Han Sangja folded his arms with a face full of pride and continued speaking.
“This Forest possesses one unique formation that can perfectly assimilate with nature.”
“A formation.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize what Han Sangja’s plan truly was.
If the soul fragrance—the condition by which the Executioner distinguishes people—were to be divided between two individuals?
The Executioner would have no choice but to personally confirm the appearance of both.
But if both were concealed within a formation, hidden from sight?
In the end, the Executioner himself would have no option but to reveal himself.
“Through this undertaking, we may also be able to verify just how transcendent the Executioner truly is.”
Bu Eunseol and the Heavenly Fragrancer.
If both were concealed and hiding within a special formation created by the sages of the Sage Forest?
The Executioner would surely attempt to tear apart the formation and look inside.
And depending on exactly how he tore through the mysterious formation of the Sage Forest, one could gauge the extent of the transcendent power the Executioner possessed.
“What if the Executioner simply manipulates a large number of people and sends a massive force instead?”
“That will not be possible.” Han Sangja spoke calmly. “The Executioner can only exert his power on those in the immediate vicinity of his designated target.”
Bu Eunseol let out a low groan.
It seemed Han Sangja placed complete confidence in the information about the Executioner that had been passed down through generations in the Sage Forest.
“Can you be certain?”
“Of course. That is what makes it a law.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
In the martial world, there existed bizarre laws that ordinary martial artists did not know about.
And even sages like those of the Sage Forest accepted them as natural.
“There is still one problem.”
After pondering deeply for a moment, Bu Eunseol drew in a long breath.
“In this vast Central Plains, how exactly are we supposed to find someone with the Heavenly Fragrancer?”
“There is no need to worry about that.”
Han Sangja gave a faint smile as he spoke.
“We already located one more than thirty years ago. And the Heavenly Fragrancer is a constitution passed down through generations.”
“Thirty years ago…”
“The purpose of this Forest is to research various phenomena of the world—including the secrets of the martial world—and to unravel their principles.”
Han Sangja smiled shyly, rubbed his nose, and continued.
“Locating individuals scattered across the world who possess rare constitutions was also part of our research.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
The Sage Forest had even treated beings like the Baekri Family and the True Demon as subjects of study. They had even attempted to artificially create Heavenly Mechanism Star, a sage bestowed by heaven itself. So of course they would have conducted research into rare constitutions and severed meridians.
Yet Bu Eunseol deliberately pretended not to know and asked, “Why did you search for rare constitutions?”
Han Sangja took a deep breath.
“There were several reasons, but the greatest among them was that the bodies of those with rare constitutions… could be used as materials necessary for the True Demon’s resurrection.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
People with rare constitutions could serve as ingredients for resurrecting the True Demon?
If so, then the True Demon was not human, but some demonic entity that suddenly manifested?
“Does ‘resurrection’ truly carry that meaning?”
Bu Eunseol could not help but ask about the True Demon.
“Then the True Demon is not a human being?”
“No, he is. the True Demon is said to possess the appearance of an extremely ordinary human. The only reason he cannot step forward openly is because the Baekri Family sealed his power.”
Continuing the conversation, Han Sangja spoke with a grave expression.
“Since I was the one who first brought up the topic this time, I have answered you… but from now on, I would appreciate it if you refrained as much as possible from asking about the True Demon or the Baekri Family.”
“Why is that?”
“Information related to the Baekri Family and the True Demon belongs to the heavenly secrets. In other words, the more I speak of such things, the more I will incur heaven’s punishment.”
Heavenly Punishment.
A divine retribution that inevitably descends upon anyone who reveals truths that heaven has concealed.
But information about the Baekri Family and the True Demon were heavenly secrets?
“Why is information about them considered heavenly secrets?”
“That too is both truth and law.”
At Han Sangja’s words, Bu Eunseol wore a hollow expression.
Reading the heavenly secrets or touching predetermined fate incurs punishment. Though the origin was unclear, people had believed in Heavenly Punishment since ancient times.
