Chapter 705
'Martial Venerable.'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fists.
'So you intend to throw me out as bait for them to feast upon.'
If things proceeded this way, not only the senior members but even the Three Realms factions deeply rooted within the Martial Alliance would turn their attention and scrutiny toward him.
It was clear that Bu Eun-seol's path forward would become fraught with peril.
"You have consistently carried out life-threatening secret missions, and even after rising to a high position, you have never once wielded authority for personal gain."
The Martial Venerable's voice resonated softly throughout the Grand Martial Training Ground.
"The current state of the martial world is chaotic, and the Alliance Chief is responding covertly. However, this has left the Alliance unable to consolidate its foundations."
The Martial Venerable stared intently at Bu Eun-seol before nodding slowly.
"That is why I have been searching for a suitable candidate to bestow the Clear-Heart Command Token upon."
In an instant, the expressions of the senior members on the platform stiffened as if struck from behind.
The Clear-Heart Command Token.
It was an inspection token directly under the authority of the Martial Alliance Chief, granting the power to investigate internal misconduct within the Alliance.
Yet, in the entire history of the Martial Alliance, the token had never once been granted.
The Martial Alliance was not an organization run solely at the whim of its chief.
The opinions of countless senior members, elders, and meritorious retainers carried far greater weight.
Moreover, most of the Alliance's current affairs were managed by Vice Alliance Leader Bukri Seung and numerous senior members.
And now, without a single discussion, this immense authority was suddenly being thrust into the hands of Seon-u Jin?
Those who felt the most profound shock were the Hall Masters of the Disciplinary Hall, the Guardians' Faction, and the Law Enforcement Hall—as well as the Elders' Hall.
The Disciplinary Hall, Guardians' Faction, and Law Enforcement Hall, which currently upheld, enforced, and regulated the Alliance's laws, were functioning perfectly well.
And the Elders' Hall wielded influence so vast it practically transcended the laws themselves.
Yet now, the Clear-Heart Command Token—a blade that could be turned even against them—was being granted to Seon-u Jin, who had only just become the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau?
Was this not a clear move to suppress the existing factions and bring the Bureau Chief under his own control?
'Truly befitting the name Divine Calculator—he knows how to squeeze every last drop of utility from his pawns.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
The Martial Venerable was a man who knew exactly how to play the cards in his hand.
In exchange for granting him overwhelming authority—one that could even be turned against himself—he had also placed a leash around Bu Eun-seol's neck by holding the lives of the Peak Realm Members hostage.
And by publicly bestowing the Clear-Heart Command Token,
he had ensured that the lurking factions of the Three Realms within the Martial Alliance would bare their fangs at Bu Eun-seol.
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
As the unexpected situation unfolded, not only the assembled martial artists but even the complexions of the Alliance's senior members shifted.
"Alliance Chief."
Unable to hold back any longer, Bukri Seung cautiously voiced his objection, his face pale with alarm.
"Granting the Clear-Heart Command Token so abruptly will provoke fierce backlash from the senior members."
"It's fine."
The Martial Venerable smiled faintly.
"He will handle it well."
"But—"
"Are you saying even my inherent authority as Alliance Chief must now be exercised only after gauging their reactions?"
The fact that such an opinion could even be voiced from the platform was only possible because it came from Bukri Seung.
With the Alliance Chief standing before them in this public setting,
none dared to openly defy his decision.
—...
The senior members' eyes flashed, but there was nothing they could do.
In the end, they could only press their lips tightly together and glare with venomous eyes.
"Continue to serve diligently."
As the Martial Venerable handed over the Clear-Heart Command Token, Bu Eun-seol extended both hands to receive it.
"I will devote myself entirely, as a beast of burden would."
"And one more thing."
The Martial Venerable spoke again.
"To ensure you can carry out your duties faithfully, I will place the Clear Radiance Hall under your direct command."
The Clear Radiance Hall—was that not the faction led by Mu-gyeol?
In the end, the Martial Venerable had fastened yet another leash around Bu Eun-seol's neck.
With this arrangement, Mu-gyeol would now be able to keep him under close surveillance.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully before turning away, the corner of his lips curling ever so slightly.
'This much was within expectations.'
The only thing he hadn't anticipated was the Martial Venerable publicly granting him the token.
As for Mu-gyeol being attached to his tail—that had already been foreseen.
