Chapter 512
The Paeng Clan had sealed its gates.
The reason, they said, was due to infighting between Retired Family Head Paeng Ak and the current Family Head, Paeng Mun-cheon.
The father, fearing his son's potential, had forcibly imprisoned him in the Wall-Facing Cave.
The son, having escaped that place, had gathered the clan's strength and struck down his father.
—What utter nonsense.
As such rumors spread, the martial artists scoffed.
Wasn't that kind of story an unfilial, patricidal scenario that even the Demonic Path Families or the Black Path rarely witnessed?
In the annals of martial history, among the righteous faction's great families, there had never been a case where a clan was wholly destroyed due to a father and son turning their blades on each other.
Yet as the rumors spiraled out of control, the high command of various sects sought out the Paeng Clan to verify the truth.
But Paeng Mun-cheon had firmly barred the gates, allowing no one inside.
—The main house is in too wretched a state, and many have lost their lives. We wish to quietly handle the aftermath, so please understand.
The leaders could not conceal their surprise.
Though the veracity of the rumors remained unclear, the fall of the Paeng Clan was undeniable. Paeng Mun-cheon had lost his father and the entirety of the clan's strength.
And now he was even requesting that they allow him to handle it quietly—how could outsiders forcibly intervene?
In the end, the martial artists who had come to the Paeng Clan turned their footsteps away.
But not all of them accepted Paeng Mun-cheon's words without question.
—So it seems he truly struck down his father, just as the rumors said.
—Then isn't the fall of the Paeng Clan an inevitable outcome?
—No matter how much it's a clan's internal affair, how can such an unfilial wretch remain the Family Head of one of the Eight Great Families?
Most martial artists cursed Paeng Mun-cheon, calling it a disgrace to the righteous faction.
Yet Paeng Mun-cheon silently endured their condemnation.
No—rather, he was grateful they believed it was merely a son's patricidal struggle for power.
What if the truth of Paeng Ak's deeds were to leak out?
What if it were revealed that he had been one of the core forces behind the cruel human experimentation that had unleashed the Soulless Ones upon the martial world?
The Paeng Clan would never wash away that filthy stain, not even in a thousand years.
Paeng Mun-cheon could only cling to hope.
If not in his generation, then the next. And if not then, the one after that...
Someday, the Paeng Clan would be rebuilt and stand proudly in the martial world once more.
At a pavilion erected at the edge of the village, three men stood facing each other, bidding their farewells.
Partings between men and women are poignant.
But partings between warriors are incomparably fervent and solemn.
Bu Eun-seol. Noe Bi-hon. Dae Gu-hwi.
These were all men of high status, figures who wielded great influence in the current martial world.
Moreover, they possessed the potential to grow even greater, shared a common enemy in the Three Realms, and held a blazing friendship for which they would willingly stake their lives.
"Little brother."
Noe Bi-hon gripped Bu Eun-seol's hand tightly.
No lengthy words were needed.
The unshakable bond between them—the Golden Bond of Friendship they had sworn—was evident in the mere exchange of their gazes.
And beside Noe Bi-hon stood Dae Gu-hwi, shoulder to shoulder.
Though they were not father and son by blood, the affection flowing between them was thicker than that of kin.
"Where will you go?"
"First, I must teach Gu-hwi here until he's of use. So he can become the rightful successor of the Beast Palace."
Noe Bi-hon drew a deep breath.
"After that, I plan to rebuild the Thunder Spirit Gate."
Though Dae Gu-hwi did not possess the Thunder Spirit Physique, he had obtained a fortuitous encounter and gained Thunder Essence Divine Qi.
If Dae Gu-hwi, trained in Beast Martial Arts, were to also master the Thunder Spirit Gate's techniques...
A new powerhouse would surely emerge in the martial world someday.
"If you ever need strength, come find me anytime."
Noe Bi-hon had already achieved his revenge and held no regrets.
Yet he strove to rebuild the Thunder Spirit Gate—solely to become a greater source of strength for Bu Eun-seol.
Though he had accomplished his vengeance, the Three Realms still stood strong.
To uproot those who had dominated the martial world for generations, overwhelming force would be needed.
For Bu Eun-seol, who fought tirelessly to bring down the Three Realms... Noe Bi-hon would rebuild the Thunder Spirit Gate.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol also smiled faintly and clasped his hands together.
"Brother Noe, if you ever wish to see this little brother, come to the Demon Hall."
"I will."
Noe Bi-hon grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"You go first."
Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi had to leave together.
So they would see off Bu Eun-seol, who had to depart alone.
"Great Hero Bu. Take care of yourself until we meet again."
As Dae Gu-hwi bowed his head in respect, Bu Eun-seol gave a faint smile.
