Chapter 816
Bu Eun-seol wore a dazed expression.
"Guarding the Murim...?"
"That's right."
"What exactly was he doing to claim he was guarding the Murim?"
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
"I asked the same question. But he said it was something that absolutely must not be leaked to outsiders, so he regrettably couldn't tell me."
"And what did you say?"
"Well, though I couldn't know the inside story, when the revered Jeong Cheon-je was practically kneeling before me... I had no choice but to agree. But ever since that day, it's been hard to shake the perception that the Martial Alliance had rotted."
"I see."
Only then did two long-held questions finally resolve in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Why Bukgung Ryeong had so detested the Martial Alliance, and why he'd said it was rotten.
'That makes perfect sense.'
Having witnessed Jeong Cheon-je—the very symbol of integrity—using his authority to cover for the Martial Venerable, Bukgung Ryeong could only conclude the Martial Alliance itself was corrupt.
'Jeong Cheon-je and the Martial Venerable weren't merely sworn brothers.'
Jeong Cheon-je had shared the secret passage connected to the Heaven and Earth Pavilion with his sworn brother, the Martial Venerable.
This wasn't just for clandestine meetings—the two must have been collaborating on some scheme.
'It'll come to light soon. Like everything else has.'
There's no way Jeong Cheon-je or the Martial Venerable wouldn't know about the Abyssal Forces lurking beneath the Murim—entities like the True Demon or the Baekri Clan.
If they truly did something to protect the Murim? Before long... it would inevitably surface.
"So you're leaving the Martial Alliance to protect your subordinates."
"That's right. I came to find the murderer who killed my grandfather, but... I don't think I can endure any longer."
"Your grandfather?"
"The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang."
Truthfully, Bu Eun-seol had long wanted to honestly reveal his circumstances to Bukgung Ryeong.
But since Bukgung Ryeong had said, "You needn't explain everything to me," he'd kept silent all this time.
Now, however, the situation demanded it—whether Bukgung Ryeong wanted to hear it or not.
"He was my grandfather."
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened.
The Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
Though his final known position was as Deputy Hall Lord of the Demon Hall, in truth he was a Peerless Grandmaster who left countless marks across the Murim.
Wasn't he the Great Killing Star who slaughtered innumerable people?
"You're his blood descendant?"
"I am. But contrary to what's known in the Murim, the grandfather I knew lived differently."
Bu Eun-seol calmly explained the grandfather he'd known.
Because hostility had begun rising in Bukgung Ryeong's eyes.
Someone who slaughtered so many, making no distinction between orthodox and unorthodox...
Few in the Righteous Faction don't despise the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
"...You'd have no reason to lie about this."
After hearing everything, Bukgung Ryeong conceded to Bu Eun-seol's account.
"I never saw it myself."
How remarkable.
Among those who looked down on the Murim, almost none hadn't seen his grandfather.
Yet Bukgung Ryeong alone...
Had never once crossed paths with him.
"Who could have killed a swordsman like him?"
"To be precise, the murderer didn't kill him. Grandfather gave his life to protect me."
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
"Of course, there must be circumstances behind it no one knows. Not even the martial artists who dominate the world have uncovered the cause."
With a sigh, he explained everything in detail—how his grandfather died, what traits the murderer had.
And how the Ghost Return Sect had even taken his grandfather's corpse...
"An unbelievable tale. No, an outright bizarre one."
Bukgung Ryeong wore a stunned expression.
The barrage of shocking revelations left him dizzy.
"Do you know anything related to the murderer?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Bukgung Ryeong—lost in deep thought for a long moment—shook his head.
"In all my travels across the Murim, I've never heard of anyone who mastered Demonic Sword Arts at the Summit of Mastery, practiced the Indian Supple Body Art, and used Wicked Incense as a hidden weapon."
"I see."
Though Bukgung Ryeong traveled widely, he never maintained an intelligence network.
Thus he knew little even about the Three Realms or the Three Clans.
"But one thing is certain."
Then Bukgung Ryeong said something unexpected.
"The murderer likely acquired those three qualifications specifically to face the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade."
"What do you mean?"
"If a demonic practitioner killed the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang, they'd gain fame rivaling the Number One of the Demonic Path... If a righteous practitioner did it, they'd earn incomparable honor."
Bukgung Ryeong continued.
"By your account, the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade achieved martial supremacy even the era's superlative experts couldn't approach. Yet the killer lives quietly without announcing it?"
"..."
"Moreover, would anyone think Wicked Incense's hidden weapons could work on a master like the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade and actually use them? There must have been a special reason."
After pondering deeply, Bu Eun-seol finally spoke.
"Are you saying those were specific conditions required to kill Grandfather?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, who would dare attempt a solo assassination against a master like the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade?"