Which was why Bu Eun-seol had sent Mu-gyeol a letter. To sound out his stance once more and confirm whether he truly walked the same path as the Martial Venerable.
—Even if the elder commands it, this one shall never become your watcher.
Fortunately, Mu-gyeol had firmly maintained that he did not walk the same path as the Martial Venerable.
Having confirmed this, Bu Eun-seol could accept the Clear-Heart Command Token with composure.
'I'll sever each leash one by one.'
From the very beginning, Bu Eun-seol had seen through the fact that the Martial Venerable's ultimate goal was not merely to exact revenge for Jeong Cheon-je or to use him to draw out the Three Realms within the Martial Alliance.
Because he was hiding the truth about the Four Guardians.
Because he had deliberately repeated vague statements while lying outright—claiming that Bu Eun-seol's father had been branded the Heavenly Darkness Star for using the Black Divine Weapon.
Once a man tells a lie, he will spit out falsehoods whenever it suits him.
Thud. Thud.
As Bu Eun-seol returned to his seat holding the Command Plaque, the atmosphere in the hall grew ambiguous.
Never in the history of the Martial Alliance had someone so young attained both the position of institute chief and the Clear-Heart Command Token.
What was supposed to be the appointment ceremony of the Heavenly Martial Brigade's leader, Baek Mu-seong, had instead become the ceremony where Seon-u Jin abruptly seized unprecedented authority.
"..."
Yet Baek Mu-seong remained seated with an impassive expression.
As if these events had nothing whatsoever to do with him.
A seismic shift had occurred within the Martial Alliance.
The long-vacant position of Heavenly Martial Brigade leader had been filled by the Golden Upright Divine Dragon, Baek Mu-seong.
For generations, the Martial Alliance had strictly emphasized hierarchy and seniority.
Rather than promoting exceptional youths, they preferentially appointed mid-ranking officers and elders who had maintained their positions stably for years.
Yet now they had elevated someone like Baek Mu-seong to brigade leader, disregarding both age and proper hierarchy?
This much was still tolerable.
Though young, Baek Mu-seong maintained good relations with the mid-ranking officers and elders.
After all, he was someone who walked the same path as them.
But Seon-u Jin's case was utterly incomprehensible.
Seon-u Jin, who had been a brigade leader candidate, was now appointed chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau and even granted the Clear-Heart Command Token for internal inspections.
No matter how exceptional his martial arts might be, how could they hand such immense authority to an upstart from the commercial world with no established support base within the alliance?
—This has gone too far.
The Martial Alliance's mid-ranking officers were already weary of the Alliance Leader's arbitrary decisions—his frequent closed-door training sessions, his neglect of alliance affairs, and his relentless push to install young people in key positions.
Now he had unilaterally made personnel decisions that completely disrupted the alliance's established order, driving discontent to its peak.
—At this rate, we'll have to amend the alliance regulations to rein him in.
Eventually, the elders and mid-ranking officers gathered around the Elders' Hall.
Their goal: to reform the Martial Alliance's personnel system that had been the Alliance Leader's exclusive prerogative.
—Diminishing the Alliance Leader's authority means weakening the alliance itself. We must proceed cautiously.
But then something strange occurred.
Before entering closed-door training, Jeong Cheon-je had discerned the officers' movements and actually encouraged their plans instead.
—No need to amend the regulations. If you're simply reducing the Alliance Leader's authority, this Alliance Leader agrees—proceed as you see fit.
The officers felt something beyond strangeness—something grotesque.
Though Jeong Cheon-je had frequently entered closed-door training in the past, he had always paid considerable attention to internal alliance affairs and the broader martial world situation.
Yet now he showed no interest in either alliance operations or martial world affairs, continuing his secluded training uninterrupted.
And he actually consented to reducing the authority of the Alliance Leader position itself?
—If it's the Alliance Leader's will, we've no reason to refuse.
Ultimately, under the Elders' Hall's leadership:
They reformed the system so that ultimate command authority for major alliance organizations would belong not to the Alliance Leader, but to hall and institute-level leaders.
Each organization's responsible officers could now directly choose which leaders to serve under.
In essence, this action:
Drastically reduced the formidable authority of the Alliance Leader position, equivalent to severing its limbs.
While this would be considered treasonous in the Demon Hall where power took precedence,
For the Martial Alliance that valued connections and proper hierarchy, it was a plausible systemic reform.
—Incidentally, if you accept the Elders' Hall's command, you'll never face poor treatment within the alliance again.
