“Something’s definitely off,” Jo Namcheon said, wrinkling his nose.
“Even so, Jin Seol was once discussed as a potential match for the Lord… and now she’s suddenly engaged?”
It wasn’t Bu Eunseol who responded, but Wi Cheongyeong.
“The Lord has already exchanged betrothal gifts with Lady Yeon, the Young Palace Mistress, and Lady Dan, the Majeon Strategy Lord’s daughter. Even if Jin Seol had feelings for him, she must have let them go.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Jo Namcheon said, tilting his head. “So, I’m thinking maybe Jin Seol got engaged to some nobody out of spite.”
It was a somewhat absurd notion.
But for some reason, the other captains felt there might be some truth to it.
“Enough,” Bu Eunseol cut in sharply as the captains’ attention drifted to this trivial matter. “Do not gossip about Jin Seol’s engagement. It’s disrespectful to both her and her betrothed.”
At Bu Eunseol’s stern command, the captains reluctantly clasped their hands together.
“Understood.”
After the meeting, Bu Eunseol left the Suppressed Demon Pavilion and headed for the Shadow Pavilion.
Through the incident with the artificial inner core, he had learned that spies from the shadowy forces had infiltrated the leadership of both righteous and demonic sects. Majeon was likely no exception.
To discuss this further, he was going to meet the master of the Shadow Pavilion, who controlled all Majeon’s intelligence networks.
“My lord.”
At that moment, a tall man in teal martial robes appeared from the opposite path. His eyes were clear and profound, sparkling with the light of wisdom. His clean-cut face was one that would inspire goodwill in anyone.
It was Shim Wol.
“It’s been a while,” Bu Eunseol greeted warmly.
Shim Wol smiled gently. “Indeed. It feels like forever since we last met.” He chuckled shyly. “It feels like just yesterday you entered the sect as one of the Ten Demon Warriors, and now you’re the successor.”
“Indeed,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Shim Wol had treated him kindly during his time as a Ten Demon Warrior. Whether it was at Jeok Bung’s orders or not, Shim Wol had always left a good impression on Bu Eunseol.
“Congratulations. I heard the news belatedly,” Bu Eunseol said, offering his regards.
Shim Wol bowed his head, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry. Considering she was once discussed as your match, it’s just that…”
“No need to worry,” Bu Eunseol said.
Truthfully, he felt just as awkward.
A brief silence fell. Bu Eunseol took a small jade bottle from his pocket and offered it to Shim Wol.
It was the Ten Thousand Spirit Jade Elixir, a gift from Dan Cheong when he left Nangyang.
‘Affectionate Blossom Sect told me to drink it,’ Dan Cheong had said with a warm, languid smile. ‘But I’d need a reason to venture into the martial world.’
“It’s a small personal gift,” Bu Eunseol said.
Giving a gift for an engagement, not a wedding, was something done only between close friends.
Shim Wol waved his hands, shaking his head. “No, it’s fine.”
“It’s nothing much. It’s my sincerity, so please accept it.” As Bu Eunseol offered the bottle again, Shim Wol reluctantly took it.
“Then, I’ll gratefully accept.”
Buzz.
Something was strange.
As their hands brushed, Bu Eunseol’s pupils dilated.
It was the same unsettling, eerie sensation he felt from those who carried an artificial inner core.
‘That can’t be.’
Shim Wol was Jeok Bung’s disciple, the Blood Demon. What could he possibly lack to ingest something like an artificial inner core?
Besides, Shim Wol’s eyes were clear and pure, showing no such signs.
“What’s wrong?” Shim Wol asked.
“Nothing,” Bu Eunseol said, smiling and clasping his hands. “I have urgent business, so I’ll take my leave.”
Shim Wol hurriedly returned the gesture.
Step, step.
As Bu Eunseol passed Shim Wol with quick strides, his eyes deepened.
‘Shim Wol.’
If he had taken an artificial inner core, did that mean the Elder Sect Leader was also colluding with the shadowy forces?
Or was it simply Shim Wol’s personal deviation or scheme?
Bu Eunseol pondered briefly.
He had the Cheonui Heart Secret, which could temporarily synchronize with another’s inner energy flow. And if he wished, he could command Shim Wol at will. Despite being Jeok Bung’s disciple, Shim Wol was merely a warrior of Manbak Hall.
