Suddenly, the position of the Martial Alliance’s Heaven-Piercing Division Commander changed.
Ma Un, the Vice Commander, ascended to the role of Commander.
The official reason given was the former Commander Yang Daeryang’s sudden illness, leading to long-term seclusion but all the senior figures in the Martial Alliance who knew the truth understood the real cause.
Mental derangement.
Yang Daeryang, barely in his fifties, had suddenly been found near Dongting Lake in a state of complete mental collapse.
The Martial Alliance summoned countless renowned physicians to treat him, but there was no improvement, and even the cause could not be determined.
—Why had he gone to Yeongpa Island in the first place?
Feeling something suspicious, the Martial Alliance launched an investigation.
They discovered that Yang Daeryang had accepted a secret duel challenge from an unknown figure and fought alone against a supreme master there.
—A master of Yang Daeryang’s caliber defeated by an unnamed expert and reduced to an idiot?
If such a fact became known, the dignity of a Martial Alliance Commander would be severely tarnished.
In the end, the Alliance ordered the inner details to be kept strictly confidential, and the truth of Yang Daeryang’s mental collapse became an eternal secret.
At least there was one fortunate aspect.
With the exception of the Martial Heaven Division, all vice leaders had been prepared to step up as the next Commander.
Since Ma Un, the vice leader, had already been capably leading the Heaven-Piercing Division Pillar in Yang Daeryang’s stead, there were no major issues.
Meanwhile, in the Martial Soul Society rooted in Shaanxi, a new Chief Steward was appointed.
It was none other than Yoo Hwaryeong, the former Sect Leader of the Thousand Swords Society.
He was someone who should have died, but thanks to Bu Eunseol’s aid, he survived and became the sole survivor of the Thousand Swords Society, which had been annihilated by Yang Daeryang.
Moreover, he controlled the sect’s vast financial resources.
With him as Chief Steward, the Martial Soul Society could now operate its forces without ever worrying about funds again.
—The Ghost Children have appeared once more!
In the midst of this, the martial world plunged into chaos again.
The Ghost Children, which had been quiet for a while, began resurfacing.
The Black Path factions sighed deeply.
—Why did we ever get roped into that promise with the Martial Soul Society…?
The Martial Alliance was, after all, a coalition formed precisely for such matters, so that was understandable.
But for the Black Path factions, which moved solely for profit, to bear enormous operational costs while risking their lives against Ghost Children?
It was a situation so unfair it brought tears to their eyes.
—We should just find and destroy their main base!
The Black Path factions tried to locate the Ghost Children’ headquarters to eradicate them completely, but no matter how much they investigated, they found nothing.
—How on earth do we resolve this?
The Black Path factions were in despair.
Where exactly were they hiding?
They would appear whenever forgotten, massacring common folk and razing villages.
Moreover, as time passed, they grew more cunning and stronger.
In the end, the Black Path factions formed specialized forces dedicated to dealing with Ghost Children.
Ordinary troops, no matter how many were deployed, only suffered heavy losses and returned empty-handed yet maintaining such costly specialized forces indefinitely against unpredictable appearances was impossible.
—We can’t just pretend this never happened now…
Nor could they simply quit.
They had signed a joint pledge with the Martial Alliance.
If Ghost Children appeared in their territories, they were obligated to eliminate them.
If they ignored the threat, they had promised compensation for the resulting damage.
—This is impossible!
But as Ghost Children continued to emerge endlessly, the factions finally raised the white flag.
If things continued this way, the Black Path would cease to be the Black Path and become nothing more than an organization for exterminating these murderous ghosts.
They could not keep this up while watching the very roots of their sects being torn out.
—Let us seek help from the Martial Soul Society.
Fortunately, the joint pledge included a clause:
If requested by either the Black Path or the Martial Alliance, the Martial Soul Society would provide support in eliminating Ghost Children.
But a problem arose.
When the Black Path factions tried to request aid from the Martial Soul Society, pressure came from the Martial Alliance.
