Finally, having resolved the matter of the Executioners completely, Bu Eunseol was now able to move freely between Majeon and the Azure Sky Alliance without worry.
He swiftly caught up on the backlog of work that had piled up.
‘Did I push myself too hard this time?’
Pausing his tasks for a moment and staring into empty space, fatigue flooded his vision.
Come to think of it, he couldn’t even remember the last time he had slept.
It must have been at least a month ago.
‘But my subordinates must be far more exhausted than I am.’
The reason he could maintain his position as Martial Soul Command Lord while freely traveling the martial world under various identities was because the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps filled his absence by working tirelessly without rest.
Especially since Bu Eunseol’s work efficiency was so exceptional that it could replace hundreds of people, his subordinates had to labor literally without a moment to breathe if his absence was not to be noticed.
‘You’ve all suffered greatly.’
He had always tried, as much as possible, not to let affection take root toward those around him. After all, he was only temporarily wandering the martial world for the sake of revenge. He did not want to bring harm into their lives.
But through this incident, he had come to realize something.
That he, too, held a great deal of care and affection toward them.
That he did not want to lose these precious connections.
‘Am I changing as well?’
To the point where he himself could clearly sense it, his heart was slowly, gradually shifting.
‘The state of the martial world, the movements of the strong, the Baekri Family and the True Demon, and the Sacred Domain....’
Staring blankly into space, he shook his head.
Normally, he would have convened a meeting, shared the current situation and newly discovered information, and discussed future plans and countermeasures but right now, he wanted to set all of that aside for a while.
According to the old man from the Sacred Domain, his father was Baekri Muha of the Baekri Family’s bloodline, and his mother was Saya, the Holy Maiden of the True Demon’s family.
It sounded like noble lineage, yet in reality, it was no different from being a rootless wanderer who belonged nowhere.
Hadn’t even the old man of the Sacred Domain described his bloodline as a ‘curse’?
Even the fact that he had evaded the Covenant was not because of that tremendous bloodline, but ultimately because he was fated to belong nowhere.
Perhaps, just as the old man had predicted, if the truth of his origins were revealed, apart from the blood relatives loyal to his father and mother, he could become a target for extermination by both forces.
‘Then in the end... were both of them killed through the joint efforts of the two families?’
There was no way the Baekri Family and the True Demon did not know that the two had built Saha Manor, become husband and wife, and lived happily.
Yet a bloodbath had occurred at Saha Manor, and if the truth had never come to light…
It was far too likely that the massacre had involved the direct intervention—or at least the tacit approval—of both forces.
It was only too obvious that the higher echelons of both sides would have opposed or refused to accept their relationship.
‘I did not come to the martial world to find my family.’
There was only one reason he had entered the martial world: to find and take revenge on the killer who murdered his grandfather.
He had no intention of getting entangled in the affairs of the Baekri Family or the True Demon.
This was merely a place he would pass through. Even if both families came to regard him as an enemy... he would feel no regret or lingering attachment.
‘However... if those two truly are my parents.’
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol made a vow.
‘If I ever find those who harmed them or were involved in the bloodbath of Saha Manor... I will execute them as a son’s filial duty.’
If he truly carried the blood of the Baekri Family and the True Demon, he would inevitably come to learn the inner workings between the two forces, whether he wanted to or not.
For now, he would simply continue as before: search for his grandfather’s killer and investigate accordingly.
‘I must ensure my subordinates are not dragged into this because of me.’
The old man of the Sacred Domain had spoken as though he would keep Bu Eunseol’s identity secret, but there was no guarantee he would truly honor that.
Even if his identity were revealed in the future, he had to prepare in advance so that he would not be swept into the battle between the Baekri Family and the True Demon.
‘At least it is fortunate that I can remain hostile to the True Demon’s dependents until the very end.’
According to the old man from the Sacred Domain, the True Demon’s blood relatives and the True Demon’s dependents were entirely different existences.
In particular, the dependents of the True Demon—from the Three Attendants down to the Eight Human Heavens—committed all manner of atrocities, acting solely for the True Demon’s resurrection and serving as proxies for the True Demon’s will.
Thus, setting bloodline aside, there was no guilt or restraint in dealing with the True Demon’s dependents.
‘The problem is that I cannot believe everything the old man said.’
