At Bu Eunseol's words, Mok Do-in fell silent, but his gaze and demeanor spoke volumes.
They spoke of the fact that a figure of the Sacred Domain existed within Majeon as well as if they were discussing the weather.
"The Sacred Domain is deeply involved in the affairs of the martial world."
Previously, when the Martial Soul Society successfully repelled the invasion of the Baekri Family and the subordinates of the True Demon, the old man in charge of the Covenant within the Sacred Domain recognized the Martial Soul Society as a neutral region called Middle Heaven. In this manner, he was significantly involved in the affairs of the martial world beyond the covenant itself.
Furthermore, when he perceived the secret that Bu Eunseol was a descendant of both the Baekri Family and the True Demon, he requested him not to reveal that fact to anyone and told him to survive until the end.
To think that figures of the Sacred Domain had also taken root within the orthodox-unorthodox alliance forces that divided the world in half…
"You simply watch everything unfold as though you are unaffected by it."
"Is not the situation of the martial world ultimately a fight between the two great forces?"
Mok Do-in spoke with a calm expression.
"Rather than merely observing, it is a matter of vigilance. It is to prevent things in advance before something erupts."
"Is the Sacred Domain the supreme ruler of the martial world? Who granted you such authority?"
Mok Do-in shook his head.
"Numerous factions have emerged in the martial world, but in the end, they merely vanish in vain. History has always repeated itself."
Letting out a sigh, he continued speaking.
"This Domain does not involve itself in any matters other than balancing the martial world; we merely watch over it."
"Merely watch over it, is it."
Bu Eunseol snorted.
"Those are arrogant words, and a lie at that."
"A lie?"
"In the past, I met a person called the Inbiin Lord."
Bu Eunseol's gaze turned cold.
"He concerned himself with and interfered in all sorts of martial world affairs, yet he uttered the nonsense that he was merely throwing dice."
At the sharp words, Mok Do-in's complexion turned cold.
You claim to be merely watching, yet you are interfering in all sorts of affairs in the martial world.
That’s what Bu Eunseol was saying
'Perhaps the figures of the Sacred Domain active in the martial world do not move with one mind and one body.'
Looking at the silent Mok Do-in, Bu Eunseol's eyes flashed.
If they were a faction united under a single opinion, the old man of the Sacred Domain from before would have said something like 'You may trust the people of this Realm' or 'This Realm will actively assist you,' but no.
'In other words, the figures of the Sacred Domain each have their own assigned domains, and they do not encroach upon one another.'
At first, he thought the Sacred Domain was a large-scale sect possessing massive power. However, thinking back on it now, it seemed as though the figures of the Sacred Domain were embedded throughout the martial world like inspectors traveling in secret, executing their respective goals and missions entirely alone.
'It was the same within the True Demon kin.'
Even though an incredibly important event from the perspective of the Baekri Family and the True Demon occurred—the seizing of the new bloodlines—they merely sent a single subordinate each.
"As I said, this Domain does not step forward unless it is a fight between the Baekri Family and the True Demon."
Whether he felt he had been insulted, Mok Do-in spoke coldly after a long silence.
"And if you had not struck down the Vajra Demon Sect, we would have had no reason to face each other like this."
"Is it because if the Vajra Demon Sect dies, the Ten Great Immortals die along with them?"
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
"Or is it because the two lineages were born with the power of the origin that can cause chaos among the people of the martial world? Because they themselves are connected to the Demonic and the Orthodox, thereby exerting an influence on the True Demon or the Baekri Family?"
In an instant, Mok Do-in's face hardened rigidly.
He had never even imagined that Bu Eunseol would be aware of such facts.
"Did you kill them even while knowing that?"
"I found out after killing them."
"How did you know?"
Mok Do-in's gaze turned ice-cold.
"There is no way they would have confessed."
"I am not a person of the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eunseol snorted.
"I do not believe there is a need to confess even that much to you."
"I do not think this is the time to display your pride."
A sharp light flashed within Mok Do-in's eyes.
"Have you forgotten that this old man holds the hilt of the sword? Thanks to whom do you think you were able to act as a spy here for so long?"
In a word, it meant that he had gathered all the evidence of Bu Eunseol acting as a spy here as Seon Woojin. It was a threat saying that if he offended his feelings, he could spread that information throughout the entire martial world.
Bu Eunseol was the successor of Majeon.
If such a fact became known, he would lose him footing in the martial world.
