Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Translator: Penny
Chapter 77
The messenger had never run so hard in recent memory.
Clutching the note delivered by the carrier pigeon, he sprinted toward the Main Hall, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His fierce momentum was almost threatening, causing startled guards to instinctively move to intercept him.
"Get out of the way! Urgent news! Urgent news!"
They recognized him.
He was a messenger from the Communication Office, known for his usual politeness.
How desperate must he be to speak so informally? What could the message possibly contain?
The guards swiftly swung open the doors to the Main Hall, where the retainers were in heated discussion.
Without pausing, the messenger darted through the crowd of retainers, arriving before the Patriarch in a single stride.
He bowed deeply, presenting the note with both hands, and shouted:
"Urgent message from the Yangbeon Branch! It concerns the Blood Shadow Pavilion."
"The Blood Shadow Pavilion?"
"It was personally written and sent by the Head of the Yangbeon Branch."
"Bring it here immediately!" Patriarch Zhuge Dowon gestured urgently.
The Yangbeon Branch bordered the Blood Shadow Pavilion's territory.
Having already received reports from the Beggar's Sect that the Namgung Clan was attacking the Blood Shadow Pavilion's subordinate factions and advancing north, they were on high alert.
Though only a few days had passed since Sayo's initial report, the Namgung Clan's movements were far swifter than anticipated.
Their northern advance had begun simultaneously with the initial assault.
Then came the deployment of support forces to Wuhan.
Caught completely off guard, the Blood Shadow Pavilion had lost thirty percent of its subordinate forces to the mere hundred-strong Azure Heaven Sword Corps, plunging Hubei Province into unexpected chaos.
"H-how could this happen?"
As Zhuge Dowon read the note, his face twisted visibly. His retainers, unable to contain their anxiety, pressed him for answers.
"What is it? Has something happened at the Blood Shadow Pavilion again?"
"The Blood Shadow Pavilion has declared their intent to surrender."
"What? Surrender?"
"Their envoy arrived at the Yangbeon Branch under a white flag, declared their intent to surrender, and immediately withdrew south across the border. A detailed report is being sent by messenger."
"But... how could this be?"
The retainers were stunned into silence, as if struck by a hammer blow to the head.
But soon, voices of protest erupted.
"Surrender under these circumstances?"
"We must not accept it!"
"Exactly! Those cowards, threatened by the Namgung Clan, are trying to drag us into their schemes!"
The Blood Shadow Pavilion's intent to pledge allegiance.
Under normal circumstances, this would have been readily accepted.
For the Zhuge Clan, it meant finally reclaiming territory lost long ago and securing a foothold for expansion southward.
But the Namgung Clan's advance complicated matters.
Accepting the Blood Shadow Pavilion now would inevitably draw them into battle, potentially escalating into a full-scale war with the Namgung Clan.
"You must refuse!"
"Absolutely!"
"Send a carrier pigeon to the Head of the Yangbeon Branch immediately to convey our decision!"
As the retainers' demands rained down, Zhuge Dowon's brow furrowed deeper.
The words were easy to say, but the note clearly stated:
"Acting on the recommendation of the Young Patriarch..."
What did this mean?
How could a Young Patriarch who hadn't even been appointed yet have appeared and made such a recommendation to the Blood Shadow Pavilion?
And then...
"Patriarch!"
Another messenger arrived.
He wore tattered clothes, patched together so many times they looked more like rags than garments.
This messenger had been sent by the Beggar's Sect, which had been ceded a portion of Yungjungsan.
"This note was delivered from Euisung, where the Blood Shadow Pavilion is located. It's from Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon."
"Munhyeon?"
"Yes."
At the Beggar's Sect messenger's words, the Patriarch and even Zhuge Doyun, Head of the Byeongju Hall, who happened to be nearby, perked up their ears.
A letter from his son, out of the blue?
Come to think of it, he hadn't been seen for the past few days.
But recently, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong had been traveling frequently under the guise of training, so no one had paid much attention.
It felt like he was controlling a grown man too much already.
Like a man frightened by a turtle who then jumps at the sight of a pot lid, the sudden arrival of the Blood Shadow Pavilion's carrier pigeon message filled him with unease.
Could this brat have caused another disaster...?
He glanced sideways and saw the Patriarch's tightly set lips twitch slightly upward into a faint, smug smile.
