Gu Dong-ak, blocking Bu Eunseol’s path, roared with a voice like thunder.
“Bu Eunseol! Did you think you could brutally slaughter a master of our alliance and simply walk away?”
“Slaughter?” Bu Eunseol replied, his expression one of puzzlement. “How can you call it slaughter when I defended myself against someone trying to kill me without reason?”
“What nonsense is that?” Gu Dong-ak demanded.
“I avoided conflict with him. But he ambushed me from behind.”
“…”
“Is that a crime as well?” Bu Eunseol asked, calmly pointing to the onlookers around them. “If you think it’s a crime, act now. It’d be a fine opportunity to broadcast the Martial Alliance’s arrogance to the world.”
Gu Dong-ak’s face froze as he noticed the piercing gazes from all directions.
‘He deliberately set this up!’ In truth, Jo Bi-un’s sword wind was a feint meant to detain the fleeing Bu Eunseol. But the common folk watching lacked the ability to discern such subtleties.
‘This cunning bastard!’ Gu Dong-ak bit his lip.
Only now did he realize that all of Bu Eunseol’s actions were a calculated trap to kill Jo Bi-un.
“Are you prepared to face the consequences?” Gu Dong-ak asked.
No matter what anyone said, Jo Bi-un was the only son of Jo Cheonwang, the leader of the Martial Heaven Corps. In other words, Bu Eunseol had created an irreconcilable grudge with one of the seven Leaders of the Martial Alliance.
“You killed the blood kin of Leader Jo. Can you handle that?” Gu Dong-ak pressed.
“The Martial Alliance will have to handle it,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“What?”
“Unless the Martial Alliance is a place that teaches people to strike from behind.” Seeing Bu Eunseol’s smile, Gu Dong-ak’s expression hardened again.
‘Damn it…’ There was no room for rebuttal.
Jo Bi-un had employed a rear ambush, a tactic taboo even in the righteous factions. No matter how passionately he argued it was a feint, there was no way to prove it. Instead, the testimony of the onlookers—that Bu Eunseol was ambushed from behind—would spread like wildfire.
“If we’re assigning blame for this incident, you’re not free of responsibility either,” Bu Eunseol continued.
Gu Dong-ak was rendered speechless.
In truth, he had a duty to curb Jo Bi-un’s arrogant behavior. But, trusting in the Martial Alliance’s might, he had merely watched Jo Bi-un’s reckless actions, thinking, Surely he wouldn’t kill the only son of the Martial Heaven Corps leader?
“Ugh…” Gu Dong-ak bit his lip harder.
Even if the Martial Alliance’s leader were present, they couldn’t hold Bu Eunseol accountable. Worse, if blame were to be assigned, Gu Dong-ak himself would be the first to face punishment.
“Let’s go!” he shouted, trembling with rage. He ordered his men to retrieve Jo Bi-un’s body and left immediately.
***
Bu Eunseol’s actions once again caused a massive stir in the martial world.
Killing the only son of the Martial Heaven Corps leader with a single strike?
Yet, even in this situation, the Martial Alliance could take no action. Jo Bi-un had committed an act that no warrior should ever do. If anything, Gu Dong-ak, the escort leader, deserved punishment.
—He’s truly a madman.
Bu Eunseol, a disciple of the Nangyang Pavilion and a candidate for Majeon’ successor.
The righteous factions called him the Lucky King, but some in the martial world began to call him the Mad Sword.
Mad Sword.
Not only was he exceptionally skilled among the rising stars, but rumors spread that he was a fearless lunatic.
“No one’s daring to take a bite at you anymore,” Hyeok Sojin said, sipping wine at an inn near Yeonam, his expression disappointed.
Since killing Jo Bi-un, no one had dared to challenge Bu Eunseol. Rumors had spread that challenging him meant risking one’s life.
“And you’re getting stuck with increasingly bizarre nicknames,” Hyeok Sojin added.
“…”
“The Lucky King, fine, that’s the nonsense the Beggars’ Sect came up with. But Mad Sword? What’s that supposed to mean?” Hyeok Sojin slammed the wine bottle down, looking aggrieved. “You deserve a title like Sword King or something…”
Despite Hyeok Sojin’s passionate rant, Bu Eunseol merely stared out the window with an impassive face.
