Chapter 224
Chapter 224
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: Aftermath and a New Order
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Bu Eun-seol stared at Gu Hong-cheong, who had died with his eyes wide open.
Despite his outstanding martial talent, he had devoted his life to seizing control of the Beggars' Union rather than honing his skills.
Had he focused on martial arts instead of power, he never would have lost to Bu Eun-seol.
“Keok.”
As Bu Eun-seol pushed himself up, he coughed up another mouthful of blood.
From the start, his body and spirit had not reached the level Geol-wang had attained.
He had only managed to win by crafting a meticulous plan to break Gu Hong-cheong's spirit, aided by a sudden enlightenment and the Ruyi True Art.
*Thud, thud.*
Just then, Hae-pung appeared, the setting sun at his back and the Nok-ho-ro at his waist.
When he saw Bu Eun-seol standing tall and Gu Hong-cheong dead, leaning against a rock, his eyes widened in shock.
“Grand Elder!”
He had never imagined Bu Eun-seol could defeat Gu Hong-cheong.
That was why he had accepted Bu Eun-seol's proposal.
So how could Gu Hong-cheong be dead?
“How can this be! What on earth happened?”
Bu Eun-seol didn't answer. He simply turned and slowly walked away.
“No! How could this…”
Hae-pung meticulously examined the deceased Gu Hong-cheong.
The fatal wound was a stab to the chest. There were no signs of outside interference.
No, from the beginning, this U-hwa Terrace had been surrounded by a thousand masters of the Beggars' Union. No one could have intervened unless they descended from the heavens like an immortal.
Panicked, Hae-pung shouted at the departing Bu Eun-seol.
“You killed our Union's Grand Elder!”
“…”
“Our Union will never forget this grudge!”
*Halt.*
Bu Eun-seol stopped walking.
“Of course.”
He then spoke in an exceptionally low and powerful voice.
“Don't forget. Not until the day you die.”
He turned his head and, just as Gu Hong-cheong had done, smiled coldly, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“Because that was Geol-wang's dying wish.”
“What do you mean?”
“He died with a smile… saying you would never become the Union Leader.”
His eyes were filled with contempt.
Meeting that gaze, Hae-pung finally realized the terrifying truth and bit his lip.
*‘So that's how it was!’*
The Beggars' Union had a long history of righteous men who could be called true heroes.
Hae-pung had opposed Gu Hong-cheong, but he had never hated him enough to want him dead.
He had only wanted to stop his lust for power and normalize the Beggars' Union.
—*The Grand Elder won't lose to him anyway.*
Hae-pung had accepted Bu Eun-seol's offer to give him the Nok-ho-ro.
He was certain Gu Hong-cheong would win.
*‘Ugh…’*
But the result was completely unexpected.
Because of his deal with Bu Eun-seol, the Grand Elder, a symbol of the Beggars' Union…
Geol-wang, one of the Seven Profound Kings of the Four Directions, was dead.
*‘Was failing to become the Union Leader so unjust and infuriating? Enough to curse me even at the moment of his death?’*
The rage of Gu Hong-cheong, whose lifelong ambition had turned to dust, was greater than he could have imagined.
Realizing that this incident would prevent Hae-pung from ever becoming the leader, Gu Hong-cheong had been able to smile even in the face of death.
*‘Haaa…’*
Hae-pung clutched his hair, overcome with anguish.
Watching him, Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly.
Even in death, Gu Hong-cheong had not been freed from his lust for power.
And the same would be true for Hae-pung.
He would regret his choice to deal with Bu Eun-seol for the rest of his life. And he would lament his failure to become the Union Leader.
In the end, just like Geol-wang, who couldn't abandon his ambition even in death…
Hae-pung might one day become a second Geol-wang.
As Bu Eun-seol descended from U-hwa Terrace, some five hundred members of the Beggars' Union were waiting for him in formation, their eyes glinting.
They were not the main force of the Union, but rather the factions that had independently supported Geol-wang, including Hall Master Mu-hong of Yeong-hwa Hall.
