“I’m a bit late.”
Bu Eunseol, clasping his hands respectfully, pulled a plaque from his robes.
“I stopped by the Nangyang Pavilion to retrieve this plaque.”
“How… how did you get here…?” Gongya Geuk’s eyes widened as if they might tear, and Bu Eunseol replied nonchalantly.
“I walked. I heard the Demonic Assembly was in session.” He looked at Gongya Geuk with a faint smile.
Though the smile seemed gentle, to Gongya Geuk, it was like the beckoning of the King of Hell.
“As the Martial Soul Command Lord, I’ve come on behalf of the absent leader of the Nangyang Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol presented the Arang Plaque, symbolizing the leader of the Nangyang Pavilion.
“I acknowledge it,” Yeop Hyocheon said, nodding.
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands again.
“Per the leader’s orders, I will state my vote and then take my leave.”
Clack.
Setting the plaque down, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“I vote in favor.”
Thud.
The expressions of the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders twisted.
Bu Eunseol openly voting for his own removal?
Didn’t that mean he had absolute confidence he wouldn’t be removed?
‘Seeing him return, he must have already restored Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect.’
Everyone in the room realized it.
Hyeok Gongbaek and Geuk Hyeryeong’s presence here was only possible because Bu Eunseol had already resolved everything.
“Well then.” Bu Eunseol flashed his white teeth, clasping his hands.
Without hesitation, he left the meeting room.
A deathly silence fell over the chamber.
Gongya Geuk, in particular, stood with eyes bulging and mouth agape, like a strangled corpse.
“I oppose.” After a long silence, Weiji Hyesang raised his hand with a bright smile. “That’s why I came here, after all.”
Standing, he clasped his hands.
“Well then.”
As Weiji Hyesang turned to leave, the remaining Ten Demonic Sect Leaders, except Gongya Geuk, hurriedly raised their hands.
All votes were in opposition.
“With a majority, the Martial Soul Command Lord will retain his position as heir,” Yeop Hyocheon declared.
The attendees rose calmly and left the meeting room.
Only Yeop Hyocheon and Gongya Geuk remained.
‘What in the world happened?’ Gongya Geuk, dazed, rubbed his eyes with his index and middle fingers.
The Three Realms’ intelligence had never been wrong. So why had this happened?
“There are times when the Fortress Lord’s information is incorrect,” Yeop Hyocheon said, standing.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Chief Instructor.” Gongya Geuk, neck stretched taut, his thick chin folding, eyes sharp as blades, looked up.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?” As Yeop Hyocheon asked leisurely, a venomous aura, like an erupting volcano, spread from Gongya Geuk.
But with a light chuckle and a wave of Yeop Hyocheon’s hand, the aura vanished as if washed away. At the same time, the bright light in the meeting room began to dim.
As Yeop Hyocheon summoned his energy, the world seemed to plunge into darkness.
“…It’s nothing.” Gongya Geuk, biting his teeth and retracting his venom, slowly stood.
Whoosh.
He brushed past Yeop Hyocheon and left the meeting hall.
***
On a small hill overlooking Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, dozens of graves had appeared.
These were the tombs of the demonic warriors of Peach Blossom Paradise who fought to their last breath to protect Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
The coffins in which they rested were personally crafted by Majeon’s heir, Bu Eunseol.
He had meticulously prepared their bodies for burial.
With Majeon’s ceremonial corps transporting the remains respectfully, every ritual was conducted with the highest honor.
Though their lives in Peach Blossom Paradise may have been humble, their end was solemn and dignified.
Moreover, with Majeon’s greatest heir and all key figures of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect seeing them off, the fallen warriors would have no regrets.
“…”
Bu Eunseol’s expression as he gazed at the graves seemed peaceful.
But deep within his chest, a fiery volcanic energy surged.
To others, the demonic warriors of Peach Blossom Paradise might be seen as fearsome fiends who once roamed the martial world. But to Bu Eunseol, they were old souls who had barely found peace in a cruel world.
He had no intention of letting those who shattered their rest go unpunished.
“Even with your intelligence network, we couldn’t find the culprits,” Hyeok Gongbaek, standing beside Bu Eunseol and staring at the graves, said with a violet glint of murderous intent in his eyes.
