Chapter 417
Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk, who had fled the Tang Clan estate as if escaping, immediately set out for Yunnan with their subordinates in tow.
Jang Song was riding in a carriage, his body half-dead, while Hyeong Geuk stared out the window with a bewildered expression.
Jin Cheon-gon's sudden retreat.
Tang Gon's unexpectedly formidable martial prowess, far beyond their predictions.
And the assassins who were supposed to infiltrate the Tang Clan during the duel had all been wiped out by someone.
Only then did they realize that a formidable faction had intervened, ruining their carefully laid plans.
—That young commander couldn't have done this.
The series of events that had just unfolded weren't the work of a mere first-grade commander of the Martial Alliance.
Even if they were told that a regional commander of the Martial Alliance had orchestrated it, it would be hard to believe.
Especially the complete severing of all communication networks around the Tang Clan estate. That required mobilizing a vast intelligence network and a regional-scale military force simultaneously—something only possible with the Martial Alliance's high command taking active measures.
In other words, it was impossible unless the Martial Alliance's leadership had intervened directly.
'At any rate, everything has gone wrong. We have no choice but to retreat quickly and await further instructions.'
Just as Hyeong Geuk, clutching his head, shook it in frustration—
Hiiiiing!
The carriage abruptly came to a halt with the shrill neighing of horses.
"What's going on?" Hyeong Geuk shouted.
A trembling voice from one of his subordinates answered, "Hall Leader, you should come out and see this."
Sensing something amiss, Hyeong Geuk stepped out of the carriage—and saw a lone figure standing imposingly on the narrow path.
A man wearing a mask that shimmered with an eerie luster.
True Qi, like a heat haze, rippled around his entire body, making his form appear indistinct.
"A messenger."
Realizing the masked man was the Messenger of the Three Realms, Hyeong Geuk hastily clasped his hands together.
"I don't understand what's happening," Hyeong Geuk said, his expression still dazed as he spoke rapidly. "The Poison Demon Sect's Hall Leader Jin suddenly fled under cover of night. On top of that, a massive intelligence network intervened around the Tang Clan estate, cutting off all external communications—"
"If we retreat like this, everything will fall apart! We tried to break their momentum by requesting a duel, but..."
As silence stretched, Hyeong Geuk grew uneasy but pressed on.
"The Young Clan Head, Tang Gon, was far more formidable than we anticipated—even the Heaven-Poison Blood Mist Art you bestowed upon us had no effect on him—"
Mid-sentence, Hyeong Geuk suddenly stopped speaking.
His head had twisted at an unnatural angle.
It was as though an invisible hand had seized his neck.
As his neck gradually contorted, Hyeong Geuk's gaze was forced to look behind him rather than forward.
"What—?"
In that instant, his eyes widened in shock.
All the subordinates standing behind him had collapsed lifelessly to the ground—and in their place stood dozens of assassins.
"W-what is this?!"
Hyeong Geuk screamed, his neck still twisted.
"Messenger, what is the meaning of this?!"
[Among the Three Poison Sects' members, all those connected to the Tang Clan have been thoroughly eliminated.]
"What are you saying? Eliminated?!"
[You are the last.]
Hyeong Geuk's eyes bulged.
What kind of madness was this? After providing them with vast resources and even martial techniques—
Why were they being killed now?
[We can't have anyone digging deeper.]
Crack.
With those final words, Hyeong Geuk's vision tilted toward the blue sky.
Thud.
His neck fully snapped, and his body fell like a log.
The masked messenger remained silent for a while before suddenly turning his gaze toward a distant tree and speaking.
[Have you seen enough?]
Then, the eyes visible above the mask narrowed.
[Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol.]
At those words, a faint shadow seemed to drop from the tree—and in the next moment, a figure stood imposingly before the messenger.
It was Bu Eun-seol, having undone his disguise.
"You knew."
[There's only one person who could mobilize the Demonic Path's intelligence network with a single command and sever all communication systems within the Tang Clan estate.]
The Death Soul Squad alone could never have completely cut off the Tang Clan's surrounding networks.
That was why Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to mobilize every intelligence organization at his disposal.
