Chapter 252
The sunlight reflected off his translucent skin, casting a faint glow, while the smile at his lips was refreshingly bright.
"Young Hero Bu."
Wi Ji-hye-sang, having spotted Bu Eun-seol, clasped his hands together with a bright smile.
It was an utterly pure smile, devoid of any hint of darkness.
'How sinister.'
Yet to Bu Eun-seol's eyes, it looked as though an ancient yokai who had lived for centuries was smiling with narrowed eyes.
Swallowing his inner thoughts, Bu Eun-seol gave a stiff bow.
"What brings you here?"
"Are you returning to the Death Shadow Pavilion?"
"I am."
"Is that so? I happen to be heading toward the East Gate as well."
Though this situation couldn't possibly be a coincidence, Wi Ji-hye-sang spoke with shameless nonchalance.
"Shall we go together?"
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol had been wanting to uncover Wi Ji-hye-sang's true intentions anyway.
For him to initiate the conversation himself was something to be grateful for.
"By the way, congratulations."
Wi Ji-hye-sang flashed a smile, revealing his white teeth.
"You've killed the Beggar King and completed your mission, solidifying your position as a successor."
"I heard you've also settled all matters with the Bloodflame Blade Family."
"Even if you obtained the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit from them, isn't that merely like taking something from your own storeroom?"
Wi Ji-hye-sang, still grinning, fixed his gaze on Bu Eun-seol.
"Besides, the Ultimate Assassin Pavilion and the Extinction Palace haven't even finished their missions yet..."
With an expression of pure delight, he continued,
"As long as you properly receive the support of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, the position of successor is practically yours for the taking, Young Hero Bu."
Bu Eun-seol gave no reply.
Such words were nothing more than a prelude to the real topic.
"I heard you endured quite the ordeal during this expedition."
When silence persisted, Wi Ji-hye-sang finally broached the main subject.
"You pursued the Empty-Handed Divine Thief alone and were the first to discover his corpse."
"It was merely luck."
"How could that be? The Empty-Handed Divine Thief was a mysterious figure who evaded pursuit from both orthodox and unorthodox factions for decades, wasn't he?"
Wi Ji-hye-sang spoke with a proud expression, as if he himself had accomplished such a feat.
"For you to chase him down and be the first to find him—surely, Young Hero Bu, you must have devised some profound and meticulous plan in advance."
'Is the main point still far off?'
By now, the pavilion where the Death Shadow Squad resided had come into view in the distance.
Yet Wi Ji-hye-sang continued to ramble on with idle chatter.
"The Empty-Handed Divine Thief—he was quite an amusing figure. While pursuing him, I learned something interesting..."
The smile blooming across Wi Ji-hye-sang's face and his endless chatter showed no sign of stopping.
"He believed he was sacrificing himself for the sake of the martial world. That in truth, he had never even seen the so-called Spy Register listing the names of spies planted within both the righteous and demonic paths..."
Then, turning his head, he stared piercingly at Bu Eun-seol's face and enunciated each word clearly.
"He said he had spent decades as a fugitive merely to divert the gaze of those lurking in the shadows."
Bu Eun-seol's expression stiffened slightly.
Because those were the very words the Empty-Handed Divine Thief had spoken to him only in his final moments.
'Did he truly learn this by coincidence?'
Just as Bu Eun-seol sank into thought, Wi Ji-hye-sang suddenly pointed toward the Death Shadow Pavilion.
"My, I've been so engrossed in conversation that we've already arrived."
Clasping his hands together, he added playfully,
"Well then, I'll take my leave here."
In the end, he never brought up his true purpose.
"Take care."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands in farewell, Wi Ji-hye-sang let out an "Ah," as if remembering something.
"Quite fascinating, isn't it?"
"..."
"That a figure like the Empty-Handed Divine Thief would act like some third-rate assassin, running around with poison fangs and the like."
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol's expression hardened like stone.
The only one who had seen him bite down on the poison fang was Bu Eun-seol himself.
So how could Wi Ji-hye-sang know about it?
The answer lay in one of three possibilities.
Either he had coincidentally obtained information that the Empty-Handed Divine Thief had used poison fangs.
Or he had been hiding nearby when Bu Eun-seol encountered the Divine Thief...
