Even after quickly averting his gaze, her eyes lingered in his mind like an afterimage.
Unlike her real eyes, they shimmered with various colors.
‘The Divine Eye?’ Some martial artists were born with unique eye abilities.
The Divine Eye was known to leave vibrant colors in the viewer’s mind while instinctively discerning truth from falsehood without deep thought. If she possessed the Divine Eye, all of Bu Eunseol’s lies could be exposed.
‘No, that’s impossible.’ Bu Eunseol had achieved Spirit Regulation.
This meant he was impervious to any great technique or external force, akin to possessing the Ghost Gate’s Spirit-Repelling Fire Eye. Even a supreme demonic figure like Ak Muryeong couldn’t pierce his soul, so he was confident the Divine Eye couldn’t either.
‘I won’t avoid her gaze.’ Bu Eunseol raised his head and met Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes calmly.
An ordinary person’s heart would have raced, unable to suppress the turmoil.
This was the heart of the Martial Alliance.
Among the martial artists on the platform were masters capable of matching Bu Eunseol. If his identity was exposed here, escape would be impossible unless he could soar into the sky.
“You’re right,” Gongsun Dankyung spoke again.
In that moment, Bu Eunseol knew.
‘She didn’t notice.’ As he’d predicted, her mysterious eye power had no effect on him.
“Why did you study these formations?” she asked.
Bu Eunseol steadied himself, adopting a deliberately bitter expression.
“I had no choice. I’ve had to travel beyond the borders since childhood. Such research was essential to survive there.”
With those words, Bu Eunseol conveyed that his remarkable martial prowess and wit weren’t merely due to being a disciple of a martial sage. They were the result of relentless effort and struggle in a harsh environment.
“There seems to be no issue,” Gongsun Dankyung said, and the higher-ups nodded.
Even Jong Guryeong, who had been skeptical, nodded.
“Then the Supreme Team will advance to the third test,” Yong Myeong declared, and the higher-ups agreed.
The final third test of the Phoenix Tournament began.
The finalists were the newly formed Supreme Team and the storied Hoyeon Team, which had won the Phoenix Tournament twice and was known for its members’ exceptional movement techniques.
Hoyeon Team's captain, So Geompyeong, and his members were highly wary of facing the Supreme Team in the final match.
‘There’s something about those guys.’
‘We can’t underestimate a new team.’
Step, step.
The two teams moved from the grand arena to a small forest behind the Martial Alliance’s west gate.
“The final test involves deciphering hidden ciphers from the Alliance and Majeon within this forest and moving to the intermediate rendezvous point,” Yong Myeong explained. “At the rendezvous point, the final destination will be revealed. Your goal is to decipher the ciphers quickly, reach the rendezvous point, identify the final destination, and arrive there first.”
He elaborated on the mission.
“However, the team that arrives at the final destination with all members first will win. Keep that in mind.”
In other words, if the Hoyeon Team’s nineteen members arrived first, but the Supreme Team’s twenty members arrived later with all present, the Supreme Team would win.
Yong Myeong didn’t delay.
“Begin!”
The Supreme Team scattered like sand, searching for the ciphers.
The Hoyeon Team also split up, scouring the forest for the ciphers—or so they pretended.
“They don’t understand the Phoenix Tournament’s true purpose,” So Geompyeong, hidden in the forest, smirked at his team.
“It’s impressive that a new team made it this far.”
The annual Phoenix Tournament wasn’t just about selecting the best teams.
It was about identifying teams with exceptional adaptability in any situation.
Otherwise, the tests wouldn’t change every year.
‘Ultimately, this test isn’t about reaching the rendezvous point—it’s about getting all members to the final destination quickly.’
So Geompyeong glanced at the scattered Supreme Team with a faint smile.
‘The forest contains ciphers leading to the rendezvous point, where the final destination is written.’ As a seasoned commander, So Geompyeong quickly grasped the mission’s loophole. ‘In short, if we follow the Supreme Team to the rendezvous point, we can secure victory.’
