The assassin leader stood frozen like a statue.
Thick beads of sweat dripped from his forehead like rain, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Tremble, tremble…
His body shook as if he were a herbivore facing a predator.
Around him, fragments of flesh and blood-soaked debris were scattered everywhere—the remains of over a hundred assassins, reduced to pulp by Bu Eunseol’s overwhelming power.
‘This man… is a reaper.’
The leader’s mind replayed the terrifying martial prowess Bu Eunseol had just displayed.
He was a blazing inferno, while the hundred-plus assassins were mere straw. Each time they charged, their lives flickered out, their bodies shattering and scattering in all directions.
Not one could withstand a single blow from him.
“Who… are you?” the leader stammered.
Whoosh!
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol extended his hand. A powerful vacuum force tore the leader’s robes apart, and a small wooden box flew into Bu Eunseol’s grasp.
Seeing this, the leader’s eyes filled with terror once more.
‘Such power at his age.’ Witnessing the vacuum grasp technique, the leader realized Bu Eunseol wasn’t just strong—he was one of the supreme masters who could dominate the martial world.
“Who’s behind this?” Bu Eunseol demanded, his voice like that of a reaper.
The leader trembled and said, “If I tell you… will you let me live?”
Bu Eunseol, his eyes glowing with bloodlust, spoke in a low voice.
“I’ll allow you to take your own life.”
A strange offer.
To allow him to commit suicide if he spoke.
But the leader faintly understood.
Cutting his own meridians or biting a poison pellet would be useless. A master of Bu Eunseol’s caliber had reflexes dozens of times sharper than an ordinary warrior’s.
If he didn’t speak truthfully, this terrifying monster would leave him in a state neither dead nor alive.
“I was too greedy,” the leader said, his will to live broken as he lowered his head.
In a quiet voice, he continued, “Danri Muk, the Deputy Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.” The leader kept his head bowed as he spoke.
“He orchestrated this entire plan to kill Law Enforcement Officer Jongjeong Yak, who was investigating him.”
“And you are?”
“We are the Moon Shadow Sect, an assassin group long contracted with the Martial Alliance.” Satisfied with the answers, Bu Eunseol nodded.
He turned away slowly.
Thud.
The leader collapsed like a felled log, having bitten his poison pellet in relief.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol looked down at Neung Joun, still unconscious from sealed acupuncture points. To Bu Eunseol, he was a naive young man, but one with deep loyalty and a strong sense of justice.
Smirk.
With a faint smile, Bu Eunseol hoisted Neung Joun over his shoulder and swiftly left the Song Family Estate.
Whoosh.
Using his whirlwind-like movement skills, Bu Eunseol arrived back in the forest, where Jongjeong Yak knelt in prayer.
“Deputy Neung!” she cried, rushing over upon seeing Bu Eunseol carrying him. “You’re both safe!”
Instead of responding, Bu Eunseol pulled a wooden box from his robes and handed it to her.
“These are the Purple Dawn Pills.”
“How…?” Jongjeong Yak’s eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “The mastermind is Deputy Hall Master Danri Muk. He used the Purple Dawn Pills as bait to kill you.”
“Danri Muk orchestrated this?” she gasped.
How had Bu Eunseol uncovered this? How had he retrieved the Purple Dawn Pills and saved Neung Joun?
“Who exactly are you?” she asked, her question laced with fundamental doubt.
What he had accomplished was impossible for a high-tier mercenary, even one with exceptional movement skills.
‘This won’t do.’ Bu Eunseol hesitated.
If he didn’t address her suspicions now, she would never fully trust him. Even if he infiltrated the Martial Alliance through her, his actions would be restricted.
‘No choice, then.’ With his decision made, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“I am an elite-grade mercenary of the Red Sky Veil.”
“an elite-grade mercenary?” she exclaimed.
“Yes.” Jongjeong Yak’s jaw dropped.
Even in the Red Sky Veil, the largest mercenary hub in Shaanxi, there were fewer than ten elite-grade mercenaries. This unassuming man was an elite-grade mercenary, earning tens of thousands of taels per contract?
‘an elite-grade mercenary would have reached at least the early stages of the Transcendent Realm.’ Now, Jongjeong Yak began to understand the extraordinary feats Bu Eunseol had performed.
