Chapter 823
Having left the Gongson Clan, Bu Eun-seol...
...handled various matters both under the identity of Seon-u Jin and in his original capacity.
While attending to diverse affairs within the Martial Alliance during this period, he also...
...meticulously devised and continuously reviewed numerous plans to ensure his safe departure from the Martial Alliance alongside the Peak Realm Unit.
And now, all preparations to execute those plans were complete.
The initial plan had been to gather all forces, including the Peak Realm Unit, at the Martial Soul Society...
...to complete the Three-Way Division Strategy.
The establishment of the Azure Heaven Alliance had always been nothing more than a contingency plan.
But the plan had changed.
He realized that proceeding as originally intended would not only restrict the Peak Realm Unit from freely engaging in martial world activities...
...but also make it impossible to guarantee the lives of Bukgung Ryeong and Gongson Dan-gyeong within the Martial Alliance.
If those two remained in the Martial Alliance any longer...
...they would inevitably be manipulated by the shadowy masterminds lurking behind the scenes before ultimately meeting a gruesome end.
'But she's already dead.'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils grew transparent as he gazed at the distant sky.
The forces behind the Martial Alliance had fired their arrows at Gongson Dan-gyeong first, not at him.
No—perhaps this had been the inevitable course of events all along.
They had merely tolerated her existence out of necessity, but from the very beginning, the powers behind the scenes had planned to eliminate her.
Even the Martial Venerable, who had elevated her to the position of chief strategist.
'It's all my fault.'
Even though Gongson Dan-gyeong's death had been part of a meticulously orchestrated conspiracy...
...Bu Eun-seol couldn't shake off his guilt.
After all, it was because of him that their resolve had been triggered in the first place.
'Once I safely leave the Martial Alliance, I'll track down the Jungson Clan and make them pay the price first.'
A bloody light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Once he safely exited the Martial Alliance under the identity of Seon-u Jin and launched the Azure Heaven Alliance...
...he intended to set aside all other matters and prioritize avenging Gongson Dan-gyeong above all else.
The primary duty of the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief was...
...to suppress the rise of factions that threatened the stability of the martial world or evil sects and forces that opposed the Martial Alliance's banner.
Sword King Seon-u Jin.
Having defeated Fist King Seok Chi-haeng and ascended to the ranks of the Four Gods and Seven Kings under the epithet "Sword King"...
...he had effectively risen to become one of the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking officials at a young age.
Yet, he continued to tirelessly traverse the martial world, faithfully carrying out his duties as the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief.
Even the senior officials who had initially opposed his rise to high office...
...had no choice but to acknowledge his diligence and unwavering dedication.
But then, the unthinkable happened.
Despite having steadily performed his duties as Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief and garnered support from numerous figures...
...the moment he returned to the Martial Alliance, he was imprisoned as a felon.
"Chief Seon-u. We are arresting you on suspicion of espionage."
Upon his return to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eun-seol was greeted not by allies but by the Disciplinary Hall Master and his troops.
"Espionage? Are you referring to me?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as if he couldn't comprehend the accusation.
"I have no idea what nonsense you're spouting."
"A detention order has been issued. Come with us."
This was bizarre.
No matter how fearsome the Disciplinary Hall's reputation for striking down even birds mid-flight, they couldn't recklessly treat the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief—one of the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking officials—with such disrespect.
Yet here they were, speaking to him as casually as if he were a subordinate.
This could only mean they were already convinced of Seon-u Jin's guilt and possessed evidence to back their claim.
"Surely you're aware that a Grand Council must precede any punishment of this bureau chief?"
Even with evidence in hand, the Martial Alliance's highest-ranking officials could not be arbitrarily punished.
A Grand Council had to be convened, and the leadership's consensus had to be reached first.
"No Grand Council is necessary for detention."
The Disciplinary Hall Master retrieved a command plaque from his robes.
It was the Twin-Winged Phoenix Command, symbolizing the Martial Alliance Leader's absolute authority.
