Buzz.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol sensed a strange energy.
It was not a sensation detected by superhuman perception, but one caught by pure intuition.
It felt as though an explosive energy was being suppressed in the northwest direction yet the corps captains, including Do Cheonlin, showed no reaction, apparently feeling nothing unusual.
‘As expected, it’s something akin to intuition.’
Until now, his intuition had never been wrong.
Bu Eunseol, who had been gazing at the distant sky, spoke to the corps captains.
“Return first. I will look around this area a bit more.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Command Lord.”
Do Cheonlin and the captains of the Death Shadow Corps led their subordinates back.
Once again sensing the peculiar sensation flowing from the northwest, Bu Eunseol leaped into the air in an instant.
Shhh-shhh!
Unfurling Swift Beyond Shadow, Bu Eunseol covered over fifty li in a single bound. A deeply overgrown forest unfolded before him.
‘Over there.’
Using qinggong to climb the mountain, Bu Eunseol headed toward the highest peak.
Whoosh!
He ascended the peak in one go, and the strange sensation he had felt all along completely vanished.
This place was shrouded in mystical fog, as if immortals dwelled here, with nameless flowers and plants blooming beautifully.
‘This couldn’t possibly be their main base.’
Could this place, with scenery beautiful enough to be called a fairy realm, really be the headquarters of the Inbiin?
‘Hmm.’
After scanning the surroundings for a long while, a glint flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
It made no sense that the faint energy he had felt from dozens of li away disappeared the moment he arrived.
‘Then it must be an illusion technique.’
Whoooosh.
A transparent energy began swirling in Bu Eunseol’s left hand.
He was spreading Crystal Divine Energy to dissipate the fog rising in all directions.
Crack.
Then, the beautiful scenery around him rippled like waves, and a faint gate-like form began to appear in one spot.
‘So it was an illusion.’
Step by step.
As he entered the gate, the beautiful scenery remained the same, but the fog rising everywhere had vanished.
A shadow that had not been visible before stood tall directly in front.
It was a young woman.
Perhaps around eighteen? Bathed in sunlight, she appeared elegant and beautiful, like a single white plum blossom
However, her eyes were dark, suggesting some deep story behind them.
Thump-thump-thump.
Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded wildly.
It was not because she was beautiful.
He realized that this mysterious energy, which he had felt even from dozens of li away, was emanating from her body.
Sparkle.
Then, she turned her head and looked at Bu Eunseol.
Her eyes were melancholic yet beautiful, like gazing into the endlessly deep sea.
“……”
Meeting her direct gaze, Bu Eunseol felt embarrassed.
“Greetings.”
As he offered a greeting, her long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly.
Her expression showed she could not understand why Bu Eunseol had appeared here.
“I came because I sensed a strange energy.” When she remained silent, Bu Eunseol spoke again. “Since I could feel your energy even from dozens of li away, you must be a master.”
Then, the woman murmured in a low voice.
“I’m only nineteen; how could I be called a master?”
“Is that so.”
Bu Eunseol rubbed his nose with an awkward expression.
“May I ask the lady’s name?”
Suddenly asking an unrelated woman’s name was highly impolite but Bu Eunseol said it seriously and confidently.
“I am Bu Eunseol, a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion. Currently, I lead forces of Majeon and am working to stop the atrocities committed by the Inbiin.”
“……”
“Judging by your extraordinary energy, you are no ordinary disciple of a sect…”
“I know.”
The woman suddenly said calmly.
“I have seen everything you are doing.”
Her voice was very low, with a metallic rasp mixed in but it suited her melancholic eyes well and was not unpleasant to hear.
“All of it—capturing the Ghost Children.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
If she knew the term Ghost Children, she must be from the Three Realms or some abyssal force that had not yet surfaced in the martial world.
“Their slaughter cannot be suppressed. It would be better to kill them immediately.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve tried.”
She said calmly.
“The Ghost Children are beings born solely to kill the weak. No method can change that thought.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew serious.
“Who exactly are you, lady?”
“My name is Manwol (Crescent Moon).”
There was no surname like Man in the world.
It was likely her alias.
‘Just like her name, she gives the feeling of a crescent moon.’
Her long, slender eyebrows and delicate figure was as if the spirit of a crescent moon hidden in night clouds had taken human form and descended to earth.
“Lady Manwol.”
Since calling her “Lady Man” felt awkward, Bu Eunseol called her full name.
“Where did you hear the term Ghost Children? Do you know their main base?”
“……”
“If you continue to conceal your identity, I will have no choice but to regard you as an enemy.”
“Will you capture and torture me?”
Manwol wore a lonely expression.
“Martial artists always intimidate others with force to get what they want. You are no different.”
Bu Eunseol swallowed bitterly.
