Bu Eunseol picked up the spirit tablet with trembling hands.
"How could this be?"
In that case, the Human Demon Ak Muryeong... was he not the real Ak Muryeong, but a kin of the True Demon?
"That’s impossible."
Bu Eunseol could stake his life on the fact that Ak Muryeong could never be a kin of the True Demon.
The Nangyang Pavilion was home to the brilliant and insightful Pyeongan Corps Leader Baek Yeon and Master Iron, Wang Geol, and they resided on Iron Staff Mountain at all times. If the Pavilion Master had been replaced, even if he didn't know, they couldn't possibly be unaware.
"Besides, if that were the case, there would be no reason for this spirit tablet to be kept here."
If a fake had started acting as him, they would have naturally taken the spirit tablet. It wouldn't be sitting here perfectly preserved. Bu Eunseol raised his Void Heart Command and examined the tablet once more.
"It is definitely the real thing."
In fact, he didn't even need to use Void Heart Command. Written on the back of the Nangyang Plaque were the Nine Verses of Martial Arts—the secret art of concealment that only the Pavilion Masters of the Nangyang Pavilion could learn.
"Now that I think about it, the Pavilion Master never used the Nangyang Plaque."
The Nangyang Pavilion was a sect that didn't actually need a sacred object or spirit tablet.
To become the Pavilion Master, one had to be the greatest master of the Nangyang Pavilion; authority and dignity were born from pure strength.
Above all, since the disciples shared bonds and solidarity as thick as family, there was no need to issue orders through a tablet.
"Could they have forged a fake spirit tablet?"
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
A small amount of a mysterious iron called cinnabar iron is mined on Iron Staff Mountain, and this Nangyang Plaque was forged by collecting and refining it. Unless someone spent an eternity secretly roaming Iron Staff Mountain to find cinnabar iron, they couldn't even make the tablet.
And if they tried? They would inevitably be discovered by the masters of the Nangyang Pavilion.
Rumble, crash!
At that moment, a massive vibration from above shook the warehouse.
'They've arrived.'
By now, Seo Jinha would have finished his revenge, and Yoo Unryong and the others would have dealt with the swordsmen of the Hundred Swords Sect.
They likely finished everything and waited, but when he didn't appear, they must have followed his traces here.
'Were they fighting the shadows?'
Yoo Unryong and the others could not synchronize with the Soul Demon Method. Therefore, they were likely locked in a fierce struggle with the shadows that mimicked their forms.
Tuck.
Bu Eunseol tucked the Nangyang Plaque into his robe. Whatever else happened, he could not leave a sacred object of the Nangyang Pavilion here.
'If I take this, they will surely pursue me.'
He also pulled the Supreme Swift Sword from the altar and tucked it into his waist. Since the Supreme Swift Sword was little more than a hilt, it was easy to carry. He took it to eventually solve the mystery of the Heavenly Emperor.
Screech.
Bu Eunseol drew his Silent Tiger Soul Sword and left traces of the Supreme Heavenly Flow on the floor. He intentionally left marks so that whoever managed this vault would pursue him.
Rumble.
When he emerged from the vault—
"Huff, huff."
Seo Jinha and the others were leaning against the wall of the wide passage, gasping for breath. The black shadows that were supposed to guard the passage were stuck to the floor in a melted heap.
"You defeated those things?"
Bu Eunseol's jaw dropped.
Those shadows were supposed to be impossible to defeat or subdue without the Soul Demon Method, yet they had managed to take them down through sheer combined effort.
"Some shadow was mimicking us as if to mock us, so we got annoyed and used our full power to erase it."
Myo Cheonwoo pointed a finger at the melted shadows in irritation.
"What on earth are those things to keep pouncing so stubbornly?"
"It seems to be a technique created with the Soul Demon Method."
"The Soul Demon Method?"
"This place appears to be a secret vault created by the kin of the True Demon."
Bu Eunseol calmly recounted everything he had seen in the warehouse. After hearing the story, Myo Cheonwoo and the others looked dazed. If that were true, wasn't there a high probability that the majority of the leaders and central figures of the martial world had been replaced by fakes?
"I thought most of it was the work of the Three Families."
Myo Cheonwoo said with a blank expression.
"So you're saying this was done by the True Demon's side, who have barely been active in the martial world?"
"We can't say it's everyone."
