Chapter 832
From its very founding, the Azure Heaven Alliance had begun absorbing numerous factions.
From inception, it displayed the near-perfect form befitting an orthodox coalition... Martial artists watched closely to see what role this new alliance would play.
Yet Bukgung Ryeong had never been deeply involved in Murim politics before, nor had he ever commanded vast numbers of subordinates.
Even Gongson Dan-gyeong, despite her exceptional wisdom—
Having never led a completely newly established coalition, she struggled somewhat while assisting Bukgung Ryeong in managing the Azure Heaven Alliance.
'There's no helping it.'
In the current Murim, Bu Eun-seol was practically the only person who had both founded and operated a massive coalition.
'Since I have the identity of Seon-u Jin, I have no choice but to assist the Azure Heaven Alliance for now.'
The one saving grace was that Dokgo Jin, the Chief Steward overseeing the alliance's general affairs, was far more competent than Bu Eun-seol had anticipated.
Because Dokgo Jin handled his duties flawlessly, each organization began functioning effectively, and even Gongson Dan-gyeong could breathe a little easier.
Azure Heaven Alliance, Grand Conference Hall.
Under Bukgung Ryeong's leadership, the first meeting was held to determine how the alliance should begin its activities.
Gathered there were the young prodigies from the Martial Alliance, including Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Alongside them were newly joined talents from the Wudang Sect, the Beggars' Sect, and even the Eight Great Clans.
Yet despite this, deciding on the Azure Heaven Alliance's first course of action as Murim's new orthodox coalition was no easy matter.
The first move after founding.
This was an extremely important act that would define the sect or faction's banner.
'Hmm.'
Bu Eun-seol had already envisioned a goal for the Azure Heaven Alliance from the moment of its founding.
But the alliance's leader was not him—it was Bukgung Ryeong.
If he stepped forward now, during the time when Bukgung Ryeong should be demonstrating his leadership as the alliance head...
Wouldn't Bukgung Ryeong simply defer to his opinions unconditionally from then on?
In the end, he would effectively be the one running the Azure Heaven Alliance.
And the plan to establish a proper new orthodox coalition would dissolve into nothing.
Murmur, murmur...
The meeting dragged on endlessly with no sign of conclusion.
If this indecisiveness continued, he would have no choice but to voice his own proposal.
'No, that won't do.'
After a moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol nodded inwardly in resolve.
'I can only hope that the old man Bukgung and I share the same vision.'
"May I speak?"
At the sound of Bu Eun-seol's voice—who had remained silent until now—Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
"Go ahead."
Bu Eun-seol bowed slightly before speaking in a clear, resonant voice.
"This alliance was founded with the goal of upholding justice in Murim."
His gaze shifted to Bukgung Ryeong, seated at the head of the conference hall, as he continued.
"And this banner is also the philosophy of our leader. Therefore, I believe our first action must be one that reflects these convictions and ideals."
"So what you're saying is..."
"I merely suggest that the leader make his decision with the same resolve he held when founding the Azure Heaven Alliance."
At these words, Bukgung Ryeong's eyes widened.
The Azure Heaven Alliance.
Though it had been created upon Bu Eun-seol's proposal...
Ultimately, wasn't it an orthodox coalition that he must lead? A place to restore the justice that had been lost in the current orthodox Murim?
—There's no need for anything grandiose.
Suddenly, the words Bu Eun-seol had once spoken to him resurfaced.
—Don't get caught up in the idea of a coalition. Just act according to your own values and convictions, old man.
'This brat...'
Bukgung Ryeong let out a deep sigh.
Why did he keep forgetting this simple truth, this unwavering will?
"There is only one thing this alliance leader desires."
Enlightened by Bu Eun-seol's words, Bukgung Ryeong looked at the young officers before him.
"We need no grand ambition to uphold justice in Murim. We need not stake our claim over territories to flaunt our might."
Then, with the gravest expression, he declared:
"If we can but lower ourselves and help the people directly—that alone is enough."
For a moment, the young officers wore expressions of shame.
Originally, their aspirations had been no different from Bukgung Ryeong's.
But unexpectedly, the Azure Heaven Alliance's scale had grown vast from the start, and as numerous factions gathered under its banner, rivaling even established coalitions...