"The Alliance Leader himself has issued the order. Chief Seon-u is to be detained immediately, and the truth behind the espionage allegations must be uncovered."
Bu Eun-seol's pupils flashed.
The Martial Venerable, who had disposed of Gongson Dan-gyeong...
...had struck first before he could even deploy any of his schemes.
'He must have believed I would inevitably stir up trouble within the Martial Alliance if left unchecked.'
Otherwise, there was no reason to issue an immediate detention order the moment he returned.
Once imprisoned in the underground prison...
...no matter what schemes he had prepared in advance, executing them would become impossible.
"You may refuse if you wish."
The Disciplinary Hall Master stared coldly at Bu Eun-seol as he spoke.
"But if you disregard the Twin-Winged Phoenix Command and resist arrest, you will instantly become an enemy of the Alliance, and an Execution Order will be issued."
The Alliance Leader's Twin-Winged Phoenix Command held the highest authority in the Martial Alliance.
The moment it was defied, the offender would become an enemy of the Alliance, to be executed on the spot without question.
In that case, not only would Bu Eun-seol fail to preserve Seon-u Jin's identity, but the heads of the Peak Realm Members still within the Alliance would roll as well.
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Above all else, the absolute priority was ensuring the safety of the Peak Realm Members.
If their well-being couldn't be guaranteed, all the effort up until now would come to nothing.
"Instead, summon the Honorary Guardian."
With Gongson Dan-gyeong absent at the moment, the only figure who could serve as Bu Eun-seol's strongest backer was Bukgung Ryeong.
But the Hall Chief pretended not to hear his words and instead ordered his subordinates:
"Take him to the prison."
Bu Eun-seol was escorted to the prison with his hands bound.
Considering his status as a high-ranking member of the Martial Alliance, they didn't suppress his internal energy—but this was the Martial Alliance's underground prison, a place reserved only for those who had committed grave crimes.
He was locked inside the Iron Prison.
Yet Bu Eun-seol waited patiently.
Bukgung Ryeong would come soon.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Though he had clearly requested Bukgung Ryeong, out of nowhere, the Vice Alliance Leader, Bukri Seung, arrived instead.
"Don't worry."
Bukri Seung looked at Bu Eun-seol imprisoned in the cell with a pained expression.
"If there's any injustice in this matter, I will ensure it is brought to light."
Until now, Seon-u Jin had been accused of being a spy multiple times.
Yet each time, he had proven his innocence.
Eventually, he rose to a high-ranking position, becoming a young Grandmaster admired by many.
And Bukri Seung had always held a favorable opinion of Seon-u Jin, so it was only natural he felt regret over this situation.
"I truly don't understand why this is happening."
Bu Eun-seol pleaded earnestly.
"Couldn't I first be released, then prove my innocence myself?"
"That is beyond even my authority as Vice Alliance Leader."
Bukri Seung shook his head.
"The Alliance Leader has ordered your confinement until the Grand Council convenes to decide your punishment."
"Then—"
"It means the Hall Chief and others must have presented irrefutable evidence even to the Alliance Leader."
Bukri Seung's expression was no longer as favorable as before.
Until now, Jeong Cheon-je had always led the Righteous Faction with fairness, and his judgments had never been incorrect.
Given that even he was convinced, the probability that Seon-u Jin wasn't a spy... was practically nonexistent.
"Please summon Honorary Guardian Bukgung. I have something to say to him."
Though Bu Eun-seol made the request with utmost sincerity, Bukri Seung shook his head with a troubled expression.
"The Alliance Leader has given strict orders. This matter is of the highest importance and must be handled decisively."
In other words, no one would be allowed to interfere.
As despair crept into Bu Eun-seol's eyes, Bukri Seung spoke in a calm voice:
"But don't worry. The Alliance Leader himself will be coming to see you soon."
"The Alliance Leader said that?"
A nod.
Bukri Seung inclined his head slightly before turning away.
"He wishes to grant you one last chance—a private audience where you may speak freely. Make good use of it."
One last chance?
There was no such thing.
Does he actually want me to escape?
