Chapter 699
The Summit Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.
Bu Eun-seol summoned all unit members and meticulously examined each of their bodies.
Yet astonishingly, there were no signs of poisoning whatsoever—no trace of the Poison Parasite could be found.
'The Martial Venerable is not one to speak nonsense.'
He elevated his Empty Mind Spirit Perception, but the result remained unchanged.
"Chief. What's going on?"
As Bu Eun-seol checked their pulses with an expression graver than ever, Tae Mu-ryong spoke up.
"Don't try to handle this alone. Please share it with us."
Bu Eun-seol forced a smile.
"I merely wished to confirm the state of your health—whether any illness had taken root."
"Thanks to the Internal Energy Method you imparted to us, Chief, we've long since moved past the point of falling ill, haven't we?"
To enhance his subordinates' Internal Power,
Bu Eun-seol had risked his own energy depletion by employing the Crown-Opening Great Method. He had also taught them a new Internal Energy Method, refined by referencing the Life Nourishing Secret from the Tendon Transformation Sutra.
As a result, every unit member had rapidly achieved an advancement equivalent to at least sixty years of cultivation.
Their very constitutions had transformed into ones impervious to trivial ailments.
"Incidentally, I also wished to verify whether your True Qi Circulation flows unimpeded."
Midway through his half-hearted excuse, Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed. His own words had given him a clue.
'He said the Poison Parasite cannot be detected unless the unit members' bodies are dissected...'
But Bu Eun-seol possessed a secret art that allowed him to scrutinize their bodies down to the smallest detail.
Namely, the Heavenly Robe Mind Art of the Righteous Heavenly Emperor.
Ziiing.
As he invoked the Heavenly Robe Mind Art, a pale heat haze shimmered from Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Simultaneously, he could perceive every minute detail of their True Qi Circulation in an instant.
'So it's the Three Corpse Worms.'
Bu Eun-seol detected the faintest stagnation in the flow of their energy—specifically near the point where it ascended from the Jade Pillow Acupoint toward the Hundred Meetings Acupoint.
This meant the Poison Parasite was embedded in their brains.
Within the martial world, the only Poison Parasite known to consume human brains was the Three Corpse Worms, a toxin of the now-vanished Skeleton Poison Sect.
'No antidote for this has yet been discovered.'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils darkened.
The Three Corpse Worms could never be fully eradicated; only medicines to delay their onset existed.
Moreover, since the antidote's formulation varied depending on how the Three Corpse Worms were brewed,
even if he learned the antidote recipe from the Martial Venerable, his subordinates would still have to take the medicine for the rest of their lives.
'So this is what he meant by sparing no means or methods.'
Crack.
The sound of grinding bones escaped Bu Eun-seol's clenched fist.
Had the poison been administered to him instead, he would have accepted it without complaint and endured quietly.
But secretly dosing his unit members was utterly unforgivable.
'I will remove it.'
Flames kindled in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
He was determined to find a way to extract these Three Corpse Worms.
"Chief."
Just then, Tae Mu-ryong spoke.
"Someone has poisoned us, haven't they?"
As the deputy leader of the Peak Unit's Information Warfare Unit and Bu Eun-seol's most trusted subordinate,
Tae Mu-ryong could read his chief's unspoken thoughts just by observing his expression.
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
"A Poison Parasite has been implanted in your bodies."
"By whom?"
"The Martial Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol drew a deep breath.
Then, starting with the revelation that the Martial Venerable had been acting as the Twin Heaven Emperor, he recounted every detail of their conversation thus far.
Despite hearing such shocking truths, not a single unit member showed surprise.
Having weathered countless crises alongside Bu Eun-seol and experienced one inconceivable betrayal after another,
even if told the Martial Venerable was not the Twin Heaven Emperor but the most vile villain in the world, they wouldn't have batted an eye.
"This is fortunate. It was never a matter that concerned you directly anyway, Chief."
At that moment, Tae Mu-ryong grinned brightly as he spoke.
