Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Translator: Penny
Joyanghyeon, Honyeon Faction.
Faction Leader Jang Hongsik sat across from his secret visitor.
"It seems you've finally made up your mind?"
"Not yet..."
"Not yet? While your Master withers away, unable to even take a sip of water, his disciple remains remarkably composed. Fresh clothes, a thorough wash—how leisurely."
Jang Hongsik grinned, his gaze sweeping over Sayo, the woman standing before him, as if examining her from head to toe.
He hadn't noticed when she was dressed in rags, but now that she'd shed her grime, she was quite a sight.
She exuded the ripe scent of a mature woman, her figure accentuated by the form-fitting clothes that clung to her, stirring impure thoughts.
"Since you're here, why not have a drink? I couldn't prepare any dog meat, though."
"Hmph, who knows what you might slip into the wine? I'll pass."
"Tsk, what a pity..."
Sayo's brow furrowed at the way Jang Hongsik leered at her, his gaze as sticky as a snake's, as he licked his lips.
Filthy bastard.
But she needed to remain calm. She hadn't come here to scold him for his lustful thoughts.
"So, if you have no intention of cooperating, why did you come?"
"Yeom Sangcheol and his fifty warriors have been annihilated."
"Damn it! Everyone knows that already!"
Irritated by her stating old news as if it were fresh information, Jang Hongsik slammed his emptied wine cup down roughly.
"The culprit was Zhuge Munho."
"Zhuge Munho? That whelp of a Deputy Branch Head?"
"Yes. I heard he suffered grievous wounds and is now hovering between life and death."
"Sounds like he crossed the Third Master. Bad luck for him. But what's the point of telling me this now? You want me to avenge him?"
"No, I came to warn you about something far more urgent."
"What is it?"
"The Yanghyeon Branch has mobilized."
"...?!"
Startled, Jang Hongsik instinctively shifted in his seat. Even the lust that had filled his eyes vanished.
"I haven't decided whether to cooperate yet, but I felt I had to inform you of their movements for my Master's safety."
"So, the Main Clan—the Zhuge Clan—has mobilized?"
"No, only the Yanghyeon Branch."
"Yanghyeon...?"
"I rushed here as soon as I saw them preparing to march. Excluding those killed in the previous attack, their forces consist of thirty martial artists from the Branch led by Zhuge Cheong, and twenty members of the Black Tiger Corps' Third Cohort sent as support from the Main Clan."
"A total of fifty?"
"And thirty Byeongju Hall Scholars are on their way. They should have crossed the mountain pass by now."
Despite Sayo's grave expression, Jang Hongsik, who had been staring intently at her, suddenly burst into laughter.
"Puh-huh-huh, hahahahahahaha!"
"..."
"Who's coming? Byeongju Hall Scholars? And not even the Main Clan?"
"That's right."
"This is absurd! Are you saying only the Branch is moving?"
"Their intent to retaliate for the attack seems unwavering."
"That Zhuge Cheong must have gone mad. Attacking the Honyeon Faction with just the Yanghyeon Branch? And bringing Scholars along? You're not hiding anything else, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare act recklessly when Master's life is at stake."
"Hmm..."
Jang Hongsik seemed skeptical for a moment, but his expression soon softened as he refilled his wine cup.
After all, she wouldn't lie about something like this. Is Zhuge Cheong insane? He intends to attack us with just the Branch's forces? He must have completely lost his mind.
"You're not planning to retaliate?"
"Retaliate? Why would I? If they insist on abandoning their safe haven for this perilous expedition, let them come."
Jang Hongsik smirked at Sayo's words.
Eighty men in total.
Thirty of them were said to be stuffy scholars who spent their days poring over books.
Well, they'll at least know the basics. But what use are scholars in fluttering robes, strutting with their arms swinging, when you put a sword in their hands?
"If you won't retaliate, you'll just watch them attack?"
"Of course."
"Why? Didn't your Sworn Brother die?"
