“Hah!”
At that moment, with a spirited shout, dozens of sword energies rained down chaotically on Bu Eunseol’s body.
The Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword, one of the three great sword techniques of the Mount Hua Sect, was not only exquisitely refined but also struck with the speed of a swift blade.
Even the most skilled masters, unable to find an opening in an instant, would be forced to retreat and prepare a counterattack.
‘His movement technique is swift, so he’ll surely step back.’ Cheon Hwain smirked with confidence. ‘The moment you retreat, you’re finished.’
Cheon Hwain had already learned a technique from the Martial Alliance to compensate for the weaknesses of the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword. If Bu Eunseol retreated, he planned to seize that moment and unleash a devastating strike.
“…”
But Bu Eunseol stood there with a blank expression, as if he saw nothing.
Don’t blame yourself.
As an explosive wave of killing intent surged within him, the voice of Yeong Munho, one of the Ten Demon Warriors of the Death Command Sect, echoed in his mind.
Having lost his martial arts, Yeong Munho had become an herbalist, finally finding peace. His heart was too gentle to belong to a martial artist, and he had passed away with a smile in Bu Eunseol’s arms.
He had died worrying about Bu Eunseol’s pain.
How could he ever forget that tragic, sorrowful memory?
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
At that moment, dozens of sword energies grazed past Bu Eunseol, who stood motionless like a statue. Because he had been standing still, lost in thought, he had inadvertently dodged the feint of the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword with calm indifference.
‘What?’ Cheon Hwain, witnessing this, was utterly shocked. ‘Does this guy know the variations of the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword?’
But as a seasoned martial artist of the martial world, he didn’t panic. Even though Bu Eunseol had disrupted his technique, Cheon Hwain swiftly shifted his sword stance, thrusting toward Bu Eunseol’s lower abdomen.
Swish!
As the sharp sword energy stabbed toward his abdomen, Bu Eunseol finally snapped back to reality.
‘What am I doing?!’ Scolding himself, Bu Eunseol barely twisted his body, dodging Cheon Hwain’s sword strike.
Had he not reached the Supreme Heavenly Realm, where he could perceive time five times slower than others, his abdomen would have been pierced in that single move.
‘This is the Martial Alliance. I can’t let myself get lost in emotions again!’
The Martial Alliance was a den of masters who surpassed even him.
If he had unleashed techniques like the Supreme Heavenly Flow or the Wishful True Binding while lost in thought, he would have not only failed to avenge his grandfather but also risked losing his life or triggering a war between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.
Due to his incomplete discipline as a covert operative, he had nearly made a grave mistake.
“Hah!”
As Cheon Hwain, closing in like a ghost, prepared to unleash a critical strike with a spirited shout—
Clang!
With a resounding metallic clash, Cheon Hwain’s technique was interrupted.
As the sword energies poured forth, Bu Eunseol, instead of retreating, charged forward with a hidden blade in hand.
Clang!
As the hidden blade collided with the longsword, both fighters were pushed back a step. To avoid revealing that his internal energy surpassed Cheon Hwain’s, Bu Eunseol deliberately stepped back.
‘This guy’s dangerous.’
Cheon Hwain felt a chill down his spine. Not only was Bu Eunseol’s internal energy on par with his, but he had also stopped Cheon Hwain’s critical strike in an instant. Moreover, to precisely block his ever-shifting, unpredictable longsword with a short hidden blade?
It was sheer audacity and focus, unafraid of any threat.
‘So it was him.’
Only then did Cheon Hwain realize that Bu Eunseol was the one who had helped Tae Muryong previously.
‘How could someone from a merchant guild have cultivated such advanced martial arts?’
From that single exchange, it was clear Bu Eunseol had broken through the barrier of mastery. Why, then, had someone with such skill spent his time dealing with mere bandit hordes?
Hup.
Cheon Hwain, halting his attack, swiftly stepped back.
He gazed at Bu Eunseol with calm intensity.
“You’ve been hiding your true skill.”
