Poison.
Across generations, martial artists have favored poison as a convenient and powerful weapon.
Even a tiny amount could drastically increase lethality or incapacitate an enemy.
Thus, aside from the orthodox sects, most factions used poison or practiced poison-based martial arts.
From this perspective, poisoning was as commonplace as daily life for martial artists wandering the martial world.
Where there is demand, supply follows.
Due to the constant threat of poisoning, the martial world’s medical community, specializing in detoxification, thrived.
Fog Valley.
This place had long produced exceptional physicians.
And its leader, Gu Gyeom, was one of the martial world’s foremost experts in detoxification.
“You’re incredibly lucky,” Gu Gyeom said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he spoke. “I just happened to acquire a root of Dragon Spirit Purple Herb from Mount Hwejeong. If not for that, this young man would have died.”
Looking at Seon Woojin, who was soundly asleep on the bed, Gu Gyeom continued.
“He’s been completely detoxified. After a good rest, he’ll wake up as good as new.”
“Thank you,” Jongjeong Yak said, bowing her head.
Gu Gyeom waved it off. “No need to thank me. Isn’t it thanks to the Martial Alliance that our valley can gather herbs from Mount Hwejeong without interference?”
Mount Hwejeong was rich in spiritual herbs, which Fog Valley used to create elixirs.
As a result, bandits and unorthodox factions frequently targeted the area, coveting Fog Valley’s wealth of elixirs. Unable to tolerate this, the Martial Alliance established the Hwejeong Branch, causing the bandits and unorthodox factions to quietly retreat.
“Without the Martial Alliance, our valley would have been forced to leave Mount Hwejeong or been subjugated by unorthodox factions long ago.” With a satisfied smile, Gu Gyeom stood up. “I’ll take my leave now.”
“Thank you for your efforts.” As Gu Gyeom left, Jongjeong Yak stared intently at Seon Woojin lying on the bed.
Having just been detoxified, his face was pale, and his lips were dry as a desert.
‘He’s definitely not a spy.’
Jongjeong Yak had observed Seon Woojin’s fight from start to finish.
He had fought with all his strength and nearly lost his life.
If she hadn’t helped him, and if Fog Valley hadn’t had the Dragon Spirit Purple Herb on hand, he would already be dead.
‘If he were a spy, he’d have multiple safety measures in place.’
If Seon Woojin were a spy for some faction, there would inevitably be people monitoring or protecting him.
Even if not, a spy would surely have one or two secret techniques to escape a crisis.
But Seon Woojin had neither protectors nor hidden techniques.
He was simply a young talent, thirsty for success and brimming with enthusiasm.
‘Hmph.’ Jongjeong Yak had to admit she had been overly suspicious and sensitive. ‘I was like that too.’
In the past, she too was filled with passion, a sense of duty, and confidence that she could change or solve anything.
But such things couldn’t change the world.
What was truly needed was a strong force that could withstand and crush any external pressure. And the one who taught her that… was a mere mercenary who lived by selling his skills for money.
‘I wonder how he’s doing?’
Suddenly, the image of the mercenary who had saved her flashed through her mind.
He always hid his abilities, acting discreetly while resolving everything. He was probably still stirring up the martial world with his exceptional skills.
“Sigh.” Looking at the sleeping Seon Woojin, Jongjeong Yak let out a sigh. “If you want to play the hero, you need to hone your skills more, Leader Seon.”
With that, she turned away coldly.
Click.
As she left, Seon Woojin—or rather, Bu Eunseol—slowly opened his eyes.
“She’s grown a lot,” he said, faintly smiling as he looked at the door Jongjeong Yak had exited through.
The once-naive enforcement officer had become one of the Martial Alliance’s most capable inspectors. If Bu Eunseol hadn’t already understood her personality and tenacity, he would never have been able to dispel her suspicions so easily.
“She’s gone,” a young man dressed as a mercenary said as he entered. “There are truly many talented people in the Martial Alliance. For a mere disciple of the Inspection Hall to be at this level.”
Crack.
As his face shifted a few times, the young wanderer’s appearance transformed into that of a cold, composed man.
It was Mu Heon, the leader of the Death Spirit Corps.
