Chapter 827
Jegal Yu-baek couldn't believe his eyes even as he witnessed the scene unfolding before him.
A legendary Renowned Chivalrous Hero whose name was inscribed on the Hero Stele during his lifetime, now endlessly bickering with a young, freshly minted Grandmaster?
This spectacle was truly—
A once-in-a-lifetime, unbelievable scene that a martial artist might never witness in their entire existence.
"Senior Bukgung. It seems the time has truly come for decisive action."
At Namgung Jeong's words, Bukgung Ryeong took a deep breath.
The people gathered here had only assembled because of Bu Eun-seol—none had ever even met the man before.
Yet despite this, they were willingly placing their trust in his lifelong record of walking the righteous path, sincerely seeking to appoint him as the new leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
"You created this mess, so shouldn't you be the one to deal with it?"
Suppressing the emotions swelling in his chest, Bukgung Ryeong petulantly directed his irritation at Bu Eun-seol.
"Since ancient times, hasn't it been an eternal truth that whoever establishes a faction or school gets to call the shots?"
"I told you. That's precisely why we elected you as Alliance Leader."
Bu Eun-seol clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"Do you really think the old man would listen to me? Even if I thoroughly explained that the Murim Alliance is in dire straits and begged him to step forward, he wouldn't budge."
Then, dusting off his hands, he added:
"If you're unwilling, then go out there yourself and send them packing. That'll settle the matter."
"I..."
Finally, Bukgung Ryeong voiced the thought buried in his heart.
"I never had any intention of becoming a leader, not even until the day I die."
He took another deep breath, as if suppressing turbulent emotions.
"Because... I've witnessed for far too long how power corrupts those who gather together, and how those at the top lose sight of those below."
Lowering his head, he continued:
"So I chose to support the younger generation instead. I believed that was all I could do at this stage."
"Why must you view the martial world so harshly?"
At that moment, Tang Gon interjected with palpable regret.
"There are still many upright chivalrous heroes in the martial world. Surely there's no need for such despair."
"What choice do I have?"
Bukgung Ryeong gazed emptily into the void.
"This old man happens to be a disciple of the Chivalrous Hero, you see."
The assembled masters' eyes widened in shock.
The Chivalrous Hero—Jin Cheon-ui.
A celebrated hero from two generations prior who had aided countless people.
Through the support of numerous martial artists, he'd risen to become the legendary Vice Leader of the Murim Alliance.
Yet less than a year after assuming that position, he'd betrayed his principles.
When his numerous corrupt deeds were exposed, he departed the Alliance amid public condemnation, retiring into lonely seclusion.
And now the Bullet King was revealing himself as that very Chivalrous Hero's disciple?
"At that time, all the Righteous Faction leaders had colluded with external forces, acting solely to preserve their own positions."
Bukgung Ryeong looked at Tang Gon as he spoke.
"My master sought to create a pure orthodox faction. But ultimately, he fell into the traps of those villains and left the martial world in disgrace."
—You possess not only greater talent than this master, but also the charisma to captivate others.
Moreover, your character is far more upright than mine. The martial world has always been a den where the greedy band together...
Never seek to rule over others from above. Lower yourself and help them directly.
As Bukgung Ryeong shared his master's long-ago admonition with the assembly, profound regret overflowed from his eyes.
"And he always cautioned me thus:"
—If you ever find yourself standing tall above others...
Eventually you'll either become corrupted yourself, or be hounded down by the corrupt to meet a miserable fate.
Bukgung Ryeong's eyelids reddened as he recounted these past words.
"Then my master transferred all his Internal Power to me before leaving. He declared he would abandon the martial world to become an ordinary hermit."
As he continued speaking, a bloody glint emanated from his eyes.
"But my master's final days... were wretched. He died after being beaten while trying to stop a Demonic Path figure from harassing a woman at a guest inn."
The assembled masters involuntarily gasped.
That the Chivalrous Hero Jin Cheon-ui—whose name had once shaken the world—met such a pitiful end?
