Chapter 698
"Chief Inspector, you say."
The Martial Venerable smiled faintly.
"You've thought of the optimal position."
The Secret Intelligence Bureau was responsible for monitoring and managing the affairs of the martial world.
It held the same authority as the long-vacant position of Chief Inspector of the Martial Alliance.
Since it required constant oversight of the martial world's affairs, its agents could freely traverse the Rivers and Lakes.
With independent operational authority, its range of movement was exceptionally broad.
Moreover, in urgent situations, it could freely mobilize troops from regional Martial Alliance branches without first reporting to the Alliance Chief...
In essence, it was a position wielding power and influence comparable to that of a one-person sect. That was the seat of the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief.
"But that's impossible."
The Martial Venerable shook his head.
"In the Martial Alliance's history, no one under thirty has ever risen to become Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. Appointing someone like that would provoke unimaginable opposition from the senior members."
"There's already precedent—someone in their thirties assuming the unprecedented position of Chief Inspector, isn't there?"
"The position of Chief Inspector is different. It's a post that can be replaced at any time based on the senior members' opinions."
The Martial Venerable spoke coldly.
"Because it could be revoked anytime for unsatisfactory performance, there was little opposition from the seniors."
He added,
"But the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief is different. Unless one commits a grave mistake, they retain that position for life."
"You needn't worry about opposition."
Bu Eun-seol enunciated each word with deliberate force.
"The Secret Intelligence Bureau is a position that holds no sway within the Martial Alliance. To the senior members, it's predominantly seen as a post where one wanders the martial world, enduring nothing but hardship."
"You've truly become one of the Alliance's people, haven't you?"
"If it's not possible, I'll withdraw here. Let's each go our separate ways."
This wasn't an idle remark.
If the Martial Venerable refused to grant such a position, Bu Eun-seol had resolved to leave the Martial Alliance.
"Hmm."
The Martial Venerable stroked his chin for a moment.
That was precisely what made it urgent.
Because there was an absolute reason... why Bu Eun-seol had to remain by his side.
"The position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief should suffice."
"Grant me internal auditing authority as well. So I can inspect the Martial Alliance's internal affairs when necessary."
"Hahaha."
The Martial Venerable laughed hollowly.
"You might as well ask for the Alliance Chief's seat."
He stated firmly,
"You must think the Alliance's positions are child's play. Do you believe the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief's authority with internal auditing powers can be conjured up so easily?"
"But it can be conjured."
Bu Eun-seol fixed the Martial Venerable with a piercing gaze.
"That's precisely why the position of Alliance Chief exists."
"If such a thing were done, the senior members would immediately rise up to curtail the Alliance Chief's authority."
"Isn't that already happening?"
"What do you mean?"
"More than half of the High Command... has withdrawn their support for the Martial Alliance Chief, who fails to properly oversee the Alliance's governance."
"..."
"As time passes, the Alliance Chief's authority will either diminish... or they'll attempt to elect a successor sooner than planned."
A flash passed through Bu Eun-seol's pupils as he stared at the Martial Venerable.
"Am I wrong?"
"You've truly become one of the Alliance's people through and through."
The Martial Venerable nodded.
"If you're aware to that extent, there's no room for negotiation. Are there any other conditions?"
Bu Eun-seol wore a slightly surprised expression.
He hadn't expected the Martial Venerable to concede so readily.
"There must be countless outstanding individuals like Mu-gyeol around. Is there truly a need to go this far?"
"Hoohoo. There are indeed many prodigies."
The Martial Venerable spoke calmly.
"But a young prodigy who has reached the Supreme Origin Realm—you couldn't find another even if you scoured the entire martial world."
That was the truth.
No matter how many exceptional talents existed under heaven,
finding a young person with Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess and wisdom was nearly impossible.
"You'll come to understand soon enough. That the Alliance itself is akin to an abyss."
The Martial Venerable's gaze grew distant.
Even he—who possessed martial arts rivaling Jeong Cheon-je and wisdom comparable to the Foremost Sage of the Murim—
could not confidently uproot the Three Realms' factions lurking within the Martial Alliance.
"I've no further conditions, but there's one more thing I must ask."
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol spoke with sharp eyes.
"I don't know if this is a question the Divine Calculator can answer, but you must respond."
"Speak."
"How can you be certain that the one who killed my grandfather is among the Seven Great Leaders?"
Bu Eun-seol swept his razor-sharp gaze over the Martial Venerable.
"Martial Venerable. Can you prove your actions?"
This had been the question smoldering in his heart all along.
The Divine Calculator, who supposedly knew all things—
why would he remain ignorant of the murderer's identity?
And yet, why would he give such a vague answer—that it was one of the Seven Great Leaders?
