Chapter 672
"What in the world does this mean?"
Bu Eun-seol was thrown into disarray.
The Martial Venerable's ulterior motives, or what he intended to do with the Divine Calculator's identity—none of that mattered anymore.
"Jeong Cheon-je is alive...?"
Then what of the corpse of Jeong Cheon-je that had been inside the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Coffin?
Could it possibly have been a fake corpse prepared by the Martial Venerable?
Or had Jeong Cheon-je deliberately faked his death to deceive the Martial Venerable?
'That can't be.'
Even if he hadn't reached the level of the Number One of the Righteous Path, the Martial Venerable was still a Superlative Martial Expert who had attained the Martial Extreme Realm.
Deceiving someone of his caliber with a fake corpse was nearly impossible.
'Then, did the Martial Venerable, knowing the full circumstances, imitate Jeong Cheon-je to deceive Great Master Dam-jeung?'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head again.
Dam-jeung was the abbot of Blood Shaolin.
Fooling his Dharma Eye, which had mastered the martial arts and demonic arts of every sect under heaven, was no easy feat either.
'In that case, it's more likely that the Martial Venerable is deliberately concealing the truth despite knowing it.'
In reality, the Boundary-Prosperity Jade—an object capable of altering the nature of all things—had been embedded in Jeong Cheon-je's corpse.
The Martial Venerable had discovered it, obtained information about the Boundary-Prosperity Jade through Wooden Buddha, and confirmed that there was a possibility Jeong Cheon-je was still alive.
But from Bu Eun-seol's perspective, unaware of all these facts, confusion was inevitable.
'If Jeong Cheon-je is truly alive, the only one who would know his whereabouts... is the Martial Venerable.'
That meant Bu Eun-seol absolutely had to meet the Martial Venerable and uncover Jeong Cheon-je's location.
"So, this isn't the time to leave the Martial Alliance after all."
Bu Eun-seol's unfocused gaze drifted into empty space.
If he left the Martial Alliance now?
Finding Jeong Cheon-je would become impossible.
For now, he had to endure within the Martial Alliance by any means necessary—either by becoming a leader or by creating an opportunity to speak with the Martial Venerable alone—to locate Jeong Cheon-je.
"Moreover, the fact that he suspected I might be the Heavenly Darkness Star..."
Dam-jeung had said that his father, Baekri Mu-ha, had been framed as the Heavenly Darkness Star and killed by someone.
And the Divine Calculator, fully aware of that fact,
had persuaded Dam-jeung to install that bizarre gate in Blood Shaolin to test him.
'Did he doubt my true nature?'
Far from harboring any intention to destroy the murim, Bu Eun-seol was someone who went to extreme lengths to avoid harming others.
Despite being of the Demonic Path, he had consistently eliminated the vile factions that disrupted the martial world.
Yet, the Divine Calculator had still sought to test him—
Perhaps the Heavenly Darkness Star wasn't something that manifested abruptly, but something passed down through bloodlines.
After all, even the Heavenly Venerable had called himself the Heavenly Darkness Star when faced with death.
"In that case, the Martial Venerable deliberately crafted the image of a true martial ascetic."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
The fact that he had known all along meant—
The tales and reputation of the Martial Venerable known throughout the murim were all lies.
Contrary to popular belief, the Martial Venerable was not a true martial ascetic who had wandered the murim alone, honing his skills through combat.
It was far more likely that he either possessed an immense intelligence network or was part of the high command of a terrifying faction.
"Abbot."
Regaining his composure, Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully to Dam-jeung's remains.
Though their paths had diverged, the abbot had shown him kindness, shared the circumstances of how his grandfather had become a demonic practitioner,
and even informed him of the Absolute Demon Saber Project.
Not only that, he had given him scriptures bearing his grandfather's handwriting,
and with his final breath, he had relayed the story of his father...
To Bu Eun-seol, Dam-jeung was a great benefactor.
"I do not know what Shaolin is hiding."
He didn't believe Dam-jeung's punishment had been solely because of him.
He sensed it was surely to atone for sins committed by Shaolin—
or sins related to Shaolin.
