Yuk Cheongah’s face flushed as red as if it were about to burst.
The man who had always treated her with indifference, Seon Woojin… had actually taken a liking to her?
And on top of that, he had boldly conveyed those feelings directly to Yuk Jangcheon?
“As I thought.” Yuk Jangcheon let out a deep sigh.
Yuk Cheongah was not only gifted with outstanding intelligence, but she was also someone who showed no interest whatsoever in the opposite sex.
Moreover, as a strategist with a temperament that coldly assessed every situation, she should have immediately recognized how absurdly false the claim was—that Seon Woojin had come to her and confessed his affections.
Yet here she was, blushing and flustered?
Yuk Jangcheon could not hide his disappointment.
“…It was a lie.”
Only after seeing Yuk Jangcheon’s disappointed expression did Yuk Cheongah realize she had been deceived.
“Why did you tell such a lie?”
“Because you know better than anyone that Captain Seon is not the type of man to say such things.” Yuk Jangcheon spoke with a solemn expression. “Captain Seon told me this: if even the slightest personal feelings were involved between you and him, it could lead to endless suspicion in matters concerning the Commander… going forward.”
In that instant, Yuk Cheongah’s complexion turned icy.
To use the affection she harbored as a means to avoid reasonable suspicion?
‘Gongsun Dankyung.’
Yuk Cheongah bit her lip.
Though Seon Woojin was known for his exceptional intellect, he was not the sort of person who would manipulate emotions like affection to put others in a difficult position. If so… then all of this must undoubtedly have been orchestrated by Gongsun Dankyung’s instructions to Seon Woojin.
“Hmm.” Yuk Jangcheon, watching the flustered Yuk Cheongah, let out another deep sigh.
“For the time being, cut off all interest in Captain Seon and focus solely on the affairs of Lotus Hall.”
“Father.”
“Do it.” Yuk Jangcheon spoke firmly, as if driving in a nail. “Or else bring another man like Captain Seon before my eyes.”
After gnawing on her lips for a long while, Yuk Cheongah turned on her heel without a word of farewell and left the secret chamber.
“Hmm.” Watching her depart, Yuk Jangcheon shook his head.
He had long known that Yuk Cheongah harbored great ambition. He even knew that elevating him to the position of Ascendant Martial Lord was not out of paternal affection, but rather to secure an ally who could replace the Southern Sea Divine Nun.
“But in the end, isn’t a daughter still just a daughter?”
The child who had seemed destined to chase power her entire life.
Upon encountering an outstanding and exceptional man, she was gradually awakening to a romance.
Of course, that was perfectly natural.
However, for someone with grand ambitions, one must not turn their eyes to matters of the heart. The emotion called love clouds the eyes and ears, becoming a tremendous obstacle to the path ahead.
“If this father becomes a Commander and then the Martial Alliance Leader, that should suffice.”
Muttering softly to himself, Yuk Jangcheon shook his head bitterly.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he picked up his brush and ink and resumed writing his letter.
***
“Your dreams have grown too large, Father.”
Meanwhile, outside the Ascendant Martial Hall, Yuk Cheongah’s eyes sank coldly.
“You’ve forgotten who put you in that position.”
From her perspective, Yuk Jangcheon was not an affectionate father.
He had never been a family-oriented man to begin with, and after her mother passed away early from illness, he threw himself even more into the affairs of the martial world. Especially upon discovering that Yuk Cheongah possessed peerless talent in martial arts, he reached out to countless renowned martial artists to find her a master.
This was not for Yuk Cheongah’s future, but merely a strategy to further expand the influence of the Nine Heavens Society at the time. In the end, Yuk Jangcheon entrusted Yuk Cheongah to the Martial Alliance Elder, the Southern Sea Divine Nun.
This was not because he favored her, but because she offered the most benefits and support.
It was akin to selling a fine commodity to the highest bidder.
“Originally, he would have been chased out by close friends and subordinates, wandering the martial world in misery.”
Had the Southern Sea Divine Nun not suddenly passed away, she would never have allowed Yuk Jangcheon into the Martial Alliance.
But with a shortage of backing and forces to lead her to the throne of Empress…
Out of necessity, she had summoned Yuk Jangcheon and used him as her stepping stone.
However, when the Martial Heaven Commander abruptly left the Martial Alliance, Yuk Jangcheon’s dreams grew in tandem.
Finally acquiring a man of exceptional intellect and ability in Seon Woojin, and gaining confidence that he could become a Commander, he no longer kept her in his considerations.
“Surely you didn’t think I summoned you to the Martial Alliance out of blood ties.” Yuk Cheongah’s gaze, as she looked up at the Ascendant Martial Hall, sank coldly.
