A brief silence flowed.
Although he called it "handling," in reality, the meaning was extermination (滅門).
The Three Families of the martial world (武林三家).
From now on, they had to prepare a stratagem to bring down one of the legendary families whose exact main base no one had known.
At that moment, Tae Muryong spoke.
"First, we have found the place suspected to be the main base of the Jungson family, but."
He cautiously continued his words.
"I cannot help but worry that they might have intentionally revealed their main base."
Since the ones pursuing Soho were entirely wiped out, they too must have realized their tracks could be exposed.
No matter how much the intelligence organizations of the three great allied forces devoted their full power, uncovering their identity so swiftly felt suspicious.
"That makes sense."
At that moment, Gongsun Dankyung spoke.
"Behind the Jungson family are the Heavenly Mechanism Star, Chu So. If that person truly intended to hide the main base until the very end, we would not have found it so quickly."
Those present nodded once again.
The things the Heavenly Mechanism Star did were absolutely never ordinary.
Even if his tracks were exposed by this kidnapping incident, if he had set his mind to it, he could have easily hidden his main base for two or three years.
"Perhaps he has devised a stratagem to make up for his past failure that was thwarted by the Command Lord. Even if that is not the case, he must have made thorough preparations against our pursuit."
Bu Eunseol let out a low groan.
Although he had thwarted the Heavenly Mechanism Star's stratagems several times before, he was a brilliant strategist whose inner thoughts were nearly impossible to predict.
Just because they had found the tracks of the Jungson family did not mean this matter would end easily.
"Therefore, our Death Shadow Corps has drawn up a plan to simultaneously annihilate the wandering troupes spread throughout the Central Plains in one stroke."
At that moment, Yoo Unryong placed a large map on the table inside the secret chamber.
He then explained the plan for a long while.
"However, since their scale is so vast, it is impossible to annihilate them in one stroke with the forces of the Death Shadow Corps, or even the Azure Sky Alliance or the Martial Soul Society."
He took a deep breath and spoke.
"We will have to borrow the hands of the Azure Sky Alliance, the Martial Alliance, the Eight Great Families, the Nine Great Sects... and even the government."
Those present nodded.
It is difficult to even accurately grasp how many wandering troupes there are in the Central Plains.
Furthermore, it is unknown which wandering troupes are connected to the Jungson family.
Moreover, if they are not annihilated in one stroke.
They might disappear into a hidden abyss where they can never be found forever.
They had to gather the power of all the sects of the martial world, as well as receive the cooperation of the government, to annihilate them in one stroke.
At that moment, the General Manager of the Martial Soul Society, Yoo Hwaryeong, smiled and opened her mouth.
"Is it not to find that method that the strategists of the orthodox and demonic paths, who cannot be mixed, have gathered in one place, even if by force?"
Though it was a brief joke, the stiff atmosphere of the meeting room softened considerably.
Bu Eunseol opened his mouth with a calm expression.
"This matter might be a golden opportunity. Because after Shaolin, a sect recognized by the imperial court could be born once again."
"It seems you have some plan in mind."
At Gongsun Dankyung's words, Bu Eunseol smiled.
"I just thought of a way to make the Martial Soul Society a little safer."
Then, looking around the room, he spoke powerfully.
"Now, let us gather all our wisdom and try to bring down the Jungson family of the world."
From the perspective of having to mobilize even the power of the orthodox path and the government forces.
The status as the successor of Majeon was the worst possible hand, making their goal virtually impossible.
Nevertheless, by combining their wisdom with the brilliant minds of the three great allied forces of the orthodox and demonic paths.
He intended to formulate a plan to move all the sects of the martial world and even the government.
* * *
The meeting continued for seven days and nights.
Countless books were piled on the floor, and letters written in secret codes were stacked high on the table.
Though they were all young, they possessed more experience in the martial world and deeper insight than anyone else.
Numerous opinions were exchanged, researched, and debated.
Bu Eunseol precisely pinpointed the probability of feasibility among the collected opinions.