“It must be the work of those Three Realms.”
Hyeok Gongbaek, through Bu Eunseol’s information, was aware of the Three Realms’ power and capabilities.
But he couldn’t fully grasp it.
After all, across the entire martial world, only Bu Eunseol had directly clashed with them.
“I had planned to retire and entrust everything to Sojin,” Hyeok Gongbaek said, his aura tearing through the sky. “But that will have to wait. I must become a sharp blade for you whenever you need it.”
‘A sharp blade whenever the Lord needs it.’
This signified that Heaven and Earth Severing Sect was under Bu Eunseol’s command and acknowledged him not just as the heir but as the future leader of Majeon.
“I’ll ensure you won’t regret delaying your retirement,” Bu Eunseol said, a bloody glint flashing through his eyes as he gazed at the graves.
“I believe you can do that,” Hyeok Gongbaek said, sensing the raging fury Bu Eunseol suppressed. He nodded and turned to leave.
“I’ll go ahead.”
As Hyeok Gongbaek departed, Hyeok Sojin approached.
“Brother Bu.”
Those two words carried everything Hyeok Sojin wanted to convey.
No need for lengthy words.
“Sojin.”
Bu Eunseol called his name once.
Then he slowly turned.
Initially, he had planned to use only the Death Shadow Corps to crush those who sent the puppets.
But he changed his mind.
Heaven and Earth Severing Sect was also one of the Ten Demonic Sects.
The martial world needed to see what happens when it was provoked, what fury it could unleash.
***
Hyeok Ryeon-eung.
Known as the chief protector of Majeon, he was secretly a royal advisor to the Wei King’s Manor and a top leader of the Three Realms.
But after attacking Bu Eunseol, he vanished completely, as if he had never existed.
Cleanly erased.
But Hyeok Ryeon-eung had made a mistake.
He had assumed the missing Bu Eunseol could never return intact.
Bu Eunseol not only displayed brilliant cunning but always pursued perfection.
Thus, the Infinite Realm was certain his disappearance wasn’t a ruse. A clever man like Bu Eunseol would never orchestrate a disappearance and incur such losses.
And their assumption was correct.
Bu Eunseol had indeed suffered grave injuries and lost his memories. If not for the attack on the Seong Family Manor, he might have lived as a wandering beggar forever, never regaining his memories.
But Bu Eunseol had recovered and returned to Majeon.
However, the Three Realms, and Hyeok Ryeon-eung, failed to maintain strict secrecy after his disappearance, unlike before.
This became a costly mistake.
Daeyun Forest.
A renowned medical house in the martial world, specializing in detoxification.
The Flawless Crimson Scale Pill, produced by Daeyun Forest, was a universal antidote favored by wandering warriors constantly at risk of poisoning.
Rumble.
But before Yuchun Valley, where Daeyun Forest was located, ten thousand troops gathered.
They were from the Death Shadow Corps, Nangyang Pavilion, Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, and Affectionate Blossom Sect, led by Bu Eunseol.
“To think the famed Daeyun Forest was producing puppets,” Yoo Unryong, riding alongside Bu Eunseol at the head of the forces encircling Daeyun Valley, muttered in disbelief.
That Daeyun Forest, renowned for detoxification, was controlled by the Three Realms and had been producing puppets?
And that half of Hell’s Blood Fortress’s elite forces were secretly stationed there?
“So Gongya Geuk, that old monster, was ultimately recruited by the Infinite Realm,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
“The medical groves are like sacred sanctuaries in the martial world. That’s why we could never track the puppets.”
Medical groves, home to physicians, were untouchable, even by the righteous, demonic factions, or the authorities.
The martial world was unpredictable.
Making enemies of a medical grove could mean no aid when one’s life or a loved one’s was at stake.
The Three Realms had seized one of these renowned medical houses, producing puppets there to evade suspicion and tracking.
“If not for your disappearance, this wouldn’t have been uncovered,” Yoo Unryong muttered.
Myo Cheonwoo sighed. “But this campaign was truly difficult.”
