Bu Eunseol suddenly missed the captains of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
If this place had been the Suppressed Demon Pavilion? And if Seo Jinha had spouted such nonsense?
―Damn it!
Just like how they always swarmed Won Semun—who swallowed idle chatter whole—and trampled him underfoot, they would have done the same to Seo Jinha.
‘In the end, it means I have to clean up the mess.’
But now, it was too late to blame Seo Jinha.
If he had gone himself back then, it absolutely would not have been resolved.
“No helping it. Hiding my identity from the start was my fault to begin with.”
As Bu Eunseol spoke in self-abandon, Seo Jinha grinned broadly and said, “Yeah, since it’s come to this, getting along well with that Jongri girl wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
Crack.
Seeing Seo Jinha’s infuriating smile, Bu Eunseol desperately craved to unleash the opening move of the Seven Fist Demon Forms.
Suppressing the urge to feed him a Thousand Hand Air Wave to the face, Bu Eunseol changed the subject.
“Anyway, my priority is returning to Majeon and going straight to the Chief Instructor. Contacting Majeon’s successor as Seon Woojin will take considerable time.”
“Got it.”
Seo Jinha blinked, as if something had occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, when you meet the Chief and Seon Woojin has to be there too… this will be our first time together outside.”
He said it playfully, but it was in fact extremely dangerous.
Gongsun Dankyung was a person of outstanding wisdom rivaling Bu Eunseol’s own.
Any slight misstep, and the fake Seon Woojin could be exposed.
“Don’t worry.” Reading Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts, Seo Jinha spoke in a firm voice.
“Nothing will happen.”
Seo Jinha had always striven hard.
Whether under Bu Eunseol’s identity or Seon Woojin’s. In any situation, he would handle it well.
“I’m not worried.”
Seo Jinha smiled.
He continued his perilous tightrope walk as Bu Eunseol’s shadow, shuttling between Majeon and the Martial Alliance. Yet he could still maintain humor and ease. That was solely because of his single-minded desire to lessen Bu Eunseol’s dangers, even a little.
“Then I’ll go first.” Seo Jinha turned with a smile. “See you later. Ah, and.”
He turned back as if remembering something.
“I heard from Yoo Unryong that Myo Cheonwoo’s dantian has almost fully recovered. The Lord of the Azure Cloud Sea Palace said he’s practically become a specialist in restoring destroyed dantians now.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
The Hwami Palace Lord had taught Seo Jinha the Myriad Transformations Wheel and treated his lower dantian in various ways, finally achieving success.
Of course, that was possible only because of the mysterious herbs from the Azure Cloud Sea Palace. A method the Central Plains sects couldn’t even dream of imitating.
Unintentionally, the Azure Cloud Sea Palace had become a sect specialized in treating destroyed dantians.
“We’ll get to see that guy soon.” Leaving those words, Seo Jinha departed with a smile.
Once he was gone, Bu Eunseol changed clothes and left the safe house.
His destination was the Solitary Light Pavilion in Majeon, Yeop Hyocheon’s office.
Yeop Hyocheon.
A terrifying master who held a senior position among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, handling all of Majeon’s affairs in place of the Demon Emperor—he could be called the Emperor’s shadow.
The first time Bu Eunseol saw him, he was an object of curiosity and awe; the second time, he felt like an ally subtly helping him.
But from the third meeting onward, he felt hostility, and after that, no emotion at all.
Only darkness.
No face, no form, no discernible thoughts.
It was like gazing at a human shape made of pure blackness, where nothing could be seen.
Solitary Light Pavilion, Yeop Hyocheon’s office.
There, Yeop Hyocheon and Bu Eunseol sat facing each other, drinking tea.
Upon returning to Majeon, Bu Eunseol had come to Solitary Light Pavilion to meet the Chief Instructor immediately.
“The saying ‘three days apart deserves a fresh look’ seems to exist because of someone like you, Lord.”
Yeop Hyocheon gazed at Bu Eunseol across from him and smiled faintly.
“You surprise this Chief every time we meet.”
It was not mere flattery.
Even for Yeop Hyocheon, Bu Eunseol’s martial realm was now impossible to gauge.
Because Bu Eunseol walked a path entirely different from ordinary warriors.
Moreover, having reached the realm of Spirit Regulation Harmony, his energy flow and internal power level revealed nothing outwardly.
To Yeop Hyocheon’s eyes, Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess appeared utterly mysterious.
“It seems the same for the Chief.”
Bu Eunseol also sensed the Chief Instructor’s skill advancing day by day.
In the past, Bu Eunseol had engaged in a life-or-death spar with Yeop Hyocheon.
Back then, he thought catching up might not be entirely impossible. But at some point, Yeop Hyocheon’s prowess became unfathomable.
That proved his attained level was far superior to what Bu Eunseol imagined.
‘I want to clash with him once more.’
He couldn’t know the exact level, but Yeop Hyocheon looked down from a distant height.
Even if it cost his life, Bu Eunseol felt the urge surging to engage in a bloody battle.
That was the instinct of a Nangyang Pavilion disciple, who advanced martial arts through fights with the strong.
“You seem to grow younger with time.” As if piercing his inner thoughts, Yeop Hyocheon indirectly described Bu Eunseol’s attitude. “Still carrying such burning eyes.”
He sipped from his teacup to wet his throat and continued.
“I called you because it’s time to fulfill that promise from before.”
“Which promise do you mean?”
“When you previously touched Daeyun Forest and Seven Immortals Teahouse secretly operated by the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, this Chief said it.”
Yeop Hyocheon fixed his black eyes on Bu Eunseol’s.
“If you keep meddling with this hall’s funds, you must pay a fitting price.”
At that time, to handle Myo Cheonwoo’s matter, Bu Eunseol had thoroughly overturned the Seven Immortals Tavern and Pleasure Forest. And he could touch Hwa Wu Sword Sect’s funds only because of the Chief Instructor’s permission and understanding.
Otherwise, Bu Eunseol would have truly relinquished his successor position and gone to meet Weiji Hyesang.
―If you can cover the loss, I don’t mind.
―I will cover it.
Yeop Hyocheon’s generous permission had its reason.
In exchange for touching Hwa Wu Sword Sect’s funds, Bu Eunseol promised to compensate for the equivalent loss.
“Of course.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Tell me the extent of the damage, and I’ll cover double or more.”
“Hahaha.. What this Chief wants isn’t related to financial loss. The recent matter with Lady Dan has already compensated for much of it.”
Thanks to Dan So-ok seizing control of the Jeoksu region, Majeon was receiving considerable tribute. They had proceeded with the unprecedented contract of nominal dominion and tribute of just five taels.
Yet the merchants of Jeoksu voluntarily began sending large sums to Majeon.
And astonishingly, the Chief Instructor…
Was saying that seizing Jeoksu was Bu Eunseol’s merit, not Dan So-ok’s.
As if he knew Bu Eunseol had secretly aided Dan So-ok.
“Then what do you desire?”
“Find the Demonic Sword Master.”
The Demonic Sword Master.
A legendary craftsman of the demonic path, capable not only of forging divine demonic swords but also restoring damaged ancient weapons to their original state.
He was originally the chief overseer of Majeon’s armory, but over ten years ago, he vanished without a trace. With his disappearance, the ancient weapons in the armory could no longer be maintained, and restoration of damaged weapons halted.
This led to great losses, so Majeon had continually searched for the Demonic Sword Master.
Yet even after mobilizing the Shadow Pavilion, they couldn’t uncover his whereabouts.
“You mean find the Demonic Sword Master who vanished ten years ago?”
To Bu Eunseol’s question, Yeop Hyocheon smiled. “Tracking a missing person is your specialty, isn’t it, Lord?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyebrow twitched.
It alluded to his multiple public investigations into the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s traces.
‘In the past, I would have reacted to that.’
Before achieving Spirit Regulation Harmony, even a single word from the Chief would have greatly shaken his spirit and eyes. And perhaps he had used that to gauge Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts.
But now it was different.
Now, even if the Demon Emperor came, he couldn’t peer in, and no matter the situation,
His spiritual waves would never leak outward.
“It’s no specialty. All attempts failed.”
“Hahaha. I believe this time will be different.” Yeop Hyocheon smiled. “Let’s settle the Hwa Wu Sword Sect matter by finding the Demonic Sword Master as the condition.”
Normally, Bu Eunseol would have refused such a proposal and offered to repay the debt another way. Asking him to find the Demonic Sword Master, whom even the Chief—who freely commanded Shadow Pavilion—couldn’t locate, was practically unreasonable.
But for some reason, Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
“Understood. I’ll uncover his whereabouts.”
“Good.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.” Bu Eunseol rose from his seat.
Then, as if remembering something, he asked, “Is the Demon Emperor still in seclusion?”
He had confirmed with his own eyes that the Emperor was not actually in secluded training.
Yet he asked deliberately.
He was curious how Yeop Hyocheon would react.
“Yes.” Neither Yeop Hyocheon’s eyes nor voice showed any change.
Bu Eunseol stared fixedly at him, then nodded.
“Understood.”
As he turned, Yeop Hyocheon said, “Avoid eating too hastily. You might fail to digest and end up with indigestion.”
‘Is he throwing a line because he can’t pierce my spirit?’ Unable to read Bu Eunseol’s mind at all, Yeop Hyocheon seemed to try shaking his spirit through conversation.
“I always eat slowly.”
“…….”
“But people say I eat fast.” Bu Eunseol smiled faintly and clasped his hands. “Then.”
He immediately turned and exited Solitary Light Pavilion.
Yeop Hyocheon gazed at the spot Bu Eunseol had left and suddenly burst into delighted laughter.
“Hahahaha. How utterly enjoyable.” Wearing a satisfied smile for a while, he narrowed his eyes into crescents and nodded. “Keep growing stronger like that. And charge ahead, crashing into everything.”
In Yeop Hyocheon’s thinly slitted eyes lingered a light darker than darkness itself. “You need to keep stirring things up just like now.”
What was he thinking? What scheme did he have? What exactly did he want?
Dark King Yeop Hyocheon.
His heart was as deep and dark as his title…
No one could peer inside.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes sank as he left Solitary Light Pavilion.
At some point, meeting Yeop Hyocheon had become uncomfortable. Every time, it felt like an invisible hand deliberately pushed him in a certain direction.
As if telling him to go where he wanted.
‘The problem is that no malice is felt.’
If Yeop Hyocheon harbored malice?
No matter how he hid it, Bu Eunseol would have sensed it. But no malice was felt. Rather, the intent was transparently pure.
Then it was one of two things.
To Bu Eunseol, Yeop Hyocheon was either pure evil or pure good.
‘Now is not the time to think about that.’
Bu Eunseol soon had to meet Gongsun Dankyung after receiving contact from Seon Woojin.
Seon Woojin was the great lord of the intelligence unit moving the Supreme Branch Corps. Thus, linking with the demonic path was not difficult.
But Majeon’s successor was different.
The Martial Soul Command Lord Bu Eunseol was known for outstanding wisdom, martial power, and an excellent intelligence network.
Approaching such a person was not easy.
If he allowed access by the Martial Alliance’s intelligence lord? Convincing procedures and processes were needed.
He had instructed the Death Spirit Corps Lord to create a connection, so only those procedures remained.
―Unryong, can you create a contact process that absolutely won’t raise suspicion?
Bu Eunseol had entrusted the task to Yoo Unryong.
He had already become a perfected strategist, perfectly versed in inter-sect affairs and procedures.
