Having received the order from the Demon Emperor, Bu Eunseol briefly explained the situation to the Death Shadow Corps and immediately set out alone into the martial world to track the Holy One’s movements.
―From this moment on, all martial artists of the Death Shadow Corps, and even the external intelligence operatives including the Death Spirit Corps, must not contact this Command Lord under any circumstances.
Since he had been ordered to handle everything alone, it was obvious he could not mobilize his subordinates, nor could he use the Death Spirit Corps’s intelligence network.
If he violated that order, even if he uncovered the Holy One’s true identity, he would still have to receive the Life-and-Death Single Palm Decree.
Moreover, one month was not a long time at all.
Because he had to resolve this matter entirely by himself without anyone’s help, this task would ultimately become a race against time.
―Understood!
Only then did the captains feel relieved.
The command to reorganize the intelligence organizations, including the Death Spirit Corps, had been possible precisely because Bu Eunseol had already predicted that the Demon Emperor would forbid him from using them.
“This won’t be easy.”
However, Bu Eunseol’s expression as he performed his movement technique was not bright.
He had to identify the true identity of the Holy One—something even the Secret Moon Division had failed to uncover—within one month, without any help from intelligence organizations.
The arduous journey ahead seemed vividly clear.
“I have no choice but to run around as much as possible with my own two feet.”
To obtain clues first, Bu Eunseol visited Sang’an Village once again.
If he had been able to borrow the power of an intelligence organization, he could have gathered countless clues—including all the villages where the plague had spread—in less than half a day.
But now he had to do everything alone.
‘There’s no other way.’
The more vast or complex the amount of information he needed to obtain, the more he required an organization to classify and store it.
Even after obtaining information, the process of refining and verifying trustworthy data was crucial.
That was why intelligence organizations employed specialists from various fields who performed in-depth analysis of specific information based on their expertise.
But that was impossible now.
Until now, Bu Eunseol had easily obtained high-quality information thanks to the Death Spirit Corps.
Now, he truly had to dig up, classify, and refine information all by himself, as if digging the ground with his bare hands.
‘In that case…’
A wide-ranging investigation was impossible when working alone.
Therefore, he had no choice but to focus his investigation on places where he could reliably obtain clues.
‘Sang’an Village.’
In Sang’an Village, the Holy One had appeared and treated those afflicted with the plague. However, the elderly had ultimately been unable to overcome the illness and all died, while only the young had survived.
Since the young people had survived, there was a good chance he could obtain substantial clues there.
Bu Eunseol headed back to Sang’an Village.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to talk about that matter.”
“I don’t need money. I simply don’t want to talk about it.”
However, it was more difficult than he had expected.
Although most of the young people had survived, they were the ones who had lost their parents or close family members to the plague.
Moreover, from their perspective, the Holy One had literally been a saint.
They could not help but feel strong aversion toward Bu Eunseol, who was asking about him and trying to investigate.
‘I cannot forcibly demand answers from people who are only just beginning to overcome their grief.’
After careful consideration, he decided to ask another group about the Holy One instead.
The dead.
“If the Holy One truly cured those afflicted with the plague, there must be traces left behind.”
He visited the communal cemetery in Sang’an Village, paid his respects politely, and began examining the bodies of those who had died from the plague.
Fortunately, they had not died while still suffering from the illness.
Thanks to the Holy One’s treatment, they had completely recovered from the disease, but their life force had been exhausted after enduring the long period of illness, and only then had they passed away.
For that reason, the bodies of the deceased elderly had not been cremated. They had been properly prepared and buried in the ground.
“Strange.”
As he carefully inspected the corpses, Bu Eunseol’s eyes grew sharp.
Thanks to his many years wandering the martial world, his observational skills, insight, and knowledge had reached a level incomparable to his days as a mortician. Because of this, he could quickly extract the information contained within the bodies without needing to examine them as meticulously as before.
“Something is wrong.”
The more he examined the corpses, the colder Bu Eunseol’s expression became.
Even after recovering from an illness, traces always remained in the body.
Especially in the case of a life-threatening plague, the marks left by the illness should have been even clearer.
“Yet there are none.”
There were none.
Not even a trace of the plague could be found on the bodies of the numerous elderly who were said to have died from it.
“Was there no plague to begin with?”
That could not be.
When a plague broke out, local officials were dispatched first to verify the truth.
Naturally, officials had been sent to Sang’an Village as well. They had clearly confirmed the infection and recorded it in official documents.
In addition, numerous physicians had verified the outbreak, so its authenticity could not be doubted.
Yet there were no traces of the plague on the deceased bodies? That was simply impossible.
“There must be traces I haven’t found yet.”
The body of the dead always bears the marks of their past life and, without fail, the cause of death.
That was an unchanging truth.
“I’ll examine them again.”
