Chapter 452
Chapter 452
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 452
Chapter Title: The Phoenix Grand Tournament
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Riding the wind, Bu Eun-seol carried the injured Myeo Cheon-u away from the stone gate.
Even as he sped along, he infused Myeo Cheon-u with the energy of the Counter-Polarity technique.
Myeo Cheon-u had exhausted his primal energy, his meridians were severed, and he had been struck by Wiji Hye-sang's sword.
If Bu Eun-seol hadn't mastered the Counter-Polarity Mind Art, if he couldn't perfectly control the energies of extreme yin and yang…
Myeo Cheon-u would have long since become a cold corpse.
*Rustle.*
Having left the area of the stone gate completely behind, Bu Eun-seol entered a manor on the outskirts of Chengdu.
It was a secret safe house, available only to the highest echelons of the Demonic Cult.
*Creeak.*
As Bu Eun-seol, supporting Myeo Cheon-u, opened the door, he saw a familiar figure inside, clad in scholar's robes.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
“Un-ryong.”
Myeo Cheon-u asked in surprise.
“A fine mess you're in.”
Yu Un-ryong scoffed with a cold smile.
“So, how was playing the spy?”
Myeo Cheon-u lowered his head.
He would have preferred anger or hatred.
Because contrary to his cold voice, Yu Un-ryong's eyes were filled with anguish and worry.
“It was quite something.”
Myeo Cheon-u forced a smile as he raised his head.
“Thanks to that, I even got the secret manual of the fake Fighting King.”
“Hmph. A pretty decent reward for being used so thoroughly.”
Scoffing, Yu Un-ryong took a red porcelain bottle from his robes and held it out.
“Take it. You need to replenish the blood you've lost to mend your severed meridians.”
What he offered was Blood Essence, of which a single drop was said to be more valuable than a diamond.
“The Lord of the Medicine King Hall will be here soon.”
“Why?”
“If it gets out that you're severely injured, won't all those loose-lipped Grand Lords of the Four Shadows Hall figure out the truth?”
If they learned of his injuries, they would pry into the real story.
That was why Bu Eun-seol had brought Myeo Cheon-u here to be treated by the Lord of the Medicine King Hall, instead of returning him to the Demonic Cult.
So that he could return to the Four Shadows Hall.
So that the Grand Lords would never learn that he had been a spy for someone else.
“They’ll find out eventually anyway.”
Myeo Cheon-u said apologetically.
“To investigate the Seven Immortals Tea House and the Joyful Woods, I’ll have to testify in the Disciplinary Hall, won't I?”
“Don’t worry. That madman, Wiji Hye-sang, will never bring you up.”
Yu Un-ryong snorted.
“That man is overflowing with pride. Now that the Seven Immortals Tea House and the Joyful Woods have been exposed, he won't bother himself with some second-rate Grand Lord from the Demonic Cult.”
He then said in a low voice.
“It’s already been discussed with the Supreme Commander of the Cult. We’ll only go as far as investigating the Seven Immortals Tea House and the Joyful Woods. Well, unless he wants to give up his position as heir to the Demonic Cult… he can’t bring down the Hwau Sword Clan.”
Simply knowing that the funds from the Joyful Woods and the Seven Immortals Tea House went to the Orthodox Faction and government officials wasn't enough to move against the Hwau Sword Clan.
They would just cut their losses.
Besides, the Hwau Sword Clan was one of the greatest pillars supporting the Demonic Cult, and Bu Eun-seol was its heir.
Unless they committed an act of treason, their clan could not be brought down.
“Still… is all this necessary?”
Myeo Cheon-u couldn't bring himself to look at Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong, his head bowed.
“To go this far for someone like me.”
“I'm not doing this because I like you.”
Yu Un-ryong said, as if spitting something out.
“His Excellency, the Lord of the Martial Soul, is always busy traveling the martial world. I might manage for a year or two, but I can't possibly manage the Four Shadows Hall alone.”
He sighed and continued.
“The Lord of the Medicine King Hall will tend to your severed meridians. The Sea of Clouds Azure Spirit Palace will handle your damaged primal energy. And the Nangya Pavilion will treat your stiffened muscles and meridians. The same way they treated Seo Jin-ha.”
“Yu Un-ryong.”
“I’ve told the Grand Lords that your leave has been extended indefinitely. Due to family matters. So don’t come back later and drown yourself in guilt.”
