Chapter 1185
The story was so shocking that
Gongson Dan-a wore an expression as if she had been slapped across the face.
According to what was known in the Martial World, the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden had deeply admired the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang.
It was said that she had even willingly brought him into the Secret Vault of the Fire Soul Land, where outsiders were strictly forbidden to enter.
Yet the very person who had damaged her eye was none other than the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade?
Bu Eun-seol's gaze also darkened.
In the Masked Man's memories, his grandfather had swung his blade and blinded the woman's eyes.
But to have even damaged one of the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's eyes...
"......."
Yet his expression remained composed.
He had already vowed to shoulder all of his grandfather's karma.
Until the full truth of any incident was revealed, he would maintain his steadfast belief in his grandfather.
"That's..."
Gongson Dan-a was utterly flustered.
If this was the case, had she brought Bu Eun-seol here for nothing?
'This isn't a problem that can be solved by force.'
Gongson Dan-a had assumed that the special medicine entrusted by the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang
was likely the Internal Core of the Fire Soul Flying Fox that lived in the Fire Soul Land.
However, it was said that the Fire Soul Flying Fox obeyed only the commands of the Fire Soul Land's Lord, and if anyone tried to forcibly capture it, it would instantly die.
No matter how extraordinary Bu Eun-seol's martial arts were,
without the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's permission, they would not be able to obtain the Spirit Medicine needed to save the Palace Lord.
"Is that truly the truth?"
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol, who had been lost in deep thought, stepped forward.
"There's no way Grandfather would have harmed only the Immortal Maiden's eye, is there?"
"What?"
"Grandfather's demonic saber techniques were peerless—no one could withstand them."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with a solemn expression.
"If he had wanted the Immortal Maiden's life, he would have severed her neck in a single stroke. Why would he have only damaged one eye?"
"Lord!"
Gongson Dan-a cried out in shock, but Bu Eun-seol continued with unwavering conviction.
"If Grandfather harmed the Immortal Maiden's eye, there must have been a reason for it."
In an instant, the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's remaining good eye turned a milky white.
Seeing this, Gongson Dan-a jumped as if burned and urgently tried to stop Bu Eun-seol.
"Lord! Are you trying to ruin my efforts now?"
But Bu Eun-seol ignored her and asked the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden again.
"If not, then say it isn't so. Immortal Maiden."
"Lord!"
Gongson Dan-a finally couldn't hold back and shouted loudly.
"Right now, you're not here to help me obtain the medicine—you're here to hinder me!"
"If the Immortal Maiden truly considers Grandfather her enemy, then nothing I say will change that."
"Is that what you call words right now?"
Seeing the tears welling up in Gongson Dan-a's eyes, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
'Perhaps that was too harsh.'
Outwardly, he pretended to remain composed,
but with each unexpected revelation of his grandfather's past,
Bu Eun-seol was growing increasingly agitated.
"I will stake my life to cure the Palace Lord's illness."
Bu Eun-seol looked at Gongson Dan-a and spoke calmly.
"So let's not waste any more time and return."
"No, we absolutely need the Spirit Medicine from the Fire Soul Land."
Gongson Dan-a pleaded desperately.
"We've tried everything. We sought out every physician known as a 'Divine Healer,' and there isn't a Spirit Medicine we haven't tried."
Though the Divine Water Palace did not engage in Martial World affairs, it had vast connections with numerous renowned figures,
and its treasure vault was filled with Spirit Medicines and Spiritual Herbs gathered from all corners of the world.
Gongson Dan-a and the Elders had exhausted every possible method to cure the Palace Lord, but none had worked.
In the end, they had pinned their last hope on the Fire Soul Land and come here.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh.
Until now, he had accomplished many things deemed impossible by others through his ingenious wisdom and strategies,
and he had defeated formidable enemies thought to be unbeatable.
But seeking goodwill from someone who harbored deep resentment was impossible from the start.
"Please, Lord."
"You don't need to beg me. I, too, owe the Palace Lord a debt."
Seeing Gongson Dan-a's desperate expression, Bu Eun-seol exhaled heavily.
"But asking for kindness from someone who holds deep resentment is fundamentally impossible."
Then, the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden said something entirely unexpected.
"If you truly are Bu Jan-yang's grandson, then there is a way for you to obtain the Spirit Medicine."
She stared intently at Bu Eun-seol.
"If you pledge to faithfully obey this Immortal Maiden's commands, I will give you the medicine."
It was a sudden proposal.
Bu Eun-seol turned to face her and replied indifferently,
"Give me your orders."
"Marry that girl."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden pointed at Gongson Dan-a and spoke in a sinister voice.
"If you set up a bridal chamber here and consummate the marriage, I will give you the medicine."
Bu Eun-seol frowned, utterly unable to comprehend her intentions.
She would give them the Spirit Medicine if he held a wedding ceremony with Gongson Dan-a?
"What does the Immortal Maiden stand to gain from doing this?"
"Shouldn't you know better?"
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden sneered.
"Aren't you that Bu Jan-yang's grandson?"
"I have no idea."
"Then let me ask you this."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden spoke coldly.
