Chapter 431
Seo Jin-ha was swiftly executing the Light Body Art.
Until now, he had been disguised as Seon-u Jin, leaving an unbroken trail of exploits throughout the Martial World as a Peak Leader.
Amidst this, he suddenly heard the news that Bu Eun-seol had gone missing.
However, unlike Yu Un-ryong, who had been deeply distressed and self-reproachful, he wasn't particularly worried.
Bu Eun-seol was a Divine Being.
And a man like him would never die meaninglessly. Because the burdens he carried on his shoulders were far too great.
For that reason—
Even when Bu Eun-seol returned safely, smashed the Great Cloud Forest and Hell-Blood Citadel to ruins, and summoned him to a secret safe house in Henan, Seo Jin-ha wasn't all that surprised.
Creak.
As he finally stepped inside the safe house, he saw a man with eyes so deep they seemed to devour souls.
Yet, perhaps because he always wore drab gray robes, there was an air of loneliness and distance about him.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"You're back."
Seo Jin-ha smiled and spread his arms wide.
He had thought he wasn't all that worried in his heart, but his body seemed to disagree.
Because he immediately pulled his close friend into a tight embrace.
"You've been through a lot."
"Through a lot? You were the one who suffered more."
Just as Seo Jin-ha was basking in the joy of their reunion, his expression turned serious.
"It was the Hyeokryeon Hall Master, wasn't it? That man is a key figure in the Three Realms."
Seo Jin-ha had already heard everything—that the one who had attacked Bu Eun-seol through the Death Soul Squad was Hyeokryeon Eung, and that because of it, Bu Eun-seol had lost his memories and lived as a beggar.
"That's how it turned out."
"What kind of mess is this Martial World in? Even the high command of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Martial World are spies for the Three Realms?"
Seo Jin-ha sighed and shook his head.
"Wouldn't it be better to just announce everything and sweep them all away together with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?"
The full extent of the Three Realms' influence was still unknown.
Rather than having Bu Eun-seol fight them alone, he thought it would be better to borrow the Demon Hall's strength.
"I've considered that too... but aside from Hyeokryeon Eung, none of the Three Realms' core forces or figures have been exposed yet."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head, recalling the deep, shadowed gaze of the Supreme Cult Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"If we start shouting that the high command of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths are riddled with spies without solid evidence... it'll only amplify the chaos."
"Hmm."
Seo Jin-ha let out a thoughtful hum and nodded.
The Three Realms had been manipulating countless individuals and factions, yet they had never once revealed themselves openly. Not even their true objectives had ever come to light.
In such a situation, mobilizing the Demon Hall would yield nothing.
'Perhaps chaos itself is what they want.'
Just as Seo Jin-ha was shaking his head, Bu Eun-seol asked,
"The Martial Alliance issued an order, didn't they?"
"Ah."
As if only now remembering, Seo Jin-ha nodded.
"Right, right. That's why I sent a messenger pigeon to Yu Un-ryong."
Yu Un-ryong was the only one among the Shadows who knew of Seo Jin-ha's existence.
"The Martial Alliance has issued a recall order."
The reason Seo Jin-ha had summoned Bu Eun-seol—
The Martial Alliance had suddenly ordered Seon-u Jin, who had been wandering the Martial World gathering intelligence on the Three Poison Sects, to return to the alliance.
"According to the information the Peak Leader Division sent, it's related to the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace."
"The Blazing Flame Sacred Palace?"
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
While investigating the Fire Essence Stone theft case—his first mission as a Peak Leader—he had uncovered the atrocities committed by the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's elder, the Radiant Yang Adept.
And after the Radiant Yang Adept's death, he had returned the Fire Wheel Crystal to the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
In return, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace had expressed gratitude to both the Martial Alliance and Bu Eun-seol, providing ample compensation.
So why was the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace being brought up again now?
"I don't know what's going on, but in situations like this, it's better for you to go instead of me."
"You did well."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Unless the situation was urgent, it was better for him to take on Seon-u Jin's role whenever possible.
After all, the Martial Alliance was a den as treacherous as Dragon Pool and Tiger Den—one where even Bu Eun-seol couldn't let his guard down.
"Here."
Seo Jin-ha pulled an envelope from his robe.
"It contains records of the exploits I've fabricated and the information the Peak Leader Division provided. You should read it before entering the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol carefully read the letter, then ignited it with Samadhi True Fire until it turned to ash.
"You've worked hard all this time."
"Hardly."
"Now, let's switch identities."
Crack.
Seo Jin-ha activated the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, transforming his face back into Bu Eun-seol's visage.
Since he was already a peerlessly handsome man—so much so that he was often praised for his looks—disguising himself as Bu Eun-seol wasn't particularly difficult.
