Chapter 561
The next day.
The Secret Shadow Pavilion Lord, Hwa Jung-cheon, was seated in Bu Eun-seol's office.
Though his expression remained composed as he faced the teacup before him, his complexion had turned a sickly dark red, like the liver of a rotting pig.
'To think he would station the Death Shadow War Unit's masters in advance, perfectly timed with my visit...'
Officially, it was merely a ceremonial escort.
But from an outsider's perspective, it was no different from the sight of a prisoner being dragged to Death Shadow War Unit.
"It's been a while, Pavilion Lord."
As Bu Eun-seol offered a composed greeting, Hwa Jung-cheon likewise clasped his hands together.
"We haven't seen each other in a while."
"What brings you here?"
Though he knew full well, he feigned ignorance.
But since the urgency was on his side, Hwa Jung-cheon did not beat around the bush and cut straight to the point.
"Lord. Do you recall the conversations we had in private during the past?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm asking if you remember my words—that I remain strictly neutral."
Bu Eun-seol smiled.
"Of course. I remember well."
Yet, unlike the curve of his lips, his eyes held no trace of amusement.
It was an attitude so chilling that even Hwa Jung-cheon, a man hardened by countless trials, could not help but feel a flicker of alarm.
"Then I, too, have been conducting a neutral investigation into this matter. Had it been otherwise..."
For a moment, his eyes blazed with a radiance akin to the sun.
"I would have torn down the Secret Shadow Pavilion immediately."
Silence lingered in the air.
Hwa Jung-cheon drew a deep breath before speaking.
"Do you believe this incident—the ambush on you—is connected to me?"
"I never said you were involved, Pavilion Lord."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"Only that the Secret Shadow Pavilion is."
Hwa Jung-cheon lifted his teacup.
Under normal circumstances, he would never have risen to such provocation and bluster.
Those who dealt in information never let unfavorable words slip past their lips—not until irrefutable evidence surfaced.
But Bu Eun-seol's intellect and schemes had always defied common sense.
And he had never once let those who crossed him walk away unscathed.
What if the rumors were true? What if Bu Eun-seol had already identified all suspects and was investigating them?
If he uncovered even the slightest connection to the Secret Shadow Pavilion...
Then there would truly be no turning back.
"Lord, do you understand that if you target my Pavilion, my Hall could collapse?"
"Is the Secret Shadow Pavilion some kind of Sanctuary now?"
"I wouldn't dare call it that. But you know full well the Pavilion's unique position."
Hwa Jung-cheon spoke with utmost composure.
"Given the current state of affairs, can we not quietly bury this matter? You are to be the next Demon Hall Lord, after all. If you consider the possibility of fracturing the Hall—"
"Hahaha."
Bu Eun-seol let out a hollow laugh.
"I was nearly killed by an unknown faction right at the Demon Hall's doorstep."
"..."
"And you ask me to understand the Secret Shadow Pavilion's special circumstances? To understand because the Hall might collapse?"
A bloody light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"Do you truly think that's a reasonable argument?"
Hwa Jung-cheon exhaled slowly.
There would be no further negotiation.
A single misplaced word, and he would be thrown out like a dog.
After a brief deliberation, Hwa Jung-cheon resigned himself and made a grave decision.
"Very well. In that case, as of today, the Pavilion withdraws from its vow of neutrality toward you."
His expression turned deadly serious.
"From this day forth, until you become the Demon Hall Lord, we will provide you with no orders, no information. Are we clear?"
"How amusing."
Bu Eun-seol scoffed.
"When have you ever treated me favorably?"
"You truly have no idea, do you? You've never once realized how much consideration I've shown you."
"Is that so?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded indifferently.
"Then enlighten me."
An icy energy, like that of a millennia-old glacier, seeped from his gaze.
"Whether the Pavilion Lord abandons neutrality or shows me favor—I couldn't care less. So speak."
"Demon Shadow Hall Lord, Yu Jeok-do."
Hwa Jung-cheon's voice was firm.
