Chapter 230
Yeop Hyo-cheon listened quietly to Bu Eun-seol's words before nodding his head.
"You have now officially become a Second-grade Commander of the main hall."
Yeop Hyo-cheon smiled faintly, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"That's why we've prepared new living quarters and a training ground for your unit members."
Rising from his seat, he continued.
"Twenty elite members newly selected will soon be assigned to the Death Shadow Squad."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his surprise. The exact number of reinforcements he had been planning to request was also twenty.
'I see. It was a prediction accounting for Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.'
A sudden, amusing hypothesis occurred to Bu Eun-seol.
Perhaps the Demonic Heavenly Emperor wasn't seeing the future or reading minds...
Maybe he was simply thinking the same thoughts as Bu Eun-seol.
"Then what should I do now?"
"Nothing."
Yeop Hyo-cheon chuckled.
"Since things have turned out this way, it would be good for you to take some rest while the other successors complete their tasks."
It was an unexpected remark.
Bu Eun-seol blinked, and Yeop Hyo-cheon responded with a faint smile.
"There's no need to report whatever you choose to do."
"Understood."
Having gathered his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply.
Being granted free time at this moment was a golden opportunity.
From now on, he had to make full use of this time.
Two days later, at the training ground in front of the Death Shadow Squad's living quarters.
Twenty newly recruited young unit members stood in formation.
Their faces, fresh from being selected as members, all looked youthful, and their tension was palpable.
Before them stood Bu Eun-seol, dressed in his commander's uniform, and two others clad in plain martial attire—Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
"Myo Cheon-u, Yu Un-ryong."
Bu Eun-seol spoke solemnly as he looked at the two.
"From now on, you two will be the group leaders of the Fourth Group and the Fifth Squad of the Death Shadow Squad."
"Group leaders?"
Yu Un-ryong blinked, and Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Train these members personally from now on. Ensure they can fulfill their roles on the battlefield."
Though they had been mixed into the Death Shadow Squad under the pretext of assisting Bu Eun-seol, they were, after all, Ten Demonic Heirs.
They could never truly blend in with ordinary unit members.
Bu Eun-seol was well aware that they still existed in a liminal space.
That was why he had assigned them direct subordinates—to deepen their sense of responsibility and belonging.
"Train them so they can return alive from any battlefield."
Bu Eun-seol spoke gravely.
"Currently, the First Squad of the Death Shadow Squad specializes in sword techniques, the Second Squad in movement techniques and hidden weapons, and the Third Squad in external martial arts."
He continued flatly as he regarded the two.
"Now, the Fourth Squad will specialize in palm techniques, and the Fifth Squad in unorthodox techniques."
Bu Eun-seol looked at Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong and spoke matter-of-factly.
"Since you've been formally registered as group leaders, go to the Secret Council and give your names. They'll prepare your uniforms."
"Bu Eun-seol."
Myo Cheon-u opened his mouth, but Bu Eun-seol pretended not to hear.
"Living quarters will be assigned separately. Try to make them serviceable within two months."
"Bu Eun-seol!"
Myo Cheon-u called out again, but Bu Eun-seol turned away as if he hadn't heard a thing.
"Got our noses properly wrung, huh."
As Myo Cheon-u slumped his shoulders, Yu Un-ryong remarked dryly.
"Didn't you see this coming?"
"Not at all. I knew."
"If you knew, why were you so desperate to call him?"
"Salary."
Myo Cheon-u stared at his empty money pouch before speaking with utmost seriousness.
"How much does a Demon Hall group leader's stipend even pay?"
Back in his office, Bu Eun-seol pulled out a booklet from the shelf and began writing something.
It was the Langya Formation, which he had paused writing earlier.
Even now, the disciples of Langya Pavilion must be suffering greatly to master the Way of the Beast.
That was why he was determined to find a method—alongside the Way of the Beast—to systematically build up Langya Pavilion's foundational martial arts as quickly as possible.
'If I can complete the Langya Formation during this spare time... that alone would be rewarding.'
Knock knock.
Just then, the sound of knocking accompanied the approach of a man clad in black martial attire, who respectfully clasped his hands.
"Su-hwa, a disciple of the Secret Shadow Pavilion, greets the Death Shadow Squad Commander."
The Secret Shadow Pavilion was the Demon Hall's most secret unit, even drawing upon past Ten Demonic Heirs.
"What is it?"
"A message from the Wind and Cloud Corps."
'Now that I've become a Second-grade Commander, the Secret Shadow Pavilion delivers the Wind and Cloud Corps' messages directly...'
Truly, the sweet taste of authority.
Moreover, as a human being, the higher one's status rises, the more inevitably one becomes intoxicated by the accompanying power.
But Bu Eun-seol had no interest whatsoever in power or fame.
