"You!"
Bu Bok-un ran over breathlessly.
"Why didn't you send word beforehand?"
And he hugged Bu Eunseol tightly with all his strength.
"How long has it been!"
Bu Eunseol also hugged Bu Bok-un tightly.
Until now, he had received the goodwill of numerous people while wandering the martial world.
But the only ones who had extended a hand to him when he had nothing were two people.
His grandfather, Bu Zhanyang.
And Bu Bok-un, who was a beggar in Byeokgye Village.
"Have you been well?"
At Bu Eunseol's question, the rims of Bu Bok-un's eyes grew red.
How much had he missed this sight?
A gaze settled quietly like the moonlight, and a lonely voice that resonated deep within his chest.
It was the sight of the friend he missed even in his sleep, the one he earnestly looked for even in his dreams.
"Of course!"
Bu Bok-un wiped away his wet tears and smiled brightly.
"I've been doing so well that I almost forgot how you were living!"
Though they had a mountain of things to say, their greetings ended with that.
Bu Bok-un had been offering Buddhist prayers with all his heart every single day for Bu Eunseol's safety.
Bu Eunseol, too, for Bu Bok-un's sake.
Had been having the elites of the Death Spirit Corps periodically observe the situation around Geumran Manor, preventing sudden incidents beforehand.
"Just how big are you planning to expand this scale?"
Bu Eunseol spoke as he looked around Geumran Manor.
"I thought a grand palace had been built in Jenam."
"It just happened that way somehow."
"Why are you throwing such a grand banquet?"
The scale of the banquet currently taking place was at a level even an ordinary magnate couldn't imitate.
Looking just at the food coming out, it was at a level somewhat similar to a banquet thrown in the Imperial Palace.
"I wasn't the one who did it this time."
Bu Bok-un wiped his nose and spoke.
"A great lord who has supported this Manor for a long time opened it."
"A great lord?"
"That's right. Actually……."
"Wait."
Sensing a presence, Bu Eunseol flashed his eyes and muttered lowly.
"Someone is coming."
Bu Eunseol had been covertly spreading a transparent aura barrier around them to prevent sound from escaping.
But the sound of footsteps was heading exactly for where Bu Bok-un was.
Trickle.
Once he changed his face again and deactivated the aura barrier,
Step, step.
The sound of footsteps was heard for a long while, and finally, a tall shadow arrived and stood before the east gate where Bu Bok-un was.
The person who revealed his figure under the moonlight was a middle-aged man wearing luxurious clothes and sporting a full beard.
The silver threads of a crane in the clouds pattern, intricately embroidered on the chest of his blue-dyed clothes, faintly sparkled whenever they caught the moonlight.
'The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild?'
The embroidery of the crane in the clouds pattern.
Was none other than the mark of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, considered the foremost even among the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains.
'It's Wi Cheongun.'
The middle-aged man was none other than the Grand Steward of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, Wi Cheongun.
"Lord Wi."
As a startled Bu Bok-un bowed his head, Wi Cheongun smiled broadly.
"Manor Lord Bu, so you were here."
"I felt a bit tipsy and came to get some fresh air."
"I see."
When Wi Cheongun's gaze turned toward Bu Eunseol, Bu Bok-un quickly made an excuse.
"This here is my friend. Um……."
"I am called Seo Jinbo."
Bu Eunseol offered a greeting with a somewhat awkward expression.
"I operate a silk shop in Yeonju Prefecture. Manor Lord Bu and I are on friendly terms from the time he started Geumran Manor."
"Aha, I see."
"But you seem to be someone in a high position at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild……."
When Bu Eunseol slyly pointed at the crane in the clouds pattern and asked.
Wi Cheongun brought his two hands together with an unpretentious demeanor unbefitting the Grand Steward of a massive merchant guild.
"I am Wi Cheongun."
At that, Bu Bok-un spoke to Bu Eunseol in a low voice.
