Chapter 1060
Mok Do-in remained silent at Bu Eun-seol's words, but his gaze and demeanor spoke volumes.
The fact that even the Demon Hall had figures from the Sacred Realm embedded within it.
"The Sacred Realm is deeply involved in the affairs of the martial world."
The old man from the Sacred Realm, who had once overseen the Covenant—
When the Martial Soul Society repelled the incursions of the Baekri Clan and the Servants of the True Demon, he had recognized the Martial Soul Society as a neutral territory called the Middle Heavens.
Beyond the Covenant, he had been significantly involved in the martial world's affairs.
Moreover, when he discerned Bu Eun-seol's secret—that he was a hybrid of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon—
He had instead urged him not to reveal it to anyone and told him to survive at all costs.
And now, it turned out that figures from the Sacred Realm had also taken root within the Alliance of Righteous and Demonic Forces, which divided the world between them.
"As if they were something grand, observing everything from the sidelines."
"Isn't the state of the martial world ultimately just a battle between two major factions?"
Mok Do-in spoke with an indifferent expression.
"Rather than observing, it's more about vigilance. To prevent incidents before they erupt."
"Is the Sacred Realm the Supreme Martial Lord? Who granted them such authority?"
Mok Do-in shook his head.
"Countless factions have risen in the martial world, only to vanish into nothingness. History has always repeated itself."
He sighed before continuing.
"This realm does nothing but watch, intervening only to maintain the balance of the martial world."
"Only watch... you say."
Bu Eun-seol snorted.
"Arrogant words. And a lie, at that."
"A lie?"
"I once met a man called Neither-Human-Nor-Beast."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes turned icy.
"He meddled in every affair of the martial world while spouting nonsense about how he was merely rolling dice."
At the sharp remark, Mok Do-in's expression darkened.
—You claim to merely watch, yet you interfere in every matter of the martial world.
That was what Bu Eun-seol was implying.
'Perhaps the figures of the Sacred Realm active in the martial world do not move as a single mind or body.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he observed Mok Do-in's silence.
If they were a unified force acting under a single will—
The old man from the Sacred Realm would have said something like, "You can trust the people of this realm," or "This realm will actively aid you."
'In other words, the figures of the Sacred Realm each have their own domains and do not encroach upon one another.'
At first, he had thought the Sacred Realm was a massive faction wielding immense power.
But now, looking back, the figures of the Sacred Realm seemed more like covert inspectors—
Embedded throughout the martial world, each carrying out their own objectives and missions independently.
'It was the same with the Martial Soul Society.'
As if to confirm this—
Even when an incident as critical as the theft of the New Bloodline occurred—something of immense importance to both the Baekri Clan and the True Demon—
They had only sent one servant each, and even the old man overseeing the Covenant had come alone.
"As I said, this realm does not intervene unless it concerns the battle between the Baekri Clan and the True Demon."
Perhaps taking the words as an insult, Mok Do-in spoke coldly after a long silence.
"Had you not struck down the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor, we would have had no reason to meet."
"Because if the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor dies, the Ten Great Immortals die as well?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was frigid.
"Or is it because both origins possess powers that could sow chaos among martial artists? Or perhaps they themselves are linked to the demonic and orthodox paths, capable of influencing the True Demon or the Baekri Clan?"
For an instant, Mok Do-in's face stiffened.
He had never imagined Bu Eun-seol would know such things.
"You killed them knowing this?"
"I learned after killing them."
"How?"
Mok Do-in's gaze turned cold.
"They would never have confessed."
"I am not a member of the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol scoffed.
"I see no need to divulge that much."
"This hardly seems the time for pride."
A sharp glint flashed in Mok Do-in's eyes.
"Have you forgotten who holds the hilt of the blade now?"
"......"
"Who do you think allowed you to spy here as Seon-u Jin for so long?"
In short, he had gathered all the evidence of Bu Eun-seol's activities as Seon-u Jin.
And if Bu Eun-seol provoked him, he could scatter that information across the entire martial world.
Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall.
If such facts were revealed, he would never be able to set foot in the martial world again.
"Hahaha."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been pressing his forehead, suddenly—
"HAHAHAHA!"
—burst into laughter so thunderous it seemed to shake the chamber.
Tap.
As his laughter ceased, a deep, dark crimson light rose in his eyes.