“…”
Lost in deep thought, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
Instead of heading to the Shadow Pavilion, he turned toward the Solitary Light Pavilion, where Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon resided.
Whether Shim Wol had taken the inner core or not wasn’t the critical issue. He was seeking a more fundamental answer.
At the Solitary Light Pavilion, Yeop Hyocheon greeted him as if he had been waiting.
“Chief Instructor.”
“Martial Soul Command Lord.” Yeop Hyocheon smiled faintly, like greeting an old friend. “It’s been a while since we’ve spoken alone. You’ve been so busy.”
A faint glint passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Yeop Hyocheon’s tone suggested he knew Bu Eunseol had been secretly active in the martial world.
“My apologies,” Bu Eunseol said.
“No need to apologize. Your busyness means you’re handling the sect’s many affairs,” Yeop Hyocheon said with a laugh. “So, what brings you here?”
“Before, you told me I needed to marry Jin Seol to become the master of Majeon,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Yes, and?”
Bu Eunseol didn’t beat around the bush. “Can you tell me why now?”
“Hm,” Yeop Hyocheon chuckled softly. “You’re not one to dwell on past regrets… nor are you worried about failing to become the sect’s master now, are you?”
He saw through Bu Eunseol’s nature perfectly.
“That means…”
After a moment of thought, Yeop Hyocheon stroked his chin. “The reason for your question isn’t about Jin Seol… but something about that Manbak Hall disciple.”
A sharp deduction.
Bu Eunseol was slightly surprised but didn’t show it, pressing further. “You said marrying Jin Seol would make me the sect’s master. Can you explain now?”
“Hmm,” Yeop Hyocheon let out a leisurely hum.
Though they were part of the same sect, this was a place ruled by power. Realizing he held the upper hand, Yeop Hyocheon’s demeanor grew more relaxed.
“At the time, I made that suggestion out of care for you,” he said with a slightly hurt expression. “But didn’t you reject it outright? And then, as if to prove a point, you exchanged betrothal gifts with Lady Yeon of the Divine Maiden Palace and Lady Dan of the Secret Hall.”
Bu Eunseol gave a bitter smile.
He had thought Yeop Hyocheon was open-minded.
But as a senior of Majeon, he was using his advantageous position to make Bu Eunseol bow.
“I’m not looking into this because I regret that decision,” Bu Eunseol said.
“I know. As I said, you must have found something off about that Manbak Hall disciple,” Yeop Hyocheon said with a faint smile. “But that’s your personal judgment. Even as Chief Instructor, can I just give out critical information freely?”
Even if Shim Wol were plotting treason, he wasn’t going to reveal it easily.
“What would it take?” Bu Eunseol asked, realizing Yeop Hyocheon wanted something.
“The Nine Deaths Squad,” Yeop Hyocheon said directly, without hesitation.
“The unit under my command has somehow become your loyal force.”
“…”
“And with immense financial backing, you’ve expanded it threefold.” Yeop Hyocheon smiled thinly.
“I want it back.”
The Nine Deaths Squad was Bu Eunseol’s most secretive elite force, its importance undeniable.
Losing it would be like losing a wing.
Moreover, the current unit, bolstered by Bu Eunseol’s vast resources and training, was over three times its original size.
And Yeop Hyocheon wanted to take it for nothing?
“Very well,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding readily.
Yeop Hyocheon looked slightly surprised. Given the unit’s importance, he had expected Bu Eunseol to refuse outright.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t understand your thinking,” Yeop Hyocheon said, nodding after a moment’s thought. “Well, fine. You’re not one to go back on your word, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I’ll tell you,” Yeop Hyocheon said in a low voice after a brief silence.
“Marrying Jin Seol would grant you the Demon Emperor’s True Martial Art.”
It was an entirely unexpected answer.
Marrying Jin Seol would give access to the Demon Emperor’s True Martial Art?
“Over twenty years ago, the Demon Emperor personally brought Jin Seol to the sect. He cherishes her like a daughter,” Yeop Hyocheon said calmly. “And he promised her he would match her with the foremost demonic master.”
Bu Eunseol finally understood.
By promising to marry Jin Seol to the foremost demonic master, the Demon Emperor was essentially declaring he would pass his True Martial Art to her spouse.
To ensure she was matched with the best.
