Chapter 758
Crunch.
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist tightly.
Right now, he was Seon-u Jin.
All he had done was eliminate an assassin with formidable martial arts.
He could neither grieve over Yu Baek's brutal death nor pity her.
The anguish rising in his throat could only be forcibly swallowed down.
"Barely made it out alive," he muttered under his breath, scanning his surroundings.
Yet, no presence could be detected. Even so, he deliberately raised his voice.
"I don't know who sent this assassin, but I will trace it back to its roots!"
His shout echoed across the Reed Field.
But only an empty wind blew in response—no one answered.
Whoosh.
Then, from the distant sky, the Sound of Breaking Air rang out, and about ten masters landed beside Bu Eun-seol.
They were the Peak Realm Members.
Having intercepted intelligence that Bu Eun-seol was under attack, they had frantically tracked his movements.
"Unit Leader. Are you unharmed?"
Jeong Jong-do's eyes widened as he discovered Yu Baek's gruesomely mutilated corpse.
"Was this the assassin who ambushed you, Unit Leader?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I don't know who sent them."
Then, with a deep sigh, he added,
"Well, given how much I've stirred things up everywhere, I suppose an assassination attempt like this was inevitable."
"We'll pursue this to the end and uncover the mastermind behind it," one of the members vowed.
Bu Eun-seol nodded again, his gaze fixed on Yu Baek's corpse as he spoke flatly,
"Assassin or not, they were a martial artist of extraordinary skill. Bury them with proper rites."
Seon-u Jin was a Renowned Chivalrous Hero of the Righteous Faction.
To maintain that persona, he had to ensure that even the assassin who had tried to kill him was laid to rest respectfully.
"Understood."
"Once you've finished, return to headquarters immediately. I'll wrap up a few matters before heading back."
"Shouldn't we contact the branch and arrange an escort? If you travel alone like this, another incident like today could happen."
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"Since this has happened, I'll take the opportunity to investigate the mastermind behind this attack myself."
As Jeong Jong-do and the other members bowed in acknowledgment, Bu Eun-seol gave a curt nod and immediately activated his Movement Technique, vanishing from sight.
Once he was completely gone, Jeong Jong-do spoke up.
"Search for any clues that might reveal the assassin's identity."
The members scoured the area diligently but eventually shook their heads in frustration.
Not only was the face unrecognizable, but even the shoes were impossible to trace—no indication of their origin whatsoever.
"Given that this assassin gave the Unit Leader trouble, they must belong to a formidable faction—perhaps even the Demon Hall. We'll start by raiding the intelligence networks in this area."
"The Unit Leader ordered us to bury the assassin," Gye Muk, one of the members, reminded.
Jeong Jong-do nodded reluctantly.
"Let's bury them quickly and leave."
Whoom. Crrrrk.
As the members channeled their Internal Energy, a massive pit formed in the Reed Field.
Thud.
After placing Yu Baek's corpse into the ground, the members immediately activated their Movement Techniques and departed the Reed Field.
A long while after they had left—
Shuuu.
A single Black Shadow emerged in the Reed Field.
Shwip.
Suddenly, it unleashed its Internal Energy, exhuming Yu Baek's buried corpse from the earth.
"Hmm."
After meticulously examining the traces of the Thirteenfold Qi Induction etched across the body, the figure shook its head.
"Utterly shattered."
The skull was caved in, and fractured ribs had pierced through the skin at the chest and abdomen.
Moreover, the tremendous shockwaves had severely damaged the liver, spleen, and lungs.
The Thirteenfold Qi Induction not only delivered razor-sharp force but also unleashed devastating concussive impacts.
"No use trying to salvage anything from this."
The Black Shadow hesitated for a long moment, as if lamenting the waste.
After several heavy sighs, it tossed Yu Baek's corpse back into the pit.
Then, like mist, it vanished without a trace.
Bu Eun-seol switched identities back to Seo Jin-ha and immediately returned to the Demon Hall.
The fight against Hyeokryeon Yu Baek had revealed two critical weaknesses in himself.
The first was the Emotion Severing Secret Art.
This Mind-Training Formula, arguably the foremost of the Demonic Path, had taken deep root in Bu Eun-seol's Spirit and Mind and Physical Body.
Though it possessed terrifying efficacy and limitless adaptability,
it required entry into the Supreme Demon Path and ceaselessly sought to dominate his Spirit and Mind.
Paradoxically, this hindered his progress.
Bu Eun-seol had not entered the Demonic Path and had instead mastered numerous Secret Arts within a single body.
Thus, the solution was either to uproot the Emotion Severing Secret Art entrenched in his subconscious
or refine it to the Great Origin Realm, perfectly harmonizing it with his other Martial Arts.