“With Deputy Leader Soyo’s training still ongoing, you’ve had to endure a lot of inconvenience, Martial Soul Command Lord,” he said.
Originally, when Bu Eunseol ventured into the martial world, Deputy Leader Soyo of the Death Spirit Corps was supposed to covertly assist him. But with Soyo still undergoing training to become a deputy leader, Mu Heon had to keep venturing out instead.
“You’ve worked hard,” Bu Eunseol said with a faint smile.
To quickly dispel Jongjeong Yak’s suspicions, he had executed several plans.
First, he spent a fortune to hire the Wind Demon Corps and the Purple Flame Hag, and positioned Mu Heon at Fog Valley in advance.
Jongjeong Yak was a cautious individual.
Even if a third-rank Martial Alliance leader was in danger, she wouldn’t risk her life to intervene.
But if he escaped his pursuers and was on the brink of death?
She would let go of her suspicions and help. She would never suspect that someone would risk their life to deceive her.
“But it was an extremely risky plan,” Mu Heon said, shaking his head.
There was an expert in detoxification at Fog Valley nearby, and Bu Eunseol had confirmed that they had recently acquired the Dragon Spirit Purple Herb.
But could he be certain that Jongjeong Yak would carry the collapsed Bu Eunseol to Fog Valley?
No one could guarantee that.
“If she had hesitated or gone somewhere else, your life would have been in danger, Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Though the plan seemed simple, it was incredibly perilous.
Bu Eunseol had deliberately allowed the poison to take hold, truly putting himself on the brink of death.
If he hadn’t, Jongjeong Yak would never have been fooled.
And if she had gone to another physician instead of Fog Valley? He might have died without being detoxified.
“There was no other way. Half-hearted acting wouldn’t have fooled her,” Bu Eunseol said. And he added, “Besides, I was certain she would go to Fog Valley.”
Jongjeong Yak had already become an exceptional inspector.
She would have thoroughly studied the local geography in advance. If someone was poisoned and on the verge of death, he was confident she would head to Fog Valley.
“I see,” Mu Heon said, sighing and nodding. “Now that you’ve recovered, you should return to Majeon soon. The Chief Instructor is requesting your presence.”
“Him?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Yes,” Mu Heon replied with a grave expression.
“The whereabouts of the Hyeok Clan Leader have been discovered.”
“The Hyeok Clan Leader.”
A sharp glint flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Majeon spy who had given an artificial inner elixir to Shim Wol.
He had finally tracked down Hyeok Ryeon-eung, one of the roots of the Three Realms.
***
Leaving Fog Valley, Bu Eunseol immediately returned to Majeon.
Meanwhile, Mu Heon continued to leave traces of Supreme Branch Leader Seon Woojin’s activities.
Seo Jinha and Soyo’s training would soon be complete.
Soon, the Death Spirit Corps would be perfected, and Bu Eunseol would have a flawless dual identity, capable of maintaining two separate trails.
“Let’s conclude the meeting here,” Bu Eunseol said after holding a brief meeting with the leaders.
He then entered a secret chamber within his office.
There, Yoo Unryong sat with a grave expression.
“Where is the Hyeok Clan Leader?” Bu Eunseol asked directly.
Yoo Unryong took a deep breath and said with utmost seriousness, “He’s at the King Wei’s Manor.”
“The King Wei’s Manor…” Bu Eunseol repeated, his eyes deepening.
For Majeon’s Hyeok Clan Leader to be at the King Wei’s Manor—could he be connected to the imperial palace?
“Hyeok Ryeon-eung, under the name Southern Bright Master, has been serving as a scholar at the King Wei’s Manor,” Yoo Unryong said, his expression growing even more serious. “He’s been there for twenty years, teaching various individuals.”
It was a shocking revelation.
For Hyeok Ryeon-eung, a top figure in Majeon, to have been part of the King Wei’s Manor for twenty years?
Wasn’t that absurd?
Yoo Unryong shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe his own words.
“Majeon isn’t some neighborhood martial school. How could someone maintain a dual identity for decades?”
