Bu Eunseol sat in his office, staying up all night.
It was a contemplation deeper than meditation.
Should he act, or should he refrain? One could say that humans, from birth to death, are beings who constantly grapple with the decision to act or to hold back. Thus, Bu Eunseol was still unable to find clarity at the crossroads of action and restraint.
Should he request a Demonic Assembly, or should he not?
‘The Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang. I met the Deputy Leader.’
If he requested a Demonic Assembly and presented the Journey before the Demon Emperor and the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects, what would happen?
At the very least, he could transform the lie that he had seen the Seven-Finger Demon Blade into a somewhat credible truth. Moreover, executing this plan would immediately allow him to uncover several truths.
Had Majeon truly been unable to find him?
Or had they chosen not to look?
And if there were those among them who were involved in the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s disappearance or knew the truth? To confirm whether he was truly alive, they would approach Bu Eunseol and employ various schemes.
‘If he’s boldly alive… what kind of reaction would they show?’
Would Majeon and the Ten Demonic Sects try to kill him again?
If so, could there be a truth that only the Seven-Finger Demon Blade knew? Or would they bow their heads again, fearing his unparalleled martial prowess?
His thoughts spiraled, endlessly chasing one another.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Dawn broke, and the sound of birds chirping came from outside the window.
Bu Eunseol, who had been sitting in deep thought, his eyes gleaming with sharp brilliance, finally made his decision.
“Not yet… it’s not time.” In the end, after long deliberation, he abandoned the plan to request a Demonic Assembly.
There were three reasons why he couldn’t proceed.
The first was none other than, ‘The Demon Emperor.’
The Demon Emperor always saw through Bu Eunseol’s thoughts. Even though he was in seclusion, what if news of the Deputy Leader’s survival reached him?
Or, by some coincidence, what if he emerged from seclusion just as the Demonic Assembly was held?
And if the Demon Emperor saw through his lie?
How he would react was utterly unpredictable.
‘Would he overlook it or pretend not to know? Or would he punish me for lying?’
In the worst-case scenario…
‘The Demon Emperor might be the one responsible for the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s disappearance.’
The only demonic practitioner capable of putting the Seven-Finger Demon Blade in jeopardy or even leading to his death was the Demon Emperor himself.
If the Demon Emperor was involved in or orchestrated the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s disappearance?
And if he didn’t want it uncovered?
The trap Bu Eunseol had crafted, even at the cost of giving up the Journey, could be exposed in an instant…
And as a result, he could face punishment from the Demon Emperor or a counterattack from the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects.
‘Moreover, for this theory to hold, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade Bu Zhanyang and my grandfather Bu Zhanyang must be different people.’
The scars left on his grandfather’s body were not something the Demon Emperor would have left behind.
‘It’s not just because of the unpredictable variable that is the Demon Emperor.’
The second reason Bu Eunseol couldn’t proceed was this:
What if his grandfather wasn’t the same person as the Seven-Finger Demon Blade?
By spreading this lie, he would become the first person to have sighted the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, who had been missing for decades.
Regardless of who the Seven-Finger Demon Blade truly was, on the surface, he was the great slaughter star of the demonic path. Countless righteous and neutral masters had perished under his blade, and those who bore grudges against him were equally numerous.
If rumors spread that the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, missing for decades, had been sighted…
Every intelligence organization in the martial world would relentlessly track not only his current whereabouts but also his past actions. Moreover, martial artists with grudges against the Seven-Finger Demon Blade would come rushing, begging or threatening Bu Eunseol to reveal his whereabouts.
‘If I were certain that the Seven-Finger Demon Blade was my grandfather, I would have borne that karma without hesitation.’
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
That was the third and final reason.
What if the Seven-Finger Demon Blade Bu Zhanyang and the mortician Bu Zhanyang were different people?
By stirring up this hornet’s nest, Bu Eunseol would be telling a lie that could impose significant restrictions on his journey through the martial world.
For these reasons, Bu Eunseol abandoned the plan to use the Journey as bait to uncover information about the Seven-Finger Demon Blade.
‘I absolutely must not take such a reckless gamble.’