The second weakness was the indirect provocation from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
What happened with Yu Baek might have been just the beginning.
At any moment, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor could shake the very foundations of his spirit.
By introducing another figure,
he could make Bu Eun-seol's heart even more ruthless—or weaken it further.
Moreover, through Yu Baek, he had proven that the Emotion Severing Secret Art was among the strongest martial arts of the Demonic Path.
Thanks to the incident at the Yin-Knot Demon Grounds,
he had managed to bring the Blood Demon Jeok Bung back to the Elders' Hall and prevent the Death Shadow War Unit from receiving absurd orders.
But there was no stopping the Demonic Heavenly Emperor from assigning all sorts of tasks under the pretext of "official duties within the Demon Hall," relayed through the Supreme Cult Commander.
'And the real problem is that I still can't grasp the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's intentions.'
The moment the Demonic Heavenly Emperor intervened in any matter,
everything in motion—even his own spirit—would plunge into chaos. Even what he had believed to be true until now became uncertain.
Chaos.
The existence known as the Demonic Heavenly Emperor turned everything around him—including himself—into pure chaos.
To resolve this,
he needed either a powerful backer like Seon-u Jin of the Martial Alliance,
someone as formidable as Gongson Dan-gyeong or Bukgung Ryeong,
or a means to completely block even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's indirect commands.
If he didn't secure such measures in advance? He would never escape the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's grasp.
In the end, he would have to leave the Demon Hall.
'There's no more room for hesitation.'
Truthfully, Bu Eun-seol had long considered a solution to this.
But he had hesitated to act.
Because until now, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had never directly interfered with him.
And above all—because he couldn't confirm whether the man was someone he could trust.
But now, there was no longer any choice.
Tap. Tap.
Walking toward the northern gate of the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol finally came to a halt before a grand hall.
Myriad Learning Society.
This was the domain of Baek Jeon-cheon—the man who had overseen the Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament in the past and was a close friend of Hyeokryeon Eung.
The structure of the Myriad Learning Society was peculiar.
Despite being the gathering place of the Demon Hall's finest strategists, where all matters of governance were discussed,
the hall itself was surprisingly small and unassuming compared to others.
Because the Myriad Learning Society's hall was merely a facade.
All real work was conducted in the underground chambers beneath it.
Given that the Myriad Learning Society stored critical documents concerning the Demon Hall's operations,
its underground archives were built without windows,
and all offices were soundproofed to prevent any leaks.
'Baek Jeon-cheon.'
He was the Hall Leader of the Myriad Learning Society—the Demon Hall's brain.
And as far as Bu Eun-seol knew, aside from the Elders' Hall Leader Jeok Bung and the Demons-Control Department's Dan Wol-hon, he was one of the few who casually referred to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor as "Hall Master."
And now... he had to make this man his ally.
'At all costs.'
If he couldn't immediately overthrow the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and seize control of the Demon Hall,
then he needed the cooperation of someone who fully understood the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's intentions—someone who wielded immense authority within the Demon Hall.
Originally, Bu Eun-seol had planned to visit the Myriad Learning Society long ago to seek Baek Jeon-cheon's aid.
But he had hesitated—and ultimately never went.
Because Baek Jeon-cheon, much like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor,
was someone whose thoughts and motives were utterly inscrutable.
But now, hesitation was no longer an option. After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol had come here to join hands with Baek Jeon-cheon.
"Welcome, Lord."
Before he could even step into the Myriad Learning Hall,
a man dressed like a scholar bowed deeply and extended his hand.
"The Hall Leader has been expecting you."
Bu Eun-seol wasn't surprised.
If a strategist like Baek Jeon-cheon hadn't anticipated his visit, that would have been the real shock.
Following the man's guidance, Bu Eun-seol entered the passage leading underground.
Emerging from the tunnel, he was met with a sprawling complex of buildings.
The underground expanse of the Myriad Learning Society was far more vast than he had imagined—comparable even to the Infinite Realm's Underground Castle from the past.
"Please wait here."
The man guided him to a white-walled chamber, its floor and ceiling painted in the same sterile hue.
Some kind of mechanism absorbed all sound and vibration, rendering the space eerily silent.
The white void, devoid of any noise, was so quiet it could induce dizziness.
But Bu Eun-seol stood unmoved, as accustomed to deathly silence as he was to breathing.
"Lord."
Before long, Baek Jeon-cheon entered the chamber and bowed.
"It's been a while."
"Hall Leader."
Bu Eun-seol returned the greeting and studied him.
'He looks at ease.'
The man's expression was as tranquil as that of a fisherman lazily enjoying a day by the river.
Like all those blessed with genius intellect, Baek Jeon-cheon's face betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
"Still impeccably courteous."
