Chapter 319
Chapter 319
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 319
Chapter Title: Rift in the Ranks
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After that, Bu Eun-seol led the Sa-yeong-jeon to visit villages damaged by the landslide.
They repaired damaged houses and distributed food.
Although they had brought plenty of provisions, there were far too many starving people.
In the end, the warriors of the Sa-yeong-jeon even gave their own rations to the common folk.
Though they went hungry, they were martial artists with strong bodies and trained internal energy. Starving for three or four days wouldn't seriously harm them.
More importantly, seeing the common people eat and find happiness gave them even greater strength.
Especially when they saw the children and the elderly regain their spirits after eating, the warriors of the Sa-yeong-jeon felt as if they had gained years' worth of internal energy from arduous training, their strength overflowing.
"So this is why the Lord Commander told us to pack so much food."
Won Se-mun, Jo Nam-cheon, and Wi Cheon-gyeong watched with satisfaction as the children eagerly devoured rice porridge.
Although they had eaten nothing but a few dried rations and water for days, their bodies were brimming with vitality, having discovered the reward of helping others.
Before long, the warriors of the Sa-yeong-jeon had finished repairing the last village on the way to Baek-mang-pung.
Thanks to their efforts, the dying villagers had recovered their health, and the village was regaining its vitality.
*Fwoosh.*
Just then, with a sound of slicing air, dozens of warriors descended from a distance.
It was Cheon-geom and the members of his Yo-jin Sword Unit, who had completely subjugated Baek-mang-pung.
"Hahahaha! Looks like you completely gave up on arriving first, didn't you?"
Cheon-geom sneered at the warriors of the Sa-yeong-jeon resting in the village.
"You might as well set up a stall here. How pathetic."
With a smirk, he went to the center of the village, looked at the people, and shouted loudly.
"Everyone! You can rest easy from now on. I, Cheon-geom, have taken care of all of Baek-mang-pung!"
Cheon-geom, with a triumphant expression, shouted loudly once more.
"The vicious Baek-mang-pung, who extorted money from this area, exists no more!"
At that, the village chief walked out and offered a simple word of thanks.
"Thank you."
"Hm?"
Cheon-geom, who had been smiling smugly, tilted his head.
He had gone through hell to eliminate Baek-mang-pung, only to receive a single "Thank you"?
"Our Martial Alliance—no, I, Cheon-geom, have eliminated Baek-mang-pung, who were sucking the lifeblood from your village!"
"We are grateful. However..."
Looking at the blinking Cheon-geom, the chief let out a deep sigh.
"This entire Yeom-hyeon area was in a difficult state, with most villages destroyed by landslides."
"And so?"
"Baek-mang-pung or not, everyone was starving and shivering in the cold."
The chief looked at Cheon-geom with a hollow expression and said.
"After we're dead, what does Baek-mang-pung or anything else matter?"
Then, pointing to Bu Eun-seol and the warriors of the Sa-yeong-jeon, he said loudly.
"The ones who extended a hand to us in our time of need were these warriors right here."
"Well, that's disappointing."
Cheon-geom was angry but forced a smile.
"Their help is like child's play. What risk did they even take?"
"..."
"We fought them with our lives on the line to deal with Baek-mang-pung, who tormented you for so long. We risked our lives. Do you understand?"
"But that wasn't for our sake, was it?"
The chief shook his head, his expression weary.
"We never asked you to get rid of them."
Judging by the chief's attitude, he didn't care at all about the elimination of Baek-mang-pung. It seemed he was only grateful for the help from the Demonic Cult's warriors.
*'That bastard.'*
Cheon-geom glared at Bu Eun-seol, his eyes wide with fury.
He finally realized he had fallen into a trap once again.
*'He deliberately sent me ahead and then helped the villagers!'*
Cheon-geom seethed with rage.
This time, to avoid losing the credit to Bu Eun-seol and to get there one step faster, he had moved like a madman.
He had occasionally seen the scenery of ruined villages, but dealing with Baek-mang-pung had been more urgent.
Of course, a few members of the Yo-jin Sword Unit had offered their counsel.
—Commander. Attacking Baek-mang-pung is good, but shouldn't we save the common people first?
To that, Cheon-geom had retorted sharply.
—Baek-mang-pung comes first. Don't mistake our objective.
In all worldly affairs, there is a proper sequence and a distinction between the primary and the secondary.
In other words, everything has an order, and there are important matters and less important ones.
