Chapter 454
Chapter 454
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 454
Chapter Title: A Cunning Victory and a New Gambit
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Even though he quickly looked away, the image of her eyes seemed to linger in his mind like an afterimage.
Eyes that, unlike normal ones, seemed to sparkle with various colors.
‘The Mystic Heart’s Eye?’
Among the figures of the martial world, there are those born with unique ocular abilities.
Among them, the Mystic Heart’s Eye is known to leave various colors in the mind of the beholder, while also allowing its user to instinctively discern truth from falsehood without deep thought or judgment.
If she were the possessor of the Mystic Heart’s Eye, all of Bu Eun-seol's lies could be exposed.
‘No, that can’t be.’
Bu Eun-seol had achieved Spiritual Aperture Enlightenment.
This meant he was essentially immune to any great art or external force, much like possessing the Spirit-Repelling Fiery Eye of the Ghost Gate.
He was confident that a mind even a peerless demonic being like Ak Mu-ryeong couldn't penetrate would not be pierced by something like the Mystic Heart’s Eye.
‘I won’t look away.’
Bu Eun-seol soon lifted his head and calmly met Gongson Dan-gyeong's gaze.
An ordinary person’s heart would be pounding, unable to suppress their chaotic thoughts.
This was the heart of the Martial Alliance.
Among the warriors filling the platform were powerful masters who could certainly contend with Bu Eun-seol.
If everything were exposed here, there would be no escape unless he could sprout wings and fly away.
“I see.”
Just then, Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke again.
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol knew instinctively.
‘She didn’t notice.’
Just as he had expected.
The mysterious power within Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes had no effect on Bu Eun-seol.
“Why did you study such formations?”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong’s question, Bu Eun-seol composed himself and deliberately spoke with a bitter expression.
“I had no choice. I had to travel beyond the borders since I was young. To survive there, this kind of research was essential.”
With this one statement, Bu Eun-seol revealed that his consistently outstanding martial prowess and wit were not simply because he was the successor to the Unhindered One.
But were possible because he had constantly striven and lived a life of struggle in a harsh environment.
“It seems there are no particular issues.”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong's words, the leaders nodded.
Even Jong Gu-ryeong, who had been consistently displeased, was nodding.
“Then, we will proceed with the Pinnacle Unit for the third test.”
The leaders all nodded at Yong Myeong’s words.
Finally, the third and final test of the Phoenix Grand Tournament began.
The newly formed Pinnacle Unit had made it to the finals.
Their opponents were the Hoyeon Unit, a historic unit with two previous victories in the Phoenix Grand Tournament, known for comprising the fastest individuals in terms of movement techniques.
So Geom-pyeong, the leader of the Hoyeon Unit, and his members were on high alert as they prepared for the final contest against the Pinnacle Unit.
—Those guys have something up their sleeve.
—We can't let our guard down just because they're a new unit.
*Step, step.*
The two units moved from the Grand Martial Arena to a small forest behind the West Gate of the Martial Alliance.
“For the final test, you must decipher the hidden codes of our Alliance and the Demonic Cult scattered throughout this forest and proceed to the intermediate assembly point.”
Yong Myeong said, looking at the two units.
“The final destination will be written at the intermediate assembly point. In other words, you must decipher the codes scattered here as quickly as possible… reach the intermediate point, quickly identify the final destination, and arrive there first.”
He explained the mission in detail.
“However, the unit whose every single member arrives at the final destination first will be the victor. You must keep that in mind.”
In short, if nineteen members of the Hoyeon Unit arrived first, and the twenty members of the Pinnacle Unit arrived later?
The Pinnacle Unit, with all twenty members present, would be declared the winner.
Having finished his explanation, Yong Myeong did not delay.
“Begin!”
At that moment, the Pinnacle Unit scattered in all directions like sand, beginning their search for the codes.
The Hoyeon Unit also began to search the forest in groups, looking for the scattered codes.
No, they pretended to search.
“Those guys don’t seem to understand the meaning of the Phoenix Grand Tournament.”
Hiding in the forest, So Geom-pyeong wore a cunning smile as he looked at his followers.
“Then again, it’s impressive enough that a new unit has come this far.”
The reason the Martial Alliance holds the Phoenix Grand Tournament every year was not simply to select a typically outstanding unit.
It was to select a unit that could find answers in any situation, one with excellent adaptability.
Otherwise, the content of the Phoenix Grand Tournament’s tests wouldn't change every year.
‘In conclusion, this test isn’t about reaching the intermediate assembly point, but about getting all members to the final destination quickly.’
So Geom-pyeong smiled faintly as he watched the Pinnacle Unit members scatter into the forest.
‘He said the codes leading to the intermediate assembly point are scattered in this forest. And at that point, the location of the final destination is written.’