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
"Because it hasn't been clearly revealed how they obtained the weapons or what they intend to do with them."
Then, Myo Cheonwoo looked at Bu Eunseol with a brightened face.
"Isn't it a relief, though? It means no one in the Nangyang Pavilion has been replaced."
The fact that the Nangyang Plaque was here meant that no one had used it to play the role of a fake yet.
"We shouldn't think of it so simply."
However, Yoo Unryong shook his head with a dark expression.
"It is the sacred object of the Nangyang Pavilion Master. The mere fact that it is here means something is wrong."
The Pavilion Masters of the Nangyang Pavilion had always dominated the world, and the sect had never once suffered an external invasion. For the genuine Nangyang Plaque to be here meant that something had happened to one of the past masters.
Furthermore, given the personality of the current Master Ak Muryeong, he wouldn't have stood by and let the tablet remain lost.
Something had happened.
"Then... are you saying Pavilion Master Ak Muryeong is a fake?"
Myo Cheonwoo's eyes bulged.
Ak Muryeong, the Human Demon, was a lunatic obsessed with martial arts, known to have skills rivaling the Demon Emperor.
Even if Bu Eunseol's martial arts had improved, winning a complete victory against him would be extremely difficult.
"No, it's not the Pavilion Master. If it were, the Nangyang family couldn't possibly be unaware."
Bu Eunseol said firmly.
"Above all, a person with such a deep craving for the martial path like the Master could never become someone else's kin."
Myo Cheonwoo and the others nodded.
Those who pursued the martial path like Ak Muryeong could not be subdued by any power. Besides, if a figure like Ak Muryeong could be replaced by a kin of the True Demon, the martial world would already be in the True Demon's palm.
"The Death Spirit Corps will have erased their tracks perfectly, but return carefully."
Bu Eunseol said.
"It would be quite troublesome if it became known that you were involved."
He hid the fact that he had secretly left traces of the Supreme Heavenly Flow so they wouldn't worry. If they knew that pursuers managing the vault would come, they would insist on staying by his side.
"Understood."
"Then I'll head out first."
"Are you going to the Nangyang Pavilion?"
At Yoo Unryong's question, Bu Eunseol nodded and then vanished into the distant sky using his movement technique. He intended to go to Ak Muryeong immediately to verify the authenticity of the Nangyang Plaque.
—The Pavilion Master is currently in seclusion.
By the time Bu Eunseol arrived at the Nangyang Pavilion, a report from the Death Spirit Corps arrived.
For a while, Pavilion Master Ak Muryeong had practiced his closed-door cultivation at Iron Staff Peak. However, as the Nangyang Pavilion grew and the number of disciples increased, Iron Staff Peak became the optimal place for quiet meditation and internal energy training for the disciples.
Consequently, Ak Muryeong had left the Nangyang Pavilion as he used to, heading to a secret location for his seclusion.
—Fortunately, he left a trace of his whereabouts.
Because Ak Muryeong knew the martial world was moving at a breakneck pace and that Bu Eunseol was fighting various forces, he didn't vanish completely as he had in the past. He had secretly left his location with Dancheong.
—The Pavilion Master is at Ghost Island.
Bu Eunseol was surprised. That was where the Martial God Heavenly Lord had lived in seclusion and where his grandfather's mourning journey logs were kept. Why was the Master there?
"I see."
Upon hearing the news, Bu Eunseol immediately headed for Ghost Island. When he finally arrived, he saw the landscape of the island had completely changed in atmosphere. When the Martial God Heavenly Lord was there, the island was desolate and alien, as if one had entered hell.
But with Ak Muryeong staying there, the atmosphere had transformed. Just by the fact that he existed there, Ghost Island had changed into something like a coliseum, reeking of blood, flesh, and the scent of extreme martial training.
Bu Eunseol stomped his foot hard, vibrating the entire island.
He was using the Mind's Eye.
Thump. Thump.
As the subtle vibrations spread, he soon found the source of a massive power that seemed to make the entire island pulsate.
Whoosh.
Unfolding his movement technique, he immediately ran toward the coastal cliffs of Ghost Island. There, a massive shadow stood tall, looking out at the sea.