Moreover, he perfectly replicated Bu Eun-seol's uniquely desolate gaze to the point that even the Death Shadow Squad's leaders wouldn't be able to tell them apart just by changing clothes.
"If there are no special circumstances, avoid returning to the Demon Hall. Instead, lead the Death Shadow Squad or roam the Rivers and Lakes. The details are written here."
Bu Eun-seol also handed over an envelope.
Inside were detailed instructions on what Seo Jin-ha, as the Martial Soul Lord, needed to accomplish in the martial world.
"There's no need to deal with everything here. What matters is leaving behind a record of the Martial Soul Lord's deeds."
"Then what's that?"
Seo Jin-ha pointed at the large chest that had been placed on the table earlier.
"Ah."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol seem to remember as he opened the chest.
Click.
Inside lay an ordinary iron sword.
"What's with the sword?"
"The Ice Soul Sword."
Bu Eun-seol handed the iron sword to Seo Jin-ha.
"It was a blade bestowed by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor in the past, but cracks formed, so I sent it for repairs."
When Bu Eun-seol had entrusted the Ice Soul Sword to Master Blacksmith Wang Geol for repairs, he had made a specific request:
—Make the exterior look plain. Remove its distinctive white glow as well.
Wang Geol had responded with bewilderment:
—If that's the case, you might as well get a new sword.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had insisted on the repairs—not because it was a gift from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, but because the Ice Soul Sword suited his hand exceptionally well.
In the martial world, swords were plentiful, but finding one that truly fit was rare.
"Master Blacksmith mixed Dark Gold and Precious Kun Jade to eliminate the glow. However—"
Ziiing.
When Bu Eun-seol channeled his internal power into the Ice Soul Sword, a pure white radiance bloomed from the blade's dull surface.
"—he said this part couldn't be helped."
Seo Jin-ha nodded.
"So from now on, the Martial Soul Lord's beloved sword will be this Ice Soul Sword."
"What about the Ice White Divine Art?"
"I've mastered it to the Third Achievement Level."
To make Seo Jin-ha a perfect doppelgänger, Bu Eun-seol had taught him ice-based techniques.
However, the Glacier Thousand Streams Art was the North Sea Ice Palace's true divine martial art—something Seo Jin-ha could never learn. That was why Bu Eun-seol had passed down the Ice White Divine Art instead.
Though Seo Jin-ha couldn't wield Yin-Yang Dual Qi like Bu Eun-seol, he could utilize both his Lower Dantian and Upper Dantian simultaneously.
Mastering one more Extreme Yin Art wouldn't be difficult for him.
"Then it should be safe to carry."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the Ice Soul Sword as he spoke.
"The Ice Soul Sword constantly emits Extreme Yin Qi. If someone untrained in ice arts carries it for too long, their body will deteriorate."
Bu Eun-seol had mastered the Glacier Thousand Streams Art, the essence of Extreme Yin Arts.
Because of this, even prolonged use of the Ice Soul Sword wouldn't harm him. Instead, the overflowing Extreme Yin Qi would allow him to unleash even more formidable sword techniques.
"Ah, you should take this too."
Seo Jin-ha drew the iron sword at his waist and handed it to Bu Eun-seol.
"I bought it from a forge. I figured someone like Seon-u Jin would need at least one sword."
"Well done."
Seon-u Jin was a high-ranking member of the Absolute Summit, handling covert affairs in the martial world.
Since his identity had to remain hidden, Seo Jin-ha had procured an unremarkable iron sword for him.
"Another long separation, then."
A trace of exhaustion and guilt lingered at the corner of Bu Eun-seol's lips.
Until everything was resolved and their dual identities were settled... the time they could spend together would be scarce.
"What separation?"
Seo Jin-ha deliberately brightened his expression.
"You are me, and I am you."
Then he extended a hand.
"So we're always together."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly and clasped Seo Jin-ha's hand firmly.
The endless enemies—the Three Realms.
The still-unidentified masterminds he had to hunt down relentlessly.
The reason Bu Eun-seol could continue fighting was simple:
Because he had a close friend like Seo Jin-ha, who had devoted his entire life to helping him.
Martial Alliance, Hall of Ascending Martial. Yuk Jang-cheon's office.
A letter lay on the table as Bu Eun-seol—disguised as Seon-u Jin—sat across from Yuk Jang-cheon.
"The martial world has been quite noisy lately. All because of that heir of the Demon Hall."
Yuk Jang-cheon sipped his tea, smacked his lips, and shook his head.
"Thanks to him, the atmosphere within the Alliance has become... unsettling."
"Is the Alliance truly incapable of restraining that madman's rampage?"
The very madman in question—Bu Eun-seol himself—continued shamelessly.
"If he's allowed to recklessly stir up the martial world like this, the factions under our banner will lose momentum and shrink back in fear."
