Chapter 1277
In the past, the Demon Hall had no large-scale prison.
―Crime is repaid not with suffering, but with utility.
As long as value remained, every last drop of marrow had to be wrung out to settle the debt of sin.
True to the ways of a demonic organization, there had been no system for imprisoning criminals, conducting prolonged interrogations, or meticulously categorizing offenses.
For grave crimes—betrayal or the collapse of sect rules—the punishment was either execution or the crippling of martial arts, ensuring the guilty could never wield a sword again.
Lesser offenses were dealt with through demotions, penalties, or forced assignments.
Especially minor infractions were settled on the spot within each faction or hall, so there was no need to detain criminals for long while still maintaining order and control.
But after the Demonic Path Ten Gates took root,
and the alliance transformed into a coalition of factions pursuing different paths while keeping each other in check, the situation changed.
Even minor punishments could spark disputes between sects,
and so, eventually, the Demon Hall too established a prison.
And the most terrifying of these prisons was none other than the Bottomless Prison.
Because this place existed not to confine criminals, but to scrape out whatever information was needed in the shortest time possible.
Thud. Thud.
Into this hellish place, no different from Hell Island itself,
a man exuding an aura as lofty as if he had descended from the heavens slowly made his way down.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Spirit Lord."
Recognizing him, the prison warden hastily bowed in greeting.
"Take me to Won Se-mun."
"Y-yes, right away."
At the icy command, the warden hurriedly led the way and opened the door to the innermost solitary cell of the Bottomless Prison.
Screeeech—
With a grating metallic sound, the heavy iron door swung open, releasing a stench of blood so thick it stabbed the nostrils, along with the acrid reek of burning flesh.
The walls were layered with dried, unidentifiable stains of dark crimson,
while rusted hooks and saw blades hung from the ceiling.
Beneath the dimly flickering torchlight, a figure dangled like butchered meat.
It was Won Se-mun.
His condition was so gruesome it was unbearable to look upon.
His entire body was crusted over with dried blood, obscuring his original skin tone, but most fatal of all was the wound on his chest.
A sharp blade—or perhaps a hook—had expertly flayed open his torso,
exposing stark white ribs amid the red muscle, and the pooling blood below had already formed a small puddle.
Creeeak—
Just then, the door to the torture tool storage room adjacent to the cell opened,
and three martial artists emerged, their clothes splattered with blood.
They had just finished torturing Won Se-mun and were returning the tools to storage.
Flash!
In that instant, a bloody light erupted in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
CRACK!
His hair bristled as a tempest of overwhelming true qi surged from his body.
Zzzzt—
From his enraged form, a blade of true qi materialized—one that seemed capable of collapsing the entire prison.
SHIIING!
He was about to unleash the Willful True Binding and sever the heads of Won Se-mun's torturers in a single stroke.
Whoosh—
But the moment his qi blade was about to cleave through them,
it froze mid-air.
"......!"
Swish! Slash!
The halted blade of the Willful True Binding suddenly redirected—
straight toward Won Se-mun's face.
Sssk—
As the razor-sharp qi blade grazed his skin, a layer of flesh began to peel away.
A meticulously crafted Human Skin Mask had been concealing his true face.
Thud.
With the mask gone, the face of a rough-looking middle-aged man was revealed.
This was not Won Se-mun.
He was a martial artist from the Blood Heart Hall, who had been captured some time ago on suspicion of being a spy.
"A clever trap. One that would deceive anyone."
Seeing the wretched state of the fake Won Se-mun, Bu Eun-seol had flown into a rage—
only to be lured into killing the torturers emerging from the storage room.
Had he lost himself to fury or failed to detect the Human Skin Mask,
he would have ended up slaughtering innocent martial artists and the warden.
Even if the Demon Hall could not punish him for it,
it would have shattered Bu Eun-seol's own conviction—his refusal to kill the innocent.
Clank.
Just then, the storage room door opened again,
and a man clad in resplendent robes stepped inside.
