T/N: I switched the Yin Binding Demonic Land to Eumgyeol Demon Territory because… it just suited better eh
“Command Lord!”
Won Semun, swallowing his bitterness, spoke with a sorrowful expression.
“Command Lord, just how far are you planning to go? You’re not thinking of leaving us, are you?”
“What’s with the sudden nonsense?” Jo Namcheon, who was standing beside him, frowned. Won Semun replied with tears welling up in his eyes.
“The Command Lord might just ride a crane and ascend to the heavens like that!”
He was genuinely worried that Bu Eunseol might suddenly become an immortal and fly up to the sky.
“Hey, you idiot!”
Thwack!
Jo Namcheon smacked the back of Won Semun’s head with an exasperated look.
“The Command Lord isn’t cultivating the Dao. Just because his martial arts improved, doesn’t mean he’ll become an immortal.”
“Aren’t you worried at all? What if the Command Lord reaches a new realm… and ends up ascending to that side too!”
As the two bickered, Bu Eunseol let out a soft sigh.
“There’s no need to overcomplicate things. Walking a completely new path that no one else has taken… naturally comes with a high chance of failure.”
Then he showed a calm, faint smile.
“I will not become an immortal. In fact, the higher my martial arts climb… the lower the probability becomes that I can display the kind of transcendent might you all imagine—the kind that surpasses human limits.”
The people gathered here were those he cherished as much as his own life.
Because of that, he spoke with utmost honesty.
“After clashing with the Demon Emperor, I made up my mind. I will not pursue the god-like martial might that they possess. Instead… I will create a power capable of dragging those beings down to the level of ordinary mortals.”
The captains were all stunned.
—He’s saying he’ll turn those inhuman monsters into ordinary people.
It was an idea so unconventional that no martial artist in the history of the martial world had ever conceived of it.
And perhaps…
It was a thought only possible for Bu Eunseol, who still did not truly consider himself part of the martial world even now.
“…”
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
The concept was so shocking that it took everyone quite a while to regain their senses.
“Well… setting aside the martial arts part for now.”
Yoo Unryong, the first to recover, spoke up.
“If what you’re saying is true, then this mission means the Demon Emperor deliberately imposed sanctions on us through the Chief Instructor.”
“Most likely.”
“But something feels off.”
Yoo Unryong stroked his chin.
“It doesn’t seem to be simply because you shattered his authority. I have this strange intuition… that there’s another intention behind it.” After pausing for a moment, he shook his head. “To be honest… the one who suffers from this mission isn't you—it’s the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps.”
Now that he mentioned it, that was exactly right.
Even if negotiations with the Blood Cult failed, Bu Eunseol himself would suffer no real loss.
But for the Death Shadow Corps’ forces to attack the Eumgyeol Demon Territory? It was a fight they would lose eight times out of ten.
And defeat in a large-scale battle of that magnitude meant death for the vast majority of the Death Shadow Corps’ warriors.
“You’re right. If the Command Lord were with us, it might be different… but without you, we would most certainly be annihilated.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, Yoo Unryong spoke firmly. “Even so, we cannot disobey the order.”
The Demon Emperor’s commands were absolute.
If they refused, Bu Eunseol, as the successor, would no longer be able to remain in Majeon.
“Could it be… that the Demon Emperor actually wants the Command Lord to bow his head and submit?” Wi Cheongyeong, who had been quietly thinking, suddenly spoke. “Isn’t it obvious to everyone that an order like this is unreasonable?”
“…”
“Perhaps… the Demon Emperor is hoping that the Command Lord will once again swear absolute loyalty.”
“When has he ever given us an order that wasn’t unreasonable?” Bu Eunseol answered decisively. “The Demon Emperor never retracts an order once given.”
“I suppose you’re right…”
Wi Cheongyeong shook his head with a gloomy expression.
“Indeed… the idea that the Demon Emperor is waiting for the Command Lord to plead with him… doesn’t make sense either.”
The Demon Emperor did not desire anyone’s loyalty.
He only demanded absolute obedience—anything less meant death.
At that moment, Seo Jinha spoke.
“The bigger problem is that we don’t even have time to send out intelligence operatives to scout the area and prepare appropriate tactics.” Seo Jinha gazed at the slowly brightening sky outside the window and let out a deep sigh. “We have about half an hour until departure. All we can do is rush there immediately and smash straight into them.”
