Chapter 633
"Listen carefully."
Yu Un-ryong spoke with a grave expression.
"Since the Lord already instructed you to reveal everything before the expedition... it seems the time has come."
He let out a sigh before continuing in a low voice.
"There are no more spies among us now."
"What do you mean?"
As Won Se-mun's eyes widened, Yu Un-ryong calmly explained everything about the Three Realms.
Except for Wi Cheon-gyeong, Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon looked utterly stunned, their mouths hanging open as they exchanged glances.
The Infinite Realm, to which Hyeokryeon Eung had belonged—cultivating Human Blossoms and creating Soulless Ones.
The Azure River Realm, which dominated people through brainwashing. And the Return to Unity Realm, which sought to restore past masters.
These were the forces that had been attacking Bu Eun-seol all along.
For over five hundred years, they had ceaselessly dominated the martial world, wielding power that practically made them the Supreme Martial Lords.
A power beyond imagination.
Gulp.
The two men swallowed hard, as if struck dumb.
Then Wi Cheon-gyeong asked,
"So, does that mean the Lord pressured the Supreme Cult Commander on the strength of his nominal rank?"
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"Pressure? No. The Lord merely met with Upper Blossom Jin."
He smiled faintly.
"A woman who resides in the Holy Demon Pavilion where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor dwells—someone who can converse with him without reservation."
"Upper Blossom Jin...?"
Only then did the squad leaders fully understand.
Bu Eun-seol had gauged the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's intentions through Jin Seol.
And upon hearing this, the Supreme Cult Commander could place no restrictions on Bu Eun-seol's actions.
Because he knew all too well why he remained in the position of Supreme Cult Commander.
Even if a Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War were to break out—
He could not restrain Bu Eun-seol, who sought to crush the Infinite Realm for the sake of the Demonic Path's martial world.
"But would the Supreme Cult Commander truly yield just because of that?"
At Jo Nam-cheon's question, Won Se-mun answered swiftly, as if he had already pieced everything together.
"Isn't the Lord practically the embodiment of the Demonic Path itself? And if he's eliminating an enemy that has long been a threat, how could the Supreme Cult Commander possibly justify obstructing him?"
Yu Un-ryong responded with a bitter expression.
"Of course, that's part of it. But there's a bigger reason."
He paused briefly before exhaling a sigh.
"If the Lord wipes out the Infinite Realm, from the Supreme Cult Commander's perspective, it might even be something to welcome with open arms."
The squad leaders nodded in understanding.
Supreme Cult Commander Yeop Hyo-cheon was not a man who acted purely for the Demon Hall's sake—there was a high probability he, too, had ties to one of the other Three Realms.
"Then what remains is the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War," Wi Cheon-gyeong said, taking a deep breath.
"Attacking a place like the Heavenly Grace Medicine Forest will inevitably lead to war with the orthodox martial world."
Yu Un-ryong gave a faint nod.
"Indeed. A direct confrontation is unavoidable."
This was no ordinary location—it was the Infinite Realm's headquarters.
They would not simply stand by and watch as Bu Eun-seol marched in.
Even if imperial intervention had been somewhat mitigated... conflict with the orthodox martial world was inevitable.
"But why send only the Blood Mist War Corps? Against a force of that scale... even if all Demonic Path Ten Gates mobilized, it wouldn't be enough, would it?"
At Won Se-mun's words, Yu Un-ryong smiled faintly.
"That's precisely the Lord's strategy. That place cannot be taken by force in the first place."
And with that, Yu Un-ryong resumed his explanation.
***
—"Wipe out the Heavenly Grace Medicine Forest in one strike!"
Leading the Blood Mist War Corps, along with the Death Shadow War Unit, Bu Eun-seol immediately headed for the Heavenly Grace Medicine Forest.
After relentless marching, the corps soon arrived at the border of Hubei Province.
There, they were met by a formidable formation of countless troops.
The forces of the Martial Alliance's Divine Guard Unit.
The Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
The two great factions of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths now stood facing each other across Hubei's border.
Clatter, clatter.
Then, a path opened through the Martial Alliance's forces, and a figure clad in white robes rode forth on horseback.
It was none other than Baek In-cheong, commander of the Divine Guard Unit.
Clatter, clatter.
In response, the Blood Mist War Corps parted, and Bu Eun-seol, also on horseback, galloped to the center of the plains, stopping before Baek In-cheong.
"Baek In-cheong, commander of the Divine Guard Unit."
"Bu Eun-seol, Martial Soul Lord."
