Chapter 704
'This is strange.'
Bu Eun-seol soon sensed something amiss.
'His martial prowess shouldn't be at this level.'
In the past, when Baek Mu-seong had wielded the Bloody Tears Seven Forms while wearing a mask, his martial arts had been in an indescribably enhanced state.
Even if the Heavenly Immortal Beyond the Heavens technique was close to the maximum martial limit that Seon-u Jin could unleash.
With Baek Mu-seong's skill, he should have been able to block it perfectly.
Yet, it was as if he hadn't made even an inch of progress all this time. How could he be defeated so miserably?
"Will you admit defeat?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been watching Baek Mu-seong with a troubled expression, asked calmly.
Grip.
Baek Mu-seong clenched his halved greatsword.
At the same time, an unprecedented killing intent flashed in his pupils.
"Just because a weapon is slightly broken doesn't mean the match is over."
Fortunately, Baek Mu-seong showed the will to continue the duel.
'Thank goodness.'
Bu Eun-seol inwardly sighed in relief. If Baek Mu-seong had raised the white flag here, all their plans would have gone awry.
Crack.
A bone-cracking sound came from Baek Mu-seong's body as he gripped the broken greatsword, and his expression twisted slightly.
It seemed as though he had grimaced while raising his internal power to its peak, but upon closer inspection, his skin tone appeared to have changed faintly.
His pupils and the shape of his eyes also seemed subtly different.
Smirk.
Baek Mu-seong, meeting Bu Eun-seol's gaze, wore a faint smile.
Zing!
At that moment, a brilliant blue light flashed from the halved blade of Baek Mu-seong's sword.
He had materialized his internal energy to reform the sword's edge.
"Haaap!"
Baek Mu-seong's shout reverberated in all directions, and—
Boom.
A sound like the heavens collapsing echoed from somewhere, shaking the very earth.
The entire world turned black, as if time had stopped.
Baek Mu-seong poured out a bizarre power.
Transforming not only the space where Bu Eun-seol stood but the entire martial stage into a realm of death.
'This is...'
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
The actual scenery of the martial stage hadn't changed.
Only his own eyes, exposed to this strange energy, perceived the world as pitch black.
'What kind of technique is this?'
It felt almost as if the Mind-Seizing Art had been deployed.
But his spirit and mind, having achieved the Spiritual Aperture Breakthrough, couldn't be invaded.
Moreover, the fact that only his eyes were seeing this spectacle made it closer to heterodox sorcery than sword techniques.
'I can't move my body.'
As the entire world darkened, Bu Eun-seol couldn't even twitch a finger.
Then, Baek Mu-seong's eyes flashed.
It was clear he intended to pierce Bu Eun-seol's body with the sword qi of his materialized greatsword.
'This ending won't do.'
Only his vision had turned black.
The martial artists watching wouldn't know his body couldn't move.
If he were struck by Baek Mu-seong's sword in this state?
The senior experts would forget all about the fierce, nail-biting battle up until now.
They would mistakenly believe Bu Eun-seol had simply and absurdly suffered a hollow defeat.
'In that case—'
Bu Eun-seol closed his eyes and summoned the Heavenly Robe Mind Art.
Synchronizing his internal energy circulation and true qi, he struggled to move his body.
Huum.
A faint light flickered around Bu Eun-seol's body.
Then, something astonishing happened.
The moment he activated the Heavenly Robe Mind Art, Baek Mu-seong's mental imagery suddenly flooded into his mind.
'Was this an application of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms?'
As the mental imagery from Baek Mu-seong's mind transmitted to him, Bu Eun-seol realized these black mists were a technique derived from the Blade Essence of the Bloody Tears Seven Forms.
And because he, too, had cultivated the Bloody Tears Seven Forms—and because he had deployed the Heavenly Robe Mind Art—
Without realizing it, his spirit and mind had connected with Baek Mu-seong's, the caster of the technique.
Whoosh.
As their spirits linked, Bu Eun-seol's vision transformed into a desolate world.
It was Baek Mu-seong's mindscape.
'Death... no, is there nothing at all?'
The world Baek Mu-seong had created was complete death... no, it was closer to absolute nothingness.
It was as if all the worlds that had once existed in his heart had vanished.
Yet, even though the entire world had disappeared, leaving only black darkness behind—
Far in the distance, something pitch-black was visible.
