Chapter 274
"An audit?"
Un Sa-dok's face twisted in disbelief before hardening into a cold expression.
"Just why in the world should our castle have to submit to an audit by you, my Lord?"
"Have you forgotten that I am the Martial Soul Lord?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke with solemn authority.
"A significant portion of the poison materials that should have been delivered to the Main Hall are missing."
He gestured to the ledger placed on the table.
"If you doubt me, verify it yourself."
"There's no need for verification."
Un Sa-dok didn't even glance at the ledger as he replied.
"That has been a long-standing tradition, my Lord."
"Tradition?"
As a glacial chill rose in Bu Eun-seol's gaze, Un Sa-dok cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Our castle has always tolerated a certain degree of discrepancies in the poison materials sent to the Demon Hall."
"Whether you've tolerated it until now or not is irrelevant."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy as he looked down at Un Sa-dok.
"The quantities recorded in the documents and the actual inventory I inspected do not match. Does this not amount to embezzling the Main Hall's assets?"
"As I've already explained—"
"Just how much poison material have you siphoned off for your own profit? It seems I'll have to personally verify this with the Hell Blood Citadel."
"So... you truly intend to conduct an audit?"
"Indeed."
As the Lord of the Martial Soul Hall—an investigative authority—Bu Eun-seol had the right to audit the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
After all, the Demonic Path Ten Gates were also subordinate to the Demon Hall.
But that rule existed only on paper. It was practically a dead law.
No matter how high-ranking the Martial Soul Lord was, who would dare barge into one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates to conduct an inspection?
Yet here was Bu Eun-seol, boldly declaring that he would audit Hell Blood Citadel.
"My Lord, I understand your enthusiasm for carrying out your duties. However..."
A frigid killing intent seeped from Un Sa-dok's eyes.
"You are well aware, I'm sure, of just how ruthless our fortress lord is."
Pausing briefly, he locked eyes with Bu Eun-seol.
"If you insist on entering our fortress for this audit, no one can predict what might happen to you inside."
"How amusing."
Bu Eun-seol scoffed.
"Hell Blood Citadel always starts with threats when dealing with me, doesn't it?"
"Threats?"
Dark flames flickered in Un Sa-dok's gaze.
"My Lord, you are crossing the line."
"Crossing the line... you say."
Bu Eun-seol bared his white teeth in a bright, chilling smile.
"Then allow me to show you just how far I can cross it."
Un Sa-dok felt deeply insulted by Bu Eun-seol's words.
But given the difference in their status, he forcibly swallowed his fury and spoke in a frigid tone.
"Martial Soul Lord, your words grow increasingly reckless."
"Hell Blood Citadel has been provoking me relentlessly. Persistently."
Bu Eun-seol's smile remained as he coldly cut off the conversation.
The truth was, he and Hell Blood Citadel shared a vicious karmic bond.
During the Martial Arts Tournament, Yangmyeong of the Blood Ghost Hall had ambushed him in a despicable attempt to steal the Ink Sword.
Later, when Bu Eun-seol headed to the Demon Hall to receive approval as a successor candidate, Hell Blood Citadel had mobilized its forces to attack him.
Even Yu Hyeok-sim of the Poison Demon Hall had used the Blue Flower Flame Jade as bait to threaten Hyeok Gong-baek, pressuring him to sever ties with Bu Eun-seol.
"—Tell your Hell Blood Citadel this: Since you've obstructed my path at every turn... I won't stand idly by any longer."
At the time, Bu Eun-seol had chased Yu Hyeok-sim away with those words.
In the end, Yu Hyeok-sim had been sentenced to seven years of Poison Swamp Punishment for undermining Hell Blood Citadel's authority.
Recalling all this, sweat trickled down Un Sa-dok's forehead.
'This man intends to keep his word.'
He could sense it clearly.
Bu Eun-seol meant to make an example of Hell Blood Citadel, crushing the Demonic Path Ten Gates' defiance once and for all.
"Don't worry. It's just talk, after all."
As if nothing had happened, Bu Eun-seol smiled like a spring breeze.
"I bear no particular ill will, so I trust you will understand."
His coaxing tone was nothing short of toying with him.
Only now did Un Sa-dok fully grasp just how terrifyingly meticulous Bu Eun-seol was.
'This man is truly a madman.'
If he continued to provoke him, things would undoubtedly spiral into disaster.
Wiping away his sweat, Un Sa-dok forced a composed expression.
"You flatter me, my Lord. Very well, I shall inform our fortress of your impending audit."
"That won't be necessary."
"Not necessary?"
Bu Eun-seol smiled leisurely.
"I'll be departing with you."
"With me?"
"I've already completed all preparations for the audit."
Un Sa-dok's face darkened.
'He targeted our fortress from the very beginning of this meeting.'
His mouth went dry as he swallowed hard.
They called him the Mad Sword, a reckless madman—but it was clear now that he fully intended to turn Hell Blood Citadel upside down.
