The rumor that Bu Eunseol had led an inspection team to audit the Infernal Blood Fortress spread through the Demonic Palace like wildfire.
How long has it been since he became the successor?
The reaction from the upper leadership was far from celebratory. Although Bu Eunseol had secured the broad support of the Demonic Path, the Ten Demonic Sects remained hesitant. Yet, immediately upon ascending to the position of Martial Soul Decree Master, he had dared to audit the Infernal Blood Fortress—one of the very pillars of the Ten Sects.
Even for a successor, is he not overreaching?
Among the demonic practitioners blind to the deeper currents of politics, the dominant sentiment was that Bu Eunseol was wielding the staff of power with reckless abandon.
Stealth Demons Pavilion, Grand Conference Room.
A heavy silence hung over the staff meeting of the Deathly Shadow Battalion.
Bu Eunseol had not yet arrived. Seated around the dark mahogany table were Adjutants Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Woon-ryong, alongside Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and Jo Nam-cheon. Every face was etched with gravity.
“It seems we need a breakthrough.”
Yoo Woon-ryong, dressed in his civil official robes, broke the silence. “A successor should be gathering forces amicably to build a foundation. The current situation is spiraling in the opposite direction.”
Myo Cheon-woo, arms crossed over his chest, nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Listening to the Squad Captains and Hall Masters, the fear of the Martial Soul Decree Master is palpable.”
“Arrogant fools. What on earth are they afraid of?” Won Se-mun asked sharply.
Myo Cheon-woo offered a bitter smile. “They fear that falling out of the Decree Master’s favor means ruin. They believe that if they make even a singular mistake, he will show not a speck of generosity.”
“It isn’t a problem we can laugh off. If this impression solidifies from his first task, they will view every future action with suspicion.” Wi Cheon-gyeong’s expression remained stern. “We need an operation to restabilize his position as successor.”
“How?”
“It would be best if he accomplished something monumental, enough to shake the Four Seas again. He must remind them what a colossal figure the Decree Master truly is.”
“Is that even possible?” Won Se-mun retorted. “There is no more fame left for him to gain, is there?”
Wi Cheon-gyeong fell silent. It was true. Bu Eunseol, despite his youth, already occupied a seat among the Four Gods and Seven Kings. He was the official successor, the future master of the Demonic Palace. For his name to ring through the Murim with renewed vigor, he would have to accomplish something as absurd as beheading the Beggar King.
Click.
The latch lifted, and the conference room door swung open. Bu Eunseol entered, dressed not in his official regalia, but in simple casual clothes.
“You have come.”
As the commanders rose in unison and bowed, Myo Cheon-woo spoke. “Where on earth have you been since morning?”
“I had matters to discuss with the Nine Assassination Squad Captain.”
“The Nine Assassination Squad Captain? Again?” Myo Cheon-woo tilted his head, unable to hide his disappointment. “Why is it that these days, you spend more time with him than with us, your loyal adjutants?”
“There was a matter that required it.”
Bu Eunseol possessed deep schemes and a habit of guarding his thoughts. While excellent for maintaining secrecy, it was often frustrating for subordinates desperate to serve him.
“We roughly finished the discussion just now…” Myo Cheon-woo began, but Bu Eunseol raised a hand.
“I heard everything while approaching. And I agree with your assessment.”
“Huh?”
“The discussion regarding the need for new fame.” Bu Eunseol lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming. “Therefore, I intend to leave the Demonic Palace for a while.”
“Why?”
“I have business.”
The room fell dead silent. They knew Bu Eunseol’s nature too well. Seeing that firm set of his jaw, they realized he had already formulated a plan and was merely informing them of its execution.
“Myo Cheon-woo, Yoo Woon-ryong. You two will handle all affairs on my behalf, as you do now.”
The successor of the Demonic Palace carried a mountain of responsibilities commensurate with his immense power. However, if Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Woon-ryong combined their strengths, the Stealth Demons Pavilion would run as smoothly as if Bu Eunseol were at the helm. Their outstanding competence allowed him to leave the Palace with a light heart.
