Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Translator: Penny
Chapter 75
Blood Shadow Pavilion Grand Hall
Oksayeong, along with the High Command, greeted the guests who had come from the Zhuge Clan.
After hastily arranging her robes and settling into her seat, she watched the men stride into the Main Hall.
There was no need to appear anxious, even if she harbored some hope that this meeting might help resolve the crisis caused by the Namgung Clan's attack.
However, the moment she saw the faces of the newcomers, her expression soured.
There were six of them.
The one leading the way, introduced as the Young Patriarch, was expected.
But the others... all children.
At most, they seemed to be young men barely past their coming-of-age ceremony.
Oksayeong had anticipated that even if the Young Patriarch didn't bring an Elder, he would at least bring a renowned warrior. She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.
"Welcome," she said, her voice cool.
"Thank you for granting me this meeting."
"Though we are enemies, we share Hubei. I couldn't turn you away at the door."
Oksayeong concealed her true feelings behind a practiced smile.
"But Young Patriarch? I'm so out of touch I didn't even send a congratulatory telegram."
"Well, that's..."
Because it's not true.
This was merely a title Zhuge Munhyeon had thrust upon him to open the Blood Shadow Pavilion's closed doors without causing a fuss.
But he had already taken the first step.
There was no need to show weakness before the enemy commander.
"I believe congratulatory telegrams are the least of our concerns right now."
"What do you mean?"
"The Namgung Clan attacked you, didn't they?"
"..."
"The Black Forest Gang, Poison Dragon Gang, White Night Hall, and even your Gyeongsan Branch in the south have all fallen."
Zhuge Munho's confident and precise assessment of the situation made Oksayeong's brow furrow.
It seemed the Zhuge Clan already knew.
"So? Did you come here to provoke me?" Oksayeong glared at Zhuge Munho with murderous intent, but he merely chuckled and continued speaking.
"Of course not. But given the urgency of the situation, wouldn't it be wise to calmly hear my explanation first? And perhaps you could drop this intimidating act? You might end up too intimidated to speak your mind properly."
At Zhuge Munho's sly smile, the corner of Oksayeong's eye twitched.
Damn bastard. Intimidated? His voice and demeanor were nothing but confident...
Yet she couldn't dismiss his words entirely. Judging by his manner, he seemed well-informed about the Namgung Clan's affairs.
"As expected of the Zhuge Clan's Young Patriarch. I see you in a new light. Remaining so composed even in enemy territory."
"Don't mention it... If you're going to move positions, you'll need to speak a lot. It would be wise to have a drink ready to soothe your throat."
Zhuge Munho couldn't help but force a bitter smile as Zhuge Munhyeon's Sound Transmission continued to echo in his ears.
Damn it, am I a parrot? If that's the case, why didn't you act as the Young Patriarch and speak yourself?!
Of course, he didn't realize that Zhuge Munhyeon had deliberately put him forward with the distant future in mind.
And Zhuge Munhyeon genuinely intended to install Zhuge Munho as the Young Patriarch.
Though his talent in martial arts was somewhat lacking, he worked harder than anyone else.
Ten years? Twenty? By then, he would undoubtedly reach the Aura realm. If not, Munhyeon would push him until he did. His strategic acumen was more than sufficient. After all, the Zhuge Clan was overflowing with brilliant minds; potential strategists were abundant. Yet, amidst this abundance, he had endured under my command without complaint—or rather, with only the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. This alone spoke volumes about his exceptional character. He would listen attentively to diverse perspectives and make sound judgments. If not him, who else should become the Young Patriarch? He was far better suited than my autocratic self.
Most importantly, if I were to become the Young Patriarch? War would erupt immediately. I wouldn't care whether my subordinates lived or died.
After a moment of contemplation, Oksayeong nodded with a resolute expression.
At this moment, no guest was more crucial than the Zhuge Clan.
They were her only lifeline.
Regardless of their reasons for coming, Oksayeong needed to steer the conversation in a way that would at least mobilize the forces stationed at the northern border.
"Very well. I'll do as you ask. I've kept my guests standing for too long."
"..."
