Chapter 870
Having finally resolved all matters concerning the Executioner, Bu Eun-seol could now freely travel between the Demon Hall and the Azure Heaven Alliance.
And so, he swiftly dealt with the backlog of work that had piled up during that time.
'Did I push myself a bit too hard this time?'
Pausing his work for a moment, he stared blankly into the air, and fatigue surged into his vision.
Come to think of it, he couldn't even remember the last time he had slept.
It must have been at least a month.
'But my subordinates must be even more exhausted than I am.'
The reason he could maintain his command as the Martial Soul Lord while freely roaming the martial world under multiple identities—
Was because the warriors of the Death Shadow War Unit were tirelessly carrying out their duties to fill the gaps left by his absence.
Especially since Bu Eun-seol's work efficiency was so exceptional that it could replace hundreds of people.
For his absence to go unnoticed, his subordinates had to work without a moment's rest—literally without time to even blink.
'They've suffered far too much during this time.'
He had tried his best not to grow attached to those around him.
After all, he was merely drifting through the martial world temporarily to carry out his revenge.
He hadn't wanted to cause harm to their lives.
But through this ordeal, he had come to realize something.
That he, too, held deep concern and affection for them.
That he didn't want to lose these precious bonds.
'Am I changing as well?'
Enough that he could recognize it himself.
His heart, too, was slowly, gradually shifting.
'The martial world's political landscape, the movements of the strong, the Baekri Clan and the True Demon, and the Sanctuary...'
He shook his head, breaking his vacant stare into the air.
Normally, he would have called a meeting—
Shared the current situation and the information he had gathered, then discussed future plans and countermeasures.
But right now, he wanted to forget about such things, even if just for a moment.
According to the Old Man of the Sanctuary, his father was Baekri Mu-ha, a blood kin of the Baekri Clan.
And his mother was Sa Ah, the Saintess of the True Demon Family.
Though it might have seemed like a noble lineage—
In truth, he was little more than a wanderer who belonged nowhere.
Hadn't even the Old Man of the Sanctuary described his bloodline as a 'curse'?
Moreover, the reason he had escaped the Covenant—
Was not because of his extraordinary bloodline, but because he was fated to belong nowhere in the end.
Perhaps, just as the old man had prophesied—
If his origins were ever revealed—
Excluding the blood kin who had been loyal to his father and mother, he might very well become a target for execution by both factions.
'Then, in the end... was it a joint effort between the two clans that killed them?'
There was no way the Baekri Clan and the True Demon Family hadn't known that the two had built Saha Manor and lived happily as husband and wife.
Yet a Blood Calamity had occurred in Saha Manor, and it had never been properly investigated...
In fact, the likelihood was far too high that the calamity had either involved the two great factions or been tacitly permitted by them.
After all, it was all too obvious that the influential figures of both factions would have opposed—or outright refused to tolerate—their relationship.
'I didn't enter the martial world to find my family.'
There was only one reason he had stepped into the martial world.
To find and take revenge on the murderer who had killed his grandfather.
He had no intention of getting entangled in the affairs of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon Family.
This was merely a place to pass through. Even if both clans were to treat him as an enemy... he felt neither regret nor lingering attachment.
'However... since they were indeed my parents...'
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol made a resolution.
'If I ever find those who harmed them or were involved in the bloodshed at Saha Manor... I will fulfill my filial duty by executing them.'
After all, if he truly was of the bloodlines of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon Family—
Even if he didn't want to know the inside story between the two factions, he would inevitably learn of it.
For now, he would simply proceed as he always had.
Find the murderer who killed his grandfather, and investigate the matter.
'I must ensure my subordinates aren't dragged into this because of me.'
The Old Man of the Sanctuary had left words that seemed to urge him to keep his identity concealed, but there was no guarantee that would hold.
Even if his origins were revealed in the future—
He had to take precautions now to ensure they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire between the Baekri Clan and the True Demon.
'The only silver lining is that I have no choice but to remain hostile to the True Demon's servants until the very end.'
According to the Old Man of the Sanctuary—
The True Demon's blood kin and its servants were entirely different existences.
Especially the True Demon's servants, from the Three Attendants down to the Eight Heavenly Servants—
They committed all manner of atrocities, acted solely for the True Demon's resurrection, and carried out the will of the True Demon itself.
