Bu Eunseol crossed the sky, his movement technique like that of a divine dragon.
So much time had passed while his memory was lost.
Many unfortunate events must have occurred during that time.
From now on, he had to set things right as quickly as possible.
Swish! Thud!
But suddenly, Bu Eunseol stopped his movement technique and stood tall on a cliff deep in the mountains.
He felt extreme confusion because of a memory that had suddenly surfaced.
‘I had parents!’
A dream he had countless times while living as a beggar named Mumu with his memory lost.
It was a memory from his childhood.
One that had been wiped clean.
‘I was born into a wealthy family, with parents who loved me!’
He had thought he was an abandoned orphan.
But in reality, he had been showered with love and raised in an extremely prosperous household.
But why?
Why had the manor suddenly burst into flames, and why had they evacuated him?
Could they have committed treason?
‘I wonder what my parents were like...
I'm so curious….’
Although they were parents he couldn't even see the faces of in his dreams.
He could feel that they were endlessly kind and of excellent character.
Just like his grandfather, Bu Janyang.
But why? Why did they have to go through such a thing?
Why was his memory erased?
After falling from the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff while partially consumed by the Soul-Summoning Heart Words, he had been able to recover a part of his childhood memories.
But that was all.
He couldn't remember anything after that.
On the contrary, the more he tried to think, the more the memory from his dream seemed to vanish like a bubble.
—If you learn martial arts, this Great Art will one day be broken.
‘Why haven't my memories returned?’
Bu Eunseol’s current internal energy was immense, and he had even created an infinite spiritual barrier through the Opening of the Spirit Acupoints, but…
Despite that, the Great Art had not been broken, and he could not restore his memories.
Was it because he had not yet reached the Martial Ultimate Realm, which could cause a 'phenomenon'?
‘The father I saw in my dream… was by no means a weak man.’
There was no such thing as a Great Art for erasing memories in the Martial World.
From Bu Eunseol's perspective, his father's martial prowess was unfathomable.
That is, it was at a level beyond his imagination.
But why was his name not known?
Bu Eunseol gazed at the distant sky.
‘It would be fine if my memories don't return… if only I could see their faces.’
No matter how hard he tried to remember.
Even in that dream… he could not see his parents' faces clearly.
That pained Bu Eunseol greatly.
‘Will I be able to find them?’
Bu Eunseol bit his lip.
His own appearance in the dream.
He was a bright child of about five or six years old.
That meant the manor fire must have occurred sometime between twenty and thirty years ago.
Moreover, his father seemed to live like a scholar, hiding his identity despite possessing tremendous martial prowess…
He even said that he failed to protect his family due to his lack of ability.
‘The Three Realms!’
Bu Eunseol's eyes turned fierce like a lion's.
After all, besides the Twin Lords of Righteous and Demonic Paths, who else possessed such power… but the Three Realms?
‘If the Three Realms deliberately erased this fact…’
The intelligence network of the Three Realms far surpassed that of the Righteous and Demonic Factions.
What if they deliberately hid such information?
Even if he mobilized all intelligence organizations… could he find an incident that occurred twenty, no, thirty years ago?
And without any specific clues.
‘No matter how much time it takes, I will find them!’
Bu Eunseol swore, looking at the distant sky.
Then, he took several deep breaths to calm his troubled mind.
‘For now, let's do what needs to be done now.’
Bu Eunseol once again used his movement technique and instantly entered Seongdo.
He sent a letter to someone in a very secretive manner.
It was the very first step in rectifying the events that had transpired during his absence.
*
Clatter, clatter.
A carriage that had left the Demon Palace was running without rest.
After several days of travel, the carriage arrived at a secret safe house of the Demon Palace, discreetly set up in the Sangyang region.
Thud.
As the carriage stopped, the shadow that hastily disembarked ran panting towards the safe house.
It was Yu Un-ryong.
‘Please, please….’
Entering the safe house, he gasped for breath as he looked at the tightly shut door.
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he slowly opened the door to the safe house.
Inside, a man with a beautiful face, dressed in white robes, stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back.
It was the man he longed to see even in his dreams, his friend and superior.
Bu Eunseol.
“Bu Eunseol!”
