Chapter 1226
In the past, Bu Eun-seol had once faced the Divine Maiden Palace's guardian martial art, the Mother-Son Spear Technique, forced by Palace Lord Yeon Ja-mi's insistence.
At the time, the Mother-Son Spear Technique was a martial art performed simultaneously by the three hall leaders of the Water Purity, Shamanic Spirit, and Purple Mansion divisions.
Thus, he was already acquainted with Yak-ran, the Water Purity Hall Master.
"Hall Master Yak."
Recognizing her face, Bu Eun-seol immediately bowed in greeting.
"It's been a while. Have you been well?"
Yak-ran spoke coldly, as if meeting a stranger for the first time.
"Leave."
"I've only come to see the Young Palace Lord."
"I know. That's why I'm telling you no."
Bu Eun-seol hesitated briefly before retrieving a letter from his sleeve.
"In light of our past camaraderie, would you at least deliver this letter to the Young Palace Lord?"
When Yak-ran remained silent, Bu Eun-seol sighed and continued.
"If she still refuses to meet me even after receiving this, I will leave without another word."
Yak-ran wavered for a moment before speaking, as if having made up her mind.
"The Young Palace Lord has a soft heart. If she receives this, she might agree to see you once."
Biting her lip, she added in a low voice,
"But what then?"
"......"
"I wish you would stop tormenting her."
Bu Eun-seol asked cautiously,
"Tormenting? I don't understand what you mean."
"In all this time, has the Lord ever once visited our palace of your own accord?"
She closed her eyes with a pained expression.
"Yet now that rumors about the Young Palace Lord have spread through the Martial World, you finally come?"
Bu Eun-seol had no words to refute her, even if he had ten mouths.
Because it was the undeniable truth.
Even if Yeon So-ha's heart had changed due to the man sent by the Empress Dowager,
he had no right to say anything.
"This hall master has misspoken."
Realizing her words had been too harsh—after all, Bu Eun-seol was the benefactor who had saved the Divine Maiden Palace multiple times and one of the great masters overseeing the current martial world—Yak-ran bowed deeply in apology.
"I spoke out of turn. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Not at all. Hall Master Yak's words are a hundred times correct."
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head.
"As you said, what face do I have to meet the Young Palace Lord...?"
Then, with a deep sigh, he continued,
"This is not for my own selfish desires. I only ask that you reconsider."
"You insist on meeting her, then."
Yak-ran exhaled heavily.
"If the Lord's resolve is so firm, who am I to stop you?"
Truthfully, if Bu Eun-seol truly wished,
he could easily scale the Divine Maiden Palace's walls and secretly seek out Yeon So-ha.
But he had refrained from such discourtesy, showing respect even to the gatekeepers and messengers.
And now, he was pleading with her earnestly and politely.
"Follow me."
"Hall Master Yak."
Sang Eun-ryeong, who had been watching silently, spoke up.
"Not only the Young Palace Lord, but Palace Lord Yeon Ja-mi also strictly forbade allowing the Martial Soul Lord inside."
Taking a deep breath, Yak-ran replied solemnly,
"It's fine. I will take responsibility."
Then she led Bu Eun-seol away.
Once inside the Divine Maiden Palace, Yak-ran guided him along a steep and secluded path,
doing her best to avoid encountering any of the palace's disciples.
This alone made it clear—not just the Palace Lord and the Young Palace Lord, but all the disciples...
how deeply they resented Bu Eun-seol.
Their destination was a small pavilion in the palace's rear garden.
Once used by disciples to meet their families, it had since fallen into disuse from age.
"Wait here. I will inform the Young Palace Lord."
"Hall Master Yak."
Bu Eun-seol bowed once more as she turned to leave.
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
She had risked punishment to secretly bring him here.
Considering they had no special bond beyond briefly sparring in the past,
this was an unexpectedly great favor.
"This isn't for you. It's for the Young Palace Lord."
Yak-ran let out another heavy sigh.
"If you sever ties so abruptly, it will only wound her more deeply."
With those final words, she turned and disappeared.
How long had he waited?
Tap, tap.
With light footsteps, a woman in snow-white palace robes slowly approached Bu Eun-seol.
Her eyes were so beautiful they could be seen sparkling clearly even from ten li away—a peerless beauty with mesmerizing features.
A Glance Worth a Thousand Gold.
