Chapter 232
Gu Dong-ak, who stood blocking Bu Eun-seol's path, roared in a voice like thunder.
"Bu Eun-seol! Do you truly believe you can cruelly slaughter a master of our alliance and simply walk away?"
"Slaughter?"
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned puzzled.
"How can you call it slaughter when I merely defended myself against someone who tried to kill me without reason?"
"What nonsense is this?!"
"I avoided conflict with him. Yet he ambushed me from behind."
"..."
"Is that also a crime now?"
Bu Eun-seol gestured indifferently at the onlookers surrounding them.
"If you consider it a crime, then act now. It'll be a fine opportunity to showcase the Martial Alliance's arrogance for all to see."
Gu Dong-ak's face froze as he noticed the countless gazes fixed upon them.
'He deliberately orchestrated this situation!'
In truth, Jo Bi-un's sword strike had been a feint—meant only to stop Bu Eun-seol from fleeing.
But the ordinary bystanders watching had no way of discerning that.
'This cunning bastard!'
Gu Dong-ak bit his lip.
Only now did he realize that every one of Bu Eun-seol's actions had been a calculated scheme to kill Jo Bi-un.
"Do you think you can handle the consequences?"
No matter what anyone said, Jo Bi-un was the only son of Jo Cheon-wang, leader of the Martial Heaven Unit.
In other words, Bu Eun-seol had just forged an irreparable grudge with one of the Seven Great Leaders—a pillar of the Martial Alliance.
"Do you truly believe you can bear the weight of murdering the blood kin of Leader Jo?!"
"The Martial Alliance will have to bear it, not I."
"What did you say?!"
"Unless the Martial Alliance specializes in teaching the art of backstabbing."
Gu Dong-ak's expression hardened once more at Bu Eun-seol's smile.
'Damn it...'
There was no room for rebuttal.
Jo Bi-un had launched a rear ambush—a tactic even the Righteous Faction considered taboo.
Even if Gu Dong-ak passionately argued that it had only been a feint, there was no way to prove it.
Instead, it was obvious that only the bystanders' testimonies—of Jo Bi-un ambushing Bu Eun-seol from behind—would spread.
"If we're assigning blame for how this began, you aren't free from responsibility either."
At Bu Eun-seol's follow-up words, Gu Dong-ak fell silent.
Truthfully, he had been duty-bound to restrain Jo Bi-un's arrogant and reckless behavior.
But he, too, had trusted in the Martial Alliance's prestige and merely watched as Jo Bi-un acted like a madman.
All because he never imagined someone would dare kill the only son of the Martial Heaven Unit's leader.
"Tch."
Gu Dong-ak gnashed his teeth.
Even if the Martial Alliance's leader were present, there would be no grounds to condemn Bu Eun-seol.
In fact, if responsibility for this incident were to be assigned, he himself would be the first to blame.
"Let's go!"
Trembling with fury, he ordered his subordinates to retrieve Jo Bi-un's corpse before departing without another word.
Once again, Bu Eun-seol's actions sent shockwaves through the Murim.
To kill the only son of the Martial Heaven Unit's leader with a single stroke—who would dare?
Yet even in the face of this, the Martial Alliance could take no action.
Because Jo Bi-un, in his arrogance, had committed an act no martial artist should ever commit.
If anything, the blame fell squarely on Gu Dong-ak, commander of the escort corps, who deserved punishment.
—He's truly a madman.
Bu Eun-seol—disciple of Langya Pavilion and candidate to succeed the Demon Hall.
While the Righteous Faction scorned him as the "Fortune King," another epithet had begun circulating among the people:
Mad Sword.
Not only was he undeniably the most skilled among the Rising Talents of the Younger Generation...
But rumors spread that he was a fearless lunatic.
"No one dares challenge you anymore."
Hyeok So-jin, drinking at a guest inn near Ye-nam after passing through Yellow Creek, wore an exasperated expression.
Since killing Jo Bi-un, no one had dared pick a fight with Bu Eun-seol.
The rumor had spread far and wide: to challenge him was to stake one's life.
"And now you're collecting the strangest epithets like trophies."
"..."
"The 'Fortune King' was bad enough—courtesy of those wretched Beggars' Sect bastards. But 'Mad Sword'? What kind of nonsense is that?"
Clang!
Hyeok So-jin slammed his bottle down, his face twisted in indignation.
"A title like 'Sword King' or something... that would suit you far better, Brother Bu."
