The Martial Venerable was wearing the relaxed expression of one who was certain of victory.
It was truly a checkmate.
To render any scheme Bu Eunseol might unfold useless, he had gathered not only the Martial Alliance warriors but also the martial artists attending the inauguration ceremony here.
"To dare infiltrate the Solitary Enlightenment Hall, taking advantage of the joyous occasion of this Alliance, the center of the martial world!"
The Martial Venerable, who had already disguised himself with the appearance of the Heavenly Emperor, shouted in a solemn voice.
"Take off your mask at once and reveal your identity."
His eyes were fierce, but an inexplicably gratifying light was flowing through them.
It did not matter whether Bu Eunseol was in disguise or if he revealed his true identity.
No matter what identity he presented.
Nothing would change the fact that he had trespassed into the Solitary Enlightenment Hall and tried to assassinate the Alliance Leader.
Smirk.
A faint smile was drawn on the corners of the Martial Venerable's mouth.
[Now, what will you do?]
As he sent a sound transmission, Bu Eunseol slowly reached for his mask.
[You seem to think the identity of the Martial Soul Command Lord is omnipotent.]
As if guessing his thoughts, the Martial Venerable wore a sneer.
[Even if you flaunt your identity as the successor of Majeon in this situation, it will only prevent your head from flying off.]
The crime of attempting to assassinate the Alliance Leader was extremely grave.
Even if he revealed his identity, he could not avoid detention.
No matter how great of a martial realm he had reached, there was absolutely no way for him to break through this vast number of troops and the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation to escape from this place.
Ssk.
At that moment, when Bu Eunseol completely removed his mask.
The eyes of not only the Martial Alliance warriors but also the gathered martial artists grew so large they seemed ready to tear.
―'Martial Soul Command Lord?'
They glared with eyes wide open, as if they could not possibly believe it.
To think that the one who attempted to assassinate the Alliance Leader was none other than the successor of Majeon, the Martial Soul Command Lord?
―'Then who was the Martial Soul Command Lord that attended the inauguration ceremony?'
Only then did the martial artists turn their heads to look for the Martial Soul Command Lord who had attended the inauguration ceremony.
However, the Martial Soul Command Lord had vanished without a trace in the meantime.
Seo Jinha, having grasped the situation, had immediately hidden himself.
But it was a useless effort.
If they investigated the attendees one by one, they would eventually be able to find the disguised person.
"Martial Soul Command Lord, it was indeed you."
The Martial Venerable, having raised his internal energy, spoke in a loud voice.
"Martial Soul Command Lord. You ordered your subordinate to hide your tracks and infiltrated the Solitary Enlightenment Hall!"
The Martial Venerable infused his voice with internal energy and spoke loudly.
"Not only that, but you drew your sword to assassinate this Alliance Leader who discovered your presence!"
At those words, the gazes of the gathered heroes fixed upon Bu Eunseol's appearance, which was covered in wounds here and there.
The Solitary Enlightenment Hall was a forbidden ground that even the high-ranking members of the Martial Alliance could not enter and exit carelessly.
Since countless people had seen him walk out of that place on his own two feet, there was not even room for excuses.
"Surround him!"
Rumble.
The Martial Alliance warriors mercilessly drew their weapons and surrounded Bu Eunseol in a circle.
Attempting to assassinate the Alliance Leader within the Martial Alliance was a grave crime with no room for excuses.
"Martial Soul Command Lord. Submit to the bindings obediently."
The Iron Rectitude Pavilion Leader, Kwak Musu, who had brought his troops, spoke in a cold voice.
"If you resist, we will execute you immediately."
Bu Eunseol, who had been examining his surroundings, spoke calmly.
"I did not assassinate the Martial Alliance Leader."
"The right and wrong will be clearly investigated by this Alliance."
"There is no need for an investigation."
Bu Eunseol pointed at the Martial Venerable and spoke coldly.
"Because that man is not the Martial Alliance Leader."
Murmur, murmur.
In an instant, the crowd murmured loudly.
They could not understand how he could speak such nonsense so boldly at a moment like this.
"Are you saying this Alliance Leader is a fake?"
The Martial Venerable chuckled.
He had already predicted that Bu Eunseol would try something like this.
"Very well. If you think so, this Alliance Leader shall also be investigated together with you."
The Martial Venerable spoke to Kwak Musu.
