“I’ve come to realize something new.”
Yoo Unryong said, turning his head.
“It would be better if you didn’t smile whenever possible.”
“Why?”
“Just because.”
“Really? Understood.”
Bu Eunseol nodded lightly and walked outside.
“Where are you going?”
“Azure Heaven Alliance.”
“Why the Azure Heaven Alliance?”
“There are senior figures who are picking a fight with me. Shouldn’t I resolve that matter right away?”
As he was leaving, Bu Eunseol turned his head and spoke in a low voice.
“People on the outside tend to know internal affairs better.”
Yoo Unryong’s eyes widened.
He knew exactly what Bu Eunseol was planning to do.
“Investigating the weaknesses of the senior figures and silencing them won’t work anymore.”
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
“This place is not the Martial Alliance. There are countless people who do all sorts of dirty work for wealth and power.”
He added,
“In six days, a meeting will be held at the Shadow Pavilion. Rather than going to the Azure Heaven Alliance…”
“I’ll be back by then.”
Bu Eunseol said firmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it myself.”
With those words, Bu Eunseol walked out.
Yoo Unryong stood there for a long time with a dazed expression.
Something had changed.
Whether he had eaten something wrong or not, that wooden-block-like guy had completely transformed.
“Surely not.”
Yoo Unryong clapped his hands.
“Has he finally opened his eyes?”
Having lived steeped in conspiracy and blood during his prime years, he had shown zero interest in the opposite sex.
But now… the solidly blocked dam had completely burst.
Had he come to possess an atmosphere like a spring breeze?
“Well, let’s say that’s the case.”
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
“Even if such a method works, he must know it’s only temporary.”
Bu Eunseol had always overcome numerous difficulties with strategies that defied expectations.
However, changing the public opinion of senior figures within the same organization was by no means easy.
It could never be resolved in a short time, and it required a great deal of manpower and financial resources.
Yet he was trying to solve it by investigating their weaknesses?
‘Surely not?’
As Yoo Unryong stroked his chin, trying to guess the various moves Bu Eunseol would make,
Buzz, buzz.
The sound of many people chattering could be heard from outside.
Feeling something strange, Yoo Unryong went outside.
There, the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps had gathered, and Wi Cheongyeong and Jo Namcheon were wearing dazed expressions.
“What happened?”
When Yoo Unryong approached and asked, Wi Cheongyeong blinked.
“Well, it’s because the Lord…”
“What about the Lord?”
Wi Cheongyeong scratched his head and said,
“He saw the members and the captains training hard in martial arts, so he approached them saying they were working hard and patted their backs before leaving.”
“……”
“Because of that… as you can see, the members and the captains have gone into a frenzy and are training without rest.”
With eyes burning with overwhelming emotion as if recognized by the heavens, the members and the captains were training like madmen.
Even if someone collapsed from the intense movements, they immediately got up.
Even if their breath reached their throat, they gritted their teeth and took the stance again. They pushed their training to surpass their limits again and again.
—We!
At the shout of the members, the captains roared in voices that shook the mountains.
—Are one with the Lord!
“……”
Yoo Unryong rubbed his forehead with a dizzy expression.
It wasn’t necessarily bad that the always cold and somewhat icy Bu Eunseol had become someone who expressed emotions.
But seeing it like this gave him a sense of discomfort.
An indescribable, very strange discomfort.
“It’s just that something good happened to the Lord. Don’t worry about it and just do your work.”
People can change.
And nothing was wrong yet.
In the end, Yoo Unryong said this to brush it off.
***
Majeon, Shadow Pavilion.
In the grand conference room there, numerous senior figures had gathered and were having serious discussions with grave expressions.
Demonic Determination Conference.
It was a kind of emergency meeting held when an urgent matter arose within Majeon.
It was presided over by the Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon, and attended by senior figures of at least Hall Leader level.
This carried even greater significance than the Martial Soul Conference as the Shadow Pavilion Lord who presided over the meeting was the real power holder who grasped all the information lines within Majeon.