Yeon So-ha, known as one of the Three Great Beauties of the World, famed for possessing the most beautiful eyes, had arrived.
"Young Palace Lord."
Bu Eun-seol bowed courteously.
Thanks to his relentless practice of the techniques outlined in the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming, his movements were naturally graceful, his gaze profound.
"Martial Soul Lord."
But Yeon So-ha showed no particular reaction, her voice as frigid as could be.
"This palace has, for generations, walked the path of the Righteous Faction—a sanctuary forbidden to men."
"......"
"What business brings the Heir of the Demon Hall before me?"
Bu Eun-seol wore an apologetic expression.
"My apologies."
"For what?"
"For everything... I must apologize."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Young Palace Lord."
"I only came out because Hall Master Yak pleaded with me."
A blizzard raged in her eyes.
"If you have nothing more to say, I shall take my leave."
Yeon So-ha was, by nature, warm-hearted—kind even to those beneath her.
Yet now, her demeanor was frosty and unyielding.
Is she being cold because she's deeply in love with someone else now?
According to the Death Soul Squad's investigation, Yeon So-ha had just begun a courtship with a man called Dan Young Master.
And here was Bu Eun-seol—her former lover, a man who had never once visited the Divine Maiden Palace—suddenly appearing before her as if his feet were on fire.
Of course she would be cold.
If word spread carelessly, it could spark a scandal, ruining her budding romance with Dan Young Master.
Is she truly in love with him?
Unlike Princess Hui-jeong, whose eyes had brimmed with vitality and infatuation, Yeon So-ha looked somewhat gaunt, her body thinner than before.
"Is there something on my face?"
When Bu Eun-seol silently studied her, she furrowed her brows.
In the past, her gaze would have been brimming with pride and affection.
But now, her eyes held neither joy nor longing as she stared back at him.
"Still, I came all this way."
Bu Eun-seol ventured a light jest.
"I was just starting to feel slighted that you wouldn't even offer me tea."
In an instant, Yeon So-ha's delicate brows arched sharply.
"If you have no business here, I'm going back inside."
Recalling the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
"I came because I wanted to see you."
"What did you say?"
Her eyes turned infinitely colder, flashing with anger. Quickly, he backtracked.
"I heard the Young Palace Lord has grown close to someone."
"What concern is that of yours?"
Her gaze was a frozen wasteland, swept by the bitter winds of winter.
I must find a way to open her heart.
Realizing how completely shut off she was, Bu Eun-seol recalled the manual's advice:
—When a woman sees jealousy in the one she loves, she interprets it as proof of affection.
Of course, this didn't mean obsessive possessiveness—
but rather a playful complaint, a wish to be the sole focus of her beloved's attention.
I've never once shown her deep emotion.
What if I feigned a little jealousy over her seeing someone else?
Perhaps she'd find it satisfying.
"It is my concern."
"Why?"
"Because you are my woman."
"What?"
"Our betrothal was never dissolved—doesn't that make it still valid?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke boldly.
"I cannot allow you to be with another man."
For a moment, fire blazed in Yeon So-ha's eyes.
"Not even worth listening to."
But it backfired.
She shot to her feet, shouting furiously.
"Guards! Is no one there?!"
Rustle—
As if waiting for the call, dozens of martial artists emerged, led by Crystal Hall Deputy Master Yak-ran.
"Hall Master Yak! This is why you insisted I meet him?"
"I have no words to defend myself, Young Palace Lord."
Yak-ran bowed respectfully, her voice calm.
"I will take full responsibility for this matter."
"See that your actions match your words."
"Wait, Young Palace Lord."
Bu Eun-seol wore a slightly bewildered expression.
"I understand your anger, your resentment. But must you treat me like a complete stranger?"
"How strange of you to say that."
Yeon So-ha's gaze was sharp enough to flay ice from the air.
"If you are not a stranger, then what are you?"
Then, to Yak-ran:
"Hall Master. Remove him at once."
After a final glare at Bu Eun-seol, Yeon So-ha turned and left without hesitation.
Was it always like this?
He had expected her coldness.
But he never imagined she would treat him with such utter indifference—as if he were someone she had never met in her life.
"My Lord."
Yak-ran spoke in a low voice.
"Please leave now, as promised."
A promise was a promise.
