Pae Yukgyeol’s demonic art was described as stealthily burrowing deep into the enemy’s soul and engraving the seeds of terror and fear directly onto their spirit.
‘In the end… isn’t it the same as the Demon Emperor?’
—The reason everyone feels fear and dread toward the Demon Emperor is because of his Chaos, being an existence that is completely impossible to foresee.
According to Bu Eunseol’s words, the Demon Emperor himself is chaos incarnate, utterly unpredictable. Because of that, anxiety arises in the heart, and it soon snowballs into something overwhelming and uncontrollable.
And the Blood Cult Leader Pae Yukgyeol’s demonic art also exploited the exact same essence—fear and terror.
‘Then……’
A sharp gleam flashed in Seo Jinha’s eyes.
This time, Bu Eunseol had acted in a way no one could have predicted, staking his life in a reckless challenge, and in doing so, he shattered the chaotic attribute that the Demon Emperor had always possessed.
Because of that, the Demon Emperor realized he could no longer manipulate Bu Eunseol from within his grasp.
In the end, unable to kill him, he instead assigned an impossible mission to the Death Shadow Corps, choosing to externally stimulate Bu Eunseol’s spirit.
‘I’ll do the same.’
And Seo Jinha too decided to completely step outside the Blood Cult Leader’s range of prediction, refusing to cling desperately to negotiation, and to show an appearance that transcended fear and terror.
‘At the very least, he won’t be able to predictably take my head.’
He was certain.
If the Blood Cult Leader, like the Demon Emperor, was a human who tested and studied the will and nature of other humans, then in any situation, he would never tolerate a scenario that escaped his control.
“If you’re going to make a move, do it quickly.”
Brushing aside the rising thoughts, Seo Jinha spoke leisurely, as if earnestly hoping Pae Yukgyeol would act against him.
“I’m getting bored of waiting.”
‘If he kills me right now, that would actually be better.’
A smile floated on Seo Jinha’s lips as he gazed at Pae Yukgyeol.
If he were to be struck down in a single blow, that wouldn’t be bad either.
In the end, it would mean dying in Bu Eunseol’s place—fulfilling that long-held wish.
‘He’s not just pretending to be crazy… he really is insane.’
Pae Yukgyeol wore a strange expression.
No matter how bold a person might be, deep in the soul there is always some seed of fear and terror.
Yet from the insolent young man standing before him, he couldn’t feel even a hair’s breadth of fear?
[Hm.]
Pae Yukgyeol let out a low hum.
Though young in years, the Martial Soul Command Lord Bu Eunseol was already a great young master of the Demonic Path.
And yet he had come here, risking his life, to negotiate with him?
Ironically, that very appearance began to melt away the long-held dissatisfaction in Pae Yukgyeol’s heart—the question of ‘Why on earth did Majeon only send the Martial Soul Command Lord?’
Because he had not come using medicinal herbs as bargaining chips, but offering his own life as the wager.
[Very well. If only for the sheer audacity of coming here alone, I shall accept.]
It worked.
The madness of Seo Jinha, who was always ready to smile and die for Bu Eunseol, that transcended his attitude toward life and death had finally moved Pae Yukgyeol’s heart.
[I also want to clearly hear the reason behind your statement that we may attack Majeon.]
“It’s nothing special.” Seo Jinha spoke calmly. “In truth, the fate of the Demonic Path means nothing to me. Whether it’s the Demonic Path or the Demon Emperor, I couldn’t care less. I simply walk my own path.”
And he added one more sentence.
“If the Cult Leader truly decides to invade the Central Plains, then be sure to strike Majeon first. I will secretly lend you a hand.”
After maintaining a long silence behind the curtain, Pae Yukgyeol suddenly burst into wild laughter.
[Hohoho… Hahahaha!]
Of course, the offer to lend a hand was obviously a joke.
But he could clearly sense that the statement about not caring about righteous or demonic was completely sincere.
[The Demon Emperor has been properly trampled.]
Only now did Pae Yukgyeol seem to understand something, nodding slowly.
[So that’s why you were sent here.]
He finally understood why the Martial Soul Command Lord had come alone to the Blood Cult to negotiate.
[Fine. We shall immediately order the Blood Yin Cult to withdraw to the western frontier. Our Cult shall also swear not to invade the Central Plains.]
When Pae Yukgyeol answered readily, Seo Jinha clasped his hands together.
“I thank the Cult Leader for his wise decision.”
