Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: Forcing Their Hand
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When morning came, Gok Jin-dong, the captain of the Jeolmyeong Brigade, ascended Gwanmo Peak, where the Sayeong Brigade was stationed.
He was there to report that nothing unusual had occurred overnight.
*Thud.*
But he soon had to stop in his tracks, his eyes wide.
He had spotted Bu Eun-seol walking from behind the barracks, his body soaked in blood.
"What is it, Captain?"
As Jo Nam-cheon and the Sayeong Brigade members ran toward him upon seeing his state, Bu Eun-seol waved a hand dismissively.
"It's nothing."
"Nothing? You're covered in wounds!"
As Jo Nam-cheon exclaimed in shock, Myo Cheon-u approached and calmly examined Bu Eun-seol's body.
"Not a single wound is from a frontal attack."
Myo Cheon-u frowned and shook his head.
"Did you fight assassins? It looks like they all used stealthy killing techniques."
"Assassins?"
At that moment, all the Sayeong Brigade members gasped in shock. A flustered Wi Cheon-gyeong also approached him and asked.
"Captain, is that true?"
"It is."
Upon Bu Eun-seol's reply, the members turned in unison to glare at Gok Jin-dong.
Unless the assassins had fallen from the sky, they would have had to pass through the path guarded by the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades to reach Gwanmo Peak.
"What on earth happened, Captain Gok!"
As a furious Won Se-mun tried to lunge at Gok Jin-dong, Bu Eun-seol waved his hand.
"It's fine. It was no big deal."
"No big deal! Assassins came for you, Captain!"
"Have you forgotten that I ordered the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades to rest easy?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Won Se-mun jumped and protested.
"But, even so..."
"Even if you had been on watch instead of the Jeolmyeong Brigade, the result would have been the same."
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
"It was the Chuseong Division."
"The Chuseong Division?"
Won Se-mun, his brow deeply furrowed, asked with an utterly serious face.
"...What's that?"
The Chuseong Division was one of the secret assassination squads not officially recognized by the Martial Alliance.
That was why even Won Se-mun, who was well-versed in the affairs of the martial world, had never heard its name.
"The Martial Alliance's assassination unit."
Myo Cheon-u answered for him, and the Sayeong Brigade members looked horrified.
"The Martial Alliance sent assassins to kill you, Captain?"
"Not the Martial Alliance. It must have been Jo Cheon-wang."
For a moment, all the members froze.
Only then did they remember that Bu Eun-seol had killed Jo Cheon-wang's son, Jo Bi-un.
"You've only just arrived, Captain. How could they send assassins so quickly?"
"Well, there were some circumstances."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as if bothered by the hassle.
Then he looked at Gok Jin-dong and said.
"There's no need for a report. You may leave."
"Y-Yes."
Bowing his head, Gok Jin-dong avoided the gazes of the Sayeong Brigade and quickly descended.
"And..."
Bu Eun-seol added softly.
"There's no need to post guards because of this. Let your men continue to rest as they have been."
"What?"
When Gok Jin-dong looked puzzled, Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
"The assassination unit has left, so no one else will come here. I'm telling you to just wait at ease."
'Is he testing me?'
"How could I dare... do such a thing?"
As Gok Jin-dong looked uneasy, Bu Eun-seol said in a stern voice.
"It's an order. Do not post any guards, and rest easy."
"Ah, I understand."
Gok Jin-dong wore a dubious expression but soon cupped his hands in respect.
Returning to his garrison, Gok Jin-dong's mind was a mess.
A Martial Alliance assassination squad had passed through the path they were guarding and ambushed the Sayeong Brigade's captain, Bu Eun-seol.
If they had been properly standing guard, they would have been blameless even if this had happened.
But hadn't they been drinking all night?
Of course, that too was on Bu Eun-seol's orders, but he felt an unsettling and unpleasant lump in his throat.
"Captain, what happened?"