“Aren’t you frustrated?” Hyeok Sojin asked.
Clink.
Setting his cup down, Bu Eunseol shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
He genuinely didn’t care.
Whether it was nicknames or ascending to the ranks of the Seven Kings of Death, he had no attachment or regret.
His goal was neither fame nor power.
“I know you don’t care about fame or prestige, but you’re still human…” Hyeok Sojin grumbled.
As his complaints dragged on, Bu Eunseol slowly spoke. “Fame and prestige are nothing but labels others attach to you.”
“Well… that’s true,” Hyeok Sojin admitted.
It was a fair point.
Even the title of the Seven Kings of Death wasn’t something they chose themselves—it was bestowed by others.
Fame was like a badge that came naturally with skill. Obsessing over it could lead one to fall into a lesser realm.
“Besides, fame isn’t always beneficial to a warrior,” Bu Eunseol said, taking another sip of wine. “The more your name is spoken, the more your techniques, methods, even your appearance and weaknesses, become widely known. Sometimes, your name alone can make enemies wary.”
“That’s true,” Hyeok Sojin said, mulling over Bu Eunseol’s words before letting out a hollow laugh. “You’re incredible, Brother Bu. We’re not far apart in age, but your experience and wisdom seem decades ahead of mine.”
He sighed, gazing at the distant sky. “When will I ever reach that level?”
His voice carried more fear than envy.
Soon, Hyeok Sojin would have to lead all the members of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect. To lead a faction, he needed not only martial prowess but also wise and resolute judgment. He required leadership to guide many and the qualities to earn their loyalty.
Hyeok Sojin felt tormented by his lack of such abilities and qualifications.
“Perhaps Heaven and Earth Severing Sect needs a more outstanding figure than me,” he said.
“That’s a mistaken thought,” Bu Eunseol said firmly, his expression resolute. “A leader doesn’t need to be wiser or more exceptional than others. If that were the case, every faction leader in the martial world would be a genius.”
“Is that… so?” Hyeok Sojin asked.
“The hallmark of faction leaders isn’t their own brilliance but their ability to place people in the right roles. That’s how they can lead a faction even if they aren’t exceptionally wise,” Bu Eunseol said, taking another sip of wine. “That’s why I divided the Death Shadow Corps. Each member has unique talents and strong personalities. But with squad leaders guiding them well, they became an excellent division.”
Bu Eunseol stared intently at Hyeok Sojin. “And you’ve been doing this all along.”
Only then did Hyeok Sojin realize.
He had faced powerful enemies alongside Bu Eunseol, led and commanded numerous allies, and executed strategies. Though he hadn’t noticed, every journey and experience had been etched into him.
“Thank you for enlightening me once again,” Hyeok Sojin said, rising and clasping his hands. “I will lead Heaven and Earth Severing Sect on the right path.”
***
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin resumed their journey.
The carriage raced tirelessly, soon reaching the vicinity of Nanzhou. In just a day and a half, they would arrive at Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“Sir, sir,” the coachman’s flustered voice called out. “You need to step out and see this.”
As Bu Eunseol disembarked, he saw about a hundred warriors standing solemnly in formation on the plain ahead.
Sharpening his vision, Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile. “The Blood Sea Demon Sect.”
The warriors’ attire was identical to that of the masters of the Blood Sea Demon Sect, the notorious martial world menace that had once oppressed Guyang Cheongjeong.
“Bu Eunseol,” said a grotesque-looking middle-aged man stepping forward from the front of the group.
It was Go Geuksin, the third hall leader of the Blood Sea Demon Sect.
“You remember me, don’t you?” he asked. Known for his violent temperament, Go Geuksin was a brutal demon who crushed his enemies’ skulls into dust with his Night Soul White Bone Claw even after killing them.
But Bu Eunseol smiled warmly, as if greeting an old friend. “It’s been a while. So, are you here to visit our pavilion?”
Go Geuksin ground his teeth.
In the past, when he tried to kidnap Guyang Cheongjeong, Bu Eunseol had intervened, and Go Geuksin had vowed to destroy his faction first. Unaware at the time that it was the Nangyang Pavilion, that moment had become an unforgettable, humiliating memory.
