Chapter 606
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring intently at Gongson Dan-gyeong, sank deep into thought.
'Does that mean the Martial Venerable is the Divine Calculator?'
While the matter of Jeong Cheon-je's survival was critical information that could completely overturn the martial world's political landscape, it wasn't particularly important to Bu Eun-seol himself.
What truly mattered was whether the Martial Venerable and the Divine Calculator were the same person.
'In fact, this possibility seems far more credible.'
The Divine Calculator had known Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall yet still provided him with the identity of Seon-u Jin.
The only way that could have been possible was if he hadn't been Jeong Cheon-je—but the Martial Venerable instead.
After all, the Martial Venerable had no foundation within the Martial Alliance.
It would make sense for him to devise a Poison Against Poison strategy—bringing in someone like Bu Eun-seol, who was antagonistic toward the Three Realms, to eliminate internal enemies.
'That must be why he tested me so thoroughly.'
The Divine Calculator had set up various mechanisms at Shaolin to examine Bu Eun-seol's temperament and personality.
'Even if he were to bring me into the Martial Alliance, it had to be done in a way that wouldn't harm the orthodox factions.'
This was the most plausible conclusion Bu Eun-seol could draw at present.
In the end, it was highly probable that the Divine Calculator was merely another identity of the Martial Venerable.
"Chief Strategist."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol opened his mouth to ask outright, 'Is the Martial Venerable the Divine Calculator?'
But there was an unshakable truth he had learned: the most critical revelations should never be heard from another's lips.
This was a principle the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself had instilled in Bu Eun-seol.
Moreover, directly asking whether the Divine Calculator and the Martial Venerable were the same person might unnecessarily provoke her suspicions.
It could even become the trigger for her to deduce his true identity as Bu Eun-seol.
"By any chance... does the Martial Venerable hold another identity besides acting as the Martial Alliance Chief?"
In the end, Bu Eun-seol opted for a roundabout question.
"The fact that the Martial Venerable is standing in for the Alliance Chief is an absolute secret."
His gaze remained steady on Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes as he continued calmly.
"Given that the Martial Venerable has no established foundation within the Alliance... it's possible he might require another identity to carry out certain tasks."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes flickered briefly, but she soon shook her head.
"Those 'certain tasks' you speak of are precisely what this Chief Strategist handles."
Then she added pointedly,
"Aside from this Chief Strategist, no one else knows the Martial Venerable is acting in the Alliance Chief's stead."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened with skepticism.
It was unthinkable that a figure like the Martial Venerable would plan such matters with Gongson Dan-gyeong alone.
"Of course, it's possible the Martial Venerable has privately consulted others or sought assistance regarding these matters."
Having read his unspoken doubts, she replied impassively.
"But that's beyond even this Chief Strategist's knowledge."
"Then the ones who ambushed Jeong Cheon-je within the Alliance must be forces connected to the Infinite Realm."
Bu Eun-seol pressed further with another question.
"Which is why you've been relentlessly working to eliminate the Infinite Realm's influence."
"Who can say?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong responded with composed indifference.
"I see no necessity in explaining that much to Commander Seon-u."
"No, you must."
"Excuse me?"
"Depending on your answer, I'll decide whether to board the same boat as you, Chief Strategist."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes turned icy at Bu Eun-seol's sudden shift in attitude, as if caught off guard.
"Did you start taking this Chief Strategist lightly because I indulged you in conversation?"
"The circumstances have changed."
Bu Eun-seol replied flatly.
"Not only do I now know the Alliance's greatest secret... but I've also gained a backer whose influence rivals yours, haven't I?"
That backer was none other than Bukgung Ryeong, now appointed as Honorary Guardian.
In reality, Bukgung Ryeong wielded authority comparable to the Martial Alliance's Chief Inspector.
And Seon-u Jin was publicly known to have inherited a portion of his martial legacy.
With his name inscribed on the Hero Stele in his lifetime—
even the Alliance Chief or Vice Alliance Leader couldn't treat him carelessly. In that regard, he could indeed be considered an even greater backer than Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"Heh. An answer I can appreciate."
The cold expression on Gongson Dan-gyeong's face suddenly melted into a bright smile.
"Had Commander Seon-u claimed undying loyalty to the Alliance or blind devotion to this Chief Strategist despite knowing these truths, it would have only deepened my suspicions."
Every human harbored their own desires.
If Seon-u Jin, now standing on equal footing, had shown no such ambition whatsoever—
Gongson Dan-gyeong would have found the man called Seon-u Jin deeply suspect all over again.