He seemed pleased... Damn it, his anxiety felt like it was about to become reality. Hadn't the Patriarch been practically ecstatic about whatever mischief his son had been up to lately?
"It seems we must accept the Blood Shadow Pavilion's request."
"What?!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"What exactly did Munhyeon convey?"
As the astonished retainers peppered him with questions, Zhuge Doyun stared at the Patriarch, praying it wasn't what he feared.
"It seems Munhyeon has mobilized the Blood Shadow Pavilion."
"Huh? M-Munhyeon...?"
"Moreover, the Namgung Clan appears to have already moved their forces northward. Even if we send orders to stop them now, it would be too late. If Munhyeon engages them in battle, it will be no different from the Zhuge Clan's direct intervention."
"Ah..."
Worry clouded the retainers' faces.
Some even cursed the reckless actions of their headstrong descendant.
But then,
"Listen up!"
"..."
"I know this situation is deeply troubling. However! I believe Munhyeon's decision serves the clan's best interests! I also believe it's meant to awaken us to our true purpose!"
"Awaken us? To what?"
"When Namgung's movements were first detected, we had already discussed the situation that would arise when they attacked the Heretical Factions of Hubei Province to expand their territory."
Zhuge Dowon's solemn voice resonated through the Main Hall, silencing the retainers who had been voicing their concerns in different ways. They leaned forward, listening intently.
Discussions about the future had been rife with conflicting opinions.
Ultimately, everyone knew they would be isolated due to the Namgung Clan's actions.
Yet no one dared suggest joining forces with the Heretical Factions to counter the impending crisis.
Oil and water.
Just as those two could never mix, the prevailing belief held that righteous and heretical paths were fundamentally incompatible.
They knew the answer but lacked the courage to act.
But... "does the moving sail unfurl to shield us from the wind?" The message contained nothing more, nothing less, than those exact words. It was a pointed remark. It echoed his earlier statement: "I will not be the sail, but the one who steers it."
The time had come to make a decisive move for the clan's advancement.
If he wished to become a great wind and blow in that direction, he must adjust the sails to catch the favorable breeze.
Moreover, it was a directive to persuade his retainers to embrace this vision.
"When I refused the Namgung Clan's visit, I made up my mind. I will no longer cling to the distinctions of political factions. Even if I become a target of public scorn and endure their curses, I will choose the path that strengthens and develops our clan so that our descendants can live with dignity. What do you think? Are you afraid of enduring criticism for the sake of our descendants?"
"Even if it's a temporary alliance, the Blood Shadow Pavilion has shown good faith by withdrawing their warriors from the border. We must reciprocate in kind! From this moment forward, the Zhuge Clan will enter a state of war and assist the Blood Shadow Pavilion!"
At the Patriarch's forceful declaration, the retainers offered no further objections. They dared not voice their dissent.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Now that the Patriarch had made his solemn decision, it was their duty to obey without question.
Even if this decision meant life or death for the clan, even if the fate of the entire family hung in the balance, a single word from him was enough.
"Give your command!"
The retainers bowed deeply and responded with fervent resolve. Zhuge Dowon swiftly issued his orders.
"Immediately summon all martial artists of the clan and summon the Leader of the Black Tiger Corps. I will personally deliver my orders. Also, instruct the Head of the External Hall to inform the Head of the Namjang Branch to focus all their efforts on the war against the Namgung Clan and to ensure the Demonic Shadow Lodge's defenses are fully reinforced."
"Understood."
"Order the Yanghyeon and Joyang Branches to immediately send all but a minimal number of martial artists to assist the Blood Shadow Pavilion."
"Yes!"
"The Communication Hall must collaborate with the Beggar's Sect to establish secure communication channels with the Blood Shadow Pavilion. These channels must be swift and reliable."
"We will comply."
"With minimal forces remaining at the Main Clan, the Byeongju Hall must re-evaluate the Eight Trigrams Formation and expedite preparations for its activation in case of emergency."
"..."
As soon as the Patriarch issued his commands, everyone responded immediately.
Zhuge Doyun, however, remained lost in thought, sighing deeply as if possessed.
"Head of the Byeongju Hall!"
"...Yes?"
"My words... sigh."
Zhuge Dowon frowned, then sighed and shook his head. He understood the Head of the Byeongju Hall's uncharacteristic behavior.
