“There is paradise above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below.”
In the heavens there is paradise; on earth, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Suzhou, especially famous for its fine silk, was lined with merchant shops, including fabric stores.
The mysterious and beautiful canals, whose appearance changed with every moment, could also be called one of its renowned attractions.
For this reason, countless sightseers flocked to Suzhou, and the castle town and marketplaces were always bustling.
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop.
A carriage rumbled along the official road.
The exterior of the carriage, pulled by four pure-white snow-frost horses, gleamed with gold and was adorned with lavish decorations everywhere.
“Whoa.”
The carriage came to a stop in front of the Golden Dragon Gambling House, one of Suzhou’s most famous gambling dens.
Click.
When the carriage door opened, a man dressed in silk emerged.
Though his body was thin and unremarkable, his eyes sparkled like torches.
Every one of his ten fingers bore gleaming rings, and around his waist he wore a belt studded with large gems, over which hung a long robe made of heavenly silkworm thread.
“Ahem.”
At the man’s deliberate throat-clearing, the attendants standing before the gambling house bowed their heads.
“You have arrived, my lord.”
“Are there guests?”
“It is fully occupied, sir.”
“Good.”
The man strutted inside with exaggerated pomp.
He owned three gambling houses in Suzhou and was a wealthy magnate who also possessed a fabric shop and an inn.
Thus, his daily routine consisted of nothing more than visiting pleasure houses to drink lavishly with courtesans, then, when the sun stood high, making the rounds of the establishments he owned.
“Business is not bad. Soon I may even surpass the Xia Hongjin.”
The Xia Hongjin was Suzhou’s largest and oldest gambling house, incomparable in scale to the Golden Dragon.
The attendants bowed, yet inwardly smacked their lips at the man’s boasting.
“Keep up the good work. Never lose your dreams.”
Emerging from the Golden Dragon Gambling House, the man patted the attendants on the shoulder as he stepped outside.
“If you risk your life to save the world, you too can succeed. Wahaha!”
Laughing heartily, the man gazed at the distant sky.
He was none other than Yu Cheongrim, the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief, who had followed Bu Eunseol into the Infinite Realm’s main stronghold in the Heavenly Beneficent Medicine Forest, investigated its inner workings, and uncovered their conspiracy.
“Before you know it, wealth and glory will fall into your hands!”
Acting on Bu Eunseol’s orders, he had located all the hidden mechanisms within the Heavenly Beneficent Medicine Forest, and gathered evidence to fully expose the Infinite Realm’s crimes.
Not only that—he had discovered their secretly hidden treasury and taken a generous share of the treasures within. Moreover, thanks to Bu Eunseol’s consideration, he had been allowed to take ten Millennium Fire Spirit Pills…
Yu Cheongrim had become an overnight millionaire and now owned several businesses on the expensive land of Suzhou.
“Then keep working hard.”
―What a stingy bastard. If he’s going to brag, he should at least throw some money around.
Though the attendants were filled with discontent, they bowed and saw him off.
“Ahem.”
As Yu Cheongrim, chest puffed out, strode majestically back toward his carriage amid the attendants’ farewells,
“Wow.”
A massive shadow suddenly squatted in front of his carriage and let out an exclamation.
“Is this real gold?”
The shadow, dressed in shabby clothes, seemed like a country bumpkin from some remote village.
Dirty hands stroked Yu Cheongrim’s gleaming carriage as the figure marveled in wonder.
“It’s so shiny!”
“Hey now! Who dares touch this gentleman’s carriage so carelessly!”
Yu Cheongrim thrust out his belly and sternly scolded the squatting figure.
“Do you have any idea how expensive this carriage is…?”
But his words did not reach the end.
The squatting shadow slowly rose to its feet.
Shuuuuk.
Its head kept rising, as if soaring toward the heavens.
So tall was the figure that its height nearly matched the carriage beside it.
Moreover, its build was massive like a guardian king, and glossy long hair flowed freely.
Swish.
When the seven-chi-tall shadow turned,
Unexpectedly, the face revealed was that of a beautiful woman with large eyes and adorably plump cheeks.
Yet Yu Cheongrim began backing away as if facing a ferocious demon.
