Chapter 207
Sindo Un-hwi clapped his hands as he approached Bu Eun-seol.
"I knew your martial arts were formidable, but I had no idea your strategic acumen was this extraordinary."
"..."
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol merely fixed him with a heavy gaze.
As deathly silence filled the air, Sindo Un-hwi clapped his hands once more and spoke.
"Exquisite. Absolutely exquisite! Were you planning to exploit the status of a successor candidate and the Main Palace's circumstances to slip free from the shackles of being the Ten Demonic Heir?"
"You can still reconsider your decision now."
Bu Eun-seol bared his white teeth in a smile, his eyes stained crimson.
"After all, this is the Extinction Palace's territory."
The smile vanished from Sindo Un-hwi's lips as he witnessed Bu Eun-seol's grin. Within those frozen, icy pupils flickered a gleaming madness.
'This bastard is genuinely insane.'
The world had those who pretended to be mad and those who truly were.
But the madness swirling in Bu Eun-seol's eyes was unmistakably real.
Unbound by worldly principles or laws, the moment he unleashed that madness...
He was a true madman—one who could, without the slightest hesitation, drag everyone into the abyss of ruin.
"It seems you thought the Ten Demonic Heir would forever remain a plaything of the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
The killing intent spilling from his pupils spread uncontrollably.
Bu Eun-seol, once the Ten Demonic Heir. Even he was truly enraged by this fateful farce.
"Well, no need to get so worked up. This wasn't my decision anyway."
Sindo Un-hwi cleared his throat, his bright voice attempting to shift the oppressive atmosphere.
"From the start, I suggested letting him leave quietly. But every Elder and Hall Leader opposed it."
Bu Eun-seol only maintained his cold smile.
'What nonsense.'
Had that been true, Sindo Un-hwi wouldn't have needed to lurk in secrecy.
He had clearly come to salvage the situation after being caught off guard by Bu Eun-seol's move, having intended to watch Myo Cheon-u's despair.
"..."
Bu Eun-seol stared straight at Sindo Un-hwi.
His gaze was sharper than ever, as though his eyes alone could claw through flesh.
'He's serious.'
Sindo Un-hwi had to make a decision quickly—before Bu Eun-seol erupted.
Whether to mobilize the full might of the Extinction Palace to strike him down here and now, or to let him leave with Myo Cheon-u.
"Having come this far, I can't just let you walk away."
Finally, as if resolved, he stepped forward.
"Show me what you've got."
Sindo Un-hwi grinned and extended a hand.
"That way, I'll at least have something to tell the Palace Master."
"By all means."
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol immediately thrust out his left fist.
There was no preparatory motion, no telltale sign.
Yet Sindo Un-hwi felt five colossal surges of fist energy hurtling toward his face.
Moreover, the energy trembled minutely, making it impossible to predict where it would strike.
"Haap!"
As the formless, massive fist energy curved inward, Sindo Un-hwi frantically spread both hands.
It was one of the Extinction Palace's Life-Saving Ultimate Techniques—the Blade Annihilating Golden Fortress.
Ooom!
The moment a circular barrier of palm energy unfurled around Sindo Un-hwi—
KRRRUMBLE!
A deafening roar, as though heaven and earth were collapsing, erupted alongside a storm that sent dust and debris flying in all directions.
Whooosh!
When the dust settled, the two stood firmly in place, as if nothing had happened.
"Hmm."
Sindo Un-hwi narrowed his eyes with a low hum.
He had realized Bu Eun-seol's fist techniques were in no way inferior to the Extinction Palace's palm arts.
'Not just his swordsmanship, but even his fist arts are at this level...'
Langya Pavilion specialized in swords and blades, with no renowned fist techniques to its name.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had mastered not only swordplay but also fist techniques to the highest degree.
'No need to take unnecessary risks now.'
Feeling a chill in his chest, Sindo Un-hwi forced a smile.
"Take him with you."
Then, nodding at Bu Eun-seol, he added,
"I'll speak to the Palace Master for you."
"Is that so?"
Bu Eun-seol turned away with a cold smile.
"What a shame."
For an instant, Sindo Un-hwi felt goosebumps rise on his back.
Because Bu Eun-seol's voice carried genuine disappointment.
What if Mok In-cheong had broken his promise and attacked Bu Eun-seol?
"This bastard. He must have set up another scheme precisely for that situation."
Sindo Un-hwi instinctively scanned his surroundings.
Perhaps envoys from the Demon Hall had been dispatched. Or maybe the masters of Langya Pavilion had been stationed near the Extinction Palace.
