“It’s incomprehensible. How could Sect Leader Weiji…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened as he left the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
No matter how much he thought about it, it was impossible.
If it had been some old monster like Jeok Bung—someone who had experienced every hardship under the sun and now clung desperately to power—it would have made sense.
But for Weiji Mu-a, who seemed to have transcended everything, to speak such words like some decrepit old fiend?
“A man so free and detached could never fail to resist the temptation of power and become their pawn…”
The Ten Demonic Sects—the ten pillars that supported Majeon, the sacred ground of ten thousand demons.
Among their leaders, there were those who, driven by an insatiable thirst for power, had fallen to the temptations of the Three Realms that dominated the martial world or other external forces.
Demonic cultivation pursues hegemony, after all.
One could not point fingers or condemn them for it.
But Weiji Mu-a regarded even the position of Sect Leader of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect as a burdensome nuisance. He chose instead to live like an old man retired to the back room.
There was no way such a person would collude with an external force.
“In the end, he must have said something he didn’t truly mean.”
If he were the type to join hands with external forces to make his sect prosper and protect himself?
Even if he reached the Limitless Realm, he could never have attained the state of transcendent freedom—untethered by laws or rules.
“Why would he say such things?”
As Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant sky, complex light lingered in his eyes.
“There is no master in the Hwa Wu Sword Sect who can compare to him.”
No matter how much he pondered, no answer came.
The only faint impression he could grasp after meeting Weiji Mu-a was that what could be seen of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect was not everything.
Perhaps within the sect there existed someone equal to—or at least holding power comparable to—Weiji Mu-a.
Otherwise, Weiji Mu-a himself would never have spoken of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect as though it were a sect that could vanish at any moment.
“Does he himself harbor dissatisfaction but is powerless to do anything about it?”
The Profound Demon Weiji Mu-a had reached the mysterious and profound realm of swordsmanship, and was a master of both civil and martial arts. Beyond that, he had transcended fame, profit, life, and death—a man who feared nothing.
If someone were dragging even him around helplessly, if he were in a situation where he couldn’t even choose jade-shattering death…?
‘Blood ties.’
Wasn’t that the only possible reason?
‘In that case, there is no need to investigate immediately.’
If complicated circumstances were entangled within the Hwa Wu Sword Sect?
Rather than forcing an investigation now, it would be better to watch the situation and uncover the truth later.
A festering wound would burst on its own eventually.
“If both the Martial Alliance and the Ten Demonic Sects have reached this state… there is one urgent matter that must be handled.”
Whether it was the Three Realms, the Eight Human Heavens, or the Three Families… they had existed all this time and continued to stir up trouble without end. But now that even the Hwa Wu Sword Sect had proven not to be an upright demonic sect…
“The Supreme Corps.”
A safe haven where the Supreme Corps members—who belonged neither to the demonic path nor the righteous path—could reside must be prepared as soon as possible.
“The time has finally come to execute that plan.”
If both Majeon and the Martial Alliance were in such a state, then there was no longer any need for Seon Woojin to remain in the Martial Alliance.
Moreover, the integration of the righteous-evil intelligence network and the Martial Soul Society’s intelligence network led by mercenaries was nearly complete.
“The time to create a new force.”
Originally, he had planned to incorporate the Supreme Corps into the Martial Soul Society. With the Martial Soul Society, the members could operate with peace of mind. But now that he knew Majeon, the Ten Demonic Sects, and the Martial Alliance were all abnormal, if the Supreme Corps—from the Martial Alliance—were to be absorbed into the Martial Soul Society, an organization standing between righteous and evil, problems would surely arise and certain factions might bring harm to those who had formed ties with him as Seon Woojin.
“There is no other way.”
In the end, Bu Eunseol decided to execute the contingency plan he had long kept in reserve… and completely leave the Martial Alliance.
***
Martial Alliance, Supreme Pavilion.
It stood right in front of the bamboo grove at the north gate of the Martial Alliance.
Thus, unless one had business with the Supreme Pavilion, there was rarely any reason to come here. Nevertheless, from the very beginning Bu Eunseol had turned the interior of the Supreme Pavilion into a fortress-like stronghold.
The conference room had been constructed as a soundproof secret chamber from which not even a whisper could leak outside.
He had experienced far too much in Majeon, and looking back, it had been an exceedingly wise decision.
“I intend to carry out the final mission now.”
Seeing all the members seated, Bu Eunseol spoke with an utterly solemn expression.
—The final mission.
The members’ faces stiffened.
The “final mission” meant the Supreme Corps’s departure from the Martial Alliance.
“Are we executing it right now?”
