Chapter 565
Bu Eun-seol couldn't comprehend it.
The Heavenly Might Star, the Heavenly Killing Star—these were nothing more than ill-omened stars spoken of in astrology and Daoism.
They were merely metaphors used in various contexts, not entities that truly existed.
Yet Yang Seol-rin spoke as if they were all real.
"Are you saying the figures of the Baekri Clan possessed such abilities?"
"Yes."
"But the Baekri Clan vanished without a trace."
"Correct."
Yang Seol-rin delivered a shocking response.
"That's why they disappeared."
"What do you mean?"
"They self-destructed. Because of that power."
Yang Seol-rin blinked her large eyes and continued.
"A terrifying power capable of becoming the Heavenly Darkness Star—possessed not by a single individual, but by an entire clan."
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
If such a hidden story existed about the legendary Baekri Clan, why had it never been revealed in the martial world?
"If they wielded such power, why would they self-destruct?"
"You're unexpectedly naive. Or perhaps just lacking in greed."
Yang Seol-rin crossed her arms.
"If every individual possessed the ability to dominate the world, do you think they'd just quietly huddle together like dead mice?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
When one holds a staff, the urge to swing it is inevitable.
If the figures of the Baekri Clan were truly that extraordinary, countless people would have fought to rule the world.
"Does that answer your question?"
Bu Eun-seol fell silent.
All the stories Yang Seol-rin told were unverified, yet they all sounded plausible.
"Then let me ask just one more thing."
"Hmm."
Yang Seol-rin sighed before speaking.
"Fine. But this is the last one."
Then she added one more condition.
"And you'll have to grant me two requests in return."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol asked a question that cut to the heart of everything Yang Seol-rin had said so far.
"Why are you searching for the Heavenly Darkness Star?"
"Because the world will end."
Yang Seol-rin gazed at Bu Eun-seol with slightly eerie eyes.
"When the Heavenly Darkness Star appears, the world will meet its end. That is a prophecy passed down since the dawn of time—a divine oracle, no less."
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol felt as though he had been struck on the back of the head.
Suddenly, the words of the Buddhist Venerable resurfaced in his mind.
—Dharma Seeker Mo-ryun miscalculated the time when the prophecy would begin.
'The Final Extinction will come without fail. But the timing was wrong...'
A chill ran down Bu Eun-seol's spine.
If everything Yang Seol-rin said was true...
Could it be that the time of the Final Extinction was meant for this generation?
A foreboding intuition gripped him.
"Are we done now?"
Yang Seol-rin raised her voice impatiently.
"No more questions, right?"
Bu Eun-seol had one last doubt that had been nagging at him repeatedly.
If all of this was true—
Why had none of it ever been revealed in the martial world?
"Just one more."
At his words, Yang Seol-rin's eyes widened.
"No."
"This isn't so much a question as it is a desire to hear your thoughts, Lady Lin."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at her with eyes deeper and more profound than ever before.
"Would that be too much?"
His crimson-tinged pupils shimmered like dewdrops glistening in the morning sun.
Yang Seol-rin pouted several times, but after meeting his radiant gaze, she reluctantly pursed her lips.
"What now?"
"Why have these stories never been revealed in the martial world? If even you, Lady Lin, are aware of them, there must be quite a few who know of these truths."
"Hmm."
Yang Seol-rin crossed her arms and adopted a grave expression.
"Do you know the meaning of the phrase 'the tip of the iceberg'?"
"Of course."
"Explain it."
"An iceberg is far larger beneath the surface than what is visible above, is it not?"
"Exactly. That's precisely it."
Yang Seol-rin spoke with utmost seriousness.
"In the end, the world you see is but an extremely small fragment."
"..."
"The martial world hides far too much. Very few have descended into the deep abyss to witness the true form of the iceberg."
"The true form beneath the abyss..."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned subtle.
In short, the martial world as it appeared now was not the whole picture—it was far larger and deeper.
'It does seem plausible.'
Just looking at the Yangseol Family before him—
Even Bu Eun-seol, who possessed the most extensive intelligence network in the Demonic Path's martial world, had been unaware of them. They were a faction hidden in the abyss, a reclusive clan.
Which meant—
The current martial world was not all that met the eye. There could be countless factions he knew nothing about.
'The Demonic Heavenly Emperor must know.'
Bu Eun-seol could sense it.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor must have descended into that abyss and witnessed the true face of the martial world.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol nodded, his expression hollow.
"I had no idea the Yangseol Family, while remaining hidden from the martial world, had grasped so much."
Then, with an expression of utmost admiration, he clasped his hands together.
"Had I heard such tales sooner, I would never have entered the Demon Hall. I would have sought out the Yangseol Clan by any means necessary."
Though his words praised the Yangseol Clan's greatness, they also carried another, unspoken question—
Why does the Yangseol Clan not step forth into the martial world in earnest?
