The woman from the Chimseon Pavilion stared at him piercingly with an expressionless face.
Bu Eunseol looked at her, then leaned out the window to scan the surroundings.
But no one else was around.
‘She came here alone just to see me?’
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for a garment attendant in charge of uniforms to come to this remote Supreme Pavilion at the edge of the northern bamboo grove at such a late hour and stare fixedly at the office where he sat.
[Do you have something to say?]
After some deliberation, Bu Eunseol sent a voice transmission over a thousand li.
Nod.
As if she had been waiting, the woman nodded while still wearing that glaring expression.
‘This is strange. If she came all this way to speak, she should have sent word and entered properly.’
Though he sensed something off, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to step outside.
As soon as he emerged, the woman slowly began walking deeper into the bamboo grove.
After walking for a while, they reached a secluded clearing. She turned around and spoke in a low voice.
“Your senses are impressive. Well, with that level of skill, it’s no wonder you survived the Fist Man’s hand.”
Though her voice was low and clear, her eyes were unfocused.
It was as though she were sleeping with her eyes open.
‘Mind-possession technique?’
Someone had clearly cast a mind-control art on the woman and was using her mouth to speak to him.
“What a bizarre mind-possession art.”
“It is slightly different from ordinary mind-possession. Shall we call it a secret art unknown to the martial world?”
Surprisingly, the woman was not mechanically reciting memorized words. It felt more as though someone else’s consciousness had possessed her body and was conversing with him directly.
‘Impossible.’
Bu Eunseol was greatly shocked.
No matter how masterful a mind-possession expert one might be, they could at most command actions or relay messages—real-time, fluid conversation like this was unheard of.
“There is no need to be surprised. The martial world is full of miraculous great arts that surpass imagination.”
“Speaking through her mouth?”
The woman—no, the mysterious figure controlling her—seemed to read Bu Eunseol’s thoughts and continued leisurely.
“That is correct. I am listening through her senses and responding in real time.”
Flash.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s pupils turned pure white.
He had assumed the one who sent the woman was hiding nearby and casting the mind-possession art while observing.
But within a hundred zhang in every direction, he could detect no hidden presence.
“It is useless. I am not nearby.”
“If you wish to speak with this lord, reveal your identity.”
“There is no need to bare your fangs so fiercely. I merely wish to offer you some advice.”
“I have nothing to say to someone who hides their identity.”
As Bu Eunseol turned to leave, the woman spoke coldly.
“Even though Gongsun Dankyung’s life hangs in the balance?”
Thud.
At those words, Bu Eunseol could not help but halt.
“Why are you targeting the Chief Inspector?”
“Not at all. I am not the one targeting her.”
A hint of playfulness mixed into the woman’s voice.
Somehow, she was conveying even the emotions of the one casting the mind-possession art.
“Then who is?”
“You already know, do you not?”
“The Human Heavens? Or are you referring to the Fist Man?”
“Hahaha. It seems she told you everything.”
The woman shook her head.
“Gongsun Dankyung is not the type to share what she knows with just anyone.”
“……”
“In any case, if you wish to keep her alive, it would be best to distance yourself from her starting now.”
The woman continued, “If you keep shaking her heart like this, she will eventually be killed.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I didn’t think you were dull enough to miss the meaning.”
Of course, Bu Eunseol understood perfectly well what the woman meant.
But it couldn’t be true.
Hadn’t Gongsun Dankyung always treated him with cool composure and calm detachment?
She had never once shown him any particular emotion.
For her to have fallen for him? That was absurd.
“You seem to be under some misunderstanding.” Bu Eunseol said calmly, “The Chief Inspector and I do not meet with any personal feelings involved.”
“That is merely your perspective.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize the identity of the person controlling the woman.
“You are the one who lured the Chief Inspector into that trap. Someone she knows well.”
“Oh? So she spoke of me after all.”
“No, she did not.” Bu Eunseol answered honestly. “She tried to hide your identity. Even if it meant endangering her own life.”
The answer seemed unexpected.
The woman fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
“Since you were honest, I shall be honest as well.”
In a resolute tone, she continued, “If you keep disturbing her heart…”
Pausing briefly, the woman went on, “I dare prophesy: in the end, she will die. Because of you.”
