Bu Eunseol wasn’t the type to get riled up or fall for provocations.
But Instructor Hyeok Ryeon was someone who had risked severe punishment to save him.
So when Yoo Unryong mentioned the head instructor to provoke him, Bu Eunseol’s anger flared.
“Hahaha, the atmosphere’s getting too tense.” At that moment, Shim Wol casually stepped between Bu Eunseol and Yoo Unryong, both radiating murderous intent.
“Oh, by the way, you are…?”
Shim Wol looked at Yoo Unryong, took a step forward, and clasped his hands. “A pleasure to meet you, Young Master Yoo.”
“Who are you?” Yoo Unryong asked arrogantly.
Shim Wol smiled warmly and said, “I’m Shim Wol, a disciple of Manbak Hall.”
“Manbak Hall?” At Shim Wol’s reply, a glint of disdain flashed in Yoo Unryong’s eyes.
Though he said nothing explicit, his expression and gaze clearly belittled Shim Wol.
Despite such arrogance, Shim Wol maintained his smile and continued, “It’s an honor to meet a Demon Warrior of White Horse Temple.”
“You know me?”
“Of course. Though I handle minor tasks in the fortress, I always keep an ear out for news about the Demon Warriors, who are causing waves in the demonic path.” Shim Wol clasped his hands again and added, “I’ve long admired you, especially hearing that Young Master Yoo, with your exceptional talent, has mastered Divine Skill Transformation, one of the supreme techniques of the White Horse Whip Method.”
With Shim Wol’s continuous praise, a pleased smile spread across Yoo Unryong’s face.
“You seem quite young, yet you’ve heard and know a lot.”
“You flatter me.” Shim Wol continued without pause, “You must be exhausted from your long journey, Young Master Yoo. You there!”
At his call, a warrior standing by approached and bowed.
“You called, sir?”
“Guide Young Master Yoo to his lodging with utmost courtesy. As a Demon Warrior of White Horse Temple, ensure it’s a particularly fine place.”
If one listened closely, Shim Wol’s words implied that Yoo Unryong’s lodging was already set, with no room for special arrangements. But Yoo Unryong, basking in the praise, nodded in satisfaction, oblivious to this.
“No need to go to such lengths,” he said, his tone now softer, no longer condescending, thanks to his improved mood.
Shim Wol spoke with great courtesy, “Young Master Yoo, I have some matters to discuss with Young Master Bu. May I take my leave first?”
“Oh, go ahead.” Yoo Unryong, who had come to pick a fight with Bu Eunseol, was now thoroughly charmed by Shim Wol’s eloquence and followed the warrior’s guidance.
“Quite the silver tongue,” Bu Eunseol remarked.
To step so naturally between Bu Eunseol and Yoo Unryong, both brimming with killing intent, suggested that Shim Wol’s martial prowess was on par with Bu Eunseol’s.
Yet Bu Eunseol only praised Shim Wol’s “silver tongue.”
“It’s nothing special. For arrogant, self-important people like Young Master Yoo, a few words of flattery do the trick.”
“You read people well.”
Shim Wol’s large, deep eyes sparkled as he said, “It’s not that. Everyone has words they want to hear. And when you say those words… they always remember you as a good person.”
Shim Wol shared a trait with Bu Eunseol. Despite their youth, both possessed a deep understanding and seasoned insight into human nature, like elders at twilight.
“Young Master Bu, since you dislike noise, I’ve arranged your lodging at the outermost part of the fortress.” Changing the subject, Shim Wol gestured for Bu Eunseol to follow. “Shall we talk as we walk?”
“Fine.” The two walked side by side along a small path leading to the fortress’s outskirts.
For a while, they walked in silence. Shim Wol was the one to break it.
“Do you know why the fortress summoned the Ten Demon Warriors?”
“I heard it’s to deal with the Grand Masters.”
“On the surface, yes, but the timing is too rushed. As you may have heard, this is all due to pressure from the Ten Demonic Sects.”
