Bu Eunseol swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing visibly.
‘It’s entirely possible.’
It was widely known that the Martial Venerable and the Heavenly Emperor, Shin Domubi, were close friends.
If that were true, he must have entered this Heaven and Earth Pavilion office numerous times.
He would either know of the secret passage here or, even if he didn’t, could have discovered it easily.
‘Then is the corpse in the Ice Jade Pavilion truly the Heavenly Emperor?’
Bu Eunseol closed his eyes and imagined the scenario.
Shin Domubi had gone into seclusion due to an unexpected accident or injury.
The Martial Venerable then used the secret passage installed in Heaven and Earth Pavilion to bring him below and place him in the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Pavilion.
For the sake of maintaining stability in the Orthodox Faction amid the great chaos that would follow, the Martial Venerable had been pretending to be the Heavenly Emperor all this time, fulfilling the role of Alliance Leader.
The Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic.
The term did not simply refer to the foremost masters of the demonic and orthodox paths.
It meant that two figures capable of reshaping the martial world had emerged simultaneously—one from each side.
In other words, the current peace in the martial world was being maintained only because these two absolute beings stood side by side.
But what if the Heavenly Emperor had died from an unforeseen accident or ambush?
That would be reason enough to conceal it.
‘The Demon Emperor?’
The only person capable of killing the Heavenly Emperor was the Demon Emperor.
‘No, that can’t be.’
If he had killed the Heavenly Emperor, he would have proclaimed it to the entire martial world.
Even if the Heavenly Emperor were dead, it wouldn’t mean the Demon Emperor was responsible.
‘Then who on earth?’
Anyone capable of killing the Heavenly Emperor could just as easily slaughter the Three Demons and Three Venerables.
Excluding the Demon Emperor, no such absolute expert existed in the current martial world.
‘For now, let’s set aside the idea that the Heavenly Emperor is dead.’
Bu Eunseol sank into deeper thought.
‘Then is the Divine Mountain Sage the same person as the Martial Venerable?’
The Divine Mountain Sage had long been renowned as the greatest wise man in the martial world, and his actions were completely different from the Martial Venerable’s.
Yet there was credibility to that deduction.
After all, every figure who dominated the martial world until now had possessed another identity.
Even Bu Eunseol himself.
‘The Martial Venerable and the Divine Mountain Sage—haven’t they both enjoyed fame for a very long time?’
When Bu Eunseol had encountered the Divine Mountain Sage at Shaolin long ago, he couldn’t understand why a great master who managed the world like the Alliance Leader would create a fictitious persona called the Divine Mountain Sage.
But if the Alliance Leader was the Martial Venerable?
Then possessing the identity of the Divine Mountain Sage wouldn’t be so strange.
To maintain the position of Alliance Leader, there would be many matters that needed handling under a different identity.
‘But even if he hid this out of fear of the Demon Emperor… it’s excessive.’
Bu Eunseol stared blankly into the void.
No matter how terrifying the Demon Emperor might be, concealing the death of the Orthodox Faction’s foremost master for over a decade and installing the Martial Venerable as Alliance Leader? It was simply unbelievable.
‘Then perhaps this wasn’t orchestrated by the entire Alliance.’
Judging from the traces of the Solitary Enlightenment Hall, at most two people had passed through.
If the Alliance leadership had planned to hide the Heavenly Emperor’s death, more people would have been involved, and it would have been handled far more thoroughly.
‘Surely not the Demon Emperor…’
In that moment, Bu Eunseol realized there was one other person besides the Demon Emperor who could kill the Heavenly Emperor.
The Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang.
If it was that unparalleled swordmaster, he could have killed the Heavenly Emperor.
‘Is that why Grandfather was learning the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra?’
Did Grandfather kill the Heavenly Emperor and seize the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra?
Then how could Mu Gyeol, disciple of the Divine Mountain Sage, use the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra?
Could the Divine Sage have learned it from the Heavenly Emperor long ago?
‘In the end, the answer lies with the Divine Mountain Sage.’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
‘But he will never agree to meet me again.’
Uncovering the truth would face a massive obstacle.
The Divine Mountain Sage would refuse to see him, and even if Bu Eunseol found him, there would be no way to confirm whether he was the Martial Venerable.
Moreover, with the Divine Sage’s abilities? Even if he were the Martial Venerable, he could fabricate hundreds of pieces of evidence to refute or deny it.
‘Then the most plausible explanation is that the Heavenly Emperor handed over the Alliance Leader position to the Martial Venerable for some reason, and the Martial Venerable possesses the identity of the Divine Mountain Sage.’
That was the most rational conclusion Bu Eunseol could reach.
Yet even this had flaws.
