―The Martial Alliance has toppled the Heaven-Human Cult.
Gongsun Dankyung commanded the Divine Might and Flame Wing Sword Corps to crush the Heaven-Human Cult that plagued the martial world, exposing their crimes to the light of day.
Long ago, they had collected demonic swords from the martial world and, for over a decade, artificially constructed a Sword Tomb on Taiping Mountain. To awaken those demonic blades, they spread rumors that the site was a Sword Tomb, luring martial artists to spill their blood.
Such truths were utterly unknown to the martial world.
Yet Gongsun Dankyung, a Commander of the Martial Alliance, pierced the Heaven-Human Cult’s suspicions, uncovered evidence of their atrocities… and annihilated them.
―Well done.
For her merit in subjugating the Heaven-Human Cult, Gongsun Dankyung received personal commendation from the Heavenly Emperor, who rarely showed himself, further solidifying her position in the Martial Alliance.
But an even greater joy awaited.
―Second-grade Captain Seon of the Supreme Branch has been appointed first-grade Captain.
In martial history, the only one to become a first-grade Captain in his twenties was the Heavenly Sword, disciple of the Sword Venerable. Moreover, the Heavenly Sword had not risen through merit but through the Sword Venerable’s halo and recognized prowess—an irregular promotion.
Seon Woojin was different.
Starting as a third-grade Captain, he steadily accumulated achievements: forging peace with the Yeolha Holy Palace, among others.
He also led the fledgling Supreme Branch to victory in the Grand Phoenix Tournament with outstanding military strategy and was said to be a brilliant tactician capable of commanding both divisions in Gongsun Dankyung’s stead during her visit to Gyeongsa.
Finally, in this battle against the Heaven-Human Cult, when the Flame Wing Sword Corps and Gongsun Dankyung faced certain death, he fought the cult leader one-on-one and emerged victorious, earning recognition for his exceptional martial prowess.
Once his injuries healed, his official appointment as first-grade Captain was confirmed.
Bustle bustle.
As rumors spread, countless figures flocked to the northern bamboo grove where the Supreme Branch was stationed.
A first-grade division could undertake missions independently, answering only to its direct superior.
Learning of Seon Woojin—a man who, through his own power at a young age, had risen to first-grade Captain—figures from every corner of the Martial Alliance visited to make his acquaintance or build ties.
Even hall masters who had previously ignored the Supreme Branch or Seon Woojin now came in endless streams.
Martial Alliance, Supreme Pavilion. Bu Eunseol’s quarters.
“How is your body?”
There stood a man built like a stout doll—Yuk Jangcheon, master of the Ascendant Martial Hall.
“I never imagined you would achieve such great merit.”
Normally, his mouth would split into a grin. Yet Yuk Jangcheon’s gaze upon the returning Bu Eunseol was somewhat dark.
He had not been informed in advance of Bu Eunseol’s participation in the Heaven-Human Cult extermination.
“My apologies.” Reading Yuk Jangcheon’s mind, Bu Eunseol explained calmly. “The Commander insisted this operation be top secret and personally selected me.”
“I heard. But you should have at least given this hall master a hint afterward.”
“Of course. Upon learning the details, I immediately reported to Lotus Hall Master.”
“To Cheongah?”
“Yes. When I requested it be reported to you, the Commander personally met Hall Master Yuk and explained everything.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Only then did Yuk Jangcheon’s face brighten.
Bu Eunseol was a man of flawless intellect and perfectionism. Even if secretly proposed by the Commander, there had been multiple opportunities to quietly inform him before departing to subjugate the Heaven-Human Cult.
Learning everything only after the annihilation had deeply disappointed him.
‘Is he switching from my hall to the Commander’s?’ Yuk Jangcheon had initially been furious but soon shook his head.
Switching would be pointless.
There was no place for Bu Eunseol in the Commander’s faction.
His desire was the highest position attainable at a young age: vice-commander of one of the Seven Great Divisions.
“But why didn’t Cheongah report to me?”
“Who knows. Perhaps Hall Master Yuk was so busy she forgot.”
“Cheongah doesn’t forget things. Strange.” Yuk Jangcheon scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Anyway, well done. There will be an appointment ceremony once your wounds heal. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Then, rest well.”
Yuk Jangcheon hurried out.
Judging by his demeanor, he was surely off to confront Yuk Cheongah about Bu Eunseol’s claim and why she had not reported.
‘A terrifying woman, the Commander.’
In truth, this was part of Gongsun Dankyung’s plan.
Had he reported formally, Yuk Jangcheon might have gladly permitted participation but would have slightly doubted Bu Eunseol’s loyalty.
Thus, Gongsun Dankyung had ordered Bu Eunseol not to inform Yuk Jangcheon, then met Yuk Cheongah personally when he was absent.
Yuk Cheongah, the youngest hall master on record, was ambitious and highly capable.
Gongsun Dankyung knew well that she harbored rivalry toward her.
―Even without Captain Seon, wouldn’t Lotus Hall and Ascendant Martial Hall run smoothly?
