He is serious.
Bu Eunseol felt the realization settle in his marrow, heavy and cold. Yeop Hyo-cheon genuinely intended to kill him.
Defense was no longer an option; if he merely parried, he would be cornered and slaughtered. For a subordinate to survive a master of this caliber, he had to seize the initiative—to strike first and never retreat.
I cannot bolster my martial arts with mental arts in this state.
The fusion of secrets he had managed a moment ago was a fluke, a miracle born of hesitation. To hope for such serendipity twice in a life-or-death exchange was to invite decapitation.
Then it must be the Qi of Thirteen Provocations.
Yeop Hyo-cheon had already grasped the underlying principles of the True Knot of Will Manifestation. To withstand killing moves that were leagues above his own, Bu Eunseol needed something chaotic, something sudden—an unpredictable martial art that defied analysis.
He had to deploy the Qi of Thirteen Provocations.
In that instant, Yeop Hyo-cheon’s figure dissolved, and a deluge of invisible, razor-sharp killing intent poured down.
Bu Eunseol’s limbs, powered by the Shadowless Supreme Speed, began to waver, turning pliable as rubber. Mirroring his opponent, he unleashed a torrent of fist arts, kick arts, and movement techniques, engaging every part of his body in a chaotic symphony of violence.
But the result was catastrophic.
Though he deployed the disparate martial arts as a single mass, the impact was negligible. Even the sharp force energy unique to the Qi of Thirteen Provocations sputtered out weakly.
A crimson mist sprayed from Bu Eunseol’s neck as Yeop Hyo-cheon’s blade grazed him.
The burning pain on his skin paradoxically cleared his mind.
Does it require the Martial Emperor’s Silent Awakening to function?
When he had first mastered the technique in the library, simply unleashing the arts had generated a razor-sharp force. But now, the power was diminished tenfold. Back then, he had been practicing the Silent Awakening extensively; the arts had flowed naturally from that foundation.
Without the Martial Emperor’s Silent Awakening, the Qi of Thirteen Provocations was a dragon without teeth—a hollow shell.
Realization flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
He concentrated, channeling a current of true energy through his meridians. The Martial Emperor’s Silent Awakening was an art that required deep meditation to access, ill-suited to his nature. Yet, with his life hanging by a thread, his spirit settled into an eerie calm even as emotions welled in his chest.
He reached the state of Profound Affection, Serene Mind in a single breath.
“Haap!”
Driven by the bursting emotions, Bu Eunseol let out a roar unlike anything he had ever voiced.
Simultaneously, his legs executed the Cloud-Purifying Stride while his left hand unleashed the South Mountain True Fist.
Sharp force energy erupted from his waist, surging to his fist. The Qi of Thirteen Provocations—the Martial Emperor’s ultimate art that fused Righteous martial arts into a singular mass of unpredictable force—finally transcended four hundred years of history to manifest at Bu Eunseol’s fingertips.
But Yeop Hyo-cheon was too fast. He shifted left before the energy could bite.
Bu Eunseol, however, still had his right hand.
Deploying the Immortal-Seizing Hand, he added two more strands of blade-like force energy to the barrage, aiming specifically for Yeop Hyo-cheon’s flanks and retreat path.
“Hoh.”
Exclaiming in surprise, Yeop Hyo-cheon moved with blinding speed to evade the deluge.
Over there!
Instantly grasping his opponent’s position, Bu Eunseol engaged his movement technique and unleashed the Qi of Thirteen Provocations again. Three strands of force energy began to orbit his body like a protective escort before lashing out in unpredictable trajectories, curving back only to strike again.
Yeop Hyo-cheon danced through the assault, but as he dodged, a few strands of his hair were sheared away.
“Good.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon changed tactics. He closed the distance, intending to smother Bu Eunseol’s force energy with ultra-close combat.
They stuck together, then scattered; they sprang into the air, then crashed to the earth. The two became streaks of light cutting through the void, a blur of collision and separation.
With a thunderous explosion, the shadows of light created by the two combatants collided head-on.
Two points of light retreated to the left and right, revealing Yeop Hyo-cheon and Bu Eunseol standing apart.
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon let out a long sigh, looking down at his sleeve. Though his flesh was unharmed, the fabric had been sliced cleanly away.
“Hehehe.”
As he laughed, the killing intent that had saturated the air slowly evaporated.
“No matter how outstanding a genius, there is a limit to realization,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes. “You couldn’t have grasped all of this Instructor’s techniques in such a short time…”
His voice held a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
Bu Eunseol sheathed his sword and answered politely. “I merely grasped that your hands and feet move with different martial principles.”
