Chapter 1067
Beneath the name of sacrifice, the sacred artifact that had claimed the lives of Moon Wheel Saint Kings vanished completely.
In truth, it was an artifact of solidarity, one that granted wishes by carrying the collective desires of all people.
After altering the climate of Ratna City, it disappeared entirely.
Now, there would be no more drought in Ratna City, and the people would no longer suffer.
But what if people succumbed to selfishness and greed?
The miracle would vanish, and drought would return once more.
However, this artifact was not the only one of its kind.
Though it went by a different name in the Central Plains... that revelation would come much later.
―We shall take our leave now.
The Eight Elephant Generals and soldiers of the Iron Elephant Sect, having achieved their great victory, bowed respectfully before withdrawing.
Their participation in the battle had not been to aid Bu Eun-seol, but solely to crush the forces of the Myriad Bones Gate and Phantom Dream Fortress under the Iron Elephant King's command.
Yet this victory shattered the balance among the eight great powers that had divided India, and the Iron Elephant Sect's prestige soared to unprecedented heights.
But an even greater change had taken place beyond the battlefield's outcome.
The noble sacrifice of the Moon Wheel Saint King and Bu Eun-seol, who had not even feared death, united the hearts of Moon Wheel Palace's people as one.
And in the hearts of the Eight Elephant Generals and the warriors of the Iron Elephant Sect who had witnessed it, a seed of reverence for the two had begun to sprout.
―Wind Cloud Prince. Please visit India from time to time.
A-wan smiled as she bid farewell to Bu Eun-seol alongside the warriors of the Four Sacred Tribes.
Upon learning that So-yo, who shared her appearance, was bound by the same fate, she no longer regretted parting with Bu Eun-seol as she once had.
Because her destiny and So-yo's were intertwined.
Not only did So-yo remain constantly by Bu Eun-seol's side, but the two also shared a deep understanding.
Which meant that before long, she too—
Would stay by Bu Eun-seol's side and become close.
―Lord. I shall take my leave as well.
Yu Cheong-rim also returned to the Central Plains.
Though he had yet to break his habit of stealing others' belongings—
This time, that very habit had saved the lives of countless people, including the Moon Wheel Saint King.
In gratitude, the Moon Wheel Saint King gifted Yu Cheong-rim with antiques scattered throughout Moon Wheel Palace.
―Ah! I only take what I've stolen!
Even as he said this, Yu Cheong-rim eagerly gathered the bestowed antiques into his arms.
Had So Ok-rim been present, she would have punched him in the face once more—
But fortunately, she was absent, allowing him to depart Ratna City unscathed this time.
***
Moon Wheel Palace, the Moon Wheel Saint King's chambers.
"Though I don't know how to find the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact, I do have a clue to locating the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact."
After hearing Bu Eun-seol's story, the Moon Wheel Saint King surprisingly provided a new lead.
"The Yona Tribe's artifact cannot be stored in an ordinary place. Since it absorbs the earth's energy, the surrounding area would be reduced to ruins."
"Then—"
"Such an artifact can only be preserved in a place that defies the flow of time and space."
"A place that defies time and space...?"
"Generally, it would be a land where immense pressure crushes down, making it difficult even to breathe."
She continued her explanation.
"And aside from the sacred lands of the Four Sacred Tribes, such a place exists only in the Central Plains."
"The Land of the Ultimate Void."
Bu Eun-seol immediately realized the location she spoke of.
The mysterious realm where he had once trained in martial arts under the Return-to-One Realm Lord.
A place where even breathing was arduous, where overwhelming pressure bore down—
The Land of the Ultimate Void was a location capable of safely containing the Yona Tribe's artifact, which ceaselessly absorbed the earth's energy.
'If I can find the Land of the Ultimate Void, I can find the Yona Tribe's artifact.'
"But it won't be easily obtained."
The Moon Wheel Saint King sighed deeply.
"The heavens do not wish for humans to wield the perfect power of nature."
Bu Eun-seol nodded firmly.
Mastering the Heavenly Light Endless Art by fusing the Three Divine Powers alone had already allowed him to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's transcendent experts.
What if he could gather all Four Divine Powers and unite their strength as one?
That power would defy imagination.
Perhaps then, he could undo the abnormal strength of the world's mightiest warriors—the very dream he had longed for—
And return martial arts to a realm where victory was determined purely by skill.
