Bu Eunseol nodded with a calm expression.
“Don’t worry. My proposal will surely be to your liking.”
“Are you mad?” As Bu Eunseol responded in a stiff tone, a spark of fury flared in Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes. “Or have you suddenly gone blind, forgetting who you’re speaking to?”
“I am proposing a negotiation with the Pavilion Master.” Bu Eunseol answered confidently. “As far as I know, a negotiation can only take place on equal terms.”
“Preposterous. Are you saying you’re on equal footing with this Pavilion Master?”
“Of course.” Bu Eunseol spoke with assurance. “If you wish to impose an unfair agreement, just say so. I’ll immediately use the honorific title of Supreme Reverend.”
“Heh heh heh.” A strange glint flickered in Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes.
She realized that Bu Eunseol not only had a unique personality but also harbored no fear whatsoever.
“You’ve put some thought into this. Trying to impress me and provoke me into negotiating, are you?” Having negotiated with countless powerful figures, Geuk Hyeryeong quickly saw through Bu Eunseol’s intentions. “Fine. I’ll acknowledge it for now—that you’re qualified to negotiate with this Pavilion Master on equal terms.”
With a low chuckle, a chilling radiance emanated from Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes.
“But if your proposal doesn’t satisfy me… you’d better start worrying about how to escape my grasp.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Now, speak. Tell me your best offer.” Staring directly into Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“I will give the Affectionate Blossom Sect the power to stand alone.” Geuk Hyeryeong, who had been listening quietly, scoffed in disbelief.
“So you’re just a young fool with no value to negotiate.”
“Otherwise, why would you cover this place from entrance to interior with mechanisms?”
“What did you say?”
“You just emphasized your connections with powerful figures, didn’t you?”
“Nonsense.” Geuk Hyeryeong spoke coldly. “This Pavilion has always faced external threats, so we’ve installed such security measures.”
“Not true.” Bu Eunseol locked eyes with Geuk Hyeryeong’s fierce gaze.
“Isn’t it the case that the Affectionate Blossom Sect cannot fend off marauders without relying on alliances with powerful figures?”
Boom!
At that moment, a massive storm of energy erupted behind Geuk Hyeryeong, piercing through the pavilion’s roof and soaring into the sky.
“Say that again.” With her hair rising toward the heavens, Geuk Hyeryeong resembled a dark witch ruling the shadows. “What did you just say?” Despite her terrifying presence, Bu Eunseol, with his arms crossed, repeated himself.
“I said, without borrowing the strength of powerful figures, you cannot fend off marauders.”
Whoosh!
A blinding storm of white energy surged forward, stopping just an inch from Bu Eunseol’s forehead, flashing with a sharp gleam.
Yet Bu Eunseol stood resolute, gazing only at Geuk Hyeryeong.
“…” Staring into Bu Eunseol’s unwavering eyes, Geuk Hyeryeong suddenly flicked her sleeve.
“I respect that audacity.”
Swish.
Having instantly withdrawn the storm of energy, she spoke in a sinister tone.
“Then how do you propose to give this Pavilion strength?”
“The Affectionate Blossom Sect is renowned as a master of feminine techniques, but as far as I know, it lacks exclusive martial arts of its own.”
“And?”
“I will provide it. The power for the Affectionate Blossom Sect to repel external forces on its own, without relying on alliances.”
For a moment, a leaden silence filled the pavilion. Geuk Hyeryeong, mulling over Bu Eunseol’s words with deep eyes, sighed and shook her head.
“No matter how I think about it, you’re spouting nonsense.” Her parched lips moved, letting out an enraged voice. “You say you’ll give us the power to repel external forces on our own? Are you suggesting that Nangyang’s masters will train this Pavilion’s disciples?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Then how do you plan to give this Pavilion strength?” Bu Eunseol pointed to himself.
“Support me as the successor of Majeon.”
“What?”
“If I become the successor of Majeon, I will open the Ten Thousand Demons’ True Pavilion to you.”
“Ha ha ha ha!” A wild glint flashed in Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes. “Now I see you’re a madman. You expect this Pavilion Master to believe such a promise?”
“For now, I will provide the demonic arts of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“Heaven and Earth Severing Sect?” Bu Eunseol nodded.
“As you well know, most of the demonic secret manuals in the Ten Thousand Demons’ True Pavilion originate from Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.” Pointing to Hyeok Sojin, who stood dumbfounded nearby, he continued. “Heaven and Earth Severing Sect possesses countless diverse demonic arts. If you teach them to your disciples based on their aptitudes, the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s martial strength will rise in a short time.”