For she was none other than So Okrim, the Heaven-Collapsing Strike, who had once used him as bait against the Black-and-White Witches, nearly getting him killed.
“Yu Cheongrim.”
So Okrim approached him and spoke in a low voice.
“You and I have some business to take care of.”
As she strode toward him, Yu Cheongrim let out a scream mixed with terror and rage.
“You show up out of nowhere and torment me again!”
Kwarung!
Suddenly, a thunderclap rang out of a clear sky.
At the same moment, So Okrim’s fist—spewing white smoke—halted a mere inch from Yu Cheongrim’s cheek.
“What an annoying insect this late in autumn.”
Yu Cheongrim’s eyes bulged as he froze like a statue.
Chiiii.
White smoke rose from her cauldron-lid-sized fist.
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
Yu Cheongrim nearly wet himself.
If that fist had touched his cheek?
The teeth in his mouth would have bid eternal farewell to his gums, and from that day on he would have lived eating only tofu for the rest of his life.
“Ugh, disgusting.”
So Okrim grimaced as she looked down at Yu Cheongrim, who was sweating profusely with his head bowed.
“Why do you always sweat so much whenever you see me?”
“W-well, it’s just so hot.”
It was clearly a cool autumn day with gentle breezes.
But Yu Cheongrim sweated cold sweat as if standing beside a roaring furnace.
‘Why on earth is this witch here?!’
Focus vanished from Yu Cheongrim’s eyes.
He had finally washed his hands of thievery and become a respectable businessman.
Yet why had this ferocious demon-witch appeared before him?
“Lady So.”
Regaining his composure and wiping his sweat, Yu Cheongrim spoke with utmost courtesy.
“I have completely reformed and…”
“Enough.”
Cutting him off sharply, So Okrim said,
“First, let’s go somewhere quiet to talk.”
Grab.
Like seizing a puppy by the scruff, she lifted Yu Cheongrim by the back of his neck and tossed him into the golden carriage.
Then she climbed in herself.
***
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol’s office.
Bu Eunseol was holding endless meetings with the captains.
The Returning to One Realm.
They had stolen his grandfather Bu Zhanyang’s remains.
Using the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, they had performed a great method to inherit the martial essence of past supreme masters and in the end, they had even created a being who inherited the martial studies of the Blood Emperor among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
Though he could not yet be called a perfect Blood Emperor, in time the Returning to One Realm would produce even more flawless experts.
If that happened…
They might even be able to contend with supreme masters like the Three Demons and Three Venerables, whom no one had dared touch.
The Returning to One Realm’s conspiracy had to be stopped at all costs.
“Since they have nearly completed a figure like the Blood Emperor, it won’t be long before they begin full-scale activities in the martial world.”
Bu Eunseol relayed everything he had experienced at Seoryeong Mountain to the captains.
Having heard it all, the lords were stunned into silence.
Afterward, on Bu Eunseol’s orders, they immediately mobilized every intelligence network to track the Blood Emperor, who had vanished from Seoryeong Mountain.
Several days later,
“Lord.”
Wi Cheongyeong entered the office cautiously and spoke.
“I think you should see this.”
What he brought was a letter from Yoo Hwaryeong, the Chief Steward of the Martial Soul Society.
It stated that the Xiaohua Pavilion, recently one of Suzhou’s most prominent pleasure houses, was highly suspicious.
“Across all seven provinces, the greatest amount of funds is flowing through a single pleasure house…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed as he read the letter.
One of the fastest and most secretive ways to secure and manage funds was through pleasure houses.
If the Returning to One Realm was about to begin full-scale martial world activities, they would need considerable financial power.
Though a martial artist, Yoo Hwaryeong had long managed the vast funds of the Heavenly Sword Society. Hearing that Bu Eunseol was frantically trying to seize the Returning to One Realm’s tail, he had thoroughly investigated the flow of money through pleasure houses and taverns, identifying suspicious locations.
“However, Chief Steward Yoo only detected the anomaly through the flow of funds, so a direct investigation will be needed for details.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
“The Xiaohua Pavilion.”
“The Death Spirit Corps attempted an investigation but gained nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“It is a place frequented by high officials and nobles, so security is tighter than most intelligence organizations. Unknown experts of considerable skill are also stationed there.”
