Chapter 263
Atop the high platform before the Holy Demon Pavilion, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor stood imposingly.
Below him, over three thousand martial artists stood in solemn formation, having completed their preparations for deployment.
It was the Blood Mist Corps, who had recently returned after completing their mission Beyond the Pass.
Having received new orders from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, they were now prepared for deployment to eliminate the Black Union—a coalition of bandit factions dominating Qinghai Province.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, standing alone under the sun, swept his gaze over them.
Then he uttered a single, brief command:
"Annihilate the Black Union."
—"By your will!"
The thunderous voices of the three thousand martial artists shook the heavens.
Thus, the war against the Black Union had begun.
Near the Raging River, which flowed through the steep mountain ranges of Qinghai, lay a flatland known as All Swords Land.
There stood a massive fortress, its exterior as shabby as the Beggars' Sect's headquarters.
Yet the buildings within were cunningly arranged and designed to defend against large numbers of enemies.
This was the stronghold of the Black Union, the dominant bandit coalition in Qinghai.
However, just a few li from All Swords Land, large-scale barracks had begun to be erected.
The Blood Mist Corps had finally established their forward base to exterminate the Black Union.
At the heart of the Blood Mist Corps' barracks:
Outside, armed martial artists stood guard with stern expressions.
Inside, a table had been set up, upon which lay a detailed map of All Swords Land's terrain.
Around the table stood twelve martial artists clad in plain uniforms, while a middle-aged martial artist loomed at its head.
At his waist hung a sword whose scabbard was stained crimson—the Blood Sword—and his gaze was as sharp as a blade's edge.
This was the leader of the Blood Mist Corps, Jwa Dae-baek.
"Hmm."
He swept his eyes over the martial artists arrayed before the table.
Ten of them were captains under the Blood Mist Corps. At the far end stood two strikingly handsome young men facing each other.
If one radiated a brilliance as straight and dazzling as the sun's rays...
The other exuded a beauty as melancholic and decadent as moonlight.
They were the candidates to succeed the Demon Hall—Bu Eun-seol and Do Cheon-rin.
"The objective of this deployment is the annihilation of the Black Union."
Jwa Dae-baek's gaze remained fixed not on the captains but on Bu Eun-seol and Do Cheon-rin.
"You may believe this battlefield will decide the succession."
His terrifying eyes bore down on the two.
"But the matter of succession has nothing to do with this leader."
Bu Eun-seol and Do Cheon-rin were the orthodox successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates and the next heirs of the Demon Hall.
Among the Rising Talents of the Younger Generation in the Demonic Path, they held the most revered status.
But this was wartime.
Absolute obedience to orders was paramount. If they disobeyed, he had the authority to execute them on the spot.
"Death Shadow Squad Leader."
As if to remind them once more, Jwa Dae-baek spoke in a solemn voice.
"Though your Death Shadow Squad is recognized as a First Tier combat unit, for now, it remains a subordinate force under this leader's command."
"I am aware," Bu Eun-seol replied.
Jwa Dae-baek withdrew his gaze and raised his voice.
"The Black Union's forces number thirty thousand. Though they are bandits, even their lowest grunts have trained to some degree in martial arts. In other words, they are roughly comparable to our three thousand troops."
He pointed at the map again.
"Despite our advance into Qinghai, they show no intention of surrender—instead, they've blatantly fortified their defensive lines."
Then he turned to the Cold Blood Unit Leader beside him, Seo Baek-myeong.
"First, we must assess the enemy's movements and morale. The Cold Blood Unit will move immediately to this area and observe the Black Union's activities."
"Understood."
Jwa Dae-baek continued issuing orders to his subordinate captains.
Then he addressed Do Cheon-rin.
"You've brought fifty masters from the Bloodflame Blade Family, correct?"
"That is correct. The Supreme Cult Commander permitted me to bring a force equal in number to the Death Shadow Squad."
The fifty-odd warriors Do Cheon-rin had brought were the Bloodflame Blade Family's finest elites.
It was akin to bringing an entire Special-Grade combat unit of the Demon Hall.
Jwa Dae-baek nodded indifferently.
"I will assign two additional units under your command—the Bloodless Unit and the Dark Red Unit."
Then, pointing at the map, he said:
"When the full offensive begins, the troops under my command will break through the path to All Swords Land. At that moment, you must immediately advance into the heart of the Black Alliance."
Then, Jwa Dae-baek turned his head and fixed his gaze on Bu Eun-seol.
