Chapter 457
Chapter 457
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 457
Chapter Title: Sacrifice the Plum for the Peach
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With Tae Mu-ryong at its center, the Elite Unit worked through the night.
They began creating a map marking the spheres of influence of the orthodox and unorthodox sects affecting the Guizhou region.
While many maps existed in the martial world depicting hostile forces, it was rare to find one that showed both orthodox and unorthodox powers simultaneously.
This was because fights between the orthodox and unorthodox martial world seldom occurred.
They could escalate into major conflicts between alliances, so they avoided encroaching on each other's territories as much as possible.
Thus, creating a map that displayed both enemy and friendly forces, much like in a military war, was uncommon.
“It is done.”
After three nights of gathering information and data using Mangyeong Hall and Guizhou's intelligence organizations, the work was complete.
The Elite Unit had finally created a map that perfectly marked the distribution of orthodox and unorthodox factions and their influence throughout Guizhou.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded as he looked at the completed map.
The members of the Elite Unit had drawn a detailed map faster than he had anticipated.
This was also proof that Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do were leading the unit well.
“What do you think?”
At Tae Mu-ryong’s question, Bu Eun-seol, who had been examining the map, nodded.
“You’ve made it far more detailed and better than I expected.”
Even as he answered, Bu Eun-seol’s gaze remained fixed on the map.
Realizing that Bu Eun-seol was deep in thought, Tae Mu-ryong clasped his hands together.
“Then we will take our leave.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol snap back to attention and nod.
“There is nothing more for the main unit to do. Let the members rest.”
“Understood.”
After Tae Mu-ryong and his men left, Bu Eun-seol stared at the map once more.
How much time had passed?
“Li Daitaojiang.”
A smile graced Bu Eun-seol's lips as he gazed at the map.
Sacrifice the plum for the peach.
It meant that the plum tree falls in place of the peach tree.
Bu Eun-seol had finally devised a definitive plan to resolve this matter.
***
Meanwhile, a heavy air of war hung over the Mount Guwol area.
Several clashes had already occurred between the Majestic Dragon Hall and the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons.
Fortunately, no bloodshed had occurred, but the tension had escalated to a touch-and-go situation.
At this point, Dan So-ok, who commanded the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, found her worries deepening.
Resting her chin on the table, she tried to come up with a plan to break the deadlock.
But no matter how much she thought, no brilliant solution came to mind.
“I can’t have a direct confrontation with them… and I can’t drive them out of the Yeogyeong region.”
She touched her forehead and shook her head.
The Majestic Dragon Hall was staying in Mount Guwol, willing to risk an all-out war.
Of course, the warriors of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons could easily handle those from the Majestic Dragon Hall.
But if a war broke out, the Divine Might Corps waiting in the rear would immediately intervene.
If that happened, the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons would have to retreat without a single complaint.
“How am I supposed to protect the Yeogyeong region without starting an all-out war?”
Dan So-ok shook her head.
It seemed impossible, no matter how she looked at it.
“Even if we win the battle, we can’t reclaim this Yeogyeong region.”
What if the warriors of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons showed their one-man-army prowess and defeated even the Divine Might Corps?
It would ultimately trigger a great war between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.
Currently, the orthodox faction held the upper hand in the martial world, and the justification for this fight also lay with the Martial Alliance.
They couldn't start an all-out war over the sphere of influence in a small region like Yeogyeong… In the end, the Demonic Cult would have to concede the area through negotiations.
「Excuse me.」
Just then, a tiny telepathic message reached Dan So-ok’s ears, and a small shadow appeared before her eyes.
It was as if a ghost had materialized out of thin air.
“Who are you?”
Dan So-ok’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the shadow.
It was a masked girl with a gaunt frame, very pale skin, and mysterious silver-dyed eyes.
It was So-yo, the Deputy Captain of the Soul-Severing Unit, who regularly assisted Bu Eun-seol on his journeys.
‘My internal energy now exceeds one hundred and twenty years.’
Dan So-ok was no longer the sickly girl who had suffered from severed meridians.
