Chapter 275
Chapter 275
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: The Lord of Hellblood Castle
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Yu Un-ryong and the inspectors under his command began to investigate all the books in the Poison Archive.
Myo Cheon-u, too, led his men to thoroughly search Hellblood Castle's elixir and poison storages.
Meanwhile, Bu Eun-seol calmly awaited the results in an office provided by Hellblood Castle.
And seated across from him was Jeok Ya-hon.
He intended to stay until the investigation was complete, ready to sever Bu Eun-seol's finger the moment the truth was revealed.
A day passed, and it was now the second day.
*Creeak.*
Yu Un-ryong, who entered with a book in hand, flinched upon seeing Jeok Ya-hon.
He then secretly sent a telepathic message.
*“There are definite signs that a large amount of poison has gone missing.”*
"Hmm."
*“The problem is, there’s also a record of elixirs being acquired. Judging by the confiscated books, it seems they manufactured something with elixirs and poisons and supplied it externally.”*
Jeok Ya-hon was a master who had made a name for himself long ago.
Sensing that Yu Un-ryong was using telepathy, he spoke in a low voice.
“Anyone can manipulate a paper trail. To be certain, you'd need definitive proof, wouldn't you?”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Paperwork could always be dismissed as a simple clerical error.
*Tap, tap.*
Just then, Myo Cheon-u, who had searched the entire poison storage of the Poison Archive, walked in.
His expression was calm, but his eyes told a different story. It was clear he hadn't found any decisive evidence.
“How did it go? Did you find any evidence of collusion with the government?”
Jeok Ya-hon smiled as he looked at Myo Cheon-u's dark expression.
Then, Myo Cheon-u grinned and said.
“Of course.”
“Hm?”
“Commander. I think you need to come to the storage with me.”
*“I haven’t found it yet, but I’m certain there’s something in the poison storage.”*
Myo Cheon-u looked at Bu Eun-seol with eyes full of conviction.
*“I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.”*
An ordinary person would have gotten angry or ordered him to search again.
But Bu Eun-seol trusted the intuition of Myo Cheon-u, a man who had survived countless battlefields of slaughter.
“Very well.”
He immediately rose from his seat and said.
“I'll take a look myself.”
As Bu Eun-seol stood up, Jeok Ya-hon, who had been listening quietly, also nodded.
“Then, I shall go as well.”
He then gave Bu Eun-seol a murderous smile.
“Because if there's nothing there, it seems I'll have to use a little force.”
His gaze, fixed on Bu Eun-seol's finger, was like that of someone eyeing a delicious, tempting meal.
If nothing was found there, he intended to cut off Bu Eun-seol's finger on the spot.
But Bu Eun-seol, with a nonchalant expression, said calmly.
“Then let's go together.”
The Poison Archive.
This place, marked by a large plaque, was one of Hellblood Castle's poison storages, located underground in the most secluded pavilion on the western edge.
*Creeeeak.*
Activating a mechanism inside the pavilion revealed a secret passage leading underground.
Following the passage down, an underground storage, easily spanning tens of thousands of square feet, came into view.
Countless jars were placed everywhere, and in one section, there was an area for cultivating poisonous creatures.
And in stone chambers set up here and there, it looked as though research was being conducted on poisons.
“Hahaha. Well? Does it look like there's anything here?”
Bu Eun-seol did not respond to Jeok Ya-hon's words.
His eyes, scanning the surroundings, were now tinged with a mysterious glow.
Gongsim-tonglyeong.
He was spreading the ultimate senses of the Yasudo at full power, combing through the poison storage.
*Ziiiing.*
His eyes followed streaks of light emanating from unseen places.
Gongsim-tonglyeong not only expanded his senses but also allowed him to thoroughly scan the lingering traces left on any object over time.
After surveying the underground storage for a while, Bu Eun-seol's eyes settled on one spot.
It was a facility for raising venomous spirit beasts in large quantities.
*Thud, thud.*
Bu Eun-seol entered without hesitation.
There were not only White Crane Spirit Snakes, but also Thousand-Year Black Centipedes, Five-Venom Spiders, Ten-Thousand-Year Black Scorpions, and more...
