Chapter 580
'How unique. And talented.'
Bu Eun-seol nodded as he observed the rainbow-hued saber qi pouring down like mist.
The Bloodflame Blade Art displayed by Do Yong-rin was distinctly different from that of the other blade masters of the Bloodflame Blade Family, including Do Cheon-rin.
'To have already modified it to suit his own tastes...'
Surprisingly, he had altered a significant portion of the Bloodflame Blade Art to fit his personal preferences.
Shwaaak!
The saber qi that had cascaded like mist reduced the stones and trees where Bu Eun-seol had stood moments ago to dust.
But his figure had already retreated 30 feet to the side.
Swiik!
Yet, as if anticipating his evasion—
The dispersed saber qi abruptly sharpened into blade edges, driving toward Bu Eun-seol's throat.
'As expected.'
Bu Eun-seol nodded again as he watched the relentless onslaught of saber qi.
Now he understood why someone like Do Mu-jeok had granted Do Yong-rin the position of Young Clan Head.
Even if not now, with effort, he could one day inherit the mantle of Family Head.
He possessed remarkable talent.
'But talent alone.'
Do Yong-rin had an impatient temperament and a strong individuality. Rather than perfectly mastering the Bloodflame Blade Art to the Great Origin Realm—
He had chosen to reshape it to fit his own personality, enhancing both the intricacy and might of his blade techniques.
While this allowed rapid growth in skill, from a long-term perspective, it was merely an exploit that could lead to stagnation.
Sssaaa—
The unleashed saber qi surged like a colossal wave, crashing down upon Bu Eun-seol.
It was said that when the Bloodflame Blade Art reached Grand Perfection, a crimson rainbow would unfurl, severing heads before one even realized it.
Do Yong-rin had grasped the essence of the Bloodflame Blade in his own way—but unfortunately for him, his opponent was Bu Eun-seol.
"Haaap!"
Spotting an opening in Bu Eun-seol's stance, Do Yong-rin unleashed the first strike of White Rainbow Pierces the Sun with a sharp cry.
Razor-sharp saber qi poured forth like arrows, piercing straight toward Bu Eun-seol's throat—
Or at least, it should have.
—Halt.
Suddenly, the first strike of White Rainbow Pierces the Sun froze midair.
Because Do Yong-rin's blade had been caught—wedged firmly between Bu Eun-seol's index and middle fingers.
"Wh—how...?"
Do Yong-rin wore the expression of a man who had seen a ghost.
His Bloodflame Blade was forged from Earth-Pole Profound Iron, making it sharper than even the legendary Divine Swords and Treasured Sabers.
Moreover, the first strike of White Rainbow Pierces the Sun was a lethal technique capable of splitting even Mount Tai in a single slash.
Yet, in the span of its execution, this man had plucked the blade between two fingers and halted the technique?
'Am I facing a ghost?'
As cold sweat dripped down Do Yong-rin's back—
"Just because you recklessly scatter rainbows doesn't mean you've mastered the Bloodflame Blade Art."
Ting!
Bu Eun-seol flicked the Bloodflame Blade away with his middle finger, sending Do Yong-rin staggering back as if his grip had been torn apart by sheer agony.
"I'll advise you once more—first, undergo three years of closed-door cultivation. Then, travel the martial world and hone your combat instincts against strong opponents."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was deadly serious.
"If you remain satisfied at this level... the Bloodflame Blade Family will inevitably sink to the lowest rank among the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Snap! Crash—!
Instead of answering, Do Yong-rin shattered the blade of his Bloodflame Blade in his grip.
If he didn't do something, he felt his shattered pride would never recover.
"I've learned my lesson."
Then, without looking back, he turned and left.
The blade masters standing guard around them also faded away one by one.
"Sigh..."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply as he gazed at the distant sky.
"Well?"
Then, in a low voice, he spoke.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Whoosh—
A shadow clad in plain black martial robes descended slowly before him.
Between the strands of his untied long hair, the sharp bridge of his nose and long, piercing eyes marked him as a peerless beauty.
Yet there was something undeniably gloomy about him, carrying an air of cold mockery.
It was Do Cheon-rin.
"How embarrassing."
He had been hiding in the trees, watching the entire exchange between Bu Eun-seol and Do Yong-rin.
Bu Eun-seol had sensed his presence—which was precisely why he had entertained Do Yong-rin in the first place.
"To think the arrogant frogs of my family would all leap before the Martial Soul Lord's feet like this."
As Do Cheon-rin let out a bitter sigh, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"The members of the Bloodflame Blade Family are talented, but most seem to bloom late."
It was a genuine compliment.
Both Do Cheon-rin and Do Yong-rin—
In his eyes, they possessed the makings of legends.
"But possessing too much talent means it takes considerable time for it to fully blossom."