He had phrased it indirectly, circling the heart of the matter.
"You're sharp-witted."
Yang Seol-rin, having discerned Bu Eun-seol's intent, let out a soft chuckle.
"You're right. Our main house possesses power, but we've never involved ourselves in the martial world's affairs."
"Is it because you wish to avoid suffering the same fate as the Baekri Clan?"
"That's part of it. Power, once obtained, tempts one to wield it. But if we were to impose a Restrictive Seal forbidding any involvement in the martial world from the very beginning... well, such troubles would never arise, would they?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed slightly.
He sensed that Yang Seol-rin was evading a direct answer.
"Then why involve yourselves now?"
"If the world ceases to exist, what use is it for our clan alone to survive?"
In short, the Yangseol Clan involved itself only in matters concerning the Final Extinction of the martial world.
For all else, they remained withdrawn, prioritizing the preservation of their clan above all.
"Has your curiosity been satisfied?"
At Yang Seol-rin's question, Bu Eun-seol respectfully pressed his palms together.
"Speak. I will assist in whatever matter you require."
"First, we must locate the Earthly Killing Star."
"The Earthly Killing Star? Should we not seek the Heavenly Darkness Star first?"
"The Heavenly Darkness Star has not yet been confirmed to have appeared. But the Earthly Killing Star is certain. Moreover, these figures emerge periodically."
"Periodically...?"
"Ah, this is a secret, but—"
Yang Seol-rin leaned in, whispering as if sharing a clandestine truth.
"Our clan has, for generations, imprisoned those bearing the Earthly Killing Star to safeguard the world. That is why, since Hyeol Mu-geuk three hundred years ago, no figure known as the Great Killing Star has emerged."
Hyeol Mu-geuk.
He was the last recorded Great Killing Star in the annals of the martial world—a man who slaughtered countless innocents and martial artists beyond reckoning.
Yet after him, no figure worthy of that title had arisen.
And now, it was revealed that this was because the Yangseol Clan had been imprisoning the Earthly Killing Stars all along?
"Why imprison them? Why not simply kill them?"
"You truly know nothing, do you? If they die, another Earthly Killing Star will inevitably be born in their place."
Yang Seol-rin smirked with absolute confidence.
"But if they are locked away in our clan's Prison for life, then as long as they live, the world remains at peace."
The Yangseol Clan's methods and reasoning were bizarre beyond measure.
Yet Bu Eun-seol betrayed no reaction, merely nodding along with a practiced smile.
"Remarkable. I imagine those bearing the Earthly Killing Star must possess formidable abilities."
"Fool. Why else do you think we study Heaven's Will?"
Her next words struck like a hammer.
"The Earthly Killing Star's power only manifests after they turn twenty. So we capture them before that happens."
"You imprison people who have committed no crime?"
"If we wait until the Earthly Killing Star awakens, countless will already be dead. We must act swiftly."
Bu Eun-seol blinked slowly.
He did not believe in fate.
Humans could endlessly evolve and change through sheer effort—this was a lesson imparted by Bu Jan-yang himself.
Yet here was a clan that, solely because one was born as an Earthly Killing Star, condemned them to a lifetime of imprisonment before they had even sinned?
Was that not unbearably cruel?
"That is an evil deed that should never be done."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
"Not even the Emperor has the right to imprison the innocent, let alone the Yangseol Clan."
"Did you not hear the tale of Hyeol Mu-geuk? If we leave the Earthly Killing Star unchecked, people will be slaughtered. By then, it's too late."
"But what if they never harm anyone? What if they aren't truly an Earthly Killing Star?"
"Don't worry. They will harm others. And there has never been a case where they weren't the Earthly Killing Star."
Yang Seol-rin's gaze was unshakable.
Perhaps, from the Yangseol Clan's perspective, this was a sacred duty—an act of divine conviction to protect the world.
But in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, it was nothing more than self-righteousness—a warped sense of justice maintained at the cost of others.
"I know it seems strange. Honestly, even I don't fully agree with all of it."
Yang Seol-rin's expression turned solemn.
"But because of this, the world has remained stable. And our clan has survived."
"..."
"I choose to believe only in the outcome."
'Their ideology is eerily similar to that of the Three Realms.'
The Three Realms—more precisely, the Infinite Realm—justified harming a minority for the sake of the many, conducting experiments on the few to save countless others.
Had he not known of the Yangseol Clan, Bu Eun-seol might have mistaken her for an agent of the Three Realms.
'But—'
His brow furrowed.
Even if he could never agree with the Yangseol Clan's philosophy, he could not take action against her now.
He had not personally witnessed their so-called evil deeds. Worse still, she had shown him goodwill and shared invaluable information.
'I cannot pick apart her clan's affairs at this moment.'
"If that is the Yangseol Clan's rule, then I have nothing more to say on the matter."
