Chapter 427
Bu Eun-seol crossed half the sky in an instant, unfolding a movement technique as swift as divine flight.
Too much time had passed while his memories were lost. Undoubtedly, numerous mishaps must have occurred during that period.
Now, he had to rectify everything as quickly as possible.
Whoosh! Thud!
But suddenly, Bu Eun-seol halted his movement technique and stood firmly atop a cliff deep within the mountains.
A memory that had abruptly surfaced plunged him into extreme turmoil.
'I had parents too!'
During his time living as a beggar named Mumu, bereft of his memories, he had dreamed countless dreams.
Dreams that had been completely erased.
They were memories of his childhood.
'Born into a prosperous household, with parents who loved me!'
He had thought himself an abandoned orphan, cast adrift in the world.
But in truth, he had been showered with love, raised in an exceedingly fortunate family.
Yet—why?
Why had the manor suddenly been set ablaze? Why had he been evacuated?
Could it be... that they had committed high treason?
'What kind of people were my parents? I'm so desperate to know...'
Even in his dreams, he couldn't see their faces clearly.
Yet he could feel it—their boundless kindness, their noble character. Much like his grandfather, Bu Jan-yang.
But then why? Why had he endured such a thing?
Why had his memories been erased?
After falling from the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff while partially consumed by the Spirit Summoning Secret Voice, he had regained fragments of his childhood memories.
But that was all.
Nothing else came to mind. In fact, the more he tried to recall, the more those dreamlike memories seemed to vanish like bubbles in water.
—If you ever learn martial arts, this Great Art will one day shatter.
'Why won't my memories return?'
Bu Eun-seol's current Internal Power was beyond question. Through the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, he had erected infinite barriers of spirit and mind.
Yet the Great Art remained unbroken, and his memories could not be restored.
Was it because he had yet to reach the Martial Extreme Realm, where one could manifest the impossible?
'The father I saw in my dreams... was by no means weak.'
There was no Great Art in Murim capable of erasing memories.
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, his father's martial prowess was Sim Bul Gacheuk—unfathomable to the heart. In other words, it was a level he dared not even attempt to measure.
Yet why had his name remained unknown?
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
'Even if my memories don't return... I wish I could see their faces just once.'
No matter how hard he struggled to remember—
Even in those dreams... he could never see his parents' faces clearly.
That agony tormented him beyond words.
'Can I find them?'
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
In his dreams, he had seen himself—
A bright-eyed child of about five or six.
That meant the manor had burned down roughly twenty to thirty years ago.
Moreover, though his father possessed overwhelming martial prowess, he seemed to have lived in hiding, like a scholar...
And yet, he had lamented his inability to protect his family.
'The Three Realms!'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes sharpened like a lion's.
In the end, the only ones with power of that magnitude—aside from the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic—were the Three Realms, weren't they?
'If the Three Realms deliberately erased this truth...'
The Three Realms' intelligence network far surpassed that of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths. If they had resolved to conceal something—
Even if he mobilized every intelligence organization in existence... could he uncover an incident from twenty, no, thirty years ago?
Especially when he had no concrete leads to follow.
'No matter how long it takes, I will find them!'
Bu Eun-seol swore an oath to the distant sky.
Then, he took several deep breaths, steadying his turbulent emotions.
'For now, I must focus on what needs to be done.'
Unfolding his movement technique once more, Bu Eun-seol arrived in Chengdu in an instant.
Using an extremely discreet method, he sent a message to someone.
This was the first step in correcting the events that had transpired in his absence.
Clatter, clatter.
A carriage that had fled the Demon Hall raced on without rest.
After days of relentless travel, it arrived at a safe house secretly maintained by the Demon Hall in the Xiangtan region.
Thud.
The moment the carriage stopped, a shadowy figure stumbled out in a frantic rush toward the safe house.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
'Please, please...'
Entering the safe house, he stared at the firmly shut door, panting heavily.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, then slowly pushed the door open.
Inside stood a man of striking beauty, clad in white robes, his hands clasped behind his back.
It was the very person he had longed to see even in his dreams—his close friend and superior.
