The dense forests of Namman were like a dark blue sea.
Namman’s jungles were fraught with dangers—snakes, poisonous insects, and scorching heat.
Even the plants and fruits were often toxic, requiring utmost caution. For an ordinary person to traverse the jungle, they’d need ample provisions, insect repellents, and a map.
But a skilled martial artist was different.
With a bit of inner energy, they could leap several yards in a single bound, using grass and branches as footholds to move lightly.
Rustle!
With the sound of leaves brushing in the wind, a shadow swiftly darted through the jungle.
It was Bu Eunseol, disguised as Seon Woojin.
The deep jungle he reached had no visible paths for humans.
Broad plants and vines unseen in the Central Plains basked in the scorching sun, with poisonous insects occasionally visible.
An ordinary person would have given up, but he sped through effortlessly.
Even agile beasts couldn’t navigate such treacherous terrain. But a skilled martial artist surpassed any four-legged creature in agility and endurance.
In half a day, Bu Eunseol emerged from the dense jungle.
Finally, a small village came into view.
Well-maintained roads, an inn for travelers, and a bustling market selling various goods were visible.
“Phew.” Surveying the village, Bu Eunseol deliberately forced himself to sweat.
Having reached the state of immunity to heat and cold, he wasn’t affected, but he intentionally appeared fatigued.
Now in Yeolha Holy Palace’s territory, he didn’t know who might be watching.
As Seon Woojin, he had to act according to his persona.
“I’ll rest here tonight.”
While heading to Yeolha Holy Palace, Bu Eunseol crossed countless jungles and encountered various tribes.
Each time, he lingered in villages to gather information about the palace.
Of course, he had already obtained most of the information through the Death Spirit Corps. But some intelligence could only be gathered locally, like now.
Entering an inn with dried fruits displayed, he saw an old man running the business alone. The interior was cramped, with the kitchen and tables nearly touching.
Bu Eunseol sat down without minding.
“What would you like?” the old man asked, speaking fluent Central Plains language.
He immediately recognized Bu Eunseol, wearing an iron sword, as a martial artist from the Central Plains.
“Water and something to eat would be nice.”
The old man brought a jug of clear water and a dish made from rice flour.
“May I ask something?” Bu Eunseol said in a subtle tone. “I’d like to hear news about Yeolha Holy Palace.”
“You’ve come to the right place. We’re close to Chukyung Island, so their warriors often come to buy liquor.”
In other words, he was well-informed about the palace.
But the old man blinked, signaling there was no such thing as free information. In such a harsh place, running an inn alone, he knew this better than anyone.
Smiling, Bu Eunseol handed him a small piece of silver.
Accepting it, the old man spoke in a low voice, “Since the former lord, Jeok Sa, passed away, the atmosphere has been tense.”
Bu Eunseol sipped water, listening intently.
“The new lord, Hwa Jeong, is the stepmother, and she doesn’t get along with the Young Palace Lord, Jeok Mumi. A year ago, the palace’s warriors nearly clashed.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes faintly gleamed.
After his wife’s death, former lord Jeok Sa took Hwa Jeong, the leader of the Charging Fire Party, as his second wife.
But three years ago, he died suddenly, and per his will, Hwa Jeong became lord instead of Jeok Mumi.
Bu Eunseol knew this through his intelligence network.
Publicly, Hwa Jeong and Jeok Mumi had no issues.
But in reality, their relationship was deeply strained.
“Moreover, Gwang Yangja, a loyal vassal of Lord Jeok Sa, went to the Central Plains and died…”
‘Gwang Yangja, who massacred vagrants, was Jeok Sa’s loyal vassal?’ Frowning at this unexpected revelation, Bu Eunseol heard murmurs.
A group of people entered the inn.
Noticing the old man’s glance, Bu Eunseol nodded and smiled.
“I see. Thank you for the story.”
Sipping water, he gazed at the distant sky.
‘Inviting a third-rank Martial Alliance leader despite such internal strife…’ Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
Inviting a Martial Alliance leader amid conflict between Lord Hwa Jeong and Jeok Mumi was far from normal.
There must be some ulterior motive.
Leaving the inn, Bu Eunseol quickened his pace. He reached the shore near Chukyung Island, where Yeolha Holy Palace was located.
“Are you Hero Seon Woojin from the Martial Alliance?”
At the dock, a dark-skinned girl approached, clasping her hands. Her striking features, toned physique, and sharp aura suggested significant martial prowess.
“Yes.”
“I’m Jo Ha, a disciple of the Blue Mysterious Party,” she said, politely gesturing to a boat. “Please board.”
Despite its name, Yeolha Holy Palace was located on the remote Chukyung Island.
Entry required a boat marked with the palace’s emblem. Even a skilled martial artist couldn’t enter without the palace sending a boat.
Whoosh.
With sixteen sails billowing, the massive ship cut through the waves swiftly.
Bu Eunseol stood at the bow, gazing at the scenery.