“A dual identity,” Bu Eunseol said, a sharp glint passing through his eyes. “Hyeok Ryeon-eung. Just like me now, he must have created a shadow to maintain a perfect dual identity.”
Realization dawned on Yoo Unryong, and his eyes widened.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung.
Just as Bu Eunseol moved between Majeon and the Martial Alliance, he had been living a dual life between Majeon and the King Wei’s Manor.
Likely with a perfect shadow in place.
“But why?” Yoo Unryong asked, unable to comprehend.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung was one of the core figures leading the Hyeok Clan.
Though he had been sent to handle external affairs as punishment for arbitrarily ending the Ten Demon Warriors Plan, that was merely a gesture by Majeon to temporarily shield him from the criticism and pressure of the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders.
He was a figure who commanded immense trust, even serving as the chief instructor of the Ten Demon Warriors Plan in place of the Demon Emperor.
Yet, he had been maintaining a dual identity for a long time, serving as a royal tutor in the King Wei’s Manor?
“He must be a key figure in the Three Realms,” Bu Eunseol said, clenching his jaw. “At that level, he must be.”
Hyeok Ryeon-eung was stirring the martial world as part of the Three Realms.
And not just as a pawn, but as a central figure.
Otherwise, he could never have maintained the dual roles of Majeon’s Hyeok Clan Leader and the Wei King’s tutor for so long.
Neither of those identities could be mere puppets moving under the orders of a Three Realms envoy.
“Hmph,” Yoo Unryong said, letting out a deep sigh. “What on earth are the Three Realms doing? How are they structured?”
With a weary expression, he shook his head.
“Hyeok Ryeon-eung is a top elder of Majeon and a figure with the Demon Emperor’s unwavering trust. What could he possibly lack…?”
“We’ll find out when we meet him,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “If he’s been caught in our intelligence network, it means he’s summoning me.”
The Three Realms had always possessed an intelligence network far surpassing that of Majeon and the Martial Alliance.
There was no way a key figure like Hyeok Ryeon-eung would allow his whereabouts and identity to be exposed.
“Indeed. He probably deliberately leaked the information to our network,” Yoo Unryong said gravely. “So that it would be reported to you immediately.”
His expression darkened.
The Death Spirit Corps was a secret intelligence unit that Bu Eunseol had painstakingly built.
Yet, Hyeok Ryeon-eung had blatantly exposed his whereabouts through it. That meant there was a high chance a spy from the Three Realms was among the captains.
“This is troubling,” Bu Eunseol said, feeling genuine distress for the first time.
Myo Cheonwoo, Won Semun, Wi Cheongyeong, Jo Namcheon.
They, like Yoo Unryong and Seo Jinha, were subordinates Bu Eunseol deeply trusted.
The thought that one of them might have been deceiving him as a spy… was painful.
“It might not be the case,” Yoo Unryong said, forcing a bright smile. “The Three Realms’ intelligence network has always been several steps ahead. It might not be because of a spy among the leaders.”
Of course, he knew the likelihood of that was slim.
But he didn’t want Bu Eunseol to suffer over something that wasn’t yet confirmed.
Life is full of unexpected twists.
What seems clear at first glance often turns out to be completely different with time.
“For now, let’s do the best we can. That’s enough, right?” Yoo Unryong said, smiling brightly. “By the time you return, Seo Jinha and Deputy Leader Soyo’s training will be nearly complete. Then, you’ll have a perfect dual identity that no intelligence network can detect.”
“Just like Hyeok Ryeon-eung,” Bu Eunseol remarked.
“Eunseol…” Yoo Unryong began.
“Just saying,” Bu Eunseol said, letting out a soft chuckle.
“I’ll be back.”
“You’re going alone?” Yoo Unryong asked, his face full of concern.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung was a high-ranking figure in the Three Realms who had maintained a dual identity for decades. That meant his intellect and martial arts were likely far superior to what was known.
Moreover, deliberately revealing his dual identity meant he was luring Bu Eunseol alone, likely with some hidden scheme.
“Why not inform the Demon Emperor or the Chief Instructor? The information is reliable, after all,” Yoo Unryong suggested.
