—The Martial Soul Command Lord of Majeon, Bu Eunseol, has raised an army!
—Their target is the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest, revered as the sacred ground of the martial world!
Suddenly, shocking rumors struck the martial world like a thunderbolt.
The successor of Majeon, the Martial Soul Command Lord Bu Eunseol.
This brilliant figure, like a radiant sun illuminating the demonic sky, had abruptly declared he would raise a great army and sweep away the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.
—It must be nonsense, some baseless rumor.
Most martial artists dismissed the story as mere gossip.
Though a demonic practitioner, the Martial Soul Command Lord had always acted righteously and never once harmed the innocent or the weak. Yet to attack a medical forest revered by the martial world—not anywhere else—with the full might of Majeon’s forces?
It made no sense at all.
But rumors spread that, under Bu Eunseol’s command, the Death Shadow Corps and the Blood Martial Corps had begun preparations for deployment.
It was said that Hyeok Sojin and Geuk Hyebin, successors of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect, were leading troops toward Majeon.
Moreover, to allow Majeon’s grand army to pass smoothly through Honam and into Hubei, each branch of Majeon had entered combat readiness.
This caused uproar in the martial world, especially within the Martial Alliance.
—We must stop them!
The Majeon in Honam and the Martial Alliance in Henan had long regarded Hubei as a boundary, never encroaching upon each other.
If the great demonic army led by Bu Eunseol entered Hubei?
It would be a clear provocation against the Martial Alliance.
And if that army, instead of targeting the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest, simply entrenched itself in the Hubei region?
The situation would become irreversible.
To block Bu Eunseol’s forces, the Martial Alliance immediately dispatched the Divine Might Corps to the Hubei border.
The various sects of the martial world grew tense, closely watching both sides.
A clash between the vanguard of Majeon and the Martial Alliance could spark a full-scale Orthodox-Demonic War.
Deep within the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.
A beautiful flower garden spread out, and at its center stood a pavilion of unique design.
Entering the pavilion revealed a vast hall, with lanterns burning on the pillars.
The pillars were carved with the Four Symbols—Qilin, Vermilion Bird, and others—emitting a faint glow.
Strange paintings adorned the ceiling, and beneath them stood a wide altar.
At the center of the altar was a hemispherical vessel filled with black liquid. Below the altar, figures clad in pitch-black robes prostrated themselves, heads bowed.
[It seems that fellow has finally discovered the location of our realm.]
As the voice rang out, the black liquid writhed as though alive.
Splash.
It finally surged into the air and took human form.
The Heavenly Deity.
As Biyeon had said, the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest was the headquarters of the Infinite Realm.
And this shadowy black figure was being formed through the liquid placed upon the altar.
“The Martial Alliance has reportedly mobilized the Divine Might Corps as well.” One of the prostrated Special Divine Ranks, the Spirit-Sensing Master, spoke. “If Majeon does not halt its advance, the two vanguards will meet on the plains of Akju.”
The Spirit-Sensing Master continued, “This is not merely our realm’s affair. Shall we send envoys to the Clear River Realm and the Returning to One Realm?”
[Heh heh heh.]
The Heavenly Deity’s shadow chuckled lowly and shook its head.
[The two vanguards will not clash.]
The Heavenly Deity continued, [If the two allied forces collide, the damage will fall entirely upon the common people.]
The Heavenly Deity’s voice was filled with certainty.
[There will be no need to act. The imperial palace will move first.]
Yet the Spirit-Sensing Master bowed his head and said, “The palace has stated they will observe the situation.”
[Observe?]
“Yes. His Majesty has declared he will watch the developments between Majeon and the Martial Alliance for ten days before deciding.”
[Ten days…]
The Heavenly Deity’s shadow rippled.
He knew the imperial court’s circumstances like the back of his hand, as well as the emperor’s personality in every detail.
The emperor was a man who would never tolerate Majeon attacking a medical forest like the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.
Yet he intended to watch a conflict between Majeon and the Martial Alliance for ten full days?
[That makes no sense.]
Sharp eyes formed in the Heavenly Deity’s shadow.
[Find out immediately what is going on.]
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Death Shadow Corps conference hall.
Bu Eunseol and the Captains sat with grave expressions, heads together in serious discussion.
