“What exactly is going on?”
Bu Eunseol fell into confusion. At this point, the intentions of the Martial Venerable or what he planned to do under the identity of the Divine Mountain Sage no longer mattered.
“The Heavenly Emperor is alive…?”
Then what was the corpse of the Heavenly Emperor that had been in the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Coffin? Could it possibly be a fake body that the Martial Venerable had prepared? Or had the Heavenly Emperor deliberately faked his death to deceive the Martial Venerable?
‘That can’t be.’
Though he fell short of the rightful number-one master, the Martial Venerable was still a supreme expert who had reached the Limitless Realm. Deceiving a man of such ability with a fake corpse was nearly impossible.
‘Then perhaps the Martial Venerable, knowing all the circumstances, impersonated the Heavenly Emperor to fool Abbot Dam Jeung?’
Bu Eunseol shook his head once more.
Dam Jeung was the abbot of Blood Shaolin. Deceiving his Dharma Eye, which had mastered the martial arts and demonic arts of every sect under heaven, would not be easy either.
‘In that case, the likelihood is high that the Martial Venerable knows the truth but is concealing it.’
In fact, the corpse of the Heavenly Emperor had the Ice Crystal Jade embedded in it—an artifact capable of altering the properties of anything in the world. The Martial Venerable had discovered it, obtained information about the jade through the Wood Buddha, and confirmed the possibility that the Heavenly Emperor was still alive.
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, unaware of all these facts, confusion was inevitable.
‘If the Heavenly Emperor is truly alive, the only one who knows his whereabouts… is the Martial Venerable.’
That meant Bu Eunseol absolutely had to meet the Martial Venerable and learn the Heavenly Emperor’s location.
“So in the end, this isn’t the time to leave the Martial Alliance.”
Bu Eunseol stared into the void with unfocused eyes.
If he left the Martial Alliance now, finding the Heavenly Emperor might become impossible. For the time being, he had to endure within the alliance, and either become a Commander or create an opportunity for a private audience with the Martial Venerable, in order to locate the Heavenly Emperor.
“Moreover, the fact that he suspected I might be the Heaven-Dark Star…”
Dam Jeung had said that his father, Baekri Muha, had been falsely accused of being the Heaven-Dark Star and killed by someone. And the Divine Mountain Sage, knowing full well the truth, had persuaded Dam Jeung to install that strange trial gate at Blood Shaolin to test him.
‘Was he doubting my true nature?’
Bu Eunseol was someone who harboured no intention of destroying the martial world; he even took extreme caution to avoid harming others. Despite being a demonic practitioner, he had consistently eliminated the vicious forces disrupting the martial world.
Yet the Divine Mountain Sage had still chosen to test him…
Perhaps the Heaven-Dark Star was not something that suddenly manifested, but something passed down through bloodline. After all, the Heavenly Deity had declared that Bu Eunseol was the Heaven-Dark Star at the moment of his death.
“Then the Martial Venerable deliberately crafted the image of a true orthodox martial artist.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
Knowing all of this from the beginning meant that every anecdote and public image associated with the Martial Venerable in the martial world was false.
Contrary to what was widely known, the Martial Venerable was not a true martial artist wandering the world alone and engaging in friendly spars. It was far more likely that he possessed an enormous intelligence network or stood at the head of a terrifying organisation.
“Abbot.”
Regaining his composure, Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully to Dam Jeung’s remains.
Though their paths differed, the abbot had shown him kindness, revealed the circumstances behind his grandfather becoming a demonic practitioner, and even informed him of the Absolute Demonic Blade Project. On top of that, he had given him the scripture bearing his grandfather’s handwriting and, with his final breath, spoken of his father.
To Bu Eunseol, Dam Jeung was a great benefactor.
“I do not know what Shaolin is hiding.”
He did not believe Dam Jeung’s punishment had occurred solely because of him. He intuitively sensed it was atonement for sins committed by Shaolin itself or crimes connected to the temple.
