Bu Eunseol raced straight to Sichuan in a single stretch.
Entering the Azure Heaven Alliance under the identity of Seon Woojin, he held a secret meeting with Alliance Leader Bukgung Ryeong and Chief Inspector Gongsun Dankyung.
“I am not that surprised.”
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head after silently listening to Bu Eunseol’s story.
“Sado Muryeong is no ordinary demonic practitioner.”
The fact that an unparalleled demonic lord like the Demon Emperor had set his sights on unifying the martial world and planned to annihilate not only the abyssal forces but the entire righteous and demonic martial world was not particularly shocking.
What was truly unsettling was the Demon Emperor’s very existence.
He was an absolute being capable of bringing everything to ruin simply by descending, like a whispering abyss that could not even be killed.
“Moreover, he intends to eliminate the Baekri Family and the True Demon.”
Others might call it excessive fear.
“Could he have entered the Heaven's Will Realm?”
Until now, the general consensus was that while the Demon Emperor had entered the Limitless Realm, the Heaven's Will Realm was still beyond him.
There was no clear boundary visible between the Limitless Realm and the Heaven's Will Realm. Besides, if he had truly reached the Heaven's Will Realm, there would be no need for such roundabout methods—he could simply compete directly with the abyss.
“It is certain that he possesses the Limitless Realm badge.”
For convenience, people divided the Limitless Realm into early to late stages, but the range was so vast that its parameters were unknown. Along with the Demon Emperor, people referred to the ends of the Limitless Realm as “standing at the edge.”
“Not everything the Demon Emperor says can be trusted.”
At that moment, Gongsun Dankyung spoke.
“Even if the paths you walk are somewhat similar…”
She continued, looking at Bu Eunseol.
“The fact that you still joined hands with him means you believe it is the best way to protect everyone, doesn’t it?”
She knew Bu Eunseol’s personality perfectly.
If he had challenged the Demon Emperor, it meant he was prepared to perish together with him. Yet the reason he accepted the Demon Emperor’s proposal was clear.
Even if he died alongside the Demon Emperor, there were still forces threatening those around him.
The Three Realms and Three Families were in an unspeakable situation, and he still had the Seven Great Demon Ancestors, including the Vajra Demon Ancestor, pointed at his throat.
Because the Demon Emperor was throwing the entire martial world—regardless of righteous or demonic—into chaos, instead of confronting the Demon Emperor directly, Bu Eunseol was buying time to create a safe zone strong enough for the people he cared about to survive.
This was the final struggle of the Martial Soul Society.
It was a desperate effort to create a safe haven capable of withstanding attacks from the entire martial world and the dangers of the abyssal forces.
“You…”
Gongsun Dankyung looked at him with a pained expression.
“Are you choosing a path where you cannot survive?”
Bu Eunseol had always lowered his sword for others. Solely to save the people around him, he devised schemes, calculated everything, and sometimes moved as collateral. His reckless challenge against the Demon Emperor, his efforts to prevent Jin Seol’s death from being in vain, and his struggle to save his blood-like subordinates in the Death Shadow Corps—it was all for that.
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, Bukgung Ryeong murmured quietly.
“At this point, it must be difficult to live only for yourself.”
He then looked at Gongsun Dankyung and shook his head.
“There is no way he would turn back after running his entire life toward a single desire.”
He had entered the martial world for revenge… but precious people had entered his life.
To save them, he completed his training, made meticulous preparations, and overcame countless crises. In the end, forming those connections had itself become a profound training and a process of completing himself.
Bukgung Ryeong was indirectly saying that Bu Eunseol was walking a path of no return.
Bu Eunseol and Bukgung Ryeong were close friends who transcended age and seniority, so he spoke openly without reservation.
“I see.”
Gongsun Dankyung understood everything from Bukgung Ryeong’s words and spoke in a calm voice.
“I already said I am fine, so do not worry about me.”
“Not at all.”
In the past, that would have been the end of it, but knowing Gongsun Dankyung’s earnest heart, Bu Eunseol said this instead.
“I know very well that everyone is saying this for my sake. Thank you.”
It was a warm remark he had long been meaning to say.
Bukgung Ryeong cleared his throat loudly when he noticed the subtle flow of gazes and atmosphere between the two.
“Declaring the destruction of the abyss is ultimately the same as declaring the end of the martial world.”
Bukgung Ryeong turned with a bitter smile.
“Sado Muryeong will not leave us alone.”