It was natural for high-class pleasure houses to take special care to prevent leaks.
However, if even the Death Spirit Corps—one of the demonic path’s foremost intelligence organizations—could not probe inside?
“Something is definitely there.”
“Yes. No matter how high-class a pleasure house, the security is excessively thorough.”
Wi Cheongyeong’s eyes sparkled as he continued,
“If you permit it, Lord, I will go personally to investigate.”
Wi Cheongyeong possessed outstanding intellect and excelled at improvisation.
A general and strategist rivaling Yoo Unryong, he had exceptional ability.
“No, that won’t do.”
But Bu Eunseol shook his head.
The Xiaohua Pavilion was no ordinary pleasure house—it was suspected to be a dangerous stronghold connected to the Three Realms, especially the fearsome Returning to One Realm.
No matter how capable Wi Cheongyeong was, he could fall into peril.
“I will go myself.”
“The Lord himself?”
“The power of the Three Realms exceeds imagination. Even a small unit is no exception.”
Whenever Bu Eunseol believed an opportunity would help his subordinates grow, he sent them on missions despite some risk.
But the Three Realms were different.
Even a minor unit possessed martial force so powerful that none below the super-transcendent realm could possibly contend with it.
Thus, Bu Eunseol had always borne the danger alone, striking each branch of the Three Realms individually.
“Understood.”
Wi Cheongyeong understood the situation and knew Bu Eunseol’s care for his men.
He did not insist and simply paid his respects.
Yet inwardly he swore a firm oath.
He would quickly raise his martial prowess and without fail lighten the Lord’s burden.
***
The pleasure districts of Suzhou, a city that never slept, hung oil lamps beside their vermilion gates at night.
Viewed from afar, it was as though brilliant stars had descended upon the night streets.
“Whoa.”
At that moment, a carriage of splendid appearance stopped before the entrance of the Xiaohua Pavilion.
Rumble.
The great gates of the Xiaohua Pavilion swung wide open, and tall, gentle-featured attendants lined up on either side.
Click.
When the carriage door opened, a tall man in blue robes emerged.
His features were utterly ordinary, with no distinguishing traits yet the deep-blue silk robe and the belt at his waist studded with large gems made it clear at a glance that he was the scion of a wealthy house.
Step, step.
Then, from among the attendants, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the general manager approached, bowing deeply.
“This humble one, Bang Juk, greets you.”
General managers of pleasure houses this large were usually either experts from the unorthodox path or influential figures in the region.
Bang Juk though, was a legitimate demonic expert from the Iron Wire Sect, a man who had made quite a name for himself in the Yangguang region and astonishingly, he was serving as mere manager of a pleasure house.
“Do you know who I am?”
When the man in blue asked, Bang Juk bowed his head.
“How could I not know the name of Master Seol, renowned across the four seas?”
He added, “A special-grade mercenary of the Red Sky Veil, known for handling all manner of tasks.”
It was Bu Eunseol, disguised as Seolso.
‘An impressive intelligence network.’
Bu Eunseol had reserved a place at the Xiaohua Pavilion early under the name Seolso yet the Xiaohua Pavilion had thoroughly investigated who Seolso was and already knew he was a special-grade mercenary.
“This way, please.”
Bang Juk guided Bu Eunseol with courteous gestures.
Following him inside revealed beautifully landscaped gardens and small ponds.
The buildings within the vast estate-like Xiaohua Pavilion, along with its flowers, trees, and landscaped terrain, were all designed to suppress artificial beauty and exude natural elegance.
Surely a master artisan had personally designed and built the place.
“This way.”
The place Bang Juk led him to was the third floor of a pavilion towering across the lake.
The floor inside was paved with rare cold-water stone, worth a thousand gold, and a pleasant fragrance wafted through the air.
When the door opened, women dressed in snow-white clothes stood demurely in attendance.
“I hope you enjoy your time.”
After Bang Juk paid his respects and withdrew, two young-looking maids guided him further into an inner chamber.
The room was filled with delicacies from land and sea, and a beautiful woman awaited.
“This humble maid Jin Soso greets Young Master Seol.”
She lowered her eyes slightly as she curtsied.
Beneath crescent-moon eyebrows, her large eyes sparkled like embedded amethysts.