Holding his forehead, Bu Eunseol burst into a wild laughter that seemed as if it would shake the entire room. Stopping his laughter, a deep and dark blood-red light surfaced in his eyes.
"Go ahead and wield it. It sounds rather entertaining."
Mok Do-in closed his mouth.
Didn’t the appearance of Bu Eunseol laughing maniacally look like the final tribulation that brought ruin to the world?
'This old man became far too heated.'
Only then did he realize what kind of person Bu Eunseol truly was.
"I shall withdraw those words."
The figures of the Sacred Domain were certainly different in one way or another.
Without any more of his stubborn pride, he immediately shifted the topic.
"Sado Muryeong has wished to kill the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals since a long time ago."
He spoke calmly.
"You were unaware of that and merely thought to strike down the Vajra Demon Sect because they brought harm to the martial world."
"Do you believe the Sacred Domain possesses the qualification to preside over everything?"
Bu Eunseol sent a contemptuous gaze.
"Does it mean that if you give an order, we must unconditionally follow it?"
"It is for the sake of the martial world."
"You people always possess the conviction and certainty that you are superior to the people of the martial world."
"Why are you being so prickly?"
Bu Eunseol spoke as cold as a sheet of ice.
"If you had shared the situation or information from the beginning, we would have conversed amicably. Instead, you merely demanded unconditional obedience. Then, suspecting that I held information regarding the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals, you threatened this Command Lord to confess the source."
Bu Eunseol's voice grew increasingly sharp like the tip of a blade.
"What kind of pleasant conversation can I share with such a person?"
"Have you also not reached a position where you understand the place called the martial world well enough by now?"
Mok Do-in spoke shamelessly on the contrary.
"To stand in an equal relationship, one must prove they possess the corresponding power."
"Does that mean this Command Lord still appears to you as an existence that must follow your orders?"
"Only those in a superior position can show consideration. And this old man has shown plenty of consideration."
Mok Do-in spoke in a low voice.
"For your sake, I turned a blind eye to whatever you did. Do you understand what that means?"
An advantage in information, and consideration.
Mok Do-in knew that Bu Eunseol was Seon Woojin, but Bu Eunseol did not know that Mok Do-in was a figure of the Sacred Domain.
Mok Do-in could have utilized the identity of Seon Woojin, but he did not.
In other words, Mok Do-in held the upper hand over Bu Eunseol, and he had been showing him consideration all along.
"Very well. I shall acknowledge that point."
Bu Eunseol nodded his head.
"Of course, it was not for this Command Lord's sake, but because I did not cross the line."
What if he had done something the Sacred Domain did not desire?
Mok Do-in would have surely imposed a sanction in some manner.
However, since he held the advantage in information and had been overlooking his identity all along, he acknowledged that point.
"Speaking of advantages, there is more."
Mok Do-in wore a confident expression.
"Within this Domain, there resides the power to shatter any disguise in the martial world."
Following his words, his expression turned solemn.
"If you do not listen to the words of this Realm, do not dream of hiding a dual identity like Seon Woojin ever again in the future."
Bu Eunseol felt an indescribable disappointment.
The old man of the Sacred Domain who was in charge of the covenant had been favorable to him and had provided information he had been unaware of without any conditions. Yet, Mok Do-in was threatening him simply because things did not go according to his wishes.
"In short, since the Sacred Domain possesses the ability to see through disguises, you mean to say you can always maintain an advantage in information over this Command Lord."
"It means you should acknowledge that we are not equal."
Mok Do-in's eyes turned fierce.
"Unless you intend to move only under the identity of the Martial Soul Command Lord from now on."
"If you do such a thing, the fact that you are a figure of the Sacred Domain will also be revealed to the entire world."
"That will not happen."
In an instant, Mok Do-in changed his disguise into the appearance of a peddler who frequently traveled in and out of the Martial Alliance.
"No matter what method you use, you will never be able to prove this old man's disguise."
Bu Eunseol finally realized.
The arrogance of the Sacred Domain had to be shattered with arrogance. Only by proving that one possessed an equal capability could one finally converse or negotiate with them.
'Is this the law of the martial world?'
Mok Do-in's words were cold, but they were also the truth. For an equal negotiation, one had to prove they possessed the corresponding capability.
"Why would it not be so?"
Swoosh.
Bu Eunseol also transformed into the exact appearance of Mok Do-in in an instant.
He, too, had utilized the Black Secret Arts.
"How—"
Instantly, the focus disappeared from Mok Do-in's eyes.
