Four days had passed.
Yet, Yu Suryeon remained confined to the secret manor provided by the Infinite Realm.
‘How long must I wait?’
Tracking someone typically required clues.
But the fact that the Nangyang Pavilion was still pursuing her in Bujung even after four days meant they clearly knew she was there and were scouring the area thoroughly.
‘I should have hidden in another region.’
Yu Suryeon was filled with dissatisfaction.
If she had anticipated the Nangyang Pavilion’s movements from the start, she would have fled to a place where they couldn’t track her.
Instead, staying in this manor in Bujung had left her unable to shake off their pursuit.
“The key to evading trackers is to stay in a place they would never expect,” the Infinite Realm warriors guarding the manor had said whenever she voiced her complaints.
It was true, of course.
But at this rate, she might be trapped here for not just four days but over a month.
“Something’s not right.”
Seated at a desk in her quarters, deep in thought, she shook her head.
Remaining here indefinitely felt increasingly unsettling.
The manor lacked her trusted followers, inhabited only by unfamiliar Infinite Realm warriors and maids.
“Hmm.” Yu Suryeon bit her lip.
Upon reflection, the Three Realms couldn’t be fully trusted either. Staying idle might lead to her being devoured while fully aware.
‘I have to find out.’
As a key figure managing an intelligence network for a sect, she recognized the abnormality of the situation and began exploring the manor’s surroundings.
The manor was vast but sparsely populated, and no one stopped her from wandering.
‘Should I check that place?’
Near the western side of the manor stood an old warehouse-like building, the only area where entry was forbidden.
Yu Suryeon suspected it held some secret.
“…It seems so.” As she approached the dilapidated warehouse, a low voice reached her ears.
It was the voice of a warrior stationed at the manor.
“Increase the dosage.”
“But that might cause her to become aware when she wakes.”
“It’s fine. As long as she’s confined here, her senses will dull.” The voice was chillingly sinister. “She’ll eventually spill everything.”
Her face turned ashen.
‘So that’s it.’
Yu Suryeon was shocked.
She had felt heavy-headed and sluggish each morning upon waking, attributing it to being confined in the manor for too long.
But it was clear now—the Infinite Realm had kept her here to administer a long-term dose of a disorienting drug to uncover the Black Ledger’s location.
‘Men are all the same.’
Yu Suryeon bit her lip.
Women’s sects had always been trampled by men, and the Three Realms were no different.
‘I trusted them too much.’
She regretted her decision.
No matter how much she trusted the Three Realms, she shouldn’t have stayed in such a place alone. With no disciples to aid her, isolated in this cut-off manor, she was powerless.
‘If I keep taking the drug, I’ll end up revealing the Black Ledger’s location unconsciously.’ Yu Suryeon bit her lip. ‘I need to assess the situation outside.’
As she tried to leave the manor, the guards blocked her path.
“What’s the matter?”
“I have some business to attend to outside.” The guards shook their heads. “That’s not possible. There are many Nangyang Pavilion masters outside, and we’ve been ordered to keep you from leaving.”
‘As I suspected.’
Her suspicions grew like a snowball, but she nodded without showing it.
“I understand.”
Only one option remained.
She had to secretly escape the manor.
She couldn’t stay here any longer.
The food and bedding provided by the manor were likely all part of a scheme to uncover the Black Ledger’s hiding place.
‘I’ll find an opportunity to escape and hide in our sect’s safehouse.’
Since the safehouse was secretly established, it was staffed only by ordinary maids, aside from the Infinite Realm warriors. Escaping during a moment of opportunity wasn’t impossible.
Then, a sudden thought struck her.
‘No, this could be a ploy to lure me to the Black Ledger’s location.’
The realization hit her like a blow to the back of her head, jolting her senses.
Sold to a brothel as a child and trained as a courtesan, she had dealt with intelligence ever since becoming a disciple of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
No matter how worn her spirit was, she wasn’t so careless as to act rashly.
‘Then there’s only one way.’ Formulating a meticulous plan in her mind, Yu Suryeon approached the manor’s guards. “I’ve been away from Okyeonhyang for too long, and my subordinates must be worried.”
She handed them a sealed envelope.