"Tsk, tsk. The Beggar's Sect is even more foolish than I thought."
"..."
"Do you think attacking the Yanghyeon Branch is so easy?"
"What?"
"Yes, it's quite regrettable that I lost my Sworn Brother and fifty warriors. To die so foolishly at the hands of a mere whelp..."
"..."
"But attacking the Yanghyeon Branch isn't easy."
"What do you mean?"
"Those petty bastards have deployed Formations throughout the villages to compensate for their weak forces. The Zhuge Clan may be weak, but within their Formations, they wield tremendous power."
"So?"
"We'll just leave them be. If they're determined to find their own graves..."
A cruel smile spread across Jang Hongsik's lips as he spoke, as if imparting a lesson.
They crawled out themselves. These weaklings, powerless on the plains, and outnumbered to boot. Of course we'll leave them be. What if we act preemptively, and those cowards get scared and run away? We'd end up chasing after them like a dog chasing a chicken.
"Then you're not requesting support from elsewhere?"
"Support? You Beggar Disciple clearly doesn't understand the ways of the Heretical Factions. Do you really think anyone would come to our aid if we asked?"
"That's..."
"The Heretical Factions are no different from wolves. Our alliance isn't about helping anyone either."
"What do you mean?"
"If we had pushed harder, we could have taken Yeom Sangcheol's death as an opportunity to lead everyone and crush the Yanghyeon Branch. The Zhuge Clan would have been forced to deploy their main forces too."
"..."
"And then what? What do you think would have happened next?"
Sayo didn't answer, instead looking at Jang Hongsik with an expression that seemed to seek guidance.
Perhaps pleased by her gaze, Jang Hongsik continued.
"They would have fallen to someone else before the Zhuge Clan. That's how the Heretical Factions operate. They never let weakened prey escape."
"How could such a thing..."
"That's the nature of the Heretical Factions. You'd better learn it well if you plan to work with me."
Jang Hongsik continued arrogantly, as if he were already an ally of the Beggar's Sect.
"In situations like this, we need to lure them in deep enough to prevent escape. Once they're within striking distance, we'll crush them in a single blow."
"But there are eighty of them."
"Nonsense. Strip away the excess, and there's barely a handful left. The numbers are just for show."
"..."
"There's a saying: 'Threefold Advantage for the Attacker.' Why else would it exist if attacking an enemy formation didn't require three times their numbers? Besides, the closer they get, the more the advantage shifts to us."
"What's your plan after that? Once the Yanghyeon Branch falls, the Main Clan will surely intervene."
"Of course they will. They have to. They'll need to mobilize a considerable force. But that will be the moment the Zhuge Clan crumbles. Those who've been biding their time will swarm in from all sides like a swarm of bees, tearing them apart."
"Hmm..."
"Getting the picture now? All we have to do is wait. Watch the other clans clash with the Zhuge Clan... What choice do we have? I can't be the only one getting hurt. We move when everyone else is weakened."
"Impressive. You've thought this far ahead."
"Why? Has experiencing my strategy suddenly made you more inclined to cooperate?"
"To some extent..."
"That's fortunate."
Having received the answer he wanted, Jang Hongsik wore a satisfied expression.
But...
As expected of Zhuge. Even weakened, his cunning remains sharp. He couldn't possibly know that every word I've spoken is identical to what Mun Ilhwa had instructed. Nor could he realize that my preemptive visit to deliver information was merely part of their strategy. Wait? Go ahead and try. We'll soon see who dies.
But his patience was wearing thin.
That look again.
His gaze swept over her, igniting a surge of humiliation.
"Now that I've delivered the message, I'll take my leave."
"Already?"
"You'd be wise to spare my Master. If anything happens to him... I'll uncover every secret of yours and expose them to Zhuge and the neighboring Heretical Factions."
"A threat... But for now, let's just say you're staying a little longer."
"What?"
"Shouldn't you stay and watch? See how I annihilate those Yanghyeon Branch bastards."
"What...?"