Then he rose from his seat.
“Then I shall take my leave with that understanding.”
[Just words are enough?]
In such important agreements, it was customary to at least draft a document and affix a seal.
But Seo Jinha shook his head.
“What meaning would other things have?”
The Blood Cult was not a sect of the orthodox Central Plains.
Moreover, they believed in sinister doctrines and did not value honor or face like ordinary martial artists…
Even if you received a hundred signed documents, if they chose not to honor them, that was the end of it.
“However… I do hope the timeline can be pushed back a little. Honestly speaking, there’s still quite a lot I want to squeeze out of Majeon…”
Muttering words that could have been either joke or truth, Seo Jinha once again clasped his hands.
From behind the curtain, Pae Yukgyeol let out a low chuckle.
[Hoho.]
“Well… if the Cult Leader were to send even one sealed document to our sect, it would help preserve my face a little.”
After calmly offering a respectful salute with clasped hands, Seo Jinha turned around.
Myo Cheonwoo, who had been beside him, hurriedly followed.
“How in the world did you do it?”
Once outside, Myo Cheonwoo—who had remained silent the entire time—gave a thumbs-up.
“Even if Bu Eunseol had come himself, he probably couldn’t have negotiated this perfectly.”
“Hohoho, no way.”
Feeling the cold sweat running down his back, Seo Jinha shook his head.
“I was merely imitating Bu Eunseol. If he had come in person, he probably would have gotten a formal treaty from the Blood Cult Leader regardless of the herb or pill supply.”
He explained to Myo Cheonwoo how Pae Yukgyeol and the Demon Emperor were the same type of person, and that he had gained the key to the negotiation from Bu Eunseol’s words.
After finishing the explanation, Seo Jinha gave a wry smile.
“In the end, all I gained from this negotiation is a little extra time. As the Cult Leader said, once the Blood Cult regains its strength, invasion is only a matter of time.”
“That may be true.” Myo Cheonwoo smiled faintly. “But when that time comes, Bu Eunseol will come up with another brilliant plan. He always predicts the situation two or three steps ahead.”
“Hm.”
Seo Jinha nodded in agreement, then straightened his chest.
“Anyway… I’ve at least earned my keep.”
Though he had received help from Bu Eunseol and Myo Cheonwoo, he had properly negotiated face-to-face with Pae Yukgyeol.
That alone was enough for Seo Jinha to hold his head high.
“Are you returning to Majeon now?”
At Seo Jinha’s question, Myo Cheonwoo nodded.
“I have to. From now on, things are going to get really tough.”
Myo Cheonwoo took a deep breath.
Majeon was no longer the cozy nest of the Death Shadow Corps, and it had been confirmed that the Demon Emperor could turn hostile toward Bu Eunseol at any moment.
There was no longer a comfortable seat as successor.
From now on, Bu Eunseol would not simply inherit Majeon as its successor—he would have to topple the Demon Emperor and take that seat for himself.
Drip. Drip.
Blood began flowing again from Myo Cheonwoo’s shoulder.
The Wishful True Binding that Seo Jinha had unleashed was extremely sharp and deliberately edged, so the wound did not heal easily.
“You okay?”
At Seo Jinha’s question, Myo Cheonwoo grimaced.
“Do I look okay? A sword of glacial soul qi with saw-like blades tore through bone and flesh.”
“Then why did you jump in? You could’ve just stayed still.”
“Are you seriously asking that? Who was the bastard whose eyes turned pitch black, screaming about killing or sparing?”
“What bastard? You done talking?”
The two of them bickered nonstop while walking.
Even after getting into the carriage, all the way until they arrived at Majeon…
No—by the time they arrived, they were shouting, veins bulging, grabbing collars, and cursing each other out.
Before they knew it, a genuine friendship had begun to bloom between the two of them.
***
Having successfully completed both missions assigned by the Chief Instructor, Bu Eunseol immediately returned to Majeon and ascended to the Solitary Light Pavilion.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Yeop Hyocheon, sitting across from him, watched Bu Eunseol with faintly trembling eyes.
Considering he was known as a man who wouldn’t blink even if the sky collapsed, the current situation was enough to make him inwardly leap in shock.
‘Even if it had been the guy’s shadow… it couldn’t have reached this level.’ Yeop Hyocheon’s eyes trembled once more.
Through the Shadow Pavilion, he had received word that the Death Shadow Corps had achieved a great victory over Eumgyeol Demon Territory and had taken Yong Mungyeok’s head.
