—Wudang and the Martial Soul Society dealt with the murderous fiends who had been tormenting commoners, along with the forces behind them.
The Martial Soul Society—an alliance straddling the righteous and demonic paths.
The news that they had finally taken action sent shockwaves through the martial world.
From both the Martial Soul Society and Wudang, they had eradicated a faction that infused bizarre malign energy to torment ordinary people.
—They are called Ghosts. They were sent by the same force that dispatches the Ghost Children the Martial Soul Society has been handling.
The martial artists found it puzzling.
Even when the Martial Soul Command Lord first spoke of entities called “Ghost Children,” the only question in everyone’s mind had been: Just what kind of force is that?
And now Ghosts had appeared?
Moreover, despite investigations by various intelligence networks across the martial world, no one could even determine where these beings had come from.
—Could it be that something exists in the martial world we’ve all been unaware of?
Only now did the martial artists begin to sense that something was deeply wrong.
Every sect and school had its own information network and countless informants yet everything the Martial Soul Command Lord had dealt with so far had no traceable origin.
The Heavenly Blessing Medicine Forest had been the same.
And now strange boys called Ghost Children were pouring out, followed by vicious taoists called Ghosts.
Yet no one knew where they came from or what their purpose was?
—Something is going terribly wrong.
Sensing the anomaly, numerous martial sects and schools mobilized their intelligence organizations without cease, beginning thorough investigations into the Ghost Children, Ghosts, and any organizations unknown to the martial world.
And that was precisely the grand picture Bu Eunseol had drawn.
Even if they couldn’t discover it immediately, sooner or later they too would peer into the abyss lurking beneath the martial world.
Dabi Mountain— the Martial Venerable’s hidden sanctuary.
“Troubling.”
Staring into empty space, deep shadows pooled in the Martial Venerable’s eyes.
He had sealed the secret vault that held secrets related to the Heavenly Emperor and himself, yet his heart remained uneasy.
An unknown figure who had never trained in martial arts had infiltrated his vault and taken every last drop of the power of the Boundary Prosperity Jade he had stored in the Silver River Domain.
In this world, was there really anyone else who possessed such power?
‘It can no longer be allowed.’
Unless the Baekri family’s secret vault is opened from now on, there will be no way to stop those who will appear in the future.
“We can drag this out no longer.”
The Martial Venerable bit his lip.
“The longer we wait, the more that boy will grow…”
To the Martial Venerable, Bu Eunseol was nothing more than the key to opening the Baekri family’s vault.
If left alone, he would grow into a figure capable of swaying even the balance of power in the martial world.
Given enough time, it might become impossible to act against him.
“No choice.”
Crack.
Transforming into the identity of the Divine Mountain Sage, the Martial Venerable let out a sigh and gazed into the distant sky.
“We have no option but to use them.”
If it’s the Jungson family, which among the Three Families holds the greatest share of the power of the Hundred and Eight Stars… they would surely be able to awaken the dormant Baekri family power sleeping within Bu Eunseol’s body.
***
Shaanxi, Martial Soul Society headquarters. Main training ground.
Hundreds of mercenaries were training in squads or drilling formations and Do Cheonlin was overseeing and guiding the mercenaries’ training.
During the recent subjugation of the Ghosts, he had once again realized a chronic weakness in the mercenary combat units.
—The disparity in individual martial prowess is far too great.
In the past, following Yoo Hwaryeong’s advice, Do Cheonlin had classified the mercenaries’ skill levels and temperaments to organize the units.
But he had overlooked one thing.
Mercenaries possessed one completely unique characteristic that set them apart from ordinary martial artists.
—Such a gap between training performance and real combat?
People who showed no particular distinction during regular drills would suddenly display astonishing skill the moment real combat began—again and again.
—What in the world is going on?
It was common for someone who performed brilliantly in training to fail to show their true ability in actual battle due to tension.
Training and real combat were fundamentally different.
But to perform poorly in training yet display outstanding skill in real combat?
