Chapter 296
CRASH!
With an explosive sound, the firmly shut main gate of the Heavenly Slaughter Pavilion shattered into pieces.
At the same time, a figure cloaked in an overwhelming surge of True Qi stepped forward with heavy, deliberate footsteps.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
As he entered the pavilion, his eyes swept over the guards before he flicked his fingers impatiently.
"Summon the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander."
The guards stationed at the main gate of the Heavenly Slaughter Pavilion paled at the sight of him.
No matter that he was a successor, the Heavenly Slaughter Unit was the direct command of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself—a force that represented the Demon Hall.
In other words, they were of such noble standing that they answered to no one's orders except the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's.
And yet, this man had shattered the gate of the pavilion where the Unit Commander resided and was now summoning him with a flick of his fingers?
Thud. Thud.
Just then, a figure clad in black robes strode toward Bu Eun-seol.
It was none other than the Vice Chief of the Heavenly Slaughter Unit—Jeok Gung.
"Martial Soul Lord. Have you lost your mind?"
Behind his black mask, Jeok Gung's eyes blazed with a chilling killing intent.
"Daring to destroy the gate of this pavilion and throw a tantrum like this—this is absolutely unforgivable—"
"I said, summon the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander."
A pitch-black killing intent erupted from Bu Eun-seol's entire body. At the same time, an immense pressure crashed down upon Jeok Gung's head.
Crack—
Jeok Gung's waist bent as though it might snap under the weight.
Rage.
Bu Eun-seol's current state was no different from when he had dealt with Dong Yeo-rip—completely consumed by fury and bloodlust.
"To heal external injuries of this severity, the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid possessed by the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander is necessary."
Following the words of the Medicine King Faction Lord, Gyo Jung-hak, Bu Eun-seol had sent Yu Un-ryong to request the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid from the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander.
Politely. Very politely.
In truth, this wasn't even a matter Bu Eun-seol needed to personally request.
Seo Jin-ha was a Third Unit Leader of the Heavenly Slaughter Unit—a direct subordinate of the Unit Commander himself.
"The Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander refused outright."
"Perhaps he heard that even if the external injuries heal, the probability of becoming a cripple is high."
When Yu Un-ryong returned with this report after meeting the Unit Commander, the killing intent Bu Eun-seol had barely suppressed erupted once more.
This killing intent was immeasurable—limitless in its intensity.
Because Seo Jin-ha had not died, Bu Eun-seol's spirit and mind had not fully descended into the path of the Demonic Path. But that didn't mean he had returned to the perfect Middle Path either.
And now, with his rage flaring once again, his spirit fused with the Emotion Severing Secret Art, causing an inexhaustible surge of Internal Power to erupt from his body.
The moment the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander defied his order, Bu Eun-seol had immediately rushed to the pavilion—and shattered its gate.
"I won't say it a third time."
Bu Eun-seol's entire body burned with a pitch-black killing intent.
"Summon the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander."
"Words... seem to have no effect on you."
Jeok Gung, barely managing to withstand the crushing pressure by channeling his own Internal Power, slowly straightened his posture.
Huuuuum—
As Jeok Gung stood tall, a ferocious surge of True Qi began radiating from his body.
At the same time, the sword at his waist trembled violently.
Having realized that Bu Eun-seol's killing intent was genuine, he was preparing to draw his blade.
Just as Jeok Gung's hand finally gripped the hilt—
Creeeak— Thud. Thud.
The pavilion's doors opened, and a dark figure strode out with slow, deliberate steps.
It was the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander himself—Wi Mu-yeom.
"Losing your reason over a wounded friend—is that it?"
Wi Mu-yeom frowned slightly as he spoke in a flat tone.
"Or do you believe that becoming the Martial Soul Lord grants you the right to throw tantrums in my pavilion?"
"Before Seo Jin-ha is my friend, he is your subordinate."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was as cold as ice.
"Why did you refuse the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid?"
"Did I not already say? According to the Medicine King Faction Lord, even if he drinks it, he won't fully recover."
Wi Mu-yeom's expression was solemn.
"A cripple has no place in this unit. That is the reason."
It might have sounded cruel, but from the perspective of a Special-Grade Unit Commander of the Demon Hall, it was an entirely reasonable stance.
