He had declared that he would not care even if the captains died, yet to prepare for any contingency, he had arrived here ahead of them and concealed himself.
However, by the time he arrived, Shin Do-unhwi was already leading warriors in an assault on the Crimson Yellow Cult.
Having dealt with every single cult member, Shin Do-unhwi had astonishingly detected even Bu Eunseol’s concealment.
‘There’s something off.’
No matter how much Shin Do-unhwi’s martial prowess had advanced, Bu Eunseol found it hard to believe he had reached a level capable of sensing his own presence.
What made it even more suspicious was Shin Do-unhwi’s aura.
‘He doesn’t… feel human.’
It was as though something alien had been grafted onto his body.
His entire presence carried an awkward, disharmonious atmosphere.
Moreover, one of his pupils was dilated wide and sharp like that of an enraged beast.
“Young Palace Lord.”
Brushing aside his thoughts, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands in greeting.
No matter the old grudges between them, Shin Do-unhwi was still the next Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace.
“It’s been a while, Command Lord. Have you been well?”
After warmly greeting Bu Eunseol, Shin Do-unhwi suddenly turned toward Myo Cheonwoo as if noticing him for the first time and let out an exclamation.
“Cheonwoo. You were here too? How have you been?”
In the past, he had tortured Myo Cheonwoo to prevent him from leaving the Extinction Palace and gaining his freedom. Yet Myo Cheonwoo had endured every torment, and thanks to Bu Eunseol’s timely scheme, he had ultimately been forced to release him.
Though there should have been considerable resentment, Myo Cheonwoo showed none of it; he simply smiled and clasped his hands.
“It’s been a while, Young Palace Lord.”
Myo Cheonwoo was a man who did not cling to past grievances. Moreover, in the end he had followed Bu Eunseol, and things had turned out well… so he harbored no ill will.
“Did you come here alone?”
At Myo Cheonwoo’s question, Shin Do-unhwi smiled.
“The fact that the Blood Cult was behind these people bothered me. Our palace has been keeping an eye on them as well.”
‘He’s lying.’
Myo Cheonwoo’s gaze deepened immeasurably.
The Extinction Palace and the Crimson Yellow Cult were separated by thousands of li; there was no way they could have paid attention even if they wanted to.
He was deliberately trying to irritate both Bu Eunseol and himself.
“You’re right. It’s a lie.”
Shin Do-unhwi, seemingly reading Myo Cheonwoo’s mind from his expression, grinned broadly.
“The Command Lord once came to our palace and thoroughly crushed my pride. So this time, I thought I’d return the favor by coming to the Crimson Yellow Cult.”
That was, in its own way, an honest answer.
“Were you spying on our sect?” Myo Cheonwoo asked with utmost gravity.
If information had leaked, it would mean another spy existed within the Death Shadow Corps.
“Spying? Hardly.”
Shin Do-unhwi tapped his own temple with a finger.
“It seems you still don’t use this body part much.”
Then he spoke with a mocking tone.
“Word spread that the Crimson Yellow Cult was rapidly growing in power. Naturally, I could predict the Command Lord would come—after all, you’re the very person who negotiated directly with the Blood Cult Leader.”
It was a plausible enough excuse.
But Myo Cheonwoo did not believe a word.
‘If he didn’t plant a spy in the Death Shadow Corps… then he’s connected to another faction.’
No matter how he looked at the warriors standing solemnly in formation, they did not resemble disciples of the Extinction Palace. Above all, even if the Extinction Palace possessed outstanding talents and an exceptional intelligence network, they would hardly have the leisure to predict the Crimson Yellow Cult’s intentions and Bu Eunseol’s movements in order to set up such a provocation.
“I see.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward and nodded.
“I came leading my subordinates because it seemed these people were becoming a threat to our sect…”
Knowing full well that Shin Do-unhwi’s words were false, he spoke with perfect innocence.
“Thanks to the Young Palace Lord, everything has been resolved. I am grateful.”
