Zhuge Yu-baek stared with wide eyes, unable to believe the scene even as he witnessed it.
A legendary righteous hero whose name was engraved on the Hero Monument during his lifetime was now relentlessly trading barbs with a bright young master?
Such a sight was truly something a martial artist might see only once in a lifetime, an utterly unbelievable spectacle.
“Senior Bukgung. It seems the time has truly come for you to make a decisive choice.”
At Namgung Jeong’s words, Bukgung Ryeong took a deep breath.
The people gathered here had been brought together solely by Bu Eunseol; most of them had never even met him before.
Yet despite that, they willingly believed in the lifelong path of righteousness he had walked and sincerely wished to enthrone him as the new leader of the righteous martial alliance.
“Since you created all this, aren’t you the one who has to deal with the stink?”
Suppressing the surge of emotion in his chest, Bukgung Ryeong grumbled irritably at Bu Eunseol for no particular reason.
“From ancient times, isn’t it a universal truth that the one who builds a sect—or anything—gets to run it?”
“I already told you. That’s exactly why I nominated the old man as Alliance Leader.”
Bu Eunseol smacked his lips.
“Is the old man the type to listen to me? Even after I explained in detail how rotten the Martial Alliance had become and told him to leave, he wouldn’t budge.”
Then, brushing his hands together as if dusting them off, he continued, “If you hate it that much, just go out there yourself and chase those people away. Then it’s over.”
“I…”
Finally, Bukgung Ryeong voiced the thought he had kept inside.
“I have no intention of ever becoming a leader until the day I die.”
He took another deep breath, as though suppressing his emotions.
“Because… I have long observed that when people gather, they rot—and when one stands above, one fails to see those below.”
Lowering his head, he went on.
“That is why I tried to help the young ones. I thought that was the only thing left I could do.”
“Why do you view the martial world so harshly?”
At that moment, Tang Gon spoke with a tone of regret.
“There are still many upright and righteous heroes in the martial world. Is there really a need for such despair?”
“How could it be otherwise?”
Bukgung Ryeong gazed emptily into the void.
“This old man was, in fact, the disciple of the Sunset Knight.”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
Sunset Knight—Jin Cheon-ui.
A renowned hero of the previous generation who helped countless people, and ultimately rose to the position of Vice Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance thanks to the overwhelming support of innumerable martial artists.
Yet less than a year after attaining that position, he betrayed everything, was exposed for committing numerous corrupt acts, left the Martial Alliance amid fierce condemnation from the martial community, and lived the rest of his days in lonely seclusion.
And the Bullet King had been that Sunset Knight’s disciple?
“At that time, all the leaders of the righteous path were colluding with external forces and acting solely for their own self-preservation.”
Looking at Tang Gon, Bukgung Ryeong continued, “My master wished to create a clean righteous path. But in the end, he fell into the trap of scoundrels, left the martial world in disgrace, and bore eternal dishonor.”
—You possess far greater talent than this master, as well as the charisma to captivate others. Moreover, your character is even more unyielding than mine. The martial world has always been a gathering place for the greedy…
Never try to rule over others. Instead, lower yourself and help them directly.
As Bukgung Ryeong relayed his master’s old admonition to those present, deep regret shimmered in his eyes.
“And he always exhorted me like this.”
—If ever you stand tall above others… In the end, you too will either fall into corruption or be driven out by the corrupt and meet a wretched end.
As he spoke of the past, the rims of Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes reddened.
“And my master transmitted all his internal energy to me before departing, declaring that he himself would leave the martial world to live as an ordinary recluse.”
Bloodshot light gleamed in his eyes as he continued, “But my master’s end was miserable. He died after being beaten while trying to stop a demonic-path ruffian from harassing a woman in an inn.”
Those present involuntarily let out choked sounds.
The Sunset Knight, Jin Cheon-ui—who had once shaken the entire world—had met such a pitiful demise?
“An old man with no internal energy left, his body frail and barely able to move.”
Silence fell over the room.
