Mok Incheong burst into laughter. “Hahaha.”
Ordinarily, a third-rank leader like Bu Eunseol ordering Extinction Palace’s Disciplinary Hall Master was unthinkable.
But the Demon Emperor had granted him the authority to undertake solo missions for heir candidacy tasks. In such matters, Bu Eunseol held the same authority as a first-rank leader.
“Well, well,” Mok Incheong said, smiling as if he’d expected this. He nodded to the guard. “If that’s the case, bring him.”
How much time passed?
Step, step.
Heavy, uneven footsteps echoed from the path to the pavilion.
Step… step…
The steps were irregular, the weight off-balance.
Swish.
A man in gray robes appeared beside the guard. His fingernails were gone, as if tortured, and his gray clothes were soaked with blood.
It was Myo Cheonwoo, Extinction Palace’s Ten Demon Warrior.
“It’s been… a while,” Myo Cheonwoo said, baring blood-stained teeth in a smile as he saw Bu Eunseol. “How’ve you been?”
“Myo Cheonwoo,” Bu Eunseol said, his expression grave. “What’s happened to you?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Myo Cheonwoo said casually. “Just endured the Blood-Clad Corpse Punishment.”
The Blood-Clad Corpse Punishment.
One of Extinction Palace’s harshest penalties, it involved removing the prisoner’s fingernails and inserting long tubes into the wounds. Through the tubes, a substance called Six-Fold Pain Liquid was poured, maximizing pain sensitivity.
The torture was so excruciating that prisoners reportedly tore their clothes and flesh. It was named for the blood-soaked, corpse-like appearance of the victims.
Despite enduring such brutal torture, Myo Cheonwoo maintained a calm demeanor.
‘His body’s broken.’ Bu Eunseol shook his head.
Though Myo Cheonwoo acted nonchalant, his eyes were dim, and his hands and legs trembled incessantly.
He was undoubtedly in immense pain.
“Why was he tortured?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Mok Incheong smirked. “You’re mistaken. Do you think becoming a Majeon leader gives you control over everything?”
“…”
“You flaunted your title, so I showed you the one in confinement. Now you want to meddle in our palace’s affairs?”
He wasn’t wrong.
Even as a first-rank Majeon leader, Bu Eunseol couldn’t interfere in another sect’s matters. His current actions bordered on overstepping his authority.
“Don’t meddle in pointless affairs. Leave,” Mok Incheong said.
But Bu Eunseol stood firm. “Is torturing your own Ten Demon Warrior what you call an ‘affair’?”
“Torturing?” Mok Incheong’s eyes flashed with killing intent.
Myo Cheonwoo staggered forward. “Don’t worry about it. I chose this punishment.”
“Chose?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
Myo Cheonwoo gave a dry smile. “I decided long ago to shed the Ten Demon Warrior’s shackles and leave Extinction Palace.”
“And?”
“When I heard you were coming, I took the opportunity.”
After the Janggeom Mountain Manor incident, Myo Cheonwoo resolved to break free from the Ten Demon Warrior title and follow Bu Eunseol. Upon learning Bu Eunseol, now Death Shadow Corps Leader, was visiting, he declared his intent to leave Extinction Palace.
“Master Mok set a condition: endure the Blood-Clad Corpse Punishment to leave,” Myo Cheonwoo explained.
Bu Eunseol’s eyebrows shot up.
Myo Cheonwoo had endured that brutal torture to sever ties with Extinction Palace and escape the Ten Demon Warrior’s burden. Turning, Myo Cheonwoo clasped his hands to Mok Incheong.
“I’ll take my leave now.” When Mok Incheong showed no reaction, Myo Cheonwoo spoke again. “I endured the Blood-Clad Corpse Punishment, as you commanded, to leave with my friend.”
“Of course, you may leave Extinction Palace,” Mok Incheong said with a sinister smile, adding, “But that’s all. You must return when summoned.”
“You’re breaking your promise?” Myo Cheonwoo asked.
“Not at all,” Mok Incheong said with a venomous smile. “I only promised you could leave.”
Thud.
Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes widened.
Extinction Palace had no intention of truly letting him go.
“How dare you deceive me with wordplay?” Myo Cheonwoo demanded.
“I’m not deceiving you. I’m keeping my promise,” Mok Incheong replied.
“I won’t accept this. I’ll report this to the Palace Lord!”
“Pointless. The Palace Lord delegated all matters regarding the Ten Demon Warrior to me.”
Despair clouded Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes. “Why does this palace treat me so harshly? What did I do wrong?” His anguished cry echoed through the air.
He had exceptional talent and served Extinction Palace faithfully as a Ten Demon Warrior. Yet, because he threatened the established heir, Shin Do-unhwi, he was always sidelined.
No faction supported him.
In the past, hadn’t they exposed his movements to force a mutual destruction with a righteous master? He nearly died at Janggeom Mountain Manor but survived thanks to Bu Eunseol.
Afterward, they assigned him only perilous missions. He thought he’d finally escaped the Ten Demon Warrior’s shackles, but Extinction Palace had betrayed him again.
“If you want me dead so badly, why not let me go?” Myo Cheonwoo cried.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Mok Incheong said calmly. “You’d aid a rival of our palace’s heir. That puts us in a difficult position.” Myo Cheonwoo blinked powerlessly.
