A single shooting star traced a brilliant white arc across the pitch-black, star-filled sky before vanishing.
At the late hour when starlight flickered, deep within a mountain, a shadow moved through a dense forest path. After walking briskly up a small trail toward the mountainside for about an hour, an ancient-looking mountain gate came into view.
Swish.
Passing through the gate revealed a vast flower garden.
Twinkle, twinkle.
The flowers and plants in the garden emitted a faint glow. At a glance, it was as if the stars embroidered in the night sky had been scattered across the ground.
Step, step.
Beyond the garden stood a small shrine, constructed entirely of wood from floor to roof.
The shrine’s design was unique and mysterious, unlike any architectural style found in the Central Plains. Inside the shrine, an amber lantern burned beneath the eaves, and before it stood a large altar carved from black stone. On the altar rested a hemispherical metal object, resembling a bell split in half.
Within it, a dark, viscous liquid writhed as if alive.
Step, step.
The shadowy figure, gazing at the altar, passed by and entered a passage to the right.
The passage led to a large, square chamber, illuminated by softly glowing metal pillars. The pillars were engraved with the Four Symbols—Kirin, Vermilion Bird, and others—emitting a faint light.
The ceiling, shaped like a well, was inscribed with indecipherable characters, its edges chaotically etched with oracle bone script.
Bow.
A figure prostrated on the floor spoke.
“The Righteous and Demonic Alliance is forming a large investigation team to probe the child abductions.” Pausing briefly, the figure continued in a low voice. “All of this is because he uncovered and eradicated the Five Poisons Sect.”
When no response came, the figure cautiously spoke again.
“If we continue to let this go unchecked, it will greatly hinder our grand plan.” Finally, a faint, almost imperceptible voice echoed from within the chamber.
[Bu Eunseol.]
The voice was calm, constantly shifting in tone and timbre, making it impossible to discern whether it belonged to a man or a woman.
Once heard, it was unforgettable—intense and provocative.
[Is he not already the successor of Majeon?]
Bu Eunseol, one of the Seven Kings of the Four Gods, had become a formidable figure wielding significant influence in the martial world, and above all, the heir to Majeon.
To target him was to provoke Majeon itself.
[Or do you intend to wipe out Majeon anew?]
The voice seemed to genuinely believe it could annihilate Majeon, a force embodying the might of a million demonic paths.
“His martial arts are formidable, and his personality is known to be extremely cold… but he has an unexpected weakness.”
[A weakness?]
“The Ten Demonic Warriors.” The prostrated figure spoke slowly. “He seems detached from everything, but he holds a deep bond with the Ten Demonic Warriors.”
Pausing briefly, the figure continued.
“Looking at his actions thus far, his reckless behavior has always been to save the Ten Demonic Warriors.” The figure pleaded earnestly once more. “If we use the Ten Demonic Warriors, we can surely lure him out alone and eliminate him.”
The voice from the chamber now carried a strange emotion.
[The most terrifying trap in the world is one that uses affection as bait…]
For the first time, the voice was tinged with emotion.
Sorrow and anguish.
“…” A long silence followed.
After an extended stillness, the strange voice echoed again, so faint that it reached only the ears of the prostrated figure.
***
Bu Eunseol was in his office, reviewing a letter.
He had been tirelessly operating the intelligence networks of the Affectionate Blossom Sect and the Nine Deaths Squad to track Sahyang and the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang.
This was the only way to find traces of the sinister forces.
Knock, knock.
A soft voice came from outside.
“My Lord, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
Creak.
The door swung open, and a robust man in black martial robes strode in confidently. His long hair hung loosely on either side, revealing a neutral yet charismatic face.
It was Seo Jinha.
“Busy?” Seo Jinha asked, glancing around the office. “As expected of the successor’s office, it’s impressive.”
Even as a leader of the Cheonsal, Seo Jinha’s status was far below that of Bu Eunseol, the heir to Majeon. Yet, he surveyed the room as if it were his own home before casually sitting on the edge of the desk. Bu Eunseol regarded Seo Jinha’s nonchalant behavior impassively, continuing to write his letter as he spoke.
“What brings you here?”
“I got about a month’s leave,” Seo Jinha said, flashing a bright smile. “There’s no major mission for the main corps for a while.”
Glancing around, he added, “Let’s gather everyone for a drink when we’re free.” He scanned the room again. “Call Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong too. I’ll treat you all to a big round.”
“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol’s expression grew troubled, prompting Seo Jinha to widen his eyes.
“What? Too busy to even have a drink?”
“It’s not that. They’ve also taken leave.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Myo Cheonwoo took some warriors to Hainan. He said he’d test his newly developed palm techniques against the waves.” Recently, Myo Cheonwoo had been training select warriors with exceptional talent in his refined palm techniques.
During his leave, he planned to rigorously train them in Hainan.
“And Yoo Unryong?”
“Yoo Unryong went to Yongcheon in Zhejiang to craft a new Ten-Section Staff. He said he needed to find a skilled blacksmith.”
