Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: A Suspicious Assignment
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At Bu Eun-seol's words, Yu Un-ryong's gaze turned cold.
“Did you run a background check on me?”
“It was hardly a background check. It seems the Ma-jeon keeps separate records on the Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
Bu Eun-seol pushed forward a book that was on the table.
Yu Un-ryong hurriedly picked it up.
It contained detailed information about his origins and his family's situation.
It even included the reason why he, a descendant of a prestigious family who lacked for nothing, had chosen to become one of the Sip-ma-jeon-in.
“Why do you have this?”
“Because you have now officially become a squad leader of the Sa-yeong-dae, receiving a Ma-jeon stipend, and I am your direct superior.”
The tension in Yu Un-ryong's face eased slightly.
It was only natural for a superior to be provided with information about their subordinates.
*Thud.*
Yu Un-ryong set the book down and spoke coldly.
“So?”
“You will be excluded from this Hainan expedition.”
At the unexpected order, Yu Un-ryong knitted his brow.
“Are you saying you don’t need my strength?”
“Not at all.”
Bu Eun-seol said with an exceptionally grave expression.
“This time, your strength is absolutely essential.”
Yu Un-ryong scowled.
Bu Eun-seol’s way of speaking was generally to state the important part first and explain the reason later.
It wasn't a bad method for keeping one focused on the conversation, but Yu Un-ryong found it suffocatingly frustrating.
“The lives of everyone, including myself, Myo Cheon-u, and all the Sa-yeong-dae members, may be on the line.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly continued his explanation.
And Yu Un-ryong listened in silence, his expression exceptionally serious.
***
Wuzhi Mountain, Hainan Island.
Though called a mountain, it was actually closer to a mountain range formed by several connected peaks.
Furthermore, the area was dotted with numerous caves, where cave-dwelling people of Miao descent had formed villages.
Life in a cave might seem impoverished, but it was surprisingly comfortable. Large caves were cool in the summer and provided solid protection from the cold in winter.
*Whoosh.*
A dry, cutting wind swept across the mountainside.
The villages of Wuzhi Mountain, usually steeped in a peaceful atmosphere, were now filled with an unprecedented tension.
This was because dozens of martial artists had poured in since the crack of dawn, searching the villages with fire in their eyes.
They were all clad in black martial arts uniforms, their gazes sharp and their movements swift.
They were the Jeolmyeong-dae, a second-class unit of the Ma-jeon.
“They don’t seem to be here.”
Just as Gok Jin-dong, the Commander of the Jeolmyeong-dae, shook his head and prepared to leave,
*Rustle, rustle.*
Another group of about thirty martial artists was making their way up the mountain path.
They were all dressed in white, and the tassels on the swords at their waists were dyed blue.
They were the Jeonggeom-dae, one of the Murim Alliance’s second-class sword units.
The villagers grew terrified as the units from the Ma-jeon and the Murim Alliance faced each other.
The standoff that had begun a month ago was still ongoing. Moreover, the conflict between the two powers had grown over time, reaching a point where it was a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest touch.
The villagers knew all too well what happened when these two forces clashed.
*Schwing!*
The members of the Jeolmyeong-dae, who had been searching the village, immediately drew their swords upon seeing the Jeonggeom-dae.
“Get lost. You unlucky bastards.”
Gok Jin-dong sneered at the Jeonggeom-dae.
“Coming here in a pack like hyenas, all based on intel our Ma-jeon acquired.”
At that, Gwak Rip, the Commander of the Jeonggeom-dae, smiled coldly.
“Since when does the order of receiving intel matter so much in the Murim?”
“What did you say?”
“Even if we got the information late, as long as the outcome is good, isn't that what counts?”
“Ridiculous.”
Gok Jin-dong spoke with a ruthless gaze that seemed to radiate coldness.
“Are you trying to play word games with me right now?”
“What, are you suggesting we have a go at it?”
“Have a go? I’m saying I’ll just wipe you all out.”
At Gok Jin-dong’s provocation, the smile on Gwak Rip’s lips widened.