"See you again, Gu-hwi."
Whoosh!
With those final words, he vanished like mist in an instant.
Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi gazed blankly in the direction where Bu Eun-seol had departed.
Having spent so much time together, his absence left a hollow ache in their hearts.
"There'll be no time to rest."
At Noe Bi-hon's words, Dae Gu-hwi nodded.
"It seems so."
The two had far too much ahead of them.
Noe Bi-hon had to rebuild the Thunder Spirit Gate, while Dae Gu-hwi had to return to the Beast Palace, defeat his siblings, and secure his position as the rightful successor.
And... to become strong enough, as quickly as possible, to stand as a pillar for that young Grandmaster.
Murim Alliance, Hidden Moon Hall.
Here resided the wisest woman in the martial world.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, the Star of Great Wisdom.
By her thirties, she had become the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist and had been orchestrating numerous affairs—though most were conducted in secrecy.
In truth, aside from the battles in the Yeogyeong region, none of her operations had ever been revealed to the outside world.
"Commander Seon-u is here."
Bu Eun-seol, who had parted ways with Noe Bi-hon, immediately returned to the Murim Alliance.
This journey had granted him much, and his martial arts had advanced another level—yet there was no time to savor it.
He had been absent far too often, and the situation within the Murim Alliance was growing urgent.
Seon-u Jin was still only a Second-grade Commander.
If he did not quickly distinguish himself, his primary objectives—unmasking the assassin and dealing with the Three Realms—would be delayed indefinitely.
Upon entering the Murim Alliance, Bu Eun-seol headed straight for the Hidden Moon Hall, where Gongson Dan-gyeong awaited.
Even before meeting Yuk Jang-cheon, the Hall Master of the Hall of Martial Ascension, the Chief Strategist had urgently summoned him.
"Welcome."
As Bu Eun-seol entered the office, Gongson Dan-gyeong gestured for him to sit before cutting straight to the point.
"The incident at the Paeng Clan was... most unexpected."
"I've heard the rumors as well. A father and son killing each other."
"The Paeng Family Head remains silent, but the circumstances suggest patricide is indeed the truth. However... the situation is far too strange and grotesque. I've tried uncovering the inside story through various intelligence networks, but nothing has come to light."
"Then—"
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"I'd like Commander Seon-u to investigate the truth. The exact circumstances within the Paeng Clan."
Paeng Ak and Paeng Ryun had been recruited by the Infinite Realm, participating in unethical human experiments for decades.
Thus, Paeng Mun-cheon was desperately trying to conceal the atrocities committed by the two.
In the entire martial world, only Bu Eun-seol, Noe Bi-hon, and Dae Gu-hwi knew the full truth.
"It's hard to believe that the once-prosperous Paeng Clan suddenly turned on each other, leading to their own ruin."
"Hmm."
"Moreover, it would be normal for them to seek help from other sects and our alliance to rebuild... yet they've chosen to seal their gates and recover on their own. That, too, is difficult to comprehend."
A sharp glint flashed in Gongson Dan-gyeong's large eyes.
"There must be an inside story outsiders aren't privy to. I'd like Commander Seon-u to uncover it."
Even her intelligence networks had failed—proof of how tightly Paeng Mun-cheon was keeping things under wraps.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands without hesitation.
Since he already knew everything, all he had to do was carefully unravel it within the limits of Seon-u Jin's capabilities.
In other words, he simply had to omit the details about the Three Realms and report the rest appropriately.
"The main house is under Gate Sealing. We ask for your understanding."
With the cold words of the guard, the Paeng Clan's gates shut firmly once more.
Acting on Gongson Dan-gyeong's orders, Bu Eun-seol traveled back to Hebei to investigate the Paeng Clan.
But not only was he barred from entering—the great gates didn't even open.
From the sealed Paeng Clan's perspective, even if the Murim Alliance Leader himself came knocking, they couldn't afford to open their doors.
If the truth were exposed, the Paeng Clan would never rise again.
'This is where the real work begins.'
Bu Eun-seol looked up at the towering gates of the Paeng Clan.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had sent him expecting different results from the intelligence agents who had failed before.
That meant he couldn't return empty-handed—he had to find some clue, no matter how small.
'Not that I need to search for anything.'
Aside from those within the Paeng Clan, no one knew the full story better than Bu Eun-seol.
But he couldn't declare it outright—and even if he did, he'd need irrefutable proof.
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol headed to the nearby market.
'No matter how tightly they've sealed their gates, people still need to eat to survive.'
The Paeng Clan had amassed considerable wealth over generations, so sealing themselves away wouldn't cause immediate hardship.
But they were still human—they needed to eat.
