Chapter 276
The rumor that Bu Eun-seol had led the Inspection Corps to audit Hell Blood Citadel spread rapidly through the Demon Hall.
—How long has it been since he became the successor?
Most of the high command's reactions were far from favorable.
Though Bu Eun-seol had gained the support of the entire Demonic Martial World, he had yet to secure the firm backing of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
And yet, immediately after ascending as the Martial Soul Lord, he audited Hell Blood Citadel—one of the Ten Gates?
—Even if he is the successor, isn't this going too far?
To those unaware of the inside story, the prevailing view was that Bu Eun-seol had swung the staff of authority a little too harshly.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.
A strategy meeting of the Death Shadow War Unit was being held there.
Bu Eun-seol had not yet arrived.
Seated at the table were his adjutants, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong, along with Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and Jo Nam-cheon, all wearing grave expressions.
"It seems we'll need a contingency plan," said Yu Un-ryong, dressed in scholar's robes, his expression solemn.
"A successor is supposed to gradually win over all factions, but the current situation is moving in the opposite direction."
Myo Cheon-u, arms crossed, nodded in agreement.
"Listening to the great lords and hall leaders, they all say they're afraid of the Martial Soul Lord."
"What a bunch of clowns. What exactly are they afraid of?" asked Won Se-mun.
Myo Cheon-u gave a bitter smile.
"They say that if they fall out of the Martial Soul Lord's favor, they'll be punished. That even the slightest mistake will be met without the barest hint of mercy."
"This isn't an issue we can simply laugh off. If the very first official act is met with this kind of backlash, nothing we do from here on out will be viewed favorably," said Wi Cheon-gyeong, his expression serious.
"It seems we'll need to further solidify the successor's standing once more."
"How?"
At Won Se-mun's question, Wi Cheon-gyeong answered flatly,
"By accomplishing another feat that will shake the Four Seas. That would remind everyone just how extraordinary the Lord is."
"Is that even possible? There's no more fame left to gain."
At Won Se-mun's retort, Wi Cheon-gyeong fell silent.
It was true.
Bu Eun-seol, despite his youth, had already secured a seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, and his status as the Demon Hall's formal successor made him its next master.
For his name to resound across the martial world again, he would need to achieve something as monumental as beheading the Beggar King.
Click.
Just then, the conference room door opened, and Bu Eun-seol entered in casual attire.
"You've arrived."
As the great lords rose and clasped their hands, Myo Cheon-u spoke.
"Where have you been since morning?"
"I had lengthy matters to discuss with the Kill-Seeking Unit leader."
"The Kill-Seeking Unit leader? Again?"
Myo Cheon-u tilted his head, then spoke with a disgruntled expression.
"Lately, you've been spending more time with the Kill-Seeking Unit leader than with us, your adjutants."
"That may be so."
Bu Eun-seol was not only deep but also kept his thoughts close to his chest.
While this was an excellent method for maintaining secrecy, it could be frustrating or disappointing for loyal subordinates.
"We've just about finished our discussion now—"
As Myo Cheon-u tried to continue, Bu Eun-seol raised a hand to stop him.
"I overheard everything on my way here. And I agree with what was said."
"Huh?"
"The part about making my name resound again."
Then, in a low voice, he continued,
"Which is why I'll be leaving the Demon Hall for a while."
"Why?"
"There's something I must do."
The room fell silent.
They all knew Bu Eun-seol's tendencies all too well.
Seeing his resolute expression, they realized he had already planned something and was in the midst of executing it.
"Myo Cheon-u, Yu Un-ryong. The two of you will continue handling all affairs in my stead, as you have been."
The Demon Hall successor's immense authority came with a mountain of responsibilities.
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong.
When these two combined their strengths, the Hidden Demon Pavilion operated as smoothly as if Bu Eun-seol himself were leading it.
Thanks to their exceptional abilities, Bu Eun-seol could leave the Demon Hall unburdened at any time.
"As for the rest of you, continue your duties, but take charge of training the subordinate unit members under Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong."
Bu Eun-seol looked at Won Se-mun and the others as he spoke.
"Those two will be too busy with administrative work to oversee further training."
"Training, you say?"
As Won Se-mun's mouth fell open, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Yes. To the point where they can be deployed to the battlefield immediately."
The members of the room blinked at each other.
Didn't that mean they would soon be heading to the battlefield again?
