Chapter 1062
Whoosh!
As Yu Cheong-rim opened his mouth, crimson flames burst forth from his lips.
He had thought, Surely not—would they really just stand by and watch me burn to death?
"This can't be happening!"
Unable to suppress the betrayal and fury rising within him, he let out a desperate scream.
"How could you do this to me?! Were all the years we spent together truly so meaningless?"
Yu Cheong-rim continued to bellow at the top of his lungs.
"This is killing me twice over! To abandon loyalty and trust—how can such a sin ever be atoned for—... Wait, is this a dream? Such betrayal, such treachery—it has to be a dream! Waaaah!"
It was a curious sight.
Even as his body was engulfed in roaring flames,
how was his mouth still untouched, allowing him to chatter away endlessly?
Pfft.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Bu Eun-seol's lips as he watched the spectacle.
'Pine pollen.'
What they had scattered was pine pollen.
This powder not only burned rapidly but also dispersed quickly through the air, spreading heat in an instant.
Though the sudden burst of bright flames made it seem as if a great fire had erupted,
in truth, it would soon die down, leaving no lasting heat behind.
"It seems the Saint King is indeed a merciful figure."
At So-yo's words, Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
"Likely imparting a lesson through fear, so they never dare steal again."
The two had already discerned that the powder sprinkled on the firewood wasn't Fire Essence Powder but pine pollen.
The Moon Wheel Saint King, in her boundless mercy, used this mock execution to lead thieves to repentance.
"But he isn't reflecting in the slightest."
As So-yo muttered under her breath,
"Brother Yu is a thief from the Central Plains..."
Bu Eun-seol quietly nodded. Then, she subtly flicked her fingers.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, something strange happened.
The flames, which had been gradually dying out, flared back to life—
this time, not from pine pollen, but from genuine Fire Essence Powder.
Whoooosh!
In the end, Yu Cheong-rim was swallowed by the crimson blaze.
"Ugh—Haaaah!"
As real fire began licking at his clothes, he let out a shriek.
But soon, he blinked in confusion, looking down at himself.
Though the flames still consumed his robes, miraculously, his body remained unharmed.
Glacier Thousand Streams Art. And Ice Essence Snow Blossom Energy.
Unnoticed, Bu Eun-seol had secretly unleashed both supreme ice-based techniques simultaneously, shielding Yu Cheong-rim from being roasted alive.
'This is...?'
Realizing Bu Eun-seol had intervened, Yu Cheong-rim's face lit up.
"Oooh, cold—so refreshing!"
He began whooping with exaggerated delight.
"Throw on more fire! Is this all Moon Wheel Palace's Fire Essence Powder can do?"
Baring his teeth in a grin, he started taunting the Saint King's disciples.
"Or is it that your hearts are so rotten—burning people alive over some measly sacred artifact—that even your fires can't get hot? Ahahaha!"
The Moon Wheel Palace disciples all understood the Central Plains' language.
Provoked by Yu Cheong-rim's jeers, they shouted furiously.
"Bring all the firewood!"
The amount they brought was enough to burn for three full days.
"This will take a while."
After eyeing the pile, Bu Eun-seol yawned and stood up.
"I'll just wait where the Saint King is."
So-yo followed suit, moving away at a leisurely pace.
"Lord?!"
Yu Cheong-rim's eyes bulged.
As Bu Eun-seol turned, the flames around Yu Cheong-rim gradually grew hotter.
Yet without so much as a backward glance, he turned and vanished.
Fortunately, Yu Cheong-rim didn't burn to death.
The moment the real fire began searing his body, the Moon Wheel Saint King halted the execution.
—Who placed genuine Fire Essence Powder here?
The disciples, flustered, scrambled to investigate—but who had added the powder?
And how had the thief survived such a sudden, intense blaze?
In truth, So-yo had flicked the Fire Essence Powder with Finger Wind to teach Yu Cheong-rim a stinging lesson,
while Bu Eun-seol had alternated skillfully between Glacier Thousand Streams Art and Ice Essence Snow Blossom Energy.
