Chapter 405
Chapter 405
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 405
Chapter Title: A Flawless Deception
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Gwak Gu didn't dare to look him straight in the eye, stammering as he lowered his head.
"Lord, what… brings you here?"
His constant bowing was a sight to behold, as if he had cast aside all pride as the master of a sect.
Bu Eun-seol, the Lord of the Martial Soul.
This great master of the new generation, renowned not only for his martial arts but also for his strategic mind.
Was he not said to be untouchable even by the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects, the ten pillars that supported the Martial Alliance?
If he so wished, he could annihilate the Viper Gate with a single flick of his finger.
"We will join the Martial Alliance!"
Gwak Gu knelt and pleaded with Bu Eun-seol.
"We only refused because we thought a second-rate sect like ours would be of no help! But since you have come in person, Lord…"
"Unnecessary."
"Pardon?"
Bu Eun-seol looked at the naked, blinking Gwak Gu and spoke in a low voice.
"Get dressed."
"Yes, yes."
Though confused, Gwak Gu hastily picked up his scattered clothes and put them on.
"Bring me a brush, ink, and paper."
Bu Eun-seol approached the table and said to Gwak Gu.
"From this day forward, the Viper Gate will withdraw all its forces from the Gongchang Prefecture area. Write a pledge that you will never encroach upon that territory again."
"What are you suddenly talking about? Withdraw our forces from Gongchang?"
As Gwak Gu asked with a bewildered expression, Bu Eun-seol's voice turned cold.
"If you refuse, I will have your sect withdraw from Shaanxi altogether."
Gwak Gu's mouth fell open, and he shook his head.
"No! Not at all!"
A sect wasn't something you could create just by putting up a few buildings.
It had to establish deep roots in a region over a long period, gathering various powers under its wing to ensure a steady flow of funds.
The Viper Gate had spent decades starting from Mount Winam, building its own sphere of influence from Hanzhong to Gongchang Prefecture.
To be told to leave Shaanxi was tantamount to being told to abandon their entire foundation and shut their doors.
"Is, is it truly enough to just write such a pledge?"
Gwak Gu couldn't understand.
If Bu Eun-seol was displeased, wouldn't it have been easier for him to just annihilate the Viper Gate?
Yet, all he had to do was write a pledge not to covet another territory?
"The Mount Hua Sect will visit within a few days. If you do not write this pledge, they will use force to drive the Viper Gate out."
"The M-Mount Hua Sect?"
Gwak Gu's eyes widened.
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was solemn; he clearly wasn't joking.
"Even if the Mount Hua Sect doesn't come, the Ancient Sword Gate and the Falling Shadow Gate might."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Gwak Gu's expression turned to one of shock.
"You knew about that as well?"
He had heard rumors that the heirs of the Ancient Sword Gate and the Falling Shadow Gate had become lovers, and that their two sects would merge as a result.
If that happened, he would be permanently blocked from expanding his influence near Gongchang Prefecture.
So he had schemed to drive a wedge between the two lovers, turning them into mortal enemies.
But the plan had failed.
The two sects, which had been fighting as if to kill each other, discovered the truth and immediately ceased their conflict.
And if his role in sowing discord between the two heirs was revealed, the Ancient Sword Gate and the Falling Shadow Gate would surely retaliate.
"But if you write the pledge, their retaliation will not come."
Gwak Gu's face brightened.
Was Bu Eun-seol here to save the Viper Gate from this crisis?
*Scritch, scritch.*
Without another word, Gwak Gu sat at the table and began to move his brush.
"Here it is."
When he presented the pledge, Bu Eun-seol tucked it into his robes.
"My apologies. To think you would come in person for such a matter, Lord. And to help our sect, which hasn't even joined the Martial Alliance."
Gwak Gu wore a look of deep gratitude.
He believed Bu Eun-seol had come to prevent the destruction of the Viper Gate, a fellow demonic sect.
"However, we'll need to create a reason for you to have written this pledge."
"Pardon?"
But Bu Eun-seol's next words made Gwak Gu's eyes widen as if they would tear.
"Take up your brush again. Write down every single evil deed and crime you have committed until now."
"You want me to write down the evil deeds I've committed?"