Yu Un-ryong unconsciously shouted and embraced him tightly.
‘Gods of Heaven and Earth, thank you!’
He cried out in his heart over and over again.
All this time, he had not missed a single day praying to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.
He had prayed for them to take his own life if they must, but to please protect that man’s life.
To please ensure Bu Eunseol's safety…
And the gods had finally answered his prayers.
Perhaps feeling Yu Un-ryong's heart?
Squeeze.
Bu Eunseol also hugged Yu Un-ryong tightly.
“What on earth happened? Why did you plan something like this?”
Yu Un-ryong said, swallowing the intense emotions welling up inside him.
“There really were signs that you fell from the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff! The warriors from Wiwang Manor were tracking you in that area, you know? What on earth happened!”
“Un-ryong, calm down.”
Bu Eunseol said with a smile, patting his shoulder.
‘Un-ryong?’
Yu Un-ryong blinked.
Although Bu Eunseol had a warm heart, his exterior was like a block of ice.
But to smile brightly and call him Un-ryong?
“Are you, are you okay?”
“Of course. For a while… I lived as if I wasn't myself, but.”
Bu Eunseol, taking a deep breath, smiled.
“Still, that too was a part of me.”
Yu Un-ryong blinked.
He didn't know what had happened during that time.
But Bu Eunseol’s aura had become much gentler.
Moreover, dressed in white robes unlike his usual self, he looked like a chivalrous hero from the Righteous Faction at first glance.
“So… you're really okay?”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, his voice wasn't warm or gentle.
If it had been, Yu Un-ryong would have definitely lifted Bu Eunseol's lips to check if he was wearing a mask.
“What on earth happened? Hall Master Hyeok Ryeon. What did that son of a bitch do?”
Bu Eunseol said bitterly.
“Hall Master Hyeok Ryeon was the teacher of the Heart-Seizing King. Moreover, he even used the Flame Emperor's Qi.”
“What did you say?”
“In the end, I had no way to break his Illusion Arts, so I had no choice but to throw myself off the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Cliff.”
Bu Eunseol let out a deep sigh as if remembering that moment.
“Judging by his martial prowess, Hall Master Hyeok Ryeon is probably not from the Clear River Realm. He must be a leader of the Infinite Realm, or a key figure.”
He calmly explained the situation when he met Hyeok Ryeon-eung.
Yu Un-ryong's mouth gradually fell open as he listened quietly.
Hyeok Ryeon-eung, who held the dual identities of the Demon Palace’s Chief Guardian and a literary teacher at Wiwang Manor.
He was actually a terrifying master against whom Bu Eunseol couldn't even resist?
“So you're saying he's also a master of the Martial Ultimate Realm, though it's not known to the Martial World?”
“I don't know. Whether that's a phenomenon of the Martial Ultimate Realm, or a power that transcends the boundaries of martial arts.”
“This is crazy.”
Yu Un-ryong's mouth fell open.
“There are that many masters in the Martial World? Honestly, isn't this unbelievable?”
The Twin Lords of Righteous and Demonic Paths, the Three Demons and Three Sages.
It was known that there were no other masters of the Martial Ultimate Realm in the Martial World besides them.
But because of the secret organization called the Three Realms and the mysterious figures belonging to it.
That common sense was completely shattered.
“What's certain is that Hall Master Hyeok Ryeon uses a unique Heart-Seizing Art that no one can stand against. He might be a descendant of the Illusion Star among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
“The Illusion Star?”
“Yes. The martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars have so far displayed incredible power that transcends martial levels.”
The martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars were not constrained by martial levels.
In other words, it could be thought that Hyeok Ryeon-eung's Heart-Seizing Art wasn't because he reached the Martial Ultimate Realm, but a phenomenon caused by the characteristics of such martial arts from the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
“Anyway… I'm glad.”
Yu Un-ryong sighed in relief.
“If your return had been just a little later, an irreversible situation would have occurred.”
“Irreversible?”
“That old monster, Lord Gongya, submitted an agenda to the Demonic Administration Council to remove you from the position of successor.”
Yu Un-ryong said, biting his teeth.
“And Muhasuyujeong is on the verge of an irreversible situation due to internal division. Also, Jeolcheonmyeolji has suffered many casualties from attacks by the Soul-Lost People.”