At Bu Eun-seol's impassioned tone, Yuk Jang-cheon looked both pleased and troubled.
"After a thorough investigation, we discovered that the Jangbaek Merchant Group not only funded the Great Cloud Forest's production of Soulless Ones but also played a leading role in disrupting the financial networks of the Fleeting Moment Boat."
"And the master of Sword Scale Valley—who had once abandoned the Demonic Path to join the Righteous Faction, earning universal respect—in his later years, perhaps senile, personally led Soulless Ones to attack Absolute Annihilation Point."
Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head and spoke.
"Of all places, it was the Demonic Path Ten Gates. They launched a brutal preemptive attack without even a declaration of war... Given that, even if the retaliation was severe, the Martial Alliance can hardly raise an objection."
"But there must be someone behind it."
"That's what I thought too. Yet no matter how much we investigate, no mastermind emerges..."
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
From Yuk Jang-cheon's reaction, it was clear he had no connection whatsoever to the Three Realms.
And that was both disappointing and, in a way, fortunate.
Had he been an agent of the Three Realms infiltrating the Martial Alliance, catching his tail quickly would have been ideal... but it would also mean having to completely revise all their plans up to now.
"We've strayed from the topic."
Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head, then placed a letter on the table.
"You've likely already heard, but read it for yourself."
"Are you truly saying the Palace Lord of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace has invited me?"
Bu Eun-seol wore an expression of disbelief.
The letter on the table.
Written there was an invitation from Hwa-jeong, the Palace Lord of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace, addressed to Seon-u Jin—the benefactor who had recovered the Fire Wheel Crystal—requesting his presence at their palace.
"They've already sufficiently compensated the Martial Alliance. I don't understand why they would insist on summoning me specifically."
From the perspective of seclusion, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace was incomparably more extreme than even the North Sea Ice Palace.
Located on a remote island in the Southern Barbarian Region, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace strictly forbade outsiders from entering. Even if one had a personal connection with the Palace Lord—
Unless the Elders and Hall Leaders within unanimously agreed, no outsider would ever be permitted inside.
Such was the bizarre law they rigidly upheld.
And yet, they had suddenly invited a mere Third-grade Commander of the Martial Alliance?
That could only mean not just the Palace Lord, but all the Elders and Hall Leaders desired Bu Eun-seol's presence.
"The letter states it's due to their desire for a reconciliation with the Martial Alliance, but..."
Yuk Jang-cheon stroked his chin as he examined the letter on the table.
"It does seem there's another intention at play. Had they genuinely sought reconciliation, they wouldn't have summoned a mere Third-grade... no, a Commander of the Martial Alliance."
His words were clear.
If the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace truly desired an alliance, they would have requested someone who could represent the Martial Alliance—someone with the authority to negotiate terms with the Palace Lord.
They would never have summoned a mere Third-grade Commander.
"Had the letter not mentioned their wish to hear firsthand how the Fire Wheel Crystal was recovered... this old man would have been suspicious of the invitation itself."
The Fire Wheel Crystal.
A treasure of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace, said to contain the primordial flames of antiquity.
Bu Eun-seol had merely retrieved the crystal from the Radiant Yang Adept and returned it intact—
So what possible issue could there be?
"I simply recovered the Fire Wheel Crystal from the Radiant Yang Adept and handed it over as it was."
"Well, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace doesn't seem to be making an issue of that. They only wish to inquire in detail about the process... The Alliance has already issued orders for you to accept the invitation."
Bu Eun-seol's expression grew puzzled.
If the Alliance had already commanded him to accept, there was no need for this lengthy discussion.
Why go through the trouble of a private meeting just to lay out all these details?
"This could be an excellent opportunity for you."
As if sensing his doubt, Yuk Jang-cheon smiled faintly and cut to the heart of the matter.
"The North Sea Ice Palace, one of the great sects beyond the frontier that had long maintained neutrality between orthodox and unorthodox factions, has finally been incorporated into the Demon Hall. Because of this, the Martial Alliance has been quietly hoping for an alliance with the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace."
Among the independent sects beyond the frontier, the North Sea Ice Palace and the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace were the two largest—both known for their neutrality.
But now that the North Sea Ice Palace had formed ties with the Demon Hall... the Martial Alliance naturally desired an alliance with the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
"If you leave a favorable impression during this visit, you could very well open the door for an alliance between the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace and our Martial Alliance."
Regardless of their true intentions, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace—which had never permitted outsiders—
Had now flung its gates wide open and invited a man named Seon-u Jin.
From the Martial Alliance's perspective, this was an opportunity they absolutely could not afford to miss.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Yuk Jang-cheon's subdued voice carried a peculiar fervor.