Spirit beasts carrying lethal poisons, a single drop of which could kill thousands, were piled up like mountains.
—*Shhaaaa*—!
As Bu Eun-seol went deeper, the boxes containing the poisonous creatures began to shake with strange noises.
*Clank.*
At the same time, the boxes started opening one by one, blocking Bu Eun-seol's path.
Someone had intentionally unlocked the cages holding the poisonous creatures.
‘Mere trifles...’
As the poisonous creatures showed their hostility, a red glint appeared in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
*Wooooong!*
As his killing intent spread, the shape of an unidentifiable monster seemed to appear behind his back.
—*Shha, shhaaa*...
The poisonous creatures here all possessed spiritual sensitivity.
Realizing Bu Eun-seol was a mighty being they dared not provoke, they began to back away on their own.
*Th-thump, thump.*
As the poisonous creatures cleared a path, the clean bluestone tiles on the floor became visible.
Looking down at the spot, Bu Eun-seol reached out his hand without hesitation.
*Crack.*
A powerful telekinetic force manifested, and the bluestone tiles began to be torn up one by one.
Then, transparent glass boxes, secretly hidden beneath the floor, were revealed.
“......!”
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened as he looked down at the glass boxes.
For inside those glass boxes were human organs and bodily fluids, all mixed together.
“I believe this requires an explanation.”
Bu Eun-seol turned and looked at Jeok Ya-hon.
“Was Hellblood Castle creating poisons by killing people?”
“How could this be...”
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes were trembling.
How could something like this be happening in the Poison Archive without his knowledge?
‘Does he really not know?’
Just as Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed while looking at the shocked Jeok Ya-hon,
“Haaah!”
A fierce shout echoed from behind.
As the hidden glass boxes were revealed, the master of the Poison Archive, Yo-gwang, suddenly attempted to flee.
*Shwwiik!*
At that moment, a long whip flew from Yu Un-ryong's hand with a sound that tore through the air.
It was not a whip, but the ten-section staff he always carried.
*Chwarararak!*
The ten-section staff, flying like a living creature, wrapped tightly around Yo-gwang's arm.
*Pahk!*
In that instant, a spray of blood erupted from Yo-gwang's forearm.
He had struck his own forearm without hesitation, severing his left arm.
*Thud.*
Despite having cut off his own arm, he seemed to feel no pain as he once again executed his movement technique.
*Swaek!*
Yo-gwang's movement was like lightning, instantly leaving the Poison Archive and heading for the exit of Hellblood Castle.
“Catch him!”
At Yu Un-ryong's shout, the guards of Hellblood Castle surrounded him.
But upon seeing that he was Yo-gwang, the master of the Poison Archive, they dared not block or attack him.
The inspectors all gave chase, but Yo-gwang's movement was truly like a flash of lightning.
Creating a streak of light with a single leap, he fled outside Hellblood Castle.
*Swaek!*
Just then, two flashes of lightning shot into the air.
Bu Eun-seol and Jeok Ya-hon had begun to chase him at the same time.
*Fwoooosh.*
Jeok Ya-hon's movement was like that of a great roc, leaping dozens of feet in a single bound.
*Tch-tch-tch-tch!*
But Bu Eun-seol, who had started later, moved like an immortal with his hands clasped behind his back, eventually soaring past him.
‘That bastard?’
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened as he watched.
‘They said he killed Geol-wang. His movement technique is truly incredible.’
“Stop.”
Bu Eun-seol had already appeared, blocking Yo-gwang's path.
“Get out of my way—!”
A sickly yellow light flowed from Yo-gwang's eyes as he simultaneously thrust out his remaining right arm.
A jet-black orb shot forth, carrying a potent poison aura that seemed capable of melting a great mountain.
It was Poison Aura.
‘Yo-gwang is using Poison Aura?’
Jeok Ya-hon's mouth fell open as he watched.
He had become the master of the Poison Archive not because his martial arts were strong, but because his knowledge of poisons was second to none.