As a leader who had commanded a Martial Alliance unit for a long time, So Geom-pyeong quickly grasped the mission's loophole.
‘In short, my unit can seize victory just by following the Pinnacle Unit to the intermediate assembly point.’
This mission ends when all members are gathered at the final destination.
In other words, even if one deciphers the codes to the intermediate point quickly, it has no bearing on the outcome.
So Geom-pyeong had seen through this loophole in advance and planned to track the Pinnacle Unit's movements to the intermediate point.
Then, he would use his unit’s superior speed to dash to the final destination.
‘Since they’re known as an intelligence unit, they’ll probably be faster than anyone at deciphering the codes.’
So Geom-pyeong was confident.
Even if Bu Eun-seol figured out his intentions, he would never be able to move his members faster than the Hoyeon Unit.
‘This is taking quite a while.’
So Geom-pyeong and the Hoyeon Unit pretended to wander through the forest while carefully observing the Pinnacle Unit.
However, it seemed there were many hidden codes, as the Pinnacle Unit members repeatedly gathered and scattered while searching for the intermediate assembly point.
*Rustle.*
How much time had passed?
Finally, seeming to have found the intermediate point, they shot off in a certain direction using their lightness arts.
But then, as if sensing something was off, the Pinnacle Unit members split into two groups and immediately took off.
“Leader. Which group should we follow?”
When Seo Mun-ho, the Hoyeon Unit’s vice-leader, asked, So Geom-pyeong hesitated for a moment.
‘No matter how fast they move, they can’t be faster than my unit. Leader Seonwu must know that much.’
Seonwu Jin was known for his sharp intellect. He surely knew they were being followed.
Therefore, his scheme must be to deliberately confuse them by splitting his members into two groups, then gather all his members as quickly as possible.
‘The slower members must get to the destination as quickly as possible. In that case, the ones with faster lightness arts will be buying time.’
As So Geom-pyeong pondered, a gleam appeared in his eyes.
In that case, the members led by Seonwu Jin would be the fastest, and the other group would be slower.
Therefore, it would be better for the Hoyeon Unit to pursue the group led by Tae Mu-ryong, not Seonwu Jin.
‘No, this could also be a trap.’
Having finished his thought, So Geom-pyeong said.
“We’ll split up and follow both.”
“What?”
“Our lightness arts are far superior anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trap. As long as the other ten of us can get back faster, it’ll be fine.”
Even if one of the groups was a decoy, the Hoyeon Unit would inevitably outpace the Pinnacle Unit on their way back.
In other words, So Geom-pyeong intended to seize victory safely and surely.
“Understood.”
*Fwoosh.*
So Geom-pyeong and Seo Mun-ho divided their members and pursued each of the Pinnacle Unit’s groups.
‘Fools. Was it just a shallow trick after all?’
The two separated groups of the Pinnacle Unit eventually rejoined stealthily and ran together.
So Geom-pyeong cheered inwardly and secretly followed them using his lightness arts.
Before long, the Pinnacle Unit arrived near the Martial Alliance’s West Gate.
There, on a large piece of paper above the West Gate’s plaque, were the characters for Seryu Hermitage.
It was a small hermitage built on a mountain by the Martial Alliance's West Gate, a place where high-ranking officials often went to clear their heads.
‘Seryu Hermitage! I see!’
So Geom-pyeong, who had been secretly tailing the Pinnacle Unit, his eyes flashing, sent a telepathic message to his members.
「The final destination is Seryu Hermitage, the one on the mountain behind our Alliance! Follow me!」
And he led his members, madly executing his lightness arts.
No matter how hard the Pinnacle Unit tried to follow, they could not catch up to the Hoyeon Unit, who were masters of movement techniques.
“Hah, hah.”
Finally, So Geom-pyeong and all the Hoyeon Unit members arrived at Seryu Hermitage.
Fortunately, not a single member of the Pinnacle Unit was in sight.
“We did it!”
So Geom-pyeong beamed.
Losing to a newly formed, second-rate rookie unit would have been the ultimate disgrace.
Fortunately, they had quickly grasped the nature of the mission and reached the final destination first.
“But I don’t see Hall Master Yong.”
They waited for a long time, but no one came to Seryu Hermitage.
Normally, after the final match, the observing leaders and all participating units would line up to offer their congratulations.
But even after a quarter of an hour, not a single soul was to be seen.
‘Did something go wrong?’
Finally sensing that something was amiss, So Geom-pyeong spoke to his vice-leader, Seo Mun-ho.
“Go look around and see if any officials from the Phoenix Grand Tournament are nearby.”
“Leader. If someone leaves, couldn’t the Pinnacle Unit rush in then?”
“That’s a very sharp point.”
So Geom-pyeong nodded, yet he said.
