Chapter 1101
"You are a demonic practitioner, Lord."
The new Sect Chief of the Beggars' Sect, Damjeok, who had been silently listening to Bu Eun-seol's words, finally spoke.
"Just why are you pushing yourself to this extent?"
After a long silence, Bu Eun-seol replied in a low voice.
"There is no one in the martial world who can shoulder such a task."
Then, he wore an indifferent expression.
"Moreover, I have long been despised by both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths... So, even if I am reviled once more, nothing will change."
Damjeok sighed and said,
"But shouldn't the martial world know the truth?"
"Sometimes, a lie holds more value than the truth."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"When people sense something has gone wrong, the first thing they do is find someone to blame and resent. Even if it was the right thing to do—even if it was absolutely necessary."
"Then why must you be the one to do it?"
At that moment, the leader of the Kunlun Sect, Un Sang, interjected with a cold, sharp glare.
"Do you wish to be a hero?"
His eyes were filled with suspicion.
"Why should the Heir of the Demon Hall be the one to act whenever the martial world faces a crisis?"
Bu Eun-seol had killed Kunlun's Great Righteous Expert during his time as the Ten Demonic Heir.
Moreover, by absorbing the Seven Sword Gates of Qinghai into the Demon Hall and supporting them without restraint, Kunlun's influence had dwindled day by day.
Because of this, Un Sang hated Bu Eun-seol—and his presence today was solely for revenge.
"Am I not the Head Leader of the Demonic Path?"
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly as he looked at Un Sang.
"All of you gathered here are heroes acknowledged by the world, leaders of your sects. But I am merely a young demonic practitioner who happened to ride the tides well."
His smile was dry.
"Since I was already hated by the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths, being reviled makes no difference."
That was Bu Eun-seol's genuine sentiment.
Clench.
Yu Un-ryong, who had been listening silently, tightened his fists.
His chest burned like a blazing fire, and his cheeks flushed hot.
—But according to the plan, we were supposed to either oppose the Lord openly or persuade the sect leaders who were merely watching from the sidelines...
During the meeting in the Absolute Domain,
Gongson Dan-gyeong had posed this question, to which Bu Eun-seol had merely smiled and replied:
—I will handle that myself.
'Holding a grand martial assembly and then trying to persuade them was impossible.'
He had assumed Bu Eun-seol would secretly sway the sect leaders beforehand.
Yet here he was, attempting to persuade them with words?
'Bu Eun-seol. Even for you, this plan is far too reckless.'
But... it was infuriating.
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had quietly protected countless people and accomplished countless things.
Yet each time, the Demonic Path condemned him for being unworthy of a demonic practitioner.
The Righteous Faction sneered, mocking him for imitating a Renowned Hero to win the martial world's favor.
No one... recognized his sacrifices or his efforts.
And still, Bu Eun-seol silently continued to protect the people—to protect the martial world.
'Those who call themselves heroes cower in self-preservation even when the martial world is in crisis...'
Yu Un-ryong bit his lip until it bled.
Bu Eun-seol, who risked his life to resolve every matter,
Was branded a traitor by the Demonic Path and a heretic by the Righteous Faction.
'Grr...'
Yu Un-ryong was known as the most composed figure in the Death Shadow War Unit.
Even Bu Eun-seol, who possessed wisdom and insight rivaling the world's greatest sages,
Occasionally succumbed to emotion and acted recklessly.
Thus, Yu Un-ryong had always strived to maintain his composure.
'What kind of godforsaken situation is this?!'
But this time, the fury boiling inside him was impossible to suppress.
"Just what—!"
Just as Yu Un-ryong was about to explode—
"Just what kind of farce is this?!"
A thunderous roar shook the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
It was the Azure Heaven Alliance Leader, Bukgung Ryeong.
"That wicked demonic practitioner sought to divide the world and deceive the Imperial Palace, but the heroes here stopped him! Is this the tale you wish to spin?"
His voice boomed like thunder.