Around the time seven days and nights passed.
Finally, the numerous opinions began to narrow down to one.
Bu Eunseol selected the most reasonable and feasible ones among them.
He was able to establish the rough outline for this plan.
"The core of this stratagem goes beyond making a common enemy; it is about thrusting a disaster in front of their eyes where they have no choice."
Having completed the stratagem to bring down the Jungson family, he calmly began to explain them.
"The ultimate goal of this stratagem is to make the entire martial world stand at the crossroads of 'life or death' together."
The Jungson family has taken root in the martial world for generations.
They wield immense influence across various strata, not only in martial factions but also in the government and the merchant world.
But what if Bu Eunseol stepped forward personally to strike the Jungson family?
He would face a counterattack instead.
In the worst case, he could end up taking the blame for the evil deeds they had committed so far.
"Rather, we must counter-utilize the symbol of the Jungson family, which has always been called a legend, to foster anxiety and fear enough to shake the entire world."
"You intend to use the characteristics of wandering troupes, which is the identity and strength of the Jungson family."
Gongsun Dankyung spoke with sparkling eyes.
"Because they have always hidden in the shadows as wandering troupes while kidnapping children and even engaging in human trafficking."
"That is correct."
"But according to the plan, we must convince the heads of the orthodox sects who are hostile to the Command Lord or watching this matter from across the river..."
"I will take care of that. However."
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"In order to catch them, we must fall first."
And a faint smile hovered on his lips.
"For since ancient times, what drives an enemy into an irrecoverable situation is a headwind (逆風)."
* * *
―Kidnappings are occurring.
Ominous rumors circulated in the martial world.
Regardless of the orthodox path, demonic path, merchant world, or government, children from powerful families or those with talent were continuously going missing in succession.
It happened simultaneously in multiple places, and no matter how much they investigated, no evidence was left behind internally.
In other words, it was an organized act by a certain faction.
Moreover, kidnapping children was an act that could not be tolerated by the government, nor by any orthodox, demonic, or unorthodox faction.
―Catch them!
Eventually, the factions and intelligence organizations of the martial world began to move.
As the matter grew large like that.
Clues to the kidnapping cases, which seemed absolutely impossible to find, began to emerge one by one.
―A demonic organization?
Surprisingly, the ones who kidnapped the children were.
Martial artists using demonic martial arts, and they were an elite organization equipped with an outstanding and vast intelligence network.
―Find them at all costs!
The intelligence organizations that found the clues began to thoroughly investigate the elite forces of the demonic path.
And naturally, in relation to this, Majeon was also cooperating.
―How could this be.
As a result of the careful investigations by the organizations of the martial factions, an unbelievable fact was revealed.
―The Death Shadow Corps?
The elite corps led by the Martial Soul Command Lord.
Traces of the organized kidnapping of children were discovered within the Death Shadow Corps of Majeon.
―It is unbelievable.
The Martial Soul Command Lord not only held the moniker of being an orthodox path member within the demonic path but had always done the right thing.
To think that such a person would organize kidnappings of children?
―These words are not even worth considering.
When such rumors circulated, the Martial Soul Command Lord immediately denied them.
―This corps's intelligence agents also moved covertly to investigate this incident.
Perhaps because of that, our tracks overlapped with those of the kidnapping faction.
It was a plausible enough statement.
However, the intelligence organizations of the martial world searching for the missing children could not accept these words of the Martial Soul Command Lord.
Because the time when the kidnapped children were taken and the time when the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps moved coincided perfectly.
―Then does that mean the Death Shadow Corps moved knowing the kidnappings would happen in advance?
When such doubts were raised,
―As I said, this corps had already discovered signs of anomaly and began investigating. Due to that, one might mistake the timing as perfectly coinciding.
Even with this explanation from the Martial Soul Command Lord, the suspicions were not withdrawn.
Because,
―If that is the case, we will organize a joint investigation team to investigate and determine the innocence of the Death Shadow Corps.
Although organizations from all factions stepped forward, Bu Eunseol flatly refused.