“Then we must prepare ourselves for death.”
Wi Cheongyeong took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming fiercely.
“Perhaps that’s exactly what the Demon Emperor wants—our deaths.”
“No. There is a way.” Yoo Unryong spoke with strength. “We just have to hold out until the Command Lord finishes negotiating with the Blood Cult and returns.”
Tak Ilhon nodded toward Yoo Unryong in agreement.
“This Protector will take the Flying Demon Corps and harass the enemy lines back and forth. That should buy us some time.”
“I’ll help too.” Soyo said while gently touching the small bow hidden in her sleeve. “In chaotic melees, my arrows will be quite effective.”
“Our Death Spirit Corps has also trained a large number of combat operatives.”
Mu Heon, the Lord of the Death Spirit Corps who had been silent until now, spoke powerfully.
“We will stake our lives to hold the defensive line until the Command Lord can return.”
The morale of the Death Shadow Corps soared.
If they fought prepared to die, they might truly create a miracle.
‘In this plan, Death Shadow Corps’ combat power is not the most important factor.’
Even amid the heated atmosphere of the meeting room, Bu Eunseol maintained extreme calm.
He placed his subordinates’ safety above everything else.
He would never gamble their lives on something as uncertain as a “miracle” or a tiny sliver of probability.
“Let’s give it a try.”
Nevertheless, he hid his true thoughts and simply nodded.
There was no need to dampen the soaring morale of his men.
To deceive the enemy, one must first deceive one’s own allies.
From the very moment he received the Demon Emperor’s command, he had already been secretly carrying out a plan to save his subordinates.
The Death Shadow Corps set out.
The direct combat force under the Martial Soul Command Lord numbered roughly six hundred.
However, the elite troops that could be immediately deployed into Eumgyeol Demon Territory numbered only about three hundred.
That figure was only possible because it included the combat operatives of the Death Spirit Corps and the Flying Demon Corps. Fortunately, all of them were one-man-army level warriors with outstanding martial arts and abundant battlefield experience.
With this much power, they could instantly crush most ordinary sects.
The problem was that their opponent was one of the Four Great Demonic Grounds of the martial world—Eumgyeol Demon Territory.
The enemies there used bizarre great arts and sorcery, and they even employed forbidden techniques that turned living people into something akin to jiangshi.
Iron Hammer-Hard Men.
They had removed even the sense of pain and fear.
Monsters who could no longer feel the agony of wounds or the terror of death.
Their bodies were as hard as if wrapped in iron armor, and it was said that the martial arts they unleashed could overwhelm even peak masters.
And they had created more than five hundred of these Iron Hammer-Hard Men to form their main force…
No matter how seasoned and elite the warriors of Death Shadow Corps were, sweeping Eumgyeol Demon Territory alone was simply impossible.
“Their internal defenses are airtight—not even water can leak through.”
Eun Junghwi, captain of the Flying Demon Corps who had swiftly scouted the perimeter, explained calmly.
“Moreover, because their main camp is positioned in such a location, ultimately the only way to destroy them is a direct frontal assault.”
“Hmm.” Yoo Unryong let out a low groan at Eun Junghwi’s words.
No matter how much martial world people used formations and mysterious martial arts, when it came to large-scale subjugation operations at the level of entire sects or factions, victory or defeat was mostly decided by superior numbers.
Currently, Death Shadow Corps’ elite fighting force numbered three hundred.
The enemy’s total strength was five thousand—plus more than five hundred Iron Hammer-Hard Men.
To overturn such overwhelming numerical inferiority, either someone of Bu Eunseol’s caliber had to smash the enemy’s elite troops in the opening phase, or they had to repeatedly use surprise attacks, feints, and guerrilla tactics with independent units to gradually whittle down the enemy.
“Bring the map.” Yoo Unryong spoke with a grave expression.
When it came to strategy and the art of employing troops, he was a brilliant commander second only to Bu Eunseol. Even in the face of such absurd numerical disadvantage, he maintained perfect composure.
“Fortunately, the Command Lord has been researching various formations that allow a small force to fight against larger numbers. Let’s use those for this operation.”
Whenever he had free time, Bu Eunseol never stopped writing martial arts manuals, yet he still found time to develop numerous formations for the sake of the Death Shadow Corps and the Supreme Corps.
