After carefully gathering every fragment that had broken off the prosthetic arm, Bu Eunseol gazed at the fallen woman.
His eyes could pierce through the flaws in every martial art scattered across the world at a glance.
He could even deploy a spirit secret art that brutally destroyed an enemy's mind.
Yet at times, those eyes held sympathy and compassion.
The hand capable of cutting down terrifying experts...
Was, paradoxically, always the first to stop before a life fading helplessly away.
Just like Bu Zhanyang in the past.
Bu Eunseol was the same.
To the wicked, he became an Asura who called forth blood. But to suffering souls, he became a Buddha who extended a merciful hand.
* * *
Originally, Nangyang Pavilion had no disciples who studied medicine as a specialty.
Because they suffered so many injuries during training, they had grown better at treating wounds than most physicians.
When injured, they went to White Grass Hall, which managed the medicinal herbs, collected medicine, and treated themselves.
Only severe wounds that were difficult to handle alone received the meticulous care of the White Grass Hall Lord, whose medical skill was exceptional.
But once Nangyang Pavilion expanded and rose to become the Number One Sect of the Demonic Path, talented individuals from across the Central Plains came flooding in.
The need arose for a place devoted to treating the disciples and researching medicine.
―'It seems that we should now research not only martial arts, but a variety of disciplines according to each disciple's talents.'
Unable to stand by any longer, Baek Yeon made a proposal to Dan Cheong.
―'Does not the pavilion now have talented people who excel in all manner of fields?'
Dan Cheong agreed as well.
―'Since the Pavilion Master is absent, we have no choice but to do it ourselves.'
The two summoned the returned Secret Head Sa Woo and Spear God Corps Commander So Jeon, then racked their brains together.
They began reorganizing Nangyang Pavilion.
The Calligraphy Court, which researched the Brush and Ink Art.
The Painter Pavilion, which researched formations and painting.
The Forging Workshop, which researched weapon forging, metalwork, and alchemy.
And the Arithmetic Pavilion, which researched mathematics, astronomical calendars, and logistical calculations.
And finally...
The Jesaeng Court was created as a place devoted solely to researching and studying medicine.
Creak.
Bu Eunseol headed toward a detached residence within the Jesaeng Court.
It contained private rooms where the leading figures of Nangyang Pavilion could receive treatment or recuperate.
When he opened the door to the room in the farthest corner...
Baekri Jaha lay deeply asleep on a spotless bed.
Even after half a month, she had yet to regain consciousness and remained in a coma.
"..."
Without a word, Bu Eunseol carefully studied her sleeping face.
As she slept with soft, even breaths, her face was as pure and unblemished as a newborn child's.
It was impossible to imagine that she had been an expert of the Baekri Branch Family who had cut down Baek-Extinguishers like a rakshasa demon, prepared to die.
Clack.
Just then, the door opened, and in came an old man whose white hair had been neatly combed up...
Alongside a fierce-looking, muscular old man.
They were the Demonic Sword Master and the Iron Master, Wang Geol.
"You have come."
When Bu Eunseol respectfully greeted them, Wang Geol and the Demonic Sword Master nodded.
"That prosthetic arm..."
Looking at the sleeping Baekri Jaha, Wang Geol sighed and said,
"It was truly made with divine skill."
At Bu Eunseol's request, the two had studied the prosthetic arm for ten days without sleeping for even a single day.
Bu Eunseol had told them everything about the truth of the Baekri Family and the knowledge of the True Demon.
They could only marvel at the wonder of this exquisite divine object.
But no matter how thoroughly they examined it...
They could not begin to fathom how such a prosthetic arm had been made or how it operated.
"All we accomplished in ten days was barely managing to see its interior... It will take at least another month and a half just to determine where it was damaged."
The prosthetic arm Baekri Jaha had worn...
Was the product of divine craftsmanship, made with technology that could not possibly exist in the present martial world.
"Could you at least repair the damaged joint?"
At Bu Eunseol's question...
"I cannot promise anything."
This time, the Demonic Sword Master shook his head as he answered.
"Fortunately, I have handled several weapons with a similar structure... so it may be possible."
"There are weapons with structures similar to a prosthetic arm?"
"The Blue Demon Hands and Blood Heaven Twin Arms are known as demonic weapons steeped in poison... But in truth, they were exquisite prosthetic arms made in ancient times, onto which martial artists later fitted hidden-weapon mechanisms and smeared poison."
Bu Eunseol was somewhat surprised.