From that, he could deduce one fact: the Blood Cult had not been visited by Bu Eunseol in person, but by his shadow.
He had already anticipated that the matter would be resolved in such a way… but how?
How could the person sent as a shadow possibly negotiate with the Blood Cult Leader himself?
Could it be that among his subordinates there was someone whose ability and martial prowess rivaled his own?
‘I simply cannot understand it.’
In truth, the reason this mission had succeeded was due to the desperate, dogged efforts of his subordinates who were willing to sacrifice their lives to help Bu Eunseol, and Bu Eunseol’s own far-sighted planning to ensure their safe return.
Yet from Yeop Hyocheon’s perspective, the situation was full of things he simply could not comprehend.
“However, the Blood Yin Cult’s withdrawal to the frontier is only temporary. They can invade again at any time.”
“Well… yes, that’s likely. Even if they swore a blood oath, they aren’t the type to keep it.” Yeop Hyocheon nodded. “You have perfectly completed the mission. Well done.”
“Thank you.”
“However, another difficult mission may come at any time, so it’s best to remain on guard.”
—We never know when the Demon Emperor might issue another order.
That was what Yeop Hyocheon was implying.
Moreover, as the Chief Instructor—an observer—no matter what command the Demon Emperor gave Bu Eunseol, he could simply watch the situation unfold with great interest.
“Understood. Then.”
Bu Eunseol casually clasped his hands but the moment he turned around, bloody light flashed in his eyes.
‘He probably thinks that I will either bow my head in loyalty or give up the position of Majeon’s successor and leave.’
On his way back to Majeon, Bu Eunseol had begun to suspect that the Demon Emperor would impose sanctions.
‘The problem is that the Martial Soul Society is not yet ready.’
The current martial world was in a state of power struggle between the alliance of Majeon and the Martial Alliance—the two great pillars of demonic and orthodox.
Bu Eunseol intended to use that situation to grow the Martial Soul Society into a massive alliance spanning both sides, creating a three-legged cauldron balance of power, just like Zhuge Liang’s Three Kingdoms strategy.
‘No matter how much the Martial Soul Society grows, it cannot reach parity with Majeon and the Martial Alliance in the short term.’
But if it utilized the struggle between the two giants?
Then it could become an alliance capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with them.
‘That is why I still cannot leave Majeon.’
If he abandoned the title of Martial Soul Command Lord and went to the Martial Soul Society right now?
Everywhere else might be fine, but Majeon would immediately roll up its sleeves and come for him.
Now was not the time to leave Majeon—it was the time to seize supremacy within Majeon itself.
“Did you really think I would just sit still and take it?”
Turning his head to gaze at the towering Sacred Demon Hall in the distance, Bu Eunseol smiled coldly.
“Demon Emperor.”
A chilling gleam exploded from his pupils.
Though it was muttered to himself, for the first time Bu Eunseol referred to him not as the ‘Sky of the Demonic Path,’ but as the Warlord of Majeon.
“From now on, within Majeon… I will make sure you can never touch me again.”
The most urgent priority was to prevent the Demon Emperor from assigning him a death mission or from touching the Death Shadow Corps.
Bu Eunseol began to put into motion, one by one, the plans he had already prepared.
While Seo Jinha, having safely returned from the Blood Cult, headed back toward the Martial Alliance and in the brief time where Bu Eunseol was away from Majeon to carry out his plan to restrain the Demon Emperor—
Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Grand Conference Room.
A grand meeting of the captains was being held under Yoo Unryong’s leadership.
“The Lord should have at least given us a heads-up.”
Recalling the battle with Eumgyeol Demon Territory, Won Semun pouted as he spoke.
“If he had, our subordinates wouldn’t have gotten so badly hurt.”
Fortunately, in the conquest of Eumgyeol Demon Territory this time, almost no corps members had suffered life-threatening injuries. Still, because the fighting had been so intense, more than a third of the Death Shadow Corps’ warriors had sustained large and small wounds.
“We had to keep it secret, you idiot.” Jo Namcheon scolded him. “With a big-mouthed guy like you around, if the Lord had told us beforehand? The information would’ve leaked already.”
“It’s not just because of that.”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong spoke.
“Maintaining secrecy was part of it, but I believe the Lord wanted to give us an opportunity and experience to leap forward.”
“Experience?”
“That’s right. Until now, we hadn’t had a real battle. But thanks to Eumgyeol Demon Territory this time, we learned something.”
Wi Cheongyeong spoke proudly.
“That all our training so far was not in vain.”
At that moment, faint smiles appeared on the lips of the Death Shadow Corps’ captains.
No matter how busy he was, Bu Eunseol had ordered them to undergo grueling training every single day and even in the midst of that, he continuously developed training methods suited to each unit’s characteristics and imparted martial knowledge.
It was a training so harsh and brutal that it couldn’t even be described as merely “difficult”…
Because they had already become accustomed to high-intensity training since the Rootless Brigade days, they followed without complaint.
Yet at the same time, they had wondered whether it would really be effective.
But this battle had proven it.
They had now reached the level of the absolute best combat unit in the martial world.
No matter who they fought, they would never be defeated.
“By the way… where exactly did the Lord go?”
At Jo Namcheon’s question, Yoo Unryong answered. “With both the Demon Emperor and the Chief Instructor glaring at him like that, he must have gone to deal with them.”
“Is he trying to mobilize the Ten Demonic Sects?”
The relationship between the Demon Emperor and the Ten Demonic Sects had never been good.
Throughout history, the masters of Majeon had always come from the Ten Demonic Sects. Because of that, the Ten Demonic Sects always found ways to interfere whenever the Demon Emperor tried to do something.
Perhaps he intended to use that to place checks on the Demon Emperor.
“That won’t work with the Ten Demonic Sects.” Wi Cheongyeong spoke. “Because of the Lord, the authority of the Ten Demonic Sects has actually plummeted. They probably hate the Lord even more than the Demon Emperor. There’s no way they’ll help.”
“Well, that’s something for the Lord to handle. You don’t need to worry about it.”
At that moment, Yoo Unryong cut off the conversation, and looked around at everyone in the room before speaking toward the door.
“And you—if you’re here, come in already. Are you just going to stand outside forever?”
Screeech.
The door slid open, and a man wearing a plain brown martial robe stepped into the conference room.
It was Myo Cheonwoo.
“Sorry I’m late. Is everyone doing well?”
When Myo Cheonwoo spoke with a calm smile, all the captains stared at him blankly.
He had betrayed the Death Shadow Corps and exposed Bu Eunseol’s movements.
Even so, Bu Eunseol had said nothing about his honor, and had sent him away on medical leave under the pretext of treating his injuries.
But all of the Death Shadow Corps’ captains were fully aware of the circumstances.
And yet he suddenly returned like this?
“Captain Myo risked his life this time and entered the Blood Cult to assist Captain Seo in the negotiation.” Yoo Unryong explained. “That’s how the Lord was able to help us.”
When the response was lukewarm, he spoke again.
“In short, the reason we all survived this mission was thanks to Captain Myo.”
Even so, silence blanketed the conference room.
In the Demonic Path, the way traitors were treated was incomparably harsher than in the orthodox sects.
In a place driven solely by profit and hegemony, the very concept of loyalty that would forgive betrayal simply did not exist.
Thud!
Suddenly Won Semun stood up and walked over to Myo Cheonwoo.
Without a word, he smashed his fist into Myo Cheonwoo’s face.
Pow!
Although he hadn’t infused inner force, Won Semun was born with monstrous natural strength.
Crash!
Myo Cheonwoo flew backward a full zhang, smashing through a table and collapsing.
He was a master of long-range palm techniques, and among the Death Shadow Corps’ captains, his fist and finger techniques were the best.
Yet he took Won Semun’s punch without even trying to dodge.
“Sorry.”
Myo Cheonwoo apologized.
If he didn’t convey his sincere feelings right now, he would have no face left to remain here.
“In truth, I-”
“Damn it, if your body was healed, why didn’t you come sooner? Why so late?”
Before he could even open his mouth, Won Semun snapped irritably.
“Thanks to you, the rest of us had to work ourselves to death! Do you know how busy we’ve been lately?”
“Won Semun.”
When Myo Cheonwoo stared blankly, Jo Namcheon stepped forward.
“Judging by that swollen face, looks like your body’s fully recovered.” He grimaced and waved his hand dismissively. “You thought we’d give you time for a speech or something since it’s been so long?”
“……”
“You’re here, so shut up and sit down already. We’ve got mountains of work ahead.”
Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes rippled like water.
The captains of the Death Shadow Corps were true demonic path warriors who knew no forgiveness for traitors.
But Myo Cheonwoo was a comrade and close friend who had left the Demonic Path and risked his life fighting alongside them.