“Yet as abbot of Blood Shaolin, you gave your life to conceal those sins and punish yourself…”
Gazing solemnly at Dam Jeung, Bu Eunseol spoke with a grave expression.
“I will no longer pry into Shaolin’s affairs.”
Whatever their sin might be, considering the kindness Dam Jeung had shown him, Bu Eunseol could not expose Shaolin’s ugly side with his own hands.
“Shaolin will come to collect the remains…”
After offering one final bow, Bu Eunseol turned away.
Like it or not, he had to return to the Martial Alliance.
He needed to become a Commander somehow—not only to find his grandfather’s killer, but also to meet the Martial Venerable or locate the Heavenly Emperor and uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
Bu Eunseol quietly left the Pagoda Forest and returned to the Martial Alliance.
The revelation that his father’s death was connected to the strongest orthodox master shook his heart, yet all the irritation he had felt while staying in the alliance vanished completely.
He now had a clear reason to remain.
The Heavenly Emperor was alive and knew the truth about his father’s death. And only the Martial Venerable knew the Heavenly Emperor’s whereabouts…
He had to cling on tenaciously, no matter what.
Knock knock.
“My Lord.”
At that moment, Tae Muryong’s urgent voice came from beyond the door.
“There is an urgent message.”
“Come in.”
Tae Muryong hurried inside, bowed to Bu Eunseol, and spoke.
“The Alliance Leader has suddenly added a new candidate for the Martial Heaven Division Commander.”
The Martial Alliance Leader, the Heavenly Emperor’s divine alias, Shin Domubi.
It was said he had abruptly carried out an unexpected personnel decision.
Using his direct authority as Alliance Leader, he had suddenly inserted a new candidate for the Martial Heaven Division Commander.
“Even though the first trial has already ended, he added a new candidate?”
As Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow, Tae Muryong handed over a letter. “Yes. I have obtained the background information on the new candidate who will soon be announced.”
Opening the letter, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
“Mu Gyeol?”
Shockingly, the person recommended by the Heavenly Emperor was none other than Mu Gyeol, disciple of the Divine Mountain Sage.
—Heavenly Rain Forest Lord, Mu Gyeol.
I appoint him as Cheongmyeong Hall Leader under Mankyeong Hall and raise him as an official Commander candidate.
‘So he was the Heavenly Rain Forest Lord.’
The Cheonwu Rim was a secret intelligence unit directly under the Alliance Leader; the identities of its members were kept strictly confidential.
‘That explains why his true identity was never revealed to the outside world.’
Yet this too was strange.
Why would the Martial Venerable expose Mu Gyeol—the leader of the secret organisation Cheonwu Rim—to the entire world? Why appoint him as Dangju under Mankyeong Hall and raise him as a the Martial Heaven Division Commander candidate?
What exactly was his scheme?
“This really makes no sense, doesn’t it?”
Tae Muryong spoke with an incredulous expression.
“Of course, the Alliance Leader can select Commander candidates regardless of the trials… but one trial has already been held, hasn’t it?”
The Seven Great Commander of the Martial Alliance were also candidates for the next Alliance Leader. If the current leader interfered in Commander appointments, it could cause many problems.
In the history of the Martial Alliance, such a thing had never happened even once.
“The first trial was merely an examination of the Martial Heaven Division Dan’s formation… so with the Alliance Leader’s authority, it is something he could push through.”
A flash passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he muttered lowly.
“In any case, the final appointment of a Commander requires multiple trials presided over by the Vice Alliance Leader, and ultimately needs the consent of at least two-thirds of the organisation heads.”
In other words, even the Alliance Leader had no authority over the actual appointment of a Commander. He could nominate candidates, but the selection process itself had to remain fair.
“That may be true… but adding a candidate midway is obviously suspicious to anyone, isn’t it?”
