Murmur, murmur.
The captains gathered in the secret chamber attached to Bu Eunseol’s office constantly whispered among themselves as they glanced around.
They had never dreamed that such a hidden room existed within the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
—A secret chamber like this in the Lord’s office, which he frequented day and night.
The fact that such sophisticated mechanisms had been installed inside the Suppressed Demon Pavilion without anyone noticing sent chills down their spines.
“There is something I must say first.”
Once all the captains had assembled, Bu Eunseol spoke in a solemn voice.
“The Three Realms have taken root within our pavilion. Since they can easily recruit people whenever needed, we have always had to remain cautious.”
All the captains nodded.
Though none of them had been recruited by the Three Realms, even Myo Cheonwoo—one of Bu Eunseol’s closest confidants—had fallen prey to the schemes of Weiji Hyesang and become a spy, leaking information from the Death Shadow Corps.
“Of course, the Three Realms may approach any of you at any time in the future but I have decided not to worry about such things any longer.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“Because you are my people.”
Calling them “my people” was a common phrase superiors used for subordinates.
Yet when Bu Eunseol uttered those words, something warm and sticky seemed to well up in their chests.
Because it was another way of saying “family.”
—We are the Lord’s family.
Even when upset or disappointed, family offers unconditional support no matter the circumstance.
Though they shared no blood, Bu Eunseol had accepted his subordinates as family.
Thus, even if they became spies or, through mistaken judgment, harmed him…
He had resolved not to blame them but to bear it.
Because they were family.
“There’s no need for such expressions.”
Bu Eunseol sighed deeply as he looked at the moved faces of the captains.
“The ones who should be asking forgiveness first are not you—but me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Won Semun’s eyes widened.
The Lord had always handled everything perfectly and cherished his subordinates like his own children—why would he ask forgiveness from them?
‘Moreover…’
Unlike usual, he had referred to himself as “I.”
Did that not mean he was speaking not as a superior, but as one person to another?
“For a long time, I infiltrated the Martial Alliance and operated there.”
Bu Eunseol gazed at the captains and calmly continued.
“The Supreme Pavilion Lord Seon Woojin, who recently rose to Hall Leader rank in the Martial Alliance—that is me.”
Those already aware, like Yoo Unryong and Soyo, remained calm.
But the captains of the Death Shadow Corps, who had not known, widened their eyes as if to tear them.
“What do you mean? The Lord is a Hall Leader of the Martial Alliance?”
When Won Semun asked, Jo Namcheon added,
“If it’s Seon Woojin… isn’t he the Martial Alliance figure who dealt with the Fist King, rose to the Four Gods and Seven Kings, and became a candidate for Martial Heaven Division Commander?”
“Correct.”
“Hahahaha.”
Won Semun burst into laughter as if he had lost his mind.
“Come on, how does that make sense? Unless the Lord has some cloning art.”
Jo Namcheon chimed in.
“Exactly. It doesn’t add up at all. When Seon Woojin was most active, the Lord was here with us.”
“No cloning art was needed.”
Bu Eunseol nodded toward Seo Jinha, who sat to one side.
Crack.
Seo Jinha immediately transformed his appearance into Bu Eunseol’s exact likeness.
The captains’ eyes grew even wider.
The Face and Bone Shifting Art artificially adjusts muscles and bones to alter one’s face.
Thus, while changing the face was possible, creating an identical appearance and aura to another person was extremely difficult.
Especially for the Death Shadow Corps captains, who had shared hardships with Bu Eunseol for so long—they would inevitably sense something off no matter how perfect the disguise.
Yet Seo Jinha had practiced hundreds, thousands of times.
He was indistinguishable from the real Bu Eunseol.
“So you trained Captain Seo for a long time and took turns operating on both sides.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Correct.”
In that instant, the air in the secret conference room grew heavy as lead.
Those present were true-blooded demonic path members and what demonic path members despised most were bats—spies who flitted between sides.
The superior they had believed to be a pure demonic path figure from Nangyang Pavilion, to whom they had pledged life-like loyalty…
Had been shuttling back and forth to the Martial Alliance, acting as a spy.
It was unbelievable.
—Mmm.
Half a ke passed, yet no one rashly spoke.
