“Hmm.”
At that moment, Yeon Soha let out a soft groan. Her delicate eyelashes trembled lightly, and her eyes, holding a brilliant light like the morning sun, slowly opened.
As she slightly lifted her head, her softly disheveled hair—freshly awakened from sleep—flowed down over her shoulders.
Yet the transparent eyes visible between her silk-like strands still seemed to stand on the boundary between dream and reality.
“Young Palace Master, are you awake?”
When Bu Eunseol asked with a bright expression, she showed a languid yet radiant smile.
That earnest gaze and smile shook Bu Eunseol’s heart more than anything else.
Drop.
But just as Yeon Soha seemed to open her eyes halfway, she fainted again on the spot.
“The Young Palace Master’s condition doesn’t look good.”
Yoo Unryong spoke urgently with a serious expression.
“It doesn’t seem like simple damage to her true origin. Hurry and go to the Medicine Hall. The Lord of the Medicine Hall should be able to treat her.”
The Lord of the Medicine Hall, Gyo Junghak.
He was one of the few divine physicians in the martial world.
If it was him, he would be able to treat Yeon Soha quickly no matter what injury she had suffered.
“Understood.”
Tap.
Bu Eunseol hurriedly lifted Yeon Soha into his arms and unleashed a flying movement technique, arriving at the Medicine Hall in an instant.
Fortunately, the Lord of the Medicine Hall was present and immediately took her pulse as if he had been waiting.
“It seems she used strange treasures or dharma tools that should never be used.”
Gyo Junghak, who had been examining Yeon Soha’s condition with a grave expression, spoke in a low voice.
“Because of that, her true yang within her body has drained away.”
As expected of a divine physician renowned throughout the martial world, he clearly understood not only why she had collapsed, but also why this had happened.
“I heard she used the divine energy of the Divine Maiden Palace.”
Since his days as one of the Ten Demon Warriors, Bu Eunseol had owed Gyo Junghak several favors, so he spoke to him with the respectful tone one would use toward an elder of his sect.
“It was probably because of that.”
“I see.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Just replenish it. If you infuse yang energy, she should recover soon.”
“Infuse yang energy…”
Bu Eunseol furrowed his brows.
The phrase “infuse yang energy” sounded closer to great laws or sorcery than to martial arts or medicine.
“How exactly do we infuse yang energy?”
“What do you mean, how?”
The Lord of the Medicine Hall asked back with a dumbfounded expression.
“Do you only use your mouth when eating?”
“With the mouth?”
“Then is there any other way to infuse yang energy? If there is, please tell me.”
Bu Eunseol was confused.
Infusing yang energy through the mouth—wasn’t that something that only appeared in strange tales from miscellaneous books?
For Gyo Junghak, one of the most skilled divine physicians in the world, to recommend such a superstitious method?
“Treasured artifacts and dharma tools are objects that touch upon the principles of yin and yang. Naturally, using them leads to this result.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been wearing a blank expression, finally nodded as if he understood.
There were legends that the founder of the Divine Maiden Palace was an immortal, and their treasures similarly descended from them, so it was probably not complete nonsense.
“Do as you see fit.”
When Bu Eunseol hesitated, Gyo Junghak brushed off his hands and stood up from his seat.
“Well, she’s not even a woman from our demonic path. Even if she dies, there’s nothing to regret.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol grabbed the sleeve of Gyo Junghak and asked,
“How much yang energy should I infuse?”
“Until she regains consciousness.”
Then, shaking his head, he walked out of the room.
“Ugh…”
Bu Eunseol let out a groan as he looked at the sleeping Yeon Soha.
With her long eyelashes lowered and her consciousness lost, she looked exactly like a celestial fairy who had descended to the earth.
“This is to save the Young Palace Master, so please forgive me.”
Hiding his trembling gaze, Bu Eunseol brought his face closer.
A sweet yet dizzying body scent reached him.
Bu Eunseol carefully placed his lips against hers.
Would the first kiss be something one could never forget?
Suddenly, the kiss that Yu Baek—no, Yu Seol—had given him came to mind.
If it had been dizzying back then, now it felt as if his heart would burst.
Finally, when their lips touched, Bu Eunseol poured his breath into her with all his strength.
