Finally, upon entering the bamboo grove, a large pavilion came into view.
It was the Supreme Pavilion, where Bu Eunseol had previously resided as the Supreme Corps Leader.
The pavilion was ruined, and the exterior was stained with animal excrement.
Watching that sight, Yoo Unryong furrowed his brows.
'It was done intentionally.'
Seon Woojin was a young grandmaster who had strictly walked the path of the orthodox faction. No matter how he had left the Martial Alliance to join the Azure Heaven Alliance, there was no need to abandon a perfectly fine pavilion in this manner.
"Command Lord."
Jin Wuryang spoke to Bu Eunseol inside the carriage.
"Please enter the Supreme Pavilion."
He spoke carefully.
"The Young Alliance Leader is waiting for you."
Bu Eunseol furrowed his brows.
There was no such position as Young Alliance Leader in the Martial Alliance. Even though Baek Museong had formally ascended to the position of the next Alliance Leader and handled a portion of the alliance affairs, his position should still be the Martial Heaven Division Commander.
Yet, to think they had absurdly created the position of Young Alliance Leader?
At that moment, Jin Wuryang spoke to Yoo Unryong.
"Would the Captain please wait in the Reception Pavilion with this Pavilion Leader for a moment?"
"Understood."
As Yoo Unryong departed with Jin Wuryang, the carriage door opened, and Bu Eunseol slowly revealed himself.
His eyes narrowed as he looked up at the Supreme Pavilion.
It was a familiar door that he had entered countless times during his days as Seon Woojin. As the Supreme Corps Leader, he had accomplished numerous tasks here, and it was also the place where he had gained subordinates more precious than his own life.
As if containing all sorts of hardships from a brief period of time, seeing the hand-stained door brought forth a strange sentiment.
"Staring at it will not make the door open."
At that moment, a low voice echoed from the inside.
"Come in."
It was a truly missed voice.
The Golden True Dragon, Baek Museong.
It was the clear and transparent voice of the present, possessing the brightest and most hopeful appearance.
As Bu Eunseol pushed the door open and stepped inside, the messy interior came into view, along with old tables and furniture. In front of the window where a faint light filtered through, a dignified man wearing the Martial Heaven Division Commander uniform, which perfectly blended white and blue, stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Baek Museong.
He was the next-generation master who had gone from Martial Heaven Division Commander to now the next Martial Alliance Leader.
'Does he not remember?'
Seeing Baek Museong's calm expression, an indescribable, miserable feeling welled up inside him.
Even the fact that he had caused the tribulation at Phoenix Valley not long ago, and even the fact that he had been beaten by him until his soul nearly left his body…
His gaze and expression showed that he did not remember anything at all.
'Let us not provoke him.'
If he followed his impulses, he wanted to knock him down, drag him out of this place, and help him recover his original memories.
But he could not do that now.
There was absolutely no method to restore his memories. Above all, it was a situation where he had no idea what Baek Museong was actually doing, or who else besides Chu So was behind him.
He could not act rashly.
"Martial Soul Command Lord."
As Baek Museong showed courtesy, Bu Eunseol snapped out of his thoughts and politely returned the gesture.
"Congratulations, Young Alliance Leader."
"Haha, that is merely a term coined by the subordinates to flatter this Division Commander."
Baek Museong waved his hand.
"There is no such official position as Young Alliance Leader in our alliance."
Bu Eunseol furrowed his brows. The subordinates would not randomly create and attach the term Young Alliance Leader on their own.
However, without pressing the matter, he looked around and asked, "Why did you leave a perfectly good place behind and invite this Command Lord to a crumbling, abandoned pavilion?"
Baek Museong displayed a bright smile.
"In the eyes of the Command Lord, this place might be nothing more than a crumbling, abandoned pavilion... but to this Division Commander, it is a very special place."
Baek Museong narrowed his eyes like crescent moons.
"Because this is the place where the rival whom this Division Commander cherished most, and also found most difficult, used to stay."
"A rival, is it?"
"Do you know Corps Leader Seon?"
"Are you speaking of the Sword King, Seon Woojin, who held the position of Chief of Investigations in the Martial Alliance but left to become the Supreme Corps Leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance?"
