Chapter 275
Yu Un-ryong and his inspection team members began thoroughly examining all the ledgers used in the Poison Secret Hall.
Meanwhile, Myo Cheon-u also led his subordinates and started combing through every corner of Hell Blood Citadel's elixir and poison warehouses.
And Bu Eun-seol sat quietly in the office provided by the Hell Blood Citadel, waiting indifferently for the results.
Before him sat Jeok Ya-hon.
He intended to stay until the investigation concluded, and the moment the truth was revealed, he would immediately sever Bu Eun-seol's finger.
Time passed, and before they knew it, a full day had gone by—it was now the second day.
Creak.
Yu Un-ryong, carrying a ledger, entered the room and flinched slightly upon seeing Jeok Ya-hon.
Then, he secretly sent a telepathic transmission.
"There are indeed traces of a large quantity of poison being smuggled out."
"Hmm."
"The problem is that there are also records of elixirs being received here. Judging by the confiscated ledgers, it seems they were manufacturing something using both elixirs and poison, then supplying it externally."
Jeok Ya-hon was a master who had long made a name for himself.
He had noticed Yu Un-ryong's telepathic transmission and spoke in a low voice.
"Anyone can manipulate the flow on paper. What we need is definitive proof, don't you think?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Documentary evidence could easily be dismissed as mere clerical errors.
Tap, tap.
At that moment, Myo Cheon-u, who had thoroughly searched the poison warehouse of the Poison Secret Hall, walked in.
His expression was indifferent, but his eyes were grim. It was clear he hadn't found any decisive evidence.
"Well? Did you find proof of collusion with the government office?"
Jeok Ya-hon smiled faintly as he observed Myo Cheon-u's darkened expression.
In response, Myo Cheon-u grinned and said,
"Of course."
"Hmm?"
"Lord. I think you should come see the warehouse for yourself."
"I haven't found anything yet, but there's definitely something in the poison warehouse."
Myo Cheon-u looked at Bu Eun-seol with eyes full of conviction.
"If it's you, I'm sure you'll find it."
If he were an ordinary person, he might have erupted in anger or demanded another investigation.
But Bu Eun-seol trusted Myo Cheon-u's intuition—forged through countless battlefields of carnage.
"Fine."
He rose from his seat immediately and said,
"I'll take a look myself."
As Bu Eun-seol stood, Jeok Ya-hon, who had been listening quietly, also nodded.
"Then this old man will accompany you."
He then looked at Bu Eun-seol with a chilling smile.
"If there's nothing there, I suppose I'll have to resort to force."
His gaze, fixed on Bu Eun-seol's finger, was like that of a man eyeing a delicious, tempting meal.
If they found nothing, he would immediately sever Bu Eun-seol's finger.
But Bu Eun-seol remained unfazed and replied indifferently,
"Then let's go together."
Poison Secret Hall.
Beneath the large signboard hanging overhead, this place was one of Hell Blood Citadel's poison warehouses, located in the most secluded hall at the westernmost edge—buried underground.
Creeeak.
Activating the mechanism inside the hall revealed a hidden passage leading underground.
As they descended, a vast underground warehouse spanning thousands of square meters came into view.
Numerous jars were placed throughout, and in one corner was an area where poisonous creatures were bred.
Scattered stone chambers seemed to be used for research involving these toxins.
"Heh heh heh. Well? Does anything seem amiss?"
Bu Eun-seol did not respond to Jeok Ya-hon's words.
His pupils, scanning the surroundings, had already taken on a mysterious glow.
Empty Mind Spirit Perception.
He was unleashing the extreme sensory perception of the Way of the Beast, combing through every inch of the poison warehouse.
Zzzziiing.
His eyes moved, tracing invisible threads of light stretching out from unseen places.
The Empty Mind Spirit Perception not only expanded his senses but also allowed him to meticulously examine even the faintest traces left behind by objects.
After a long while, Bu Eun-seol's gaze settled on one particular spot.
It was a facility where large quantities of spirit beasts imbued with poison were bred.
Thud. Thud.
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol stepped inside.
