She had only told Seon Woojin that Infinite Realm was a secret society ruining the martial world.
But in truth, she knew well about the Three Realms.
“I don’t know what nonsense this is.” Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes. “That this Lord grew under Clear River Realm’s meticulous plans?”
“You can call it certainty.”
“Then there must be evidence.” Bu Eunseol stroked his chin in disbelief and laughed. “Evidence even this Lord doesn’t know.”
As if waiting, Gongsun Dankyung said, “I heard that during your childhood, you didn’t practice martial arts and only worked as a mortician. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“That’s where the lie begins.”
“A lie?”
“Yes. Even if you were a heaven-gifted prodigy, without systematic training from childhood? You could never master Nangyang Pavilion’s supreme arts.” A sharp gleam flowed from Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes. “That you received thorough education from a master since childhood… I’d bet everything I have on it.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
It wasn’t entirely wrong.
Thanks to Grandfather Bu Zhanyang teaching the Muscle-Changing Sutra’s vitality secrets, he had accumulated vast true energy.
Through work as a mortician, he became versed in human anatomy and could easily grasp martial artists’ techniques. But that wasn’t to raise him as a master… it was so he could live long and happily as a mortician.
Paradoxically, that education was no different from the process to raise a peerless grandmaster.
“Will you deny it?”
Bu Eunseol snorted at the confident Gongsun Dankyung.
Denying it wouldn’t make her believe.
And unwillingly, he had received a thorough education since childhood.
“This Lord doesn’t lie.” Bu Eunseol dismissed it with those words.
Then, looking at Gongsun Dankyung, he opened his mouth. “You suspected I’m from Clear River Realm just for that?”
“You know better that it’s not.”
“…….”
“Without Clear River Realm’s protection, you would have died early by Infinite Realm’s hand. They never leave alive those opposing their banner.”
‘She investigated my every move.’
Bu Eunseol survived and grew without dying early to Infinite Realm for three reasons.
Growth far exceeding their expectations.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s confidence that he could control Bu Eunseol anytime.
Finally, Clear River Realm’s existence opposing Infinite Realm.
Gongsun Dankyung, who had tracked his actions, didn’t know the inside story. Synthesizing circumstances, she concluded Bu Eunseol was Clear River Realm’s man.
‘Indeed, worth meeting.’
Her deduction was completely off but had a solid basis. That meant her intelligence network was as formidable as Bu Eunseol’s.
That alone made her a sufficient ally.
“Interesting.”
“Are you admitting it?”
“Not at all. But I had the same doubt in the past. Whether Clear River Realm was secretly helping me.” Bu Eunseol shook his head. “But I have no connection with them. They’re just using me because I oppose Infinite Realm.”
Gongsun Dankyung smirked. “You haven’t checked the government’s movements, Lord. Have you?”
“Government?” Bu Eunseol’s eyes turned ice-cold. “What are you saying?”
“Just two things.” Gongsun Dankyung curved her veiled eyes into crescents.
“In the past, Infinite Realm mobilized massive forces to search near Prince Wi’s residence. But interference from some power halted it.” She stared into Bu Eunseol’s eyes. “Curiously, rumors said you went missing around then?”
“…….”
“Second. During Blood Vajra’s penance march, groups attacked you alone in the martial world.” Gongsun Dankyung smiled meaningfully.
“Were they really the Infinite Realm?”
Lightning flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
He had thought it strange then.
A perfect chance to eliminate him—why send only that force? Did they truly consider Blood Vajra outside their power?
“You’ve been investigating my actions all along.”
“Naturally. You’re a key figure moving the demonic world.”
“You have an intelligence network to track the Infinite Realm?”
“I can’t answer that.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes shook greatly. If he stayed passive, she would seize dialogue control, dragging him along flustered till the end.
“Then the one to suspect is you, Commander.”
“What do you mean?”
“A newly appointed Martial Alliance Commander detecting Infinite Realm’s flows. Isn’t that too astonishing?”
“As with you, Lord, I may have an excellent intelligence organization.”