It was the silhouette of a beautiful woman.
Though the darkness obscured her features, just from her posture alone—
Bu Eun-seol could tell who she was.
'He couldn't let go.'
Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Even in a spirit and mind so desolate it had reduced the world to nothingness.
Gongson Dan-gyeong still remained in Baek Mu-seong's heart.
'He still loves her.'
Though he hadn't intended to peer into Baek Mu-seong's spirit—
He could confirm that Gongson Dan-gyeong still occupied Baek Mu-seong's heart.
'So it's the Azure River Realm.'
At last, Bu Eun-seol could discern which of the Three Realms Baek Mu-seong belonged to.
The Azure River Realm.
Baek Mu-seong was part of the Azure River Realm, and he had undergone a Great Art to split his personality.
'If she dies, will Baek-Elder Brother's heart return?'
The way to break the secret art of the Azure River Realm was to shatter the wish or aspiration that person had longed for all their life.
But Bu Eun-seol couldn't dare test it.
"With her martial prowess, she could never feign death."
Gongson Dan-gyeong was clever, but her martial arts were not particularly advanced.
Unless she reached the same level of skill as Bu Eun-seol, there was no way she could deceive the eyes of a master like Baek Mu-seong.
"You've ruined yourself in the depths of love."
Bu Eun-seol genuinely pitied Baek Mu-seong.
"It's only a shame I can't help you."
And now, he had to break the secret art that Baek Mu-seong had unleashed.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he slowly approached the place where Gongson Dan-gyeong's shadow lingered.
Then, the desolate world suddenly burned crimson.
The moment Bu Eun-seol affectionately neared Gongson Dan-gyeong's shadow—
A flood of rage and envy poured into Baek Mu-seong's spirit and mind, where there had been nothing before.
Krrrrr—
As the colors of the entire world shifted, Baek Mu-seong's mindscape began to collapse.
Bu Eun-seol's vision cleared, and he could move his body again.
He caught sight of Baek Mu-seong's movement—his blade poised to strike.
The long stretch of time within the mindscape—
In reality, it had been shorter than the flick of a finger.
"This is the only way."
Right now, Baek Mu-seong was using a secret art to immobilize him, aiming to pierce his heart in a single thrust.
But victory and defeat could never be decided by such a simple opening move.
Fwish!
From Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword, hundreds of sword qi bloomed into the sky before raining down upon the earth.
He had adapted the Heavenly Immortal Beyond the Heavens technique, cloaking both himself and Baek Mu-seong in a dazzling storm of sword energy.
Whoooosh—
Because of this, the martial artists watching could only see the sword qi spreading like resplendent wings—
But the actual fight between the two remained hidden.
Yet imagination could conjure the greatest spectacle reality could offer.
Considering the high-level battle they had witnessed so far, they would assume the two were exchanging terrifying sword techniques within that storm.
Thud.
At the same time, Baek Mu-seong's sword plunged into Bu Eun-seol's chest.
"Avoid a fatal wound at all costs."
Having already drawn upon his Water Essence Divine Qi, Bu Eun-seol did not evade—he took the strike head-on.
Thud.
Simultaneously, Bu Eun-seol drove his Ink Soul Sword, infused with thirteen strands of internal power, into Baek Mu-seong's shoulder.
Crash—!
The sword qi dissipated, revealing the two figures.
Mutual destruction.
In the final moment, Bu Eun-seol had staged a scene where he and Baek Mu-seong had taken each other down.
Thump.
In the end, both men dropped to one knee before collapsing.
Though he had avoided a fatal wound, Bu Eun-seol's injury was deep enough to pierce his chest.
Click.
But Baek Mu-seong, with his shoulder impaled, seemed unable to circulate his internal power—he remained kneeling, unable to rise.
Thud.
Then, Bu Eun-seol feigned complete unconsciousness.
The fight could no longer continue.
"That's enough!"
With Bukri Seung's shout, the martial tournament to select the next leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade was forcibly halted.
Medicine Stone Courtyard
A treatment facility reserved only for the elite of the Murim, where each individual was assigned a private chamber—
Attendants were stationed at all times, and specialized physicians were assigned to oversee recovery.
"Quite thorough."
Lying on the bed, gazing out the window, Bu Eun-seol wore an indifferent expression.