Dealing with Baek-mang-pung was naturally the most important task, and he had handled it urgently. But the response he got was an attitude of "that's not my problem"?
*'These foolish commoners can't see the forest for the trees.'*
However, there was a fact that Cheon-geom failed to realize.
The reason people had admired him all this time wasn't simply because he dealt with sects that committed evil deeds.
It was because he immediately dealt with those who threatened the lifelines of the common people, opening a path for them to survive.
The case of the Black Wind Fortress before, and the reputation he built by dealing with evil sects while roaming the Jianghu.
It wasn't to achieve merit like now...
It was because it had been the same as extending a hand to those in immediate need of help.
He was skilled in martial arts and had a sharp mind.
But unfortunately, he had no intention of correcting his flaws or shortcomings, and there was no one to compel him to do so.
Furthermore, he lacked the same kind of Jianghu experience as Bu Eun-seol and knew little about the ways of the world.
In the end, blinded by his competitive spirit, he had lost to Bu Eun-seol once again.
***
The noon tavern was bustling with people.
Inside the Ok-su Tavern, it was so crowded with all sorts of customers that there was hardly room to stand.
"Have you heard? They say the heir of the Demonic Cult has been doing a lot of good deeds lately."
A man in blue robes sitting at a central table in the tavern said to the goat-bearded man across from him.
"Ah, you mean the Martial Soul Lord?"
As the goat-bearded man nodded, the man in blue continued.
"Not only did he sweep away the vicious sects that harmed the common people, but this time, he apparently repaired and restored all the villages in the Yeom-hyeon area that were damaged by the landslide."
"Yeom-hyeon? Isn't that the place where that famous... what's his name... the Sword Venerable's disciple from the Martial Alliance dealt with Baek-mang-pung a while ago?"
The goat-bearded man then smiled brightly and said.
"I heard the Martial Soul Lord was originally going to strike them first. But when he saw the landslide in the Yeom-hyeon area, he decided to repair the villages and hand out food first."
And he shrugged his shoulders as if he had done it himself.
"That's why the people of Yeom-hyeon village even built a shrine for the Martial Soul Lord."
"But you know, that's a funny thing."
The man in blue chuckled and nodded.
"The Martial Alliance, which claims to do good, was so bloodthirsty they just attacked Baek-mang-pung, while the Demonic Cult, which pursues the path of supremacy, actually saved the common people?"
"Nonsense, man. What do the demonic and righteous paths have to do with helping people? It's just that Cheon-geom fellow... he's lacking in character."
Inside the banquet hall of the Ok-su Tavern.
The twenty or so warriors eating inside kept their mouths tightly shut at the sounds coming from outside.
They were none other than Cheon-geom and the members of the Yo-jin Sword Unit, returning to the Martial Alliance.
They had annihilated Baek-mang-pung, a sect that tormented the common people, yet they wore expressions as if they were returning from committing a crime.
"..."
In a deathly silence, the members carefully swallowed every grain of rice.
It was because Cheon-geom was sitting there with a stiff face, his eyes wide.
"Uh, Commander."
Unable to watch any longer, the Vice-Commander, Han Seong, spoke to Cheon-geom.
"You should eat first."
"Hm?"
At that, Cheon-geom finally seemed to snap out of it and waved his hand.
"Ah. Don't worry about it. I'm just not hungry yet."
He then stood up and said.
"I have no appetite, so take your time and eat. I'll be having some tea at the teahouse just ahead."
Seeing Cheon-geom leave so nonchalantly, Han Seong wore a surprised expression.
*'He heard all that and wasn't affected at all?'*
But then, looking down at the spot where Cheon-geom had been, Han Seong shook his head.
*'I was wrong.'*
Where Cheon-geom had been sitting, footprints were clearly imprinted.
He had been so enraged that he had unconsciously unleashed his internal energy.
Considering Cheon-geom's incredible martial prowess, for his spirit to be so disturbed... was proof that he was extremely provoked.
*'This is worrying.'*
Han Seong sighed inwardly.
Cheon-geom had suddenly appeared at the Martial Alliance, revealed his past good deeds, and instantly became a first-class Sword Unit Commander.
But from the perspective of the warriors who had been with the Martial Alliance for a long time, it was just...
A lucky position obtained thanks to the halo of being the Sword Venerable's disciple and his sudden fame.
*'It's a characteristic of martial geniuses with outstanding skills.'*
When someone with excellent talent meets an excellent master, their path is smooth. They have no time to feel obstacles or setbacks.