But as the Moon Wheel Saint King said, the heavens would never willingly surrender such immense power.
"Why do you seek to unite the Four Divine Powers?"
The Moon Wheel Saint King spoke.
"Though they are extraordinary, you could advance endlessly even without them."
"In the past, it was to contend with the strong."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned bitter.
"But now, I suppose it's to save someone."
"I see."
The Moon Wheel Saint King sighed.
"You are this city's benefactor, and I regret that I cannot be of greater help."
"Not at all."
Though he had not found the Yona Tribe's artifact, he had saved countless lives in Ratna City.
That alone made this journey to India worthwhile.
Ziiing.
But at this moment, he remained unaware.
That from the instant he reached for the artifact, embracing both the Moon Wheel Saint King's sacrifice and the wishes of countless people—
A faint light had begun to linger upon the blade of the Ink Soul Sword.
And soon—
The sword's secret would be revealed in the Central Plains... granting him one more sword form left behind by his father.
"Originally, I was fated to offer my life to the artifact after passing on the title of Saint King."
At that moment, the Moon Wheel Saint King alternated her gaze between So-yo and Bu Eun-seol as she spoke.
"But the drought in Ratna City has been resolved, and I have survived... In the end, I suppose I must resume this role."
"Are you giving it up?"
Bu Eun-seol brightened at the question, and the Moon Wheel Saint King responded with a gentle smile.
"This position exists solely for the sake of the people."
The Moon Wheel Saint King knew.
She knew that So-yo cherished Bu Eun-seol more deeply than life itself.
But a Saint King must love the people.
They must not love someone so fiercely they would sacrifice lives for them.
Because that kind of love could lead to protecting a loved one at the cost of the people.
Precisely because So-yo loved too deeply—
She could never become a Saint King.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol smiled, his expression lightened.
So-yo was more precious to him than life itself.
Yet he could never allow her to remain alone in a foreign land, burdened with the weight of the Saint King's throne—all for the sake of helping him.
But the Moon Wheel Saint King was a noble figure as well.
He could not recklessly defy the fate that had destined So-yo to succeed her.
Now that everything had resolved itself so naturally, the heavy weight that had long pressed on his heart vanished in an instant.
"Don't mention it."
The Moon Wheel Saint King gazed at Bu Eun-seol with a sorrowful expression.
He lived not for himself, but for others—and he wasn't even aware of it.
All she could do was pray that, someday, Bu Eun-seol would find his own happiness.
—I must find the Land of the Ultimate Void.
Upon returning to the Central Plains, Bu Eun-seol mobilized the Evil Soul Squad to gather clues about the Land of the Ultimate Void.
But as he tirelessly activated his intelligence network, he soon realized two things.
First, such a place could not be found through mere effort.
Second, it would be far quicker to find someone who already knew its location.
'The Three Realms Lords must know.'
The Return-to-One Realm Lord had known the location of the Land of the Ultimate Void and had lured him there to enhance his martial arts.
If so, the other Three Realms Lords likely knew as well—or perhaps one of them even possessed the Sacred Artifact.
'They said he was from the Central Plains.'
The lineage of the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact had been severed in the Central Plains five hundred years ago.
And the Sacred Artifact of the Yona Tribe, which held power equivalent to the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact, had been taken by a mysterious figure from the Central Plains.
Perhaps that mysterious figure was one of the Three Realms Lords.
'But finding them is a distant prospect.'
The Evil Soul Squad's intelligence network was among the finest in the martial world.
Yet it still fell short of detecting the movements or identities of the Abyssal Forces.
Of course, they too were unable to track Bu Eun-seol's movements.
In other words, their intelligence capabilities had now reached a stalemate.
'But how is it possible that we can't even identify them?'
The Three Realms Lords were peerless masters who roamed the world.
Even if they hid among ordinary people, their extraordinary presence would inevitably reveal itself.
Yet how had not even their identities—let alone their locations—been uncovered until now?
After deep contemplation, Bu Eun-seol convened a Lord's Meeting to discuss the matter.
"Thinking about it, it seems practically impossible," said Wi Cheon-gyeong.
"The Three Realms have existed in the martial world for far longer than just yesterday or today."
His expression was grave as he continued,
"And yet, not a single record or document about them remains in the martial world."