Nothing would confirm his guilt more certainly than breaking out of prison.
Perhaps the Martial Venerable, without any complicated process, simply wanted Seon-u Jin to leave the Martial Alliance.
"Then I'll take my leave."
With that, Bukri Seung turned away.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully.
Given the circumstances, anyone in the Martial Alliance would be convinced he was a spy.
Yet despite that, Bukri Seung was making an effort to treat him fairly.
Clang.
As Bukri Seung left, Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
The fire was practically at his feet.
Though his internal energy hadn't been suppressed yet... what if the Martial Venerable came here in person?
The situation would change entirely.
He would undoubtedly unleash a method to completely restrain him.
If Bu Eun-seol wanted to save his life...
This was effectively his last chance to escape.
But if he did, the heads of the Peak Realm Members would be forfeit, and the identity of Seon-u Jin would forever be that of a fugitive.
So that's what he meant by 'one last chance.'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils gleamed in the darkness.
He's telling me: 'Leave now, or be completely erased.'
It wasn't even worth listening to.
If he fled here, everything would be for nothing.
After a long moment of contemplation, he sat down, straightened his posture, and closed his eyes.
How much time passed?
Thud. Thud.
From beyond the door, the sound of soft footsteps echoed down the passageway.
Clang.
The thick iron gate groaned open, and a middle-aged man in white robes embroidered with a resplendent phoenix slowly stepped inside.
His neatly combed hair, tied up in an elaborate style, was adorned with a golden dragon ornament.
Though his frame was somewhat lean for a man standing over six feet tall, his imposing gaze and solemn demeanor exuded authority.
This was the Number One of the Righteous Path—Jeong Cheon-je, Shin Do-mu-bi.
No—it was the Martial Venerable, wearing his guise.
"It's been a while."
The Martial Venerable smiled gently with Jeong Cheon-je's face.
But in Bu Eun-seol's eyes—
Behind the mask of his face, the sinister smile of an old man seemed to flicker into view.
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, the Martial Venerable shook his head.
"What a pity it has come to this."
"Martial Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes blazed with volcanic fury.
"What is your true scheme?"
"Scheme?"
The Martial Venerable chuckled softly and shook his head again.
"I am merely punishing a spy of the Demonic Path who infiltrated the Martial Alliance."
"Do you truly believe you will remain unscathed?"
"Hohoho."
Instead of answering, the Martial Venerable extended a finger.
At once, Bu Eun-seol's body stiffened, his complexion rapidly paling.
"The Heart-Sealing Acupoint Method."
Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
This technique was the foremost acupoint-sealing art of the orthodox factions—one that could not be undone, even by a body that had reached the Martial Extreme Realm and attained the state of the Dharma Heaven Golden Immortal.
"I know full well that your martial arts have reached unfathomable heights."
The Martial Venerable smiled faintly.
"Even if you were on par with Ak Mu-ryeong, you would not be able to break the Heart-Sealing Acupoint Method within three days."
Then his gaze dropped to Bu Eun-seol's lower abdomen.
"I would shatter your dantian right now, but doing so would disrupt my disguise. So I shall leave you with just sixty years of internal energy."
"Martial Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol gritted his teeth.
"Why betray me? I heeded your words and even halted the activation of the Clear-Heart Command Token."
"Oh dear, did you take me for a fool?"
The Martial Venerable shook his head.
"You activated the Clear-Heart Command Token to escape the Martial Alliance completely—under the guise of Seon-u Jin. Did you think I wouldn't realize?"
"..."
"Or have you forgotten what my Shadows truly are?"
The Foremost Sage of the Murim.
He was the Martial Venerable, the one most versed in the martial arts of all factions under heaven.
And at the same time, he was the Divine Calculator—the wisest and most brilliant mind in the martial world.
"Did you desire Seon-u Jin's identity so badly? You could have simply begged me for it."
The Martial Venerable spoke leisurely.
"Had you done so, I might have granted it to you."
A lie.
There was no reason for him to hand over the meticulously crafted identity of Seon-u Jin.