The old man surely had his own agenda. There was no way he would show such goodwill for no reason.
All Bu Eunseol could do was discern which parts of his words held truth.
‘First, I should look after my subordinates.’
The more tangled his thoughts became and the more pitiful his own situation felt, the more he wanted to care for his subordinates.
In this world, they were the only ones he could pour his heart into.
‘Come to think of it, I have been far too indifferent.’
He should have at least once offered them warm words, asked if they had any worries.
He had taken their loyalty and affection far too much for granted.
“Is there anything inconvenient?”
Rising from his seat, Bu Eunseol first headed to the office where Yoo Unryong resided.
Yoo Unryong, who handled the overall affairs of the Death Shadow Corps, was the busiest among the captains.
If there was anyone he should pay attention to, it had to be him first.
“Yoo Unryong.”
“What brings you here?”
Yoo Unryong, noticing Bu Eunseol enter the office, blinked and raised his head.
Yet his arm holding the brush continued moving without pause.
It was a perfect demonstration of how relentlessly overburdened he usually was.
“Are you busy?”
“I always am.”
While continuing to write without stop, Yoo Unryong wore a worried expression.
For Bu Eunseol to personally come to his office… it surely meant something urgent to discuss or something confidential to convey.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Carry on with your work.”
“Hm?”
“I just came by. I wanted to see what you were doing.”
Suddenly, the arm that had been moving ceaselessly froze.
Bu Eunseol was someone who valued every second and executed all actions with meticulous planning. The man who understood the value of time better than anyone in the world... had just used the word ‘just’?
It was stranger than the sun rising in the west.
‘Did I make some huge mistake?’
Yoo Unryong desperately racked his brain.
Then, as though realizing something, he stood up and scratched his head.
“Hahaha, sorry.”
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Yoo Unryong rose from his seat.
“Even if we’re friends, there is still a strict hierarchy of position... Have I been too complacent lately?”
The reason Bu Eunseol had said ‘just,’ Yoo Unryong assumed, was probably because he had remained seated and kept writing while speaking.
“Come to think of it, even during meetings I’ve spoken too casually in front of the subordinates.”
“....”
“I always tell myself I need to fix it, but it’s not easy. That doesn’t mean I have any intention of disobeying.”
Yoo Unryong desperately made excuses, but it clearly didn’t resonate, as Bu Eunseol let out a snort.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Th-then how about I start addressing you with full formal respect from now on? Even if our Death Shadow Corps is a special organization, it is still a demonic sect run through a chain of command. To maintain organizational unity and clarify hierarchy and responsibility according to the situation....”
He broke into a cold sweat while making grandiose excuses, but it still didn’t seem to land.
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Stop talking nonsense and get back to work.”
As he slowly turned to leave,
“W-wait.”
Yoo Unryong hurriedly grabbed Bu Eunseol’s sleeve.
“At least tell me why you came before you go.”
His eyes were utterly serious.
“There’s no way you’d just drop by here for no reason, right?”
Looking into Yoo Unryong’s earnest gaze, Bu Eunseol spoke as though he had no choice.
“All this time, I....”
But he immediately closed his mouth.
Bu Eunseol was constitutionally incapable of saying embarrassing things.
Saying ‘I think I’ve been too indifferent all this time’... was something he could never utter even if he died and came back to life.
“What I mean is....”
In the end, he shortened it to this.
“I just came to check if there’s anything inconvenient while working.”
“Anything inconvenient while working?”
After a moment of blank expression, Yoo Unryong nodded with a grave look.
‘I see.’
He finally understood why Bu Eunseol had come here.
‘I have been dumping far too much work on Myo Cheonwoo lately.’
Because Bu Eunseol handled everything with maximum efficiency, he strictly divided tasks by field and assigned personnel accordingly.
But since Myo Cheonwoo handled whatever was thrown at him exceptionally well, Yoo Unryong had ended up delegating more than half of his own duties to him.
‘He couldn’t directly point that out, so he beat around the bush.’
“Understood.”
Yoo Unryong nodded with utmost solemnity.
“I will work even harder from now on. Watch me.”
“Hm?”
“There will be no more inconveniences.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t understand why Yoo Unryong’s eyes were suddenly blazing.
“Yes, keep at it.”
But he simply nodded without asking further and left the office.