“Such a sharp Hidden Explosive Force Art is not a technique of the Wolf Fang Pavilion… Did you create the martial art you just deployed on the spot as well?”
Unable to admit he had entered the Martial Emperor’s Secret Vault, Bu Eunseol shook his head. “I merely applied the enlightenment I gained from my journey to the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon stared intently into his eyes, searching for the truth. Bu Eunseol met his gaze with unwavering confidence. The Qi of Thirteen Provocations was indeed an enlightenment gained from that journey; as long as he omitted the source, he could remain forthright.
“Is that so.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded, seemingly convinced that the Illusion Demon Hyeok Gong-baek had passed on his enlightenment.
“You have achieved another development in the meantime.”
Only then did Yeop Hyo-cheon’s eyes and expression return to normal. Watching him, Bu Eunseol felt a chill coil in his gut.
The Demonic Palace is the Demonic Palace after all.
The Palace always maintained a solemn atmosphere; neither the Divine Demonic Emperor nor Yeop Hyo-cheon had ever overtly displayed demonic qi. Only Wolf Fang Pavilion Master Ak Mu-ryeong had shown the typical appearance of a Great Demon.
But now he understood.
All the demons of the Palace possessed immense demonic qi—they simply chose not to show it. This was the sacred ground of ten thousand demons, the cradle of Great Demons who ruled over a million practitioners.
“This level should be sufficient.” Wearing a faint smile, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke unexpected words. “Even if you carry out a solo mission, you won’t harm the dignity of the Palace.”
“Solo mission… you say?”
Bu Eunseol looked puzzled. He had constantly carried out solo missions, but those were limited to successor tasks.
Yeop Hyo-cheon smiled. “Take this path, lead the Deathly Shadow Squad, go out into the Gangho, and assist the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain.”
It was a completely unexpected order. As Bu Eunseol blinked in surprise, Yeop Hyo-cheon lowered his voice. “I have conveyed the details to the Ten Thousand Knowledge Hall Master, so go see him.”
He turned slowly, a silent dismissal.
“Then.”
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands. Just as he was about to turn, Yeop Hyo-cheon’s voice stopped him.
“You have become a sharper blade than this Commander expected.”
Bu Eunseol froze.
He finally realized the meaning of today’s spar.
So that was it…
Yeop Hyo-cheon was a blacksmith. He had hammered and tempered steel countless times to create a single blade. And finally, he had tested the completed weapon. If he hadn’t liked the edge, if he had deemed it a failure… he would have snapped the blade instantly.
The Demonic Palace is the Demonic Palace… after all.
Bu Eunseol clenched his fist and slowly walked out of the Small Training Ground.
***
That afternoon.
Having washed the sweat and blood from his body, Bu Eunseol collapsed in his quarters. Every muscle felt as though it were tearing; he had no strength to lift a finger.
A test disguised as a spar.
Yeop Hyo-cheon had forcibly drawn out all of Bu Eunseol’s hidden prowess. Looking at the result alone, it wasn’t a loss; thanks to the duel, he had learned to apply the Martial Emperor’s Silent Awakening and Qi of Thirteen Provocations to actual combat.
However, one thing was certain: Yeop Hyo-cheon had genuinely intended to kill him, only changing his mind midway.
Is the Grand Commander plotting something too?
Until now, Grand Commander Yeop Hyo-cheon had adopted an attitude of cherishing Bu Eunseol. But through this spar, the illusion had shattered.
Tool.
Bu Eunseol was merely a tool. A single sharp blade exceeding expectations. Perhaps that sharpness was not entirely welcome; a blade too keen could inadvertently cut its master’s hand.
I will find the answer later.
Holding onto unanswerable questions would only consume his mental energy. As his vitality recovered somewhat, Bu Eunseol rose to meet Lord Baek Jeon-cheon of the Ten Thousand Knowledge Hall.
But there was no need. Just as he was about to leave, Baek Jeon-cheon arrived.
“It has been a long time, Squad Captain Bu.”
Lord Baek Jeon-cheon wore his usual genial smile. But Bu Eunseol had experienced Yeop Hyo-cheon’s true nature, and by extension, the Demonic Palace’s true face. Now, that smile felt different.
“Hall Master.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped his hands and bowed, Baek Jeon-cheon produced a small wooden box from his bosom.
“What is this?”
When Bu Eunseol opened the box, a command token engraved with Twin Dragons Contesting for the Pearl shone with five iridescent colors. It was the symbol of a First-Grade Combat Squad Captain of the Demonic Palace.
“Squad Captain Bu, you have just received the status of a First-Grade Combat Squad Captain.” Baek Jeon-cheon continued calmly. “However, since it is a temporary status for executing a secret mission, the formal appointment procedure has been omitted.”
