“Assassins.”
The Martial Alliance escorts frowned upon spotting the men in black and spoke to Yoo Unryong.
“Pay them no mind and keep driving.”
They split their subordinates in half. One group continued escorting the carriage Yoo Unryong was driving, while the other broke formation to deal with the assassins.
But that was not the end.
Another forty or so assassins suddenly burst out from the direction the carriage was heading.
The assassins began pouring out hidden weapons.
The Martial Alliance warriors deflected the projectiles, but their numbers were overwhelming. In the end, countless hidden weapons began embedding into the carriage.
When Yoo Unryong, seated at the coachman’s position, grimaced,
Whiiiir.
A round barrier unfolded around the carriage.
He had raised his inner energy and wrapped the entire carriage in protective strong energy.
Protective strong energy only reduced the power of martial techniques accompanied by true energy. It did not actually create a solid wall. However, Yoo Unryong’s cultivation level was extraordinary, making the barrier strong enough to deflect the raining hidden weapons.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
Before long, the hidden weapons thrown by the assassins were mixed with powerful explosive fire weapons.
Eventually, the explosions nullified the protective strong energy.
Papapak!
Countless hidden weapons stuck into the carriage and the horses’ armor like porcupine quills.
“It seems we need to stop the carriage and deal with them.”
At Yoo Unryong’s shout, Bu Eunseol, seated inside the carriage, shook his head.
“Leave them. They are deliberately trying to provoke us.”
“Provoke?”
“They know full well that unless they bring unit-level forces or use ancient secret arts like the Mind World, they cannot stop us.”
He was right.
There was no way they would send only a few dozen assassins to deal with the Martial Soul Command Lord, whose name shook the entire martial world.
“Yet they still sent assassins and poured explosive projectiles. Their goal is to make me personally kill them and stain my hands with blood.”
Bu Eunseol continued in a low voice.
“We are currently heading to the auspicious occasion of the next Martial Alliance Leader’s birth upon invitation. Moreover, I carry the title of Righteous Within Demonic…”
He continued calmly while leisurely looking out the window.
“If I arrive covered in blood in front of all the Martial Alliance members, what will the martial artists think?”
Yoo Unryong nodded.
A title was like a martial artist’s face in the martial world.
Bu Eunseol had long performed many righteous deeds, and the image of him as a chivalrous man from the demonic path was firmly planted in the minds of martial world people.
However, because he rarely appeared in public, very few had confirmed the truth.
But if he arrived drenched in blood at the celebration for the next Martial Alliance Leader?
Not only would his prestige fall, but the favorable view of him as a chivalrous hero that the martial world had long held would shatter in an instant.
“Despicable.”
“There is nothing particularly despicable about it.”
Bu Eunseol snorted and raised his inner energy.
“From their perspective, they do not want to miss such a golden opportunity.”
Suddenly, the carriage Yoo Unryong was driving rose entirely into the sky.
He had used terrifying inner energy to lift the carriage upward.
Swish!
The assassins began flying after the carriage.
But the carriage was ascending endlessly.
One hundred zhang, two hundred zhang, and finally three hundred zhang. The assassins began falling back to the ground one by one.
No matter how great their martial arts were, they were not capable of true flight.
“Amazing.”
As the carriage soared freely through the sky, Yoo Unryong, seated at the coachman’s position, opened his mouth in awe.
Once one’s inner energy exceeded six cycles, one could perform terrestrial flight and soar through the sky, but even he could not fly endlessly like a bird.
His flight time was limited to roughly one quarter of an hour.
If he wanted to fly longer, he would have to descend and take off again.
Yet Bu Eunseol, without moving a single finger inside the carriage, was making the heavy eight-horse carriage soar through the sky as if it were weightless.
Such inner energy was an unprecedented level throughout martial world history.
“Do you plan to go all the way to the Martial Alliance like this?”
He regretted speaking the moment the words left his mouth.
Bu Eunseol was currently exerting his full power, so he probably could not answer.
“I cannot.”
Contrary to his expectation, a calm reply came back.
“If I fly the carriage straight to the vicinity of the Martial Alliance, they will attack immediately even if the Vice Lord of Majeon is riding in it.”
Yoo Unryong swallowed hard.