"After escorting him away, summon the high-ranking members of the Alliance and outside figures. Afterward, this Alliance Leader will also undergo a fair investigation alongside him."
Then he infused his voice with internal energy and spoke solemnly.
"So that if there is any evidence that this Alliance Leader is a fake, if even a single speck of doubt is found, I can be punished immediately."
At those words, not only the Martial Alliance warriors but also the surrounding martial artists all nodded.
―'As expected of the Heavenly Emperor.'
Even though he had caught the intruder who infiltrated the Solitary Enlightenment Hall and tried to assassinate him right at the scene, he had listened to such an absurd claim and deliberately stepped forward to be investigated alongside him.
"Understood."
Kwak Musu expressed his respects and nodded to the warriors of the Iron Rectitude Pavilion.
In truth, only the Iron Rectitude Pavilion warriors had revealed themselves, but the Martial Alliance's finest warriors and masters were in fact deployed all around the Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
Even the Heavenly Demon Emperor could not escape in this situation.
Just as everyone thought everything was over,
"Heh heh heh, hahahaha!"
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol began to burst into laughter like a madman.
"Hahahaha!"
It was a madness-filled laughter of one who would overturn everything, not of despair or resignation.
The Iron Rectitude Pavilion warriors approaching Bu Eunseol felt a chilling and bizarre sensation and unconsciously stopped in their tracks.
Snap.
Bu Eunseol, having stopped his laughter abruptly, glared at the Martial Venerable with blazing eyes.
"Did you mention evidence earlier?"
And he too infused his voice with internal energy and spoke in a loud voice.
"Very well. I will immediately prove why you are a fake Alliance Leader!"
As his voice echoed chillingly through the venue, the Martial Venerable only smiled.
"I look forward to that."
He already knew he would come out like that.
However, no matter what trick Bu Eunseol used, he could not prove his disguise.
Although it could not compare to the Secret Art of Darkness, which changed not only one's appearance but also everything from the position of internal organs to the fine hairs on the body.
He had mastered the Holy Constellation Immortal Family's Soul-Returning Body-Changing Face-Altering Art, making it impossible for anyone to find traces of his disguise.
"I will hear the rest of your excuses in the Bottomless Prison."
"There is no need to go to the prison."
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
"Because I will immediately prove it right here."
"I do not know what nonsense you are talking about."
Just as the Martial Venerable tilted his head and sneered,
Shwaaaak!
An explosive sound that seemed to tear the heavens and earth erupted from the distant sky.
Someone was using the sky-treading flight art at an incredible speed and coming this way.
In an instant, the Martial Alliance warriors, including the Martial Venerable, tilted their heads in confusion.
If one used the sky-treading flight art in the vicinity of the Martial Alliance, they would be immediately attacked by the troops guarding the surroundings.
Moreover, at that very moment the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation was deployed over the entire Martial Alliance, perfectly blocking the inside from the outside.
So how could the sound of tearing air be heard in this vicinity?
Crackle.
White sparks began to spread in the sky, and a transparent energy slowly began to scatter.
Someone had deactivated the barrier of the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation that was covering the entire Martial Alliance.
"Who deactivated the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation!"
Just as Kwak Musu shouted loudly in surprise,
Boom!
Along with an explosive sound that seemed ready to tear off eardrums,
Thooom!
A black meteor landed on the ground around where Bu Eunseol was standing.
As the dust scattering in all directions from the blowing wind slowly cleared, a pitch-black shadow stood tall in that spot.
A man with rock-like muscles and skin gleaming like steel was pouring out black haze from both his eyes.
He was none other than the Heavenly Emperor, Shin Domubi.
―'What is going on here?'
The heroes could not close their mouths as they looked at the Heavenly Emperor, who had the appearance of an evil spirit.
Moreover, the Heavenly Emperor was right in front of them.
How could another Heavenly Emperor possibly appear?
The Heavenly Emperor, whose face was like carved jade and whose bearing was as warm as a spring breeze.
Why was he emitting an aura like an evil spirit that had pierced its way up from hell?
―'....'
A death-like silence was truly spreading through the interior.
Standing calmly among the startled heroes, Bu Eunseol briefly closed his eyes.
And he recalled the memory of when he had met Mu Gyeol, having planned all of this.
* * *
At a time when the cold night air seeped in as if to pierce the lungs.