Because both the Death Shadow Corps and the Supreme Corps would receive no further reinforcements.
He never forgot that relying only on trustworthy elites meant they could always find themselves at a numerical disadvantage. As a result, Bu Eunseol created extremely unique formations that blended elements of both demonic and orthodox schools.
“It will take at least three full days for the Command Lord to return from the Blood Cult—perhaps even longer.” Yoo Unryong addressed the warriors. “Once battle begins, they will use their numerical advantage to surround our entire force. Therefore, what we must do… is deploy defensive formations and endure without end.”
Sssssss—
At that moment, a strange sound came from far away.
At the same time, Tak Ilhon landed from the air and spoke urgently.
“The enemy is launching a surprise attack.”
“Surprise attack?”
Yoo Unryong’s eyes widened.
The Yangsan region where Eumgyeol Demon Territory was located belonged to the demonic faction’s sphere of influence.
Fortunately, they had managed to infiltrate secretly without being detected by the enemy’s information network.
Moreover, they hadn’t even begun the attack yet.
How could the enemy already be moving to surround them?
‘A trap.’
Yoo Unryong took a deep breath.
‘Does this mean even Majeon is no longer safe?’
Betraying comrades to the enemy—that was the greatest sin in the demonic path.
Yet the fact that someone could commit such an act without hesitation… meant that the Death Shadow Corps could no longer safely take root in Majeon.
‘Now is not the time for such thoughts.’
Shaking off the flood of thoughts, Yoo Unryong shouted.
“Form the formation!”
Chwa-ra-ra-rak!
Centered around Yoo Unryong, all the masters of Death Shadow Corps formed a perfect circle.
At the same time, a blue-green wall of strong energy unfolded, tightly sealing their surroundings.
“Hold on with everything you’ve got!”
Yoo Unryong roared.
“Until the Command Lord returns!”
Even if Bu Eunseol returned as quickly as possible, it would still take three days.
The masters of Death Shadow Corps had to endure here for three full days.
***
At that same moment, a figure wearing black martial robes embroidered with the twin dragon struggle pattern arrived in front of the Blood Cult’s main headquarters.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Kiii—
As he arrived before the main gate, the doors opened by themselves.
In the enormous Blood Cult headquarters—whose scale was comparable to Majeon—there were no gate guards.
This place was, from the beginning, more of a religious sect tinged with cult-like characteristics, a place that practiced bizarre sorcery. It could not be considered an ordinary martial world sect, and even its structure and scale were far from normal.
“Welcome.”
As he stepped inside, a middle-aged beauty wearing red palace robes guided him.
“The Cult Leader is waiting for you.”
Bu Eunseol followed the woman deeper inside.
As he walked toward the grand hall, countless scenes passed by.
In some places, large pavilions could be seen; in others, people who appeared to be cult members were reading books.
‘Somewhat unexpected.’
Bu Eunseol had thought the Blood Cult was merely a sinister, grotesque heretical sect that practiced foul arts. Yet judging from the solemn atmosphere and the dignified demeanor of the cult members, it did not feel like the bizarre cult that rumors described.
‘No… it is indeed a heretical sect.’
With every step he took, the figures of the cult members vanished like illusions.
They were not real people—the entire grand hall was shrouded in bizarre sorcery.
Thud. Thud.
At the far end of the long hall stood a high altar, upon which sat an ornate grand master’s chair.
Around it, numerous Blood Cult members dressed in red stood respectfully in attendance.
“I am the Martial Soul Command Lord Bu Eunseol.”
Bu Eunseol offered a polite greeting.
Yet the cult members standing on the platform remained silent, as if they heard nothing.
“I have come to meet the Cult Leader.”
Even after speaking a second time, there was still no response.
After a brief silence, Bu Eunseol looked at the cult members and thought: ‘This isn’t good.’
A faint formation surrounded the perimeter of the hall, and the cult members on the platform also emanated powerful auras, as though they possessed formidable martial prowess.
Judging from the atmosphere and disposition of the grand hall…
The hope that the Blood Cult Leader would greet him warmly was something he could not even imagine.
“If you were going to act like this, why didn’t you just bar the gate from the beginning?”
If the Blood Cult Leader refused to negotiate at all, that would actually be convenient.
