Chapter 852
Yu Un-ryong hadn't had a moment to lift his backside from his seat, buried under the relentless flood of work from the Death Shadow War Unit.
But as the senior commanders gradually grew proficient in all matters,
and Myo Cheon-u took over some of the tasks he'd been handling, he finally found himself with a bit of breathing room.
"At last, it's done."
Yu Un-ryong let out an exclamation of triumph in his office.
What he had been compiling for some time—
the Ten-Section Staff Diagram, a comprehensive manual of the Ten-Section Staff techniques—was finally complete.
"If this treatise spreads, there will come a day when the martial world has more masters wielding the Ten-Section Staff than swordsmen."
Yu Un-ryong grinned in satisfaction.
Truth be told, the Ten-Section Staff he used
was even less known than the chain sickle, one of the most representative odd weapons of the martial world,
and far more difficult to master.
But by harmoniously blending the tricks of whip techniques with the subtleties of staff arts,
he had systematized a training method so intuitive that even a three-year-old could wield the Ten-Section Staff.
"And thanks to that, I finally grasped the mysteries of Endless Qi Flow and Endless Qi Transformation."
The Ten-Section Staff Method demanded an immense consumption of True Qi in exchange for its devastating power.
To compensate, he had to integrate the principles of Constant Essence and Qi Circulation and Unceasing Cyclical Flow—
merging the flow of weapon techniques with True Qi circulation to endlessly cycle internal energy without wasting a single drop.
And at last, Yu Un-ryong succeeded in applying these principles to the Ten-Section Staff Method,
completing a wholly new discipline of internal energy circulation: the Endless Qi Flow Art and Endless Qi Transformation.
"With this, even a formidable army won't be beyond my ability to repel alone."
After a bright laugh, Yu Un-ryong took a deep breath and nodded.
"Now that I've perfected my martial art, it's time to fill my mind."
For a long time now, whenever he found a spare moment, he would go to Chengdu and visit old bookstores to read.
He had already devoured every book available to him in the Demon Hall.
To properly assist Bu Eun-seol, he needed to reach at least a level where he could somewhat anticipate his insight.
Though he could never match Bu Eun-seol's unfathomable wisdom and perception,
he sought knowledge from books spanning the ages, using them to cultivate his own wisdom.
Sarak.
Today, too, Yu Un-ryong was browsing for worthwhile books in a well-established old bookstore along Chengdu's bustling streets.
His solemn expression as he flipped through the pages made him look like an ascetic monk in deep penance.
Reading wasn't just about absorbing the knowledge within the pages—
it also contained wisdom that could further develop the reader's thinking.
And so, day after day, Yu Un-ryong honed his intellect through books.
Creak.
Just then, a woman stepped into the bookstore, dressed in lavish pink robes with a camellia hairpin adorning her head.
Her sharp yet deep and beautiful eyes, like gazing into a vast lake, marked her as a stunning beauty.
"Old Master! Did you find that book I asked about—"
Calling out loudly to the bookstore owner,
she suddenly spotted Yu Un-ryong standing to the side, engrossed in his reading, and hastily ducked behind a bookshelf.
What's he doing here?!
She was none other than Danri Yu-hwa, the sole daughter of the Azure Moon Sect, who had once been set up on an arranged meeting with Yu Un-ryong.
Though the Azure Moon Sect was a sect from Beyond the Frontier,
they had maintained constant exchanges with the Demon Hall, gradually expanding their influence into the Central Plains.
Currently, they were in the midst of establishing a branch in the Central Plains,
and Danri Yu-hwa was overseeing the project on behalf of the sect leader.
—You mean to say you don't even know of the Martial Soul Lord's achievements? Are there no people around you?
Grit.
Hiding behind the shelf, Danri Yu-hwa clenched her fists.
The memory of Yu Un-ryong humiliating her that day resurfaced.
Just because she hadn't known much about the Martial Soul Lord—
just because she hadn't been aware of his great exploits and merits—
he had berated her endlessly, leaving her deeply wounded.
Still the same as ever, huh.
Bookworm.