Despite Hyeok So-jin's passionate rant, Bu Eun-seol remained expressionless, his gaze fixed out the window.
"Doesn't it bother you, Brother Bu?"
Tap.
Setting down his cup, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"It doesn't matter."
He couldn't care less.
Even if he never earned a nickname, let alone ascended to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, he felt no regret or longing whatsoever.
His goal had never been fame or authority.
"I know you don't care about honor or reputation, but still... even you're human, Brother Bu..."
As Hyeok So-jin's grumbling dragged on, Bu Eun-seol slowly opened his mouth.
"Fame and honor are nothing more than labels others stick on you from the beginning."
"Well... that's true enough."
He wasn't wrong.
Hadn't even the name "Four Gods and Seven Kings" been bestowed upon them by others rather than something they created themselves?
Reputation was something like prestige that naturally followed as one honed their skills.
Obsessing over it could only drag one down into the Lesser Vehicle Realm.
"Moreover, fame doesn't necessarily benefit a martial artist."
Bu Eun-seol downed another cup of liquor before continuing in his low voice.
"The more your name spreads across people's lips, the more your techniques, methods—even your physical description—become common knowledge. Sometimes your name alone can put your enemies on guard."
"I suppose that's true."
After ruminating on Bu Eun-seol's words, Hyeok So-jin suddenly let out a hollow laugh.
"You're truly remarkable, Brother Bu. Though we're not far apart in age, your experience and knowledge seem decades ahead of mine."
Then he gazed at the distant sky and sighed.
"When will I ever reach that point?"
His voice carried more fear than envy.
Hyeok So-jin would soon have to lead all the dependents of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
And to become the leader of a sect required not just martial arts, but wise and coldly rational judgment.
The leadership to guide countless people at the forefront, and the qualities to make them devoted followers.
Hyeok So-jin agonized over lacking both the ability and qualifications for this.
"Perhaps the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary needs someone more outstanding than me."
"That's mistaken thinking."
As Hyeok So-jin hunched his shoulders, Bu Eun-seol spoke with resolute expression.
"A leader doesn't necessarily need to be wiser or more exceptional than others. If that were true, every sect leader in the murim would be a genius."
"Is... is that so?"
"The defining trait of sect leaders isn't personal excellence, but knowing how to place the right people where they belong. That's why they can lead even without being particularly wise themselves."
After taking another sip of liquor, he continued in that low voice:
"Dividing the Death Shadow Squad followed the same principle. Each member has different talents, specialties and strong personalities. Yet simply by having group leaders who guide their unit members well, they've become an elite force."
Bu Eun-seol stared straight at Hyeok So-jin.
"And all this—you've already been doing it all along."
Only then did Hyeok So-jin realize.
He'd been facing powerful enemies alongside Bu Eun-seol, commanding groups of allies, devising tactics.
Unconsciously, every step of their journey and all their experiences... had been etched into his very being.
"Thank you. For enlightening me once again."
Hyeok So-jin rose and clasped his hands together.
"And I swear to guide the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary down the proper path."
Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin resumed their hurried journey.
The carriage raced onward without rest until they neared Lanzhou. Just another day and a half would bring them to the Heaven-Severing Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
"M-my lord."
The coachman's flustered voice came then.
"I think you should step out for a moment."
When Bu Eun-seol disembarked, he saw over a hundred martial artists solemnly arrayed across the opposite plain.
Activating his Enhanced Vision, Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile.
"The Blood Sea Demon Well."
The fighters' uniforms perfectly matched—not a thread different—those of the masters from the Blood Sea Demon Well, the martial world's vicious stronghold that had once oppressed Guyang Qingjing.
"Bu Eun-seol."
From the vanguard of martial artists emerged a grotesque-looking middle-aged man.
None other than the Blood Sea Demon Well's Third Hall Master, Poison Hand Night Soul Go Geuk-sin.
"You remember this Hall Master, don't you?"
Notorious for his violent temper, he was the cruel demonkin who crushed skulls like sugarcane with his Night Soul White Bone Claw even after killing his enemies.
Yet Bu Eun-seol smiled at Go Geuk-sin like greeting an old friend.
"Long time no see. So, have you come to visit our pavilion?"
Go Geuk-sin ground his teeth audibly.
When he'd attempted to kidnap Guyang Qingjing long ago, he'd publicly vowed to annihilate the sect of whoever dared interfere—unaware it was Langya Pavilion.
That ignorant boast had become a humiliating memory he could never outlive.
"Your mouth remains as insolent as ever."
