PAIS-Bab 407

Chapter 407

“Phew.”

Bu Eunseol emerging from the Star Guard Pavilion took a deep breath.

Until now he had encountered masters who stood at the pinnacle of the martial world and witnessed their extraordinary prowess firsthand.

The Sacred Sword Baekri Mujo.

But he was unlike any of the formidable figures Bu Eunseol had met before.

It wasn’t due to overwhelming martial prowess or some supernatural phenomenon but rather the inherent qualities of the man himself.

The Aura of Harmony.

This referred to the harmonized energy between heaven and earth.

It was an aura seen only in those who through long ascetic practice had attained a state of enlightenment akin to the Buddha’s dharmakaya.

Yet Baekri Mujo a mere human seemed to lack the flaws one would expect.

He possessed the perfect aura of harmony between heaven and earth the Aura of Harmony.

“There’s no way the Alliance Leader would have undergone such ascetic trials. Does that mean he has never once faced failure or frustration in his life?” Bu Eunseol shook his head.

His grandfather Bu Zhanyang had once said that humans being inherently imperfect could grow precisely because of their flaws.

“But what if someone exceptional appears someone who has never failed since birth?” Bu Eunseol had asked.

His grandfather had replied “If someone has never experienced failure or frustration since birth they would truly be a divine being sent by the heavens. Naturally they would embody the harmonized aura between heaven and earth.”

But Bu Zhanyang had been adamant.

“Still that’s impossible. Because a perfect human cannot exist.”

Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.

If his grandfather’s words were true then Baekri Mujo was either a divine being sent by the heavens… or he was manifesting a false Aura of Harmony.

“Whatever the case the martial world is vast.”

Even after defeating the Heavenly Sword the Illusion King the heir of the Flame Emperor and the heir of the Blood Emperor Nobong in succession Bu Eunseol had believed he could stand toe-to-toe with any master in the martial world.

But meeting Weiji Mu-a and the Divine Mountain Sage made him realize how far he still had to go.

And encountering Baekri Mujo…

He realized that the true masters of the martial world possessed something beyond mere martial skill.

“The fortunate thing is that the power Baekri Mujo displayed wasn’t a ‘phenomenon’ born from the Realm of Infinity.”

Baekri Mujo had likely arranged every piece of furniture in the guest hall if not the entire pavilion with his own hands.

Perhaps even the pavilion itself was built under his direction.

Every trace within and around the pavilion revealed Baekri Mujo’s martial arts and disposition all pursuing perfect harmony.

And that “harmony” wasn’t a phenomenon manifested by reaching the Realm of Infinity… but rather a reflection of his meticulous and near-perfect disposition befitting his title the Sacred Sword.

“There are still many prodigies in the martial world that you don’t know about. Also there are martial arts that transcend the stages you should rightfully pass through.”

The words Cheon Ungwang had spoken when passing down the Nine Dragons Flashing Thunder resurfaced in Bu Eunseol’s mind.

At the time he thought it referred to the heirs of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars but in hindsight it seemed to describe the traits of hidden supreme masters in the martial world.

“Martial arts that transcend even the stages one must pass through.”

Perhaps Baekri Mujo had mastered such a martial art. If so Baekri Mujo must also be considered a suspect in his grandfather’s murder and closely investigated the moment Bu Eunseol gained power.

“I don’t like it.” Bu Eunseol gave a bitter smile.

He didn’t know what kind of person Baekri Mujo was but he felt no hostility from him.

More precisely he was a figure who evoked an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Like Soyo.

“What am I thinking?”

Bu Eunseol shook his head.

The one who killed his grandfather could be wearing any kind of mask. He must never judge someone based on vague feelings of familiarity.

***

The Martial Alliance vast in scale held numerous meetings.

The Great Righteous Assembly hosted by the Alliance Leader attended by elder hall leaders and branch leaders—the highest echelons of the Alliance.

The Longevity Assembly attended only by elders.

The General Assembly of Hall Leaders hosted by branch leaders or the chief strategist attended by all hall leaders.

And the Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders where branch-level figures gathered hall leaders from relevant departments to discuss major and minor affairs.

At the Martial Alliance’s Ascendant Martial Hall the Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders was being held under the supervision of Ascendant Martial Hall Leader Yuk Jangcheon.