"I believe I've already answered that before."
"That's not what I meant."
Bu Eun-seol pressed further with his question.
"The easiest way for a criminal to conceal their crime—"
Staring directly into the Martial Venerable's eyes, Bu Eun-seol enunciated each word clearly.
"—is to shift the blame onto someone else, is it not?"
The Martial Venerable remained silent for a moment.
After staring blankly into the air for a while, he finally nodded.
"That's a reasonable argument."
"Are you admitting it?"
"Indeed. Your suspicion is undeniably rational."
Letting out a sigh, he spoke coldly.
"Fine. I'll give you an answer. First—my whereabouts cannot be proven. Because even if I presented hundreds of pieces of evidence, it would mean nothing if you refused to believe them."
Bu Eun-seol agreed.
No matter what the Martial Venerable said, unless there was irrefutable proof, he would never accept it as truth.
"Second, the reason I was certain it was one of the Seven Great Leaders was because I, too, investigated who the murderer that killed the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was."
The Martial Venerable shifted his gaze, locking eyes with Bu Eun-seol.
"And among the suspicious Masters, the only ones whose whereabouts remained completely untraceable were the Seven Great Leaders."
He continued calmly.
"Moreover, on the very day the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade was attacked, someone deliberately erased the movements of the Seven Great Leaders. Thoroughly."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
An organization capable of simultaneously and flawlessly erasing the traces of the Martial Alliance's Seven Great Leaders—
There was only one possible force behind it.
"The Three Realms are the masterminds?"
"That is my assumption. Though I have no definitive proof."
In the end, as the Martial Venerable said... no matter how he looked at it, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to destroy the Three Realms.
It was almost like fate.
"Are there no other conditions left?"
After a moment of silence, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"That's all."
"Good."
The Martial Venerable spoke.
"Once the Leader's Exam concludes, I will elevate you to the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief. However, there are three conditions."
"Three conditions?"
"Even if I appoint you as Bureau Chief, the High Command may oppose it. You must prepare proof that you are qualified for the position."
That wasn't a condition—it was something Bu Eun-seol would have to do regardless.
"I accept."
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, the Martial Venerable continued.
"Second—you must lose in the final battle. If you win, you'll inevitably become a Leader."
"The last exam is a duel?"
"Correct."
The Martial Venerable smirked.
"Most of the Alliance's senior members want the Hall Master of the Hall of Martial Ascension to become a Leader. If I were to select the exam, they would immediately protest."
A faint sneer played on his lips.
"And they will undoubtedly propose a duel. Of course, if I accept as though I have no choice, no one will dare question it afterward."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
The Martial Venerable truly lived up to his dual identity as the Divine Calculator—his wisdom was extraordinary.
"And the third condition—"
The Martial Venerable's gaze turned razor-sharp.
"In exchange for granting you such a position, I require my own safety measure. Do you agree?"
In other words, he intended to leash him.
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
"You want me to drink poison?"
"Poison or otherwise—that is for me to decide. I asked if you agree."
"Fine."
Bu Eun-seol answered readily.
"I accept."
Poison, or whatever it may be—any kind of Restrictive Seal. He was confident he could break it.
"Good. The deal is settled."
As the Martial Venerable turned to leave, Bu Eun-seol tilted his head slightly.
"Aren't you going to place the seal now?"
"I already have."
"Already?"
A chilling smile crept onto the Martial Venerable's lips.
"I implanted Poison Parasites in your Peak Realm Members long ago."
Instantly, Bu Eun-seol's expression hardened.
"Why would you plant parasites in them?"
"Even after forming a Hall Master-ranked organization, you never replenished your martial artists—instead, you relentlessly trained them, molding them into a Special-Grade unit."
The Martial Venerable spoke with icy detachment.
"Even when suspicions arose that they were spies, your Vice Chief risked his life to protect you."
"..."
"At that point, it's clear your members already know your true identity."
The Martial Venerable smiled leisurely as he continued.
"You trained them so harshly precisely so that, even if they were to leave the Alliance one day... they would still be capable of fulfilling their roles."
In truth, this discovery wasn't entirely surprising.
The Martial Venerable already knew Bu Eun-seol's true identity. Naturally, he would have investigated his Peak Realm Members in detail.
After assessing their loyalty and training—
He had discerned that Bu Eun-seol cherished them like family.
Crunch.
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
If the Martial Venerable had placed a seal on him—
Even if it were unbreakable, he would have willingly accepted it.
But to inject those vile Poison Parasites into his members, who had nothing to do with this?
'If I lose my temper, it'll be like admitting my weakness.'
Bu Eun-seol swallowed his boiling rage and spoke calmly.
