Whoosh!
As soon as he opened his mouth, a fierce crimson flame burst out from Yu Cheongrim’s lips.
He had hoped it wouldn’t happen, but to think the man would actually stand by and watch him burn to death?
“How can this be?!”
Unable to contain the surging sense of betrayal and rage, he screamed desperately.
“How could you do this to me?! Were all the years we spent together so insignificant?”
Yu Cheongrim continued to bellow at the top of his lungs. “This is killing me twice! You’ve abandoned loyalty and trust—how will you ever pay for this sin… Wait, is this a dream? This kind of betrayal has to be a dream! Aaaargh!”
It was truly a strange sight.
His body was burning fiercely, yet somehow his mouth remained untouched by the flames and kept spouting words nonstop.
Pfft.
A faint smile appeared on Bu Eunseol’s lips as he watched the spectacle.
‘Stone pine powder.’
What they had scattered was stone pine powder.
This powder not only caused flames to burn rapidly, but also spread quickly through the air, rapidly expanding the heat. For a moment, it created a large, bright blaze that looked like a massive fire, but in reality, the flames would soon die down and the heat would not linger for long.
“As expected, the Moon Queen seems to be a merciful person.”
At Soyo’s words, Bu Eunseol gave a slight nod.
“She is probably teaching the thieves a lesson through fear so they will never dare steal again.”
The two had already realized that the powder sprinkled on the firewood was not fire sugar powder, but stone pine powder.
The Moon Queen was extremely merciful; through this kind of mock execution, she was giving the thieves a chance to repent.
“But he shows no sign of remorse.”
As Soyo muttered, Bu Eunseol nodded quietly. Then she secretly snapped her fingers.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, something strange happened.
The flames that had been slowly dying out began to reignite with new life. This time, it was real fire sugar powder—not stone pine powder.
The blaze roared.
In the end, Yu Cheongrim was engulfed in genuine flames.
“Uwaaaaah!”
As real fire began to catch on his clothes, Yu Cheongrim screamed.
But soon he looked down at his own body with a puzzled expression.
The flames were still burning his clothes, yet strangely, his body felt no pain.
Heavenly Glacial Secret and Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi.
At some point, Bu Eunseol had secretly released both supreme yin arts at the same time, protecting Yu Cheongrim from being burned alive within the flames. Realizing that Bu Eunseol was helping him, Yu Cheongrim’s expression changed.
“Ohhh, it’s cold! So refreshing!” he shouted excitedly. “Add more fire! Is this all the fire sugar powder from the Crescent Palace can do?”
He bared his white teeth and began openly taunting the Moon Queen’s disciples.
“Or is your heart so rotten that you try to burn people alive over a single sacred object, yet the fire isn’t even hot? Hahaha!”
All the disciples of the Crescent Palace understood the language.
Enraged by Yu Cheongrim’s provocation, they shouted loudly, “Bring all the firewood!”
The firewood they brought was enough to burn for three full days.
“This is going to take a while.”
Seeing the massive pile, Bu Eunseol yawned and stood up.
“I’ll just wait where the Moon Queen is.”
Soyo followed him slowly.
Yu Cheongrim’s eyes widened.
As soon as Bu Eunseol turned away, the flames began growing hotter. But Bu Eunseol did not look back and simply walked away.
Fortunately, Yu Cheongrim did not burn to death. The moment his body truly began to catch fire, the Moon Queen stopped the ritual.
The disciples of the Crescent Palace were bewildered as they searched for the cause. They could not figure out who had put real fire sugar powder in the pile, nor how the thief had survived such intense flames.
In truth, Soyo had secretly mixed real fire sugar powder with the firewood to give Yu Cheongrim a proper lesson. Bu Eunseol had cleverly alternated between the Heavenly Glacial Secret and Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi to protect him.
Noticing this, the Moon Queen dismissed all the investigating disciples.
“Please follow me, both of you.”
Bu Eunseol and Soyo followed the Moon Queen.
Instead of heading to the study where they had met her earlier, she led them to a secret, secluded area deep within the Crescent Palace. The place they finally arrived at was a small building that sparkled mysteriously, as if formed from the gathered stardust of the night sky and infused with the breath of the moon.
“Come in.”
The Moon Queen smiled gently as she guided Bu Eunseol and Soyo inside.
“Moon Queen, actually I—”
“It’s fine. Let’s talk inside.”
Unable to refuse, Bu Eunseol stepped over the threshold.
