The sacred object, which had taken the lives of the Moon Queens under the name of ‘Sacrifice,’ completely disappeared.
In truth, it was the sacred object of ‘Solidarity,’ which granted the wishes containing everyone’s earnest desires. After changing the climate of Ratna Fortress, it vanished entirely.
From now on, there would be no more droughts in Ratna Fortress, and the people would no longer suffer.
However, if people acted with selfishness and greed?
The miracle would disappear, and drought would return once more.
This was not the only sacred object.
It had a different name in the Central Plains… but revealing that would be a matter for a later time.
“We will take our leave now.”
The Eight Great Elephant Generals and soldiers of the Elephant Sect, having achieved a great victory, politely saluted and withdrew.
Their participation in the battle was not to help Bu Eunseol, but solely to follow the Elephant King’s orders and crush the armies of the Ten Thousand Bone Blood Sect and the Illusion Dream Fortress. Thanks to this victory, however, the balance among the eight forces that divided the Cheonchuk collapsed, and the prestige of the Elephant Sect soared to the heavens.
But there was an even greater change than the outcome of the battle.
The noble sacrifice of the Moon Queen and Bu Eunseol, who did not fear even death, united the hearts of the Crescent Palace’s people into one.
Witnessing this, a seed of respect for the two took root in the hearts of the Eight Great Elephant Generals and the martial artists of the Elephant Sect.
“My Lord, please visit the Cheonchuk from time to time.”
Ahwan smiled as she bid farewell to Bu Eunseol along with the warriors of the Four Holy Clans.
Upon learning that Soyo, who shared a similar appearance with her, shared the same fate, she no longer felt the same regret over parting with Bu Eunseol as before.
Because her fate and Soyo’s were connected.
Soyo not only stayed constantly by Bu Eunseol’s side, but the two also shared a deep understanding of each other’s hearts. If that was the case, then soon enough she too… would stay by Bu Eunseol’s side and grow close to him.
“Society Lord, I will take my leave as well.”
Yu Cheongrim also returned to the Central Plains.
Although he had not fixed his habit of stealing others’ belongings, this time, that very habit had helped save the lives of the Moon Queen and countless citizens. As a token of gratitude, the Moon Queen gifted Yu Cheongrim various antiques scattered throughout the Crescent Palace.
“Ehehe! I only take what I steal!” Even as he said this, Yu Cheongrim diligently gathered up the gifted antiques one by one.
If So Okrim had seen this, she would have punched him in the face again. Fortunately, since she was not there, he was able to safely leave Ratna Fortress this time.
Crescent Palace, Moon Queen’s Residence
“We do not know how to find the Earth Divine Energy, but there is a clue to locating the Yona Tribe’s sacred object.”
After hearing Bu Eunseol’s full story, the Moon Queen surprisingly provided a new clue.
“The Yona Tribe’s sacred object cannot be stored in an ordinary location from the beginning. Because it absorbs the energy of the land, the entire area would turn into ruins.”
“Then…”
“Such objects can only be stored in places that defy the flow of time and space.”
“Places that defy the flow of time and space…”
“Generally, they are locations where tremendous pressure pours down, making it difficult to even breathe.”
She continued her explanation.
“And excluding the holy lands of the Four Holy Clans, such places exist only in the Central Plains.”
“The Infinite Land.”
Bu Eunseol instantly realized the location the Moon Queen was referring to.
The mysterious place where he had once trained in martial arts through the Returning to One Land.
The Infinite Land, where even breathing was difficult and tremendous pressure poured down constantly, was the only safe place capable of storing the Yona Tribe’s sacred object, which endlessly absorbed the energy of the earth.
‘If I can find the Infinite Land, I can find the Yona Tribe’s sacred object.’
“But it will not be easy to obtain.”
The Moon Queen let out a deep sigh.
“Heaven does not wish for humans to wield perfect natural power.”
Bu Eunseol nodded firmly.
Just by learning the Endless Heavenly Light Art, which fused the Three Divine Energies, he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the transcendent powerhouses of the world.
If he could obtain all Four Divine Energies and unite their power into one?
That strength would truly transcend imagination.
Perhaps it would even allow him to return the abnormal powers of the world’s powerhouses to nothingness, and make it possible to determine victory solely through the pure realm of martial arts.
