"Does the karma of the strong not become history, while only the karma of the weak becomes sin?"
A wave of demonic energy spread from Bu Eunseol's body.
"The Three Poisons are weapons that will protect you. Fill your belly with greed and cut down your enemies with anger. Is an armed demon not better than a disarmed Buddha?"
It sounded like Buddhist enlightenment.
Yet a dark method concealing ruin and a lust for domination flowed from his mouth.
Shaaaa.
The more Bu Eunseol murmured under his breath, the faster the Soul Demon Dharma Energy remaining in the man's body flowed into his left arm, as if being drawn there.
"Bu Eunseol."
So Okrim sensed something strange when Bu Eunseol's eyes turned black and dark energy began raging around his left arm.
"What is wrong?"
"Hehehehe."
At that moment, the man whose flesh had begun falling to the ground piece by piece suddenly bowed his head to Bu Eunseol with a smile filled with ecstasy.
"Behold! That person has finally arrived!"
"Bu Eunseol!"
Sensing something ominous, So Okrim cupped his face in her hands.
"Look at me."
At once, a pair of beautiful eyes appeared in Bu Eunseol's pupils. They resembled noble lotus blossoms blooming from filthy mud.
"We are one."
Her pale pink lips stopped Bu Eunseol's breath.
Using the method of the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission, she had instantly transferred all her power to him.
Booom!
In that instant, pitch-black light soared into the sky behind Bu Eunseol.
At the same time, his darkening eyes slowly returned to normal.
"Okrim."
"Are you all right?"
Watching them, the man suddenly shouted as if screaming in despair.
"You stupid fool! How dare you..."
Pat!
At that instant, the man's body evaporated in the blink of an eye.
No, it vanished without a trace.
It was as though even the fact that such a being had ever existed had been completely erased.
Bu Eunseol had extended his left hand and unleashed the power of the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission once more.
'I must not use this power carelessly.'
His expression grew grave as he looked down at his left hand.
The power of the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission combined with So Okrim's strength was so immense and destructive that he could not fully control it.
"Are you all right?"
Squeeze.
Even as So Okrim worried about Bu Eunseol, she did not forget to slip quietly into his embrace.
"Something about you was strange just now."
"Was it? I..."
Holding his forehead, Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow. He felt as though he should remember something, yet nothing came to mind.
"I think I lost consciousness for a moment."
"That bastard must have tried something as he died."
So Okrim pointed accusingly at the place where the man had vanished, her eyes blazing.
"To think such a vile wretch inherited the True Demon's secret art and tried to toy with women. How pathetic. Truly pathetic!"
"Perhaps only someone bearing such resentment could have mastered it."
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"Seizing women's spirits in an instant without moving a finger could not have been easy."
"Is that so?"
So Okrim grinned and patted Bu Eunseol on the shoulder.
"In any case, it is fortunate everything worked out just as you expected."
Bu Eunseol had thought of So Okrim and the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission as the means to break the man's secret art.
After finding her whereabouts through the Death Spirit Corps, he had devised the entire scheme.
That was why So Okrim had come all the way here to deliver Bu Eunseol the false message that the Death Shadow Corps was in danger.
"But will everything be all right?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Empress Dowager will target her again, will she not?"
So Okrim smiled slyly.
"Should you not keep constant watch over that precious Young Palace Lord?"
When Bu Eunseol had asked for her help...
She had not agreed unconditionally, but questioned him about everything that had happened.
"The Empress Dowager devised this secret art to ensnare me from the beginning. If the women died, my forces would weaken, which would serve her purpose. If they did not, she intended to seize my weakness and use it against me."
"Hmm."
"But now that I have broken the True Demon's secret art... she will never dare attempt such a scheme again."
"I see."
So Okrim shrugged and spoke.
"Normally, the Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace should recover her memories now that the Mind-Seizing Secret Art has been broken... but the art was so vicious that I am worried."
"It does not matter."
"Huh?"
"We have plenty of time."
What if Yeon Soha could not remember him?
He only needed to spend time meeting her and create new memories together.
This gave him an excuse to visit the Divine Maiden Palace from time to time... and now he could deepen his affection with Yeon Soha and make many memories with her.
"I helped because you were not adding another one."
Puffing out her cheeks, she spoke with a disgruntled expression.
"Do not smile tenderly while thinking about another woman in front of me."
"I am sorry."
"As long as you understand."
She looked toward the distant sky and spoke.
"Now that it is settled, I am leaving."
"Travel safely."
"Is that all?"
"What do you mean?"
"How unromantic."
So Okrim wrapped both arms tightly around Bu Eunseol.
They had made contact so often through the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission that touching one another's skin had become more natural to them than to anyone else.
"It feels as though things like that will keep appearing from now on. Do not agonize over them alone. Contact me whenever you need me. Understood?"
She always worried about Bu Eunseol as though he were a child left alone beside the water.
He was stronger than anyone, yet infinitely vulnerable when it came to affection.
His enemies would always exploit that weakness tenaciously, and So Okrim could never stop worrying about it.
"I understand. Thank you."
He was always the one who had to protect others.
Hearing her say this warmed Bu Eunseol's heart and made him feel reassured at the same time.
"See you again."
So Okrim waved and left first.
He was normally the one who bade women farewell first, but So Okrim always turned her back and departed before him.
"Her cheerfulness and openhearted nature, found in no other woman under heaven, may be called both her charm and her greatest virtue."
A smile spread across Bu Eunseol's lips as he murmured under his breath.
Throb.
His left arm tingled slightly, but he assumed it was merely an aftereffect of unleashing the Sacred Fire Secret Transmission.
* * *
The Empress Dowager grew furious.
He might possess the greatest skill among the young grandmasters, but how could he have broken even a secret art of the True Demon?
"Was the Martial Soul Command Lord someone who needed to be dealt with as quickly as possible after all?"
In truth, Bu Eunseol had not been the highest-priority target among those who had to be eliminated from the martial world.
But after her schemes were thwarted one after another, her thinking changed.
"I cannot repeat the same mistake."
In the past, she had misjudged someone's ability, and the price of provoking him had been the destruction in an instant of a plan she had labored over for more than a decade.
Now that Bu Eunseol had also proven difficult to kill, she needed to revise her plans for dealing with him from the ground up.
"To eliminate someone like the Martial Soul Command Lord, one must first dig thoroughly into his very foundations."
An exceptional assassin made dozens or hundreds of preparations for a single assassination.
Eliminating one of the martial world's great grandmasters naturally required even more preparation.
He had to be brought down one careful step at a time through immense funding and manpower, extensive investigation, and meticulous preparation.
"How did he break the True Law Herald's secret art?"
Her eyes narrowed.
The secret art of the True Demon Palace that bound a woman's spirit in an instant linked the practitioner's spirit and the woman's together as one.
To kill him, the secret art first had to be broken.
How, then, could Bu Eunseol have destroyed a secret art of the True Demon Palace that had never once been broken?
"First, I must closely examine the state of his spirit and prepare to destroy his reputation."
Honor could not be bought with anything, and once cracked, it could never be restored.
She intended to find the weakness lurking within Bu Eunseol's spirit and brand him with a disgrace so terrible that he could never raise his head again.
* * *
Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
Having resolved both Yeon Soha's and Princess Hwijeong's affairs, Bu Eunseol was handling various duties in his office with a light heart.
Then Yoo Unryong suddenly rushed inside.
"A guest has arrived from the Imperial Palace, just as expected."
His eyes gleamed as he spoke in a low voice.
"He is one of the Empress Dowager's closest eunuchs."
Bu Eunseol rose without another word.
The Empress Dowager was not someone who would withdraw her blade against him so easily.
Their battle was only beginning.
Creak.
When Bu Eunseol entered the Suppressed Demon Pavilion's grand meeting hall, an elderly man dressed in ordinary clothes, yet possessing an air of dignity and a thin voice, bowed to him.
"This lowly servant is Chief Eunuch Jo, who serves the Empress Dowager at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility."
He bowed respectfully yet with dignity and spoke.
"Her Highness the Empress Dowager has issued an order to the prospective Imperial Son-in-law."
The eunuch carefully unfolded the invitation card and read the imperial command in a clear, resonant voice.
"The palace lanterns shine splendidly for the Lantern Festival, yet I regret that I cannot enjoy them with my future son-in-law. As the wedding has not yet taken place, it would be inappropriate to hold a formal audience, but I wish to offer you a few words of blessing and share a bowl of sweet rice dumplings. This is no formal grand banquet, so come comfortably to the Imperial Garden."
The eunuch respectfully folded the letter, placed it on the table, and spoke lightly.
"The prospective Imperial Son-in-law has not yet formally paid his respects to the elders of the Imperial Family... It seems Her Highness has prepared a small gathering in the inner palace for this Lantern Festival."
Stepping closer to Bu Eunseol, he spoke in a confidential voice.
"It is not a formal grand banquet, so please attend at ease, learn the etiquette of the Imperial Family, and pay your respects to Her Highness and the other elders."
It was an order Bu Eunseol could not refuse.
As Commander of the Dragon Scale Guard and a prospective Imperial Son-in-law, paying his respects to the elders of the Imperial Family was only proper etiquette. Refusal would also bring shame upon the Emperor.
Nevertheless, the eunuch was anxious that Bu Eunseol might refuse.
"Her Highness has shown me such consideration. How could I refuse as her future son-in-law?"
Bu Eunseol looked at the eunuch with a subtle gaze.
"I understand Her Highness's wishes. Tell her that I will visit at the appointed time."
After the eunuch departed, the meeting hall door opened and Yoo Unryong slowly entered.
"I can understand the Emperor's feelings to some extent."
Having heard everything, Yoo Unryong sighed.
"She is truly vicious and relentless."
"I was prepared for this."
Bu Eunseol's eyes narrowed as he recalled the Empress Dowager.
"This will likely be a final test rather than an attack."
"You have escaped every unexpected trap safely, so she means to test your abilities personally."
"That is right."
Yoo Unryong let out a deep sigh.
"In the end, she has acknowledged that you are no easy opponent, but a formidable enemy."
Bu Eunseol nodded.
As long as the Empress Dowager commanded the masters of the True Demon Palace, she was someone he had to bring down eventually.
He had been waiting for her to invite him to the Imperial Palace.
"I have been waiting for her summons all this time."
A flash passed through Bu Eunseol's eyes as he murmured under his breath.
"Through this meeting, I will also be able to determine how the Empress Dowager carries out her grand design and how I must bring her down."
"Hmm."
Yoo Unryong wore a worried expression.
"The road back from the Imperial Palace... will be a path of blood."
He shook his head after releasing a deep sigh.
"There are already mountains of work ahead of us, yet now we must concern ourselves with the Imperial Family's power struggles as well."
Still wearing a bitter expression, Yoo Unryong continued.
"In any case, be careful. The Empress Dowager is a powerful enemy on an entirely different level from those we have faced until now."
"I understand."
Bu Eunseol smiled and spoke.
"I will return."
Bu Eunseol rode a carriage toward the Imperial Palace.
Once the carriage passed through the gate, red walls stretched endlessly on both sides.
The majesty of the imperial city was unlike that of any martial sect.
It made one realize how overwhelming a symbol of power raised by human hands could be.
The carriage stopped before the Meridian Gate.
"The prospective Imperial Son-in-law, Bu Eunseol, has entered the palace at Her Highness the Empress Dowager's summons."
At the coachman's words, an Embroidered Uniform Guard Lieutenant examined the invitation card, then bowed when he saw Bu Eunseol inside the carriage.
"Please enter. A eunuch will guide you."
Beyond the Meridian Gate lay a vast square. The morning sunlight glittered across the Golden Water Bridge leading toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Inner Golden Water River flowing beneath the bridge was clear and still.
'This is not the way to the Imperial Garden.'
Bu Eunseol recalled the palace layout in his mind.
Official banquets were held in the halls of the Outer Court, while private gatherings took place in the gardens of the Inner Court.
Yet the eunuch guiding him was heading toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity rather than the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Wait."
When Bu Eunseol stopped, the eunuch turned around.
Deep wrinkles covered the face of the eunuch, who appeared to be over fifty.
"I was told the banquet would be held in the Imperial Garden."
"Her Highness wishes to see you first."
"First?"
"Is it not proper etiquette for the prospective Imperial Son-in-law to pay his respects to an elder of the Imperial Family? Her order is for you to have an audience with her before the banquet."
There was nothing strange about his words.
Yet a chill ran down Bu Eunseol's spine.
The old eunuch's gaze was far too calm. He looked like someone merely following a sequence of events that had already been decided.
'She means this is her final opportunity.'
After today, she would no longer be able to summon Bu Eunseol privately to the Imperial Palace.
The Empress Dowager seemed determined to use this opportunity to examine him down to his very bones.
"Very well. Lead the way."
"This way."
The old eunuch passed the Palace of Heavenly Purity and ventured deeper inside.
High walls continued on both sides, and a corridor appeared with oil lamps hanging at intervals.
There were no palace maids or eunuchs in sight. Despite being deep within the Imperial Palace, the area was strangely deserted.
'This is an undisguised trap.'
Bu Eunseol strode inside without hesitation.
Even if a battle erupted here, it did not matter. The Empress Dowager would be the one placed in a difficult position.
Halt.
But the old eunuch stopped before a long passageway.