"If you handle this well and secure a favorable outcome with the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace... you may seize the chance to immediately rise to the rank of Second-grade Commander."
His eyes burned with intensity.
"And if that happens, the Pinnacle Squad will officially fall under this old man's command."
'He's going to great lengths to bring me under his wing.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he saw through Yuk Jang-cheon's intentions.
If this matter opens the door to reconciliation between the Martial Alliance and the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace...
Bu Eun-seol could immediately rise to the rank of Second-grade Commander.
From there, he might even become the member of either the Hall of Martial Ascension or the official Star Guard Corps.
In the end, while assigning him this mission, Yuk Jang-cheon was also laying the groundwork to bring Bu Eun-seol—soon to be promoted—under his own command.
This is a situation that could make one's blood boil.
Palm King Yuk Jang-cheon.
As one who had ascended to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, he was a latecomer to the Martial Alliance.
And his reason for joining was singular:
He wanted to become the next Alliance Leader and rule the world.
Fortunately, unlike the Demon Hall, the Martial Alliance did not select young successors.
It sought proven individuals who could lead the entire Righteous Path while respecting seniority and honor—those who had demonstrated they did not crave fame or profit.
Even the Seven Great Leaders, despite their extraordinary skills, only rose to their positions in middle age before being named candidates for the next Alliance Leader.
And now, with Jo Cheon-wang voluntarily stepping down, a vacancy had opened among the candidates.
Yuk Jang-cheon absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away.
—I must accumulate more achievements!
The Martial Alliance valued accomplishments within the organization far more than martial prowess or reputation in the Rivers and Lakes.
And those achievements meant gathering exceptional talents under one's command to handle various affairs.
Because the merits of one's direct subordinates ultimately became one's own.
Yuk Jang-cheon wanted to secure the vacant position of Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader, then compete with the Seven Great Leaders to ascend to the seat of the Number One of the Righteous Path.
"It's awkward for me to say this myself, but wasn't it my hall that stood by the Peak Leader unit through thick and thin, even when they were adrift?"
"Of course."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed his head.
"How could I ever forget that?"
"Hahaha. Hearing you say that makes all my past hardships feel worthwhile."
Yuk Jang-cheon chuckled heartily and nodded.
"I'll be expecting good news, then."
"Understood. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands once more and exited the Hall of Martial Ascension.
This should be entertaining.
Gazing at the distant sky, Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to curl his lips.
If I elevate him to the vacant Heavenly Martial Brigade and pit him against the Seven Great Leaders... well.
Each of the Seven Great Leaders was amassing achievements to become the next Alliance Leader.
What if Yuk Jang-cheon were made Brigade Leader?
What if he were positioned as a strong candidate?
Bu Eun-seol would draw closer to the Martial Alliance's core even faster—and peel away the masks of the Seven Great Leaders.
"Then I'll set off immediately."
"Do so."
"Farewell."
With hands clasped, Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the hall.
He took a deep breath as he looked up at the vast sky. He would soon depart for the Southern Barbarian Region in response to the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's invitation.
Countless stars embroidered the distant night sky, flowing like the Yangtze River.
The fierce wind howled like sharp fangs scraping against the earth.
Somewhere, the cries of birds echoed, eerie and sinister as the voices of underworld guides leading the dead.
Deep in the mountains, halfway up a slope.
There, beautiful flowers bloomed, their petals holding light, and before them stood a shrine of peculiar design.
Upon the stone altar inside rested a hemispherical metal dish, within which a pitch-black liquid writhed ceaselessly.
The pillars of the chamber gleamed gold, their surfaces chaotically inscribed with oracle bone script and the Four Symbols.
And below the altar, a masked man lay prostrate, his face pressed so deeply into the floor he seemed afraid even to lift his head.
[The Martial Soul Lord has returned unharmed, and even destroyed the Great Cloud Forest.]
A voice neither male nor female reverberated through the shrine.
[From our realm's perspective, we can no longer stand idly by.]
Then another voice spoke.
[But the Azure River Realm is resisting. Perhaps they've chosen him... as a contingency.]
The same voice echoed repeatedly through the shrine.
[The Infinite Realm has tried to eliminate him multiple times, but the Azure River Realm keeps interfering.]
Silence lingered in the shrine for a while.
[What of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace affair?]
This time, the masked man, still bowing, replied humbly:
"It is nearly complete. Soon, we will be able to create a flawless Artificial Internal Core—one with no side effects."
[Ensure it proceeds without disruption. Once it is complete, we can dispose of all other loose ends. Including... Bu Eun-seol.]
The shrine hummed with endless discussion thereafter.
These were the hidden masterminds of the martial world, the ones who governed all under heaven.
Yet even they remained unaware of one truth:
That Bu Eun-seol was none other than the Peak Leader, Seon-u Jin.