“My Lord.”
Yeon Soha gazed at the distant sky and murmured softly.
“Why have you become so cold-hearted?”
The man she loved had always maintained a cold, indifferent expression on the outside, yet deep in his heart he carried warm affection.
But now he had become the complete opposite.
He still wore a gentle smile on his lips yet his eyes and his heart were frozen colder than a ten-thousand-year glacier.
It was as if he had become an entirely different person.
“Young Palace Master.”
At that moment, Namgung Sea slowly approached and spoke.
“The Lord came all the way here, without regard for the distance, to save you.”
She sighed as she continued.
“And he delivered a warning to the entire martial world so that no one would dare touch you or our palace again.”
“I know.”
Yeon Soha replied with a sorrowful face.
“But that is not the person I know.”
The Bu Eunseol she knew was a broad-minded man who did not distinguish strictly between the righteous and demonic paths.
He never touched the weak and only confronted the strong.
He chose the right path over mere justification and never took lives unnecessarily.
Yet that man… had completely changed.
“Soha.”
At that moment, Yeon Jami, who had been watching, spoke.
“People change eventually. And he is a man of the demonic path.”
Even when she had heard the rumor that Yeon Soha had become engaged to Bu Eunseol, she had let it pass.
When he proposed the Sichuan Alliance, she had been the first to approve it and provided enormous financial support.
She trusted her daughter’s judgment and her own eyes.
But Bu Eunseol had changed.
The man who had been extremely cautious about harming anyone and always showed consideration had ultimately become a cruel grandmaster of the demonic path.
“Perhaps the martial world pushed him to become this way.”
She also had her own intelligence network in the martial world.
She had long known that the demonic path figures were not showing support for Bu Eunseol and held great dissatisfaction with his moderate actions.
“It could also be an act.”
Namgung Sea added cautiously.
“To gain the support of the demonic path.”
In truth, that was an excuse meant to comfort Yeon Soha.
The coldness Bu Eunseol had shown this time was genuine.
Otherwise, he would not have massacred two thousand troops of the Blood Cult nor personally severed the necks of the traitors within the Divine Maiden Palace.
“It’s over anyway.”
Bu Eunseol had clearly declared the dissolution of the engagement.
Since he was not the type to go back on his word…
The connection between them was now completely finished.
***
—The Blood Wolf Corps of the Blood Cult secretly infiltrated the Central Plains to attack the Divine Maiden Palace.
A shocking rumor spread.
The Blood Cult, which had always coveted the Central Plains, had surprisingly sent the Blood Wolf Corps into Sichuan.
Yet in the end, they were brutally annihilated by a single man.
—The Martial Soul Command Lord detected it and single-handedly swept away the Blood Wolf Corps to rescue his betrothed.
When this rumor spread, not only the righteous path but even the demonic path figures could not help but laugh.
—The prestige of the Martial Soul Command Lord has fallen with this.
The man who had mercilessly slaughtered the high-ranking members of Majeon for threatening his position and had declared the banner of the demonic path’s supremacy…
He had rushed off in a panic to save a betrothed who could be considered from the righteous path when she fell into danger?
But the truly shocking rumors came after that.
—Furthermore, Shattering Gold Palace, which had been bribed by the Blood Cult to disrupt information and aid the invasion of the Divine Maiden Palace, lost three thousand troops and was forced to seal its gates.
This too had been carried out by a single man.
The successor of Majeon, the Martial Soul Command Lord.
The man who had always walked the path of a moderate demonic master.
The man who had desperately avoided conflict with the righteous path.
Not only had he beheaded the Majeon hall leaders who opposed his succession in the middle of a meeting…
He had also annihilated the main forces of Shattering Gold Palace—one of the Seven Great Palaces that had cooperated with the Blood Cult in attacking the Divine Maiden Palace—and forced them to seal their gates.
—We cannot leave the Martial Soul Command Lord alone!
The Palace Masters of the remaining Seven Great Palaces and the Martial Alliance sent envoys to Majeon to lodge strong protests.
But that was all.
Bu Eunseol responded as if he could not care less whose dog was barking, and their protests ended there.
The majority of martial world figures neither criticized nor blamed Bu Eunseol.
No—they could not do so.
Shattering Gold Palace’s act of helping the Blood Cult enter the Central Plains could not be dismissed as a mere deviation by the Young Palace Master Jeong Johyeok.
It was an extremely dangerous act that threatened the safety of the entire Central Plains martial world.
Moreover, since Bu Eunseol was engaged to the Young Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace, he had sufficient justification.
—Touch the Martial Soul Command Lord and you die, regardless of righteous or demonic path.
Before long, such words had spread through the martial world like an unwritten rule.
If Bu Eunseol had only dealt with the Blood Cult and helped the Divine Maiden Palace?
