“Unique. And talented, too.”
Bu Eunseol nodded as he watched the rainbow-colored blade qi pour down like mist.
The Blood Flame Saber Art that Do Yongrin displayed was markedly different from the one wielded by Do Cheonlin and the rest of the Blood Flame Blade Sect.
‘He’s already remodeling it to suit his own taste.’
Surprisingly, Do Yongrin had significantly altered the Blood Flame Saber Art to match his personal style.
Slash!
The mist-like blade qi instantly pulverized the stones and trees where Bu Eunseol had been standing into dust.
Yet his figure had already retreated three zhang to the side.
Whoosh!
As though Do Yongrin had predicted the evasion, the scattered mist of blade qi reformed into razor-sharp blades and lunged for Bu Eunseol’s throat.
‘As expected.’
Bu Eunseol nodded again while watching the relentless onslaught.
He had wondered why a man like the Invincible Blade would hand the lesser Sect Leader position to Do Yongrin.
Right now he was still lacking, but with effort, he possessed talent enough to one day inherit the Sect Leader seat.
‘It’s only talent though.’
Do Yongrin’s temperament was impatient and his personality strong. Instead of perfectly mastering the Blood Flame Saber Art to the level of a grandmaster, he had chosen to modify it to fit his individuality, thereby increasing the art’s subtlety and power in his own way.
It was a shortcut that allowed rapid growth, but in the long run it was nothing more than a half-measure that would leave him stagnant.
Shaaaa—
The blade strikes poured forth like a massive wave, engulfing Bu Eunseol.
It is said that when the Blood Flame Saber Art reaches its zenith, a blood-colored rainbow spreads across the sky, and heads fall without their owners ever knowing why.
Do Yongrin had indeed grasped the essence of the Blood Flame Saber to a certain degree.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Bu Eunseol.
“Haaap!”
Spotting an opening in Bu Eunseol’s stance, Do Yongrin roared and unleashed the first form of White Rainbow Piercing the Sun.
A piercing blade qi shot forth like an arrow, aimed precisely at Bu Eunseol’s throat.
Or rather, it should have pierced straight through.
Freeze.
Suddenly, the first form of White Rainbow Piercing the Sun halted in midair.
Do Yongrin’s razor-sharp Blood Flame Saber was caught motionless between Bu Eunseol’s index and middle fingers.
“H-how…?” Do Yongrin’s face turned ashen, as if he had seen a ghost.
His Blood Flame Saber was forged from Extreme Iron of the earth, sharper than any divine weapon.
Moreover, the first form of White Rainbow Piercing the Sun was an ultimate strike capable of cleaving Mount Tai in a single blow.
Yet Bu Eunseol had slipped those two fingers in mid-motion and stopped the strike cold.
‘Am I looking at a ghost right now?’
Cold sweat poured down Do Yongrin’s back.
“Not every random rainbow you paint makes it the Blood Flame Saber Art.”
Ting!
Bu Eunseol flicked the Blood Flame Saber with his middle finger. Do Yongrin felt as though his grip would tear apart from the impact and staggered backward.
“I’ll say it one last time: go into closed-door training for three years first. Then travel the martial world and temper your real-combat sense against true experts.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost gravity.
“If you remain content at this level… one day the Blood Flame Blade Sect will slide to the very bottom of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Crack! Crash!
Instead of answering, Do Yongrin snapped the blade of his own Blood Flame Saber in two.
If he did not do at least this much, he felt his shattered pride would never recover.
“I have learned well.”
Without looking back, he turned and left.
The surrounding swordsmen who had been standing at attention vanished with him.
“Phew.”
Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant sky and sighed.
“How was it?”
He asked in a low voice.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Rustle.
A black-robed shadow slowly descended before him.
Between strands of long, unbound hair, a strikingly handsome face appeared—high-bridged nose, long eyes. An unearthly beauty.
Yet there was a faintly gloomy aura about him, cold and cynical.
Do Cheonlin.
“Embarrassing.”
He had been hiding in the trees, watching the entire exchange between Bu Eunseol and Do Yongrin.
Bu Eunseol had sensed his presence from the start—that was why he had humored Do Yongrin.
“All the arrogant frogs of my clan keep leaping straight to the Martial Soul Command Lord.” Do Cheonlin sighed bitterly.
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “The people of the Blood Flame Blade Sect have talent, but most of them bloom late.”