Thanks to the Golden Spirit Elixir from Bu Eun-seol, she had gained one hundred and twenty years of internal energy and had been taught exceptional martial arts by Dan Wol-hon.
She had become a master among women who would not be pushed aside by anyone, yet she hadn't even detected the presence of this small girl?
“Is something the matter?”
At that moment, a guard stationed outside the tent heard Dan So-ok’s voice and rushed inside.
*Shuk.*
Simultaneously, So-yo vanished from before Dan So-ok’s eyes.
“I heard your voice from outside, My Lord.”
“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
Dan So-ok waved her hand, dismissing the guard.
*Bob, bob.*
All the while, she deliberately ignored So-yo, who was floating in the air with her arms and legs spread, stuck to the ceiling of the tent.
“I see. Understood.”
As the guard left, So-yo nonchalantly landed back on the ground.
Dan So-ok couldn't hide her astonishment.
‘How on earth can she perform such a movement technique?’
For a brief moment, So-yo had performed Wind-Riding Flight with her arms and legs spread.
“What brings you here?”
Swallowing her surprise, Dan So-ok whispered in a low voice. So-yo held out an envelope.
「He asked me to deliver this.」
So-yo’s telepathic message was so faint it was barely audible.
Dan So-ok tilted her head, looking down at the envelope.
“By ‘he,’ do you mean Lord Bu…”
As she raised her head to ask, she blinked.
So-yo, who had been right in front of her, had vanished like mist.
Bewildered, she took out the contents of the envelope and spread it on the table.
‘This is.’
It was a detailed map showing the orthodox and unorthodox sects rooted in the Guizhou region and their spheres of influence.
‘Why would the Lord give me something like this?’
Feeling something was odd, Dan So-ok examined the map closely.
“Could it be?”
After staring intently at the map for a long while, Dan So-ok’s gaze stopped at one spot, and her eyes sparkled.
She, too, was a brilliant strategist, enough to be considered a candidate for the next Commander-in-Chief.
Thus, she instantly understood what Bu Eun-seol was trying to tell her.
‘If I use this method…’
A smile of pure joy spread across Dan So-ok’s face.
With this method… she could devise a plan that would ensure she suffered absolutely no losses against the Martial Alliance, whose eyes were red with greed to swallow the Yeogyeong region.
‘You knew I took on this task for you, and that’s why you sent the letter.’
Dan So-ok hugged the map tightly.
The moment she was in a crisis, Bu Eun-seol had immediately shown her a way out.
‘Thank you so much. My dear husband.’
She whispered the name she had always wanted to call him, at least in her heart, and nodded firmly.
‘I will definitely become the Commander-in-Chief of our cult and be a source of strength by my husband's side.’
Tucking the map into her robes, Dan So-ok’s eyes flashed.
There was no more time to waste.
She had to launch an immediate counterattack and land a heavy blow on that mole-like Master of the Majestic Dragon Hall.
***
“What did you say?”
Yeon Ja-gang’s eyes shot open upon receiving the report from his subordinate.
“The masters of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons are coming to push through our main camp head-on?”
It was unbelievable news.
Dan So-ok, who had vehemently avoided conflict no matter how many times he provoked her, was finally leading the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons to attack?
“So she’s a candidate for Commander-in-Chief. Was that position just obtained through her connections and pretty face?”
Neither the Majestic Dragon Hall nor the Elite Unit were combat brigades, and even combined, their forces numbered just over eighty.
However, the forces Dan So-ok brought from the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons numbered over five hundred.
Despite this, Yeon Ja-gang wore a smile.
What did their advance mean?
It only served to create a justification for the Divine Might Corps in the rear to join the battle.
“Hahahaha!”
Yeon Ja-gang let out a hearty laugh.
“Thanks to that foolish girl, I’m about to achieve a great merit.”
He then spoke to his subordinate.
“There’s no need to form a defensive line. Retreat immediately. Send a messenger hawk to the Vice-Commander at once. Tell him the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons has initiated an all-out war!”