"You are a figure of the Demonic Path. How did you come to associate with that girl from the Divine Water Palace? What is your relationship, and why did you come here with her?"
"I owe her—and the Divine Water Palace—a debt. That's why I came here at her request."
"A request?"
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden scoffed.
"You're the Lord of the Demon Hall. If you wanted to repay a debt, there were countless other ways. Yet you chose to risk your life and follow her into the heart of the Fire Soul Land."
"As I said—"
"Right, right. You couldn't refuse. Of course not. You're the kind of man who would dig a well to repay a single sip of water—the grandson of the great Seven Fingers Demonic Blade!"
Her hoarse voice echoed through the cavern, laced with deep-seated bitterness, enough to make one's hair stand on end.
"No doubt you've inherited that old philanderer's blood, taking pleasure in bending the hearts of women wherever you go, haven't you?"
Silence stretched between them, the air around the Fire Soul Land growing heavy.
No matter how Bu Eun-seol tried to explain himself, on the surface, it would always look exactly as the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden had said—a handsome face hiding behind a mask of righteousness, a man who had come here solely to win Gongson Dan-a's heart.
"Then deny it. Say it isn't true."
She threw his own words back at him in mockery.
"I have nothing to say."
"Hmph. At least you're more honest than your grandfather."
"Insult me all you like, but I won't tolerate slander against my grandfather."
"I was your grandfather's peer. How is calling his grandson more honest than him an insult?"
She had a point.
"...You're right. I was being overly sensitive."
When Bu Eun-seol conceded easily, the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden snorted and pressed on.
"Fine, then answer me this—are you married?"
"No."
"Yet there must be women around you, no? Not just one or two."
Bu Eun-seol could have had ten mouths and still found no words to refute her.
Because she wasn't wrong.
"And if I asked what your relationship with that girl is, you'd say there's none at all, wouldn't you?"
When he didn't answer, she gnashed her teeth and shouted.
"No relationship at all, yet you'd risk your life to come to the heart of the Fire Soul Land for medicine? All because of some debt?"
Her voice dripped with frost.
"In the end, you're no different. Hiding behind a righteous mask, using debt as an excuse—did you come here to steal her heart too?"
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head.
Though he harbored no ulterior motives toward Gongson Dan-a, most of what the woman said was true.
"Bu Jan-yang was always like that too."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's voice trembled with fury.
"Playing the righteous man, winning the favor of countless women—only to toy with them and leave without anything coming of it."
"......"
"And now his grandson hasn't married either, planning to follow in his footsteps and seduce every woman under heaven? Not a chance!"
Baring her teeth, she roared.
"As the master of this land, I'll put an end to that wickedness here! You won't get the chance to deceive another woman!"
"What exactly do you intend to do?"
"Didn't you hear me? Either marry that girl, or get lost!"
Her voice boomed.
"Don't even dream of getting the medicine any other way!"
In her own twisted way, she was exacting revenge on Bu Jan-yang.
"So what the master is saying is... if I hold a wedding ceremony with the Lord..."
Gongson Dan-a spoke up then.
"You'll give us the medicine to cure our Palace Lord?"
"That's right."
"I'll do it."
"Lady Gongson—"
When Bu Eun-seol stiffened in shock, Gongson Dan-a clasped her hands together in plea.
"My Lord. I will never forget this kindness, even if my bones turn to dust."
She dropped to her knees, begging.
"Please, think of it as saving the Palace Lord's life. Won't you?"
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh.
He understood her feelings perfectly. No—if he were in her place, he would have done the same.
To save someone precious, one could throw away their life without hesitation. Marriage was nothing in comparison.
"You thought I was joking, didn't you?"
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's voice cut in.
"If you marry, you will swear an oath—never to take another woman, never to take a concubine."
Then she added, coldly:
"And the moment the vows are exchanged, I will announce it to the entire martial world. So you can never play the rake again."
Bu Eun-seol said nothing.
If he truly loved Gongson Dan-a? Such a vow would mean nothing.
But to force a marriage like this, with no feelings between them—to bind them together for life—was nothing short of cruel violence.
"Is this how you would sever the ties between people?"
"So you're saying you'll keep chasing women from now on?"
"I've never chased anyone."
"Fine, maybe you haven't."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden's gaze pierced through him.
"But the women waiting for you will only grow in number."
"......"
"In the end, you've just said the most cunning thing possible. That you plan to toy with women for the rest of your life."
She waved a hand dismissively, as if bored.
"I don't even want to explain anymore. Just leave."
"Maiden—"
Gongson Dan-a clasped her hands again, but the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden turned away coldly.
"I'm not forcing you. Just go. Don't loiter around my land for no reason."
Her temperament was as extreme as it was eccentric.
She hadn't been bluffing—she truly meant to withhold the medicine unless they held a wedding.
"Lord."
Gongson Dan-a looked up at Bu Eun-seol with desperate eyes.
"I beg of you."
As if believing marriage was the only way to save the Divine Beast Palace Lord, she pleaded with utter sincerity.
"Not for my sake, but for the Palace Lord's."
Bu Eun-seol's chest ached.
