The Martial Alliance was plunged into successive waves of shock.
It had not been long since Baek Museong was crippled and forced to leave the Alliance in disgrace. Yet now, Yeon Jagang—who had been all but expelled from the Ascending Martial Hall—was revealed to have fabricated evidence in an attempt to brand the Captain of the Supreme Branch, Seon Woojin, a spy.
Fortunately, thanks to the courageous confession of the Supreme Branch’s Vice-Captain, Tae Muryong, the injustice was prevented before it could take root.
Even so, the mere fact that a warrior belonging to the Alliance had been so consumed by hatred that he resorted to forging evidence and attempting to punish an innocent man was shocking enough to shake everyone to the core.
“This incident was not Yeon Jagang’s lone act.”
Before the first shock could subside, an even more explosive rumor began circulating from the Tribunal.
“There is someone behind Yeon Jagang.”
A man demoted to the Blue Spirit Pavilion like Yeon Jagang had neither the authority nor the means to bribe or threaten the Vice-Captain of the Supreme Branch. Realizing this, the Tribunal immediately began intensively investigating who that hidden mastermind might be.
Soon it was uncovered that Yeon Jagang had repeatedly met with Yong Myeong, the Lord of the Dragon Coiling Hall, and that Yong Myeong himself had requested the Hall Leaders’ Assembly on Yeon Jagang’s behalf at the behest of Buk Ri-seong.
Of course, none of this constituted hard evidence.
After all, Yong Myeong had merely arranged the meeting at Yeon Jagang’s request—nothing more.
Yet… what if some secret deal had existed between Yong Myeong and Yeon Jagang?
What if they had colluded from the very beginning to frame Seon Woojin?
If so, Yong Myeong could never escape punishment.
However, neither the self-confessing Tae Muryong nor the exposed Yeon Jagang would say a single word about the person behind them. Because of their silence, the Tribunal’s investigation hit a wall for quite some time.
Supreme Branch, Seon Woojin’s office.
Bu Eunseol, seated at his desk, wore a dazed expression, still reeling from the impact.
There had been only one instance—just once—when, in extreme haste, he had entrusted Tae Muryong with disposing of a letter.
And yet Tae Muryong had discovered the oil stain on that letter and, all this time, pretended not to know?
Moreover, Yeon Jagang had suspected him all along.
To gather proof, the old man had deliberately accepted demotion to the Blue Spirit Pavilion and inspected every single letter addressed to Seon Woojin.
‘Have I been underestimating human obsession and grudge?’
Yeon Jagang’s actions were nothing less than a vivid demonstration of how far a person’s tenacity and resentment could reach.
‘I have been too indifferent.’
At his core, Bu Eunseol was of the Demonic Path.
He had always considered the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps his true subordinates.
Since he himself was someone who would eventually leave, even if the people of the Martial Alliance swore loyalty, he felt only apologetic toward them—nothing deeper.
Yet Tae Muryong, knowing full well that he was a demonic spy, had served him unwaveringly.
He had even sacrificed his own position and honor, devising a grand scheme to topple both Yeon Jagang and the one lurking behind him in one stroke.
All of it solely for Bu Eunseol’s future.
So that Bu Eunseol would never again be suspected as a spy.
‘I was the one who was wrong.’
The warriors of the Supreme Branch, too, followed him with the same blind loyalty as the Death Shadow Corps subordinates.
Yet Bu Eunseol had worried only about their futures, deliberately turning away from the sincere hearts of Tae Muryong and the others who offered him their unwavering devotion.
“Captain, it is Jeong Jongdo.”
At that moment, Jeong Jongdo’s voice came from beyond the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened at Bu Eunseol’s calm reply, revealing Jeong Jong-do’s deeply worried face.
Despite the Alliance being turned upside down and Tae Muryong currently undergoing interrogation in the Tribunal, the Captain sat at his desk handling paperwork with unnerving composure. That was why Jeong Jong-do had come, unable to contain his concern.
“What will happen to the Vice-Captain now?”
No matter how courageously he confessed in the end, the fact remained that he had attempted to frame someone with fabricated evidence. Even if he escaped formal punishment, the stain on his name would remain; Tae Muryong could never stay in the Supreme Branch after this.
