Chapter 447
Chapter 447
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 447
Chapter Title: The Price of Survival
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Upon his return to the Demonic Palace, Bu Eun-seol remained dispirited for some time.
The death of the Blood Vajra.
It was yet another reminder of the merciless law of the martial world.
Once you set foot in this place, no one could ever escape.
You were condemned to live forever within this hellish cycle.
But it wasn't just the law of the martial world that tormented Bu Eun-seol.
He had long since understood the unforgiving nature of this life and had resolved to accept it willingly.
No, what tormented him was the betrayal of a friend.
He had already learned from So Ja-myeong that Myo Cheon-u was a spy colluding with an external power.
But he had hoped, just this once, that Myo Cheon-u would not leak the information.
It was a journey to see his master off on his final path, nothing more.
He had prayed that just this once, their location would not be exposed, that his master, on his pilgrimage of penance, would not be put in danger.
But that hope had been shattered to pieces.
The moment they entered the martial world, assassins from the Three Realms had attacked them, endangering even the Blood Vajra.
If the Blood Vajra hadn't displayed such astonishing martial prowess, so contrary to expectations; if he hadn't proven to be a force far beyond what the Three Realms had anticipated…
Bu Eun-seol would already be a cold corpse.
‘Life, death, illusion, shadow…’
Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes.
A human life is finite, and one must make endless choices.
That is why a human life is always filled with regret.
A choice that seemed best at the time could, with the passage of time, reveal itself to be the worst.
And a choice steeped in despair could lead to the best possible outcome.
Human choices are, after all, simply filled with regret…
*Rumble.*
At that moment, the door to the secret chamber where Bu Eun-seol was staying opened.
A shadow in a gray silk robe slowly approached.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
“What is it?”
As Bu Eun-seol offered a dry smile, Yu Un-ryong bit his lip and spoke.
“I was originally going to do it.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I mean, I was going to deal with Myo Cheon-u with my own hands.”
His expression was graver than ever before.
“Doing so would have easily taken care of the traitor in the Death Shadow Hall. But I realized that would only hurt you more.”
“Yu Un-ryong.”
“So I couldn't do it.”
*Thud.*
Yu Un-ryong slumped down across from Bu Eun-seol.
“This time, he crossed the line. He revealed your movements even though he knew full well the reason you were going.”
“…”
“For a time, like you, I held onto the hope that he might come back to us. But this incident made it clear. Myo Cheon-u. That man is a heartless, bloodless spy.”
“How did you know?”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Yu Un-ryong with a weary face.
“I never told you.”
“So Ja-myeong, Division Head So, told me.”
Yu Un-ryong’s face was contorted with pain.
“He said it seems our Lord would rather die… than lose a friend.”
So Ja-myeong, too, knew Bu Eun-seol’s character.
Even if Myo Cheon-u betrayed Bu Eun-seol.
Bu Eun-seol would not betray Myo Cheon-u.
That was why he had no choice but to inform Yu Un-ryong.
The one person who could handle this situation with a cool head and speak frankly to Bu Eun-seol.
It had to be the friend that Bu Eun-seol also trusted.
“We don’t even need to get involved in the first place.”
Yu Un-ryong said, biting his lip.
“If we hand the evidence to the Disciplinary Hall, they’ll take care of it.”
“…”
Bu Eun-seol remained silent, offering no response.
To Yu Un-ryong, he looked like a child enduring pain.
“Bu Eun-seol!”
Suppressing his own anguish, Yu Un-ryong’s voice rose in anger.
“I’m not talking to you as your subordinate or your strategist! I’m talking to you as your friend!”
Yu Un-ryong had never once used the word ‘friend’ in front of Bu Eun-seol.
He was Bu Eun-seol’s most trusted and capable strategist and subordinate.
He had to handle his duties with the same strictness and fairness as the trust placed in him.
But this time was different.
If he didn't speak as a friend, he had no confidence he could persuade him.