‘I must have made him uncomfortable with unnecessary words.’
Looking back at the hall where Yoo Unryong worked, Bu Eunseol nodded as though realizing something.
The captains of the Death Shadow Corps were all stoic types.
Even if something was inconvenient, they weren’t the sort to complain.
‘I should personally check on them and see if anything is uncomfortable.’
With a slightly embarrassed expression, he gazed at the distant sky.
‘And just keep watching over them.’
Watching over someone was the greatest expression of love.
Because his grandfather had always silently watched over him with warm eyes.
And through that alone, he had known he was loved.
***
Afterward, Bu Eunseol visited Myo Cheonwoo, Wi Cheongyeong, Won Semun, and Jo Namcheon in turn.
He carefully observed their work and checked for any discomfort.
Lest they misunderstand, he looked at them with eyes full of care and affection, and when their gazes met, he smiled.
A gentle, kind smile so that they could feel even more clearly that they were being cared for and loved.
Tremble.
The captains shook like aspen leaves.
Breaking into cold sweats, they desperately averted their eyes from that persistent gaze.
―This is the most anxious day of my life.
Whenever they tried to focus on something, they felt a gaze and sure enough, Bu Eunseol was watching them.
With an expression they had never seen before.
If they forced a smile and met his eyes, a smile thinner and sharper than a blade curved across his lips.
It was the smile of a starving beast that had spotted prey.
Moreover, unlike usual, his eyes were burning an even deeper red, and dark energy slowly rose from beneath them.
It was simply because Bu Eunseol hadn’t slept in a long time and was exhausted, but to the captains of the Death Shadow Corps, it looked exactly like the smile of a beast contemplating how to slice the tenderest flesh.
―We must have done something terribly wrong!
The moment Bu Eunseol smiled, the captains reached a firm conclusion.
The only times he bared his teeth in a smile were when a painstakingly crafted plan succeeded, or when extreme killing intent arose.
In short, they had committed some grave mistake, but since he couldn’t kill his own subordinates... he was clearly just barely suppressing his murderous urge.
Suppressed Demon Pavilion, grand conference room.
A deathlike silence had fallen over the place where, under Yoo Unryong’s leadership, a secret meeting of the captains was quietly being held.
“Why is the Lord so furious that he wants to kill us?”
At Jo Namcheon’s question, Wi Cheongyeong answered with a tense expression.
“Because we’ve been too complacent in our work lately?”
Yoo Unryong picked up the thread.
“I think the biggest issue is that the Heart Mirror Technique still isn’t complete.”
Myo Cheonwoo shook his head.
“Or perhaps... because I bought too many supplies recently.”
The captains wore grave expressions as they reviewed their recent missteps.
“The conclusion is clear.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s words, the captains’ eyes narrowed to slits.
In the end, the conclusion was...
Compared to the rapidly shifting state of the martial world, compared to Bu Eunseol, who had been swept up in relentless trials, they themselves had grown far too complacent in handling their duties.
“We have no choice but to work ourselves to death!”
At Myo Cheonwoo’s words, the captains clenched their fists and nodded resolutely.
***
From that day onward, the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps were completely transformed.
The lax atmosphere vanished, replaced by razor-sharp discipline.
Even Won Semun and Jo Namcheon, who loved their drink, trained the members without any nonsense.
Wi Cheongyeong ran himself ragged until his iron shoes wore thin.
Yoo Unryong and Myo Cheonwoo cut back on sleep and handled their assigned duties separately, exactly as Bu Eunseol had previously designated.
While this frantic routine continued, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Death Shadow Corps.
It was Hyeok Sojin.
“Hey, you bunch of degenerates! Your big brother has arrived!”
He had come to Majeon to deliver a secret manual from the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
Having finished all his tasks, he rushed over to the Death Shadow Corps to catch up with Bu Eunseol and the captains.
“You’re here?”
Yet Jo Namcheon barely glanced at him before hurrying past.
“What the hell? What’s with this atmosphere?”
Normally, the moment he arrived, the members would swarm over.
He had once been their vice-commander—the very foundation of the Death Shadow Corps—and had shared hardships with them. Hyeok Sojin was like family to the Death Shadow Corps so whenever he visited, the warriors would gather noisily.
But now they treated him like some peddler hawking wares, ignoring him completely while burying themselves in their work.
