“Hwagolsan?”
Wi Muyeom and Lee Seocheon hurriedly approached the corpse of the Heavenly Thief.
Sizzle!
As they pushed through the white toxic fumes, the Heavenly Thief's skin had already begun to melt like water, exposing his bones.
“How did this happen?”
Hwagolsan was poisonous enough to dissolve skin and bones, but it was highly volatile. Moreover, it only acted on bodily fluids. For these reasons, Hwagolsan could not be applied to hidden weapons or blades.
“Leader Wi! Why would you use Hwagolsan!”
“What nonsense is this?”
“Then are you saying the dead body drank Hwagolsan on its own?”
“Hmph, weren't you the one who slipped the poison in while pretending to examine the corpse?” Wi Muyeom said coldly. “Because it would be troublesome if it came out that the Martial Alliance killed him.”
“Absurd talk.” Wi Muyeom and Lee Seocheon had not seen the Heavenly Thief biting down on his false tooth.
That was why they were suspecting each other.
“You're not making any sense.”
At Wi Muyeom's glance, Cheonsal members drew their weapons.
In response, the Martial Alliance members immediately drew their swords as well.
As the situation reached an extreme standoff, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“He swallowed the poison himself.”
“What?”
“When we arrived, he had already taken the poison.”
Then, Wi Muyeom said with suspicious eyes. “Didn't you say earlier that his breathing had stopped when you arrived?”
“He swallowed the poison around the time I arrived.”
'This bastard...' Wi Muyeom bit his lip. It was hard to take Bu Eunseol's words at face value. But with the corpse already melted, there was no way to verify the truth.
“This is ridiculous.” Lee Seocheon wore a dejected expression.
As the leader of the Martial Alliance's elite sword squad, he had confronted Majeon head-on with dignity.
But there was no gain.
Moreover, due to the interference from the Death Shadow Corps at Hatch Peak, he had arrived later than Cheonsal’s leader, tarnishing his reputation. And not only had he failed to capture the Heavenly Thief alive, but he couldn't even confirm his final moments, left only to stare at a puddle of bloodied water from the corpse.
It was the same for Wi Muyeom.
If he had personally slain the Heavenly Thief, at least he could have saved face. But when he found him, the man was already critically wounded and fleeing. And the one who discovered him first was the Death Shadow Corps leader, whom he had viewed unfavorably?
For the resounding Cheonsal leader, the outcome of the mission he had taken front and center was utterly frustrating.
-Damn it.
The same curse flashed through the minds of Wi Muyeom and Lee Seocheon.
For now, there was nothing they could do. Lee Seocheon, grinding his teeth, turned his body.
“We're heading back.” As the Martial Alliance members followed him out, Wi Muyeom asked Bu Eunseol.
“Is everything you've said so far true?”
“Yes.”
Wi Muyeom stared intently at Bu Eunseol's unwavering face, then spat out as if chewing.
“Return to base.”
Whoosh.
Cheonsal members also deployed their qinggong and vanished following him. However, there was one member who remained until the end without using qinggong.
It was Seo Jinha, the third squad leader of Cheonsal.
Nod.
Meeting Bu Eunseol's gaze, Seo Jinha gave a light nod before immediately deploying his qinggong and disappearing toward the anti-palace.
“.....” Bu Eunseol, left standing alone, silently looked down at the Heavenly Thief's nearly dissolved corpse.
Until now, he had relentlessly strived to gain the power to defy fate.
But he had forgotten the truly important thing.
'Grandfather...'
A fierce light swirled in Bu Eunseol's eyes. He had now decided what to do next.
***
Bu Eunseol was able to attend the higher-level meeting presided over by the Chief Instructor for the first time in his life.
It was possible because he temporarily held the rank of first-class corps leader, and second, because he was the first to discover the Heavenly Thief.
In particular, Cheonsal Leader Wi Muyeom had not dispelled his suspicions toward Bu Eunseol. In the meeting hall, he had publicly demanded that Bu Eunseol explain once more the circumstances of encountering the Heavenly Thief.
“...That's how it happened.”
Bu Eunseol detailed the circumstances leading to the pursuit of the Heavenly Thief.
The decisive cause was the fatal wound near the heart. It was true that he had been hit by a hidden weapon and that he had drunk the Hwagolsan himself.
He simply omitted mentioning the poison-laced false tooth and the conversation they had just before his breath stopped. With the Heavenly Thief's body already reduced to a puddle of blood, even further investigation was impossible.
