Chapter 754
Bu Eun-seol could sense it intuitively.
Yu Baek. That he was of Hyeokryeon Eung's bloodline.
'So he left descendants.'
Hyeokryeon Eung had never married.
Yet how could he resemble his features and even possess the Blood Wheel Demon Eye? Could all this truly be mere coincidence?
Whoosh!
At that moment, Yu Baek broke through the boundary formation and exited the bamboo forest.
Bu Eun-seol's hesitation lasted only the briefest fraction of a second—
Yet he seized that gap to flee, shrouded in the Willful True Binding.
Kwa-rung!
Bu Eun-seol unleashed his movement technique and swiftly pursued Yu Baek.
But he had already vanished.
There was no way he could have escaped his sight in such a short time.
Most likely, like an assassin, he had employed the Hundred-Kill Secret Art to completely erase his presence for a brief moment and was now hiding somewhere.
Swoosh.
Bu Eun-seol climbed the rocky mountain and surveyed the area.
Whether he was using the Turtle Breath Grand Art or not, he couldn't even detect where he was hiding.
Yu Baek would rather starve to death than reveal himself.
'I can't stay here long.'
If a master like him had concealed himself using the Turtle Breath Grand Art, even spreading his extrasensory perception wouldn't make it easy to find him.
Hadn't even the Martial Venerable and Baekri Mu-jo failed to detect him when he had used the same technique before the secret cave in the Dabie Mountains?
'I'll have to overturn this entire area.'
Bu Eun-seol raised his internal power.
Oooong.
Simultaneously, a five-colored radiance began to rise from his entire body.
Just as the Martial Venerable and Baekri Mu-jo had done—he would unleash the Heaven-Shattering Form, an ultimate art capable of obliterating this area in an instant.
His goal was to locate and eliminate Yu Baek in one stroke.
Koo-woong.
The heavens trembled as if tearing apart, and a massive reverberation spread across the silent earth.
A flash surged violently in Bu Eun-seol's pupils, and in his hands, a devastating shockwave capable of overturning the entire area began to swirl.
Koo-koo-koo.
Under the overwhelming force he radiated, the mountains, rivers, and vegetation fell into a deathly silence.
Zziiing.
As the power within his body aligned perfectly, light erupted from his hands, and an energy that seemed to pierce through the universe began to spread.
The Power of Harmony had been fully aligned.
'I'll destroy everything.'
The moment he prepared to unleash the Power of Harmony gathered in both hands with full force—
Ssshhiiik!
An eerie sound of breaking air echoed from the distance.
'The Blood-Soul Demon March?'
That sound—wasn't it the distinctive resonance produced when the Demon Hall's Special-Class Elite Unit, the Celestial Slaughter Corps, executed their exclusive movement art, the Blood-Soul Demon March?
'They've come to meet me.'
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
Even his information network couldn't perfectly track the movements of the Demon Hall's Special-Class Elite Unit.
Thus, he hadn't anticipated their arrival here.
'No choice.'
Sensing the rapidly approaching presence, Bu Eun-seol—
Whoosh!
Immediately activated his movement technique and fled the area.
'He's an assassin.'
Even as he sprinted away, Bu Eun-seol didn't stop analyzing Yu Baek.
'His familiarity with pain confirms it.'
The internal power of the Thirteenfold Qi Induction wasn't merely sharp.
It was condensed with overwhelming force—even a graze would inflict pain as if one's meridians were burning.
Yet Yu Baek hadn't let out a single groan, instead watching with icy eyes, searching only for openings.
That level of endurance was something ordinary martial artists could never hope to imitate.
'Unless it's due to the Emotion Severing Secret Art.'
Mastering the Emotion Severing Secret Art to its depths could render one numb to all sensations, emotions withered to nothing.
Perhaps Yu Baek had perfected it, becoming a body that couldn't even feel pain.
'I must return as quickly as possible.'
If he lingered here and was detected by the Demonic Path's intelligence organizations, including the Secret Shadow Pavilion?
An unmanageable disaster would unfold.
'To the Demon Hall.'
Since he had failed to prevent Yu Baek from entering the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol, as the Martial Soul Lord—
Now had to protect the members of the Death Shadow War Unit from the schemes of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
The moment Bu Eun-seol returned to the Demon Hall, he issued the highest-priority order to the Death Soul Squad through Yu Un-ryong.
―Mobilize all intelligence networks to investigate the person known as Yu Baek.
By the time Bu Eun-seol arrived at the Demon Hall,
Yu Baek, now a candidate for Blood Secret Command Lord, was already in a private meeting with the Supreme Cult Commander.