In the current martial world, information was the most important thing.
The Shadow Pavilion Lord answered to no one’s orders except the Demon Emperor and did not provide information without his permission.
Therefore, he could hold immense power within Majeon.
In fact, Hwa Jung-cheon possessed authority second only to the Demon Emperor and the Chief Instructor.
The Demonic Determination Conference he presided over carried influence comparable to that of the Martial Soul Conference.
And the agenda of this Demonic Determination Conference was precisely the issue of re-evaluating the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol.
Even though he must have heard from his subordinates that such a problem was occurring, the Martial Soul Command Lord had returned to Majeon only to leave for the martial world again shortly after.
Even after four days, there was no sign of his return.
The senior figures who had been planning to discuss the matter regarding the Martial Soul Command Lord took this opportunity to hold the Demonic Determination Conference.
“I have no idea what the Martial Soul Command Lord is doing.”
“He may have made contributions by traveling the martial world, but… it hasn’t really benefited this sect much, has it?”
“That’s right. Moreover, he is focusing only on the training of the Death Shadow Corps rather than the operation of this sect.”
“Even the fact that the Death Shadow Corps is being operated like the Martial Soul Command Lord’s private army is a problem. If he has raised them this much, shouldn’t he also pay attention to the main forces of Majeon?”
Complaints poured out endlessly in the conference room and every one of them had valid reasons and were actions that deserved criticism.
The next Lord of Majeon.
It was not a position that held only power.
It was a position like the commander of a fierce battlefield, standing at the forefront to manage the Demonic Martial World against the increasingly growing orthodox factions.
Therefore, a talent biased to one side must be removed.
If judged to lack the ability to manage Majeon… even the one decided as the successor must be quickly ousted and a new successor established.
The Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon, was silently listening to the story.
‘The more the senior figures’ dissatisfaction accumulates, the easier the solution will be.’
He knew that Bu Eunseol was separately operating an enormous information organization.
Moreover, its scale was growing larger and larger, to the point where even the Shadow Pavilion’s investigation could not detect it.
If left as is, it might one day swallow even the Shadow Pavilion. It was fortunate that a justification to oust the Martial Soul Command Lord had arisen like this.
“In the end, we must persuade the Chief Instructor to hold the Martial Soul Conference and decide on the re-evaluation of the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
At that moment, the Golden Crow Hall Leader, Yang Yeonso, said in a solemn voice.
“Majeon and the Demonic Path must become stronger. The Martial Soul Command Lord can no longer…”
Creak.
But at that moment, the wide conference room door of the Shadow Pavilion opened, and a man in black clothes slowly walked in.
He was an unrivaled handsome man with a pale white complexion and long, loose hair.
He wore black clothes embroidered with phoenix feathers and a twin dragon emblem sewn with dignity.
In his hand, he held a large unknown bundle.
It was the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol, who had returned to Majeon not long ago only to leave again for business in the martial world.
“Ah, ah…”
Yang Yeonso, who had been talking heatedly, gaped upon seeing Bu Eunseol.
He never let anyone who touched him go unpunished.
Since he had openly proposed ousting the Martial Soul Command Lord, he thought retaliation would surely come.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
At that moment, Hwa Jung-cheon spoke.
“If I had known you would return today, I should have invited you to the Demonic Determination Conference.”
It was not sincere.
It was a sarcastic remark about the situation where even the Shadow Pavilion’s information network could no longer track his movements or even his return time.
But Bu Eunseol smiled as if he didn’t notice.
“I thought you might do so, so I attended on my own like this.”
Then, the Cheolseung Pavilion Lord, Nak Seong-cheon, cleared his throat and said, “Martial Soul Command Lord. This meeting is a place where only the Hall Leaders related to this pavilion can attend.”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol walked over with a relaxed expression.
Nod, nod.
Then he stared intently at Nak Seong-cheon and repeatedly nodded his head toward the door.
