Thump.
So shocked was Bu Eunseol that the back of his head tingled, and it felt as though his eyes were about to pop out.
“What do you mean by that?” Bu Eunseol asked in a low voice. “Were you a part of the Returning to One Realm?”
“No. I am…”
A long shadow fell across Manwol’s deep eyes.
“Merely a tool.”
“A tool.”
With that single word, Bu Eunseol could roughly understand her circumstances.
“The great method by which the Returning to One Realm draws forth the abilities of corpses requires you, Lady Manwol, as an essential element?”
“Yes.”
Gazing at the distant sky, Manwol spoke as if reciting poetry.
“A person who was one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars in the past. And another born with the exact same star. I am the one who can connect the two.”
“You are a kind of… shaman or divine maiden.”
“That’s right.”
Manwol wore a faint, sorrowful smile.
“I am a shrine maiden.”
“Then…”
Only now did Bu Eunseol understand why the masked men had bound her with crimson threads and arranged mysterious treasures around her.
“Wait a moment—if that is the case…”
Bu Eunseol’s mind raced.
Manwol was not from the Jungson family.
The masked men of the Returning to One Realm who had kidnapped her bore traces of a fierce battle.
And there was the servant of the Jungson family who could absorb the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
A bizarre barrier had been set to prevent anyone from entering the forest.
‘Someone from a third faction.’
At last, he grasped the situation.
In short, the Jungson family and the Returning to One Realm had joined forces to abduct Manwol from some other power.
To perform the great method without interference, the Jungson family had erected a formation to block outsiders, while the Returning to One Realm had immediately used Manwol to awaken the one who had received the Blood Emperor’s great method.
‘The Demon Cult.’
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize how the Returning to One Realm’s seemingly impossible great method was possible.
The Demon Cult—the cradle that gave birth to the great demonic arts that no human in the martial world could possibly perform, a mysterious sect steeped in religious coloring, the very symbol of terror and awe.
If she was a shrine maiden of that cult… she could transcend past and present to connect the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
“I’m sorry.”
As if reading Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Manwol spoke again.
“I’d rather you… not ask about me.”
Why a shrine maiden presumed to be of the Demon Cult, and very possibly the successor to the Cult, was traveling alone…
How she had ended up kidnapped by the Returning to One Realm and Jungson family…
If he learned those things?
Bu Eunseol would be far better prepared for what lay ahead and could gain an informational advantage over any faction.
“Understood.”
Yet Bu Eunseol merely smiled as if it were no great matter and nodded.
He was not cold-hearted or ruthless enough to torment a woman fleeing as prey to countless factions just to extract information.
In time, as he dealt with the Three Realms, he would eventually learn the truth anyway.
“It seems the Returning to One Realm has gone all the way. Kidnapping you to connect the dead…”
It was a light jest meant to lift the spirits of Manwol, who stood with her head bowed like a sinner but an unexpected answer came from her lips.
“The Heavenly Lord of the Returning to One Realm changed more than ten years ago. And he… is truly a terrifying person.”
‘The Lord.’
Myeong Un, who had once belonged to the Returning to One Realm, had told Bu Eunseol that the Lord seemed to have been replaced by someone else.
Yet Manwol was saying the Returning to One Realm Lord had changed more than ten years ago?
“Can the Lord of the Returning to One Realm simply be replaced?” Bu Eunseol asked, unable to hide his surprise. “Or do the Three Realms perhaps select their Lord through a contest of power?”
“I only sensed that he had changed.”
Manwol’s gaze became transparent.
“Because I had seen him when I was young.”
“Then…”
“Yes. That fact… I alone in the world know.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
He could not comprehend it.
The Demon Cult, a terrifying force that toyed with the mighty Infinite Realm that dominated the world, sending Ghost Children little by little.
A shrine maiden of that clan, heir to the true Demon Cult.
Wandering the martial world alone, pursued by the Three Realms and the Jungson family, and the only one to sense that the Returning to One Realm Lord had changed.
“I truly don’t know where to begin understanding this.”
Bu Eunseol asked, as if admitting defeat.
“You knew the Returning to One Realm Lord well enough—how were you captured by his people?”
“…”
“Is that also something I cannot ask?”
When Manwol fell silent with a pained expression,
“I’m sorry. It was not my place to press you.”