“Bu Eun-seol!”
“There’s no need to be so angry.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
“…Myo Cheon-u must have been in pain, too.”
The moment he saw that fragile, faint smile, Yu Un-ryong felt his heart shatter.
This was a man of steel who had never broken, no matter the trial.
A cool-headed commander who had calmly led his men in any situation.
A brilliant strategist and tactician who found solutions to any crisis.
But now, he was just…
An ordinary man, tormented by the betrayal of a friend.
‘Bu Eun-seol.’
Yu Un-ryong bit his lip so hard it could have bled.
He knew, in truth.
That though he seemed the most aloof and indifferent person in the world, he actually had a kinder and more considerate nature than anyone.
And that to the people he held dear, he gave a boundless affection.
That was why he was breaking now.
Because someone he had trusted without limit, someone so precious to him, had betrayed him.
“Get a grip, please!”
Yu Un-ryong could hold back no longer.
He grabbed Bu Eun-seol by the collar, his pent-up anger, sorrow, and grief finally erupting.
“Is this the time to play at friendship? Now? After we’ve come this far? Do you know how we got here?!”
“…”
“There are plenty of people in this world to care about! If you kill a bastard like that, no one will blame you!”
“…”
But Bu Eun-seol showed no reaction.
His eyes were clouded with gray, devoid of any emotion, devoid of even a spark of life.
“Then… what about me!”
Yu Un-ryong gasped for breath, clinging to him.
“What about me, who has run this far looking only at you?!”
Finally, Yu Un-ryong’s body gave way.
He too had been pretending to be indifferent, but his heart had grown weak.
Myo Cheon-u. Wasn't he the sturdy bridge that connected him and Bu Eun-seol?
Wasn't he the one who was always humorous and optimistic, giving strength to his weary comrades?
The betrayal of a friend he had trusted so deeply… was an agony that even he found unbearable.
“I… am in pain, too.”
Seeing the broken Yu Un-ryong, a faint light flickered in Bu Eun-seol’s clouded eyes.
As he watched Yu Un-ryong suffer, the final moments of the Blood Vajra suddenly came to mind.
He had worried and feared that his pilgrimage of penance, his final act of atonement, might cause Master Jeongyeong even greater pain.
And it was only upon reaching his destination that he realized it had been the right choice.
Bu Eun-seol had not yet reached his final destination.
But he was already suffering, already afraid.
And that weakness… was inflicting a great wound upon the heart of his other friend, Yu Un-ryong.
“I’m sorry.”
Having understood everything, Bu Eun-seol grasped Yu Un-ryong’s shoulders.
“I haven’t even reached my destination… yet I was worrying as if I’d lost the whole world.”
And he looked at him with eyes that were, unlike before, strong and clear.
“I made you worry for nothing, Un-ryong.”
“Have you… come to your senses?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eun-seol gave a pained but bright smile, just like the ones Yu Un-ryong had always shown him.
“Because if I don’t get back on my feet quickly, it will only be harder for you.”
Those words made Yu Un-ryong’s nose sting.
He may act like the most indifferent man in the world.
He may never speak of friendship or camaraderie.
He may assign all sorts of chores and complex tasks… but he trusted, understood, relied on, and worried about him more than anyone else.
If that wasn't friendship, what was?
“Good. I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.”
“But.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke with a firm voice.
“Myo Cheon-u’s matter can wait.”
“Huh?”
“We need to find out who’s behind him, don't we?”
“What’s there to find out? It must be the Three Realms.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“The Three Realms are, as the name suggests, divided into three powers. And the Infinite Realm, where Hyuk-ryeon Eung is, genuinely tried to kill me. In fact, I almost died.”
“…”
“But we learned from the incident with the Dang Clan, didn't we? Not everyone we’ve met so far has been from the Infinite Realm.”
“So.”
“The one who recruited Myo Cheon-u might not be the Infinite Realm, but the Azure River Realm. Or another power.”