But as the Moon Queen said, heaven would not easily bestow such immense power.
“Why are you trying to unify the Four Divine Energies?”
The Moon Queen asked.
“The Four Divine Energies are certainly great, but you should be able to grow endlessly even without them.”
“In the past, it was to compete with the strong. But now…”
Bu Eunseol made a bitter expression.
“I suppose it is to save someone.”
The Moon Queen sighed.
“You are the benefactor of our palace, yet I feel sorry that I could not be of greater help.”
“Not at all.”
Although he had not found the Yona Tribe’s sacred object, he had been able to save countless people in Ratna Fortress. That alone made this journey to the Cheonchuk more than meaningful.
At that time, however, he did not yet know.
From the moment he reached out to the sacred object and accepted the Moon Queen’s sacrifice along with the earnest wishes of countless citizens, a faint light had begun to dwell on the blade of the Silent Tiger Soul Sword. And that in the not-too-distant future, the secret of the Silent Tiger Soul Sword would be revealed in the Central Plains, allowing him to obtain one of the swords his father had left behind.
“Originally, my fate was to offer my life to the sacred object after passing on the position of Moon Queen.”
At that moment, the Moon Queen looked alternately at Soyo and Bu Eunseol as she spoke.
“But now that Ratna Fortress’s crisis has been resolved and I have survived like this, I suppose I must take up this position again.”
“Are you giving it up?”
When Bu Eunseol brightened, the Moon Queen smiled gently.
“This position exists solely for the people.”
The Moon Queen knew that Soyo cherished Bu Eunseol more deeply than anyone else—more than her own life.
But a Moon Queen was someone who must love the people.
She must not love any one person enough to give her life for them, because that could lead her to sacrifice the people to protect the one she loved.
Precisely because her love was so deep, Soyo could not become the Moon Queen.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol showed a relieved smile.
Soyo was more precious to him than his own life. He had absolutely no intention of allowing her to bear the burden of the Moon Queen position alone in a distant foreign land simply because she wanted to help him.
However, the Moon Queen was also a noble person.
He could not arbitrarily defy the fate that Soyo was destined to succeed her. With everything naturally falling into place like this, the burden that had been weighing on his heart disappeared in an instant.
“Please, think nothing of it.”
The Moon Queen looked at Bu Eunseol with a regretful expression.
He was not living for himself, but for others—and he did not even realize it.
She could only pray that Bu Eunseol would one day find his own happiness.
***
He had to find the Infinite Land.
Upon returning to the Central Plains, Bu Eunseol mobilized the Death Spirit Corps and began gathering clues to locate the ‘Infinite Land.’
However, while continuously operating the intelligence organization, he soon realized two facts.
First, such a place was not one that could be found simply by searching hard.
Second, it would be much faster to find someone who already knew the location.
‘The Three Realm Lords would know.’
The Returning to One Land had been in charge of the Infinite Land’s guardian and had lured him there to enhance his martial arts. If so, the remaining Three Realm Lords likely also knew the location of the Infinite Land, or at least one of them possessed the sacred object.
‘He was said to be a person from the Central Plains.’
In the Central Plains, the lineage of the Earth Divine Energy had been severed five hundred years ago, and it was said that the Yona Tribe’s sacred object, which possessed similar power to the Earth Divine Energy, had been taken by a mysterious person from the Central Plains.
Perhaps that mysterious person was one of the Three Realm Lords.
“But finding them is a distant prospect.”
Although the Death Spirit Corps’ intelligence network had reached the highest level in the martial world, it had not yet reached the level of detecting the movements and identities of the abyss forces.
Of course, they too could not grasp Bu Eunseol’s movements.
In other words, the information capabilities of both sides had now reached a roughly equal level.
“But how can their identities remain completely undetected like this?”
The Three Realm Lords were powerhouses revered across the world. Even if such people blended in among ordinary folk, their peerless aura would inevitably show through subtly.
So how had not only their location but even the identities of the Realm Lords remained hidden until now?
After deep contemplation, Bu Eunseol convened a grand meeting with the captains to discuss the matter.
“When you think about it, it seems practically impossible.”
Those were Wi Cheongyeong’s words.
“The existence of the Three Realms in the martial world is not a recent matter.”
He continued with a serious expression.