—Do you intend to let the Martial Soul Society officially operate in the Central Plains martial world?
If either side formally requested help, the Martial Soul Society would be freed from all restrictions and allowed to operate openly in the Central Plains.
That was a situation that absolutely had to be prevented.
In the end, with the Martial Alliance taking a strong stance, the Black Path factions could only hesitate.
Yet they could not simply continue handling the Ghost Children on their own.
Then, like a ray of light, a certain figure appeared.
The Thunder God, Nae Bihon.
The madman who had wandered the martial world had completely cured his insanity, rebuilt the Thunder Spirit Sect, and begun eliminating the Ghost Children that plagued the land.
“Strike them down!” Nae Bihon eradicated not only the Ghost Children in his own territory but also those appearing in Black Path domains.
—Oh…
As Nae Bihon began dealing with Ghost Children regardless of territorial boundaries, the Black Path factions finally caught a breath.
Normally, the emergence of Nae Bihon and the Thunder Spirit Sect would not have been welcome, but now, they felt like offering great bows of gratitude simply for handling the Ghost Children.
“Thunder Spirit Sect Leader. Please aid our Black Path. We will reward you generously.”
Since they could not receive help from the Martial Soul Society anyway, the Black Path factions decided to escape this crisis by seeking aid from the overwhelmingly powerful Thunder God and his Thunder Spirit Sect instead.
But the Thunder Spirit Sect gave an unexpected reply.
“The reason this sect eliminated Ghost Children was merely at the request of the Martial Soul Society, which is barred from operating in the Central Plains.”
And he added one more thing.
“The current leader of the Society, Dae Guhwi, is my disciple. He has promised unlimited financial support for Ghost Children elimination, so I am considering joining the Martial Soul Society.”
The Black Path was dumbfounded, and the Martial Alliance jumped in outrage.
For the Thunder Spirit Sect—a longstanding orthodox sect of the Central Plains—to join the Martial Soul Society formed by external forces?
“We must stop this!”
Upon hearing the news, the Martial Alliance immediately dispatched an envoy to the Thunder Spirit Sect.
“Sect Leader Nae, are you not a great master of the Central Plains martial world?”
Jin Baek, leader of the Star-Chasing Division Commander, hurriedly followed Nae Bihon’s trail to Shaanxi and rushed into the separate wing of an inn where he was staying, trying to persuade him.
“If you join our Alliance, the Thunder Spirit Sect will receive ample support and benefits.”
“…”
“Moreover, the Martial Soul Society openly declares itself to be between orthodox and demonic. If you join them, the Thunder Spirit Sect may one day face attacks from both orthodox and demonic sides.”
“Attacks?”
Nae Bihon set down his teacup and snorted.
“Are you threatening this sect leader?”
“Sect Leader Nae.”
“I would rather bite my tongue and die than join the Martial Alliance.”
When he flatly rejected the offer, Jin Baek was left speechless.
In the past, Nae Bihon had lost his family to an unknown force and descended into madness yet the orthodox side—and the Martial Alliance in particular—had completely ignored the mad Nae Bihon back then.
And now they wanted him to join the Martial Alliance?
It was an utterly absurd proposal.
“Sect Leader Nae. If the Thunder Spirit Sect joins the Martial Soul Society, it will lose its place to stand.”
In the end, Jin Baek relayed the words of the Alliance’s senior leaders.
“The senior leaders of our Alliance have stated that if you join the Martial Soul Society, they can no longer recognize the Thunder Spirit Sect as a Central Plains sect.”
“If we join the Martial Soul Society, this sect will become one between orthodox and demonic… Is that sincere?”
“Yes.”
“How fortunate.”
Nae Bihon stood up and spoke coldly.
“Deliver this to the Martial Alliance: From now on, this Thunder Spirit Sect is no longer orthodox but a sect between orthodox and demonic.”
“S-Sect Leader Nae.”
