The poison of the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon is so deadly because its inner core has concentrated thousands of years’ worth of spiritual energy and poison qi.
‘Will I be able to obtain a poison comparable to that?’
For decades now in the Central Plains martial world, spiritual beasts and rare spiritual herbs have become almost impossible to find, as though their lineage had dried up entirely.
The few places where spiritual herbs still exist are remote sects beyond the borders—like the Azure Cloud Sea Palace—that have never revealed themselves to the martial world.
But could there really be a poison left in the martial world comparable to that of an Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon that has lived for thousands of years?
“Is there any poison in the world more deadly than the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core?”
“It cannot be said to be more deadly, but there is one that can be compared to it.”
Bu Eunseol had no particular ambition to reach the Poison Saint realm; he simply wanted to detoxify the Three Corpse Worm Poison afflicting the absolute masters.
‘To detoxify it, I only need to obtain one more poison comparable to the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core.’
“Where is it?”
“Even this sect leader does not know.” Jo Baeksan took a deep breath and continued, “However, since you have already absorbed the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core, you will surely find another poison.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol spoke as though something had dawned on him.
“Since I killed the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon, the Three Realms will definitely come looking for me.”
Jo Baeksan shook his head at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“That is not what I meant. Because the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s poison has appeared, it is only natural that a poison of equal caliber will soon emerge as well. That is the way of things—the natural order.”
It sounded rather like the cryptic words of a fortune-teller.
Experts in a particular field sometimes utter incomprehensible statements.
Yet because such words often prove true, Bu Eunseol did not dismiss them as mere nonsense.
‘It doesn’t matter what it is. If the Three Realms come, that would be even better.’
If they came to reclaim the inner core, that would not be a bad thing either.
Poison experts would surely arrive, and it could become an opportunity to obtain one more powerful poison.
“Return now.”
Jo Baeksan gazed at the distant sky and said, “From this moment, this island will become an isle of death where not even a single blade of grass or any living thing can survive.”
“Sect leader.”
“It is, in any case, the natural course of events.”
Jo Baeksan spoke calmly.
“Indeed, since you have absorbed the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core, our sect’s poisons will no longer affect you.”
Without giving Bu Eunseol another glance, he turned and knelt before the corpse of his son, whose breathing had already ceased.
“Seungji-ah. Why did you refuse to listen to this father of yours?”
Clutching his son’s pitifully melted body, Jo Baeksan shed tears.
Though the boy had chosen the wrong path, he had been a son so dearly loved that even putting him in his eye would not have caused pain.
Wuuuung.
Black mist flowed from the weeping man’s body.
With both his sect and his son gone in screams, he intended to end his own life using the poison arts he had cultivated his entire life.
“I will go to your side now.”
Paaaa.
Jo Baeksan’s body instantly turned into black smoke.
The surrounding grass withered and died at once, and gradually the ground itself began to turn pitch black.
With his final breath, the poison arts he had honed for decades spread across the entire uninhabited island.
“Rest in peace.”
After paying his respects to Jo Baeksan’s corpse, Bu Eunseol calmly surveyed the surroundings.
The poison qi that flowed from Jo Baeksan had turned the uninhabited island into a dead zone in an instant.
But because Bu Eunseol had obtained the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core and transcended mere immunity to all poisons, reaching the level of Poison Demon—the capacity to store every poison in the world within his body—he remained completely unaffected.
“Perhaps it really is the Returning to One Realm.”
The Infinite Realm, whose main base has already collapsed, has not shown itself in the martial world.
Judging from their actions so far, compared to the Clear River Realm that manipulates minds, the Returning to One Realm—which seeks to revive ancient masters—has a higher probability of having attempted something with the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon.
‘To oppose the Poison Heaven…’
As Bu Eunseol pondered deeply, from his body—
Swaaak!
A blade of black true qi extended outward, scraping across various poisoned parts of the uninhabited island.