“Yet until now, there are almost no documents or records left about the Three Realms, are there? No matter how great their concealment techniques or information-hiding abilities may be, how can such an organization have remained completely hidden until now, with no records whatsoever?”
As Wi Cheongyeong said, this was close to impossible.
“You are right.”
Myo Cheonwoo nodded.
“They eat, sleep, and exist somewhere, yet despite existing for a long history, there are no records or clues about them, and they perfectly block all information? It doesn’t make sense from the start.”
“Could they not be human?”
At that moment, Won Semun made an outlandish remark.
“If they are not human to begin with, wouldn’t it be possible?”
“What nonsense.”
When Jo Namcheon scolded him, Won Semun flared up.
“If they are ghosts that possess multiple people at once or only appear at specific times, it would be possible.”
“You!”
Jo Namcheon glared at Won Semun with axe-like eyes.
“You drink every day and read nothing but useless books, so of course you spout such nonsense!”
While Jo Namcheon was scolding him, Mu Heon, the leader of the Death Spirit Corps who had been listening silently, stroked his chin.
“It doesn’t seem entirely absurd.”
He looked at Bu Eunseol with a serious expression.
“If they control the very source that generates information, manipulate human memories and experiences, and thoroughly erase the identities of their organization members, wouldn’t it be possible?”
When Mu Heon casually used terms only intelligence agents would know, Won Semun widened his eyes.
“What do you mean by that, Corps Leader Mu?”
Mu Heon explained simply, “What if they indirectly influence specific individuals only when needed, temporarily grant them status and roles, and then take it all back once the task is complete? Wouldn’t that be possible?”
Then Myo Cheonwoo stroked his beard.
“Existing as a member of the organization only while performing specific duties. Isn’t that common?”
“It’s probably a difference in method. The Three Realms have always been obsessed with mysterious great arts.”
Mu Heon said.
“They could use the Soul Severing Great Art, where once the mission ends, they cut off all connections to the organization and even erase the fact that they were ever members.”
The captains let out sounds of understanding at Mu Heon’s reasoning.
The upper realms had many bizarre great arts. For them, temporarily assigning missions and erasing memories would be entirely possible.
“Then what about the Realm Lords?”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong asked.
“Even if they perfectly erase their subordinates’ memories, the Realm Lords themselves cannot do that, right?”
The others nodded again.
Even if there was a system of assigning missions and erasing memories, someone would still need to manage it. How could a manager, who is also human, maintain perfect secrecy?
At that moment, along with a knock on the door, the voice of Yoo Unryong’s aide, Mu Gwang, was heard.
“Corps Leader Seo has arrived.”
The door opened, and Seo Jinha, wearing the dark uniform of the Death Shadow Corps, slowly entered.
“Sorry I’m late. The meeting took longer than expected.”
Unless Bu Eunseol split his body into three, it was impossible to hold meetings simultaneously with the leaders of the Azure Heaven Alliance and the captains of the Martial Soul Society.
Holding separate meetings every time was also inefficient.
Therefore, after conducting meetings on the same topic, they had chosen the method where Seo Jinha would combine the results from the Azure Heaven Alliance and the Martial Soul Society with the discussions from the Death Shadow Corps.
“The conclusion from the Martial Soul Society’s meeting is this: the leaders of the Three Realms and other forces that have not revealed their identities until now may not be human as we think.”
Seo Jinha spoke with a serious expression.
“They could be humans created through ancient secret arts, like new bloodlines, or a group that inherits transcendent power across generations.”
In the past, they would have considered this an absurd imagination, but with the existence of the True Demon—a transcendent being who reincarnated while retaining memories—and the Baekri family group that opposed him, it was not strange reasoning at all.
“If such beings exist, then the Realm Lords also having someone above them makes sense, and maintaining secrecy becomes possible.”
At Seo Jinha’s explanation, everyone in the room nodded.
By now, they could instinctively sense that the Realm Lords of each upper realm were not at the highest position, but that there was something above them.
“However, if such beings existed, the Baekri family and the True Demon would not have left them alone. The True Demon is a transcendent existence that reincarnates with memories, and the Baekri family has constantly opposed him. If there was an existence threatening their position, they would never leave it unattended, and the Baekri family would not simply watch a being comparable to the True Demon.”
Seo Jinha looked at Bu Eunseol and continued.