"But as the abbot of Blood Shaolin, you chose to take your own life to conceal those sins and punish yourself..."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at Dam-jeung with solemnity as he spoke.
"I will dig no further into Shaolin's affairs."
Whatever their sins may have been,
considering the kindness Dam-jeung had shown him, he could not be the one to expose Shaolin's ugliness.
"Shaolin will retrieve your remains..."
After paying his respects once more, Bu Eun-seol turned away.
In the end, whether he liked it or not, he had to return to the Martial Alliance.
And by any means necessary, he had to become a leader—
not only to avenge his grandfather,
but also to meet the Martial Venerable or find Jeong Cheon-je and uncover the truth behind his father's death.
Bu Eun-seol left Mount Shaoshi and quietly returned to the Martial Alliance.
The revelation that his father's death was connected to the strongest figure in the Orthodox Murim had left his mind in turmoil,
but all the restlessness he had felt while staying in the Martial Alliance had completely vanished.
Because now, he had a clear reason to remain.
Jeong Cheon-je was alive—and he knew the truth behind his father's death.
And since only the Martial Venerable would know Jeong Cheon-je's whereabouts... he would have to endure stubbornly no matter what.
Knock knock.
"Great Leader."
Just then, Tae Mu-ryong's urgent voice came from outside the door.
"There's an urgent message."
"Come in."
Tae Mu-ryong hurriedly entered, bowed to Bu Eun-seol, and spoke.
"The Alliance Leader has suddenly added a new candidate for the Heavenly Martial Brigade's leadership."
The Murim Alliance Leader, Jeong Cheon-je—Shin Do-mu-bi.
It was said he had abruptly made an unexpected personnel decision.
Using his authority as Alliance Leader, he had suddenly inserted a new candidate for the Heavenly Martial Brigade's leadership.
"Even though the first test is already over, he added a new candidate?"
As Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow, Tae Mu-ryong handed him a letter.
"That's correct. I've gathered background information on the new leadership candidate who will soon be announced."
Bu Eun-seol unfolded the letter, and his eyes narrowed sharply.
"Mu-gyeol?"
Surprisingly, the one Jeong Cheon-je had recommended was none other than Mu-gyeol, the Divine Calculator's disciple.
—Heavenly Rain Forest's leader, Mu-gyeol. I appoint him as the Hall Leader of Clear Radiance Hall under the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall and formally elevate him as a leadership candidate.
'So he was the Heavenly Rain Forest's leader.'
The Heavenly Rain Forest was the Alliance Leader's direct secret intelligence unit, and the identities of its members were all strictly classified.
'That's why his true identity wasn't known to outsiders.'
But this was still strange.
Why would the Martial Venerable reveal the identity of Mu-gyeol, the leader of a secret organization that had been the Heavenly Rain Forest's lord?
To go so far as appointing him as a Hall Leader under the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall and elevating him as a Heavenly Martial Brigade leadership candidate—what kind of scheme was this?
"This makes absolutely no sense, doesn't it?"
Tae Mu-ryong spoke with a bewildered expression.
"Of course, the Alliance Leader has the authority to appoint leadership candidates regardless of the tests... but the first test has already been conducted, hasn't it?"
The Murim Alliance's Seven Great Leaders were also candidates for the next Alliance Leader.
If the current Alliance Leader interfered in the selection of leaders, it could lead to significant issues.
In the history of the Murim Alliance, such a thing had never happened before.
"The first test was merely to assess the Heavenly Martial Brigade's battle formations... Given the Alliance Leader's position, he could easily push this through."
As Bu Eun-seol muttered quietly, a flash of insight crossed his eyes.
"At any rate, the appointment of leaders is conducted under the Vice Alliance Leader's supervision through multiple tests, and the final appointment requires the consent of two-thirds of the organization heads."
In other words, even the Alliance Leader had no authority over the final selection of leaders.
Simply put, he could nominate a candidate, but the actual selection process had to proceed fairly.
"That may be so... but adding a leadership candidate midway is blatantly obvious in its intent, isn't it?"
