Chapter 1228
"It seems restoring her memories is impossible."
At the guest hall of the Haewha Pavilion,
Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un were drinking tea while engaged in a grave conversation.
"I see. So that's how it is."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was more serious than ever.
What he had believed to be a decisive solution had ultimately failed.
If this was her reaction, then—
Even if he managed to make her recall the past, it would be utterly futile.
"Haaah..."
Uncharacteristically, he let out a sigh.
Though he had faced countless hardships until now, none had left him this troubled.
"Brother Bu, may I speak frankly?"
At that moment, Namgung Un cautiously spoke up.
"Looking at it now... I don't think the Young Palace Lord ever truly loved you."
"What do you mean?"
"If the Young Palace Lord had genuinely loved you, even if she lost her memories—or even if you met again in completely different circumstances—the outcome wouldn't have changed."
Namgung Un spoke carefully, his gaze unwavering in its seriousness.
"Perhaps it's best to let this go."
"Let it go?"
"After all, you don't intend to hold anyone in your heart from now on, do you?"
Namgung Un knew.
That Bu Eun-seol was merely advancing step by step, meticulously calculating and planning everything.
All for the sake of revenge.
For the sake of those he must protect.
From the very beginning, he had abandoned not just happiness—but even his own life.
Which meant he could never afford to form deep emotional bonds with women.
"I am not keeping the Young Palace Lord close out of selfish desire or to consolidate power."
Bu Eun-seol stared into empty space.
"If she had truly met someone she loved, I would have let her go long ago."
Then, with a deeply somber expression, he repeated as if to himself:
"But now, because of me, she has fallen into the True Demon Palace's clutches. And the end that awaits her... is nothing but brutal humiliation and torment."
"Mm..."
"If I fail to properly resolve this matter with the Young Palace Lord, the Empress Dowager will continue targeting everyone connected to me."
Recalling his grandfather's face, Bu Eun-seol murmured quietly:
"I only wish to ensure that such a thing never happens again—that she may live a happy and peaceful life... That is all I am trying to do."
For a moment, Namgung Un wore a dazed expression before letting out a faint smile.
"I see."
He had finally realized why Bu Eun-seol was loved by so many women.
"In the end... the Young Palace Lord will love you for the rest of her life."
Even if it never comes to fruition.
Yeon So-ha will love Bu Eun-seol.
Only now did Namgung Un understand.
Why his ever-cold elder brother, who always remained indifferent to women, had poured his entire being into protecting her.
"That the Young Palace Lord would love me for the rest of her life..."
Bu Eun-seol made a strange expression.
It was only after hearing Namgung Un's words that he finally realized one crucial fact.
The purest and most devoted.
Yeon So-ha had expressed a love purer than any other woman he had ever met, and that heart of hers had never wavered.
Had it not been so, he would never have—
In his attempt to change her mind—
Summoned Ak Mu-ryeong and declared that he would marry her on the spot.
But like Princess Hui-jeong,
Yeon So-ha had suddenly changed her heart after meeting another man.
This made absolutely no sense.
—Is this fate as well?
Bu Eun-seol recalled the words Han Sang-ja had once spoken.
While organizing the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming, the Empress Dowager had schemed in this manner, claiming it was part of the True Demon Knowledge.
'This time, Brother Han is wrong.'
Han Sang-ja was mistaken.
Something like this—
Could never be achieved with mere True Demon Knowledge.
As Bu Eun-seol read through the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming in Han Sang-ja's estate,
He had thought that capturing a woman's heart through false, fabricated actions was no different from the Mind Seizing Secret Art.
And when he accidentally discovered the scripture of the Love Without Extremes Technique hidden within the Heart's Blossoming Manual, his conviction only grew stronger.
Whether it was the Heart's Blossoming Secret Art or the Mind Seizing Secret Art—
Their origins were the same.
It was clear that the Philosopher who had realized this truth had devised such secret arts.
"Brother Bu."
Noticing the sudden sharpness in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, Namgung Un asked:
"You've figured something out, haven't you?"
"The Young Palace Lord has undoubtedly fallen victim to the Mind Seizing Secret Art."
"The Mind Seizing Secret Art? That can't be."
Namgung Un shook his head.
"According to my aunt, they summoned every renowned physician, but none found any traces of the Mind-Seizing Art."
"Of course they wouldn't."
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
"If it's a True Demon's Secret Art, it would far surpass the Mind Seizing Secret Art of the current martial world."