He left behind traces of the Wishful True Binding, marking that it was he who had taken the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon’s inner core.
“I can only hope that Jo Baeksan’s prophecy proves true.”
Even if the Three Realms come looking for him, it remains uncertain whether they will bring a poison of comparable strength.
In his current situation, Bu Eunseol absolutely must detoxify the solitude poison afflicting the absolute masters.
He needed to find one more poison on par with the Obsidian Single-Horn Flood Dragon as soon as possible.
***
Upon returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eunseol immediately requested an audience with Gongsun Dankyung.
He wanted to ask about information regarding the True Demon and the Human Heavens—details he had not been able to inquire about during the clash with the Fist Man.
“Come in.”
Gongsun Dankyung greeted Bu Eunseol warmly, as though she had been waiting.
Her demeanor was softer than usual and her eyes gentle, yet Bu Eunseol felt an inexplicable sense of dissonance.
It was as though she were forcing a smile.
“You came to ask about the secret record that contains information on the True Demon, correct?”
“Yes.”
At that time, Gongsun Dankyung had been in a state of severe mental shock, so he had not asked for detailed information.
But the True Demon and the Eight Human Heavens had an extremely high probability of becoming his enemies in the future. Since the secret record of the Jungson family contained details about the True Demon and his kin, and she had read it, he intended to ask for those precise details.
“According to the secret record, in the beginning there were the Baekri Clan and the True Demon, and the two fought endlessly. Yet no victor emerged, and the conflict continued across generations.”
Gongsun Dankyung calmly recounted to Bu Eunseol what she had read in the Jungson family’s secret record.
“Ultimately, after a long struggle, the Baekri Clan succeeded in sealing the True Demon.”
“Sealing? Does that mean they are beings akin to demons?”
“I do not know. However, since they reincarnate while retaining their memories, it would not be wrong to say they possess power worthy of being called demonic.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes narrowed.
“But because the True Demon’s kin remained, the Baekri Clan created the Three Realms and ordered them to protect the martial world. And that became the beginning of the calamity.”
In truth, this was a story Bu Eunseol had already heard in the mysterious pond left behind by the Baekri Clan.
Yet he listened silently without showing any reaction.
“Using the power left by the Baekri Clan, the Three Realms secretly dominated the martial world and grew immensely strong. And in the end, they even bit the hand of their master to seize that very power for themselves.”
“I see.”
“Due to the Three Realms’ rebellion, the Baekri Clan was greatly disappointed and vanished from the martial world forever.”
Gongsun Dankyung stared straight at Bu Eunseol, her lips thinning.
“That is all the secret record contains.”
In the end, aside from information about the True Demon and his kin, the contents of the secret record were not significantly different from what was contained in the pool.
After hearing everything, Bu Eunseol asked carefully, “Then regarding the person who set a trap for the Chief Inspector…”
“I believe I was mistaken.”
Gongsun Dankyung shook her head.
“It seems the Eight Human Heavens used traces of someone I once knew to throw me into confusion.”
It was blatantly obvious that she was lying.
But Bu Eunseol did not press her on it. Her expression looked unbearably lonely and pained.
Unless it directly concerned him, there was no need to pry.
“Then why are people like the Eight Human Heavens targeting the Chief Inspector?”
“They seem to mistakenly believe I am one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.”
The Fist Man had said she was hiding the power of one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars through some special method.
Yet Gongsun Dankyung once again firmly denied being one of them.
“Similar to how, in my childhood, I was kidnapped because they thought I was the Heavenly Mechanism Star.”
“Are you truly saying you are not one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars?”
“If I possessed the power of one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, would I have been so pathetically kidnapped?” She spoke with a bitter expression. “At the very least, I would have resisted the Fist Man’s threats.”
This time had truly been dangerous for Gongsun Dankyung.
If Bu Eunseol had not risked his life to rescue her, she would have been killed by the Fist Man on the spot.
