Upon returning to Majeon, Bu Eunseol remained despondent for a long time.
Blood Vajra’s death.
It reminded him once again of the merciless law of the martial world.
Once you step into this world, no one can escape.
You must live forever in this hellish cycle.
But what tormented Bu Eunseol even more was not just the law of the martial world.
He had long realized the harsh reality of this world and had resolved to embrace it willingly.
What truly pained him was the betrayal of a friend.
Through So Jamyeong, he had long known that Myo Cheonwoo was a spy colluding with external forces. But this time, he had hoped Myo Cheonwoo wouldn’t leak information.
It was, after all, a journey to escort his master on his final path.
He had hoped, just this once, that Myo Cheonwoo wouldn’t reveal his whereabouts or endanger his master’s Penance Journey.
But that hope was shattered.
As soon as he entered the martial world, the Three Realms’ assassins attacked, and even Blood Vajra was put in danger.
If Blood Vajra hadn’t displayed unexpected prowess, surpassing the Three Realms’ expectations…
Bu Eunseol would already be a cold corpse.
‘Life, death, illusion, shadow…’ Bu Eunseol closed his eyes.
Human life is finite and full of endless choices.
Thus, it is always filled with regret.
Choices thought to be the best can turn out to be the worst over time.
Choices filled with despair can sometimes yield the best outcomes.
Human choices are inevitably laden with regret…
Rumble.
At that moment, the door to Bu Eunseol’s private chamber opened. A figure in gray robes approached slowly.
It was Yoo Unryong.
“What brings you here?” Bu Eunseol asked, forcing a dry smile.
Yoo Unryong bit his lip and said, “I was going to do it myself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I meant to deal with Myo Cheonwoo myself.” His expression was heavier than ever. “That way, we could easily eliminate the traitor in Death Shadow Pavilion. But I realized that would hurt you even more.”
“Yoo Unryong.”
“That’s why I couldn’t do it.”
Thud.
Yoo Unryong slumped across from Bu Eunseol.
“This time, he crossed a line. He knew how much this meant to you, yet he revealed your whereabouts.”
“…”
“There was a time I thought he’d come back, like you. But this incident made it clear. Myo Cheonwoo. That guy is a heartless traitor.”
“How did you know?” Bu Eunseol asked, looking at Yoo Unryong with a weary face. “I never told you.”
“So Jamyeong told me.” Yoo Unryong’s expression was pained. “He said the Martial Soul Command Lord would rather die than lose a friend.”
So Jamyeong also knew Bu Eunseol’s character.
Even if Myo Cheonwoo betrayed him, Bu Eunseol would not betray Myo Cheonwoo.
Thus, So Jamyeong had no choice but to tell Yoo Unryong. The only one who could handle this coldly and speak frankly to Bu Eunseol was another trusted friend.
“There’s no need for us to act,” Yoo Unryong said, biting his lip. “Hand the evidence to the Punishment Hall, and they’ll take care of it.”
“…” Bu Eunseol remained silent, offering no response.
To Yoo Unryong, he looked like a child enduring pain.
“Bu Eunseol!” Yoo Unryong said, his voice filled with suppressed anguish and anger. “I’m not speaking as your aide or strategist! I’m speaking as your friend!”
Yoo Unryong had never used the term “friend” in front of Bu Eunseol. As Bu Eunseol’s most trusted strategist and aide, he had to handle matters strictly and fairly.
But this time was different.
He couldn’t persuade Bu Eunseol unless he spoke as a friend.
“Bu Eunseol!”
“No need to get so angry,” Bu Eunseol said, offering a faint smile.
“…Myo Cheonwoo must be suffering too.”
At that fragile smile, Yoo Unryong felt his heart crumble.
Bu Eunseol was a warrior of steel, never faltering in any trial.
A cold commander who calmly led his subordinates in any situation.
A brilliant strategist who found solutions no matter the crisis.
But now…
He was just an ordinary man, pained by a friend’s betrayal.
‘Bu Eunseol.’
Yoo Unryong bit his lip until it bled.
He knew.
Though Bu Eunseol seemed the most detached and indifferent, he was more compassionate and considerate than anyone.
And to those he cherished, he gave boundless affection.
That’s why he was breaking.
Because someone he trusted so deeply had betrayed him.
“Snap out of it, please!” Yoo Unryong could no longer hold back.
