Before long, spring returned to the Wolf Fang Pavilion.
One day in the third lunar month, when a gentle spring breeze was blowing, a warrior dressed in black martial attire visited the Wolf Fang Pavilion.
“By the order of the Divine Demonic Emperor, bring Bu Eunseol, disciple of the Wolf Fang Pavilion, to the Demonic Palace.”
He did not reveal his affiliation.
This was because the pattern of ‘Twin Dragons Contesting for the Pearl’, symbolizing the Demonic Palace, was embroidered on his sleeve. That was a mark only high-ranking figures above the level of Captain in the Demonic Palace could bear.
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol bid farewell to Dan Cheong, Iron Master, and the Trailblazer Squad members.
Then he stepped outside without hesitation.
At the entrance of the Wolf Fang Pavilion stood a splendid black-lacquered eight-horse carriage, and around it, an escort unit mounted on black horses was ready.
It feels new.
Bu Eunseol had entered the Demonic Palace twice before, but he had never received such treatment.
A candidate for the successor of the Demonic Palace. Only after seeing the escort unit could he truly feel the weight of that position.
“Please board.”
The warrior politely extended his hand toward the carriage.
Once he entered the Demonic Palace now…
Bu Eunseol would likely be formally ratified as a candidate for the Demonic Palace successor.
Clatter, clatter.
The black eight-horse carriage, bearing the flag of the Demonic Palace, left Mount Geommi and raced along the official road. Warriors on black horses led the way in front of the carriage, and experts of the Demonic Palace secretly escorted it from the perimeter.
Sitting inside the carriage, Bu Eunseol stared out the window with an empty gaze.
A candidate for the Demonic Palace successor.
Inhaling deeply, he shook his head lightly.
I wanted to remain just a disciple of the Wolf Fang Pavilion if possible.
Rising to a high position was not always a good thing.
To reign over countless others required a corresponding amount of blood.
Have I ended up riding a tiger’s back anyway?
Once power is grasped, it is difficult to let go. Partly because of the sweetness that immense power provides, but also because if one lets go of power, it can become a dagger that stabs oneself instead.
Since my existence is known to the Divine Demonic Emperor, the leadership and all power holders of the Ten Demonic Sects will be watching me.
Bu Eunseol wore a bitter smile. If the situation of rising to be a candidate for the Demonic Palace successor was unavoidable, he had to hold onto that position until the end.
But something was strange.
Wasn’t the carriage, which should be heading to Chengdu, suddenly turning toward the desolate outskirts? The swiftly racing carriage arrived at the entrance of a huge, uninhabited abandoned manor. Before long, the carriage stopped, but no sound was heard.
Creak.
When Bu Eunseol stepped out of the carriage, everyone from the escort unit guarding the perimeter to the coachman had vanished.
Is this also a test of the Demonic Palace? Or…
Bu Eunseol looked at the wide-open main gate of the abandoned manor. Without any panic, he slowly stepped inside.
The exterior of the abandoned manor was covered in dust, but the inside was neatly cleaned, as if someone had tidied it up.
“Welcome.”
As he went further inside, a clean bamboo blind was hung, and a man’s low voice came from within.
“You’ve become a complete man of the Gangho in the meantime.”
The voice inside the blind sounded somewhat familiar.
As Bu Eunseol maintained his silence, a tall shadow slowly revealed itself from within the blind.
The person who emerged was a man dressed in splendid silk clothes. Although he covered his face with a fan, Bu Eunseol could instantly see through the man’s identity just by his revealed eyes and body shape.
“…!”
“It seems you know who I am.”
The man spoke to Bu Eunseol in a very friendly voice.
“Though I don’t recall ever showing you my true face.”
“Because your voice and eyes are the same.”
“Hoh. You have a good memory. Or should I say you have a good eye?”
Letting out an exclamation of admiration, the man slowly lowered the fan covering his face. He was a handsome man with pale skin and a sharp nose. But his eyes were somehow cynical and languid, exuding a decadent atmosphere.
“I shall introduce myself formally.”
The man grinned and spoke.
“I am Do Cheon-rin, the Young Patriarch of the Blood-Stained Blade Clan.”
The masked man who had first invited Bu Eunseol to join his group on Hell Island in the past. He was none other than Do Cheon-rin, the successor of the Blood-Stained Blade Clan.
