Chapter 343
Bu Eun-seol sat in his office, staying awake through the entire night.
It was a contemplation deeper than meditation.
To act, or not to act.
One could say that humans, from birth to death, are beings who endlessly agonize over whether to execute or refrain.
Bu Eun-seol still stood at the crossroads between action and inaction, unable to find his footing.
Should he request the Demonic Governance Council—or should he not?
—The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang. I met the Deputy Hall Lord.
If he requested the Demonic Governance Council and revealed Journey before the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates...?
At the very least, the lie that he had seen the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade could be transformed into a somewhat credible truth.
Moreover, executing this plan would allow him to immediately uncover several truths.
Whether the Demon Hall had truly failed to find him—
or whether they had chosen not to.
And if among them was someone who had been involved in the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's disappearance—or knew the truth of it?
To confirm whether he was truly alive, they would approach Bu Eun-seol and weave all manner of schemes.
'If I declare outright that he is alive... what kind of reaction would that provoke?'
Would the Demon Hall and the Demonic Path Ten Gates move to kill him again?
If so, was there some truth known only to the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade? Or would they bow their heads once more, cowed by his unfathomable martial prowess?
Thoughts coiled endlessly, one after another.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Before he knew it, dawn had broken, and the sound of birds chattering outside the window reached his ears.
Bu Eun-seol, seated in his chair and lost in deep thought, suddenly flashed a sharp glint in his eyes.
He had finally reached a decision.
"It's still... not the time."
In the end, after much deliberation, he abandoned the plan to request the Demonic Governance Council.
There were three reasons not to proceed.
The first was none other than—
'The Demonic Heavenly Emperor.'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had always seen straight through Bu Eun-seol's thoughts.
Though he was said to be in closed-door training, what if news of the Deputy Hall Lord's survival reached him?
Or what if, by coincidence, he concluded his training just as the Demonic Governance Council convened?
And if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor saw through his lie—?
He couldn't even begin to predict how the man would react.
'Would he tolerate it? Pretend not to know? Or would he impose sanctions for the deception?'
And in the worst-case scenario...
'The Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself might be the one behind the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's disappearance.'
The only demonic practitioner capable of bringing the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade to ruin—or even death—was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
If the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had been involved in the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's disappearance, or had even orchestrated it himself—
And if he had no desire for that truth to be uncovered—?
The trap Bu Eun-seol had set, even at the cost of abandoning Journey, could be exposed in an instant...
And as a result, he might face sanctions from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—or even a counterattack from the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
'Moreover, for this deduction to hold, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang and Grandfather Bu Jan-yang must be different people.'
The scar left on his grandfather's corpse was not something the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would have left behind.
'But the unpredictable variable of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor isn't the only reason.'
The second reason Bu Eun-seol couldn't proceed was this:
What if his grandfather and the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade were not the same person?
By telling this lie, he would become the first person in decades to have witnessed the long-missing Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
Regardless of who the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade truly was, on the surface, he was the Great Killing Star of the Demonic Path.
Countless orthodox and unorthodox masters had fallen beneath his blade, and those who bore grudges against him were beyond number.
If rumors spread that someone had witnessed the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade after decades of absence...
Not only would every intelligence organization in the martial world track down Bu Eun-seol's present whereabouts—they would comb through his past as well.
Those in the martial world who held grudges against the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade would swarm him, begging—or threatening—him to reveal the man's whereabouts.
'If I were certain that the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was my grandfather, I would naturally shoulder that karmic retribution.'
Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
That was the third and final reason.
What if the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang and Undertaker Bu Jan-yang were entirely different people?
By stirring up a hornet's nest, Bu Eun-seol would be placing a tremendous restriction on his own path in the martial world—all for a lie.
In the end, for these reasons, Bu Eun-seol abandoned his plan to use Journey as bait to extract information about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
'This is absolutely not a risk to be taken lightly.'
Creak.
Just then, the door opened, and the five squad leaders—along with So Ok-rim—entered.
"Wait, isn't this a meeting for us, the squad leaders of the Death Shadow War Unit?"
Won Se-mun blinked in surprise when he noticed So Ok-rim stubbornly trailing behind them.
