Chapter 677
Having served under Yuk Jang-cheon and Yuk Cheong-ha for so long while handling numerous tasks, Bu Eun-seol had come to understand the personalities of the father and daughter better than anyone else.
Moreover, he had meticulously discerned the subtle, discordant emotions simmering between them.
And so, Bu Eun-seol devised a plan—
To use Mu-gyeol to completely shatter their relationship.
A few days earlier, in Mu-gyeol's office at the Clear Radiance Hall.
"Approach Yuk Cheong-a, the Deputy Hall Lord of Dragon Coil Hall, and inform her that Yuk Jang-cheon has already gathered evidence he can use to bring her down at any moment."
Bu Eun-seol, who had sought out Mu-gyeol, spoke with unshaken confidence.
"If you came here under the Alliance Leader's orders to remove me from the candidate list for the position of leader, yet now propose we join forces... I might believe you halfway."
Mu-gyeol remained silent, his expression blank.
Only after a long pause did he finally open his mouth with a puzzled look.
"How peculiar. Why would you make such a request of me?"
"Because your actions diverge from the Martial Venerable's."
—Be careful. The old man never lets go of the pieces he holds in his hand.
Some time ago, Mu-gyeol had secretly sent Bu Eun-seol this telepathic transmission when they crossed paths in the Hidden Moon Hall.
Those words revealed that despite being Martial Venerable's disciple, Mu-gyeol did not follow his master's will.
"Did you really make such assumptions based solely on that one transmission?"
"Even though you're master and disciple, you still referred to him as 'the old man.'"
As Mu-gyeol tried to respond, Bu Eun-seol cut him off.
"Of course, if you weren't a registered disciple, you might still call him that."
"..."
"But there wasn't an ounce of respect in that word."
"Respect?"
"In the way you said 'the old man.'"
A brief silence passed between them.
"Heh heh heh."
Mu-gyeol chuckled as if amused by something, then—
"Hahaha!"
He suddenly burst into roaring laughter.
"Well then, you'll have to lay out the mat yourself."
In the end, just as Bu Eun-seol had anticipated, Mu-gyeol admitted that not only did he refuse to submit to the Martial Venerable—
But that he also harbored his own ulterior motives.
"Why don't you ask?"
"Ask what?"
"Why I'm not loyal to the old man—why aren't you asking that?"
"If I ask, will you tell me?"
"Heh heh heh."
Mu-gyeol flashed a refreshing smile and nodded.
"That single remark alone... makes you worth helping."
Still wearing a friendly smile, Mu-gyeol spoke again.
"Still, I should hear your terms."
"..."
"If I fulfill your request, what will you do for me?"
Rather than refusing, Mu-gyeol presented a condition—
A sign that he would accept the proposal depending on what Bu Eun-seol offered.
"Name your price. Anything."
It was an extraordinarily bold offer.
Mu-gyeol, in contrast, furrowed his brow and spoke.
"Anything... you say. Can you really handle that?"
"If the terms weren't at this level, I wouldn't have even considered approaching someone like you."
At Bu Eun-seol's resolute answer, Mu-gyeol nodded and laughed.
"You truly know how to negotiate."
Then, with a satisfied expression, he stood up from his seat.
"For now, I'll carry out your request. As for what I want... I'll tell you after the job is done."
"Very well."
And true to his word, from that day onward, Mu-gyeol kept his promise.
Just as Bu Eun-seol had asked, he approached Yuk Cheong-a—
And ultimately drove the father and daughter to ruin.
"Speak."
Having finished his recollection, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"What is it that you want?"
"What's the rush?"
Mu-gyeol laughed as he raised his wine cup.
"Let's drink a little more."
"..."
"This is a perfect opportunity to assess the kind of man you are once more."
As he continued, Mu-gyeol grinned, revealing his white teeth.
"If you want to know a man, observe where he drinks, what he drinks... and how he acts afterward."
After emptying his cup, Mu-gyeol spoke calmly.
"Drinking reveals far more than one might expect."
"A plausible argument."
Bu Eun-seol found himself intrigued by Mu-gyeol's words.
"Well then, what about me?"
"Do you want to hear it?"
"I do."
Never before had Bu Eun-seol heard someone speak about him so openly.
And now that a man like Mu-gyeol was outright analyzing him, he couldn't help but be curious.