"Besides, you've been nominated as chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, haven't you?"
Murmur murmur.
The unit members, overjoyed, each chimed in with their own remarks.
Far from fearing the brain-devouring Poison Parasite within them,
they were only delighted that Bu Eun-seol had been spared—and that he had been nominated as the future chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
"Chief. Don't worry. We're completely unfazed."
Then Jeong Jong-do added,
"With your abilities, Chief, you'll undoubtedly find a way to remove these Three Corpse Worms."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
His unit members were unwaveringly loyal, willing to sacrifice even their lives without hesitation.
'Finding a method to detoxify the Three Corpse Worms won't be difficult.'
But Bu Eun-seol's concern wasn't about extracting the Three Corpse Worms.
The Martial Venerable.
Overshadowed by the majesty of the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic, he was nonetheless the strongest among the Three Demons and Three Venerables.
This was not an opponent to be trifled with.
"Indeed."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with confidence.
"Extracting the Three Corpse Worms won't be difficult. But from now on, we must tread even more carefully."
His expression became a tangled mix of emotions.
"Soon, the factions coiled around the Martial Alliance will begin revealing themselves, one by one."
Yet the unit members' gazes remained unshaken.
No matter what trials might come.
If they stood with Bu Eun-seol, they would undoubtedly overcome them.
—"We shall now commence the final trial to select the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade."
At last, the Martial Alliance Chief, Righteous Heavenly Emperor, also known as Shin Do-mu-bi, emerged from his closed-door training and returned to the forefront.
He had declared the final trial to appoint the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade.
—"I promise the position of brigade leader to the candidate who can perfectly restore the Heavenly Martial Brigade's silver plaque."
Yet the trial he proposed was somewhat unexpected.
He declared that the one who could perfectly replicate the brigade's silver plaque would be granted the position of brigade leader.
The silver plaques currently used by the Heavenly Martial Brigade were crafted from rare treasures like Precious Kun Jade.
Because the secret technique—
—of forging the original silver plaque, made by melting and combining various metals, had been lost midway.
The Martial Alliance had commissioned the Iron-Handed Master, hailed as the Divine Craftsman of their era, to recreate it, but even he had failed.
Thus, they had resorted to crafting sturdy silver plaques from expensive treasures like Precious Kun Jade instead.
But to appoint the brigade leader based on replicating that plaque?
—"Are you saying you intend to appoint a blacksmith as the brigade leader?"
When the Alliance Chief proposed this absurd trial,
all the senior members of the Alliance rolled up their sleeves in vehement opposition.
Already, grievances had piled up to the breaking point, as the chief had repeatedly gone into seclusion, dumping all responsibilities onto Bukri Seung.
And now, he was suggesting such an outlandish method for selecting the brigade leader?
—"Chief, this decision is unacceptable."
Especially since most of the senior members had already resolved to elevate Yuk Jang-cheon to the position.
They had no choice but to resist this decision even more fiercely.
Though Yuk Jang-cheon had many connections, none among them were master blacksmiths of exceptional skill.
—"Would it not be better to select the leader through martial prowess?"
The Martial Alliance's senior members, including Vice Alliance Leader Bukri Seung, strongly voiced their opinions to the chief.
—"After all, haven't all the candidates already proven themselves capable of leading the brigade? Let us simply choose through martial skill."
Under the relentless pressure of the senior members, the chief had no choice but to relent.
He approved a duel as the final trial.
—"With the chief's approval, the final trial will be held three days from now at the Grand Martial Training Ground of our Alliance."
Once Bukri Seung made the official announcement, the atmosphere within the Martial Alliance grew feverish.
At last, the date for the martial tournament that would decide the Heavenly Martial Brigade's leader had been set.
Hidden Moon Hall, Gongson Dan-gyeong's office.
"The Venerable One employed a clever method."
Gongson Dan-gyeong, who had been watching Bu Eun-seol, smiled faintly.
