"The Command Lord is a member of the demonic path."
The new Sect Leader of the Beggars' Sect, Dam Jeok, who had been silently listening to Bu Eunseol's words all along, spoke.
"Why on earth are you driving yourself to such extremes?"
After a long silence, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
"There is no one in the martial world capable of bearing a burden like this."
Then he wore a nonchalant expression.
"Besides, this body has long been hated by both the orthodox and unorthodox paths... so even if I am cursed at once more, nothing will change."
Dam Jeok let out a sigh and spoke.
"But shouldn't the martial artists know the truth?"
"Sometimes, lies hold greater value than the truth."
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"When people feel that something has gone wrong, the very first thing they do is search for a target to criticize and resent. Even if that thing is right and absolutely necessary."
"Why must you be the one to do it, Command Lord?"
At that time, the Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sect, Unsang, asked coldly with a sharp gaze.
"Do you wish to become a hero?"
He spoke with a suspicious look in his eyes.
"Is there a need for the successor of Majeon to take an active role every time the martial world faces a crisis?"
During his time as a Ten Demon Warrior, Bu Eunseol had killed a Great Righteous Master of Kunlun.
And because he had incorporated the Seven Sword Sects of Qinghai into Majeon and supported them unsparingly, Kunlun's standing had been shrinking day by day.
Because of this, he hated Bu Eunseol, and his participation today was also for the sake of exacting revenge.
"Am I not a boss of the demonic path?"
Bu Eunseol smiled while looking at Unsang.
"Everyone gathered here is a hero recognized by all under heaven and the head of a faction. But I am merely a young demonic path member who rode the tide well."
He smiled dryly.
"Since I am already hated by the orthodox and unorthodox paths in the first place, it doesn't matter if I am cursed at."
That was Bu Eunseol's sincere feeling.
Grip.
Yoo Unryong, who had been listening silently, clenched his fists tightly.
His chest grew hot like a ball of fire, and his cheeks flushed.
―However, according to the plan, we were supposed to persuade the heads of the orthodox factions who were hostile toward the Command Lord or just watching this problem from across the river like a fire....
At the time they held the council in the Absolute Domain.
To Gongsun Dankyung's question of this nature, Bu Eunseol had smiled calmly and said.
―I will take care of that myself.
'Persuading them after opening the grand council was an impossible task.'
Because he said he would take care of it, Yoo Unryong thought he had won over the heads of the various factions in advance.
To think he intended to persuade them with words in this place?
'Bu Eunseol. Even for you, this plan is far too reckless.'
However... anger surged up within him.
Up until now, Bu Eunseol had secretly protected many people and accomplished many things.
But each time, the demonic path criticized him for not acting like a demonic path member.
The orthodox path sneered, saying he was merely mimicking a renowned knight-errant to gain the support of the martial world.
No one... recognized his sacrifices and efforts.
Yet despite that, Bu Eunseol was silently protecting the people and the martial world.
'Those called heroes cower to protect their own bodies even when the martial world is in danger....'
Yoo Unryong bit his lip until it bled.
Bu Eunseol, who risked his life to handle all sorts of matters.
Was being called a traitor in the demonic path and a heretic in the orthodox path.
'Ugh.'
Yoo Unryong was the most cold-hearted individual in the Death Shadow Corps.
Even Bu Eunseol, who possessed wisdom and insight no less than the sages of the world.
Sometimes had a tendency to act recklessly, unable to overcome his emotions.
So he had always tried his best to maintain his cool-headedness.
'What kind of dog-shit situation is this!'
But this time, he absolutely could not hold back his erupting anger.
"What on earth...!"
Just as Yoo Unryong was about to shout out in rage,
"Just what on earth are you all doing!"
Suddenly, an explosive roar that shook the interior of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion burst forth.
It was none other than the Azure Sky Alliance Leader, Bukgung Ryeong.
"That wicked demonic path member tried to sow discord in the world and deceive the imperial palace, but the heroes gathered here prevented it! Is this the kind of story you are hoping for?"
He let out a thunderous shout.
"Or are the old men called heroes going to protect their reputations and shift all the dirty burdens onto that young man of the demonic path?"
He spoke with eyes flashing like lightning.
