Chapter 519
Chapter 519
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 519
Chapter Title: An Impossible Mission
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Word spread quickly through the martial world that the Taiping Branch of the Celestial Being Cult had collapsed, along with the Sword Tomb they had created.
But most martial artists paid it little mind.
Given the cult’s nature of mixing with common folk, branches like that could be easily destroyed and just as easily rebuilt.
Only the third-rate martial artists who had not yet mustered the courage to visit the Sword Tomb lamented the news.
The Eight Rules of the Sword Tomb had robbed most of them of the will to risk their lives, so they had never gone.
A great many of them had harbored aspirations of one day going to the Sword Tomb to obtain a divine sword and a secret manual.
For third-rate martial artists who had never found fortune or opportunity, the Sword Tomb was a beacon of hope. But now, it was gone.
Not long after that rumor spread, another shocking piece of news about the Celestial Being Cult struck the martial world.
—The Celestial Being Cult orchestrated this to awaken a large number of demonic swords, including the demonic sword, the Celestial Blood.
—The countless martial artists who entered until now became sacrifices to awaken the demonic swords.
—This truth remained hidden only because most of them were unknown, second-rate martial artists.
It was a difficult rumor to believe.
The Taiping Branch of the Celestial Being Cult had obtained a large number of demonic swords, including the Celestial Blood, and had lured martial artists to their deaths to awaken them?
How could a mere branch, not even the main sect of the Celestial Being Cult, commit such a monstrous act?
But it was also impossible to dismiss.
The source of the rumor was none other than the Martial Alliance.
—The Celestial Being Cult lured and massacred hundreds of martial artists. This Alliance will dispatch an envoy to severely punish those involved and discuss measures to prevent a recurrence!
She dispatched an investigation team to the Celestial Being Cult to question their crimes and uncover the truth.
With the Grand Commander of the Martial Alliance herself taking action, the martial world naturally expected the Celestial Being Cult to pay a fitting price.
But what happened was completely unexpected.
—The events at the Sword Tomb were an isolated incident by the Taiping Branch. We will punish those involved ourselves, so the Martial Alliance should not interfere.
The Celestial Being Cult drew a line, calling the Sword Tomb incident an aberration of the Taiping Branch, sent the Martial Alliance’s envoy away, and refused to allow an investigation team.
—Has the Celestial Being Cult gone mad?
No matter how large a cult they had become, the Martial Alliance was the union of the Orthodox Faction, which shared dominion over the martial world.
Moreover, although they were nameless martial artists, they had been killed without a trace.
As a union meant to protect justice in the martial world, the Martial Alliance had every right to demand punishment.
The Celestial Being Cult should have been groveling, yet they dared to ignore the Martial Alliance’s proposal?
—Such a statement is utterly unacceptable.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had been looking for a justification to bring down the Celestial Being Cult anyway.
That was why she had sent Bu Eun-seol to the Taiping Branch, and thanks to his efforts, she had learned the truth of the Sword Tomb incident.
And there, she had obtained evidence that they had massacred martial artists, albeit only a portion of them.
For them to feign ignorance despite this was an unforgivable act.
Ultimately, Gongson Dan-gyeong issued a final warning.
—If you do not immediately reveal the truth and accept the investigation team, this Alliance will consider the Celestial Being Cult a heretical group that disrupts the martial world.
But no further reply came from the Celestial Being Cult.
Instead, weren’t they gathering troops from each branch at Yangmun Mountain in preparation for an attack from the Martial Alliance and building a solid defensive line around their main sect?
It was an undeniable provocation.
Gongson Dan-gyeong would not tolerate it any longer.
—We will immediately destroy the Celestial Being Cult, which throws the martial world into chaos!
The Grand Commander of the Martial Alliance, Gongson Dan-gyeong, immediately declared the annihilation of the Celestial Being Cult.
But there was a problem here as well.
The leadership of the Martial Alliance had not unanimously approved the cult’s annihilation.
