Chapter 708
Meanwhile, Do Cheon-rin, who had been listening silently, blinked at Dae Gu-hwi.
"Don't tell me you think a head-on collision means the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War."
"Huh?"
Dae Gu-hwi blinked rapidly.
"It doesn't?"
"Of course not."
Do Cheon-rin exhaled deeply and shook his head.
"The strategist's 'head-on collision' wasn't referring to the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War."
After briefly glancing at Dam Yu-yeon, he rose from his seat and continued.
"Since ancient times, the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance have repeatedly clashed and tested each other's strength. If such incidents could trigger the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War... the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance would have collided dozens of times by now."
"Then..."
"Both sides are merely maintaining this standoff out of pride. One side had its highest leadership ambushed—struck down in secret..."
Do Cheon-rin stroked his chin.
"And the other lost an entire Top-Secret Battle Unit it had secretly nurtured. If they don't respond like this, neither alliance can save face."
"I see."
Dae Gu-hwi finally seemed to grasp something and nodded.
"If clashes like these could spark the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War... then third factions like the Black Path would have constantly provoked conflicts between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance."
"Exactly."
At that, Dae Gu-hwi let out a relieved sigh and grinned broadly.
"I didn't realize that—I actually thought Hall Master Bing was eager for the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War."
The innocent look on Dae Gu-hwi's face drew brief laughter from those gathered.
As the atmosphere in the meeting room softened, Bu Eun-seol scanned the room and spoke.
"However, this incident involved targeting the chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau—effectively the Martial Alliance's supreme inspector. The standoff will likely drag on. The Martial Alliance's prestige has taken a significant blow."
Narrowing his eyes beneath the veil, he added,
"This would be the perfect opportunity to bring all of Shaanxi under our faction's control."
"Mount Hua and Zhongnan won't make it easy."
At that, Yu Hwa-ryeong shook his head.
"They're already brimming with schemes to sanction our faction, regardless of the power struggle between the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall. They consider Shaanxi their own territory, after all."
"True."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"But it can be handled."
"How so?"
Bu Eun-seol retrieved a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Yu Hwa-ryeong.
"This."
As Yu Hwa-ryeong read through the letter, his eyes widened.
"Is this real?"
"It is."
"If this is true... it might be possible."
Unable to contain his curiosity, Do Cheon-rin leaned in beside Yu Hwa-ryeong and read the letter in tandem.
"This won't work."
After finishing, Do Cheon-rin shook his head.
"This method might work in the short term. But in the long run, it'll make the Mount Hua Sect and us irreconcilable enemies—a feud where coexistence is impossible."
"Coexistence?"
Bu Eun-seol's gaze remained calm but sharp.
"Did you think our faction, wedged between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, could huddle together in harmony?"
"..."
"Everyone is an enemy, regardless. We must overcome them—by force or any means necessary."
Do Cheon-rin took a deep breath.
All this time, he had assumed Bu Eun-seol would navigate carefully between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, declaring neutrality while subtly expanding their influence amid the Demon Hall and Martial Alliance's power struggles.
But from the start, Bu Eun-seol had judged all factions as enemies and devised every possible method to crush them.
"Then what about Zhongnan?"
When Dae Gu-hwi asked, Bu Eun-seol answered.
"If Mount Hua doesn't act, the Zhongnan Sect will lie low for now. They've always been like that."
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled faintly beneath the veil.
"Though their pride as part of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang means some clashes are inevitable."
That implied any conflict would be resolved by force—up to a certain point.
"As I mentioned earlier, our division should take the lead this time."
Bing Han-pung interjected.
"I've long wanted to test myself against the orthodox sword arts of the Central Plains."
"Good."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"The Ice River Vanguard will handle the clashes with Zhongnan. But since they'll only fight to save face, breaking them just enough will make them retreat on their own."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol then addressed Dae Gu-hwi.
"Is the Beast Division ready?"