That could only happen if they were deliberately hiding their strength.
—No. It wasn’t that they were hiding it. The classification method for mercenaries was wrong.
Finally, Do Cheonlin identified the root cause.
Mercenaries who came from orthodox sects or legitimate martial halls were very accustomed to structured, regular training.
But those who had lived as mercenaries since childhood found rigid, standardized training awkward or outright rejected it.
Because they had learned everything through constant real combat, not through pre-arranged drills.
—The difference in experience creates enormous gaps in ability.
Even if two people reached the same level of martial technique, the actual effectiveness varied wildly depending on experience.
For example, mercenaries who had been deployed across various battlefields possessed rich large-scale combat experience; they were skilled in all sorts of miscellaneous techniques and shone in massive clashes between large armies.
Conversely, those who mainly handled escort duties or small merchant caravans were unaccustomed to large-scale battles but excelled in one-against-many fights or localized skirmishes.
—This is complicated.
Do Cheonlin’s head began to throb.
Of course, if he were merely leading an ordinary mercenary unit, he could simply match numbers and be done with it.
But now they were official, full-fledged martial artists belonging to the Martial Soul Society.
To properly operate the units, he had to accurately classify the martial levels of every member and standardize their strength.
Even after clearly identifying the problem, no solution presented itself.
—Unless one is a mercenary oneself…
Do Cheonlin was the young master of the Blood Flame Blade Sect, one of the Ten Demonic Sects.
In other words, he was an elite martial artist raised from childhood with the finest education under renowned masters.
But no matter how intelligent or insightful he might be, it was difficult to fully understand mercenaries or solve their problems in a short time.
—It seems I’ll have to ask Bu Eunseol for help after all.
Bu Eunseol had trained in the Nangyang Pavilion’s martial arts, which emphasized practical combat above all and when he first entered Nangyang Pavilion, its system had been little different from living as a mercenary in a large gang.
Even the teaching process lacked any real structure; one had to learn martial arts by getting beaten and rolling in real combat, just like a mercenary.
They studied chaotic, unorganized martial arts without proper lineages or had to research and develop them on their own.
In other words, Bu Eunseol had effectively lived the life of a mercenary for a very long time.
Moreover, even his journeys through the martial world had begun as a mercenary, and he had spent considerable time together with the outstanding mercenary Black Leopard.
He understood mercenaries’ characteristics better than anyone.
—Please help me. It seems I’ll need you to reclassify the mercenary combat unit.
In the end, Do Cheonlin requested Bu Eunseol’s assistance.
—Understood.
Putting everything else aside, Bu Eunseol immediately headed to the Martial Soul Society at Do Cheonlin’s request.
Together with him, he began rapidly classifying the characteristics and martial levels of thousands of mercenaries.
As a master of practical combat and someone deeply knowledgeable about human anatomy, he considered not only martial techniques but also each person’s physical traits and temperament to assign them the most suitable martial arts and training methods.
He also formed small combat squads by grouping mercenaries with similar temperaments so they could synergize effectively.
—To assess a mercenary’s temperament, first examine the weapons they carry and the scars on their body.
While swiftly classifying the mercenaries, Bu Eunseol also passed on his discernment methods to Do Cheonlin.
—Even the way they walk or stand can reveal their martial level and specialties.
—Scars also indicate what kind of battles they’ve experienced. The wounds one receives in large-scale battles differ from those in small localized fights.
—However, you must distinguish between those with deep scars and those with many minor ones.
Depending on martial maturity and temperament, some may take unnecessary wounds.
—When operating units, those carrying strange or unusual weapons must always be separated. People with unique armaments can never adapt to standard squad tactics.
Under Bu Eunseol’s meticulous guidance, Do Cheonlin diligently learned the characteristics of mercenaries.
“You should take a break.”
While Bu Eunseol and Do Cheonlin were huddled together discussing in the main training ground where the mercenary unit was gathered, a beauty in yellow robes approached carrying a basket.
It was Dam Yuyeon.