"I must attend to the Zhuge Clan's guests for a while. Everyone, withdraw and maintain a state of high alert. Report any changes in the situation immediately."
After issuing these orders to the High Command, Oksayeong led the guests to the rear garden.
A solitary pavilion stood in the expansive garden, its ancient architecture exuding an air of antiquity. Perhaps fearing assassination, there were no rocks or trees nearby that could conceal an assassin.
"Now, speak. You seem to have brought the words I've been waiting to hear?"
"I'm not sure if this is what you want to hear, but my subordinate will continue the explanation."
"...?"
"He's well-versed in intelligence and strategy."
Zhuge Munho subtly stepped back, glancing sideways at Zhuge Junggi.
Zhuge Junggi's expression had been grim throughout.
And for good reason. He had briefly lost consciousness, only to awaken in the Beggar's Sect. After resisting, he had passed out again, waking up this time at the Blood Shadow Pavilion's main gate.
It felt like he had only blinked, yet the location had shifted rapidly, as if space itself had been folded.
What are you waiting for? She's waiting for you.
As Zhuge Junggi hesitated, Zhuge Munhyeon prodded him forward with the Silver River Staff, forcing him to step ahead of the group.
Ah, I can't believe these lunatics actually went through with it.
"Hmm, this young man seems quite capable. To be handling strategy and intelligence under the Young Patriarch, despite not even being of age yet..."
"..."
Zhuge Junggi, now the sole focus of Oksayeong's gaze, let out a deep sigh.
There's no way out of this now.
Though she tried to suppress it, Oksayeong's expression was brimming with curiosity.
More importantly, if he remained silent, who knew what Zhuge Munhyeon might do next?
He already knew the situation.
He had heard everything while briefly regaining consciousness at the Beggar's Sect.
"Haa... Let me first explain the Blood Shadow Pavilion's current situation."
"..."
"The Namgung Clan's Azure Heaven Sword Corps, numbering one hundred, has divided into four groups of twenty-five each. They are advancing north through the Muju Main Thoroughfare, the Muan Main Thoroughfare, Jamgang, and Hancheon Valley. By now, they must be much further north than we initially estimated... Hmm, could I see a map?"
The words had barely left his lips when Oksayeong urgently ordered a map of the region, centered on the Blood Shadow Pavilion, to be brought forth.
Damn it, Zhuge Junggi's predictions had been spot-on. Though the map also included the Blood Shadow Pavilion's organizational chart—information that should never fall into the Zhuge Clan's hands—what was there to hesitate about when they already knew the Namgung Clan's every move?
"As you can see from their movements, they initially appear to be launching simultaneous, scattered attacks. But in reality, they're converging into a wedge formation. The four groups will soon merge into two, and judging by their trajectories, they'll likely strike the Jongsang and Anryuk branches next. Once those are taken, what's left? The Blood Shadow Pavilion's main stronghold, right here."
"...!"
As Zhuge Junggi explained, pointing to the battle map, Oksayeong's eyes widened in realization.
If Jongsang and Anryuk fell, the path would be clear. The Namgung Clan, having pierced through the center like a wedge, could reach the Blood Shadow Pavilion in half a day.
"Considering the strength of the Namgung Clan Vanguard currently attacking, they likely suffered minimal losses during their northward advance. Each branch will face attacks from Warrior Corps of approximately fifty warriors... Can we defend them?"
Oksayeong bit her lip, unable to answer.
"Moreover, after the two branches fall, they'll immediately advance on our main formation. Even if some are killed or wounded, the Namgung Clan's losses won't exceed thirty."
"Hmm..."
"However, their support corps has already arrived in Wuhan."
"S-support corps?"
"Yes. The additional warriors number approximately two hundred, bringing the total deployed in the Honam region to over three hundred. That's half the strength of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps."
Three hundred? And not just nameless grunts, but the Azure Heaven Sword Corps—the Namgung Clan's elite force. Even their lowest-ranking warriors were at the Profound Mechanism Tier...
