Chapter 1170
The Martial Venerable wore the composed expression of one certain of victory.
It was a complete checkmate.
Not only had he gathered the martial artists of the Martial Alliance, but even those who had attended the ascension ceremony were now assembled here—ensuring that no scheme Bu Eun-seol could devise would matter.
"To dare invade the Pratyekabuddha Hall, taking advantage of the Capital, the heart of the martial world under our Alliance's rule!"
The Martial Venerable, now disguised as Jeong Cheon-je, shouted in a solemn voice.
"Remove your mask at once and reveal your identity."
Though his gaze was sharp, an oddly triumphant light flickered within.
It made no difference whether Bu Eun-seol was disguised or revealed his true identity.
No matter what status he claimed—
The fact remained that he had trespassed into the Pratyekabuddha Hall without permission and was an assassin who had attempted to murder the Alliance Chief.
Hmph.
A faint, barely visible smirk played at the corners of the Martial Venerable's lips.
[Well then, what will you do?]
As he sent the voice transmission, Bu Eun-seol slowly reached for his mask.
[You seem to think the title of Martial Soul Lord is omnipotent.]
As if guessing his thoughts, the Martial Venerable sneered.
[Even if you flaunt your status as the Heir of the Demon Hall now, the most it'll do is keep your head from rolling.]
The crime of attempting to assassinate the Alliance Chief was grave.
Even if he revealed his identity, he could not avoid imprisonment.
And no matter how formidable his martial prowess, there was absolutely no way to break through this many forces and the Chaotic Heaven Forbidden Gate Sky Chain Formation to escape.
Sssk—
Then, as Bu Eun-seol fully removed his mask—
The eyes of not just the Martial Alliance's warriors, but all the gathered martial artists, widened as if they might tear.
—The Martial Soul Lord?!
They stared in utter disbelief.
The one who had attempted to assassinate the Alliance Chief was none other than the Heir of the Demon Hall, the Martial Soul Lord?
—Then who was the Martial Soul Lord who attended the ascension ceremony?
Only then did the martial artists turn their heads, searching for the Martial Soul Lord who had been present at the ceremony.
But the Martial Soul Lord had already vanished without a trace.
Seo Jin-ha, having grasped the situation, had immediately concealed himself.
But it was futile.
If they investigated each attendee one by one, they would eventually uncover the one who had been disguised.
"Martial Soul Lord... So it was you after all."
The Martial Venerable, having raised his internal energy, spoke in a booming voice.
"Martial Soul Lord! You had your subordinate conceal your movements while you infiltrated the Pratyekabuddha Hall!"
He infused his words with internal energy, amplifying his voice.
"Not only that—you drew your sword to assassinate our Alliance Chief when he discovered your presence!"
At his words, the gazes of the gathered warriors fixed on Bu Eun-seol's battered appearance.
The Pratyekabuddha Hall was a forbidden ground where even the Martial Alliance's elite could not enter freely.
Countless witnesses had seen him walk out of it with their own eyes—there was no room for denial.
"Surround him!"
Rumble—
Without hesitation, the Martial Alliance's warriors drew their weapons and encircled Bu Eun-seol.
Attempting to assassinate the Alliance Chief within the Martial Alliance's territory was an unforgivable crime.
"Martial Soul Lord. Submit peacefully."
Gwak Mu-su, the Iron Justice Hall's leader, who had arrived with his forces, spoke in an icy tone.
"Resist, and you will be executed on the spot."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been scanning his surroundings, replied indifferently.
"I did not attempt to assassinate the Martial Alliance Chief."
"The truth will be determined through a thorough investigation by our Alliance."
"No investigation is necessary."
Bu Eun-seol pointed at the Martial Venerable and spoke coldly.
"That man is not the Martial Alliance Chief."
Murmur—
Instantly, the crowd erupted into clamor.
They couldn't comprehend how he could boldly spout such nonsense in this situation.
"You claim our Alliance Chief is an imposter?"
The Martial Venerable chuckled darkly.
He had already anticipated Bu Eun-seol resorting to such tactics.
"Very well. If that is your belief, then our Alliance Chief will also submit to investigation."
He turned to Gwak Mu-su.