No matter how powerful their Absolute Boundary techniques were—
No matter how formidable their spell arts or information-concealing abilities—
How could such an organization remain completely hidden, with not even a trace of its existence left behind?
As Wi Cheon-gyeong said, it bordered on impossibility.
"He's right."
Myo Cheon-u nodded in agreement.
"They must eat and exist somewhere—they're people, after all."
For an organization to have existed throughout the martial world's long history yet leave no records, no clues, and perfectly suppress all information—
It simply didn't make sense.
"Maybe they're not human?"
Then Won Se-mun blurted out something absurd.
"If they're not human to begin with, wouldn't that make it possible?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Jo Nam-cheon scolded him, making Won Se-mun bristle.
"If they're ghosts that possess multiple people or only appear at certain times, it'd make sense!"
"You—!"
Jo Nam-cheon glared at him with dagger-like eyes.
"Drinking every day and reading useless miscellanies has rotted your brain!"
As Jo Nam-cheon berated him, No Trace, the silent leader of the Evil Soul Squad, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"It's not entirely a far-fetched idea."
He looked at Bu Eun-seol with a serious expression.
"If they control the very source of information, manipulate human memory and perception, and thoroughly erase the identities of their members—wouldn't that make it possible?"
No Trace spat out terms more suited to intelligence officers, making Won Se-mun blink in confusion.
"What does that mean, Lord No?"
No Trace explained plainly.
"What if they indirectly influence specific individuals when needed, temporarily grant them status, and then... revoke it all once their role is complete? Wouldn't that work?"
Myo Cheon-u stroked his chin.
"Existing as members only when carrying out specific missions... That's not uncommon, is it?"
"The difference lies in the method. The Three Realms have always been obsessed with mysterious Great Arts."
No Trace continued,
"Once their mission ends, they could sever all ties to the organization—even making them forget they were ever part of it. They might even employ the Soul-Stealing Great Law."
The Lords let out murmurs of understanding at No Trace's reasoning.
The Three Realms were known for their bizarre Great Arts.
For beings like them, it would be entirely possible to temporarily assign missions and then erase their memories.
"Then what about the Realm Lords?"
At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong asked,
"Even if they perfectly erase their subordinates' memories, the Realm Lords wouldn't be able to do the same, would they?"
The gathered members nodded again.
Even if there were a system for assigning missions and deleting memories,
someone would still need to oversee it.
And since the overseer is also human, how could they maintain absolute secrecy?
Knock knock.
Just then, the sound of knocking echoed, followed by the voice of Yu Un-ryong's adjutant, Mu-gwang.
"The Great Lord Seo has arrived."
Creak.
The door opened, and Seo Jin-ha, clad in the black robes of the Death Shadow War Unit, stepped inside unhurriedly.
"I'm late. The meeting ran longer than expected."
Unless Bu Eun-seol split himself into three,
it was impossible to simultaneously attend meetings with the Azure Heaven Alliance's Absolute Peak Unit and the Martial Soul Society's hall chiefs.
Yet holding separate meetings each time would be inefficient.
Thus, after discussing the same topic,
they had adopted the method of Seo Jin-ha relaying the conclusions from the Absolute Peak Unit and the Martial Soul Society before deliberating further in the Death Shadow War Unit.
"The Martial Soul Society's conclusion is this: The leaders of hidden factions, including the Three Realms, may not be the humans we assume them to be."
Seo Jin-ha spoke with a grave expression.
"They could be artificially created humans, like the New Bloodline, forged through ancient forbidden arts—or perhaps a lineage inheriting transcendent power across generations."
In the past, such an idea would have been dismissed as absurd.
But now, with the existence of the True Demon—a being who wields supernatural arts and reincarnates endlessly—and the Baekri Clan, who have opposed him for generations,
it was no longer an outlandish deduction.
"If such beings exist, then it stands to reason that even the Realm Lords must also be wary of someone, and maintaining secrecy would be entirely possible."
At Seo Jin-ha's explanation, the assembled members nodded in agreement.
By now, they could sense that the Realm Lords of the Three Realms were not the ultimate authority—
something greater loomed above them.
"However, if such beings truly existed, neither the Baekri Clan nor the True Demon would have left them unchecked."
The True Demon was a transcendent entity who reincarnated with his memories intact, and the Baekri Clan had ceaselessly opposed him.
If there were a force threatening their dominance? Neither would have tolerated it.
The Baekri Clan, too, would never have stood idly by while a power rivaling the True Demon emerged.
Seo Jin-ha turned his gaze to Bu Eun-seol and continued,
"Moreover, the Absolute Peak Unit has concluded that the highest overseers of the Abyssal Forces, including the Three Realms, likely operate for a set period before having their memories erased once their mission ends."
Then he added,
"And they suspect these overseers are not singular individuals, but multiple, cycling through a Great Art that erases and awakens each other's memories in turn."
The Great Lords let out murmurs of astonishment.
In the end, the Absolute Peak Unit had reached a conclusion similar to the Death Shadow War Unit's.
"The Absolute Peak Unit seems sharper than us."
Jo Nam-cheon tossed out a jest.
"They're fewer in number, yet they matched our reasoning."
"The Absolute Peak Unit began as an intelligence organization. We were never a match for them in analysis or insight to begin with."
Wi Cheon-gyeong shook his head as he spoke.
"But even this deduction has its flaws. If there are multiple overseers, wouldn't the risk of exposure increase?"
At that, Bu Eun-seol interjected,
"It would be possible if they employed the Great Art of the Azure River Realm."
The Great Lords collectively gasped in realization.
The Azure River Realm possessed a Great Art capable of creating split personalities.
What if the overseers harbored multiple identities within themselves? Then everything they had speculated would be feasible.
"So, in certain situations, another personality awakens?"
In response to Myo Cheon-u's question, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Even if not that, once a task is completed, a latent personality could surface and erase the memories of the other."
Bu Eun-seol's hypothesis
offered a plausible explanation for how organizations like the Three Realms had remained shrouded in secrecy for generations.
"If that's the case... then since they wouldn't retain memories of their time as leaders, maintaining secrecy would naturally follow."
Yu Un-ryong's expression grew subtly complicated as he nodded.
After all, Bu Eun-seol was the only one who had received information suggesting that the Baekri bloodline possessed split personalities.
The Three Realms were a creation of the Baekri Clan.
Meaning, if they inherited or replicated their power, such a feat would certainly be within reach.
Wi Cheon-gyeong exhaled heavily.
"Then detecting them would be nearly impossible."
An ordinary woodcutter could be the Azure River Realm Lord with lost memories; an innkeeper could be the Return-to-One Realm Lord.
They might live day to day, unaware they lead the Three Realms—
only to command their subordinates or issue missions when the time came.
"If so, there are three ways to find the Three Realms' leaders."
Yu Un-ryong spoke up.
"Their appearances must follow a cyclical pattern. We could comb through the martial world's entire history and observe its ebbs and flows."
The martial world had cycled through periods of chaos and peace.
Somewhere in that history, the Three Realms must have instigated certain incidents—ones that would stand out from ordinary affairs.
"And the second?"
At Seo Jin-ha's prompt, Yu Un-ryong answered,
"A secret faction requires vast funds to operate. If we trace abnormal financial flows or disappearances, we might uncover the Three Realms' trail."
"And the third?"
"Even if they've maintained perfect secrecy for generations, we can't assume they've never failed even once."
He continued his explanation.
"Even if they erased their subordinates' memories or silenced them, traces would inevitably remain."
"I see. Even if memories are erased, humans can never be perfect."
Myo Cheon-u clapped his hands and nodded.
"Perhaps some might have unstable minds due to the backlash of memory erasure, or suffer from side effects."
Then Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"A flawless concealment of traces throughout a long history means they've disguised themselves in plain sight all this time."
He looked at the assembled leaders and continued.
"Investigating all of them would take far too long. While we continue the investigation, it would also be wise to lay out an irresistible bait."
"Bait?"
When Myo Cheon-u asked, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Just as we seek them, they too are tracking my movements."
The key figures of the Three Realms.
Whenever Bu Eun-seol deliberately revealed his whereabouts—
Especially when moving alone, they had never missed an opportunity to approach or ambush him.
If we wanted to quickly seize the tail of the Three Realms? The fastest method was for Bu Eun-seol himself to act as bait.
"That's too dangerous."
Yu Un-ryong, having discerned Bu Eun-seol's intent, objected.
"In the past, they made mistakes because your martial prowess wasn't fully understood. But if you reveal your whereabouts again this time..."
His expression grew deathly serious.
"I can say with certainty—they will bring forces capable of killing you."
Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess had risen uncontrollably, and he had felled countless formidable foes.
But if he were to openly reveal his movements?
Unless the Three Realms were fools—
They would undoubtedly send a master capable of eliminating him.
"Don't worry. I'll do it under the identity of the Martial Soul Society Leader."
The Black Divine Heavenly Lord.
A malevolent being who likely knew of the Land of the Ultimate Void—one who gnashed his teeth at the Martial Soul Society Leader Seol-so.
"Ah, so that's the method."
Yu Un-ryong let out an exclamation of admiration and shook his head.
"Now I understand why the superlative martial experts of the martial world have always created new identities to operate."
With a perfectly separate identity—
There were countless tasks that could be handled easily, either in ways impossible under his true identity or in a safer manner.
Bu Eun-seol curled his lips into a faint smile.
"He will surely take this bait."
According to Jong Baek, the traitor of Langya Pavilion, Pa-myeong had been repeatedly training in the Land of the Ultimate Void.
The Four-Gods Heavenly Lord is a subordinate directly below the Three Attendants... the probability was high that he either knew of the Land of the Ultimate Void or Pa-myeong's location.
"All those who have targeted the Lord thus far have been cautious and highly intelligent masters."
Won Se-mun spoke with a grave expression.
"Merely revealing your identity and movements openly won't be enough to lure them. They'll suspect it's a trap."
Then Jo Nam-cheon added.
"Correct. Instead, the Lord should proceed with utmost secrecy, then stage it as if the information was accidentally exposed... ensuring that he comes seeking the Lord himself."
No Trace, who had been silently listening, nodded with gleaming eyes.
"The malevolent figure the Lord mentioned must be the Black Divine Heavenly Lord, who has been grinding his teeth at the special-grade wanderer Seol-so."
"But if we stage it that way, the Evil Soul Squad's intelligence network will become overly concentrated in the Central Plains."
The Evil Soul Squad's intelligence network extended not just across the Central Plains but throughout India.
Though the Four Stars Trading Company partially acted as their branch in India—
If the intelligence axis tilted solely toward the Central Plains, the balance could collapse.
"There's no need to worry about that for now."
No Trace smiled.
"Thanks to the Lord crushing the Myriad Bones Gate and Phantom Dream Fortress, not only the Moon Wheel Palace but even the Iron Elephant Sect has been voluntarily providing information."
He then flashed a proud grin.
"They've knelt of their own accord, deeply impressed by the Lord's might."
This journey to India had not been in vain.
Not only had countless lives been saved, but they had also gained the Moon Wheel Palace's trust and secured the Iron Elephant Sect's cooperation.
For Bu Eun-seol, who had been losing public favor due to the Ten Thousand Li Treasure Ship incident, this was a decisive turning point to regain his influence.
"Then it's settled."
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon grinned and clapped their hands.
Watching them, Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to surface.
The elite unit had originally been trained as intelligence operatives.
And the core members of the Martial Soul Society—excluding Dae Gu-hwi—were all masters of strategy with rich experience and wisdom in the martial world.
But among the leaders of the Death Shadow War Unit—
Only Yu Un-ryong possessed truly outstanding wisdom and strategic acumen, while Wi Cheon-gyeong was the only other capable of thoughtful judgment.
Yet now—
Even Won Se-mun, once mocked for carrying his head as mere decoration.
Even Jo Nam-cheon, scolded for only using his mouth when drinking—
Had become figures capable of calmly surveying the grand scheme and weaving wisdom.
'It won't be long now.'
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had traveled the martial world alone, strictly limiting his subordinates' solo missions.
Partly because their attainment in the True Martial Scripture made it difficult to face the martial world's masters.
But more importantly, they lacked the experience and wisdom to adapt flexibly in crises.
Yet now, the leaders had accumulated vast experience, strategy, and knowledge under Bu Eun-seol's guidance.
Thanks to intense training, their martial arts had also surged, placing them shoulder-to-shoulder with the martial world's top figures.
Before long... they would each be capable of undertaking missions independently.
"Let's begin."
At Bu Eun-seol's quiet voice—
The leaders, who had been holding their breath like beasts, finally unleashed a fierce blue light from their eyes.
Every action of his was rewriting the martial world's history.
In their eyes burned the resolve to inscribe the first page of this new history in blood—and to witness its final chapter together.