The Demon Hall was not a place bound by sentimentality.
They could not waste a treasure as precious as the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid just to spare the life of a crippled Seo Jin-ha.
Rumble—
By now, high-ranking figures of the Demon Hall—even the Medicine King Faction Lord—had gathered before the Heavenly Slaughter Pavilion.
News of the enraged Martial Soul Lord destroying the pavilion had spread in an instant.
Wi Mu-yeom spotted Gyo Jung-hak among the crowd and gave him a nod.
"Did you not say the probability of him becoming a cripple was high, Hall Lord Gyo?"
Meeting Wi Mu-yeom's sharp gaze, Gyo Jung-hak had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"That's correct. Even if he consumes the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid, the likelihood of his Internal Power recovering is slim."
"Did you hear that, Martial Soul Lord?"
Wi Mu-yeom's lips curled into a cold smile as he spoke with solemn authority.
"This palace—and the Demonic Path as a whole—is not a place run on sympathy or pity. Here, one must prove their worth through ability and strength alone."
"A fine speech."
"Then return to your quarters."
"I'll leave—after verifying whether you have the right to speak such words."
"What do you mean?"
Before Wi Mu-yeom could finish, a bloody light—deeper than crimson—flared in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"I'll test whether you are still a useful existence, Unit Commander."
Shhhhk—!
In an instant, Bu Eun-seol closed the distance of over a hundred feet, drawing his Ink Sword in a slash aimed at Wi Mu-yeom's throat.
CLANG—!
Wi Mu-yeom unsheathed his blade with lightning speed, blocking the Ink Sword mid-strike.
Clang-clang-clang!
Sparks flew as their blades locked together.
Wi Mu-yeom's brow twitched as he felt the overwhelming Internal Energy surging through the Ink Sword.
"You're really serious about this?"
Bu Eun-seol didn't answer.
His eyes were consumed by nothing but black killing intent.
'This madman...?'
A chill ran down Wi Mu-yeom's spine.
He realized—Bu Eun-seol genuinely intended to kill him.
"Fine!"
With a thunderous roar, Wi Mu-yeom unleashed his Internal Power, blasting Bu Eun-seol back more than thirty feet.
Screeeech!
At the same time, he swung his sword, thrusting toward Bu Eun-seol.
Crackle!
Then, razor-sharp sword qi burst from the ground beneath Bu Eun-seol like blooming flower buds, coiling around his body.
Wi Mu-yeom's signature technique—Demonic Thunder Flower Sword—had been unleashed.
Swish!
Bu Eun-seol flicked the Ink Sword lightly, and the rising sword qi instantly sank back into the earth.
At the same time, a thunderous roar erupted from the blade.
BOOOOM!
Dozens of pitch-black sword auras surged from the Ink Sword, shooting into the sky.
Each sword aura stretched over a hundred feet in length.
And there were more than thirteen of them.
From a distance, it looked like dozens of black dragons had tangled in midair.
WHOOSH!
At that moment, a dazzling flame erupted from Wi Mu-yeom's longsword.
Against such overwhelming sword auras, technique was meaningless—only raw power would decide this clash.
He unleashed the ultimate move of the Demonic Thunder Flower Sword—Blood Thunder Heaven Charge—intending to shatter the sword auras in one strike and cut Bu Eun-seol down.
Just as the two Masters' ultimate techniques were about to collide—
"Enough!"
A thunderous command split the air, and a small shadow shot between Bu Eun-seol and Wi Mu-yeom.
It was the Supreme Cult Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
HUUUUM!
With a tremor that shook heaven and earth, Yeop Hyo-cheon thrust both palms outward.
A violent gale swirled from his hands, forming a whirlwind—
FWOOOOSH!
A tremendous surge of energy swallowed the space to his left and right, unleashing a force so overwhelming it felt like Mount Tai itself had been uprooted and hurled.
BOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the earth, and dust billowed in all directions.
At the same time, the sword auras that had painted the sky vanished as if washed away.
—As expected of the Supreme Cult Commander.
The crowd gathered before the Celestial Slaughter Corps' headquarters erupted in awe.
The Martial Soul Lord and the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander—
Two Masters who had reached the Heaven-Shocking Realm, their sword auras hundreds of feet long—
And yet, Yeop Hyo-cheon had erased them with a single palm strike?