"That's right. Every single one, without omission."
A blood-red light, intense enough to melt steel, emanated from Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"If even one is missing, I will immediately cut off your head and annihilate the Viper Gate."
***
Cheon Hwa-in was in high spirits as he led his temporary squad, swiftly traversing the landscape.
He had sent a member to the Mount Hua Sect to explain the situation.
In return, he had secured a promise that the Mount Hua Sect would spare no support in obtaining the pledge from the Viper Gate's master.
‘No matter how much nerve the Viper Gate Master has, he won't be able to hold out and refuse to write the pledge once my sect gets involved.’
In the past, the Mount Hua Sect, along with the Zhongnan Sect, had a record of annihilating the Blood Blade Sect, a major demonic faction.
There was no way the Viper Gate, a mere second-rate sect based on Mount Winam, would dare to defy the prestige of the Mount Hua Sect and refuse the pledge.
*Swoosh.*
Leading his squad in perfect formation, Cheon Hwa-in soon arrived near Mount Winam, where the Viper Gate was located.
Suddenly, with the sound of tearing air, a man in the uniform of the Martial League appeared before him.
"Young Master Cheon."
The man approached Cheon Hwa-in and respectfully cupped his hands.
"I am Na Do-ryang, a martial artist from the Gongchang branch of the Martial League, assigned to the Jinwi Division."
"What is it?"
When Cheon Hwa-in asked, Na Do-ryang cupped his hands and spoke.
"The mission to select the squad leader is already over. The order has been given for all members to return to the League."
He continued.
"There is also a message from Elder Gu that Young Master Cheon need not come to the League and should return directly to the Mount Hua Sect."
For a moment, Cheon Hwa-in couldn't believe his ears.
"What do you mean? The mission is over?"
"Young Master Seonwu of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild has already obtained the pledge from the Viper Gate and returned to the Martial League. Therefore…"
"What kind of—!"
Cheon Hwa-in roared.
"What kind of nonsense is this? It's only been four days since the mission was assigned!"
"Well…"
"Don't tell me that merchant brat annihilated the Viper Gate?"
"Young Master Cheon, I am merely relaying what I was told."
Seeing Na Do-ryang's flustered eyes, Cheon Hwa-in shook his head in disbelief.
"This can't be. It can't be."
He immediately turned and bellowed at his squad members.
"We return to the Martial League at once!"
His eyes bloodshot, he shot forward without a backward glance, heading for Henan.
He ran without stopping, not even for a sip of water.
Even as his squad members fell behind from exhaustion. Even when he happened to pass by an old friend on the road.
He just stared straight ahead and ran blindly toward the Martial League.
‘How could this happen?’
He had originally been slated to be the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua.
After all, he had been the first among the Masters of Great Righteousness to defeat one of the Ten Demonic Masters, earning a formidable reputation in the martial world and solidifying his position.
But perhaps because he had only ever known success, his well-hidden arrogance and selfish nature began to surface… leading him to cause a series of incidents.
He thought he had covered them up well, but once the truth came out, all his hidden deeds were exposed like an unstoppable flood.
Eventually, the elders and disciples who had supported him turned their backs, and he could no longer aim to be the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua.
But the heavens had not abandoned him.
Just in time, he heard that a new squad was being formed to handle the minor and major affairs of the martial world that the Martial League's sword squads couldn't manage… led by Gu In-jeong, a Martial League elder who cherished him and had been his sword instructor during his days as a Master of Great Righteousness.
—*Elder, if you give me a chance, I will devote my life to this.*
Cheon Hwa-in had gone to Gu In-jeong and begged him.
Although it was a squad for handling minor affairs, it was also a position with many opportunities to earn merit.
He absolutely could not let this chance slip away.
Gu In-jeong had refused at first, but at Cheon Hwa-in's desperate plea, he had nodded.
—*My proposal to select the squad leader from among the rising generation attending the Grand Scholar Assembly has been approved. You will surely be able to become the leader.*
Gu In-jeong believed that if Cheon Hwa-in had a change of heart and became an excellent squad leader, nothing could be better.
The more people from the Mount Hua Sect held key positions in the Martial League, the greater his own influence would become.
But their plan had been ruined.