Thus, they have almost no experience with frustration. Their journeys in the Jianghu end up being little more than tests of their martial arts.
Han Seong had seen through the fact that Cheon-geom, too, had never experienced frustration and that his experience in the Jianghu was shallow.
*'On the other hand, I heard the Demonic Cult's Martial Soul Lord is a former Sip-ma-jeon-in and has abundant experience in the Jianghu.'*
The Martial Soul Lord, with whom Cheon-geom was setting up a rivalry, was a figure who had made a name for himself by traveling the Jianghu for several years.
Although Cheon-geom also claimed to have secretly roamed the Jianghu, he was lacking when it came to facing the heir of the Demonic Cult, who had been through thick and thin.
*'When I return to the Alliance this time, I must report to the Divine Might Division Head.'*
Han Seong made a decision.
At this rate, the outstanding talent that was Cheon-geom would suffer a setback and fall in an instant.
Even now, he needed to abandon his high position and build various experiences from the bottom up.
*'There are still many opportunities. There's no need to rush.'*
Han Seong ate with a much lighter heart.
But how could he have known?
That he would never get to deliver his message to the Alliance. That he would soon give up on the man named Cheon-geom.
*Papat!*
Suddenly, fine hidden weapons poured into the banquet hall.
Han Seong and the members of the Yo-jin Sword Unit were all outstanding masters and quickly dodged or deflected the hidden weapons.
"Keuk."
But because the hidden weapons were abnormally powerful and cunningly thrown, half the members were ultimately struck.
"The weapons are poisoned!"
The members who were hit shouted upon seeing black blood flow from their wounds.
"Take the antidote!"
The members immediately swallowed the emergency antidotes they carried.
However, the poison on the weapons was so potent that the standard antidotes had no effect.
*Psssssh.*
But this time, a thick poisonous smoke poured into the banquet hall.
*'This is a planned ambush!'*
Han Seong cried out inwardly.
The enemies knew the Yo-jin Sword Unit would stop here and had laid a trap in advance.
"Get outside!"
*Kwaang!*
As Han Seong shouted, the members smashed through the tavern's ceiling and leaped into the air.
An assassin could be seen fleeing, leaping from roof to roof of the buildings.
"After him!"
Just as Han Seong and the members began to pursue the assassin,
*Peoong!*
The roof of the teahouse near the tavern shattered, and a white figure shot into the air. It was Cheon-geom.
*Swish!*
Cheon-geom immediately pursued the assassin with incredible movement techniques.
But the assassin's movement techniques were also formidable, and with the pursuers trailing behind like a tail, he quickly left the town.
By the time they reached the reed field on the outskirts of the town, the assassin looked back and then stopped his flight.
He had realized he couldn't shake Cheon-geom.
At that, Cheon-geom, along with Han Seong and the Yo-jin Sword Unit, quickly surrounded the assassin.
"Don't you need the antidote!"
The assassin spoke in a bizarre, grating voice like scraping metal and took out a pouch.
"If you stop pursuing me, I will give you the antidote and leave!"
Han Seong shouted in a stern voice.
"How can we trust that medicine is the antidote?"
Instead of answering, the assassin threw a golden pill from the pouch to Han Seong.
"Test it."
*Tak.*
Han Seong caught the pill and immediately gave it to an injured member.
The member's dark complexion returned to normal, and the black blood flowing from his wound immediately turned into clear, fresh blood.
"Commander. It's a genuine antidote."
"..."
Cheon-geom stared at the assassin as if he hadn't heard a thing.
*'Surely not?'*
Han Seong's eyes widened.
Surely he didn't intend to kill the assassin without batting an eye while his subordinates were dying?
"Commander!"
As Han Seong cried out, Cheon-geom raised a hand to silence him.
Then, with a strange look in his eyes, he spoke.
"You don't seem like a real assassin from an assassination sect. Where are you from?"
"You don't need to know."
The assassin replied coldly.
"I will give you the antidote, so stop pursuing me. Do you accept?"
"Hahaha."
Cheon-geom suddenly cackled.
"You suddenly ambush this commander's subordinates, and now that you're about to be caught, you'll give me the antidote... in exchange for letting you go?"
The assassin said flatly.
"Decide. If you refuse, I will destroy the antidote immediately."
"And if you do?"
"If your subordinates aren't cured within the hour, their internal energy will be greatly diminished."
"You."
Cheon-geom said with a smirk.