“Hahaha, no need for thanks.” Shin Do-unhwi showed a bold smile. “Isn’t it only natural to put in that much effort to humble the Martial Soul Command Lord, the man who shakes the entire world?”
Bu Eunseol wore a puzzled expression.
The Martial Soul Command Lord had intended to secretly lead the captains and handle this mission himself, yet the Young Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace had taken care of it instead?
In the past, such rumors might have slightly tarnished Bu Eunseol’s rising prestige.
But now he had firmly established himself as successor, and not long ago he had swiftly beheaded key figures—including the Vice Pavilion Lord of the Shadow Pavilion—to demonstrate the dignity of the Demonic Path’s domineering way to the entire martial world.
An incident like this would cause no damage to his reputation whatsoever.
So why deliberately create such unnecessary trouble? Could he truly have failed to consider this point?
“Then, take care.”
When Bu Eunseol gave a casual salute as if it were nothing,
“Likewise.”
Shin Do-unhwi returned the gesture without any lingering attachment and vanished using his movement technique.
The hundreds of warriors who had stood in solemn formation immediately followed after him in an instant.
A heavy silence hung over the area for a long while.
Swish.
At last, Won Semun and Jo Namcheon—who had arrived late—came rushing up, panting.
“What in the world happened, my lord?”
Bu Eunseol did not answer; he remained deep in thought.
The same was true for Yoo Unryong, Myo Cheonwoo, and the others.
“The Young Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace stormed in and dealt with them all.”
When Wi Cheongyeong calmly explained the situation, Won Semun and Jo Namcheon jumped in shock.
“The Young Palace Lord of the Extinction Palace?”
“Does that even make sense?”
While the two whispered furiously to each other, Myo Cheonwoo spoke to Bu Eunseol.
“I can’t make sense of this.”
He looked at Bu Eunseol with an expression of genuine incomprehension.
“Shin Do-unhwi’s martial talent was never at this level.”
Yoo Unryong, too, wore an odd expression as he added, “Moreover, the reason our Death Shadow Corps came here was your sudden decision. Yet he predicted it in advance?”
He spoke firmly.
“This is impossible with the Extinction Palace’s intelligence network alone.”
‘Prediction.’
A foreboding premonition rose in Bu Eunseol.
A certain figure came to mind—the one said to predict all affairs of the world.
“There’s no need to analyze his actions right now.”
Brushing aside his thoughts, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“They are the ones deliberately trying to provoke our sect, so eventually they will reveal their true colors.”
Looking at the captains, he continued calmly.
“For now, return to Majeon. And thoroughly investigate Shin Do-unhwi’s recent movements.”
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion Conference Hall.
“That guy is definitely not normal.”
Having returned from the Crimson Yellow Cult, Yoo Unryong had used the Death Spirit Corps’s intelligence network to meticulously investigate Shin Do-unhwi’s activities.
He was now relaying everything he had uncovered to Bu Eunseol.
“His movements up until now have been perfectly erased. To achieve this level of erasure, an intelligence organization on par with the Death Spirit Corps must be managing his trail.”
No matter how skilled an intelligence network might be at covering tracks, some traces usually remain. Yet Shin Do-unhwi’s recent activities had been wiped so completely that it was as if the man had evaporated into thin air.
Even if a seasoned assassin had perfectly erased his past movements and gone into seclusion… the Death Spirit Corps should still have been able to find some trail.
But no matter how deeply they searched, nothing could be found.
That alone proved that an extraordinarily superior intelligence organization had completely erased Shin Do-unhwi’s recent whereabouts.
“I see.”
With this, Bu Eunseol could be certain.
Shin Do-unhwi had thrown in his lot with an external force.
“Considering the series of events that have unfolded so far… it wouldn’t be strange at all if he had joined a faction like the Three Realms.”
Yoo Unryong, reading Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts, spoke.
“The authority of the Ten Demonic Sects has fallen so greatly.”
After Bu Eunseol entered Majeon, the prestige of the Ten Demonic Sects had declined sharply.