“Even if this sect wished to join the Martial Soul Society, it was practically impossible. No matter what anyone says, this sect is a Central Plains faction.”
“…”
“But since the Martial Alliance has officially declared that joining the Martial Soul Society would make us openly a sect between orthodox and demonic… I can only be grateful.”
Jin Baek gaped, eyes wide.
From the beginning, the Thunder Spirit Sect was a longstanding orthodox faction deeply rooted in the Central Plains. No matter how much Sect Leader Nae Bihon declared himself between orthodox and demonic, he could not suddenly change the sect’s direction overnight.
The Martial Alliance had not truly feared that Nae Bihon would actually join the Martial Soul Society; They were merely worried he might use the Ghost Children as an excuse to lift the restrictions on the Society.
Yet the Martial Alliance, which managed the orthodox martial world, had publicly declared that if the Thunder Spirit Sect joined, they would no longer recognize it as a Central Plains sect.
Of course, this was meant to pressure the Thunder Spirit Sect, but Nae Bihon instead used their threat as justification to formally join the Martial Soul Society.
“Sect Leader Nae… Did you predict and exploit the Alliance’s reaction from the start?”
To Jin Baek’s question, Nae Bihon responded with a sneer instead of words.
He boldly left the inn’s separate wing and headed straight for the Martial Soul Society.
He also used the intelligence network to rapidly spread the conversation he had with Jin Baek throughout the martial world.
—The Martial Alliance threatened the Thunder Spirit Sect and instead provoked the Thunder God’s anger!
Was it too hasty?
The Martial Alliance had chosen the wrong way to win over Nae Bihon.
To someone already harboring ill feelings toward the Alliance, they had threatened that joining the Martial Soul Society would brand him a sect between orthodox and demonic.
—They went too far. When he went mad, they didn’t even glance at him.
—I heard the Thunder God immediately headed to the Martial Soul Society after hearing those words.
—It seems he truly intends to join.
As public opinion turned extremely negative, the Martial Alliance ceased commenting on Nae Bihon’s actions.
The deed was already done.
Provoking him further might lead to yet another shocking incident.
—This Thunder Spirit Sect has now formally joined the Martial Soul Society.
In the end, Nae Bihon chose the Martial Soul Society.
With the Thunder Spirit Sect’s addition, the Martial Soul Society instantly became a coalition surpassing even Mount Hua and Zhongnan, the powerhouses of Shaanxi.
—We must absolutely prevent the Martial Soul Society from operating in the Central Plains martial world.
With things turning out this way, the Martial Alliance and Black Path remained on edge, closely watching the Martial Soul Society’s movements.
Shaanxi, Martial Soul Society.
With Yoo Hwaryeong as Chief Steward, the Society transformed into a systematic, sect-like organization.
He was the man who had steadfastly maintained the Thousand Swords Society even when it was called a doomed sect.
For him, turning the Martial Soul Society—abundant with excellent personnel and troops—into a perfectly structured coalition was an exceedingly easy task.
“This is the operational method I have devised.”
Chief Steward Yoo Hwaryeong distributed letters in the meeting room to Do Cheonlin, Nae Bihon, Bing Hanpung, and Dae Guhwi.
Each letter contained detailed advice on how to integrate their uniquely different forces into the Martial Soul Society and how to foster a sense of belonging.
The Martial Soul Society was a newly formed coalition, gathering elites from sects that could not easily mix.
The mercenary force of wandering swordsmen.
The Glacial Corps of the North Sea Ice Palace.
The Beast Corps of the Wild Beast Palace.
And now, the added Swift Thunder Corps of the Thunder Spirit Sect.
Each had its own distinct character and individual tactics.
Their individuality must be preserved, yet the forces needed to cooperate closely and grow even stronger than before.
Specialized training was also required to capture Ghost Children without casualties.
Yoo Hwaryeong had thoroughly analyzed the martial arts of the four sects, the personalities and temperaments of the members forming each force, and offered several suggestions on how the leadership of each force could cooperate closely, how members could unite, and how loyalty to the Martial Soul Society could be instilled.