That was why they chose to say nothing about his betrayal and simply let it pass.
“Captain Myo.”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong approached and extended his hand.
Grab.
Myo Cheonwoo firmly took that hand, let out a grunt, and pulled himself up.
“Welcome back.”
The casual words Wi Cheongyeong threw out carried deep trust.
“Yeah.”
Myo Cheonwoo felt hot tears threatening to fall.
If Bu Eunseol hid burning friendship beneath a layer of ice, then the captains of the Death Shadow Corps were blazing flames, illuminating each other brightly so that no darkness could remain.
“Right, enough chit-chat.”
Once the atmosphere settled, Yoo Unryong pulled out a thick booklet and spoke with a serious expression.
“Now let’s begin the meeting. We have a lot to do.”
He continued gravely.
“The Lord will definitely attempt to change the structure of Majeon. So we too…”
***
In front of a small, quiet lake somewhere in Muweon.
Beneath a serene and beautiful landscape stood a picturesque manor.
Clack-clack. Clack-clack.
A black-lacquered eight-horse carriage slowly pulled up in front of the manor.
A double-dragon coiling-around-the-pearl flag was planted atop it.
Swoosh…
As the carriage approached, a sudden mist of water vapor rose in all directions.
It was a formation designed to conceal the manor’s appearance from outsiders yet the carriage stopped precisely in front of the manor’s main gate, unaffected.
Click.
The door opened, and a tall, elegant man with long flowing hair stepped out.
Thick dark brows, eyes filled with melancholy, skin as white as fresh snow.
If one were to trim the brows and redden the lips, he could easily be mistaken for a beauty.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol.
Creak.
As he alighted from the carriage, the main gate opened by itself.
A neatly dressed young servant bowed toward Bu Eunseol.
“Welcome.”
“Hm.”
“The Elder is waiting.”
Bu Eunseol showed a slightly surprised expression.
He had come to the manor without any prior notice yet the master of the manor already knew Bu Eunseol was coming and had even instructed the servant in advance.
Step. Step.
As he entered the manor, a beautifully arranged flower garden came into view.
With every step he took, the scenery seemed to change.
The flowers in the warm, beautiful garden now appeared cold and sharp, as though made of metal.
From the rigid, artificial arrangement alone, one could guess just how strict and ruthless the person residing in this manor must be.
“This way.”
The young servant guided Bu Eunseol toward a small pavilion at the center of the garden.
There, an old man with fierce, piercing eyes and an aura of solemn dignity was enjoying tea.
Swoosh.
The moment the old man’s gaze fell upon Bu Eunseol, it felt as though dark clouds were suddenly gathering in the sky, and the wails of ghosts could be heard from somewhere.
It was a gentle spring breeze, yet merely meeting the old man’s gaze made the world feel as though it were plunging toward annihilation.
Because that old man was none other than the great demon known for having killed the greatest number of orthodox martial artists in the current era.
The Blood Demon, Jeok Bung.
“This disciple Bu Eunseol greets the Elder.”
When Bu Eunseol offered a deeply respectful bow, Jeok Bung asked in a puzzled tone.
“Your courtesy is excessive.”
Considering his position as Martial Soul Command Lord and his reputation, there was no need to be so excessively polite toward Jeok Bung.
Yet Bu Eunseol was greeting him with the exact same deep respect and formality he had shown when he first met the Blood Demon Jeok Bung long ago, back when he was still one of the Ten Demon Warriors.
—Though I have ascended to the position of Martial Soul Command Lord, nothing has changed when I stand before you, Master of the Elder Hall.
That was what Bu Eunseol was conveying.
“You say nothing has changed.”
Jeok Bung calmly read Bu Eunseol’s intention and spoke.
“So. What brings you here?”
His tone was calm, but his gaze was razor-sharp.
It was perhaps only natural.
Jeok Bung’s disciple, Shim Wol, had been corrupted by an outsider, received the grotesque artificial inner cores, and unable to suppress the murderous impulse, had become a slaughtering demon who massacred countless innocents.
When this truth was uncovered by Bu Eunseol, Jeok Bung had taken full responsibility, temporarily stepped down from his position in the Elder Hall, and was now living here in semi-seclusion.
Even though the fault lay with his disciple, there was no way Bu Eunseol—who had exposed every detail of the matter—would appear lovable in his eyes.
Regardless, Bu Eunseol politely clasped his hands together.
“I have come to escort the Elder.”