Bukgung Ryeong's words made sense.
No matter how formidable Wicked Incense's hidden weapons or the Flesh-Rotting Blood-Decay Poison were, there was no way they could have worked on Bu Jan-yang.
Yet the killer had deliberately used them—along with leaving behind traces of Demonic Sword Arts and the Indian Supple Body Art.
This suggested that rather than being the killer's own techniques or traits, they were instead special conditions—either to intimidate or outright kill Bu Jan-yang.
After a long silence, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"That's one possibility... but couldn't it also just be a high-ranking member of the Three Realms who favors Wicked Incense's weapons? Or perhaps one of the Servants of the True Demon?"
"The True Demon? And who might that be?"
When Bukgung Ryeong questioned him, Bu Eun-seol gave a bitter smile.
Only now did he realize he had neglected to mention the most crucial detail.
"To think you've been in the Martial Alliance all this time and only focused on nurturing disciples."
Understanding the implication, Bukgung Ryeong scoffed.
"You think at my age, I'd suddenly start running an intelligence network and meddle in martial world affairs?"
"Fair enough. In any case, the True Demon is..."
Bu Eun-seol began explaining in detail—the legends of the True Demon and the hierarchy of its servants.
After listening for a long while, Bukgung Ryeong could only gape in disbelief.
"And you expect me to believe that?"
His reaction was only natural.
No one in the martial world would accept such a tale at face value.
The legend of the True Demon was not only fantastical—it overturned all conventional understanding.
"All this time, the hidden factions of the martial world, even the superlative experts with vast intelligence networks—they all knew this truth."
Bu Eun-seol wore a bitter expression.
"I've always been the one chasing hidden truths."
"So it's real, then."
Bukgung Ryeong's face darkened with shame.
Though he had spent his life standing alone at the pinnacle of the martial world, he had never managed to secure influence or intelligence networks.
At times like this, listening to Bu Eun-seol, his past achievements felt hollow.
"Weren't you just trying to do good in your own way?"
Sensing his mood, Bu Eun-seol spoke as if consoling him.
"In my case, the ones who stole Grandfather's body were already entangled with the Abyss of the martial world. I had no choice but to build and manage an intelligence network."
"I don't need consolation. My era is over anyway."
Since meeting Bu Eun-seol, he had felt his generation had truly ended.
Even his once-fiery temper had nearly faded away.
"Regardless."
Bukgung Ryeong waved a hand dismissively.
"One thing's certain—the killer isn't from the Three Realms, nor is it this True Demon you speak of."
"And why is that?"
"Instinct. If the killer were a master from the Heaven Beyond Heaven... they wouldn't have bothered with such convoluted methods."
If they were strong enough to face the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade alone—
Why go through the trouble of using Wicked Incense's weapons?
Or the Indian Supple Body Art, or that bizarre Demonic Sword Arts?
"It's said the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's martial principles had never been broken by any means. Yet the killer deliberately left behind those traces."
His reasoning was sound.
"In other words, the killer trained in Wicked Incense's weapons, the Indian Supple Body Art, and that unorthodox Demonic Sword Arts not because they were exceptional techniques..."
Bu Eun-seol said calmly,
"But because there was a high probability they had some connection to Grandfather."
"Exactly. Most likely, it was—"
As Bukgung Ryeong continued, his expression twisted strangely.
He never expected that block of wood to look surprised.
Even when expressing emotion, the most movement he ever showed was in his eyes or eyebrows.
But now—
He wasn't listening intently.
No, he was staring fixedly at Bukgung Ryeong's face and eyes, observing with an unsettling gaze.
Only then did Bukgung Ryeong remember one crucial fact.
This kid was terrifyingly sharp.
Even Gongson Dan-gyeong—whose wisdom and schemes were said to be unmatched—couldn't compare.
There was no way someone like him wouldn't have already deduced what Bukgung Ryeong was realizing now.
"Why did you drop hints about the killer of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade, only to then observe my physiological reactions and expressions?"
A flash of realization crossed Bukgung Ryeong's eyes.
"Were you testing me just now?"
At last, he understood.
Bu Eun-seol had been seriously listening to the analysis of the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade's death—
He had been testing him.
"To see if even I belonged to their faction?"
Bukgung Ryeong trembled with rage.
If he had belonged to the Three Realms, or been one of the Servants of the True Demon—
He would never have conducted such an analysis. Instead, he would have subtly redirected suspicion toward hostile factions.
"Calling it a test isn't quite accurate."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"I merely wished to know how you felt about my grandfather's death."
"You've already investigated everyone within the Martial Alliance, haven't you? And now, before leaving, you decided to interrogate me as well?"
"Why would you think that? I was only speaking of my own circumstances."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head again.
"I simply confirmed your thoughts through our conversation."
