Chapter 235
Hyeok So-jin took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, then spoke.
"Yu Hyeok-sim knew we wouldn't accept his proposal."
"He knew, you say?"
"Yes. Showing the Blue Flower Flame Jade was merely a ploy to lure Brother Bu out."
"What nonsense is that?"
"Hell Blood Citadel no longer has justification to attack Brother Bu after he was removed from the Demon Hall's successor candidacy. So... they resorted to this method."
Hyeok So-jin ground his teeth audibly.
"They intended to make Brother Bu attack them first."
Bu Eun-seol's Way of the Beast heightened his senses to a degree surpassing even the Void Listening Art.
He had likely already heard everything—from the banquet hall conversations to Hyeok Gong-baek and Hyeok So-jin's refusal of the proposal.
"Brother Bu not only knows no fear but would never want others to suffer because of him."
Hyeok So-jin bit his lip.
Hell Blood Citadel had discerned that very trait and meticulously laid their trap.
"Whenever Yu Hyeok-sim reveals himself in the Martial World, he always brings the entire Poison Demon Hall with him."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hyeok Gong-baek urgently shouted,
"I'll dispatch the Evil Soul Squad immediately."
"That won't do."
"It won't?"
"If you do, it would appear as though Brother Bu and our sanctuary joined forces without cause to slaughter Hell Blood Citadel's masters."
Hyeok So-jin maintained his composure as he spoke.
"Outwardly, Hell Blood Citadel merely came to propose an exchange of the Blue Flower Flame Jade under certain conditions, correct?"
"Hmm."
"Moreover, if Hell Blood Citadel went to such lengths to eliminate Brother Bu through such means, they must have coordinated with other sects among the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Hyeok Gong-baek fell silent.
Hyeok So-jin's words were undeniably accurate.
"Then you suggest we do nothing?"
"No."
Hyeok So-jin answered without hesitation.
"Summon the Evil Soul Squad."
Hyeok Gong-baek blinked in surprise.
Just moments ago, Hyeok So-jin had vehemently opposed sending the squad—why call for them now?
"...So that's your plan."
As Hyeok Gong-baek studied Hyeok So-jin's resolute expression, realization dawned on him, and he nodded.
"Very well. Take the Evil Soul Squad and go quickly."
Yu Hyeok-sim had left the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary.
Unleashing his Lightness Skill, he swiftly exited the sanctuary's territory and raced through a secluded forest.
Rustle—thud.
Just as he emerged from the woods and a wide road came into view—
Sssk.
Yu Hyeok-sim, observing the distant scenery, bared his teeth in a grin.
The plan had succeeded.
Far ahead, standing with arms crossed to block the road, was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
Thud.
Yu Hyeok-sim, who had been moving swiftly with his Movement Technique, immediately descended to the ground.
"Ah, the heir of Langya Pavilion himself."
Stepping forward, he smirked slyly.
"Well, what brings you here?"
"I was curious about that so-called Blue Flower Flame Jade."
Heh heh heh.
A sinister killing intent flickered in Yu Hyeok-sim's narrowed eyes as he chuckled darkly.
"Anyone watching might think you and our Hall Master are the closest of friends. Hahaha."
"Must one be friends to see it?"
His laughter abruptly ceased as he glared fiercely at Bu Eun-seol, whose expression remained impassive.
"Do you truly believe someone who has repeatedly disrupted our citadel's affairs and even killed the Blood Ghost Faction's leader has the right to speak to our Hall Master?"
"Now that you mention it, I am curious."
But Bu Eun-seol abruptly changed the subject.
"Fire Rain Sword Sect and the Bloodflame Blade Family wouldn't stoop to such petty schemes."
A faint smile played on his lips as he looked down at Yu Hyeok-sim and spoke in a low voice.
"Did White Horse Temple and the Spectral Sect, stripped of their successor candidacy, join forces? Or was it the Ultimate Assassin Pavilion and the Extinction Palace, feeling uneasy?"
Hahahaha!
Yu Hyeok-sim burst into uproarious laughter.
"If you've deduced that much, further words are unnecessary."
With a jerk of his head, the bushes along the mountain path trembled in unison.
Simultaneously, a dark mist seemed to rise from the ground as shadowy figures emerged one by one.
They were the Poison People of the Poison Demon Hall—the Hell Blood Citadel's most grotesque and cruel practitioners of poison arts.
"Since you were the one who struck down the Beggar King, I brought the entire Poison Demon Hall as a special treat."
Yu Hyeok-sim narrowed his eyes and spoke in a hushed tone.
"If you kneel now and apologize for your offenses against our citadel, I might mercifully send you back to the Demon Hall in one piece."
The Poison Demon Hall was the Hell Blood Citadel's most elite force—their combat power incomparable even to the Cold-Blooded Ghosts Bu Eun-seol had faced before.
