Gwak Gu couldn’t dare meet his gaze and, stammering, bowed his head.
“What brings… the Lord here?” His incessant groveling showed he had cast aside any pride as the leader of a sect.
The Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol.
This new-generation grandmaster, exceptional not only in martial arts but also in intellect and strategy.
Wasn’t it said that even the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects, the pillars upholding Majeon, dared not cross him lightly?
If he so desired, he could annihilate the Poison Toad Sect with a single finger.
“I’ll join Majeon!” Gwak Gu dropped to his knees and pleaded with Bu Eunseol. “A second-rate sect like ours thought it would be of little use to Majeon, so we declined! But since the Lord himself has come…”
“No need.”
“What?”
Bu Eunseol looked at Gwak Gu, who was blinking in his naked state, and spoke in a low voice.
“Put on some clothes.”
“Y-Yes, yes.”
Though confused, Gwak Gu hurriedly gathered his scattered garments and dressed.
“Take up a brush and paper.” Bu Eunseol approached the desk and addressed Gwak Gu. “From this day forward, the Poison Toad Sect will withdraw all its influence from the Gongchang Prefecture and swear an oath never to encroach there again.”
“What does that mean, withdrawing from Gongchang Prefecture?” Gwak Gu asked, bewildered, prompting Bu Eunseol to respond in a cold voice.
“If you refuse, I’ll ensure your sect is driven out of Shaanxi entirely.”
Gwak Gu’s jaw dropped as he shook his head.
“No! That’s not what I meant!”
A sect isn’t merely built by erecting buildings.
It requires deep roots in a region, securing funds through various influences over time.
The Poison Toad Sect had established itself in Weinan Mountain for decades, extending its reach from Hanzhong to Gongchang Prefecture, building a formidable sphere of influence.
To be expelled from Shaanxi would be tantamount to abandoning their foundation and sealing their gates.
“Is it really just a matter of writing that oath?” Gwak Gu couldn’t comprehend.
If Bu Eunseol was displeased, wouldn’t it be easier for him to simply annihilate the Poison Toad Sect?
Yet all he demanded was an oath not to encroach on other territories?
“Within days, the Mount Hua Sect will visit. If you haven’t written the oath, they’ll immediately use force to drive the Poison Toad Sect out.”
“The Mount Hua Sect?” Gwak Gu’s eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze was solemn, showing no sign of jest. “Even if the Mount Hua Sect doesn’t come, the High Sword Sect or Falling Blossom Sect might.”
Gwak Gu’s expression turned to shock at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“You knew about that too?”
He had heard that the heirs of the High Sword Sect and Falling Blossom Sect had become lovers, and there was talk of their sects merging. If that happened, the Poison Toad Sect would never extend its influence into Gongchang Prefecture. So he had schemed to drive a wedge between the lovers, turning them into mortal enemies.
But his plan had failed.
The two sects discovered the truth, ceased their fighting, and if it became known that he had instigated the rift, the High Sword Sect and Falling Blossom Sect would surely seek retribution.
“But if you write the oath, their vengeance will be averted.”
Gwak Gu’s face brightened. Could it be that Bu Eunseol had come to save the Poison Toad Sect from its crisis?
Swish, swish.
Without hesitation, Gwak Gu sat at the desk and began writing with his brush.
“Here it is.” As he handed over the oath, Bu Eunseol tucked it into his robes. “My apologies. For the Lord to personally come for such a matter, and to aid a sect that hasn’t even joined Majeon.”
Gwak Gu’s face was filled with gratitude. He believed Bu Eunseol had come to prevent the annihilation of the Poison Toad Sect, a fellow demonic faction.
“But you’ll need a reason to justify the oath.”
“What?” At Bu Eunseol’s next words, Gwak Gu’s eyes widened as if they might tear. “Take up brush and paper again, and write down every misdeed and crime you’ve committed in detail.”
“You want me to write down my crimes?”