His anger, sadness, and sorrow erupted as he grabbed Bu Eunseol’s collar.
“Are we playing some newfound game of friendship? After coming this far? How did we even get here!”
“…”
“There are plenty of people to care about! No one will blame you for killing that guy!”
“…”
But Bu Eunseol showed no reaction.
His eyes were ashen, devoid of emotion, even life.
“Then what about me!” Yoo Unryong gasped, clutching him. “What about me, who’s been running toward you all this time!”
Finally, Yoo Unryong broke down.
He, too, had been pretending to be detached, but his heart was worn to its limit.
Myo Cheonwoo. Wasn’t he the sturdy bridge connecting Bu Eunseol and himself?
Always humorous, optimistic, and uplifting to weary comrades?
The betrayal of a friend they trusted so much… it was unbearably painful for him too.
“I’m… suffering too.” Seeing Yoo Unryong’s collapse, a faint light returned to Bu Eunseol’s clouded eyes.
Watching Yoo Unryong’s anguish reminded him of Blood Vajra’s final moments.
Blood Vajra had feared that his Penance Journey, his final act of atonement, might cause Master Jeong Yeong more pain.
He only realized it was the right choice upon reaching his destination.
Bu Eunseol had not yet reached his final destination.
Yet he was already suffering and afraid.
And that weakness… was deeply wounding another friend, Yoo Unryong.
“I’m sorry,” Bu Eunseol said, grabbing Yoo Unryong’s shoulder. “I haven’t even reached my destination, yet I was worrying as if I’d lost the world.”
He looked at him with clear, resolute eyes, unlike before.
“I made you worry needlessly, Unryong.”
“Have you come to your senses?”
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol gave a pained but bright smile, like the one Yoo Unryong always showed him. “If I don’t get up quickly, it’ll be harder for you.”
Those words made Yoo Unryong’s nose sting.
Even if he acted the most detached, even if he avoided talk of friendship, even if he burdened him with all sorts of tasks…
Bu Eunseol trusted, understood, relied on, and cared for him more than anyone.
If that wasn’t friendship, what was?
“Good. If you’ve come to your senses, that’s enough.”
“But,” Bu Eunseol said in a firm voice. “Myo Cheonwoo’s matter comes later.”
“Huh?”
“We need to find out who’s behind him, don’t we?”
“What’s to find out? It’s the Three Realms.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “The Three Realms are divided into three factions. And the Infinite Realm, with Hyeok Ryeon-eung, truly tried to kill me. I nearly died.”
“…”
“But we learned from the Tang Clan incident, didn’t we? Not all our enemies were from the Infinite Realm.”
“So?”
“What if the one who turned Myo Cheonwoo wasn’t the Infinite Realm but the Clear River Realm, or another faction?”
“Like those who supported the Tang Clan? No way.” Yoo Unryong shook his head. “Then why would they try to kill you?”
“What if they’re not trying to kill me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if we assume the Elder’s immense prowess was unexpected, for the Infinite Realm to settle this perfect opportunity with just a hundred assassins… isn’t that too sloppy?”
“No way.” Yoo Unryong’s eyes gleamed. “Are you saying they’re helping you? Like they gave trials to the Tang Clan?”
Yoo Unryong’s mouth fell open.
If it was the Three Realms, manipulating the world?
They’d never let such an opportunity slip, surrounding the area with overwhelming masters.
Catching Bu Eunseol alone in the martial world was now a rare chance.
But the assassins who attacked Bu Eunseol and Blood Vajra were just barely enough to let them escape with their lives.
“Hmm.” Lost in thought, Yoo Unryong nodded. “Now that you mention it, it’s too coincidental.”
He sighed and continued.
“If it was the Infinite Realm, they’d have seized the chance and killed you instantly, like that damned Hyeok Ryeon-eung.”
The Infinite Realm had nearly killed Bu Eunseol just by Hyeok Ryeon-eung revealing his true colors. If they’d seized another opportunity, they’d have come with an army. To waste such a golden chance like this made no sense.
“So we grab their tail.”
“How? Myo Cheonwoo and his backers must be on guard now.”
“No way. Myo Cheonwoo won’t follow them anymore.”
“What do you mean? Why would that traitor stop?”
“Didn’t you see him at the meeting? He was in pain.”
“Hmph. Probably worried he’d get caught this time.” Though he spoke dismissively, Yoo Unryong knew.
