Chapter 240
—It was impossible to know when they had been created, or who their true leader was. But for generations, the murim...
This book was not a martial arts manual, but rather a detailed record of the shadowy forces that had lurked within the murim four hundred years ago.
As Bu Eun-seol read through the passages, his eyes gradually narrowed.
Was it mere coincidence?
Four hundred years ago, mysterious figures—whose identities and affiliations remained unknown—had allegedly roamed the murim, stirring chaos.
'Even the Martial Emperor couldn't defeat them?'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
The Martial Emperor, Seop Mu-heun, had been one of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars who dominated the murim of his era. Even then, there had been few who could rival him, let alone surpass him.
Yet, according to the book, there had existed numerous enigmatic figures whose martial prowess matched his own.
—The Martial Emperor sought to inform the various orthodox factions, including the Martial Alliance, in order to eradicate these forces.
But their power transcended the boundaries of both the righteous and demonic paths, reaching a point where they dominated the murim itself. Instead, the Martial Emperor found himself cornered.
'So that's why he vanished without a trace.'
Despite possessing overwhelming martial might, the Martial Emperor had neither formed close friendships nor established his own faction, instead roaming the murim alone like a divine dragon..
Yet in the end, even he had been unable to contend with the vast, shadowy forces arrayed against him, ultimately falling victim to their schemes.
He had disappeared without ever clearing his name, his grievances left unresolved.
'To think there were those capable of opposing Seop Mu-heun—a man who could instantly transcribe any martial art he witnessed into a secret manual...'
After finishing the Martial Emperor's Secret Record, Bu Eun-seol shook his head once more.
Just what kind of beings were these forces that had seized control of the murim four hundred years ago without ever revealing themselves?
"Well? Does it contain some remarkable martial arts?"
Bukgung Ryeong, his curiosity piqued, picked up the Secret Record that Bu Eun-seol had been reading.
"Hah... It's no different from the current state of the murim."
After reading through the entire book, Bukgung Ryeong let out a deep sigh and muttered under his breath.
"Seems like the same strange forces that used those masked men."
"Masked men..."
At those words, Bu Eun-seol recalled the mysterious masked figures he had encountered thus far.
Without exception, they had all possessed extraordinary martial prowess, along with intelligence networks formidable enough to evade pursuit from both the Demons-Control Department and the Wind and Cloud Corps.
Hadn't they even unleashed an overwhelming surge of internal power—far surpassing his own—when they killed the Suspicious Madman?
"You've seen them before, haven't you?"
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes gleamed as he observed Bu Eun-seol's expression.
"Haven't you?"
"I have."
At Bu Eun-seol's reply, he took a deep breath before speaking.
"Do you know why I maintained such close cooperation with that ambitious old man, Gu Hong-cheong?"
"..."
"Because we sought to uncover these hidden forces manipulating events from the shadows and seize them by the tail."
Bu Eun-seol found himself puzzled.
It was true that solitary martial experts like Bukgung Ryeong inevitably needed connections with major intelligence networks.
But the Beggar King—wasn't he merely a Supreme Elder offering counsel, not the Sect Chief of the Beggars' Sect?
"They've planted their spies within both the righteous and demonic factions. Just like the situation described here from four hundred years ago."
"Are you saying the Beggars' Sect's Sect Chief is one of their spies?"
"I can't say for certain. But his so-called affliction confining him to his sickbed... That was a lie."
The Beggars' Sect's Sect Chief, No Bong, had supposedly been bedridden for years due to a mysterious illness.
Yet now, it was revealed to be a fabrication?
"Then the Beggar King could also be one of their spies."
"Impossible. He was the one who uncovered the existence of these shadowy manipulators before I did."
Gu Hong-cheong, as the Supreme Elder of the Beggars' Sect, effectively served as the head of the orthodox faction's intelligence network, granting him access to and control over high-level information.
Rather than relying on an unreliable Sect Chief, Bukgung Ryeong had chosen to ally himself with the more dependable Supreme Elder.
"That's why he always desired a stronger Beggars' Sect."
Bukgung Ryeong's expression darkened.
"Though of course, I can't claim he was without personal ambition."
To dispel the dark clouds looming over the murim, overwhelming strength was necessary above all else.
Gu Hong-cheong had sought to elevate the Beggars' Sect to the pinnacle of the orthodox factions, using its might to drive out those who sought to manipulate the murim from the shadows.
"If you knew there were hidden forces manipulating the murim, why didn't you inform the other factions?"
"Do you really think we didn't try?"
With a heavy sigh, he pointed at the Martial Emperor's Secret Record.
Even a supreme martial expert like the Martial Emperor—who had forged deep connections with the leaders of every faction and the strongest warriors of the murim—had met such a wretched end.
In other words, even with the combined strength of Bukgung Ryeong and Gu Hong-cheong, grasping their tails was an impossible task.
"Had we recklessly provoked them, we would have faced retaliation. We had to restrain ourselves until we uncovered solid evidence and identified their forces."
"I see."
"But how did you come to know of those mysterious Masked Men? Their operations are always so covert that no one even knows of their existence."
"I merely happened to cross paths with them."
"By chance?"
Bu Eun-seol replied indifferently.
"Every time something happened, men wearing masks would appear. I tried to engage them properly, but they always fled."
"You tried to fight them, and they avoided you?"
"That's right."
"Hohoho."
Bukgung Ryeong looked at Bu Eun-seol with renewed astonishment.
'This brat doesn't know fear. Then again, he didn't even blink in front of me.'
Unbeknownst to him, a faint smile had crept onto his lips.
Come to think of it, Bu Eun-seol bore an uncanny resemblance to his younger self.
Handsome features, exceptional martial prowess, a boldness that feared neither heaven nor earth.
And above all, the refusal to back down from a fight, no matter the opponent.
'Such spirited youths are rare in the current murim.'
An indescribable emotion welled up in Bukgung Ryeong's heart.
Until now, every Rising Talent of the Younger Generation he had met had either flattered him or sought to curry favor for personal gain.
But Bu Eun-seol was different.
Didn't he disregard all such concerns, walking solely his own path?
'For such an outstanding figure to emerge from the Demonic Path, of all places...'
Bukgung Ryeong felt a pang of regret.
Who would have thought he'd feel such kinship with a rising star of the Demonic Path?
"I have stood alone in the martial world, striving to uphold its righteous spirit."
Without realizing it, Bukgung Ryeong spoke words that had long been buried deep within his heart.
"But all I have left is distrust toward humanity."
Though it may seem peaceful on the surface, the current state of the martial world is indescribably treacherous.
Countless spies lurk between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths, and unknown figures stir unrest throughout the murim.
To traverse this world alone, pursuing them relentlessly—that alone was a feat in itself.
"If even I misstep, I may end up quietly concluding my life, just like the Martial Emperor."
Unconsciously, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
If the Martial Emperor Secret Record spoke the truth... then the Masked Men's faction had long taken root in the murim.
And there was no telling how far their influence had spread.
A single careless move could not only alert the enemy before he was ready, but also invite a counterattack with irreversible consequences.
"I've spoken needlessly."
Shaking his head, Bukgung Ryeong glanced around the chamber before turning away.
"Well then, let us part ways here."
"You're just going to leave?"
Bu Eun-seol's expression betrayed his surprise.
Hadn't this man raged furiously, radiating killing intent over the death of Gu Hong-cheong? To walk away now, leaving the murderer of his close friend right before his eyes?
"Huhuhu."
Bukgung Ryeong offered a weary, lonely smile.
"You haven't left the Secret Vault yet."
Though conveyed only through a glance, Bukgung Ryeong had promised not to attack until all the traps were overcome.
And now, with all obstacles cleared, if he truly wished it, he could strike Bu Eun-seol down instantly.
Yet here he was, preparing to depart quietly, leaving Bu Eun-seol unharmed.
"If fate wills it, we shall meet again."
As he turned to leave with a deep sigh, Bukgung Ryeong paused mid-step.
"There's one thing I'm curious about."
"Speak."
"Did he... have any regrets?"
Bukgung Ryeong knew full well that Gu Hong-cheong had been consumed by ambition.
And it was that relentless ambition—his failure to abandon it—that left a flaw in his spirit and led to his defeat at Bu Eun-seol's hands.
But in his final moments... had he regretted clinging so stubbornly to his thirst for power?
"No."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled briefly before answering in a low voice.
"On the contrary, he took satisfaction in knowing that his death would prevent Deputy Sect Master Hae-pung from becoming Sect Chief—and that countless martial artists would seek to kill Bu Eun-seol for it."
"Huhuhu. A fittingly bitter curse from the Beggar King."
Bukgung Ryeong, oddly enough, smiled in relief.