"He leaked your return route to an outside force."
Yu Jeok-do, the Demon Shadow Hall Lord.
A long-time subordinate of Yeop Hyo-cheon.
The second-in-command of the Singular Light Pavilion, overseeing the duties executed under the Chief Doctrine Commander.
In other words—this ambush traced back to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"Then..."
"There's a chance the Chief Doctrine Commander ordered it. But no evidence could be found."
"Yet he cannot evade responsibility."
"Not at all."
Hwa Jung-cheon was resolute.
"Yu Jeok-do managed many affairs on the Chief Doctrine Commander's behalf. Thus, the Commander granted him authority nearly equal to his own."
He continued his explanation.
"Moreover, Yu Jeok-do is not only exceptionally resourceful but also a man of such loyalty that he would bare his neck without hesitation if it were for the Chief Doctrine Commander."
"..."
"Even if the Lord were to march in with irrefutable evidence, you wouldn't be able to hold the Supreme Religious Edict accountable. He would have prepared for that eventuality flawlessly."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The fact that a man like Yeop Hyo-cheon had ties to the Three Realms wasn't particularly surprising.
What remained unknown was whether he was affiliated with the Infinite Realm and what his true motives were.
"So, in the end, his trusted subordinate, the Demon Shadow Hall's master, will take the fall for everything."
"Most likely, yes."
'In other words, I should be satisfied just knowing that the Supreme Religious Edict is connected to the Three Realms.'
Still, it wasn't a complete loss.
This incident had laid bare, in excruciating detail, Yeop Hyo-cheon's ties to the Three Realms.
From now on, he wouldn't be able to move against Bu Eun-seol directly.
"My thanks."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
"As expected, the Pavilion Lord is indeed the man I took him for."
The reason he had spread those rumors through Dan Wol-hon in the first place—
It was all to draw out Hwa Jung-cheon, who had always remained crouched in the Secret Shadow Pavilion under the guise of neutrality.
Hwa Jung-cheon couldn't possibly be ignorant of what would happen if someone dared lay a hand on the Secret Shadow Pavilion, an institution directly under the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's command.
And Bu Eun-seol had predicted with certainty that the man would come to him with an offer of negotiation.
"Haa."
As if he had seen through Bu Eun-seol's intentions, Hwa Jung-cheon let out a deep sigh.
"Lord, may I offer you one piece of advice?"
"Speak."
"From now on, you must tread very carefully. Your actions will inevitably provoke unrestrained opposition—not just within the Demon Hall, but across the entire Demonic Path."
Hwa Jung-cheon's voice was grave.
"Enough, perhaps, to make maintaining your position as the Heir... difficult."
He trailed off, his words unfinished.
Because Bu Eun-seol's expression was utterly indifferent.
To him, the title of Heir of the Demon Hall—
Meant no more than fallen leaves scattered along the roadside. A thing of no value whatsoever.
'I see.'
Only then did Hwa Jung-cheon fully understand.
Bu Eun-seol had never cared about the position of Heir to begin with.
He simply wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal.
'The Demonic Heavenly Emperor will be pleased.'
A faint smile crossed Hwa Jung-cheon's lips as he nodded.
"Well then."
With that, he turned and stepped out of the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
Gazing at the distant sky, Hwa Jung-cheon allowed himself a small smile.
If Bu Eun-seol, unaware of his own status as the Demon Hall's heir, were to stir up the Demonic Path—
What could be better than that?
With the information obtained from Hwa Jung-cheon confirming the Demon Shadow Hall's master as the culprit, Bu Eun-seol moved swiftly.
Rumble—
The warriors of the Death Shadow War Unit and the Martial Soul Lord's investigators immediately stormed into the Demon Shadow Hall.
"Yu Jeok-do. On your knees. Now."
Yu Jeok-do burst into laughter at the sight before him.
"Hahahaha! Have you all lost your minds?"
He was Yeop Hyo-cheon's trusted subordinate, the one who managed the Singular Light Pavilion's affairs.
