Chapter 418

Yuk Jang-cheon wore an expression of surprise.

"Must you? Without even taking a break?"

"Regardless, isn't this the place where all major and minor affairs of the martial world are handled? Even if there's no immediate gain, I should be able to gather various pieces of information."

"Hohoho."

Yuk Jang-cheon smiled.

"Do as you please. However—"

Then, with subtle words, he drove a spike into this young man brimming with enthusiasm.

"Don't forget that it was this hall, not the Star Guard Corps, that granted permission for this mission."

"Of course."

"If you require support, speak up anytime."

"My thanks."

As Bu Eun-seol departed, silence briefly flowed through the office.

After staring into empty space for a long while, Yuk Jang-cheon spoke in a low voice.

"Well then, what do you think?"

Swish.

At that, a secret door hidden behind the bookshelves opened, and a woman in blue robes stepped out. It was Yuk Cheong-a.

"This father certainly wants to keep that fellow close by."

"We must acknowledge that he's a figure who surpasses common sense. Seeing how he actively seeks out missions to undertake, he seems to harbor ambitions contrary to his outward appearance. However..."

Yuk Cheong-a spoke in hushed tones.

"I still think we need to verify him once more. Take this Dang Clan incident, for instance. Frankly, it's suspicious that someone of his caliber has been lying low in the Upper Realm until now."

"Hasn't the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall already investigated him hundreds of times?"

"The Ten Thousand Reflections Hall's intelligence network is formidable, but much of their information comes solely from documents. That's why we always need to verify things in person."

"Hmm."

"If things continue this way, he'll soon become a Second-grade Commander and formally establish his affiliation. If we don't act now, we might reach a point where we want to investigate but can't."

"From your perspective, does he seem like someone requiring investigation?"

Yuk Cheong-a answered decisively.

"Yes."

After a moment of contemplation, Yuk Jang-cheon nodded.

"We'll need to find the right person for this."

"I've already preselected someone."

Yuk Cheong-a produced a small booklet.

"There's a Law Enforcement Commander who tenaciously uncovered that a former Deputy Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall and the Head of the Nectar Bureau were spies. They're currently affiliated with the Inspection Hall."

Opening the booklet revealed detailed records of a passionate, ambitious Law Enforcement Commander who had once searched for the Violet Essence Pill alongside Bu Eun-seol disguised as Seol-so—Jongjeong Yak's comprehensive history.

Bu Eun-seol gathered the Pinnacle Squad members to hold a meeting.

He announced that he would venture into the martial world to uncover the forces behind the Three Poison Sects.

He ordered the squad members to continue investigating related information.

Additionally, to maintain constant communication, they would utilize the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall's network spread throughout the martial world.

However, to prevent others from deciphering their messages, he instructed them to create and use a secret language exclusive to the Pinnacle Squad.

Establishing this system alone meant that while Bu Eun-seol was away in the martial world,

the Pinnacle Squad would serve as excellent eyes and ears for monitoring the orthodox murim's movements.

The only regret was being unable to discuss with them or within the Martial Alliance about the Three Realms forces that had infiltrated their ranks.

Clip-clop.

The carriage carrying Bu Eun-seol slowly departed from Henan.

It was time to return to being the Heir of the Demon Hall once more.

To do so, contact with the Evil Soul Squad was necessary.

To maintain his identity as a Martial Alliance Commander, he needed to separately establish Seon-u Jin's trail.

'But this is merely a stopgap measure.'

A flash gleamed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he gazed at the distant sky.

'I'll make plans to create a shadow upon returning to the Demon Hall.'

From now on, he would need to move between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance to handle various matters.

For that purpose, rather than relying on the Evil Soul Squad, he needed to create a shadow—a perfect clone that would become his exact duplicate.

Upon entering Chengdu, Bu Eun-seol stopped at a guest inn for brief rest.

Until now, he had handled many matters at the Martial Alliance under Seon-u Jin's identity.

And espionage work, it turned out, drained mental power far more than expected, while physical fatigue reached extreme levels.