He would have been mocked as a contradictory figure—cruel to the demonic path and moderate to the righteous path.
In fact, the Blood Cult had calculated that Bu Eunseol would come to save the Divine Maiden Palace, hoping his support among the demonic path would decline as a result.
But Bu Eunseol showed a side he had never revealed before.
He displayed the image of a cold, domineering demonic practitioner.
He had instantly crushed a prestigious righteous sect like Shattering Gold Palace that had been passed down for generations.
Ironically, this earned him fervent support from the demonic path.
—Is he solidifying his position as the next Lord of Majeon?
All intelligence organizations in the martial world analyzed Bu Eunseol’s actions as strategic.
He had risen to the position of Martial Soul Command Lord long ago and achieved numerous merits in the martial world, yet he had never actively managed his authority or forces as Majeon’s successor.
But with this incident, he instantly gained powerful support from the demonic path.
There had once been those who thought he was not demonic enough… but now they saw there was no truer demonic practitioner than him.
—Martial Soul Command Lord! Martial Soul Command Lord!
For nearly ten-odd years, the demonic path had had no opportunity to expand its influence in the martial world, and its power had been pushed back by the righteous path.
Yet when Bu Eunseol so cleanly secured both justification and practical benefits while suppressing the arrogance of the righteous path, the majority of demonic practitioners could not help but go wild with enthusiasm.
This created an unexpected situation.
—We must ride this momentum and achieve demonic path supremacy.
Even the high-ranking members of Majeon who had not been favorable toward Bu Eunseol, and even the blood-thirsty demonic practitioners, had changed their minds because of this incident.
They even made a rather shocking proposal.
—The prestige of the Ten Demonic Sects has recently declined, and our faction’s influence is not what it used to be. How about we take this opportunity to deal with those who are thorns in our eyes, just like the Blood Cult, as well as the righteous sects that encroach on our sphere of influence?
The sects they proposed were all righteous factions affiliated with the Martial Alliance that could trigger a full-scale righteous-demonic war, or various demonic and dark path sects that opposed Majeon’s forces.
—We believe the Lord can easily create justification.
However, even the radical high-ranking members of Majeon were not fools.
Rather than fighting recklessly, they guessed that by utilizing Bu Eunseol’s outstanding wisdom—called the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang—they could create justification to strike without isolating Majeon.
—Justification, you say.
Upon hearing their proposal, Bu Eunseol said this.
—Does justification refer to something moral? Or does it refer to gaining the support of the majority of martial world figures?
And he made an unexpected suggestion.
—Justification is sometimes nothing more than wordplay. All that matters is proving its legitimacy through results.
He was saying that instead of seeking justification before fighting, he would obtain it after winning.
—As expected of the Martial Soul Command Lord!
The hardline militant factions of Majeon.
The demonic practitioners and forces who sought to resolve everything through war, conflict, and power rather than dialogue or compromise were greatly excited.
—Any justification is meaningless before power. Is that not the very essence of the demonic path’s supremacy!
When Bu Eunseol’s statement became known, the moderate factions of Majeon, or those who coolly assessed the current situation, immediately rose in opposition.
—The current martial world is extremely stable. This is not the era when the Demon Emperor or the Blood Demon could freely beat down the righteous path!
No matter how cleverly Bu Eunseol won battles with his mysterious schemes and then obtained justification afterward, forces of corps scale moving under the name of Majeon could never be seen as individual action.
If Bu Eunseol took the wrong steps or failed to secure justification?
It could trigger not only a righteous-demonic war but even the collapse of the demonic path itself.
—Let us first organize the corps.
Bu Eunseol ignored their words and began gathering the militant factions of Majeon with aggressive tendencies to discuss corps formation.
He was not planning sporadic subjugations using the Death Shadow Corps.
He was sincerely intending to form large-scale corps for territorial expansion.
In the grand conference room of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
The captains of the Death Shadow Corps had gathered here to prepare for the general leaders’ meeting.
This was because rumors had spread that a large-scale corps linked to various organizations of Majeon, including the Death Shadow Corps, was being formed.
Because the general leaders’ meeting had been convened, even the Lord of the Death Spirit Corps, Mu Heon, and the protector Tak Ilhon were in attendance.
Only Soyo was still staying with Ji Shuryeon and could not attend.
“There is no way the Lord would proceed with something like this without consulting us…”
Wi Cheongyeong said with an extremely serious expression.
“I have no idea what is going on.”
“He must have some deeply calculated plan again.”
Won Semun spoke as if it were nothing, trying to sound cheerful.
“Would the Lord do something like this without any thought?”
Even so, the atmosphere in the conference room remained heavily subdued.
Regardless of whether this subjugation succeeded or failed, these actions were completely out of line with Bu Eunseol’s previous methods.
Unity.
