Chapter 405
Gwak Gu couldn't bring himself to meet his gaze directly, stammering as he bowed his head.
"Lord, what brings you... here?"
His incessant groveling showed he had cast aside any semblance of pride befitting a grandmaster of a sect.
Martial Soul Lord Bu Eun-seol.
A prodigy who excelled not only in martial arts but also in strategy—this new generation's Great Grandmaster.
Was it not said that even the sect leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, the ten pillars said to uphold the Demon Hall, dared not provoke him lightly?
If he so wished, he could annihilate the Poison Toad Sect with a mere flick of his finger.
"I shall join the Demon Hall!"
Gwak Gu dropped to his knees and pleaded before Bu Eun-seol.
"What help could a second-rate sect like ours possibly offer the Demon Hall? That was the only reason I refused! But now that the Lord himself has come in person..."
"Unnecessary."
"Huh?"
Bu Eun-seol stared at Gwak Gu, who was blinking dumbly in the nude, and spoke in a low voice.
"Put some clothes on."
"Y-Yes, right away!"
Though bewildered, Gwak Gu hastily gathered his scattered garments and dressed himself.
"Fetch writing materials."
Bu Eun-seol approached the table and addressed Gwak Gu.
"From this day forth, the Poison Toad Sect shall withdraw all its forces from Gongchang Prefecture and swear never to encroach upon that territory again. You will draft a pledge to that effect."
"What—what do you mean, suddenly? Withdrawing our forces from Gongchang Prefecture?"
As Gwak Gu gaped in confusion, Bu Eun-seol replied in an icy tone.
"If you refuse, I will have your sect expelled beyond Shaanxi."
Gwak Gu's mouth fell open as he shook his head violently.
"No! Absolutely not!"
A sect was not something that could be built simply by erecting structures.
It required decades of entrenching influence in a region, securing steady financial streams, and absorbing lesser factions.
The Poison Toad Sect had spent decades expanding from Mount Winam, establishing its own sphere of influence stretching from Hanzhong Prefecture to Gongchang Prefecture.
To be driven beyond Shaanxi would mean abandoning all their foundations—effectively forcing them into seclusion.
"S-So, all I need to do is write this pledge? That's it?"
Gwak Gu couldn't comprehend it.
If Bu Eun-seol truly disliked them, annihilating the Poison Toad Sect would have been far more convenient.
Yet all he demanded was a pledge not to encroach upon another territory?
"Within days, the Mount Hua Sect will pay you a visit. If you fail to draft this pledge, they will immediately resort to force and expel your sect."
"T-The Mount Hua Sect?!"
Gwak Gu's eyes widened.
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was solemn—there was no hint of jest in his words.
"Even if the Mount Hua Sect does not come, the Ancient Sword Sect and the Falling Blossom Sect might."
At this, Gwak Gu's expression twisted in shock.
"You... knew about that as well?"
He had heard rumors that the heirs of the Ancient Sword Sect and the Falling Blossom Sect had become lovers, and that the two sects might merge as a result.
If that happened, he would never be able to expand his influence near Gongchang Prefecture again.
So, he had schemed to drive a wedge between the two lovers, turning them into mortal enemies.
But his plan had failed.
The two sects, who had been at each other's throats, uncovered the truth and abruptly ceased hostilities.
And if it were revealed that he had orchestrated the discord between the heirs, both sects would undoubtedly seek vengeance.
"But if you write this pledge, they will not retaliate."
Gwak Gu's face brightened.
Could it be that Bu Eun-seol had come here to save the Poison Toad Sect from disaster?
Without another word, Gwak Gu sat at the table and began writing.
"Here it is."
As he presented the pledge, Bu Eun-seol tucked it into his robes.
"My deepest apologies for troubling the Lord to come in person for such a matter. And to think you would go so far as to aid a sect not even affiliated with the Demon Hall..."
Gwak Gu wore an expression of profound gratitude.
He assumed Bu Eun-seol had intervened to prevent the annihilation of the Poison Toad Sect out of solidarity as fellow members of the Demonic Path.
"However, we must provide justification for this pledge."
"Huh?"
But at Bu Eun-seol's next words, Gwak Gu's pupils dilated to the point of nearly splitting.
"Take up the brush again. Write down every evil deed and crime you have committed—in exhaustive detail."
"Y-You want me to confess all my sins?!"
"Indeed. Every last one. Omit nothing."
From Bu Eun-seol's eyes surged a crimson light so intense it seemed capable of melting steel.