“That’s absurd. The Phantom Demon would never allow such a thing.”
“He will.” Bu Eunseol pointed to Hyeok Sojin again. “Because the next leader, him, demands it.”
Hyeok Sojin looked at Bu Eunseol with slight surprise. A thought flashed through his mind as he gazed into Bu Eunseol’s unwavering eyes.
‘If I refuse, that demonic hag might throw another fit.’ As long as he was accompanying Bu Eunseol, Hyeok Sojin was inevitably entangled in the successor struggle. In the fight for succession, his status as Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s successor offered no shield.
‘My sect already decided to support Brother Bu, didn’t it? Let’s see this through to the end.’
“That’s right. I guarantee it.”
“Not a bad proposal, but it’s a pity.” Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes glinted with murderous intent. “Even if the demonic secret manuals of the Ten Thousand Demons’ True Pavilion are tempting, there’s no need to take the risk of supporting a former Nangyang member.”
She shook her head.
“I reject your proposal.”
“I said ‘for now.’”
“What do you mean?”
“I have one more thing to offer.”
“Speak.” Bu Eunseol continued unhurriedly.
“Didn’t you say you brought me here as an investment in the future?”
“And?”
“I, too, will invest in the future of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.” With a solemn voice, Bu Eunseol spoke without hesitation. “If I become the successor of Majeon, I will lift the restriction so that the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s successor can also vie for Majeon succession.”
Boom.
It was a shocking proposal beyond imagination. Geuk Hyeryeong blinked as if struck on the back of her head.
For generations, the Affectionate Blossom Sect, a sect of women, had never been eligible to compete for Majeon succession. But what if they gained access to powerful demonic secret manuals? And what if they could challenge for Majeon succession?
The Affectionate Blossom Sect would dominate the martial world alone, no longer fearing external threats. Bu Eunseol’s proposal was one that resolved the long-held grievances of the Affectionate Blossom Sect regarding Majeon’s structure.
“Ha ha ha ha!” Geuk Hyeryeong’s eerie laughter echoed through the Blood Moon Cave.
Her enraged laughter, a mix of masculine and feminine tones, sent chills down the spine.
“Hye Seon!” At Geuk Hyeryeong’s call, a middle-aged woman approached and bowed.
“You called, Pavilion Master?” Staring intently at Bu Eunseol, Geuk Hyeryeong spoke in an unprecedentedly gentle voice.
“Escort these two to the Heavenly Moon Pavilion.”
***
The bright, clear moonlight bathed the darkened earth in pure white.
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin sat across from each other in a high pavilion where they could see the moonlight. The open surroundings offered a beautiful view, and in the center of the pavilion was a modest table set with fruits, rice cakes, and wine.
While Bu Eunseol drank quietly, Hyeok Sojin smacked his lips as if dissatisfied.
“That was unexpected.” Surveying the scenery around the pavilion, Hyeok Sojin spoke in a low voice. “When they mentioned the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, I thought they’d throw a grand feast with delicacies, beautiful women dancing, and music filling the air.” The wine served wasn’t bad, but the snacks were suited for women with light appetites.
“They didn’t call us here just to drink.”
“Then why sit us down in a place like this?”
“The Pavilion Master hasn’t fully accepted my proposal yet.” Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice. “She’s probably investigating my past actions and character thoroughly. She’ll weigh whether my proposal is feasible and how effective it would be.”
“The Affectionate Blossom Sect is meticulous.”
“Just like Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“What?” Bu Eunseol downed his wine and said, “Didn’t your leader impose two conditions on me as well?”
“But Grandfather didn’t nitpick over every detail, did he?”
“He scrutinized enough.”
Clink.
Setting down his wine cup, Bu Eunseol spoke with a solemn expression.
“I spent two months at Heaven and Earth Severing Sect to gain your leader’s support. Even if I fulfilled all the conditions, if he had judged me unworthy…” With a resolute expression, Bu Eunseol continued. “Your leader would never have kept his promise.”
Hyeok Sojin protested.
“My grandfather isn’t someone who calculates gains so meticulously or betrays trust.”
“Trust is a term that applies to personal relationships. The head of a sect must calculate gains and losses with utmost coldness.”
Hyeok Sojin could no longer argue.
While Hyeok Gongbaek was a kind grandfather to him, to others, he was a fearsome and ruthless great demon. The position of a sect leader demanded unrelenting cold rationality.
