Chapter 779
Bu Eun-seol had recently secluded himself within the Martial Alliance, quietly handling his duties.
He had been appearing too frequently in the Rivers and Lakes lately, and had taken on far too many tasks alone.
—His subordinates also needed to gain experience and handle various matters themselves.
If he alone traveled the martial world, experiencing and resolving everything, his subordinates' perspectives and insight would ultimately become extremely narrow.
Their aspirations and motivation to grow stronger would also fade away.
That was why, as of late, he had deliberately entrusted various tasks to his subordinates.
While he remained in the background, directing them from afar.
Just as he had left the matter of the Seomun Clan to the chiefs of the Death Shadow War Unit.
"They must continue to personally weather the storms of the martial world and handle various matters themselves."
Their potential for growth remained boundless.
And only by fostering everyone's growth could he confidently delegate more responsibilities in the future.
"Lord Protector, it's Tae Mu-ryong."
Just as Bu Eun-seol had finished all his work and was about to rest briefly, Tae Mu-ryong came to visit.
Then, discreetly, he handed over a slip.
A letter sent by Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"How strange."
As Bu Eun-seol read through the letter, his brow furrowed.
Most confidential discussions took place in the secret chamber installed within her office.
Yet she had deliberately summoned him via letter to a mountain cabin somewhat removed from the Martial Alliance?
"Can you immediately trace Gongson Chief Strategist's recent movements?"
"Of course."
Tae Mu-ryong bowed his head, stepped outside briefly, and returned.
"Chief Strategist Gongson was granted Demon Leave a few days ago for personal matters."
"And her whereabouts after that?"
"None. The figures from the Grand Strategy Hall erased her trail discreetly, so even the masters of the Star Guard Corps cannot pinpoint her exact location."
Tae Mu-ryong spoke cautiously.
"I believe she may have truly gone to attend to personal affairs."
Bu Eun-seol fell into deep thought for a moment.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had many secrets and operated organizations unknown to the outside world.
Thus, her absence from the Alliance for a few days was hardly unusual.
'However.'
While on Demon Leave.
Summoning him to a secluded mountain cabin was an exceedingly strange move.
"Is something the matter with the Chief Strategist?"
When Tae Mu-ryong asked worriedly, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"Not quite."
The letter instructed him to come to the mountain cabin without informing anyone.
Gongson Dan-gyeong's handwriting was unmistakable, and there was no trace of hesitation or confusion in her strokes.
She had clearly written this with a lucid mind before sending it to him... He intended to honor her request.
"I was merely curious about the Chief Strategist's news."
Misinterpreting Bu Eun-seol's excuse, Tae Mu-ryong spoke.
"The Chief Strategist has indeed changed. She no longer doubts or investigates you as she once did."
Then, with a faint smile, he added.
"I hope they remain good bonds."
Within the Martial Alliance.
Seon-u Jin and Gongson Dan-gyeong were already regarded as an official couple.
Of course, Tae Mu-ryong knew well that Bu Eun-seol held no particular interest in Gongson Dan-gyeong.
But since she had grown more favorable toward him...
If possible, he hoped those rumors would become truth, that the two might bear fruit.
And if, by chance, it became an opportunity for the Demonic Path and the Righteous Path to reconcile, all the better.
"Isn't it already a good bond? A certain degree of trust has been built between us."
Bu Eun-seol deflected the topic.
"You must be busy—attend to your duties."
"Understood."
As Tae Mu-ryong left, Bu Eun-seol also organized his work and quietly prepared to depart the Martial Alliance.
Gongson Dan-gyeong was deep-minded and not one to speak idly.
If she had asked to meet at the mountain cabin, there must surely be a reason for it.
Crescent Moon Mountain Villa.
In the past, this place had been home to a renowned sword clan known throughout the martial world.
But with the passage of time, its prosperity had faded, leaving behind only an abandoned house overgrown with weeds.
Yet upon entering further, a surprising sight awaited.
The pavilion built atop the hill was impeccably maintained, with a banquet table arranged inside.
Ascending the pavilion, he found seated there a beauty whose loveliness defied description.
Her skin was flawlessly smooth, like porcelain, and her pupils shimmered like stars against the night sky.
It was none other than the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist—the Star of Great Wisdom, Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"Chief Strategist."
Bu Eun-seol paused briefly in his steps.
Gongson Dan-gyeong was dressed in violet robes, the delicate curve of her slender shoulders and the outline of her long legs faintly visible beneath the fabric.
'When adorned, the Chief Strategist possesses quite a striking appearance.'
Gongson Dan-gyeong was beautiful.
Yet compared to the renowned beauties of the Murim, her features gave off a somewhat plain impression.
But today, with heavy makeup unlike her usual self,
her elegant and refined appearance had transformed into something dazzling and alluring.
"You've arrived."
She smiled and gestured toward the interior of the pavilion.
"Come here. Let's sit and talk."
There was no sign of life around the pavilion, no guards in sight.
With a puzzled expression, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to take a seat opposite her.
"You've endured much hardship until now, yet we've never shared a drink."
Gongson Dan-gyeong personally poured him a cup of wine.
"That won't be necessary."
When Bu Eun-seol declined, she shook her head.
"Please, have a drink. Then we can talk."
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol accepted the cup.
At that, Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled sweetly and said,
"Let's drink together."
Bu Eun-seol and Gongson Dan-gyeong downed three cups in quick succession.
"Are we done now?"
When Bu Eun-seol spoke, Gongson Dan-gyeong gazed at him with deep, enigmatic eyes.
"Hm?"
"You've had your fill of pleasantries. Shouldn't we stop now?"
Then, Bu Eun-seol flung the remaining wine from his cup outward.
With a hiss, white smoke billowed up.
He had known all along that the wine was poisoned—yet drank it calmly regardless.
"Where is the Chief Strategist?"
"How did you know?"
Gongson Dan-gyeong tilted her head, still smiling.
"This disguise is supposed to be impossible to see through."
"She doesn't laugh as cheaply as you."
Thwip-thwip-thwip!
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol dodged aside as countless daggers embedded themselves into the spot where he had been sitting.
They were the Blue Demon Blood-Soul Daggers, said to be capable of piercing even a Vajra Indestructible Body.
"Kukuku. As expected. Truly worthy of the young Grandmaster who's been stirring up the Murim."
The figure of Gongson Dan-gyeong blurred as she stood.
Swish—
With a spin, her face and physique morphed into those of a sharp-featured man.
It was none other than the appearance of Seon-u Jin.
"Did you just want to show off your disguise technique?"
Bu Eun-seol scoffed, and the fake Seon-u Jin chuckled.
"Kuku, it'd be a mistake to think only my face has changed."
Flash!
Suddenly, the imposter unleashed a Fast Sword strike swift as lightning.
It was a variant of the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms, a technique Bu Eun-seol frequently used.
Pat!
Bu Eun-seol instantly retreated, leaping out of the pavilion.
Though the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms was considered an outstanding Ascending Sword Study, from the perspective of true masters, it wasn't particularly remarkable.
Yet this man had studied and replicated it separately?
"No need to wonder where you stole that sword technique from."
Seon-u Jin's lips curled into a wicked smile.
"I didn't steal it. This is your sword technique itself."
"Then this isn't an illusion..."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled sharply as he scanned his surroundings.
"Another one of those One Hundred and Eight Stars, I suppose."
Even without Mind-Seizing Art or illusions, the ability to instantly copy Bu Eun-seol's martial arts—
such power could only belong to one of the Stars.
"If you're using the power of the Stars just to ambush me... you must be from the Jungson Clan."
"Just as I heard—you're sharp-minded."
The fake Seon-u Jin nodded in admiration.
"Seon-u Jin. You've interfered with our clan's affairs multiple times."
"How refreshing of you to openly admit you're from the Jungson Clan."
Bu Eun-seol smirked, and the imposter nodded again.
"Hall of Martial Virtue affiliate. Earth Water Star, Un Hak-bi, at your service."
The imposter, wearing Seon-u Jin's face,
shockingly revealed not only his affiliation but his true name with pride.
Considering that none of the assassins sent by the Jungson Clan had ever disclosed their identities before,
it was clear just how much pride this Un Hak-bi held—and how high his status was.
Moreover, it was evident he was utterly confident of his victory in this fight.
"I bear no particular grudge against the Jungson Clan."
"Hmph, did you think we wouldn't know you slaughtered our people at Seo-ryeong Mountain?"
"Wasn't it because your clan tried to oppress and kill a defenseless woman?"
"Hahaha! That Man-wol, that Witch—you call her defenseless?"
"Witch? Why do you call her that?"
Un Hak-bi waved a hand, aware that Bu Eun-seol was subtly fishing for information.
"No need for lengthy talk. You'll be dead soon anyway."
"Then answer me just one thing."
Bu Eun-seol spoke as if he couldn't comprehend it.
"If the Jungson Clan has so many constellations and such formidable power, why did they send you alone instead of dispatching a whole group at once?"