"Go ahead and swing it. It might be entertaining."
Mok Do-in shut his mouth.
The aura radiating from Bu Eun-seol was like the Cataclysm that would bring about the end of the world itself.
"......I let my temper flare too much."
At last, he realized just what kind of person Bu Eun-seol was.
"I retract those words."
The figures of the Sacred Realm were indeed different—but in ways he hadn't expected.
Abandoning his pride at once, he swiftly changed the subject.
"Sado Mu-myeong—he has long sought to destroy the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals."
He spoke calmly.
"You didn't know. You simply thought the Golden Vajra Demon Ancestor was harming the martial world, so you struck her down."
"Do you believe the Sacred Realm has the right to dictate everything?"
Bu Eun-seol shot him a look of contempt.
"Are you saying we must blindly obey just because you command it?"
"It's for the sake of the martial world."
"You people always carry the conviction that you are superior to those of the martial world."
"Why are you so hostile?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was as cold as ice.
"Had you shared the situation and information from the start, we could have had a more amicable conversation."
"......"
"But all you did was demand obedience. Then, when you suspected I knew something about the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals, you tried to intimidate this Lord into revealing my sources."
Bu Eun-seol's voice grew sharper, like the edge of a blade.
"What kind of pleasant conversation could I possibly have with someone like that?"
"You've now reached a position where you should understand the ways of the martial world well enough."
Daoist Mok, on the contrary, spoke shamelessly.
"To stand as equals, one must first prove they possess the strength to do so."
"Do you still see this Lord as someone who must submit to your orders?"
"Only those in a position of superiority can afford to show consideration. And this old man has shown you plenty—for your sake."
Daoist Mok lowered his voice.
"I've turned a blind eye to whatever you've done. Do you understand what that means?"
Superiority in information. And consideration.
Daoist Mok had known Bu Eun-seol was Seon-u Jin, but Bu Eun-seol had not known Daoist Mok was from the Sacred Realm.
Daoist Mok could have exploited Seon-u Jin's identity—but he hadn't.
In other words, Daoist Mok had always held the upper hand and had been showing him consideration all along.
"Fine. I'll acknowledge that."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Though not because it was for my sake, but because you didn't cross the line."
Had he done something the Sacred Realm opposed?
Daoist Mok would undoubtedly have imposed some form of sanction.
But since he had maintained his advantage in information and had consistently overlooked Bu Eun-seol's true identity, Bu Eun-seol conceded the point.
"There's more to say about superiority."
Daoist Mok wore a self-assured expression.
"This place possesses the power to unravel any disguise in the martial world."
His expression turned solemn as he continued.
"If you refuse to heed our words, you should abandon any thought of concealing a dual identity like Seon-u Jin from now on."
Bu Eun-seol felt an indescribable disappointment.
The Old Man of the Sanctuary, who had overseen the Covenant, had been favorable toward him and had shared information unconditionally.
Yet here was Daoist Mok, resorting to threats simply because things weren't going his way?
"So, in short, the Sacred Realm has the ability to see through disguises, meaning you can always maintain an informational advantage over this Lord."
"It means you should acknowledge that we are not equals."
Daoist Mok's gaze turned sharp.
"Unless you intend to act solely as the Martial Soul Lord from now on."
"If you do that, the fact that you're from the Sacred Realm will be exposed to the entire world."
"That won't happen."
Shhhhk—
In an instant, Daoist Mok transformed into the appearance of a merchant who frequented the Martial Alliance—a perfect disguise.
"No matter what tricks you pull, you'll never be able to prove this old man's disguise."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize.
The arrogance of the Sacred Realm could only be shattered by greater arrogance.
Only by proving he possessed equal ability could he finally engage in dialogue or negotiation with them.
'Is this the law of the martial world?'
Daoist Mok's words were cold, but they held truth.
To negotiate as equals, one must first prove they have the power to do so.
"Why not?"
Shhhhk—
In the next moment, Bu Eun-seol transformed into Daoist Mok's exact likeness.
He, too, had used the Darkness Secret Arts.
"How—?"
For a moment, Daoist Mok's pupils lost focus.
How could he—how could someone from the Sacred Realm, where only a few of its highest echelons can use it—use the Darkness Secret Arts so effortlessly?
"You—!"
Only then did Daoist Mok seem to realize something, shouting in shock.
"You're that traitor Bando, aren't you?!"
The Sacred Realm's secret arts had never been leaked to the outside.
Only once.
Only because of Bando, who had stolen the Darkness Secret Arts and fled, had such a thing ever happened.
Moreover, this art allowed one to transform into anyone, regardless of age... so it was only natural to suspect him of being Bando.
Shhhhk—
Bu Eun-seol reverted to his original form and spoke.
"Are you in your right mind?"
"What?"
"If I were the Bando you speak of, would I have used the Darkness Secret Arts right in front of you?"
Daoist Mok's mouth twitched.
He realized he had let his emotions get the better of him.
"Then... just how did this happen?"
"I came across it by chance."
Bu Eun-seol calmly explained the person who had disguised himself as Hwa Mu-gi.
Though he deliberately omitted the possibility that it could have been Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"So, you know who he is."
"That depends on what the Pavilion Lord chooses to say."
Only then did Daoist Mok understand.
Bu Eun-seol had been holding the hilt of the sword all along.
That under the name of the Sacred Realm, nothing could truly bind him.
"Do you trust this old man?"
Daoist Mok asked.
"Having the Darkness Secret Arts is a significant bargaining chip against you."
"Isn't it the same for the Pavilion Lord?"
Bu Eun-seol replied indifferently.
"You can become anyone, and no one can detect it. Isn't that why you revealed it so boldly?"
"I concede."
Daoist Mok raised both hands in surrender.
He had no choice but to admit his defeat.
"The fact that you can converse with this old man as an equal."
At last, he acknowledged that Bu Eun-seol was indeed his equal.
"Good."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
"Then speak again. What proposal do you have for me?"
"Do not kill the Seven Great Demon Ancestors or the Ten Great Immortals."
Daoist Mok spoke calmly.
"As you know, if they die, the Martial World will plunge into chaos."
The Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals were born with traits that could influence martial artists who had not tempered their Spirit and Mind.
If they were indiscriminately slaughtered, unimaginable turmoil would erupt in the Martial World.
'A free meal, then.'
A faint smile touched Bu Eun-seol's lips.
From the very beginning, after uncovering the full truth,
he had already resolved to kill the Seven Great Demon Ancestors but spare the Ten Great Immortals.
Moreover, he himself was the Primordial Vessel.
If they were killed, those who inherited the original forces would no longer be born...
Even if chaos ensued, everything would end within this generation.
'So, the Sacred Realm has no one with foresight like the Scarlet Flame Immortal or Great Master Wooden Buddha.'
If such a person existed?
Not only would they have predicted all of Bu Eun-seol's future actions, but they wouldn't have even made such a proposal in the first place.
"And in exchange?"
Suppressing the smile that threatened to surface, Bu Eun-seol asked, and Daoist Mok answered.
"Information."
The reason the Sacred Realm had always been able to manipulate Superlative Martial Experts and factions alike was not just due to their mysterious power—
but above all, because they held the upper hand in information.
"I will tell you what you wish to know."
"A fine proposal, but—"
Bu Eun-seol tilted his head slightly.
"There must be limits to the information you can provide me, no?"
"......."
"Let us first determine whether you can even offer the information I desire."
"If you provide me with convincing information, you're saying I should not touch the Seven Great Demon Ancestors or the Ten Great Immortals."
"That is correct."
"But is that even possible?"
Daoist Mok wore a doubtful expression.
"Eliminating the Seven Great Demon Ancestors and the Ten Great Immortals is likely the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's command as well."
"Indeed, you have eyes even within the Demon Hall."
"Answer me. Will you keep your promise even if it means defying the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's orders?"
"Of course."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"If you can provide even one piece of information I seek, I will not take the lives of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors or the Ten Great Immortals."
"How?"
"If I break my promise, you can deal with me then. There's no point in making assurances now—you wouldn't believe me regardless."
Daoist Mok knew full well that Bu Eun-seol was a man who would keep his word even if the heavens collapsed.
After a long moment of contemplation, he finally nodded.
"Ask what you wish to know."
'At any rate, he won't be able to reveal anything about the old man's enemies or Sahajang.'
Having met the elder responsible for the Covenant, Bu Eun-seol already knew the limits of the information the Sacred Realm could provide.