“How did an elite-grade mercenary like you end up taking this job as a high-tier mercenary?” she asked, her voice thick with suspicion.
Bu Eunseol sighed dramatically and shook his head.
“At Dam Yuyeon’s request.”
“Sister Dam?”
“Yes. She asked me to help you but to keep it a secret, saying you’d feel burdened if you knew.”
Jongjeong Yak’s eyes sparkled as if she had realized something.
“So Sister Dam paid you separately?”
“Yes.”
“How much…?”
“One hundred thousand taels.”
“What?” she gasped, nearly fainting.
Bu Eunseol quickly added, “That’s just the advance.”
Jongjeong Yak felt as if she’d been slapped, her face flushing.
“One hundred thousand taels just for the advance? What about the completion fee?”
“Another hundred thousand taels.” Jongjeong Yak lowered her head, eyes wide.
To think Dam Yuyeon had spent two hundred thousand taels on her behalf.
“I had no idea…” she murmured.
“Don’t worry about it. I just need to get paid,” Bu Eunseol said.
“That’s not what I mean!” she said, her expression indignant. “Two hundred thousand taels for this? That’s too much! Don’t ask Sister Dam for more money.”
“You make it sound like I’m a swindler who does nothing and just takes money,” he replied.
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“I don’t know at all,” he said stiffly.
Resolved, Jongjeong Yak declared, “Fine. I’ll pay the completion fee. Just don’t ask Sister Dam for more money.”
Bu Eunseol smirked.
“Do you have a hundred thousand taels?”
“Not now, but if I resolve this case…”
Trailing off, she turned away, her face red, and said coldly, “Give me a discount.”
“How much?”
“T-Twenty thousand taels.”
“Twenty thousand taels off?”
“N-No, I mean… could you accept just twenty thousand taels?”
At her naive request, Bu Eunseol said firmly, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Turning away, he released Neung Joun’s acupuncture points.
“Urgh!” Neung Joun woke with a shout, looking around in confusion. “What happened? Why am I here?”
“Well…” Jongjeong Yak began, tending to his wounds while explaining the events.
She told him how Bu Eunseol had retrieved the Purple Dawn Pills and discovered that Deputy Hall Master Danri Muk was behind it all.
“an elite-grade mercenary?” Neung Joun exclaimed, shocked at the revelation.
The man he had dismissed as an arrogant, unimpressive mercenary was an elite-grade mercenary? From then on, the arrogance in his gaze toward Bu Eunseol vanished, replaced by burning hostility.
It was the misguided jealousy of a young man fearing his unspoken love might lose the attention of the woman he admired.
“Even if he’s an elite-grade mercenary, it changes nothing…” Neung Joun muttered.
But learning Bu Eunseol was an elite-grade mercenary clearly dampened his spirits.
“You’re just a mercenary contracted to the Law Enforcement Officer, after all.”
“I know,” Bu Eunseol replied.
At that moment, Jongjeong Yak spoke.
“So, what now?” She sighed, looking at the distant sky. “We recovered the Purple Dawn Pills and know who orchestrated this, but we still haven’t found evidence to prove his corruption.”
Neung Joun’s face darkened as well.
If they returned to the Martial Alliance now, knowing Danri Muk was the culprit but unable to arrest him would be infuriating.
“Wait! I have an idea!” Jongjeong Yak said, her eyes sparkling. “Seolso heard from the assassins that the Deputy Hall Master was behind it, right?”
“And?”
“I’ll request a Ten Righteous Conference.”
The Ten Righteous Conference was held to investigate allegations of misconduct by hall master-level figures. If the conference was convened and a resolution passed, the Inspection Hall would launch a rigorous investigation.
Then, Danri Muk would be caught, no matter how he tried to escape.
“But without evidence, how will you get the proposal passed? He’s the Deputy Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, a man who makes birds fall from the sky,” Neung Joun said.
“You don’t need definitive evidence. Just enough suspicion to make the Inspection Hall act,” Jongjeong Yak said confidently. “Seolso is a registered mercenary of the Red Sky Veil. If his testimony is deemed credible, the Inspection Hall will investigate Deputy Hall Master Danri.”