Of course, he had known the Three Realms would detect it.
'As long as Seon-u Jin's identity isn't exposed, it doesn't matter.'
[What remarkable friendship.]
The messenger's voice was low as he spoke.
[To secretly come to the Tang Clan's aid over a bond formed in the past.]
When Bu Eun-seol had first befriended Tang Gon, he hadn't yet gained access to extensive disguises or intelligence networks.
Because of that, the Three Realms were well aware of the friendship between Bu Eun-seol and Tang Gon.
Thus, they didn't seem particularly concerned about him lending the Tang Clan some assistance.
Of course, this too was part of Bu Eun-seol's calculations.
"What is your true identity?"
As Bu Eun-seol asked coldly, the messenger let out a soft chuckle.
["You already know the answer."]
"I won't ask twice."
A bloody light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
It was a clear declaration—if the messenger spouted nonsense or played Twenty Questions, he would immediately resort to force to resolve the matter.
[Still overconfident in your abilities, I see.]
"Are you relying on your subordinates?"
[How amusing.]
The messenger deliberately waved his hand, dismissing the assassins.
Then he strode forward boldly to stand before Bu Eun-seol.
[Go ahead, make your move. I'll shatter the Tang Clan's hard-won unity completely.]
He had already guessed as much.
That every scheme up until now had been to consolidate the Tang Clan's cohesion and awaken Tang Gon's latent potential.
Yet even so, he couldn't hide his surprise.
Why had the Three Realms supported the Three Poison Sects to bring about Tang Gon's awakening and the Sichuan Tang Clan's unification?
"I'll rephrase the question."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"What is your purpose?"
[Due to Tang Pae's prolonged illness, the Tang Clan's unity crumbled, and their influence weakened significantly. Moreover, despite his exceptional talent, Tang Gon had yet to undergo his Blossoming.]
The messenger spoke dispassionately.
[But through these events, Tang Gon has now awakened, and the Tang Clan will rally around him once more. That was the goal. Does that answer your question?]
Then he slowly turned away.
Bu Eun-seol wanted nothing more than to seize this messenger of the Three Realms right then and there, even if it meant resorting to force.
Even if he failed, he wanted to test the messenger's skill firsthand, to gauge just how powerful an agent of the Three Realms truly was.
But he couldn't.
Because the moment he acted recklessly, they might tear the Tang Clan apart all over again.
For now, Bu Eun-seol had to maintain his identity as Seon-u Jin. He couldn't recklessly station himself in the Demon Hall and command his forces to protect the Tang Clan.
"What is your faction's purpose?"
Bu Eun-seol called out to the messenger's retreating back.
"If you're not from the Infinite Realm, surely you can at least tell me that much."
That the faction backing the Three Poison Sects was not the Infinite Realm, which had repeatedly clashed with him, but another faction within the Three Realms.
He had suspected as much ever since wiping out the Blood Prison.
That was why this was the most pointed question he could ask.
[Not bad.]
The messenger halted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
[Then again, no one your age has ever survived confronting the Main Realm and lived to tell the tale.]
After a brief pause, the messenger exhaled in admiration before speaking again.
[The Azure River Realm.]
As he turned away once more, he added,
[If you want to know more, find out for yourself.]
Whoosh.
In an instant, his figure vanished like dissipating fog—a Movement Technique so ghostly it defied belief.
"The Azure River Realm..."
Bu Eun-seol's pupils trembled as he stared at the empty space where the messenger had stood.
If the name wasn't merely referring to clear waters, then it must have been derived from the classical phrase "Clear Rivers and Calm Seas."
"Clear Rivers and Calm Seas"—a metaphor meaning the Yellow River runs pure and the seas grow tranquil, symbolizing the arrival of a Sage King and an era of peace.
Did that mean the Azure River Realm was aligned with the Imperial Palace? Or were they, unlike the Infinite Realm, striving to create a peaceful world?
—After all, the Three Realms lived up to their name, divided into three distinct factions.
Suddenly, the words of the blue-eyed man who had once been affiliated with the Martial Alliance surfaced in his mind.