Bu Eunseol’s face hardened.
The words were far too ominous to simply brush off.
“You must remember this well.”
“Why would she die because of me…?”
Instead of answering, the woman held out a single shining bead.
“What is this?”
As Bu Eunseol looked at the bead,
Pop!
It suddenly vanished, and millions of tiny points of light scattered outward.
In an instant the lights filled the entire bamboo grove—then, as though nothing had happened, they completely disappeared.
“What was that?”
Bu Eunseol asked, but the woman now stood with completely vacant eyes.
Thud, thud.
As if nothing had occurred, she slowly began walking out of the bamboo grove.
Sensing something wrong, Bu Eunseol started to follow her—
“This is…”
Only then did he notice his own body faintly glimmering.
The mysterious light that had embroidered the dark bamboo grove now lingered on him.
Ziiing.
At the same time, something unfamiliar and alien seemed to be forcibly pouring into his mind.
The sensation was eerily similar to when Yangseol Rin had once given him the Boundary Prosperity Jade containing the power of the Heavenly Grace Star.
“A trap.”
His super-senses rang a faint alarm.
He had let his guard down, thinking it was merely mind-possession for conversation—and then some unknown great art had been unleashed.
Shuuu.
The light vanished quickly.
At the same time, the woman’s unsettling words echoed in his mind.
“Because of me, she will die.”
Bu Eunseol stared into the darkness with unfocused eyes.
He had never shaken Gongsun Dankyung’s heart.
Nor had she ever shown him any emotion.
‘Someone with that level of ability wouldn’t speak nonsense.’
Had some change occurred in her feelings without him noticing?
“Is that person inside the Martial Alliance?”
No matter how great their martial prowess, infiltrating the Martial Alliance and casting mind-possession on a garment attendant was no easy feat.
But if they were an insider?
Approaching the woman would be simple, and secretly deploying such an art would not be difficult.
“It can’t be the Three Realms.”
If it were someone from the Three Realms, they could mobilize countless hidden organizations within the Martial Alliance.
There would be no need to go through the trouble of using such a bizarre mind-possession on a mere garment attendant to deliver a message.
“The fact that they went out of their way to approach me with such a warning…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
It must be a new faction that had emerged—not the Three Realms—and they had now taken notice of the man called Seon Woojin.
“The fact that I clashed with the Fist Man was also part of their plan.”
The person speaking through the woman knew something no intelligence network in the martial world had uncovered: that Seon Woojin had collided with the Fist Man and survived his hand.
That meant they were undoubtedly the one who had set the trap for Gongsun Dankyung and orchestrated the clash between him and the Fist Man.
‘I’ll catch them.’
Returning to his office, Bu Eunseol mobilized the Death Spirit Corps and Supreme Corps to begin investigating the garment attendant who had approached him.
If mind-possession had been used, someone must have secretly approached her. He intended to trace that person to uncover the faction behind it.
―No one made any special approach to that garment attendant.
Yet the one who had controlled her had perfectly concealed their tracks, leaving no trace whatsoever.
Of course, considering it was a faction that had never revealed itself in the martial world, it would have been stranger if they had been easily discovered.
But why go to the trouble of using the woman’s mouth to approach him and leave such a warning?
‘That light.’
In that moment, Bu Eunseol realized.
Their true purpose had been to use an unknown intermediary to pour that light onto him.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, Tae Muryong entered the office.
“My Lord. An order has come down to inspect the various branches of the Martial Alliance.”
He spoke in a low voice.
“It is a ceremonial matter, so there is no need for you to go personally.”
Since Bu Eunseol was busy with many affairs, Tae Muryong had come to suggest replacing him with Seo Jinha.
“No, I will go myself.”
“You personally, my Lord?”
“Yes.”
Right now, Seon Woojin was being watched by an unknown faction with unclear motives.
In such a situation, he absolutely could not switch identities with Seo Jinha.
“The work should wrap up by tomorrow, so let us go together.”
“Me as well?”
For a moment, Tae Muryong’s face brightened.
The only time he had officially gone on a mission with Bu Eunseol was long ago, when they went to negotiate with the Hell’s Blood Fortress.
To go out into the martial world together again?
‘An inspection tour with the Lord…’
A smile tugged at Tae Muryong’s lips.