Therefore, regardless of bloodline—
He felt no guilt or restraint in dealing with the True Demon's servants.
'The problem is that I can't fully trust everything the old man said.'
The old man, too, must have had some objective. There was no way he would show such goodwill without reason.
All Bu Eun-seol had to do was discern which parts of his words held truth.
'First, I should look after my subordinates.'
The more complicated his thoughts became and the more pitiful his own circumstances seemed, the more he wanted to care for his subordinates.
After all, they were the only ones in this world to whom he could wholeheartedly devote himself.
'Now that I think about it, I've been too indifferent.'
At least once, he should have offered them warm words or asked if they had any worries.
Until now, he had taken their loyalty and affection for granted.
"Is there anything troubling you?"
Rising from his seat, Bu Eun-seol first headed toward the office where Yu Un-ryong resided.
As the one in charge of the Death Shadow War Unit's general affairs, Yu Un-ryong was the busiest among the commanders, constantly swamped with work.
If there was anyone who needed his attention first, it could only be him.
"Un-ryong."
"What brings you here?"
Noticing Bu Eun-seol entering the office, Yu Un-ryong blinked and raised his head.
Yet the hand holding his brush never stopped moving.
A clear testament to just how mercilessly overworked he was.
"Busy, are you?"
"Same as always."
Yu Un-ryong continued writing letters without pause, though his expression grew troubled.
For Bu Eun-seol to personally visit his office like this...
It could only mean there was something urgent to discuss—or a secret message to deliver.
"What brings you here?"
"Nothing. Just checking in."
"Huh?"
"I simply came to see what you were up to."
Thud.
At that moment, Yu Un-ryong's ceaselessly moving right arm froze mid-motion.
Bu Eun-seol was a man who valued every second, a meticulous planner who executed every action with purpose.
For him—of all people—to use the word simply...
This was stranger than the sun rising in the west.
'Did I make some grave mistake?'
Yu Un-ryong racked his brain desperately.
Then, as if realizing something, he stood up and scratched his head.
"Hahaha, my apologies."
He cleared his throat awkwardly as he rose.
"Even among friends, hierarchy must be respected... I've been too lax lately, haven't I?"
The reason Bu Eun-seol had said simply...
Yu Un-ryong assumed it was because he hadn't even bothered to stand up—
Too busy writing while speaking.
"Come to think of it, I've been speaking too casually in front of the subordinates during meetings too."
"..."
"I keep telling myself to fix it, but it's not easy. Not that I have any rebellious intent, of course."
Yu Un-ryong scrambled to explain, but—
His excuses didn't seem to land. Bu Eun-seol let out a soft snort.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"W-Well, how about I start being more formal from now on? Even though our Death Shadow War Unit is a special organization, it's still a Demonic Path faction operating under a chain of command. For the sake of unity, hierarchy, and clear accountability—"
Sweating bullets, he launched into an elaborate justification, but—
Still unconvinced, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"Enough nonsense. Just get back to work."
As he turned to leave—
"W-Wait!"
Yu Un-ryong urgently grabbed his sleeve.
"At least tell me why you came."
His eyes were deadly serious.
"You wouldn't visit just because, would you? Right?"
Bu Eun-seol met his gaze, then sighed as if resigned.
"Lately, I've..."
But he trailed off.
Bu Eun-seol was constitutionally incapable of sentimental words.
'Lately, I've been neglectful'—
He'd sooner die than say something like that.
"What I mean is..."
In the end, he settled on:
"I came to check if you had any difficulties with your work."
"Difficulties with my work?"
Yu Un-ryong blinked blankly—
Then nodded gravely.
'Ah, I see.'
At last, he understood why Bu Eun-seol had come.
'I have been dumping too much work on Myo Cheon-u lately.'
Bu Eun-seol valued efficiency above all, so—
He strictly divided responsibilities among his subordinates.
But Myo Cheon-u was reliable—he handled anything tossed his way.
So Yu Un-ryong had offloaded over half his own workload onto him.
'He couldn't outright reprimand me, so he phrased it like this.'
"Understood."
Yu Un-ryong nodded solemnly.
"I'll work harder from now on. Watch me."
"...Hm?"
"There won't be any more difficulties."
Bu Eun-seol didn't understand why Yu Un-ryong's eyes were burning with determination—
But he nodded.
"Good. Keep it up."
Unable to press further, he stepped out of the office.