Until now, he had always prioritized unity with the martial artists of the Death Shadow Corps above all else. No matter how harsh or difficult the trials, no matter how cornered he was that he needed external help, he had always used tactics that displayed several times the power through mysterious schemes and solid unity.
Yet now, out of nowhere, he wanted to gather Majeon’s hardline and militant organizations to form large-scale corps?
This was an act that shattered the very beliefs he had pursued until now.
“Perhaps he is trying to regain the support of Majeon and the demonic path once more?”
Jo Namcheon spoke at that moment.
“With this incident, the Lord has received unprecedented fervent support from the demonic path. Honestly, I think rowing when the tide comes in isn’t bad either.”
“Nonsense. Obtaining support in that way will eventually become a quagmire that drags us down.”
At that moment, Tak Ilhon shook his head.
“If we gain support in this manner, only the hardliners will remain around us in the end.”
He then explained in an extremely serious voice.
“Eventually, whether we want it or not… we will be forced into a situation where we must constantly fight and fight until we seize supremacy over the martial world.”
Because Tak Ilhon had once been the leader of a faction, he understood the nature of power better than anyone.
The actions taken while in the position of successor would determine the direction once one officially ascended to the seat of power.
If Bu Eunseol gained support from Majeon and the demonic path’s hardline forces and figures in this way?
Only hardliners would remain by his side in the future.
If he became Lord with the support of such figures, he would have no choice but to move in the direction they desired…
In the end, he would have to wage endless wars to seize supremacy over the martial world.
“Otherwise, the Lord will no longer be recognized as the sovereign of the demonic path.”
Creak.
At that moment, the door of the conference room opened and Bu Eunseol entered.
Unlike how he had always insisted on plain clothing whether in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion or anywhere else, he was now wearing luxurious silk robes and a waist belt embedded with expensive jewels, along with ornaments, just like the children of royalty or high officials.
Because of this, Bu Eunseol emanated an mysterious charm, almost like a beautiful woman.
“I heard the conversation well.”
Bu Eunseol continued speaking immediately with a calm expression, as if he had heard Tak Ilhon’s words upon entering.
“I am not doing this with complicated thoughts such as supremacy over the demonic path in mind.”
He tapped the armrest of his prepared chair in the conference room and smiled.
“Something like the position of Majeon’s successor is not that great anyway.”
The captains looked puzzled.
They knew Bu Eunseol made no distinction between the righteous and demonic paths in his heart, but he had never once described the position of Lord of Majeon—which commanded a million demonic practitioners—as insignificant.
“Then why are you doing this?”
At Tak Ilhon’s question, Bu Eunseol smiled, revealing his white teeth.
“Isn’t it fun?”
Thud.
For a moment, the captains looked as if they had been struck on the back of the head.
Regardless, Bu Eunseol walked leisurely around the conference room and spoke.
“Every time, only the shadowy forces secretly stir up various incidents, while virtually nothing happens on the surface of the martial world.”
A deathly silence fell over the conference room.
—I’m just doing it for fun. The martial world is boring.
Right now, Bu Eunseol was…
Executing a plan that could trigger a righteous-demonic war, while saying this.
And those were absolutely not words that could come from his mouth.
Because he hated fighting and blood more than anyone. He had only come out to the martial world for revenge.
“Soon the corps will be formed. Of course, it won’t be our faction taking the front line, but Majeon’s militant organizations.”
Bu Eunseol looked at Tak Ilhon and smiled brightly.
“Since they like blood, it would be good to let them shed as much as they want.”
It would certainly be entertaining.
If all of Majeon’s hardline militant factions took the lead and continued endless battles…
A much longer and more drawn-out fight than a righteous-demonic war would unfold.
And the ending would probably be…
A war of annihilation with no victor or loser.
“So there is no need for our faction’s martial artists to train or prepare corps organization.”
Bu Eunseol shifted his gaze, which had been fixed on Tak Ilhon, back to the captains.
“We just need to sit back and watch how exciting the fights become.”
Then he smiled and turned around.
“So the meeting ends here. We will reorganize the corps soon, so relax and wait until then.”
Creak.
As soon as Bu Eunseol left the room, a chilling atmosphere filled the conference room.
No one could open their mouth any longer.
If they did… it would feel as if they were acknowledging that this was not a dream but reality.
***
An irreversible battle was being prepared step by step.
Bu Eunseol met with Majeon’s high-ranking members and began selecting militant factions with aggressive tendencies.
He analyzed their abilities and organizational characteristics to begin forming the corps.
In truth, these were not corps meant for victory.
They were simply…
Demonic practitioners who were fed up with the moderate Majeon and dissatisfied with those who did not pursue demonic path supremacy.
They were nothing more than extreme demonic practitioners and warmongers.
As if to prove it, they were intoxicated with the joy of being able to engage in large-scale battles.
