Chapter 649
Ziiing.
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol sensed a peculiar energy.
It wasn't something his extrasensory perception had picked up—rather, it was an intuition, a gut feeling.
It felt as though something in the northwest was suppressing an explosive surge of power.
However, Do Cheon-rin and the other captains showed no reaction, as if they hadn't noticed anything unusual.
'So it really is just intuition, then.'
Up until now, his instincts had never been wrong.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been gazing at the distant sky, spoke to the captains.
"Return ahead of me. I'll investigate the surrounding area a little longer."
"Understood."
"Understood."
Do Cheon-rin and the captains of the Death Shadow War Unit led their subordinates away.
Once again detecting that strange sensation flowing from the northwest, Bu Eun-seol instantly shot into mid-air.
Tsu-tsu-tsut!
Unleashing Ultimate Speed Shadowless, he traversed fifty li in a single breath. There, a dense, overgrown forest stretched before him.
'Over there.'
Using his Lightness Skill, Bu Eun-seol ascended the mountain, heading toward its highest peak.
Paaat!
With a single leap using Qi Ride to the Heavens, he landed atop the summit—only for the bizarre sensation he had been tracking to vanish completely.
This place was shrouded in a mystical fog, as if immortals dwelled here, and nameless flowers and plants bloomed beautifully.
'Surely this can't be their headquarters.'
Could this breathtaking scenery, worthy of being called the Land of Immortals, truly be the base of the Neither-Human-Nor-Beast faction?
'Hmm.'
After scanning his surroundings for a long while, a flash of insight flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
It made no sense for the faint energy he had sensed from dozens of li away to disappear the moment he arrived.
'Then it must be Esoteric Ritual Arts.'
Whoooosh.
A transparent energy began swirling violently in Bu Eun-seol's left hand.
He was dispersing the Water Essence Divine Qi, dissolving the mist rising from all directions.
Crack.
Then, the beautiful scenery around him rippled like water, and a faint, door-like shape began to appear in one spot.
'An illusion, then.'
Step, step.
As he stepped through the door, the scenery remained identical—only the mist that had been rising everywhere was now gone.
And standing imposingly before him was a shadow that hadn't been there before.
A maiden in the bloom of youth.
She looked about eighteen. Bathed in sunlight, her appearance was as elegant and beautiful as a cluster of White Plum Blossoms.
Only, her eyes were dark, as if they held some deep, untold story.
Thump-thump-thump.
Bu Eun-seol's heart pounded wildly—not because of her beauty, but because he realized that the mystical energy he had sensed from dozens of li away was emanating from her.
Flicker.
Then, she turned her head and looked straight at him.
Her eyes were like gazing into the endlessly deep ocean—melancholic yet beautiful.
"..."
Meeting her unflinching stare, Bu Eun-seol felt awkward.
"Greetings."
When he offered a greeting, the woman's long, slender eyes narrowed slightly.
Her expression seemed to say she couldn't understand why Bu Eun-seol had appeared here.
"I came because I sensed a strange energy."
When she remained silent, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"Given that I could feel your energy from dozens of li away, I assumed you must be... someone deceased."
At that, the woman murmured in a low voice,
"I'm only nineteen. How could I be deceased?"
"Is that so?"
Bu Eun-seol scratched his nose, embarrassed.
"Might I ask for the fair lady's name?"
Asking an unrelated woman for her name outright was highly improper.
But Bu Eun-seol spoke with a grave expression, unapologetic.
"I am Bu Eun-seol, a disciple of Langya Pavilion. Currently, I lead a battalion under the Demon Hall, striving to stop the atrocities committed by the Neither-Human-Nor-Beast faction."
"..."
"Given your extraordinary energy, you don't seem like an ordinary disciple of any sect..."
"I know."
Suddenly, the woman spoke calmly.
"I've seen everything you've done."
Her voice was very low, carrying a metallic sharpness.
Yet it suited her melancholic gaze perfectly and wasn't unpleasant to hear.
"All of it—capturing the Ghost Children."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
If she knew the term Ghost Children, she must be connected to the Three Realms—or perhaps a figure from the Abyssal Forces, which had yet to reveal itself in the martial world.