There, not only the White Crane Spirit Serpent, but also the Thousand-Year Black Centipede, the Five Poison Spider, the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Scorpion, and more...
Spirit beasts carrying poisons potent enough to kill thousands with a single drop were piled up like mountains.
—Shhhhaaa!
As Bu Eun-seol stepped deeper inside, eerie sounds erupted, and the crates containing the poisonous creatures began to tremble.
Clank.
At the same time, the crates began opening one by one, blocking his path.
Someone had deliberately unlocked the restraints holding these creatures.
'Mere vermin...'
As the poisonous creatures revealed their hostility, crimson sparks flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Oooong!
As his killing intent spread, the silhouette of an unfathomable monster seemed to loom behind him.
—Sha, shaaa...
Every creature here was a poisonous spirit beast with sentience.
As the poisonous creatures recognized Bu Eun-seol as an existence they dared not provoke, they instinctively began slinking away.
Thud-thud-thud.
Once the creatures had cleared the area, pristine blue stone tiles were revealed beneath them.
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol stretched out his hand toward the exposed floor.
Creak.
A powerful Void Object Retrieval technique unfolded, and the blue tiles began peeling away one by one.
Beneath them, transparent glass containers—hidden in secrecy—were exposed.
"..."
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes bulged as he stared down at the glass cases.
Inside them, human organs and bodily fluids were grotesquely preserved.
"An explanation seems necessary."
Bu Eun-seol turned his body, his gaze locking onto Jeok Ya-hon.
"Has Hell Blood Citadel been killing people to manufacture poisons?"
"How could this—"
Jeok Ya-hon's pupils trembled.
How could such atrocities have occurred within Poison Secret Hall without his knowledge?
Does he truly not know?
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed to slits as he observed Jeok Ya-hon's shock—
"Stop him!"
A furious roar erupted from behind.
With the hidden glass containers now exposed, Yo Gwang, the Poison Secret Hall's keeper, suddenly attempted to flee.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Yu Un-ryong's whip—no, his Ten-Section Staff—lashed through the air with a Sound of Breaking Air.
Clatter-clatter-clack!
Like a living creature, the segmented weapon coiled around Yo Gwang's arm with terrifying precision.
Squelch!
A spray of blood erupted from Yo Gwang's forearm.
Without hesitation, he severed his own left arm with a brutal strike.
Thud.
Even after self-mutilation, he showed no sign of pain, immediately activating his Movement Technique.
Swish!
Yo Gwang's speed was lightning incarnate—in an instant, he was already breaking free from Poison Secret Hall, racing toward Hell Blood Citadel's exit.
"Capture him!"
At Yu Un-ryong's command, the fortress's elite guards moved to intercept—but upon recognizing the Poison Secret Hall's keeper, none dared block or attack him.
Though the Inspection Corps gave chase, Yo Gwang's Movement Technique was a streak of pure Lightning Flash.
With a single leap, he transformed into a beam of light, escaping beyond the fortress walls.
Swish!
Then—two more streaks of Lightning Flash tore through the air.
Bu Eun-seol and Jeok Ya-hon had simultaneously launched after him.
Whoooosh!
Jeok Ya-hon's Movement Technique was like a great roc, covering dozens of jang in a single bound.
Zi-zi-zi-zi!
Yet despite his delayed start, Bu Eun-seol—hands clasped behind his back like an immortal—effortlessly overtook him.
That bastard—?!
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened in disbelief.
They said he killed the Beggar King... His Movement Technique alone is monstrous.
"Halt."
Before Yo Gwang could react, Bu Eun-seol materialized in front of him.
"DIE—!"
A sickly yellow light spilled from Yo Gwang's pupils as he thrust out his remaining right arm.
A wave of corrosive poison—strong enough to melt mountains—erupted alongside a seething black sphere.
Poison Aura.
Yo Gwang can unleash Poison Aura?!
Jeok Ya-hon's jaw slackened.
Yo Gwang had become Poison Secret Hall's keeper not due to martial prowess, but because his knowledge of poisons was unparalleled.
In terms of martial skill, he was barely fit to be a section chief—let alone a hall master.