If the Heavenly Emperor had installed the Martial Venerable as his shadow, there would be no need to place a fake corpse in the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Pavilion and cover it with bizarre mechanisms.
‘In any case, it’s none of my concern.’
When he thought about it, he had come to the Martial Alliance to uncover the truth behind the Three Realms and exact revenge.
The state of the martial world’s politics or the truth about the Heavenly Emperor was none of his business.
‘Let’s head back.’
Whether the Alliance Leader was the Martial Venerable or whoever the Divine Mountain Sage was, he had no responsibility to concern himself with how the Orthodox Faction operated.
Even if he learned the full story, nothing would change.
His only desire was revenge.
***
Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion.
Upon receiving the report that Seon Woojin had discovered and entered traces of the storage warehouse, Gongsun Dankyung let out a deep sigh.
“This isn’t the outcome I wanted.”
Surprisingly, Gongsun Dankyung had long known about the secret passage in the storage warehouse that Bu Eunseol discovered.
She had been constantly monitoring whether anyone was using it.
“The elder said that the only person besides himself who could discover that passage is someone who has mastered the Heon Won Bright Sword Technique.”
That was because she was one of the few who knew the Alliance Leader was not the real Heavenly Emperor.
The greatest reason she had become Chief Inspector at such a young age was precisely because she knew the true identity of the man playing the role of Heavenly Emperor and served as his aide.
“What is the probability that Captain Seon discovered the secret passage by chance?”
“None.”
Her adjutant, Seong Ryeong, shook his head.
“He guaranteed that even the greatest master of this era could never find the secret passage without knowing the changes in true energy.”
“If there were any probability, it would mean Captain Seon has mastered the Heon Won Bright Sword Technique and possesses inner energy exceeding three hundred years.”
“Exactly. Even ignoring the inner energy, it’s absolutely impossible for him to have learned the Heon Won Bright Sword Technique.”
“Impossible…”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes flashed.
“No. If it’s him, it’s possible.”
“Pardon?”
“He has always accomplished things everyone swore were impossible.”
As she continued in a low voice, her eyes narrowed sharply.
“Investigate Captain Seon’s activities over the past three months.”
“Captain Seon’s movements are on a level that even the Mankyeong Hall couldn’t track. As a man from an intelligence corps, he erases his traces perfectly.”
“Nonsense. They can be found.”
“How?”
Gongsun Dankyung gave a faint smile.
“Because I can collect the debt from the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
In the past, to deal with Hyeok Ryeon-eung, Bu Eunseol had borrowed Gongsun Dankyung’s intelligence network.
After much consideration, she had granted the request.
And since Bu Eunseol was someone who always repaid his debts, temporarily using his intelligence network was hardly an unreasonable demand.
“If even combining the intelligence networks of both Orthodox and Demonic factions fails to find anything…”
“Then there’s no need to investigate further. He would truly be a member of the Three Realms.”
“Do you trust Captain Seon that much?”
“Trust?”
Gongsun Dankyung wore an enigmatic smile.
Seong Ryeong looked puzzled, and she spoke in a low voice.
“If you believe in sweet words like that, you won’t last long in this line of work.”
Cold energy seemed to flow from Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes. The sight was so frigid and ruthless that Seong Ryeong unconsciously swallowed.
“Contact the Martial Soul Command Lord and request all traces of major figures they uncovered over the past three months.”
“Understood.”
Seong Ryeong bowed and quietly left the office.
Bu Eunseol received strange news from Tae Muryong.
Gongsun Dankyung had demanded, as repayment for the previous debt, that he disclose all traces of individuals investigated by the Death Spirit Corps over the past three months.
‘She certainly spends big.’
Obtaining all information gathered by the Death Spirit Corps over three months meant combining Gongsun Dankyung’s intelligence power with that of the Death Spirit Corps for that period.
It would allow her to grasp every event in both Orthodox and Demonic factions over those three months, along with the movements of key figures.
‘She must be plotting something.’
Bu Eunseol could sense it instinctively.
Gongsun Dankyung had made this demand with some purpose in mind.
Moreover, there was no reason for her to need the traces of every single person over three months.
She had clearly set the three-month timeframe to obtain information on a specific individual.
‘No choice.’
Gongsun Dankyung had taken great risks to help him.
Even if she demanded something far greater, he could never refuse.
“In my opinion…”
Despite Bu Eunseol blocking sound with steel energy, Tae Muryong spoke in an extremely quiet voice.
“The Chief Inspector may be suspecting you, my lord.”
Tae Muryong constantly monitored the information and trends flowing into the Martial Alliance alongside the Supreme Corps members.
He had intuited that what Gongsun Dankyung was watching was not outside, but inside the Alliance.
“It’s possible.”
When Bu Eunseol agreed, Tae Muryong cautiously added, “Since we don’t know what she’s scheming, perhaps we should refuse to provide the information.”
