‘The Sage Forest was truly a dangerous place.’
Bu Eunseol’s gaze deepened.
A place that had artificially created even the Heavenly Mechanism Star, the king of sages.
Perhaps the Sage Forest had carried out—or was still carrying out—other bizarre and monstrous experiments.
His grandfather might have fully grasped that inner truth, which was why he struck at the Sage Forest.
“Do you truly believe I can defeat the True Demon and all of his kin?”
“That much even I cannot know for certain. However…”
Han Sangja wore an expression of absolute conviction.
“If you forced me to place a bet… I would stake everything on the Lord’s victory.”
He continued confidently.
“Otherwise, I would never have dared dream of taking revenge on that Heavenly Mechanism Star.”
Bu Eunseol felt a somewhat bitter taste in his mouth.
He had realized that Han Sangja viewed him as nothing more than a tool for revenge.
“Please do not look at me with such eyes.”
As though he had seen straight through Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Han Sangja spoke with a lonely expression.
“I am merely aboard the same ship as the Lord. If something happens to you, my revenge ends there as well. I would not even be able to continue living.”
Han Sangja had chosen Bu Eunseol as the instrument of his vengeance.
Because he believed Bu Eunseol would win every confrontation, and above all, because he judged that he could entrust his life to those hands.
“I understand what you mean.”
He could see Han Sangja’s heart with perfect clarity.
After all, Bu Eunseol himself was someone who lived for revenge.
Had their positions been reversed, he would have made the same choice.
“Even so, nothing changes. As I said before, this is merely a transaction born of mutual need.”
Despite the cold reply, Han Sangja gave a bright smile.
Because that was precisely the answer he had hoped for.
“I knew the Lord would understand.”
“Then what will happen to me now that I have absorbed the Sealed Demon Fragment?”
In truth, this was the real topic at hand.
Bu Eunseol’s attitude had changed from before.
Han Sangja had confidently assured him that the Sealed Demon Fragment would bring him only benefit and no harm.
But if the only basis for that assurance was that he had broken the vow?
Or if, in response to this question, Han Sangja started talking about heavenly secrets again and demanded yet another fulfillment of the deal?
From then on, Bu Eunseol would never transact with him again. Moreover, considering the danger he posed, he intended to impose some form of restraint.
Han Sangja had known there was a chance Bu Eunseol would absorb the Sealed Demon Fragment, yet he said nothing.
He had deliberately arranged things so that Bu Eunseol had no choice but to come to him.
In the end, he was no different from another Heavenly Mechanism Star—manipulating human fate according to his own will.
“In my estimation, the Lord will gain only the ability to sense Sealed Demon Fragments. You will acquire no additional power whatsoever.”
“Is there any basis for such a prediction?”
“Because the Lord possesses the most ordinary constitution in the world.”
“An ordinary constitution?”
“Indeed. Ordinary means the most stable and balanced.”
Han Sangja spoke calmly.
“When one side becomes too biased or excessively strong, balance collapses and harmony is destroyed.”
“You even know about my body?”
“The formations that once imprisoned the Lord were modeled after the energies within your body.”
Han Sangja’s expression turned slightly apologetic as he recalled that time.
“Because the various powers within the Lord’s body were in perfect mixture… I was confident I could hold you for at least half a quarter-hour.”
In short, back then Han Sangja had taken the traditional formations passed down in the Sage Forest and created a new one modeled after the flow of qi within Bu Eunseol’s body.
‘Terrifying.’
The human body is called a microcosm—infinitely complex, with order inherent even amid countless chaos.
Yet to comprehend all of that, replicate it, and forge a new formation?
“Of course, all of this is merely my prediction. I was actually planning to ask the Lord—what phenomena occurred after you absorbed that energy.”
“As Brother Han said, nothing happened.”
Bu Eunseol spoke honestly.
“Something like black mist seemed to enter through my nose, but there was no other change.”
“As expected.”
Han Sangja pondered for a moment before nodding.
“I will assure you once more. Even though the Lord has absorbed a Sealed Demon Fragment… your soul will never be corrupted, nor will you suffer any harmful influence.”
“Give me the reason.”
Allowing Bu Eunseol to absorb a Sealed Demon Fragment without countermeasures or explanation had been far more perilous than infiltrating Ghost King Valley to kill the Ghost King.
If Han Sangja could not provide a proper answer now, the transaction would effectively end.