Its end could not be seen.
White porcelain jars lined the walls on both sides, while bead curtains hanging from the ceiling made faint sounds.
It was a beautiful space, yet chilling at the same time.
"Continue this way."
The old eunuch's voice remained respectful, but it carried a sinister undertone.
"Very well."
Bu Eunseol slowly walked into the passageway.
At that moment, the long corridor transformed completely.
'A Mind World.'
To drive another dagger into Bu Eunseol, the Empress Dowager was once again attempting to assess him through a Mind World.
'This is different from every Mind World I have encountered until now.'
Once he recognized a Mind World, he could normally control it to some extent.
But this time, the only phenomenon that occurred was time slowing of its own accord.
'Is this a new rank beyond the sixth level?'
There was no doubt that an advanced, high-phase Mind World of the seventh level, something he had never experienced before, had unfolded around him.
'This is a good opportunity instead.'
The Empress Dowager had officially summoned him to the Imperial Palace. In other words, she intended to test him rather than kill him.
There was no need to exert the power of the Void Extreme Realm or force his way through the trial with all his strength.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol walked forward lightly, as though savoring this new kind of Mind World for the first time.
Whoosh.
A gust of wind swept past, and the surrounding scenery transformed once more.
The sky sank beneath a deep wash of ink, while a single broad road stretched endlessly forward.
Bu Eunseol's eyes resembled a tranquil lake without the slightest ripple.
After he walked a little over ten jang (1 jang = 3m), dazzling light suddenly filled his surroundings, and the sky and earth began burning red.
The road gradually narrowed until it became a constricted path barely wide enough for one person.
He stepped forward without hesitation.
At some point, the narrow path transformed into a passage glowing red-hot on every side.
Each time he stepped upon the heated ground...
His shoes and the soles of his feet astonishingly melted together with a sizzling sound.
"It matches reality perfectly, yet I cannot bring my original power inside... I see."
He had long ago reached a realm impervious to fire and water.
Furthermore, after mastering the Yeolha Great True Energy, he could freely manipulate Extreme Yang energy.
How could the soles of his feet melt so helplessly?
"Hmm."
Only the soles of his feet were melting, yet the pain felt as though his entire body were being torn to pieces.
Someone with weak mental strength would have immediately lost consciousness from the agony.
'If this Mind World could be unfolded at will, its master could conquer all under heaven.'
Judging from the fact that they had lured him to a particular location within the Imperial Palace...
To unfold a Mind World like this...
They undoubtedly required a great deal of time and preparation, as well as a location through which a particular energy flowed.
'That may be called the weakness of a high-ranking Mind World.'
Sizzle.
With every step, the soles of his feet melted until the bones were exposed.
Yet he continued walking calmly without paying it any mind.
How long had he walked?
The burning red passage disappeared, and a beautiful landscape filled with exotic flowers and plants suddenly unfolded before him.
Babble, babble.
Crystal-clear water flowed at the end of the road, and a large pavilion stood before it.
The table inside the pavilion was piled high with delicacies from land and sea whose fragrance alone made his mouth water.
At once, with a low groan...
He felt an extreme hunger unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Growl.
As Bu Eunseol stared at the food laid out in the pavilion, his face rapidly grew gaunt.
What if he remained standing here for merely half a quarter-hour?
It felt as though he would wither and die, unable to endure the hunger.
'A bowl of noodles was always enough for me.'
As thoughts of food arose...
More than his terrible hunger, he yearned for the peaceful days that would never return.
He tried to hurry past the pavilion.
Halt.
He suddenly stopped.
"So that was it."
Having realized something, Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Flash!
With a sharp flash, the pavilion was split into two in a single stroke.
Crash! Thump.
As the pavilion collapsed, color gradually returned to Bu Eunseol's withered face.
Srrrk.
Once the dust cleared, grotesque talismans stood planted where the pavilion had been.
The scene had transformed into a ritual table bearing rotten meat sprinkled with white powder.
"So a Mind World like this also exists."
If he had decided it was an illusion and rushed past the pavilion, he would have sunk deep into the Mind World and lost his sense of self.
If a pavilion piled high with delicacies from land and sea had suddenly appeared while he suffered extreme starvation...
Anyone would have assumed it was an illusion and passed it by.
It was a terrifying trap that exploited the very weakness of a Mind World.
"This truly is a Mind World that transcends Mind Worlds."
If one believed an illusion was real and touched or responded to it, one would die.
Conversely, if one believed something real was an illusion and failed to respond, one would also die.
This was the Mind World of the seventh level.
Comments