"Are you saying the Martial Venerable of the world would stoop to poisoning mere martial artists of the Martial Alliance?"
"Once they pledged their loyalty to you, they ceased to belong to either the Martial Alliance or the Righteous Faction."
Having regained the initiative from Bu Eun-seol, the Martial Venerable replied in a more relaxed tone.
"You may refuse. I won't force you."
"..."
"However, if you wish to wield such authority within the Martial Alliance while protecting those you cherish... you must pay the corresponding price."
The Martial Venerable meant that, in exchange for unprecedented power, he would take the lives of the Peak Realm Members as hostages.
It was an effective method—one that thoroughly exploited Bu Eun-seol's nature.
"Let me make one thing clear: don't even think about removing the Poison Parasites."
The Martial Venerable spoke with unwavering confidence.
"It's a Poison Parasite I personally crafted with utmost care. You won't find it unless you dissect their bodies, and the moment you show any sign of trying to remove it, the poison will activate instantly."
Poison Parasites were typically created in male-female pairs to prevent removal or detoxification.
Moreover, this was a Poison Parasite the Martial Venerable had painstakingly refined—with the Divine Calculator as his shadow.
As he said, it wouldn't be easily removed, and it likely possessed functions far beyond those of ordinary Poison Parasites.
"No method exists to remove all twenty parasites simultaneously. In the end, they'll remain perfect hostages."
"Correct."
"And you're satisfied with that? What if I consider them expendable?"
"If that were the case, I'd consider my judgment flawed."
The Martial Venerable's eyes brimmed with confidence.
He had already grasped every facet of Bu Eun-seol's temperament.
"You speak as if driven by noble purpose... yet all you've done is take lives as hostages?"
"Does it seem cruel and petty to you?"
In response to Bu Eun-seol's scathing criticism, the Martial Venerable squared his shoulders and spoke boldly.
"Eliminating the spies within the Alliance and dismantling the Three Realms isn't just about my life—it concerns the survival of the entire orthodox martial world."
"..."
"Did you truly expect me to employ only idealistic methods?"
The Martial Venerable's expression grew graver.
"I trusted you because I believed your sole purpose in joining the Martial Alliance was to avenge Bu Jan-yang."
"..."
"Had you preached justice or prattled on about righteousness, I would've cast you out without a second glance."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
The Martial Venerable's enemies were the Three Realms—those who had silently slain the Righteous Path's Number One and seized control of the Martial Alliance itself.
Against them, righteous and just methods alone would never suffice.
'In the end, even the Martial Venerable is someone who seeks vengeance by any means necessary.'
Favors and grudges. Blood feuds. Revenge.
Once entangled in the affairs of the martial world,
there was no escaping the hell forged by these three words.
"I have staked my life on purging the Martial Alliance and finding the one responsible for my brother's death."
The Martial Venerable spoke resolutely.
"If my methods displease you, or if you intend to hinder me, leave now. I won't stop you."
Bu Eun-seol said nothing.
Truthfully, he had joined the Martial Alliance for one reason alone: to find the one who had killed his grandfather.
Beyond that, he desired nothing.
'Wasn't this expected from the start?'
He had known full well that the Martial Venerable wouldn't simply hand him the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief—that he would impose restrictions.
The only thing he hadn't anticipated was the Martial Venerable taking his subordinates' lives as collateral.
'Then...'
If he wanted to detoxify his already-infected subordinates, he would have to remain in the Martial Alliance for some time.
"Fine."
"Then it's settled."
The Martial Venerable nodded.
"Once the Leader Trials conclude, I will appoint you as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. You'll wield the authority of a one-person sect, free to roam the martial world."
"What about inspection authority?"
"Along with the position of Chief Inspector, I'll grant you the Clear-Heart Command Token."
The Martial Venerable continued.
"However, it differs from the Soul-Searching Order. You can only initiate inspections with concrete evidence. But if the conditions are met... you may enact immediate punishment, wielding power akin to the combined might of the Law Enforcement Hall and the Criminal Law Hall."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
If so, he would gain an even greater advantage than becoming one of the Seven Great Leaders.
"Understood."
"You're not going to ask anything else?"
"About what?"
"You haven't asked the most crucial question."
The Martial Venerable's words took him by surprise.
"What my intentions are. How long I'll keep your secret."
That was precisely what Bu Eun-seol had been burning to confirm.
"Right. What I wanted to know most was your true intentions."
Bu Eun-seol admitted frankly.
"If you harbor malice toward me, I should never remain in the Martial Alliance."
"So you mean there's no need to ask now?"
"You're also someone racing toward revenge. In the end, don't we both have no need for things like trust?"