Yet now, he was discharging Poison Aura?
"Hm."
Bu Eun-seol sidestepped the attack with effortless grace.
Whoooosh!
The tidal wave of poison crashed past him, instantly withering all vegetation in its path.
"You can't dodge forever!"
With a thunderous roar, Yo Gwang shifted stance and unleashed another surge of Poison Aura—this time not from his palm, but from the earth beneath Bu Eun-seol's feet.
"Blood Rock Ancient Wood Qi?!"
Jeok Ya-hon's eyes widened further.
Yo Gwang's technique was an application of one of Hell Blood Citadel's Ten Great Poison Arts.
"His Internal Power was strong enough to wield this?!"
As Jeok Ya-hon rubbed his eyes in shock—
Szzzt.
Bu Eun-seol, now engulfed by the rising miasma, drew his sword.
A circular wave of Sword Qi erupted, instantly vaporizing the Blood Rock Ancient Wood Qi surrounding him.
Formless Heavenly Flow, Seventh Form: Returning God Destroying Earth.
In a single motion, he incinerated the poison.
Flash!
Simultaneously, a single, delicate yet sinister gleam of light shot toward Yo Gwang's forehead.
Swish! CRACK!
The moment it touched his skin, the gleam transformed into a blade capable of tearing through air itself.
Meteor Chasing Moon—executed in rapid succession.
Clang!
A Metallic Sound rang out as Yo Gwang's body was violently flung backward.
His forehead should have been pierced instantly—but his mastery of Blood Rock Ancient Wood Qi had turned his body steel-hard.
Drip... drip...
Even so, he couldn't fully disperse the force behind the technique. A deep wound split his brow.
"Heh heh heh, I won't die from just this."
"Human Blossoms."
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a low voice.
"Did you collude with the Government Office to obtain that? Not content with soaking your body in poison, you sought to amplify your strength with human blood?"
"Heh heh heh. Take this and curb your arrogance!"
Yo Gwang summoned every ounce of his Blood Rock Ancient Tree Qi. A black storm surged forth, swirling violently toward Bu Eun-seol's entire body.
But as Yo Gwang gathered his qi, his gaze dimmed.
At the same time, crimson blood lines began spreading from his forehead down to his neck.
"How...?"
Yo Gwang looked down at his own body—
Shwaaak!
—and in that instant, his form split into four pieces, scattering in all directions.
Bu Eun-seol, who had reached the Extreme Heaven Realm, had long surpassed the limitations of martial techniques.
He had unleashed Shooting Star Chasing the Moon while simultaneously layering Fading Moon and Dawn Stars within a single stance.
Shooting Star Chasing the Moon had failed to pierce Yo Gwang's forehead, but the razor-sharp energy of Fading Moon and Dawn Stars had cleaved his body in two.
However, Yo Gwang's body, steeped in medicinal toxins, was unexpectedly resilient. And Bu Eun-seol's sword technique was so swift that it hadn't cleanly severed him in a single stroke.
Hiss—
Thick, acrid smoke began rising from Yo Gwang's bisected remains.
With his body split apart while still channeling Blood Rock Ancient Tree Qi, the venomous energy that had been contained within began dissolving his own flesh.
"A truly vicious Poison Art," Bu Eun-seol muttered.
At the same time—
Thud. Thud.
Jeok Ya-hon stepped forward, approaching the smoldering corpse.
"This is..."
Jeok Ya-hon bit his lip as he stared down at the charred remains.
Everything Bu Eun-seol had said had been proven true.
The Hell Blood Citadel was the grandmaster of poison.
He would never cultivate Spiritual Herbs using human essence blood. But beneath the Poison Secret Hall, they had stockpiled the very essence blood needed to grow Human Blossoms...
From this moment on, Hell Blood Citadel was in deep trouble.
"Ahem."
Just as Jeok Ya-hon cleared his throat to speak—
Whoosh!
The Sound of Breaking Air heralded the arrival of Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, who landed simultaneously.
Having grasped the situation at a glance, the two of them were not looking at Bu Eun-seol—but rather, directly at Jeok Ya-hon's finger.
"What are you staring at?"