‘Whatever her affiliation, she does not seem like someone committing evil deeds.’
He could not force her mouth open, nor did he want to plead and question her.
“Then, I apologize for the intrusion.”
As Bu Eunseol turned away without regret, Manwol said, “When something is born, an opposing existence is inevitably born as well. Like a mirror.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means gaining power is not always good. Because then the enemy can become stronger too.”
What Bu Eunseol hated most in the martial world was riddles.
As Manwol spoke in vague terms, he furrowed his brow.
“If you wish to speak in riddles, find someone else.”
“I’m sorry. I only meant that the Ghost Children are difficult to handle, and…”
Manwol looked at the distant sky and said in a low voice.
“That you sensed my energy and stood before me… I just wanted to say it feels like an unavoidable fate.”
“Same thing again. I hate sudden, cryptic talk the most.” Bu Eunseol said with a slightly irritated expression. “If you’re not going to give clear information, there’s no need for further conversation.”
“I see.”
Manwol slightly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry for confusing you.”
And in a low voice, she added.
“We will meet again soon.”
Whish.
Suddenly, fog rose in all directions.
Then Manwol walked into the thick fog.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as he quietly watched her disappear.
As she had said, he had a premonition that they would meet again soon.
‘Is this why the grand masters who dominated the martial world are obsessed over the word “fate”?’
The more he involved himself in martial world affairs, the more he learned about mysterious forces, known or hidden.
He felt an unknowable force pulling him.
In one word, that feeling was “fate.”
‘I must not believe in fate.’
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
The world was too absurd to believe in fate.
Moreover, hadn’t the Heavenly Deity died leaving the curse that he was born under the fate of Heaven-Dark Star?
‘Because the world is so unpredictable even one step ahead, humans seek fate as a guide.’
As a martial artist handling various matters… he gradually developed things he could sense intuitively.
Perhaps what felt like fate was simply because such senses had sharpened.
‘Time to return.’
Bu Eunseol turned his body.
Having wrapped up the Inbiin matter, it was time to proceed with the plan to officially birth the Martial Soul Society.
***
—This is going too far!
The atmosphere in the martial world turned murderous.
Because the outer forces that had entered the Central Plains showed no intention of leaving again.
All they had done was capture the boy murderous ghosts who attacked vagrants and commoners.
Of course, those murderous ghosts were said to possess skill surpassing experts, but they were few in number and merely young boys.
They were merely skilled at evading pursuit and cunning, making them hard to catch.
There was no need to bring in masses of outer forces to handle it.
—Immediately drive the outer vanguards beyond the Jade Gate Pass.
Not only the Martial Alliance but black path sects, including the Black Flag Society, sent protest letters to Majeon.
—I hear they are stationed in the Red Sky Veil to form some association.
—It is clear that our cooperation with the outer sects has ended, and their subsequent actions have no relation to this sect or this Command Lord.
Bu Eunseol left only this one statement.
And afterward, there was no response.
The place they had settled was Shaanxi’s Red Sky Veil—the heart of orthodox forces.
If outer forces quietly rolled in and clashed with the orthodox Martial Alliance?
From Majeon’s perspective, there was nothing to lose.
They sent letters to the Chief Instructor as well, but it was the same.
As long as it did not violate Majeon’s rules, the Chief Instructor could sanction no one.
—We cannot leave it like this.
With Majeon and Bu Eunseol immovable, in the end, led by the Martial Alliance and together with black path sects entangled in interests, they proposed inviting Bu Eunseol, who caused this situation, to a conference.
—If you do not attend this meeting, full-scale war will begin immediately.
Only then did Bu Eunseol respond.
—Very well.
Finally, the conference was held at Mount Hua.
Since forces were stationed in Shaanxi’s Red Sky Veil, they openly held the meeting at the Mount Hua Sect.
It was named the Exile Evil Conference.
The Martial Alliance openly branded the outer forces gathered in the Red Sky Veil as “evil forces” and declared this a meeting to eradicate them.
Bu Eunseol attended the conference at Mount Hua with Dae Guhwi.
It was a place demonic figures would normally avoid, but Bu Eunseol headed to Mount Hua without hesitation.
Murmur murmur.
Near Huayin County, large numbers of troops had already gathered.
They were forces dispatched by the Martial Alliance and the black path alliance, numbering at least eight thousand.
Bu Eunseol and Dae Guhwi came alone, with only their bodies.
From the Martial Alliance and black path sides, to show they could launch full-scale war depending on the meeting’s outcome, they had brought massive troops.
Bu Eunseol and Dae Guhwi paid them no mind and passed through to ascend Mount Hua.
Upon reaching the mountainside, ten figures came down in a group to greet Bu Eunseol.
“Thank you for coming.”
