Bu Eunseol’s expression hardened like solid rock.
“So that’s why they fought desperately to kill me.”
The secret organization operated by the Demon Emperor must never have its true nature exposed.
If anyone discovered their identity, they had to be killed without exception to eliminate all traces—even if the person was a high-ranking official of the imperial court.
And that principle applied without exception… even to the successor of Majeon.
“It would have been better if you had simply let your master commit suicide. Then you wouldn’t have had to die here with him.”
Squelch.
He stabbed his own heart with his left hand. Or at least, that was what it looked like.
Crack… crack… crack.
Suddenly, the hand that had pierced his heart began to swell dramatically.
His height grew to seven cheok, and the muscles across his entire body expanded massively.
‘He stabbed his own heart to perform the Descent God Technique.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
“So you even learned the techniques of the Defeated Cult.”
What the middle-aged man had unleashed was the Blood Heart Descent Spirit Technique, a long-lost art from the Defeated Cult that had disappeared centuries ago.
Did that mean the Demon Emperor had succeeded in reviving the Defeated Cult’s forbidden techniques and passed them on to his subordinates?
“Hah!”
At that moment, accompanied by a bizarre roar, the giant transformed middle-aged man swung his pitch-black nails.
Whoosh!
Five black streaks painted the air, and razor-sharp energy threads resembling a spiderweb poured toward Bu Eunseol’s face.
Swish!
Bu Eunseol used Swift Beyond Shadow to easily dodge the attack.
“Heh heh.”
As if he had been waiting for it, the middle-aged man was already behind Bu Eunseol, letting out a cruel laugh.
His hands shot toward Bu Eunseol’s temples at a speed too fast to evade.
Drip… drip… drip.
However, the hands that tried to pierce his temples stopped half an inch above Bu Eunseol’s face.
Bu Eunseol had extended his index fingers and blocked both palms.
“Ughhh…”
Even with the tremendous strength granted by the Descent God Technique—enough to crush iron into powder—the middle-aged man could not push past a single index finger from Bu Eunseol.
“Hah!”
A bizarre battle cry erupted from the middle-aged man’s mouth. At the same time,
Slash!
Dozens of black true energy blades pierced into Bu Eunseol’s body.
It was Wishful True Binding.
Shockingly, the middle-aged man had used Majeon’s exclusive martial art to deliver an unavoidable strike at point-blank range.
Even Bu Eunseol had not anticipated this.
Stab. Stab. Stab.
In the end, dozens of blades embedded themselves in his body.
“Kahahaha!”
The middle-aged man burst into vicious laughter, baring his fangs.
“No matter how skilled you are…”
His expression suddenly froze again.
Only then did he realize that the blades of Wishful True Binding had not penetrated Bu Eunseol’s body.
They had merely pierced the skin and stopped there.
“What a terrifying monster.”
The middle-aged man shuddered.
Bu Eunseol’s inner energy was so profound that the blades of Wishful True Binding could not even break through the protective profound energy surrounding his body.
“The power of Wishful True Binding varies greatly depending on the practitioner’s cultivation and mastery of the art.”
A pale yellow glow rose in Bu Eunseol’s raised eyes.
“Commit suicide. That is the final mercy this Command Lord can grant you.”
His voice was not a mere sound. It distorted reality and shook the human soul to its very core.
It carried the same effect as the Illusion Upon Illusion of the Human Demon, which had reached the ultimate realm of the world’s demonic arts.
Tremble… tremble…
The middle-aged man shook uncontrollably.
Just by meeting his gaze, an unbearable anxiety, fear, and awe washed over him.
Bu Eunseol’s voice was no longer simple vibration. It had transformed into powerful waves that directly resonated with the brain and mind.
Slash!
At that instant, the blades of Wishful True Binding that extended from behind the middle-aged man… vertically split his body in two.
Sliced.
The battle-hardened expert who had mastered all kinds of demonic arts under the Demon Emperor… had truly committed suicide at a single word from Bu Eunseol.
Thud.
The giant body, now split into two pieces, collapsed to the left and right with a dull sound.
Because his body had been enlarged by the Descent God Technique, the volume of blood had also increased.
An enormous amount of pitch-black blood poured out, forming a small pool.
‘I unconsciously learned the pavilion master’s Illusion Upon Illusion.’
The Illusion Upon Illusion of the Human Demon disturbed the brainstem, which controls reflexive and bodily functions, and the limbic system, which governs emotions.
It paralyzed the very will to resist, like a herbivore standing before a predator, and subjugated the target. It was a true demonic art.
‘So that’s why the pavilion master did not teach it properly.’
The Illusion Upon Illusion was the culmination of the Human Demon’s understanding of the principles of the universe, the phenomena of life, and the secret mind-controlling arts.
