Chapter 343
Chapter 343
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 343
Chapter Title: A Deception to Catch a Witch
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Bu Eun-seol sat in his office, having stayed up all night.
It was a deliberation deeper than any meditation.
To do it, or not to do it.
From birth until death, one might say that a person is defined by the constant struggle between action and inaction.
Bu Eun-seol stood at a crossroads, caught between acting and holding back, still unable to make up his mind.
Whether to request a Demonic Council, or not.
—*I have met the Seven-Branched Demon Sword, Bu Jan-yang. The former Hall Master.*
What if he requested the Demonic Council and presented the Yeo-ro before the Heavenly Demon and the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects?
At the very least, he could transform the lie that he had seen the Seven-Branched Demon Sword into a truth with some credibility.
Moreover, executing this plan would allow him to immediately grasp several truths.
Whether the Demonic Cult had truly been unable to find him.
Or if they had simply chosen not to.
Furthermore, what if one among them was involved in the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s disappearance, or knew the truth behind it?
They would approach Bu Eun-seol and employ various schemes to confirm if he was truly alive.
‘If I say he’s alive and well… how will they react?’
Would the Demonic Cult and the Ten Demonic Sects try to kill him again?
If so, was there a truth that only the Seven-Branched Demon Sword knew? Or would they bow their heads again, fearing his unassailable, formidable might?
His thoughts chased one another in an endless chain.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Before he knew it, day had broken, and the sound of birds chirping came from outside the window.
Sitting in his chair, lost in deep thought, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint.
He had finally made his decision.
“Not yet… It can’t be done.”
In the end, after long deliberation, he abandoned the plan to request a Demonic Council.
There were three reasons why he shouldn't.
The first was,
‘The Heavenly Demon.’
The Heavenly Demon had always seen right through Bu Eun-seol’s thoughts.
He was said to be in seclusion, but what if news of the former Hall Master’s survival reached him?
Or what if, by coincidence, he finished his seclusion just as the Demonic Council was convened?
And what if the Heavenly Demon saw through his lie?
He couldn't even begin to predict how he would react.
‘Would he tolerate it or pretend not to know? Or would he impose sanctions for the lie?’
If it was the worst-case scenario…….
‘The Heavenly Demon himself could be the one behind the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s disappearance.’
The only person in the Demonic Path who could put the Seven-Branched Demon Sword in peril, or even cause his death, was the Heavenly Demon.
What if the Heavenly Demon was involved in the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s disappearance, or had even orchestrated it?
And what if he didn’t want anyone digging into it?
The trap he had created, even at the cost of giving up the Yeo-ro, could be exposed in an instant…
As a result, he could be sanctioned by the Heavenly Demon. Or he could even face a counterattack from the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects.
‘Besides, for this reasoning to hold, the Seven-Branched Demon Sword Bu Jan-yang and my grandfather Bu Jan-yang must be different people.’
The scars left on his grandfather’s body were not the kind the Heavenly Demon would have left.
‘It’s not just because of the unpredictable variable that is the Heavenly Demon.’
The second reason Bu Eun-seol couldn't do it.
What if his grandfather was not the same person as the Seven-Branched Demon Sword?
This lie would make him the first person to have witnessed the long-missing Seven-Branched Demon Sword, Bu Jan-yang.
Regardless of who the Seven-Branched Demon Sword truly was, on the surface, he was the great killing star of the Demonic Path.
Countless masters from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions had died by his sword, and those who bore grudges against him were just as numerous.
But if a rumor spread that he had seen the Seven-Branched Demon Sword, who had been missing for decades…….
Every information network in the entire Murim would undoubtedly start tracking not only his current activities but also his past, combing through every detail.
Martial artists with grudges against the Seven-Branched Demon Sword could flock to him, begging or threatening him to reveal his whereabouts.
‘If I was certain that the Seven-Branched Demon Sword was my grandfather, I would naturally bear that karma.’
Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
That was the third and final reason.
What if the Seven-Branched Demon Sword Bu Jan-yang and the salt merchant Bu Jan-yang were different people?
Bu Eun-seol would essentially be stirring up a hornet’s nest for no reason, telling a lie that would place huge restrictions on his journey through the Murim.
Ultimately, for these reasons, Bu Eun-seol gave up on the plan to use the Yeo-ro as bait to dig up information on the Seven-Branched Demon Sword.
‘I must never undertake such a gamble rashly.’
Creeak.
Just then, the door opened, and the five Hall Masters and So Ok-rim entered.
“Hey, this is a meeting for us, the Hall Masters of the Four Shadows Hall, isn’t it?”