Bu Eun-seol.
"Bu Eun-seol!"
Without thinking, Yu Un-ryong shouted and lunged forward, pulling him into a fierce embrace.
'Heavenly deities, thank you!'
He cried out in his heart again and again.
All this time, he had prayed to the heavens without missing a single day.
Take my life if you must, but spare his. Please, protect Bu Eun-seol's safety above all else...
And at last, the gods had answered his prayers.
Had they sensed the depth of Yu Un-ryong's desperation?
Crush.
Bu Eun-seol returned the embrace with equal force.
"What the hell happened? Why did you pull such a stunt?"
Swallowing the storm of emotions threatening to burst forth, Yu Un-ryong spoke.
"There were traces of you falling from the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff! The warriors of Prince Wei's Residence were combing the area—what the hell was that about?!"
"Un-ryong, calm down."
Bu Eun-seol smiled and patted his shoulder.
'Un-ryong?'
Yu Un-ryong blinked in surprise.
Though Bu Eun-seol's inner warmth was genuine, outwardly, he had always been as cold as ice.
Yet here he was, smiling brightly and calling him Un-ryong?
"Are—are you really alright?"
"Of course. I may have been acting unlike myself... for a while."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and smiled.
"But even that was still a part of me."
Yu Un-ryong blinked again.
He didn't know what had happened in the meantime, but Bu Eun-seol's demeanor had softened considerably.
Moreover, dressed in white robes instead of his usual attire, he almost looked like a chivalrous hero from the Righteous Faction at a glance.
"So... you're really fine?"
"I am."
Fortunately, his voice wasn't warm or gentle.
If it had been, Yu Un-ryong would have immediately pried open Bu Eun-seol's lips to check if he was under some kind of disguise.
"What the hell happened? That bastard Hyeokryeon Hall Master—what exactly did he do to you?"
Bu Eun-seol replied bitterly.
"Hyeokryeon Hall Master was the Illusion King's master. And he even used the Flame Emperor's Qi."
"What?"
"In the end, I had no way to break his Mind-Severing Grand Method, so I had no choice but to throw myself off the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply, as if reliving the moment.
"Judging by his martial prowess, Hyeokryeon Hall Master likely isn't from the Cheongha Realm—but he must be either its leader or a core figure."
He calmly recounted the encounter with Hyeokryeon Eung.
Yu Un-ryong's mouth gradually fell open as he listened.
Hyeokryeon Eung, who had held the dual identities of the Demon Hall's Chief Guardian and Prince Wei's Royal Tutor—was actually a terrifying master so far beyond Bu Eun-seol's level that resistance had been impossible?
"So, even though it's not known in the Martial World, he's actually a master of the Martial Extreme Realm?"
"I don't know. Whether it was a phenomenon of the Martial Extreme Realm or a power beyond the boundaries of martial arts altogether."
"This is insane."
Yu Un-ryong gaped.
"Just how many masters are there in Murim? Honestly, this defies all logic."
The Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic, the Three Demons and Three Venerables—
It was widely believed that aside from them, no one in Murim had reached the Martial Extreme Realm.
But with the existence of secret organizations like the Three Realms and the mysterious figures affiliated with them—
That common sense had been completely shattered.
"One thing is certain: Hyeokryeon Hall Master wields a unique Mind-Seizing Secret Art that no one can oppose. He might even be a descendant of the Illusion Star, one of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
"The Illusion Star?"
"Exactly. The martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars have always exhibited power that transcends conventional realms."
Their techniques were not bound by the limitations of martial cultivation.
In other words, Hyeokryeon Eung's Mind-Seizing Art might not be a result of reaching the Martial Extreme Realm—but rather, an inherent characteristic of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars' martial legacy.
"At any rate... I'm just glad you're back."
Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh of relief.
"If your return had been delayed even slightly, things would have spiraled beyond repair."
"Beyond repair?"
"That old monster, Gongya City Lord, submitted a proposal to the Demon Governance Council to strip you of your position as successor."
Yu Un-ryong gritted his teeth.