She had met Yuk Cheongah and pricked her pride.
―I’d like to quietly take Captain Seon, but Hall Master Yuk probably won’t allow it.
Stung by Gongsun Dankyung’s attitude and words, Yuk Cheongah had not reported the meeting itself to Yuk Jangcheon.
‘Not a normal father-daughter relationship…’
Gazing at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
According to Gongsun Dankyung, despite being father and daughter, Yuk Jangcheon and Yuk Cheongah had a surprisingly poor relationship. Though superior and subordinate in the same Ascendant Martial Hall, they pursued different desires.
‘A terrifying woman.’
Gongsun Dankyung precisely read people’s situations and minds.
She was steadily driving a wedge between them to make Bu Eunseol entirely hers.
***
Returning to the Martial Alliance after annihilating the Heaven-Human Cult, Gongsun Dankyung immediately convened the General Hall Masters’ Meeting and proposed promoting Bu Eunseol to first-grade Captain.
The hall masters unanimously approved.
The two vice-division commanders who had fought alongside—Muk Inhyeok and Seong Joyeong—praised him endlessly, so no hall master dared oppose.
Yet a subtle issue arose.
Though called a multi-purpose division, the Supreme Branch primarily handled intelligence duties.
Their members’ excellence was proven through the Grand Phoenix Tournament and various missions, but they had never achieved feats worthy of first-grade division recognition.
―Then let us appoint Captain Seon as leader of a first-grade sword corps vacated by the Heaven-Human Cult battle.
After deliberation, the Martial Alliance leadership decided to transfer him to another first-grade sword corps as its leader.
Bu Eunseol firmly refused.
―I am the great master of the Supreme Branch. I will share life and death with my men.
Rejecting promotion to first-grade Captain to stay with the men he had always led…
―Is he insane?
Most Martial Alliance warriors shook their heads in disbelief.
To young martial artists, first-grade Captain was a dream position: recognition as the next-generation master, capable of independent operations when needed—honor and power combined.
Yet he refused it outright to share hardships with his men?
A decision only a madman could make.
―He has become a true man. Excellent!
Conversely, the leadership could not hide their satisfaction.
A commander who shared life and death with his men, taking responsibility to the end.
That was the ideal the Martial Alliance always emphasized.
Hadn’t the Heavenly Sword failed to do so, bringing utter disgrace to the Alliance?
―The Supreme Branch’s Captain’s decision rings a warning to young great masters chasing only status and fame, while serving as an exemplary model for the Alliance’s many warriors!
For Bu Eunseol, who refused first-grade Captain promotion to share hardships with his men, the Martial Alliance offered unprecedented rewards.
―Promote the Supreme Branch to first-grade intelligence division; allow Captain Seon four days on the second floor of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment, and the remaining members the first floor!
For the Supreme Branch Captain who refused first-grade status, the elders recognized the Supreme Branch as a first-grade intelligence division, granting Seon Woojin four days on the second floor and the members the first.
―He thoroughly won over the old men’s hearts.
Hearing the news, warriors could not hide their envy.
The second floor of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment was accessible only to first-grade Captains or hall masters for great merit.
Opening it upon promotion was an unprecedented reward.
―A new-generation master is born in the Alliance.
Through this, the name Seon Woojin was deeply etched in every Martial Alliance warrior’s mind.
But the world did not know.
This was merely the prelude to the storm Seon Woojin would unleash.
Guided by guards, Bu Eunseol and the Supreme Branch members headed to the west gate where the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment stood.
Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
Among the Martial Alliance’s libraries, it housed the secret manuals of each sect’s divine arts.
Ordinary martial manual libraries were hidden in secretive locations with numerous mechanisms to bar outsiders and thieves.
But the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment was neither hidden nor mechanized.
It stood opposite the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, where the Alliance Leader resided—the most heavily guarded spot, constantly trafficked by leadership.
‘Heaven and Earth Pavilion.’
Walking with the guards, Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant hall and drew a deep breath.
There resided the Heavenly Emperor, the foremost of the righteous sects.
And the Heavenly Emperor’s other identity was the greatest sage of the martial world, the Divine Mountain Sage—who had given him the name Seon Woojin.
Bu Eunseol was rising swiftly, accumulating merit daily.
And the Divine Mountain Sage—no, the Heavenly Emperor—surely watched.
‘What is he thinking?’
Was he pleased with this rapid rise as planned?
Why did he aid in avenging the hall master who killed his grandfather? What did he truly want?
Rumble.
Then, with a low vibration, the firmly shut doors of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment opened and a kindly-looking elder emerged.
Snow-white eyebrows framed clear eyes like the vast heavens beneath neatly combed hair.
Small in stature, he exuded an aura of immortal bones.
It was Mok Do-in, master of the Hidden Forest Pavilion, caretaker of the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment.
“Seon Woojin pays respects to the Elder Pavilion Master.”
Bu Eunseol bowed deeply and the members followed suit.