“He deliberately leaked his dual identity. That means he can abandon the identity he’s built in the King Wei’s Manor without hesitation,” Bu Eunseol replied, sighing. “The moment we inform others, he’ll vanish without a trace.”
Yoo Unryong fell silent.
He already knew that. He just didn’t want to send Bu Eunseol alone.
Because it was highly likely a trap.
In truth, Yoo Unryong wanted to stop him.
There was no need to move according to the enemy’s intentions. Why not approach more cautiously, probing their weaknesses?
That’s what he wanted to say.
But he couldn’t.
Throughout his long journey, Bu Eunseol had uncovered almost nothing.
The truth behind his grandfather’s death, what the Three Realms were, and what they wanted.
Having finally found a clue to one of those mysteries, Bu Eunseol would never let this opportunity slip away.
“Be careful,” Yoo Unryong said, sending him off with a smile.
When you can’t help directly, a smile full of trust is the greatest support.
But Yoo Unryong would soon regret this decision.
He should have advised against rushing in.
He should have urged him not to follow the enemy’s plans and to approach slowly, gathering intelligence.
Offering sharp advice was also the duty of a strategist.
But, trusting in Bu Eunseol’s exceptional abilities, he had overlooked that for too long.
***
Leaving Majeon, Bu Eunseol swiftly employed his qinggong to head toward Taiping Prefecture.
Throughout the journey, questions about Hyeok Ryeon-eung swirled in his mind.
Why had Hyeok Ryeon-eung exposed his location? Why lure him to the King Wei’s Manor?
Could he be an imperial figure, intending to recruit Bu Eunseol there?
‘That’s unlikely.’ His thoughts spiraled, one leading to another. ‘If he’s a spy for the Three Realms, there must be a reason he saved me in Hell Island.’
Hyeok Ryeon-eung was the one who had saved him in Hell Island, even at the cost of relinquishing his position as the Hyeok Clan Leader. Before Bu Eunseol could sustain a fatal injury, he had halted the Ten Demon Warriors plan, saving his life.
To anyone, it appeared as an act of unwavering loyalty to the Demon Emperor and Majeon, selecting an outstanding Ten Demon Warrior.
So why would a Three Realms spy do such a thing?
What was his reason?
Relentlessly employing his qinggong, Bu Eunseol soon arrived at the King Wei’s Manor in Taiping Prefecture.
The main gate was firmly closed, adorned with a gold-rimmed plaque.
The manor, spanning over ten thousand pyeong, housed more than thirty buildings and a garden reminiscent of the imperial palace’s.
‘No need to enter covertly.’
The Three Realms’ intelligence network surpassed that of Majeon.
Moreover, he hadn’t concealed his movements on the way to Taiping Prefecture. Hyeok Ryeon-eung would surely know he had arrived.
Creak.
As Bu Eunseol stood before the gate, it opened as if on cue.
A young warrior, dressed as a manor guard, clasped his hands in greeting.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Though dressed as a guard, his lively eyes and the chilling aura emanating from him suggested he was no ordinary guard but likely someone affiliated with Hyeok Ryeon-eung or the Three Realms.
“We’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
Unfazed, Bu Eunseol nodded lightly and stepped inside.
A breathtaking garden, like a scene from a landscape painting, unfolded before him.
‘They’ve altered the terrain and even redirected water channels.’
The trees, flowers, and even the stones in the garden were arranged according to the subtle principles of a formation.
To the untrained eye, it was a beautiful garden.
But to Bu Eunseol, it looked like a deadly Mountain of Blades and Forest of Swords, where a single misstep could lead to death.
“This way.”
The guard pointed to a small path behind the manor, leading through the garden.
After walking for a while, they reached a mountain trail that led to a steep cliff.
Ascending it, Bu Eunseol saw a pavilion set against a beautifully colored sunset, like a painting.
Before it stood a figure with hands clasped behind their back, gazing at the vast sky.
Step, step.
As Bu Eunseol approached, the figure slowly turned.
A man with tiger-like eyes and a sturdy, bear-like build came into view.
It was none other than Hyeok Ryeon-eung, the Hyeok Clan Leader of Majeon and the Chief Instructor of the Ten Demon Warriors Plan.