From their standpoint, it would not matter if Bu Eunseol were a vicious great demon but the fact that he had entered the Martial Alliance, carried out missions under its orders…
That was something they could never accept.
“Why did you do it?”
After a long silence, Wi Cheongyeong spoke in a choked voice.
“The Lord would have no reason to covet power. There must have been a cause.”
“I sought the enemy who killed my grandfather.”
Bu Eunseol explained everything.
How the grandfather who had taken in the orphaned boy was Bu Zhanyang, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, and how he had lived with him from childhood, assisting in funeral affairs.
How an unknown murderer had taken his grandfather’s life, and how he had become one of the Ten Demon Warriors to seek vengeance.
He omitted only the story of his father, Baekri Muha, and Heaven-Dark Star.
Nothing had yet been confirmed.
“Then what becomes of us?”
Jo Namcheon asked in a low voice.
“If we are the Lord’s people… in the end, we are neither demonic nor orthodox, are we?”
Unlike the Supreme Branch members who offered unconditional absolute loyalty, the Death Shadow Corps captains were hot-blooded, boisterous demonic path warriors.
No matter that it was to find the murderer—they could not easily accept Bu Eunseol’s actions of walking both sides.
“I did not reveal this to bind you.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“First, to tell you the truth. Second, to give you a choice.”
Silence fell once more.
Only then did the captains grasp why Bu Eunseol had told them this.
“If we no longer wish to follow the Lord, what happens to us?”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s question, Bu Eunseol replied,
“Whatever you’d like. If you wish to go to another corps or pavilion, I will send you immediately. If you dislike remaining in Majeon, I will generously compensate your hardships with gold.”
He continued,
“Or you could go out into the martial world and establish yourself as overlord of a region. With your skill and reputation, you would be welcomed anywhere.”
Though the answer was extraordinarily generous, the expressions of the Death Shadow Corps captains grew extremely dark.
Watching them, Yoo Unryong and Seo Jinha wore worried looks.
—As expected, no matter their loyalty to Bu Eunseol, was it too much?
It was understandable.
Regardless of their devotion to Bu Eunseol, they likely did not wish to walk a perilous tightrope between orthodox and demonic.
Even after half a ke, the captains merely kept grim faces and sealed lips.
“Sigh, you bastards!”
Then Won Semun pointed accusingly at Jo Namcheon and Wi Cheongyeong.
“Get lost! You lot aren’t qualified to serve the Lord.”
He looked around and roared,
“The Lord is still the Lord, isn’t he? Did he go to the Martial Alliance for personal gain? He said it was for vengeance. So why the shit-eating faces?”
Then he stood beside Bu Eunseol and pointed at the captains again.
“Lord, let’s chase all these bastards out. They were never trustworthy to begin with.”
As Won Semun raged,
“Shut up, you’re too loud.”
Jo Namcheon said irritably.
“You dumb oaf. Who said we wouldn’t serve the Lord? That’s not what we’re worried about.”
“Then what is it?”
“You wouldn’t understand with that simple brain, so go curl up in a corner! You’re driving me mad.”
Then Wi Cheongyeong, who had remained silently brooding, spoke.
“Lord. There is one thing I wish to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Is the Lord a demonic path member? Or orthodox?”
At that question, Bu Eunseol’s eyes clouded.
Demonic path? Orthodox?
He had never felt any such affiliation. He had entered the martial world solely for vengeance.
“I am merely a wanderer.”
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol said firmly,
“I’m from neither Majeon nor the Martial Alliance—they are only temporary resting places for me.”
It was his honest feeling, but not something to say to the Death Shadow Corps captains.
Yet Bu Eunseol did not wish to forcibly keep them.
They were demonic path members with their own lives.
His path was solely one of vengeance. He would not demand absolute loyalty merely because they were his subordinates.
“I see.”
Hearing Bu Eunseol’s words, Wi Cheongyeong, Jo Namcheon, Seo Jinha, Yoo Unryong, Mu Heon, Soyo, and even Tak Ilhon all wore pained, bitter expressions.
They were not disappointed.
They ached because they understood Bu Eunseol’s heart.
