Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: The Price of Freedom
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Shindo Un-hwi clapped his hands as he approached Bu Eun-seol.
“I knew your martial arts were strong, but I never imagined you were such a brilliant strategist.”
“…”
Bu Eun-seol offered only a heavy gaze in response.
As a deathly silence fell, Shindo Un-hwi clapped his hands once more and spoke.
“Exquisite. Absolutely exquisite! Did you intend to use your position as a successor candidate and the palace’s current situation to free him from the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in?”
“You can still take back your decision.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes were stained red as he smiled, baring his white teeth.
“This is Myeolin Palace’s turf, after all.”
The smile on Shindo Un-hwi’s lips vanished when he saw Bu Eun-seol’s grin.
A shimmering madness flowed within Bu Eun-seol's ice-cold eyes.
‘This bastard is truly insane.’
In this world, there are those who pretend to be mad and those who are genuinely mad.
But the insanity flowing in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes was by no means a fabrication.
Unbound by worldly reason and law, the moment he unleashed that madness…
He was the kind of madman who could, without a shred of hesitation, plunge everyone into the abyss of ruin.
“Did you think the Sip-ma-jeon-in would forever be the playthings of the Ten Demonic Sects?”
The killing intent pouring from his eyes spread uncontrollably.
Bu Eun-seol, a former Sip-ma-jeon-in. He, too, was genuinely enraged by this game of fate.
“Well, no need to get so worked up. This wasn't my decision.”
Shindo Un-hwi cleared his throat and spoke in a clear voice, as if trying to shift the heavy atmosphere.
“From the beginning, I was of the opinion that we should let him go quietly. But all the elders and leaders were against it.”
Bu Eun-seol merely maintained a cold smile.
‘He’s spouting nonsense.’
If that were true, Shindo Un-hwi wouldn't have bothered to hide in the shadows.
He had clearly come to watch Myo Cheon-woo’s despair, only to be caught off guard by the card Bu Eun-seol played and forced to step in to handle the situation.
“…”
Bu Eun-seol stared intently at Shindo Un-hwi.
His eyes were sharper than ever, his gaze alone feeling as if it could claw at one's skin.
‘He’s serious.’
Shindo Un-hwi had to make a decision quickly, before Bu Eun-seol snapped.
Whether to use the full might of Myeolin Palace to strike Bu Eun-seol down here and now. Or to let him leave with Myo Cheon-woo.
“You’ve come all this way. I can’t just let you go.”
Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he stepped forward.
“Show me what you’ve got.”
Shindo Un-hwi smiled warmly and extended a hand.
“That way, I’ll have something to report to the Palace Lord.”
“By all means.”
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol immediately thrust out his left fist.
There was no preparatory motion, no warning.
But Shindo Un-hwi felt five massive streams of fist energy pouring toward his face.
Moreover, that energy was subtly wavering, making it impossible to predict where it would land.
“Hah!”
As the formless, immense fist energy curved and bored in, Shindo Un-hwi hurriedly spread both hands.
It was a technique from Myeolin Geumseong, one of Myeolin Palace’s ultimate life-saving arts.
*Woong!*
The moment a round barrier of palm energy unfurled around Shindo Un-hwi,
*Kurururung.*
A deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, was accompanied by a raging storm, scattering dust and dirt in all directions.
*Whooossh.*
When the dust settled, the two men were standing firm in their spots, as if nothing had happened.
“Hmm.”
Shindo Un-hwi hummed, his eyes narrowing.
He realized that Bu Eun-seol’s fist arts were in no way inferior to Myeolin Palace’s palm techniques.
‘Not just his swordsmanship, but his fist arts are at this level as well…’
Nang-ya-gak focused on honing the sword and the saber; their fist arts were nothing to speak of.
But Bu Eun-seol had reached the highest level not only in swordsmanship but in fist techniques as well.
‘There’s no need to take such a risk right now.’
Feeling a chill in his chest, Shindo Un-hwi forced a smile.
“Take him with you.”
He looked at Bu Eun-seol and nodded.
“I’ll explain everything to the Palace Lord.”
“Is that so.”
A cold smile touched Bu Eun-seol’s lips as he turned and said.
“What a shame.”
In that instant, a shiver ran down Shindo Un-hwi’s spine.
Bu Eun-seol’s voice was laced with what sounded like genuine disappointment.
What if Mok In-cheong had broken his promise and attacked Bu Eun-seol?
‘This bastard. He must have had another trick up his sleeve for that exact situation.’
Shindo Un-hwi found himself unconsciously scanning his surroundings.