“Yes. Every single one, without omission.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes glowed with a blood-red aura that seemed capable of melting steel.
“If even one is left out, I’ll cut off your head immediately and annihilate the Poison Toad Sect.”
***
Cheon Hwain led his temporary branch with high spirits, performing qinggong.
He had sent a representative to the Mount Hua Sect to explain the situation. And he had secured a promise that the Mount Hua Sect would fully support him in obtaining the oath from the Poison Toad Sect’s leader.
No matter how bold the Poison Toad Sect’s leader is, with our sect’s involvement, he won’t dare refuse the oath.
In the past, the Mount Hua Sect, alongside the Zhongnan Sect, had annihilated the Blood Saber Sect, a major demonic faction. A mere second-rate sect in Weinan Mountain like the Poison Toad Sect wouldn’t dare defy the Mount Hua Sect’s authority and refuse the oath.
Whoosh.
Leading his members with disciplined precision, Cheon Hwain arrived near Weinan Mountain, where the Poison Toad Sect was located. Suddenly, with a piercing sound, a man in Martial Alliance robes appeared before him.
“Young Master Cheon.” The man approached Cheon Hwain and respectfully clasped his hands. “I am Na Doryang, a warrior from the Jinwi Hall of the Martial Alliance’s Gongchang Branch.”
“What’s the matter?” When Cheon Hwain asked, Na Doryang clasped his hands again and spoke.
“The mission to select the grandmaster has already concluded, so you’re ordered to return your members to the Alliance.” He continued. “Young Master Cheon, there’s no need for you to return to the Alliance. Elder Gu has instructed you to return to the Mount Hua Sect.”
Cheon Hwain doubted his ears for a moment.
“What do you mean the mission is over?”
“Young Master Seon of the Sunflower Merchant Guild has already secured the oath from the Poison Toad Sect and returned to the Martial Alliance. So…”
“What nonsense is this!” Cheon Hwain shouted in outrage. “That’s absurd! It’s only been four days since the mission was assigned!”
“Well…”
“Did that merchant scum annihilate the Poison Toad Sect or something?”
“Young Master Cheon, I’m merely relaying what I was told.” Seeing Na Doryang’s flustered expression, Cheon Hwain shook his head in disbelief.
“No way. That can’t be.” He immediately turned and shouted to his members like a thunderclap. “Return to the Martial Alliance at once!”
His eyes blazing, he didn’t look back and performed qinggong toward Henan.
He didn’t pause to drink a sip of water, relentlessly pushing forward.
Even as his members fell behind, exhausted, or when he encountered a friend by chance during his run, he pressed on toward the Martial Alliance without looking back.
How could this happen?
He had been designated as the Mount Hua Sect’s next leader.
He had earned great renown in the martial world, defeating one of the Ten Demonic Warriors and solidifying his position.
But perhaps because he had always succeeded without fail?
His hidden arrogance and selfish nature began to surface, causing various incidents. Though he thought he had concealed them well, once exposed, all his past misdeeds came to light uncontrollably.
Eventually, the elders and disciples who supported him turned away, and he could no longer aim for the Mount Hua Sect’s leadership.
But the heavens hadn’t abandoned him.
At that moment, Elder Gu Injeong, a Martial Alliance elder and his swordsmanship master from his days as a great master, proposed creating a branch to handle the martial world’s minor affairs that the Alliance’s sword branch couldn’t address.
“Elder, if you give me this chance, I’ll devote myself entirely.” Cheon Hwain had pleaded with Gu Injeong.
Though it was a branch for handling martial world affairs, it offered numerous opportunities to gain merit.
He couldn’t afford to miss this chance.
Initially, Gu Injeong refused, but he nodded at Cheon Hwain’s earnest plea.
“My proposal to select the grandmaster from the young masters attending the Heroes' Conference has been approved. You can surely become the grandmaster.”