“Without me, things won’t function. Please deliver this letter.”
The warrior took the letter from the envelope and read it openly.
It contained only inquiries about Okyeonhyang’s affairs and assurances of her safety.
After staring at the letter for a while, the warrior nodded.
“Very well. I’ll deliver it.”
The next day, a reply came from Ok Cheong.
It briefly detailed the pleasure house’s situation and noted that Nangyang Pavilion masters were still roaming the capital.
Reading the letter at her desk, Yu Suryeon lightly brushed the back of it.
‘There it is.’ With a triumphant smile, she dipped her fingers in lamp oil and rubbed the back of the letter.
Gradually, something appeared on the previously blank surface.
Childlike, playful drawings of ducks and vases, unevenly sketched.
It was the secret code of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
‘As expected, they couldn’t fully decipher our sect’s code.’
She had used a special solution to write a coded message on the back of the letter sent to Ok Cheong.
‘If the Infinite Realm had checked it, it would have traces of oil.’
But the back of Ok Cheong’s reply was clean, with no signs of oil.
‘They think finding the Black Ledger will end everything.’
A sharp glint flashed in Yu Suryeon’s eyes.
The Three Realms wanted the Black Ledger. If time passed like this, its location would surely be exposed.
‘But there’s a way.’
With the Black Ledger, one could control the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s finances, intelligence network, and illicit funds.
Without her, they could still rule the sect easily.
But if the Black Ledger were forever lost? The Three Realms would never let her go.
Scribble, scribble.
Yu Suryeon took up brush and paper, writing a mundane letter inquiring about well-being.
Once the ink dried, she pulled a small porcelain bottle from her robes, dipped her fingers in the liquid inside, and began drawing.
“Omit formalities… When you get there, you’ll see something wrapped in oil paper. Don’t open it—burn it immediately. That’s all you need to do.”
A smile crept across Yu Suryeon’s lips.
They would keep searching for the Black Ledger she hid, but it would be gone.
With only her and the leader able to move the Affectionate Blossom Sect, they would never betray her.
***
Having sent the letter, Yu Suryeon felt a newfound ease.
With her worries about the Black Ledger gone, her mind cleared. She no longer feared the Three Realms.
To survive in any organization or faction, one must become indispensable.
With the Black Ledger destroyed, the Three Realms could never abandon her.
Without it, only she and Geuk Hyeryeong could skillfully manage the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s finances and intelligence network and command its disciples.
But how could she have known?
The ways of the world don’t bend to one’s will, and her confidence was built on illusions.
Rumble.
Suddenly, the sound of many people approaching came from outside.
Yu Suryeon, asleep in her quarters, snapped her eyes open, instinctively sensing trouble.
‘Something’s gone wrong!’
This manor, provided by the Three Realms, was only frequented by ordinary people.
The sound of so many moving at once was impossible.
‘I have to escape.’
She quickly opened the door and slipped outside.
But her quarters were already surrounded by over a hundred figures.
“You…” Yu Suryeon looked around in disbelief.
The figures encircling her were numerous women in vibrant palace attire. And at their forefront stood an elderly woman exuding commanding authority.
It was the disciples of the Affectionate Blossom Sect and their leader, Geuk Hyeryeong.
“Sect Leader…”
“So, how was your scheming?”
Yu Suryeon’s vision darkened. But in such moments, she had to stay composed. She couldn’t show weakness.
“It wasn’t scheming—it was justified.” Yu Suryeon spoke with confidence. “Our sect is a women’s sect, forbidden from associating with men. But because you healed your granddaughter, you unilaterally knelt to men.”
She boldly addressed Geuk Hyeryeong and the surrounding disciples.
“I acted not for personal gain but to restore our sect’s honor.”
“Hah.” Geuk Hyeryeong let out a hollow laugh mixed with a deep sigh. “You claim to have rebelled to sever ties with men, yet why were you hiding in a safehouse provided by those very men?”
“That’s…”
“If you had reached this point by your own strength, I would have acknowledged it as the tide of the times and rightfully passed the leadership to you.” Geuk Hyeryeong shook her head. “But you colluded with forces that recklessly stir the martial world, relying on their power to seize our sect’s funds and disciples’ loyalty.”
“That’s absurd.” Yu Suryeon said coldly. “You sent Nangyang Pavilion’s men to hunt me down, trying to suppress me with force. How dare you accuse me?”
“Do you think I sent Nangyang Pavilion’s forces to pursue you?”
“What do you mean?”
“There was never any Nangyang Pavilion army. You panicked and holed up here on your own.”
“What…”
Step, step.
At that moment, elderly maids working in the manor emerged from among the Affectionate Blossom Sect disciples.
Rip.
As they tore off their masks, familiar faces appeared.
They were all the sect heads Yu Suryeon had recruited.
“Then this place… isn’t the Infinite Realm’s safehouse?”
Geuk Hyeryeong nodded, and Yu Suryeon shook her head.
“That can’t be. He was definitely the Third Emissary of the Infinite Realm…” As she spoke, her eyes widened as if realizing something.
Geuk Hyeryeong was skilled in martial arts and perception, but she lacked the cunning to devise such a bold and intricate plan.
And the immense aura emanating from the Third Emissary.
Only one person could mimic such power—the young master of Majeon who had brought the Affectionate Blossom Sect to its knees: Bu Eunseol, the Martial Soul Command Lord.
“So the missing man… has returned.”
In hindsight, she had been in a state of panic since arriving at the manor.
Normally, she would have grown suspicious of voices emanating so clearly from a secret building.
But her fear of the Three Realms and the prolonged isolation had dulled her clarity.
And only Bu Eunseol could so precisely read human psychology and craft such a scheme.
“That’s right.” Geuk Hyeryeong nodded faintly. “He said this was the only way to make you give up the Black Ledger, as it was your lifeline.”
Yu Suryeon bit her lip.
‘They said he could never return alive.’
She had joined the plot to overthrow the Affectionate Blossom Sect because she trusted the Three Realms’ intelligence and power.
But contrary to expectations, Bu Eunseol had not only returned alive but had used her insecurities to devise a scheme that led her to burn the Black Ledger herself.
“So in the end, you relied on that man’s help again!” Yu Suryeon cried out in frustration, but Geuk Hyeryeong pointed to the surrounding disciples.
“Look.” Her expression turned solemn. “These are all the disciples who followed you.”
Geuk Hyeryeong spoke firmly.
“You told them the Affectionate Blossom Sect should stand alone as a women’s sect, independent of others’ help.”
“…”
“But you blindly trusted the Infinite Realm’s intelligence and hid in their safehouse. These disciples saw you with their own eyes.”
Geuk Hyeryeong’s voice was stern.
“That’s why no one supports you anymore.”
“I—” Yu Suryeon started to shout but bit her lip.
She realized no words could change the outcome.
“What can a defeated general say?”
“Come back now.” Geuk Hyeryeong spoke with solemnity but sincerity. “Isn’t our sect one for women? We’ve always lived by embracing each other’s flaws.”
“…”
“We don’t harm those who change their minds, like men do. Suryeon.”
“Sect Leader…”
Yu Suryeon looked at the distant sky with a desolate expression.
“It’s too late.”
Gazing at Geuk Hyeryeong, she sent a look of atonement.
Then, she drew a dagger from her robes.
Stab.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she plunged it into her heart, ending her life.
“Suryeon.” Geuk Hyeryeong looked down at Yu Suryeon’s cold body with a pained expression. “Who made you this way…?”
Her words carried both longing and resentment for Yu Suryeon, with whom she had spent so many years.
Yu Suryeon had colluded with the Three Realms, rallying the sect’s funds and disciples to attempt rebellion.
Yet Geuk Hyeryeong didn’t hate her.
Because the Affectionate Blossom Sect was a place where flawed people supported one another.
That’s how she had always treated her disciples.
“Was it the cruel martial world? Or this incompetent leader?”
As Geuk Hyeryeong murmured with sorrow, the disciples wept mournfully.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a heavy downpour began.
But Geuk Hyeryeong and her disciples stood like statues, unmoving.
***
An unprecedented upheaval was stirring in Majeon.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol, has truly gone missing!”
Bu Eunseol, the Martial Soul Command Lord, who had handled numerous affairs across Majeon and the martial world, had suddenly vanished, with his fate uncertain. As a result, for the first time since Majeon’s founding, a meeting was being held to discuss replacing the heir.