According to him, even the Artificial Inner Elixir...
Had been created either as a tool for these three factions to check one another—or to wage war.
"So they're all active in this era simultaneously."
Until now, only the Infinite Realm had revealed itself within the Martial World.
Bu Eun-seol had privately speculated whether the Three Realms' factions might be taking turns appearing in the Rivers and Lakes.
But given the current situation, didn't it seem more like they were competing for different goals?
"Or perhaps there's a dominant faction pursuing some objective, while the others work covertly to hinder them..."
Whatever the case, one thing was certain: the Three Realms were in conflict, and they were emerging simultaneously.
And from Bu Eun-seol's perspective, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Which means... even the Three Realms' infiltration of the Martial Alliance might not be the work of the Infinite Realm..."
Bu Eun-seol frowned as he gazed at the distant sky.
The factions of the Three Realms were too deep, too concealed... He still couldn't grasp their full reach.
"No. In the end, they're all manipulating factions to suit their tastes and achieve their desired outcomes."
What if the Azure River Realm represented absolute righteousness?
At the very least, they wouldn't have used the Tang Clan as leverage to threaten Bu Eun-seol.
A solar radiance, blinding as the sun itself, flared in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"I'll uncover every last one of them and crush them all."
After all, infiltrating the Martial Alliance was only to find the Three Realms' mastermind who ordered his grandfather's death—and the executioner who carried it out.
Whether united as one or split into three, the Three Realms were still the Three Realms.
In the end, they were an existence that could never coexist with Bu Eun-seol.
Martial Alliance, Hall of Ascending Martial. Yuk Jang-cheon's office.
Yuk Jang-cheon, who had been looking down at the report on his desk, made a peculiar expression.
'I can't make heads or tails of this.'
The Three Poison Sects had achieved remarkable growth over the past decade, and their united front against the Tang Clan in an all-out war was practically a fait accompli.
Moreover, the Martial Alliance had all but ignored the Tang Clan's repeated requests for mediation.
Though the current Martial Alliance appeared peaceful on the surface, its internal affairs were exceedingly complex.
If they were to intervene under the guise of mediation?
It was as clear as day that once they stepped in, they would never be able to extricate themselves.
Furthermore, because the Tang Clan had always walked its own path, the Martial Alliance saw no need to risk conflict with the Demon Hall on their behalf.
In the end, they had turned a blind eye and entrusted the mediation to a third-rate corps—only for the situation to spiral in an entirely unexpected direction.
Suddenly, the Poison Demon Sect had fled in the dead of night during negotiations, while the Poison Flame and Poison Phoenix Sects, finding themselves in dire straits, had demanded a martial contest.
Tang Clan Soul Gatherer—Tang Gon.
In the past, he had earned his epithet by subjugating the Blood Poison Valley and had finally ascended as the Young Clan Head.
However, since then, he had been known as a recluse, showing neither notable achievements nor clear martial prowess—until now.
Abruptly, he had displayed overwhelming martial might by wielding the Heaven-Poison Blood Mist Art, securing a decisive victory against Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk.
Because of this, the Three Poison Sects' momentum had been shattered, making it impossible for them to challenge the Tang Clan again.
Moreover, the Tang Clan, spurred by this event, was now rallying not around Clan Head Tang Pae, but around their Young Clan Head, Tang Gon.
Ultimately, the Three Poison Sects' ambitions had been crushed, while Tang Gon and the Tang Clan's fame soared.
This turn of events left the Martial Alliance in an awkward position.
Sending a third-grade commander in response to a sect's request for mediation was, in effect, the Martial Alliance coldly turning a blind eye to the Tang Clan's crisis.
And yet, the Tang Clan had sent a trove of treasures and concealed weapons to the Martial Alliance as a gesture of gratitude.
—The Tang Clan shall never forget the grace shown by the Martial Alliance and Peak Leader Seon-u.
In particular, Seon-u Jin had played a pivotal role in negotiations with the Three Poison Sects, forcing the Poison Demon Sect to retreat.
—Commander Seon-u risked his life at the negotiation table to stand with our main house.
With the situation unfolding this way...