“But did you get approval for that? If you act so presumptuously, won't your superiors have to take all the blame?”
“Can’t I just kill you all and bury the evidence?”
“Oh, that sounds fun. An excellent method indeed.”
As Gwak Rip raised his hand, the members of the Jeonggeom-dae also drew their swords.
*Shing.*
Just as the two units were about to engage in battle,
*Whoosh, whoosh.*
With a sound of tearing air, dozens of martial artists descended from the sky.
There were about fifty of them. They wore the martial uniforms of the Ma-jeon, and at their head stood a handsome young man.
It was Bu Eun-seol and the members of the Sa-yeong-dae.
“The Jeolmyeong-dae.”
As Bu Eun-seol recognized Gok Jin-dong and muttered, Myo Cheon-u, who was beside him, said.
“Those over there look like they’re from the Murim Alliance, don’t they?”
In that moment, Gwak Rip became extremely tense.
‘Was this a trap?’
The number of warriors who had suddenly appeared was at least fifty.
If they were to surround and attack his men, it would mean the annihilation of his entire force.
‘Damn it! No wonder he was so bold in picking a fight.’
Just as a tense Gwak Rip reached for the signal flare at his waist,
“Clear a path.”
Bu Eun-seol commanded his members.
“Let them pass.”
“Wait! What are you talking about!”
Gok Jin-dong shouted in protest.
“Are you saying you’re just going to let those Murim Alliance bastards go?”
“We didn’t come here to fight them, did we?”
“What?”
“Are you going to take full responsibility for this matter?”
As Bu Eun-seol even spoke down to him, Gok Jin-dong jumped in agitation.
“Responsibility? You must be insane. Who do you think you’re—.”
At that moment, Jo Nam-cheon stepped forward with a sigh.
“Commander Gok. The Sa-yeong-dae is here in the capacity of a first-class unit.”
“What did you say?”
“Can’t you see the epaulet on our Commander’s shoulder?”
Only then did Gok Jin-dong notice the Roc epaulet on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder and his eyes widened.
When had the Sa-yeong-dae become a first-class unit?
As he stood there, mouth agape and at a loss for words,
“You may go.”
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand at Gwak Rip and the Jeonggeom-dae.
Gwak Rip couldn't understand Bu Eun-seol’s attitude.
But seeing no hostility in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, he respectfully clasped his hands.
“Well then.”
Once Gwak Rip and the Jeonggeom-dae had left, Bu Eun-seol looked at Gok Jin-dong and said.
“Where is the Commander of the Cheonsal-dae?”
Gok Jin-dong’s eyes widened.
The fact that the Cheonsal-dae Commander was here, commanding all the units, was a top-secret matter.
‘Does that mean the newly reinforced first-class unit is… the Sa-yeong-dae?’
He felt like crying. The Sa-yeong-dae, filled with members from the Mubon-dae he had always ignored and ridiculed, was now a first-class unit?
Moreover, wasn't Bu Eun-seol himself a parachute appointment who had obtained his Commander position as a candidate for the Ma-jeon's succession?
“I asked where he is.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Gok Jin-dong finally snapped back to his senses and answered.
“He’s… he’s near Cheongryu-dong.”
“Lead the way.”
“I… I will.”
Passing through a valley with a coolly cascading waterfall, an area of folded rock layers, appearing like layered wrinkles, came into view.
After heading further inside, a wide, open space appeared in front of a massive cave.
The area was densely packed with temporary barracks made of tents and wood.
Gok Jin-dong pointed to a barracks in the center.
“The Cheonsal-dae Commander is in there.”
The Cheonsal-dae.
It could truly be called a unit that symbolized the Ma-jeon.
While the Amcheon-dae and Myeol-hon-dae primarily handled unofficial missions, the Cheonsal-dae was mainly responsible for missions conducted in the open.
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Inside that tent was the Commander who led the Cheonsal-dae, the top unit of the Ma-jeon.
“Hmph.”
Letting out a low grunt, Bu Eun-seol entered the barracks without hesitation.
