Chapter 717
"No, that's not it."
Bu Eun-seol hastily waved both hands, having guessed her thoughts.
"It's not that—I came for another matter."
"Another matter?"
"I've obtained an item that may be of help to the Divine Maiden Palace."
"I see."
Though Yeon So-ha looked somewhat disappointed, she brightly smiled and led Bu Eun-seol inside.
"Don't just stand there—come in."
As Bu Eun-seol was about to step inside, the sound of shuffling footsteps echoed.
At the same time, a middle-aged woman appeared in the distance, walking toward them with several dozen disciples in tow.
Her features were beautiful, but her eyes were sharp, and a chilling energy lingered in her gaze.
It was none other than Yeon Ja-mi, the Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace.
"Palace Lord."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed in greeting, but Yeon Ja-mi spoke in a cold voice.
"This palace is a sect forbidden to men. Turn back."
"Mother."
Yeon So-ha stepped forward.
"Lord has come a long way—how can you treat him so coldly right at the gates?"
Yeon Ja-mi replied in a solemn tone.
"Stay out of this."
Then, turning to Bu Eun-seol, she spoke icily.
"I heard So-ha left the palace without permission and became engaged to you. Is this true?"
"It is."
"This Palace Lord cannot possibly acknowledge it."
Yeon Ja-mi's gaze was as sharp as a blade.
"Even if you are young, you are a grandmaster of the Demonic Path. If my daughter acted foolishly, you should have stopped her!"
"..."
"Instead, you went a step further—did you intend to take advantage of this child's innocent heart?"
"How could I ever dare to overstep with the Young Palace Lord? The truth is—"
Before Bu Eun-seol could finish, she spoke again.
"Even if we assume the engagement happened, shouldn't you have come to this palace first to explain the circumstances?"
Yeon Ja-mi's expression was one of deep anger.
"Why have you only now come wandering here, hmm?"
Yeon Ja-mi was furious that Yeon So-ha had recklessly sought out Bu Eun-seol on her own.
But she was even more enraged that Bu Eun-seol had entered into an engagement with her daughter without any prior discussion.
And that, even after doing so, he had not once visited the Divine Maiden Palace.
"I have no excuse."
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head.
Yeon Ja-mi's anger was only natural as a parent.
In fact, he was grateful she hadn't immediately stormed into the Demon Hall to protest.
"Though there were circumstances, I sincerely apologize for proceeding with such a matter without the Palace Lord's permission."
"Hmph. Surely you're not about to say now that this engagement was never real?"
"Palace Lord."
"Answer me."
"It is true."
In that instant, fury flared even brighter in Yeon Ja-mi's eyes.
"Is that what you call an answer?"
She seemed even angrier now that he had admitted the engagement was false.
"To you, it may have been nothing more than a frivolous prank, but for So-ha, it is a matter that affects her entire life."
Her voice trembled with rage.
"If word spreads through Murim that this engagement was a lie? So-ha will become nothing more than a laughingstock!"
"I—"
"Could she ever hope to form another engagement now? She would be seen as a woman cast aside by a man of the Demonic Path—her reputation ruined!"
Yeon Ja-mi was a sharp woman.
She wasn't demanding accountability for the false engagement itself.
Rather, she was condemning the future disadvantages Yeon So-ha would face because of that false promise.
"Mother, it wasn't Lord who forced it—it was what I wanted."
"I told you to stay out of this!"
Yeon Ja-mi sternly silenced Yeon So-ha with a severe look before turning her icy gaze back to Bu Eun-seol.
"Leave."
After a long silence, she spoke coldly.
"I have nothing more to say to you."
"Understood. However—"
Bu Eun-seol spoke respectfully.
"Before I go, I will open the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate for you."
Yeon Ja-mi's eyes flashed.
"What nonsense is this?"
"I heard that the Secret Cave prepared by the Founder has remained sealed ever since the Sacred Relic was lost."
Bu Eun-seol retrieved a jade-green glass bottle from his robes.
A former member of the Kill-Seeking Unit, now part of the Death Soul Squad, had spent a long time investigating the Xinjiang region.
After listening to folktales passed down by the elderly and tracking down leads—
At last, they had recovered the Divine Maiden Palace's Sacred Relic—the Demon-Summoning Banner.
"This is the Demon-Summoning Banner."
Bu Eun-seol spoke carefully.
"With this, the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate can be opened."
Yeon Ja-mi glared at Yeon So-ha.
The Immortal Crane Hidden Estate was part of the Divine Maiden Palace's secret history—not something to be shared with outsiders.
"But Lord isn't just any outsider to our palace."
When Yeon So-ha shamelessly retorted, Yeon Ja-mi let out a sigh.
Seeing her daughter so utterly devoted, she found she no longer had the heart to reprimand Bu Eun-seol.
"So. You mean to say that after hearing this story from my daughter, you went searching for the Demon-Summoning Banner all this time?"
"That is correct."
For the first time, Yeon Ja-mi's expression softened slightly.
Only now did she realize that Bu Eun-seol hadn't treated Yeon So-ha thoughtlessly or carelessly.
'He must have agonized over how to respectfully decline her feelings in a proper manner.'
Yeon Ja-mi had seen through Bu Eun-seol's true intentions.
If he opens the Founder's Secret Palace, which we've never been able to unlock...
Naturally, Bu Eun-seol would become the Divine Maiden Palace's benefactor, making it impossible to pressure him into marriage any further.
"Even if that truly is the Demon-Summoning Banner, it cannot open our Hidden Estate."
Yeon Ja-mi sighed as she spoke.
"There's only one reason our palace gave up searching for the Demon-Summoning Banner—even if we found it, there was absolutely no way to use it."
To activate the banner required the sacrifice of a superlative martial expert with over five hundred years of Internal Power.
But in the current Murim, those with such cultivation likely numbered only—
The Buddha Honored One, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Martial Venerable... perhaps a handful of peerless masters who stood at the pinnacle of the world.
And even if such personages existed, why would they willingly endure regression in their Internal Power just to activate the banner for the Divine Maiden Palace?
"We consider the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate little more than a legend. No master with five centuries of cultivation would open its gates for our sake."
Her voice turned icy.
"So take that thing and leave."
"I will open it for you."
"What did you say?"
"I will use the Demon-Summoning Banner to unlock the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate."
Yeon Ja-mi stared at Bu Eun-seol with bizarre disbelief.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"Fortunately, my Internal Power meets the threshold required to activate the banner."
Silence fell.
For a long moment, Yeon Ja-mi gaped at him before suddenly bursting into sharp laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Shaking her head mid-laugh, her eyes flashed.
"Martial Soul Lord. Are you mocking this Palace Lord right now?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol extended a single finger.
"What are you—"
As Yeon Ja-mi frowned, Bu Eun-seol scratched his head awkwardly.
"It seems... I'm having trouble controlling it."
"Excuse me?"
"This is my first time attempting to fully unleash my Internal Power."
"What kind of—"
Just as Yeon Ja-mi's brow furrowed deeply—
RUMBLE—
Suddenly, distant mountain peaks began shedding boulders.
Bu Eun-seol had channeled all his power to unleash Finger Wind across hundreds of feet, striking the faraway cliffs.
"You're claiming you did that?"
"Yes."
Yeon Ja-mi shook her head in disbelief.
This was already beyond belief—someone claiming five centuries of cultivation?
Yet when he exerted his Internal Power, not a ripple of True Qi had been detectable.
"I felt nothing when you released your energy."
"At the extreme, the extraordinary becomes ordinary. When I unleashed my full power, it seems no shockwave manifested."
Yeon Ja-mi was speechless at Bu Eun-seol's calm explanation.
"Unless you're a rejuvenated master, five centuries of cultivation is impossible—"
Whoosh.
Without warning, Bu Eun-seol floated effortlessly over thirty yards into the air—executing the Land-Flying Technique, which required four centuries of cultivation just to attempt.
"Are you convinced now?"
Though he descended, Yeon Ja-mi's skepticism remained.
"The martial world does have rare young talents who've achieved four centuries of Internal Power."
Her voice turned decisive.
"But five centuries is an entirely different matter. One's physical body must first break through the Extreme Heaven Realm and reach the state of a Dharma Heaven Golden Immortal to even contain that level of power."
She had noticed Bu Eun-seol lacked the Body Light characteristic of Martial Extreme Realm experts.
Explaining won't help.
In truth, Bu Eun-seol wasn't at the Martial Extreme Realm—he was treading an entirely new realm of martial arts no one had reached before.
Ak Mu-ryeong, being a Martial Extreme Realm master, had recognized this instantly.
But Yeon Ja-mi?
Her martial prowess fell far short of even Bu Eun-seol's, let alone Ak Mu-ryeong's, making such insight impossible.
"Wouldn't it be worth attempting regardless?"
At Bu Eun-seol's firm words, Yeon Ja-mi's brow furrowed.
Opening the long-sealed Immortal Crane Hidden Estate would be an incomparable boon for the Divine Maiden Palace.
But if the legends are true...
Yet recalling the banner's lore, she shook her head.
"That place cannot be entered by outsiders."
"Palace Lord."
"Even if your Internal Power reaches five centuries, activating the banner will permanently drain over thirty percent of it. Do you understand what that means?"
Though he belonged to the Demonic Path...
She couldn't bear to ruin the life of someone her daughter cherished so deeply.
"The Young Palace Lord discarded her spotless reputation to protect me in my time of need. Why would I hesitate over something as trivial as my Internal Power?"
Yeon Ja-mi's eyes wavered.
She realized Bu Eun-seol meant every word.
She'd assumed him to be a cold, unfeeling man who kept her daughter waiting endlessly...
Yet now she saw—he'd been constantly monitoring the Divine Maiden Palace's affairs.
And now sought to shatter their Restrictive Seal, even at the cost of his internal power, which martial artists held as dear as life itself.
"Hmm."
Yeon Ja-mi exhaled slowly.
Without realizing it, her resentment toward Bu Eun-seol had faded.
And if he could break the seal...?
The Divine Maiden Palace might even gain a new source of power.
"Do you have something you desire?"
There was no martial artist in this world who would sacrifice their internal power without wanting anything in return.
Yeon Ja-mi suspected Bu Eun-seol had ulterior motives.
"I desire nothing,"
But Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"I will be satisfied simply with opening the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate."
"Good."
Suppressing the warmth spreading in her chest, Yeon Ja-mi nodded.
"First, let us test whether this is truly the Demon-Summoning Banner."
Accepting the glass bottle containing the banner, she added,
"Have him wait for now in the Phoenix Moth Pavilion."
Then she withdrew deeper into the palace with her disciples.
Most likely, she intended to test the banner herself—
to verify its authenticity and whether it truly required five centuries' worth of internal power to activate.
As she turned away, the Master of Haehwa Hall, Namgung So-so, who had been following her, gave a slight nod and a faint smile.
She was the first to witness Bu Eun-seol's true nature when he arrived with her nephew, Namgung Un.
And she had also been quietly hoping for his relationship with Yeon So-ha to flourish.
"My Lord, don't do it."
Just then, Yeon So-ha grabbed Bu Eun-seol's sleeve.
"You could lose your true internal power."
Though some legends passed down in the martial world were mere fantasies, many had been proven true.
What if this was one of them?
If so, nearly thirty percent of Bu Eun-seol's internal power would vanish instantly.
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly, as if to reassure her.
"It was something I had to do anyway."
"Is it because you feel guilty?"
Yeon So-ha stared straight at him.
"Because you cannot return my feelings—are you trying to break the palace's restrictive seal to absolve yourself of emotional debt?"
Sometimes, the truth was cruel.
Women knew this well, which was why they sometimes longed for sweet lies.
But Bu Eun-seol couldn't bring himself to offer them.
"That's right."
"Then there's no need."
Yeon So-ha was a strong woman.
Nor was she the type to passively wait for love to be given.
"You don't need to carry that burden. I simply love you—that's all."
Her voice was firm.
"You said yourself you have much to do in the future. Losing even a fraction of your internal power would be unacceptable."
Bu Eun-seol was deeply moved.
Even in this situation, she was concerned only for him.
'The gates of affection are indeed difficult to cross.'
Yeon So-ha was one of the most beautiful women in the world, with a strong will and sharp wisdom.
Moreover, the Divine Maiden Palace possessed vast wealth accumulated over generations—she would never have to want for anything in her life.
She could have found a kind, loving partner and lived happily.
Yet here she was, blinded by love, pouring out unconditional affection.
And that pure, selfless love—
only weighed Bu Eun-seol's heart down further.
"I am not that pure of a person."
He spoke honestly.
"It's true that I mobilized intelligence networks for a long time to open the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate. But the reason I came here in such haste today... was actually to make one request of the Palace Lord."
"What request?"
Bu Eun-seol hesitated briefly.
He was considering where to begin and how to phrase it.
"You may speak freely. No one else can even enter this place besides us."
Yeon So-ha turned and stepped further inside.
After preparing tea herself, she spoke calmly.
"Tell me. Anything."
'Her character is truly noble.'
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol realized just how many virtues Yeon So-ha possessed—what a good person she was.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"I need an object capable of disrupting Heaven's Will."
"Heaven's Will?"
The unexpected term made Yeon So-ha blink her large eyes.
Bu Eun-seol retrieved the Boundary-Prosperity Jade from his robes.
"This is called the Boundary-Prosperity Jade. A precious artifact believed to have been crafted by one of the legendary Three Clans."
"Boundary-Prosperity Jade."
"Indeed. And to repair or obtain another like it, I would need the involvement of someone from the Three Clans."
He briefly recounted his encounter with Yang Seol-rin, a figure from the Yangseol Clan of the past.
After listening, Yeon So-ha took a deep breath.
"So the legendary Three Clans truly exist—and they read Heaven's Will, secretly intervening in the affairs of the martial world."
"Correct."
"That's... difficult to believe. Though I know you wouldn't speak idly."
Yeon So-ha was well aware Bu Eun-seol wasn't one to make baseless claims.
But the Divine Maiden Palace had always remained detached from the martial world's conflicts, keeping its gates pristine.
Because of that, his words sounded like something out of a myth.
"Perhaps... if we use an Immortal Grade Artifact, it might be possible."
The Divine Maiden Palace was a legendary sect founded by Yo-hui, revered as the Divine Maiden.
Thus, the Divine Maiden Palace's treasury held various Immortal Artifacts imbued with mysterious powers.
"I can't say for certain, though."
Thud. Thud.
Just then, the sound of multiple footsteps echoed from outside.
It was Yeon Ja-mi and Namgung Se-a, the Master of Hae-hwa Garden.
"Even after planting the Demon-Summoning Banner, it wouldn't open."
Yeon Ja-mi, stepping inside, gazed at the glass bottle containing the banner as she spoke.
"When I inserted it into the flagpole, light flowed out as if absorbing my Internal Energy, then it just stopped. It seems the mechanism won't activate unless one possesses at least five centuries' worth of Internal Power."
"I see."
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat.
"Let me try."
"Lord."
When Yeon So-ha attempted to stop him again, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"It's fine. Even if my Internal Power were to diminish by thirty percent, it wouldn't affect my martial prowess in the slightest."
That was no lie.
Bu Eun-seol had fought countless formidable foes, and never once had the superiority of his Internal Power determined victory or defeat.
His true martial techniques were all rooted in the profundity of martial arts.
Especially after suppressing the manifestation of Limitless Equal Enlightenment and forging a new path—
Even without expending vast amounts of Internal Power, the might of his martial techniques had grown stronger.
In fact, his Two Spirit Energies had become the final trump card far more often than the level of his Internal Energy.
Losing thirty percent wouldn't inconvenience him in the least.
"Isn't there a saying that one must achieve merit to receive reward? If I can be of service here, perhaps the Divine Maiden Palace will grant me some assistance in return."
