“It’s a lie!”
Danri Muk shouted loudly.
“Where’s the proof that I wrote those letters?” As Danri Muk roared, Jeong Jiryong frowned and pointed to the seal on the letters.
“The Deputy Leader’s seal is clearly stamped here.”
“Preposterous!”
“Watch your words, Deputy Leader.” Jeong Jiryong’s gaze turned icy. “Do you think I’m here to have a casual chat with you?”
Only then did Danri Muk calm himself and speak evenly.
“Think about it. What fool would stamp their seal on instructions meant for spies?”
“…You didn’t mention anything about instructions for spies.” At Jeong Jiryong’s words, Danri Muk’s face flushed red.
“Well, isn’t it obvious?”
But the expressions of Jeong Jiryong, the Secret Flower Garden Master, and the five Hall Leaders were far from favorable.
The Ten Righteous Conference was not a trial to determine guilt.
It was a meeting to discuss whether suspicious circumstances surrounding a Hall Leader warranted an investigation by the Inspection Hall.
“I will announce the conference’s decision,” Jeong Jiryong said in a low voice.
“As of this moment, Deputy Leader Danri’s duties are suspended. He will be detained in the Iron Prison until the investigation is complete.” He then addressed Jong Jeongyak and Bu Eunseol. “A formal trial will be held after the Inspection Hall’s investigation is concluded. At that time, Law Enforcement Officer and Seolso, you will need to testify again.”
“Understood.”
“With that, the Ten Righteous Conference is concluded.”
Danri Muk was expected to resist with thunderous protests.
But surprisingly, he accepted the outcome calmly. Without a word, he allowed himself to be led away by the Inspection Hall warriors. He only cast a glance at the Secret Flower Garden Master and Jong Jeongyak.
‘It’s over.’ Watching this, Jong Jeongyak let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Danri Muk’s misconduct was undeniable. If the Inspection Hall investigated, his crimes would inevitably be fully exposed.
“Well done,” said Yang Seol, the Secret Flower Garden Master, gently patting Jong Jeongyak’s shoulder after the conference.
She had believed in Jong Jeongyak from the start and provided both material and emotional support to help her gather evidence of Danri Muk’s corruption.
“It’s all thanks to you, My Lord.” As Jong Jeongyak clasped her hands, Yang Seol smiled.
“We’ll see once the investigation results come out, but if his crimes are confirmed, you’ll have even more work to do.”
“Thank you.”
As Yang Seol left, Jong Jeongyak turned to Bu Eunseol with a relieved smile.
“We’re almost there.” Her smile was light and unburdened. “Once the investigation results are in, a formal trial will be held. Young Master Seol, please testify one more time then. That will wrap everything up.”
“Understood.”
The Martial Alliance was established to uphold peace in the martial world.
But not everyone here was just.
Where people gather, power and hierarchy exist. And those power structures are often maintained by things far removed from justice. In that light, embezzlement and corruption within the Martial Alliance were inevitable.
However, Danri Muk’s crimes were on a scale far beyond typical corruption.
Moreover, as the Deputy Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall, tasked with upholding justice, he was embezzling vast sums and precious elixirs entering the Martial Alliance? Since concrete evidence was needed, the Inspection Hall began thoroughly investigating Danri Muk’s quarters and office.
If everything was proven true?
This would become a matter directly overseen by the Alliance Leader himself.
Whoosh.
As night fell, Bu Eunseol began scouring the Martial Alliance again.
Danri Muk’s investigation was nearing its end. Regardless of the outcome, once the trial began, Bu Eunseol only needed to testify as a witness. After that, he could no longer stay in the Martial Alliance. Yet, he still hadn’t found evidence linking the Alliance to the Sahyang Clan.
‘No choice.’
You can’t fill your stomach with the first bite.
That was something Bu Eunseol himself had said.
The Martial Alliance might seem lax, but its internal security was tight, and it was teeming with masters far superior to him. He hadn’t expected to uncover the Sahyang Clan’s secrets or the Alliance’s hidden truths in one go.
‘Finding the Sahyang Clan’s trail isn’t the only goal this time.’
‘You must make your name resound in the martial world once more.’
That was the consensus among Majeon’s lieutenants after the meeting. Due to the audit of the Hell’s Blood Fortress, Bu Eunseol’s reputation within Majeon had taken a hit.
But he had anticipated this.
When someone newly in power wields their authority, even if it’s just, it can seem harsh and ruthless.
‘This opportunity will ensure no one dares question my actions again.’ When So Jamyeong provided Jong Jeongyak’s information, Bu Eunseol decided to use these rumors to his advantage.