“However, for the Thunder Spirit Sect side, it would be best to merely announce their joining for now and temporarily suspend activities of Sect Leader Nae’s Swift Thunder Force.”
Originally, Bu Eunseol had planned for Nae Bihon and the Thunder Spirit Sect to join only when the Society’s power was solid enough that even orthodox sects would consider membership.
But with Ghost Children appearing far more frequently than expected, he deliberately provoked the Martial Alliance to hasten their joining.
One never knew when the Ghost Children might launch a massive uprising.
“If the Thunder Spirit Sect were to immediately join operations now, the orthodox and demonic sides might desperately seek ways to sanction the Society again.”
“Understood. I will do as you suggest.”
Nae Bihon accepted Yoo Hwaryeong’s intentions without argument.
With Yoo Hwaryeong as Chief Steward, the Martial Soul Society was growing even faster.
Soon, only the day of official activity remained.
Majeon, Great Conference Hall of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
The captains of the Death Shadow Corps were also spending days busier than ever.
Now Bu Eunseol had to manage not only Majeon and the Martial Alliance but the Martial Soul Society as well.
Thus, their workload had doubled.
‘The Ghost Children will only grow more rampant.’
Bu Eunseol’s gaze deepened as he looked out the window.
He sensed it instinctively.
At their current level, the Infinite Realm would never have struggled.
In other words, the current Ghost Children were merely a fraction.
Soon, so many would appear that the Infinite Realm’s plans would be disrupted of their own accord.
‘The Martial Alliance and Black Path will lie low like dead mice for a while.’
Bu Eunseol had no intention of entrusting the potentially life-risking task of handling Ghost Children to his own forces and subordinates.
‘This is a matter of the Central Plains; it is only right that the Central Plains sects handle it together.’
The Martial Alliance was from the start a den of chaos mixed with the Three Realms and all manner of external forces and the Black Path factions were little more than parasites expanding their territories and sucking the lifeblood of merchants and commoners.
From the moment he first heard the words from the Supreme Emperor, Bu Eunseol had intended to use them as shields against the Ghost Children.
‘He said they seem to be releasing them little by little on purpose.’
According to the Supreme Emperor, the Inbiin were deliberately sending Ghost Children into the martial world in small numbers.
As if conducting some kind of test.
In other words, the Inbiin did not simply aim to overthrow or chaos the martial world.
Moreover, considering the nature of the Three Realms—
Their banners and pursued methods differed…
The Ghost Children might be merely one tool among many to disrupt the martial world.
‘Perhaps the Inbiin themselves are divided into three factions.’
His ominous premonitions had never been wrong yet Bu Eunseol never feared or despaired in any situation.
‘From now on, I will proceed step by step.’
If everything went according to his carefully laid plans, he would surely deal with the Inbiin.
The Martial Soul Society would rise to become one of the three great powers of the martial world and the subordinates of the Death Shadow Corps and the Supreme Corps would all find their home in the Martial Soul Society.
By then, he would no longer be the successor of Majeon or the Martial Soul Command Lord.
‘But to reach that point, countless trials must be overcome.’
Once the Martial Soul Society grew beyond a certain size, the Demon Emperor would not tolerate it and would try to crush it in one blow.
The orthodox side would do the same.
Thus, the Martial Soul Society must skillfully exploit the standoff between orthodox and demonic, and ultimately become a force so powerful and indispensable to the martial world that even if both the Orthodox and Demon Emperors moved against it, it would not fall.
“Command Lord.”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong rushed into the office.
“It seems to have begun.”
Bu Eunseol immediately headed to the Great Conference Hall of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
All the leaders, including Yoo Unryong, were waiting there.
“Ghost Children are appearing simultaneously across the Central Plains.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
In the end, everything the Supreme Emperor had said was coming true.
