Na Baekhu held out both hands with a gentle look in his eyes.
"Then we will escort you."
For a moment, Bu Eunseol widened his eyes.
This was because the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had landed on the ground after him, had brought forward a magnificent palanquin suitable for a member of the imperial family.
The red-lacquered frame of the palanquin was elaborately carved with golden cloud patterns, and decorations shaped like phoenix heads flashed at its four corners.
A silk canopy was draped over the roof, and as the sun shone down, silver waves seemed to flow as if sunlight were settling between clouds.
It was a typical imperial palanquin, the sort that would make the common people fall to the ground upon laying eyes on it and not dare raise their heads.
"No."
Wiping the sweat flowing from his forehead, Bu Eunseol forced a smile.
"I am fine."
"Please do not decline. It is our duty."
"I am not declining; I am refusing."
"Refusing, you say."
Instantly, Na Baekhu spoke with a stiff expression.
"Do you mean to deny the authority held by a token of the imperial family?"
If one were to refuse a token bestowed by the Princess in front of so many people?
This would not merely be refusing a favor. It would be a blow to the Princess's face.
Furthermore, it could be seen as an act denying the authority of the entire imperial family, including the Princess.
"Surely, this humble minister must have misheard."
At some point, the eyes of the previously loyal Na Baekhu turned incomparably sinister.
"Is that not so? Imperial Son-in-law?"
A dry swallow naturally fell down his throat.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol's mind spun as fast as light.
'This was given by the Princess.'
This bracelet was not bestowed by the Emperor, but personally by the Princess.
'If so, I must seek out the Emperor.'
―'This lowly one dares not qualify to receive this precious item, so I ask His Majesty the Emperor to personally judge the matter.'
If he did that?
He could express absolute loyalty and humility at the same time.
While refusing the Princess's gift, he could show himself as a subject who was even more loyal to the Emperor.
"All people are subjects of His Majesty the Emperor."
As Bu Eunseol clasped his hands with a reverent expression and brought up the Emperor, Na Baekhu also corrected his posture and listened closely to his words.
"Is this matter not also something for His Majesty the Emperor to judge?"
Bu Eunseol looked up at the distant sky and assumed a solemn expression.
"How could a mere martial artist of the martial world hastily accept a token that symbolizes the authority and grace of the imperial family?"
As if deeply moved by these earnest words, Na Baekhu nodded.
"Your words are entirely correct."
And he spoke earnestly.
"If so, we will escort you at least until His Majesty's decision is made. Imperial Son-in-law."
Bu Eunseol glared with both eyes and spoke.
"The Emperor has not yet acknowledged it, but are you saying you will acknowledge me as the Imperial Son-in-law?"
"I apologize, Great Lord."
"I will personally submit a memorial to the Emperor regarding this matter, so you all may return."
Bu Eunseol spoke with an exaggerated expression and voice as if performing in an opera.
However, as if it were a natural everyday occurrence for him, Na Baekhu calmly paid his respects.
"I understand."
And he spoke cautiously.
"Do you have any further commands?"
Originally, Bu Eunseol was going to say he had none.
However, upon seeing the pattern of a qilin engulfed in flames elaborately embroidered in gold thread on the official uniform, a sudden thought flashed through his mind.
'It was said the imperial family is keeping a close watch on the situation in the martial world.'
Through this journey with the Princess, he knew that not only the Empress Dowager but also the Emperor was keeping a close ear to the martial world's state of affairs.
If so, the imperial family might know information that the Death Spirit Corps had not known up until now.
'This man must be a military official trusted by the Emperor.'
He might just be able to learn information about the Heavenly Demon Emperor or the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy.
However, if he openly asked for information regarding the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy, talk might spread within the imperial family.
Bu Eunseol posed the question in a different manner.
"By any chance, could I hear some news of the martial world?"
"If you speak of news of the martial world..."
"I was wondering if I could learn recent information or the whereabouts regarding the Majeon Lord, Sado Muryeong."
"Sado Muryeong."
Na Baekhu spoke with a troubled expression.
"Information related to that person belongs to the highest classification. Even high-ranking officials cannot easily know of it, so there is no way for this humble minister to obtain such information."
"Oh ho, that cannot be."
Bu Eunseol casually held out the bracelet given by the Princess and let out a dry cough.
"I believe Commander Na must certainly have some information you know."
A Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was by no means a low rank.