"That young man is betting everything he has solely to execute the forces disrupting the martial world. He is pleading, 'Even if I perish, please protect the world'!"
As if his anger was bursting out, he beat his chest and let out a roar like a lion's roar.
"Are these the words that the heads of the orthodox path, who shout about protecting the righteous spirit of the martial world, should say!"
The people present had nothing to say.
It was certainly true that the orthodox path members of the current era only protected justice with their mouths and had never stepped forward in times of crisis.
But this was also a situation where they had no choice but to be understood.
Currently, too many abnormal forces were running rampant in the martial world, and to control them, one had to risk the survival of their sect.
As the head of a sect, there were far too many circumstances to consider to simply cry out for justice.
In other words, the current situation of the martial world was just that abnormal.
"Alliance Leader. You seem to be too excited."
When Namgung Jeong spoke cautiously, Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
"There was only one reason this Alliance Leader left the Martial Alliance, where my name was engraved on the Hero's Monument. It was to create a martial world where we could proudly call ourselves the orthodox path. To establish a foundation of justice that would not change even after a thousand years."
He spoke with a miserable expression, as if ashamed.
"But the one establishing the justice of the martial world in this era is not a member of the orthodox path, but a young man of the demonic path."
The atmosphere inside became solemn.
Bukgung Ryeong was the greatest renowned knight-errant of the era, who had his name engraved on the Hero's Monument while still alive, and was the symbol of the orthodox path members.
Such a man, exhausted by endless covert strife, had created the Azure Sky Alliance and led the orthodox path members while doing what was right.
But seeing that the figures who could be called the heads of the orthodox path were only looking out for their own safety even in this situation.
He felt an indescribably miserable feeling.
"Alliance Leader, do you know this?"
At that time, Namgung Jeong said something out of the blue.
"This family has never once joined forces with those of the demonic path or formed any sort of pact with them."
Looking around at the people, he spoke calmly.
"Because this family has always chosen the right path, and the demonic path is merely the Path of Hegemony."
Namgung Jeong spoke with a resolute expression.
"And that is also the banner this family has upheld for hundreds of years."
Bu Eunseol had saved the Namgung family from a crisis and was the very person who had transformed the rascal Namgung Un into a dragon.
Why was such a man saying something that dampened the mood like this?
"Are you saying you will absolutely not cooperate with the demonic path?"
At the Beggars' Sect Leader Dam Jeok's words, Namgung Un nodded.
"That is correct. This family will absolutely not cooperate with the demonic path."
In an instant, not only Yoo Unryong but even Unsang, the Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sect who had been subtly mocking Bu Eunseol, wore a surprised expression.
Namgung Jeong was a person who grasped the trends of the times.
Because they had thought that, even if others didn't, he would definitely not oppose this matter.
At that time, Namgung Un stood up from his seat.
"This family will participate in the subjugation of the Jungson family."
Then he politely paid his respects to Bu Eunseol.
"And we will not spare our full support."
"Are you joking right now? Didn't you just say a moment ago that you would not cooperate with the demonic path?"
At Unsang's words, Namgung Jeong looked down at him with cold eyes.
"Sect Leader, does he look like a demonic path member to you right now?"
Then he spoke with an incredibly solemn expression.
"In the eyes of this Patriarch, he looks like a renowned knight-errant who is more orthodox than any member of the orthodox path."
Just as Unsang was about to open his mouth in absurdity,
"We will join the Command Lord's plan."
Tang Gon, the Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang family, who had been silently keeping quiet until now, stood up and brought his hands together.
"This family will gladly take the vanguard in subjugating the Jungson family."
Yeongcheongja also stood up from his seat and brought his hands together.
"This sect will also join the Command Lord's plan."
"This temple will also join."
"This sect will also join."
From the Beggars' Sect and Shaolin to the Jegal family and Hwangbo family... The heads who had been sitting in their seats stood up one by one and brought their hands together.
"This sect will also join."
Then, all the figures who had been reading the room stood up from their seats and brought their hands together.
"This sect is the same."
At that time, the Patriarch of the Jegal family spoke.
"Sect Leader Un. If you intend to back out of the grand council, it might be best for you to leave outside right now."
Unsang's face turned red and blue.
In fact, since the Emperor had been enraged and issued an imperial decree, it was a situation where the orthodox and unorthodox martial worlds would have to join forces eventually, even if it wasn't the grand council.
