The Heavenly Mechanism Star had devised every plan even for the unlikely case that Bu Eunseol broke through all his traps and proved powerful enough to defeat the Heavenly Killer Star and the Extinction Palace Lord. He had prepared for a level of martial prowess far more terrifying than anticipated.
'To think he received such a grand method as well.'
As Bu Eunseol witnessed Shindo Jangjeong unleashing a horrific energy, his expression was not one of fear or awe. Instead, he let out a deep sigh, his face filled with an indescribable, agonizing pain.
"Is it worth it?"
In the end, Shindo Jangjeong had also been granted a grand method to augment his martial prowess by burning his very life force—just like the young Palace Lord Shin Do-unhwi, who had met his death at Bu Eunseol's hands in the past.
"Is there truly a need to sacrifice your life just to become their puppet?"
Perhaps out of pity, Bu Eunseol's voice grew thin.
Jongbaek had been the same.
He was a talent of peerless martial arts who was already strong enough and could have become even stronger. Bu Eunseol simply could not understand why they chose such foolish paths.
It was a strange thing.
Shindo Jangjeong sought to erase Bu Eunseol's existence without a second word. Yet, rather than fearing the man who now displayed the authority of a transcendent being, Bu Eunseol looked at him with eyes full of sympathy.
"Do you think I did this just to gain the position of Palace Lord, or to kill someone like you!?" Shindo Jangjeong roared, stung by the pity he sensed. "I simply wanted to compete with the strongest under heaven!"
But it was strange.
As he became agitated, the divine authority flowing from his body began to fade bit by bit—as if a god were falling to become human once again. Shindo Jangjeong, failing to realize he was over-excited, shouted even louder.
"To stand side-by-side in the landscape they behold!"
The Righteous and Demonic Twin Emperors, the Three Demons and Three Venerables. There were many masters in this age, but in reality, only these few stood at the peak.
Only they possessed the prowess and power to oppose the forces and masters within the abyss. Consequently, all other martial world warriors were nothing more than supporting actors meant to make them shine.
—The older brother guards the mountain, while the younger brother guards the yard.
In his younger years, Shindo Jangjeong had tried to block the path of the Demon Emperor and challenge him. However, he couldn't even stop a single step of the Demon Emperor and had to endure those humiliating words. His brother was the tiger guarding the mountain, while he was the dog guarding the yard.
—Even if only for a while, I want to hold the world beneath my feet and command it.
—Even for a single moment, I want to feel the majesty of an absolute being.
—I want to become an existence that no one dares touch, just like that man, the Demon Emperor.
Since that day, Shindo Jangjeong yearned to stand equal with the titans of the world. Just for one day, he desired it desperately.
"By sacrificing the remainder of your life?"
When Bu Eunseol asked with a pained expression, Shindo Jangjeong cried out as if roaring.
"What does a mere life matter if I can achieve what I have dreamed of my entire life?!"
That cry contained the sorrow of a warrior who had lived his whole life without ever seeing the light.
"Such is always the life of those in the martial world!"
Even if they live but a single day, martial world warriors want a life that shines like a meteor.
Rather than living a long, nameless life, they would rather become a legend for a single day.
Even a short life, if it leaves a powerful name, ensures they are remembered by future generations, for that name remains forever.
"Death is an inescapable fate; how one dies is more important than how one lives!"
A brilliant radiance bloomed from Shindo Jangjeong's hands and began to soar into the air. The power was so immense that it instantly pierced through the ancient formation Chu So had created, melting the roof of the pavilion to reveal the clear sky.
The light began to embroider palm shadows one by one across the vast firmament. Those overlapping palm images soon transformed into the shapes of dazzling white dragons. Their white scales shone brilliantly under the sun, and their massive bodies covered the sky like clouds.
One became two, two became a hundred.
Soon, hundreds of white dragons filled the sky, forming a majestic army.
Roar!
The dragons' roars swallowed every sound between heaven and earth, and the divine energy they emitted seemed to purify the very atmosphere. It was as if the world had become a massive painting embroidered with pure white dragons.
"Die!"