The two exchanged light greetings.
Seeing the clarity in Bu Eun-seol's gaze, Baek In-cheong nodded slightly, recognizing that he had not been corrupted by the Demonic Path.
"You're called the Righteous Faction within the Demonic Path, I hear. As the rumors say, you possess an upright energy."
Baek In-cheong asked with an air of incomprehension.
"But why in the world would you commit such an absurd act as attacking the Heavenly Herb Forest?"
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"The Heavenly Herb Forest has not only killed countless martial artists and innocent civilians but is also the very source behind manufacturing Human Blossoms and creating Soulless Ones."
"Hoh."
Baek In-cheong spoke evenly.
"I know you have never once committed an unjust act. That is why our alliance, suspecting something amiss, thoroughly investigated the Heavenly Herb Forest."
"..."
"However, not a single trace of such evil deeds was found anywhere within the Heavenly Herb Forest."
Baek In-cheong's expression turned grave.
"Our investigation unit is composed of the most exceptional individuals, and I, the leader, personally participated in the investigation as well."
As Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Baek In-cheong's gaze sharpened slightly.
But soon, he composed his expression and spoke calmly.
"Given that, can you not cease this matter?"
In terms of status, position, and seniority, Baek In-cheong stood above Bu Eun-seol.
Thus, his attitude and words could be seen as showing considerable respect toward Bu Eun-seol.
"I do not doubt Leader Baek's capabilities. However, they have long taken root in Murim and conceal their true nature in ways beyond imagination."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together respectfully as he spoke.
"Allow the troops under my command to station themselves in the Heavenly Herb Forest. Grant me that, and I will prove everything to you."
Baek In-cheong fell silent.
To permit the Demon Hall's massive forces to cross into Hubei was unthinkable.
What if they did not occupy the Heavenly Herb Forest but instead seized strategic points in Hubei?
The Martial Alliance would face an uncontrollable disaster.
"Must blood be shed?"
Baek In-cheong wore a pained expression.
"If the two great forces clash head-on, the damage will be irreparable."
"I share your sentiment."
Bu Eun-seol spoke resolutely.
"But stopping the Heavenly Herb Forest's evil deeds, which have long plagued Murim, must take precedence."
"Then negotiations have broken down."
Baek In-cheong's gaze finally turned icy.
"Do not forget—you are the one who instigated this entire affair."
"Of course. And I, too, shall once again advise you with all due respect."
Madness flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"After this is over, no excuse of ignorance will hold. Even now, if you wish to spare your subordinates harm, withdraw your forces immediately."
Then he declared firmly:
"Unless you wish to pay reparations beyond your means."
"Hahahaha!"
Baek In-cheong burst into laughter before abruptly cutting it short.
"Then I shall await with interest."
The two turned away at the same time.
In the end, the Demon Hall's forces and the Martial Alliance's forces would collide head-on.
In the Great Hall, where faint lanterns barely pushed back the darkness, the stone altar stood solemnly.
There, the Heavenly Venerable—a towering figure formed from black liquid held in a hemispherical metal vessel—stood imposingly, while the Special Divine Rank members knelt before him.
"Bu Eun-seol... That man is clearly not in his right mind."
The Special Divine Rank, the Unstained Venerable, broke the silence.
"Starting from the vicinity of Ezhou, he relentlessly presses his offensive to break through the Martial Alliance's forces."
What the Infinite Realm had most feared—
Was the possibility that Bu Eun-seol might be feigning battle to buy time or employing some other scheme.
Yet, like a madman who knew no fear, he was clashing head-on with the Martial Alliance's forces.
Though his exceptional troop tactics and strategy had prevented heavy casualties,
It was now undeniable that he was fighting with all his might to breach the Martial Alliance's defensive line.
"Soon, the Emperor's royal decree will be delivered to the Demon Hall."
The Unstained Venerable continued calmly.
"Through the Empress Dowager's pressure, the imperial army will arrive here in about six days."
The Demon Hall had yet to break through the Martial Alliance's defenses, and within six days, the imperial army would reach Ezhou.
Meaning, unless the forces entered the Heavenly Herb Forest within those six days, the Demon Hall would have no choice but to withdraw.
Moreover, since Bu Eun-seol sought to annihilate the Heavenly Herb Forest—a charitable institution aiding civilians—he would inevitably face condemnation from all of Murim.
And imperial sanctions would follow.
There would be no place left for him to stand.
[Among all the things that bastard has done, not a single one has been ordinary.]