Whether it was the Heart's Blossoming Secret Art or the Mind Seizing Secret Art—
If it was something the True Demon had created—
Then it was only natural that no trace could be detected by the standards of the current martial world.
"Then if we simply wait for the caster of that secret art to return to meet the Young Palace Lord again, this matter could be resolved easily. After all, the Mind-Seizing Art ultimately unfolds based on the caster's own spirit and mind."
"The True Demon's Palace must also possess an extraordinary intelligence network. As long as there are masters who pose a threat to him, he would never reveal himself."
The True Demon's Palace had continued its existence undetected by any murim intelligence organization, operating in complete secrecy.
Their information network wouldn't be inferior to the Death Soul Squad.
As long as he remained near Yeon So-ha's vicinity, that man would absolutely never show himself.
"Then our only options are either to locate his hiding place or forcibly break the secret art."
"Correct."
"But if it's a Soul Spirit Secret Art left by the True Demon, even if the Pavilion Lord Ak were to come, it wouldn't be easily resolved."
Namgung Un's eyes sparkled as he proposed an ingenious idea.
"Why don't we focus on properly winning back the Young Palace Lord's heart from now on?"
"Winning back?"
"Exactly. If we can prove that the Young Palace Lord has fallen victim to the Mind-Seizing Art... wouldn't everyone in the Divine Maiden Palace, including the Palace Lord, naturally side with and assist you, Brother Bu?"
Palace Lord Yeon Ja-mi currently believed Young Master Dam to be nothing more than a remarkable genius she happened to meet by chance.
But if she learned this was all part of a sinister scheme?
Naturally, the people of Divine Maiden Palace would support Bu Eun-seol, and the two could be reunited.
"In that case, we should still summon Pavilion Lord Ak after all."
Within the current murim, the one who has reached the pinnacle of Mind Spirit Secret Arts is none other than the Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong.
The only person capable of proving or breaking a True Demon's secret art would be him.
"No. I'll do it myself."
"You'll do it, Brother Bu?"
"Yes."
Ak Mu-ryeong's competitive spirit was formidable—to break the True Demon's secret art,
he wouldn't hesitate to do anything, completely disregarding Yeon So-ha's safety.
Moreover, even if Bu Eun-seol requested it, there was absolutely no way he would personally come to Divine Maiden Palace just to change a woman's heart.
"Though I only intend to identify the cause, not solve it."
"How do you mean?"
Bu Eun-seol carefully explained the scripture he had seen in the Secret Vault's chest.
The Love Without Extremes Technique.
He planned to use this secret method, secretly recorded within the Heart-Stealing Manual, that allowed one to enter a lover's spirit and mind.
"But if it's a technique that requires mutual consent and complete trust... wouldn't it be impossible with the Young Palace Lord in her current state, having lost all memory of you?"
After hearing the full explanation, Namgung Un voiced his doubt, but Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"The opposite. Precisely because it's a secret art that connects hearts based on mutual trust, memories are irrelevant."
"So what matters is the Young Palace Lord's genuine feelings for you within her heart."
"Correct."
"Is it possible?"
"It will work."
Bu Eun-seol held firm belief.
That Yeon So-ha's heart was true and that she firmly trusted him.
Otherwise, throughout all that time,
she wouldn't have waited for him so steadfastly.
He was determined to use this secret art to restore Yeon So-ha's memories and uncover the trail of whoever had cast the True Demon's secret technique.
In the deepest, most secluded chamber of the Haehwa Hall, where only the faint mingled scents of orchids and ink lingered in the tranquil study,
Bu Eun-seol sat facing Yeon So-ha.
He had requested Namgung Se-a's assistance for this final private audience with her.
Pale light filtered through the paper-lattice doors, illuminating Yeon So-ha's delicate profile.
"Why have you summoned me here?"
Yeon So-ha stared intently at him with cold indifference as he sat with eyes closed.
Bu Eun-seol couldn't spare even a moment to explain at length or seek her consent.
'Even if her memories are lost, she won't reject me.'
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
As he did, a strange radiance began spreading from the depths of his sunken pupils.
When he softly recited the incantation, a warm yet immense energy surged from his dantian.
This was neither internal energy nor physical strength—
but a pulse of the heart that connected people's minds and wove together the severed threads of fate.
Whooom.
In an instant, the scenery of reality blurred like ink bleeding across wet rice paper, and Yeon So-ha's gaze grew unfocused.
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol's consciousness detached from his physical form, drawn through her brow into the sea of her spirit.
Pushing through pitch-black darkness, he arrived at a landscape shrouded in gray mist.
