When Bu Eunseol pushed the door open, he found a young servant girl standing within, her head bowed low.

Though her features were exquisite, her face was bare of makeup, and her small frame trembled like a leaf in a gale. Contrary to her soft, melodic voice, the palpable terror radiating from her betrayed that this was her first time attending to a bath.

Bu Eunseol understood the situation instantly.

“It is fine.”

“Y-Young Master…”

“Do not worry. You may leave.”

Bu Eunseol’s voice pierced through her anxiety with calm reassurance. “I will speak to the Manor Master myself. There will be no disadvantage to you.”

“T-Thank you! Thank you, My Lord!”

Only then did the girl seem to release her terror, bowing deeply before scurrying away. Listening to her retreating footsteps, Bu Eunseol let out a short sigh. Jin Yu-hwa, eager to curry favor, had likely forced the most beautiful servant he could find into this duty regardless of her position.

It can’t be helped. He is, after all, a man of the Nine Assassination Squad.

Like assassins, the members of the Nine Assassination Squad lived with death as a constant companion; consequently, they rarely hesitated when it came to embracing women or indulging in fleeting pleasures.

Wearing a bitter smile, Bu Eunseol dried his body and stepped out of the pavilion.

The world was silent, save for the lonely moon hanging in the sky, casting a desolate light upon the earth. Gazing at the luminescence with deep, unreadable eyes, Bu Eunseol shifted his attention to the roof of the opposite pavilion.

“Hmm.”

He spoke in a low voice.

“Can you not sleep?”

Thump.

A tall shadow leaped from the roof, landing lightly on the ground. It was Hyeok So-jin.

“Brother Bu.”

In his hand, he clutched a large gourd. While the other squad members drank and rested below, he had climbed to the roof to drink alone in the moonlight.

“My mind is simply… restless.” Hyeok So-jin looked down at the empty gourd and smiled bitterly. “We will be entering the Demonic Palace soon. I worry that the same thing will happen again.”

Hyeok So-jin had once been unable to withstand the aura of the Divine Demonic Emperor and was forced to turn back before even entering the Divine Demon Pavilion. As the successor of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, that incident remained a humiliating stain he could not wash away.

“Do not worry. When you face the Divine Demonic Emperor this time, you will be able to endure it.”

“How can you know that?”

“Because through this incident, you have grown once more.”

“Have I? Why, then, do I not feel it myself?” Hyeok So-jin wore a look of profound disappointment. “It seems I still have a long way to go.”

Watching him, a faint smile touched Bu Eunseol’s lips.

He, too, had once experienced a significant leap in his martial cultivation after handling matters in the Gangho and returning to the Wolf Fang Pavilion, yet he had failed to realize it at the time.

—…Once you master such principles, you can detect and unravel even the phenomena and changes occurring within your own body. We call those who reach such a level Grandmasters of Martial Learning.

Recalling the words Dan Cheong had once spoken to him, Bu Eunseol spoke quietly. “I, too, only realized that principle after asking for guidance from the Deputy Pavilion Master and the Wind and Cloud Squad Captain.”

“What principle?”

“That sensing the minute phenomena and changes occurring within one’s own body is a feat possible only for a Grandmaster of peerless martial arts.”

Bu Eunseol explained in detail the enlightenment he had gained from Deputy Pavilion Master Dan Cheong and Baek Yeon. After listening intently for a long time, Hyeok So-jin finally nodded, his face brightening.

“I see… I truly did not know.”

Clapping his hands in delight, Hyeok So-jin’s expression suddenly darkened again. “But, you see… there is one more reason why I am restless.”

“Speak.”

“Have you not always ventured into the Gangho alone, Brother Bu?”

“And?”

“But after leading the Rootless Squad this time… I realized that one cannot simply ignore the power of numbers.” Hyeok So-jin continued with a grave expression. “I am worried that other factions within the Ten Demonic Sects might aim for you and bring a large army. After all, there are no restrictions in the fights between successor candidates.”

The Ten Demonic Sects were not small martial halls. If they mobilized their forces in earnest, even if Bu Eunseol’s martial arts became several times stronger than they were now, he could not possibly stop them all.

“Of course, that is possible,” Bu Eunseol replied calmly. “However, they will not bring a massive army. If they attempt such a thing, they will likely bring a single combat squad or a corps.”

“How can that be? Have you not already destroyed several combat squads of the Ten Demonic Sects? Surely they wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.”

“Because the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects are all immensely proud.” Bu Eunseol spoke decisively. “Even if the White Demon Monastery, the Infernal Blood Fortress, or the Evil Spirit Sect failed, they will believe that they will never fail.”

“Do you think so?”

“Likely.”

“Then that is a relief.”

Despite hearing the assurance, Hyeok So-jin’s expression did not brighten much. A warrior’s premonition—an intuition that could only be felt by those who had survived a succession of life-or-death battles—gnawed at him.

“The squad members have recovered somewhat, so we should be able to return quickly.” Bu Eunseol turned his body. “Rest now. As soon as the sun rises, we will use Lightness Arts to return to the Demonic Palace in a single dash.”

“Understood.”