And Han Sangja, belonging to the Sage Forest, firmly believed in such things as well, just like the laws he had spoken of all along.
“It must sound strange.” Han Sangja said with a wry expression. “To believe in laws as truths without knowing why they exist or why they operate this way…”
“To be honest, yes.” Bu Eunseol expressed his true feelings frankly. “Moreover, these laws… never feel as though they were made for the benefit of people.”
To receive Heavenly Punishment just for mentioning the Baekri Family or the True Demon? It was utterly absurd from the start.
“I feel the same way, in truth. But since the sages of previous generations said so, I simply believe it.” Han Sangja scratched his head. “Perhaps because laws, by their very nature, have no clear answers, they feel all the more unreasonable.”
A heavy silence settled for a moment.
As if to dispel the somber atmosphere, Bu Eunseol changed the subject.
“In any case, then we should go find the Heavenly Fragrancer now.”
“Indeed.”
“But even if we find the Heavenly Fragrancer, is there any guarantee they will help me?”
This plan to lure the Executioner required risking one’s life.
Bu Eunseol, being the target, would not feel wronged even if he died.
Han Sangja, too, was willing to take the risk in order to uncover the true nature of the Executioner.
But merely because someone possessed the Heavenly Fragrancer did not mean they would risk their life to help Bu Eunseol.
“Don’t worry. They will definitely help.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because they are someone from the Ten Demonic Sects who supports you, the Command Lord.”
“The Ten Demonic Sects that support me?”
“Yes.”
Han Sangja nodded.
“Specifically, it is the Affectionate Blossom Sect.”
“Surely not.”
“It is indeed.”
Han Sangja wore a peculiar smile.
“The Lord of the Affectionate Blossom Sect was born with the Heavenly Fragrancer Constitution.”
It was astonishing.
Even during the height of the Sage Forest’ prosperity, while conducting research on Heavenly Mechanism Star and countless other phenomena, they had also analyzed the constitutions of the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“The Affectionate Blossom Sect is a forbidden zone for men, and security is extremely strict.”
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Bu Eunseol asked, “So how were you able to investigate the Lord’s constitution?”
“Isn’t this Forest a place that has researched countless forms of knowledge across generations?”
Han Sangja spoke in a low voice.
“That research included techniques that allow infiltration into any location and the ability to perfectly imitate anyone.”
He shrugged his shoulders with a proud expression.
“Just as all martial arts originated from Shaolin, disguise techniques and infiltration methods throughout the martial world all originated from this Forest.”
Bu Eunseol let out an exclamation of admiration.
All disguise arts and infiltration techniques scattered across the martial world came from the Sage Forest?
“Why did the Sage Forest conduct such research?”
“To research anything properly, one must have access to information and confirm the truth personally, mustn’t one?” Han Sangja smiled, showing his white teeth. “To achieve that, one needed techniques to infiltrate anywhere and the ability to transform into anyone.”
“Even the most refined information is ultimately inferior to direct confirmation.”
“Precisely.”
Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
In the end, the sages of the Sage Forest had secretly infiltrated the Affectionate Blossom Sect and examined the constitutions of Extreme Grace Spirit and all the other disciples.
“In the past, the sages of this Forest tended to act without regard for boundaries.”
Noticing Bu Eunseol’s hardened expression, Han Sangja scratched his head and glanced at him cautiously.
“If you cannot tolerate such actions, Command Lord, then proceeding with this plan may prove difficult.”
“Since it happened before you were even born, I will not hold it against you.” Bu Eunseol spoke solemnly. “But if anyone in the present generation attempts such a thing, I will leave what happens to your imagination.”
“Please rest assured. Things are different now from back then.”
“What exactly is different?”
Han Sangja spoke softly, as if to put Bu Eunseol’s concerns to rest.
“Now, to even enter this Forest, one must be continuously tested—and tested again—on one’s humanity. In other words, to become a sage of this Forest, one must first become truly human.”