Corruption among the Martial Alliance’s higher-ups.
It couldn’t be the work of one person alone. By uncovering those involved and making it known to the martial world, he aimed to restore his reputation in a grand way.
So that no one would dare challenge his authority with mere rumors again.
‘Tonight will be the last.’
Stepping out of his quarters, Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
He wasn’t out to investigate places tied to the Sahyang Clan tonight. Before the Inspection Hall could act, he planned to thoroughly search Danri Muk’s quarters and office to uncover everyone behind him.
‘That’s why I had to bring Danri Muk down at the Ten Righteous Conference.’
Danri Muk’s quarters and office were always guarded by the Martial Alliance’s elite masters. No matter how exceptional his Swift Beyond Shadow was, he couldn’t take risks within the Alliance. By creating decisive evidence to have Danri Muk imprisoned in the Iron Prison, Bu Eunseol had cleared out the elite guards.
Whoosh.
Using Swift Beyond Shadow, Bu Eunseol infiltrated Danri Muk’s quarters, now free of its strict security.
Swish.
Though guards patrolled the area, he easily evaded their notice and slipped into the office.
‘It’s already been searched thoroughly.’ Thanks to the Inspection Hall’s prior investigation, Danri Muk’s office was nearly empty.
‘As expected, no mechanisms here.’
Danri Muk knew Jong Jeongyak was investigating his corruption. And if things went wrong, his office would be the first place searched. There was no way he’d install a secret vault or mechanism here.
‘But he made something like this instead.’
While using his Mind-Piercing Technique, Bu Eunseol picked up a brush on the desk. To the untrained eye, it was an ordinary brush, but to Bu Eunseol’s enhanced senses, a unique pattern was visible.
Inserting his fingernail into the brush’s tip and channeling inner energy along the pattern—
Click.
The tip detached, revealing a tightly rolled letter inside.
“The Martial Alliance’s cipher?”
Staring at the paper, Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
He hadn’t yet learned how to decipher the Martial Alliance’s codes.
Two options remained.
Should he give it to Jong Jeongyak? Or take it back to Majeon for decoding?
‘They’ll definitely suspect me.’
Even as an elite-grade mercenary, if it was known he had secretly infiltrated the Deputy Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall’s office?
They’d question his identity before the cipher’s authenticity.
‘Should I return to Majeon with this?’
If it was related to the Sahyang Clan, taking it to Majeon might be better than showing it to Jong Jeongyak. If it contained the Martial Alliance’s secrets, she might try to cover it up immediately.
‘No, that’s not necessarily true.’ If Jong Jeongyak were an ordinary person, she’d likely bury the Alliance’s secrets without hesitation.
But she was an ambitious woman.
If it meant climbing higher, she wouldn’t care about the Martial Alliance’s reputation.
‘I’ll have to take a gamble.’ Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
He decided to show the cipher to Jong Jeongyak.
***
The next day, in Jong Jeongyak’s office.
She stared at the ciphers Bu Eunseol handed her, blinking her large eyes.
“Where did these come from?” Bu Eunseol answered honestly.
“I went to Danri Muk’s office. Something felt off.”
“What?” Her eyes widened.
To reach Danri Muk’s quarters, one had to pass numerous guards. Even for someone with exceptional martial arts, it was a daunting task.
‘He’s not just an elite-grade mercenary.’ Only then did she faintly realize that Bu Eunseol not only possessed extraordinary martial skills but had come with a specific purpose.
“Young Master Seol, what is your goal?”
‘It’s come to this.’
“I’ll be honest,” Bu Eunseol said, taking a deep breath. “For a long time, I’ve been investigating whether the Martial Alliance is colluding with the Sahyang Clan to disrupt the martial world.”
“What? Why?”
“Certain forces sensed a strange connection between the Martial Alliance and the Sahyang Clan and commissioned me to investigate.” Jong Jeongyak’s expression was filled with suspicion.
“So you approached me deliberately?”
“Not at all. I took on that job years ago. It was by chance that Lady Dam entrusted me with your protection.”
“Hmm.”
“When I learned you were the Law Enforcement Officer of the Martial Alliance, I made up my mind to look into what you were investigating.” Jong Jeongyak pressed a finger to her forehead.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Bu Eunseol had approached her intentionally. But if it was a planned approach, he’d need an intelligence network on the level of a major sect.
‘That’s unlikely.’
Wasn’t Dam Yuyeon one of the few intelligence brokers in the martial world? If Bu Eunseol were suspicious, she wouldn’t have assigned him to her, no matter how much money was involved.
“Alright,” Jong Jeongyak said, realizing she had no choice. “Then share everything you’ve found out so far. Then I’ll believe you.”