The mission ended when all members reached the final destination.
Deciphering the ciphers quickly to reach the rendezvous point had no bearing on the outcome.
Having seen through this, So Geompyeong planned to track the Supreme Team to the rendezvous point and then use their superior movement techniques to reach the final destination first.
‘As an intelligence team, they’re likely unmatched in deciphering ciphers.’ So Geompyeong was confident.
Even if Bu Eunseol realized his plan, he couldn’t outpace the Hoyeon Team’s members.
‘It’s taking quite a while.’
While pretending to search the forest, So Geompyeong and the Hoyeon Team closely observed the Supreme Team. The ciphers were well-hidden, and the Supreme Team repeatedly gathered and scattered, searching for the rendezvous point.
Rustle.
After some time, they seemed to find the rendezvous point and swiftly moved with their qinggong.
But something seemed off—the Supreme Team split into two groups, each moving with qinggong.
“Commander, which group do we follow?” Seomun Ho, the Hoyeon Team’s vice-commander, asked.
So Geompyeong hesitated.
‘No matter how fast they move, they can’t outrun us. Seon Woojin must know that.’
Seon Woojin was known for his cunning. He likely knew they were being followed. Thus, he split his team to confuse them, aiming to gather all members at the final destination quickly.
‘The slower members would head to the destination first, while those with fast qinggong buy time.’
A glint sparked in So Geompyeong’s eyes.
If so, Seon Woojin’s group would have the fastest qinggong, while the other group, led by Tae Muryong, would be slower.
The Hoyeon Team should pursue Tae Muryong’s group.
‘No, that could be a trap.’ After a moment’s thought, So Geompyeong decided.
“We split into two and follow both.”
“What?”
“Our qinggong are far superior. Even if it’s a trap, it doesn’t matter. We just need the other ten to return faster.”
Even if one group was a decoy, the Hoyeon Team could outpace the Supreme Team in the return.
So Geompyeong aimed for a safe and certain victory.
“Understood.”
Whoosh.
So Geompyeong and Seomun Ho divided their team and pursued the Supreme Team.
‘Foolish. Was it just a shallow trick?’
The divided Supreme Team eventually reunited discreetly and moved together.
So Geompyeong, gleeful, followed them covertly with his qinggong.
Soon, the Supreme Team reached the vicinity of the Martial Alliance’s west gate.
Above the gate’s plaque, a large paper displayed the words “Seryu Hermitage.”
It was a small hermitage on a mountain near the west gate, often visited by hall lords to clear their minds.
‘Seryu Hermitage! That’s it!’ So Geompyeong’s eyes gleamed as he sent a mental message to his team.
“The final destination is Seryu Hermitage, a hermitage on the mountain behind the Alliance! Follow me!”
He led his team, racing with frantic qinggong.
No matter how hard the Supreme Team tried to follow, they couldn’t catch the Hoyeon Team, masters of movement techniques.
“Huff, huff.” Finally, So Geompyeong and the Hoyeon Team arrived at Seryu Hermitage, all members present.
Not a single Supreme Team member was in sight.
“We did it!” So Geompyeong smiled brightly.
Losing to a newly formed second-rank team would have been humiliating. Fortunately, he had grasped the mission’s nature and reached the final destination first.
“But where’s Hall Lord Yong?”
After waiting, no one appeared near Seryu Hermitage.
Normally, after the final match, the higher-ups and participating teams would gather to offer congratulations.
Yet, even after a quarter-hour, not a soul appeared.
‘Did something go wrong?’ Sensing something amiss, So Geompyeong turned to Seomun Ho.
“Check the surroundings for any tournament officials.”
“Captain, what if someone deserts and the Supreme Team swoops in?”
“That’s a sharp thought,” So Geompyeong nodded, but added, “Hall Lord Yong clearly said the team with all members arriving first wins. If there was a time limit loophole, he would have mentioned it.”
Still uneasy, he scanned the area.