Though he had never dared ask, it was something he had earnestly wished for.
“In truth, a mission like this can be handled by the vice-leader. With your external status as vice-director of the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division, you are treated as a division-head level figure.”
“Y-yes, that is true.”
Having risen rapidly alongside Bu Eunseol, Tae Muryong now enjoyed hall leader treatment within the Martial Alliance. With his position, he could inspect the regional branches in Seon Woojin’s stead without anyone objecting.
Thud, thud.
But from somewhere, low footsteps echoed.
Tae Muryong turned curiously and saw that the firmly closed door had somehow opened.
“When did the door open?”
As he reached to close it,
Boom. Boom.
Suddenly, footsteps that shook the very earth resounded.
Creak.
At the same time, the open door swung wider, and an enormous shadow tall enough to touch the ceiling appeared before them.
“Hm?”
Tae Muryong looked up.
There stood an old man of indeterminate age, with muscles so massive and skin so taut it defied belief.
“Who are you?”
At Tae Muryong’s question, the old man grinned and lightly patted his shoulder with a hand the size of a pot lid.
“You stay out of this.”
“Pfft!”
In an instant, Tae Muryong coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Merely from the old man’s touch on his shoulder, his meridians felt torn apart, and he suffered severe internal injuries.
“Shall we do this here? Or will you come out quietly?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes trembled violently.
The Fist Man.
The leader of the Human Heavens—who had once tried to kill both Gongsun Dankyung and himself—had suddenly stormed into the Supreme Pavilion office.
“How dare you barge into this place.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze turned icy.
“Have you come here to leave your bones behind?”
No matter how great the Fist Man’s martial arts, this was the Martial Alliance.
He could never run rampant here alone.
“Hahaha.”
Yet the Fist Man burst into laughter instead.
“It doesn’t matter. Ring the alarm if you wish. Call the Seven Great Division Commanders or even the Alliance Leader.”
Baring his yellowed teeth, the Fist Man grinned broadly.
“By the time they arrive, every last one of your subordinates in this hall will be dead. And this Lord will simply stroll out at leisure.”
It seemed the Fist Man had obtained firm information that Seon Woojin cherished his subordinates like his own body.
“You know no bounds.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes blazed red.
For a master of the Limitless Realm, infiltrating the Martial Alliance would not be particularly difficult.
Threatening him without regard for consequences was also possible.
But the Fist Man had done something absolutely unforgivable.
He had threatened not Bu Eunseol himself but the lives of his subordinates.
“Fine. Let us go outside.”
“My Lord, no!”
Realizing the old man was an expert beyond imagination, Tae Muryong tried to stop him.
“You must not face him alone.”
“It’s all right.”
Bu Eunseol gently placed a hand on Tae Muryong’s shoulder.
With a low hum, warm energy from the Ban-Geuk Method spread throughout his body, swiftly returning displaced organs to their proper places.
“Absolutely do not inform the subordinates or anyone outside. I will deal with that old man and return.”
Bu Eunseol said firmly.
“This is an order.”
If Tae Muryong called the Death Spirit Corps, Supreme Corps, or any Martial Alliance forces, they would never survive the Fist Man’s hands.
“Understood.”
As Tae Muryong bowed his head, Bu Eunseol spoke coldly to the Fist Man.
“Follow me.”
“Hahaha, wise choice.”
Leaving the Martial Alliance with the Fist Man, Bu Eunseol immediately unfolded his movement technique.
In moments he left Henan Province far behind and arrived at a desolate plain where no one was present.
Halt.
Stopping his movement art, Bu Eunseol looked at the Fist Man and asked, “Why have you come looking for me?”
“You are the Heavenly Mechanism Star.”
The Fist Man smiled faintly.
“The very Heavenly Mechanism Star that this Lord has searched so tirelessly for.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol realized what the light the Chimseon Pavilion woman had scattered on him truly was—and what its effect had been.
‘So that was it.’
The reason she had been controlled and made to appear before him.
It had partly been for conversation, but primarily to allow the Fist Man another chance to kill him by means of some trickery.
“You think I am the Heavenly Mechanism Star?”
“Are you afraid?”
“You fool.”
Bu Eunseol wore a hollow expression.