From the shadows of the Heavenly Venerable, who had been silently listening, a pair of sharp eyeballs materialized.
[Especially in moments of complacency, he always struck from behind with unforeseen schemes. It would be best to prepare everything flawlessly.]
After silently observing the mysterious characters moving autonomously across the ceiling for a while, the Heavenly Venerable spoke.
[Relocate this venerable one's Dharma Body to the Hidden Sanctuary.]
The Infinite Realm had established its main base in a place no one could possibly discover, nesting there before creating yet another ultimate refuge—the Hidden Sanctuary.
Should the main base ever be exposed, they had prepared a perfect safe haven to vanish into without a trace.
Throughout all these years since taking root in the martial world,
despite orchestrating countless schemes, the reason their main base had never been discovered was precisely this:
at even the slightest hint of exposure, they would retreat without hesitation to the Hidden Sanctuary,
then seek out a new location to replant their roots, repeating the cycle anew.
[And as an additional precaution...]
The Heavenly Venerable issued another quiet command.
It concerned the Infinite Realm's ultimate safety measure—their final bargaining chip—something that would render even the united martial world powerless to act against them, no matter how resolute their intentions.
"I shall make the necessary arrangements."
As the Unstained Venerable bowed his head, the Heavenly Venerable smiled faintly.
[Let us remind the world once more what happens to those who dare interfere with our realm.]
The Heavenly Venerable neither overestimated his own abilities nor underestimated anyone else.
No matter how exceptional Bu Eun-seol might be,
this time, he would have no choice but to plummet into an inescapable abyss.
The Heavenly Grace Medicine Grove stood unrivaled in scale among the foremost medical sanctuaries of the martial world.
As such, it bustled with patients gathered from all corners of the Central Plains,
and the constant demand for medicinal herbs and supplies meant merchants and herb gatherers streamed endlessly through its great gates.
Rustle.
Just then, the West Gate opened, and a group of burly men carrying a large palanquin swiftly exited the Medicine Grove.
Given that many high-ranking figures frequently visited, palanquins coming and going was hardly unusual—
to any observer, this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet one of the palanquins that had left the Medicine Grove abruptly sped through Chengdu and then—
Whoosh!
—began racing forward at an astonishing speed, as if soaring through the sky.
Its stealth was ghostlike, its velocity akin to a streaking meteor.
Swoosh—
After traveling day and night, it arrived near Mount Cheon-eum in the Zhang Mountains.
This had once been a thriving village where herb gatherers gathered,
but thirty years ago, after being ravaged by a plague, it had become a complete ghost town.
Shhh.
Without hesitation, those leading the palanquin entered the ruined village.
Creak.
When one of them manipulated something within the blocked well at the village center, a low tremor rumbled through the ground—
then suddenly, in the crumbling courtyard of a certain manor, a hidden passage leading underground materialized.
Clank, clank.
Simultaneously, the village's structure subtly shifted,
and a thick gray fog began enveloping the surroundings, obscuring the interior from outside view.
This plague-stricken village was equipped with astonishing mechanisms and boundary formations.
Shhh.
The palanquin bearers' garments melted away as if dissolving, transforming into robes embroidered with mystical emblems.
They were all members of the Infinite Realm's Special Divine Rank.
As the passage opened, the palanquin's door clicked and swung ajar.
But then—
"A rather shabby place to be called the lair of the Infinite Realm."
A low voice accompanied the slow emergence of a shadow from within the gray fog.
A man clad in black martial attire, with stern eyes and an aura like a dragon.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"I was growing weary of waiting."
Shhk!
He extended his hand and split the palanquin open, revealing a transparent glass cylinder inside.
Within it sat an elderly man in the lotus position and a hemispherical vessel filled with a black liquid.
The old man, eyes tightly shut, wore an ill-fitting Hero's Headwrap tied around his forehead, his skin parched like ancient bark.
This was none other than the master of the Heavenly Grace Medicine Grove—the Medical Immortal known as the Dreaming One.
"Using a great art to sustain a rotting corpse, I see."
At Bu Eun-seol's words,
Zzzzzz—
the black liquid seeped out of the glass cylinder,
and behind the Special Divine Rank member standing before him, a black shadow took form.
It was the Heavenly Venerable.
"So you were using that black substance as a medium to control your subordinates."
At Bu Eun-seol's remark, the Heavenly Venerable's shadow formed sharp, hawk-like eyes.
[As I suspected.]
Originally, Bu Eun-seol should have been commanding fierce battles against the Martial Alliance's frontlines.