"Since you already lead well-trained troops, you will operate as a Special Unit."
"A Special Unit...?"
"Your task will be to disrupt the Black Alliance's rear."
Jwa Dae-baek spoke in a low, solemn voice.
"Take this route and immediately cross Mount Du Ak to reach the Black Alliance's rear guard. Then, repeat hit-and-run tactics to scatter their attention."
For an instant, Bu Eun-seol's brow twitched.
'This isn't just blatant—it's outright shameless.'
The Black Alliance were no fools.
The moment rumors spread of the Demon Hall's offensive, they had already fortified a solid defensive line from the Raging River all the way to Mount Du Ak.
To lead his unit around Mount Du Ak and reach the Black Alliance's rear now, he would have to push his Lightness Art to its limits for nearly half a month without rest.
Even if they arrived after such a forced march, forget about achieving merit—his unit would be utterly exhausted.
Repeating hit-and-run tactics under those conditions?
The only outcome would be the complete annihilation of his entire force.
'He's determined to elevate Do Cheon-rin as the successor, no matter what.'
There was no way Jwa Dae-baek, as the Blood Martial Group Leader, would act alone in this.
Just as the rumors circulating among the Demon Hall's high command suggested, there must have been some kind of deal between Do Cheon-rin and the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
'If I refuse... he'll use that as an excuse to corner me.'
Jwa Dae-baek held absolute command authority over the troops.
If he defied this order?
It was certain he'd be given an even more absurd or perilous mission.
'Hmm.'
Bu Eun-seol did not answer immediately and instead studied the map.
As he stared at it for a long while, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
'Qinghai...'
Just as Bu Eun-seol sank deep into thought—
'Heh, of course he'll refuse. He has no choice.'
Jwa Dae-baek did not press for an answer but watched Bu Eun-seol intently as he examined the map.
'He can't possibly fail to realize this is nothing but bait.'
A sinister smile crept onto his lips.
In truth, the idea that the Death Shadow Squad alone could circle Mount Du Ak and disrupt the Black Alliance's rear was an absurd mission to begin with.
By using this impossible task as a pretext, Jwa Dae-baek intended to undermine Bu Eun-seol's standing while—
Simultaneously preparing to assign him another perilous mission, one that carried extreme danger but offered no chance of glory.
"Understood."
Yet an unexpected answer came forth.
Bu Eun-seol nodded and clasped his hands together.
"This unit will take responsibility for disrupting the Black Alliance's rear."
'...What?'
The unforeseen reply made Jwa Dae-baek blink in surprise.
"You intend to disrupt the Black Alliance's rear with just fifty-some Unit Members?"
"Was that not your command?"
Only then did Jwa Dae-baek snap back to his senses and nod stiffly.
"Ah—yes, of course."
For a moment, he wore a dazed expression before his eyes suddenly sharpened.
"You're truly accepting this mission?"
"I am."
Bu Eun-seol then added, pushing further:
"If, while attempting to disrupt their rear, an opportunity arises—may this unit immediately breach and attack the Black Alliance's core?"
"What did you say?!"
Jwa Dae-baek's brows furrowed in utter disbelief.
'Is this brat mocking me to my face?'
With the Death Shadow Squad's numbers, breaking through the Black Alliance's rear guard was impossible—let alone penetrating their defensive line without being wiped out.
And now he was talking about striking their core?
A sudden thought struck Jwa Dae-baek.
'Has he seen through the plan?'
He had intended to use Bu Eun-seol's refusal as an excuse to assign him an even deadlier mission.
But if Bu Eun-seol had realized this, he might be scheming to survive by any means necessary.
'He's trying to escape immediate danger, planning to justify himself later.'
—I was given an impossible mission, so of course I couldn't achieve anything!
No doubt, once back at the Demon Hall, he would use such an excuse to vie for the successor position again.
A thread-like smile curled on Jwa Dae-baek's lips.
'That won't happen.'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor was not one to tolerate such excuses.
Masking his sinister grin, Jwa Dae-baek nodded with a solemn expression.
"Very well. Then let us depart immediately."
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together and left the barracks.
Do Cheon-rin watched his retreating figure with sharp eyes before speaking to Jwa Dae-baek.
"Hall Master. Have the swiftest messengers from the Blood Mist Corps keep surveillance on Bu Eun-seol and the Death Shadow Squad."
"There's no need for that."
Jwa Dae-baek scoffed as he replied.
"This is Qinghai territory. Even if that bastard had the skill to soar to the heavens, there's no way he could strike at the Black Alliance's rear."