“I believed you would be an excellent stepping stone for me as well. But…” Turning away, she shook her head. “No matter how I think about it, you seem more like an obstacle than a stepping stone.”
Yuk Cheongah took a deep breath.
Her father, Yuk Jangcheon, was a skilled strategist. But his overwhelming lust for power and his failure to read the hearts of his subordinates were his flaws.
If her intuition was correct, Seon Woojin had already aligned himself with Gongsun Dankyung.
In the end, the two of them would become obstacles to her in the future.
“No helping it.”
Yuk Cheongah had lived in the Martial Alliance since childhood. In this place rife with schemes and plots, she had survived and continually achieved merits.
To her, the betrayal of a trusted subordinate was nothing.
“I had hoped not to use this method if possible.” Shaking her head, Yuk Cheongah smiled faintly.
“Commander Gongsun, you will greatly regret choosing Captain Seon.”
With a faint smile, she strode forward confidently.
Seon Woojin was certainly a fine pawn.
But she had an even better one prepared.
None other than the mighty pawn known as the Golden True Dragon, Baek Museong.
***
Two days later, Bu Eunseol headed to the Myriad Goods Store House in Henan with Gongsun Dankyung.
Originally, they had planned to visit on the day they met Bu Eunseol, but various urgent matters remained, so the schedule had been slightly delayed.
Buzz, buzz.
The Myriad Goods Store House in Henan was unusually crowded.
This was because all the past complaints about the errand boys had completely vanished.
To become a formal errand boy at the Myriad Goods Store House, one had to receive necessary training in customer service and knowledge of the goods sold. In return, a certain level of salary was paid even during training, and upon becoming a formal errand boy, one received generous pay and various benefits incomparable to an inn’s waiter.
As a result, not only neat and clever young men from the vicinity, but even successful waiters from inns, were all applying to become workers at the Myriad Goods Store House—an extraordinary phenomenon.
And all of this was thanks to Bu Eunseol’s advice.
“There are certainly more customers than before.” Gongsun Dankyung, surveying the interior of the Myriad Goods Store House, exclaimed in admiration.
It had been quite crowded in the past as well.
But now, it was truly packed with no room to step, filled with people inside.
“As Captain Seon suggested, we expanded facilities for children, and indeed, family customers have increased significantly.”
Gongsun Dankyung, veiled with a face cloth, narrowed her eyes slightly.
Thanks to Bu Eunseol’s advice, the Myriad Goods Store House’s sales had grown more than three times compared to before. And that also meant Gongsun Dankyung’s position as Commander was solidified, with her influence growing.
Wealth is power, after all.
“Shall we start by purchasing a sword?”
Even with the face veil, her joyful expression seemed visible.
Buried in work every day… she appeared excited to finally go out.
‘Ugh.’ In contrast, Bu Eunseol felt like dying from discomfort.
With every step, the gazes of the Star Guard Corps secretly escorting the Commander and the experts from the Silver Moon Hall continuously followed and scanned his body.
‘At least they trust me to some extent.’
Places like the Myriad Goods Store House, crowded with people, were extremely difficult to guard. Thus, unless there was an absolute necessity, the Star Guard Division did not permit such outings.
If something went wrong, the Star Guard Division would bear full responsibility.
But after the subjugation of the Heaven-Human Cult, Bu Eunseol—recognized as the next-generation successor—stayed close by, so the Star Guard Division Leader had shown some flexibility.
“There’s a counter selling weapons over there.”
Unlike a typical blacksmith, the weapon section of the Myriad Goods Store House was decorated like an elegant teahouse. The items displayed on the counters were all weapons forged from refined steel, and treasured swords were exhibited on the inner pedestals.
“I’ve come to look at swords. Could you recommend one?” At Gongsun Dankyung’s words, the errand boy pointed to the counter with a polite expression.
“How about this one?”
The one recommended by the errand boy was a very sleek blue-steel sword.
“If you purchase it now, we’re offering a black dragon scabbard made by the No Clan's Ironworks for just ten taels.”
Bu Eunseol smiled bitterly.
They had trained them in everything from customer service to sales strategies. He was subtly recommending purchasing the blue-steel sword along with the No Clan's Ironworks scabbard.
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
Gongsun Dankyung opened her eyes wide and examined the blue-steel sword.
As a master of formations and an outstanding strategist, her knowledge of weapons was also excellent.
“The density and balance are excellent. It seems crafted by a skilled artisan.”
“Hmm.”
“Why? Is it not to your liking?” Gongsun Dankyung blinked and said. “The hardness, toughness, ductility, uniformity… everything is quite good, isn’t it?”