“And the rest of you, continue your current duties, but take charge of training the subordinate members under the adjutants.” Bu Eunseol looked at Won Se-mun and the others. “Myo Cheon-woo and Yoo Woon-ryong will be buried in administrative work and won’t be able to oversee the training.”
“Training, sir?” Won Se-mun asked.
“Yes. Train them until they are ready to be deployed to the battlefield immediately.”
The commanders blinked, exchanging confused glances. Did this mean another war was on the horizon?
“Bu Eunseol. Even so, we are your subordinates. Shouldn’t you explain at least a little?” Myo Cheon-woo pressed.
Bu Eunseol snorted, then opened his mouth as if conceding. “I will go out to the Gangho immediately to handle a few matters. And if it goes according to plan…”
His eyes narrowed to sharp slits.
“There will be no one who opposes what I do ever again.”
***
Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.
It was the largest wandering vagrants market in the Central Plains, a sprawling chaotic nexus where mercenaries and drifters from all regions gathered to sell their blades for coin.
Past the chaotic stalls lay the Hall of Receiving Scriptures, the administrative heart where vagrants obtained jobs entering the market or received their blood money.
Beyond the large wooden board marked Free Contract, a long corridor stretched out on the second floor. At its end lay the office of the Hall Master, Dam Yu-yeon.
“Hall Master Dam.”
The office door opened, and a man entered. A sword wrapped in bandages was strapped to his back, his long hair tied in a severe topknot. His eyes were long and narrow, set in a face with no distinct features.
Yet, Dam Yu-yeon, who had been reviewing ledgers at her desk, jumped up in surprise.
“You are…!”
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course!” She smiled brightly. “How could I forget the Special-Grade Wandering Vagrants of this Land, Young Hero Seol?”
Years ago, Bu Eunseol had registered at the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth under the alias ‘Seol So’ alongside Black Leopard to gain martial experience. He had carved a bloody path through the industry—dealing with Wang Jeong of Mount Fuding, obtaining the Primordial-Persevering Divine Pearl of the Divine Maiden Palace, and even fighting Jeong Cheon, the Master of the Transverse Sky Hall.
He had even participated in the brutal war between the Thunder Heaven Sect and the Saber Tyrant Sect, engaging in a duel with a mysterious masked man. This market had given Bu Eunseol countless insights. Now, having slipped away from the Demonic Palace, he had donned the mask of Seol So once again.
“What on earth have you been doing all this time?”
He had vanished without a trace years ago. Curious, Dam Yu-yeon had mobilized intelligence networks to find him, but the vagrant named Seol So had simply ceased to exist.
“I had circumstances.”
At that single, clipped sentence, Dam Yu-yeon asked no more. Who in this world didn’t have a story? The lives of wandering vagrants were particularly harsh, which was why the market never asked for real names or pasts. Only the present mattered.
“Is the Master of the Transverse Sky Hall well?”
“After fighting with Young Hero Seol, he left for the Northern Desert to train long ago.”
Jeong Cheon’s master, Cho Geom-rang, hailed from the Northern Desert. Presumably, he sought a legacy or a training ground left behind there.
“I see.” Bu Eunseol nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“My brother originally had no interest in the Martial Way,” Dam Yu-yeon said with a bittersweet expression. “But after fighting Young Hero Seol, a change of heart occurred.”
It seemed Jeong Cheon had assimilated Bu Eunseol’s burning spirit. If he returned, he would surely have achieved earth-shattering martial arts, reborn as a worthy rival.
“Did you come to get a job?”
“I was thinking of taking a Designated Contract, if one exists.”
Special-Grade Wandering Vagrants could accept Free Contracts, where they chose jobs at will, or the lucrative Designated Contracts brokered directly by the Hall.
“A Designated Contract? Why?”