They followed his formation without any thought, delighted at the prospect of carrying out exhilarating slaughter under the command of Bu Eunseol, who had never once been defeated in battle.
In contrast, the martial artists of the Death Shadow Corps were sunk in deep, indescribable worry.
Bu Eunseol had changed.
Or, to be more precise, he was not in his right mind.
If things continued this way?
Everything they had built up until now, all the goals they had pursued, would completely turn to nothing.
—We must find a way.
As if by agreement, the captains shut themselves in their offices and agonized over how to resolve this matter.
And the same was true for Yoo Unryong.
Knock. Knock.
“Captain. A guest has arrived.”
With Mu Gwang’s voice, the door opened and an entirely unexpected visitor appeared.
It was Yeon Soha, the Young Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace.
“Young Palace Master.”
The startled Yoo Unryong stood up and bowed.
“What brings you here so suddenly?”
Yeon Soha was a key figure of the Divine Maiden Palace whom the Death Spirit Corps intensively monitored and protected.
How could she suddenly come here without any prior notice?
“You still haven’t heard.”
Yeon Soha murmured with a sorrowful expression.
“All the members of the Death Spirit Corps who were waiting near our palace have withdrawn.”
“Why?”
“Because the Lord spoke of dissolving the engagement.”
“What do you mean…”
Yeon Soha explained in detail what had happened when Bu Eunseol came to the Divine Maiden Palace.
Yoo Unryong listened to her words with an extremely serious expression.
‘I cannot believe it.’
If one were to name the person in the world who could best imitate Bu Eunseol’s habits and behavior?
It would be Seo Jinha, who acted as his shadow.
And if one were to name the person who best understood Bu Eunseol’s thoughts and personality, it would be Yoo Unryong himself.
Because he had worked to build the Death Shadow Corps in Bu Eunseol’s absence, he had made every effort to understand Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, principles, standards, philosophy, beliefs, and values.
He knew Bu Eunseol’s goals and what he desperately desired.
‘This is absolutely not Bu Eunseol.’
Yeon Soha seemed to guess his thoughts from his hardened expression and showed a bitter smile.
“You may not believe me, but everything I say is true.”
She continued.
“And I heard that the Lord is gathering Majeon’s hardline forces for a large-scale war.”
She had come here after seeing Bu Eunseol’s actions that seemed to be rushing toward destruction.
“Are you saying the Lord has changed?”
“He hasn’t changed.”
Yeon Soha said something unexpected.
“That is also him.”
“What do you mean…”
“I thought about it carefully. Can a person suddenly change so much?”
Yeon Soha, who had been staring blankly into space, took a deep breath.
“And I realized it. He didn’t suddenly change. He had been hiding that disposition all along.”
“…….”
“It wasn’t that his personality changed. He had been suppressing that personality, and it exploded due to some trigger.”
To anyone else, her words would have been incomprehensible.
But Yoo Unryong nodded. And he showed a faint smile.
“You truly like him, Young Palace Master.”
“Huh?”
“Actually, I had the same thought.”
Yoo Unryong let out a sigh.
“I just wasn’t certain.”
In truth, Yoo Unryong had known as well.
Bu Eunseol was a man who lived with a cold exterior yet carried affection in his heart.
At the same time, he possessed a disposition so purely wicked that he could destroy all laws and norms.
Perhaps those dispositions had been removed due to the education of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang.
“Because there are things one naturally comes to know when one likes someone too much.”
Yeon Soha smiled.
“In fact, I thought that if it was Captain Yoo, you would understand what I was saying.”
“So that is why you came to me.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Not only that, I think you also know the method.”
“The method you speak of…”
Yeon Soha showed eyes full of conviction.
“I mean a way to harmonize the disposition inherent in the Lord’s soul.”
“I fully understand your concern for the Lord, Young Palace Master.”
Yoo Unryong spoke solemnly with a firm expression.
“However, just because the Lord’s personality has changed somewhat, it does not seem right for me, as his subordinate, or for you, as his betrothed, to arbitrarily interfere and control him.”
“I’m sorry. I must have spoken in a way that caused misunderstanding.”
Yeon Soha spoke politely and calmly.
“What I meant by the Lord having changed is that it is a kind of heart demon.”
“Heart demon?”
“Yes, I am certain.”
Yeon Soha said firmly.
“That he changed like this is absolutely not something the Lord wanted himself.”
At that moment, Yoo Unryong’s eyes flashed.
In fact, he too had predicted and analyzed many things about this incident and had prepared meticulous schemes accordingly.
And it seemed Yeon Soha had done the same.
‘Bu Eunseol, just what did you do in your previous life to be born with such romantic fortune?’
Yeon Soha was not only beautiful in appearance.
Although it was not widely known in the martial world, she was a talented woman with a gentle and kind personality, as well as outstanding wisdom and insight.
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