Bu Eunseol headed to Majeon with a heavy heart.
Dali was a figure who served the True Demon, an existence fundamentally incompatible with himself.
Although there was a traitor named Pamyeong, that was only possible because he had stolen the secret arts of the True Demon and discarded his physical body.
In the end, unlike Bu Eunseol, there was an uncrossable river between the two of them.
'We will meet again soon.'
He could be certain of it.
It would not be long before Dali appeared before his eyes once more.
Even if that... turned out to be their final encounter.
Returning to Majeon, he suppressed his complicated feelings and convened a meeting.
Then, he relayed everything that had happened on Moon-Gazing Island.
The pavilion leaders all nodded with understanding expressions.
Had it been in the past, they would have worn blank looks, as if they were listening to a folktale.
However, in the current martial world, there were countless individuals born with special eyes or bodies, and there were even the One Hundred and Eight Stars who possessed supernatural powers.
Moreover, it was not particularly strange for those born with the origins of the Demonic and the Righteous to appear generation after generation.
After concluding the meeting, Bu Eunseol returned to his office and fell deep into thought.
Was it because of the Wondrous Soul-Fading Caress Art she had performed?
He was still unable to escape from Dali's illusion.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the sound of knocking on the door was accompanied by Yoo Unryong's voice.
"It's urgent news."
Entering the room, he delivered some unexpected news to Bu Eunseol.
"We finally received contact from the Imperial Palace."
"The Imperial Palace?"
"That's right."
Yoo Unryong carefully studied Bu Eunseol's reaction with a troubled expression.
"To be precise, it is a secret order handed down by the Emperor through Lord Yoo."
"Lord Yoo... I see."
In the past, to annihilate the Jungson Family, Bu Eunseol had asked Yoo Unryong to move the Emperor through Yoo Jeongpung.
And thanks to that, the Grand Alliance, a coalition between the orthodox and demonic factions, had been able to smoothly uproot the Jungson Family scattered throughout the Central Plains without clashing with the martial artists of the Imperial Palace.
However, nothing in the world came for free.
In the end, the time had come to repay that favor.
"Since we owe a debt, it is only natural that we must pay it back."
When Bu Eunseol nodded willingly, Yoo Unryong put on a relieved expression.
"They say they plan to completely wipe out all the opium fields managed by the Empress Dowager..."
But soon, looking at the letter, he rubbed his forehead as if it were a headache.
"In reality, it seems to be a plan to thoroughly eradicate all of the Empress Dowager's secret organizations."
"You mean they're sending bait."
"That's right."
"To draw out the Empress Dowager's organizations, ordinary bait won't be enough, will it?"
Yoo Unryong scratched his head.
"It's Princess Hwijeong."
"Hwijeong."
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize why Yoo Unryong had been frowning all this time.
"...I see."
Princess Hwijeong was known not only for her beauty and intellect but also for her outstanding martial arts.
The problem was that she was famous for roaming the capital dressed as a man, causing trouble and playing pranks on the descendants of powerful families.
She was truly an unstoppable tomboy.
"Outwardly, they are saying that Princess Hwijeong will travel incognito with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate the opium fields."
Yoo Unryong took a deep breath before speaking.
"In reality, they want you to act as a former assassin hired by the Embroidered Uniform Guard as a guide, protecting the princess while dealing with those organizations."
"No matter how capable the escorts assigned to her are, it is incredibly dangerous to put the princess at the forefront of a plan that carries a clear risk of assassination."
"Of course. The Emperor must have agonized over it too."
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
"But no matter how you look at it, this is a task that only Princess Hwijeong can undertake."
He then calmly explained.
"There are so many of the Empress Dowager's spies within the Imperial Court that the Emperor only has a very small number of loyal subjects he can trust, including the princess."
"..."
"If he were to entrust such a task to anyone else, the chances of the information leaking and the plan failing would be over eighty percent."
He continued speaking.
"Also, to draw out the Empress Dowager's secret organizations, ordinary bait isn't enough."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
"Indeed, the princess cherished by the Emperor is the only option."
"That's right."
The Emperor's daughter, the princess, stepping forward in person?
From the Empress Dowager's perspective, it was an irresistible... an irreplaceable bait she would have to bite even knowing it was a trap.
"Furthermore, they say Princess Hwijeong's martial arts are much more outstanding than expected. Not only did she enter the Imperial Palace Martial Armory, but she also learned martial arts from several masters."
Yoo Unryong shrugged his shoulders.
"More than anything... I heard that this was a plan the princess proposed first. The Emperor had no choice either."
