Chapter 452
Bu Eun-seol, riding the Harnessing Qi and Rising on the Wind, carried the severely wounded Myo Cheon-u and left the Stone Gate region.
While swiftly executing his Lightness Art, he simultaneously channeled Reverse Polarity True Qi into Myo Cheon-u.
Having exhausted his Primordial Essence True Qi, severed his meridians, and taken a direct sword strike from Wi Ji-hye-sang—
Had Bu Eun-seol not mastered the Reverse Extremity Heart Method, had he not been capable of perfectly wielding both Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang Qi—
Myo Cheon-u would have long since become a cold corpse.
Whoosh.
Once completely clear of the Stone Gate area, Bu Eun-seol entered a secluded manor on the outskirts of Chengdu.
It was a Secret Safehouse accessible only to the highest echelons of the Demon Hall.
Creak.
As Bu Eun-seol, supporting Myo Cheon-u, opened the safehouse door, a familiar figure draped in a linen robe came into view.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
"Un-ryong."
Myo Cheon-u asked in surprise.
"Quite the sight you are."
Yu Un-ryong let out a cold laugh, snorting derisively.
"So, how was being a spy? Manageable?"
Myo Cheon-u lowered his head.
He would have preferred anger or hatred.
Because despite his icy tone, Yu Un-ryong's eyes were filled with anguish and concern.
"Actually, it wasn't too bad."
Myo Cheon-u forced a smile as he raised his head.
"Thanks to it, I even got my hands on the Fist Emperor's fake manual."
"Hmph. Not a bad payoff for being thoroughly used."
Yu Un-ryong snorted again and pulled out a small red porcelain vial from his robe, thrusting it forward.
"Drink up. To reconnect your torn meridians, you'll need to replenish the blood you lost."
What he offered was Blood Essence—a single drop of which was said to be more valuable than diamonds.
"The Medicine King Faction's master will be arriving here soon."
"Why?"
"If word gets out that you're critically injured, those loudmouthed Second-grade Commanders of the Death Shadow War Unit will dig into the truth, won't they?"
If they learned of Myo Cheon-u's injuries, they would dissect every detail.
That's why Bu Eun-seol hadn't returned Myo Cheon-u to the Demon Hall but instead summoned the Medicine King Faction's master here to treat him.
So he could return to the Death Shadow War Unit.
So the fact that he had been a spy—somewhere—would never reach the ears of the Death Shadow War Unit's commanders.
"They'll find out eventually anyway."
Myo Cheon-u spoke apologetically.
"To investigate the Seven Immortals Tea House and Joyful Grove, I'll have to testify before the Disciplinary Hall, won't I?"
"Don't worry. Wi Ji-hye-sang—that lunatic—won't drag you down."
Yu Un-ryong let out a disdainful breath.
"He's a man overflowing with pride, to the point of excess. Now that the Seven Immortals Tea House and Joyful Grove have been exposed, he won't bother pinning it on some lowly Second-grade Commander of the Demon Hall."
Then, lowering his voice, he added:
"We've already discussed it with the Supreme Cult Commander. The investigation will stop at the Seven Immortals Tea House and Joyful Grove. After all, unless he renounces his position as the Heir of the Demon Hall... he can't exactly tear down the Fire Rain Sword Sect either."
The financial trails of Joyful Grove and the Seven Immortals Tea House leading to the Righteous Faction and the Government Office aren't enough to strike at the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
They'll just cut off the loose ends.
Besides, the Fire Rain Sword Sect is the greatest pillar supporting the Demon Hall, and Bu Eun-seol is its heir.
Unless they commit outright treason, dismantling them isn't an option.
"Still... was all this really necessary?"
Myo Cheon-u couldn't bring himself to look at Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong, hanging his head instead.
"For someone like me... to go this far."
"I didn't do this because I like you."
Yu Un-ryong spat out the words as if expelling something bitter from his mouth.
"His Lordship, the Martial Soul Lord, is constantly shuttling across the Martial World, swamped with duties. A year or two, fine—but I can't manage the Death Shadow War Unit alone indefinitely."
He sighed and continued:
"The Medicine King Faction's master will handle your severed meridians. The damage to your Primordial Essence will be treated at the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace. The rest—your stiffened muscles and tendons—will be dealt with at Langya Pavilion. The same way we treated Seo Jin-ha."