"And the Fleeting Moment Boat is on the brink of irreversible collapse due to internal strife. Meanwhile, Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary has suffered heavy casualties from attacks by Soulless Ones."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
Upon regaining his senses, he had only contacted Yu Un-ryong—
He hadn't yet caught up on recent events. But so much had happened in his absence?
"Tell me everything."
"Right, so—"
Yu Un-ryong proceeded to explain the situation in detail.
After a long moment of explanation, he lowered his voice.
"That's the gist of it."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened as he processed everything.
Truthfully, he had trained in martial arts and entered the Martial World to avenge his grandfather—
And in doing so, he had risen to a high position.
But as a result, many people and factions had come to trust and follow him.
And now, after repeated clashes with the Three Realms—
They had extended their monstrous reach not just to him, but to those under his protection as well.
"First, we should announce your return through our intelligence networks. That alone should resolve most of the issues naturally."
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No. It's better to remain missing for a while longer."
"What?"
"If they learn I've returned, they'll swiftly clean up their mess and withdraw."
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
"They must continue believing I'm still gone—only then can we easily resolve what has happened during that time."
"Deal with it... how?"
"The Fleeting Moment Boat and Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary."
Bu Eun-seol spoke plainly.
"Those two places must be stabilized first. Only then can we mount a proper defense against the Demon Governance Council."
"...Hm."
Yu Un-ryong nodded faintly, grasping Bu Eun-seol's plan.
"I see what you mean. Let's do it that way."
If they learned Bu Eun-seol was alive, their enemies would simply alter their plans again.
Better to remain "missing" and work in the shadows to resolve things decisively.
After all, women's sects had served as stepping stones for powerful sects for generations.
Yet the Fleeting Moment Boat had secured its place among the Demonic Path Ten Gates despite being a female-only sect, standing tall in the martial world through vast financial resources and exchanges with both orthodox and unorthodox factions.
Yu Su-ryeon.
She was the head of the Flower-and-Willow Court, a figure who had long served the Fleeting Moment Boat with unwavering loyalty.
But with Bu Eun-seol's appearance, discontent had festered within her—not just toward the pavilion, but toward its true master, Geuk Hye-ryeong.
Because of him.
The pavilion's longstanding principle of never relying on men and solving everything through its own strength had completely shifted.
—Why has our master fallen for that young man, pouring rivers of blood-money into Langya Pavilion and the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary?
From her perspective, ever since meeting Bu Eun-seol,
the Fleeting Moment Boat had willingly become a slave to Langya Pavilion and the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
They had lavished vast sums of wealth upon them and even shared their core assets—the Information Warfare Unit and intelligence network.
Of course, it was true that through exchanges with Langya Pavilion and the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary, they had acquired martial arts formidable enough to defend themselves independently.
But that was no justification for offering such immense financial and intelligence support.
—The Fleeting Moment Boat must change.
Then, an unexpected figure appeared before Yu Su-ryeon.
He introduced himself as the Third Envoy of the Infinite Realm.
A figure from the Three Realms—a shadowy organization known for manipulating factions and wielding command authority—had approached her.
—An envoy of the Infinite Realm?
Because the Fleeting Moment Boat had long served as Bu Eun-seol's eyes and ears, she was well-informed about the Three Realms.
Yet here was an envoy of the Infinite Realm—suspected of involvement in Bu Eun-seol's disappearance—standing before her?
—We will support you in becoming the true master of the Fleeting Moment Boat.
It was astonishing.
The Three Realms—a mysterious organization that had long stirred the martial world—was offering to make her the pavilion's master?
—What do you want from me?
—Nothing. If I must name something, it's simply for the Fleeting Moment Boat to return to what it once was.
Moreover, the envoy's words resonated with Yu Su-ryeon, presenting an offer with no apparent downside.
—Pouring wealth into Langya Pavilion and the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary to bolster their factions holds no benefit for our realm.
Yu Su-ryeon nodded in agreement.
The Three Realms and Bu Eun-seol had always been at odds. His words were likely true.
—Are you truly asking for nothing in return?
—Does the Fleeting Moment Boat possess anything superior to our realm?
He was right.
The financial and intelligence networks of the Three Realms surpassed the level of any single sect.