"After escorting him away, summon the Alliance's elders and external figures. Then, I too shall undergo a fair investigation."
Then, infusing his voice with internal energy, he declared solemnly:
"If there is even a single shred of evidence that our Alliance Chief is false—if even the slightest doubt is raised—then punishment shall be delivered without delay."
At his words, not only the Martial Alliance's warriors but even the surrounding martial artists nodded in approval.
—Truly, Jeong Cheon-je.
Even after capturing an intruder who had invaded the Pratyekabuddha Hall and attempted to assassinate him—
He humored such absurd claims and even volunteered to undergo investigation himself.
"Understood."
Gwak Mu-su bowed slightly and signaled to the Iron Justice Hall's warriors.
In truth, only the Iron Justice Hall's forces had revealed themselves—the area around the Pratyekabuddha Hall was already swarming with the Martial Alliance's finest warriors and masters.
Even if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself were here, escape would be impossible.
Just as everything seemed concluded—
"Hahaha—HAHAHA!"
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol burst into maddened laughter, like a man possessed.
"HAHAHA!"
It was neither despair nor resignation—but the deranged laughter of one who intended to overturn everything.
The Iron Justice Hall's warriors, who had been approaching him, froze mid-step, overcome by an eerie, instinctive dread.
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol abruptly stopped laughing and glared at the Martial Venerable with smoldering eyes.
"Earlier, you mentioned evidence, did you not?"
Then, amplifying his voice with internal energy, he declared:
"Good. Then I shall prove to you—right here, right now—why you are a false Alliance Chief!"
As his voice echoed chillingly through the hall, the Martial Venerable merely smirked.
"I look forward to it."
He had already anticipated this move.
No matter what trick Bu Eun-seol had up his sleeve, there was no way he could expose his disguise.
Though it paled in comparison to the Darkness Secret Arts—which could alter not just one's appearance but even the positions of internal organs down to the finest hair—
He had mastered the Sungra Family's Soul-Returning Body-Shifting Escape Technique, leaving no trace of his transformation for anyone to uncover.
"Save the rest of your excuses for the Bottomless Prison."
"No need to wait for the Prison."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"I'll prove it to you right here."
"I don't know what nonsense you're spouting."
Just as the Martial Venerable scoffed and shook his head—
SCREEEEEEE—!!!
A deafening explosion tore through the heavens.
Someone was approaching at an impossible speed, using the Land-Flying Technique.
In an instant, the Martial Venerable and the other warriors of the Martial Alliance stiffened in confusion.
Using the Land-Flying Technique near the Martial Alliance meant immediate retaliation from the surrounding guards.
Moreover, the entire Alliance was currently sealed under the Chaotic Heaven Forbidden Gate Sky Chain Formation, completely isolating it from the outside world.
So how could the Sound of Breaking Air be heard approaching this place?
Zzzzt—!
White flames erupted across the sky, and a transparent energy slowly dispersed.
Someone had dismantled the barrier of the Chaotic Heaven Forbidden Gate Sky Chain Formation that had enveloped the Martial Alliance.
"Who dares release the Chaotic Heaven Formation?!"
Gwak Mu-su shouted in shock—
BOOM—!!!
A thunderous explosion, loud enough to rupture eardrums, shook the earth.
CRASH—!!!
A black meteor slammed into the ground near Bu Eun-seol.
As the dust settled, a towering shadow stood in its wake.
A man with muscles like boulders and skin gleaming like steel, his eyes spewing black miasma.
It was none other than... Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi.
—What... is happening?
The gathered warriors stared at the demonic figure before them, unable to close their gaping mouths.
If Jeong Cheon-je was already here...
How could another Jeong Cheon-je appear?
The man who had once possessed jade-like beauty and a spring breeze's warmth—
Why did he now radiate the aura of a vengeful ghost clawing its way out of hell?
—.......
A silence as thick as death itself spread through the hall.
Amid the stunned crowd, Bu Eun-seol stood calmly, closing his eyes briefly.
And in that moment, he recalled the memory of meeting Mu-gyeol—the man who had orchestrated all of this.
[FLASHBACK]
The cold night air pierced his lungs like a blade.
