Chapter 447
Upon returning to the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol remained in a state of sunken spirits for a long time.
The death of Blood Vajra.
It was yet another reminder of the ruthless Laws that governed the Rivers and Lakes.
Once you set foot in this world, no one could escape.
You had to live forever within these hellish Shackles.
But what tormented Bu Eun-seol even more wasn't just the Laws of the Rivers and Lakes.
He had long since come to understand the merciless nature of this life and had resolved to accept it willingly.
What truly pained him was the betrayal of a close friend.
Through So Ja-myeong, he had already uncovered the truth—that Myo Cheon-u was a Spy colluding with external forces.
Yet, this time, he had hoped against hope that his friend wouldn't leak the information.
This wasn't just any mission—it was a journey to bid farewell to his master's final moments.
He had desperately wished that, just this once, their location wouldn't be exposed, that his master's Penitential Journey wouldn't be endangered.
But that hope had shattered into pieces.
The moment they stepped into the Rivers and Lakes, assassins from the Three Realms had immediately attacked, and even Blood Vajra had been thrust into Danger.
Had Blood Vajra not displayed martial prowess beyond expectations, had he not surpassed the Three Realms' calculations with his Combat Power...
Bu Eun-seol would already be a cold Corpse.
'Life, Death, Fantasy, Shadows...'
Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes.
Human life was finite, demanding endless choices.
That was why a human's life was always filled with regret.
What seemed like the best choice at the time could, with the passage of time, reveal itself as the worst possible choice.
And a choice steeped in Despair could sometimes yield the finest Outcome.
Human choices were, by nature, destined to be drenched in regret...
Krrr—
At that moment, the door to Bu Eun-seol's secluded chamber opened.
A figure clad in gray robes slowly approached.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
"What brings you here?"
As Bu Eun-seol offered a dry smile, Yu Un-ryong bit his lips and spoke.
"I was the one who was supposed to do it."
"What do you mean?"
"From the start, I intended to be the one to strike down Myo Cheon-u with my own hands."
His Expression was graver than ever before.
"That way, the traitor within the Death Shadow War Unit could be easily dealt with. But then I realized—if I did that, you would suffer an even deeper Wound."
"Yu Un-ryong."
"So I couldn't do it."
Thud.
Yu Un-ryong slumped down opposite Bu Eun-seol.
"This time, he crossed the line. He knew exactly what this journey meant to you, yet he still exposed your movements."
"For a while, I held onto hope—that like you, he might still return. But this incident made it clear. Myo Cheon-u... that bastard is nothing but a heartless Spy."
"How did you find out?"
Bu Eun-seol looked at Yu Un-ryong with exhausted eyes.
"I never told you."
"So Ja-myeong—Chief So—told me."
Yu Un-ryong's face twisted in Pain.
"The Lord would rather die than lose a close friend," he said.
So Ja-myeong, too, understood Bu Eun-seol's Personality.
Even if Myo Cheon-u betrayed Bu Eun-seol...
Bu Eun-seol would never betray Myo Cheon-u.
And so, he had no choice but to inform Yu Un-ryong—someone who could handle the Situation with cold rationality, someone who could speak bluntly to Bu Eun-seol.
After all, he too was a close friend Bu Eun-seol trusted.
"We didn't even need to step in."
Yu Un-ryong bit his lips again.
"If we just handed the evidence to the Disciplinary Hall, they would've taken care of it."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent, offering no reply.
To Yu Un-ryong's eyes, he looked like a child stifling his Pain.
"Bu Eun-seol!"**
Yu Un-ryong, suppressing his own anguish, spoke in a furious Voice.
"I'm not talking to you as your adjutant or strategist! I'm speaking to you as your close friend!"
Never before had Yu Un-ryong referred to himself as Bu Eun-seol's close friend.
He was Bu Eun-seol's most trusted strategist and adjutant—someone who had to remain strict and impartial precisely because of that trust.