They had begun to grow greedy, contrary to their initial intentions.
Unconsciously, they had become shackled by pride and compulsion—the belief that they must undertake deeds befitting a grand coalition.
'As I thought, my judgment of people remains sound.'
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
Bukgung Ryeong was Bukgung Ryeong.
He alone remained indifferent to the Azure Heaven Alliance's scale, holding fast to his original convictions.
—Abandon the ambition to govern Murim. If we can lower ourselves and aid the people, that is enough.
And this philosophy of Bukgung Ryeong's aligned perfectly with Bu Eun-seol's own thoughts.
In that case, there was no harm in revealing the plan he had been considering.
"Having heard the leader's words, a fine stratagem comes to mind."
Realizing that Bukgung Ryeong's heart had not changed—and would not change—Bu Eun-seol began to speak of what he had long contemplated.
At last, the Azure Heaven Alliance's first action in Murim was decided.
—This alliance shall sanction the Black Syndicate factions and Black Path factions that exploit the common people through usury.
As this declaration spread—
Martial artists couldn't help finding it absurd.
A Righteous Faction alliance, by definition, was where the collective strength of orthodox factions converged.
Its focus lay in maintaining order within the murim.
That meant mediating conflicts between sects, eliminating factions or sects that committed evil deeds, driving out Demonic Path forces that opposed the Righteous Faction's principles, and engaging in power struggles—these were its primary functions.
Yet their first act was to sanction mere back-alley thugs who sucked the common people dry and Black Path factions?
—Are they really that desperate for something to do?
As such rumors spread,
not only the Demon Hall, which had been closely monitoring the Azure Heaven Alliance's activities, but even the Martial Alliance—another Righteous Faction coalition—couldn't help but scoff.
—So they're so starved for purpose they're picking up scraps like this, huh?
Their ridicule wasn't unfounded.
Black Path sects staked their lives on money and vested interests.
Thus, rather than clashing with murim factions,
they generally butted heads—or colluded—with government offices and the commercial world to pursue profit.
As for the back-alley thugs? They were exactly that—thugs. Criminals living such extreme lives they could hardly be called martial artists.
And now, the Azure Heaven Alliance—not just some minor sect, but a full-fledged Righteous Faction coalition—was going to meddle in the affairs of these back alleys?
It was so ludicrous it made people laugh in disbelief.
—A fledgling alliance poking the Black Path? What good could come of that?
The martial world couldn't comprehend it.
The Azure Heaven Alliance was a newly established coalition.
This was a critical time for them to integrate with existing factions.
Yet out of nowhere, they were provoking the Black Path's territory?
—If the Azure Heaven Alliance goes through with this, the Black Path Alliance won't just sit back and take it!
True to the martial artists' concerns,
the Black Path faction reacted fiercely upon hearing the news, already moving to label the Azure Heaven Alliance as a hostile force.
But regardless, the Azure Heaven Alliance steadily pressed forward.
—Our alliance's sphere of influence isn't vast. Therefore, we must dispatch our own martial artists to resolve matters one by one.
Having proposed the idea himself,
Bu Eun-seol personally took command of the martial artists, methodically dismantling the back-alley factions in the Sichuan region that preyed on the common people.
The Demonic Path cared nothing for benevolence, righteousness, or morality—they pursued power and authority by any means necessary,
using that power to forcibly extract wealth.
The Righteous Path sought justice and righteousness, upholding ethics and morality, vanquishing evil and aiding the weak...
Yet in the end, they too collected tribute within their territories under the guise of voluntary donations.
The Unorthodox Factions generally operated as heretical cults,
using bizarre doctrines to deceive commoners or the wealthy for massive profits.
Thus, whether Righteous, Demonic, or Unorthodox, the murim's dominant factions all had stable sources of income.
But the Black Path was different.
Born from back-alley figures who learned martial arts and gradually infiltrated the murim,
they had a relatively short history, and whenever they tried to expand, they clashed with the territories of the Righteous, Demonic, or Unorthodox factions.
This made it difficult to establish steady revenue streams.
Moreover, perpetually outmatched in martial prowess, they couldn't recklessly pick fights and had to tread carefully under the watchful eyes of established factions.
