Bu Eunseol, harnessing the Wind-Riding Qi Technique, fled the Seokmun region with the injured Myo Cheonwoo in tow.
Even as he swiftly deployed his qinggong, he infused Myo Cheonwoo with Ban-geuk Energy.
Myo Cheonwoo had not only depleted his primal true qi but also suffered severed meridians and a direct strike from Weiji Hyesang’s sword. If Bu Eunseol hadn’t mastered the Ban-geuk Method, allowing him to perfectly manipulate extreme yin and extreme yang qi, Myo Cheonwoo would have long since become a cold corpse.
Whoosh.
Having fully escaped the Seokmun area, Bu Eunseol entered a manor on the outskirts of the city.
It was a secret safehouse usable only by the high command of Majeon.
Creeeak.
As Bu Eunseol supported Myo Cheonwoo and opened the door to the safehouse, a familiar figure draped in a feather robe stood there.
It was Yoo Unryong.
“Unryong,” Myo Cheonwoo said in surprise.
“You look pathetic,” Yoo Unryong replied with a cold laugh and a snort. “So, how was playing spy?”
Myo Cheonwoo bowed his head.
It would have been better if he had raged or shown outright hatred. But despite the icy tone, Yoo Unryong’s eyes were filled with pain and concern.
“It was quite manageable,” Myo Cheonwoo said, forcing a smile as he lifted his head. “Thanks to it, I even obtained the fake Fighting Emperor’s manual.”
“Hmph, not a bad reward for being thoroughly used,” Yoo Unryong snorted, pulling a red porcelain vial from his bosom and handing it over. “Drink it. To mend your severed meridians, you need to replenish the blood you’ve lost.”
What he offered was Blood Essence, worth more than a diamond per drop.
“The Medicine Hall Lord will arrive here soon,” Yoo Unryong added.
“Why?”
“If word gets out that you’ve suffered severe injuries, those loose-lipped Death Shadow Corps captains will uncover the truth, won’t they?”
If the Death Shadow Corps captains learned of Myo Cheonwoo’s injuries, they would pry into every detail. That was why Bu Eunseol had no intention of returning Myo Cheonwoo to Majeon. Instead, he planned to summon the Medicine Hall Lord here for treatment.
So that Myo Cheonwoo could return to the Death Shadow Corps.
Ensuring that the commanders never learned he had been a spy for anyone.
“It’s something they’ll find out eventually anyway,” Myo Cheonwoo said apologetically. “To investigate the Seven Immortals Teahouse and Kwehyollim, I’ll have to testify at headquarters anyway, right?”
“Don’t worry. That madman Weiji Hyesang won’t drag you into it.” Yoo Unryong snorted. “He’s the type whose pride overflows. With the Seven Immortals Teahouse and Kwehyollim already exposed, he won’t bother quibbling with a second-rate captain from Majeon.”
Then, in a low voice, he continued, “It’s already been arranged with the Chief Instructor. We’ll limit it to investigating the Seven Immortals Teahouse and Kwehyollim. Of course, without abandoning Bu Eunseol’s position as heir to Majeon… we can’t topple the Hwa Wu Sword Sect anyway.”
The mere fact that the funds from Kwehyollim and the Seven Immortals Teahouse flowed to the righteous sects and the government wasn’t enough to strike down the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
They would simply cut off the tails anyway.
Moreover, the Hwa Wu Sword Sect was the greatest pillar supporting Majeon, and Bu Eunseol was its heir.
Unless they committed outright treason, it couldn’t be dismantled.
“Still… is all this necessary?” Myo Cheonwoo murmured, unable to meet Bu Eunseol’s or Yoo Unryong’s gaze as he bowed his head. “For someone like me.”
“It’s not because we like you,” Yoo Unryong spat, as if expelling something from his mouth.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord is always busy traversing the martial world. One or two things I could handle, but I can’t manage the Death Shadow Corps alone.” He sighed and continued, “The Medicine Hall Lord will handle the severed meridians. The damaged primal qi will be addressed by the Azure Cloud Sea Palace. The rest—stiffened muscles and meridians—will be treated at Nangyang Pavilion, just like with Seo Jinha.”