They had wondered why he cherished his subordinates so much, why he valued their lives so dearly…
He was merely walking a harsh path of vengeance.
Somehow he had gained subordinates along the way and treated them consistently as precious friends.
Because he himself was neither demonic nor orthodox—only a wanderer—he intended to harm no one, finish everything, and depart without a trace.
“Then the Martial Alliance members under the Lord also know, I suppose.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s question, Bu Eunseol lowered his head.
“Yes. They nearly died protecting me while knowing my true identity.”
Recalling how Tae Muryong had tried to die for him, his eyes darkened endlessly.
“So I told them everything about my circumstances. Before I told you.”
“Then the Soul-Returning Divine Pellet and Blue Spirit Stone Elixir used at the Medicine Hall earlier were for them.”
“Correct.”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly.
“They are the same to me as you are.”
“I am sorry.”
Wi Cheongyeong, eyes red, knelt.
“We spoke needless words without understanding the Lord’s heart.”
Now at last they could fathom Bu Eunseol’s feelings.
To subordinates who would brave fire or water at a single command…
Telling them such truths was because he worried they might sacrifice themselves without knowing why.
He feared they would be dragged into his vengeance without reason…
The only thing Bu Eunseol had done was worry upon worry.
Thud.
Just as Jo Namcheon knelt to speak,
“Lord!”
Won Semun approached Bu Eunseol with tears and snot streaming, clutched his leg, and wailed.
“We never knew the Lord walked such a lonely, desolate path! We only grumbled that we couldn’t see your noble face often enough!”
“Stand.”
Bu Eunseol smiled calmly.
“How is that your fault? It is mine for being foolish.”
“Lord! Looord!”
Won Semun cried aloud like a child.
“Do not worry! Demonic or orthodox—it does not matter! We will protect the Lord for life!”
Tears welled in the eyes of everyone in the conference room.
Demonic path or orthodox—what did it matter?
Had they not long ago sworn to give their lives for Bu Eunseol?
Drip.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes too reddened.
The boy who had left the mortuary alone for vengeance…
Had wandered the martial world with only a single blade, relying on no one.
But now he had subordinates and comrades whose lives he would not regret giving.
Demonic, orthodox, evil path—what did such divisions mean? What did they matter?
For a while, only Won Semun’s sobs filled the conference room.
***
The chaotic atmosphere slowly settled.
Having composed themselves, the group began the meeting.
“Then what do you plan to do now?”
The first to speak was the protector, Tak Ilhon.
“The recent mood in the pavilion is unusual. Some senior members seem to show attitudes that do not acknowledge the Lord’s authority.”
Death Spirit Corps captain Mu Heon also nodded.
“Yes. This may be because it is not the Chief Instructor, but the Demon Emperor himself who maintains an attitude of neglecting the Lord.”
Bu Eunseol had already been attacked twice by external forces.
If such things happened to the successor, even if Bu Eunseol remained silent…
The Demon Emperor should have stepped forward immediately.
Yet he always acted indifferent, as if nothing had occurred.
Because of that, the senior members judged that Bu Eunseol did not enjoy the Demon Emperor’s favor and could be replaced at any time.
“Moreover, this latest attack… was only possible because information leaked from within the pavilion again.”
On his return to Majeon, Bu Eunseol had been attacked by the Supreme Emperor and according to the Death Spirit Corps’ analysis, the likelihood that the Demon Emperor had leaked his whereabouts was extremely high.
Otherwise, the Chief Instructor could not have met Bu Eunseol so leisurely.
And the greatest problem was that the Shadow Pavilion—the organization directly under the Demon Emperor and the demonic path’s premier intelligence agency—still refused to share information with Bu Eunseol.
That meant the Demon Emperor had merely placed him in the successor position but effectively castrated a portion of his authority.
Just like with the Chief Instructor, Yeop Hyocheon.
“That is why I called this meeting.”
Bu Eunseol looked around calmly and said,
“As you have likely sensed, the Demon Emperor regards this Lord merely as a puppet. He does not truly see me as the successor.”
At the mention of the Demon Emperor, the atmosphere darkened further.
If the supreme demonic figure imposed sanctions?
Many hardships lay ahead, and Bu Eunseol could never grow within the demonic path.