With martial robes baring his shoulders and his spiky hair tied roughly at his back, his heavy shoulders were like pillars supporting the heavens, and the muscles on his arms were intertwined like solid metal. An aura that seemed to crush the earth radiated from his entire body. His bulging eyes didn't just pierce through the principles of all things; they glowed with a yellow light that looked ready to smash them to pieces.
It was the Human Demon, Ak Muryeong.
Tap.
As Bu Eunseol arrived, Ak Muryeong stood rooted in place and slightly turned his head. He merely tilted his head an inch, yet—
Rumble, roar!
The ground vibrated and a storm that felt like it would blow the whole world away began to howl.
'Thank goodness.'
Seeing Ak Muryeong's overwhelming majesty, a smile of joy and relief spread across Bu Eunseol’s lips.
Ak Muryeong was Ak Muryeong.
There was no way such an incarnation of martial arts would kneel to the True Demon. Someone who has submitted to another could never radiate such majesty. Until now, various sects had been caught in conspiracies or pressured secretly by the abyss forces. But nothing had happened to the Nangyang Pavilion. That was because of the terrifying powerhouse named Ak Muryeong.
Bu Eunseol was so proud of that.
"Pavilion Master."
Expressing his respect politely, he approached familiarly and looked at Ak Muryeong with a broad smile.
"Your aura has become even more magnificent during this time. It seems your True Scripture of Martial Arts has greatly improved."
Perhaps out of relief and joy, Bu Eunseol expressed his happy feelings more freely than usual. It was the same expression he used to have as a child when greeting his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang.
Ak Muryeong widened his eyes, his face looking at him as if he were seeing something bizarre.
Usually, this fellow was as cold-headed as himself and never expressed emotion except when talking about revenge. Now, he was suddenly grinning like a child, running up and speaking with a bright face? Moreover, that atmosphere and martial power...
'This kid.'
Long ago, Ak Muryeong had stepped out of the boundaries of the Limitless Realm and was entering a new state. For someone who had reached such an impossibly high level of martial arts to develop so rapidly once more was unprecedented. He prided himself that at this rate, he would surpass even the Demon Emperor in a single bound. But wasn't this plain-looking fellow following right on his heels at a terrifying speed?
With such unexpected situations unfolding one after another, even Ak Muryeong, who wouldn't blink if the heavens collapsed, couldn't help but be flustered.
'I'm not the only one developing.'
If so, then Sado Muryeong, as well as all those belonging to the Three Demons and Three Venerables, would have achieved terrifying progress.
"The successor of this Pavilion, who should be more dignified than anyone else..."
Regaining his composure, Ak Muryeong intended to give a sharp lesson to Bu Eunseol for acting so lightheartedly. But—
"I think you should see this."
Bu Eunseol suddenly took on a dejected expression and pulled a bizarrely shaped sword from his robe. Instantly, Ak Muryeong’s eyebrows shot up. Was that not the Supreme Swift Sword, the cherished weapon of the Heavenly Emperor?
With a gloomy face, Bu Eunseol said:
"It seems the kin of the True Demon are killing the powerhouses of the martial world and replacing them with puppets."
He reported everything he had seen and heard at the Hundred Swords Sect in detail.
There was no particular change in Ak Muryeong’s expression as he listened for a long time. In the current martial world, forces and powerhouses from the abyss, who had remained hidden, were slowly raising their heads. Because of this, not only existing knowledge but even the power structure was collapsing.
Whether the True Demon was turning martial artists into puppets or members of the Baekri Clan were appearing like immortals on cranes... none of it was particularly surprising.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
A yellow, eerie glow radiated from Ak Muryeong’s eyes. Ak Muryeong was not involved in the world's affairs at all and didn't even care. He had humored him a few times since he was the successor to the Nangyang Pavilion, but now was he running to him like an information broker whenever he was curious?
"You...!"
Just as the enraged Ak Muryeong was about to let out a shout that would shake heaven and earth—
"Our Pavilion's Nangyang Plaque was also there."
At Bu Eunseol’s next sentence, Ak Muryeong was forced to suppress his erupting anger.
"The Nangyang Plaque?"
"Yes. To your disciple's eyes, it appeared to be the genuine article."
Hearing those words, a flash of emotion flickered in Ak Muryeong’s eyes.
It was a hint of embarrassment.
For him, the Great Grandmaster of the Demonic Path and a Great Demon who feared nothing under heaven, to show such an emotion on his face?