Rising into the air, Shindo Jangjeong unleashed all the white dragons filling the sky upon Bu Eunseol. Falling like a meteor shower, each white dragon became a spear of light with powerful destructive force, tearing through the air.
A pure white torrent, as if the heavens themselves were collapsing, covered Bu Eunseol. Any warrior seeing this wondrous sight would have had their body frozen, unable to even resist.
'It is not a perfect Manifestation Divine Technique.'
A flash of light erupted from Bu Eunseol's eyes as he watched the glow.
He had experienced the power of the Manifestation Divine Technique from the men of the Baekri family. He had also felt the power of Primal Demon Artifacts while fighting the kin of the True Demon.
This was a power corrupted by a Primal Demon Artifact. Chu So had toyed with Shindo Jangjeong.
It was not a Manifestation Divine Technique, but a hybrid power—as if a saint had been crafted by a True Demon.
'He conducted an experiment to imitate the True Demon.'
Clang.
Watching the pouring white dragons, Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword. He swung it with all his might toward the sky. Hundreds of streaks of light spread out.
He had unleashed the Harmony draped around his body in the form of the World-Shattering Emperor.
As hundreds of dragons and hundreds of light beams collided in the air, the whole world turned white, and at the center, a mysterious circular radiance began to swirl.
Flash.
Suddenly the white dragons vanished, and a single streak of light shot toward Shindo Jangjeong's eyes. Shindo Jangjeong let out an internal gasp of admiration.
A new power, unprecedented in the history of the martial world. Not an existing martial art, but an authority that was completely new yet capable of erasing the power of existing masters.
The single streak of light poured out by Bu Eunseol was like the very aspiration he had dreamed of all this time.
'What a shame.'
Shindo Jangjeong sensed his defeat.
—With this power, you will surely be able to kill that man.
The Heavenly Mechanism Star had used his life force as a foundation to unfold a mysterious grand method, allowing him to use the power of the Baekri family. He had guaranteed that with this power, Shindo Jangjeong would never lose, even against the Demon Emperor.
However, there was one thing even the Heavenly Mechanism Star failed to predict: while martial arts or supernatural powers could not oppose the Manifestation Divine Technique, Bu Eunseol's true power, Harmony, could instantly cut off impure Manifestation Divine Techniques or Primal Demon Artifacts.
Pshhh!
The brilliant radiance had already pierced and passed through Shindo Jangjeong's throat.
"How...?"
When Shindo Jangjeong asked with a hollow gaze, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"It seems that power can only be granted by one who has transcended joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure."
It was a kind lie.
There was no need to tell him the truth—that Shindo Jangjeong, a warrior who only wished to stand at the peak, had been toyed with by Chu So until the very end.
"The moment you revealed your emotions, a crack was felt in that transcendent power, and it turned into something that could be overcome."
Manifestation Divine Technique.
It was a lie from the start. When he first unleashed the power, Bu Eunseol felt an invulnerable superhuman authority, but once Shindo Jangjeong gave in to anger, the attribute of that power changed. It became like the Primal Demon Artifacts or Manifestation Divine Techniques that had never worked against Bu Eunseol's Harmony.
"One who has transcended joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure..."
Realizing something at those words, Shindo Jangjeong wore a hollow expression. Simultaneously, countless memories and regrets flashed by. The greatest among them was the apology he owed his brother, Shindo Jangcheon.
He had always heard the high-ranking members call his brother cowardly and narrow-minded. His brother had bowed thoroughly to the strong and done whatever it took to increase the influence of the Extinction Palace.
To Shindo Jangjeong’s eyes, those were the actions and decisions of a petty man... but looking back, everything had been for the sake of the Extinction Palace.
"I am sorry... Brother."
That was the last thought he had in this world.
Whoosh.
As Shindo Jangjeong fell, his body turned completely to dust and scattered. He had housed the Manifestation Divine Technique in his flesh by wagering his life force. Once his life ended, that massive internal power turned into a force that destroyed the vessel instead.
"Now..."
Looking up at the broken formation on the ceiling, Bu Eunseol turned and approached the fallen Eung Bi.
"Let's stop the act."
