Chapter 826
"Chief Strategist. Let us consider this calmly for a moment."
Unable to stand by any longer, Bukri Seung spoke in a measured tone.
"If your evidence proves true, would it not resolve all these unjust suspicions?"
"Vice Alliance Leader, you should witness this as well."
Gongson Dan-gyeong amplified her voice with Internal Energy as she spoke.
"Watch whether those who attacked this Chief Strategist receive a fair investigation—and what punishment they face."
"Chief Strategist."
Bukri Seung, who had been observing the troubled expressions of the senior members, cautiously interjected.
"The investigation has not even begun yet."
"After seeing this Grand Council, you still say such things?"
When Bukri Seung fell silent, Gongson Dan-gyeong's voice turned icy.
"Had there been any fairness in this alliance from the start... a Grand Council like this would never have needed to be held publicly."
The Martial Venerable, who had been listening in silence, only now grasped the full situation.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had not suddenly returned to the Martial Alliance without reason.
She had already seen through every move of his plan.
And timed her counterattack—aligning with Bu Eun-seol's return—to strike back at this very moment.
'Neither a disguise nor an impersonation.'
Even if he activated the Heavenly Robe Mind Art a hundred, a thousand times to verify, she was undeniably Gongson Dan-gyeong herself.
'She predicted every card in my hand.'
The most straightforward way for Gongson Dan-gyeong to exact satisfying revenge would have been to expose his disguise and reveal his true identity.
Yet she never once pointed it out.
Because doing so would only invite another counterattack from him.
Which meant—
She had anticipated every possible retaliation, and instead, turned the public Grand Council against him...
Delivering a meticulously calculated, decisive blow.
'Bu Eun-seol—that bastard was working with her!'
The Martial Venerable clenched his teeth hard as he caught the glint in Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes.
And for the first time in his life.
He realized that a plan he had crafted with such precision and perfection had completely unraveled.
And lurking in the shadows behind it all—
That infuriatingly smug bastard was crouched, waiting.
"Then today's Grand Council..."
Feeling the scorching gazes pouring in from all sides, the Martial Venerable declared:
"Shall hereby be concluded."
In the end, ignoring the weight of those stares, he swiftly dissolved the Grand Council.
A shocking incident sent tremors through the Murim world.
Seon-u Jin, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, who had rendered great service to the Martial Alliance.
Had, in fact, long been suspected of being a spy due to the schemes of numerous senior members within the alliance.
But this time, due to the Azure Dragon Hall's flawed investigation.
Even Jeong Cheon-je himself had applied the spy accusation to him, convening a Grand Council.
Only for it to be revealed—once again—that it was all a baseless frame-up.
But the more shocking news was this:
Despite having his identity fully vindicated before the Alliance Leader and all senior members of the Martial Alliance.
He had resigned in fury.
And the shocks that left the martial world reeling did not end there.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, the youngest Chief Strategist in the Martial Alliance's history, had also been attacked by a secret faction within the alliance.
Losing the subordinates she had secretly nurtured, she narrowly escaped death—surviving by the skin of her teeth.
—We shall form the Clear Mirror Unit to thoroughly investigate this matter.
Acknowledging their responsibility for this crisis, the Alliance Leader and all senior members.
Established an independent oversight body—the Clear Mirror Unit—and ordered a fair investigation into the incident.
And so, the Clear Mirror Unit began its inquiry based on the dossier submitted by Gongson Dan-gyeong.
—The attack on the Chief Strategist was the sole act of the Azure Dragon Hall, a secret faction within the Martial Alliance.
However, the investigation's findings...
Revealed that the secret organizations Gongson Dan-gyeong had accused either no longer existed or had been established long ago.
And concluded that most of the information in her dossier was erroneous.
The direct perpetrators behind the attack on her faction?
Turned out to be none other than the Azure Dragon Hall—the secret faction under the Alliance Leader's command, which had also framed Seon-u Jin as a spy.
—I had obtained definitive intelligence that the Chief Strategist was colluding with external forces to threaten the Martial Alliance, and acted under the Alliance Leader's orders to investigate her movements.
While admitting his wrongdoing, the Azure Dragon Hall's leader defended both the Alliance Leader and Jeong Cheon-je.
—The intelligence was so meticulously fabricated by a mysterious faction that not only the Alliance Leader, but anyone... would have been deceived into believing it was genuine.
He then submitted all the falsified evidence to the Martial Alliance.