As Bu Eunseol wore a bitter look, Manwol spoke as if apologetic.
“Don’t worry.”
“…”
“You will uncover everything.”
“Is that the words of a shrine maiden?”
Bu Eunseol tossed out a joke to dispel his frustration.
He could not bear to watch that young girl carry the weight of the world’s sorrows alone.
“Who knows.”
Manwol smiled.
When she, who had worn a dark expression all this time, finally smiled, it felt as though the entire world brightened.
“Lady. If it’s all right… would you not come with me?”
“What did you say?”
Her face flushed red, and Bu Eunseol hurriedly waved his hands.
“No, I meant—would the Returning to One Realm or Jungson family not try to harm you again?”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“I am confident I can protect you safely, no matter which faction in the world targets you.”
Then he added an honest remark.
“And that way, I might receive some help from you as well.”
Manwol, being a shrine maiden of the Demon Cult, undoubtedly possessed mysterious powers.
Had she not momentarily halted the one clad in the Blood Emperor’s shell?
If he could gain her aid, many obstacles would become far easier to overcome.
“I cannot stay anywhere.”
“Why is that?”
“I…”
Manwol’s eyes sparkled like jewels brimming with clear tears.
“Because my very existence brings misfortune and calamity.”
She was smiling, yet her eyes were filled with sorrow, as if crying aloud.
Bu Eunseol wanted to say something, but no words came.
“It’s all right. This is my fate.”
“Fate can be shattered.”
Manwol looked at the flustered Bu Eunseol and smiled softly.
“If you truly wish to help me, become strong. Strong enough that no one can stand against you.”
“…”
“Then you will be able to help me.”
Her figure, leaving behind a wistful smile, seemed like a bird captured and confined in a cage.
‘Is their leader toying with her?’
It was almost an intuition.
The leader of the Demon Cult was an extremely cruel and sinister being.
Perhaps, for some reason, he had cast Manwol alone into the martial world to make her suffer—while gleefully watching her writhe in pain and torment.
“Then.”
Manwol slowly turned her body.
Bu Eunseol could not bring himself to stop her.
Though his range of movement had been limited to protect her and he had been unable to fully unleash his martial arts…
He had still struggled against a mere shell wearing the Blood Emperor of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
He was not yet strong enough to defy anyone… and thus lacked the qualification to help her.
“Blood Emperor.”
Gazing at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol clenched his fists tightly.
He resolved to pursue that phantom from four hundred years ago and avenge his defeat.
“First, let us return to the Martial Alliance.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes, fixed on the heavens, sharpened endlessly.
This mission had come directly from the Martial Venerable.
A figure like him would not have assigned the task without knowing the identity of the forces being pursued.
‘Moreover, if even the Chief Inspector is in league with him…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes grew infinitely cold.
If Gongsun Dankyung shared the same intentions as the Martial Venerable… there would be no further reason to remain in the Martial Alliance.
***
Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion. Gongsun Dankyung’s office.
Upon returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eunseol immediately requested a private audience with her.
The Seoryeong Mountain mission.
It was a perilously dangerous task that could have claimed the life of any expert in the Martial Alliance.
For one of the Three Families, the Jungson family, had appeared, and even a phantom possessing the Blood Emperor’s body among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars had emerged.
He intended to confirm whether the Chief Inspector knew these facts and observe her reaction closely.
“…And that is what happened.”
Bu Eunseol calmly recounted the events at Seoryeong Mountain.
He mentioned the appearance of a Jungson family member in the martial world and that they, too, were conducting bizarre experiments by capturing the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
“The Jungson family, you say?”
Yet an unexpected reaction came.
Gongsun Dankyung, who always maintained perfect composure and cool detachment, was subtly shaken.
Her voice trembled faintly, and her eyes wavered like ripples.
Bu Eunseol sensed something amiss but answered calmly.
“Yes. The man claimed to be from the Jungson family and said he could absorb the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.”
“And… what became of him?”
“After a fierce battle, I barely emerged victorious, but in the end, I too had to flee.”
However, Bu Eunseol omitted meeting Manwol and the possibility that she might be a shrine maiden of the Demon Cult.
Because he had a decision to make.
If she shared the Martial Venerable’s thoughts?
He could no longer remain with them and would need to prepare to leave the Martial Alliance immediately.
“I see.”