"There's no need to go through such formalities from now on."
Bu Eun-seol picked up the letter and spoke impassively.
"There are plenty of group leaders in the main unit, after all."
"...Understood."
Though the man named Su-hwa wore an expression of incomprehension, he clasped his hands together respectfully.
"Well then."
As he left, Bu Eun-seol began reading the letter.
"So that's how it is."
His expression hardened as he continued reading for a long while.
Letting out a low sigh, Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the office with a grave look.
He then entered the bamboo grove behind the living quarters. At the center of the clearing there, members of the First and Third Squads had gathered in clusters.
"Truthfully, the martial principle of Striking Later to Control the Opponent is something you can only properly utilize once you've reached the perfected Peak Realm."
Hyeok So-jin stood at the front, explaining the martial principles to them.
"In other words, the most crucial thing in battle is seizing the initiative, and to dominate the initiative, you must strike first—"
After finishing his martial demonstrations, Hyeok So-jin would analyze the flaws and mistakes in their techniques alongside the Death Shadow Squad members.
Thanks to that, the squad's discernment and martial prowess had been steadily improving.
Not bad.
This wasn't something Bu Eun-seol had ordered.
By teaching the Death Shadow Squad martial principles, Hyeok So-jin was simultaneously refining his own foundational martial knowledge.
In truth, his martial skills had progressed to the point where he was now on par with the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
"So-jin."
As Bu Eun-seol approached, Hyeok So-jin stopped his explanation and broke into a bright smile.
"What brings you here?"
"Let's talk for a moment."
Noticing the gravity in Bu Eun-seol's expression, Hyeok So-jin felt a foreboding premonition.
"Is it related to the sanctuary?"
After a brief hesitation, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"The Sanctuary Master has collapsed."
Thud.
In that instant, Hyeok So-jin's heart plummeted.
"Grandfather...?"
"Don't worry. It's not life-threatening—just a bit of overexertion, they say."
Hyeok So-jin, lost in thought for a moment, asked again.
"How did you hear this news?"
At that, Bu Eun-seol gave a faint, enigmatic smile.
"Do you really think the old men would support me just because I made them a few coffins?"
"What do you mean?"
"I made arrangements with the Phantom Demon. The Wind and Cloud Corps has been sending me regular reports from the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary."
Bu Eun-seol had been periodically receiving updates about the sanctuary through the Wind and Cloud Corps, keeping an eye on the happenings in Peach Garden Village.
And the demonkin of Peach Garden Village, knowing that Bu Eun-seol honored his promises as if they were worth a thousand pieces of gold, had given him their full support in return.
"I'm sorry, Brother Bu."
Hyeok So-jin rubbed his forehead with one hand, ashamed.
"As the successor, I was so caught up in my travels through the martial world that I forgot about that place... yet you kept watch over the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary in my stead."
"I was merely keeping my promise to the Sanctuary Master."
Bu Eun-seol spoke matter-of-factly.
"Unlike personal promises, promises between sects are absolute. If they're broken, the survival of the sect itself can become difficult."
If it were just about keeping a promise, monitoring the movements of the demonkin in Peach Garden Village would have been enough.
But Bu Eun-seol had been receiving reports on all major and minor affairs of the sanctuary, even keeping Hyeok Gong-baek's well-being in mind.
And that was consideration for Hyeok So-jin's sake.
"Thank you."
Though he appeared indifferent to everything on the surface, Bu Eun-seol observed the people around him with meticulous care.
And Hyeok So-jin was prouder than ever that such a man was his sworn brother.
"Now then..."
Bu Eun-seol paused briefly, gazing at the distant sky before speaking again.
"It seems it's about time we return to the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary."
For a moment, Hyeok So-jin lowered his head.
No feast lasts forever, and after every meeting comes parting.
Once his travels through the martial world ended, he would have to return as the sanctuary's successor, inheriting the Phantom Demon's legacy and overseeing its affairs.
But because his journey with Bu Eun-seol had been so enjoyable, he had deliberately avoided facing that truth.
Now, however, it was truly time to go back.
Hyeok So-jin forced a smile.
"I see. Now that the wayward grandson is gone... I'll have to take over the sanctuary in Grandfather's place."
Bu Eun-seol nodded quietly.
"It's late today. We'll leave early tomorrow."
The next day.
All squad members stood in formation before the training grounds of the Death Shadow Squad's quarters.
They had gathered to bid farewell upon hearing of Hyeok So-jin's departure.
"You've all heard, right?"
Hyeok So-jin stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Your Vice Chief must now return to the sanctuary."
A heavy sigh escaped the lips of the Death Shadow Squad members.
Even in the eyes of Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, unmistakable regret flickered.
If Bu Eun-seol was the strict father, then Hyeok So-jin could be called the caring mother.