In other words, the moment one learned it, Bu Eunseol would become the second Human Demon.
“Demon Emperor.”
Having regained his composure, Bu Eunseol stared at the bisected body of the middle-aged man with an extremely grave expression.
―You too will be punished and die for killing us.
These people wearing the White Concealment Robe were undoubtedly members of the secret organization secretly run by the Demon Emperor.
No matter the reason, he had completely massacred an organization operated by the greatest figure of the demonic path and the master of Majeon.
Whether he knew it or not, that crime could never be overlooked.
***
As soon as he returned, Bu Eunseol ordered the Death Spirit Corps to thoroughly investigate the organization that had been hiding in Sang’an Village.
The result was even worse than expected.
―It was the Secret Moon Division.
The organization Bu Eunseol had annihilated in Sang’an Village was none other than the Secret Moon Division—the intelligence organization directly under the Demon Emperor that investigated various matters in the martial world and reported directly to him.
If it had been an assassination squad or combat unit, there might have been some room for excuses.
But he had wiped out the very eyes and ears of the Demon Emperor.
This could not be excused with a simple “I didn’t know.”
Majeon, Grand Conference Hall of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
Inside the conference hall, which had the atmosphere of a funeral, the leaders who rarely showed themselves—such as the Death Spirit Corps Leader Mu Heon and the Protector Tak Ilhon—had gathered. All the high-ranking members of the Death Shadow Corps were holding a serious meeting.
“…It is clear that the so-called Holy One and the Demon Emperor’s secret organization are closely connected.”
Death Spirit Corps Leader Mu Heon reported the investigation results with a grave expression.
“Otherwise, they would not have attacked the Command Lord with their lives on the line simply because their escape failed after he revealed his identity.”
All the captains nodded.
Bu Eunseol was the Command Lord of Majeon.
There was no need for him to flee just because his stealth had been discovered. Even if escape had failed, revealing his identity and explaining the situation should have ended the matter.
Yet they had attacked him without asking any questions.
That meant their presence in Sang’an Village was not simply to investigate the village. It was clearly related to the Holy One.
“But there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
At that moment, Jo Namcheon spoke.
“No matter how you look at it, the Command Lord did nothing wrong.”
He looked around at everyone and continued.
“He only discovered hidden figures and they suddenly attacked him without reason. He even revealed his identity after thinking they might be assassins from the Extreme Slaughter Sect.”
“No, there is fault.”
This time, Yoo Unryong spoke.
“The fact that the leader of that secret organization is the Demon Emperor. That alone is enough to constitute a crime.”
The expressions of the captains darkened instantly.
Because those words were undeniably true.
What the Demon Emperor valued most was the dignity and majesty befitting the greatest figure of the demonic path.
He had killed the subordinates of the secret organization he personally operated.
Simply saying “I didn’t know” was no excuse at all.
“Since the Demon Emperor will not let this slide, a Demonic Justice Council will soon be convened.”
Yoo Unryong looked at Bu Eunseol and continued.
“The best defense we can make is to gather the opinions of the high-ranking members so that the Demon Emperor cannot impose unilateral punishment.”
He then put on an earnest expression.
“Even now, wouldn’t it be good to meet with Lord Dan and other high-ranking members to discuss this?”
No matter how powerful the Demon Emperor was, Bu Eunseol was the Martial Soul Command Lord.
To punish him, the procedure of the Demonic Justice Council was required.
And the Demonic Justice Council was not a meeting decided solely by the Demon Emperor’s will.
“It would be a meaningless act.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“The Demon Emperor is the Demon Emperor. If he has decided to punish me… even if every martial artist in Majeon opposes it, he cannot be persuaded.”
As Yoo Unryong fell silent, Myo Cheonwoo spoke.
“Still, the Demon Emperor is someone who values dignity and formality. He will not act recklessly.”
The captains nodded, but their expressions remained uneasy.
The Demon Emperor was a man whose joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure could not be predicted.
There was no room for hopeful assumptions.
“There is no need to worry.”
Nevertheless, Bu Eunseol spoke with an extremely calm expression.
“None of the things you are imagining will happen.”
In the past, the captains would have believed those words.
But now they knew.
No matter what they did, they could not change the Demon Emperor’s mind.
He would never tolerate any action that damaged his dignity.
Especially because he extremely disliked unnecessary and troublesome matters, if he had no intention of punishing Bu Eunseol… he would have given advance notice to prevent the Demonic Justice Council from proceeding at all.
The fact that there had been no word at all was practically the same as declaring his intention to punish Bu Eunseol.
“At this opportunity, it would be good to reorganize the Death Spirit Corps as well.”
Bu Eunseol took out a booklet from his robe and handed it over.