"Instructor, you're not a squad leader, are you?"
Bu Eun-seol replied flatly.
"This Lord summoned her."
At that, So Ok-rim spoke with a solemn expression.
"This meeting was something I proposed long ago. There's an important matter."
Won Se-mun looked puzzled.
"You proposed the meeting? By what authority—?"
"Didn't you hear how I secured the North Sea Ice Palace? The palace lord and I shared meals since childhood, tugged at each other's beards... That's why they opened their gates and even agreed to an alliance. Understand?"
As So Ok-rim prattled on with narrowed eyes, Bu Eun-seol turned to Myo Cheon-u.
"Have the White Horse Monastery audit results come in?"
"Don't even ask. The corruption was so rampant we couldn't even compile it into a single ledger."
Myo Cheon-u clicked his tongue.
"They were embezzling from every angle—even the unit members were stunned. We don't know where to begin unraveling this mess."
Bu Eun-seol dismissively waved a hand.
"Preserve the records, but withhold punishment."
"Huh?"
"The audit was never about punishment. Its purpose was to break their spirit and investigate certain matters."
Bu Eun-seol spoke impassively.
"Given the recent Hell Blood Citadel incident, we must show leniency."
Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall.
If he stooped to petty retaliation just because White Horse Monastery acted small-minded... it would only undermine his dignity as successor.
"Well, if you say so."
Myo Cheon-u, who had been grinning, suddenly tilted his head.
"But why did you ask about the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade during the audit? Even the Supreme Cult Commander questioned your motives when he heard you were tracking the Deputy Hall Lord's movements."
Wi Cheon-gyeong added cautiously,
"He's right. You shouldn't dig into the Deputy Hall Lord's affairs. That's the Scales of Reversal for our entire Hall."
"Scales of Reversal?"
"The Deputy Hall Lord of the Demon Hall vanished, and we couldn't even trace his whereabouts."
Wi Cheon-gyeong lowered his voice.
"The Martial Alliance and Righteous Faction spread rumors that our intelligence network is laughably inept because of this."
"Hmm."
"They also mocked us, saying we might be deliberately not searching for him—proof that the Demonic Path lacks honor."
—What if the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade is actually my grandfather?
Bu Eun-seol barely swallowed the words threatening to spill out.
He desperately wanted to confide everything to his subordinates and seek their counsel.
—The ordinary undertaker I knew as Grandfather was actually a Shaolin master who mastered the Tendon Transformation Sutra. Wicked Incense also has ties to Shaolin. And I possess relics of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade.
But he couldn't speak.
No—he mustn't.
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was entangled not just with the Demonic Path, but with the highest echelons of the orthodox martial world.
Until everything was fully uncovered, he couldn't recklessly reveal any connection between the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade and his grandfather.
Most crucially, there was no proof that Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang and Grandfather Bu Jan-yang were the same person.
"But here's what's strange,"
Yu Un-ryong mused aloud, tilting his head.
"Gang Yang-cheon's son—if he was truly killed by the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, it should've been major news. Why did White Horse Monastery hide it?"
Through Yeok Jung-maeng's confession, the truth emerged:
Before becoming Deputy Hall Lord, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade had slaughtered all the martial artists masters from the orthodox and demonic paths who attacked him... including Gang Mu-hak, heir of White Horse Monastery, who sought to make his name by defeating him.
"White Horse Monastery kept sending masters to hunt down Bu Jan-yang, the man who killed their sect leader's son... but eventually gave up midway."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head in disbelief.
"Clearly, something happened between them. The problem is we have no way to force the sect leader to talk."
As one of White Horse Monastery's Ten Demonic Heirs, his certainty meant coercing Gang Yang-cheon's testimony was impossible.
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"We've learned enough about White Horse Monastery. From now on, focus the investigation on the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's trail."
"Continue?"
Yu Un-ryong frowned.
"Keep searching for the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade?"
"Yes. Starting now, I'll be traveling the Rivers and Lakes with her."
"For what purpose?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice dropped lower.
"That's why I gathered you all—to explain."
A heavy silence filled the chamber.
Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim secretly traveling the martial world? Why?
After a pause, Bu Eun-seol gestured to So Ok-rim.