Jeok Ya-hon snapped irritably. In response, Yu Un-ryong drew a sharp dagger from his robes.
"Use this."
It was Conquering Evil, the blade Bu Eun-seol had bestowed upon him when appointing him as adjutant.
"Indeed. The Conquering Evil Dagger is sharp enough to sever it without pain."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slightly. Jeok Ya-hon's brow twitched.
"You mean to cut off my finger now?"
"Didn't you make a promise with this lord? To take responsibility."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at Jeok Ya-hon with an utterly guileless expression.
"Surely, Vice Fortress Lord, you didn't merely think about cutting off this lord's finger without considering the terms of that agreement?"
Jeok Ya-hon laughed coldly.
"So. You truly intend to cut off my finger?"
Snap.
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol snatched Conquering Evil from Yu Un-ryong's grasp with lightning speed.
Then, step by deliberate step, he advanced toward Jeok Ya-hon.
Thud. Thud.
Each footfall carried an irrefutable authority.
Jeok Ya-hon, staring into Bu Eun-seol's icy, motionless pupils, felt a flicker of panic.
'This bastard...?'
Had anyone else dared such an act, Jeok Ya-hon would have scoffed—or even extended his hand mockingly.
But who was Bu Eun-seol?
Even when he had first emerged from Hell Island, hadn't he defiantly raised his head against the Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun?
That he would do what he said was something no one in the Demonic Path doubted.
'He really means to cut it.'
In that brief moment, countless thoughts flashed through Jeok Ya-hon's mind.
'If I lose a finger over something like this, I'll never be able to show my face in the martial world again.'
Moreover, for Poison People, fingers were the most concentrated reservoirs of venomous energy.
Losing even one would significantly weaken his Poison Art.
But if he were to kill Bu Eun-seol over this... Not only would Hell Blood Citadel face the wrath of the recently resurgent Langya Pavilion—
They would also incur the Demon Hall's brutal sanctions.
And if that happened, Hell Blood Citadel could no longer stand as one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Swish.
Before he knew it, Bu Eun-seol was right in front of him, his crimson eyes fixed on Jeok Ya-hon's finger.
As that razor-sharp gaze landed on his hand, Jeok Ya-hon instinctively clenched his fist and shifted into a defensive stance.
Sssk.
At that, a serene, lake-like smile spread across Bu Eun-seol's lips.
"How could I possibly damage the finger of Hell Blood Citadel's Vice Lord over such a trivial matter?"
He laughed soundlessly before speaking again in a low voice.
"I will discuss this matter with the Gongya City Lord. You need not worry, Vice Fortress Lord—please return safely."
Then, without another word, he turned and left immediately with Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
In that moment, Jeok Ya-hon regretted it all.
'I should have killed him no matter what it took... Or at least laughed boldly and offered my hand, daring him to cut it.'
Jeok Ya-hon had clenched his fists tensely before Bu Eun-seol.
That alone had stripped him of all the dignity befitting the Vice Fortress Lord of Hell Blood Citadel.
Poison Sovereign Pavilion.
This was the dwelling place of Gongya Geuk, the Lord of Hell Blood Citadel.
Poison Saint, Gongya Geuk.
It was said that long ago, he had reached the highest realm of poison mastery—Saint Among Poisons.
Thus, though his body harbored no poison itself, he could generate toxins at will through Heart Poison, a technique born of sheer intent.
Bu Eun-seol sat boldly within the abode of this Sovereign of Poisons.
Across from him, a dark silhouette of imposing stature was visible behind a drawn curtain.
This was none other than the Fortress Lord who ruled Hell Blood Citadel—Gongya Geuk.
"Why have you sought this lord?"
Gongya Geuk's low voice emerged from behind the curtain.
"If you desired something, you could have simply spoken to Jeok Ya-hon."
His voice was peculiar—so faint to the ear yet thunderous in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Having ascended to the realm of Heart Poison, Gongya Geuk could transmit his words directly into Bu Eun-seol's consciousness.
"The Vice Fortress Lord might not know, but surely the Fortress Lord is aware of everything."