As if sensing the absence of the Infinite Realm, the number of Ghost Children was gradually increasing. Fortunately, thanks to the Death Shadow Corps somewhat integrating the orthodox-demonic intelligence network, they could detect appearance frequency and locations faster than any other faction.
“Now it is time for the Martial Soul Society to step forward.”
Yoo Unryong spoke with a grave expression.
“If we fail to stop them, the Infinite Realm will emerge again.”
“Indeed.” Bu Eunseol took another deep breath. “The Martial Alliance side will have some preparations. The elders likely know of the Infinite Realm and Ghost Children to some extent… and above all, they cannot afford to give the Martial Soul Society an opportunity.”
“Then in the end, the opportunity will come from the Black Path side.”
Wi Cheongyeong spoke up.
“The Black Path is only handling Ghost Children reluctantly, like swallowing mustard while crying. They still haven’t properly formed specialized forces.”
“Correct.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“In the end, the Black Path will have no choice but to raise the white flag and call upon the Martial Soul Society. If this continues, their very existence as factions will become impossible.”
The Black Path was, after all, a group that moved solely for profit.
If they endlessly operated forces to save commoners, they could no longer even be called the Black Path.
“Then it seems it will be quite far in the future before we openly act on behalf of the Martial Soul Society.” Jo Namcheon spoke then. “Until the time comes when the Martial Soul Society can no longer exploit the orthodox-demonic standoff.”
“Correct.”
Until the day the Martial Soul Society became one of the three great powers of the martial world, Bu Eunseol must not step forward publicly nor deploy the Death Shadow Corps subordinates.
“However, handling Ghost Children is possible. The Martial Alliance is doing it too, and we have already set things in motion.”
“But I am worried.”
Yoo Unryong said then.
“The atmosphere on the demonic side is growing increasingly ominous.”
Bu Eunseol had saved countless lives and done much good—more than even the Martial Alliance.
That had provoked backlash from true demonic practitioners who desired a demonic-dominated world.
As a result, lately, demonic factions and martial artists displeased with Bu Eunseol’s actions were steadily emerging.
“Moreover, we don’t know how long the Demon Emperor will remain silent.”
“No need to worry. From Majeon’s standpoint, the Ghost Children uprising is actually a boon.”
“It weakens the Martial Alliance and Black Path forces on its own?”
“Exactly.” Bu Eunseol continued calmly, looking at Yoo Unryong. “But soon, even the demonic side will have no choice but to get involved in exterminating Ghost Children. So do not neglect training.”
At those words, the leaders nodded.
Since becoming Bu Eunseol’s subordinates, they had continuously trained to ensure victory and survival in any battle.
They would not fear even if Inbiin appeared instead of Ghost Children.
“In any case, the most important thing now is for the Martial Soul Society to be recognized as a formal coalition.”
Wi Cheongyeong said with a smile.
“And in the future, we too will belong to the Martial Soul Society rather than Majeon.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and gazed at the distant sky.
“Indeed. But such a day… will take much time.”
His eyes darkened.
In the future, the Martial Soul Society would face attacks and pressure from both the Martial Alliance and Majeon.
They would never want another coalition to emerge.
“The meeting is adjourned. I will return to the martial world for now.”
When Ghost Children appeared en masse, the Black Path would soon request help from the Martial Soul Society.
Though forcibly holding out under Martial Alliance pressure, their patience had already reached its limit.
Bu Eunseol intended to return to the Martial Soul Society and prepare for that moment.
“Oh, I almost forgot.”
Yoo Unryong spoke as if suddenly remembering.
“The Martial Alliance’s Chief Inspector Gongsun has secretly summoned you.”
Gongsun Dankyung had long desired the destruction of the Infinite Realm.
Bu Eunseol had finally crushed them, and she had spent a long time verifying the truth.
Now that all investigations were likely complete, she probably wished to discuss the Infinite Realm and the current state of the martial world.
“Understood. As soon as this matter is settled, I will go see her immediately.”
***
The martial world was suffering headaches from the sudden surge in Ghost Children.