Inside the office of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, only a small candle flame flickered, casting a long shadow on one wall.
The upcoming Martial Alliance Leader inauguration ceremony was a clear trap.
No, from the moment he announced that he would invite countless martial artists, he had as good as admitted the ceremony was a trap.
Rather, it was an act closer to an arrogant provocation daring them to come if they could.
"This is not a clash of strength and strength, but a battle of wits where moves collide against moves."
A battle where one could only achieve certain victory by reading the opponent's cards and looking ahead to the moves beyond them.
"Therefore, I must figure out the Martial Venerable's plans in advance."
He had to constantly predict and calculate what would happen at the inauguration ceremony and what move the Martial Venerable would use.
Bu Eunseol pondered continuously for a whole day and night without sleeping.
Ssk.
Finally, having finished all calculations, Bu Eunseol rose from his seat.
"There is no answer."
No matter how perfectly he prepared.
No matter how perfectly he predicted his actions.
In the end, he would be the one to lose.
The Martial Alliance was the Martial Venerable's domain.
As long as he was wearing the mask of the Martial Alliance Leader, no matter what brilliant move was used. No matter what marvelous scheme was employed.
It would inevitably collapse in the end.
"If it comes to this..."
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
"I need a card that will overturn the board itself."
Having made up his mind, he ordered the Death Spirit Corps.
―'Find the whereabouts of Mu Gyeol, who left the Martial Alliance.'
Mu Gyeol.
The only disciple of the Heavenly Emperor.
After guessing that his sworn brother, the Martial Venerable, had harmed his master, and completely destroying even his own internal energy.
He was the figure who had entered under the Martial Venerable as his disciple again and uncovered the mastermind.
A man with a tenacity that made even Bu Eunseol click his tongue.
Only he possessed the card that could break this board.
Thanks to Bu Eunseol, along with the clear fact that the Martial Venerable had betrayed the Heavenly Emperor, he had found a portion of the Spring and Autumn Annals, the only relic of the Heavenly Emperor that the Martial Venerable had been secretly keeping.
However, because that Spring and Autumn Annals was incomplete, Mu Gyeol was still wandering the martial world in search of the lost other half.
―'Since he heard the information about the Heavenly Emperor that the Command Lord conveyed, he has completely vanished without a trace.'
Bu Eunseol, who had encountered the Heavenly Emperor after he went mad, immediately delivered such information to Mu Gyeol.
But was it because he received too great a shock? At some point, Mu Gyeol had completely vanished without a trace.
―'He would have.'
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
―'Because he has to drop everything and search for the lost Spring and Autumn Annals.'
―'The Spring and Autumn Annals...'
―'He realized that it is the only way to save his master.'
The Death Spirit Corps Captain, Mu Heon, who had been carefully chewing over Bu Eunseol's words, wore a troubled expression.
―'But isn't it too great a risk to trust him and stake everything?'
To locate an elusive figure like Mu Gyeol, they had to concentrate all of the Death Spirit Corps's intelligence network.
At an important time like this.
To find Mu Gyeol, who might or might not be able to resolve this matter.
Consolidating the power of the intelligence organization was far too great a risk.
―'And even if he finds the Spring and Autumn Annals, there is no guarantee that he will definitely obtain a card to bring down the Martial Venerable.'
―'I am not trusting Mu Gyeol, but rather trusting the Heavenly Emperor.'
The Heavenly Emperor was twenty years younger than the Heavenly Demon Emperor, who had reached the pinnacle of the demonic martial world.
Even so, he stood shoulder to shoulder with him and contended for supremacy.
Although he had become a madman now.
He was called the sky of the orthodox martial world, and was the figure his grandfather had entrusted the Chains of Samsara to.
There was no way such a man would not have left an arrangement for his one and only disciple.
―'The Heavenly Emperor left words for Mu Gyeol to seek out the Spring and Autumn Annals if an unforeseen event occurred. In other words, he must have devised a way to protect his disciple there, and...'
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
―'It will serve as the decisive card capable of bringing down the Martial Venerable.'
Having understood the whole situation, Mu Heon took a deep breath.
Now, the time remaining until the Alliance Leader inauguration ceremony was ten days.
They had to find Mu Gyeol within that time without fail.
A few days later, glad tidings were delivered to Bu Eunseol.
They had finally found Mu Gyeol, who was operating secretly in Hainan.
