Chapter 386
Sim Wol's lifeless expression seemed to vividly display the terror and agony he should have felt in hell.
Chiii—
Something that flowed out from Sim Wol's dantian emitted white smoke before evaporating in an instant.
"So this... was the melted artificial inner elixir."
Only now did Bu Eun-seol understand.
The Illusion King, Sa Ok-cheong.
Hadn't pale smoke and thick blood also seeped from his body when he died?
At the time, Bu Eun-seol had assumed it was poison stored within his body... but those were actually traces of a melted artificial inner elixir.
"So that's why he drank blood."
Sa Ok-cheong must have also consumed an artificial inner elixir, causing uncontrollable killing intent to erupt.
That was why he created the fictional persona of the Black-White Witch—to constantly suppress his surging bloodlust by drinking people's blood.
'But... the Hyeokryeon Hall Master?'
Bu Eun-seol was bewildered.
The Hyeokryeon Hall Master had yet to return from Beyond the Pass. How could he have delivered an artificial inner elixir to Sim Wol?
Whoosh—
At that moment, countless martial artists descended from the sky.
They were the masters of the Death Shadow War Unit, led by Yu Un-ryong.
Upon discovering Sim Wol's gruesome corpse, Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh.
"So it ended like this after all."
"What about Upper Flower Jin?"
"The Demon Hall masters who were to escort her back have arrived. But as for the Clear Fragrance Sect..."
Yu Un-ryong bit his lip.
"This lunatic has utterly destroyed our hall's reputation. And since he slaughtered the Clear Fragrance Sect's disciples so brutally... I don't even know how to resolve this."
"No need to worry about it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor will handle it."
"Huh? The Demonic Heavenly Emperor?"
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"But His Majesty is in closed-door training."
"He'll emerge. The Supreme Cult Commander will likely inform him."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was resolute.
"This concerns none other than Upper Flower Jin."
It was said the Demonic Heavenly Emperor cherished Jin Seol as if she were his own daughter.
Now that she had been betrayed and suffered such an ordeal... the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would undoubtedly take care of everything that followed.
"I see."
Yu Un-ryong nodded, understanding Bu Eun-seol's implication.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke again.
"Will Upper Flower Jin be alright?"
"She'll be fine."
Bu Eun-seol replied indifferently.
"She represents our hall's flower. She would never succumb to despair or kneel before such an event."
Bu Eun-seol's prediction was correct.
The Supreme Cult Commander sought out the Demonic Heavenly Emperor during his seclusion and relayed all the facts.
Despite being in closed-door training, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor personally stepped forward to oversee the handling of the incident.
First, he personally restored the martial arts techniques lost by the Clear Fragrance Sect and sent three hundred Spirit Pills to nurture outstanding disciples.
Then, under the Demon Hall's name, he issued an official apology and paid enormous reparations to the Clear Fragrance Sect and the families of the deceased disciples.
It was such a clear and flawless apology and compensation that even the Righteous Faction could find no fault with it.
As a result, no one from the Righteous Faction dared to vehemently condemn the Demonic Path or the Demon Hall.
What was strange, however, was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's reaction.
Despite the fact that a disciple of the Myriad Learning Society had suddenly turned into a killing ghost and committed unforgivable atrocities...
Despite the immense trial and hardship inflicted upon Jin Seol, whom he cherished so deeply... he conducted no detailed investigation or held no one accountable.
Almost as if he already knew everything.
Bu Eun-seol wanted to seek out the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and ask:
—Do you know about the Three Realms disturbing the murim?
—If you do, why aren't you stopping them?
But the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would not provide an answer. If he had intended to reveal anything, he would have done so long ago.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor was an existence symbolizing chaos.
Throughout countless wars, he had destroyed not only innumerable masters...
But also the order and ideologies established between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths—everything that could be shattered by human hands.
Unless one reached a level capable of opposing the "phenomena" he wrought... it would be impossible to ever grasp his true intentions.
In stark contrast, the standing of Jeok Bung, the Elders' Hall Master, had become extremely precarious.
No matter what excuses he made, it was impossible to avoid criticism for having failed his disciple.
—I shall relinquish my position as Elders' Hall Master and enter seclusion.
Jeok Bung, deeply remorseful, stepped down from his position and entered closed-door training.
But this would only be temporary.
He was a man consumed by ambition, who had used his disciple Sim Wol as a mere pawn.