But the atmosphere in the meeting room was strange.

The attending hall leaders repeatedly frowned glancing at one corner of the room.

There sat Seon Woojin the grandmaster of the newly formed Supreme Branch a third-class branch under the Star Guard Division.

“How can they let a grandmaster of a newly created third-class branch attend the Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders?”

Of course they knew the Supreme Branch’s affiliation was in limbo.

While that was pitiable they still looked down on him. They disapproved of a merchant-background figure becoming the grandmaster of the Supreme Branch. No matter how they looked at it he didn’t seem like a master capable of surpassing Cheon Hwain a renowned high-level expert.

The hall leaders had only heard stories about how he was selected as grandmaster.

Moreover his aura was ordinary and his physique was too slender.

“Did he buy his position with money?”

The fact that the temporary camp in the northern bamboo grove had been transformed into a lavish estate fueled such suspicions.

And the second reason.

Even though he was under the Star Guard Division Leader he had to attend the Ascendant Martial Hall’s Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders to receive missions—an awkward situation they disliked. A third-class grandmaster under the Star Guard Division attending a meeting meant for hall leaders under the Ascendant Martial Hall? 

It was bound to be viewed unfavorably.

“Ahem.” Some hall leaders couldn’t hide their discomfort letting out discontented coughs.

Yet Bu Eunseol sat calmly as if he saw nothing.

This wasn’t his first meeting.

He had attended the Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders three times already sitting like a borrowed sack of barley each time.

‘It’s unfolding more difficultly than expected.’ Bu Eunseol gave a bitter smile.

The Martial Alliance was a place where background and connections were paramount with subtle power struggles between old and new generations. To the younger members the Supreme Branch was a creation of the older generation so they had no intention of embracing it warmly.

“The final agenda.” Yuk Cheongah the Lotus Hall Leader spoke in a low voice. “There have been continuous thefts at the Alliance’s Seoha Branch and Hoeyeon Branch.”

“Thefts?” Yang Baekmun the Paljeong Hall Leader sitting across from her frowned. “Is it that Thousand-Faced Divine Thief causing trouble again?”

So far the only audacious thief who had robbed Alliance branches was Yu Cheongrim known as the Thousand-Faced Divine Thief.

He was rumored to have robbed not only the Alliance but even the imperial treasury with his ability to change his appearance instantly.

“Probably not.” Yuk Cheongah said firmly.

“Fire Essence Stones stored in the armories of each branch were stolen.”

“Fire Essence Stones?” The hall leaders frowned in disbelief.

Fire Essence Stones were used to create intense flames instantly typically for cremation or strategic large-scale fires.

Why would someone infiltrate an Alliance branch just to steal Fire Essence Stones?

“Why steal Fire Essence Stones?” At Yang Baekmun’s question Yuk Cheongah replied in a low voice.

“It’s likely related to the recent murders of vagrants.”

Recently a series of incidents had occurred across the Central Plains where large numbers of vagrants were burned to death.

Initially they were thought to be accidents. But it was revealed that the vagrants had been immobilized by pressure points and burned with Fire Essence Stones.

In other words a murderer was deliberately burning vagrants to death.

Since Fire Essence Stones were stolen from Alliance branches around the same time the two incidents were likely closely related if not the work of the same person.

“Isn’t that a matter for the authorities?” At Yang Baekmun’s words Yuk Cheongah shook her head.

“If the thief who stole the Fire Essence Stones and the murderer burning vagrants are the same person we can’t simply leave it to the authorities.”

“Hmm.” Yang Baekmun let out a groan.

Regardless of other matters the thief who robbed the Alliance’s armories had to be caught. Not only did it damage the Alliance’s prestige but bold thieves might imitate similar crimes.

“This is troublesome.” Yang Baekmun rubbed his brow. “To think that elite Alliance warriors must go after a petty thief just because Fire Essence Stones were stolen from branch armories.”

The hall leaders nodded in agreement. It didn’t look good and investigating vagrants’ deaths brought neither profit nor fame.

“If it were the Flower-Harvesting Bandits that’d be different.”

The heinous acts of the Flower-Harvesting Bandits incited public outrage. Catching them would bring significant fame.

But catching a petty thief or an arsonist targeting vagrants? No one would care.

“Is there no hall willing to take on this case?” At Yuk Cheongah’s question silence filled the room.