The famous Blue Demon Hands and Blood Heaven Twin Arms were prosthetic arms?
"If their structures are similar... we should at least be able to repair the joint."
Despite the somewhat ambiguous reply, Bu Eunseol's expression brightened.
If they could only reattach the prosthetic arm...
There was hope that Baekri Jaha might regain consciousness.
"Ah, and one more thing."
At that moment, Wang Geol took a small wooden box from inside his robe.
"I believe this is the key said to be inside the prosthetic arm."
Click.
When he opened the wooden box, a square piece of metal with a smooth silver sheen lay within.
"This is the key?"
It was small enough to fit inside the circle made by touching one's thumb and forefinger together, and it had almost no discernible weight.
"It is."
Wang Geol took a small metal tower from inside his robe.
It was a treasure known as the Astronomical Golden Tower, made for observing the constellations.
Countless gears and beads used to calculate the constellations turned inside it.
Unfortunately, it had been badly damaged and split in half. Wang Geol had happened upon one half and kept it in his possession.
"Watch closely."
Wang Geol brought the square piece of metal against the Astronomical Golden Tower, whose intricate mechanisms lay exposed where it had been split in two.
Grrrrrk.
At once, a series of strange metallic sounds rang out, and peculiar patterns slowly surfaced upon the square piece of metal.
The patterns writhed as if alive.
Clack, clack.
The entire piece of metal changed shape as though hundreds of tiny parts were interlocking and moving together.
Then it perfectly reproduced the shape of the Astronomical Golden Tower's missing rear half.
'This is...'
Bu Eunseol stared with astonished eyes.
'The knowledge of the True Demon.'
No, it would not be an exaggeration to call it the knowledge of a god.
Wang Geol sighed as he watched Bu Eunseol stare with his eyes wide in shock.
"No matter how complex the form, it reproduces it exactly. Judging by how freely it transforms... it must serve as a key by fitting itself precisely into a particular structure."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
If a metal could change its form so freely, it would serve as a more perfect key than anything else.
The Demonic Sword Master then continued.
"The prosthetic arm was simply a place to conceal the key where it could never be discovered. Its shape did not change even while attached inside."
"Then..."
Having thought of something, Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost gravity.
"Could the prosthetic arm perhaps fail to operate without that piece of metal?"
"Why would that matter? She can simply use another prosthetic arm."
"But would it not be difficult to find another prosthetic arm so exquisite and flawless?"
The Demonic Sword Master gave him a strange look.
"Surely you are not saying you would give up the key to the secret vault for that reason?"
"A woman's life hangs in the balance. How could I put my own desire first?"
More than obtaining the key to the Baekri Family's secret vault...
He was worried that Baekri Jaha might lose the use of her prosthetic arm.
"Heh heh heh heh."
At those words, the Iron Master suddenly broke into a broad smile and nudged the Demonic Sword Master beside him on the shoulder.
"See? I told you. Hand it over."
Then he folded his arms and declared confidently,
"I told you that brat doesn't give a damn about the Baekri Family's secret vault. He was worried that pretty young thing might lose the use of her arm."
"Hmm."
The Demonic Sword Master looked dismayed.
Then he pulled a large silver ingot worth around forty nyang from inside his robe and handed it to the Iron Master.
"There was a separate compartment inside the prosthetic arm for storing it."
Smacking his lips as though he had drunk bitter liquor, the Demonic Sword Master continued,
"Removing it will not interfere with the arm's operation at all."
"That is a relief."
When Bu Eunseol's face brightened, the Demonic Sword Master looked at Baekri Jaha and smiled.
"With her lover caring for her so devotedly... that child would surely be delighted if she awoke and heard what you said."
"Pardon?"
The Demonic Sword Master had mistaken the sleeping Baekri Jaha for Bu Eunseol's lover.
No, he was convinced of it.
―'That child will become the Lord's spouse one day.'
When the Demonic Sword Master first saw Baekri Jaha, he had laughed heartily and said this to the Iron Master.
―'After scattering so many romantic rumors, it seems he has finally settled down.'
―'What nonsense are you spouting?'
The Iron Master had snorted in disbelief.
―'Do you not know that the lad already has a fiancée?'
―'Ho ho ho. You do not know that I once made a name for myself as a physiognomist.'
The Demonic Sword Master had declared with confidence,
―'Those two will marry.'
―'You are talking in your sleep. How could you possibly know that?'
―'I am telling you, it is written all over their faces.'
Their squabbling had led to a wager of the enormous sum of forty nyang.
