Knowing contentment, one does not overfill… In the midst of peril, the true Yeolha Great True Energy shall bloom.
‘Why is a secret martial art inscribed here?’
As Bu Eunseol read the inscriptions on the wall, he couldn’t comprehend it.
Given that the highest secret techniques of Yeolha Holy Palace were carved here, it was highly likely that the mummified remains were those of the Yeolha Holy Saint.
The Yeolha Holy Saint, said to have passed away quietly and been respectfully enshrined in the palace’s ancestral hall… Why was he mummified here, seated in meditation?
Why did he leave his secret martial art in this place?
The sinner who ruined the martial world… To the future savior of the martial world, I leave my true secret art, Yeolha Great True Energy.
At the end of the inscribed martial art, there was a message left by Yeolha Holy Saint.
In my desire to reach the pinnacle of extreme yang martial arts, I committed an unforgivable sin.
He had joined hands with the Three Realms and eliminated those who opposed them.
(Omitted)…
In the end, I obtained the Yeolha Sacred Aura and Supreme Fire Ring Aura, but I realized that this would cause the palace’s power to dwindle day by day.
Moreover, we were destined to no longer produce outstanding disciples… This is my just deserts.
‘Was the Three Realms active even in the Yeolha Holy Saint’s era?’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as he read the inscriptions on the stone wall.
He had thought the Three Realms began four hundred years ago with the appearance of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
Yet, five hundred years ago, in the Yeolha Holy Saint’s time, the Three Realms already existed?
“So, the Eight Emperors and Three Stars aren’t the origin.”
This meant that even if the Eight Emperors and Three Stars were key figures in the Three Realms, they were not its founders.
Fortunately, the Three Realms broke their promise to appear in sequence and constantly clashed with one another. Had they not, not only I but also the legacy of Yeolha Holy Palace would have been severed long ago… (Omitted)…
According to the inscriptions, the Three Realms were factions with different banners, appearing in the world in a specific order.
However, it was impossible for such powerful forces to obediently follow this order. Thus, they inevitably clashed, and because of this, the martial world was preserved from collapse.
“So that’s how it was.” Bu Eunseol nodded as he read the inscriptions.
He had always wondered why the Three Realms, with their power to dominate the world, never stepped into the forefront.
A king may die, but the shadow manipulating the king never does.
The Three Realms could dominate the world precisely because they remained hidden…
To rule the world for a long time, they stayed in the shadows.
Looking back through history, forces or figures that stood in the open inevitably perished.
But the shadowy powers behind the scenes always survived.
“So they stayed hidden, using martial artists like pawns to orchestrate battles.”
In retrospect, the Three Realms never acted openly.
They only manipulated others—individuals or factions—to incite conflicts.
Even a peerless grandmaster like the Yeolha Holy Saint made the wrong choice.
In the end, he lived a shameful and lonely final chapter.
“Hmm.” Having grasped the full story, Bu Eunseol suddenly looked at the shattered Fire Ring Divine Flute.
“Can’t I recreate such a long staff?”
If he could take the Fire Ring Divine Flute, a sacred relic of Yeolha Holy Saint, he could oust Palace Lord Hwa Jeong without a major fight.
But since it was broken… the only option was to overpower her by force.
“Hmm.” Shaking his head, Bu Eunseol’s gaze fell on the inscriptions on the wall.
His eyes stopped at the phrases Palm Yeolha and Divine Creation Flute.
“Could it be?”
Bu Eunseol began quickly reading through the Yeolha Great True Energy inscriptions.
Yeolha Great True Energy was a technique for freely wielding the extreme yang energy called Yeolha Sacred Aura stored in the body.
It shared principles with the Heavenly Glacial Secret and Wishful True Binding.
Thus, Bu Eunseol could immediately understand the inscriptions of Yeolha Great True Energy.
Zing.
As he activated Yeolha Great True Energy, faint smoke rose from his hand,
Whoosh!
A red-hot flute-shaped staff formed.
It was the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
“So this is what the Fire Ring Divine Flute was.”