When Tae Muryong spoke in disbelief, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Whatever the intention, we need not concern ourselves. That is simply how the Martial Alliance operates.”
In the Martial Alliance, status and allocation were everything.
Moreover, since the Alliance Leader had directly carried out and publicly announced the appointment, Mu Gyeol becoming the fourth candidate alongside Yuk Jangcheon, Baek Museong, and Seon Woojin was as good as confirmed.
‘Was this his plan from the very beginning?’
Rather than being angry that Mu Gyeol had become a the Martial Heaven Division Commander candidate, Bu Eunseol felt an unusual thrill.
From the perspective of the Divine Mountain Sage—no, the Martial Venerable?
He would have wanted the demonic practitioner Bu Eunseol merely to stir chaos within the Martial Alliance, never to actually become a Commander.
Yet he would not want Baek Museong or Yuk Jangcheon to become one either.
In the end, he might be trying to put forward someone more to his own taste.
“My Lord, it’s Jeong Jongdo.”
At that moment, Jeong Jongdo’s voice rang out.
“Come in.”
Jeong Jongdo entered through the opened door and clasped his hands toward Bu Eunseol.
“My Lord, the Chief Inspector has summoned you.”
“So the Chief Inspector is finally moving.”
Tae Muryong shook his head.
“Probably because the board he had carefully set is being overturned.”
Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a low voice.
“For now, it would be best to hear what the Chief Inspector has to say.”
“my Lord.”
Jeong Jongdo then spoke cautiously.
“If it is because of us, it is fine. You need not strain yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“It is all right if my Lord does not become Commander. After all, we are your subordinates, are we not?”
Bu Eunseol operated unbound by orthodox or demonic distinctions, accomplishing many things. With his vast intelligence network, he was steadily unraveling the secrets of the martial world.
Because of this, the peak-level members had gradually come to realise the truth: the Martial Alliance was thoroughly rotten.
An alliance formed to protect the martial world and do righteous deeds? Nonsense.
Not a single person here worked for justice.
Only Bu Eunseol, advancing for the sake of vengeance, was protecting the common people and cleaning up the forces disrupting the martial world.
“What kind of talk is that? Why do you think my Lord has endured all this hardship until now?”
Tae Muryong spoke with an incredulous expression to Jeong Jongdo.
“With the goal right before us, are you saying my Lord should give up?”
“That is not what I meant—you know that.”
Jeong Jongdo replied with a bitter expression.
“My Lord always puts us first. The more urgent the situation becomes, the more we might end up becoming a burden to him.”
Tae Muryong immediately fell silent.
The Three Realms and unknown forces that Bu Eunseol faced were strong enough to kill even experts of the Four Death Seven Kings level.
No matter how hard the peak-level members trained, they could not help but worry that they might become a hindrance to him.
“Never say such things again.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head and spoke firmly.
“Because of you all, my plans have advanced years ahead of schedule.”
He then showed an exceptionally gentle smile.
“I have merely grown wings, increasing the risk of falling from a greater height. Think of it that way.”
“My Lord…”
“I have no intention of forcing myself to become Commander either.”
Looking alternately at Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo, Bu Eunseol spoke with strength.
“I will not create dangerous situations for the members going forward. So let us calmly observe how things unfold.”
Instead of replying, Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo bowed deeply.
Bu Eunseol always valued the lives of his subordinates more than his own safety.
Therefore, there was only one thing they could do: grow stronger as quickly as possible, become outstanding pieces on the board, and help their my Lord reach his desired destination.
At the same moment, Silver Moon Pavilion.
Gongsun Dankyung’s office.
“I simply cannot fathom the elder’s intentions.”
Her adjutant Seong Ryeong shook her head as she spoke.
Having heard the news of Mu Gyeol’s appointment as Commander candidate, she was discussing it seriously with Gongsun Dankyung.
“Perhaps he no longer intends to assign further tasks to Lord Seon.”