He had intended to use this opportunity to break the Martial Soul Command Lord's spirit, ruin the grand council, and relieve his pent-up frustration.
―Let us form the Orthodox Path Alliance!
He had intended to hold a separate council with the heads of the orthodox path whom he had made promises with in advance.
However, when the Azure Sky Alliance Leader, the Namgung Patriarch, and the Sichuan Tang Patriarch, whom he thought would be the most stubborn, led the atmosphere.
The tide had already turned.
Tremble.
He glared at the heads of the few factions who had made promises with him, then soon stood up from his seat and brought his hands together.
"This sect... will also join."
For the first time in the history of the martial world, all the heads of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths had harbored a single will and gathered together through one person.
The Grand Alliance.
To uproot the Jungson family in a single stroke, an integrated force of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths had finally been created.
'Thank goodness.'
Yoo Unryong cried out inwardly.
What if they had failed to recognize Bu Eunseol's true intentions until the end and had forced the matter?
Cracks would have definitely appeared somewhere, and far from taking down the Jungson family, they would have eventually suffered a counterattack.
But the Azure Sky Alliance Leader and the Namgung Patriarch, who knew Bu Eunseol's true worth, provoked them.
And those stubborn members of the orthodox path stood up from their seats on their own and paid their respects to Bu Eunseol.
Now that they had united like this, this matter was as good as successful.
"Then the supreme command will be...."
However, another hurdle lay in wait.
As this was the first grand council held in the history of the martial world, and the first Grand Alliance ever created.
Becoming the Commander here was something that would remain forever in the history of the martial world.
The people looked at each other with faces full of anticipation.
―If one becomes the Commander or Alliance Leader who leads this Grand Alliance, they will leave their name in the history of the martial world forever.
And was that all?
This plan was being carried out in cooperation between the martial world and the imperial palace. If things went well, they could also receive a tremendous reward from the Emperor.
―It probably won't be me.
But the people soon realized that it was a pipe dream.
Because the very person who had risked his life to carry out this matter and devised all the stratagems was right here.
Bu Eunseol, who had been willing to endure and sacrifice everything, had no choice but to become the Commander.
"Then, the one who executed all these plans...."
As Yeongcheongja was about to speak,
"I believe it would be best to fairly elect the Alliance Leader who will command this Grand Alliance."
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"Since this corps planned it, it would be even better if the allied forces of the orthodox path commanded it if possible."
Then he stared fixedly at Bukgung Ryeong.
He did not cling to honor.
The position of Alliance Leader of the Grand Alliance, which would remain forever in the history of the martial world, that glory.
He was trying to return it to the Azure Sky Alliance Leader, Bukgung Ryeong.
* * *
―The Grand Alliance has been born to resolve this crisis in the martial world!
The grand council held at Majeon's Suppressed Demon Pavilion ended successfully, and it was said that the forces that caused all these incidents had been specified.
Accordingly, they made the Azure Sky Alliance Leader Bukgung Ryeong the Alliance Leader of the Grand Alliance.
And declared that they would form the Grand Alliance to resolve this matter in a single stroke.
In response, the imperial family appointed the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as the commanding officer.
And among the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who received the absolute trust of the Emperor, they gathered those with certain loyalty to the Emperor and cold-hearted judgment.
To create an organization called the Counterfeit-Breaking Guard, and had them control the martial artists.
They also gave the heads of each faction a Jade Tally, an edict proving they were the Emperor's representatives, and granted them investigative rights regarding the counterfeit money.
―This investigation is the Emperor's command!
Those who ignore the authority of the Jade Tally will be considered counterfeiters and sympathizers!
Originally, when such a situation occurred.
Endless friction arose between the military officials who valued rules and absolute obedience to superiors.
And the free-spirited and proud martial arts experts.
Furthermore, it was as clear as day that conflict would arise between the orthodox and unorthodox sects who did not trust each other.
But Bu Eunseol wanted to prevent such things beforehand.
So he held the Grand Assembly in advance, integrated the opinions of each faction, and specified the culprits.
Also, through Yoo Unryong from the very beginning.
Because he had proceeded with this matter alongside Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet Yoo Jeongpung.