“Like the ones who helped the Dang Clan rise? Impossible.”
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
“Then why are they trying to kill you?”
“What if they’re not trying to kill me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if we assume the Elder displaying such immense power was unexpected, to settle for just a hundred assassins on such a golden opportunity… isn’t that a bit too sloppy for the Infinite Realm?”
“Don’t tell me.”
Yu Un-ryong’s eyes flashed as he spoke.
“Are you saying they’re helping you? Giving you trials on purpose, like with the Dang Clan?”
Yu Un-ryong’s mouth fell open.
If it were the Three Realms, who moved the world?
They would never have missed this chance. They would have surrounded the area and deployed their most powerful masters at full strength.
Catching Bu Eun-seol traveling alone in the martial world had become an incredibly difficult task.
But in truth, the number of assassins sent to attack Bu Eun-seol and the Blood Vajra had been just enough to be a life-threatening, razor-thin ordeal.
“Hmm.”
Lost in thought, Yu Un-ryong nodded.
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. It was too much of a coincidence.”
He sighed and continued.
“If it were the Infinite Realm, they would have seized the opportunity to kill you in one fell swoop. Just like that damn Hyuk-ryeon Eung.”
The Infinite Realm had driven Bu Eun-seol to the brink of death merely by having Hyuk-ryeon Eung reveal his true colors.
If they had found another opportunity, they would have brought a massive legion. Wasting such a perfect chance like this made no sense.
“That’s why we need to catch their tail.”
“How? By now, not only Myo Cheon-u but they too must have noticed something is up.”
“Unlikely. I don’t think Myo Cheon-u will follow them anymore.”
“What does that mean? Why would that traitor do that?”
“Didn’t you see him at the meeting? He was in agony.”
“Hmph. He was probably just worried he’d get caught this time.”
Though he said that, Yu Un-ryong knew it too.
Myo Cheon-u was also suffering greatly because of this incident. That he certainly hadn't wanted this outcome.
Still, he couldn't be forgiven.
The fact remained that he had reported to them, knowing full well the purpose of the journey was to save the Blood Vajra.
“Most likely, this incident will spur Myo Cheon-u to take some kind of action himself.”
Yu Un-ryong nodded in agreement.
He knew Myo Cheon-u’s personality just as well as Bu Eun-seol did.
“How do you plan to catch their tail?”
“We don't even need to. Myo Cheon-u will do everything for us.”
“He will?”
“Yes. Contact the Soul Reaping Squad and have them monitor Myo Cheon-u’s movements. It won’t be long before we find the trail.”
A light like the sun flashed in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
“And I will make them pay the price for everything they’ve done so far.”
***
Myo Cheon-u, along with Yu Un-ryong, was one of Bu Eun-seol’s closest aides, responsible for the overall management of the Death Shadow Hall.
If Yu Un-ryong assisted Bu Eun-seol by handling various administrative tasks.
Myo Cheon-u’s role was to manage the members within the Death Shadow Hall and direct the organization to operate more efficiently.
Therefore, unlike Yu Un-ryong, who was always buried in documents, he was constantly moving about, both inside and outside the Demonic Palace.
He brought in necessary supplies and provisions for the Death Shadow Hall.
In other words, Myo Cheon-u was not confined to the Death Shadow Hall; in some ways, he went outside the Demonic Palace more frequently than Bu Eun-seol himself.
As the sun began to set.
Myo Cheon-u was heading deep into a market street in Chengdu.
After ordering some necessary supplies for the Death Shadow Hall, he was on his way to a teahouse to drink his favorite Dragon Well tea.
*Creak.*
As he entered a small teahouse located in an alley, an attendant bowed his head in greeting.
“Welcome.”
“I’d like to drink tea in peace. Is there a table available?”
“Of course. This way, please.”
Unlike inns or taverns, teahouses often hosted customers who were there to discuss important matters.
Or customers who simply wished to enjoy their tea in quiet contemplation.