It was the Venerable Spirit Lord, Deung-gwang.
"What a shame! This Human Skin Mask is impossible to detect, no matter how sharp one's perception."
He looked at Bu Eun-seol with an expression of deep regret.
"To see through it at a glance—truly remarkable."
Though murderous intent flared within him at the man's brazen attitude, Bu Eun-seol suppressed it and spoke calmly.
Because at this moment, Deung-gwang held the hilt of the blade.
"I heard you've taken my subordinate into custody."
"That's right. He disregarded the authority of Hall Master Sado and insulted me, his Spirit Lord."
As if he had been waiting for this moment, a smile spread across Deung-gwang's lips.
"Such a crime cannot simply be overlooked."
"Where is he?"
"Don't worry. I've assigned three lovely maids to tend to his wounds with the utmost care and attend to his needs."
"He is my right hand."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was low, but it carried an undeniable force.
"His temperament was never calm, and his words were often harsh—mistakes were frequent. Though I reprimanded him time and again, he never mended his ways... This, too, could be called my failing as his lord. I ask that you show leniency."
"That's troubling."
Deung-gwang responded.
"Until now, the Martial Soul Lord has always strictly separated public and private affairs, never tolerating the slightest favoritism. To hear such a request from you now is... unexpected."
As Deung-gwang answered with thinly veiled sarcasm, Bu Eun-seol's expression turned icy.
If words won't reach him—
Then there was no need to continue making polite requests.
"Very well."
Madness flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"I trust you'll bear full responsibility for what follows."
With those words, he turned sharply to leave—
"Wait, I spoke out of turn."
Deung-gwang hurriedly stepped forward, blocking his path.
"How could I simply dismiss the request of the Martial Soul Lord, who has rendered such immense service to the Hall?"
"......"
"However, within the Hall—and with so many witnesses to Squad Leader Won's mistake..."
Deung-gwang's sharp eyes darted restlessly as he spoke.
"If this matter is swept aside on the Lord's word alone, wouldn't my own standing suffer greatly?"
The argument was logical, leaving no room for rebuttal.
'So he isn't just a simple madman.'
Deung-gwang wasn't merely a man consumed by madness—he was a meticulous schemer, a lunatic who moved with calculated precision.
"You seem to want something from me."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Deung-gwang shrugged.
"What could I possibly ask of the Lord? However..."
His gaze fixed pointedly on Bu Eun-seol's right arm.
"If the Lord claims Squad Leader Won is his right hand, then offering something of equal worth would make it far easier to overlook this incident."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes grew even colder.
Yet, after a moment, he nodded.
"Very well."
Slowly, he raised his right arm.
Clack.
In his palm now lay the Ink Soul Sword, the blade sheathed at his waist.
His parents' legacy—a weapon whose secrets remained unsolved even now. He offered it to Deung-gwang without hesitation.
"This is as good as my right arm."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was steady, his gaze unshaken.
"Take it."
To surrender his treasured blade was to surrender his honor, his pride, and his dignity as a martial artist.
He knew better than anyone what it meant to lose the Ink Soul Sword—
Yet he had extended it without hesitation to save just one man: Won Se-mun.
A smile spread across Deung-gwang's lips.
"Hahahaha!"
He burst into bright laughter, then clasped his hands and bowed deeply in formal courtesy.
"I spoke too harshly."
When he raised his head, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Moreover, if I were to accept the Lord's weapon in exchange for overlooking this matter... I would have no place left in the Demon Hall."
If word spread that Bu Eun-seol had given up his treasured blade to save Won Se-mun—
Deung-gwang would not only be branded as petty but would also lose all dignity as the Venerable Spirit Lord.
"Instead, grant me something else. Far simpler than surrendering your blade."
Leaning in, Deung-gwang whispered a few words in a low voice.
"......"
Bu Eun-seol listened in silence, his eyes flashing several times.
"Very well. I'll do it."
"As decisive as they say."
Deung-gwang clasped his hands again.