'Langya Pavilion.'
The masters of Langya Pavilion moved in such small numbers that no matter how vast one's information network was, their tracks remained undetectable.
Rrriip!
At that moment, Myo Cheon-u tore his own sleeve.
Ssshk!
Then, forming a blade with his hand, he sliced off the flesh on his left shoulder in one swift motion—the patch of skin bearing the flame-shaped mark.
It was the Fire Brand, the insignia burned into the shoulders of formal disciples of the Extinction Palace.
Thud.
Staring coldly at the chunk of flesh, now soaked in blood and lying on the ground, Myo Cheon-u spoke.
"I am no longer a man of the Extinction Palace."
Then, with a pale face, he bowed to Sindo Un-hwi and Mok In-cheong.
"And convey this to the Palace Lord. I am grateful for everything until now."
Bu Eun-seol watched the scene with icy detachment before speaking in a low, solemn voice.
"We leave."
Whoosh.
The Death Shadow Squad members, standing in formation, turned in unison like clockwork, following Bu Eun-seol. And without hesitation, Myo Cheon-u left as well.
Sindo Un-hwi and Mok In-cheong could only watch with complicated expressions.
Once outside the mountain gate of the Extinction Palace, Bu Eun-seol walked with Hyeok So-jin to his left and Myo Cheon-u—his shoulder tightly wrapped in bandages—to his right.
He had infused his hand with internal power and carved out the flesh around his shoulder in one decisive motion.
The problem was that the lingering effects of the Yin Pain-Intensifying Liquid still remained in his body, amplifying his pain sensitivity several times over.
To put it bluntly, Myo Cheon-u was experiencing pain far beyond that of having an arm severed.
Had he been an ordinary man, he would have collapsed in agony.
But he maintained an indifferent expression, walking as if nothing had happened.
—This man has terrifying willpower.
—He's a former Ten Demonic Heir, just like the Chief.
—Are all the people around the Chief like this?
Steel-like willpower and endurance.
The Death Shadow Squad members watched Myo Cheon-u, who possessed both, with undisguised admiration in their eyes.
"Why did you voluntarily subject yourself to torture?"
Bu Eun-seol's low voice broke the silence.
"The Extinction Palace was already preoccupied with the successor selection. There was no need to rush."
"No, I had to leave now."
"Why?"
"Because only then could I help you."
A self-deprecating smile flickered at the corner of his lips.
"I made up my mind when you saved me at Longsword Mountain Manor. I swore I would leave the Extinction Palace and stand by your side."
"Why help me?"
Almost bashfully, he rubbed his nose with one hand.
"You saved my life. I ought to repay the debt at least once."
Hearing this, the squad members finally realized two things.
Just what kind of man Myo Cheon-u was.
And why Bu Eun-seol had risked his life to infiltrate the Extinction Palace and rescue him.
—Indeed, he is worthy of being the Chief's friend.
In the martial world, respect is not earned by strength alone.
Myo Cheon-u possessed not only extraordinary willpower and endurance but also a rare, unshakable sense of loyalty.
If Bu Eun-seol stirred hearts with a warrior's spirit so fierce it could melt iron...
Then Myo Cheon-u kindled flames in the parched hearts of men with the warmth of his friendship.
"Chief. I have a good pain-relieving medicine here."
As cold sweat continued to bead on Myo Cheon-u's forehead, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward and pulled out a small porcelain vial from his robes.
"A Bear Gall Pill, given to me by a close friend from the Morning Sun Divine Sect near the Yellow River."
"Will you take it?"
"What, were you planning to keep it from me? Were you going to take it yourself when you're perfectly fine?"
Myo Cheon-u delivered the line with a deadpan expression.
But the joke, meant to lighten the mood, only drew a smile from Wi Cheon-gyeong—not Bu Eun-seol.
"Not laughing, huh? And here I was trying to be funny."
He shook his head, flashing a grin of white teeth.
Myo Cheon-u. Unlike most of the Demonic Path, he had an optimistic, hopeful personality.
And that would become another source of strength for Bu Eun-seol's Death Shadow Squad.
"Brother Bu."
Then, for the first time, Hyeok So-jin spoke up.
"Does this mean I'm being kicked out of the Deputy Unit Leader position?"
Though it sounded like a joke, his expression was deadly serious.
"Now that Brother Bu's close friend has joined the squad as a member..."
Baffled, Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow before shaking his head.
"He's not my close friend."
"Huh?"
"And I didn't bring him in as a Unit Member. He's only helping temporarily for this matter."