Creak.
At that moment, the door opened, and the five captains, along with So Okrim, entered.
“What’s this? This is a meeting for the captains of the Death Shadow Corps,” Won Semun said, blinking in surprise as he noticed So Okrim following closely behind.
“Teach, you’re not a captain, are you?”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “I summoned her.”
So Okrim, with a solemn expression, said, “This meeting was my idea from the start. There’s something important to discuss.”
Won Semun looked puzzled. “You proposed a meeting? By what authority?”
“Didn’t you hear how we took control of the North Sea Ice Palace?” So Okrim replied. “I grew up eating meals with the palace lord, even tugging at his beard a bit… That’s how we got them to open their gates and form an alliance. Got it?”
As So Okrim spoke forcefully, staring him down, Bu Eunseol turned to Myo Cheonwoo and asked, “What’s the result of the White Horse Temple audit?”
“Don’t even ask,” Myo Cheonwoo said, smacking his lips. “There’s so much corruption, we couldn’t even fit it all in one ledger. The great warriors were stunned, not knowing where to begin.”
Bu Eunseol waved his hand dismissively. “Keep the records, but don’t pursue punishment.”
“Huh?”
“The purpose of this audit was to break their spirit and investigate a few things,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Given the incident at Hell’s Blood Fortress, it’s necessary to show some leniency.”
As the successor of Majeon, if Bu Eunseol acted as pettily as the White Horse Temple had, it would only damage his dignity as a leader.
“Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing to be done,” Myo Cheonwoo said with a grin, then tilted his head as if struck by a thought. “But why did you ask about the Seven-Finger Demon Blade during the audit? Even the Chief Instructor asked about it when he heard you were investigating the Deputy Leader’s whereabouts.”
Wi Cheongyeong chimed in, “He’s right. Whatever else you do, it’s best not to dig into the Deputy Leader’s affairs. That’s a sensitive issue for the sect.”
“A sensitive issue?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“The Deputy Leader of Majeon vanished, and we haven’t even found a trace of him,” Wi Cheongyeong said cautiously. “Because of this, rumors have spread among the Martial Alliance and righteous factions that our sect’s intelligence is pathetic.”
“Hmm.”
“Some even say we could find him but deliberately aren’t, mocking the demonic path’s lack of loyalty.”
‘The Seven-Finger Demon Blade might be my grandfather.’ Bu Eunseol barely swallowed the words that almost burst out.
He desperately wanted to share all these thoughts with his subordinates and seek their counsel.
‘My grandfather, an ordinary mortician, was actually a master of the Muscle-Changing Sutra from Shaolin. And the Sahyang Clan is also connected to Shaolin, and I possess the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s relic.’
But he couldn’t say it.
No, he mustn’t.
The Seven-Finger Demon Blade was entangled with the top figures of both the demonic and righteous martial worlds.
Until everything was fully revealed, he couldn’t rashly speak about the Seven-Finger Demon Blade or his grandfather. Above all, there was no evidence that the Seven-Finger Demon Blade Bu Zhanyang and his grandfather Bu Zhanyang were the same person.
“That’s strange, isn’t it?” Yoo Unryong said, tilting his head. “The White Horse Temple Lord Kang Yangcheon’s son. If he was killed by the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, that would’ve been a huge deal. Why was it kept secret?”
The relationship between the White Horse Temple and the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, revealed through Yeok Jungmaeng, was as follows:
Before becoming the Deputy Leader of the demonic path, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade had slaughtered countless masters from both righteous and demonic paths who challenged him. Among them was Kang Muhak, the successor of the White Horse Temple, who sought to make a name by defeating him.
“The White Horse Temple should’ve relentlessly sent masters to hunt down the Seven-Finger Demon Blade for killing their lord’s son… but they gave up halfway,” Yoo Unryong said, shaking his head in disbelief. “There must’ve been some incident between the Seven-Finger Demon Blade and the White Horse Temple. The problem is, there’s no way to make the temple lord talk.”
As a former member of the White Horse Temple’s Ten Demonic Sects, Yoo Unryong’s confidence suggested that forcing the temple lord to speak was impossible.