Wi Muyeom questioned Bu Eunseol repeatedly in various ways, but he could find no flaws or openings.
'This isn't a meeting; he called me here for an outright interrogation.'
“I have a question for Corps Leader Wi as well.” After finishing all explanations, Bu Eunseol looked straight at Wi Muyeom and opened his mouth. “I faithfully guarded Hatch Peak under Corps Leader Wi's orders. And I pursued the Heavenly Thief's trail, while my squad members blocked the Martial Alliance's pursuers.”
Bu Eunseol, seated at the table, stared intently at Wi Muyeom and said.
“But you, Corps Leader Wi, who oversaw the overall command of this Heavenly Thief capture operation, achieved absolutely no results.”
“What?” White killing intent rose from Wi Muyeom's eyes. “What did you just say?”
“Did you not hear me?” Red bloodlust flickered in Bu Eunseol's pupils as well. “Our Death Shadow Corps blocked the Martial Alliance's pursuers, and I chased the Heavenly Thief to discover him first.” Bu Eunseol stared straight into Wi Muyeom's flashing eyes and enunciated clearly.
“But instead, you're treating me like a criminal.”
“Because there are unclear aspects to the process.”
“Is that reason enough for a Corps Leader to undergo interrogation?”
“Enough.” As the argument between the two heated up, Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon raised his hand. “If the information the Heavenly Thief knew didn't pass to the Martial Alliance side, then that's the end of it.” Yeop Hyocheon looked at the two and said with a sigh.
“We no longer need to debate that matter.”
Who would dare disobey the solemn command of the Chief Instructor?
Wi Muyeom and Bu Eunseol had no choice but to clasp their hands and bow their heads.
Yeop Hyocheon nodded lowly and said. “Moving on to the next item.”
Silence flowed through the hall for a moment. Because the next matter to discuss was far more important and difficult than the current one.
“Originally, the handling of this Heavenly Thief matter should have been resolved by the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.” Yeop Hyocheon said, drawing a deep breath. “But because the Martial Alliance stepped in, the situation spiraled out of control, and in the end, our palace's experts had no choice but to intervene.”
He paused briefly, then swept his gaze over the lords and said.
“How do you all judge this incident?”
Then, Shim Ui, the Shadowed Lord from the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, said in a low voice. “Since it happened regardless of our sect's intentions, it's only right to give them another chance for a different mission.” He cleared his throat falsely and continued.
“Currently, only the Blood Flame Blade Sect and Nangyang Pavilion have completed their successor missions.”
“Hmm.” Yeop Hyocheon hummed in thought and nodded positively, so Shim Ui spoke with even more force.
“Moreover, the Extreme Slaughter Sect and Extinction Palace are still in the midst of resolving their missions. Just looking at that, it's only natural to give them another opportunity.”
Yeop Hyocheon nodded and looked around the hall.
“Are there no other opinions?”
Then, as if waiting, Do Incheong, the first-class Corps Leader from Blood Flame Blade Sect, clasped his hands.
“May I say a word?”
“Go ahead.”
“This Heavenly Thief incident can be called an information war, not a battle with weapons. And in an information war, maintaining secrecy is the top priority.” Do Incheong said with calm eyes.
“In other words, for the Hwa Wu Sword Sect side, leaking information to the Martial Alliance is tantamount to a major blunder.”
At that, Shim Ui immediately countered. “Our sect conducted it in utmost secrecy. It was merely the spies embedded somewhere who transmitted that information. In fact, the source of the spread of the Heavenly Thief's information was Majeon, not our sect. How can you place all the blame on our sect?”
“Spies' ears are open everywhere, aren't they? In the end, failing to block them reveals a lack of capability.”
“Watch your words, Corps Leader Do.” Shim Ui said with cold eyes. “Do you think you have the qualifications to judge our sect's successor's abilities?”
“Qualifications?” As the argument heated up again, Yeop Hyocheon opened his mouth once more.
“Death Shadow Corps Leader.” He stared intently at Bu Eunseol and said.
“What is your opinion?”
It was an utterly out-of-the-blue question. Bu Eunseol was somewhat flustered but soon spoke in a calm voice.
“This doesn't seem like something I should comment on.”
“Why not?”
“Because I'm competing with him for the successor position.”
“Heh heh heh.” Yeop Hyocheon wore a subtle smile. “I'm not asking as a successor candidate of our palace, but as the Death Shadow Corps Leader.”
From his firm expression, it seemed Yeop Hyocheon was determined to hear an answer. Bu Eunseol pondered briefly, then calmly opened his mouth.
