“Listen carefully.”
Yoo Unryong spoke with a grave expression.
“Since the Command Lord instructed me to tell you all the truth before the expedition anyway… it seems the time has come.”
He let out a sigh and continued in a low voice.
“There are no more spies among us, after all.”
“What do you mean?”
When Won Semun’s eyes widened, Yoo Unryong calmly explained everything about the Three Realms.
Except for Wi Cheongyeong, Won Semun and Jo Namcheon were utterly shocked, staring at each other with mouths agape.
The Infinite Realm—to which Hyeok Ryeon-eung had belonged—cultivated Human Flowers and created the puppets.
The Clear River Realm dominated people through brainwashing and the Returning to One Realm sought to restore experts from previous generations.
The ones who had attacked Bu Eunseol and clashed with him repeatedly until now had been dominating the martial world without cease for over five hundred years, possessing power that was practically equivalent to supreme overlords of the martial world—strength beyond imagination?
Gulp.
The two swallowed hard, as if turned mute.
Then Wi Cheongyeong asked,
“So the Command Lord pressured the Chief Instructor by citing his nominal position?”
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
“Pressure? Hardly. The Command Lord merely met with Lady Jin.” He smiled faintly. “The one who resides in the Sacred Demon Hall where the Majeon Lord stays, and can converse freely with him without restraint.”
“Lady Jin…”
Only then did the captains understand everything.
Bu Eunseol had read the Majeon Lord’s intentions through Jin Seol and upon hearing that news, the Chief Instructor could not place restrictions on Bu Eunseol’s actions.
He knew all too well why he remained in the position of Chief Instructor.
Even if a great war between righteous and demonic factions were to erupt, he could not sanction Bu Eunseol, who was striking the Infinite Realm for the sake of the demonic martial world.
“But would the Chief Instructor yield for that reason alone?”
At Jo Namcheon’s question, Won Semun quickly answered, as if he had grasped it all.
“The Martial Soul Command Lord is the demonic path itself, is he not? Yet when it comes to dealing with an enemy that has long threatened him, the Chief Instructor has no justification to interfere.”
Yoo Unryong wore a bitter expression.
“Of course, that is part of it. But there is a greater reason.” He paused briefly and sighed. “If the Command Lord sweeps away the Infinite Realm, it might even be something the Chief Instructor would welcome with open arms.”
The captains all nodded, as if convinced.
The Chief Instructor, Yeop Hyocheon, was not a man who purely served Majeon; there was a high chance he had a foot in one of the other Three Realms as well.
“Then what remains is the great war between righteous and demonic factions.” Wi Cheongyeong said with a deep breath. “To strike a place like the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest, war with the righteous martial world is inevitable.”
Yoo Unryong nodded faintly.
“Indeed. Nothing but a direct clash.”
It was none other than the Infinite Realm’s main base.
They would not simply watch as Bu Eunseol invaded.
Even assuming intervention from the imperial palace had been somewhat blocked… a collision with the righteous martial world was unavoidable.
“But why send only the Blood Martial Corps? Against a force of that scale… even if all ten demonic sects mobilized, it would not be enough.”
At Won Semun’s words, Yoo Unryong smiled.
“That is precisely the Command Lord’s scheme. From the beginning, that place cannot be taken by force alone.”
And Yoo Unryong continued his explanation once more.
***
—Wipe out the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest in one fell swoop!
Bu Eunseol, leading the Blood Martial Corps including the Death Shadow Pavilion, immediately headed for the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.
The unit, moving without pause, soon reached the border of Hubei.
Before them, vast troops were firmly entrenched.
It was the forces of the Martial Alliance’s Divine Might Corps.
Majeon and the Martial Alliance.
The two great corps of the righteous and demonic paths were now facing off across the Hubei border.
Clop, clop.
Then, a path opened among the Martial Alliance forces, and a figure in white robes rode out on horseback.
It was the Divine Might Corps Lord, Baek Incheong.
Clop.
In response, the Blood Martial Corps parted, and Bu Eunseol, also on horseback, rode to the center of the plain and stopped before Baek Incheong.
“I am Baek Incheong, Lord of the Divine Might Corps.”