“Deploy all forces immediately and strike Daeyun Forest,” Bu Eunseol had ordered, mobilizing not only the Death Shadow Corps but also Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Affectionate Blossom Sect, and Nangyang Pavilion’s forces to annihilate Daeyun Forest.
The martial world was thrown into chaos.
Daeyun Forest, a detoxification authority, maintained broad ties with various factions and the authorities.
To move the forces of three of the Ten Demonic Sects against a medical grove?
“We cannot overlook the heir’s unilateral actions!” protested several righteous factions in Gangseo Province as Bu Eunseol’s forces reached its borders. “Withdraw your troops! We must verify the facts first.”
But Bu Eunseol was resolute.
“From now on, those who block my path will be treated as accomplices of the enemy and dealt with as martial world outlaws.”
Typically, such situations would lead to negotiations.
But Bu Eunseol pressed forward without mercy.
Martial world outlaws?
“Does he intend to start a righteous-demonic war?”
The righteous faction leaders were thrown into disarray. If they didn’t back down and fought to the end, the Martial Alliance would intervene, triggering a righteous-demonic war.
“Attack.”
But Bu Eunseol issued the order without hesitation.
As the three demonic sects’ forces charged forward, the righteous faction leaders faltered.
Bu Eunseol, known as “Righteous Within Demonic,” had always acted justly.
Even those blocking him held a faint belief that he wouldn’t act without solid evidence.
Moreover, by declaring them martial world outlaws, it suggested a significant issue with Daeyun Forest, one that the righteous factions could justify intervening in. The righteous factions in Gangseo weren’t trying to stop Bu Eunseol for honor but to delay him, investigate, and claim a stake in the Daeyun Forest affair.
But Bu Eunseol’s unyielding advance left them rattled.
“Clear the way!”
Blocking the three demonic sects’ forces would require at least two Martial Alliance-level armies, which Gangseo’s righteous factions couldn’t muster.
If Daeyun Forest was truly guilty of heinous acts, as Bu Eunseol claimed, they risked being accused of shielding martial world outlaws. Ultimately, the righteous factions that tried to block the three demonic armies retreated in panic, clearing the way.
Thus, Bu Eunseol’s forces entered Gangseo Province intact.
“No need to drag this out,” Bu Eunseol muttered, then raised his voice. “Eradicate the vile forces hiding in Daeyun Forest—leave not even a blade of grass!”
Total war.
Bu Eunseol launched a full-scale assault, deploying every available resource and force.
There were likely no key Three Realms figures here.
By obliterating Daeyun Forest, which produced puppets, he aimed to showcase the might of the Ten Demonic Sects and expose their atrocities to the world.
***
The martial world was in an uproar.
“Daeyun Forest was producing the puppets that plagued the martial world!”
The reason Bu Eunseol, Majeon’s heir, attacked Daeyun Forest was that he had evidence it was using its accumulated knowledge to create powerful puppets.
Moreover, these assassins were made with human sacrifices, causing a storm in the martial world.
As this truth came to light, the martial world was plunged into shock.
But before the shock could fade, more unbelievable news followed.
“Most of the poisons used to create puppets in Daeyun Forest came from Hell’s Blood Fortress.”
That Hell’s Blood Fortress, one of the Ten Demonic Sects, had collaborated in producing puppets?
And that Majeon’s heir had uncovered this crime?
Majeon immediately launched an investigation, and it was proven true.
Gongya Geuk, the lord of Hell’s Blood Fortress, stepped forward to explain.
“For generations, our fortress has distributed poisons to profitable parties, regardless of righteous or demonic affiliations. We are absolutely not involved with puppets.”
Despite Gongya Geuk’s earnest defense, he wasn’t convincing the martial world.
“We will hold a Demonic Assembly to hold Hell’s Blood Fortress accountable,” Bu Eunseol declared, sending Majeon into another uproar.
The heir proposing a Demonic Assembly to discuss punishing one of the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders?
Though it was hard to escape responsibility for colluding with those producing puppets, for the heir to initiate such a meeting was a humiliation worse than death for Gongya Geuk.
“I’d rather seal the gates!” Gongya Geuk declared, unable to bear the disgrace.