How could he effortlessly manifest the Black Secret Arts, which was an art of the Sacred Domain that only a few among the highest leadership could utilize?
"Could it be..."
Mok Do-in shouted as if he had only just realized.
"Are you that rebel!"
The secret art of the Sacred Domain had never been leaked to the outside world.
Except…
A rebel had once stolen the Black Secret Arts and fled. Furthermore, because this secret art allowed one to change into any person regardless of age, he could not help but think of him as that rebel.
Returning to his original appearance, Bu Eunseol spoke to him.
"Are you in your right mind? If I were the rebel you spoke of, would I have manifested the Black Secret Arts right before your eyes?"
Mok Do-in opened and closed his mouth.
He realized he had become far too agitated.
"Exactly how did this happen?"
"I obtained it by chance."
Bu Eunseol calmly spoke about the person who had disguised himself as Hwa Mugi. However, he did not explicitly mention that the person might be Yeop Hyocheon.
"This means you know who he is."
"That depends on how the Pavilion Leader speaks."
Only then did Mok Do-in realize.
Bu Eunseol had held the hilt of the sword all along.
Even under the name of the Sacred Domain, nothing could bind Bu Eunseol.
"Do you trust this old man?"
Mok Do-in asked.
"Revealing that you possess the Black Secret Arts is quite a massive bargaining chip for you."
"Is it not the same for the Pavilion Leader?"
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"Did you not confidently expose yourself because you possessed the confidence that you could transform into anyone and that no one could recognize you?"
"I shall acknowledge it."
Mok Do-in threw up his hands in defeat. He could not help but admit his loss.
"You possess the capability to converse with this old man on equal terms."
Finally, he acknowledged that Bu Eunseol was an equal.
Bu Eunseol nodded his head.
"Then speak once more. What proposal will you make to me?"
"Do not kill the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals."
Mok Do-in spoke calmly.
"As you know, if you kill them, the martial world will fall into massive chaos."
The Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals were born with unique traits that could exert an influence on the people of the martial world who had not tempered their minds. If one killed them indiscriminately, an unimaginable chaos would erupt within the martial world.
'This is an easy gain.'
Bu Eunseol harbored a faint smile.
In the first place, after grasping the entire truth, he had already made up his mind to kill the Seven Great Demon Ancestors but not to kill the Ten Great Immortals.
Moreover, he himself was the Vessel of Antiquity.
If he killed them, figures who inherited the power of the origin would no longer be born. Even if they experienced reincarnation, everything would end with this generation.
'This means there is no one in the Sacred Domain who possesses a power of foresight..'
What if such a figure existed?
They would have predicted all of Bu Eunseol's future actions, and in the first place, they would not have even made such a proposal.
"What is the corresponding price?"
As Bu Eunseol asked while suppressing the leaking smile, Mok Do-in replied.
"Information."
The reason why the Sacred Domain had been able to sway factions all along was partly due to that mysterious power, but above all, it was because they held the advantage in information.
"I shall tell you what you wish to know."
"It is a good proposal, but..."
Bu Eunseol tilted his head slightly.
"There might be a limit to the information you can provide to me. Let us first determine if you can provide the information I desire."
"You mean to say that if I give you acceptable information, you will not touch the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals."
"That is correct."
"But is it possible?"
Mok Do-in wore a doubtful expression.
"Eliminating the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals is also the command of the Demon Emperor."
"As expected, you have your eyes on Majeon as well."
"Answer me. Will you keep the promise even while defying the command of the Demon Emperor?"
"Of course."
Bu Eunseol nodded his head.
"If there is something among the information I desire that you can provide, I shall not take the lives of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals."
"How can I be sure?"
"If I do not keep the promise, you can question me then. Right now, whatever words are spoken, you will not believe me anyway."
Mok Do-in knew well that Bu Eunseol was a figure who kept the words he uttered even if the heavens were to fall.
Pondering for a long time, he nodded his head.
"Ask what you are curious about."
'In any case, he will not be able to divulge anything regarding grandfather's enemy or the Saha Manor.'
Because he had met the old man in charge of the covenant, Bu Eunseol already knew the limits of the information the Sacred Domain could provide in the first place.
Therefore, he asked this.
"Tell me the inside story of why Baek Museong was selected as the successor to the Martial Alliance Leader, the backing behind him, the truth regarding the corpse of the Heavenly Emperor beneath the Solitary Enlightenment Hall, and finally, a clue to find the Artifact of Heaven and Earth."