Yet Bu Eun-seol gave an unexpected reply.
—You already know everything, don't you?
That was what Bu Eun-seol was implying.
Silence lingered, but Gongya Geuk offered no response.
Eventually, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"However, I do not believe the Fortress Lord conspired with the Government Office to rebel against the Demon Hall."
A sudden chill swept through the chamber.
Behind the curtain, Gongya Geuk's eyes flashed before he slowly opened his mouth.
"This fortress has been circulating poison throughout the martial world for far longer than just today."
Silence fell once more, and only after a long pause did he continue.
"The Poison Secret Hall Master merely continued what this fortress has always done—out of habit, nothing more."
"Including distributing essence blood to cultivate those grotesque Human Blossoms in collaboration with the Government Office?"
"This lord acknowledges supplying the Government Office with the toxins they desired. But..."
Gongya Geuk's voice reverberated in Bu Eun-seol's skull.
"Hiding the essence blood was the Poison Secret Hall Master's own doing—a solo effort to rapidly enhance his martial arts."
"Then you must also be aware that the poison distributed by Hell Blood Citadel has reached even the Martial Alliance."
At Bu Eun-seol's pointed remark, Gongya Geuk chuckled darkly.
"The Martial Alliance, the Government Office—it matters not. This fortress only seeks profit."
Whether the distributed toxins led to the creation of bizarre medicines... or even triggered a Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War—Hell Blood Citadel cared not.
No, they would welcome such chaos.
Large-scale battles inevitably created a demand for poison.
"I see."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol truly grasp the philosophy of Hell Blood Citadel—and of Gongya Geuk.
Hell Blood Citadel pursued profit, nothing more.
Whether a Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War erupted or they entangled themselves with the Government Office—none of it mattered.
"I understand the Fortress Lord's intentions now."
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, Gongya Geuk's voice followed.
"This lord acknowledges defeat."
"I shall also apologize for the attacks against you thus far. And henceforth, this fortress shall support you wholeheartedly—in both material and spiritual terms."
Gongya Geuk was indeed a terrifying figure.
As one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates' sect leaders, his status was second only to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—the most revered and exalted position in the Demonic Path.
Even with a blade at his throat, such a man would never bow his head to an inferior.
Yet Gongya Geuk had admitted defeat to Bu Eun-seol—discarding his pride with unsettling ease.
"Are these terms satisfactory?"
'A true cunning hegemon.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed faintly.
The figure seated behind the curtain seemed less like a man and more like a yokai devoured by greed.
'If I ever cease to be useful, he'll be the first to draw his blade.'
What if Bu Eun-seol's abilities and authority failed to meet his expectations?
Gongya Geuk would not hesitate to plunge a dagger into Bu Eun-seol's back once more.
A man who would kneel before a child if it profited him—and stab an ally in the back dozens of times if it did not.
Such was the nature of Gongya Geuk, Lord of Hell Blood Citadel.
"This audit ends here. I shall trouble Hell Blood Citadel no further."
For now, Bu Eun-seol had shaken hands with the devil.
This was not yet the time to dismantle Hell Blood Citadel. He had to bide his time until he gained the strength to excise its rot in one stroke.
Until then, keeping a man like Gongya Geuk around was far more advantageous.
Power and wealth.
The more one grasped them, the emptier they felt. The greedier one drank, the greater the thirst became.
So long as there was profit to be reaped, Gongya Geuk would not betray Bu Eun-seol.
"Then I take my leave."
Clasping his hands, Bu Eun-seol turned slowly.
"Martial Soul Lord."
From behind the curtain, Gongya Geuk watched Bu Eun-seol's retreating figure and murmured lowly.
"Stir the waters all you like. The more you churn them... the deeper into despair you'll sink. Heh heh heh."
Once outside Hell Blood Citadel, Bu Eun-seol glanced back.
The sky burned crimson, as if the sinister eyes of Gongya Geuk still hovered within its depths.
"You'll learn in time, Fortress Lord Gongya."
Under the scarlet sky, Bu Eun-seol stood tall, his cold voice a whisper as he stared at Hell Blood Citadel.
"The price of crossing me."