Seeing Bu Eunseol kneeling with the sutra clutched to his chest, Dam Jeung let out a deep sigh.
Bu Zhanyang.
He had shaken the demonic path as a peerless swordsman, yet ultimately left only riddles and vanished.
Hiding his identity, he had quietly left the martial world to live as a mortician.
Then one day, brutally murdered by an unknown assassin, he left one legacy to the martial world.
That was Bu Eunseol.
Neither orthodox heroes nor demonic greats could wield it—only he could perfectly command it.
He had left behind his own avatar, capable of unleashing the peerless sword art, Seven Blood Tear Forms.
“Fate is truly unpredictable.”
He had thought it a mere passing connection.
Yet the young prodigy who risked life training martial arts in the Silent Ground’s cave became a swordsman who shook the martial world.
And now, that successor had been sent back to Blood Shaolin.
“Even birds that flock together scatter at dawn. We meet and part; we live together yet ultimately go alone to the next world.”
Dam Jeung pressed his palms together and said, “This poor monk was foolish, burning himself in the flames of anger… I hope you do not walk that path.”
Though a Buddhist disciple, Dam Jeung had burned with vengeance for decades, pursuing the culprit. In the end, he became not Shaolin’s guardian deity, but a ghost of Blood Shaolin—unable to die with his slain blood brothers, reluctantly surviving.
He hoped Bu Eunseol would not follow the same fate.
Creak.
Pressing the table’s edge, a small passage opened in the meditation room’s wall.
Likely a secret exit to leave Shaolin quietly.
“You may take the sutra.”
Dam Jeung said, “It was something this poor monk kept separately anyway.”
Bu Eunseol pressed his palms together, bowed deeply to Dam Jeung.
“Then.”
It was a relic that could wash away the grief and pain of a frail mortician who could not even keep a single belonging of his grandfather’s.
A faint smile touched Dam Jeung’s lips as he watched Bu Eunseol depart.
Receiving a bow from that young man alone gave him the intuition that Shaolin would overcome a great crisis in the future.
That young grandmaster would never live in debt.
Dam Jeung could proudly say that, since becoming Blood Shaolin’s abbot, this was his finest judgment.
Rumble.
As Bu Eunseol exited through the underground passage, the door closed on its own.
Dam Jeung gazed blankly at the sight.
Then, as if struck by a thought, he sighed.
“I hope they never clash.”
Shaolin had raised a young grandmaster comparable to him.
And that man would never tolerate a demonic figure ravaging the martial world… suddenly, the future worried him.
***
Returning to Majeon, Bu Eunseol headed not to the Death Shadow Corps but straight to the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
Since becoming the Martial Soul Command Lord, all actions and duties were reported only to the Demon Emperor. But the Demon Emperor had been in seclusion, so whether entering the palace or acting outside…
There was no real need to report.
It was the same now.
He had gone to the martial world, but no need to report what he did.
Yet he deliberately sought the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
To report to the Demon Emperor.
No—to question absurdity for the first time.
‘The Demon Emperor knew.’
Before Bu Eunseol obtained the Spirit Regulation Harmony and built his spiritual barrier.
That is, before being attacked by Hyeok Ryeon-eung in the Wei Prince’s residence. The Demon Emperor had thoroughly peered into his mind.
Even if he couldn’t examine every thought, he would at least know the burning vengeance.
‘That grandfather was the Seven-Finger Demon Blade.’
Perhaps the Demon Emperor even knew grandfather’s true identity. Yet saying nothing meant he had watched Bu Eunseol’s actions with interest from a step back?
‘Was it entertaining? My struggles?’
In retrospect, becoming Majeon’s heir was all the Demon Emperor’s arrangement.
Despite endless persecution and obstruction, he gave opportunities to steadily build merit.
Even if the Ten Demonic Sect Lords did not acknowledge him, he made Bu Eunseol an heir the demonic path had to recognize.
Of course, overcoming trials and accumulating merit was Bu Eunseol’s own ability.
But that was possible because…
The Demon Emperor had completely grasped Bu Eunseol’s talent and character.
Otherwise, he would not have given so many trials without hesitation.
‘I am no puppet.’
Bu Eunseol, walking briskly, raised his head. Far ahead, the Sacred Demon Pavilion appeared; events in Shaolin flashed like a lantern show.
‘Not just Dam Jeung—even the current Shaolin abbot might be mere pieces on a board…’
The Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang.
The peerless swordsman who dominated the demonic path was none other than a fictional demonic figure created by the Absolute Demonic Blade Project.
Moreover, countless prodigies infiltrated orthodox and evil sects or became shadows to aid him.
And this plan unfolded in Shaolin’s most secret space—Blood Shaolin.
Afterward, all who knew of the plan were said to have been killed.
But Bu Eunseol realized one critical error here.
Buddha Venerable, Hong Hyeon.
Over two hundred years old, a living Buddha, Shaolin’s legend, the orthodox pillar.
Could he truly have been unaware of the Absolute Demonic Blade Project?