Others might see him as the Martial Soul Lord's right-hand man and the Death Shadow War Unit's strategist,
but in her eyes, he was nothing more than a brainwashed, starry-eyed subordinate
and a bookworm who couldn't even stop reading during their arranged meeting.
Why isn't he leaving already?
Danri Yu-hwa cautiously peeked out to observe Yu Un-ryong again.
His face, though jade-like in refinement, had dark circles under his eyes, a pallid complexion, and a gaunt appearance—as if he hadn't slept for three nights.
It was obvious he had spent the entire night buried in books.
What kind of manly hero is so weak and frail?
As a martial heroine, she was more bold and unrestrained than most bearded men.
And in her view, the man worthy of being her partner
had to possess martial prowess that could dominate even the greatest experts and an aura that commanded the world.
A true martial artist should have an indomitable spirit. What kind of sickly mess is this?
She absolutely despised men who looked like they were on the verge of collapsing.
"Young Lady."
Just then, the bookstore owner, Old Master Seo,
blinked at Danri Yu-hwa as she leaned against the shelf, hiding.
"What are you doing over there?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Waving her hands dismissively, Danri Yu-hwa spun around.
"I'll come back another time."
Afraid Yu Un-ryong might notice her,
she hurried out of the bookstore without a backward glance.
A few days later.
To avoid any chance of running into Yu Un-ryong again, she visited a bustling district of Chengdu far from the Demon Hall.
Enjoying a midday drink in high spirits, she soaked in the atmosphere of the Central Plains.
The Azure Moon Sect, located in the desolate Mount Sinwol,
maintained a daily routine of solemn meditation and rigorous penance—
no different from the ascetic practices of a Buddhist monastic order, repeating the same strict and monotonous rituals day after day.
But the Central Plains were so vibrant, teeming with people and endless sights to behold.
"I wish I could just move our sect to the Central Plains for good."
She muttered regretfully.
"If we establish a branch here, I'll definitely be the one managing it."
Rather than enduring endless penance on Mount Sinwol, she had even considered marrying a man from the Central Plains.
But now that a branch was being formed,
she wouldn't even need to marry—she could simply become the branch leader and that would settle everything.
"And once we start accepting Central Plains disciples, eventually the main sect itself will shift here..."
Clatter.
Just then, a child clutching a piece of dangwa (sugar candy) dashed through the crowd,
smearing the treat onto the robes of a middle-aged man in blue who was browsing the market stalls.
"You little brat!"
A martial artist, likely the man's guardian warrior, seized the child by the scruff of the neck and lifted him up.
"Can't you watch where you're going?"
The child, dangling from the warrior's grip, whimpered in fear.
"Now, now."
The middle-aged man shook his head, about to reprimand his guard—
"Wow, how petty."
Danri Yu-hwa pointed at the warrior holding the child, her temper flaring.
"Seriously, why make such a fuss over something so trivial?"
"What?"
"If you're a guardian warrior, you should've stopped the kid from getting close in the first place. Why take it out on a child?"
The warrior's eyes bulged at her pouting retort.
"Do you truly believe this one failed to notice the child's approach?"
He had observed the child's running gait and immediately recognized it wasn't the stride of an assassin or someone with ill intent.
But he couldn't foresee the future—he simply hadn't predicted the child would smear candy on his master's robes.
And yet, this woman spoke as if he were incompetent, as if his guard had been breached?
"How dare you spout such insolence!"
"Ah, enough."
The middle-aged man waved his hand dismissively.
"The young lady is right. There's no need to blame the child."
The warrior's face flushed red as he bowed his head.
"My apologies."
Seeing this, Danri Yu-hwa nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Well, at least the master has some sense."
She then sighed as she looked at the middle-aged man.
"You should really discipline your servants better—"
"My apologies."
Suddenly, someone in blue robes abruptly stepped forward and bowed deeply before Danri Yu-hwa.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
"This friend of mine... isn't quite right in the head. On clear days like this, she wanders into the marketplace and picks fights with anyone she sees."
"What? What?!"
"See for yourself."
Yu Un-ryong pointed at the plum blossom hairpin in her hair with an utterly grave expression.
"She's even wearing flowers in her hair like this."
Just as the flabbergasted Danri Yu-hwa tried to speak, Yu Un-ryong bowed again.