The evidence Gongson Dan-gyeong had found was merely a fragment of the demonic sword, the Celestial Blood, and some of the corpses of martial artists recovered from the collapsed Taiping Mountain.
She had not found conclusive proof that they had massacred all the third-rate martial artists who had entered the Sword Tomb.
The Celestial Being Cult was a large sect that also included common people.
To attack them immediately just because they refused an investigation did not look good.
—We cannot move all Seven Great Brigades at once until you bring back conclusive evidence.
Moreover, the commanders of the Seven Great Brigades also showed a skeptical reaction to this annihilation campaign.
They were all candidates to become the next Alliance Lord.
And the process of selecting the next Alliance Lord was solely based on one’s merits and demerits as a brigade commander.
In other words, one could become the Alliance Lord based on the achievements they made as a commander.
What if the Celestial Being Cult was telling the truth and had not massacred martial artists?
This campaign to annihilate the Celestial Being Cult, rather than earning them merit, could instead leave a stain on their records.
For that reason, the brigade commanders were reluctant to take command of the annihilation.
—Mobilizing all Seven Great Brigades to deal with a cult like the Celestial Being Cult is far too inefficient.
In the end, because she could not obtain a unanimous decision from the Martial Alliance leadership…
The brigade commanders were excluded from the annihilation campaign, and the number of brigades Gongson Dan-gyeong could lead was limited to two.
—I understand.
Gongson Dan-gyeong paid it no mind and followed the decision.
This was because she had deliberately not revealed all the evidence Bu Eun-seol had brought back.
If the brigade commanders got involved, Bu Eun-seol would have no opportunity to earn merit.
She had intentionally revealed only a portion of the evidence of their evil deeds to create this exact situation.
—Then I will personally strike the Celestial Being Cult, along with the Vice-Commanders of the Divine Might and Celestial Martial Brigades.
Gongson Dan-gyeong appointed Seong Jo-yeong, the Vice-Commander of the Divine Might Brigade, and Muk In-hyeok, the Vice-Commander of the Celestial Martial Brigade, as her lieutenants.
She herself became the supreme commander and led the two brigades toward the Yellow River region.
—Gongson Dan-gyeong. You will surely pay the price for this baseless invasion.
The Celestial Being Cult was furious at the news of the Martial Alliance’s invasion.
But when they heard that only a portion of two brigades was coming, they inwardly rejoiced.
Although they were a newly emerged cult, they held sway over the entire Yellow River area and commanded nearly sixty thousand followers.
Furthermore, with their immense wealth, they had recruited renowned masters of the martial world, and many were skilled in various arts.
The Divine Might Brigade and the Celestial Martial Brigade. Two brigades. And led by Vice-Commanders at that. In this situation, the outcome of the battle was unpredictable.
Regardless of the Celestial Being Cult’s reaction, the brigade led by Gongson Dan-gyeong entered the Yellow River area.
She stationed her troops on the plains near Hexi, the gateway to the Celestial Being Cult’s territory.
As soon as the barracks were set up, she summoned the Vice-Commanders and brigade leaders to begin a meeting.
It was to discuss the strategy for striking the Celestial Being Cult with the Vice-Commanders and the leaders of each brigade.
But as they entered the command tent, they all wore strange expressions.
A bland-looking young man was standing beside Gongson Dan-gyeong.
He was tall but with a slender frame and an exceptionally gentle face, looking as if he would be more suited to flicking beads on an abacus in a marketplace.
It was Bu Eun-seol, disguised as the Supreme Commander, Seon-u Jin.
“This is Commander Seon-u, who leads the Supreme Unit of the Dengmu Division.”
As all eyes turned to Bu Eun-seol, Gongson Dan-gyeong introduced him.
“I have appointed him as the strategist who will discuss strategy and tactics with me in this battle.”
Instantly, the commanders’ expressions turned icy.
Supreme Commander Seon-u Jin.
Wasn’t he the man who had been involved in a passionate scandal with the Grand Commander in the past?