"Their slaughter cannot be restrained. It's better to kill them immediately."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I've tried."
She spoke plainly.
"The Ghost Children exist solely to kill the weak. No matter what method you use, you can't change that nature."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
"Just who are you?"
"My name is Man-wol."
There was no such surname as Man in the world.
It was likely an alias.
'Just like her name, she gives off the feeling of a crescent moon.'
Her long, slender eyebrows and delicate form made her seem like a crescent moon's spirit, hidden within night clouds, descending to earth in human form.
"Lady Man-wol."
Calling her Lady Man would have been awkward, so Bu Eun-seol addressed her by her full name.
"Where did you hear the term Ghost Children? Do you know their base?"
"..."
"If you continue refusing to reveal your identity, I'll have no choice but to consider you an enemy."
"Are you planning to capture and torture me?"
Man-wol wore a desolate expression.
"Martial artists always use force to intimidate others and get what they want. You're no different."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed a bitter taste in his mouth.
'Wherever she belongs, she doesn't seem like someone who commits evil deeds.'
He couldn't force her mouth open, nor did he want to question her while pleading for her cooperation.
"Then I'll take my leave."
As Bu Eun-seol turned without hesitation, Man-wol spoke.
"When something is born, its opposite inevitably comes into existence. Like a mirror."
"What do you mean?"
"Gaining power isn't always the solution. Because then your enemies may grow stronger too."
What Bu Eun-seol hated most since entering the martial world was playing Twenty Questions.
As Man-wol spoke in riddles, his brow furrowed.
"If you want to speak in puzzles, find someone else."
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to say that the Ghost Children are difficult to handle..."
Man-wol gazed at the distant sky and continued in a low voice.
"And that you sensing my energy and standing before me now... feels like an unavoidable fate."
"The same nonsense. I detest abrupt, meaningless talk the most."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened slightly with irritation.
"If you won't provide concrete information, there's no need to continue this conversation."
"I see."
Man-wol gave a slight bow.
"My apologies for confusing you."
Then she added quietly:
"We'll meet again soon."
Whoosh—
Suddenly, mist began rising from all directions.
Man-wol walked into the thickening fog.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he watched her disappear.
Just as she'd said,
He felt they would indeed meet again before long.
'Is this why the grandmasters who once ruled the martial world became obsessed with the word "fate"?'
The more he became involved in martial affairs,
The more he encountered these mysterious factions—both known and unknown—
The more he felt an inexplicable force pulling at him. That feeling could only be described as 'fate.'
'I must not believe in fate.'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
This world was too absurd to believe in destiny.
Besides, hadn't the Heavenly Venerable cursed him with the fate of the Heavenly Darkness Star before dying?
'In a world where you can't see even an inch ahead, humans seek fate as their compass.'
Since becoming a martial artist and handling various matters... he'd gradually developed intuitive senses.
Perhaps what felt like fate
Was simply these sharpened instincts at work.
'Time to go.'
Bu Eun-seol turned away.
With the Neither-Human-Nor-Beast matter concluded, he needed to proceed with formally establishing the Martial Soul Society.
—This is going too far!
The atmosphere in the martial world grew increasingly tense.
Because the forces from Beyond the Frontier showed no intention of leaving the Central Plains.
All they'd done was capture the boy assassins who'd been attacking vagrants and commoners.
True, those assassins possessed extraordinary skills surpassing even Peak Masters.
But they were few in number—mere boys at that.
They were just difficult to catch, being skilled at evasion and cunning.
There was no need to bring hordes of foreign forces to deal with them.
—Immediately expel these frontier forces beyond Jade Gate Pass.
Not just the Martial Alliance,
But even the Black Path factions factions, including the Black Banner Society, sent protests to the Demon Hall.
—We've heard they're stationed at Silent Sky Lonely Earth because they'd formed some sort of society.
The only clear thing is that our cooperation with the frontier factions has ended. Their future actions have no connection to this palace or its lord.
Bu Eun-seol left only these words.
After that—complete silence.
They'd settled in Shaanxi's Red Sky Curtain Branch—territory of the Righteous Faction.