They were young but had clear, spirited eyes full of vitality.
Judging by age, they were likely outstanding young disciples of Mount Hua tasked with welcoming guests.
“Please follow us.”
Bu Eunseol followed them up the mountain.
The path was impeccably maintained.
Shaded spots to rest from the heat and drinks were prepared everywhere.
Martial artists, being swift, could reach the Lotus Peak summit in one leap with qinggong but with such courteous reception, they had no choice but to drink the offered tea and ascend slowly.
After climbing for a while, the sound of water revealed a waterfall plunging from a sheer cliff.
The Mount Hua disciples explained the scenery each time they ascended.
Bu Eunseol showed little interest, but Dae Guhwi’s eyes sparkled as he listened enthusiastically.
Such treatment from the Mount Hua Sect’s perspective was a form of welcome for guests visiting the sect.
Dae Guhwi, who had scarcely traveled the Central Plains, listened excitedly with shining eyes.
He even pointed here and there, asking about origins.
—That young man seems like he’s on a sightseeing tour.
The Mount Hua disciples were inwardly baffled.
Currently, Mount Hua hosted a gathering of orthodox, black path, and one of Majeon’s top leaders.
The tension was murderous, as if it would explode at a touch.
Yet he listened leisurely as if touring a famous mountain, smiling brightly?
“We are almost there.”
After winding through paths for a long time, a wide clearing appeared on the way to Lotus Peak.
Dash dash.
The Mount Hua disciples ahead ran forward to announce Bu Eunseol’s arrival.
Soon, over twenty people approached Bu Eunseol and Dae Guhwi, clasping hands.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
At the very front stood a middle-aged man in dark blue robes.
Over six cheok tall, his build was like three sturdy men combined.
His face was covered in scars, and his tiger-like eyes shot skyward.
He resembled a roaring lion transformed into human form.
It was Seok Ung-cheon, the Spear Heaven Division Commander of the Martial Alliance and Extreme Divine Sect, hosting this Expel Evil Conference.
“I am Seok Ung-cheon, Spear Heaven Divine Commander.”
The Martial Alliance had openly chosen the most belligerent among the Seven Great Divisions and the one tasked with guarding against outer forces’ rise to host this meeting.
‘So this is his level.’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
His view that Baekri Mujo of the Star Guard Division was the strongest among the Seven Great Division Commanders remained unchanged, but seeing Seok Ung-cheon up close…
He exuded an aura far beyond what he had shown on the Martial Alliance platform before.
‘The Martial Alliance is the Martial Alliance.’
Inwardly, Bu Eunseol sighed deeply.
The Martial Alliance’s depth was not all visible, and even their revealed strength slightly surpassed Majeon’s.
Moreover, the Seven Great Division Commanders…
They harbored the ambition to become Alliance Leader and manage the orthodox martial world, thus, they only handled internal alliance matters secretly and did not step into the martial world.
That was why their fame and martial prowess were not widely known.
“I am Bu Eunseol.”
Unlike the overwhelming presence Seok Ung-cheon displayed, Bu Eunseol greeted softly.
“Indeed, a dragon among men.”
Seok Ung-cheon discerned from Bu Eunseol’s gentle demeanor alone that his realm was extraordinary.
“This way.”
The sky was clear, and the area around Lotus Peak rose majestically, as if overlooking the world.
Inside the peak was a large building like a temple, apparently built by the Mount Hua Sect for ancestral rites.
Entering, unlike the exterior, a grand conference room filled with luxurious furnishings appeared.
There sat figures who appeared to be leaders from various sects.
They were the leaders of the Black Flag Society, which had recently grown powerful, as well as Mysterious Heaven Sect and Yaksha Sect.
All major black path sect leaders had attended this meeting however, the Mount Hua Sect’s sect leader or elders were nowhere to be seen.
Though held at Mount Hua Sect, Seok Ung-cheon represented the entire orthodox martial world.
‘Ridiculous.’
Bu Eunseol inwardly sneered.
It was a meeting of orthodox and unorthodox leaders, so opinions should be gathered and consensus reached on equal footing yet sects friendly to or supportive of the Martial Soul Society were completely excluded and the conference hall was filled with black path leaders harboring ill will.
‘Mount Hua Sect is here after all.’
Looking closely, figures who seemed to be Mount Hua elders sat in one corner of the room with relaxed expressions.
Since Seok Ung-cheon was here, they seemed intent on watching the show and reaping benefits without stepping forward.
Step.
As Bu Eunseol and Dae Guhwi sat, the black path leaders, including the Black Flag Society leader, glared as if to kill them.
If outer forces took root in Shaanxi, it would displease the Martial Alliance but for black path sects entangled in various interests, it was even more sensitive.
