Bu Eunseol wasn’t particularly surprised.
It was a situation he had anticipated. In fact, he felt grateful for the year-long reprieve. A brief silence followed before Dan Cheong let out a deep sigh.
“It’s a demand from the Ten Demonic Sects and the Council of Elders, but considering the Grand Masters as opponents, the time given is nearly unreasonable. It’s as if they’re telling us to lose or perish.”
The Ten Demonic Warriors had not only inherited the supreme techniques of the Ten Demonic Sects but also possessed exceptional talent. As a result, the existing successors of the Ten Demonic Sects were highly wary of them and sought to exclude them.
After much deliberation, they pressured Majeon, even cutting down the time for the warriors to cultivate their martial arts, hoping they would die fighting the Grand Masters.
“Reports have been coming in that the Ten Demonic Warriors have been heading to Majeon for days now. They’ve been summoned to gather by the Qingming Festival, so you’ll need to depart soon as well.”
At that moment, Baek Yeon, standing beside Dan Cheong, spoke with a stern expression.
“The Grand Masters are renowned martial artists who made their names long before the Ten Demonic Warriors existed. No matter how exceptional your talent, you can’t match them yet.” Baek Yeon said earnestly, “It’s not too late. If you declare yourself as the successor of Nangyang Pavilion instead of a Demonic Warrior, and if the Deputy Pavilion Master and I pull some strings… you wouldn’t have to go to Majeon.”
In the past, Baek Yeon had proposed a plan for Bu Eunseol to shed the burden of being a Demonic Warrior and become Nangyang Pavilion’s successor.
But Bu Eunseol had firmly rejected the offer. His goal was not the Grand Masters but the unparalleled villain who wielded the supreme swordsmanship of the demonic path.
“I’m going to Majeon.”
“Bu Eunseol.”
“How can a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion shy away from a fight? I will win and return.” At Bu Eunseol’s calm reply, Dan Cheong nodded with approval.
“Good. Since you’ve made up your mind, defeating a Grand Master and making your name resound through the martial world would be even better.”
“Deputy Pavilion Master,” Baek Yeon interjected. “Didn’t he refuse before? Don’t try to dissuade him further.”
Dan Cheong firmly grasped Bu Eunseol’s shoulder and said, “This guy will overcome this trial. I believe in him.”
Belief. It was the greatest favor one could offer another, a bond as strong as a rope tying them together.
Feeling the weight of that belief, Bu Eunseol bowed deeply, clasping his hands.
“I won’t let you down.”
***
In a secret chamber within Majeon, darkness enveloped the room, pierced only by faint moonlight seeping through the window.
At one end of the chamber stood an ornate chair, where an elderly man with neatly combed white hair sat. His appearance and demeanor were like that of an immortal, yet his eyes occasionally flared with divine radiance.
“What is the status of the Ten Demonic Warriors?” At the elder’s question, a shadowy figure kneeling before him bowed lower.
“Most are exceptional martial talents, rapidly absorbing the techniques of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
“And if they were to fight the Grand Masters?”
“Their chances of victory… are estimated at about thirty percent.”
“Thirty percent,” the elder mused, his torch-like eyes narrowing. “Not bad for such a short time, whether it goes one way or another.”
“It seems the proposal by Chief Hyeok Ryeon, who oversaw their training, was effective. Without such versatile talents, they wouldn’t have achieved this much.”
“So they selected prodigies from every angle…”
“Indeed.”
“Where is he now?”
The shadow hesitated before answering, “Due to his unauthorized suspension of the gate, he’s been stationed outside the fortress for three years, handling various tasks.”
“Is that so? Recall him.”
At this, the kneeling shadow bowed and said, “But Majeon’s Sect Leader has not yet emerged from seclusion… If we lift his punishment without approval, the Ten Demonic Sects, if not the Council of Elders, will strongly object.”
“Three years rotting outside the fortress is enough for a protector. Call him back.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange his return immediately.”
“Hmm.” The elder rose from his chair and gazed out the window.