"That is a test, you brat!"
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened sharply.
"I even entered the Martial Alliance for your sake—and you doubted me all along?"
Despite the difference in their ages, he had considered them to be close friends, transcending generations.
Had it been for Bu Eun-seol's sake, he would have gladly helped, even at the risk of his own life.
Beyond the divide of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths, Bu Eun-seol had been the only one he truly trusted.
And yet—this boy had doubted him?
"I have no further business with you."
"Elder."
"I understand. Given your circumstances, you couldn't trust anyone. No—you shouldn't have trusted anyone."
Considering everything Bu Eun-seol had endured—
Trusting another person would have been impossible.
"But listen."
Bukgung Ryeong locked eyes with Bu Eun-seol, enunciating each word deliberately.
"There are times in this world when absolute faith is necessary."
Bukgung Ryeong was a renowned hero of the Righteous Faction.
Yet he had trusted and believed in Bu Eun-seol—the Heir of the Demon Hall. He had even entered the Martial Alliance and become an Honorary Guardian at Bu Eun-seol's request.
But Bu Eun-seol still hadn't trusted him. He had calculated, analyzed, and tested him.
If that was the case—then this relationship could no longer continue.
"I'm leaving."
As Bukgung Ryeong rose from his seat—
"Elder."
Bu Eun-seol spoke in a voice more solemn and grave than ever before.
"If this were merely a matter between you and me, I would never have tried to discern your intentions."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Contempt flooded Bukgung Ryeong's gaze.
"Who else is here besides you and me?"
"In the future, you will be responsible for commanding countless lives as the leader of an alliance. Shouldn't we at least confirm that you aren't aligned with the Three Realms or the Servants of the True Demon?"
"Leader of an alliance?"
Bukgung Ryeong snorted.
"Are you telling me to become the Martial Alliance Leader now?"
Before Bu Eun-seol could respond, he declared firmly—
"Wake up from your delusions. I would never take on something like the Martial Alliance leadership."
"Not the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was solemn.
"I named it the Azure Heaven Alliance."
"Azure Heaven Alliance?"
"That's right."
A brilliant light erupted in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"The name of a new orthodox coalition. For those who are truly of the Righteous Path."
Bukgung Ryeong was dumbfounded.
A new orthodox coalition—just like that?
"What are you talking about? Are you saying you'll establish a new martial alliance?"
"Correct."
"Impossible."
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head with a look of disbelief.
"Do you know why the Martial Alliance remains the Martial Alliance?"
His expression turned grave.
"Because every orthodox sect that has endured through the ages has staked its name within it. A new coalition among the orthodox factions can never emerge."
Bukgung Ryeong exhaled deeply.
"Of course, groups like the Liangguang Murim Alliance and the Jiangnan Martial Alliance were formed. But they never grew beyond the scale of a single faction or minor coalition—precisely for that reason."
Then he clicked his tongue.
"And now you suddenly want to create an orthodox coalition? You, a member of the Demonic Path?"
"I'm not the one creating it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"It will be formed by martial artists of the Martial Alliance—those untainted by external forces. Including you, Elder."
"What?"
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened.
A new coalition formed by martial artists of the Martial Alliance? That was absurd.
"And if I had truly doubted you, I would have used a different method."
Bu Eun-seol extended his right hand.
A white current of energy unfurled from his body, stirring an eerie wind.
"What is this?"
"The Heavenly Robe Mind Art."
Bu Eun-seol's voice remained composed.
"There were countless opportunities to use it in secret. Yet I never did—not even once."
"..."
"Not even during all the moments I revealed my circumstances in this very chamber."
Had he truly doubted Bukgung Ryeong?
He would have simply used the Heavenly Robe Mind Art without hesitation.
But Bu Eun-seol hadn't.
Because he, too, had sincerely trusted Bukgung Ryeong.
"And how did you learn the Heavenly Robe Mind Art of the Righteous Heavenly Emperor?"
"My grandfather imparted it to me through Wisdom-Light Mind Speech. As a child, my body was too weak—even when he infused me with his True Qi, the effects were fleeting."
The stiffness in Bukgung Ryeong's expression softened slightly.
Bu Eun-seol hadn't doubted him.
Rather, it was because he had trusted him that he had shared such words in the first place.
"I merely wished to gauge your intentions to elevate you as the leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance. If things went awry, innocent martial artists would lose their lives."
"I see. I understand what you mean, but that's impossible."
Perhaps feeling guilty for misinterpreting Bu Eun-seol's deeper meaning and snapping in anger, Bukgung Ryeong, now visibly awkward, steered the conversation back to the Azure Heaven Alliance.