O Deung-ryong, the captain of the Dokan Brigade, asked cautiously as he saw Gok Jin-dong return, pale-faced.
"You don't look well."
After a moment's hesitation, Gok Jin-dong calmly explained the situation.
"Last night, the Sayeong Captain was attacked by a Martial Alliance assassination unit."
"What?"
"They must have passed through here while we were drinking."
Instantly, O Deung-ryong's face turned pale.
Bu Eun-seol was known to be one of the most cold-hearted captains in the Demonic Cult. What if it was discovered that they hadn't been properly on watch last night?
They would have no excuse even if they were beheaded on the spot.
"Don't worry. It seems he has no intention of holding us responsible."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't he order us to drink in the first place?"
"Ah, that's true. But..."
As O Deung-ryong scratched his head with a troubled expression, Gok Jin-dong sighed and said.
"He said they were an elite assassination unit from the Martial Alliance. He even made excuses for us, saying it would have been the same even if the Sayeong Brigade had been on watch."
He paused for a moment, then shook his head.
"He even ordered us to absolutely not post any guards, saying no one else would be coming here."
"Absolutely not post any guards?"
It was an incomprehensible order.
O Deung-ryong also frowned and was lost in thought for a long while, but he couldn't find an answer.
"So, was there anything else?"
"No."
"That's a relief. Your expression was so grim... I thought you'd received a severe punishment."
"It's just that the situation seems to be unfolding strangely."
Gok Jin-dong narrowed his eyes.
"The Sayeong Captain is no ordinary man. But he even ordered us to relax, saying no one else would come? It feels suspicious."
Having served as a captain in the Demonic Cult for a long time, he had excellent intuition in addition to his survival skills.
"Yun Pyeong."
Gok Jin-dong called out loudly, and a man from among his subordinates stepped forward and cupped his hands.
He was Yun Pyeong, the youngest member of the Jeolmyeong Brigade.
"You called, Captain?"
"Are you still close with Han So-ung of the Mubon—I mean, Sayeong Brigade?"
Due to his affable personality, Yun Pyeong was quite friendly even with the members of the Mubon Brigade, whom others looked down on.
He got along particularly well with Han So-ung and was quite close to him.
"Yes. We had a drink together just the other day."
"Good."
Gok Jin-dong nodded and said in a low voice.
"The Sayeong Captain's behavior is suspicious. When you have time, meet with him and see what the situation is like in the Sayeong Brigade."
"Understood."
Two days later.
Following Gok Jin-dong's order, Yun Pyeong went up to Gwanmo Peak where the Sayeong Brigade was, spoke with Han So-ung for a long time, and returned.
"They're drinking and playing around?"
"Yes, sir."
Hearing Yun Pyeong's report, Gok Jin-dong couldn't hide his perplexed expression.
"He said that the Sayeong Captain originally doesn't take much interest in the Cult's affairs. He doesn't even impose any restrictions or interfere with his men, as long as they do their jobs properly."
This was what Yun Pyeong had said.
The Sayeong Brigade on Gwanmo Peak lazed around during the day and held drinking parties every night.
He even said that the Sayeong Captain himself joined them for drinks.
After hearing the whole story, Gok Jin-dong frowned deeply.
He had thought Bu Eun-seol was a remarkable figure for leading the once-chaotic Mubon Brigade so effectively.
But was it that he managed them so well simply because he was a scoundrel no different from his men?
"He said we can really just relax. The Sayeong Captain is not a man who goes back on his word. And..."
Yun Pyeong added one more meaningful statement.
"The Sayeong Brigade is now a first-class unit, isn't it? And we've become a second-class unit under their command."
At that moment, Gok Jin-dong's eyes flashed.
The captain of a first-class unit had the authority to carry out solo missions.
In return, they had to take full responsibility for all their actions.
Didn't that mean that even if the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades caused trouble while drinking, all the responsibility would fall on the Sayeong Captain?
"Huhuhu."