White Horse Temple and Hell’s Blood Fortress had provoked him and were now effectively sealed away.
The Death Command Sect, the Extreme Slaughter Sect, and the Extinction Palace were all overshadowed by Bu Eunseol’s presence, and were being criticized for failing to produce proper successors.
Even the supposedly brilliant successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, Weiji Hyesang, had suffered greatly after provoking Bu Eunseol and was now in seclusion.
The only sects steadily rising in power were those that supported Bu Eunseol: Nangyang Pavilion, Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Affectionate Blossom Sect, and others.
Then there was the Blood Flame Blade Sect, to which Do Cheonlin—now renowned as the Mercenary Corps Leader of the Martial Soul Society—belonged.
“Whatever he does, does it really matter?”
Won Semun spoke up at that point.
“At the end of the day, he’s just a young master of one of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
“That’s precisely why he’s dangerous.” Bu Eunseol opened his mouth. “The martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects are all extraordinary. Excluding the Demon Emperor, every single greatest master of the Demonic Path throughout history has come from the Ten Demonic Sects.”
He added, “As long as they possess talent, the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects can become transcendent masters capable of dominating the world at any time.”
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong nodded in agreement.
Having once been among the Ten Demonic Warriors themselves, they understood better than anyone the greatness of the Ten Demonic Sects’ martial arts.
“Is it really that impressive?”
When Wi Cheongyeong asked in surprise, Myo Cheonwoo answered.
“The martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects are originally at a level where superiority cannot be distinguished. The only difference lies in the talent of the one who learns them.”
Yoo Unryong added with utmost seriousness.
“He’s right. As long as their talent can blossom, the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects can become strong at any moment.”
Looking at the captains with grave eyes, Yoo Unryong continued.
“Think about it. Why is the Command Lord so strong?”
For a moment, the captains wore blank expressions.
In truth, they had long looked down on the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Compared to Bu Eunseol—who had caught up to and even surpassed the previous generation’s supreme masters—their level had seemed utterly pitiful.
Yet they had overlooked one crucial fact.
The reason Bu Eunseol had become so overwhelmingly strong was precisely because his foundation lay in Nangyang Pavilion—one of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Regardless, it seems we’ve got a bite.”
After a long silence, Wi Cheongyeong stroked his chin and spoke.
“He wouldn’t go to such lengths just to surprise the Command Lord once.”
Everyone nodded.
Shin Do-unhwi’s sudden leap in martial prowess had clearly been aided by an external force.
Since he was deliberately provoking Bu Eunseol right now… he would surely make another move soon.
“A bite, huh.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
The term “bite” had brought something to mind.
‘It really might be him.’
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Wi Cheongyeong’s voice.
“My lord, it’s Mu Gwang.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Mu Gwang entered, offering a single letter to Bu Eunseol.
“A letter addressed to the Command Lord.”
“From whom?”
“From the person you once told to reach out—the Yangseol family. Lady Yangseol Rin sent it secretly.”
In the past, Bu Eunseol had obtained a great deal of information from Yangseol Rin. In return, he had allowed her to use the Death Spirit Corps’s intelligence network during her activities in the martial world. That was how she had been able to send a letter directly to him through the Death Spirit Corps’s channels.
Rustle.
Bu Eunseol unfolded the letter.
What he read was shocking.
—I happened to come across a place that seems to be capturing and experimenting on the Hundred and Eight Stars.
The handwriting was bold and dynamic, reflecting Yangseol Rin’s fearless personality.
—However, the security is as tight as the imperial palace, and unfortunately it’s located near the Extinction Palace—one of the Ten Demonic Sects—so there was a limit to what I could investigate.
‘Extinction Palace.’
For a moment, a sharp gleam flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes before he continued reading.
—Of course, if I used my family’s power, I could easily find out more… but I think it would be better if you helped.
The handwriting grew increasingly unstable and jagged, as if she were feeling conflicted.
In the past, the Earth-Killer Star had said while dying, “The Yangseol family is capturing the Hundred and Eight Stars and experimenting on them.”