“Tested on humanity?”
“Of course. Even after becoming a disciple, the tests continue without end.”
The Sage Forest possessed outstanding knowledge and various mysterious arts.
If those arts were carelessly spread throughout the martial world, uncontrollable forces of evil might emerge in the martial world.
That was why, when selecting disciples, humanity was the foremost consideration, and why even after becoming a disciple, the tests never ceased.
“Becoming a disciple of the Sage Forest is no easy task.”
“Not necessarily. After all, every human is born with an innate profession.” Han Sangja spoke mysteriously. “Those meant to become sages become sages; those meant to become butchers become butchers.”
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
In the end, even those exalted sages believed in fate.
Avoiding Bu Eunseol’s piercing gaze, Han Sangja shook his head and changed the subject.
“We will arrive at the Affectionate Blossom Sect soon.”
Since Diecai Mountain was very close to the Affectionate Blossom Sect, traveling by boat did not take much time.
“I wonder whether the Lord will help with this matter. It is, after all, an extremely dangerous undertaking.”
“No. She is elderly and advanced in years, so she would not be suitable.”
“Though the Lord is advanced in age, her vitality remains strong and her martial arts profound.”
“That is not what I mean.” Han Sangja explained. “As one ages, one’s constitution changes as well. Even in a short time, our bodies undergo transformation.”
“Is it not possible that the Lord’s constitution has not changed?”
“How could that be? If one does not wash for three days, doesn’t the body begin to smell sour? After decades, of course the constitution changes.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“In any case, the Young Lady has not even reached adulthood yet. I cannot drag her into danger just for my own convenience.”
“That sounds reasonable at first, but if you think deeper, it is not correct.”
Han Sangja said, “If you fail to deal with the Executioner, the people around you, the Command Lord, will continue to be sacrificed endlessly. In that case, it will not end with just the Young Lady.”
“…”
“Would it not be better to tell the Young Lady everything and ask for her help in dealing with the Executioner?”
The statement sounded somewhat sophistical, yet somehow it also rang true.
“That may be so… but somehow it feels as though there is another motive behind this.”
Han Sangja was still young.
If he truly wished to roam the martial world, plenty of good opportunities would come in the future.
There was no need for him to step into such a perilous affair.
“I wish to uncover the true nature of the Executioner.” Han Sangja spoke frankly as well. “For a sage, the greatest joy lies in unraveling truth.”
Now Bu Eunseol understood.
Rather than simply wanting to journey through the martial world, Han Sangja was helping him in order to satisfy his intellectual curiosity.
“Your honesty is refreshing.”
In truth, Bu Eunseol had been somewhat wary of Han Sangja.
Gwijin-ja had been an upright person, yet the Sage Forest had conducted research to artificially create the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
That meant within the Sage Forest, there must surely be individuals who would stop at nothing to fulfill their own desires.
But Han Sangja seemed trustworthy.
Those whose goals were clear and who thirsted for knowledge usually paid little attention to other matters.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Let us go to the Affectionate Blossom Sect then.”
From this point forward, he would accept Han Sangja’s scheme and move to eliminate the Executioner.
***
While Bu Eunseol and Han Sangja were conversing aboard the boat,
Sasasasa.
In the hidden Sage Forest within Diecai Mountain, a sudden sound of scattering insects accompanied the arrival of countless shadows.
None of them could be called human; their bodies were covered in patches of flesh and animal byproducts.
Their eyes were triangular, like those of snakes and at their forefront stood a young man clad in white robes patterned like crane feathers, moving with footwork as light and ethereal as clouds.
His features were as refined and elegant as fine jade, and on his head he wore a wide, fan-shaped heavenly cap.
From a distance, he resembled nothing so much as an incarnation of Zhuge Liang.
It was the Heavenly Mechanism Star—Chu So.
“That friend really is extraordinarily capable. To locate the forgotten Sage Forest in a single stroke.”
