Chapter 128
Bu Eun-seol wasn't the type to get easily excited or provoked.
But Chief Instructor Hyeokryeon Eung was someone who had stepped forward to save him, fully prepared to face severe punishment.
So when Yu Un-ryong brought up the Chief Instructor just to provoke him, Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but flare up in anger.
"Hahaha. The atmosphere is getting far too tense."
Just then, Sim Wol abruptly inserted himself between Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong, who were both standing with palpable killing intent.
"Ah, now that I think of it—and you are?"
Sim Wol studied Yu Un-ryong's face for a moment before taking another step forward and clasping his hands together.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Young Hero Yu."
"And who the hell are you?"
When Yu Un-ryong arrogantly demanded, Sim Wol responded with a beaming smile.
"I am Sim Wol, a disciple of the Myriad Erudition Hall."
"The Myriad Erudition Hall?"
A flicker of disdain passed through Yu Un-ryong's eyes upon hearing Sim Wol's answer.
Though he didn't voice it, his expression and gaze alone made it clear he was looking down on Sim Wol.
Despite such insolence, Sim Wol maintained his smile as he continued speaking.
"It's an honor to meet one of the Ten Demonic Heirs from White Horse Temple."
"You know of me?"
"Of course. Though my duties at the hall are modest, I always keep my ears open for news regarding the Ten Demonic Heirs who are poised to make waves across the Demonic Path."
Sim Wol clasped his hands together once more.
"Especially since I've heard rumors that not only is Young Hero Yu exceptionally talented, but you've also mastered the Divine Creation Technique—one of the supreme techniques of the White Horse Whip Art. I've long admired you for it."
As Sim Wol continued showering him with praise, a self-satisfied smile gradually spread across Yu Un-ryong's lips.
"You seem quite young, yet you're well-informed and knowledgeable."
"You flatter me."
Sim Wol smoothly pressed on.
"You must be exhausted from your long journey, Young Hero Yu. Attendant!"
At his call, a warrior standing nearby approached and bowed his head.
"You summoned me?"
"Escort Young Hero Yu to his quarters with the utmost courtesy. As one of White Horse Temple's Ten Demonic Heirs, he must be given accommodations befitting his status."
Listening closely, one would realize Yu Un-ryong's quarters had already been prearranged—there was no actual room for special treatment.
But Yu Un-ryong, too pleased by the continuous flattery to notice, nodded approvingly.
"There's no need to go to such lengths."
His tone, which had been haughty earlier, had softened noticeably—likely due to his improved mood.
Sim Wol addressed Yu Un-ryong in an exceedingly respectful voice.
"Young Hero Yu, I have a brief matter to discuss with Young Hero Bu... Might I take my leave first?"
"Ah, by all means."
Yu Un-ryong, who had come to pick a fight with Bu Eun-seol, was now completely disarmed by Sim Wol's silver tongue. He obediently followed the warrior's guidance and departed.
"Your way with words is remarkable."
The fact that Sim Wol could effortlessly insert himself between Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong—both radiating killing intent—spoke volumes.
It subtly revealed that Sim Wol's martial prowess was no less than Bu Eun-seol's.
Yet Bu Eun-seol only complimented Sim Wol's "way with words."
"It's nothing. People like Young Hero Yu—those with arrogant and self-important personalities—only need a few words of praise to be appeased."
"You know how to read people, it seems."
Sim Wol's large, bright eyes gleamed as he replied.
"Not exactly. Everyone has words they long to hear. And when you say them... they always remember you fondly for it."
Sim Wol shared something in common with Bu Eun-seol.
Despite his youth, he possessed the deep understanding and shrewdness of an old man who had seen the ways of the world.
"Young Hero Bu seems to dislike noise, so I've arranged your quarters in the outermost area of the hall."
Changing the subject, Sim Wol extended a hand to guide Bu Eun-seol.
"Shall we talk as we walk?"
"Very well."
The two walked shoulder to shoulder along a narrow path leading to the outer edges of the Demon Hall.
For a while, neither spoke as they quickened their pace. It was Sim Wol who finally broke the long silence.
"Do you know why the Demon Hall summoned the Ten Demonic Heirs?"
"I've heard it's to deal with the Great Righteous Experts."
"On the surface, yes—but the timing is far too early. As you must have heard... this was all due to pressure from the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
"I find this hard to comprehend."