All because of someone completely unexpected: the heir of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild, Seonwu Jin.
"Hah, hah."
By the time Cheon Hwa-in finally reached the entrance of the Martial League, his body was soaked as if he had been pulled from water.
His lips were cracked and dry, and white spots danced before his eyes, but he bit his lip and slowly walked on.
Finally arriving at the Hall of Longevity in the southern part of the League, he immediately headed for the pavilion where Gu In-jeong was staying.
"How may I help you?"
A martial artist standing in front of the pavilion asked, cupping his hands, but Cheon Hwa-in walked past without a word.
"You must state your identity and purpose."
"Out of my way."
Despite the guard's attempt to stop him, Cheon Hwa-in replied with irritation and pushed past.
He was half out of his mind. He didn't even have the energy to argue with a mere guard.
"Young Master!"
As Cheon Hwa-in tried to force his way inside, the guard finally drew his sword.
"If you proceed without permission…"
"It's all right. Let him be."
Just then, Gu In-jeong emerged from the Hall of Longevity.
"Elder!"
Cheon Hwa-in's voice trembled as he spoke to Gu In-jeong.
"What in the world happened? How can the mission for the squad leader already be over?"
"Several days ago, Seonwu Jin brought the pledge from Gwak Gu, the master of the Viper Gate."
"It must be a lie. How could such a thing…"
"It is the truth. Even before he brought the pledge, the Viper Gate's forces that had advanced into Gongchang Prefecture had all retreated."
"That's impossible."
Cheon Hwa-in shook his head.
"I can't believe it!"
He shouted and ran toward the Deungmu Hall, where Yuk Jang-cheon was.
Along with Gu In-jeong, Yuk Jang-cheon was the one in charge of the practical matters of establishing this elite squad.
"Listen to what I have to say first!"
Despite Gu In-jeong's shout, Cheon Hwa-in quickly ran toward the Deungmu Hall.
Worried that Cheon Hwa-in might cause trouble, Gu In-jeong began to gather his energy to unleash a blast of wind.
Then, as if a thought struck him, he shook his head.
"No, that boy needs to come to his senses now…"
Gu In-jeong shook his head.
Cheon Hwa-in was a martial talent with exceptional gifts, but his arrogant nature made him look down on others.
Moreover, having always walked the path of success, he was completely unprepared to handle frustration or failure.
"He can learn from his failures and become an even greater man."
Gu In-jeong muttered under his breath.
But this time, he would not be the one to teach that lesson.
With a bitter expression, he eventually turned away.
"Hah… hah…"
Meanwhile, Cheon Hwa-in, running like a madman, spotted Yuk Jang-cheon talking with Yuk Cheong-a in a pavilion in front of the Deungmu Hall.
"Hall Master!"
Cheon Hwa-in stood before him, his face contorted as if he were about to cough up blood.
"What in the world happened?"
He then shouted in disbelief.
"How could that man from a merchant guild possibly get a pledge from the Viper Gate?"
"Hmph."
A flicker of anger appeared in Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes at Cheon Hwa-in's disrespectful attitude.
But he let out a sigh as he took in his appearance.
His entire body was covered in dust, and his lips were cracked from running day and night without a sip of water.
Seeing him in such a state, he couldn't bring himself to scold him.
"You look like a wounded beast."
"Hall Master."
"Yes. What is it you want to say?"
Cheon Hwa-in shook his head, his expression one of disbelief.
"After receiving the mission, I reached the Viper Gate in four days. But…"
"You want to know how someone from a merchant guild could get the Viper Gate to pledge a retreat faster than you. Is that it?"
Yuk Jang-cheon cut Cheon Hwa-in off, looking down at him with sharp eyes.
"You are not the only one. The leadership, including myself, had the same question."
Yuk Jang-cheon's eyes narrowed as if recalling that time.
"So we summoned him to ascertain the facts. Not just me, but Elder Gu and several hall masters were present as well."
***
Inside the conference room of the Deungmu Hall.
Seated around a large table were Yuk Jang-cheon, the Hall Master of Deungmu; Elder Gu In-jeong; and five other hall masters involved in the establishment of the elite squad.
Across from them stood a young man with delicate features and sparkling eyes, his posture respectful.