“While handling various matters, we integrated the intelligence networks of the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance too hastily. Take this chance to reorganize them properly.”
“This is not something we can simply overlook.”
Yoo Unryong said with a serious expression.
“Moreover, reorganizing the intelligence organization at such a critical time…”
“This is precisely the time to do it.”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“The Demon Emperor understands me far too well. But now… I understand him just as much.”
“Then at least tell us what preparations you have.”
At Yoo Unryong’s earnest request, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“I am not telling you because I don’t trust you. It is because the man called the Demon Emperor is that unfathomable.”
He added, “Even if I have predicted his thoughts and actions, it is best not to speak of them if possible. That is all.”
Yoo Unryong and the other captains understood the meaning and nodded.
The being known as the Demon Emperor possessed the ability to preside over others’ fates, much like the flow of heavenly secrets. Therefore, even if one grasped his intentions, it was wise to keep silent as if guarding against leaking heavenly secrets.
“Suffer for a while.”
It sounded like a farewell to someone he might not see for a long time.
While the captains stood there in a daze, Bu Eunseol slowly turned and left the conference hall.
***
The Demonic Justice Council was not convened.
But something even more terrifying happened.
―This matter will be handled through a private discussion with the Martial Soul Command Lord alone.
The Demon Emperor had summoned Bu Eunseol to the main conference hall of Majeon for a one-on-one meeting.
―If it is the main conference hall instead of the Sacred Demon Hall… does that mean the Demon Emperor intends to punish him personally?
If the Demonic Justice Council had been held, there would have been at least some hope.
Even if the Demon Emperor decided on punishment, he could not completely ignore the opinions of the high-ranking members.
But to call him alone like this, and not for a private audience in the Sacred Demon Pavilion but to the conference hall where the Demonic Justice Council was normally held, showed his clear intention to dispose of the matter according to his own will without listening to anyone else.
A deathly silence filled the interior of the conference hall.
The Demon Emperor sat at the center of the table, while Bu Eunseol sat at a seat on the right side, somewhat distant.
Originally, even when attending the Demonic Justice Council, Bu Eunseol would sit much closer, and always on the left side.
The fact that a teacup had been deliberately placed there and Bu Eunseol had been seated in that spot indirectly suggested that this meeting itself was for the purpose of punishing him.
Nevertheless, the Demon Emperor ordered a servant to place a fragrant Wulong tea on Bu Eunseol’s table, as if he were simply having a casual conversation.
But Bu Eunseol knew very well that this was not mere courtesy.
Wulong tea was reserved for honored guests of Majeon. He himself did not enjoy it.
The Demon Emperor was already treating him as an outsider.
“You must feel wronged.”
After taking a sip of tea, the Demon Emperor glanced down at the documents in front of him and spoke.
“You merely obtained information about a suspicious plague spreading, went to investigate a civilian residence, and discovered hidden figures.”
“……”
“They suddenly attempted to flee… and even after you revealed your identity, they attacked with the intent to kill before suddenly committing suicide.”
The documents clearly recorded everything Bu Eunseol had experienced.
Yet there was no change in the Demon Emperor’s expression.
It was an attitude that said whether it was unfair or not made no difference to him.
Bu Eunseol also remained silent, waiting for the Demon Emperor’s decision.
“However, if I let it slide after you destroyed something that belongs to me… my dignity would be greatly damaged.”
A chilling light flowed from the Demon Emperor’s eyes.
But Bu Eunseol remained calm.
It was as if he had predicted everything and could resolve any situation.
“Let us do this.”
The Demon Emperor spoke calmly, as if he had already thought of a solution.
“You will take over the cases previously handled by the Secret Moon Division and resolve them perfectly.”
An entirely unexpected statement came from the Demon Emperor’s mouth.
“If you uncover the true identity of that strange individual acting as the Holy One, I will overlook this incident.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened slightly.
That meant the Demon Emperor was also aware of the Holy One’s existence.
And he had sent the Secret Moon Division because he already knew something about his identity.
‘Then there is a high chance that the Demon Emperor is also opposing the True Demon.’
Otherwise, he would not be investigating the true identity of the Holy One connected to the True Demon.
“However, you must do it alone—without mobilizing any subordinates or moving any organization under your command.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said. You must uncover the true identity of the Holy One by yourself.”
The Demon Emperor spoke indifferently.
“Investigating Sang’an Village had nothing to do with the duties of this pavilion, correct?”
“……”
“Nevertheless, you went there and completely annihilated an organization that I had painstakingly nurtured.”
Then he said something even more astonishing.
“Great power comes with great responsibility. This principle has no exceptions for anyone.”
For a moment, Bu Eunseol doubted his own ears.