These men were loyal only to Geol-wang.
They had longed for him to become the Union Leader… but with Geol-wang's death, all their plans had come to nothing.
—*Hae-pung may have promised not to kill him, but we didn't!*
They were waiting at the foot of U-hwa Terrace to avenge the Geol-wang to whom they had sworn their loyalty.
*Step, step.*
Bu Eun-seol was not particularly surprised by the approach of five hundred masters.
No, this was something he had anticipated from the moment he decided to strike at Gu Hong-cheong.
Geol-wang had not integrated his followers into the Beggars' Union but had operated and commanded them as an independent force.
Therefore, they couldn't even return to the Union under Hae-pung's command.
“You die here!”
Just as Hall Master Mu-hong raised his hand toward his men,
*Fwip.*
Dozens of the five hundred members suddenly threw off their rags and turned around.
It was Heuk-pyo and the members of the Sa-yeong Unit.
“You bastards…!”
Mu-hong's eyes flew open.
He realized that Bu Eun-seol had even predicted their attack.
“Just as you predicted, Young Master.”
Heuk-pyo said as he approached Bu Eun-seol, revealing his face.
“They plan to fight to the death rather than join the main Union.”
Heuk-pyo, a former information ronin, was a master of stealth and infiltration.
After safely retrieving the Nok-ho-ro, he had followed Bu Eun-seol's orders and begun tailing the factions under Geol-wang's command.
After tracking their movements, he had infiltrated Geol-wang's forces, timing it with Bu Eun-seol's arrival at U-hwa Terrace.
He had then eliminated members corresponding to his own numbers and remained hidden.
It sounded simple, but the plan had been unimaginably dangerous and required extreme secrecy.
Without Heuk-pyo, with his superior movement techniques, strategic mind, and thorough knowledge of the Beggars' Union's affairs, it would never have succeeded.
And this…
…was why Bu Eun-seol had insisted on bringing Heuk-pyo for his plan to deal with Geol-wang.
“Now for the final act.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly gazed at the distant sky.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be able to win against nearly five hundred union members.
But the Sa-yeong Unit members had undergone grueling training that pushed them to the brink of death for this day, and they had learned new martial arts.
The first squad learned new sword and saber techniques, the second squad focused on internal energy and movement techniques…
The third squad mastered the Black Poison Demonic Art, making their bodies as hard as steel.
Not only that, but by watching the spars between Hyeok So-jin and Heuk-pyo, they had gained experience akin to real combat.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
And finally, two more people appeared and threw off their rags.
It was Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
They were the Sip-ma-jeon-in. Though slightly less skilled than Bu Eun-seol, they were battle-hardened veterans with skills at the transcendent level.
With Hyeok So-jin and Heuk-pyo here as well… the five hundred members of the Beggars' Union stood no chance.
*Step, step.*
But the beggars' union members advanced without fear or hesitation, gripping their long staves.
There was no fear of death in their eyes.
*‘It must be because they have nowhere to return to.’*
Bu Eun-seol knew.
He knew why they were advancing without hesitation, even knowing they would be defeated, even knowing they would die.
It was because they now had nowhere to go back to.
“Haaap!”
Hall Master Mu-hong charged forward with a kiai.
At the same time, the five hundred members began to run at full speed.
***
*Clatter, clatter.*
An old carriage was passing through a quiet forest path.
The man sitting inside the carriage stared out the window with an indifferent expression.
A high-bridged nose was visible between strands of long hair. His eyes sparkled as if they held the light pouring from the sky.
In contrast were his thick eyebrows and firmly closed lips.
And in his eyes lay a dignity that could subjugate all, giving him an androgynous yet mysterious air.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
*Clatter, clatter.*
He watched the scenery outside the window, his expression unchanging.
After dealing with Geol-wang, he had chosen to return to the Demonic Cult by carriage instead of using his movement arts.
This was to treat his internal injuries while slowly digesting the insights gained from his decisive battle with Geol-wang.
