An unprecedented grand event was unfolding within the Martial Alliance.
Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
The righteous hero who had wandered the martial world alone for decades, upholding his convictions and continuing acts of chivalry as the representative of the righteous sects.
He was being invited as the Martial Alliance’s first-ever Merit Lord and simultaneously nominated to be engraved on the eighth Hero’s Monument.
The Hero’s Monument.
Only renowned heroes who had achieved feats that would be remembered eternally in the martial world could have their names inscribed upon it.
Until now, only seven individuals had their names carved there.
And now, the eighth Hero’s Monument had been erected, and Bukgung Ryeong would have his name engraved upon it while still alive.
The ceremony to inscribe Bukgung Ryeong’s name on the Hero’s Monument required the attendance of every single martial artist in the Martial Alliance without exception.
Even the Heavenly Emperor Shin Domubi, who had never shown himself until now, was said to have broken his seclusion to attend.
‘Finally, I’ll be able to see the Heavenly Emperor and the Seven Great Commanders.’
Including Bu Eunseol, all martial artists of the Martial Alliance were lined up without omission around the Heavenly Pavilion on the back mountain where the Hero’s Monument had been erected.
As a first-class leader, Bu Eunseol was at least able to stand in the middle section.
Even so, the distance to the platform was about seventy chang. But with his eyesight, it was no different from seeing their faces up close.
Step, step.
At that moment, six figures began ascending the platform.
At last, the Seven Great Commanders of the Martial Alliance were revealing themselves.
Thump, thump.
Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded as though it would burst while watching them.
If the Divine Mountain Sage’s words were true…
The culprit who killed his grandfather was among those six.
Step.
Finally, the six Commanders stood atop the platform, revealing their majestic presence.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol felt as though a powerful storm was pouring down upon the entire world.
The five Commanders standing with Baekri Mujo at the center.
Their auras were astonishingly…
Not inferior in the slightest even compared to Baekri Mujo, who was presumed to be the strongest among the Commanders?
‘The Commanders were this powerful?’
The Seven Great Commanders, who restrained their activities in the martial world and remained solely within the Martial Alliance to accumulate merits.
Their martial prowess had reached a far more astonishing level than what was known.
‘Then why hasn’t the Martial Alliance swept away Majeon?’
If all the Seven Great Commanders possessed strength comparable to Baekri Mujo?
Even if they did not desire a great war between righteous and demonic, they could at least have defeated the top experts of the demonic path, including the masters of the Ten Great Demonic Sects, and completely broken the demonic path’s momentum.
Why had they remained benevolent and refrained from invading the demonic path until now?
‘The Three Realms?’
Bu Eunseol made a chilling hypothesis.
What if the Commanders were not righteous sect members but core figures of the Three Realms?
If they were controlling the Martial Alliance through that…
A truly terrifying imagination.
Moreover, if the Seven Great Commanders belonged to the Three Realms? If they united firmly?
Even the Heavenly Emperor would be unable to ignore their will.
Yet they were not enemies, so he could not sweep them away either. It would be an enormous headache.
‘No, aura is merely aura.’
Upon reflection, Martial Heaven Division Commander Jo Cheonwang had only shown a very slight superiority over him, hadn’t he?
Even if Jo Cheonwang was the weakest among the Seven Great Commanders…
The gap with the others could not be that vast.
Excluding Baekri Mujo, the martial prowess of the other Commanders could only be properly gauged by crossing swords directly.
‘What is certain is that the culprit who killed my grandfather could be among them.’
A bloody gleam rose in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
If the Divine Mountain Sage’s words were true…
The villain who had threatened his grandfather with his life, severed his eyes and arm, and cruelly rained hidden weapons upon him was up there.
Clench.
Bu Eunseol tightly gripped his fists.
He wanted to charge forward right now and sever all their throats.
But such a thing was impossible.
Moreover, if he showed even the slightest abnormality, all his efforts until now would go to waste.
He had to exert tremendous effort to suppress the killing intent surging within him.
‘I have come too far, detouring too much.’
From the moment he learned his grandfather was a peerless swordsman who shook the world…
He had guessed that revenge would never be easy.
Yet Bu Eunseol had endured so much and taken so many winding paths.
No matter who the culprit was, the urge to rush onto the platform and swing his sword to behead them was inevitable.
Step, step.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps rang in Bu Eunseol’s ears.