“And the conclusion reached by the Azure Heaven Alliance is that the highest-level administrators of the abyss forces, including the Three Realms, likely operate only during specific periods, and their memories are erased once their missions end.”
He added, “And there are multiple such administrators, not just one, and they repeatedly use great arts to erase each other’s memories and restore awareness.”
The captains let out sounds of admiration.
In the end, the Azure Heaven Alliance had reached a similar conclusion to the Death Shadow Corps.
“The Azure Heaven Alliance seems better than us.”
Jo Namcheon joked.
“They have fewer numbers, yet they’re on the same level as us.”
“The Azure Heaven Alliance started as an intelligence organization. Their information analysis and insight are on a different level from the start.”
Wi Cheongyeong shook his head and said, “But there seems to be a flaw in this reasoning as well. If there are multiple administrators, doesn’t that increase the chance of the secret being exposed?”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“If the Clear River Realm Method exists, it would be possible.”
The captains let out loud sounds of realization.
There was a great art in the Clear River Realm that created dual personalities. If the administrators had different personalities? Then all the reasoning mentioned so far would be possible.
“You mean another personality awakens under specific circumstances?”
At Myo Cheonwoo’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Even if not, once a certain task is completed, a latent different personality could emerge and erase one side’s memories.”
Bu Eunseol’s hypothesis could explain to some extent how secretive organizations like the Three Realms had been able to continue secretly across generations.
“If that’s the case, since they do not possess memories of when they were the leader, they can naturally maintain secrecy.”
Yoo Unryong’s expression became slightly subtle as he nodded.
In fact, he was the only one who had received information that the Baekri family’s power holders possessed dual personalities and passed it on to Bu Eunseol.
Since the Three Realms were created by the Baekri family, they would have inherited or imitated their power, so such a thing would clearly be possible.
Wi Cheongyeong let out a sigh.
“Then detecting them is almost impossible.”
A woodcutter could be the forgotten Clear River Realm Lord, and the head manager of an inn could be the Returning to One Realm Lord.
They could live day by day without knowing they were the leaders leading the Three Realms, and when the time came, they could command their subordinates or issue missions.
“If that’s the case, there are three ways to find the Three Realm Lords.”
Yoo Unryong said.
“Their appearances must have shown clear periodic patterns. We could comb through the entire history of the martial world and observe the flow.”
The martial world had repeated cycles of great chaos and peace. Among them, the Three Realms must have caused specific incidents, and those would show patterns different from ordinary events.
“The second method?”
At Seo Jinha’s question, Yoo Unryong answered.
“Secret forces require enormous funds to operate. If we look for abnormal flows or disappearances of capital, we might be able to catch the tail of the Three Realms.”
“And the third?”
“Even if they have hidden their identities perfectly across generations, we cannot guarantee there has never been even a single failure.”
He continued his explanation.
“Even if they erased or killed their subordinates’ memories, there would be some traces left behind in one way or another.”
“That makes sense. No matter how much they erase memories, since they are human, it cannot be perfect.”
Myo Cheonwoo clapped his hands and nodded.
“There may be people whose minds are incomplete after half their memories were erased, or who suffer from some side effects.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“Perfectly hiding their tracks for a long history means they have disguised themselves with extreme ordinariness.”
He looked at the captains and said, “Investigating all of that would take far too much time. We should continue the investigation, but it would also be good to throw out bait that they absolutely cannot refuse.”
“Bait?”
When Myo Cheonwoo asked, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Just as we are trying to find them, they are also trying to find my whereabouts.”
The key figures of the Three Realms had never once missed the opportunity to approach or ambush him, especially when he deliberately revealed his tracks and moved alone. If they wanted to quickly catch the tail of the upper realms, the fastest method was essentially for Bu Eunseol himself to become the bait in a lure operation.
“It’s too dangerous.”
Yoo Unryong, who had seen through Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts, opposed it.
“In the past, they made mistakes because your true strength had not been properly assessed. But if you reveal your tracks again this time…”
He made an extremely serious expression.
“They will definitely bring enough forces to kill you without fail.”
Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess had risen uncontrollably in the meantime, and he had defeated countless powerful enemies.
If he publicly revealed his tracks?
Unless the upper realms were fools, they would send experts capable of definitely dealing with him.