Even if Bu Eun-seol had reached the perfected Extreme Heaven Realm, he could never face them alone.
The Hell Blood Citadel had prepared thoroughly to eliminate Bu Eun-seol without leaving the slightest opening.
"Enough nonsense. Make your move."
"Very well. Then let us begin."
Just as Yu Hyeok-sim stretched his hand forward with a self-assured expression—
Flash—CRACK!
A violet bolt of lightning split the sky, and suddenly, dozens of martial artists descended as if descending from the heavens.
Clad in martial uniforms shimmering with violet luster, their faces concealed behind violet masks—
They were none other than the Evil Soul Squad, the most elite armed force of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary.
"Brother Bu."
A figure in blue robes landed beside Bu Eun-seol. It was Hyeok So-jin.
His eyes and expression were resolute, as though he had steeled himself for this moment.
"This is not a matter for you to handle, Brother Bu."
His voice was grave, carrying unshakable conviction.
"This affair is mine, and mine alone."
"How unfortunate."
Yu Hyeok-sim bared his teeth in a grin upon seeing Hyeok So-jin and the Evil Soul Squad.
"The Sanctuary Master raised his grandson poorly. It seems the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending lineage will end with this generation."
"That is irrelevant."
Hyeok So-jin's voice was firm.
"We have already been excommunicated from the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary before coming here."
Yu Hyeok-sim's face stiffened instantly.
Hyeok So-jin and the Evil Soul Squad had abandoned their status and positions within the sanctuary—all to stand by Bu Eun-seol.
"What a bizarre stunt."
Yu Hyeok-sim regained his composure, his tone icy.
"Even if you've been excommunicated, do you truly believe the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary can escape responsibility?"
"Not entirely."
Hyeok So-jin swept a sharp gaze over Yu Hyeok-sim.
"But at the very least, it will strip you of the justification to claim the entire sanctuary was involved in destroying Hell Blood Citadel."
Taking a deep breath, Hyeok So-jin spoke quietly.
"As long as the sanctuary's legacy survives, nothing else matters. So long as we live... we can rise again at any time."
Yu Hyeok-sim was caught off guard by this unforeseen turn of events.
Hyeok So-jin and the Evil Soul Squad were willingly sacrificing themselves to protect Bu Eun-seol's life.
"Go back."
Then, Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
"Don't throw your lives away for nothing."
"Brother Bu—"
"It's enough."
Bu Eun-seol offered Yu Hyeok-sim a faint smile.
"After all, the Azure Blossom Soft Jade is already in my hands."
"Hmph. What kind of sleep-talking nonsense is this?"
Yu Hyeok-sim scoffed—until Bu Eun-seol pulled out a necklace with a blue jade pendant from his collar.
"How did you—?!"
Yu Hyeok-sim jolted in shock, hastily retrieving a wooden case from his robes.
"..."
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Inside the case lay the Azure Blossom Soft Jade, perfectly intact. If so... what was the jade Bu Eun-seol held?
"So this truly is the Azure Blossom Soft Jade."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly, having carefully observed Yu Hyeok-sim's reaction.
Then, he removed the necklace and handed it to Hyeok So-jin.
"Deliver this to the Sanctuary Master. Tell him—this is the Azure Blossom Soft Jade."
"Brother Bu... What in the world is happening?"
"I merely wanted to confirm something. Whether this was indeed the Azure Blossom Soft Jade."
Using the Resonance Mind Eye, Bu Eun-seol had already overheard Yu Hyeok-sim's words.
—Only two Azure Blossom Soft Jades have been passed down through the generations in Murim. One was lost from the Fleeting Moment Boat...
Hearing this, he suddenly recalled the necklace Dan So-ok had given him.
A jade radiating an extraordinary blue light—one that always emitted a warm energy.
Yet he hadn't known for certain what it truly was.
So he had blocked Yu Hyeok-sim's path to confirm it.
"I already possessed it."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed the words "Though I cannot truly call it mine," then nodded at Yu Hyeok-sim.
"Thank you. For verifying it."
Yu Hyeok-sim was seething, his head practically steaming.
How could Bu Eun-seol possess a fragment of the Azure Blossom Soft Jade, lost for decades?
'Geuk Hye-ryeong—did that old hag lie? No, impossible.'
The jade had disappeared from the Fleeting Moment Boat decades ago.
There was no way they had been deceived by a lie spanning that long.
"And convey this to the Lord of the Infernal Citadel."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze bore down on Yu Hyeok-sim, his pupils flashing like blazing flames.
"Since you've obstructed my path at every turn... I will no longer stand idly by."
"Hmph, what exactly do you plan to do about it?"