But she still showed no sign of waking.
Inevitably, the kiss continued for a long time.
***
At the same time Bu Eunseol and Yeon Soha were kissing, Yoo Unryong looked up at the roof of the building where the two were.
The sky was exceptionally clear.
Yoo Unryong wore a faint smile.
—I have a favor to ask.
Not long ago, Yeon Soha had earnestly requested something of Yoo Unryong.
—If I use the divine energy of my palace, my yin energy will surge or I will momentarily lose my true yang… so yang energy must be infused or my yin energy must be neutralized.
Yoo Unryong nodded and said,
—I will prepare spiritual medicines in advance that can replenish yang energy.
—No, that’s not what I mean.
Yeon Soha spoke with utmost seriousness.
—There must be no spiritual medicines in Majeon that can replenish yang energy.
—Pardon?
—I said there must be no spiritual medicines capable of replenishing yang energy.
Yoo Unryong was not only an outstanding strategist but also a sharp person who could read others’ emotions well.
Having understood her meaning, he answered respectfully,
—I will make sure to convey those words clearly to the warriors of this hall as well as to the Lord of the Medicine Hall.
—Thank you.
Yeon Soha then smiled brightly.
Her plum-blossom-like smile was indescribably beautiful.
‘I kept my promise, Young Palace Master.’
Yoo Unryong looked at the distant sky with a proud expression.
It seemed as if Yeon Soha’s brightly smiling face could be seen even in the faraway clouds.
***
Even after infusing yang energy, Bu Eunseol took care of Yeon Soha with utmost devotion.
Fortunately, she regained consciousness and safely returned to the Divine Maiden Palace.
—I am satisfied as long as you have returned to your complete self.
She was a wise woman.
Knowing that now that he had regained his senses, there were mountains of matters he needed to resolve, she immediately returned to the Divine Maiden Palace so as not to interfere with his work.
—I need to clean this up quickly.
Bu Eunseol began to resolve all the issues he had caused until now.
However, there was one problem too big to resolve easily.
It was persuading the hardline great demons who were starving for blood and war.
—They have already poured everything into preparing for war.
If he tried to pretend none of it had happened… he would have to give up his position as Majeon’s successor right then and there.
Yoo Unryong advised with utmost seriousness.
—Since we cannot pretend it never happened, how about reducing the scale of the unit and carrying out the subjugation? Wouldn’t that work?
In the second overlapped illusory world of the Heart Mirror Technique, Bu Eunseol had made exactly that choice.
And he had received moderate victory and moderate praise.
But now he could not do that.
Because another variable had appeared.
—Then we cannot stay out of it either.
When the rumor spread that Bu Eunseol was genuinely organizing a unit to crush the noses of the righteous faction forces, some great demons from the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect and Dark Crimson Demon Sect—who were crouching in Majeon and whom even the Demon Emperor could not fully control—stepped forward to participate in this subjugation.
—We will participate as well!
The demons of the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect and Dark Crimson Demon Sect were the evil demons passed down through generations in the demonic path.
No, they were wicked demons comparable to monsters and battle maniacs themselves.
Some of the forbidden demons, who had been sealed away because even the Demon Emperor could not control them once their eyes rolled back, suddenly burst out of Majeon and declared they would join this subjugation.
The Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.
“Now… it cannot be undone.”
The warriors of the Death Shadow Corps, including Yoo Unryong, wore despairing expressions.
If some demons from the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect or Dark Crimson Demon Sect participated in the battle, and if they could not freely kill the righteous faction members, it was obvious that the arrows of blame would fly toward Bu Eunseol.
“On the contrary, this is good.”
When Bu Eunseol smiled instead, Myo Cheonwoo opened his mouth wide.
“Good?”
He continued with a frustrated tone,
“Do you not know what kind of demons gather in theDark Crimson Demon Sect or Blood-Stained Ebony Sect? They are real madmen who drink the blood of righteous faction members and chew on their flesh.”
“I know.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “I also know that if I take them into a small battle, it will only increase their thirst.”
“Then?”
“Since they are great demons who do not fear death, this is actually fortunate.”
Yoo Unryong asked in surprise, “You have a method?”