Yoo Unryong, while working on his Ten-Section Staff Manual, had discovered a critical flaw in his weapon. The chain links connecting the staff’s segments were extremely weak. If an enemy learned of this weakness, they could target the joints, rendering the weapon useless.
Yoo Unryong was determined to reforge the chain links to address this flaw.
“They get time off and do that?” Seo Jinha said, incredulous. “Why not just rest? Did you order them to do this?”
“Of course not,” Bu Eunseol replied with a snort. “I told them to rest. But they insisted these were personal matters they’d handle during their leave.”
“Hah, they’ve become complete workaholics.” Seo Jinha slumped his shoulders with a wry expression.
Myo Cheonwoo’s dedication was one thing, but… To think even Yoo Unryong, who seemed ill-suited to Majeon, had turned into a workaholic.
“How do you turn reckless rogues into loyal subordinates?”
“What do you mean?”
“The main corps, and even that rebel Yoo Unryong.”
When Bu Eunseol didn’t respond, Seo Jinha muttered regretfully, “The main corps is strict, so that’s understandable… but honestly, demanding blind loyalty through power and authority isn’t my style.” With a deep sigh, he mumbled, “How do I make my team as devoted as yours…”
Bu Eunseol, still writing his letter, spoke up.
“There’s no such thing as loyalty.”
“What?”
“Those who live by the sword have no loyalty. They just struggle to survive.” Fixing his gaze on the letter, Bu Eunseol continued calmly. “Your job, no matter the situation, is to train your subordinates to come out alive.”
“…”
“That’s the duty of a commander with wealth or power.” Seo Jinha stared blankly for a moment.
Then, he burst into laughter.
“Puhahaha!” Laughing heartily, he nodded as if realizing something. “So that’s your method.”
“Method?”
“You act indifferent but take meticulous care of your subordinates, don’t you?”
“I don’t take care of them.”
“Heh heh heh.” Seo Jinha smirked and stood up. “If I had a superior like you, I’d pledge my life too.”
Despite his lavish praise, Bu Eunseol continued writing without reaction.
“Hmph.” Shaking his head, Seo Jinha stepped forward and pulled the letter Bu Eunseol was writing toward himself.
If anyone saw this, they’d be shocked. Bu Eunseol wasn’t just cold; he despised overstepping boundaries.
“What are you doing?” Bu Eunseol asked, his gaze icy.
Seo Jinha pointed to his own face nonchalantly. “What can I do? It’s my day off.”
“…”
“You’re the only one to keep me company.”
On a night when the moon shone brightly, Bu Eunseol sat atop the roof of the Secret Pavilion, piercing the night sky.
Beside him was Seo Jinha.
In the past, Bu Eunseol loved drinking on rooftops.
The view of the world below and the sense of freedom found only in high, open places.
But after his last drinking session with the Gong Clan Twin Demons at the Nine Deaths Squad’ Yueyang Branch, he had stopped drinking on rooftops.
The memory of their lonely, desolate final moments lingered.
Was it coincidence?
Seo Jinha, bringing fine wine, had dragged Bu Eunseol to the roof of the Secret Pavilion.
Gulp, gulp.
After taking a swig from the gourd, Seo Jinha tossed it to Bu Eunseol. Despite bringing plenty of wine, he insisted on sharing a single gourd, passing it back and forth.
—Why drink so inconveniently?
Most people would’ve asked why they drank this way.
But Bu Eunseol didn’t.
He had long sensed this was Seo Jinha’s way of drinking with a trusted friend.
Tap.
After taking a swig, Bu Eunseol tossed the gourd back to Seo Jinha. Drinking under the moonlight, they didn’t need many words; it felt like they’d shared hundreds of heartfelt conversations.
They drank back and forth for a long while.
“Even on leave, I’m like this,” Seo Jinha said, sighing as he peered into the gourd. “No real plans.”
Smacking his lips, he grinned as a thought struck him.
“By the way, that was impressive. Amid all your busyness, you grabbed a flower from both the Righteous and Demonic paths in each hand.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened.
The memory of being hounded for days by the “betrothal incident” resurfaced.
“We’re not involved.”
“What? Not involved?”
“It was a desperate measure to quash the rumors of seeking a bride.”
“Huh?”
“Otherwise, portrait books would still be flooding the sect.”
“But the Divine Maiden Palace made an official announcement, saying you’re betrothed.” Seo Jinha tilted his head. “Thanks to that, the young men gathered at the Divine Maiden Palace to see the Thousand-Gold Beauty cried tears of blood and left.”
“We’re not betrothed.”
“Then why didn’t you deny the rumors when they spread?”
“There were circumstances.” Bu Eunseol lowered his head with a gloomy expression.
“Unavoidable circumstances.”
Seo Jinha barely suppressed a laugh. To think Bu Eunseol, who overcame every crisis with his formidable martial arts and intellect, was showing such a defeated expression?