"No matter how the selection was conducted, the Alliance's senior members would have found fault with the chief's decision anyway."
What if the Martial Venerable had first declared that victory would be decided through martial combat?
They would have deemed it unfair and maneuvered to impose a trial that favored Yuk Jang-cheon instead.
But the Martial Venerable had struck first, issuing the bizarre order to restore the silver plaque—
—thereby forcing the senior members to desperately demand a duel.
And since he had granted their request, they could no longer protest even if the outcome defied their expectations.
"Still, this is unexpected."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes gleamed.
"I didn't think Commander Seon-u would request a private audience with this Chief Strategist before the trial concluded."
She had guessed that there was some kind of covenant between Bu Eun-seol and the Martial Venerable.
But she did not ask about it.
She knew all too well that even if she did, Bu Eun-seol would not answer.
However, doing so would inevitably shake the trust they had built up until now.
Bu Eun-seol, aware of this, had come to Gongson Dan-gyeong to explain.
"I should at least give you a report, shouldn't I?"
"Is that so?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong, having discerned Bu Eun-seol's intent, allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.
Fortunately, their trust remained unbroken.
He had come to explain himself precisely because he wished to preserve the trust between them.
"You've changed quite a bit, Chief Strategist."
For a moment, Gongson Dan-gyeong's gaze shifted slightly.
Only now did she realize she was smiling faintly at her own meaningless remark.
'Has she truly changed?'
At first, she had merely sought revenge—trying to make Seon-u Jin her own person.
His martial arts far surpassed what was known, and his wisdom and insight were unmatched.
But as they worked together on various missions... she had, without realizing it, gradually opened her heart.
The conviction that this man would never betray her or strike from behind—
Even this unfamiliar emotion, one she had never felt before.
"That's not something Commander Seon-u should say."
Feeling as though her heart had been exposed, Gongson Dan-gyeong deliberately hardened her expression.
"To say such things to this Chief Strategist... Have you now abandoned all regard for rank?"
"My apologies if that was presumptuous."
Bu Eun-seol calmly clasped his hands together.
"However, I merely thought it was time for the Chief Strategist to view the larger picture with even greater detachment."
"What do you mean?"
"I have decided not to ascend to the position of Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader."
In an instant, Gongson Dan-gyeong's expression shifted.
"What are you saying?"
"The Martial Venerable has ordered me to lose in the final duel."
A shocking statement.
Seon-u Jin had risked life and limb on countless perilous missions, all on the strength of a single promise—that he would be made Brigade Leader.
And now, at the final moment, that promise was being discarded like a worn-out shoe?
"Then you must have received another price in exchange."
True to her reputation as a prodigy, she swiftly grasped the situation and spoke.
"And the Martial Venerable must have met with you privately for that very reason."
"Correct."
"I'd like to hear the details."
"Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau."
Bu Eun-seol replied evenly.
"He promised to elevate me to that position."
Gongson Dan-gyeong gave a faint nod.
The authority of the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief—effectively equivalent to the Chief Inspector—was a rank no less prestigious than Brigade Leader.
Moreover, the ability to operate independently across the martial world made it an even more desirable position.
"But that alone isn't enough."
Gongson Dan-gyeong rose from her seat as she spoke.
"While it's a position capable of exerting significant influence over the martial world, within the Martial Alliance itself, it holds no real power."
"True."
Bu Eun-seol replied leisurely.
"That's why I demanded the authority to conduct internal audits."
"Internal audit authority?"
"Indeed. And so, he agreed to grant me the Clear-Heart Command Token."
"The Clear-Heart Command Token."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes flashed.
The Clear-Heart Command Token was an investigative decree within the Martial Alliance, designed to root out subversive factions colluding with external forces.
To bestow it alongside the position of Bureau Chief? That was an absurdly excessive concentration of power.
After a brief silence, Gongson Dan-gyeong asked,
"Then Commander Seon-u must have paid an equally steep price."
