Chapter 208
Ghost Soul Valley.
This ravine nestled within the Righteous Lord's Mount Bright Tranquility was once home to a sect known as the Green Blood Gang.
The Green Blood Gang gathered poisons from Mount Bright Tranquility to create small poison pools, honing their Poison Arts within them.
When their Poison Arts reached the Ten-Star Realm, even their blood turned a verdant hue. The sect then used the blood of those who had attained the state of Poison People to refine an even deadlier toxin.
That was none other than the Five Waters Blood Crystal—the most vicious poison in the martial world.
With just a single drop capable of slaughtering hundreds, the Green Blood Gang spread chaos across the martial world, amassing power.
But in the end, they drew condemnation from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, branded as Public Enemies of the Murim before being annihilated in an instant.
The Green Blood Gang—now nothing more than a forgotten sect, the kind old men might reminisce about while telling stories to their grandsons.
The valley, where no living creature could survive anymore, had since been given its current name: Ghost Soul Valley.
"Sects that use poison never meet a good end," Hyeok So-jin remarked, wrinkling his nose as he walked in the direction of the valley.
"Though the sect perished long ago, even its stench lingers through the generations."
The deeper they ventured into the mountains, the more a sour, pungent scent seeped into their nostrils.
Not only that—an indescribably foul energy seemed to coil through the very air around them.
"A common trait between Poison People and evil men," Bu Eun-seol murmured softly.
"Even when their flesh rots into putrid earth and decays away... they still leave behind infamy, like a lingering stench."
His words carried the weight of a sage who had witnessed the full breadth of human life.
Hyeok So-jin, mulling over the remark, noticed the solemn expression on Bu Eun-seol's face and laughed, tossing out a jest.
"But surely, that stench and that stench are different, no?"
Yet Bu Eun-seol received even this joke with grave sincerity.
"Not so different. The corpses of evil men and Poison People are disposed of in the same manner."
"The same manner?"
"The corpses of Poison People are poison themselves. Burying them carelessly would contaminate the surrounding earth. But burning them recklessly would turn them into Poisonous Smoke, scorching the land barren."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes darkened, as if recalling memories from his days as an undertaker.
"To dispose of Poison People, you must take them to a place untouched by human feet and burn the bodies in secret."
"But what does that have to do with evil men?"
"Evil men commit many wicked deeds, so even after death, those who bear grudges against them dig up their graves."
"Hmm."
"Thus, evil men, like Poison People, must also be buried in secret—in places where no one will tread."
"Ah!"
Hyeok So-jin slapped his knee and nodded.
"Truly, the natural order of the world is the same in all things."
Then, glancing around, he wrinkled his nose again.
"And this Green Blood Gang were both Poison People and committed atrocities... No wonder the stench is even worse."
Myo Cheon-u, who had been silently listening to their exchange, allowed a mute smile to curl his lips.
'He's changed a lot.'
Back on Hell Island, Bu Eun-seol had been not only cold and aloof in temperament but also nearly silent.
Yet now, not only did he carry conversations effortlessly, but he spoke in a uniquely compelling manner that drew interest.
'Come to think of it...'
Suddenly, an image flashed through his mind—Bu Eun-seol exchanging glances with Seo Jin-ha as they fought back-to-back.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Lost in thought, Myo Cheon-u approached him and asked with a serious expression:
"Do you trust me?"
An abrupt question.
Bu Eun-seol frowned as if unable to comprehend it.
"Trust?"
"You included me in the plan to take down the Beggar King. Doesn't that mean you trust me, at least to some degree?"
Bu Eun-seol shook his head at the sudden inquiry.
"No."
"No?"
"It's just an empty word, isn't it?"
His gaze fixed on the distant sky, he spoke in a low voice.
"In the Murim, all you need is enough faith that the person behind you won't stab you in the back."
"So... that's all it was?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Never mind."
Only now did Myo Cheon-u realize.
The core of Bu Eun-seol had not changed—not since Hell Island, not even now.
'The selection process on Hell Island awakened madness and bloodlust...'
Most who had been there couldn't maintain their sanity, left with nothing but frenzy and destructive instinct.
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
He wasn't consumed by madness. He still observed everything with cold, rational detachment.
When he fought alongside Seo Jin-ha. And even now...
Bu Eun-seol remained unchanged—a man who placed no faith in notions like loyalty or trust.
"Come to think of it, perhaps it couldn't be helped."
Back in Hell Island, Bu Eun-seol had been solely focused on survival.
That was why Seo Jin-ha's personality, whether he was trustworthy or not, hadn't mattered.
All that was necessary was just enough trust to ensure he wouldn't stab him in the back.
'But this isn't Hell Island.'
Myo Cheon-u wore a bitter smile.