When Tae Mu-ryong spoke incredulously, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"There's no need to concern ourselves with the intent. That's just how the Murim Alliance operates."
In the Murim Alliance, status and distribution were everything.
Moreover, since the Alliance Leader had personally conducted the appointment and made it public, Mu-gyeol becoming the fourth candidate after Yuk Jang-cheon, Baek Mu-seong, and Seon-u Jin was as good as set in stone.
'Was this his plan from the beginning?'
Rather than being angered by Mu-gyeol's appointment as a leadership candidate, Bu Eun-seol felt an odd thrill.
From the perspective of the Divine Calculator—no, the Martial Venerable—what was the goal?
As a member of the Demonic Path, Bu Eun-seol had only been expected to stir up the Murim Alliance, never to actually become a leader.
Nor would they have wanted Baek Mu-seong or Yuk Jang-cheon to take the position either.
In the end, this might be about placing someone who aligned with their own interests.
"Great Leader, it's Jeong Jong-do."
Just then, Jeong Jong-do's voice came from outside.
"Enter."
Jeong Jong-do stepped through the open door and clasped his hands respectfully toward Bu Eun-seol.
"Great Leader, the Chief Instructor has summoned you."
"So even the Chief Instructor is making a move, it seems."
Tae Mu-ryong shook his head repeatedly.
"Probably because the board he set up is being overturned."
Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a low voice.
"For now, it would be best to hear what the Chief Strategist has to say."
"Great Leader."
Then Jeong Jong-do spoke cautiously.
"If it's because of us, it's fine. There's no need to push yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"Even if you don't become the leader, it's alright. We're your subordinates regardless, aren't we?"
Bu Eun-seol had been working outside the constraints of the orthodox factions, accomplishing many things.
Using his vast information network, he had been unraveling the secrets of the martial world.
In doing so, the Peak Realm Members had gradually come to realize something.
That the Murim Alliance was a thoroughly rotten place.
A coalition created to protect the martial world and uphold justice?
Nonsense.
There wasn't a single person here who worked for righteousness.
Rather, the only one moving forward—for revenge—was Bu Eun-seol.
He was the one protecting the common people and dismantling the factions that disrupted the martial world.
"What kind of talk is that? After all the suffering the Great Leader has endured until now—"
Tae Mu-ryong gave Jeong Jong-do a look of disbelief.
"Now that the goal is right in front of us, are you telling the Great Leader to give up?"
"That's not what I meant, and you know it well."
Jeong Jong-do spoke with a bitter expression.
"The Commander has always put us first. The more urgent the situation becomes, the more likely we'll all end up being burdens to him."
For a moment, Tae Mu-ryong fell silent.
The forces Bu Eun-seol was dealing with—the Three Realms and unknown factions—were so powerful that even Masters of the Four Gods and Seven Kings caliber could be killed if they intervened.
No matter how hard the Peak Realm Members trained...
The worry lingered: What if we truly become a burden to him?
"Never say such words again."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head firmly, his voice resolute.
"Because of your presence, the plans I've laid out have been advanced by years."
Then, he smiled with unparalleled gentleness.
"You've given me wings. The only risk now is that I might fall from a slightly higher place. Think of it that way."
"Commander..."
"I have no intention of recklessly pushing to become a Hall Leader either."
Bu Eun-seol alternated his gaze between Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do, speaking with conviction.
"From now on, I won't put the unit members in dangerous situations. So let's observe how things unfold slowly."
Instead of replying, Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do bowed deeply in reverence.
Bu Eun-seol had always valued his subordinates' lives over his own safety.
Because of that, there was only one thing they needed to do.
Become stronger, faster—rise to greater heights—
So they could help the Commander reach the destination he desired.
There was no other path.
Same time, Hidden Moon Hall. Gongson Dan-gyeong's office.
"I truly cannot fathom the Venerable's intentions."
Her adjutant, Song Ryeong, shook her head as she spoke.
Having just heard the news of Mu-gyeol's appointment as a Hall Leader candidate, Gongson Dan-gyeong had been discussing the matter with Song Ryeong, both wearing grave expressions.
"Perhaps... he no longer intends to assign missions to Commander Seon-u."
