Chapter 455
Chapter 455
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 455
Chapter Title: The Grand Marshal's Test
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Was Heaven itself rooting for Gongson Dan-gyeong’s success?
No Dok-cheong, the Elder of the Martial Alliance's Iron Shield Division, was suddenly killed in the Yeogyeong region—territory under the influence of the Hellfire Fortress.
The cause of death was poisoning. The body had been intentionally mutilated with a combination of various poisons, obscuring the method and the culprit's identity, but…
Who in Yeogyeong could poison a master of No Dok-cheong's caliber?
The masters of the Hellfire Fortress were the only plausible suspects.
And upon a close examination of the body, traces of the Demonic Arts of Venomous Qi, a signature technique of the Hellfire Fortress, were finally discovered.
The Grand Marshal, Gongson Dan-gyeong, sent a letter of protest directly to the Demonic Sanctum.
—The Demonic Sanctum must immediately explain its actions!
This was an opportunity.
Guizhou had long been the Demonic Path's domain.
Normally, dispatching a large force from the Martial Alliance into Guizhou, where the Hellfire Fortress was located, would be nearly impossible.
—Vice Commander Gun Ok-sang, you will lead one-third of the Divine Guard and station them at the border of Guizhou.
However, due to the Great Cloud Forest incident, the Lord of the Hellfire Fortress had stepped down, and the fortress's power had significantly waned.
On top of that, with the Elder of the Iron Shield Division killed by a suspected master from the Hellfire Fortress… she cleverly…
Demanded an explanation and compensation not from the Hellfire Fortress, but from the Demonic Sanctum, the coalition of the Demonic Path.
If an agreement was reached between the two coalitions, the Hellfire Fortress would have no choice but to comply.
Furthermore, the Martial Alliance had gained a just cause with the death of No Dok-cheong.
Gongson Dan-gyeong immediately deployed the Vice Commander of the Divine Guard, Gun Ok-sang, and one-third of its forces near the border of Sichuan and Guizhou.
—The negotiations with the Demonic Sanctum will be handled by Hall Master Yeon of the Wyrm Dragon Hall.
The negotiations were entrusted to Yeon Ja-gang, the Hall Master of the Wyrm Dragon Hall, a strategist and renowned orator from the Hall of Ascendant Martial Arts.
Of course, if she, the Grand Marshal, were to step in herself, the negotiations might proceed even more brilliantly.
But since this was a dispute over a small territory in the Yeogyeong region, it was beneath her station as Grand Marshal to personally intervene.
A few days later.
After leaving the Pinnacle Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol walked for a long time before finally stopping in front of a building near the center of the Martial Alliance.
The Silver Moon Pavilion.
It was the Grand Marshal's residence.
In the past, it was occupied by Tae Sa-hyeon, who bore the grand title of Heavenly Strategist.
But now, it was home to Gongson Dan-gyeong, known as the Star of Great Wisdom, the most intelligent woman in the martial world.
And Bu Eun-seol had been summoned by her.
‘So she's planning to send out the main force.’
Having already been briefed by Yuk Jang-cheon, Bu Eun-seol could guess her plan.
The Divine Guard would be stationed there, but the Wyrm Dragon Hall was the one that would actually negotiate with the Demonic Sanctum to seize control of the Yeogyeong region.
Anticipating the possibility of direct conflict, she would surely dispatch Bu Eun-seol’s Pinnacle Unit to support the Wyrm Dragon Hall.
After all, Bu Eun-seol, victorious in the Phoenix Tournament, possessed the ability to shatter the formations of the Hellfire Fortress in an instant.
“For what reason have you come?”
As he entered the Silver Moon Pavilion, a guard stepped forward to block his path.
“I am Seon-u Jin, the commander of the Pinnacle Unit. I have come at the Grand Marshal’s summons.”
“Please follow me.”
The guard, who seemed to have been informed of the situation, led Bu Eun-seol inside.
Surrounding the building were the elite sword squads of the Star Guard, who protected the highest-ranking leaders of the Martial Alliance.
And further inside, exceptional masters, including the sword squad commanders, were meticulously positioned.
As Bu Eun-seol followed the guard into the building, a question suddenly arose in his mind.
‘How on earth did she become the Grand Marshal?’
The Orthodox martial world placed great importance on seniority and rank.
Even the selection of the next Alliance Leader was made from among the seven division masters, all of whom had reached middle age.
So how could they give the position of Grand Marshal, a post within the top ten of the ceremonial hierarchy, to a young scholar who had just reached her thirties, no matter how brilliant her mind and talents were?