"If you honor this, I'll ensure the matter is resolved cleanly."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol returned the courtesy before turning away coldly.
As he strode out of the prison, swallowed by the encroaching darkness—
His eyes burned like twin Ghost Lanterns, flickering in the dark.
"So he finally showed his fangs."
Hidden Demon Pavilion — Bu Eun-seol's office.
Yu Un-ryong's eyes narrowed as he listened to Bu Eun-seol's account.
"He wants to use me as the strategist for the Extreme Demon Hall for about a month?"
Even hearing it directly, the demand was too absurd to believe.
"The reason he targeted Won Se-mun—"
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
"—was to ensnare you."
Deung-gwang's condition for releasing Won Se-mun unharmed—
Was to borrow Yu Un-ryong as his strategist for about a month.
Yu Un-ryong exhaled deeply.
"And in the end, his true target is me."
It was now clear that Deung-gwang's ultimate goal was Bu Eun-seol himself.
But with his cunning, martial prowess, and flawless strategy—recklessly provoking him was impossible.
So instead—
He aimed for the Death Shadow War Unit's chief administrator, the strategist who managed Bu Eun-seol's affairs—
Yu Un-ryong.
By drawing him in, Deung-gwang sought to deliver a fatal blow.
"Is he the Empress Dowager's pawn?"
Yu Un-ryong frowned.
The tactic of targeting those close to Bu Eun-seol—
Wasn't that the same underhanded but effective method the Empress Dowager had used to bring him down?
"No, that can't be right."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
Even the Empress Dowager—who had once commanded countless martial masters and even pressured the Emperor—had been utterly ruined for laying hands on Bu Eun-seol's people.
After witnessing that, would anyone dare repeat the same mistake? No one with a sound mind would ever attempt such a thing.
"Could it be that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor is playing some kind of trick?"
"No."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"That man is no pawn of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor or the Empress Dowager."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because he desires destruction."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was low as he recalled the look in Deung-gwang's eyes when they had met in the Bottomless Prison.
"Just like the Return to Unity Realm Lord."
Deung-gwang's madness bore an eerie resemblance to that of the Return to Unity Realm Lord.
And the ultimate end of that madness was—
not self-preservation, but the annihilation of everything.
"Well, if he's truly a madman..."
Yu Un-ryong narrowed his eyes as if realizing something.
"...then the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would never place much trust in him."
"Exactly."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor sought to control everything, moving people like chess pieces.
A man consumed by madness and destruction was unpredictable—too much of a variable to be entrusted with anything important.
"Even if we leave the Demon Hall, we must figure out what he wants and what schemes he's plotting."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"Otherwise, we'd be leaving behind embers that could reignite."
For the Death Shadow War Unit to safely escape the Demon Hall, they had to account for every possible factor.
If they failed to grasp the variable that was Deung-gwang, he could become a lingering threat—or worse, sabotage their escape entirely.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to. As always, there's a backup plan."
"A backup is no match for the best option."
Yu Un-ryong nodded without hesitation.
"Becoming the subordinate of a madman who whose emotions can't be predicted... isn't exactly a pleasant thought, but..."
He grinned.
"...let's see just what that lunatic wants and how formidable his schemes and intellect really are."
Spending about a month under the command of someone like Deung-gwang was no different from pressing a blade to one's own throat.
But for Bu Eun-seol's sake—
he was willing to do it without hesitation.
"You suffered alone during the Empress Dowager incident, so it's only fair I chip in this time."
"This time, you'll have to rely entirely on your own strength."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was grave.
"Once you become Deung-gwang's strategist, there will be no way for me to assist you."
"Don't worry."
Yu Un-ryong smiled brightly.
"I've been tempered by you."
There was nothing Yu Un-ryong hadn't endured—nothing he hadn't done—under Bu Eun-seol's command.
No matter who Deung-gwang was—
he was confident he could overcome any trial and dismantle his schemes.
As he stepped into the Extreme Demon Pavilion, a thick scent of incense and an eerie heat simultaneously assaulted his senses.