It meant to vacate the seat.
‘What, this…’
As the Cheolseung Pavilion Lord, Nak Seong-cheon was the one who purchased all weapons brought into Majeon.
For someone with such great power, to nod his head and tell him to vacate the seat?
When Nak Seong-cheon pretended not to notice and looked away,
“……!”
Bu Eunseol widened his eyes and made a fierce expression.
And he kept muttering several words in a low voice, one of which was clearly “Son of a bitch.”
‘I will definitely repay this humiliation.’
Suppressing the boiling anger, Nak Seong-cheon stood up from his seat.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in satisfaction, then deeply leaned back in the chair Nak Seong-cheon had been sitting in and extended his hand.
“Well then, don’t mind me and continue the meeting.”
A heavy silence flowed through the hall.
With Bu Eunseol sitting there like that, how could they discuss his re-evaluation?
‘Even if he ruins the meeting, that’s all it is.’
The Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon, instead wore a faint sneer.
Even if this Demonic Determination Conference was ruined, they could just hold another one later.
If he caused such a disturbance, it would only worsen public opinion.
‘The Martial Soul Conference will be held soon.’
If it became known that Bu Eunseol had violated Majeon’s rules and acted so arrogantly?
He would gain the agreement of even more people than the senior figures gathered here.
Even the Chief Instructor or the Demon Emperor might agree, allowing the agenda to be raised at the Martial Soul Conference.
“My Lord. Isn’t this too blatant?”
Unable to hold back any longer, some senior figures began to protest.
“This is the Demonic Determination Conference. It is not a meeting the Lord can attend.”
“If the Lord attends the meeting like this, the meeting itself becomes impossible.”
Buzz, buzz.
Once complaints erupted, the senior figures began to provoke Bu Eunseol with confident expressions.
“Why don’t you try explaining the situation here instead?”
“If you can win our hearts, the re-evaluation issue will be resolved immediately.”
Though it seemed arrogant, the senior figures all had something to rely on.
The person presiding over this meeting was a powerful figure in Majeon incomparable to the Martial Soul Command Lord.
It was the Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon.
Secondly, no matter how cold-hearted Bu Eunseol was, they knew well that he never acted without reason or justification. Rather, it was Bu Eunseol himself who had violated Majeon’s strict rules and intruded into the Demonic Determination Conference.
They thought it was natural to receive this much criticism.
Slash!
But an unbelievable thing happened.
Among the senior figures who had been voicing complaints against Bu Eunseol for a while, the heads of key Hall Leaders such as the Ghost Fire Hall Leader Jin Yun and the Demon Moon Hall Leader Jo Munryang suddenly flew into the air and began rolling onto the floor in an instant.
Thud, thud.
Splurt. Splash!
Blood sprayed everywhere, but no one moved.
Bu Eunseol’s strike was sudden and completely transcended speed and spatial constraints, to the point that no one could predict it.
Moreover, they could not accept the situation itself.
“Th-this is…”
The senior figures who came to their senses late widened their eyes.
Inside Majeon, in a meeting place where hall leader-level figures had gathered…
To commit such a horrific massacre?
“What the hell are you doing right now!”
The senior figures could not hide their anger and bewilderment, and some shouted while drawing their weapons.
“Killing the senior figures of this sect without any reason?”
“Martial Soul Command Lord, have you gone mad?”
It was an unbelievable sight.
The one who had always maintained composure and strictly adhered to Majeon’s laws was now beheading senior figures without any reason?
Moreover, wasn’t the revered Shadow Pavilion Lord watching with wide-open eyes right here?
“Murder?”
Bu Eunseol snorted.
Then he untied the bundle he was holding onto the table.
Clatter, clatter.
Numerous books and documents poured out.
“Colluding with external organizations or leaking information.”
Thud.
He took out one thin book and dropped it onto the corpse of the Ghost Fire Hall Leader who had stopped breathing.
