Yoo Unryong and his inspection agents began thoroughly examining the books in the Poison Secret Hall.
Myo Cheonwoo, leading his subordinates, scoured the elixir and poison warehouses of Hell's Blood Fortress. Bu Eunseol waited calmly for the results in an office provided by Hell's Blood Fortress.
Across from him sat Jeok Yahon.
He intended to stay until the investigation’s end, ready to cut off Bu Eunseol’s finger if nothing was found.
A day passed, and it was now the second day.
Creak.
Yoo Unryong entered with a book, flinching upon seeing Jeok Yahon.
He sent a secret transmission to Bu Eunseol.
“There’s clear evidence of large quantities of poisons being siphoned off.”
“Hm.”
“The issue is there’s also a record of elixirs being received here. From the seized books, it seems they were manufacturing something with elixirs and poisons for external delivery.”
Jeok Yahon, a renowned master, detected Yoo Unryong’s transmission and said in a low voice, “Anyone can manipulate records. What matters is solid evidence, isn’t it?”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Documentary evidence could be dismissed as mere clerical errors.
Step, step.
Myo Cheonwoo, who had thoroughly searched the poison warehouse, entered. His expression was calm, but his eyes were grim. He likely hadn’t found decisive evidence.
“Any proof of collusion with the authorities?” Jeok Yahon asked, smiling at Myo Cheonwoo’s dark expression.
Myo Cheonwoo grinned and said, “Of course.”
“Hm?”
“Lord, you need to come to the warehouse.”
“I haven’t found it yet, but I’m certain there’s something in the poison warehouse.” Myo Cheonwoo looked at Bu Eunseol with confident eyes. “If it’s you, you’ll definitely find it.”
An ordinary person might have raged or ordered a re-investigation. But Bu Eunseol trusted Myo Cheonwoo’s instincts, honed through countless battlefields.
“Good,” he said, standing immediately. “I’ll take a look myself.”
As Bu Eunseol rose, Jeok Yahon, who had been listening quietly, nodded.
“Then I’ll come along,” he said, giving Bu Eunseol a menacing smile. “If there’s nothing there, I’ll have to make an effort.”
His gaze on Bu Eunseol’s finger was like a predator eyeing delectable prey. If nothing was found, he intended to cut off Bu Eunseol’s finger immediately.
But Bu Eunseol responded nonchalantly, “Let’s go together.”
The Poison Secret Hall.
This hall, one of Hell's Blood Fortress’s poison warehouses, was located in the most secretive pavilion at the western end, underground.
Creak.
Activating a mechanism inside the pavilion revealed a secret passage leading underground. Descending the passage, a vast underground warehouse spanning over a thousand pyeong came into view.
Numerous jars lined the area, with sections for breeding poisons.
Stone chambers were set up for researching poisons.
“Huhuhu. Well? See anything?” Jeok Yahon asked.
Bu Eunseol didn’t respond.
His eyes, scanning the surroundings, were now tinged with a mystical glow.
The Mind’s Eye Command.
He was fully unleashing the heightened senses of the Beast Way, meticulously scanning the poison warehouse.
Zing.
His eyes followed invisible streams of light extending outward. The Mind’s Eye Command not only expanded senses but could also trace lingering remnants on objects.
After examining the warehouse for a while, Bu Eunseol’s gaze fixed on one spot.
It was a facility for breeding large quantities of poisonous spiritual creatures.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol entered without hesitation.
There, alongside White Crane Spirit Snakes, were Thousand-Year Black Centipedes, Five Poison Spiders, Ten-Thousand-Year Black Scorpions…
A mountain of spiritual creatures, each capable of killing thousands with a single drop of venom, was amassed.
—Hiss!
As Bu Eunseol entered, strange noises erupted, and the containers holding the creatures began to rattle.
Click.
The containers started opening one by one, blocking Bu Eunseol’s path.
Someone had deliberately unlocked the containers holding the creatures.
‘Mere beasts…’ As the creatures showed hostility, a red glint sparked in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Wooong!
As his murderous aura spread, a vague monstrous form seemed to appear behind him.
—Hiss, hiss…
The creatures, all spiritually aware, recognized Bu Eunseol as an untouchable, formidable presence and began retreating.
Rustle.
As the creatures cleared the way, clean bluestone slabs on the floor became visible.
Looking down, Bu Eunseol reached out without hesitation.
Crack.
With a powerful Void Grasp, the bluestone slabs began to lift one by one. Transparent glass containers, hidden secretly beneath, came into view.
“...!” Jeok Yahon’s eyes widened as he looked down at the containers.