Whoooosh...
As the dust slowly settled, the scene inside gradually became clear.
—Ah...
Another wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.
The Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander had been forced back five steps.
But Bu Eun-seol had only retreated three.
—The Martial Soul Lord's Internal Energy is unfathomably profound.
The strength of one's martial arts isn't determined solely by Internal Energy.
But for the Martial Soul Lord, barely in his twenties, to possess deeper Internal Energy than the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander, whose name shook the world?
"Martial Soul Lord."
Yeop Hyo-cheon looked at Bu Eun-seol, his voice low.
"The Azure Spirit Stone Fluid belongs to the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander. Did you intend to destroy the Celestial Slaughter Corps and attack him just because he wouldn't give it to you?"
"If he had simply said it was his, so he couldn't give it, I would have left."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze remained unwavering as he stared down at Wi Mu-yeom.
"But he invoked the Demonic Path, claiming that a man of my standing must prove his worth through ability."
The old Bu Eun-seol would never have dared argue like this before Yeop Hyo-cheon.
But the current Bu Eun-seol, consumed by rage and unleashing the Emotion Severing Secret Art, no longer cared for anyone's authority.
"So this Lord tested his worth."
Turning his head, Bu Eun-seol met Yeop Hyo-cheon's gaze—his eyes burning with crimson killing intent.
"Is the title of Martial Soul Lord one that cannot even do that much?"
Yeop Hyo-cheon stared back at Bu Eun-seol, who dared direct killing intent at him.
"Hoho..."
Then, suddenly—he burst into mad laughter.
"Hahaha! Uahahahah!"
Yeop Hyo-cheon, who always maintained a cautious and composed demeanor no matter the situation—
His sudden, uproarious laughter sent a ripple of unease through the watching martial artists.
They feared he might unleash a thunderous punishment upon Bu Eun-seol in his fury.
—Snap.
His laughter stopped.
Yeop Hyo-cheon reached into his robe—
And tossed a small glass bottle to Bu Eun-seol.
—Clink.
Bu Eun-seol caught it, his expression puzzled.
It was the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid.
"This Cult Leader's personal stock."
Yeop Hyo-cheon smiled faintly.
"I've no use for it. Take it."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flickered.
He had expected Yeop Hyo-cheon to lash out in anger—yet instead, he had shown such unexpected generosity?
Moreover, wasn't this the same Supreme Cult Commander who had once trapped him in a difficult situation over the matter of his betrothed, So-dong?
"My thanks."
But right now, he had no room for such thoughts.
With the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid secured to heal Seo Jin-ha, Bu Eun-seol's mind settled—and in an instant, his killing intent vanished.
"No need for thanks."
Yeop Hyo-cheon replied indifferently.
"Report to me in person later with a full account of everything that's happened. And—"
Yeop Hyo-cheon's lips curled into a faint smile as he stared intently at Bu Eun-seol.
"—I'll have you work off the value of the Azure Spirit Stone Fluid. "
In the past, that smile might have stirred strange doubts and unease in Bu Eun-seol.
But now, his mind was filled only with concern for Seo Jin-ha.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together respectfully.
Then he turned, his gaze sweeping over Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander Wi Mu-yeom and Vice Chief Jeok Gung.
His eyes were so solemn, so brimming with authority—
Wi Mu-yeom and Jeok Gung instinctively averted their gazes.
Even the onlookers gulped nervously.
Wi Mu-yeom, the former Unit Commander who had once represented the Demon Hall and rampaged through the Murim for over twenty years—
A man once synonymous with terror—now lowered his eyes under Bu Eun-seol's stare.
It was common knowledge that the Martial Soul Lord possessed exceptional wisdom and martial prowess,
but no one had imagined he could wield such overwhelming killing intent and a presence as immovable as Mount Tai.
—I'll have to be careful from now on.
The principle that one must never defy Bu Eun-seol had been branded like a Fire Brand into the minds of every Demon Hall member present.
"...And that's how it happened."
Gyo Jung-hak, who had recounted the entire incident, smiled faintly.
"That was the most thrilling spectacle I've witnessed in my eighty years of life. The Heir of the Demon Hall destroying the Heavenly Slaughter Pavilion and attempting to kill the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander? Hahaha!"