The Beggar King Gu Hong-cheong. True to his title as King of Beggars, he met death with dignity and without regret.
"Won't you regret it?"
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol spoke again, his words deliberate.
"A golden opportunity like today will never come again."
Understanding the implication, Bukgung Ryeong remained silent for a long while before slowly opening his mouth.
"Gu Hong-cheong—that old man fought a once-in-a-generation genius with a blazing Warrior Spirit, fought to his heart's content, and lost without regret."
A dry smile crept onto Bukgung Ryeong's lips.
"So what lingering regrets could he possibly have?"
That was his honest sentiment.
Bu Eun-seol, too, held his silence before replying in a composed tone.
"Most of the Righteous Faction's members fail to act their age... but there are exceptions, it seems."
"Hahaha."
Bukgung Ryeong burst into laughter.
He had realized that this wooden block of a young man was, in his own way, offering words of apology.
"The murim may appear peaceful, but in truth, it's a perilous situation. The same likely goes for the Demonic Path."
A fleeting trace of emotion passed through Bukgung Ryeong's eyes, which had remained indifferent until now.
Had our paths not diverged... had the gap in our ages not been so vast...
For some inexplicable reason, Bukgung Ryeong felt a pang of regret.
"Sooner or later, you too will clash with them."
"That won't happen."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head impassively.
"I have no interest whatsoever in the affairs of the martial world."
"Hohoho. You still don't understand the ways of the martial world."
Bukgung Ryeong chuckled faintly.
"The moment you killed Gu Hong-cheong, you became a figure capable of swaying the tides of the martial world."
Bu Eun-seol had already ascended to the ranks of the Four Gods and Seven Kings. His name alone now wielded immense influence over the martial world.
And the powers that governed the martial world... would never leave Bu Eun-seol untouched.
"Too much time has been wasted."
Bukgung Ryeong muttered under his breath as he gazed at the empty sky.
"Fate must have decreed that I would never reach the Thousand Swords Society."
The Thousand Swords Society.
The place that had taught Bu Eun-seol the Fluorescent Sword Control and begged him to slay the Demon—the one who had massacred all Ten Seats, including the Society's leader.
A strange thought flickered through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Could this Demon they spoke of... be connected to the masked men who have appeared so far?
Whoosh.
With a faint smile, Bukgung Ryeong opened the door opposite the bookshelf and vanished in an instant.
Watching his retreating figure, Bu Eun-seol instinctively knew one thing.
This would not be the end of his bond with the man named Bukgung Ryeong.
"Unavoidable, then."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Once one stepped into the martial world, no one could remain free from the web of favors and grudges.
As long as life remained, one had no choice but to advance endlessly, colliding with others along the way.
"Far too much time has been wasted."
Bu Eun-seol turned away with a light expression.
The Martial Emperor Secret Vault had transformed Bukgung Ryeong—a terrifying enemy known as the Bullet King—into not an unfavorable connection.
For him, that was nothing short of fortune.
"Well read."
Bu Eun-seol moved to return the Martial Emperor Secret Record to the shelf.
Zzzing.
Then, an odd sensation prickled at him.
Merely closing the book and tilting it slightly had altered the weight distribution against his fingertips.
The difference was lighter than an ant's step, but Bu Eun-seol's superhuman sense of balance detected the anomaly instantly.
"For the weight distribution to shift just from tilting the book..."
Examining the Martial Emperor Secret Record closely, Bu Eun-seol ran his fingers over each page one by one.
By chance, he noticed that the very last page was ever so slightly thicker than the others.
Huum.
Drawing upon the Willful True Binding, Bu Eun-seol condensed a blade at his fingertip—finer than a strand of hair.
Shhk!
With it, he split the thin page vertically into two.
Tuk.
Inside the bisected paper lay a single sheet, so thin it was nearly transparent.
"This is..."
On the translucent paper, minuscule characters were densely inscribed—so small that only one with vision honed to its utmost limit could decipher them.
―The path to reaching the pinnacle of the Divine Art is like rowing a boat through a furious sea where not an inch ahead is visible.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he read the words written at the very top.
―In the end, one has no choice but to use the tangled threads of countless emotions as a compass and forge ahead.
As Bu Eun-seol's gaze traced the lines of text, his pupils contracted further.
Martial Emperor's Enlightenment Art.
In the final pages of the Martial Emperor Secret Record, the Martial Emperor had inscribed the mental secrets he had attained in his twilight years.