“What, are you secretly a total innocent when it comes to romance?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean, the great Martial Soul Command Lord, who breaks through any obstacle with his martial prowess and cunning…” Seo Jinha grinned. “Can’t easily resolve matters of the heart?”
“I resolved it. In my own way.”
“Huh?”
“If I had acted ruthlessly, they would’ve clung to me even more.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed. “The world is full of admirable people. In time, they’ll realize that.”
“So, time is the cure?”
“Exactly.” Seo Jinha crossed his arms.
“But what if they keep waiting for you even as time passes?”
“…”
“What if they want only you until their hair turns white and they’re old and hunched? What then?”
“Until my hair turns white…” Bu Eunseol’s gaze, fixed on the distant sky, carried a sense of desolation. “If I could live long enough for my hair to turn white… that would be a miracle.”
His eyes and tone were like those of a child left alone in the world.
Seo Jinha’s eyes reddened.
Bu Eunseol.
What are you thinking, what are you aiming for…
To despair so much about life and treat your own existence so lightly?
Seo Jinha was more emotional than anyone. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have formed a bond of friendship with the coldly detached Bu Eunseol.
“But… how did you know about the Five Poisons Sect?” After a long silence, he changed the subject, gazing at Bu Eunseol’s profile reflected in the moonlight. “The child abductions were unknown even to the sect’s leadership. How did you find out?”
Tap.
Bu Eunseol took the gourd, drank deeply, and spoke slowly after a long pause.
“The leader of the Cheonsal must have told you to investigate.”
“Haha, you got me.” Despite being seen through instantly, Seo Jinha laughed playfully. “As you know, our leader really dislikes you. Plus, he’s quite close with the heads of the Ten Demonic Factions who also distrust you.”
With a bitter expression, he added, “He somehow knew I’m close to you and told me to look into it.”
“How I gather information. How I run my organization. That’s what he wanted to know.”
“Exactly.” After a brief silence, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice. “I briefly investigated the Martial Alliance.”
He then shared shocking revelations with Seo Jinha.
“And by chance, I discovered a spy infiltrating the Martial Alliance. That person was from the Five Poisons Sect.” Seo Jinha’s eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol had investigated the Martial Alliance? That meant he had sent spies or infiltrated it himself. If this became known, it could spark a major war between Majeon and the Martial Alliance.
“Why tell me all this?” Seo Jinha asked, eyes wide.
“You promised,” Bu Eunseol said nonchalantly. “That you wouldn’t stab me in the back.”
Seo Jinha’s eyes wavered.
—I, at least, don’t stab people in the back.
That was what Seo Jinha had said to Bu Eunseol on Hell Island, proposing they join forces. And Bu Eunseol still believed those words.
Even after all this time.
‘You’ve always trusted me.’ Bu Eunseol always said he didn’t believe in friendship.
Yet he firmly trusted the words Seo Jinha had spoken. Wasn’t that… true friendship? Suppressing the overwhelming emotions welling up, Seo Jinha grumbled playfully.
“Well, you’ll manage, but the sect’s leadership and the Ten Demonic Factions are still closely watching your moves.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “For now, halt your intelligence operations and rest. In your current state, anything you do will be noticed.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because there’s something I must find.”
“What is it?” When Bu Eunseol didn’t answer, Seo Jinha sighed. “You’re already the successor of Majeon. Is there still something you lack?”
“I became the successor to run this kind of intelligence network.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes showed slight fatigue. “But even with this power, there are things I can’t find.”
“What are you trying to find?”
“…”
“Can’t you tell even me?”
“It’s just something I have to do.”
“Bu Eunseol.” Seo Jinha looked at him earnestly. “I may not be on your level, but I’m still a leader of the Cheonsal with some influence.”
With a firm voice, he added, “I might stumble upon information you don’t have.”
After a long silence, Bu Eunseol spoke softly.
“Sahyang.”
“Sahyang?”
“Yes. I need to catch their trail.” Seo Jinha’s expression turned strange.
Sahyang was known as a master of hidden weapons, but that was it. They merely supplied sophisticated hidden weapons to the martial world. Their assassins rarely showed themselves and exerted no significant influence.
Moreover, they concealed their base so thoroughly that its location remained unknown for ages.
Why was Bu Eunseol seeking them?
Looking into Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Seo Jinha nodded.
“Alright, I see.”
The reason didn’t matter.
Bu Eunseol was determined to find Sahyang, no matter the hardship.
That meant Seo Jinha’s role was clear.
That’s what friends do.
“Sorry for souring the mood with heavy talk.” Seo Jinha stood slowly. “I’m heading out. Time to enjoy my long leave.”
Turning, he flashed a bright smile.
“Stay well while I’m gone.” Before Bu Eunseol could respond, Seo Jinha used his movement technique to descend from the Secret Pavilion.
“…” Bu Eunseol stared at Seo Jinha’s retreating figure.
Unlike love, friendship could be sustained even if it was one-sided.
That was both the greatness and tragedy of friendship.
But Bu Eunseol, unaware of this, would soon deeply regret this day.
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