In terms of martial skill, he was far from qualified for the position of Hall Master; he was barely at the level of a Division Head.
And yet, he was suddenly unleashing Poison Aura?
“Hmph.”
Bu Eun-seol didn't confront the Poison Aura, lightly dodging it instead.
*Fwoosh!*
A tidal wave of poison energy poured out, and the plants where Bu Eun-seol had been standing instantly withered and died.
“You won't be able to escape!”
With a thunderous roar, Yo-gwang took a fierce stance and once again shot his Poison Aura at Bu Eun-seol.
This time, however, the Poison Aura didn't come from his right palm but began to rise from the ground where Bu Eun-seol stood.
“Hyeolam-gomokgi?”
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened even further.
The Poison Aura Yo-gwang unleashed was an application of Hyeolam-gomokgi, one of Hellblood Castle's ten great poison arts.
“Was his internal energy really at a level to use Hyeolam-gomokgi?”
As Jeok Ya-hon rubbed his eyes in disbelief,
*Shing.*
Bu Eun-seol, trapped within the poison energy rising from the ground, drew his sword.
At the same time, a circular sword energy formed, and the surrounding Hyeolam-gomokgi instantly evaporated.
He had used the seventh form of Musang-cheonryu, Hoesin-myeolji, to incinerate the poison energy in a single breath.
*Flash!*
Simultaneously, a delicate yet sinister point of light flew toward the spot between Yo-gwang's eyebrows.
*Swaek. Swaeeeek!*
The moment the point of light touched Yo-gwang's skin, it became a powerful force that tore through the air.
He had executed Yuseong-chuwol in rapid succession.
*Taaang!*
With a metallic clang, Yo-gwang's body was thrown back.
The space between his eyebrows should have been pierced instantly, but having mastered Hyeolam-gomokgi, his entire body had become as hard as iron.
*Drip.*
Nevertheless, he couldn't completely negate the force contained in the Yuseong-chuwol, and a deep wound was left between his eyebrows.
“Hehehe, I won't die from something like this.”
“An Inhwa.”
Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
“Did you obtain that by colluding with the government? Wasn't it enough to pickle your body in poison? Did you want to augment your power with human blood?”
“Hehehe. Try taking this before you act so arrogant!”
Yo-gwang gathered all his strength and drew upon Hyeolam-gomokgi. A black storm, accompanied by a whirlwind, rushed toward Bu Eun-seol.
“......”
But as he drew upon Hyeolam-gomokgi, the light in Yo-gwang's eyes faded.
At the same time, a red line of blood began to form from between his eyebrows down to his neck.
“How...”
Yo-gwang looked down at his body. At that very moment,
*Chwaaak!*
His body split into a cross shape and scattered in all directions.
Bu Eun-seol, who had reached the pinnacle of heaven, had long since transcended the limitations of martial techniques.
He had executed Yuseong-chuwol while simultaneously layering Janwol-hyoseong within the same move.
Yuseong-chuwol had failed to pierce his brow, but the sharp energy of Janwol-hyoseong had split his body in two.
However, Yo-gwang's drug-soaked body was surprisingly resilient, and because Bu Eun-seol's swordsmanship was so fast, it hadn't split apart instantly.
*Tsssssss.*
Acrid smoke began to rise from Yo-gwang's sundered body.
As his body split while he was channeling Hyeolam-gomokgi, the poison energy within him began to melt his own flesh.
“What a vicious poison art.”
As Bu Eun-seol muttered,
*Thud, thud.*
Jeok Ya-hon approached Yo-gwang's corpse.
“This is...”
Jeok Ya-hon bit his lip as he looked down at the dissolving corpse.
Everything Bu Eun-seol had said was proven true.
Hellblood Castle was merely the grandmaster of poison.
They did not cultivate spirit herbs using human essence and blood. But to have a stash of human essence for cultivating an Inhwa under the Poison Archive...
Hellblood Castle was now in a difficult situation.
“Ahem.”
Just as Jeok Ya-hon cleared his throat and was about to speak,
*Fwoosh.*
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, who had followed, landed on the ground with the sound of displaced air.