“Yoo Unryong.”
“I’ve told the commanders your leave has been extended indefinitely. Family matters, I said. So when you return, don’t drown in guilt and get drunk.” Yoo Unryong snorted. “Those guys are simple-minded and tight-lipped. If they learn the truth, you’ll be teased until your hair turns white.”
Myo Cheonwoo bowed his head.
Won Semun, Wi Cheongyeong, Jo Namcheon—they were all strong-willed but deeply loyal.
If they learned of Myo Cheonwoo’s situation?
Rather than blame him, they would leap up in rage and charge straight for the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
“Myo Cheonwoo.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke. “Weiji Hyesang always thought himself flawless and constantly underestimated you. That’s why he was so confident no tails would be caught.”
“…”
“He never imagined you’d risk your life and pick a senseless fight. And because of that, he revealed his true colors.”
“So that cunning bastard is part of the Three Realms after all?” At Yoo Unryong’s question, Bu Eunseol’s eyes darkened.
“Probably.”
Weiji Hyesang wielded a Soul-Seizing Spirit Words rivaling Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s.
That meant the high-ranking members of the Three Realms likely all possessed exceptional mastery of such arts.
“Then isn’t the Hwa Wu Sword Sect the head of the Three Realms? Someone of that caliber wouldn’t be recruited by them.”
“I thought so at first. But… the Profound Demon doesn’t feel like part of the Three Realms, no matter how I think about it.”
The Profound Demon, Weiji Mu-a, had forged remarkable martial arts yet lived like a carefree idler who loved tea.
If he were a leader or key figure in the Three Realms, he wouldn’t have let Bu Eunseol live after the provocation with the fake Journey.
“That mad force called the Three Realms operates like puppets on strings. Even after clashing head-on with Weiji Hyesang, we lack justification to strike or investigate the Hwa Wu Sword Sect… so was this another swing and a miss?”
Bu Eunseol shook his head at Yoo Unryong’s words.
“We planned to take them down one by one anyway. Even if we’ve grasped a root, our current power isn’t enough.”
“I suppose so.”
“Anyway, I’ll head back first.” Bu Eunseol placed a hand on Yoo Unryong’s shoulder.
“Handle the rest.”
“Go on, don’t worry.”
At that moment, Myo Cheonwoo spoke up. “I’m sorry, Bu Eunseol.”
Bu Eunseol paused and looked at him.
“Discard any guilt. It won’t last long anyway.” Then, in a firm voice, he added, “Shake it off quickly and grow stronger. That’s how you atone for past mistakes.”
“I understand.”
Myo Cheonwoo no longer trembled with guilt.
He had friends who understood his heart without needing every detail.
In that case, rather than regretting the past, what he needed to do now was…
Take one more step forward and repay those who believed in and supported him.
***
Emerging from the safehouse, Bu Eunseol entered a secret passage in the opposite building’s safehouse.
There stood a lean, sharp-featured warrior.
It was Seo Jinha, disguised as the Supreme Leader, Seon Woojin.
“You’ve had it rough.”
He had been informed of Bu Eunseol’s entire situation from the start. But considering Myo Cheonwoo’s pride, he had waited in this secret location across from the safehouse.
“He’ll recover quickly. That guy,” Seo Jinha said with a smile. “He may seem playful, but he adapted the fastest in the Hell Path.”
“I’m not worried about him. My concern is the Three Realms.”
“Hmm.”
If the Three Realms could recruit the heir of the premier demonic sword sect—or if Weiji Hyesang had been one of them from the beginning…
Perhaps the Three Realms was an entity that couldn’t be eradicated or uprooted in one strike.
“Even now, the Three Realms influences the entire martial world and is intertwined with its leaders,” Bu Eunseol said, shaking his head with a frustrated expression. “We can’t distinguish or separate who belongs to the Three Realms. Even if someone isn’t, they could transform into one at any moment.”