“I am Bu Eunseol, the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
The two exchanged light greetings.
Seeing the upright light in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Baek Incheong nodded, recognizing that he was not tainted by the demonic path.
“There is a nickname calling you Righteous Within Demonic. As I have heard, you possess an upright aura.”
Yet, as if unable to comprehend, Baek Incheong asked, “But why on earth are you committing this absurd act of attacking the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest?”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“The Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest has not only killed countless martial artists and common folk until now, but it is also the very culprit behind manufacturing Human Flowers and creating the puppets.”
“Hah.” Baek Incheong spoke evenly. “I know that you have never once committed an unrighteous act until now. That is why the Alliance, just in case, thoroughly investigated the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.”
“…”
“Yet there was no trace of such evil deeds anywhere in the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.”
Baek Incheong said with a serious expression.
“The Alliance’s investigation team was composed of the finest individuals, and I myself participated in it.”
As Bu Eunseol remained silent, Baek Incheong’s gaze sharpened slightly.
But soon he softened his expression and spoke calmly.
“For that reason alone, could you not cease this affair?”
In terms of status, position, and age, Baek Incheong was superior to Bu Eunseol.
Thus, his attitude and words showed considerable respect toward Bu Eunseol.
“I do not doubt Lord Baek’s abilities. However, they have long taken root in the martial world and conceal their identity in ways beyond imagination.”
Bu Eunseol cupped his hands respectfully toward Baek Incheong.
“Please allow the forces I lead to station themselves at the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest. If you grant only that, I will prove everything to you.”
Baek Incheong let out a low groan.
Allowing Majeon’s large army to cross into Hubei was absurd.
If they settled not at the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest but at a key point in Hubei?
It would be a disaster the Martial Alliance could not handle.
“Must blood be shed?”
Baek Incheong wore a regretful expression.
“If the two great units clash head-on, the damage will be uncontrollable.”
“I share that sentiment.” Bu Eunseol stated firmly. “Yet I believe stopping the evil deeds of the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest—which has disrupted the martial world for generations—takes priority.”
“Then negotiations have broken down.”
Baek Incheong’s eyes finally turned fierce.
“Do not forget. This entire incident was caused by you.”
“Of course. And I shall advise once more with utmost courtesy.”
Madness gleamed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Excuses of ignorance after it is over will not work. Withdraw your forces now, before your men are harmed.”
He declared resolutely.
“Unless you wish to pay reparations you cannot bear.”
“Hahaha!”
Baek Incheong laughed heartily, then abruptly stopped.
“I look forward to it.”
The two turned their bodies simultaneously.
In the end, Majeon’s corps and the Martial Alliance’s corps would clash directly.
***
Upon the altar of a dimly lit grand hall, where faint lanterns weakly pushed back the darkness, stood the Heavenly Deity—formed of black liquid contained within a hemispherical metal—and the Special Divine Rank knelt before him.
“Bu Eunseol appears to have truly lost his mind.”
The Special Divine Rank, the Spirit-Sensing Master, spoke.
“Using the area near Akju as a starting point, he is relentlessly pressing attacks to break through the Martial Alliance’s front lines.”
What the Infinite Realm had feared most was that Bu Eunseol might feign battle to buy time or employ some other scheme.
Yet he was clashing head-on with the Martial Alliance forces like a fearless madman.
Though he inflicted no great casualties thanks to superior tactics and strategy, it was clear he was fighting with full force to breach the defensive lines.
“Soon, an imperial edict will be sent to Majeon.” The Spirit-Sensing Master continued calmly. “Pressure has been applied through the Empress Dowager, so in about six days, the imperial army will reach here.”
Majeon had yet to break through the Martial Alliance’s defenses, and the imperial army would arrive in Akju within six days.
In other words, unless their forces entered the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest within six days, Majeon would have no choice but to withdraw.
Moreover, since Bu Eunseol sought to annihilate a benevolent medical institution that aided the common folk, he would face condemnation from the entire martial world and sanctions from the imperial family.
There would be no place left for him to stand.
[Among all he has done until now, nothing has been ordinary.]
Sharp eyes formed in the Heavenly Deity’s silent shadow.
[Especially the moment one feels at ease, he always strikes the back of the head with an unexpected scheme. It is best to prepare everything perfectly.]
Gazing briefly at the mysterious characters moving on their own across the ceiling, the Heavenly Deity spoke.
[Move this lord’s dharma body to the secret ground.]
The Infinite Realm had established an unknown main base to nest in, and further created a final hidden refuge—the secret ground.
Should the main base be exposed, they had prepared a perfect safe zone to retreat into.
Since taking root in the martial world, despite orchestrating countless affairs, the reason their main base had never been discovered was precisely because the moment even a hint of exposure appeared, they unhesitatingly retreated to the secret ground and repeatedly re-established roots elsewhere.
[And as a precaution…]
The Heavenly Deity issued another low command.
It concerned the Infinite Realm’s ultimate safeguard and final trump card—one that would prevent even the entire martial world from daring to attack if they resolved to do so.
“I shall make the arrangements.”
As the Spirit-Sensing Master bowed his head, the Heavenly Deity smiled faintly.
[Let us show the world once more what happens when one touches this realm.]
The Heavenly Deity did not overestimate his abilities and never underestimated anyone.
No matter how outstanding Bu Eunseol was, this time, he would inevitably fall into a deep abyss from which there was no escape.
***
The Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest was by far the largest among the renowned medical institutions of the martial world.
Thus, it bustled with patients flocking from all over the Central Plains.
Countless herbs and supplies were needed, so merchants and herb gatherers constantly came and went through the main gates.
Rumble.
Then the west gate opened, and sturdy men carrying a large palanquin exited the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest.
Since many high-status figures visited, palanquins coming and going were commonplace.
To anyone watching, it was nothing unusual.
Yet one of the palanquins that left the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest suddenly sped out of the city,
Whoosh.
Soon racing through the sky at tremendous speed, as if flying.
Its stealth was ghost-like, its velocity like a shooting star.
Whooosh.
After running day and night, it arrived near Cheon-eum Mountain in Jangshan.
This place had once been a thriving village where herb gatherers lived, but after a great plague thirty years ago, it had become a complete ghost town.
Swish.
The men leading the palanquin entered the ruined village without hesitation.
Rumble.
One of them manipulated something at a blocked well in the village center, causing a low vibration to echo from the ground.
Suddenly, in the courtyard of a collapsing manor, a secret underground passage appeared.
Clank, clank.
At the same time, the village’s layout shifted slightly.
A thick gray fog began enveloping the outskirts, preventing outsiders from peering in.
This plague-stricken village was equipped with astonishing mechanisms and formations.
Swish.
The clothes of those disguised as palanquin bearers melted away, transforming into garments engraved with mysterious patterns.
They were all Special Divine Ranks of the Infinite Realm.
As the passage opened, with a click, the palanquin door swung wide.
Yet at that moment,
“For the lair of the Infinite Realm, it is rather shabby.”
Along with a low voice, a shadow slowly emerged from the gray fog.
It was a man in black martial robes, with stern eyes and a draconic presence.
Bu Eunseol.
“I was growing tired of waiting.”
Slash!
He reached out and split the palanquin, revealing a transparent glass tube inside.
Within it sat an old man in lotus position and black liquid contained in a hemispherical metal.
The old man, eyes tightly shut, wore an incongruous heroic headband on his forehead, his skin withered like dead wood.
It was none other than the master of the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest, known as the Medicine Immortal—Ilmongja.
“You are sustaining a rotting corpse with a great method.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words,
Bzzz.
The black liquid spread outside the glass tube.
Behind the Special Divine Rank standing in front, a black shadow formed.
It was the Heavenly Deity.
“And using that pitch-black substance to command your subordinates.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, sharp eyes formed in the Heavenly Deity’s shadow.
[So that was it.]
Originally, Bu Eunseol should have been fiercely commanding battles against the Martial Alliance front lines.
But in reality, he had concentrated all intelligence networks on the Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest and waited, predicting that the Heavenly Deity, preparing for any contingency, would once again relocate his residence.