‘A major faction like Yeolha Holy Palace has no need for a third-rank Martial Alliance leader.’ Approaching the palace, Bu Eunseol sank into deep thought. ‘If I could bring Yeolha Holy Palace into the Martial Alliance, I could rise to second-rank leader immediately.’
The thought made him chuckle.
If he aimed to dominate Majeon as its top figure, he shouldn’t align Yeolha Holy Palace with the Martial Alliance.
The stronger the alliance, the weaker Majeon and its order.
But Bu Eunseol cared little for righteous or demonic distinctions.
Even his status and honor were like clothes he could discard.
His sole desire was to find the culprits who harmed his grandfather and parents.
To achieve that revenge, he needed to reach the Martial Alliance’s power core, the only way to get close to the Three Realms’ heart.
Perhaps the Three Realms would even try to recruit him.
As Majeon’s heir, he couldn’t join them, but as a Martial Alliance member, he could infiltrate them freely.
On the opposite shore, a fortress glowed red, as if ablaze.
It was Yeolha Holy Palace.
“Hero Seon,” Jo Ha said, approaching with a low voice. “When you reach the palace, the lord will make an unusual proposal.”
Puzzled, Bu Eunseol turned to see her deadly serious expression.
“Refuse it.”
“…”
“If you don’t, you’ll die.”
“What do you mean?”
Shaking her head, Jo Ha said softly, “It’s the Young Palace Lord’s request.”
Bu Eunseol wanted to ask more.
The boat slowed, reaching the shore where a fortress stood. Disembarking, he saw stern warriors lined up, led by a man standing before a carriage.
“You’ve traveled far. I’m Oh Gae, leader of the Blue Fire Party.”
As Oh Gae clasped his hands, Bu Eunseol returned the gesture politely.
“I’m Seon Woojin.”
“Ride with me. I’ll escort you to the palace.”
Bu Eunseol boarded the carriage led by Oh Gae. After winding up a mountain path carved from stone, the carriage entered a grand palace reminiscent of flames.
“We’ve arrived.”
Stepping out, Bu Eunseol was greeted by a breathtaking sight.
Yeolha Holy Palace’s interior was majestic, as if carved by the giant spirit Pangu with an axe. The buildings, made of softly glowing red stone, felt like a palace of fire spirits.
“This way.”
Oh Gae led Bu Eunseol to the central palace.
The interior was lavish, with flaming patterns etched on the walls, reflecting Yeolha Holy Palace’s reverence for extreme yang martial arts and fire. Reaching the heart of the palace, a vast hall came into view, where a middle-aged beauty in ornate robes sat on a high altar.
It was Hwa Jeong, the new lord of Yeolha Holy Palace.
“Welcome to our palace, Leader Seon,” she said.
Her beauty was like a red rose, but her slender frame and twinkling eyes evoked a protective instinct rather than lordly authority.
Without her stern subordinates lined up below, her dignity as lord might not have stood.
“Seon Woojin, leader of the Supreme Branch, greets the palace lord,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands respectfully.
Smiling, Hwa Jeong nodded.
“I’m grateful you came all this way at my invitation.”
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands again, saying politely, “It’s a great honor to be invited to Yeolha Holy Palace, known as the forbidden sanctuary.”
“The Fire Ring Crystal is our irreplaceable treasure. Since you recovered it, it’s only right I thank you in person.” Smiling, Hwa Jeong continued, “You must be tired from your journey. We’ve prepared a place for you to rest. A banquet will be held tonight.”
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol rested in the quarters provided by the palace.
At dusk, guided by a maid, he moved to a lavish banquet hall.
Fine delicacies were served, and key palace figures attended.
They approached Bu Eunseol warmly, praising his recovery of the Fire Ring Crystal.
If he were an ordinary third-rank Martial Alliance leader, he might have been overwhelmed by such hospitality.
‘They want something.’
But Bu Eunseol, as the Martial Soul Command Lord, was well-versed in human nature.
He clearly sensed an ulterior motive behind their pretense.
‘This should be interesting. What do they want?’
If they had intentions, that was fine.
Bu Eunseol could play along and use them in return.
‘For friendship with the Martial Alliance, I need to get close to them.’
Friendship required convincing not just the leader but the entire leadership. Thus, Bu Eunseol mingled with the leaders, making a good impression.
‘The tension between them seems real.’
Returning to a corner after greeting the leaders, Bu Eunseol surveyed the banquet hall.
He had met key figures, but Jeok Mumi, the Young Palace Lord, was absent.
‘Not showing up even at such an event, despite disliking the lord?’ No matter how strained their relationship, the lord was the lord, and she was the Young Palace Lord.
Not appearing at a banquet with all the palace’s leaders?
The rift was deeper than he thought, or there was a significant reason for her absence.
The grand banquet continued until dawn.
Bu Eunseol returned to his quarters, seemingly drunk.
To build rapport with the lord and leaders, he hadn’t refused any drinks.
“Ugh.” Feigning fatigue from drinking, he collapsed onto the bed with a groan.