Bu Eunseol's eyes widened.
As soon as he regained his senses, he had only sent information to Yu Un-ryong.
He hadn't looked into the situation during his absence.
But so many things had happened?
“Tell me in detail.”
“So…”
Yu Un-ryong explained the entire situation to Bu Eunseol in detail.
After explaining for a quarter of an hour, Yu Un-ryong said in a low voice.
“In conclusion, that’s what happened.”
After hearing the whole story, Bu Eunseol's gaze deepened.
In fact, he had learned martial arts and came to the Martial World to avenge his grandfather.
And he had risen to a high position.
But as a result, many people and forces had come to trust and follow him.
And he had repeatedly clashed with the organization called the Three Realms, and in the end… they had extended their reach not only to him but also to the forces that followed him.
“First, I'll let each intelligence organization know that you've returned. That should naturally resolve everything.”
Bu Eunseol, after some thought, shook his head.
“No, it would be better to remain missing for a while.”
“What did you say?”
“If I announce my return, they will quickly clean up what they've done and withdraw.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
“They must believe I haven't returned yet, so that I can easily resolve the things that have happened.”
“If you resolve things…”
“Muhasuyujeong and Jeolcheonmyeolji.”
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“First, those two places must be normalized. Only then will I be able to defend myself to some extent against the Demonic Administration Council.”
“Hmm.”
Yu Un-ryong, faintly understanding Bu Eunseol's plan, nodded.
“I understand what you mean. Let's do that.”
If they found out Bu Eunseol was safe, they would change their plans again.
It would be much better to maintain his missing status and secretly work to resolve things.
*
The all-female sects had traditionally become the foundation for powerful sects.
But Muhasuyujeong, through immense wealth and exchanges with both Righteous and Demonic Faction sects, had secured a position among the Ten Demonic Gates despite being an all-female sect, and stood tall in the Martial World.
Yu Suryeon.
She was the Hall Master of Muhasuyujeong’s Flower Willow Courtyard and a figure who had been loyal to Muhasuyujeong for a long time.
But with the appearance of Bu Eunseol, she became dissatisfied with Muhasuyujeong.
No, with the Lord, Geuk Hyeryeong.
Because of his appearance.
The path of Muhasuyujeong, which had never been close to men and had always solved everything on its own, had completely changed.
—Why did the Lord fall for that young man and pour our blood-earned money into Nangya Pavilion and Jeolcheonmyeolji?
From her perspective, ever since meeting the man named Bu Eunseol.
Muhasuyujeong had willingly become a slave to Nangya Pavilion and Jeolcheonmyeolji.
They had generously poured out vast amounts of wealth to them and even shared their core assets, the intelligence units and network.
Of course, through exchanges with Nangya Pavilion and Jeolcheonmyeolji, it was true that they had obtained martial arts that could protect the sect on their own.
But that alone was not reason enough to provide such vast financial and intelligence resources.
—Muhasuyujeong must change.
At that moment, an unexpected figure appeared before Yu Suryeon.
He called himself the Third Messenger of the Infinite Realm.
A figure from the Three Realms, known as the commander of the force that controlled various sects and powers, had approached her.
—A messenger of the Infinite Realm?
Since Muhasuyujeong had always been Bu Eunseol's eyes and ears, they were well aware of information regarding the Three Realms.
But a messenger from the Infinite Realm, who was predicted to be involved in Bu Eunseol's disappearance, had appeared before her?
—This Realm will back you, so that you may become the Lord of Muhasuyujeong.
It was astonishing.
The Three Realms.
The mysterious organization that had always stirred the Martial World wanted to make her the Lord?
—What do you want from me?
—Nothing.
If I had to say something, it would be to return to the Muhasuyujeong of the past.
Furthermore, the messenger of the Infinite Realm made a proposal that was perfectly to Yu Suryeon's liking and had no downsides at all.
—Injecting wealth to build up forces like Nangya Pavilion or Jeolcheonmyeolji is by no means beneficial from this Realm's standpoint.
Yu Suryeon nodded as if in agreement.
The Three Realms and Bu Eunseol had always clashed.
Therefore, that statement must be true.
