Chapter 1057
Information about a certain figure having stayed in a specific place is like the traces of an anchor lowered beneath a river's surface.
Just as a ship must be above for the anchor to sink into the water,
if someone has reached that place, there must inevitably be footprints leading there.
Having returned to the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol
shared, discussed, and analyzed all the information he had gathered during his travels through the martial world.
At the same time, he mobilized the Death Soul Squad to track the whereabouts of Baek Mu-seong, who had annihilated Phoenix Valley.
―Chu-so.
Through this incident, the name "Chu-so" was branded into the minds of the Death Soul Squad's martial artists like a fire mark.
Until now, he had never once revealed himself publicly.
There was no information about which faction he belonged to, what his objectives were, or even his appearance or demeanor.
Yet, he had reached into the darkest abyss of the martial world, entangled with countless factions and powerful figures, manipulating them all.
Moreover, he possessed knowledge unknown to the current martial world and was searching for mysterious treasures whose very existence was unknown to ordinary people.
If the current strongest figure in the martial world was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor,
then the most mysterious and secretive individual was undoubtedly Chu-so.
―Share the information relayed by the Lord.
Following Yu Un-ryong's command, critical intelligence was disseminated not only to the Death Shadow War Unit but also to the Martial Soul Society and the Pinnacle Squad.
However, letters or written messages risked being intercepted mid-delivery or exposed by other intelligence organizations.
Thus, they had adhered to a method where masters of Lightness Study, such as Wi Cheon-gyeong, So-yo, and Tak Il-hon, personally delivered the information.
Additionally, since all intelligence operatives were exhausting their efforts in tracking Baek Mu-seong's movements,
even division leaders like Myo Cheon-u and Won Se-mun, who typically did not handle intelligence, had to step in directly.
But all their efforts came to nothing.
―We will elect the next Martial Alliance Leader!
Because the Martial Alliance had abruptly announced the selection of its next leader.
―Baek Mu-seong, leader of the Martial Heaven Unit.
Baekri Mu-jo, leader of the Star Guard Division.
Two candidates have been selected, and the next leader will be decided based on the outcome of the executive council's deliberations!
The martial world was in an uproar.
Though Baek Mu-seong was a legendary figure who had risen to the position of Martial Heaven Unit leader at a young age, the prevailing opinion was that he lacked the qualifications to become the Martial Alliance Leader.
Moreover, with all five elite divisions of the Martial Alliance still intact, why had they nominated Baek Mu-seong—the youngest and most inexperienced—as a candidate for leader?
―Since becoming a division leader, Leader Baek has secretly led the Martial Heaven Unit, accomplishing nearly impossible covert missions.
As unrest grew in the martial world, the Martial Alliance revealed the following reasons for endorsing Baek Mu-seong as a candidate:
―In the process, his martial prowess has advanced by leaps and bounds, and his potential has been proven beyond measure.
His crisis management skills, sense of justice, and morality—as well as his strategic insight, eye for talent, foresight, and ability to penetrate the essence of matters—have all been verified. In every aspect, he is more than qualified to be the next leader.
Yet, public sentiment remained cold despite the Martial Alliance's announcement.
The Martial Alliance Leader was not merely the head of an organization.
They had to be a symbol representing and leading the entire Righteous Faction—an absolute existence.
Even if Baek Mu-seong possessed heaven-sent potential and had demonstrated extraordinary ability in every aspect,
it was still insufficient to recognize him as the martial world's leader.
As if to quell the public's suspicions, the Martial Alliance made another shocking announcement.
―In half a month, we will personally verify the qualifications of the two candidates on the Martial Arts Stage of the Martial Alliance.
It was an unprecedented declaration—they would ultimately elect the next leader through an open martial contest.
―Then the winner is as good as decided.
The top masters of the martial world knew the true extent of Baekri Mu-jo's prowess.
They knew how terrifying the martial heights he had reached were, and how overwhelming his True Body Supreme Art was.
To hold a martial contest against him to decide the next leader? Baekri Mu-jo's victory was as clear as day.
―Once the next leader is elected, we will stabilize the chaotic situation and proceed with the succession in due order.
With the official declaration of the current leader, Jeong Cheon-je, the martial world erupted once more.
Now, in just half a month, the birth of the next number one figure of the Righteous Faction would be confirmed.
A secret chamber submerged in darkness deeper than night.
A biting chill seeped from the stone walls, gnawing at the skin.
The air, thick with the mingled scent of dust-laden ancient texts and incense, carried a heavy tension of its own.
Rustle.
As the sound of fabric brushing against fabric shattered the silence, a small shadow abruptly appeared.
Though his face remained hidden in the deep darkness, the icy pressure radiating from his entire being seemed poised to swallow everything in the chamber.
[You must have already heard.]
As the dry voice split the air,
a new shadow emerged like a ghost blooming from the darkness opposite him.
This figure, too, wore attire that made his identity impossible to discern, his face unseen.
[Lose deliberately after putting up a decent fight.]
Rustle.
With nothing more than another whisper of fabric, the one who had issued the command vanished without a trace.
Only the bowed shadow remained, standing alone in the secret chamber.
Kuh-huh-huh-BOOM!
At that very moment, the chamber trembled violently from beneath their feet.
The tremors spread uncontrollably, shaking the entire vicinity.
Had the lone figure left behind caused an earthquake?
Whoosh.
Before anyone could verify the truth, even the remaining shadow dispersed like smoke.
Everything vanished once more behind the curtain of silence and darkness.
Finally, the day had come to decide the fate of the Murim.
Murmur, murmur.
The Grand Martial Training Ground of the Martial Alliance, where the martial contest to elect the next leader would be held, was now packed to the brim with martial artists of all ranks, gathered like clouds.
This was no mere competition of martial prowess.
It was the most sacred and solemn ritual of the Murim—where all would witness the birth of a new leader and submit to the outcome.
Soon, under the supervision of the current Alliance Leader, Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi, the martial contest commenced.
Whoosh.
Under the gaze of the entire martial world, the first figure stepped onto the stage.
Baekri Mu-jo, leader of the Star Guard Division.
His appearance was immaculate, as if he had stepped out of an ink-wash painting—not a speck of dust upon him.
Clad in white robes with a jade belt tinged in blue, a pristine sword hung at his waist.
As befitting one who had led the Star Guard for years, an effortless dignity radiated from his entire being.
Even the fluttering sleeves of his robe moved with the grace of a crane's wings.
His straight back and flawless posture revealed the depth of his swordsmanship, honed over decades.
Beneath his serene gaze lay the majesty of Mount Tai and the tranquility of a still lake.
His long, slender fingers carried both delicacy and an unyielding strength.
Though his sword remained sheathed, his very hands exuded the presence of a blade—sharp and undeniable.
Thud!
Then, from the opposite side, Baek Mu-seong, leader of the Martial Heaven Unit, strode onto the stage.
Clad in deep-blue martial robes, his imposing frame radiated a fierce aura—a stark contrast to Baekri Mu-jo's composed energy.
The heavy sword at his waist spoke of his might.
His piercing eyes blazed with unshakable conviction and burning righteousness.
With a slight grin, he flashed a bold, confident smile.
Whoosh.
The two leaders stood twenty paces apart at the center of the stage.
Burning ambition, icy calm, and explosive tension intertwined, setting the air ablaze.
"......"
The martial artists filling the training ground held their breaths.
The moment had come—a new chapter in Murim history was about to be written.
"This is not a contest to determine martial superiority, but to prove one's worthiness to lead the Alliance!"
Deputy Leader Bukri Seung stepped forward and declared:
"Show us a battle befitting that honor!"
Baekri Mu-jo and Baek Mu-seong.
Neither showed personal emotion—only solemn determination in their eyes.
"Begin!"
The moment Bukri Seung's shout faded, the two simultaneously clasped their fists in salute.
No words were needed.
Now was the time to prove their worth—through the sword.
The Hundred Dreams Inn, the most renowned establishment in Changsha Prefecture, embraced a crystal-clear lake like a private garden.
By night, poets and scholars gathered under moonlight, seeking inspiration over wine.
By day, merchants and travelers filled its halls, exchanging worldly tales and drowning in drink—a place bustling with life all year round.
Upon entering, guests were greeted by a spacious first floor lined with dozens of tables.
Glancing up, one could see the second and third floors connected in a square loop-shaped layout, allowing a full view of the lively first floor from the railings above.
The higher one ascended, the more exorbitant the prices became.
The second floor, with its prime view of the lake, was sparsely occupied by wealthy merchants and martial artists.
The third-floor private rooms guaranteed absolute secrecy—so much so that no one even knew who came and went.
Murmur, murmur.
By noon, the inn was packed to the brim.
Merchants clinking cups with boisterous laughter, weary travelers resting from long journeys.
And martial artists, weapons at their waists, silently downing their drinks.
The clamor of lively chatter, clattering dishes, and calls for more wine blended into a vibrant cacophony.
"Did you hear? The next Alliance Leader has finally been decided."
Amid the noise, a martial artist by the window lowered his voice, speaking to a middle-aged man with a goat-like beard across from him.
His words seemed to momentarily silence the surrounding din.
"I heard. Who would've thought the 'Sacred Sword' of the martial world—Baekri Mu-jo—would fall in just thirty moves?"
The hottest topic in Murim was, without a doubt, the election of the new leader.
The clash of old and new.
The result had defied all expectations.
Baekri Mu-jo, leader of the Star Guard Division—whom most had been certain would become the next leader—had been defeated.
He had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the young and ambitious Martial Heaven Unit Leader Baek Mu-seong.
"Frankly, I can't believe it."
The middle-aged man with the goat beard shook his head.
"No matter how much of a prodigy he is, how could anyone advance their martial prowess to such an extent in such a short time...?"
Baek Mu-seong, leader of the Martial Heaven Unit, was renowned for his exceptional martial skills, but he had never been considered a transcendent talent surpassing his generation.
Yet in this martial contest, he had achieved breakthrough after breakthrough, proving that his martial prowess had reached a level where even veteran masters could not suppress him.
"One thing is certain—from now on, Unit Leader Baek will be rewriting the history of the martial world."
Baek Mu-seong had begun as a Second-grade Commander, rising swiftly through the ranks before being crippled by the Killing Ghost and forced to leave the Martial Alliance.
But after obtaining a fortuitous opportunity, he returned to the alliance in defiance of all expectations.
At a young age, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the Martial Heaven Unit Leader... and now, he had been elected as the next Martial Alliance Chief.
Such an unyielding path was unprecedented—a record that would be etched into the annals of martial history.
"Something truly unbelievable has happened."
In the hushed silence of the third-floor private room, two men sat facing each other, quietly sipping wine.
One was as striking as a painting, while the other possessed a beauty as elusive and melancholic as moonlight—Yu Un-ryong and Bu Eun-seol.
"Even if someone like Chu-so had a hand in this..."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
Having heard from Bu Eun-seol about Baek Mu-seong's encounter in Phoenix Valley, he could roughly guess the kind of situation the man had been in.
"What method could he possibly have used to openly defeat Unit Leader Baekri in front of all the martial artists and senior figures of the Martial Alliance?"
Baekri Mu-jo was an Absolute Master who had clashed with Bu Eun-seol multiple times, always maintaining the upper hand.
Yu Un-ryong had meticulously cataloged and ranked the martial prowess of all the formidable opponents Bu Eun-seol had faced.
Excluding unparalleled supreme experts like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, or entities such as the Servants of the True Demon and the Abyssal Forces...
Among martial artists, Baekri Mu-jo undoubtedly held the highest rank.
And yet, Baek Mu-seong—who hadn't even lasted ten moves against Bu Eun-seol—had defeated Baekri Mu-jo in under thirty moves?
It was simply impossible.
"Even if he had some kind of dual-personality ability, he couldn't possibly use it in front of the leadership, could he?"
All those who had received the Great Art of dual personalities or alternate personas had undergone noticeable physical transformations.
If he had used such a power at the martial tournament, where the leadership and alliance members were all watching...
Surely, someone would have noticed something amiss. There was no way he could have employed such a method.
"Then there's only one answer."
Bu Eun-seol set down his wine cup and replied calmly.
"It was all prearranged."
"Prearranged?"
"Correct. Perhaps the selection of the new Martial Alliance Chief wasn't the Martial Venerable's idea, but the decision of those who pull the strings behind the Martial Alliance."
The Martial Alliance was known as an organization that pursued martial justice, but in truth, it was more akin to a coalition where various factions gathered to exchange opinions.
Thus, even the Alliance Chief could only maneuver within the bounds of the orthodox factions.
In fact, Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi, had never even been a candidate for the position.
Though his martial arts were extraordinary and his reputation immense, he was not formally part of the Martial Alliance.
But because he had become a symbolic figure representing the Righteous Faction in opposition to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Number One of the Demonic Path...
He had no choice but to ascend to the position.
"So they've finally installed a Chief who suits their tastes."
Given that the Martial Alliance's true power lay in its shadow factions, they would naturally want a Chief who could be easily controlled.
Compared to the flawless Baekri Mu-jo, the younger and less experienced Baek Mu-seong would be far more malleable.
"Or perhaps they had planned from the very beginning to elevate Baek Mu-seong to the position of Alliance Chief."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as he drained his cup.
"The position of Alliance Chief isn't something decided in such a short time."
"The likelihood that they had been preparing for this all along is much higher."
Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh.
"After all, the next Alliance Chief is practically already wielding half the authority of the current one."
The Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall—these two great powers differed fundamentally in how they treated their successors.
In the Demon Hall, a successor was merely a future wielder of authority, a shadow that could never surpass the current ruler.
But the Martial Alliance's successor was different.
The moment they were designated, they began sharing the duties of the current Chief, stepping forward as a true leader handling the alliance's affairs.
It was practically a co-ruling system.
This difference was also evident in the customs of the inauguration ceremony.
If the inauguration of the Alliance Chief was held with great fanfare...
The event risked becoming a stage for sycophants and ostentatious displays from factions seeking to align themselves with the new power.
Lavish gifts and unnecessary favors could intensify factional strife and cloud the judgment of a Chief who should be focusing on upholding the Righteous Path.
Therefore, the Murim Alliance had established a unique tradition through long-honed wisdom.
The formal inauguration ceremony would be conducted with utmost simplicity, attended only by internal personnel.
Instead, when a successor was selected, they would summon envoys from all sects and factions to hold a grand celebratory banquet.
This was the Murim Alliance's distinctive method—preserving the new leader's impartiality while simultaneously empowering the future commander.
"But why on earth did Baek Mu-seong specifically request you as the envoy?"
"Send the Martial Soul Lord as the envoy."
Even the Demon Hall had always dispatched congratulatory envoys whenever the Murim Alliance appointed a new leader.
And that duty had always fallen to the Deputy Hall Lord.
Since Supreme Cult Commander Yeop Hyo-cheon currently fulfilled the role of acting Deputy Hall Lord, naturally, he should have been the one to go.
But the incoming Alliance Chief, Baek Mu-seong, had conveyed his wish to see the Martial Soul Lord to the Demon Hall.
Thus, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to attend as the envoy.
"Could it be that he regained all his memories after the Phoenix Duke incident and summoned you?"
Baek Mu-seong, who had annihilated Phoenix Valley,
had been struck by Bu Eun-seol, suffering a severe head injury that briefly regressed him to a childlike state.
"Though it was only for a short time, perhaps that served as a trigger for him to recover some of his memories."
"If that were the case, he would have summoned me in secret."
"Then could he be in league with the Martial Venerable?"
Yu Un-ryong wore a troubled expression.
"That man still holds a grudge against you. It's possible he devised a scheme to fully expose you as Seon-u Jin and is now using Baek Mu-seong to lure you in."
The period when Baek Mu-seong had fully immersed himself in the Abyssal Forces
was precisely when he realized he could never defeat the figure known as Seon-u Jin.
His sole desire had been Gongson Dan-gyeong—only her.
From the moment he understood that Seon-u Jin would prevent him from obtaining her, he could no longer maintain his composed Spirit and Mind.
The Martial Venerable was also acutely aware of this. Perhaps this entire affair was yet another trap to bring Bu Eun-seol down.
"That could be the case."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"But I don't believe he was swayed by the Martial Venerable into summoning me."
"Then..."
As if struck by an absurd thought, Yu Un-ryong widened his eyes and said,
"Could it be that he just wants to show off in front of you?"
"Show off?"
"There isn't a soul in the Martial World who doesn't know you're the fastest-rising figure in Murim."
Yu Un-ryong spoke with utter seriousness.
"But now that he's finally become someone who rose even faster than you... Couldn't he have summoned you just to gloat?"
"......"
"Especially since the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship incident made him the most hated man in Murim."
Bu Eun-seol had eliminated the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, the creator of the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship, and saved the martial world from its own greed.
Yet the martial artists who remained ignorant of the truth
accused him of monopolizing the treasure ship and crushing their hopes, directing all their hatred toward him.
The backlash even reached the Demonic Path, rapidly diminishing his standing within the Demon Hall.
In the past, an envoy invited by the Murim Alliance would have been escorted by a procession befitting a high-ranking official.
But with his authority in the Demon Hall weakened, flaunting such grandeur now would only invite uncontrollable backlash.
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol had quietly entered the Martial World with only Yu Un-ryong in tow.
"What if we borrow external forces to maintain appearances?"
The Death Shadow War Unit's leaders had cautiously suggested it, but realistically, it was impossible.
A force from the Demonic Path—not under the direct command of the Demon Hall—entering the Murim Alliance's territory?
That would be tantamount to provocation, something the Murim Alliance would never tolerate.
The moment such a movement was detected, they would block entry by force, potentially triggering an all-out war.
"We'll know when we get there."
Having emptied all the wine jugs, Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong rose from their seats.
"Playing coachman was never in my fate."
Grumbling, Yu Un-ryong climbed onto the driver's seat of the carriage parked in front of the inn.
Since they were attending as formal congratulatory envoys invited by the Murim Alliance, traveling via Lightness Art was out of the question.
With no additional escorts, Yu Un-ryong had no choice but to take the reins himself.
Clatter. Clatter.
The carriage raced through the night, soon crossing into Henan territory.
Whoosh.
Then, martial artists swiftly maneuvering with Lightness Art began closing in from all directions.
Whenever a prominent figure from the Demon Hall appeared in Righteous Faction territory, assassins were never far behind.
Thus, the moment an invited envoy entered Henan, the Murim Alliance would track their movements and dispatch guards to ensure their safety.
Thudthudthudthud.
The Eight Horse Carriage Bu Eun-seol rode in was the Flying Scarlet Flash—three times faster than even a Sweat-Blood Horse.
"Feeling the need to show off their Lightness Art, are they?"
Yu Un-ryong snorted as the martial artists effortlessly kept pace with the carriage, as if flaunting their skill.
"Hyah!"
When he loosened the reins slightly,
Thudthudthudthud.
The Flying Scarlet Flash truly lived up to its name, streaking forward like a flash of light.
Yet the guards matched its speed without difficulty.
Swish-swish-swish-swish.
Then, as if the sky had darkened, over forty martial artists clad in black robes suddenly began tailing the carriage.
'Additional escorts?'
Just as Yu Un-ryong furrowed his brow,
Rumble—
They began encircling the carriage.
And rather than guiding it toward the Murim Alliance's location in the Southern Bank, they started steering it in the opposite direction.