“The sword itself is fine.” Bu Eunseol replied calmly. “However, a weapon isn’t necessarily good just because it’s sturdy and sharp.”
“Just sturdy and sharp?”
“To make the sword’s appearance flashy, they drew the blade too long. As a result, the hilt has also become correspondingly longer.” Bu Eunseol lightly pressed the blade and examined the side. “The sword techniques I use mainly employ agile counter-moves, so I need a light and long sword. But this blue-steel sword is sturdy yet too heavy and overly large in form.”
“Ah, I forgot that Captain Seon doesn’t use orthodox Central Plains swordsmanship.”
Seon Woojin was a practitioner of external odd arts. Gongsun Dankyung had momentarily overlooked that.
“Then is there no sword here that suits you?”
“For now, it seems this place only has swords suitable for Central Plains swordsmanship. I’ll have to come back later for weapons.”
“You’re picky when it comes to choosing weapons.” Gongsun Dankyung said with sparkling eyes. “But what if I absolutely ordered you to buy a sword? To use this one.”
An unexpected question.
Perhaps she was curious about the values or thoughts of Seon Woojin—a man who had risen to first-class chief in the Martial Alliance not from an orthodox martial family, but from the upper merchant world.
Or maybe she still suspected he was a spy sent by another faction and was probing.
“Weapons are like trusted friends to whom you entrust your life, so I cannot compromise with anyone. But if the Commander gives an order…” After a moment of thought, Bu Eunseol stated firmly. “Since it’s an order, I would use this sword.”
“Is that so?”
“Do I have to use this sword?”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled sweetly. “Not at all. I was just asking.”
Afterward, Bu Eunseol thoroughly explored the Myriad Goods Store House with Gongsun Dankyung. Now that he thought about it, buying him a weapon had been an excuse; she simply seemed to want some fresh air.
‘No, that’s not it.’
Though it appeared she was browsing the store, Gongsun Dankyung kept asking Bu Eunseol various things, or seeking his opinions and listening repeatedly.
And she was closely observing Bu Eunseol’s reactions.
Like Gongsun Dankyung, Bu Eunseol had risen to a high position at a young age and was very accustomed to managing subordinates.
‘She wants to know about me.’
Finally, Bu Eunseol realized.
The reason Gongsun Dankyung had brought him to the Myriad Goods Store House under the pretext of a sword was to quickly learn about him.
She had promised to elevate Bu Eunseol to the Martial Heaven Commander, and that process would be unimaginably intense.
Tasks that others took over a decade to accomplish would need to be handled in a short time.
To do so, he would have to face many powerful enemies and manage numerous affairs.
Thus, Gongsun Dankyung needed to thoroughly understand not only Bu Eunseol’s martial arts and intellect, but also his temperament, personality, habits, and characteristics… down to every detail.
Only then could she utilize the person called Seon Woojin in the right place at the right time.
But understanding a person takes a great deal of time.
Therefore, instead of taking a long time to get to know each other, Gongsun Dankyung was creating various situations and observing how he reacted, rapidly increasing her understanding of the person called Bu Eunseol.
That was why she sometimes treated Bu Eunseol warmly, like a friend of decades, and at other times, with the stern demeanor of a commanding officer.
‘That means she’s going to give me another major task.’
As Bu Eunseol fell into deep thought, Gongsun Dankyung, having finished touring all the stores, said, “I’m thirsty. Let's go have some tea.” and headed to the tea house inside the Myriad Goods Store House.
Seven Immortals Teahouse.
The Seven Immortals Teahouse, secretly managed by Weiji Hyesang, heir to the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, had also opened a branch in the Myriad Goods Store House.
‘Though the owner has changed now.’
When the Seven Immortals Teahouse was exposed by Bu Eunseol, Weiji Hyesang gave up operations and sold it cheaply.
The head of the Buyong Merchant Group immediately acquired it.
“Being in a tea house like this reminds me of when I briefly inspected the Hangzhou branch. Back then…”
Seated, Gongsun Dankyung chattered endlessly.
Since this was a private room sealed on all sides, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to sit and listen to her stories. As he pretended to listen attentively, she grew even more excited and freely badmouthed the senior members of the Martial Alliance without restraint.
‘Comfortable.’
While chattering, Gongsun Dankyung also felt a strange thought.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze appeared respectful, yet on the other hand, it was indifferently desolate.
Of course, “indifferent” was an expression from a rational perspective. Gongsun Dankyung herself had received attention and admiring gazes from countless men since childhood due to her beautiful appearance.
Whether young children or elderly men, not a single one had ever sent her a gaze devoid of curiosity or affection.
But this man was sending her a gaze of perfect indifference, like an enlightened monk.
‘Could he have practiced being a monk?’
Impossible.