Besides, there were countless brilliant strategists in the Grand Commander’s own division. Why did she have to bring him as her adjutant?
In a tense situation like a state of war, was a figure like the Grand Commander unable to separate public and private matters?
“Though not well known, Commander Seon-u is exceptionally skilled in the art of war and military command. I expect great things from him in this battle.”
In contrast to Gongson Dan-gyeong’s bright expression, the people gathered in the tent kept their mouths tightly shut.
Seeing the martial artists’ displeasure, she added another word.
“He is an essential person for securing our victory.”
The martial artists tasted bitterness in their mouths.
Since she called him essential for victory, there wasn't much they could say.
However, for the troops to lose faith in their commander before the battle even began… this was by no means a good omen.
“Grand Commander.”
Just then, the urgent voice of a guard came from outside the tent.
“An official from the imperial court has come and is asking for the Grand Commander.”
Gongson Dan-gyeong frowned.
Why would an official from the court come to a military camp on the eve of battle?
“Show him in here.”
All the commanders were present.
If it was a matter they all needed to know, it was better to discuss it here rather than calling him separately.
“Ahem.”
A clearing of a throat was heard, and a guard escorted in an official dressed in court robes.
His stride was confident, but his eyes were somewhat murky and his face full of greed.
He seemed to be an ordinary official with no knowledge of martial arts.
“Hmph.”
Clearing his throat once more, the official looked at the martial artists in the tent and shook his head.
“It truly looks like you’re about to start a brawl.”
The official then nodded to the man following him.
The man knelt on one knee and raised a scroll high with both hands.
The official then unfurled the scroll and spoke in a solemn voice.
“A decree from His Majesty, the Emperor.”
All the martial artists in the tent calmly paid their respects.
“Ahem.”
The official, displeased that the martial artists merely offered a calm gesture of respect, cleared his throat again before holding up the scroll and speaking in a clear voice.
“The governor of Shaanxi has reported that the Grand Commander of the Martial Alliance, Gongson Dan-gyeong, has led martial artists to destroy a benevolent cult in the Yellow River region.”
‘A benevolent cult?’
Just as the people in the tent widened their eyes, the official continued to read from the scroll.
“We do not concern ourselves with the squabbles of martial artists. However, We will not tolerate innocent people being harmed by the blades of martial artists.”
*Thump.*
The people who heard the official’s words stared wide-eyed.
Usually, in such cases, any interference would come from the level of a local branch office.
But to move the governor to petition the emperor himself?
However, Gongson Dan-gyeong’s expression remained serene.
As if she had predicted this.
“However, the Martial Alliance has always been cooperative with the court and has consistently acted with honor, so We believe there must be a reason. Before you strike the Celestial Being Cult, bring all evidence regarding the matter and explain.”
When the official finished speaking, silence fell over the tent.
Unable to bear the silence, the official cleared his throat and said.
“His Majesty wishes to hear the explanation regarding the subjugation of the Celestial Being Cult himself.”
In the end, the emperor was ordering Gongson Dan-gyeong to come to him and explain the reason for subjugating the Celestial Being Cult.
This clearly meant the Celestial Being Cult had colluded with the authorities to buy time.
“His Majesty must be mistaken about something. The Celestial Being Cult is not a sect of benevolent commoners, but a heretical group that has massacred martial artists.”
Gongson Dan-gyeong said.
“I will provide you with the evidence and documents for it.”
Fortunately, Gongson Dan-gyeong had evidence that could clearly reveal the crimes of the Celestial Being Cult.
If she had only possessed the flimsy evidence mentioned in the rumors circulating the martial world, she would never have launched this annihilation campaign.
“That is unnecessary.”
But the official shook his head.
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
The official spoke to Gongson Dan-gyeong with an arrogant expression.
“As written in the edict, His Majesty, the Emperor, wishes to see and hear the evidence himself.”
The martial artists inside the tent were all dumbfounded.