'He can't appoint him as a lord immediately.'
Even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor couldn't grant him the rank of lord outright without recognized achievements.
Doing so would completely shatter the discipline of the Demon Hall, an alliance that operated on the logic of power and dominance.
If Yu Baek, who had yet to establish any merit, were appointed as Blood Secret Command Lord? Even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's authority would be damaged.
"That was never the intention to begin with."
A Lord's inauguration ceremony would, at minimum, require the presence of the highest-ranking officials, including the Demonic Path Ten Gates, under the supervision of the Upper Blossom.
Yet, the Demonic Path Ten Gates showed no signs of movement.
Meaning—this was not a summons to immediately appoint Yu Baek as the Blood Secret Command Lord.
"Yu Baek is appointed as the Great Lord of the Poison Demon Unit."
As expected, the Supreme Cult Commander—
After concluding their private audience, appointed Yu Baek as the Great Lord of the Poison Demon Unit, a first-class intelligence unit under the Secret Shadow Pavilion.
The reasoning was that he was still entirely unfamiliar with the Demon Hall's operations.
It was framed as consideration—to allow him time to adapt before testing her abilities—
But there was undoubtedly another hidden motive at play.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol's office.
As Bu Eun-seol read through the letters Yu Un-ryong had brought, his eyes narrowed to slits.
"The Guardians' Faction Master's... illegitimate child?"
According to the Death Soul Squad's investigation, they had uncovered a rather shocking piece of information.
Yu Baek—he was the illegitimate child of Hyeokryeon Eung, the former Guardians' Faction Master.
"The courtesan who bore him retired quietly and gave birth in secret. Later, she sought out Hyeokryeon Eung, but he coldly cast her out."
But the truly shocking revelation came next.
Because Yu Un-ryong, with an expression of utmost gravity, continued—
"However, the high command of the Demon Hall at the time recognized the young Yu Baek's talent and took him in as an assassin for Heartless Blood."
"Heartless Blood?"
Bu Eun-seol could not hide his surprise.
Heartless Blood.
The Demon Hall's covert assassination unit—a place that raised nothing but killing machines, trained solely to eliminate enemies.
However, the existence of Heartless Blood was never officially acknowledged.
Because their training methods were too brutal, their assassination operations too unethical.
Some even argued that the difference between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance—
Was simply whether such an assassination organization operated openly or in the shadows.
Whether they flaunted their cruelty outright—or concealed their ugliness behind a veneer of righteousness.
In truth, there was no real difference between the two factions.
"Indeed. It seems he was raised as a covert assassin under the Demon Hall's direction all this time."
Yu Un-ryong pressed on.
"And if he truly was an assassin from Heartless Blood, then the reason he was summoned here is obvious."
"To assassinate a key figure within the Demon Hall?"
"Precisely."
Yu Un-ryong's expression darkened.
"What other reason could there be?"
There was no way someone from Heartless Blood—an assassin—
Would be elevated to the position of Blood Secret Command Lord, a role equivalent to the Demon Hall's chief inspector.
Far more plausible was that he had been brought in to carry out some covert mission.
"Then he's just a disposable pawn."
At that, Myo Cheon-u shrugged his shoulders.
"Even if he is an illegitimate child, would they really waste a skilled assassin of Hyeokryeon Eung's bloodline on something like this?"
"It might not be a waste."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
"For example—what if the target is the Martial Soul Lord, someone no one else dares touch?"
A heavy silence fell over the meeting room.
No matter what else—
Yu Baek possessed martial prowess sufficient to evade Bu Eun-seol's sniping.
And if he didn't confront him head-on but instead employed the ruthless techniques of an assassin?
Even if he couldn't kill Bu Eun-seol outright—she might still land a fatal blow.
"Pitiful. That person."
Myo Cheon-u shook his head.
"Abandoned by a heartless father, then taken in by demonkin whose emotions were inscrutable and turned him into a killing machine."
Then Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke up.
"I don't understand. I know Hyeokryeon Eung is a cold-blooded man without a shred of mercy... but even so, why would he discard a prodigy with such exceptional martial talent?"
"Right?"
Myo Cheon-u pressed a finger to his temple, muttering.
"He has no heirs, no disciples. Why would he allow his own flesh and blood to be thrown into a demon den like Heartless Blood?"
Listening to their exchange, Yu Un-ryong's expression turned grim, as if he had realized something.
"They leaked that information on purpose."
"What do you mean?"
"If the Demon Hall had truly wanted to keep this information hidden—would the Death Soul Squad have uncovered Yu Baek's background so easily?"