And considering the danger he posed, Bu Eunseol intended to impose restrictions that would prevent Han Sangja from operating freely in the martial world.
“As I mentioned before, people of the Baekri Family are extremely vulnerable to Sealed Demon Fragments and become corrupted by the True Demon’s will.”
Han Sangja continued his explanation with utmost calm.
“On the other hand, for the True Demon’s kin, it would act beneficially. As I said previously, I suspect the True Demon’s kin are born with a pre-assigned quota of Sealed Demon Fragments.”
He spoke rapidly.
“Because they are all under the True Demon, they cannot harm one another. But if one dies… that person’s fragments flow to the others.”
“Hmm.”
“Otherwise, they themselves would have fought bloody battles over the fragments from the beginning.”
“But I am neither of Baekri blood nor one of the True Demon’s kin.”
Bu Eunseol spoke gravely.
“Is it because I broke the vow? Or because I am an ordinary martial artist?”
“To be completely honest…”
Han Sangja wore a troubled expression.
“I have long suspected that the Lord is a descendant who inherited the bloodlines of both the Baekri and the True Demon.”
“…”
“But I knew that if I ever voiced such a thing… I might die. That is why I deliberately pretended ignorance.”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint nod.
In truth, that was the answer he had wanted to hear.
Judging from Han Sangja’s intelligence and wisdom, he had suspected the man already knew his origins. But he had wanted to test whether Han Sangja would continue pretending ignorance—or speak the truth openly.
“If I am of mixed blood… does that justify such scheming?”
“I understand mixed blood as the absorption of both sides’ powers, or the combination of differing traits to create new possibilities.”
Han Sangja bowed his head.
“That is why I believed the Lord would suffer absolutely no negative influence from Sealed Demon Fragments—and might even gain benefit.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Since Brother Han has spoken honestly, I too will speak honestly.”
Then he continued in a low voice.
“I know that Brother Han’s wisdom allows him to predict the future and see through people’s hearts.”
Bu Eunseol’s tone grew increasingly solemn.
“But if you continue to overconfide in that ability, or proceed with absolute certainty as you have until now?”
His gaze swept over Han Sangja like a razor-sharp blade.
“You would be no different from the Heavenly Mechanism Star—an evil sage who justifies any means for the sake of your goal.”
Upon hearing those words, cold sweat poured down Han Sangja’s body.
Until now, he had placed far too much faith and certainty in his own predictions.
If he had continued such behavior indefinitely—or if he had not spoken everything truthfully just now—he realized Bu Eunseol would have immediately taken his head or imposed restrictions preventing him from operating in the martial world.
“The Lord’s admonition is correct.”
Han Sangja bowed deeply.
“From now on, I will never again use my meager wisdom to arbitrarily decide another’s fate.”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
Han Sangja possessed intellect comparable to the Heavenly Mechanism Star and harbored the same desperate thirst for revenge as himself.
If left unchecked, he might have grown into an even more dangerous figure than the Heavenly Mechanism Star.
Yet he had immediately broken into a cold sweat and reflected on his actions. Bu Eunseol instinctively knew he would never repeat such behavior again.
It was like the way the Demon Emperor once pierced others’ abysses using demonic energy.
“Since Brother Han has realized this, I will say no more.”
“Yes… yes.”
Han Sangja spoke with an ashamed expression.
“I will never again tarnish the name of the Sage Forest.”
Bu Eunseol swiftly changed the subject.
“But the Ghost King said that obtaining Sealed Demon Fragments would grant some kind of ‘ability.’”
“Correct. And that is precisely why martial artists blindly seek Sealed Demon Fragments even in ignorance.”
Han Sangja continued.
“For an ordinary martial artist who is neither of Baekri blood nor one of the True Demon’s kin, obtaining one would grant supernatural power that transcends martial arts. The more fragments one acquires, the greater that power becomes.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol let out an understanding sound.
“But since today confirmed that I gained nothing from it, you were able to more easily deduce my origins.”
He was a man who could predict or uncover vast amounts of information from a single statement.
He had already harbored faint suspicions ever since the vow was broken and only after hearing today that absorbing the Sealed Demon Fragment caused no change whatsoever did he become certain that Bu Eunseol was of mixed blood from both sides.
“Correct. But it was never my intention to deliberately pry into the Lord’s background. I simply believed that understanding the Lord’s capabilities was necessary to proceed smoothly from here on…”
No matter how he tried to explain it away, Han Sangja could not hide his original intent: to gauge Bu Eunseol’s abilities as a tool for revenge.