After hearing everything, Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes lost focus.
It was a struggle to swallow indignation and rage that could not be hidden.
‘So they have already stepped into the martial world.’
Even after destroying the Infinite Realm, their involvement in martial affairs meant that perhaps the Jungson family had merely used the Infinite Realm as a subordinate to abduct a child possessing the Heavenly Secret Star.
“Then the Martial Venerable intended this mission as a test… or he has some other hidden goal.”
Having barely regained her composure, she arrived at the same conclusion as Bu Eunseol—and coolly read his heart as well.
“With this incident, Hall Leader Seon may have decided he can no longer walk the same path as the Venerable.”
Bu Eunseol indicated agreement with silence.
Gongsun Dankyung took a deep breath.
“Then this Chief Inspector must also choose her path.”
What made Gongsun Dankyung fearsome was not her outstanding intellect, but her terrifyingly swift ability to sense others’ emotions.
Having instantly grasped Bu Eunseol’s feelings and intentions, she fell into deep contemplation.
How much time passed?
Finally, her crimson lips slowly moved.
“This Chief Inspector…”
Gongsun Dankyung spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Will side not with the Venerable, but with Hall Leader Seon.”
It was an unexpected answer.
No matter what, the Martial Venerable was the Alliance Lord, and his martial prowess was on a level incomparable to hers.
If weighed against a man named Seon Woojin, there was not a single aspect in which Seon Woojin excelled.
The rope she ought to grasp was obviously the Martial Venerable’s, not Seon Woojin’s.
A woman of her caliber could not possibly be unaware of such things. Why, then, declare she would choose him?
“Because there is something I absolutely must accomplish.”
Reading Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Gongsun Dankyung continued.
“My cooperation with the Venerable was solely because I needed the position of Chief Inspector.”
“Now that the goal is achieved… you need a blade you can wield directly.”
“I won’t deny it.” Gongsun Dankyung nodded. “The reason I obtained the position of Chief Inspector was solely to acquire a sharp blade.”
Then she added, “The Venerable may be a treasured sword… but regrettably, it is too heavy for this Chief Inspector to wield.”
“Why are you so certain I will become your blade?”
“I make no guarantees. I have merely made a choice.”
She spoke in an endlessly deep and low voice.
“Because there is a goal I absolutely must achieve.”
Bu Eunseol could not discern what Gongsun Dankyung’s objective was. What was certain was that she did not seem to be lying.
“Then all the more reason you should not choose me.”
Gongsun Dankyung sighed.
To persuade the clever Seon Woojin, she realized she would have to reveal certain secrets known only to herself.
“I told you before. The Venerable is devoting himself solely to the orthodox factions.”
“Yes.”
“That was a lie.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes deepened endlessly.
“I do not believe the Venerable is working for the martial world.”
Then she uttered a shocking statement.
“Secondly, there is a high probability that the Venerable is a member of the Three Families—or closely connected to them.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
The Martial Venerable, who had long dominated the martial world alone, suspected of being from the Three Families?
“Is the Venerable not of the Dan clan?”
“A surname is merely a surname.”
Gongsun Dankyung gave a soft snort.
“Just as not everyone bearing the Yangseol or Baekri surname is from the Three Families.”
She declared firmly,
“Only members of the Three Families can read the heavens’ will.”
“You’re saying the Venerable can read the heavens’ will?”
“Yes.”
“How can you be certain?”
“I cannot tell you that. But…”
Gongsun Dankyung paused briefly before speaking in a low voice.
“I can tell you that there exists a precious artifact in this world capable of altering the heavens’ will.”
In short, Gongsun Dankyung believed there was a treasure or dharma tool that could change the heavens’ will, and through it she had confirmed the Venerable could read it.
In truth, the Venerable divined the heavens’ will through the Wood Buddha… but unaware of that inner truth, Gongsun Dankyung was convinced he was from the Three Families.
“From the beginning, ours was not a partnership built on trust. Frankly, I am not even certain of the truth behind the death of the Heavenly Emperor.”
It seemed Gongsun Dankyung, like Bu Eunseol, had continually doubted the veracity of the Martial Venerable’s words.
“But that is not the reason I chose Hall Leader Seon.”
At those words, Bu Eunseol could not help but ask.
“Then what was the reason?”
