Chapter 460
Chapter 460
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 460
Chapter Title: The Bullet King's Whereabouts
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The identity of Seon Wu-jin was by no means created in a short period.
It was an identity arranged so perfectly that not even the Three Realms could find a flaw in it.
Just how had the Divine Calculator intended to use this identity of Seon Wu-jin?
Why had he suddenly given this identity to him?
Various thoughts flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind, but he soon shook his head.
What was important now was Ak Gu-cheon.
If he didn't deal with him quickly, the members of the Apex Division would be annihilated.
*‘With this counter-style, I can confidently kill Ak Gu-cheon even with the identity of Seon Wu-jin.’*
Having finished his thought, Bu Eun-seol raised his iron sword.
"I'll end this now."
As Bu Eun-seol raised his iron sword to the sky, Ak Gu-cheon scoffed.
"That kind of sword art won't work."
Changing the nature of the venomous essence and returning it was quite profound, but it wasn't a particularly effective sword art for inflicting a fatal wound.
Ak Gu-cheon charged, his body firmly cloaked in the Demonic Art of Venomous Aura.
In response, Bu Eun-seol unleashed the fourth form of the Thirteen Forms of the Iron Sword, One Sword to Face a Thousand.
Ak Gu-cheon crossed his hands and closed the distance with Bu Eun-seol.
He intended to kill him in a single blow, even if it meant being pierced by Bu Eun-seol's iron sword.
"Die!"
Having finally closed the distance to attack range, Ak Gu-cheon used the Soul-Snatching Ghost Flame technique, imbued with the Demonic Art of Venomous Aura.
A sharp wave of energy shot toward Bu Eun-seol's brow and lower abdomen.
*Shudder!*
But then, something astonishing happened.
The deflected technique of One Sword to Face a Thousand drew a semicircle in the air.
It suddenly wrapped the energy of the Soul-Snatching Ghost Flame that Ak Gu-cheon had unleashed around the tip of the sword.
*Swish!*
The energy wrapped around the sword's tip drew another large circle before surging back toward Ak Gu-cheon's body.
*‘This is!’*
Ak Gu-cheon's eyes widened as he watched the returning energy.
*‘It returns not only venomous essence but also internal energy?’*
Though countless sword arts existed under the heavens, there was no technique that could unleash a sword form to return the force of an energy attack.
*‘I can't avoid it!’*
Ak Gu-cheon quickly crossed his hands to receive the returning Soul-Snatching Ghost Flame technique.
*BOOM!*
In that instant, with a deafening roar, Ak Gu-cheon's body shot into the air like a snapped kite before crashing back to the ground.
The energy, having been wrapped once around Bu Eun-seol's sword, had returned several times stronger than when he had first unleashed it.
*Thud.*
Ak Gu-cheon, who had fallen disgracefully to the ground, quickly scrambled back to his feet.
"Ugh!"
But he soon coughed up dark red blood.
The Soul-Snatching Ghost Flame technique, returned with several times the force, had inflicted a fatal internal injury.
"How can such a sword art..."
Mumbling under his breath, Ak Gu-cheon's eyes shot open.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been far away just a moment ago, had crouched low and was now right in front of him.
*Flash!*
In that moment, a sharp dagger from his left hand plunged toward his chest.
*Thwip.*
However, it failed to pierce the Demonic Art of Venomous Aura, the dagger's tip only slightly breaking the skin.
"With a mere dagger, no matter what you do..."
But his words were cut short.
Bu Eun-seol's iron sword had already been thrust into his mouth.
"You talk too much."
Ak Gu-cheon wanted to say something.
But the sharp iron sword was blocking his mouth, and only a gurgling sound escaped.
*Drip, drip, drip. Thud.*
In the end, with his mouth pierced through, Ak Gu-cheon died instantly.
*Fwoosh!*
Retrieving the sword that had pierced Ak Gu-cheon, Bu Eun-seol wore a dazed expression for a moment.
The Thirteen Forms of the Iron Sword and the Grafting Arts.
When the principles of this sword art and martial art were mixed, it created a unique sword style capable of countering any technique.
And it possessed a power so outstanding it could captivate Bu Eun-seol's heart.