"Everyone, withdraw. I will send messengers with further instructions as needed."
"Yes, Patriarch!"
As the retainers departed, Zhuge Dowon approached Zhuge Doyun, who remained alone.
"Doyun-ah."
"...Yes."
"A letter from Munhyeon."
Zhuge Doyun took the letter and stared blankly at its contents.
Something about sails... Damn those sails. The Patriarch had been charmed again. Lately, that son of his had been manipulating the Patriarch like a puppet.
"That fellow seems to have no sense of propriety. He must have proposed such a solution because he knows our family's martial strength is lacking."
"But..."
"I understand your concern. But consider this: what else could have driven him to call himself the Young Patriarch to the Blood Shadow Pavilion?"
"Young Patriarch? Did he really say that?"
"Indeed."
"Unless he's gone mad, how could he impersonate the Young Patriarch?"
"Such stubbornness! I find his dedication to helping the family, even to the point of impersonating the Young Patriarch, truly admirable."
"Hah... If he keeps being so 'admirable,' he won't live to see another day. What exactly does he think he's accomplishing by impersonating someone to meet the Pavilion Master of the Blood Shadow Pavilion? Do you even know where that place is? What if those Heretical Faction bastards had ill intentions?"
"It must have been dangerous. But in the end, he persuaded them, didn't he?"
"..."
"Do you think I wouldn't worry? That child is like a son to me too. So you need to stay sharp. If we can stop the Namgung Clan, the Blood Shadow Pavilion won't be a problem."
"I understand. The Demonic Shadow Lodge won't last long either."
"Exactly. They can't stand against us now that we've taken the Blood Shadow Pavilion."
"But that's only if we stop the Namgung Clan. They have three hundred members in the Azure Heaven Sword Corps... And Pavilion Master Mok Jaun of the Warrior Corps rose through the ranks despite his humble origins. He'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
"Heh, you rascal. How can you, his father, have less faith in him than I, his paternal uncle?"
"..."
"He'll manage just fine, that boy."
Zhuge Dowon patted his shoulder reassuringly.
You only see the good in him. Only the good...
But how could a father's heart be so simple?
To trust him brought worry; to distrust him brought even more.
That damned fool. Once this is over, I'll break his legs with a willow switch if that's what it takes to keep him locked up at home. So please, just come back with legs intact—legs I can break myself.
Zhuge Doyun prayed for his son's safety throughout the ordeal.
As the vanguard of the Namgung Clan, leading the hundred members of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps, Solokpa's eyebrow twitched downward.
"What do you mean, they're gone?"
"That's right."
"Hmm..."
"It seems these cowards panicked and fled."
Solokpa stroked his sharply pointed beard, which resembled a pair of horns, at his subordinate's mocking tone.
After subduing the surrounding sects along the Muju Main Thoroughfare, they had swiftly advanced north, arriving at Jongsang, where the Blood Shadow Pavilion's main branch was located. There, they regrouped with other scattered assault teams.
Expecting a fierce battle, as this was the headquarters of the Blood Shadow Pavilion's main forces, not just a minor faction branch, they were surprised to find Jongsang County completely deserted.
An empty branch.
As his subordinate suggested, they might have panicked and fled. After all, the Heretical Factions were notorious for their lack of loyalty.
But what about all the abandoned supplies?
If they had panicked and scattered, they should have each grabbed some valuables. Yet it seemed they had fled with nothing but their lives.
Something was definitely off.
"Cheongjo."
"Yes, sir."
"Confirm their escape route."
"Understood."
Cheongjo sprinted off and returned with an answer in moments.
"Reporting! After surveying the area, we've found countless hoofprints and footprints heading north. Moreover, they're not scattered—they're clustered together."
Solokpa's eyes gleamed, and a cruel smile crept across his lips.
This wasn't a rout; it was a retreat.
They intended to preserve their numbers.
And that meant they had no other options.
"Anryuk County will likely be the same. Issue orders immediately and form a pursuit team at once. We must reduce their numbers as much as possible before the Pavilion Master arrives with reinforcements! Give chase!"
"Yes, sir!"
The warriors of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps surged northward again, their eyes burning with renewed fervor.
Roughly fifteen minutes.
A distance they could easily close.
📝 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