Yu Un-ryong said with a sniff.
“Those guys are simple-minded and have big mouths. If they find out the truth, you’ll be teased until your hair turns white.”
Myeo Cheon-u lowered his head.
Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, Jo Nam-cheon.
They were all strong-willed and deeply affectionate.
What if they found out about his situation?
Rather than blaming him, they would rise up in a fury and demand to storm the Hwau Sword Clan at once.
“Myeo Cheon-u.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke then.
“Wiji Hye-sang always believed himself to be perfect, and he always looked down on you. That's why he was so confident he would never be caught.”
“…”
“He never would have expected you to risk your life and provoke such an absurd confrontation. And thanks to that, he revealed his true colors.”
“So that vile bastard is one of the Three Realms, then?”
At Yu Un-ryong’s question, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes darkened.
“Most likely.”
Wiji Hye-sang had used a mental art comparable to that of Hyeonryeon Eung.
This meant there was a high probability that all the high-ranking members of the Three Realms were masters of exceptional mental arts.
“In that case, could the Hwau Sword Clan be the head of the Three Realms? It's unlikely that figures of their stature would be recruited by them.”
“At first, I thought so too. But… the Profound Demon just doesn’t feel like he’s part of the Three Realms.”
The Profound Demon, Wiji Mu-a, despite having mastered incredible martial arts, lived like an unpretentious idler who loved tea.
If he were the leader or a key figure of the Three Realms?
He would never have let Bu Eun-seol live after being provoked with the fake Yeo Ro’s sword.
“That insane faction, the Three Realms, moves like a cell organization using envoys. And even after a direct confrontation with Wiji Hye-sang, we couldn’t find a pretext to attack or investigate the Hwau Sword Clan… Did we miss the mark again?”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head at Yu Un-ryong’s words.
“The plan was always to take them down one by one, wasn't it? Even if we had found their roots, we wouldn't have the strength to deal with them right now.”
“I suppose so.”
“In any case, I’ll be heading back first.”
Bu Eun-seol placed a hand on Yu Un-ryong’s shoulder.
“I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Right. Don’t worry, just go.”
Just then, Myeo Cheon-u spoke up.
“I’m sorry, Bu Eun-seol.”
At his words, Bu Eun-seol stopped and looked back at Myeo Cheon-u.
“Cast aside your guilt. Such things are not meant to be held onto for long.”
He then said in a powerful voice.
“Shake it off quickly and improve yourself. That is how you will atone for your past mistakes.”
“I will.”
Myeo Cheon-u no longer trembled with guilt.
He had a friend who understood his heart without needing everything to be said.
Then what he needed to do now was not regret the past…
But to take another step forward and repay those who believed in and supported him.
***
After leaving the safe house, Bu Eun-seol entered a secret passage in the building across from it.
A lean, slender martial artist stood there waiting.
It was Seo Jin-ha, disguised as the Grand Lord of the Apex Brigade, Seonu Jin.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
He had already been briefed on Bu Eun-seol’s entire situation.
But out of consideration for Myeo Cheon-u’s pride…
He had waited for Bu Eun-seol in the secret location set up across from the safe house.
“He’ll be back on his feet soon, that one.”
Seo Jin-ha said with a smile.
“He may seem playful, but he was always the quickest to adapt in the Abyss.”
“I’m not worried about him. I’m worried about the Three Realms.”
“Hmm.”
If the Three Realms could recruit the heir of the greatest sword clan in the Demonic Path, or if Wiji Hye-sang had been one of them from the start…
Then perhaps the Three Realms was not an entity that could be wiped out or uprooted.
“Even now, the Three Realms influences the entire martial world and has become one with its leadership.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a frustrated expression.
“We can’t distinguish who is part of the Three Realms and who isn’t, and even if someone isn’t… they could be turned into one of them at any moment.”
Seo Jin-ha nodded.
The Three Realms possessed the power to recruit anyone.
“This was something you couldn’t say to Yu Un-ryong.”
Seo Jin-ha said with a faint smile, having seen through Bu Eun-seol’s distress.
Yu Un-ryong was the strategist of the Four Shadows Hall and the one who worried most about Bu Eun-seol.
If Bu Eun-seol worried about ten things, Yu Un-ryong would multiply that worry to a hundred.
That was why Bu Eun-seol never showed any signs of concern in front of him.
“But an organization must have a leader or key figures, wouldn’t you say?”
Seeing the heavy look on Bu Eun-seol's face, Seo Jin-ha spoke in a firm voice.
“If we can’t wipe them out all at once, then as you said, we have no choice but to confront and deal with them one by one.”
He then continued in a voice full of confidence.
“Besides, from what has been revealed so far, there’s no doubt that the factions of the Three Realms are clashing with each other. That means there must be an opening for us to exploit.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“True, if they were one realm instead of three, I would have been killed long ago.”
The Three Realms had always been a shadowy force within the martial world.
If they had remained a single, unified power instead of splitting into three factions, Bu Eun-seol would have already lost his life to them.
“So, what’s the matter? To summon me through Soyo.”
“Ah.”
Seo Jin-ha scratched his head with a troubled look.
“An order came down from the Martial Alliance for the Apex Brigade to participate in the Phoenix Grand Tournament.”
“The Phoenix Grand Tournament?”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes glinted.
The Phoenix Grand Tournament was a competition that excluded the first-grade brigades, which were already recognized as having reached the highest level.
It was a tournament for second and third-grade brigades, where outstanding units were selected and their performance evaluated.
However, third-grade brigades rarely participated.
So, the Phoenix Grand Tournament was essentially a competition to select the most outstanding second-grade brigade in the Martial Alliance.
“They want the Apex Brigade to participate in the Phoenix Grand Tournament?”
“Yes.”
It was strange.
The Apex Brigade had only just become a second-grade unit. Why would they be participating in the Phoenix Grand Tournament, a competition to select the best of the best among second-grade brigades?
“Hall Master Dengwu must have pulled some strings.”
“Probably so.”
Seo Jin-ha shrugged.
“You played a decisive role in making peace with the Yeolha Star Palace this time. The leadership must be quite curious.”
“Hmm.”
“About who this Seonu Jin really is. And what level the Apex Brigade is at.”
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
This could be a good thing.
If they could distinguish themselves at the Phoenix Grand Tournament, they would surely catch the eye of the leadership.
“The Martial Alliance has unusually appointed Gongson Dan-gyeong, the head of the Great Forest Academy, who is not yet thirty, as the new Commander-in-Chief. This means the Phoenix Grand Tournament will be held under Commander Gongson’s authority.”
The Martial Alliance’s Commander-in-Chief was replaced frequently.
The previous one, Tae Sa-hyeon, had great ambition but lacked the ability to match.
He had held on for a long time, maintaining his position through connections—a classic example of an incompetent leader.
The Martial Alliance had recently been working to clear out incompetent and old-fashioned figures and promote those with outstanding skills and achievements.
One of the reasons for this was likely that the Altar Master of the Martial Heaven, Jo Cheon-wang, had suddenly stepped down from his position to return to a life outside the Alliance.
—With the Altar Master position vacant, it must be filled again.
Soon, a successor to the Martial Alliance Leader, Sindo Mubi, would have to be chosen.
That was why the Martial Alliance had begun to move with unprecedented urgency.
And they had made an unusual appointment: Gongson Dan-gyeong, the head of the Great Forest Academy, as the new Commander-in-Chief.
The Star of Great Wisdom, Gongson Dan-gyeong.
She was the older sister of Gongson Dan-a, the “Flower Who Understands Words” among the Three Beauties of the World.
Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed outstanding talent and intellect, making her an early candidate for the position of Commander-in-Chief.
However, due to her young age, she had been in charge of managing the Martial Alliance’s branches as the head of the Great Forest Academy.
But the Martial Alliance had suddenly made the bold move of appointing her to the position of Commander-in-Chief.
‘Something feels off.’
Thinking of Gongson Dan-gyeong’s name, Bu Eun-seol felt a sense of unease.
A person of her caliber must have a specific reason for holding the Phoenix Grand Tournament.
“I understand. Then let’s switch and I’ll attend.”
*Crack.*
Using the Face-Changing Bone-Altering Art, Bu Eun-seol changed his appearance back to Seonu Jin’s.
Seo Jin-ha then changed his appearance back to Bu Eun-seol’s.
After swapping the swords they carried, the two had once again perfectly switched identities.
“Isn’t it difficult?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Seo Jin-ha grinned.
“Every day is interesting. There’s a certain tension in moving between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions.”
It was a lie.
There was no way it could be interesting.
The life of a double agent… was like endlessly walking along a cliff where one wrong step meant an endless fall.
Nevertheless, Seo Jin-ha willingly gave up his own life.
So that Bu Eun-seol could move freely between the two factions.
For Seo Jin-ha's sake, Bu Eun-seol had to rise to the top of the Martial Alliance, and quickly.
“Do well.”
As Seo Jin-ha smiled, Bu Eun-seol nodded firmly.
“I’ll be back.”
Bu Eun-seol immediately returned to the Martial Alliance.
Even then, he could not have imagined…
That because of the Phoenix Grand Tournament, he would fall under the suspicion of the new Commander-in-Chief, and as a result, he would have to clash with the Demonic Cult in his capacity as a Martial Alliance Grand Lord.
***
The atmosphere in the Martial Alliance was somewhat excited.
Not only had the head of the Great Forest Academy, Gongson Dan-gyeong, who had rarely shown herself until now, been appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief…
But the Phoenix Grand Tournament, one of the biggest events hosted by the Martial Alliance and a festival-like occasion, was about to begin.
During the Phoenix Grand Tournament, most departments, including each brigade, would take a break from their duties to watch the competition.
Since the theme changed every time and it was a team competition involving all brigade members…
The tension was higher and there was more to see than in any ordinary martial arts tournament.
Martial Alliance, Dengwu Hall. Yuk Jang-cheon’s office.
“Hall Master.”
As Bu Eun-seol, having returned as Seonu Jin, bowed deeply, Yuk Jang-cheon nodded with a faint smile.
“Yes, you’ve been through a lot.”
Upon returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol had not only swiftly beheaded the Blood-Fever Yin Demon, a mission assigned by the Dengwu Hall…
But he had also brought back the heads of five additional vicious, lecherous thieves who had been a thorn in the Martial Alliance's side but whose whereabouts had been unknown.
Because of this, the Martial Alliance had praised his accomplishments, and Yuk Jang-cheon’s prestige had also been considerably enhanced.
“I heard the order to participate in the Phoenix Grand Tournament.”
“Hahaha. This Hall Master pulled a few strings.”
Yuk Jang-cheon burst into laughter and said with a twitch of his lips.
“Although the Apex Brigade has only recently been established, has it not achieved great merits several times? It’s about time you received the attention of the leadership.”
“But I am worried that my brigade members are still lacking in many ways.”
“Always so humble, you are.”
Yuk Jang-cheon smiled faintly.
“I know that the Apex Brigade has been training hard every single day without fail. I heard you’ve been personally instructing them in martial arts as well?”
“You were aware.”
“Hahaha. There’s no need to hide such things from this Hall Master.”
Yuk Jang-cheon laughed heartily and said.
“To achieve one’s ambitions, it is sometimes necessary to hide one’s claws and lie low. But before someone who is climbing to the same place, it is also necessary to open your heart and speak freely.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
Yuk Jang-cheon’s words were meant to emphasize that they were in the same boat.
‘Of course, only as long as I’m useful.’
For a man with ambition, there are no eternal friends or enemies. That is the truth.
Use everything that can be used, and if it’s no longer needed, discard it without hesitation.
Especially to reach the pinnacle of the Martial Alliance, which values connections, seniority, and hierarchy… one had to discard useless things like loyalty and affection.
“I have high hopes for this Phoenix Grand Tournament. Don’t you?”
Yuk Jang-cheon’s eyes were burning hot.
—Prove to this Hall Master once more that you are necessary to me.
That is what he was saying to Bu Eun-seol.
Yuk Jang-cheon, who aimed to become an Altar Master, had no need for incompetent and useless subordinates.
Bu Eun-seol had to constantly prove that he was still a necessary person.
Now, and in the future.
And one of those tests was this very Phoenix Grand Tournament.
“Can you do it?”
Yuk Jang-cheon asked again, his gaze intense.
“I'm asking if you can make another leap forward in this Phoenix Grand Tournament.”
A smile formed on Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
“Of course.”
He then said in a powerful voice.
“I will ensure the Hall Master is not disappointed.”
“Hahahaha.”
Yuk Jang-cheon burst into a satisfied laugh.
“Ever since I joined this Alliance, I thought I had truly bad luck with people.”
He clapped Bu Eun-seol on the shoulder and said.
“But it seems my luck was being saved up all this time to grant me such an outstanding talent.”
A smile filled with ambition spread across Yuk Jang-cheon’s lips.
Bu Eun-seol perfectly mirrored that smile, as if to show that he was of the same kind.