"Then let us conclude here."
With that, Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat and gave a slight nod.
"This Sect Master Assembly shall now conclude."
Hell Blood Citadel was located in the southeastern region of Pyeongwol Prefecture in Guizhou, where the Muhyang River flowed.
Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the area was strewn with cinnabar deposits—vermilion ores so abundant they might as well have been scattered across the ground like pebbles.
From a distance, the fortress appeared as a massive citadel built upon blood-red boulders, its appearance living up to its name—a crimson castle erected in the heart of hell itself.
KOOOONG—
The tightly sealed gates of Hell Blood Citadel swung wide open.
And through them marched over three hundred soldiers clad in plain black martial uniforms, advancing boldly into the fortress.
They were Bu Eun-seol and the Martial Soul Lord's Inspection Corps. And leading them were Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
RUMBLE—
At that moment, Yu Un-ryong—dressed in scholar's robes—rushed toward the heart of the fortress, leading a group of inspectors carrying wooden chests.
When they reached a hall marked "Poison Secret Hall," the martial artists guarding its entrance blocked their path.
"This is a restricted area. Outsiders are not permitted entry."
"Outsiders?" Yu Un-ryong muttered coldly before pulling out a command plaque from his robes.
"We are the Inspection Corps, acting under the orders of the Martial Soul Lord."
"Inspection Corps?"
"Step aside."
With a light shove, Yu Un-ryong pushed past the guards and entered the Poison Secret Hall.
His eyes swept over the personnel inside before he barked out a command:
"All of you—cease your work immediately!"
Then, turning to the inspectors who had followed him with the chests, he ordered:
"Gather every single record and document in this hall. Leave nothing behind."
"What is the meaning of this?!"
The Poison Secret Hall's master, Yo Gwang, exploded in fury.
"If you're the Demon Hall's Inspection Corps, then conduct your inspection! But why are you taking all of our records?!"
Yu Un-ryong's voice was icy.
"We are lawfully executing an audit under the Lord's authority. Do not interfere."
"What?! How dare a mere underling of the Demon Hall—"
"Obstructing an inspection allows us to bypass formalities and take immediate action."
Yu Un-ryong's tone was frigid.
"Final warning. Stand down and move aside."
Simultaneously, a blade-like energy surged from his body.
Yo Gwang's face twisted in shock as a shockwave of immense true qi radiated from Yu Un-ryong—a man he had assumed was nothing more than a mere scholar.
"You bastard—"
THUD. THUD.
At that moment, an old man entered the Poison Secret Hall, accompanied by dozens of martial artists.
Though his expression was benevolent, the aura coiling behind him was that of a monstrous serpent steeped in extreme poison.
It was none other than the Vice Fortress Lord of Hell Blood Citadel—the Venerable of Ten Thousand Poisons, Jeok Ya-hon.
"I fail to comprehend what is happening here."
Wearing a kindly smile, Jeok Ya-hon approached Yu Un-ryong.
"Explain yourselves. Ensure this old man understands."
Dark miasma swirled in his palm. Jeok Ya-hon was a Poison Person—one who treated human lives as no more significant than insects.
If Yu Un-ryong's answer displeased him, he would not hesitate to unleash his venomous hand.
"Vice Fortress Lord, you've arrived."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully.
"This disciple, Bu Eun-seol, greets the Vice Fortress Lord."
Rather than asserting his authority as the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol introduced himself simply as a disciple.
It was a gesture of deference—acknowledging Jeok Ya-hon's status regardless of rank.
"I sent word in advance. Did you not receive it?"
"I heard rumors of an audit. But do you truly intend to carry it out?"
Despite his gentle appearance, Jeok Ya-hon was the most terrifying figure in Hell Blood Citadel.
Yet Bu Eun-seol showed no trace of wariness, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"I do."
"I've heard that some of the elixirs and poisons meant for the Demon Hall were... misplaced by the lower ranks."
Jeok Ya-hon smiled as well.
"How much could those fools have possibly skimmed? For my sake, let this matter pass."
"I wish I could. But I cannot."
"Cannot?"
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned grave.
"There is intelligence suggesting that the missing poisons have been funneled into government hands."
"Government?"
"Indeed."
As Bu Eun-seol met Jeok Ya-hon's widened eyes, he recalled a recent conversation with So Ja-myeong.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Meeting Chamber.
Only dim lanterns illuminated the room where Bu Eun-seol and So Ja-myeong sat facing each other.
"The officials who burned down Seong Family Ironworks were from the Eastern Depot Guard."
So Ja-myeong's voice was hushed but clear in the quiet chamber.
"And they were also the ones who purchased massive quantities of elixirs and poison."
"So you're saying the Eastern Depot Guard is behind all of this?"
"Well... it's a bit strange."
So Ja-myeong scratched his chin with a troubled expression.
"When I traced the flow of the elixirs they procured, the trail split into two directions."