"Un-ryong."
"I've told the commanders that your Demon Leave has been extended indefinitely. Family matters. So don't come back later drowning in guilt."
Yu Un-ryong snorted.
"Those guys are simple-minded and loose-lipped. If they learn the truth, you'll be their laughingstock until your hair turns white."
Myo Cheon-u bowed his head.
Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, Jo Nam-cheon.
They're all strong-willed and deeply loyal.
If they found out about Myo Cheon-u's situation?
Rather than resent him, they'd be consumed by rage—marching straight to the Fire Rain Sword Sect to demand blood.
"Myo Cheon-u."
Then Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"Wi Ji-hye-sang—he always believed himself flawless. And he consistently underestimated you."
"That's why he was so confident he'd never be exposed."
"He never imagined you'd risk your life to pick such an absurd fight. And thanks to that, his true nature was revealed."
"So that treacherous bastard was part of the Three Realms after all?"
At Yu Un-ryong's question, Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
"Most likely."
Wi Ji-hye-sang had wielded the Mind Seizing Secret Art, rivaling even Hyeokryeon Eung's.
Which meant high-ranking figures within the Three Realms were likely all masters of the same art.
"Then is the Fire Rain Sword Sect the head of the Three Realms? Someone of that caliber wouldn't just be recruited by them."
"That's what I thought at first. But... the Profound Demon—no matter how I look at it, he doesn't feel like part of the Three Realms."
The Profound Demon, Wi Ji-mua, despite his extraordinary martial prowess, lived like an unassuming tea-loving idler.
If he were the leader or a key figure of the Three Realms—?
When he had provoked them with the fake Journey sword, they would never have let him live.
"The Three Realms—that insane faction—operates like a decentralized network, using messengers. Even after clashing directly with Wi Ji-hye-sang, we couldn't find any justification to strike or investigate the Fire Rain Sword Sect... So this time, did we just swing at empty air?"
At Yu Un-ryong's words, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"We were planning to pick them off one by one anyway. Even if we had caught a lead, our current strength wouldn't have been enough."
True enough.
"Either way, I'll head back first."
Bu Eun-seol placed a hand on Yu Un-ryong's shoulder.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
"Right. Go ahead, don't worry."
Just then, Myo Cheon-u spoke up.
"I'm sorry. Bu Eun-seol."
At those words, Bu Eun-seol paused and turned to look at him.
"Throw away that guilt. Things like that won't last long anyway."
Then, in a firm voice, he added:
"Shake it off and grow stronger. That's how you atone for past mistakes."
"...Understood."
Myo Cheon-u no longer trembled with guilt.
Even without saying everything aloud, he had a friend who understood his heart.
In that case, what he needed to do now wasn't wallowing in regret—
But taking another step forward, repaying those who believed in and supported him.
Leaving the underground chamber, Bu Eun-seol entered a secret passage leading to the opposite building.
There stood a gaunt, wiry martial artist—none other than Seo Jin-ha, disguised as the Peak Leader, Seon-u Jin.
"You've had it rough."
He had already been briefed on Bu Eun-seol's situation.
But out of consideration for Myo Cheon-u's pride—
He had waited for Bu Eun-seol in this hidden chamber instead.
"He'll get back on his feet soon. That guy."
Seo Jin-ha smiled faintly.
"Even if he seems playful, he was the fastest to adapt on Hell Island."
"I'm not worried about him. What concerns me is the Three Realms."
"Hmm."
If the Three Realms could recruit the successor of the Demonic Path's Greatest Sword Sect—or if Wi Ji-hye-sang had been one of them from the start—
Then perhaps the Three Realms wasn't an enemy that could be wiped out in one sweep or uprooted entirely.
"Even now, the Three Realms exerts influence over the entire murim, intertwined with its leadership."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head with a frustrated expression.
"We can't distinguish who belongs to them, nor can we separate them. And even if someone isn't part of the Three Realms now... they could become one in the blink of an eye."
Seo Jin-ha nodded.
After all, the Three Realms had the power to recruit anyone.
"That wasn't something you could tell Yu Un-ryong, was it?"
Seo Jin-ha, having grasped Bu Eun-seol's dilemma, gave a faint smile.
