Bu Eunseol, having left the Gongsun family, handled various matters—both under the identity of Seon Woojin and in his original form.
All the while he had been carrying out numerous duties within the Martial Alliance, he had meticulously devised and endlessly reviewed plans to ensure that he and the Supreme Corps members could safely depart from the Martial Alliance.
And now, every preparation required to execute those plans had been completed.
The original plan had been to gather all forces—including the Supreme Corps members—into the Martial Soul Society and thereby complete the martial world Tripartite Scheme.
The founding of the Azure Sky Alliance had only ever been a secondary option.
But the plan had changed.
If things proceeded that way, the Supreme Corps members would be unable to move freely in the martial world, and moreover, the lives of Bukgung Ryeong and Gongsun Dankyung within the Martial Alliance could no longer be guaranteed.
If those two remained in the Martial Alliance, they would eventually be manipulated by the shadowy forces lurking in the background and ultimately murdered in a horrific manner.
‘But she is dead.’
As Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant sky, his pupils turned transparent.
The forces behind the Martial Alliance had aimed their arrows first at Gongsun Dankyung rather than at him.
No—perhaps this had been the inevitable sequence all along.
They had merely tolerated it out of necessity, but from the very beginning, those shadowy forces had planned to eliminate her.
Even the Martial Venerable, who had raised her to the position of Chief Inspector.
‘It’s all my fault.’
Even though Gongsun Dankyung’s death had been a precisely orchestrated step in a grand conspiracy, Bu Eunseol could not shake off the guilt.
No matter the circumstances, it had been his actions that triggered their final decision.
‘First, I must safely leave the Martial Alliance. Then I will track down the Jungson family and make them pay the price.’
Blood-red light flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Once he safely escaped the Martial Alliance under the identity of Seon Woojin and established the Azure Sky Alliance, he intended to set aside all other matters and prioritize avenging Gongsun Dankyung.
***
The primary duty of the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord was to prevent the rise of forces that threatened the safety of the martial world, or evil sects and factions that defied the banner of the Martial Alliance.
The Sword King, Seon Woojin.
Having defeated the Fist King Seok Chi-haeng and earned the title of Sword King among the Seven Divine Kings of Death, he had risen—at a remarkably young age—to one of the highest positions among the Martial Alliance’s top brass.
Yet even so, he continued to roam the martial world tirelessly, faithfully carrying out his responsibilities as Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord.
Even those high-ranking elders who had initially opposed his appointment to such a senior position could not help but acknowledge his sincerity and diligence.
But then an unbelievable incident occurred.
The man who had so steadily performed his duties as Division Head, earning the support of many, returned to the Martial Alliance only to be imprisoned as a grave criminal.
“Investigations Chief Seon. You are under arrest on suspicion of being a spy.”
Upon his return to the Martial Alliance, what greeted Bu Eunseol was none other than the Punishment Hall Lord and his subordinate troops.
“A spy? This Division Head?”
Bu Eunseol widened his eyes as though he could not comprehend it.
“I have no idea what nonsense you’re spouting.”
“An imprisonment order has been issued. Come with us.”
This was strange.
Even the Punishment Hall—said to be so fearsome that even birds would fall from the sky—could not treat the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord, one of the Martial Alliance’s highest-ranking figures, so casually.
Yet right now, he was speaking to him as though addressing a subordinate.
That meant they were already convinced Seon Woojin was guilty and possessed solid evidence.
“Do you not know that punishing this Division Head requires a prior Grand Council meeting?”
Even if evidence existed, the Martial Alliance’s top brass could not arbitrarily punish one of their own; a Grand Council meeting was mandatory, requiring consensus among the leadership.
“Imprisonment does not require a Grand Council.”
The Punishment Hall Lord drew a command token from his sleeve.
It was the Twin-Winged Phoenix Decree, symbolizing the absolute authority of the Alliance Leader.
“The Alliance Leader has personally issued the order: immediately detain Investigations Chief Seon and uncover the truth regarding the suspicion of espionage.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
The Martial Venerable—who had already dealt with Gongsun Dankyung—had struck first before Bu Eunseol could enact any scheme.