It wasn't a plan devised by the Emperor.
The bold Princess Hwijeong had been the one to first propose this scheme to him.
"And for this plan to succeed, along with double and triple layers of protection, they needed an escort who could absolutely protect her."
"You're saying I am the right person for the job."
"That's right. Above all..."
Yoo Unryong wore a regretful expression.
"Lord Yoo knows that you have mastered an art of disguise that can never be detected."
During his previous meeting with Yoo Jeongpung, the topic of disguise had come up, and Bu Eunseol had no choice but to confess some of the related facts.
Of course, it was a necessary conversation that arose during their negotiations.
But Yoo Unryong had been worrying whether that had been too hasty of a judgment.
Because Yoo Jeongpung was someone who valued and remained loyal to the Emperor even more than his own life or the lives of his blood relatives.
Sure enough.
In the end, Yoo Jeongpung had dragged Bu Eunseol into the Imperial Court's power struggle.
The Martial Soul Command Lord.
This young grandmaster, who stood shoulder to shoulder with the greatest supreme masters of the current era.
It was under the judgment that he was the best escort who could protect Princess Hwijeong.
"Even if it's me, I cannot perfectly protect the princess all by myself."
"You have no choice."
Yoo Unryong's face looked somewhat older.
"Because we owe a debt."
It showed just how much he had agonized after receiving this order.
"The only fortunate thing is that the martial world is quiet these days."
"Hmm."
Wrinkles formed on Bu Eunseol's face as well.
He was supposed to protect the princess while burning down the Empress Dowager's opium fields?
Moreover, calling her a tomboy was putting it nicely; judging by the rumors about her, in reality.
She probably had the personality of a wild degenerate.
He could clearly see the gateway to suffering opening up before him, even without having to experience it firsthand.
"Don't worry too much about it. Since it's practically an imperial command, you can't refuse it anyway."
"Hmm."
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
"I understand."
The Emperor was a quick-witted and clever man.
In the end, Bu Eunseol found himself in a position where he would have to repay not only the principal but also a hefty amount of interest.
Before heading up to a special room in an inn within the capital.
Bu Eunseol checked his face one more time in the bronze mirror hanging on the wall.
His handsome features were nowhere to be seen, replaced by the frail body and heavily sickly face of an unsightly man who wouldn't catch anyone's eye.
'This should be fine.'
Upon going up to the special room on the third floor, he found men who clearly looked like military martial artists guarding the place strictly, their postures stiff.
"My name is Jeungbyeok."
When Bu Eunseol brought his hands together, one of the men held out his hand.
"Your token."
Without a word, Bu Eunseol took out and handed over the token he had received from Yoo Unryong.
At that, the martial artists parted left and right to clear a path.
Slide.
As he entered, he saw a large banquet hall, and in the center of a massive table sat a beautiful woman wearing elaborate martial attire.
Standing attentively beside her was a middle-aged man dressed in black martial robes.
It was Princess Hwijeong and the squad leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard tasked with escorting her, Mo Ilchung.
"This lowly one, Jeungbyeok, greets Her Highness the Princess."
As Bu Eunseol prostrated himself on the ground and bowed, her gaze swept over him from head to toe.
It was a cold, indifferent look, as if she were looking at a pebble on the side of the road.
"...His Majesty has gone through useless trouble."
Disappointment was evident in her ice-cold voice.
"To bring a martial artist, and an individual of lowly assassin origins at that, into an affair that must remain absolutely secret."
"According to the Grand Secretary, this man is a master second to none when it comes to breaking formations."
Mo Ilchung, who was standing attentively beside her, spoke politely.
"In order to succeed in this task, we absolutely need an expert in breaking formations, Your Highness."
The Empress Dowager's secret opium fields were constantly guarded by layers of bizarre formations and formidable masters.
It was a fortress-like place that could not be broken through with mere martial prowess.
"This Palace has already grasped the essence of the Imperial Palace Secret Vault and can shatter all strange formations."
"Of course, Your Highness."
At Princess Hwijeong's words, Mo Ilchung bowed his head with an expression of deep reverence.
"However, it seems His Majesty called for an expert in breaking formations so that this matter could be handled a little more smoothly."
"Very well. But if I find this man's skills to be lacking..."
Snorting, Princess Hwijeong flashed a vicious smile.
"This Palace will cut his throat myself."
Then, glaring at Bu Eunseol, she demanded.
"Do you understand?"
"I will keep it in mind, Your Highness."
Bowing his head, Bu Eunseol inwardly clicked his tongue.
The Emperor was benevolent and wise, yet the princess was this venomous?