“Your tongue is as sharp as ever,” Go Geuksin said, his voice dripping with malice. “Every word still twists my nerves.”
“You didn’t come just to see my tongue in action,” Bu Eunseol replied, unusually continuing with a jest. “Or are you now planning to destroy Majeon I’m part of?”
Bu Eunseol was now a Leader of Majeon.
Attacking him without reason was tantamount to challenging Majeon itself.
“Hmph, hiding behind Majeon won’t help you,” Go Geuksin said, smirking triumphantly. “This falls under the scope of the successor struggle.”
“Successor struggle,” Bu Eunseol repeated, nodding with interest. “Strange. Since when was the Blood Sea Demon Sect part of the Ten Demonic Sects?”
Rubbing his chin, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed. “Or is there another successor candidate I don’t know about?”
Go Geuksin flinched momentarily but then grinned slyly. “Think what you want. You’re going to die anyway.”
Given that they had boldly led a division of the Blood Sea Demon Sect, it seemed certain they were colluding with one of Majeon’s successor candidates. If they recklessly tried to kill a successor candidate, the Blood Sea Demon Sect would be erased from the martial world.
“Your guts are swollen to bursting,” Hyeok Sojin said, his voice icy. “The mongrels of the Blood Sea Demon Sect dare to swagger into our faction’s territory and cause trouble?”
Go Geuksin smirked. “I told you, this is a fight between successor candidates.”
His voice turned sinister. “Even if Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s masters came in droves, they couldn’t interfere in this fight.”
“Enough explanation. Just come at me. I’m in a hurry,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Heh heh heh. I know you’re quite skilled. I heard you got lucky and killed the Beggar King,” Go Geuksin said, baring his fangs in a grin. “But this time, it’ll be different.”
Bu Eunseol yawned.
It wasn’t deliberate—he was genuinely growing tired of Go Geuksin’s chatter.
“What’s different?” Bu Eunseol asked, mid-yawn.
Go Geuksin’s eyes sparked with fire. “You’ve heard of the Cold-Blooded Ghosts, haven’t you?”
“Cold-Blooded Ghosts?” Hyeok Sojin’s expression shifted.
Only then did he notice that the warriors standing behind Go Geuksin all had lifeless, turbid eyes, like the dead.
“Brother Bu, it seems they’ve really brought Cold-Blooded Ghosts,” Hyeok Sojin said.
Demonic factions, struggling to produce large numbers of skilled warriors, sometimes used secret methods and training to create combat forces. The Blood Sea Demon Sect had employed such methods to mass-produce soldiers, known as the Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
To eliminate fear, they were forcibly fed special drugs.
Their martial arts were designed to kill enemies even at the cost of their own lives. The Blood Sea Demon Sect was called a martial world menace and a symbol of terror largely because of these Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
“This will be a tough fight,” Hyeok Sojin said.
Swish.
He drew the Blood Silk Rope from his left wrist.
Stepping in front of Bu Eunseol, he said, “I’ll take the lead.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “No need to step in.”
“What?”
“It’s time to show you something.” Suddenly, Bu Eunseol’s eyes glowed red like burning coals. “Watch closely. See where the steps you must climb lie.”
He walked past Hyeok Sojin, striding toward Go Geuksin.
Hyeok Sojin’s eyes widened.
He knew Bu Eunseol’s martial arts had advanced greatly, but there were over a hundred of them—Cold-Blooded Ghosts who felt neither fear nor pain and were prepared to die to take down their enemies.
Even Bu Eunseol couldn’t handle them alone.
‘Could Brother Bu have reached the Supreme Heavenly Realm?’ No matter how many flies band together, they cannot defeat a lion. Similarly, no matter how many warriors combine their strength, they cannot defeat a master who has reached the Supreme Origin Realm.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol walked toward the hundred Cold-Blooded Ghosts as if strolling leisurely.
With each bold, majestic step, his presence seemed to grow, as if reaching the heavens.
“Attack!” Go Geuksin shouted.
At his command, the hundred Cold-Blooded Ghosts charged at Bu Eunseol.