“From the very beginning, we will not even be able to pass through Hubei, let alone raise an army.”
After hearing Bu Eunseol’s plan, Wi Cheongyeong spoke firmly.
“The emperor will never tolerate such a clash.”
The current emperor cared nothing for martial artists’ quarrels but cherished the common people deeply.
If an army were raised to strike the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest?
He would dispatch the imperial troops without hesitation.
“Do not worry.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “There will be no such thing.”
“No such thing?”
Bu Eunseol glanced briefly at Yoo Unryong, who sat composed. Yoo Unryong took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
“We have been granted ten days.”
Turning his gaze to the window, he stared at the distant sky.
***
As the sunset glowed, a shadow cautiously approached a pavilion deep within the imperial palace.
Entering revealed a long corridor lined with small rooms.
The shadow moved deftly through the maze-like interior, familiar with its twists and finally entered a room at the far end.
There stood bookshelves filled with countless volumes, and in the center a large table and chair.
The shadow approached the table, bowed, and prostrated himself.
How much time passed?
With a sliding sound, the door opened, and soft footsteps approached.
A man with dragon-like eyes and bearing the majesty of heaven appeared, clad in imperial robes.
“Your subject, Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet Yoo Jeongpung, greets His Imperial Majesty.”
The one who had just entered was the emperor, and the prostrated shadow was none other than Yoo Jeongpung.
“I simply cannot understand it.” The emperor spoke calmly. “A figure who could be called the leader of the demonic martial world… intends to destroy a medical forest that has provided treatment to the poor for generations. And you ask me to stand by and watch?”
“It is not to stand by, but to grant a fortnight’s grace.” Yoo Jeongpung spoke earnestly. “The successor of Majeon has never once harmed the innocent or the common people. On the contrary, he has consistently sought out and punished vicious martial forces.”
“Hmm.”
The emperor nodded.
He too was well aware of the tales of the Martial Soul Command Lord that resounded throughout the martial world.
“This attack on the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest is also because it is the lair of villains who abduct commoners and slaughter people.”
“Is there proof?”
“We seek to secure that proof while dealing with them.”
“Hah.”
Solemn energy flowed from the emperor’s eyes.
“Is that something to say so lightly?”
“I stake my neck on it.” Yoo Jeongpung prostrated himself and said, “Grant only a fortnight’s grace. Then everything will come to light.”
The emperor fell silent for a moment.
Allowing a mere martial artist to destroy a medical forest passed down through generations was utterly intolerable.
Yet Yoo Jeongpung was his most trusted minister, never one to speak nonsense.
Since such a man staked his life and begged, the emperor could not simply ignore it.
“What of the harm to the common people during that fortnight?”
“There will be no harm to the common people in that time. Only clashes between Majeon and the Martial Alliance—between orthodox and demonic martial artists.”
“Now that you mention it…”
The emperor hummed and said, “Did you not say your son is in the martial world?”
“Yes. He currently serves as a strategist in Majeon’s Death Shadow Corps.”
“Hah.”
The emperor sighed.
He knew better than anyone how incorruptible and loyal Yoo Jeongpung was.
Why then would such a man make this request?
‘Ah, I see.’
Suddenly recalling Yoo Jeongpung’s family circumstances, the emperor swallowed a hum.
‘Hmm.’
Having organized his thoughts, the emperor slowly spoke.
“Since it is none other than your request… I have no choice.”
“Your subject is overwhelmed with gratitude, Your Majesty.”
“However, a fortnight is too long. I will grant only ten days.”
Then, with utmost solemnity,
“If after ten days clear proof is not found, or the fighting continues…”
Fierce energy poured from the emperor’s eyes.
“Your neck alone will not settle the matter.”
“Your subject is infinitely grateful, Your Majesty.”
Emerging from the palace, Yoo Jeongpung gazed at the distant sky.
“Hmm.”
He hummed and shook his head.
It was a son who had left, vowing to resent him for life.
A boy who, after declaring he would become a swordsman, had never once shown his face.
Yet Yoo Jeongpung had never been able to scold his son harshly.
Everything had been his own fault.
This situation too was entirely his doing.
But one day, that son had come to him and knelt.
He said the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest was a den of villains slaughtering martial artists and commoners.
And to capture them, he needed time to calm the emperor’s wrath.
—I understand.