"According to the Martial Venerable's investigation, the faction entrenched within our alliance is the Return-to-One Realm. And..."
Bu Eun-seol disclosed everything—except for the Martial Venerable's double identity and details pertaining to himself.
He revealed that Jeong Cheon-je's death was linked to the Return-to-One Realm, and that the Martial Venerable was preparing to seize control of the Martial Alliance from within to strike them down.
"...Ever since my promotion to Second-grade Commander, the Martial Venerable claims to have recognized my talent. He intended early on to use me as a figure who could shake the alliance and weaken the Three Realms' influence..."
Moreover, the Martial Venerable had enhanced Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess through perilous missions.
Ultimately, he had molded him into a figure capable of stirring a new wind within the Martial Alliance—
A tool to weaken the Return-to-One Realm's power.
"You omitted one thing."
"What would that be?"
"A safety measure."
A peculiar light flickered in Gongson Dan-gyeong's large eyes.
"The Martial Venerable isn't the type to delegate power without safeguards."
The Martial Venerable was a figure who didn't even reveal himself to Gongson Dan-gyeong.
If he was granting Seon-u Jin such immense authority? It was only natural he'd install a failsafe.
'I can't deceive her.'
Suppressing a bitter smile, Bu Eun-seol replied calmly,
"The lives of my unit members."
"Your Peak Realm Members?"
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened with conflicting emotions.
"He informed me he'd already implanted them with Poison Parasites."
"Poison Parasites."
Gongson Dan-gyeong exhaled sharply through her nose.
That the Martial Venerable—of all people—would resort to Poison Parasites, a method employed only by the vilest of villains... and on the alliance's own warriors, no less.
'And yet...'
Even so, she could understand, in a way.
The Martial Venerable was leading a Martial Alliance shrouded by shadow forces, all while concealing Jeong Cheon-je's death.
In a situation where he could be assassinated at any moment, ruthlessness was a necessity.
Harsh as it was, having granted such authority... safeguards were only to be expected.
"I can somewhat comprehend the Martial Venerable's reasoning."
Even if she were in his position, she would have done the same.
If she elevated a subordinate to a rank where they could turn a blade against her at any moment?
Of course she'd leash them.
"It's also a leash tailored to Commander Seon-u's disposition."
Gongson Dan-gyeong, too—
Had already discerned that Bu Eun-seol cherished his Peak Realm Members like family.
In the end, though Bu Eun-seol himself might not have realized it—
The persona of Seon-u Jin had also, subtly, revealed the weakness of attachment.
"I don't fault him for that."
Suppressing his emotions, Bu Eun-seol spoke evenly.
"But I intend to act according to my own plans, not merely dance to the Martial Venerable's tune. That's why I've come to seek the Chief Strategist's counsel."
"Your own plans..."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's expression turned grave.
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had never spoken of his goals.
But now, she would finally learn what he truly desired.
"Let me hear it."
"When the time comes for me to firmly establish myself as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, I intend to create a new power dynamic within the Martial Alliance—together with the Chief Strategist."
As these utterly unexpected words spilled forth, Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes widened.
"A power dynamic?"
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol calmly explained:
"Our alliance is smothered by personal connections and nepotism, with authority concentrated among the elders and certain key figures. I wish to change that structure... and remake the Martial Alliance into one that operates on merit alone, regardless of political backing."
Then he added one more thing:
"Of course, this plan also serves as a method to draw out the Return-to-One Realm lurking within our alliance."
"Hmm."
"But... the Martial Venerable would never agree to such a plan."
After deep contemplation, Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke:
"In short, Commander Seon-u, you're saying you'll oppose the existing power bloc and rally support from the younger generation."
"That's right."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Within our alliance, there are many talented individuals who, despite their outstanding abilities, never get the opportunity to fully display their potential."
His voice turned resolute:
"I want our alliance to become one where such people can freely demonstrate their talents."
Gongson Dan-gyeong wore a dazed expression.
