‘I’ll master every single one of these variations.’
Hot fervor poured from Bu Eunseol’s eyes as the thought concluded.
Without the general formula, he couldn’t contain these three hundred-plus variations in a single move or perform them perfectly.
So he decided to memorize the entire set of Heon Won Bright Sword variations from the manual.
‘I’ll force them in no matter what.’
Bu Eunseol focused his mind and read the manual relentlessly.
How much time passed?
“Hoo.” Taking a deep breath, he slowly closed the manual.
He had finally memorized all the variations in Heon Won Bright Sword.
‘The most difficult martial art I’ve learned so far.’
If the general formula existed, the variations could form one flow, making repeated practice easy.
But without it, Bu Eunseol had forcibly crammed three hundred ninety-five incomprehensible variations into his head.
Even with genius-level memory, this was reckless.
The variations needed to become a perfect whole to form a complete sword move. If even one was forgotten, all his effort would vanish like bubbles.
‘Time should be up by now.’
Fortunately, no surveillant gaze was felt.
Bu Eunseol began reshelving the many manuals on the table one by one. He placed the Heon Won Bright Sword manual back on the shelf top.
Step-step.
Footsteps echoed from afar.
“Captain Seon.”
The approaching figure was Mok Do-in, caretaker of the Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
He smiled brightly at Bu Eunseol. “Your allotted time is up.”
“Is it?” Bu Eunseol deliberately looked around as if snapping out of focus.
The Solitary Enlightenment Hall had no windows—light fatally damages books. Thus, the passage of time couldn’t be sensed.
“Understood. I’ll leave immediately.” As Bu Eunseol clasped his hands and turned, Mok Do-in spoke.
“So, what did you gain here?”
An abrupt question.
Bu Eunseol turned back to see Mok Do-in smiling with crescent eyes.
“Since the Alliance’s founding, no second-grade captain has entered the second floor. Ah, though you’ll soon rise to first-grade.”
“I see.”
“I’m curious what martial arts you studied.” Mok Do-in’s face was full of smiles, but his eyes weren’t laughing. “Your Thirteen Iron Sword Forms are excellent, but lacking a decisive move must trouble you.”
“…”
“So I wondered if you found something to supplement it.”
Bu Eunseol had to forcibly hide his surprise.
‘He even knows the Thirteen Iron Sword Forms’ weakness?’
That meant he had traced every instance of Bu Eunseol’s use of the forms.
Thus, Mok Do-in was either part of the Three Realms or aligned with the Divine Mountain Sage.
“No need to be so shocked.”
When Bu Eunseol didn’t reply, Mok Do-in smiled brightly.
“You’ve accumulated merits and gained first-grade captain approval in record time. Not just this hall leader—many leaders are watching you.” Mok Do-in continued. “Every time you earned merits, the investigation team verified everything. Your swordsmanship and its traces included.”
A clear, irrefutable explanation.
But Bu Eunseol couldn’t take it at face value.
“Thank you for the interest.” Hiding his true feelings, Bu Eunseol answered calmly. “As you said, I felt the sword art’s limits and was researching them.”
“Did you find a solution?”
“I repeatedly read the Flawless Sword Manual and Iron Heart Secret.”
“Hmm…” After pondering, Mok Do-in nodded with closed eyes. “Good choice.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. The Flawless Sword Manual and Iron Heart Secret rival the Nine Great Sects’ ultimate sword arts and mind methods.” Mok Do-in stared at Bu Eunseol, then smiled satisfied. “Your eye for martial arts alone reveals your talent. I look forward to your future exploits.”
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands politely once more.
Then he slowly turned and exited the Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
‘Which side is he on?’
Recalling Mok Do-in’s closed eyes, Bu Eunseol clenched his fists.
Majeon and the Martial Alliance were the same in some ways.
The true powers always operated separately, forming their own networks, and unless he entered that circle or climbed to a towering height overlooking it, he would never know the truth.
‘I’ll climb. Faster.’
He had taken Gongsun Dankyung’s hand—a gamble to become Commander in the shortest time.
If he accumulated more merits, he could reach the Solitary Enlightenment Hall’s third floor and perhaps find the other half of Heon Won Bright Sword there.
‘To the very top, no matter what.’
Swish.
With cold eyes, Bu Eunseol glanced at the Solitary Enlightenment Hall and the Heavenly Emperor’s residence, the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, then calmly turned away.
Returning to the Supreme Pavilion, Bu Eunseol transmitted the essence of the Flawless Sword Manual and Iron Heart Secret to Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo.
He also re-taught martial arts to the corps members suited to their levels.
―You’re transmitting second-floor Solitary Enlightenment Hall arts to us too?
The members were all shocked.