"What did you say?"
It was an unexpected question.
There was no faction in the martial world that did not know what Bu Eunseol desperately desired was the enemy who harmed Bu Zhanyang. Yet, to suddenly ask for the reason Baek Museong was selected as the next Martial Alliance Leader, the corpse of the Heavenly Emperor, and the whereabouts of the Artifact of Heaven and Earth which had vanished from the martial world a long time ago?
"What you desire should be something else."
"If you had known the enemy who killed grandfather in the first place, you would have been able to utilize me like a puppet from the moment I first entered the martial world."
Bu Eunseol snorted.
"Ultimately, it means the Sacred Domain does not know either, or even if you do know, you are in a position where you cannot speak of it."
Mok Do-in, who had no words to counter, asked again, "Why are you curious about the matters regarding Baek Museong and the Heavenly Emperor? It is not as if you intend to involve yourself in the affairs of the Martial Alliance."
"If you do not wish to speak, let us drop it."
"I understand."
Mok Do-in spoke quickly.
"Those who intended to manipulate Baek Museong were the Martial Venerable and the Martial Alliance of the shadows."
Taking a deep breath, he shook his head.
"Currently, those connected with him are precisely the Clear River Realm, the Heavenly Mechanism Star, and the United Heart Society."
"What does that mean?"
As Bu Eunseol furrowed his brows, Mok Do-in spoke.
"Baek Museong wishes to cooperate with all factions scattered across the martial world. It is to the extent that he approached not only this Domain but also the kin of the True Demon."
In an instant, he recalled the words Baek Museong had spoken.
This Division Commander is also fighting against factions that have not revealed themselves to the martial world. And while pretending to cooperate with them, I am actually draining their information and power.
He was truly making connections with all sorts of factions, and through that, he was gaining power.
In the past, making connections with all sorts of factions would have been entirely impossible. However, in the current martial world, the boundaries between the orthodox and unorthodox had collapsed, and the abyss factions were frantic to obtain the chain of samsara.
Was it not to the extent that even the Demon Emperor was secretly searching for the supreme treasure of the martial world to wipe out the entire orthodox and unorthodox martial world?
"You mean to say they also utilize him while being aware of that point."
"That is correct."
Mok Do-in wore a bitter expression.
"Merely being a survivor of the Saha Manor makes him highly useful. Not only that, but because he is infatuated with a certain woman, he is very easy to utilize."
Ultimately, to save Baek Museong, it was not a matter of eradicating all the backing forces. It was a matter of making him recover his complete memories and making him let go of his obsession with Gongsun Dankyung.
"Though he had no choice but to live that way."
Mok Do-in spoke unexpected words.
"Baek Museong, that man's life is tragic. He has lived enduring a prolonged agony while being utilized as a tool by powerful individuals."
Staring into the empty air, he spoke.
"He made efforts to cast off that shackle, but in the end, he could not escape it. Then, he met Chief Inspector Gongsun."
Mok Do-in let out a deep sigh arising from the depths of his lungs.
"She was the only one who did not view Baek Museong as a tool and understood his heart exactly as it was. Since that day, Chief Inspector Gongsun became an existence in his life that could not be exchanged for anything else."
Following the collapse of the Saha Manor, Baek Museong had to spend indescribably miserable days.
In that desperate life, he met a pure woman named Gongsun Dankyung, and she became an existence akin to a ray of light to him who had fallen into the darkness of despair.
"How do you know his heart so well?"
"At the time he became a cripple and was about to leave the Martial Alliance, I had a private meeting with him."
Mok Do-in spoke calmly.
"To be precise, I read his true intentions through the secret art of this Domain."
Just before leaving the Martial Alliance, a strange energy was felt from Baek Museong. Mok Do-in intuitively felt that he had made some grave resolution, and he realized that if it were not for now, he would never be able to hear his true intentions.
Ultimately, by manifesting the secret art of the Sacred Domain, he had looked into Baek Museong's true heart, which he had never shown to anyone else.
Bu Eunseol bit his lip firmly.
He had not simply lost his mind to a woman and become obsessed. Within an abyss-like despair, a single ray of light finally entered his eyes. To chase that single ray of light, he had endured while embracing a pain akin to death.
"Very well."
Bu Eunseol nodded his head.
Merely finding out Baek Museong's heart was a significant gain.
"The corpse of the Heavenly Emperor inside the Solitary Enlightenment Hall, is it the real one?"