*‘It's such a brilliant sword art.’*
Looking down at his sword, Bu Eun-seol felt a slight thrill.
The Thirteen Forms of the Iron Sword combined with the Grafting Arts possessed a power akin to mixing the perfect defensive style, the Controlling Sword of the Flowing Form, with the counter-style of Heaven's Lament...
It was enough to face even a stronger opponent.
*‘Using this sword art, I should be able to handle numerous powerful enemies even with the identity of Seon Wu-jin.’*
Which means... I must not use it except in moments of absolute desperation.
This sword art must become Seon Wu-jin's ultimate trump card. I must expose it as little as possible.
*Click.*
Sheathing his iron sword, he turned his head to watch the battle between the Apex Division and the Ghost Howl Hall.
The Ghost Howl Hall had just cornered the Apex Division and was on the verge of slaughtering them.
But when Ak Gu-cheon died and Bu Eun-seol stared them down, their faces were filled with great alarm.
*‘Did you think I wouldn't be able to kill a member of the Hell-Blooded Fortress because I'm a spy for the Demonic Path? Grand Commander Gongson.’*
A sharp light glinted in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he looked at the flustered poison users.
*‘Not at all. I am a man who would feel no regret even if I were to destroy the Hell-Blooded Fortress with my own hands!’*
*Swish!*
Bu Eun-seol immediately began throwing daggers at the poison users.
"Ugh!"
"Keuk!"
They too had learned the Demonic Art of Venomous Aura and continuously unleashed poison attacks, but it was useless.
Poison had no effect on Bu Eun-seol, and their Demonic Art of Venomous Aura was not strong enough to block his daggers.
Moreover, now that he had mastered the new Thirteen Forms of the Iron Sword fused with the Grafting Arts.
He could subtly redirect incoming external forces without even having to perform a sword form.
*Thud. Thud, thud, thud.*
It took Bu Eun-seol less than half a quarter-hour to kill half of the poison users who had been pressuring the Apex Division.
"Aid the Commander!"
Seeing this, the members of the Apex Division were filled with courage and began to attack the poison users.
Although none besides Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do possessed a high level of martial skill, the momentum had already shifted to their side.
In the end, the surviving poison users attempted to retreat.
But each time, Bu Eun-seol threw his daggers to block their escape routes.
In response, the members of the Apex Division swarmed forward to finish off the fleeing poison users.
*Thud.*
When the very last poison user finally fell,
"Hah, hah."
the members of the Apex Division, who had been swinging their swords like madmen, stopped their movements.
The long, long battle was finally over.
And the Apex Division... had seized victory against the Ghost Howl Hall, said to be the most fearsome division in the Hell-Blooded Fortress.
In truth, this was a great victory that not even Bu Eun-seol had anticipated.
The members possessed far greater skill than he had expected, and they had fought to the very end without giving up, even in a disadvantageous life-or-death struggle.
When Bu Eun-seol finally dealt with Ak Gu-cheon, they were filled with courage... and overwhelmed the poison users of the Ghost Howl Hall with their spirit alone.
The members were all soaked in blood, with not a single part of their bodies left unscathed.
But they felt no pain; a strange sense of euphoria enveloped their entire bodies.
"Uuugh..."
It was a feeling that could only be experienced by those who had survived a battle to the death, pushing beyond the limits of their bodies and minds.
Emotions that could not be put into words.
"Woooooah!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Without anyone needing to say a word, the members simultaneously let out beast-like roars.
They had fought in a chaotic battle for the first time in their lives and survived a life-threatening crisis.
There would be many more battles to come... but they would never forget this first taste of victory for the rest of their lives.
"Commander."
Tae Mu-ryong, the first to regain his composure, approached and asked with a surprised expression.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course."
*Click.*
Sheathing his sword, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
He then began to check the condition of his men.
Five showed symptoms of poisoning, and three were severely injured.
But fortunately, no one had lost their life.
The arduous training they had undergone until now had paid off.
*‘Yes. As long as they survive like this, it's enough.’*
Bu Eun-seol had no intention of teaching them superior martial arts from the start.
He had them first master techniques that would allow them to tenaciously survive, no matter what.
If they could overcome crises and survive... they would surely grow stronger.
"There should be no more pursuers. Let's treat our injuries here for a moment before we move on."
Bu Eun-seol had the members rest and then gave them another dose of powerful antidote.
For those who were severely injured, he infused his internal energy to alleviate their symptoms.
An ordinary commander would have sought a nearby physician, but Bu Eun-seol unsparingly poured out his internal energy to treat his subordinates.
His internal energy not only welled up endlessly, but treating injuries of this degree had no effect on his power.
However, to the members, it appeared as if Bu Eun-seol was unsparingly consuming his own energy to help them recover quickly.
*‘If it's the Commander's order, I would walk into the fires of hell.’*
Bu Eun-seol simply believed he was doing his duty as a commander, but in their hearts, the members were swearing unwavering loyalty.
***
The Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion.
There, a beautiful woman dressed in a snow-white robe sat, with a dark shadow prostrated before her.
They were the Grand Commander, Gongson Dan-gyeong, and her trusted subordinate, Chwi Myeong.
Sitting with a ramrod-straight posture, she was reading a book on the table, her eyes sparkling.
"It seems I was mistaken."
The book detailed the actions of Apex Division Commander Seon Wu-jin on his return from the Yeogyeong region.
"He continuously tried to report the wrongdoings of the Lord of Wiryong Hall, and when he wasn't heard, he sent a letter to Deungmu Hall... On his way back, he was ambushed by the Ghost Howl Hall... but instead displayed outstanding martial prowess and dealt with them."
Closing the book, a peculiar light flickered in Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes.
Until now, she had prided herself on her intuition never being wrong.
But this time, it was completely off the mark.
The contents of this book were written by the Wise General leading the Martial Alliance's investigation team, and her most trusted subordinate.
It was written by Chwi Myeong.
"So, not a spy for the Demonic Path, but a dragon hidden in the upper echelons."
"That is correct."
The prostrated Chwi Myeong said calmly.
"He has perfectly mastered the martial essence of the Unhindered One and is now unrivaled among the younger generation. In fact, he is at a level where he should stand alongside those considered the next generation's grandmasters."
"Hmm."
"Furthermore, he revealed that it was the Ghost Howl Hall that killed the Commander of the Iron Plaque Division. Because of this, although the negotiations failed, we are now able to demand proper compensation from the Hell-Blooded Fortress."
She had sent him merely to accompany the Wiryong Hall, following the advice of the Lord of Deungmu Hall.
Yet, the Apex Division and Seon Wu-jin had returned with an unexpected achievement.
Deep in thought, Gongson Dan-gyeong narrowed her long eyes.
"Have you met the Merchant Lord of the Seonhwa Guild?"
"Yes. I have been kept informed through my sources, and he said he would visit anytime if the Alliance were to invite him."
The prostrated subordinate spoke in a low voice.
"Not only that, but he gave me three thousand nyang in promissory notes for my travel expenses. And he sent five Seven-Gold Cat's Eye Stones and ten Adamantine Jade Orbs to the Alliance, asking us to take good care of Commander Seon Wu-jin."
"I see."
Narrowing her eyes, Gongson Dan-gyeong shook her head.
From top to bottom, there was nothing suspicious about him.
Even after visiting the Seonhwa Guild and investigating thoroughly, not a single trace could be found.
*‘Could my intuition be wrong?’*
Her Eye of the Profound Heart had the power to instinctively discern truth from falsehood without thought or judgment.
But when she looked at Seon Wu-jin, she saw nothing.
The Eye of the Profound Heart did not work on great grandmasters who had reached the State of Infinity, or on high monks who had undergone exceptional training.
Nor did it work on Daoist masters or beggars who had emptied their minds to achieve effortless action.
Could it be that he, like a monk or a Daoist master, was a person with a pure heart, devoid of desire and thought?
"You've done well."
Having finished her thoughts, Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"You may leave."
"Grand Commander."
Chwi Myeong bowed his head deeply and said cautiously.
"And he has reappeared in the martial world."
"..."
"He not only has a handsome appearance but also possesses flawless qualifications. Grand Commander, you..."
"Enough."
Gongson Dan-gyeong said coldly.
"I will handle that matter myself."
"...Understood. I apologize."
Chwi Myeong bowed deeply and turned to leave.
"Then."
After Chwi Myeong left, Gongson Dan-gyeong let out a deep sigh.
"Seon Wu-jin. You too are a remarkable person who has surpassed my expectations. In that case, I have no choice but to change my thinking."
Looking down at the book, Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes narrowed.
If Seon Wu-jin was a flawless individual who had hidden his abilities until now?
Then she absolutely had to keep him by her side.
***
The Martial Alliance, Deungmu Hall. Yuk Jang-cheon's office.
"You've worked hard."
Yuk Jang-cheon personally summoned Bu Eun-seol, who had returned to the Martial Alliance, for a private meeting.
And he highly praised the achievements of Bu Eun-seol and the Apex Division.
The negotiations in Yeogyeong had been an utter disgrace from the Martial Alliance's perspective.
Especially since the matter was ruined by the excessive greed of Lord Yeon Ja-gang of the Wiryong Hall, who belonged to Deungmu Hall, it was difficult for Yuk Jang-cheon to evade responsibility.
However, Bu Eun-seol had identified those who killed Commander No Dok-cheong of the Iron Plaque Division, and thanks to that, they were able to extract a massive compensation from the Hell-Blooded Fortress.
If he hadn't sent Bu Eun-seol to these negotiations? Yuk Jang-cheon would have suffered a great setback as well.
"I tried to work with Grand Commander Gongson, only to end up being disgraced."
Taking a sip of tea, Yuk Jang-cheon's brow furrowed deeply.
"Of course, the Grand Commander said it was her own mistake and not to worry, but how could I, as the Hall Lord, do that?"
He was a man aiming for the vacant position of Commander of the Mucheon Division.
When he needed to be constantly accumulating merits, such a mistake had occurred, so he could not be at ease.
"If you hadn't achieved such a great merit, I would have faced a truly great disaster this time."
If Bu Eun-seol hadn't found the true culprit who killed Commander No Dok-cheong of the Iron Plaque Division.
And if he hadn't secured a massive compensation and an apology from the Hell-Blooded Fortress as a result.
Far from being a candidate for the Commander of the Mucheon Division, Yuk Jang-cheon might have even been demoted over this incident.
"How are the division members?"
"They have received the elixirs granted by the Hall Lord and are recovering well. Thank you."
During the Grand Commander's meeting, Yuk Jang-cheon had emphasized Bu Eun-seol's merit in finding the true culprit who murdered No Dok-cheong and had strongly demanded a suitable reward.
Thanks to that, elixirs were granted to Bu Eun-seol and the injured members.
Of course, this was part of Yuk Jang-cheon's effort to cover up his own mistake.
"That's a relief. Well, this next task doesn't require any particular intelligence gathering, so as long as you're fine, that's all that matters."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a task you must undertake with the Lord of Yeonseong Hall."
Yuk Jang-cheon took a deep breath and spoke frankly.
"Thanks to your achievement, I've avoided scrutiny, but the Lord of Wiryong Hall's mistake was just too great."
Most people remember bad things before good things.
Knowing this well, Yuk Jang-cheon intended to build up another great achievement to completely erase the Wiryong Hall's mistake from the minds of the leadership.
*‘That's how desperate he is.’*
As Bu Eun-seol was lost in thought, Yuk Jang-cheon spoke.
"This task is, in fact, an impossible one. All the leaders of the Martial Alliance have failed."
Shaking his head, he continued.
"However, you always seem to return with unexpected achievements, so I'm sending you in the hopes that something might happen."
At this point, Bu Eun-seol became curious.
What kind of mission was it that all the leaders had failed, and that he was being sent on with the mere hope of good fortune?
"What is the mission?"
"The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong. The task is to invite him to serve as an elder of our Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his surprised expression.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
In the past, due to a scheme by the Three Realms, he was framed for murdering righteous heroes and vanished without a trace.
And now the Martial Alliance was trying to invite him to be an elder?
"From what I've heard, the Bullet King brutally murdered righteous heroes on Ghost Island and left the martial world."
Bu Eun-seol asked, feigning surprise, and Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head.
"What is known and what actually happened are completely different. At the time, a part of the Ten Divine Instruments was hidden on Ghost Island, and the righteous faction members killed each other to obtain it."
He paused for a moment before speaking again.
"The Bullet King deliberately left traces of his own presence to avoid revealing the ugly side of those righteous faction members."
*‘How in the world did he find that out?’*
The inner details of that incident were a truth known only to Bu Eun-seol and the Bullet King on the remote Ghost Island.
So how on earth had the Martial Alliance uncovered that fact?
"That's surprising. I don't see how such a thing could have happened."
Bu Eun-seol asked in a subtle tone, and Yuk Jang-cheon stroked his chin.
"I heard there was a survivor from Ghost Island. That's how the inner story came to light."
*‘There was a survivor?’*
"The righteous faction members who arrived on Ghost Island had already lost their reason due to the Ten Divine Instruments and killed each other early on. But the Bullet King arrived late, saw what had happened, and left traces of his own martial arts."
"I see."
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Yuk Jang-cheon spoke.
"The Bullet King is a man who has wandered the martial world alone for a long time, doing many good deeds. Moreover, through this incident, we have come to know his true heart and righteousness."
He sighed for a moment, then looked out the window and said.
"Fortunately, we managed to find his whereabouts, and several leaders of our Alliance went to persuade him. It would be a great loss to the martial world if a man like him were to live out his days in obscurity."
"Hmm."
"The Alliance intended to restore his honor and invite him to be an Honored Elder... but he flatly refused."
"So this time, the Lord of Yeonseong Hall is going."
"That's right. Cheong-a is not only intelligent but also had a slight acquaintance with the Bullet King in the past. So, as a last attempt, our Hall is going to try and persuade him."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
If the Lord of Yeonseong Hall could succeed where all the leaders of the Martial Alliance had failed with the Bullet King, it would be a great triumph.
"Of course, I'm not expecting much."
Even the leaders who had a deep friendship with the Bullet King were coldly rejected.
So, it was impossible to imagine that the Lord of Yeonseong Hall or the Commander of the Apex Division could accomplish such a task.
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, a knock on the door was heard, followed by a low voice.
"Lord Yuk of Yeonseong Hall requests an audience with the Hall Lord."
"Let her in."
With the sound of soft footsteps, Yuk Cheong-a, dressed in blue, entered.
"Hall Lord."
Yuk Cheong-a bowed, and Yuk Jang-cheon nodded.
"Welcome. I was just explaining the situation to Commander Seon Wu-jin."
"I see."
Yuk Cheong-a gave a slightly languid smile and asked Bu Eun-seol.
"What are your thoughts, Commander Seon Wu-jin? Are you confident?"
"To be honest, it seems completely impossible."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
If he went in his original identity, perhaps, but with the identity of Seon Wu-jin, he could never persuade him.
"I thought as much."
Yuk Cheong-a also nodded and said.
"I'm not expecting much either. Even the leaders who were close to Elder Bullet King failed to persuade him."
"Is that so."
"Nevertheless, from our Hall's perspective, we must go. The Lord of Wiryong Hall's mistake was so great... we need something to divert attention from it."
In the end, it seemed Yuk Cheong-a was also leaving without high expectations, simply to divert the attention focused on the Wiryong Hall.
"Nonetheless, the reason I'm going with you, Commander Seon Wu-jin... is because you always return with unexpected achievements."
Yuk Cheong-a said with a frank expression.
"Whether it's luck or skill, I'm hoping to borrow some of yours."
Bu Eun-seol gave a bitter smile.
If he could refuse, he would have rejected this mission without a second thought.
He knew all too well how stubborn a man Bukgung Ryeong was.
"Then let's depart now."
At Yuk Jang-cheon's words, Yuk Cheong-a took a deep breath and looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"Then let's be on our way."
"Where exactly is Elder Bullet King?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Yuk Cheong-a gave a faint smile.
"He is at the Zhongli family's residence."
"The Zhongli family..."
"The place where Elder Needle King resides."
At Yuk Cheong-a's subsequent reply, Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
Of all places, the Bullet King was staying at the manor of the Needle King, Zhongli Sa-hyeon—the very place Bu Eun-seol had infiltrated under a false identity.