“I do.”
“How?”
“We just have to let them shed blood as they wish. Satisfyingly.”
“So how exactly-”
Bu Eunseol wore a smile.
“Just watch this time. Since I caused this, I will handle it myself.”
Then he stood up from his seat.
***
—The Martial Soul Command Lord is not satisfied with small-scale righteous faction branches and is preparing a plan to destroy the entire Martial Alliance. However, I also do not wish for the brave warriors of this hall to die in vain.
Bu Eunseol divided the forces of the demons preparing for battle once again into two units: the Blood Heaven and the Blood Earth.
It was not a division based on seniority or organization, but solely based on those whose martial arts were mutually opposing.
He then ordered them to conduct intense mock battles that felt like reality.
—Only the warriors who display the most outstanding strategy and martial prowess will become warriors of the Blood Heaven Order and proceed with the subjugation of the righteous faction. Furthermore, if selected for the Blood Heaven Order, I promise a one-step promotion under the authority of the Martial Soul Command Lord.
The moment Bu Eunseol’s order was issued, the two divided units began a bloody competition.
Since ancient times, the demonic path had treated not only external enemies but also internal competitors as foes.
Power was inherently limited, so even comrades standing back-to-back could never share it.
The demonic path originally meant a path of trampling on everything around you and rising above.
—The Martial Soul Command Lord is using tricks.
—But it’s already too late to turn back.
The Lord of the Shadowless Pavilion, Hwa Jung-cheon, and a few other senior figures saw Bu Eunseol deliberately splitting the already organized unit into two and training them in competition.
They instantly saw through his intention and wore sneers.
—At best, it will last fifteen days. At most, a month.
No matter how intense, training was ultimately just training.
It could not fully satisfy the bloodthirst and slaughter-lust that could only be relieved in actual battle.
If he dragged it out like this, in the end, they would be unable to endure the hunger for slaughter and bare their fangs at Bu Eunseol.
—He will be driven out of the successor position.
Hwa Jung-cheon, who had been watching the situation, wore a sneer.
—Does he not know that what they want is the blood of righteous faction members?
When their mockery grew louder, Bu Eunseol appointed the Ghost Sword Dead Shadow from the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect, as vice commander, and separately selected only the experts from the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect and Dark Crimson Demon Sect who had been assigned to the Blood Heaven Order before departing beyond the pass.
—Wouldn’t training anywhere be the same?
But before the smiles on their faces could even fade, Bu Eunseol began merciless slaughter battles against the branches and sub-branches of the Blood Cult.
—These crazy bastards!
The Blood Cult had already been closely monitoring Bu Eunseol’s movements.
They thought he had been cursed at so much in Majeon that he had fled beyond the pass for training, but instead he was recklessly destroying their branches?
—Have you forgotten the non-aggression treaty?
When the Blood Cult protested, Bu Eunseol politely apologized.
—I am sorry. The demons from these two organizations are ones that even the Demon Emperor cannot control.
As compensation for the damage, he sent enormous tribute to the main headquarters of the Blood Cult.
The Blood Cult Lord was engulfed in rage, but in reality, the demons from those two organizations were utter scum that even the Demon Emperor could not control.
Above all, they had previously touched the Divine Maiden Palace, so this time they had no choice but to let it pass without saying anything.
—He came up with a clever plan.
Hwa Jung-cheon instinctively realized that Bu Eunseol was using the Blood Heaven Order, which he had organized for the righteous faction subjugation, as a sacrifice to attack the Blood Cult, the evil factions, the black path, and other forces in order to avoid blame.
To prevent such tricks in the future, he had already taken measures in advance.
—If the Martial Soul Command Lord continues to use the Blood Heaven Order to attack only unrelated forces like the Blood Cult, the black path, or the evil factions, in the end, he will become a figure who never touches the righteous faction members!
When this story spread, most of Majeon’s warriors agreed.
—That’s right. The Martial Soul Command Lord has always been lenient toward the righteous faction. No, his actions have been so favorable that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a righteous faction member himself.
When all the demonic path members agreed, Hwa Jung-cheon wore a triumphant smile.
He had long seen through Bu Eunseol’s tendency to cherish righteous faction members.