A master who had once dominated an era, stripped of both honor and power, beaten to death by a worthless demonic underling.
“So that is why the elder came to absolutely refuse to tolerate anyone from the demonic path.”
At Namgung Un’s words, Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
“Indeed. From that day forward, whenever I saw a demonic-path practitioner committing evil, I would crush their skulls without hesitation. After all, demonic practitioners are irredeemable scum.”
Only then did the others understand why Bukgung Ryeong, despite possessing such overwhelming martial prowess and being followed by countless people, had never formed close ties with famous figures, never built a faction, and walked the path of righteousness alone.
And why he had reacted with near-madness whenever he encountered demonic practitioners, executing them on sight…
That was the reason.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol broke the silence.
“Then all the more reason you must become Alliance Leader.”
“Did you not hear a word I said?”
“I did. Your master told you to lower yourself and never become a leader, didn’t he? So all you have to do is create an alliance like that.”
“An alliance like that?”
“The Martial Alliance rotted not because stagnant water breeds decay, but because it was rotten from the very beginning—built by rotten people.”
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
“Even if you become Alliance Leader, do not rule over others. Lower yourself and stay close to the people.”
Staring straight at Bukgung Ryeong, he declared resolutely,
“And uphold justice, but never harbor the ambition to manage or govern the martial world.”
—Uphold justice, but abandon any desire to manage the martial world.
Bukgung Ryeong’s eyes widened.
The position of leader of a righteous alliance meant holding sway over the entire state of the martial world.
In four characters: martial world governance.
Yet Bu Eunseol was telling him to ignore all that and instead become an Alliance Leader who bows low and personally looks after every single member.
“Haha…”
Bukgung Ryeong let out a hollow laugh.
Now that he thought about it, he had been bound by the very word “Alliance Leader.”
There was no rule saying an Alliance Leader must govern the martial world.
On the contrary—he could entrust the difficult governance to talented administrators while he himself lowered his stance even further to help people directly.
“How shameful.”
Having gained enlightenment, Bukgung Ryeong sighed.
“To have lived to this age still harboring such vain thoughts.”
For eighty years he had been shackled by his master’s dying words.
Yet Bu Eunseol paid no heed to the worldly notions and principles held by martial artists.
He simply walked the path he believed to be right, quietly and steadily.
And now he was advising Bukgung Ryeong to walk that same path.
“Yes.”
At last realizing what kind of person Bu Eunseol truly was—and what kind of thoughts he held—Bukgung Ryeong let out a long sigh.
“You were never truly a martial artist to begin with.”
Then Tang Gon, who had been listening quietly, answered with a smile.
“Isn’t that precisely why we are all gathered here?”
He could say such words because he knew Bu Eunseol’s true identity.
“Yes… indeed.”
Bukgung Ryeong rose from his seat.
Then he nodded vigorously.
“Then it is time to formally announce the founding.”
Bu Eunseol’s prediction had come true.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
At last, he was about to publicly declare to the entire world the creation of a new righteous alliance—the Azure Sky Alliance.
***
“The Bullet King has organized a new righteous allied force!”
Shocking news struck the martial world one after another.
The righteous hero Bullet King—who, while serving as Merit Lord of the Martial Alliance, had tirelessly tried to purify it—had finally left the Martial Alliance and declared his intention to create a new righteous allied force.
“The Bullet King? He created not a sect but an alliance?”
Not only the demonic path but even those within the Martial Alliance doubted their ears upon hearing the news.
Why had the Bullet King’s name been engraved on the Martial Alliance Hero Monument in the first place?
Because for eighty years he had roamed the martial world alone, forming no close ties with the heads of any sect or any faction, living in proud solitude.
And now he was founding a sect?
Moreover, creating an alliance required the cooperation of multiple sects and enormous financial resources.
A man who had stood alone his entire life was suddenly declaring the creation of a new righteous alliance?
It was simply too absurd.
Yet the Bullet King was evidently sincere.
He sent a courteous letter to the Martial Alliance requesting their understanding on the matter.
“Let him be. He’ll probably give up soon anyway.”