“Hall Master Yong clearly said the unit whose every member arrives first wins. If there was a loophole regarding a time limit, he would have surely mentioned it.”
He too looked around uneasily and said.
“Let’s wait for about two hours more, and if no one comes, we’ll investigate.”
“Understood.”
In the end, even after two hours, no one came.
Finally, as Seo Mun-ho was about to descend from Seryu Hermitage to check the surroundings, So Geom-pyeong said.
“No, I’ll go myself. If something happens, I can return the fastest.”
“Understood.”
*Fwoosh.*
He instantly executed his lightness arts and descended from Seryu Hermitage.
He looked around, but there was still no sign of anyone from the Martial Alliance.
“How can this be.”
Sensing that something was terribly wrong, he hurried toward the Martial Alliance’s main gate.
Just then, a few warriors were coming out in a group.
“Leader So. What happened?”
Just then, his friend and the leader of the Bogwang Unit, Jeong Sim-gu, who recognized him from afar, asked.
“Where on earth did the Hoyeon Unit go that you didn’t show up until the tournament was over?”
“What are you talking about? The tournament is over?”
So Geom-pyeong, gaping as if he had seen a ghost, quickly explained the situation.
“My unit is currently waiting after passing the final gate first. But Hall Master Yong hasn’t come…”
“What are you talking about, Leader So.”
Jeong Sim-gu blinked as if he found it strange.
“The winner of the Phoenix Grand Tournament has been confirmed as the Pinnacle Unit, and they’ve even received the elixirs from the leaders.”
“What do you mean? The Phoenix Grand Tournament is over?”
“It ended two hours ago. The Pinnacle Unit returned to the final destination, the Grand Martial Arena, first. And…”
“You mean the final destination was the Grand Martial Arena inside the Alliance?”
So Geom-pyeong’s eyes widened.
He had clearly chased the Pinnacle Unit, and hadn't the characters for Seryu Hermitage been written in large letters on the plaque above the West Gate?
How on earth did this happen?
‘I was tricked.’
Only then did So Geom-pyeong realize that everything had been the Pinnacle Unit leader’s scheme.
‘That’s why they took so long in the forest.’
The Pinnacle Unit, uncharacteristically for an intelligence unit, had wandered the forest for a long time.
But in that time, Seonwu Jin must have deciphered all the codes and secretly slipped away.
And after setting a trap at a fake assembly point, he secretly returned.
He then lured them to a location with a fake final destination, pretending to evade pursuit by splitting his members into two groups.
Because he had seen through the fact that they were being secretly followed.
‘I was wrong.’
Understanding the whole situation, So Geom-pyeong closed his eyes.
Not winning the Phoenix Grand Tournament was one thing, but this was an utterly humiliating defeat.
For some time, the Hoyeon Unit would have to keep a low profile, avoiding the public eye.
***
“You’ve worked hard.”
Dengmu Hall, Yuk Jang-cheon’s office.
A smile played on his lips.
In truth, he hadn’t really expected them to win.
He had thought it would be enough just to show the leaders that they were quite outstanding for a newly established unit.
But to win in one go?
And with the kind of intellect and ability that would surprise the new Grand Marshal, Gongson Dan-gyeong, no less.
“No matter how talented someone is, finding loopholes in the Phoenix Tournament's tests or the weaknesses of other units is quite difficult… You truly are remarkable.”
Yuk Jang-cheon had been briefed on the entire situation.
Bu Eun-seol had seen through all the schemes of the Hoyeon Unit’s leader, So Geom-pyeong, a strong contender for victory.
He then turned their own schemes against them to clinch a clean and perfect victory.
His astonishing intellect had left not only Yuk Jang-cheon but also the observing leaders speechless.
“I simply kept in mind that the Hoyeon Unit not only has many masters skilled in lightness arts but has also won the Phoenix Grand Tournament twice before.”
Yuk Jang-cheon nodded with a pleased expression at Bu Eun-seol's answer.
“In any case, you did well. Thanks to you, this hall has saved face, and the Pinnacle Unit has certainly caught the leaders’ attention.”
“But I’m not sure what this is about. Before coming here, I heard that I was summoned by the Grand Marshal’s Hall.”
“Hahaha.”
Yuk Jang-cheon chuckled lowly.
“The original purpose of holding the Phoenix Grand Tournament is to identify in advance which units will demonstrate outstanding abilities in operations required by the Alliance.”
“A mission, you mean?”
“Indeed. Seeing as this tournament’s tasks involved breaking the formations of the Ten Demonic Sects and deciphering the Demonic Cult’s codes… they’ll likely begin a mission related to that.”
Yuk Jang-cheon’s smiling eyes turned solemn.
“In my estimation, they will probably target either the White Horse Temple or the Hellblood Fortress. One of the two.”