Her lips were red, her skin white as snow—an alluring and enchanting beauty.
“Judging by your clothes and speech, you do not seem an ordinary courtesan.”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, the beauty smiled softly.
“Though inadequate, I serve as the mistress of this pavilion.”
It was astonishing.
The identity of Seolso was virtually unknown in the martial world.
Yet in the Xiaohua Pavilion, frequented by high officials and nobles, they treated him as a most honored guest.
And the pavilion mistress, who rarely showed herself, had come out personally to greet him?
“It is an honor to meet in person the Young Master Seol who shakes the martial world.”
“You flatter me. Such excessive hospitality for a mere mercenary.”
“How could we call a man like Young Master Seol a mere mercenary?”
Bu Eunseol glanced behind Jin Soso.
“And who is that child?”
Behind her sat a woman of not particularly striking appearance, yet giving off a clear, dewdrop-like purity, before an ajaeng.
“Her name is Seha. Her skill on the ajaeng is the best in our pavilion.”
Compared to Jin Soso, who bloomed like a full flower, Bu Eunseol’s gaze lingered longer on Seha, who sat with head bowed before the ajaeng, exuding refined grace.
When their eyes met, Seha shyly lowered her head.
“This seems the place with the finest view in the entire Xiaohua Pavilion…”
Bu Eunseol scratched his head as he spoke.
“I only asked for a quiet place to drink in peace.”
At his words, Jin Soso smiled lightly.
“How could we treat a visitor like Young Master Seolso plainly?”
She shrugged.
“When I heard that Young Master had reserved a place here, I specially cleared the Seolhyang Pavilion—which is booked solid until next year—for you.”
‘Excessive. Far too excessive.’
Bu Eunseol felt something was off.
This treatment from Jin Soso was on the level one might receive only as the Martial Soul Command Lord—his true identity.
No matter how skilled a mercenary, such hospitality was far too much.
“The hospitality is truly excessive.”
“Not at all.”
Jin Soso approached lightly like a butterfly and sat gently beside Bu Eunseol.
“Young Master is far too modest.”
“Modest?”
“Your master, the Bullet King, was in life a hero whose name graced the Hero’s Monument—the greatest hero of our age, was he not?”
She continued in a soft voice,
“As the one who perfectly inherited his peerless art, it is only natural that Young Master Seol will soon rise to the same heights.”
In that instant, the eyebrows of Bu Eunseol—disguised as Seolso—twitched.
The setting that Seolso was the Bullet King’s disciple had been a stopgap measure to resolve the Wudang affair.
And that fact was known only to the disciples of Wudang.
Yet the Xiaohua Pavilion had already uncovered information about Seolso?
‘They have ears even in Wudang.’
Shockingly, the Xiaohua Pavilion had grasped events that occurred at Wudang and knew that Seolso was the Bullet King’s disciple.
“That fact has not spread at all in the martial world.”
When Bu Eunseol wore a suspicious expression, Jin Soso replied, “Many distinguished guests visit our pavilion. Thus we hear many tales unknown to the martial world.”
“I see.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, Jin Soso gracefully offered a bottle of potent liquor.
“This humble maid shall pour Young Master a cup.”
When she extended her jade-like arm, an indescribably sweet fragrance entered his nose.
Bu Eunseol had, against his will, encountered the body scents of countless beauties yet never before had he experienced a fragrance that so intensely stimulated the primal nerves like Jin Soso’s.
Gulp.
Swallowing the strong liquor warmed his stomach and sharpened his mind.
“Have another cup.”
Jin Soso poured continuously.
Bu Eunseol did not refuse and emptied every cup she filled.
After all, on the surface he had come to drink.
Twing, twong, twang.
After several rounds, Seha began playing the ajaeng.
Beautiful melody filled the pavilion, and fine wine endlessly filled the cups.
Bu Eunseol drank ceaselessly with Jin Soso for some time.
Having drunk heavily all night at the Xiaohua Pavilion, Bu Eunseol returned to the inn where he was staying.
‘It is definitely strange.’
Recalling the events at the Xiaohua Pavilion, Bu Eunseol frowned.
The pavilion mistress Jin Soso possessed no martial arts nor had he detected any mechanisms or traps inside the pavilion.