Won Se-mun blinked upon noticing So Ok-rim stubbornly trailing behind them.
“Commander, you’re not a Hall Master, are you?”
Bu Eun-seol said flatly.
“I, the Lord of the Order, summoned her.”
At that, So Ok-rim spoke with a solemn expression.
“I’m the one who’s been wanting to have this meeting for a long time. There’s something important.”
Won Se-mun looked puzzled.
“The Commander wanted a meeting? By what right?”
“Haven’t you heard how we took over the North Sea Ice Palace? It’s all because I used to eat with the Palace Lord since we were kids, pulled his beard a little… that’s why they opened their gates and we could form an alliance. Got it?”
After So Ok-rim finished her lengthy, emphatic tirade, Bu Eun-seol asked Myo Cheon-u.
“Are the results of the White Horse Company’s audit in?”
“Don’t even ask. There was so much corruption that it’s impossible to summarize it in a single volume.”
Myo Cheon-u said, smacking his lips.
“They were skimming from every possible angle; even the agents were dumbfounded. We don’t even know where or how to start dealing with it.”
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
“Keep the documents, but do not punish them.”
“Huh?”
“This audit was intended from the start to break their spirit and to investigate a few things.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“Considering the recent incident with the Hell Blood Fortress, it’s necessary to show a generous side.”
Bu Eun-seol was the heir to the Demonic Cult.
If he acted just as petty as the White Horse Company had been, it would only damage his dignity as the heir.
“If that’s the case, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Myo Cheon-u, who had been smiling faintly, tilted his head as a thought occurred to him.
“By the way, why did you ask about the Seven-Branched Demon Sword during this audit? When you said you were looking for the former Hall Master’s trail, even the Chong-gyo-ryeong asked for the details.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong then added.
“That’s right. You can look into other matters, but it’s best not to dig into the former Hall Master’s affairs. It’s a sore spot for our Hall, after all.”
“A sore spot?”
“The former Hall Master of the Demonic Cult himself went missing, and we still haven’t been able to find a single trace of him.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong said cautiously.
“Because of this, rumors have spread among the Murim Alliance and the Orthodox Faction that the Demonic Cult’s intelligence network is pathetic.”
“Hmm.”
“They also mocked us, saying that we could find him but are deliberately choosing not to, and that the loyalty of the Demonic Path is worthless.”
—*The Seven-Branched Demon Sword might be my grandfather.*
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol barely managed to swallow the words that were about to burst out.
In truth, he wanted to tell his subordinates everything and consult with them.
—*My grandfather, who was an ordinary salt merchant, was actually a Shaolin master who had learned the Rebirth Sutra. And Sa-hyang is also related to Shaolin, and I have a memento of the Seven-Branched Demon Sword.*
But he couldn't say it.
No, he *mustn't* say it.
The Seven-Branched Demon Sword was entangled not only with the Demonic Path but also with the top figures of the Orthodox Murim.
Until everything was fully revealed, he must not rashly speak about the Seven-Branched Demon Sword and his grandfather.
Above all, there was no proof that the Seven-Branched Demon Sword Bu Jan-yang and his grandfather Bu Jan-yang were the same person.
“But isn’t it strange?”
Yu Un-ryong said, tilting his head.
“I’m talking about the son of Gang Yang-cheon, the leader of the White Horse Company. If he was killed by the Seven-Branched Demon Sword, it would have been huge news. Why did they hide it?”
The relationship between the White Horse Company and the Seven-Branched Demon Sword, which was eventually revealed by the Yeokjung Alliance, was as follows.
Before becoming the former Hall Master of the Demonic Path, the Seven-Branched Demon Sword had slaughtered all the masters from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions who challenged him... Among them was the heir of the White Horse Company, Gang Mu-hak, who had tried to defeat the Seven-Branched Demon Sword to make a name for himself.
“The White Horse Company should have relentlessly sent masters to hunt down the Seven-Branched Demon Sword Bu Jan-yang for killing their leader’s son… but they ended up giving up halfway.”
Yu Un-ryong shook his head as if he couldn't understand.
“In the end, it means something must have happened between the Seven-Branched Demon Sword and the White Horse Company. The problem is, there’s no way to make their leader talk.”
Yu Un-ryong was one of the Ten Demonic Champions of the White Horse Company.
For him to be so certain meant there was likely no way to force the leader of the White Horse Company to speak.
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“That’s enough about the White Horse Company. From now on, continue investigating the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s whereabouts.”
“Continue?”
Yu Un-ryong furrowed his brow.
“You want us to keep looking for the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s trail?”
“That’s right. Because from now on, I must go out into the Jianghu with her.”