Tae Muryong asked with an extremely grave expression.
Bu Eunseol had long ago devised a plan to allow the Supreme Corps to leave the Martial Alliance safely. If carried out as planned, the unit could vanish quietly without any repercussions.
“No, the plan has changed.” Bu Eunseol explained calmly. “I will create one more new force in the martial world.”
“If we create a separate force…”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost solemnity. “I will split the Martial Alliance and establish a new righteous faction alliance.”
The members opened their mouths in shock at the utterly staggering statement.
Creating a new force was at least somewhat understandable.
But splitting the Martial Alliance to form a new righteous faction alliance?
Such a thing could never happen—and even if successful, the Martial Alliance would never stand idly by.
In the end, they would simply be branded traitors and left with nothing but a desperate fight to the death against the Martial Alliance.
“It’s impossible.” Tae Muryong said cautiously. “I don’t know about anything else, but the Martial Venerable will never let this go quietly.”
The Martial Venerable was the very person who had originally granted Bu Eunseol the identity of Seon Woojin and now served as the Alliance Leader.
If Bu Eunseol showed even the slightest impure intention—or if the Martial Venerable perceived such intent—he would grit his teeth, erase the identity of Seon Woojin, and never let Bu Eunseol go unscathed.
“There is no need to worry. In fact, it is precisely because of the Martial Venerable that we will be able to leave the Martial Alliance perfectly.”
A faint smile hung at the corner of Bu Eunseol’s mouth.
“From this moment, mobilize the integrated intelligence network at full strength and uncover the movements of every shadow organization within the Martial Alliance. All the illegal acts they have committed—and the evidence of them as well.”
“…”
“Of course it won’t be easy. But even if only partially, uncover as much as possible.”
“My Lord.”
At that moment Jeong Jongdo spoke.
“If we begin investigating inside the Martial Alliance, eventually the organizations within will become aware of the fact.”
He hesitated before continuing.
“Then our betrayal will be exposed before we can even leave.”
“It’s fine. That too is part of the plan.”
Bu Eunseol spoke confidently.
“Investigate without worry. I will handle the rest.”
Tae Muryong, Jeong Jongdo, and the other members looked at one another with uneasy expressions.
No matter how much they thought, they could not even guess at Bu Eunseol’s plan.
“It’s all right.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “However, if I explain the details now, it could disrupt the plan. So please trust me and follow along.”
The members’ eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol never asked others to trust him.
Yet the fact that he had said such words meant…
Something no one could anticipate was about to happen, and absolute secrecy was essential for success.
“We obey.”
Having grasped that fact, the members no longer asked questions and simply bowed in unison.
If he had intended to explain the detailed plan, he would have done so at the start of the meeting.
Looking back, whenever extreme secrecy was required, Bu Eunseol had never revealed the plan to anyone. He had merely assigned separate tasks to his subordinates.
By carrying out their individual duties… eventually the grand picture would come together on its own.
The Supreme Corps believed.
They believed Bu Eunseol could truly split the Martial Alliance and perfectly establish a new righteous faction alliance.
***
Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
A man who had spent his entire life performing righteous deeds, helping the weak and punishing the wicked.
For decades he had been the foremost renowned hero representing the righteous martial world, and the first person in history whose name was engraved on the Hero’s Stele of the Martial Alliance during his lifetime.
He had finally accepted the Martial Alliance’s repeated invitations which he had always refused.
Now, serving as an honored contributor to the Martial Alliance, he was experiencing a second golden age.
As a contributor he handled various duties and built close ties with numerous high-ranking figures. Even so, he helped those facing difficulties within the Alliance, and spent every penny of his salary on those in need. Thanks to this, the number of followers gathering around him gradually increased.
Before long he had become one of the pillars supporting a major faction within the Martial Alliance.
the Pure Bright Pavilion.
A small pavilion located in the rear garden of Bukgung Ryeong’s residence.
Though over eighty years old, Bukgung Ryeong still overflowed with vigor and remained vigorously active. He also hoped that many young people would become pillars of the martial world and surpass him as even greater renowned heroes.
For that reason, he kept the Pure Bright Pavilion open so that anyone in trouble could come to him at any time.
He kept strictly confidential any stories he heard there and if something was unjust, he stepped forward without hesitation.
As a result, young martial artists of the younger generation trusted and followed Bukgung Ryeong even more than their direct superiors.
And the martial artist who came to visit this time appeared to be in great trouble, rushing into the Pure Bright Pavilion and requesting an audience.
Normally he would have asked with a gentle expression why the visitor had come but upon entering the Pure Bright Pavilion, Bukgung Ryeong spoke with an utterly cold expression.