"It is an object not even worth mentioning."
Ak Muryeong said.
"It was stolen by the one who harmed the previous Pavilion Master and fled."
Surprisingly, there was a secret history not even the successor Bu Eunseol knew, one not recorded in the history of the Nangyang Pavilion.
"But doesn't it have our Pavilion's secret transmission engraved on it?"
"That 'Hidden Secret Art' was recorded hundreds of years ago. It can no longer be called our Pavilion's secret."
Ak Muryeong spoke indifferently.
"It is merely a dead martial art created in the past."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
In the past, when proper combat arts were not established, excellent hidden secret arts were essential.
At that time, the Nangyang Pavilion did not have much influence or recognition in the martial world; they could only develop their martial arts if they survived somehow. Therefore, hidden secret arts were a required subject for any Nangyang disciple, and the Pavilion Masters had developed and engraved them into the spirit tablet for generations.
However, once the martial arts of the Nangyang Pavilion were perfectly established, hidden secret arts were no longer important. Even if many enemies appeared, there was no longer a need to hide or flee.
"Your disciple thinks so as well, but..."
Bu Eunseol bowed his head.
"I do not know how the Nangyang Plaque ended up in a warehouse created by the True Demon’s kin."
Normally, no matter how much Bu Eunseol was the legitimate successor, he would never have spoken of it. But since he had already seen the tablet with his own eyes... letting out a sigh, Ak Muryeong began to speak in a low voice as if he had no choice.
The Pavilion Master from two generations ago, Yong Mungyeok, was agonizing over selecting the next Pavilion Master.
In terms of martial arts, the first disciple, Jongbaek, was undoubtedly superior, and he had long ago designated him as the next Master. But his mind changed. This was because he had finally looked into the abyss of the martial world.
He realized what quality a Master of the Nangyang Pavilion must absolutely possess in such a rapidly changing world.
Could they walk the Nangyang Pavilion's unique path without being shaken by any force or powerhouse?
He began to prioritize whether one could devote themselves entirely to the martial path.
—From now on, the martial world will undergo great upheaval, and the strong ones in the darkness will reveal themselves.
At that time, the Nangyang Pavilion was a wolf's den where the superiority of martial arts was the absolute priority. However, Yong Mungyeok did not choose Jongbaek, who had the strongest martial arts, as the next Master. Instead, he chose Sang Gwan-sohong, who possessed an unshakable steadfastness and an outstanding ability to teach disciples.
—Understood.
Jongbaek did not get angry or argue with his master. Shortly after, when Yong Mungyeok passed away from old age and Gwan-sohong, who had been designated as the successor, took the position of Master, Jongbaek quietly left the Nangyang Pavilion.
Watching him, Sang Gwan-sohong felt miserable.
Strictly speaking, in terms of martial arts, he knew he could never have reached the position of Master. Even so, the reason his master had passed the position to him was because he knew the disciple Sang Gwan-sohong was training—Ak Muryeong—would become an absolute powerhouse counted among the greatest in the history of the Nangyang Pavilion.
—Besides, didn't my senior brother cherish me more than anyone?
Jongbaek had cherished Sang Gwan-sohong like a real younger brother since childhood and always gave up good things for him. Therefore, even with the master’s unconventional decision, Sang Gwan-sohong thought he had left the martial world quietly without questioning it.
—My mission is to train the disciple who will lead the Nangyang Pavilion to its golden age amidst the turbulent currents of the martial world.
Sang Gwan-sohong steeled his heart.
There are many roles for a leader. One of them is not necessarily being a great leader oneself, but striving to train one.
Recalling the reason his master had passed the position to his lacking self, Sang Gwan-sohong devoted all his strength to training outstanding disciples, including Ak Muryeong, rather than honing his own martial arts.
This was the background behind the birth of the Human Demon, a Grandmaster of the Demonic Path counted among the greatest in the history of the martial world, who would lead the Nangyang Pavilion to its greatest peak.
—Is it done now?
Time flowed on.
Finally, after handing over the next Master's position to Ak Muryeong, the hair at Sang Gwan-sohong's temples had turned white. He wore a satisfied smile.
Now all his roles were finished.
Having fulfilled the request of his late master, he intended to enter Iron Staff Peak and live in seclusion.
Boom!