But this time was different.
If he didn't speak as a Friend, he knew he could never convince him.
"Bu Eun-seol!"**
"There's no need to shout."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"...Myo Cheon-u must have suffered too."
The moment he saw that fragile, fleeting smile, Yu Un-ryong felt as though his heart were crumbling.
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had been an unyielding warrior—unshaken by any Trial, steadfast as steel.
A composed commander who led his subordinates with calm precision in any Crisis.
A brilliant strategist who always found a Solution, no matter the Danger.
But now...
He was just an ordinary man, crushed by the betrayal of a close friend.
'Bu Eun-seol.'**
Yu Un-ryong bit his lips until they bled.
Deep down, he knew.
That beneath the coldest, most indifferent exterior lay a man more tender and considerate than anyone.
A man who poured boundless affection upon those he cherished.
And that was why he was breaking now.
Because someone he had trusted without limit—someone precious—had betrayed him.
"Pull yourself together, damn it!"
Yu Un-ryong could no longer hold back.
Gripping Bu Eun-seol's collar, he unleashed the fury, sorrow, and grief that had been boiling inside him.
"Are you seriously playing the friendship card now? After coming this far? How could you—after everything!"
"There are plenty of other things in this world to care about! No one would blame you for killing one damn bastard!"
But Bu Eun-seol showed no reaction.
His pupils had turned ashen, devoid of any emotion—even the faintest trace of vitality.
"Then... what about me?!"
Yu Un-ryong gasped for breath as he seized him.
"What about me, who's been running forward with only you in my sights all this time?!"
Finally, Yu Un-ryong's body crumpled.
He, too, had been pretending indifference, but his heart had already weakened beyond measure.
Myo Cheon-u—wasn't he the sturdy bridge that connected Bu Eun-seol and himself?
Hadn't he always been witty, optimistic, the one who lifted the spirits of exhausted comrades?
The betrayal of a friend he had trusted so deeply... It had been unbearably painful for him too.
"I... I'm hurting too, you know."
Seeing Yu Un-ryong collapse, a faint glimmer flickered in Bu Eun-seol's dulled eyes.
The sight of Yu Un-ryong's suffering suddenly brought back the final moments of Blood Vajra.
He had worried—had feared—that his Penitential Journey, his final act of atonement, might only deepen Great Master Jeong-yeong's sorrow.
And it was only upon reaching his destination that he realized it had been the right choice.
Bu Eun-seol had not yet reached his own final destination.
Yet he was already drowning in anguish and fear.
And that weakness... was now inflicting deep wounds on the heart of yet another close friend—Yu Un-ryong.
"I'm sorry."
Having realized everything, Bu Eun-seol gripped Yu Un-ryong's shoulders.
"I haven't even reached my destination yet... and here I was, acting like I'd already lost the whole world."
Then, with a gaze far stronger and clearer than before, he looked at him.
"I made you worry for nothing, Un-ryong."
"So... you've come to your senses?"
"Yeah."
Bu Eun-seol smiled—a painful yet bright smile, just like the ones Yu Un-ryong had always shown him.
"If I don't pull myself together quickly, you'll suffer even more."
Those words made Yu Un-ryong's nose sting.
Even if he pretended to be indifferent to the world.
Even if he never spoke of friendship or comrades.
Even if he burdened him with endless chores and complications... No one else had ever believed in him, understood him, relied on him, or worried for him as much as Bu Eun-seol did.
If that wasn't friendship, then what was?
"Good. I'm glad you've regained your senses."
"But."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was firm.
"Myo Cheon-u's matter comes later."
"Huh?"
"We need to find out who's behind him."
"What's there to find out? It's the Three Realms."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"The Three Realms are literally divided into three factions. And the Infinite Realm, where Hyeokryeon Eung resides, genuinely tried to kill me. I nearly died."