“Let’s wait another hour. If no one comes, we’ll investigate.”
“Understood.”
An hour passed, and still, no one appeared.
As Seomun Ho prepared to descend from Seryu Hermitage to investigate, So Geompyeong stopped him.
“No, I’ll go. I can return the fastest if something happens.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh.
So Geompyeong descended Seryu Hermitage with his qinggong. He searched the area, but no Martial Alliance members were in sight.
“How can this be?” Realizing something was gravely wrong, he rushed to the Alliance’s main gate.
Just then, several martial artists emerged.
“Captain So! What’s going on?” Jeong Shimgu, a friend and the Baegwang Team's captain, called out, recognizing him.
“Where did the Hoyeon Team go? Why didn’t you show up until the tournament ended?”
“What do you mean, the tournament ended?” So Geompyeong’s jaw dropped as he explained. “We passed the final gate first and are waiting. But Hall Lord Yong hasn’t come…”
“What are you talking about?” Jeong Shimgu blinked, confused. “The Phoenix Tournament’s winner was decided as the Supreme Team. They even received the elixir from the higher-ups.”
“What? The tournament’s over?”
“It ended over an hour ago. The Supreme Team returned to the grand arena, the final destination, first.”
“The final destination was the grand arena?” So Geompyeong’s eyes widened.
He had followed the Supreme Team and seen “Seryu Hermitage” written on the gate’s plaque.
What had happened?
‘I was tricked.’
Only then did So Geompyeong realize it was all a ploy by the Supreme Team's captain.
‘That’s why they lingered in the forest so long.’
The Supreme Team, despite being an intelligence unit, had wandered the forest for a while. But during that time, Seon Woojin had likely deciphered all the ciphers and slipped away discreetly.
He set a trap at a fake rendezvous point, split his team to evade pursuit, and led them to a false final destination.
He had known they were being followed.
‘It’s over.’ Realizing the full extent of the situation, So Geompyeong closed his eyes.
Not only had they failed to win the Phoenix Tournament, but they had suffered a humiliating defeat.
The Hoyeon Team would need to keep a low profile for a while.
***
“Well done,” Yuk Jangcheon said in his office in the Martial Affairs Hall, a smile brimming on his face.
He hadn’t expected a victory.
He thought it would suffice to show the higher-ups that a newly formed team was competent.
Yet, they had won outright?
And with such cunning and skill that it astonished the new commander, Gongsun Dankyung.
“Even for a remarkable individual, finding the flaws in the tournament’s tests or other teams’ strategies is no easy feat. You’re truly impressive.”
Yuk Jangcheon had been briefed on everything.
Bu Eunseol had seen through the strategies of the favored Hoyeon Team's captain, So Geompyeong. He had turned their plan against them, securing a clean and perfect victory.
Yuk Jangcheon and the observing higher-ups were astounded by his ingenuity.
“I merely considered that the Hoyeon Team has many masters of qinggong and has won the Phoenix Tournament twice,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Yuk Jangcheon nodded with a pleased expression.
“Well done. Thanks to you, our hall has gained face, and the Supreme Team has firmly caught the higher-ups’ attention.”
“But I’m not sure why I was summoned to the Commander’s Hall before coming here.”
“Haha,” Yuk Jangcheon chuckled softly. “The Phoenix Tournament’s purpose is to identify corps’ capable of excelling in missions the Alliance needs.”
“A mission?”
“Yes. Given that this mission involved breaking the Ten Demonic Sects’ formations and deciphering Majeon’s ciphers, it’s likely related.” Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes grew serious as his smile faded.
“I suspect we’ll target either the White Horse Temple or the Hell's Blood Fortress.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
The Martial Alliance and Majeon’s forces had never clashed directly.
Yet, they were planning a preemptive strike?
“Thanks to that so-called Majeon successor, the Ten Demonic Sects’ power has weakened significantly, hasn’t it?” Yuk Jangcheon said with a faint smile. “As a result, the Hell's Blood Fortress’s lord stepped down, and the White Horse Temple has nearly ceased external activities due to scrutiny.”