Whether the Saint King noticed or not, she dismissed the investigating disciples.
—You two, come this way.
Bu Eun-seol and So-yo followed the Moon Wheel Saint King.
But instead of returning to the study where they had met earlier, she led them toward a secluded inner sanctum of Moon Wheel Palace.
Their destination—
A small, mystically shimmering structure, as if crafted from clumps of stardust and imbued with the moon's breath.
"Please, come in."
With a gentle smile, the Saint King ushered them inside.
"Saint King, actually, I..."
"It's all right. Let us speak inside."
Compelled by her words, Bu Eun-seol stepped over the palace's threshold.
At once, all sound from the outside world faded, leaving only the rhythm of his heartbeat to fill the space.
The interior resembled an endless expanse of night sky, brought down and preserved within.
The ceiling was a swirling Milky Way of countless living stars, while the floor gently cradled their shimmering reflections.
There were no discernible walls or ceilings to speak of.
A hazy lunar halo undulated softly, demarcating the space like a living boundary, while mystical mists rose and dissipated in rhythmic waves between its folds.
"Huh?"
But something was strange.
The mists gradually shifted until they began gathering around So-yo standing beside Bu Eun-seol.
"As I thought."
The Moon Wheel Saint King nodded knowingly before addressing So-yo.
"How do you feel being here?"
"Huh?"
"Tell me. How do you feel right now?"
So-yo wore a dazed expression for a moment.
Truthfully, ever since stepping into this bizarre yet beautiful space—
She had been enveloped in an inexplicable sense of peace and familiarity, as though she had finally returned to a long-lost home.
"Actually..."
Avoiding the Saint King's gaze, So-yo's eyes shimmered, perfectly reflecting the palace's inner radiance.
"It feels like... I've been here before, long ago."
"I see."
The Moon Wheel Saint King nodded at her.
"Come this way."
She led them back outside the palace, then deeper into Moon Wheel Palace's most secluded depths—
To a lake resting beneath the full moon.
The crystal-clear waters were utterly pristine, without a single speck of dust, its surface draped in moonlight.
"Would you like to look?"
The Saint King spoke first to Bu Eun-seol.
"Into the lake's surface."
'It's almost like Fantasy Pond.'
In the past, while searching for the Four Sacred Tribes' sacred artifacts, he had visited several holy sites within Nashik City.
Among them was Fantasy Pond—a mystical pool that reflected one's deepest fears.
But when the Moon Wheel Saint King suddenly asked him to gaze into this enigmatic lake, memories of that ordeal resurfaced.
"Do not worry. It will not harm you."
Bu Eun-seol nodded and approached.
Yet he saw nothing.
"I see nothing."
"Your soul is truly pure. As though newly born."
Muttering words whose meaning eluded him, the Saint King then turned her gentle smile toward So-yo.
Nod.
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, So-yo reluctantly stepped toward the pond.
As she stared into the water's surface, something miraculous happened—her beautiful face reflected clearly upon the dark waters.
Ripple.
But then, a sudden disturbance sent ripples across the lake, transforming it into the night sky itself.
Countless stars swirled, galaxies twisting and flowing like rivers.
In an instant, the focus in So-yo's eyes vanished.
Simultaneously, strange memories flooded her mind.
Like a new moon rising in her consciousness, a radiant yet gentle light slowly took shape—
It was another version of her own face.
Clad in the same regalia as the Moon Wheel Saint King, wielding divine power.
With every gesture of her hand, stars scattered across the cosmos.
Sacred light emanated from her body.
Rumble—
The world trembled, her mind turning white—
"Ah!"
So-yo snapped back to reality, her eyes flying open.
"What... was that?"
The Moon Wheel Saint King smiled benevolently at her question.
"Your past life."
"Past life?"
"A thousand years ago, you were the Moon Wheel Saint King who led the people..."
The Saint King stepped closer, her smile tender.
"And now, you are to succeed me as the next Moon Wheel Saint King, guiding the people of Ratna City."
Astoundingly, this pond was no ordinary body of water—it was the Abyssal Mirror, reflecting memories of past lives.
"I'm... the next Moon Wheel Saint King?"
"Indeed."
The Saint King affirmed.
"I can't."
So-yo shook her head vigorously, turning to Bu Eun-seol.
"I have to help him."
"On the contrary, becoming the Moon Wheel Saint King is how you can help him."
Though phrased delicately, the implication was clear.
The Saint King already knew Bu Eun-seol had come to request something—and in exchange, she wanted So-yo as her successor.
"So you're saying... if I don't become your successor, I can't help him?"
"Correct."
Faced with such a firm answer, So-yo hesitated.
"Unacceptable."
Bu Eun-seol stepped forward then, discarding his usual deference for blunt resolve.
"If she willingly wished to become your successor, that would be one matter. But demanding it as payment is unjust."
His expression carried a hint of disappointment.
He had not expected the seemingly noble Moon Wheel Saint King to impose such terms.
"This is not a matter of justice. It is destiny."
The Saint King replied calmly.
"If you refuse, then I cannot help you either."
"I don't care."
Whether tracking down the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact or seeking the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact—
Everything Bu Eun-seol did was ultimately for the sake of righteousness.
But if he were to obtain the Four Sacred Tribes' relics—if he were to acquire the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact—by sacrificing So-yo as payment?
Then everything he had done until now would lose all meaning.
"I'll do it."
Then So-yo took a step closer to Bu Eun-seol, meeting his gaze.
"I'll do it. It's fine."
She knew.
She knew Bu Eun-seol had been searching for the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact for so long.
And that obtaining it would elevate him to an entirely new realm.
But she couldn't afford to let this chance slip through her fingers—the opportunity to obtain a lead that might help him find it.
"So-yo."
"Wouldn't becoming one of the Eight Overlords of India be a greater achievement than being the Vice Chief of the Death Soul Squad?"
So-yo deliberately spoke in a teasing manner.
For Bu Eun-seol, she was willing to become the next Moon Wheel Saint King and remain in India.
[And this would also be more effective in mobilizing Moon Wheel Palace's forces.]
At So-yo's covert voice transmission, Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
Though he had come to India immediately, thanks to Yu Un-ryong, he had managed to gather considerable information and make various preparations.
Not only had he grasped intelligence about India through the Four Sacred Tribes, but after thoroughly analyzing the movements of the Eight Overlords of India, he had detected anomalies and devised a meticulous plan before arriving.
Rustle.
But then, a faint sound came from the trees opposite them.
At the same time, a dim shadow flickered into existence before solidifying into the figure of a man clad in gray robes.
It was Yu Cheong-rim, the Thousand-Face Divine Thief—the man who had attempted to steal Moon Wheel Palace's sacred artifact and, thanks to Bu Eun-seol, narrowly escaped being burned at the stake.
"Couldn't resist coming back to loot again, is that it?"
As Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, Yu Cheong-rim hastily waved his hands.
"Of course not! I came to repay my debt."
"Debt?"
"Yes. And to pay my respects. Hehehe."
Then, clasping his hands together, he bowed toward the Moon Wheel Saint King.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's boundless mercy, my life was spared. I am truly grateful."
"And you climbed over the wall again just to say that?"
"Of course not! No, no. Actually... I thought I might be of some small assistance."
Waving his hands, Yu Cheong-rim approached Bu Eun-seol and said,
"Lord. You absolutely must not oppose or interfere with Vice Chief So becoming the Moon Wheel Saint King."
The Moon Wheel Saint King, as if seeing through Yu Cheong-rim's hidden intentions, spoke.
"Let me make one thing clear—once someone becomes the Saint King, it cannot be undone."
Her expression turned solemn.
"For example, even after aiding the Lord, one cannot simply abandon the position of Saint King."
"Of course not."
Yu Cheong-rim nodded as if this were obvious.
Then, turning back to Bu Eun-seol, he continued,
"Lord, think about it. Wouldn't it be an immense advantage to have one of the Eight Overlords of India among your subordinates?"
But something was strange.
Yu Cheong-rim, with his back to the Moon Wheel Saint King, kept blinking rapidly at Bu Eun-seol—as if signaling that he had some ingenious scheme in mind.
Even if Brother Yu has some clever plan, the Moon Wheel Saint King will eventually see through everything...
Flash.
A thought suddenly crossed Bu Eun-seol's mind.
He had assumed the Moon Wheel Saint King possessed foresight or the ability to read fate, given how she had sent her disciple precisely when he and So-yo arrived.
But upon reflection, she hadn't been able to stop Yu Cheong-rim's theft.
Which meant—she had no ability to foresee the future.
In other words, she had no idea Yu Cheong-rim was scheming something strange right now.
"Very well."
After a long moment of thought, Bu Eun-seol nodded toward the Moon Wheel Saint King.
"If that is her wish, I will not oppose it."
"A wise decision."
The Moon Wheel Saint King smiled faintly before turning to So-yo.
"Follow me."
So-yo glanced at Bu Eun-seol.
Her eyes held countless unspoken meanings.
So-yo.
But all Bu Eun-seol could sense was her pure, unwavering devotion.
All he had done was drive away the people from the White Rank Assassination Sect for her. Yet from that day on, she had stayed by his side, pledging her life in loyalty.
And now, to help him—
She was willing to remain in this distant foreign land, where she had no ties whatsoever.
I will never allow such a thing to happen.
Bu Eun-seol gave So-yo a firm nod.
In response, she nodded back.
Though their meanings differed, it was clear that they valued each other more than their own lives.
"The coronation will take place in four days."
Before taking So-yo away, the Moon Wheel Saint King addressed Bu Eun-seol.
"If you wish to witness the ceremony, you may stay in the main palace."
"I appreciate your generosity."
Bu Eun-seol bowed slightly before turning away.
"Then I shall take my leave."
"Me too, hehe."
Yu Cheong-rim also bowed before scrambling after Bu Eun-seol.
Thanks to the Moon Wheel Saint King's consideration, Bu Eun-seol and Yu Cheong-rim were assigned a small residence where they could stay until the coronation.
"Now, speak."
Bu Eun-seol was well aware of Yu Cheong-rim's sharp mind and cunning nature.
There was no doubt he had some hidden scheme behind this arrangement—
And since Bu Eun-seol had his own suspicions, he had pretended to comply with So-yo's wishes.
"Truth be told, among the treasures kept in Moon Wheel Palace, there's something truly unbelievable."
Yu Cheong-rim lowered his voice.
"A sacred artifact that can locate anything one desires."
So, Brother Yu was after it too.
As Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed, Yu Cheong-rim misinterpreted his gaze and thumped his chest emphatically.
"It's true! If not for such a treasure, would I, in my right mind, have traveled thousands of miles to this godforsaken place to suffer like this?"
He whispered in a low, serious voice.
"However, to use it... the Moon Wheel Saint King's sacrifice is required."
"The Moon Wheel Saint King's sacrifice?"
"Correct."
Yu Cheong-rim murmured like a Taoist leaking heavenly secrets.
"Honestly, there isn't a single citizen in Ratna City who doesn't know this fact. Only outsiders like us remain unaware."
His eyes gleamed.
"And then, out of nowhere, the Moon Wheel Saint King declared that Vice Chief So would be installed as the new Saint King. Why would she suddenly do something so pointless?"
"Are you saying the Saint King intended to sacrifice So-yo?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Yu Cheong-rim's voice dropped even lower, barely audible.
"The people believe that as soon as the new Saint King ascends to the throne, all calamities in this land will vanish. Does that sound plausible to you?"
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
Moon Wheel Saint King Tariga possessed an exceedingly noble and elegant demeanor—she appeared benevolent.
She didn't seem like the kind of person who would commit such a vile act.
"That can't be."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"She is not the kind of person who would do such a thing."
"She's not that kind of person? How can you be so sure, Lord?"
"She spared a thief who tried to steal the sacred artifact."
It was a pointed remark, but Yu Cheong-rim shamelessly countered.