Myo Cheonwoo was deeply tormented by this incident. He clearly hadn’t wanted this outcome.
Yet forgiveness was out of the question.
Knowing Bu Eunseol was going to save Blood Vajra and still reporting to them was an undeniable fact.
“After this, Myo Cheonwoo will likely take action.”
Yoo Unryong nodded in agreement.
He knew Myo Cheonwoo’s character as well as Bu Eunseol did.
“How do you plan to catch their tail?”
“No need to catch it. Myo Cheonwoo will handle it himself.”
“Him?”
“Yes. Contact the Death Spirit Corps and have them monitor Myo Cheonwoo’s movements. We’ll catch their tail soon enough.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with a brilliance like the sun.
“And I’ll make them pay for everything they’ve done.”
***
Myo Cheonwoo was one of Bu Eunseol’s closest aides, responsible for managing Death Shadow Pavilion’s operations alongside Yoo Unryong.
While Yoo Unryong handled various administrative tasks for Bu Eunseol, Myo Cheonwoo managed the members, ensuring the organization ran efficiently.
Unlike Yoo Unryong, buried in paperwork, Myo Cheonwoo frequently moved in and out of Majeon, procuring necessary supplies and equipment.
In other words, he spent more time outside Majeon than even Bu Eunseol.
At sunset, Myo Cheonwoo entered a bustling market street in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan.
He had placed orders for supplies needed by Death Shadow Pavilion and was heading to a teahouse to enjoy his favorite Wulong tea.
Creak.
Entering a small teahouse in an alley, a servant bowed in greeting.
“Welcome.”
“I’d like to enjoy some tea quietly. Is there a seat?”
“Of course. This way, please.”
Unlike inns or taverns, teahouses catered to patrons discussing important matters or quietly savoring tea. Thus, they often reserved private rooms for wealthy patrons or tea enthusiasts.
Creak.
Entering the room, Myo Cheonwoo saw an elegant interior suited for tea.
When the Wulong tea was served, he slowly sipped it. The clear, fragrant tea tickled his nose and lingered on his palate, but his brow was deeply furrowed, as if he’d drunk strong liquor.
Clink.
Setting down his teacup, Myo Cheonwoo spoke with a scowl.
“What’s going on? This wasn’t the deal.” Placing the cup down again, he spoke in an angry tone. “You promised you wouldn’t put him in danger this time. Why did you attack him again?”
A brief silence followed, then a low, faint voice reached Myo Cheonwoo’s ears.
[You called me for this?]
“Answer me. Why did you break your promise?”
[It’s not your place to meddle.] Despite its eerie, distorted tone, the voice was calm and unsettling.
“Not my place?”
[Plans change depending on the situation. Surely you don’t expect a report every time?]
Myo Cheonwoo bit his lip. “That’s just wordplay, isn’t it?”
[Hmm.]
“Why are people like you trying to manipulate him?”
[You’re speaking recklessly, saying things you can’t handle.] When a nonchalant reply came, Myo Cheonwoo clenched his fist tightly.
“I’m done. If I continue, he’ll grow suspicious.”
[Lord Myo.] The voice carried a sigh mixed with mockery. [You don’t think you can just walk away, do you?]
“You think I can’t?” Myo Cheonwoo sneered. “I could expose your identity.”
[Go ahead. It’ll be amusing.]
A cackling laugh followed, then the voice continued.
[But will he stay sane once he knows the truth?]
Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes trembled violently.
‘To think that decision would become a lifelong regret.’
***
The Ten Demon Warriors Plan.
Its final destination was a slaughter battle on Hell Island.
And in truth, Myo Cheonwoo was fated to die there.
From the moment he arrived on Hell Island, he sensed the final trial would be a slaughter battle. So he gathered like-minded comrades, forming a faction, and led them as their leader when the battle began.
But Myo Cheonwoo made a mistake.
He believed that finding trustworthy comrades was more important than their skill. In a slaughter battle, trust was paramount.
But an unexpected outcome unfolded.
The comrades he trusted suddenly ambushed him.
“Why me?” Myo Cheonwoo asked, bloodied and cornered at a cliff, in disbelief.
The comrade who had stabbed him in the abdomen answered, “You’re too smart and strong. You’d use us as pawns and survive alone.”
Myo Cheonwoo was stunned.
He had been the first to form a faction on Hell Island, accepting anyone he liked, regardless of talent.