—Do you really desire nothing?
—Is there anything about Muhasuyujeong that is superior to this Realm?
That was true.
The wealth and intelligence network of the Three Realms were beyond the level of a single sect.
They had the power to wipe out a sect entirely, or rebuild one in an instant.
—Very well.
Yu Suryeon eventually joined hands with them.
Although she had joined hands with an external force, she was proud.
It was not for personal gain, but because she had the righteous cause of acting solely for the future of Muhasuyujeong.
That was why she was able to easily win over the disciples who were dissatisfied with Geuk Hyeryeong's policies.
Jade Lotus Fragrance House.
A brothel in Wuchang, it was the most lavish of all the brothels under Muhasuyujeong.
Splendid buildings were erected within a wall that encircled it like a castle.
And inside, it was filled with courtesans who possessed both beauty and talent, and famous figures from all walks of life enjoying fine wine and delicacies.
Flower Willow Courtyard.
That was the residence of Yu Suryeon, the path leader of Jade Lotus Fragrance House and an elder of Muhasuyujeong.
Sitting at the desk in her office, Yu Suryeon suddenly looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror on her left.
With an aquiline nose and eyes that drooped extremely downward, anyone could see her stubborn appearance.
‘Hmm.’
But Yu Suryeon was pleased with her appearance.
Because this face would soon be leading Muhasuyujeong as its Lord.
“Lord.”
Just then, the door to the inner chamber of the Flower Willow Courtyard opened, and a woman in ceremonial robes entered and bowed her head.
It was Yu Suryeon's confidant, Okcheong.
“This is the final accounting for this month.”
“Mm.”
Yu Suryeon nodded as she received the ledger from Okcheong.
“Good.”
“And also.”
Okcheong hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“I think the Lord has noticed.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Lord has summoned all the brothel masters who operate the ‘True’ grade brothels in the Gangnam area to Guilin, where the main hall is.”
“I've heard.”
“In that case… shouldn't we try to win them over quickly?”
Yu Suryeon, who was looking at the ledger, shook her head.
“Those brothel masters are the Lord's confidants anyway. They wouldn't listen even if we tried to persuade them, so don't bother.”
“Will it be alright? It seems the Lord is about to take action personally.”
When Okcheong made a worried expression, Yu Suryeon let out a low snort.
“It's something we'll have to face once anyway. If I were afraid, I wouldn't have started.”
Yu Suryeon said in a low voice.
“And completely shut down the Jade Lotus Fragrance House within five days.”
“Yes?”
“The masters from Nangya Pavilion will flock here within that time.”
“Nangya Pavilion… you say?”
Okcheong looked frightened.
There were no ordinary disciples in Nangya Pavilion.
They were all masters capable of fighting a hundred men, and if just twenty or thirty of them gathered, they could easily wipe out a small sect.
“Our intelligence network has shown no such signs.”
“Huhu. How can you compare our intelligence network with the intelligence power of the Infinite Realm?”
Yu Suryeon closed the ledger and looked at Okcheong.
“She must have sent the grand army of Nangya Pavilion with the thought of avoiding bloodshed among disciples. She probably thought I would surrender if she did.”
“……”
“But the Lord has made the worst possible choice.”
The Black Ledger, which could be called the core of Muhasuyujeong's power, was already in her hands.
In the end, this action would only provide a justification for bringing in external forces.
As Yu Suryeon was smiling,
Rustle, rustle.
A hurried footstep was heard, followed by a low voice.
“Lord, it's Hwayeong.”
“Enter.”
As the door opened, a young woman who looked like a maid bowed her head.
“There's big trouble.”
“Big trouble?”
“It seems Nangya Pavilion has dispatched masters. They will probably arrive here in five days at the earliest.”
At that, Okcheong looked at Yu Suryeon with a surprised expression.
“I understand. You may leave.”
After Hwayeong left, Okcheong asked.
“Summoning the masters of Nangya Pavilion, even if we close the brothel, doesn't it mean they will pursue us to the end?”
The masters of Nangya Pavilion were not only skilled in martial arts but also had keen senses, making them excellent trackers.
Not just any place, but summoning the grand army of Nangya Pavilion?
It could be Geuk Hyeryeong's will to pursue the traitors to the very end.