“Because Free Contracts are filled with nothing but troublesome chores,” Bu Eunseol replied calmly. “I would like a job I can handle alone.”
“I’m sorry. There isn’t any work coming in as a Designated Contract right now.”
“I see.” Bu Eunseol nodded, showing no disappointment. “I am staying at the Gathering Clouds Inn out front. Please let me know if a decent job appears.”
“I will.”
Bu Eunseol turned and walked out calmly.
Moments later, the door opened again. A woman dressed in pristine white clothes entered the office.
“Sister.”
“Sister Yak?”
Dam Yu-yeon stared in surprise. “What brings the Law Enforcement Junior Commander of the Martial Righteous Alliance here?”
The Law Enforcement Hall, charged with guarding and executing the laws of the Alliance, was buried under a mountain of work. To manage this, the Alliance selected those with a strong sense of justice among outstanding rising stars, granting them the authority of inspectors.
This was the Law Enforcement Junior Commander—a judge who could freely investigate and execute laws inside and outside the Alliance.
The woman in white was none other than Jong-jeong Yak, the only daughter of the Jong-jeong Clan and a close friend Dam Yu-yeon had known for years.
“I need your help, Sister.”
“Help?”
Jong-jeong Yak’s expression was grave. “I need a wandering vagrant who is strong in martial arts and well-versed in the underworld.”
Dam Yu-yeon looked puzzled. As a dignified Junior Commander, Jong-jeong Yak could requisition elite escort warriors from the Alliance with a snap of her fingers. Why come to a vagrant market?
“Did you come out to the Gangho alone? You didn’t bring any martial artists?”
“Of course I brought them.”
“Then why specifically a vagrant escort?”
“I don’t need an escort,” Jong-jeong Yak said, her voice dropping. “There are circumstances.”
Seeing Dam Yu-yeon’s concern, she continued with a bitter grimace. “There’s no way they’d give a proper unit to a Junior Commander like me. Even now, except for my adjutant, the martial artists assigned to me are all green novices.”
The position of Law Enforcement Junior Commander was controversial. Giving immense, unchecked power to young martial artists made the existing leadership uncomfortable. Many sarcastically asked if these young upstarts had become government military officers.
It means there is a problem with her superior, or even higher up.
Grasping the situation instantly, Dam Yu-yeon whispered, “Then you can ask for help from the Flower Secret Garden Master, can’t you? You are close with her.”
The Flower Secret Garden managed the labor force hired by the Alliance and held diplomatic authority. The Garden Master cherished the capable Jong-jeong Yak and had helped her attain her current position.
“I don’t have accurate evidence yet. If I consult her rashly… the Garden Master might suffer damage instead.”
Dam Yu-yeon’s face darkened. She realized Jong-jeong Yak was handling an extremely dangerous mission.
“I understand. Then I will call the best wandering vagrants squad from our Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.”
“No. I don’t need a squad.”
“Huh?”
“Leading a large unit will only make it easy to be tracked. I just need one High-Grade Wandering Vagrant with plenty of Gangho experience and decent martial arts to help me handle a few things.”
“One High-Grade Wandering Vagrant?”
When Dam Yu-yeon blinked, Jong-jeong Yak smiled bashfully. “Because I don’t have enough money to hire a Special-Grade.”
“Mmm.”
Dam Yu-yeon’s eyes flashed as a thought struck her.
“Alright. I will send you the best High-Grade Wandering Vagrant of this Land.”
Gathering Clouds Inn, Third Floor. Special Room.
Bu Eunseol sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating his internal energy. A faint telepathic message drifted in from outside the window.
[Decree Master. It is Woo Gyeong of the Nine Assassination Squad.]
After a brief pause, the message continued.
[Jong-jeong Yak is meeting the Hall of Receiving Scriptures Master.]
Bu Eunseol slowly opened his eyes and projected his thoughts to the roof.
[Soon, the Hall of Receiving Scriptures will send someone. From now on, thoroughly erase this Decree Master’s tracks until everything is over.]