“Possibly.” Bu Eunseol smiled coldly. “But interesting. You, with fame and status, lack justification.”
Justification.
Crucially, Gongsun Dankyung lacked it.
Given her background and position, she couldn’t form hostile ties with Infinite Realm.
“Yet you risk everything to fight the Infinite Realm…” Bu Eunseol curled his lips. “If you’re not in the Clear River Realm, there’s one answer.”
He stared into her eyes.
“A bitter grudge against Infinite Realm.”
Gongsun Dankyung only smiled faintly, not answering.
Thus, Bu Eunseol and Gongsun Dankyung sealed each other’s words.
They had traded dialogue initiative once each.
“Anyway, this is the first meeting—let’s end mutual suspicion talk here.”
By saying “suspicion,” she admitted speaking only from circumstances gathered investigating his actions, without solid proof.
‘I thought she operated an intelligence rivaling the Three Realms since she pinpointed Hyeok Ryeon-eung and the elder.’
Ultimately, there were two certainties.
Gongsun Dankyung had a secret intelligence like the Death Spirit Corps.
The Clear River Realm was so favorably disposed toward him that even her organization judged them allies.
‘Why does Clear River Realm favor me? Simply to oppose Infinite Realm?’ As Bu Eunseol pondered deeply, Gongsun Dankyung spoke.
“Now only yes or no remains.”
With that, she fell silent.
As if leaving the decision to Bu Eunseol.
‘Hmm.’ Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
Normally, he wouldn’t even meet someone like Gongsun Dankyung. Her intentions were unpredictable; one mistake could collapse everything—she fearlessly proceeded.
She resembled a madman charging unflinchingly toward ruin.
In short, far too dangerous to grasp her hand.
“Fine.”
Yet he took it.
Because as Seon Woojin, he stayed by her side. As her confidant, he could spy on her schemes and thoughts.
“I’ll cooperate to eliminate Infinite Realm with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
For the first time, Gongsun Dankyung looked surprised.
She hadn’t expected Bu Eunseol to accept at once. Wise, cautious people don’t grab even sweet offers immediately.
They verify, ponder, predict thousands of times before deciding.
But Bu Eunseol defied expectations, accepting outright.
“Then… you have leverage I don’t know. Curious.”
Chilling.
Accepting instantly, she immediately grasped he held unknown leverage.
“No matter. Perhaps that’s why you and I can ally.” Gongsun Dankyung smiled, relieved to gain his cooperation. “Then let’s plan so neither loses.”
They had agreed to cooperate against the Infinite Realm.
First, they had to handle the Red Demon Sect to ensure that she doesn’t lose her position as a Commander.
“Simple.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “I’ll handle the Red Demon Sect. If they’re truly tied to Infinite Realm and puppets, I can crush them anyway.”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled sweetly, as if waiting. “Do so.”
‘She wanted this answer from the start.’
Bu Eunseol smiled bitterly.
She never intended to yield Hanzhong’s sphere. It was just to confirm if Bu Eunseol truly opposed the Infinite Realm.
If he intended to crush the Infinite Realm, he would lead forces to smash the Red Demon Sect himself. The only way they could maintain a honeymoon without loss…
Was Bu Eunseol striking the Red Demon Sect without Alliance forces.
‘Truly a frightening woman.’ Swallowing his thoughts, Bu Eunseol said evenly.
“I have a condition.”
“Speak.”
“From our talk, you clearly command an independent, excellent intelligence force.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes narrowed.
So that’s why he accepted easily—to make an absurd demand?
To an organization’s head, intelligence is a lifeline.
Sharing it? She must refuse.
“Then negotiations break.”
“Hear me out.” Bu Eunseol continued calmly. “There’s someone my hall’s intelligence can’t find. Likely tied to the righteous sects… perhaps the Martial Alliance’s top intelligence can find them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Find one craftsman.”
“A craftsman…?”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly at her hardened face. “Yes.”
Bu Eunseol and Gongsun Dankyung’s meeting was successful. They had confirmed firm intent to secretly ally and eliminate Infinite Realm.