—Based on these proofs, I was convinced the Chief Strategist had betrayed the Martial Alliance.
Every piece of evidence he presented.
Was so flawlessly forged that even Jeong Cheon-je himself could not have seen through the deception.
—The Alliance Leader ordered an investigation, and I sensed that the secret faction organized by Chief Strategist Gongson would soon pose a grave threat.
I struck only to protect the Martial Alliance, to uphold our principles. I had no other motive.
Once the Azure Dragon Hall's leader resolved to shoulder all blame.
Gongson Dan-gyeong's submitted evidence became entirely useless.
The true masterminds were the Jungson Clan, after all.
The Martial Venerable had merely contacted them... and even Gongson Dan-gyeong lacked definitive proof.
In the end, there was no way to refute the Azure Dragon Hall leader's testimony.
—I will leave the Martial Alliance.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, too, played her strongest card.
—Despite all my warnings. The Martial Alliance has not changed, still obsessed only with cutting off its own tail.
When she declared she would no longer stir trouble and would depart, the Martial Venerable and senior members actually seemed relieved.
As long as Gongson Dan-gyeong—who knew the full truth—remained in the alliance, the positions of the Alliance Leader and senior members would inevitably be shaken.
Yet they could not outright remove her from power either...
To the point they had no choice but to bow their heads in gratitude as she chose to leave on her own.
Gongson Dan-gyeong delivered her final words to all the martial artists present.
—I truly believed this alliance was a place where righteous people gathered to uphold justice in the murim.
But it seems that was merely my own delusion.
With those brief words, she truly left the Martial Alliance.
And the repercussions were immense.
—Is something fundamentally wrong with our alliance?
Seon-u Jin and Gongson Dan-gyeong had been nothing short of idols among the younger generation of martial artists.
Neither hailed from a prestigious martial clan or major sect, yet both had risen to the highest echelons of leadership.
Despite their lofty positions, they had never flaunted their status, instead carrying out their duties with quiet dedication.
And now, such exemplary young leaders—
Had they truly been driven out by slander, forced to leave the alliance in silence?
—Doesn't this prove that the alliance itself has rotted from within?
With both Seon-u Jin and Gongson Dan-gyeong—champions of righteousness—departing one after another, the younger martial artists were thrown into turmoil.
Particularly explosive was the revelation Gongson Dan-gyeong had left behind regarding the Martial Alliance's secret organizations.
Whether it was true or not—
It proved that the Martial Alliance was far more than what met the eye.
Just as public sentiment toward the alliance's leadership was deteriorating beyond control—
—This is beyond infuriating.
At last, someone who could no longer stand by stepped forward.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.
Even he—a man revered by all, holding the prestigious position of Honorary Guardian—
Could no longer tolerate this disgrace and finally erupted.
—This humble guardian will reopen the investigation.
He had been on good terms with Seon-u Jin and shared a bond with Gongson Dan-gyeong.
So when both were framed as spies and almost killed by factions within the alliance—
He could not remain idle any longer.
Until now, he had never once wielded the formidable authority of his position as Honorary Guardian.
But faced with an incomprehensible investigation result—
He personally took it upon himself to start anew.
—This is not a matter for the Honorary Guardian to intervene in.
When Bukgung Ryeong—a figure of immense respect—stepped forward, the alliance's leadership balked.
If he were to tear open the wounds they had barely stitched shut—
It would unleash chaos beyond containment.
The moment he began his investigation, countless figures within the alliance moved to obstruct him with desperate force.
If Bukgung Ryeong were to uncover even the slightest wrongdoing within the Martial Alliance—
Given his unyielding nature, he would expose it to all, leaving no room for negotiation.
—Honorary Guardian. If you persist like this, we cannot stand by either.
As signs of an irreparable crisis emerged—
Not only the leadership but even the elders pleaded with him to halt his investigation.
They swiftly convened a grand council and began stripping away his authority.
In the end, Bukgung Ryeong found himself bound hand and foot before his investigation could even properly begin.
—So this is what the Martial Alliance truly is?
A deep sorrow settled over him.
No matter how corrupt the alliance was, he had believed he could purify it.
Even if not all at once, he had thought he could gradually reform it.
But the Martial Alliance was not what he had imagined.
Its true nature lay hidden in a dark abyss—and it would tolerate no one who sought to expose it.
—I accepted the position of Honorary Guardian believing that, as a leader of the Martial Alliance, I could guide others toward righteousness.
How, then, can the leadership so shamelessly obstruct me?
Bukgung Ryeong personally sought out every high-ranking member, attempting to persuade them.
But it was futile.
Many had long been aware of the shadowy forces lurking within the alliance's depths—
Yet far from seeking reform, they instead tried to dissuade him.
—Abandon your pride and simply stand by those in power.
—History has never favored those who stubbornly cling to principle.
Bukgung Ryeong burst into laughter.
Just as Bu Eun-seol had predicted.
The Martial Alliance was not merely a place that had become corrupt.
It had always been a wellspring of corruption.
—This alliance is beyond saving.
An indescribable anguish and despair gripped him.
And so, he abandoned his convictions—and at last, made his decision.
—This alliance is not something an old man like me, a mere Honorary Guardian, can change.
He made an official announcement.
—My abilities are insufficient, so I shall take my leave of the Martial Alliance.
When even Bukgung Ryeong openly condemned the alliance—
The leadership was utterly stunned and rushed to dissuade him.
He was a living symbol of orthodox heroism, a man whose name was already inscribed on the alliance's Hero Stele.
If he were to depart while denouncing them—
There would be no stopping the catastrophic collapse of the alliance's reputation.
—Honorary Guardian, surely all worldly matters can be resolved through dialogue?
—If you have grievances, let us settle them through discussion.
They pleaded with desperate urgency—but it was pointless.
Bukgung Ryeong had now seen the truth of the Martial Alliance.
It was not a place where filth had tainted purity.
It had always been a cesspool of darkness.
—This is too much! Even the Honorary Guardian is being driven out?!
—What is the alliance hiding that it would block even his investigation?!
—Who will take responsibility for this disaster?!
The younger martial artists finally erupted.
Seon-u Jin, Gongson Dan-gyeong...
Not only had those brilliant young grandmasters left—
But now even Bukgung Ryeong, who had resolved their troubles and guided them as a true elder of the murim—
Was washing his hands of it all and walking away?
The younger generation was overcome with an unspeakable sense of loss and fury.
—Come to think of it, the Honorary Guardian also came to this alliance alone—just like Chief Strategist Gongson and Commander Seon-u.
"In the end... this alliance was never a place that tolerated those without backing or any faction to act recklessly."
"All those who stood on the side of martial artists with nothing have left the alliance."
The young martial artists, disillusioned and hollowed out by the alliance's incomprehensible policies and antiquated ways that they could never accept—
"Let us leave too! Let's follow the Honorary Guardian."
—began voluntarily rallying behind Bukgung Ryeong, who had always been on the side of the younger generation.
And when they realized he was temporarily staying with the Sichuan Tang Clan,
they outright set up camp outside their gates.
"Honorary Guardian, take us in as well!"
"If not the Martial Alliance, then what does it matter? Let us establish our own 'Bullet King Faction'!"
What had started as one or two martial artists seeking him out had, before anyone knew it, swelled into a crowd of hundreds gathered at the Tang Clan's gates.
They were all young warriors whose family crises had been resolved by Bukgung Ryeong's aid within the alliance, or whose lives he had saved.
Bukgung Ryeong tried to send them away, but as their numbers only grew,
he holed up inside the Tang Clan without giving any response.
Sichuan Tang Clan, Heavenly Eye Tower
Four towering watchtowers constructed high enough to survey the entire Tang Clan compound at a glance—strategic fortresses that served not only defensive purposes but also stood as architectural symbols of the Sichuan Tang Clan's majesty.
The watchtowers' exteriors were intricately carved with the clan's emblem, the black pear blossom leaf,
and from afar, they resembled a towering black dragon standing tall.
The lower floors concealed armories, gunpowder stores, and secret passageways.
The middle floors were designed for surveillance, offering a panoramic view of all directions.
The interiors were built with meticulously arranged timber to minimize sound reverberation, ensuring swift command relay even in urgent situations.
And the upper floors served as command centers, housing a large conference hall and an office.
Currently, inside this Heavenly Eye Tower sat:
Not only them—but also:
Had any martial artists witnessed this gathering, they would have been utterly stunned.
How could outsiders enter a strategic fortress where none but the Tang Clan's own were permitted?
"Honorary Guardian."
Tang Gon, who had been gazing at the distant sight of young warriors encamped outside the clan's gates, turned to Bukgung Ryeong.
"This seems to be the tide of the times."
His voice was low.
"They will follow you wherever you go. If that's the case, then as this friend says—"
"Hmph."
