Baek Rimu-ha.
Thirty years ago, he appeared in the martial world like a comet.
At that time, he was the Mad Demon, one of the Ten Sabers of the Demonic Path, the strongest of their kind.
He consecutively defeated Baek Chusoo, the Sword Saint, one of the Three Venerables, the greatest of the righteous path, and Seok Joun, the Northern King, one of the Seven Kings.
His fame, having single-handedly toppled the mightiest of both the righteous and demonic paths, shook the martial world to its core.
But then, something strange happened.
Baek Rimu-ha, a man with overwhelming skill, poised to be called the next greatest martial artist under the heavens, suddenly vanished from the martial world as if he had evaporated.
‘Where did he go?’
Countless intelligence organizations and martial factions scrambled to track his whereabouts.
Yet, it was as if he had never existed in the world—no trace of him could be found.
To Baek Rimu-ha, who appeared out of nowhere and vanished mysteriously, the martial world bestowed the title of the Greatest Enigma, or the One Mystery.
"Only Baek Rimu-ha, known as the One Mystery, could make the Heavenly Thief, pursued by both the righteous and demonic paths, disappear from the martial world," someone said.
‘Baek Rimu-ha…’ Bu Eunseol forcibly calmed his heart. For some reason, merely hearing that name sent ripples through his tranquil soul, though he didn’t know why.
"Speaking of which, I got sidetracked," Baek Jeoncheon said, shaking his head before continuing. "In any case, if we can safely escort him back to headquarters, it could be a major event that shifts the balance of power between the righteous and demonic paths."
Bu Eunseol finally understood why the highest-ranking leaders, including the Demon Emperor and the Chief Instructor, had gathered for a meeting.
"Then the topic of the meeting is clear," he said, gazing at the distant sky with a meaningful tone. "Whether Weiji Hyesang’s matter should be treated as a task for the successor or as an issue for Majeon itself."
"Exactly," Baek Jeoncheon replied with a faint smile at Bu Eunseol’s sharp deduction. "But this meeting also involves matters concerning you, Leader. After all, you’ve slain one of the Seven Kings of Death."
His eyes held a mix of admiration and regret.
"However, the righteous factions, particularly the Beggars’ Sect, will do everything in their power to prevent a young demonic prodigy, not even in his prime, from being recognized as one of the Seven Kings of Death. They’ll use any means necessary."
"That was to be expected," Bu Eunseol replied.
"Aren’t you disappointed?" Baek Jeoncheon asked, furrowing his brow deeply. "If even a single person had witnessed your duel with the Beggar King… the Beggars’ Sect wouldn’t dare pull such dirty tricks."
It was a strange thing.
The fact that Bu Eunseol had defeated the Beggar King in single combat was something no one in the martial world, aside from the Death Shadow Corps members, would believe. Yet Baek Jeoncheon treated it as a matter of course, fully convinced that Bu Eunseol had fought and defeated the Beggar King fair and square.
"You don’t have any doubts?" Bu Eunseol asked.
"Doubts?" Baek Jeoncheon echoed.
"The rumors that I didn’t defeat the Beggar King in a fair duel but used underhanded means to kill him."
"Hahaha," Baek Jeoncheon laughed softly. "Only those who don’t know what kind of person you are would say such things." With a confident glint in his eyes, he continued, "Rather than defeating the Beggar King through dirty tricks, you’d sooner take your own life, Leader."
A faint emotion flickered in Bu Eunseol’s cold eyes.
There was no bond or familiarity between the two men. Yet Baek Jeoncheon understood him as if he were an old friend who had observed him for years.
"You don’t need to look at me like that. Anyone who’s met you would know this," Baek Jeoncheon said.
By now, the two had reached the edge of the eastern gate, standing before a building. Bu Eunseol stopped in his tracks, a puzzled expression crossing his face.
This place had once been nothing but an empty field.
When had such a large building been constructed? Moreover, it was surrounded by high walls, resembling a grand manor.
"This is the new home of the Death Shadow Corps," Baek Jeoncheon explained.
As they entered, a large training ground came into view, and beside it was a kitchen with its doors wide open. Cooks washing vegetables and cleaning dishes could be seen outside, suggesting it was a dining hall capable of feeding a large number of people at once.
‘Everything is new.’ The interior buildings and the training ground were clearly recently constructed.
Could the Demon Emperor have anticipated Bu Eunseol’s success in slaying the Beggar King and prepared this new building in advance?
‘That’s impossible.’ Bu Eunseol shook his head.