The day he moved his residence to Iron Staff Peak, heavy rain poured from the sky along with thunder and lightning. Sang Gwan-sohong walked slowly toward his thatched cottage. But standing tall there was a shadow stained black.
It was Jongbaek, the senior brother who had suddenly left the Nangyang Pavilion.
Boom! Flash!
A moment later, thunder struck again. And when that flashing light vanished, Sang Gwan-sohong had collapsed in front of the cottage, clutching his chest.
He had ultimately collapsed from a fatal wound.
When lightning struck again, Jongbaek’s figure was gone.
Seeing that scene late, Ak Muryeong intended to pursue Jongbaek in a rage, but—
—Muryeong... do not chase him!
A flame burned in Ak Muryeong’s eyes, but he did not dare disobey his master’s words. This was because Sang Gwan-sohong’s life was already slowly fading away.
—You are now the Master of this Pavilion.
Sang Gwan-sohong smiled as he looked at Ak Muryeong.
—This teacher is so proud of that.
Then, he quietly passed away.
"The Nangyang Plaque disappeared then."
As he finished the story, Ak Muryeong’s tiger-like eyes were flashing with yellow lightning. A brilliant figure who could have become the Master had left quietly, only to suddenly return and brutally kill his own junior brother?
In the Nangyang Pavilion, which prides itself on pursuing the martial path with their lives and where the bond between brothers is like family, this was a shameful incident that must never be known to the outside.
"Our Pavilion's history is that short, and since we pursue strength, I suppose such a thing could happen."
The history of the Nangyang Pavilion is seven hundred years, the same as the Hwa Wu Sword Sect but in reality, they were as different as heaven and earth.
The Hwa Wu Sword Sect had merely changed its name to Hwa Wu Sword Sect seven hundred years ago by the progenitor Jeok Hwa-un, who had synthesized demonic sword arts. Since ancient times, the greatest demonic sword sect had existed continuously; only its name had changed once more through Jeok Hwa-un.
But the Nangyang Pavilion was different.
A sect of proper martial arts didn't even exist in the demonic path before; it was a new demonic sect that started for the first time seven hundred years ago, pursuing only the martial path and strength.
In terms of the history of the demonic martial world, it was practically no different from a newly established sect.
Nevertheless, the reason it was included among the Ten Demonic Sects was because, despite its short history, it had achieved the feat of producing the world's greatest powerhouse several times and had achieved a new horizon in demonic martial arts by developing itself using the martial essence of its enemies.
"If you've heard it all..."
Ak Muryeong looked down at Bu Eunseol with mysteriously flashing eyes and said:
"Give me the spirit plaque and go."
"How did you know?"
Bu Eunseol wore a somewhat surprised expression. No matter how great a level of martial arts one has reached, unless they have supervision, they shouldn't know there is a spirit tablet in his robe.
How on earth did Ak Muryeong know? Could he have perfectly peered into Bu Eunseol’s psyche and perceived that he had risked pursuit by the True Demon’s kin to bring the tablet?
"The Nangyang Plaque is made of cinnabar iron."
With that answer, Ak Muryeong’s mouth closed, and his flashing gaze stared at the sky.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol let out an "Ah."
"I see. If you possess something that reacts to cinnabar iron, you can recognize it instantly."
The Nangyang Plaque of the Nangyang Pavilion is made of a special metal called cinnabar iron, and the Master of the Nangyang Pavilion always carries an object that reacts to that ore.
Even if it is lost, it can be found at any time.
'So the Pavilion Master had been searching for the Nangyang Plaque all along, but could not find it because of the mysterious formation created by the kin of the True Demon.'
The armory hidden in the Hundred Swords Sect cannot be discovered or entered in the first place without the Soul Demon Method. Therefore, no matter how much one roamed the country with an object reacting to the tablet, it could not be found.
"Here it is."
Taking the Nangyang Plaque from his robe, he offered it to Ak Muryeong with both hands.
Vroom.
However, a strange sound of slicing air echoed from the distant sky.
"You're late."
As Ak Muryeong stared at the sky, eerie and sharp points of light flickered from his entire body. Having sensed the presence of a powerful master, his body had reflexively released an explosive fighting spirit.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol realized.
Anyone who knew the value of the Nangyang Plaque would naturally possess an ore that reacts to cinnabar iron, just like the Pavilion Master.
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