Chapter 361

Chapter 361: Truth (1)

Seo Wan-pyeong’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment at Il-mok’s revelation.

“A strategy to completely wipe out the murim? What exactly does that imply?”

In response, Il-mok methodically explained his deduction.

“The court’s true motive in attempting to grasp authority over both our Divine Cult and the Martial Alliance simultaneously was never to integrate them under the crown. It is quite the opposite. They intend to force us into a war of mutual destruction.”

Even with only that rough sketch of the situation, Seo Wan-pyeong instantly comprehended the underlying plot.

“That actually makes perfect sense. Neither our people nor those sanctimonious moralists in the Central Plains would ever willingly submit to become hounds for the Imperial Family, so their overarching scheme from the very start was simply to let us tear each other to pieces.”

“Precisely. Our Divine Cult and the Orthodox Faction have been locked in a bitter feud for decades. The sole reason a catastrophic war has not already engulfed us is that Master chose to focus on maintaining the Cult’s domestic stability rather than launching a campaign.”

The legendary figure who had single-handedly raised the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult from the ashes of a decades-long era of ruin was none other than the previous Heavenly Demon, Hyeokryeon Il-hwi.

For more than half a century, he had suppressed internal friction and brought order to the Cult from within, ensuring that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was currently experiencing an era of unprecedented prosperity.

Even if one disregarded the numerous sophisticated organizational frameworks Il-mok had established, this era of prosperity was glaringly obvious when evaluating their raw military capability.

Despite being a singular entity, the Cult commanded nearly ten peerless warriors who had attained the exalted Realm of Truth. And that tally was calculated even after accounting for the past Chief Elder Deung Bi and the three martial masters who had perished during the failed attempt on Il-mok’s life.

Had a ruler of Hyeokryeon Il-hwi’s immense vision and capability never risen to lead, the Divine Cult would have been bled dry by relentless internal wars of succession. Furthermore, had a more aggressive, war-mongering Heavenly Demon claimed the throne instead, countless brilliant martial geniuses would have fallen in battle before ever realizing their true potential in conflicts aimed at conquering the Central Plains.

Just as the Hidden Guard Pavilion Lord had once observed to Hyeokryeon Il-hwi, the master he served was a leader who had painstakingly tilled a rich and fertile soil, allowing Il-mok to safely plant the seeds for generations to come.

“Those Orthodox hypocrites were never keen on starting a conflict in the Western Regions because there was no wealth or land worth plundering. However, if the supreme authorities of both factions had desired blood, a total war would have erupted in an instant.”

“You are correct, Third Brother. Their design was clearly to employ barbarians to subdue barbarians, anticipating that both sides would utterly ruin one another so the Imperial Family could step in at the final hour to claim an effortless victory.”

Seo Wan-pyeong nodded grimly as he processed Il-mok’s deduction.

“In that case, we cannot afford to sit idly by. I must depart and convey this critical intelligence to Eldest Brother without delay.”

He scrambled to stand up in frantic haste, but Il-mok firmly held him back.

“We can easily dispatch another messenger to deliver the document to headquarters. For now, your sole priority must be your own physical recovery.”

“But…”

“Third Brother, no single person can achieve monumental goals completely on their own. You must discover how to place your faith in others. Fortunately, our Cult possesses no shortage of comrades who are entirely worthy of that faith.”

Seo Wan-pyeong stared back at him, profound panic and distress clearly visible across his features. Even though Seo Wan-pyeong appeared to be on the very precipice of a dangerous Qi Deviation, Il-mok simply returned his desperate gaze with absolute calmness and composure.

“Heup. Haaa.”

By the time Seo Wan-pyeong managed to master his frantic emotions, his countenance appeared markedly relieved.

“You speak the truth. It is far wiser to rest and mend than to recklessly push myself until my body fails, making me nothing but an impediment to the Cult.”

“I am pleased to hear you say that, Third Brother.”

Il-mok immediately commanded the attendants to bring him writing tools and parchment, and subsequently began composing the missive destined for the central stronghold.

Meanwhile, Seo Wan-pyeong adjusted himself on the bedding into a cross-legged position, entering a deep state of internal cultivation to repair his damaged meridians.