Bu Eun-seol spoke as though conceding.
"But if such acts unfold before my very eyes—I will never tolerate them."
"Do as you please. I have no intention of acting in front of you anyway."
When Yang Seol-rin answered dismissively, Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply and shifted the topic.
"Then, did you come out alone to find the Earthly Killing Star?"
"Correct."
"If the Earthly Killing Star poses enough of a threat to endanger tens of thousands of lives, shouldn't the Yangseol Family have dispatched a large force?"
"That, too, is our family's principle. Only one person is permitted to venture into the martial world. That way, we avoid repeating the mistakes of the Baekri Clan."
If those with the Yangseol Family's abilities were to appear in large numbers?
They, too, would become targets of the martial world's scrutiny and envy—or worse, might harbor ambitions of their own.
Thus, their principle was to send only one person into the Rivers and Lakes.
"If the Yangseol Family, bearing the sacred duty of protecting the world, sent only you to eliminate the Earthly Killing Star... wouldn't that be a somewhat inadequate response?"
"That sounds like you're implying I can't defeat the Earthly Killing Star."
"You couldn't even defeat me."
Yang Seol-rin let out a dry chuckle.
"There were two reasons you could defeat me so easily. First, because you possess the Water Essence Divine Qi. Second, because I had no intention of fighting you to the death."
She exhaled sharply through her nose.
"Had I used the Absolute Boundary technique, you would never have escaped."
'An unusual name.'
Even the Special Divine Rank guards brought by the Heavenly Venerable had wielded unfamiliar techniques—names like Nine-Aspect Purgatory and Twin Radiance, unheard of in the martial world.
Which meant the power Yang Seol-rin used was likely similar—
A method that either severely restricted an opponent's martial arts and True Qi or created a Domain where only their own power prevailed.
'It seems closely related to Imperial Court Martial Arts.'
Bu Eun-seol dispersed the flood of questions with a deep breath.
No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Yangseol Family and the Three Realms were connected.
'This is something I must investigate.'
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on Yang Seol-rin.
"If what you say is true, then most martial artists would stand no chance against the Yangseol Family's techniques."
"Naturally."
"Then why would the Yangseol Family impose such restrictions on itself?"
"Hm?"
"Just because one possesses great power doesn't mean they'll inevitably self-destruct like the Baekri Clan..."
A sharp glint flashed in his pupils.
"And the Earthly Killing Star hardly seems like a figure tied to the world's end."
—You people. You're subtly meddling in the affairs of the martial world, aren't you?
Bu Eun-seol was now—
Indirectly pointing out the contradiction in the Yangseol Family's stance: that they claimed to intervene only in matters related to the world's end, yet their actions suggested otherwise.
"Hmm."
Yang Seol-rin swallowed a sigh, her brow twitching slightly.
'No wonder he's the Heir of the Demon Hall.'
Not only did he persistently question her from a broad perspective, but his inquiries always struck at the heart of the matter.
"I thought you said you were done with questions."
"..."
"You said you'd ask just one—how many do you think you've asked now? If you want answers, repay me with ample assistance first."
"My apologies."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together in an exceedingly polite gesture.
"I will compensate you for the time I've taken. But this question, I must ask."
"Why?"
"Because I can't help but wonder... if the Yangseol Family might be the head of the very force I've been searching for all this time."
Yang Seol-rin's brow furrowed.
She had discerned that "the force I've been searching for" carried an extremely unfavorable implication.
"Are you repaying kindness with enmity now?"
"I speak precisely to avoid doing so."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was utterly solemn.
"I merely hope—with all my heart—that the Yangseol Family is neither closely tied to the faction I oppose nor one and the same with them."
"Just who are you talking about?"
"The Three Realms."
Yang Seol-rin froze.
Her expression and posture were so still, it was as if time had stopped around her.
"Ha."
Then, abruptly, her lips parted—
"Hahaha!"
She burst into uproarious laughter, pointing at Bu Eun-seol's face with her finger.
Bu Eun-seol stared back unflinchingly, whether she laughed or not.
Her laughter would stop eventually.
The truth would soon be revealed.
"Originally, I wasn't going to answer no matter what you said."
"..."
"But I'll tell you. Because you've genuinely made me laugh for the first time in ages."
Yang Seol-rin smiled faintly at the corners of her lips.
"Why would a martial artist like you oppose the Three Realms? Isn't that just absurd?"
Her next words were utterly bewildering.
"The Three Realms are on your side."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but make an extremely strange expression.
The Three Realms are on my side?
What in the world did that mean?
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll answer briefly, so listen well."
Yang Seol-rin spoke decisively.
"First, our family has no connection to the Three Realms. So stop scowling like that."
"..."
"Second, if anything, the Three Realms could be considered our enemies. Because they seek to protect the martial world from an entirely different perspective."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't comprehend those words.