Unlike the cool air outside, a heavy, leaden atmosphere flowed within the barracks.
The interior was quite spacious, with a long, rectangular table placed in the center.
And standing before it, examining a map, was a martial artist.
He wore an iron mask, and his physique was sturdy yet sharp. From a distance, he looked like a single sword dyed black.
He was the Commander of the Cheonsal-dae, whose name resounded throughout the world, Wi Mu-yeom.
“Bu Eun-seol, Commander of the Sa-yeong-dae, greets the Commander of the Cheonsal-dae.”
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands, Wi Mu-yeom’s gaze shifted to him.
For a moment, the air inside the barracks seemed to freeze solid.
‘He doesn’t like me.’
Bu Eun-seol could read a faint hostility in the eyes of Wi Mu-yeom, the Cheonsal-dae Commander.
Perhaps it was only natural.
In the past, the Vice-Commander of the Cheonsal-dae had joined hands with the Jiok-hyeol-seong to send Seo Jin-ha to the Martial Arts Tournament.
And that would have been impossible without the tacit approval of Wi Mu-yeom, the Cheonsal-dae Commander.
—*Think carefully. If you concede this time, you’ll have a chance to put both the Jiok-hyeol-seong and our Vice-Commander in your debt.*
Those were the words of Seo Jin-ha, who had participated in the Martial Arts Tournament under the name Mu Sam-rang.
But Bu Eun-seol had flatly rejected the offer and acquired the Muk-geom.
As a result, the Jiok-hyeol-seong's plan was ruined, and the Vice-Commander of the Cheonsal-dae lost face…
It was unlikely that the Commander himself would harbor any goodwill toward Bu Eun-seol.
“I asked for a first-class unit to be sent…”
Wi Mu-yeom’s voice, flowing from behind the iron mask, was very low, yet it resonated powerfully like a temple bell.
“And they sent one they just created.”
Bu Eun-seol offered no reply. He wasn't wrong, after all.
After staring intently at Bu Eun-seol for a moment, Wi Mu-yeom pointed to the map on the table.
“I will give you the second-class Jeolmyeong-dae and the third-class Dogan-dae.”
Then he spoke in a solemn voice.
“You are to stand by near Guanmao Peak. And you are to block anyone attempting to escape through there, or to enter Wuzhi Mountain through that route.”
It was an incomprehensible mission.
A first-class unit possessed the ability and status to take responsibility for its own actions, no matter what happened.
Yet he was being assigned to guard the periphery with only two other units?
“Understood.”
But Bu Eun-seol didn't ask any questions. He knew he wouldn't get an answer even if he asked for a reason.
“Carry it out as soon as you leave this barracks.”
“Understood.”
Bu Eun-seol immediately clasped his hands and left the barracks.
He returned to where his members were lined up in formation.
“Commander, what did he say?”
When Jo Nam-cheon asked, Bu Eun-seol replied in a low voice.
“We’ve been ordered to guard the access route near Guanmao Peak.”
“Guard a route? Not search?”
At that moment, the members, including Jo Nam-cheon, wore expressions of disbelief.
Making a first-class unit, which had traveled so far, guard a mere route?
Just then, Won Se-mun, who had been listening silently, wrinkled his nose and said.
“Commander, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
He scratched his head and continued.
“Do you think the Cheonsal-dae Commander has it in for you because you got promoted too quickly?”
Strictly speaking, he wasn't wrong.
Bu Eun-seol's current status was still that of a candidate for the Ma-jeon's succession, competing with the heirs of the other Ten Demonic Sects.
From the perspective of the existing Ma-jeon martial artists, he had obtained his Commander position using the backing of being an orthodox heir of the Ten Demonic Sects.
On top of that, his promotions had been incredibly rapid, so it was hardly surprising that he wasn't viewed favorably.
“Perhaps.”
When Bu Eun-seol answered nonchalantly, this time Myo Cheon-u spoke up.
“Could it be a trap?”
“A trap?”
“Like, Guanmao Peak is the route the Murim Alliance’s sword units will take when they launch an all-out assault, or it's a terrain that even the Phantom Thief of the Century couldn’t be stopped from infiltrating.”