'I must've made him uncomfortable with my words.'
Lost in thought, Bu Eun-seol gazed at the building where Yu Un-ryong worked—then nodded in realization.
The Death Shadow War Unit's leaders were all proud men.
Even if they had grievances, they weren't the type to voice them.
'I'll have to observe them myself—see if anything's amiss.'
Then, with a faintly embarrassed expression, he looked up at the distant sky.
'And I'll watch over them.'
Watching over someone—
That was the greatest expression of love.
His grandfather had always silently watched him with warm eyes.
Just that alone had made him feel loved.
Afterward, Bu Eun-seol visited Myo Cheon-u, Wi Cheon-gyeong, Won Se-mun, and Jo Nam-cheon.
He observed their work closely, ensuring they faced no hardships.
To avoid misunderstandings, he gazed at them with what he believed were eyes full of care and affection.
And when their eyes met—he smiled.
A gentle, tender smile—
So they could feel his love and attention more clearly.
Shiver. Shiver.
The leaders trembled like aspen leaves.
Sweating cold bullets, they desperately avoided his persistent gaze.
—I've never felt so uneasy in my life.
No matter what they did, they could feel Bu Eun-seol watching them.
With an expression they'd never seen before.
And if they forced themselves to meet his eyes—
Creak.
A smile—thinner and sharper than a blade—curved his lips.
Like a starving predator eyeing its prey.
Worse, his pupils burned an unnatural red, and dark energy seeped from beneath his eyes.
(It was simply due to sleep deprivation—)
But to the Death Shadow War Unit's leaders—
It looked like the grin of a beast contemplating how best to tenderize its meal.
—"We must have done something wrong!"
The moment Bu Eun-seol smiled, the unit leaders reached a firm conclusion.
When he bared his teeth in a grin like that—
It was either when a meticulously laid plan had succeeded—
Or when murderous intent had risen to its extreme.
In short, they must have committed some grave mistake—
But since he couldn't just kill his subordinates... he was clearly suppressing that killing intent with great effort.
Hidden Demon Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.
A silence as thick as death had settled over the place where the Lord's Meeting was being held in secret, presided over by Yu Un-ryong.
"What could have angered the Lord enough to make him want to kill us?"
At Jo Nam-cheon's question, Wi Cheon-gyeong answered with a tense expression.
"Because we've been too lax in our duties lately?"
Yu Un-ryong picked up the thread.
"I think the biggest reason is that I still haven't completed the Mind's Eye Mirror."
Myo Cheon-u shook his head.
"Or maybe... it's because we've been buying too many supplies recently."
The unit leaders wore grave expressions as they reviewed their past missteps.
"We've reached a conclusion."
At Wi Cheon-gyeong's words, the eyes of the unit leaders narrowed to slits.
The final verdict was—
Compared to the rapidly shifting tides of the martial world—
Compared to Bu Eun-seol, who was weathering relentless trials—
They had been far too negligent in their duties.
"We have no choice but to go all out!"
At Myo Cheon-u's declaration, the unit leaders clenched their fists and nodded firmly.
From that day onward, the warriors of the Death Shadow War Unit underwent a complete transformation.
Their previously lax demeanor vanished, replaced by a razor-sharp daily routine.
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon, who had once been fond of drinking, now trained their subordinates without a single wasted moment.
Wi Cheon-gyeong ran himself ragged until his iron shoes wore thin.
Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u cut back on sleep, meticulously handling their assigned duties exactly as Bu Eun-seol had instructed.
Amid this whirlwind of activity, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Death Shadow War Unit.
It was Hyeok So-jin.
"Hey, you reckless brats! I'm here!"
He had come to the Demon Hall to deliver the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying martial arts manual.
Having finished all his business, he hurried to the Death Shadow War Unit to catch up with Bu Eun-seol and the unit leaders.
"Oh, you're here?"
But Jo Nam-cheon barely spared him a glance before briskly walking past.
"What's going on? Why's the atmosphere like this?"
Normally, the moment he arrived, the warriors would come swarming.
After all, he was the deputy leader of the Rootless Squad—the very foundation of the Death Shadow War Unit—and had fought and suffered alongside them.
Hyeok So-jin was practically family here, and his visits usually turned the place lively and chaotic.
But now?
They were treating him like some random peddler, barely acknowledging him as they focused on their tasks.
