“Young Master Seol?”
Jong Jeongyak, barely conscious, looked at Bu Eunseol through blurry eyes as he emerged through the broken wall. But dizziness overwhelmed her, and she fainted.
“You?” Seeing Bu Eunseol approach, Yang Seol’s eyes widened.
How was this mercenary, who should have been dragged off like a dog by the Dragon God Sword Corps to be interrogated in the Bottomless Prison, walking in unscathed?
“How did you get here?”
“You should’ve sent better men,” Bu Eunseol said with a scoff. “When someone suddenly demands I be bound and taken away without reason, who would comply willingly?”
Yang Seol’s expression twisted.
The Dragon God Sword Corps she had sent was a second-tier sword unit of the Martial Alliance. Even an elite-grade mercenary couldn’t break through their encirclement. She thought he had escaped the Bottomless Prison, but to have overpowered the Dragon God Sword Corps and come here?
“Hmm. They said you were from the Seven Strings Sect. Seems you had a hidden trick.”
Though surprised, Yang Seol quickly regained her composure. No matter how impressive his martial arts, he couldn’t block her subtle poison attacks.
Swish.
With her hands behind her back, Yang Seol subtly moved her fingers.
A faint, misty poison energy enveloped Bu Eunseol’s body.
“Predictable,” Bu Eunseol said, sniffing the acrid scent and lightly thrusting out a fist.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust swept through the garden, and a precise force pierced toward Yang Seol’s neck. After Master Hong Hyeon’s teachings, he could now unleash five threads of energy and combine them into a single, powerful strike.
“Hmph.” Yang Seol snorted and extended one hand.
A dark mist rose from the ground, instantly enveloping Bu Eunseol’s body.
Crack! Crack!
But as a fierce gale of energy swirled around Bu Eunseol, the rising poison mist dissipated entirely.
“…!” Yang Seol’s expression stiffened.
Though the martial world had many supreme techniques, none could dispel poison energy with sharp bursts of force.
Bu Eunseol’s prowess was far beyond that of an elite-grade mercenary.
Only then did Yang Seol, sensing something amiss, ask coldly, “Who are you?”
“No need to know.” Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed the Thirteen Iron Staff Kicks while simultaneously executing the Shark Fist with his left hand.
Whoosh!
As the kicks and punches flowed together, two streams of energy surged, striking at Yang Seol’s sides.
‘This guy’s dangerous.’
Having witnessed countless masters’ prowess in the Martial Alliance, Yang Seol had never seen martial arts like Bu Eunseol’s. Mysterious and unique, even in the Martial Alliance, the gathering place of righteous forces.
Pop.
Unable to dodge the incoming energy, Yang Seol quickly leaped into the air.
But that was her grave mistake.
Crack!
Another thread of energy shot from behind Bu Eunseol, flying straight toward her midsection.
“What?” Panicking, Yang Seol hurriedly performed the Cloud Dragon Body Twist in midair.
Slash.
But the sharp energy grazed her shoulder, slicing through it.
“Ugh.” Landing, she clutched her shoulder, letting out a brief groan. “What kind of martial art is this?”
“You’ve learned martial arts in vain,” Bu Eunseol said with a sneer. “What fool jumps into the air to dodge in close combat?”
He then unleashed a series of Iron Staff Flying Kicks toward her.
“Tch.” Yang Seol shielded her face with both hands to block the kicks.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Unable to withstand the shockwaves, she was pushed back dozens of feet.
Crack!
Moreover, a separate burst of energy struck her lower abdomen.
Thud.
Hit by the Thirteen Guiding Energies’ energy, Yang Seol’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted. Thanks to her body, hardened like steel by her poison arts, she withstood the Thirteen Guiding Energies without being split in half.
“Better this way.” Looking at the unconscious Yang Seol, Bu Eunseol nodded.
Jong Jeongyak and Neung Joun were unconscious from Yang Seol’s poison palm. This meant he could interrogate Yang Seol without interference.