"It is the Grand Steward of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, Lord Wi."
"Gr-Grand Steward."
Bu Eunseol pretended to be greatly surprised and expressed his courtesies.
"I have committed a discourtesy. I am Seo Jinbo, operating the Seosang Silk House."
When would a lowly silk merchant ever have the opportunity to face the Grand Steward of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains?
Bu Eunseol naturally broke out in a cold sweat, imitating a small merchant.
"Don't mention it."
Wi Cheongun waved his hand.
"It seems you are catching up after a long time, so please speak comfortably."
"Thank you."
"Then."
Wi Cheongun gave the two an eye greeting and turned his body.
"Phew."
When Wi Cheongun left, Bu Bok-un let out a sigh.
"I'm surprised. To think the Lord had learned martial arts."
Because Bu Bok-un had opened his fine meridians with Bu Eunseol's help, his hearing was no worse than martial artists.
Even so, he hadn't heard the sound of footsteps at all until Bu Eunseol mentioned it……
Only now did he figure out that Wi Cheongun had learned outstanding martial arts.
"Is the philanthropist who threw the banquet by any chance Grand Steward Wi?"
"He is."
Bu Bok-un spoke with a respectful gaze.
"He has been supporting this Manor for quite a while. Today, too, he spent a large sum of money to throw the banquet."
Bu Eunseol had an ominous premonition.
The busy Grand Steward of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.
Not only deliberately supporting Geumran Manor with massive sums of money, but also attending a banquet like this?
Unless Bu Bok-un was a figure of the Imperial Family, there was no reason to bestow such goodwill.
"I see."
But Bu Eunseol didn't let it show and changed the topic.
"I heard you had a child. Congratulations."
"Ah, right."
Bu Bok-un spoke with a smile.
"Since you're here today, you must see my wife and the child before you go."
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"It isn't good for a blood-reeking martial artist like me to go near a child."
"Why do you say such hurtful words?"
Bu Bok-un grabbed Bu Eunseol's shoulders and spoke.
"Don't ever say such a thing again."
With an apologetic expression, Bu Eunseol took out two booklets and two porcelain bottles from his bosom.
"What is this?"
"A gift."
Bu Eunseol calmly spoke.
"Since your wife is called a Divine Physician, she will naturally manage things well…… but it is my sincerity, so please accept it."
"What is this?"
"They are spirit pills and a health-preserving secret manual for the child's disease-free longevity."
Bu Eunseol formed a smile.
He could have passed on a martial arts secret manual, but.
Because he hoped that Bu Bok-un's children, at least, would live a smooth and ordinary life.
He only passed on a health-preserving secret manual so they wouldn't suffer a single minor illness for the rest of their lives.
"Thank you."
Bu Bok-un carefully tucked away the spirit pills and the secret manuals.
"When do you plan to let me eat banquet noodles for your wedding?"
He spoke earnestly.
"I heard there are many strong and excellent ladies around you. Even if you don't necessarily protect them, they are heroines who can form a family well."
At Bu Bok-un's worried gaze, Bu Eunseol showed a dry smile.
"Of course. If there is good news, I will inform you first."
"Yes, yes, well thought."
Bu Bok-un spoke with a smile.
"What joy is there in worldly affairs? It's happiest for everyone to just form a family modestly like this."
Bu Bok-un knew.
That Bu Eunseol thought he had no right to be happy himself.
That he was only continuing the blood-reeking life of a martial artist for the sake of revenge.
'But if he forms a family and has a child…… his mind will change.'
Bu Bok-un believed it.
Because he himself was like that.
He had thought it was a trivial life that could die at any time, but.
After getting a person he loved and a child, he was realizing how precious and happy every single day was.
"I will be going now."
Bu Eunseol formed a smile.
"Be well."
"You too."
In his thoughts, he wanted to stay together even a little longer, but Bu Bok-un also smiled and sent him off.
"Be well."