Was this planned from the start?
Upon returning to the Palace, the Deathly Shadow Squad had been moved to a First-Class Residence. He hadn’t understood it then, but now the pieces fell into place.
“By secret mission, you mean…”
“Peerless Phantom Divine Thief.”
Baek Jeon-cheon sighed deeply. “Eventually, news of Peerless Phantom Divine Thief’s whereabouts entered the ears of the Martial Righteous Alliance.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyebrow raised. Tracking the Thief was the successor candidate mission chosen by Wiji Hye-sang. Had that intelligence leaked?
“Since it is a situation the Flower Rain Sword Sect’s successor mission cannot handle, the Palace eventually intervened.”
Baek Jeon-cheon explained the grim reality. Peerless Phantom Divine Thief was known to possess thorough intelligence on both Demonic and Righteous spies. When news spread that the Flower Rain Sword Sect was pursuing him, the Martial Righteous Alliance dispatched their own combat squads.
“The Alliance dispatched five First-Grade Sword Squads, including the Iron Sword Squad, and ten Third-Grade Sword Squads to Hainan.” Baek Jeon-cheon narrowed his eyes. “They intend to prevent an all-out military clash.”
If the Martial Righteous Alliance had deployed a full Corps, a Great War between Righteous and Demonic factions would erupt immediately. But First-Grade Squads operated under the discretion of their Captains. If a clash occurred, it could be excused as an arbitrary decision by individual commanders.
“But isn’t that just a cover-up?”
Whether sending one Corps or ten First-Grade Squads, the affiliation remained the same. It was still a fight between the Palace and the Alliance.
“The most important thing in inter-factional warfare is justification.” Baek Jeon-cheon sighed. “If a fight breaks out between Corps representing both sides, it is difficult to mend. But a clash of this level can be dismissed as the deviation of individual squads.”
He shook his head. “Anyway, since the Alliance’s forces have been deployed, the Palace can no longer overlook it.”
The matter of Peerless Phantom Divine Thief had left the hands of the Flower Rain Sword Sect and become a strategic priority for the Palace.
“Given the situation, the successor mission must be put aside for now. That is how critical this is. In the area of Mount Wuzhi, where the Thief is hiding, our squads and the Alliance’s squads have already clashed several times.”
Baek Jeon-cheon paused, his expression grave. “Due to that escalation, fifteen days ago, the Palace dispatched the Heavenly Assassination Squad to Mount Wuzhi urgently.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his surprise. The Heavenly Assassination Squad was one of the Three Great Combat Squads of the Demonic Palace. Their deployment was equivalent to sending sect-level military power. If things went wrong, a scaled-down Great War would ignite on Mount Wuzhi.
“Then why is my squad being deployed belatedly?”
“In the process of establishing an encirclement around Mount Wuzhi, the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain requested one additional First-Grade Combat Squad. The Palace cannot dispatch any more First-Grade Squads, so the Grand Commander proposed temporarily elevating the Deathly Shadow Squad. Regardless, your military power is already above a Second-Grade Combat Squad.”
It was true. With Bu Eunseol, plus Transcendence Realm masters like Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Woon-ryong, the Deathly Shadow Squad was effectively elite.
“Lead the Deathly Shadow Squad to Mount Wuzhi immediately at daybreak.” Baek Jeon-cheon stared at Bu Eunseol, who remained silent. “You will carry out the mission under the command of the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain there.”
It was an unwelcome mission, yet unavoidable. Bu Eunseol nodded.
“I understand.”
But I will not follow orders meekly.
Bu Eunseol’s expression was calm, but a fire like the sun burned in his eyes.
***
In front of the Deathly Shadow Squad training ground, Bu Eunseol gathered his members and relayed the orders.
From the promotion to First-Grade status, to the standoff with the Martial Righteous Alliance on Mount Wuzhi, and finally their deployment to join the Heavenly Assassination Squad—he left nothing out.
“Then we will prepare immediately.”
Hearing the briefing, the Team Leaders scattered with nonchalant expressions. They trained constantly to survive any mission; with Bu Eunseol leading them, they did not fear even a march into hell.
Before they knew it, dusk fell, dyeing the sky a bruised red.
In Bu Eunseol’s office, a man with a cold demeanor stood with arms crossed. It was Yoo Woon-ryong, leader of the Fifth Team.
“Why did you call me?”
Although he had accepted his role, Yoo Woon-ryong still found it difficult to treat Bu Eunseol as a superior. But Bu Eunseol didn’t care for formalities, only ability.
“I didn’t know you were a young master of an official family that has held office for generations.”
“What are you talking about?”
Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile, sharp and different from before.