“For what?”
Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
“I gathered you all here to explain that very reason.”
A heavy atmosphere then filled the meeting room.
Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim had to go out into the Jianghu in secret? Why was that necessary?
After a moment of silence, Bu Eun-seol pointed to So Ok-rim.
“She said that one of the descendants of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages has the Seven-Branched Demon Sword’s greatsword.”
“The Eight Desolations’ Three Sages?”
“And the faction led by this descendant could be the true form of Sa-hyang.”
At that, So Ok-rim smacked her lips.
“Why are you telling them all that?”
“They need to know, too.”
“Why?”
Bu Eun-seol said firmly.
“Because they are the Hall Masters who lead the Four Shadows Hall.”
Bu Eun-seol said to So Ok-rim.
“If possible, tell them the story yourself.”
“Hmm.”
After hesitating for a moment, So Ok-rim reluctantly scratched her cheek and began.
“I’m only going to tell this story once, so wash out your ears and listen carefully. Among the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages….”
She explained in detail how a certain faction had been stirring up trouble in the Murim for four hundred years, and that their leader was a descendant of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages.
And she also mentioned that this was the reason she and Bu Eun-seol had gone to the North Sea Ice Palace.
“So that’s what happened.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong narrowed his eyes.
“Then I assume today’s meeting is also related to the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages.”
“It is.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“I’ve heard that the Black and White Witch has recently reappeared.”
The Black and White Witch.
She was an elusive witch who had been appearing intermittently in the Murim for over a decade, sucking people’s blood before vanishing.
If she had only sucked blood and disappeared, she wouldn’t have become so famous in the Murim.
The Black and White Witch’s targets were martial artists. Specifically, she only drank the blood of virgin men.
“I’ve heard as well. They say the witch has appeared in the Shandong region.”
As Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke, Won Se-mun pursed his lips.
“But why is she called the Black and White Witch?”
“You don’t even know that? And you call yourself a Hall Master of the Demonic Cult.”
Jo Nam-cheon, who was next to him, explained with a chiding tone.
“According to witnesses, the Black and White Witch’s face is blurry and can’t be seen. However, they all consistently said she has white hair and wears black clothes. That’s why she’s called the Black and White Witch.”
“I see.”
“However, the Black and White Witch always hunts down and kills anyone who survives seeing her. Because of that, there are also rumors that she’s someone from the imperial palace whose identity must not be revealed.”
Just then, So Ok-rim spoke up.
“That Black and White Witch is most likely a descendant of the Blood Emperor, one of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages.”
The Blood Emperor.
His martial arts were unique, using his own blood as a medium.
It was also known that those struck by his techniques would gradually lose their blood, eventually dying as if their entire body had been drained.
The problem was that the Blood Emperor himself would lose blood when he used his martial arts.
As a result, after using his techniques, the Blood Emperor would have to find blood to replenish his own.
“That’s strange. If the Black and White Witch is the mastermind of the Murim, why would she personally go out and suck people’s blood?”
Wi Cheon-gyeong’s question made sense.
If she was a descendant of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages, pulling the strings of the Murim, there was no reason for her to take the risk of personally drinking blood.
She could easily obtain blood just by ordering her subordinates.
At that, So Ok-rim spoke up.
“That’s probably because she failed while practicing the Yang-hoe-gong.”
Looking around at the Hall Masters, she continued.
“If you fail while practicing the Yang-hoe-gong, you have to drink human blood. Without vital blood, you can’t resolve the madness.”
“Madness?”
Won Se-mun’s eyes widened, and So Ok-rim nodded.
“Yes. Failing at Yang-hoe-gong leads to fits of madness, and the specific cure for it is human vital blood. And the blood of a virgin man, brimming with yang energy, would be even better.”
Crossing her arms, she said in a solemn voice.
“And because she’s suffering from madness, she might be secretly drinking it in a strange disguise. If it became known that she suffers from madness, it could cause issues within the organization she leads.”
At that, Wi Cheon-gyeong looked at her with suspicious eyes.
“How can you know so much detail about the martial arts of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages, which are unknown to the Murim?”
“Because I’m also a descendant of the Eight Desolations’ Three Sages.”
For a moment, a silence fell over the room.
Then, all the Hall Masters except Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
Only then did they realize why So Ok-rim was so strong.
“But it seems impossible to catch her with our strength alone.”
Yu Un-ryong said in a cautious voice.
“Many clans have tried to catch the Black and White Witch until now, but they all failed. Besides, setting up a perimeter across the entire Shandong region would require all of our Hall’s forces, as well as the cooperation of several other demonic clans.”
“Not necessary.”