'Protecting? Are they truly protecting the martial world?'
Yang Seol-rin smiled at Bu Eun-seol's bewildered expression.
"I told you. What you've seen is merely the tip of the iceberg."
Then, with a desolate look, she continued.
"And perhaps even I have only glimpsed a fraction of it."
In other words, Yang Seol-rin herself—
Her words indirectly revealed that she, too, had not reached the depths of the Abyss.
'The Three Realms... are protecting the martial world.'
Bu Eun-seol pressed a hand to his forehead as if dizzy.
If that were true—
Then everything he had done until now would, in fact, have harmed the martial world.
'I can't take her words at face value.'
Everything Yang Seol-rin had casually mentioned were matters unknown to the martial world—
Things that could sway the very tides of martial affairs.
"Then,"
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath as his thoughts settled.
"The Three Realms, whom I believed sought only to grasp and manipulate the martial world..."
He met Yang Seol-rin's gaze squarely as he continued.
"Are you saying they were created to protect the martial world from certain factions... or entities?"
Yang Seol-rin's eyes gleamed.
Bu Eun-seol was not only sharp-minded—he was drawing countless inferences from a single fact.
It was an astonishing insight rarely seen among youths his age.
"Correct."
"Then the Yangseol Family shares a common enemy with the Three Realms... but became adversaries due to differing methods of dealing with that enemy, is that it?"
"Perhaps."
"Or perhaps the Yangseol Family isn't the only one opposing the Three Realms. There may be other factions as well."
Bu Eun-seol's voice lowered.
"For example... the Jungsong Family—"
"That's enough."
Yang Seol-rin's playful expression hardened into icy severity.
"If we continue this conversation, even you... might become an enemy of our family."
Her tone was decisive.
"So, no more questions."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
He sensed that pressing her further would turn even the goodwill they had built—
Into nothing but foam on water.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together respectfully once more.
"And thank you."
He couldn't verify the truth of Yang Seol-rin's words.
But though she refused to answer, she hadn't deliberately twisted information to mislead him—
Nor sought to profit from it.
Because she had answered with sincerity... he had managed to resolve some of his long-held questions.
"Seems our debts are clear now..."
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's utterly solemn expression, Yang Seol-rin's gaze grew calm and serene.
"I only hope this bond of ours doesn't turn sour."
Bonds in the Rivers and Lakes tangled like thread—
Good ties could become enmity, and foes could become friends.
Their outcome... was something no one could foresee.
"The feeling is mutual."
Bu Eun-seol nodded faintly as well.
Yang Seol-rin was no villain.
But that didn't guarantee she wouldn't become his enemy.
He, too... merely hoped their connection would end well.
"Then how may I assist you?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Yang Seol-rin sighed before speaking.
Yang Seol then said calmly,
"Normally, tracking the Earthly Killing Star's energy shouldn't be difficult, but he seems to have mastered concealing his presence during his long confinement in our family."
"Would the aid of my intelligence network suffice?"
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
"Though they don't reveal themselves to the world, given how well they grasp martial affairs... they must have solid connections and resources."
"But wouldn't it be even easier if the intelligence network of the Heir of the Demon Hall were added to that?"
"I see your point."
Bu Eun-seol nodded briskly.
"I'll arrange for all the intelligence networks under my command to be at your disposal while you're in the Rivers and Lakes."
Then he added,
"And I'll provide unlimited manpower to aid in capturing the Earthly Killing Star."
It was an extraordinarily generous offer.
Yang Seol-rin might still become his enemy.
But Bu Eun-seol intended to repay her goodwill in greater measure.
"Even manpower? What if I end up clashing with the Righteous Faction?"
"Better that than you facing mortal danger or some other predicament alone."
Bu Eun-seol remembered her saying she had come to the martial world alone and thus offered troops.
Yang Seol-rin hummed thoughtfully before nodding.
"This conversation was worth having."
Taking a deep breath, she gazed at the distant sky.
"Though I'd prefer if the Heavenly Darkness Star didn't appear."
Her eyes darkened.
The Heavenly Darkness Star—
The harbinger of the world's end. The mere flicker of that destructive existence weighed heavily on her mind.
'Wait, the Heavenly Darkness Star...'
Bu Eun-seol's heart raced.
What if, contrary to legend—
The Baekri Clan had been operating in secrecy like the Yangseol Family?
Could Baekri Mu-ha, whom he suspected to be his father, have been a descendant of the legendary Baekri Clan?
And if there were others from the Baekri Clan still alive, possessing such formidable power—
Could he be the Heavenly Darkness Star? The murderer who killed his grandfather?
'Baekri Mu-jo?'
Had he gone mad considering that Baekri Mu-jo—one of the Seven Great Leaders, revered as the Sacred Sword—might be a descendant of the Baekri Clan and the Heavenly Darkness Star?