Save for a few exceptions, he wielded authority nearly equal to the Supreme Religious Edict himself—a true power broker within the Demon Hall.
And yet, these insignificant officers from the Death Shadow War Unit dared to swarm in and attempt to arrest him?
"Yu Jeok-do. You know your crimes better than anyone. Come quietly."
Yu Un-ryong spoke with solemn dignity.
"Unless you'd prefer to be dragged out like a beaten dog after putting up a futile struggle."
"Is that so?"
Only when Yu Un-ryong, the Death Shadow War Unit's strategist, appeared did Yu Jeok-do finally grasp the situation.
"Faster than I expected."
Yu Jeok-do had meticulously erased all traces of his actions and even prepared scapegoats within the Secret Shadow Pavilion to sever loose ends.
But none of it mattered.
Bu Eun-seol.
That man had a way of obliterating even the most carefully laid plans in an instant.
Creak—
Just then, the inner doors swung open, and an old man in fine robes slowly emerged.
His appearance was unremarkable—his stature neither tall nor imposing, the kind of elderly man one might encounter in any village.
But in truth, he was the foremost of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, the second-in-command who steered the Demon Hall itself.
The Supreme Cult Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"What is the meaning of this?"
His appearance made the Death Shadow War Unit's officers falter awkwardly.
No matter how clear the evidence was, the Demon Shadow Hall's master was Yeop Hyo-cheon's subordinate.
It was unthinkable to drag a man like that away like a common criminal in front of such an authority.
"Sanghak Unit Commander Yu Un-ryong pays his respects to the Supreme Cult Commander."
Yu Un-ryong stepped forward and bowed deeply, hands clasped.
"We have obtained conclusive evidence of the Demon Shadow Hall's master's involvement in the assassination attempt on the Martial Soul Lord. Therefore—"
"I see."
Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded.
"Then we must proceed with the matter."
"Thank y—"
"However, the procedure seems flawed."
Yeop Hyo-cheon wore a faint smile.
Kwoong.
In that instant, every martial artist in the Death Shadow War Unit simultaneously bent at the waist.
An overwhelming pressure, as if crushing the entire world, descended upon them.
"The authenticity of the evidence will be revealed during the investigation. As of now, no crime has been proven. And yet... you intend to drag Hall Leader Yu away like a dog?"
A dark heat haze flickered in Yeop Hyo-cheon's pupils.
"Can that truly be called a just procedure?"
For the battalion leaders to treat his trusted subordinate Yu Jeok-do with such discourtesy was no different from disrespecting him directly.
Yeop Hyo-cheon was furious—more so than ever before.
Though those with deep internal energy, like Yu Un-ryong and the battalion leaders, could barely endure the pressure—
"Ugh..."
The remaining unit members couldn't withstand it, their eyes bulging as they groaned in agony.
"Return later. Follow the proper procedure—once his crimes are clearly proven."
Despite Yeop Hyo-cheon's soft-spoken words, no one could reply or even move from their spot.
For though his voice was calm, the pressure only grew fiercer.
Thud. Thud.
But then, the sound of slow footsteps echoed from the gates of the Demon Shadow Hall.
At the same time, a flawlessly handsome man clad in an intricately embroidered black martial uniform stepped into view.
Bu Eun-seol.
Whoosh.
His gaze was fixed not on Yeop Hyo-cheon or Yu Un-ryong, but solely on Yu Jeok-do, standing in the center.
His pupils burned crimson, and a razor-sharp wind howled around his entire body.
Thud. Thud.
Though the overwhelming pressure unleashed by Yeop Hyo-cheon weighed down the entire garden of the Demon Shadow Hall—
Bu Eun-seol strode forward, utterly unaffected.
Shing.
Suddenly, he drew the Ink Soul Sword sheathed at his waist.
And then, he walked toward Yu Jeok-do, who stood just three paces away from Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"My Lord, what are you—?"
Just as a bewildered Yu Jeok-do widened his eyes—
Pah!