Shouldering his gourd, Hyeok So-jin grinned and left the pavilion.

However, that plan ultimately came to nothing.

As dawn broke, martial artists clad in pitch-black uniforms began to gather one by one in front of Hidden Star Manor. Hyeok So-jin’s intuition had proven terrifyingly accurate.

Creaaaak.

As the main gate opened, warriors wearing black masks that emitted a strange sheen stood solemnly in formation. They radiated a uniformly sharp aura from their entire bodies.

Bu Eunseol, who had been watching the masked warriors indifferently, suddenly flashed a look of interest. Hanging at their waists were swords with exceptionally narrow blades.

Blood-Stained Blades.

The Blood-Stained Blade Art, the strongest blade technique of the Ten Demonic Sects, said to have reached the pinnacle of the Tyrant Blade path.

The Blood-Stained Blade Clan had perfected their training system to such a degree that even a person with average bone structure could become a first-rate bladesman by learning it. Consequently, if a talented individual learned it, their speed of improvement was unimaginably fast.

The Blood-Stained Blade Clan, the greatest blade sect of the Demonic Path that rivaled the Flower Rain Sword Sect. Its experts were now surrounding the entrance of Hidden Star Manor.

“Hmm.”

Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened.

For them to reveal themselves meant they had prepared a blow that could not be evaded.

Thump, thump.

The formation parted left and right, and a muscular man walked forward. His complexion was deathly pale, and his eyes were slit sharply like the blade he carried. He looked as if a sword had transformed into a human being.

“I am Tak Il-hwang.”

Blood Sea Demonic Blade, Tak Il-hwang.

Though he belonged to the Blood-Stained Blade Clan and refrained from activity in the Gangho, he was a terrifying bladesman ranked among the Ten Great Blade Demons, just like Jeon Il-hon.

Seeing Bu Eunseol’s gaze fixed on the masked bladesmen, Tak Il-hwang smirked. “You must have heard of my clan’s Twelve Staining Guests.”

The Twelve Staining Guests. Terrifying bladesmen known for pursuing enemies of the Blood-Stained Blade Clan to the ends of the earth to kill them.

Tak Il-hwang of the Ten Great Blade Demons, and the undefeated Twelve Staining Guests who had never known failure. This was the winning hand the Blood-Stained Blade Clan had played.

The Blood Sea Demonic Blade and the Twelve Staining Guests…

Something was strange. Just as Bu Eunseol felt an unknown sense of incongruity and fell into deep thought, the middle-aged man standing in front stared intently at Bu Eunseol’s face and spoke coldly.

“Bu Eunseol. I will give you a choice.”

“…”

“Return to the Wolf Fang Pavilion as you are, or meet your death here.”

Tak Il-hwang wore an expression like the King of Hell handing down a death sentence.

The Twelve Staining Guests were warriors who not only possessed peak-level individual skills but had also mastered more than fifty percent of the Blood-Stained Blade Art. In other words, even if he died and woke up again, Bu Eunseol could not possibly handle them alone.

“You speak nonsense.” Bu Eunseol extended his hand with a calm expression. “Spare the long talk and make your move.”

“Huhu, are you trusting in that rabble behind you?”

“Perhaps.”

Tak Il-hwang smirked dismissively. “I know. I know they are the Rootless Squad members deployed on a mission to the Streaked Demonic Sect under the Divine Demonic Emperor’s orders.”

Tak Il-hwang had thoroughly investigated Bu Eunseol’s movements and background. He knew the Rootless Squad was a dumping ground for hooligans.

“Those ruffians were deployed to eradicate the Streaked Demonic Sect by order of the Divine Demonic Emperor, were they not?”

“And?”

“That means their mission is over. They will never risk their lives fighting for you.”

Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol drew his Dark Sword.

Shing.

As the low cry of the sword resonated, Tak Il-hwang scoffed.

Shhh-ing.

But then—as Bu Eunseol drew his weapon, the thirty members of the Rootless Squad drew their weapons in unison, as if they had been waiting for his signal.

“Ho, you all intend to intervene?” Despite the unexpected situation, Tak Il-hwang tilted his head with a relaxed expression. “There is nothing for you to gain by intervening in a fight between successor candidates, is there?”

At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong, his bangs covering his eyes, stepped forward. “We care nothing for successor fights. We only need to protect our Captain.”

“How surprising.” Tak Il-hwang cocked his head.

The Rootless Squad was merely a collection of extremely selfish members with zero sense of belonging. Yet they were willing to risk their lives for Bu Eunseol, a mere temporary Captain?

“You really… intend to do this.”

Killing intent began to radiate from the bodies of all the Rootless Squad members.

“I don’t know what kind of sorcery you used.” The surprised expression was brief; Tak Il-hwang soon wore a sneer. “Not that it changes anything.”

Nod.

As he signaled, the Twelve Staining Guests standing behind him slowly stepped forward. Despite the impending battle, their eyes were sunken low, devoid of any tension. They had fought countless bloody battles and had never been defeated once. Long-sustained victory had numbed their emotions.

“Brother Bu.” Hyeok So-jin stepped forward, his face grim. “We will handle these bastards. You take care of the big-headed one over there.”