"We can deploy at any moment."
"The Beast Division will oversee the absorption of sects into our faction. Some sects won't bow unless they're shown an overwhelming difference in strength."
Unlike Central Plains martial arts, the Beast Palace's Beast Martial Arts are ferocious and battle-hardened.
Moreover, when unleashed, they transform the practitioner's physique into a terrifying form—making them perfect for instantly crushing an enemy's momentum.
"Which sects are planned for absorption?"
Chief Steward Yu Hwa-ryeong, who had been listening silently, asked.
"War is essentially about money."
The outcome hinges on who possesses the more solid financial strength.
"This is what I think..."
Bu Eun-seol once again put his head together with the others in the conference room, engaging in deep discussion.
Shaanxi—long considered the territory of the orthodox Murim and the home ground of the Mount Hua Sect.
They intended to establish their foothold here before gradually expanding into a great coalition of the Central Plains.
—The Martial Soul Society had begun its expansion.
News spread throughout the martial world.
After the incident involving Ghost Child, the factions that had long kept a low profile between the orthodox and unorthodox paths finally began to move in earnest.
They were absorbing or annexing large and small sects in Shaanxi, steadily broadening their influence.
The Martial Soul Society.
They had two major combat forces from powerful factions Beyond the Frontier as their main forces, and alongside the Rogue Vanguard, they could also mobilize the Swift Thunder Corps of the Thunderclap Gate.
Rumors claimed they possessed immense financial power—enough to make even the most stubborn sects kneel without needing to annex them by force.
Yet, they didn't absorb sects through wealth or force. Instead, they absorbed sects by offering benefits and favorable terms.
They didn't discriminate against smaller factions.
Simply joining granted access to exceptional martial arts and battle formations, regardless of lineage.
Never before had the martial world seen an alliance expand its influence in such a manner.
—Let's go! To the Martial Soul Society!
Caught between major factions for so long, the smaller sects—who had never been able to secure a proper territory—now rushed to join the Martial Soul Society.
—This is dangerous.
As the Martial Soul Society expanded its reach, the Mount Hua Sect—long considered the de facto leader of Shaanxi—grew uneasy.
The emergence of alliances in the martial world was inevitable.
But an alliance that stood between the orthodox and unorthodox had never existed in martial history.
Their banner and purpose were ambiguous to begin with.
The very term "between the orthodox and unorthodox" implied an independent force that belonged to neither side—a faction that carved its own path.
In other words, whether it was the Righteous Path, the Demonic Path, the Black Path, or the Unorthodox Path...
They had no backing from any of them. And worse, they could be attacked by all of them at once.
Yet, the Martial Soul Society boldly declared itself an alliance of this in-between faction.
And as if that weren't enough, they actively absorbed smaller sects—sometimes even using force—expanding their influence across all of Shaanxi.
From the Mount Hua Sect's perspective, the Martial Soul Society's activities disrupted the balance of power in Shaanxi.
They could never stand idly by.
Martial Soul Society, Guest Hall.
This was where the Society received distinguished visitors.
The interior was furnished with elegant decor, and at its center stood a large table.
On it, fragrant Longjing tea had been served, and seated across was a middle-aged man with a somewhat dark complexion.
This was Yeop Goeng, an elder of the Mount Hua Sect.
Finally, concerned by the Martial Soul Society's expansion across Shaanxi, the Mount Hua Sect had sent an envoy to express their misgivings.
"My apologies for the wait."
A woman in yellow robes entered the Guest Hall.
Her skin was as pale as snow, and her dazzling eyes shone brilliantly.
This was Dam Yu-yeon, the Martial Soul Society's strategist.
"I am Dam Yu-yeon."
"Yeop Goeng."
After a courteous greeting, Yeop Goeng immediately cut to the chase.
"Our sect can no longer overlook the Martial Soul Society's expansion in Shaanxi."
Without waiting for her response, he continued.