'Hmm.'
Mu-gyeol had initially intended not to answer.
But seeing Bu Eun-seol's eyes glimmer like a child's, he relented with an air of resignation.
"You found a place that sells good liquor cheaply—meaning you value practicality over empty formalities. Even in a quiet place like this, you chose a seat by the window, which means you're always wary of your surroundings and enjoy observing others."
Mu-gyeol listed his observations one after another.
"Moreover, the way you drink boldly from a large cup suggests not only a high alcohol tolerance but also that you're either indifferent to food or don't fuss over gourmet tastes."
"Correct."
As Bu Eun-seol readily admitted, Mu-gyeol continued.
"And despite drinking this much, your tone and gaze remain unchanged—meaning not only do you have remarkable willpower, but you also conceal your emotions and are strict with your own mistakes."
Surprisingly, in just this one drinking session, Mu-gyeol had accurately deduced much of Bu Eun-seol's temperament and personality.
"Half right, half wrong."
"Wrong, you say?"
"Indeed."
Bu Eun-seol replied flatly.
"I haven't truly drunk my fill yet. It's just that I still have much to do, so I can't afford to get drunk."
Mu-gyeol's mouth fell open slightly as he glanced under the table.
There, twenty liquor bottles stood densely lined up. Even for a master of Murim, drinking this much would normally bring on drunkenness—
Yet he claimed he hadn't properly drunk?
"Ah, I see."
Mu-gyeol shook his head as if realizing something.
"But even with fine liquor and such an atmosphere, for a drinking session to remain this rigid..."
"..."
"It must be because I am not your close friend."
Bu Eun-seol didn't respond to that, merely emptying his cup.
Mu-gyeol stared at him intently before speaking again.
"Still, it's strange. If you intended to crush Yuk Jang-cheon anyway, wouldn't it have been better to utterly destroy him? Why deliberately leave room for doubt?"
He tilted his head in puzzlement.
"Wouldn't it have been more effective to open the secret warehouse in the inner chamber and hand Yuk Cheong-a irrefutable evidence? She would have self-destructed on her own."
"There was no evidence."
"What?"
"I didn't even know if such a warehouse existed, let alone what was inside."
Mu-gyeol's mouth fell open in disbelief.
"And yet you had me tell her to search Yuk Jang-cheon's Secret Vault? That there was damning proof of betrayal?"
Glug, glug.
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol refilled his cup.
Left with no choice, Mu-gyeol could only stare blankly at his unhurried movements.
"Do you really think a man as suspicious as Yuk Jang-cheon wouldn't have a hidden vault? And that he'd willingly open it for his own daughter?"
Gulp.
After downing his drink in one go, Bu Eun-seol continued.
"If Yuk Jang-cheon had nothing to hide from his daughter, their relationship wouldn't have fractured over someone like Seon-u Jin in the first place."
"So you sowed discord between father and daughter over mere suspicion?"
"Relationships built without trust shatter at the slightest crack."
Bu Eun-seol poured more liquor as he spoke.
"Besides, their bond has been flawed for a long time."
"Flawed? What happened between them?"
"Something must have."
Again, Bu Eun-seol gave an irresponsible answer.
"I don't know."
Mu-gyeol felt something beyond absurdity—grotesqueness.
He had assumed Bu Eun-seol had some meticulous plan when he maneuvered him into laying a trap for Yuk Cheong-a.
Yet he didn't even know the details of their relationship?
He tore them apart with nothing but a sliver of doubt?
"Living long teaches you one unchanging truth."
Bu Eun-seol drained his cup and exhaled sharply.
"Most humans don't reflect on their mistakes. Instead, they repeat them endlessly."
Clink.
Setting down the cup, he took a deep breath.
"Their relationship was never normal or close to begin with. That means something must have happened in the past... and they undoubtedly repeated the same mistake this time."
Finally, Mu-gyeol grasped the full picture.
Bu Eun-seol hadn't recklessly set a gamble of a trap.
He had exploited the truth that foolish humans repeat their mistakes, creating the trigger for their renewed conflict.
"Well, the father sees his child as a consumable, and the daughter uses her father. An inevitable outcome..."
Mu-gyeol nodded faintly.