An endless stream of reflections drifted through his consciousness as he descended further into his trance.

Recollections that had become obscured while he was driven solely by the desperate urgency to reach the Cult began to reappear with clarity.

The memory of fleeing from that formidable Eastern Depot officer known as the Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch. The memory of frantically evading the relentless Eastern Depot trackers who took up the hunt once the Grand Eunuch was incapacitated by a severe leg wound. And tracing back even further, that terrifying, near-fatal confrontation with the Alliance Leader.

‘Why am I so utterly powerless?’

A dark gloom settled over Seo Wan-pyeong’s mind as the memory of his pathetic showing in that engagement washed over him.

‘Because of my inadequacy, the Pavilion Lord…’

The vicious Heart Demon that he had temporarily suppressed through sheer determination and a sense of obligation surged forward once more to torment him.

If he had only maintained his composure a little better, the Dark Shadow Pavilion Lord would not have met such an empty and tragic end.

That agonizing thought vibrated continuously within his mind like an unending cycle.

Seo Wan-pyeong had always considered that he possessed three true mentors over the course of his existence.

The first was Hyeokryeon Il-hwi, the Heavenly Demon who had bestowed upon him his martial foundation, spiritual principles, and a vast expanse of wisdom that reached far beyond combat.

The second was his youngest brother, who had meticulously reconstructed his shattered self-worth and inner resolve.

And the third was the Dark Shadow Pavilion Lord, who had guided him through the dangerous complexities of intelligence gathering and provided him with invaluable techniques for survival.

He had never spoken this truth aloud, as it was considered improper to claim allegiance to multiple masters. Yet within his soul, he had always revered those three figures as his true teachers and greatest protectors.

And now, one of those precious figures had perished as a direct consequence of his shortcomings.

Just as he was about to surrender entirely to that overwhelming sorrow and self-condemnation, a familiar voice shattered his dark thoughts.

—Banish these pointless regrets and concentrate entirely on the ultimate salvation of the Divine Cult! If my demise serves the greater purpose of the Divine Cult, it is a sacrifice I shall never regret!

It was the final telepathic directive the Dark Shadow Pavilion Lord had transmitted to him in his final moments. Those words forcefully yanked Seo Wan-pyeong back from the abyss of self-destructive guilt.

A sudden realization struck him.

The Dark Shadow Pavilion Lord was not a man who would have ever harbored resentment toward him for how things unfolded.

—Thank you, Vice Pavilion Lord.

If anything, his mentor would have praised him for ensuring the survival of the intelligence.

Yet even if the Pavilion Lord had absolved him of blame, his internal remorse did not simply vanish.

‘If only I possessed the overwhelming strength of Master or Eldest Brother… or even the brilliance of Il-mok…’

Perhaps because Il-mok occupied his reflections, the profound statement his youngest brother had uttered moments prior reechoed through the turbulent ocean of his mind.

—Third Brother, no single person can achieve monumental goals completely on their own.

Il-mok had offered those words to encourage him to rely on his allies, but Seo Wan-pyeong interpreted the meaning through a completely different lens.

Even his incomparably brilliant youngest brother faced limitations that he could not overcome by himself.

If that was the case, would it not be a worthy destiny for Seo Wan-pyeong to commit his entire existence to shielding Il-mok from the darkness, managing the covert perils that his youngest brother could not confront alone?

Ultimately, the realm did not require every individual to be an invincible entity like Master, a transcendent strategist like Il-mok, or an inspiring ruler like Eldest Brother.

‘Ahh… now I understand.’

From the moment they first crossed paths to their conversation today, Il-mok had always spoken an absolute truth regarding his nature.

That regardless of what Il-mok achieved, operating within the darkness in the precise manner Seo Wan-pyeong did was something the youngest brother could never duplicate.

He might lack the flawless perfection of their Master.

He certainly did not command the natural authority to lead legions like their Eldest Brother.

He was undoubtedly not blessed with the breathtaking genius of his youngest brother.

Yet Seo Wan-pyeong finally recognized that he, too, possessed a distinct calling and a specialized capability.