In the end, they resorted to smuggling, plunder, kidnapping, usury—whatever turned a profit—to sustain themselves.
The problem was, since they made money through illegal means,
they had no choice but to squeeze the common people dry,
rely on back-alley thugs as underlings,
and pay exorbitant bribes to government offices.
Even more infuriating,
since their primary territories were already occupied by Righteous or Demonic factions,
they still had to offer "sincerity payments" to secure their cooperation.
—Damn it all. This is disgusting.
—You think we do this shit because we want to?
The Black Path's resentment festered with each passing day.
Though the Black Path Alliance existed,
it was ultimately just another coalition looking out for its own interests, and the Black Path factions still had to mind the established factions.
But Bu Eun-seol...
understood the Black Path's grievances better than anyone.
Martial artists rarely suffered under the Black Path.
But the common people endured daily torment from the back-alley thugs entrenched in every village.
During his time as an undertaker, he had witnessed such scenes until they sickened him.
Thus, Bu Eun-seol personally led the Azure Heaven Alliance's martial artists,
calmly directing the mission to dismantle the Black Path and back-alley factions.
"As long as there are commoners and merchants, the Black Path's usury will never disappear."
Then he issued a firm order:
"Eradicate the cruel acts of back-alley thugs who torment the people, but if they operate within the territories of noble families or gangs affiliated with our alliance, instruct them to accept a payment reduced by twenty percent—just enough to show sincerity."
The martial artists receiving his orders tilted their heads in confusion.
"Wouldn't it be better to slash it outright? Even if we reduce it by twenty percent, it won't amount to much."
"If we take nothing at all, they'll grow suspicious of our intentions. And if they think we'll never take anything, they won't bite."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"But if it's just enough to be reasonable, they'll find it acceptable."
Then he added,
"If they voluntarily crack down on the thugs' evil deeds, inform them that the tribute from Black Path factions operating in our territory will also be reduced by twenty percent."
The martial artists were puzzled.
Could those rough Black Path figures truly control the Black Syndicate thugs just by reducing the tribute by a mere twenty percent? That was the thought that crossed their minds.
But since it was an order, they soon carried it out as instructed.
And then, something miraculous happened.
The Black Path factions actually began cleaning up the unruly Black Syndicate forces.
Even their previously hostile attitude gradually started to shift.
—It feels like they're acknowledging us in their own way...
Until now, gangs within the Martial Alliance's territory had always collected tribute while looking down on the Black Path's activities.
But the Azure Heaven Alliance was reducing the tribute amount simply for properly managing the Black Syndicate?
Truthfully, in the martial world, the Black Path had always been treated like nothing more than a band of thieves, unwelcome in both the orthodox and unorthodox factions.
The reason Black Syndicate thugs acted so viciously was often because of the exorbitant tributes demanded by the Black Path factions.
Most of them resorted to cruelty just to meet those demands.
But once the Azure Heaven Alliance recognized this and reduced the tribute within their territory,
the Black Syndicate's rampages decreased, and the common people's resentment toward the Black Path factions lessened.
And that, in turn, benefited the Black Path as well.
The more cooperative the commoners and merchants became, the easier their own work grew.
—So in the end, they weren't trying to crush us like rats, but to help us?
Eventually, the Black Path realized that the Azure Heaven Alliance's actions were for their own benefit.
Once they grasped the situation to some extent,
Bu Eun-seol made his intentions clear to the Black Path forces.
—If you squeeze the commoners dry, the Black Path will lose even more ground. You must find a way to coexist with them.
This message wasn't just for the Black Path forces within the Azure Heaven Alliance's territory—it was for all Black Path factions.
—If you wish to become a necessary evil, one even acknowledged by the commoners and martial artists...
When this spread, the Black Path reacted with surprise once again.
If it had been the Demonic Path, perhaps it wouldn't have been so shocking.
But the orthodox factions had never acknowledged the Black Path before.
Because from the orthodox perspective, the Black Path, which committed all manner of crimes, was evil incarnate.
But Bu Eun-seol—no, the Azure Heaven Alliance—
understood that as long as merchants and commoners existed, the Black Path would never disappear.
And so, they acknowledged them as a necessary evil.
—At the very least, it doesn't seem like they're doing this just to expand their influence.