“Huh?”
“If she could be caught with a large number of troops, she would have been caught already.”
As So Ok-rim replied, Bu Eun-seol nodded and said.
“The Black and White Witch not only has high martial skill but must also possess a special secret art for concealing her tracks. The very fact that she sticks to such conspicuous white hair and black clothes proves it.”
“Then how do you plan to catch her? Ah, I see.”
Just then, Myo Cheon-u nodded as if he had figured something out.
“You’re planning to act as bait to catch her yourselves?”
“Bait?”
“If you can’t catch her, you just have to make her come to you, right?”
At that, Yu Un-ryong nodded and said.
“It’s a good method, but who’s going to be the bait?”
“A virgin man, of course.”
At Myo Cheon-u’s words, So Ok-rim nodded with an expression that said, ‘Correct.’
Then she suddenly began to slowly scan Won Se-mun’s body.
“I am not a virgin.”
As Won Se-mun waved his hands, she turned to stare at Jo Nam-cheon.
“Me neither.”
“Hmm.”
Then, not only her gaze but everyone’s in the room fixed on one person.
He was not only handsome but also a virgin. Moreover, his movement technique was fast, so there was little risk of him being harmed by the Black and White Witch.
It was Wi Cheon-gyeong.
“Then it’s decided.”
Just then, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“No.”
And looking at Wi Cheon-gyeong, he said.
“He is on the verge of entering the stable phase of the Transcendent Realm. Because of that, a fierce aura leaks from him even when he’s sitting still.”
Just as he said, even though Wi Cheon-gyeong was sitting calmly, sharp ripples of true qi were flowing out from him.
Unless the Black and White Witch was a fool, she would never show herself before Wi Cheon-gyeong.
“If we absolutely must use a bait strategy….”
So Ok-rim pointed at Jo Nam-cheon and Won Se-mun and smiled playfully.
“Those two seem just about perfect.”
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? We’re not virgins.”
Won Se-mun snapped, and So Ok-rim grinned and said.
“You look like virgins, so what does it matter?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She may like to drink the blood of virgin men, but how would she tell the difference?”
Her lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
“She probably just grabs guys who look like virgins and drinks their blood. Right?”
In an instant, the color drained from Jo Nam-cheon’s and Won Se-mun’s faces.
Because So Ok-rim was precisely the kind of person who could grab onto their legs like a water ghost and drag them down into the pits of hell.
“That is also impossible.”
Just then, Bu Eun-seol said quietly.
“The Black and White Witch is known to have precisely drunk the blood of virgin men. She must have a secret method for distinguishing them.”
And he added one more thing.
“Besides, in the Shandong region alone, there must be countless virgin martial artists. There’s no guarantee she would take the bait we set.”
At that, the Hall Masters, excluding So Ok-rim, wore puzzled expressions.
“Then how in the world do you plan to catch her?”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“Tu-cheon-hwan-il.”
It meant to steal the sun from the sky and replace it with something else.
Yu Un-ryong, who understood its meaning, had his eyes flash.
“You intend to put forth a fake Black and White Witch.”
“Correct.”
Bu Eun-seol said composedly.
“The Black and White Witch has long made a fool of countless martial artists and is someone who has meticulously hidden her identity. So if someone were to impersonate her, she would react with extreme sensitivity.”
“So that’s why you said you would go with her, just the two of you.”
Yu Un-ryong, having finally grasped Bu Eun-seol’s plan, stroked his chin.
“Because the Black and White Witch won’t appear where there’s a large number of troops.”
The martial prowess of Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim was practically equivalent to that of an entire army.
Since the Black and White Witch wouldn’t come if a large number of troops were hiding nearby, the two of them intended to join forces to catch her.
“Commander So cannot do it.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong said at that moment.
“The Black and White Witch’s methods are not only bizarre, but they are also known to induce fear and paralyze the body. If one were to rashly and clumsily imitate her….”
He was beating around the bush, but his meaning was clear.
So Ok-rim was too large in stature, and she exuded a rather domineering aura.
If she were to disguise herself, one could tell she was a formidable master from ten li away, so the Black and White Witch would never show herself.
“It won’t be her.”
To Bu Eun-seol’s calm words,
“……”
a deathly silence instantly fell over the room.
Come to think of it, Bu Eun-seol’s features were not only as beautiful as those of a peerless beauty, but he had also reached the state of Reversion to Innocence.
With no martial prowess visible on the surface, if he just shaped his eyebrows and used the Bone Shrinking Art to lower his height a little… no one would be able to see through the disguise.
“I see.”
“I see.”
All the Hall Masters except So Ok-rim nodded as if they understood.