Having grasped the situation, the two of them stared intently not at Bu Eun-seol, but at Jeok Ya-hon's finger.
“What are you looking at?”
When Jeok Ya-hon asked irritably, Yu Un-ryong took a sharp dagger from his robes.
“Use this.”
It was the treasured blade, Seung-sa, that Bu Eun-seol had bestowed upon him when he was appointed as his adjutant.
“I see. The Seung-sa is quite sharp, so it should be a clean cut, without pain.”
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Jeok Ya-hon's eyebrow twitched.
“Are you saying you're going to cut off my finger?”
“Didn't you make a promise with me? To take responsibility.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Jeok Ya-hon with a perfectly straight face.
“Surely, Vice Lord, you didn't make such a pact thinking only of cutting off *my* finger, did you?”
Jeok Ya-hon laughed coldly.
“So. Are you really going to cut off my finger?”
*Snatch.*
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol snatched the Seung-sa from Yu Un-ryong's hand like lightning.
And he strode toward Jeok Ya-hon.
*Step, step.*
Each step carried an undeniable authority.
Jeok Ya-hon was flustered as he stared into Bu Eun-seol's cold, still eyes.
‘This bastard?’
If anyone else had done this, Jeok Ya-hon would have scoffed or even held out his hand defiantly.
But what kind of man was Bu Eun-seol?
Wasn't he the one who had stood defiantly with his head held high against the Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun, even when he had just left Hell Road?
Everyone in the Demonic Path knew that he was a man who did what he said he would do.
‘So he really intends to cut it off.’
In that brief moment, tens of thousands of thoughts raced through Jeok Ya-hon's mind.
‘If I lose a finger over something like this, I won't be able to show my face in the Murim.’
Besides, for a poison user, the fingers are where the body's poison energy is most densely stored.
Losing even one would cause his poison arts to regress significantly.
But if he were to kill Bu Eun-seol over this... not only would he face an attack from the recently flourishing Nangya Pavilion,
he could also face harsh sanctions from the Demonic Sanctum.
If that happened, Hellblood Castle would no longer be able to exist as one of the Ten Demonic Sects.
*Ssk.*
Bu Eun-seol was now right in front of Jeok Ya-hon, looking down at his finger with blood-red eyes.
“......”
As that sharp gaze fell upon his finger, Jeok Ya-hon instinctively took a defensive stance and clenched his fist.
*Smirk.*
A smile like a calm lake spread across Bu Eun-seol's lips.
“How could I possibly damage the finger of Hellblood Castle's Vice Lord over something like this?”
He laughed silently and said in a low voice.
“I will discuss this matter with Lord Gong-ya, so you need not worry, Vice Lord. You may return.”
Then, along with Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, he immediately turned and left.
In that moment, Jeok Ya-hon was filled with regret.
No matter the consequences, he should have either killed the bastard... or laughed heartily and boldly offered his hand to be cut.
To have shown his tension and clenched his fist in front of Bu Eun-seol.
That alone had cost him all his dignity as the Vice Lord of Hellblood Castle.
Dokjon Pavilion.
It was the residence of Gong-ya Geuk, the Lord of Hellblood Castle.
The Poison Saint, Gong-ya Geuk.
It was said that he had long ago reached the highest realm for a poison user, the Dokjung-jiseong.
Therefore, while his body contained no poison, he could wield Simdok, the Heart Poison, which allowed him to create poison with his will alone.
Bu Eun-seol sat confidently in the abode of this King of Poison.
Opposite him was a beaded screen, behind which a dark shadow with a commanding physique could be seen.
That was the Lord who ruled Hellblood Castle, Gong-ya Geuk.
“Why have you sought me out?”
Gong-ya Geuk, sitting behind the screen, spoke in a low voice.
“If there was something you wanted, you could have just told Jeok Ya-hon.”
His voice was very peculiar; it was faint to the ears, but it thundered like lightning in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Having reached the realm of Heart Poison, he was transmitting even his voice directly into Bu Eun-seol's mind.
“The Vice Lord might not have known, but there is nothing the Lord doesn't know.”