Since becoming the strategist of the Martial Soul Society, she had been so busy she barely had time to eat.
But after Chief Steward Yoo Hwaryeong arrived, her workload lightened, and tasks could be shared.
Thanks to that, she could now enjoy a relatively leisurely life.
“I have something to discuss briefly with Soyo.”
When Dam Yuyeon arrived, Bu Eunseol stood up.
He already knew.
The reason Dam Yuyeon had brought snacks was not truly to offer food, but because she wanted to spend time with Do Cheonlin.
“Here, eat these.”
Apparently anticipating that Bu Eunseol would step aside, Dam Yuyeon had prepared a separate basket for him.
“I’ll enjoy them.”
Bu Eunseol looked up at a tree planted near the main training ground.
“Soyo. Come down for a moment and rest with me.”
Shuuk.
A small masked figure appeared before him like a ghost.
It was Soyo.
“You don’t need to wear a mask here.”
“Mm.”
Soyo removed her mask.
An indescribably beautiful face was slowly revealed.
—Oh…
The surrounding mercenaries let out gasps or formed perfect ‘O’s with their mouths upon seeing Soyo’s face.
“Snacks brought by Lady Dam.”
Under the tree’s shade, Bu Eunseol shared rice cakes and snacks with Soyo.
While quietly chewing a rice cake, Soyo suddenly looked toward where Bu Eunseol’s gaze was fixed.
There, Do Cheonlin and Dam Yuyeon were talking so closely their noses nearly touched.
The gentle scene evoked a serene, peaceful feeling even in those watching.
“Jealous?”
At Soyo’s question, Bu Eunseol huffed softly through his nose and shook his head.
“No. I want to protect them.”
Then, with eyes filled with genuine warmth, he looked at them once more.
“Whether a martial world person can ever live an ordinary life is doubtful, but still… I want to help them maintain as peaceful a life as possible.”
Soyo wore a dazed expression for a moment before nodding.
“It will happen.”
Then she spoke again, firmly.
“I’ll make it happen.”
Bu Eunseol looked at Soyo and gave a faint smile.
“Yes.”
Even as this happened, countless people were constantly coming and going within the Martial Soul Society.
Though it was an alliance between righteous and demonic paths, the Society still operated the mercenary market and had transformed into the largest and most systematic mercenary market in the Central Plains, even more so than when it was at the Red Sky Veil.
Near the main gate of the Martial Soul Society.
Merchants seeking to hire mercenaries and mercenaries waiting to receive payment flowed endlessly.
Buzz buzz.
In the middle of the bustling entrance stood a middle-aged man surveying his surroundings.
He wore high-quality silk robes and a expensive silk-gauze face veil.
Though his features weren’t clearly visible, he exuded an air of refinement, suggesting he came from a prestigious household or wealthy family.
Ssss.
Rather than negotiating contracts, he wandered about like someone merely sightseeing, carefully observing everything.
“Hm.”
After looking around for a long while, the middle-aged man tilted his head, then stepped outside again.
He began inspecting the area once more.
Because the Martial Soul Society was built upon the mercenary market, aside from a few restricted buildings, people could move about freely.
After wandering for some time, the middle-aged man happened to reach the vicinity of the main training ground.
“Hm.”
He stopped and observed the mercenaries and martial artists training there.
His gaze eventually landed on Do Cheonlin and Dam Yuyeon resting together in the tree shade.
The eyes beneath the gauze veil deepened.
While he stared for a long moment,
“Sir.”
A young mercenary approached cautiously.
“This is the Society’s training ground. Access is restricted.”
“I see.”
Nodding, the middle-aged man turned away.
“Where does one go to contract mercenaries?”
Though his voice was very low and quiet, it strangely seemed to vibrate the ground.
Flustered, the young mercenary pointed toward the Crystal Hall on one side.
“You can arrange contracts there.”
Nod.
The middle-aged man nodded silently and turned.
Despite his ordinary build, every movement carried a majestic aura, as though the wind itself sighed around him.