Myo Cheon-u frowned deeply.
“So, if something goes wrong, the intention is to shift the blame onto our unit. Isn’t that it?”
That too was a plausible theory.
The current matter of the Phantom Thief of the Century was being directly commanded by none other than the Commander of the Cheonsal-dae, one of the three great units.
If the Cheonsal-dae Commander were to fail, he would need a scapegoat to take the fall.
In that case, Bu Eun-seol, a candidate for the Ma-jeon’s succession who had risen through the ranks at an abnormal pace, would be the most suitable target.
“That’s not it. In fact, it’s quite far from Wuzhi Mountain.”
“Then why on earth?”
“Whatever the Cheonsal-dae Commander is thinking, you don’t need to worry about it.”
Bu Eun-seol replied casually.
“We just need to do what we have to do.”
“Commander, I will speak to the Cheonsal-dae Commander.”
At that moment, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward.
He was the Cheonsal-dae Commander’s half-brother.
It was known that their relationship wasn't particularly good, but it hadn't soured to the point where they couldn't have a private meeting.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Commander.”
“Don’t worry. This unit came here in the capacity of a first-class unit commander.”
For some reason, Bu Eun-seol smiled, revealing his white teeth.
“Which means that even if it’s an order from the Cheonsal-dae Commander, I, as the Commander of this unit, will bear the responsibility for all our actions.”
His smile was dazzlingly bright, but the members watching him felt an eerie chill.
It was like the smile of a death god, toying with people’s lives on his fingertips.
—*W-well, I’m sure the Commander knows what he’s doing.*
The members looked at each other and nodded.
Bu Eun-seol was not only deep in his schemes but also always prepared for various situations.
Surely, he had a deeply considered and farsighted plan this time as well.
“Relay this to the Jeolmyeong-dae and the Dogan-dae.”
Bu Eun-seol said to his members.
“They have been placed under this unit’s command. Tell them to prepare to move out.”
At that, Won Se-mun stepped forward with a wide grin.
“I’ll go deliver the message right away!”
A short while later.
Gok Jin-dong, looking at his Jeolmyeong-dae members, wore a scowl as if he had eaten a rotten persimmon.
It was because Won Se-mun had approached him with a sly grin and delivered some shocking news.
—*Commander Gok! Looks like we’re in the same boat now!*
According to the story, the Cheonsal-dae Commander had placed the Jeolmyeong-dae and Dogan-dae under the command of Bu Eun-seol’s Sa-yeong-dae.
‘I was planning to achieve great merits here!’
And the mission was nothing more than guarding one of the routes the Murim Alliance might use to advance.
‘Of all people to get tangled up with.’
Since being deployed here, Gok Jin-dong had hoped to achieve some conspicuous merit and rise to become a first-class unit.
But now, he had unwillingly boarded the sinking ship known as the Sa-yeong-dae?
“Commander Gok.”
Just then, Won Se-mun ran over from the Sa-yeong-dae’s group and shouted with a playful expression.
“Our Commander says to move out immediately!”
The Jeolmyeong-dae and Dogan-dae moved with the Sa-yeong-dae members to Guanmao Peak and stationed themselves at the route.
As if he openly intended to rest comfortably, Bu Eun-seol had the Jeolmyeong-dae and Dogan-dae guard the route, while the Sa-yeong-dae set up camp halfway up Guanmao Peak.
‘This is actually for the best.’
Gok Jin-dong let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
There was nothing more uncomfortable than being with the Sa-yeong-dae. Especially since Won Se-mun and the others would relentlessly tease him.
Moreover, Bu Eun-seol had issued an incomprehensible order.
—*It doesn’t matter if you light fires or drink alcohol. No one comes here anyway, so let the members rest comfortably.*
Gok Jin-dong couldn't believe his ears.
To say it was okay to light fires since no one would come anyway…
And even telling them to drink alcohol, wasn’t that a blatant defiance of the Cheonsal-dae Commander’s orders?