‘He must have thought that if he left me alone, I would certainly cause some upheaval within the Martial Alliance.’
Otherwise, there would have been no reason to issue an immediate detention order the moment he returned.
Once confined in the Thunder Prison, even if he had prepared schemes in advance, they could never be carried out.
“You may refuse.”
The Punishment Hall Lord stared straight at Bu Eunseol and spoke coldly.
“But if you disregard the Twin-Winged Phoenix Decree and resist arrest, you will instantly become an enemy of this Alliance, and an extermination order will be issued.”
The Alliance Leader’s Twin-Winged Phoenix Decree held the highest authority in the Martial Alliance.
Disobeying it turned one into a public enemy of the Alliance, subject to immediate pursuit and execution regardless of reason.
If that happened, not only would Bu Eunseol be unable to preserve the identity of Seon Woojin, but the lives of the Supreme Corps members still within the Alliance would be the first to fall.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Above all else, the absolute priority was the safety of the Supreme Corps members.
If he could not protect them, everything he had done until now would come to nothing.
“But summon Lord Bukgung first.”
With Gongsun Dankyung gone, the person who could now serve as Bu Eunseol’s greatest backer was Bukgung Ryeong.
Yet the Punishment Hall Lord pretended not to hear and ordered his subordinates,
“Escort him to the Thunder Prison.”
With both hands bound, Bu Eunseol was transported to the Thunder Prison.
Though they did not suppress his inner energy—considering his status as a high-ranking member—he was confined in the underground Thunder Prison of the Martial Alliance, a place reserved solely for those who had committed grave crimes, locked behind iron bars.
But Bu Eunseol waited patiently.
Bukgung Ryeong would come soon.
Yet something unexpected occurred.
Though he had clearly requested Bukgung Ryeong, it was instead the Vice-Alliance Leader, Buk Ri-seong, who appeared.
“Do not worry.”
Buk Ri-seong looked at Bu Eunseol confined in the Thunder Prison with a regretful expression.
“If there is any injustice, I will ensure it is clarified.”
Until now, Seon Woojin had been accused of espionage multiple times.
Yet each time he had proven his innocence, finally rising to a senior position and earning the admiration of many as a young grand master. Buk Ri-seong had always held goodwill toward Seon Woojin, so he could not help but feel regret.
“I truly do not understand why this has happened.” Bu Eunseol pleaded earnestly. “Could I not first be released and then prove my innocence myself?”
“That is beyond even this Vice-Alliance Leader’s power.” Buk Ri-seong shook his head. “The Alliance Leader has ordered your detention until the Grand Council meeting that will decide your punishment.”
“Then-”
“It means the Punishment Hall Lord and others must have presented solid evidence to the Alliance Leader.”
Unlike before, Buk Ri-seong’s expression was not particularly favorable.
Until now, the Heavenly Emperor had led the righteous path with fairness, and the results had never been unjust. Since he was so certain, the probability that Seon Woojin was not a spy… seemed effectively zero in Buk Ri-seong’s mind.
“Please summon Lord Bukgung. I have something to say to him.”
Though Bu Eunseol earnestly requested it, Buk Ri-seong shook his head with a troubled look.
“The Alliance Leader has ordered that this matter is of utmost gravity and must be handled with absolute certainty.”
In short, no one would be allowed to exert influence over this case.
As despair settled in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Buk Ri-seong spoke in a calm voice.
“But do not worry. The Alliance Leader will soon come to see you personally.”
“The Alliance Leader himself?”
Nod.
Buk Ri-seong nodded and turned away.
“He said he will come quietly for a private audience to give you one last chance. Speak well when the time comes.”
‘One last chance?’
There could be no such thing.
‘Does he perhaps hope that I will escape?’
Nothing would be more conclusive than escaping from the Thunder Prison.
The Martial Venerable might simply wish for Seon Woojin to leave the Martial Alliance without any complicated proceedings.
“Then I will take my leave.”