“Fine.” Bu Eunseol calmly explained the information he had gathered about the Sahyang Clan.
Based on the circumstances, it was possible the Sahyang Clan was linked to the Martial Alliance. He omitted only his identity as Majeon’s successor and the source of his information.
“I see.”
“Can you decipher the contents of these papers?” Nodding, Jong Jeongyak looked at the ciphers on the desk with a grim expression.
“They’re… sending children.”
“Children?”
Having decoded the ciphers, Jong Jeongyak’s face was filled with despair.
“The money Danri Muk embezzled was funneled to the Assassin’s Gate.” Her expression turned to rage. “He was taking children and raising them as assassins.”
Shockingly, Danri Muk had been using the embezzled funds to create an independent assassin unit.
“Why would the Deputy Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall do such a thing?” Bu Eunseol’s question mirrored Jong Jeongyak’s own.
If Danri Muk wanted, he could easily mobilize the Martial Alliance’s forces. Why, then, would he use the Assassin’s Gate to turn children into killers?
Clatter.
At that moment, the door burst open, and Neung Joun rushed in.
“Law Enforcement Officer!” Seeing the panic in Neung Joun’s eyes, Jong Jeongyak felt an ominous premonition.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s… Deputy Leader Danri Muk has taken his own life in the Iron Prison.”
“What?”
“It seems he feared his corruption being fully exposed and committed suicide.”
“That’s impossible.” Jong Jeongyak shook her head.
Danri Muk had tried to have her killed using assassins and had kept his mouth shut even while imprisoned in the Iron Prison. For him to commit suicide before solid evidence had even surfaced?
“He was silenced,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice.
“What do you mean?”
“He didn’t kill himself. He was silenced.” Staring intently at Jong Jeongyak, he continued calmly, “There’s no reason the Deputy Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall would need an assassin unit made of children.”
“There must be a co-conspirator or someone higher up. If he opened his mouth, it would cause trouble, wouldn’t it?”
“Then…”
“There’s someone who knew Danri Muk well and had him killed.” A sudden realization flashed through Jong Jeongyak’s mind.
How had she learned that the Martial Alliance’s elixirs were disappearing? And how had she figured out that it was happening at the highest levels?
“I’ll be back.” As if possessed, Jong Jeongyak rushed out.
She arrived at the Flower Secret Pavilion.
“Where is the Lord?”
“Wait a moment.” The guard went inside and returned, saying politely, “The Lord invites you to the Pear Blossom Pavilion.”
Following the guard’s guidance, Jong Jeongyak entered the Pear Blossom Pavilion within the Flower Secret Pavilion. There, in a beautifully decorated garden, Yang Seol, the Secret Flower Garden Master, was sipping tea.
“What brings you here at this hour?” Yang Seol said with an elegant smile. “Aren’t you in the middle of an investigation?”
“Was it you, Lord?” Jong Jeongyak spoke with a look of disbelief. “Why? You’ve helped me so much until now.” Her cry was filled with conviction and a sense of betrayal. Even in this unexpected situation, Yang Seol maintained a calm expression.
After a long silence, she sighed deeply and shook her head.
“So you’ve finally figured it out.” At that moment, Jong Jeongyak’s heart shattered.
She had faced countless accusations of being blinded by ambition. Of course, it was true she wanted to rise to a position where no one could look down on her.
But all of that stemmed from her respect for Yang Seol, the Secret Flower Garden Master, and her desire to emulate her.
Yang Seol, a disciple of the small Clear Fragrance Sect, had risen to the position of Secret Flower Garden Master. Yang Seol, who had reached such heights through her own efforts. Jong Jeongyak had wanted to be like her.
“I’ve always followed and respected you like a master.”
“…”
“Why didn’t you just leave me alone?” Jong Jeongyak cried out, her head bowed in sorrow. “Why did you help me all this time? Why did you act as my shield to investigate Deputy Leader Danri Muk?”
“The affairs of the world don’t always go as planned,” Yang Seol said with a faint smile. “Danri Muk was nothing but a dog wagging its tail for me. But as I entrusted him with various tasks, he learned too much.”
“…”
“And he used that knowledge to make demands of me. A mere dog I’d raised.” Yang Seol smiled bitterly. “So I used you to pin the blame on him. In the Martial Alliance, the only Law Enforcement Officer who could touch Danri Muk was you, blinded by ambition.”
Jong Jeongyak’s heart broke into pieces.
She was brilliant but plagued by insecurity and a strong desire for success. To those in power, such a personality was merely a convenient pawn.
Yang Seol shook her head regretfully.