It was not out of fear of the Martial Alliance’s attack.
Rather, it was because the terrifying inner energy radiating from Bu Eunseol felt almost unreal.
There were people in the martial world with supernatural powers, but even they had clear limits when exerting their strength. Yet Bu Eunseol was constantly breaking through walls and reaching new realms as if he had no limits.
Shuuuuu.
Finally, upon entering the Namman area where the Martial Alliance was located, Bu Eunseol slowly lowered the carriage floating in the air back to the ground.
“Hya!”
The moment the carriage touched the ground, Yoo Unryong gripped the reins tightly and picked up speed again.
The carriage sped forward with the sound of wheels cutting across the official road.
After running for quite some time, Yoo Unryong’s eyes widened at the sight in the distance.
‘That is…’
A massive market had been set up in the open area in front of the Heavenly Justice Gate, which led to the Martial Alliance.
Because countless martial artists had flocked to the Martial Alliance to celebrate the selection of the next leader, all kinds of stalls and booths had opened near the Heavenly Justice Gate.
Northern sea icefish, southern savage spices, western region silks, and even Cheonchuk’s luminous pearls.
Along with the noisy sounds of bargaining, the delicious smells of food from the stalls filled the air.
But that was not why Yoo Unryong was surprised.
It was because a large number of martial artists were standing along the wide road stretching through the market.
‘They are blocking the road to force us to get off the carriage.’
The people blocking the wide market road included both righteous path and demonic path figures.
They were all individuals who hated the Martial Soul Command Lord and had come to witness the shabby sight of Bu Eunseol attending the Martial Alliance alone after receiving an invitation.
Clack. Clack.
The black imperial carriage carrying Bu Eunseol was densely embedded with countless hidden weapons like a porcupine, with only the twin dragon emblem flag of Majeon fluttering intact.
Ho ho ho.
Their eyes were filled with nothing but vile mockery.
Upon seeing the pitiful state of the carriage, the martial artists raised the corners of their mouths.
—Oh my, the most noble person in the world has arrived!
—The prestige of the Grand Master is truly impressive! Quite a sight!
—Uhahaha!
They deliberately raised their voices and mocked Bu Eunseol.
The successor of Majeon, who had monopolized the Ten-Thousand-Li Treasure Ship and earned the hatred of both the righteous and demonic paths, was heading toward the Martial Alliance in such a shabby and miserable state?
As the carriage slowly approached,
Ssssssk.
The martial artists began blatantly blocking the road.
‘The Martial Alliance is pulling tricks.’
A chilling cold energy flowed from Yoo Unryong’s entire body.
No matter how bold they were, there was no way they would dare provoke the Martial Soul Command Lord, whose fame shook the world. They must have been instructed by the Martial Alliance to wait at the Heavenly Justice Gate, block the carriage, and force Bu Eunseol to get off and walk the rest of the way to the Martial Alliance.
If he walked to the Martial Alliance in front of countless spectators, the reputation he had built up until now would plummet to the ground.
“Clear the way!”
Yoo Unryong raised his inner energy and unleashed a thunderous lion’s roar, but the crowd only giggled without even sparing him a glance.
‘These bastards?’
Flames ignited in Yoo Unryong’s eyes.
If they were determined to block the road, Bu Eunseol would have no choice but to get off the carriage.
He could not mercilessly slaughter them just for blocking the road.
‘If I had known this would happen, I should not have yielded on bringing Death Shadow Corps warriors.’
Originally, Yoo Unryong had tried to bring all the Death Shadow Corps warriors as escorts, but half of them were intelligence agents who could not be exposed externally. The remaining one hundred and fifty warriors would only damage the Martial Soul Command Lord’s dignity.
“Whoa, whoa.”
In the end, Yoo Unryong stopped the carriage.
‘Fine.’
Flames burned in his eyes.
‘Even if I’m called the greatest demonic head in the world, I will slaughter all of you!’
A blue killing intent surged from Yoo Unryong’s body.
Rather than let Bu Eunseol enter the Martial Alliance in such a shabby state, he would kill them all and become a public enemy of the martial world himself.
Piiiiii!
But at that moment, a long flash of light shot up into the sky from above,
Booooong!