If Gongson Dan-gyeong's handwriting and movements had been used to lure him here, then nine times out of ten, she had either been abducted by the Jungson Clan or deceived and imprisoned somewhere.
In other words, the Jungson Clan—a faction powerful and organized enough to boldly lay hands on the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking strategist—had sent only one person to assassinate Seon-u Jin, the Sword King, a renowned Grandmaster of the new generation?
"Why are you curious about that?"
"Because if you came alone, you'll just end up beaten to death by my hands again... I was wondering if the Jungson Clan's people have no capacity for learning."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with eyes brimming with pity.
"Or does the Jungson Clan only have one or two of the One Hundred and Eight Stars?"
The moment he deliberately struck at his pride, Un Hak-bi's eyebrows twitched.
"You're spouting nonsense without knowing anything."
"Don't I? Didn't you just say it yourself? That someone from the Jungson Clan was killed by my hands at Seo-ryeong Mountain."
"Don't get cocky. The one you fought wasn't a pure-blooded member of the One Hundred and Eight Stars."
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
'So, even among the One Hundred and Eight Stars, there are pure-bloods and mixed-bloods?'
Swallowing his thoughts, Bu Eun-seol replied smoothly, "Pure or mixed, shouldn't you have brought more if you wanted to stand a chance against me?"
"Fool. The power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars is all about dominating a fixed domain."
Un Hak-bi curled his lips coldly.
"Even if they all rushed in at once, their domains can't overlap, so they can only come one by—"
His expression froze mid-sentence.
Only then did he realize he had carelessly revealed something he shouldn't have.
"Hohoho. Is it because you've kept yourselves hidden from the Rivers and Lakes? The people of the Jungson Clan seem more naive than I expected."
Though he said it jokingly, it was true.
Perhaps because the Three Clans operated in secrecy, their members lacked the cunning of typical martial artists, who could extract vital information from every word spoken.
They seemed somewhat simple and awkward in comparison.
Just like Yang Seol-rin.
"Well, satisfied with your curiosity?"
Un Hak-bi spat out the words as if chewing them.
In the end, the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars involved drawing enemies into a fixed domain to unleash their mysterious abilities—meaning numbers wouldn't help.
"No, there's one more thing that bothers me."
Bu Eun-seol pressed further.
"If they weren't members of the One Hundred and Eight Stars but ordinary martial artists, couldn't they fight together within the domain? Then why didn't you bring any subordinates?"
"Why would I need subordinates to kill a mere insect like you?"
'A lie.'
No matter how powerful the One Hundred and Eight Stars were, Seon-u Jin—who had risen to the ranks of the Four Gods and Seven Kings and stood equal to the Sword Demon—could never be dismissed as an insect.
"Judging by your expression, it's not that you didn't bring subordinates—it's that you couldn't."
Un Hak-bi's face darkened again.
He realized Bu Eun-seol wasn't just deducing things from his answers but also from his expressions.
"Since we're asking questions, let me ask one more."
"Do I look like I'll answer?"
"You will. Because your pride is at stake."
Bu Eun-seol was a man of few words, but once he started speaking, he had a way of ensnaring people with his rhetoric.
"Why didn't you threaten me with the Chief Strategist?"
As he spoke, Bu Eun-seol carefully concealed any trace of impatience or worry.
If he revealed his concern for Gongson Dan-gyeong, it would be no different from exposing a new weakness.
"Given how boldly you used her handwriting to lure me out, it's clear she's been abducted by the Jungson Clan, isn't it? Wouldn't it have been easier to kill me that way?"
"You know nothing."
Un Hak-bi refused to answer, as if determined not to reveal any more information.
But Bu Eun-seol could infer much from his expression alone.
"You didn't touch her. Your target was me from the beginning."
"..."
"To lure out the Chief Strategist—one of the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking figures—so naturally... You must have used someone she knew or had ties with."
As Bu Eun-seol deduced countless details from his words like a strategist seeing a thousand miles ahead, Un Hak-bi immediately drew a sharp treasured sword from his waist.
"Enough. Now die!"
Whoosh!
At the same time, one hundred and eighty sword shadows coiled around Bu Eun-seol's body.
It was the decisive strike Bu Eun-seol had perfected while wielding the sword arts under the identity of Seon-u Jin.
It was the Sword Laughs at Xuanyuan style.
'The Sword Laughs at Xuanyuan style?'
Startled, Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Soul Sword like lightning and unleashed the same Sword Laughs at Xuanyuan technique.
Whoosh!
But in martial arts, the first strike decides the victor.
The one who strikes first inevitably gains the upper hand.