The senior figures of the Martial Alliance scoffed.
If he truly founded a new righteous alliance, it would effectively constitute a challenge to the Martial Alliance itself.
Under normal circumstances, the Martial Alliance would never have permitted such a thing.
But at present, they had no energy to spare on the Bullet King’s nonsense.
They were busy constantly replenishing the young martial artists who had left the Alliance after the recent incident, and urgently needed to restore their tarnished public credibility.
Thus the Martial Alliance sent back a reply laced with mockery.
“The emergence of one more righteous force is something to be welcomed.”
An alliance, after all, ultimately had to carve away at existing forces to grow.
Moreover, because it would exert significant influence on the state of the martial world, establishing one without the approval of both righteous and demonic alliances was nearly impossible.
On top of that, the astronomical funds required meant that even if founded, it would collapse quickly.
Hadn’t the Martial Alliance itself suffered chronic deficits?
Hadn’t rumors even circulated that Gongsun Dankyung had resolved the issue through the Myriad Goods Store, thereby becoming Chief Inspector?
With no opposition from the Martial Alliance, and since no one would dare openly oppose the foremost righteous hero founding a sect… the establishment of the Azure Sky Alliance proceeded smoothly.
“Then shall we formally hold the Grand Founding Ceremony?”
Having received the Martial Alliance’s acquiescence, the Bullet King once again announced to the martial world.
“The name of this alliance shall be the Azure Sky Alliance. Like the name—a clear and azure sky—we await the joining of endlessly upright and pure martial artists and forces.”
Upon hearing the news, the young grandmasters and martial artists of the Martial Alliance who had not yet followed Bukgung Ryeong immediately left the Alliance and headed for Sichuan.
But since the Martial Alliance had anticipated this ever since Bukgung Ryeong’s departure, they showed no particular reaction to the outflow of young martial artists.
Rather, when rumors spread that the Azure Sky Alliance was preparing for its Grand Founding Ceremony, both the Martial Alliance and Majeon dispatched small-scale envoys.
Expecting something shabby, they went essentially to mock it.
Yet the envoys could not help but fall into shock.
At the Azure Sky Alliance in Dongcheon Province—where cold winds should have whistled through empty halls—countless martial artists were gathered.
Not only were the heads of Wudang and the Beggars’ Sect present, but among the Eight Great Families, the heads of the Southern Palace, Tang Clan, Zhuge Family, and Huangfu Clan were all assembled.
Moreover, the Divine Maiden Palace and Sword Pavilion—which had never concerned themselves with martial world affairs—and even the Needle King Clan and Gongsun Clan—which were not martial clans—had come to assist with the Grand Founding Ceremony.
Even the Sword King Seon Woojin, who had already withdrawn from the Martial Alliance, along with the seniors and young martial artists who had followed him, were already seated in prominent positions.
It was clear proof that the Azure Sky Alliance had been prepared long in advance.
“This is impossible!”
As Merit Lord of the Martial Alliance, Bukgung Ryeong’s every movement had been meticulously reported to the Alliance.
So when had he gathered such an enormous force?
Since when had facilities of this scale been constructed in the barren Dongcheon Province of Sichuan?
“I heard that long ago the Tang Clan, Sword Pavilion, and Divine Maiden Palace joined forces to build a Sichuan alliance.”
But soon the secret behind the Azure Sky Alliance’s facilities came to light:
Three Sichuan sects with no prior connection had, for the sake of founding the Azure Sky Alliance, invested enormous funds long ago to construct buildings capable of housing a united Sichuan force.
“So the three sects were uniting to form a Sichuan allied force… and that turned out to be the Azure Sky Alliance?”
Various intelligence organizations in the martial world had long detected that the three sects were pooling their strength to build structures in Dongcheon Province.
They had assumed it was merely the creation of a new Sichuan alliance and paid it little mind.
Yet it had been the Azure Sky Alliance all along?
As if to prove it, every martial artist who joined the Azure Sky Alliance was promptly issued new martial uniforms and weapons, along with proper lodgings and halls.
