In the martial world, the Wind Gods who had been passed down through the generations had always died young without reason, or had been assassinated.
However, because such facts had always been kept secret, the people of the martial world simply believed that the Wind Gods rarely showed themselves in the martial world and lived aloof, continuing their lineage in seclusion.
This included even the current generation’s Wind God, Hae Yeon, who had just completed her formal enthronement ceremony as Palace Lord.
“Now that you have officially registered the Grand Duke, you are permitted to enter the Wind God Pavilion.”
A hundred years ago, Hae Yeon had been the Young Palace Lord but, when the previous Wind God Palace Lord and his wife met mysterious deaths of unknown cause, she had suddenly inherited the title of Palace Lord.
Even so, she had not been allowed to enter the Wind God Pavilion, which only Palace Lords could access.
The reason was simple: only after obtaining a husband as Grand Duke and creating a formal oath document could one enter the pavilion.
That was where the insights of all previous Wind Gods and the records they had left behind were stored.
Moreover, at that time Hae Yeon had not even fully inherited the complete power of the Wind God.
Therefore, her top priority had been to obtain the Wind God’s power through the Wind God Passage.
But now she had become a perfect Wind God and had officially welcomed a Grand Duke.
Having completed the enthronement ceremony, she could finally enter the Wind God Pavilion, which contained the insights and records of all previous Palace Lords.
Creak.
As the stone chamber door opened, countless bookshelves filled with ancient texts came into view.
Because the Palace Lords and Grand Dukes of the Wind God Palace generally did not enjoy long lifespans, there was a strict rule: upon becoming Palace Lord, one must read the secret records containing the insights and enlightenments left by previous Palace Lords.
Hae Yeon began examining the bookshelves with a joyful heart.
Rumble.
Yet the moment she stepped inside the study, the bookshelves began moving endlessly, and a transparent door formed. It was the same door that had existed in the Wind God Passage—one that only a Wind God could pass through, perfectly fused with nature and able to let a body slip through even the smallest gap of space.
Whoosh.
Without hesitation, she stepped inside.
A small stone chamber appeared, and in the center stood a lone table with an antique wooden box placed upon it.
It seemed this was the book that must be read with the highest priority before looking at any other records.
Rustle.
Hae Yeon picked up the book without hesitation and began to read.
After obtaining perfect Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, not only her reflexes but also her memory had been greatly enhanced. Therefore, with a single glance she could quickly grasp the contents of any text.
“So… that was why.”
She sank down, leaning against the wall as if her legs had given out.
The book contained an utterly shocking truth.
Why the previous Wind Gods and Grand Dukes had met unexplained deaths, and why no one had ever investigated those deaths thoroughly.
“And why one must obtain a Grand Duke…”
In truth, the Wind God lineage had already been severed long ago.
Although the Wind God Palace had forcibly created Wind Spirit Physiques using the Wind Cloud Energy that flowed within the palace and through the Wind God Passage, that too had only been temporary. If one could not surpass the Wind Spirit Physique and obtain a perfect Wind God body, they would inevitably fall into madness—an inescapable tragic fate.
Because… the human body was simply not capable of containing the energy of Wind for long.
—… (Omitted earlier section).
The problem lay in the fact that human flesh was structurally incapable of accepting the power of the Wind God.
If one continuously possessed Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, the liver and brain would be damaged by Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat.
Furthermore, although Wind-Cloud Divine Qi could amplify reflexes and the five senses and allow extremely fast movement, it caused excessive damage to the nervous system in equal measure.
Therefore, to obtain perfect Wind God power, one had to either possess an overwhelmingly strong power capable of suppressing even Wind-Cloud Divine Qi within the body, or reach the Wind God Realm—beyond the Wind Spirit Physique—where one could naturally generate and control wind without absorbing Wind-Cloud Divine Qi into the body.
However, the perfect Wind God lineage had already been cut off, and the secret methods to reach the Wind God Realm had all been lost as well… (Omitted later section).