Perhaps he had sent a messenger from the Demonic War Hall. Or maybe he had positioned Nang-ya-gak masters near Myeolin Palace.
‘Nang-ya-gak?’
The masters of Nang-ya-gak moved in such small numbers that even the most outstanding intelligence network couldn't track their movements.
*Rrrrrip!*
Just then, Myo Cheon-woo tore his own sleeve.
*Phat!*
Then, forming a knife-hand, he swiftly carved out the flame-shaped piece of flesh on his left shoulder.
It was the Fire Brand, engraved upon official disciples of Myeolin Palace.
*Thud.*
Myo Cheon-woo looked down at the piece of flesh, matted with blood on the ground, and spoke coldly.
“I am no longer a man of Myeolin Palace.”
Then, with a pale complexion, he bowed to Shindo Un-hwi and Mok In-cheong.
“And please relay this to the Palace Lord. Thank you for everything.”
Bu Eun-seol watched the scene with a cold expression, then said in a low, solemn voice.
“We’re leaving.”
*Cheok.*
The members of the Sa-yeongdae, who had been standing in formation, turned like machines to follow Bu Eun-seol. Myo Cheon-woo also left without hesitation.
Shindo Un-hwi and Mok In-cheong could only watch them go with complicated expressions.
***
After exiting the mountain gates of Myeolin Palace, Bu Eun-seol was flanked by Hyeok So-jin on his left and Myo Cheon-woo on his right, his shoulder heavily wrapped in bandages.
He had infused his knife-hand with internal energy and sliced off a chunk of flesh from his shoulder in one go.
The problem was that the effects of the Eumbul-aek, a substance that made the sense of pain several times more sensitive, still lingered in his body.
To put it into perspective, Myo Cheon-woo was likely feeling pain greater than that of having an arm severed.
If he were an ordinary person, he would have fainted from the agony.
But he walked on with a placid expression, as if nothing had happened.
—That man possesses a terrifying mental fortitude.
—They said he was a Sip-ma-jeon-in, just like the Commander.
—Are all the people around the Commander like that?
A will and endurance of steel.
Admiration filled the eyes of the Sa-yeongdae members as they watched Myo Cheon-woo, a man who possessed both.
“Why did you volunteer for the torture?”
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
“Myeolin Palace would have been preoccupied with the matter of the successor candidates anyway. There was no need to rush.”
“No, I had to get out right now.”
“Why?”
“So that I could help you.”
A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.
“I made up my mind when you saved me at Janggeom Manor. I would definitely leave Myeolin Palace and help you.”
“Why would you help me?”
Looking embarrassed, he wiped his nose with a hand.
“You saved my life, didn’t you? I figured I should repay the debt at least once.”
Hearing this, the squad members finally understood two things.
What kind of man Myo Cheon-woo was. And why Bu Eun-seol had risked his life to enter Myeolin Palace and help him.
—Indeed, he is worthy of being the Commander’s friend.
In the martial world, one isn't respected for martial strength alone.
Myo Cheon-woo not only had outstanding mental fortitude and endurance but also a rare and profound sense of loyalty.
If Bu Eun-seol made hearts pound with a martial spirit hot enough to melt steel…
Myo Cheon-woo ignited a fire in the barren chests of men with his ardent friendship.
“Commander. I have a good medicine that can stop the pain.”
As beads of cold sweat increasingly formed on Myo Cheon-woo’s forehead, Wi Cheon-gyeong approached and offered a small porcelain bottle from his robes.
“It’s an Ungdam-hwan I received long ago from a friend in the Joyang Divine Cult of the Yellow River.”
“Will you take it?”
“Were you planning on not giving it to me? You, with all your limbs intact, were going to take it?”
Myo Cheon-woo joked with a serious expression.
But his witty remark brought a smile only to Wi Cheon-gyeong’s lips, not Bu Eun-seol’s.
“He’s not laughing. I was trying to be funny.”
He shook his head, revealing his white teeth.
Myo Cheon-woo. Unlike most demonic practitioners, he had an optimistic and hopeful personality.
And that would become another source of strength for the Sa-yeongdae led by Bu Eun-seol.
“Brother Bu.”
Just then, Hyeok So-jin spoke for the first time.
“Does this mean I’m being kicked out as Vice-Commander?”
He seemed to be joking, but his expression was utterly serious.
“Now that Brother Bu’s friend has joined the squad.”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been frowning in confusion, shook his head.
“He is not my friend.”
“Pardon?”
“And I didn't bring him here to be a squad member. He’s only helping out for this one matter.”
“But… it’s not like I can stay by your side forever, Brother Bu.”