"Which ultimately means it's still lacking, I suppose."
Do Cheon-rin smiled bitterly.
"Compared to talent like yours, that is."
Truthfully, Bu Eun-seol's case wasn't a matter that could be judged by martial arts talent alone.
Due to Bu Jan-yang's upbringing—
Not only had he gained unparalleled expertise in the human body, but also insight that transcended age.
And he possessed diverse knowledge as if he'd wandered the martial world for centuries.
When combined with his terrifying persistence and effort, the result was the birth of a monster like him.
But Do Cheon-rin, having no way of knowing this, simply assumed Bu Eun-seol possessed monstrous innate talent.
"By the way, what brings you here?"
When Bu Eun-seol abruptly changed the subject, Do Cheon-rin shrugged.
"First, I was worried that idiot might provoke you and lose his head..."
Do Cheon-rin spoke with an awkward expression.
"Second, the situation at Red Sky Curtain Branch seems extremely dire."
"Red Sky Curtain Branch?"
"Yes. Haven't you heard?"
"I haven't."
"Now that I think about it... I don't see them. Did they send all the intelligence operatives on Demon Leave or something?"
In truth, the members of the Death Soul Squad, including So-yo, seemed to have discerned Bu Eun-seol's complicated feelings.
Rather than hovering around him as he wandered aimlessly, they had consistently maintained their distance.
"Unless it's information significant enough to shift the tides of the martial world, Yu Un-ryong and Wi Cheon-gyeong intercept it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke impassively.
"There'd be no way news from a wanderers' market like Red Sky Curtain Branch would reach me."
"I see."
Do Cheon-rin cleared his throat and spoke with a bitter expression.
"Ever since Jeong Cheon, the former Sky-Crossing Office Master, disappeared, Red Sky Curtain Branch has been constantly harassed by outside factions. Those who want to swallow the market whole, you see."
Red Sky Curtain Branch had long been rooted as Shaanxi's foremost wanderers' market.
Especially in recent years, under Dam Yu-yeon's management, thanks to its low referral fees and drastically reduced information costs,
it had become a market beloved by many wandering martial artists.
But after Jeong Cheon, the deputy master of the Sky-Crossing Office who managed and tested Special-Grade wanderers, disappeared, Red Sky Curtain Branch fell into dire straits.
With Jeong Cheon gone, the Eight Golden Riders—the pillars and strongest force of Red Sky Curtain Branch—had all departed.
The leaders of the Eight Golden Riders had all been defeated by Jeong Cheon and had pledged their loyalty as the price.
But once he vanished, they left Red Sky Curtain Branch without a shred of regret.
As the natural order dictates, where interests lie, power is necessary.
Otherwise, you'll be devoured by factions hungry for profit.
Even taverns, whose profits aren't that substantial, hire underworld factions for protection—precisely for this reason.
Red Sky Curtain Branch, too, had been shielded from external invasions because Jeong Cheon's exceptional martial arts had protected it.
But with him gone, multiple factions were now determined to target it.
"This isn't anything new. Such incidents have been happening for a while."
"But this time, it's different, or so I've heard."
Do Cheon-rin lowered his voice.
"The master of the Gold Management Hall under the Black Banner Society is after her."
The Black Banner Society.
A coalition of Black Path sects formed with the ambition of dominating the dark martial world.
However, the Black Path sects themselves were closely tied to the commercial world,
and had been suppressed by the momentum of the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall, preventing any major activity.
But then the unexpected happened.
Not only had Bu Eun-seol, the Heir of the Demon Hall, weakened the forces of Hell Blood Citadel, White Horse Temple, and the Spectral Sect,
but he had also shattered the financial lifelines of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, which had gripped the commercial interests of the Central Plains.
The Black Banner Society seized this opportunity to expand its influence,
swallowing not only numerous Black Path sects but also sects that stood Between Orthodox and Heterodox in the blink of an eye.
And as their power grew, what they needed was a sturdy financial foundation. The Black Banner Society pounced on anything that could turn a profit.
Amidst this, Dam Ung, the master of the Gold Management Hall under the Black Banner Society, suddenly established a very small wanderers' market in Shaanxi.
But though it was called a wanderers' market, he couldn't secure proper land, so he built something resembling a mountain stronghold at the foot of the slopes,
merely naming it Wind-Rain Estate.
Regardless, having become the owner of Wind-Rain Estate, instead of expanding the wanderers' market,
he began visiting Red Sky Curtain Branch, Shaanxi's largest wanderers' market, and persistently harassing Dam Yu-yeon.
"So?"
"What do you mean, 'so'? I heard you still owe Red Sky Curtain Branch a considerable debt."
"It's all been repaid."
Bu Eun-seol's reply was firm.
"There is no debt left between them and me."