"Or do you mean to say that the so-called heroes—these old men—will guard their reputations while piling all the filthy burdens onto this young man of the Demonic Path?"
His eyes flashed like lightning.
"That young man has staked everything to eradicate the forces corrupting the martial world! He is pleading, 'Even if I fall, protect the world!'"
As if his fury had erupted, he struck his chest and unleashed a Lion's Roar-like shout.
"Is this what the leaders of the Righteous Faction—who claim to uphold the martial world's righteousness—have to say?!"
The assembly fell silent.
It was true—the contemporary members of the Righteous Faction had only paid lip service to justice, never stepping forward in times of crisis.
But he too had no choice but to understand.
The current martial world was overrun by abnormal forces, and controlling them required risking the survival of their sects.
As sect leaders, they had far too many considerations to simply chant about righteousness.
In other words, the martial world's state was that abnormal.
"Alliance Leader, you seem too agitated."
When Namgung Jeong cautiously spoke, Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
"The sole reason I left the Martial Alliance—where my name is carved upon the Hero Stele—was to create a martial world that could truly call itself righteous. To establish an unshakable foundation of justice that would endure for a thousand years."
His expression was wretched, as though weighed down by shame.
"Yet the one upholding righteousness in this era isn't a member of the righteous factions—it's a youth from the Demonic Path."
The atmosphere inside grew solemn.
Bukgung Ryeong was the greatest Renowned Hero of his generation, a man whose name was inscribed upon the Hero Stele while still alive, a symbol of the righteous path.
Yet even he, exhausted by endless power struggles, had founded the Azure Heaven Alliance to guide righteous factions toward proper action.
But now, when faced with this crisis, the so-called leaders of the righteous factions sought only to protect themselves.
An indescribable bitterness welled up within him.
"Alliance Leader, are you aware of this?"
Then, unexpectedly, Namgung Jeong spoke.
"Our family has never once joined forces with the Demonic Path or made any secret agreements with them."
His gaze swept across the assembled leaders as he spoke calmly.
"Our family has always chosen the righteous path, for the Demonic Path is nothing but tyranny."
His expression was resolute.
"And that has been the creed of our family for centuries."
Bu Eun-seol had saved the Namgung Family from crisis and had been the one to guide the unruly brat Namgung Un toward his dragon-like breakthrough.
So why was he now making such inflammatory remarks?
"Are you saying you will absolutely never cooperate with the Demonic Path?"
At the Beggars' Sect Leader Damjeok's question, Namgung Un nodded.
"That's correct. Our family will never cooperate with the Demonic Path."
In an instant, not only Yu Un-ryong but even Un Sang, the Kunlun Sect Leader who had been subtly mocking Bu Eun-seol, wore expressions of shock.
Namgung Jeong was a man who understood the tides of the world.
No matter what others thought, they had been certain he would not oppose this matter.
Then, Namgung Un rose from his seat.
"Our family will participate in the extermination of the Jungson Clan."
And he bowed respectfully toward Bu Eun-seol.
"And we will spare no effort in providing full support."
"Are you joking right now? Didn't you just say you wouldn't cooperate with the Demonic Path?"
At Un Sang's words, Namgung Jeong looked down at him with icy eyes.
"Sect Leader, does he look like a member of the Demonic Path to you?"
Then, with the utmost solemnity, he declared:
"In this Family Head's eyes, he is more chivalrous than any so-called righteous faction member."
Just as Un Sang opened his mouth in disbelief—
"This lord will join the Martial Soul Lord's plan."
Tang Gon, the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, who had remained silent until now, stood and clasped his hands together.
"Our family will gladly take the vanguard in exterminating the Jungson Clan."
Daoist Master Yeong-cheong also rose and pressed his palms together.
"Our sect will also join the Martial Soul Lord's plan."
"Our temple will participate as well."
"Our faction will also join."
The Beggars' Sect, Shaolin, the Zhuge and Huangbo Families—one by one, the seated leaders stood and clasped their hands.
"Our sect will stand together."
Then, as if following the momentum, every remaining figure in the hall rose and pressed their palms together.
"Our faction is of the same mind."
At that moment, the Zhuge Family Head spoke.
"Sect Leader Un. If you intend to leave the World Conference, you'd best step outside now."
Un Sang's face flushed red, then paled.
Truthfully, with the Emperor's decree of wrath already issued, the orthodox and unorthodox factions would eventually have to unite regardless of the World Alliance.
He had planned to use this opportunity to crush the Martial Soul Lord's momentum, disrupt the World Alliance, and vent his long-held frustrations—
—Let us form the Righteous Path Coalition!
He had intended to hold a separate meeting with the righteous faction leaders he had secretly promised.
But now, with the Azure Heaven Alliance Leader, the Namgung Family Head, and the Sichuan Tang Clan Head—figures he had assumed would be the most stubborn—leading the charge, the tide had already turned.
Tremble, tremble.
He glared at the few faction leaders who had made promises with him, then finally stood and pressed his palms together.
"Our sect... will also join."
For the first time in martial world history, every leader of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions stood united under a single will, gathered through the influence of one man.
The World Alliance.
To uproot the Jungson Clan in one stroke, the martial world's factions had finally united into a single force.
'Thank heavens.'
Yu Un-ryong inwardly cheered.
Had these people stubbornly refused to acknowledge Bu Eun-seol's sincerity and forced their own way, cracks would have inevitably formed. Rather than crushing the Jungson Clan, they would have been counterattacked.
But Bukgung Ryeong and Namgung Jeong—men who recognized Bu Eun-seol's true character—had spurred them forward.
And now, even those stubborn righteous faction leaders had risen on their own to bow before Bu Eun-seol.
With such unity, success was all but guaranteed.
"Then, as for overall command..."
Yet another obstacle remained.
This was the first World Alliance in martial world history, the first united coalition of its kind.
To become its supreme commander would be a feat immortalized in history.
The assembled leaders exchanged expectant glances.
—Whoever leads this World Alliance, whoever becomes its commander or alliance leader, will etch their name into martial history.
And was that all?
This operation was a joint effort between the martial world and the Imperial Palace. If successful, the Emperor himself would bestow great rewards.
"...It was never going to happen, was it?"
Yet the gathered masters soon realized such hopes were mere delusions.
The architect of this entire operation—the one who had staked his life on its success—stood among them.
The one who had shouldered all risks and sacrifices, Bu Eun-seol, was the only conceivable choice for commander.
"As the one who devised this entire plan—"
Just as Daoist Master Yeong-cheong began to speak,
"I believe the leader of this World Alliance should be chosen through fair deliberation,"
Bu Eun-seol interjected calmly.
"Though I conceived the strategy, it would be far better for an orthodox faction to assume command."
His gaze fixed unwaveringly upon Bukgung Ryeong.
Without the slightest attachment to glory.
Without hesitation, he sought to bestow this honor—this chance to be forever etched into martial history as the leader of the World Alliance—
Upon, the Azure Heaven Alliance's leader.
—To resolve this unprecedented crisis, the martial world has birthed the World Alliance!
The historic World Conference held at the Demon Hall's Hidden Demon Pavilion concluded successfully, having identified the forces behind these events.
With Bukgung Ryeong of the Azure Heaven Alliance appointed as its leader,
The World Alliance declared its intent to eradicate this threat in one decisive stroke.
In response, the imperial court appointed the Embroidered Uniform Guard's commander as overseer,
Selecting from its ranks—men of proven loyalty to the emperor and ruthless judgment—
To form a special unit: the Currency Destruction Unit, tasked with controlling martial artists.
Each sect leader received a jade command plaque, proof of imperial authority, granting investigative jurisdiction over counterfeit currency cases.
—This investigation proceeds by the emperor's decree!
Those who defy the jade plaque's authority will be treated as accomplices to counterfeiters!
Under normal circumstances, such an arrangement would spark endless friction—
Between rule-bound military officials who prize hierarchy,
And proud, free-spirited martial masters who chafe at restraint.