The Martial Alliance, which had been gradually severing ties with the Tang Clan, had no choice but to reverse its stance.
After all, it was due to Peak Leader Seon-u Jin's efforts that their frozen relations had thawed.
"Hmm..."
Yuk Jang-cheon closed the report and let out a troubled sigh.
'I can't comprehend this.'
Truthfully, he had already severed any expectations or goodwill toward Seon-u Jin.
What kind of lunatic would dare take on the role of mediating between sects—as the leader of a mere third-rate corps?
And yet, every time he handed Seon-u Jin a mission and sent him off, the man returned with achievements beyond all expectations.
At this point... even Yuk Jang-cheon found himself in deep turmoil.
'Could it be... that Peak Leader Seon-u possesses a vessel too vast to be judged by ordinary standards?'
Great figures were always met with strange gazes from the masses.
Because unlike ordinary people, they carried grand ambitions and capabilities, accomplishing feats no one could foresee.
Knock knock.
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by an attendant's voice.
"Hall Master, Peak Leader Seon-u has come to see you."
"Let him in."
Creak.
The door opened, and a man in white robes approached, clasping his hands respectfully.
Tall but slender in frame, his eyes shone brightly, yet there was an inexplicable frailty about him.
With his refined features, he looked like someone who would be perfectly at home flicking abacus beads for a merchant guild.
Yet in truth, he possessed martial arts that could rival the Great Righteous Experts, along with exceptional wisdom—a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
'So that's why the Baekri Mu-jo, the Star Guard Corps leader said what he did.'
—"Once the Pinnacle Squad is promoted to a second-rate corps, I intend to have them work under my division in earnest. Would that be acceptable?"
Those were the words of Baekri Mu-jo, leader of the Star Guard Corps, spoken when they had crossed paths during the General Assembly.
He was a man who pursued perfection, one who would never keep the unexceptional under his command.
And yet, he had set his sights on a third-rate corps that had been nothing more than a nominal placeholder?
'Absolutely out of the question.'
Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head.
From the beginning, the formation of the Pinnacle Squad had been initiated by the Hall of Ascending Martial and the Elders' Hall.
It was only because the Elders' Hall had unexpectedly withdrawn from the plan, and because the Hall of Ascending Martial's nature made it impossible to oversee a third-rate corps, that they had reluctantly placed it under the Star Guard Corps.
Hadn't the Hall of Ascending Martial been handling the corps' missions and management all along? And now, the Star Guard Corps wanted to take it over?
Such a thing could never be allowed.
"Peak Leader Seon-u Jin pays his respects to the Hall Master."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands, Yuk Jang-cheon snapped out of his thoughts and adjusted his expression.
"You've worked hard."
Then, with an uncharacteristically warm expression, he gestured.
"Sit first."
Once Bu Eun-seol took his seat, Yuk Jang-cheon ordered the attendant to bring tea.
"This outcome was entirely unexpected. It seems we've achieved results beyond our expectations."
Yuk Jang-cheon pointed at the report.
Unable to simply rejoice, Bu Eun-seol could sense the complicated emotions swirling within Yuk Jang-cheon and shook his head.
"I did nothing in this matter. It was all handled by the Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan."
"This report contains little worth seeing. I suppose the negotiations with the Three Poison Sects were conducted in secrecy."
Yuk Jang-cheon gestured toward the documents on the table.
Alongside the one Bu Eun-seol had submitted, there was another report placed there.
'Is it always like this?'
For a fleeting moment, a glint flashed through Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Was it because he was a Third-grade Commander? Or because he had no clear affiliation?
Every mission Bu Eun-seol resolved was inevitably subjected to another round of investigation by the Martial Alliance to verify its authenticity.
"The Ten Thousand Reflections Hall Leader was absolutely certain the Three Poison Sects were determined to strike the Tang Clan. How did this turn out so differently?"
"Young Clan Head Tang Gon is an extraordinary figure. He had long anticipated the Three Poison Sects' aggression and had prepared multiple countermeasures."
Bu Eun-seol calmly reiterated the details he had recorded in the report.