“I see,” Neung Joun said, nodding before shaking his head. “But isn’t it too risky? If that happens, the Deputy Hall Master will try to kill him by any means.”
“Hmm,” Jongjeong Yak murmured, lowering her head.
No matter how skilled an elite-grade mercenary Bu Eunseol was, the Martial Alliance was filled with countless masters who surpassed him.
Moreover, this wasn’t part of the contract.
If Bu Eunseol refused, they couldn’t force him to the Martial Alliance.
“Seolso,” she said, looking at him with a glimmer of hope. “Please help. Your testimony is the only way to bring him to the Ten Righteous Conference.”
Bu Eunseol remained silent.
In truth, his goal was to infiltrate the Martial Alliance naturally. But accepting her proposal too eagerly might raise suspicion, so he remained cautious.
As a Law Enforcement Officer investigating corruption, she wouldn’t overlook even the slightest hint of doubt.
“Seolso,” she pleaded again, seeing his lack of response. “A high-ranking figure like the Deputy Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall is stealing the Martial Alliance’s elixirs and manipulating assassins. If we let him go, it will harm not only the Alliance but the entire martial world.”
“I’m a mercenary,” Bu Eunseol said after a long pause.
“What?”
“The affairs and state of the martial world have nothing to do with me.” Momentarily speechless, Jongjeong Yak pressed on.
“Didn’t the contract include escorting me to the Martial Alliance? Can’t you see this as an extension of that?” Still receiving no response, she began to leverage her connections and position. “Sister Dam and I are close friends. I’ll speak highly of you to her. And owing a favor to a Law Enforcement Officer isn’t a bad thing for you, Seolso.”
After a moment of deep thought, Bu Eunseol looked at her steadily and said, “If you want my help, make a new contract.”
“A contract?”
“Yes. The original contract was only until we reached the Martial Alliance.”
Jongjeong Yak couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“So you’re saying you want payment for your testimony?”
“Payment sounds odd. I want a completion fee.”
She was stunned but, in a way, relieved.
It was natural for a mercenary to want money. If he had offered to help out of a sense of justice, she would have been suspicious.
‘Maybe I was worrying for nothing.’
In truth, she didn’t fully trust Bu Eunseol.
Her plan to hire a mercenary at the Red Sky Veil was widely known. Those who controlled information networks could easily approach her.
“How much?” she asked.
“Two hundred thousand taels,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice. “It’s a discount since it’s an additional contract.”
“Even if I sold everything I own, I couldn’t afford two hundred thousand taels.”
“Then it’s a no,” he said, turning away coldly.
At that moment, Jongjeong Yak’s gaze fixed on the wooden box he had given her.
“Does the payment have to be in money?”
“What do you mean?”
“Would you accept an item instead?” She pointed at the box containing the Purple Dawn Pills with a smile. “Half of an elixir that sold for five hundred thousand taels at auction—wouldn’t that be enough?”
“Law Enforcement Officer!” Neung Joun protested.
“It’s fine. Without him, recovering the Purple Dawn Pills would have been impossible.” Bu Eunseol blinked, surprised.
“The Law Enforcement Officer of the Martial Alliance is suggesting embezzling the Purple Dawn Pills?”
“Embezzling is a strong word. I’m saying I’ll use half of these Purple Dawn Pills to catch the person rotting the Alliance from within.”
‘Impressive,’ Bu Eunseol thought, smiling inwardly.
Nine Deaths Squad Leader’s assessment was correct.
Jongjeong Yak preached justice, but she was driven by ambition.
“Law Enforcement Officer, this is too much…” Neung Joun said, waving his hands.
“Fine,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding readily.
“If you give me half the Purple Dawn Pills, I’ll go to the Martial Alliance and testify.”
***
The Martial Alliance, located in Changdeok Prefecture, Henan, had far simpler entry procedures than Majeon.
One only needed to state their purpose and sign the guestbook to enter. Even those from unorthodox or black factions could enter freely by signing the guestbook.
Confidence.
No matter what ulterior motives a visitor might have, they couldn’t cause harm within the Martial Alliance. After all, the Alliance housed far more supreme masters than Majeon.
It was truly a dragon’s lair.