Seo Jin-ha's mouth fell open as he listened.
The Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander hadn't done anything wrong.
Harsh as it seemed, the Demon Hall wasn't a place bound by sentiment.
In the Demonic Path, discarding the useless was simply the natural order.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had shattered the Heavenly Slaughter Pavilion and tried to kill its commander—just to save him?
'Bu Eun-seol.'
Seo Jin-ha's hands trembled, his chest swelling until he could barely breathe.
Bu Eun-seol, who always seemed so indifferent.
He had risked his life to rescue Seo Jin-ha from Blood Death Valley—and even tried to kill the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander.
He had been willing to throw everything away—for a friend.
At last, he too—
Had shown the meaning of friendship.
'You fool.'
Seo Jin-ha wiped away the blurry tears welling in his eyes and asked,
"Where is the Martial Soul Lord now?"
"On his way back from Tai Prefecture. He should return by today."
"Tai Prefecture?"
"Those who rebuilt Blood Death Valley were connected to the Four Flames Alliance, it seems."
The Four Flames Alliance was similar to the Twelve Branches—a coalition of underworld organizations handling commercial and financial affairs.
Though far smaller in scale, their influence stretched beyond Zhejiang into Jiangxi and Hunan.
Gyo Jung-hak shrugged.
"After obtaining that information, the Martial Soul Lord led the Heavenly Slaughter Unit and completely annihilated them."
"The main force?"
"Ah, I hadn't mentioned that yet."
Gyo Jung-hak grinned.
"The Martial Soul Lord personally ordered the Heavenly Slaughter Unit Commander: 'Crush them down to their roots—every last one who dared touch my Special-Grade unit.'"
This time, Bu Eun-seol had taken the Heavenly Slaughter Unit instead of the Death Shadow War Unit.
—Let them see what happens when the Heavenly Slaughter Unit is provoked.
Though Wi Mu-yeom despised Bu Eun-seol, he had no choice but to obey.
First, because the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was in seclusion.
Second, because the Chief Doctrine Commander had authorized it.
And third—because that order was also the path to restoring the Heavenly Slaughter Unit's shattered honor.
'The Unit Commander must be seething inside.'
Seo Jin-ha let out a dry laugh.
Wi Mu-yeom was the most arrogant man he knew.
Yet not only had he nearly been killed by Bu Eun-seol—whom he'd long regarded as a thorn in his side—but now he was dutifully following his orders?
He probably hadn't slept properly for days.
"Rumors say they even tracked down the masterminds behind the Four Flames Alliance."
Gyo Jung-hak, gazing out the window, added,
"At this rate, the Demon Hall might mobilize its full military strength soon."
Seo Jin-ha's jaw dropped again.
So much had happened while he was unconscious.
Murmur, murmur.
Just then, a clamor rose outside the Medicine King Faction.
A moment later, the door slid open with a clatter, and a striking man clad in a wind-breaking robe embroidered with roc feathers strode in.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Seo Jin-ha."
His plain gray uniform was splattered with blood.
He must have rushed here the moment he returned, upon hearing Seo Jin-ha had woken.
"Bu Eun-seol."
The sight of him nearly brought Seo Jin-ha to tears. He forced them back and grinned brightly.
"I heard everything. You went through hell for me."
"How's your condition?"
"Fine. Completely healed."
Still smiling, Seo Jin-ha hastily climbed onto the bed, looking hale.
Stagger.
He couldn't keep his balance, swaying dangerously.
"Ah, sorry. Just woke up, so I'm still dizzy."
He laughed it off, straightening himself—but his complexion was pale.
Something was wrong.
Bu Eun-seol's sharp eyes fixed on Seo Jin-ha's left foot.
'Strange.'
Even hidden beneath fabric, nothing escaped his gaze.
Bending down, he reached out and touched Seo Jin-ha's left ankle.
'The tendon...'
His eyes flickered as he withdrew his hand.
The heel, which should have been supple, was stiff as diamond.
In this state, no amount of effort would let him move normally.
"Seo Jin-ha."
"It's nothing. Really."
Seo Jin-ha smiled brightly, as if it were trivial.
He had known since waking that his body wasn't right—
Yet until now, he had pretended otherwise, forcing that radiant smile.