At his words, Yeon Ja-mi furrowed her brow.
"Assistance?"
Yeon So-ha quickly interjected.
"We wish to borrow one of the palace's Immortal Artifacts."
"An Immortal Artifact?"
"Yes. To test whether it can disrupt the heavenly signs."
Yeon So-ha tactfully concealed Bu Eun-seol's true circumstances.
That way, Yeon Ja-mi wouldn't refuse the request.
"Well, if it's to open the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate, I suppose lending an Immortal Artifact isn't out of the question."
"I'll do it."
As Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively, Yeon Ja-mi nodded.
"You'll accompany me, then."
The Immortal Crane Hidden Estate wasn't located within the Divine Maiden Palace itself—it was secretly hidden on Ascending Peak, one of the Wushan Twelve Peaks.
"Follow my movements closely."
Upon reaching Ascending Peak, Yeon Ja-mi began executing swift footwork techniques.
The Immortal Crane Hidden Estate was concealed by the palace's supreme Boundary Formation.
No matter how exceptional one's martial arts, it was nearly impossible for an outsider to enter.
Whoosh.
With every step in Yeon Ja-mi's wake, wind whistled past his ears, and a rising fog obscured his vision.
Likely, a layered Bewildering Formation was at work—one that robbed intruders of their sense of direction and stirred turmoil in their spirit and mind.
"This is the place."
Finally breaking free of the formation's influence, a massive cave came into view.
Inside, a narrow, elongated bridge stretched forward, its end leading to a towering gate.
Flanking the bridge were twelve stone animal heads, and at its center stood an ancient wall shimmering with a timeworn glow.
Beside it, a flagpole stood—evidently the slot for the Demon-Summoning Banner.
"I'll proceed."
Bu Eun-seol retrieved the banner from the glass bottle Yeon Ja-mi carried and headed toward the narrow bridge.
Rumble.
After he crossed the bridge, the twelve stone statues rotated to stare directly at him.
"As expected, they respond to the Lord."
From afar, Namgung So-so's remark drew a nod from Yeon Ja-mi.
When they had come earlier, the statues had remained inert.
But now, reacting to Bu Eun-seol's presence—
It seemed they recognized him as one capable of opening the Immortal Crane Hidden Estate.
Swoosh.
Bu Eun-seol channeled his Internal Power into the Demon-Summoning Banner.
Huum.
The flagpole shimmered, and he felt his Primordial Essence True Qi gradually draining through the acupoints in his wrist.
So it truly absorbs Internal Power.
Once Primordial Essence True Qi was damaged, it couldn't be restored.
The legend of the banner's power was indeed true.
Take as much as you want.
Without reluctance, Bu Eun-seol freely poured out his Internal Energy, allowing it to be absorbed.
Then, something bizarre occurred.
Whoosh.
As the banner attempted to siphon his Primordial Essence True Qi, his Water Essence Divine Qi spontaneously activated within him.
Shooo.
Simultaneously, the banner began voraciously drawing not his Primordial Essence, but his Water Crystal True Qi instead.
After some time, the banner greedily demanded yet another force.
Crackle! Zzzzt!
In response, violet lightning erupted from Bu Eun-seol's entire body.
As if answering the banner's call, his Thunder Essence Divine Qi surged forth as well.
Kwaaa! Zzzzt!
As transparent Water Essence Divine Qi and violent Thunder Essence Divine Qi alternately stormed from his body—
The Demon-Summoning Banner began radiating an intense light.
"Its form—!"
From a distance, Yeon Ja-mi gasped.
The banner, having absorbed Bu Eun-seol's Two Spirit Energies—
Shed its flag-like shape entirely, transforming into a sphere of radiant light that enveloped him.
Clank.
Bu Eun-seol thrust the banner into the massive gate barring the path.
Whoosh.
Then, something absurd happened.
The gate began fading away—and before he knew it, the very bridge beneath his feet had vanished completely.
And now, wasn't his body—wrapped in light—descending downward?