Even among the Martial Alliance's inner circle, it was common knowledge that Yuk Jang-cheon and Yuk Cheong-a's bond was far from unbreakable.
"So Yuk Jang-cheon will self-destruct now."
"Far from it."
A sharp glint flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"He's not the kind to collapse from setbacks. The more trials he faces, the harder he bounces back."
Even after the Nine Heavens Society—his life's work—crumbled from infighting, he didn't falter. Instead, he and Yuk Cheong-a replanted their roots in the Martial Alliance.
The fact that he proved himself again in this den of demons meant Yuk Jang-cheon was anything but ordinary.
"Ah, I see."
Mu-gyeol finally understood Bu Eun-seol's plan.
"Only the third trial remains... You intend to raise him high, then cast him down?"
"Correct."
"Why? Do you hold a grudge against him?"
"It's something I decided long ago."
Yuk Jang-cheon not only treated his subordinates as consumables—he had coldly rejected Bu Eun-seol's request to protect Tae Mu-ryong's safety, all to curry favor with the Alliance's elites.
That was when Bu Eun-seol resolved to raise Yuk Jang-cheon to the highest peak...
Only to send him plummeting.
Glug, glug.
Refilling his cup again, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"Now, let me ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"What are your plans from here?"
Bu Eun-seol could sense it now.
Mu-gyeol had his own designs—and Bu Eun-seol was part of them.
"Not yet. I haven't uncovered everything."
Mu-gyeol's reply was cryptic.
"Once I learn how to enter that place, I'll have a request for you."
"How to enter?"
"Something like that."
The words were incomprehensible.
But one thing was clear: Mu-gyeol didn't see the Martial Venerable as a master, but as an adversary.
"Then I have one more request."
Mu-gyeol's expression turned incredulous.
"You're making another demand before fulfilling mine?"
"Since I'm already in debt, getting into it twice wouldn't be so bad."
At Bu Eun-seol's shameless words, Mu-gyeol furrowed his brow but replied,
"What is this request of yours?"
"I wish to meet the Martial Venerable alone. By any means necessary."
"Why?"
'No need to mention yet that Jeong Cheon-je might still be alive.'
After brief contemplation, Bu Eun-seol answered curtly,
"There are things I need to ask him."
Mu-gyeol stared at Bu Eun-seol for a long moment before shaking his head.
"Now that I've entered the Martial Alliance, even I can no longer meet His Excellency."
He smiled bitterly.
"Now that I've stepped into the light, he likely won't appear before me anymore."
Mu-gyeol, who once held the position of Heavenly Rain Forest Leader and carried out the Martial Venerable's orders from the shadows, had now become the Master of Clear Radiance Hall under the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall.
His name and face were exposed in broad daylight, and he could freely interact with Martial Alliance members, including Bu Eun-seol...
Which meant the Martial Venerable would never reveal himself before him again.
"I see. That makes sense."
From that answer, Bu Eun-seol grasped one truth:
The Martial Venerable—he either did not consider Mu-gyeol his disciple, or he distrusted him.
Otherwise, he would never have pushed such a reliable disciple—one capable of accomplishing countless tasks in the shadows—into the glaring light.
'Then should I just ask him directly?'
If Mu-gyeol and the Martial Venerable were at odds, Bu Eun-seol could at least ask Mu-gyeol:
—What is the Martial Venerable's purpose?
—Is Jeong Cheon-je alive?
—Where has he been hiding all this time, and what has he been doing?
But he didn't ask.
Mu-gyeol wouldn't answer, and some things even a disciple like him wouldn't know.
Above all, even this discord... could be part of the Martial Venerable's scheme.
"You look troubled. Then let's just drink for now."
As if sensing Bu Eun-seol's thoughts, Mu-gyeol pushed a wine cup toward him.
"My evaluation of you is complete, after all."
"So there was a reason for this evaluation?"
"The task I must entrust to you is the most important matter in the world."
Mu-gyeol spoke with a grave expression.
"That's why I had to understand exactly what kind of person you are."
At this unexpected answer, Bu Eun-seol fell silent for a moment.
But he didn't ask what the request was. Mu-gyeol would entrust it to him eventually anyway.
Bu Eun-seol and Mu-gyeol later emptied ten jugs of wine each.
Mu-gyeol rose from his seat, his face slightly flushed with intoxication.
"That was good."