Thus, teahouses often prepared separate, quiet rooms for wealthy patrons or tea connoisseurs.
*Creak.*
Entering the room, he saw an elegant interior suitable for enjoying tea.
Soon after, the Dragon Well tea was served, and Myo Cheon-u slowly took a sip.
The clear, fragrant tea tickled his nostrils and left a lingering taste on his palate, but his brow was as furrowed as if he had drunk poison.
*Clink.*
Setting down the teacup, Myo Cheon-u spoke with a scowl.
“What is the meaning of this? This is not what we agreed upon.”
He set the cup down again and said in a furious voice.
“You swore you wouldn't put him in danger this time. Why did you attack him again?”
A moment of silence passed, and then a very small, low voice reached Myo Cheon-u’s ear.
[Did you call me for something like this?]
“Just answer me. Why did you break your promise?”
[I don't think that's any of your concern.]
Although the voice was strangely distorted, it sounded very calm and peculiar.
“Not my concern?”
[Plans can always change depending on the situation. Surely you don't expect a report every single time?]
Myo Cheon-u bit his lip.
“That’s just playing with words, isn't it?”
[Hmph.]
“What could people like you possibly want from him, to try and control him like this?”
[You speak carelessly. Words you won't be able to take back.]
At the nonchalant reply, Myo Cheon-u clenched his fists.
“I’m done with this. If I continue any longer, he’ll become suspicious.”
[Division Head Myo.]
The voice that came back was thick with a sigh and a sneer.
[Surely you don't think you can quit just because you want to.]
“You think I can’t?”
Myo Cheon-u scoffed.
“All I have to do is reveal your identities.”
[Go ahead. It would be amusing.]
A cackling laugh was heard for a moment before the voice spoke again.
[But would he be able to keep his sanity after learning the whole truth?]
In that instant, Myo Cheon-u’s eyes wavered violently.
‘To think that decision back then would become an eternal regret.’
***
The Ten Demonic Scions Project.
The final destination of that project was a massacre on Hell Island.
And in truth, Myo Cheon-u was fated to have died there.
From the moment he arrived on Hell Island, he had sensed that the final test would be a battle to the death.
So he had proactively gathered like-minded companions and formed a faction, leading the group as its head when the massacre began.
But Myo Cheon-u had made a mistake.
He believed that gaining comrades he got along with was more important than their skills. After all, in a massacre, mutual trust would be paramount.
But an unexpected result occurred.
His trusted companions suddenly ambushed him.
“Why me?”
Covered in blood and cornered at a cliff, Myo Cheon-u asked in disbelief. The companion who had stabbed him in the stomach replied.
“You’re too smart and too strong. You’ll definitely use us as pawns and be the only one to survive.”
Myo Cheon-u was stunned.
He was the first to form a faction on Hell Island, and he had willingly accepted anyone as a companion if he liked them, regardless of their talent.
But as the fighting continued, and they realized that Myo Cheon-u was a genius far beyond their comparison.
Their jealousy and envy escalated to the point where they came to believe he was planning to use them to survive alone.
“You foolish bastards.”
Myo Cheon-u found it absurd.
Even if the massacre had driven them mad… to make such a ridiculous judgment.
To think he had planned to survive on Hell Island by trusting such blockheads.
“I will not die at the hands of fools like you.”
Mortally wounded, Myo Cheon-u turned and threw himself off the cliff.
But was it the heavens’ will?
Myo Cheon-u’s body was caught on a tree below, and his life was saved.
No, his life had merely been extended for a moment.
With his stomach and shoulder pierced, he was bleeding to death.
[A pity. He was one of the peerless geniuses.]
Just then, as Myo Cheon-u hung impaled on the tree, bleeding out, a gray shadow appeared before him.
It was a Killing Ghost, one who culled the candidates staying in the restricted areas of Hell Island to ensure the massacre proceeded smoothly.
[Do you want to live?]
At the Killing Ghost’s words, Myo Cheon-u nodded.