Tensions between inherently distrustful orthodox and unorthodox factions would be inevitable.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had preempted these fractures.
By convening the World Conference to unify all factions and pinpoint the culprits beforehand.
Moreover, through Yu Un-ryong's involvement,
He had secured Grand Secretary Yu Jeong-pung's cooperation, ensuring
That while the Currency Destruction Unit nominally supervised investigations,
Their role was limited to monitoring the World Alliance's operations—
Preventing any discord between martial artists and government forces.
—We begin now!
Under Bukgung Ryeong's command, the World Alliance mobilized.
Countless wandering troupes roamed the Central Plains—nameless, untraceable.
Their members left no records, no lineages.
They drifted, sang, peddled entertainment, gathering children in their wake.
So ubiquitous were their movements that they became invisible,
Appearing one day as beggars at a household's gate,
The next as poets reciting verses from handwritten scrolls.
So numerous throughout the Central Plains, and so adept at hiding—
Grasp their tails, and they'd vanish like smoke.
Weeds regrow unless uprooted completely.
Fail to exterminate them in one stroke, and they'd slither back into darkness.
Thus, for the first time in martial history, all factions united under a single operation:
Project Heaven-and-Earth Net.
A dragnet leaving no gaps for escape.
A perfect extermination, planned by the combined might of orthodox and unorthodox factions—including the Demon Hall—
With the Nine Great Sects, One Great School, and Eight Great Families at its core,
Even the Black Path Alliance and unorthodox sects heeding the call.
—Not a single one shall escape!
It began in a Luoyang marketplace.
A garishly costumed troupe breathed fire while dancing,
Children's cheers erupting—
Until blades bloomed like silver flowers from the crowd.
Shaolin's Arhat Fist quaked the earth; Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Swords scattered like snowflakes.
Laughter turned to screams as blood pooled crimson on the ground.
Another troupe never realized their meal was laced with Extreme Poison.
As they sank into eternal sleep, Black Path assassins emerged from shadows to claim their heads without sound.
On western desert roads, camel caravans—disguised troupes—found no escape from encircling mercenaries.
Though formidable, they faced a large army of orthodox, demonic, and unorthodox forces.
Only bloodstained corpses remained on the sands.
Even river barges transporting troupes southward
Were ambushed by dozens of vessels led by orthodox and unorthodox masters—including the Eighteen Yangtze Waterway Alliances.
Eight Great Families' combined forces stormed the decks, steel clashing, screams echoing along the riverbanks.
In a single day,
Hundreds of wandering troupes vanished from the Central Plains.
Like mirages—as if they'd never existed.
No chance to hide underground.
No strength left to rise again.
It was nothing short of perfect annihilation.
The extermination plan against the Jungson Clan, initiated by Bu Eun-seol's scheme, achieved flawless success under Bukgung Ryeong's command.
Every faction had been given just one day—
a synchronized strike within a single two-hour period across the entire Central Plains, targeting all the wandering troupes disguised as Jungson Clan members scattered throughout the region.
The operation's core relied on absolute secrecy and simultaneity—because if even a single location leaked information, the rest would flee in a chain reaction.
And among those who contributed most to this eradication of the Jungson Clan, none stood out more than the Martial Soul Society.
They were tasked with eliminating the remnants of the Jungson Clan hiding in lawless lands and the underworld.
By neutralizing the masters who displayed the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars, they prevented massive casualties.
—This united operation of the World Alliance will be etched into the annals of martial history!
As the Heaven-and-Earth Net plan succeeded, the martial world could hardly contain its excitement.
The Demon Hall of the Demonic Path.
The Azure Heaven Alliance and the Martial Alliance of the orthodox factions.
The Martial Soul Society, operating between righteousness and heresy.
The Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the Eight Great Families.
The Black Path Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance.
Even assassin organizations and heretical sects—every force, down to the Five Gates and Ten Directions—had joined hands.
Together, they purged the remnants of the Jungson Clan, who had hidden among wandering troupes.
This was an unprecedented alliance in martial history—a grand uprising of the entire martial world.