“In that sense, you’re a natural-born leader, Brother Bu.” Downing another cup of wine, Hyeok Sojin grinned. “Whatever decision the Pavilion Master makes, it doesn’t matter. We have a final trump card, don’t we?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if the Pavilion Master is over a hundred years old, the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s successor is young, isn’t she?” Hyeok Sojin spoke with utmost seriousness. “If Brother Bu makes a heartfelt request with that intense expression, what woman could refuse…”
At that moment, a rustling sound accompanied the approach of two shadows toward the pavilion.
The first to appear was the Pavilion Master, Geuk Hyeryeong.
“Pavilion Master.” Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin stood, clasping their hands in respect.
Then, a small shadow appeared beside Geuk Hyeryeong.
She looked about ten years old. With slightly chubby cheeks from baby fat and large, dark eyes, she was an adorable girl.
“This is my granddaughter, Geuk Hyebin. She is also the next successor of this Pavilion.”
‘The next successor of the Affectionate Blossom Sect is such a young girl!’ Hyeok Sojin grimaced as if he’d bitten into a rotten persimmon. If this was the case, his final trump card—homme fatale—was out of the question, wasn’t it?
While Hyeok Sojin was lost in absurd thoughts, Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow, sinking into deep contemplation.
‘For the next successor of the Affectionate Blossom Sect to be such a young granddaughter… why hasn’t this news spread in the martial world?’ At that moment, Geuk Hyebin bowed to Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin.
But no sound came from her.
“…” Staring at Geuk Hyebin, Bu Eunseol focused on her throat and his eyes gleamed. “She’s suffered a severe injury to her larynx.”
“How did you know that?” Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes flashed in disbelief.
Geuk Hyebin’s throat was covered by her clothing, making it invisible. Yet he had discerned her injury at a glance?
“Where did you hear that Hyebin was injured? This hasn’t been known in the martial world.” Bu Eunseol calmly explained.
“Producing sound is akin to moving the muscles of the vocal organs.”
“And?”
“When those muscles move with the right pressure and strength, air from the lungs vibrates the vocal cords. That vibration passes through the mouth and esophagus, creating resonance, which comes out as a voice.” Pointing to Geuk Hyebin’s throat, Bu Eunseol continued. “But this child moved her muscles diligently, yet no sound came out. That’s how I deduced her larynx was injured.”
Geuk Hyeryeong’s mouth fell open. It was unbelievable enough that he could observe the movements of muscles hidden by her throat, but to be so knowledgeable about human anatomy?
“I heard you were a mortician.” As if she had already investigated Bu Eunseol thoroughly, a spark of interest flickered in Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes.
“Or are you actually from the Medicinal Sect?”
“I am indeed a mortician.”
“Unbelievable. To think morticians are as knowledgeable about human anatomy as physicians.” Bu Eunseol responded with a bitter expression.
“That’s because I specialized in preparing the bodies of those who died without kin or in foreign lands.”
“What do you mean?”
“Most of those who died without kin or in foreign lands were martial artists. Moreover, their bodies were rarely intact, often ravaged by wild beasts.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened as if recalling those times. “If I weren’t well-versed in human anatomy, I couldn’t have restored them to their original appearance. That’s how I came to know it well.”
“I see.” Letting out a soft hum, Geuk Hyeryeong nodded lightly.
It was astonishing enough that a former corpse cleaner had become a contender in the Ten Demonic Warriors, let alone mastered such formidable internal energy.
‘What a mysterious man.’ Shaking her head, Geuk Hyeryeong changed the subject.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“I have a guess.”
“How so?” Bu Eunseol, uncharacteristically, gave a faint smile and pointed to Hyeok Sojin.
“Because I’ve already been to Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“Heh heh heh. So your alliance with him is the result of solving the challenge posed by Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“Exactly.” As the conversation continued, Geuk Hyeryeong’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
Bu Eunseol’s lack of formal honorifics didn’t feel as offensive as she’d expected. Moreover, his low, steady voice had a strange, captivating quality.
“I’ll get to the point.” Geuk Hyeryeong looked at Bu Eunseol and said, “I highly regard your skills. And I believe you’re someone who keeps your promises.”
“Thank you.”
“But the affairs of the world don’t always go as planned. So, this Pavilion Master has a proposal for you.”
“Speak freely.”
“Hyebin has deeply mastered this Pavilion’s techniques, but she hasn’t learned a single killing technique.” Looking at Geuk Hyebin’s innocent face, Geuk Hyeryeong spoke heavily.
“Teach this child a cruel and venomous Demonic Killing Technique—one that would earn her the title of Demon Witch.”