The Demon Emperor was a great demon who could kill thousands or tens of thousands of people without batting an eye.
Yet he was speaking to him about great power and the responsibility that came with it?
“Is the only condition that I investigate alone?”
“Yes.”
The Demon Emperor continued calmly.
“If you fail to uncover the true identity of the Holy One within one month…”
After a brief silence, a mysterious light flashed in his eyes.
“You will have to receive the punishment of Calamity-Ending Burial of Life.”
Calamity-Ending Burial of Life.
It literally meant dedicating everything over a long period and then dying.
But in reality, it carried the completely opposite meaning.
It referred to the Demon Emperor’s single-palm strike punishment.
In other words, the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree.
This punishment meant execution.
No one in the martial world could withstand the Demon Emperor’s single palm with their bare body.
Even if it were not Bu Eunseol but one of the Three Demons or Three Venerables, taking the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree with their bare body would at the very least sever their four limbs and meridians.
From the beginning, the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree was a punishment designed to kill someone without damaging the dignity of the greatest figure of the demonic path.
‘In the end, he intends to cripple me.’
Even the Secret Moon Division, the Demon Emperor’s secret organization, had failed to uncover the true identity of the Holy One despite investing a long time and great effort.
Yet he was telling Bu Eunseol to do it alone within one month, without any help from intelligence organizations or subordinates?
The Demon Emperor was not forgiving him.
He was essentially handing down a punishment that would sever his four limbs and meridians.
‘So he intends to cut the bud this time.’
Even if he did not die, taking the Demon Emperor’s palm strike with his bare body would leave him unable to expect any further development in his martial arts.
Perhaps the Demon Emperor saw this as an opportunity to break Bu Eunseol’s momentum and establish his own absolute demonic reign.
Bu Eunseol had already become a chess piece that had escaped the board created by the Demon Emperor, and whose inner thoughts could no longer be read.
“May I ask one question?”
Originally, Bu Eunseol had intended to ask whether the Demon Emperor intended to oppose the True Demon, or what he thought of the Baekri Family and the True Demon.
But when he faced those endlessly deep eyes, he realized such questions were meaningless.
‘They are all enemies to him.’
From the Demon Emperor’s perspective, both Baek Ri-ga and the True Demon were existences that had to be crushed.
Because everyone had to kneel and bow their heads beneath his feet.
The dignified gaze that allowed no compromise whatsoever served as the perfect answer to Bu Eunseol’s question.
So he changed his question.
“How long may I remain in this sect?”
For a moment, the Demon Emperor looked at Bu Eunseol with a subtle expression.
He seemed not to have expected such a question to be asked to his face.
“When viewed through the history of the martial world, the rise and fall of this sect is nothing more than an extremely brief instant.”
The Demon Emperor spoke in an extremely low voice, almost as if talking to himself.
“The quantity of time holds no value or meaning whatsoever.”
That too was an unexpected answer.
Majeon was a prestigious alliance that had flowed down alongside the history of the demonic path.
He was its current master.
Yet he was calling this place something with no value at all.
‘He truly is the Demon Emperor.’
Bu Eunseol clenched his fist tightly.
He had not become the master of Majeon because he revered the demonic path. He had simply chosen this place because the position of sect leader suited the status of the greatest figure of the demonic path.
“I understand.”
After pondering the Demon Emperor’s words, Bu Eunseol respectfully brought his hands together.
“I will uncover the true identity of the Holy One and return within one month.”
At that moment, a deep, majestic voice slowly flowed out, like lava boiling up from the abyss of hell.
“You expected this, it seems.”
The voice carried an indescribable pressure that froze the listener’s soul.
“Then I shall tell you in advance as well.”
It was the tone of someone who knew both the beginning and the end of the world.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
A heavy and bizarre resonance filled the space. A voice intertwined with indescribable power and fear settled into Bu Eunseol’s ears.
“I guarantee it. You will receive the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree.”
‘Is he angry?’
Bu Eunseol, standing with his back turned, instead formed a faint smile of satisfaction.
The Demon Emperor.
For the first time, he had expressed anger at having his inner thoughts predicted.
“So it would be best for you to find a martial art capable of withstanding my single palm within the next month.”
It was nothing short of a death sentence.
It meant that he would fail to uncover the Holy One’s true identity and would end up having his four limbs and meridians severed by the palm strike, dying miserably.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s expression remained extremely calm.
“Thank you for the advice.”
Bu Eunseol, hands still clasped, answered calmly.
“I will do my best. If not, I will return and receive the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree.”
He bowed once more with deep respect.
“Then.”
He turned and exited the conference hall.
Since the Demon Emperor’s order had been given, the remaining time was one month.
He had to head out into the martial world as quickly as possible and uncover the true identity of the Holy One.