The moment he entered, all sounds of the outside world vanished, leaving only the sound of heartbeats filling the space.
The interior looked like an endless night sky brought down to earth. The ceiling was a galaxy filled with hundreds of millions of twinkling, living stars, while the floor gently reflected their light.
There were no clear walls or ceiling; instead, faint veils of light softly undulated, dividing the space, with mysterious mist rising and dissipating between them.
“Huh?”
Strangely, the mist slowly moved and began gathering around Soyo, who stood beside Bu Eunseol.
“As expected,” the Moon Queen nodded and asked Soyo, “How do you feel now that you’ve entered this place?”
Soyo stood dazed for a moment. Ever since stepping into this mysterious and beautiful space, she had felt a profound sense of peace and familiarity, as if she had returned to a long-lost home.
“Actually…”
Soyo’s eyes, which avoided the Moon Queen’s gaze, sparkled as if they contained the light of the entire palace.
“It feels like I’ve been here a very long time ago.”
“I see.”
The Moon Queen nodded at Soyo.
“Come this way.”
The Moon Queen led them outside again and guided them to the deepest part of the Crescent Palace—to a lake beneath the full moon. The lake was crystal clear, without a speck of dust, its surface shimmering with moonlight.
“Would you like to take a look?”
The Moon Queen first spoke to Bu Eunseol.
‘Staring at the surface of the lake… It’s quite similar to the Illusion Pond.’
In the past, while searching for the sacred objects of the Four Holy Clans, he had visited many holy sites and had looked into the Illusion Pond, which revealed one’s deepest fears. The memory of that painful experience resurfaced when the Moon Queen asked him to gaze into this mysterious lake.
“Don’t worry. It will not harm you.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and approached.
However, he saw nothing.
“I don’t see anything.”
“You truly have a pure soul. Like one who has just been born.”
Murmuring words whose meaning was unclear, the Moon Queen smiled and turned to Soyo.
When Bu Eunseol nodded, Soyo had no choice but to approach the lake.
As she stared at the surface, her beautiful face strangely appeared beneath the dark water.
Then, suddenly, ripples formed, and the lake transformed into the night sky itself. Countless stars swirled, and the galaxy flowed in waves.
At that moment, focus vanished from Soyo’s eyes.
Strange memories flooded into her mind. A powerful yet gentle light slowly took shape in her mind, like a new moon rising.
It was another version of herself.
She wore the same clothes as the Moon Queen and was wielding mysterious holy power. With every wave of her hand, stars across the world poured down like rain, and sacred light radiated from her body.
The entire world shook, and her mind turned white—
“Ah!”
Soyo regained her senses and opened her eyes.
“What was that?”
At Soyo’s question, the Moon Queen gave a benevolent smile.
“That was your past life.”
“My past life?”
“You were the Moon Queen who led the people of Ratna Fortress a thousand years ago.”
The Moon Queen approached Soyo with a gentle smile.
“Now, you must take my place and lead the people of Ratna Fortress as the next Moon Queen of sacred light.”
Surprisingly, this lake was a mirror that reflected memories of one’s previous life.
“I’m the next Moon Queen?”
“Yes.”
The Moon Queen nodded.
“I can’t do that.”
Soyo shook her head and looked at Bu Eunseol.
“I have to help him.”
“Rather, becoming the Moon Queen is how you will be able to help him.”
Though her words were indirect, the meaning was clear.
The Moon Queen already knew Bu Eunseol had come with a request, and in exchange, she wanted Soyo to become her successor.
“If I don’t become the successor, I cannot help him?”
“That is correct.”
At the firm answer, Soyo hesitated for a moment.
“That is unacceptable.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
Abandoning his previous polite tone, he spoke firmly.
“Even if she truly wishes to become the successor, using that as leverage is not right.”
He looked somewhat disappointed. He had not expected the seemingly noble Moon Queen to impose such conditions.
“This is not a matter of right or wrong. This is fate.”
The Moon Queen spoke calmly.
“If you refuse, I cannot help you either.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Bu Eunseol’s goal—finding the whereabouts of the Yona Clan’s sacred artifact and obtaining the Earth Divine Energy—was ultimately for a righteous cause. If he obtained the sacred object by sacrificing Soyo, then everything he had done so far would lose all meaning.
At that moment, Soyo took a step closer to Bu Eunseol and looked directly into his eyes.
“I’ll do it.”
She knew.