"Bu Eun-seol. Even if we are your subordinates, shouldn't you at least give us some explanation?"
At Myo Cheon-u's words, Bu Eun-seol let out a breath through his nose. Then, as if resigned, he spoke.
"I will be heading into the martial world to take care of a few matters. And if all goes according to plan..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
"There will be no one left to oppose what I do."
Red Sky Curtain Branch.
The largest wanderers' market in the Central Plains, where skilled martial artists gathered from all over to earn their keep.
Hall of Bestowed Scriptures.
This was where wanderers received their assignments or collected their rewards upon entering Red Sky Curtain Branch.
Beyond a large wooden board inscribed with Free Commission Board, climbing the stairs revealed a long corridor.
At the end of this floor, opening the door led to the office where the Hall of Bestowed Scriptures' master, Dam Yu-yeon, resided.
"Hall Master Dam."
The office door opened, and a man entered with a sword wrapped tightly in bandages strapped to his back.
His long hair was tied in a topknot, and his eyes were long and narrow.
His face was utterly unremarkable in every feature, yet Dam Yu-yeon, who had been seated at her desk, startled so violently that she shot to her feet.
"You—"
"Do you remember me?"
"Of course!"
She beamed at him, her smile radiant.
"How could I ever forget Young Hero Seol, our branch's Special-Grade Wanderer?"
In the past, Bu Eun-seol had registered at Red Sky Curtain Branch under the alias "Seol-so" alongside Heuk-pyo to gain martial arts experience as a wandering mercenary.
He had taken on numerous assignments, accumulating experience along the way.
He had dealt with Wang Jeong of Buddha Peak Mountain, obtained the Divine Maiden Palace's Bo-won Divine Pearl, and even crossed blades with Jeong Cheon, Head of the Horizontal Sky Department.
He had participated in the war between the Heaven-Shaking Gate and the Blade Tyrant Gate, where he had also engaged in a bloody battle with a masked man.
Red Sky Curtain Branch—the wanderers' market that had granted Bu Eun-seol immeasurable insight and experience.
Now, having emerged from the Demon Hall, he had immediately assumed the guise of Seol-so and returned.
"What have you been doing all this time?"
After completing various missions, Bu Eun-seol had abruptly left Red Sky Curtain Branch years ago.
Curious about his whereabouts, Dam Yu-yeon had mobilized intelligence networks to track him down, but the wanderer known as Seol-so had vanished without a trace.
"There were circumstances."
At those words, Dam Yu-yeon asked no further questions.
Who in this world was without their own burdens? But the lives of wandering martial artists were especially fraught with hardship.
That was why, in the wanderers' market, no one asked about a wanderer's true name or past.
Only the present moment mattered.
"Is the Head of the Horizontal Sky Department doing well?"
"It's been a long time since he left for training in the North of the Desert after his duel with Young Hero Seol."
Since Jeong Cheon's master, the legendary Grass Sword Wave, hailed from the northern deserts, it was likely that his legacy—or perhaps a training ground—lay there.
"I see."
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Dam Yu-yeon's expression turned bittersweet.
"My older brother originally had no interest in the Martial Way. But after crossing swords with Young Hero Seol, something in him changed."
After his duel with Bu Eun-seol, Jeong Cheon had likely been moved by the blazing martial spirit in his opponent's eyes.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
With Jeong Cheon's skill, he would undoubtedly return having achieved martial arts that could shake heaven and earth.
And when he did, Bu Eun-seol would have another worthy rival to test his skills against.
"Have you come to take on a job?"
"If there's a Designated Assignment available, I might consider it."
Special-Grade Wanderers were not only free to choose from the Free Assignment board but could also take on high-paying Designated Assignments directly issued by Scripture Instruction Hall.
"A Designated Assignment?"
"The Free Assignments are all troublesome jobs."
Bu Eun-seol spoke impassively.
"I'd prefer something I can handle alone."
"I'm sorry. There aren't any Designated Assignments available at the moment."
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I'll be staying at the Cloud Arrival Inn up ahead. If any worthwhile jobs come up, let me know."
"Of course."
With another nod, Bu Eun-seol stepped out without another word.
Not long after, the door to Dam Yu-yeon's office opened again, and a woman dressed in white robes entered.
"Big Sister."
"Yak-mae?"
Dam Yu-yeon was startled to see her.