Pop!
Bu Eunseol flicked his finger, striking Yang Seol’s Separation Pressure Point.
“Argh.” Writhing in intense pain, she jolted awake.
Step, step.
Approaching the fallen Yang Seol, Bu Eunseol said impassively, “Speak when you’re ready.”
“What?”
“When you feel like talking, open your mouth.” Realizing his intent, Yang Seol scoffed.
“You think torture will make me talk?”
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Without a word, Bu Eunseol sent finger strikes toward her dantian. First, he disabled her inner energy to prevent her from severing her own heart meridian.
“Ugh.” As decades of accumulated true energy drained from her body, her once-taut skin wrinkled instantly.
Snap!
He then inserted his fingers into her mouth, swiftly removing a poison-laced false tooth.
“…” Looking at the writhing Yang Seol, Bu Eunseol used Void Grasping Technique.
Rip!
A hidden pouch inside her clothing tore open, spilling its concealed contents onto the ground.
“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol examined a black-tinted vial that had fallen from her robes.
The vial contained Hwagolsan, capable of melting a person’s body without a trace with a single drop.
“Nice item.”
“You don’t know how to torture,” Yang Seol said, sneering despite her pain as Bu Eunseol picked up the vial. “My body’s already ruined. There’s no chance of survival, so why would I tell you anything?”
Cackling, she continued, “Kill me or pour the Hwagolsan. Do as you please.”
“No way. I won’t use the acid or kill you.” Bu Eunseol sent another finger strike.
Her body began to contort, folding until her face nearly touched her stomach. Watching impassively, he struck her Victory Pressure Point, blinding her.
“What are you doing?”
“I said I wouldn’t kill you.” Instead of killing her, Bu Eunseol had twisted her muscles and meridians.
“You think torture will make me talk?”
“I haven’t even started.” Bu Eunseol smiled slyly. “Now, I’ll seal your ears and mute your tongue. You’ll live like this—unable to see, hear, or speak—for about ten years.”
Crack.
Her body continued to contort, curling into a grotesque ball, resembling a lump of flesh with only Yang Seol’s face attached.
“Human life is tougher than you think,” Bu Eunseol said, hoisting her curled body onto his shoulder. “Locked in a small iron coffin with minimal food, you can survive for years.”
Hearing this, Yang Seol’s eyes filled with terror. To live in darkness, curled up like this, blind, deaf, and mute?
It was a living hell.
“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” But Bu Eunseol continued walking as if he hadn’t heard.
Yang Seol screamed desperately, “I’ll talk! Please!”
Halt.
Stopping, Bu Eunseol smirked. In truth, no pressure point technique could twist muscles for ten years.
Moreover, this was the Martial Alliance. Even if she were reduced to the size of a child, there was no way to smuggle her out.
‘This kind of fear is unbearable.’
The Corpse Play he had experienced with Bu Zhanyang.
Trapped in a coffin, unable to hear, see, or move. Even Bu Eunseol, with his strong will, found the Corpse Play terrifying. He had used it as a torture method.
“I’ll tell you everything, so please, just kill me cleanly.”
“I’m listening.” Bu Eunseol asked nothing.
He simply waited for her to spill important information on her own.
“I am the Rakshasa Maiden of the Five Poisons Sect. Long ago, our sect prepared to plant spies in the Martial Alliance…”
‘The Five Poisons Sect?’ Listening to her, Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his shock.
The Five Poisons Sect, thought to have vanished from the martial world long ago, was still active?
“The Five Poisons Sect still exists?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“The rugged valleys of Mount Neungra in Mengjiang Prefecture, Yunnan.”
“That’s strange. How could the Five Poisons Sect reemerge?”
The Five Poisons Sect had once disrupted the martial world by distributing deadly poisons, only to be annihilated overnight. Mysteriously, no one could identify the force that destroyed them. Even the intelligence networks of both righteous and demonic paths couldn’t uncover who had wiped out a major sect like the Five Poisons Sect.
