KWAAOOO!
Bu Eunseol, who had been dashing at breakneck speed, abruptly halted his movement art near a cliff in some nameless mountain range.
‘So I was not the only one walking a new path.’
The recent duel with Baekri Mujo had struck him like a thunderbolt.
Like Bu Eunseol himself, Baekri Mujo had not reached the Supreme Heavenly Realm or the Limitless Realm. Instead, he was pioneering an entirely new martial realm.
Even his swordsmanship had formed its own unique school, one that could not be found anywhere in the martial world.
Moreover, while Bu Eunseol’s current martial prowess still defied classification, Baekri Mujo had clearly already discovered a precise and definite path.
‘That explains his obsession with harmony.’
When Bu Eunseol had visited Baekri Mujo’s office in the Star Guard Pavilion, he had seen it with his own eyes: The man trained his martial arts even in daily life, applying its principles to the placement of every piece of furniture.
Through that arrangement, he had grasped the concept of harmony.
At the time, Bu Eunseol’s body had been a chaotic mess of different energies, slowly destroying him from within.
According to all known principles of martial study, overlaying two or more distinct powers was impossible.
Yet thanks to the insight into harmony, he had been able to align energies that should never have coexisted.
That meant Baekri Mujo must have faced the same problem—multiple energies clashing inside his body—and developed the concept of harmony to resolve it.
‘He is nothing like his outward appearance. Neither is the Martial Alliance.’
If Majeon was a place where demonic cultivators snarled and fought for supremacy, then the Martial Alliance was a place where immortal-like figures smiled warmly while sliding a dagger between your ribs.
To survive here, one must never reveal one’s true face.
One must also hide at least seventy percent of one’s true strength.
‘Especially that final strike—it was utterly shocking.’
The sacred sword Baekri Mujo had unleashed at the very end was absolute swordsmanship that allowed no evasion; it was despair itself.
Had Bu Eunseol not used his own martial arts to escape the range of that power, or Thunder Spirit Energy to slip out of the sword’s domain, he would most likely have suffered grievous wounds and fled in defeat.
‘Are the other Commanders the same?’
When he had seen the Seven Great Commanders gathered on the platform in the past, the auras they exuded had not seemed markedly different from Baekri Mujo’s.
Each possessed a distinctly individual presence.
‘No, that cannot be.’
Bu Eunseol immediately shook his head.
If all of them had reached the same realm as Baekri Mujo, the Martial Alliance would have long ago crushed Majeon and established righteous dominion over the world.
Even the former Martial Heaven Commander, Jo Cheonwang, had only held the upper hand thanks to his unique timing technique and wealth of combat experience.
The gap in raw martial prowess had been razor-thin, had it not?
Judging by that alone, Baekri Mujo’s attainment stood head and shoulders above the rest—a crane among chickens. The other Commanders probably did not even approach his level.
In that case, the probability that he was the culprit who had ambushed Grandfather was overwhelmingly high.
‘I will know soon enough.’
Once he became a Commander, he would gain immense authority, enough to thoroughly investigate the movements of the Seven Great Commanders that had always been shrouded in secrecy.
He would discover who exactly had come for Grandfather that day.
‘Until then, I must be most wary of Baekri Mujo.’
He had thought the man merely amiable and pleasant.
Now that he knew his true face, Baekri Mujo had become the one he must guard against above all others.
‘It is time to return to the Martial Alliance.’
The warriors of the Supreme Branch would soon finish their leave and return.
After everything that had happened, Bu Eunseol planned to spend some time with them inside the Alliance rather than in Majeon.
Gazing at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol turned toward Henan.
Having instantly swapped identities with Seo Jinha and returned to the Alliance, Bu Eunseol did not attend to other duties. Instead, he obtained the roster books containing the personal records of his corps members and began reading.
Just as he had once done with the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps, he started learning their histories.
‘So that’s how it was.’
Every single member, from Tae Muryong downward, was an orphan.
They had lived in this harsh world with no one to rely on, and by some stroke of luck had learned martial arts and become warriors.
Yet the sects they joined had been far too poor to truly embrace them.
In the end, the final place they chose was the Martial Alliance.
And the home they decided would shelter them for life was none other than the Supreme Branch .