“That's right. But the only person they will pursue to the end is me, the Lord.”
Yu Suryeon leisurely picked up the teacup on the table.
“What they want is not the slaughter of the disciples, but the Black Ledger that I possess.”
“I see.”
Okcheong nodded.
Thinking about it, given the Lord's personality, she wouldn't have called the masters of Nangya Pavilion to slaughter the disciples of Muhasuyujeong.
In other words, if Yu Suryeon withdrew, the Lord would have no other way.
“Prepare the carriage.”
At Yu Suryeon's command, Okcheong bowed her head.
“Yes.”
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage parked at the Jade Lotus Fragrance House was traveling along the moonlit official road.
Yu Suryeon, inside the carriage, looked at the night sky with a relaxed expression.
Even if all the masters of Nangya Pavilion came out to pursue her, she was not afraid.
The Three Realms did not reveal themselves, but their power and influence were truly the greatest in the Martial World.
Having grasped the rope they extended, she had nothing to worry about.
“After all, a wise man follows the tide of the times.”
Yu Suryeon looked out the window and nodded.
No matter how she thought about it, it was a good choice.
No one could stop the power of the Three Realms.
Wasn't the successor of the Demon Palace, who constantly clashed with the Three Realms, now missing?
And since she had the Black Ledger.
The Lord would eventually have to surrender… and Muhasuyujeong would fall into her grasp.
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage ran along the official road all night.
Just before dawn, the carriage stopped in front of a huge manor on the outskirts of the capital.
“We have arrived.”
As the coachman opened the door, Yu Suryeon got out of the carriage with a haughty gesture.
A formation seemed to be set up around the manor, as a thick fog was rising even as the sun slowly began to rise.
She entered the manor without delay.
In the wide front courtyard, there was a pond, and in front of it stood a picturesque pavilion.
A shadow wearing a mask engraved with a mysterious symbol stood tall there.
It was the messenger of the Infinite Realm.
‘He seems more imposing today.’
All the messengers of the Three Realms, including the Third Messenger, had a powerful shockwave flowing from their bodies, making it impossible to see their faces clearly.
And today, the shockwave flowing from the Third Messenger's body was even thicker.
“Thanks to your advance information, I was able to escape without panicking.”
When Yu Suryeon gave a slight nod, the messenger spoke.
[The disciples of Nangya Pavilion all have noses like hounds.]
The Third Messenger's voice was extremely unpleasant and raspy, like a snake hissing.
[Do not leave this manor until they have retreated.]
“Here? You mean I should stay here without leaving the capital?”
[It is darkest under the lamp.]
The Third Messenger stared intently at Yu Suryeon.
[They will never be able to find this place.]
A cloud-like wave of true energy rose from his body.
Even though it was a brief moment, the aura and pressure pouring out seemed much stronger than before.
‘He could rule the Martial World with his martial arts alone.’
“I, I understand.”
As Yu Suryeon replied, the messenger's form disappeared as if melting into the fog.
Watching him, she spoke with a dissatisfied expression.
“He doesn't even say two words.”
Even though she was the next Lord of Muhasuyujeong, he still treated her like a lowly subordinate.
But she soon shook her head.
“It can't be helped.”
The figures of the Three Realms were all extraordinary, and their martial arts were at a level that even the leaders of other sects would look down upon.
She, who had not yet taken control of Muhasuyujeong, would appear even less than an insect to them.
“But things will be different once I become the Lord.”
Yu Suryeon smiled faintly.
“I know. What you all want is this Black Ledger.”
She knew.
What the Infinite Realm wanted was the Black Ledger she had secretly smuggled out.
With the Black Ledger, anyone could control Muhasuyujeong as they pleased.
Conversely, without the Black Ledger, no matter how much control one had over Muhasuyujeong, its power and authority could not be properly used.
“As long as I hold this, the Infinite Realm will never be able to abandon me.”
The Black Ledger was written in a code that only the disciples of Muhasuyujeong could decipher, and she never carried it on her person.
If she had, the Infinite Realm would have immediately taken it by force.
Also, as long as the Black Ledger existed, the Infinite Realm would not be able to abandon her.
This was something she had to protect at all costs.