It was Bu Eun-seol, posing as the heir of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild.
‘He has more backbone than I expected.’
Yuk Jang-cheon inwardly nodded, seeing how calmly the young man withstood his and Gu In-jeong's intense gazes.
"We have confirmed that the pledge you brought was handwritten by Gwak Gu, the master of the Viper Gate, and that he is faithfully carrying out its orders."
At that moment, Gu In-jeong stood up and swept his piercing gaze over Bu Eun-seol.
"However, it is simply incomprehensible that you could accomplish such a task in a matter of days. This is not just my opinion, but the unanimous sentiment of the entire leadership."
Gu In-jeong spoke with a solemn expression.
"Explain what method you used to obtain the pledge from the Viper Gate's master."
His voice grew sharper with each word.
"If you cannot provide a clear explanation, the League's investigation team may detain you to uncover the truth. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand."
"Then explain. How did you do it?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded without hesitation and produced a scroll from his robes.
"This is how."
Gu In-jeong frowned and took the scroll.
As he unfurled it, his eyes trembled violently.
Written there in detail were the wrongdoings and secrets that could be called someone's shame.
"What is this?"
"These are the evil deeds and crimes committed by Gwak Gu, the master of the Viper Gate, up until now."
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
"He stopped at nothing, no matter how dirty, to build up the Viper Gate. It was the fear of these things being revealed that kept him from joining the Martial Alliance."
"Hmm."
After a long hum, Gu In-jeong spoke.
"Where on earth did you get this information?"
"Our merchant guild has ample funds. And 'information' is something that can be bought with funds."
"Nonsense. Are you saying you were able to obtain this information within days of receiving the mission from the League?"
"Of course not."
Bu Eun-seol's reply was as smooth as flowing water.
"In the past, the Daeun Merchant Guild had a major conflict with the Viper Gate while passing through Mount Winam. At that time, the Daeun Guild had already completed an investigation into Gwak Gu in order to deal with him."
Bu Eun-seol paused for a moment before continuing calmly.
"However, shortly after, the Daeun Guild was implicated in dealing with traitors and collapsed in an instant… so this information was never used."
Gu In-jeong was at a loss for words.
How could such a convenient coincidence have occurred?
Gu In-jeong stared at Bu Eun-seol's face for a long time, his own face flushing and paling.
"So? Did you use this information to threaten Gwak Gu? By yourself?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol offered a faint smile.
That slight smile seemed to rebuke Gu In-jeong for his stubbornness.
Instantly feeling displeased, Gu In-jeong turned to Yuk Jang-cheon and spoke.
"I find this hard to believe, Hall Master. If someone from a merchant guild were this capable, why has his reputation remained unknown until now?"
"Elder Gu."
Yuk Jang-cheon shook his head.
"Young Master Seonwu is an outstanding member of the new generation whose true abilities have not been revealed because he has been involved in commerce. That is why he was invited to the Grand Scholar Assembly."
"I cannot believe it. Let's begin an investigation into him at once. Selecting the elite squad leader can come after that."
"We already have."
Yuk Jang-cheon handed a thin booklet to Gu In-jeong.
It contained detailed information about Seonwu Jin, the heir of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild—his background, personality, and level of martial arts proficiency.
"It turns out Young Master Seonwu is the successor to the Unfettered One. His prowess was simply unknown because he was always occupied with the guild's affairs, dealing only with bandits."
"The successor to the Unfettered One?"
Gu In-jeong's eyes widened.
The Unfettered One was a legendary master from three hundred years ago who had dominated the great desert with a single throwing knife.
And Seonwu Jin was his successor?
"And the Seonhwa Merchant Guild was no small operation either. Contrary to what is known, it possessed wealth comparable to the Ten Great Merchant Guilds."
At Yuk Jang-cheon's words, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
The identity of the heir to the Seonhwa Merchant Guild, crafted by the Divine Calculator, was flawless, able to withstand any investigation.
Bu Eun-seol had confirmed this in advance through the Soul-Severing Squad, which was why he had dared to apply for the position of squad leader in the Martial League.
"With Young Master Seonwu's skills, he could have secretly assassinated the Viper Gate's master."