[They said he called the successors of the ten demonic sects—yet this was his plan from the start.]
“Well…”
[You discerned this lord’s true form in the meantime?]
“I did not know. However.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a relaxed expression.
“Would a person like you remain idle even if certain of easy victory? Naturally, you would prepare repeatedly.”
The Heavenly Deity’s rippling shadow nodded.
[Indeed. You know this lord well.]
Bu Eunseol asked with an incredulous expression.
“Why persist to that extent? Your body already seems unusable.”
[I merely suffered energy deviation while researching the secret of eternal life. It cannot be called unusable.] The Heavenly Deity replied indifferently. [But with no way to resolve the deviation, I have maintained this form—that is all.]
“While stealing the life force of others?”
Bu Eunseol instantly perceived that the black liquid in the glass tube was created from human life force.
It had been the same in the Ancient Sword Forest.
[Impressive.]
White teeth formed in the Heavenly Deity’s shadow.
[You were always clever.]
He knew Bu Eunseol well.
Not only possessing great wisdom and insight, but immense patience, never acting impulsively.
And since he had revealed himself so boldly, he clearly possessed corresponding strategies and information.
[Correct. Unable to use my flesh, I moved through Black Divine Energy.]
Ilmongja possessed medical skills worthy of being called the Medicine Immortal and had researched the secret of eternal life with them.
But in the end, a failed attempt led to energy deviation, rendering his body immobile.
Yet he did not despair and instead, in that state, he cultivated a forbidden great demonic method to preserve his body.
With the aid of Human Flowers, which could contain life force, he could wield powerful martial prowess even as a spirit body.
“Rather than treating the poor and sick, you experimented to save your own flesh.”
[The poor and sick live comfortably here—it benefits them. And this lord can absorb their life force—it benefits me. Is it not good for both?]
At the Heavenly Deity’s brazen reply, Bu Eunseol sighed deeply.
The one praised as the Medicine Immortal was merely a murderer obsessed with eternal life, having slaughtered countless common folk.
“Disappointing. You spoke of protecting the martial world, yet in the end, your goal was eternal life?”
[Hardly.]
A white mouth formed in the Heavenly Deity’s shadow.
[The Returning to One Realm, which would undo the Three Realms, must be stopped, and the rise of forces yet unseen on the surface must also be prevented.] The Heavenly Deity said, [Without this realm, the martial world itself could not have endured until now.]
“Protected from what, exactly?”
When Bu Eunseol asked, the Heavenly Deity’s shadow shook its head.
[You need not know that much.]
“So you can continue the Infinite Realm’s evil deeds?”
[Bu Eunseol.]
The Heavenly Deity spoke in an utterly solemn voice.
[You do not know this realm’s truth.]
“Truth?”
[You must feel it by now as well—that not all lives are equal.]
Whenever the Heavenly Deity’s black shadow rippled, it seemed the sky darkened.
[Do you know why livestock like pigs and cows are born?]
When Bu Eunseol did not reply, the Heavenly Deity continued.
[They are born from the beginning to be used and eaten by humans. The fish in rivers, the fruits growing beneath trees—all the same.]
“So you massacre common folk at will?”
[It is not massacre. The common folk you speak of are no different.]
The Heavenly Deity’s voice grew louder.
[The vast majority of common folk filling the world are merely beings born to submit to the strong like us.]
“Heh heh heh…”
Bu Eunseol lowered his head and chuckled.
Then, looking to the sky, he burst into loud laughter.
“Hahaha!”
It was absurd.
Until now, he had held at least a sliver of expectation toward the Three Realms.
Because forces that had not fully revealed themselves truly existed.
They had spoken so much of protecting the martial world that he had thought perhaps, beyond the Three Realms, there were unseen forces in the abyss.
He had believed they possessed some other truth.
But to think they claimed to be chosen by divine beings and dominated the world with the logic that only they were superior.
“With such rotten convictions…”
Bu Eunseol felt both emptiness and rage.
“What exactly are you protecting?”
Even if the Three Realms had until now tried to safeguard the martial world from some force and even if they had sacrificed people for noble reasons, in the end, it was all utterly meaningless.
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