When Bukgung Ryeong made a pained expression, Bu Eunseol in turn showed a surprised look.
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“You knowingly walk into a trap and treat it as natural?”
Bukgung Ryeong gave a wretched smile.
“Even a battle-hardened old martial world veteran cherishes his life. Even an old man who has tasted all the joys and sorrows of this dusty world fears letting out his final breath.”
“…”
“But you—a man not even thirty—show no fear walking straight into a den of death. Do you truly think that’s normal?”
“Old man.”
“Right now you are in the prime of youth, the time when you should be shining brightest. Yet instead of enjoying that youth, you haven’t even lived a single day with peace of mind, have you?”
Deep regret saturated Bukgung Ryeong’s voice.
No matter how much they had transcended age to become friends of the heart in their twilight and prime, Bu Eunseol was still of an age that could be his grandson.
In the very season when he should be radiating the vitality of youth, he was instead mired in all manner of trials and tribulations, clinging single-mindedly to revenge.
And because of that, his spirit had been utterly shattered.
“It’s… not normal.”
Shaking his head, Bukgung Ryeong finally burst out with the words he had kept buried deep in his heart.
“There is something twisted about you right now!”
“I know.”
“What?”
“It was something I resolved myself to from the moment I first stepped into the martial world.”
“You knew—and yet why?”
Bu Eunseol remained perfectly calm.
“Because my world ended long ago.”
There was no emotion, no regret in his voice.
It was like white ash left after something had completely burned away.
“What do you mean your world ended?”
Bukgung Ryeong spread both arms wide and forced a laugh.
“No matter how filthy the martial world may be—like a sewer—there are still many beautiful things in it. And…”
“Grandfather was everything to me. He was the world I saw, and every emotion I could feel.”
“Bu Eunseol.”
“The heavens threw me into a pit of fire so that I could never live in peace and twisted my fate. But Grandfather alone never abandoned me.”
In a parched voice, Bu Eunseol continued.
“Even though he knew that raising me… would destroy his own life.”
For the first time, he spoke to Bukgung Ryeong about his true feelings.
It was also an act of consideration toward Bukgung Ryeong, who would now have to lead the Azure Sky Alliance.
His goal was, in the end, nothing more than revenge.
He was clearly declaring that he could not remain here forever.
The Azure Sky Alliance must become a place that guides upright righteous figures. It must remain a space where righteous martial artists can continue to dream wholesome dreams.
A vengeance demon like himself could not stay.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Bukgung Ryeong lowered his head with a grief-stricken expression.
Only now did he finally understand with what heart Bu Eunseol had planned the Azure Sky Alliance.
He had simply wanted to create a safe nest—for Bukgung Ryeong himself, for upright righteous people, and for the subordinates who belonged to the righteous path—so they could live in safety.
So that he could leave without any lingering attachments.
Because the completion of revenge was not killing the culprit… but following his grandfather.
“…You intended to give up on life.”
Only now did Bukgung Ryeong understand why Bu Eunseol had seemed so warped.
From the very beginning, he had planned to accomplish everything and depart without regret.
“You were going to abandon everything!”
Even in the face of Bukgung Ryeong’s furious shout, Bu Eunseol showed an utterly serene smile.
“There was no abandoning or not abandoning. There was never any guarantee I would even survive until then.”
“Enough!”
For the first time—and with complete sincerity—Bukgung Ryeong became angry at Bu Eunseol.
“Stop using the dual identity. This is an order.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will find him for you. I will definitely track down the culprit who killed the Seven-Finger Demon Blade!”
He shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Stop tormenting your own life any further. See good things and feel people the way someone your age should.”
Then he seized Bu Eunseol by the shoulders.
“There is still so much in this world you do not know. The world your grandfather created for you is not everything.”
As though swallowing tears that threatened to spill, Bukgung Ryeong gripped his shoulders tightly and pleaded.
“And do not go to Majeon. The Alliance’s affairs—let the Chief Inspector and I handle them.”