Though nearly impossible, Yoo Jeongpung had agreed.
Not because the son who had never bowed before had knelt and begged.
But because the once violent and impulsive boy had returned transformed into a dragon among men, bearing the weight of heaven.
‘I have done a terrible thing as a father.’
He had known Yoo Unryong was scorned for being illegitimate.
Yet Yoo Jeongpung had truly loved his mother.
In the end, she met a lonely and tragic death, and young Yoo Unryong witnessed it with his own eyes.
Learning of it too late, Yoo Jeongpung wished to make amends, but the child ran off in tears of blood, vowing revenge.
Time passed, and the boy who had eked out a modest name as a Majeon warrior…
Had become a strategist whose name shook the world.
Following Majeon’s Martial Soul Command Lord, he punished vicious evildoers.
He aided commoners in distress, and with outstanding merit and strategy led countless battles to victory.
That grown son harbored no resentment toward him.
Instead, to save innocent commoners, he had knelt before him.
How could he refuse such a request?
“With this matter, I will cast off the debt in my heart as a father.”
Yoo Jeongpung gazed at the distant sky.
Though he knew not when the boy would appear again, he felt that next time they met, it would be with smiles.
***
Snapping out of his reverie, Yoo Unryong withdrew his gaze fixed outside the window.
As a child, he had thought he could never forgive.
Now, he understood the circumstances that had forced his father’s hand back then.
“How exactly is ten days possible?”
At Won Semun’s question, Yoo Unryong replied calmly, “Because such a promise was obtained.”
Seeing the certainty in Yoo Unryong’s eyes, the captains finally let out sounds of understanding.
They recalled the rumor that Yoo Unryong came from a family of considerable status.
“Even so, it is impossible.”
Then Wi Cheongyeong stepped forward.
“Even if the imperial army does not mobilize, the Chief Instructor will oppose it.” He continued with a grave expression, “The Chief Instructor has steadfastly avoided direct confrontation with the Martial Alliance. Without any proof, attacking the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest—he will never approve it.”
“That is true.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “No one else, but the Chief Instructor will never permit a clash with the Martial Alliance.”
“Then what will we do?”
“I will handle it.”
“How?”
Bu Eunseol said flatly, “The Demon Emperor.”
“Is the Demon Emperor not in seclusion?”
“Even without the Demon Emperor’s presence, there is one who knows his will well.”
Bu Eunseol turned his head to gaze out the window and look in the direction of a structure.
Sacred Demon Hall.
The pavilion where the Demon Emperor, lord of the demonic sky and master of Majeon, resided.
Yet the Demon Emperor had not stayed there for a long time.
He had been in constant seclusion, one after another.
Step, step.
Having sent word in advance, Bu Eunseol entered the Sacred Demon Hall and saw a figure standing demurely on the opposite side.
Slightly gaunt, but with clear eyes and features as elegant and beautiful as blooming flowers.
It was Jin Seol, the Flower of Majeon.
‘When I think about it, the Demon Emperor is like a father to her.’
Just as Bu Eunseol had been raised by his grandfather’s hand, she had remained by the Demon Emperor’s side until she was fourteen.
From the year she turned fifteen, she began learning Majeon’s affairs.
By eighteen, she had become the Flower of Majeon, overseeing all ceremonies of Majeon.
She was also the only person, aside from the Chief Instructor, who could meet the Demon Emperor alone at any time.
It was said the Demon Emperor had never refused a single request from her.
Had he not secretly conveyed that he would pass on all his martial essence to whoever married Jin Seol?
Her title was merely Flower of Majeon but in actual power, Jin Seol ranked among the top five in Majeon.
“You have come.” She greeted him demurely.
“Have you been well?”
At Bu Eunseol’s greeting, Jin Seol offered a faint, dry smile. “Thanks to you.”
She blamed herself, believing the massacre committed by Shim Wol had all happened because of her. Since that day, she had completely withdrawn from Majeon’s affairs, entered the Sacred Demon Hall, and like a nun of the present world, abstained from meat and offered daily prayers.
‘For a woman of the demonic path, her heart is far too tender.’
Bu Eunseol felt pity.
Jin Seol was known as cold and arrogant, but in truth, she was gentle and deeply affectionate.
The reason she had become engaged to Shim Wol was simply because he had treated her so well that she could not reject his feelings.