"He'd become an old man without Internal Power, his body so frail he could barely move."
Silence fell upon the gathering.
That a master who had once dominated his era, stripped of both honor and power, could be beaten to death by some worthless Demonic Path underling...
"So that's why Your Excellency has never tolerated Demonic Path practitioners."
At Namgung Un's words, Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
"Correct. Since that day, whenever I spotted Demonic Path members committing evil deeds, I crushed their skulls without exception. After all, those Demonic Path scum are irredeemable vermin."
Only then did the assembly understand why Bukgung Ryeong—
Despite possessing such formidable martial arts and having countless followers—
Had never formed connections with famous masters or established his own faction, choosing instead to wander alone doing good deeds.
And why he would execute Demonic Path members with near-violent fury whenever he encountered them... Now they knew the reason.
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol broke the silence.
"Then you must become the alliance leader."
"Did you not hear a word I just said?"
"I heard everything. The late master told the old man to humble himself and refuse leadership, did he not? Then the solution is to create an alliance that operates differently."
"What kind of alliance are you talking about?"
"The Martial Alliance rots not because stagnant waters grew foul, but because it was built from the start by rotten men."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with conviction.
"Even as alliance leader, old man, you must never reign over others. Lower yourself and walk among the people."
His gaze locked onto Bukgung Ryeong as he delivered his next words with finality.
"Defend justice with all your might—but abandon any thought of governing the murim."
—Defend justice, but abandon all thought of governing the murim.
Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened.
The position of leader for an orthodox alliance—
A seat capable of swaying the tides of the martial world—
Could be summarized in four characters: "governing the martial world".
Yet Bu Eun-seol was telling him to disregard such notions entirely.
To become a leader who stoops low enough to personally oversee even the lowest alliance members.
"Hah."
A hollow laugh escaped Bukgung Ryeong.
Upon reflection, he'd been shackled by the very word "alliance leader."
Being a leader didn't necessitate governing the murim.
Rather, he could leave complex management to capable strategists while lowering himself further to aid the people directly.
"How shameful."
Bukgung Ryeong sighed with newfound realization.
"To have lived this long clinging to empty delusions."
Eighty years bound by his master's dying words—
Yet Bu Eun-seol paid no heed to the murim's worldly conventions and principles.
He simply walked his chosen path in silence, doing what he believed right.
And now... he was advising Bukgung Ryeong to walk that same road.
"I see."
Finally understanding what manner of person Bu Eun-seol was—
Grasping the thoughts that drove him—Bukgung Ryeong released another sigh.
"You were never truly of the murim to begin with."
At this, Tang Gon, who had been listening quietly, laughed and responded.
"Isn't that precisely why we've all gathered here?"
Having discerned Bu Eun-seol's true nature, he could make such a claim.
"Yes... indeed."
Bukgung Ryeong rose from his seat.
Then nodded firmly.
"Then we must formally announce the sect's founding."
Bu Eun-seol's prophecy had struck true.
The Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong—
At last resolved to proclaim to the entire world the establishment of the Azure Heaven Alliance, a new orthodox coalition.
—The Bullet King has organized a new orthodox alliance!
Shocking news continued to reverberate through the murim.
The Renowned Chivalrous Hero, who as Honorary Guardian of the Martial Alliance had strived to purify its corruption—
Had finally withdrawn to declare the formation of a new orthodox coalition.
—The Bullet King? He formed a coalition, not a sect?
Even within the Martial Alliance, members doubted their ears upon hearing the news.
Why had the Bullet King's name been inscribed upon the Alliance's Hero Stele?
For eighty years he'd roamed the murim alone, forming no bonds with sect leaders or factions—
Maintaining his unyielding independence like a solitary pine in winter.
And now he would establish a sect?
Moreover, creating a coalition required cooperation from multiple sects and vast financial resources.
This man who stood alone his entire life—
Suddenly declaring he'd establish a new orthodox alliance? It defied all reason.