A spray of blood erupted as his head soared into the sky.
Thud.
The severed head struck the ground, and deathly silence filled the hall.
Even Yeop Hyo-cheon had assumed Bu Eun-seol merely drew his sword to assert dominance.
There was no way he would dare swing it in his presence.
Yet, an unbelievable scene unfolded before his eyes.
Bu Eun-seol had approached without hesitation and beheaded Yu Jeok-do.
Rumble...
At that moment, countless martial artists from the Demon Shadow Hall—and even more from the Demon Hall—swarmed the area.
The sound of weapons being drawn and explosions had summoned them instantly.
Click.
Bu Eun-seol sheathed the Ink Soul Sword with eerie calm.
Then, with hands clasped respectfully, he addressed Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"Supreme Cult Commander."
"I have committed a grave discourtesy."
Yeop Hyo-cheon, his fury boiling over, instead burst into laughter.
"Ha. Ha. Ha."
To decapitate a loyal subordinate who had served him for decades right before his eyes—
And then call it merely a "discourtesy"?
"Yu Jeok-do not only leaked confidential information from this battalion but also conspired with an external faction to have me killed."
He then extended a document.
Within it lay irrefutable evidence of Yu Jeok-do's contact with the Infinite Realm and his betrayal of Bu Eun-seol's whereabouts.
"There was no need to bring him before the Disciplinary Hall. Before arriving here, I had already imprisoned all involved parties."
Yeop Hyo-cheon's brow twitched.
With the Demonic Heavenly Emperor absent, the Demon Hall was effectively under his control.
So how had Bu Eun-seol managed to overturn the palace and imprison the culprits without his knowledge?
'Ah. The Secret Shadow Pavilion.'
Only then did Yeop Hyo-cheon realize the truth.
Bu Eun-seol had obtained flawless evidence against Yu Jeok-do and imprisoned all involved in a single stroke—
Because of the Secret Shadow Pavilion's aid.
"So now, do you intend to arrest even this Cult Leader?"
"I don't understand why you would say such a thing."
Bu Eun-seol widened his eyes innocently.
"Could it be... that the Chief Doctrine Commander has some connection to Yu Jeok-do?"
When Yeop Hyo-cheon remained silent, Bu Eun-seol exhaled softly through his nose and continued.
"I will hold all those connected to Yu Jeok-do accountable and imprison them. If even a single person aided him, I will behead them on the spot."
"..."
"But the Chief Doctrine Commander has always shown me kindness... Surely, that couldn't be the case."
Despite his polite words, the crimson glow in Bu Eun-seol's eyes blazed with a razor-sharp light.
He had just drawn his sword before the second most powerful figure in the Demon Hall—and beheaded a trusted subordinate without hesitation.
And he had publicly declared that he would sever the heads of every last person connected to that trusted subordinate.
—Would the Chief Doctrine Commander make a move against me?
Before coming here, Bu Eun-seol had been intensely curious.
Would Yeop Hyo-cheon rage and strike at him? Or would he endure it?
And if he did strike... that was precisely the situation Bu Eun-seol had been longing for, even in his wildest dreams.
'Hmm. I see.'
But contrary to Bu Eun-seol's expectations, Yeop Hyo-cheon had assessed the situation with terrifying calm.
The master of the Secret Shadow Pavilion had not betrayed him.
Having judged that Bu Eun-seol had obtained irrefutable evidence, he had unhesitatingly offered up not the tail—but the torso itself.
All to preserve the head—himself.
"Wasn't Hall Leader Yu one of my own subordinates?"
Having finished his thoughts, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke with an unhurried expression.
"Since my adjutant has committed a crime, naturally, the responsibility falls upon me as well."
Yeop Hyo-cheon looked at Bu Eun-seol with the same expression as before.
Then he turned his gaze to Yu Jeok-do's headless corpse and clicked his tongue.
"A pity. He was quite a capable adjutant."
He shook his head with a regretful tone, but his expression was as indifferent as if he had merely broken a favorite teacup.