‘They needed family too.’
After losing Grandfather, the place Bu Eunseol had chosen as family was Nangyang Pavilion. Nangyang Pavilion had not coddled him; rather, it had taught him how to stand utterly alone.
That was precisely why he accepted it as home.
Because that is what family truly is.
And these men felt the same.
They had seen Bu Eunseol—who tried to grant them the strength to stand on their own—as family.
‘I must have hurt them all this time.’
Because he was someone who would eventually have to leave, he had continually ignored their loyalty and kept his distance.
But now that he understood everything, he could finally open his heart and live alongside them.
Just like the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a low voice accompanied the sound of knocking.
“Captain, a warrior from the Star Guard Pavilion requests an audience with you.”
‘The Star Guard Pavilion?’
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Why would someone from Baekri Mujo’s pavilion come looking for him out of the blue?
‘Surely… he hasn’t seen through me?’
Impossible.
His disguise was flawless, and the spiritual barrier around his soul was perfect.
Even if Baekri Mujo was far greater than expected, he could not possibly pierce Bu Eunseol’s original appearance.
“Let him in.”
At Bu Eunseol’s command, a man who appeared to be in his early thirties with sharp, gleaming eyes entered and cupped his hands.
“I am Sang Geon-Myeong, Captain of the Military Heaven Corps under the Star Guard Pavilion.”
Since Military Heaven Corps was a second-grade battalion, he was showing full respectful courtesy to Bu Eunseol.
“What is the matter?”
“The Commander has summoned the Captain.”
“The Commander has?”
The ominous feeling grew stronger.
A figure like Baekri Mujo issuing a covert summons was no ordinary occurrence.
Moreover, was Bu Eunseol not under the Ascendant Martial Hall?
“Right now?”
“Yes, sir.”
Bu Eunseol set down the brush he had been holding and stood with a look of resignation.
“Very well. Lead the way.”
Leaving the Supreme Pavilion, Bu Eunseol followed Sang Geon-Myeong.
After walking for some time, Bu Eunseol sensed something wrong and glanced around.
“This does not seem to be the road to the Star Guard Pavilion.”
“The Commander has called the Captain to Thousand Arms Pavilion.”
“Thousand Arms Pavilion?”
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned strange.
Thousand Arms Pavilion was where the Martial Alliance stored weapons and developed new ones.
It was completely sealed for security, lined with countless armaments—why would he be summoned to such a place?
Entering the inner section, he saw an imposing warehouse with various weapons on display.
However, the items at the entrance were not the truly divine treasures; those were kept in secret vaults deeper inside.
Passing through another door, a wide training ground appeared.
This was where stored weapons were tested.
Beside the training ground was a narrow passage leading to what looked like a small office.
“I have brought Captain Seon.”
“Mm.”
A low voice came from within, and Sang Geon-Myeong cupped his hands once more.
“Then.”
Bu Eunseol nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The moment he did, his eyes shook violently.
The interior was almost identical to Baekri Mujo’s office in the Star Guard Pavilion—artificial yet perfectly harmonious in every detail.
But there was one difference.
Right in the center of the room stood an enormous, utterly incongruous flower vase.
Yet the harmony of the space was not broken; if anything, it was maintained even more perfectly.
‘He’s testing me.’
By placing that bizarre vase there, Baekri Mujo was checking whether Bu Eunseol could read the harmony of the room and discover the profound martial principles hidden within it.
‘I must not look at it if possible.’
Bu Eunseol tried his hardest to avoid looking at the vase.
Yet the crimson flowers inside seemed to possess a suction that pulled at his very soul.
“This one, Seon Woojin, greets the Commander.”
With difficulty, Bu Eunseol tore his gaze away and politely cupped his hands toward Baekri Mujo, who sat in a chair.
“It has been a while.”
Baekri Mujo nodded with a faint smile.
“You have improved greatly in that time.”
“Thank you. However…”
Bu Eunseol pointed at the vase with a puzzled expression.
“What is that flower vase for?”
“Flower vase?”
“This office is arranged with perfect order, yet that vase seems to mysteriously obstruct it.”
For a moment, Baekri Mujo blinked.