The Martial Alliance contained many masters who surpassed him. Moreover, the persona of Seon-u Jin wasn't fully trusted either.

Completely concealing his identity as the Heir of the Demon Hall while serving as a Martial Alliance Commander to handle affairs—

This was by no means an easy task for Bu Eun-seol either.

Fortunately, the Seon-u Jin created by the Divine Calculator was not only exceptionally capable but also a figure from the Upper Realm.

Thus, even when achieving unexpected merits or displaying extraordinary abilities, he could fabricate reasons by invoking "Upper Realm matters."

Nor did he need to endure suspicious glares or anxiety when employing wealth to command intelligence networks.

Furthermore, it allowed him to freely reserve entire sections like the inn's Separate Garden—something unthinkable on a Third-grade Commander's salary—without drawing attention.

"Whew."

After a full day and night of deep rest, he completely restored his exhausted body and mind.

Leaving the Separate Garden, he ascended to the inn's second floor for a meal.

"Somehow, I've ended up becoming a spy myself."

Gazing out the window as he sipped his tea, Bu Eun-seol suddenly felt the absurdity of his situation.

Was this fate as well?

Until now, he had clashed with—and eliminated—numerous spies embedded within various factions, spies from the Three Realms.

And yet here he was, now a spy himself, moving between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance...

"Lord. This is Seong-gok of the Evil Soul Squad."

Just then, a hushed voice transmission from one of the unit members reached Bu Eun-seol's ears.

"The Sanghak Unit Commander has requested your presence at a nearby safe house."

'Yu Un-ryong is here?'

A glint of intrigue flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.

He was due to return to the Demon Hall soon anyway. So why summon him outside, in secret?

That could only mean something major had happened.

"Lead the way."

Without delay, Bu Eun-seol left the inn and followed Seong-gok's guidance toward a manor on the outskirts of Chengdu.

Song Family Estate.

Publicly, it was known as the residence of a retired official.

In truth, however, it was a safe house secretly established by the Demon Hall.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Following Seong-gok's lead, Bu Eun-seol knocked on the manor's gate.

The moment it opened, an attendant smoothly took over guiding them inside.

Once they entered the guest hall, the attendant pressed a hand against a hanging scroll on the wall.

Rumble.

A hidden passage, concealed within the hall, was revealed.

Bu Eun-seol stepped inside without hesitation. At the end of the passage stood a sturdy iron door leading to a secure chamber.

When the door opened, the room was illuminated by bright lanterns—and inside, he saw two familiar faces.

"Bu Eun-seol!"

Seo Jin-ha, who had been sitting at the table with Yu Un-ryong, sprang up and rushed over, clasping Bu Eun-seol's hands in his own.

"How long has it been?!"

He let out an excited cry before scrutinizing Bu Eun-seol from head to toe, then burst into admiration.

"You've improved even more!"

"Have you fully recovered your internal power?"

"Of course!"

Seo Jin-ha shrugged his shoulders and channeled his qi.

Having fully opened his upper dantian, a verdant glow radiated not just from his forehead—but his entire body.

"...Far stronger than I expected."

Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his astonishment.

"How did this happen?"

The fluctuations of true qi emanating from Seo Jin-ha's body had already surpassed the level of four sixty-year measure cycles.

It was more than double the internal power he had wielded in the past.

"The Palace Master took great care of me. Not only did she impart the Myriad Transformations Dharma Wheel, but she also restored my lower dantian with rare elixirs."

The Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace hadn't just taught Seo Jin-ha an internal energy method—they had also dedicated their full efforts to healing his shattered Qi Sea Acupoint.

With his upper dantian now open and his original dantian partially restored, his internal power had multiplied exponentially.

"But why are you here?" Bu Eun-seol asked.

"If you've recovered, shouldn't you be returning to the Demon Hall?"

It was Yu Un-ryong who answered.

"Seo Jin-ha won't be going to the Demon Hall. No—he can't go."