“What is it? I’m busy to death—why did you crawl all the way here?”
Because the young man before him was not someone who should ever face trouble.
He was a young high-ranking figure with immense power on both righteous and evil sides—someone envied by no one in the world.
It was none other than the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord Seon Woojin.
No—Bu Eunseol.
“Are you busy?”
When Bu Eunseol asked,
Ziiing.
Bukgung Ryeong created a solid wall of protective qi around the pavilion to prevent any sound from leaking out, then snorted.
“Could I possibly be busier than you, my lord—the foremost young grand master of the demonic path and Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord who wields power comparable to the Seven Great Commanders of the Martial Alliance?”
“Hm.”
Bu Eunseol wanted to retort sharply but there might be watching eyes nearby, and above all he had something urgent to discuss.
So he spoke in a low voice.
“Let’s move to another place. This is not something to discuss here.”
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s grave expression, Bukgung Ryeong sighed as though he had no choice and headed toward the secret chamber installed inside his office.
Thud.
As the thick iron door of the secret chamber closed, Bukgung Ryeong spoke.
“What is it?”
Gazing into empty air, Bu Eunseol spoke in an extremely low voice.
“I will now leave the Martial Alliance together with my subordinates.”
Bukgung Ryeong showed mild surprise.
“Have you found what you were searching for?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I am leaving because I have learned the true nature of the Martial Alliance.”
“The true nature, hm.”
Bukgung Ryeong’s gaze deepened.
Even without the investigations Bu Eunseol had made, while staying in the Martial Alliance and as his following grew, Bukgung Ryeong had gradually begun to glimpse the viscous, dark true nature of this place called the Martial Alliance.
“I see.”
Bukgung Ryeong nodded with an expression that seemed rather relieved.
“You’ve thought well. This is no place to stay long.”
“Isn’t that the same for you, Contributor?”
“What, calling me Contributor again out of the blue? Call me as you used to. And…”
Bukgung Ryeong gave a somewhat lonely smile.
“The Martial Alliance being rotten is nothing new, so there is no need for me to mind.”
“You intend to stay?”
“Have you forgotten? The reason this old man came here was because of you.” He spoke with a slightly aggrieved expression. “Wasn’t it at your persuasion that I came here, hoping somehow to purify this rotten place?”
“…”
“This old man has not yet made this place clean.”
Bu Eunseol had nothing to say.
It had been he who persuaded Bukgung Ryeong to enter the Martial Alliance and it had been he who urged him to somehow make this place clean.
“It’s futile.”
But for that very reason, Bu Eunseol had to persuade Bukgung Ryeong.
Otherwise, even he would be stained by this filthy cesspool or end up manipulated by utterly vicious hands to the very end.
“Even if you labored for a hundred years, the Martial Alliance can never be purified.”
“What do you mean?”
“This place is closer to the main headquarters where abyssal forces gather.”
“What do you mean? Abyssal forces?”
Bu Eunseol calmly told Bukgung Ryeong everything he had experienced so far.
Listening silently, Bukgung Ryeong narrowed his eyes as though shocked.
“So it wasn’t that something sound became rotten—it was rotten from the very beginning.”
As Bukgung Ryeong let out a deep sigh, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“There was never anything to begin with. At first I thought it was the main base of the Three Realms.”
“That makes sense. The Martial Alliance has continued unbroken through a long history and is a place where immense power is concentrated.”
Merely controlling the Martial Alliance would allow one to exert overwhelming influence over the martial world.
Any faction or individual seeking to manipulate the martial world would inevitably have to seize the Martial Alliance first.
Bukgung Ryeong, who had been groaning, suddenly seemed to recall something and his eyes sparkled.
“But whether this place is the main base of the Three Realms or a gathering point for abyssal forces… what about the martial artists who stand in the light? Aren’t they unrelated to the Three Realms?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“The inside is rotten, but the outside is not.” Bukgung Ryeong spoke with a calm expression. “There are many pure young people with bright futures within the Martial Alliance. And I am guiding them onto the right path.”
He spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Even if various forces lurk in the shadows of the Martial Alliance… the young people in the light have nothing to do with them.”
“Old man.”
“I know what you’re about to say. However…”
Bukgung Ryeong nodded and continued, saying, “I have made up my mind. I will continue purifying the bright side as I have been.”
Though the interior of the Martial Alliance was rotten, on the surface, it remained an alliance of the righteous path that upheld justice.
Bukgung Ryeong was saying that even if he could not cleanse the cesspool-like interior of the Martial Alliance, he could at least protect the pure young people who trained every day without knowing anything.