Moreover, Na Baekhu was an Embroidered Uniform Guard riding a line that connected directly to the Emperor.
He naturally ought to know high-level information.
"Soon enough, this body will be granted an audience with the Emperor."
Bu Eunseol spoke in a subtle voice.
"And when I explain the matter concerning Her Highness the Princess this time, I intend to make it known that there was a faithful military official who was the only one to show me favor."
Bu Eunseol was a master of the Art of Deceptive Enlightenment.
If he set his mind to it, he could transform into a practitioner of any field, and he flawlessly recreated even the unique aura that only a practitioner of that field could exude.
Right now, he was acting just like an official of the royal court who was worn and weary of worldly affairs.
"But this humble minister..."
"Oh ho, it is truly regrettable. Commander Na."
Looking at the distant sky, Bu Eunseol clicked his tongue.
"A tailwind does not blow at all times..."
In that moment, the figures of the high-ranking officials Na Baekhu saw every day overlapped with Bu Eunseol in his eyes.
The ministers of the court who strutted about, throwing their weight around by pulling strings everywhere.
Was the Bu Eunseol before his eyes not also displaying the typical demeanor of a powerful senior statesman?
'Even if he refuses the title of Imperial Son-in-law, he is a figure the Princess bestowed a token upon.'
Intuiting that he too could grab onto a great lifeline, Na Baekhu took a deep breath as if making a great resolve.
"Great Lord."
And he approached Bu Eunseol, bowed his body, and spoke in a low voice.
"What could this lowly one possibly know, but there is a rumor I heard in passing..."
For a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to refer to himself as a lowly one to a martial artist of the martial world?
His tact was truly like a magpie, and his actions were like a fox.
"The Heavenly Demon Emperor has been repeatedly sending trusted confidants to Gwigeum Island since a long time ago."
"Gwigeum Island?"
"That is correct."
Bu Eunseol blinked.
Even for him, who was more versed in the geography of the Central Plains than anyone else, it was the first time he had heard this island's name.
"It is an island in waters that are not on any map, and whose sea route is not transmitted."
Na Baekhu spoke in a low voice.
"There is a bizarre fortress there, and it is said that all the intelligence agents who entered it died. So they are no longer investigating it."
'If he is repeatedly sending confidants.'
A strange thought came to Bu Eunseol.
'Could his disciple be staying there?'
The Heavenly Demon Emperor never discarded a useful blade.
Perhaps the disciple of the Heavenly Demon Emperor, the one he had said had become too sharp a blade and was thus no longer used, was staying in the fortress on Gwigeum Island.
"Perhaps an incredible treasure has been hidden there."
Na Baekhu began to relay in detail information about Gwigeum Island and the route to arrive there.
"I see."
Having memorized his words without omitting a single thing, Bu Eunseol grabbed Na Baekhu's hand, laughed heartily, and nodded.
"I will never forget Commander Na's kindness."
"You are too kind."
Smiling broadly, Na Baekhu bowed his head.
"If only the Great Lord remembers this lowly one, that alone is enough."
As Na Baekhu bowed endlessly, Bu Eunseol patted his shoulder.
"Of course, goes without saying."
And with a satisfied expression as if he had become the Emperor, he nodded.
* * *
An unknown expanse of sea that was neither on any map nor had its sea route transmitted.
In the middle of a cursed sea where storms and fog did not permit a ship's passage, a single island of black volcanic rock jutted out solitarily.
The people of the world said that ghosts were held captive there, and called it Gwigeum Island.
Swaaaa. Rumble!
At the peak of the mountain in the center of Gwigeum Island, where the storm poured down, stood a fortress shaped like a giant birdcage, grotesquely twisted toward the sky.
It was too bizarre and primitive to say it had been built by humans.
The outer surface of the fortress's metal door was covered in sharp claw marks, as if a giant beast had unleashed its madness.
"It looks like a prison."
At the peak of Gwigeum Island's center, the shadow gazing at the fortress door shook its head.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol.
Having obtained the information from Na Baekhu, he had not returned to Majeon but had immediately moved to this Gwigeum Island.
The imperial family had many eyes and ears, and there were countless forces he did not know about.
Once information was obtained, handling it as quickly as possible meant there would be no trouble later.
Screeeech.
As he used his internal energy, the massive metal door slowly began to open.
―'Grrrrrr, kyaaaah.'
Upon stepping inside, he seemed to hear the roar of a starving beast echoing from somewhere.