He had expected Bu Eunseol to pretend not to notice at all costs, yet not only was the young man showing open interest in the vase…
By using the word “order,” he was subtly revealing that he could perceive the deeper harmony.
‘It is better to openly display superior ability and break through head-on than to feign ignorance.’
Before fighting Baekri Mujo, he would have desperately pretended not to see.
But now that he knew how terrifying the man truly was, rather than clumsily hide, he decided to raise the perceived level of “Seon Woojin” and naturally overcome the crisis.
“Ho.”
Baekri Mujo spoke with open admiration.
“So you possess the ability to appreciate the profound arrangement this Commander created.”
Bu Eunseol put on an embarrassed smile.
“Recently my martial arts have advanced greatly, and unlike before, I seem able to see things that were previously invisible.”
Baekri Mujo raised an eyebrow.
Much time had passed, and Seon Woojin had earned numerous merits through various missions.
He was now evaluated as a member of the next generation’s leadership.
It was only natural that his martial arts would have grown accordingly, and he might now possess the ability to perceive the room’s harmony.
“The reason I called you here today is to make you another offer.”
Baekri Mujo spoke calmly.
“Join my Division.”
Then he dropped an even more shocking statement.
“The moment you enter, I will immediately yield the position of Hall Lord of this pavilion’s Main Hall to you. And within three years, I will definitely appoint you Vice Commander.”
It was an offer staggering enough to leave anyone speechless.
Even Bu Eunseol could not hide his shock; his face looked as though he had been slapped.
“Are you saying you will dismiss Vice Commander Seo Muk?”
“In any case, within three years this Commander will ascend to the seat of Alliance Leader.”
Baekri Mujo continued.
“I intend to promote Vice Commander Seo Muk to Commander and appoint you as Vice Commander.”
Bu Eunseol lowered his head without a moment’s hesitation.
“I must respectfully decline.”
A flash sparked in Baekri Mujo’s eyes.
“You decline?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“How could this lowly one dare presume to measure the Commander’s ability?”
Baekri Mujo’s expression turned peculiar.
Those words indirectly questioned Baekri Mujo’s confident declaration of becoming Alliance Leader.
Yet it was an impeccably polite refusal—because no matter how extraordinary Seon Woojin might be, acknowledging that he could not gauge the martial prowess and ability of Baekri Mujo and the other Seven Great Commanders was the only correct stance.
“If the Commander is truly confident of ascending to Alliance Leader, then this is an offer I must decline even more.”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter which pavilion I belong to, am I not already the Commander’s loyal subordinate?”
If Baekri Mujo was going to become Alliance Leader anyway, then whether Bu Eunseol was in the Star Guard Pavilion or Ascendant Martial Hall, he would still be a direct subordinate who would obey any order.
There was simply no need to transfer registries.
“I see.”
A barely visible smile appeared on Baekri Mujo’s lips.
Every attempt to probe Seon Woojin had been perfectly countered.
Yet Baekri Mujo spoke once again with words no one could have predicted.
“Since you are here, why don’t you have a friendly spar with this Commander?”
“A spar, my lord?”
“Indeed.”
“How could this one dare—”
“Is this not the perfect chance to gauge this Commander’s martial arts?”
Baekri Mujo smiled faintly.
“You said yourself that you cannot measure my ability.”
“But…”
“Do not refuse. You will be the first first-grade captain to ever spar with this Commander.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
To receive personal guidance from one of the Seven Great Commanders of the righteous faction—there was not a single fool who would let such an opportunity pass. This was an offer that must never be refused.
“Thank you, my lord.”
In the end, Bu Eunseol could only put on a deeply moved expression and walk toward the training ground outside.
Baekri Mujo stood tall in the center of Thousand Arms Pavilion’s training ground, which was plated with iron from floor to ceiling.
The sword he had used last time had been replaced once again with a new treasured blade.
Yet the hilt was the same, meaning he had simply inserted another new blade into the concealed layered sword.
“There is no need to be nervous.”
Baekri Mujo calmly extended a hand toward Bu Eunseol.
“Unleash your swordsmanship to your heart’s content.”
‘So in the end, this is a test.’
He had somewhat expected it.
In their final clash, Bu Eunseol had employed the power of harmony.