“I said I’m here.”
Hyeok Sojin grabbed Won Semun as he passed and waved.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone so busy?”
“What do you mean what’s going on? Just doing what needs to be done.”
“Doing what needs to be done?”
“Exactly.”
Won Semun waved his hand dismissively.
“Since you’re here after so long, at least have a meal before you leave.”
And with that, he went right back to his tasks.
“What the...?”
Looking around, Hyeok Sojin frowned for a moment.
“Why is it so blindingly clean here?”
Though maids were stationed in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, the place was usually quite dirty from constant training.
Yet now not a speck of dust clung anywhere; everything gleamed.
Thud. Thud.
Moreover, the passing warriors moved in perfect formation, walking in precise ranks and files like government military officers.
“What’s wrong with these guys? It’s creepy.”
Hyeok Sojin genuinely felt afraid.
Aside from when they were in actual combat, these were the most laid-back, lazy bunch in the world. Yet now they were concentrating on their duties with strict discipline and measured movements? Could the end of the world already be upon them?
“No way... even Brother Bu...!”
With a clatter, Hyeok Sojin rushed toward the office.
There, Bu Eunseol was diligently handling his work.
“Bro....”
About to run over with a bright smile, Hyeok Sojin hesitated slightly.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes were burning red as he worked, and dark mist slowly rose from beneath them.
‘Ah, it’s just exhaustion?’
Having traveled the martial world with Bu Eunseol for a long time, Hyeok Sojin already knew exactly how his face changed when he went without sleep for too long.
“What brings you here, Sojin?”
When Bu Eunseol looked up and asked,
“Thank goodness. Thank goodness!”
Hyeok Sojin let out a sigh of relief.
Contrary to what the captains said, Bu Eunseol seemed perfectly normal.
Though his voice did carry an unprecedented gentleness.
“Really, thank goodness, Brother Bu!”
“What are you talking about?”
Approaching with teary eyes, Hyeok Sojin said,
“What in the world happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“The guys in the Death Shadow Corps.”
Hyeok Sojin pointed behind him with a fearful expression.
“Those bastards—what did they eat wrong? They’re marching around with military discipline like some general’s troops!”
“Ah.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head as though it were nothing.
“They must have wanted to.”
“And why are they working so hard? They’re going nonstop without even a break.”
“Staying loose all the time isn’t good either.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“Occasional change can lead to greater progress. It seems they’re trying something like that.”
Something felt off.
The usual Bu Eunseol examined even the smallest details meticulously and never let things slide carelessly.
Come to think of it, even now, Bu Eunseol didn’t seem entirely normal.
“I-Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“Indeed.”
‘...I’d better ask someone else about this.’
Sensing that Bu Eunseol’s state wasn’t quite right either, Hyeok Sojin quickly bowed.
“Understood. I’ll take another look around the Suppressed Demon Pavilion first.”
Once outside, he immediately went to find Myo Cheonwoo.
Most of the warriors in the Death Shadow Corps—including Bu Eunseol—were eccentrics obsessed with their own worlds.
The one person who was comparatively extremely normal and broad-minded was Myo Cheonwoo.
“Brother Myo.”
Bursting into Myo Cheonwoo’s office, Hyeok Sojin immediately asked, “What in the world is going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Brother Bu and the captains... no, the entire Death Shadow Corps. Did everyone eat something bad?”
At those words, Myo Cheonwoo let out a deep, earth-shaking sigh.
“That guy is smiling.”
“Huh?”
“He’s smiling.”
Myo Cheonwoo opened his eyes wide and rounded his mouth like a child facing an unknown monster.
“...While looking at us.”
“....”
Hyeok Sojin gaped in bewilderment.
What on earth was he talking about?
“What’s so strange about Brother Bu smiling?”
“Think about it. When does that guy ever smile brightly?”
“When he wants to kill someone?”
“And?”
“When killing intent arises....”
“Right?”
“Well, yes, but.”
Hyeok Sojin rubbed his chin and lips with his palm all at once.
No matter how he looked, Bu Eunseol didn’t seem angry.
“Brother Bu didn’t look particularly angry to me.”
“What are you saying?”
Myo Cheonwoo pouted as though it were absurd.
“He sits in the office like that, but sometimes he comes over and just watches us. Just watches!”