And when Bu Eunseol tried to protect Baekri Jaha's prosthetic arm even if it meant giving up the Baekri Family's key...
No, even if it meant giving up the chance to enter the Baekri Family's secret vault...
The Demonic Sword Master had become convinced that Baekri Jaha was Bu Eunseol's lover.
"No, that is not it."
Just as Bu Eunseol realized the Iron Master and the Demonic Sword Master had misunderstood and waved his hands...
Knock, knock.
Along with the sound at the door...
A middle-aged man entered. His face was every bit as fierce as Wang Geol's, and his frame looked like two burly men combined.
He had originally been the White Grass Hall Lord, whose extensive medical knowledge had led him to specialize in treating injured disciples.
Now, he was the Jesaeng Court Lord, Cho Muryang.
"Court Lord."
Bu Eunseol offered a respectful greeting.
Because he had always treated his own training injuries, he had never visited White Grass Hall.
Nevertheless, he respected Cho Muryang for his tireless care of injured disciples.
"Lord."
Unlike his appearance, Cho Muryang was quite refined. He also treated Bu Eunseol, the next Pavilion Master of Nangyang Pavilion, with scrupulous respect.
However, because Bu Eunseol's official position was still that of Majeon's successor, he addressed him as Lord.
"Iron Master. Elder Demonic Sword Master."
Cho Muryang then greeted the two of them as well.
Tak.
At that moment, Wang Geol tossed him the square piece of metal, the key to the secret vault, and waved a hand.
"Then we will be going. We will inform you once the prosthetic arm is repaired."
Judging by their expressions, they seemed intent on spending the wager money on a grand drinking bout.
Click.
As soon as the two briskly left the room...
"My apologies."
Cho Muryang bowed his head to Bu Eunseol.
"I have tried treating her by every means available... but there has still been no marked improvement."
Despite trying all kinds of treatments and even using spiritual medicine, Baekri Jaha had yet to awaken.
"No."
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"It may be my fault."
He felt guilty.
Looking into her mind with Illusion Upon Illusion might have caused her mind to break completely.
"I cannot say the mind-seizing art had no effect whatsoever."
For the sake of treating her...
Cho Muryang had already heard everything from Bu Eunseol, from the moment he first encountered her to his use of Illusion Upon Illusion.
"But that cannot possibly be the sole cause."
Cho Muryang spoke in a low voice.
"Besides, you spared an assassin whom you ordinarily would have killed with a single stroke, did you not? There is no need to feel guilty."
Then he said confidently,
"If she recuperates here in the pavilion, she will soon improve."
At his warm reassurance, Bu Eunseol forced a smile.
"Then I leave her in your care."
When Bu Eunseol offered a respectful greeting, Cho Muryang politely clasped his hands in return.
"I will do everything I can."
After leaving the Jesaeng Court, Bu Eunseol climbed a high hill overlooking Nangyang Pavilion.
Thanks to the Demonic Sword Master and the Iron Master...
He had obtained the key to the Baekri Family's secret vault that Baekri Jaha carried, yet his heart was not at ease.
'At least the energy flowing from her body has been cut off.'
The members of the Baekri Family who possessed the Profound Divine Technique Qi naturally emitted a mysterious energy from their bodies.
Baekri Jaha was no exception.
But after she lost consciousness, even that power had vanished entirely.
'Together with the Martial Soul Society, Nangyang Pavilion is the safest place in the martial world.'
When Bu Eunseol brought her here, he had been prepared for a clash with the Baekri Family or the Baekri Branch Family.
But with her energy completely gone, such a thing would not happen.
'Even if it does, I do not care.'
The Baekri Family remained shrouded in secrets.
What if they entered Nangyang Pavilion in search of Baekri Jaha?
It would be an excellent opportunity to unravel another mystery.
―'Before seeing with your eyes, use your senses to discern truth from falsehood!'
Just then, a thunderous shout that shook the entire training ground echoed through Nangyang Pavilion.
―'Who told you to swing your sword like a wild boar, relying on nothing but strength!'
Bu Eunseol turned his gaze.
A burly, broad-boned middle-aged man stripped to the waist was sternly berating and instructing the newly admitted disciples.
It was the Secret Head Sa Woo, who researched Nangyang Pavilion's secret arts.
'He has recovered well.'
Sa Woo had once become a puppet of Pamyeong, the True Demon's servant, and lost his own will.
But with the help of Bu Eunseol and Ak Muryeong, he had finally broken free of those karmic shackles completely.