Gu Injeong believed that if Cheon Hwain reformed and became an excellent grandmaster, nothing could be better. The more Mount Hua Sect members held key positions in the Martial Alliance, the greater his influence would be.
But their plan fell apart.
Due to the entirely unexpected heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild, Seon Woojin.
“Huff, huff.”
Arriving at the Martial Alliance’s entrance, Cheon Hwain’s body was drenched as if he’d fallen into water. His lips were cracked and dry, and white stars danced before his eyes, but he bit his lip and walked slowly. Finally reaching the Jangsaeng Hall at the southern part of the Martial Alliance, he headed straight for the pavilion where Gu Injeong resided.
“Who are you?” A warrior guarding the pavilion clasped his hands and asked, but Cheon Hwain ignored him and passed by.
“Please state your identity and purpose.”
“Get out of my way.” Despite the warrior’s restraint, Cheon Hwain responded irritably and continued.
He was half out of his mind. He had no energy to banter with a mere guard.
“Young Master!” As Cheon Hwain tried to barge in, the guard finally drew his sword. “If you enter without permission…”
“Enough. Let him pass.” At that moment, Gu Injeong emerged from the Jangsaeng Hall.
“Elder!” Cheon Hwain spoke in a trembling voice. “What happened? The grandmaster mission is already over?”
“A few days ago, Seon Woojin brought the oath from the Poison Toad Sect’s leader, Gwak Gu.”
“That’s a lie. How could that…”
“It’s true. Even before he brought the oath, the Poison Toad Sect’s forces that had advanced into Gongchang Prefecture had already retreated.”
“No way.” Cheon Hwain shook his head. “I can’t believe it!”
Shouting, he ran toward the Ascendant Martial Hall, where Yuk Jangcheon was. Along with Gu Injeong, Yuk Jangcheon was the one overseeing the establishment of the Supreme Branch.
“Listen to me first!” Despite Gu Injeong’s shout, Cheon Hwain quickly dashed to the Ascendant Martial Hall.
Worried that Cheon Hwain might cause trouble, Gu Injeong gathered his energy to unleash a palm wind but then shook his head, as if struck by a thought.
“No, that boy needs to come to his senses…” Gu Injeong shook his head.
Cheon Hwain was a martial prodigy, but his arrogance led him to look down on others. Having always walked a path of success, he was ill-equipped to handle setbacks or failure.
“Let failure be his lesson to become a greater person.” Gu Injeong muttered under his breath.
But this time, he wasn’t the one to teach that lesson.
With a bitter expression, he turned away.
“Huff, huff.” Meanwhile, Cheon Hwain, running frantically, spotted Yuk Jangcheon conversing with Yuk Cheongah at a pavilion in front of the Ascendant Martial Hall.
“Hall Leader!” Cheon Hwain stood before him, looking as if he might spit blood.
“What happened?” He shouted in disbelief. “How could that merchant secure an oath from the Poison Toad Sect?”
“Well.” Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes flashed with anger at Cheon Hwain’s rude attitude.
But seeing his disheveled state—covered in dust, lips cracked from not drinking a sip of water while performing qinggong day and night—he let out a sigh.
“You look like a wounded beast.”
“Hall Leader.”
“What do you want to say?”
Cheon Hwain shook his head in disbelief. “I reached the Poison Toad Sect four days after receiving the mission. But…”
“How could a merchant be faster than you in securing the oath to withdraw the Poison Toad Sect’s influence? Is that what you mean?”
Cutting off Cheon Hwain, Yuk Jangcheon looked at him with sharp eyes.
“Not just you, but the leadership, including myself, had the same question.”
Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes narrowed as if recalling that moment.
“So we summoned him and questioned the truth, in front of not just me but Elder Gu and several hall leaders.”
***
In the meeting room of the Ascendant Martial Hall.
At a large table sat Yuk Jangcheon, the Ascendant Martial Hall Leader, Elder Gu Injeong, and five hall leaders involved in establishing the Supreme Branch. Across from them stood a refined young man with sparkling eyes, standing respectfully.