[Understood.]
With that simple confirmation, Woo Gyeong’s presence vanished completely into the ether.
Rustle.
Rising from his seat, Bu Eunseol looked out the window at the clear sky, recalling the conversation he had shared with the Nine Assassination Squad Captain, So Ja-myeong, just days prior.
***
“Absolutely not.”
After the Infernal Blood Fortress audit, Bu Eunseol had proposed infiltrating the Martial Righteous Alliance to catch the tail of Evil Fragrance and the Eastern Depot Guard. At first, So Ja-myeong had vehemently opposed it.
The Martial Righteous Alliance was a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, surpassing the Demonic Palace in scale, with terrifying masters camped out in every shadow. Outwardly it seemed lax, but security was ironclad; infiltrating blindly would lead to immediate detection.
Moreover, if the successor of the Demonic Palace were caught spying? The honor of the Palace would crumble, and Bu Eunseol’s life would be forfeit.
“No matter how outstanding the Decree Master’s martial arts are, investigating the interior of the Martial Righteous Alliance thoroughly is impossible.”
“Do not worry,” Bu Eunseol had replied calmly. “I plan to end this matter just by looking around the interior.”
In the current stalemate, the only move left was to find the link between the Alliance and Evil Fragrance. If such a connection existed, there would surely be a secret armory or hidden weapon storage.
“Just looking around?”
“Can one be full with the first spoonful?” Bu Eunseol’s voice had echoed quietly in the secret room. “In a situation where we don’t know the internal affairs, sending even outstanding members carries a high probability of failure. It would be better for this Decree Master to go personally.”
So Ja-myeong had nodded faintly. Bu Eunseol was Number Eighteen of Yueyang, a living legend of the Nine Assassination Squad. He could execute reconnaissance far better than any subordinate.
“So this infiltration is just light exploration. For the future.”
“That is so.”
“If it is only that much, it seems possible. However, you will need a definite identity to enter the Alliance.”
Unlike the Demonic Palace, the Alliance strictly monitored every soul entering its gates. As Bu Eunseol showed firm determination, So Ja-myeong began to strategize. Upon hearing that Eunseol still possessed his ‘Seol So’ identity, he devised a plan.
“Just in time, a Law Enforcement Junior Commander from the Jong-jeong Clan is heading to the Silent Heaven, Desolate Earth.”
Jong-jeong Yak.
She was a daughter of the Jong-jeong Clan in the Guangxi region—a family so poor in power and scale that it wasn’t even recognized as a proper Martial Family. However, fueled by the ridicule of elite disciples, she had clawed her way up, taking on missions no one else wanted.
“She has a fierce desire for success. That is why she took on the dangerous Violet Essence Elixir theft case.”
Recently, fifty Violet Essence Elixirs destined for the Alliance had been stolen. Jong-jeong Yak had investigated, but the case was glossed over due to pressure from higher-ups. Suspecting embezzlement, she had continued in secret and was now in the Gangho to chase the leads.
“A Law Enforcement Junior Commander is a significant position. I do not know why she tries so hard to succeed.”
“The title sounds grand,” So Ja-myeong had explained, “but she is practically a wanderer belonging to no hall. She is often ignored by her own peers. But she is currently being targeted. While investigating the Elixirs, she was attacked several times, likely by someone high up in the Alliance covering their tracks.”
Bu Eunseol had nodded. A woman with a desire for success who refused to yield to corruption. If she was indeed an outcast, she would be the perfect string to pull to enter the Alliance unnoticed.
***
The memory faded. Just as Bu Eunseol turned from the window—
Knock, knock.
A low voice drifted through the wood.
“Young Hero Seol. It is Dam Yu-yeon, the Hall of Receiving Scriptures Master.”
Hearing her voice, a smile touched Bu Eunseol’s lips. She had come personally.
The path to the Martial Righteous Alliance had opened.