―When we have committed no crime, why must this Command Lord receive an audit from external forces?
When Bu Eunseol rejected it cleanly in one stroke.
The martial artists could not hide their disappointment.
To think that the Martial Soul Command Lord, who always walked the righteous path and acted without a single speck of shame.
Would show such pride over such a serious matter? It was because something felt suspicious.
―To think the Martial Soul Command Lord was a beast in human skin, a wolf wearing the head of a sheep!
The allied forces of the orthodox path, the Martial Alliance, were greatly enraged.
However, the demonic path members defended the Martial Soul Command Lord.
―Is it not because he is innocent that he can act proudly?
As the confrontation escalated, the Martial Alliance criticized the Martial Soul Command Lord even more fiercely.
―If he is innocent, he should distinguish right from wrong even more clearly. Acting like this will only pile up misunderstandings!
Ultimately, due to Bu Eunseol's silence.
Distrust and conflict between the orthodox and demonic paths reached an unprecedented peak in the martial world.
But...
An incident occurred that made the already grim atmosphere of the martial world even more brutal.
―Who is committing treason!
Someone began printing counterfeit money and circulating forged bills.
As a result, the financial foundations of not only the government but also each sect were shaken to their roots.
―Catch them!
The government grew frantic trying to find the mastermind behind the counterfeit money incident, but absolutely no clues emerged to identify the culprit.
―Someone is intentionally causing chaos!
The world fell into chaos, and the sects of the martial world began to suspect one another.
As the situation deteriorated to such extremes, large and small fights broke out constantly in the martial world.
The rift between the orthodox and demonic paths was deepening by the day.
Like this, as the world fell into turmoil and sects suspected each other, heading toward mutual destruction.
The Martial Soul Command Lord, who had remained silent all along, finally stepped forward.
―This corps will host the Grand Assembly of All Under Heaven (天下大會)!
He suddenly announced a shocking proposal to the martial world.
―I will invite all the leaders of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths to hold a grand council (天下會議) and deal with the kidnappings of children and the counterfeit money incident!
And he added.
―The leaders of each faction must attend the Grand Assembly alone without fail.
There is no need to notify attendance in advance; if you intend to attend, arriving at this corps in person on the day of the council will suffice.
Such details spread, but no one in the factions reacted.
For someone who had been continuously suspected, and who had not properly investigated to clear those suspicions.
To suddenly gather the leaders of all martial factions and host a council to discuss solutions for this matter.
Could only be seen as a hypocritical and arrogant attitude.
―The Martial Soul Command Lord has grasped the outline of the incidents, which is why he opened the Grand Assembly.
In a few intelligence organizations, they figured out that the Martial Soul Command Lord had already found clues to the kidnapping and counterfeit money incidents.
Otherwise, he, who was the most suspected, would not be able to open the Grand Assembly.
―Our investigation shows the counterfeit money incident was caused by an organization in the martial world. Resolve it within the martial world!
But an unexpected situation occurred.
The Emperor, enraged by this fact.
Issued an ultimatum to the martial artists through the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet, Yoo Jeongpung, the most respected official among the people.
―It is an imperial decree!
If you intend to gloss over the counterfeit money incident like this, the government will have no choice but to investigate all martial sects.
When such a decree was issued, the leaders of the various factions in the martial world found themselves in an extremely difficult position.
There is a line even to the non-aggression between the government and martial world.
In a situation where counterfeit money was circulating and children were being systematically kidnapped like now.
What if the martial factions, rather than thinking of resolving the situation, only growled at each other or bared their teeth?
If the government stepped forward directly and sanctioned the martial world, they would have nothing to say.
―Come to think of it, whenever the Martial Soul Command Lord intervened until now, everything was resolved.
When the situation escalated to this extreme.
The leaders of the martial world from both the orthodox and demonic factions turned their attention to the Grand Assembly hosted by the Martial Soul Command Lord.
―Perhaps he truly is being misunderstood.
Even though he had not smoothly clarified the child kidnapping incident previously.