The Xiaohua Pavilion sold artistry but not the body.
Most of its guests were refined, cultured gentlemen yet Bu Eunseol could sense that the Xiaohua Pavilion was not an ordinary pleasure house.
Harmony of Appearance.
While drinking with Jin Soso and listening to Seha’s performance, the maids had cautiously entered and gradually changed the furnishings, side dishes, liquor—even the cups.
By the time some hours had passed, the entire interior of the pavilion had been perfectly tailored to Bu Eunseol’s tastes, as if built specifically for him.
It was clearly the application of Harmony of Appearance—a profound martial principle similar to yet distinct from the Harmony created by Baek Ri Mujo.
Thanks to it, he had enjoyed drinking pleasantly, and the lingering feeling remained even now.
Had his purpose not been investigation, he would have wanted to linger endlessly in the Xiaohua Pavilion, drinking without end.
‘Then there must have been an extraordinary expert present.’
Inside the pavilion there had been only Jin Soso and Seha along with a couple young maids and servants who came and went.
Yet someone had keenly observed Bu Eunseol, discerned his tastes and personality, and gradually altered the interior accordingly.
That meant a supreme expert, hidden somewhere, had watched Bu Eunseol and adjusted the atmosphere and furnishings to suit him.
‘Beyond imagination.’
Bu Eunseol was certain.
The Xiaohua Pavilion was operated by the Three Realms—or some force yet unknown to the martial world.
The problem was that without evidence, even surrounding and searching the Xiaohua Pavilion with an army could result in a counterattack.
Thus he could not act rashly.
A thorough plan was needed for investigation.
‘Moreover, they seem to have already made their judgment.’
The Xiaohua Pavilion’s intelligence network was unimaginably vast, and their judgment swift.
Not only had they known in advance that Seolso was the Bullet King’s disciple, but observing his demeanor during the drinking session, they had realized he had no interest in fame or wealth.
After that, Jin Soso’s attitude had subtly changed.
As if they had attempted recruitment and then given up.
‘I cannot do it alone.’
With such an intelligence network and undetectable supreme experts stationed there, Bu Eunseol alone could never investigate the interior.
‘Could the Death Spirit Corps agents manage it?’
After brief consideration, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
This place was too dangerous.
He could not let even a single subordinate die in vain. Rather than sacrifice someone, it was better not to act at all.
‘For now, I must simply make my presence known.’
There was only one thing Bu Eunseol could do at present.
He had no choice but to visit the Xiaohua Pavilion repeatedly, playing the role of a mercenary lost in alcohol.
The next day, Bu Eunseol headed to the Xiaohua Pavilion once more.
This time, however, there was no lavish welcome; it was an ordinary attendant, not the Chief Steward, who came out to guide him.
Moreover, instead of the Seolhyang Pavilion, a small separate annex slightly apart from the flower garden had been prepared with drinks and food.
‘As expected, though somewhat disconcerting.’
It was just as Bu Eunseol had anticipated.
Having quickly determined that the mercenary Seolso was not someone they could recruit, the Xiaohua Pavilion now treated him as an ordinary drinking customer rather than with lavish hospitality.
It did not matter.
He had not come to drink in earnest, nor was there any reason he needed their lavish treatment.
‘It may even be better.’
This annex saw little traffic, and no maids stayed permanently.
Thus it could provide an opportunity to investigate the interior of the Xiaohua Pavilion.
“My name is Yak Hong.”
At that moment, a petite woman in red entered, bowing.
She appeared to be a courtesan sent to play the ajaeng.
“Ah!”
But something strange happened.
Upon meeting Bu Eunseol’s gaze, Yak Hong jumped in surprise and covered her mouth.
Thud.
Suddenly she fell to her knees and began shedding tears.
“Wait a moment.”
Just as Bu Eunseol opened his mouth,
Crack, crack.
Yak Hong’s face began to change in an instant.
Bones cracked as the calm beauty’s features transformed into those of a somewhat eccentric-looking man.
It was none other than the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief, Yu Cheongrim.
“Uwaaa, sob sob sob.”
Yu Cheongrim, tears and snot streaming, grabbed Bu Eunseol’s trouser leg.
“Please, save my life!”