Originally, Seon-u Jin had been someone who simply charged toward a single objective—a man without any ambition to alter the Martial Alliance's power structure or soar to greater heights.
Why had he suddenly developed such thoughts?
'Was that it?'
Gongson Dan-gyeong could sense it intuitively.
That Seon-u Jin had formed some special relationship with the Martial Venerable, and that he harbored another purpose she didn't know about.
Normally, she would have pressed Bu Eun-seol with questions, demanding explanations until she was satisfied.
But she swallowed her doubts.
Not only would she likely not receive truthful answers, but she had also promised not to show suspicion to his face.
Whatever ulterior motives he might have, she wouldn't display any distrust.
"Not a bad idea."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"I agree with creating a new faction to build an alliance free from personal connections and nepotism."
'She's keeping her promise.'
Bu Eun-seol, having discerned Gongson Dan-gyeong's inner thoughts, smiled faintly to himself.
He didn't trust her either.
But she guarded her spoken words like gold. And someone with that kind of character... at the very least, wouldn't stab others in the back.
Trust.
Finally, between the two of them, a tiny seed of trust had sprouted.
"We can discuss the details later. After all, it'll be quite some time before Commander Seon-u solidifies his position as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau."
Moreover, she showed him the utmost consideration she could offer:
"The martial contest will begin soon, won't it? Shouldn't you prepare your body and mind for it starting now?"
Setting aside complicated matters for the moment, she wanted Bu Eun-seol to focus on the duel and emerge victorious.
"Especially since—unlike others—the Hall Leader of Clear Radiance Hall's martial arts won't be easy to handle."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes showed concern.
"The reason the Martial Venerable approved this duel was likely because he expects the Hall Leader of Clear Radiance Hall to defy all predictions and emerge victorious in the end."
"On the contrary, I believe the Hall Leader of Clear Radiance Hall is being set up as sacrificial bait."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"To push either Commander Yuk or Hall Leader Baek into the position of Hall Leader."
In truth, the one he was most wary of was Yuk Jang-cheon.
Having fought the Fist King Seok Chi-haeng, Bu Eun-seol had gauged Yuk Jang-cheon's martial prowess.
The skill of Seok Chi-haeng—who had long abandoned martial contests to become the Gatekeeper of Ancient Sword Forest—had far exceeded Bu Eun-seol's expectations.
If that was the case, then what level must Yuk Jang-cheon—who had secretly honed his martial arts while harboring ambitions all this time—have reached?
It would undoubtedly be on an entirely different plane compared to Seok Chi-haeng.
"Well, that could be true too."
Gongson Dan-gyeong shook her head with a laugh.
"Whatever the case, all Commander Seon-u needs to do is avoid winning the final victory."
That smile was one of trust.
Bu Eun-seol also offered a faint smile as he clasped his hands together.
"I'll be sure to produce favorable results."
"Do your best."
"Understood. Then—"
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together and turned away.
Exiting the Hidden Moon Hall, he gazed at the distant sky.
'This martial tournament will be full of complete anomalies.'
If his predictions were correct,
This martial contest would produce results that overturned everyone's expectations.
Bu Eun-seol would also need to readjust his assessment of Seon-u Jin's martial prowess once more to match Seon-u Jin's capabilities.
'And—'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
'After this martial contest concludes, Yuk Jang-cheon... he will no longer be able to set foot in the Martial Alliance.'
To cast Yuk Jang-cheon into the abyss—to produce that outcome—
Simply achieving victory in the duel wouldn't be enough.
Just as he had provoked Yuk Cheong-a, he needed to ensure Yuk Jang-cheon could never raise his head again.
By exploiting the long-suppressed emotions and resentments Yuk Jang-cheon had never been able to resolve,
He would expose the dark, sinister depths of that man's spirit and mind for all the world to see.
—Let the martial contest begin!
Three days had passed in the blink of an eye.
At last, the final test to select the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade had commenced.