Gongsun Dankyung silently listened to Seong Ryeong.
The Martial Venerable had certainly promised to use his influence to make Seon Woojin the the Martial Heaven Division Commander in exchange for handling various missions.
Yet the Martial Venerable had already broken that promise once.
And now he was doing this again?
In the end, was he not destroying all the trust that had been built?
“First, summon Lord Seon.”
Her tightly closed lips slowly parted.
“The one feeling the greatest betrayal will be Lord Seon. I need to speak with him.”
“Understood.”
Seong Ryeong bowed and hurriedly left the office to summon Bu Eunseol.
Yet not long after, a knock sounded, followed by a low voice of a martial artist.
“Chief Inspector, Hall Leader Mu of Cheongmyeong Hall requests an audience.”
“The Cheongmyeong Hall Leader?”
Gongsun Dankyung frowned.
The moment such rumours spread, Mu Gyeol was coming to see her?
‘This works out perfectly.’
She was already on the verge of madness, unable to meet the Martial Venerable immediately.
Yet Mu Gyeol, who had entered on the Martial Venerable’s orders, was coming to her on his own. There could be no better situation.
Nodding, she spoke in a low voice.
“Let him in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and a man in cyan robes slowly entered.
He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with an elegant bearing and eyes sharp as a dragon’s.
It was Mu Gyeol—disciple of the Martial Venerable, newly appointed Commander candidate from the Heavenly Rain Forest, and now the Cheongmyeong Hall Leader.
“It has been a while, Chief Inspector.”
Mu Gyeol and Gongsun Dankyung had known each other for a long time.
As Chief Inspector, she possessed detailed knowledge of the Martial Alliance’s organisations that were not publicly known. Moreover, Mu Gyeol had previously served as a messenger delivering the Martial Venerable’s orders and had provided her with considerable assistance.
Their relationship had not been bad.
“What on earth is the elder thinking?”
Gongsun Dankyung’s voice rose slightly.
“Lord Seon has risked his life carrying out the elder’s commands all this time. And yet suddenly…”
“Do not worry.”
Mu Gyeol smiled and cut her off.
“The elder sent me in order to eliminate Hall Leader Baek.”
“Eliminate Hall Leader Baek?”
“As you likely suspected, Chief Inspector, the probability that he has become a puppet of an external force is very high.”
Mu Gyeol continued calmly.
“He believes I am better suited than Lord Seon to bring about his downfall.”
“Do you think Lord Seon is inferior to Hall Leader Baek?”
“Of course not. It is simply that Lord Seon…”
Mu Gyeol’s expression turned meaningful.
“…feels friendship toward Hall Leader Baek. He will lack the ruthlessness, and in the end, he will ruin the greater cause.”
It was widely known that Bu Eunseol and Baek Museong were close.
Astonishingly, the Martial Venerable perfectly understood how Bu Eunseol viewed Baek Museong and the depth of their friendship.
“I do not understand what you mean.”
“Surely you know as well, Chief Inspector.”
Mu Gyeol wore a meaningful expression.
“That Lord Seon actually yielded the merit of dealing with the Earth-Killer Star to Hall Leader Baek.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes narrowed.
‘He knew everything.’
She too had already known that Seon Woojin and Baek Museong were especially close and that he had yielded the credit for killing the Earth-Killer Star.
“So in the end, he judged Lord Seon as someone unable to separate public and private matters—a muddle-headed fellow.”
“Not at all. He is a perfect and intelligent man. He would naturally distinguish public from private very well.”
Mu Gyeol shook his head.
“Lord Seon is a man of great capacity. That is why he understands the value of noble emotions like friendship.”
“…”
“And that is his only weakness.”
Chills ran down Gongsun Dankyung’s spine.
She had believed she alone perfectly grasped Seon Woojin’s temperament and character.
But the Martial Venerable, without ever showing his face, understood the man Seon Woojin completely?