“That is correct. In the end, both the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance will collapse.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “Because of the Moving Treasury matter, the martial world has fallen into complete chaos. The investigation clearly shows that the Vajra Demon Ancestor is behind it.”
“Vajra Demon Ancestor…”
The moment the name was mentioned, Bukgung Ryeong pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.
By now, even the Azure Heaven Alliance’s members had been drawn in.
Countless people must have left to search for the Moving Treasury. In the end, Bukgung Ryeong, like the Martial Alliance, had dispatched his best agents to uncover the truth about the Moving Treasury.
But they were still suffering terrible headaches with no progress.
“Do not worry. I will handle the Moving Treasury and the Vajra Demon Ancestor myself.”
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
“However, I do not know how quickly that time will come. During that period, the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance must prevent the departure of our young talents and become stronger.”
Bu Eunseol handed over the books.
They contained strategies for both the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance to create fake treasuries and engage in battles.
“So we create fake treasuries and use the battles to stop the departure of the young talents from the Martial Soul Society and our alliance.”
Currently, both the Azure Heaven Alliance and the Martial Soul Society were suffering significant losses of manpower due to the Moving Treasury.
The only way to stop that was through fierce battles.
But if the martial artists, whose eyes were wide with greed for the Moving Treasury, lost their drive to fight, it would be meaningless. By creating many fake treasuries and holding battles, they could prevent the young talents from leaving and provide them with training grounds resembling actual battlefields.
“Is that possible?”
“Possible?”
Bukgung Ryeong grinned and nodded toward Gongsun Dankyung.
“Chief Inspector.”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled and handed over a thin booklet. It contained plans that were almost identical to the schemes Bu Eunseol had devised.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
The two great masters who moved the world had come up with the exact same plan for each other’s sake.
“However, there is no need to go all the way to Shaanxi.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s plan simply changed the location of the battles from Sichuan to Shaanxi.
When moving large forces, the longer the distance, the higher the cost. She had designated the battlefield in Shaanxi—the headquarters of the Martial Soul Society—to reduce the burden on them.
“I did not do it just for your sake.”
Gongsun Dankyung deliberately put on a slightly pouty expression.
“Our alliance has never moved large forces on a large scale before.”
Bukgung Ryeong nodded and added.
“That is correct. I thought it would be good to gain experience through an expedition this time, so we decided to proceed as the Chief Inspector suggested.”
Despite the decades of age difference, the two great masters who led their respective powers were not only close friends who helped each other but also shared the same heart of putting others before themselves.
“But will it be alright?” Bukgung Ryeong asked. “Our alliance’s martial artists have undergone strict training. If they fight under the name of a treasury battle, the combat will surely become overheated.”
He scratched his cheek.
“I am worried it might cause unnecessary casualties.”
“Did you not hear the news before?”
Bu Eunseol snorted.
“That the mercenaries of our society blocked even the True Demon’s invasion.”
“Hmph, they were merely his subordinates.”
“It would not have been easy if they had come to the Azure Heaven Alliance. After all, even the Alliance Leader’s martial arts are quite lacking.”
“Hah, it seems this kid has forgotten my personality after all this time.”
Bukgung Ryeong stood up and rolled up his sleeves.
“Did you not hear through the intelligence network? That the Limitless Realm enlightenment occurred long ago for this Alliance Leader as well.”
“I heard you kicked that path away after following me.”
“What? After following you?”
Bukgung Ryeong’s face turned red.
In truth, he too had lost the concept of righteous and demonic under Bu Eunseol’s influence, and even the path of his martial arts had begun to resemble his.
At that moment, Gongsun Dankyung spoke.
“I will issue an order prohibiting lethal strikes but allowing commanders to use their discretion in battle. That way, we can evaluate the results of our training so far and further boost the morale of our martial artists.”
In reality, the relationship between the Azure Heaven Alliance and the Martial Soul Society was not bad.
However, since it was a battle, pride would be at stake.
If they prohibited killing but allowed full combat?
They could verify the results of their training, accumulate real battlefield experience, and escape the quiet and stifling daily routine, greatly raising morale.
“The Chief Inspector will become even busier.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Gongsun Dankyung showed a tired smile.
“It is time for our alliance to slowly stretch its wings as well.”
Since the Demon Emperor planned to annihilate both the righteous and demonic martial worlds, neither the Martial Soul Society nor the Azure Heaven Alliance could escape that category.