At Yu Un-ryong's words, Myo Cheon-u's eyes widened.
"You're saying they deliberately leaked it?"
"Yes. The Demonic Heavenly Emperor intentionally let slip the pitiful circumstances of Yu Baek's illegitimate birth. So that we would know—and so that our resolve would waver."
Yu Un-ryong turned his gaze to Bu Eun-seol.
"And to make us feel sympathy for an enemy we must eliminate."
The unit commanders of the Death Shadow War Unit nodded faintly in understanding.
Because Bu Eun-seol was only cold on the surface—
"Everyone knew Bu Eun-seol was warm-hearted and affectionate."
"Under no circumstances should you show sympathy."
Yu Un-ryong spoke while looking directly at Bu Eun-seol.
"If you do, not only you—but everything we've worked for until now—will be reduced to nothing."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
Yu Un-ryong's expression was grave.
"Perhaps summoning him wasn't to kill you... but to provoke your emotions and diminish your standing as the Heir of the Demon Hall."
His face darkened as he continued.
"You must assess the situation coldly. As long as we remain in the Demon Hall, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor holds the initiative. That is an unshakable fact."
"Un-ryong."
Seeing him flare up and argue passionately over matters concerning himself, Bu Eun-seol's gaze softened with faint guilt.
He was handling affairs even at the cost of his own sleep.
Not for personal advancement or glory—
But solely to ensure that Bu Eun-seol's goals were achieved without fail.
That was why, whenever a potential threat emerged, he sought to detect and eliminate it preemptively.
Thud. Thud.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed, followed by a sharp knock at the door.
"My Lord, it's me."
The voice belonged to Jo Nam-cheon.
As the door swung open, he spoke urgently.
"A bizarre order has been issued concerning you, my Lord."
"Bizarre order?"
Beside them, Yu Un-ryong furrowed his brow.
"It concerns that Yu Baek—the newly appointed Chief of the Nine Demons Heaven, now leader of the Poison Demon Unit."
Jo Nam-cheon retrieved an envelope from his robes.
"The order commands that he be placed under your guidance to learn the Demon Hall's operations and the management of intelligence networks."
He extended the envelope toward Bu Eun-seol.
When Bu Eun-seol unfolded the slip inside, it bore the Supreme Cult Commander's directive:
Not only was he to instruct Yu Baek in the Demon Hall's affairs, but he was also to train him in intelligence-gathering and organizational management—qualifications befitting a candidate for Blood Secret Command Lord.
Moreover, the fact that this had been formally documented, rather than verbally conveyed, left no room for negotiation. It was an unconditional mandate.
"What does it say?"
At Yu Un-ryong's question, Bu Eun-seol handed him the slip. The squad leaders crowded around to read it.
"Isn't this going too far?"
Won Se-mun nearly leapt up after scanning the contents.
"First, they spread rumors about adding another lord under the Secret Shadow Pavilion to undermine our prestige—and now they openly order you to train him?"
He seethed.
"As the Sanghak Unit Commander said, this is clearly an overt attempt to oust you, my Lord."
The other squad leaders nodded in agreement.
Among the countless figures in the Demon Hall—
Why assign the education of a mere candidate, not even a lord yet, to Bu Eun-seol, who was already swamped with responsibilities?
The intention to humiliate him couldn't be more blatant.
"It seems you must go to the Singular Light Pavilion, my Lord," Jo Nam-cheon said cautiously.
"If this order is carried out as-is, your authority will suffer irreparable damage."
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been listening silently, shook his head.
"Let it proceed as ordered."
"My Lord—"
"Know your enemy, know yourself, and you will never be defeated."
Bu Eun-seol's voice remained calm.
"If he has been given some secret mission by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, this works in our favor. I'll have him close, where I can observe him."
He rose from his seat.
"Through him, we may discern the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's intentions."
"But your dignity—"
"Dignity is irrelevant. This place was never meant to be permanent anyway."
"You're underestimating the situation."
Despite Yu Un-ryong's protest, Bu Eun-seol decisively waved him off.
"I intend to follow the Supreme Cult Commander's order and train him for now. We'll need extra hands—the Silver Flame Corps' training is complete, so Myo Cheon-u, return to the Death Shadow War Unit and assist Un-ryong."
"Bu Eun-seol."
"This meeting is adjourned."
Though visibly discontent, the squad leaders had no choice but to nod and rise.
Stepping out of the conference hall, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and gazed at the distant sky.
From the start, he had known Yu Baek was a discarded piece.