'Besides, it wasn't just a sense of duty.'
There was a strange excitement swirling in her flushed cheeks and eyes.
To help the Emperor, to help the common people suffering from opium.
He had thought that was why she started this task.
But perhaps it was to escape the stifling Imperial Palace and set foot directly into the martial world she had only heard about in stories.
She might have volunteered for this mission for that very reason.
'Even this incredibly dangerous mission is nothing more than a game to her.'
As if to prove it, she abruptly stood up from her seat and smiled, revealing her white teeth.
"Let us depart at once."
Black Cloud Valley, located beyond Sanhae Pass, was a deep canyon practically unknown to the outside world.
In that deep basin, in a place absolutely invisible from the outside, lay a massive opium field.
The Empress Dowager's subordinates mobilized the residents of nearby ethnic minority villages to cultivate the fields.
Because the commoners there could not read and lacked knowledge about herbs and drugs.
When they were told that they were precious medicinal herbs being offered to the Imperial Palace, they participated in the cultivation without any particular suspicion.
Also, a temple had been built at the entrance of Black Cloud Valley. Its exterior looked like an antique temple, but in reality, it was a fortress to oversee the opium fields.
Unlike a temple, it was equipped with high walls and watchtowers, and troops disguised as monks stood guard at all times.
Looking at the temple from a distance, Bu Eunseol opened his mouth.
"Your Highness, the enemy's guard is tight. Rather than rashly rushing in, I believe the best plan would be for me to infiltrate first under the cover of darkness, observe the enemy's situation, and set fires from within to cause chaos."
At his carefully proposed stratagem, Princess Hwijeong waved her hand dismissively, as if annoyed.
"How boring."
Her eyes were entirely filled with thoughts of how she would trample the enemy camp before her.
"There's no need to use such petty tricks against these insignificant, petty thief-like bastards."
The princess drew the sword from her waist and shouted proudly.
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard, upholding the imperial command, is here. We simply need to break their formation head-on and cut them all down!"
At that reckless boasting, Bu Eunseol's brow furrowed.
Just how massive of a disaster that arrogant princess, who knew nothing of the world, would cause in the future.
He could already see it clearly before his eyes.
"Charge in immediately and undo the formations!"
At her command, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to utilize his movement technique and immediately head for the temple.
The exterior of the temple looked peaceful, but six profound formations were layered upon it.
At this level, even an outstanding scholar would have to sit still and calculate for about six days.
'She's not the type of person who would wait around for calculations.'
"Can you undo it?"
As if to prove Bu Eunseol's expectations, Mo Ilchung, who had followed him, asked worriedly.
"I am asking if you can undo it quickly."
"Of course."
"Her Highness is not someone who will sit still while you undo the formation."
He spoke in a subtle tone.
"If you drag this out and don't break the formation quickly, she will cut your throat first."
"I am aware. Please keep pace with my steps and follow me."
Then, he took the lead and began to walk.
Vmmmm.
With a small vibration, a faint mist spread out in all directions.
In reality, he was not breaking the formation.
He was raising the Heavenly Light Formless Art to forcibly destroy the formation with overwhelming power.
Vmm, vmmmm.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards, completely unaware of this fact.
Seeing the vibrations and mist spreading in all directions, believed that he was truly breaking the formation.
They followed Bu Eunseol's footsteps with cautious expressions.
Swoosh.
However, the closer they got to the temple, the more a black fog began to spread.
It wasn't an ordinary fog.
The moment it was inhaled, one's qi and blood would twist, causing hallucinations.
It was the Dead Blood Poison Fog of the Blood Poison Sect.
"It's poison fog."
At the words of Bu Eunseol, who had stopped in his tracks, Princess Hwijeong, following behind, scoffed.
"This Palace is impervious to all poisons. If it's difficult for you, take some antidotes and follow along."
Then, with calm steps, she began to walk into the fog.
"Use the Azure Dragon Treasure Gem so that no harm comes to Her Highness's jade-like body."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard had made thorough preparations for this expedition.
They had drafted outstanding Embroidered Uniform Guard masters who could protect the princess in any crisis. They had also brought treasures that could deal with any situation.
Vmmmm.
When the Azure Dragon Treasure Gem was used, the poison mist spreading everywhere began to slowly dissipate.
'The Azure Dragon Treasure Gem can only neutralize one poison to begin with.'
Watching the scene, Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
In fact, this poison mist held not only the Dead Blood Poison Fog of the Blood Poison Sect. Mixed into it was the Bone-Melting Fog of Accumulated Breath, often used by the poison masters of Yunnan.