A sharp aura began to emanate from Cheon Hwain’s body. Realizing Bu Eunseol’s prowess was not to be underestimated, he resolved to face him with utmost seriousness.
“Good. Very good.”
Whooosh.
As Cheon Hwain muttered, a sharp sword wind began to swirl around his blade.
Judging by the eerie, formidable aura, he was clearly preparing to unleash his most advanced sword technique.
Swish!
With a piercing sound, a sword energy shot out from the longsword, which had been motionless until that moment.
It was so fast and sudden that it was nearly impossible to time a counter.
Whoosh!
Bu Eunseol hurriedly retreated. But in that instant, a sharp pain stung his back. Unbeknownst to him, a hidden strand of sword energy had targeted his spine’s yeongdae acupoint from behind.
Cheon Hwain had secretly launched an additional, invisible sword energy to strike Bu Eunseol’s back.
Swish!
The sword energy carried a blade-like strand of internal power.
If it struck, Bu Eunseol’s meridians would be severely damaged.
‘This is why Yeong Munho lost his power.’
The sword technique that had cost Yeong Munho most of his martial ability. It was the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword’s Blue Fragrance Hidden Chant technique, subtly combined with a sword energy method taught by the Martial Alliance.
Buzz.
A blood-red glint flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
He wanted to counter this technique instantly and cripple Cheon Hwain, just as Yeong Munho had been crippled. But if he defeated Cheon Hwain so decisively in this match, his true prowess would be exposed, inviting suspicion.
‘Not now…’ Finishing his thought, Bu Eunseol launched a hidden blade. ‘But soon, I’ll make you feel the same pain Yeong Munho endured!’
At the same time, he tilted his body and spun rapidly.
Swish!
The sword energy narrowly grazed past him.
Simultaneously, the hidden blade Bu Eunseol launched shot towards Cheon Hwain’s chest.
Clang!
Cheon Hwain sliced the blade in two, then swung his sword to cut Bu Eunseol, who had landed, in half.
But another hidden blade was already in Bu Eunseol’s right hand.
Whoosh!
He launched the sharp blade toward Cheon Hwain’s forehead, aiming to quell his storm-like momentum.
‘Now!’ But Cheon Hwain had anticipated Bu Eunseol’s blade.
He knew it would come with pinpoint accuracy toward his forehead.
Swish!
He executed the Hanging Beam Piercing Thigh technique of the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword.
It was a move that seemed to retreat like a drawn bowstring but struck like an arrow piercing the enemy’s body with lightning speed.
Clang!
He had read the trajectory of Bu Eunseol’s blade and countered with the Hanging Beam Piercing Thigh. The motion was faster than lightning, and Bu Eunseol, unable to dodge, found the longsword piercing his chest.
‘I’ve won!’
As Cheon Hwain inwardly smiled with satisfaction—
Whoosh!
Something strange happened.
The moment the sword tip touched his chest, it slid oddly, grazing past his body.
‘What’s this?’ Cheon Hwain was shocked beyond belief but quickly shifted his sword stance, aiming for Bu Eunseol’s side.
Whoosh!
Yet a strange rotational force emanated from Bu Eunseol’s body, once again causing the sword to slip.
‘He’s deflecting my sword with Grafting Flowers onto Jade?’
Known as the Heavenly Hidden Blade, Seon Woojin’s true techniques included not only hidden blade arts but also the Grafting Flowers onto Jade, which allowed him to redirect attacks from his body.
But Grafting Flowers onto Jade was only effective against blunt strikes, not sharp weapons like swords.
Yet he was freely redirecting the sword’s trajectory?
‘No way!’
Enraged, Cheon Hwain summoned all his internal energy.
Swish!
His sword bent like a whip, spinning fiercely as it aimed for Bu Eunseol’s neck.
It was the Life and Death Are Fated technique of the Fatal Linked Sword, a move forbidden by the Mount Hua Sect except in life-or-death situations.
As the unstoppable sword strike closed in on Bu Eunseol’s neck—
Clang!
A clear sword chime echoed in all directions.