"What brings the Law Enforcement Commander of the Martial Alliance here?"
The Law Enforcement Hall, which upheld and enforced the Martial Alliance's laws, was buried under an endless mountain of work.
Because of this, the Alliance selected promising young talents with an unshakable sense of justice and granted them the authority of inspectors.
These were the Law Enforcement Commanders—essentially judges who could freely investigate and enforce the law both inside and outside the Alliance.
And this woman in white robes was none other than Jongjeong Yak, Dam Yu-yeon's longtime friend, the only daughter of the Jongjeong Clan.
"I need your help, Big Sister."
"My help?"
Jongjeong Yak's expression was deadly serious.
"I need a wanderer—one with formidable martial skills and deep connections in the underworld."
Dam Yu-yeon frowned in confusion.
As a respected Law Enforcement Commander of the Martial Alliance, Jongjeong Yak could request guardian warriors from the Alliance whenever she wished.
So why come to a wanderers' market to hire a mercenary?
"Did you come out alone? Didn't you bring any martial artists with you?"
"Of course I brought them."
"Then why hire a wanderer as a guardian?"
"I don't need a guardian."
"Huh?"
"There are... circumstances."
Meeting Dam Yu-yeon's worried gaze, Jongjeong Yak smiled bitterly.
"They'd never assign me a proper escort. Even now, aside from my adjutant, all the martial artists assigned to me are complete novices."
Truthfully, the position of Law Enforcement Commander was controversial even within the Martial Alliance.
Granting such sweeping investigative authority to young martial artists, allowing them to probe both inside and outside the Alliance—it was an arrangement that naturally rankled the established leadership.
'So there's an issue with her superiors—or someone even higher up.'
Instantly grasping the situation, Dam Yu-yeon lowered her voice.
"Then why not ask for help? You're close with the Head of Flower Honey Garden, aren't you?"
Flower Honey Garden managed the Alliance's labor force and even held the diplomatic authority to invite outsiders into the organization.
Its head was also someone who deeply admired Jongjeong Yak's competence and had personally supported her rise to Law Enforcement Commander.
"I don't have concrete evidence yet. If I recklessly bring it up... the Head might end up suffering for it instead."
Dam Yu-yeon's expression darkened.
She realized now that Jongjeong Yak was handling an extremely dangerous and critical mission.
"Understood. Then I'll summon the most elite wanderer unit from our Red Sky Curtain Branch for you."
"No, I don't need a full Wanderer Corps."
"Huh?"
"Leading a large-scale unit like that would only make me easier to track. What I need is a single high-level wanderer—someone with extensive experience in the Martial World and decent martial skills—to assist me with a few tasks."
"Just one high-level wanderer?"
Dam Yu-yeon blinked, and the woman gave a faint smile.
"I don't have the funds to hire a Special-Grade Wanderer."
"Hmm."
Dam Yu-yeon pondered for a moment before her eyes lit up.
"Understood. I'll send you the best high-level wanderer we have at the branch."
Cloud Arrival Inn, Third Floor. Special Suite.
Bu Eun-seol sat cross-legged on the bed, deep in qi circulation. Then, a faint voice transmission seeped in from outside the window.
「Lord. It's U Gyeong of the Kill-Seeking Unit.」
After a brief pause, another transmission followed.
「Jongjeong Yak—she's currently meeting with the Scripture Instruction Hall Master.」
Bu Eun-seol slowly opened his eyes.
He sent a voice transmission back to U Gyeong, who was perched on the roof.
「The Scripture Instruction Hall will soon dispatch someone. From this moment until everything is concluded, erase all traces of my movements completely.」
「Understood.」
With that response, U Gyeong's presence vanished entirely.
Swish.
Rising from his seat, Bu Eun-seol gazed out the window.
As he stared at the clear sky, he recalled the conversation he'd had not long ago with So Ja-myeong, the leader of the Kill-Seeking Unit.
Flashback.
"Absolutely not."
After the Hell Blood Citadel's inspection, Bu Eun-seol had been discussing with So Ja-myeong a plan to infiltrate the Martial Alliance and track down Wicked Incense and the Eastern Depot Guard.
At first, So Ja-myeong had vehemently opposed it.
The Martial Alliance was a force surpassing even the Demon Hall in scale—a den of dragons and tigers (Dragon Pool and Tiger Den), teeming with terrifying masters.