Though the bedding was soft, the bed was made of hard stone.
‘Strange.’
As he lay down, an odd heat rose from the bed, seeping into his back.
The heat, infused with extreme yang energy, warmed not just his skin but his bones.
Rustle.
Sensing something amiss, Bu Eunseol removed the bedding.
A stone slab emitting a faint red aura was revealed.
“A bed made of Yang Essence True Jade,” he murmured, a strange glint in his eyes.
The bed was carved entirely from Yang Essence True Jade, radiating extreme yang heat.
‘They’re testing me.’
They wouldn’t give such a bed to a guest from the Martial Alliance without purpose. It seemed they deliberately used Yang Essence True Jade to test him.
‘I’ll play along.’ Bu Eunseol activated his Heavenly Glacial Secret, instantly freezing the jade.
The heat vanished, allowing him to sleep comfortably.
“Zzz.” He deliberately snored, pretending to be deep asleep.
Swish.
A black shadow approached his bed like a ghost. It was a masked figure in tight assassin’s garb, staring down at the “sleeping” Bu Eunseol.
The figure extended a hand, sending a sharp energy blast toward him.
Pop! Pop!
As the blast struck his chest’s major acupoint, Bu Eunseol let out a short groan and sprang up like a coiled spring.
Clank.
As he rose, the masked figure, as if waiting, aimed a sharp sword at his throat and said coldly, “Seon Woojin, leader of the Supreme Branch.”
“Who are you?”
“No need to know.”
The figure’s voice was lowered, but its clear tone couldn’t hide that it was a young woman.
“Tomorrow, the palace lord will make you an offer.”
“…”
“You must refuse it.”
Bu Eunseol feigned confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Whatever the lord offers, refuse it and return to the Martial Alliance immediately.” The masked figure scanned him with sharp eyes. “I’ve just inflicted the Flame Poison Torture Technique on you. If you break your promise, you’ll suffer nightly agony from reversed energy flow.”
“…”
“Once you leave the palace, I’ll release the technique.”
“I don’t understand,” Bu Eunseol said, crossing his arms leisurely. “You seem to be from Yeolha Holy Palace. Are you rebelling against the lord?”
“Just make your decision.” As the masked figure commanded sternly, Bu Eunseol smiled.
“I refuse.”
Pop!
A strange rebounding sound came from his body, and he rose effortlessly.
“How—”
“You didn’t hear that I’ve mastered the Fire Flower Jade Technique?”
“Fire Flower Jade Technique?”
The assassin’s mouth fell open.
Normally, the Fire Flower Jade Technique only deflected external forces.
But the Flame Poison Torture Technique was a pulse-restraining skill that subdued the body with infused energy.
How could it be deflected?
“I didn’t earn my position by throwing dice,” Bu Eunseol said, smiling calmly. “Young Palace Lord Jeok Mumi.”
His gaze and tone were calm, without hostility.
The assassin stared at him for a moment, sighed, and removed her mask.
A beautiful woman with dark skin and bold eyebrows appeared—Jeok Mumi, the Young Palace Lord of Yeolha Holy Palace.
“You’re no ordinary third-rank Martial Alliance leader,” she said, her mystical, blue-gleaming eyes fixed on him.
Central Plains beauties typically had pale, translucent skin and stark black-and-white eyes.
By that standard, Jeok Mumi, with her dark skin and blue eyes, wouldn’t be considered a beauty. Yet she exuded a vibrant, blooming charm unlike anything Bu Eunseol had seen.
Moreover, she was known as a martial prodigy who had mastered Yeolha Holy Palace’s core techniques, causing her dark skin to radiate a subtle heat.
“Not just in prowess but in wit as well,” she added.
Not only had he deflected the palace’s highest torture technique with the Fire Flower Jade Technique, but he also deduced her identity instantly.
Jeok Mumi realized Bu Eunseol was no ordinary master.
“There’s a saying in the Central Plains martial world: ‘Fame and skill don’t always align,’” Bu Eunseol said, smiling calmly. “Like you, Young Palace Lord.”
It was a compliment, acknowledging that her martial prowess far exceeded her reputation.
Since Yeolha Holy Palace rarely operated in the Central Plains, their strength was largely unknown.
Jeok Mumi, as the Young Palace Lord, had no notable achievements, but in reality, she possessed exceptional martial skills.
“How did you know I’m the Young Palace Lord?”
“You sent a subordinate to deliver the same message, didn’t you?”
“That’s all?”
Bu Eunseol shrugged, looking at her haughty eyes. “I’m a Martial Alliance leader and an honored guest of Yeolha Holy Palace. How many would dare sneak into my quarters and threaten me?”
She sighed deeply, glaring at him sharply.
“So, you’ll accept the proposal?”
As the only daughter of former lord Jeok Sa, Jeok Mumi wielded power comparable to Hwa Jeong.
Refusing her could lead to endless trouble.
A sane person wouldn’t dare refuse such a demand.
But Bu Eunseol answered firmly, “I refuse.”