Since she had not manifested the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars even in that situation, her words were likely not false.
‘Could it be that she is one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars but cannot manifest the power?’
Bu Eunseol still harbored doubts. But seeing the darkness in Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes, he pushed the thought aside.
Whether or not she was one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars was not particularly important at the present moment.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, all my questions have been answered.”
“Is there nothing else you are curious about?”
In truth, Bu Eunseol wanted to ask in detail about the person who had set the trap for Gongsun Dankyung along with the True Demon.
‘If it had been something she could answer, she would have told me before I even asked.’
But Gongsun Dankyung had said nothing.
That meant even if he asked, he would receive no answer.
Knowing her personality well, Bu Eunseol cleanly gave up.
“No, that is all.”
“I see.”
Gongsun Dankyung gave a somehow dry smile.
“Then this Chief Inspector will attend to the backlog of work.”
“Thank you for making time.”
Bu Eunseol bowed once more and stepped outside.
“Hm.”
Once outside, Bu Eunseol suddenly halted and turned to look back at Silver Moon Pavilion.
‘Is she in pain?’
Unlike before, Gongsun Dankyung had spoken and acted toward him with the detached tone and demeanor she used with other high-ranking members of the Martial Alliance.
But Bu Eunseol could sense it.
She was forcibly suppressing a storm of emotions.
‘It is only natural.’
This time Gongsun Dankyung had endured a great ordeal and nearly lost her life.
Though she denied it, judging from the circumstances, it was undoubtedly the work of someone she knew. The mental shock must have been considerable.
‘I hope she overcomes it well.’
He and Gongsun Dankyung had built a relationship of considerable trust—a good friendship.
Murmuring quietly, Bu Eunseol slowly turned and left Silver Moon Pavilion.
“Lord Seon.”
Sitting alone in her office, staring blankly at the spot where Bu Eunseol had left, Gongsun Dankyung whispered softly.
“Just what is your true identity?”
Her eyes narrowed.
Seon Woojin always exceeded her expectations.
But the Fist Man, who belonged to the Human Heavens, was different.
His martial prowess had reached the Limitless Realm, and he was a figure even the supreme experts of the current generation could not easily face.
Yet Seon Woojin had survived that man’s hand.
And when his internal energy had momentarily been disrupted by the Fist Man’s attack, she had sensed Seon Woojin’s ability.
An infinite space.
A boundless space without boundaries—an expanse of pure possibility.
Gongsun Dankyung had felt such an aura only once before in her life.
From none other than Chu So, the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
“I opened my heart to you, yet you still hide something from me.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes wavered like rippling water.
She could stake everything and swear to it.
Seon Woojin did not belong to the Martial Alliance—he belonged to some other faction.
He was absolutely not someone who had grown up in the Sunflower Merchant Guild and entered the Martial Alliance.
“The reason you approached me was surely because you wanted something. After all… I am quite useful within the Martial Alliance.”
At first, even if Seon Woojin had another purpose or belonged to some faction, she had said it did not matter.
But now it was different.
Over time she had come to genuinely trust him, and now she feared he might betray her.
“I…”
Only then did Gongsun Dankyung realize.
That she had changed.
No longer was she So Min, the farmer’s daughter consumed by revenge…
Somehow, she had become Gongsun Dankyung, the eldest daughter of the Gongsun family.
“Yes, that’s right. I have changed.”
In the end, she had no choice but to admit it.
She could no longer deceive her own heart.
“And I like him.”
Murmuring softly, the corners of Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes trembled faintly.
Since when had it begun?
Since when had she come to like Seon Woojin?
Like fine drizzle falling unnoticed, without realizing her clothes were getting wet, she had somehow fallen deeply in love with him.
When he had risked his life to save her from being killed by the Fist Man—she had finally realized her emotions.
“But it can never come to be.”
She stared into empty space with unfocused eyes.
“Because I must have my revenge.”