“Young Master.”
Just then, the old driver, looking at the setting sun, spoke in a loud voice.
“Looks like we'll have to camp nearby for the night.”
“Do so.”
Upon receiving the reply, the driver stopped the carriage near a wide, flat stretch of road and prepared to shelter from the night dew.
*Crackle.*
A campfire was crackling in the quiet clearing.
The driver was asleep, wrapped in a thick cloth, while Bu Eun-seol sat before the fire, lost in thought.
*‘The unit members should have returned safely.’*
The Sa-yeong Unit had won a landslide victory against the five hundred members who followed Geol-wang.
Of course, more than half of the members were seriously injured, and some were in critical condition.
So, as soon as the fight ended, Bu Eun-seol had Hyeok So-jin and the others immediately return the unit members to the Demonic Cult.
—*Young Master. I wish to live as a ronin on my own for a while longer.*
Amidst this, Heuk-pyo had made an unexpected proposal.
He said that now that the business with the Beggars' Union was over, he would return to the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.
—*With my current level of martial skill, I cannot remain by your side.*
Through his fierce battle with Geol-wang, Bu Eun-seol had taken his first step into the Extreme Celestial Realm.
In other words, he had reached the very pinnacle among the new generation of masters in the current martial world.
Heuk-pyo, who had not yet even reached the transcendent realm, had judged that he would be of no help by Bu Eun-seol's side.
—*I will definitely return as a talent worthy of assisting you.*
Heuk-pyo bowed his head with a dignified expression.
He had gained immense experience while handling this affair.
Through his spars with Hyeok So-jin, he had physically mastered numerous demonic arts and tactics, and learned how to fight against a large number of enemies.
—*And if I get the chance in the future… I'd like to try gathering like-minded individuals and forming a ronin squad.*
Above all, what Heuk-pyo had learned the most from this expedition was Bu Eun-seol's art of war.
To face a large force with a small one. He realized it required not just simple martial skill, but outstanding tactics and unity and coordination among the members.
—*We're leaving too.*
When everything was over, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong also tried to leave with light hearts.
But they couldn't leave.
Because Bu Eun-seol had said this to them.
—*This is only the beginning.*
He had killed one of the Seven Profound Kings of the Four Directions, so the trials and enemies that would appear from now on…
…would be incomparably stronger than before. And Bu Eun-seol needed their strength.
—*Enroll in the Demonic Cult for a while. Just until I can securely enter the line of succession.*
The two of them actually knew.
That Bu Eun-seol wasn't keeping them because he needed their help.
Although they had shed their status as Sip-ma-jeon-in, their issues with the Ten Demonic Sects were not yet resolved.
If they roamed the Jianghu like this, they could be pursued by them at any moment.
Bu Eun-seol was trying to build up their power so they could leave for the Jianghu with peace of mind.
Through the powerful alliance that was the Demonic Cult.
—*Well, maybe we'll stay a little longer?*
Myo Cheon-u said, as if he had no choice, and Yu Un-ryong replied coldly.
—*Fine. But don't stop me when I want to leave.*
And so, the two of them returned to the Demonic Cult with the Sa-yeong Unit.
And Bu Eun-seol was deliberately taking a carriage to return slowly to the Demonic Cult.
The battle with Geol-wang.
Because he had to immediately digest the insights gained from this fierce and perilous battle and make them his own.
*‘Once I return to the Demonic Cult, I might not have any free time. I must return as late as possible and digest these insights.’*
Currently, the situation was intense, with the successor candidates narrowed down to four.
Moreover, there was no information on what kind of missions Do Cheon-rin and Wi Ji-hye-sang were handling.
Unable to predict what would happen upon his return, Bu Eun-seol was trying to get back to the Demonic Cult as slowly as possible.
*‘It's something that actually requires a lot of time.’*
He constantly replayed the battle with Geol-wang, but no matter how many times he recalled it, he couldn't grasp the subtlety of the Nine-Flower Flash Hands at once.