"If even a single transgression is missing, I will sever your head on the spot and annihilate the Poison Toad Sect."
Cheon Hwa-in was in high spirits as he led his temporary unit, his Lightness Skill carrying him swiftly through the air.
He had already dispatched a messenger to the Mount Hua Sect to explain the situation.
And he had secured their promise—that they would spare no effort in ensuring the Poison Toad Sect Leader signed the pledge.
"No matter how brazen Gwak Gu may be, he cannot possibly defy the Mount Hua Sect's intervention and refuse to sign."
After all, the Mount Hua Sect had once joined forces with the Zhongnan Sect to annihilate the Blood Blade Sect, one of the great factions of the Demonic Path.
There was no way a mere second-rate sect like the Poison Toad Sect, entrenched around Mount Winam, would dare oppose the Mount Hua Sect's prestige and reject the pledge.
Whoosh—
Leading his unit in perfect formation and using his lightness art, Cheon Hwa-in soon arrived near Mount Winam, where the Poison Toad Sect was based.
But suddenly, with the Sound of Breaking Air, a man clad in the uniform of the Martial Alliance appeared before him.
"Young Hero Cheon."
The man approached and respectfully clasped his hands in greeting.
"I am Na Do-ryang, a martial artist belonging to the Truth Verification Hall of the Martial Alliance's Gongchang Branch."
"What brings you here?"
When Cheon Hwa-in asked, Na Do-ryang clasped his hands together and replied.
"The mission to select the commander has already been completed. The order is to recall the unit members back to the Alliance."
Then, he continued.
"Elder Gu has relayed a message that you, Young Hero Cheon, need not return to the Alliance and should instead go back to the Mount Hua Sect."
For a moment, Cheon Hwa-in doubted his own ears.
"What do you mean? The mission is already over?"
"Young Hero Seon-u of the Seonhwa Merchant House has already secured the oath from the Poison Toad Sect and returned to the Martial Alliance. Therefore—"
"What nonsense!"
Cheon Hwa-in roared.
"How can that be? It's only been four days since the mission was assigned!"
"That's why—"
"Don't tell me that merchant brat annihilated the Poison Toad Sect?"
"Young Hero Cheon. I am merely relaying what I've heard."
At Na Do-ryang's flustered expression, Cheon Hwa-in shook his head in disbelief.
"Impossible. That can't be."
He immediately turned and bellowed at his unit members like thunder.
"Return to the Martial Alliance at once!"
His eyes burning with fury, he didn't even glance back as he unleashed his Lightness Skill and raced toward Henan.
The entire time, he did not drink a single drop of water, pushing his Lightness Skill relentlessly.
Even when his trailing unit members fell behind from exhaustion.
Even when he happened to run into an old friend along the way.
He kept his gaze fixed ahead, charging blindly toward the Martial Alliance.
How could this happen?
He had originally been slated as the next sect leader of the Mount Hua Sect.
Because he was the first among the Great Righteous Experts to eliminate the Ten Demonic Heir, his reputation in the Rivers and Lakes was illustrious, solidifying his position.
But perhaps it was because he had enjoyed an unbroken streak of victories?
The arrogance and selfishness he had so carefully concealed began to surface... and because of it, he had caused numerous incidents.
He thought he had managed to hide it all well enough. But once the truth came out, everything he had kept buried—
—spilled out uncontrollably.
In the end, the elders and disciples who had supported him turned their backs, and he could no longer aim to become the next leader of the Mount Hua Sect.
But fate had not abandoned him.
Just then, under the guidance of Gu In-jeong—an elder of the Martial Alliance who favored him, and who had once been his sword instructor during his days as a Master of Great Righteousness—
He learned that a new unit was being formed to handle the minor disturbances in the Rivers and Lakes, ones that the Murim Alliance Sword Corps had been unable to resolve.
—Elder, if you grant me this opportunity, I will devote myself utterly.
Cheon Hwa-in had pleaded with Gu In-jeong.
Though it was merely a unit for handling trivial matters, it was a position with many chances to earn merit.
He absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away.
At first, Gu In-jeong refused, but at Cheon Hwa-in's desperate insistence, he finally nodded.
—My proposal to select the commander from among the Young Heroes participating in the Distinguished Talent Assembly has been approved. With your skills, you will undoubtedly become the commander.
Gu In-jeong had thought that if Cheon Hwa-in could reform himself and become an outstanding commander, nothing could be better.