—The Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance are engaged in an all-out war in the Yeogyeong region!
The rumor spread rapidly throughout the martial world.
Yeogyeong was not considered prime territory in Guizhou.
However, it contained Mount Guwol, a major trade route that many merchant caravans had to pass through for trade.
Because of this, Hell's Blood Fortress had been earning a considerable amount of money each year just by controlling the area.
But the Martial Alliance’s Iron Plaque Lord had been killed there by a master from Hell's Blood Fortress.
The Martial Alliance had dispatched the Majestic Dragon Hall to investigate the incident.
Justification and power.
Since both were on the Martial Alliance's side, everyone expected the Demonic Cult to concede.
But Lord Milmil, Dan So-ok, who was handling the negotiations, had suddenly mobilized the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons under her command and driven the Majestic Dragon Hall out of the Mount Guwol area.
—If they want to use force, fine by us!
The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons that Dan So-ok brought consisted of masters with outstanding skills, even among the Demonic Cult’s Assembly of Demons Division.
Ultimately, the Majestic Dragon Hall’s master, Yeon Ja-gang, forced to retreat by their might, immediately requested help from the Divine Might Corps stationed at the Guizhou border.
—Wipe out those shameless spawns of the demonic path!
With the Divine Might Corps at his back, Yeon Ja-gang once again advanced into Mount Guwol.
The masters of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons tried to establish a defensive line and fight back, but it was useless.
In the end, they began to crumble like sand before a wave.
Inside the Majestic Dragon Hall's command tent at Mount Guwol.
The Divine Might Corps' Vice-Commander, Gun Ok-sang, and the Majestic Dragon Hall's Master, Yeon Ja-gang, were in a serious discussion.
“Vice-Commander, this is a good opportunity.”
Yeon Ja-gang was persuading Gun Ok-sang.
Thanks to Lord Milmil, Dan So-ok's show of force, they had gained the justification to mobilize the Divine Might Corps in the rear.
And they had swiftly pushed the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons out of Mount Guwol.
However, Yeon Ja-gang was not satisfied with this; he intended to drive out all demonic forces in the Yeogyeong region, including the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons.
“Is there really a need to go that far?”
Gun Ok-sang said with a frown.
“If we push them beyond Yeogyeong, the Demonic Cult might send their own brigades.”
“That will never happen,” Yeon Ja-gang said confidently.
“The Demonic Cult initially chose Lord Milmil as the scapegoat for this failed negotiation. She is the fiancée of the Soul-Taker Lord, who weakened the power of Hell's Blood Fortress.”
“Hmm.”
“Even if the Demonic Cult sends a brigade, the justification lies with our Alliance. They attacked our Hall without a clear apology or compensation.”
Yeon Ja-gang spoke with a voice full of earnestness.
“If we can push out all demonic forces, including the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, from Yeogyeong, it will become a bridgehead for making the Guizhou region our Alliance's sphere of influence in the future.”
He then added one more thing.
“And the credit for that will be yours, Vice-Commander.”
Gun Ok-sang gave a bitter smile.
He had no particular desire to achieve great merits, nor would doing so significantly change his position.
The one who was itching to gain merit was Yeon Ja-gang himself.
“I will send a message to the Commander-in-Chief.”
“That will be too late. If we don’t push the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons to the end now, the Demonic Cult will send another high-ranking official to resume negotiations. Then our Alliance will no longer be able to press on with military force.”
Yeon Ja-gang said once more.
“We must push forward immediately, now that the conflict has erupted. If we delay, we will never get such an opportunity again.”
Gun Ok-sang let out a sigh.
If they could drive out the Demonic Cult’s forces from Yeogyeong, it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing.
“Can you take responsibility?”
Gun Ok-sang said with a solemn expression.
“If things go wrong, can you take responsibility for it?”
“Of course.”
Yeon Ja-gang said forcefully.
“I will stake my life on it.”
Gun Ok-sang looked into Yeon Ja-gang’s determined eyes and nodded.
“Very well. Let’s do it.”