He waved his hand and left the guest inn.
"I hope you become the Leader."
Bu Eun-seol stared blankly at Mu-gyeol's retreating figure.
What was the truth?
According to Dam Jeung, Jeong Cheon-je was alive.
Dam Jeung was an exceptional master, someone who had observed the Martial Venerable for years. He would never mistake Jeong Cheon-je for the Martial Venerable.
Then Jeong Cheon-je... was most likely alive, just as he said.
But then why create the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Coffin and place a fake corpse inside? Did he wish to disappear completely through a feigned death?
'If he's alive... that's even better.'
If Jeong Cheon-je was alive?
Even without meeting the Martial Venerable, finding Jeong Cheon-je would reveal everything.
"First Grandfather, and now Father..."
He had only intended to find the murderer who killed his grandfather within the Martial Alliance.
Yet he was swept into the storms of the martial world.
And now, having uncovered even his own complicated past... it wasn't just his grandfather's killer.
He had to uncover the truth behind his father's death as well.
Because of the second test,
the Martial Alliance's evaluation of Seon-u Jin had completely changed.
—Commander Seon-u. He possesses not only martial prowess and strategic insight but also the charisma to command respect from all.
No matter how skilled a person might be, if they lack the ability to draw others in, they cannot become a Leader.
Seon-u Jin, despite his youth, was now deemed fully qualified to become one.
—Our Alliance has truly produced an outstanding talent.
Not only had he ascended to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings at a young age, but he was also challenging to become the youngest Leader.
No one called him the Hidden Dragon of Commerce anymore.
Before anyone realized, he had become the Martial Alliance's representative of the new generation—a rising Grandmaster and a strong candidate for the Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader position.
But this brought an unexpected consequence.
—Good things must be claimed early.
Seon-u Jin became the most sought-after groom among the Righteous Faction's young masters, and before long, many were eyeing him covetously.
However, since rumors had long linked him to Gongson Dan-gyeong, no one dared propose marriage lightly.
After all, wasn't it Gongson Dan-gyeong herself who had pushed for his promotion as a Leader candidate? Who had forcibly transferred him from the Hall of Martial Ascension to the Grand Strategy Hall?
Though neither had confirmed it publicly, the idea that the two were lovers
spread like an established fact.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Rumors suddenly began circulating that Seon-u Jin and Gongson Dan-gyeong had no such relationship.
—Commander Seon-u and the Chief Strategist are merely professional associates.
The source of these rumors?
None other than Baek Mu-seong.
Since Baek Mu-seong was known to be close to Seon-u Jin, his words carried considerable weight.
Moreover, even as these rumors spread, Seon-u Jin remained silent—further fueling speculation.
The members of the Martial Alliance also found the situation perplexing.
But as time passed with neither Seon-u Jin nor Gongson Dan-gyeong responding, the matter finally erupted.
"So they really have no relationship at all!"
From the public's perspective, the two's prolonged silence was tantamount to a full denial of any connection between them.
From that day onward—
Rumble.
The members of the Supreme Peak Unit were suddenly swamped with work.
"Deputy Unit Leader! They've come again."
Because from various sects and noble families, a flood of marriage proposals had begun pouring in.
After all, since he was already affiliated with the commercial world—
Rather than seeking out merchant figures from Beyond the Frontier with no prior connections—
They had chosen the direct approach: targeting him within the Martial Alliance to push forward a marriage proposal.
This situation left Bu Eun-seol in a difficult position.
With the Demon Hall, he could at least decisively reject marriage talks as he pleased.
But the Martial Alliance was different.
Given its emphasis on hierarchy and propriety, outright refusing a superior's suggestion was out of the question.
Those delivering marriage proposals to Bu Eun-seol were, at minimum, high-ranking officials of the Martial Alliance—hall-level figures.
There were limits to openly rejecting them, and he had no choice but to personally meet each woman to decline.
Hidden Moon Hall, Gongson Dan-gyeong's office.
Having abruptly summoned Bu Eun-seol, she spoke in a composed tone.
"The profits of the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store have dropped significantly lately."
Then, her voice turned icy.
"We should inspect the store and identify the problem."
"Have a safe trip."
"No. Commander Seon-u must go."
"You mean... me?"
Bu Eun-seol was somewhat baffled.