“Fascinating. Can the Blood-Stained Blade Clan command the experts of the Demonic Palace?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Do Cheon-rin smirked. “My family didn’t command the experts of the Demonic Palace; instead, the experts of the Demonic Palace were simply people from my family.” Do Cheon-rin stared at Bu Eunseol, as if examining an intriguing toy. “Anyway, you haven’t changed. You were quite reserved even on Hell Island.” Pausing briefly, his eyes sparkled. “You ask nothing. Aren’t you curious why I brought you here?”
“You’ll tell me anyway.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Do Cheon-rin smiled brightly and nodded. “No need for lengthy explanations; you always get straight to the point. I appreciate that.” Twirling his fan, he suddenly spoke with a solemn expression. “Give up on your plans to visit the Demonic Palace.” Do Cheon-rin’s tone shifted to a commanding one, as if addressing a subordinate.
“…”
“The successor of the Demonic Palace is not a position a martial artist like you, devoted to the Martial Way, can handle.”
Bu Eunseol remained silent, but this time, it was a clear refusal.
Do Cheon-rin sighed and shook his head. “If you refuse, from the moment you set foot in the Demonic Palace, that path will become a road of blood. There are too many people who don’t want you to be ratified as a successor.”
“One of them must be the Young Patriarch of the Blood-Stained Blade Clan.”
“Hahaha.”
Do Cheon-rin nodded honestly. “Correct. Actually, I don’t want you to become a candidate for the Demonic Palace successor either.” Do Cheon-rin, who had been speaking down to him, switched back to a friendly tone, as if addressing an old friend. “If you give up on going to the Demonic Palace, my family will take responsibility for your safety.”
“Safety?”
“Indeed. Whatever else, it was a big mistake for you to trust the envoy of the Demonic Palace and leave the Wolf Fang Pavilion alone.” Do Cheon-rin spoke coldly. “There are many experts from both the Orthodox and Demonic factions targeting you. They will arrive here soon. When that time comes, you won’t be able to return to the Wolf Fang Pavilion even if you want to.”
“…”
“But if you give up on becoming the successor of the Demonic Palace, my family’s experts will immediately begin escorting you. That way, you can return safely to the Wolf Fang Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly, “That’s strange. To think the Ten Demonic Sects would block a disciple of the Wolf Fang Pavilion from going to the Demonic Palace under the Divine Demonic Emperor’s orders.”
“Whatever else, the Divine Demonic Emperor doesn’t care about the struggles of successor candidates. After all, the Divine Demonic Emperor himself went through such hardships to ascend to that position,” Do Cheon-rin said with flashing eyes. “So, what will you do? Will you abandon your path to the Demonic Palace?”
Do Cheon-rin let out a deep sigh. “You always reject my proposals. It is truly regrettable.” Shaking his head, he stepped back obediently with a smile. “It’s a shame, but today might be the last time I see you.”
“Well.”
“I know well that you are by far the best among the Ten Demonic Successors… but it will be hard to survive this time.” Looking at the distant sky, Do Cheon-rin revealed his white teeth. “It seems it has already begun. Then, I hope you survive.” And without hesitation, he turned and went inside the blind.
Chwa-ruru.
With the sound of the blind scattering, Do Cheon-rin’s presence vanished without a trace as he went inside.
Watching this, Bu Eunseol turned his body toward the outside of the abandoned manor. Do Cheon-rin’s words that it had already begun were true.
As soon as he stepped out the main gate, seven Daoists with fluttering robes blocked his path. They were not very old, but their eyes were bright, and they wore Taiji Swords used by the Wudang Sect at their waists.
It was the Seven Sons of Wudang.
If Shaolin had the One Hundred Eight Arhat Formation, Wudang had the ancient supreme formations called the Seven Stars Ancient Sword Formation and the Tiangang Big Dipper Formation.
The Seven Stars Ancient Sword Formation only required learning the formation, but the Tiangang Big Dipper Formation required seven experts who had perfectly mastered the Lesser Blue Sword.
The Wudang Sect selected disciples who could perfectly unfold the essence of this formation generation after generation, and they were the Seven Sons of Wudang.
“Are you the Ten Demonic Successor of the Wolf Fang Pavilion?”
Yeong Heo, the eldest of the Seven Sons of Wudang, stepped forward.