When Yu Un-ryong entered—
Deung-gwang, the Venerable Spirit Lord, clad in extravagant robes, greeted him with a smile.
"I've been waiting for you."
He spread his arms wide and embraced Yu Un-ryong as if welcoming a decade-long friend.
The hospitality was excessive—almost suffocating.
Yu Un-ryong forced a smile and tried to pull away, but—
"Come this way."
Deung-gwang's movements were a beat faster.
Yu Un-ryong's eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
The fact that Deung-gwang had anticipated his reaction and countered it first was proof enough—this man was a master a cut above him.
This won't be easy.
"Since time is short, shall we begin right away?"
Deung-gwang's eyes were pure, yet brimming with a chilling, deep-seated madness.
"Now, this way."
He grabbed Yu Un-ryong's hand and dragged him toward a large table at the center of the meeting room.
A massive map was spread across the wall in front of the table.
It was a strategic map marking the major factions of the Central Plains—but what stood out most was the territory of the Azure Heaven Alliance.
Their domain was conspicuously shaded in thick ink, with large circles drawn at various points.
"What is this?"
At Yu Un-ryong's question—
"I've been contemplating how to crush the Azure Heaven Alliance."
Deung-gwang tapped the marked territory on the map with his finger.
His expression was that of a child delighted with a new toy.
"Specifically, how to wipe them all out."
Yu Un-ryong's eyes narrowed to slits.
The Azure Heaven Alliance? What kind of absurdity was this?
"Attacking the Azure Heaven Alliance all of a sudden—what are you talking about?"
Yu Un-ryong kept his voice steady as he spoke, and Deung-gwang blinked.
"Honestly, I never understood why the Demon Hall allowed them to grow unchecked."
He shrugged.
"We left the Soulless Society alone when they gathered all those miscellaneous forces from Beyond the Frontier—and what happened? They became one of the Three Great Forces of the Central Plains, the first alliance between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, and now they're a festering problem."
"......"
"But the Azure Heaven Alliance... that old Bullet King seems to have lost his vigor. He hasn't expanded his influence at all—just curled up in his corner."
Deung-gwang smiled.
"Who's to say they won't grow like the Soul-Less Society? We must cut them down before they sprout, the sooner the better."
He smiled as his gaze alternated between the senior commanders of the Extreme Demon Corps seated in the conference room and Yu Un-ryong.
"That way, even my sudden ascension to the position of Spirit Lord might gain some recognition."
Having finished speaking, Deung-gwang dragged his finger across the Azure Heaven Alliance's territory marked on the map.
The meticulously drawn borders vanished cleanly under his touch.
'A clever madman, this one.'
Deung-gwang had risen to the rank of Spirit Lord through covert achievements as the head of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's secret organization.
Yet, lacking any publicly acknowledged merits, he had failed to secure support—not just from the Demonic Path factions, but even within the Demon Hall itself.
The sole reason he could still wield the authority of a Spirit Lord was due to one privilege—the Venerable Spirit Lord's right to execute criminals on the spot.
Whether he intended to firmly establish his roots in the Demon Hall or not,
his scheme was clear: by dealing a heavy blow to the Azure Heaven Alliance, a coalition of the Righteous Faction, he sought recognition as the fifth Spirit Lord.
'This makes no sense.'
As the key figure overseeing all operations within the Death Shadow War Unit,
his absence for over a month would inevitably lead to major and minor disruptions.
I had expected him to exploit the fact that Bu Eun-seol was stuck running the Death Shadow War Unit to scheme something.
But an outright assault on the Azure Heaven Alliance?
'Does he truly intend to become the next Hall Master?'
If this plan succeeded,
Bu Eun-seol's standing—having consistently refrained from attacking the Righteous Faction—would be jeopardized, while Deung-gwang would solidify his position as Spirit Lord.
'And if it fails...'
Since he had publicly acknowledged Yu Un-ryong as his strategist before the Hall Masters...
he could easily shift the blame for failure onto him.