Afterward, Yangseol Rin had begun to lose some of her memories and felt a slight doubt about the direction her family was heading. That was why, instead of relying on the Yangseol family’s power to investigate, she had asked Bu Eunseol for help.
‘Even for the Yangseol family, clashing with one of the Ten Demonic Sects would be uncomfortable.’
Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
On the surface, the Yangseol family did not reveal itself, but in reality, it continued covert activities in the martial world. If their investigation of the Ten Demonic Sects were discovered, a major conflict could erupt—or even their main base could be exposed.
—And this is not the third request you promised me before. If you want to refuse, feel free to do so.
Bu Eunseol had once promised Yangseol Rin that he would grant her three requests.
The first two had been trivial and were fulfilled immediately, but for the third, she had said she would tell him later.
She had preemptively mentioned that this might become the third request, in case he wanted to refuse.
‘She’s like a child.’
A faint smile curved Bu Eunseol’s lips as he handed the letter to Yoo Unryong so the captains could all read it.
“It’s a trap. A very well-laid board.”
Yoo Unryong wore a grave expression.
“First Shin Do-unhwi attacks the Crimson Yellow Cult, and now a member of the Yangseol family sends a letter about a suspicious facility near the Extinction Palace?”
He looked at Bu Eunseol with utmost seriousness.
“Do you really think this is a coincidence?”
“You’re right. There are almost no true coincidences in this world.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and spoke.
“Even so, I have to go.”
“Why?”
“The probability that the contents of this letter are false is almost zero. If they were, they would never be able to lure me in.”
Bu Eunseol was not only exceptionally cunning—he never acted without evidence.
Anyone orchestrating a scheme of this magnitude would surely know that.
They must have placed solid bait at the Extinction Palace.
“You’re going alone again.”
Yoo Unryong understood Bu Eunseol’s intentions all too well.
He would never let his subordinates step into such danger.
“This trap is aimed solely at me. It’s on a level you all cannot handle.”
“Hmm.”
A low groan escaped, but Yoo Unryong could say nothing.
He understood Bu Eunseol’s heart better than anyone.
The enemy wanted only Bu Eunseol and had dug the trap accordingly.
Sending subordinates to investigate would lead to the obvious outcome.
“I understand.”
In the end, Yoo Unryong could only smile.
It was the only thing he could do for him now.
And with that, a deep sorrow welled up.
‘Will he one day collapse like this?’
From a martial world person’s perspective, Bu Eunseol was not a martial world person.
No—he was someone who should not even exist in the martial world.
He should have been plowing fields, or continuing as a mortician, enduring that grueling labor and living the simple, fulfilling life of an ordinary man, finding joy day by day. Yet endless schemes poured toward him; he staked his life on the edge of a blade and cut down countless enemies.
Outwardly cold, inwardly he watched over and cared for so many people.
Such a burden was far too heavy for one person to bear.
“No need to worry.”
As if sensing Yoo Unryong’s feelings, Bu Eunseol stepped out the door with calm composure.
“I’m just going to scout for a short while.”
“Yes… I understand.”
Yoo Unryong’s voice sounded choked, and Bu Eunseol—uncharacteristically—smiled.
He, too, understood Yoo Unryong’s heart. Right now, all he could show was a smile.
“Sigh.”
Once Bu Eunseol left, Yoo Unryong let out a deep, heavy sigh.
‘I want to help him somehow, but right now there’s nothing I can do.’
“Captain.”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong spoke.
“A kind person is stronger.”
“…”
“Hasn’t the Command Lord always proven that?”
Not only Wi Cheongyeong, but every captain shared the exact same thought as Yoo Unryong.
They were always concerned for Bu Eunseol, worried about him, understood him, and believed in him.
“You’re right.”
Yoo Unryong’s hardened expression softened.
Bu Eunseol was strong.
Because he was not a martial world person—because he did not fit in the martial world…
No matter what trials came, no matter how vicious the schemes that ensnared him, he would surely survive.