Bukgung Ryeong shot a sidelong glance at Bu Eun-seol, who sat silently sipping tea, and deliberately grumbled.
"What kind of goblin's trickery is this? Since when did the Tang Clan Head become your friend?"
Without even looking at him, Bu Eun-seol replied,
"The first close friend I made when I entered the martial world. You were a bit late to the party, old man."
"What?!"
"You don't like being called a friend?"
At Bu Eun-seol's sly jest, Bukgung Ryeong's eyes narrowed like axe blades before he turned away entirely.
"I should just stop talking."
"Honorary Guardian, he isn't wrong."
Namgung Jeong, the Namgung Clan Head, sighed as he spoke.
"As the Tang Clan Head said, this is the flow the era demands. Even if the Martial Alliance isn't the headquarters of the Three Realms... it was already rotten to the core."
He looked at Bukgung Ryeong and sighed again.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to take command of the orthodox martial world instead?"
Bukgung Ryeong let out an exasperated breath.
He had long known that Bu Eun-seol—this damned brat—had no regard for the divide between orthodox and unorthodox factions,
and that he would turn anyone he came across into his own ally.
But how in the world had he managed to win over:
Hadn't the Wudang and Beggars' Sects also sent people on their way to the Sichuan Tang Clan?
"You... just what in the world—"
Bukgung Ryeong stared at Bu Eun-seol with utter disbelief.
"What did you do to even win over the Namgung Clan Head and the Wudang Sect?"
Bu Eun-seol answered calmly.
"Fortunately, I befriended a certain ill-tempered old man first. After that, the rest weren't so difficult."
"Wha—what?!"
As Bukgung Ryeong's eyes bulged like an axe's edge,
"Pfft—"
Namgung Un, who had been drinking tea beside Bu Eun-seol, spat out his tea.
Namgung Jeong shot him a stern look.
"You still haven't fixed that impudent temperament of yours."
But Jegal Seo-un, the Jegal Clan heir sitting nearby, had also sprayed out his tea.
"My apologies, Clan Head."
"Ah, no—that wasn't directed at you."
Bukgung Ryeong could only stare in bewilderment at the chaotic state of the conference room.
When Bu Eun-seol had insisted he come to the Sichuan Tang Clan,
he had assumed the brat was just gathering people to establish some small faction in a remote corner of Sichuan—
even if he kept going on about the "Azure Heaven Alliance."
But to drag in the Tang Clan, the Namgung Clan, and even the Wudang and Beggars' Sects?
What kind of absurd situation was this?!
"No matter how I look at it, this is suspicious."
"What now?"
Bukgung Ryeong pressed.
"That 'Azure Heaven Alliance' fortress you mentioned, built on the Sichuan border. Constructing something of that scale would've taken years."
His sharp gaze bore into Bu Eun-seol.
"Which means you prepared this in advance. Doesn't that strike you as strange?"
He had only agreed to leave because the Martial Alliance was corrupt—not because he approved of the Azure Heaven Alliance's founding.
"If your mind changes, come to the Sichuan Tang Clan."
Bu Eun-seol had left those words with him.
When even Namgung Jeong, the Family Head of the Namgung Clan—alongside the Sichuan Tang Clan—personally invited him, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on and decided to visit.
But upon arriving, he found that near the borders of Sichuan, a massive complex for a united faction was already nearing completion.
—Don't tell me this entire situation was orchestrated by that kid?
Of course, he knew such a thing was absurd, but seeing the nearly finished structures made suspicion gnaw at him regardless.
It was proof of just how dire the martial world had become—a place where no one could be trusted.
"No matter how brilliant you are, predicting this situation and constructing a facility of this scale in advance is impossible."
It was a perfectly reasonable point.
Even if Bu Eun-seol possessed a genius intellect,
there was no way he could have foreseen these events and preemptively built the Azure Heaven Alliance.
"I can answer that."
At that moment, Tang Gon stepped forward.
"Bu—no, Seon-u Jin. This friend of ours proposed an alliance long ago, uniting the orthodox factions of Sichuan—our main house, the Sword Pavilion, and the Divine Maiden Palace."
"An alliance?"
"Yes. The martial world's situation was dire. Our main house and the Sword Pavilion had each suffered invasions by the terrifying forces of the Three Realms. The Divine Maiden Palace has always been frequently targeted by outside factions."
He continued.