Then, looking down at his own palms with fear, he muttered,
“And when our eyes meet... he smiles. For no reason at all....”
Only then did Hyeok Sojin put on a serious expression.
Bu Eunseol never smiled without reason.
Much less was he the type to gaze silently at his subordinates for no reason.
“That is definitely strange.”
Only now did Hyeok Sojin feel the clear sense of something being off.
‘Brother Bu clearly said nothing was wrong.’
There was no reason for Bu Eunseol to lie.
Yet the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps were gripped by eeriness and fear, and as a result, they had voluntarily imposed strict discipline on themselves.
‘Something’s gone wrong here.’
Fortunately, Hyeok Sojin knew the personalities of the Death Shadow Corps warriors well and was close enough to Bu Eunseol to speak to him without hesitation.
Thus, he could ask directly and clearly where things had gone awry.
“Brother Bu.”
Returning to Bu Eunseol, Hyeok Sojin spoke with a pitying expression.
“How about just giving them a proper scolding once and being done with it?”
Then, in a low voice, “Those guys have brains too. If you explain it well, they’ll understand, right?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Haven’t you been tightening discipline lately because those guys have been too pathetic?”
“Pathetic?”
“They think you’re furious to the top of your head.”
“Furious? Nonsense.”
Bu Eunseol waved his hand dismissively.
“They’re doing their work so well that I feel almost sorry. So....”
Turning his gaze out the window, he spoke in a low voice.
“I just wanted to let them know... in my own way... that I’m paying attention to them.”
“So you glared at them?”
“Not glared. I watched with care.”
Turning his head, Bu Eunseol wore a slightly bashful expression.
“Just like Grandfather did.”
His voice was almost inaudible, and his cheeks were faintly flushed.
‘Oh dear.’
Smack.
Finally understanding everything, Hyeok Sojin slapped his forehead.
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, he had simply been putting into practice the downward-flowing love he learned from his grandfather.
He had merely given them eyes full of care and affection.
He had only wanted to pay a little more attention out of guilt...
But from the perspective of the Death Shadow Corps warriors, it had felt as though he were contemplating whether or not to kill his subordinates.
“Brother Bu.”
Hyeok Sojin spoke with a sympathetic look.
“From now on, listen to what I’m about to say without getting shocked.”
“Shocked?”
“Right now, to the guys in the Death Shadow Corps....”
Hyeok Sojin spent a long time explaining in a cold sweat.
As Bu Eunseol listened silently, his expression gradually hardened.
The unprecedented gaze of interest, the warm smile… had been interpreted as harsh, relentless torment.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol spoke, forcing himself to remain calm.
“I understand what you mean.”
His expression was no different from usual, but Hyeok Sojin knew well that Bu Eunseol was deeply shaken.
His pupils were gradually losing focus.
‘Come to think of it, he was trying to show a significant change in his own way.’
But his subordinates, unaware of that, had become terrified... so from his perspective, it must have been both embarrassing and mortifying.
“Are you shocked?”
“Shocked? Everyday life is full of such things.”
“Your words sound a bit strange.”
Waving his hand, Bu Eunseol spoke indifferently.
“In any case, the mission ends here. Sojin. Secure the retreat route and erase all traces together with the Pursuit Soul Corps Captain. Afterward, lead the members and wait at the rendezvous point.”
‘Ah.’
Once again, Hyeok Sojin covered his forehead with one hand.
‘He’s completely rattled.’
Watching the flustered Bu Eunseol, Hyeok Sojin said nothing and quietly left the office.
‘It’s going to get noisy around here again for a while.’
The captains of the Death Shadow Corps somewhat deified Bu Eunseol, regarding him as an unparalleled divine being in martial world history, the greatest of all time who would achieve eternal, immortal feats.
Of course, that wasn’t entirely wrong… but even if he spat while explaining that the entire situation was a misunderstanding, they wouldn’t believe him.
‘Well, it should be fine, right?’
This was Bu Eunseol’s home, and all the warriors were his family.
It wouldn’t be bad for the Death Shadow Corps to become lively and bustling for a while.
‘I should come back again sometime.’
Sniffling, Hyeok Sojin looked up at the distant sky.
For the first time, he had seen Bu Eunseol flustered and embarrassed.
That, in its own way, had been quite the rewarding gain.
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