The sect’s destruction remained an enigma. And now it had been fully rebuilt?
“Long ago, mysterious forces approached our scattered masters. They restored our lost secret poison techniques and provided immense wealth to rebuild the sect.”
“What’s the identity of those forces?”
“We don’t know. Truly.”
“Then why infiltrate the Martial Alliance?”
“My purpose in coming to the Martial Alliance…” Fearing Bu Eunseol might change his mind, Yang Seol frantically spilled everything she knew.
According to her, the Five Poisons Sect had been controlled by a certain force for a long time. Under their orders, they had planted spies in the Martial Alliance long ago. Yang Seol, showing exceptional talent, had risen to the position of Secret Flower Garden Master.
‘They absorbed their subordinate forces and operated as a cell organization.’
That the Five Poisons Sect had planted spies in the Martial Alliance wasn’t surprising. But Bu Eunseol was astounded by the methods of the forces controlling the Five Poisons Sect.
By providing unconditional support, they ensured their identity remained hidden. The rebuilt Five Poisons Sect had produced an exceptional spy like Yang Seol, placing her in a key position within the Martial Alliance.
“Then it’s possible those forces were the ones who destroyed the Five Poisons Sect.” Restoring the sect’s lost techniques and poisons to them.
Couldn’t that mean those forces were the ones who annihilated the Five Poisons Sect in the first place?
“Of course.”
“Then why didn’t you confirm that?”
Yang Seol spoke with a pained expression. “What could we do against a force capable of wiping out our sect without a trace and then rebuilding it?”
She was right.
Against a force that could deceive even the intelligence networks of both righteous and demonic paths, resistance was futile. They were grateful just to have their sect restored.
“Hmm.”
“Wait, there’s more important information,” Yang Seol said, her face filled with fear as Bu Eunseol sank into thought. “We recruited Danri Muk to embezzle the Martial Alliance’s funds and funneled them to the Assassin’s Gate. The Assassin’s Gate kidnapped children for human experiments.”
“Human experiments?”
“Yes. The drugs they were developing had many side effects. So they used children for testing, as the effects manifest faster in young bodies.”
“They kidnapped children? Why hasn’t this been known until now?” Even martial artists who disregarded secular authorities couldn’t get away with kidnapping children.
“Most were orphans. Orphans have no one to look for them and will follow for a piece of bread.” Yang Seol spoke with a smile, as if telling an amusing story. “Orphans don’t need to be disposed of secretly. Just burn them anywhere. Those who survived were turned into assassins…”
Boom!
Suddenly, Yang Seol’s head exploded as if it had been shattered.
Using immense inner energy, Bu Eunseol had unleashed a technique akin to the Bullet King’s Internal Bullet Technique, crushing her skull.
“It worked,” Bu Eunseol said impassively. “You provoked my killing intent to choose a swift death.”
The Five Poisons Sect and Yang Seol had committed heinous acts without hesitation.
Knowing she had no chance of survival, she had incited Bu Eunseol’s anger to secure a clean death. And Bu Eunseol, aware of this, had no choice but to kill her instantly.
He was that enraged.
Crack.
His eyes blazed with murderous intent.
Orphans, unloved by parents, struggling to survive day by day.
To subject them to cruel human experiments and turn the survivors into assassins? Looking at Yang Seol’s corpse, Bu Eunseol poured the Hwagolsan over her shattered head.
Sizzle.
Blood and bodily fluids mingled, melting her skin and bones like taffy.
As her body turned into a pool of blood, Bu Eunseol channeled his inner energy again. The ground writhed like a living creature, swallowing the remains in an instant.
Turning, Bu Eunseol looked at Jong Jeongyak and Neung Joun, both collapsed. Jong Jeongyak had fainted from poison and internal injuries, while Neung Joun’s pressure points had been sealed by Yang Seol.
