Boom!
With a thunderous explosion, the tightly shut gates of the Cheonsal Pavilion shattered.
A figure radiating immense true energy strode forward.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Entering the pavilion, he glanced at the guards and beckoned with his finger.
“Summon the Cheonsal Leader.”
The guards at the Cheonsal Pavilion’s gate were dumbfounded.
Though he was the successor, the Cheonsal was the Demon Emperor’s elite force, representing the sect.
They answered to no one but the Demon Emperor.
Yet Bu Eunseol had smashed the pavilion’s gate and summoned the Corps Leader with a gesture?
Step, step.
A figure in black robes approached Bu Eunseol.
It was Jeok Go-ung, the deputy leader of the Cheonsal.
“Martial Soul Command Lord, have you lost your mind?” Blue killing intent flared in the eyes of Jeok Go-ung, wearing a black mask. “How dare you destroy this pavilion’s gate and cause a scene? This cannot be overlooked…”
“I said, summon the Cheonsal Leader.” Black killing intent surged from Bu Eunseol’s body, and an immense pressure crashed down on Jeok Go-ung.
Crack.
Jeok Go-ung’s waist bent as if it would snap.
Rage.
Bu Eunseol’s current state was identical to when he dealt with Dong Yeorip, shrouded in rage and killing intent.
—To heal such injuries, you need the Clear Spirit Oil held by the Cheonsal Leader.
At Gyo Junghak’s words, Bu Eunseol had sent Yoo Unryong to request the Clear Spirit Oil from the Cheonsal Leader.
Politely, of course.
In truth, Bu Eunseol shouldn’t have needed to ask. Seo Jinha was the third commander of the Cheonsal, a direct subordinate of the Corps Leader.
—The Cheonsal Leader refused outright.
He heard that even with the Clear Spirit Oil, full recovery was unlikely, leaving him a cripple.
At Yoo Unryong’s report after meeting the Corps Leader, Bu Eunseol’s suppressed killing intent erupted again.
His killing intent was immeasurable.
Though Seo Jinha’s survival had kept his spirit from fully entering the demonic path, it hadn’t fully returned to the middle path either. When rage surged again, his spirit merged with the Emotion-Severing Secret, and boundless internal energy surged from his body.
When the Cheonsal Leader defied his order, Bu Eunseol stormed to the Cheonsal Pavilion and shattered its gate.
“I won’t say it twice.” Bu Eunseol’s body blazed with black killing intent. “Summon the Cheonsal Leader.”
“Words… won’t reach you.” Barely adjusting to the crushing pressure with his internal energy, Jeok Go-ung straightened.
Hum!
Fierce true energy radiated from Jeok Go-ung’s body as he stood tall.
His sword at his waist began to tremble. Realizing Bu Eunseol’s killing intent was genuine, he prepared to unleash his swordsmanship.
As Jeok Go-ung gripped his sword hilt,
Creak, step, step.
The pavilion’s door opened, and a dark figure emerged slowly. It was Wi Muyeom, the Cheonsal Leader.
“Have you lost your senses because your friend was injured?” Wi Muyeom frowned and spoke calmly. “Or do you think being the Martial Soul Command Lord gives you the right to wreak havoc here?”
“Seo Jinha is your subordinate before he is my friend.” Bu Eunseol spoke in an icy voice. “Why did you refuse the Clear Spirit Oil?”
“Didn’t I say? The Elixir King Hall Master said even the Clear Spirit Oil wouldn’t ensure full recovery.” Wi Muyeom spoke solemnly. “A cripple cannot be a member of this corps. That’s why.”
It sounded heartless, but as an elite-grade corps leader of Majeon, it was only natural.
Majeon wasn’t held together by bonds of loyalty.
To save a crippled Seo Jinha, he couldn’t waste a treasure worth a fortune.
Rumble.
Meanwhile, Majeon’s key figures and even the Elixir King Hall Master gathered before the Cheonsal Pavilion. The rumor that the enraged Martial Soul Command Lord had smashed the pavilion spread like wildfire.
Spotting Gyo Junghak among the crowd, Wi Muyeom nodded.
“Didn’t you say he’s likely to become a cripple, Hall Master?”
Meeting Wi Muyeom’s sharp gaze, Gyo Junghak reluctantly nodded.
“Yes. Even with the Clear Spirit Oil, the chances of his internal energy recovering are slim.”
“Did you hear, Martial Soul Command Lord?” With a cold smile, Wi Muyeom spoke solemnly again. “This sect, and the demonic path, are not run on sentiment or pity. Our members must prove their worth through exceptional skill and strength.”
“Well said.”
“Then leave.”
“I’ll leave after confirming if you’re worthy of saying that.”
“What does that mean?” Bloodlust redder than blood flared in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“I’ll test whether you’re a worthy existence, as the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Zzt!