However, the method was so cunning that no one but a poison master well-versed in poisons would be able to notice it.
Mo Ilchung had simply ordered them to bring out the Azure Dragon Treasure Gem.
'A poison like this will be difficult to endure even with strong internal energy.'
The Bone-Melting Fog pierced the mind and brought the most terrible nightmares to reality.
It possessed properties similar to Heart Poison, which drove a person to self-destruction.
Shhh.
Left with no choice, Bu Eunseol used the power of the Poison Saint to begin purifying both poisons at the same time.
"Hmph, it's nothing special."
Even though she was able to easily enter because Bu Eunseol had detoxified all the poison mist.
Princess Hwijeong, unaware of this, snuck into the temple as if it were no big deal.
Rustle, rustle.
The moment they stepped into the courtyard of the old temple, the flow of the air subtly changed.
It sounded like dry autumn leaves sweeping in the wind, or perhaps like something light and fast moving about.
Thump.
Sure enough, the ones guarding the path were strange figures who kept the shape of black shadows even in broad daylight.
They were assassins of Black Rain, a famous assassin guild of the martial world.
They were notorious for being secretive and cruel. And they could use the Ghost Shadow Murder Art, which erased their sound and presence, melting their bodies into the shadows.
"Intruders."
The one who appeared to be the leader of the assassins shouted sharply.
"Strike."
That was the signal.
Swish!
Like ink spreading in water, over ten black shadows simultaneously seeped into the ground.
At a speed that the human eye could not follow,
Swoosh!
They appeared around Princess Hwijeong and the Embroidered Uniform Guard martial artists escorting her, beginning their barrage of attacks.
The true value of the Ghost Shadow Murder Art lay not only in turning the assassins into ghost-like forms but also in their coordinated attacks.
If one person stole the enemy's attention by throwing a sword from the front, the other two would appear like ghosts from a blind spot the opponent hadn't even noticed, aiming for fatal points.
Their attacks were not mere martial arts.
They became each other's shadows and killing intent, forming a perfect joint attack technique that created one massive killing formation.
"Urgh!"
With a scream, blood splattered from the shoulder of one of the Embroidered Uniform Guard members.
He seemed greatly bewildered, not even realizing when or how he had been cut.
However, Princess Hwijeong, standing at the center of that feast of blood, did not flinch.
Even as waves of black death crashed in from all sides, she instead wore a cold sneer.
"You think you can stop this Palace with such petty tricks?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a flash of light burst from her waist.
Princess Hwijeong had drawn her treasured sword.
Clang!
The golden trajectory drawn by the snow-white treasured sword was like the light of dawn cutting through the darkness.
It was the Phoenix Sword Dance, one of the sword arts from the Imperial Palace Martial Armory.
Swish.
Her sword strikes were fast but not frivolous, flashy but without any openings.
Just as it seemed she was elegantly deflecting the swords of the assassins digging in like shadows, like a phoenix flapping its wings.
Slash!
She spun her body and drew bloody lines across the throats of three assassins.
Spurt!
Blood erupted from the assassins' throats.
Their lethal combination, the Ghost Shadow Murder Art.
Under Princess Hwijeong's attacks, it was being easily dismantled like a child's tantrum.
Slash! Spurt!
The assassins moved as fast as illusions.
But her treasured sword instantly pierced through those in hiding and immediately cut them down.
Thump, thump.
After such a storm of blood swept through, silence descended upon the temple courtyard.
Over forty assassins were all sprawled out as cold corpses.
And at the center of it all stood Princess Hwijeong, without a single drop of blood on her.
Lightly flicking off the drops of blood formed at the tip of her sword, she showed a cold smile.
"The assassins of the martial world only amount to this much."
Having grasped the Imperial Palace Secret Vault, her martial prowess had reached such a great level that ordinary martial world masters could not even serve as her opponents.
'Something is strange.'
Bu Eunseol's eyes narrowed infinitely as he stared at Princess Hwijeong, who was relishing her victory with an arrogant expression.
Even granting that she was immature, how could the veteran Embroidered Uniform Guards attempt such a sloppy frontal assault while taking orders from Princess Hwijeong, who had no experience in the martial world?
Furthermore, how could a figure like Mo Ilchung, well-versed in the affairs of the martial world, fail to see through a poison like the Bone-Melting Fog mixed into the Dead Blood Poison Fog?
Thump, thump.
At that moment, with a low vibration, a shadow slowly walked out from the inside of the temple.
It was a giant with a freakishly large build, big enough to obscure even the pouring moonlight.
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