Bu Eun-seol still acted as if he were in Hell Island—his values were no different from back then.
'He must have a purpose. A reason he absolutely must survive and grow stronger.'
The conversations they'd shared on the way to Ghost Soul Valley likely hadn't even reached ten words.
Yet, Myo Cheon-u could read Bu Eun-seol's personality as clearly as if they'd been friends for decades.
And that was only possible because he genuinely liked Bu Eun-seol.
Friendship.
Countless heroes in this world loudly proclaim the virtues of friendship.
But most people turn their backs the moment they stand to lose something.
In fact, those who push struggling friends deeper into despair, or secretly wish for their downfall, are everywhere.
But Myo Cheon-u was different.
He was a true man, capable of holding onto the greatness of friendship without wavering.
'Maybe we could grow close sooner than I thought.'
Myo Cheon-u smirked.
Bu Eun-seol expected nothing from others.
Which, conversely, meant that if he were given even a sliver of trust, he could be approached at any time.
'Wait, then what about Yu Un-ryong...?'
Myo Cheon-u's expression stiffened.
Only now did he realize why Bu Eun-seol had boldly sought out Yu Un-ryong.
'It's because he doesn't trust him that he can bring him along.'
Bu Eun-seol hadn't come to the Extinction Palace because he infinitely trusted Myo Cheon-u or because their friendship ran deep.
He had simply given him a reason and benefits compelling enough to make him follow.
And undoubtedly, he would use the same method on Yu Un-ryong.
'But...'
Myo Cheon-u silently resolved himself.
One day, he would make Bu Eun-seol feel trust.
"We're here."
At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong, who had been walking ahead, came to a stop.
Among the three group leaders, Wi Cheon-gyeong was the fastest and most cautious in his movement techniques.
So whenever they approached a potentially dangerous area, he always took the lead.
"This is Ghost Soul Valley."
Ghost Soul Valley.
Despite its name, which suggested corpses strewn everywhere, the place was lush with vegetation and blooming beautifully.
However, the stench had grown even more unbearable—without firmly circulating their internal energy, they would likely vomit on the spot.
After winding through the twisting path for a while, they arrived at a vast bamboo forest dyed in shades of green.
"It seems someone has been training their martial arts here."
Wi Cheon-gyeong, who had been examining the split bamboo, narrowed his eyes.
"Impressive skill. To split bamboo like this..."
The shattered bamboo had been split vertically, not horizontally, and the hundreds of fragments were all of uniform size.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been carefully inspecting the bamboo Wi Cheon-gyeong pointed out, closed his eyes briefly.
In that instant, the image of a whip moving like a living creature flashed through his mind.
That whip traced straight and curved lines, effortlessly producing sixty-one variations in a single motion.
"Divine Creation Technique..."
Bu Eun-seol deduced that this was one of the highest techniques of the White Horse Whip Art—the Divine Creation Technique.
"No need to look further. These must be Yu Un-ryong's traces."
At Myo Cheon-u's words, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No, this isn't Yu Un-ryong's doing."
"What?"
"Long ago, he mastered something far more complex—the Whip-Protecting Garment. There's no way he'd produce just sixty-one variations now."
"You can discern the number of martial forms just by looking at split bamboo?"
"It's not that difficult."
Just as Bu Eun-seol answered dismissively and frowned at the path leading deeper into the bamboo forest—
Whoosh!
With the Sound of Breaking Air, over thirty shadows descended from the sky.
They wore snow-white martial uniforms, their waists wrapped with gleaming white whips.
"Bu Eun-seol."
The man at the forefront of the group narrowed his eyes.
He was Go Gun-pyeong, the leader of the Demon Hall's Black Dragon Unit, who had once tested Bu Eun-seol with five martial forms.
"It's been a while."
"Leader Go."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight bow.
Though they had met as enemies, Go Gun-pyeong was a martial artist who valued his pride.
That was why, when he had tested Bu Eun-seol with five forms, he had held back to some degree.
Had he truly intended to kill Bu Eun-seol, he would have unleashed a killing move from the very first form and ended his life in an instant.
"Don't tell me you've come looking for Yu Un-ryong."
"That's right."
"Then turn back now."
Go Gun-pyeong's voice was icy as he stared at Bu Eun-seol.
"Yu Un-ryong has defied the temple master's orders to return to the main temple and is currently in hiding in this area."
"And why would a Demon Hall unit leader go around capturing the Ten Demonic Heirs of White Horse Temple?"
"Hmph, this is our temple's internal affair. None of your concern."
"It is my concern."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Bu Eun-seol replied firmly.
"Because he must come with me."
"Hahahaha!"
Go Gun-pyeong let out a scornful laugh, his gaze drifting toward the distant sky as if amused.