Bu Eunseol inspected the corpses once more with great care.
‘This is…’
Strangely, in the bodies of the deceased elderly, he discovered blood vessels that had abnormally contracted and things that looked like black lines.
These were clear abnormal signs that were distinctly different from the traces of a plague.
‘In that case.’
Bu Eunseol reached out with his hand.
In the past, he would have had to cut open the abdomen with a knife to check the internal condition.
But now, thanks to his outstanding super senses and the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra, he could examine the inside of the human body as thoroughly as if he had dissected it, without damaging the corpse.
‘The heart has shriveled, and the liver looks like an empty shell.’
Every single one of them had a heart that was noticeably smaller than its normal size, and their livers were also in the form of empty shells.
Moreover, the state of decomposition was abnormal.
Even though the time of onset differed slightly, they had all contracted the plague and died around the same period. Yet some corpses had decomposed as if several years had passed, while others had decomposed extremely slowly, as if they had only just died.
‘Then…’
A thought flashed across Bu Eunseol’s mind, and his eyes gleamed.
He headed to the outdoor temporary treatment center in the village where the Holy One was said to have treated the patients.
For a long time, he lowered his head and carefully observed the area.
He searched for traces of surrounding grass, trees, and insects that had withered and died.
Not gradually, but ‘instantly.’
‘Absorption?’
Only then could he find the answer.
Judging from all the circumstances… the so-called Holy One had not cured the plague. He had ‘absorbed’ it.
‘Is such a thing even possible?’
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
How could a mere human possess the power to absorb a plague? That should have been impossible from the start.
‘Then did he absorb the life force along with the plague?’
When he examined the surroundings once more, he discovered that the grass and trees at the exact spots where the Holy One had treated the patients had all withered and died.
As if he had sucked up all the surrounding life force.
In other words, just as he had deduced, the Holy One had absorbed not only the patients’ illness but also their life force.
“Fortunately, he is not a real saint.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
In truth, he had been worried.
What if this person was truly a saint who helped people?
What if he was someone who genuinely used mysterious powers to heal the sick?
Then he would be a being with truly supernatural power, and investigation would have been impossible from the beginning.
But if he was someone who harmed people using such vicious methods, if he was merely a wicked man using evil arts to harm innocent civilians, then he was not a supernatural being and would definitely have left traces behind.
Through this kind of investigation, he could catch the tail.
“I will catch you.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes burned red like charcoal fire.
He could never forgive anyone who touched innocent civilians who were not even martial artists.
***
The Nine Deaths Squad.
It was a secret organization that could never be revealed to the outside world. The moment its duties became known, conflicts between factions would erupt.
It performed missions that were not officially recognized.
In the past, to grow stronger quickly and gain experience in the martial world, Bu Eunseol had volunteered for the Nine Deaths Squad and carried out missions for one year. Those missions included not only assassinations but also gathering information from people like intelligence operatives and refining floating rumors into usable data.
And the experience from that time had become the foundation that allowed Bu Eunseol to solve any difficult problem or trial.
Just like now.
Drawing on his experience from the Nine Deaths Squad, Bu Eunseol left Sang’an Village and began gathering information from the neighboring villages.
Simply grabbing civilians and shoving money at them while asking questions made it difficult to obtain high-quality information. They did not clearly remember specific situations or know how to explain them accurately.
Especially for events that had happened quite some time ago, even persistent questioning rarely yielded useful information.
Bu Eunseol visited inn servants and information merchants in the city.
He needed to at least grasp the general outline or characteristics of the Holy One.
Only then could he obtain clear clues to question the civilians more effectively.
‘Operating an intelligence organization is forbidden, but buying floating rumors with money should be acceptable.’
The Demon Emperor had ordered him to uncover the Holy One’s true identity alone, without using subordinates.
Naturally, moving an intelligence organization was impossible, but collecting floating rumors by himself should be fine.
After all, he would have to refine the information himself anyway.
―I will buy information about the man who cured the sick in Sang’an Village.
Bu Eunseol went around the gambling dens and brothels operated by the Black Path, or gave money to the thugs guarding the entrances and said,
―Even vague rumors are fine. If you have any information related to him, come to the annex of Jangpyeong Inn anytime.
After scattering money here and there for a while and planting seeds… information about the Holy One slowly began to trickle in.
However, most of it was just nonsense.
The Black Path thugs, wanting to earn money, were simply repeating whatever they had heard from civilians.
Bu Eunseol never ignored even the nonsense. He listened carefully and refined the information.
One month was far too short a time.
Moreover, since he had to handle everything alone without anyone’s help, he needed to find even a single important clue, no matter how coincidental.
“Um… excuse me, sir.”
At that moment, a shabby-looking boy came to the annex where Bu Eunseol was staying.
After hesitating for a long time, the boy spotted Bu Eunseol, scratched his head awkwardly, and approached.