Clearly light and cheerful steps like those of an immortal, yet to Bu Eunseol, they resounded like thunder.
Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man in cyan robes ascending the platform like a transcendent being.
Heavenly Emperor, Shin Domubi.
The great master who governed the world and the foremost figure of the righteous sects, towering above them, was finally revealing himself before all martial artists of the Martial Alliance.
Thump, thump.
With every step Heavenly Emperor took onto the platform, Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded as though it would explode.
‘The Heavenly Emperor.’
The majesty of the foremost figure in the righteous sects was like a divine being from the heavens gazing down upon the mortal world.
He possessed an aura of transcendent detachment that not even a speck of worldly dust could touch.
In complete contrast to Ak Muryeong’s absolute strength, a profound, empty energy lingered around him.
‘Was my hypothesis wrong?’
Shin Domubi fully exuded the majesty of the righteous sects’ foremost expert; even if the Seven Great Commanders attacked together, he possessed the power to easily repel them.
‘Or perhaps the Commanders are concealing their strength.’
Just looking at Baekri Mujo alone, he had not yet revealed his true power… so it was not entirely improbable.
The regrettable part was the most crucial information until now.
He could not tell at all whether the Heavenly Emperor was the same person as the Divine Mountain Sage.
‘No matter how I look, I cannot tell.’
The eyes of the Heavenly Emperor, Shin Domubi, held a mysterious light that one would never forget after meeting even once.
Even if he had used disguise techniques, he could not have hidden that brilliant gaze.
Perhaps that was why… the Divine Mountain Sage had avoided revealing himself as much as possible.
Because anyone who saw his eyes would immediately recognize him as Heavenly Emperor.
‘It takes my breath away.’
The Demon Emperor hid extraordinariness within ordinariness. His appearance had indeed been that of an ordinary old man.
But the Heavenly Emperor was different.
Despite being over seventy, he maintained the appearance of a middle-aged man.
His extraordinaryness had reached the extreme.
As he gazed upon him, all martial artists of the Martial Alliance felt their breath catch… naturally emanating a gentle yet overwhelming pressure.
Step, step.
At that moment, an elderly man ascended the platform. It was none other than Bukgung Ryeong.
Swish.
As he stepped onto the platform, Shin Domubi personally guided him to the pre-prepared Hero’s Monument.
“Here.”
When Shin Domubi extended his hand, Bukgung Ryeong nodded and personally engraved his name on the Hero’s Monument.
Step.
Then, not only the martial artists but even the Commanders and Shin Domubi bowed their heads and clasped their hands in respect.
They were paying homage to the first person to have his name engraved on the Hero’s Monument while still alive.
The event concluded grandly.
For Bukgung Ryeong, who had become a Merit Lord, a dedicated pavilion was provided, complete with direct subordinates and exclusive attendants.
The position of Merit Lord was generally affiliated with the Elders’ Hall.
However, to allow Bukgung Ryeong to freely travel the martial world and perform acts of chivalry, he was granted the authority to undertake any mission alone and to mobilize and command martial artists from any branch of the Martial Alliance at any time.
As befitting someone whose name was engraved on the Hero’s Monument while alive, he received truly exceptional treatment.
Once the event ended, Yuk Jangcheon led Bu Eunseol toward Bukgung Ryeong.
The two had long been unknown in the martial world and had risen side by side as aides to the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
They had met only once by chance in the martial world, but Yuk Jangcheon cheerfully approached Bukgung Ryeong and grasped his hands.
“Senior Bukgung. It has been a long time.”
Yuk Jangcheon greeted Bukgung Ryeong warmly.
“No, now I should call you Merit Lord. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Merit Lord.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol beside him politely clasped his hands, and Bukgung Ryeong let out an “Ah.”
“It’s that young man from back then.”
As Bukgung Ryeong recognized Bu Eunseol, Yuk Jangcheon quickly added,
“This fellow is the most promising youth in our alliance’s history, rising to first-class leader in the shortest time. He might even become a hall leader faster than Cheongah.”
“Indeed, he possesses the spirit of a phoenix among chickens.”
Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
It was not mere flattery; the young man named Seon Woojin truly had excellent talent.
Gazing into Bu Eunseol’s still eyes, Bukgung Ryeong gently patted his shoulder.
“The era of young people like you will soon come. Do your best.”
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Merit Lord.”
At that moment, a woman in gorgeous cyan archery attire approached Bukgung Ryeong.