"This is precisely what I mean."
Contrary to the newfound warmth in Gongson Dan-gyeong's gaze, Bu Eun-seol's expression grew progressively colder.
"Even now, you're ceaselessly doubting and testing me, Chief Strategist."
"..."
"And this, not even a single horn's span of time after you suggested we end this tug-of-war of mutual suspicion."
Deliberately adopting a provoked expression, Bu Eun-seol continued,
"Until now, I've strived tirelessly to dispel every one of your doubts, Chief Strategist."
Bu Eun-seol spoke coldly.
"But there will be times when doubts cannot be completely dispelled. In the end... this will repeat endlessly."
"Hmm."
Gongson Dan-gyeong let out a thoughtful hum.
Her family, the children she had shared hardships with—had been brutally killed by the Infinite Realm and the Jungson Clan, respectively.
Ever since the day she entered the Gongson Clan with Chu-so's help and finally learned the true power behind the Infinite Realm and the Jungson Clan...
She had trusted only herself, devised her own plans, and manipulated every situation.
Not once had she placed faith in another. No—she couldn't.
Because they were everywhere.
How many times had she suffered devastating setbacks from naively trusting others?
But if what Bu Eun-seol sought was trust, then it was something she could never give.
"You're right. This Chief Strategist does not trust people. And I certainly can't suddenly start placing faith in Commander Seon-u."
Gongson Dan-gyeong admitted it plainly.
Then, with utter candor, she offered a solution.
"However, from now on, I will refrain from showing any tone or attitude that suggests doubt in Commander Seon-u's presence."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly as I said. I will never display such an attitude before Commander Seon-u—unless irrefutable proof of betrayal surfaces."
Her gaze was sincere as she continued.
"For now, can we settle for this much?"
In other words—she would still harbor suspicions, but she would neither voice them nor let them show on her face.
"Even if I doubt you, those thoughts will only swirl within my own mind."
It was an unorthodox solution.
But her eyes were deadly serious. It was proof that her desire to ally with Bu Eun-seol was genuine—desperate, even.
"...Very well."
Bu Eun-seol reluctantly nodded.
He could sense the sincerity in Gongson Dan-gyeong's heart.
"What a relief."
Gongson Dan-gyeong exhaled in quiet relief.
Had she failed to win him over this time? All the plans she had laid thus far could have unraveled.
"Then I suppose I should finish answering your earlier question."
Since Bu Eun-seol had demanded an explanation, she would give it to him honestly.
"My grudge against the Infinite Realm is personal. It has nothing to do with Martial Venerable Jeong Cheon-je's injury or the Martial Venerable himself."
"I see."
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, this was something he had long suspected.
But there was a vast difference between Gongson Dan-gyeong saying it outright and leaving it unspoken.
"Then shall we move on to the real discussion?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong took a deep breath.
"What we must do from now on—and what Commander Seon-u must do to become the Leader."
At last, they had reached the heart of the matter.
As Bu Eun-seol's eyes sharpened, Gongson Dan-gyeong continued.
"You must have wondered as well—why the Martial Venerable does not remain in the Alliance but instead repeatedly enters closed-door training."
"Naturally, he shouldn't stay within the Alliance, no? Not when even Martial Venerable Jeong Cheon-je was ambushed."
He added,
"And the Alliance is filled with those who have long served Martial Venerable Jeong Cheon-je. If he remained there conducting business, his true identity might be exposed."
"Correct."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"But there's an even graver issue. There may be more cases like the Lord of the Dragon Coil Hall."
Her gaze darkened.
"The Martial Venerable has uncovered that not only within the Alliance but also among the Nine Sects and other factions... key figures have been replaced by impostors."
After a brief silence, she resumed.
"The Martial Venerable believes... even the ambush on Martial Venerable Jeong Cheon-je may have been an attempt to plant a fake in his place."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly.
"If Martial Venerable Jeong Cheon-je were to fall, the Alliance could be annihilated by the Demonic Path. Rather than eliminating him outright, they sought to replace him with another."
"No. It's not that simple."
But Gongson Dan-gyeong surprised him with her next words.
"The Martial Venerable... suspects that within the Three Realms, there exist individuals who rival even the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic."
"That's impossible. If so, then—"
"Yes. It would mean there are other factions opposing the Three Realms."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
Wasn't this similar to what Yang Seol-rin had once described as 'the tip of the iceberg'?
"It's not confirmed. The Martial Venerable is merely considering all possibilities—including the chance that the ambush wasn't the Three Realms' doing at all."