“Let’s go—to the Azure Sky Alliance!”
Once these circumstances became known, not only the young martial artists who had hesitated to leave the Martial Alliance, but even small sects that had never been able to enter it now wished to be absorbed into the Azure Sky Alliance.
***
In preparing for the Grand Founding Ceremony, the Azure Sky Alliance was in a state of utter chaos.
An alliance was a gathering of multiple sects for a specific purpose or shared benefit.
As such, it was highly sensitive to interests, and those who joined in the early stages tended to hold greater speaking power.
Contrary to expectations, the Azure Sky Alliance had already absorbed a considerable number of righteous forces and begun with the dignity of a true righteous alliance.
Consequently, countless small righteous sects that had never been able to enter the Martial Alliance were now rushing to join.
“This alliance is not formed for profit, so please consider carefully before coming.”
As sects wishing to join and applicants hoping to become formal martial artists of the Azure Sky Alliance poured in endlessly, the seniors preparing for the Grand Founding Ceremony and the existing members were busy screening and processing the applicants.
Moreover, managing an alliance was on a completely different level from managing a sect.
It was not merely a matter of teaching disciples and overseeing a clan.
It involved recruiting martial artists, educating them, assigning duties according to their abilities, evaluating salaries, and—given the massive scale—managing all supplies, facilities, and more.
Specialized personnel were needed to handle finances as well.
Talented strategists were required to deliberate on how the alliance should be operated moving forward and network-rich, well-connected individuals were essential to constantly monitor and mediate disputes among sects or external conflicts with outside forces.
From the very beginning of planning, Bu Eunseol had structured the Azure Sky Alliance for smooth operation and recruited capable talents.
But that alone was not enough.
In the end, Bu Eunseol had to return to Majeon or the Martial Alliance and personally assist with operations, so that things could run smoothly.
Yet he could not help like this every day.
He could not dispatch outstanding figures under the Death Shadow Corps—such as Yoo Unryong, Myo Cheonwoo, or Dam Yuyeon and Yoo Hwaryeong of the Martial Soul Society—to this place.
Doing so would reveal the connection between the Azure Sky Alliance and Bu Eunseol.
“Troublesome.”
While handling the flood of Azure Sky Alliance affairs, Bu Eunseol stroked his chin.
Thanks to the help of the Tang Clan and Southern Palace, he had built a near-perfect organization, but one critical piece was still missing.
There was no chief advisor by Bukgung Ryeong’s side to offer counsel on everything and manage the subordinate organizations.
‘No helping it.’
An outstanding strategist could not be obtained easily.
Wasn’t that why the saying “three visits to the thatched cottage” came into being?
A genius of talent and wisdom was hard enough to find, but recruiting one was even harder.
Without perfect timing and fortune, it was impossible.
Knock knock.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the office where Bu Eunseol sat alone.
“It is Seon Woojin.”
It was none other than the real Seon Woojin—the young master of the Sunflower Merchant Guild, who had lived his entire life in the shadows under the Martial Venerable’s control.
“My Lord.”
He clasped his hands together.
“I sincerely thank you for keeping your promise.”
Through his agreement with Mu Gyeol, Bu Eunseol had promised that he would no longer have to live in darkness and would be freed from the Martial Venerable’s grasp.
And Bu Eunseol had created the position of General Steward of the Azure Sky Alliance so that he could live freely as the real Seon Woojin.
“Thank you also for establishing a base for our merchant group here.”
The Martial Venerable was not the type to leave the Sunflower Merchant Guild—including the “traitorous” Seon Woojin—unharmed.
From the moment he first planned the Azure Sky Alliance, Bu Eunseol had prepared a base in Sichuan. After concluding negotiations with Mu Gyeol, he had relocated the Sunflower Merchant Guild’s headquarters here.
Now, on the eve of the Grand Founding Ceremony, the relocation had already been perfectly completed.
“But… will this really be all right?”
Seon Woojin wore a somewhat worried expression.
“Though the Azure Sky Alliance’s power is impressive, I have heard that the Martial Venerable’s secret forces are enormous in scale. Moreover, since the Martial Venerable can still move the Alliance…”
“It will be fine.” Bu Eunseol explained calmly. “Even though he is acting as Alliance Leader, he has not truly seized control of the Martial Alliance. If he had, he never would have tried to recruit me in the first place to stir up the Alliance under Seon Woojin’s identity.”
He continued slowly, “The ones who truly move the Martial Alliance are the so-called Three Realms… or whatever they call themselves. You will hear that term endlessly while you are here.”
“Three Realms…”
When Seon Woojin wore a dazed expression, Bu Eunseol spoke again.
“And this alliance already has numerous masters, including Alliance Leader Bukgung, along with the Tang Clan, Sword Pavilion, and Divine Maiden Palace surrounding it in a defensive formation. Moreover, with the Alliance Leader’s approval, the intelligence networks of Majeon and the Martial Soul Society are now linked.”
Then, showing a relaxed smile as if to reassure him, “Therefore, no force would dare rashly mobilize troops just to eliminate the Sunflower Merchant Guild. Doing so would expose their main body.”
“But couldn’t he act alone or carry out small-scale assassinations?”
“Of course, if a master like the Martial Venerable were determined to infiltrate, he could kill General Steward Seon Woojin and your entire family.”
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
“But if he did, he would have to abandon not only the position of Alliance Leader but the very name of Martial Venerable. We know his true identity, and the moment he commits an evil act, we have the power to prove it.”
In truth, the reason Bu Eunseol had deliberately refrained from exposing the Martial Venerable’s identity was partly because having him remain in the Alliance Leader’s seat actually benefited the Azure Sky Alliance’s operations.
But more than anything, it was a safety measure to prevent anyone from touching the Sunflower Merchant Guild.
“I see.”
Only then did Seon Woojin realize Bu Eunseol’s consideration and nod.
“I was worrying needlessly without realizing how much thought you had put into this.”
“There is no need to call it consideration. Isn’t the one providing help actually you, Steward?”
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol said, “Now live freely and without restraint. Retire from the martial world and live as a man of the merchant world.”
“That is precisely why, after much deliberation, I came to see you, Lord.”
Seon Woojin spoke with a serious expression.
“In any case, I have no desire to remain in the martial world. I was merely forced from childhood to learn the martial arts of the Boundless Master under the Martial Venerable’s hand.”
He shook his head.
“The martial fame I accumulated from a young age was not my own doing—it was fabricated by the Martial Venerable through his agents. All so that the person called Seon Woojin could serve as a stepping stone for operating in the Central Plains martial world.”
Seon Woojin spoke clearly and deliberately.
“To be completely honest, I have no lingering attachment to the name Seon Woojin. I intend to live simply as Dok-go Jin, General Steward of the Azure Sky Alliance, and as a merchant operating the Sunflower Merchant Guild.”
“Dok-go…”
“It is my mother’s surname.”
Bu Eunseol drew in a deep breath.
At last he understood what Seon Woojin was about to propose.
“You are giving that identity to me?”
“Yes.”
Now Dok-go Jin—formerly Seon Woojin—spoke calmly.
“To be frank, as long as the Martial Venerable lives, I can never be said to be completely free.”
The Martial Venerable was the Martial Venerable.
No matter how much protection the Azure Sky Alliance offered, if he resolved to strike with deadly intent, it would be hard to avoid.
Therefore, would it not be safer in the long run if he gave the identity of Seon Woojin to Bu Eunseol, while he himself disguised as an unknown figure and lived as a martial artist of the Azure Sky Alliance?
“In return, I ask for just one promise.”
“Speak of anything.”
“That you will definitely kill the Martial Venerable.”
An unexpected demand burst forth.
The Martial Venerable was the foremost figure of the righteous path in the present era, an absolute supreme expert unmatched in the martial world.
Yet here was someone asking—boldly, as though requesting someone slaughter a chicken—to kill such a man?
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