It was Yuk Cheongah, who had become the Vice Master of Dragon Coiling Hall.
“You refused every time I asked, yet you finally changed your mind.”
As Yuk Cheongah smiled, revealing teeth white as frost, Bukgung Ryeong spoke apologetically,
“That is how it turned out.”
“For now, we are redecorating the residence for Merit Lord. Shall we go see it?”
Though she was the Vice Master of Dragon Coiling Hall, Yuk Cheongah’s quarters were assigned near the Elders’ Hall. Moreover, upon learning of her connection to Bukgung Ryeong, the leadership had ordered her to help him quickly adapt to the Martial Alliance’s environment and rules.
“Then, until next time.”
At Bukgung Ryeong’s words, Yuk Jangcheon and Bu Eunseol lightly bowed.
“That vixen is unbeatable.” Watching Bukgung Ryeong walk away under Yuk Cheongah’s guidance, Yuk Jangcheon shook his head. “Even if that Baek Museong fellow returns, there is no hope anyway. Why does she still cling so stubbornly…?”
Bu Eunseol said nothing.
Someone like Yuk Cheongah would never stay still.
She was surely scheming various things for an even greater leap.
‘It does not matter what it is.’
Currently, all his attention was focused on the Returning to One Realm.
Rather than concerning himself with Yuk Cheongah or Yuk Jangcheon, he needed to quickly stop the Returning to One Realm’s actions and recover his grandfather’s remains.
Once the Martial Alliance event ended, Bu Eunseol returned to the martial world and summoned Do Cheonlin.
With the Cold Moon Island matter resolved, they now planned to head to Gang Okji—the Three Realms facility inscribed on Do Cheonlin’s sword—and destroy it.
Xi’an Prefecture, Majeon safe house.
“Did you find the demonic sword?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Do Cheonlin nodded and drew a sharp demonic sword.
“Of course. I barely managed to find one more.”
Before entering the Martial Alliance, Bu Eunseol had asked Do Cheonlin for one favor.
To obtain another new demonic sword circulating in the martial world.
He needed a demonic sword for infiltrating Gang Okji, which was engraved on Do Cheonlin’s Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword.
Fortunately, through the information networks of the Death Spirit Corps and Supreme Branch, Do Cheonlin had located another demonic sword owner and acquired one more.
“I hope Cold Moon Island does not appear.”
Do Cheonlin wore a tense expression as he soaked it thoroughly with his blood.
Then, when Bu Eunseol sprinkled his own blood generously, a faint light rose on the blade, revealing characters.
Gang Okji.
Fortunately, it was Gang Okji, not Cold Moon Island.
“That’s some good luck.”
Do Cheonlin sighed in relief.
If both demonic swords had revealed Cold Moon Island? They would have had to wander the martial world again searching for demonic sword users.
“Luck, you say.”
Bu Eunseol muttered lowly before saying something unexpected.
“Perhaps they have a secret method to change the characters on the demonic swords?”
“What do you mean?”
“Since Cold Moon Island was destroyed, there might be a way to alter the characters engraved on the blades.”
The demonic swords were created by the Returning to One Realm to select those capable of awakening past supreme experts.
With Cold Moon Island destroyed…
If they could no longer find the One Hundred and Eight Stars because of it? There would be no greater loss.
From the Returning to One Realm’s perspective, they might have immediately changed the characters on the demonic swords to Gang Okji.
“That is impossible. How could they change characters engraved on the blade?”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “I know it sounds far-fetched. But having experienced their great methods… I cannot help but wonder if it might be possible.”
Do Cheonlin nodded and looked down at the sword.
Obtaining demonic swords with such functions in large quantities was already difficult.
Yet the Returning to One Realm had scattered them throughout the martial world, making characters appear when they absorbed the blood of experts who reached a certain level.
In truth, this alone bordered on impossible.
Moreover, there was said to be a secret method that transformed those with the same temperament as past experts—found through the demonic swords—into bodies similar to theirs…
If they set their minds to it, changing characters would feel like nothing.
“Then we must be truly cautious this time.” Do Cheonlin said, gazing at the characters on the demonic sword. “They poured their heart into creating one facility, only for it to be destroyed by an unknown person. They would not fail to prepare countermeasures.”
“Most likely.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “That is why I do not plan to go alone this time.”
“Are you thinking of taking Majeon experts?”