To tell the commander in charge of all the troops to suddenly go to the capital, have an audience with the emperor, and explain with evidence?
“Ahem.”
As the atmosphere in the tent grew tense, the official cleared his throat and said.
“The Celestial Being Cult is not a martial arts sect, but a religious order, is it not? Since it is a denomination that includes common people, it is unreasonable to attack it without His Majesty the Emperor’s permission.”
The official’s words made some sense.
The emperor had never looked favorably upon the martial world in the first place.
While he didn’t need to care about fights among martial artists, the Celestial Being Cult was, after all, a sect that included common people.
For the Martial Alliance, a union of martial artists, to attack it, it was only natural for him to impose sanctions.
“So, in the end, I must personally take the evidence and convince His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Precisely.”
“But both sides have already entered a state of war. If the commander is absent in this situation, it might actually lead to an unavoidable conflict.”
“Well, as long as one side isn’t completely wiped out, His Majesty will understand a certain amount of skirmishing.”
At those words, Gongson Dan-gyeong and the other martial artists scoffed.
The Celestial Being Cult must have significant connections within the government and used them to move the court.
The battle was inevitable anyway.
This scheme was clearly intended to break the Martial Alliance’s morale while buying some more time.
“I understand.”
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
“I will go to the capital myself, have an audience with His Majesty, show him the evidence, and convince him.”
“Do so.”
The official nodded with a satisfied expression and left with his subordinates.
Once the official was gone, the expressions of the martial artists in the tent became extremely dark.
No matter how quickly she traveled, a round trip to the capital would take about ten days.
The bigger problem was that the period they could wage battle here was roughly two weeks.
Therefore, they had to engage in some level of combat…
And until Gongson Dan-gyeong returned, they had to maintain a state of neither victory nor defeat.
“Since things have come to this, it can’t be helped.”
She looked around at the commanders and then, as if having made a decision, spoke in a solemn voice.
“While I am away in the capital, Commander Seon-u will command the battle.”
The martial artists in the tent looked as if they had each been punched in the gut.
For the ten days Gongson Dan-gyeong was absent, she was appointing a never-before-heard-of Grade-2 commander to lead two entire brigades?
“Wait a moment.”
Unable to accept it, the Vice-Commander of the Divine Might Brigade, Seong Jo-yeong, glared with wide eyes.
“Grand Commander, what did you just say?”
“I said I am entrusting all command authority to Commander Seon-u.”
Seeing no wavering in Gongson Dan-gyeong’s eyes, Seong Jo-yeong blinked his large eyes a couple of times.
“The Celestial Being Cult moving the government to create this situation must have been calculated based on our Alliance’s strength, their defenses, and the time it would take for the battle.”
“……”
“We absolutely cannot waste these ten days. I hope the Vice-Commander will understand.”
“Wait, it’s not that I want to command the troops.”
Seong Jo-yeong pointed to the Vice-Commander of the Celestial Martial Brigade, Muk In-hyeok, next to him and said.
“But Vice-Commander Muk is brilliant, calm, and has fought in many great battles. I can’t say he’s better than the Grand Commander, but he would be able to command the troops admirably.”
“Of course, it wouldn’t matter if Vice-Commander Muk took command.”
Gongson Dan-gyeong said, looking at Muk In-hyeok.
“But Vice-Commander Muk will never accept the command.”
“What does that…”
“What I want is to break through most of their defensive lines within ten days, but not to enter, and to create a stalemate.”
Breaking through the defensive lines but creating a stalemate. That was nearly impossible.
This wasn’t a fight between one or two enemies, but a battle of six thousand against sixty thousand.
To break through the defensive lines and reach the enemy’s main camp, only to turn back…
It was almost impossible, both tactically and strategically.
“This mission absolutely must not fail. But will Vice-Commander Muk take responsibility for everything?”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong’s question, Seong Jo-yeong fell silent.
Frankly, this expedition was almost entirely Gongson Dan-gyeong’s unilateral decision.