If foreign forces clashed with the orthodox Martial Alliance there?
The Demon Hall stood to lose nothing.
They also sent letters to the Chief Doctrine Commander, but the response was the same.
Unless it violated Demon Hall rules, the Commander had no authority to intervene.
—We can't let this stand.
With the Demon Hall and Bu Eun-seol unmoving,
The Martial Alliance took the lead, joined by Black Path factions factions with interests tied to the frontier forces in Shaanxi,
And proposed a conference with Bu Eun-seol to address the situation.
—If you refuse to attend, full-scale war will begin immediately.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol respond.
—Very well.
The conference was finally held at Mount Hua.
With troops stationed at Red Sky Curtain Branch in Shaanxi, they openly convened at the Mount Hua Sect.
Thus began the Alliance-Expulsion Conference.
The Martial Alliance openly labeled the frontier forces gathered at Red Sky Curtain Branch as "heretical factions,"
Declaring this a conference to eradicate them.
Bu Eun-seol attended with Dae Gu-hwi at Mount Hua.
It was a place that any figure from the Demonic Path would naturally hesitate to enter, yet Bu Eun-seol headed straight for Mount Hua without the slightest reluctance.
Murmurs and clamor.
The vicinity of Huayin County was already teeming with numerous troops.
They were forces dispatched by the Martial Alliance and the Black Path Alliance, their numbers appearing to be at least eight thousand.
Only Bu Eun-seol and Dae Gu-hwi had come alone.
The Martial Alliance and the Black Path, on the other hand,
had brought such a massive force to demonstrate that, depending on the outcome of the conference,
they could immediately launch a full-scale war.
Ignoring them, Bu Eun-seol and Dae Gu-hwi passed through and ascended Mount Hua.
Upon reaching the mountainside, a group of ten figures descended together to greet Bu Eun-seol.
"We thank you for gracing us with your presence."
Though young, their eyes were exceptionally clear, brimming with vitality.
Judging by their age, they were likely outstanding disciples of Mount Hua, specially chosen to receive guests.
"Please follow us."
Bu Eun-seol followed them up the mountain.
The path was meticulously maintained, spotlessly clean.
Along the way, shaded resting spots and refreshments had been prepared to escape the summer heat.
Martial artists, with their swift movements, could easily scale Lotus Peak in a single burst of Lightness Skill.
But since they had arranged such a formal reception, there was no choice but to leisurely sip the tea they offered while ascending slowly.
After climbing for some time, the sound of rushing water filled the air, and a waterfall cascading down a sheer cliff came into view.
The Mount Hua disciples continuously pointed out the scenic views as they ascended.
Bu Eun-seol showed little interest, but Dae Gu-hwi's eyes sparkled as he listened with fascination.
In truth, this kind of hospitality was Mount Hua's way of welcoming guests who had come to visit their sect.
Dae Gu-hwi, who had rarely traveled the Central Plains, listened with wide-eyed excitement,
even pointing at various landmarks and asking about their origins.
—That young man seems to be here on a sightseeing trip.
The Mount Hua disciples found it inwardly baffling.
At present, Mount Hua had become the gathering place for the leadership of the Righteous Faction, the Black Path, and even a figure from the Demon Hall.
The tension was so thick it felt like the slightest touch could set off an explosion.
Yet here he was, strolling leisurely as if touring a famous mountain, listening to stories and laughing brightly?
"We're almost there."
After ascending the mountain path, frequently changing directions,
they eventually reached a wide clearing on the way to Lotus Peak.
Tap-tap-tap.
The Mount Hua disciples who had been leading the way rushed ahead to announce Bu Eun-seol's arrival.
Soon, a group of over twenty approached Bu Eun-seol and Dae Gu-hwi, clasping their hands in greeting.
"Martial Soul Lord."
At the forefront stood a middle-aged man clad in deep blue robes.
He stood over six feet tall, his imposing presence akin to that of three warriors combined.
His face was lined with scars, and his tiger-like eyes seemed to blaze toward the heavens—
as if a roaring lion had taken human form.