Bu Eunseol nodded. “That’s enough for the White Horse Temple. From now on, continue investigating the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s whereabouts.”
“Continue?” Yoo Unryong furrowed his brow. “Keep looking for the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s traces?”
“Yes. Because from now on, I’ll be heading into the martial world with her,” Bu Eunseol said, pointing to So Okrim.
“For what reason?”
Bu Eunseol lowered his voice. “That’s why I gathered you all here to explain.”
A heavy atmosphere settled over the meeting room. Bu Eunseol and So Okrim secretly venturing into the martial world? Why would they need to do that?
After a brief silence, Bu Eunseol pointed to So Okrim. “She says one of the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars possesses the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s great blade.”
“The Eight Emperors and Three Stars?”
“And the forces led by their descendants might be the true body of the Sahyang Clan."
So Okrim smacked her lips. “Do you have to spill everything like that?”
“They need to know,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “They’re the captains leading the Death Shadow Corps.” He turned to So Okrim. “If possible, tell them directly.”
“Hmm.” After a moment’s hesitation, So Okrim scratched her cheek as if resigned and began. “I’ll tell you once, so listen carefully. Among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars…”
She explained in detail that for four hundred years, a force had been disrupting the martial world, led by the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
She also mentioned that this was why she and Bu Eunseol had gone to the North Sea Ice Palace.
“So that’s what happened,” Wi Cheongyeong said, narrowing his eyes. “Then today’s meeting must also be related to the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
“Correct,” Bu Eunseol nodded. “Recently, I heard the Black-and-White Witch has resurfaced.”
The Black-and-White Witch.
For over a decade, she had sporadically appeared in the martial world, sucking people’s blood and vanishing without a trace.
If she only sucked blood and disappeared, she wouldn’t have become so infamous. The Black-and-White Witch targeted martial artists—specifically, the blood of virgin men.
“I heard she appeared in the Shandong region,” Wi Cheongyeong said.
Won Semun pursed his lips. “But why is she called the Black-and-White Witch?”
“Don’t you know? You’re a captain of Majeon,” Jo Namcheon said, scolding him before explaining. “Witnesses say her face is blurry and hard to see. But they all agree her hair is white, and she wears black clothing. That’s why she’s called the Black-and-White Witch.”
“I see.”
“But anyone who saw her and survived was later hunted down and killed. That’s why some say she’s a figure from the imperial palace whose identity must remain hidden.”
At that moment, So Okrim spoke up. “There’s a high chance the Black-and-White Witch is a descendant of the Blood Emperor among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
The Blood Emperor.
His martial arts were unique, using his own blood as a medium.
Those struck by his techniques gradually lost their blood, eventually dying as if their entire body’s blood had been drained.
The problem was that the Blood Emperor’s martial arts also depleted his own blood. Thus, after using his techniques, he sought blood to replenish it.
“That’s strange,” Wi Cheongyeong said, raising a valid point. “If the Black-and-White Witch is a mastermind controlling the martial world, why would she personally go out to suck blood?”
If she were a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars manipulating the martial world, there’d be no need to take the risk of personally collecting blood. She could simply have her subordinates gather it.
So Okrim responded, “It’s likely because she failed to master the Dual Cycle Technique.”
Glancing at the captains, she continued, “Failing to master the Dual Cycle Technique causes one to crave human blood. Only pure blood can alleviate the madness.”
“Madness?” Won Semun’s eyes widened.
“Yes,” So Okrim nodded. “Failing the Dual Cycle Technique leads to madness, and the only cure is human blood—especially the blood of virgin men, rich in yang energy.” Crossing her arms, she spoke solemnly. “And since she’s afflicted with madness, she might be sneaking around in strange disguises to hide it. If her madness were known, it could cause trouble within her organization.”
Wi Cheongyeong looked at her suspiciously. “How do you know so much about the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, which are unknown to the martial world?”
“Because I’m also a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
A brief silence fell over the room.
All the captains, except Bu Eunseol, nodded faintly, finally understanding why So Okrim was so powerful.