If their goal had been to widen their reach, they could've simply crushed them like rats.
There was no need for such a convoluted approach.
Coexistence.
For a rigid, inflexible alliance like the orthodox factions to say such a thing to the Black Path... was a fresh shock.
—Let's... keep watching for now.
The Black Path Alliance softened their hostility toward the Azure Heaven Alliance.
Of course, even if they showed a favorable attitude, it was only temporary—after all, the orthodox factions and the Black Path were bound to clash eventually.
Coexistence and symbiosis were possible with commoners and figures from the commercial world, but not with them.
Yet, the Azure Heaven Alliance's actions yielded an unexpected result.
—The Black Syndicate thugs are restraining themselves because the Azure Heaven Alliance is cracking down on them.
—Is that place as good as the Martial Soul Society?
As the Black Syndicate's atrocities dwindled, even commoners with no interest in the martial world began talking about the Azure Heaven Alliance.
For a sect's name to circulate favorably among ordinary people—who had no connection to the martial world—was an extremely positive phenomenon.
Hadn't the Martial Soul Society also first made their name known to the commoners and gained their support?
—So that was their plan.
Through this mission, the Azure Heaven Alliance not only earned the Black Path's goodwill but also firmly imprinted their name in the minds of the common people.
A martial sect's standing could shift between favor and hostility at any moment, depending on circumstances.
But the support of the common people was different.
Once they backed a sect, its reputation would naturally grow,
and with that reputation, the sect could expand its sphere of influence, its authority rising in turn.
Above all, the most crucial point was this:
It gave them a strategic advantage in conflicts with the government offices.
No matter how many well-connected martial artists they recruited,
a newly formed alliance would always be vulnerable to pressure from local officials or the imperial court.
Because the imperial household had no desire to see martial alliances sprouting up like weeds.
But if the common people supported the sect? Breaking free from their interference would become far easier.
—We can't just let this slide.
Because of this incident, the Martial Alliance
instinctively realized that the Azure Heaven Alliance would soon rise as a threatening force against them.
But since they had initially approved the Azure Heaven Alliance's formation without objection, they couldn't suddenly start picking faults now.
Moreover, the unorthodox factions paid no attention, while the Black Path and commoners naturally acknowledged them.
—Using the Demonic Path, no less.
From the Demonic Path's perspective,
the Azure Heaven Alliance was ultimately no different from the Martial Alliance—another blade that could threaten their power.
And so, the Martial Alliance began pressuring the Azure Heaven Alliance by provoking the Demon Hall.
—The reason Seon-u Jin was constantly suspected of being a Demonic Path spy was, surprisingly, a scheme orchestrated by the Demon Hall.
The Martial Alliance, cunning as ever, spread insidious rumors that preyed on human psychology.
In truth, Seon-u Jin had been endlessly suspected of being a Demonic Path spy, to the point where he had no choice but to leave the Martial Alliance.
And after leaving, he joined the Azure Heaven Alliance, founded by Bukgung Ryeong.
"But to think the reason all this happened was ultimately the Demon Hall's scheme?"
That was a highly credible claim.
—So Commander Seon-u's true enemy was the Demon Hall.
Most of the Azure Heaven Alliance's young martial artists had originally belonged to the Martial Alliance and revered Seon-u Jin.
Yet it was the Demon Hall that had driven him out of the Martial Alliance?
And the Martial Alliance had added one more meticulous layer to this scheme.
They continuously leaked false information—that the enraged young martial artists of the Azure Heaven Alliance would attack the Demon Hall's branches.
—The Azure Heaven Alliance attacking the main hall?
Given that the Azure Heaven Alliance was situated near the Sichuan Region's borders, they were geographically closer to the Demon Hall than to the Martial Alliance.
The Azure Heaven Alliance's high command saw through the false information and sternly warned their martial artists, forbidding any clashes, but...
The Martial Alliance was not one to sit idly by.
They mobilized their secret operatives, ordering them to dress as Demon Hall martial artists and attack the Azure Heaven Alliance's members—and conversely, to don Azure Heaven Alliance attire and strike the Demon Hall's subordinate organizations.
Once, someone had said:
The only difference between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths...