—The Majestic Dragon Hall and the Divine Might Corps are driving the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons out of Yeogyeong!
Another shocking rumor spread through the martial world.
Once the clash began, the Majestic Dragon Hall and the Divine Might Corps seemed determined.
They began to push back the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons and other demonic forces within Yeogyeong with unstoppable momentum.
The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons occasionally tried to counterattack, but they were severely outnumbered.
In the end, they were unable to put up any real resistance and were forced to retreat steadily out of Yeogyeong.
—We did it!
When most of the demonic forces were finally driven out of Yeogyeong, Yeon Ja-gang let out a cheer.
Thanks to the foolish Lord Milmil, he had not only driven the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons and other demonic forces from the vicinity of Mount Guwol but from beyond the borders of Yeogyeong.
But how could he have known?
That he had just stepped into a swamp from which there was no escape.
—The retreating forces of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons have stationed themselves near the Red Water River.
Suddenly, shocking news arrived.
The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, which had been continuously defeated by the Divine Might Corps and pushed out of the Yeogyeong region, had established a defensive line near the Red Water River.
Only then did the people of the martial world realize why Dan So-ok had initiated such a reckless clash, knowing full well that the Divine Might Corps was behind the Majestic Dragon Hall.
—She deliberately started the fight to gain a justification to enter the Red Water River area!
She had intentionally made the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons push back the Majestic Dragon Hall, giving the Divine Might Corps a reason to intervene.
And she had predicted that once the Divine Might Corps got involved, they would surely try to seize not only the trade routes of Mount Guwol but the entire Yeogyeong area.
Yeon Ja-gang was a man desperate to achieve merit.
He would never miss this opportunity to seize the entire Yeogyeong region.
Therefore, she had deliberately retreated and given up the Yeogyeong region.
And then she seized control of the Red Water River area, which had until now been a buffer zone between the orthodox and demonic factions.
Normally, the Demonic Cult's forces could never have entered the Red Water River area.
But since they had entered unavoidably while fleeing the pursuit of the Divine Might Corps, no one could say anything about it.
—The Martial Alliance has gained little and lost much.
The Red Water River area was a prime trade route, incomparable to Mount Guwol.
As it was a place where merchant caravans gathered, many of the martial world's renowned money exchanges were concentrated there, and the area around the Red Water was also packed with famous distilleries due to its clear water.
However, this place had traditionally belonged to neither the Martial Alliance nor the Demonic Cult, so it was a sort of buffer zone that neither orthodox nor unorthodox forces would invade.
But now, the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons led by Dan So-ok could station themselves there openly.
Justification.
The Martial Alliance, which prioritized justice and righteousness above all, would never fight a battle without justification, nor could they.
Dan So-ok and the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons had simply been driven out of the Yeogyeong region by the forces of the Majestic Dragon Hall and the Divine Might Corps…
And they had ended up retreating as far as the Red Water River.
In other words, the Majestic Dragon Hall had attacked out of excessive greed, so they couldn't be blamed.
What if, not content with driving the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons out of Yeogyeong, they pursued them to the Red Water River and attacked them there?
That would be an act of plunder, and they would lose all the justification they had held until now.
“How did this happen!”
Gun Ok-sang, seated at a table inside the command tent, spoke in a stern voice as he looked at Yeon Ja-gang.
“In trying to push them out of Yeogyeong, we ended up handing over the Red Water River to them, did we not?”
Gun Ok-sang’s voice was louder than before, and his eyes were filled with anger.
“How will you take responsibility for this?”
The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons had merely fled from them.
If they pursued them again just because they were at the Red Water River, the Divine Might Corps would become not a brigade of the Martial Alliance, but a band of plunderers.
“I had a feeling this might happen, but this was also part of the plan.”
However, Yeon Ja-gang spoke with an unconcerned expression.
“I was aware that they were cleverly advancing and retreating to move towards the Red Water River area.”
“What do you mean? If you knew, why didn't you stop them?”
To Gun Ok-sang’s question, Yeon Ja-gang calmly replied.