He wore a sorrowful expression.
In his old age, he had finally met a true friend who suited his heart.
Though the difference in years was vast, he had thought of him as a comrade who saw straight into his soul, transcending age.
Yet that friend… was trying to leave before him, whose beard had long turned white.
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol gave the brightest smile. “For saying that.”
Then he shook his head.
“But please do not speak of this to anyone else.”
“You think I would?”
“Old man.”
“Then swear it right now.”
Bukgung Ryeong spoke with utmost solemnity.
“Even after finishing everything, you will not do anything foolish.”
“Old man.”
“Now!”
Bukgung Ryeong shouted as though ready to grab him by the collar.
“Otherwise both you and I will die.”
Bu Eunseol let out a sigh and drooped his shoulders.
Strictly speaking, that was merely wishful thinking.
The probability that he would die before achieving revenge was far higher.
“I understand. I swear it.”
“Good. Then will you also accept not going to the Martial Alliance?”
“No, I must go there.”
“The Martial Alliance is a den of demons. The fact that they are sending you to Majeon means they have clearly laid a trap of that magnitude.”
“I know. But I cannot avoid it.”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
“At some point I came to realize it. The culprit who killed Grandfather can only be found by dealing with everyone lurking in all the abysses—including the Three Realms.”
“…”
“My original plan ended with the Martial Soul Society. If I could create a third-leg balance of power equal to Majeon and the Martial Alliance… then a safe haven would be made for my subordinates.”
With a bitter expression, Bu Eunseol gazed into empty space and shook his head.
“But it wasn’t so. Both the Martial Alliance and Majeon… in the end, they all must be dealt with.”
The Martial Alliance was not only the Three Realms but a demonic lair where forces passed down through generations of the martial world crouched in hiding.
Then what of Majeon?
Majeon could not possibly be clean either.
The Demon Emperor must have peered into every abyss of the martial world.
In the stronghold led by such a figure, it was impossible for no shadow forces to have taken root.
“In the end, it is all just a sequence of steps.”
Letting out a silent sigh, Bu Eunseol continued.
“And as you probably expected, unless something special happens, I will no longer step forward in the affairs of the Azure Sky Alliance.”
Then he smiled.
“So do not blame me for disobeying the Alliance Leader’s strict command. I am, after all, a mere passing traveler who will soon depart.”
From now on, Bukgung Ryeong must transform into the true leader who guides the righteous martial world.
No matter what trials awaited, he must protect and lead the Azure Sky Alliance with his own strength.
“You are determined to go?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, there is nothing to be sorry to me for.”
Realizing he could no longer persuade Bu Eunseol, Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
“But let this be the last time.”
And he admonished, “As you said, both Majeon and the Martial Alliance must eventually fall.”
Bukgung Ryeong spoke decisively.
“If anything happens to you, I will have no choice but to lead every soldier of the Azure Sky Alliance straight to Majeon.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I can lead an organization the size of the Azure Sky Alliance. But…”
Bukgung Ryeong looked at Bu Eunseol with utmost seriousness.
“Governing the martial world is something only you can do.”
For a long time he had regarded Bu Eunseol as the next supreme under heaven—and the only star who could rescue the martial world from the clutches of the abyssal powers.
“I am not a martial artist.”
Bu Eunseol gave a self-mocking smile.
“What business would someone like me have governing the martial world?”
“No—you alone can do it.”
Bukgung Ryeong showed a smile full of trust.
“As you said, because you are not a martial artist… only you can govern the martial world.”
Bu Eunseol looked bewildered.
But when he saw Bukgung Ryeong’s solemn, convinced face, laughter suddenly burst out of him.
Then Bukgung Ryeong laughed too.
His laughter was like a beautiful flower blooming in a parched desert, like a crying child brightening at the sight of candy.
It was simply too beautiful to behold.
Though their reasons differed, the smiles of the two giants were alike.
And that smile… seemed to foretell that the dark clouds hanging over the martial world would gradually lift.
Even in the darkness of the secret chamber, it shone brightly.
***
As the Supreme Corps Captain of the Azure Sky Alliance, Bu Eunseol sent a letter to Majeon.
The current clashes between the Azure Sky Alliance and Majeon’s lower organizations were the machinations of the Martial Alliance. Both coalitions should clearly announce this fact and prevent unnecessary conflict between the two powers.
A swift reply came from Majeon.
They expressed agreement and proposed inviting not Alliance Leader Bukgung Ryeong, but Seon Woojin—who was directly involved in the incident—so that a formal agreement could resolve the dispute.
Majeon, Solitary Light Pavilion.
There, after ten days of careful deliberation, the Supreme Corps Captain Seon Woojin of the Azure Sky Alliance accepted the proposal and was now visiting the office of the Chief Instructor.
Yeop Hyocheon was somewhat surprised.
The Seon Woojin who entered his office had an aura and martial attainment so profoundly elevated that it could not even be compared to when he had previously visited Majeon.
‘This really might work.’
Keeping his inner thoughts hidden, Yeop Hyocheon was once again discussing measures to ease tensions between the two powers with Seon Woojin.
“…In conclusion, it seems sufficient to formally draft and publicly announce a pact stating that neither side will encroach on the other’s territory.”
After the discussion concluded with Seon Woojin’s summary, Yeop Hyocheon gave a subtle smile.
“In any case, from our main headquarters’ perspective, both the Azure Sky Alliance and the Martial Alliance are targets that must eventually be eliminated.”
“…”
“Moreover, the Azure Sky Alliance has not yet firmly established itself. From our standpoint, crushing it now would not be a bad move.”
Yeop Hyocheon was a master negotiator with more experience than anyone.
Strictly speaking, the side with fire under their feet was the Azure Sky Alliance.
He pointed this out, intending—even if they reached mutual agreement—to steer the negotiation slightly more in Majeon’s favor.
“After all, the Martial Alliance has already designated our Alliance as an enemy, which is why they orchestrated this. Inevitably, our Alliance and the Martial Alliance will clash in some form in the future.”
“Hmm.”
“From Majeon’s perspective, an excellent opportunity to watch the two powers fight each other will arrive soon… Is there really any need to get caught up in the Martial Alliance’s scheme and engage in pointless conflict?”
Seon Woojin emphasized once more.
“If Majeon wishes to start a fight now, that is also acceptable.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
He spoke firmly.
“In any event, both our Alliance and the Martial Alliance are righteous powers. If a full-scale clash between righteous and demonic forces erupts, it could instead become an opportunity for us to join hands.”
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyocheon nodded.
So that was why, at such a young age, he had built such enormous fame.
Not only was his martial prowess outstanding—he was no less skilled in negotiation than himself, who had long managed Majeon.
“Very well.”
Yeop Hyocheon spoke readily.
“Since you have thought that far ahead, there is nothing more to discuss.”
“Then.”
“I accept the Captain’s proposal.”
Seon Woojin clasped his hands.
“I am grateful for your decisive judgment.”
“Conditionally, that is.”
“Conditionally… please speak.”
He had already anticipated Yeop Hyocheon’s maneuvering from the start.
In truth, this matter could have been settled through letters without summoning him personally—it was an obvious, foregone conclusion.
The only reason Yeop Hyocheon had called him here was surely because the Martial Alliance had secretly passed him information.
And Yeop Hyocheon would never let such an opportunity slip.
If Seon Woojin were Bu Eunseol?
He would suddenly hold an unimaginable trump card in his grasp.
It was transparently obvious that this was another test of the Seon Woojin identity.
But Yeop Hyocheon—as though he had perfectly predicted every preparation Bu Eunseol had made—made a shocking proposal that could shatter any scheme in an instant.
“I heard that some time ago Captain Seon’s martial prowess reached a draw with the Sword Demon who shook the martial world.”