Then, the body of Eung Bi, who had seemingly breathed his last, moved slightly. Slowly, as if liquid were turning into a solid, he raised himself and began to reform. Eung Bi, whose neck had been severed, looked at Bu Eunseol in surprise.
"How did you know?"
Even though his neck had been slashed, Eung Bi was perfectly alive.
"Because despite being manufactured, you are the Heavenly Killer Star and he is the Heavenly Mechanism Star."
Bu Eunseol had already seen through Eung Bi’s identity and the fact that the Heavenly Mechanism Star was behind him. The Heavenly Mechanism Star would have prepared multiple plans in case of emergency. Specifically, Bu Eunseol predicted that the star would have taken measures to ensure such a precious piece as the Heavenly Killer Star was not lost over such a trivial matter.
'And I have encountered fake bodies several times.'
The sensation that Eung Bi had not died even after his throat was cut came from the realization that it was a fake body, like the ones used by the Inbiin Lord in the past.
'The sensation is different.'
Bu Eunseol had already met three individuals who used fake bodies: the boy from the Ghost Realm on Yeongpa Island, the Inbiin Lord, and even the one who was to succeed the Blood God Heaven Lord.
He had cut them with the Silent Tiger Soul Sword over and over.
Thus, through the sensation at his fingertips when he slashed Eung Bi's neck, he could tell it was a fake body.
"I have my ways."
But there was no need to share that information. Bu Eunseol immediately changed the subject.
"I assume the final tactic the Heavenly Mechanism Star had in mind, in case everything failed, was to take a hostage?"
Bu Eunseol pointed toward the Heart Mirror Technique where Yoo Unryong was held.
"That is why he created a formation that allowed two people to enter—ensuring even the close aide of this Lord was brought in."
From Chu So’s perspective, if he failed to kill Bu Eunseol despite such a trap, the next best thing would be to threaten him by taking a hostage. It was widely known among intelligence organizations that the Martial Soul Command Lord cherished his subordinates as he did his own body. That was why he allowed not just Bu Eunseol, but his aide, to enter.
Clang! Clang!
In the meantime, the sound of clashing weapons echoed through the gaps of the broken formation. It seemed the Heart Mirror Technique created by the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps had shattered, and they were now in a direct confrontation with the forces of the Extinction Palace.
"A single hostage makes one anxious."
Eung Bi spoke, looking toward the outside where the sounds of battle echoed. "How long do you think your subordinates can hold out against the forces of the Extinction Palace? You're pretending to be at ease."
Regardless, this was the Extinction Palace, and they had seized control. Even if they couldn't capture Yoo Unryong, capturing those warriors of the Death Shadow Corps would end everything.
"We shall see. The Heavenly Mechanism Star isn't much after all."
"What?"
"Do you really think you can control everything in the world in the palm of your hand?"
As soon as Bu Eunseol finished speaking, the forces of the Extinction Palace, who had been breaking through the sturdy formation created by the Death Shadow Corps, suddenly stopped. Behind them walked out a figure who was a bloodied mess and a warrior dressed in a civil official’s attire.
It was the real Extinction Palace Lord, Shindo Jangcheon.
And the one beside him was none other than Yoo Unryong.
"That man...?"
Eung Bi's eyes widened. If so, then who was the Yoo Unryong inside that Mind World?
At that moment, the destroyed formations began to be restored. Someone was reconfiguring and transforming the ancient, overlapping formations that only Chu So should have been able to touch.
"How did he know Shindo Jangcheon wasn't dead?"
Shindo Jangjeong had not killed his brother. Though Chu So had recommended his removal several times, Jangjeong had insisted that if his brother was killed, he would not participate in the plan.
"Eung Bi, you cannot escape." Bu Eunseol smirked. "You might live if you tell me everything you know."
"This isn't something you can know just by being smart." Eung Bi's eyes narrowed infinitely. "It wasn't your wisdom."
Only then did he realize that not only had every tactic been seen through, but Bu Eunseol also possessed a strategist comparable to Chu So—one who could read the heavenly secrets and predict the future.
"Fine. I admit defeat this time."
Eung Bi glared at Bu Eunseol with cold eyes. "But there won't be another chance like this."
