Shin Do-unhwi clapped his hands as he approached Bu Eunseol.
“I knew your martial prowess was exceptional, but I didn’t realize your cunning was this sharp.”
“…” Bu Eunseol merely cast a heavy gaze in response, offering no words.
As a deathly silence settled, Shin Do-unhwi clapped again and said, “Brilliant. Truly brilliant! You cleverly used your position as an heir candidate and our palace’s situation to free a Ten Demon Warrior from their shackles, didn’t you?”
“You can still retract your decision,” Bu Eunseol replied, his eyes glinting red as he bared his teeth in a smile. “This is Extinction Palace’s stronghold, after all.”
At Bu Eunseol’s smile, the grin on Shin Do-unhwi’s face vanished. A glimmering madness swirled in Bu Eunseol’s cold, piercing eyes.
‘This guy’s a real lunatic.’ There are those who pretend to be mad and those who are truly insane.
But the madness in Bu Eunseol’s eyes was no act.
Unbound by worldly principles or laws, the moment he unleashed his madness… He was a lunatic capable of dragging everyone into the abyss of destruction without a shred of hesitation.
“You must have thought the Ten Demon Warriors were forever toys of the Ten Demonic Sects,” Bu Eunseol said.
The killing intent radiating from his eyes spread uncontrollably. As a former Ten Demon Warrior himself, Bu Eunseol was genuinely enraged by this fated manipulation.
“No need to get so worked up,” Shin Do-unhwi said, clearing his throat to shift the heavy atmosphere, speaking in a clear, resonant voice. “I initially suggested letting him go quietly. But all the elders and hall masters opposed it.”
Bu Eunseol only gave a cold smile.
‘He’s spouting nonsense.’ If that were true, Shin Do-unhwi wouldn’t have lurked in hiding. He had clearly come to watch Myo Cheonwoo’s despair, only to scramble to salvage the situation when Bu Eunseol played his hand.
“…” Bu Eunseol stared intently at Shin Do-unhwi.
His gaze was sharper than ever, as if it could tear through flesh with a glance.
‘He’s serious.’ Shin Do-unhwi realized he needed to decide quickly before Bu Eunseol erupted.
Should he mobilize Extinction Palace’s full force to kill him here? Or let him leave with Myo Cheonwoo?
“I can’t let you leave after coming this far,” Shin Do-unhwi said, stepping forward as if resolved. “Show me a move.” He extended a hand with a faint smile. “I’ll need something to tell the Palace Lord, won’t I?”
“Anytime,” Bu Eunseol replied, instantly thrusting his left fist forward without hesitation.
There was no preparatory motion, no warning.
Yet Shin Do-unhwi felt five massive streams of force surging toward his face. The force wavered subtly, making its trajectory unpredictable.
“Hah!” As the intangible, colossal force curved toward him, Shin Do-unhwi urgently spread both hands.
It was one of Extinction Palace’s signature techniques, the Blade-Destroying Golden Fortress.
Wooong!
A circular barrier of palm energy enveloped Shin Do-unhwi.
Boom!
A deafening roar, like the heavens collapsing, erupted as a storm of dust scattered in all directions.
Whoosh.
When the dust settled, both men stood unmoved, as if nothing had happened.
“Hm,” Shin Do-unhwi let out a low hum, his eyes narrowing.
He realized Bu Eunseol’s fist technique was not inferior to Extinction Palace’s palm arts.
‘Not just his swordsmanship, but his fist techniques are this advanced…’ Nangyang focused on sword and blade, with no notable fist techniques. Yet Bu Eunseol had reached the pinnacle in both swordsmanship and fist arts.
‘No need to take risks now.’ Feeling a chill, Shin Do-unhwi forced a smile.
“Take him.” He nodded at Bu Eunseol. “I’ll speak well to the Palace Lord.”
“Is that so?” Bu Eunseol said with a cold smile, turning. “What a pity.”
Shin Do-unhwi felt a shiver down his spine.
Bu Eunseol’s voice carried genuine regret. If Mok Incheong had broken his promise and attacked, Bu Eunseol would have undoubtedly prepared another scheme for that scenario.