Inside the Hidden Demon Pavilion's office, a lone candle flickered, casting a long, wavering shadow against the wall.
The upcoming Martial Alliance Chief inauguration ceremony was undeniably a trap.
No—from the moment they openly invited countless martial artists, they hadn't even bothered hiding it.
If anything, it was an arrogant provocation—Come if you dare.
"This is not a battle of strength against strength... but a clash of schemes against schemes."
A fight where victory could only be secured by reading the opponent's moves and seeing beyond their plans.
"Which is why we must anticipate the Martial Venerable's strategy in advance."
He had to predict—relentlessly—what would unfold at the ceremony and what tricks the Martial Venerable would employ.
Bu Eun-seol spent an entire day and night in contemplation, forgoing sleep.
Swoosh.
Finally, his calculations were complete. He rose from his seat.
"The answer... is that there is none."
No matter how perfectly he prepared.
No matter how flawlessly he predicted the Martial Venerable's actions.
In the end, he would still lose.
The Martial Alliance was the Martial Venerable's domain.
As long as he wore the mask of the Alliance Chief, no matter how ingenious Bu Eun-seol's schemes were—no matter how divine his stratagems—
He would inevitably be crushed.
"In that case..."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"We need a card that overturns the board itself."
Having made up his mind, he gave the Death Soul Squad an order:
—Find Mu-gyeol, who left the Martial Alliance.
Mu-gyeol.
Jeong Cheon-je's sole disciple.
The man who, suspecting his sworn brother—the Martial Venerable—of betraying their master, shattered his own cultivation and became the Venerable's disciple again to expose the Hidden Mastermind.
A man whose tenacity even left Bu Eun-seol in awe.
Only he held the piece that could shatter this game.
Thanks to Bu Eun-seol, Mu-gyeol had not only confirmed the Martial Venerable's betrayal of Jeong Cheon-je—
But also recovered a fragment of Spring and Autumn Annals, the sole surviving relic Jeong Cheon-je had left behind, secretly hoarded by the Martial Venerable.
But since that Spring and Autumn Annals was incomplete, Mu-gyeol had been wandering the Martial World in search of the missing half.
"After hearing the information about Martial Heavenly Emperor that the Lord conveyed, he completely vanished without a trace."
Bu Eun-seol, who had encountered the now-insane Martial Heavenly Emperor, had immediately relayed all such information to Mu-gyeol.
But perhaps the shock had been too great? Before anyone realized it, Mu-gyeol had disappeared entirely.
"That's to be expected."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"He must abandon everything to search for the lost Spring and Autumn Annals."
"The Spring and Autumn Annals...?"
"He must have realized it is the only way to save his master."
Mu Heun, commander of the Death Soul Squad, who had been silently mulling over Bu Eun-seol's words, wore a troubled expression.
"But isn't it too great a risk to trust him and stake everything on this?"
To track down someone as elusive as Mu-gyeol, they would have to concentrate the entire intelligence network of the Death Soul Squad.
At such a critical time as this.
To divert all their resources to find Mu-gyeol—someone whose success wasn't even guaranteed—was far too reckless.
"Even if he finds the Spring and Autumn Annals, there's no guarantee he'll obtain the decisive means to topple Martial Venerable."
"I don't trust Mu-gyeol—I trust Martial Heavenly Emperor."
Martial Heavenly Emperor had reached the pinnacle of the Demonic Path's Martial World despite being twenty years younger than the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Yet he had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, matching him in strength.
Though he may now be a madman.
He was once called the Heaven of the Righteous Faction, the man to whom Grandfather had entrusted the Chain of Reincarnation.
A man like that would not have left his sole disciple without a contingency plan.
"Martial Heavenly Emperor left Mu-gyeol with instructions—if anything were to happen, he was to seek out the Spring and Autumn Annals. That means he must have prepared a way to protect his disciple..."
Bu Eun-seol declared firmly.
"And that will be the decisive means to bring down Martial Venerable."
Having grasped the full situation, Mu Heun drew a deep breath.
Only ten days remained until the Alliance Chief's inauguration ceremony.
They had to find Mu-gyeol within that time.
A few days later, a report reached Bu Eun-seol.