With those words, Eung Bi vanished into a black radiance. It was a disappearance without a trace, more like a sorcery than a martial art.
"Is it alright to let him go like that?"
As Bu Eunseol muttered lowly while looking at the spot where Eung Bi had vanished, the Yoo Unryong who had been hiding within the Heart Mirror Technique revealed himself. However, Yoo Unryong's appearance soon shifted into that of a scarred young man in official robes.
It was Han Sangja, the sole survivor of the Sage Forest.
Until now, he had been playing the role of Yoo Unryong through disguise. That was why he could independently deploy a high-level Heart Mirror Technique that even Shindo Jangjeong, whose prowess was equal to the Palace Lord, could not break. He had participated in this Extinction Palace affair immediately upon receiving Bu Eunseol's contact, specifically because it involved the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
"Of course. That was the plan from the beginning."
Han Sangja narrowed his eyes as he looked in the direction Eung Bi had fled. "To catch the Heavenly Mechanism Star, we must never kill that man."
"I see, because he uses a fake body, no amount of torture would work anyway."
"That is true, but..." Han Sangja spoke with a confident expression. "It is because through him, we can catch the tail of the Heavenly Mechanism Star."
He pulled a single bead from his robes.
It was the Demon Eye Bead, an ancient relic obtained from the Inbiin Lord's body in the past. It was the medium that linked the consciousness to the fake body and the device that supplied the power to maintain the synchronization. When placed in a fake body, it allowed for sophisticated control, much like a brain controlling a body through the nervous system.
"After my research, I discovered that Demon Eye Beads react to one another."
Han Sangja spoke calmly. "By tracking him, we can find where the Heavenly Mechanism Star is, or at least the bases he has established."
From the start, Bu Eunseol had a premonition that the Heavenly Mechanism Star was behind the Extinction Palace incident.
—In that case, I must call Brother Han.
The only one who could rival the Heavenly Mechanism Star was Han Sangja. Furthermore, since he was desperately searching for the Heavenly Mechanism Star's lair, he would surely participate. Thus, before going into seclusion, Bu Eunseol had taken measures so that Yoo Unryong could contact Han Sangja.
—It will take at least four days to get in touch with him.
That was what Yoo Unryong had said at the time. And as Bu Eunseol was ending his seclusion, Han Sangja coincidentally visited Majeon, and they secretly discussed the matter. Analyzing the situation and information of the Extinction Palace, Han Sangja began to predict the tactics the Heavenly Mechanism Star would use.
—Since he likely doesn't know of my existence yet, we can achieve a great victory this time.
Chu So did not yet know Han Sangja existed. No matter how brilliant Bu Eunseol's resourcefulness or how great the strategists around him, Chu So was certain they could never read the heavenly secrets.
—To kill the Command Lord, he will likely send his most outstanding subordinate.
At those words, Bu Eunseol recalled the Heavenly Killer Star he had met on the island where the Wood Buddha had been hiding. If one assumed he was a subordinate of the Heavenly Mechanism Star, there would be no subordinate with more powerful strength.
—Also, the Heavenly Mechanism Star would never risk his most valuable chess piece on such an affair.
Han Sangja predicted a high probability that the Heavenly Mechanism Star would use the fake bodies that the Inbiin Lord once used.
—In fact, those fake bodies themselves might be monsters created by the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
To fulfill his desires, Chu So was indiscriminately restoring and using forbidden grand methods and ancient secret arts. It was possible the secret art for creating fake bodies was also his creation.
—He likely used those fake bodies to establish good relations or cooperative ties with numerous forces.
It was a plausible deduction. Just because the Heavenly Mechanism Star was smart didn't mean other forces had to cooperate with him. It was more logical to assume he maintained symbiotic relationships by providing such bodies.
—Then what should we do?
—We should use that to our advantage.
Han Sangja prepared a plan to catch at least the tail of the Heavenly Mechanism Star, even if he couldn't grasp his full tracks. The Heavenly Killer Star would surely be guarding the Heavenly Mechanism Star closely.
Ending his recollection, Bu Eunseol shook his head. "Through this incident, it has been revealed that the Heavenly Mechanism Star is in a cooperative relationship with the kin of the True Demon as well as the Three Sects."