It wouldn't be long before he returned, scheming to reclaim his authority.
The atmosphere in the Demon Hall remained unsettled for some time.
Who could have imagined that Sim Wol, a disciple of the Elders' Hall Master, was a murderous fiend who indiscriminately slaughtered murim members and civilians alike?
Because of this, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor emerged from seclusion to formally apologize to the Clear Fragrance Sect, and the Demon Hall paid massive reparations.
The Elders' Hall Master Jeok Bung entered seclusion, and even Jin Seol—considered the flower of the Demon Hall—withdrew into isolation.
As a result, all the events the Demon Hall had been planning were canceled.
In short, every prominent figure in the Demon Hall had suffered immense disgrace.
Yet there was one whose honor and majesty remained entirely untarnished—the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol.
He had pursued the Shadowless Killing Ghost disturbing the murim, captured him, and executed him without hesitation despite knowing he was a disciple of the Myriad Learning Society.
His fair and upright demeanor was so pronounced that the Righteous Faction had even bestowed upon Bu Eun-seol the epithet "Righteous Man within the Demonic Path."
Of course, the figures of the Demonic Path were far from pleased with such an assessment of Bu Eun-seol...
But it wasn't as if they could forcibly suppress what the Righteous Faction praised.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol's office.
Unconcerned with the shifting moods of the Murim or the Demon Hall, he methodically dealt with the tasks piled before him.
—They are called the Three Realms. The one currently wreaking havoc in Murim is the first realm, the Infinite Realm...
Suddenly, Sim Wol's final words surfaced in his mind.
—Find the Hall Master of Hyeokryeon...
The one who had handed over the Internal Core, the figure of the Three Realms who had infiltrated the Demon Hall—was none other than the Guardians' Faction Master, Hyeokryeon Eung?
This was a matter far too grave for Bu Eun-seol alone to handle.
"Even if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor were to overlook this, from the Demon Hall's standpoint, we cannot simply let it slide."
The Guardians' Faction Master of the Demon Hall—a puppet of an external faction? Regardless of his position as the Heir of the Demon Hall, a proper investigation had to be launched.
Bu Eun-seol immediately sought out the Supreme Religious Edict, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had secluded himself in closed-door training once more, effectively withdrawing from all affairs of the Demon Hall.
Given that they were investigating one of the highest-ranking figures in the Hall, he needed to consult with Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"The Hall Master of Hyeokryeon bestowed upon him an Artificial Inner Elixir that amplifies Internal Power and killing intent..."
But Yeop Hyo-cheon found the claim utterly unconvincing.
"All this time, the Hall Master of Hyeokryeon has been carrying out a covert mission in the Great Desert under the orders of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
Shockingly, Hyeokryeon Eung had been undertaking a secret mission in the Great Desert under the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's command—and was still doing so.
"So that's why he hasn't returned."
Hyeokryeon Eung, whose punishment had been lifted, had vowed to return immediately from Beyond the Pass. The reason he still hadn't reappeared in the Demon Hall was because he had been carrying out a secret mission assigned by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
"And yet, you're saying he suddenly returned to the Hall and gave Sim Wol an Internal Core? That makes no sense."
"Could he not have returned in secret?"
"The Secret Shadow Pavilion has been meticulously tracking the Hall Master's movements. Such a thing would be impossible."
Yeop Hyo-cheon was adamant—even someone of Hyeokryeon Eung's standing could never evade the Secret Shadow Pavilion's surveillance.
"Then, in the end, either Sim Wol lied to sow confusion in you, Lord..."
He paused briefly before concluding firmly:
"Or someone who knew of the Hall Master's absence disguised themselves and approached Sim Wol."
Both scenarios were plausible.
But Bu Eun-seol doubted Sim Wol would have overlooked such a possibility.
"A man of Sim Wol's caliber wouldn't conduct such a sloppy investigation."
Sim Wol was, without question, a figure of the Myriad Learning Society. Even if offered an elixir promising immortality, he wasn't the type to swallow it blindly.
He would have begun investigating Hyeokryeon Eung in earnest because of this incident.
Having consumed the Artificial Inner Elixir, he would have gained the Three Realms' trust—and likely uncovered some of the organization's structure.
"Just in case, let's investigate again. See if there were any gaps in the Hall Master's whereabouts, or any suspicious circumstances surrounding him."