Go Geuk-sin's voice dripped with killing intent.
"Every single word still twists this Hall Lord's temper."
"You didn't come here just to see if my mouth is still in working order, did you?"
Uncharacteristically, Bu Eun-seol continued with a jest, drawing out his words.
"Or have you come to annihilate the sect of the Demon Hall I lead this time?"
Bu Eun-seol was now the leader of the Demon Hall.
Provoking him without reason was no different from provoking the Demon Hall itself.
"Hmph, flaunting the Demon Hall's name won't save you."
Go Geuk-sin laughed triumphantly.
"This will fall under the category of a Successor's battle anyway."
"A Successor's battle, you say?"
Bu Eun-seol, rather than being alarmed, nodded with interest.
"How strange. Since when did the Blood Sea Demon Well become one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates?"
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin, then his eyes flashed.
"Or is there another Successor candidate I'm unaware of?"
Go Geuk-sin flinched momentarily but then curled his lips into a sinister smile.
"Think whatever you like. You'll be dead soon anyway."
Given that they had boldly marched in with the Blood Sea Demon Well's vanguard, it was clear they had colluded with one of the Demon Hall's Successor candidates.
But if they dared to slaughter a Successor candidate of the Demon Hall at will? The Blood Sea Demon Well would be erased from the murim without hesitation.
"Your gall has swollen to bursting."
At that moment, Hyeok So-jin spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
"Since when do lowly dogs of the Blood Sea Demon Well dare to strut into our territory and make trouble?"
Go Geuk-sin curled the corner of his lips.
"I told you. This is a battle between Successor candidates."
Then, in a voice like creeping frost, he added:
"Even if the masters of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying were to swarm in, they wouldn't be able to interfere in this fight."
"Enough explanations. Just attack. I'm in a hurry."
"Hehehe. I know full well you possess considerable skill. Even that lucky strike that took down the Beggar King."
Go Geuk-sin bared his fangs in a grin.
"But this time will be different."
Bu Eun-seol yawned.
It wasn't deliberate—he was simply growing weary of Go Geuk-sin's prattle.
"What's supposed to be different this time?"
The moment Bu Eun-seol asked with a yawn, flames seemed to ignite in Go Geuk-sin's eyes.
"You've heard of the Cold-Blooded Ghosts, haven't you?!"
"Cold-Blooded Ghosts?"
Hyeok So-jin's expression shifted at those words.
Only then did he notice the martial artists standing motionless behind Go Geuk-sin—their eyes dull and lifeless, like corpses.
"Brother Bu. It seems they really have brought the Cold-Blooded Ghosts."
Among the Demonic Path factions, where producing elite martial artists in large numbers is difficult, they sometimes resort to secret methods and brutal training to forge combat forces.
The Blood Sea Demon Well was no exception, having cultivated a massive army through such means—the Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
They were force-fed special drugs to eradicate fear.
Moreover, the martial arts they practiced allowed them to throw their lives away without hesitation if it meant cutting their enemy's throat.
It was said that the Blood Sea Demon Well earned its reputation as one of the murim's most dreaded lands precisely because of these Cold-Blooded Ghosts.
"This won't be an easy fight."
Zzziiik!
Hyeok So-jin drew out the Blood Thread Steel Wire from his left wrist.
Stepping in front of Bu Eun-seol, he declared:
"I'll take the vanguard."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No need."
"Huh?"
"I should show you at least once."
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol's pupils burned crimson like smoldering coals.
"Watch closely. The height of the staircase you must ascend."
Then, he strode past Hyeok So-jin and walked steadily toward Go Geuk-sin.
Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened.
He knew Bu Eun-seol's martial arts had advanced greatly, but... there were over a hundred of them. And these were Cold-Blooded Ghosts—unfeeling of fear or pain, ready to throw their lives away in mutual destruction.
Even for Bu Eun-seol, facing them alone should have been impossible.
'Could Brother Bu have reached the Supreme Origin Realm?'
No matter how many flies swarm together, they cannot bring down a lion.
Likewise, no matter how many lesser fighters combine their strength, they cannot defeat a single supreme master—such was the realm known as the Supreme Origin Realm.
Step. Step.
Bu Eun-seol walked leisurely toward the hundred Cold-Blooded Ghosts, as if taking a stroll.
With each dignified, measured step, his presence seemed to expand, towering as if touching the heavens.
"Attack!"
At Go Geuk-sin's command, the hundred Cold-Blooded Ghosts surged toward Bu Eun-seol.