To devise flawless procedures and processes that any intelligence organization would accept, no one was more suitable than Yoo Unryong.
Four days passed in a flash.
Having completed everything, Yoo Unryong summoned Bu Eunseol to the Suppressed Demon Pavilion’s secret chamber.
“You won’t listen even if I say it’s dangerous, right?” Handing over a thin booklet, Yoo Unryong sighed and said, “With this, even if Gongsun Dankyung is extraordinary, she absolutely won’t suspect anything.”
Bu Eunseol opened the booklet.
It detailed how Seon Woojin could secretly contact the Martial Soul Command Lord, how the meeting should proceed, and more.
“Well done.” Closing the booklet, Bu Eunseol nodded.
Yoo Unryong’s plan had no flaws even under Bu Eunseol’s meticulous review. To handle so many tasks at once that Bu Eunseol had no time to think.
He had stayed up four full nights crafting the plan.
‘Why is my revenge so difficult?’
He had thought simply mastering martial arts and finding the culprit would suffice. Yet to achieve revenge, it felt like he was sacrificing far too many people.
Especially Seo Jinha and Yoo Unryong—weren’t they sacrificing everything to fulfill his goal?
‘I must end all this quickly.’ Bu Eunseol suddenly felt sorry for Yoo Unryong.
“Once this is over, let’s all have a drink together.”
“Drink? What drink.” Yoo Unryong wrinkled his mouth deeply. “Drinking causes too much trouble the next day. I don’t want to touch it unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t worry about me; just do well yourself. Gongsun Dankyung is like a sharp blade that will cut off your finger if mishandled.”
“Yeah, got it.” Bu Eunseol nodded.
In any case, as Seon Woojin, he was already on the same boat as Gongsun Dankyung.
And this time, as the Martial Soul Command Lord, he needed to confirm directly whether he could board her boat.
At the summit of Danya Mountain in Bongrae County, Shandong, stood a beautiful pavilion overlooking the sea. To the north, the vast sea stretched endlessly, and about ten li from the shore, an island of exquisite scenery was visible.
As Bu Eunseol ascended the stone steps to the pavilion, sharp energies rose from all directions.
Ignoring them, he reached the end of the steps, where a small figure appeared opposite.
It was Seo Jinha, disguised perfectly as Seon Woojin.
Following Yoo Unryong’s plan, Bu Eunseol had methodically created a connection for the persona Seon Woojin to contact Majeon’s Death Spirit Corps. Through the intelligence network built by Jeong Jongdo and the Supreme Branch Corps members active in the martial world, he exchanged close communications.
Finally, he arranged a meeting between Majeon’s successor and the Martial Alliance’s Chief.
“I am Seon Woojin, Captain of the Supreme Corps.”
Seo Jinha spoke to Bu Eunseol in a clear voice.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation. First…”
“No need for long words. Guide me to her.” As Bu Eunseol cut him off coldly, Seo Jinha extended a hand and led inward.
“Then follow me.”
Seo Jinha displayed speech, actions, and eyes identical to Seon Woojin’s when Bu Eunseol disguised himself, without a hair’s difference.
Entering the pavilion’s interior, a woman stood tall where the sea was visible.
Veiled in a face cloth, her features were hidden, but she had large, beautiful eyes that seemed clear even from ten li away.
It was the Martial Alliance Commander, the Wisdom Star Gongsun Dankyung.
“Then.” Seo Jinha clasped his hands and quietly descended the pavilion. Gongsun Dankyung gave Bu Eunseol a light bow.
“Thank you for coming.”
It might be a meeting that could ruin each other’s lives.
Yet their eyes were as calm as if passing a stranger on the road.
“No problem.”
Bu Eunseol and Gongsun Dankyung stood shoulder to shoulder and ascended the pavilion.
Bu Eunseol felt strange.
He had always faced her as Seon Woojin. Meeting Gongsun Dankyung in his true identity inevitably felt awkward.