The interior of the fortress was not built by humans.
It was as if stones and dirt had piled up on the carcass left behind after a giant beast measuring hundreds of zhang in size had died.
Without distinction between walls and ceiling, giant obsidian pillars and the bones of an unknown colossal beast were grotesquely intertwined to form the space.
Through the space that was curved like ribs, the ashen sky could be seen.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol walked endlessly.
The path, which repeatedly narrowed and widened, was formed in a spiral.
It seemed to be heading toward the center of the mountain.
"It was indeed made by humans."
The floor was made of sharp obsidian as if scratched out with a knife, but Night Pearls were embedded in the ceiling and walls.
However, the light was extremely bright, as if they were not the Night Pearls one could see in the Central Plains.
The reflected shadows made Bu Eunseol's form long and twisted, like a monster.
The further he went inside, a damp smell of the sea, the metallic stench of iron, and a very faint but sickening smell of blood were mixed together.
At the end of the spiral path, upon reaching the deepest and most massive cavern of the fortress, he found black pillars that looked as if all the darkness in the world had been clumped together, standing here and there.
A space appeared where unknown patterns were engraved on their surfaces.
Clink.
And on the central pillar, a human figure bound by chains could be seen.
"So it was a prison."
As Bu Eunseol's voice echoed through the cavern.
Flash!
From the shadow tied inside the pillar, a pair of eyes fraught with ghostly energy flashed.
It was the gaze of a beast boiling with nothing but destruction and thirst, without a single grain of reason to be found.
Clink.
Every time the chains thrashed, the muscles writhed as if they were living rocks.
Thick black sinews popped out like snakes.
The disheveled hair stood out like a mane, and as if he had clawed at himself over long years, horrific scars were carved into his skin as solidly as armor.
"He has mastered demonic arts."
Just by looking at the man's gaze and momentum, he could guess he had mastered an atrocious demonic art.
"Are you a man of my Corps?"
At Bu Eunseol's words, the disheveled man said nothing and only glared at him.
"Answer."
Bu Eunseol took out the Martial Soul Command from his chest.
"If you are a demonic path practitioner."
"Kuuuugh."
Upon seeing the command token, the man suddenly pulled endlessly at the shackles fastened to his wrists and ankles.
Crack! Clang!
Every time the iron chains were pulled, the pillar vibrated, spreading an ominous tremor.
Unable to withstand his strength, the chains would bend like taffy, but every time the bizarre patterns engraved on the pillar emitted light, they returned to their original form.
"Are you a confidant of Lord Sado?"
"Heheheh."
The man suddenly burst into a mad laughter.
"Kuhahahaha!"
After laughing for a long time, the man glared at Bu Eunseol for a good while.
Gazing into those blazing eyes, Bu Eunseol swallowed a groan.
"Words won't get through."
His body was as large as a beast, and a madness that seemed ready to burst was flowing out from both eyes.
And he was expressing it with his entire body.
If you want to ask, strike me down... is what he meant.
"Fine."
Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
"I shall ask after breaking you."
Flash!
And he immediately slashed at the chains.
Claaaang!
As the bizarre metal rang out, Bu Eunseol's eyes widened.
For the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, which could cleave even diamond like tofu, to not even leave a scratch on the chains?
Vmmmm.
As he struck the chain once more, an intense light flowed out from the patterns engraved on the pillar.
It seemed that a mysterious art was engraved in the patterns on the pillar, repelling all force poured onto it.
"This can truly be called Demonic Studies."
As Bu Eunseol, who muttered lowly, drew up his power, a radiant light began to spread out from his entire body.
Swaaaaa.
At the same time, an energy like pure white fog began to spread from the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
He had unleashed the Martial Mist and Waves, which returned all things to their natural form, with full power.
Craaack, crunch.
As the pure white sword aura spread out like fog, cracks gradually began to form in the patterns engraved on the pillar.
Crack, crack.
When finally even the pillar began to split.
Vooooom!
Bu Eunseol immediately inserted the Silent Tiger Soul Sword between the cracked crevices and injected a massive amount of internal energy.
Rumble, rumbbble.
When the injected level of internal force exceeded eight realms, the pillar itself to which the chains were fixed collapsed entirely.
Clank.
The man looked down at his own body.
Only the chains hung from his two arms, and he was able to move his body freely.
"Heheheh."