The martial world would henceforth be filled with chaos and destruction.
From now on, they had to accumulate power and cultivate the strength to face not only the abyssal forces but also the Demon Emperor’s invasion.
‘Why can I not enter the Ten-Thousand-Li Treasure Ship?!’
Great chaos had erupted throughout the martial world.
The Moving Treasury appeared in various places, but only predetermined individuals could enter it.
The majority of martial artists who could not board the treasury fell into despair. Eventually, they began searching for new targets to quench their burning thirst.
It was greed bordering on madness. Like packs of starving wolves, they craved anything that could satisfy their twisted desires even for a single moment.
Forbidden demonic arts, ancient divine artifacts, and even the power of others.
They did not hesitate to commit any evil deed if it could fulfill their endless desires.
They ran madly toward destruction while endlessly craving something more.
The appearance of the Moving Treasury was like opening the gates of a terrible hell in the martial world.
However, the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance had accurately predicted the next location where the treasury would appear. Both sides engaged in a long standoff to occupy that place. Thanks to this, the two allied forces were able to temporarily suppress the sparks of reckless madness spreading throughout the martial world.
Moreover, the martial artists of the Death Shadow Corps were gripped by the unique belief that ‘the greatest treasure in the world is our Lord.’
They did not even glance at the Moving Treasury.
In the end, only the Azure Heaven Alliance, the Martial Soul Society, and the Death Shadow Corps were able to preserve their full strength and walk their path unwaveringly amid the chaos of greed and desire.
While the chaos continued, Bu Eunseol mobilized the Death Spirit Corps and began tracking the whereabouts of the Moving Treasury and the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
‘So this is the kind of chaos the Seven Great Demon Ancestors create.’
When a fixed treasury appeared, the martial world would fall into chaos and battles would occur, but the Moving Treasury was different.
Because it moved instead of staying in a fixed location, every time it appeared, many martial artists would fight over it.
As a result, the entire martial world had become a stage for battles.
Information was traded at a premium, and people tried to select targets that had not yet been chosen.
Tracking, intelligence, betrayal, and ambushes occurred day after day.
The biggest problem was that the Moving Treasury had never appeared in the martial world before, and even its purpose remained unclear. Because of this, rumors spread wildly—that it contained legendary martial arts manuals, the greatest weapon under heaven, or the ultimate secret of the immeasurable.
This sufficiently stimulated greed and drove martial artists into madness.
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.
The atmosphere in Majeon upon Bu Eunseol’s return was deceptively peaceful.
Sitting in the deepest part of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion’s grand conference hall, he was holding a meeting with the captains of the Death Shadow Corps.
The shocking event of him challenging the Demon Emperor had not leaked outside.
After his return, there were vague rumors that he had forcibly broken into the Sacred Demon Hall, but seeing him return unharmed, they were dismissed as nonsense.
What was surprising, however, was the reaction of the captains.
Even after hearing the full story from Yoo Unryong, there was not the slightest disturbance on their faces.
They served Bu Eunseol as their lord and devoted their lives in absolute loyalty.
They had also directly witnessed his mythical abilities for a long time and trusted him completely.
Even if Bu Eunseol became a Buddha and emitted merciful light from his forehead, they would not be surprised in the slightest.
The Death Shadow Corps captains continued their endless discussion on the problems Bu Eunseol faced—the whereabouts of the Moving Treasury and the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
“The Moving Treasury sometimes appears suddenly on deep mountains or mountain peaks, and at other times reveals itself overnight in the middle reaches of the Yellow River.”
Yoo Unryong continued with a serious expression.
“The fact that such things happen is already unbelievable, and it even avoids the experts capable of destroying the treasury on its own.”
The moment strong experts dispatched by the Martial Alliance’s intelligence units or the Black Path arrived, the Moving Treasury would disappear in an instant. That meant it did not appear randomly but moved according to the will of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
“We are investigating with all our strength, but…”
After Yoo Unryong finished speaking, Death Spirit Corps Leader Mu Heon said to Bu Eunseol with a grave face.
“It seems we will need a little more time.”
The Death Shadow Corps’s intelligence network, comparable to the Shadow Pavilion, had branches installed everywhere to gather information. However, they still lacked sufficient data on what kind of organization the Vajra Demon Ancestor possessed and the level of his subordinates.
“I thought he would swallow the White Horse Temple, but he is causing chaos in the martial world in such a way.”
Myo Cheonwoo shook his head.
