Chapter 797
But it wasn't something that worked perfectly on just anyone.
Only on those like Okjeong, whose martial prowess was far inferior to his own.
At best, it allowed him to faintly glimpse into the heart of someone filled with unspoken resentment.
'In the past, I must have been an easy person to read as well.'
When Bu Eun-seol first emerged into the murim, he had been consumed by vengeance.
That was why the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had been able to see straight through his heart.
The flames of his raging fury.
They must have illuminated every hidden corner of his spirit and mind.
"You did it on purpose?"
At that moment, Okjeong spoke in a voice sharp as thorns.
"What do you mean by 'on purpose'?"
Bu Eun-seol, having already gauged her heart, offered a calm smile.
"It seemed you were burdened by something, that's all."
His gaze held no malice—only pure sincerity, and his smile was as comforting as that of an old friend.
"In times like these, there's hardly anyone living without some lingering resentment..."
Then, watching Okjeong's tears fall, he let out a light sigh.
It was a sigh of empathy.
"Since we'll likely never meet again, why not pour out your heart like a drunken melody? "
Bu Eun-seol's voice grew thin, as if intoxicated.
"A fleeting bond. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to regret..."
At that, the sobs she had been suppressing grew louder.
Once again, he had touched her heart. Deliberately.
'Am I becoming like the Pavilion Lord?'
In truth, the reason Okjeong—a master of the Mind-Seizing Art—had fallen into such a state was because Bu Eun-seol had intentionally evaporated the alcohol he drank, filling the room with its fumes.
He had made her feel intoxicated.
And the second reason was that, much like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, he had shaken her spirit and mind.
Drawing out the suppressed grief and pain buried deep within her heart.
'Though it was only an imitation.'
The fundamental principle of Langya Pavilion's martial arts was this:
To turn the enemy's strengths into one's own techniques, and to attack the enemy with their own power.
Bu Eun-seol had witnessed the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's psychological warfare firsthand and had been exposed multiple times to Ak Mu-ryeong's Phantom Restoration.
Thus, without realizing it, he had become adept at techniques that struck at the spirit and mind.
Drip. Drip.
Silently, she shed tears until finally, her voice broke into anguished wails.
"Mother! My mother died in such misery!"
Those were the words of resentment Okjeong had never been able to voice before.
Bu Eun-seol said nothing, simply bowing his head.
His silent understanding alone would be a great comfort to her.
As time passed and her weeping subsided, Bu Eun-seol spoke gently.
"Have you calmed down a little?"
Okjeong, having steadied her heart, nodded.
"Thank you."
Then she let out a sigh deeper than any before.
"You're truly remarkable."
Okjeong was the Hall Leader of Joha Hall, renowned for her mastery of the Mind-Seizing Art.
Yet Bu Eun-seol's technique of seizing control of the spirit and mind was entirely different from the Mind-Seizing Art or the Soul-Controlling Secret Arts scattered throughout the murim.
With just a cup of wine and a lament of the past.
He had drawn out every tormenting memory she had kept locked away.
The resentment and grief hidden in her heart.
And the regrets of days long gone.
"What do you mean?"
When Bu Eun-seol feigned ignorance, Okjeong narrowed her eyes.
"First, with a cup of wine, then with your own story... You dismantled my vigilance and the barriers around my spirit step by step."
She gave a faint smile.
"And then you drew out the wounds in my heart, so I would no longer suffer in silence."
Bu Eun-seol stopped pretending and nodded.
"I merely thought the Hall Leader might share a similar pain. I only wished for you to unburden yourself."
"I see."
Okjeong smiled sadly.
"I think... tonight might be the first time I'll sleep peacefully."
Then she rose and bowed deeply.
"Lord, you pass."
"My thanks."
Bu Eun-seol returned the courtesy.
Then, without another word, he turned and stepped outside.
'Has he already been ensnared by the Mind-Seizing Art and forced to reveal his secrets?'
Elder Hyang wore a puzzled expression as Bu Eun-seol emerged so soon.
'The one I expected to hold out the longest is the first to come out?'
Due to the Astral Energy Barrier, she couldn't hear what had transpired inside.
So she had no way of knowing how Bu Eun-seol had managed to pass.
Creak.
Just then, the door to the pavilion opened, and Okjeong stepped out.
"I never got to say this earlier."
Okjeong, having wiped her tears, smiled faintly and bowed deeply to Bu Eun-seol.
"Thank you."
It was a sincere expression of gratitude.
Elder Hyang's eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sight.
Okjeong was known as the coldest-tempered among the disciples of the Wind God Palace, someone who never showed emotion under any circumstances.
And yet, here she was, shedding tears while thanking a man?