Leaving Majeon, Bu Eunseol unleashed his movement technique and headed straight for Suzhou.
The place said to be capturing and experimenting on the Hundred and Eight Stars was none other than deep within the valleys of Mount Tianping, near the Extinction Palace in Suzhou.
‘The Young Palace Lord’s martial power suddenly surged, and near the Extinction Palace there is a facility experimenting on the Hundred and Eight Stars…’
It could not be coincidence.
There were no coincidences in this world.
He could only hope that Yangseol Rin had not been caught up in someone else’s meticulously woven scheme.
‘According to the Chief Inspector, the Heavenly Mechanism Star is controlling the Jungson Family.’
That meant the Yangseol family might also be under someone’s manipulation.
Perhaps even sending this letter had been part of someone’s elaborate trap.
[We searched everywhere except the zones too dangerous for us to enter, but we found nothing unusual.]
At the transmission from Wu Gyeong of the Death Spirit Corps, Bu Eunseol nodded.
They had scoured Mount Tianping thoroughly, yet no facility experimenting on the Hundred and Eight Stars had been found.
That left only one place.
They would have to search the Extinction Palace—the sect possessing the greatest palm techniques among the Ten Demonic Sects.
‘I have no choice but to confirm it myself.’
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol headed toward the Extinction Palace.
The path was rugged, and invisible surveillance formations were laid out everywhere.
Tss tss tss.
Yet with his Swift Beyond Shadow, Bu Eunseol easily evaded the mechanism formations and watchers installed throughout, and infiltrated deep into the Extinction Palace.
Then, suddenly, a strange thought occurred to him.
If the Extinction Palace had truly been capturing and experimenting on the Hundred and Eight Stars within its grounds?
They would need additional forces capable of controlling the Hundred and Eight Stars and dedicated experimental facilities.
Given the size of the Extinction Palace, secretly constructing such a facility would not be particularly difficult but to keep the Hundred and Eight Stars—beings possessing terrifying supernatural powers—inside the palace itself?
That would be no different from burying tens of thousands of pounds of gunpowder in the heart of the Extinction Palace’s main base, just waiting to explode.
‘Unless the Palace Lord is a fool, he would never do such a thing.’
Unless someone was deliberately trying to destroy the Extinction Palace, installing such a facility inside the palace was simply impossible.
‘No… there is one way.’
The Hundred and Eight Stars had an extremely close connection to the Three Realms—especially the Jungson Family and the Three Realms had always concealed their true identities through special methods.
‘The Absolute Boundary.’
A flash passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
If it were an Absolute Boundary—one that could perfectly separate space through mysterious power—then it would be possible to keep the dangerous element of the Hundred and Eight Stars near the Extinction Palace while completely isolating them.
Whoooosh.
As Bu Eunseol raised his Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, his eyes turned transparent.
Then, from deep within the forest not far from where the Extinction Palace stood, a very peculiar sensation spread outward.
‘Over there.’
He unleashed his movement technique and headed toward the forest where the strange wave had been detected.
‘Hmm.’
To the naked eye, nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
But with his Wind-Cloud Divine Qi constantly spreading outward, Bu Eunseol could sense something alien in the distance.
It was a solid wall.
‘It’s open?’
Approaching and examining the spot for a long while, a strange light rose in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Normally, an Absolute Boundary was sealed like an impenetrable wall. Moreover, without unleashing a power on the level of the Three Divine Energies all at once, it could never be breached.
Yet one side of this Absolute Boundary had been completely torn open.
In other words, as long as one could detect the Absolute Boundary, they could enter immediately.
‘As expected, an elaborately crafted trap.’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
From Yangseol Rin’s letter to everything that had happened so far… it was all clearly a meticulously designed trap set by someone to draw him in.
And there was only one person in the world capable of orchestrating something like this.
‘I’ll see exactly how he’s setting things up.’
As Yoo Unryong had said, all of this was a perfectly laid board.
Yet the reason Bu Eunseol pushed forward regardless was one and the same.
To confirm how ‘he’ was manipulating people.