Colorful fireworks bloomed across the sky, forming the shape of a massive twin dragon emblem symbolizing Majeon.
Welcome the Martial Soul Command Lord!
Along with earth-shaking cheers,
Rumble!
The guests staying in the market, the merchant caravans that had been waiting, and the vendors running the stalls all began rushing forward at once.
The merchants selling silk threw the fabric spread out into the air. The colorful silk disappeared, replaced by pitch-black Majeon flags fluttering in the wind. The wooden boxes that had contained medicinal herbs shattered with a single kick, revealing not herbs but sharply forged weapons. When the lids of the liquor barrels loaded on the merchants’ carts were opened, what emerged were not liquor but massive drums and war horns.
Boom! Boom boom boom! Puuuuuu—!
Instead of noisy exorcism sounds, the ground-shaking drumbeats and heart-piercing horn sounds rang out past the Heavenly Justice Gate and all the way to the Martial Alliance.
The Nangyang Pavilion warriors, who had been disguised as marketplace crowds, tore off their shabby clothes to reveal their robust muscles.
The old men from the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect who had been selling medicinal herbs straightened their backs and regained the dignity of great demonic experts.
The beauties from the Affectionate Blossom Sect instantly lined up in perfect rows on both sides of the path Bu Eunseol would pass and knelt as one.
As thousands of warriors moved in perfect unison, the once peaceful market instantly transformed into a majestic ceremonial ground displaying the grand procession of the demonic path.
And the one who had disguised himself as the head of a merchant caravan—Hyeok Sojin, the young master of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect—walked forward and respectfully bowed before Bu Eunseol, opening the path.
“Command Lord, we will escort you on your way to the Martial Alliance.”
The warriors who had been blocking the road fell silent.
—The Martial Soul Command Lord had the experts of the Ten Great Demonic Sects disguised as merchants to establish his authority!
The martial artists could not hide their shock.
To completely deceive the eyes and ears of the Martial Alliance, and to prevent any damage to the Martial Soul Command Lord’s dignity, the experts of the Ten Great Demonic Sects had willingly worn lowly clothing and waited here for days on end.
Tremble.
The martial artists who had been mocking Bu Eunseol just moments ago could not even look at them and lowered their heads.
Bu Eunseol did not kill innocent warriors, but the experts of the Ten Great Demonic Sects gathered here were different.
If they made even the slightest mistake, he would gouge out their eyes.
Step.
In the end, the martial artists had no choice but to bow their heads deeply, almost prostrating themselves as if greeting an emperor’s procession.
Thududududu.
At that moment, accompanied by the sound of the ground shaking, dozens of mounted warriors came galloping forward.
They were the warriors of the Reception Pavilion, responsible for receiving honored guests arriving at the Martial Alliance for this event.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord has arrived?”
They had originally intended to appear with great momentum.
Their superiors had told them that the Martial Soul Command Lord was coming with only his close aide, and that the road would be blocked by numerous righteous and demonic path martial artists at the Heavenly Justice Gate.
But when they actually rushed over upon his arrival, fireworks were exploding in the sky and countless martial artists were lined up respectfully, watching his procession.
Clack clack.
The imperial carriage was approaching head-on.
Originally, the Reception Pavilion warriors had planned to remain mounted while forcing the Martial Soul Command Lord to walk along the road to create a humiliating scene.
‘Damn it.’
Now they had no choice but to strictly escort the sides of the Martial Soul Command Lord’s carriage in accordance with this solemn ceremony.
“I am Jin Wuryang, Head of the Reception Pavilion.”
As Jin Wuryang stepped forward at the lead and saluted,
“What magnificent hospitality.”
Hyeok Sojin, who had been leading Bu Eunseol’s procession at the front, spoke coldly to Jin Wuryang.
“Is it the custom of the Martial Alliance to greet honored guests while looking down on them from horseback?”
Jin Wuryang bit his lip.
Since the Martial Soul Command Lord was inside the carriage, he had planned to give a slight salute and only escort the sides of the carriage to avoid damaging his dignity. But because Hyeok Sojin, the young master of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, was stepping forward like a guide, he had no choice but to dismount.
“That would never be the case.”
Jin Wuryang forced a smile, dismounted, and saluted.