"That is correct, you know him well."
Baek Museong nodded his head.
"Despite originating from the merchant world, he lacked nothing in terms of martial arts, strategy, insight, and organizational management skills."
And he calmly continued speaking.
"To be honest, if that friend had remained in the Martial Alliance, the position of the next Alliance Leader would have passed to him."
Pausing his words, Baek Museong stared intently at Bu Eunseol.
Bu Eunseol received that gaze calmly.
"Is not reality what matters most?"
“Reality…”
"I heard that after going to the Azure Heaven Alliance, he has been living quietly, managing an information organization without any notable activities."
And looking around with an indifferent expression, he continued speaking.
"However, did you not become the next leader of the Martial Alliance, which divides the world in half, Division Commander Baek?"
And he added, "Now, Division Commander Baek has risen to a position that cannot even be compared to his. Is there a need to evaluate such a figure so highly?"
Baek Museong laughed lowly.
"I heard that the Martial Soul Command Lord not only has an upright character but is also a man of few words, but seeing you now, you are quite eloquent and speak only words that are very pleasant to hear."
That was an extremely insulting remark and not something to say to a congratulatory envoy.
"Did you not summon me knowing that?"
However, Bu Eunseol skillfully countered.
"I heard that Division Commander Baek requested this Command Lord specifically as the envoy."
"I do not understand what you mean."
Bu Eunseol raised the corners of his lips and said, "I am asking if you summoned me knowing that this Command Lord knows how to choose only pleasant words to say to those who love flattery and superficiality."
Baek Museong wore a blank expression.
He had given a spark and received a firestorm.
The insulting words thrown to make the other uncomfortable had returned magnified.
"Hahaha! Your eloquence is magnificent."
Laughing heartily, Baek Museong gave him a thumbs up.
"Since coming out into the martial world, it is the first time I have been cursed at so refreshingly by someone."
"I am glad you are satisfied."
As Bu Eunseol showed a faint smile, Baek Museong nodded his head.
"Very well. I shall speak honestly without beating around the bush."
And with a serious expression, he spoke.
"Martial Soul Command Lord, you are making a name for yourself in the martial world, but I am aware that you are actually not very welcomed by the core members of Majeon. Furthermore, you are facing considerable difficulties as you clash with various secret factions of the martial world."
As Bu Eunseol's eyes grew cold, Baek Museong revealed his white teeth and showed a refreshing smile.
"Do not misunderstand. It means this Division Commander is in the same position."
He wore a meaningful expression.
"This Division Commander is also fighting against factions that have not revealed themselves to the martial world."
And he continued with shocking words.
"While pretending to cooperate with them, I am actually draining their information and power."
Bu Eunseol revealed a surprised expression.
He had just become the next leader of the Martial Alliance. If just a few years passed, he would become the leader who commanded more than the ideal of the Martial Alliance.
Why was he saying such things to himself, who was essentially the leader of a hostile faction?
"You must already know well. That the martial world is no longer divided simply into orthodox and unorthodox."
He pointed at his own chin and spoke.
"And even if this body becomes the Alliance Leader, it means I will merely become a puppet."
Bu Eunseol could not hide his astonishment.
Baek Museong had consistently been involved with the Clear River Realm, and through the events at Phoenix Valley, the fact that he was also cooperating with Chu So had been revealed.
For such a man to bring this up so candidly…
"I do not know why you are saying such things, but..."
Bu Eunseol initially pretended to know nothing, scratching at Baek Museong's inner thoughts.
"I have nothing to discuss with a man who refers to himself as a puppet."
"Hhehehe, they say you are a master of reading faces, and indeed you are skillful."
Baek Museong smiled.
"It is just a manner of speaking. I am merely pretending to be suppressed by them."
"Anyone can claim that, can they not?"
Bu Eunseol constantly provoked Baek Museong.
"Is that why you summoned this Command Lord to these ruins? To ask for help while trapped in the prison called the Martial Alliance, avoiding the eyes of your watchers?"
At that moment, it became quiet as if time had temporarily stopped.
All surrounding sounds suddenly evaporated. And at the center of that silence stood Baek Museong.
He did nothing.