It was genuine praise.
Both Do Cheonlin and Do Yongrin possessed transcendent potential in his eyes.
They simply had so much talent that it would take considerable time for it to fully flower.
“That still means they are ultimately lacking.”
Do Cheonlin gave a wry smile.
“Compared to a talent like yours, at least.”
In truth, Bu Eunseol could not be judged by ordinary standards of martial talent.
Thanks to Bu Zhanyang’s education, he possessed near-perfect knowledge of the human body, insight that transcended age, and a breadth of knowledge as though he had wandered the martial world for centuries.
Add to that terrifying obsession and effort, and a monster like him was born.
Do Cheonlin, unaware of this truth, simply believed Bu Eunseol possessed monstrous innate talent.
“By the way, what brings you all the way here?”
Changing the subject abruptly, Bu Eunseol watched as Do Cheonlin shrugged.
“First, I was worried that the idiot would get his head lopped off for mouthing off to you…”
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“And second, the situation at the Red Sky Veil looks extremely bad.”
“Red Sky Veil?”
“Yes. Haven’t you heard?”
“No.”
“Now that you mention it… I don’t see any of your intelligence agents around. Did you send them all on leave?”
In fact, Soyo and the rest of the Death Spirit Corps had sensed Bu Eunseol’s complicated state of mind and were keeping their distance, never hovering nearby while he wandered aimlessly.
“Unless it’s information that could overturn the martial world, Yoo Unryong and Wi Cheongyeong filter it out at their level.”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“News from a mere mercenary market like Red Sky Veil would never reach me.”
“I see.”
Do Cheonlin cleared his throat, his expression bitter.
“Ever since Jeong Cheon, former deputy-master of Skyward Manor, vanished, the Red Sky Veil has been constantly harassed by outside forces—those who want to swallow it whole.”
The Red Sky Veil had long been the greatest mercenary market in Shaanxi.
Especially under Dam Yuyeon’s management, with its low introduction fees and shockingly cheap information rates, it had become beloved by countless wandering martial artists.
But after Jeong Cheon—the man who oversaw and tested the top-class mercenaries—disappeared, the market fell into dire straits.
When Jeong Cheon vanished, the Eight Golden Warriors, the pillars and greatest fighting force of the market, all left.
The leaders of the Eight Golden Warriors had once been defeated by Jeong Cheon and swore absolute loyalty in return.
Yet the moment he disappeared, they departed without regret.
That is the way of the world: wherever profit is involved, power is required.
Without power, one is devoured by those who covet that profit.
Even a tavern with modest earnings hires black-guild backing for that very reason.
The Red Sky Veil had been safe from outside aggression only because Jeong Cheon’s peerless martial prowess protected it.
Now that he was gone, multiple factions were openly targeting it.
“It’s nothing new. That sort of thing has always happened.”
“But this time it’s different, they say.” Do Cheonlin lowered his voice. “The Master of the Fire-Gold Hall under the Black Flag Society has his eyes on the market.”
The Black Flag Society.
A coalition of black-path sects formed with the ambition to dominate the underworld.
However, because the black path itself was closely tied to the merchant guilds, and because they were suppressed by the momentum of both the Martial Alliance and Majeon, they had remained quiet.
Then an unexpected opportunity arose.
Not only had Majeon’s heir, Bu Eunseol, crippled the forces of Hell’s Blood Fortress, White Horse Temple, and the Death Command Sect, he had also shattered the financial lifeline of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect that controlled commerce across the Central Plains.
The Black Flag Society seized that opening, rapidly expanding its influence.
In an instant they annexed countless black-path sects, as well as many that stood between orthodox and demonic.
With greater power came the need for a stronger financial base. The Black Flag Society lunged at anything that smelled of money.
In the midst of that, Dam Ung—the Fire-Gold Hall Master of the Black Flag Society—suddenly established a tiny mercenary market in the Shaanxi region.
It was nothing more than a mountain stronghold built at the foot of a ridge because he could not secure proper land, and he named it Wind-Rain Hold.
In any case, having become its proprietor, instead of growing Wind-Rain Hold, he began visiting the largest mercenary market in Shaanxi, the Red Sky Veil, incessantly pestering Dam Yuyeon.
“So?”
“So? I heard you owe the Red Sky Veil a considerable debt yourself.”
“I paid it all back.”