Even if it was not a completely new martial principle in the martial world, a person of Baekri Mujo’s caliber could not have failed to sense it.
Because Bu Eunseol’s harmony had ultimately been born from the enlightenment he gained from the arrangement of this very man’s office.
When those two forces of harmony collided, every person who had ever entered that office—including Seon Woojin—must have flashed through Baekri Mujo’s mind.
‘If a man like Baekri Mujo summoned me personally, he already possesses a considerable degree of certainty.’
A figure of that level would never call him without solid grounds.
In other words, if Bu Eunseol did not completely dispel every last doubt today, Baekri Mujo would not hesitate to strike him down.
With the man’s authority, fabricating a reason to execute a mere first-grade captain would be child’s play.
‘It cannot be helped.’
The Supreme Branch had only just been reborn.
Bu Eunseol himself had to take flight once more within the Martial Alliance.
‘I must escape this crisis without my identity being exposed.’
For the sake of the Supreme Branch, he had to continue living inside the Martial Alliance as a captain.
‘Then—’
A fierce glint flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
He had finally found the way to overcome this peril.
“Please forgive this rudeness.”
Shiiing.
The moment he drew his sword, Baekri Mujo’s gaze fixed upon the plain iron blade in Bu Eunseol’s hand.
Flash!
Brilliant light burst from the tip of Bu Eunseol’s sword.
It was the swift-sword form recorded in the Flawless Sword Manual he had comprehended on the second floor of Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
“A fine sword art.” Baekri Mujo lightly waved his hand.
Bu Eunseol’s sword momentum melted away like snow and could not advance.
“But there is no need to stand on ceremony.” Baekri Mujo shook his head, recognizing it as a courteous opening move.
“Fight with everything you have.”
Bu Eunseol lowered his sword tip behind him and bowed.
“Understood.”
Then he slowly raised his sword and aimed it at Baekri Mujo’s throat.
It was not a Central Plains sword stance, but an extremely aggressive and ferocious posture resembling the sword arts of the Eastern Seas.
Swish!
Yet the attack itself was absurdly light.
In that instant, Baekri Mujo’s eyes widened.
Hundreds of geometric patterns danced chaotically before him, and immediately afterward, one hundred and eight sword qi poured forth at different speeds.
Flash!
Baekri Mujo’s treasured sword flashed with white light as it shattered the incoming forms.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Even after unleashing a torrent of strikes, his swordsmanship shifted endlessly, deflecting every strand of sword qi Bu Eunseol released.
By now the tip of his treasured blade had turned red-hot, and tiny cracks were beginning to appear.
Heon Won Bright Sword.
It was a variation Bu Eunseol had derived from the peerless secret manual said to have been created by the Divine Mountain Sage, partially modified into the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms, and now unleashed upon Baekri Mujo.
Clang!
When the very last strand of sword qi was blocked, terrifying killing intent surged from Baekri Mujo’s eyes.
‘This man cannot be allowed to live.’
It seemed he had decided to behead Bu Eunseol on the spot; white light flared from his sword.
‘If this doesn’t work… I die here!’
Deadly intent already coated Baekri Mujo’s blade.
If Bu Eunseol did not immediately reveal his true strength and counterattack, his head would unquestionably roll.
Yet in order to remain a little longer in the Martial Alliance, and for the Supreme Branch which was not yet ready for him to leave,
Bu Eunseol threw one final gamble.
While unleashing his sword forms, he secretly executed a hidden technique with the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Bzzz.
At the same time, a strange energy flowed from his sword tip and shook the end of Baekri Mujo’s blade.
Abruptly.
As though sensing that energy, the killing intent pouring from Baekri Mujo’s entire body sharply receded.
A deathly silence fell over the room, as if cold water had been poured over burning coals.
At the same time, an endlessly deep and low voice flowed from Baekri Mujo’s mouth.
“What a marvelous sword art.”
There was no trace of killing intent in that voice, and his eyes had returned to their usual gentle warmth.
‘It worked.’
Bu Eunseol’s back was drenched with cold sweat.
Fortunately, Baekri Mujo had sensed the secret technique he had covertly executed.
The life-or-death gamble had succeeded.