The Demonic Assembly.
Normally, it would involve the Demon Emperor, the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders, and all figures within the top ten of Majeon’s ceremonial hierarchy, deliberating together.
But now, only the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders were gathered in the meeting room, presided over by the Chief Instructor.
This was because the heir, the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol, was missing.
Since he couldn’t attend, there was no need for Majeon’s top leadership to gather.
Thus, the meeting was solely to decide whether Bu Eunseol should remain the heir and retain the title of Martial Soul Command Lord.
Swish.
As the Chief Instructor, Yeop Hyocheon, entered the meeting room, seven of the Ten Demonic Sect Leaders were present.
Due to Bu Eunseol’s disappearance, the Nangyang Pavilion and Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, which supported him, were absent, as was the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
Additionally, the Hwa Wu Sword Sect sent its heir, Weiji Hyesang, in place of Weiji Mu-a, and the Blood Flame Blade Sect sent its Vice-Sect Leader, Do Cheonpung.
“Today’s agenda is to review the continuation of the Martial Soul Command Lord’s position as heir,” Yeop Hyocheon said, scanning the attendees.
“The lord of Hell's Blood Fortress, who proposed this motion, please speak.”
Gongya Geuk, stroking his toad-like chin, spoke up.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord has already lost the trust required to be the heir. The Affectionate Blossom Sect is in turmoil, its finances and intelligence network halved, and Heaven and Earth Severing Sect is nearly annihilated by attacks from unknown forces.”
Pausing, he sneered, “Well, the Nangyang Pavilion has always been penniless, so that’s no surprise.”
The attendees couldn’t hide their shock.
Even if Bu Eunseol was missing, his survival wasn’t confirmed.
Moreover, he had always mercilessly retaliated against those who crossed him.
The White Horse Temple, subjected to his ruthless audits, had lost the will to resist.
Even Gongya Geuk’s Hell's Blood Fortress had once surrendered to his scrutiny.
Yet, to criticize Bu Eunseol so harshly?
‘He must have solid information.’
That cunning old fox, Gongya Geuk, wouldn’t act without certainty. He must have obtained reliable information about the Martial Soul Command Lord’s fate.
“Is that enough to justify discussing his removal?” Weiji Hyesang, representing the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, said with a smile.
“I don’t believe the state of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and the Affectionate Blossom Sect reflects his abilities.”
“Young people may think differently,” Gongya Geuk replied calmly. “But consider this: the position of Majeon’s heir…”
Creak.
At that moment, the door opened, and two figures entered the meeting room.
One was an elderly man with a refined appearance, the other an old woman with skin like weathered tree bark.
They were Hyeok Gongbaek, the Sect Leader of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, and Geuk Hyeryeong, the Sect Leader of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
“You… how?” Gongya Geuk exclaimed, unable to hide his shock.
“Hmph.” Hyeok Gongbaek snorted coldly, narrowing his eyes at Gongya Geuk. “With the Demonic Assembly called so suddenly, how could we not attend?”
As Hyeok Gongbaek took his seat, Geuk Hyeryeong glared fiercely at Gongya Geuk.
She, too, sat down.
‘Hah, here for a final stand, are they?’
Meeting their sharp gazes, Gongya Geuk smirked.
One faction’s finances and intelligence network had collapsed, and the other’s reputation was in tatters from attacks by unknown forces.
Their presence at the meeting wouldn’t sway the tide.
‘Trying to block his removal? It’s futile.’
Gongya Geuk chuckled and said, “But the Nangyang Pavilion didn’t show. I thought at least the deputy leader would come.”
Yeop Hyocheon surveyed the room and said, “If there’s no more discussion, shall we vote?”
The attendees, including Gongya Geuk, nodded.
Yeop Hyocheon nodded back.
“Then let’s vote by show of hands…”
Creak.
The meeting room door opened again, and a man in robes stepped forward slowly.
Sunlight streamed through his gleaming hair, his appearance dazzlingly beautiful.
Yet, an unapproachable dignity radiated from him, and his steps were as weighty as if moving a mountain.
It was Bu Eunseol.
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