At that moment, Buk Ri-seong turned.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol offered a courteous bow.
Given the situation had reached this point, anyone in the Martial Alliance would be convinced he was a spy.
Yet despite that, Buk Ri-seong was still trying to treat him with some measure of fairness.
Clank.
Once Buk Ri-seong left, Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow.
The situation had become dire and the fire was now at his feet.
For now his inner energy remained unsuppressed… but if the Martial Venerable came here?
The story would change completely.
He would deploy a secret art capable of perfectly restraining him.
If he wanted to preserve even one life… then right now was truly his final chance to escape.
But if he did so, the heads of the Supreme Corps members would naturally fly, and the identity of Seon Woojin would forever become that of a fugitive.
‘That’s why he called it the last chance.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed in the darkness.
‘He’s saying that if I don’t leave now, he will completely erase me.’
It was not even worth listening to.
If he fled from here, everything would collapse into nothing.
After thinking silently for a long while, he sat down in meditation posture and closed his eyes.
How much time passed?
Thud thud thud.
From beyond the door, low footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Clank.
The one-zhang-thick iron door opened with a loud clang, and a middle-aged man dressed in white robes embroidered with splendid phoenix patterns slowly entered the Thunder Prison.
Thick black eyebrows, hair neatly combed and tied up, adorned with a golden dragon ornament.
Over six feet tall, somewhat lean of build, yet possessing dignified eyes and an imposing aura.
It was none other than the foremost of the righteous path, the Heavenly Emperor Shin Domubi or rather, the Martial Venerable disguised as him.
“It’s been a while.”
The Martial Venerable showed a gentle smile with the Heavenly Emperor’s face.
But in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, it was as though he could see the face of an old man grinning slyly behind that facial skin.
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, the Martial Venerable shook his head.
“To think it would end like this. How regrettable.”
“Martial Venerable.”
Bu Eunseol poured volcano-like fury from his eyes.
“What exactly is your plan?”
“Plan?”
The Martial Venerable chuckled and shook his head.
“This Alliance Leader is merely punishing a demonic spy who infiltrated our Alliance.”
“Do you think you’ll get away with this?”
“Hohoho.”
Instead of answering, the Martial Venerable extended a finger.
Immediately Bu Eunseol’s body stiffened, and his complexion began to turn deathly pale.
“Heart-Seizing Acupoint Strike.”
Despair settled over Bu Eunseol’s face.
This technique—even if one had reached the Limitless Realm and attained the Dharma Heaven Golden Immortal body—was the foremost acupoint-sealing method of the righteous path, absolutely impossible to break.
“I know well that your martial arts have reached an unfathomable realm.”
The Martial Venerable smiled.
“Even if you have reached a level comparable to the Evil Command Spirit, you will not be able to break the Heart-Seizing Acupoint Strike within three days.”
Then he stared at Bu Eunseol’s lower abdomen.
“I would like to shatter your dantian right now, but that would break your disguise—so I’ll leave you with only one jia of energy.”
“Martial Venerable.”
Bu Eunseol gritted his teeth.
“Why are you betraying me like this? I followed your words and even halted the activation of the Clear Heart Token.”
“Oh dear. Did you take me for a fool?”
The Martial Venerable shook his head.
“Did you really think I didn’t know that you activated the Clear Heart Token as part of a plan to perfectly escape the Martial Alliance under the identity of Seon Woojin?”
“…”
“Or perhaps you forgot what my shadow is.”
The Divine Mountain Sage of the martial world.
He was not only the one most versed in the martial arts of all sects under heaven, but also the Divine Mountain Sage—the wisest and most brilliant mind in the entire martial world.
“Did you desire the identity of Seon Woojin so badly? You should have simply asked me.”
The Martial Venerable spoke leisurely.
“If you had, there would have been no reason I couldn’t give it to you.”
A lie.
There was no reason he would hand over the perfectly cultivated identity of Seon Woojin, which he had invested so much effort into developing.
He was merely mocking Bu Eunseol in this predicament.