'Or the one who drove the sword into the Empty-Handed Divine Thief's heart was none other than Wi Ji-hye-sang himself.'
Bu Eun-seol's expression hardened sharply as he prepared to speak, but Wi Ji-hye-sang clasped his hands together first.
"Then let us meet again next time."
His demeanor seemed to declare an unshakable resolve—that no matter what question came his way, he would never provide an answer.
In the end, Bu Eun-seol swallowed the questions rising in his mind.
Wi Ji-hye-sang was the successor of the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
As a mere candidate for the Demon Hall's heir, Bu Eun-seol held neither the authority to detain him nor the power to force his mouth open.
"Take care on your way."
In the end, Bu Eun-seol let him go without resistance.
"Of course."
Wi Ji-hye-sang turned away with a friendly smile.
Bu Eun-seol watched his retreating figure with sharp eyes.
His appearance was that of an innocent boy who knew nothing, but in truth, he was a far more dangerous figure than Do Cheon-rin.
Perhaps Wi Ji-hye-sang was entangled in some deep conspiracy—or worse, he might even be its mastermind.
I can delay no longer.
Bu Eun-seol made his decision.
He would seek out the enigmatic assassin organization—and Wicked Incense, the grandmaster of hidden weapons.
A thick night fog draped over the river.
With each stroke of the oar, the small boat advanced, its wake rippling softly through the water.
Standing at the bow with his arms crossed, Bu Eun-seol gazed at the mist-shrouded scenery of Guilin.
The Fleeting Moment Boat.
He intended to use the vast intelligence network of the foremost demonic sect to track down Wicked Incense's trail.
Crunch. Crunch.
Finally arriving at the entrance of the pavilion, Bu Eun-seol disembarked and strode inside.
Unlike in the past, no hidden mechanisms barred the way now.
Thanks to Bu Eun-seol's assistance, the martial prowess of the Lady of a Hundred Flowers—the pavilion's combat force—had grown exponentially.
Not only that, but terrifying masters from the Langya Pavilion were now stationed here, and Great Demons of the Absolute Annihilation had taken positions as martial instructors.
Before anyone realized, the Fleeting Moment Boat had amassed a military might befitting its status among the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
"Young Hero Bu."
Mi-ryeong, who guarded the entrance, recognized Bu Eun-seol and welcomed him warmly.
"What brings you here unannounced?"
"I've come to speak urgently with the Pavilion Master."
"I see. I'll send word at once."
Mi-ryeong instructed a disciple to escort Bu Eun-seol to the hall where Geuk Hye-ryeong resided.
Once, the place had been a stark expanse densely paved with Silver Reflection Stones for setting up battle formations.
But now, it had been transformed into a beautiful garden, complete with a small pond and an elegant pavilion.
And there, crouched before the flowers, was a small shadow.
A girl in soft pink robes, her long hair braided into two tails—Geuk Hye-bin.
"Ah?"
Spotting Bu Eun-seol, she sprang up and dashed toward him.
"Aah!"
Geuk Hye-bin beamed as she rushed over, then bowed her head excitedly.
"Have you been well?"
"Aaah!"
She grabbed Bu Eun-seol's hands, her smile radiant. That expression alone told him one thing clearly:
The child who once feigned kindness without understanding others' emotions was gone completely.
Geuk Hye-ryeong had faithfully followed Bu Eun-seol's advice—reducing her burdens and showering her with affection.
Thanks to that, Geuk Hye-bin had grown into a girl healthy in both body and spirit.
Rustle. Rustle.
Then came the sound of robes brushing against each other as an elderly woman emerged, leading a dozen disciples.
Her face was deeply lined, yet her eyes gleamed with clarity and a faint divine light. It was none other than Geuk Hye-ryeong, the Pavilion Master of the Fleeting Moment Boat.
"Pavilion Master."
Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply.
Though a woman, Geuk Hye-ryeong possessed far greater integrity than any bearded man.
In just a short time, she had discerned Bu Eun-seol's worth, supported him without hesitation, and poured vast resources into the Langya Pavilion.
Moreover, during his conflict with the Death Command Gate, she had broken her own principle—"We do not interfere in other sects' disputes"—and sent disciples to aid him.