The flute was merely a symbolic form of the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
The true Fire Ring Divine Flute was the Yeolha Sacred Aura contained within it.
“Indeed… with such a relic, there’s no room for doubt.”
The Fire Ring Divine Flute, created with Yeolha Great True Energy, which only the palace lord could master.
It was undoubtedly the supreme relic of Yeolha Holy Palace.
“Hwa Jeong must not be given this technique.”
Bu Eunseol channeled his energy and rubbed the wall, erasing the inscribed words cleanly.
Then, he bowed respectfully to Yeolha Holy Saint’s remains once more.
“Rest assured.” Bowing deeply, he looked at the remains and said, “I will ensure that this Yeolha Great True Energy and Yeolha Sacred Aura are returned to a disciple who will protect Yeolha Holy Palace.”
Whoosh.
As if all duties were fulfilled, Yeolha Holy Saint’s remains scattered like sand in all directions.
Rumble.
At the same time, a low vibration echoed through the stone chamber.
Stones and sand poured from all sides, and the chamber vanished without a trace.
It was as if Yeolha Holy Saint had attained peace and ascended, reassured by the appearance of a successor to protect Yeolha Holy Palace.
“May you rest in peace.”
Watching the scene, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands toward the vanished chamber.
***
Bu Eunseol returned to the grand hall where Hwa Jeong resided, as if nothing had happened.
“You’ve returned safely.” Hwa Jeong, forgetting decorum, descended from the hall and grasped Bu Eunseol’s hands. “I was so worried when you suddenly disappeared.”
With a joyful expression, she asked, “What exactly happened?”
“There was a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Yes. It seems a mechanism was set to filter out intruders who weren’t disciples of Yeolha Holy Palace.” Bu Eunseol spoke nonchalantly. “It was a sealed trap, but fortunately, there was a small hole, like a rat’s passage. I escaped through it.”
“I see. That’s truly fortunate.”
Hwa Jeong’s lips curved into a bright smile, unlike before.
Perhaps it was less about Bu Eunseol’s safe return and more about the prospect of recovering the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
“So, did you find the Fire Ring Divine Flute?”
“When I fell into the trap, the Fire Ring Divine Flute vanished somewhere. It’s probably stored somewhere in the Secret Palace.”
“Somewhere in the Secret Palace… That’s fortunate.”
Her voice was emotional, but Hwa Jeong’s eyes were filled with disappointment.
She had already ordered her disciples to search the Secret Palace thoroughly, but they found no trace of the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
“I reported to the Martial Alliance, thinking something had gone wrong.”
Correcting her expression, Hwa Jeong forced a smile.
Seeing the blackened marks, she assumed Bu Eunseol had been incinerated instantly.
Thus, she had promptly reported it to the Martial Alliance, but now that he returned safely, she needed to correct it quickly.
“It’s fine. I’ll report it properly when I return.” Bu Eunseol spoke with an unconcerned expression. “Now that the Secret Palace is open, I’ll take my leave.”
As he turned without hesitation, Hwa Jeong reached out.
“How can we let you go after you risked your life to open the Secret Palace’s gate?”
Approaching closer, she said,
“In the future, our palace will form an alliance with the Martial Alliance. For that to happen, shouldn’t you stay longer to discuss various matters?”
With a friendly expression, Hwa Jeong clasped Bu Eunseol’s hands.
“…!”
At that moment, Hwa Jeong’s eyes widened, a strange glint flashing in them.
She had detected the faint aura of Yeolha Sacred Aura naturally emanating from Bu Eunseol’s right hand.
It was an energy only the masters of Yeolha Holy Palace could sense.
‘He lied.’
Hwa Jeong’s eyes narrowed like crescent moons.
‘This works out well.’
The presence of Yeolha Sacred Aura in Bu Eunseol’s body was proof he was hiding the Fire Ring Divine Flute somewhere.
Smiling broadly, Hwa Jeong said,
“This way, you, Leader Seon, could rise to a prominent position in the Martial Alliance.”
‘She took the bait.’
Bu Eunseol had no intention of leaving Yeolha Holy Palace yet.