‘I only need to fulfill my own role perfectly. There was never any reason to torture myself for failing to match the specific gifts of others.’

The instant that epiphany settled within his spirit, the self-pity and apprehension that had chronically burdened him dissipated entirely, and the chaotic tangle of thoughts clouding his consciousness dissolved like frost beneath a brilliant sun.

What remained was an absolute clarity regarding his own essence. A clear understanding of the specific strengths he commanded, and the most effective way to deploy them for the cause.

As Seo Wan-pyeong immersed himself completely in that profound self-realization, a physical transformation gripped his frame.

While Seo Wan-pyeong remained detached from the physical world deep within his inner consciousness, his muscles and bone structure shifted and reshaped themselves into the absolute pinnacle form required for his martial arts. The deeply embedded toxins and impurities within his physical vessel were violently expelled through his spiritual points by the explosive, roaring energy of the Shadowless Fourteen Moves.

Following an extended period of profound stillness, Seo Wan-pyeong unsealed his eyes.

Flash.

The very first sight to greet him was the warm, encouraging smile of his youngest brother.

“My sincerest congratulations on your ascension to a higher boundary, Third Brother.”

Only in that precise instant did Seo Wan-pyeong truly comprehend what had occurred.

He had broken through to the realm of Transcendence, successfully experiencing a total purification and reconstruction of both his physical form and his inner spirit.

“Hahaha. This outcome is entirely a result of your guidance.”

While Il-mok stood before him displaying genuine bewilderment at the praise, Seo Wan-pyeong addressed him once more with absolute clarity.

“Youngest.”

“Yes, Third Brother?”

“Did you not mention just a short while ago that I must learn to place my trust in other people?”

Il-mok replied with a slightly embarrassed smile.

“I did indeed.”

Seo Wan-pyeong was completely oblivious to the passage of time, but a half-day had already elapsed since they had engaged in that initial conversation.

“You may delegate whatever duties you wish to this older brother of yours, and you may command our comrades in whatever fashion you deem necessary. However, there is a singular matter you must comprehend, a specific task that I absolutely insist on executing with my own hands.”

“And what task might that be?”

Seo Wan-pyeong responded, his features hardening into an expression of unyielding determination.

“That vile Eastern Depot operative known as the Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch, the monster who slaughtered the Pavilion Lord. Ending his life is my responsibility, and mine alone.”

A collection of days prior, roughly coinciding with the exact period when Seo Wan-pyeong was desperately evading the relentless pursuit of the Eastern Depot’s tracking hounds and navigating his path toward Lanzhou.

The individual recognized as the Grand Eunuch was situated deep within the grand halls of the Imperial Palace, bowing prostrate upon the ground before a venerable elder.

The grievous blade wound scoring his thigh remained far from mended, and the bandages bound tightly around the injury were once again heavily saturated with crimson fluid. The intense agony ought to have been more than enough to distort his features in pain, yet the man known as the Grand Eunuch remained entirely motionless against the floorboards, refusing to risk even the slightest twitch.

The absolute dread he harbored toward the ancient figure looming above him completely overshadowed the agonizing fire burning in his limb.

This terror did not emerge merely because the elder held the title of supreme leader over every eunuch within the grand court.

It arose because even a terrifying combatant who had mastered the profound mysteries of the Realm of Truth like the Grand Eunuch would fail to survive even three exchanges of blows against that ancient master.

“I see. So your report indicates you were caught off guard while attempting to intercept the missive from Agent Number One?”

“Yes, my liege. We fell victim to a sudden assault launched by the Demonic Cult’s Dark Shadow Pavilion Lord alongside the previous Heavenly Demon’s Third Disciple, Seo Wan-pyeong. I succeeded in terminating the Pavilion Lord, but while he obstructed my movements by completely exhausting his remaining Innate Life Force to his death, Seo Wan-pyeong seized the document and fled the area.”

Attending to the testimony, the ancient elder glared down at the kneeling officer with absolute coldness in his eyes.

“Hmm. Even granting that the Pavilion Lord was burning his very Innate Life Force to the point of expiration, I find it exceedingly difficult to credit that a dying warrior could maim your leg so severely, Grand Eunuch.”

The Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch, who held the lofty position of Director of the Eastern Depot, swallowed heavily against a dry throat and hoarsely requested his own execution through tightly clenched teeth.

“Supreme Eunuch, I beg you to grant me death!”

The Supreme Eunuch made a sharp sound of disapproval with his tongue and answered.

“Tsk. You remain a dedicated servant to the Son of Heaven. How could I possibly justify taking your life based solely on my personal displeasure?”

The Grand Eunuch silently suppressed an intense wave of relief within his chest.

The Supreme Eunuch was universally recognized as the absolute ultimate power in the realm, situated immediately beneath the Emperor himself. He might offer superficial deferential words regarding the Emperor’s supremacy, but it remained an undisputed secret that absolute authority over the survival or execution of every eunuch inside the palace walls resided solely within the Supreme Eunuch’s grasp.

“Nonetheless, this marks your second significant failure. Whether His Majesty the Emperor will extend his clemency a third time…”

The implication was unmistakable: he would grant a reprieve for this specific failure. However, this represented the absolute final opportunity to redeem himself.

“I am profoundly humbled by His Majesty the Emperor’s immense mercy! May the Emperor live for ten thousand years! Long live the Emperor!”

The Grand Eunuch bowed his forehead repeatedly to the stone before the Supreme Eunuch, loudly proclaiming his eternal allegiance to the crown, while internally he ground his teeth in a fury.

‘I shall utterly butcher every remaining dog belonging to that miserable Dark Shadow Pavilion!’

The Supreme Eunuch could discern with perfect clarity the vengeful thoughts circulating within Byeongpil’s mind, yet he merely observed him impassively for a brief moment before shifting his focus toward an immense desk positioned nearby.

Unrolled across the surface of the desk was an extraordinarily comprehensive, precise map outlining the entirety of the Central Plains and its neighboring peripheral domains.

The Grand Eunuch fixed his gaze upon the map, letting his analytical thoughts take form.

‘For Agent Number One to actively break protocol and dispatch an urgent message during a crisis of this magnitude…’

Inevitably, it signified an urgent appeal for some manner of external reinforcement.

Yet what specific variety of reinforcement could Agent Number One possibly require under the current circumstances?

Weighing and comparing all the disparate strands of intelligence compiled by the Eastern Depot alongside the records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Supreme Eunuch carefully parsed the current volatile political matrix of the Central Plains and formulated the logical conclusion.

‘Agent Number One and his immediate subordinate, Agent Number Two, are far from stupid. They are well aware that they cannot request the Imperial Family to overtly command military legions to eradicate the Maitreya Luminous Cult.’

Operating through covert schemes remained entirely feasible, just as they had previously accomplished when they assumed the false identity of the Blood Cult to execute widespread slaughters, but the current operational landscape was entirely different.

The targets they had annihilated while masquerading as the Blood Cult were merely defenseless commoners and fragile martial artists belonging to insignificant, minor sects.

The Maitreya Luminous Cult, by stark contrast, commanded a level of martial power so formidable that completely masking the crown’s direct participation would be an absolute impossibility.

In that case, what specific action could be taken that would remain entirely free from exposing their true involvement?

A solution materialized within the Supreme Eunuch’s thoughts after a brief calculation.

He had previously acquired clandestine reports demonstrating that the Martial Alliance had recently been dispatching intelligence scouts toward the northern borders to gather data on the Maitreya Luminous Cult, though their endeavors had yielded virtually no meaningful results.

‘We must dispatch a covert asset to the northern region.’

Having reached that firm determination, the Supreme Eunuch shifted his eyes back down toward the still prostrate Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch.

Not only had the Grand Eunuch botched his assignments on two critical occasions and thoroughly exhausted his superior’s confidence, but with his lower limb compromised in such a manner, the probability of him executing a delicate operation successfully was virtually nonexistent.

Yet the Supreme Eunuch experienced no genuine anxiety regarding this complication.

He still commanded an abundance of alternative assets across the grand chessboard, ready to immediately substitute for an incapacitated hound.