"Shaanxi has been a peaceful region for generations. The reckless annexation of sects, as you are doing now, is nothing short of a threat to us."
Pausing briefly, Yeop Goeng's expression turned haughty as he delivered his ultimatum.
"If you refuse to comply, we will wipe the Martial Soul Society from Shaanxi—leaving not even a trace behind."
Dam Yu-yeon's eyes narrowed.
At last, the Mount Hua Sect was preparing for an all-out assault on the Martial Soul Society.
Yeop Goeng smirked arrogantly as he watched her.
Because he knew—he had the advantage.
The Mount Hua Sect didn't just rely on martial might. Generations of accumulated connections ensured their influence reached deep into the Government Office, the commercial world, and even key positions within the Martial Alliance.
In the end, provoking the Mount Hua Sect would inevitably draw the Martial Alliance into the conflict.
To oppose the Mount Hua Sect meant facing not only their vast network of alliances—but the entire Martial Alliance itself.
For a newly formed alliance like the Martial Soul Society, such a battle was impossible to win.
"For the Mount Hua Sect to interfere with and judge our Society's affairs... does not seem appropriate."
At Dam Yu-yeon's words, Yeop Goeng's eyebrows shot up.
"Are you saying you intend to continue expanding your influence in Shaanxi as you have been?"
"It's not expansion—it's a natural phenomenon."
Dam Yu-yeon replied calmly.
"We are not a single sect, but an alliance between the orthodox and unorthodox. How can we stop other sects from joining us?"
"So you refuse our proposal."
"For a great sect like Mount Hua to obstruct our Society's activities—I fail to see how that constitutes a 'proposal.'"
"I see. Very well."
Yeop Goeng rose from his seat as if there was no further need for discussion.
"I shall relay your association's stance clearly to our sect leader. Do not regret this."
Just as he turned to leave—
"Wait."
At Dam Yu-yeon's call, Yeop Goeng curled the corner of his lips.
Hmph, as expected.
No matter how powerful their faction was, they couldn't possibly defy the Mount Hua Sect and still maintain their foothold in Shaanxi.
"Do you have more to say?"
As Yeop Goeng smirked, Dam Yu-yeon spoke.
"Please deliver this to your sect leader."
What she handed him was a small letter.
"What is this?"
At his question, Dam Yu-yeon smiled faintly.
"Your sect leader will understand once he sees it."
"I cannot deliver just any letter to the sect leader."
"Are you perhaps worried it might be poisoned?"
When Dam Yu-yeon gave a peculiar smile, Yeop Goeng replied irritably,
"I came as an envoy. I have the right to inspect the contents immediately."
"As you wish."
Yeop Goeng promptly unfolded the letter and began reading.
Shudder.
With every flicker of his rolling eyes, his body trembled like an aspen leaf.
The letter contained something utterly unbelievable—
And worse, it detailed the Mount Hua Sect's darkest secret, one that should never have been exposed.
"How—"
As Yeop Goeng broke into a cold sweat and stammered,
"Deliver it clearly to your sect leader."
Dam Yu-yeon's voice rang out crisply.
"If the Mount Hua Sect shows even the slightest sign of interfering with our association's affairs, be prepared for Gate Sealing."
It was nothing short of an insult.
Yet Yeop Goeng could say nothing in return.
The contents of the letter—
They were none other than the Mount Hua Sect's most disgraceful secret.
Laid bare were the meticulously documented atrocities committed by Elder Chae Ju-hong.
Despite being an elder of Mount Hua, Chae Ju-hong had colluded with external forces, abducted young women from ordinary households, and committed unspeakable cruelties.
The Mount Hua Sect had only learned of this after his death.
Fortunately, by divine providence, the truth had not spread beyond their walls.
And so, the sect had swiftly suppressed all evidence, ensuring no one would ever know of Chae Ju-hong's crimes.
But how had the Martial Soul Society obtained such detailed proof?