Inheriting the Demon Emperor’s martial art would drastically increase the chances of becoming the next foremost demonic master.
‘So the Chief Instructor wanted me to become the sect’s master?’
Yeop Hyocheon had always hidden his true intentions. Yet, astonishingly, he had pushed for the marriage to make Bu Eunseol the foremost demonic master?
“Do you understand my intentions now?” Yeop Hyocheon said, his expression tinged with disappointment. “I only wanted you to become the foremost demonic master as soon as possible. That’s why I proposed the marriage.”
With a slight smile, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, leaving Bu Eunseol unable to gauge their depths.
“Thank you. I understand,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands. “As promised, I’ll begin the process to return the Nine Deaths Squad immediately.”
“Good.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.” Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully once more and left.
Step, step.
As he exited the Solitary Light Pavilion, his expression was profoundly somber. He had learned Jin Seol’s secret, but the conversation with Yeop Hyocheon left his heart heavy.
If the Demon Emperor was chaos itself, Yeop Hyocheon was like a well filled with dark ink.
So deep and dark that no matter how much you peered in, you couldn’t discern his true intentions.
***
Majeon, Signal Transmission Pavilion.
This was where all external correspondence and documents for the sect were stored.
Deep within, the Nine Deaths Squad, the sect’s secret elite force, had its hidden base. Bu Eunseol had first met So Jamyeong here to bring the unit under his command.
And now, he was here to part ways with him.
“Your prediction was spot-on,” So Jamyeong said with a sigh after listening silently to Bu Eunseol. “You said the Chief Instructor would eventually demand the Nine Deaths Squad back.”
Bu Eunseol had foreseen this from the moment he took control of the unit. The sect’s most secretive elite force couldn’t remain under his command indefinitely without the Chief Instructor’s notice.
“How’s the progress on the Death Spirit Corps?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“It’s about ninety percent complete. You likely won’t notice any difference in intelligence or operatives’ capabilities compared to the original unit,” So Jamyeong replied.
Anticipating this day, Bu Eunseol had recruited the unit’s most capable members to form a new secret force, the Death Spirit Corps. In the end, what Yeop Hyocheon would receive was only So Jamyeong and the less capable original members.
“It’ll be a long farewell,” Bu Eunseol said.
With command returning to the Chief Instructor, contact between Bu Eunseol and So Jamyeong would be difficult.
For a while, they couldn’t even meet face-to-face.
“Mu Heon will do better than me,” So Jamyeong said.
He had trained Mu Heon like his own shadow for this very scenario.
Mu Heon would lead the Death Spirit Corps to surpass the Nine Deaths Squad.
“The only regret is I haven’t found a deputy leader,” So Jamyeong said with a bitter expression.
While the leader managed the unit as a whole, the deputy leader needed exceptional analytical skills, qinggong, and stealth to liaise closely with Bu Eunseol, delivering information and consulting.
So Jamyeong hadn’t yet found a suitable candidate to succeed Mu Heon.
“Don’t worry. I’ll look for one slowly,” Bu Eunseol said with a faint smile. “Before you go, let’s have a drink together.”
“A drink?” So Jamyeong asked.
“Haven’t you grown quite close to the other captains?”
“But is that alright? Won’t the Chief Instructor think we’re breaking the agreement?”
“A drink before parting won’t bother someone as magnanimous as the Chief Instructor,” Bu Eunseol said.
So Jamyeong mirrored his faint smile. “Understood.”
Bu Eunseol left the Signal Transmission Pavilion with a sense of reluctance.
It was only temporary.
Soon enough, the Nine Deaths Squad would return to his hands.
The Chief Instructor wouldn’t hold onto a costly, hollowed-out unit for long.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
As Bu Eunseol exited and headed back to the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, he encountered a woman in peach-colored light armor.
It was Jin Seol.
“Jin Seol,” Bu Eunseol said, lightly clasping his hands.
The world had many renowned beauties, each with their unique charm.
Jin Seol’s was her coldness.
She seemed not like a living human of flesh and blood but a statue carved from crystal. She didn’t seem like someone who would get angry, cry, or laugh.
In fact, no one in Majeon had ever seen her laugh heartily or weep.
Even when she confronted Bu Eunseol over the betrothal commotion, despite her anger, she only cast a slightly colder gaze than usual. Perhaps the only person who had seen her laugh or cry was the Demon Emperor, who had cared for her since childhood.