Sayo's eyes widened as she tried to retreat, but Jang Hongsik moved far faster.
A martial artist at the peak of his power.
No matter how agile she was, the gap between them was too vast.
Thud!
The table, shoved by his foot, blocked her escape. Simultaneously, Jang Hongsik's hand closed the distance and pressed down on her pressure points.
Her body stiffened under his touch, sending shivers down her spine and a wave of humiliation washing over her.
"Y-you bastard! What are you doing?!"
"Your defiance only makes you more alluring... But don't worry. What use is a woman taken by force?"
"You..."
"Just watch from the sidelines. See how magnificent I am. And I'll wait. Wait for you to fall for me and come willingly into my arms. Heh heh heh."
Sayo gritted her teeth at the grotesque laughter, a twisted blend of sinister amusement and lewdness.
Was he mocking me? Because his hands were caressing my body? No. I can endure such indignities against a man who sought to sever my head. My only regret is my inability to return and report that our scheme is succeeding. Damn it... I thought I was entering a gambling den without any stakes. In the end, I had wagered my life.
"I'll let you stay by your Master's side for now. I've brought good news, so I should at least show you that courtesy. I'll bring you news of our victory soon."
Jang Hongsik grinned smugly.
Clang!...
The tolling of a bell echoed through the air.
"Heh heah heh... They've finally arrived."
Jang Hongsik flung the door open and strode out of the room, asking a nearby martial artist, "The Zhuge Clan?"
"Y-yes, sir."
"Puhahaha, they moved quickly. How far have they come?"
"Well... they've crossed the mountain ridge, but they stopped about halfway across the plains."
"Halfway across the plains?"
"Yes, sir. The vanguard seemed to be forming a formation, but the dust kicked up by the wind made it hard to see clearly."
"What? Hahahaha! These fools are playing so adorably. As expected of the Zhuge Clan. What difference does forming a formation make?"
It was clear they were shifting into an offensive formation.
But it was still too early.
The plains were far from the village. To lure them in completely and annihilate them, they needed to wait a little longer.
"Who's in charge?"
"The two Sworn Brothers are preparing for departure."
"Departure? What nonsense..."
"Sir?"
"Never mind. I'll go see for myself. Take this woman back to her Master and keep a close watch on her, even though I've struck her pressure points to prevent her escape."
"Understood."
Having entrusted Sayo to his subordinate, Jang Hongsik strode out of the manor, his mood visibly improved, and headed toward the outskirts of the village.
The warriors were in full war preparation, and dust billowed from the Zhuge Clan's formation, which had halted some distance away.
They were trying to conceal their numbers, unaware that the Beggar's Sect already knew everything.
"Faction Leader."
Armed sworn brothers approached.
Though Yeom Sangcheol's death had left a gap in their ranks, they remained steadfast and reliable brothers.
"What about them?"
"Through the telescope, we've confirmed that Zhuge Cheong and Jeokun are leading two separate groups."
"A two-pronged attack? Foolish bastards. They should be sticking together, not splitting up... Still, they probably had no other choice."
A clear sneer formed on Jang Hongsik's lips.
"Hoin."
"Yes, sir!" The Four Gale Protectors' Hoin responded forcefully.
"Though the odds are slim, guard the manor with fifty martial artists in case of an enemy raid."
"Understood."
"Byeongil."
"Yes, sir."
"Your opponent is Zhuge Cheong. Are you confident?"
"Just leave it to me. I'll bring back his head."
"Wang-i, your opponent is Jeokun. He's from the Main Clan, so he won't be easy to deal with."
"Don't worry! I won't be a pushover either."
"That's the spirit... Good. If they launch a two-pronged attack, we'll respond in kind. I'll watch from the rear, waiting to reinforce any weak points."
"Understood."
"We'll wait until they cross the plains. We can't risk them getting scared and fleeing prematurely."
"As you command."
The sun was beginning to set, casting a crimson glow across the plains.
It looked as if blood had already been spilled across the entire field.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny