Chapter 715
After receiving the orb from Tang Pae, Bu Eun-seol attempted to gather information about it through various channels, including the Death Soul Squad and other intelligence networks—but all efforts ended in failure.
No one could discern what exactly the orb Tang Pae had given him was.
Given how desperately the Azure River Realm had sought it, it must have been an extraordinary precious artifact.
'As expected, only the Demon Swordsmith would know.'
If there was anyone in Murim who could identify it, it would have to be the Demon Swordsmith—the most exceptional master blacksmith in the martial world, capable of repairing ancient weapons and forging Divine Swords and Demon Blades, who had even read the Secret Manuals of the Three Clans and could distinguish the long-forgotten Black Divine Weapons...
At Sword Brow Mountain, within Langya Pavilion—
"An orb that absorbs light, you say?"
The Demon Swordsmith, who had been examining the orb in his quarters for quite some time, parted his lips in astonishment.
"If my guess is correct, this is the Boundary-Prosperity Jade."
"Boundary-Prosperity Jade..."
Bu Eun-seol repeated the name in a low voice.
Wasn't that what Yang Seol-rin of the Yangseol Clan had mentioned in the past?
"What is its purpose?"
"According to the Secret Manuals of the Three Clans, it is said to alter Heaven's Will."
"Heaven's Will?"
"Indeed."
The Demon Swordsmith narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the translucent orb.
"It is said to be capable of storing the power of nature itself, and through it, can fundamentally alter the inherent nature of all things under heaven."
"The nature of all things..."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol recalled Tang Gon's words.
After obtaining the orb, Tang Gon had told him that he felt something unfamiliar about Bu Eun-seol—
"Bu Eun-seol... are you... yourself?"
He had even gone so far as to ask that.
And now, the reason became clear—it was because he had been carrying the Boundary-Prosperity Jade.
"Thank you."
After leaving Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol conducted multiple tests on the Boundary-Prosperity Jade at the Death Shadow War Unit.
Surprisingly, even his most trusted subordinates—those who knew him better than anyone—remarked that his mood was entirely different when he carried the orb compared to when he did not.
As if he had become a completely different person.
'A truly mysterious object.'
Having confirmed the orb's capabilities, Bu Eun-seol returned to the Martial Alliance to handle affairs under his alias, Seon-u Jin.
With the help of Bukgung Ryeong, he conducted further experiments and discovered that the Boundary-Prosperity Jade could even completely alter a person's fundamental temperament.
But not long after, he received word that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had summoned him.
—Test it with this Boundary-Prosperity Jade.
If this was an unavoidable situation, then he would stake everything on the slimmest chance of survival.
And in the end—that gamble had succeeded.
Emerging from his recollection, Bu Eun-seol spoke with unwavering composure.
"If you find it difficult to believe, you may investigate my actions at the time."
"Hmm."
Each time the Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke, the sensation of his skin being flayed remained—but Bu Eun-seol no longer feared his gaze.
Not only did the Boundary-Prosperity Jade perfectly conceal his true temperament, but he could also distinctly feel it blocking the mysterious energy radiating from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
"Very well."
After a long moment of contemplation, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor nodded.
"In the name of this hall, I offer my formal apology and pledge to prevent any recurrence."
"I appreciate it."
Ziiing.
Perhaps it was due to his tension easing—but the strange, searing energy emanating from the Boundary-Prosperity Jade in his chest seemed to weaken slightly.
"Then I shall take my leave."
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's gaze shifted.
"However—there is a condition."
"A... condition?"
When Bu Eun-seol turned back, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke.
"You must prove to me that you are worthy of it."
Was it just his imagination?
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's gaze seemed fixed on Bu Eun-seol's chest.
"Proof...?"
"Demonstrate to the world once more that you possess the ability to claim the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings."
In other words—fight and defeat a formidable opponent, reaffirming to all of Murim the martial prowess of Seon-u Jin.
"You have one month."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly hue.
"If you fail to prove yourself within that time—"
He paused briefly, his pupils darkening deeper than the abyss itself.
"You will pay the price for daring to demand an apology from me—without knowing your place."
To demand retribution meant he would strike Bu Eun-seol down on the spot.
As the Number One of the Demonic Path spoke of death, the skies darkened, as if the entire world had been swallowed by blackened air.
Yet Bu Eun-seol merely smiled faintly.
"Very well."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor studied him silently before nodding.
"You may go."
Leaving the Holy Demon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol immediately boarded a carriage and departed the Demon Hall.
Clack-clack.
As the sound of the carriage wheels filled the air, he finally released the breath he had been holding.
"Demonic Heavenly Emperor..."
Drip.
His back was drenched in cold sweat.
This encounter had made one thing abundantly clear—
That until now, he had only glimpsed the barest fraction of the being known as the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
What made the Demonic Heavenly Emperor terrifying wasn't that he had achieved the True Martial Scripture of the Demonic Path's foremost, nor that he possessed the power to pierce through a person's spirit and mind.
"Is this the divine authority of a superhuman?"
He reigned over everything as though he were not a human, but a god.
And he observed, manipulated, and controlled everything outside of himself.
Calling forth the personage known as Seon-u Jin—
It wasn't for observation. Nor was it to gauge what kind of person he was.
It was simply to place him as a piece upon the chessboard.
The moment one encountered the existence known as the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, no matter how extraordinary their abilities—
They had no choice but to step onto the board he had prepared. Regardless of their will, they would be manipulated and controlled.
"He must think he can control me easily."
The exact reason the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had summoned him remained unclear.
But one thing was certain.
The moment he met the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—
Even the personage called Seon-u Jin—
Had been forcibly placed upon the chessboard the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had laid out.
"In a life-or-death battle, you can never conceal your temperament or affinities."
Since he had been told to prove his abilities once more before the world, it ultimately meant he had to fight a master of equal standing—openly.
The problem was, in a battle where life was at stake—
It was impossible to hide one's innate temperament.
"Unless..."
Bu Eun-seol took out the Boundary-Prosperity Jade he had been carrying in his robes.
Unlike before, it no longer absorbed light and had taken on a faint yellowish hue.
It seemed it had lost its radiance, unable to withstand the power the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had unleashed.
"If I can get the Boundary-Prosperity Jade again... it might be possible."
But it wouldn't be easy.
Even the Azure River Realm was desperately searching for the Boundary-Prosperity Jade. Where in the world was he supposed to find it?
'Unless—'
A thought suddenly struck Bu Eun-seol, and his eyes narrowed.
'If I find her as quickly as possible... it might be possible.'
But there was another obstacle.
No matter how much Seon-u Jin was a rising star—
The Martial Emperor's successor, a figure seated among the Four Gods and Seven Kings—
Unless he was a superlative martial expert of considerable standing, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would never acknowledge him.
In the end, Bu Eun-seol now had—
Within a single month—to both locate the mysterious Boundary-Prosperity Jade orb—
And challenge a superlative martial expert whom the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would deem worthy.
By the time Bu Eun-seol returned to the Martial Alliance, rumors were already spreading like wildfire through the martial world.
—The Demon Hall had officially apologized to the Martial Alliance.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had kept his promise.
A formal letter of apology had been sent to the Martial Alliance, addressing the attack on Seon-u Jin and pledging to prevent any recurrence.
—The Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau had single-handedly met with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and extracted an apology.
Both the martial artists and the Martial Alliance's inner circle couldn't hide their astonishment at this outcome.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor was a Great Demon whose emotions could never be discerned—a man who had never apologized to anyone.
Yet after a private meeting with Chief Seon-u, the Demon Hall had issued an official apology?
Wasn't this practically the same as forcing the Demonic Heavenly Emperor to apologize?
—We accept your apology. We hope such incidents do not occur again.
After a prolonged standoff, the Martial Alliance was also deeply exhausted.
They immediately sent a letter of reconciliation to the Demon Hall.
As tensions between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths eased, the two major factions lifted their standoff.
The once-bloodthirsty atmosphere of the martial world returned to peace, and the various sects breathed sighs of relief.
The longer the two alliances remained in conflict—
The more the powerless minor factions at the bottom would suffer.
—Truly, he is a man worthy of becoming the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau at such a young age.
This incident had shaken the martial world with Seon-u Jin's name, and his standing within the Martial Alliance had risen dramatically.
But not all of it was good.
—Seon-u Jin. He is someone we must one day issue an Extermination Order against.
From the Demonic Path's perspective—
Seon-u Jin had destroyed one of the Demon Hall's secret organizations, and this incident had greatly tarnished the prestige of the Number One of the Demonic Path.
For the future of the Demonic Martial World, the personage known as Seon-u Jin had been recognized as a great enemy who must be exterminated.
—It's only temporary anyway.
But Bu Eun-seol wasn't worried.
Though the Demonic Path and the Righteous Faction appeared to coexist, they had never ceased their battles.
If there was even the slightest shift in the balance of power, if there was a reason to fight—
They would inevitably clash again.
Clack, clack.
Having left the Demon Hall and arrived near Chengdu in Henan, Bu Eun-seol gazed out the window at the distant sky.
'It's only a fleeting peace, after all.'
A cold smile played at the corners of Bu Eun-seol's lips.
The more the Demonic Path viewed Seon-u Jin as an enemy, the better.
The more they did, the more he could use the Martial Alliance's power to strike at them.
In the end, the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance would continue to clash endlessly—
And through that, the Martial Soul Society would only grow stronger.
Sword Demon.
For generations, the foremost sword master of the Demonic Path in their era had been called the Sword Demon.
Thus, any swordsman of the Demonic Path yearned to earn that name.
And the current foremost sword master of the Demonic Path—
Having long since comprehended the Ultimate Art of the Fire Rain Sword—
Was Wi Hyeok-gun, who had ascended to the position of Chief Instructor of the Fire Rain Sword Sect in his thirties.
Within the Fire Rain Sword Sect—the foremost sect of the Demonic Path, a single force comparable to the Demon Hall—
Countless peerless swordsmen who had honed the Fire Rain Sword for decades gathered there like clouds.
Moreover, within that place, countless schools of Sword Studies comparable to the Fire Rain Sword were ceaselessly being conceived.
The disciples of the Fire Rain Sword Sect did not develop their martial arts by wandering the Martial World.
Instead, they constantly sparred among themselves within the sect, comparing sword techniques,
advancing their martial prowess by establishing a hierarchy among their own ranks.
At first, those of the Martial World scoffed:
—No amount of internal dueling can replace the experience of traveling the Rivers and Lakes.
But the Fire Rain Sword Sect was different.
With over ten thousand disciples dedicated solely to refining sword techniques, and more than a hundred distinct schools of Sword Studies—each tailored to one's talent and personality—that could be mastered beyond the Fire Rain Sword Technique,
contrary to the expectations of the Martial World, they found that by endlessly clashing and re-clashing to determine their standing,
they could gain deeper insights than even the fiercest martial journeys,
and even create or master diverse martial disciplines.
Among those exceptional swordsmen, Wi Hyeok-gun stood unrivaled in skill, eventually ascending to the title of Sword Demon.
He was selected as one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the Fire Rain Sword Sect in his early twenties,
and by his thirties, it was said he fought to a standstill against the Fist King, Seok Chi-haeng, who roamed the Martial World.
That alone was proof enough that he had long since possessed the qualifications to claim a Seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
Thus, the honor of being called the Sword Demon
held even greater weight in the Demonic Path than the title of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
However...
Recently, a strange rumor had begun to spread.
—But he still can't compare to Seon-u Jin, the one they call the Sword King.
Whispers spread that Wi Hyeok-gun, who had earned the epithet of Sword Demon in his youth,
was no match for Seon-u Jin, a master who now sat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
'That brat must be desperate for fame, resorting to all sorts of tricks.'
When Wi Hyeok-gun heard the rumor, he laughed it off.
The intent behind it was far too obvious. There was no way such talk would spread so suddenly in the martial world without deliberate effort.
'Is he trying to elevate his standing by spreading baseless gossip?'
There were only two ways for a martial artist to gain renown:
Either prove one's strength by defeating a renowned master,
or overturn the dominant reputation already acknowledged by the majority of the Martial World.
'Now that he's secured a Seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, he must be trying to solidify his fame the easy way.'
Wi Hyeok-gun curled his lips coldly.
'He must have assessed our sect's situation.'
The current state of the Fire Rain Sword Sect was far from ideal.
And though Wi Hyeok-gun held the position of Chief Instructor, he was burdened with many internal affairs,
leaving him no time to meddle in the matters of the Martial World.
No doubt this insolent fool, Seon-u Jin,
had calculated that even if rumors spread, Wi Hyeok-gun would be unable to respond—hence this petty, underhanded tactic.
'Pathetic.'
Wi Hyeok-gun, who had been gazing at the distant sky, snorted dismissively.
Such rumors wouldn't last long anyway.
Martial artists were no fools.
They weren't idle enough to react to every baseless rumor that cropped up without evidence.
A few days later...
Wi Hyeok-gun, having finished his business near Dongting Lake, ascended to the private chamber of the famed Yueyang Tower.
Despite the elegant scenery and fine wine laid out before him... flames flickered in his eyes.
Because the martial artists of the world were
far more idle and foolish than he had anticipated.
The rumor that the Sword Demon was inferior to the Sword King persisted relentlessly, to the point that no matter where he went, talk of Seon-u Jin followed.
Whether Wi Hyeok-gun was eating, drinking, or simply going about his business—
whispers of "The Sword Demon is no match for the Sword King" reached his ears.
Even now, here in Yueyang Tower.
—Did you hear? They say the Sword Demon cowered like a bug before the majesty of the rising Sword King.
—Keep your voice down. There are many from the Demonic Path around here.
—So what? Isn't this common knowledge even among them?
"Chief Instructor, pay them no mind."
Martial masters possessed hearing that far surpassed ordinary comprehension.
Even seated in the enclosed private chamber, the murmurs from outside reached him with perfect clarity.
Bang Cheon-hoe, his youngest disciple and faithful attendant who handled his affairs, spoke cautiously.
"The Martial World is always rife with baseless rumors, is it not? They'll fade soon enough."
Though he said so, Bang Cheon-hoe's expression was grim.
The rumors spread by Seon-u Jin had only grown more extreme.
Of course, unbeknownst to them, this was the work of Bu Eun-seol, who had been shadowing them and deliberately fanning the flames—
but they had no inkling of such a scheme.
"I am paying them no mind."
Wi Hyeok-gun poured the yellow rice wine into his mouth and replied indifferently.
Having reached such lofty heights in martial arts, his spirit and mind were as unshakable as a boulder,
unmoved by trivial external provocations.
"As you said, rumors naturally die down in time."
Setting down his cup, Wi Hyeok-gun waved his hand dismissively.
"Let us return now."
But far from dying down, the rumors only intensified thereafter.
Whether he went to eat or to drink—
The endless praises for Seon-u Jin, the newly ascended Sword King among the Four Gods and Seven Kings, continued to pour in.
"Those righteous faction bastards truly don't know the meaning of restraint."
After nearly half a month of this, even Bang Cheon-hoe spoke up, sounding weary.
"At this rate, it seems the rumors have spread throughout the entire martial world."
Humans are truly strange creatures.
When a particular story starts circulating around them, they begin to feel as if the whole world is whispering about it.
"They must be so overjoyed by his ascension to the Four Gods and Seven Kings that they've lost all sense of proportion."
Though martial artists revered the Four Gods and Seven Kings, the perspective of a supreme master like Wi Hyeok-gun was different.
Just like Dan Cheong of Langya Pavilion.
High-ranking masters of the Demonic Path Ten Gates like them paid no heed to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
Above all, the difference in strength among those grouped under that title was far too vast.
Some, like the Beggar King, had barely stepped into the Extreme Heaven Realm, while others, like the Dark King Yeop Hyo-cheon, were masters said to rival even the Three Demons and Three Honored Ones.
Especially Wi Hyeok-gun, who possessed immense pride and held the Fire Rain Sword Sect in the highest regard.
If one could not claim the highest seat of authority,
then merely belonging to such a group was, in his eyes, an insult to the sect's majesty.
"This time, we'll take the carriage. But once we reach Chengdu, we'll use Lightness Skill to return directly to our sect."
Wi Hyeok-gun had originally intended to return at a leisurely pace after finishing his business.
But no matter where he went, absurd rumors reached his ears, so he decided to leave Chengdu immediately
and make haste back to the Fire Rain Sword Sect.
Just as he and Bang Cheon-hoe arrived at the relay station,
"Hey, did you hear about that?"
From beyond the wall, the hushed voices of coachmen reached them.
"They say that master swordsman known as the Sword Demon of this era... is running around in fear of some young upstart called the new-generation Sword King."
Another coachman snorted in response.
"How could that be? The Chief Instructor of the Fire Rain Sword Sect, afraid of some rookie who just made a name for himself?"
A faint smile touched Wi Hyeok-gun's lips as he listened quietly from outside.
'Hmph. At least these coachmen have their eyes and ears in the right place.'
Coachmen traveled everywhere, so they were well-versed in the latest news of the martial world.
"Ha, this guy. You still don't know?"
But the next words from one of the coachmen made Wi Hyeok-gun's expression harden like stone.
"They say the title 'Sword Demon' is just a name passed around among the high-ranking masters of the Fire Rain Sword Sect these days."
"What do you mean, 'passed around'?"
The coachman chuckled at his companion's question.
"Well, since all the decent sword-wielding masters in the Demonic Path are graduates of the Fire Rain Sword Sect... it's just a title they take turns holding, or so they say."
KRA-BOOM!
In that instant, thunderous force erupted, and the relay station's wall collapsed in a storm of dust and debris.
ZZZZZT!
Simultaneously, a wave of blue flames surged outward in all directions.
As the haze cleared, a shadow with eyes burning like twin demon-lanterns emerged.
Wi Hyeok-gun, consumed by fury, had unleashed his internal energy,
reducing the wall to rubble in the blink of an eye.
"You dare belittle our sect...?"
He could endure insults to himself.
But insulting the Fire Rain Sword Sect was something he would never tolerate.
"G-Gh..."
From the wreckage of the collapsed wall,
the coachmen trembled like they had seen a goblin in broad daylight and fled in terror at the sight of Wi Hyeok-gun, wreathed in flames of true qi.
"Mas... Master."
"It seems we must indeed crush their spirits."
Realizing his intent, Bang Cheon-hoe shook his head.
"All of this is just a scheme by that Martial Alliance brat. There's no need to play along, is there?"
"I've been searching for a way to revitalize our sect's stagnant atmosphere as of late."
Wi Hyeok-gun's tone was resolute.
"Now that I think about it, the head of some upstart who dares strut around after claiming a seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings would make a fitting example."
Sect Leader Wi Ji-mua had long since withdrawn from sect affairs, living idly like a layabout.
Moreover, Wi Ji-hye-sang, who had once shared the burden of leadership with him, had entered closed-door training without a word.
'Bu Eun-seol... His defeat at that man's hands must have shaken him deeply.'
Though unknown to the martial world,
Wi Ji-hye-sang had clashed with the Heir of the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol, and suffered a crushing defeat.
In fact, after that encounter, he had even abandoned the covert operation of the Seven Immortals Tea House, his secret source of funds and intelligence.
With both the sect leader and Wi Ji-hye-sang in seclusion, the sect's morale had plummeted,
and the once-unrivaled prestige of the Fire Rain Sword Sect was no longer what it used to be.
But if he were to defeat Seon-u Jin, the newly ascended member of the Four Gods and Seven Kings?
The Fire Rain Sword Sect's name would once again shake the martial world, and its internal atmosphere would be revitalized.
"Ah..."
Bang Cheon-hoe looked at Wi Hyeok-gun with admiration.
Now he understood—his master wasn't merely consumed by rage. He had coldly assessed the situation
and planned to turn Seon-u Jin's provocation into an opportunity to reassert the sect's dominance.
"I spoke out of turn, failing to grasp the depth of Master's thoughts."
Wi Hyeok-gun's eyes flashed with a chilling light as he addressed Bang Cheon-hoe.
"Dispatch a Hawk-Borne Message to the Martial Alliance at once."
ZZZZT!
Though he had only briefly channeled his internal energy, flames of true qi still crackled around his body.
"Let us see whose sword truly reigns supreme!"
And so, the duel between the Sword Demon and the Sword King—
the clash of two peerless swordsmen—was decided.