He continued, “The Chief Inspector is an unpredictable person. This could come back as something fatal later.”
Bu Eunseol gazed out the window for a moment.
Gongsun Dankyung. They were on the same boat, but there was still no trust or faith between them.
To Bu Eunseol, trust meant at minimum the belief that the other would not stab him in the back.
But if Gongsun Dankyung still harbored hidden intentions? If she continued to suspect him endlessly?
‘It can’t go on like this.’
As Chief Inspector, Gongsun Dankyung held an extremely high position.
If a woman as intelligent as her kept suspecting the person known as Seon Woojin, the end would be ruinous.
If he wished to remain on the same boat as her, there needed to be at least a minimum level of mutual ‘faith.’
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, Tae Muryong spoke with worry, “Shall I have the men secretly spy on the Chief Inspector’s pavilion?”
“No, there’s no need.”
Gongsun Dankyung was not only exceptionally clever but also possessed the ability to deeply understand people in a short time.
In other words, she would have already grasped the character of Seon Woojin.
‘Since Seon Woojin is part of me…’
As Bu Eunseol sank into deep thought, his eyes suddenly flashed.
‘So that’s it.’
Having faintly grasped Gongsun Dankyung’s intentions, he spoke.
“Inform the Death Spirit Corps to grant Gongsun Dankyung’s request. Tell them to provide whatever information she wants, without limit.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
“Gongsun Dankyung is a woman of outstanding wisdom.”
Bu Eunseol looked firmly at the worried Tae Muryong.
“If this is indeed suspicion toward me, then there’s no longer any reason to remain in the Martial Alliance.”
“In that case…”
“If the situation turns unfavorable, leave the Alliance immediately.”
Bu Eunseol had already thoroughly retrained the Supreme Corps members in preparation for unavoidable circumstances or sudden exposure of his identity.
He had prepared multiple ways for them to quickly escape the Martial Alliance and rejoin him if needed.
“Understood.”
“And… I’m sorry.”
Bu Eunseol wore an apologetic expression.
Using the Alliance’s Supreme Corps intelligence network to communicate directly with the Death Spirit Corps in Majeon was, from Bu Eunseol’s perspective, like gaining wings—but for Tae Muryong and the men from the Orthodox Faction, it was tantamount to treason.
“Never say such a thing.”
Tae Muryong gave a faint smile.
“We are no longer warriors of the Martial Alliance.”
The Supreme Corps members existed solely as Bu Eunseol’s subordinates. They had completely abandoned any notion of being Alliance warriors.
Instead of replying, Bu Eunseol smiled.
For the sake of these men who showed only loyalty and sacrifice, he needed to rise quickly and become someone untouchable by anyone.
A few days later.
Having thoroughly examined the information on individuals provided by the Death Spirit Corps, Seong Ryeong reported the results to Gongsun Dankyung.
“Nothing particularly unusual, but…”
Handing over the thick book, Seong Ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“Something extremely strange was discovered.”
Gongsun Dankyung quickly scanned the book.
“Hmm.”
“Why the Martial Soul Command Lord… I don’t understand how he connects to Captain Seon.”
The book Seong Ryeong brought contained proof that Seon Woojin was linked to the Martial Soul Command Lord—and even fatal evidence suggesting he was a Majeon spy.
If Seon Woojin and the Martial Soul Command Lord had some relationship, the Death Spirit Corps would never have handed over such information.
“I see.”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled faintly.
“This allows me to be certain.”
“Certain of what?”
“Seon Woojin.”
Pausing briefly, she continued coldly.
“He is not a spy of the Three Realms but a man of ability far beyond my expectations.”
“Even with this evidence? His movements even overlap with the Martial Soul Command Lord’s.”
“Of course.”
Seong Ryeong blinked in confusion. “Then you’ll just let this information pass?”
“Of course not.”
Gongsun Dankyung wore a sweet smile.
“I need to make this a very big issue—one that every elder in the Alliance will know about.”
“Pardon?”
“Captain Seon believes he cleared all suspicion from the previous Yeon Jagang framing, but in reality, it’s different. He is still under the scrutiny and suspicion of the Three Realms.”
“That’s true.”
“But with this incident, Captain Seon will perfectly prove his innocence… and from now on, not only the Three Realms but no one in the Alliance will ever be able to suspect him again.”
Seong Ryeong could not understand.
With such perfect evidence, she intended to make it so Seon Woojin could never be suspected by anyone again?
“I don’t understand at all. Are you saying Captain Seon deliberately created this evidence?”
Seong Ryeong blinked wearily.
“To do that, he would have needed to manipulate even Majeon’s intelligence network provided by the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
“Well… since he’s the one who secretly connected me to the Command Lord… perhaps it’s possible.”