And now, he had returned to Nangyang Pavilion and was leading its disciples once more.
'With the Secret Head here, the pavilion will develop even further.'
A smile naturally spread across his lips.
Were it not for Sa Woo, Bu Eunseol would not be standing here today.
The bond between master and disciple first forged on Hell Island had completely changed both their destinies.
"What has you staring off into space?"
At that moment, a low voice came from behind him.
When he turned, he saw long hair drifting in the gentle breeze...
And a middle-aged man standing tall, possessed of the solitary elegance of a single plum blossom.
Beneath long, flowing brows, clear and profound eyes shone with quiet depth.
Even the wrinkles left by the years seemed to lend him greater dignity, and his face held a peculiar refinement.
It was Baek Yeon, the Wind and Cloud Corps Leader who oversaw Nangyang Pavilion's intelligence forces.
"Corps Leader."
Bu Eunseol hurried over and greeted him warmly.
"Have you been well?"
At the sight of Bu Eunseol, who still seemed like a boy...
A faint warmth touched Baek Yeon's thin lips, like spring blossoms swaying in the wind.
"It has been a long time."
His face remained like carved jade, but wrinkles had formed upon it and the hair at his temples had turned gray.
In truth, the reason he had aged so much in only a few years...
Was that he had been managing the intelligence organization that had grown far too vast because of Bu Eunseol, handling countless affairs along the way.
In particular, the Death Spirit Corps' intelligence system could operate smoothly...
Because the Wind and Cloud Corps under Baek Yeon meticulously managed not only the Affectionate Blossom Sect and the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect...
But also the intelligence network spread throughout the Central Plains.
As a result, Baek Yeon had been unable to remain at Nangyang Pavilion and had no choice but to roam throughout the Central Plains.
"Have you been well?"
As though he knew of Bu Eunseol's hardships, Baek Yeon gently patted his shoulder.
"You have suffered greatly."
Warmth filled Bu Eunseol's heart.
Though he only stopped by briefly when business brought him here, Nangyang Pavilion was still his home.
"On my way back to the pavilion, I heard you were here and came straight over."
Smiling, Baek Yeon handed him a letter.
"Take it. It came from the Azure Sky Alliance Leader."
Bu Eunseol looked surprised.
Bukgung Ryeong was the leader of the Azure Sky Alliance.
It was rare for the head of the alliance to send a letter personally like this.
"It does not appear to be anything urgent. It was not sent through the emergency communication network, but routed through the Martial Soul Society merely to ensure its safe delivery."
"Thank you."
When Bu Eunseol accepted the letter, Baek Yeon said,
"Why not rest for a while now?"
"Pardon?"
"You have been handling all manner of affairs alone without pause."
Baek Yeon continued,
"How many days have you rested since entering the martial world?"
Since becoming a Ten Demon Warrior...
The days Bu Eunseol had rested for his own sake could be counted on one hand.
Baek Yeon was constantly connected to every intelligence organization, including the Death Spirit Corps, and directed their movements.
Managing the intelligence system in Bu Eunseol's stead had allowed him to learn many of the martial world's secrets.
But it had also shown him that Bu Eunseol had endured more hardships than words could express...
And that he was now utterly exhausted.
"Understood."
Feeling his thoughtful consideration, Bu Eunseol bowed deeply.
"Since I have come to the pavilion, I will rest here for a while before leaving."
"Good."
Smiling, Baek Yeon slowly turned away.
Watching his departing back, Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
"Was the Corps Leader exhausted as well?"
He could sense it.
Only the weary could recognize weariness in another.
Baek Yeon, too, had returned to Nangyang Pavilion because he was exhausted.
"It is time to rest."
Only then did he realize anew that everyone around him, himself included, was exhausted.
Through the Wind and Cloud Corps, Bu Eunseol contacted the Death Spirit Corps and arranged for its members to take some time to rest.
Then, when he opened the letter inside his robe, he found an unexpected message.
―'Come to the Azure Sky Alliance.'
At once, Bu Eunseol realized he would not be able to rest at Nangyang Pavilion.
After becoming the head of an alliance, Bukgung Ryeong...
Had become a man who deliberated deeply over even a single word.
All the more so for a letter sent to Bu Eunseol through the intelligence network. He must have agonized over what to say, again and again.
For him to request a visit like this without giving any reason...
"Something has happened."
Bu Eunseol's expression darkened.
Something serious must have happened to Bukgung Ryeong.