She knew how long Bu Eunseol had been searching for the Earth Divine Energy, and that obtaining it would allow him to reach an entirely new realm.
She could not let him miss this opportunity.
“Soyo…”
“Becoming one of the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants is a much better position than being Deputy Leader of the Death Spirit Corps, isn’t it?”
Soyo deliberately spoke in a playful tone.
She was willingly becoming the next Moon Queen for Bu Eunseol’s sake, choosing to remain in Cheonchuk.
[Moreover, this would be more effective for commanding the forces of the Crescent Palace.]
Through her secret sound transmission, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed slightly. Although he had come to Cheonchuk on short notice, thanks to Yoo Unryong he had gained significant information and made thorough preparations. He had not only gathered information about Cheonchuk through the Four Holy Clans but had also identified all movements of Cheonchuk forces, detected anomalies, and devised a meticulous plan.
At that moment, a faint sound came from the trees on the opposite side.
A faint shadow appeared, and soon a man wearing gray clothes materialized.
It was Yu Cheongrim, the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief, who had barely survived the execution after attempting to steal a sacred object from the Crescent Palace.
“You couldn’t hold back and came sneaking again?”
When Bu Eunseol frowned, Yu Cheongrim waved his hands.
“No, no. I came to repay your kindness.”
“Yes. And to say hello. Hehe.”
He then turned to the Moon Queen and clasped his hands together.
“Thanks to the Moon Queen’s mercy, like that of the vast sea, I was able to keep my life. I am truly grateful.”
“You climbed the wall again just to say thank you?”
“Of course not. Actually, I came to offer a little help.”
Yu Cheongrim approached Bu Eunseol and said, “My Lord, you must never oppose or interfere with Deputy Leader So becoming the Moon Queen.”
The Moon Queen, as if seeing through Yu Cheongrim’s dark intentions, said, “Let me say this in advance—once one becomes the Moon Queen, it cannot be undone.”
She continued with a solemn expression.
“For example, after helping Lord Bu, you cannot simply abandon the position of sacred light.”
“Of course.”
Yu Cheongrim nodded as if it were obvious.
Then he turned to Bu Eunseol again.
“Think about it, my Lord. Having one of the Cheonchuk Eight Tyrants among your subordinates is an enormous gain, isn’t it?”
However, something was strange.
With his back to the Moon Queen, Yu Cheongrim kept blinking at Bu Eunseol.
It was as if he had a brilliant plan.
‘Even if this guy comes up with a clever scheme, the Moon Queen will eventually see through everything.’
A thought crossed Bu Eunseol’s mind.
He had thought the Moon Queen possessed the ability to read heavenly signs or foresee the future because she had sent her disciple at the exact time of their visit.
But she had failed to stop Yu Cheongrim’s theft.
That meant she did not have the power to foresee the future.
In other words, she had no idea what Yu Cheongrim was plotting.
After thinking for a while, Bu Eunseol nodded toward the Moon Queen.
“Since this is her wish, I will not oppose it.”
“A wise decision.”
The Moon Queen smiled softly and said to Soyo,
“Follow me.”
Soyo looked at Bu Eunseol.
Her eyes contained countless emotions.
Soyo…
But what Bu Eunseol could feel was only her pure, unwavering love and loyalty.
She had simply followed the people of the Hundred-Split Assassin Sect that day, yet from then on, she had stayed by his side, devoting her life to him. And now, she was willing to remain in this distant foreign land with no ties, just to help him.
‘I will never let that happen…’
Bu Eunseol nodded at Soyo.
Soyo nodded back.
Though their meanings differed, it was clear that each valued the other more than their own life.
“The coronation ceremony will be held in four days.”
Before taking Soyo away, the Moon Queen said to Bu Eunseol,
“If you wish to attend the ceremony, you may stay in the palace.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Bu Eunseol bowed and turned away.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“I’ll be going too.”
Yu Cheongrim also bowed and hurriedly followed Bu Eunseol outside.
Thanks to the Moon Queen’s consideration, Bu Eunseol and Yu Cheongrim were assigned a small residence where they could stay until the coronation.
“Now, speak.”
Bu Eunseol knew very well that Yu Cheongrim had a sharp mind and many schemes. Since he had orchestrated this situation, he must have some plan. Bu Eunseol had gone along with Soyo’s decision because he had his own suspicions.
“Actually, among the treasures stored in the Crescent Palace, there is one truly unbelievable item.”