"You must know well that it is a fake."
"Then what happened to the real Heavenly Emperor?"
"I do not know."
Mok Do-in shook his head.
"He lost half of his martial foundation, and his internal energy drastically diminished. Since then, Dan Mok-gi, who was his shadow, has continued to act as the Alliance Leader."
"While interfering in all sorts of affairs, you mean to say you did not investigate that matter?"
"The Heavenly Emperor is the epitome of righteousness and chivalry representing the orthodox faction and performed countless heroic deeds... but he did not properly execute his role as the Alliance Leader."
Mok Do-in explained calmly.
"Whatever the case may be internally, the current martial world is in a state of leading a stable balance. From the moment he continued his secluded meditation for the match against the Demon Emperor, he was excluded from the figures who moved the martial world situation."
In short, the Heavenly Emperor was no longer a figure who received the interest or vigilance of the Sacred Domain.
'It does not seem like he is lying. However...'
The value of the name of the Heavenly Emperor was more important than the current situation of the martial world. Yet, the Sacred Domain judged him like an old relic that had already passed its prime and no longer paid any attention?
"Are you saying it is acceptable for the Martial Venerable to act as the Alliance Leader in that manner?"
"That was not this old man's decision."
Shrugging his shoulders, Mok Do-in shook his head.
"It was the decision of the factions that dominate the Martial Alliance."
He had anticipated it, but it was a surprising answer.
Ultimately, the factions supporting the Martial Alliance had known for a long time that the Martial Venerable was playing the role of the Heavenly Emperor, yet they had tolerated it.
'This requires further investigation.'
Organizing his thoughts, Bu Eunseol spoke again.
"And the Artifact of Heaven and Earth?"
"The Four Divine Artifacts of the martial world are identical to the power of the Four Holy Clans located in Cheonchuk. The lineage of the Artifact of Heaven and Earth was already severed five hundred years ago, but the Four Holy Clans radiated a brilliant light until just two hundred years ago."
"The Four Holy Clans also did not possess a sacred object corresponding to the Artifact of Heaven and Earth."
"Do you mean to say you have already been to Cheonchuk?"
"I asked for a clue to obtain the Artifact of Heaven and Earth."
Pondering for a moment, Mok Do-in soon spoke.
"There are many mysterious treasures in Cheonchuk. And among them, there is a treasure that absolutely allows one to find what they desire."
"Does such a thing exist?"
"That is correct."
"Where is it?"
"Ratna Fortress."
Ratna Fortress was among the factions of Cheonchuk.
In the place ruled by the Moon Queen who possessed mysterious sorcery, perhaps a treasure capable of finding the whereabouts of the Artifact of Heaven and Earth existed.
"However, if you intend to go, it would be best to go quickly."
Mok Do-in snorted.
"Because the situation over there is not favorable."
Those were meaningful words.
"This is the entirety of the information this old man can deliver."
Mok Do-in's eyes flashed.
"Now let us hear your answer."
"There is no need to worry."
Bu Eunseol spoke leisurely.
"Because in the first place, I had no intention of killing the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals."
"Do you mean to say you will rebel against Sado Muryeong?"
"There is no such thing as rebelling or not."
From Bu Eunseol's eyes, a murderous intent fierce enough to melt iron spread out.
"Because I have challenged him."
"Challenged?"
"It is just that currently, our mutual interests happen to align, so we have merely halted the fight."
"What does that mean?"
As if he could not believe it, Mok Do-in scanned Bu Eunseol's face up and down.
"You do not know the true power of Sado Muryeong. Do you perchance believe you can defeat that man?"
"Of course not."
He had merely fallen silent for a brief moment, yet a pressure as if the surrounding air had evaporated and time had stopped was weighing down on the space.
"But I certainly possess the confidence to die along with him."
Mok Do-in opened his mouth like a frozen person.
To think that the existence capable of making such a statement under the heavens was a green youth who had not even reached his thirties?
Mok Do-in had never once imagined such a thing in his entire life.
"Hehehehe, Hahahahaha!"
Mok Do-in could not suppress the laughter bursting out at all.
When had he ever laughed so heartily like this?
To commit a mutual destruction with an absolute master whom even the powerhouses of the abyss factions did not dare to oppose?
'This fellow is the real deal.'
A shudder ran down Mok Do-in's back.
He intuitively knew.
Bu Eunseol could die along with the Demon Emperor.
This fellow was truly a crazy bastard capable of doing exactly that.
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