They acknowledged the command of the Counterfeit-Breaking Guard's investigation, but in reality, they only kept it to the level of monitoring the investigation of the Grand Alliance.
Completely blocking the discord between the martial artists and the government office.
―We shall begin!
Under Bukgung Ryeong's command, the Grand Alliance began to move.
Countless theater troupes existed throughout the Central Plains, and most of them had no names and their tracks were unclear.
The troupe members had neither names nor genealogies.
They only wandered, sang, sold entertainment, and gathered children.
Because their tracks existed everywhere in the Central Plains, it was conversely as if they didn't touch anywhere at all.
The members of the theater troupes would sometimes beg in front of someone else's gate.
And at other times, they would become a group of poets holding poem papers and reciting them.
There were far too many theater troupes in the Central Plains, and they could cleverly hide their bodies.
If you grabbed their tail, they would vanish like smoke in an instant.
Weeds will grow back if not pulled out by the roots.
If they were not annihilated in a single stroke, they would once again enter the darkness and hide themselves.
Like that, for the first time since the history of the martial world began, all forces united and carried out a single plan.
Named the Heaven-and-Earth Net Plan.
Like a net of heaven and earth.
A perfect annihilation operation with not a single hole to escape through was.
Planned with the allied forces of the orthodox and unorthodox paths including Majeon, and the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families as the main pillars.
And even the black-path alliance and the factions of the unorthodox path began to execute the order.
―Do not let a single one escape!
It started in a marketplace in Nakyang.
A theater troupe in flashy makeup was breathing fire and dancing.
And the moment the children's cheers erupted,
Flash!
Dozens of sword lights bloomed simultaneously from within the crowd.
Shaolin's Arhat Fist shook the earth, and Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword scattered like snowflakes.
Laughter turned into screams, and red blood formed puddles on the ground.
One theater troupe failed to realize that deadly poison was in the food they ate.
When they fell into eternal sleep, assassins of the black path appeared from the darkness and soundlessly claimed their necks.
The theater troupe disguised as a camel caravan on the western desert road also had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide under the siege of the ronin.
They possessed incredible martial prowess, but their opponents were a grand legion composed of forces from the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths.
Only red-stained blood and corpses remained in the desert.
The sailing ship heading south carrying a theater troupe as well.
Was surrounded by dozens of ships led by orthodox and unorthodox experts, including the Eighteen Leagues of the Yangtze Waterways.
The allied forces of the Eight Great Families poured onto the ship, and the sound of clashing swords, screams, and shouts echoed across the riverbank.
On this single day.
Hundreds of theater troupes disappeared simultaneously from all over the Central Plains.
Like a mirage, as if they had never existed from the start. They had neither the time to hide underground nor the strength to make a comeback.
It was truly a perfect annihilation.
* * *
The plan to exterminate the Jungson family, initiated by Bu Eunseol's stratagem, achieved perfect success under Bukgung Ryeong's command.
On a single day promised by all forces.
In a single hour, they simultaneously ambushed the theater troupes disguised as members of the Jungson family scattered throughout the Central Plains.
Because if information leaked even in one place, they would flee in a chain reaction, perfect security and synchronicity were the core of the operation.
In particular, the one that made the greatest contribution to this Jungson family annihilation plan was none other than the Martial Soul Society.
They took on the mission of dealing with the remnants of the Jungson family hiding in lawless zones or the shadows.
And by dealing with the experts who displayed the abilities of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, they prevented massive casualties.
―This combined operation of the Grand Alliance will remain forever in the history of the martial world!
When the Heaven-and-Earth Net Plan succeeded, all the martial artists could not hide their excitement.
Majeon of the demonic path.
The Azure Sky Alliance and Martial Alliance of the orthodox path.
The Martial Soul Society between the orthodox and unorthodox paths.
The Nine Great Sects and the Beggars' Sect, the Eight Great Families.
The black-path alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
And even the five gates and ten quarters, including assassin organizations and evil cults, joined forces.
To deal with the remnants of the Jungson family hiding as theater troupes.
This was an alliance of the entire martial world, and a General Uprising of the Martial World, which had never been formed even once in the history of the martial world.
It was a historic day when all martial artists joined forces to eradicate the Three Families, which had been one of the legends of the martial world.