“Huh?”
The young mercenary who had been staring blankly at the departing man suddenly jumped.
Somehow, a single silver ingot had appeared in his palm.
“How…?”
Martial artists have the most sensitive hands.
Because they handle weapons, their hands are practically linked to their lives; they always maintain razor-sharp tactile awareness.
Yet someone had placed this large silver ingot so naturally into his hand that he hadn’t even noticed.
Only now did he realize:
This middle-aged man was a supreme master capable of using moments at dozens of times the speed of an ordinary human.
“Why would such a master come to hire mercenaries?”
Staring at the silver ingot in his hand for a long time, the young mercenary shook his head.
Thud thud.
The middle-aged man had already left the Martial Soul Society.
Walking with complicated eyes, he soon reached a forested path lined with dense trees.
Swiik.
From behind a large tree, a black shadow slowly emerged.
Long hair hung loosely, yet the eyes visible through it held a cold moonlight glow and the features were as beautiful as a woman’s.
It was Do Cheonlin, currently the leader of the Martial Soul Society’s mercenary combat unit.
But the middle-aged man continued walking with an expressionless gaze, as though he hadn’t seen him.
“You’re just going to leave like that?”
As the middle-aged man passed by, Do Cheonlin spoke shortly.
“Family Head.”
Thud.
Instantly, the middle-aged man halted.
Crack.
When he turned again, his gaunt frame swelled with muscle, his eyes transformed into fierce tiger-like orbs, and his height grew by a full three feet.
He was none other than the most renowned demonic blade master in the world, the Family Head of the Blood Flame Blade Sect—Do Mu-cheok.
“How did you know?”
Do Mu-cheok narrowed his fierce eyes at Do Cheonlin.
“I hid my appearance perfectly.”
“If I couldn’t sense presence, I would have starved to death long ago. What use is appearance?”
“Hm.” Do Mu-cheok let out a cold snort. “I heard you ran away from the family and became the leader of a band of mercenaries, so I came to see for myself.”
He swept Do Cheonlin with an utterly merciless gaze.
“In case you were disgracing the family name.”
“I am no longer affiliated with the Blood Flame Blade Sect.” Do Cheonlin replied coldly. “So there’s no need to concern yourself with me any longer.”
“How dare you.” Flames seemed to blaze in Do Mu-cheok’s pupils. “Who do you think you’re speaking to like that?”
The Family Head of the Blood Flame Blade Sect, Do Mu-cheok.
He was harsh, heartless, and would cast out even blood kin if they lacked satisfactory skill and ability.
Indeed, when Do Cheonlin—once the greatest pride of the family—failed to become Majeon’s successor because of Bu Eunseol, hadn’t Do Mu-cheok immediately stripped him of his position as young master?
“Didn’t you hear me?”
Do Cheonlin spoke with absolute resolve.
“I said I am no longer a person of the Blood Flame Blade Sect.”
Flash!
A murderous aura flashed from Do Mu-cheok’s tiger-like eyes.
In the past, Do Cheonlin would have been unable to meet that gaze and would have lowered his head.
But now he squared his shoulders and declared boldly.
“I am the Leader of the Mercenary Corps of the Martial Soul Society.”
“Hahaha.”
Do Mu-cheok, who had stood still wondering what nonsense this was, suddenly looked at Do Cheonlin and burst into roaring laughter.
“Haa ha ha ha!”
As the laughter echoed, Do Cheonlin felt heat surge in his chest and a line of blood rise in his throat.
Yet he stared straight at Do Mu-cheok without wavering.
“Did you come just to show off your power?”
“Insolent brat.”
When Do Cheonlin responded firmly from beginning to end, Do Mu-cheok grew furious and unleashed his inner power.
Kuuung.
Behind him, a colossal blade soared into the sky.
Over twenty zhang tall, it radiated terrifying waves of true energy; even the slightest touch seemed capable of tearing a body apart.
Without any movement, he had manifested the Heart Blade.
“Say that insolent remark one more time.”