The man who always carried an air of refined grace, smiling politely even to attendants, servants—even beggars.
That was the very image of Baek Jeon-cheon, the strategist of the Demon Hall.
"But all of that... must be a false facade."
Bu Eun-seol knew Baek Jeon-cheon's true nature.
No, to be precise, he had glimpsed the man's real face through the matter concerning Yu Baek.
Because.
The high-ranking official of the Demon Hall who had aided her in Heartless Blood—that man had been Baek Jeon-cheon.
"In the end, he too is a ruthless figure who would commit any act... if it served his benefit."
Erasing the thought from his mind, Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully.
"My apologies for visiting so abruptly."
"No need for such formalities."
Baek Jeon-cheon replied casually.
"I had expected you to come around this time."
Pausing briefly, he fixed his gaze on Bu Eun-seol and asked:
"How was it?"
Understanding that he was referring to Yu Baek's final moments, Bu Eun-seol answered flatly.
"Pure and cheerful. Unbefitting of an assassin..."
He let his words trail off.
Though Yu Baek's death had not been officially announced, the Demon Hall's inner circle knew she had fallen to the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, reduced to a cold corpse.
The Secret Shadow Pavilion had confirmed the body and disposed of it cleanly to prevent any complications.
"I see."
Baek Jeon-cheon's empty gaze drifted into the air.
"In his youth, the Hyeokryeon Hall Master was a man of deep sentiment."
His eyes, staring into the void, grew distant.
"But after his wife was killed by assassins of the Righteous Path, his temperament turned violent, and he eventually became involved with the Three Realms."
Bu Eun-seol's expression remained indifferent.
He had no interest in Hyeokryeon Eung's circumstances.
"I heard you were rather close with the Hyeokryeon Hall Master."
"That is correct."
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled slightly.
"You must have been satisfied with the treatment Yu Baek received in Heartless Blood."
Realizing the sharp, thorn-like edge in his voice—laced with sarcasm—Baek Jeon-cheon smiled faintly.
"If nothing else, out of consideration for your ties with the Hyeokryeon Hall Master... you should have at least refrained from throwing Yu Baek into a dark pit like Heartless Blood..."
Pausing briefly, Baek Jeon-cheon's smile deepened.
"Is that what you wanted to say?"
When Bu Eun-seol neither denied nor affirmed, he continued.
"Or perhaps, since she was of the Hyeokryeon Hall Master's bloodline, you believe she should have been brought here with due respect, raised in comfort and trained to excellence?"
Letting out a deep sigh, Baek Jeon-cheon shook his head.
"Lord. This is the Demon Hall."
The Demon Hall did not value blood ties or master-disciple bonds like the Martial Alliance.
It was a place where practitioners of the Demonic Path gathered, vying for power and dominance.
No one could condemn Baek Jeon-cheon for failing to save Hyeokryeon Eung's illegitimate child.
In fact, considering that Hyeokryeon Eung had once been a traitor to the Demon Hall who had joined the Three Realms—
It was only natural that his bloodline would endure a harsh existence.
"For your information, I only learned of the child's entry into Heartless Blood five years ago."
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke with a composed expression.
"I heard that Yu Baek had proven her exceptional talent to the Heartless Blood Lord from a young age. Because of that, she was already receiving different treatment from the discarded assassins."
His tone remained tranquil as he continued.
"However, due to Heartless Blood's outdated and wretched training methods, she had become little more than a beast. That is why I personally intervened—to ensure she received special education."
Heartless Blood was the Demon Hall's secret organization, and only the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had authority over its operations.
Meaning, Baek Jeon-cheon had gone so far as to plead with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor to educate Yu Baek.
"Of course, it wasn't out of sympathy or loyalty."
He spoke again.
"Even if she was a girl, she had inherited the Hyeokryeon Hall Master's talent. I believed she would be of great use."
"..."
"So I merely taught her various things to ensure she could survive in Heartless Blood."
In the end, he had taken an interest in her because she was a prodigy—because she seemed useful.
In other words, just as Bu Eun-seol had suspected—
He was a ruthless man who would not hesitate to do anything if it served his benefit.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol shifted the topic.
His purpose here was unrelated, after all.
"Can you guess why I've come?"
"Of course. And my answer is immediate."
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke decisively.
"I decline the proposal."
Then, in a softer tone, he added:
"You would do best to make such an offer to Deputy Leader Dan. After all, he is the most powerful figure in the Demon Palace at present."
"Deputy Leader Dan won't do."
"And why is that?"
"Because the Demonic Heavenly Emperor demands nothing less than absolute obedience."
Had Dan Wol-hon not been utterly loyal to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?