“Shouldn’t we at least visit him once?”
When Bu Eunseol did not answer immediately, Jeong Jong-do pleaded earnestly.
“The Vice-Captain was merely deceived by that treacherous old fox Yeon Jagang. He is not the kind of man who would truly betray you, Captain.”
“Whether to forgive or not is hardly the issue,” Bu Eunseol replied in a calm, steady voice. “The Tribunal is still investigating, so I was told we may neither meet him nor interfere.”
He spoke calmly, yet his expression was dark.
Only then did Jeong Jong-do realize that the Captain was just as worried as he was.
“I apologize. I came barging in and said unnecessary things.”
“No, it’s fine. And don’t worry.” Bu Eunseol gave a reassuring smile. “I have already requested both the Sixth Elder Hall Leader Yuk and Commander Gongsun to ensure the Vice-Captain receives the lightest possible punishment.”
“Even the Commander?”
“Yes.”
“I see…”
Jeong Jong-do’s face lit up.
Commander Gongsun Dankyung, who was also the Chief Inspector, stood above even the other Seven Commanders in the hierarchy—one of the highest authorities in the Alliance. If she intervened, Tae Muryong would certainly escape severe punishment.
‘Yet why does the Captain still look so grave?’
Unaware of the complicated emotions swirling within Bu Eunseol, Jeong Jongdo bowed deeply.
“I am truly sorry, Captain.”
“For what?”
“For speaking thoughtlessly without understanding your heart.”
“It’s all right.” Bu Eunseol answered serenely. “We will know once the Tribunal’s investigation concludes, but the Vice-Captain will not face heavy punishment.”
“Understood!”
Unlike when he entered, Jeong Jongdo left the office beaming.
Yet Bu Eunseol would soon come to regret his composure.
If he had truly understood Tae Muryong’s loyalty, he should have extracted the man from the Tribunal by any means necessary and heard his true feelings.
He had also failed to fully grasp the true nature of the Martial Alliance.
Unlike the Majeon, where power and authority reigned supreme, the Alliance flew the banner of upholding justice.
He had naïvely believed they would at least observe minimal procedure and righteousness.
In truth, the Martial Alliance was a place even more rife with schemes and treachery than the Majeon—a place where anything could be done to maintain power.
Bu Eunseol had momentarily forgotten that fact.
***
“The Tribunal has begun investigating the Dragon Coiling Hall Leader.”
Once more, ominous rumors swept through the Alliance.
Yong Myeong, who had long competed with the Ascending Martial Hall Leader, was now pointed to as the mastermind behind the framing incident.
“It was merely a meeting born of personal acquaintance!”
Yong Myeong vehemently insisted that his encounters with Yeon Jagang had been nothing more than that.
But no one could take such claims at face value.
A man demoted to the Blue Spirit Pavilion would have no reason to hold repeated private meetings with a high-ranking leader like the Dragon Coiling Hall Leader.
In the end, the fire reached Yong Myeong’s feet.
If it were proven that he stood behind Yeon Jagang, his moral standing would be irreparably damaged, and any hope of ascending to the Martial Heaven Commander position would vanish forever.
Dragon Coiling Hall, Victory Cry Pavilion—Yong Myeong’s office.
“Because of that insane bastard Yeon Jagang!”
Crash!
The inkstone on the table flew and shattered against a pillar.
Yong Myeong, trembling with barely-contained rage, had hurled it himself.
He had believed that little rat’s words—that toppling Yuk Jangcheon would be easy—and gone along with the plan, only to trap himself in his own scheme.
“This cannot go on.” Yong Myeong clutched his head.
If the Tribunal’s investigation continued and their joint plot was exposed, he could never escape punishment.
“Yeon Jagang turned out to be surprisingly tough,” his aide Yak Heum cautiously remarked. “Even while being interrogated in the Tribunal, he refuses to say anything that would harm the Hall Leader.”
“Tough? Don’t make me laugh.” Yong Myeong snorted. “That rat Yeon Jagang simply understands the power structure far too well.”