"Two? Where did one lead?"
So Ja-myeong took a deep breath before answering.
"The Martial Alliance."
THUD.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
"To this day, the main temple's location has never been exposed—the mysterious assassin clan Wicked Incense, a terrifying producer of deadly hidden weapons."
"Are you saying its true form is the Martial Alliance?"
"So, you mean Wicked Incense is the Martial Alliance?"
"It's not an impossible theory. No matter how secretive an assassin organization may be, it's unthinkable for them to conceal their headquarters for so long."
"In other words... there never was a place called Wicked Incense to begin with, which is why it could remain hidden."
"Precisely."
So Ja-myeong stroked his chin.
"The only certainty is that the information you seek, Lord, is somehow connected to the Martial Alliance."
'The Martial Alliance.'
Crack.
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
So that was why he had never been able to track them down.
"Then we'll have to start with the Martial Alliance."
"Absolutely not."
So Ja-myeong shook his head firmly at Bu Eun-seol's words.
"If the Heir of the Demon Hall were to provoke the Martial Alliance, it would undoubtedly become the trigger for the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War."
Then he continued swiftly.
"The same goes for our Kill-Seeking Unit. If we were to send spies in any form and get caught... it would spiral into an uncontrollable disaster."
What if their investigation into the Martial Alliance were exposed? And what if it were revealed that the mastermind behind it was the Heir of the Demon Hall?
Bu Eun-seol would be checkmated.
"Then there's only one way."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
If he couldn't send his subordinates, nor could he rely on the Demon Hall's power... then there was only one option left.
He would have to investigate everything himself.
"Perhaps we should start with Hell Blood Citadel?"
"Hell Blood Citadel?"
"Over one-third of the poison flowing into the Eastern Depot Guard originates from there."
Instantly, flames flickered in Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
Hell Blood Citadel—one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates—was colluding with the Eastern Depot Guard?
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely. Around ten of our Kill-Seeking Unit operatives scattered across the Central Plains lost their lives just to obtain this information."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
Unearthing such intelligence, which manipulated the shadows of the martial world, demanded not only vast financial resources but also human sacrifice.
Hadn't Fleeting Moment Boat also lost many informants over the Seong Family Ironworks incident?
"Send thirty thousand taels in condolence money to the families of the fallen operatives."
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
"And this is far enough. Dig no deeper."
So Ja-myeong nodded.
If they continued probing like this, the Kill-Seeking Unit would be wiped out.
As the memory faded, a sharp glint flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"We must confirm whether Hell Blood Citadel conspired with the government office to distribute poison."
"That's absurd."
Jeok Ya-hon shook his head decisively.
"I'll admit negligence in managing the toxins meant for the Demon Hall—that's an old practice, and I won't deny it."
Then he stared straight at Bu Eun-seol.
"But our citadel has no ties to the government office."
"How can you be so certain?"
"If such a thing had happened, I would know."
Jeok Ya-hon's expression was unshaken.
He genuinely believed the Hell Blood Citadel had nothing to do with this.
"Then wait. The truth will be revealed soon."
"You intend to comb through our citadel like hunting vermin?"
In an instant, Jeok Ya-hon's expression and gaze shifted.
It was as if the kindly old man's mask he had been wearing had been violently torn away.
His anger transformed him into the visage of an ancient reptile, ready to devour its prey.
"And if you find nothing?"
Venomous light exploded in Jeok Ya-hon's pupils.
"Who will take responsibility?"
"I will bear full responsibility."
Dozens of invisible blades seemed to spill from Jeok Ya-hon's narrowed eyes.
"And how, exactly, will you bear it? I dislike vague answers."
"Name your terms."
"I can't take the heir's head, can I?"
The razor-sharp gleam in Jeok Ya-hon's small eyes felt like it could pierce through Bu Eun-seol's face.
"Instead, I'll take a finger as a lesson for your reckless judgment."
Bu Eun-seol's eyebrow twitched.
In short, if he wanted to investigate the Hell Blood Citadel, he would have to wager a finger—as the Heir of the Demon Hall.
"If you lack confidence, you may still back out now."
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened, his expression deadly serious.
"I, too, have no wish to stir unnecessary trouble."
If nothing came of this investigation... he truly intended to sever Bu Eun-seol's finger without hesitation.
"Very well."
"Are you certain?"
As Jeok Ya-hon's frigid gaze bore into him, a dark, poisonous aura seeped from behind him.
The swirling miasma took the form of a malevolent ghost, jaws gaping wide as if to devour a human head.
Though the sight was enough to make flesh crawl, Bu Eun-seol nodded without hesitation.
"Would I have come here without such resolve?"
"Oh?"
Jeok Ya-hon exhaled in amusement, his gaze lingering on Bu Eun-seol's fingers—as if deliberating which one to take.
"Good."
Finally, as if deciding, he nodded.
"Go ahead and investigate."