If this were to become public knowledge—
Not only would Mount Hua face accusations of being a den that nurtured the Flower-Plucking Lecher,
They would also be forced to pay massive reparations to the abducted women.
Every shred of evidence and the victims' personal details were laid out here in black and white.
If they dared obstruct the Martial Soul Society's activities, as Dam Yu-yeon said, Mount Hua would at the very least have to prepare for Gate Sealing.
"Understood."
Yeop Goeng moved as if weighed down, bowing his head stiffly.
"I will relay this exactly as is to the sect leader."
Then, without raising his head again, he hurried out of the reception hall.
To think the Martial Soul Society had our shame in their grasp...
Even if they ran rampant across Shaanxi's territories now, Mount Hua could do nothing.
—Was the Martial Soul Society becoming Shaanxi's Dominator?
It was an astonishing development.
For generations, Shaanxi had been the righteous faction's domain, where sects like Mount Hua and Zhongnan had deep roots.
Yet in barely two months, the Martial Soul Society had absorbed multiple sects in Shaanxi, expanding their influence dramatically.
There were two reasons this was possible.
First, the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall were locked in an endless, razor-sharp standoff.
Second, Mount Hua—the only faction that could have stopped the Martial Soul Society's annexation—had suddenly turned a blind eye to their actions.
—Our branch cannot simply stand by and watch the Martial Soul Society grow unchecked!
At last, the Martial Alliance's Shaanxi branch could take no more and rose to pressure the Martial Soul Society.
But each time they did, the Demon Hall's branch lurked nearby, watching for an opening to strike.
—Go ahead, mobilize your troops. We'll sweep you away on the spot.
—These bastards—!
For the Martial Alliance, it was maddening.
Shaanxi had always been the righteous faction's territory.
If even Mount Hua and Zhongnan couldn't stop this, the Martial Alliance had to defend it.
Yet every time they tried, the Demon Hall hovered like vultures, waiting to ransack their weakened forces...
In the end, the Martial Alliance was powerless.
—Are you all just going to stand by and watch this Between Orthodox and Heterodox alliance grow?
The Martial Alliance was thrown into disarray, wary of the Martial Soul Society's growth potential, and attempted to persuade the Demon Hall.
But the Demon Hall remained unbothered.
—Shaanxi was never our territory to begin with, was it?
From their perspective, it was far more advantageous to let the Martial Soul Society—a newborn faction—take Shaanxi than to allow the Martial Alliance, their true rival, to reclaim it.
There was no need to join forces with the Martial Alliance just to suppress the upstart overturning Shaanxi.
—Just what in the world is happening? Has something happened to Mount Hua?
Unable to endure any longer, the Zhongnan Sect attempted to impose sanctions on the Unification Order once more by coordinating with the Mount Hua Sect.
Yet Mount Hua remained immovable, sending back an absurd reply:
"Aren't they just another orthodox-unorthodox coalition? Since they aren't invading anyone's territory, our sect won't interfere."
The Zhongnan Sect could scarcely conceal their bewilderment.
But if Mount Hua refused, they couldn't forcibly drag them into negotiations.
"Our sect will not tolerate the Unification Order encroaching upon our sphere of influence!"
In the end, a clash erupted between the Unification Order and the Zhongnan Sect along the borders of Xi'an.
Though it wasn't a full-frontal collision,
the main force of the Unification Order—the Ice River Vanguard—and the Zhongnan Sect's elite first-generation disciples still came to blows.
Naturally, the battle ended in a crushing victory for the Ice River Vanguard, who had mastered the North Sea Ice Palace's supreme techniques.
The Zhongnan Sect gnashed their teeth, but continuing the fight was no longer feasible.
The truth was, the Unification Order's forces—comprising Shaanxi's drifters, the frontier vanguard, and absorbed Shaanxi sects—were overwhelmingly superior.
If this escalated into all-out war, even the Zhongnan Sect's foundations would be shaken.