A sharp hidden blade had precisely struck the tip of Cheon Hwain’s longsword.
Snap.
The tip of Bu Eunseol’s blade broke, but Cheon Hwain ceased his attack and stepped back.
A deadlock.
Their skills were evenly matched, and no victor emerged.
‘Cheon Hwain lost.’
But Yuk Jangcheon and Gu Injeong, watching from the stands, both knew.
The reason Bu Eunseol, holding a hidden blade, had blocked Cheon Hwain’s critical strike was that he had found an opportunity to pierce Cheon Hwain’s throat in a single strike—but chose not to.
“Hmm.” Cheon Hwain, aware of this, had stopped his attack and retreated.
‘Do I have to fight to the death?’
Cheon Hwain hesitated.
The match’s outcome was clear. But a fight to the death would change things.
‘If so.’
As Cheon Hwain began to gather his internal energy again—
“No victor has emerged, so this match is a draw!” Gu Injeong, seated in the stands, shouted loudly and stepped toward the stage. “This is a duel to select a grandmaster, not a life-or-death battle.”
Yuk Jangcheon, watching this, couldn’t hide his disbelief. If Bu Eunseol had thrown his blade with full intent, Cheon Hwain would have lost.
To call it a draw despite knowing this?
‘Even if Cheon Hwain was preselected, this is too much.’
Until now, matches were decided by the judges when a clear skill gap was evident.
But to make such an unfair, biased judgment?
‘If the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild doesn’t accept this, things could escalate.’
Yuk Jangcheon wore a worried expression.
The Martial Alliance had already suffered irreversible humiliation by unfairly selecting Cheon Geom. If this happened again, the Alliance Leader might intervene, and neither Gu Injeong nor Yuk Jangcheon would escape responsibility.
“I understand.”
Fortunately, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands politely and accepted the decision.
Gu Injeong, relaxing his stern expression, nodded.
“Since it’s a joint victory, we’ll decide the grandmaster position through other means. Please understand.”
“I understand.”
“Then, the duel ends here.”
Yuk Cheongah looked dazed but, urged by Gu Injeong’s glance, spoke loudly.
“As no victor could be determined, both are declared joint winners.”
The tournament ended anticlimactically.
Cheon Hwain, preselected as grandmaster, failed to defeat Seon Woojin, the merchant guild heir, resulting in a forced joint victory.
“Elder Gu, no matter how small-scale, this is a tournament held under the Martial Alliance’s authority.” Unable to stay silent, Yuk Jangcheon made a suggestion to Gu Injeong. “Changing the rules like this could cause uncontrollable problems.”
“I’m not changing the rules. It was truly a draw. Both accepted it willingly, so there won’t be any backlash.” But Gu Injeong’s response was shameless. “It’s for the best.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even for a minor branch handling trivial matters in the martial world, a grandmaster isn’t just about martial skill. Other abilities must be considered.”
That was true.
The Heavenly Sword had proven that a grandmaster leading subordinates required more than just martial prowess. But it was Gu Injeong, Elder Gu, who had insisted on selecting a new grandmaster through a tournament, ignoring such considerations.
The only reason Yuk Jangcheon hadn’t opposed it was that this supreme branch was established under the Elder Council’s authority—specifically, with the Mount Hua Sect’s support and Gu Injeong’s leadership.
Moreover, the Alliance’s leadership had already preselected Cheon Hwain, a great master, as the branch’s grandmaster.
Yuk Jangcheon had no particular objections or dissatisfaction with this.
But the emergence of the remarkable Seon Woojin was changing his perspective.
“Then what do you propose?”
“Let’s do it the way the Alliance has always selected grandmasters: assign a mission to evaluate their overall abilities.”
“To both of them?”
“Exactly.” Gu Injeong said calmly. “After all, this branch was created to handle the minor affairs of the martial world that the Alliance’s grandmasters can’t address.”
“Hmm.” Yuk Jangcheon let out a low groan.
‘If only we’d done that from the start.’
He wanted to retort but held back.