Was that there was no difference between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
The leadership of both the Demon Hall and the Azure Heaven Alliance immediately launched investigations, uncovering that these incidents were the Martial Alliance's doing.
But the subordinate organizations, having suffered attacks and needing an outlet for their fury, did not wait for the investigation results—they retaliated at once.
Thus, genuine conflicts, large and small, inevitably erupted.
Azure Heaven Alliance, Hall of Righteous Chivalry.
This was where the Azure Heaven Alliance's leader, Bukgung Ryeong, resided.
Unlike the typical Martial Alliance office,
this place had its doors wide open, allowing anyone to enter freely, with no guards stationed.
The Hall of Righteous Chivalry, open in every aspect, had only one perfectly concealed space—
a secret chamber hidden within the office.
It had been designed from the start to house confidential discussions or matters critical to the alliance's operations.
And within this secret chamber, an old man in gray robes and a young man sat facing each other.
Bukgung Ryeong, leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance, and Bu Eun-seol, disguised as the Sword King Seon-u Jin.
"I will resolve this," Bu Eun-seol calmly explained his intentions to Bukgung Ryeong.
"The Martial Alliance will have thoroughly erased all traces of their deeds, so finding evidence will be impossible."
"Hmm."
"Ultimately, the only solution is for the leadership of both sides to meet and publicly declare that this was all the Martial Alliance's scheme."
"Why not leave it to the Chief Commander instead?"
Bukgung Ryeong shook his head.
"It would be better if you no longer go to the Demon Hall under that identity."
He let out a deep sigh before continuing.
"Because sending you to the Demon Hall... is likely the Martial Alliance's final plan."
"You've truly become the Alliance Leader now."
The prestige of the Martial Alliance Chief had plummeted due to the identity of Seon-u Jin.
Thus, Bukgung Ryeong had discerned that this entire scheme was either the Martial Venerable—or his loyalists—staking everything to ensure Bu Eun-seol could no longer use Seon-u Jin's identity...
Or perhaps a final test by the Martial Alliance's inner circle to confirm the true nature of Seon-u Jin, whom even their own chief had once doubted.
"To be precise, it's a plan to either verify Seon-u Jin's identity once more through the Demon Hall... or erase it."
"I can't fathom why they're so fixated on the identity of Seon-u Jin."
"It's an identity they painstakingly crafted over a long time, even sacrificing the real Seon-u Jin to do so."
Bu Eun-seol smiled bitterly.
"Now that I've taken it for myself, how infuriating must that be for them?"
Bukgung Ryeong's expression grew graver than ever.
"Then this scheme is meant to force you into going to the Demon Hall as Seon-u Jin... and once you arrive, they'll secretly leak the truth—that Seon-u Jin is actually Bu Eun-seol."
"Most likely."
"And you still intend to go, knowing that?"
"The Martial Alliance has spread rumors that the Sword King Seon-u Jin was framed because of the Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"This is truly a masterstroke... Because unless I, the person involved, go, it can't be resolved, and the rumors will only grow like a snowball."
"Hmm."
"It's fine. I expected the Martial Venerable would pull something like this eventually."
"But it's strange. They say he's in closed-door training."
"It might be an act—using his Divine Calculator persona to stir up the martial world. Even if not, he has plenty of subordinates who could handle this for him."
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"So it's best to settle this completely now."
"Meaning there's no choice."
Bukgung Ryeong sighed deeply.
It was always like this.
The trials Bu Eun-seol faced were so relentless that even he, weathered by decades in the martial world, couldn't help but exhale in exhaustion.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had never once avoided them—he always pushed forward.
"No need to look at me like that. It's just business as usual."
Bu Eun-seol shrugged.
"I've been freely moving between the two great factions of the martial world, playing the spy. Of course, I should handle the aftermath properly."
Bukgung Ryeong sighed and spoke.
"Just how much hardship have you endured...?"
Then, as if sensing something, he abruptly fell silent. His gaze fixed intently on Bu Eun-seol's impassive face.
"Hardship..."
Only then did something seem to dawn on him.
He let out another deep sigh, his voice strained as if his throat had tightened, and shook his head with a hollow expression.
"That can't be."
Bukgung Ryeong's face twisted in devastation.
Only now had he realized it.
Bu Eun-seol's spirit and mind...
Were already completely shattered.