Even if the previous abbot died, wouldn’t he know everything?
Would Cheol Muhon and the previous abbot Hong Yeop truly proceed without informing the Buddha Venerable?
Of course, it was possible.
The Buddha Venerable did not stay in Shaolin.
But excluding a figure like him from such a critical plan… no matter how he thought, it made no sense.
‘Ultimately, everything about Shaolin will be revealed only by finding the Buddha Venerable.’
Bu Eunseol had thought meeting Blood Shaolin’s abbot would suffice to learn the truth. But now he realized only meeting the Buddha Venerable would uncover the full truth.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Finally reaching the Sacred Demon Pavilion, the guards standing before it bowed respectfully.
“What brings you?”
“I’ve come to see the Demon Emperor.”
“The Demon Emperor is in seclusion.”
Only Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon could audience the secluded Demon Emperor.
But Bu Eunseol had one privilege.
His position as Martial Soul Command Lord.
“A critical matter greatly threatening this hall’s safety has arisen. As Martial Soul Command Lord, I must urgently see the Demon Emperor.”
Presented the Martial Soul Command Token, the guard stammered.
It was authority in name only.
In Majeon’s history, no one had ever forced an audience with the secluded Demon Emperor using the token.
“I-I’ll report it first.” As the guard bowed stammeringly,
“Let him in.”
A clear, resonant voice like rolling jade beads came from beyond the hall’s window.
The guards bowed with visible relief.
“Please enter, Command Lord.”
Inside the Sacred Demon Pavilion, a vast audience chamber for meeting the Demon Emperor appeared.
Bu Eunseol always audienced him here.
And he always left only great confusion.
‘This time, it won’t happen.’
Having reached the sixth stage of the Ban-geuk Method, Bu Eunseol possessed a formidable spiritual barrier even Limitless Realm masters dared not breach.
Even the Nangyang Pavilion Master’s Illusion Upon Illusion could not affect his spirit. No matter if he was the Demon Emperor, he could no longer peer into Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Swish.
Passing the audience chamber, a large, elegantly decorated guest hall appeared.
Standing before it, the door opened as if waiting, revealing a woman in purple palace attire.
“Welcome.”
Greeting Bu Eunseol was not the Demon Emperor but a beauty with clear, pristine skin. Her eyes were coldly still like carved ice, yet somehow warmth lingered within.
The Flower of Majeon, Jin Seol.
“Lady Jin.” Bu Eunseol, unsurprised, calmly pressed his palms together.
He already knew the clear voice from the window was hers.
“Martial Soul Command Lord.” Jin Seol returned the greeting calmly.
his appearance seemed slightly thinner than before; the cold, arrogant aura had turned somewhat melancholic.
She had been engaged to Shim Wol of Manbak Hall, a disciple of Blood Demon Jeok Bung, but it had ended in tragedy. Because of the traitor Hyeok Ryeon-eung, Shim Wol, who was fed an artificial inner core, became a slaughter demon killing innocents.
And those facts were revealed by Bu Eunseol.
At the time, Jin Seol ignored Bu Eunseol’s advice and consideration, trying to turn Shim Wol’s heart.
But it only increased the number of innocent victims.
Ultimately, she stepped down from his position and entered the Sacred Demon Pavilion with the Demon Emperor.
Staying hidden, handling minor tasks.
“Have you been well?” Awkward air flowing, Bu Eunseol asked after her.
“Thanks to you.” Jin Seol nodded calmly, moving thin lips.
“You said urgent business.”
“Yes. I came knowing the Demon Emperor is in seclusion.”
“The Demon Emperor is not here.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyebrows shot up. The Demon Emperor, said to be in seclusion, was not actually here?
Then the seclusion was fake?
“Go into the office.” Jin Seol said something unexpected. “He permitted your entry.”
“What does that suddenly mean?”
“The Demon Emperor knew the Command Lord would visit soon.” Jin Seol said in a clear but low voice, “And if the Command Lord came, he said to show his office. That it would have the answer.”
Clench.
Bu Eunseol’s fist tightened.
The Demon Emperor.
He still knew Bu Eunseol’s actions and even predicted his behavior.
In the past, he might have suspected some great spell. But now, with Spirit Regulation Harmony achieved, he was free from any spiritual attack.
That left two possibilities.
The Demon Emperor fully grasped Bu Eunseol’s actions and affairs, or…
‘Or he predicts all my thoughts and actions.’
Which was true, he couldn’t know now.
“I see. Thank you.” Swallowing bursting questions and anger, Bu Eunseol passed the guest hall with a calm expression.
The Demon Emperor’s office.
Only the Ten Demonic Sect Lords, Chief Instructor, or the Vice-Lord of Majeon—those of extremely high status and long-sharing martial world talks over drinks—could enter alone.
Creak.
Bu Eunseol opened the door and entered without hesitation.
He expected luxurious, ornate furnishings befitting the Demon Emperor’s residence, with an elegant atmosphere. But the office before him had little difference from the office of any other senior executive.