She had brought the troops using the power of the Grand Commander because she couldn’t get an agreement with the Martial Alliance leadership.
Not only that, but Seong Jo-yeong and Muk In-hyeok were also full of complaints.
They had been suddenly drafted to participate in this battle while their direct superiors, the brigade commanders, were absent.
Both men were young and had risen to the highest position they could, Vice-Commander. They had nothing to gain by earning merit here.
To take responsibility for this battle on top of that was absolutely out of the question.
“The Grand Commander is right. I absolutely do not want to take command.”
Muk In-hyeok spoke then.
“But I also absolutely want to avoid entrusting the fate of my brigade to a Grade-2 commander.”
His eyes flashed as he looked back and forth between Gongson Dan-gyeong and Bu Eun-seol.
“If things go wrong, it certainly won’t be that Grade-2 commander who takes responsibility.”
“I, the Grand Commander, will take responsibility.”
She said confidently, placing her commander’s seal on the table.
“I will take responsibility for everything that happens under Commander Seon-u’s command.”
Muk In-hyeok was speechless.
He had not expected the Grand Commander to go so far as to put her position on the line to take responsibility.
“Grand Commander, then let me ask just one thing.”
Seong Jo-yeong spoke up then.
“Suppose we are in a standoff under the command of that Grade-2 commander, and the Celestial Being Cult launches a preemptive strike. If our brigade responds and annihilates them, then?”
He stared at Gongson Dan-gyeong with flashing eyes.
“Whose responsibility does that become?”
If the Martial Alliance destroyed the Celestial Being Cult before she had an audience with the emperor…
Gongson Dan-gyeong, on her way to the capital, would be guilty of disobeying the emperor’s command.
But to order a retreat when a battle had begun and victory was within reach was also nearly impossible.
“Once a battle begins, thousands of martial artists enter a state of excitement where they can’t maintain their reason. Once we’ve broken into their main camp, we might just wipe them all out.”
“That, too, will be my responsibility.”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong’s words, Seong Jo-yeong’s eyes widened.
“Are you serious?”
If such a thing happened, it couldn’t be ended with just the words ‘I’ll take responsibility.’
Having defied the emperor’s command and annihilated the Celestial Being Cult, not only would her position as Grand Commander of the Martial Alliance be at stake, but her very life could be in danger.
“But that won’t happen.”
Gongson Dan-gyeong’s eyes were filled with confidence.
“As long as Commander Seon-u is in command, by the time I return, things will have progressed only to the point of breaking their defensive lines.”
Seong Jo-yeong raised an eyebrow.
To have reached the position of Grand Commander at such a young age, she must be a brilliant individual capable of devising divine strategies.
But Seon-u Jin did not look like he had such capabilities.
In the end, Gongson Dan-gyeong had bet her future on an incredibly slim probability.
‘She must think everything is easy because she’s so young.’
Seong Jo-yeong inwardly shook his head.
Unless he stepped up and offered to take command himself, he had no choice but to follow Gongson Dan-gyeong’s order.
She had bet everything she had.
“Very well. Since the Grand Commander has gone this far, I will follow your command.”
“And you, Vice-Commander Seong?”
At Gongson Dan-gyeong’s question, Seong Jo-yeong also nodded.
“I will do so.”
“Good. Then I will immediately go to the capital, handle this matter, and return.”
She then looked at Bu Eun-seol and nodded.
“Commander Seon-u. I’m counting on you.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke in a powerful voice.
“By the time I return, I want you to have shattered all their defensive lines, but do not destroy their main base.”
In reality, this was a near-impossible mission.
Bu Eun-seol could not answer right away.
This situation was not something she had hinted at, nor was it part of any prior discussion.
“You can do it, can’t you?”
But Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled brightly.
If she had been ordered to command the troops for ten days and create such a stalemate…
Though it would be difficult, she would have accomplished it in the end.
Gongson Dan-gyeong believed.
If she could do it…
Then Bu Eun-seol surely could too.