“Come in.” Mok Doin smiled as if expecting them, gazing at Bu Eunseol. “They said a dragon hid in the upper realms. Indeed, the rumor was no exaggeration.”
“You flatter me.”
“Hurry inside. We cannot waste this precious time.”
Bu Eunseol followed Mok Doin into the hall.
The first floor featured antique tables and chairs, with endless bookshelves stretched beyond sight, packed with volumes. As a floor even ordinary warriors could enter for merit, surprisingly many people were present.
‘Different from the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault.’
In Majeon’s Myriad Demon Scripture Vault, even the first floor was strictly guarded by manual keepers and large groups could not enter at once. Yet here in the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment, many gathered to read like in any sect’s library?
‘I must change my division’s atmosphere too.’
In the demonic path, power is authority.
Thus, even the first floor of the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault had stringent entry conditions.
Without permission from the highest, like the Demon Emperor or Chief Instructor, even meritorious figures could not enter the first floor.
But the Martial Alliance could open the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment by a majority elder vote. They granted as many warriors as possible the chance to read manuals.
Perhaps this contrasting atmosphere was why the Martial Alliance surpassed Majeon…
“You have access up to the second floor; go up immediately.” Mok Doin handed Bu Eunseol a silver plaque engraved with a phoenix. “Wear this at your waist. For four days, you may freely come and go between the first and second floors.”
“Thank you.”
Mok Doin smiled warmly at Bu Eunseol. “Though short, I hope for much growth.”
Bu Eunseol and the Supreme Branch members bowed once more.
“Captain, is this a dream?” Tae Muryong gaped. “We’re all inside the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment.”
“Indeed.” Jeong Jongdo could not hide his excitement.
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Four days is not long.” Then, firmly to the members: “In four days, let us meet transformed.”
“Yes!” The members saluted Bu Eunseol and scattered toward the shelves.
Watching, Bu Eunseol ascended the stairs to the second floor.
Having read countless orthodox manuals in the Martial Emperor’s Vault, he held no great expectations for the Hall of Solitary Enlightenment. He merely intended a cursory glance at the famed Martial Alliance library.
Step step.
Bu Eunseol climbed to the second floor.
A long corridor appeared.
‘To prevent manual leakage.’
Faint metallic friction from mechanisms sounded in the corridor and hidden experts’ presences were felt.
Unless the hall was destroyed, one had to pass this long passage to exit.
The Martial Alliance used it to bar outsiders and check for manual smuggling.
‘They don’t avoid surveillance—they pretend not to.’ Bu Eunseol smirked.
Compared to the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault, it seemed free and unguarded, but they merely hid the surveillance.
Finally reaching the second floor, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
The books on the shelves. Unlike the ancient texts on the first floor, all manuals here were brand new.
‘They rewrote all these manuals?’
Glancing around, Bu Eunseol pulled a randomly placed book.
Cheonpung Sword Manual.
Two hundred years ago, the Cheonpung Sect was famed for chaotic sword techniques. Yet the Cheonpung Sect was merely second-rate. Why was their sword art here?
Flip.
Sensing oddity, he read through.
“This can’t be.”
The sword techniques in the Cheonpung Sword Manual were not from two hundred years ago.
They were newly refined Cheonpung swordsmanship.
‘So that’s it.’ Reading, Bu Eunseol felt fresh shock.
The Martial Alliance did not merely preserve past renowned martial arts. They continuously studied and improved them, advancing martial arts once more.
‘This is the Martial Alliance’s true strength.’
Of course, Majeon had places to restore or improve martial arts. But they did not refine or restore so many manuals—only select outstanding ones.
Yet the Martial Alliance had refined the Cheonpung swordsmanship of the unremarkable Cheonpung Sect from two hundred years ago into a superior art.
This meant the number of talents in the Martial Alliance was beyond Majeon’s reach.
‘So many brilliant minds.’ Bu Eunseol nodded faintly.
Refining even second-rate sword arts was due to abundant talent, but likely also because those talents had long researched foundational martial arts for lower warriors. In other words, the Martial Alliance cared meticulously not only for elite warriors but for the lower warriors forming the organization’s base.
‘Like building a structure, an organization needs a solid foundation.’
Unlike Majeon, the Martial Alliance did not overlook this.
‘Majeon should learn this too.’
Continuously admiring, Bu Eunseol resumed browsing the second floor manuals.
Unlike the first floor, these were clearly outstanding arts for hall masters or greatly refined ones. Yet none particularly caught Bu Eunseol’s eye or seemed worth learning.
‘These arts fall short for Seon Woojin.’
New-generation masters each practiced supreme arts reaching the highest realms. The manuals here were all excellent techniques, but for Seon Woojin, who would soon challenge the position of hall master, they felt somewhat lacking.
‘Wait, if they’re refinements…’
Scanning manuals, a sudden thought struck Bu Eunseol.
Most arts here were improvements on existing ones.
Then, using these as basis, could he not refine the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms and create its transcendent breakthrough form?