"Judging by your movement techniques and your stance, you're from the demonic path. Aren't you?"
"Just answer."
"Aha! I get it. You're one of his subordinates. Seeing your impressive lightness skill, you must be one of his trusted men. Right?"
"It seems your subordinates' lives aren't very precious to you."
The assassin sneered and gathered internal energy in the hand holding the medicine pouch.
A scorching yang energy poured out, and the pouch began to burn, emitting white smoke.
"Commander!"
Seeing the members in agony, Han Seong shouted urgently.
"Commander, we must detoxify our men first."
But instead of answering, Cheon-geom just glared at the assassin, his eyes flashing.
*'This madman!'*
Han Seong's anger flared.
No matter if he was the Sword Venerable's disciple, to them, he was practically a superior who had dropped out of the sky.
It would be difficult enough to earn their cooperation even if he took good care of the existing members, yet he always only thought of his own feelings?
"Commander!"
Han Seong suppressed his anger and tried to persuade Cheon-geom once more.
"The members here are all your limbs."
"If I yield to the threat of a demonic scion, how can I call myself a commander of the Martial Alliance?"
Hearing Cheon-geom's words, the assassin smirked.
"Negotiations have failed, then."
And in an instant, he channeled his internal energy and burned the pills.
*Peng!*
At the same time, an explosion erupted in the reed field, and smoke filled the area.
Simultaneously, the assassin vanished without a trace, and dozens of movements spread out beneath the ground.
He had used an earth-hiding technique.
"You think you can escape!"
Cheon-geom immediately swung his greatsword, striking one of the movements scattering in various directions.
*Kwaang!*
The ground was overturned, creating a large crater.
But inside it, a lump of iron the size of a human body was moving on its own.
It now seemed he hadn't used an earth-hiding technique but had dug tunnels in advance.
*Chwarararak.*
In the end, they would have to overturn all those spreading movements to find the assassin.
"What are you all staring blankly for?"
Cheon-geom shouted at Han Seong and the members.
"We have to catch that bastard to get the cure, don't we?"
Despite his thunderous shout, the members stared back at him with cold eyes.
—That heartless bastard.
Being skilled in martial arts doesn't make one a great superior.
Earning loyalty is difficult enough even if one cherishes their subordinates as their own body.
Cheon-geom was just a madman who didn't consider the plight or pain of others at all.
"Can't you hear me? Aren't you going to catch him?"
At Cheon-geom's shout, the members reluctantly pursued the diverging movements.
*Paang!*
As Cheon-geom's sword strike rained down on the ground, a large crater was deeply gouged.
But each time, all that was revealed were large lumps of iron.
It was now clear that they had long ago dug tunnels in this reed field and installed elaborate mechanisms to create an escape route.
*'Bu Eun-seol!'*
For a moment, sparks flew from Cheon-geom's eyes.
The only person who could have prepared such a trap was Bu Eun-seol.
"Keuu."
Meanwhile, the members, including Han Seong, let out groans.
They had been using their internal energy to stop the poison from spreading, but they had reached their limit.
"Don't worry."
In the end, Cheon-geom gave up on pursuing the fleeing assassin.
And he spoke to his subordinates nonchalantly.
"Did you really think I acted without any thought?"
He then placed his large hand on the backs of the poisoned members, on their Daechu acupoint.
"Even without the antidote, if I inject my internal energy, I can expel the poison in one go. Do not worry."
And he immediately infused his powerful internal energy to draw out the poison from his members.
*Puuut!*
Each time he injected his energy, the members coughed up black blood.
Just as Cheon-geom had boasted, his infusion of internal energy allowed them to expel the poison instantly.
*Puuut!*
When the last member finally spat black blood from his mouth, Cheon-geom smiled and nodded.
"How is it? Everyone's cured, right?"
Cheon-geom smiled brightly and spread his hands.
"..."
But the members only formally clasped their hands; not a single one expressed genuine gratitude.
*'So that's how it is.'*
Cheon-geom now instantly saw through Bu Eun-seol's scheme.
To make him lose his position as commander, turn him back into a lone warrior, and then compete for supremacy.
That way, there would be no conflict with the Martial Alliance.
*'He's been steadily breaking things down from the inside. Thoroughly.'*
Cheon-geom snorted.
Fame and honor are things that can come and go, and it's not impossible to regain them.
After calmly forming a plan in his head, Cheon-geom snorted and turned away.
*'We'll see if things go your way.'*
But the relaxed smile that was always on his lips was gone.