Yuk Jang-cheon listened silently before stroking his chin.
"So, in the end, you arbitrarily... bluffed to the sect leaders of the Three Poison Sects that our alliance would inevitably intervene in their conflict with the Tang Clan?"
"That's correct. The Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan was already resolute in waging a full-scale war against them. The request for mediation from our alliance came from Tang Seong, the External Elder."
"But if things had gone wrong, the consequences would have been beyond your ability to handle."
Yuk Jang-cheon fixed Bu Eun-seol with a sharp gaze.
"If a full-scale war had truly broken out and the Demon Hall had intervened, how did you intend to take responsibility? Our alliance had no intention of doing so."
"Merchants are highly sensitive to even the smallest gains and losses. That's why, when negotiating, they analyze every possible move their opponent might make."
Bu Eun-seol met Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes and spoke in a low but firm voice.
"After meticulously analyzing this negotiation, I concluded that the Demon Hall would never intervene in the Three Poison Sects' conflict."
"Why?"
"Because the Heir of the Demon Hall, the Martial Soul Lord, shares a considerable friendship with Young Clan Head Tang Gon."
In an instant, Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes widened, and he slapped his knee.
"You knew."
The reason the Tang Clan's request for mediation had reached the Regional Department Heads Conference in the first place—
It was because the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall had already uncovered the relationship between the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol, and Tang Gon.
—No matter what tricks the Three Poison Sects pull, the Demon Hall won't interfere. The Tang Clan's mediation request can be handled perfunctorily.
Relying on the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall Leader's bold assurance, the High Command had sought out a low-ranking unit to deal with the Tang Clan's request half-heartedly.
But to think Bu Eun-seol had already been aware of this fact—
"I see."
With all his doubts resolved, Yuk Jang-cheon broke into a bright smile.
This matter would undoubtedly be brought up again for explanation during the Grand Council meeting.
For Yuk Jang-cheon to comfortably claim this achievement as his own, he needed a convincing explanation to satisfy the High Command.
"Let me reiterate—I did nothing."
Just then, Bu Eun-seol added quietly.
"I merely guessed the Young Clan Head's intentions and bolstered his stance with a bluff."
"Nonsense. You acted as our alliance's special envoy with dignity and wisdom, which is why we achieved such favorable results."
Now that all suspicions had been cleared, Yuk Jang-cheon lavished praise on Bu Eun-seol's accomplishments.
"The Tang Clan has expressed great sincerity toward our alliance because of this matter. That merit must be acknowledged."
"The Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan has a generous disposition. Contrary to rumors, his martial arts are also exceptional. And... he seemed to regard me favorably."
"Is that so?"
Yuk Jang-cheon had no interest in the Tang Clan's affairs.
His primary concern now was how to secure Bu Eun-seol under his command.
"At any rate, not just our hall, but several key figures have begun keeping an eye on you. If you handle a few more matters well..."
Trailing off deliberately, Yuk Jang-cheon continued.
"You may soon be promoted to Second-grade Commander. That would mean you'd finally have a proper place to belong."
As if realizing he had revealed too much, he quickly shifted the topic.
"Regardless, you've worked hard. You'll have no assignments for a while, so take some proper rest."
"I have one request, Hall Leader."
"Speak."
"It seems there may be a hidden force behind the Three Poison Sects' attempt to attack the Tang Clan."
"Impossible. The Three Poison Sects have long held a grudge against the Tang Clan and sought to expand into Sichuan. Now that they've grown stronger, they likely wanted revenge."
"That may not be the case."
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
"Though they're called the Three Poison Sects, they are three distinct factions. The fact that they simultaneously expanded their influence is suspicious."
"Hmm. So, this request of yours is..."
As Yuk Jang-cheon stroked his chin, Bu Eun-seol spoke carefully.
"I wish to venture into the Rivers and Lakes to investigate who might be backing the Three Poison Sects."
Though he phrased it this way, he had another motive.
'I've left my position vacant for far too long.'
To maintain his current dual identity, he needed another layer of preparation.
Bu Eun-seol intended to use this opportunity to step into the martial world and execute a plan to craft a flawless double life.