The Martial Alliance managed to handle them without issue, thanks to branch support and aid from orthodox sects.
But the Black Path was in agony.
The Black Path cared only for power and wealth.
Even if the Black Flag Society, Mysterious Heaven Sect, and Yaksha Sect struggled desperately, other Black Path factions offered no help.
In fact, they secretly hoped those three would collapse.
The Black Path was the Black Path.
To them, there were no comrades and even those walking the same road were merely competitors.
—We can’t go on. We will request support from the Martial Soul Society.
In the end, the Yaksha Sect was the first to surrender.
Even pressure from the Martial Alliance was useless.
If they held out any longer, they would collapse first.
Forget continuously handling emerging Ghost Children—they could no longer even protect their own territories.
—The Martial Soul Society’s forces have deployed to the Yaksha Sect’s territory.
The Martial Soul Society troops, long prepared for Ghost Children, immediately moved into Yaksha Sect territory.
Soon after, the Mysterious Heaven Sect, and eventually the Black Flag Society, all rushed to request their aid.
In the end, the Martial Soul Society’s forces split into three and entered their respective territories.
At first, the Black Path factions did not expect much.
Their goal was surely to become a formal coalition allowed to operate in the martial world. They assumed the Society would only pretend to help while scheming to expand influence.
But all their expectations were completely overturned.
—The Martial Soul Society forces annihilated all Ghost Children.
The Society’s forces completely eradicated every Ghost Children that appeared in each Black Path territory.
They possessed astonishing martial prowess and were specialized in dealing with cunning, agile Ghost Children.
Moreover, they demanded nothing in return.
They asked for neither compensation nor concessions from the Black Path factions, nor did they linger to expand influence.
They simply eliminated the Ghost Children and withdrew.
—From now on, the Black Path factions will fully support the Martial Soul Society’s activities.
In the end, the Black Path opened the way for the Martial Soul Society to operate formally.
The Martial Alliance was furious.
But since the Society neither expanded territories nor demanded compensation for eliminating Ghost Children, there was nothing the Alliance could use as pretext.
Moreover, the Ghost Children’ movements grew increasingly organized, and their frequency increased.
Eventually, the Martial Soul Society began handling cases even the Martial Alliance could not.
—The Martial Soul Society saved us.
Common folk in Black Path territories began praising the Martial Soul Society.
Until now, Black Path factions had reluctantly dealt with Ghost Children without regard for collateral damage but the Society prioritized civilian safety in battle and perfectly handled all aftermath.
In truth, it was nothing extraordinary—standard procedure even for the Martial Alliance.
But because the Martial Soul Society began in Black Path territories, the praise came reflexively.
And Bu Eunseol had been aiming precisely for this.
Even if neither the Martial Alliance nor Black Path acknowledged it, if the common folk continued to praise them?
Even without recognition from martial artists, the Martial Soul Society would become a coalition between orthodox and demonic acknowledged by the people.
—If you need work, come to the Martial Soul Society!
The Martial Soul Society caused another great stir in the martial world with one more astonishing move.
To deal with Ghost Children, vast numbers of troops were needed.
Thus, they began steadily recruiting wandering martial artists with nowhere to go.
—The Martial Soul Society, between orthodox and demonic, even accepts mercenaries?
—They say they train second-rate martial artists and feed them too?
—Depending on ability, you can do Martial Soul Society work and mercenary jobs together!
The Martial Soul Society had started in Shaanxi’s mercenary market, Red Sky Veil.
With already immense financial power, plus Yoo Hwaryeong’s aid, they secured funds sufficient to pay wages to countless incoming mercenaries without shortage.
As such rumors spread, from fairly skilled martial artists to mercenaries who had never received proper training or instruction, all flocked in droves.
—The rumors were true!
The Society personally trained those needing instruction and assigned work suited to their abilities.
Thus, second-rate martial artists with mediocre skills all rushed to the Martial Soul Society, hoping to become its formal members.
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