“Intentionally forming factions within the wave or instigating power struggles.”
Thud.
He dropped another book onto the corpse of the Demon Moon Hall Leader.
“Embezzling or misusing the financial funds of this sect…”
The books contained in the bundle were all documents detailing the evidence of misconduct by the deceased Hall Leaders.
“And…”
Finally, he threw a book onto the forehead of the Heavenly Poison Hall Leader, who held the highest position here except for Hwa Jung-cheon, and muttered in a low voice.
“Lowering the morale of the troops, inciting rebellion… or damaging the authority of this sect.”
Bu Eunseol said with a solemn expression.
“All of these were crimes that could be immediately executed according to the laws of this sect.”
The senior figures blinked.
Of course, what he said was not wrong.
Such laws had clearly been established as the laws of Majeon.
But this place was an alliance of the Demonic Path.
With so many strong figures gathered, except for treason or rebellion, they had no choice but to exercise some flexibility, and they judged and handled the offenses flexibly according to the situation.
Yet he really beheaded them just because such laws existed?
“Who said we handle things strictly according to the laws in this sect?”
At that moment, Yang Yeonso, unable to endure it any longer, protested.
“The hall leaders here are all the backbone that maintains this sect!”
He shouted as if he could not tolerate it at all.
“Yet you instantly slaughtered them and endangered the operation of this sect… Don’t you know that this too is a serious crime?”
“You seem to be mistaken about something.”
A light colder than the glaciers of the North Sea exploded from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“This sect is the sacred ground of ten thousand demons and the Demonic Path itself.”
“……”
“If you have any complaints against this Lord who carried out the laws, then challenge me immediately. I will accept your complaints.”
“What are you saying? Are you telling us to fight each other with swords right now?”
Bu Eunseol laughed coldly.
“It’s fine to stab someone else’s position with your mouth, but you hate actual sword fighting?”
He looked down at the Hall Leaders and sneered.
“Are you people really the senior figures of this sect?”
Yang Yeonso and all the other Hall Leaders became mute as if they had eaten honey.
Bu Eunseol was, more than anyone else, a figure who walked the extreme middle path and did not fit the Demonic Path. Yet here he was, casually slaughtering the Hall Leaders while advocating the principle of Demonic Dominance.
“This Lord clearly stated at the enthronement ceremony. If you have any complaints, I will accept challenges anytime. If there is anyone superior to me at any time, I will step down from the position.”
Bu Eunseol said while looking down at the Hall Leaders.
“However, I cannot step down because of rats crouching in holes and squeaking. That is something I truly cannot tolerate.”
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Hwa Jung-cheon looked at the corpses of the Hall Leaders with a pained expression.
“As Hall Leader Yang said, instantly beheading the Hall Leaders who are the pillars of this sect and causing disruption in operations is also a serious crime. Then, does that mean the Lord is a person who transcends the laws?”
“Don’t worry.”
Bu Eunseol leaned back comfortably in his chair.
“I already conveyed the same content to the Vice Hall Leaders of each organization in advance, so there will be no disruption in operations.”
Hwa Jung-cheon raised his eyebrows.
It turned out that Bu Eunseol had meticulously prepared to kill the hall leaders even before entering this place.
“Oh, by the way, I’m so relieved that there is no evidence of Hall Leader Hwa colluding with external forces.”
Bu Eunseol said with a grin.
“Isn’t there no one in this sect to replace Hall Leader Hwa?”
For a moment, a red bloody light hotter than the sun flowed from Hwa Jung-cheon’s eyes.
To make such an arrogant provocation to him, who possessed power comparable to the Chief Instructor?
“Ah, I’ve taken too much time.”
Bu Eunseol stood up from his seat with a nonchalant expression.
“From now on…” Looking down at the Hall Leaders, he said, “If an agenda regarding this Lord comes up, please let me know in advance. I will definitely attend as well.”
It was a terrifying threat.
If that happened, wouldn’t no one dare attend the Demonic Determination Conference out of fear of Bu Eunseol?