They contained human organs and bodily fluids, mixed together.
“An explanation is in order,” Bu Eunseol said, turning to Jeok Yahon. “Is Hell's Blood Fortress killing people to make poisons?”
“How could this…” Jeok Yahon’s eyes trembled.
How could such a thing happen in the Poison Secret Hall without his knowledge?
‘Does he really not know?’ As Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed, observing the shocked Jeok Yahon,
“Seize him!” A fierce shout rang out from behind.
As the hidden glass containers were revealed, Yo Gwang, the Poison Secret Hall Leader, suddenly attempted to flee.
Swish!
A long whip shot from Yoo Unryong’s hand with a piercing sound.
It wasn’t a whip but his ever-present ten-section staff.
Clatter!
The staff, moving like a living creature, wrapped tightly around Yo Gwang’s arm.
Crack!
Blood sprayed from Yo Gwang’s forearm. Without hesitation, he severed his own left arm.
Tap.
Despite cutting off his arm, he showed no pain and began using his movement technique again.
Whoosh!
Yo Gwang’s technique was lightning-fast, instantly exiting the Poison Secret Hall toward Hell's Blood Fortress’s exit.
“Capture him!” Yoo Unryong shouted.
The fortress’s guards surrounded him, but upon recognizing Yo Gwang as the Poison Secret Hall Leader, they hesitated to block or attack him.
The inspection agents chased him, but Yo Gwang’s technique was like a streak of lightning. With a single leap, he created a beam of light and escaped outside Hell's Blood Fortress.
Whoosh!
Two streaks of lightning shot into the air.
Bu Eunseol and Jeok Yahon began pursuing him simultaneously.
Flap.
Jeok Yahon’s movement technique was like a great roc, leaping dozens of zhang with each bound.
Zing!
But Bu Eunseol, starting later with hands behind his back, moved like an immortal, swiftly overtaking him.
‘This guy?’ Jeok Yahon’s eyes widened, watching him. ‘They say he killed the King of Hell, and his movement technique is extraordinary.’
“Stop.” Bu Eunseol blocked Yo Gwang’s path.
“Get lost!” Yellow light gleamed in Yo Gwang’s eyes as he thrust out his remaining right arm.
A black orb, accompanied by a poison aura strong enough to melt mountains, shot forth.
It was Poison Force.
‘Yo Gwang has Poison Force?’
Jeok Yahon’s jaw dropped, watching.
Yo Gwang became the Poison Secret Hall Leader not for martial prowess but for unmatched knowledge of poisons. In terms of martial skill, he was barely fit for a hall leader, perhaps a deputy at best.
Yet he was unleashing Poison Force?
“Hm.” Bu Eunseol didn’t confront the Poison Force, lightly dodging instead.
Boom!
A tidal wave of poison aura swept through, instantly withering the vegetation where Bu Eunseol had stood.
“You can’t escape!” With a thunderous shout, Yo Gwang assumed a fierce stance and unleashed another Poison Force at Bu Eunseol.
This time, it rose from the ground beneath Bu Eunseol, not his palm.
“Blood Heaven Force?” Jeok Yahon’s eyes widened further.
The Poison Force Yo Gwang used was an application of Blood Heaven Force, one of Hell's Blood Fortress’s ten great poison techniques.
“His power was enough to wield Blood Heaven Force?” As Jeok Yahon rubbed his eyes in shock,
Shing.
Bu Eunseol, trapped in the rising poison aura, drew his sword. A circular sword aura formed, instantly vaporizing the surrounding Blood Heaven Force.
The seventh form of Supreme Heavenly Flow, Ashes of Body and Mind, burned the poison aura in an instant.
Flash!
Simultaneously, a delicate yet warm beam of light shot toward Yo Gwang’s forehead.
Whoosh!
As the beam touched Yo Gwang’s skin, it became a force tearing through the air.
He had chained Meteor Chasing the Moon with Waning Moon, Dawn Star.
Clang!
With a metallic sound, Yo Gwang’s body lurched backward.
His forehead should have been pierced, but having mastered Blood Heaven Force, his body was as hard as iron.
Slide.
Even so, he couldn’t fully dissipate the force of Meteor Chasing the Moon, leaving a deep gash on his forehead.
“Heh heh heh, this won’t kill me.”
“Human Refinement,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice. “Did you obtain that by colluding with the authorities? Not content with tempering your body with poisons, you sought to enhance your power with human blood?”
“Heh heh heh, take this and keep talking big!” Yo Gwang drew up Blood Heaven Force with full power. A black storm, like a whirlwind, surged toward Bu Eunseol’s entire body.
