Chapter 287
Several days later.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been sitting in his office writing letters, abruptly rushed outside the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
He had received word that Baek Yeon, the leader of the Wind and Cloud Corps of Langya Pavilion, had personally come to visit.
"Corps Leader."
As Bu Eun-seol hurried out to greet him, Baek Yeon grinned and teased him.
"To think the future Successor of the Demon Hall would welcome me barefoot. Perhaps this old man hasn't lived in vain after all."
"To what do I owe this unannounced visit?"
"Hohoho."
Baek Yeon wore a proud expression as he spoke.
"Though you now reside here as the Successor of the Demon Hall, you are still, above all, a disciple of our pavilion, are you not?"
It was an unexpected response, but Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together solemnly.
"Of course."
He had never been intoxicated by the authority of the Demon Hall, nor had he ever forgotten his roots as a disciple of Langya Pavilion.
"Please, come inside first."
Bu Eun-seol personally escorted Baek Yeon to the guest hall within the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
Once seated, Baek Yeon took a sip of the Longjing tea served by an attendant and smiled warmly.
"You've caused quite the stir again. Everywhere in the martial world, people are talking about your exploits."
"It was nothing significant."
"Hohoho. So now you even have secrets you can't share with this old man, eh?"
"How could I dare?"
Just as Bu Eun-seol was about to speak, Baek Yeon waved his hand dismissively.
"It was just a passing remark. There's no need to explain every little thing."
Then, he smiled benevolently.
"You are now the Successor of the Demon Hall, after all. Operating your own intelligence network is only natural—expected, even."
Baek Yeon's kind smile bore a striking resemblance to Yeop Hyo-cheon's.
But their underlying tones were different.
If Yeop Hyo-cheon's smile concealed the truth, Baek Yeon's was one of genuine pride for Bu Eun-seol.
Seeing that smile, Bu Eun-seol felt a warmth settle in his chest.
"But what brings you here without prior notice?"
"Ah, right."
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Baek Yeon finally placed the bundle he had been carrying onto the table.
"What is this?"
"A collection of portraits."
"Portraits?"
"I've gathered all the outstanding young women from the Demonic Path Families who would suit you well. I mobilized the entire Wind and Cloud Corps' manpower and intelligence network for this."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's pupils lost focus.
But Baek Yeon, seemingly oblivious, continued in a firm voice.
"No matter what, you are still a disciple of our pavilion. How could we leave your marriage to the whims of the Demon Hall?"
'So now I'm being set up as a groom...'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gradually narrowed.
He had realized that this was all part of Yeop Hyo-cheon's scheme.
Three Men Make a Tiger.
A lie, repeated by many, becomes the truth.
Yeop Hyo-cheon had clearly spread rumors that Bu Eun-seol was seeking a bride, pressuring him to enter into an engagement as soon as possible.
"No need to worry. The finest members of the Wind and Cloud Corps and I personally vetted these candidates."
Misinterpreting Bu Eun-seol's stiff expression, Baek Yeon spoke confidently.
"Of course, the women of the Demon Hall are fine too. But you are a martial artist of Langya Pavilion. A refined lady from a prestigious family who can support you would suit you better."
He was gulping down premature expectations like kimchi soup, even though Bu Eun-seol hadn't even considered marriage.
With a smile, Baek Yeon slowly unwrapped the bundle.
Instantly, Bu Eun-seol's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
The unfolded bundle revealed a towering stack of portrait albums—easily three to four hundred in number.
"You came all this way for this?"
"Of course. Marriage is one of life's greatest affairs, is it not?"
Baek Yeon beamed as he patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
"Corps Leader, I have no intention of starting a family yet."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head, but Baek Yeon swiftly cut him off.
"Exactly, that's what I'm saying. There's no need to rush."
Then, he slowly rose from his seat.
"You must think carefully—and then think again."
With the utmost seriousness, Baek Yeon nodded while patting Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
"Take your time looking through them whenever you're free, and let me know."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.
Baek Yeon had rushed here in a panic, fearing that Bu Eun-seol might hastily enter into an engagement with a woman chosen by the Demon Hall.