“Don’t worry. I will do it in the identity of the Martial Soul Society Lord.”
Dark God Heavenly Lord.
A demonic figure who likely knew about the Infinite Land held the position of Martial Soul Society Lord.
“Ah. There was that method.”
Yoo Unryong let out an exclamation of admiration and shook his head at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“Now I understand why the supreme experts of the martial world have created new identities to operate.”
If there was a perfectly separated identity?
They could easily handle many things that could not be done with their original identity, or do so in a safer way.
Bu Eunseol wore a subtle smile.
“He will definitely take this bait.”
According to the words of Jong Baek, who had once betrayed the Southern Night Pavilion, the Dark God Heavenly Lord was repeatedly training in the Infinite Land.
Since the Dark God Heavenly Lord was a direct subordinate right below the Three Attendants, he had a high chance of knowing information about the Infinite Land or the location of the sacred object.
“Until now, those who have targeted the Society Lord have all been prudent and highly intelligent powerhouses.”
Won Semun said with a grave expression.
“Simply revealing your identity and tracks publicly will never make them take the bait. They will realize it is a lure operation.”
Then Jo Namcheon spoke.
“That’s right. Instead, we should make it seem as if the Alliance Leader is proceeding with matters extremely secretly, then create a situation where that secrecy appears to have been exposed, so that he comes looking for the Society Lord.”
Mu Heon, who had been listening silently, nodded with sparkling eyes.
“The person the Society Lord mentioned is probably the Dark God Heavenly Lord, who is grinding his teeth at the special-grade rogue Seolso from back then.”
“But if we set up the board like that, the Death Spirit Corps’ intelligence network will become excessively concentrated only in the Central Plains.”
The Death Spirit Corps’ intelligence network spread not only across the Central Plains but throughout the entire Cheonchuk.
Of course, the Four Holy Clans’ commerce group was partially taking over the role of the Death Spirit Corps’ branches in the Cheonchuk, but if the central axis of information tilted too heavily toward the Central Plains, there was a risk of imbalance.
“You don’t need to worry about that for the time being.”
Mu Heon smiled and said, “Thanks to the Society Lord’s experience with the Ten Thousand Bone Blood Sect and the Illusion Dream Fortress, not only the Crescent Palace but even the Elephant Sect is voluntarily providing information.”
He showed a proud smile.
“They have fully realized the Society Lord’s prestige and have willingly knelt.”
This journey to the Cheonchuk was by no means in vain.
Not only had it saved countless lives, but it had also earned the trust of the Crescent Palace and gained the cooperation of the Elephant Sect.
This became a decisive turning point for Bu Eunseol, who had lost public support due to the ‘Ten-Thousand-Li Treasure Ship’ incident, to recover his reputation once again.
“Then the problem is solved.”
Won Semun and Jo Namcheon grinned and clapped their hands.
Watching them, Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile.
The Azure Heaven Alliance members had originally been raised as intelligence agents, and the core members of the Martial Soul Society, excluding Dae Guhwi, were all strategy masters with rich martial world experience and wisdom.
But among the Death Shadow Corps captains, the only one who actually possessed outstanding wisdom and strategy was Yoo Unryong, and Wi Cheongyeong was the only other one capable of fairly prudent judgment.
Yet before long, even Won Semun—who was often teased for wearing his head as decoration—and Jo Namcheon—who was scolded for only using his mouth when drinking—had become capable of calmly viewing the bigger picture and producing wisdom.
‘It won’t be long now.’
Until now, Bu Eunseol had traveled the martial world alone and had extremely refrained from sending his subordinates on solo missions.
This was partly because their martial arts had difficulty facing the strong of the martial world, but more importantly, because they lacked the experience and wisdom to respond flexibly in crisis situations.
But now the captains had accumulated countless diverse experiences, strategies, and knowledge thanks to Bu Eunseol, and thanks to intense training, their martial arts had also risen sharply, allowing them to stand shoulder to shoulder with the top figures of the martial world.
Before long… they would each be capable of carrying out missions on their own.
“Let’s begin.”
At Bu Eunseol’s low voice, a fierce blue light finally burst from the eyes of the captains, who had been holding their breath like predators.
Every one of his actions was rewriting the history of the martial world.
In their eyes burned the resolve to carve the first page of a new history with blood and to stand together until its final chapter.
Comments