Bu Bok-un hugged him tightly one more time out of regret.
Bu Eunseol was a person meant to do great things.
He shouldn't place a burden on him, who lived sparing every minute and second.
Bu Eunseol slipped out of the manor.
As he moved his steps, his expression was stiffened, colder than ever.
How far had he walked?
Whoosh.
As he slipped out of the village and into the quiet suburbs, a chilly wind was blowing.
Since it was deserted, it wouldn't be strange to deploy his light footwork and return, but he was moving his steps slowly and hadn't dispelled his altered face either.
Swish.
But just then, a shadow appeared from a massive ancient tree.
It was none other than Wi Cheongun.
"Are you leaving already?"
Wi Cheongun showed a benevolent smile toward Bu Eunseol.
"There's still a lot of food left. Since you came a long way, shouldn't you eat and drink a little more?"
It was truly strange.
Why would the Grand Steward of a massive merchant guild like him worry about the meal of a mere silk merchant?
When Bu Eunseol didn't give any answer, Wi Cheongun spoke again.
"There are many silk shops in Yeonju Prefecture. On top of that, an owner named Seo Jinbo originally existed there as well…… your identity was perfect."
Wi Cheongun shook his head.
"But you probably didn't think I would send someone to Yeonju Prefecture right now to check on the figure named Seo Jinbo, the silk merchant, right?"
It was an astonishing statement.
Wi Cheongun had conversed with Bu Eunseol just moments ago.
And from Geumran Manor to the silk shop in Yeonju Prefecture, it was over three hundred ri.
But in this brief moment, he went to Yeonju Prefecture and checked on the whereabouts of the silk merchant named Seo Jinbo?
"Up until now, I investigated the identities and traces of all the VIPs who entered Geumran Manor. To see if their identities were truly certain."
It was a truly astonishing statement.
Wi Cheongun wasn't the Grand Steward of a mere merchant guild, but possessed a massive intelligence organization no worse than the Death Spirit Corps.
Didn't this mean he immediately checked the identities of all the guests who entered Geumran Manor up until now?
On top of that, because Bu Eunseol's disguise was perfected with the secret art of darkness, no one could recognize him, and.
Since his identity was certain, there was no need to do such a thing.
Even so, Wi Cheongun deliberately.
Searched all the shops in Yeonju Prefecture hundreds of ri away and immediately checked the traces of the figure named Seo Jinbo, the silk merchant.
"Right, I see. It was the secret art of darkness."
Wi Cheongun stared intently at Bu Eunseol's face and consecutively spoke astonishing words.
"For not even a trace of disguise to be found despite doing so, there is only one in the world. Only the magic arts of the Sacred Domain."
He stroked his chin and spoke.
"Since you acquired such a secret art…… I couldn't properly find your traces up until now."
Bu Eunseol, who had been silently listening to Wi Cheongun's story all along, opened his mouth.
"Are you saying you acted as a philanthropist to find me?"
"Of course."
Wi Cheongun laughed.
"A beggar of Byeokgye Village suddenly became rich, and the bizarre beggar named Mumu is said to have disappeared……."
And he stared intently at Bu Eunseol.
"By coincidence, that time overlaps exactly with the time someone went missing…… how could I not check?"
It was an astonishing statement.
Didn't that mean that during the time when Hyeokryeon Eung, a spy of the Three Realms, and Bu Eunseol clashed.
Wi Cheongun was already closely investigating Bu Eunseol's whereabouts?
"Actually, the banquet wasn't just today."
Wi Cheongun said.
"Up until now, I threw banquets at Geumran Manor several times, and each time, I perfectly checked the identities of the guests."
"……."
"But today, a silk merchant whose traces were somewhat unclear was secretly meeting with Manor Lord Bu."
Having finished speaking, Wi Cheongun showed a peculiar smile.
"So wouldn't anyone want to prove that identity?"