“Fine.” Suppressing the rage boiling within him, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “If you have a grudge against me, settle it with me alone. Why did you kill the Chief Inspector?”
“I did not kill her.”
“…”
“I merely agreed to the handling because the Alliance’s high-ranking elders found her secret organization troublesome.”
“Are you playing word games with me right now?”
Killing intent surged sharply from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“You must have told the Jungson family something like this: ‘The Chief Inspector is nurturing a secret force capable of threatening your family.’”
“Isn’t that obvious?” The Martial Venerable shrugged. “Otherwise, would the Jungson family have moved on someone else’s word alone?”
The Martial Venerable had long known not only that Gongsun Dankyung was nurturing the Blood Heaven and Fate Corps as a secret organization to defeat the Jungson family, but also that—through the Enchanting Shadow Demon Lamp and her mystical formations—she possessed a method to suppress the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
In truth, he had likely conveyed something like this to the Jungson family rather than directly ordering Gongsun Dankyung’s death.
But from the Jungson family’s perspective, Gongsun Dankyung herself—who could devise such a method—was far more troublesome and threatening than the Blood Heaven and Fate Corps or the Enchanting Shadow Demon Lamp.
As long as she lived, she could nurture another force capable of suppressing the One Hundred and Eight Stars at any time… so they had no choice but to eliminate her.
“The Jungson family must have judged that she—who devised such a method—was a greater threat than any force that could oppose them.”
Bu Eunseol stared straight at the Martial Venerable and said, “You knew full well they would not leave her alone, yet you conveyed it anyway.”
“Well, from the Jungson family’s standpoint, that’s certainly possible.”
The Martial Venerable shrugged.
“But that was the extent of my involvement.”
In the end, as Bu Eunseol had said, the Martial Venerable was playing with words.
To provoke his anger.
To make him even more miserable.
“So. What do you plan to do from now on?”
“A Grand Council meeting will be held soon. Publicly.”
The Martial Venerable looked down at Bu Eunseol—whose complexion had paled from his suppressed inner energy—and said, “If you feel wronged, clear your name there.”
“Are you planning to reveal my identity at that meeting?” Bu Eunseol said coldly. “To expose me before the entire world and spark a righteous-demonic war?”
“Who knows.” The Martial Venerable smiled indifferently. “I gave you a chance to escape through Buk Ri-seong. But you refused.”
Arms crossed, he scanned Bu Eunseol’s body and curled his lip.
“You must have been confident. You probably even prepared some countermeasures.”
“…”
“From the moment you began investigating the Alliance’s secret organizations, you must have predicted that the old fogeys in the back rooms wouldn’t act directly and would use me instead.”
A cold starlight flashed in the Martial Venerable’s eyes.
“But you underestimated me far too much. Did you think that playing the fake Alliance Leader meant the power was fake as well?”
He sneered.
“Of course, someone like you would have anticipated even a situation like being imprisoned in the Thunder Prison and prepared a contingency plan, right?”
“…”
“I’m looking forward to it. What marvelous trick you’ll pull off.”
The Martial Venerable’s expression was brimming with confidence.
Whether Bu Eunseol escaped from the Thunder Prison, or remained confined and unleashed some divine scheme at the Grand Council meeting, he had already prepared ways to crush them all, hadn’t he?
‘Moreover, holding it publicly…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
By announcing that the Grand Council would be held openly, the Martial Venerable was clearly planning to expose his identity there.
No—perhaps even that was a feint to lay groundwork for deception.
The Martial Venerable was also known as the Divine Mountain Sage, the Divine Mountain Sage of the martial world.
He was absolutely not an easy opponent.
“Just to confirm, even now I checked—you have not detoxified the gu from the agents.”
The Martial Venerable smiled faintly.
“Are you perhaps thinking of sacrificing yourself for those agents you cherish so much? Or did you plan to escape after meeting me?”
“…”
“With your abilities, escaping right now wouldn’t be impossible.”
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to simply kill me now?” Bu Eunseol said coldly. “If you’re not planning to seal my acupoints again during the Grand Council.”