Stepping closer, Yu Un-ryong spoke decisively.

"You've worked hard to secure your position as a Martial Alliance unit leader, haven't you? To maintain that, we don't need the Evil Soul Squad—we need a perfect shadow to take your place."

Then he pointed at Seo Jin-ha.

"And conveniently, the perfect candidate has just returned."

Yu Un-ryong, alongside the Evil Soul Squad Commander, was one of the few who had meticulously tracked Bu Eun-seol's movements.

Just like Bu Eun-seol, he had recognized the necessity of maintaining a dual identity—and the need for a shadow to uphold it.

"You're entrusting that role to Seo Jin-ha?"

"Yes."

Yu Un-ryong's tone left no room for argument.

"He's the only one who can perfectly maintain your dual identity."

Upon hearing that Seo Jin-ha had returned from the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, Yu Un-ryong had summoned him—not to the Demon Hall, but to the safe house near Chengdu where Bu Eun-seol was staying.

After all, there were already signs that a mole had infiltrated the Death Shadow War Unit's unit leaders.

And so, Yu Un-ryong had chosen Seo Jin-ha as the shadow who would flawlessly preserve Bu Eun-seol's dual existence.

Because with him, no one would suspect a thing—he could become both the perfect Bu Eun-seol and Seon-u Jin.

"You've only just recovered your internal power after so much hardship. Let's find someone else suitable."

When Bu Eun-seol hesitated, Seo Jin-ha gave him a calm smile.

"Even if I go to the Death Shadow War Unit, my position there would be ambiguous anyway."

"Besides, I think it'd be more fun to roam the martial world as your shadow than to stay cooped up as a unit leader."

Easier said than done.

If Bu Eun-seol was at the Demon Hall, Seo Jin-ha would have to become Seon-u Jin—wandering the martial world or infiltrating the Martial Alliance in his stead.

Which meant mastering everything—from Bu Eun-seol and Seon-u Jin's mannerisms and speech patterns...

To their habits, martial techniques, and beyond.

For Seo Jin-ha, who now stood at the threshold of the Transcendence Realm, this path of a spy was an unforgiving choice.

"Seo Jin-ha."

Bu Eun-seol shook his head.

"This is my personal matter. Even if I do this, no one will acknowledge it, nor will there be any glory to be gained."

"Didn't you already claim all the glory as the Rising Talent of the Younger Generation anyway?"

Seo Jin-ha waved his hand dismissively, as if to say it didn't matter.

"Then, becoming your shadow and following in those footsteps sounds pretty entertaining to me."

Seo Jin-ha possessed outstanding martial prowess, a sharp mind, keen insight, and the ability to improvise on the spot.

If he were to return to the Demon Hall?

He could achieve great merit and rise to a high position.

Yet here he was, willingly declaring that he would live as Bu Eun-seol's shadow.

"Is it because I'm not good enough?"

"That's not it. It's just—"

"Then that settles it."

Seo Jin-ha grinned, flashing his white teeth.

"Leave it to me. That's all that matters."

"You don't know what kind of dangerous situations might arise."

"Hahaha. Isn't that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just how life with a blade is? It's not like we're carrying swords to chop vegetables in the guest inn's kitchen."

Seo Jin-ha's joke was meant to ease Bu Eun-seol's guilt and burden.

Knowing that, Bu Eun-seol could no longer refuse.

"Thank you."

For the first time, Bu Eun-seol expressed his gratitude to Seo Jin-ha.

No one in this world would willingly choose to become another's shadow. Yet here he was, ready to sacrifice himself—

All for Bu Eun-seol's sake.

"I'll make sure it doesn't take too long. I'll finish everything as quickly as possible."

Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.

Becoming a chief in the Martial Alliance was only to uncover the truth behind the alliance.

He intended to wrap things up swiftly, shed his dual identity, and free Seo Jin-ha from this grueling task.

Ahem.

Just as the warmth of friendship flickered in Bu Eun-seol and Seo Jin-ha's eyes, Yu Un-ryong cleared his throat.