And then there was that incredibly dangerous Yeon-wi Secret Art.
And the lust for power, the anger, the desire he couldn't let go of even in the face of death…
The intense battle with Geol-wang and its end were still replaying endlessly in his mind.
*‘If I had fought him with martial arts alone, I wouldn't be here right now.’*
To defeat Geol-wang, whose martial arts were far superior, he had to break his solid spirit and create a minute crack.
That's why Bu Eun-seol had handed the Nok-ho-ro over to Hae-pung right before his eyes, to break his spirit and deal a blow to his mind.
If he hadn't used such a stratagem?
Even if he had perfectly executed the Heavenly Lament, he would not have been able to defeat Geol-wang.
*‘Should I master the Sak-jeong Secret Art after all?’*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he recalled the power of the Ruyi True Art he had unleashed while in a state of demonic possession.
If he could continuously use the Ruyi True Art in battle, he wouldn't have to yield an inch against Geol-wang.
*‘The Sak-jeong Secret Art is merely about shaving away emotions. It's not a secret art for falling into demonic possession.’*
The Sak-jeong Secret Art is just a heart cultivation art.
However, Bu Eun-seol possessed an unconscious will to protect his various emotions.
That internal conflict clashed with the Sak-jeong Secret Art, ultimately causing him to fall into demonic possession.
*‘If I can't improve the Ruyi True Art, I have no choice but to master the Sak-jeong Secret Art.’*
From now on, he would have to face even stronger enemies.
If he insisted on using the imperfect Ruyi True Art as it was now…
…he would either fall into demonic possession again or suffer an irreversible defeat.
Then, he suddenly recalled the face of Hae-pung, who had made a firm promise with him.
*‘The Beggars' Union will surely use their information network to spin this.’*
The fact that Bu Eun-seol killed Geol-wang couldn't be changed.
In that case, the Beggars' Union, in order to cover up their deal with Bu Eun-seol to obtain the Nok-ho-ro…
…and to salvage their plummeted prestige, would mobilize their information network to spread all sorts of slander and schemes.
The Seven Profound Kings of the Four Directions.
It was not a simple ranking of martial skill, but a symbolic position.
Therefore, even among masters who had reached the Extreme Celestial Realm, only those with immense influence in the martial world could attain that status.
But for the wet-behind-the-ears Bu Eun-seol to take one of the spots among the Seven Profound Kings?
They would want to prevent that at all costs.
*‘Since no one witnessed the duel… their plan will probably work for a while.’*
He probably wouldn't be recognized for the position of a Seven Profound King for the time being.
But Bu Eun-seol didn't care what kind of scheme the Beggars' Union cooked up.
Honor? Power? None of that mattered.
He had simply carried out the mission given to him by the Chong-gyo-ryeong…
…and avenged the Pung-un Unit members who had died screaming.
*Chirp, chirp, chirp.*
While he was lost in deep thought, the day had dawned.
As the sun rose, the carriage set off again. After traveling without rest, they finally entered the Hunan region.
Upon entering the provincial capital, they found the wide streets bustling with merchants from all over who had set up stalls, as if it were market day.
The driver stopped the carriage at a nearby inn to rest and feed the horse.
And the moment Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the carriage, a wiry man walked up to him.
「The Grand Lord orders you to return to the main pavilion at once, not to the Demonic Cult.」
The man who sent the telepathic message was a member of the Pung-un Unit.
He walked slowly and sent another message.
「I will pay the driver and send him back.」
In the instant the man passed Bu Eun-seol, his hand moved like lightning, slipping a thin letter into his sleeve.
「The details are in the letter.」
Then, as if nothing had happened, the man walked away and left the marketplace.
Bu Eun-seol entered a deserted alley and slowly unfolded the letter he was holding.
“…”
As he slowly unfolded the letter, his eyes gradually widened.
—*The Lord of the Pavilion has finished his seclusion and returned. Return to the main pavilion immediately.*