But Bu Eunseol didn’t even allow that.
“If you wish to seal the gates, do so after we’ve thoroughly investigated your responsibility. The Demonic Assembly hasn’t even started.”
Gongya Geuk felt unspeakable rage and humiliation.
Bu Eunseol’s actions treated him not as a fellow leader of the Ten Demonic Sects but as a criminal under interrogation.
“If you feel wronged, reveal every detail of your collusion at the Demonic Assembly. If there’s room for leniency, you might avoid sealing the gates.”
But Bu Eunseol’s chilling response silenced Gongya Geuk.
Hell’s Blood Fortress had long traded with both righteous and demonic factions for profit, maintaining secret agreements with the Infinite Realm.
If this were exposed, Hell’s Blood Fortress would have no place in the martial world.
Trapped in a checkmate, Hell’s Blood Fortress had to wait for the Demonic Assembly and face punishment.
No, at this rate, they might not just lose their status among the Ten Demonic Sects but see the entire sect eradicated.
“While returning with the three armies, the Martial Soul Command Lord obliterated the Jangbaek Merchant Guild and Sword Scale Valley.”
The martial world had no time to worry about Hell’s Blood Fortress.
Feigning a return to Majeon, Bu Eunseol mobilized his forces again, simultaneously attacking the Jangbaek Merchant Guild and Sword Scale Valley.
Splitting his forces, Hyeok Gongbaek led Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect to crush the Jangbaek Merchant Guild, while Bu Eunseol and the Nangyang Pavilion annihilated Sword Scale Valley.
“Is he insane?”
The martial world was stunned.
The Jangbaek Merchant Guild, one of the ten great merchant guilds, possessed significant martial forces and enjoyed official protection.
Sword Scale Valley, revered as the Sword Scale Immortal Valley, was a sacred site of the righteous martial world.
Yet the armies of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Affectionate Blossom Sect, and Nangyang Pavilion obliterated them?
And another shocking report followed.
Bu Eunseol had faced Heemu Jong, the lord of Sword Scale Valley, alone and beheaded him in ten moves.
Heemu Jong—who was he?
A former master compared to the Four Gods and Seven Kings, one of the Ten Demonic Heroes, who reached the pinnacle of demonic martial arts, gained sudden enlightenment, and became the first to switch from the demonic to the righteous path.
By chance, he joined Sword Scale Valley, mastering not only demonic swordsmanship but also the valley’s unparalleled sword arts, eventually rising to its lord.
Moreover, he wielded the Fish Intestine Sword, one of the martial world’s greatest blades.
Yet Bu Eunseol faced him alone, shattered the Fish Intestine Sword in three moves, and beheaded him in ten.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord’s prowess is this formidable?”
“What does he rely on to commit such ruthless acts?”
As the martial world reeled, Bu Eunseol declared nonchalantly, as if it were trivial, “Both factions colluded with forces disrupting the martial world and attacked Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect. The evidence is clear. If you feel wronged, come find me.”
He added, “Be cautious. If you secretly deal with vile forces for short-term gain, this will happen again.”
Bu Eunseol now knew.
The top leaders of both righteous and demonic factions were aware of the Three Realms. Some turned a blind eye, while others wanted to destroy them but couldn’t find their roots or lacked the power.
But Bu Eunseol boldly crushed the Three Realms’ tails he had identified and sternly warned their collaborators.
“Cooperate with the Three Realms, and you’ll meet the same fate!”
Despite Bu Eunseol’s open rampage, the Three Realms showed no reaction.
They never revealed themselves publicly. Even if they hated him to death, they would restrain themselves for now.
They couldn’t afford to expose their true nature.
“Place a bounty of one million taels on Hyeok Ryeon-eung, the chief protector who betrayed and fled Majeon.”
Bu Eunseol made an even more shocking announcement.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung, a loyal vassal and master of Majeon, had vanished.
A one-million-taels bounty—had such a sum ever been placed on even the most heinous figures in martial world history?
“Return immediately.”
Majeon reacted swiftly.
Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon used his authority to summon the Martial Soul Command Lord back at once.
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol returned to Majeon.
Now it was time to confront Yeop Hyocheon.