Yet the Bullet King seemed deadly serious—
Sending the Martial Alliance a courteous letter requesting their understanding.
—Let him be. He'll likely abandon this folly soon enough.
Martial Alliance elders scoffed.
Should he succeed, this new alliance would effectively challenge their authority.
Under normal circumstances, the Alliance would never permit such defiance—
But presently, they lacked the capacity to humor the Bullet King's delusions.
They needed to continuously replenish young warriors who left the Alliance because of this incident—
And urgently restore their shattered credibility.
Thus the Alliance responded with mocking courtesy:
—More orthodox factions are always welcome.
Coalitions inevitably fragmented existing power structures.
Given their immense influence over murim affairs—
Without approval from both orthodox and unorthodox factions, establishment became nearly impossible.
The astronomical costs involved also doomed most fledgling coalitions to swift collapse.
Hadn't even the Martial Alliance suffered chronic deficits—
Until Gongson Dan-gyeong resolved them through the Ten Thousand Blossoms Store, earning her promotion to chief strategist?
With no opposition from the Alliance—
And none daring to openly oppose the foremost orthodox hero's sect founding—
The Azure Heaven Alliance's establishment proceeded smoothly.
—Shall we hold the official Founding Ceremony, then?
Having obtained the Martial Alliance's approval, the Bullet King made another announcement to the martial world.
—"This alliance shall be called the Azure Heaven Alliance."
Like its name, which evokes the clear blue sky, it would welcome the joining of martial artists and factions of unwavering integrity and purity.
Upon hearing this news, the young core members and martial artists of the Martial Alliance who had been unable to follow Bukgung Ryeong immediately left the alliance and headed for Sichuan.
However, the Martial Alliance had anticipated this ever since Bukgung Ryeong departed, so they showed no particular reaction to the exodus of young martial artists.
Rather, when rumors spread that the Azure Heaven Alliance was preparing its founding ceremony, both the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall sent small delegations.
They had expected a shabby affair and went largely to mock it.
But the envoys had no choice but to be shocked.
Not only were countless martial artists gathered at the Azure Heaven Alliance's Eastern Heaven Prefecture—where one might have expected only desolate winds to blow—but the sect leaders of Wudang and the Beggars' Sect were present as well.
And among the Eight Great Families, the Family Heads of the Namgung Clan, Tang Clan, Zhuge Clan, and Huangbo Clan had all assembled.
Moreover, the Divine Maiden Palace and Sword Pavilion—who normally paid no heed to martial world affairs—had come, along with the Zhongli Clan and Gongson Clan, neither of which were even martial clans, to assist in the founding ceremony.
Even Sword King Seon-u Jin, who had withdrawn from the Martial Alliance, along with the core members and young martial artists who had followed him out, were already seated in their reserved places.
It was clear they had been preparing for the Azure Heaven Alliance for a long time.
—"This is absurd!"
Bukgung Ryeong had been a core member of the Martial Alliance, and his every move had been meticulously reported to them.
Since when had he gathered such an immense force?
Since when had they constructed facilities of this scale in the barren Eastern Heaven Prefecture of Sichuan?
—"I heard the Tang Clan, Sword Pavilion, and Divine Maiden Palace had long been collaborating to establish a Sichuan coalition."
But soon, the secret behind the Azure Heaven Alliance's facilities was revealed.
Three seemingly unrelated sects in Sichuan had poured vast sums into constructing buildings for a coalition force to be stationed there—all in preparation for the Azure Heaven Alliance's founding.
—"So when they said the three sects were uniting to form a Sichuan coalition, they meant the Azure Heaven Alliance?"
Various intelligence organizations in the martial world had long detected that the three sects were jointly constructing buildings in Eastern Heaven Prefecture.
They had known the sects were forming a new coalition in Sichuan but paid it little mind—yet who could have guessed it was the Azure Heaven Alliance?
As if to prove this, all martial artists who joined the Azure Heaven Alliance were swiftly issued new uniforms, weapons, proper lodgings, and training halls.