In the end, they too had no choice but to retreat a step and watch as the Unification Order grew.
With the Martial Alliance's branch, as well as the pressure from Mount Hua and Zhongnan, now gone,
the Unification Order absorbed three minor martial arts factions and five sects,
extending their influence across Shaanxi's most valuable territories—including Xi'an Prefecture, Hanzhong Prefecture, and Gongchang Prefecture.
Effectively, the Unification Order had become
the most influential coalition in Shaanxi.
At the Martial Alliance's Zenith Pavilion, in Seon-u Jin's office.
'This much should suffice.'
Having returned to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol
was tirelessly penning letters without pause.
Using the Dark Soul Unit's ambush and the Eastern Grove Pavilion's assassination attempt, he had forced the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance into a standoff.
And by leveraging that frozen conflict, he had steadily expanded the Unification Order's influence.
'Being in a high position does have its perks.'
Bu Eun-seol set down his brush for a moment and smiled faintly.
Now that he had risen to prominence within the Martial Alliance,
not only could he investigate the movements of the Alliance's leaders,
but he could also incite conflict between
the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
'The Unification Order must grow even larger.'
Even as the ruler of Shaanxi, their dominance was only temporary.
What if their influence grew uncontrollably?
The Martial Alliance might impose sanctions despite the cost, or Mount Hua might change its stance.
If that happened, the Unification Order could find itself facing the full might of orthodox murim.
'Ultimately, we must strip both sides of their power.'
Using the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance to weaken each other had its limits.
Unless a full-scale orthodox-demonic war broke out, their standoff would eventually cool.
In the end, the Unification Order would have to seize the accumulated strength of both orthodox and unorthodox factions.
In other words, they had to absorb existing major sects to grow further.
"But."
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol let out a hollow laugh.
"To think it would come to this."
He had no interest in murim's hegemony or power struggles—never had, never would.
He had only entered the martial world to find the one who had brutally murdered his grandfather.
Yet now, to uncover his grandfather's killer, he was overturning all factions—including the Three Realms—
and in the worst-case scenario, might have to shatter them entirely.
In the end, he would have to seize control of murim itself.
"Haaah."
A deep sigh escaped him.
Bu Eun-seol was not one to yield to hardship, but looking back, this situation was beyond absurd.
"In the end, creating the Unification Order was inevitable."
Picking up his brush again, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
The only silver lining was that, unlike before, he could now see a path forward.
By investigating with the strength of both orthodox and unorthodox factions, and by growing the Unification Order,
he would surely uncover his grandfather's—and his parents'—murderer.
'Perhaps I should study the Poison Scripture now.'
Whenever he had time, he tirelessly pored over secret manuals on poisons,
seeking a way to detoxify the Poison Parasite that the Martial Venerable had inflicted on his subordinates.
Knock knock.
But then, the sound of knocking came, followed by Tae Mu-ryong's voice.
"Lord Seon-u, it is Tae Mu-ryong."
"Enter."
Tae Mu-ryong stepped in cautiously and froze.
Only half a day had passed since Bu Eun-seol had entered his office.
Yet the desk was already piled high with books and documents that would take him a full month to process.
"Lord Seon-u, you'll ruin your health."
No matter how formidable one's martial arts were, mental power had its limits.
Tae Mu-ryong was worried Bu Eun-seol would collapse from exhaustion.
"I'm fine."
Bu Eun-seol casually set aside the Poison Scripture he had been reading.
"What is it?"
"An message from the Death Soul Squad, addressed to you."
As Bu Eun-seol read the letter, his expression darkened.
'The Tang Clan's?'
The envelope bore the Sichuan Tang Clan's emblem—a pear blossom leaf seal.
And the contents of the letter were nothing short of shocking.
'Why...?'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils lost focus.
This letter was
none other than a blood-written challenge—
a Fight to the Death—from Tang Pae,
the current Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan,
and the father of the first friend Bu Eun-seol had made since entering the martial world.