At Bu Eun-seol's muttering, Sim Wol seemed to grasp his inner thoughts and replied in a low voice,
"Truthfully, I heard that when the Demonic Heavenly Emperor announced the Ten Demonic Heirs Plan, it wasn't to counter the Great Righteous Experts—there was another purpose behind it."
Pausing briefly, Sim Wol gazed at the distant sky and whispered,
"But then, he abruptly entered closed-door training. That's why the Ten Demonic Heirs Plan has been thrown into such disarray."
At that, the ever-calm glint in Bu Eun-seol's eyes shifted.
'So the Demon Hall's master has been in seclusion.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly chastised himself for his own foolishness.
How could he have remained ignorant of such crucial information until now?
'I focused too much on martial arts alone.'
The position of a Ten Demonic Heir wasn't just about martial prowess—it required awareness of the broader schemes and the state of Murim.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had poured all his effort solely into martial arts, which was why this oversight had occurred.
'Since things have come to this, I might as well hear everything from him.'
Having made up his mind, Bu Eun-seol asked with a slightly startled expression,
"You mean the Demon Hall's master suddenly entered closed-door training?"
"It's happened frequently before. Every time he attained a sudden realization, he would enter seclusion."
Sim Wol cleared his throat before adding,
"And... Young Hero Bu, you should refer to him as the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, not the Demon Hall's master. Only those with high standing—like the Demonic Path Ten Gates or the Demon Hall's high command—can call him that casually."
Dan Cheong, Blood Vajra, Master Cheol, Jeok Bung...
Every person Bu Eun-seol had met so far had been of such towering status and seniority that they all referred to him informally as the "Demon Hall's master." Naturally, the term had slipped into Bu Eun-seol's speech as well.
"I wasn't aware. I'll be more careful."
"I see. In any case, with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor absent, the treatment of the Ten Demonic Heirs has been heavily influenced by the Demonic Path Ten Gates and the Elders' Hall. That's why the current situation has unfolded as it has."
Listening to Sim Wol's explanation, Bu Eun-seol could now clearly piece together the state of the Demon Hall that Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon had described earlier.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Sim Wol's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Because in this situation, sending you on a mission to fight the Great Righteous Experts would be nothing short of a blood path—no, in truth, it would be suicide."
The answer was incomprehensible.
As doubt surged within him, Bu Eun-seol instead pressed his lips tightly together.
Since Sim Wol had given him such a riddle-like response, he must have an explanation to follow.
"I know that Young Hero Bu defeated Yeong Ji-wi, one of the Great Righteous Experts, during the Wandering Drifters' Martial Refinement Tournament."
Yet, contrary to expectations, Sim Wol continued with another cryptic remark.
"But he was someone who began martial arts late. Frankly, he was unworthy of being called a Great Righteous Expert—his skills were pitiful."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent, lips still sealed.
If he waited, the conclusion of this conversation would surely reveal itself.
"No matter how exceptional Young Hero Bu's martial arts may be, the remaining Great Righteous Experts are beyond your ability to defeat."
"..."
"Because each of them has long been taught secrets to counter the martial arts of the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
By now, he had no choice but to temporarily set aside the question of why Sim Wol was feeding him all this information.
"Secrets to counter the ultimate arts of the Demonic Path Ten Gates? How is that possible?"
Finally breaking his silence, Bu Eun-seol watched as Sim Wol's smile deepened.
"According to top-secret intelligence obtained by our hall, there is a highly mysterious master within the Martial Alliance. Not only is he deeply versed in the martial arts of the Demonic Path, but he can also discern the variations of an opening move just by examining the scars left on a corpse."
Thud.
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol felt as though his chest had dropped—an impact that shook him to the core.
The moment he heard those words, the image of the murderer who killed his grandfather instinctively surfaced in his mind.
"Who is he?"
"I don't know. The identity of this enigmatic figure is the Martial Alliance's highest secret. Even within the alliance, those who know his true identity can be counted on three fingers."
Sim Wol, who had paused in his explanation, added one last remark.
"Rumors say he's been active in Murim for a long time—some whisper he's a spy."
"A spy..."
Unconsciously, Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
All this time, he had assumed the murderer was simply one of the Demonic Path's top masters.
But there existed a master among orthodox masters who was deeply versed in the Demonic Path Martial Arts. If that was possible, then conversely, there might also be a master within the Demonic Path who was thoroughly knowledgeable in Orthodox Martial Arts.