—"Let's go to the Azure Heaven Alliance!"
Once these circumstances became known, not only did the young martial artists who had hesitated to leave the Martial Alliance rush to join, but even minor sects that had never been able to enter the Martial Alliance sought to pledge allegiance to the Azure Heaven Alliance.
The Azure Heaven Alliance, preparing for its founding ceremony, was in chaos.
A coalition was a gathering of multiple sects for a specific purpose or shared benefit—naturally sensitive to interests, with early joiners gaining stronger influence.
Contrary to expectations, the Azure Heaven Alliance had absorbed a considerable orthodox faction force from the outset, establishing itself as a formidable orthodox coalition.
Thus, countless righteous sects that had failed to enter the Martial Alliance were now scrambling to join.
—"This alliance is not a coalition for profit—please reconsider before joining."
As sects seeking membership and applicants wishing to become formal warriors of the Azure Heaven Alliance poured in endlessly, the core members and existing warriors preparing for the founding ceremony were forced to screen and process them.
Moreover, the tasks of managing a coalition were on an entirely different level from sect council duties.
It wasn't just about teaching disciples and overseeing a sect—they had to recruit warriors, provide training, assign duties based on ability, evaluate salaries, and manage all equipment and facilities for an alliance of massive scale.
Beyond that, they needed specialized personnel to handle finances.
They also required strategists to explore how the alliance should be run, as well as well-connected fixers to constantly monitor and mediate disputes between sects or external conflicts.
From the initial planning stages, Bu Eun-seol had structured the organization and recruited talent to ensure the Azure Heaven Alliance could operate smoothly.
But that alone wasn't enough.
Ultimately, only by having Bu Eun-seol remain at its side to assist in operations—rather than returning to the Demon Hall or Martial Alliance—could the alliance maintain its smooth functioning.
Yet he couldn't help like this every day.
At the same time, he couldn't dispatch the elite personnel under the Death Shadow War Unit—figures like Yu Un-ryong, Myo Cheon-u, Dam Yu-yeon of the Martial Soul Society, or Yu Hwa-ryeong—to this place either.
Doing so would expose the connection between the Azure Heaven Alliance and Bu Eun-seol.
"Troublesome," murmured Bu Eun-seol, stroking his chin as he processed the flood of alliance affairs.
Though he had built a near-perfect organization with the help of the Tang and Namgung Clans, the workload was overwhelming.
There was one crucial element still missing.
A staff officer—someone to advise Bukgung Ryeong by his side and manage the organizations under his command.
'There's no other choice.'
A capable strategist wasn't easy to come by.
Why else would the saying "Three visits to the thatched cottage" exist?
Finding a talented and wise advisor was difficult enough, but recruiting one was even harder.
Unless the timing and circumstances aligned perfectly, it was impossible to obtain such a person.
Knock, knock.
Just then, someone rapped on the door of the office where Bu Eun-seol sat alone.
"It's Seon-u Jin."
It was none other than the real Seon-u Jin—the true heir of the Seonhwa Merchant House, who had lived in the shadows under the Martial Venerable's control.
"Lord."
He clasped his hands together.
"I sincerely thank you for keeping your promise."
Bu Eun-seol had made a vow with Mu-gyeol to ensure that Seon-u Jin would no longer live in darkness—that he could escape the Martial Venerable's grasp.
And to allow him to live freely as the real Seon-u Jin, Bu Eun-seol had even created the position of Chief Steward of the Azure Heaven Alliance for him.
"I'm also grateful that you've established a base here for our merchant house."
The Martial Venerable was not the type to leave the Seonhwa Merchant House—including Seon-u Jin, who had betrayed him—unpunished.
From the very beginning, when planning the Azure Heaven Alliance, Bu Eun-seol had prepared a base in Sichuan.
And once negotiations with Mu-gyeol were concluded, he had relocated the Seonhwa Merchant House's operations here.
Now, on the eve of the Great Sect Founding Ceremony, the merchant house had already completed its full relocation.
"But... will this truly be safe?"