They held the power to erase an entire faction—or rebuild it in an instant.
—Very well.
In the end, Yu Su-ryeon joined hands with them.
Though she had allied with an external force, she stood unashamed.
Her cause was not personal ambition, but the future of the Fleeting Moment Boat—a banner she held high with pride.
Thus, even disciples dissatisfied with Geuk Hye-ryeong's policies were easily swayed to her side.
***
Jade Pity Fragrance.
A pleasure house in Wuchang, the most opulent among those under the Fleeting Moment Boat's control.
Within walls encircled like a fortress stood extravagant buildings.
Inside, courtesans of both beauty and talent mingled with renowned figures from all walks of life, indulging in fine wine and delicacies.
Willow Flower Court.
This was the residence of Yu Su-ryeon—Jade Pity Fragrance's proprietor and a senior elder of the Fleeting Moment Boat.
Seated at the desk in her office, Yu Su-ryeon suddenly turned her gaze to the copper mirror on her left, studying her reflection.
Her hooked nose and sharply downturned eyes gave her an obstinate appearance to any observer.
'Hmm.'
Yet Yu Su-ryeon was pleased with her own face.
Soon, this very face would lead the Fleeting Moment Boat as its true master.
"Madam."
Just then, the inner chamber's door opened, and a woman in embroidered robes entered with a bow.
It was Ok-cheong, Yu Su-ryeon's trusted aide.
"The settlement records for this month."
"Mmm."
Yu Su-ryeon accepted the ledger with a nod.
"Good."
"There's more."
Ok-cheong hesitated briefly before speaking cautiously.
"It seems the master has noticed."
"What do you mean?"
"The master has summoned all the proprietors managing first-tier pleasure houses in Jiangnan to Guilin."
"I've already heard."
"Then... shouldn't we sway them to our side quickly?"
Yu Su-ryeon, still reviewing the ledger, shook her head.
"Those proprietors are the master's loyalists. They won't listen even if we try. Don't waste your energy."
"Are you certain? It seems the master is preparing to act directly."
As Ok-cheong's face twisted with worry, Yu Su-ryeon let out a soft scoff.
"A confrontation was inevitable. If I feared it, I wouldn't have started this."
Her voice was low.
"And within five days, shut down Jade Pity Fragrance completely."
"Pardon?"
"Masters from Langya Pavilion will soon flood its halls."
"Langya Pavilion...?"
Ok-cheong paled.
Langya Pavilion had no ordinary disciples.
Each was a master capable of facing a hundred foes alone—thirty of them could effortlessly wipe out an entire minor sect.
"Our intelligence network detected no such movement."
"Hohoho. How can you compare our network's reach to that of the Infinite Realm?"
Yu Su-ryeon closed the ledger and looked at Ok-cheong.
"By sending Langya Pavilion's forces, she must have thought she could avoid bloodshed among the disciples. Naturally, she assumed we'd surrender."
"But the Pavilion Master has made the worst possible choice."
The Black Ledger—the core of Fleeting Moment Boat's authority—was already in her hands.
In the end, this move would only provide justification for bringing in external forces.
Just as Yu Su-ryeon was smiling faintly—
Tap tap.
Hurried footsteps approached, followed by a hushed voice.
"Court Master, it's Hwa-yeong."
"Enter."
The door opened, revealing a young attendant bowing deeply.
"A disaster is upon us."
"What disaster?"
"Langya Pavilion has dispatched their masters. They'll likely arrive here in five days at the earliest."
Ok-cheong's face paled as she turned to Yu Su-ryeon.
"Understood. You may leave."
Once Hwa-yeong had withdrawn, Ok-cheong spoke anxiously.
"If Langya Pavilion's masters are coming, doesn't that mean they'll pursue us relentlessly—even if we shut down the tavern?"
Langya Pavilion's masters weren't just peerless in martial arts—their acute senses made them unparalleled trackers.
For Langya Pavilion to mobilize their entire force...
Could this be Geuk Hye-ryeong's declaration that she would hunt down traitors to the end?
"Correct. But only one person will be pursued to the bitter end: this Pavilion Master alone."
