Chapter 205
Time seemed to stand still inside the side room, the heavy air flowing overhead like a tangible weight.
"You're out of your mind."
After a long silence, Yong Jeok-bi finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Bu Eun-seol.
"You intend to kill one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings? Don't tell me you're planning to do it ten years from now just because there's no deadline?"
He was the successor of the Extreme Killing Secret Pavilion, a man thoroughly accustomed to assassination.
Even Yong Jeok-bi, of all people, judged it an impossible feat without a decade of preparation.
Yet Bu Eun-seol offered no reply.
The Beggar King's execution.
That was something Bu Eun-seol had to do. Had it not been for the Wind Cloud Brigade's sacrifice, he would have met his end long ago.
'Besides, being ordered to do it would make my stomach turn.'
Had another passive mission been imposed on him, Bu Eun-seol would have recoiled in disgust.
But Yeop Hyo-cheon had spilled out the assignment slips, and by chance, there was one he desired. For someone who had always insisted on living proactively, it was nothing short of a miracle.
"Hmm."
At that moment, Do Cheon-rin let out a thoughtful hum.
His eyes flashed with realization before he spoke.
"Bu Eun-seol. You're planning to alter the assignment slip's contents later, aren't you?"
The lack of a deadline.
That could also be interpreted as permission to modify the mission's terms.
But Yeop Hyo-cheon shook his head firmly.
"Once an assignment slip is chosen, alterations are impossible."
Suddenly, Do Cheon-rin stepped forward, clasping his hands together.
"Even for a prodigy of unmatched martial prowess, some things remain unattainable."
Then, with the gravest expression, he added:
"Of course, in the distant future, he might ascend to the ranks of the Four Gods and Seven Kings. But wasn't this assignment slip issued to evaluate the successors' capabilities?"
It was baffling.
Why was Do Cheon-rin—who had consistently opposed Bu Eun-seol's candidacy—pleading his case to Yeop Hyo-cheon now?
"Wouldn't my downfall be more to your liking, Do Cheon-rin?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Do Cheon-rin let out a dry chuckle.
"That wouldn't be bad either. But watching a rival I'd hoped to compete with until the end crumble from a ridiculous blunder? That's even worse."
An odd thing to say.
Strictly speaking, Do Cheon-rin's rival wasn't Bu Eun-seol—it was Wi Ji-hye-sang.
For years, the Bloodflame Blade Family and the Fire Rain Sword Sect had been compared, locked in perpetual competition.
Yet here he was, openly declaring Bu Eun-seol his equal.
"He's right, Young Hero Bu."
Despite Do Cheon-rin's provocative demeanor, Wi Ji-hye-sang recomposed himself and smiled brightly.
"Why not heed his advice and reconsider?"
Though his expression was pure and guileless, his words carried another meaning:
—I, too, consider you my rival, not Do Cheon-rin.
The two were using Bu Eun-seol to wage a battle of wills.
Fully aware of this, Bu Eun-seol shook his head with an indifferent expression.
"My decision is already made."
As his answer hung in the air, Yeop Hyo-cheon asked quietly:
"From the looks of it, you've already decided which of the Four Gods and Seven Kings to eliminate."
"That's correct."
"Who have you chosen?"
"Gu Hong-cheong."
"The Beggar King."
Yeop Hyo-cheon's lips curled into a faint smile, as if he'd anticipated this.
Admittedly, the Beggar King was the weakest among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, occupying the lowest rank.
Yet he had still reached the threshold of the Extreme Heaven Realm—and above all, he was the Supreme Elder of the Beggars' Sect, the righteous faction's foremost intelligence network among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
Considering these two factors, he was anything but an easy target.
"I see."
With a nonchalant nod, Yeop Hyo-cheon turned his gaze to Wi Ji-hye-sang.
"You won't be selecting an assignment slip today?"
"That's correct."
"Then this concludes our meeting."
Yeop Hyo-cheon offered a dry smile as he surveyed the successors.
"Since you've all settled on your tasks, you may leave now."
At his dismissal, the successors in the star chamber bowed respectfully to Yeop Hyo-cheon and filed out—all except Bu Eun-seol, who remained rooted in place.
Do Cheon-rin and Wi Ji-hye-sang kept their eyes locked on Bu Eun-seol until the very moment they passed through the door.
"You seem to have something more to say to this Cult Leader."
Yeop Hyo-cheon grinned, and Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"That's correct."
"Speak."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
Then, with utmost solemnity—and a hint of caution—he began:
"Is the position of the Demon Hall's heir... predetermined?"
Silence lingered.
Instead of answering, Yeop Hyo-cheon stared intently into Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
His expression seemed to ask, Don't you have more to say?
"Let me rephrase my question."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath before speaking in a low voice.
"Was Do Cheon-rin preordained to be the Demon Hall's heir?"
At the altered question, Yeop Hyo-cheon's lips parted slowly.
"Why do you think that?"
"Even as the Young Clan Head of the Bloodflame Blade Family, he shouldn't have been able to command the Demon Hall's masters so effortlessly."