They thought the first-floor’s art were sufficient, yet Bu Eunseol was teaching them more for their sake?
―This unit is now a first-grade corps, right? We need to raise our skills quickly.
He said that, but Bu Eunseol’s true intent differed.
The higher he rose, the sooner the farewell to the Supreme members would come.
He wanted to teach them as much as possible, cultivating abilities to live proudly anywhere.
So that later, the yoke and stigma of serving under a demonic spy… could be erased sooner.
Silver Moon Pavilion, Gongsun Dankyung’s office.
“My sword… you say?” Bu Eunseol, standing respectfully opposite Gongsun Dankyung, blinked.
After leaving the Solitary Enlightenment Hall, Bu Eunseol and the Supreme Branch grandly held the ascension ceremony at the grand training ground where all corps’ gathered, and were recognized as a first-grade corps.
Yet even at the appointment, Bu Eunseol tried wearing his sheathless iron sword.
The hall leader conducting the event, who felt that it damaged a first-grade captain’s dignity, lent his own treasured sword.
Gongsun Dankyung, witnessing this, summoned Bu Eunseol and offered to buy him a treasured sword at Henan’s Myriad Goods Store.
“No need for the Commander to concern herself. One weapon is enough.” Bu Eunseol looked embarrassed.
It appeared as a dull iron sword, but it was truly the Demon-Killer Sword that shattered even legendary demonic blades.
It was incomparable to the market “divine sword treasures” sold expensively.
“Using a sword without a sheath?”
“Then I’ll request a matching sheath from the armory.”
“Hehe. I’ll decline that refusal.” Gongsun Dankyung smiled mysteriously.
“Actually, it’s not just about buying a weapon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Two reasons. First, to publicly show repayment—as Commander—to the captain who risked his life protecting me from the Heaven-Human Cult ambush.”
She continued leisurely.
“Second, it’s time to openly strain relations between the Ascendant Martial Hall Master and Lotus Hall Master.”
Somewhat abrupt.
Bu Eunseol blinked as she smiled and spoke.
“Ambitious, clever people like the Lotus Hall Master have strong possessiveness.”
“…”
“Captain Seon is a hero without flaw, so even more so.” Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes flickered like starlight.
“Upon leaving, meet the Ascendant Martial Hall Master first. And…”
With a confident expression, she whispered several instructions to Bu Eunseol.
Ascendant Martial Hall Master, Yuk Jangcheon’s office.
Yuk Jangcheon sat at the desk, diligently writing letters.
“Hoo.” Deep furrows creased his forehead after half a si-jin of nonstop work.
He had worked tirelessly daily to become the Martial Heaven Division’s Commander, building ties with various figures.
There were two ways to rise in the Martial Alliance.
Outstanding merits or broad connections.
Yuk Jangcheon was a skilled operator but joined the Alliance late, so his supporters were few. Rising to Ascendant Martial Hall Master was possible thanks to his daughter Yuk Cheongah’s connections.
To become Commander of the Martial Heaven Division, he now needed his own merits and wide networks.
‘Quite a hard time.’
Leaning back, Yuk Jangcheon recalled the past.
He became a part of the Four Gods and Seven Kings partly due to unmatched palm mastery, but also for founding the Nine Heavens Society, wielding great influence in the martial world.
Yet the thriving Nine Heavens Society collapsed absurdly from internal strife.
A major fight to oust founding leader Yuk Jangcheon.
He had a domineering personality, judging all Nine Heavens matters alone.
Originally, the Nine Heavens Society was nine like-minded friends uniting as the name implied, but displeased with his ways and temper, they ultimately destroyed it.
Yuk Jangcheon raged, but no followers remained.
Near fifty, he lost all foundation and forces.
Then, a welcome visitor came.
“I will invite Father to serve as an elder of the Alliance.”
This proposal came from Yuk Cheongah, the only daughter who had become the disciple of the previous Martial Alliance’s Elder Hall Lord, the South Sea Divine Nun.
She had inherited both her father Yuk Jangcheon’s talent for martial arts and the keen intellect of her mother, a graduate of the Ghost Valley Academy.
Recognized for her excellence from a young age, Yuk Cheongah eventually became the disciple of the Elder Hall Lord, the South Sea Divine Nun, who had come seeking her after hearing the rumors. Having resided in the Martial Alliance from early on, Yuk Cheongah officially became a martial artist affiliated with the Alliance upon reaching adulthood.
She quickly distinguished herself by accumulating merits, and finally, she ascended to the position of the youngest Hall Leader in the history of the Martial Alliance.
But then an unexpected event occurred.
The South Sea Divine Nun, who had supported her throughout her life, passed away prematurely due to a worsening chronic illness.