Inspecting the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store at a time like this to investigate the drop in sales?
Moreover, analyzing sales trends wasn't something only Bu Eun-seol could do—
Anyone could handle that task, couldn't they?
"Do you object?"
"It's not that I object, but..."
"If you do, say so. I won't force you."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's voice was frigid, as if laced with powdered ice.
"Didn't Commander Seon-u say it himself? That this Chief Strategist no longer has the authority to impose orders on you."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed hard.
Though he didn't know the reason, he could sense that Gongson Dan-gyeong was in an extremely sensitive state.
'I can't afford to antagonize her in this situation.'
Bu Eun-seol absolutely had to become the Unit Leader, and for that, he needed her support.
"Understood. Then I'll depart the day after tomorrow."
Bu Eun-seol had already promised to meet the daughter of the Northern Heaven Merchant House the next day at the request of the Lord of Heavenly Peak Hall.
Hence, he suggested the day after.
"No. It's urgent."
Gongson Dan-gyeong insisted.
"The Ten Thousand Blossoms Store's revenue is the lifeblood of our alliance. Any delay will only worsen our financial situation."
The Martial Alliance wouldn't collapse just because the store's profits dipped slightly. At her absurd reasoning, Bu Eun-seol suppressed a sigh and reluctantly came clean.
"Actually, I have an appointment at the Snow Blossom Pavilion tomorrow at the Lord of Heavenly Peak Hall's request."
"The Lord of Heavenly Peak Hall?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong's voice turned even colder.
"Is his status higher than this Chief Strategist's?"
"That's..."
Bu Eun-seol hesitated but then nodded.
Perhaps this was for the best.
He could use Gongson Dan-gyeong's orders as an excuse to cancel the meeting.
"Understood. Then I'll seek the Lord of Heavenly Peak Hall's understanding and depart for the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store immediately."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and turned to leave—
"Wait."
Gongson Dan-gyeong called out.
"Let's go together."
"Together... you mean?"
"Yes."
She rose from her seat.
"Now that I think of it, it's been a while since I last inspected the store."
"I can go alone. There's no need to—"
"There is."
Gongson Dan-gyeong was firm.
"After all, that too falls under this Chief Strategist's duties."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Inspecting the store together at a time like this? Was she really that free?
'Ah, I see.'
Finally, Bu Eun-seol grasped Gongson Dan-gyeong's intention.
'She's using this opportunity to cut off all marriage proposals for me.'
Lately, Bu Eun-seol had been unable to outright refuse the flood of proposals, being dragged around helplessly.
But if he and Gongson Dan-gyeong openly visited the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store on official business?
It would effectively refute Baek Mu-seong's earlier claim that "Commander Seon-u and the Chief Strategist have no relationship at all."
'From her position, she couldn't openly say it herself.'
If she acknowledged their romantic relationship to decisively shut down the proposals—
The Gongson Clan, if nothing else, wouldn't stay silent.
Gongson Dan-gyeong was pretending to indirectly express her feelings for Seon-u Jin while using it to settle the marriage talks.
"Thank you."
Now understanding the full situation, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands.
"I won't forget your consideration."
Only then did Gongson Dan-gyeong's sharply narrowed eyes soften slightly.
"Commander Seon-u is so sharp-witted, yet when it comes to matters between men and women, he seems utterly clueless."
Feeling awkward, Bu Eun-seol scratched his nose.
"I've... heard that a lot."
Knock, knock.
Just then, the sound of knocking and the low voice of Adjutant Song Ryeong came from outside.
"Chief Strategist. It's Song Ryeong."
"Enter."
Song Ryeong bowed to Gongson Dan-gyeong before speaking cautiously.
"A guest has arrived."
"A guest?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes flickered.
Her position was Chief Strategist—
In other words, a high-ranking official within the Martial Alliance's top ten in protocol precedence.
She couldn't meet just anyone who showed up unannounced; appointments were mandatory.
"Without prior arrangement, you let them through to my office?"
Her voice was frosty.
"Send them away."
"Well... it's your younger sibling who has come."
The Three Beauties of the Murim.
Three women renowned throughout the martial world for their transcendent, alluring beauty—the most enchanting and mysterious figures in the realm.
Among them, Gongson Dan-a had abruptly paid a visit to the Martial Alliance.