But Bu Eun-seol gave an unexpected answer.
—You knew everything, didn't you, Lord?
This is what Bu Eun-seol was saying.
Silence fell for a while, but no answer came from Gong-ya Geuk.
Finally, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
“However, I do not believe that you, Lord, colluded with the government to raise a banner against the Sanctum.”
A chill instantly filled the room.
Gong-ya Geuk, whose eyes flashed from behind the screen, slowly opened his mouth.
“This castle has been distributing poison throughout the Murim for longer than just a day or two.”
Silence fell again, and only after a long pause did he continue.
“The master of the Poison Archive was merely doing what this castle has always done, out of habit.”
“Does that include colluding with the government to distribute human essence for cultivating a grotesque Inhwa?”
“I admit that this castle provided the poisons the government wanted. However...”
Gong-ya Geuk's voice rang in Bu Eun-seol's head.
“Hiding the human essence was something the master of the Poison Archive did on his own to quickly augment his martial arts.”
“Then you must also know that the poison distributed by Hellblood Castle has found its way to the Murim Alliance.”
At Bu Eun-seol's point, Gong-ya Geuk chuckled.
“Whether it's the Murim Alliance or the government, it doesn't matter. This castle only needs to profit.”
It meant that Hellblood Castle didn't care if strange drugs were made from the distributed poisons... or even if it led to a war between the Orthodox and Demonic factions.
No, in fact, Hellblood Castle would greatly welcome such a situation.
Because large-scale battles would inevitably require poison.
“I see.”
Only then could Bu Eun-seol understand the philosophy of Hellblood Castle, and of Gong-ya Geuk.
Hellblood Castle was simply chasing profit.
Whether a war broke out between factions or they got involved with the government... it was all irrelevant.
“I understand your intentions well, Lord.”
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, Gong-ya Geuk's voice was heard.
“I acknowledge this castle's defeat.”
“......”
“I also apologize for attacking you in the past. And from now on, this castle will support you in every way possible.”
Gong-ya Geuk was indeed a fearsome man.
The position of a sect master of the Ten Demonic Sects was the most solemn and noble in the Demonic Path, second only to the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
They wouldn't bow their heads to a subordinate even with a knife to their throat.
But Gong-ya Geuk had admitted defeat to Bu Eun-seol and was easily casting aside his pride.
“With these terms, can you be satisfied?”
‘A villain for the ages.’
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Gong-ya Geuk sitting behind the screen seemed not a man, but a monster swallowed by greed.
‘If I cease to be useful, he'll be the first to draw his sword.’
If Bu Eun-seol's ability and power failed to meet his expectations?
Gong-ya Geuk would not hesitate to stab Bu Eun-seol in the back once again.
A villain who could kneel before a child if it was profitable, and who would stab you in the back dozens of times if you were of no use.
That was Gong-ya Geuk, the Lord of Hellblood Castle.
“This inspection ends here. There will be no more trouble for Hellblood Castle.”
Bu Eun-seol had temporarily shaken hands with the devil.
Now was not the time to touch Hellblood Castle. He had to wait until he had the power to cut out the rotten part in one fell swoop.
In that case, leaving a man like Gong-ya Geuk be was far more advantageous.
Power and wealth.
The more one grasps them, the emptier one feels; the more greedily one drinks of them, the greater the thirst they create.
As long as there was profit to be extracted, Gong-ya Geuk would not betray Bu Eun-seol.
“Then.”
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together and slowly turned his body.
“Muhon-ryeongju.”
Gong-ya Geuk, sitting behind the screen, muttered lowly as he watched Bu Eun-seol's departing figure.
“Continue to stir things up like that. The more you stir... the more you will fall into despair. Hahaha.”
Outside Hellblood Castle, Bu Eun-seol looked back.
The sky was stained red, as if the gloomy eyes of Gong-ya Geuk from behind the screen were floating there.
“You will find out one day, Lord Gong-ya.”
Bu Eun-seol, standing tall under the red sky and gazing at Hellblood Castle, muttered in a cold voice.
“The price for messing with me.”