“And that is why you finally decided to tell me everything.”
“I am sorry.”
“It is fine. It is in the past.”
Bu Eunseol spoke without resentment.
“There are far too many things to worry about to quibble over every detail.”
Han Sangja was the same as himself.
He was prepared to do anything for revenge. Bu Eunseol had no intention of blaming him for that.
“No matter how Brother Han views me, or whether you use me as a tool, it does not matter.”
Bu Eunseol clearly drew a line in their relationship.
“As long as we can help each other without causing harm, that would be ideal.”
“Thank you.”
Han Sangja bowed his head, realizing those words were an act of consideration toward him.
“But I will never switch ships. From the beginning, there has been only one boat heading this way.”
He continued his explanation.
“Now that the Lord has obtained a Sealed Demon Fragment, various dangers will surely arise in the future.”
“…”
“Yet I predict that you will overcome every crisis and obtain numerous clues.”
Nod.
Bu Eunseol gave a faint nod and spoke.
“Then I suppose I must grant Brother Han one more request.”
“No, this was not something I orchestrated. Moreover, I was unable to provide any particularly important information this time.”
Han Sangja waved both hands.
“This is a transaction. But since the Lord has gone through unexpected hardship because of me, it is only proper that I answer.”
Fortunately, Han Sangja had passed Bu Eunseol’s final test perfectly.
He had not attached any conditions this time.
Moreover, he had even feared that Bu Eunseol might refuse further dealings.
‘For now, he can still be trusted.’
Though Han Sangja viewed Bu Eunseol as a tool, he also considered him a good friend and the feeling was mutual for Bu Eunseol.
“If the Lord needs information, simply seek me out. And in return, grant me a fitting request.”
As though concealing his true feelings, Han Sangja spoke with utmost detachment.
“In truth, there could hardly be a better alignment of interests.”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol asked the last thing that had been on his mind.
“Is it possible to possess Sealed Demon Fragments and still not fight one another?”
“Of course it is possible. There may be cases where someone without greed accidentally obtains a Sealed Demon Fragment.”
Han Sangja spoke in a low voice.
“But such cases will be extremely rare. Sealed Demon Fragments have the property of growing stronger the more that are gathered.”
“In the end, conflict is inevitable.”
“Correct. Even if one side wishes to avoid fighting, the other side—desiring power—will either attack or assassinate.”
A brief silence fell.
Han Sangja spoke again.
“If you ever wish to contact me, simply send word to this Clear Wind Night Rain Manor at any time.”
“Wouldn’t that allow someone to trace you?”
If word was sent here and reached Han Sangja, then by following the flow of information from this place, his location could eventually be exposed.
“Thank you for your concern. But this is merely a contact point. From now on, I will create hidden shelters across the Central Plains and move between them.”
The Heavenly Mechanism Star was the smartest and most ruthless man in the world.
The moment he raised a blade against such a person, Han Sangja had resolved to live the rest of his life as a wanderer.
“I understand.”
“If I obtain information the Lord needs, I will certainly send word.”
“Do so. Thank you.”
“I sincerely hope you achieve all that you desire.”
Han Sangja bowed deeply with utmost courtesy.
“I have urgent matters, so I will take my leave first.”
The resolute figure turning away looked less like a sage of the martial world and more like a swordsman sharpening his blade for revenge.
Bu Eunseol gave a dry smile.
The sight was no different from his own.
In the end, the heartless martial world had forged yet another person who walked silently toward vengeance.
***
Upon returning to Majeon, Bu Eunseol immediately convened a meeting to explain the situation at Ghost King Valley and revealed that the Heavenly Mechanism Star had created Yin-Soul Killing Men to command forces and carry out schemes.
“Even a being like the Heavenly Mechanism Star has appeared to throw the martial world into chaos?”
Myo Cheonwoo’s sigh echoed the inner thoughts of all the captains.
They had thought there could be no more surprises yet if everything Bu Eunseol said was true, was it not as though an unimaginable great killer—beyond joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure—had emerged in the martial world?
“For such a person to be an evil-doer… the entire martial world must be on high alert.”
Wi Cheongyeong sighed as he spoke.
“When someone like him begins to act, it will not end with the collapse of a few sects.”
Yoo Unryong shook his head.
“It seems the martial world can no longer be divided into good and evil.”