He was merely mocking Bu Eun-seol in this wretched state.
"Fine."
Bu Eun-seol suppressed his surging rage and spoke calmly.
"If you had grievances with me, you could have settled them with me alone. Why kill the Chief Inspector?"
"I didn't kill her."
"..."
"I merely agreed to her disposal when the Alliance's elders grew weary of her secret organization."
"Are you playing word games with me now?"
Killing intent surged violently in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"You must have told the Jungson Clan this—that the Chief Inspector was raising a secret force capable of threatening their clan."
"Was that not the truth?"
The Martial Venerable shrugged.
"Otherwise, would the Jungson Clan have moved so readily at another's behest?"
The Martial Venerable had known for a long time.
Not only was Gongson Dan-gyeong secretly raising the Blood Heaven Blood Fate Corps to overthrow the Jungson Clan—
But through the Shadow-Reflection Magic Lantern and an esoteric Formation Study,
She also possessed a method to suppress the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
Indeed, he had likely relayed exactly this to the Jungson Clan—
Rather than outright ordering Gongson Dan-gyeong's death.
But from the Jungson Clan's perspective, Gongson Dan-gyeong herself—
The one capable of devising such a method—was far more troublesome than the Blood Heaven Blood Fate Corps or the Shadow-Reflection Magic Lantern.
As long as she lived,
She could raise another force capable of suppressing the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars at any time.
So she had to be eliminated.
"The Jungson Clan must have deemed her—the one who could devise such a method—far more threatening than any force opposing them."
Bu Eun-seol stared directly at the Martial Venerable as he spoke.
"You knew full well they would never let her live. Yet you delivered the message anyway."
"Well, from the Jungson Clan's perspective, that's only natural."
The Martial Venerable shrugged again.
"But I had no room to intervene beyond that."
In the end, just as Bu Eun-seol said, the Martial Venerable had been playing with words.
To stoke his fury.
To make his suffering even more wretched.
"So. What do you intend to do now?"
"A grand assembly will soon be held. Publicly."
The Martial Venerable looked down at Bu Eun-seol, whose pallid face betrayed his suppressed internal energy.
"If you have grievances, you may argue your case there."
"You plan to expose my true identity there?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"To reveal my secrets before all and incite a Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War?"
"Who knows?"
The Martial Venerable smiled indifferently.
"I gave you a chance to flee—through Bukri Seung. But you refused."
Crossing his arms, he swept his gaze over Bu Eun-seol's body and curled his lips.
"You must have been confident. You must have prepared countermeasures of your own."
"..."
"From the moment you investigated the Alliance's secret organizations, you must have foreseen that the elders would use me as a pawn rather than act directly."
A frosty glint flashed in the Martial Venerable's pupils.
"Did you truly think so little of me? That just because I play the role of a fake Alliance Chief, my authority would also be counterfeit?"
A sneer curled at the corners of his lips.
"Of course, someone like you must have anticipated even this—being imprisoned in the Iron Prison—and prepared a contingency plan, no?"
"..."
"Let's see what tricks you have up your sleeve. I'm curious what miraculous scheme you'll pull off."
The Martial Venerable's expression brimmed with confidence.
Whether Bu Eun-seol escaped the Iron Prison,
or remained imprisoned only to unveil some ingenious stratagem during the Grand Council—
he had already devised countermeasures to crush them all.
'And the fact that it's public...'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
The fact that the Grand Council would be held openly suggested that the Martial Venerable planned to expose his true identity there.
No—perhaps even that was merely a feint, a stepping stone for a deeper deception.
After all, the Martial Venerable was also the Divine Calculator, hailed as the Foremost Sage of the Murim.
He was not an opponent who could be taken lightly.
"I checked just to be sure, but you've never once neutralized the Poison Parasites in your unit members."
The Martial Venerable smirked.
"Did you plan to sacrifice yourself for the subordinates you cherish so much? Or did you intend to escape after meeting me?"
"..."
"With your abilities, escaping even now shouldn't be impossible."