Gongson Dan-a possessed the kind of beauty any man might dream of at least once in his life.
Her temperament was neither sharp nor combative—she was pure, like a child.
That very beauty seemed born to be loved by every man in the world.
And yet, here she was...
Begging for marriage to save her ailing master.
Drip, drip.
As pearlescent tears spilled from her eyes, Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
"Lady Gongson. Marriage is not merely a matter between the two of us."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden had declared that once the wedding ceremony was held, it would be publicly announced throughout the Murim.
And she would force them to swear an oath—that he would never meet another woman again.
If that happened, the women waiting for Bu Eun-seol would undoubtedly be devastated.
And the countless factions targeting him...
Would now turn their blades toward Gongson Dan-a.
"I know. I will personally explain the circumstances to everyone waiting for you, Lord."
Though she spoke firmly, her face was deathly pale.
The first person she would have to explain this to was none other than her own elder sister—Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"That's not what I meant."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with the utmost gravity.
"The moment our marriage is announced, not only you, Lady Gongson, but even the Divine Beast Palace itself could face grave danger."
"It's alright."
Gongson Dan-a smiled faintly, sorrow etched in her expression.
"Once it's known that I've married you, Lord, I can no longer remain a disciple of the Divine Beast Palace anyway."
The Divine Beast Palace had no rule forbidding marriage, but those destined to become Palace Lords had always lived in celibacy.
So what if Gongson Dan-a—acknowledged as the next Palace Lord—married Bu Eun-seol?
Not only would she lose her position as successor...
She would be branded with the disgrace of tarnishing the Divine Beast Palace's centuries-old reputation as a pillar of the Righteous Faction.
"Once this matter is settled, I will leave the palace and enter a nunnery."
Gongson Dan-a had already resolved not only to leave the Divine Beast Palace after this...
But to take monastic vows, ensuring she harmed no one else.
"She only demanded we marry. What happens afterward shouldn't matter, right?"
When Gongson Dan-a glared at her with fierce eyes, the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden snorted.
"Do as you please. This Immortal Maiden only needs you two to hold a modest ceremony here, spend one night together, and that's that."
Her goal was clear.
To marry Bu Eun-seol and Gongson Dan-a—and announce it to the entire Murim.
She saw this as vengeance against the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, who had coldly discarded women like worn-out shoes.
'Is there no other way?'
Gongson Dan-a was willing to abandon everything—
To save her master.
To ensure no harm came to herself.
How could he possibly turn away from that?
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
At that, Gongson Dan-a's face brightened with a radiant smile.
"Thank you."
"Hah, I knew you'd agree."
The One-Eyed Immortal Maiden smirked as she watched them.
"A sentimental fool like you would do anything for a woman, consequences be damned."
Her lips curled into a wicked grin.
"But let's see if you can still smile after the wedding—once the entire Murim knows."
A sudden wedding was held in the desolate Fire Soul Land.
Around the clearing, disciples of the Fire Soul Land had swept away black volcanic ash, forming a perfect circle.
Along its border, they carefully embedded crystallized Spiritual Herbs—now petrified, drained of all spiritual energy.
As night fell and darkness descended...
These crystals absorbed the moonlight, each emitting a faint, otherworldly glow in different hues.
Lanterns layered with red and blue paper hung throughout the wedding venue, casting an ethereal, shifting light rarely seen in the mortal world.
Two long bolts of crimson silk were unfurled along the path the bride and groom would walk.
Bu Eun-seol wore a red robe embroidered with a qilin motif, his waist cinched not with a jade belt but a sash adorned with red tassels.
'She called this a modest wedding?'
He glanced around in disbelief.
A massive stone altar stood at the center, carved with dragons and phoenixes, upon which rested a pair of dragon-phoenix candlesticks.
A pristine porcelain wine vessel had been placed atop it.
They had spared no effort.
"The bride approaches!"
At the call of a Fire Soul Land disciple in faded blue-gray robes...
Gongson Dan-a appeared in the distance, walking slowly, a phoenix coronet adorned with delicate floral motifs resting upon her head.
Though crafted not of gold and jade but of obsidian carved by disciples and inlaid with red Spiritual Herb crystals...
Its intricate beauty rivaled even the coronets of imperial consorts.
Her wedding robes, woven of deep crimson silk, shimmered brilliantly under the candlelight with every movement, embroidered with golden phoenix motifs.
Her face, powdered white, and lips painted red made her look nothing short of a celestial maiden descended to earth.
Step. Step.
As she approached, Gongson Dan-a caught sight of Bu Eun-seol standing tall and dignified—then shyly lowered her head.
There were no grand musical performances, no boisterous guests.
Only the whisper of wind through ash and the crackling of candle flames filled the air as...
The solemn voice of the Fire Soul Land's head disciple resonated.
"Kneel before the heavens and earth, and bow!"
Bu Eun-seol and Gongson Dan-a exchanged glances.
Once this ceremony proceeded, there would be no turning back.
With the One-Eyed Immortal Maiden and all the disciples of the Fire Soul Land as witnesses...
Their marriage would be proclaimed throughout the Murim.