What exactly had transpired among the leadership?
“Grand Marshal, the commander of the Pinnacle Unit has arrived.”
The guard, now standing before an office, announced.
“Come in.”
A clear voice drifted out.
“You may enter.”
The guard opened the door, revealing a spacious office.
As Bu Eun-seol stepped inside, he saw shelves packed tightly with books, and a large desk further in.
And at the desk, a beautiful woman was writing something, her brush moving gracefully.
It was the Grand Marshal, Gongson Dan-gyeong.
“Seon-u Jin, commander of the Pinnacle Unit, greets the Grand Marshal.”
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed his head, Gongson Dan-gyeong set down her brush and smiled.
“Welcome.”
Their eyes met, but unlike before, there was no longer a light that threatened Bu Eun-seol’s spirit.
It seemed the power of her All-Seeing Heart's Eye could no longer affect him.
“We meet again, for the first time since the Phoenix Tournament.”
Her voice was low, yet remarkably clear and distinct.
‘Not only is she profoundly wise, but she must also be stubborn.’
In Bu Eun-seol’s experience, people with clear and distinct voices were not only brilliant but also generally strong-willed.
Unaware of his thoughts, Gongson Dan-gyeong rose from her seat.
“Please, sit.”
After gesturing to a seat, she cut straight to the point.
“We don’t have much time, so I’ll be brief.”
As she got down to business, her beautiful demeanor vanished, replaced by a heavy, solemn gaze.
It was the disposition of a Grand Marshal leading the colossal Martial Alliance.
“Take your unit and go to Yeogyeong immediately, where the Wyrm Dragon Hall is stationed.”
“Do you have any specific orders for my unit?”
Bu Eun-seol emphasized the word “specifically.”
The Divine Guard was already deployed, and the Hall Master of the Wyrm Dragon Hall, renowned as a master negotiator, had already departed for Yeogyeong.
To send a second-class unit in this situation, especially one known for intelligence gathering like the Pinnacle Unit…
It meant Gongson Dan-gyeong had a separate purpose for Bu Eun-seol.
“The Demonic Sanctum won't give up the Yeogyeong region easily. Although our Alliance is negotiating from a position of strength, minor and major clashes could still occur.”
She stared intently at Bu Eun-seol and said.
“The Pinnacle Unit proved its excellent martial prowess in the Phoenix Tournament.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded, as if he understood something.
“You designed the Phoenix Tournament's trials in anticipation of a situation like this, didn't you?”
She had planned to reclaim the Yeogyeong region even before the Phoenix Tournament began.
She had predicted that a confrontation with the Hellfire Fortress would arise.
“That's right. Every trial in the Phoenix Tournament was designed to simulate a battle against the Hellfire Fortress.”
She said with a slight smile.
“Ever since the Demonic Sanctum produced its successor, the Hellfire Fortress’s power has been rapidly declining. I knew an opportunity to reclaim their territory would come soon.”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong's words, Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
It wasn’t out of pity for the Hellfire Fortress, but… a question had arisen. Could she have been involved in No Dok-cheong's death?
If she had orchestrated this, sacrificing No Dok-cheong to seize the Hellfire Fortress’s territory and establish her authority as the newly appointed Grand Marshal…
She would be a terrifyingly ruthless figure, completely different from her outward appearance.
“The Master of the Hall of Ascendant Martial Arts strongly recommended you. He said the Pinnacle Unit is not only an excellent intelligence unit but also possesses outstanding martial skill, which would be a great help in these negotiations.”
It seemed Yuk Jang-cheon intended to get not only the Hall Master of the Wyrm Dragon Hall but also the Pinnacle Unit into Gongson Dan-gyeong's good graces.
He needed to quickly accumulate merits and win the support of many leaders to become the Master of the Heavenly Martial Division.
Of course, this wasn't a bad thing for Bu Eun-seol.
But something left a bad taste in his mouth.
‘A brilliant woman who became the Grand Marshal of the Martial Alliance at such a young age… wouldn't meet with me privately just because of a recommendation from Hall Master Yuk.’
Besides, if she were just issuing a deployment order, she could have simply relayed it through her subordinates or sent a dispatch.
There was no need to meet privately with him, someone who could have no impact on the negotiations, just to give a deployment order.
“Understood.”
But he would think about it later.
For now, he had to carry out the Grand Marshal Gongson Dan-gyeong's order immediately.
“I will lead my unit to Yeogyeong and support the Wyrm Dragon Hall.”
“I have high expectations.”