“…”
“He knows dragging this Hall Leader down with him like a drowning ghost would gain him nothing, so he keeps his mouth shut.”
“Wise words indeed.”
Yak Heum’s expression grew grave as he continued.
“The real problem is Tae Muryong.”
“Tae Muryong?”
“Yes.” Lowering his voice, Yak Heum said, “Among the things he confessed was receiving a document from Yeon Jagang implicating the Hall Leader.”
“A document? Didn’t he say Yeon Jagang destroyed the document himself and only handed over the empty envelope? And that everything written was solely Yeon Jagang’s responsibility?”
“According to Tae Muryong, there is another document.”
“What? That cannot be.” Yong Myeong bit his lip. “If such a document existed, the Tribunal would have imprisoned me immediately instead of repeatedly summoning me for questioning.”
“That is what I thought as well, but… I cannot shake this unease.” Yak Heum spoke carefully. “Was he not the man who completely deceived even Yeon Jagang and arranged for the forged evidence to be opened during the Hall Leaders’ Assembly? He is not someone who would fail to calculate such things.”
“Hmm.”
“He may be claiming another document exists precisely because he knows you would not face severe punishment for it.”
“Are you saying he might be weaving this together with some other incident to drag me completely into the abyss?”
“Exactly.”
Yong Myeong let out a low groan.
Unless Tae Muryong had lost his mind, he was not the type to spout empty threats. As Yak Heum suggested, this could be a stepping stone in a larger plan to destroy him.
“Hm.”
After a long moment of thought, Yong Myeong spoke in a low voice.
“First, secretly summon the Supreme Corps Captain, Seon Woojin, to the Everlasting Violet Hall.”
“Seon Woojin?”
“I need to confirm whether Tae Muryong’s backer is Seon Woojin or Yuk Jangcheon.”
“And if Sixth Elder Hall Leader Yuk is involved…”
“It does not matter.”
Yong Myeong’s face turned utterly sinister.
“One thing is certain: Tae Muryong is a man loyal to Seon Woojin. And Seon Woojin knows it. A master cannot turn his back on a subordinate who sacrificed himself for his sake.”
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
“He will not easily let go of Tae Muryong’s lifeline.”
Yak Heum swallowed hard.
In short, Yong Myeong intended to threaten Seon Woojin with Tae Muryong’s life and bury the entire affair.
“Where else would one find such a loyal subordinate?”
Though the plan displeased him, Yak Heum forced a smile and flattered.
“Knowing that, Seon Woojin will surely move exactly as the Hall Leader predicts and try to save Tae Muryong’s life.”
“Heh heh heh.”
Yong Myeong nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Summon Seon Woojin at once, in absolute secrecy.”
Murderous intent, blue and frigid, leaked from Yong Myeong’s eyes. The blazing, lamp-like glare and the sharp, piercing aura were enough to raise goosebumps even on Yak Heum, who had served him for years.
“Understood.” Bowing, Yak Heum hurried out.
As the sun slowly sank toward the horizon, two figures stood side by side in front of a mountain hermitage near the western gate of the Martial Alliance.
Bu Eunseol and Yong Myeong.
After exchanging formal greetings, they gazed at the burning sunset.
“The ways of nature are truly profound,” Yong Myeong said in a low voice, eyes fixed on the crimson sky. “A sun that blazes so fiercely seems to vanish, yet the next morning it rises again.”
He turned to Bu Eunseol.
“Human life is the same. It burns brightly, then dies out—only to burn once more. It turns and turns again like that.”
Then, even lower: “My own affairs are no different. It seems about to die out, yet it will burn again. That is simply how it goes.”
“I do not understand what you mean.”
When Bu Eunseol feigned ignorance, Yong Myeong spoke plainly.
“Because of your subordinate, this Hall Leader finds himself in considerable difficulty.”
His voice turned kind, almost paternal.
“I was deceived by Yeon Jagang’s words and met him only once. When he thrust evidence at me, I merely requested the assembly on his behalf to the Vice Leader—that is all.”
Yet a sharp light flashed in his eyes as he continued.
“But your subordinate is using that as leverage to threaten me, as if I orchestrated everything.”