Only when he reached this conclusion did Gok Jin-dong feel at ease, a smile playing on his lips.
"I thought he was a new-generation master. Turns out he was just a guy who got along with those scoundrels."
He had been worrying for nothing.
Even if they drank and relaxed every day, they were simply following Bu Eun-seol's orders faithfully.
They bore no responsibility whatsoever.
"From now on, we must follow his orders to the letter."
Gok Jin-dong looked at the members of the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades and said in a loud voice.
"Continue to rest easy. Don't even think about standing guard."
A smile touched his lips.
"Because that is the order given by the esteemed Sayeong Captain."
Four days had passed.
Bu Eun-seol was indeed a man of his word.
He gave no orders regardless of whether the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades rested leisurely, and in fact, they too were relaxing comfortably on Gwanmo Peak.
"Yawn, I'm bored."
Leaning against a rock, Gok Jin-dong yawned and gazed at the distant sky.
Having waited at the foot of a deserted mountain for four days, he was going stir-crazy from the lack of action.
"I wish something would just happen already."
As if on cue, one of the Jeolmyeong Brigade members came running and shouting.
"We have a problem!"
The member ran straight to Gok Jin-dong and shouted again.
"A huge problem, Captain!"
"What is it?"
As Gok Jin-dong's expression hardened, the member yelled.
"Tens of thousands of government troops from Hainan are heading this way!"
"Government troops?"
For a moment, Gok Jin-dong's mind went blank.
He couldn't make sense of it.
"Is the Imperial Palace intervening in the affairs of the martial world?"
"Weren't there many civilian casualties in the vicinity of Mount Oji because of this standoff?"
"So?"
As Gok Jin-dong's eyes widened, the member said in an urgent voice.
"Besides, Gonggong Sintu is no ordinary martial artist."
Gonggong Sintu was a mysterious figure who held the weaknesses of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions.
Didn't that mean capturing him was a chance to seize leverage over both factions?
"They're trying to capture Gonggong Sintu?"
"Even if that's not their intention... the Imperial Palace must be displeased with the forces of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions gathering for a power struggle."
The member swallowed hard and continued.
"And the innocent common folk are the ones suffering the damages from this standoff."
"Hmm."
As Gok Jin-dong grunted, the member spoke again.
"Perhaps because of this news, there's a rumor that last night, the Cheonsal Captain found and attacked the Martial Alliance's Cheongeom Captain."
"The Cheonsal Captain has shown himself?"
"Yes. If this drags on any longer and the Imperial Army really shows up, both our Cult and the Martial Alliance will end up empty-handed."
What if government troops descended on Mount Oji?
Gonggong Sintu might even rejoice and reveal himself.
He would rather be escorted away by officials than be killed by the masters of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions.
"Then a full-scale battle is about to break out..."
*Fweee! Boom!*
As if to prove Gok Jin-dong's words, two fireworks shot up into the sky side by side in the distance.
The signal flares used by the Demonic Cult's units and the Martial Alliance's sword divisions to request reinforcements had gone off simultaneously.
A unit from the Demonic Cult and a sword division from the Martial Alliance had clearly clashed in that area.
"I need to see the Sayeong Captain."
Just as Gok Jin-dong, having made a decision, began to move,
*Thump, thump.*
A group of several dozen people was descending from the top of Gwanmo Peak.
It was Bu Eun-seol and the members of the Sayeong Brigade.
"Captain."
Spotting Bu Eun-seol, Gok Jin-dong bowed his head, and all his men followed suit, cupping their hands.
"Captain. Did you hear? The government troops are..."
Before Gok Jin-dong could finish,
"There's no need to worry about it."
Bu Eun-seol cut him off with a raised hand.
"A full-scale battle will absolutely not happen."
He seemed to have heard the entire conversation between Gok Jin-dong and his man on his way down, as he continued to speak calmly.