Bu Eunseol answered firmly.
“There is no longer any debt between them and me.”
“How can a person live only weighing profit and loss?”
“That’s the martial world for you.”
“And because the martial world is like that, you’ll live the same way?”
“Yes.”
At Bu Eunseol’s resolute reply, Do Cheonlin nodded as if he had nothing more to say.
“I understand.”
Without hesitation, he turned to leave.
“Then I’ll be going.”
Whoosh.
In a single bound he vanished into the distant sky.
Bu Eunseol watched his retreating back and sighed.
‘He’s going to her.’
He had known for a long time.
Do Cheonlin and Dam Yuyeon—they harbored feelings for each other.
And now that Dam Yuyeon was in danger, Do Cheonlin would not hesitate to help her.
“They say when a man falls in love, his eyes and ears go blind.”
Recalling something Baek Musung once said, Bu Eunseol muttered bitterly.
“But this matter… I absolutely cannot step in, Do Cheonlin.”
Shaanxi was orthodox territory and they were extremely wary of demonic forces entering.
Moreover, the Red Sky Veil was a neutral mercenary market unaffiliated with any orthodox or demonic sect.
Anyone else could intervene, but Bu Eunseol absolutely could not get involved in such a conflict.
Yet Do Cheonlin had left with a wounded expression, not even considering that fact.
“Even if heaven and earth collapsed right now…”
He said the words, but a faint smile tugged at Bu Eunseol’s lips.
After staring for a while at the spot where Do Cheonlin had disappeared, he slowly turned away.
Red Sky Veil, Crystal Hall.
Dam Yuyeon paused her brush after writing letters for a long while.
Her gaze fell on the stack of betrothal proposals piled on one side of the desk, and her brows furrowed.
“Phew.”
She let out a deep sigh.
Ever since Jeong Cheon left, she had received countless marriage proposals.
Every single one had the same purpose: an easy way to swallow the Red Sky Veil whole.
Thanks to low introduction fees, cheap information rates, and swift handling, talented mercenaries flocked to the market.
Wealthy merchants and caravans traveling beyond the borders all favored the Red Sky Veil for the same reason.
But now that Jeong Cheon was gone, whoever married Dam Yuyeon could claim the market—said to earn astronomical profits each year—in one stroke.
Knock, knock, knock.
A maid’s voice came from outside.
“Ma’am, the proprietor of Wind-Rain Hold requests an audience.”
‘That man again.’
Dam Yuyeon’s head throbbed.
Most suitors simply left their letters and departed, but Dam Ung kept coming back with nauseating persistence.
‘I can’t just chase him away rudely because of the Black Flag Society’s reputation.’
Dam Ung may have created the sham mercenary market Wind-Rain Hold, but he was still the Fire-Gold Hall Master of the black-path alliance known as the Black Flag Society.
He was a key figure who managed the Society’s finances—an extremely dangerous man.
His true goal was not marriage, but swallowing the enormous funds of the Red Sky Veil.
‘And he even offered to make me his third concubine.’
Swallowing her irritation, Dam Yuyeon spoke.
“I’m busy right now. Please schedule another appointment.”
“Hahaha, aren’t you being too cold?”
The door burst open, and a man in gorgeous silk robes strode in, laughing.
He was fairly handsome, but his long slit eyes and red lips gave him the classic look of a scheming court eunuch.
Dam Ung—Fire-Gold Hall Master of the Black Flag Society and proprietor of Wind-Rain Hold.
“It’s just a quick glance at your face. No need to be so heartless.”
At his brazen familiarity, Dam Yuyeon’s expression turned even colder.
“I believe I already conveyed my refusal.”
“Who knows how fate may turn?”
Dam Ung approached with a smile.
“I only hope you’ll open your heart a little and spend some time with me.”
She wanted nothing more than to cut that vile face in half right now.
But even if she mobilized every mercenary in the Red Sky Veil, her opponent was a black-path alliance that had already annexed thirteen sects.
They were an enemy she must never provoke.
“I’ll say it once more.”
Dam Yuyeon spoke firmly.
“I refuse the offer to become a concubine. And I would prefer you stop visiting.”
“Hahahaha.”
Even at her icy reply, Dam Ung laughed heartily.
“You keep saying such childish things, Lady Dam.”
His face hardened as he narrowed his eyes and spoke in a chilling voice.