“I don’t understand,” Bu Eunseol muttered.
As if reading his thoughts, Shim Wol said in a low voice, “In truth, I heard Majeon’s Sect Leader announced the Ten Demon Warriors plan not to confront the Grand Masters but for another purpose.”
Pausing briefly, Shim Wol gazed at the distant sky and whispered, “But he suddenly entered seclusion. That’s why the Ten Demon Warriors plan has become so unstable.”
Bu Eunseol’s usually calm eyes shifted.
‘The Fortress Lord is in seclusion.’
He inwardly cursed his own ignorance. How had he not known such critical information until now?
‘I’ve been too focused on martial arts.’
Being a Demon Warrior required not only martial prowess but also an awareness of the broader martial world and its dynamics. Yet Bu Eunseol had always poured his heart and soul solely into martial arts, leading to this oversight.
‘Since it’s come to this, I’d better hear everything he has to say.’
Having made up his mind, Bu Eunseol asked with a slightly surprised expression, “The Fortress Lord suddenly entered seclusion?”
“It’s not uncommon. He often enters seclusion whenever he gains a sudden insight.”
Shim Wol cleared his throat and added, “And… Young Master Bu, you should refer to him as Majeon’s Sect Leader, not the Fortress Lord. Only high-ranking members of the Ten Demonic Sects or the fortress’s leadership can casually call him the Fortress Lord.”
Dan Cheong, Blood Vajra, Master Iron, Jeok Bung…
The people Bu Eunseol had met were all of towering status and rank. Since they all casually referred to the Fortress Lord, the term had naturally become familiar to Bu Eunseol.
“I didn’t know. I’ll be more careful.”
“I see. Anyway, with Majeon’s Sect Leader absent, the treatment of the Demon Warriors is heavily influenced by the Ten Demonic Sects and the Council of Elders. That’s why this situation has arisen.”
Listening to Shim Wol’s explanation, Bu Eunseol gained a clearer understanding of the fortress’s circumstances, as previously described by Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon.
“Why are you telling me all this?” At Bu Eunseol’s question, Shim Wol gave a faint smile.
“Because in this situation, a journey to fight the Grand Masters is a bloodbath—essentially a suicide mission.”
It was an incomprehensible response.
As questions surged within him, Bu Eunseol clamped his mouth shut. Since Shim Wol had thrown out such a cryptic remark, he would surely provide a fitting explanation.
“I know you defeated Young Jiwi, a Grand Master, at the Dongpyo Seorang Martial Arts Tournament.” But instead of clarifying, Shim Wol continued with another enigmatic statement. “But he was a latecomer to martial arts. His skills were so poor he could hardly be called a Grand Master.”
Bu Eunseol remained silent. If he waited, the point of this story would surely reveal itself.
“No matter how exceptional your martial arts are, you cannot face the other Grand Masters.”
“…”
“Because the Grand Masters have long been trained in secret techniques to counter the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
At this point, he had to set aside the question of why Shim Wol was sharing such information.
“Secret techniques to counter the supreme arts of the Ten Demonic Sects? How is that possible?” As Bu Eunseol finally broke his silence, the smile on Shim Wol’s lips deepened.
“According to highly confidential information obtained by the fortress, there’s a mysterious master within the Martial Alliance. Not only is he well-versed in demonic martial arts, but he can deduce techniques from the wounds left on corpses.”
Thud.
Bu Eunseol felt a jolt, as if his heart had plummeted. The moment he heard this, his instincts screamed that this was the villain who killed his grandfather.
“Who is he?”
“I don’t know. The identity of this mysterious figure is the Martial Alliance’s highest secret. Even within the alliance, only a handful know who he is.” Pausing briefly, Shim Wol added, “There are rumors that he’s been operating as a spy in the martial world for a long time.”
“A spy…” Unconsciously, Bu Eunseol clenched his fists.
He had always thought the villain was one of the top masters of the demonic path. But if there was a righteous sect master well-versed in demonic martial arts, then conversely, there could be a demonic master skilled in righteous martial arts.