Because he had done many good deeds so far, about half the people believed his words.
Above all, his mind was reputed to be brilliant, so it wouldn't hurt to at least hear what he had to say.
―Let us send core members to hear what he has to say.
The orthodox path, black path, and unorthodox path pondered over this.
Since eagerly accepting the council of the Martial Soul Command Lord, whom they had criticized so much, would hurt their pride.
In the end, they ordered the core members of each faction.
No, effectively messengers, to be dispatched to attend the Grand Assembly.
Since all they needed was to obtain the information he spoke of.
―The majesty of the Martial Soul Command Lord within Majeon is truly great.
Since this was an incident shaking the martial world.
It was a situation where the Heavenly Demon Emperor should have taken direct command, or at least the Chief Instructor should have stepped forward.
Yet both of them were not stepping to the front, as if leaving Majeon entirely to the Martial Soul Command Lord.
―It means the Heavenly Demon Emperor trusts the Martial Soul Command Lord.
Such an attitude empowered the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol.
With half-doubtful hearts, the martial artists headed to Majeon, where the Grand Assembly was being held.
Grand Assembly of All Under Heaven (天下大會).
An unprecedented council in the history of the martial world, where all the leadership of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths converged, was finally held.
However, most of those attending were.
People holding insignificant positions in their respective sects, orthodox Daoists and knights-errant who shuddered at the mere mention of the word 'demon' of the demonic path.
Or giants of the unorthodox path who stabbed each other in the back amidst a bloody struggle for survival.
But given the significance of the day.
Today at least, even while glaring at each other.
They were moving toward the same path, the same destination.
The entrance of Majeon, which was always firmly shut, was wide open.
The martial artists who entered Majeon could not hide their inward awe.
The pavilions inside were formed of perfectly straight lines and right angles without an inch of error.
That appearance, which tolerated not even a slight curve, seemed to symbolize absolute order and control.
Everywhere, guards in black martial attire were visible, standing perfectly still like black iron statues.
They exuded an atmosphere as cold and disciplined as well-sharpened blades.
To show off Majeon's majesty, elite warriors had been deliberately deployed as guards.
―So this is the sacred ground of ten thousand demons under heaven.
The martial artists visiting Majeon for the first time lost their words before this overwhelming majesty.
Even though it was known as a demonic den covered in blood and madness.
In reality, was it not more solemn than the imperial palace.
And appeared to maintain discipline even more rigorous than Shaolin Temple?
The gathered heroes of the orthodox and demonic paths, each harboring different emotions, walked into the massive silence pressing down on them.
Cosmos Hall (寰宇軒).
It is the meeting room for the captains inside the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
But the plaque here had been changed to the characters Guard (衛) and All Under Heaven (天下).
And the warriors of Majeon were guiding the martial artists attending the Grand Assembly here.
―For someone disturbing the world to hang such a plaque, it is not even funny.
Most of the heroes entering Cosmos Hall were.
Orthodox path members hostile to Bu Eunseol, such as the Emei Sect and Taesan Sect, and experts of the black-path alliance or unorthodox path.
The Martial Alliance had also sent someone, but instead of the Chief Steward, only the Hall Master of the White Lotus Hall, which managed documents to be sent to each faction, had come.
In the end, they were not properly attending the Grand Assembly.
They visited Majeon to confirm what information Bu Eunseol had, while simultaneously humiliating him.
At that time, Abbess Hyeongong of the Emei Sect snorted as she looked at the signboard.
"He should clear his suspicion of kidnapping children before writing such words."
At her muttering, a few orthodox path members burst into giggling laughter.
But upon entering the Cosmos Hall, those laughs stopped in an instant.
The floor was paved with white jade without a single scratch, and with every step, a cool energy crept up their spines through the soles of their feet.
Countless Night Pearls were embedded in the ceiling, pouring out light as bright as broad daylight.
The scent of a mixture of the finest agarwood and ambergris, which cleared the mind, pierced their noses.