"She claims one of the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars possesses the great saber."
"The Eight Emperors and Three Stars?"
"And the faction led by their descendant might very well be the true form of Wicked Incense."
At that, So Ok-rim clicked her tongue.
"Must you really lay out everything like this?"
"They need to know."
"Why?"
Bu Eun-seol answered firmly.
"Because they are the leaders who command the Death Shadow War Unit."
He then turned to So Ok-rim.
"If possible, explain it to them yourself."
"Hmph."
After a brief moment of hesitation, So Ok-rim scratched her cheek in reluctant agreement.
"Fine, I'll explain it once—so clean out your ears and listen well. Among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars..."
She detailed how, for the past four hundred years, a certain faction had been stirring chaos in the murim, and their leader was a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
She even explained that she had gone to the North Sea Ice Palace with Bu Eun-seol because of it.
"So that's what happened."
Wi Cheon-gyeong narrowed his eyes.
"Then today's meeting must also be related to the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Recently, the Black-White Witch has resurfaced."
The Black-White Witch.
For over a decade, she had intermittently appeared in the murim, a phantom-like figure who drained people's blood before vanishing.
If she had merely taken blood and disappeared, she wouldn't have gained such notoriety.
The Black-White Witch only drank the blood of martial artists—specifically, the blood of virgin men.
"I've heard of her too. They say she appeared in the Shandong region."
As Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke, Won Se-mun's lips rounded in surprise.
"But why is she called the Black-White Witch?"
"You don't even know that? And here you are, a leader of the Demon Hall."
Jo Nam-cheon, standing nearby, scoffed before explaining.
"According to witnesses, the Black-White Witch's face is blurred, impossible to see clearly. But they all agree—her hair is white, and she wears black robes. Hence, the name."
"Ah, I see."
"However, those who have seen her and survived were later hunted down without fail. Because of this, there are rumors that she might be a figure from the Imperial Palace whose identity must remain hidden."
Then, So Ok-rim spoke up.
"That Black-White Witch is most likely a descendant of the Blood Emperor, one of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
The Blood Emperor.
His martial arts were unique—he wielded techniques that used his own blood as a medium.
Moreover, those struck by his techniques would gradually lose blood until they died, as if every drop had been drained from their bodies.
The problem was that even the Blood King, when using the same martial arts, suffered blood loss.
Because of this, it was said that the Blood Emperor replenished his blood by hunting for it after using his techniques.
"That's strange. If the Black-White Witch is the hidden mastermind of the murim, why would she personally go out to drink people's blood?"
Wi Cheon-gyeong's doubt was reasonable.
If she were truly a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars manipulating the murim from the shadows, why take such risks? She could easily have subordinates gather blood for her.
So Ok-rim answered.
"It's possible she failed in cultivating the Yang Hoe Art."
She glanced around at the leaders before continuing.
"If one fails in mastering the Yang Hoe Art, they must drink human blood. Only essence blood can quell the madness—and virgin men's blood, rich in yang qi, is the most effective."
"Madness?"
As Won Se-mun's eyes widened, So Ok-rim nodded.
"Yes. Failing the Yang Hoe Art induces madness, and the only cure is human essence blood. The purer the yang qi, the better—hence, virgin men."
Crossing her arms, she spoke in a solemn tone.
"And because she suffers from this madness, she likely disguises herself strangely while hunting. If word got out about her condition, even people in her organization might raise concerns."
At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong studied her with a skeptical gaze.
"How do you know so much about the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars—secrets unknown even in the murim?"
"Because I, too, am a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
Silence fell over the hall.
Then, all the leaders—except Bu Eun-seol—nodded faintly in realization.
Now they understood why So Ok-rim was so formidable.
"But capturing her won't be possible with our strength alone."
Yu Un-ryong spoke cautiously.
"Countless factions have tried to catch the Black-White Witch, yet she always escapes. To encircle the entire Shandong region, we'd need not only all our forces but also cooperation from multiple Demonic Path factions."
"No need."
"Huh?"
"If she could be caught with sheer numbers, she would've been caught already."
As So Ok-rim answered, Bu Eun-seol nodded and said,
"The Black-White Witch not only possesses high martial prowess but also a special method to conceal her movements. Just look at how she stubbornly maintains her striking white hair and black robes."