The reasoning was so straightforward it hardly required deep contemplation.
Do Cheon-rin had mobilized the Demon Hall's Hall Leaders to drive Bu Eun-seol out of Langya Pavilion and lure him to the Abandoned Manor.
And the moment they parted, martial masters from both the orthodox and unorthodox factions—the Wudang Sect, Hell Blood Citadel, and others—had launched their ambush as if lying in wait.
No matter how high his standing as the Bloodflame Blade Family's successor, this level of influence was excessive.
"Hoho."
Yeop Hyo-cheon let out a satisfied laugh, as if it were his answer in place of words.
"Though you entered the martial world late... you are not a single step behind the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, who inherited the finest talents and training the Demonic Path has to offer."
Muttering something that could have been either a sigh or admiration, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke softly.
"Does that answer your question?"
"It does."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together respectfully and turned to leave—but then, Yeop Hyo-cheon's low voice reached him from behind.
"The Demon Hall's future will need a blade."
When Bu Eun-seol turned back, Yeop Hyo-cheon wore an enigmatic smile.
"Become that blade. A single, razor-sharp blade."
A blade has two uses.
It can serve as a threat in and of itself, or it can cut something down when wielded.
—Become the blade that excises the rot.
Bu Eun-seol did not ask the meaning behind those words.
Yeop Hyo-cheon's gaze conveyed the exact intent clearly enough.
"I have one request."
"Speak."
After that, the two exchanged hushed words in a secretive conversation.
"My gratitude."
Having concluded their discussion, Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together once more in respect. Then, without delay, he turned and departed.
Clatter, clatter.
The gates of the Demon Hall swung open as an Eight Horse Carriage, draped in black, raced down the road.
A banner symbolizing the Demon Hall fluttered atop the carriage, while around it, the Death Shadow Squad's group leaders rode fine steeds, and the squad members themselves followed discreetly, their movement techniques in full effect.
"What in the world are you thinking, Brother Bu?"
Hyeok So-jin, arms crossed, spoke to Bu Eun-seol, who was gazing out the window.
"Killing the Beggar King? Why would you choose such a task?"
By the time they left the Demon Hall, whispers had already spread in secret—Bu Eun-seol had selected a mission to eliminate one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
That such a highly classified matter had leaked could only mean one thing: one of the four successor candidates had deliberately spread the rumor.
Do Cheon-rin had concealed his own choice, and Wi Ji-hye-sang had yet to make his, but both already possessed superhuman martial prowess and insight.
—No, perhaps it wasn't them.
Hyeok So-jin shook his head.
It could have been Yong Jeok-bi or Sindo Un-hwi—or perhaps all four had leaked Bu Eun-seol's mission.
As Hyeok So-jin lost himself in thought, Bu Eun-seol's reply finally came.
"It is simply what must be done."
Hyeok So-jin exhaled sharply.
Once Bu Eun-seol declared something "must be done," it inevitably would be.
"Still, shouldn't we stop the rumor from spreading further? If this reaches the Beggars' Sect, then dealing with the Beggar King will be—"
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a cold smile.
"No. If they hadn't spread it, I would have."
"What?"
"The Beggar King is a man of pride. If he learns I'm targeting him, he'll come out to face me head-on."
Arms still crossed, Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes slightly, as if lost in thought.
"Even if that weren't the case, there are plenty of reasons to spread the rumor."
"..."
Hyeok So-jin fell silent.
Come to think of it, Bu Eun-seol never acted impulsively. He always assessed situations meticulously and considered multiple strategies.
If he said this much, there must be some profound scheme at play.
"But why target the Beggar King in the first place?"
For an instant, a fierce light flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"Because he laid hands on this pavilion's disciple."
Those who harm Langya Pavilion's disciples meet death. Their sects face annihilation.
Bu Eun-seol intended to strike down the Beggar King and reaffirm Langya Pavilion's ironclad rule and prestige to the martial world.
"Then where are we headed now?"
Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes and answered flatly.
"The Extinction Palace."
"The Extinction Palace..."
Hyeok So-jin narrowed his eyes as he mulled it over.
"Don't tell me you're gathering forces to take down the Beggar King together?"
No matter how exceptional Bu Eun-seol's skills were, the Beggars' Sect housed countless masters beyond reckoning.
And the Beggar King himself was a master of the Extreme Heaven Realm—an opponent Bu Eun-seol could never face alone.
"Not at all. I will face him alone."
Bu Eun-seol's voice remained calm as he stared out the window.
"But to secure that one-on-one duel, I need the aid of a master of comparable strength."
"Comparable... I see."
Hyeok So-jin nodded slowly, as if finally realizing something.
A master of similar age and power to Bu Eun-seol. In this world, there was only one group that fit that description.
The Ten Demonic Heirs.
Bu Eun-seol intended to gather the remaining Ten Demonic Heirs and draw strength from them.
The Extinction Palace was situated beneath Mount Tianfeng, southeast of Suzhou.
Following the river, one would come across a beautiful forest lined with cypress and pine trees.