This was Yeon So-ha's subconscious world—serene yet strangely static.
Walking across the dreamlike terrain, fragments of memories buried deep within her heart gradually revealed themselves.
Childhood recollections, the pains of martial training, fleeting joys and sorrows...
Countless memory fragments twinkled like stars.
But among those fragments.
One particular section stood out—grotesquely hollow, as if someone had carved it out with a blade. A hideous void.
"Mind-Lamp Illuminates the Heart, My Heart Observes Emotion, Self-Heart Lamp Gaze..."
Using the mantras of the Love Without Extremes Technique as his guiding light, Bu Eun-seol walked toward the center of that void.
To the deepest recesses of Yeon So-ha's heart—her Spirit Terrace.
As he reached it, the once-serene gray mist parted, revealing a scene of dark, viscous energy coiling like a serpent.
"This is..."
It wasn't mere memory loss.
This was a Restrictive Seal—closer to a curse—cast by someone with clear malice.
Zzzing—
As he approached, fragmented memories seeped into Bu Eun-seol's mind.
A shadowy figure was constricting Yeon So-ha's Spirit and Mind, tightening its grip.
Undoubtedly, it was the one called Dan Young Master.
—Choose. Will you submit to my dominion? Or will you lose every memory of him?
The man was blackmailing her.
His goal was singular:
Unlike with Princess Hui-jeong, he sought to break Yeon So-ha's will—to force her to betray Bu Eun-seol.
—Rather than have my heart stolen by a wretch like you...
Yeon So-ha answered without hesitation.
—...I would choose to erase my memories clean, even if it means I can no longer long for him.
Strangely, her gaze—
—pierced through the depths of her own soul, locking onto Bu Eun-seol's presence as if she had foreseen him.
As if tenderly waiting for him to one day return and reclaim what was lost.
CRACK!
In that instant, the shadow unleashed its Secret Arts, seizing control of her Spirit and Mind.
'There.'
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol glimpsed a clear vision within Yeon So-ha's eyes.
'Found you.'
He had finally pinpointed the hiding place of Dan Young Master.
SNAP!
The scenery shattered, plunging everything into darkness.
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol's consciousness was hurled back into reality.
"Why are you acting like this?"
Yeon So-ha stared at him, her expression utterly bewildered.
'Just as I thought.'
Dan Young Master hadn't stolen her heart through seduction.
He had tried to conquer it using the vile Soul-Controlling Secret Art—
—and when that failed, he erased her memories of the one she loved.
And then, despicably, he feigned ignorance, worming his way back into her life—
—even winning the favor of the Divine Maiden Palace's Palace Lord, attempting to become her lover.
"I'm sorry."
Bu Eun-seol apologized to her again.
She hadn't forgotten him.
She had sacrificed herself—to protect that love.
"What... are you apologizing for?"
"For everything."
He stood and bowed deeply.
"I've been terribly rude to you all this time."
"Have you given up now?"
"Yes."
A weightless smile touched his lips.
"I think it's time I left."
When he conceded so easily, Yeon So-ha said something unexpected.
"How refreshing... and yet, disappointing."
A faint smile graced her lips.
"Your peculiar way of walking... it made me laugh often, you know."
Perhaps his training in the Secret Manual of the Heart's Blossoming hadn't been entirely useless.
His posture and gait had remained in her memories—as small, fleeting joys.
"Is that so?"
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol smiled—genuinely.
"I'm glad it brought you happiness."
Yeon So-ha's expression froze.
For some reason, her chest ached sharply, as if pierced by needles, when she saw that radiant smile.
After leaving the Divine Maiden Palace,
Bu Eun-seol didn't immediately hunt down the one who had shattered Yeon So-ha's soul. Instead, he prepared through the Death Soul Squad.
He was a master of Martial Arts, not the Mind Seizing Secret Art.
Even Ak Mu-ryeong couldn't easily break the True Demon's Secret Arts—there was no immediate solution.
—Had the Young Palace Lord fortified her Spirit and Mind like Brother Bu, this wouldn't have happened...
But thanks to Namgung Un's muttered words before they parted—
—he had grasped a clue to dismantling the True Demon's Secret Arts.
'Now, it's time for you to pay.'
His next move was clear.
He would deal with the vile creature who, under the Empress Dowager's orders, had violated the hearts of women by force.
Deep within the mountain ranges of Guangdong, a world severed from reality unfolded.
At the heart of the valley, an immeasurably tall waterfall cascaded down.
Rainbows shimmered faintly in the sunlight-reflected spray, and mist gently bathed the valley.