And Gongsun Dankyung kept her word.
She immediately found the craftsman Bu Eunseol requested.
‘As expected.’
In Bu Eunseol’s hand, was a letter sent by Seo Jinha—disguised as Seon Woojin—via the Supreme Branch’s network.
From Gongsun Dankyung.
Even mobilizing all of Majeon’s intelligence, they couldn’t find the Demonic Sword Master.
So, as suspected, he hid under Martial Alliance leadership’s protection.
He lived a new life with an identity they provided.
Using the letter’s information, Bu Eunseol headed without delay to Yeonwol Valley where the Demonic Sword Master was.
Clang, clang, clang.
Arriving at Yeonwol Valley, a small stone house stood ahead, with a forge beside it. At the workbench, a grizzled elder with a scraggly beard hammered iron on the anvil.
His eyes bulged and his face and forearms were covered in dense scars. Bu Eunseol guessed they weren’t injuries but traces of extreme torture.
It was the demonic path’s greatest craftsman, the Demonic Sword Master.
“…….”
Even as Bu Eunseol approached the bench, the Demonic Sword Master didn’t glance up.
He only sighed deeply and muttered low.
“So you found me after all.”
They had never met face-to-face, yet even without looking, his expression suggested he knew Bu Eunseol was from Majeon.
Clang, clang, clang.
As Bu Eunseol stepped closer, the man began hammering without looking.
Watching, Bu Eunseol saw he hadn’t practiced martial arts. Yet his strikes held more power than any martial artist’s, each motion profound.
‘Indeed, someone the Chief Instructor would task to find.’
Bu Eunseol had once been a craftsman.
Thus, just from the hammering, he could gauge the man’s incredible skill.
“I won’t go.” Then the Demonic Sword Master spoke. “Just do it.”
“You know me?”
He smirked without looking.
As Bu Eunseol stared in confusion, the man sighed.
Clack.
Setting down the hammer, hot passion flowed from his eyes.
“Better end it quickly. Even in death, I’ll never touch demonic swords again.”
His gaze fixed on Bu Eunseol’s waist. Only then did Bu Eunseol recall the Demon-Killer Sword hidden there. But no demonic energy leaked from it.
Otherwise, he’d never wear it as Seon Woojin.
Yet the Demonic Sword Master sensed its aura and judged it a demonic sword.
‘Can’t use this sword as Seon Woojin anymore.’
If he recognized it, others might. A Martial Alliance lord wearing an unknown demonic sword would raise huge suspicion.
“You seem mistaken.” Bu Eunseol placed the Martial Soul Command Lord’s token on the bench.
“Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol.”
“I see.” The Demonic Sword Master muttered with a hollow expression. “A great person came; should I have greeted?”
“What exactly happened?”
To Bu Eunseol’s question, he frowned. “Why ask me?”
Contempt filled his eyes.
“Wouldn’t Majeon’s high lords know better?”
As the riddles continued, Bu Eunseol frowned deeply.
Despite revealing his identity as Martial Soul Command Lord, the man responded only with sneers.
Fearless of death, deeply despising Majeon.
Something Bu Eunseol didn’t know must have happened.
“To Majeon…” As Bu Eunseol opened his mouth,
Whoosh.
Then, a strange piercing sound echoed from the distant sky.
Covert and fast—it was a master approaching with movement arts.
Thud.
Landing before the forge were dozens of Martial Alliance-uniformed warriors. Leading them, a stocky, muscular man glared with bulging eyes.
‘They weren’t letting him live quietly.’
They were Martial Alliance’s Martial Heaven Corps warriors; the leader was Vice-Lord of Martial Heaven Corps, Dragon-Tiger Sword Gwa Geuk-cheon.
Shockingly, some of the Martial Heaven Corps warriors left after Jo Cheonwang were here guarding the Demonic Sword Master.
“They said it would come to this.” Gwa Geuk-cheon looked at the Demonic Sword Master with contempt. “Demonic Sword Master. Tired of mountain life, are you wanting to go back to the demonic path?”