Yu Su-ryeon leisurely picked up the teacup on the table.
"What they want isn't the slaughter of disciples—it's the Black Ledger in my possession."
"I see."
Ok-cheong nodded slowly.
Considering the Pavilion Master's temperament, she wouldn't have summoned Langya Pavilion's forces just to massacre Fleeting Moment Boat's disciples.
Meaning—if Yu Su-ryeon slipped away, the Pavilion Master would have no recourse.
"Prepare the carriage."
At Yu Su-ryeon's command, Ok-cheong bowed.
"Yes."
Clatter clatter.
The carriage stationed at Jade Pity Fragrance raced down the moonlit highway.
Inside, Yu Su-ryeon gazed serenely at the night sky.
Even if every master from Langya Pavilion gave chase, she felt no fear.
The Three Realms operated in shadows, but their power and influence stood unrivaled in the martial world.
Now that she held their lifeline, there was nothing left to fear.
"After all, those who follow the tide are the true geniuses."
Yu Su-ryeon nodded to herself as she watched the scenery outside.
By any measure, she'd made the right choice.
No one could oppose the Three Realms' might. Hadn't even the Heir of the Demon Hall—who'd clashed with them repeatedly—vanished without a trace?
And with the Black Ledger in her possession...
The Pavilion Master would inevitably yield, and Fleeting Moment Boat would fall into her grasp.
Clop clop.
The carriage sped through the night.
Just before dawn, it halted before a vast manor on the outskirts of the Bu Estate.
"We've arrived."
As the coachman opened the door, Yu Su-ryeon stepped out with dignified grace.
A strange formation enveloped the manor—despite the rising sun, thick fog swirled ominously.
She strode inside without hesitation.
The expansive front courtyard held an artificial pond, beside which stood an elegant pavilion.
There, a figure cloaked in shadows stood imposingly, wearing a mask etched with mysterious patterns. The Messenger of the Infinite Realm.
'More domineering than usual today.'
Like all Messengers of the Three Realms, the Third Envoy radiated such overwhelming shockwaves that his true features remained obscured.
But today, the energy pouring from him felt denser than ever.
"Thanks to your advance warning, I avoided panic and escaped unscathed."
When Yu Su-ryeon nodded lightly, the Messenger spoke.
[Langya Pavilion's disciples all have noses like hunting hounds.]
His voice grated like a serpent's hiss, fractured and unpleasant.
[Do not leave this manor until they withdraw.]
"This place? You want me to stay here instead of leaving the Bu Estate?"
[The darkest place lies beneath the lamp.]
The Third Envoy's piercing gaze pinned her.
[They'll never find you here.]
Cloud-like waves of true qi billowed from his form.
Though momentary, the crushing pressure felt exponentially heavier than before.
'With martial arts like this, he could dominate the entire Murim.'
"U-understood."
As Yu Su-ryeon acquiesced, the Messenger dissolved into the fog like melting shadow.
Watching intently, her lips twisted with displeasure.
"Not even two words of courtesy."
Despite being the future Pavilion Master of Fleeting Moment Boat, he still treated her like some lowly subordinate.
But she shook her head.
"What choice do I have?"
Every figure from the Three Realms stood peerless, their martial arts surpassing even faction leaders.
Until she fully controlled Fleeting Moment Boat, she'd remain beneath their notice—lower than insects.
"But once I become Pavilion Master, that will change."
Yu Su-ryeon's smile flickered.
"I know. What you desire is this Black Ledger."
She understood perfectly.
What the Infinite Realm truly wanted was the ledger she'd secretly siphoned away.
With the Black Ledger, anyone could manipulate Fleeting Moment Boat at will.
Conversely, without it, no matter how thoroughly she controlled the pavilion, its power and authority would remain out of reach.
"So long as I hold this, the Infinite Realm will never discard me."
The ledger was encrypted in the Secret Language only Fleeting Moment Boat's disciples could decipher—and she never carried it on her person.
Had she done so, the Infinite Realm would have seized it by force immediately.
But with the ledger's existence, they could never abandon her. This alone—she must protect at all costs.