This was none other than the commander of the Azure Heaven Division, the Ultimate Perfection Divine Master, Seok Ung-cheon, who had convened this Conference on Expelling Heterodoxy.
"Azure Heaven Division Commander, Seok Ung-cheon."
The Martial Alliance had openly chosen the most militant of the Seven Great Battle Groups—
the Azure Heaven Division, tasked with guarding against the rise of forces from beyond the frontier—to host this conference.
'So this is his level.'
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
His belief that Baekri Mu-jo, commander of the Star Guard Division, possessed the greatest strength among the Seven Great Battle Group leaders remained unchanged.
But seeing Seok Ung-cheon up close—
he exuded an even more overwhelming aura of qi than what Bu Eun-seol had glimpsed during the Martial Alliance's assembly.
'Martial Alliance, Martial Alliance!'
Inwardly, Bu Eun-seol sighed deeply.
The Martial Alliance's true power was far beyond what met the eye—even their outwardly displayed combat strength slightly surpassed that of the Demon Hall.
And the commanders of the Seven Great Battle Groups...
They harbored the ambition of leading the alliance and governing the orthodox martial world,
so they operated in secrecy, never stepping into the wider martial world.
Thus, their fame and martial prowess remained largely unknown.
"I am Bu Eun-seol."
Unlike Seok Ung-cheon, who exuded an oppressive aura, Bu Eun-seol greeted him smoothly.
"Truly, a dragon among men."
Just from Bu Eun-seol's composed demeanor alone, Seok Ung-cheon could tell his mastery was anything but ordinary.
"This way."
The sky was clear, and the towering peaks around Lotus Peak seemed to gaze down upon the world below.
At the summit stood a grand temple-like structure, likely built by Mount Hua to honor their ancestors.
Inside, contrary to its exterior, was a lavishly furnished conference hall.
And there, seated, were figures who appeared to be the leadership of various factions.
The leaders of the Black Banner Society, currently enjoying great influence, as well as the sect leaders of the Dark Heaven Gang and Yaksha Gate.
The Black Path had sent the heads of all its major factions to this conference.
However, Mount Hua's sect leader and elders were nowhere to be seen.
Though the meeting was being held at Mount Hua, Seok Ung-cheon of the Azure Heaven Division was representing the entire orthodox martial world.
'How laughable.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly sneered.
For a conference where the leadership of both the Righteous and Black Path factions had gathered, they should have been discussing matters as equals, seeking consensus.
Yet they had completely excluded factions that might support or empower the Martial Soul Society—
The conference hall was packed with the leaders of Black Path factions, all harboring ill will.
'So the Mount Hua Sect is here after all.'
Upon closer inspection, figures who appeared to be Mount Hua Sect elders could be seen in one corner of the hall.
However, they sat in the far recesses of the chamber, their expressions utterly relaxed.
With Seok Ung-cheon present, they seemed content to remain uninvolved—as if they'd rather watch a play and eat rice cakes.
Whoosh.
As Bu Eun-seol and Dae Gu-hwi took their seats, the Black Path leaders—including the head of the Black Banner Society—glared at them with murderous intensity.
If forces from Beyond the Frontier were to take root in Shaanxi, it would be problematic for the Martial Alliance's stance, but...
Given the various vested interests involved, the Black Path factions had even more reason to be on edge.
"Now that everyone has gathered, let us begin our discussion."
Once all attendees were seated, Seok Ung-cheon gravely opened the proceedings.
"Martial Soul Lord. As you know, this conference was convened to address the issue of you unilaterally stationing forces from Beyond the Frontier in Shaanxi."
Though his tone was smooth, his gaze was unyieldingly stern.
"First, allow me to ask on behalf of the Alliance: Why did you bring in these external forces?"
"I assumed the Martial Alliance would already be well aware."
"Correct. The Alliance did initiate this matter. Chief Strategist Gongson detected those bizarre massacres, and we intended to handle them ourselves."
Seok Ung-cheon spoke calmly.
"But that was all. No matter how formidable those strange boy assassins were, they hardly warranted summoning forces from Beyond the Frontier."
"Then by all means, handle it yourselves."
Bu Eun-seol replied with unshaken confidence.