Bu Eun-seol's face burned as if he had been slapped.
"So this is how terrifying rumors can be."
That a mere marriage rumor had driven the overworked Baek Yeon to personally come all the way to the Demon Hall was absurd—yet also understandable.
Langya Pavilion was, in a sense, Bu Eun-seol's true home.
The thought of him suddenly starting a family under the Demon Hall's influence would undoubtedly sadden the people of Langya Pavilion.
Of course, such a thing would never happen.
"Are you there?"
At Bu Eun-seol's call, a unit member waiting outside hurried in.
"You called, sir?"
"Take these away. Immediately."
"Understood."
But Bu Eun-seol couldn't have imagined—
The real terror was only just beginning.
Yu Un-ryong was now a proper strategist of the Death Shadow War Unit.
Aside from training unit members or honing his martial arts, he handled all manner of paperwork at the Hidden Demon Pavilion—finances, accounting, and administrative duties.
Thus, his office was piled high with documents.
As Yu Un-ryong was deeply engrossed in writing, surrounded by ledgers...
Before he knew it, Myo Cheon-u, Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and even Jo Nam-cheon had gathered around the table in his office.
They were all leaders of the Death Shadow War Unit—Bu Eun-seol's closest confidants.
Each of them had strong personalities and didn't particularly like one another, but they were tightly united by their shared devotion to Bu Eun-seol.
Yet today, that unity had shattered completely. They glared at each other as if ready to kill.
"This is wrong."
"What exactly is wrong?"
"I can't explain it, but this is wrong."
"Lord Myo, if you're going to speak, say it properly."
Myo Cheon-u and Wi Cheon-gyeong sharpened their gazes, their argument escalating, while—
"Did you hang your eyeballs there because your sockets felt empty?"
"And you—are you carrying that head around just because your shoulders felt too light?"
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon were busy tearing into each other.
On the table where they sat, stacks of portrait albums brought by Baek Yeon lay piled high.
The very same albums Bu Eun-seol had ordered to be cleared away.
"You really don't know our Lord at all."
Won Se-mun snorted, pointing at the album Jo Nam-cheon was holding.
"Our Lord barely speaks a word or two a day. How do you expect him to get along with a woman from the Namyeong Family, who live by wagging their tongues?"
The album Jo Nam-cheon had ultimately chosen featured Nam Yeong Dong-ri, the Namyeong Family daughter known by the epithet Demon Jegal.
"You absolute blockhead."
Jo Nam-cheon made a disbelieving face, pointing at the album Won Se-mun had placed on the table.
"And you seriously suggest a woman from the Akjeong Family to our Lord? Are you insane?"
"You're the one who doesn't understand. The Akjeong Family's daughter bears the epithet Ice-Clear Jade. It means she's not just beautiful but also deeply understanding."
"You idiot! That epithet doesn't come from her temperament—it's from the martial art she practices, the Ice-Clear Jade Belt Art!"
As it turned out, they had gathered in Yu Un-ryong's office to fervently select a bride on behalf of Bu Eun-seol.
"..."
Just then, Yu Un-ryong, who had been quietly handling paperwork at the table, trembled violently before—
"If you want to fight, take it outside!"
He shot up from his seat and roared.
"Why the hell are you crowding into my office to do this nonsense?!"
Myo Cheon-u and the others, who had been flipping through the albums, froze like ice at Yu Un-ryong's outburst.
"Well... you are the strategist of our Death Shadow War Unit, aren't you?"
After a brief silence, Myo Cheon-u's words made Won Se-mun nod eagerly.
"Right. Brother Yu, you've always had the sharpest mind among us."
Jo Nam-cheon chimed in as well.
"And you've got a pretty good read on our Lord's temperament too."
At that, Yu Un-ryong's face, which had been red with fury, gradually softened.
"What does that have to do with this?"
"Our Lord may excel in martial arts and strategy, but he's utterly indifferent to women, isn't he?"
This time, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped in.
"The Lord's spouse will become the very master we must serve. If the wrong person is chosen, the backlash could land on us."
It was a fair point.
Bu Eun-seol wasn't a bad superior. But what if he ended up with a truly wicked wife?
It would be a living hell for his subordinates.
"Hmm."
Yu Un-ryong let out a thoughtful hum before nodding as if reaching a decision.
"If you're going to do this, at least put those albums away."
He sighed deeply.
"None of the women in there stand a chance anyway."
"What do you mean?"
As Myo Cheon-u asked, Yu Un-ryong crossed his arms.
"The only ones rumored to have marriage talks with Bu Eun-seol are Jin Seol, the Upper Blossom."
"What?!"
The entire group gasped in shock. In a low voice, he continued:
"So instead of these women, you'd be better off assessing Upper Blossom Jin's suitability."
"Upper Blossom Jin was the one in marriage talks?!"
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon's faces darkened as they shouted in unison.
These two had fallen head over heels for Jin Seol when she visited the Privy Council not long ago to deliver ceremonial robes.
They knew she was out of their league—but to think she was involved in marriage talks with Bu Eun-seol, the very man they served with their lives?
"Well... they do make a good pair. If it's our Lord, we'll just have to accept it."
"Lady Jin... may you be happy."
As Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon muttered nonsense—
"Hmm. If it's Upper Blossom Jin, that changes things."
Myo Cheon-u crossed his arms.
"Her beauty and grace go without saying, and her status as Upper Blossom is impeccable. She's also favored by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Elders' Hall, and the Supreme Cult Commander."
"She's highly educated and skilled in the Four Arts of the Scholar."
Wi Cheon-gyeong nodded in agreement.
"As the Lord's spouse, there wouldn't be a single flaw."
"So... are we all in agreement? Upper Blossom Jin it is?"
The four of them exchanged solemn nods—
"Lord. It's your adjutant, Mu-gwang."
Just then, the voice of Yu Un-ryong's aide, Mu-gwang, came from outside the door.
"Enter."
When Mu-gwang stepped inside and saw the stacks of albums and the gathered lords, he flinched in surprise.
"I didn't realize a meeting was underway. My apologies."
"Don't mind these idiots. What is it?"
Mu-gwang bowed his head.
"The Divine Maiden Palace has sent an envoy to see the Lord."
Yu Un-ryong frowned.
"The Divine Maiden Palace? Why?"
"They say they have words to deliver directly to the Lord."
"Then you should've reported to him, not me. Why come here?"
"That... the Lord instructed me to tell you to handle it as you see fit and send her away."
"To me?"
As Yu Un-ryong furrowed his brow, Mu-gwang lowered his head.
"That... the Lord said that since you, Great Leader, possess at least a 'steadfast heart,' you would be able to refuse her request."
"You want me to refuse her request?"
Yu Un-ryong's eyes widened, and Mu-gwang bowed his head once more.
"That... the Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace is currently waiting at the main gate."
A cold wind seemed to sweep through the office in that instant.
A Glance Worth a Thousand Gold—Yeon So-ha.
She was one of the Three Beauties of the World, a peerless beauty whose mere glance was said to be more precious than a thousand gold pieces.
Moreover, though the Divine Maiden Palace was often described as a sect between the orthodox and unorthodox, had it not walked the righteous path for generations?
Why would the Young Palace Lord of such a sect come here?
Yu Un-ryong frowned.
"She came herself?"
"Yes. She has already had a private audience with the Supreme Cult Commander and is now on her way to the Hidden Demon Pavilion."
"Could it be... because of an engagement?"
Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening, suddenly cut in with wide eyes. Mu-gwang shook his head.
"I do not know the exact circumstances."
"If he doesn't want her, just send her back. Ah, I see."
Myo Cheon-u slapped his knee as if realizing something.
"Though the Divine Maiden Palace is said to be a sect between orthodox and unorthodox, in truth, it leans far closer to the righteous path. For its Young Palace Lord to boldly come to the Demon Hall... we can't just turn her away."
Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh, as if agreeing with Myo Cheon-u's words.
"Still, I can't understand it. Of all places, why the Divine Maiden Palace?"
Shaking his head, Yu Un-ryong nodded to Mu-gwang.
"Very well. I'll go meet her myself and send her away."
As Yu Un-ryong stepped outside, Myo Cheon-u and the others exchanged glances before following in a rush.
At the main gate of the Hidden Demon Pavilion, three women stood with short spears strapped to their backs.
Behind them, a woman in pristine white robes stood with impeccable posture.
Though her face was veiled, her snow-hawk eyes—so clear they could be seen distinctly even from ten li away—were breathtakingly beautiful.
"Forgive my intrusion, Young Lady."
Yu Un-ryong approached the white-robed beauty and clasped his hands respectfully.
"I am Yu Un-ryong, a staff officer of the Death Shadow War Unit."
"I am Yeon So-ha, the Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace."
As the white-robed beauty—Yeon So-ha—spoke, the faces of the surrounding guards flushed red.
Her voice was so clear and gentle, it felt like a whisper brushing against their ears.
"What brings you here—"
Yu Un-ryong, who had been cautiously observing her surroundings, suddenly tilted his head in confusion.
If she were truly the Young Palace Lord of one of the Seven Great Female Palaces, she should have arrived with a grand procession—guides leading the way and the clamor of ceremonial instruments announcing her presence.
Yet here she was, having come to the Demon Hall with only three escorts?
"I... came to see him. No—to see Young Hero Bu."
'Young Hero Bu?'
Yu Un-ryong hesitated for a moment before clasping his hands again and speaking solemnly.
"My apologies, but the Lord is currently away from the hall. If you send word in advance—"
He couldn't finish.
Tears like pearls had begun rolling down from beneath Yeon So-ha's veil.
"Young Palace Lord—"
Flustered, Yu Un-ryong stammered, but Yeon So-ha shook her head and wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't control my emotions and made a spectacle of myself."
"Not at all."
As Yu Un-ryong shook his head, Yeon So-ha took a deep breath.
"Please... just relay one message to Young Hero Bu—no, to the Martial Soul Lord."
Then, with a long sigh, she whispered as if to herself:
"Does he truly intend to abandon the engagement we made in the Secret Cave?"
"An engagement... in the Secret Cave—?"
As Yu Un-ryong faltered, the middle-aged women holding pikes stepped forward and spoke to Yeon So-ha.
"Young Palace Lord, let's just go back!"
"That's right! Why waste your heart on such a cold-hearted man?"
"Coming here without the Palace Lord's knowledge was already a mistake!"
Yu Un-ryong took a sharp breath, his mind reeling.
Not only were the pike-wielding women adamant, but Yeon So-ha herself didn't seem to be lying.
'The Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace wouldn't come all this way just to deceive us... would she?'
Gathering his thoughts, Yu Un-ryong asked again, carefully:
"You're saying you had an engagement with the Lord?"
"Yes. I waited for him to return to the Divine Maiden Palace for so long, but..."
Yeon So-ha's eyes reddened again, though she held back her tears this time.
Watching her, Yu Un-ryong felt dizzy.
Bu Eun-seol had always maintained an indifferent demeanor, but...
Did that mean he was actually the kind of man who would take a woman's heart and coldly cast her aside?
'That can't be.'
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
If Bu Eun-seol were that kind of man, there would have been countless scandals by now.
His beauty was enough to make any woman fall for him.
Yet, despite being surrounded by beauties in the Demon Hall, hadn't he always treated women with the detachment of a Buddhist monk?
"Are you saying our Lord discarded you like a worn-out shoe?"
"That the Lord was a Flower-Plucking Young Master, picking and discarding beauties at will?"
Won Se-mun, who had been watching from behind, suddenly leaped forward and stood beside Yu Un-ryong.
"What in the world is going on, Great Leader Yu?"
Won Se-mun was practically the most reckless ruffian in the Death Shadow War Unit.
Yu Un-ryong immediately shot a sharp glance at Myo Cheon-u behind him.
"Myo Cheon-u! Get this fool out of here, now!"
As he barked the order and turned his head, his mouth fell open.
Unbeknownst to him, Myo Cheon-u was also clenching his fists, trembling with anger.
'You believe this too?!'
Yu Un-ryong's eyes hollowed out.