It was Bu Eunseol, posing as the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild.
‘His spirit is remarkably resilient.’ Yuk Jangcheon inwardly nodded, seeing him calmly meet the gazes of himself, Gu Injeong, and the others.
“We’ve confirmed that the oath you brought was written by the Poison Toad Sect’s leader, Gwak Gu, and that he’s faithfully executing it.” At that moment, Gu Injeong stood, his piercing gaze sweeping over Bu Eunseol. “But accomplishing such a feat in mere days is hard to believe. This is the consensus of not just me but the entire leadership.”
With a solemn expression, Gu Injeong spoke.
“Explain exactly how you obtained the oath from the Poison Toad Sect’s leader.” His voice grew sharper. “If you can’t explain clearly, the Alliance’s investigation team may detain you to uncover the truth. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Then explain. How did you do it?”
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol nodded and pulled a scroll from his robes.
“This is it.”
Gu Injeong frowned as he took the scroll.
Upon opening it, his eyes trembled.
It detailed the misdeeds and secrets of someone—shameful acts.
“What is this?”
“The crimes and misdeeds committed by Gwak Gu, the Poison Toad Sect’s leader.” Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “He committed all sorts of vile acts to grow his sect. Fearing these would be exposed, he couldn’t join Majeon.”
“Hmm.” Letting out a long sigh, Gu Injeong asked. “Where did you get this information?”
“Our guild has ample wealth. And ‘information’ can be bought with wealth.”
“Nonsense. Are you saying you obtained this information in just a few days after receiving the Alliance’s mission?”
“Of course not.” Bu Eunseol’s response flowed like a clear stream. “When the Daeyun Merchant Guild passed through Weinan Mountain, they clashed with the Poison Toad Sect. At that time, they had already completed an investigation into Gwak Gu to deal with him.”
Pausing briefly, Bu Eunseol continued calmly.
“But soon after, the Daeyun Merchant Guild fell overnight due to dealings with a treasonous faction, so this information went unused.”
Gu Injeong was at a loss for words.
How could such a coincidence occur?
Staring at Bu Eunseol’s face, Gu Injeong’s complexion turned red and blue.
“So? You threatened Gwak Gu with this information? Alone?”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile instead of answering.
That subtle smile seemed to reproach Gu Injeong’s obstinacy.
Feeling offended, Gu Injeong turned to Yuk Jangcheon and spoke.
“I can’t believe it. If a merchant’s heir was this exceptional, why hasn’t his fame spread until now?”
“Elder Gu.” Yuk Jangcheon shook his head. “Young Master Seon’s true worth hasn’t been revealed because he’s been in the merchant world. He’s an outstanding young master, which is why he was invited to the Heroes' Conference.”
“I don’t believe it. We should investigate him immediately. Selecting the Supreme Branch’s grandmaster comes after that.”
“It’s already been done.” Yuk Jangcheon handed a thin booklet to Gu Injeong.
It detailed the background, character, and martial prowess of Seon Woojin, the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild.
“It turns out Young Master Seon inherited the legacy of the Boundless Master. But since he’s been handling guild matters and dealing with bandits, his martial prowess wasn’t widely known.”
“The heir of the Boundless Master?” Gu Injeong’s eyes widened.
The Boundless Master was a legendary master who dominated the Great Desert with a single dagger three hundred years ago.
And Seon Woojin was his heir?
“And the Sunflower Merchant Guild isn’t a small guild, as was thought. It possesses wealth rivaling the ten major guilds.”
At Yuk Jangcheon’s words, Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
The identity of Seon Woojin, crafted by the Divine Mountain Sage, was flawless, impervious to scrutiny. Having verified this through the Death Spirit Corps’ network, Bu Eunseol had dared to vie for the Alliance’s grandmaster position.