As the stronghold of the orthodox martial world’s greatest masters, the Alliance could open its gates wide to anyone.
But there was a catch.
Entering was easy, but leaving was difficult. Once inside, visitors were closely monitored to prevent reckless departure.
“You’ve returned,” a guard said, recognizing Jongjeong Yak and Neung Joun, clasping his hands.
Seeing Bu Eunseol in gray robes behind them, he tilted his head.
“Who is this?” Normally, Jongjeong Yak might have fabricated an identity or glossed over it with a vague guestbook entry.
But she spoke confidently to the guard.
“He’s a witness who will provide critical testimony at the upcoming Ten Righteous Conference.”
“The Ten Righteous Conference?” the guard gasped.
That meant a meeting to judge a hall master-level figure was imminent.
“Yes,” Jongjeong Yak said, smiling confidently.
She was spreading the word to prevent Danri Muk from using his influence to suppress the conference.
“Come inside,” the guard said, opening the gate.
Jongjeong Yak, Neung Joun, and Bu Eunseol entered boldly.
The Martial Alliance provided three types of accommodations for visitors: general lodgings for merchants and laborers, guest rooms with private bedrooms, and VIP quarters with private bedrooms and assigned attendants.
“Stay here for now,” Jongjeong Yak said, assigning Bu Eunseol not to general, guest, or VIP lodgings, but to Neung Joun’s quarters. “Since we don’t know what Deputy Hall Master Danri might do, stay with Deputy Neung for the time being.”
Ignoring Neung Joun’s dismayed expression, she pointed to a room in his quarters.
“It’ll take a few days for the Ten Righteous Conference to be convened, even if I request it now.”
‘She still doesn’t trust me,’ Bu Eunseol thought.
It could be a decision for her safety, of course.
But this was the Martial Alliance, and she was a Law Enforcement Officer. To hold a Ten Righteous Conference to address a figure like Danri Muk based on a mercenary’s word was no small matter.
‘She’s likely planning to thoroughly investigate me and Danri Muk over the next few days.’ Punishing a hall master-level figure, even with a Ten Righteous Conference, was a difficult task requiring absolute precision.
She was clearly protecting Bu Eunseol from Danri Muk’s reach while scrutinizing both him and Danri Muk more closely.
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding readily as he looked at Jongjeong Yak.
‘No matter how much they investigate, they won’t find anything.’
Even if the Martial Alliance mobilized its entire intelligence network, there was nothing to uncover about Bu Eunseol. His mercenary identity as Seolso had been carefully crafted long ago and was airtight.
“It’s late, so rest well,” Jongjeong Yak said, leaving.
Neung Joun stretched and yawned.
“I’m going to rest too, so make yourself comfortable,” he said to Bu Eunseol.
Having given up his room, Neung Joun lay down on a chair in the reception area used for guests.
“I’ll sleep here.”
“Alright,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Entering the room, he closed his eyes.
Some time passed.
Around the third watch, Bu Eunseol slowly opened his eyes.
‘He’s not asleep.’
He could sense that Neung Joun, lying in the reception area, was pretending to sleep but was alert to his surroundings.
Approaching the door silently, Bu Eunseol slipped his finger through a slight gap. Striking acupuncture points with finger wind would create a sound and impact, alerting the target just before the strike.
Thus, Bu Eunseol used the Wishful True Binding to discreetly seal Neung Joun’s acupuncture points.
Hum.
As he channeled his inner energy into the technique, a threadlike strand of energy flowed from his finger.
Swish, swish.
The energy moved like a living creature, precisely striking Neung Joun’s acupuncture points.
Snore.
With his points sealed, Neung Joun began to snore.
Exhausted from the grueling journey and expending mental energy to monitor Bu Eunseol, he fell into a deep sleep once his points were sealed.
“Hmm.” Before leaving, Bu Eunseol tucked a pillowcase into his robes.
It could serve as a makeshift mask if he needed to conceal his face.
‘Let’s start with the nearest places.’ Stepping out stealthily, Bu Eunseol scanned the surroundings.
If the Martial Alliance was connected to the Sahyang Clan, there would be a warehouse storing related hidden weapons or documents and traces.
From now on, he intended to search for them discreetly.
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