After some inquiries, Bu Eun-seol located a shop that supplied ingredients to the Paeng Clan.
And so, after locating a merchant who traded with the Paeng Clan, Bu Eun-seol slipped them a considerable sum of money and questioned the laborers transporting the ingredients, gathering various tidbits of information.
From then on, he attempted every investigation possible for an informant.
Yet, he obtained nothing of substance.
'So, she meant for me to infiltrate.'
Only then did Bu Eun-seol grasp Gongson Dan-gyeong's true intent.
No intelligence network could uncover the circumstances inside the Paeng Clan.
That meant no informants had successfully infiltrated the Paeng Clan.
Moreover, what if the Martial Alliance sent an informant to dig up the Paeng Clan's secrets—and they were caught?
Even with his status as the Chief Strategist, the consequences would be beyond his ability to handle.
'No choice, then.'
Since he already knew the internal situation, he only needed to pretend to infiltrate.
The real problem was whether he could enter the Paeng Clan under the guise of Seon-u Jin, complete his investigation, and escape unscathed.
The Paeng Clan was one of the Eight Great Families—even during Sealed Sect, they were still the Paeng Clan.
No ordinary skill would allow an easy infiltration.
'She's testing all my capabilities.'
If he could infiltrate one of the Eight Great Families, extract information, and return safely—
It wouldn't just prove his martial prowess, but also his adaptability, insight, disguise and stealth techniques, mechanical engineering, and every other skill he possessed.
'Not like I planned to stay in the Martial Alliance forever, anyway.'
He couldn't remain in the Martial Alliance indefinitely.
In that case, it wouldn't hurt to make sure Gongson Dan-gyeong quickly recognized Seon-u Jin as an unrivaled talent.
After all, she was an ambitious woman with plans of her own.
'Does she mean to pull me into them?'
If she didn't have such intentions, she wouldn't be constantly testing Seon-u Jin, verifying his excellence.
'This must be a trial for some mission she intends to assign.'
Whenever Gongson Dan-gyeong planned and initiated something,
She always tested individuals first, selecting those most suited for the task.
The things a woman like her sought to accomplish would never be simple.
'No reason to refuse a sturdier ladder than Hall Master Yuk.'
Bu Eun-seol intended to complete this task, leave a lasting impression on her, and secure his footing on her ladder.
"An incident occurred within the Paeng Clan that absolutely could not be revealed to the outside world, and to conceal it, they chose self-destruction... is that it?"
Hidden Moon Hall, Martial Alliance. Gongson Dan-gyeong's office.
Under the identity of Seon-u Jin, Bu Eun-seol had successfully infiltrated the Paeng Clan, completed his investigation, and returned to the Martial Alliance.
"However, these are merely... assumptions Commander Seon-u has drawn from piecing together various circumstances."
A cold glint flickered in Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes as she set down the report Bu Eun-seol had written.
"There is no definitive evidence."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol answered without hesitation.
"After the Sealed Sect began, the Paeng Clan Head seems to have disposed of all evidence. Even the deceased Retired Family Head was cremated without a proper burial."
Paeng Mun-cheon had already been branded an unfilial man.
To ensure no evidence linking his father to the Infinite Realm remained, he had even cremated his own father.
"The only certainty is that the Paeng Clan collapsed due to internal strife. There were no signs of external attack, and all the deceased were masters of the Paeng Clan."
Bu Eun-seol continued.
"Moreover, the Clan Head was extremely cautious about security even during the Sealed Sect period. That alone suggests they were hiding a secret that must never be exposed."
"Hmm."
"Despite the internal division and near self-destruction, they chose to close the sect. And despite that, they maintained strict internal security. In the end, this was the only conclusion I could reach."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded slowly.
Bu Eun-seol had attempted an infiltration even her finest informants wouldn't dare—
And returned undetected, leaving no trace.
Though he lacked concrete evidence, he had accurately analyzed the Paeng Clan's situation and drawn the correct conclusion.
In other words, Seon-u Jin possessed abilities and insight beyond what could be expected of even the finest intelligence officer.
"Indeed, Commander Seon-u, your capabilities exceed my expectations."
With a sound that could have been either admiration or a sigh, she pulled a small envelope from her drawer.
"Take this."
"What is it?"
"Your new mission. I've already secured Hall Chief Yuk's approval."
Bu Eun-seol's prediction had been correct.
Gongson Dan-gyeong hadn't been curious about the Paeng Clan's internal affairs.
She had only been verifying whether Bu Eun-seol was suitable for the task she needed executed.
Rustle.
As Bu Eun-seol read the letter inside the envelope, a peculiar light flickered in his eyes.
"Investigate the Heavenly Human Cult, you say?"
"The Heavenly Human Cult."
