial world.”

“What did you say…!”

Taoist Cheon Mu heard those words and felt curiosity and apprehension intersecting.

‘What kind of ability could it be… Hmm, somehow I feel strangely nervous.’

* * *

Upon returning to Mount Heng Sect at Zhurong Peak, Taoist Cheon Mu set aside all other matters and hurried to arrange a private meeting with Cheol Ryu-heun.

About half a shichen later.

Having finally finished the long conversation, the two opened the side room door of Taeheo Palace and came out to the front yard.

Taoist Cheon Mu looked as if his heart wouldn’t settle down after whatever he had seen.

Of course, Cheol Ryu-heun’s face was expressionless as usual.

“Please keep what you saw today a secret for the time being.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun quietly requested, Taoist Cheon Mu nodded and spoke quietly.

“Understood. But Sect Master Cheol… That power from earlier, was it really obtained by coincidence? It’s so beyond common sense that it doesn’t feel real.”

“It’s the same for me.”

“Ha… Coincidences overlapping into an opportunity of fate, as you said earlier, calling it an ability that could shake martial world history would be no exaggeration.”

“I’ll say again – what I want in using this power is only Mount Heng Sect’s support and cooperation, nothing more.”

“Of course, of course… Since I firmly trust in Sect Master Cheol’s character, I will definitely promise that much on behalf of our sect.”

“That’s enough for me. Then I shall be going.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun slightly bent at the waist, Taoist Cheon Mu smacked his lips with a regretful look.

“Ah, you’re leaving right away? Why not stay longer…”

“There’s more I must do upon returning promptly.”

“Hmm, well, since you hold the Sect Master position, being busy is natural. I suppose there’s no helping it.”

Taoist Cheon Mu personally escorted Cheol Ryu-heun to near the main gate.

“Sect Master Cheol, I will send word soon. Please take care on your way.”

“Yes, let’s meet again.”

After exchanging farewells, Cheol Ryu-heun retrieved Divine Wind, who he had tied at the stable.

STEP-

Mounting him and gripping the reins, he spoke in an indifferent voice after passing through the main gate.

“Now, let’s run. It’s time to officially make our sect’s name known. What needs to be swept away should be swept away in advance.”

Immediately after, Divine Wind wiggled both ears, exhaled white vapor, and began a fierce gallop.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE-!

* * *

Head-Severing Yama Seop Pyo was ascending a steep, deserted mountain path when he recalled past events.

‘Hmm, though my sword studies have long transcended dependence on sharp weapons… That unknown fellow’s martial prowess was by no means ordinary.’

He was thinking about that battle with the masked Ximen Yue.

He was somewhat regretful.

The fact that he hadn’t been able to subdue him and remove his mask at the time…

What could he do?

It had been no easy martial prowess to overwhelm while excluding the killing techniques that symbolized the alias Head-Severing Yama.

Although he had been interfered with by the masked woman wielding a chain scythe.

‘In the old days, I would have just… No, forget it. Let me stop thinking about it. Really, what am I doing, constantly dwelling on this when I’ve already put down my sword… Tsk.’

Shortly after, he arrived at the old house on Jianwen Mountain – his long-time hideout and home.

At that moment.

SWISH, SWISH SWISH, SWISH-!

Sharp wind sounds came in succession from the yard.

A young woman diligently swinging a training wooden sword.

With healthy tan skin and pretty features that anyone would call lovely, she was Cui Lan – the only disciple Seop Pyo had taken in his later years.

Seop Pyo stood blankly beside the yard, then asked in bewilderment.

“Wait, Ran? What is that?”

Cui Lan stopped her working hands and turned her head.

“Master, you’re back? I already sensed your presence. Where did you go that you’re only coming now?”

“I’ll talk about that later… I’m asking what that sword form you just swung was.”

“Huh? That’s the book that was placed in my room. Didn’t you leave it there before you left the house, Master? I thought that was the case.”

When Cui Lan expressed her confusion, Seop Pyo was bewildered.

“A book? What do you mean… Let me see it.”

At that, Cui Lan flew to her room and came back with a book.

Just from looking at the spotless, clean cover, it was clearly new, not old.

But.

Suddenly, transparent ripples arose in Seop Pyo’s eyes.

‘Wait, this is…!’

Four characters of the title written large on the cover.

-God-Slaying Sword Formula (殺神劍訣)

It was astounding.

Throughout the long history of the martial world, there was only one sword art called God-Slaying Sword Formula.

The true transmission of an almost mythical existence who was active hundreds of years ago and is evaluated as the greatest assassin of all time even to this day… Outside Heaven God-Slayer, that was his legacy.

It was an incomprehensible situation.

But at that moment, the indifferent words he heard on the day he parted from Cheol Ryu-heun crossed his mind.

-Go back and build up your martial skills. You’ll have time to spare anyway. Instead of swinging worthless tree branches.

Finally, Seop Pyo realized the truth about the book.

‘I see! Sect Master Cheol left it! On the day he first appeared here…!’