'He's impossible to reason with.'
Do Cheon-rin narrowed his eyes.
Bu Eun-seol had accomplished every mission deemed impossible until now.
There was absolutely no way someone like him would obediently abandon everything just because of Jwa Dae-baek's interference.
"Understood."
Nodding curtly without further argument, Do Cheon-rin leaned close to his trusted subordinate Du Yeong and whispered:
"Select the swiftest expert among the masters we brought and have them surveil the Death Shadow Squad."
"Will Leader Jwa permit us to mobilize troops at our discretion?"
"He's essentially already under our influence anyway. Losing one squad member won't warrant any particular objection from him."
"Understood."
As Du Yeong bowed and departed, Do Cheon-rin gazed up at the distant sky.
'This operation must not fail under any circumstances.'
Even if he himself didn't earn merit, it would be acceptable.
After all, he already held majority support from the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
But this time, he absolutely had to prevent Bu Eun-seol from achieving merit. If Bu Eun-seol managed to accomplish comparable achievements here... the position of heir would slip through his fingers forever.
'Bu Eun-seol. This time, even you will be powerless.'
Clenching his teeth until his lips whitened, Do Cheon-rin whispered fiercely:
"For the future of the Demonic Path... I must become the Demon Hall's heir."
Inside the barracks where the Death Shadow Squad was quartered.
When Bu Eun-seol explained their mission, the atmosphere turned funeral-parlor grim.
Under normal circumstances, every squad member would have raged in protest.
But now they remained completely silent. They knew Bu Eun-seol himself must be suffering more than any of them.
After a long silence, Myo Cheon-u finally stepped forward.
"Bu Eun-seol."
Normally, squad members never used honorifics with Bu Eun-seol and frequently spoke to him with clipped phrases.
But during wartime operations, they absolutely never used informal speech.
However, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong had been Bu Eun-seol's former comrades, so they always spoke casually regardless of the situation.
"The Demon Hall is ultimately an alliance of power. To climb higher, one must inevitably rely on backing from formidable factions."
Wearing a bitter smile, he continued speaking to Bu Eun-seol.
"But you became a First-rate Commander through your own strength alone. That alone is a tremendous accomplishment."
It was the warmest consolation a close friend could offer.
But Bu Eun-seol seemed not to hear his words as he turned his head.
"What did you just say?"
"Huh? Ah, nothing."
Myo Cheon-u thought Bu Eun-seol must have been so shocked that he hadn't regained his senses yet.
But that shock was soon reflected back at Myo Cheon-u.
"Everyone prepare. We're moving out to strike Black Alliance."
"What did you say?"
Myo Cheon-u blinked rapidly.
"Bu Eun-seol. Are you in your right mind?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"With these numbers, what rear disruption can we possibly achieve? If we actually charge their rear, we'll be annihilated by the troops guarding Duak Mountain before we even set foot in All Swords Plain!"
"Myo Cheon-u is right."
Unable to stay silent any longer, Yu Un-ryong also stepped forward.
"Other areas might be different, but they'll have tight defenses at Duak Mountain's path where they could be flanked, and along the Raging River's shoreline where we could launch a direct assault."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow.
"Who said anything about heading straight for All Swords Plain?"
"What?"
Yu Un-ryong wrinkled his forehead.
"Then where are we going?"
Bu Eun-seol replied in a low voice:
"Sword-Cutting Ridge."
The squad members exchanged glances.
Wasn't the area near Sword-Cutting Ridge where the self-styled Qinghai Demonic Path sword sects—who didn't get along with the Demon Hall—were gathered?
"You can't possibly mean to borrow ships from the Qinghai Demonic Path sects to reach All Swords Plain?"
At Yu Un-ryong's question, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Exactly."
"Impossible."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head decisively.
"That's where demonic path sword sects hostile to the Demon Hall are gathered. There's a significant probability they might have colluded with the Black Alliance in some way."
Pausing briefly, he continued speaking.
"Yet you expect us—the vanguard of the Demon Hall—to barge in and demand their ships?"
Yu Un-ryong spoke with an utterly serious expression.
"Bu Eun-seol. I know better than anyone that your abilities are extraordinary."
"But this matter is a full-scale battle—a convergence of large forces clashing in a specific region. It is absolutely not something that can be accomplished through individual strength alone."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
The fact that Yu Un-ryong, who was usually so sparing with words, had gone this far in his explanation—it was, in its own way, him upholding his duty as the leader of the Death Shadow Squad.