If Bu Eunseol revealed the Martial Venerable’s identity during the Grand Council where all the high-ranking elders were present?
Even he would not be able to avoid trouble.
“Do whatever you like.”
The Martial Venerable showed a confident smile instead.
That meant he had already prepared countermeasures for the moment Bu Eunseol tried to expose his identity.
‘Of course—he holds the position of Alliance Leader.’
Bu Eunseol clenched his fist tightly.
The Martial Venerable was currently acting as the Martial Alliance Leader.
Even if Bu Eunseol publicly pointed out his identity, creating a countermeasure to shatter that accusation would be easy for him.
This situation—this place called the Martial Alliance—was absolutely not on Bu Eunseol’s side.
“In truth, I had high expectations for you. I believed you would deal with the Seven Great Division Commanders and find the culprit among them.”
A chilling divine light spread from the Martial Venerable’s eyes.
“But in the end, you reveled in the power of the Martial Alliance and only did whatever suited your convenience. How disappointing.”
The Martial Venerable turned away.
“Do not waste effort trying to find a way to break the seal. A clumsy attempt might turn you into a cripple.”
“Martial Venerable.”
Bu Eunseol asked the departing Martial Venerable, “Why go so far as to make an enemy of me?”
The Martial Venerable turned his head and sneered.
“Your greatest mistake was rashly meddling with the Martial Alliance’s secret organizations. Truly disappointing. You knew full well what kind of place this is.”
“…”
“Did you want to control this Alliance? Or did you think you could freely wield the Martial Alliance’s forces and intelligence network for your own purposes?”
He wore a sardonic sneer.
“You were the one who broke the agreement first. When I gave you the position of Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord and the Clear Heart Token, you clearly promised—to focus solely on revenge.”
The Martial Venerable spoke coldly.
“But you used the position for personal gain and unnecessarily turned the Alliance upside down. You committed one meaningless act after another.”
And he added one more thing.
“Even so, I trusted you by planting gu in the Supreme Corps members.”
After pausing for a moment, he shook his head and muttered lowly.
“But in the end, it has come to this.”
With those final words, the Martial Venerable turned and exited the iron cell.
Bu Eunseol kept his mouth tightly shut, merely glaring at the Martial Venerable’s retreating figure as it vanished into the darkness.
***
‘The Grand Council meeting to discuss Investigations Chief Seon’s suspicion of espionage will begin shortly.’
The atmosphere in the Martial Alliance had sunk heavily.
Because the Alliance Leader himself had publicly announced that the punishment of Seon Woojin—the Sword King, idol of the young martial artists—would be deliberated at the Grand Council.
‘Suspicion of espionage again?’
‘What exactly did Investigations Chief Seon do wrong that even the Alliance Leader is stepping in?’
‘Does that mean all the previous accusations of espionage actually had basis?’
The young martial artists fell into shock.
The Sword King Seon Woojin, who had accomplished countless missions alongside Chief Inspector Gongsun Dankyung and built up achievements.
Coming from a merchant background, he had endured every kind of contempt and started as a third-grade division leader. Yet he had ceaselessly proven his ability and finally ascended to the position of Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord.
Even after becoming a high-ranking elder, he never became arrogant and continued to devote himself tirelessly to his duties.
Recently, despite opposition from other elders, he had fearlessly dug into the secret organizations—the shameful underbelly of the Martial Alliance—demonstrating integrity and fairness.
And now he was being called a spy of the demonic path?
The young martial artists could not help but feel not only bewilderment but extreme betrayal.
‘The discussion of Investigations Chief Seon’s punishment will be held publicly in this Alliance’s Grand Training Grounds. Fairly and openly.’
The Alliance Leader made a shocking proposal.
The Grand Council meeting to deliberate the punishment of Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord Seon Woojin would be conducted openly in the Grand Training Grounds so that every martial artist in the Martial Alliance could witness it.
That meant not only would Seon Woojin be unable to escape no matter what scheme he devised, but on that day, every crime he had committed until now would be laid bare under the light of day.
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