Thanks to his Water Essence Divine Qi, he had avoided major organs, suffering only a penetrating wound—
But the problem was the overwhelming sword qi still emanating from the shattered blade. It had nearly severed his meridians.
"I forced a draw, but..."
Strangely, the physicians and attendants of the Medicine Stone Courtyard were treating him with excessive care.
Could it be that the Martial Venerable had broken his promise and appointed him as the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade after all? A creeping unease settled in.
"I should have received word by now."
Six days had passed since his treatment began, yet there had been no news.
Of course, given the severity of his injuries, they might be refraining from disturbing him for the sake of his recovery—
But he couldn't shake the unease.
"No, Brother Baek was definitely conscious."
The final match had been indisputably Baek Mu-seong's victory—clear as day.
With so many martial artists having witnessed the duel, even the Martial Venerable would find it difficult to overturn that fact.
"What's certain is that the Martial Venerable is mistaken."
According to the Martial Venerable's reasoning, the Martial Alliance had been infiltrated by the Infinite Realm.
But since Baek Mu-seong had undergone personality separation, he wasn't part of the Infinite Realm—he was naturally a figure of the Azure River Realm.
"Could it be that the Three Realms are fighting over dominance of the Martial Alliance like this?"
Though the banners of the Three Realms stood in opposition, he had never actually seen them engage in direct conflict or power struggles.
Did that mean their so-called confrontations and clashes unfolded in this manner?
"Given time, their true nature will be revealed."
Baek Mu-seong must have been absorbed by the Azure River Realm.
Even if he became the leader, he would remain cautious at first—but eventually, he would become a puppet dancing to the Azure River Realm's tune.
Only then would it become clear how the Azure River Realm and the Infinite Realm clashed—
Or how they intended to manipulate the Martial Alliance.
Otherwise, the Azure River Realm would never have granted Baek Mu-seong such martial arts and power without reason.
"Surely they aren't aiming for the next Alliance Chief...?"
The Three Realms have been subtly gaining control over the martial world.
If they could install their puppet even in the position of the Martial Alliance's leader...
They would be able to manipulate the martial world with far greater ease.
"Bring me ink and paper."
At Bu Eun-seol's shout, a low voice from an attendant outside responded:
"I shall fetch them immediately."
Rustle, rustle.
Bu Eun-seol sat at the table and swiftly began writing characters.
Then he slipped the letter into an envelope and tucked it into his robes.
"Pardon the intrusion."
At that moment, Tae Mu-ryong entered, accompanied by the sound of knocking.
"Peak Leader."
Approaching with quick steps, Tae Mu-ryong spoke with a troubled expression.
"The Medicine Stone Courtyard has prohibited visitors for six days, insisting that the Peak Leader needs rest..."
"I'm aware."
"But... are you truly alright?"
Tae Mu-ryong was startled upon seeing Bu Eun-seol's perfectly unharmed face.
He too had witnessed the entire battle beneath the Martial Arts Stage.
No matter how formidable one's martial arts might be,
a wound like that—a piercing injury—should have taken considerable time to heal.
Yet Bu Eun-seol remained completely unscathed, as if he had merely been pricked by a needle.
'He must have deliberately allowed himself to be hit.'
A faint smile touched Tae Mu-ryong's lips as he—
Hmm.
—suddenly channeled his internal power, generating a faint ripple of projected qi to block out sound.
Having consumed the Concealed Demon Divine Pill and undergone the Crown-Opening Great Method, he had now reached a level where he could faintly manifest Gang Qi.
Bu Eun-seol nodded approvingly at Tae Mu-ryong's use of projected qi.
"A decision has been made, then."
"That's correct."
Tae Mu-ryong's eyes sparkled as he nodded.
"Fortunately, as planned, Hall Leader Baek has been confirmed as the new leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade."
"Good."
Bu Eun-seol allowed himself a small smile.
Now that Baek Mu-seong had become the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade,
the Martial Venerable would have no choice but to honor his promise to grant him the Clear-Heart Command Token.
"Was it unanimous?"
"Not quite. Though Hall Leader Baek secured victory, some senior members voiced dissent, leading to a Grand Council meeting."
Tae Mu-ryong continued in a hushed tone.
"Fortunately, most of the senior members endorsed Hall Leader Baek as the new brigade leader."