Gazing at the mysterious formation spread across the forests of Diecai Mountain, he clicked his tongue.
“They are still using such outdated formations.”
Clicking his tongue again, he lightly waved his hand.
In an instant, the formations at the entrance of Diecai Mountain vanished, revealing the interior of the Sage Forest, which looked like a paradise.
Urrrrr.
The grotesque figures standing behind Chu So began pouring into the Sage Forest.
Ziiing.
At that moment, accompanied by a mysterious light, Seok Gyeong-ja, guardian of the passage, appeared.
“Who dares?!”
Despite Seok Gyeong-ja’s shout, the grotesque beings did not pause; they continued advancing straight into the interior.
“You bastards.”
Seok Gyeong-ja immediately summoned the Yin-Soul Killing Men horde.
But something unbelievable happened right before his eyes.
The grotesque figures, with their dangling scraps of flesh, were tearing through the bodies of the Yin-Soul Killing Men—bodies harder than diamond—like sheets of paper?
“That is…”
Only then did Seok Gyeong-ja realize the true identity of the grotesque beings the young man had brought.
“True Yin-Soul Killing Men… made from inanimate materials.”
The Yin-Soul Killing Men of the Sage Forest were created based on living humans.
But those brought by the young man were made using a long-lost secret method: bones of corpses, animal blood, human essence blood, moonlight qi, and so on…
They were the genuine Yin-Soul Killing Men.
“You… don’t tell me.”
Only now did Seok Gyeong-ja grasp the young man’s identity.
The only person in the world capable of creating the true Yin-Soul Killing Men, long thought lost could only be one individual.
“You are the one we could call our king!” Seok Gyeong-ja shouted, staring at the young man. “Why are you trying to exterminate this Forest?”
Chu So let out a sigh and shook his head.
“It seems old Gwijin-ja has hidden the truth once again.”
“What?”
“Did you still not understand why the Seven-Finger Demon Blade annihilated you all?”
Chu So smiled playfully and asked in a teasing tone.
“In the past, the sages of the Sage Forest occupied spirit fields, gathered the spirit creatures and spirit herbs there, and collected horribly torn souls… and what did they use them for?”
“What?”
“Don’t you know? They all became excellent offerings.”
Chu So’s eyes narrowed into thin crescents.
“Offerings for a forbidden, wicked great art that must never be performed.”
Seok Gyeong-ja’s eyes trembled.
Only now did he realize the truth behind the old rumors that had once shaken the Sage Forest, and the reason Gwijin-ja had told him there was no longer any need to guard the entrance.
‘The Forest Lord knew everything.’
Gwijin-ja had sent Han Sangja to accompany the Martial Soul Command Lord, and after his departure, had said there was no longer any need to operate this gate.
That meant he had already foreseen Chu So’s every move.
“The disciples here have no connection to those who created you.”
“Created me?”
In an instant, Chu So’s expression turned utterly cold.
“Do you people think of yourselves as gods?”
In his eyes rose an emotion he had never shown anyone before—rage.
No—it was not mere rage.
It carried wrenching pain and profound sorrow as well.
“From now on, you will all experience the suffering I have endured.”
Swallowing the flame-like fury spreading through him, a razor-sharp smile appeared on Chu So’s lips.
“The Sage Forest, them, and… the entire world will experience it.”
“Are you ultimately choosing the path of becoming a demon?”
“Demon?”
Chu So gave a faint smile and spoke softly.
“If I am a demon, then what should I call you all? Monsters wearing human skin? Or hypocrites cloaked in the mask of justice?”
As he extended his hand, the Yin-Soul Killing Men standing behind him surged forward like a tide.
“Slowly enjoy from the bottomless prison the sight of this distorted world you created… turning into hell.”
At that moment, Seok Gyeong-ja’s wide-open eyes were completely filled with the sight of the Yin-Soul Killing Men rushing toward him like a swarm of angry bees.