In the past, using information provided by Seoryeong, Bu Eunseol—under the identity of Seolso—had destroyed an orphanage where the Heavenly Mechanism Star raised puppets.
He expected the star to come for him, but unexpectedly, the one who targeted Seolso was the Inbiin Lord, a kin of the True Demon. At the time, because of the clash with the Black God Heaven Lord, he thought it was a coincidence.
However, even now, with the Heavenly Mechanism Star's subordinate deeply involved, they had planned to kill him and replace him with another identity—much like the kin of the True Demon. This made it clear they were in close cooperation.
"The Heavenly Mechanism Star will be quite wary of me after this."
"That is correct." Han Sangja's eyes sparkled. "Because he has realized that the Command Lord can see through his tactics and has a strategist who can touch the formations he created."
He wore a satisfied smile. "For someone like the Heavenly Mechanism Star to be wary of someone means they acknowledge considerable skill. Moreover, since he still doesn't know my identity, he will surely become obsessed with the Command Lord."
"You mean I am the bait."
"It shouldn't be thought of so simply." Han Sangja spoke proudly. "The Heavenly Mechanism Star intended to end the Command Lord’s life through this. In other words, he has been hostile for a long time and has announced that you cannot coexist."
He continued, "However, because he now knows the Command Lord is more outstanding than he thought, he will never act rashly or try to touch you easily as he did today."
The Heavenly Mechanism Star was an incredibly cautious man.
Because of today's failure, he would have to agonize and think dozens more times before trying to touch Bu Eunseol.
"And that will surely create a flaw."
Bu Eunseol nodded. The Heavenly Mechanism Star acted as if he ruled over everything in the world. But if there was an existence that predicted his actions and ruined his plans, he would no longer act rashly and would instead constantly observe Bu Eunseol’s every move. Consequently, his information network might be exposed, or his tail stepped upon. Han Sangja intended to exploit that to catch him.
"I have ended up in your debt once again."
"No, we must keep the accounts clear." Han Sangja smiled broadly. "Did the Command Lord not first provide me with information regarding the Heavenly Mechanism Star? Furthermore, by helping you, I have obtained the clue to catch his tail, so there is no debt between us."
Muttering could be heard. In the meantime, the surroundings were slowly being settled by Shindo Jangcheon. Watching this, Han Sangja paid his respects.
"Then I shall take my leave first. Stay safe until we meet again."
"You too, Brother Han."
Han Sangja vanished like mist in an instant. In the time they had been apart, it seemed his martial arts had improved along with his wisdom.
'Is it for the better that he is fueled by a desire for revenge?'
Han Sangja’s prowess and wisdom were rising day by day, and his ability was becoming enough to rival the Heavenly Mechanism Star. If he had not set his mind on revenge—if his goal had been the conquest of martial world or personal glory—another terrifying shadow force would have emerged in the martial world.
"Martial Soul Command Lord."
Just then, the real Extinction Palace Lord, Shindo Jangcheon, walked toward him following Yoo Unryong and let out a long sigh. "You have saved this Palace."
There was a deep sense of regret in that sigh.
Originally, he hated Bu Eunseol.
He was the one who weakened the forces of the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path, including the Extinction Palace. He was the one who made him realize his once-proud son, Shin Do-unhwi, was nothing more than an ordinary talent.
Furthermore, Shindo Jangcheon was a cold father. He had condoned Shin Do-unhwi undergoing body modification at the cost of his life, and even after his son died, he felt no sorrow, focusing only on producing the next successor.
But Bu Eunseol had shown grace to the Extinction Palace.
He had perceived the internal situation where the Palace Lord had been replaced—something no one else knew—and had prepared a brilliant strategy to shatter the Heavenly Mechanism Star's scheme. He had called Han Sangja to replace Yoo Unryong to respond to the traps and the Heavenly Killer Star.
In the meantime, he had sent the experts of the Death Shadow Corps, including Yoo Unryong, to find where Shindo Jangcheon was imprisoned and persuaded the high-ranking members who followed him to crush the forces of the traitor, Shindo Jangjeong.