"A shame to lose such talent."
"..."
"My apologies, Martial Soul Lord."
Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke with a bitter expression.
"No matter how trusted a subordinate, I may have granted a mere hall leader too much authority. That must be why this happened."
"Do you not wish to see the evidence?"
"Well, since it's a matter you've handled, I trust you've done so thoroughly."
Yeop Hyo-cheon swept his eyes around with a desolate expression.
"Still, he was my adjutant. Though he committed a crime, he has paid with his life... I would appreciate it if you stopped here, Lord."
"..."
"Among those who cooperated with Hall Leader Yu, surely some were coerced? Let's not spill any more blood among our own people."
Except for the Death Shadow War Unit members.
The martial artists of the Demon Shadow Hall who heard those words—
And the warriors of the Demon Hall who had witnessed this scene—
All wore deeply moved expressions.
Even though the Martial Soul Lord had drawn his blade before the Chief Doctrine Commander and beheaded his trusted subordinate—
Even after committing such an act of disrespect—
He had instead bowed his head in apology, shielded the guilty subordinate's underlings, and even arranged for the aftermath.
—As expected of the Supreme Cult Commander!
With such conduct—
Yeop Hyo-cheon had become a magnanimous figure who cared not for status or face, protecting his subordinate's faults.
While Bu Eun-seol—
Had earned a reputation as a ruthless figure who acted arrogantly, relying on his authority, and brooked no mistakes.
Had Bu Eun-seol been fixated on his position as the Demon Hall's successor, this incident could have been a devastating misstep.
'Indeed.'
But Bu Eun-seol was unbothered.
And he marveled at Yeop Hyo-cheon's cunning.
Only a scheming overlord of this caliber could conceal his true intentions and handle everything in the shadows.
"Then I shall take my leave first."
As Yeop Hyo-cheon lifted Yu Jeok-do's corpse with his own hands, a frigid light flickered in his eyes.
Crunch.
The bones in Yu Jeok-do's forearm shattered under the force of his grip.
'Who could have foreseen the Buddha Honored One's sudden appearance?'
This had been his last chance to confirm the nature of the trump card he held.
But with the Buddha Honored One's interference... he could no longer verify its authenticity.
'Which means I must lay low for now. Forget about the Martial Soul Lord's affairs as well.'
Yeop Hyo-cheon silently swallowed a self-assured laugh.
'I retreat now, but only temporarily.'
No matter what tricks were employed, it was futile.
After all, as long as that thing remained in his possession, the victor of this struggle was already decided.
Zzzing.
But then—a presence sharp enough to flay the skin from his nape prickled against his back.
Yeop Hyo-cheon instinctively knew it was Bu Eun-seol's gaze.
'He must be furious.'
What he had likely wanted was a violent clash.
Having beheaded a trusted subordinate without hesitation before the Demon Hall's second-in-command—
With both justification and evidence in hand, he must have been certain of victory by any means.
But like the sly fox he was, Yeop Hyo-cheon had overturned the mood with an unexpected move.
In the end, all Bu Eun-seol had gained were disdainful glares, the stigma of arrogance—
And Yu Jeok-do's severed head.
Swish.
Yeop Hyo-cheon slowly turned his head.
Normally, a grandmaster of his standing would never look back once he began walking.
But he desperately wanted to see the expression on Bu Eun-seol's face, seething with frustration.
"...!"
The moment he turned, his own expression froze into icy stillness.
Contrary to expectations—Bu Eun-seol was smiling.
Mystical light flickered in his half-lidded eyes... and a smile so pure it bordered on eerie curled at the corners of his lips.
Hwip.
Yeop Hyo-cheon reflexively turned away again.
The instant their eyes met, it felt as though he had stepped into an abyss of eternal ice—a bone-deep chill spreading through his entire body.
'So that's how it is.'
Swiftly regaining his composure, Yeop Hyo-cheon resumed walking with a tranquil expression—
As if nothing had happened at all.