Yu Un-ryong was the strategist of the Death Shadow War Unit—and the one who worried most about Bu Eun-seol.
If Bu Eun-seol worried about ten things, Yu Un-ryong would turn them into a hundred.
That was why Bu Eun-seol never showed concern in front of him.
"But any organization must have a leader or core figures, right?"
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's grim expression, Seo Jin-ha spoke firmly.
"If we can't take them all out at once, then we'll just have to clash with them one by one, like you said."
Then, with confidence, he continued:
"Besides, from what's been revealed so far, the factions within the Three Realms do clash. That means there must be cracks we can exploit."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"True. If they were One Realm instead of Three... I would've been killed long ago."
The Three Realms had always been like a Hidden Mastermind within the murim.
If they had remained a single, unified force—Bu Eun-seol would already be dead by their hands.
"But what's this? Summoning me through So-yo?"
"Ah."
Seo Jin-ha scratched his head awkwardly.
"The Martial Alliance has issued an order—the Phoenix Tournament will be held, and the Peak Squad is to participate."
"The Phoenix Tournament?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
The Phoenix Tournament was a competition where outstanding units below the highest rank—
Second-grade and third-grade units—were selected to have their capabilities evaluated.
But third-grade units rarely participated.
So in essence, the Phoenix Tournament was a contest to determine the Martial Alliance's most elite second-grade units.
"They're making the Peak Squad participate in the Phoenix Tournament?"
"That's right."
Strange.
The Peak Squad had only just been promoted to second-grade. Why would they be sent to a tournament meant to identify the best second-grade units?
"The Hall of Ascending Martial must have pulled some strings."
"Probably."
Seo Jin-ha shrugged.
"You played a decisive role in securing peace with the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace. The higher-ups must be very curious."
"Hmm."
"About what kind of person Seon-u Jin is. About what level the Peak Squad truly operates at."
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
This could actually be a good opportunity.
If they stood out in the Phoenix Tournament, they'd catch the leadership's attention.
"This time, the Martial Alliance made an unusual move—appointing Gongson Dan-gyeong, the thirty-something head of Daerim Garden, as the new Chief Strategist. Meaning, this Phoenix Tournament will be overseen by Chief Strategist Gongson."
The Martial Alliance frequently changed its Chief Strategist.
Especially the previous one, Tae Sa-hyeon—his ambition far outstripped his competence.
Though he clung to power for a long time, he was the epitome of an incompetent leader propped up by connections.
Recently, the Martial Alliance had been purging its ineffective, outdated figures—
And striving to elevate those with true skill and merit.
One of the reasons for this was likely the sudden resignation of Jo Cheon-wang, leader of the Martial Heaven Unit, who had stepped down to return to civilian life.
—With the leader's position now vacant, it needed to be filled again.
Before long, the Martial Alliance would have to elect a successor to succeed the Alliance Leader, Shin Do-mu-bi.
That was why the Martial Alliance had begun moving in unprecedented ways.
And they had made an unusual personnel decision—appointing Gongson Dan-gyeong, the head of Daerim Garden, as the new Chief Strategist.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, the Star of Great Wisdom.
The elder sister of Gongson Dan-a, the Flower of Eloquence, one of the Three Beauties of the World.
Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she also possessed extraordinary intellect, which had long placed her among the candidates for Chief Strategist.
However, she had been considered too young, so she had remained as the head of Daerim Garden, overseeing the operations of the Martial Alliance's branches—
Until the Alliance suddenly and boldly elevated her to the position of Chief Strategist.
'Something feels off.'
The moment Bu Eun-seol recalled Gongson Dan-gyeong's name, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest.
A woman of her caliber surely had another reason for hosting the Phoenix Tournament.
"Understood. Then I'll attend after changing things around."
Crack.
Bu Eun-seol activated the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, transforming back into the appearance of Seon-u Jin.
Seo Jin-ha, in turn, shifted back into Bu Eun-seol's original appearance.
After exchanging the swords they carried, the two had once again perfectly swapped identities.
"Isn't it exhausting?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Seo Jin-ha grinned.
"Every day is interesting. There's tension in walking between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions."
It was a lie.
There was no such thing as fun.
The life of a Double Spy—it was no different from endlessly walking along the edge of a bottomless cliff, where a single misstep meant an endless fall.