The clear pool beneath the waterfall was transparent enough to see the bottom, while cliffs flanked the gorge like folding screens, enclosing the space.
Every crevice between the rocks bloomed with rare and exotic flowers, their delicate sway in the mountain breeze alone seeming to breathe life into the valley.
Tap.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been observing this scenery from above, descended slowly before a grand manor built facing the waterfall.
There was no gate.
Instead, a naturally formed stone staircase led into the garden.
Plum blossoms bloomed in lavish abundance, and in a small pond, carp swam leisurely. A few lotus flowers floated gracefully upon the water's surface.
Beyond the garden stood a large pavilion, and within it sat a man playing the bowed zither.
Ding-dong.
The resonant notes carried an indescribable loneliness and sorrow—like the sigh of one who had experienced all the world had to offer and resigned himself to it.
Bu Eun-seol approached the pavilion quietly.
Then, the hands of the man plucking the strings came into view first.
Each time his long fingers glided over the strings, a beautiful melody flowed forth, blending with the distant roar of the waterfall as if nature and human artistry had become one.
Dwoooong.
The man drew out the last note before finally lifting his head.
In that instant, a ripple of surprise flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The man's appearance completely defied expectations.
Princess Hui-jeong had spoken of meeting a man with moonlit skin, starlit eyes, and sculpted features—a peerless beauty.
Yet the man before him was a grotesque monstrosity, so hideous that even calling him ugly would be generous.
His skin was warped and uneven, sagging like melted wax. His nose and lips were twisted, and his face was etched with countless wrinkles.
Could it be that the man who had ensnared Yeon So-ha and Princess Hui-jeong was someone else entirely?
'Projection.'
Bu Eun-seol realized immediately.
This man had cultivated a sinister demonic art—one that reflected the hearts of those who beheld him.
Because Bu Eun-seol knew the truth—that this man was a vile creature who stole the hearts of women—he appeared as a hideous monster.
To Princess Hui-jeong and Yeon So-ha, unaware of his nature, he would have appeared as a beautiful figure, reflecting their own blossoming affections.
"So you've finally come."
The man shrugged as he looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"I've been waiting."
As he rose, his long robes fluttered in the wind.
Every movement was as elegant as a crane dancing, a grace that clashed starkly with his repulsive visage.
"You touched the seed I planted in her Spirit and Mind."
When Bu Eun-seol had delved into Yeon So-ha's memories, he had sensed the intrusion.
"How peculiar."
The man's eyes turned transparent.
"Firm and unyielding on the outside, yet infinitely soft within."
He possessed Demonic Eyes, allowing him to perceive not Bu Eun-seol's appearance but the shape of his very soul.
"Spare me the theatrics."
Bu Eun-seol scoffed.
"Even a street fortune-teller could claim to see the form of one's Spirit and Mind."
If one could truly seep into another's heart and soul at will, there would be no need to steal women's affections—one could simply manipulate the entire world.
This man was merely posturing, pretending to be profound by probing Bu Eun-seol's nature.
"The fact that you call yourself 'this lord' suggests you hold a high rank within the True Demon Sect—and you wanted to flaunt it."
Bu Eun-seol swept a leisurely gaze over him.
"To abandon all pride and obey the Empress Dowager's orders, stealing women's hearts to weaken other factions... You must have been born with a vile, lecherous nature that preys on women."
"Seems there's another fortune-teller here."
The man smiled languidly.
"But you're wrong. A True Law Transmitter is not a rank—it is an authority."
"True Law Transmitter?"
"A term insignificant martial artists like you need not concern themselves with."
Then he laughed.
"Martial Soul Lord."
His tone was as relaxed as a predator eyeing easy prey.
"Those like you, born beautiful and effortlessly winning women's hearts, mistakenly believe their affections are like trinkets in a drawer—something to be taken out and used at will."
"......"
"Even your connections with women of various factions—weren't they just a means to consolidate power?"
"Are you challenging me to a contest of insight?"
"Far from it."
The man's smile deepened.
"Women are beings who deserve to be loved—treasures that bring men fortune. But wretches like you, who treat them as mere stepping stones and scramble to reclaim them only when your power wavers... have no right to be loved by them in the first place."
Bu Eun-seol let out an involuntary chuckle.
"Now I see why, despite mastering the True Demon's Secret Arts, you were assigned this task."
His insight was nearly on par with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's Demonic Eyes—capable of piercing a person's heart in an instant.
With a single glance, he had discerned the truth.
This man—
Was, in fact, consumed by resentment toward women.