"Bu Eun-seol. Did getting that measly position as leader of a third-grade corps scramble your brains?"
His laughter cut off abruptly, replaced by a voice cold as winter.
"Yu Un-ryong is a disciple of our temple. If you want to interfere, come back as the Demon Hall's successor before you dare speak."
"I don't need to be the successor."
Bu Eun-seol indifferently pulled out a Command Plaque from his robes.
"Because I already have the authority."
The plaque shimmered with a five-colored radiance, engraved with the character for "Supreme" —the symbol of the Chief Doctrine Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"Why do you have the Chief Doctrine Commander's plaque?"
At Go Gun-pyeong's stunned question, Bu Eun-seol answered flatly.
"The Chief Doctrine Commander granted me permission. For any of the Demonic Path Ten Gates that have yet to produce a successor candidate, I am allowed to take their Ten Demonic Heirs under my command."
"You expect me to believe... the Chief Doctrine Commander permitted this?"
"That's right."
—I have a request.
Before leaving the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol had secretly made a plea to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
He had asked for the power to free the remaining Ten Demonic Heirs from the shackles of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
In response, Yeop Hyo-cheon granted him conditional authority.
—For now, I will only permit it for the Demonic Path Ten Gates that currently have no successor candidates in the Demon Hall.
"Currently"—those without a successor candidate.
In other words, Yeop Hyo-cheon had promised him the power to release the Ten Demonic Heirs of Hell Blood Citadel, White Horse Temple, and the Spectral Sect from their bonds.
But Seo Jin-ha, the Ten Demonic Heir of Hell Blood Citadel, had already freed himself by joining the Heavenly Slaughter Unit.
And the Ten Demonic Heir of the Spectral Sect had long since become a cold corpse at the hands of the Great Righteous Experts...
Meaning this plaque's authority applied only to Yu Un-ryong.
"Don't make me laugh!"
Go Gun-pyeong roared.
"What right does even the Chief Doctrine Commander have to take away a Ten Demonic Heir our temple raised?!"
"The Ten Demonic Heirs have suffered endlessly under the schemes of the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned solemn.
"Enough is enough. Let him go."
"Hmph, ridiculous."
"So you intend to defy the Chief Doctrine Commander's order?"
"Heh heh heh. If this were the Demon Hall, of course I wouldn't dare."
A cruel smile twisted Go Gun-pyeong's lips.
"But this is a secluded valley where no one treads. And the dead tell no tales."
"An excellent plan."
Bu Eun-seol nodded leisurely.
"Lost Soul Valley, untouched by human footsteps—the perfect place for silencing through murder."
"You catch on quick."
"But are you confident?"
"Confident?"
"Confident you can wipe out all of us?"
Go Gun-pyeong let out an incredulous laugh.
"Heh heh heh. Did dealing with a few stragglers from Demon Transfer Sect inflate your ego? You think you can stop my Black Dragon Corps?"
The Black Dragon Corps was the most elite among second-tier units.
Its members were not only handpicked disciples from White Horse Temple but personally trained by him.
Each one had reached the Peak Realm, and they were seasoned veterans who had completed countless missions.
"Ah, of course, I'm well aware your martial prowess isn't what it used to be."
He shook his head coldly.
At his signal, the rigidly standing Black Dragon Corps members surged forward in unison.
"But every one of them has reached the Peak Realm. Do you understand what that means?"
BOOM!
Suddenly, an explosive sound erupted as the massive boulder beside Bu Eun-seol shattered into pieces.
Myo Cheon-u, infuriated by Go Gun-pyeong's arrogance, had unleashed the Annihilation Palm.
"Bu Eun-seol. How much longer are you going to listen to this chatterbox?"
Go Gun-pyeong's eyes widened as he stared at the pulverized boulder.
The surface of the shattered rock was riddled with fine, needle-like holes.
"The Annihilation Palm...?"
His jaw slackened as he scrutinized Myo Cheon-u's face.
"You—the Ten Demonic Heir of Extinction Palace?"
"Hmph, 'Ten Demonic Heir'? If you're itching for a fight, just say so. I'll oblige."
Go Gun-pyeong's complexion darkened.
Wasn't one of the Ten Demonic Heirs supposed to be a Transcendence Realm martial artist, capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Bu Eun-seol?
And with Hyeok So-jin, the successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, also present, even if the Black Dragon Corps fought with everything they had, victory was impossible.
"Leader Go. Let me make you an offer."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly, watching the sweat bead on Go Gun-pyeong's brow.
"Is it really worth sacrificing the lives of your innocent Black Dragon Corps members?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Just withstand five of my martial forms. If you do, I'll leave quietly."
Go Gun-pyeong's body trembled instantly.
He remembered—the test of five forms he had once forced upon Bu Eun-seol in the past.