Thus, he deliberately let a trace of Yeolha Great True Energy slip, allowing the Yeolha Sacred Aura to flow.
To let her continue her schemes.
That way, those behind her would reveal themselves.
“Very well. I’ll stay a bit longer.” As he answered readily, she spoke in a soft voice.
“Then let’s discuss it further with me this evening.”
That evening, after resting in his quarters, Bu Eunseol entered Chukyung Palace, where Hwa Jeong resided.
Guided by a maid, he entered a sealed chamber.
The room contained a table, furnishings, and a small bed.
It seemed like a space Hwa Jeong used to take tea or rest briefly while working. A small drinking table was set on the table, with only two chairs.
‘She never intended to form an alliance.’
The process of a sect joining an alliance like the Martial Alliance required extensive discussions among its leaders.
To coordinate and negotiate, the sect’s internal opinions needed to be unified first.
Despite the palace lord’s immense authority in Yeolha Holy Palace, it was still early in the negotiation process.
Yet, setting a drinking table for a private talk?
It was clear she had no intention of unifying her leaders’ opinions and was plotting something else by inviting Bu Eunseol.
“You’re here.”
As Bu Eunseol entered, Hwa Jeong gave a faint smile.
Pointing to the drinking table, she said, “Shall we talk while wetting our throats?”
Without declining, Bu Eunseol drank the prepared liquor.
A burning heat rose in his stomach, and his mind grew hazy.
Clearly, it was laced with potent sedatives and hallucinogens.
‘Trying to catch two rabbits at once.’
Bu Eunseol knew Hwa Jeong was a pawn of the Three Realms.
Curious about how she planned to seize the Fire Ring Divine Flute, he deliberately didn’t resist the drugs.
Zing.
As the sedatives and hallucinogens took effect, a wisp of heat rose from Bu Eunseol’s dantian.
It was not his own internal energy but the combined power of Yeolha Holy Saint’s Yeolha Sacred Aura and Supreme Fire Ring Aura from the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
Hiss.
The sun-like, pure heat instantly burned away the drugs’ effects in his body.
‘I need to properly master Yeolha Great True Energy to control this phenomenon.’
Bu Eunseol gave a wry smile.
Since he hadn’t fully mastered Yeolha Great True Energy, the potent extreme yang energy in his body reacted uncontrollably.
If he couldn’t control this while acting as Seon Woojin, his true identity would be exposed.
As it was now.
“Remarkable. A Martial Alliance leader using our palace’s martial arts?” Watching him, Hwa Jeong narrowed her eyes into crescent moons. “Should I congratulate you on this fortuitous encounter?”
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, she whispered with a smile.
“Where is the Fire Ring Divine Flute?”
Pulling her chair closer, she whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll promise an alliance with the Martial Alliance.”
Her voice carried a strange, enchanting power.
“Having obtained Yeolha Holy Saint’s martial arts, you can stay in our palace if you wish. I’ll guarantee power and status far beyond a Martial Alliance leader’s position.”
When Bu Eunseol didn’t respond, she whispered in his ear, “Come now, where did you hide the Fire Ring Divine Flute?”
“I’ve never seen the Fire Ring Divine Flute.”
“Is that so?” Sighing with an unconcerned expression, Hwa Jeong shook her head.
“What a pity.”
Realizing Bu Eunseol wouldn’t be persuaded, she resorted to her second plan.
Rip!
Suddenly, she tore her sleeve and shouted loudly,
“How could a Martial Alliance leader commit such a shameless act!”
Pop! Pop!
Before Bu Eunseol could respond, she swiftly sealed his acupoints and meridians.
Thud.
As he collapsed like a log, she quickly searched his body.
But aside from a dagger and some antidote pills, there was no Fire Ring Divine Flute.
“Guards! Bind him and throw him into the dungeon!”
Rush.
At her command, the ever-present guards poured in.
Pop!
Meanwhile, Hwa Jeong sealed his sea of energy acupoint, suppressing his internal energy, and shouted angrily,
“A third-rank Martial Alliance leader daring to scheme against the palace lord! We must uncover who’s behind this!”