A religious order rooted along the Yellow River, said to have over fifty thousand followers.
However, rumors circulated that they demanded excessive monetary contributions from their devotees, and despite their name, they were known to employ sinister and esoteric ritual arts.
Because of this, the Heavenly Human Cult had long been regarded with suspicion by the orthodox factions of the murim.
"To be precise, it's an investigation into the Sword Tomb constructed by the Heavenly Human Cult's Taiping Branch."
The Sword Tomb.
It was a mysterious legend passed down through generations in the murim.
The so-called "Grave of Swords" was said to be hidden throughout the martial world, where divine swords and treasured sabers—weapons imbued with mystical power—lay dormant.
And it was said that those chosen by a sword from the tomb would ascend as peerless masters capable of dominating the world.
"The Taiping Branch of the Heavenly Human Cult has been artificially constructing a Sword Tomb near Taiping Mountain for several years now, luring martial artists into their scheme."
—The main sect has discovered a fragment of the Sword Tomb!
Bu Eun-seol had heard the rumors before.
The Heavenly Human Cult's branch had supposedly uncovered part of a Sword Tomb hidden within Taiping Mountain and had revealed it to the martial world.
—What nonsense.
At first, martial artists scoffed and refused to believe it.
That a branch of a heretical sect entrenched along the Yellow River had discovered a Sword Tomb was already hard to swallow—but to publicly disclose it?
If they had truly obtained it, why not keep it for themselves in secret? What need was there to share the swords with others?
—The Taiping Branch's Sword Tomb was real!
But then, another strange rumor spread through the murim.
It was said that the Taiping Branch had produced supremely skilled swordsmen—and all of them wielded blades obtained from the Sword Tomb.
Drawn by this rumor, martial artists flocked to the tomb in droves—yet after that, no further news emerged.
"Are you saying those rumors were true?"
Most in the murim believed it was nothing more than a scheme—that the Heavenly Human Cult had fabricated the Sword Tomb to lure martial artists into their grasp.
After all, not a single person since had emerged with a sword, and the rumors themselves had quickly died out.
Because of this, Bu Eun-seol had paid it little mind—but if Gongson Dan-gyeong was ordering an investigation, then...?
"The Taiping Branch established numerous rules for entering the Sword Tomb. One of them was signing a memorandum stating that they could not guarantee the safety of anyone who entered."
Gongson Dan-gyeong continued calmly.
"Suspecting foul play, we dispatched several of our most capable unit members—but all contact with them was lost, and they vanished without a trace."
"Then shouldn't the Alliance launch a full-scale investigation?"
"The Heavenly Human Cult isn't just a gathering of martial artists—it's a religious order with ordinary civilians among its ranks. Without concrete evidence, no orthodox sect has the authority to raid their premises."
"Even when people have gone missing and died?"
"As I said earlier, the Heavenly Human Cult requires those entering the Sword Tomb to sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility for any loss of life. We've found no evidence linking them to the disappearances of our unit members."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly in understanding.
"In other words, the Alliance has no justifiable pretext to intervene openly."
"Correct."
The Martial Alliance was a coalition of orthodox factions, and its direct authority extended only to matters involving its member sects.
Of course, if there had been clear suspicion, they might have raided the place under the noble guise of upholding martial justice—but regardless, they had no right to forcibly investigate a religious order that included civilians.
'So that's why she tested me with the infiltration of the Paeng Clan.'
If he could infiltrate the Paeng Clan undetected and emerge unscathed, then slipping into the Heavenly Human Cult's branch would be child's play by comparison.
"Understood. I'll investigate."
When Bu Eun-seol answered as if it were no great matter, Gongson Dan-gyeong's gaze sharpened.
"Commander Seon-u. This mission is far from simple."
Her expression grew graver than ever.
"Though it's only a branch of the Heavenly Human Cult, constructing a fake Sword Tomb would require substantial backing from their main temple."
"I've already considered that."
"And every capable unit member we sent there died. Not a single one was weaker than you, Commander."
"..."
"Frankly, this mission is too dangerous. That's why I tested you not just on martial prowess, but on various abilities with the Paeng Clan investigation. To investigate the Heavenly Human Cult, you'll need more than martial arts—exceptional insight and wisdom."
Gongson Dan-gyeong drew a deep breath before continuing.
"Even so, my calculations suggest your probability of surviving this mission is around twenty percent."
The words struck like a thunderclap.
Given her genius, a twenty percent survival rate was not a baseless estimate—it carried substantial evidence and credibility.
In other words, if Bu Eun-seol accepted this mission...
The Star of Great Wisdom herself—a prodigy without equal—was declaring that despite acknowledging his martial skill, intellect, and insight...
He was almost certainly going to die.