Chapter 802
Hyeok So-jin urgently spoke up.
"Brother Bu, that is—"
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol calmly shook his head.
"There's no need to worry."
Then, turning to Elder Hyang, he said:
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor transcended the boundaries of the Martial Extreme Realm long ago. He does not lay hands on the weak."
His expression grew solemn.
"The only ones the Demonic Heavenly Emperor acts against are those worthy of his attention—superlative martial experts who can capture his interest."
"Are you calling the former palace lord weak?"
"Listen to the end before speaking."
As Elder Hyang raised her voice, Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
"And when he does strike down a powerful opponent, he ensures the entire world knows of it. That is the dignity befitting the Number One of the Demonic Path."
Bu Eun-seol stared straight at Elder Hyang.
"Yet you claim the Demonic Heavenly Emperor killed the Wind God without a single rumor spreading?"
"How would this elder know the schemes of that vile man?"
"Then tell me. When and how did the Demonic Heavenly Emperor kill the palace lord? Show me the evidence."
Elder Hyang glanced at Yong Hoe, who was still writhing with severed tendons, and replied:
"That man provided irrefutable proof that the palace lord and the Grand Duke were ambushed by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
"An ambush? What proof?"
Elder Hyang gritted her teeth.
"He confirmed that the scars left on the palace lord and Grand Duke's corpses matched the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's martial arts."
"As I thought."
"What are you saying?"
"That it's nothing but laughable nonsense."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head again.
"Even if all Four Divine Figures of the current Murim were to attack him at once, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor couldn't guarantee victory."
He let out a derisive snort.
"And yet you claim he resorted to an ambush to kill the Wind God and the Grand Duke? The very man who prioritizes his divine prestige as the Sky of the Demonic Path above all else?"
"What did you say?"
"It's laughable. Utterly ridiculous."
Elder Hyang shouted:
"Since when is there a rule that strong warriors don't ambush the weak? Isn't killing in secret a common practice?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"If you insist, fine. Then tell me—what evidence did the Return to Unity Realm bring?"
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's signature martial art."
Elder Hyang spat the words out as if coughing blood.
"The palace lord and Grand Duke perished by a massive blade materialized from true qi. That very bizarre True Qi Martial Art!"
The "bizarre True Qi Martial Art" likely referred to the Willful True Binding from the Emotion Severing Secret Art.
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
To think the prestigious Wind God Palace had fallen for such an absurd scheme by the Three Realms.
'This is the flaw of sects that remain aloof from the world, preserving their legacy in isolation.'
Had the Wind God Palace been an influential sect of the Central Plains, such tricks would never have worked.
But secluded in these remote Snowy Mountains, maintaining their lineage in secrecy... they were deceived by a scheme that wasn't even particularly elaborate.
'No, that can't be it.'
Bu Eun-seol detected another truth in Elder Hyang's gaze.
From the start, whether the Wind God had truly been killed by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor likely didn't matter to her.
Her true purpose was to rebuild the Wind God Palace with the Return to Unity Realm's aid and support.
And if the Wind God had been slain by the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the Number One of the Demonic Path?
Then the palace lord's death wouldn't have been in vain.
'The Wind God Palace genuinely doesn't know why the Wind God died.'
If they couldn't even determine the palace lord's cause of death—if they couldn't find the murderer—
Then a lie claiming he fell to a worthy adversary would be a more glorious facade than the truth.
'Am I becoming like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor now?'
He had discerned from Elder Hyang's expression and gaze that she was lying.
By provoking her defiance with a bold declaration of risking his life, he had drawn out her genuine reaction.
The only one in the world who could manipulate and control others' hearts so effortlessly was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Yet somehow, Bu Eun-seol had begun emulating even that.
"There's no longer any value in further explanation."
Bu Eun-seol turned his gaze to Hae-yeon.
"It seems the palace lord should clean up the sect herself."
Thud!
Instead of answering, Hae-yeon unleashed a sword wind, severing Yong Hoe's head.
Thump.
The severed head rolled pitifully across the floor.
A rather anticlimactic end for a master affiliated with the Return to Unity Realm.
"I will personally verify the truth with this Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
She spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
"If it turns out to be false, I'll kill you too."
"Come to the Demon Hall anytime."
Whoosh.
Bu Eun-seol retrieved the Martial Soul Order Token from his robes and handed it to her.