Hundreds of sword energies tangled in midair, and in the end, numerous large and small scratches appeared all over Bu Eun-seol's body.
'This—'
Bu Eun-seol's expression stiffened in shock.
The wounds on his body weren't caused by Un Hak-bi striking first.
It was because Un Hak-bi's sword technique was more refined and powerful.
Sssk—
Despite having the advantage, Un Hak-bi didn't press the attack. Instead, he smirked arrogantly and raised his sword.
"You acted so high and mighty, yet you're weaker than I expected."
"Hmph."
Bu Eun-seol paused in thought for a moment, then extended his index finger.
Whiiing—
The surrounding air seemed to converge toward his fingertip as a fierce current swirled, and a faint glow flickered at the tip.
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, a terrifying force surged toward Un Hak-bi's forehead.
He had mimicked the Bullet King's Finger Flick Qi.
Boom!
In response, Un Hak-bi also unleashed the Inner Energy Bullet Art.
Kwaaang!
The energies colliding in midair produced a thunderous blast, and a powerful shockwave, mixed with dust, surged toward Bu Eun-seol.
Astonishingly, even in the Inner Energy Bullet Art, Un Hak-bi's technique was superior to Bu Eun-seol's.
Pat!
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol burst through the dust and unleashed the Quick Sword Form.
Zzzing!
But Un Hak-bi, as if he had anticipated it, mirrored the exact same Quick Sword Form.
Sssk—
Then, something unbelievable happened.
When their swords clashed, Bu Eun-seol was forced back three full steps.
'This—'
Seon-u Jin's maximum internal energy was around 350 years.
Yet, just from a light clash of blades, he had been pushed back three steps.
Could it be that his opponent's internal energy exceeded 500 years?
'Is this the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars? Or is it the Black Divine Artifact?'
In the past, the Earthly Killing Star had instantly replicated Baek Mu-seong's Shaolin Severing Art using the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
And Yang Dae-ryang, leader of the Heaven-Piercing Unit, had mimicked his enemy's martial arts through the Black Divine Artifact.
But in both cases,
they couldn't wield techniques stronger than their opponents.
Yet here, Un Hak-bi wasn't just disguising himself to look exactly like Seon-u Jin—
he was executing the same martial arts with even greater power.
Halt.
The moment Bu Eun-seol froze in place, Un Hak-bi suddenly burst into a grating laugh.
"Did you really think I was just copying what you do? Hahaha."
After laughing for a long while, a mysterious glint flashed in Un Hak-bi's eyes.
"Oh-ho."
Then, tilting his head, his eyes sparkled as if he had realized something.
"I see. You were originally a figure of the Demonic Path."
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
What was he suddenly talking about?
Sssshhk!
Abruptly, hundreds of black strands of true qi erupted from Un Hak-bi's body and surged toward Bu Eun-seol.
That wasn't Seon-u Jin's technique—it was the Martial Soul Lord Bu Eun-seol's martial art, the Willful True Binding!
'Dangerous.'
His Willful True Binding carried the same power as if Bu Eun-seol himself had unleashed it at full strength,
completely enveloping a space of over three hundred feet.
'I need to create distance.'
Now that his identity was exposed, there was no need to hide his martial arts.
In an instant, Bu Eun-seol activated the Ultimate Speed Shadowless, attempting to escape the range of the Willful True Binding.
Zzzing!
But the moment he put over three hundred feet between them,
a translucent light shimmered across the world, and something blocked his path.
'Earth Water Star.'
The character for "Imprisonment" means to confine and imprison.
Un Hak-bi had called himself the Earth Water Star, and since all of the One Hundred and Eight Stars wield power within a fixed domain,
it seemed the Earth Water Star could not only draw upon the strength of those within his domain—
but also completely trap his enemies within it.
Sssshhk!
Blocked by the invisible barrier, Bu Eun-seol was struck by the relentless pursuit of the Willful True Binding.
Thud.
As he fell to the ground like a bird with broken wings, Un Hak-bi laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
Then, gazing at the black true qi swirling around his own body, he nodded in satisfaction.
"So, you were the Martial Soul Lord after all."
Un Hak-bi spread his arms and closed his eyes, savoring the power surging within him.
"No wonder you were so strong. Hahaha!"
"So within your domain, you can perfectly replicate the martial arts and abilities of those who enter?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly, as if finally understanding everything.
"Since this is your domain, of course you'd wield greater power even with the same techniques."
The power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars lies in their domains.
And this place was his domain.
Naturally, even if they used the same martial arts, Un Hak-bi would hold the overwhelming advantage.