Though he had vowed to depart if she did not receive the letter, it was only through Yak-ran's kindness that he had been able to meet Yeon So-ha at all.
Now, he had to leave of his own accord.
"Understood."
Suppressing the bitterness in his heart, Bu Eun-seol bowed politely.
"I shall take my leave immediately."
"I would appreciate that."
Yak-ran strode out of the pavilion with her subordinates, as if there was no need to even see him off.
For a long moment, Bu Eun-seol could only stand there, staring blankly at the distant sky.
'Was the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming useless from the start?'
If she had at least shown hatred or resentment, there might still have been hope.
But in Yeon So-ha's eyes, there was neither love nor hatred... no emotion at all.
"Who could I blame?"
He had only ever checked on her through the Death Soul Squad, ensuring she was safe—never once visiting her in person.
And now that she had forgotten him and was starting anew with someone else, how could he possibly interfere?
Just as he was stepping out of the Divine Maiden Palace, desolate—
"Lord."
A young maidservant cautiously approached.
"Please follow me."
Then, unexpectedly, she added:
"The Master of Haehwa Palace has summoned you."
Guided into Haehwa Palace, Bu Eun-seol followed the maidservant to a secluded study hidden away.
Creak.
As the door opened again, a graceful middle-aged woman in ceremonial robes stepped out.
It was none other than Namgung Se-a—Namgung Un's aunt, the Master of Haehwa Palace.
"My Lady."
When Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully, Namgung Se-a returned the courtesy.
"It has been a while."
She had aided him in many ways since his early days in the martial world.
And as the aunt of his sworn brother, Namgung Un, he treated her with the utmost reverence.
"My apologies, My Lady."
Unable to conceal his frustration, Bu Eun-seol asked:
"I had no idea the Young Palace Lord was this furious—"
"Lord."
Namgung Se-a's expression turned grave.
"She is not angry."
"What do you—?"
After a brief hesitation, she spoke in a low voice.
"She does not remember you at all."
"What... do you mean?"
"At first, I thought she was merely upset and resentful."
Namgung Se-a sighed deeply and shook her head.
"But recently, I became certain—the Young Palace Lord's mind has been completely wiped of your existence."
"I heard she had ordered the guards to bar my entry."
"That was the Palace Lord's doing. She made it seem as though the Young Palace Lord had given the command."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's expression went blank before darkening with realization.
Now he understood why Yeon So-ha had treated him with such indifference.
"Then it must be the work of the Empress Dowager's agent."
"The Empress Dowager?"
"That 'Lord Dam' she's been meeting—he was likely sent by the Empress Dowager to undermine my standing."
He calmly recounted recent events, including his suspicions about the Empress Dowager.
Namgung Se-a listened silently, then frowned.
"That is unlikely."
Her next words took him by surprise.
"Lord Dam was introduced to her by the Palace Lord."
"I thought they had met by chance."
"Correct. Their initial encounters were coincidental."
Namgung Se-a nodded.
"But their formal meeting was arranged by the Palace Lord herself."
After a brief pause, Bu Eun-seol ventured:
"There's still a chance they exploited the Palace Lord's connections to get close."
"Of course, that's possible. But there were no traces of any influence on her Spirit and Mind."
She continued:
"Just in case, we summoned numerous renowned physicians and scholars to examine her pulse... We even checked for signs of a Great Art affecting her mind. But nothing was amiss."
Then she added:
"Recently, the Young Palace Lord mishandled her Internal Energy during training. She may have damaged her Brain Meridian, leading to partial memory loss."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
He had personally checked Yeon So-ha's condition but found nothing unusual.
"But the techniques of the True Demon Palace cannot be detected by conventional martial or medical knowledge. And it's strange that she only lost memories of me."
The True Demon Palace's masters each wielded their own unique Soul-Demon Magic Energy.
No one could guarantee that her Spirit and Mind had truly remained untouched.
"Without definitive proof, we cannot make such claims to the Palace Lord."
Namgung Se-a said something unexpected.
"Rather, the Palace Lord has decided it's for the best and intends to annul the engagement."
"Annul the engagement?"
"For the Young Palace Lord's sake."
Namgung Se-a's gaze sharpened.
"You only entered into this strategic engagement to quell the scandal. But I believe you know better than anyone how the Young Palace Lord truly feels."
"......"