Shin Do-unhwi instinctively scanned his surroundings. Perhaps he’d sent a Majeon emissary or stationed Nangyang masters nearby.
‘Nangyang, huh.’ Nangyang’s masters operated in small numbers, making them undetectable even by the best intelligence networks.
Rip!
Myo Cheonwoo tore his sleeve.
Slash!
With a swift hand chop, he cut away the flame-shaped mark on his left shoulder.
It was the brand given to Extinction Palace’s formal disciples.
Thud.
Looking down at the blood-soaked piece of flesh, Myo Cheonwoo said coldly, “I am no longer of Extinction Palace.” With a pale face, he bowed to Shin Do-unhwi and Mok Incheong.
“Tell the Palace Lord I’m grateful for everything.”
Bu Eunseol watched impassively, then said in a low, solemn voice, “Let’s go.”
Snap.
The Death Shadow Corps warriors turned in unison, moving like a machine. Myo Cheonwoo followed without hesitation.
Shin Do-unhwi and Mok Incheong watched with complex expressions.
***
As Bu Eunseol exited Extinction Palace’s gates, Hyeok Sojin stood to his left, and Myo Cheonwoo, his shoulder tightly bandaged, to his right.
He had infused inner energy into his hand chop to sever the flesh around his shoulder. The problem was the lingering effects of the Pain-Amplifying Liquid, which heightened his pain sensitivity manifold.
In essence, Myo Cheonwoo was enduring pain worse than losing an arm.
A normal person would have fainted from the agony. Yet he walked with a calm expression, as if nothing was wrong.
‘That man has terrifying mental fortitude.’
‘He’s a former Ten Demon Warrior, like the leader.’
‘Are all the people around the leader like this?’
The Death Shadow Corps warriors gazed at Myo Cheonwoo with uniform admiration for his iron will and endurance.
“Why did you willingly endure that torture?” Bu Eunseol asked in a low voice. “Extinction Palace was preoccupied with the heir candidacy. You didn’t need to rush.”
“No, I had to leave now,” Myo Cheonwoo replied.
“Why?”
“So I could help you.” A wry smile crossed his lips. “When you saved me at Janggeom Mountain Manor, I decided. I’d leave Extinction Palace and aid you.”
“Why help me?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Scratching his nose sheepishly, Myo Cheonwoo said, “You saved my life. I owe you at least that much.”
The warriors realized two things.
What kind of man Myo Cheonwoo was, and why Bu Eunseol risked his life to enter Extinction Palace to help him.
‘Truly, he’s worthy of being the leader’s friend.’
Martial artists aren’t respected solely for their prowess.
Myo Cheonwoo’s exceptional mental fortitude, endurance, and rare loyalty made him remarkable. If Bu Eunseol ignited hearts with his fiery warrior spirit, Myo Cheonwoo set souls ablaze with his deep camaraderie.
“Leader, I have a good pain-relieving medicine,” Wi Cheongyeong said, noticing sweat on Myo Cheonwoo’s forehead. He pulled a small porcelain bottle from his robe. “A friend from the Chaoyang Divine Sect in the Yellow River gave me this Bear Gall Pill.”
“Will you take it?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“What, you weren’t going to offer it? Saving it for yourself with all your limbs intact?” Myo Cheonwoo quipped with a serious face.
But his heartfelt jest only brought a smile to Wi Cheongyeong, not Bu Eunseol.
“Not laughing? I was trying to be funny,” Myo Cheonwoo said, shaking his head with a grin.
Unlike typical demonic martial artists, Myo Cheonwoo was optimistic and hopeful. This would bring new strength to Bu Eunseol’s Death Shadow Corps.
“Brother Bu,” Hyeok Sojin spoke up for the first time.“Am I getting kicked out as deputy leader?” Though said in jest, his expression was serious. “Your friend’s joining the team, isn’t he?”
Bu Eunseol frowned, then shook his head. “He’s not a friend.”
“What?”
“And I didn’t bring him as a warrior. He’s just helping with this task.”