"But you found out during the Tang Clan incident, didn't you? Not everyone we've encountered so far was from the Infinite Realm."
"So?"
"The one who recruited Myo Cheon-u might not be from the Infinite Realm, but the Azure River Realm... or some other faction."
"Like the ones who backed the Tang Clan? Impossible."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"Then why would they want you dead?"
"What if they don't?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Even if the old man's overwhelming martial prowess was unexpected, for the Infinite Realm to squander such a perfect opportunity by sending just a hundred assassins... That's far too sloppy for them, don't you think?"
"You can't be serious."
Yu Un-ryong's eyes flashed.
"Are you saying they're actually helping you? Like the Tang Clan, deliberately giving you trials?"
His mouth fell open.
If it were the Three Realms, capable of moving the heavens and earth—
They would never let this chance slip. They would have surrounded the area and deployed their most formidable masters at full strength.
Catching Bu Eun-seol alone in the Martial World had become an increasingly rare opportunity.
And yet, the number of assassins who had attacked Bu Eun-seol and Blood Vajra had been just enough for Bu Eun-seol and Blood Vajra to barely escape with their lives.
"Hmm."
Lost in thought, Yu Un-ryong nodded slowly.
"Now that you mention it... It does seem too coincidental."
He let out a sigh and continued.
"If it were the Infinite Realm, they would've seized the moment and killed you in one strike. Just like that damn Hyeokryeon Eung."
The Infinite Realm had nearly driven Bu Eun-seol to his death simply because Hyeokryeon Eung revealed his true nature.
If they had truly found another opportunity, they would have mobilized an overwhelming force. Wasting this perfect chance like this made no sense.
"So we track them down."
"How? By now, not just Myo Cheon-u, but his handlers must've noticed something's wrong."
"No. Myo Cheon-u likely won't follow them anymore."
"What do you mean? Why would that traitor do that?"
"Didn't you see him during the meeting? He was suffering."
"Hmph. He was probably just worried about getting caught this time."
Though he said that, Yu Un-ryong knew as well.
That Myo Cheon-u was also deeply tormented by this incident. That he clearly hadn't wanted this outcome.
Yet forgiveness was impossible.
Even if he had gone to save Blood Vajra, the fact remained that he had still reported to them.
"After this, Myo Cheon-u will likely take action himself."
Yu Un-ryong nodded in agreement.
He, too, understood Myo Cheon-u's personality just as well as Bu Eun-seol did.
"How do you plan to track them down?"
"We don't even need to chase their tails. Myo Cheon-u will handle everything himself."
"Him?"
"Yes. Contact the Death Soul Squad and have them monitor Myo Cheon-u's movements. Soon enough, we'll catch their trail."
A radiance like the sun flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"And I'll make sure they pay the full price for everything they've done."
Myo Cheon-u, alongside Yu Un-ryong, was one of Bu Eun-seol's closest aides, responsible for managing the Death Shadow War Unit's overall affairs.
While Yu Un-ryong assisted Bu Eun-seol in handling various tasks,
Myo Cheon-u managed Death Shadow War Unit's members, ensuring the organization operated efficiently.
Unlike Yu Un-ryong, who was always buried in paperwork,
Myo Cheon-u frequently traveled both inside and outside the Demon Hall,
procuring necessary supplies and equipment for Death Shadow War Unit.
In other words, Myo Cheon-u didn't remain confined to the battalion. In some ways, he ventured outside the Demon Hall even more often than Bu Eun-seol himself.
As dusk fell,
Myo Cheon-u was making his way deep into a marketplace in Chengdu, Changsha Prefecture.
He had come to place orders for supplies Death Shadow War Unit needed and to enjoy his favorite Longjing tea at Daru Tea House.
Creak.
Entering a small teahouse tucked away in an alley, the attendant bowed in greeting.
"Welcome."
"I'd like to drink tea in peace. Do you have a seat?"
"Of course. This way, please."