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed, Gongson Dan-gyeong said.
“They say Commander Seon-u is a man who turns any crisis into an opportunity.”
In that moment, an unsettling intuition flashed through Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
‘She doesn't think favorably of me.’
Lifting his head to meet Gongson Dan-gyeong’s gaze, Bu Eun-seol was certain.
‘No, she suspects me.’
Just as Yuk Jang-cheon had at first.
Gongson Dan-gyeong also suspected him. It was likely due to his abilities, which were far too exceptional for a second-class unit commander.
‘She’s suspected me ever since the Phoenix Tournament.’
To show that the Pinnacle Unit excelled in all areas…
Bu Eun-seol had shattered the demonic formation arts in the Phoenix Tournament with an unconventional method and at an incredible speed.
In anticipation of suspicious glances from the leadership, he had prepared a book to explain his reasoning.
At the time, Gongson Dan-gyeong had been the first to nod as if she understood… but in reality, she had been suspicious of him all along.
“Is there anything else?”
“No, nothing.”
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands.
“Then I will take my leave.”
Outside the Silver Moon Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes were heavy and subdued.
Yuk Jang-cheon had also been extremely suspicious of him, only dispelling his doubts after having Jong Jeong-yak investigate thoroughly.
Gongson Dan-gyeong was the Grand Marshal of the Martial Alliance. Considering her intellect, her suspicion would be even deeper and more intense.
‘Was this inevitable?’
Bu Eun-seol needed to rise through the ranks as quickly as possible and become a key figure in the Martial Alliance.
Therefore, he hadn't bothered to hide his talents, and being suspected as a result was to be expected.
‘She suspects I’m an agent of the Demonic Path.’
Sending a relatively useless second-class unit ahead of negotiations with the Demonic Sanctum…
It was likely because she suspected him of being a spy for the Demonic Path.
If that were the case, he would have to do everything in his power to disrupt the negotiations and prevent them from proceeding smoothly.
‘I need to clear her suspicions quickly.’
To be suspected by none other than a high-ranking leader in the position of Grand Marshal…
If he didn't resolve this doubt soon, the future consequences would be endless.
‘I’ll make it definitive.’
As he gazed at the distant sky, Bu Eun-seol's eyes turned exceedingly cold.
If he were a spy for the Demonic Path, this situation would be extremely distressing and difficult.
But Bu Eun-seol felt no hesitation; in fact, he felt a sense of exhilaration.
He was a man driven by revenge. He cared not for the opinions of the Demonic Path or the Orthodox Faction.
Moreover, the Hellfire Fortress was a place he had long intended to bring down.
A sword dance to allay Gongson Dan-gyeong’s suspicions… he could perform that hundreds of times over.
* * *
The Demonic Sanctum, main conference hall of the Edict Pavilion.
A council of hall masters was being held, presided over by the Grand Prelate, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
It was because of the death of the Martial Alliance elder, No Dok-cheong, in the Yeogyeong region of Guizhou.
The culprit who killed No Dok-cheong had not been found, but it was almost certain to be a master from the Hellfire Fortress.
To resolve the matter easily, the Martial Alliance’s Grand Marshal, Gongson Dan-gyeong, had sent a letter of protest not to the Hellfire Fortress but to the Demonic Sanctum.
Yeop Hyo-cheon had convened a meeting of all the hall masters to handle the issue.
“Stationing the Divine Guard at the Guizhou border is merely a show of force to gain an upper hand in negotiations. I doubt they are considering an actual military conflict.”
The Vice Master of the Shadowless Pavilion, Yeo Bul-hoe, continued his explanation to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
“However, the area where Elder No Dok-cheong was killed is Yeogyeong, and they have brazenly sent troops near Nine Moon Mountain. They're using the negotiations as a pretext, refusing to miss this golden opportunity to deploy their forces.”
“A golden opportunity, you say.”
As Yeop Hyo-cheon narrowed his eyes, Yeo Bul-hoe nodded.
“Recently, Lord Gong-ya of the Hellfire Fortress stepped down, and its power has waned. As a result, they are barely holding onto the Nine Moon Mountain area, the most valuable part of Yeogyeong.”
He continued his explanation.
“They've planted themselves near Nine Moon Mountain under the pretext of an investigation and negotiations to determine responsibility… Their objective is obvious.”
“They intend to claim the area around Nine Moon Mountain as Martial Alliance territory.”
Hearing Yeo Bul-hoe’s explanation, Yeop Hyo-cheon instantly grasped the Martial Alliance’s intentions.
“Under the guise of negotiations.”