Walking further, a towering gate resembling the Iljumun (One-Pillar Gate) of a grand temple came into view.
As Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin looked up at the massive entrance, they saw a signboard inscribed with the words "Extinction Palace."
This was the sect of the strongest palm techniques in the demonic path—a place said to have once trodden the world beneath its feet with just a pair of bare palms.
After stepping out of the carriage, Bu Eun-seol ascended the mountain gate alongside the Death Shadow Squad.
At the entrance stood two warriors with piercing gazes, towering like Divine Generals.
Judging by the qi radiating from their entire bodies and their posture, they were clearly not ordinary guards.
"I am Bu Eun-seol, leader of the Demon Hall's Death Shadow Squad."
The guards flinched for a moment.
Though the position of a squad leader in the Demon Hall was not particularly high-ranking, the moment one stepped into the martial world, they effectively represented the Demon Hall itself.
"What brings you to our main palace?"
"I've come to see the Ten Demonic Heir of the Extinction Palace."
The two guards exchanged glances, their eyes conveying something unspoken, before clasping their hands together.
"Please wait a moment."
One of them hurried inside—likely to deliver a message.
'They already knew my purpose.'
Bu Eun-seol grasped the situation at a glance.
The Extinction Palace had anticipated his visit to seek out the Ten Demonic Heir.
Far from being surprised, the guards had merely exchanged looks before rushing inside. They must have been instructed beforehand to relay his arrival.
'The Demonic Path Ten Gates truly live up to their name.'
The Extinction Palace was one of the core factions of the Ten Gates. Their influence and intelligence network were unimaginably vast and intricate.
They had not only tracked Bu Eun-seol's movements but had even predicted his intentions.
'This won't be easy.'
He sensed that this matter would not be resolved smoothly.
Creak.
The inner gate opened again, and the guard who had gone inside returned, clasping his hands before Bu Eun-seol.
"Please follow me."
The guard led them not to the heart of the Extinction Palace but to a small pavilion set apart from the main complex.
A modest pond had been arranged there, and inside the pavilion sat an old man in blue robes, his white beard long and his frame frail yet upright. His eyes gleamed with a sharp, piercing light.
At a glance, he was clearly a figure of high standing.
Bu Eun-seol observed the old man, who sipped tea with the leisurely grace of an immortal, and clasped his hands in greeting.
"I am Bu Eun-seol, leader of the Death Shadow Squad."
The old man, who had been watching his bow, nodded lightly, as if only just noticing him.
"I am Mok In-cheong, Hall Master of the Criminal Law Hall."
Sunset Overturns the Heavens—Mok In-cheong.
A terrifying master, rumored to make the sun fall and the heavens overturn with a single strike of his palm.
But something was odd. Why was the Hall Master of the Criminal Law Hall, the one who strictly enforced the Demon Hall's laws, personally receiving Bu Eun-seol instead of the Guest Reception Hall?
"You've come to see our Ten Demonic Heir?"
"Yes."
"That won't be possible."
"And why is that?"
"Because that child is currently in the Wall-Facing Cave."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't understand.
What crime had Myo Cheon-u committed to be confined there?
"Has he committed an offense?"
"Hmm."
Mok In-cheong, who had been feigning ignorance, suddenly spoke an unexpected remark.
"I hear you've publicly declared your intent to kill the Beggar King?"
From his words and expression, Bu Eun-seol realized two things:
First, that Sindo Un-hwi had been the one spreading rumors about the assignment slip.
And second, that the Extinction Palace had no intention of releasing Myo Cheon-u willingly.
"I can guess what you're thinking. But if you truly aim for the position of successor, I wouldn't recommend such methods."
Mok In-cheong seemed convinced that Bu Eun-seol planned to use Myo Cheon-u's help to strike down the Beggar King.
"That doesn't seem like a matter for the Hall Master to concern himself with."
Despite Bu Eun-seol's stiff reply, Mok In-cheong retained a faint smile.
"I have no choice but to concern myself. Aren't you currently in competition with this palace's successor candidate?"
He spoke while maintaining that faint smile.
"Yet I've allowed you to enter our palace without resistance because Langya Pavilion has no particular grudges or favors with us. Do you understand what I mean?"
Bu Eun-seol stared coldly at Mok In-cheong.
It was suspicious enough that Myo Cheon-u had suddenly been sent to the Wall-Facing Cave, but Mok In-cheong's attitude bordered on outright intimidation.
"It seems you have something else to say."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Mok In-cheong replied frostily:
"I'll advise you once more—leave quietly."
At that moment, the hidden martial artists around the pavilion released a sharp, oppressive aura.
Moreover, Mok In-cheong's ring finger, holding the teacup, subtly pointed toward Bu Eun-seol.
If Bu Eun-seol showed even the slightest intent to use martial arts, he would not hesitate to unleash his palm technique.
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Mok In-cheong nodded with satisfaction.
"Well then. I'm busy, so I'll take my leave first."
"I came here as the leader of the Death Shadow Squad."
"And?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice turned solemn.
"As a leader of the Demon Hall, I command this: Bring Myo Cheon-u before me."