‘I shouldn’t rush to conclusions. If I roam the martial world, I’ll inevitably encounter such a master.’
As Bu Eunseol sank into thought, Shim Wol’s voice continued.
“Now do you understand why I said you shouldn’t fight the Grand Masters?” Snapping out of his reverie, Bu Eunseol’s mind raced.
Shim Wol had been giving him valuable information all along. And the conclusion of that information could be summed up in one sentence:
The Grand Masters’ skills are far beyond what the Demon Warriors can handle.
‘So that’s it.’ Though something clicked, Bu Eunseol feigned ignorance and replied, “But being well-versed in demonic martial arts doesn’t mean they’re experts in the supreme techniques of the Ten Demonic Sects, does it?”
“Of course. But they can infer techniques to some extent from the wounds of the dead.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Knowing techniques only means understanding their variations.” Well-versed in human anatomy and having studied countless wounds of martial artists, Bu Eunseol could also deduce techniques and their variations to some degree. “That alone doesn’t mean they can fully grasp an opponent’s martial arts.”
“Exactly. You can’t fully comprehend the profound principles and essence of the Ten Demonic Sects’ martial arts from wounds alone.” Shim Wol’s eyes gleamed sharply as he smiled. “But what if we assume the Grand Masters and Demon Warriors are of similar skill levels? Knowing an opponent’s technique variations would be a significant advantage, wouldn’t it?” Bu Eunseol fell silent.
It was true.
When fighting an evenly matched opponent, the slightest edge could determine victory. Moreover, weren’t the Grand Masters considered superior to the Demon Warriors in martial prowess?
That wasn’t just an advantage—it could be the difference between life and death.
“That could be the case,” Bu Eunseol finally admitted.
Shim Wol’s expression brightened as Bu Eunseol acknowledged his point.
“I’m glad you understand.” Staring into Shim Wol’s eyes, Bu Eunseol shook his head, as if he had finally solved the riddle.
“Now I understand why you’re telling me all this.”
“Oh?”
“Are you here on the orders of Elder Jeok Bung?” Shim Wol’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before he smiled faintly.
“You’re correct. I’ve come to convey Elder Jeok’s intentions to you once again.” As Bu Eunseol fell silent, Shim Wol spoke in a low voice. “Having heard my explanation, you must now understand why Elder Jeok urged you to join the Amcheondae.”
In the past, Bu Eunseol had come to Majeon at the request of White Horse Temple. As he was about to leave, he was summoned by Elder Jeok Bung and met with him. At that time, Jeok Bung had strongly urged Bu Eunseol to leave Nangyang Pavilion and join the Amcheondae… and now the reason was clear.
“So… Elder Jeok made that proposal out of fear that I’d be killed by a Grand Master.”
“Exactly. He saw through the Ten Demonic Sects’ schemes early on and was worried that your talent would be snuffed out before it could fully bloom.”
Shim Wol’s words were logical, his persuasion meticulously structured. If Bu Eunseol were less sharp or a novice in the martial world, he might have believed every word.
“If I only listened to you, it sounds like Elder Jeok urged me to join the Amcheondae purely to save me.” Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide a cold smile. “Do you think becoming a member of the Amcheondae, free from the burdens of a Demon Warrior, comes without a cost?”
Shim Wol, quick-witted and intelligent, recognized the reproach in Bu Eunseol’s words and took a step back.
“If my words came across that way, I apologize. I only meant…”
“It’s fine. I just dislike roundabout talk.”
“Then I’ll be straightforward.” Shim Wol spoke gravely. “Joining the Amcheondae means, more accurately, serving under Elder Jeok rather than the fortress itself. But this would benefit you, Young Master Bu, not harm you.”
“Under Elder Jeok…” Bu Eunseol’s sharp gaze swept over Shim Wol, though his tone remained calm.
“Then I’m not the only one who received this proposal, am I?”