Up until now, he had continuously investigated the Martial Soul Command Lord's mysterious traces, and.
He finally found out that the point of disappearance in the past touched Geumran Manor's Bu Bok-un, and.
Intentionally provided continuous support to Geumran Manor to check its authenticity.
"Why?"
"Because I couldn't find you."
Wi Cheongun shrugged his shoulders.
"Recently, the scale of your intelligence organization has become so great that even this Venerable Lord couldn't find your traces at all."
"Venerable Lord, you say."
The word Venerable Lord was a term the kin of the True Demon commonly used when referring to the True Demon.
But Wi Cheongun was not the True Demon.
Even so, the one who would refer to himself like that…… there was only one in the world.
"The Three Attendants."
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
"Pamyeong."
Among the three faithful servants of the True Demon, the only one who raised a rebellion and fled after stealing his secret art.
Pamyeong, who was effectively in touch with the True Demon, had made his appearance.
"That's right."
He had just answered with the appearance of a good-natured person, but the sky was dyed pitch-black, and a ghostly wail that made one's hair stand on end seemed to echo from somewhere.
The Three Attendants.
One of the three servants who assisted the transcendent existence known as the True Demon, never revealing their figures to the martial world for generations.
Had covered himself in the shell of Wi Cheongun and appeared before Bu Eunseol.
"Even so, you must have status and face."
Bu Eunseol let out a snort.
"Shouldn't you put a guide in front and loudly ring out sounds to clear the path as you make your procession?"
"A lion reveals grandeur in itself."
Wi Cheongun raised the corners of his mouth.
"To throw one's weight around accompanied by trivial servants is what weaklings like you do."
"That probably isn't it."
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
"You're the only one among the Three Attendants who bit your master, so isn't it that you can't proudly strut around and are plotting hidden in the dark?"
It was a supremely insulting remark.
But Wi Cheongun instead laughed heartily.
"Right. You curse quite refreshingly."
"Are you already treating me as a dead person?"
"You know well."
Wi Cheongun let out a snort.
"In this Venerable Lord's gaze, you merely look like a corpse already lying in a coffin."
The reason he didn't get angry despite the bitter insult was.
Not because he was broad-minded…… but because he already considered Bu Eunseol a dead man.
Since there was no need to get angry at a dead man.
"I see."
Bu Eunseol's gaze flashed.
The one among the Three Attendants who had uniquely raised a rebellion against the True Demon, Pamyeong, who had committed evil deeds in the past by taking over Sa Woo's physical body.
For him to seek him out alone and warn of death meant.
"Chu So."
Bu Eunseol's eyes sank coldly.
"You must have been instigated by him."
This time, due to the matter with the Jungson Family, Chu So would be grinding his teeth at him.
His appearance would surely not be unrelated to Chu So.
'He's more ordinary than I thought.'
Since he was a Three Attendant who was closest to the True Demon, he thought he would naturally show a terrifying majesty.
However, Wi Cheongun possessed an aura that was even more ordinary than ordinary martial artists.
"Nangyang Pavilion produced decent experts for generations. That fellow Sa Woo from before was useful too."
Pamyeong.
He had manipulated the physical body of the former Secret Head Sa Woo like a puppet in the past.
And now, he had taken over the body of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild's Grand Steward, Wi Cheongun, and was carrying out activities in the martial world.
"Seeing as you took over another's body again…… are you still not recovered?"
"You know quite a lot."
Originally, if one met a Three Attendant, there were many mysteries to ask and find out.
But putting Pamyeong in front of him, he realized that such thoughts were completely meaningless.
'Because that guy will absolutely not give me an answer.'
He probably wouldn't be able to obtain any information about the True Demon from the mouth of a Three Attendant.
Now, all that remained was to unfold a life-and-death battle.
"Your courage is good."
At that time, Wi Cheongun showed a peculiar exclamation.
"To not be afraid even after knowing this Venerable Lord's identity."