Though he said this, his expression suggested he had little intention of pursuing the matter with great fervor.
The Demon Hall had already suffered enough humiliation from Sim Wol's actions.
Even if Hyeokryeon Eung were a spy, the priority would be to quietly investigate and seal the matter rather than convene grand meetings to dissect it.
"Understood. I will conduct my own investigation as well."
Emerging from the Singular Light Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol's thoughts grew even more tangled.
Had Sim Wol lied?
Or were the Supreme Cult Commander and the Secret Shadow Pavilion fully aware of the situation—yet lying about it?
If neither...
"Is the Hall Master of Hyeokryeon the leader of the Three Realms?"
He shook his head immediately.
Hyeokryeon Eung was a long-standing pillar of the Demon Hall, one of its most senior figures.
If he were the leader of a shadowy faction, how could the Demonic Heavenly Emperor not know?
"Then... is it the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?"
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
Could this all be some elaborate prank by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor? Could he be the mastermind behind the Three Realms?
"No... that can't be."
Strictly speaking, though the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was the Lord of the Demon Hall, he could never fully escape the influence of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Even as the Number One of the Demonic Path, the Demon Hall's power and that of the Demonic Path Ten Gates were evenly matched.
If the Demonic Heavenly Emperor were the leader of the Three Realms—if he possessed the power to secretly eliminate and revive sects—
At the very least, he would have wielded the Demon Hall as he pleased, without endlessly secluding himself in training.
"But...
If Hyeokryeon Eung truly were a spy for the Three Realms—why would he risk punishment to save me?"
Such a reckless, unilateral decision, one that even provoked backlash from the High Command, was the last thing a spy should ever do.
"It must be one of three possibilities."
Either the Demonic Heavenly Emperor knew of Hyeokryeon Eung's identity and the Three Realms but chose to ignore it—
Or the Hall Master of Hyeokryeon possessed such immense ability that he could deceive even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
If neither... then Sim Wol had simply lied.
"No need to rush to conclusions."
The investigation into Hyeokryeon Eung had already begun.
If he wasn't a spy, he would return—and everything would come to light.
There was no need to fixate on matters that couldn't be resolved immediately.
After all, wasn't there something far more important to him than unraveling the affairs of the martial world or investigating the hidden forces?
'With the Gratitude Coin, I can find the murderer who killed Grandfather.'
For Bu Eun-seol, the most pressing matter now was locating the Divine Calculator.
Since he had obtained the Gratitude Coin... if he could find him, he might finally obtain the one thing he had yearned for all this time—information about the murderer.
A few days later, in the Hidden Demon Pavilion—Bu Eun-seol's office.
Bu Eun-seol was engaged in conversation with No Trace, the leader of the newly established Death Shadow War Unit's covert Information Warfare Unit, the Evil Soul Squad.
"We should find someone to take the position of Vice Chief as soon as possible."
After a long discussion, No Trace wore a grave expression.
"When the Lord ventures into the martial world, there must be someone who can follow discreetly and handle crucial matters in your stead."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
He, too, had agonized over this for a long time but had yet to find a suitable candidate for the role of Vice Chief.
The qualifications were simply too stringent.
Bu Eun-seol did not remain confined to the Demon Hall—he often roamed the martial world.
Thus, the Vice Chief needed to gather intelligence and relay it directly to him while he was away.
Not only did they require exceptional wisdom and insight, but they also had to possess a level of Lightness Art skill capable of keeping up with his own.
At present, within the Death Shadow War Unit, only two individuals met these conditions—No Trace and Wi Cheon-gyeong.
However, Wi Cheon-gyeong was already a key leader in the Death Shadow War Unit, making it impossible for him to serve as the Vice Chief of the Evil Soul Squad.
In the end, even if Bu Eun-seol wished to mobilize the Evil Soul Squad, there was no link connecting him to them... which meant he urgently needed to find someone to fill the role of Vice Chief.
"I'll make another effort to find someone suitable," Bu Eun-seol said.
"Understood."
Just then, the sound of knocking echoed, followed by Yu Un-ryong's voice.
"It's Yu Un-ryong."
"Enter."
Upon seeing No Trace with Bu Eun-seol, Yu Un-ryong clasped his hands together.
"Leader No."
"Leader Yu."
After exchanging brief greetings, No Trace turned to Bu Eun-seol.
"Then I shall take my leave."
"No need. This matter concerns you as well."