"Do so, and you'll understand why this lord sought aid from the North Sea Ice Palace and the Beast Palace."
"Are you saying the Demon Hall lacks the capability or troops to deal with them?"
At Seok Ung-cheon's veiled sarcasm, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"It's not a matter of numbers—it's the nature of their martial arts."
"Their martial arts? So you're claiming the techniques of the North Sea Ice Palace and the Beast Palace were necessary to capture them?"
"Precisely."
"Martial Soul Lord, such a vague explanation hardly suffices."
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and blade-sharp eyes glared at Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
It was Jeong Cheol-sim, head of the Black Banner Society.
The Black Banner Society had attempted to swallow Silent Sky Lonely Earth, only to have their entire force annihilated by the Wandering King's faction. Dam Ung, leader of the Gold Management Hall, had returned with his head severed.
And now, Silent Sky Lonely Earth had fallen under the Demon Hall's control... Even without asking, it was clear who stood behind it all.
Faced with the man who had destroyed his long-laid plans, Jeong Cheol-sim's blood boiled with fury, his eyes reddening to the whites.
"This conference includes not just the Martial Alliance but also the leaders of Black Path factions like ours. If you thought such an explanation would satisfy us, you've gravely miscalculated."
Bu Eun-seol turned his head slightly to meet Jeong Cheol-sim's gaze.
"Would you believe anything this lord says, regardless?"
Then he smiled.
"After all, you lot only care for your own profit and self-preservation."
"Martial Soul Lord!"
As Jeong Cheol-sim shouted, Yeom Mu, leader of the Dark Heaven Gang, interjected coldly.
"Lord. We've heard that even within the Demonic Path, your unilateral actions are unwelcome."
Yeom Mu tilted his head slightly, studying Bu Eun-seol.
"Even as the Demon Hall's heir, forming a coalition outside the established sects borders on treason, does it not? Do you truly believe the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would condone this?"
"I fail to see what treason I've committed."
"Lord. If that's your stance, this conference has no choice but to disband immediately."
"That's fine by me."
At Bu Eun-seol's reply, Song Sam-do, leader of the Yaksha Gate, spoke up.
"Martial Soul Lord. Are you blind? Or do the heroes of the Black Path gathered here look like scarecrows to you?"
Bu Eun-seol merely smiled without answering.
Flames of fury erupted in Song Sam-do's eyes.
No matter Bu Eun-seol's status as the Demon Hall's heir, they too were sect leaders in their own right.
His dismissive attitude was intolerable.
"Fine then!"
Song Sam-do shot to his feet.
"Since you've now become the head of these external forces, you can no longer hide behind the Demon Hall's authority!"
"Head leader, is it?"
Bu Eun-seol chuckled softly and shrugged at Dae Gu-hwi.
"Great Society Leader. The Yaksha Gate's leader dares to address you so presumptuously."
The expressions of those present twisted in confusion.
They had wondered why Bu Eun-seol had brought Dae Gu-hwi, youngest son of Beast Palace Lord Dae Gon, here.
But now he was being called "Society Leader"?
"If they provoke us, we must respond."
Dae Gu-hwi grinned coldly, making Song Sam-do frown.
"What exactly are you implying?"
"Leader Song. Surely you didn't think this lord was the one who stationed the external forces at Silent Sky Lonely Earth?"
"You summoned them yourself! Are you denying it now?"
"It's true this lord called them to resolve the crisis. But I made it clear that was the extent of my involvement."
Bu Eun-seol spoke leisurely.
"As I said, their continued presence has nothing to do with me."
"What nonsense is this?"
As the attendees blinked in bewilderment, Dae Gu-hwi stepped forward.
"We've merged Silent Sky Lonely Earth with our forces to form the Martial Soul Society."
"Martial Soul Society?"
The assembly exchanged glances, stunned.
Martial Soul.
That single word had always been Bu Eun-seol's epithet—the name by which he was known, with no other titles attached.
To boldly name the organization "Martial Soul Society" and then claim it had no connection to him? What kind of farce was this?!
"Wh-what kind of bullshit is this?!"
Finally, Yaksha Gate Leader Song Sam-do exploded.