Seo Jinha nodded.
The Three Realms had the power to co-opt anyone.
“You couldn’t say this to Yoo Unryong, could you?” Sensing Bu Eunseol’s burden, Seo Jinha smiled faintly.
Yoo Unryong was the strategist of the Death Shadow Corps and the one who worried most about Bu Eunseol.
If Bu Eunseol fretted over ten things, Yoo Unryong would multiply it to a hundred.
That was why Bu Eunseol never showed worry in front of him.
“But every organization has a leader or core figures, right?” Seeing Bu Eunseol’s grim expression, Seo Jinha spoke firmly. “If we can’t wipe them out at once, as you said, we have no choice but to confront and resolve them one by one.”
With confidence, he continued, “From what’s been revealed so far, the Three Realms’ factions undoubtedly clash with each other. There must be openings to exploit.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“True. If they were a single realm instead of three, I’d have been killed long ago.”
The Three Realms were like the shadowy underbelly that had always existed in the martial world.
If they hadn’t split into three forces but remained unified, Bu Eunseol would already be dead by their hands.
“But what’s this about? Summoning me via messenger.”
“Ah.” Seo Jinha scratched his head awkwardly. “The Martial Alliance has ordered the Supreme Branch to participate in the Grand Phoenix Tournament.”
“The Grand Phoenix Tournament?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
The Grand Phoenix Tournament selected and evaluated the performance of outstanding second- and third-rate squads, excluding first-rate squads already recognized as top-tier. But third-rate squads rarely participated, so it was essentially a tournament to crown the Martial Alliance’s finest second-rate squad.
“They’re sending the Supreme Branch to the Grand Phoenix Tournament?”
“Yes.”
It was unusual.
The Supreme Branch had only recently become second-rate. To participate in what was effectively a contest for the best among them?
“The Ascendant Martial Hall Lord must have pulled strings.”
“Probably.” Seo Jinha shrugged. “You played a decisive role in forging peace between the Yeolha Holy Palace and us. The leadership must be curious.”
“Hmm.”
“About who Seon Woojin really is. And what level the Supreme Branch has reached.”
Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
This could be a good opportunity.
If they shone in the Grand Phoenix Tournament, they would catch the leadership’s eye.
“This time, the Martial Alliance has unusually appointed Gongsun Dankyung, the young head of the Great Forest Hall—barely in her thirties—as the new Commander. So the Grand Phoenix Tournament will be under her auspices.”
The Martial Alliance’s commanders changed frequently.
The previous one, Tae Saheon, had been ambitious but incompetent, clinging to his position through connections—a textbook example of ineffective leadership.
Recently, the Alliance had been purging the incompetent and outdated, promoting those with proven skill and merit.
One reason was the sudden resignation of Martial Heaven Corps Leader Jo Cheonwang, who had returned to being a wanderer.
—With the squad leader position vacant, it must be filled again.
Soon, they would select the next heir after the Alliance Leader, Shin Domubi.
Thus, the Martial Alliance was moving with unprecedented urgency.
And in an unprecedented move, they had elevated Gongsun Dankyung, head of the Great Forest Hall, to commander.
The Wisdom Star, Gongsun Dankyung.
Elder sister to Gongsun Dana of the Three Beauties of the World, the Flower of Eloquence.
Not only beautiful but possessed of exceptional intellect, she had long been eyed for commandership. Yet due to her youth, she had managed the Alliance’s branches as head of the Great Forest Hall.
Now, the Alliance had boldly placed her in the commander role.
‘Something feels off.’
Thinking of Gongsun Dankyung, Bu Eunseol felt an uneasy premonition. Someone of her caliber wouldn’t host the Grand Phoenix Tournament without ulterior motives.
“Understood. Then I’ll attend.”
Crack.
Bu Eunseol executed the Face and Bone Shifting Art, reverting to Seon Woojin’s appearance.
Seo Jinha then shifted back to Bu Eunseol’s visage.
Exchanging their swords, the two had perfectly swapped identities once more.