The Elders' Hall then began covert operations to have organizations voluntarily come under their command—all except those directly subordinate to the Alliance Leader.
—Our battle group is also undergoing reforms. For combat units outside the Seven Great Battle Corps, accepting our command wouldn't be disadvantageous.
Baek Mu-seong also moved swiftly.
Rather than harshly training existing Heavenly Martial Brigade members to restore the unit's former glory,
He gradually filled the brigade entirely with his own people.
Since childhood, Baek Mu-seong had cultivated friendships with numerous mid-ranking officers,
And even before joining the Martial Alliance, he'd had no shortage of young martial artists following him.
With such a man becoming brigade leader, it was only natural for exceptional talents and strategists to gather around him.
As he populated the Heavenly Martial Brigade with his own people,
It soon grew to rival the Star Guard Corps—formerly the largest among the Seven Great Battle Corps.
—The alliance's future lies with its young martial artists.
As the Martial Alliance's system reformed and the Elders' Hall's and Baek Mu-seong's factions grew uncontrollably,
Gongson Dan-gyeong also began building her own faction as if she'd been waiting for this moment.
Originally, the Chief Strategist position could be replaced at any time based on merit—a post where gathering substantial influence was practically impossible.
Yet she had consistently accomplished astonishing feats.
Not only that, she worked closely with the newly appointed Secret Intelligence Bureau chief—the young Grandmaster Seon-u Jin—to handle various matters,
And even secured the support of Bukgung Ryeong, the Honorary Guardian who was establishing himself as core leadership faster than anyone in the alliance.
Ultimately, despite pressure from mid-ranking officers, Gongson Dan-gyeong firmly maintained her position as Chief Strategist,
Becoming one of the Martial Alliance's genuine top leadership figures.
—In our Strategy Pavilion, connections and hierarchy don't matter. Like Chief Seon-u, anyone with ability will be valued.
The Martial Alliance isn't a place where one can advance alone.
Martial artists without connections or backing from major sects,
Witnessing how connections and hierarchy dominated everything—now compounded by the Elders' Hall suddenly denying the Alliance Leader's authority,
And expanding their own influence—grew thoroughly disillusioned with the alliance.
But for the Strategy Pavilion to publicly declare they would conduct personnel appointments based solely on merit, without considering any other factors—
They had no choice but to be ecstatic.
"Let's just become subordinate to the Strategy Pavilion."
The young commanders of battle groups, who had no backing or sect influence and had witnessed the irrational power struggles within the Alliance,
applied to be placed under the Strategy Pavilion's command.
Though their individual statuses weren't high, their numbers were considerable.
Thus, the Elders' Hall, firmly entrenched with seasoned veterans maintaining their positions.
The Heavenly Martial Brigade, which had built its own faction through the Seven Great Battle Corps and various covert organizations.
And the Strategy Pavilion, rapidly rising as a new power with the absolute support of young martial artists.
Before anyone realized it, they had transformed into an organization locked in as fierce a power struggle as the Demon Hall.
Murim Alliance, Pinnacle Pavilion. Conference Room.
Bu Eun-seol and the Peak Realm Members had now become part of the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
The Bureau itself was an organization that monitored the state of the martial world, identified forces disrupting the Rivers and Lakes, and eliminated them.
Excluding the overwhelming authority to mobilize any branch of the Murim Alliance at will,
it wasn't all that different from what Bu Eun-seol had been doing until now.
"Then... does that mean we've also become martial artists of the Secret Intelligence Bureau?"
Jeong Jong-do, seated in the conference room, cautiously asked.
"It seems we should transfer our positions to the Bureau."
"That won't be necessary."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"The existing Bureau has become a subordinate organization assisting our main unit."
"The Bureau... is assisting our unit?"
Jeong Jong-do's eyes nearly bulged out of his head in shock.
The Secret Intelligence Bureau was an organization directly under the Alliance Chief's command—
effectively, it operated without interference from anyone.
And yet, a mere Second-tier battle group like theirs was now placing the Bureau under them?
"Because our unit is the Pinnacle Unit."
Bu Eun-seol stated matter-of-factly.
"Until the day we relocate to the Martial Soul Society within the Alliance, I have no intention of changing our name."
For a moment, the members' pupils trembled like rippling water.
The name Pinnacle Unit—
had become the most unique independent organization within the Murim Alliance,
and before they knew it, it had become the core of their identities.
Bu Eun-seol understood that well, which was why he refrained from imposing the Bureau's name on them,
instead preserving the Pinnacle Unit's name as a gesture of consideration.
"Starting today, all members will receive treatment and stipends equivalent to Second-grade Commanders. Deputy Leader Tae will receive Hall Master-rank treatment and stipends, and Group Leader Jeong will receive Deputy Hall Master-rank treatment and stipends."
Tae Mu-ryong and the rest of the unit members all gaped.
Because Bu Eun-seol had leapt straight to becoming the Bureau Chief in one bound, they too had been catapulted into rapid promotions.
"I'm receiving Hall Master-rank treatment?"
As Tae Mu-ryong's mouth fell open, Jeong Jong-do blinked rapidly.
"And I'm a Deputy Hall Master?"
Then, Gye Muk and all the other members pointed at their own faces with their fingers.
"So all of us are Second-grade Commanders?"
Staring at each other in a daze, their bodies tingled with excitement, and smiles crept onto their lips.
No matter how little sense of belonging they had toward the Murim Alliance,
being promoted so outrageously in the eyes of the world—
well, it was impossible not to feel their shoulders straighten a little.
For a while, the Pinnacle Unit members all looked as if they'd drunk strong liquor, their eyes unfocused.
"By the way, just as the Chief predicted, the Elders' Hall is self-destructing on its own."
Tae Mu-ryong, the first to regain his composure, spoke up.
"Without us needing to employ any schemes, they're tearing apart the power structure of the Murim Alliance themselves."
He continued.
"In a way, they've laid the foundation for the Chief to reshape the Alliance into a tripod structure in the future."
Jeong Jong-do, listening, nodded.
"True. The Martial Venerable might lose sleep over this. He'll probably say it was all a pointless move."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"He likely anticipated this."
"Surely not."
"I don't think what he wants is something as trivial as power within the Murim Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Before the reorganization, the Alliance Chief had the authority to appoint strategists. If he had no intention of tolerating this power structure, he would've replaced the Chief Strategist long ago."
The others all nodded in agreement.
Now that the Elders' Hall had diminished the Alliance Chief's authority and the Strategy Pavilion's influence had grown this much, it was impossible to recklessly interfere.
But given his status as the Divine Calculator,
there was no way he hadn't foreseen this outcome.
If he had judged that the fragmentation of the Alliance's power would hinder his plans—
he would've ousted Gongson Dan-gyeong first.
"But it's not just the Martial Venerable you should be wary of."
Then, Tae Mu-ryong spoke again.
"The Chief Strategist's instincts are extraordinary. If things continue like this, she'll eventually uncover the Chief's true identity."
"That won't happen. If it did, even the Honorary Guardian would come under suspicion."
Previously, Bukgung Ryeong had manipulated the events of Ghost Island to shield the suspicious Bu Eun-seol.
In other words, he had proven that Seon-u Jin and Bu Eun-seol were different people.
No one in the Orthodox Murim would dare doubt him—a man whose name would be engraved on the Hero Stele in his lifetime.
"That may be so, but somehow, I feel like the Chief Strategist would even suspect the Honorary Guardian."
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a bitter smile.
In the past, he would've worried about the same thing.
But recently, Gongson Dan-gyeong's personality had changed quite significantly.
And since a small seed of trust had sprouted between the two of them, she wouldn't suspect him or launch a fierce investigation as she might have in the past.
"I'm not sure if the Clear Radiance Hall Leader is someone we can trust."
That was when Gye Muk spoke.
"Outwardly, he acts as if he's at odds with the Martial Venerable, but it could all be part of a plan to win the Chief's trust."
Though Mu-gyeol had firmly distanced himself from the Martial Venerable's faction, he was still publicly known as his disciple.
Gye Muk was worried that Bu Eun-seol's movements might be exposed.
"If we're especially careful, it should be fine. For now, we're still on the same boat."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was grave as he spoke.
"What worries me more is the movements of Baek Mu-seong—Leader Baek."
During their last confrontation, Baek Mu-seong's complexion had subtly changed.
That was a clear sign of personality fragmentation—something that only happened when one was subjected to the Azure River Realm's brainwashing.
Which meant the Azure River Realm had already infiltrated the Martial Alliance.