That was true.
Both sects had relentlessly targeted Bu Eunseol, only to face retaliation. Now, they were practically in seclusion, barely maintaining their influence.
Yuk Jangcheon grinned, showing his teeth.
“Since you’ve proven your skill, you’ll likely receive a related mission.” Bu Eunseol’s expression grew complex as he took another deep breath.
He didn’t know how the Martial Alliance would confront the Ten Demonic Sects, but it would undoubtedly be a perilous mission.
Yet, if he succeeded, he could earn significant merit and attention.
‘But this is too dangerous.’
Even if Seo Jinha perfectly mimicked him, it was limited to operations within the Shadow Hall and the martial world. If the Martial Alliance clashed with the Ten Demonic Sects, Bu Eunseol would have to lead Majeon’s forces in that fight.
Seo Jinha could make a mistake.
“No need to be so tense,” Yuk Jangcheon said, smiling at Bu Eunseol’s stern expression. “It’s called a conquest, but it doesn’t mean the Alliance and Majeon will clash directly.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Hell's Blood Fortress and White Horse Temple have visibly weakened. The caravans supporting our Alliance have had to pay heavily to pass through their territories.”
Bu Eunseol finally understood Yuk Jangcheon—no, Gongsun Dankyung’s—true intent.
“You mean to reclaim the key trade routes in their territories.”
“Exactly,” Yuk Jangcheon said, pleased with the term “reclaim,” and smiled warmly. “As you know, the Ten Demonic Sects are no different from black societies, extorting money from passing caravans.”
He spoke firmly.
“Commander Gongsun aims to bring those trade routes back under the Alliance’s control for the caravans’ sake.”
‘That’s somewhat reassuring,’ Bu Eunseol thought, inwardly sighing with relief.
It wasn’t a direct clash with Majeon’s forces, but a confrontation with either the White Horse Temple or the Hell's Blood Fortress.
‘So that was her plan.’
Bu Eunseol grasped Gongsun Dankyung’s intentions.
Upon gaining a new position or authority, the first task is to understand what one holds and how to wield it.
Having obtained the commander’s staff, she wanted to test its form and power. Her first move was to deploy the Alliance’s elite forces to reclaim a weakened Ten Demonic Sects’ territory.
‘She’s ambitious. Not content to merely hold her position.’
Unlike Tae Sahyeon, the newly appointed Gongsun Dankyung lacked extensive connections.
Unlike Tae Sahyeon, she wasn’t focused on maintaining her position but was ready to act boldly.
She likely recognized Yuk Jangcheon’s ambition to rise to division Commander and extended her hand. And Yuk Jangcheon was willingly becoming her sharp blade.
Their interests aligned, so they boarded the same ship.
‘I’ll need to stay in the Martial Alliance longer.’
Having completed the Phoenix Tournament, Bu Eunseol had planned to return to Majeon to handle various matters. But with such a critical situation unfolding, returning to Majeon would have to wait.
“Soon, a decision will be made on how to reclaim the territories,” Yuk Jangcheon said with a sly smile.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath, watching his ambitious grin. With Yuk Jangcheon so confident, it was certain that, as a Martial Alliance commander, Bu Eunseol would soon face the Hell's Blood Fortress or the White Horse Temple.
“Understood,” he said, bowing with clasped hands as he left the Martial Affairs Hall.
‘From now on, I must move more cautiously and carefully.’ Returning to the Supreme Team’s office, Bu Eunseol began preparing for the plans ahead.
But it was a futile hope.
“Iron Captain Noh Dokcheong has been killed in the Yeokyung region!”
Noh Dokcheong, the Iron Captain of the Martial Alliance, had been suddenly killed in the Hell's Blood Fortress’s territory.
And Commander Gongsun Dankyung, seizing the opportunity, began to act with unprecedented urgency.
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