Yu Cheongrim spoke in a low voice.
“It is a sacred object that can find anything you desire.”
‘So that’s what he was after.’
When Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes, Yu Cheongrim misunderstood the look and pounded his chest.
“It’s true! If it weren’t for such a treasure, why would I have come all the way to Cheonchuk, suffering so much?”
He whispered seriously, “However, to use that treasure, the Moon Queen’s sacrifice is required.”
“The Moon Queen’s sacrifice?”
“Yes.”
Yu Cheongrim whispered like a diviner revealing heavenly secrets.
“Every citizen of Ratna Fortress knows this fact. Only outsiders like us didn’t know.”
His eyes sparkled.
“And suddenly the Moon Queen said she would make Deputy Leader So the new Moon Queen. Why would she do something so uncharacteristic?”
“You’re saying the Moon Queen intends to sacrifice Soyo?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Yu Cheongrim whispered in an extremely low voice.
“The people believe that once the new Moon Queen ascends the throne, all disasters in this land will disappear. Does that make sense?”
Bu Eunseol frowned.
The Moon Queen had appeared extremely noble, elegant, and merciful. She did not seem like someone who would commit such a cruel act.
“That can’t be.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“She is not that kind of person.”
“You say she isn’t that kind of person? How can you be so sure, my Lord?”
“She spared a thief who tried to steal a sacred object.”
It was a sharp point, but Yu Cheongrim countered smoothly.
“When I asked the disciples of the Crescent Palace, they said performing executions on thieves is a rule passed down through generations in the palace. It wasn’t out of mercy.”
He spoke firmly.
“From the beginning, you don’t know much about the Moon Queen, do you?”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
His insight and intuition could not be the only basis.
“The reason I’ve survived so long in the martial world despite wandering it is simple. I never trust what appears on the surface.”
Yu Cheongrim’s expression grew increasingly serious.
“You may not realize it since you’re always fighting strong opponents, but the martial world is far dirtier and more sinister than you imagine. People like the Moon Queen, who openly show mercy in front of others, are the ones you must be most wary of.”
Bu Eunseol nodded at Yu Cheongrim’s passionate words.
In the past, he would have fully agreed with him, but, in the martial world, there were people who lived with righteous convictions and values worth protecting.
The Red Flame Immortal was one such person.
She had willingly taken her own life for the sake of all people. There were still those in this world who gladly sacrificed themselves for others.
“You’re right. They are just rare.”
As if reading Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts, Yu Cheongrim continued, “But I never gamble on such faint and hopeful possibilities.”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
Yu Cheongrim’s beliefs were very similar to his own in the past.
Especially since he had rolled around in the filth of the martial world far longer, he could not easily dismiss the other man’s caution.
“Fine. Let’s assume the Moon Queen is a witch whose true nature cannot be seen from the outside. Then what do you plan to do?”
“We steal the sacred object first.”
“Why would we do that?”
Bu Eunseol asked, swallowing his disbelief.
“Moreover, I understand that this treasure or sacred object can only be used by the Moon Queen herself.”
“Correct. That’s exactly what we will use.”
Yu Cheongrim clapped his hands.
“If she intends to use Soyo as a sacrifice to activate the sacred object, then what? After the sacred object is destroyed, will she still make her the new Moon Queen?”
“Destroy the sacred object?”
“We’ll just make her think it’s destroyed.”
He narrowed his eyes.
If the Moon Queen planned to use Soyo to activate the sacred object, then once the object was destroyed, there would be no reason to make Soyo the new Moon Queen.
That would reveal her true intentions.
“Do you think the Moon Queen would fall for such a trick?”
“What if we have evidence?”
Yu Cheongrim thumped his chest.
“Aren’t I the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief? If I can perfectly replicate even the most complex and subtle human faces, creating one fake sacred object is nothing.”
At those words, Bu Eunseol could clearly see through Yu Cheongrim’s scheme.
‘He plans to make a fake and steal the real one.’
Thieves who only thought about stealing others’ possessions the moment they opened their eyes would never destroy a mysterious treasure, even if they died.
“Hmm.”
When Bu Eunseol pretended to think and hummed, Yu Cheongrim scratched his nose.
“Fortunately, I know the location of the sacred object. But the mechanisms, formations, and traps there are beyond imagination. Even if we enter now, we might not come out within three days.”
“Fine.”
Bu Eunseol nodded casually, pretending to know nothing.
“Let’s go find the sacred object.”
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