“This plan was perfect. I don’t know where it went wrong.”
“Are you admitting everything?”
“What’s there to admit?” Yang Seol said with a sly smile. “I’ll just clean everything up.”
“Is that possible?”
“From the moment I heard you were coming here, I already ordered the Inspection Hall’s masters to arrest your deputy.” Having seen through Jong Jeongyak’s intentions, Yang Seol smiled confidently. “The charge is fabricating all the incidents involving Danri Muk.”
“I’ll report this to the Alliance Leader immediately.”
“That’s fine.” She sipped her tea.
“But I’ll have to write that he resisted fiercely and had to be executed on the spot.”
Jong Jeongyak trembled.
It was all over.
The world was ruled by those with power. No matter how hard one tried, some things couldn’t be overcome.
“Why did you do this?” Jong Jeongyak asked, voicing her final question. “You didn’t need to do this, Lord.”
Yang Seol, from the Clear Fragrance Sect, had risen to a position few ordinary martial artists could dream of.
Why would she do such a thing?
“Heh, you still don’t understand,” Yang Seol said with a sly smile. “There are spies in both the Martial Alliance and Majeon. Spies deeply rooted for a long time.”
A memory of Bu Eunseol’s words flashed through Jong Jeongyak’s mind.
“Then the reason you rose to your position… was because of help from some force?”
“Something like that.” Jong Jeongyak’s eyes filled with contempt.
The Yang Seol she had admired and wanted to emulate had merely climbed to her position with the backing of others.
“Now that your questions are answered, it’s time to act.” Yang Seol slowly extended her hand.
Her nails were entirely blue, clearly indicating mastery of a deadly poison technique.
Whoosh.
With just a wave of her hand, Jong Jeongyak felt as if her body was bound by ropes, her limbs paralyzed.
“Urgh.” The more she struggled, the worse the paralysis became.
“We’ve brought him.” At that moment, several figures entered, dragging a man whose pressure points had been sealed.
It was Neung Joun.
“Law Enforcement Officer.” Neung Joun was in a battered state, severely injured.
“Where’s Young Master Seol?”
“He was taken away by the Dragon God Sword Corps.” Hearing this, Yang Seol smiled slyly.
“Eliminating a mere mercenary is no trouble. Without even needing to fabricate evidence, he was sent to the Bottomless Prison on charges related to Danri Muk’s suicide.”
“Will that be so easy?”
“Don’t cling to false hopes. I already know he’s inherited the Seven Strings Sect’s techniques and is an elite-grade mercenary from the Red Sky Veil.” Yang Seol smiled coldly.
“That’s why I sent the entire Dragon God Sword Corps.”
Jong Jeongyak’s expression hardened. Yang Seol had been meticulously erasing all traces.
“Now, let’s end this.” As the Secret Flower Garden Master intensified her poison technique, Jong Jeongyak’s body began moving against her will.
But then—
“Pfft!” Suddenly, Neung Joun spat blood and broke free of his pressure points. He immediately swung his sword at Yang Seol.
Slash! Slash!
As she dodged effortlessly, Neung Joun quickly stepped in front of Jong Jeongyak and shouted, “Run!”
“Deputy Neung!”
“There’s no time!”
His body was radiating the haze of true energy.
In his final moments, he had used the Primordial True Energy to forcibly unseal his pressure points, risking his life to help Jong Jeongyak escape.
“Hurry!”
Clang! Whoosh!
Neung Joun unleashed both throwing knife techniques and swordsmanship simultaneously. Thanks to the Primordial True Energy, the power of his sword and knives was several times stronger than usual.
“Tch.” Jong Jeongyak bit her lip and turned to flee.
If she hesitated, Neung Joun’s sacrifice would be in vain.
Thud!
But she hadn’t taken three steps before her body froze again.
“Youngsters dreaming big,” Yang Seol sneered.
In an instant, she had subdued Neung Joun and sealed Jong Jeongyak’s pressure points again.
“Did you think my martial prowess was so pathetic?” Yang Seol smirked mockingly. “Those with weak martial arts always delude themselves. They think that by using Primordial True Energy, they can manage one final strike.”
Pointing at Neung Joun, whose face was pale from having his pressure points sealed while using Primordial True Energy, she said, “Goodbye.”
The moment her finger moved, a hole would be pierced through Jong Jeongyak’s head.
‘It’s over.’ Jong Jeongyak closed her eyes.
Despite all her efforts, she would end her life without achieving anything, filled with regret.
Crack. Snap.
Suddenly, cracks began forming in the wall.
Rumble.
As the thick wall collapsed entirely, a figure slowly stepped through.
It was Bu Eunseol.