Gongson Dan-gyeong remained silent, listening.
The Martial Venerable had clearly promised that in exchange for Seon-u Jin handling numerous missions, he would use his influence to elevate him to the position of Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader.
But the Martial Venerable had already broken his word once.
And now he was doing this again?
Wasn't this ultimately destroying all the trust they had built so far?
"Summon Commander Seon-u first."
Her tightly pressed lips parted slowly.
"He must be the one feeling the deepest betrayal. I need to speak with him."
"Understood."
Song Ryeong bowed and hurried out of the office to summon Bu Eun-seol.
But not long after, a soft knock echoed, followed by a guard's low voice.
"Chief Strategist, Hall Leader Mu of Clear Radiance Hall requests an audience."
"Hall Leader Mu?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong frowned.
Mu-gyeol, seeking her out the moment these rumors spread?
...This might actually be for the best.
She was already at her wit's end, unable to meet the Martial Venerable immediately.
But if Mu-gyeol, acting under the Martial Venerable's orders, had come to her on his own—there could be no better opportunity.
Nodding, she replied in a low voice,
"Let him in."
Creak.
The door opened, and a man in blue robes entered with measured steps.
He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, bearing the dignified demeanor of an Immortal Wind Daoist, his gaze as piercing as a dragon's.
This was none other than Mu-gyeol—disciple of the Martial Venerable, former leader of the Heavenly Rain Forest, and now newly appointed Hall Leader candidate of Clear Radiance Hall.
"It's been a while, Chief Strategist."
Mu-gyeol and Gongson Dan-gyeong were long acquainted.
As Chief Strategist, she was intimately familiar with the Martial Alliance's covert organizations, even those not publicly acknowledged.
Moreover, Mu-gyeol had once acted as the Martial Venerable's messenger and had assisted Gongson Dan-gyeong on multiple occasions.
Their relationship had never been poor.
"Just what is the Venerable thinking?"
Her voice carried a tinge of agitation.
"Commander Seon-u has risked his life time and again to carry out the Venerable's orders. And now, suddenly—"
"Don't worry."
Mu-gyeol cut her off with a smile.
"The Venerable sent me to remove Hall Leader Baek."
"Remove Hall Leader Baek?"
"As you must have anticipated, the probability that he has become a pawn of external forces is exceedingly high."
Mu-gyeol continued calmly.
"The Venerable believes I am better suited than Commander Seon-u to oust him."
"Do you think Commander Seon-u is inferior to Hall Leader Baek?"
"Of course not. It's just that Commander Seon-u..."
Mu-gyeol's expression grew profound.
"...feels friendship toward Hall Leader Baek. Because of that, he won't be ruthless enough—and in the end, it will jeopardize the greater scheme."
It was already widely known that Bu Eun-seol and Baek Mu-seong were on friendly terms.
But astonishingly, the Martial Venerable—
Understood exactly how Bu Eun-seol viewed Baek Mu-seong.
Knew the depth of that friendship.
With perfect clarity.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"You know it well yourself, Chief Strategist."
Mu-gyeol wore a meaningful expression.
"That Commander Seon-u actually yielded the merit of eliminating the Earthly Killing Star to Hall Leader Baek."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes narrowed.
'So you had already guessed everything.'
She, too, had long known that Seon-u Jin and Baek Mu-seong shared a special bond—and that the credit for killing the Earthly Killing Star had been willingly surrendered.
"So, in the end, you judged Commander Seon-u to be a muddle-headed man who cannot distinguish between public duty and personal feelings?"
"Far from it. He is a perfect and brilliant man. Of course, he knows how to separate duty from sentiment."
Mu-gyeol shook his head.
"Commander Seon-u is a man of great capacity. That is precisely why he understands the value of noble emotions like friendship."
"..."
"And that is his one and only weakness."
A chill ran down Gongson Dan-gyeong's spine.
She had always believed that she alone perfectly grasped Seon-u Jin's temperament and character.
Yet the Martial Venerable, without ever revealing himself, had comprehended the essence of Seon-u Jin in its entirety?