‘No, it is impossible to grasp his temperament in such detail without having seen him.’
Gongsun Dankyung was a master of cunning. No one surpassed her in scheming, reading others’ temperaments, character, and abilities.
A flash sparked in her eyes as she looked at Mu Gyeol.
“The elder has already made contact with him, hasn’t he?”
She could assert it with confidence.
A man as complex as Seon Woojin could not be grasped at a glance.
No matter how extraordinary the Martial Venerable’s abilities, he could never understand him without having met him directly.
“Well now.”
Mu Gyeol smiled and replied.
“I am merely someone who does as he is told. I do not know how he knows about Lord Seon.”
His manner of speech was strange.
Though Mu Gyeol was the Martial Venerable’s disciple, he always spoke of his master as if he were somewhat distant.
Just as Gongsun Dankyung was about to speak again—knock knock.
Along with the knocking, Seong Ryeong’s voice sounded.
“Lord Seon has arrived in response to your summons.”
“Let him in.”
At Mu Gyeol’s words, Bu Eunseol entered slowly, dressed in white.
Seeing Mu Gyeol and Gongsun Dankyung together, he showed slight surprise.
“It has been a while, Lord Seon.”
Mu Gyeol smiled broadly.
“Your prayers grow ever more profound—it is good to see.”
A strange thought crossed Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Acting familiar in front of Gongsun Dankyung? Had he perhaps revealed his true identity?
“So you two know each other.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes sparkled, and Mu Gyeol smiled as if it were nothing.
“I have encountered Lord Seon several times in the martial world.”
Looking at Bu Eunseol, Mu Gyeol exclaimed as if in admiration.
“He not only has outstanding ability, but he has done truly good deeds. Before I knew it, feelings of admiration arose.”
Mu Gyeol smiled, bowed to both Gongsun Dankyung and Bu Eunseol.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Bu Eunseol returned the courtesy, Mu Gyeol’s voice transmission immediately reached him.
「Be careful.」
Staring at the silent Bu Eunseol, Mu Gyeol spoke cryptic words.
「The elder never lets go of a piece he holds in his hand.」
「For now, do not step off the board. At least for a while.」
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
The Martial Venerable’s disciple Mu Gyeol was saying this to him.
Did it not subtly imply that he was not fully following the Martial Venerable’s will?
At that moment, Mu Gyeol clasped his hands once more toward Chief Inspector Gongsun.
“Then.”
He turned and departed.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath while watching his retreating back.
The Martial Venerable.
What exactly did he want?
What goal was he scheming toward with all these actions?
“He said it was to eliminate Hall Leader Baek.”
At that moment, Gongsun Dankyung spoke to Bu Eunseol.
“He confidently claimed that because you feel friendship toward Hall Leader Baek, you would ultimately ruin matters.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
Those words were half true.
He had indeed been willing to yield the Commander position for Baek Museong’s sake.
But not now.
Only by rising to a high position within the Martial Alliance could he find the culprit who killed his grandfather—and locate the Heavenly Emperor to uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
“The Martial Venerable does not know how to read people.”
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“I have no intention of yielding the Commander position.”
“Good.”
Looking at Bu Eunseol’s resolute eyes, she nodded and said, “Soon the Vice Alliance Leader will conduct another trial.”
Gongsun Dankyung spoke with utmost solemnity.
“However, I cannot assist you during the trial. So do your very best.”
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands.
“Understood.”
With the second trial to become the Martial Heaven Division Commander approaching, an unforeseen variable named Mu Gyeol had appeared.
Bu Eunseol would have to pierce through every obstacle ahead and account for every variable.
Even the slightest misstep could prevent him from claiming the position of the Martial Heaven Division Commander.
Yet his expression remained calm.
Divine calculation and outstanding strategy.
The reason he had been able to defeat countless experts until now was not only his outstanding martial arts, but also the divine and wondrous strategies that ordinary people could never predict.
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