"You did something you absolutely shouldn't have done."
A blood light bloomed in Bu Eunseol's pupils.
"You should never have gone to Geumran Manor."
Wi Cheongun tilted his head askew for a moment, then realizing the meaning of Bu Eunseol's words, he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha."
Wi Cheongun, who had laughed brightly, shook his head as if he was dumbfounded.
"It seems you looked down on this Venerable Lord quite a bit."
Black fog spread out from Wi Cheongun's pupils.
"Do you think this Venerable Lord investigated Geumran Manor to threaten a mere insect like you?"
As he emitted his aura, an indescribable ripple stirred within Bu Eunseol's chest.
It wasn't the feeling of 'strong' or 'great' usually felt in front of super experts.
It was a sense of despair as if the entire world had completely evaporated, and all existences including himself had been thrown into endless darkness.
Had it been a regular martial artist, they would have been seized by terror at that overwhelming power.
However, Bu Eunseol's aura instead became even stronger.
Because the endless darkness was a familiar world to him.
Because inside Bu Eunseol, light and darkness were always precariously coexisting.
"Since a long time ago, this Venerable Lord investigated perfectly the traces of figures who greatly influence the martial world."
Wi Cheongun showed a cold smile.
"But there were some whose proper traces were not revealed, and one of them was you."
"So you disguised yourself as a Grand Steward of a merchant guild and entered a manor where commoners are gathered?"
"Hehehe. Were you dissatisfied with that?"
Realizing the source of the terrifying rage.
Spreading out from Bu Eunseol's body, Wi Cheongun snorted and nodded his head.
"Rest assured. This Venerable Lord does not touch commoners who do not know martial arts."
"……."
"Touching perfectly useless commoners is something the half-humans or greenhorns like Chu So do."
Surprisingly, he clearly drew a line between himself and Chu So.
However, those words couldn't be believed exactly as they were.
The True Demon and the True Demon's kin.
Were people who could commit any evil deed without hesitation for their goals.
Especially that Pamyeong had committed evil deeds by stealing Sa Woo's physical body.
Just because he had some principles or beliefs didn't mean he was someone who would perfectly and thoroughly keep them.
"This Venerable Lord will tell you an important fact."
Wi Cheongun spoke shocking words.
"If you do not produce a proper outcome with this Venerable Lord, the exact same thing as breaking the covenant will happen."
"What did you say?"
"This Venerable Lord's power twists fate."
He spoke, shrugging his shoulders.
"Even if I don't touch the commoners, all the martial artists around you will die from unforeseen accidents."
―Twisting fate to kill.
It was a statement like the curse of an evil spirit.
"So running away is useless. Unless you want to see all your subordinates die."
"Let's move elsewhere."
Bu Eunseol spoke with a gaze ablaze with red light.
The members of the Death Shadow Corps had all learned the Mind's Eye art and had trained with gnashing teeth, so.
Even if Covenantors came, they could adequately hold out to some extent.
But Bu Bok-un and his family had not properly learned martial arts.
Of course, this place was dozens of ri away from Geumran Manor, but it was a situation where he absolutely couldn't rest easy.
Because just having a being like Pamyeong here could potentially destroy all of Jenam.
"I'll properly face you."
Bu Eunseol was more furious than ever.
He could tolerate being touched himself.
But touching the people he thought of as precious could absolutely not be forgiven.
No matter if it was to find his traces, he should never have gone to Geumran Manor and met Bu Bok-un.
Before Wi Cheongun could give any reply,
Craaaash!
The space itself within a radius of dozens of ri centered around Bu Eunseol was crushed by a massive formless pressure and began to scream.
The blowing wind stopped, and the leaves fluttering in the air froze in the void. An absolute silence arrived as if even time had stopped flowing.
"Right now, this instant."
Bu Eunseol's pupils no longer burned red.
They were becoming dyed in the color of extinction, as if the color red had been condensed into a single point.
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