“It’s not too hard, is it?” At Bu Eunseol’s question, Seo Jinha grinned.
“Every day is thrilling. The tension of navigating the righteous sects keeps it exciting.”
It was a lie.
There was no thrill in it.
The life of a double spy was like endlessly walking a cliff’s edge, where one misstep meant endless downfall. Yet Seo Jinha had willingly sacrificed his own life so Bu Eunseol could freely maneuver among the righteous sects.
For Seo Jinha’s sake, Bu Eunseol had to ascend the Martial Alliance swiftly—and decisively.
“Do well out there.”
Bu Eunseol nodded firmly at Seo Jinha’s smile. “I’ll be back.”
Bu Eunseol immediately returned to the Martial Alliance.
Even then, he couldn’t have imagined.
That the Grand Phoenix Tournament would draw the suspicion of the new commander, forcing a clash between his Martial Alliance captain identity and Majeon.
***
The atmosphere in the Martial Alliance was somewhat festive.
Not only had Gongsun Dankyung, the elusive head of the Great Forest Hall, been appointed the new commander, but the Grand Phoenix Tournament—one of the Alliance’s major events and a festival-like affair—had begun.
During the Grand Phoenix Tournament, most departments, including the squads, took a break to spectate. The themes changed each time, and with all corps members participating in team matches, it held more tension and spectacle than typical martial tournaments.
Martial Alliance, Ascendant Martial Hall. In Yuk Jangcheon’s office.
“Hall Leader.” Bu Eunseol, back as Seon Woojin, bowed deeply. Yuk Jangcheon smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yes, you’ve endured much in various matters.”
Upon returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eunseol had not only swiftly beheaded the Blood-Burning Yin Demon as ordered by the Ascendant Martial Hall but also brought the heads of the five vicious arsonists who had tormented the Alliance without a trace.
Thus, his merits were praised, and Yuk Jangcheon had gained significant prestige.
“I’ve received orders to participate in the Phoenix Tournament.”
“Hahaha. I pulled some strings.” Yuk Jangcheon laughed, his lips twitching. “Though the Supreme Branch is newly formed, you’ve achieved great feats repeatedly. It’s time for the leadership to take notice.”
“But my corps members are still quite lacking, so I’m concerned.”
“Always so humble,” Yuk Jangcheon said with a faint smile. “I know the Supreme Branch has trained rigorously without a day’s rest. And you’ve personally instructed them in martial arts?”
“You knew?”
“Hahaha. No need to hide such things from this commander.” Yuk Jangcheon chuckled heartily. “To achieve ambition, one must sometimes hide one’s claws and bide time. But before those aiming for the same heights, it’s necessary to bare one’s heart honestly.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
Yuk Jangcheon’s words emphasized they were in the same boat.
‘Of course, only until he’s no longer useful.’
For those with ambition, there are no eternal friends or foes. It was the truth.
Use everything usable, discard the unnecessary without hesitation.
Especially to reach the pinnacle of the Martial Alliance, which valued connections, factions, and hierarchy… pointless loyalty or sentiment must be shed.
“This Grand Phoenix Tournament is truly anticipated, isn’t it?” Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes burned hot.
—Prove once more that you are necessary to this commander.
That was what he was telling Bu Eunseol.
For Yuk Jangcheon, aiming for Commander, incompetent and useless subordinates were unnecessary.
Bu Eunseol had been—and would continue to be—a vital asset, requiring constant validation.
And one such proving ground was this Grand Phoenix Tournament.
“Can you do it?” Yuk Jangcheon said again, his gaze intense. “Leap forward once more in this Phoenix Tournament.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Of course.”
In a firm voice, he added, “You won’t be disappointed, Commander.”
“Hahaha.” Yuk Jangcheon burst into satisfied laughter. “Since entering this Alliance, I’ve thought myself cursed with poor subordinates.”
He patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder. “But perhaps the heavens withheld them until granting me such an excellent talent.”
Ambition filled Yuk Jangcheon’s smile.
Bu Eunseol mirrored it fully, as if to show they were kindred spirits.