“Until now, this Chief Inspector has never once failed to gauge another’s ability.”
After a long silence, Gongsun Dankyung spoke with forceful voice.
“Except for exactly two occasions.”
Born with the Wisdom Star, Gongsun Dankyung possessed the power to precisely pierce through others’ capabilities.
Yet that ability had not worked on Chu So of the Heavenly Mechanism Star, who had saved her as a child.
And the second was the Seon Woojin standing before her now.
“I believe it.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s voice rose slightly.
“Hall Leader Seon. Your ability is not all that is visible—you possess infinite, immeasurable potential.”
In short, Gongsun Dankyung believed Seon Woojin’s potential surpassed even the Martial Venerable’s.
“Now do you understand why I chose Hall Leader Seon over the Venerable?”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath. “In the end, you chose me on a gamble-like intuition.”
“If it is a gamble, all the better.”
Her usual cold expression vanished.
Her eyes curved upward like a cat’s, and her violet-shimmering gaze overflowed with confidence.
“I have never lost a gamble.”
At Gongsun Dankyung’s provocative demeanor, Bu Eunseol wore a startled expression.
‘A woman like an ever-changing bird of paradise.’
He had thought he understood her to some extent until now yet there were still facets of her he did not know.
“If Hall Leader Seon continues to carry out missions under this Chief Inspector as before…”
Raising her eyes, she continued,
“This Chief Inspector will do everything in her power to ensure Hall Leader Seon becomes Commander of the Martial Heaven Division.”
Her voice was tickling, like a warm spring breeze.
“As you know, I am not one to reveal my inner thoughts to others.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes sparkled as she spoke in a sweet voice.
“Yet to hold onto Hall Leader Seon, I have poured out everything I kept in my heart. I hope you will consider that carefully.”
Bu Eunseol could not gather his wits.
It felt as though a rich floral fragrance rose from Gongsun Dankyung’s lips, and her eyes seemed to seize his very soul.
“Will you accept this Chief Inspector’s proposal?”
Her gaze was languid and fragrant enough to overwhelm any man.
Yet Bu Eunseol sank into thought with an utterly calm expression.
‘She is not one to break promises.’
Gongsun Dankyung was not only intelligent but quite faithful.
She had always kept her word to both Bu Eunseol and Seon Woojin.
‘Put yourself in her shoes.’
If Bu Eunseol were told to remain in the Martial Alliance but choose between the Martial Venerable and Gongsun Dankyung?
‘I too would choose her.’
With that clear answer, Bu Eunseol nodded without hesitation.
“Very well.”
Then he spoke in a resolute voice.
“From now on, I shall trust and follow the Chief Inspector.”
“You’ve made a wise decision.”
The moment Bu Eunseol made his choice, the enchanting aura that had seemed to steal his soul vanished, and Gongsun Dankyung’s demeanor returned to its cold and calm state.
“Then continue to feign obedience to the Venerable’s missions as before. That is the only way you can become Commander of the Martial Heaven Division.”
In short, keep following the Martial Venerable’s orders for now.
It could prove quite dangerous.
The Martial Venerable knew in detail the dark forces of the martial world that neither Gongsun Dankyung nor Bu Eunseol were aware of.
He could use Bu Eunseol at any time through missions.
“Understood.”
Yet Bu Eunseol nodded without hesitation.
It was worth the risk.
If he became Commander of the Martial Heaven Division, he could swiftly investigate the whereabouts of the other division lords.
With an outstanding talent like Gongsun Dankyung aiding him, he would surely become a division lord and uncover the culprit.
“I won’t say thank you. This is merely a mutual reliance born of necessity and trust in each other’s abilities.”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled.
“Continue to do well, as always. Hall Leader Seon. I will report this matter to the Venerable appropriately.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
She knew the Martial Venerable far better, so she would handle reporting the newly discovered facts suitably.
“Understood.”
Then he respectfully cupped his hands.
For the first time, Gongsun Dankyung had revealed her true feelings and formed a genuine cooperative relationship with Bu Eunseol.
Even if it was temporary, for now it held sufficient value.
‘Wait for me.’
As Bu Eunseol emerged from the Silver Moon Pavilion, a heat like the sun itself blazed from his eyes.
Now, he would track the blood-drinking phantom, the Blood Emperor, and cut off its breath.
She was so damn close to connecting those dots