Thanks to his presence—always looking after each unit member and approaching them without hesitation—even the Death Shadow Squad members.
Even Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, who had joined late, were able to blend in naturally.
"Even in my absence, follow the Chief's orders well."
"Are you leaving for good?"
When Wi Cheon-gyeong asked, Hyeok So-jin smiled bitterly.
"There's no such thing as 'for good.' If fate wills it, we'll meet again somewhere."
"I see."
Wi Cheon-gyeong clasped his hands together with a regretful expression.
"Take care, Vice Chief."
At that, all the standing unit members bowed deeply and shouted in unison with booming voices.
—Take care! Vice Chief!
Then, one by one, they each spoke up loudly.
"Well, if we miss you, we'll just come to the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary!"
"If we go, will you feed us?"
"How about you just quit everything and stay with the Death Shadow Squad?"
These were the same Death Shadow Squad members who had once lacked not just lingering affection, but even basic camaraderie.
Yet, in this short time, they had grown deeply attached to Hyeok So-jin, who had fought alongside them through life-and-death missions.
"Before I return, make sure to further refine your martial arts."
Then, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward and spoke.
"Especially the members of the Fourth and Fifth Units—I'll personally evaluate your martial prowess when I return."
"Wait, Chief, are you going somewhere too?"
At Won Se-mun's question, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"We started this together, so it's only right we end it together."
At that moment, something hot and fierce stirred in the hearts of the unit members.
—We started together, so we'll end together.
Because those words sounded like a promise Bu Eun-seol was making to them.
'We began our journey in the martial world together, so we'll see it through to the end...'
Hyeok So-jin's chest burned as well.
Since he had begun this martial journey with Bu Eun-seol, it was only right they finished it together.
"I see. Since we started together, it's only right we end together."
Just as Hyeok So-jin was speaking with a smile, Myo Cheon-u, who had been standing silently, suddenly stepped forward.
"If you're going, request an escort corps from the Demon Hall."
Crossing his arms, he spoke with a grave expression.
"Aren't all sorts of bastards in Murim watching you after you killed the Beggar King? If you two go out alone now, every lowlife out there will come crawling after you."
"He's right."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"That's why we're going together."
At that, Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened as if realizing something.
"Brother Bu... don't tell me—"
"This journey will serve as the foundation for you to become a worthy successor."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"That was my final promise with the Sanctuary Master."
The Phantom Demon had asked Bu Eun-seol to awaken the dormant passion and warrior spirit within Hyeok So-jin.
And Bu Eun-seol had not only kindled that warrior spirit but had also forged Hyeok So-jin into a martial artist strong enough to befit the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary's successor.
But that wasn't enough. Now, Bu Eun-seol intended to demonstrate his elevated martial prowess, pushing Hyeok So-jin to grow even further.
'He's leaving me with his final insight.'
Bu Eun-seol, despite his youth, had already stepped into the threshold of the Extreme Heaven Realm—an unprecedented feat.
He was about to pass on the profound insight he had gained from his battle with the Beggar King to Hyeok So-jin once more.
"Then I'm coming too."
Suddenly, Yu Un-ryong stepped forward.
"If it's a fight, I can't miss out."
"Then me too."
When Myo Cheon-u also moved to join, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No."
"Why not? I want to grow stronger by watching you fight too."
"If that's your reason, then you absolutely shouldn't come."
When Myo Cheon-u revealed his honest feelings, Bu Eun-seol explained plainly.
"Both of you have reached the perfected Transcendent Realm. But neither of you has ever taught martial arts to another."
Only then did Myo Cheon-u let out a sound of realization.
He remembered how Hyeok So-jin's martial comprehension had grown exponentially while instructing the Death Shadow Squad.
"Exactly. At your level, the fastest way to advance your martial comprehension now is to teach others."
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong exchanged stunned glances.
'He didn't just assign us unit members to exploit us.'
Truthfully, they too had wanted to teach the squad members.
But the original members had already learned martial arts unique to Bu Eun-seol, making it impossible to pass on their own insights.
Now, with new recruits joining, they could finally impart their knowledge and foundational martial techniques.
"Understood. We'll do that."
The expressions of Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong had changed.
Realizing that Bu Eun-seol had been considering their martial growth all along, an unprecedented sense of loyalty welled up within them.
"Don't worry and go safely."
As Myo Cheon-u spoke, Jo Nam-cheon laughed and shouted.
"That's right! Don't worry and come back safely, Chief! We'll train hard while you're gone!"
"Right! Don't worry and return safely!"
As each member added their own words, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Train hard until I return."
—Yes, sir!
The moment the unit members bowed in unison, Bu Eun-seol calmly looked down at them.
Now, he was about to embark on his final journey alongside Hyeok So-jin, who bore the responsibility of protecting Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying.