Four days later.
In front of the bamboo grove at the northern gate of the Martial Alliance, a magnificent building now stood.
Beyond a grand wall made of white stone lay a beautiful garden with a small pond, and at its center was a large pavilion. Beside it were lodgings capable of housing a hundred members, complete with a small dining hall inside.
It was a facility rivaling the accommodations of a first-class branch. And it had been built in a mere four days by mobilizing hundreds of workers.
Rumor has it the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild hired renowned carpenters and laborers from Henan all at once.
They say he orders meals worth dozens of taels every time.
The first-class sword branch members saw the pavilion in the bamboo grove and jokingly asked if they could move there instead.
The temporary lodging at the northern gate was the talk of the Martial Alliance.
The Supreme Branch was created to handle the martial world’s affairs that the Alliance’s sword branch couldn’t address. And Seon Woojin, a candidate for its grandmaster, had demonstrated the power of wealth to the Alliance’s members.
Step, step.
A figure approached the entrance of the pavilion in the bamboo grove where Bu Eunseol resided.
Dressed in blue robes, with a strikingly fair face and clear eyes, she appeared at first glance to be a refined maiden unfamiliar with martial arts. But in reality, she was one of the top female masters in the Martial Alliance.
It was Yuk Cheongah.
“Good heavens.”
As the leader of the Lotus Hall, her days were filled with endless tasks. Aside from mealtimes, she barely had time to wander the Alliance grounds. So when she heard rumors that the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild had built a palace-like pavilion at the northern gate, she had merely chuckled, thinking it exaggerated.
“I thought it was just a rumor…” But seeing the pavilion in person, wasn’t it even grander than the rumors suggested?
“Young Hero Seon, are you here?” Entering the pavilion, she gaped again. Inside was a training ground where two martial artists were sparring in pairs, honing their skills.
They were the branch members Bu Eunseol had chosen: Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo.
‘Those two…’
Originally, they wore tattered clothes and carried well-maintained but worn-out weapons. But now, they donned dazzling martial robes, and their weapons had been upgraded, hadn’t they?
Their transformed attire and splendid weapons made them look almost like actors in a theatrical performance.
“Leader Yuk.” Recognizing Yuk Cheongah, Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo clasped their hands in greeting. “What brings you here?”
Up close, they were even more striking.
Tae Muryong, in resplendent martial robes, carried a silver rake with a collapsible handle on his back, exuding a commanding presence.
Jeong Jongdo, whose scruffy beard once stood out, now had a magnificent sword hanging at his waist instead of his old, worn blade.
“Where is Young Hero Seon?”
“He’s probably at Sangrim Pavilion by now.”
“Sangrim Pavilion?”
“Oh, it’s the pavilion inside. I’ll take you there.”
Tae Muryong led Yuk Cheongah through a large courtyard to a pavilion by a small pond.
There, a refined young man sat calmly sipping tea—the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild, Seon Woojin.
‘Good heavens.’
To build a splendid garden and enjoy such leisure in a temporary lodging, not knowing when a mission might come?
And the tea he was drinking—wasn’t it Silver Leaf Tea, a rare specialty from the Western Regions, nearly impossible to acquire even with money?
“Grandmaster, Leader Yuk is here.”
A glint flashed in Yuk Cheongah’s eyes.
‘He’s already established discipline and hierarchy?’
From Tae Muryong’s respectful demeanor and tone, it was clear that this place already had the strict discipline and structure of any Martial Alliance branch.
‘No way.’ How could even the most exceptional person win the loyalty of two strong-willed martial artists in less than ten days?
“Leader Yuk.” As Bu Eunseol clasped his hands, Yuk Cheongah returned the gesture.
“Young Hero Seon.”
After the greetings, Tae Muryong bowed respectfully.
“I’ll take my leave.”
Watching Tae Muryong swiftly depart, Yuk Cheongah let out a gasp of admiration. “Remarkable.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve already turned them into loyal subordinates.”
“They’re not quite loyal subordinates yet.”
“Not loyal? They seem more disciplined than my own branch members.” Her half-joking comment prompted Bu Eunseol to set down his teacup and shake his head.
“Since childhood, I’ve learned the ways of merchants, so I know a bit about handling people. They follow me because I’ve offered them benefits through wealth.”
That was a lie.
Bu Eunseol had already tamed the most notorious rogues of Majeon’s Death Death Shadow Corps.
Compared to that, winning over two honest, upright orthodox martial artists was child’s play.
His natural aura of authority and experience had already begun to inspire loyalty in them.
“That makes sense.” Yuk Cheongah nodded, accepting his explanation.
As the heir of a merchant guild, he must have naturally learned how to lead and manage organizations from a young age. With his immense wealth, commanding two subordinates would be effortless.
Having sorted her thoughts, Yuk Cheongah blinked as Bu Eunseol asked, “So, what brings you here?”
“Oh, right.” Snapping back to reality, she handed him a letter.
“Your mission has finally been assigned.”
As Bu Eunseol took the letter, she lowered her voice.
“It’s written in the letter, but you can use any means necessary, and there’s no time limit. The mission was given to both temporary branches simultaneously. I wish you success.”
“Understood.” After Yuk Cheongah left, Bu Eunseol opened the letter.
He smirked and shook his head.
“They’re going to play it this way until the end.”
The mission in the letter read:
Resolve the conflict between the High Sword Sect and the Falling Blossom Sect.