“I heard the news. Congratulations,” Bu Eunseol said.
He hadn’t intended to congratulate her.
If Shim Wol had indeed taken an artificial inner core and was linked to the shadowy forces, Bu Eunseol couldn’t let him be.
But facing Jin Seol, he couldn’t help but offer his congratulations.
“Thank you,” she said, lightly clasping her hands in return. “You exchanged betrothal gifts as well, but I didn’t get to congratulate you then.”
Her eyes and voice grew colder as she spoke.
Despite the brief exchange, Bu Eunseol felt like a child who had done something wrong, avoiding her gaze and clasping his hands.
“Well, then.” As he tried to leave, he hesitated.
Jin Seol was staring at him with her icy gaze.
‘Hm.’
Ignoring her felt awkward. Uncharacteristically, Bu Eunseol asked with an embarrassed expression, “Is… there something you want to say?”
To Jin Seol, he was truly strange.
With his appearance, martial prowess, and intellect, he lacked nothing. Yet why was he so awkward with women?
His behavior irritated her.
‘He really had no feelings for me.’
Resolving her thoughts, Jin Seol shook her head.
“Nothing.”
“Alright, then. I’ll take my leave.” Bu Eunseol hurried away, as if escaping a plague spirit.
Jin Seol stood like a statue, gazing blankly at his retreating figure.
‘When did it start?’
She first met Bu Eunseol when he entered the sect as a freshly trained Ten Demon Warrior. Back then, forced by White Horse Temple, he had faced Black Dragon Corps Leader Go Gunpyeong in a five-move spar and narrowly survived.
‘What an intriguing person.’
A novice martial artist surviving an attack from the renowned Black Dragon Corps Leader?
‘Quite a madman,’ Elder Sect Leader Jeok Bung, stingy with praise, had said. ‘To look me in the eye and talk back.’
Not only that, but the Ten Demon Warrior, who looked like he belonged in aater troupe, had defied Jeok Bung, a supreme demonic master among the Three Demons.
Perhaps that’s when her curiosity began.
They met several times afterward but only exchanged brief glances. When he became the sect’s successor, and the Chief Instructor forced a betrothal arrangement, she finally saw him clearly.
He was surrounded by women, caught in an awkward situation.
It made her inexplicably angry.
‘He’ll be mine anyway.’
She was confident.
Marrying her was the only way to inherit the Demon Emperor’s True Martial Art. He might not know now, but once he did, she believed he would choose her.
But that expectation was shattered.
Bu Eunseol had exchanged betrothal gifts with Yeon So-ha of the Divine Maiden Palace and Dan So-ok of the Secret Hall, becoming engaged.
Then, another unexpected event occurred.
“Jin Seol, how about forming a bond with my disciple?” Elder Sect Leader Jeok Bung had personally proposed a match.
The other party was none other than his named disciple, Shim Wol of Manbak Hall. She had met him in passing but felt no particular attachment.
“It’s my earnest request,” Jeok Bung had pleaded. “Could you meet him just once?”
Since Jeok Bung had treated her like a granddaughter, she reluctantly agreed to meet Shim Wol.
‘It’s our first meeting.’
He was truly different.
Not only was Shim Wol refined in appearance and character, but he understood her heart perfectly. A woman’s greatest happiness is feeling loved. She felt she could be happy living with him forever.
‘He’s better than that stoic man.’ Over time, she gradually opened her heart to Shim Wol’s kindness and consideration.
And finally, she accepted his proposal, becoming engaged.
But she realized something.
She had made that choice because she hadn’t seen Bu Eunseol for so long.
Now, facing him, her heart was uncontrollably shaken.
‘Did I act immaturely just to forget him?’
She had to admit it.
She had always liked that stoic man. Her engagement to Shim Wol was merely an attempt to move on.
‘But it’s too late.’
She wanted to call him back and confess her feelings.
But it was irreversible.
She was engaged to Shim Wol.
Clench.
Watching his retreating figure, Jin Seol bit her lip.
She couldn’t entertain these thoughts anymore.
This was truly the end.
‘Goodbye. And may we never ever meet again.’
She took a deep breath and slowly turned away.
But how could she know?
Someone was watching her struggle to suppress her emotions from afar.
It was none other than her betrothed, Shim Wol.