Stepping up to catch a thief would only invite embarrassment.

“There’s a suitable candidate isn’t there?”

Pung Jungseon the Jeongil Hall Leader pointed at Bu Eunseol sitting in the corner.

“Wasn’t the Supreme Branch created to handle such matters? This seems like the perfect mission.”

The hall leaders chuckled and nodded.

“Perfect task for them.”

“It matches their founding purpose doesn’t it?”

Amid their mocking murmurs a low solemn voice rang out.

“Grandmaster of the Supreme Branch.” Yuk Jangcheon the Ascendant Martial Hall Leader spoke. “Will you take on the mission to find the culprit behind these thefts?”

“I will.” Bu Eunseol stepped forward without hesitation and the hall leaders’ mocking smiles deepened.

“A grandmaster no less jumping at a mission to catch a petty thief.”

“He must be desperate.”

Ignoring their whispers Yuk Jangcheon asked again.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Yuk Jangcheon nodded. 

“Then the Supreme Branch will handle this matter.”

The Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders concluded. 

Bu Eunseol rose from his seat only after all the hall leaders had left.

Step step.

As he calmly walked out of the Ascendant Martial Hall he saw two people standing side by side in front of the garden heads together.

It was Yuk Jangcheon and Yuk Cheongah.

“Well then.” Bu Eunseol gave a light bow and moved to leave.

“Don’t be too disappointed.” Yuk Jangcheon’s low voice rang in his ears. “There will be plenty of missions to earn great merits in the future.”

In truth such opportunities were hard to come by.

If a mission offered merit the hall leaders would never pass it to the Supreme Branch. But Yuk Jangcheon knew Bu Eunseol’s martial skills and intellect were considerable and believed he could become a great figure.

He spoke to encourage him hoping he wouldn’t be discouraged by the scorn and discrimination.

“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol sensing Yuk Jangcheon’s kindness smiled and clasped his hands again. “Well then.”

“Grandmaster Seon if you need any help please let me know.” Yuk Cheongah said her eyes sparkling like crescent moons. “Anytime.”

“Understood.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands lightly again and left the Ascendant Martial Hall.

‘Even if I handle this mission well they won’t easily give me the next one.’

The Supreme Branch was originally created to recruit Cheon Hwain with Gu Injeong at its core.

But the plan fell apart and the grandmaster position went to Bu Eunseol.

Naturally they had no intention of nurturing a martial artist from a merchant background unaffiliated with the Mount Hua Sect. From now on the missions assigned to the Supreme Branch would likely be mere errands.

“Is this the difference between the righteous and demonic paths?”

Unlike Majeon which valued strength and ability the righteous path heavily emphasized connections and affiliations.

In an organization like the Martial Alliance where factions pushed their own surviving on one’s own strength was impossible.

To rise?

He needed to forge connections to pull him up.

“Anytime.”

Bu Eunseol realized why Yuk Cheongah had spoken so confidently. As the youngest hall leader with Yuk Jangcheon as her strong backer and having spent her childhood in the Alliance she had considerable connections.

If he reached for her lifeline he could gain a foothold to rise in the Alliance.

Step step.

Leaving the Ascendant Martial Hall briskly Bu Eunseol headed toward the bamboo grove near the northern gate.

“The mission has been assigned.”

In the Supreme Branch’s meeting room Bu Eunseol gathered all the members and calmly explained the mission received at the Assembly of Leading Hall Leaders.

Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo’s faces darkened.

They too instantly grasped the situation facing the Supreme Branch and Bu Eunseol.

“If they’re assigning such missions it seems the leadership has no intention of keeping the Supreme Branch alive” Tae Muryong said frowning. “Even if we resolve this they’re likely to withhold future missions.”

His opinion aligned with Bu Eunseol’s.

Jeong Jongdo spoke in a subtle tone.

“In that case shouldn’t we approach Hall Leader Yuk?”

“Why would the grandmaster seek out Hall Leader Yuk?” Tae Muryong asked.

Jeong Jongdo sighed looking at Bu Eunseol. “Hall Leader Yuk is ambitious. She might be willing to nurture the grandmaster.”

Bu Eunseol pondered for a moment.

In truth the position of Alliance grandmaster was temporary for him. Wouldn’t it be a good choice to use Yuk Cheongah to secure proper missions and rise quickly?