"Furthermore, their leader is Mok Jaun, the Pavilion Master of the Warrior Corps of the Namgung Clan, a Transcendent Peak martial artist known as the 'Moon Sword' in Anhui. And leading the vanguard currently attacking the Blood Shadow Pavilion's branches and factions is Solokpa, Vice Commander of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps, another Transcendent Peak martial artist."
"..."
"But what about the Blood Shadow Pavilion? Most of our forces are deployed north to contain the Zhuge Clan, while a portion remains west, guarding the border with the Demonic Shadow Lodge."
Zhuge Junggi explained, tracing his finger across the map.
He was right.
The Blood Shadow Pavilion's forces were concentrated in the north and west.
There had been no significant threat from the south, and they had never imagined the Namgung Clan would launch an attack.
"Then let me ask again. In the current situation, does the Blood Shadow Pavilion have a strategy to stop the Azure Heaven Sword Corps' three hundred warriors?"
"..."
Oksayeong pressed her lips into a tight line, her face twisting into a grimace at Zhuge Junggi's words.
Throughout the exchange, his gaze and expression remained unwavering, betraying no emotion.
He must be speaking purely from objective facts, setting aside any personal bias. When did the Zhuge Clan acquire such intelligence capabilities...? It made no sense. All they had done was annihilate the Joyang County Honyeon Faction and open the eastern route. How could these people, who had been blocked by the Blood Shadow Pavilion and Demonic Shadow Lodge in the south and west for so long, be so well-informed about the situation in the southern regions?
"So, what's your point?"
"You already know, don't you?"
"..."
"Without mobilizing the northern forces, we can never repel the Namgung Clan's attack."
"Who doesn't know that?!"
She roared, her voice cracking with fury.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, forced to wait with her neck outstretched for the executioner's blade, she unconsciously unleashed her Internal Energy, sending a violent wave of qi surging outward.
CRASH!
The palm strike shattered the wine table, smashing bottles and scattering dishes.
The pavilion's pillars and wooden floor cracked and splintered.
Yet...
"Geez, why are you getting so worked up for no reason? What if someone got hurt?"
"...?"
Another youthful face.
Zhuge Munhyeon, blocking Zhuge Junggi's path, scowled and grumbled.
Oksayeong, who had momentarily lost her composure in anger, suddenly snapped back to her senses. It had been a mistake born of frustration. But then, a strange realization struck her.
Oksayeong was a master of Intent Qi.
The Qi blast she had unleashed was so ferocious that it shattered the banquet table into splinters and cracked the pavilion's pillars. Yet the members of the Zhuge Clan remained completely unharmed.
Only a few strands of hair and the edges of their robes had been slightly ruffled.
That was all.
They hadn't even blocked the attack.
If they had, there would have been injuries on their bodies.
Could it be... that they had enveloped the entire space with their Internal Power and deflected the blast? Impossible. To achieve such a feat, they would need to possess Internal Power far superior to her own. Could this young whelp before her truly possess such formidable Internal Energy?
"Hey, instead of just staring, why don't you start cleaning up around here? You're making my murderous intent rise for no reason."
"Ah..."
At Zhuge Munhyeon's words, Oksayeong finally looked around.
The warriors guarding the perimeter had drawn closer, reacting to her anger. They looked ready to draw their swords and attack the Zhuge Clan members at any moment.
"Fall back."
"...Yes."
After dismissing the warriors, Oksayeong let out a deep sigh to calm her internal energy and apologized.
"I'm sorry. Since you know everything, I won't hide it. I'm not in a position to act so composed..."
"..."
"You're right. Unless we withdraw our warriors from the northern and western borders, we won't be able to stop the Namgung Clan. Even if we do withdraw, it's uncertain whether we can hold them back."
A deep furrow creased Oksayeong's brow.
If they concentrated their forces to face the Namgung Clan, the Zhuge Clan and Demonic Shadow Lodge would immediately attack. In the end, they would crumble without accomplishing anything.
But then, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and turned to Oksayeong.
"But what if we formed an alliance with the Zhuge Clan?"
"What?"
"Withdraw your warriors from the north. Until then, we'll block the Namgung Clan's advance."
"W-what are you saying?"
"On one condition: swear allegiance to the Zhuge Clan as a subordinate force, starting now."
📝 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