A historic day where all martial artists united to erase one of the legendary Three Great Martial Families from the world.
—There's no need to think of it so grandly.
It was merely an act driven by simple necessity.
However, factions like the Black Path Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance—
whose leaders had not attended the initial meeting and thus played no decisive role in the plan—
did not hesitate to pour cold water on the celebration.
—Wasn't this alliance born more out of survival instinct than anything noble?
Objectively speaking, they weren't wrong.
The Jungson Clan had abducted children from all walks of life and provoked the Emperor's wrath with their counterfeit currency scheme.
Had they not been stopped, a clash between the imperial army and the martial world would have been inevitable.
This wasn't some lofty act of justice—just desperate struggle to survive.
—Why would the Jungson Clan even do such a thing?
The fact that the Jungson Clan was behind all this left the martial world utterly baffled.
The Jungson Clan was a family with a legendary history, passed down through generations.
Yet they had secretly operated wandering troupes—an absurd cover—to gather intelligence and abduct prodigies across the Central Plains.
They had even circulated counterfeit currency to amass vast wealth.
None of it made sense.
—The Jungson Clan has been utterly ruined.
Not only had the World Alliance eliminated all those involved in the child abductions, but they had also purged every organization tied to the counterfeit currency.
And when the evidence was handed over to the government office—
the punishment that befell the Jungson Clan was merciless.
The masterminds and core leadership were subjected to lingchi—death by a thousand cuts, their flesh sliced piece by piece.
Clan members and key disciples were all beheaded.
The rest were exiled to distant frontiers or reduced to slavery, depending on the severity of their crimes.
The Jungson Clan—
one of the legendary Three Great Martial Families—had vanished without a trace.
—Well done.
The Emperor bestowed rewards upon Bukgung Ryeong, the leader of the World Alliance, and its key contributors.
Bukgung Ryeong, in particular, was granted the title of Pacifier of Martial Forces.
And the Martial Soul Society, which had contributed the most, received a plaque inscribed by the Emperor's own hand.
For the first time since Shaolin, a martial faction now bore the Emperor's personal endorsement.
This plaque was more than an honor—it was an imperial acknowledgment of the Martial Soul Society as a leading force in the martial world.
The Emperor also distributed rewards fairly among all participating factions and martial artists.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol's Office.
Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong stood side by side, gazing out the window.
"It went exactly as you planned."
Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh.
"You actually secured an imperial plaque for the Martial Soul Society."
What Bu Eun-seol had truly wanted from the Jungson Clan affair was precisely this—the Emperor's recognition.
The Martial Soul Society was rapidly growing, drawing attention not just from the Martial Alliance but also from the Abyssal Forces.
If the Heavenly Chains were ever lifted, they could be in grave danger.
The best solution? Gaining the imperial court's endorsement.
That was why Bu Eun-seol had willingly sacrificed troops to strike the Jungson Clan's elite forces—
to claim the greatest merit.
"But it was too reckless."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"You fabricated flawless evidence, but... what if there had been a traitor among us? What if the Jungson Clan had counterattacked, proving they weren't behind the counterfeit currency?"
His voice dropped low.
"And telling the leaders of the Eight Great Families and the Nine Great Sects that there were no counterfeiters—that was far too careless."
What if one of them had been cooperating with the Jungson Clan?
Or worse—what if it came to light that Bu Eun-seol had orchestrated the counterfeit scandal that shook the empire?
He would never survive.
"Because of this, even if the Eight Great Families don't act, you've handed the Nine Great Sects a leash to control you."
If the Nine Great Sects ever turned against Bu Eun-seol—
they could expose the counterfeit scheme at any moment and banish him from the martial world forever.
"Especially since Chu-so was behind the Jungson Clan. If he had decided to retaliate—"
Yu Un-ryong cut himself off, shaking his head before changing the subject.
"In any case, this is only a short-term victory. In the long run, it's hardly a good omen."
"That won't happen."
Then Bu Eun-seol said something shocking.
"The counterfeit scandal was real."