Just what in the world happened in there?
Elder Hyang was so curious she could have jumped out of her skin.
"Don't mention it."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly in return.
Okjeong gazed at him, her smile softer and more peaceful than ever before. Then she turned and retreated inside.
"Martial Soul Lord."
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Elder Hyang approached Bu Eun-seol and asked,
"Just what did you do to make Hall Leader Okjeong act so tenderly?"
"We merely had a conversation."
"A conversation?"
Elder Hyang frowned.
Okjeong wasn't just cold by nature—she loathed lengthy exchanges. She spent every spare moment in seated meditation or reading. That such a person would engage in conversation with Bu Eun-seol and even wear a smile as gentle as a spring breeze?
Could it be... a honey trap?
No, impossible.
Okjeong was a master of the Mind-Seizing Secret Art and had cultivated the Cold Heart Art. Even if a man a hundred—no, a thousand—times more handsome than Bu Eun-seol stood before her, she wouldn't spare him a glance.
So how could she possibly smile like that?
Thud. Thud.
At that moment, as if by prior arrangement, the men who had entered the various pavilions began emerging.
Some wore expressions of utter defeat, while others strode out with unshaken confidence.
"Brother Bu."
Fortunately, Hyeok So-jin was among those who carried themselves with pride—though his face was pale and haggard with exhaustion.
"You passed?"
"I did. It seems you've passed as well, Brother Bu."
"Indeed."
Hyeok So-jin sniffed and added,
"Fortunately, mine was relatively easy. She had the spirit of a gambler."
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint nod.
As he had predicted, this trial must have involved the masters of the Mind-Seizing Secret Art drawing out the candidates' hearts—only permitting those who proved they meant no harm to the Wind God Palace to pass.
"Those who have passed, follow this Elder."
Elder Hyang once again led the young men deeper into the palace.
Yeo Mun-gi clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Just how many more of these trials do you plan to put us through?"
Elder Hyang shook her head.
"This will be the final gate."
Then, lowering her voice, she continued,
"Where you are headed now is the Secret Cave, where you may obtain the Wind and Cloud Qi of this palace."
Wind and Cloud Qi.
Unlike the divine power of the Death Gods—the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy—this was the natural energy that flowed through the Wind God Palace.
The disciples of the palace cultivated this Wind and Cloud Qi like an Internal Energy Method, honing their martial arts with it.
Elder Hyang's expression grew solemn as she went on.
"Absorb as much of the Wind and Cloud Qi as you desire within that place. And based on the quantity absorbed... the Grand Duke, the consort to our Young Palace Lord, shall be chosen."
Yeo Mun-gi's eyes flashed instantly.
Obtaining the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy would allow one to reign as one of the Death Gods of Murim.
But even acquiring just the Wind and Cloud Qi could drastically augment one's martial prowess—merging it with one's techniques would unleash overwhelming might.
And now, a Secret Cave where they could absorb this energy to their heart's content?
"Follow this Elder."
Elder Hyang guided the young men onward.
"It's finally the last stretch."
Hyeok So-jin whispered excitedly.
"Do you think the Wind and Cloud Qi could be used for treatment?"
"Worth a try."
Bu Eun-seol's expression held no particular expectation.
Even the Two Spirit Energies within him had failed to eradicate the Hardening Force. The probability that the Wind and Cloud Qi—a lesser force compared to the divine energy—could restore his body was practically nonexistent.
"This is the place."
The so-called Secret Cave of the Wind God Palace appeared to be an artificially carved cavern, as if an entire mountain had been hollowed out.
The interior was vast, with countless branching paths like a labyrinth. Scattered throughout were numerous doors—likely leading to training rooms where one could meditate on the Wind and Cloud Qi in peace.
Groooan.
As Elder Hyang stepped forward, the entrance gate swung open on its own.
The pitch-black door, forged from the Mysterious Iron of the North Sea, was nearly five feet thick.
With that thickness, breaking through would be impossible without unleashing Limitless Power.
"The gate will reopen in six days."
Elder Hyang spoke calmly.
"Until then, cultivate to your heart's content."
Kuh-woong.
As the gate finally sealed shut, the faces of the Groom Selection Tournament participants brightened.
These were men who had endured hardship all their lives—men who thirsted for the augmentation of their martial arts and the glory of unparalleled fame.
Even if they don't become the Grand Duke of the Wind God Palace,
simply obtaining the Wind and Cloud Qi here would be satisfaction enough.
"Hmph. Seems like there's not as much qi as the rumors claimed."
At that moment, Yeo Mun-gi turned his cold gaze toward Bu Eun-seol and spoke mockingly.