“…” But Yo Gwang’s eyes dimmed as he summoned the force.
A red bloodline began forming from his forehead to his neck.
“How…”
Yo Gwang looked down at his body. At that moment,
Slash!
His body split into a cross shape, scattering in all directions.
Having reached the Supreme Heaven Realm, Bu Eunseol had long transcended the limitations of martial techniques. He executed Meteor Chasing the Moon and Waning Moon, Dawn Star simultaneously within a single move.
While Meteor Chasing the Moon failed to pierce his forehead, the sharp force of Waning Moon, Dawn Star cleaved his body in two. But due to Yo Gwang’s body, tempered by drugs, being unusually resilient, and Bu Eunseol’s sword technique being so swift, it didn’t split instantly.
Sizzle.
Acrid smoke rose from Yo Gwang’s severed body. As his body split while channeling Blood Heaven Force, the poison within began melting his flesh.
“What a vile poison technique,” Bu Eunseol muttered.
Step, step.
Jeok Yahon approached Yo Gwang’s corpse.
“This…” Biting his lip as he looked at the burning body, Jeok Yahon realized Bu Eunseol’s words were true.
Hell's Blood Fortress was a master of poisons.
It didn’t cultivate spiritual herbs using human essence blood. Yet, storing essence blood for human refinement beneath the Poison Secret Hall…
Hell's Blood Fortress was now in a precarious position.
“Ahem.” As Jeok Yahon cleared his throat to speak,
Whoosh.
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong landed simultaneously, having followed. Having grasped the situation, they stared not at Bu Eunseol but at Jeok Yahon’s fingers.
“What are you looking at?” Jeok Yahon asked irritably.
Yoo Unryong drew a sharp dagger from his robes.
“Use this.” It was the treasured dagger, Victory Over Evil, bestowed by Bu Eunseol when he appointed Yoo Unryong as his aide.
“Indeed. Victory Over Evil is sharp enough to cut without pain,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding.
Jeok Yahon’s eyebrow twitched.
“Are you saying you’ll cut this vice fortress lord’s finger?”
“Didn’t we agree you’d take responsibility?” Bu Eunseol looked at Jeok Yahon with an innocent expression. “Surely you didn’t think to cut off my finger alone without agreeing to such terms?”
Jeok Yahon laughed coldly.
“So, you really intend to cut my finger?”
Tap.
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol snatched the Victory Over Evil dagger from Yoo Unryong like lightning.
He strode toward Jeok Yahon.
Step, step.
Each step carried an undeniable majesty.
Meeting Bu Eunseol’s icy, still eyes, Jeok Yahon panicked.
‘This guy?’ If anyone else had done this, Jeok Yahon would have sneered or extended his hand.
But who was Bu Eunseol?
Even when he first left Hell Island, didn’t he stand defiantly against the Sword Demon, Wi Hyeokgun?
Everyone in the Demonic Path knew he was a man who followed through.
‘He’s really going to cut it.’ In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through Jeok Yahon’s mind.
‘If my finger is cut over this, I won’t be able to show my face in the martial world.’
Moreover, a poison master’s finger stored the body’s poison most securely.
Losing one would greatly diminish his poison techniques.
But killing Bu Eunseol over this would invite attacks from the recently risen Nangyang Pavilion and harsh sanctions from Majeon.
Hell's Blood Fortress could no longer exist as one of the Ten Demonic Clans.
Swish.
Bu Eunseol stood inches from Jeok Yahon, his blood-red eyes fixed on his fingers.
“…” As the sharp gaze touched his finger, Jeok Yahon instinctively clenched his fist in a defensive stance.
Smile.
A calm smile, like a still lake, spread across Bu Eunseol’s face.
“How could I damage the finger of Hell's Blood Fortress’s Vice fortress lord over this?” Laughing silently, he said in a low voice, “I’ll discuss this matter with fortress lord Gongya. Don’t worry, Vice fortress lord, and return.”
He turned and left with Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong.
In that moment, Jeok Yahon felt regret.
He should have struck Bu Eunseol down, even if it meant facing the Three Thousand Mountains… or laughed heartily and boldly offered his hand.
Clenching his fist in tension before Bu Eunseol. That alone stripped him of all dignity as Hell's Blood Fortress’s Vice fortress lord.
Poison Pavilion.
This was where Gongya Geuk, the fortress lord of Hell's Blood Fortress, resided.
The Poison Saint, Gongya Geuk.
It was said he had long reached the supreme realm of poison, the Saint of Poison. Thus, his body contained no poison, but he could generate poison with his will alone, using Heart Poison.