“Now that everyone is here, let us begin the discussion.”
Once all were seated, Seok Ung-cheon spoke heavily.
“Martial Soul Command Lord. As you know, this conference is to discuss your unilateral stationing of outer forces in Shaanxi.”
His voice was gentle, but his eyes were utterly solemn.
“First, on behalf of this alliance, I ask. Why did you summon outer forces?”
“I believe the Martial Alliance knows better than I.”
“Correct. This alliance started it first. Chief Inspector Gongsun detected the strange massacre incident and intended for this alliance to handle it.” Seok Ung-cheon said calmly. “But that is all. No matter how formidable those strange boy murder ghosts are, they did not warrant bringing in outer forces.”
“Then handle it yourselves.”
Bu Eunseol said confidently.
“Then you will understand why this Command Lord sought help from the North Sea Ice Palace and Wild Beast Palace.”
“Are you saying Majeon lacks the capability or troops to deal with them?”
As Seok Ung-cheon subtly mocked, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“It’s not a matter of troop numbers, but the characteristics of the martial arts.”
“Characteristics? You mean the martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace and Wild Beast Palace are needed to capture them?”
“Yes.”
“Martial Soul Command Lord, it seems you’re not explaining properly.”
Then a middle-aged man with dark skin and eyes sharp as blades glared at Bu Eunseol and spoke.
It was Jeong Cheolsim, leader of the Black Flag Society.
The Black Flag Society had tried to seize the Red Sky Veil but was annihilated by the Mercenary King’s forces, and Fire-Gold Hall Leader Dam Ung returned with his head severed.
Since then, the Red Sky Veil had fallen to Majeon… needless to say, the Martial Soul Command Lord was behind it.
The one who ruined what he had long worked for was right before him.
His blood boiled, rage surged, even the whites of his eyes turned red.
“This conference includes not only the Martial Alliance but leaders of black path sects, including this society. If you thought one explanation would satisfy us, you are gravely mistaken.”
Bu Eunseol turned his head to look at Jeong Cheolsim.
“No matter what this Command Lord says, you won’t believe it anyway.” And he smiled. “After all, you will only seek your own profit and self-preservation.”
“Martial Soul Command Lord!”
As Jeong Cheolsim shouted, Mysterious Heaven Sect Leader Yeom Mu interjected coldly.
“Command Lord. I hear even in the demonic path, your unilateral actions are not welcomed?” Yeom Mu tilted his head to look at Bu Eunseol. “No matter how much you are Majeon’s successor, creating an alliance that is not a sect—is that not treason? The Demon Emperor would surely accept such a thing.”
“I don’t know what treason you’re referring to.”
“Command Lord. If you conclude like that, this conference has no choice but to end immediately.”
“That’s fine.”
As Bu Eunseol replied, this time Yaksha Sect Leader Song Samdo spoke.
“Martial Soul Command Lord. Are your eyes blind? Or do the black path heroes here look like scarecrows to you?”
Bu Eunseol merely smiled without answering.
Then flames shot from Song Samdo’s eyes.
No matter how much Bu Eunseol was Majeon’s successor, they too were sect leaders.
His consistently dismissive attitude was unbearable for Song Samdo.
“Good!” Song Samdo stood abruptly and said. “Now that you’ve become the leader of outer forces. You can no longer wield power backed by Majeon!”
“A leader of ruffians.”
Bu Eunseol chuckled, shrugged at Dae Guhwi.
“Great Leader. The Yaksha Sect Leader is crudely calling the Great Leader.”
Those present wore strange expressions.
They had wondered why Bu Eunseol brought Dae Gon’s youngest son, Dae Guhwi of the Wild Beast Palace, here all along.
But he was a leader?
“If they’re picking a fight, I should accept.”
As Dae Guhwi grinned, Song Samdo furrowed his brow.
“What are you trying to do now?”
“Sect Leader Song. Do you really think this Command Lord stationed the outer forces in the Red Sky Veil?”
“You summoned the outer forces. Are you denying it now?”
“It is true that this Command Lord called them to resolve this matter. But didn’t I clearly state that that was the extent of it?”
Bu Eunseol said leisurely.
“As I said, their stationing has nothing to do with me.”
“What does that mean?”
As those present blinked in confusion, Dae Guhwi stepped forward.
“We combined forces with the Red Sky Veil to form the Martial Soul Society.”
“Martial Soul Society?”
Those present looked at each other, blinking.
Martial Soul.
It was a term symbolizing Bu Eunseol, who had long been called only the Martial Soul Command Lord without a special alias.
Naming it blatantly the Martial Soul Society and claiming no relation to Bu Eunseol? What kind of nonsense was this!
“Th-this is bullshit!”
In the end, Yaksha Sect Leader Song Samdo exploded.