Baek Mu-seong had long maintained close ties with the leadership of various martial factions.
Thus, his appointment was as predictable as watching fire burn.
"Once it was settled that Hall Leader Baek would take the position, the Alliance Leader announced your appointment as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau."
Tae Mu-ryong glanced around cautiously before speaking.
"But the senior members fiercely opposed it—so vehemently that the Grand Council was temporarily suspended."
"Unacceptable to them, naturally. It was to be expected."
"However, thanks to the evidence presented by Chief Strategist Gongson, approval was ultimately granted."
Through this duel,
Bu Eun-seol had proven martial prowess so formidable that none could object to his rise to brigade leader in the Martial Alliance.
Yet appointing him as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau so abruptly was somewhat unreasonable.
After consulting with Gongson Dan-gyeong,
they disclosed the numerous missions he had completed under the alias Seon-u Jin, publicizing his achievements.
She also addressed the turbulent state of the martial world, shrouded in dark clouds.
And she forcefully argued to the senior members once more:
With Bu Eun-seol traversing the Rivers and Lakes as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, he could swiftly grasp the ever-shifting martial landscape
and preemptively suppress the rising forces seeking to destabilize the martial world.
After reviewing all the evidence, the senior members no longer had grounds to oppose his appointment.
Thus, final approval was granted.
"Still, this feels somewhat lacking."
Tae Mu-ryong frowned.
"Even if the authority of the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau is immense, it pertains to matters outside the Martial Alliance. In truth, all they've done is grant you command over the Alliance's branch forces—merely adding to the duties you already perform."
As Peak Leader Seon-u Jin, he had long operated covertly in the martial world, gathering intelligence and executing missions.
The role of the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief was no different—assessing the state of the martial world.
The only addition was the authority to mobilize and command the Martial Alliance's branch forces when necessary.
Within the Alliance itself, the position held no real power.
"You didn't mention this before."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol recall that he had merely informed his subordinates of his appointment as Chief—
but had not mentioned the Clear-Heart Command Token.
"I've also arranged to receive the Clear-Heart Command Token, granting me authority to conduct internal investigations."
"The Clear-Heart Command Token...? Is that even possible?"
"With Baek Mu-seong as brigade leader, even the Martial Venerable would see the value in having someone with the authority to monitor and restrain potential upheavals within the Alliance."
Tae Mu-ryong's jaw dropped.
"Why wasn't this brought up during the Grand Council?"
"Because announcing it prematurely would have invited opposition. The Alliance Leader will likely invoke his executive authority."
"Executive authority... I see."
Had they proposed granting both the Chief position and the Token simultaneously, the senior members would have never accepted it.
Thus, they first secured approval for the official title of Chief.
Then, during the next Grand Council, the Token would be granted in the presence of the senior members.
After all, it was a privilege the Alliance Leader could bestow at his discretion.
"A relief. We had no idea—while you were resting, we were preparing contingency plans."
The Peak Realm Members were blindly loyal, and when it came to matters concerning Bu Eun-seol—
They checked and rechecked endlessly, ensuring there was not the slightest oversight or deficiency.
"My apologies. I've been rather distracted lately by chaotic affairs."
"Not at all."
Bu Eun-seol patted Tae Mu-ryong's shoulder.
"You've worked hard."
"It was only my duty."
"And... you may be exposed to even greater dangers from now on."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"Until the Martial Soul Society grows stronger."
"I've already prepared myself for that."
Tae Mu-ryong smiled.
Now that Bu Eun-seol had become the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, representing the Martial Alliance and directly engaging with the affairs of the martial world, the Peak Realm Members would inevitably face even more perilous missions.
Moreover, Bu Eun-seol had just birthed an unprecedented force—a coalition between the orthodox and unorthodox factions—and was striving to elevate it into one of the Three Great Forces of the martial world, rivaling the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
In short, the Peak Realm Members, like Bu Eun-seol himself, were now in a position where they could face death at any moment.
But Tae Mu-ryong and the others felt no fear.
As long as they stood by Bu Eun-seol's side, they would march into hell itself with smiles on their faces.
"And one more thing."
Bu Eun-seol discreetly handed Tae Mu-ryong a letter he had prepared in secret.
"Deliver this to the Clear Radiance Hall Master."