"I casually asked one of Moon Wheel Palace's disciples—apparently, pretending to execute thieves by burning them alive... is a tradition passed down through generations in Moon Wheel Palace. It's not because she's merciful."
He spoke decisively.
"Frankly, Lord, you don't know the Moon Wheel Saint King well, do you?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded slightly.
His insight and intuition alone couldn't serve as definitive proof.
"There's only one reason I've survived so long while wandering the Martial World. I never trusted appearances."
Yu Cheong-rim's expression grew increasingly solemn.
"Lord, you spend your days fighting powerful foes, so you might not realize it—but the Martial World is far filthier and more treacherous than you can imagine."
"......"
"Well, I'm no different... but martial artists are the kind of people who will do anything to get what they want."
Internally, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
When it came to tasting the filth of the Martial World—
He had experienced it hundreds of times more than Yu Cheong-rim.
Especially while entangled in the orthodox and unorthodox factions—the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance—where he was constantly exposed to humanity's inherent wickedness, greed, and endless schemes.
But based on his insight and intuition, the Moon Wheel Saint King simply didn't strike him as someone capable of such petty malice.
"Lord, you still don't understand the Martial World. The most dangerous people are precisely those like her—the ones who openly flaunt their benevolence in front of others."
Bu Eun-seol nodded at Yu Cheong-rim's impassioned words.
In the past, he would have wholeheartedly agreed.
—But the Martial World also has those with righteous hearts, those who live for a purpose and deserve to survive.
Take the Scarlet Flame Immortal, for example.
She sacrificed her own life without hesitation—for the sake of countless others.
Even now, in this world—
There are still those who willingly live and die for others.
"True. They're just rare, that's all."
As if sensing Bu Eun-seol's thoughts, Yu Cheong-rim continued.
"But I never gamble on such slim, hopeful odds."
Bu Eun-seol sighed deeply.
Because Yu Cheong-rim's convictions were eerily similar to his own in the past.
Especially since he, too, had crawled through the darkest corners of the Martial World—he must have witnessed its filth firsthand.
It wasn't his place to criticize such unwavering skepticism.
"Fine. Let's assume the Saint King is a witch whose true nature can't be discerned from appearances. What do you propose we do?"
"First, we steal the sacred artifact ourselves."
"Why would we steal it?"
Bu Eun-seol swallowed his disbelief.
"Moreover, as far as I know, that treasure—or sacred artifact—can only be used by the Moon Wheel Saint King herself."
"Exactly. That's precisely what we'll exploit."
Yu Cheong-rim clapped his hands together.
"If she intends to use Vice Chief So as a sacrifice to activate the sacred artifact... then once the artifact is destroyed, would she still have any reason to install her as the new Saint King?"
"Destroyed? You mean break the sacred artifact?"
"We'll just pretend to break it."
He narrowed his eyes.
If the Moon Wheel Saint King planned to use So-yo as a means to activate the sacred artifact—
Then with the artifact gone, she would have no reason to make So-yo the new Saint King.
That would reveal her true intentions.
"Do you really think the Saint King would fall for such a trick?"
"What if we had proof?"
Yu Cheong-rim thumped his chest.
"Isn't my alias the Thousand-Face Divine Thief? If I can perfectly replicate even the most complex and subtle human faces... crafting an identical replica of an artifact is nothing."
From those words, Bu Eun-seol could clearly see through Yu Cheong-rim's dark intentions.
'He plans to create a counterfeit and steal the real one.'
Thieves like him, who schemed to steal others' treasures the moment they opened their eyes—
Even if they died trying, they would never be the kind to destroy or break a mystical artifact.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol pretended ignorance and hummed thoughtfully.
"Fortunately, I know the location of the sacred artifact."
Yu Cheong-rim wiped his nose.
"But the Mechanism Formations and traps there are beyond imagination. Even if we enter now, we might not be able to leave for three days."
"Fine."
Bu Eun-seol nodded nonchalantly, feigning innocence.
"Let's go find the sacred artifact."