Unlike inns or taverns, tea houses were frequented by guests who either engaged in discreet conversations
or simply wished to quietly savor their tea.
For this reason, tea houses often reserved private rooms for wealthy patrons or those who preferred solitude.
Creak.
Inside the room, an elegant interior suitable for tea-drinking came into view.
Soon, the Longjing tea was served, and Myo Cheon-u slowly sipped the fragrant brew.
The clear, aromatic liquid tickled his nose and lingered on his lips, yet his brow remained deeply furrowed, as if he had swallowed poison.
Clink.
Setting down the teacup, Myo Cheon-u scowled and spoke.
"What is the meaning of this? This wasn't our agreement."
He placed the cup down again, his voice laced with anger.
"You swore you wouldn't endanger him this time. So why did you attack him again?"
A brief silence followed before an extremely soft, low voice reached his ears.
[Did you call me here just for that?]
"Answer me. Why did you break your word?"
[That's none of your concern.]
Though the voice was unnaturally distorted, it carried an eerie calmness.
"'None of my concern'?"
[Plans change depending on the situation. Surely you don't expect me to report every little adjustment?]
Myo Cheon-u bit his lip.
"That's just wordplay."
[Hm.]
"What could your kind possibly lack that you'd resort to manipulating him?"
[Careful with that tongue. You wouldn't want to say something you can't take back.]
The dismissive reply made Myo Cheon-u clench his fists.
"I'm done with this. If this continues, he'll grow suspicious of me."
[Myo, Battalion Leader.]
The voice carried a heavy sigh and a mocking laugh.
[Surely you don't think you can just walk away whenever you please?]
"You think I can't?"
Myo Cheon-u scoffed.
"What if I expose who you really are?"
[Go ahead. This should be amusing.]
A low, chuckling laughter echoed briefly before the voice returned.
[But do you really think he could keep his sanity if he learned the truth?]
For a moment, Myo Cheon-u's pupils trembled violently.
'I never imagined that decision would become my eternal regret.'
The Ten Demonic Heirs Plan.
Its final destination was a bloodbath on Hell Island.
And in truth, Myo Cheon-u was fated to die there.
From the moment he arrived on Hell Island, he had sensed that the final trial would be a massacre.
So he had gathered like-minded comrades in advance, forming a faction, and when the slaughter began, he led them as their leader.
But Myo Cheon-u had made one critical mistake.
He had believed trust between allies was more important than strength—that in a battle of annihilation, mutual reliance would be paramount.
But an unexpected outcome unfolded.
Suddenly, the comrades he had trusted ambushed him.
"Why me?"
Covered in blood and driven to the edge of a cliff, Myo Cheon-u asked in disbelief. The comrade who had stabbed him in the gut answered:
"You're too smart and too strong. You'd definitely use us as pawns and survive alone."
Myo Cheon-u was stunned.
He had been the first to gather a faction on Hell Island, willingly accepting even those without talent as long as they shared his mindset.
But as the battles continued, they realized that Myo Cheon-u was a prodigy beyond their comparison.
Beyond mere jealousy and envy, they came to believe he was using them to survive alone.
"These damn fools."
Myo Cheon-u couldn't believe it.
Even if the slaughter trials had driven them to madness—how could they make such an absurd judgment?
To think he had actually believed he could survive Hell Island with these idiots.
"I won't die by the hands of fools like you."
Mortally wounded, Myo Cheon-u turned and threw himself off the cliff.
But perhaps Heaven took pity on him.
His body caught on a tree below, sparing his life.
No—merely prolonging it.
With his gut and shoulder pierced, he was bleeding out, slowly dying.
[What a pity. One of the era's greatest prodigies, too.]
Then, a gray shadow appeared before Myo Cheon-u as he hung impaled on the tree, bleeding to death.
It was a Killing Ghost—the one who had set up a restricted area on Hell Island and killed candidates staying there.
[Do you wish to live?]