Bu Eunseol placed the letter beside his teacup.
The High Sword Sect and the Falling Blossom Sect were second-rate sects located in Gongchang Prefecture, Shaanxi, not only geographically close but also sharing the same martial origins.
Two hundred years ago, Han Seung and Cheong Yeonyeong, a couple in love, stumbled upon a secret manual containing the techniques of the Light Slash and Swift Sword Sect.
Unfortunately, the manual was more than half-damaged and incomplete.
They interpreted the manual as they saw fit, but their differing views on martial arts led to a major falling-out. Unable to reconcile their differences, Han Seung and Cheong Yeonyeong parted ways.
After retiring from the martial world in their later years, they each founded their own sects: the High Sword Sect and the Falling Blossom Sect.
Being so close geographically and burdened by their predecessors’ unresolved grudges, the two sects were never on good terms.
But they had coexisted without significant conflict or disputes.
Recently, however, their disciples began clashing, escalating into bloody fights.
The conflicts grew increasingly intense, with disciples drawing weapons at the mere sight of each other. Moreover, the fights occurred indiscriminately, even in crowded inns or marketplaces, causing harm to merchants and commoners.
As the damage to surrounding merchants and civilians became severe due to the sects’ feud, the Martial Alliance decided to intervene.
They sent the temporary branches led by Bu Eunseol and Cheon Hwain to mediate.
The next day, in the bamboo grove at the northern gate of the Martial Alliance, in the temporary branch’s meeting room.
Bu Eunseol, Tae Muryong, and Jeong Jongdo sat with serious expressions.
“This isn’t a mission—it’s a scheme to ensure Cheon Hwain becomes grandmaster.” Tae Muryong, staring at the letter on the table, shook his head in disbelief. “Even if second-rate sects like the High Sword Sect and Falling Blossom Sect are at war, does the Martial Alliance really need to step in to mediate?”
Sighing, he continued. “These two sects are within the Mount Hua Sect’s sphere of influence. A single word from the Mount Hua Sect would force them to reconcile, even if reluctantly.”
“I agree,” Jeong Jongdo said glumly. “We’re just a temporary branch of the Martial Alliance, aren’t we? But Cheon Hwain has the Mount Hua Sect backing him. One word from him, and the conflict would end.”
Their opinions were reasonable and well-founded.
Yet Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“That may not be the case.”
He insisted on using respectful language with his subordinates.
This was because the persona of Seon Woojin, the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild, crafted by the Divine Mountain Sage, was designed to be gentle and benevolent. Even if he gradually adjusted his demeanor later, for now, he had to follow the Divine Sage’s carefully constructed persona.
“What do you mean?” Jeong Jongdo asked.
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
“Human conflicts ultimately stem from emotions. And Cheon Hwain is an arrogant man with strong pride.” He continued in a calm voice. “He’ll likely use the Mount Hua Sect’s influence to resolve the matter quickly rather than investigate the details. After all, he wants to end this pointless test and become the Alliance’s grandmaster as soon as possible.”
Pausing briefly, Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“Even small sects have their pride as sect leaders. But given Cheon Hwain’s personality, he’s unlikely to handle it cautiously or wisely.” He paused again, then said firmly. “Moreover, since this issue stems from deep emotional rifts, even invoking the Mount Hua Sect’s authority won’t resolve it easily.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed profoundly as he looked between Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo.
“We must keep this in mind and perfectly mediate the reconciliation of the two sects. That way, the Martial Alliance won’t have any objections.”
The two blinked, partly because Bu Eunseol’s analysis felt strikingly accurate and partly because they couldn’t fathom the plan he had in mind.
“If you have a clever strategy, shouldn’t we arrive a day earlier to handle it?” Jeong Jongdo said anxiously. “Cheon Hwain might resolve it quickly, after all.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Though the letters were delivered simultaneously, Cheon Hwain, with Elder Gu as his backer, has probably already left for Shaanxi.” Looking at his subordinates with a relaxed expression, he continued. “So there’s no need to rush. Let’s investigate the situation thoroughly and proceed slowly.”
Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo exchanged glances.
Unable to discern Bu Eunseol’s intentions, they could only bow and clasp their hands.
***
Having left the Martial Alliance with Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo, Bu Eunseol arrived in Gongchang Prefecture.
Instead of visiting the two sects immediately, he gave Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo a large sum of money.
He ordered them to gather information about the High Sword Sect and Falling Blossom Sect from intelligence networks and local commoners.
Even the smallest details—investigate everything thoroughly.
In truth, if Bu Eunseol secretly issued orders to the Death Spirit Corps’ intelligence network, he could uncover everything from the sects’ financial status to the number of chopsticks in their kitchens. Yet, why was he spending time and money ordering Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo, who had no experience handling intelligence, to conduct the investigation?
‘These two must become reliable subordinates to support me until I secure a key position in the Martial Alliance.’
Bu Eunseol would need to navigate both Majeon’s Majeon and the Martial Alliance. Thus, he needed capable subordinates who could adeptly handle various tasks within the Alliance.
Both Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo had the potential for this.
Tae Muryong excelled in insight, eloquence, and uniting people.
Jeong Jongdo was quick at analyzing information, assessing situations, and relying on intuition.
Both had been overlooked due to their minor sect backgrounds, but their martial talent was exceptional. With proper guidance, they could soar.
Bu Eunseol aimed to nurture their talents and swiftly rise to a key position in the Martial Alliance.