“Yes!” At the guards’ shout, Hwa Jeong smiled.
She planned to frame Bu Eunseol for assault, lawfully imprison him in the dungeon, and torture him to extract the Fire Ring Divine Flute’s whereabouts.
***
Yeolha Holy Palace’s dungeon was deep underground.
Descending a long stone staircase, the damp smell of mold filled the air, revealing a dark underground cave.
On either side of the passage were cells blocked by stone walls.
A guard opened the last cell’s door and roughly threw Bu Eunseol inside.
Crash.
As the sealed Bu Eunseol sprawled on the floor, the guard coldly closed the iron door.
Clang.
With the door shut, Bu Eunseol lay on the dark dungeon floor, quietly closing his eyes.
‘Now it begins.’
He didn’t bother unsealing his acupoints, remaining in a suppressed state.
The interior was pitch black, but he could clearly see the peeling plaster and the walls enclosing him.
A small hole for air was in the opposite corner, barely large enough for a rat to pass through.
‘So this was her method.’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes were coldly still as he lay there.
‘Soon, an Emissary will come.’
He surmised that by framing him and locking him in the dungeon, Hwa Jeong would send a Three Realms Emissary—or assassin—to deal with him. In this damp underground dungeon, they wouldn’t need to hide their identity and could immediately torture him to recover the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
‘To keep Hwa Jeong’s position as palace lord intact.’
The position of Yeolha Holy Palace’s lord held immense authority and capability.
The Three Realms likely valued Hwa Jeong as a key pawn and would ensure she never revealed her true nature.
‘So, it’s up to me to decide.’ Bu Eunseol sighed.
If he waited for the Three Realms’ Emissary to arrive?
They would assume a third-rank leader like Seon Woojin could be easily subdued.
He could seize the opportunity to overpower them, uncovering which faction of the Three Realms was behind this and why they wanted the Fire Ring Divine Flute.
But if he failed to subdue the Emissary instantly?
His identity as Seon Woojin would be exposed, and all his efforts would be for naught.
‘I can’t risk that as Seon Woojin.’
Clank.
At that moment, the dungeon door opened, and a woman in vermilion armor entered—it was Young Palace Lord Jeok Mumi.
She arrived before the Three Realms’ Emissary.
Pop.
She sent a gust of wind to unseal Bu Eunseol’s acupoints.
“Now do you believe me?” Before he could respond, she continued, “She not only harmed my father but is colluding with external forces to ruin this palace.”
“There’s something I don’t understand.” Bu Eunseol spoke. “Why did Gwang Yangja brutally kill vagrants to create inner cores?”
“Gwang Yangja was a loyal vassal. But to build a force to oppose her… he had no choice but to steal Demon Seeds and try to create artificial inner cores.”
Jeok Mumi calmly explained how Gwang Yangja was persuaded by Hwa Jeong and why he fled with the Demon Seeds and Fire Ring Crystal.
“I see.” Nodding after hearing her explanation, Bu Eunseol understood.
Gwang Yangja had committed heinous acts, killing vagrants to obtain inner cores. If that was under Jeok Mumi’s orders?
Bu Eunseol would have considered her no different from Hwa Jeong.
Taking lives without hesitation for one’s goals was no different from the Three Realms.
But it was Gwang Yangja’s unilateral action, and fortunately, Jeok Mumi seemed to possess a righteous character.
“Shall I give you the Fire Ring Divine Flute?”
Ultimately, instead of uncovering the Three Realms’ plot, he decided to give Jeok Mumi the Fire Ring Divine Flute… to oust Hwa Jeong and restore Yeolha Holy Palace.
That alone would achieve his goal of fostering an alliance between the Martial Alliance and Yeolha Holy Palace.
At his words, Jeok Mumi’s eyes widened.
“You found it?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“In my body.”
“What does that mean?”
Pop.
Bu Eunseol unsealed his acupoints himself and stood.
Zing.
Opening his right palm, a red-hot flute-shaped form appeared amidst intense heat.