Myo Cheon-u nodded.
[Good. Then I will make you one of the Ten Demonic Heirs. But when the time comes, you must obey my orders.]
"Orders?"
[Yes.]
The Killing Ghost stared at him with solemnity.
[Can you do it?]
In response, black resentment surged in Myo Cheon-u's eyes.
"An easy task."
He refused to die like this—betrayed by those fools.
He would become one of the Ten Demonic Heirs without fail, and he would cut off every last one of their heads.
The Killing Ghost kept his promise.
He immediately treated Myo Cheon-u with spirit medicine and even infused him with formidable Internal Power to ensure his survival.
Later, Myo Cheon-u took revenge on the faction that had tried to kill him, then was recruited by an even stronger group.
And finally, he survived the slaughter trials and became one of the Ten Demonic Heirs.
But after that, the Killing Ghost never contacted him again.
Not when he fought bloody battles against the Great Righteous Experts under the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's orders.
Not even when he was confined in the Extinction Palace, enduring the Wall Gazing Penalty.
Eventually, Myo Cheon-u assumed the Killing Ghost had forgotten everything.
But that was a delusion far from the truth.
[From now on, report every detail of Bu Eun-seol's movements.]
The moment Myo Cheon-u officially became Bu Eun-seol's subordinate, the Killing Ghost reappeared like a specter and gave the order.
"I'm sorry, but that's impossible."
Myo Cheon-u was a man of deep loyalty.
When told to become a spy reporting Bu Eun-seol's actions, he refused outright.
[Do you intend to break your promise?]
"Of course not."
Myo Cheon-u lowered his head before the Killing Ghost.
If betraying Bu Eun-seol was the alternative, he would rather have his life taken back.
"Take back the life you saved. Then there will be no debt between us."
[Hahaha.]
Instead of anger, the Killing Ghost burst into pleased laughter.
[As expected. A man of such loyalty is truly fit to serve him properly.]
"Serve? What kind of service involves leaking his movements?"
When Myo Cheon-u scoffed, the Killing Ghost replied:
[Do you think revealing his actions will only harm him? No—it will bring him great benefit.]
"Benefit?"
[We will make him stronger. Strong enough that no one can defeat him.]
Myo Cheon-u couldn't understand.
Why would the Killing Ghost do such a thing? And who was this "we" he spoke of?
[As proof, I'll tell you one thing in advance.]
The Killing Ghost uttered something shocking.
[Wi Ji-hye-sang, the successor of the Fire Rain Sword Sect and his greatest rival, will withdraw from the Demon Hall's succession candidacy.]
"What are you talking about?"
[You'll see.]
Though baffled, Myo Cheon-u decided to trust the Killing Ghost's words and wait.
And the more he reported Bu Eun-seol's movements, the more new enemies emerged.
Assassins from the Martial Alliance came. A first-tier Sword Captain arrived to kill him.
Yet each time, Bu Eun-seol overcame them and grew stronger.
Then, the unbelievable happened.
Wi Ji-hye-sang withdrew from the succession candidacy on the spot—for the simple reason that he had failed to perfectly safeguard the information on the Empty-Handed Divine Thief.
"It's really true."
[Indeed.]
Seeing the Killing Ghost's words come to pass, Myo Cheon-u was exhilarated.
Every time he reported Bu Eun-seol's actions, attacks followed, plunging him into danger.
Yet each time, he overcame the crisis and achieved tremendous growth.
"You mean you deliberately gave him trials to make him stronger?"
[Well, something like that.]
Though not a direct answer, Myo Cheon-u felt reassured.
And he was so overjoyed he could have laughed aloud.
He had thought they were endangering Bu Eun-seol—but they were intentionally forging him through trials?
Then this was no bad thing.
Not for Bu Eun-seol. Not for himself.
But that, too, was nothing more than an illusion.
At least—until the incident with Yeong Mun-ho.