“Well then, let’s see if there are any promising ones among the Ten Demonic Warriors.”
***
The gatekeepers of Majeon were organized into three shifts, working in pairs.
As the first impression of the fortress, the gatekeepers were expected to possess martial prowess and an imposing presence befitting their role.
By that measure, Mo Kwang and Jang Sam were hardly ideal gatekeepers. Their martial arts were unremarkable, their aura and personalities equally ordinary.
Yet, for over twenty years, they had held their posts for one reason: their unwavering diligence, never once violating their duty hours or causing trouble. But today, Mo Kwang and Jang Sam faced the greatest crisis of their gatekeeping careers.
Shortly after starting their night shift, they spotted a young martial artist approaching under the moonlight.
“What do we do?” Jang Sam asked, sweat beading on his forehead as he looked at Mo Kwang.
His mind raced with the stories he’d heard before their shift.
“Starting today, the Ten Demonic Warriors will be visiting the fortress. Be especially cautious.”
The morning shift gatekeepers, upon receiving this from the head gatekeeper, had taken their duties lightly. The problem was that the Ten Demonic Warriors carried no swords, attire, tokens, or symbols identifying them as representatives of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“State your purpose.” When a young man strode confidently into the fortress, the morning gatekeepers questioned him.
But the youth passed without answering.
“Please write in the guest log.”
“I’m a Demonic Warrior.”
“There are no exceptions for outsiders…” In that instant, the gatekeeper was beaten to a pulp.
All for simply asking him to sign the log.
Thereafter, several Demonic Warriors arrived, and each time they were asked to sign the log, they responded with fists. As a result, the morning gatekeepers, severely injured, were forced to recuperate for a year and resigned from their posts.
“Let’s just let them pass! The young ones coming to the fortress today are probably all Demonic Warriors.” Hearing this, the afternoon gatekeepers let anyone who looked like a Demonic Warrior pass without questioning.
“Who let outsiders into the fortress?!” This time, the head gatekeeper’s wrath descended like lightning.
Some who passed through were entirely unrelated to the fortress, including those from non-demonic sects.
“Get out!” The furious head gatekeeper expelled the afternoon gatekeepers on the spot.
And now, during Mo Kwang and Jang Sam’s evening shift, another young man appeared.
Step, step.
As the youth’s shadow drew closer, Jang Sam spoke again.
“What do we do? Just let him pass?”
“And if he’s the wrong person? We’ll be sacked on the spot.”
“But didn’t they say the Demonic Warriors all swing their fists when asked to sign the log?”
With a resolute expression, Mo Kwang said to Jang Sam, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”
“What? You…” Mo Kwang stepped forward toward the approaching youth.
“State your purpose.” The youth merely glared coldly at Mo Kwang, saying nothing.
Swallowing hard, Mo Kwang spoke again, “Please write in the guest log.” As a gatekeeper of Majeon, Mo Kwang spoke politely yet firmly.
“This is the fortress’s rule, with no exceptions for outsiders. So…”
But his words were cut off.
The youth before him had seized Mo Kwang’s throat.
“Outsider?”
“Ugh… That’s not what I meant…”
“The Ten Demonic Warriors… are considered outsiders in Majeon?!”
Crack.
As the man tightened his grip, a bone-chilling sound echoed from Mo Kwang’s neck. The youth’s grip was beyond imagination; a little more pressure, and Mo Kwang’s neck would shatter like dust.
“P-please… spare me…” Mo Kwang’s eyes rolled back.
As Jang Sam, watching in horror, reached to ring the bell to summon the guard unit—
Step, step.
Another set of footsteps echoed from behind. Turning, Jang Sam saw a young man with a black sword strapped to his back approaching.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“You…” The man gripping Mo Kwang’s throat spotted Bu Eunseol and his eyes gleamed. “So you’ve come too.”
Instead of responding, Bu Eunseol extended his fingers toward the man’s wrist.
Swish.
With a light touch, a sharp aura spread out. Instantly, the man’s fingers, which had been clutching Mo Kwang’s throat, sprang open.