Seon-u Jin wore a slightly uneasy expression.
"Though the Azure Heaven Alliance's influence is formidable, I've heard the Martial Alliance's secret forces are enormous in scale. And the fact that the Martial Venerable can still move the Alliance at will..."
"It will be fine."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"Even if he is acting as the Martial Alliance Chief, he hasn't truly seized control of it. If he could, he wouldn't have even considered recruiting me under the identity of Seon-u Jin to stir up the Martial Alliance in the first place."
Then, he continued slowly.
"The ones who truly move the Martial Alliance are the Three Realms... or those like them. You'll grow tired of hearing that name while serving in this alliance."
"The Three Realms..."
As Seon-u Jin's expression turned blank, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"Moreover, this alliance includes numerous masters, including Alliance Leader Bukgung, as well as the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Sword Pavilion, and the Divine Maiden Palace surrounding us. And with the alliance leader's approval, the intelligence networks of the Demon Hall and the Martial Soul Society have been merged."
He offered a reassuring smile.
"Because of this, no faction would rashly mobilize troops just to eliminate the Seonhwa Merchant House. Doing so would expose their true nature."
"But what if he acts alone or sends a small assassination squad?"
"Of course, if a master like the Martial Venerable were to infiltrate with full intent, he could kill Chief Steward Seon-u and your family."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was firm.
"But the moment he does, he would have to abandon not only his position as Martial Alliance Chief but also the very name of 'Martial Venerable.' We know his true identity, and the moment he commits an evil deed, we have the power to prove it."
Truthfully, the reason Bu Eun-seol hadn't exposed the Martial Venerable's identity was that keeping him in the position of Martial Alliance Chief was actually beneficial to the Azure Heaven Alliance's operations.
But more than anything, it was a safety measure to ensure the Seonhwa Merchant House remained untouched.
"I see."
Only then did Seon-u Jin realize Bu Eun-seol's consideration and nod slowly.
"I was so preoccupied with worry that I failed to recognize the extent of your care."
"There's no need to call it care. If anything, it's the Chief Steward who is helping me."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Now, live freely. Retire as a martial artist and live as a figure of the merchant world."
"Actually, that's precisely why I came to see you after much deliberation."
Seon-u Jin's expression turned solemn.
"I have no desire to remain in the martial world. I was only forced to learn Master Unhindered's martial arts under the Martial Venerable's coercion since childhood."
He shook his head.
"Even the martial reputation I built since childhood wasn't my own doing—it was fabricated by the Martial Venerable's men. All so that the identity of 'Seon-u Jin' could lay the groundwork for Seon-u Jin to operate in the Central Plains martial world."
His words were deliberate.
"To be perfectly honest, I have no attachment to the name 'Seon-u Jin.' I only intend to live as Dokgo Jin, Chief Steward of the Azure Heaven Alliance, and a merchant figure managing the Seonhwa Merchant House."
"Dokgo...?"
"My mother's surname."
Bu Eun-seol inhaled deeply.
He finally understood what Seon-u Jin was trying to say.
"You're offering that identity to me?"
"Yes."
Seon-u Jin—now Dokgo Jin—spoke plainly.
"To be frank, as long as the Martial Venerable lives, I can't truly say I'm completely free."
The Martial Venerable was still the Martial Venerable.
No matter how much protection the Azure Heaven Alliance provided, if he truly set his mind on eliminating someone, it would be nearly impossible to evade.
So why not give the identity of Seon-u Jin to Bu Eun-seol?
If Dokgo Jin lived as an unknown martial artist under the Azure Heaven Alliance, using a disguise, he could remain safe for a long time.
"But I ask for one promise in return."
"Name it."
"Swear to me that you will kill the Martial Venerable—without fail."
The unexpected demand hung in the air.
The Martial Venerable was currently the Number One of the Righteous Path, a superlative martial expert with no equal in the martial world.
And yet, Dokgo Jin had just asked for his death—
As casually as one might request the slaughter of a chicken.