“So they made a deal with the devil after all.”
In the end, the Wind God Palace had begun trading with the subordinate of the True Demon—the Wind Human among the Eight Human Heavens, the Wind Human Heaven.
The Wind Human was, in fact, the great rival of the Wind God and another name for the same existence.
Nature had always created opposing elements to maintain balance and achieve harmony.
Just as high mountains create deep valleys, and great evil gives birth to corresponding good, the Wind God and the Wind Human were like yin and yang—opposite yet mutually complementary existences. Having understood the dire situation of the Wind God Palace, whose lineage had been severed, the Wind Human made them a secret proposal.
—If we combine our strengths, we may be able to produce a good result…
In the end, the Wind God Palace accepted the deal with the Wind Human in order to continue the Wind God lineage.
In exchange for giving one person’s full share of pure Wind-Cloud Divine Qi to the Wind Human Heaven, the Wind Human Heaven would grant the Wind God Palace Lord the power to transcend the Wind Spirit Physique and complete a perfect Wind God body.
Thus, both sides would possess perfect power.
“So the Grand Duke… was nothing more than a sacrificial lamb to replace the Palace Lord.”
However, sacrificing the Wind God Palace Lord herself to create a Wind God was unacceptable.
After much deliberation, the Wind God Palace decided to mandatorily welcome a Grand Duke and use that person as the sacrifice to provide Wind-Cloud Divine Qi to the Wind Human Heaven.
Even so, there were times when the Wind God and the Grand Duke truly fell in love.
There were cases where the Wind God sacrificed herself instead of the Grand Duke, and cases where the two joined forces to oppose the Wind Human.
But the victor was always the Wind Human Heaven.
If they refused the deal?
They would eventually go mad from the effects of Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
“So the entire history of the Wind God was fabricated?”
Just as Hae Yeon turned the final page,
Vrrr.
A low vibration suddenly echoed through the stone chamber, and she felt something shooting into the sky.
When she turned the last page, a shocking sentence was written there.
“Soon the Wind Human Heaven will come looking?”
The moment one entered this stone chamber, a signal that a Wind God had been born would spread into the sky, and within one month the Wind Human would come to find the Wind God.
“So they did this to prevent the Palace Lord from developing feelings for the Grand Duke…?”
If she spent a long time with the husband she had welcomed as Grand Duke and built a deep marital bond, deep affection would eventually form and she would hesitate to carry out the deal with the Wind Human.
That was why the Wind God Palace had arranged it so that the moment a new Palace Lord was officially enthroned and entered the Wind God Pavilion, immediate contact would be made with the Wind Human Heaven.
“Haha.”
A hollow laugh escaped Hae Yeon.
To think the Wind God Palace had such a hideous rule.
So that was why there had always been so many mysterious deaths and never a single couple who lived together for a hundred years.
“If I want to live without going mad… I have to offer up the Grand Duke…?”
Her eyes narrowed.
If she did not offer Wind-Cloud Divine Qi to the Wind Human, she herself would go mad and eventually die.
Then what if she and Bu Eunseol tried to deal with the Wind Human together?
“It’s useless.”
If she failed to deliver Wind-Cloud Divine Qi to the Wind Human, the Wind God Palace would be attacked as punishment for breaking the pact. Even if they somehow defeated them, the Wind God Palace’s lineage would end with this generation. And if she did not receive the Wind Human’s help, she herself would become a madwoman due to the power of Wind-Cloud Divine Qi.
In the end, if they did not make the deal with the Wind Human… neither the Wind God Palace nor the Wind God could continue to exist.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Hae Yeon gazed into empty space.
She had finally realized what she had to do from now on.
***
—All warriors of the Death Shadow Corps are granted four days of mandatory leave.
Upon hearing that the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps had completed the Heart Mirror Technique by risking their lives, Bu Eunseol had forcibly given them leave.