'Don't think too hastily. Sooner or later, as I wander the martial world, I'm bound to encounter such a master.'
Just as Bu Eun-seol was lost in thought, Sim Wol's voice continued.
"Do you now understand why I said you must not fight the Great Righteous Experts?"
Snapping out of his contemplation, Bu Eun-seol's mind raced.
Sim Wol had been providing him with exceptionally valuable information all along. And the conclusion of that information could ultimately be summarized in a single sentence:
—The strength of the Great Righteous Experts is so overwhelming that the Ten Demonic Heirs cannot hope to match them.
'So that's what it was.'
Though something still felt off, Bu Eun-seol feigned ignorance in his reply.
"But being versed in Demonic Path Martial Arts doesn't necessarily mean they're equally knowledgeable about the Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, does it?"
"Of course not. However, by examining the brands left on the dead, one can make an educated guess about their techniques."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"Even if you recognize the techniques, all you'll know are the initial variations of their moves."
Having studied the human body extensively and examined countless wounds left on martial artists, Bu Eun-seol himself possessed the ability to deduce techniques and opening moves from scars.
"That alone isn't enough to fully grasp an opponent's martial arts."
"Naturally. You can't comprehend the vast profundities and true essence of the Ten Gates' martial arts just from the scars left on corpses."
A sharp glint flashed in Sim Wol's eyes as he smiled faintly.
"But what if we assume that the martial prowess of the Great Righteous Experts and the Ten Demonic Heirs is roughly equal? Wouldn't knowing the variations of their opening moves be a tremendous advantage?"
Bu Eun-seol fell silent.
He was right.
When fighting evenly matched opponents, the slightest difference can determine victory or defeat.
And wasn't it already suspected that the Great Righteous Experts held an edge over the Ten Demonic Heirs in martial arts?
This wasn't just an advantage—it could very well be the difference between life and death.
"That could very well be the case."
Finally acknowledging his words, Bu Eun-seol saw Sim Wol's expression brighten.
"I'm relieved you've come to understand, even now."
Staring intently into Sim Wol's pupils, Bu Eun-seol shook his head as if he had finally unraveled the enigma.
"Now I understand why you're telling me all this."
"Is that so?"
"You came here under orders from the Elders' Hall, didn't you?"
Sim Wol's eyes widened slightly in surprise before he broke into another faint smile.
"Correct. I came to once again convey Elder Jeok Bung's intentions to you, Young Hero Bu."
As Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Sim Wol spoke again in a quieter voice.
"Now that you've heard my explanation, you must understand why the elder urged you to join the Dark Heaven Squad, yes?"
In the past, Bu Eun-seol had come to the Demon Hall at the request of White Horse Temple.
And just as he was about to leave, he had been summoned to meet Jeok Bung, the Hall Master of the Elders' Hall.
At the time, Jeok Bung had strongly advised Bu Eun-seol to leave Langya Pavilion and become a member of the Dark Heaven Squad... Now, it seemed there had been a deeper reason behind it.
"So... the Hall Master of the Elders' Hall feared I might be killed by the Great Righteous Experts and thus imposed that restriction."
"Precisely. The elder saw through the schemes of the Ten Gates early on and worried that you, Young Hero Bu, might perish before your talent could even blossom."
Sim Wol's words were meticulously structured, and his reasoning was airtight.
Had Bu Eun-seol been dull-witted or new to the martial world, he might have swallowed those words whole.
"Listening to you, it almost sounds as though the Hall Master was urging me to join the Dark Heaven Squad solely to save me with all his might."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't suppress a cold laugh.
"Do you really expect me to believe that breaking free from the shackles of the Ten Demonic Heirs and joining the Dark Heaven Squad comes without a price?"
Sim Wol was not only perceptive but also sharp-witted.
Recognizing the skepticism in Bu Eun-seol's words, he took a step back.
"If my words came across that way, I apologize. I merely—"
"It's fine. I just dislike it when people speak in circles."
"Then I shall be direct."
Sim Wol's tone grew heavier as he spoke.
"Becoming a member of the Dark Heaven Squad... is less about serving the Demon Hall and more about placing yourself under the elder's personal command. But this arrangement will only benefit you, Young Hero Bu—it will never bring you harm."
"Under the Hall Master's personal command..."
Bu Eun-seol swept his sharp gaze over Sim Wol, though his voice remained composed.
"Then I take it I'm not the only one who's received this offer. Am I wrong?"