“On behalf of the Martial Alliance…”
He tried to offer a formal, perfunctory greeting.
But at that moment, a violet light surged deep within Hyeok Sojin’s eyes.
The moment he met that light, Jin Wuryang felt his entire body’s hairs stand on end, along with an instinctive sense of crisis rising from deep within.
Stagger.
The moment he unconsciously tried to step back,
Crack…
The ground beneath his feet began to split open as if alive.
At the same time, a cold metallic energy rose from the earth, and a razor-sharp killing intent tightened around his windpipe.
Divine Rift Demon Energy.
The true energy martial art of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, known as the greatest demonic auxiliary art in the martial world, was spreading like a storm.
“If you do not show proper respect from now on, you will die.”
After all, the Martial Alliance had started this first.
They had devised a meticulous scheme to humiliate Bu Eunseol and had deliberately placed numerous warriors who held grudges against the Martial Soul Command Lord in front of the Heavenly Justice Gate. Even if Hyeok Sojin cut his throat for failing to show proper respect, the Martial Alliance would have nothing to say.
“Reception Pavilion Head, Jin Wuryang.”
Having realized this, Jin Wuryang prostrated himself and bowed deeply.
“On behalf of the Martial Alliance, we respectfully welcome the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
As Jin Wuryang knelt, the warriors of the Reception Pavilion also hurriedly dismounted and knelt.
Hyeok Sojin, looking down at the kneeling Reception Pavilion Head, turned around and smiled brightly toward the carriage carrying Bu Eunseol as he saluted.
“Command Lord. Since the servants of the Martial Alliance have come out to greet you, this little brother will now take his leave.”
At those words, Yoo Unryong, seated at the coachman’s position, felt a hot surge of emotion well up inside him.
Hyeok Sojin.
Bu Eunseol’s sworn brother had anticipated that Bu Eunseol would attend alone and had personally persuaded the Nangyang Pavilion and the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
He had successfully infiltrated forces disguised as merchants and peddlers into the marketplace right under the nose of the Martial Alliance.
Of course, this would have been impossible with only the power of the three demonic sects.
He had secretly borrowed the strength of all factions supporting Bu Eunseol—including legendary external forces like the North Sea Ice Palace and the Divine Beast Palace, as well as the Thunder Spirit Sect, Blood Flame Blade Sect, and the Sword Pavilion.
“Hmm.”
A low voice flowed from inside the carriage.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Hyeok Sojin had willingly worn shabby clothes and played the role of a servant to establish Bu Eunseol’s dignity. Knowing his deep intention, Bu Eunseol deliberately remained inside the carriage and gave a short reply in a dignified voice.
“Then.”
When Bu Eunseol acknowledged his intention, Hyeok Sojin showed a satisfied smile and bowed respectfully.
He then led the experts of the demonic sects and quietly withdrew from the Namman area.
Creeeeak.
The gates of the Martial Alliance opened wide for the carriage to pass.
The imperial carriage bearing the Majeon flag entered proudly.
The Reception Pavilion warriors strictly escorted the carriage, preventing even Martial Alliance members from approaching within thirty feet. Moreover, it seemed they intended to ride the carriage all the way to the Heaven and Earth Pavilion where the Alliance Leader resided, as they continued heading deep into the inner court.
This level of treatment was practically the same as the ceremonial reception given to the Vice Lord of Majeon.
‘They changed their plan.’
Yoo Unryong’s eyes flashed from the coachman’s seat.
No matter how high-ranking Jin Wuryang was as the Reception Pavilion Head, he did not have the authority to allow a carriage directly into the Heaven and Earth Pavilion. The Martial Alliance leadership must have received a report about the situation near the Heavenly Justice Gate and changed their plan, ordering that Bu Eunseol be received with respect and solemnity.
Clack clack.
But something was strange.
Instead of heading toward the Heaven and Earth Pavilion where the congratulatory envoy procession was lined up, Jin Wuryang was leading them toward the western gate of the Martial Alliance.
After traveling for some time, a lush bamboo forest came into view.
It was the bamboo forest where the newly built Supreme Corps pavilion was located—the one Bu Eunseol had spent a great deal of money to construct during his time as Supreme Corps Leader.
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