"I said I'm here!"
Hyeok So-jin grabbed Won Se-mun as he passed and waved his hand.
"What's going on? Why is everyone so busy?"
"What do you mean 'what's going on'? We're just doing what needs to be done."
"What needs to be done?"
"Exactly."
Won Se-mun waved his hand dismissively.
"Since you're here, why don't you grab a meal before you go?"
And then he just... walked off to attend to his own business.
"What the hell?"
Hyeok So-jin frowned as he looked around.
"And why is it so damn clean in here?"
The Hidden Demon Pavilion usually had attendants, but since training was frequent, the place was always a bit grimy.
Yet now, not a speck of dust clung to anything—everything gleamed.
Swish. Swish.
Even the warriors walking past moved in perfect formation, like disciplined Government Office enforcers.
"What's wrong with them? This is terrifying."
Hyeok So-jin was genuinely unnerved.
These were the same people who, outside of battle, were the most carefree and lazy in the world.
Now they were working with strict discipline and impeccable focus?
Had the World's End already arrived?!
"No way... Brother Bu—!"
With a clatter, Hyeok So-jin rushed toward the office.
There, he saw Bu Eun-seol diligently handling paperwork.
"Bu—"
Hyeok So-jin, who had been about to greet him with a bright smile, faltered.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes were bloodshot, and beneath them, a dark mist seeped upward.
'Oh, he's just tired.'
Having traveled the martial world with Bu Eun-seol for so long, Hyeok So-jin knew exactly how his face changed when he hadn't slept.
"What brings you here, So-jin?"
As Bu Eun-seol looked up and spoke—
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness!"
Hyeok So-jin let out a sigh of relief.
Contrary to what the unit leaders had said, Bu Eun-seol was still himself.
Though his voice carried an unfamiliar gentleness now.
"I'm so glad, Brother Bu!"
"What are you talking about?"
Hyeok So-jin sniffled as he approached.
"What the hell happened here?"
"To what?"
"The Death Shadow War Unit guys!"
Hyeok So-jin pointed behind him with a fearful expression.
"They're acting like military officers—disciplined and rigid! Did they eat something bad?"
"Ah."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head nonchalantly.
"They must want to be like that."
"And why are they working so hard? They're not even taking breaks—just grinding away like madmen!"
"It's not good to stay too relaxed all the time."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"A little change can lead to growth. I suppose they're trying that."
Something didn't sit right.
The usual Bu Eun-seol scrutinized even the smallest details—he never glossed over things.
Come to think of it, even now, Bu Eun-seol didn't seem entirely... normal.
"I-Is that so?"
"That's right."
"I see."
"Indeed."
'...I'll have to ask him about this.'
Sensing that Bu Eun-seol's condition was also far from normal, Hyeok So-jin quickly bowed in acknowledgment.
"Understood. I'll go take another look around the Hidden Demon Pavilion first."
The moment he stepped outside, he immediately sought out Myo Cheon-u.
Nearly all the martial artists of the Death Shadow War Unit, including Bu Eun-seol, were eccentrics—people lost in their own worlds.
The only exception, the one who remained utterly ordinary and broad-minded, was none other than Myo Cheon-u himself.
"Brother Myo."
Barging into the office where Myo Cheon-u was working, Hyeok So-jin cut straight to the point.
"What in the world is going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Brother Bu and the chiefs... No, the entire Death Shadow War Unit. Did they eat something bad?"
At those words, Myo Cheon-u let out a sigh so deep it could have hollowed out the earth.
"That guy is smiling."
"...What?"
"That guy is smiling."
Myo Cheon-u's eyes widened like a child who had just encountered an unknown monster, his lips forming a perfect circle.
"...And he's doing it while looking at us."
"..."
Hyeok So-jin's jaw dropped in sheer disbelief.
What kind of nonsense was this?
"What's wrong with Brother Bu smiling?"
"Think about it. When has that bastard ever smiled brightly?"
"When he wants to kill someone?"
"And?"
"When his killing intent flares up..."
"Right?"
"Well, yes, but—"
Hyeok So-jin rubbed his chin and lips with his palm in frustration.
No matter how he looked at it, Bu Eun-seol hadn't seemed angry at all.
"Brother Bu didn't look particularly furious, though."
"What are you talking about?"
Myo Cheon-u stuck out his lips as if the idea was absurd.