Even if one practiced being a monk, it only meant not touching women.
It didn’t make one indifferent to all things like practicing the Cold Heart Art.
‘What am I thinking right now?’ Gongsun Dankyung inwardly shook her head.
She was not someone with the leisure to concern herself with matters between men and women. Perhaps because she had received a perfectly indifferent gaze for the first time in a while, unnecessary thoughts had arisen.
“Captain Seon.” Erasing the stray thoughts from her mind, Gongsun Dankyung whispered to Bu Eunseol. “With Captain Seon’s abilities, you can block sound with qi, right?”
‘Now for the main point.’
Realizing at last that Gongsun Dankyung was about to assign him a task, Bu Eunseol gathered his internal energy.
Hummm.
As a transparent aura spread from his body in all directions, external sounds were completely blocked.
“It is blocked.”
“Good.” Removing her face veil, Gongsun Dankyung said with sparkling large eyes. “I’ve paid a hefty advance, so it’s time to start working, don’t you think?”
She had proposed aligning with Bu Eunseol, promising the position of first-class captain.
And as promised, he not only gained the first-class chief position but also the reward of entering the Grand Phoenix Tournament.
In other words, the investment had been successful, and now she intended to reap the fruits abundantly.
“Of course.”
When Bu Eunseol replied, Gongsun Dankyung spoke seriously. “Let me say it again: now that you’ve joined hands with me, betrayal is pointless. Whether Captain Seon is from an external force or anything else—if I fall into the abyss, you will fall with me.”
“I know.”
“This mission won’t be easy either. But I believe Captain Seon can handle it well.”
“Give me your orders.” As Bu Eunseol replied calmly, Gongsun Dankyung took a deep breath.
“Please make contact with the heir of Majeon, the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Intense color flashed in her eyes.
“I need to meet him.”
Bu Eunseol could not hide his surprise. Gongsun Dankyung wanted to meet him? Had she perhaps figured out his true identity?
“You mean meet the heir of Majeon?”
“Yes.”
In Gongsun Dankyung’s clear eyes was not suspicion, but sincere light.
She was not doubting the identity of the man called Seon Woojin; she truly intended to meet Bu Eunseol, the heir of Majeon.
‘So that’s why she said betrayal is pointless.’
Bu Eunseol nearly let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
Gongsun Dankyung had placed not only herself but Bu Eunseol as well on a single-log bridge where one wrong step would send them plummeting into the abyss.
“No.” Bu Eunseol stated firmly. “If we do such a thing, not only I but the Commander will face consequences beyond bearing.”
If a promising captain of the Martial Alliance secretly contacted the heir of Majeon?
And if the reason for the contact—that Commander Gongsun Dankyung desired the meeting—were revealed?
Seon Woojin and Gongsun Dankyung could instantly be branded as spies.
“I told you.” Gongsun Dankyung smiled faintly. “It wouldn’t be easy.”
Her smile was beautiful, but to Bu Eunseol’s eyes, it looked like a water ghost dragging him into the depths.
“Do you absolutely have to meet him?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“Why do you want to meet him?”
This was also a question Bu Eunseol himself was curious about, not just as Seon Woojin.
“He has done quite a few righteous deeds, unlike previous demonic practitioners. He eliminated sects kidnapping children and forces creating puppets.”
A flash passed through Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes.
“Martial Soul Command Lord Bu Eunseol. He probably knows of the existence of the Infinite Realm. And he likely opposes them.”
Bu Eunseol was greatly shocked but asked without showing it. “Are you thinking of cooperating with a demonic figure to strike the Infinite Realm?”
“Well...”
“If that’s the reason, you absolutely must not meet.”
“Why is that?”
“The risk is far too great. Just the fact of contact becoming known would cause the Commander to lose everything built up until now.” Bu Eunseol strongly dissuaded her.
Since he had aligned with Gongsun Dankyung, if she sank, Bu Eunseol would sink too.
“No, even attempting to meet could frame the Commander unjustly in a situation with no rebuttal.”
“Captain Seon.” Gongsun Dankyung wore a calm yet firm expression. “Did you think there would be an easy, safe, and comfortable path to eliminating the secret organization controlling the martial world?”
Her voice seemed to carry a chilling frost.
“There is none. You can only fight by staking your life.”
The moment their gazes met, Bu Eunseol felt as if his hairs stood on end.
It was a sharp and desperate gleam he had never seen in her expressions before.
Grudge, vengeance.
Gongsun Dankyung harbored a deep grudge against the Infinite Realm.
‘Just why?’
Gongsun Dankyung was not opposing them for the justice of the martial world.
She held a venomous grudge against the Infinite Realm and, for revenge…
She was risking her life to bring them down.
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