"It's almost certain that he's colluding with the Azure River Realm. The Martial Venerable granted me authority precisely to suppress the Three Realms, who have taken root in the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"Before long, the Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader will establish himself as a central force in the alliance. Perhaps..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
The shadow of Gongson Dan-gyeong he had glimpsed in his mental imagery resurfaced in his mind.
'Even if he's been brainwashed by the Azure River Realm... as long as he still harbors love for the Chief Strategist, couldn't that be undone?'
Baek Mu-seong had ultimately thrown his lot in with the Three Realms, so by all rights, his fate should be nothing but ruin.
But for a fleeting moment, Bu Eun-seol held onto the hope that Gongson Dan-gyeong might be the key to breaking his brainwashing.
'For now, let's set him aside.'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Now that he had ascended to the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief, his immediate task was to hunt down the ruthless murderer who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance and slain his grandfather.
"What about the documents I requested from the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Tae Mu-ryong nodded toward Gye Muk.
In response, Gye Muk and one of the unit members unfurled a large sheet of paper and spread it across the conference table.
Having risen to prominence within the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol had requested a complete organizational chart of all its factions from the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall.
"Honestly, it's absurd."
Tae Mu-ryong let out a heavy sigh and shook his head repeatedly.
The hidden factions within the Martial Alliance—
They were vast enough to form another Martial Alliance.
Jeong Jong-do, who had been studying the organizational chart, also shook his head in disbelief.
"At this scale, it's practically like having a second Martial Alliance."
If the Martial Alliance had organizations operating in the light—
Then there were inevitably corresponding organizations operating in the shadows.
For example, while there was a Disciplinary Hall to punish sinners, there was also a separate Disciplinary Hall for dealing with shadowy martial artists who couldn't be publicly condemned.
Likewise, the Ten Thousand Gold Hall, responsible for the alliance's finances, and the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall, which managed all intelligence—
Each had its own counterpart dedicated to moving secret funds and handling classified information.
"Why would they go to the trouble of creating duplicate organizations?"
At Jeong Jong-do's question, Bu Eun-seol answered calmly.
"Because someone had to do the dirty work."
"Dirty work."
"On the surface, the Martial Alliance is a coalition formed to uphold peace and justice in the martial world. They couldn't openly engage in filthy deeds."
The unit members exhaled deeply at his words.
To maintain a martial coalition—
They had to continuously generate benefits and eliminate opposing factions.
An organization dedicated to dirty work was an inevitable necessity.
In the end, there was no such thing as a righteous coalition solely dedicated to maintaining peace in the martial world.
"Had I known the alliance was like this, I would never have become one of its martial artists."
At Gye Muk's words, the other unit members nodded in agreement.
They were all orphans with no family who had entered the martial world with a single lofty aspiration—
To live as righteous men, upholding justice.
But now, serving under Bu Eun-seol, they had witnessed the filthy underbelly of the Martial Alliance firsthand.
Though it draped itself in a pristine white banner—
The Martial Alliance was, in truth, no different from a stinking sewer.
"Did Chief Strategist Gongson know about this?"
"Most likely. She, too, is a high-ranking member of the alliance."
Bu Eun-seol smiled bitterly.
"In the past, the Honorary Guardian absolutely refused to join the Martial Alliance. I thought it was because it was filled with wicked individuals... but now I understand the real reason."
Bukgung Ryeong had long been recognized as a Renowned Chivalrous Hero, so he must have been well aware of the orthodox martial world's inner workings.
He had known the Martial Alliance was a filthy place and had deliberately avoided even looking at it.
'I feel a little guilty.'
Bukgung Ryeong had always kept his distance from the Martial Alliance, but Bu Eun-seol had persuaded him to join—
Using the Three Realms as justification.
'I wondered why he despised the alliance so much...'
Bukgung Ryeong must have had some understanding of the Martial Alliance's true state.
Now, Bu Eun-seol realized just how significant a decision it had been for him to enter the alliance at his request.
"This is what the Vice Chief must do from now on."
Bu Eun-seol, looking at Tae Mu-ryong, pulled a ledger from his robes and placed it on the table.
"On this day, confirm whether there are any traces of the Star Guard Corps' Baekri Clan Leader moving to Peaceful Burial House in Hwangju Prefecture. Track his movements precisely."
Now, he had access to the Ten Thousand Reflections Hall's highest-level intelligence.
Bu Eun-seol was determined to find out which of the Seven Great Leaders had laid hands on his grandfather.