But in reality, he had been waiting with all his intelligence networks concentrated on the Heavenly Grace Medicine Grove.
He had predicted that the Heavenly Venerable, preparing for any contingency, would relocate his dwelling once more.
[So when he said he summoned the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, this was his plan all along.]
"Hard to say."
[Has he discerned my true nature in the meantime?]
"I didn't know. However—"
Bu Eun-seol spoke with a leisurely expression.
"Did you really think someone like me would sit idle just because someone like you boasted of certain victory? Of course, I'd prepare countermeasures again and again."
The flickering shadow of the Heavenly Venerable nodded slowly.
[Indeed. You understand me well.]
Bu Eun-seol frowned, his expression one of incomprehension.
"Why cling to existence even in such a state? Your physical body seems beyond use already."
[Merely a consequence of researching the secret of immortality and suffering Qi Deviation. It's not that it's unusable.]
The Heavenly Venerable replied indifferently.
[But with no way to undo the Qi Deviation, I've merely maintained this form.]
"By stealing the life force of others?"
Bu Eun-seol had instantly discerned that the black liquid inside the glass tube was synthesized from the life force of humans.
The Ancient Sword Forest. It had been the same there.
[Impressive.]
The shadow of the Heavenly Venerable formed white teeth.
[You've always been sharp-witted.]
He knew Bu Eun-seol well.
Not only was his intellect and insight extraordinary, but his patience was equally formidable—he never acted impulsively.
And given how boldly he had revealed himself now, it was clear he had prepared both strategy and intelligence to match.
[Correct. Unable to use my flesh, I've been moving through the Black True Orb.]
The Dreaming One possessed medical arts worthy of being called divine, and with them, he had researched the secret of immortality.
But ultimately, a misguided attempt led to Qi Deviation, rendering his body immobile.
Yet he did not despair. Instead, in that state, he cultivated the forbidden Demonic Gate Great Art, seeking a way to preserve his flesh.
And with the aid of the Black True Orb, capable of containing life force, he could exert formidable martial prowess despite being a spirit.
"So instead of healing the poor and the sick, you experimented on them to revive your own flesh."
[The poor and the sick live comfortably here—isn't that good? And I absorb their life force—isn't that also good?]
At the Heavenly Venerable's shameless reply, Bu Eun-seol sighed deeply.
The man once praised as a divine physician—
Was nothing more than a murderous monster who, obsessed with immortality, had slaughtered countless innocent people.
"Disappointing. All that talk of protecting the Murim—was immortality your goal all along?"
[Hardly.]
The shadow formed a white mouth.
[The Return to One Faction seeks to unmake the Three Realms—they must be stopped. The rise of hidden powers beneath the surface must also be suppressed.]
The Heavenly Venerable continued.
[Were it not for my faction, the Murim itself would have long ceased to exist.]
"From what, exactly?"
When Bu Eun-seol asked, the shadow shook its head.
[That much, you need not know.]
"So the Infinite Realm can continue its evil deeds unimpeded?"
[Bu Eun-seol.]
The Heavenly Venerable's voice was solemn beyond measure.
[You do not know the truth of my faction.]
"The truth?"
[You must have sensed it by now. Not all life is equal.]
With each ripple of the Heavenly Venerable's black shadow, the sky itself seemed to darken.
[Do you know why livestock like pigs and cows are born?]
When Bu Eun-seol didn't answer, the Heavenly Venerable spoke.
[They are born to be used and eaten by humans. The fish in the rivers, the fruits beneath the trees—all are the same.]
"So that justifies slaughtering innocent people at will?"
[It is not slaughter. The common folk you speak of are no different.]
The Heavenly Venerable's voice grew louder.
[The majority of common folk filling this world exist only to serve and obey the strong, like us.]
"Hahaha..."
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head and laughed.
Then, looking up at the sky, he burst into full-throated laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
It was absurd.
Until now, he had held onto a sliver of hope regarding the Three Realms.
After all, there were indeed factions that had not yet fully revealed themselves.
Because they had always claimed to protect the Murim.
Because beyond the Three Realms, there were forces lurking in the unfathomable Abyss.
He had thought they held some deeper truth.
But to think they had ruled the world until now under the logic that they alone were chosen by divine beings—that they alone were superior—
"With such rotten beliefs..."
Bu Eun-seol felt both emptiness and rage.
"What exactly are you protecting?"
Even if the Three Realms had, until now, shielded the Murim from some unseen force. Even if they had made noble sacrifices.
In the end, it was all meaningless.