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Until now, the forces of the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult had never clashed head-on.
But now, they were suddenly thinking of a preemptive strike?
“Thanks to that brilliant heir of the Demonic Cult, haven’t the forces of the Ten Demonic Sects been greatly weakened?”
Yuk Jang-cheon smiled faintly.
“Because of him, the lord of the Hellblood Fortress has stepped down, and the White Horse Temple is said to be barely active externally due to the harassment and scrutiny.”
That was true.
The two sects had persistently targeted Bu Eun-seol, only to suffer a counterattack.
Now, while they hadn't disbanded their forces, they were effectively in a state of seclusion.
Yuk Jang-cheon grinned, baring his teeth.
“Since you’ve demonstrated your skills this time, a related mission will likely be assigned.”
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath, his expression complicated.
He didn't know how the Martial Alliance would provoke the Ten Demonic Sects, but it was sure to be a perilous mission.
However, if he were to complete such a mission?
He would once again achieve great merit and garner attention.
‘But this is too dangerous.’
Even if Seo Jin-ha could perfectly imitate him, it was only at the level of going between the Shadow Palace and the martial world.
If the forces of the Martial Alliance and the Ten Demonic Sects were to clash, Bu Eun-seol would have to command the battle from the Demonic Cult's side.
Seo Jin-ha might make a mistake.
“No need to be so tense.”
Yuk Jang-cheon smiled, gazing at Bu Eun-seol’s stiff expression.
“It’s only an ‘attack’ in name; it doesn’t mean our Alliance and the Demonic Cult will clash head-on.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“In the case of the Hellblood Fortress and the White Horse Temple, their power has noticeably weakened, hasn't it? Until now, the merchant caravans that support our Alliance have had to pay a lot of money whenever they passed through their territories.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand Yuk Jang-cheon’s—no, Gongson Dan-gyeong’s—true intention.
“You mean you want to reclaim the major trade routes they’ve taken over.”
“Precisely.”
Yuk Jang-cheon smiled with satisfaction, seemingly pleased with the word "reclaim."
“As you know, the Ten Demonic Sects are no different from the dark syndicates, extorting money from traveling merchant caravans, are they not?”
Yuk Jang-cheon said firmly.
“Grand Marshal Gongson intends to bring the merchant trade routes back to our Alliance so that the caravans are not inconvenienced.”
‘Is that a relief, at least?’
Bu Eun-seol breathed an inward sigh of relief.
It wasn't a head-on collision with the Demonic Cult's forces, but a clash with either the White Horse Temple or the Hellblood Fortress.
‘So that was her plan.’
Bu Eun-seol had figured out Gongson Dan-gyeong’s scheme.
When one acquires a new position or status, the first thing to do is to understand what one holds in one's hand and how to wield it.
Having newly acquired the staff of the Grand Marshal, she must have wanted to test what shape it was and how to wield it.
And her first move was to mobilize the Martial Alliance’s elite forces to retake one of the weakened Ten Demonic Sects' territories.
‘She’s ambitious. It seems she has no intention of simply preserving her position.’
Gongson Dan-gyeong, having just become Grand Marshal, does not have the extensive connections that Tae Sa-hyeon did.
Also, unlike Tae Sa-hyeon, she doesn’t seem concerned with preserving her position and is willing to make bold moves.
She probably noticed that Yuk Jang-cheon was trying to achieve merit to become a Hall Master and extended a hand to him.
And Yuk Jang-cheon seemed willing to become Gongson Dan-gyeong’s sharp sword.
Because their interests aligned.
They had willingly boarded the same boat.
‘I should stay in the Martial Alliance a bit longer.’
After the Phoenix Grand Tournament, Bu Eun-seol had planned to return to the Demonic Cult to handle various matters.
But with such important events unfolding, he had to postpone his return to the Demonic Cult.
“A decision on how to recover the territory will be made soon. Hahaha.”
Watching Yuk Jang-cheon’s cunning smile, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
For the ambitious Yuk Jang-cheon to be so confident, it was almost certain that he would soon have to clash with the Hellblood Fortress or the White Horse Temple as a leader of the Martial Alliance.
“Understood.”
Bowing his head with his hands clasped, he left Dengmu Hall.
‘From now on, I must move more cautiously and carefully.’
Returning to the Pinnacle Unit’s office, Bu Eun-seol prepared to carefully consider his plans for the future.
But that was merely a vain hope.
—Leader No Dok-cheong of the Iron Shield Unit has been murdered in the Yeogyeong region!
No Dok-cheong, the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Iron Shield Unit, had been suddenly murdered in the Yeogyeong region, a territory of the Hellblood Fortress.
And Grand Marshal Gongson Dan-gyeong, not missing the opportunity, began to move with extreme urgency.