The more figures from the Mount Hua Sect held key positions in the Martial Alliance, the greater his own influence would be.
But their plans had been ruined.
By someone entirely unexpected—the heir of the Seonhwa Merchant House, Seon-u Jin.
"Haa... haa..."
By the time Cheon Hwa-in finally arrived at the entrance of the Martial Alliance, his body was drenched as if he had been submerged in water.
His lips were cracked and dry, white stars flickering in his vision, but he bit down on them and forced himself forward.
When he finally reached the Hall of Longevity in the southern part of the Martial Alliance, he immediately headed toward the quarters where Gu In-jeong was staying.
"How may I help you?"
A martial artist guarding the hall clasped his hands and asked, but Cheon Hwa-in ignored him and strode past.
"You must state your identity and purpose."
"Move."
Even as the guard tried to stop him, Cheon Hwa-in snapped irritably and pushed forward.
His mind was half-gone. He didn't have the energy to waste words on some hall guard.
"Young Hero!"
As Cheon Hwa-in barged in recklessly, the guard finally drew his sword.
"If you force your way in—"
"Enough. Let him pass."
At that moment, Gu In-jeong had already stepped outside the Hall of Longevity.
"Elder!"
Cheon Hwa-in's voice trembled as he spoke.
"What is the meaning of this? How can the commander's mission already be over?"
"Seon-u Jin returned days ago with the oath from Poison Toad Sect's leader, Gwak Gu."
"That's a lie. How could such a thing—"
"It's true. Even before he brought the oath, the Poison Toad Sect disciples who had infiltrated Gongchang Prefecture had already retreated."
"That can't be."
Cheon Hwa-in shook his head.
"I refuse to believe it!"
With a furious shout, he sprinted toward the Hall of Martial Ascension, where Yuk Jang-cheon was.
After all, along with Gu In-jeong, he was the one in charge of overseeing the formation of this elite unit.
"At least hear this elder's words first!"
Ignoring Gu In-jeong's shout, Cheon Hwa-in dashed toward the Hall of Martial Ascension.
Worried that Cheon Hwa-in might cause trouble, Gu In-jeong gathered his Internal Power, preparing to unleash Finger Wind to stop him.
But then, as if reconsidering, he shook his head.
"No... perhaps it's time that boy came to his senses..."
Gu In-jeong sighed.
Cheon Hwa-in was a Martial Talent of exceptional skill, but his arrogant nature had always led him to look down on others.
Moreover, having always walked a path of unbroken success, he had never learned to cope with setbacks or failures.
"One should take failure as a lesson and grow into a greater figure."
Gu In-jeong muttered under his breath.
But this time, the one who would teach that lesson was not him.
In the end, he turned away with a bitter expression.
***
"Hah... hah..."
Meanwhile, Cheon Hwa-in, who had been running like a madman, finally arrived at the pavilion in front of the Hall of Ascending Martial Arts, where Yuk Jang-cheon was conversing with Yuk Cheong-a.
"Hall Master!"
Cheon Hwa-in stood before him with an expression as if he were coughing up blood.
"What in the world happened?"
Then, as if unable to believe it, he shouted loudly.
"How could some merchant house figure extract an oath from the Poison Toad Sect?!"
"Hoh."
At Cheon Hwa-in's discourteous attitude, anger flickered in Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes.
But upon seeing his wretched state, he let out a sigh.
Having not even taken a sip of water, running day and night without rest using his Lightness Art, his entire body was covered in dust, and his lips were cracked.
Faced with such a sight, Yuk Jang-cheon couldn't bring himself to explode in fury.
"Truly, you look like a wounded beast."
"Hall Master."
"Yes. What is it you wish to say?"
Cheon Hwa-in shook his head in disbelief.
"After receiving my mission, I arrived at the Poison Toad Sect in just a few days. But..."
"You mean to ask how a merchant house figure could have been faster than you in forcing the Poison Toad Sect to retreat with an oath. Is that it?"
Yuk Jang-cheon cut him off, his sharp eyes boring down at him.
"Not just you—even I, the Hall Master, and the rest of the High Command had the same question."
Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling the moment.
"So we summoned him and demanded an explanation. In front of me, Elder Gu, and several Hall Leaders."
***
Inside the meeting hall of the Hall of Ascending Martial Arts.
At the large table sat Hall Master Yuk Jang-cheon, Elder Gu In-jeong, and five Hall Leaders involved in the establishment of the new elite unit.