The Vajra Demon Ancestor was known as a great master of unorthodox methods and the root of the White Horse Temple.
They had thought he would swallow the White Horse Temple and command them to display his power. Instead, he was throwing the martial world into chaos in a completely unexpected way.
“We cannot obtain perfect information on the Vajra Demon Ancestor or the Moving Treasury.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been thinking deeply, opened his mouth.
“Since it avoids the strong… let us classify them ourselves.”
“Classify…?”
“Avoiding the strong means it only appears where it wants to.”
A sharp light flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Exclude the supreme experts of the martial world. Target the rising stars of each faction, third-rate to peak experts, mercenaries, and even the wicked members of the Evil Faction or the thugs of the Black Path.”
“Track the treasuries by targeting clearly classifiable martial artists.”
Mu Heon finally nodded with an impressed expression.
With this method, they could determine the purpose behind the Vajra Demon Ancestor creating the treasuries or the criteria for who could enter.
After continuously operating their information network, the Death Shadow Corps slowly began to reveal the outline of the ‘categories’ that could enter the Moving Treasury.
“Just as the Lord predicted, the people who can enter the Moving Treasury are clearly categorized.”
Another captains’ meeting was held.
Death Spirit Corps Leader Mu Heon reported the information obtained so far to Bu Eunseol.
“First are the rising stars or next-generation talents of each faction. Second are the greedy or avaricious leaders of the Evil Faction.”
He tilted his head as if he could not understand.
“Third are those who have achieved excellence in a single field—such as medicine, poison arts, or formations—commonly called ‘geniuses.’”
“Then…”
Myo Cheonwoo, who had been listening silently, stroked his chin.
“It seems he is gathering these three categories of people through the Moving Treasury to carry out some kind of scheme.” He continued. “If we can now predict the locations where the Moving Treasury is likely to appear, the problem will be solved.”
At that moment, the faces of the captains darkened.
Not only the Death Shadow Corps but even the leading information organizations of the martial world, including the Demon Emperor’s Shadow Pavilion, had thoroughly investigated the Moving Treasury but had failed to predict its appearance locations.
“The Moving Treasury does not appear randomly. It is created according to the will of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“Therefore, if we understand the Vajra Demon Ancestor’s intentions, we may be able to predict where the Moving Treasury will appear next.”
He then looked at Mu Heon.
“Even the smallest information related to the Moving Treasury is fine.”
After pausing for a moment, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“Collect every piece of information—strange weather phenomena, abnormal behavior of animals in specific regions, testimonies from civilians or herb gatherers who accidentally saw the treasury from afar. Everything.”
A sharp light flashed in his eyes.
He intended to compile that information and attempt to predict the appearance locations.
A few days later, Wi Cheongyeong submitted a systematically organized booklet of collected and refined information to Bu Eunseol. Bu Eunseol organically connected the fragmented pieces of information, cross-referenced and verified them against acquired data, and extracted only the reliable information.
“Have all the captains and members analyze the organized information once again.”
The data Bu Eunseol had selected was immediately distributed to all captains and martial artists of the Death Spirit Corps, the Supreme Division, and the Death Shadow Corps.
Each added their own insight and judgment.
When Bu Eunseol’s heavenly stratagem-level wisdom combined with the power of the talented strategists assisting him, the secret of how the Moving Treasury moved finally began to take shape.
“It was an ancient formation.”
After reading all the reported booklets, Bu Eunseol reached a conclusion.
“It is similar to what Han Sangja used in the past.”
In the past, Han Sangja had combined ancient sorcery, formations, and feng shui to connect formation functions hundreds of li away in order to meet the Covenantor privately.
The Moving Treasury was not actually a giant ship that moved. It was clearly revealing itself as if moving by using connected sorcery and formations in various places.
“So that was it.”
After thinking for a long time, Bu Eunseol walked to the large map in his office.
After endless investigation and research, he had finally completely understood the secret of the Moving Treasury.
“It does not appear randomly…”
While examining the map of the Central Plains, a brilliant light exploded from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“The Moving Treasury appears before those who possess the desired categories.”
Until now, even countless talented strategists had not known why the Moving Treasury appeared or how it revealed itself.
But Bu Eunseol had uncovered all of its secrets.
‘Using ancient formations to lure specific categories of people.’
The Vajra Demon Ancestor had intentionally floated the Moving Treasury in places where the people he wanted were located, drawing them in.
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