Outwardly, it might appear lax, but its security was airtight. Any haphazard infiltration from the outside would be detected almost instantly.
And if Bu Eun-seol—the Heir of the Demon Hall—were caught investigating the Martial Alliance?
The disgrace to the Demon Hall would be irreparable. Worse, Bu Eun-seol's life would be in grave danger.
"Even if your martial arts are exceptional, Lord, thoroughly investigating the Martial Alliance's inner workings is impossible."
"Don't worry."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"This operation is only meant to be a preliminary reconnaissance."
At this stage, all Bu Eun-seol could do was search for a link between the Martial Alliance and Wicked Incense.
If Wicked Incense was connected to the Martial Alliance, there would undoubtedly be secret weapon warehouses or hidden armory vaults.
"Just a preliminary reconnaissance?"
"Do you expect to be full after the first bite?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice resonated softly in the dimly lit chamber.
"Without understanding the Martial Alliance's internal affairs, even the most skilled unit members would have a high chance of being exposed."
After a brief pause, his gaze fixed on empty air, he spoke again.
"In that case, it's better if I go myself."
So Ja-myeong gave a faint nod.
Bu Eun-seol had once been known as Eighteen of Yueyang—a legend within the Kill-Seeking Unit. He could accomplish reconnaissance missions far more flawlessly than even the most capable unit members.
"So this infiltration is merely a light probe... for the future."
"Correct."
"Then it might be feasible. However, you'll need a solid identity to enter the Martial Alliance."
Unlike the Demon Hall, the Martial Alliance maintained strict perimeter security, meticulously tracking every individual entering or exiting.
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's unwavering resolve, So Ja-myeong began devising a plan.
Upon learning that Bu Eun-seol had a wanderer's identity, he formulated a scheme.
"Coincidentally, a Law Enforcement Commander from the Jongjeong Clan is heading to the Red Sky Curtain Branch."
Jongjeong Yak.
She was a woman from the Jongjeong Clan, located in the Guangxi Region.
But though it bore the name of a clan, its influence and scale were so pitiful that it wasn't even recognized as a proper martial clan.
Yet, fueled by the mockery of disciples from prestigious families and major sects, she had tenaciously carried out her duties.
With exceptional talent and a willingness to risk her life for achievements... she had eventually risen to the rank of Law Enforcement Commander.
"Her ambition for advancement is immense. That's why she took on dangerous cases like the Purple Herb Pill theft—assignments that disciples from renowned clans avoid."
Recently, there had been a case where over fifty Purple Herb Pills meant for the Martial Alliance were stolen.
Sensing something amiss, Jongjeong Yak began investigating, only for higher-ups to pressure her into quietly burying the matter.
But she continued her investigation in secret, eventually uncovering evidence that spirit medicines had been embezzled for years.
Now, to secure another major achievement, she had ventured into the Martial World, chasing the trail of the stolen pills.
"A Law Enforcement Commander is quite a high position. I wonder why she's still so desperate to climb higher."
At Bu Eun-seol's remark, So Ja-myeong shook his head.
"A Law Enforcement Commander may sound prestigious, but in reality, she's little more than a drifter—unaffiliated with any faction within the Martial Alliance. Even the enforcers under the Law Enforcement Hall look down on her."
Maintaining a massive orthodox coalition like the Martial Alliance required strict discipline and hierarchy.
Thus, while special positions like Law Enforcement Commander existed, they came with significant drawbacks.
"But why is she going to the Red Sky Curtain Branch?"
"While investigating the Purple Herb Pill case, she's been attacked multiple times—even with Martial Alliance escorts protecting her."
So Ja-myeong lowered his voice.
"Likely, someone high-ranking in the Martial Alliance—someone who doesn't want this case dug into—has orchestrated this."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Jongjeong Yak, a Law Enforcement Commander driven by ambition, unyielding even under pressure from above.
If So Ja-myeong was right, she would make an excellent thread to unravel the Martial Alliance's secrets.
End of Flashback.
As Bu Eun-seol finished reminiscing and turned—
Knock, knock.
A soft rapping at the door, followed by a gentle voice.
"Young Hero Seol. It's Dam Yu-yeon, Hall Master of the Scripture Instruction Hall."
Hearing her voice, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
"Hall Master Dam Yu-yeon."
The fact that she had come in person could only mean one thing—she intended to connect him to Jongjeong Yak.