He muttered with a deep sigh.
“It has simply become a gathering place for those pursuing their own desires.”
At those words, all the captains fell silent.
No longer did absolute good or absolute evil exist in the martial world.
Each had their own goals and for those goals, they would stop at nothing.
Even if one traced back to the primordial conflict between Baekri and the True Demon, looking at it now, it could not truly be called a battle between good and evil.
Before anyone could label who was evil and who was good… it had merely been two incompatible forces clashing.
“Moreover, the martial world is overflowing with far more than just martial arts.”
Myo Cheonwoo, who had been listening quietly, shook his head.
“There are still far too many things in the martial world that remain unrevealed.”
The enemies they had faced so far had employed methods that nullified not only internal energy but even the Three Divine Energies.
They restricted others’ power or wielded absolute dominance in specific domains.
Since the origins of those abilities could not be clearly identified, countless mysterious powers whose mechanisms and principles remained unknown still existed throughout the martial world.
“What is the completion status of the Heart Mirror Technique?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Yoo Unryong answered in a low voice.
“About seventy percent. If all the captains combine their strength, it can be deployed. Among the rank-and-file, at least eighty percent must be present, with one exceptional individual.”
“That is sufficient. We are not yet at the stage of engaging anyone in open war.”
Bu Eunseol took out a booklet from his robes.
“Leave the Heart Mirror Technique aside for now and begin training in Beast Martial Arts.”
“Beast Martial Arts?”
“Before returning, I contacted the Wild Beast Palace and obtained the Palace Lord’s permission in advance.”
When Yoo Unryong blinked in surprise, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Through the events at Ghost King Valley, I realized that the Power of the Wild—the innate strength of the human body—is an excellent weapon that remains unaffected by any restriction on power.”
The martial arts of the Beast Palace were immune to any external interference and could stably elevate the power of martial technique.
Having realized this, Bu Eunseol had quickly sent word to the Wild Beast Palace Lord during his return to Majeon and secured permission to transmit the Power of the Wild techniques combined with the Beast Way.
“Of course, this is not the authentic scripture of the Wild Beast Palace. It is merely a secret method to draw out the Power of the Wild as a substitute when internal energy or any other power is restricted.”
Bu Eunseol spoke gravely.
“Prioritize mastering this.”
When all the captains bowed in acknowledgment, Bu Eunseol rose from his seat.
“Now I will head out into the martial world.”
“Are you going to the Azure Sky Alliance?”
At Jo Namcheon’s question, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“From now on, I will visit the Azure Sky Alliance as little as possible. Only the minimum required to maintain Seon Woojin’s identity.”
With Bullet King Bukgung Ryeong as Alliance Leader, the Azure Sky Alliance was steadily solidifying its position day by day.
Part of the reason was that the Martial Alliance had grown somewhat quiet and inactive but more importantly, Bukgung Ryeong—who had long been suppressed by his master—was finally beginning to display his true leadership and command abilities.
Bu Eunseol had called the Azure Sky Alliance the orthodox faction’s own.
In truth, the Azure Sky Alliance was becoming a true orthodox martial alliance, gathering upright individuals.
If it continued to develop in this way, the representative coalition of the orthodox sects would no longer be the Martial Alliance but the Azure Sky Alliance.
Bu Eunseol hoped to interfere as little as possible and allow them to grow naturally.
“However, the Martial Soul Society still needs a central point. From now on, I will pay more attention to the Martial Soul Society whenever possible.”
“Understood.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, all the captains nodded.
“It almost makes one understand the Three Realms’ position in a new light.”
At that moment, Wi Cheongyeong muttered quietly.
The Three Realms had long served as the Baekri clan’s proxy, protecting and ruling the martial world.
But they too must have eventually learned the truth.
That everything was an illusion.
That they were not a secret force protecting and ruling the martial world, but merely loyal hounds created by the Baekri.
That the martial world was merely an arena for Baekri and the True Demon to contend, and they themselves were nothing more than pawns.
Having realized all this, they must have despaired.
No matter how hard they tried, as long as Baekri and the True Demon existed, the martial world could never find peace… and they would be forced to fight endlessly against the True Demon’s kin.
“That may be why they did not interfere with the Lord’s actions and simply left you alone.”
At Wi Cheongyeong’s murmur, the captains nodded once more.