“From now on, I intend to create a new home.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“I have named it the Martial Soul Society.”
In that instant, chilling air filled the conference room.
A member of Majeon—and the next Majeon Lord, the Martial Soul Command Lord—intended to create a new sect?
This was practically rebellion.
If such talk leaked outside?
Bu Eunseol would be immediately deposed, and his life could be in danger.
“A sect, you mean?”
Death Spirit Corps captain Mu Heon asked cautiously, unable to comprehend.
“Founding a sect is impossible, is it not? The Lord is a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.”
“To be precise, it is not a sect but an alliance—like Majeon.”
The air grew even heavier.
If Bu Eunseol created an alliance like Majeon?
It would not be limited to Majeon—it was an issue the entire demonic martial world, nay, the orthodox and demonic martial world combined, would oppose.
“So that was why you met privately with the Chief Instructor?”
Seo Jinha asked then.
“To gauge whether he would restrain you like the Demon Emperor?”
“Correct.”
Bu Eunseol faintly smiled as Seo Jinha instantly grasped his intent.
“To create a new sect in the future, I must do many things. But if the Chief Instructor aligns with the Demon Emperor and tries to restrain me… it becomes completely impossible.”
In short, if the Chief Instructor did not viciously restrain Bu Eunseol and treated him fairly according to Majeon’s rules and principles…
Founding the sect would not be impossible.
—This is…
At Bu Eunseol’s words, the captains tilted their heads in confusion.
No matter how they thought about it, it seemed impossible.
“Founding it itself seems impossible.”
Wi Cheongyeong said cautiously.
“An alliance is different from a sect. Existing Alliances must recognize it for founding to be possible, no?”
“Hmm.”
“Moreover, if a new alliance emerges in the martial world… even if Majeon does not oppose it, the Martial Alliance and the black path will desperately resist.”
Currently, the balance between orthodox and evil hung by a thread.
If a new alliance appeared?
Even if Majeon ignored it, the orthodox and black paths would never acknowledge it and would do anything to prevent its founding.
Because they were far more sensitive to power structures than Majeon.
“I have thought of a way.” Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and said, “It will merely take time to establish a foothold in the martial world—gaining recognition as an alliance will not be difficult.”
“What do you—”
“The one who attacked me on my return to the pavilion was the Supreme Emperor of the Infinite Realm.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with profoundly deep eyes.
“And in the martial world exists a force called the Inbiin. Their origin is presumed to be the Demon Cult, and until now, under various names and forms…”
As the story continued, the mouths of everyone in the conference room fell open.
It was an utterly shocking tale.
Only then could they faintly guess why Bu Eunseol sought to birth a new alliance.
Afterward, Bu Eunseol continued speaking, and the atmosphere in the secret chamber grew ever more charged.
Creak.
The door to the hidden passage in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion’s grand conference hall opened.
“Then rest.”
Bu Eunseol left calmly after those words.
As the door swung wide, the captains inside sat collapsed, faces pale.
They had held an uninterrupted meeting in the secret chamber for three full days and nights.
Bu Eunseol’s plan was so vast that they had no choice but to stay up all night, endlessly researching and reviewing to ensure it could be realized.
“Mmm.”
Even Yoo Unryong, accustomed to long meetings, had turned deathly pale.
A distant future.
Bu Eunseol was calculating events far, far into the future.
He wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep.
But he had no choice but to snap awake again.
Now, under his own direction…
He had to begin the captains’ meeting once more to discuss the detailed steps to realize Bu Eunseol’s plan.
“First, we integrate the orthodox and evil intelligence networks.”
Seated, Yoo Unryong’s eyes sparkled as if nothing had happened, and he spoke.
“The Martial Alliance’s Supreme Branch is small in scale but consists of elite members personally trained by the Lord. They are also skilled at refining high-level information within the Martial Alliance.”
He looked alternately at Mu Heon and Wi Cheongyeong.
“If both intelligence networks become perfectly one…”
The meeting continued endlessly.
The plan to create a new alliance had already begun.
Now, all that remained was to charge forward without looking back.
And in the distant future…
Majeon, the Martial Alliance, and the Martial Soul Society would stand as the three great powers of the martial world.
Comments