The only difference: ten times larger than usual, with bookshelves packed tight—ten times more.
Too vast, perhaps?
No trace of the natural body scent that should linger while people stay.
‘Strange.’
Approaching the desk, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
The Demon Emperor had an unremarkable old man’s face, not large in build. Yet the desk and chair were perfectly sized for Bu Eunseol, over six cheok tall.
‘As if used by someone else.’
Was it to sow confusion?
Possible.
The Demon Emperor had never easily revealed anything to Bu Eunseol; their conversations always ended in confusion.
Even now, the desk and chair sizes alone created various confusions for Bu Eunseol.
“Or is he revealing that he uses another identity?”
The Divine Mountain Sage’s true identity was presumed to be the Heavenly Emperor.
So another identity for the Demon Emperor was not particularly surprising.
Staring at the desk, Bu Eunseol noticed scattered letters.
“Is he telling me to read them?”
Few letters reached the Demon Emperor directly because Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon handled most affairs.
Bu Eunseol boldly opened the letters and read them.
“What…”
His eyes widened before he could even look at a few of them.
Because it contained completely unexpected content.
“The Ten Demon Warriors Plan.”
He bit his lip.
“Are we doing this again?”
The Ten Demon Warriors Plan was to gather outstanding prodigies regardless of master or sect, teaching the Ten Demonic Sects’ ultimate arts.
Through this, Bu Eunseol became Nangyang Pavilion’s disciple and Majeon’s heir.
Yet Majeon still gathered prodigies and confined them.
They conducted life-and-death duels to verify talents in all fields.
However, unlike the Ten Demon Warriors Plan…
The only difference was that instead of teaching the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects and selecting a successor, he taught the martial arts of Majeon and became a direct martial artist under the sect.
“So that’s why Manbak Hall Lord traveled outside the passes so often.”
According to the letters, the plan’s overseer was Baek Jeoncheon. He had replaced the former Chief Instructor Hyeok Ryeon-eung, conducting these slaughter tournaments to select prodigies.
“Why.”
Bu Eunseol’s pupils shook.
Why leave letters with such content?
If known, Bu Eunseol would surely oppose it.
“No, from the standpoint of the Majeon, how could they possibly object?”
The Ten Demon Warriors Plan had, in the end, produced outstanding results.
They had realized that a martial artist’s ability could not be measured by physical strength alone—
and they had discovered the exceptional prodigy known as Bu Eunseol.
That fact alone was enough. From the perspective of the Majeon, this was every justification to continue holding such tournaments.
“This isn’t something that can be resolved immediately.”
If it’s not a matter that can be dealt with right away, there's no need to dwell on it. Besides, since this plan was personally supervised by the Demon Emperor, it shouldn’t be carelessly tampered with.
It was an issue to be brought up later, at a Grand Demon Council, when the leadership convened.
“Hmm.” A strange intuition suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Did the Demon Emperor place this book on his desk merely to have him see the Ten Demon Warriors Plan?
Impossible.
The Demon Emperor was not such a simple man.
He was one who valued what was unseen over what was visible, and deeply despised and distrusted anyone who tried to hand him the truth.
Bu Eunseol was certain that the mismatched height of his desk and chair, and even this Ten Demon Trials plan resembling a massacre, were not the full message he intended to convey.
—“Seek it out. The truth must be found by your own hands.”
Once again, the Demon Emperor had given Bu Eunseol a test.
It was maddening. Exhausting.
But he had to endure it.
He still couldn’t defeat him.
Not in martial skill, not in power, not in influence or subordinates, not with any of the cards he held.
“...Haa.” Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol carefully surveyed his surroundings.
There was no need to summon the Empty Mind Commander.
The Demon Emperor knew him far too well, as if he were a parasite in his gut, he understood every one of his abilities, from the first to the last.
That meant this wasn’t a test of his skills. It had to be part of a process designed to lead him toward the result he wanted.
“Even if I do find something... it’ll either be something he planted, or a truth that only deepens the confusion.”
The Demon Emperor was a being who embodied chaos.
Even within a single, simple truth, he could layer countless lies.
With just one spoken word, he could create a riddle unsolvable even after years had passed.
“Nothing.”
No matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find what the Demon Emperor was trying to tell him.
If anything, his confusion only grew deeper.
Could it be that he wanted him to halt the Ten Demon Warriors Plan? Or perhaps to uncover the dual identity he’d hidden until now?
What was it that he truly wanted?
As his mind grew clouded, an image of his grandfather suddenly surfaced.
For Bu Eunseol, who couldn’t even remember his parents’ faces, his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang, was his one and only pillar of support, his refuge.
“Grandfather...”
As his gentle smile came to mind, Bu Eunseol unconsciously recalled the Buddhist scripture he kept close to his chest.
“A scripture...?”
Then he noticed something strange.
Among the books lined up in the Demon Emperor’s study, wasn’t this one that looked remarkably similar to the very text his grandfather had annotated himself?
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