"He'll be sitting in his office like usual, then suddenly come out just to watch us. Just watch us, I tell you!"
Then, staring down at his own palms, he muttered fearfully:
"And if our eyes meet, he smiles. For no reason at all..."
Only then did Hyeok So-jin's expression turn grave.
Bu Eun-seol never smiled without reason.
And he certainly wasn't the type to silently stare at his subordinates for no purpose.
"That is strange."
Finally, Hyeok So-jin could feel the unsettling dissonance in the air.
'Brother Bu clearly said nothing was wrong.'
There was no reason for Bu Eun-seol to lie.
Yet the martial artists of the Death Shadow War Unit were gripped by grotesque terror,
and as a result, they were tightening discipline on their own.
'Something's definitely off here.'
The one saving grace was that
Hyeok So-jin knew the personalities of the Death Shadow War Unit's members well—
and was close enough to Bu Eun-seol to speak to him frankly.
Which meant he could cut straight to the point and ask what exactly had gone wrong.
"Brother Bu."
Returning to Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin spoke with a pained expression.
"Why don't you just give them a good scolding and be done with it?"
Then, in a hushed voice, he added:
"Those guys aren't complete idiots. If you explain properly, they'll understand, won't they?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Lately, they've been so pathetic that I thought you were cracking down on discipline."
"Pathetic?"
"I thought you were furious down to the roots of your hair."
"Furious? Nonsense."
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"They've been doing so well I almost feel guilty. So..."
Turning his gaze out the window, he murmured in a low voice:
"I just wanted to... let them know I was paying attention."
"So you were glaring at them?"
"I wasn't glaring. I was watching them with concern."
Bu Eun-seol turned his head, his expression slightly awkward.
"Just like Grandfather used to."
His voice was barely audible, and his cheeks were faintly flushed.
'Oh, for heaven's sake.'
Thud.
Finally understanding everything, Hyeok So-jin smacked his own forehead.
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective,
he had merely been practicing the affectionate guidance he'd learned from his grandfather.
He had only wanted to show them a caring, loving gaze.
He had only wanted to be a little more attentive out of guilt...
But from the Death Shadow War Unit martial artists' perspective,
it had seemed like he was debating whether or not to kill them.
"Brother Bu."
Hyeok So-jin spoke with a pained expression.
"Don't be too shocked by what I'm about to say."
"Shocked?"
"Right now, the members of the Death Shadow War Unit..."
Hyeok So-jin spent a long while explaining, sweating bullets the entire time.
As he listened in silence, Bu Eun-seol's expression gradually stiffened.
His first-ever attempt at a warm, attentive gaze—his gentle smile—
had been interpreted as hazing.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol forced himself to speak calmly.
"I understand what you mean."
His expression remained unchanged,
but Hyeok So-jin knew Bu Eun-seol was deeply shaken.
The focus in his eyes was fading by the second.
'Now that I think about it, he was trying to show a big change in himself...'
But his subordinates, oblivious to that, had been terrified instead—
leaving him both embarrassed and bewildered.
"Are you shocked?"
"Shocked? This is just another day."
"That doesn't sound quite right, but..."
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"Either way, the mission ends here. So-jin. Secure the retreat path and erase all traces with the Soul-Chasing Squad leader. Then lead the unit members and wait at the rendezvous point."
'Ah.'
Hyeok So-jin covered his forehead with one hand again.
'He's taking it hard. Really hard.'
Watching Bu Eun-seol flounder, Hyeok So-jin quietly left the office without another word.
'It's going to be noisy again for a while.'
The Death Shadow War Unit leaders had elevated Bu Eun-seol to near-divine status—
hailing him as the Divine Being of martial arts history, an immortal legend, the Greatest of All Time who would achieve eternal glory.
Of course, it wasn't entirely wrong...
Even if he spat out explanations, insisting this whole situation was just a misunderstanding—
They still wouldn't believe him.
'Well, it's fine, isn't it?'
This place was Bu Eun-seol's sanctuary, and all the martial artists here were his family.
Having the Death Shadow War Unit bustling and lively for a while wouldn't be so bad.
'I should come back again next time.'
Hyeok So-jin, wiping his nose, gazed up at the distant sky.
For the first time in his life, he had seen Bu Eun-seol flustered and embarrassed.
That, in its own way, was a rather satisfying reward.