Do Mu-cheok spoke with eyes flashing blue light.
“Who do you think you are?”
“The Leader of the Mercenary Corps of the Martial Soul Society…”
Kwaaang!
In that instant, the twenty-zhang-tall Heart Blade crashed down toward Do Cheonlin’s head.
It was an unstoppable strike, like the wrath of nature itself.
Kwaaang!
Yet something astonishing happened.
The colossal Heart Blade halted just one inch above Do Cheonlin’s head.
At the same time, violent waves of true energy raged across his entire body like a storm.
Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form.
His unique blade art—which could defend against any attack using only the energy flowing from the blade—had been unleashed.
Crack.
Thick veins bulged across Do Cheonlin’s body.
Before long, the Heart Blade had descended until it touched his forehead.
Srrrng! Paak!
In the end, Do Cheonlin drew the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword from his waist and shifted stance.
Do Mu-cheok’s Heart Blade was pushed back another inch.
Though it looked like a simple draw, he had executed six consecutive profound moves of the Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form to repel the Heart Blade.
“You think just blocking it ends everything?” Do Mu-cheok sneered lowly.
An overwhelming pressure began pouring from the Heart Blade.
Creak creak creak.
Do Cheonlin’s legs slowly sank into the ground.
At the same time, red blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Even if he blocked the Heart Blade with Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form, the terrifying pressure contained within it was impossible to fully withstand.
“Kneel.”
Do Mu-cheok’s voice carried the irresistible authority of a transcendent being.
Drip drip.
Blood flowed from his ears and nose; pain as though every meridian in his body was bursting assaulted him.
“If you resist, you will suffer fatal internal injuries.”
Yet despite Do Mu-cheok’s words, Do Cheonlin did not kneel.
He had already become a martial artist who no longer yielded to pain or trials.
“Stubborn for no reason.”
Do Mu-cheok doubled the pouring pressure.
But Do Cheonlin’s eyes instead flashed as though he had been waiting.
Woooong!
A low vibration rang from Do Cheonlin’s body, and his posture began to shift little by little.
In response to the overwhelming pressure, he was instantly advancing the Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form one step further.
Woooong! Wuuuung!
With the low vibration, as though he had found the optimal stance and defense principle, Do Cheonlin slowly began to escape the pressure.
‘This brat.’
Watching this, Do Mu-cheok’s pupils rippled like water.
In childhood, the boy had always used his head to avoid trials and pain.
Yet now he had become a martial artist who refused to bend before pain and hardship, breaking through martial limits in the midst of crisis.
Sizzle. Sizzle.
Finally, Do Cheonlin began to gradually escape the range of the Heart Blade.
He had instantaneously evolved Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form to deflect the pressure at an angle.
Taat!
At last breaking free of the colossal Heart Blade’s domain, Do Cheonlin drew the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword and swung it toward Do Mu-cheok.
“Hmph.”
Do Mu-cheok snorted,
Kuuung!
Do Cheonlin was instantly flung back, crashing into a giant tree over ten zhang away.
“You’ve created some bizarre technique.”
Do Mu-cheok sneered coldly at Do Cheonlin, who barely managed to stand.
“But at least you won’t die wandering the martial world and disgrace the family.”
Leaving those words, Do Mu-cheok turned and departed.
Watching his father’s cold, retreating figure, Do Cheonlin shook his head.
“He only came to check whether I would tarnish the Blood Flame Blade Sect’s reputation.”
He had held a faint hope, but it was as expected.
From the beginning, his father had been a man without blood or tears.
Even so, in childhood he had respected that very coldness. He had believed coldness was one of the prerequisites for strength.
But not anymore.
Because he had seen a person who possessed boundless warmth yet was incomparably strong.
‘Bu Eunseol.’
Gazing at the distant sky, Do Cheonlin let out a deep sigh.
‘I still have a long way to go before I can become like you.’
Click.
Sheathing the Dreaming Illusory Demon Sword, Do Cheonlin slowly walked back toward the Martial Soul Society.