"If you wish to meet the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, do not seek him blindly. Present this plaque when you arrive at the Demon Hall, and you will be granted a private audience."
"Why give this to me? Are you concerned for my safety?"
"Regardless of the reason, I have obtained the secret transmissions of the Wind God Palace. Is it not natural to repay that debt?"
"Hohoho."
Hae-yeon smiled.
"Your manners are quite refined. Just like before."
Bu Eun-seol's face flushed red in an instant.
The memory surfaced—when her body had been exposed in the underground chamber, he had shielded her with his own robes.
"Brother Bu."
At that moment, Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un approached.
"Has your body fully recovered?"
"It has."
"I shall take my leave now, Palace Lord."
As Bu Eun-seol turned to go, Hae-yeon spoke.
"I will set aside the matter of whether this 'Demonic Heavenly Emperor' truly killed my disciples. That is something I will verify myself."
Then she stepped closer to Bu Eun-seol and continued.
"Regardless, you not only eliminated the villains who sought to devour my palace, but you also saved my life. That is an undeniable fact."
Thud.
Hae-yeon drew near enough that her presence almost touched Bu Eun-seol's face, her alluring eyes lifting slightly.
"Which means, this Palace Lord owes you a debt."
"There is no need."
"No need? If your comrades are left in this state, their Internal Power will greatly diminish."
She gestured toward Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un, who were still in disarray.
"My palace has excellent medicine."
Thanks to the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi, Bu Eun-seol had undergone a transformation akin to Metamorphosis and Bone Renewal.
But Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un bore deep, unhealed wounds from battle.
Around the Wind God Palace, there were no physicians to be found, nor any usable medicine.
If they left now as they were, their injuries might worsen by the time they reached Chengdu.
"Moreover, both of them possess fine potential. If you wish, I can not only heal them but also impart a power comparable to the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi."
Hae-yeon made an extraordinary offer.
"And since you have already obtained the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi, learning its practical applications from me would be beneficial."
"No, that's—"
Bu Eun-seol raised a hand to refuse.
But before he knew it, Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un had pressed tightly against his shoulders.
Their gazes burned with unmistakable intensity.
—Brother Bu. I want the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi too.
—Since things have come to this... I wouldn't mind...
Reading their desperate thoughts, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to bow in gratitude.
"I am deeply grateful for the Palace Lord's generosity."
The forces of the Return to Unity Realm that had seized the Wind God Palace had been thoroughly purged.
Elder Hyang, in particular, had colluded with an outside faction and humiliated the Young Palace Lord.
By all rights, she should have faced the Tendon Severing and Meridian Cutting Punishment for the crime of Deceiving the Master and Extinguishing the Ancestors.
But instead, she was merely stripped of her elder status and sentenced to three years of Wall Gazing Penalty.
Considering her age and years of loyalty, the punishment was exceedingly lenient.
The true tragedy lay with the Young Palace Lord.
Deceived by Yong Hoe, she had ruined her future as the next palace lord through the Sun-Moon Harmony Grand Method.
But now that Hae-yeon had awakened from her century-long slumber—
Returning as the most powerful Wind God since the Founder's time—the Wind God Palace would continue to thrive without issue.
As for the Three Realms, their plan to swallow the sect had been thwarted.
Their principle was to simply eliminate those involved and erase all traces, so no further retaliation or attacks were expected.
Four days later,
"I offer my deepest gratitude for your kindness."
Before departing, Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply to Palace Lord Hae-yeon.
Thanks to her benevolence, he had obtained the practical methods to freely wield the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi.
Unlike the Thunder Essence Divine Qi or Water Essence Divine Qi, which flowed naturally from the moment they harmonized within his body—
The Wind & Cloud Divine Qi required specific techniques to manifest properly.
In truth, Bu Eun-seol had already acquired most of these methods within the Wind God's Path.
What Hae-yeon had taught him was not how to use it, but how to suppress it.
Its attributes were starkly different from the other two energies, and if left unchecked, it would unconsciously seep out on its own.
—Throughout the generations, Wind Gods have either died young from inexplicable illnesses or been assassinated by unknown enemies.
Hae-yeon's words had been startling.
For generations, Wind Gods had met untraceable deaths.
—So... until you attain martial prowess that none can challenge, it would be wise to refrain from openly displaying the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi.
Bu Eun-seol wasn't afraid of ambushes, but he agreed with the advice to refrain from publicly displaying the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi.
The Three Realms were fixated on the Four Divine Energies.
Moreover, the Three Divine Powers served as Bu Eun-seol's final bastion—so unless absolutely necessary, it would be wise to avoid using the martial arts of the Wind God Palace.
"Thank you!"
"Palace Master, we are deeply grateful for your guidance."
Thanks to Hae-yeon's assistance, both Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un had also achieved significant progress in their martial prowess.
The two were scions of renowned clans, raised since childhood on countless spirit medicines.
However, the human body could never perfectly absorb all the energy from such elixirs—most of it remained hidden within their dormant acupoints.
Using the secret methods of the Wind God Palace and the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi,
she had helped disperse and store all the spiritual energy within their dormant acupoints into their Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
As a result, not only had the power of Hyeok So-jin's Divine-Rending Demonic Qi increased, but its range had expanded more than threefold.
Jegal Seo-un, too, had reached a realm where he could freely wield the Jegal Family's Ultimate Arts.
"There's no need for thanks."
Yet just as Bu Eun-seol was about to leave, Hae-yeon grabbed him and made an absurd demand.
"Now it's your turn to fulfill my request."
"Request?"
"Become my Grand Supreme Duke."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost.
"What in the—"
Hae-yeon remained utterly composed as she spoke.
"You saw all of me, naked. And you even reached out and touched me."
"Khh—khem."
"Ahem."
Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un awkwardly turned their heads away.
This was unexpected.
Had Bu Eun-seol obtained the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi because he had... shared a bed with Palace Master Hae-yeon?
"It is absolutely not what you're thinking."
Bu Eun-seol grabbed Hyeok So-jin's shoulder, his expression deadly serious.
"Do you understand?"
"N-no, well... Brother Bu, you are a grown man, so..."
The moment a blood-red light capable of melting steel poured from Bu Eun-seol's pupils, Hyeok So-jin straightened up and answered crisply.
"Understood. I understand perfectly."
Then, Hae-yeon murmured with a pout.
"Are you denying what happened?"
"That was to save the Palace Master."
Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
"I harbored no ulterior motives or ill intentions."
"I know. But good intentions don't change the truth."
"What do you mean?"
"Has the morality of the world changed so much in a hundred years that a man can freely gaze upon a woman's naked form and lay hands on her?"
Now it seemed that beneath her beautiful appearance, she was a silver-tongued sophist.
"Palace Master."
"If you have an excuse, speak. I'll hear all of it."
Bu Eun-seol closed his mouth.
Hae-yeon had already made it clear—good intentions did not turn truth into falsehood.
No matter what he said, the truth would not change.
Meaning... any words from him would only sound like an excuse.
"Do you dislike me because I'm a hundred-and-twenty-year-old crone?"
Hae-yeon took a step closer, watching Bu Eun-seol's troubled expression.
"But I was trapped inside the Crystal Coffin the entire time. In my mind, I still only remember being twenty."
Back then, she had been considered one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Now, the energy of the Crystal Coffin had turned her skin even paler and her hair into a mystical platinum blonde.
Even compared to the peerless beauties known as the Three Beauties of the World in this era, she was in no way inferior.
In fact, with her dreamlike beauty and an aura that seemed to hold untold secrets, she stood a step above them.
"It's not because of the Palace Master's age."
Bu Eun-seol calmly explained.
"I have duties to fulfill. Duties that may cost me my life."
"A hundred years ago or now, men's excuses are all the same."
Hae-yeon smiled faintly.
"Who said anything about spending a hundred years with you?"
"What?"
"The Grand Supreme Duke is merely a Grand Duke. The Palace Masters of our lineage must first obtain a Grand Duke and marry before they can formally ascend to their position."
She covered her mouth with a sleeve and laughed.
"Don't tell me your heart was racing at the thought of marrying me?"
Her words had a way of stealing a man's soul.
Bu Eun-seol, who had maintained a stern expression until now, looked somewhat flustered as he replied.
"I was only ever concerned that my actions might tarnish the Palace Master's pristine reputation."
"Pristine reputation, hm?"
Hae-yeon seemed pleased with his answer, her smile blooming like a flower.
"At least you don't see me as some hundred-year-old hag."
"What does age matter when it comes to purity of reputation?"
"Then, do you admit to what you've done?"
"Of course."
Her eyes curved into crescents as she spoke.