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the Twelve Staining Guests and spread his arms wide.

Pa-at!

A violet radiance spread in all directions, followed by thin, sharp silver threads exploding outward. It was the Steel Wire Blood Thread, unleashed with Divine Splitting Demonic Energy.

Schwa-thwip!

The Steel Wire Blood Thread dug through the empty space like a living creature, instantly disrupting the formation of the Twelve Staining Guests standing behind Tak Il-hwang.

“We will take the left and right!”

With Wi Cheon-gyeong’s shout, the members of the Second Team split, unfolding their movement techniques and scattering flying daggers.

“We will strike the center!”

This time, Won Se-mun and his members drew their swords and charged head-on.

“We’ll take the rear!”

Following that, the Third Team led by Jo Nam-cheon naturally surrounded the rear of the Twelve Staining Guests.

Cha-ang! Klang!

With the sound of weapons clashing, the battle between the Twelve Staining Guests and the Rootless Squad began.

The eyes of the Twelve Staining Guests, who had initially swung their blades with sneers, gradually turned strange. The Rootless Squad members were supposed to be nothing more than ruffians who showed messy skills the more they gathered. But looking at them now, not only was their teamwork impeccable, but there was a distinct order to their offense and defense. Moreover, were they not engaging in battle without fear, like battle-hardened veterans who had transcended life and death?

“Do not try to win! You only need to endure until Brother Bu deals with that man!”

When Hyeok So-jin shouted, the squad members let out spirited yells and wielded their weapons with renewed ferocity.

Seeing the Rootless Squad members moving in perfect order, not only the Twelve Staining Guests but even Tak Il-hwang opened his mouth in bewilderment.

“How is this possible?”

The Rootless Squad members, who should have been swept away like straw by the Twelve Staining Guests, were dealing with the bladesmen with composure.

“Those guys are the Rootless Squad?”

The current Rootless Squad members were not the hooligans of the past. Not only had their skills improved by leaps and bounds, but they had also gained the experience of fighting and winning a great victory against over a hundred elites of the Streaked Demonic Sect. That was why they were holding on tenaciously even in the face of the terrifying Twelve Staining Guests.

Tak Il-hwang was so dumbfounded that a hollow laugh burst out. “Amazing. To think you transformed ruffians that even the Demonic Palace couldn’t fix into elite members in such a short time.”

“Where are you looking?”

At that moment, along with a low voice, pitch-black Sword Energy dug toward his neck. Bu Eunseol had drawn his Dark Sword like lightning and slashed at his throat before he noticed.

Klang!

A clear metallic sound rang out as sword and blade collided. In that instant, Tak Il-hwang frowned as if he had swallowed strong liquor. The adverse force imbued in the Dark Sword was so powerful that his fingertips went numb.

This bastard?

Tak Il-hwang’s eyebrows twitched.

His martial arts progress has advanced even further in this short time?

He had thoroughly investigated the individual named Bu Eunseol. Naturally, that included not only his temperament and tendencies but also his martial arts level. But didn’t it seem that Bu Eunseol’s martial arts level was even more advanced than when he left the Demonic Palace?

“Good!”

Erasing the questions in his head instantly, Tak Il-hwang raised his internal energy.

Swish!

Instantly, blue Blade Energy soared up and wrapped around Bu Eunseol’s entire body.

“Let’s play for real!”

Watching the pouring Blade Energy with a serious expression, Bu Eunseol’s eyes shone sharply.

I must break his blade techniques as quickly as possible.

In the past, on Hell Island, the most difficult opponents to deal with were the trainees who learned the Blood-Stained Blade Art. The more you clashed with the Blood-Stained Blade, the more profound the techniques became and the more powerful the force grew.

If he let his guard down for even a moment, the blade’s light would swell instantly; he had to suppress him in the early stages.

Flash!

As four strands of blade’s light poured down, the Dark Sword cut through the air, unraveling the blade technique.

Tremble.

But at that moment, the tip of the blade trembled once, and the blade’s light instantly multiplied into eight strands.

Clang-clang-clang!

It was a variation technique pouring down at angles impossible to gauge, but Bu Eunseol’s Dark Sword accurately struck away all eight strands of blade’s light.

“Not bad!”

When Bu Eunseol broke the technique in a single breath, Tak Il-hwang laughed heartily instead and unfolded his blade art again. “Then try blocking this too!”

Klang!

Sparks cascaded from the collision as the Dark Sword and the blade clashed in mid-air.

Blade Light, Sword Shadow.

Because of the blade and sword arts pouring out at high speed, the surroundings were filled with chilling sword energy. It felt as if all the air had vanished from where Bu Eunseol and Tak Il-hwang stood.

Chiriririring!

As the two men narrowed the distance instantly as if by promise, weapon clashed against weapon once more.

I will gamble everything here.

The visible techniques were not everything in the Blood-Stained Blade Art. Furthermore, the more blade techniques one unleashed, the more the power increased geometrically.

Thump!

A vortex of true energy soared from Bu Eunseol’s body as he raised his internal energy to full power.

Quick Battle, Quick Resolution.

He had to cut down Tak Il-hwang as quickly as possible with all his might.