“No that’s not the way.” After deep thought Bu Eunseol shook his head.

Relying on connections to raise his status wasn’t the answer.

To become a core force in any organization one’s abilities had to be widely recognized. Using Yuk Cheongah for a quick and easy path? She would likely use him in return.

It would be hard to refuse her demands and he could end up as her puppet.

“We just need to prove the Supreme Branch’s exceptional abilities over time” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Opportunities haven’t come yet. There’s no need to rush.”

His voice and gaze were gentle yet captivating. Having overcome countless obstacles leading the Death Death Shadow Corps he naturally exuded an aura that inspired awe.

“I’ll handle this matter personally in the martial world” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “As instructed use the Mankyeong Hall’s intelligence network to gather information and maintain a system for regular communication with me.”

The Mankyeong Hall was the Alliance’s top intelligence organization similar to Majeon’s Shadow Pavilion. Unlike the Shadow Pavilion which shared information only with select leaders the Mankyeong Hall provided information to any Alliance martial artist.

Of course the level of information accessible depended on one’s rank.

“From now on this branch will become an intelligence unit.”

Until now Bu Eunseol had trained the Supreme Branch not only in martial prowess but also in knowledge of the martial world’s affairs and techniques for selecting and refining information. The members had been puzzled but followed his orders diligently.

To think it was all to transform them into an intelligence unit?

“Are you sure about this?” Tae Muryong asked with a worried expression grasping Bu Eunseol’s intent. “The grandmaster will be out in the field while we stay here sorting information?”

“If martial force were needed the Alliance would have sent a sword unit” Bu Eunseol said his eyes gleaming with wisdom. 

“What the Alliance demands of this branch is to handle the martial world’s affairs. If I took all the members with me…” He paused his expression resolute. “We’d be seen as a useless branch dragging everyone along for trivial tasks wasting manpower.”

With a powerful yet calm voice he continued.

“But if we become an intelligence unit the story changes.” Taking a deep breath he looked at the members. “All members will work together to analyze and refine information from the Mankyeong Hall to resolve missions. If others witness this process no one will dare call the Supreme Branch useless.”

Silence filled the Supreme Branch’s meeting room as Bu Eunseol’s gentle yet powerful voice echoed again.

“In other words our branch will become something the Alliance has never had—a specialized intelligence agency for handling the martial world’s affairs.”

The members wore dazed expressions.

“An intelligence agency… I see.”

When the Beggars’ Sect sealed its gates the righteous factions including the Alliance lost a key intelligence organization. With a vacuum in intelligence the Alliance recruited many intelligence operatives to fill the gap.

But it wasn’t something that could be resolved quickly.

Bu Eunseol had devised a way for the Supreme Branch to survive in the brutal jungle of the Alliance where connections were everything.

“I see” Tae Muryong said as if waking from a dream. “The Supreme Branch was created not out of necessity but to handle matters that couldn’t be resolved with force.”

Jeong Jongdo nodded.

“The grandmaster intends to make the Supreme Branch a direct intelligence agency linking the Alliance and its grandmasters emphasizing that all members are doing valuable work while resolving missions quickly.”

Bu Eunseol smiled faintly as Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo fully grasped his intentions.

“Exactly.”

“If so is such rigorous training necessary?” Jeong Jongdo asked again.

Their training had been far harsher than that of a mere intelligence unit more akin to a martial force.

“Of course we’re an intelligence unit now. But if martial force is needed we must be ready to become a martial unit” Bu Eunseol said without hesitation. “Our branch must be versatile. To become an indispensable irreplaceable unit in the Alliance capable of surviving without connections.”

In the connection-driven Alliance Bu Eunseol was meticulously preparing to survive on skill alone.

Thump thump.

The members’ hearts raced.

Their blood surged and their hearts felt like they might burst.

“The grandmaster… is the real deal!”

They instinctively knew.

With Bu Eunseol’s abilities and intellect he would surely rise. The Supreme Branch wouldn’t just handle trivial martial world affairs…

It would become a force capable of reshaping the martial world’s dynamics.

“Can you do it?” 

At Bu Eunseol’s gentle question the members shouted in unison clasping their hands.

“We will follow your command!”

The Supreme Branch was now stretching its wings. From now on it had to leap high with all its might.