Also, on the ceiling, a Cloud Dragon Sky-Lamp from the Cloud Dragon Workshop, said to be used only in the imperial court, was shining golden light.
―How could this be.
But what surprised the orthodox path members was not the expensive decorations inside.
In the center of the pavilion, a massive circular black jade table was placed, and around it, dozens of chairs were arranged at regular intervals.
The chairs had frames made of dark iron, and the seat and backrest were carved entirely from warm jade, which is said not to lose its warmth even in winter.
That alone was a treasure easily worth the price of a whole pavilion.
But the real issue was not that.
Abbess Hyeongong's sleeves trembled slightly.
Doubting her own eyes, she fixed her gaze on the backrest of one chair.
―Emei Sect, Abbess Hyeongong.
Because names were engraved on the back of every chair.
"......."
An icy silence flowed for a moment.
A figure of the black-path alliance, following Abbess Hyeongong's gaze, also discovered a chair with his name engraved on it.
Death-Soul Blade, Baek Hon.
Bloodless Ghost, Seol Yung.
Without a single person's error, as if they had been waiting for them for a long time, the names were engraved in a powerful yet cool calligraphy.
Even up to Yeon Musang, the Soul-Hook Pavilion Master of the black-path alliance, who had agonized until the last minute whether to attend this council or not.
―How could such a thing happen.
Goosebumps rose on the heroes' spines.
The positions and names of the attendees at this Grand Assembly were strictly top-secret.
Even who would step forward as the representative.
Some had only heard the day before their departure.
Yet the Martial Soul Command Lord had completely seen through the attendee list, as if looking down on everything from the sky.
―It is a warning.
A chill ran down the spines of the figures present.
This was not a simple welcome.
It was a silent warning that no matter what secrets they plotted or what tricks they played, everything was within the palm of his hand.
At the same time, he was showing off the might of the Death Spirit intelligence network he commanded.
"I am the Great Corps Leader, Yoo Unryong."
At that moment, the inner door opened, and Yoo Unryong walked out, clasping his two hands toward the attendees.
"Thank you for attending. The Command Lord will arrive shortly, so please, everyone, take a seat."
Instantly, the expressions of those present turned bizarre.
They had intended to act contrary to whatever Yoo Unryong said, crushing the majesty of the Martial Soul Command Lord.
If Yoo Unryong had said the Martial Soul Command Lord was entering and told them to stand up from their seats, they absolutely would not have stood.
But since the Martial Soul Command Lord was entering, he told them to 'sit' in their seats.
If they stood up without listening to those words? It would amount to politely expressing respect upon the appearance of the Martial Soul Command Lord.
And if they remained seated? It would amount to obediently following Yoo Unryong's words.
―He is boiling us well right from the start.
In the end, unable to do this or that, they had no choice but to maintain an anxious posture.
At that time, a man wearing black clothes entered along with the sound of footsteps.
It was Bu Eunseol.
His gait was as majestic as a dragon descended from the heavens disguised as a human.
And in his pupils, a light that overwhelmed ten thousand people lingered.
―To think he was a handsome man with such beautiful features?
Since Bu Eunseol traveled the martial world secretly and rarely appeared in public settings.
There were very few orthodox path members who had seen his true face.
Especially since all the figures gathered here were people holding rather unimportant positions in their respective sects.
They could not help but be somewhat surprised by his handsome features.
But that was not the only reason they were shocked out of their wits.
―What kind of momentum is...
The Martial Soul Command Lord had always stood shoulder to shoulder with the strongest experts under heaven.
Even if he had surpassed Return to Simplicity and reached Tranquil Clarity, making his aura appear extremely ordinary, it would not be surprising.
―Are you saying it's completely non-existent?
If Tranquil Clarity meant hiding one's momentum to appear ordinary, his aura and momentum were in a state where even the distinction between oneself and others had disappeared.
If Bu Eunseol were to set his mind to it?
They would not feel any sense of intimidation, only to realize at the moment the tip of the blade touched them...
That they had entered an inescapable death.
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