“What brings you here?”
“I have located one of the hidden forces long disrupting the martial world.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “To deal with them, there are many obstacles—one of which is the Chief Instructor.”
“The Chief Instructor?”
“Yes.”
Taking a deep breath, his eyes flashed as he said,
“We must strike the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.”
Silence lingered for a while.
Jin Seol, who had been staring blankly into space, nodded.
“I see. To attack a medical forest means clashing with the Martial Alliance, so the Chief Instructor would never stand idly by.”
“Moreover, with neither justification nor proof at present, if the Chief Instructor opposes, there is no way to overcome it.”
Jin Seol, who had been listening silently, spoke.
“Then how may I help?”
“I have heard that Lady Jin, as the Demon Emperor’s adopted daughter, shares a very close bond with him.”
Jin Seol wore a somewhat bewildered expression.
Bu Eunseol was not one to rely on others in any crisis, nor to lean on another’s authority.
“Are you asking me to go directly to the Demon Emperor and request it?”
“Of course not.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “I merely came to ask Lady Jin something I have long wondered, in order to resolve this matter.”
“Speak.”
“Why did the Demon Emperor specifically elevate the former Nightless Heavenly Lord, Lord Yeop, to the position of Chief Instructor?”
Heat that could melt iron flowed from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Can I hear the truth behind it?”
Jin Seol’s eyes flickered faintly. But soon they returned to an icy chill.
“Why ask me that?”
“Because the Demon Emperor, who cherishes you so dearly, would never have kept that story from you.”
Understanding Bu Eunseol’s intent, Jin Seol gave a vague reply.
“From the beginning, the Demon Emperor was not one to immerse himself in Majeon’s affairs. Seclusion is nothing new to him.”
“…”
“The Chief Instructor served the Demon Emperor for a long time… naturally rising from Heavenly Lord to overseeing all of Majeon’s operations.”
“My lady.”
Bu Eunseol exhaled heavily and said,
“You know full well that is not what I asked.”
At those words, Jin Seol’s eyes trembled faintly.
Bu Eunseol had referred to himself as “I” and called her “young lady.”
In other words, setting aside status and position…
He was appealing to the bond between them.
“It is unlike you, Command Lord.”
“What do you mean?”
“You were never one to exploit another’s goodwill.”
It was the third time he had heard such words recently.
Gongsun Dankyung.
Since meeting her, Bu Eunseol had been changing little by little.
“If it seemed that way, I apologize.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands and bowed politely. “It is simply that… standing before Lady Jin, I still feel like the simple boy from Nangyang Pavilion.”
It was Bu Eunseol’s sincere heart.
“I still focus only on Death Shadow Corps duties and know little of the main army’s ceremonies.”
Somewhat embarrassed, Bu Eunseol let out a snort.
It was far from the demeanor of a great demonic sect leader commanding countless warriors.
Jin Seol’s eyes wavered like ripples.
If this was not calculated acting…
Then the mindset of the youth who had been one of Nangyang Pavilion’s Ten Demon Warriors remained unchanged even now as Majeon’s successor.
‘It is genuine.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes were clear.
Not the cunning strategist, but the pure warrior.
“People inevitably change with their position.”
Jin Seol sighed deeply.
“You are truly unfathomable, Command Lord.”
In the end, this extraordinary man…
Cared nothing for what others said or the image he projected outwardly.
Thus, no matter what position or power he gained, he could maintain the same unchanging attitude.
‘Only two kinds of people can do that.’
To remain unshaken by changes in power and status—one either completely detaches from worldly affairs and lives in natural idleness, or races forward without looking back, pursuing a single goal.
And Bu Eunseol was the latter.
‘Then what is his goal?’
“May I hear the answer?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Jin Seol snapped out of her thoughts and replied.
“Answer my question first. Then I will answer yours.”
“Very well.”
“Command Lord—do you wish to become master of Majeon? Or do you not?”
It was a question that could instantly grasp not only Bu Eunseol’s intentions, but his ultimate goal as well.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
Depending on this answer, whether he gained Jin Seol’s help would be decided.
It would be better to give the answer she wanted than to speak honestly.
‘Then I would truly be using her.’
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
And with the heaviest expression, he shook his head again.
“I do not wish to.”