"Forgive us, my lord. Please be understanding."
"It's quite alright. You may go."
Seeming to grasp the situation, the blue-robed middle-aged man smiled warmly and waved them off. Yu Un-ryong respectfully saluted before
leading her by the arm into a nearby alley.
"Hey, let go!"
Once inside the alley, she tried to wrench her arm free with force.
But Yu Un-ryong released her before she could even fully resist.
"What the hell was that?"
Furious, she shouted at him.
"Who do you think you are, interfering like that? And what was that about me being 'not right in the head'?"
Yu Un-ryong sighed.
"I apologize. It was the only way to defuse the situation."
"Defuse what? Over something so minor? The matter was already settled, and then you made me look like a madwoman!"
"Young Lady Danri."
He shook his head.
"However unfamiliar you may be with Central Plains affairs... there are certain people you must learn to recognize."
"What are you talking about?"
"That man in blue was one of the Seven Kings."
"What?!"
"And the warrior guarding him was Iron Eagle—a cold-blooded, ruthless officer of the Imperial Brocade Guard, nicknamed 'Blood Eagle' for his cruel methods."
Danri Yu-hwa's jaw dropped.
She had prided herself on being well-informed about Central Plains affairs lately.
But that knowledge was limited to the martial world—she knew nothing about government officials or imperial figures.
Of course, she wouldn't recognize a king traveling in plain clothes.
"Even if the king is forgiving, do you think the Azure Moon Sect could safely take root in the Central Plains if you clashed with that Iron Eagle?"
"That—"
She should have thanked him. But her pride flared with irritation.
"That was my problem to handle."
Whoosh.
She turned away sharply.
"Stay out of my business from now on."
With that, she stormed out of the alley.
Yu Un-ryong watched her go, took a deep breath, and shook his head.
"An impossible woman."
Considering the relationship between the Demon Hall and the Azure Moon Sect—
No, even just because of their past arranged meeting, he had saved her from a crisis.
And yet, she just got angry and left?
"Guess I stuck my nose where it didn't belong."
He already had enough complications to deal with. There was no need to involve himself in her affairs.
"Maybe I've been influenced by him."
Those of the Demonic Path were usually indifferent to others' troubles.
But Bu Eun-seol always extended a helping hand to those in need, regardless of whether they were orthodox or unorthodox.
And before anyone realized it, every warrior of the Death Shadow War Unit had begun emulating that very trait of his.
"I won't bother with her again."
Completely unaware of what the future held, he turned away coldly.
A few days later.
Yu Un-ryong ventured back into Chengdu.
After spending a considerable amount of time in an old bookstore, he stepped out into the bustling marketplace once more.
"Should I buy some tang sweets for Cheon-u on my way back?"
Myo Cheon-u had rather peculiar tastes—he still enjoyed sweet treats like a child.
Especially these days, now that he had abandoned his idle ways and was diligently assisting with his duties, chained to his desk...
Yu Un-ryong couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Sniffle, sniffle.
But then, in the distance, a little girl stood dazed, her face crumpling as she fought back tears.
The marketplace was already chaotic, packed with processions from various gangs.
She must have lost her mother's hand in the commotion.
Yet the passersby, clad in shabby clothes, paid no attention to the sniffling child.
"Well, can't be helped."
Just as Yu Un-ryong clicked his tongue and prepared to step forward—
"Oh my, how adorable! Where did this little lady come from?"
A woman in crimson robes knelt before the child, laughing brightly as she spoke.
It was Danri Yu-hwa.
"Where's your mother? Did you lose your way?"
At her question, the girl wiped her tears and nodded.
"Alright, I'll help you find her."
But the child ducked her head, her face full of wariness, and muttered,
"Mom said... not to follow strangers."
"Right. You've been taught well, haven't you?"
Nodding in approval, Yu-hwa turned and abruptly disappeared into an alley.
Had she decided the child was sharp enough to not need help?
Tap, tap, tap.
Then, just as suddenly, Danri Yu-hwa hurriedly reappeared from the crowd, rushing back to the girl.
In her hands were two delicious-looking candied hawthorns.
"Then, is it alright if this Big Sister waits here with you?"
She held out the treat as she spoke.
"Your mother will come looking for you soon. Let's stay together until then."
Nod.
The girl nodded, and Yu-hwa smiled, standing beside her.
She lifted her wide sleeve to shield the child from the scorching sun, ensuring she wouldn't suffer under the heat.
The posture must have been uncomfortable, yet she silently remained by the girl's side.
"Min-min!"
From afar, a middle-aged woman drenched in sweat came running toward the child.
She must have scoured every corner of Chengdu searching for her lost daughter.
"Mom!"
The girl beamed and dashed toward her.
"Min-min!"
The mother blinked at the candied hawthorn in her daughter's hand.
"What's that?"
"This Big Sister gave it to me..."
The girl pointed behind her—only to blink in surprise.
Danri Yu-hwa, who had been standing beside her just moments ago, had vanished without a trace.
"Hmm."
Yu Un-ryong, who had been watching from a distance, stroked his chin.
He had thought her nothing but an unruly troublemaker.
But seeing her thoughtful care for the child, her gentle demeanor... perhaps she wasn't entirely like that.
Flash.
Suddenly, the image of Danri Yu-hwa's radiant smile as she blocked the sunlight surfaced in his mind.
That smile—her white teeth gleaming beneath the floral hairpin—
It was so vivid and dazzling that it lingered in the thoughts of Yu Un-ryong, a man who had never spared women a second glance.
"Well, perhaps it wasn't entirely worthless."
Recalling their previous encounter, he chuckled faintly, shook his head, and slowly turned away.
A few days later.
Hidden Demon Pavilion—Yu Un-ryong's office.
Despite tirelessly working through the endless stream of letters, the stacks of documents on his desk remained towering.
Meanwhile, across the reception table, Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon sat lounging, chatting idly—
Unlike Yu Un-ryong, who was buried in work.
"Hahaha!"
"That's hilarious, right?"
Yu Un-ryong had long accepted that his office had become a relaxation spot for the deputies.
So no matter what nonsense they spouted, he paid no mind, quietly continuing his duties.
"...Did you hear about that woman who caused a scene at Daru Tea House? She was completely insane."
"Tell me about it. Never seen a madwoman like her in my life."
Pause.
Yu Un-ryong's brush stilled at the strange conversation reaching his ears.
"Bold, too. No matter how you look at it, infiltrating the Human-Ghost Society, turning the place upside down, and then escaping?"
The Human-Ghost Society.
A rising Black Path faction, a group of fixers who took money to resolve all manner of contract hits.
Despite being newly established, they had solid connections with government offices, and their martial artists were uniformly formidable.
Especially their leader—the Ghost-Slaying Sword, Jeon Baek-seung.
Once an unremarkable Black Path master, he had recently mastered a swordsmanship said to be capable of cutting down ghosts,
Earning immense prestige in the martial world.
And yet, some woman had infiltrated them and wreaked havoc?
"Exactly. The Human-Ghost Society was so furious they chased her all the way to Daru Tea House and dragged her off like rabid dogs."
At Won Se-mun's words, Jo Nam-cheon crossed his arms and shook his head.
"Well, they're a Black Path gang. Money's probably the goal, right? Most of them solve things that way."
Won Se-mun clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Who knows? She had a temper sharp as a blade and was downright wild, but she was pretty... Maybe the Society Leader lost his head over her."
A foreboding sensation prickled at Yu Un-ryong's mind as he listened silently.
A woman with a temper sharp as a blade, wild but beautiful.
The moment he heard those words, a certain face surfaced in his thoughts.
"...By any chance."
Setting down his brush, Yu Un-ryong turned to Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon, his expression darker than ever.
"That woman who infiltrated the Human-Ghost Society—"
His voice was ice.
"Did she, by any chance, have flowers pinned in her hair like a madwoman... and wear crimson robes?"
"Huh?"
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon's eyes simultaneously widened.
"You've seen her too, Great Lord Yu?"
Thud.
Instead of answering, Yu Un-ryong covered his forehead with one hand.
Danri Yu-hwa.
That rowdy ruffian had caused mischief yet again.