“…”
The transmission’s content was as follows: The sender claimed to be a member of the Pang Clan and wished to speak secretly with Bu Eunseol.
“Very well.” Bu Eunseol readily agreed, and the mysterious sender invited him into a lavish brothel.
Guided by a servant into a private room, Bu Eunseol found a man seated there, dressed remarkably similarly to himself. Several courtesans waited around him.
But the servant ignored them and touched a folding screen inside.
A highly secretive door appeared in one wall.
‘As expected.’ Bu Eunseol nodded at their meticulousness.
To guard against tails, they intended to create the illusion of Bu Eunseol drinking with courtesans in a private banquet room.
“This way.”
Following the servant deeper, Bu Eunseol reached a dark secret chamber at the passage’s end.
There stood a hulking man with eyes gleaming like a tiger’s.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation.” The man clasped his hands toward Bu Eunseol.
“I am Pang Jonggang, Inspector Lord of the Pang Clan.”
Shockingly, the one who had summoned Bu Eunseol was Pang Jonggang, the Inspector Lord who wielded immense authority within the Pang Clan.
“I’m Bu Eunseol.”
“I heard the Command Lord desires a secret exchange with our clan and intends to return the Five Tiger Blade.”
“That is correct.”
“Then I’ll be direct. In truth, our clan is in grave disarray.”
“Disarray? What do you mean?” Feigning ignorance, Bu Eunseol prompted, and Pang Jonggang spoke in a low voice.
“The Clan Leader is not ill—he is confined in the Wall-Facing Cave by the Supreme Elder.”
“By the Supreme Elder… the Clan Leader is imprisoned in the Wall-Facing Cave?”
Bu Eunseol frowned.
Then the one opposing Supreme Elder Pang Yeok was the Clan Leader, Pang Muncheon?
“Yes. If the Command Lord can secretly extract and rescue the Clan Leader from our clan, you will become our clan’s eternal benefactor.”
He drew an envelope from his robes and handed it to Bu Eunseol.
Inside were detailed diagrams of the Pang Clan’s hidden mechanisms and the exact location of the Wall-Facing Cave where the Clan Leader was imprisoned.
“If you have no intention of interfering in our clan’s affairs, forget what you heard today.” Pang Jonggang added, “I will step down from the Inspector Lord position in a few days. In truth, I can offer no real assistance.”
Bu Eunseol wore a bemused expression.
In the end, no one inside would help with this matter?
“I’ve heard the Command Lord excels not only in martial arts but in stratagems. If you aid us this time, our clan will support you forever.”
His words lacked confidence.
No one would help the Pang Clan after hearing this.
But an unexpected answer came.
“Is it simply a matter of secretly extracting the Pang Clan Leader from the Wall-Facing Cave?” When Bu Eunseol agreed cheerfully, Pang Jonggang’s eyes widened.
“You will do it?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you!” Pang Jonggang bowed deeply, hands clasped.
For the Majeon heir to risk such danger for the head of an unrelated Great Family?
“But I need help.”
“As I said, I will soon no longer be Inspector Lord…”
“No, I don’t need grand assistance. Just a few Pang Clan servants.” Bu Eunseol whispered lowly.
Pang Jonggang’s eyes grew round as saucers.
After a long discussion in the secret chamber, Bu Eunseol left the brothel, boarded a carriage, and headed for Majeon.
Clack-clack.
The carriage raced along the official road.
Bu Eunseol gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Through Pang Jonggang, he had roughly grasped the Pang Clan’s internal situation.
“According to Pang Jonggang, the Pang Clan was never a den of the Three Realms from the start.”
Pang Jonggang claimed the clan had been corrupted by Supreme Elder Pang Yeok.
Pang Muncheon had accidentally discovered his father’s misdeeds, souring relations with the Supreme Elder.
“But that can’t be right.”
If the Pang Clan had been corrupted by Pang Yeok, no matter how formidable his martial arts, he could never seize control.
The Eight Great Families.
The eight clans representing the orthodox faction did not rise merely through size or a few geniuses.
They boasted a deep roster of masters rivaling the Nine Great Sects and exerted influence not only in the martial world but in commerce, finance, and even government.
For a mere Supreme Elder who had turned traitor to imprison the Clan Leader in the Wall-Facing Cave for years and seize the clan?
Impossible.
“That means many blindly loyal to Pang Yeok exist. Conversely, there are also factions like Pang Jonggang’s—questioning, probing the internal situation, and opposing Pang Yeok.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
From his perspective, this was an unmissable golden opportunity.
“First, collapse it from within.” He gazed at the distant sky beyond the window.
If he rescued Pang Muncheon from the Wall-Facing Cave?
He could swiftly crumble the Pang Clan from the inside.
Several days later.
Three carriages entered the Pang Clan.
The lead was a passenger carriage; the rear two were loaded freight wagons.
Creak.
As they entered, the Pang Clan gates closed firmly.
Clack.
The passenger carriage door opened, revealing a tall figure in black martial robes.
Bu Eunseol.
As promised to Pang Seoun, he had come to return the Five Tiger Blade unconditionally.
“Welcome.”
Chief Steward Pang Seoun approached, clasping his hands politely.
“Truly, the Command Lord is a man of honor.”
“No need for flattery.”
“But what are those?”
When Pang Seoun pointed at the freight wagons, Bu Eunseol waved dismissively. “I visited secretly, but since I was formally invited to the Pang Clan, how could I come empty-handed?”
Pang Seoun’s eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol had brought not only the Pang Clan treasure, the Five Tiger Blade, but various gifts.
Pang Seoun smiled faintly inwardly.
‘He must be desperate.’ Hiding his thoughts, he waved a hand.
“How could we accept such things?”
“You must. Otherwise, I’d waste a fortune for nothing.”
“What do you…”
Bu Eunseol ordered servants to unload chests from the wagons.
Opening them revealed stacks of silver ingots.
Some held precious herbs like lingzhi, bokryeong, and ginseng.
Others contained rare ingredients hard to obtain in Hebei.
“Hmm.” Pang Seoun groaned.
Aside from silver, most were costly ingredients and herbs.
In this sweltering heat, returning them would mean discarding everything.
“Very well. We will accept it with gratitude.” Pang Seoun reluctantly sent servants to store them in the warehouse.
“On behalf of the Clan Leader, thank you.”
He then guided Bu Eunseol to the guest hall.
With a treasure like the Five Tiger Blade, proper hospitality was due this time.
“Here it is.” Bu Eunseol wasted no time, placing the wooden box on the table. “Please verify it yourself, Chief Steward.”
Clack.
Pang Seoun opened the antique box with a tense expression.
Inside lay a crude blade nearly a foot wide—the Pang Clan treasure, Five Tiger Blade.
As it appeared, every Pang Clan expert, including Pang Seoun, bowed respectfully.
The Five Tiger Blade symbolized the Pang Clan.
Recovering it in this era was deeply moving.
“Excuse me for a moment.” Pang Seoun carefully carried the blade away, likely to the clan’s most secret vault.
After a short while, he returned to the guest hall and bowed.
“Thanks to the Command Lord, we resolved one of our clan’s long-cherished wishes. Truly grateful.”
“No need.” Bu Eunseol rose calmly. “Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Already?” Pang Seoun looked embarrassed.
Of course, since it wasn’t an official visit, a public banquet was impossible.
Word of the Majeon heir entering the Pang Clan could spread.
But despite returning a lost treasure, no key figures besides Pang Seoun had shown their faces.
Even for brazen Pang Seoun, this was mortifying.
“My apologies, Command Lord.”
Even for the Pang Clan, which vehemently rejected the demonic faction, such poor treatment damaged not only Bu Eunseol’s face but the clan’s prestige.
Moreover, Bu Eunseol was the future Majeon Lord.
For him to strive this hard to open ties, sending him off like this was awkward.
“Later, this chief steward will exert influence to formally invite the Command Lord to our clan.”
A difficult promise to keep, but his apology was sincere.
“No matter.” Bu Eunseol waved cheerfully. “Then I’ll go.”
As Bu Eunseol prepared to leave, Pang Seoun said apologetically, “At least have some tea.”
It was mere courtesy.
But Bu Eunseol paused, then exclaimed, “Ah.”
“Then skip the tea—may I tour the Pang Clan interior?”
“Our clan?”
“Who knows when I’ll return? Since I’m here, I’d like to witness the Pang Clan’s grandeur with my own eyes.”
Bu Eunseol winked.
“Of course, masked.”
Showing a demonic figure the clan’s internal layout was forbidden.
Normally impossible, but Bu Eunseol had returned the Five Tiger Blade unconditionally and sent gifts.
Refusing a simple tour request was difficult.
Pang Seoun hesitated.
‘Just looking around shouldn’t hurt.’
The Pang Clan’s strength came from its people.
Even seeing the layout, nothing could be gained by eyes alone.
‘The Supreme Elder wouldn’t mind this much.’
“Very well. I’ll guide you personally.”
Bu Eunseol smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
At that moment.
Creak.
Inside an emptied chest from the freight wagon, another door opened.
Beneath the chest was a small compartment—someone hidden secretly.
Dae Guhwi.
‘No time to waste.’
Thanks to the Wild Beast Palace’s martial arts, Dae Guhwi could mimic animals and completely conceal his presence.
Perfect for stealth and infiltration.
Sniff-sniff.
Sniffing the surroundings, Dae Guhwi activated Power of the Wild.
Crack.
His lean body instantly bulked with muscle and he lightly leaped onto the roof.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
He moved stealthily between pavilions. Recalling the map Bu Eunseol showed him, Dae Guhwi headed unhesitatingly toward the north gate.
After running far, he found a small house with an iron roof and walls.
Inside was a sturdy iron door with a narrow slit to peer through.
Looking in, Dae Guhwi saw a wall-attached bed and a well-like hole for waste.
In one corner sat a middle-aged man staring blankly at the wall.
Ragged clothes, but eyes clear and full of vitality.
The current Pang Clan Leader, Pang Muncheon.
Mumble-mumble.
He chanted endlessly like a rain-soaked monk.
Listening closely, it was the Pure Heart Secret to maintain clarity in any situation.
‘Correct.’ Dae Guhwi eyed the locked iron door, then inserted elongated claws.
Clank.
The lock opened.
“Clan Leader.” Entering, Dae Guhwi clasped hands. “I come at the Inspector Lord’s request to escort you.”
“I heard you’re helping this Clan Leader to gain ties with our clan.” Pang Muncheon shook his head as if recalling something. “But it’s pointless.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if I escape safely, I cannot elude their grasp.” Narrowing his eyes, Pang Muncheon wore a bitter expression.
“Tell Jonggang that no more effort is needed.” His eyes and voice held indescribable regret and long-held resentment.
“Don’t worry.” Dae Guhwi smiled brightly. “Even if the entire martial world attacks you, there’s a person who can protect you.”
“Even if the entire martial world attacks?”
“Yes.”
“Who the hell is that?”
“You’ll know when you meet him.” Dae Guhwi’s eyes were pure yet brimming with immense power.
“If a young man like you says so—I’m curious.” Pang Muncheon sighed deeply.
“Shall I be deceived once more?”
“Climb on my back.” As Dae Guhwi offered his back, Pang Muncheon chuckled.
“Like a beast.”
“Is that so?”
“Wild Beast Palace?”
As Dae Guhwi looked surprised, Pang Muncheon said, “Without circulating inner energy, only Beast Palace’s Power of the Wild can radiate such power within the body.”
Befitting a Clan Leader, his insight was vast.
“Yes. I am a disciple of the Wild Beast Palace.”
“The Wild Beast Palace… you came far.”
Pang Muncheon, like one untrained in martial arts, weakly climbed onto Dae Guhwi’s back. Sealed by powerful acupoint strikes, he couldn’t use inner energy.
Whoosh!
Dae Guhwi dashed like a beast.
Carrying Pang Muncheon, his speed and agility remained undiminished. Leaping stealthily between pavilions multiple times, Dae Guhwi finally reached the warehouse where the chests were stored.
Removing the wood on a hidden chest, he said, “Give me your outer clothes and lie here. Soon you’ll be outside the Pang Clan.”
Pang Muncheon blinked at the chest.
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“How will you export this chest again?”
Instead of answering, Dae Guhwi pointed to another chest.
Pang Muncheon exclaimed in admiration.
“Indeed. A brilliant strategist.”
Relieved, he lay inside.
Dae Guhwi carefully closed the lid.
Donning Pang Muncheon’s clothes,
Crack.
He used reverse bone technique to alter his frame. Dae Guhwi exited the warehouse and headed north.
Pang Seoun briefly but earnestly guided Bu Eunseol through the Pang Clan interior.
He generously showed even the off-limits training grounds and inner compound.
Though short, Bu Eunseol thoroughly surveyed the interior.
“Well seen.” Back at the main gate, Bu Eunseol clasped hands.
Pang Seoun smiled. “I’m glad the Command Lord is satisfied.”
“Then.”
“Safe travels.”
As Bu Eunseol boarded his carriage, a panting Pang Clan servant rushed to Pang Seoun.
Whispering something in his ear,
“Wait! Hold on, Command Lord!” Pang Seoun urgently called to the boarding Bu Eunseol.
“What is it?”
“We are grateful for the gifts… but please take back the chests you brought.”
“The chests?”
“Yes.” Pang Seoun said embarrassedly, “The chests bear the twin dragons emblem of Majeon, prominently carved.”
Gifts were one thing, but keeping Majeon-emblem chests in the Pang Clan was impossible.
If underlings saw them?
Rumors of ties between Majeon and Pang Clan could spread.
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol sighed as if helpless, ordering servants, “Reload the brought chests onto the wagons.”
Servants retrieved the chests from the warehouse and loaded them.
“Now satisfied?”
Pang Seoun nodded smilingly at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“Thank you.”
“Then.”
Clack-clack.
As the gates opened, Bu Eunseol’s carriage and freight wagons departed.
Watching closely, Pang Seoun smiled faintly.
“A windfall, truly.”
No other word or fit.
They recovered the Five Tiger Blade—symbol of the Pang Clan and key to advancing Five Tiger Severing Gate Blade Technique.
Moreover, he had effectively learned the Majeon heir’s weakness.
‘Desperately extending hands to the orthodox faction—his position in Majeon must be shaky.’
Pang Seoun smiled contentedly.
If he leaked Bu Eunseol’s secret contact with the Pang Clan to Majeon’s intelligence?
His standing could grow even more unstable.
“Wait.”
Grinning, Pang Seoun suddenly recalled the chests being loaded, eyes widening.
“No way.”
An ominous feeling struck; he whirled around.
‘If that happened, I must not let that Majeon heir leave Hebei territory!’
Dash-dash.
Entering the inner compound, he raced to the Wall-Facing Cave at the north gate’s end.
Peering through the small hole above the door,
He saw a ragged figure staring at the wall.
Pang Muncheon, the Clan Leader.
‘Phew.’ Confirming his presence, Pang Seoun exhaled in relief.
“Just the Majeon heir’s ambition, after all.”
If he already knew the Pang Clan’s secret, no need for such convoluted methods.
He would have boldly schemed through subordinates.
Realizing his suspicion was excessive, Pang Seoun shook his head.
“The Supreme Elder will be pleased upon return.”
Smiling faintly, Pang Seoun slowly turned.