By spreading such public opinion, he had preemptively blocked Bu Eunseol’s scheme to subtly strike the evil factions, black path, or Blood Cult instead of attacking the righteous factions.
—Now what will you do?
Hwa Jung-cheon could not forget the humiliation he had received from Bu Eunseol at the previous Infinite Righteous Meeting.
Therefore, having fully grasped Bu Eunseol’s tendencies, he was driving the situation so that Bu Eunseol could not avoid attacking the righteous factions.
Bu Eunseol showed no reaction to Hwa Jung-cheon’s scheme.
And when the unit’s training was finally complete, he carried out the expedition as scheduled.
—Now prepare the unit!
Having formed the large-scale unit, the Blood Heaven Order, Bu Eunseol delivered a shocking command.
—The target of this unit is the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance!
At that truly shocking declaration,
—Uwaaaaaah!
Not only the great demons belonging to the unit, but all the demonic path members went wild with enthusiasm.
The successor of Majeon, who had always walked a moderate path, had declared that he would crush the ruler of Shaanxi, the Martial Soul Society, and the new righteous faction alliance, the Azure Heaven Alliance.
—That’s impossible!
However, Majeon’s senior figures did not believe it.
No, they could not believe it.
Attacking the Martial Soul Society or the Azure Heaven Alliance with a mere thousand troops was like throwing eggs at a rock.
—Is he deliberately going to lose?
Especially since, even if the Azure Heaven Alliance was one thing, the Martial Soul Society was known to have a connection with Bu Eunseol.
Because it contained the leaders of the outer regions and Do Cheonlin, who were known to be close to him.
If that was the case, the reason for forming this Blood Heaven Order might actually be a scheme to lose to them.
—If that is the case, we must immediately impose sanctions!
The senior figures immediately convened a Demon Politics Meeting and summoned Bu Eunseol to begin discussions on the expedition.
Grand Conference Hall of the Poison Name Pavilion.
There, under the presiding of the Chief Instructor, the highest senior figures of Majeon had gathered for the meeting.
However, since the Demon Emperor was in closed-door training, he did not attend.
“It starts off well, but what use is it if we lose our outstanding warriors in droves?”
The senior figures who were dissatisfied with Bu Eunseol began to apply strong pressure in unison.
“If the Command Lord suffers a great defeat in this expedition, the core forces of this hall will disappear. How will you take responsibility for that?”
It was a fact known throughout the entire martial world that Bu Eunseol had always walked a moderate path and held a favorable attitude toward righteous faction martial artists.
Majeon’s senior figures thought that this expedition could instead become an opportunity for Majeon’s forces to suffer losses and for the demonic path’s power to weaken.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been quietly listening, smiled brightly at the senior figures attending the meeting and spoke.
“So you are saying that the Martial Soul Command Lord… is deliberately planning to lose to them and return?”
Treating the successor of Majeon like an external spy?
If it had been his original personality, he would have attended the Demon Politics Meeting with an extremely displeased expression and questioned the senior figures.
But because of everything he had done until now… Bu Eunseol instead maintained a gentle expression and tone.
“Martial Soul Command Lord. Not only this hall, but many demonic path members have always been worried about that point…”
“That’s right, that’s right.” Bu Eunseol laughed heartily and said, “Isn’t it because the Martial Soul Command Lord’s consistently moderate actions have been problematic that you are saying such things?”
At the unexpected words, the senior figures grew even more tense.
—What is he trying to do today?
Because the Martial Soul Command Lord, whose personality had changed, frequently got angry and beheaded people, the senior figures had come to the meeting hall armed and remained on high alert.
Yet this time he was maintaining an attitude that was not only gentle but downright polite… so they could not help but feel even more uneasy.
“Ahem.”
The senior figures could only clear their throats repeatedly; no one opened their mouth any further.
In truth, their opinions had sufficient justification.
It was not something that had started yesterday or today that Bu Eunseol received such evaluations.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol stood up from his seat and made an even more shocking declaration.
“If I lose more than thirty percent of this hall’s warriors or return in defeat, I will relinquish the successor position.”
For a moment, the senior figures who had opposed the expedition or had suspected and criticized Bu Eunseol became mute as if they had eaten honey.