Which was why he asked this:
"Tell me the truth behind why Baek Mu-seong was selected as the Martial Alliance's successor, his backers, the authenticity of the True Heaven Emperor's corpse in the underground of the Pratyekabuddha Hall, and finally—any leads on locating the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact."
"What?"
It was an unexpected question.
There wasn't a single faction in the Martial World unaware that what Bu Eun-seol desired most was vengeance for the one who had harmed Bu Jan-yang.
Yet suddenly, he was asking about the circumstances behind Baek Mu-seong's selection as the next Martial Alliance Chief, the True Heaven Emperor's corpse, and the whereabouts of the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact, which had vanished from the Martial World long ago?
"You must have something else you truly wish to know."
"If the Sacred Realm had known the identity of Grandfather's murderer from the start, you could have manipulated me like a puppet the moment I first stepped into the Martial World."
Bu Eun-seol snorted.
"In the end, either the Sacred Realm doesn't know—or even if it does, it's in no position to speak."
Left without a retort, Daoist Mok pressed further.
"Why are you curious about Baek Mu-seong and the True Heaven Emperor? You have no intention of interfering in the Martial Alliance's affairs."
"If you don't wish to speak, let's end this here."
"Very well."
Daoist Mok spoke quickly.
"It was the Buddhist Venerable and the Martial Alliance's shadow faction who sought to manipulate Baek Mu-seong, but—"
Taking a deep breath, he shook his head.
"Currently, those connected to him are the Azure River Realm, Heavenly Mechanism Star, and the Same Heart Society."
"What does that mean?"
As Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, Daoist Mok explained.
"Baek Mu-seong wishes to cooperate with every faction scattered across the Martial World. So much so that he has approached not only our own organization but even the Servants of the True Demon."
In an instant, Bu Eun-seol recalled Baek Mu-seong's words:
—Even I, Chief Danju, are fighting against factions that remain hidden in the Martial World.
And while pretending to cooperate with them, he was actually extracting information and power from them.
Truly, he had ties to every conceivable faction and was gaining strength through them.
'Brother Baek.'
In the past, the very idea of aligning with so many factions would have been impossible.
But in this era, the boundaries between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths had crumbled, and the Abyssal Forces were desperate to obtain the Chain of Reincarnation.
Hadn't even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor been secretly searching for the Martial World's greatest treasure in order to sweep away both orthodox and unorthodox factions?
"So they're aware of this and are using him in turn."
"Correct."
Daoist Mok wore a bitter expression.
"Merely being a survivor of Sahajang makes him useful. On top of that, his obsession with a certain woman makes him exceedingly easy to manipulate."
In the end, to save Baek Mu-seong, it wasn't about annihilating all the forces behind him—
but restoring his complete memories and severing his fixation on Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"Though there may be no other choice."
Daoist Mok then said something unexpected.
"Baek Mu-seong's life has been tragic. He has endured long years of suffering, used as a tool by the powerful."
Daoist Mok gazed into the void as he spoke.
"He struggled to break free from those shackles, but in the end, he couldn't. And then... he met Chief Strategist Gongson."
A deep sigh, drawn from the depths of his chest, escaped him.
"She was the only one who didn't see Baek Mu-seong as a tool. She understood his heart as it was. From that day on, Chief Strategist Gongson became... something irreplaceable in his life."
After the Blood Calamity of Saha Manor,
Baek Mu-seong had to endure unspeakably wretched days.
In that brutal existence, he met a pure woman named Gongson Dan-gyeong.
To him, drowning in the darkness of despair, she became like a single ray of light.
"How do you know his heart so well?"
"There was a time when I spoke with him alone, just as he was leaving the Martial Alliance, crippled."
Daoist Mok spoke calmly.
"To be precise, I read his true heart through the secret arts of this hall."
Just before Baek Mu-seong left the Martial Alliance, Daoist Mok had sensed an unusual energy from him.
He had intuited that Baek Mu-seong had made some grave resolution—that if he didn't hear his true feelings now, he never would.
And so, he had unfolded the sacred realm's secret arts
and peered into the depths of Baek Mu-seong's heart, which he had never shown to anyone.
'Brother Baek...'
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip hard.
This wasn't just about being infatuated with a woman, clinging to her in obsession.
In the abyss of despair, a single ray of light had finally entered his sight.
To chase that light, he had endured pain akin to death itself.
"Good."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Just knowing Baek Mu-seong's heart was already a great gain.
"The corpse of the True Heaven Emperor in Pratyekabuddha Hall—is it real?"
"You should already know it's a fake."
"Then what happened to the real True Heaven Emperor?"
"I don't know."
Daoist Mok shook his head.
"He lost most of his Golden Cicada True Qi, and his Internal Power greatly diminished. After that, his sworn brother, the Martial Venerable Danmok Gi, continued acting as the Alliance Chief in his stead."
"You meddle in all sorts of affairs, yet you never investigated that?"
"The True Heaven Emperor was the very embodiment of righteousness and chivalry, performing countless heroic deeds... but he never properly fulfilled his role as Alliance Chief."
Daoist Mok explained composedly.
"Whatever happened to him internally, the current martial world has achieved a stable equilibrium. From the moment he secluded himself to prepare for his decisive battle against the Demonic Heavenly Emperor... he was no longer a figure who could influence the martial world's affairs."
In short, the True Heaven Emperor was no longer someone the Sacred Realm needed to watch or restrain.
'He doesn't seem to be lying. But...'
The significance of the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic far surpassed the current martial world's affairs.
Yet the Sacred Realm had judged him as a washed-up relic, no longer worth their attention?
"And you're fine with the Martial Venerable acting as Alliance Chief like that?"
"That wasn't my decision."
Daoist Mok shrugged and shook his head.
"It was the decision of the factions supporting the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol had expected as much, but the answer was still startling.
In the end, the factions upholding the Martial Alliance had long known that the Martial Venerable was playing the True Heaven Emperor's role—and had allowed it.
'I need to dig deeper into this.'
Having sorted his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"Now, tell me about the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact."
"The Four Divine Energies of the martial world share the same nature as the power of the Four Sacred Tribes in India. The lineage of the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy was severed five hundred years ago, but the Four Sacred Tribes still shone brilliantly until two hundred years ago."
"The Four Sacred Tribes didn't have a sacred artifact corresponding to the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact either?"
"So you've already been to India."
"I asked for a lead on where to find the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact."
After a brief pause, Daoist Mok opened his mouth.
"India is home to many mystical treasures. And among them, there is one that 'will surely lead you to whatever you seek.'"
"There's such a thing?"
"There is."
"Where is it?"
"Ratna City."
Ratna City, one of the Eight Overlords of India,
was ruled by the Moon Wheel Saint King, who wielded mysterious sorcerous power—and there, perhaps, lay the treasure that could reveal the whereabouts of the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact.
"However, if you plan to go, you should hurry."
Daoist Mok snorted.
"The situation there isn't favorable."
A meaningful statement.
"This is all the information I can give you."
Daoist Mok's eyes flashed.
"Now, let's hear your answer."
"No need to worry."
Bu Eun-seol replied leisurely.
"I never had any intention of killing the Seven Great Demon Ancestors or the Ten Great Immortals in the first place."
"So you mean to rebel against Sado Mu-myeong?"
"Rebel or not, it doesn't matter."
A heat intense enough to melt iron radiated from Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"I've already challenged him once."
"Challenged?"
"Only, for now, our interests align, so we've stopped fighting. That's all."
"What nonsense is this?"
Daoist Mok scanned Bu Eun-seol's face up and down, as if unable to believe what he was hearing.
"You don't know Sado Mu-myeong's true power. Don't tell me you think you can defeat him?"
"Of course not."
A brief silence—yet in that moment, the air around them seemed to evaporate, time itself freezing under an oppressive weight.
"But I am confident I can take him down with me."
Daoist Mok's mouth fell open like a man turned to ice.
—To die together with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Who in the world could make such a declaration? And for it to be a young man not even thirty years old?
Daoist Mok had never once in his life imagined such a thing.
"Heh... kehkeh. Hahahaha!"
Daoist Mok couldn't hold back his laughter.
When had he last laughed like this?
To declare Mutual Destruction against an absolute master, one whom even the strongest of the Abyssal Forces wouldn't dare oppose?
'This bastard's the real deal.'
A shiver ran down Daoist Mok's spine.
And he knew—
Bu Eun-seol.
This madman truly had it in him to do exactly that.