Yet, Seo Jin-ha had willingly abandoned his own life—
So that Bu Eun-seol could move freely between the factions.
For Seo Jin-ha's sake, Bu Eun-seol had to rise swiftly within the Martial Alliance.
"Do well."
As Seo Jin-ha smiled, Bu Eun-seol gave a firm nod.
"I'll return."
Bu Eun-seol immediately returned to the Martial Alliance.
Even now, he couldn't have imagined—
That the Phoenix Tournament would draw the suspicions of the new Chief Strategist, leading him to clash with the Demon Hall as a Martial Alliance unit leader.
The atmosphere in the Martial Alliance was somewhat lively.
Not only had Gongson Dan-gyeong, the elusive head of Daerim Garden, been appointed as the new Chief Strategist—
But the Phoenix Tournament, one of the Alliance's grandest events, akin to a festival, had also begun.
For the duration of the tournament, most departments, including the combat units, suspended their duties to spectate.
Each tournament had a different theme, and since all unit members participated in the team battles—
The tension was higher, and there was far more to see than in ordinary martial arts tournaments.
Martial Alliance, Hall of Ascending Martial. Yuk Jang-cheon's office.
"Hall Master."
As Bu Eun-seol—now back as Seon-u Jin—bowed deeply, Yuk Jang-cheon faintly smiled and nodded.
"Indeed, you've endured much hardship."
Since returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol had not only swiftly beheaded the Blood-Heat Lust Demon, a mission assigned by the Hall of Ascending Martial—
But he had also brought back the heads of five notorious Flower-Plucking Lechers, criminals who had long eluded the Alliance's grasp.
For this, the Martial Alliance had commended his achievements, and Yuk Jang-cheon had also gained considerable prestige.
"I've received orders to participate in the Phoenix Tournament."
"Hahaha. This Hall Master pulled some strings."
Yuk Jang-cheon burst into laughter, his lips curling slightly as he spoke.
"Though the Absolute Peak Squad was only recently established, haven't you accomplished great feats multiple times? It's about time the High Command took notice."
"But our unit members still have much to improve. It's concerning."
"Always so humble, you are."
Yuk Jang-cheon wore a faint smile.
"I know your unit has trained relentlessly, not missing a single day. I heard you even personally instructed them in martial arts?"
"You were aware?"
"Hahaha. There's no need to hide such things from this Hall Master."
Yuk Jang-cheon chuckled heartily.
"To achieve ambition, one must sometimes hide their claws and crouch low. But before those climbing the same path, there's no harm in baring one's heart openly."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
Yuk Jang-cheon's words were an emphasis that they were in the same boat.
'Of course, only until I'm useful.'
For those with ambition, there are no eternal friends or enemies. That was the truth.
Everything that could be used would be used, and if no longer needed, discarded without hesitation.
Especially to reach the pinnacle of the Martial Alliance, where connections, seniority, and hierarchy were paramount—
Useless notions like loyalty or righteousness had to be abandoned.
"This Phoenix Tournament is truly something to look forward to, isn't it?"
Yuk Jang-cheon's gaze burned with fervor.
—Prove to this Hall Master once more that you are necessary.
That was what he was telling Bu Eun-seol.
For Yuk Jang-cheon, who aimed for the position of Unit Leader, incompetent and useless subordinates were unnecessary.
Bu Eun-seol had to continuously prove—
That he was, and would remain, an indispensable asset.
And one of those proving grounds was this very Phoenix Tournament.
"Can you do it?"
Yuk Jang-cheon's fiery gaze bore into him as he spoke again.
"Can you take another leap forward in this Phoenix Tournament?"
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Of course."
His voice was firm.
"This subordinate will never disappoint the Hall Master."
"Hahahaha!"
Yuk Jang-cheon laughed in satisfaction.
"Since joining this Alliance, this Hall Master had thought his luck was lacking."
He clapped Bu Eun-seol on the shoulder.
"But perhaps the heavens withheld their favor until now—just to bestow upon me such a remarkable prodigy."
A smile brimming with ambition played at the corners of Yuk Jang-cheon's lips.
Eun-seol mirrored that smile to its fullest extent. As if to demonstrate they were of the Same Kind.