"I didn't save you; I simply did what I had to do," Bu Eunseol said calmly. "And it wasn't for the sake of the Extinction Palace."
It was a perfectly honest statement.
In that moment, Shindo Jangcheon could realize: the rumors spread in the martial world about the Martial Soul Command Lord were completely wrong. He could sense it intuitively—this man was neither of the Demonic Path nor the Righteous Path.
"I see."
The information about the Command Lord was entirely misunderstood by the world. And Shindo Jangcheon had misunderstood as well. Bu Eunseol did not weaken the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path. It was simply that the Ten Demonic Sects had suffered ruin by provoking him.
He was neither demonic nor righteous; he simply punished those who touched him.
"Hahaha." Shindo Jangcheon laughed freely. "If I had known your heart sooner, I wouldn't have had to be so hostile."
It was a statement filled with a strange realization.
Bu Eunseol, with a calm smile, looked around the Extinction Palace, which had been organized in an instant. Most disciples didn't know the Palace Lord was a fake; they only vaguely knew that outsiders had seized control and were manipulating the high-ranking members. Thus, once the real Shindo Jangcheon appeared, they stopped their attacks and followed him.
"Do you intend to look into the Hwa Wu Sword Sect?" Shindo Jangcheon asked in a gravelly voice. He also knew that two hall leaders' heads had been sent to Bu Eunseol from the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
"Rather than attacking, I intend to return it to normal."
"I see." Shindo Jangcheon actually looked more at ease. "Now the martial world will fall into destruction and chaos."
"I thought the same at first—that everything would stay stable if I remained still." Bu Eunseol looked at the distant sky. "But that was only a false peace."
Until now, he had tried not to involve himself or influence the affairs of the martial world as much as possible. It was because many lives could vanish due to his actions. For that reason, he had even held back several times from striking the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
He knew what would happen if he touched the number one sect of the Demonic Path.
But this incident with the Extinction Palace and the Hwa Wu Sword Sect changed things. If he didn't step forward, everything would turn into a mess, and numerous forces would try to vent their goals and desires without hesitation.
"A false peace..." Shindo Jangcheon nodded. "This Palace does not support you. Therefore, I cannot agree with those words." He continued, "But I will not oppose you either."
Shindo Jangcheon spoke in a low voice. "That is the greatest favor this Palace Lord can offer."
Bu Eunseol nodded. That alone made the effort of resolving the Extinction Palace affair worthwhile. Now he had to go straight to strike the Hwa Wu Sword Sect. In the martial world, as long as one is not an enemy, they can become an ally at any time.
"Then..." Bu Eunseol clasped his hands and paid his respects.
He then led the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps back without hesitation.
"Palace Lord, you have thought wrongly." At that moment, Vice Palace Lord Sa Gyeong-won spoke in a low voice. "The matter with the traitor Shindo Jangjeong would have been resolved even without the Martial Soul Command Lord."
Chu So had promised that if they eliminated the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps, he would grant them 'that.' If they had deployed all the forces of the Extinction Palace and stepped forward themselves, they might not have killed the Command Lord, but the warriors of the Private Shadows would not have made it out alive.
"This was the last chance to strike the subordinates of the Command Lord."
In fact, Chu So’s final goal was the Death Shadow Corps. By eliminating his subordinates, he intended to cut off Bu Eunseol’s hands and feet while simultaneously destroying his spirit.
"It is fine," Shindo Jangcheon said lowly. "In the end, this Palace survives, and he will vanish."
He looked at the distant sky.
There had been all sorts of trials and setbacks, but the Extinction Palace always rose again. Even now, they would crouch for a while because of an unbeatable foe like the Martial Soul Command Lord, but in the long run, he was merely a person passing through the martial world.
In other words, the Extinction Palace would endure for a long time according to the history of the flowing martial world.
Step by step.
A sharp glint appeared in the eyes of Bu Eunseol as he walked away, leaving Shindo Jangcheon behind.
'The matter of the Extinction Palace was extremely trivial anyway.'
Preventing the secession of the Extinction Palace was merely a process.
He was now going straight to destroy his true target… the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
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