"Worrying about what I'll do is a concern for later."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was utterly composed.
"Today's events will be reported to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor in full detail. There's no need for me to prattle on about it any further."
In an instant, Yu Hyeok-sim's complexion twisted.
Time and again, Hell Blood Citadel had provoked Bu Eun-seol only to suffer humiliating defeats, ultimately even losing their standing within the Demon Hall's succession hierarchy.
Now, this incident would undoubtedly further tarnish Hell Blood Citadel's prestige. No—if word of this reached the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's ears, the consequences could spiral beyond control.
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol muttered in a voice laced with scorn and mockery:
"So this is the extent of Hell Blood Citadel's vaunted reputation."
Yu Hyeok-sim trembled violently but could not utter a word.
In truth, this entire scheme—to exploit Hyeok Gong-baek's illness as leverage and sever Bu Eun-seol from Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying—had been his own doing.
—Bu Eun-seol. Whether we kill him outright or strip him of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying's backing, one of these outcomes is inevitable!
He had boasted confidently before the Lord of the Hell Blood Citadel, swearing it was a foolproof plan.
Even if it failed, the worst-case scenario was simply returning with the Azure Blossom Soft Jade.
But Bu Eun-seol had possessed the jade all along... An outcome he had never anticipated.
Yu Hyeok-sim stared blankly at the sky, his expression wretched.
Man proposes, Heaven disposes. In the end, success was dictated by the heavens.
Far from succeeding, he had dragged Hell Blood Citadel's honor through the mud.
The moment he returned, he would have to offer his neck.
A wide earthen pot sat atop the brazier, filled with clear water.
The moment a single crimson leaf—red as blood—was dropped inside, the water abruptly began to boil violently, swirling with a deep red hue.
This was the Crimson Tube Leaf, plucked from the Fire Spirit Tree that bore the Fire Spirit Divine Fruit.
Upon learning of Hyeok Gong-baek's affliction with the Broken Chain Affliction, Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying had spent a fortune to procure this leaf.
Bubble, bubble.
As the water boiled, a jade shimmering with blue light was placed inside.
The Azure Blossom Soft Jade—one of only two such treasures left in the martial world.
Hiss—
The moment the water touched the jade, white steam erupted, and in an instant, the liquid transformed into a thick, crimson elixir.
This was the Crimson Jade Divine Water, capable of cleansing all ailments of the meridians and nerves.
Clink.
When the jade was retrieved, its blue radiance had vanished entirely, leaving behind a transparent husk.
With its spiritual energy drained, it had become nothing more than an ordinary stone.
After drinking the divine water, Hyeok Gong-baek's Broken Chain Affliction was washed away as if it had never existed.
"I hardly know how to express my gratitude," Hyeok Gong-baek said, his health restored, his imposing aura as the Absolute Demonic Lord fully regained.
"Tell me. How may I repay this debt I owe you?"
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly and replied in an even tone:
"I merely repaid a debt I owed to So-jin."
"A debt, you say..."
Suppressing the surge of emotion within him, Hyeok Gong-baek exhaled deeply.
This young grandmaster always wore an icy expression, showing no mercy to his enemies.
Yet, without fail, he protected those around him as though they were his own life.
"What I asked of you was merely to awaken my slumbering grandson's dormant potential."
Unable to conceal his moved expression, Hyeok Gong-baek continued:
"But you gave So-jin something no treasure could ever buy—experience and wisdom. Not only that, you guided his martial arts to unfathomable heights..."
Pausing briefly, Hyeok Gong-baek bowed deeply toward Bu Eun-seol.
"Truly... thank you."
Hyeok Gong-baek, the legendary Great Demonic Person who had never once bowed his head even to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—
The Sanctuary Master of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, was expressing his gratitude to Bu Eun-seol with a reverent bow.
The next day.
Before the great gates of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, thousands stood in solemn formation.
Hyeok Gong-baek, along with all the warriors and dependents of the sanctuary, stood in dignified silence.
"Brother Bu."
Hyeok So-jin bowed deeply to Bu Eun-seol, who was preparing to depart.
"Until we meet again—stay well."
A blazing light, like that of a divine forge, burned in his eyes.
Throughout their time together, Bu Eun-seol had been both a strict master and a steadfast companion.
And like a parent, he had nurtured So-jin's wisdom and martial arts to flourish.
"Strive ceaselessly."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod before clasping his hands toward Hyeok Gong-baek.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
As Bu Eun-seol saluted, Hyeok Gong-baek likewise pressed his palms together in respect.
Whoosh—
In unison, every warrior of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying bowed deeply in return.
This was a tribute to the benefactor who had restored the sanctuary's former glory—
And a mark of reverence for the future ruler who would one day lead the Million Demon Blades of the Demonic Path.