In an instant, Bu Eunseol crossed ten jang, drawing his black sword to slash at Wi Muyeom’s throat.
Clang!
Wi Muyeom drew his sword like lightning, blocking the black sword.
Crackle.
Sparks flew as their swords clashed.
Feeling the immense internal energy in the black sword, Wi Muyeom’s eyebrows twitched.
“Are you serious?”
Bu Eunseol didn’t answer.
His eyes were consumed by black killing intent.
‘This madman?’ Wi Muyeom’s heart chilled.
He realized Bu Eunseol genuinely intended to kill him.
“Fine!” With a thunderous shout, Wi Muyeom unleashed his internal energy, pushing Bu Eunseol three jang back.
Clang!
Simultaneously, he swung his sword toward Bu Eunseol.
Whoosh!
Sharp sword energies bloomed like flower buds from the ground where Bu Eunseol stood, enveloping his body. Wi Muyeom’s unique swordsmanship, the Demonic Thunder Flower Sword, was unleashed.
Slash!
With a light swing of his black sword, Bu Eunseol made the rising sword energies sink back into the ground. Thunder rumbled from his black sword.
Boom!
Dozens of dark sword energies surged from the black sword, soaring into the sky.
The sword energies stretched over ten jang. There were more than thirteen strands, resembling dozens of black dragons entwined in the air.
Flash!
At that moment, brilliant flames erupted from Wi Muyeom’s longsword. To counter such sword energies, only a clash of raw power would suffice.
He unleashed the ultimate technique of the Demonic Thunder Flower Sword, Blood Thunder Heavenly Charge, aiming to shatter the sword energies and cut Bu Eunseol down.
As the two masters’ ultimate techniques were about to collide,
“Stop!” With a thunderous shout, a small figure surged between Bu Eunseol and Wi Muyeom.
It was Yeop Hyocheon, the Chief Instructor.
Hum!
With a tremor shaking heaven and earth, Yeop Hyocheon extended both palms.
Fierce air currents swirled from his hands,
Whoosh!
A massive wave of energy engulfed the space, unleashing a force as if uprooting and hurling an entire mountain.
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, dust rose in all directions.
The sword energies that had adorned the sky vanished instantly.
—As expected of the Chief Instructor.
The onlookers gasped in awe.
The Martial Soul Command Lord and the Cheonsal Leader.
To think he extinguished the sword energies of two masters at the Earth-Shaking Realm with a single palm strike?
Whoosh.
As the dust settled, the scene became clear.
—Oh.
Another gasp erupted from the crowd.
Wi Muyeom had retreated five steps.
But Bu Eunseol had only stepped back three.
—The Martial Soul Command Lord’s internal energy is unimaginably profound.
Martial prowess wasn’t judged solely by internal energy.
But for a man in his twenties to surpass the Cheonsal Leader, renowned across the martial world, in internal energy?
“Martial Soul Command Lord.” Yeop Hyocheon looked at Bu Eunseol and spoke in a low voice. “The Clear Spirit Oil belongs to the Cheonsal Leader. Are you saying you’ll destroy the pavilion and attack him for refusing to give it?”
“If he said it was his and refused, I would’ve left.” Bu Eunseol stared at Wi Muyeom with unwavering eyes. “But he invoked the demonic path, saying our sect’s members must prove their worth through skill.”
The old Bu Eunseol wouldn’t have dared argue with Yeop Hyocheon. But now, consumed by rage and unleashing the Emotion-Severing Secret, he feared no one.
“So I tested his worth.” Turning to Yeop Hyocheon, his eyes blazed with crimson killing intent. “Is the Martial Soul Command Lord’s position so low that I can’t even do that?”
Yeop Hyocheon stared at Bu Eunseol, who radiated killing intent toward him.
“Heh heh…” Suddenly, he burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Hahahaha!”
Yeop Hyocheon, always composed and quiet, laughing uproariously made the watching martial artists uneasy. They feared an enraged Yeop Hyocheon would strike Bu Eunseol with devastating force.
Stop.
Ceasing his laughter, Yeop Hyocheon reached into his robes.
He tossed a small glass vial to Bu Eunseol.
Catch.
Bu Eunseol, catching it, looked puzzled.
It was the Clear Spirit Oil.
“It’s the Clear Spirit Oil I possess.” Yeop Hyocheon smiled faintly. “I have no use for it. Use it.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered.
He had expected Yeop Hyocheon to lash out, yet he showed such kindness? Especially since the Chief Instructor had previously put him in a difficult position with the betrothal issue?
“Thank you.” With no time to dwell on it, Bu Eunseol’s mind calmed as he obtained the Clear Spirit Oil to save Seo Jinha, his killing intent dissipating instantly.
“No need for thanks.” Yeop Hyocheon spoke calmly. “Come to my pavilion later and report everything. And…”
Staring at Bu Eunseol, a faint smile lingered on his lips.
“I’ll have you work to repay the value of the Clear Spirit Oil.” In the past, Bu Eunseol might have felt unease at that smile. But now, his mind was consumed with concern for Seo Jinha.
“Understood.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands respectfully.
Turning, he looked down at Wi Muyeom and Jeok Go-ung.
His gaze was so solemn and dignified…
Wi Muyeom and Jeok Go-ung unconsciously averted their eyes.
The onlookers swallowed hard.
Wi Muyeom, the Cheonsal Leader, a figure who had dominated the martial world for over twenty years, once synonymous with terror, avoiding Bu Eunseol’s gaze…
The Martial Soul Command Lord’s intelligence and martial prowess were renowned, but no one knew he possessed such immense killing intent and mountain-like dignity.
—We must be cautious from now on.
The principle that defying Bu Eunseol was forbidden was etched like a brand in the minds of Majeon’s members.
***
“That’s what happened.” Gyo Junghak, having recounted the events, smiled. “It was the most thrilling spectacle in my eighty years. Majeon’s successor smashing the Cheonsal Pavilion and trying to kill its Corps Leader. Heh heh heh!”
Hearing the full story, Seo Jinha’s jaw dropped.
The Cheonsal Leader hadn’t done anything wrong.
Though it seemed heartless, Majeon wasn’t bound by sentiment. Elimination of the useless was a natural law in the demonic path. Yet Bu Eunseol had smashed the Cheonsal Pavilion and tried to kill its Corps Leader to save him?
‘Bu Eunseol.’ Seo Jinha’s hands trembled, his chest swelling with emotion, making it hard to breathe.
Bu Eunseol, always so cold.
He had risked his life to come to Blood Serpent Valley for him, even challenging the Cheonsal Leader.
He was willing to sacrifice everything for a friend.
Finally, he…
Showed friendship.
‘Foolish guy.’
Wiping away welling tears, Seo Jinha said, “Where’s the Martial Soul Command Lord?”
“He’s returning from Taeju Prefecture. Likely back today.”
“Taeju Prefecture?”
“The ones who rebuilt Blood Serpent Valley are linked to the Four Harmony Alliance.”
The Four Harmony Alliance was a coalition of unorthodox sects, similar to the Twelve Earthly Branches, but far larger, exerting influence from Zhejiang to Jiangxi and Hunan.
Gyo Junghak shrugged.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord led the Cheonsal and completely crushed the Four Harmony Alliance.”
“The main corps?”
“Oh, I didn’t mention.” Gyo Junghak grinned. “The Martial Soul Command Lord ordered the Cheonsal Leader to eradicate those who dared touch our elite corps.”
Bu Eunseol led the Cheonsal, not the Death Shadow Corps, for this mission.
—Show them what happens when they target the Cheonsal.
Though Wi Muyeom disliked Bu Eunseol, he couldn’t defy the order.
First, the Demon Emperor was in seclusion. Second, the Chief Instructor had approved. Third, the order was a chance to restore the Cheonsal’ tarnished honor.
‘The Corps Leader must be fuming.’ Seo Jinha chuckled.
Wi Muyeom, the most prideful person he knew, nearly killed by Bu Eunseol, whom he saw as a thorn in his side, and now following his orders diligently? He probably hadn’t slept properly for days.
“I heard while crushing the Four Harmony Alliance, he tracked down the masterminds.” Looking out the window, Gyo Junghak continued. “Soon, the sect’s main forces might be deployed.”
Seo Jinha’s jaw dropped again.
So much had happened while he was unconscious.
Murmur, murmur.
Noises came from outside the Elixir King Hall. The door slid open with a creak, and a tall man in a blood-stained robe with a phoenix feather pattern entered.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Seo Jinha.” His robe was splattered with blood.
He must have rushed here upon hearing Seo Jinha had awakened.
“Bu Eunseol.” Seeing him, Seo Jinha felt tears well up but forced a broad smile. “I heard everything. You went through a lot for me.”
“How’s your body?”
“I’m fine. Completely healed.” Smiling brightly, Seo Jinha climbed onto the bed, striking a hearty pose.
Stumble.
But he couldn’t stand straight and swayed.
“Sorry, just woke up, so I’m a bit dizzy.” Forcing a smile, he straightened. But his complexion was poor.
Sensing something off, Bu Eunseol closely examined Seo Jinha’s left leg.
‘Strange.’
Even concealed by clothing, Bu Eunseol’s sharp eyes couldn’t be deceived. Bending down, he touched Seo Jinha’s left ankle.
‘The tendons…’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered as he withdrew his hand.
The heel, which should be soft, was hard as diamond. In this state, no amount of effort would allow normal movement.
“Seo Jinha.”
“It’s nothing, really.” Seo Jinha smiled brightly, unconcerned.
Though he knew his body wasn’t normal since waking…
He had been pretending to be fine, smiling all along.