Bu Eunseol rushed to him in one breath and offered a glad greeting.
"Hall Master Mu."
Mu Gyeol was not particularly surprised even though Bu Eunseol had come looking for him so suddenly.
He knew that Bu Eunseol was locked in a constant standoff with the Martial Venerable, and that the day would come when each would need the other's strength.
He had already taken measures in advance so that the intelligence network of the Death Spirit Corps could reach him.
If he had not done so, no matter how capable the Death Spirit Corps was, they would not have been able to find him in such a short amount of time.
"I severed ties with the Martial Alliance a long time ago, so I cannot bear the title of Hall Master."
Mu Gyeol, who had always possessed a soft and gentle atmosphere like a civil official.
At some point, he had become an imposing warrior radiating a strong masculine charm.
"Brother Mu, you seem to look much better in the meantime."
"What brings you here?"
Knowing that Bu Eunseol was treating him as a senior, Mu Gyeol asked in a comfortable tone.
"I know you are in the midst of carrying out various affairs."
Mu Gyeol must have grown a considerable intelligence organization during that time, as he had somewhat grasped Bu Eunseol's tracks.
"I came because I need help."
"My help?"
"Yes."
"It must be about the Martial Venerable."
Mu Gyeol made an agonized expression.
He was remembering anew that his benevolent master had gone mad and was wandering the Baekri Family's secret storehouse.
Although he had not been able to find out the exact mastermind and the story behind it, one of the culprits was the Martial Venerable.
According to the records left in the Spring and Autumn Annals, the Martial Venerable had stolen a significant portion of his master's Golden Immortal True Qi.
Because it hinted that it was not mere greed, but a meticulously calculated plot.
"You mean you want to use this inauguration ceremony."
"Yes."
"It will not be easy."
"That is why I came looking for you, Brother Mu."
"Why is that?"
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
"Because you must have found the remaining authentic copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals."
A moment of silence flowed.
"Sometimes I used to feel afraid of you."
Mu Gyeol, who was staring intently at Bu Eunseol, said something unexpected.
"Thinking that perhaps you are not just intelligent, but that you communicate with ghosts like shamans do."
In an instant, Bu Eunseol's expression brightened.
Did those words not ultimately mean that he had found the remaining half of the Spring and Autumn Annals left by the Heavenly Emperor?
"So you are saying you came because of the Spring and Autumn Annals."
"Yes."
Bu Eunseol spoke honestly.
"Because there is no way a sage like Alliance Leader Shin Do would not have made an arrangement for you, Brother Mu."
"Is this fate as well?"
Mu Gyeol let out a deep sigh.
The day he came to find the relic of his master, which he had wanted to find so much but could not.
Fascinatingly, it was the very day the Martial Alliance announced they would elect a new Alliance Leader.
Ssk.
Mu Gyeol took out an old booklet from his breast. It was precisely the half-copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
"Just as you predicted, my master left an arrangement for me. And..."
A peculiar smile touched his lips.
"Just as you said, it contains a method to drive out that man, the Martial Venerable."
An astonishing fact was written in the half-copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
As if the Heavenly Emperor had guessed what would happen to him, he had written the latter half of the Spring and Autumn Annals with the Heart Qi Essence drawn from the Golden Immortal True Qi, and with the Blood Contract Seal, a secret method obtained from the Sacred Domain.
In other words, the characters written in the Spring and Autumn Annals that Mu Gyeol found were tantamount to having engraved his soul.
What if this book were to be burned?
It would be an act that shook the root of his existence, akin to searing the soul ensnared in the Spring and Autumn Annals with fire.
And that pain would transcend time and space and transfer to his master's physical body.
In other words, whether he was crazy or had become a madman.
In order to destroy the source of the pain that was tearing him apart, the Heavenly Emperor would have no choice but to rush to the place where the Spring and Autumn Annals was being burned.
Having heard the whole story, Bu Eunseol could not close his mouth in astonishment.
"I did not know such a secret method was hidden in the Spring and Autumn Annals."
Instead of answering, Mu Gyeol looked down at the half-copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
Looking down at his master's legacy, he was simultaneously feeling overwhelming emotion and sorrow.
"Then it is settled now."
Bu Eunseol clenched his fist tightly.
He had finally found the card capable of dragging the Martial Venerable down from the position of Alliance Leader.