“I happened to hear from Old Man Samno at the west gate. He said that if I told you about the person who cured the sick in Sang’an Village, you would give me money.”
To ease the boy’s frozen tension, Bu Eunseol took out his money pouch.
“Of course. No matter how trivial, it’s fine.”
He placed the thick pouch on the table.
The boy swallowed hard and said, “Actually, I once sneaked into Sang’an Village to beg. Of course, I got caught by the boss soon after and got beaten half to death.”
The boy belonged to the beggar gang of this village. Unable to endure hunger, he had secretly gone begging in another village.
While wandering around Sang’an Village, he had heard something extremely strange.
“At that time, I overheard an old physician say, ‘Isn’t that Holy One the same person who once treated the sick at Geumpung Manor?’”
‘Geumpung Manor.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled.
The Holy One had always operated in remote mountain villages, making it difficult to find his identity or movements.
But a large manor like Geumpung Manor was different.
Such places had resident servants and maids, and many eyes watching.
If the Holy One had entered the manor, it would be much easier to obtain information about him.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol took out a piece of paper, pressed something onto it with his fingernail, and placed it on the table.
It stood upright on the table like a little wolf.
“W-what is this?”
The boy, who had been hoping for even a few coins, received the empty paper and made a gloomy face.
“If I gave you silver, the boss would just take it from you, wouldn’t he?”
Bu Eunseol stroked the boy’s head.
“I’ll have food ordered for you here, so eat your fill.”
“Huh?”
“And soon someone will come to pick you up. If you follow him, you will never go hungry again in your life.”
The boy not only remembered the events from several months ago clearly but also explained the situation in detail.
Realizing how remarkably clever the boy was, Bu Eunseol intended to introduce him to the intelligence informants raised by the Death Spirit Corps members in the city.
Once he became an informant, he would receive basic training on how to gather information as well as various other skills.
The informants who were carefully nurtured would be continuously supported by the Death Spirit Corps members, and they would receive large rewards every time they brought good information, allowing them to handle far more money than ordinary merchants.
“B-but I belong to the Dokdu Sect in the water channel over there, so I can’t go to another organization.”
“It’s fine. From now on, you won’t have to do that kind of work anymore.”
Bu Eunseol first had the inn servant bring food and let the boy eat until he was full.
Then he pointed to the paper used to call the Death Spirit Corps and said, “Soon the agents will come. If you follow them, you will never go hungry again, and you won’t have to fear the Black Path thugs in the back alleys.”
“Th-thank you.”
Even though he was a beggar, he still heard news and situations from the martial world.
The boy realized this was what people called a great opportunity and smiled brightly with joy.
“I’ll be going first.”
Bu Eunseol stood up.
It would have been better to give direct orders to the Death Spirit Corps member about the boy, but since he was currently forbidden from contacting them by the Demon Emperor’s order, he had summoned them indirectly like this.
‘This is the true taste of wandering the martial world.’
Stepping outside, Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile.
Wandering the martial world without a fixed destination like this, and accidentally discovering children with such outstanding qualities—it truly felt good.
‘If he’s lucky, he could grow into an excellent intelligence operative.’
Good iron becomes stronger when heated and hammered, and people become strong and proficient only after experiencing various trials from the bottom up.
Since the boy had started from the very bottom as a street urchin, if he worked hard, he could grow into a great figure.
Bang!
Finishing his thoughts, Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed his lightness skill and headed toward Gangseo, where Geumpung Manor was located.
***
In the martial world, aside from the established martial families, it was common for renowned martial artists to retire and establish their own manors.
In such cases, like martial families, they would accept various martial artists and guests, eventually establishing themselves as another power in the martial world.
Geumpung Manor was a manor founded by Deung Yo, who had gained great fame with the Geumpung Sword.
It was a rather influential place even in the local government office.
“Excuse me.”
Around noon, an old man with a bent back slowly approached the front gate of Geumpung Manor.
“What brings you here?”
When the guard at the main gate asked with a fierce expression, the old man pointed to the bundle on his back and said, “I’ve come to sell some precious medicinal herbs.”
“Our manor does not directly purchase medicinal herbs.”
The guard waved his hand.
“If you want to sell medicinal herbs at a good price, go to Unya Hall in the city. They buy medicinal herbs regularly.”
“I already went there, but the physician told me that these kinds of herbs are extremely expensive, so I should try Geumpung Manor instead…”
“Physician Go recommended our manor?”
The guard tilted his head with great curiosity.
“What exactly are you trying to sell?”
“This lowly one doesn’t know either. I just found something sparkling and sticky clinging to the edge of a cliff, so I put it in a bottle and brought it.”
When the old man opened the bottle, a mysterious light and a fragrant scent spread in all directions.
“C-Cloudy Jade Essence?”