"How can a person live calculating only profit and loss?"
"That's just how the Rivers and Lakes are."
"Just because the Rivers and Lakes are like that, you'll live that way too?"
"Yes."
When Bu Eun-seol answered without hesitation, Do Cheon-rin nodded as if he had nothing left to say.
"I understand what you mean."
Then, without hesitation, he turned away.
"Then I'll be going."
Whoosh.
In an instant, he activated his Lightness Skill and vanished into the distant sky.
Bu Eun-seol watched Do Cheon-rin's retreating figure and sighed inwardly.
'He's going to her.'
He had known for a long time.
Do Cheon-rin and Dam Yu-yeon. The two had feelings for each other.
And now that Dam Yu-yeon was in trouble, Do Cheon-rin was rushing to her aid without hesitation.
"They say love blinds you."
Recalling something Baek Mu-seong had once said, Bu Eun-seol muttered bitterly.
"But this matter... is something I absolutely cannot intervene in, Do Cheon-rin."
Shaanxi was a stronghold of the Righteous Path, which fiercely guarded against the incursion of Demonic Path forces.
Moreover, Red Sky Curtain Branch was a ronin market with no ties to righteous and demonic sects.
Others might not know, but Bu Eun-seol could never involve himself in such a conflict.
Yet Do Cheon-rin hadn't even considered that—he had simply left with a disappointed look on his face.
"Even if the heavens and earth were to collapse right now—"
Though he said that, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Bu Eun-seol's lips.
After watching the spot where Do Cheon-rin had disappeared for a while, he slowly turned away.
Red Battlefield Ronin Network, Hall of Bestowed Scriptures.
Dam Yu-yeon, who had been writing letters for some time, suddenly paused.
Then, as if struck by a thought, she frowned at the stack of letters piled on one side of the desk.
All of them were marriage proposals.
"Sigh."
She exhaled deeply.
Ever since Jeong Cheon had left, countless figures had come forward with proposals.
Their goal was singular—
To devour Red Sky Curtain Branch in one fell swoop.
Thanks to its low introduction and information fees, and swift job processing, Red Sky Curtain Branch had become a gathering place for skilled ronin.
Wealthy merchants and trade companies operating Beyond the Frontier also frequented it, drawn by the abundance of exceptional warriors.
But now that Jeong Cheon was gone, if they could just secure Dam Yu-yeon—
They could seize Red Sky Curtain Branch in an instant, a place rumored to generate astronomical profits in a single year.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, the voice of an attendant came from outside the door.
"Market Master. The Sanctuary Master of Wind-Rain Estate requests an audience."
'Him again.'
A dull ache throbbed in Dam Yu-yeon's head.
Most suitors simply left their letters and departed, but Dam Ung was relentless, visiting with an infuriating persistence.
'I can't just turn him away recklessly—not with the Black Banner Society's reputation at stake.'
Dam Ung had only established a shoddy ronin market called Wind-Rain Estate, but he was still the Gold Management Hall Master of the Black Banner Society, a Black Path Alliance faction.
He was a key figure managing the Black Banner Society's financial power.
In other words, his goal wasn't marriage—it was to swallow Red Sky Curtain Branch's vast wealth.
'And he even had the gall to suggest I become his third concubine.'
Suppressing her irritation, Dam Yu-yeon spoke.
"I'm busy right now. Arrange another appointment."
"Hahaha. That's too harsh."
But at that moment, the door swung open, and a man clad in lavish silk robes strode in, laughing.
His features were somewhat refined, but—
His eyes were long and narrow, his lips unnaturally red, giving him the unmistakable look of a scheming villain.
It was none other than Dam Ung, Gold Management Hall Master of the Black Banner Society and Sanctuary Master of Wind-Rain Estate.
"Just a brief meeting—no need to be so cold."
Dam Yu-yeon's expression grew even frostier at his smooth words.
"I've already made my refusal clear."
"Who knows how fate may turn?"
Dam Ung chuckled as he stepped closer.
"Don't be so harsh. I only wish for you to open your heart a little."
She wanted to cut down that treacherous face right then and there.
But even if she mobilized all of Red Sky Curtain Branch's ronin, her opponent was the Black Path Alliance, which had already absorbed thirteen sects.
An enemy she absolutely could not afford to provoke.
"Let me say it again—"
Dam Yu-yeon replied in a firm voice.
"I refuse your proposal to become your concubine. And I'd prefer it if you didn't come here again."
"Hahahaha!"
Despite her icy response, sharp enough to summon a blade wind, Dam Ung laughed heartily.
"You keep speaking like a child, Lady Dam."
His expression hardened as he narrowed his eyes, his voice turning frigid.
"Are you truly rejecting fine wine in favor of poison?"
"..."