"Without a single complaint, she has waited for you with pure devotion. Yet never once have you reciprocated her feelings."
Bu Eun-seol had no words to refute her.
"Had you offered her even a few warm words or gestures, her heart might have melted, if only for a moment. But that warmth would have been false—an illusion, not sincerity."
Namgung Se-a spoke coldly.
"That fleeting warmth would have lasted but a brief moment. And after it passed... the Young Palace Lord would have been left feeling an even deeper chill. Do you understand what I mean?"
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head.
Not a single word of hers was wrong.
"Everything you've said is true. However—"
He bowed deeply.
"Through my travels in the Martial World, I've come to understand the weight of bonds. Never once have I thought of the Young Palace Lord merely as a political fiancée."
"It's already too late."
Namgung Se-a shook her head.
"Soon, the Palace Lord will formally announce the annulment."
"Elder."
"Even if the talks with the Dan family's heir fall through, it makes no difference. As long as the Young Palace Lord cannot remember you—"
Her voice was resolute.
"No matter what you do, you will never sway the hearts of the Palace Lord or the Young Palace Lord."
"Elder."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together in solemn respect.
"Please give me a chance."
"A chance?"
"I will restore the Young Palace Lord's memories of me."
"Do you believe she's fallen victim to the Mind Seizing Great Art?"
"Even if that's not the case, I wish to rekindle her heart."
A brief silence followed.
Just as Namgung Se-a was about to speak again—
Tap, tap.
The sound of soft footsteps echoed, followed by a low voice.
"Is there truly a need for this?"
The door opened, revealing an unexpected figure—
Divine Maiden Palace Lord Yeon Ja-mi herself.
"After all, this palace is hardly at the level to stand alongside the formidable factions allied with the Lord."
Her voice was quiet, as though she had overheard their conversation while approaching.
"If you have no intention of marrying her immediately, why go to such lengths to win back So-ha's heart?"
"Palace Lord."
Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply in greeting.
Yeon Ja-mi swiftly turned aside, avoiding his gesture, and spoke coldly.
"Why would the future Demon Hall Lord, destined to rule the Demonic Path, lower himself so before me?"
"Circumstances kept me from paying my respects for far too long."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was apologetic.
"I hope you have been well."
"Fortunately, the Demonic Path has not encroached upon this palace, so we've managed without incident."
Though her voice carried a biting chill—
Bu Eun-seol's expression eased slightly, as if reassured.
Coldness meant some emotion—even resentment—still lingered.
But if she had treated him with the same indifference as Yeon So-ha, there would have been no hope left.
"Will you not grant me one chance, Palace Lord?"
"A chance?"
"I will restore the Young Palace Lord's memories."
"And then what?"
Yeon Ja-mi's voice was icy.
"So-ha will content herself with fleeting happiness, only to spend endless nights exhausted from waiting."
From the moment Bu Eun-seol first stepped into the Martial World, Yeon So-ha had loved him—waited for him endlessly.
But as time passed, the only rumors that reached her were wretched tales of the Martial Soul Lord forming bonds with one beauty after another.
From Yeon Ja-mi's perspective—
Her daughter, praised as the most beautiful in the world—
Could only seem pitifully tragic.
"My purpose in entering the Martial World was to avenge my grandfather. To achieve this, I could not guarantee my own survival."
Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
"That was the only reason I refused to marry—never to torment the Young Palace Lord's heart."
"Your intentions matter little. What concerns me is my daughter's happiness."
"Then I will make an announcement."
His voice was decisive.
"I will summon my elders and publicly declare our marriage. If you wish, we can hold the ceremony immediately."
Though Bu Eun-seol had lost his grandfather and parents—though he could be called an orphan with no ties—
He now had Langya Pavilion as his home, and a family.
And the lord of Langya Pavilion, the Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong, stood as the highest elder he served.
In short, he meant to call upon Ak Mu-ryeong—
And finalize the marriage.
"Langya Pavilion's elder?"
In an instant, the image of the most savage and terrifying figure in the world flashed through Yeon Ja-mi's mind.
A man who, when displeased, would paint entire regions in blood—who had honed the sinister and profound Mind Seizing Secret Art to the Martial Extreme Realm.
A being whose mere gaze could dominate one's spirit and mind—leaving no room for resistance.
That monstrous, dreadful—
Greatest Demon Under Heaven.