―There is no need to think of it so grandiosely.
Since it was merely an action caused by a simple justification.
However, the black-path alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance, etc.
Factions where the senior leaders did not attend the council and thus failed to play a decisive role in the plan.
Did not hesitate to make remarks that threw cold water on the situation.
―Wasn't this unification of the entire martial world merely akin to an instinct for survival?
Coldly speaking, they weren't wrong.
The Jungson family had kidnapped children from all walks of life and incurred the Emperor's wrath by causing the counterfeit money incident.
If they had failed to stop them, it was obvious that a clash between the imperial army and the martial world would have occurred.
It was not a noble act to execute evil, but merely a struggle to survive.
―Why on earth did the Jungson family do such things?
At the fact that the main culprit of this incident was the Jungson family, the martial artists reacted as if they couldn't understand it at all.
The Jungson family was a family that had come down to the martial world for generations and left behind legendary anecdotes.
Yet the fact that they secretly hid their identities by operating ridiculous organizations called theater troupes.
To obtain information from all over the Central Plains and kidnap outstanding prodigies.
The fact that they deliberately circulated counterfeit money to obtain massive funds.
Simply could not be understood.
―The Jungson family is ruined.
The Grand Alliance not only cleaned up all those who kidnapped the children, but also swept away all organizations related to the counterfeit money.
And when they handed that evidence over to the government office.
A truly harsh punishment was handed down to the Jungson family.
The masterminds and core leaders were killed by death by a thousand cuts, slicing off their flesh.
And the members of the Jungson family and core disciples were all sentenced to beheading.
The rest of the people were exiled to distant borderlands or reduced to slaves depending on the gravity of their crimes.
The Jungson family.
One of the Three Families of the martial world passed down as a legend had ultimately disappeared without a trace.
―Well done.
The Emperor bestowed rewards upon Bukgung Ryeong, the Alliance Leader of the Grand Alliance, and the core contributors.
In particular, he bestowed the title Jeongmu, the Pacifier of Arms upon Bukgung Ryeong.
And bestowed a plaque handwritten by the Emperor to the Martial Soul Society, which had made the greatest contribution.
After Shaolin, a sect with a signboard personally bestowed by the Emperor had been born.
Furthermore, receiving such a plaque meant being recognized as a representative force of the martial world officially approved by the Emperor.
He also evenly bestowed rewards to the sects and martial artists who participated in this Grand Alliance.
Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol's office.
Bu Eunseol and Yoo Unryong were standing side by side, looking out the window.
"In the end, things went as you wished."
Yoo Unryong let out a sigh.
"You stubbornly managed to receive the Emperor's plaque for the Martial Soul Society."
What Bu Eunseol wanted the most while handling the affairs of the Jungson family was none other than the Emperor's plaque.
The Martial Soul Society was growing rapidly and had become a place of great attention not only for the Martial Alliance but also the Abyss forces.
If its sanctuary status were revoked, it could become extremely dangerous.
The best method was to receive the recognition of the imperial family. That was why he had struck the elite forces of the Jungson family at the risk of losing troops.
To make the greatest contribution.
"But it was too dangerous."
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
"You created perfect evidence, but... there are traitors inside. What would you have done if the Jungson family launched a counterattack claiming they weren't the counterfeiters?"
He spoke in a low voice.
"Besides, telling the heads of the Eight Great Families and the Nine Great Sects that there were no counterfeiters was also too reckless."
What if there was someone among them who cooperated with or had been won over by the Jungson family?
Or what if it became known that Bu Eunseol had intentionally created the counterfeit money incident that had turned the country upside down?
Bu Eunseol would never be able to survive.
"With this incident, let alone the Eight Great Families, you practically handed your leash over to the Nine Great Sects."
What if the Nine Great Sects turned on Bu Eunseol?
They could immediately reveal the fabricated counterfeit money incident and exile him from the martial world forever.
"Especially since Chu So was behind the Jungson family. If he had made up his mind and launched a counterattack...."
Yoo Unryong, who was about to say harsher words, shook his head and changed the subject.
"Anyway, this incident is only a short victory; in the long run, it is absolutely not a good omen."
"That will not happen."
At that time, Bu Eunseol said something shocking.
"The counterfeit money incident actually happened."
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