Bu Eunseol sat boldly in the residence of this Poison King. Across from him was a veiled curtain, behind which a dark, imposing silhouette was visible.
It was Gongya Geuk, the fortress lord ruling Hell's Blood Fortress.
“Why have you sought me?” Gongya Geuk’s low voice came from behind the curtain. “You could have spoken to Jeok Yahon if you wanted something.”
His voice was peculiar—soft to the ears but resounding like thunder in Bu Eunseol’s mind. Having reached the realm of Heart Poison, he could transmit his voice directly into Bu Eunseol’s head.
“The Vice fortress lord might not know, but there’s nothing you, fortress lord, wouldn’t know.” But Bu Eunseol gave an unexpected reply.
—You know everything, don’t you, fortress lord?
That’s what Bu Eunseol was saying.
A long silence followed, with no response from Gongya Geuk.
Finally, Bu Eunseol spoke again.
“But I don’t believe you, fortress lord, colluded with the authorities to betray the sect.”
A chill filled the room.
Gongya Geuk’s eyes flashed behind the curtain as he spoke slowly, “This fortress distributing poisons in the martial world is not a new thing.” Another silence followed before he continued, “The Poison Secret Hall Leader was merely continuing what this fortress has always done, out of habit.”
“Even colluding with the authorities to distribute essence blood for cultivating strange human refinements?”
“I’ll admit this fortress supplied poisons desired by the authorities,” Gongya Geuk’s voice echoed in Bu Eunseol’s head. “But hiding essence blood was the Poison Secret Hall Leader’s independent act to rapidly enhance his martial arts.”
“Then you must also know the poisons distributed by Hell's Blood Fortress reached the Martial Alliance.”
At Bu Eunseol’s point, Gongya Geuk chuckled.
“Martial Alliance or authorities, it doesn’t matter. This fortress only cares about profit.”
Whether the distributed poisons created bizarre drugs or sparked a war between the orthodox and demonic paths, Hell's Blood Fortress didn’t care.
In fact, they’d welcome such a situation.
Large-scale battles inevitably required poisons.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, finally understanding Hell's Blood Fortress’s and Gongya Geuk’s philosophy.
Hell's Blood Fortress pursued only profit.
Whether a war broke out or they got entangled with the authorities… it was irrelevant.
“I understand your intentions, fortress lord,” Bu Eunseol said, standing.
“I acknowledge this fortress’s defeat,” Gongya Geuk’s voice came.
“…”
“I apologize for attacking you in the past. Henceforth, this fortress will support you wholeheartedly.”
Gongya Geuk was indeed a fearsome figure.
As a leader of the Ten Demonic Clans, second only to the Demon Emperor, he held the most revered status in the Demonic Path. Even with a blade at his throat, he wouldn’t bow to subordinates.
Yet, Gongya Geuk admitted defeat to Bu Eunseol and easily set aside his pride.
“Are these terms satisfactory?”
‘A cunning hero of the era.’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed faintly.
Gongya Geuk, seated behind the curtain, seemed not human but a demon consumed by greed.
‘If I become useless, he’ll be the first to draw his blade.’ If Bu Eunseol’s abilities and power fell short of expectations?
Gongya Geuk would unhesitatingly stab him in the back. A cunning hero who’d kneel to a child for profit and stab countless times if it served no purpose.
That was Gongya Geuk, the fortress lord of Hell's Blood Fortress.
“This audit ends here. There will be no further trouble for Hell's Blood Fortress,” Bu Eunseol said.
He temporarily shook hands with the devil.
It wasn’t yet time to touch Hell's Blood Fortress. He needed to wait until he had the power to cut out the rot in one stroke.
Keeping a figure like Gongya Geuk was far more advantageous.
Power and wealth.
The more you grasp them, the emptier you feel; the more greedily you drink, the greater the thirst. As long as there was profit to gain, Gongya Geuk wouldn’t betray Bu Eunseol.
“Then,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands and turning slowly.
“Martial Soul Command Lord,” Gongya Geuk’s voice came from behind the curtain as he watched Bu Eunseol’s departing figure. “Keep stirring things up. The more you stir, the deeper you’ll fall into despair. Huhuhu.”
Leaving Hell's Blood Fortress, Bu Eunseol looked back.
The sky was dyed red, as if Gongya Geuk’s sinister eyes hovered there.
“You’ll find out one day, Fortress Lord Gongya,” Bu Eunseol muttered in a cold voice, staring at Hell's Blood Fortress under the red sky.
“The price of crossing me.”
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