As the successor of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, he would one day have to return and inherit the mantle of the Phantom Demon.
But Myo Cheon-woo, now free from the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in, had no affiliation, and his martial arts were formidable enough to rival Bu Eun-seol’s.
He was more than qualified to be the Vice-Commander.
“I, too, will not be the Commander of the Demonic War Hall forever.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Hyeok So-jin and said in a low voice.
“Parting follows every meeting. A feast cannot last forever, and every story must have an end.”
“I suppose so.”
A hint of regret was in Hyeok So-jin’s voice.
In truth, he had no desire to become the leader of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji. He would rather wander the Jianghu and have adventures by Bu Eun-seol’s side.
‘But that can’t happen.’
The Phantom Demon was still hale, but he wouldn't live forever. One day, he would have to succeed him and manage Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.
“Bu Eun-seol. You don’t even bother with introductions when someone is standing right next to you.”
Myo Cheon-woo spoke in a chiding tone and clasped his hands toward Hyeok So-jin.
“Myo Cheon-woo. I was once a Sip-ma-jeon-in… but as you can see, I’m a free man now.”
As he spoke casually and approached him in a friendly manner, Hyeok So-jin also smiled and clasped his hands.
“I am Hyeok So-jin, a disciple of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.”
“So you’re the successor to the esteemed Phantom Demon.”
“You knew?”
“Having to eat scraps at Myeolin Palace, I’ve become somewhat knowledgeable about the affairs of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
At this, Hyeok So-jin smiled warmly and clasped his hands.
“I am Brother Bu’s younger brother, so please feel free to be comfortable with me, Brother Myo.”
As the legitimate successor of one of the Ten Demonic Sects, his standing was much higher than Myo Cheon-woo’s.
But charmed by Myo Cheon-woo’s manly character, he was willingly calling himself the younger brother.
“I like the sound of that. Then I’ll treat you comfortably, like a younger brother, from now on.”
Myo Cheon-woo didn't care for status or rank; he saw only the person.
And that was a trait shared by Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin, and the members of the Sa-yeongdae.
“Hahaha. As expected of Brother Bu’s friend, you’re very straightforward.”
“Not my friend.”
Hyeok So-jin, ignoring Bu Eun-seol’s reply, spoke with a serious expression.
“Brother Myo’s wound is not light. How about we find a village to treat it properly before we continue our journey?”
Myo Cheon-woo shook his head firmly.
“His declaration that he would kill Geol-wang has already spread far and wide among the Ten Demonic Sects. If we delay, there’s no telling what new schemes they might cook up.”
“You knew that we were planning to visit another of the Ten Demonic Sects?”
“I guessed as much from the moment I heard you were going to kill Geol-wang.”
Myo Cheon-woo spoke softly, his expression a mixture of complex emotions.
“Someone who belongs to no sect, yet possesses the ability to help a master of his caliber… that can only be the Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
The Sip-ma-jeon-in.
Their skills and talents were great enough to threaten the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects.
If only they could break free from the shackles of being a Sip-ma-jeon-in, they would become powerful, unaffiliated martial artists.
“Bu Eun-seol. You’re planning to go to Geuksalmilgak now, aren’t you? To meet Seok U-haeng.”
“That’s right.”
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Myo Cheon-woo spoke firmly.
“But he left Geuksalmilgak after the incident at Janggeom Manor, and his whereabouts are unknown.”
A bitter smile formed on his lips as if recalling that time.
“Geuksalmilgak betrayed him in order to have him and the Grand Righteous Master destroy each other.”
“Hmph.”
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol showed a hint of disappointment.
Seok U-haeng was an assassin skilled in both assassination techniques and formations, and he was also quite intelligent.
If he were to lend his aid, he would have been an immense asset.
“Then we’ll have to find him.”
Myo Cheon-woo blinked at Bu Eun-seol’s words.
“Surely you don’t mean Yu Un-ryong?”
He then shook his head decisively.
“He’s a proud and rebellious bastard. He’ll never help you.”
Seok U-haeng, who thoroughly weighed his gains and losses and moved in a way that benefited him, might have been a possibility.
But Yu Un-ryong was proud and didn't trust others easily. Above all, he held a fierce sense of rivalry toward Bu Eun-seol.
“I watched that guy for a long time, starting from Hell Island. He’s not the type to listen to others in the first place.”
“I know.”
“Good that you know.”
As they descended the mountain, Myo Cheon-woo nodded and said.
“So, where are we heading now?”
“Yuhon Valley.”
“Yuhon Valley? Why there?”
A subtle smile graced Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
“Yu Un-ryong is there.”