"Then, starting now, we'll have to train Seo Jin-ha to become the perfect Bu Eun-seol—and Seon-u Jin."

He then turned to Seo Jin-ha with a smirk.

"Still, I'm jealous. To pull this off, you'll not only learn Seon-u Jin's martial arts but also Bu Eun-seol's True Void, won't you?"

"Is that how it works?"

Seo Jin-ha smiled faintly.

Of course, mastering the Flying Dagger Art and Deflect Flowers and Receive Jade would be necessary to mimic Seon-u Jin.

But beyond that, to imitate Bu Eun-seol, he'd have to learn his speech, habits—and even his True Void for emergencies.

"This might take a while."

Seo Jin-ha shrugged.

Given his talent and Internal Power, mastering Bu Eun-seol and Seon-u Jin's martial arts wouldn't take too long.

But unlike martial techniques, speech, behavior, and subtle habits would require much more time.

That would demand prolonged observation—because people rarely recognize their own quirks and mannerisms.

"No need to worry about that."

Yu Un-ryong pulled a book from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

"I anticipated this, so I compiled all the information on Bu Eun-seol in advance."

He grinned.

"Besides, since Seon-u Jin is a newly fabricated identity, there shouldn't be any deeply ingrained habits. Master this, and we'll save a lot of time."

Bu Eun-seol flipped through the book Yu Un-ryong had set down.

Inside were detailed records of mannerisms, speech patterns—things even he himself hadn't realized.

"Wow, when did you even write all this?"

Seo Jin-ha leaned in to examine the book, prompting Yu Un-ryong to rub his nose sheepishly.

"This is the kind of work I usually do for the Demon Hall."

"Rumors reached me, but... are you some kind of Bu Eun-seol fanatic?"

Seo Jin-ha laughed, clapping Yu Un-ryong on the shoulder.

"This level of detail—you'd have to observe him every single day, wouldn't you?"

"A fanatic? What nonsense. I was merely—"

"It's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fine. It's fine. I was the same at first."

Seo Jin-ha pulled Yu Un-ryong closer and whispered conspiratorially.

"I also thought copying him would make my martial arts improve, so I observed every little detail, you know?"

For a moment, Yu Un-ryong looked as if he'd been caught, shutting his mouth with an awkward expression.

Watching them, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.

Just as Seo Jin-ha had done for him—his warm, easygoing nature was now putting Yu Un-ryong at ease.

These two were the people Bu Eun-seol trusted most.

If they combined their strengths, they could accomplish the unexpected.

'Soon, a flawless dual identity will be complete.'

Bu Eun-seol's lips curled slightly.

With these two by his side... he was certain they could overcome any trial.

Seo Jin-ha did not return to the Demon Hall. Instead, he began his training at the Song Family Estate.

He had to master the Willful True Binding, the Flying Dagger Art, and various other martial disciplines to a certain level.

Moreover, to become the perfect shadow for both Bu Eun-seol and Seon-u Jin,

one must not only fill their mind with various pieces of information and knowledge but also fully embody them through physical mastery.

No flaws must ever be revealed, no matter the time or situation.

Additionally, Bu Eun-seol relayed information about another faction among the Three Realms—the Azure River Realm—to Yu Un-ryong and Seo Jin-ha.

—So that's how it was.

From the moment Yu Un-ryong heard that the Three Realms were divided into three factions, he had always suspected they were in competition with one another.

If that weren't the case?

No figure in the Martial World would have been able to defy their will... and Bu Eun-seol himself would have long been eradicated by the Three Realms.

—Well, isn't that fortunate?

Seo Jin-ha laughed as he spoke.

—An enemy's enemy could very well become our ally.

Bu Eun-seol didn't believe the Three Realms operated on such a simple competitive structure.

But he didn't argue with Seo Jin-ha's words. After all, nothing had been definitively uncovered yet...

A hopeful assumption wouldn't hurt for now.