"Judging by Strategist Yu's expression, you don't seem keen on attacking the Azure Heaven Alliance?"
Deung-gwang approached Yu Un-ryong, tilting his head.
"Could it be you share the belief in preserving and coexisting with the Righteous Faction?"
That, in truth, was Bu Eun-seol's conviction.
And because of it, many harbored discontent.
Though none dared voice opposition yet, given the overwhelming power he held.
But if a faction opposing Bu Eun-seol emerged? A significant number of hardline Demonic Path martial artists would flock to it immediately.
'Is he planning to absorb the factions opposing the Death Shadow War Unit first?'
"How could that be?"
Yu Un-ryong erased his thoughts and replied calmly.
"Whether it's the Azure Heaven Alliance or the Martial Alliance, weakening the Righteous Faction would only be beneficial."
"Glad to hear it."
Deung-gwang grinned.
"Shall we depart for battle, then?"
"Right now?"
"Do you intend to unify the world just by sitting around and thinking?"
Deung-gwang flashed a confident smile.
"True combat is best waged spontaneously, adapting strategies on the fly."
"But—"
"No need to worry. From what I've seen, the Azure Heaven Alliance is nothing more than a ragtag group of Martial Alliance leftovers."
'I thought he'd ask me to devise a strategy as his strategist.'
Yu Un-ryong's chest turned cold as he realized this seemingly reckless move by the deranged Deung-gwang was, in fact, meticulously calculated.
'Fine. Let's do this.'
Suppressing a smile, Yu Un-ryong nodded.
"I shall obey your command."
—The Venerable Spirit Lord had mobilized troops to attack the Azure Heaven Alliance.
An unbelievable rumor spread through the Demon Hall.
Deung-gwang, now the Venerable Spirit Lord, had set out to conquer the Azure Heaven Alliance with a mere thousand elite warriors from the Extreme Demon Corps.
Upon hearing this, the Death Shadow War Unit was thrown into chaos. The senior commanders rushed to Bu Eun-seol's office in a panic.
"That bastard is setting up Yu Un-ryong to take the fall if they fail."
Myo Cheon-u spoke through gritted teeth.
"He's creating an excuse to blame the strategist for faulty planning."
The other commanders nodded in agreement.
"Exactly."
"We must stop this."
Though the decision to attack the Azure Heaven Alliance was Deung-gwang's, battle strategy fell to the tactician.
If they lost this fight?
Deung-gwang's position as Spirit Lord might waver again, but—
he could also use the failure as justification to execute Yu Un-ryong.
"Even if it means breaking our agreement, we must intervene immediately."
Wi Cheon-gyeong insisted.
"If they succeed, he'll solidify his standing as Spirit Lord. If they fail, he'll have an excuse to punish Commander Yu."
Yu Un-ryong was indispensable to the Death Shadow War Unit. They couldn't afford to stand by.
"We will not interfere."
Then, Bu Eun-seol spoke in a voice both cold and resolute.
"Trust him and wait."
"...What?"
As the commanders widened their eyes in disbelief, he took a deep breath and gazed at the distant sky.
"Un-ryong won't fall for Deung-gwang's schemes."
"Spirit Lord—"
"We made a promise."
Bu Eun-seol's tone was unwavering.
"Un-ryong will succeed."
"How can you be so sure?"
Wi Cheon-gyeong and Jo Nam-cheon asked in unison, their voices laced with concern. Bu Eun-seol turned his eyes to the window.
"Because I can."
"...Huh?"
"If I can do it... then so can Un-ryong."
The commanders let out a collective ah. Finally, they understood why Bu Eun-seol remained so composed.
Until now, Yu Un-ryong had been nothing short of the world's greatest strategist—reviewing every one of Bu Eun-seol's plans in advance and refining them into feasible strategies.
In other words—
If Bu Eun-seol devised schemes so brilliant they bordered on divine foresight,
Yu Un-ryong was the craftsman who identified their flaws and perfected them.
No matter how cunning Deung-gwang's schemes were, they would never go as planned.