"Don't worry."
Bu Eun-seol's smile was like a spring breeze.
"I've already considered everything."
At that, the eyes of all the squad members, who had been staring blankly, suddenly gleamed.
—Who do you think our commander is?
Unshakable trust radiated from their gazes.
Among all the missions Bu Eun-seol had undertaken so far, not a single one had been ordinary or easy.
Every time, it had been something deemed impossible—yet he had accomplished them all.
"...Understood."
Yu Un-ryong, too, nodded helplessly.
Then, Myo Cheon-u exchanged glances with Won Se-mun and Wi Cheon-gyeong before speaking.
"Let's start preparing to move out."
Slicing Sword Ridge.
Originally, this region had been called Dok Suk-mok.
But ever since the Slicing Sword Sect—considered the birthplace of the Qinghai demonic sword arts—had established itself here, the area had come to be known as Slicing Sword Ridge.
Departing immediately from the barracks, Bu Eun-seol and the Death Shadow Squad marched tirelessly for a full day before arriving at their destination.
This was where seven demonic sword factions, all influenced by the Slicing Sword Sect, had taken root.
Though their martial arts and influence could never compare to the Demon Hall's, within Qinghai, they had built considerable power and enjoyed prosperity.
And the first place Bu Eun-seol led the Death Shadow Squad upon arrival?
It was the Wind-Shooting Sword Sect—the strongest among the demonic sword factions.
"How may I assist you?"
The guard maintained a dignified posture despite the overwhelming presence of Bu Eun-seol and the Death Shadow Squad.
With disciples numbering several thousand, and generations of their students holding key positions in both the Government Office and the Upper Realm...
Even if the Demon Hall's vanguard had come knocking, there was no reason for them to cower.
"I've come to see the Sect Leader."
"And who might you be?"
"Bu Eun-seol of the Blood Mist Corps."
Aside from slaying one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, Bu Eun-seol's name had only spread through two incidents: the Eastern Drifters, Western Wanderers Martial Tournament and his clash with a master of the Greater Righteousness.
He had rarely revealed himself openly in Murim.
Moreover, with his strikingly beautiful, almost peerless features and slender frame—unless descriptors like "Legitimate Successor of Langya Pavilion" or "Candidate for Demon Hall Heir" were attached...
Most people would struggle to recall his identity on the spot.
"The Blood Mist Corps...?"
The guard's expression tensed.
There wasn't a single martial artist in Murim who didn't know that the Blood Mist Corps was the vanguard dispatched by the Demon Hall to crush the Black Alliance.
"Please wait a moment."
The guard stepped inside and only returned after a considerable delay.
"Please enter."
Creak—
As the massive gates swung open, Bu Eun-seol and the Death Shadow Squad stepped through.
The interior of the Wind-Shooting Sword Sect—renowned as the Number One Sword Sect of Qinghai—was vast.
But the atmosphere was thick with tension. Particularly along the path, armed with powerful arrows warriors stood stationed at every turn.
—They're poised to attack at the slightest signal.
The squad members' eyes flickered with wariness as they surveyed their surroundings.
If they were ambushed in this state? Even if an army several times larger had entered, they'd be helplessly overwhelmed.
Yet Bu Eun-seol walked forward with an utterly indifferent expression, showing no trace of tension.
—What in the world is our commander thinking?
Though nervous, the squad members weren't truly worried.
As long as Bu Eun-seol was with them, they could stride into Hell itself with a smile.
"We've arrived."
The guard leading the way carefully gestured toward a hall bearing a signboard that read:
Wind and Rain Pavilion.
"All of you, wait here for now."
As the squad members nodded in acknowledgment, Bu Eun-seol stepped inside without hesitation.
Unlike the lavish exterior, the furnishings within were strikingly austere.
And from somewhere drifted the scent of a simple, clean mountain forest—something one would only expect deep in the wilderness.
"Welcome."
An elderly man, who had been tending to orchids by the window, slowly turned.
His silver hair was neatly combed, and his broad, flowing robes gave an impression reminiscent of the Dark King, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
Yet his aura was vastly different—so much so that, to Bu Eun-seol, he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary old man.
"You've come from the Blood Mist Corps, dispatched by the Demon Hall."
"I am Bu Eun-seol."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands in greeting, the old man chuckled and inclined his head.
"Guyang Jeong-hak."
This elderly man was none other than the Sect Leader of the Wind-Shooting Sword Sect—and the one once known as the Qinghai Demonic Sword.