Yuk Cheongah’s rise to the youngest Hall Lord had been greatly aided by the South Sea Divine Nun’s influence.
With many matters still to handle in the future, the loss of the figure who had been her backing plunged Yuk Cheongah into deep concern.
Then, as if on cue, her direct superior, the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord, fell ill and took to his bed.
When the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord eventually stepped down to focus on treatment,
“If it’s Father—known as the Palm King, Yuk Jangcheon—he could immediately take over the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord’s duties.”
She proposed inviting her father, Yuk Jangcheon, as the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord and persuaded the Alliance’s senior members.
Unlike the various missions he handled now, in the past, the Ascendant Martial Hall had been a place to instruct and manage the martial arts of lower-rank warriors.
Thus, it required someone proficient in diverse martial studies and rich in martial world experience.
Yuk Jangcheon was not only skilled in palm techniques but had mastered various martial arts and moreover, as the leader of the Nine Heavens Society, he possessed abundant experience in training and commanding subordinates.
As Yuk Cheongah had said, he was the perfect candidate to become the next Ascendant Martial Hall Lord.
“Bring him here at once.”
Yuk Cheongah immediately invited Yuk Jangcheon to the Martial Alliance, where he met with the leadership. Finally, with the unanimous consent of the senior members, he was appointed Ascendant Martial Hall Lord.
After joining the Martial Alliance, Yuk Jangcheon led a reasonably satisfying life within the organization. With Yuk Cheongah’s solid support, and befitting his reputation as one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, though they were lower-rank warriors, he had secured a powerful position commanding tens of thousands of martial artists.
But not long after, problems arose.
The Seven Great Division Commanders grew uncomfortable as the late-arriving Yuk Jangcheon rose to Ascendant Martial Hall Lord and began wielding influence.
“From now on, all lower-rank warriors will train within their respective divisions.”
When the Seven Great Division Commanders reached this conclusion at the grand council, Yuk Jangcheon was dumbfounded.
That would eliminate the Ascendant Martial Hall’s role in training lower-rank warriors. What exactly was he supposed to do?
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.”
Yuk Cheongah stepped forward.
As if she had anticipated it all, she began bringing all sorts of unresolved major and minor affairs from various departments to the Ascendant Martial Hall for processing.
Around that time, the Flower Harmony Lord quietly left the Martial Alliance.
Officially, it was said he had relinquished all duties and returned to his hometown, but in reality, he had been caught engaging in espionage and executed.
Yuk Cheongah persuaded the senior members again, pulling in the hall lord-level figures and subordinate departments under the Flower Harmony Lord into the Ascendant Martial Hall.
She then restructured the Ascendant Martial Hall’s system to handle various missions.
Thanks to Yuk Cheongah’s outstanding wisdom and administrative prowess, the Ascendant Martial Hall became operational once more.
“The Martial Heaven Division Commander, Jo Cheonwang, has voluntarily stepped down.”
Amidst this, an opportunity arose that made Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes light up.
The former Martial Heaven Division Commander, Jo Cheonwang, had relinquished everything and returned to life as a wanderer.
‘An opportunity has come!’
Yuk Jangcheon was utterly thrilled.
Currently in the Martial Alliance, the only ones with the qualifications to become Martial Heaven Division Commander were himself, the Coiling Dragon Hall Lord, and Yeong Myeong.
From that day on, he worked hard to build broad connections with the Alliance’s many senior members.
But that alone was not enough.
As the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord, it was difficult to personally accumulate merits. Thus, he needed outstanding subordinates under him to achieve various accomplishments.
‘No capable people would come to this hall…’
The truly talented were already affiliated with the Seven Great Divisions, and promising talents who might emerge in the future
Everyone wished to join the Seven Great Divisions.
In the end, Yuk Jangcheon gave up on everything.
Until he brought a man named Seon Woojin, who had been lying low in the merchant world, under his command.
Possessing astonishing intellect and exceptional martial prowess, Seon Woojin achieved far greater merits than assigned with every mission. And finally, in the subjugation operation against the Heaven-Human Cult, he amassed enormous contributions, rising to the rank of first-class captain in the shortest time.
As a result, Yuk Jangcheon’s chances of becoming Martial Heaven Division Commander skyrocketed.
“Hmm.” Yuk Jangcheon, snapping out of his reverie, shook his head. “It truly is heaven’s blessing.”
Recalling Seon Woojin’s face, Yuk Jangcheon took a deep breath.
If he had not obtained such a talent?
No matter how many connections he built with senior members or how many merits his subordinates achieved… he would not have been certain of ascending to Martial Heaven Division Commander.
Knock, knock.
Then came the sound of knocking, followed by a maid’s low voice.
“The Lotus Hall Lord has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
With a sliding sound, the door opened, and a beautiful woman in blue robes entered.
It was Yuk Cheongah.
“What brings you here?”
“Father.” Yuk Cheongah glanced briefly at the secret chamber within the office.
Understanding her intent, Yuk Jangcheon opened the door to the secret chamber and stepped inside. Once inside, Yuk Cheongah immediately got to the point with a grave expression.
“It seems the time has come to dismiss Captain Seon.”
Yuk Jangcheon frowned. “What is this all of a sudden?”
“You deliberately took Captain Seon as your deputy in this Heaven-Human Cult annihilation operation, didn’t you? The General Affairs Hall has plenty of talented strategists.” A sharp glint passed through Yuk Cheongah’s eyes.
“It’s as if you’re intentionally funneling merits to Captain Seon.”
“Valuing Captain Seon heavily is only beneficial to this father, isn’t it?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Hm?”
“If someone like Commander Gongsun extends a hand, even Captain Seon’s heart might waver, don’t you think?” Yuk Cheongah spoke in a low voice.
“He might switch sides to Commander Gongsun this time.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” Yuk Jangcheon let out a hollow laugh. “Captain Seon would never go under the General Affairs Hall. There’s no position there suitable for him.”
The highest position a young man could reach was vice-Division Commander of the Seven Great Divisions. No matter how much Gongsun Dankyung wanted Seon Woojin by her side, the General Affairs Hall could not offer such a rank.
“It’s one of two things. Either the Commander promised Captain Seon a new position…”
Yuk Cheongah’s voice dropped extremely low.
“Or she’s treating him as the opposite sex.”
Yuk Jangcheon said in disbelief, “Are you saying Commander Gongsun has romantic feelings for Captain Seon? A man who just became a first-class captain?”
“First-class captain is merely a title. And with Captain Seon’s abilities, he can certainly rise much higher.”
“Your evidence?” Yuk Jangcheon asked with utmost seriousness. “Do you have any basis for thinking that?”
“I do.” Yuk Cheongah said in a low voice. “After finishing work, Commander Gongsun reportedly went out with Captain Seon to the Myriad Goods Store in Henan to get some air.”
“…”
“Under the absurd pretext of buying him a sword. Given her personality and behavior until now, that’s absolutely impossible…”
“Cheongah.” Yuk Jangcheon cut her off sharply, sighing deeply. “Captain Seon risked his life to protect the Flame Wing Sword Corps and the Commander’s life. Having achieved such merit, gifting a single sword is hardly excessive, is it?”
“If she wanted to give a sword, she could open the Alliance’s armory.”
“It might be to seek advice on the Myriad Goods Store, like last time.”
“Then she wouldn’t have openly announced a schedule to go out together like that.” Yuk Cheongah’s brow was deeply furrowed.
This was not her usual calm, analytical judgment of situations.
“It’s certain that Commander Gongsun thinks specially of Captain Seon.”
“Are you bothered by the relationship between the Commander and Captain Seon?”
“What do you mean?”
Yuk Jangcheon sighed and shook his head. “I’m saying you’re doing this simply because you dislike seeing Captain Seon with the Commander.”
“Father.”
“Captain Seon came by just earlier.” Yuk Jangcheon spoke with a highly displeased expression. “To avoid any such misunderstandings, he calmly reported the entire situation to this father before leaving.”
He continued in a solemn voice, “He said he refused several times. But the Commander insisted she needed to consult about the Heaven-Human Cult incident and the Myriad Goods Store, so he was reluctantly dragged along.”
“…”
“He even requested that I send Ascendant Martial Hall members as escorts, in case any wrong rumors spread.”
Yuk Jangcheon said, as if he couldn’t comprehend, “Yet you, out of mere jealousy, are trying to dismiss the loyal retainer this father worked so hard to gain.”
“It’s not just that. Captain Seon is…”
“Then let this father ask one thing.” Yuk Jangcheon cut her off sharply, staring intently at Yuk Cheongah.
“Have you ever, even once, felt the slightest romantic attraction toward Captain Seon?”
“Father.”
“Just answer. Yes or no.”
Yuk Cheongah hesitated, unable to respond.
She certainly had felt something.
But whether it was long-held ambition and possessiveness, or a desire to grow closer as the opposite sex, she couldn’t be sure.
“No.” Taking a deep breath, Yuk Cheongah nodded confidently.
“I have absolutely never felt romantic attraction.”
“I see. That’s a shame.”
“Yes?”
Yuk Jangcheon smacked his lips regretfully and shook his head.
“Earlier, while reporting about the Commander, Captain Seon subtly conveyed his intentions.”
Taking a deep breath, he stared at Yuk Cheongah and spoke in a low voice.
“He wishes to be betrothed to you.”