And standing respectfully across from them was a slender young man with gleaming eyes—Bu Eun-seol, posing as the successor of the Seonhwa Merchant House.
'Unexpectedly, he has quite the presence.'
Seeing how calmly he endured the gazes of himself and Gu In-jeong, Yuk Jang-cheon inwardly nodded in approval.
"We have confirmed that the oath you brought was indeed written in the hand of the Poison Toad Sect's leader, Gwak Gu, and that he is faithfully carrying out its orders."
At that moment, Gu In-jeong stood up and swept his piercing gaze over Bu Eun-seol.
"However, accomplishing such a feat in just a few days is utterly incomprehensible. This is not just my opinion—it is shared by the entire High Command."
Gu In-jeong spoke with a solemn expression.
"Explain to us how you managed to extract an oath from the Poison Toad Sect's leader."
His voice grew increasingly sharp.
"If you cannot provide a precise explanation, the Alliance's investigation unit may detain you to uncover the truth. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Then explain. How exactly did you do it?"
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol nodded and pulled out a scroll from his sleeve.
"It was with this."
Gu In-jeong frowned as he accepted the scroll.
When he unfurled it, his pupils trembled violently.
Written upon it were detailed records of someone's misdeeds—evil acts and secrets that could ruin them.
"What is this?"
"A record of the crimes and atrocities committed by the Poison Toad Sect's leader, Gwak Gu."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"To expand his sect, he committed every kind of dirty deed imaginable. He was terrified of these being exposed—so much so that even he couldn't even join the Demon Hall for fear these would be exposed."
"Hmm..."
Gu In-jeong let out a long sigh.
"Where in the world did you obtain such information?"
"Our merchant house has ample financial resources. And 'information' is something that can be bought with money."
"Nonsense. Are you saying that within days of receiving the Alliance's mission, you somehow acquired this?"
"Of course not."
Bu Eun-seol's reply was smooth as flowing water.
"In the past, when the Great Fortune Merchant House passed through Mount Winam, they clashed severely with the Poison Toad Sect. At the time, they had already completed an investigation into Gwak Gu in order to deal with him."
Bu Eun-seol paused briefly before continuing in the same composed tone.
"However, not long after, the Great Fortune Merchant House was discovered to have traded with a faction plotting high treason, leading to their sudden downfall... rendering this information useless."
Gu In-jeong was at a loss for words.
How could such a coincidental series of events have occurred?
After staring at Bu Eun-seol's face for a long moment, Gu In-jeong's expression turned red, then purple.
"So what? Did you threaten Gwak Gu with this information? Alone?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
That faint smile seemed almost like a mocking laugh, reproaching Gu In-jeong for his stubbornness.
Irritated, Gu In-jeong turned to Yuk Jang-cheon and spoke.
"I find this hard to believe. If a merchant house figure was truly this capable, why has his fame remained unknown until now?"
"Elder Gu."
Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head.
"Young Hero Seon-u's true abilities were simply hidden while he was in the Upper Realm. He is an outstanding Rising Talent of the Younger Generation. That is why he was invited to the Distinguished Talent Assembly."
"I find this hard to believe. We must immediately begin an investigation into his background. Selecting a Peak Leader is a matter for after that."
"We already have."
Yuk Jang-cheon handed Gu In-jeong a thin dossier.
Inside were detailed records of Seonhwa Merchant House's successor, Seon-u Jin—his career, personality, martial prowess, and everything else about him.
"Upon investigation, it turns out Young Hero Seon-u inherited the legacy of Master Unhindered. However, since he spent his years handling merchant affairs and only eliminating bandits, his martial achievements remained unknown."
"You're saying he's Master Unhindered's successor?"
Gu Jeong-in's eyes widened.
Master Unhindered was a legendary master from three centuries ago who dominated the Great Desert with nothing but a single flying dagger. And Seon-u Jin was his successor?
"Moreover, the Seonhwa Merchant House was no minor enterprise. Contrary to common knowledge, it possessed wealth rivaling the Ten Great Merchant Houses."
At Yuk Jang-cheon's words, Bu Eun-seol allowed himself a faint smile.
The fabricated identity of the Seonhwa Merchant House's successor, crafted by the Divine Calculator, was flawless—no investigation could find fault with it.
Bu Eun-seol had already verified this through the Death Soul Squad, which was why he dared to apply for the Martial Alliance's commander position.