However, an unexpected answer returned.
"I am sorry, but I cannot help you with this."
Mu Gyeol spoke with a sad expression.
"It would be good to call my master to a place where everyone is, and take a gratifying revenge by bringing about the Martial Venerable's downfall."
He sighed deeply.
"But how could I possibly reveal to the whole world the disgraceful sight of my master running amok as a madman?"
From the standpoint of his disciple, Mu Gyeol, it was a matter of course.
No matter if it was to bring down the wicked Martial Venerable.
He did not want the ruined appearance of his master, who had been the greatest master of the orthodox path, to be revealed to martial artists.
"Of course. I can understand your feelings, Brother Mu. That is why I even considered not seeking you out."
Bu Eunseol spoke while sighing.
"But this matter is not solely to bring down the Martial Venerable; it is also for the sake of you, Brother Mu, and the Alliance Leader."
"What do you mean?"
"Although he has become a madman, the martial prowess of Alliance Leader Shin Do has truly reached the state of the greatest under heaven."
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
"Even if you, Brother Mu, summon the Alliance Leader, you would not be able to subdue him completely. Because across the entire martial world, there is not a single master capable of that."
He knew the martial prowess of the Heavenly Emperor, who had become a madman, all too well.
"Even the Heavenly Demon Emperor could not completely subdue the current Alliance Leader Shin Do through martial force."
"Is it to that extent?"
Mu Gyeol bit his lip.
If Bu Eunseol's words were true, even if he burned the Spring and Autumn Annals, wouldn't there be no way to save his master?
"I understand what you are saying."
In order to hold down the Heavenly Emperor who had become a madman, a space like an absolutely unbreakable prison would be necessary.
If so, there was nothing but the world's unparalleled Golden Lock Formation created by the greatest martial alliance of the current era, the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation, built to trap great enemies that had infiltrated the interior of the Martial Alliance.
"There is no need to rush."
However, Mu Gyeol shook his head from side to side.
"If just a few more years pass, I will also have the troops and financial power capable of creating something on the level of the Primordial Heaven Forbidden Gate Heavenly Lock Formation."
In order to take revenge on the wicked Martial Venerable, Mu Gyeol was constantly raising troops and gathering wealth.
The reason he had come to Hainan was also to train the warriors he was raising in secret.
"Why would you not?"
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
"But even if ten years pass, you will absolutely never be able to recruit a master with martial prowess equal to Alliance Leader Shin Do or raise a military force equivalent to him."
And he spoke with utmost firmness.
"Because even if you summon and trap Alliance Leader Shin Do using the Spring and Autumn Annals, it will all be for nothing if there is no one to calm and subdue him."
Mu Gyeol could not refute.
Because that was an undeniable fact.
"So you mean to use the Martial Alliance's formation and the Martial Venerable?"
"That too is merely one means."
"You are saying you have already devised various schemes."
When Bu Eunseol only smiled faintly instead of answering, Mu Gyeol touched his forehead as if he were dizzy.
Up until now, not once had he ever thought his intelligence or astuteness lagged behind anyone.
But whenever he stood in front of Bu Eunseol.
He always felt as if he became a fool.
"But if your words are true, my master would not even be able to distinguish whether someone is an ally or an enemy."
According to Bu Eunseol's words, his mad master's martial prowess was at a level that even surpassed the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
It was truly a task harder than tying a bell to a dragon's neck; by what means would they capture his master who had gone mad?
"Countless people might die because of this matter. You must be careful so that others do not get swept up in it."
At those words, Bu Eunseol smiled.
The Heavenly Emperor had not raised his disciple poorly.
Even though it was the task of saving his master that he had wished for such a long time, he was putting the safety of innocent people first.
"I will take responsibility."
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
"I will not let anyone get hurt."
In an instant, Mu Gyeol's eyes trembled violently.
It was a fascinating thing.
Even though he knew it was absolutely impossible to cure his master's madness or to subdue him.
Why was this peculiar sense of trust springing up?
"Yes, one way or another, we must bring down that wicked man, the Martial Venerable."
Mu Gyeol took a deep breath.
He himself had no way to stop his master who had gone mad.
Even the secret forces he had raised until now still could not compare to the Death Shadow Corps raised by that Martial Soul Command Lord.
If so, only one path remained.
He had no choice but to trust the man in front of him and stake everything.
Comments