Of course, all of this had only been possible because Bu Eun-seol had first staked his life to earn her trust.
"It's been a while."
Geuk Hye-ryeong nodded, her smile warm.
"I've been hearing of your exploits all this time."
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol retrieved a small wooden case from his robes and offered it.
Inside lay the mysterious Jade Bee Honey he had obtained from the Martial Emperor's Secret Vault.
"What is this?"
"Jade Phoenix Honey. It won't fully restore the vocal cords, but it should help to some degree."
Geuk Hye-ryeong couldn't conceal her delight.
"Jade Bee Honey..."
This spirit medicine, long vanished from Murim, was said to regenerate even severed muscles in an instant.
Of course, it wouldn't perfectly restore vocal cords injured so long ago...
But it would allow Geuk Hye-bin to produce some semblance of a voice.
"Thank you, thank you!"
With an expression of deep gratitude, Geuk Hye-ryeong clasped Bu Eun-seol's hand.
What pleased her even more was that he had remembered and cared for her granddaughter, Geuk Hye-bin.
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"I've merely repaid a fraction of the kindness you've shown me, Pavilion Master."
'I chose well in this one.'
Beaming, she took his hand and guided him.
"No need to stand on ceremony here—come inside first."
Geuk Hye-ryeong didn't ask why he had come.
Bu Eun-seol was the highest-ranking guest of the Fleeting Moment Boat—and soon, the one who would rule over the Demon Hall.
"Let's talk while we wet our throats."
Her smile deepened the wrinkles around her eyes.
Refined Gold Pavilion
This was the ancestral residence of the Pavilion Masters of the Fleeting Moment Boat—a place never once opened to outsiders.
Because it was connected to the Pavilion's hidden Secret Vault, where its greatest treasures were stored.
Yet today, the doors of the Refined Gold Pavilion stood wide open to welcome Bu Eun-seol.
However, in contrast to the opulent interior, the banquet table was set with simple wine and side dishes.
Under normal circumstances, they would have prepared a lavish feast of rare delicacies, with numerous disciples serving fine wines.
But knowing Bu Eun-seol disliked clamor, she had arranged a modest gathering instead.
"Now, speak freely."
Geuk Hye-ryeong personally filled his cup to the brim.
"Whatever it is, this Pavilion will spare no effort to assist you."
From his expression alone, she faintly guessed why he had come.
He was about to make a difficult request.
"Wicked Incense..."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with a grave expression.
"I need information on them."
In an instant, Geuk Hye-ryeong's relaxed demeanor stiffened.
In Murim, there existed mysterious sects whose true origins remained unknown.
And such sects were never to be provoked. If they had concealed their roots for generations, it was for one reason:
They had never tolerated those who pried into their secrets.
"You're serious?"
"I am."
After taking a sip from her cup, Geuk Hye-ryeong nodded without hesitation.
"Very well."
She didn't ask why he sought them.
She didn't question whether provoking Wicked Incense would bring ruin upon the Fleeting Moment Boat.
If Bu Eun-seol asked, she would act—even if it meant exposing the entire Pavilion to danger.
Because Bu Eun-seol, too, would stake everything to protect them in return.
"I can't promise success, but I'll try."
"How long do you expect it to take?"
"A secretive sect like Wicked Incense would have spent a long time erasing their tracks."
Her expression darkened.
"There's no telling how long it might require."
"I see."
A flicker of disappointment passed through Bu Eun-seol's eyes, and Geuk Hye-ryeong smiled faintly.
"Don't lose heart. Sometimes, by sheer coincidence, they slip—revealing a flaw or making a mistake."
Then, with firm resolve, she added:
"If that happens, we may find them swiftly. I'll mobilize the Pavilion's full intelligence network—just wait and see."
"Thank you."
"Was that the only reason you came?"
"It was."
Through the incident with the Empty-Handed Divine Thief, Bu Eun-seol had realized the Demon Hall had countless eyes and ears.
Whether messages were sent by messenger hawk or human couriers...
Any information relayed through intermediaries carried too great a risk of exposure.
"And... there's one more thing I must ask."
"Speak."
"Seven Fingers Demonic Blade..."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath, his voice dropping low.
"I want to know everything about Bu Jan-yang—the man once called the Demon Path's Foremost Bladesman."