Until now, none of the declarations he had made had ever failed to come true.
Did he really intend to subjugate them?
—I see. So that is his intention.
But Majeon’s senior figures were also seasoned veterans.
They soon saw through Bu Eunseol’s scheme and shook their heads.
—He is using our opposition as an excuse to cancel the expedition!
In fact, this expedition was far too great a gamble.
He had already proven all his abilities as Majeon’s successor.
Therefore, barring any major issues, his succession as the next Lord of Majeon was virtually confirmed.
But if he failed this time?
Not only would succession be impossible, but he would likely be driven out of the successor position for the crime of losing forces.
Knowing that the risk was too high, he was clearly planning to use the senior figures’ opposition as an excuse to refuse the expedition.
—You sly fox. Let’s see if it goes your way!
Having finished their thoughts, the senior figures wore triumphant smiles.
They generously granted permission for the expedition.
“Fine. Since the Command Lord has said so, we have no choice but to not oppose the expedition.”
They added one more condition.
“Provided that you promise to definitely strike the Martial Soul Society and the Azure Heaven Alliance.”
At their demand, Bu Eunseol wore a smile.
“Very well.”
He stood up from his seat and asked the senior figures,
“Then what will you stake?”
“What do you mean?”
When the Lord of the Soul Seizing Battle Unit, Hyuk Se-gi, asked, Bu Eunseol raised the corners of his lips.
“This Martial Soul Command Lord said that if I lose more than thirty percent of this hall’s warriors or return in defeat, I will relinquish the successor position.”
“……”
“Yet you, the senior figures of this hall, sit in your chairs and only find fault with everything the Martial Soul Command Lord does.”
The moment madness flowed from Bu Eunseol’s eyes, which had been wearing a gentle expression, the atmosphere instantly turned icy cold.
Bu Eunseol was still not the Lord of Majeon, but merely the successor and the people attending this meeting were all the senior figures who supported Majeon.
Yet he was arrogantly spitting out words that only the Demon Emperor could say?
“Your words are too excessive. All the senior figures, including this unit lord, are concerned that the Command Lord’s arbitrary decisions will cause damage to this hall…”
“I was just saying it.”
Bu Eunseol raised the corners of his lips and stood up.
“Isn’t the position of successor one that must constantly undergo tests? Your concerns are only natural.”
Even while turning their stomachs inside out, he soothed and appeased them as if dealing with children.
Just as the senior figures, unable to endure the displeasure, were about to stand up,
“Then I will take my leave first to prepare for the expedition.”
Bu Eunseol left the meeting hall without even looking back.
Finally, the expedition began.
The Blood Heaven Order numbered one thousand three hundred, including the warriors of the Death Shadow Corps.
The number was not particularly large, but it consisted mostly of Majeon’s unrestrained hardline demons, and even included demons from the Blood-Stained Ebony Sect and Dark Crimson Demon Sect whom even the Demon Emperor could not properly control.
—We strike the Martial Soul Society first!
The forces of the Blood Heaven Order commanded by Bu Eunseol immediately headed toward Shaanxi.
The Martial Soul Society had been quite close to Bu Eunseol since its early days of establishment, and although not clearly revealed, it was judged to still have close ties with him.
Moreover, was its name not the Martial Soul Society?
Yet to be recognized as Majeon’s successor, he was going to attack them without regard for their friendship?
—Martial Soul Command Lord. Have you gone blind with ambition?
The Martial Soul Society immediately began to criticize him, but Bu Eunseol paid no attention and did not stop his advance.
—So it is sincere.
Although it had recently been recognized as a force in the Central Plains, it had not yet built any particular relationships with the righteous faction, the black path, or the evil factions… so it had no choice but to block him with its own forces.
—Stop him!
In the end, the Martial Soul Society selected outstanding warriors from its four great units and formed a three-thousand-strong unit to confront the Blood Heaven Order.
However, most of the warriors in the Blood Heaven Order were bloodthirsty mad demons literally insane for slaughter.
On top of that, Bu Eunseol’s outstanding military tactics and strategy were added, so the forces of the Martial Soul Society could only fall like autumn leaves in the wind.
Now, something truly… irreversible had occurred.
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