“If I may venture an opinion as the Death Shadow Corps Leader....”
He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and was about to continue when,
Click.
The meeting hall door opened, and a man with a slender figure slowly entered.
Though dressed in splendid martial robes, his features were clean and innocent, giving off an unexpectedly modest air.
It was none other than Weiji Hyesang, the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
“Disciple of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, Weiji Hyesang, greets the Chief Instructor and the various lords and Corps Leaders.”
The people in the hall all wore puzzled expressions.
Though he was the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, he held no official register in Majeon. Thus, he had no qualification to attend this meeting. Yet he was boldly entering the hall of the Solitary Light Pavilion, where the meeting was in progress?
But Yeop Hyocheon showed no surprise and nodded.
“What is the matter?”
“I know it's rude, but as a successor candidate of Majeon, I have come here to take responsibility.”
“Responsibility?”
“I heard there is fierce debate over my disposition.” Weiji Hyesang clasped his hands with a very courteous expression. “But regarding that matter, there is no longer any need for you all to discuss it further.”
“Why is that?” When Yeop Hyocheon asked, Weiji Hyesang smiled faintly and said in a clear, resonant voice.
“As of today, I will step down from my position as a successor candidate of Majeon.” The shocking statement caused an uproar in the meeting hall.
Even though this mission had not been successful, he was the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, which held the top seat among the Ten Great Demonic Sects. Given that it was the most influential sect in Majeon, it would have been hard for even Yeop Hyocheon to ignore a demand to retry the mission.
Yet he was voluntarily resigning from the successor candidacy?
Murmur murmur.
As the various lords and Corps Leaders whispered and buzzed, Yeop Hyocheon waved his hand to silence the chatter. And in a heavy voice, he asked.
“Is this sincere?”
“Yes.”
“Why have you made such a decision?”
“Considering the gravity of the matter, security should have been triple-checked.” Weiji Hyesang answered calmly. “But since we failed to do so, the information leaked. As a result, our sect's core forces nearly clashed head-on with the Martial Alliance.”
His eyes sparkling, Weiji Hyesang clasped his hands and said.
“That fact alone means I lack the qualification to be a successor. How could I shamelessly hold onto the position?” Unexpected statements continued, and silence fell over the hall for a moment.
Yeop Hyocheon narrowed his eyes and nodded.
“If it's your own will, then so be it.” And in a low voice, he continued. “As of today, you are removed from your status as a successor candidate of our palace. I will report it as such to the Demon Emperor as well.”
“Thank you.” Weiji Hyesang clasped his hands without hesitation.
The meeting ended in disarray.
Not only the lords affiliated with the Hwa Wu Sword Sect but even the figures from Blood Flame Blade Sect who had opposed his continued candidacy were left dumbfounded by Weiji Hyesang's sudden statement.
From the situation, it seemed his words had not been sufficiently consulted with the Hwa Wu Sword Sect side.
'Weiji Hyesang.' Bu Eunseol, who had come out of the Solitary Light Pavilion, looked up at the distant sky.
He had pierced through and predicted many things until now. But he could not fathom Weiji Hyesang's true intentions at all.
'He clearly leaked the information intentionally.' Weiji Hyesang was cautious enough to choose the scroll for the successor missions last.
It was unthinkable that such a person would neglect information management without considering the spies rooted throughout Majeon. Moreover, hadn't Seo Jinha judged that this situation was meant to disrupt the current successor race where Bu Eunseol held the advantage?
But shattering all those predictions, Weiji Hyesang had given up Majeon's successor position with frustrating ease.
'Is he content to remain the successor of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect?'
No matter what anyone said, the Hwa Wu Sword Sect was the head of the Ten Great Demonic Sects. It had a thick layer of experts, vast territorial influence, and swordsmanship that was incomparable to anything else. In truth, no faction in the demonic path could compare to the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
'No, that can't be.' If he had no ambition for the successor position from the start, he wouldn't have chosen the scroll so late.
Moreover, hadn't he even crossed swords with Do Cheonlin, who had been slated as successor? Just from that, it was clear he had intentions for Majeon's successor position back then.
Step step.
As Bu Eunseol, deep in thought, made his way toward the east gate where the Death Shadow Pavilion was located,
“....” In the distance, a shadow like a heat haze appeared. Even in the bright daylight, the shadow was transparent and faint, as if seeing a mirage.
'Weiji Hyesang.'
The one standing in front of the Death Shadow Pavilion was none other than Weiji Hyesang.
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