"With Young Hero Seon-u's skills, he could have even assassinated the Poison Toad Sect Leader in secret."
"Hmm."
Gu In-jeong, left speechless, let out a thoughtful hum.
Who would have thought that Seon-u Jin, known merely as a merchant house's heir, had such a background?
"Young Hero Seon-u has never once complained, even under the most unfavorable conditions, and has always completed his missions flawlessly. Doesn't this alone prove he is more than qualified to lead the Peak Squad?"
Yuk Jang-cheon spoke candidly.
"Elder Gu. Let us entrust this Peak Squad to Young Hero Seon-u."
Gu In-jeong shuddered slightly.
It was as if all the unreasonable obstinacy he had displayed until now flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
Even the hall leaders who had supported Gu In-jeong's stance earlier could no longer muster a word.
"Very well."
Setting aside all personal feelings, Gu In-jeong lowered his head and spoke.
"This elder also agrees to his appointment as the Peak Squad's commander."
Cheon Hwa-in's pupils lost focus as he listened to Yuk Jang-cheon's explanation.
"So he... was Master Unhindered's successor?"
The Seonhwa Merchant House, which he had dismissed as a minor enterprise languishing Beyond the Pass, turned out to possess staggering wealth...
And Seon-u Jin, whom he had assumed was merely a merchant heir who dealt with bandits, was actually the successor of Master Unhindered, a legend of the Great Desert?
"But isn't this success solely due to his wealth and the information he coincidentally obtained?"
At Cheon Hwa-in's stubborn rebuttal, Yuk Jang-cheon actually nodded in agreement.
"Of course. Under normal circumstances, you might have had a fair chance to compete with him for the commander position."
Then, his expression turned solemn.
"However, the moment you heard he had completed the mission first, you abandoned your unit and rushed back to the Alliance headquarters."
"That was—"
"A commander's position is not merely about wielding authority. It comes with equally heavy responsibilities."
Yuk Jang-cheon's face darkened with bitterness.
"The moment you abandoned your unit and returned, you forfeited any right to claim the title of commander. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Cheon Hwa-in hung his head.
Even with ten mouths, he had no retort.
He had seen the commander's rank only as a stepping stone for his own advancement—never once considering the safety of his subordinates.
"The Alliance strictly prohibits appointing commanders based solely on martial prowess or connections, unlike in the past."
Yuk Jang-cheon's expression grew increasingly severe.
"As you know, the Alliance... has already learned from such mistakes."
The Heavenly Sword, who had risen to the rank of First-Grade Commander in the Martial Alliance overnight due to his exceptional skills and status as the Sword Sovereign's disciple.
But he had neglected his subordinates, abused his power, and ultimately left behind a disgrace no death could wash away.
Since then, the Martial Alliance had strictly forbidden appointing commanders through connections or martial prowess alone.
Commanders who prioritized personal gain over their unit's welfare were... all expelled.
Cheon Hwa-in's actions—abandoning his unit to return—were eerily reminiscent of the Heavenly Sword's past misdeeds, making them all the more unforgivable.
"I understand."
Realizing everything was over, Cheon Hwa-in closed his eyes and turned away.
His arrogance had cost him every opportunity he had painstakingly built.
Pushed out of the Mount Hua Sect's succession plans, and now having revealed all his flaws and hubris to the Martial Alliance's high command...
There was no place left for him—not in the Mount Hua Sect, nor in the Martial Alliance.
Thud. Thud.
With his head bowed, Cheon Hwa-in trudged away weakly.
His sluggish, heavy footsteps resembled those of a commoner who had never trained in martial arts.
The greatest danger for young masters who reach the Transcendence Realm lies in despair and frustration—negative emotions they must guard against at all costs.
Young talents accustomed to unbroken success, once plunged into irreparable despair... risk catastrophic damage to their spirit and mind, leading to a drastic decline in internal power.
'No need to cripple his cultivation manually.'
A shadow observed him from afar.
Bu Eun-seol.
'He's already a cripple.'
Cheon Hwa-in would never recover from this.
The man who had spent his life disregarding others and acting on impulse now had no connections to rely on, no faction willing to extend a helping hand.
In that case, there was no need to personally destroy his cultivation.
—Well done.
Somewhere in the distant sky, Yeong Mun-ho seemed to smile faintly.
Bu Eun-seol returned a bittersweet smile to the heavens.
A tribute to the man who had escaped the sorrow-laden Martial World, wishing him happiness wherever he was.