[Very well. Then, I will make you one of the Ten Demonic Scions. But when the time comes, you must obey my command.]
“A command?”
[That’s right.]
The Killing Ghost looked at Myo Cheon-u and spoke with a solemn expression.
[Can you do it?]
In response, a dark resentment flared in Myo Cheon-u’s eyes.
“An easy task.”
He did not want to die after being backstabbed by those fools.
He wanted to become one of the Ten Demonic Scions and cut off all their heads.
The Killing Ghost kept his promise.
He immediately used an elixir to heal Myo Cheon-u and even infused him with powerful energy to ensure he would survive to the end.
Afterward, Myo Cheon-u took revenge on the group that had tried to kill him and was soon recruited into a stronger faction.
And finally, he survived the massacre and became one of the Ten Demonic Scions.
But after that, the Killing Ghost never contacted him.
Not when he fought a life-or-death battle with the Masters of the Grand Order under the Heavenly Demon Emperor's command, nor when he was imprisoned in the Palace of Extinction and sentenced to confinement.
Myo Cheon-u eventually concluded that the Killing Ghost had forgotten everything.
But that was a foolish delusion.
[From now on, report every movement of Bu Eun-seol.]
As soon as he officially became Bu Eun-seol’s subordinate, the Killing Ghost appeared as if from nowhere and gave Myo Cheon-u his command.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that.”
Myo Cheon-u was a man of deep loyalty.
When asked to become a spy and reveal Bu Eun-seol’s movements, he refused instantly.
[Are you trying to break our promise?]
“Of course not.”
Myo Cheon-u bowed his head before the Killing Ghost.
He would rather the ghost take back his life than betray Bu Eun-seol.
“Take back the life you saved. Then the debt between us will be settled.”
[Hehehe.]
At Myo Cheon-u’s action, the Killing Ghost let out a pleased laugh.
[Indeed, a man of such deep loyalty would be able to assist him properly.]
“Assist? What kind of assistance is leaking his movements?”
When Myo Cheon-u scoffed, the Killing Ghost replied.
[Do you think leaking his movements will necessarily harm him? On the contrary, it will be of great benefit.]
“Benefit?”
[We will make him stronger. More powerful, to the point where he will lose to no one.]
Myo Cheon-u couldn't understand.
Why would the Killing Ghost do such a thing? And who was this ‘we’ he spoke of?
[As proof, I will tell you one thing in advance.]
The Killing Ghost uttered a shocking statement.
[Wi Ji-hye-sang, the successor to the Fire Rain Sword Sect and his greatest rival, will withdraw from the candidacy for the Demonic Palace’s successor.]
“What are you talking about?”
[You will see.]
Myo Cheon-u was skeptical, but he decided to trust the Killing Ghost’s words and wait.
And the more he reported Bu Eun-seol’s movements, the more new enemies appeared before him.
Assassins from the Martial Alliance came, and a First-Class Sword Division Head came to assassinate him.
But each time, Bu Eun-seol overcame it and grew stronger.
Then, a shocking event occurred.
For the simple reason that she had failed to perfectly protect the information about the Divine Thief Gonggong, Wi Ji-hye-sang immediately withdrew from her candidacy.
“So it was true.”
[Indeed.]
Once the Killing Ghost’s words came true, Myo Cheon-u was elated.
Every time he reported Bu Eun-seol’s movements, he was attacked and always put in danger.
But each time, he overcame the crisis and made tremendous progress.
“Are you saying you’re deliberately giving him trials to help him develop?”
[Well, something like that.]
It wasn't a precise answer, but hearing it put Myo Cheon-u at ease.
And he was so happy he could have burst out laughing.
He thought he was putting Bu Eun-seol in danger, but they were intentionally giving him trials to help him grow?
In that case, it was by no means a bad thing. Not for Bu Eun-seol, and not for himself.
But that was nothing more than a delusion.
At least, until the incident with Yeong Mun-ho.