Muttering softly, Gongsun Dankyung spoke calmly.
“Immediately leak the information we obtained to the Elder Council.”
“The Elder Council… Ah, I see.”
After a blank expression, Seong Ryeong nodded, realizing her intent.
“The Three Realms spies embedded in the Alliance are likely among the leadership… so the Elder Council’s intelligence network would reach their ears fastest.”
“Exactly.”
Even she, as Chief Inspector, still couldn’t distinguish all the Three Realms informants within the Martial Alliance.
Because the roots the Three Realms had sunk into the Alliance were far too deep.
They were like rotting pus that gushed out with a foul stench the more one dug.
“They won’t miss the chance to bring down Captain Seon if they have information.”
“But if you do this, Captain Seon will never follow you again.”
If he learned that Gongsun Dankyung leaked this information?
Even if all misunderstandings were cleared, Seon Woojin would never remain under her.
“Nonsense.”
Gongsun Dankyung smiled faintly.
“This is one step toward truly making him mine.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s the first faith I show Captain Seon.”
Seong Ryeong could not understand.
Yet he believed it would turn out that way.
Gongsun Dankyung’s predictions had never once been wrong.
As her title suggested, she was the craftiest person in the world.
***
Ascendant Martial Hall, Yuk Jangcheon’s office.
Yuk Jangcheon had halted all work and was gazing across with an odd expression.
Yuk Cheongah was seated at the reception table opposite him.
“What brings you here?”
Yuk Jangcheon smiled faintly.
Yuk Cheongah coming here was a good sign. She would never visit unless the situation was beyond her.
“Have you heard the rumor?”
“Rumor?”
Contrary to Yuk Jangcheon’s expectations, Yuk Cheongah had not brought good news.
“The rumor that Captain Seon has been summoned to the Elder Council.”
Yuk Jangcheon’s eyes narrowed.
Recently, there had been talk—stemming from the Elder Council’s request, or more precisely from the Serene Jade Hall Leader—that Captain Seon was once again being summoned to the Tribunal.
But Yuk Jangcheon hadn’t paid it much mind.
The Serene Jade Hall was a small division under the Elder Council that handled expense settlements when leaders of organizations below Hall Leader level went out into the martial world.
“Well, Captain Seon is wealthy to begin with, so he might not care about expenses.”
“You misunderstand. Do you think the Serene Jade Hall would summon him over embezzling public funds?”
Yuk Cheongah spoke in a soft voice.
“For reference, Captain Seon has never once claimed reimbursement from the Alliance for his expenses while out in the martial world.”
“So?”
“If the Serene Jade Hall Leader is personally stepping in, there must be something solid.”
“Hmph.” Yuk Jangcheon shook his head. “It hasn’t been long since something similar happened, yet they’re repeating it.”
He looked up at Yuk Cheongah.
“Hall Leader Yong Myeong and Yeon Jagang tried the same and ended up ruined. I wonder how many times they need to suffer before they learn.”
“Your faith is impressive.”
“Cheongah.”
Yuk Jangcheon smiled faintly.
“I know how clever my daughter is and how much you can discern. But there are things only age can teach.”
He lacked his daughter’s brilliant mind.
But he possessed judgment born of experience and the ability to gauge a person’s worth.
“There are times when even ninety percent odds aren’t enough to predict victory. But Captain Seon… is someone who can overturn the outcome even with ten percent odds.”
“Quite the faith.”
“Faith? Hardly.” Yuk Jangcheon curled his lips. “Your father can simply see it. How extraordinary Captain Seon is. How exceptional a man he is.”
Yuk Cheongah smiled coldly.
“Don’t you ever consider that with those abilities, he might betray you, Father?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Yuk Jangcheon smiled faintly.
“I’ve long suspected that Captain Seon has been handling various matters with Chief Inspector Gongsun.”
Yuk Cheongah couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“You knew and left him alone?”
“Because he’s useful. And no matter what he does, I’m confident now.”
Yuk Jangcheon spoke calmly.
“If I lacked even that ability, your father would have lost his life in the martial world long ago.”
Yuk Jangcheon chuckled lowly.
“Do you know why the Nine Heavens Society betrayed me? Because they wanted to stab me in the back but lacked the ability.”
Yuk Cheongah took a deep breath.
She had thought him simple and stubborn.
A hot-tempered man who couldn’t control people.
But in truth, he was an old monster with hundreds of cunning serpents inside.
“And my faith includes you as well.”
A cryptic statement.
After pondering for a while, Yuk Cheongah narrowed her eyes into crescents.
“Then we’ll be able to see each other again soon.”
Instead of answering, Yuk Jangcheon drew a smile on his lips.
It was a smile remarkably similar to the one on Yuk Cheongah's face.
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