He had merely closed his eyes.
With just that action, he caused all surrounding noises to disappear.
And then, Baek Museong slowly opened his eyes again.
His left eye was a pitch-black abyss, and his right eye flashed with a sacred light that contained the dawn.
In his right eye rested the wisdom encompassing all living things, while in his other eye rested the coldness of a demon that transcended tens of thousands of tribulations.
As Baek Museong's atmosphere shifted, even the silence inside the pavilion carried meaning.
By unifying two disparate existences, he was proving his own existence. Instead of light and darkness devouring each other, they became a perfect single ring.
He became an absolute existence that no one could bring down, a living phenomenon standing alone beneath the heavens.
"Transcendental Unity."
Bu Eunseol was greatly shocked.
Transcendental Unity.
Baek Museong had surely perfected the unification of his two divided personalities, transforming into a transcendental powerhouse. Perhaps this was the true appearance of the Baekri Family, who were said to be born with split personalities.
"Can we continue the conversation now?"
To Baek Museong's question, Bu Eunseol nodded without a second word.
"I acknowledge that you possess the qualifications to negotiate."
The level of unity that Baek Museong had shown just now was overwhelming enough to cause even him, who had faced numerous powerhouses until now, to feel a shudder. That momentum clearly revealed that he had stepped into a transcendental realm, much like the Returning to One Realm Lord or the Demon Emperor, whom he could not even hope to match.
Swoosh.
Baek Museong, who had been pouring out a thrilling energy, returned to his original appearance.
Instantly, Bu Eunseol's eyes narrowed.
'It is not perfect yet.'
Though he was pretending to be calm, his fingertips were trembling minutely.
The Transcendental Unity was not yet perfect, and it was clear that a harsh, massive burden was being added to his physical body.
"If so, it means that while Division Commander Baek pretends to be utilized by a certain faction, in reality, you are absorbing everything of theirs."
Bu Eunseol asked in a low voice.
"Exactly what faction is it that can suppress Division Commander Baek? What do they want from you?"
That was a question he had harbored in his heart all along, and it was also the core clue that could save him. If only the backing behind Baek Museong could be revealed, a path to rescue him from the quagmire of the demonic hand would open.
"Why would that matter?"
However, Baek Museong avoided answering and shifted the topic.
"Whether you and I can join hands is what matters most."
"Must I not know in order to join hands?"
"This Division Commander has candidly shown you all the cards I can show."
Baek Museong spoke calmly.
"If you intend to divert the conversation or dig for information to uncover more of this Division Commander's bottom line, the conversation is over."
Bu Eunseol nodded his head.
"Now I shall listen to Division Commander Baek's proposal."
"Cooperate with this Division Commander. And let us strike the enemies together."
Such a proposal was absolutely not something that should come from the mouth of the next leader of the Martial Alliance. If the successor of Majeon and the next leader of the Martial Alliance were in a secret relationship? If this fact were revealed?
They would absolutely never be able to live while stepping on the land of the Central Plains martial world.
'It could be a trap.'
If it became known that he had agreed to such a proposal from Baek Museong, Bu Eunseol would lose not only his position as the Martial Soul Command Lord but could also become the public enemy of the demonic martial world.
"Exactly how do you propose we join hands?"
However, Bu Eunseol dragged the time leisurely.
Baek Museong's unified form had reached a level capable of wagering a decisive battle against any powerhouse. There would be no need for him to lay a trap with such a petty scheme.
"First, honestly reveal your identity."
"Identity?"
A completely unexpected response returned.
Staring intently into Bu Eunseol's eyes, Baek Museong asked with an incomparably serious expression.
"Are you Seon Woojin?"
In an instant, countless pieces of information and premonitions began to flash through Bu Eunseol's mind.
However, suppressing it with an effort, he shook his head.
"To think this Command Lord is Seon Woojin."
"You had better answer well."
Baek Museong spoke with a highly serious expression.
"Because depending on that answer, everything will change."
"Speak clearly."
"I heard that you are Seon Woojin."
Baek Museong stared intently at Bu Eunseol with eyes like a lion and spoke.
"If you are Seon Woojin, I can trust you."