"At the time, we didn't know that the Three Realms would withdraw without a backward glance. So this friend constantly worried that the Three Realms would strike again—targeting our main house and the other factions whose plans they had thwarted."
Tang Gon explained calmly.
"Though these factions had no connection beyond being based in Sichuan, thanks to his efforts, we established ties and united against our common enemy—the Three Realms."
As it turned out, Bu Eun-seol
had been concerned about the orthodox factions—like the Tang Clan—that he couldn't personally protect.
And so, he gathered the factions of Sichuan—those who trusted him absolutely and could unite without hesitation.
The Tang Clan, the Sword Pavilion, and the Divine Maiden Palace—together, they formed a formidable force.
"In truth, various intelligence networks in the martial world had long detected that the factions of Sichuan were collaborating and constructing buildings in the Eastern Heaven Prefecture."
Once Tang Gon finished, Bu Eun-seol took over.
"Only, the plan changed—it evolved into the founding of the Azure Heaven Alliance."
Bukgung Ryeong's mouth fell open.
"Then what about the Namgung Family Head? How?"
Other factions were one thing,
but the Namgung Clan had always walked the strict path of orthodoxy, never associating with the Demonic Path.
So how could they join the Azure Heaven Alliance just because they trusted Bu Eun-seol?
"Our main house also received his aid in purging the forces that had taken root within us."
Namgung Jeong's expression darkened slightly.
"In the process, I lost a son."
He was thinking of Namgung Poong—who had been swayed by Elder Poong, chosen the wrong path, and met a wretched end.
"So... you're saying you trust him simply because you owe him a debt?"
At the Bullet King's skeptical words, Namgung Jeong shook his head and laughed.
"Honorary Guardian—no, Senior Bukgung. I suspect we feel the same way."
Then, he immediately sent a telepathic transmission.
「You know as well as I do—he is not a man to be defined as Demonic or Orthodox.」
Hearing this, Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"Don't tell me the Family Head also... traveled the martial world with him, stirring up chaos?"
"Of course not. Unfortunately, I was too busy managing the clan's affairs to enjoy such adventures."
Namgung Jeong smiled.
"Commander Seon-u has long worked alongside my son to eliminate the forces corrupting the martial world. It was through that process that I came to know his true nature."
Through Namgung Un, he had learned that Bu Eun-seol
was a grandmaster who walked his own path—unbound by labels of Demonic or Orthodox.
And when he heard that this man was gathering the righteous from the rotten Martial Alliance to form a new coalition,
he was the first to step forward.
After all, he too had long dreamed of a true orthodox alliance.
"Now that the explanations are done, let's make a decision."
Bu Eun-seol glared at Bukgung Ryeong, irritation in his voice.
"Stop hesitating like a bald monk debating whether to renounce the world. Spit it out."
Pfft.
Once again, Namgung Un and Jegal Seo-un spat out their tea.
Bukgung Ryeong exploded.
"What did you say? 'Bald monk'? You think you're done?"
"I'm not. Just say it plainly. Why are you dithering like an old man who's been proposed to?"
As Bu Eun-seol and Bukgung Ryeong began bickering again,
"Ghk—"
Even Jegal Yu-baek—who had been quietly sipping tea with dignified composure—spat out his drink in an undignified manner.
In truth, the most shocked person here was him.
He had come to the Sichuan Tang Clan at Jegal Seo-un's persuasion.
He had been told that a new orthodox coalition—one untainted by the rot of the Martial Alliance—was being discussed here.
At first, he had dismissed the idea.
But Jegal Seo-un—who had finally completed his martial-world journey—
had not only retrieved the Jegal Clan's treasure, the Crane Feather Fan, but had also reached a level of martial prowess surpassing his own.
And above all, the promise of a pure orthodox alliance had swayed him.
The reason the Jegal Clan had never fully engaged with the martial world was precisely because they knew how deeply corruption ran—even within the Martial Alliance.
And yet—
Sword King Seon-u Jin.
A legendary figure from the merchant world who had risen from a Third-grade Commander in the Martial Alliance to the head of the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
A man who traversed the martial world alone, forming no bonds with anyone—
...despite having ascended to the Seat of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, he remained free of arrogance—a figure renowned for his impeccable courtesy and noble bearing.
Yet in reality, he maintained close ties with the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan or the head of the Namgung Clan.
And now, Seon-u was currently arguing heatedly with the Righteous Path's solemn, fiery-tempered greatest Renowned Hero, the Bullet King, trading barbs with enough vigor to send spittle flying?