The one who had stubbornly pushed for the tournament was now suggesting a proper selection process—there was little he could say.
“Then let’s do it.”
***
Bu Eunseol and Cheon Hwain, the joint winners of the tournament, were appointed as temporary grandmasters.
Since the tournament failed to determine a victor, they were both named temporary grandmasters and assigned missions to evaluate their suitability for the role through various criteria. Yuk Cheongah, under Yuk Jangcheon’s orders, explained this to Bu Eunseol while expressing her apologies.
“I’m sorry. By rights, Young Hero Seon should have been chosen.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head at her sincere consolation. “No, I think this is fair.”
In fact, Bu Eunseol felt this outcome was fortunate.
If Gu Injeong had insisted on his biased ways, as a key figure in establishing the supreme branch, Bu Eunseol would have been in a difficult position. But by offering a fair second chance, Bu Eunseol felt grateful.
“There’s one more thing I need to apologize for.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Originally, the temporary branches should be formed fairly, but… all the skilled warriors the Alliance could provide were assigned to Cheon Hwain’s temporary branch.” She spoke with an embarrassed expression. “So, Young Hero Seon, you’re short on personnel to form your temporary branch.”
Gu Injeong had blatantly assigned all the Alliance’s available masters to Cheon Hwain’s branch to ensure his success.
“So I get no members at all?”
“The branch leader suggested you could recruit promising young martial artists from the Heroes’ Conference.”
“From the tournament…” After a moment of thought, Bu Eunseol nodded. “I suppose that’s the only option. I’d be grateful for even that.”
At his straightforward response, Yuk Cheongah felt a strange thought.
‘Is he just kind, or is he a fool?’
A normal person would protest or demand compensation for such unfair treatment.
Yet Seon Woojin accepted these injustices far too easily.
‘Not my concern.’
“Good to hear.” Adjusting her expression, she continued. “I’ve already compiled a list of tournament participants who expressed interest in joining the Alliance.”
Yuk Cheongah showed Bu Eunseol a small scroll.
It listed the names of about ten participants from the Heroes’ Conference.
“They’ve agreed to join your temporary branch?”
“Yes. They’re eager to join Young Hero Seon’s branch because… we promised they could become Alliance warriors in exchange for their cooperation.” Yuk Cheongah gave a faint smile. “They’re willing to become low-ranking warriors, not grandmasters, just to join the Alliance.”
“I see.” Understanding the situation, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Then I’ll take these two.”
“Just two? Wouldn’t it be better to take all ten as subordinates?”
“The tournament’s over, so I doubt they’ll assign missions requiring martial prowess.” Bu Eunseol smiled faintly. “Since I can’t command a large group like my own limbs in a short time, it’s better to lead a small, capable team.”
Yuk Cheongah nodded inwardly.
‘Not a complete fool, then.’
The two he chose were, in her view, martial prodigies with exceptional talent.
“Alright, I’ll prepare it that way.” Folding the scroll, Yuk Cheongah said. “I’ll report that you’ll form your temporary branch with these two.”
“Thank you. Oh, and…”
Looking at Yuk Cheongah, Bu Eunseol flashed a bright smile.
“I have a request, or rather, a consultation…”
***
About an hour after Yuk Cheongah left, Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo arrived before Bu Eunseol.
They were the temporary branch members he had chosen.
Despite their remarkable abilities, their low status or minor sects had denied them proper opportunities. Thus, they desperately wished to join the Martial Alliance, where distinguished service could one day lead to a grandmaster position.
“Young Hero Tae, I’d like you to serve as the deputy leader of this branch.”
Tae Muryong chuckled at Bu Eunseol’s words. “A temporary branch with only two members, and you’re appointing a deputy leader?”
“Do you think this will end as a temporary branch, Young Hero Tae?”
For a moment, Tae Muryong fell silent. He noticed a fervent yet solemn glint hidden in Bu Eunseol’s gentle eyes.
“Well, fine. But this is really too much.”
Jeong Jongdo, a man with an iron sword at his waist, pointed to their lodging. “We’re supposed to be a temporary branch, yet they’ve given us this flimsy tent?”