"Or have you forgotten which faction the master of this sanctuary belongs to?"
Dam Ung snorted.
"Even if the Eight Golden Riders, once led by the Head of Horizontal Sky Department, were still intact, you wouldn't be in a position to defy our society. Surely you're not foolish enough to rally a bunch of stray wanderers and wage war?"
Then he added one more thing.
"And you know better than anyone that the Government Office won't intervene."
Those of the Black Path never hesitated to pounce on anything profitable.
Because of this, they maintained close ties with the Government Office, greasing palms with plenty of silver dust.
Moreover, Dam Ung's current status was that of the Sanctuary Master of the Wanderers' Market.
Though it was merely a facade, if a conflict broke out, it would be framed as an internal power struggle within the Wanderers' Market—no outside forces could interfere.
And the Government Office? They would likely prefer the Black Banner Society, who lined their pockets generously, to swallow up the Red Sky Curtain Branch.
"If you refuse the marriage proposal, there's another way."
Dam Ung's voice turned insinuating.
"I've heard that all of the Red Sky Curtain Branch's funds are managed by you, Lady Dam, and that there's a Black Ledger where you've stashed away hidden reserves."
"So you intend to plunder this sanctuary without even laying a hand on it?"
"If I were to lay a hand on it, I'd slaughter every last person in the Red Sky Curtain Branch. Wouldn't this be better?"
Dam Ung spoke with feigned warmth.
"What good would it do for innocent wanderers to die and the Red Sky Curtain Branch to fall? If you simply hand over the Black Ledger, I'll ensure this sanctuary is well managed. And of course, I'll share a portion of the profits with you."
When Dam Yu-yeon remained silent, Dam Ung spoke again.
"Just so you know, this Hall Leader isn't known for his patience."
His gaze bore into her face as he moistened his lips with his tongue.
"Those who've refused our society's offers have all met miserable ends... and the women among them were reduced to street flowers and wall willows. Keep that in mind."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Your fiery temper only makes you more beautiful."
A sly smile curled on Dam Ung's lips.
"It's only because of your fair face that I've made this offer at all. This Hall Leader doesn't propose concubinage to just anyone."
"I refuse."
"What a pity."
Dam Ung's lips twisted upward.
"I can't delay any longer. I'll have to send this sanctuary's troops, then."
Dam Ung had established the Wind-Rain Estate to frame the conflict with the Red Sky Curtain Branch as a power struggle within the Wanderers' Market.
Outwardly, they would appear as wanderers of the Wind-Rain Estate—but in truth, it was obvious he would deploy the Black Banner Society's massive army.
His voice turned cold.
"Before long, the Red Sky Curtain Branch will have to replace its signboard with that of the Wind-Rain Estate."
"I've heard the Black Banner Society's leader has no tolerance for failure."
Dam Yu-yeon refused to back down.
"If you push too hard for merit and suffer heavy troop losses, might your head not end up rolling?"
"Hahaha!"
Dam Ung burst into bright laughter before nodding.
"Lady Dam. For the third time, I advise you—pack your bags and leave now."
Click.
With a smirk full of mockery, he strode out.
War.
From now on, they would have to wage war against the Black Banner Society of the Black Path Alliance.
"Hall Master. It's Gu-o."
A low voice came from outside the door. It was Gu-o, her trusted subordinate.
"Come in."
Gu-o entered the office cautiously and spoke with grave deliberation.
"Hall Master. War with the Black Banner Society is impossible."
Having overheard everything outside, Gu-o pleaded in an earnest voice.
"Though he calls himself the Sanctuary Master of the Wind-Rain Estate, isn't that man the Hall Leader of the Black Banner Society's Gold Management Hall? And ever since Head Jeong Cheon left... aside from the Full Sky Bureau and the Swift March Unit, we barely have any troops left in this branch, do we?"
The Full Sky Bureau, responsible for maintaining order within the Red Sky Curtain Branch, had only eighty martial artists. The Swift March Unit, which carried out various tasks, numbered just over a hundred.
In short, the Red Sky Curtain Branch had fewer than two hundred troops. There was no way they could oppose the Black Banner Society.
"We'll supplement the rest by hiring wanderers."
"It's useless. Even if we fight the Black Banner Society, defeat is certain. How many wanderers would stake their lives on a battle with a predetermined loss?"
"Raise the payment."
Dam Yu-yeon spoke calmly.
"For this battle, Special-Grade wanderers will receive twenty times the usual rate, High-Grade wanderers ten times, and even Common-Grade wanderers will be paid over five times the standard fee."
"Hall Master—"
"Proceed as I've instructed."
"...Understood."
Though he complied, Gu-o's expression remained dark.
No matter how much they increased the reward, wanderers were still wanderers.
Who would risk their lives in a battle already destined for defeat?