"Surely you don't think you can pluck martial artists from the Martial Alliance like dried persimmons and recruit them? If you attempt such a thing, even if the Shadow Force doesn't intervene, the Martial Venerable—who currently acts as the Martial Alliance Chief—will roll up his sleeves and step in himself."
Righteous faction members were not lenient toward rebellion.
And if someone were to carve out their own faction and form a new coalition?
Naturally, the Martial Alliance would mobilize all its forces to prevent such a thing.
The Martial Venerable, acting as the Alliance Chief, would never tolerate it.
"I'll handle that part myself," Bu Eun-seol said.
"I've been preparing for this for a long time."
"You're not planning to threaten the Martial Venerable, are you?"
Bukgung Ryeong's expression grew uneasy.
"I know your martial prowess is extraordinary. But you must never underestimate him. Outside of the Twin Heavenly Emperors of Righteous and Demonic, he is considered the strongest figure in the Murim."
Then he added,
"Moreover, the fact that he also holds the dual identity of the Foremost Sage of the Murim alone makes him an opponent you cannot take lightly."
"Don't worry. That won't happen."
"Good. Then I won't concern myself with that... but find someone else suitable besides me."
Bukgung Ryeong spoke firmly.
"I have no desire to become the leader of any sect or coalition."
"Impossible."
"Why?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was resolute.
"If not you, who else could lead the truly righteous figures in the Martial Alliance—those who uphold righteousness and chivalry?"
"What?"
"Would it satisfy you to see them remain in this rotten Martial Alliance, exploited by the forces of darkness?"
"That—"
As Bukgung Ryeong faltered, Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"Now that you know all these secrets, staying in the Martial Alliance isn't safe for you either."
Knowing such secrets meant becoming a target.
Bukgung Ryeong could no longer remain comfortably within the Martial Alliance.
"So trust me and take the lead in forming a proper righteous faction coalition."
"You brat, you talk big, but you're just planning to use me as a scarecrow, aren't you?"
"With that temper of yours, would you ever be a scarecrow? You'd threaten to quit the moment I said a few words."
"You know me well."
"Then you've agreed."
"When did I—?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice dropped to an unusually low and serious tone.
"The righteous faction needs someone like you—a true, proper righteous martial artist. So do it right."
"A proper... righteous martial artist."
Bukgung Ryeong's expression turned dazed.
He had roamed the Murim, doing good deeds, yet never forming close ties with the leadership of the righteous factions.
He had always walked the martial world alone.
And as Bu Eun-seol said, it was because there had been no proper righteous martial artists to stand with.
Thus, those words—
They were also words that eased the regret he had long harbored toward the righteous factions.
"It's a plausible plan, but still, no."
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
"Even if we pull forces from the Martial Alliance, we can't form a proper coalition. How many truly righteous figures do you think remain in the Martial Alliance, as you say?"
"Who said we're only taking forces from the Martial Alliance?"
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
"The Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the Eight Great Clans I’ll have them join as major supporting forces. So don't worry about that."
"What?"
"Ah, right, and—"
Bu Eun-seol wore an uncharacteristically mischievous smile.
"The Sword King, Seon-u Jin, will also be joining. Treat him well."
"What? What?!"
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
The moment he left the Martial Alliance, the identity of Seon-u Jin could never be used again.
Because that identity had been granted by the Martial Venerable.
The instant he left the Martial Alliance, the Martial Venerable would immediately expose that Seon-u Jin was Bu Eun-seol.
And if it became known that a high-ranking member of the Demon Hall had infiltrated the Martial Alliance's inner circle?
It could trigger a full-scale Great Orthodox–Unorthodox War.
Yet he intended to boldly join a new righteous coalition under that identity?
Even if the heavens split in two, such a thing was absolutely impossible.
"Just what kind of scheme are you plotting?"
"Rest easy. It will only bring benefit to the righteous faction, never harm."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands behind his back, exuding the bearing of a Master of a Generation.
"So be at ease."
'This brat...'
When Bukgung Ryeong met Bu Eun-seol's gaze, he felt as though he had plunged into an endless abyss.
It was as if eons of time were flowing past him, and an overwhelming pressure made it impossible to breathe.
Only now did Bukgung Ryeong realize—
He had instinctively sensed that Bu Eun-seol's martial prowess had surpassed even his own.
'He surpasses even me?'
As Bu Eun-seol released his aura, Bukgung's chest tightened, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
The light gleaming in those piercing eyes grew brighter, threatening to swallow him whole in an instant.
This was the presence of a grandmaster who had transcended even the limits of the Extreme Heaven Realm—
A being capable of unleashing Limitless Power.
"What in the world happened to you?"
Bukgung Ryeong's question carried a mix of awe and fear toward Bu Eun-seol, who had long since surpassed the realm of ordinary martial study.
"Don't tell me... you've reached the Martial Extreme Realm?"