“…”
“Our main headquarters also has a young master of martial learning comparable to Captain Seon.”
Yeop Hyocheon narrowed his eyes into crescents.
“I would like to see Captain Seon and the Martial Soul Command Lord engage in a spar once.”
Then, with a sly expression, he added, “Both of you reached the Supreme Heavenly Realm at a young age—surely there is much you could learn from each other.”
In other words, he intended to test—through an unexpected method—whether Bu Eunseol and Seon Woojin were the same person.
If so, then this was not the Demon Emperor’s scheme, but one devised by Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon himself.
In the past, the Demon Emperor had set a test, and Seon Woojin had passed.
If the same test were issued again, it would amount to admitting that his own previous test had been inadequate.
The Demon Emperor would never act in a way that damaged his own dignity.
‘With this method, no matter what countermeasures—including disguise—he has prepared, he cannot possibly conceal his identity.’
Yeop Hyocheon smiled faintly.
He had received secret information from the Martial Alliance not long ago and had independently proceeded with this plan.
In the demonic path, there was no young expert whose martial prowess came close to Bu Eunseol’s.
Similarly, in the righteous path, those comparable to Seon Woojin were exceedingly few.
The sole inheritor of the Martial Emperor’s vision was him alone.
No matter how many hidden masters existed in the world, no one else could stand in for either of them.
In short, he had devised a brilliant scheme to perfectly confirm Seon Woojin’s true identity.
“If it is difficult, I will not force the matter.”
Yeop Hyocheon smiled gently.
“If you refuse, we can consider the proposal never made.”
That smile carried many layered implications.
It meant this was not simply about revealing a connection or identity between Bu Eunseol and Seon Woojin.
And if the proposal were rejected, from then on he would endlessly suspect the relationship between Bu Eunseol and Seon Woojin, and using his authority as Chief Instructor, he would constantly create troublesome or inconvenient situations.
“Very well.”
Seon Woojin nodded readily.
“I myself have long wanted to meet the Martial Soul Command Lord in person and test my skills against him. This is a welcome opportunity.”
When he accepted so easily, Yeop Hyocheon looked surprised.
But he soon nodded.
“Good. Then I will summon the Martial Soul Command Lord, who is currently traveling the martial world. Until then, please wait here at our main headquarters.”
Yeop Hyocheon smiled.
“Since you have granted this request of your Chief Instructor, I shall bestow upon you various benefits.”
Yeop Hyocheon kept Bu Eunseol detained in Solitary Light Pavilion while summoning the Martial Soul Command Lord, thereby ensuring no scheme could be carried out in the meantime.
***
The Martial Soul Command Lord—who had been traveling the martial world carrying out various missions—finally returned to Majeon.
Upon his return, he was immediately summoned by the Chief Instructor and headed to Solitary Light Pavilion.
After a long private meeting with Yeop Hyocheon, his expression turned strange.
Because Yeop Hyocheon had made a rather absurd proposal—no, an order.
“Why must I fight this person called Seon Woojin?”
“It is within this Instructor’s authority.”
“Authority or not—”
Yeop Hyocheon spoke firmly.
“Our main headquarters’ laws state that for the purpose of demonstrating our strength and proclaiming our might, no one may avoid combat…”
And he continued.
“If one refuses or fears a match, they commit the crime of tarnishing the demonic path’s name and cannot escape the corresponding punishment.”
The Chief Instructor showed a confident smile.
Just as Baek Jeoncheon had once cited regulations to the Demon Emperor on Bu Eunseol’s behalf, Yeop Hyocheon was now wielding Majeon’s own laws so that Bu Eunseol could not refuse.
“If you insist to that extent, then there is no choice.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
“When should I face him?”
“Right now.”
Smiling, Yeop Hyocheon’s eyes curved into crescents.
At last, a showdown between the young masters representing righteous and demonic paths had been arranged.
However, at the Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon’s request, it was conducted privately.
It was not a life-and-death duel, but a friendly spar meant to compare martial prowess.