To take revenge on the Jungson family, she had prepared and planned many things over the years, and now the time for execution was near.
And above all…
“I am not truly Gongsun Dankyung.”
At this point, she could not discard everything and live as Gongsun Dankyung.
“Chu So.”
Gongsun Dankyung’s gaze grew endlessly dark.
One of the reasons she had so desperately sought revenge was because of Chu So, who had given his life for her sake.
But if he were still alive?
Would she really need to risk her life pursuing the Jungson family?
Would it not be better to simply forget the Jungson family’s deeds and live happily?
What should she do from now on?
Tap.
Sitting powerlessly at the table, her eyes grew hazy as though lost in a dream.
Even amid the chaos of emotions, only one man’s face filled her mind.
Somehow, she had transformed from the incarnation of vengeance relentlessly pursuing the Jungson family into a woman tormented by love.
***
Since ancient times, outstanding sages sought out places cut off from the bustling world and made their nests there.
In that sense, this place could certainly be called a Peach Blossom Paradise separated from the dusty mortal realm.
The mountains were not steep, white clouds blanketed the peaks, and clear, pure streams flowed along the foothills.
In the tranquil forest, like a painting come to life, rare flowers and fragrant herbs bloomed among the trees.
Thud, thud.
A man entered the library inside a hall built like a scene from a painting.
Inside stood shelves filled with countless ancient books and scrolls.
And before a desk knelt a figure in deep obeisance.
The figure’s face was completely covered by glossy cloth, making it impossible to see their features, yet they emanated an aura that seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth.
Passing by the kneeling figure, the man stopped in front of a detailed map of the Central Plains spread out on the wall.
“To survive the Fist Man’s hand…”
The man muttered with an expression of incomprehension.
Everything he had planned until now had gone exactly as intended.
Not once had anything deviated from his expectations or predictions; there had been no failures whatsoever.
Yet this time, something utterly incomprehensible had occurred.
A man named Seon Woojin had survived an attack from the Fist Man—one of the Eight Human Heavens, kin to the terrifying True Demon.
“And he is not even one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars…”
In the martial world, there exist beings born with mysterious abilities and powers that transcend the bounds of martial arts.
Among them, the One Hundred and Eight Stars possess abilities so transcendent that they are called not human, but demonic.
Yet someone who is not one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars managed to preserve his life against a supreme expert of the Human Heavens who surpasses human limits?
This was a situation he had not anticipated at all.
“Could he have used the Boundary Prosperity Jade during his fight with the Sword Demon?”
When the kneeling subordinate cautiously spoke, the man shook his head.
“There were no such traces. Had he used it covertly, the aura of the Boundary Prosperity Jade would have prevented him from escaping the Fist Man’s grasp.”
Stroking his chin, the man continued, “His identity?”
“No matter how deeply any intelligence organization digs, his cover as the heir of the Sunflower Merchant Guild is flawless and unassailable.”
“Flawless to the point that no weakness can be found…”
The man’s eyes flashed.
“That means he has been meticulously raised and protected by someone possessing an outstanding intelligence network.”
The subordinate spoke carefully,
“However, there is still concern. The Hidden One has yet to reveal himself.”
“The Hidden One. Though he belongs to the Eight Human Heavens, he possesses ability and authority comparable to the Four Divine Heavens. Otherwise, he would not be the one directing the unsealing.”
“Then is he… also undoing the restrictions of the Four Divine Heavens?”
"Most likely.”
The man gave a scornful smile.
“What is amusing is that the Three Realms are the ones who benefited from it. Through those experiments, they managed to recover a significant portion of the power they had lost…”
Thanks to Hidden One having long ago created and dispatched Ghosts and Ghost Children into the martial world, the Three Realms had succeeded in restoring numerous experiments and sealed great arts.
“But the Fist Man has now begun openly roaming the martial world.”
The subordinate spoke again.