"If Jeong Cheon-je was injured, he must still be alive. Why not simply ask him directly?"
"Given that the Martial Venerable said it wasn't feasible... it seems he is barely clinging to life."
"So only the Martial Venerable knows Jeong Cheon-je's whereabouts."
"Correct. Which is why this Chief Strategist, too, can only accept this situation through words alone."
Bu Eun-seol understood from her answer.
Why would someone like Gongson Dan-gyeong trust only the Martial Venerable's words and not attempt to see Jeong Cheon-je in person?
Why would the Martial Venerable tell her—the one who had rendered him such immense help, enabling him to act as the Alliance Chief—that no one could be trusted?
The answer became clear.
If Jeong Cheon-je were barely clinging to life, even a child could easily kill him.
Not just Gongson Dan-gyeong—no one could ever be told Jeong Cheon-je's whereabouts.
"The existence of someone rivaling the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic—that's merely speculation, isn't it?"
Bu Eun-seol, after a moment of silence, posed another question.
"Even if it was a surprise attack, the only ones capable of felling the Number One of the Righteous Path would be the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables... Shouldn't we investigate them first?"
"We already have." Gongson Dan-gyeong sighed. "The Martial Venerable confirmed the whereabouts of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables at the time but found no grounds for suspicion."
"Which is why he's considering the Three Realms—and even the possibility of another faction."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol fully grasp the situation.
If not the Three Demons and Three Venerables, then perhaps the Three Realms. If so, the power of the Three Realms must be far greater than anticipated.
And if not even the Three Realms? Then there must exist a faction capable of opposing them.
From the Martial Venerable's perspective, he had no choice but to leave all possibilities open.
After all, the one ambushed was none other than the Heaven of the Righteous Path—Jeong Cheon-je himself. The Number One of the Righteous Path, Shin Do-mu-bi.
"Have all your doubts been resolved now?"
At Gongson Dan-gyeong's words, Bu Eun-seol bowed his head.
"Yes. Thank you for your honesty."
"Then let us return to the main issue. In any case, the Martial Venerable has been traveling the Murim, hunting down imposters posing as the real ones."
"You suspect they're connected to the ambush on Jeong Cheon-je."
"Correct. After long investigations within the Alliance yielded no results... we shifted our focus outward."
Gongson Dan-gyeong continued calmly.
"However, there are many cases where it's inappropriate for the Martial Venerable to act directly, which has caused difficulties."
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint nod.
No matter how extraordinary the Martial Venerable's martial arts might be, if a master of his caliber roamed the Murim and intervened everywhere—
His movements and methods would inevitably be exposed.
The Martial Venerable, bearing the weighty role of Alliance Chief, could never afford to take such risks by wandering the Murim.
"Then—"
"Yes."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke composedly.
"Now, Commander Seon-u will handle that task. And by faithfully carrying it out, you may naturally rise to the position of Leader."
Bu Eun-seol, having discerned her implication, drew a deep breath.
Just as Gongson Dan-gyeong had done, if Bu Eun-seol guarded the Martial Venerable's secrets and obeyed his orders... he, too, would naturally ascend to the rank of Leader.
Swish.
She retrieved a thin booklet and handed it to Bu Eun-seol.
"Then let's begin with the Mount Hua Sect."
"The Mount Hua Sect?"
Bu Eun-seol flipped open the booklet with a look of surprise.
Inside were detailed records regarding the sect's elder, Chae Ju-hong.
"You're saying the Mount Hua Sect's elder is an imposter?"
"We haven't found definitive proof."
"Which is why an investigation is necessary."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol carefully examined the contents once more.
It stated that Chae Ju-hong, the Mount Hua Sect's elder, had secretly built a secluded manor where he indulged in clandestine hobbies.
However, the manor's location remained unknown—they hadn't even been able to determine where it had been constructed.
"We've repeatedly dispatched skilled covert operatives, but none have returned."
Gongson Dan-gyeong continued her explanation.
"Only the secret language left behind by the last operative remains."
When Bu Eun-seol turned the page, he found hastily scribbled notes in the Martial Alliance's secret code.
—The martial arts he employs are highly unusual... The sword he wields surpasses even the power of Divine Swords and Treasured Sabers.
'A Black Divine Artifact?'
As he read the letter, a strange intuition prickled at him.
A weapon surpassing the power of Divine Swords and Treasured Sabers—
Could it be a Black Divine Artifact?
"This is incomprehensible."
"Indeed. What's even more baffling is how he's managed to conceal his base and traces of his evil deeds for so long."