“With Young Master Seon’s skills, he could have secretly assassinated the Poison Toad Sect’s leader.”
“Hmm.” Gu Injeong, speechless, let out a groan.
Who would’ve thought the merchant heir known as Seon Woojin had such a background?
“Young Master Seon completed the mission without a single complaint despite unfavorable conditions. Doesn’t that alone qualify him to be the Supreme Branch’s grandmaster?” Yuk Jangcheon spoke candidly.
“Elder Gu, let’s entrust the Supreme Branch to Young Master Seon.”
Gu Injeong trembled slightly.
His past obstinacy flashed before his eyes like a montage.
The hall leaders who had supported him also remained silent.
“Very well.” Setting aside personal feelings, Gu Injeong lowered his head and spoke.
“I, too, agree that he should be the Supreme Branch’s grandmaster.”
***
Having heard Yuk Jangcheon’s full explanation, Cheon Hwain’s eyes lost focus.
“He… was the heir of the Boundless Master?”
The Sunflower Merchant Guild, thought to be a minor guild in the borderlands, possessed immense wealth. And Seon Woojin, believed to be a merchant heir dealing with bandits, was the heir of the Boundless Master, a legend of the Great Desert?
“But wasn’t this success due to his wealth and coincidental information?” At Cheon Hwain’s obstinacy, Yuk Jangcheon nodded in agreement.
“Of course. Originally, you could have competed more for the grandmaster position.” With a solemn expression, he continued. “But the moment you heard he succeeded, you abandoned your members and rushed back to the Alliance.”
“That’s…”
“A commander’s role isn’t just about wielding great power. It comes with great responsibility.” Yuk Jangcheon’s expression was bitter. “The moment you abandoned your members and returned, you lost the qualifications to be grandmaster. Do you understand?”
Cheon Hwain lowered his head.
He would’ve had no words, even with ten mouths.
He had seen the grandmaster position solely as a stepping stone for his own advancement, giving no thought to his members’ well-being.
“Unlike the past, the Alliance strictly prohibits selecting grandmasters based on martial prowess or connections.” Yuk Jangcheon’s expression grew sterner. “As you know, the Alliance has learned from such mistakes.”
The Heavenly Sword, who became a first-class grandmaster overnight due to his exceptional martial arts and status as the Sword Venerable’s disciple. But he neglected his members, abused his power, and left a stain that couldn’t be washed away even in death.
Since then, the Alliance strictly forbade appointing grandmasters based on connections or martial prowess alone. Grandmasters who neglected their members for personal gain were expelled without exception.
Cheon Hwain’s act of abandoning his members mirrored the Heavenly Sword’s behavior, making it utterly unforgivable.
“I understand.” Realizing it was all over, Cheon Hwain closed his eyes and turned away.
His arrogance had caused him to squander all the opportunities he’d had.
Pushed out of the Mount Hua Sect’s succession and having exposed his arrogance and flaws to the Alliance’s leadership, he had no place left in either the Mount Hua Sect or the Martial Alliance.
Trudge, trudge.
Cheon Hwain walked away with his head bowed, his steps heavy.
His slow, burdened movements resembled those of a commoner untrained in martial arts.
The greatest danger for young masters who’ve reached the peak is falling into despair and frustration.
For those who’ve always succeeded, insurmountable despair can lead to irreparable mental collapse, resulting in a drastic loss of internal energy.
‘No need to even abolish his martial arts.’
A shadow watched from afar.
It was Bu Eunseol.
‘He’s already a broken man.’
Cheon Hwain would never rise again after this.
Having lived arrogantly and disregarded others, he had no connections or forces left to support him.
There was no need to take action to abolish his martial arts.
Well done.
From the distant sky, it seemed Young Munho was smiling faintly.
Bu Eunseol sent a bittersweet yet bright smile to the heavens, honoring Yeong Munho, who had escaped the sorrow and misfortune of the martial world to live happily.
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