But as the battles continued and they realized his exceptional talent, their jealousy and suspicion grew, believing he’d use them to survive alone.
“You idiots,” Myo Cheonwoo muttered, incredulous.
Even if they’d lost their reason in the slaughter battle, to make such a foolish judgment…
To think he trusted such fools to survive Hell Island.
“I won’t die to idiots like you.” Gravely wounded, Myo Cheonwoo turned and threw himself off the cliff.
But by heaven’s grace?
He was caught in a tree below, sparing his life.
Or rather, prolonging it momentarily.
With his abdomen and shoulder pierced, he was bleeding out, dying.
[What a pity. You were one of the greatest talents.] At that moment, a gray shadow appeared before the bleeding, tree-impaled Myo Cheonwoo.
It was a Death Wraith, tasked with overseeing the slaughter battle on Hell Island and killing candidates in restricted areas.
[Do you want to live?]
Myo Cheonwoo nodded at the Death Wraith’s words.
[Good. Then I’ll make you a Ten Demon Warrior. But when the time comes, you must obey my orders.]
“Orders?”
[Yes.] The Death Wraith looked at Myo Cheonwoo with a solemn expression. [Can you do it?]
Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes burned with dark resentment.
“Easy enough.”
He didn’t want to die betrayed by those idiots.
He wanted to become a Ten Demon Warrior and crush them all.
The Death Wraith kept its promise.
It immediately used an elixir to heal Myo Cheonwoo and infused him with immense energy to ensure his survival. Afterward, Myo Cheonwoo took revenge on those who betrayed him and was recruited by stronger factions.
Ultimately, he survived the slaughter battle and became a Ten Demon Warrior.
But afterward, the Death Wraith didn’t contact him.
Not during his battles with great masters under the Demon Emperor’s orders, nor when he was imprisoned in the Palace of Extinction.
Myo Cheonwoo thought the Death Wraith had forgotten everything.
But that was a grave misconception.
[From now on, report every detail of Bu Eunseol’s movements.] As soon as he became Bu Eunseol’s official subordinate, the Death Wraith appeared like a specter, issuing orders.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
Myo Cheonwoo was a man of loyalty.
When told to become a spy and betray Bu Eunseol, he refused outright.
[Are you breaking your promise?]
“No way.” Myo Cheonwoo bared his neck before the Death Wraith.
He’d rather they take back the life they saved than betray Bu Eunseol.
“Take back the life you gave me. Then we owe each other nothing.”
[Hohoho.] To Myo Cheonwoo’s surprise, the Death Wraith laughed heartily. [Indeed, with such loyalty, you can truly support him.]
“Support? How is betraying him support?” Myo Cheonwoo scoffed, but the Death Wraith continued.
[Do you think reporting his movements will harm him? On the contrary, it will bring him great benefit.]
“Benefit?”
[We will make him stronger. Stronger than anyone, undefeatable.]
Myo Cheonwoo couldn’t understand. Why would the Death Wraith do such a thing? Who were “we”?
[As proof, I’ll tell you one thing in advance.]
The Death Wraith dropped a shocking revelation.
[His greatest rival, the heir of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, Weiji Hyesang, will withdraw from the Majeon heir candidacy.]
“What does that mean?”
[You’ll see.]
Though puzzled, Myo Cheonwoo decided to trust the Death Wraith and wait. And as he reported Bu Eunseol’s movements, new enemies appeared.
Assassins from the Martial Alliance came, and first-class swordmasters tried to kill him.
But each time, Bu Eunseol overcame the threats and grew stronger.
Then, a shocking event occurred.
Weiji Hyesang withdrew from the heir candidacy for the simple reason of failing to fully protect the secrets of Majeon.
“It’s true,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
[Yes.] As the Death Wraith’s words proved true, Myo Cheonwoo was thrilled.
Each time he reported Bu Eunseol’s movements, Bu Eunseol faced attacks and danger. But every time, he overcame the crises and achieved tremendous growth.
“Are you saying you’re deliberately giving him trials to make him grow?”
[Something like that.]
Though not a precise answer, it reassured Myo Cheonwoo.
He was overjoyed.
He thought he was putting Bu Eunseol in danger, but they were intentionally giving him trials to help him grow?
Then it wasn’t a bad thing—for Bu Eunseol or himself.
But that was a mere illusion.
Until the incident with Yeong Munho.