"Me?"
As No Trace blinked in surprise, Yu Un-ryong glanced around before speaking in a hushed tone.
"We've tracked down the Divine Calculator's whereabouts."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened instantly.
The Divine Calculator—a sage and enigma of the martial world who never revealed his presence and refused to answer anyone without a Gratitude Coin.
They had finally found his trail.
"How?"
Yu Un-ryong answered immediately.
"He surfaced in the Fleeting Moment Boat's intelligence network. He's set up a fortune-telling stall in Grave Village, Southern Peace Prefecture, posing as a wandering copyist."
Though the Divine Calculator never showed himself openly in the martial world, whenever he was discovered, he was always found masquerading as a traveling scribe.
Moreover, Grave Village was a gathering place for vagrants—an ideal location to evade pursuers.
"The probability of it being genuine is high," Bu Eun-seol remarked.
Yu Un-ryong nodded, then added gravely,
"The problem is the Divine Calculator's ironclad rule—not only must one meet him alone, but only those who possess a Gratitude Coin can even find him."
His expression darkened as he continued,
"In other words, while you go to seek him, you cannot bring any guards or troops—because they don't have a Gratitude Coin."
He sighed and shook his head.
"He has upheld this bizarre rule for years. If even a small escort accompanies you... he will leave Grave Village immediately."
No Trace, who had been listening silently, nodded in understanding.
"So, if the Lord wishes to meet him, you must venture into the martial world alone."
"Correct. But it's far too dangerous, which is why I wanted to discuss this matter with Leader No first."
Bu Eun-seol cut in decisively.
"I'll go alone."
"What?"
"As you said. If I approach Grave Village with any form of escort... the likelihood of him refusing to meet me is high."
"But it's too dangerous."
At Yu Un-ryong's protest, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"How else do you expect me to meet such a mysterious figure if I'm not willing to take that risk?"
Then, with unwavering resolve, he added,
"Besides, without a Gratitude Coin, no one can accompany me anyway. So don't worry about it."
He took a deep breath.
"I must meet him."
Recognizing the steel in his voice, Yu Un-ryong reluctantly nodded.
"Understood."
Realizing his own expression had darkened, Yu Un-ryong forced a bright smile.
"If it's you, there won't be any problems."
Ever since the incident at the North Sea Ice Palace, Yu Un-ryong had consistently shown his support and faith in Bu Eun-seol's plans.
Because he understood—this was the first step in truly aiding him.
Martial Alliance, Hidden Moon Hall
In the office of the hall, an oil lamp burned softly.
At the desk, a refined middle-aged man was writing with an antique brush, his strokes elegant.
His eyes gleamed with clarity, and a noble smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
A well-groomed beard extended to his chin, and the profound wisdom in his gaze flickered like candlelight.
This was none other than the Martial Alliance's Chief Secretary—Tae Sa-hyeon.
Creak.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a man clad in a martial uniform embroidered with dazzling silver patterns stepped inside with measured steps.
His hair was dyed jet-black, but his irises shimmered with a deep, oceanic blue.
"You summoned me, Chief Secretary."
As the blue-eyed man clasped his hands together, Tae Sa-hyeon slowly set down his brush.
"Your martial prowess seems to have advanced further in this time."
With a faint smile, he scrutinized the blue-eyed man's physique before narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Has the Leader imparted yet another extraordinary martial art to you?"
At this, the blue-eyed man replied in a voice tinged with faint frustration.
"How could that be? It's already been well over two years since I last saw Master."
"Ah, was it?"
Tae Sa-hyeon clicked his tongue sympathetically, then gestured toward the reception table opposite him.
"Sit. Would you care for tea?"
"No, thank you."
"Hohoho." Tae Sa-hyeon chuckled. "Well, the Leader himself never cared for tea either."
Nodding, he took his seat and spoke plainly.
"Let me be direct, then. Martial Soul Lord. That man has left the Demon Hall and is now roaming the martial world alone."
"...Martial Soul Lord."
A flash of light flickered in the blue-eyed man's gaze.
Bu Eun-seol.
The man who had suddenly appeared in the underground fortress of Sichuan where the Human Blossoms were cultivated—who had effortlessly blocked his blade and even shattered the Demon-Binding Jade Men in an instant.
How could he ever forget the one who had dealt him such disgrace?