As Tae Mu-ryong took the letter, his eyes flashed with realization—Bu Eun-seol had already foreseen a certain situation unfolding.
"Well, there are no fruits in this alliance that are purely sweet."
If someone offered a sweet fruit... it undoubtedly concealed a bitter poison within.
Such was the nature of the Martial Alliance.
Tae Mu-ryong smiled faintly and clasped his hands together.
"I will deliver it immediately."
Finally, the appointment ceremony for the brigade leader began.
Golden Upright Divine Dragon, Baek Mu-seong.
A disciple of the Buddha Honored One, renowned throughout the martial world, he had begun his journey as a Second-grade Commander in the Martial Alliance.
After accumulating numerous achievements, he suffered an irreparable injury while eliminating a Killing Ghost in Sichuan, eventually leaving the alliance in silence.
Yet, as if it had never happened, he made a triumphant return by beheading Hyeokryeon Eung—the Hall of Protectors Master of the Demon Hall and a branded traitor of the peninsula.
For this feat, he rose to the position of Hall Leader and was nominated as a candidate for the Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader. After passing numerous trials, he finally attained the rank.
This tale of hardship and adversity would serve as an inspiration to the warriors of the Martial Alliance—undoubtedly to be recounted for years to come.
As the ceremony commenced, even Jeong Cheon-je, the alliance leader who had been in repeated seclusion, made an appearance.
The leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade was one of the seven pillars upholding the Martial Alliance—a position that signified a future candidate for alliance leader.
When necessary, they could mobilize entire units independently, and with just cause, they could refuse any order except those from the alliance leader himself.
For a warrior of the Martial Alliance, it was a dreamlike position.
And now, having attained such a rank at barely thirty years of age, the name Baek Mu-seong would stand tall in the annals of the martial world.
Clink.
As Jeong Cheon-je ascended the platform where Baek Mu-seong stood, he personally fastened the shield-shaped armor—symbolizing the Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader—onto Baek Mu-seong's shoulders.
At last, his formal appointment was complete.
"Great expectations rest upon you now."
"I am grateful."
"Say a few words."
When Jeong Cheon-je extended his hand, Baek Mu-seong bowed respectfully before turning to face the warriors assembled below the platform.
"At my young age, I have ascended to a position far beyond my merits."
His voice, unaided by internal energy, filled the entire training grounds.
"I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support and encouragement."
His tone was solemn and composed.
"I will strive to be a leader worthy of your expectations."
It was a speech so measured it might have seemed underwhelming.
Yet many warriors nodded with admiration.
They had expected Baek Mu-seong to rally them with ambitious words or bold pledges to secure their allegiance.
Instead, he had simply expressed humility.
For a man so young to attain such unchecked authority as a brigade leader and yet remain so grounded—it was no easy feat.
The warriors were deeply moved by his restrained words.
As Baek Mu-seong descended from the platform, Bukri Seung stepped forward next.
"Peak Leader Seon-u Jin, step forward."
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol ascended the platform.
"Commander Seon-u. You have rendered great service to this alliance and demonstrated exceptional martial prowess in the Heavenly Martial Brigade trials, distinguishing yourself admirably."
Bukri Seung spoke calmly.
"By the decision of the Grand Council, you are hereby appointed Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. Seek out and eradicate the forces that seek to disrupt the martial world."
Then, he presented the Twin-Winged Phoenix Command, the symbol of the bureau's authority.
"I will give it my all."
Bu Eun-seol accepted the command plaque with deference and bowed before descending from the platform.
Today's ceremony was for Baek Mu-seong's appointment as Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader.
Since he was not the focus, he was to receive the Phoenix Command and withdraw quietly.
But then—an anomaly occurred.
"Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau."
A low voice reached his ears just as he was stepping down.
Standing at the center of the platform was Jeong Cheon-je—no, the Martial Venerable—halting him in place.
'Surely not...'
Bu Eun-seol tensed.
The Clear-Heart Command Token was not a permanent rank or position but an overwhelming authority of inspection granted directly by the alliance leader.
Thus, it was typically bestowed in the presence of relevant leaders—such as those from the Disciplinary Hall or Law Enforcement Hall—rather than publicly.
Yet now, the Martial Venerable intended to confer it upon him—
At the Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader's appointment ceremony, before the eyes of the entire alliance.