"But... I can't stay by your side forever either."
As the successor of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sect, he would eventually have to return and inherit the mantle of the Illusion Demon.
But Myo Cheon-u, freed from the shackles of the Ten Demonic Heirs, was affiliated with no sect, and his martial prowess was on par with Bu Eun-seol's.
There was no better candidate to serve as Vice Chief.
"I won't be the Demon Hall's Chief forever either."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was low as he looked at Hyeok So-jin.
"Every meeting is followed by parting. No feast lasts forever, and every story must come to an end."
"I suppose so."
Hyeok So-jin's voice carried regret.
Truthfully, he had no desire to become the master of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary. He would much rather wander the martial world by Bu Eun-seol's side, embarking on adventures.
But that's impossible.
The Illusion Demon was still in his prime, but he wouldn't live forever. Eventually, Hyeok So-jin would have to succeed him and oversee the sanctuary.
"Bu Eun-seol. You don't even bother introducing me when there's someone new around."
Myo Cheon-u clucked his tongue in mock reproach before clasping his hands toward Hyeok So-jin.
"Myo Cheon-u. I used to be one of the Ten Demonic Heirs, but... as you can see, I'm a free man now."
His playful, familiar tone made Hyeok So-jin smile as he mirrored the gesture.
"Disciple of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sect, Hyeok So-jin."
"So you're the Illusion Demon's successor."
"You knew?"
"I've been scraping by in the Extinction Palace, so I've picked up a thing or two about the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Hyeok So-jin chuckled and clasped his hands again.
"I'm Bu-Elder Brother's younger brother, so feel free to treat me casually, Myo-Elder Brother."
As the legitimate heir of one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, his status far surpassed Myo Cheon-u's.
But charmed by the man's straightforward demeanor, he willingly took the role of the younger brother.
"Good to hear. Then I'll treat you like family from now on."
Myo Cheon-u paid no mind to status or hierarchy—he judged people as they were.
And that was a trait shared by Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin, and the Death Shadow Squad alike.
"Hahaha. Just as I'd expect from Bu-Elder Brother's friend—your personality is refreshing."
"I said he's not my friend."
Ignoring Bu Eun-seol's retort, Hyeok So-jin spoke seriously.
"Myo-Elder Brother's injuries aren't light. Why don't we rest and treat them properly in the village before setting out?"
Myo Cheon-u shook his head firmly.
"Word's already spread through the Demonic Path Ten Gates that he vowed to kill the Beggar King. If we delay, who knows what schemes they'll cook up next."
"You knew we were visiting another of the Demonic Path Ten Gates?"
"I had a hunch the moment I heard he swore to kill the Beggar King."
Myo Cheon-u's expression darkened slightly as he murmured,
"Someone unaffiliated with any sect, yet powerful enough to aid a master of that caliber... There's only one kind of person who fits that description."
The Ten Demonic Heirs.
Their skill and talent were so formidable they could threaten the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
If only they could break free from the shackles of being Heirs, they would become peerless warriors, unbound by any sect.
"Bu Eun-seol. You're planning to go to the Ultimate Assassin Pavilion, aren't you? To meet Seok U-haeng."
"I am."
At Bu Eun-seol's nod, Myo Cheon-u spoke decisively.
"But he left the Extreme Killing Secret Pavilion after the Longsword Mountain Manor incident and vanished. His whereabouts are unknown."
A bitter smile touched his lips as he recalled that time.
"The Ultimate Assassin Pavilion betrayed him, leaving him to die alongside the Great Righteous Experts."
"Hm."
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol's expression flickered with regret.
Seok U-haeng had been an exceptional assassin, unmatched in both the Assassin Secret Arts and the True Void. His strategic acumen was also quite good.
Had he joined their cause, he would have been an invaluable asset.
"Then we'll have to find him."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Myo Cheon-u blinked.
"Don't tell me you mean Yu Un-ryong?"
He shook his head firmly.
"That guy's too proud and rebellious. He'd never help you."
Seok U-haeng, at least, thoroughly weighed gains and losses and acted in his own interest.
But Yu Un-ryong was stubborn, distrustful, and worst of all—he harbored a fierce rivalry with Bu Eun-seol.
"I've watched him for years, ever since Hell Island. He's never been the type to listen to others."
"I know."
"Good that you do."
Myo Cheon-u nodded as they descended the mountain.
"So, where to now?"
"Lost Soul Valley."
"Lost Soul Valley? Why there?"
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Yu Un-ryong is there."