Even if he'd died and come back to life, he could never have become the head of the Demons-Control Department, controlling two-thirds of the Demon Hall's military forces.
"Hohoho."
Baek Jeon-cheon let out a low chuckle.
"You certainly have a precise grasp of the dispositions and temperaments of the Demon Palace's key figures."
"Correct. That's why I've come to you, Hall Leader."
Bu Eun-seol stared straight into Baek Jeon-cheon's eyes.
"I believe you will inevitably take my hand."
Baek Jeon-cheon looked at him with an expression of mild surprise.
"Haven't I always held your hand?"
"I want to take your hand as a true disciple of the Demonic Path."
A heat intense enough to melt iron radiated from Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
"As an untainted, pure demonic martial artist."
Those words carried multiple meanings.
The Demon Palace and the Martial Alliance.
In neither of these places could one find a pure demonic practitioner or a true orthodox martial artist.
To survive, to seize more power—
They had all, without exception, joined hands with external factions.
But Bu Eun-seol was telling Baek Jeon-cheon this:
That he alone was a pure demonic martial artist.
"How fascinating."
Baek Jeon-cheon regarded him with a glimmer of interest.
"Then are you implying that even the Palace Lord is not a pure demonic practitioner?"
"I believe Hall Leader Baek knows the answer to that better than I do."
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
"If you had been wholeheartedly supporting the Demonic Heavenly Emperor... fundamentally, I wouldn't even have been able to set foot in this Myriad Erudition Hall."
Had the Demonic Heavenly Emperor been a pure demonic martial artist?
Had he walked the path of demonic hegemony without colluding with outside forces?
Baek Jeon-cheon would have been utterly loyal to him and would have barred Bu Eun-seol's approach from the start.
But because he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—because he was keeping his options open—
Bu Eun-seol had been able to come here.
In other words, Baek Jeon-cheon knew that even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had ties to external factions.
"Then, I have a question."
As Baek Jeon-cheon spoke, a mysterious light flickered deep in his pupils, and pure white demonic energy flowed across his entire body.
"What path do you walk, Lord?"
Bu Eun-seol was inwardly startled.
He hadn't expected Baek Jeon-cheon—who had always been as calm as water and as refined as a scholar—to unleash such overwhelming demonic energy.
"Answer me as a true demonic martial artist."
Even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Number One of the Demonic Path, did not walk the pure demonic way.
The martial artists of Langya Pavilion, including the Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong, were less demonic practitioners and more like madmen obsessed with martial arts.
As for the rest of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, none walked the pure demonic path either, instead relying on external factions to further their own ambitions.
Only Baek Jeon-cheon, the strategist of the Myriad Erudition Hall... had declared himself a pure demonic martial artist.
"To be perfectly honest, I only claimed to be a pure demonic martial artist to negotiate with you, Hall Leader Baek."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath before continuing.
"In truth, I walk neither the demonic nor the orthodox path."
Then he spoke with complete candor.
"But I can create a demonic martial world as flawless as white jade."
Baek-ok-mu-ha—Flawless White Jade.
It signified a state of purity and perfection.
Bu Eun-seol was declaring that he could create a demonic martial world—
One entirely free of impurities.
"And why do you make such a bold claim?"
Baek Jeon-cheon's eyes gleamed sharply.
"Even a true demonic martial artist would find that difficult."
"Because..."
Bu Eun-seol answered with utmost honesty.
"I was never a part of the martial world to begin with."
"What?"
"Wouldn't an outsider be better suited to impartially oversee and manage the grand scheme of things?"
His tone was deadly serious.
"Frankly, I have no interest in whether it's the demonic or orthodox path."
For a moment, Baek Jeon-cheon's pupils dilated.
"Hohoho."
After a prolonged silence, as if something had struck him as immensely amusing—
"Hahahaha!"
He burst into loud laughter.
The mad laughter reverberating through the soundproof chamber sent chills down the spine of anyone who heard it.
Thud.
When his laughter ceased, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke coldly.
"Unfortunately, a pure demonic martial world is beyond your power, Lord."
"..."
"The Demon Hall's key figures don't realize what happens when they mix with other factions—what the ultimate outcome will be."
The implication was clear: even if Bu Eun-seol led the Demonic Path—
The ignorance of its practitioners would prevent the realization of a pure demonic martial world.
"They don't need to know."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"Once the murky foam at the top is skimmed away, the waters below will clear on their own."
For a moment, Baek Jeon-cheon looked dazed.
The foam at the top.
That was a reference to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
"So you're saying now..."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor. I will surpass him."
Baek Jeon-cheon's eyes flashed.
Bu Eun-seol was declaring—
That he would remove the Number One of the Demonic Path from the Demon Hall and take his place.