"Wouldn't it be wiser to just kill me here?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"Unless you intend to seal my Dumb Point during the Grand Council."
If Bu Eun-seol exposed the Martial Venerable's true identity at the Grand Council, where all the senior leaders would be present—
even he wouldn't be able to avoid serious repercussions.
"Do whatever you want."
The Martial Venerable's smile only grew more self-assured.
That meant he had undoubtedly prepared countermeasures in case Bu Eun-seol tried to reveal his identity.
'Well, he is the acting Alliance Chief.'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist.
The Martial Venerable currently held the position of Murim Alliance Chief.
Even if Bu Eun-seol publicly exposed him, devising a way to counter such a move would be trivial for someone in his position.
This situation—this very space called the Murim Alliance—was in no way on Bu Eun-seol's side.
"Truthfully, I had high expectations for you. I believed you would eliminate the Seven Great Leaders and uncover the traitor among them."
A frigid light radiated from the Martial Venerable's eyes.
"But in the end, you merely indulged in the authority of the Murim Alliance, doing only what was convenient for you. Disappointing, really."
He turned away.
"Don't waste your time trying to undo the sealed acupoint. If you bungle it, you might end up a cripple."
"Martial Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol called out to his retreating back.
"Why go to such lengths to make an enemy of me?"
The Martial Venerable glanced back, his lips twisting in a sneer.
"Your greatest mistake was recklessly meddling with the Murim Alliance's secret organizations. Truly disappointing. You should have known exactly what kind of place this is."
"..."
"Did you want to control the Alliance? Or did you think you could freely wield its troops and intelligence network for your own purposes?"
A bitter sneer played on his lips.
"You were the one who broke our promise first. When I gave you the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief and the Clear-Heart Command Token, you swore you would seek only revenge."
His voice was cold.
"But you exploited your position for personal gain, and worse, you overturned the Alliance itself. All you did was commit pointless, self-serving acts."
Then he added one final remark.
"Even so, I trusted you—by implanting Poison Parasites in your Peak Realm Members."
After a pause, he shook his head and muttered under his breath.
"And yet, this is how it ends."
With those words, the Martial Venerable turned and strode out of the Iron Prison.
Bu Eun-seol pressed his lips together tightly,
his gaze fixed on the Martial Venerable's retreating figure as it vanished into the darkness.
"The Grand Council regarding Commander Seon-u's alleged espionage will soon commence."
The atmosphere in the Murim Alliance had grown heavy.
Because the Alliance Chief himself—
had publicly announced that the punishment of Seon-u Jin, the Sword King,
a figure revered as an idol among the younger martial artists,
would be deliberated in the Grand Council.
"Espionage allegations again?"
"What could Commander Seon-u have possibly done to warrant the Alliance Chief's personal involvement?"
"Does this mean all the past suspicions of him being a spy had merit?"
The younger warriors were in shock.
Sword King Seon-u Jin, who alongside Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong had completed countless missions and built a legacy of achievements—
He had started as a mere Third-grade Commander, enduring endless scorn as an outsider from the commercial world.
Yet through relentless effort, he proved his worth and eventually ascended to the position of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief.
Even after becoming a senior leader, he never grew complacent, dedicating himself tirelessly to his duties.
Most recently, despite opposition from the other leaders, he had boldly probed the dark underbelly of the Murim Alliance—its secret organizations.
A man who had embodied integrity and fairness—now accused of being a spy for the Demonic Path?
The younger warriors couldn't help but feel not just disbelief, but a deep sense of betrayal.
"The deliberation on Commander Seon-u's punishment will be conducted publicly at the Grand Martial Training Ground, ensuring fairness."
The Alliance Chief made a startling proposal.
The Grand Council, which would decide the fate of Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief Seon-u Jin,
would be held openly at the Grand Martial Training Ground, where all members of the Murim Alliance could witness it.
This meant that—
no matter what schemes Seon-u Jin might attempt, there would be no escape.
And on that day, every sin he had committed would be laid bare under the sun.