They had finally located Mu-gyeol, who had been operating covertly in Hainan.
Bu Eun-seol rushed to meet him at once, greeting him warmly.
"Clan Leader Mu."
Mu-gyeol showed little surprise at Bu Eun-seol's sudden arrival.
He had known that Bu Eun-seol was in constant conflict with Martial Venerable and that a time would come when they would need each other's strength.
He had already taken measures to ensure the Death Soul Squad's intelligence network could reach him.
Otherwise, not even the Death Soul Squad could have found him so quickly.
"I severed ties with the Martial Alliance long ago... The title of Clan Leader is one I can no longer bear."
Mu-gyeol, who had once carried the gentle and refined air of a scholar, now exuded the dignified presence of a seasoned martial artist.
"Brother Mu, you look much more distinguished these days."
"What brings you here?"
Recognizing that Bu Eun-seol addressed him with the respect due an elder, Mu-gyeol replied in a relaxed tone.
"I heard you've been busy with various affairs."
It seemed Mu-gyeol had cultivated a considerable intelligence network of his own, as he was somewhat aware of Bu Eun-seol's recent movements.
"I came because I need your help."
"My help?"
"Yes."
"This is about Martial Venerable."
Mu-gyeol's expression darkened.
The fact that his once-kind master had gone mad and was now wandering the Baekri Clan's Secret Vault resurfaced in his mind.
Though he hadn't uncovered the full truth behind it, he knew Martial Venerable was one of the masterminds.
According to the records left in the Spring and Autumn Annals, Martial Venerable had stolen a significant portion of his master's Golden Cicada True Qi—
And it wasn't mere greed, but part of a meticulously calculated scheme.
"You plan to use the inauguration ceremony."
"Yes."
"It won't be easy."
"That's why I sought you out."
"Why me?"
Bu Eun-seol answered without hesitation.
"Because you must have found the remaining half of the Spring and Autumn Annals."
A brief silence followed.
"Sometimes, you frighten me."
Mu-gyeol stared intently at Bu Eun-seol before saying something unexpected.
"I've wondered if you're not just intelligent—but if, like shamans, you commune with spirits."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's expression brightened.
Didn't that mean Mu-gyeol had indeed found the missing half of the Spring and Autumn Annals left by Jeong Cheon-je?
"So you came for the Spring and Autumn Annals."
"Yes."
Bu Eun-seol admitted frankly.
"A Philosopher like the Alliance Chief would not have left Brother Mu without a contingency plan."
"Is this fate, then?"
Mu-gyeol let out a deep sigh.
The day he finally found his master's legacy—something he had desperately sought but failed to obtain—
Miraculously, it was the very same day the Martial Alliance announced the selection of a new chief.
Swish.
Mu-gyeol pulled an aged booklet from his robes—the missing half of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
"As you predicted, my master left me a contingency plan. And..."
A strange smile touched his lips.
"Just as you said, it contains the means to drive out Martial Venerable—that man."
The half of the Spring and Autumn Annals contained a shocking truth.
Jeong Cheon-je seemed to have anticipated what would happen to him.
Using the Heart Qi Essence extracted from the Golden Cicada True Qi, the secret formula obtained from the Sacred Realm, and the Blood Oath Seal—
He had written the latter half of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
In other words, the characters inscribed in the Annals that Mu-gyeol had found were akin to carving his very soul into its pages.
If this book were to be burned?
It would be an act that would shake the very foundation of his existence—like searing the soul bound to the Annals with fire.
And that agony would transcend time and space, transferring directly to his master's body.
Meaning, whether he was already mad or would be driven to insanity—
Jeong Cheon-je would have no choice but to rush to wherever the Annals were being burned, compelled to destroy the source of his torment.
Having heard the entire story, Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but be stunned into silence.
"I had no idea such a secret formula was hidden within the Annals."
Instead of answering, Mu-gyeol lowered his gaze to the tattered half of the Spring and Autumn Annals in his hands.
As he stared at his master's legacy, he was overcome with both overwhelming emotion and sorrow.
"Then it's settled."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
At last, they had found the leverage needed to drag the Martial Venerable from his seat as Alliance Chief.