At the training ground located at the western end of Majeon, Bu Eunseol stood in black robes on one side, while Seon Woojin stood opposite in white robes.
Both had achieved world-shaking martial prowess at a young age.
Moreover, they were said to have reached the pinnacle possible for the younger generation—not only in wisdom, insight, strategy, and command ability.
‘Interesting.’
Watching them, Yeop Hyocheon’s eyes glinted.
The moment these two clashed, he would be able to confirm definitively whether they were the same person.
‘You cannot fool this Instructor’s eyes.’
Bu Eunseol had learned the Demon Emperor’s Emotion-Severing Secret, while Seon Woojin was the sole inheritor of the Martial Emperor among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
There was no need to display their true martial arts.
Merely observing the flow of their techniques would allow Yeop Hyocheon—with his ability—to instantly discern their level.
Hummm.
As Yeop Hyocheon unleashed his internal energy, a transparent aura spread across the entire sparring arena.
He had enveloped the whole training ground in a rigid qi barrier so that the shockwaves and sounds produced by their clash would not leak outside.
Stepping back, Yeop Hyocheon spoke calmly.
“Begin.”
Even after creating such a massive qi barrier, his voice remained as ordinary as ever.
From that alone, one could guess how unfathomably deep his internal energy was.
Swoosh.
At Yeop Hyocheon’s words, the two slowly walked to the center of the sparring platform.
“Take the first move.”
When Bu Eunseol calmly extended his hand, Seon Woojin nodded.
“Then I won’t hold back.”
As he thrust out a single fist,
Shhk! Shhk!
Sharp sword energy surged from his entire body, pressing down on Bu Eunseol.
It was the Martial Emperor’s ultimate technique—the Thirteen Guiding Energies.
Chwaak!
In response, black energy spread from Bu Eunseol’s body and began cleaving apart the Thirteen Guiding Energies.
He had unleashed the Wishful True Binding.
Paaah!
When the two supreme techniques of righteous and demonic paths collided, a strange explosive sound rang out as shockwaves spread outward in concentric circles from the point of impact.
‘Impossible.’
The moment they clashed, Yeop Hyocheon’s pupils—watching from the edge of the platform—dilated dramatically.
One move was enough to tell.
Bu Eunseol was truly Bu Eunseol.
Seon Woojin was truly Seon Woojin.
If either were fake, they could never wield the Demon Emperor’s True Energy Martial Arts or the Martial Emperor’s ultimate technique so flawlessly.
Slight smile.
Bu Eunseol inwardly smiled.
‘Your plan has gone awry, Chief Instructor.’
The man who had just returned from the martial world was the real Bu Eunseol.
‘You must have been certain this method would reveal the truth.’
The moment he entered Majeon in the Seon Woojin identity, he had anticipated that the Chief Instructor would try to confirm whether Seon Woojin and Bu Eunseol were the same.
The issue was the method.
The information secretly passed from the Martial Alliance surely included the fact that Bu Eunseol had secured the real Seon Woojin’s person. He would know full well that disguise or alteration techniques could never be detected that way.
Thus only one method remained.
Their exclusive martial arts and prowess.
It was the most direct and clearest way to confirm.
‘Because if the Chief Instructor attacked or tested personally, there would be room for pressure.’
In the end, Chief Instructor Yeop Hyocheon’s only choice had been to ‘use the enemy’s sword to strike the enemy’s shield.’
‘Lucky indeed.’
Even though he had seen through Yeop Hyocheon’s intention clearly, unless there were two real Bu Eunseols, there had been no way to break the scheme.
Yeop Hyocheon had known that as well, which was why he boldly summoned Seon Woojin to Majeon.
And Bu Eunseol had truly been fortunate.
He recalled the face of the person who had recently come to visit him.
A person taller than the great warriors by a full span, with shoulders broad like an unfolded mountain range, muscles like twisted steel that twitched and pulsed with every movement, and an overwhelming dignity that dominated the world simply by existing.
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