It was obvious.
Despite his martial genius, Extinction Palace saw him as an outsider, not family. If he became a blade to aid Bu Eunseol, who competed with Shin Do-unhwi, it was wiser for Extinction Palace to break that blade.
“I’m sorry,” Myo Cheonwoo murmured, head bowed, trembling. “I can’t help you.”
Resignation filled his eyes.
As long as Extinction Palace held him, he couldn’t escape the Ten Demon Warrior’s chains.
But something was off.
Despite Myo Cheonwoo’s fervent loyalty and evident suffering, Bu Eunseol’s expression remained unchanged.
As if he’d anticipated everything.
“Bu Eunseol,” Mok Incheong said coldly. “Even as a Majeon leader, you can’t interfere with our Ten Demon Warrior. Leave.”
After a long silence, Bu Eunseol spoke slowly. “Of course.”
A faint smile played on his lips.
Mok Incheong felt an eerie sensation. That smile was the triumphant grin of a victor.
‘I should be the one smiling. Why is he?’
“I’ll leave now,” Bu Eunseol said, turning to Wi Cheongyeong behind Hyeok Sojin. “Treat Myo Cheonwoo’s wounds and prepare him to leave Extinction Palace immediately.”
“Understood,” Wi Cheongyeong nodded, and the second team warriors cautiously approached Myo Cheonwoo.
“Let me check your wounds,” one said.
“It’s pointless, Bu Eunseol,” Myo Cheonwoo said, shaking his head with a pained expression. “Didn’t you hear? Even if I leave with you, Extinction Palace will summon me back.”
“So?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“So? If I refuse, their trackers will hunt me down. No matter what, I can’t escape being a Ten Demon Warrior!”
His desperate cry echoed again.
Bu Eunseol, gazing at him, nodded heavily. “Exactly. Don’t escape. Never.”
“What?”
“Soon, you’ll be a strong candidate for Extinction Palace’s heir.”
“What… what do you mean?” Myo Cheonwoo stammered.
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol looked at Mok Incheong with a faint smile. “If I become Majeon’s heir, I promised a fair competition for succession.”
His gaze remained fixed on Mok Incheong, not Myo Cheonwoo. “That’s how I gained the support of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect.” Turning to Myo Cheonwoo, he said solemnly, “And that fair competition includes not just them… but all the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Boom.
Myo Cheonwoo and Mok Incheong, standing behind, looked as if struck in the back of the head.
‘This guy…’ Mok Incheong was stunned.
The Ten Demon Warrior was a double-edged sword.
Despite being ineligible for heirship, they possessed martial prowess and talent that threatened it. Bu Eunseol taking Myo Cheonwoo would cause Extinction Palace no harm. They blocked it merely to deny Bu Eunseol an advantage. But if Bu Eunseol became Majeon’s heir and elevated the Ten Demon Warriors to heir candidates?
Extinction Palace’s petty obstruction would bring a greater backlash.
‘Bu Eunseol, you…’ Myo Cheonwoo’s eyes mixed awe and shock. He finally grasped Bu Eunseol’s fearsome nature.
‘They feared him in Hell Island not just for his martial prowess.’ Bu Eunseol always assessed situations coldly and prepared multiple contingencies.
Countless prodigies ambushed him, yet none succeeded. It wasn’t just his keen instincts from the Beast Way.
“Let’s go,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Wait!” Mok Incheong shouted, flustered.
Letting Bu Eunseol and Myo Cheonwoo leave would lead to catastrophic consequences.
“Myo Cheonwoo, you can’t take a step out of this palace!”
“You’re breaking your promise?” Bu Eunseol said sternly. “You promised he could leave if he endured the Blood-Clad Corpse Punishment. I heard it clearly.”
“Of… of course, that’s true,” Mok Incheong stammered.
“Good,” Bu Eunseol said, turning to leave.
Mok Incheong shouted again, “But you’re a rival to our palace’s heir candidate! Here in our stronghold, we have no choice but to eliminate you!”
“Hahaha,” Bu Eunseol laughed, baring his teeth as if amused. “Not a bad choice.”
He nodded readily. “Go ahead. Strike.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. No matter what my Death Shadow Corps does, we won’t survive in the heart of Extinction Palace.” His words were calm, but his expression was relaxed, brimming with confidence.
The Death Shadow Corps warriors, far from fearful, radiated powerful intent.
“But you’d better ensure a perfect encirclement to kill me,” Bu Eunseol said, his eyes gleaming with icy coldness, like a glacier. “If you fail, your young palace lord will fall from the heirship race before even starting his mission.”
Mok Incheong’s eyes widened.
White Horse Temple, Hell’s Blood Fortress, and Death Command Sect had fallen from candidacy for failing to defeat Bu Eunseol collectively.
“This…” Mok Incheong’s mouth fell open, realizing he couldn’t handle this situation with his judgment alone.
“Hahaha, impressive!” a voice suddenly boomed from the air.
A man in ornate silk robes appeared before Mok Incheong, as if rising from the ground.
It was Shin Do-unhwi, Extinction Palace’s young palace lord.