Baek Museong had been on very good terms with Seon Woojin since his days as a low-ranking Division Commander, and the two were rivals whose minds connected. Although he had not achieved a complete victory over Seon Woojin, Baek Museong had consistently trusted Seon Woojin.
"This Command Lord is not Seon Woojin."
Baek Museong spoke in a strict voice.
"This Division Commander already warned you. That depending on this answer, everything changes."
And he continued in a low voice.
"Whether we shall swallow the factions that divide the world with this Division Commander, or whether we shall return to an irreversible hostile relationship. This answer will be the path where things diverge."
'To make all decisions based on the answer of being Seon Woojin... I see.'
Originally, negotiation was a method where one did not reveal all inner thoughts, but slowly completed it while exchanging mutual opinions.
A figure of Baek Museong's caliber could not possibly be ignorant of that principle, yet to conclude the proposal with such a firm notification?
"I cannot understand."
In the end, Bu Eunseol went with playing ignorance once more.
"If this Command Lord were the Sword King Seon Woojin, that would truly be a bizarre event to remain in the history of martial arts."
"Regrettable."
Baek Museong also shook his head.
"Martial Soul Command Lord, as of today, you become this Division Commander's number one target for assassination."
To think a target of negotiation would become the number one target for assassination merely because he was not Seon Woojin?
'Was it bait?'
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh inwardly.
'He still considers Seon Woojin a romantic rival and intends to claim Gongsun Dankyung.'
Baek Museong must have surely contacted the Martial Venerable as well.
Perhaps the Martial Venerable had revealed that the identity of the Martial Soul Command Lord was Seon Woojin, proposing to invite him as an envoy to plot a petty scheme.
And Baek Museong's ultimate goal was eventually Gongsun Dankyung.
What other reason could there be?
Even if he were a spy of the Martial Alliance, there was no longer even a need to know the identity of Seon Woojin, who was now quietly leading only an information organization in the Azure Heaven Alliance.
'So he had been utilized all along.'
With Baek Museong's wisdom and insight, he could sufficiently handle the situation under any circumstances.
Despite that, the fact that he had handled various matters while being utilized by them… It must have been to breakthrough the obstacle of an affection that did not go according to his wishes.
"I do not know why you asked such a question, but..."
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
"It is extremely unpleasant."
If Baek Museong were leading a grand scheme, or if he intended to take revenge on those who made him a puppet?
He would have cooperated with him no matter what danger he had to endure.
But what Baek Museong truly desired was neither the position of the Martial Alliance Leader nor revenge against the faction that trifled with him.
He wanted to possess Gongsun Dankyung. Only that.
Ultimately, Baek Museong could not become a figure who stood shoulder to shoulder with him to lead a grand scheme.
"Are you serious?"
As Baek Museong asked coldly,
"I cannot comprehend it at all." Bu Eunseol snorted. "If you intended not to believe whatever words were said anyway, why did you summon this Command Lord in the first place?"
Baek Museong, who maintained silence while glaring at Bu Eunseol for a long time, turned around coldly.
"There are no more words to share. Return."
Looking at that back, Bu Eunseol sighed quietly.
Baek Museong was surely a clever figure with a broad mind. However, the moment he realized that he could not obtain Gongsun Dankyung, he became a completely different person.
Even though he possessed the power to rule the world by unifying his personalities, his mind was filled only with Gongsun Dankyung.
"At any rate, congratulations."
Bu Eunseol calmly showed courtesy as the envoy of Majeon.
"I hope you achieve what you intend."
And he slowly turned his body.
"Martial Soul Command Lord."
Baek Museong spoke coldly while looking at the back of the departing Bu Eunseol.
"You will never become the Palace Master of Majeon."
"I hear that often."
Turning his head, Bu Eunseol smiled.
"This Command Lord also agrees with that thought."
Bu Eunseol immediately stepped outside.
Then, in the two eyes of Baek Museong who was staring out the window, a black mist was blooming thickly.
"Even the biological response is perfect."
The face of Baek Museong, who let out an infinitely low and cracking voice, had returned to his appearance when he visited Phoenix Valley.
"To the point where it is absolutely impossible to doubt..."
Before long, even his eyes and skin tone had subtly changed.