“Not at all. I have no intention of sacrificing subordinates. If I brought them, they might guess that I destroyed the Cold Moon Island facility.”
“Then…”
“This time, I will use the Martial Alliance’s forces.”
“The Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“I have also laid some connections in the Martial Alliance.”
After various experiences, Bu Eunseol had realized Do Cheonlin was trustworthy.
Even so, he did not fully reveal his identity as Seon Woojin. The fewer who knew of his dual identity, the safer.
“Well, that works too.”
Do Cheonlin smiled faintly and handed over the demonic sword.
“But if you send Martial Alliance experts, the Returning to One Realm will likely abandon searching for the One Hundred and Eight Stars with demonic swords altogether.”
“I know.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “After Cold Moon Island anyway, they will be completely revising their plans. They now know someone among the demonic sword holders opposes them.”
“Then Gang Okji will already have traps prepared for incoming enemies.”
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol nodded calmly. “This time at Gang Okji, we will be able to see what kind of traps the Returning to One Realm has set and gauge the level of their power.”
After parting with Do Cheonlin, Bu Eunseol returned to the Martial Alliance and sought out Gongsun Dankyung.
At his waist hung the demonic sword brought by Do Cheonlin.
In truth, if the goal was simply merit, reporting to Ascendant Martial Hall Leader Yuk Jangcheon and receiving troop support would be better.
But Bu Eunseol planned to catch three birds with one stone this time.
While discovering what kind of trap the Returning to One Realm had deliberately prepared and its form…
He would also confirm how much personal military power Gongsun Dankyung, who had declared she would deal with the Infinite Realm, had hidden.
Moreover, if he led Martial Alliance forces to Gang Okji?
They might think the force that destroyed Cold Moon Island also belonged to the Martial Alliance.
Truly a plan to kill three birds with one stone.
Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion—Gongsun Dankyung’s office.
“I simply cannot believe it.”
Gongsun Dankyung tilted her head while staring at the demonic sword on the table.
Even after hearing Bu Eunseol’s explanation, she shook her head as if she could not comprehend.
“They created and distributed demonic swords?”
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol explained calmly. “While traveling the martial world, I happened to witness experts fighting with mysterious swords. I was about to leave after the fight ended, but…”
Pausing briefly, he shook his head.
“That man sensed my presence and suddenly attacked. I had no choice but to counter…”
Bu Eunseol had used the first move of Thirteen Iron Sword Forms, Clear Mirror, Crimson Demon.
And through the reversed move, the man had died instead.
But when his blood touched the sword he carried, it suddenly emitted light and produced these characters.
“When blood touched it, characters appeared on the blade…”
Gongsun Dankyung frowned.
The Infinite Realm focused on puppets, drugs, and body modification.
She had never heard of them using such mystical arts.
That meant it was clearly the work of another of the Three Realms.
“The Infinite Realm is only my guess. It could be something the blacksmith who made the sword engraved for some reason.”
“It certainly seems worth investigating.” Gongsun Dankyung nodded. “However, just because a specific location’s name is engraved on a demonic sword’s blade, I cannot deploy the alliance’s main forces.”
That was only natural.
Even if this place was a base of the Three Realms…
Without concrete evidence, the Martial Alliance’s main forces could not be deployed.
“If this fact is reported to Hall Leader Yuk… he will surely order Captain Seon to investigate alone.”
Gongsun Dankyung pondered briefly.
If this place was related to the Three Realms? Seon Woojin could not investigate it alone.
If he began an investigation carelessly and failed… the plan to elevate him to Martial Heaven Division Commander would be ruined.
‘Captain Seon must become Martial Heaven Division Commander.’
To exterminate the Infinite Realm in the future.
And to achieve revenge.
She absolutely had to make Seon Woojin her own man.
Moreover, if he became a Division Commander…
It would be no different from gaining an entire division of the Martial Alliance that moved according to her will.
“Hmm.”
After a low hum, Gongsun Dankyung nodded as if decided.
“For this matter, I will first send agents to investigate secretly… and we can discuss further afterward.”
“Understood.”
As he turned to leave, Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile.
‘She took the bait.’
Gang Okji had a high chance of being a trap set by the Returning to One Realm with gritted teeth.
The investigation would surely fail.
Since she could not mobilize Martial Alliance forces… Gongsun Dankyung would have no choice but to use her hidden personal organization.