“Precisely.”
“In that case, it would be best for the Hellfire Fortress to resolve this immediately.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon looked around at the assembled figures and said.
“If anyone has an opinion on this, speak now.”
At that moment, Baek Hyo-myeong, the Hall Master of the Serpent Eye Hall and a native of the Hellfire Fortress, spoke up.
“Since the Martial Alliance sent the letter to our Sanctum, shouldn't our Sanctum be the one to resolve it?”
He spoke with a deeply aggrieved expression.
“Ultimately, wasn't this incident caused by someone from our Sanctum?”
He suppressed a look of boiling frustration and continued.
“If our Lord hadn't stepped down… if he hadn't created a situation that weakened our fortress's influence in the first place, the Martial Alliance would never have dared to invade.”
Baek Hyo-myeong didn't name anyone, but he was clearly implying that Bu Eun-seol was the cause.
“Well, you're not wrong.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon wore a strange smile.
“And since the Martial Alliance has rolled up its sleeves, it seems right that our Sanctum should handle it.”
As everyone present nodded in agreement, he continued.
“Who has the Martial Alliance sent as their negotiator?”
Yeo Bul-hoe answered Yeop Hyo-cheon’s question.
“The Martial Alliance has reportedly sent the Hall Master of the Wyrm Dragon Hall, from under the Hall of Ascendant Martial Arts, as their negotiator.”
—So that's why the Grand Prelate called this meeting.
Only then did the hall masters in the room understand the situation and nod.
It was a minor territorial dispute, and the Martial Alliance had sent a hall master to negotiate.
Therefore, there was no need for the Demonic Sanctum's leadership to convene a meeting.
“The Wyrm Dragon Hall, you say.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon chuckled.
“They are so fond of their justifications, the Martial Alliance.”
What if the Martial Alliance had sent a powerful first-class sword squad or combat unit?
They would have had to prepare for battle without any need for negotiations.
But to inexplicably send the Wyrm Dragon Hall and an intelligence unit from the Hall of Ascendant Martial Arts…
Whatever their true intentions, they were outwardly posturing to prioritize negotiations.
Justification. For the Martial Alliance, nothing was more important than justification.
“In that case, we must send a suitable person of a corresponding level…”
The leaders, understanding Yeop Hyo-cheon's meaning, nodded.
For example, if the Martial Alliance dispatched a third-class commander, it would be a loss of face for the Demonic Sanctum to send a first-class commander.
Similarly, if the Martial Alliance sent a hall master and the Demonic Sanctum sent a division master, the difference in authority would be too great for negotiations to even take place.
“In that case, shouldn't our Sanctum send someone of a higher rank?”
Yeo Bul-hoe interjected.
“Since the Martial Alliance is playing the victim.”
Regardless of the facts, a Martial Alliance elder was dead.
They would surely make various demands, so it would be better to send someone of a higher rank than a mere hall master to smoothly lead the negotiations.
“This matter requires not only negotiation but also a battle for territory, so it should be handled by someone with outstanding strategic sense.”
Though it could be seen as a petty territorial dispute, the area around Nine Moon Mountain was a trade route used by merchant caravans.
Not only did it generate significant revenue, but this territorial dispute was also a power struggle between the Demonic Sanctum and the Martial Alliance.
Therefore, losses had to be minimized.
And profits maximized. This required a brilliant strategist to step forward.
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon stroked his chin, pondering for a moment.
“Then the only suitable person is the Lord of the Martial Spirit.”
He then looked at Baek Hyo-myeong and said nonchalantly.
“The Hellfire Fortress was weakened because the Lord of the Martial Spirit initiated an audit, which ultimately led to Lord Gong-ya stepping down.”
A murmur went through the conference hall.
Even if the Hellfire Fortress had suffered greatly due to Bu Eun-seol’s actions…
He was the successor of the Demonic Sanctum, one of the top ten leaders in the ceremonial hierarchy.
If he were to negotiate with a hall master sent by the Martial Alliance, it would be an act that damaged the prestige and face of the Demonic Sanctum.
“Grand Prelate.”
Baek Hyo-myeong, sensing the mood, spoke to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
“That would only serve to diminish our Sanctum’s prestige.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon smiled and shook his head.
“I’m just speaking hypothetically. As Hall Master Baek said, the Lord of the Martial Spirit bears no small responsibility for this matter…”
He thought for a moment, then said with a relaxed expression.
“It seems best if someone close to the Lord handles this matter.”
As if he had already made a decision, a peculiar smile hung on Yeop Hyo-cheon’s lips.