“But… I can’t stay by your side forever,” Hyeok Sojin said.
As Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s heir, he’d eventually return to lead the Phantom Demon.
But Myo Cheonwoo, free from the Ten Demon Warrior’s shackles, was unbound and matched Bu Eunseol’s prowess.
He was the perfect candidate for deputy leader.
“I won’t be a Majeon leader forever either,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice, looking at Hyeok Sojin. “Meetings lead to partings. Feasts don’t last forever, and stories have endings.”
“I suppose so,” Hyeok Sojin said, his voice tinged with regret.
He didn’t want to be Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s lord. He’d rather roam the martial world with Bu Eunseol, seeking adventure.
‘But that’s not possible.’ The Phantom Demon was still vigorous but wouldn’t live forever. Hyeok Sojin would eventually lead Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“You don’t even introduce people standing right beside you,” Myo Cheonwoo said, chidingly, turning to Hyeok Sojin with clasped hands. “Myo Cheonwoo. Formerly a Ten Demon Warrior, but as you see, I’m now a free man.”
As he spoke warmly, Hyeok Sojin smiled and clasped his hands. “Hyeok Sojin, disciple of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“The Phantom Demon’s heir,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
“You knew?”
“Living on scraps at Extinction Palace, I learned a bit about the Ten Demonic Sects’ affairs.”
Hyeok Sojin grinned and clasped his hands again. “I’m Brother Bu’s younger brother, so treat me casually, Brother Myo.”
As a legitimate heir of the Ten Demonic Sects, his status was far above Myo Cheonwoo’s. Yet, charmed by Myo Cheonwoo’s qualities, he offered to be treated as a younger brother.
“Sounds good. I’ll treat you like a brother,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
He cared little for status, only for people.
This was a trait shared by Bu Eunseol, Hyeok Sojin, and the Death Shadow Corps warriors.
“Haha, as expected of Brother Bu’s friend, you’re refreshingly straightforward,” Hyeok Sojin said.
“Not a friend,” Bu Eunseol interjected.
Ignoring him, Hyeok Sojin said seriously, “Brother Myo’s wounds aren’t light. Shouldn’t we treat him in a village before moving on?”
Myo Cheonwoo shook his head firmly. “Your leader’s declaration to kill the Beggar King has spread across the Ten Demonic Sects. If we delay, who knows what schemes they’ll concoct.”
“You knew we’re visiting another of the Ten Demonic Sects?” Hyeok Sojin asked.
“I guessed when I heard he’s targeting the Beggar King,” Myo Cheonwoo said with a wistful expression. “Only the Ten Demon Warriors are unaffiliated and skilled enough to aid someone of his caliber.”
The Ten Demon Warriors.
Their talent and prowess rivaled the Ten Demonic Sects’ heirs. If they could escape their shackles, they’d become formidable, unaffiliated martial artists.
“Bu Eunseol, you’re heading to Extreme Slaughter Sect next, aren’t you? To find Seok Woohaeng,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol nodded.
“But he left Extreme Slaughter Sect after Janggeom Mountain Manor, and his whereabouts are unknown,” Myo Cheonwoo said, a bitter smile on his lips as he recalled that time. “Extreme Slaughter Sect betrayed him to let him perish against a righteous master.”
“Hm,” Bu Eunseol said, showing regret for the first time.
Seok Woohaeng was a master assassin skilled in concealment and tactics. His support would have been invaluable.
“Then we’ll find him,” Bu Eunseol said.
Myo Cheonwoo blinked. “You mean Yoo Unryong?”
He shook his head firmly. “He’s prideful and rebellious. He’ll never help you.”
Seok Woohaeng might be persuaded by calculated benefits, but Yoo Unryong was proud, distrustful, and fiercely competitive with Bu Eunseol.
“I’ve watched him since Hell Island. He never listens to anyone,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
“I know,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“Good to know,” Myo Cheonwoo said, nodding as they descended the mountain. “Where to now?”
“Yuhongok,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Yuhongok? Why there?”
Bu Eunseol gave a subtle smile. “That’s where Yoo Unryong is.”
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