"Nevertheless, the probability that the Martial Soul Command Lord is Seon Woojin is over eighty percent."
Baek Museong, whose face had changed, spoke coldly.
"Once the Azure Heaven Alliance is brought down, that fellow will crawl out anyway."
Turning his body, he spoke in a low voice.
"Until then, you must stay inside."
With those words as the end, Baek Museong returned to his peaceful appearance once again.
Not only had he forcibly divided his personalities and unified them once more, but through the exchange between the two personalities, he had become able to possess superhuman martial arts and insight.
"The Captain is drinking tea and sharing a conversation with the Chief Strategist."
As Bu Eunseol emerged from the Supreme Pavilion, the waiting Reception Pavilion Leader, Jin Wuryang, bowed his head politely.
"And the Hidden Forest Pavilion Leader is requesting the Command Lord."
'Mok Do-in.'
It was a strange thing.
The Martial Venerable knew his identity.
Since he had come to the Martial Alliance under the identity of the Martial Soul Lord, he thought that the Martial Venerable would naturally provoke him in some way or plot various things.
But the Martial Venerable did not reveal himself at all.
Rather, unexpected figures were continuing to call upon him, as if they had been waiting for his visit.
"Are you referring to the Solitary Enlightenment Hall?"
"He requested you to the Hidden Forest Pavilion."
The Solitary Enlightenment Hall, which was filled with numerous secret manuals and books, was a place where even the core members of the Martial Alliance could never enter without permission.
Therefore, Mok Do-in had summoned Bu Eunseol to the Hidden Forest Pavilion where he resided.
"Very well. Lead the way."
Following Jin Wuryang's guidance, Bu Eunseol entered the office inside the Hidden Forest Pavilion.
"The Martial Soul Command Lord has arrived."
At Jin Wuryang's words, the door to the office opened on its own.
With that, the warrior bowed his head and disappeared.
As Bu Eunseol stepped inside the open door, an truly black and boundless space unfolded. An extremely small-scale restriction, which he had never seen before, was unfolded inside the office.
"Greetings."
At that moment, Mok Do-in slowly revealed himself from the darkness.
"It has been a long time."
He had never met Mok Do-in under the identity of the Martial Soul Command Lord. Yet, he was very naturally extending a greeting of it being a long time to Bu Eunseol.
"It seems so."
Staring intently into Mok Do-in's transparent gaze, Bu Eunseol spoke with a deep sigh.
"Are you a figure of the Sacred Domain?"
"Oh."
Mok Do-in let out an exclamation.
"Martial Soul Command Lord, you always surprise people."
He asked with an expression dying of curiosity.
"Exactly how did you see through this old man's identity?"
In fact, it was a very easy matter.
In the Sacred Domain, there was a disguise technique, a Black Secret Arts, that no expert could recognize. Right now, Mok Do-in was looking at Bu Eunseol with the exact same gaze he had used when looking at Seon Woojin in the past.
In other words, if there was a disguise technique in the Sacred Domain that no one could notice, there would naturally also exist a method that could easily see through a mere disguise technique of the martial world.
He had known his identity all along, and since he had been hiding that fact, he could ultimately only be a figure of the Sacred Domain.
"It seems you have no intention of hiding it anyway."
It was still unknown what kind of figure Mok Do-in was.
Bu Eunseol spoke while hiding the fact that he knew the Black Secret Arts.
"In the first place, you have a gaze that recognizes me."
Bu Eunseol continued.
"Despite knowing all my identities, those who do not stop this Command Lord's work, as if watching a fire across the river, are only the figures of the Sacred Domain."
Mok Do-in nodded his head and laughed.
"You were always clever. There is no need to say anything twice."
He calmly admitted to being a figure of the Sacred Domain.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol realized a fact that he had failed to think of until now.
"Then they must have been in Majeon all along as well."
"A figure of the Sacred Domain, you mean?"
In fact, it was an incredibly obvious principle.
If the Hidden Forest Pavilion Leader Mok Do-in, who had been involved with the Martial Alliance for a long time, was a figure of the Sacred Domain?
There was no room for doubt that there was a corresponding figure of the Sacred Domain in Majeon as well.
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