'No—it's impossible to analyze his disposition in such detail without ever seeing him.'
Gongson Dan-gyeong was the Star of Great Wisdom.
Not only was she more cunning than anyone, but when it came to discerning another's temperament, character—
And abilities—there was no equal to her.
A flash flickered in Gongson Dan-gyeong's pupils as she studied Mu-gyeol.
"The Venerable has already made contact with him, haven't you?"
She could say this with certainty.
A man like Seon-u Jin was far too complex to be understood at a glance.
No matter how formidable the Martial Venerable's abilities might be, it was impossible to know such a man without direct observation.
"Who can say?"
Mu-gyeol smiled as he spoke.
"Am I not merely a man who follows orders? I don't know how the Venerable knows about Commander Seon-u."
An odd choice of words.
Mu-gyeol was the Martial Venerable's disciple, yet he always referred to his master as if he were a somewhat distant figure.
Just as Gongson Dan-gyeong was about to speak again—
Knock, knock.
The sound of rapping at the door, followed by Song Ryeong's voice.
"Commander Seon-u has arrived in response to the summons."
"Let him in."
At Mu-gyeol's words, Bu Eun-seol, clad in white garments, entered slowly.
The moment he saw Mu-gyeol and Gongson Dan-gyeong together, a faint flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"It's been a while, Commander Seon-u."
Mu-gyeol beamed.
"Your bearing grows ever more imposing—a sight to behold."
Bu Eun-seol found the situation strange.
To act so familiarly in front of Gongson Dan-gyeong? Had he really exposed my true identity?
"So you two know each other."
As Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes gleamed, Mu-gyeol merely laughed it off.
"Commander Seon-u and I have crossed paths a few times in the Martial World."
Mu-gyeol exclaimed while looking at Bu Eun-seol.
"Not only is his ability extraordinary, but he has done many truly good deeds. Without realizing it, I developed a sense of admiration."
With a smile, Mu-gyeol bowed to both Gongson Dan-gyeong and Bu Eun-seol.
"Then I shall take my leave first."
As Bu Eun-seol returned the courtesy, Mu-gyeol's telepathic transmission reached him instantly.
"Be careful."
Mu-gyeol studied Bu Eun-seol's silent figure before uttering cryptic words.
"The venerable one never releases a piece once he has it in hand."
"..."
"For now, do not step off the board. At least not for a while."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
That Mu-gyeol—the Martial Venerable's disciple—would say such a thing to him...
Wasn't this an implicit suggestion that he was not acting in accordance with the Martial Venerable's will?
Then, Mu-gyeol clasped his hands together once more toward Chief Strategist Gongson.
"Well then."
And with that, he turned and departed.
Bu Eun-seol watched his retreating figure and drew a deep breath.
Martial Venerable... Just what is it you want?
What goal could possibly justify all these schemes?
"It was to eliminate Hall Leader Baek, so they say."
At that moment, Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
"They were adamant—Commander Seon-u feels friendship for Hall Leader Baek, and in the end, it will ruin everything."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled slowly.
That statement was half true.
He had been willing to yield the position of leader to Baek Mu-seong, after all.
But not now.
Only by rising to a high position within the Martial Alliance could he uncover the murderer who killed his grandfather—
And by tracking down Jeong Cheon-je, learn the truth behind his father's death.
"The Martial Venerable misjudges people."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"I have no intention of yielding the position of leader."
"Good."
She nodded, meeting his resolute gaze.
"Vice Alliance Leader Shin will soon conduct another examination."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's expression was solemn.
"However, in this examination, I, as Chief Strategist, cannot assist you. So do your utmost."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands.
"Understood."
With the second test for the position of Heavenly Martial Brigade leader approaching, an unforeseen variable—Mu-gyeol—had emerged.
Bu Eun-seol would have to navigate every obstacle ahead, calculating each variable.
A single misstep could cost him the position of brigade leader.
Yet his expression remained unreadable.
Mystic Calculation Strategy.
The reason he had overcome countless formidable opponents thus far was not just his peerless martial arts—
But also the unfathomable stratagems he deployed, ones no ordinary person could ever anticipate.