Gongson Dan-gyeong furrowed her brow.
"We still don't know its location—or even how often he visits it."
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
In the end, nothing had been properly uncovered.
"Then we'll have to conduct close surveillance on this Mount Hua Sect elder first."
"There's no need for that."
Gongson Dan-gyeong handed over another thin booklet.
"Thanks to the sacrifices of the female unit members who infiltrated before, we've already determined the method of infiltration."
"Female... unit members?"
Bu Eun-seol stared at the booklet.
Then his eyes widened.
The Mount Hua Sect Elder's secret pleasure manor had been built for one depraved hobby—the indulgence of women.
Shaanxi, Fengshan Prefecture. Ban-gye Temple.
This was a place rumored to fulfill wishes through Buddhist devotion, where the Buddha's miraculous energy flowed.
Consequently, countless pilgrims formed long queues to visit daily.
Tap-tap.
Around noon, a woman with her hair pinned up was burning incense alongside her maidservant within Ban-gye Temple.
She removed her veil upon entering the Great Hero Hall.
For a moment, the temple interior seemed to brighten.
Her pupils shimmered like shattered jewels, radiant with an otherworldly glow.
Moreover, her skin was porcelain white, her lips flushed crimson—like a red rose blooming upon a snowfield.
One distinctive feature was the faint scar visible near her throat.
Its purplish hue suggested it was a severe old wound that had left a mark.
Mumble-mumble.
With bowed head before the Buddha statue, she prayed fervently with solemn devotion.
Swish-swish.
After completing her worship, the woman gestured to her maidservant.
"Shall we depart now?"
Nod.
The woman gave a slight nod.
As it turned out, the throat injury had damaged her vocal cords, leaving her unable to speak.
Tap-tap.
The pair exited the main hall, lingered briefly in the temple grounds, then departed Ban-gye Temple.
'Hoh.'
A middle-aged man observing the woman's profile as she passed through the gate nodded approvingly.
'Excellent.'
The man—Du Il-chung—had been watching her since she entered the Great Hero Hall.
His duty was to identify beautiful female pilgrims visiting Ban-gye Temple for secret abduction.
'Even without pulse diagnosis, one glance confirms she's top-grade.'
A sinister smile played on his lips.
'Pity about the damaged voice... but that might provide its own unique pleasures.'
Nodding to himself, Du Il-chung whispered to a subordinate standing behind him:
"Follow discreetly. First investigate where she lives and compile a complete background report."
"Understood."
The subordinate stealthily trailed the woman.
Whether aware or not, the woman walked peacefully along the path with her maidservant.
Yet when she sensed the covert pursuit, a faint smile touched her lips.
'Hooked.'
The beauty was none other than Bu Eun-seol in disguise.
According to intelligence from Gongson Dan-gyeong:
Ban-gye Temple permanently stationed talent scouts to identify women matching the tastes of Mount Hua Elder Chae Ju-hong.
—Prefers slender, delicate atmospheres. Pale skin, upturned garlic-bulb nose, elegantly large eyes...
Investigations confirmed Chae Ju-hong's preferences were extremely specific.
But all elite female operatives who had infiltrated before had disappeared without trace.
Left with no choice, Bu Eun-seol devised a plan—disguise himself as a woman to infiltrate the Elder's secret pleasure manor.
'Had to eliminate vocal risks.'
He had mastered the Art of Rooster Calls and Dog Thieves perfectly, allowing him to mimic voices from children to elderly women across all ages.
But mimicry remains mimicry.
Prolonged exposure might reveal flaws.
Thus Bu Eun-seol sought a genuinely mute woman—then assumed her identity for flawless acting.
That night.
Du Il-chung nodded approvingly while reading his subordinate's densely-written report.
"Perfect."
The woman's name was Yu Seol.
Only daughter of a Fujian merchant.
Reportedly lost her voice after a knife wound to the throat during a robbery attempt.
She had come to Ban-gye Temple praying for a miraculous recovery.
'No complications. Ideal.'
Her fabric merchant father had no martial arts connections and was quite elderly.
Abducting her would invite no repercussions.
'Lately we couldn't touch even the finest beauties.'
Most peerless beauties came from wealthy families.
Even minor local gentry had martial arts connections and government ties.
Such families? However stunning the beauty, abduction was impossible.
'This one we can send immediately.'
Delaying risked her returning to Fujian—a headache avoided.
Fortunately, the next tribute delivery date approached—quicker action was better.
"No time to waste. Execute tonight."
At Du Il-chung's command, his bowing subordinates clasped their hands in acknowledgment.