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, it would be easier to let them die. It would spare him the trouble of explaining Yang Seol’s death.
“Hmm.” But Bu Eunseol raised his inner energy to heal them.
This investigation into the Martial Alliance was only the surface. He would need to investigate again in the future.
And these two would be valuable allies later.
“Their meridians are twisted.” Neung Joun’s reckless use of Primordial True Energy had depleted his inner energy and disrupted his blood flow.
Hum!
As Bu Eunseol infused Ban-geuk Energy through his Body Transmission Technique, Neung Joun’s blood flow normalized, and color returned to his face.
“Losing some inner energy is unavoidable.” Ban-geuk Energy, containing both yin and yang, restored vitality to his body, but about a third of his inner energy was lost due to using Primordial True Energy.
Huff.
With another deep breath, Bu Eunseol caused Jong Jeongyak’s body to float and adhere to his palm.
Smack!
He struck her Life Gate Pressure Point with a single palm.
She vomited black blood, and her complexion gradually returned. His immense inner energy had expelled the poison from her body in one go.
“Ah!” Jong Jeongyak, regaining consciousness first, looked around and gasped upon seeing Bu Eunseol. “What happened? Where’s the Lord?”
“When I arrived, she was gone.” Jong Jeongyak blinked.
“Why are you here, Young Master Seol?”
Pointing to the unconscious Neung Joun, Bu Eunseol said nonchalantly, “The Dragon God Sword Corps suddenly surrounded me, but I managed to shake them off with my movement technique. I saw him being dragged here and infiltrated the place.”
“Young Master Seol, alone?”
“Yes. But by the time I got here, you two were unconscious, and no one else was around.”
Jong Jeongyak took a deep breath.
She was certain he was lying.
He must have come here, met the Secret Flower Garden Master, and dealt with her using mysterious martial arts.
‘Who is this man?’ Why had he approached her? Why was he helping her so much? Jong Jeongyak’s mind was in turmoil.
“It’s true,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice, meeting her confused gaze. “Why would I lie?”
His appearance was unremarkable, but his eyes held a mysterious glint.
‘He’s not a bad person.’ If he meant them harm, he wouldn’t have needed to come here. But Bu Eunseol had risked his life to save her, shaking off the Dragon God Sword Corps. That was undeniable.
“No choice, then,” Jong Jeongyak said with a faint smile.
She pulled a small wooden box from her robe.
“Take it. The twenty-five Purple Dawn Pills as promised.” In a low voice, she added, “Since Deputy Leader Danri took his own life, there won’t be a trial. His matter is resolved, so take these.”
“Not everything is settled yet.”
“Deputy Leader Danri committed suicide during the investigation. That alone will cause a massive fallout.” Taking a deep breath, she said, “But this is an internal matter of the Alliance. If you get further involved, Young Master Seol, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
She was worth saving.
Her ambition was great, but she knew righteousness.
If Jong Jeongyak rose higher, she would be a valuable asset in future investigations of the Martial Alliance. And with someone like her in a high position, the Martial Alliance might become a slightly better organization.
“Are you sure I should leave? Not everything is resolved.”
“No choice.” Jong Jeongyak flashed a bright smile. “To be caught up in this and still have my life is more than enough.”
“Alright.” Bu Eunseol smiled calmly and accepted the Purple Dawn Pills. “Then we’ll meet again.”
Jong Jeongyak clasped her hands.
“Thank you for coming to save us.” Her smile was filled with conviction.
Bu Eunseol, with a resigned expression, clasped his hands in return.
“It was my duty. Farewell.”
He turned and left the Flower Secret Pavilion.
As he did, Inspection Hall warriors rushed past him toward the pavilion, likely having belatedly uncovered the Secret Flower Garden Master’s true nature.
Creak.
Emerging from the Martial Alliance’s grand gates, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Now, he would annihilate the Five Poisons Sect, responsible for kidnapping children and committing heinous acts.
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