“Gasp! Gasp!” Freed, Mo Kwang collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Meanwhile, Bu Eunseol, with an impassive expression, walked past them to the table with the guest log.
Nangyang Pavilion, Bu Eunseol.
After swiftly writing in the log, he moved to pass through the fortress gate.
“Bu Eunseol!” The man stepped in front of Bu Eunseol, shouting fiercely. “Are you ignoring me right now?”
Bu Eunseol turned and stared at the man.
“Who are you?”
“What?” The man, momentarily puzzled, smirked as if realizing something.
“Heh heh. I must look too different for you to recognize me.” Grinning, he pointed at his face with his thumb.
“It’s me, Yoo Unryong. Don’t you remember? The one who fought to the end on Hell Island…”
“A man who boasts of his strength to gatekeepers calls himself a Demonic Warrior?” With a cold sneer, like eternal frost, Bu Eunseol pointed to the guest log.
“Sign it.”
“What?”
“There are no exceptions, are there?” Despite arriving later than Yoo Unryong, Bu Eunseol had seen and heard everything.
“Thank you for your service.” Setting down the brush, Bu Eunseol strode through the fortress gate as if nothing had happened.
Yoo Unryong stood dumbfounded for a moment.
Crunch.
His eyes bulged, veins writhing like worms across his face.
“Right, I forgot.” Glaring at Bu Eunseol’s retreating back, a bluish killing intent rose from his eyes like a haze. “Because you killed Kang Muryeon, the successor of this fortress, even I, from White Horse Temple, was hated.”
Spitting out the words coldly, he passed Mo Kwang and Jang Sam.
Tap.
Picking up the brush on the table, he scrawled in the guest log.
White Horse Temple, Yoo Unryong.
Staring at the log, Yoo Unryong ground his teeth again.
“No, I can’t let that guy off.” With quick steps, he entered the fortress.
Watching the scene, Jang Sam hurriedly helped Mo Kwang to his feet.
“That fiend was a Demonic Warrior from White Horse Temple.” Wiping sweat from his brow and sighing in relief, Jang Sam said, “We got lucky.”
“It wasn’t luck.” But Mo Kwang, with a dazed look, stared at Bu Eunseol’s retreating figure.
“He saved me.”
“What did you just say?”
“No… nothing.” Shaking his head, Mo Kwang solemnly clasped his hands toward where Bu Eunseol had gone.
Entering the fortress, Bu Eunseol surveyed the grand halls spread out like a forest. The serene yet solemn atmosphere of Majeon evoked a sense of grandeur and intimidation.
“Young Master Bu.” A young man in white robes approached, clasping his hands as if he had been waiting.
“It’s been a while.” The youth’s appearance was refined and clean, with long, deep eyes.
It was Shim Wol, a disciple of Manbak Hall, who had guided Bu Eunseol during the Five Moves Test at the fortress previously.
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course. It’s been a while.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands in return, and Shim Wol smiled brightly.
“Your aura has become even more refined. You must have made great progress.”
“Bu Eunseol!” At that moment, a furious shout echoed as a man with a menacing face approached swiftly.
It was Yoo Unryong, the Demonic Warrior from White Horse Temple.
“Hold on a second.” Standing before Bu Eunseol, Yoo Unryong bared his teeth and said, “We have some old scores to settle.”
On Hell Island, he had nearly died by Bu Eunseol’s sword.
Though he had put it behind him after becoming a Demonic Warrior, the recent incident reignited his humiliation and rage.
“Today won’t end as luckily as it did on Hell Island.”
“Luckily?”
“Exactly.” Sneering, Yoo Unryong bared his white teeth and said, “There’s no head instructor here to pamper you.”
Whoosh.
At that moment, though no wind blew, Bu Eunseol’s long hair slowly rose into the air. Hundreds of thousands of red specks of light shimmered around his body.
“What did you say?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes, imbued with Ban-Geuk Radiance, burned like glowing embers.
“What did you just babble?”