What the old man had brought in the bottle was a priceless treasure rarely seen in the world.
It was an absolute supreme treasure that could grant a disease-free long life just by drinking the liquid, and for martial artists, it could provide a hundred years of inner energy.
“W-wait a moment.”
The guard hurriedly went inside.
Soon the gate opened again, and a sturdy, large-built middle-aged man came back out.
He was Ma Hwan, the chief steward of Geumpung Manor.
“You brought Cloudy Jade Essence?”
Ma Hwan quickly looked into the bottle the old man had brought and even smelled it.
After observing the bottle for a long time, he shook his head and let out a deep sigh.
“Oh dear, you only brought the liquid of Cloudy Jade Essence.”
“Huh?”
“The true essence of Cloudy Jade Essence lies in the Jade Essence Pearl inside the puddle where the liquid is collected. But the pearl is missing.”
The old man let out a sound of realization.
“You mean the small bead? It smelled so sweet that I ate it.”
“You ate it?”
Ma Hwan looked the old man up and down, his eyes gleaming.
“Have you learned any martial arts?”
“How could I have?”
“Then it’s fine.” Ma Hwan chuckled and said, “To dissolve Cloudy Jade Essence, a martial arts expert with at least three hundred years of inner energy must circulate their energy. If an ordinary person eats it, it’s no different from swallowing a stone.”
Then he spoke in a low voice.
“Have you had a bowel movement since eating it?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Only then did the old man understand and lowered his head.
“Then when it comes out, you can bring it back.”
“That’s right.”
Ma Hwan looked around and spoke in a kinder tone.
“Do you truly intend to sell the Cloudy Jade Essence to our manor?”
“Of course. They said at Unya Hall that it was such a rare treasure they couldn’t even buy it.”
“If you plan to sell it to our manor, you may stay here for a few days.”
He continued in a low voice.
“If it becomes known that the Cloudy Jade Essence is inside your stomach, the robbers of the martial world will immediately cut open your belly.”
“C-Cut open my belly?”
When the old man looked greatly shocked, Ma Hwan showed a kind smile.
“You are truly lucky.” He firmly grabbed the old man’s shoulder and said friendly, “Our manor walks the upright path and does not rob others, so there will be absolutely no problem.”
Ma Hwan led the old man inside the gate and said, “If you sell the Cloudy Jade Essence to our manor, you will become a very rich man.”
“R-rich? How much exactly…”
“I’ll give you three hundred taels—no, up to five hundred taels.”
“Five hundred taels?”
When the old man opened his mouth in shock, Ma Hwan smiled and led him along.
“Come, come this way. Let’s talk while you fill your stomach first.”
Ma Hwan led the old man to a small pavilion in the outer courtyard where outsiders could stay.
He then ordered the cook to prepare a full table of food.
“Go on, stay here, eat and rest comfortably. If you need to use the latrine, have a guard accompany you.”
“Thank you.”
When the old man bowed, Ma Hwan smiled brightly and spoke to the guard behind him.
“Serve him well so he is not uncomfortable while staying here.”
“Yes.”
After Ma Hwan left, the guard said to the old man,
“Take your time eating. I’ll be waiting outside, so tell me if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
The old man, who had been eating hurriedly, smiled shyly.
Finally, when the guard left, the old man chewed his food while his eyes gleamed.
‘He’s no different from a robber, except he isn’t holding a knife.’
The old man—rather, Bu Eunseol in disguise—snorted as he stared into empty space.
Cloudy Jade Essence was a treasure so precious it could not be measured in money.
Even if sold at a bargain price in the black market, it would fetch at least thirty thousand taels.
Yet Ma Hwan, pretending to be a kind and good person, had offered only a measly five hundred taels.
‘Moreover, locking me up in this pavilion means he intends to take the Cloudy Jade Essence for himself when it comes out.’
Seeing that he had stationed a guard, it seemed Chief Steward Ma Hwan had not reported this to Manor Lord Deung Yo and had instead silenced the guard.
‘He probably plans to claim the merit for obtaining the Cloudy Jade Essence himself, or simply swallow it after giving five hundred taels.’
Most likely the latter.
If he secretly sold the Cloudy Jade Essence with the guard and pocketed the money, he would obtain an enormous sum that even a thousand years as chief steward of Geumpung Manor could not earn.
‘I must finish all investigations within four days—no, two days.’
Of course, with Bu Eunseol’s martial arts, he could have sneaked into Geumpung Manor and completed the investigation secretly.
But to track the Holy One, it was more effective to have natural conversations with many people inside the manor rather than investigating in secret.
Therefore, instead of infiltrating covertly, he had devised a way to interact naturally with the manor’s residents.
He had disguised himself as an old herbalist who had coincidentally obtained Cloudy Jade Essence and entered the manor naturally.
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