“Then, good work everyone.”
Bu Eunseol smiled and turned to leave,
“My Lord.”
Yang Yeonso said with a determined expression as if he had made up his mind.
“The Demonic Determination Conference is presided over by the Shadow Pavilion Lord. Isn’t this behavior of the Lord an act of insubordination?”
The Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon, was fifth in the hierarchy of Majeon, and his power was comparable to that of the Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon or the Elder Hall Lord, the Blood Demon Jeok Bung.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol arbitrarily disrupting the conference room and slaughtering the Hall Leaders had ample grounds to be considered insubordination.
“Good point.”
Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
“Since it is an issue with sufficient grounds for insubordination, please raise it as an agenda at the Martial Soul Conference. Then the Demon Emperor will judge it.”
Since Bu Eunseol was the Lord, his punishment must be carried out at the Martial Soul Conference.
But at those words, Hwa Jung-cheon only trembled and could not say anything.
If they really raised such an agenda at the Martial Soul Conference as he said?
They might be able to punish Bu Eunseol, but Hwa Jung-cheon’s dignity would inevitably plummet to the ground.
Because it would become a situation where they had to borrow the prestige of the Demon Emperor to punish Bu Eunseol.
Moreover, Bu Eunseol would surely insist on legitimate punishment according to the laws, so the opinion of insubordination was more likely to be rejected.
“I see.”
Hwa Jung-cheon, having suppressed his anger, instead smiled.
“I won’t forget today’s events.”
With this incident, Hwa Jung-cheon’s authority had already been cruelly shattered.
From now on, Bu Eunseol had become his enemy.
“Of course.”
Bu Eunseol instead smiled and calmly turned around.
***
The tragedy of the Demonic Determination Conference immediately spread as a rumor throughout Majeon.
The fact that Bu Eunseol, who had always avoided extreme Demonic Path dominance and maintained the middle path, had mercilessly beheaded the hall leaders who tried to drive him out, shook not only Majeon but the entire martial world greatly.
Although rumors had already spread that the Martial Soul Command Lord was heartless and cold-blooded, that had only applied to those who touched him.
Yet no matter how serious the misconduct, to intrude into the middle of a meeting and instantly behead the senior figures of Majeon who were pointing out negligent operation?
—There must have been sufficient circumstances for the Martial Soul Command Lord to do so.
When such rumors spread, the orthodox side judged that there must be some undisclosed inside story.
—Has he been hiding his claws until now?
The figures of the Demonic Path judged that he had rooted out the traitors shaking the successor structure of Majeon and executed them at this opportunity.
—He is not someone the Demon Emperor chose for nothing.
The Demon Emperor was a figure proficient in the Demonic Sect Great Law that controlled human psychology. Since he was the successor chosen through various tests, they thought all such actions must have been planned.
—Is the successor structure of Majeon gradually solidifying?
When such rumors spread throughout the martial world, unexpectedly, there were factions whose feet were on fire.
It was the Blood Cult.
Originally, the relationship between the Blood Cult and the Demonic Path had not been so bad.
However, the Demon Emperor, who pursued extreme dominance, had ignored the Blood Cult and did not allow them to enter the Central Plains at all.
Yet if the Martial Soul Command Lord, who was comparable to him, seized hegemony?
From the Blood Cult’s perspective, Bu Eunseol was just as uncomfortable and fearsome as the Demon Emperor.
In his youth, he had become one of the young great masters of the martial world with outstanding martial prowess and strategy, reminiscent of the Demon Emperor.
If he became the great leader of the Demonic Path like this?
—If we cannot immediately oust the Martial Soul Command Lord, we must at least break his prestige!
Since he was still in the position of successor, if his dignity collapsed, he would easily lose his support base.
If they did not act quickly from now on… the Blood Cult would not even dream of stepping on the land of the Central Plains martial world even after a hundred years.
From their perspective, such a thing must absolutely be prevented.