He slowly turned around.
He would postpone his rest at Nangyang Pavilion and head for the Azure Sky Alliance at once.
The Azure Sky Alliance.
An alliance of righteous sects established on the border of Sichuan, it had originally begun as the "Sichuan Alliance" conceived by Bu Eunseol.
But the Martial Venerable, who had shared certain secrets and worked alongside him, fell into corruption and revealed his dark intentions.
After realizing that even the Martial Alliance's interior was steeped in corruption, Bu Eunseol made a new decision.
He would establish a new alliance of righteous sects upon which upright martial artists of the righteous path could safely rely.
And this grand ideal had become reality only because Bukgung Ryeong, a renowned righteous hero of the orthodox path, stood beside him.
The most Bu Eunseol could have accomplished was uniting Sichuan's righteous sects. But when Bukgung Ryeong ascended as the Azure Sky Alliance Leader...
Young martial artists of the Martial Alliance who respected him transferred to the Azure Sky Alliance in great numbers.
With the support of countless righteous sects, the Azure Sky Alliance was able to put down firm roots.
The Azure Sky Alliance, Azure Sky Pavilion.
The residence of Alliance Leader Bukgung Ryeong possessed an austere elegance that favored restraint over splendor.
An old folding screen painted with plum blossoms hung upon the wall, while a subtle sandalwood fragrance rose from a bronze incense burner and lent the room a clear atmosphere.
Brushes and bamboo slips lay neatly arranged atop a black-lacquered desk, and sunlight streaming through the window dyed the jade patterns on the floor silver.
At the center sat an old man dressed in immaculate martial robes.
His white hair, touched by the passing years, was as fine as snow, while the eyes shining beneath his firm brow remained as keen as ever.
He looked a little older than before, but his dignity and spirit had deepened further.
The man who had once been a renowned righteous hero without equal under heaven...
Had now acquired the commanding dignity of the Alliance Leader who upheld the Azure Sky Alliance.
"It has been a long time."
When Bu Eunseol entered disguised as Seon Woojin, Bukgung Ryeong rose from his seat and welcomed him warmly.
"How did you know?"
Bu Eunseol was surprised.
Even the greatest expert could sense nothing amiss with the secret art of darkness.
How had Bukgung Ryeong recognized him at once?
'Can someone sense something strange after seeing the disguise often enough?'
"Ha ha ha. There is no need to look so grave."
Reading Bu Eunseol's thoughts, Bukgung Ryeong smiled.
"The real Corps Leader Seon Woo does not straighten his shoulders and stride proudly into the Azure Sky Pavilion as you do. Nor does he observe proper etiquette while looking me directly in the eye."
Bu Eunseol let out a hollow laugh.
It was obvious once he thought about it calmly.
Yet he had been deeply shaken, thinking there might be some great flaw in the secret art of darkness of which he was unaware.
"Your exhaustion has truly piled up."
Bukgung Ryeong clicked his tongue.
"To think the Martial Soul Command Lord, of all people, would be rattled by a single remark from me."
Bu Eunseol snorted.
"I have known you so long and so freely that I merely forgot to hide my emotions, old man."
"You brat, how long are you going to keep calling me 'old man'? You should call me Alliance Leader now."
"Surely you did not summon a busy man just to say that?"
Bukgung Ryeong grinned, showing his teeth.
"Now that you have come all this way to our alliance, are you already itching to see our flower-like Chief Inspector? You mean to greet this old man and then dash straight to the Chief Inspector's residence!"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Do not accuse an innocent man."
When Bu Eunseol scoffed, Bukgung Ryeong laughed heartily.
"You deny it?"
"I do."
"Good. Then stay with me this once."
"Has something happened?"
Though nearly fifty years separated them in age, the two were as close as friends who shared their innermost thoughts.
Bu Eunseol sensed something strange in Bukgung Ryeong's eyes.
"What could have happened? I merely want you to be my drinking companion for the first time in a while."
Bukgung Ryeong certainly displayed tremendous martial might and bearing as the leader of the alliance.
But upon closer inspection...
He somehow looked exhausted and burdened with worry.
"Very well."
Bu Eunseol did not press him with questions.
He did not have time for so much as a cup of tea, let alone wine...
"Let us drink until we cannot walk straight."
Never imagining that this meeting would...
Confirm that the course of events he had long anticipated was coming to pass...
And set into motion one of the grand designs he had laid long ago...
He flashed his white teeth in a bright smile, as though reunited with an old friend.
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