“I understand what you mean.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“But in the current state of the Martial Alliance, even that is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because even the leader of the bright side is not real.”
In that instant Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes trembled.
“What do you mean by that?”
“The current Alliance Leader is a fake.”
“A fake?”
Letting out a deep sigh, Bu Eunseol began speaking about the Martial Venerable.
That he had long maintained the identity of the greatest sage of the martial world, the Divine Mountain Sage, as a shadow and that for more than ten years he had been acting as Alliance Leader in place of the murdered the Heavenly Emperor.
“The Heavenly Emperor was murdered? How could that be possible?”
As Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes widened, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“I don’t know the exact details. But the Martial Venerable personally confirmed to me that the corpse in the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Coffin I saw was the Heavenly Emperor. In truth, he had not appeared in public for a very long time.”
“But if all that is true… couldn’t the Martial Venerable truly be devoting himself to avenging the Heavenly Emperor’s unjust death?”
“Absolutely not. There is evidence he is colluding with external forces.”
Bu Eunseol explained again.
According to Mu Gyeol, the Heavenly Emperor’s true disciple, he was colluding with external forces and very likely deeply involved in the Heavenly Emperor’s death.
“But that isn’t a properly confirmed truth, is it?”
“Truth? Do you want to hear the clear truth?”
Flames blazed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“The Martial Venerable poisoned the Supreme Corps members with a gu that has no antidote. Even now they live while poisoned by the gu he administered.”
Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes widened.
“What are you saying now?”
Bu Eunseol explained again about why the Martial Venerable had planted gu in the Supreme Corps members.
“How could such a thing…”
Having heard everything, Bukgung Ryeong sank into his chair with a vacant expression.
He had wandered the martial world alone his entire life, finally settling in a place called the Martial Alliance for the first time.
Afterward he had poured all his strength into helping the young.
Because the young were the future of the martial world.
Someday they would rise to become high-ranking figures in the Alliance and pillars of the martial world.
But if even the leader who stood in the light was rotten from the start?
All such efforts were meaningless.
“When I think about it, that could indeed be the case.”
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
“Dan Mok-gi, the Martial Venerable… the reason he could reach the Three Venerables was because he was the kind of man who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals.”
Bukgung Ryeong and the Martial Venerable were of similar age and had been active in the martial world around the same time, so they knew each other quite well.
“He was extremely obsessed with power. As long as it would raise his martial cultivation, he never hesitated to learn not only martial arts but bizarre auxiliary techniques as well.”
Bu Eunseol spoke as though he could not understand. “Then why were such facts never known in the martial world?”
“Thanks to the Heavenly Emperor, the Martial Alliance Leader, I suppose.” Bukgung Ryeong shook his head. “The Heavenly Emperor shielded him to an unusual degree. In the past, while obtaining a certain martial arts secret manual, the Martial Venerable killed Ha Seo-un, the Iron Nail Sword—who was a renowned hero. Yet the Martial Alliance Leader quietly covered it up.”
“Isn’t it common to lose one’s life in secret manual struggles?”
“That is true. But think about it. No matter what Ha Seo-un did, he posed no threat whatsoever to the Martial Venerable. Yet he killed him without hesitation.”
Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
The Heavenly Emperor had been perfect both as a martial artist and as the leader of the Martial Alliance.
Yet for the sake of the Martial Venerable—who had a cruel personality that would strike viciously without hesitation to obtain a secret manual—the Heavenly Emperor, known to have no moral flaws whatsoever, had privately abused his power?
“The Martial Venerable is that ferocious?”
“Not ferocious—extremely meticulous and thorough.”
Bukgung Ryeong shrugged.
“By killing Ha Seo-un, he ensured that the fact he obtained the secret manual would not become known in the martial world—so he dealt with him.”
“If you knew such facts, old man, why didn’t you make them known in the martial world?”
“Because, after all, it happened during a secret manual struggle. And second, because the Martial Alliance Leader personally came to me and asked.”
Bu Eunseol could not hide his astonishment.
“The Heavenly Emperor came in person to clean up the aftermath?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
Why had the Heavenly Emperor used his immense authority to completely erase the traces of that day?
Why had he gone so far as to visit even the Bullet King—the foremost renowned hero of the righteous path—to make such a request?
“Could you tell me about the situation back then?”
“The Martial Alliance Leader somehow learned that this old man had witnessed that day’s events and came to see me. And he said this.”
Bukgung Ryeong uttered the most shocking words.
“The Martial Venerable, Dan Mok-gi. He is currently carrying out secret work to protect the martial world… so please do not spread this matter throughout the martial world.”