"On the contrary, we will temporarily cooperate with the Martial Alliance."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If we fight each other to the death in this situation, we'll either lose Gonggong Sintu or he'll be taken by the authorities."
Bu Eun-seol pointed to the fireworks from the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance that adorned the distant sky.
"We must prevent that from happening at all costs... so our Cult and the Martial Alliance have no choice but to move together."
"Then, those fireworks aren't a request for reinforcements, but a sign of cooperation?"
"Correct. Gonggong Sintu has likely been spotted in that area."
Gok Jin-dong's mouth fell open.
Now that he thought about it, it made sense.
It would be more beneficial for both factions to join forces and kill the man rather than let him fall into the hands of the authorities.
"But... where are you going, Captain?"
"I was getting restless staying on Gwanmo Peak. My brigade will take over here now, so you all should go up there."
"Without joining the pursuit?"
"We will not be joining."
Gok Jin-dong couldn't understand.
Even if Bu Eun-seol was of a status where he didn't need to earn merit, how could he be such an irresponsible scoundrel?
"Still, if you want to earn some merit, Captain..."
As Gok Jin-dong trailed off, a cold smile spread across Bu Eun-seol's face.
"If you don't want to, I can't force you. I'll just have to assign you another mission."
"N-No, that's not it."
Gok Jin-dong waved his hands frantically.
He was afraid Bu Eun-seol would give him some bizarre mission just to mess with him.
"We will head up to Gwanmo Peak immediately."
Lest he change his mind, the Jeolmyeong and Dokan Brigades quickly packed their belongings and moved to Gwanmo Peak.
Finally, after they had all disappeared onto the peak, Myo Cheon-u, who had been standing impassively beside Bu Eun-seol, slowly opened his mouth.
"Alright, it's time you told me everything."
"What are you talking about?"
"Government forces are supposedly on their way, yet you're planning to leisurely set up camp here? It makes no sense."
The Bu Eun-seol he knew was a man whose intellect was more terrifying than his martial arts.
Myo Cheon-u said with a voice full of conviction.
"Isn't this all your doing? I'm telling you to start talking."
"The government forces aren't coming."
"What?"
"It seems Yu Un-ryong did his job properly."
"What does that mean? What does Yu Un-ryong have to do with this?"
Bu Eun-seol said with a nonchalant expression.
"I had Yu Un-ryong spread the rumor that government forces were descending on this place."
"What did you say?"
"Of course, to deceive the intelligence organizations, we had to actually move some troops. That's why I entrusted this task to Yu Un-ryong."
Myo Cheon-u and the other members all looked as if they had seen a ghost.
"Captain. What is going on?"
Unable to contain his curiosity, Wi Cheon-gyeong finally stepped forward as well.
"You deliberately mobilized government forces?"
"That's right."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky and explained calmly.
"That's the only way the Cult and the Martial Alliance will stop their standoff and immediately join forces to eliminate Gonggong Sintu."
From the beginning, Bu Eun-seol had no intention of strictly following the orders given by the Chong-gyo-ryeong and the Cheonsal Captain.
Furthermore, the longer the standoff between the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance over capturing Gonggong Sintu dragged on, the more precarious Bu Eun-seol's position would become.
All attention would be focused on Gonggong Sintu, and he had no idea what orders the Cheonsal Captain might issue here.
Therefore, Bu Eun-seol devised a scheme to break the stalemate between the two sides, forcing the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance to cooperate and capture Gonggong Sintu quickly.
"The reason Gonggong Sintu could hide in this area for so long without being discovered is because the masters of both factions were in a standoff."
Bu Eun-seol looked over his members slowly and opened his mouth.
"But if the two sides join forces to search..."
He paused for a moment, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"Then Gonggong Sintu will have no options left. He will eventually try to break through the encirclement and escape this place."
*Our captain is truly insane...*
The members couldn't hide their astonishment, their jaws hanging open.
To kick over the board set by the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance and mobilize government troops just to end the Gonggong Sintu incident in one fell swoop?