Though he had devised a meticulous plan, killing the Beggar King was almost a stroke of luck.
If he hadn’t encountered Kong Myeong or the Eighteen Arhats…
If he hadn’t fallen into a demonic trance due to the Soft Hedgehog Secret and been unable to use the Wishful True Binding repeatedly… His body would be buried in cold earth, not standing here in Majeon.
‘It must be a coincidence of timing.’ Even the Demon Emperor couldn’t have predicted such an outcome.
As Bu Eunseol shook his head inwardly, Baek Jeoncheon smiled and said, "The central council meetings usually last several days. You should rest at your quarters and recover from your fatigue, Leader."
"Thank you," Bu Eunseol replied, bowing deeply.
In the harsh martial world, it was rare to encounter someone who showed such unconditional kindness. Even more so for someone of high status within Majeon.
"No need to thank me. Oh, by the way…" Baek Jeoncheon said in a low voice as he turned to leave. "Hyeok Ryeon-eung, who was outside the region, is returning to headquarters. The Chief Instructor issued the recall order."
With a faint smile, he added, "If you get the chance, you should definitely meet Hyeok Ryeon-eung."
Meeting Hyeok Ryeon-eung was something Bu Eunseol also desired.
"I will make sure to do so," he replied.
"Good, then." With another faint smile, Baek Jeoncheon turned and left.
Bu Eunseol surveyed the manor’s interior once more. With a separate dining hall and a training ground, the facilities were among the best, even for a second-rank division.
Step, step.
At that moment, dozens of people emerged from a bamboo grove at the back of the manor.
It was the Death Shadow Corps members.
"The Leader is here!" shouted Won Semun, drenched in sweat, leading the group.
Whoosh!
The rest of the members rushed forward all at once.
"Leader!"
Their bodies glistened with sweat, likely from training and practicing in the bamboo grove. They were now training rigorously on their own, without anyone’s orders.
‘If we don’t do this… we won’t survive under the Leader.’ Bu Eunseol always faced enemies stronger than himself, engaging in life-or-death battles. Thus, the Death Shadow Corps members trained themselves relentlessly to complete their missions and survive in any situation.
"Where are the rest of the members?" Bu Eunseol asked.
Only the first squad, led by Won Semun, stood before him.
"The second and third squads are still training in the bamboo grove, and the Vice-Sect Leader is training separately," Won Semun replied.
"Why aren’t they using the perfectly good training ground?"
"We don’t use it much outside of meditation. Sometimes other divisions come to observe…"
To face the Beggar King’s division, the Death Shadow Corps had undergone grueling training.
Moreover, under Bu Eunseol’s guidance, they had trained to refine their techniques and insights by observing others’ practice. As a result, they had developed a habit of not showing their training to outsiders.
"What about Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Unryong?" Bu Eunseol asked.
Won Semun scratched his head. "I’m not sure. Aside from coming to the quarters, they don’t really stay with the other members."
"Hm." Bu Eunseol let out a low hum.
The two were originally from the Ten Demon Warriors. Though they had grown closer to the Death Shadow Corps members, they likely felt their precarious position upon returning to Majeon.
‘That matter needs to be dealt with soon.’ Bu Eunseol nodded to himself, picturing their faces.
The next day.
As Bu Eunseol was meditating in his quarters, a soft voice came from outside his door.
"Leader, a warrior from the Solitary Light Pavilion requests your presence."
Opening his eyes, Bu Eunseol stepped outside and saw a familiar face.
It was Wi Chung, the warrior who had guided him to the Solitary Light Pavilion during the gathering of successors.
"Wi Chung, warrior of the Solitary Light Pavilion, greets the Death Shadow Corps Leader," he said.
"What’s the matter?" Bu Eunseol asked.
"The Chief Instructor summons you."
‘The Chief Instructor, not the Demon Emperor.’ Bu Eunseol gazed at Wi Chung with a faint look.
Since returning to Majeon, he had been eagerly awaiting a private meeting with the Demon Emperor.
Even during his life-and-death battle with the Beggar King, even when he narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Nangyang Pavilion Lord, Ak Muryeong…
One question had lingered in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘Why does the Demon Emperor keep his eye on me?’
The Demon Emperor had subtly treated him as special. Only now did Bu Eunseol realize it wasn’t merely due to his exceptional talent. He sensed there was a hidden intention. Yet, whether due to urgent matters or the need to maintain fairness in the successor selection…
Despite slaying a titan like the Beggar King and surviving Ak Muryeong’s wrath, the Demon Emperor had not summoned him.