"Others go to such lengths to hide their mistakes. Yet you neither speak with a forked tongue nor evade responsibility."
When Hae-yeon laughed openly without covering her mouth, it felt as though millions of roses had bloomed before their eyes.
The sight was unbearably beautiful.
Behind Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un unconsciously gaped, their expressions dazed.
"Originally, I wasn't fond of conversing with others. But perhaps because I've slept for so long... talking to someone feels unexpectedly delightful."
She paused mid-sentence,
tucking her waist-length hair lightly behind her ear.
The motion revealed, just for a moment, the snow-white nape of her neck and collarbone—visible due to the Wind God Palace's distinctive attire.
Bu Eun-seol's face flushed red, and his chest tightened inexplicably.
He recalled the dazzling sight of her when her robes had torn.
"Hmm~"
Noticing his reaction, Hae-yeon flashed a mischievous smile.
"Handsome men usually live up to their looks. But you don't seem to."
Now it was clear—she had deliberately shown him the delicate curve of her neck and shoulders.
Even for a female martial artist unbound by trivial etiquette, this was an audacious act.
"Well? Do I still look like a grandmother?"
Boldly,
she gathered her hair with both hands, fully exposing her neckline and shoulders.
—Ooh!
Hyeok So-jin and Jegal Seo-un's eyes sparkled as they gaped, drooling slightly.
But Bu Eun-seol swiftly turned his head away and muttered in a low voice,
"Palace Lord, your jest goes too far."
"Jest? I asked in all seriousness."
Hae-yeon gazed at the flustered Bu Eun-seol with evident satisfaction.
'This is troublesome.'
Bu Eun-seol couldn't figure out how to handle her.
Though she had been in suspended animation inside the Crystal Coffin, by age alone, she was a hundred and twenty.
To put it simply, her seniority surpassed even that of the current Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the supreme ruler of the Demonic Martial World.
"Not living up to his looks? That's a gross exaggeration."
Though they hadn't formally sworn brotherhood, Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin were as close as real siblings.
Noticing Bu Eun-seol's discomfort, Hyeok So-jin mustered his courage and stepped forward.
"Brother Bu is quite famous in the martial world for his looks."
...Though in a rather unconventional way.
"Moreover, he has quite the philandering streak—leaving behind romantic scandals wherever he travels in the Central Plains."
Hyeok So-jin spoke with the gravest expression.
"The number of women waiting for Brother Bu right now... probably far exceeds the nuns of the Emei Sect on Mount Emei."
Though slightly exaggerated,
given Bu Eun-seol's past exploits, it wasn't entirely baseless.
When Bu Eun-seol glared, Hyeok So-jin shook his head subtly.
—Bear with it. This is the only way.
Reading his gaze, Bu Eun-seol reluctantly nodded.
"Saying there are more than Emei Sect disciples is an overstatement, but... I do have women with whom I've made promises."
He deliberately emphasized the plural—women.
But Hae-yeon only laughed brightly and shook her head.
"That doesn't matter at all."
Placing both hands on her slender waist, she declared with confidence,
"Are any of them more senior than this Palace Lord?"
"Impossible."
As Hyeok So-jin shook his head, Hae-yeon's sea-blue eyes gleamed triumphantly.
"Then, is any of them stronger than me in martial arts?"
Hyeok So-jin paused, wearing a serious expression, then shook his head again.
No matter how he thought about it, no one in this era could surpass the current Wind God.
"None, it seems."
"What a relief."
"But relying solely on seniority and martial arts... won't it still be difficult to compete with them?"
Hyeok So-jin put on a deliberately troubled expression and whispered to her.
"Besides, once Brother Bu's philandering tendencies kick in, he'll tirelessly chase after women for three days and nights without rest."
Even the most open-minded female martial hero would find such behavior unacceptable.
But Hae-yeon was different.
"This Palace Lord isn't so narrow-minded."
Lifting her long lashes, she gazed at Bu Eun-seol with unwavering confidence.
"I'd just prefer no more competitors. This palace isn't very spacious, after all."
Her tone suggested
she was ready to bring Bu Eun-seol and his women into the Wind God Palace at any moment.
—Completely... different.
At this unexpected response,
not only Bu Eun-seol but even the sly Hyeok So-jin stiffened.
They finally realized—she wasn't like any of the women they'd encountered before.
She was an adversary they couldn't easily handle.