He frowned. “What nonsense.”
“Otherwise, how could a demonic figure crawl into this secret place known only to Alliance leadership?”
“Ridiculous. How wouldn’t I know?”
Perhaps from handling iron, he roared undaunted even at the Vice-Lord of the world-shaking Martial Alliance’s Seven Great Corps glaring.
“Don’t drag me in.”
“Hmph.” Gwa Geuk-cheon smiled coldly, alternating between the Demonic Sword Master and Bu Eunseol. “You really don’t know why Alliance warriors rotate here yearly for training?”
“What do you mean?”
“Demonic Sword Master. We were ordered to kill you instantly if you showed signs of contacting demonic figures.” He sneered. “Because if you return to the demonic path and forge demonic swords, it’s trouble.”
“Heh heh.” The Demonic Sword Master smiled emptily.
Yeonwol Valley wasn’t for secret martial training. It was to station warriors yearly under training pretext to monitor him in shifts.
“So neither Majeon nor Martial Alliance… had a place for me.”
“Hahaha. Obvious, isn’t it? You were a craftsman too valuable to discard, too risky to leave.”
The Demonic Sword Master sighed and threw down his hammer.
Under Alliance protection, he had forged swords they wanted, and repaired ancient weapons.
But after ten years of exploitation, this was his end.
“In the old days, you’d strut in the Alliance, neck stiff with pride.”
Then a voice broke the silence. “Now, leaderless and isolated, you’re still pitifully guarding a wretched old craftsman?”
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Isn’t that right, Vice-Lord?”
Instantly, flames sparked in Gwa Geuk-cheon’s eyes.
As Bu Eunseol said, with Jo Cheonwang gone, Martial Heaven Corps was effectively disbanding. They had to wait indefinitely for a new lord.
Thus, they were ordered to leave the Alliance, train in Yeonwol Valley, and guard the Demonic Sword Master.
“Who are you!” To Gwa Geuk-cheon’s shout, Bu Eunseol removed his mask and revealed himself boldly.
“Bu Eunseol.”
“Bu Eunseol?” Gwa Geuk-cheon’s eyes widened. “Majeon’s Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol?”
The one who killed Jo Bi-un in one stroke, forced even Jo Cheonwang—seeking son’s revenge—into retirement, leaving the Martial Heaven Corps adrift… wasn’t it him?
“Wahahahaha!” Gwa Geuk-cheon burst into murderous mad laughter.
“Enemies do meet on a narrow bridge! It’s you!”
He smiled in ecstasy.
Why did he accept this Yeonwol Valley mission?
Without Jo Cheonwang, he couldn’t deploy Martial Heaven Corps’ ultimate sword formation. He aimed to perfect the Silver Shield Tower Formation, and prove himself worthy as lord.
After grueling training, he recently completed the Small Silver Shield Tower Formation with over a hundred elite members.
And the perfect opponent to use it on appeared voluntarily?
‘If I kill him, I could truly become lord!’
Normally, he wouldn’t dare challenge someone even Jo Cheonwang couldn’t kill. But with the Small Silver Shield Tower Formation, he could finish him instantly.
Gwa Geuk-cheon smiled triumphantly and shouted, “Deploy Silver Shield Tower Formation!”
Whoosh!
Over a hundred warriors surged from the ground, encircling Bu Eunseol. Each held long swords and massive shields gleaming silver.
Silver Shield Tower Formation.
Using mirror-like shields—silver plaques—to fully block sight and senses,
It severed enemies’ breath in white halos; the Martial Heaven Corps’ supreme sword formation.
Flash! Flash!
Even before activation, Bu Eunseol’s vision blurred, senses fading.
‘Silver Shield Tower Formation.’
Bu Eunseol had studied Martial Alliance formations extensively.
Each of the Seven Great Divisions had unique sword formations.
Powerful, complex ones deployable only under a lord.
And the Silver Shield Tower Formation, was deployable only under the Martial Heaven Corps Lord, the strongest and undefeated sword formation to date.