They had tormented both body and soul, training as if their lives depended on it to complete the mirror, so he had sent them away to recover their vitality, even if by force.
Thanks to that, the only ones left in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion were Bu Eunseol, Yoo Unryong, and a handful of warriors and maids.
“I originally planned to visit the Martial Heaven Division.”
While handling various tasks in his office, Bu Eunseol muttered in regret.
Unable to find any trace of Baek Museong, he had officially sent a letter to the Martial Alliance requesting a private meeting with the Martial Heaven Division Lord to discuss the current state of the martial world. However, the reply that came back stated that Martial Heaven Division Lord Baek Museong was currently away on a secret mission and was not present in the Martial Alliance, so a private meeting was impossible.
Whether that was true or false, he could not know.
What was certain was that it had become extremely difficult to meet Baek Museong officially from now on.
The Three Realms standing behind him were hostile toward Bu Eunseol.
Since he had publicly requested a meeting with Baek Museong, the Three Realms would now thoroughly investigate the reason and would never allow the meeting to happen until they determined it would benefit them.
Moreover, the Martial Alliance would soon elect the next Alliance Leader.
If Baek Museong—considered one of the top candidates alongside Baekri Mujo—were to have a secret meeting with a high-ranking figure from Majeon, it would have an extremely negative impact on the election.
Publicly meeting had now become impossible.
“But I must meet him somehow.”
Bu Eunseol had to confirm whether there was any restriction placed on Baek Museong’s mind as well.
If there was, he needed to find clues on how to overcome it together.
“And I must help him recover his memories too.”
The restriction placed on Baek Museong was probably not as severe as the one on himself. Above all, ever since the memory of Baek Museong being his shadow and having spent their childhood together had resurfaced, a much deeper affection had grown in his heart.
In the end, Baek Museong had sacrificed himself for Bu Eunseol and ruined his own life because of it.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knocking sound was followed by the voice of Yoo Unryong’s adjutant, Mu Gwang.
“My Lord, it is Mu Gwang.”
“Enter.”
Mu Gwang saluted, then scratched his head and said,
“A guest has come to see you.”
“A guest?”
Bu Eunseol blinked.
The number of people who would come looking for him at the Suppressed Demon Pavilion could be counted on one hand.
“Who is it?”
“It doesn’t say.”
Mu Gwang carefully placed a small envelope on the desk and saluted respectfully.
“Then, I wish you a pleasant day.”
As Mu Gwang gave an absurd greeting like a sly errand boy from a matchmaking house arranging an impromptu meeting between a man and a woman, Bu Eunseol blinked and looked down at the desk.
There lay a pink envelope used for love letters, bearing elegant handwriting and the seal symbolizing the Wind God Palace.
Under the bright moonlight, the crowded market street was overflowing with vitality.
The fragrant smell of oil from street food stalls stopped passersby in their tracks. Turning one’s head revealed sizzling pancakes on one side and freshly steamed dumplings and hot noodles on the other. Occasionally, carts or donkeys loaded with goods squeezed through the crowd, while merchants shouted loudly to attract customers.
After looking around, Bu Eunseol entered a wide alley.
Herbal medicine shops with neatly hanging dried herbs lined the street. After walking a little further, a large teahouse came into view. In front of the teahouse, clowns and acrobats were performing tricks to draw crowds, and the lively sound of bamboo flutes played by musicians filled the entire street with joy.
‘How strange. Why here of all places?’
Shaking his head, Bu Eunseol entered the teahouse.
Inside the large wooden-pillared teahouse, lanterns hung everywhere, bathing the interior in a warm orange glow. When he went up to the second floor, the entire area was empty. In the center, a beauty dressed in white sat with her chin resting on her hand.
It was none other than the Wind God Palace Lord, Hae Yeon.
“Palace Lord.”
As Bu Eunseol approached, Hae Yeon smiled brightly.
“Come in.”
Strangely, there was no one else on the second floor—not even any attendants.
Hae Yeon had rented the entire teahouse.
“What brings you here?”
The Wind God Palace was located deep in a remote mountain range, so traveling to the Central Plains was no easy journey.
Moreover, to suddenly come looking for him when she must be extremely busy with palace affairs?
“I have something to tell you.”
After saying that, Hae Yeon turned her gaze back to the window.
She seemed fascinated by the scenery of the market street, resting her chin on her hand and staring endlessly at the streets.
Her appearance was not that of a hundred-year-old elder, but rather that of a curious twenty-year-old maiden.
“Palace Lord.”
Bu Eunseol made a dumbfounded expression as she continued to stare outside in a daze.
She had called him all the way here, yet she was busy sightseeing the market street?
“I’m sorry.”
Hae Yeon smiled and shook her head.
“Now that I think about it, it seems I’ve only ever seen such scenery in books.”
“What is the matter?”
To Bu Eunseol’s question, Hae Yeon gave an unexpected answer.
“Was it very bothersome when I forcibly asked you to become my Grand Duke?”
“Not particularly.”
“Really?”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“I am not the type to regret a decision once I have made it.”
He did not regret or dwell on things that had already happened.
Because that was a waste of time.
He never wasted mental energy or time on useless matters.
“Did you come all this way just to talk about that?”
“After thinking it over, no matter how I look at it, it seems unreasonable for a figure from the Demonic Path to become the Grand Duke of our palace.”
Hae Yeon shrugged.
“I was thinking of canceling your position as Grand Duke. What do you think?”
Although he did not understand, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“That is for the Palace Lord to decide.”
“What if I say I want to cancel it?”
“I will do so.”
When Bu Eunseol answered decisively, Hae Yeon pouted.
“How cold. After all the affection we’ve shared, you decide so easily.”
Bu Eunseol frowned.
In truth, his current feelings were far too complicated to put into words.
Because of him, Jin Seol had left Majeon.
He had discovered a message from the person presumed to be the successor of the Sacred Domain at the fake Saha Manor. Yet he still did not know what the Harmony of Sun and Moon was, nor why that person had given up everything and left.
Above all, although he had barely regained his memories of Baek Museong, public meetings had become impossible, so the chance to meet again was distant.
He had neither the mind to play along with Hae Yeon’s whims nor the energy to entertain jokes.
“You said you would follow my proposal without complaint, yet you call me cold? That doesn’t make sense.”
When he replied rather sharply, Hae Yeon looked apologetic.
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
As Bu Eunseol stood up to leave, Hae Yeon grabbed his arm.
“Instead of canceling the Grand Duke position, I have a favor to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Can you not spend just one day with me?”
Hae Yeon turned her gaze out the window.
“When will I ever come to the Central Plains again and have time like this?”
“I don’t understand what you mean by spending one day together.”
Bu Eunseol asked coldly.
“Tell me exactly what you want.”
“I want you to become an ordinary lover with me for one day. And to spend a peaceful day together.”
“……”
“Eat delicious food, visit beautiful scenery…”
Hae Yeon spoke excitedly.
“On the way here, I saw a place where you can float a boat on the lake and drink all night. It would be nice to talk while watching the moon there.”
“Palace Lord.”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh.
“If you need someone to keep you company, I can call someone else.”
“Someone else?”
“That friend has a talent for witty conversation and making people laugh, so you won’t feel lonely.”
“Bu Eunseol.”
Hae Yeon could not hide her disappointment.
“Did you really think I called you because I had no one else to play with?”
She bit her lip and continued, “From now on, I will have to handle official duties in earnest, so I will rarely be able to go outside.”
“I am the same.”
Bu Eunseol said firmly.
“Right now, all the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps are on leave. There are only a few people left in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, including myself.”
Hae Yeon’s face brightened instead.
“That’s perfect. Since things have turned out this way, can’t you also pause your work for a while and spend time with me?”
At her somewhat childish words, Bu Eunseol let out another deep sigh.
“Palace Lord. Please return to the palace quickly and raise capable disciples.”
“Hm?”
“And if you delegate some of your duties to her, you will soon have plenty of free time to travel the Central Plains.”
Hae Yeon shook her head with a gloomy expression.
“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible.”
“Is that so.”
Bu Eunseol stood up with an uninterested look.
“Anyway, I am busy, so I will take my leave first.”
“Bu Eunseol.”
Hae Yeon spoke with a disappointed face.
“No matter how you see it… I am not a hundred-year-old hag.”
Then she made an extremely sad expression.
“The time I have spent seeing the world is only a little over twenty years.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I am not the twilight elder you think I am… I am saying that, like ordinary women, I can also be hurt by small words and feel upset.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“I have never thought of the Palace Lord as an old woman.”
“Then can’t you speak a little more kindly and gently? Like how you would speak to other women.”
If it had been any other time, he would have indulged Hae Yeon’s sulking.
But ever since he discovered the newly created Saha Manor and found fragmented memories of Baek Museong there, his heart had grown impatient, and he felt anxious about his own situation of still not having fully regained his memories.
Yet she had called him with such childish behavior, which not only annoyed him but also made him feel displeased.
“The Palace Lord may have lived putting only her own feelings first, but I am different.”
A colder and more indifferent voice than usual flowed from Bu Eunseol’s mouth.
“I have never once lived or acted according to my feelings. Such things are nothing but luxury.”
…Saying things he would normally never say.
“Moreover, I don’t even have the complete memories that everyone else possesses. So how could I have the capacity to consider others?”
The memories of spending his childhood with Baek Museong had not fully returned, and the absurd situation in which the two of them had been divided into the righteous and demonic paths caused such frustration and pain that he could no longer hold it back and poured it out on Hae Yeon.
“Then tell me.”
Faced with Bu Eunseol’s sharp attitude, Hae Yeon instead showed a gentle expression.
“If you speak, you might feel a little better, no?”
“I have nothing to say to the Palace Lord.”
“How can you cut me off so heartlessly?”
Hae Yeon could not hide her disappointment.
“Was the relationship between you and me always this strict and cold?”
“If you want to enjoy yourself with people, then do so.”
Bu Eunseol said indifferently.
“Unfortunately, I do not have the capacity to play along with the Palace Lord’s whims.”
At his utterly cold attitude, Hae Yeon’s face hardened.
Then, as if realizing something, she put on a resigned expression.
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
Hae Yeon showed a dry smile that swallowed her disappointment.
“But please don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t that I wanted to mingle with people…”
She trailed off and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I talked too much.”
With a deep sigh, Hae Yeon stood up and smiled.
“I will go now.”
“Take care.”
“By the way, may I ask you just one thing?”
“Speak.”
“You are another Wind God who can use Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, excluding myself.”
Hae Yeon spoke in a low voice.
“If some misfortune befalls our palace, what would you do?”
Bu Eunseol frowned, but soon nodded.
“I would naturally help.”
Not only had he obtained Wind-Cloud Divine Qi from the Wind God Palace, he had also obtained the poison that allowed him to reach the pinnacle of poison arts. Moreover, Hae Yeon had even offered to release the Grand Duke position herself after learning of his feelings…
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, he still had not repaid the debt.
“Yes, you have always been strong in a sense of responsibility.”
Hae Yeon wore a lonely smile.
She realized that even his words of help came merely from a sense of responsibility to repay a debt of the heart.
“I will no longer bother you.”
Turning around, she gazed into empty space and murmured as if to herself.
“I hope you achieve everything you desire.”
It was a rather strange farewell.
Bu Eunseol opened his mouth to say something, but
Swoosh.
Hae Yeon activated Wind-Cloud Divine Qi and instantly turned into transparent mist, disappearing through the teahouse window into the distant sky.
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