There would be no need to waste time.
He could immediately return to Eumgyeol Demon Territory and aid the warriors of Death Shadow Corps.
Even if he failed, he would not have disobeyed the Demon Emperor’s command.
“Then—”
Swish.
Bu Eunseol immediately turned around and began walking toward the opposite side of the hall.
But the firmly closed door did not open again.
[I was just thinking how desperately we need to expand into the Central Plains. And look—a perfect bargaining chip has rolled right into our hands.]
At that moment, a low, sinister voice echoed throughout the hall.
It was most likely the voice of Blood Cult Leader Pae Yukgyeol.
The fact that the voice rang from every direction without revealing its source suggested that he was using Six Directions Voice Transmission.
“You think capturing this Command Lord will serve as a bargaining chip?”
[If we detain the successor, even the Demon Emperor will have no choice but to reconsider—again and again.]
Sssssss—
As the words ended, the floor, walls, and ceiling of the grand hall all began to turn crimson.
At the same time, Bu Eunseol’s vision was also completely dyed red.
True to the Blood Cult that worshiped blood and wielded sorcery through it, everything turned the color of blood, and somewhere, the fishy scent of blood began to spread.
“Interesting sorcery.”
Though Bu Eunseol spoke leisurely, his mind felt as if it were burning, and his bones felt as though they were melting—excruciating pain assaulted him.
‘This is all illusion.’
Even amid the pouring agony, he maintained an expressionless face.
However, thick beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his pupils trembled like rippling water.
Blood Cult Leader Pae Yukgyeol.
Could his martial realm really surpass even the Human Demon Evil Spirit, allowing him to shatter Bu Eunseol’s mental barriers in a single breath?
‘Bu Eunseol. That man would never lose to mere illusion arts.’
At that moment, he repeated the shocking thought.
In truth… the one who had come to the Blood Cult to negotiate was not Bu Eunseol.
It was Seo Jinha, disguised as Bu Eunseol.
‘Ugh…’
It felt as though the thread holding his consciousness together was about to snap.
Yet Seo Jinha stood calmly, enduring the pouring pain.
‘I must not even let my expression twist.’
Bu Eunseol’s endurance was unmatched in the world.
He was famous for maintaining absolute composure in any situation.
If he grimaced or groaned in pain, not only would his identity be suspected—the fact that Bu Eunseol had a shadow double might also be exposed.
Crack. Crack.
But regardless of his will, the sound of bones creaking began to leak from his body.
The pain was so intense that his physical body was starting to collapse.
‘There’s only one option left—the Emotion-Severing Secret.’
In order to make Seo Jinha a perfect double, Bu Eunseol had taught him not only his own unique martial arts, but even the Demon Emperor’s Emotion-Severing Secret.
Although Seo Jinha’s level of attainment was not enough to create a proper mental fortress, he could still resist mind-reading techniques and illusions through the mental essence of the Emotion-Severing Secret.
‘But if I use it in this situation… I might turn into a great demon.’
Bu Eunseol had not only taught Seo Jinha the technique—he had also explained its dangers, advantages, and disadvantages in detail.
The Emotion-Severing Secret, as its name implied, severed all lingering emotions and attachments in the heart.
In doing so, it allowed one to build an incredibly powerful mental fortress, and even freely materialize the true energy within the body.
It was the most mystical and supreme secret art of the demonic path.
The problem was that continued use would gradually erase one’s emotions, eventually stripping away all humanity, turning the user into a bloodless, tearless great demon.
‘Ugh…’
As the pain grew worse, his consciousness began to blur.
Ziiing—
At that moment, black haze began to rise from Seo Jinha’s entire body.
Simultaneously, his pupils started turning pitch black.
Under the death-like agony, he instinctively began to execute the Emotion-Severing Secret.
Wooong—
But soon after, the darkening pupils regained their clarity.
‘No.’
Seo Jinha desperately gathered his mind again.
If he entrusted everything to the Emotion-Severing Secret…
He would become a cold-blooded person who could never feel affection again, and in the worst case, he would turn into a great demon incapable of expressing joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure.
‘What happened, Bu Eunseol?’
In his fading consciousness, Seo Jinha suddenly recalled the conversation he once had with Bu Eunseol.
‘Was your prediction… wrong?’
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