“If what the Hall Leader says is true, will the Tribunal not reveal everything in due course?”
“You do not seem to grasp my meaning.” Yong Myeong’s face darkened. “If someone interferes with the natural cycle of burning bright and dying out, the fury of heaven itself may pour down. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Though he spoke in circles, it was unmistakably a threat.
“It sounds to me as though you are saying my subordinate cannot remain safe.”
“How sad that you hear it that way. Do I truly seem such a brute to you?”
Yong Myeong abandoned all pretense.
“I am telling you that anyone who touches this Hall Leader’s ire will vanish without a trace.”
“How shocking,” Bu Eunseol replied calmly, his eyes reflecting the sunset like crimson jewels. “That a Hall Leader would say such a thing.”
“Captain Seon. This Alliance is a place where only the strong survive.”
Yong Myeong’s voice was icy.
“Surely you do not still believe this Alliance exists solely to uphold justice and do what is right?”
“…”
“As the master of an intelligence unit, you of all people should know better than anyone.”
To prevent any evasion, Yong Myeong drove the point home.
“How many people disappear without a sound the moment they back the wrong side?”
Of course Bu Eunseol knew.
When he had returned after brokering peace with the Yeolha Palace as a third-rank Captain, the Alliance had once sent hidden assassins under the pretext of investigation.
“Hall Leader,” Bu Eunseol said, staring straight into Yong Myeong’s eyes, “there is only one thing I know for certain.”
“Whether a martial artist or commoner, anyone who touches a man’s family never meets a good end.”
“What did you just say?”
“My subordinates are my family. If anyone lays a hand on them, I will never stay silent.”
Yong Myeong burst into incredulous laughter. “Hah! It seems you still fail to understand me.”
“Perhaps it is the Hall Leader who fails to understand me.”
A deep, dark light spread from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Let me say it once more. If anyone touches my subordinates—even if it is the Alliance Leader himself—I will not stay silent.”
An overwhelming aura rose from his body.
It was not the aura the world knew as Seon Woojin’s, but the true, terrifying killing intent of Bu Eunseol.
Through this conversation, Bu Eunseol had confirmed it:
Yong Myeong was not merely ambitious—he was an extraordinarily cruel man.
That was precisely why Bu Eunseol had deliberately released his aura as a warning, making it clear he would tolerate no tricks.
“You…”
Startled by the pressure, Yong Myeong could not finish his sentence.
The aura Bu Eunseol had just displayed rivaled that of Baek Museong, once called the disciple of the Buddha Venerable.
Had Yong Myeong known that this was only half of the true power residing in that body, he would have leapt in horror.
‘So this is the extent of his strength.’
As Yong Myeong stood blinking in shock,
“If you have nothing more to say, I shall take my leave.”
Bu Eunseol cupped his hands politely and bowed.
But when he raised his head, his sharp gaze pierced Yong Myeong once more—an unmistakable reaffirmation that every word he had spoken was deadly serious.
Step… step…
Watching Bu Eunseol walk away unhurriedly, Yong Myeong suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
“Heh heh heh! Ha ha ha ha!”
Though the laughter seemed to mock the younger man’s audacity, Bu Eunseol did not look back as he left the Everlasting Violet Hall.
“Now I understand why Commander Baekri coveted him so, and why Sixth Elder Hall Leader Yuk protects him so fiercely.”
Yong Myeong shook his head regretfully as Bu Eunseol’s figure grew distant.
“No choice, then.”
The martial world may value strength above all, but the Martial Alliance was different.
Here, power gathered upon power and organizations upon organizations formed a grand alliance.
No matter how extraordinary one’s individual ability, nothing could be accomplished alone.
“Yak Heum,” Yong Myeong called toward his aide standing at a distance, eyes fixed on the far horizon.
“Contact them.”
“It is better to nip a sprout before it grows.”
Like all leaders of great organizations, Yong Myeong had connections to certain groups that handled inconvenient matters when they arose.
Those groups controlled countless spies and factions even within the Martial Alliance.
And for anyone whose interests aligned with theirs, they would do anything.
The Three Realms.
If it was them, they could make two men disappear without leaving the slightest trace.
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