The only regret was that Tae Sa-hyeon, the Chief Secretary, remained entirely unaware of that fact.
"And Jo Cheon-wang—Leader Jo—has also obtained this information and is preparing to venture into the martial world. It's the perfect opportunity for him to avenge his son."
"Then the mission you wish to assign is...?"
"Opportunities like this don't come easily."
A sharp glint flashed through Tae Sa-hyeon's eyes.
"Leader Jo's martial prowess is formidable, but that man has mastered the Martial Arts Essence of Langya Pavilion—possessing not only monstrous vitality but also the ability to steal an opponent's techniques on the spot."
His voice grew solemn and resolute.
"This is the perfect chance to eliminate that demonic fiend once and for all. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"..."
The blue-eyed man nodded, though his expression remained troubled.
"If that happens, Leader Jo won't simply let me walk away unscathed."
"Hohoho." Tae Sa-hyeon waved a dismissive hand. "No need to worry. Would he dare lay a finger on the disciple of one of this Alliance's Pillars?"
The blue-eyed man furrowed his brow.
"But aside from you, Chief Secretary, how many even know of that fact? I'm not even officially registered in the Martial Alliance's records—just a spy... no, a mere wraith."
"A wraith?"
Tae Sa-hyeon scoffed as if the notion were absurd.
"I've heard that the Leader deliberately kept you unregistered because he intended to utilize you for greater purposes in the future."
"Regardless, Leader Jo doesn't even know my face, let alone my identity. If I were to carry out such an act, his Dragon Subduing Sword would shatter my skull in an instant."
"I'll handle the aftermath. You needn't concern yourself."
Tae Sa-hyeon lowered his voice.
"If you succeed in this mission, I'll personally bring you into the light—guaranteeing you a position as a Hall Leader within this Alliance."
For a fleeting moment, joy flickered in the blue-eyed man's eyes.
To shed the identity of a covert operative handling the Martial Alliance's dirty work—to step into the light as a man of legitimate standing.
Hadn't that been his deepest desire, even in his dreams?
"Why are you offering me this opportunity?"
The blue-eyed man wore an expression of disbelief.
"You have many capable direct subordinates under your command."
"Hahaha." Tae Sa-hyeon chuckled. "They may be skilled, but how could they compare to your abilities?"
His voice took on a conspiratorial tone.
"If you kill that man, I'll recommend you as the deputy leader of the currently vacant Iron Blood Hall. With that, the Grand Strategy Hall and the Iron Blood Hall could collaborate even more closely, don't you think?"
Only then did the blue-eyed man grasp Tae Sa-hyeon's true intentions.
'He wants to bring me under his control.'
Though Tae Sa-hyeon had long held the position of Chief Secretary, he had suffered repeated failures—one of which was the botched assassination of Langya Pavilion's Ten Demonic Heir, who had emerged alone from the Demon Hall.
'By recruiting me, he can also look for an opening to topple my Master.'
"Will you take the mission?"
Snapped from his thoughts, the blue-eyed man answered quietly.
"I understand."
"You accept?"
"I do."
"Good thinking."
As Tae Sa-hyeon smiled, the blue-eyed man respectfully clasped his hands once more.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Once outside the hall, the blue-eyed man turned his head, gazing back at the Hidden Moon Hall where Tae Sa-hyeon remained.
'Desperately clinging to survival, are you?'
The position of Chief Secretary was one of the most pivotal in the Martial Alliance—yet ironically, it was also the one most frequently reshuffled.
Talented candidates to replace the Chief Secretary were abundant, and while the authority it wielded was immense, so too was its burden of responsibility.
Moreover, with constant scrutiny from the Elders' Hall and former leaders, one could not hold the position without substantial achievements, connections, and a strong support base.
'It's long past time for him to step down.'
Tae Sa-hyeon should have been removed from the Chief Secretary's seat years ago.
Yet he had clung to power—scrambling for achievements, leveraging connections, enduring one crisis after another.
'If I succeed, he earns significant merit. If I fail, he can still weaken Master's influence.'
Tae Sa-hyeon's intentions were clear.
This was his chance to either secure a loyal subordinate or, at the very least, clip the wings of the man who opposed him.
Whether the mission succeeded or failed, Tae Sa-hyeon himself would suffer no loss.
'Not that I have any reason to refuse, either.'
Bu Eun-seol.
That man should have died long ago.
Perhaps this was not such a bad opportunity after all.