“The Human Heavens are nothing special after all. To be toyed with so easily by others.”
“Hahaha! Your tongue is sharp indeed. Twisting insults so cleverly.” The Fist Man laughed heartily and nodded. “I know. There is no way a brat like you is the Heavenly Mechanism Star.”
“……”
“Someone must have played a trick—using this Lord’s hand to kill you.”
Bu Eunseol could not understand.
Now it seemed the Fist Man knew full well he was not the Heavenly Mechanism Star—yet had still come to the Martial Alliance risking his life.
“If you knew, why come at all?”
“Because there is still a possibility.”
The Fist Man smiled contentedly.
“Surviving my hand at such a young age? You must be hiding quite a bit of true skill.”
Swallowing his saliva with satisfaction, the Fist Man continued, “Moreover, rumors say your mind is exceptional. Even if you are not the Heavenly Mechanism Star, perhaps you are one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits concealing your aura.”
“Is the old man’s goal the Heavenly Mechanism Star and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits? Or is it to break the True Demon’s seal?”
“Hahaha. Probing for information even now? Clever bastard.”
The Fist Man changed the subject.
“This Heavenly Lord’s goal is you. You are the most appetizing prey to appear in the martial world in a hundred years.”
Madness gleamed in his eyes.
It was the same brand of insanity as that of wicked fiends who pursued martial arts to the extreme. Having seen through Bu Eunseol’s extraordinary martial arts, the Fist Man had come in earnest to kill him.
“Fine.”
Realizing further talk was meaningless, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Let us fight. Until one of us dies.”
“Hahahaha!”
The Fist Man laughed wildly, unable to contain his delight.
“Excellent! In a hundred years, you are the first young brat to speak so boldly to this Heavenly Lord.”
Still chuckling, he added, “You’re not planning to run if things go badly, are you?”
“Does it seem that way?”
“It could be.”
A fierce glint shot from the Fist Man’s eyes.
“Let me warn you in advance: if you flee, I will head straight back to the Martial Alliance and rip every last one of your subordinates’ heads off.”
“Hahaha.”
A low laugh escaped Bu Eunseol as killing intent that seemed ready to tear the Fist Man apart poured from his eyes.
“Do you think the entire world fears you?”
“What?”
“Quite the opposite.”
Click.
Ending his laughter, Bu Eunseol raised his inner force.
Hundreds of stones around him rose into the air.
“I will set up a formation from which neither of us can escape until one of us dies.”
“A formation?”
“Yes. One that prevents outside interference in our duel and blocks any attempt to flee. Do you agree?” Bu Eunseol said coldly, “Seeing your sly personality, I ask because if you were pushed to the brink of death, you’d run with sweat pouring from your feet.”
“Hahahaha!”
The Fist Man pointed a finger at Bu Eunseol’s face and burst into mad laughter.
“Kwaahaha! Now I see—you’re a lunatic!”
Then, nodding with satisfaction,
“Fine, very well. Let it be so.”
“It will take about half an incense stick—no, a full incense stick. Since it must not be broken until one of us dies.”
“Hahaha. Do as you wish. I will wait.”
“Good.”
Bu Eunseol extended his hand.
Swaaak!
Hundreds of stones scattered in all directions, forming a perfect circle dozens of zhang in radius.
Chachachak.
Raising his inner force once more, Bu Eunseol shifted the positions of rocks and trees throughout the area.
This was the secret formation art of Nangyang Pavilion—a Life-and-Death Combat Formation that neither combatant could escape until one died, and from which no outsider could observe the fight.
Shuuuuu.
As the formation finally activated, the sky darkened.
Massive boulders rose, the earth cracked in every direction, and gray sand swirled through a desolate landscape.
“How peculiar.”
The Fist Man narrowed his eyes as though realizing something.
“How does the head of the Martial Alliance’s Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division know a formation from one of the Ten Demonic Sects…?”
Bang!
The Fist Man’s words were cut short.
In an instant, Bu Eunseol had launched a fist that smashed into his face.
“You talk too much.”
A violet radiance flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, and black haze began rising from his entire body.
Until now, he had been forced to conceal his true martial arts under the identity of Seon Woojin.
Now, he intended to unleash every last one of his authentic techniques.