But the response he received was unexpected.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this."
Mu-gyeol spoke with a sorrowful expression.
"It would be satisfying, wouldn't it? Summoning my master before the entire world, humiliating the Martial Venerable, and exacting righteous vengeance."
He let out a deep sigh.
"But... how could I possibly expose my master's disgraceful state—his madness and rampage—to the entire martial world?"
From the perspective of a disciple like Mu-gyeol, it was only natural.
No matter how much he wanted to topple that vile Martial Venerable—
He could never bear to let the martial world witness the broken state of the man who had once been the foremost figure of the orthodox path.
"Of course. I understand how you feel, Mu-gyeol. That's why I even considered not seeking you out."
Bu Eun-seol sighed as he spoke.
"But this matter isn't just about bringing down the Martial Venerable—it's also about you and the Alliance Chief."
"What do you mean?"
"Even if he has gone mad, the Divine Martial Alliance Chief's prowess has reached a level unrivaled in the world."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was firm.
"Even if you summoned the Alliance Chief, you wouldn't be able to fully suppress him. There isn't a single master in all the martial world capable of that."
He knew all too well the extent of Jeong Cheon-je's martial might in his deranged state.
"Not even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor could fully restrain the current Divine Martial Alliance Chief by force alone."
"To that degree?"
Mu-gyeol bit his lip.
If Bu Eun-seol's words were true, then even burning the Annals wouldn't provide a way to save his master, would it?
"I see what you're getting at."
To restrain the maddened Jeong Cheon-je—
They would need a prison-like space that could never be broken.
In that case, the supreme sealing formation of the era, crafted by the greatest martial alliance—
The Chaotic Heaven Forbidden Gate Sky Chain Formation, designed to imprison formidable enemies who infiltrated the Martial Alliance, was their only option.
"There's no need to rush."
But Mu-gyeol shook his head.
"If we wait just a few more years, I'll have the manpower and resources to construct even the Chaotic Heaven Forbidden Gate Sky Chain Formation."
To exact vengeance on that treacherous Martial Venerable, Mu-gyeol had been tirelessly training warriors and amassing wealth.
His presence in Hainan was no coincidence—it was for the sake of secretly training his own martial forces.
"Why wouldn't it be possible?"
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply.
"But even if ten years pass... you'll never recruit a master of equal strength to the Divine Martial Alliance Chief, nor raise an army capable of matching him."
Then, with absolute conviction, he added—
"Even if we summon the Divine Martial Alliance Chief using the Annals and imprison him, it'll all be for nothing if we can't subdue and pacify him."
Mu-gyeol couldn't refute him.
It was an undeniable truth.
"So... you intend to use the Martial Alliance's battle formations and the Martial Venerable?"
"That's merely one possible method."
"You've already devised multiple plans, then."
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol offered a faint smile, and Mu-gyeol pressed a hand to his forehead as if dizzy.
Never before had he felt—
That he was outmatched in intelligence or quick-wittedness by anyone.
Yet whenever he stood before Bu Eun-seol—
He always felt like a fool.
"But if what you say is true, my master won't even be able to distinguish friend from foe."
According to Bu Eun-seol, his maddened master's martial prowess surpassed even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
A task more impossible than hanging a bell around a dragon's neck—so how did he plan to capture his deranged master?
"Countless people could die in the process. Shouldn't we be cautious to avoid dragging innocents into this?"
At those words, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
Jeong Cheon-je had raised his disciple well.
Even when faced with the long-awaited chance to save his master, his first concern was still the safety of the innocent.
"I'll take responsibility."
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"No one will be harmed."
For a moment, Mu-gyeol's gaze trembled violently.
It was strange.
Even though he knew it was impossible—that his master's madness couldn't be cured, nor could he be subdued—
Why did he feel this inexplicable surge of faith?
"...Very well. No matter what it takes, that vile Martial Venerable must fall."
Mu-gyeol took a deep breath.
He had no means of stopping his maddened master.
Even the secret forces he had painstakingly raised couldn't compare to the Death Shadow War Unit cultivated by this Martial Soul Lord.
That left only one path—
To place his trust in the man before him and stake everything on it.