When Bu Eunseol nodded, Yeong Heo spoke in a low voice, ”I see. Then prepare yourself.”
The Seven Sons of Wudang drew their swords in low stances, standing in the shape of the Big Dipper. They intended to deploy the Tiangang Big Dipper Formation immediately.
“I have no particular connection with Wudang… just go.”
Currently, Bu Eunseol had no particular desire to fight the Seven Sons of Wudang. They were not Masters of the Great Righteousness, and they were martial artists who used the power of formations rather than swordsmanship… so it didn’t really appeal to him.
“Our sect has always valued the Way of Chivalry.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Yeong Heo spoke with a solemn expression, ”I heard that the Ten Demonic Successors produced by the Demonic Palace recently are not only killing Masters of the Great Righteousness but also causing havoc in the Murim.”
“Havoc, you say.” Bu Eunseol grinned. “Surely you aren’t describing dueling with Masters of the Great Righteousness as causing havoc.”
In fact, it was Seok Woo-haeng who had committed acts worthy of being called havoc. He had not fought fair and square but had dealt with Masters of the Great Righteousness and pursuers using all sorts of secret assassin arts, poisons, and traps.
“What havoc exactly have I caused?” Bu Eunseol looked straight at Yeong Heo and asked. “Or does your sect possess evidence that I have caused havoc in the Murim?”
Yeong Heo, who hadn’t expected Bu Eunseol to question so meticulously, stammered with a flustered expression. “Of course… we cannot say you have caused havoc yet. But won’t you face a Master of the Great Righteousness of our sect again someday?”
“Is facing a Master of the Great Righteousness causing havoc?”
“Since you are also a Ten Demonic Successor, who knows when you might commit the same acts as your comrades?”
It was a forced argument.
Looking at Yeong Heo’s shameless expression, Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes. They are people who cannot be reasoned with.
Shaolin and Wudang were the pillars of the Nine Great Sects and One Faction. But seeing Bu Eunseol defeat Masters of the Great Righteousness from the Nine Great Sects and One Faction in succession, they felt they had lost face. Otherwise, there was no way the Seven Sons of Wudang, who had high seniority, would come to strike Bu Eunseol.
It will be a boring fight.
The Seven Sons of Wudang were more specialized in operating the Tiangang Big Dipper Formation than in individual swordsmanship skills. A fight focused on breaking the unique functions of a formation rather than competing in swordsmanship was not a very enjoyable battle for Bu Eunseol.
“Be careful. We will now deploy our sect’s Tiangang Big Dipper Formation.”
Despite Yeong Heo’s words, Bu Eunseol stood tall without a word.
“Draw your sword.”
“I will draw it when the time comes, so do not mind me.”
“I do not fight those who do not hold a weapon.”
“That’s funny.”
“What?”
Bu Eunseol looked at the distant sky and muttered as if to himself, ”Seven striking one is righteous, but striking an opponent who hasn’t drawn a weapon is unrighteous…” Bu Eunseol, with blood-red light rising in his eyes, looked down at Yeong Heo. “How could that not be funny?”
Yeong Heo shouted with a face flushed red. “We Daoists are merely establishing the righteousness of the Orthodox Faction! How can you describe it as striking one with the power of many!”
“I see. Then you should hurry up and establish the righteousness of the Murim.” Bu Eunseol beckoned with his hand and spoke coldly. “No need to drag this out any longer.”
“A demonic seed that cannot be reasoned with. Begin!”
At Yeong Heo’s shout, the rest of the Seven Sons of Wudang began to move dizzyingly, stepping in footwork. Then, a faint light shimmered from their bodies, and a strange pressure was created around Bu Eunseol.
Tiangang Big Dipper Formation.
Finally, the ultimate formation of the Wudang Sect was about to be unfolded.
Whoosh.
At the same time, the air around Bu Eunseol’s body condensed, and a fierce wind swirled from his fists. Seven Forms of the Demonic Fist. He intended to face the Tiangang Big Dipper Formation with this ancient fist art.
Thud-thud-thud.
Just then, the sound of dozens of footsteps kicking off the earth was heard from the distant sky along with the sound of tearing air. And not long after, about forty shadows arrived in front of the abandoned manor one by one.
They are!
A red aura spread from the eyes of Bu Eunseol as he turned his head.
They were experts wearing the martial attire of the Infernal Blood Fortress.