“But capturing her with just our strength seems impossible,” Yoo Unryong said cautiously. “Many factions have tried to catch the Black-and-White Witch but failed. To set a trap across Shandong would require our entire sect’s forces and the cooperation of multiple demonic factions.”
“No need,” So Okrim replied.
“Huh?”
“If she could be caught with sheer numbers, she’d have been caught already.”
Bu Eunseol nodded. “The Black-and-White Witch is not only highly skilled but likely possesses a special technique to conceal her movements. Her insistence on white hair and black clothing suggests as much.”
“Then how do you plan to catch her?” Myo Cheonwoo asked, nodding as if realizing something. “Oh, I see. You’re going to use yourself as bait?”
“Bait?”
“If you can’t catch her, make her come to you.”
Yoo Unryong nodded. “That’s a good plan, but who’s going to be the bait?”
“A virgin man, obviously,” Myo Cheonwoo said.
So Okrim nodded as if he’d hit the mark and began eyeing Won Semun closely.
“I’m not a virgin,” Won Semun said, waving his hands.
She then stared at Jo Namcheon.
“I’m not either.”
“Hmm.”
All eyes in the room turned to one person.
He was not only handsome but a virgin, and his movement techniques were fast enough to avoid harm from the Black-and-White Witch.
It was Wi Cheongyeong.
“Then it’s settled,” So Okrim said.
But Bu Eunseol shook his head. “No.”
Looking at Wi Cheongyeong, he said, “He’s on the verge of entering the Supreme Stable Realm. Even sitting still, his fierce aura leaks out.”
As he said, Wi Cheongyeong, despite sitting calmly, exuded sharp waves of true energy.
Unless the Black-and-White Witch was a fool, she’d never reveal herself to him.
“If we must use a bait strategy…” So Okrim pointed at Jo Namcheon and Won Semun, grinning playfully. “These two would be perfect.”
“Didn’t you hear us? We’re not virgins,” Won Semun snapped.
So Okrim smirked. “You look like virgins, so what’s the difference?”
“What does that mean?”
“The Black-and-White Witch likes virgin men’s blood, but how would she tell? She probably just picks guys who look like virgins and sucks their blood, right?” Jo Namcheon and Won Semun’s faces paled.
So Okrim was the type who could drag them into a pit of hell like a vengeful ghost.
“That won’t do,” Bu Eunseol said quietly. “The Black-and-White Witch is known to specifically target virgin men’s blood. She must have a way to distinguish them.” He added, “Besides, Shandong alone has countless virgin martial artists. There’s no guarantee she’d take our bait.”
The captains, except So Okrim, looked puzzled. “Then how do you plan to catch her?”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “Steal the Sun and Replace It.”
It meant stealing the sun from the sky and replacing it with something else.
Realizing his intent, Yoo Unryong’s eyes gleamed. “You’re going to set up a fake Black-and-White Witch.”
“Exactly,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “The Black-and-White Witch has toyed with countless martial artists and meticulously hidden her identity. If someone imitates her, she’ll react sensitively.”
“So that’s why you’re going out with her alone,” Yoo Unryong said, stroking his chin as he grasped the plan. “She won’t show up where large forces are lurking.”
Bu Eunseol and So Okrim’s prowess was nearly unmatched.
Since the Black-and-White Witch wouldn’t appear where large forces were hidden, the two of them would combine their strength to capture her.
“It won’t do,” Wi Cheongyeong said. “The Black-and-White Witch’s techniques are not only bizarre but instill fear and paralyze the body. If someone clumsily imitates her…”
Though he spoke indirectly, his meaning was clear. So Okrim’s massive frame and domineering aura were too conspicuous.
Even in disguise, her presence would scream “formidable master” from ten miles away, ensuring the Black-and-White Witch would never appear.
“It’s not her,” Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“…”
A deathly silence fell over the room.
Upon reflection, Bu Eunseol’s appearance was not only breathtakingly beautiful but had reached the state of Return to Simplicity, where his prowess was completely concealed. By trimming his eyebrows and slightly reducing his height with Bone-Shrinking Technique, no one would see through his disguise.
“I see,” the captains, except So Okrim, nodded in understanding.
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