Until now, Bu Eunseol had constantly disrupted the Three Realms’ affairs. He had repeatedly interfered with the Returning to One Realm—whose actions even the Three Realms members considered madness—and ultimately destroyed the main base of the Infinite Realm entirely.
Yet the Infinite Realm’s true leader never appeared, and the Three Realms never once attempted retaliation.
At first, they had thought it was simply their unique creed: when an operation failed, they would cut all ties without hesitation to conceal their identity and movements.
But in hindsight, that had not been the whole story.
“They must have been waiting for me to learn the full truth.”
Bu Eunseol muttered quietly.
Only now did he realize that the Three Realms had never seriously tried to kill him.
If they had truly intended to eliminate him at all costs, regardless of the Demon Emperor’s opposition, the Three Realms would have mobilized every resource to dispose of him.
But they had not.
Because the higher Bu Eunseol rose in status, the closer he came to the forces and laws that had ruled the martial world for generations, the more they believed he would come to understand their position.
That the Three Realms was not merely a mad dog that had turned on its master.
That they simply wanted to end all of this fighting.
“Then from now on, won’t the Three Realms try to recruit the Lord?”
At that moment, Won Semun spoke.
“Doesn’t the saying go, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’? Now that the Lord has grasped the situation, they may soon make an approach.”
“Does that make sense? With even the Infinite Realm collapsed, would the Three Realms suddenly open their arms to recruit the Lord now?”
When Jo Namcheon rebuked him, Won Semun pouted.
“The Three Realms may not be the core either. Who knows? Perhaps they too are merely part of some larger force…”
At the absurd remark, the captains burst into hollow laughter—except for Bu Eunseol, who did not laugh.
Because somehow, it felt plausible.
“But we cannot sympathize with their position.”
It was Yoo Unryong who spoke.
Even if they had fallen into despair upon learning such truth, the Three Realms could have sought other paths.
Yet they had chosen the most immediate and easiest method available to them.
Regardless of their intentions, they had disturbed the world and harmed innocent people… and for that, they must bear responsibility.
“Then let us end the meeting here.”
Bu Eunseol rose from his seat.
At that moment, he did not yet know.
That if Won Semun had not entered the demonic path, he possessed the divine talent to have become a spiritually enlightened shaman.
***
Leaving Majeon, Bu Eunseol headed toward the Martial Soul Society.
Though the current martial world appeared peaceful on the surface, various events were unfolding beneath it.
Yet the Martial Alliance showed no reaction whatsoever and continued its eerily quiet course as though nothing at all were happening.
‘They must feel they have nothing to lose.’
The Martial Alliance—including the Three Realms—could be called a gathering place for the abyssal forces that never surfaced.
In other words, they themselves were the black curtain that had ruled the martial world for generations…
From their perspective, the emergence of the Azure Sky Alliance or similar developments must feel like nothing more than a fleeting phase.
Because they knew the full truth.
In their eyes, no matter how desperately one struggled, it would look no different from a fish thrashing helplessly in an inescapable net.
Ziiing.
Suddenly, as Bu Eunseol raced forward with qinggong, a strange sensation brushed through his mind.
It was an utterly unfamiliar yet strangely familiar energy.
‘So that was it.’
Abruptly changing direction, Bu Eunseol headed toward Chengdu.
The marketplace bustled with countless merchants and passersby.
Gazing blankly at the scene, he walked forward as though entranced.
And finally, he arrived at the largest inn in Chengdu.
At lunchtime, the inn was packed beyond capacity.
Crowds poured in, and those who had finished eating left with satisfied expressions, patting their full bellies.
Creak.
When he opened the door and stepped inside, a waiter wearing an apron greeted him warmly.
“Welcome! Are you alone?”
When Bu Eunseol nodded, the waiter smiled and gestured.
“Fortunately, exactly one seat remains. This way, please.”
By sheer luck, in the fully packed inn, the best window seat on the second floor—with the finest view—was still available.
“What would you like to order?”
Instead of answering the waiter’s question, Bu Eunseol scanned the surroundings of the inn.
Since rising to the position of Martial Soul Command Lord, he had never once moved freely through Chengdu like an ordinary martial artist, nor had he even considered entering a crowded inn.
His enemies had always possessed overwhelming martial prowess and forces.
If a fight broke out, the chance of innocent people being harmed was far too high.
Yet for some reason, he had suddenly entered Chengdu and sought out the busiest inn.
Because he had realized that all of this—the bustling Chengdu, the crowded inn, the countless people—had been fabricated.
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