“I won’t beat around the bush.” Upon reaching the pavilion, Gongsun Dankyung got straight to the point. “I believe you feel the same as I do, Lord. That’s why you accepted the invitation.”
“If same mind means…”
“The Infinite Realm.”
Gongsun Dankyung said with utterly resolute eyes.
“You are in hostile relations with it and wish to destroy it. Isn’t that so?” When Bu Eunseol didn’t answer, she continued. “I also want it destroyed.”
She pressed on without pause.
“I don’t seek an immediate answer from you now, Lord. We still know too little about each other.”
“Then what do you want?”
“A bit of trust. Enough to believe in each other going forward.”
Gongsun Dankyung looked at Bu Eunseol and said, “The Red Demon Sect has been absorbed by Infinite Realm, cultivating inhumans and creating puppets. But it’s Majeon’s backyard, so we can’t touch it.”
“Red Demon Sect?”
“Yes. The Alliance will handle the destruction, so if you could just open the path, Lord.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his absurdity.
The Seohwa region where the Red Demon Sect resided was truly Majeon’s backyard.
Letting the Martial Alliance’s great army pass through there? It was an utterly nonsensical demand from the start.
“A waste of time.” With a cold reply, Bu Eunseol shook his head. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what was said so far.”
As he moved to leave the pavilion, Gongsun Dankyung said again, “You absolutely won’t lose out, Lord.”
“What do you mean?”
“In exchange for toppling the Red Demon Sect, we’ll hand over the entire Hanzhong region as Majeon’s sphere of influence.”
Utter nonsense.
Just for opening the way to let the Martial Alliance exterminate mere Red Demon Sect, handing over all of Hanzhong’s sphere to Majeon?
“You’d give up the entire Hanzhong sphere just to annihilate the Red Demon Sect?”
“Yes.”
“An amusing joke.”
“Does it seem so?”
Madness flowed in Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes.
Eyes that said she would do anything to exterminate the Red Demon Sect.
“You’d struggle to even maintain your Commander position then.”
If she truly handed Hanzhong over to Majeon as promised? Gongsun Dankyung would fall from power without keeping her Commander seat.
“I believe you won’t let that happen, Lord.” Gongsun Dankyung said with a confident expression. “Because this Commander is far too valuable an ally to simply take Hanzhong and be done.”
A provocative gleam unseen before flowed from her eyes.
“Isn’t that right?” Gongsun Dankyung was certain.
That Bu Eunseol was also someone who absolutely wanted to eliminate the Infinite Realm.
Thus, with the same goal, she was betting he could never discard an excellent ally holding the Martial Alliance Commander position.
“I don’t understand.” Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow. “You could live without regret just staying put, Commander. Why take such a risk?”
“Isn’t it the same for you, Lord?” A sharp gleam flashed in Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes. “As Nangyang Pavilion’s successor and Majeon’s next lord, you could walk a smooth path. Yet you meddle with Infinite Realm rooted deep in the martial world.”
“This Lord is a demonic practitioner. If it blocks or opposes the path, I simply crush it.”
“Same here. The Alliance guards justice. As a Commander, I merely wish to check forces dominating the martial world.” Gongsun Dankyung said in an exceedingly soft voice.
“If we join forces, we’ll surely create results benefiting both.”
‘She called me here with just that confidence?’
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his disappointment.
For someone like Gongsun Dankyung,
He had thought she would surely dangle an irresistible sweet condition to bind him.
But proposing to let Martial Alliance forces into Seohwa and give Hanzhong—an absurd offer.
And the reason for confidently making it was merely… that their wills to eliminate Infinite Realm aligned?
“Not even worth hearing.” Bu Eunseol snorted and turned. “To risk collapsing everything built so far, just for that reason, and join hands.”
“You won’t face ruin, will you?”
Gongsun Dankyung looked at the turning Bu Eunseol and curved her veiled eyes into crescents.
“You, who grew under Clear River Realm’s thorough and meticulous plans all this time.”