"Then how do you plan to catch her? Ah, I see."
At that moment, Myo Cheon-u nodded as if he had realized something.
"You intend to act as bait yourself?"
"Bait?"
"If you can't catch her, make her come to you."
Yu Un-ryong nodded in agreement.
"A good plan, but who will be the bait?"
"Obviously, a virgin man."
At Myo Cheon-u's words, So Ok-rim nodded with an expression that said, Exactly.
Then, abruptly, she began scrutinizing Won Se-mun's body.
"I am not a virgin."
As Won Se-mun waved his hands dismissively, she turned her gaze sharply toward Jo Nam-cheon.
"Neither am I."
"Hmm."
At that, not just her, but the eyes of everyone in the room fixed on one person.
He was not only handsome but also a virgin.
Moreover, his movement technique was fast enough that he wouldn't be in danger even if the Black-White Witch attacked.
It was Wi Cheon-gyeong.
"Then it's decided."
But then, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No."
And, looking at Wi Cheon-gyeong, he said,
"He is on the verge of stabilizing his Transcendent Realm. Even if he sits still, a fierce energy radiates from him."
Just as he said, Wi Cheon-gyeong, despite sitting calmly, exuded sharp pulses of true qi.
Unless the Black-White Witch was a fool, she would never reveal herself before him.
"If we must use a bait operation..."
So Ok-rim pointed at Jo Nam-cheon and Won Se-mun, grinning mischievously.
"Those two would be perfect, don't you think?"
"Didn't you hear earlier? We're not virgins."
As Won Se-mun flared up, So Ok-rim smirked.
"But you look like virgins, so what's the difference?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"The Black-White Witch may prefer the blood of virgin men, but how would she even tell?"
Her lips wriggled like two earthworms stuck together.
"She probably just grabs anyone who looks like a virgin and drains their blood. Right?"
Instantly, Jo Nam-cheon and Won Se-mun's faces turned pale.
Because So Ok-rim was exactly the kind of person who could, like a water ghost, seize their legs and drag them straight into the abyss of hell.
"Still impossible."
Then, Bu Eun-seol spoke softly.
"The Black-White Witch is known to specifically target the blood of confirmed virgins. She must have a method to distinguish them."
And he added one more thing.
"Besides, even just in Shandong, there are countless virgin martial artists. There's no guarantee she'd take our bait."
At that, the leaders (excluding So Ok-rim) wore puzzled expressions.
"Then how exactly do you plan to catch her?"
Bu Eun-seol replied flatly,
"Steal Heaven and Replace the Sun."
It meant to steal the sun from the heavens and replace it with another.
Realizing the implication, Yu Un-ryong's eyes flashed.
"You intend to present a fake Black-White Witch."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"The Black-White Witch has toyed with countless martial artists while meticulously concealing her identity. If someone were to imitate her, she would react extremely sensitively."
"So that's why you said you'd go alone with her."
Finally grasping Bu Eun-seol's plan, Yu Un-ryong stroked his chin.
"The Black-White Witch wouldn't appear where large forces are gathered."
Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim's martial prowess was practically one-person armies.
If a large force were lying in ambush, the Black-White Witch wouldn't come—so the two of them would join forces to capture her alone.
"The Young Sect Leader cannot do it."
Then, Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke.
"The Black-White Witch's methods are not only bizarre but also said to induce terror and paralyze the body. If you clumsily imitate her..."
Though his words were roundabout, his meaning was clear.
So Ok-rim was too large in stature, and an overwhelming, domineering energy radiated from her.
If she disguised herself, even from ten li away, anyone could tell she was a supreme master—so the Black-White Witch would never show herself.
"She isn't the one."
At Bu Eun-seol's indifferent words,
A silence as heavy as death fell over the room.
Come to think of it, Bu Eun-seol's beauty was peerless, like that of an unparalleled goddess, and he had reached the Return to Plainness realm.
If he plucked his eyebrows and used the Bone Shrinking Art to slightly reduce his height... No one would ever detect the disguise.
"I see."
"I see."
All the Chiefs (except So Ok-rim) nodded in understanding.