Bu Eun-seol left Song Manor and headed back alone toward the Demon Hall.

He had been away from the Death Shadow War Unit for too long, busy handling affairs in the Martial Alliance.

No matter how flawlessly Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u managed the duties in his stead, there were tasks only he could perform.

Especially since Bu Eun-seol's very existence was the Death Shadow War Unit itself. If he didn't show his face periodically, the morale of the unit members would plummet.

'Tch.'

Stopping at a relay station on his way to the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol let out a low sigh as he sensed something.

A gaze observing him—somewhere, hidden so meticulously that an ordinary martial artist would never notice.

'The Martial Alliance again?'

Bu Eun-seol was still moving through the Rivers and Lakes in the guise of Seon-u Jin, not bothering to conceal his tracks.

Meaning the only ones who would pursue him were from the Martial Alliance.

'Not a good sign.'

It hadn't even been a few days since he left the Martial Alliance.

Even after earning merit, to have a tracker tailing him immediately—

Wasn't that proof that someone in the High Command suspected him?

'I'll have to confirm first.'

Leaving the relay station, Bu Eun-seol slowly made his way to a teahouse.

All the while, a bitter thought crossed his mind.

'Truly, it's a different world from the Demon Hall.'

In the Demon Hall, merit alone was enough.

But in the Martial Alliance, even if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one achieved merit, every procedure had to be transparent.

And until one earned absolute trust, regardless of rank or affiliation, they could still be placed under surveillance.

'All in the name of justice, I suppose.'

In the Demon Hall, whether one was a spy or not, strength alone defined righteousness.

But the Martial Alliance would never tolerate even the most exceptional figures—no matter their accomplishments—if they strayed from the Righteous Path or committed injustice.

"Welcome."

The place Bu Eun-seol entered was a bustling guest inn.

He had chosen it specifically to confirm the presence of his covert pursuer.

'Had I gone to a quiet teahouse, they wouldn't have followed inside.'

If he had entered a secluded inn or teahouse under the pretense of detecting his tracker?

The pursuer would have simply waited outside instead.

No matter how flawless his disguise, the risk of suspicion or exposure remained.

But in a crowded inn like this, they had to enter.

After all, in such chaotic surroundings, there was always the possibility of a secret rendezvous.

'Not bad.'

Though Bu Eun-seol had stepped inside, the pursuer's gaze did not follow.

Taking a deep breath, he expanded his senses through the Way of the Beast—and realized the gaze was coming not from the inn, but from the one across the street.

To minimize the risk of exposure, they had chosen the safer option of observing from the opposite building.

'They know their spycraft well. But their martial skills must be lacking—they never learned the crucial details.'

An observer, too, must hide in bustling places.

No matter the distance, if they chose a quiet inn for surveillance—

A master with sharpened senses would detect their gaze instantly.

Of course, this oversight occurred precisely because they couldn't possibly anticipate that Bu Eun-seol had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reached the Extreme Heaven Realm.

Had they known he was a master who overlooked the entire Murim, they would never have assigned such an unskilled watcher.

'Let's see.'

Bu Eun-seol casually turned his gaze toward the window.

In that instant, he spotted a figure awkwardly averting their eyes.

'A Law Enforcement Commander?'

The moment he identified the hidden observer's identity, Bu Eun-seol couldn't conceal his surprise.

Jongjeong Yak.

The very woman who had worked alongside him to expose the corruption of the Law Enforcement Hall's Deputy Chief and the Nectar Bureau's head—now promoted to the Inspection Hall—was the one tailing his movements.

'Either the Hall of Martial Ascension's master or the Yeonseong Hall's leader must be behind this.'

Bu Eun-seol's eyes darkened.

Jongjeong Yak specialized in rooting out spies.

Sending her meant this wasn't just surveillance—it was suspicion of his very identity.

And who would suspect the third-grade commander of a newly formed Martial Alliance unit, one who had only just earned merit twice?

Only two people came to mind: Yuk Jang-cheon... or Yuk Cheong-a.