The Fire Ring Divine Flute—a crystallization of extreme yang martial arts created with Yeolha Sacred Aura—materialized before her eyes.
“How did you—”
“While searching for the Fire Ring Divine Flute under the palace lord’s orders, this power was unintentionally stored in my body.”
“In your body…?”
“Yes.”
“You stored Yeolha Sacred Aura in your body? That’s impossible.” She shook her head. “Yeolha Sacred Aura can only be contained by someone who has reached the pinnacle of extreme yang martial arts, like our founder, Yeolha Holy Saint. How could you—”
“I don’t know the reason myself.”
Retracting the Fire Ring Divine Flute, Bu Eunseol said, “But according to the principles of Yeolha Great True Energy, there’s a way to infuse this Yeolha Sacred Aura into another.”
“You mastered Yeolha Great True Energy?”
“It was in a secret stone chamber in the cave. Since the chamber collapsed, I had no choice but to memorize the technique to pass it on.” Bu Eunseol spoke confidently. “Even if Hwa Jeong is colluding with external forces, she is currently the palace lord. She cannot defy the sacred relic of Yeolha Holy Saint.”
Jeok Mumi took a deep breath.
The Fire Ring Divine Flute was Yeolha Holy Palace’s greatest aspiration and treasure.
No matter her status, even the palace lord could not ignore its authority.
Having finally found it, Jeok Mumi could oust Hwa Jeong and restore the past glory and power of Yeolha Holy Palace.
“Thank you.”
Jeok Mumi suddenly knelt before Bu Eunseol.
“An ordinary martial artist would never think to return the power of Yeolha Sacred Aura.”
Yeolha Great True Energy, wielded with Yeolha Sacred Aura, was the pinnacle of extreme yang martial arts. Mastering it would make one a supreme master dominating the world.
Yet the young man before her showed no greed for it.
Instead, he promised to infuse it back into her.
“I will never forget this kindness, and our palace will forever be your ally, Young Hero Seon.”
“There’s no need to be my ally.” Bu Eunseol rubbed his nose and said, “But if Yeolha Holy Palace stabilizes, I hope it becomes an ally of the Martial Alliance.”
Understanding his meaning, Jeok Mumi gave a faint smile.
“I understand. Since you saved our palace, it’s only natural to propose an alliance with the Martial Alliance.”
“Then, before Hwa Jeong arrives, I’ll quickly infuse this power into you.”
“There’s no need to rush.” Smiling at his words, Jeok Mumi said, “She’ll send a master to torture you after dawn, once the meeting is over. It’s a tactic to maximize fear by keeping you locked up for a day.”
“Then tomorrow morning’s meeting will be the moment a new palace lord is born.”
“Will she step down willingly?”
Bu Eunseol smiled and said, “Of course. She won’t dare deny the authority of the Fire Ring Divine Flute in front of the palace’s elders.”
“Hmm.”
“Rather, she’ll pretend to step down willingly. She must find the Fire Ring Divine Flute.”
“She’ll try to seize it?”
“Yes.”
“That’s impossible.”
“It’s possible.” Bu Eunseol’s expression turned gravely serious. “There’s a force capable of dominating the martial world behind her.”
“What do you mean?”
Realizing he was Seon Woojin, Bu Eunseol hesitated.
Normally, a third-rank Martial Alliance leader wouldn’t know about the Three Realms.
‘She’s not someone loyal to the Martial Alliance anyway.’
“This is highly confidential information, obtained through my personal network, unknown even to most in the Martial Alliance…”
Creating an escape clause, Bu Eunseol briefly explained the Three Realms.
Hearing it all, Jeok Mumi gave a wry smile.
“If such a force exists, even if our palace joins forces, resistance would be futile, wouldn’t it?”
“The fortunate thing is that the Three Realms never act openly.” Bu Eunseol displayed his strategist’s acumen. “They also won’t easily discard a valuable pawn like the palace lord of Yeolha Holy Palace. Ultimately, they’ll try to reclaim the lordship through simple, easy means.”
He began detailing his planned strategies.
Jeok Mumi’s eyes gradually widened as she listened silently.
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