Thud thud.
Do Mu-cheok walked slowly along the forest path.
Then he looked down at his own palm.
‘Hmph.’
His palm was cracked like the bark of an old tree.
Though invisible to the eye, Do Cheonlin had launched dozens of counterattacks while executing Blood Flame Blade Extreme Form.
‘He’s grown a lot.’
The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
But at that moment,
Swiik.
A gray shadow slowly emerged directly in front of Do Mu-cheok.
Eyes endlessly cold and still with a lonely aura seemed to radiate from his entire body.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Family Head Do.”
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands together in an unprecedentedly polite salute.
But Do Mu-cheok glared at him with eyes as frigid as the glaciers of the North Sea.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“You came all this way. The least I can do is offer a greeting.”
Bu Eunseol had sensed Do Mu-cheok from the moment he entered the Martial Soul Society.
“You dare show yourself so boldly after turning my son into the leader of a band of vagrants?”
Do Mu-cheok radiated murderous energy as though he would unleash the Heart Blade at any second.
Yet Bu Eunseol spoke in an utterly calm voice.
“What matters is not what faction he leads, but what kind of person he has become, wouldn’t you agree?”
Instead of answering, Do Mu-cheok spread an icy aura across his entire body.
The situation was so tense it seemed the Blood Flame Blade Technique could fly at any moment.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s gaze did not waver.
‘So it wasn’t merely a bad relationship after all.’
He had always thought Bu Eunseol was the one who ruined the lives of his two outstanding children but only now did he realize that had been a mistaken assumption.
After associating with Bu Eunseol, Do Cheonlin had already begun to perfectly master the Blood Flame Blade Technique in his own way.
And Do Chaeryeong, who had returned utterly defeated by Bu Eunseol, had realized there were heavens beyond the heavens and devoted herself to martial arts, achieving another breakthrough.
Though he had given his two children trials, in the end he had led them to higher realms.
“Hmph.”
With a cold snort, Do Mu-cheok passed Bu Eunseol without a word.
Watching his departing back, Bu Eunseol bowed once more with deep respect.
Because this was the father of a friend he would trade his life for—he could bow again without hesitation.
Martial Soul Society, Martial Soul Pavilion. Dam Yuyeon’s office.
“What did you just say?”
Do Cheonlin, who had come to her office after treating his internal injuries, wore a strange expression.
Because she had just said something utterly bizarre.
“So… an unknown middle-aged merchant left an enormous sum of money in your name?”
“That’s right.”
When Dam Yuyeon puffed out her cheeks in distress, Do Cheonlin asked again.
“One million taels?”
“Yes. He didn’t hire any mercenaries—he just entrusted the money to me.”
Arms crossed, Dam Yuyeon looked down at the promissory note on the table with a serious expression.
“I think we should find that person and return it.”
Watching her worried face, Do Cheonlin’s eyes flashed.
“Did that middle-aged man perhaps wear a gauze veil and high-quality silk robes?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
When Dam Yuyeon opened her eyes wide, Do Cheonlin clenched his fist tightly.
‘Family Head.’
The Family Head, Do Mu-cheok, had not come merely to check whether Do Cheonlin’s skill would disgrace the family or to mock him for leading mercenaries.
“You can just use it.”
“Huh?”
“It’s money entrusted to you. Just use it.”
“How can I? It’s someone else’s money.”
Do Cheonlin let out a deep sigh.
“It’s not someone else’s money.”
Leaving only those words, Do Cheonlin stepped out of the office.
“Not… someone else’s money?”
Blinking her large eyes, Dam Yuyeon examined the promissory note once more.
“Shaanxi… Hagok Money Exchange?”
Looking at the issuer, Dam Yuyeon realized something and gave a small laugh.
She had figured out which sect primarily dealt with the Hagok Money Exchange.
“What is this…”
Setting the note down again, she murmured softly.
“So it was pocket money.”
Turning away with a slightly pouty expression, her face was flushed bright red.
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