“The Red Water River area isn't a buffer zone between the orthodox and unorthodox for no reason, is it?”
Yeon Ja-gang explained calmly.
“The merchant caravans in the Red Water River area have long collected money to hire ronin to protect themselves. And near the Red Water River is the Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves, the largest ronin market in Guizhou.”
“The Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves? Ah, I see.”
“That’s right. At one point, they were powerful enough to stand against even Hell's Blood Fortress.”
Yeon Ja-gang had thoroughly investigated the powers in the Guizhou region from the moment he began the negotiations in Yeogyeong.
And even when he sensed Dan So-ok retreating toward the Red Water River with her repeated advances and retreats, he hadn't particularly tried to stop her.
This was because the Red Water River area was not a place one could simply enter at will.
“But they wouldn't be able to wage an all-out war with the Demonic Cult, would they?”
“The Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves is no ordinary ronin market. They have long stood in opposition to Hell's Blood Fortress. Even if it means their own destruction, they will never yield to the Demonic Cult.”
Yeon Ja-gang said with a smile.
“And if the Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves resist and a big fight breaks out, it gives our Alliance an opening to intervene.”
“Oh, indeed, that makes sense.”
Gun Ok-sang nodded, letting out a sound of admiration.
If the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons forcibly stationed themselves at the Red Water River and clashed with the Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves, what would happen?
Ultimately, the merchant caravans and money exchanges in the Red Water area would suffer immense damage.
Naturally, the Martial Alliance would be able to move in a large force under the pretext of protecting the merchants.
In the end, the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons would clash with the Eastern Leopards, Western Wolves, and their efforts would be in vain.
“So that was it.”
Only then did Gun Ok-sang understand why the Lord of Dengwu Hall, Yuk Jang-cheon, had sent Yeon Ja-gang for these negotiations.
He was a more brilliant strategist than he was known to be.
“In that case, the Demonic Cult will be coming soon, so our brigade must also prepare itself.”
“This is not a dispute that will end in a short time, so you may take your time.”
At Yeon Ja-gang’s words, Gun Ok-sang gave a satisfied smile and nodded.
“Understood. In the meantime, keep a close eye on the movements of the Red Water River and the Demonic Cult.”
“Of course.”
Just as Yeon Ja-gang clasped his hands,
“Hall Master.”
The voice of his trusted subordinate, Gu Jong-myeong, was heard.
“Captain Seon-u of the Elite Unit requests your presence.”
“Captain Seon-u?”
Yeon Ja-gang frowned.
He had told him not to get involved. Why was he suddenly seeking him out?
“Well then, carry on.”
Just then, Gun Ok-sang nodded and turned to leave.
“Take care, Vice-Commander.”
Yeon Ja-gang quickly clasped his hands and saw Gun Ok-sang off.
Then, in a cold tone, he said.
“Tell him the Hall Master is busy.”
And he snorted.
“As the leader of an intelligence unit, he probably analyzed the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons’ move to the Red Water River and wants to report it to me.”
Yeon Ja-gang knew the personalities of people like Seon-u Jin well.
They appeared gentle on the outside but were actually consumed by the desire to quickly achieve merits and climb the ranks.
That's why he was now trying to get involved in this matter somehow, to make it seem like he had a hand in it.
He had managed to achieve merits until now, after all.
He couldn't possibly return empty-handed after doing nothing.
“Hall Master. Captain Seon-u is requesting your presence once more. He says he has something to discuss regarding the Red Water River.”
Hearing Gu Jong-myeong’s voice, Yeon Ja-gang’s lips curled up.
‘See? I can see right through the likes of you.’
Because he had once been the same.
“Tell him the Hall Master does not repeat himself. And…”
He said with a solemn expression.
“From now on, if Captain Seon-u comes looking for me, send him back immediately.”
“Understood.”
This action was a painful mistake on Yeon Ja-gang's part.
But he remained oblivious, unaware that he was already struggling, caught in the spider's web Bu Eun-seol had woven.
He couldn't even imagine what was to come… dreaming his triumphant dreams.