Cheon Hwain’s temporary branch had been given a proper building, as if it were an officially established unit. But Bu Eunseol’s branch was assigned a makeshift tent at the edge of the Alliance’s northern gate, in a bamboo grove.
“Even for a temporary branch, this is embarrassing to show our faces.”
Bu Eunseol nodded at Jeong Jongdo’s words. Living in such a shabby tent would naturally dampen morale.
No matter how skilled a leader he was, it was uncertain whether his members could properly carry out their missions.
“There’s no helping it,” Tae Muryong said reproachfully. “Elder Gu Injeong holds full authority over this branch’s creation, and the funding comes from the Mount Hua Sect.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already resolved that issue.”
“Resolved? How?”
As Jeong Jongdo frowned and asked—
Rumble, clatter, clatter.
Suddenly, hundreds of workers and over forty carts began arriving in front of the bamboo grove tent.
“Sir.” An elderly man, seemingly the eldest among the workers, approached Bu Eunseol. “Is this where we should build?”
Bu Eunseol nodded, and the man bowed.
“Understood.” He turned to the workers and carpenters behind him and shouted. “Let’s get to work!”
Thud, thud, thud.
Hundreds of workers began constructing a large building in front of the bamboo grove with the materials they brought. Most were skilled carpenters, and some, seemingly trained in martial arts, effortlessly carried large timber.
“What’s going on?” Tae Muryong asked in astonishment.
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Since the Alliance provided the land, shouldn’t we build a proper lodging?”
“You called in external workers?”
“Exactly.”
“How?”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“With my own money, of course.”
Tae Muryong swallowed hard.
Seon Woojin, the heir to a prominent merchant guild, had been trading across borders since childhood. His wealth was likely comparable to that of any tycoon.
“Even so, building such a grand structure for a temporary lodging?”
“I told you,” Bu Eunseol said with a calm smile. “Do you think this will stay temporary?”
Tae Muryong’s jaw dropped.
Indeed, the workers weren’t building a temporary structure.
They were laying bluestone tiles for the foundation, digging a pond, planting ornamental stones and trees, and even creating a training ground for martial practice.
This wasn’t a temporary building—it was practically a manor.
Tae Muryong shook his head vigorously to collect himself.
“Still, to go this far…”
“You need a proper place to rest and work effectively, don’t you?” Bu Eunseol shrugged, and Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo stared at each other, mouths agape.
To mobilize hundreds of workers to build a massive manor for a place they might not stay in long?
And the scale and facilities rivaled those of a high-ranking Alliance official’s residence.
“Did the Alliance approve this?” Jeong Jongdo asked.
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Of course. I got permission from Leader Yuk in advance.” He smiled, looking around. “The Alliance is so large it’s constantly in debt. When I offered to fund the construction myself, they approved it with a rather apologetic look.”
Rumble.
At that moment, over a hundred servants approached the bamboo grove, carrying bamboo containers.
“From Eunharu, sir!”
“We’ve brought the food you ordered from Cheongdo Restaurant!”
The hundred-odd servants announced their affiliations, unpacking dishes from the bamboo containers. Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo gaped again, their jaws practically unhinged.
The food wasn’t ordinary—it consisted of high-end dishes, each worth at least five taels.
“Let’s eat first. You can’t work well on an empty stomach, right?” At Bu Eunseol’s call, the workers swarmed over to eat.
“Sir, we’ve prepared your table here.” The elderly man directing the workers pointed to a table and chairs made of wood.
While Bu Eunseol hadn’t noticed, the man had been crafting a table and chairs for his comfort.
“Let’s eat, then.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo followed him like men possessed.
So this is the level of a merchant guild heir…
Both were disciples of second-rate sects and had rarely experienced lavish meals. Yet the dishes on the table were extravagant, beyond anything they could order at a typical inn—dishes they had never even seen before.
“The temporary lodging should be completed by tonight, so don’t worry.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo could only nod, their faces blank with astonishment.