"I heard you'd cultivated martial arts so profound you could rival the Bullet King. But looking at you now, you're nothing special."
Though his words were arrogant, his observation was sharp.
Bu Eun-seol's current condition was far from normal—his remaining internal energy barely amounted to even 120 years.
"Ah, is that so?"
A violet light flickered in Hyeok So-jin's eyes.
"Then how about witnessing the genuine martial prowess of the Jiangnan Martial Alliance's leader—the Splitting Light and Cutting Moon Sword?"
As he wrapped himself in Divine-Rending Demonic Qi, a terrifying aura unfurled.
Yeo Mun-gi immediately shook his head like a man who'd seen death.
"Your subordinate's presence is quite impressive."
His words were a veiled taunt, mocking the fact that Bu Eun-seol hadn't stepped forward—only Hyeok So-jin had.
"So the heir of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying has deeper internal power than the Lord who shook the world?"
But lacking the courage to fight, he turned away with a muttered whisper.
"Best hurry and find where the Wind and Cloud Qi flows to absorb it."
As Yeo Mun-gi retreated, the remaining participants scattered as well, though not without glaring at Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
The only figures from the Demonic Path here were Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
Aside from the mysterious man with the smiling face, everyone else belonged to the Righteous Faction—so their reaction was understandable.
"Good luck to you both."
Just then, Jegal Seo-un sent a voice transmission to Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
"Let's compete fairly."
Then he, too, withdrew into the depths of the cavern.
As both the young clan head of the Eight Great Clans and a competitor in the Groom Selection Tournament,
it seemed he intended to set aside personal connections for now.
"That guy. He must've been deeply ashamed of his own weakness back then."
Hyeok So-jin smirked as he watched Jegal Seo-un disappear.
"Used to act all scholarly, but now he's a martial artist who stakes his life on a single sword. How amusing."
"He rebelled against the strict Jegal Family Head and left his clan. He must've truly desired strength."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled softly through his nose.
Back then, the young clan heads of the Eight Great Clans had been so weak they couldn't even compare to Hyeok So-jin—let alone Bu Eun-seol.
But the incident with the Suspicious Madman had been a powerful catalyst.
Now, they were walking the true path of martial artists.
"Brother Bu. Shouldn't we start our training as well?"
Nodding, Bu Eun-seol surveyed the cavern.
The interior was labyrinthine, but stone chambers—marked like guideposts—were scattered throughout, allowing one to close the door and train in seclusion.
There was no risk of getting lost, and one could quietly hone their martial arts.
After a long moment of consideration, Bu Eun-seol's gaze settled on a small training room and he nodded.
"This place will do."
It was the spot where the Wind and Cloud Qi rose most densely within the cavern.
Because he harbored the Two Spirit Energies within his body, Bu Eun-seol could perceive the Wind and Cloud Qi more clearly than anyone else.
"Train here."
Inside the chamber, a method for absorbing and storing the Wind and Cloud Qi was inscribed.
After studying the text for a while, Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened, and he turned.
"What about you, Brother Bu?"
"I won't be the Wind God Palace's Grand Duke anyway."
For once, Bu Eun-seol wore an apologetic expression.
"They say even an ordinary martial artist can greatly enhance their skills by mastering Wind God Qi, so train hard."
What the Wind God Palace wanted was a matrilocal son-in-law.
But Hyeok So-jin was the next Sanctuary Master of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying—even if he passed all the trials, becoming the Grand Duke would be difficult.
"Nonsense. I mean it sincerely."
Seeing through Bu Eun-seol's thoughts, Hyeok So-jin spoke gravely.
"Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying is trivial. If Brother Bu doesn't recover, our sect and the Demonic Path are finished."
Bu Eun-seol was one of the grandmasters who dictated the current murim's balance.
If he failed to recover—
Not only would the carefully laid plans collapse, but the Demonic Path sects and the Martial Soul Society that followed him would crumble as well.
"...Alright. Understood."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
Even if Hyeok So-jin became the Grand Duke, he had no intention of sharing the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi.
Instead, through the Groom Selection Tournament—
He had secretly prepared a contingency plan.
He simply lacked time.
To resolve a certain matter—
Devising backup plans was second nature to him.
But how could he have known?
Before he could even use that contingency, he would be swept into an unforeseen conspiracy.
Leaving the training chamber where Hyeok So-jin remained, Bu Eun-seol surveyed his surroundings.
There was no trace of Wind and Cloud Qi here.
He discovered a spacious and comfortable training room and walked toward it.
Rumble.
A small stone lay before the training room, and stepping on it automatically caused the stone gate to open.
As Bu Eun-seol stared at it, a sudden, strange thought struck him.
Was there really a need to carve out such a massive secret cave, densely pack it with training rooms of this scale, and install mechanisms in each one?
'The scale doesn't make sense.'
Upon reflection, it was odd for a secret cave supposedly meant solely for refining Wind Cloud Qi.
From the outside, it appeared as though an entire mountain had been hollowed out, and structurally, this place should have consisted of multiple levels.
Yet in reality, there was only a single cavern?
"Then this place is—"
Just as Bu Eun-seol was about to inspect the surroundings of the training room—
Rumble.
Another gate opened, revealing a young man with crescent-moon eyes, smiling brightly.
It was the very same enigmatic youth Bu Eun-seol had been observing all this time.
"Oh my, the Martial Soul Lord is here."
The young man wore a mischievous expression.
Though his face was playful, Bu Eun-seol could sense that he was no ordinary individual.
"If you wish to use this place, go ahead. I'll step aside."
"Ah, no need. I'll be the one to leave."
The youth turned to go.
"Ah, right, by the way—"
"..."
"Why would the illustrious Martial Soul Lord, whose name shakes the world, deliberately participate in a Groom Selection Tournament he wasn't even invited to?"
The youth scratched his head.
"I heard the Wind God Palace was conducting this in utmost secrecy, so to think you just happened to stumble in... It's both fascinating and curious, you see."
"It's a personal matter I'd rather not discuss."
"I see. My apologies."
The man grinned and began walking out of the training room.
"But you know what?"
He turned back again, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"It's true that the Wind God Palace is holding a Groom Selection Tournament, but there are two reasons why they suddenly summoned prodigies and rushed into this."
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
That very point had been bothering him.
No matter how much they struggled to find a suitable son-in-law while wandering the martial world—
For a major sect like the Wind God Palace—
Was there really a need to gather people in such a small-scale, haphazard competition?
"There are two reasons, in fact. Would you like to hear them?"
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, the man spoke in a low voice.
"First, the previous palace lord was suddenly assassinated by the Number One of the Demonic Path—the Demonic Heavenly Emperor. So the Wind God Palace had no choice but to make somewhat sloppy preparations."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened in an instant.
The previous palace lord was killed by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor?
Then it was certain that they harbored deep resentment toward him as well—the heir of the Demon Hall.
'So that's how it was.'
Only now did Bu Eun-seol realize why Elder Hyang had insisted on making him, who lacked any trace of Five-Elements Qi, participate in the Groom Selection Tournament.
She clearly had ulterior motives—she intended to harm him.
"The second reason is..."
The youth trailed off, shaking his head.
"I'm giving you valuable information, yet you're glaring at me so fiercely. How can I speak under such pressure?"
As the man continued teasing, Bu Eun-seol replied coldly,
"If you don't wish to speak, then don't."
"Hahaha. Just joking. No need to be so serious."
And then he resumed.
"The second reason is that, internally, they've already decided on the Young Palace Lord's spouse. That's why the tournament was held in such a pitifully small scale."
"If they've already decided, why bother holding a Groom Selection Tournament at all?"
"A sort of comparison, you could say?"
The youth grinned.
"Rather than suddenly announcing they've found a spouse for the Young Palace Lord, it's far more convincing to say they held a tournament and that an outstanding candidate emerged from it, no?"
A sharp glint flashed through Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The fact that the Young Palace Lord needed such a persuasion process implied—
Had the Wind God Palace already been infiltrated by an external force?
"Are you saying you're the chosen one?"
"Correct."
The man beamed.
"Heartless Shadow—Yong Hoe. I belong to the Unity Faction."
Flames of fury instantly ignited in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The Unity Faction, which had taken his grandfather's corpse, was the place he despised most in the world.
'Heartless Shadow?'
But he quickly regained his composure.
If he lost his temper now, he might miss crucial information about the Unity Faction.
"I've never heard of a 'Heartless Shadow.' Are you of the Special Divine Rank?"
"Rather than a rank, it's more of an existence, I suppose?"
The youth, Yong Hoe, chuckled as he spoke.
"Just a disposable tool, really. I act according to whatever the mission requires."
His expression was so playful that it was impossible to tell whether he was lying or speaking the truth.
"And we've already secretly embedded our faction's troops within the Wind God Palace. More than half of their key members have defected to our side as well."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
Unbeknownst to him, the Three Realms' influence had already extended into the Wind God Palace.
Not only had they covertly swayed the palace's key members to orchestrate this scheme—
But by sheer coincidence, Bu Eun-seol had ended up entangled in it.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
Yong Hoe's crescent-moon eyes curved even deeper.
"Let's have a match."