And that summoning him to the Demon Hall was meant to unsettle him—
Or shake his Spirit and Mind.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor sought to manipulate everyone like chess pieces on a board. As long as they remained in the Demon Hall, evading his grasp was nearly impossible.
Yet, one question weighed on Bu Eun-seol's mind:
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's purpose.
What does he truly want?
Though he had aided Jeok Bung's return to prevent absurd orders from being enforced—
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
If he truly wanted Bu Eun-seol dead, he could have struck him down without difficulty.
Had he harbored malice, he could have harmed him in countless ways.
Yet all he did was issue cryptic tasks—missions whose consequences, whether beneficial or detrimental, remained impossible to predict.
Whatever it is, I won't avoid it.
In the past, he might have left the Demon Hall without hesitation, with the Death Shadow War Unit and its people.
But now, he knew with absolute clarity that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was his enemy. And on another front, he had to expand the Muhonhoe.
So instead of fleeing the Demon Hall—
He would build a force even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor wouldn't dare touch.
Uncovering the secrets of this place and the emperor's schemes was the wiser choice.
This will be the last time you meddle with me like this.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been gazing at the towering Holy Demon Pavilion piercing the sky, slowly turned away.
The next day.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol's office.
A figure stood before the door, clad in plain black martial robes, a steel mask obscuring their face.
Shhhk.
They pressed their palms together respectfully as they faced Bu Eun-seol.
This was Yu Baek—a candidate for the position of Blood Secret Command Lord, tasked with patrolling the martial world to identify factions that posed a threat to the Demon Hall.
"Remove your mask," Bu Eun-seol commanded sternly.
"From now on, you will not wear it in my presence."
Yu Baek slowly lifted the mask away.
Thick brows and large, striking eyes were revealed.
The slight upward tilt of their outer corners gave the impression of perpetual anger.
Yet there was no denying the breathtaking beauty of those eyes—like those of a peerless beauty.
"Before this, what were your duties? What did you do in the Nine Demon Tower? What responsibilities did you hold?"
Bu Eun-seol had already conducted a thorough investigation through the Death Soul Squad.
He knew Yu Baek was an assassin of the Heartless Blood, that they had carried out countless killings.
Still, as their superior, he wanted to hear it from them directly.
Swish.
Instead of answering, Yu Baek handed over a dossier.
Flipping through it, Bu Eun-seol found a meticulous record of Yu Baek's life—their past, their missions, their achievements.
Thud.
He set the dossier down.
Then, staring straight into Yu Baek's eyes, he spoke deliberately.
"Report to me directly."
Yu Baek tilted their head slightly.
Then, with their thumb, they pointed to their own throat.
Frowning, Bu Eun-seol watched as Yu Baek tilted their head back further, pressing their thumb against a specific spot—
There, a violet scar marred the skin.
Deliberately... the vocal cords?
Even without closer inspection, he recognized it.
A sword wound, cleanly piercing the vocal cords.
"Does the Heartless Blood damage all its assassins' voices?"
The precision was that of an expert—a strike that severed the vocal cords without endangering life.
Meaning the Heartless Blood deliberately silenced its assassins.
Yu Baek nodded.
A killing machine had no need for speech.
For an assassin who obeyed absolutely and carried out missions without question, a voice was utterly useless.
"Did it hurt?"
Yu Baek shook their head at Bu Eun-seol's question.
As if the word itself held no relevance to them.
"Strange. Even for the Heartless Blood."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he pressed further.
"Assassins prioritize intelligence-gathering. So why is it that you know nothing of gathering information in the martial world? Or even how to operate an intelligence network?"
Yu Baek took a deep breath and pointed at the dossier again—urging him to read further.
"Hmm."
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol scanned the pages in detail.
It stated that Heartless Blood assassins only carried out missions based on intelligence provided by their superiors.
They were never taught how to gather information themselves.
This is how they train their assassins?
He read through the Heartless Blood's training methods once more.
The organization forbade outside contact, drilling its assassins only in the Assassin Secret Arts within dark caverns.
They were deployed into the martial world only when needed—used like consumables, then discarded.
An archaic and brutal system.
So that's how it is.
In short, Yu Baek knew nothing beyond killing.
A killer with an unfortunate past...
Born as an illegitimate child, abandoned by their father, molded into the Demon Hall's killing machine.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had deliberately assigned such a person to Bu Eun-seol.
And his intentions were obvious without further thought.
"Fine."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"First, you will learn to assess the martial world's movements. Then, how to operate an intelligence network."
The work itself was just an excuse.
But Bu Eun-seol intended to teach them properly.
Because only then... would this reach its inevitable conclusion.