“Do you truly intend to refuse the cup of honor and drink the cup of wrath?”
“…”
“Or have you forgotten whose banner I sail under?” Dam Ung snorted. “Even when the Eight Golden Warriors led by Vice-Master Jeong Cheon were at full strength, they would not have dared oppose our Society. Surely you don’t think a ragtag band of mercenaries can wage war against us?”
He added one more line.
“And you know better than anyone that the authorities will not intervene.”
Black-path practitioners will leap at anything that smells of profit.
That is why they maintain close ties with government officials and stuff their pockets with bribes.
Moreover, Dam Ung’s current status was that of a mercenary-market proprietor.
If fighting broke out, he would package it as a territorial struggle between mercenary markets, and no outside force could interfere.
The authorities would probably prefer the bribe-heavy Black Flag Society to swallow the Red Sky Veil anyway.
“There is another way if you refuse the marriage proposal.”
Dam Ung continued in a sly voice.
“I hear all of the Red Sky Veil’s funds are managed personally by you, Lady Dam, and that there exists a hidden ledger listing the secret reserves.”
“So you intend to devour everything without even laying a hand on the market itself?”
“If I lay a hand, I’ll have to slaughter every soul in the Red Sky Veil. Isn’t this better?”
He spoke gently, almost affectionately.
“What good would it do for innocent mercenaries to die and the market to collapse? Hand over the hidden ledger, and I will manage the Red Sky Veil well. I’ll even pay you a regular share of the profits.”
When Dam Yuyeon remained silent, Dam Ung opened his mouth again.
“For reference, this hall master is not a patient man.”
He stared straight at her face and wet his lips with his tongue.
“Everyone who has refused the Society’s offer now lives in misery… and every woman has ended up a roadside willow. Remember that well.”
“Is that a threat?”
“You look even more beautiful when you’re angry.” Dam Ung smirked sleazily. “I made this offer only because your face is passable. This hall master does not offer concubine positions to just anyone.”
“I refuse.”
“How regrettable.”
The corner of his mouth curled upward.
“I can no longer waste time, so I will have to send my troops.”
Dam Ung had created Wind-Rain Hold precisely to disguise any conflict as a mercenary-market territorial war.
On the surface it would be Wind-Rain Hold’s mercenaries, but in reality he would unleash the full army of the Black Flag Society.
He spoke coldly.
“Soon the Red Sky Veil will have to change its signboard to Wind-Rain Hold.”
“I hear the leader of the Black Flag Society does not tolerate failure.” Dam Yuyeon shot back without flinching. “If you overreach for merit and suffer massive losses, your own head might roll, no?”
“Hahaha.”
Dam Ung threw his head back and laughed brightly before nodding.
“Lady Dam, I’ll advise you one last time: pack your things and leave now.”
Click.
Wearing a mocking smile, he walked out.
War.
From this moment on, she would have to fight the black-path alliance known as the Black Flag Society.
“Ma’am, it’s Gu Oh.”
A low voice came from outside—her trusted aide, Gu Oh.
“Come in.”
Gu Oh entered cautiously and spoke with grave concern.
“Ma’am, war with the Black Flag Society is impossible.”
Having overheard everything from outside, he pleaded earnestly. “He may call himself proprietor of Wind-Rain Hold, but he is the Fire-Gold Hall Master of the Black Flag Society. Moreover, after Vice-Master Jeong Cheon left… our market’s forces consist of almost nothing beyond the Full Heaven Division and the Divine Movement corps, do we not?”
The Full Heaven Division that maintained internal order numbered only eighty martial artists.
The Divine Movement corps that carried out various missions numbered just over a hundred.
In short, fewer than two hundred troops belonged directly to the market. They could never stand against the Black Flag Society.
“I’ll hire the rest from among the mercenaries.”
“It will be useless. Even if we fight the Black Flag Society, we are doomed to lose. How many mercenaries would risk their lives in a battle already lost?”
“Raise the pay.”
Dam Yuyeon replied calmly.
“For this battle, top-class mercenaries will receive twenty times the usual rate, high-class ten times, and even ordinary mercenaries more than five times.”
“Ma’am…”
“Do it.”
“…Understood.”
He answered, but Gu Oh’s face remained dark.
No matter how generous the reward, mercenaries were still mercenaries.
From the beginning, almost none would stake their lives on a battle whose defeat was certain.