As if pleased with Bu Eun-seol's answer,
the Martial Venerable curled the corners of his lips for the first time.
"Just as you are now, go your own way and find Bu Jan-yang's enemy. I, for my part, will uproot the Three Realms' forces within the Martial Alliance."
A sharp energy surged from the Martial Venerable's body.
"Then there will be no chance of your true identity being exposed."
Though it couldn't be said that he walked the righteous path,
for the sake of revenge—
he would commit any deed without hesitation, and even if his body burned to ashes, he could die with a satisfied smile.
The Path of Vengeance.
The Martial Venerable, too, walked the same road as Bu Eun-seol.
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"But when the time comes for us to achieve our respective goals, you must lift the poison from the Unit Members."
"Of course."
"Then I'll take my leave."
The moment Bu Eun-seol turned away after a brief bow—
"The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Coffin—if moved, the Ice Crystal Jade will be damaged."
The Martial Venerable spoke indifferently.
"But now that we've obtained another Ice Crystal Jade, this mechanism will be sealed."
In the end, the Martial Venerable had assigned him the task of retrieving the Ice Crystal Jade so that Jeong Cheon-je's corpse could be moved to a place where it could never be found again.
"There will be no reason to return here."
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol exited the mechanism.
And as if nothing had happened, he headed back to his office.
Step, step.
But something was strange.
The longer Bu Eun-seol walked, the colder his pupils grew, freezing over.
'Martial Venerable... So you too, with another trick up your sleeve, have been deceiving me.'
For a moment, he had almost believed him completely.
If a man like that laid all his cards on the table and declared he would burn with vengeance—
who wouldn't be compelled to trust him?
'He's certain that I have no memories from my childhood.'
He must have confirmed it when Grandfather raised him.
In truth, all memories of his parents and early childhood had been completely erased by then.
Perhaps Grandfather had told him directly, or perhaps he had verified it himself.
'That my father used the Black Divine Artifact?'
During his travels in the martial world, Bu Eun-seol had recovered fragments of his childhood memories.
And among them was one thing—his father had long since discarded the Black Divine Artifact.
No, he had even discarded his own power.
Yet the Martial Venerable had claimed his father still possessed it, that it was why he had been branded the Heavenly Darkness Star.
A rather unnecessary lie.
In other words, he knew the truth about his father's death... and had lied to him.
'And if he brought up my father, he should have mentioned my mother as well.'
His mother was a master of Esoteric Ritual Arts and Taoist Arts, skilled enough to teach his father the sealing technique for the Black Divine Artifact.
If his father had been killed by the Three Realms, shouldn't he have spoken of her too?
In the end, the Martial Venerable was hiding multiple truths from him.
And the reason?
Undoubtedly, he intended to manipulate him to his liking.
Just like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
'There truly is no one in the Martial Alliance who cares for the murim.'
Even the Martial Venerable, who had declared he would protect the Orthodox Murim in Jeong Cheon-je's stead—
was ultimately pursuing something for himself.
Otherwise, he would never have tried to deceive or control him.
'You won't get your way.'
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
'You'll realize it once the Martial Alliance is split into three.'
He took a deep breath.
If things progressed as he expected—
the Martial Alliance, like the Demon Hall, would fracture into a tripod of power, divided into three factions.
And only in that chaos, with authority fragmented, would... the Society of the Unhomed have another chance to rise again.
"Haa."
The Martial Venerable exhaled deeply as he watched the spot where Bu Eun-seol had stood.
"In the end, I still couldn't pierce that brat's Spirit and Mind."
His eyes narrowed.
"I had to rely solely on his expressions and the look in his eyes."
Though he couldn't read Heaven's Will like Wooden Buddha, the title of Divine Calculator hadn't been given to him for nothing.
He possessed insight and wisdom surpassing all others, understood not only every major and minor affair of the murim—
but also the depths of human nature.
He couldn't dominate Bu Eun-seol's Spirit and Mind, but he could still grasp some of his intentions.
"Still, the wait was worth it."
A faint glimmer flickered in the Martial Venerable's hand.
"He is undoubtedly of the Baekri Clan's bloodline."
His voice trembled with delight.
After staring at the shimmering object for a long moment, he carefully tucked it back into his robes.
"The power of the Baekri Clan should manifest soon. But because of that strange energy in his Brain Gate Acupoint, there's nothing I can do..."
The Martial Venerable.
In the end, as expected, he wasn't pursuing vengeance for Jeong Cheon-je—he was advancing another plan entirely.
"Just a little longer."
The Martial Venerable let out a low breath through his nose.
"Baekri Geom-ha."
His pupils narrowed as he gazed at the distant sky.
"Until then, you must remain in the Martial Alliance—in my grasp."