“Perhaps the remaining Human Heavens may appear as well. With so few Boundary Prosperity Jade left, it is worrisome.”
“The Fist Man is obsessed with eliminating the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits, especially the Heavenly Mechanism Star.”
The man bared his white teeth in a grin.
“What if that Seon Woojin is the Heavenly Mechanism Star?”
Realizing the implication, the subordinate spoke gravely,
“You must be cautious. There are not many left now.”
“There is nothing to regret. Having this does not mean we can deceive them indefinitely.”
“Leave it to me instead.”
An indescribable, unique aura emanated from the subordinate’s body.
“If you command it, I will immediately deal with that senile old man.”
It was astonishing.
The man spoke of the Fist Man—who dominated the world—as though he could dispose of him at any time.
“Hahaha. It is not yet time for the Heavenly Slaughter Star to appear.”
The man said calmly, “Seon Woojin is a man of great wisdom and exceptional martial arts. The Fist Man must be aware of that as well. Moreover, he survived his hand this time.”
“…”
“If he truly shines as the Heavenly Mechanism Star… then no matter what method must be used, he will be killed.”
The man smiled faintly.
Before long, a single mysterious bead began to gleam with an otherworldly light.
***
Martial Alliance, Supreme Pavilion. Seon Woojin’s office.
Having finished several tasks, Bu Eunseol sat deep in thought.
Besides the True Demon and his kin, the martial world also contained abyssal factions like the Ancient Sword Forest that had not fully revealed their true nature.
‘Does that mean all the abyssal factions are connected to the True Demon?’
According to legend, in the beginning there were the Baekri Clan and the True Demon, who clashed endlessly.
If so, was it not inevitable to think that the abyssal factions that have not shown themselves in the martial world are also related to them?
‘The purpose of the Eight Human Heavens remains unclear as well.’
Especially the Fist Man, who appeared out of nowhere and is now desperately trying to capture and kill the Heavenly Mechanism Star—the very one the Jungson family, who committed countless atrocities by abducting children, has been frantically searching for.
That would mean the Heavenly Mechanism Star exists in the present generation and is an existence that stands against the True Demon and his kin.
‘Though that may be only natural.’
A Heavenly Mechanism Star possessing a mind that transcends humanity and the ability to foresee the future.
To the True Demon, who seeks to dominate everything, such a being would be an irritating thorn.
If the Heavenly Mechanism Star were to side with the Baekri Clan, an extremely troublesome enemy would be born.
‘Is the Heavenly Mechanism Star really that extraordinary? Or perhaps…’
Could the True Demon, who reincarnates endlessly while retaining memories of past lives, truly fear the Heavenly Mechanism Star to such a degree?
Or might there be another reason the Fist Man wants to kill the Heavenly Mechanism Star?
‘For example, perhaps the Heavenly Mechanism Star is an essential ingredient in some great art required to break the seal.’
After a long period of deep contemplation, Bu Eunseol’s eyes suddenly flashed.
He had abruptly sensed a strange gaze from outside the window.
‘Brother Baek?’
Within the Martial Alliance, few people could stealthily approach all the way to the Supreme Pavilion at the edge of the northern bamboo grove.
The only one who would come here and cast a covert gaze at him was Baek Museong.
‘No, it is not Brother Baek’s gaze.’
The gaze from outside was extremely faint—not Baek Museong’s.
It felt more like that of a small child or an animal.
Rising to his feet, Bu Eunseol looked out the window and saw a short woman standing in front of the bamboo grove.
‘From the Chimseon Pavilion?’
A sharp glint passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The woman was none other than one of the female garment attendants of the Chimseon Pavilion, responsible for managing and distributing the Martial Alliance’s uniforms.
Moreover, she did not avoid Bu Eunseol’s gaze as he looked out the window.
She stared straight at him.
The sight was so bizarre that even the bold Bu Eunseol could not help but have his expression startle slightly.
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