In that instant, a sticky madness and killing intent mixed together and spread out from the man's entire body.
White foam began to flow from his mouth.
The patterns on the pillar were not simply for protecting the chains.
They also included a function that suppressed the madness and demonic energy contained within the man's body.
"Kaaaah!"
The man took a bizarre posture and roared toward the sky once more.
Boom!
Kicking off the ground on all fours like a beast, he lunged at Bu Eunseol.
Pow! Pow!
Every time his two legs pushed away the earth, dust flew up like firecrackers.
He unfurled an explosive movement technique.
Swish!
Tracing an unpredictable curve, he thrust his sharp teeth toward Bu Eunseol's lower body.
"It is a madness entirely different from beast martial arts."
Beast martial arts also showed movements like that of a beast.
But those were ultimately cold and calculated movements based on martial arts.
However, the man before his eyes lunged with instinctive movements, like a beast maddened and fixed upon its prey, as if to tear off Bu Eunseol's ankles.
Swish!
Just as the sharp teeth brushed past his ankle, Bu Eunseol took a minuscule half-step to the side.
Crunch!
Having lost his target, the man did not kill his momentum but twisted his body, leaping toward another pillar.
Ignoring gravity, he climbed vertically up the side of the rock wall, and at its peak, threw his body once more.
"Kuooh!"
Rolling his body into a ball in midair, he became the shape of a massive boulder and rushed toward Bu Eunseol.
"Hmm."
Raising a single index finger, Bu Eunseol thrust it toward the man falling like a meteor.
He was concentrating the profound principle of Grafting Flowers onto Jade to repel the lunging man with an even greater force.
However, an unexpected situation occurred.
Swooosh!
From the man's spinning body, dozens of materialized blades of true energy formed.
Pyu-pyu-pyu-pyu.
In an instant, they became a giant hand pouring down as if to cover Bu Eunseol.
'Emotion-Severing Secret?'
The man, like Bu Eunseol, had mastered the Emotion-Severing Secret of the Heavenly Demon Emperor left in the Ten Thousand Demon Repository.
Whirrr.
Bu Eunseol immediately spun his body and dodged the blades.
Thwack!
The blades did not disappear but rather dug into the ground, and then.
Chrrrng.
Transforming into the shape of crawling snakes, they persistently aimed for Bu Eunseol's ankles.
'Fascinating.'
Bu Eunseol's curiosity was piqued.
How on earth had he unleashed that method like crawling snakes? Just what kind of function did it possess?
Swoosh!
Ultimately, Bu Eunseol intentionally halted his movements.
Then, the true energy that sprang up like a snake coiled around his wrists and ankles, taking the form of shackles.
Vmmmm.
At the same time, his body grew heavy like waterlogged cotton, and his super-senses became slightly dulled.
'To think the Emotion-Severing Secret had this kind of function?'
Befitting a mental method of the demonic path, the Emotion-Severing Secret was profound and vast; one's attainment did not increase just because they cultivated it for a year or two.
Moreover, the Emotion-Severing Secret the man was using was entirely different in texture from the Emotion-Severing Secret left in the Ten Thousand Demon Repository, was it not?
'There is not one type of Emotion-Severing Secret, but various kinds... and that man cultivated the Emotion-Severing Secret from a long time ago.'
In other words, the probability was high that the man had not learned the Emotion-Severing Secret from the Ten Thousand Demon Repository, but directly from the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
'There is a possibility this man is a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Emperor.'
It was said that the disciple of the Heavenly Demon Emperor had used the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy.
If so, he had to verify whether that man possessed the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy.
Claaaang.
Spreading the Endless Heavenly Light Art to break the shackles of the Emotion-Severing Secret that bound his limbs, Bu Eunseol
Swish.
held out his hand to the man.
"Stop with the petty tricks, and let's do it for real."
As he held out his hand with a calm expression.
Grrrrr.
The madness and rage spreading from the man's pupils deepened even further.
"Heavenly Demon... Emperor."
Bu Eunseol's infinitely deep gaze and leisurely attitude closely resembled the bearing of the one who had imprisoned him here.
"Why will you not let me go―!"
'Heavenly Demon Emperor?'
A flash exploded in Bu Eunseol's eyes.
The one who had placed this man, master of the essence of the Heavenly Demon Emperor's martial arts, on this prison-like Gwigeum Island and bound him in chains was none other than the Heavenly Demon Emperor himself.
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