"Leader." Snapped out of his deep thoughts by Wi Chung’s call, Bu Eunseol nodded.
"I’ll go at once."
***
At the Solitary Light Pavilion, in Yeop Hyocheon’s study.
"Death Shadow Corps Leader, Bu Eunseol," Bu Eunseol announced.
"Come in," came Yeop Hyocheon’s low voice.
Though no one was present, the door opened smoothly as if pulled by an invisible hand. The study, used by the second-in-command of Majeon, was surprisingly sparse.
On one side stood a bookshelf packed with scrolls and books, while a table and chairs for discussions occupied another corner. Aside from these few furnishings, the vast office was filled with empty space.
‘Hm.’ The moment he stepped inside, Bu Eunseol felt an odd sensation.
The emptiness of the office stirred an impulse to pour out the thoughts he held within.
‘Even the empty space in this office is a deliberate arrangement.’ The placement of the furnishings and the open space were imbued with a subtle principle.
Step, step.
As he walked further in, he saw an elderly man seated at the table. He was small in stature, with an utterly ordinary appearance.
Yet this was the Dark King, Yeop Hyocheon, considered the most fearsome among the Seven Kings of Death.
Bu Eunseol approached and respectfully clasped his hands.
"Death Shadow Corps Leader Bu Eunseol greets the Chief Instructor."
"You’ve worked hard," Yeop Hyocheon said with a gentle smile. "Normally, the Demon Emperor would have personally commended your achievements, but the situation at headquarters is quite complicated right now."
Standing, Yeop Hyocheon gestured to the opposite seat.
"You’ve likely heard the gist from Lord Manbak, but… take a seat."
Despite his position as the second-highest authority, he showed no airs and treated his subordinates with ease.
‘The Chief Instructor is intentionally suppressing his aura and authority.’ For a master of Yeop Hyocheon’s caliber, an overwhelming presence and authority would naturally emanate.
Yet not a trace of such energy leaked from him, making it impossible to gauge the depth of his hidden power.
Swish.
As Bu Eunseol sat, Yeop Hyocheon spoke.
"The missions assigned to you were ones even Majeon couldn’t easily resolve." Sighing, he continued, "No one expected them to be handled so quickly."
"Is there a problem?" Bu Eunseol asked.
"Not a problem, but a difficult choice," Yeop Hyocheon replied with a sigh. "The Extreme Spirit Elixir can heal any blocked meridian, but there are more than a few prodigies in the demonic path with such afflictions, aren’t there?"
"That’s true," Bu Eunseol agreed.
"But the more troublesome issue is the Heavenly Thief," Yeop Hyocheon said, crossing his arms and shaking his head. "Someone Majeon had long given up pursuing… and now the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect has caught his trail."
Bu Eunseol finally understood the full situation.
Capturing the Heavenly Thief had been a long-standing goal of Majeon. Now that Weiji Hyesang had found a lead, they were deliberating whether to fully support him, even if it meant interfering in the successor competition.
"So, what was the decision?" Bu Eunseol asked.
"In short, we decided to wait a bit longer," Yeop Hyocheon said with a dry smile. "After all, the missions of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, the Extreme Slaughter Sect, and Extinction Palace successors are not yet complete."
Only Bu Eunseol and Do Cheonlin had fully completed their missions.
Weiji Hyesang had only caught the Heavenly Thief’s trail, not captured him, and Yong Jeokbi and Shin Do-unhwi had yet to produce results.
In the end, no final decision was made, so Majeon chose to wait.
"Regardless, you deserve a reward for dealing with the Beggar King," Yeop Hyocheon said quietly. "The Demon Emperor has entrusted me with full authority, so… tell me what you desire."
Bu Eunseol felt a strange sensation.
Normally, rewards were decided by the leadership after discussion. Yet both the Demon Emperor and the Chief Instructor always asked him what he wanted.
‘It’s as if they already know what I desire.’ Bu Eunseol sighed.
Though his martial arts had greatly advanced, he still couldn’t fathom the intentions of the Demon Emperor or the Chief Instructor.
‘No one can know his thoughts, and no one can discern his plans.’ Not long ago, Pavilion Lord Dan Cheong had described the Demon Emperor this way, and Bu Eunseol wholeheartedly agreed.
"It’s fine, just speak freely," Yeop Hyocheon urged.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
The successor position wasn’t yet decided, but he had already climbed onto the tiger’s back. Having come this far, he had to aim higher.
"I’d like to expand the scale of my division further," Bu Eunseol said with utmost seriousness. "I request to be formally granted the status of a second-rank Leader."
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