"Hmm."
Left with nothing to say, Gu In-jeong let out a hum.
Who would have thought that Seonwu Jin, known merely as a merchant guild's heir, had such a background?
"Young Master Seonwu has completed his missions without a single complaint, even under unfavorable conditions. Doesn't this alone prove he is more than qualified to be the leader of the elite squad?"
Yuk Jang-cheon spoke candidly.
"Elder Gu, let's entrust this elite squad to Young Master Seonwu."
Gu In-jeong trembled slightly.
It was because his own stubborn actions flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
The hall masters who had supported Gu In-jeong's opinion until now also remained silent.
"Very well."
Casting aside all personal feelings, Gu In-jeong lowered his head and spoke.
"I, too, agree to him becoming the leader of the elite squad."
***
The light had vanished from Cheon Hwa-in's eyes after hearing the full explanation from Yuk Jang-cheon.
"He was… the successor to the Unfettered One."
To think that the Seonhwa Merchant Guild, which he had dismissed as a small operation stuck in the outskirts, possessed immense wealth…
And that Seonwu Jin, the heir he thought only dealt with bandits, was the successor to the Unfettered One, the legend of the great desert?
"But isn't this a success born from his wealth and a piece of information he stumbled upon by chance?"
At Cheon Hwa-in's stubborn retort, Yuk Jang-cheon surprisingly played along.
"Of course. Under normal circumstances, you might have competed for the position of leader a little longer."
Then, his expression turned solemn.
"But I heard that as soon as you learned he had succeeded in the mission first, you abandoned your squad members and headed straight for the League."
"That was…"
"The position of a commander is not one that merely holds great power. It comes with great responsibility."
Yuk Jang-cheon's expression was bitter.
"The moment you abandoned your squad members and returned to the League, you lost the right to obtain the title of leader. Do you understand?"
Cheon Hwa-in lowered his head.
He had no excuse, even if he had ten mouths.
He had only ever thought of the squad leader position as a stepping stone for his own career.
He had never once considered the well-being of his subordinates.
"Unlike in the past, the League strictly prohibits the selection of leaders based on martial skill or connections."
Yuk Jang-cheon's expression grew sterner.
"As you know, the League… has already experienced such a mistake."
Cheon Geom, who had instantly become a first-class squad leader in the Martial League due to his outstanding martial skills and his status as the Sword Saint's disciple.
But he had neglected his subordinates, abused his power, and ultimately left behind a disgrace that even death could not wash away.
Since then, the Martial League had not only strictly forbidden appointing leaders based solely on connections and martial arts…
But had also expelled every single leader who looked out only for their own interests while neglecting their squad members.
Cheon Hwa-in's act of abandoning his squad was particularly unforgivable because it so closely mirrored the past actions of Cheon Geom.
"I understand."
Realizing that everything was over, Cheon Hwa-in closed his eyes and turned away.
His arrogance had cost him every good opportunity that had come his way.
He had been pushed out of the line of succession in the Mount Hua Sect, and now he had exposed all his arrogance and flaws to the leadership of the Martial League.
Now, there was no place left for him, neither in the Mount Hua Sect nor in the Martial League.
*Trudge, trudge.*
Cheon Hwa-in walked with his head hung low, his steps heavy and lifeless.
His slow, heavy movements resembled the gait of a commoner who had never learned martial arts.
The greatest dangers for young masters who had reached the Transcendent Realm were negative emotions like despair and frustration.
When young people who had only known success fell into an irrecoverable despair… their spirit could suffer a collapse from which it could not recover, leading to a rapid decline in their internal energy.
‘There’s no need to even cripple his energy.’
A shadow was watching him from afar.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
‘He’s already a ruined man.’
Cheon Hwa-in would never be able to stand up again after this.
For someone who had always looked down on others and lived according to his own whims, there were no longer any connections to guide him, nor any factions to offer him help.
In that case, there was no need to even lift a hand to cripple his energy.
—*Well done.*
In the distant sky, it seemed as if Yeong Mun-ho was smiling faintly.
Bu Eun-seol offered a somewhat lonely but bright smile to the sky.
In memory of him, who would now live happily, free from the grief and misfortune that stained the martial world.