Chapter 132
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Chanyang Seized
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“What? Chanyang was taken?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
An untimely roar erupted from the grand hall of the Northern Branch’s sub-branch in Lanzhou, the castle town of Gansu Province.
The warrior delivering the report bowed his head low, stealing glances at Ko Ja-heung, the red-faced middle-aged man seated on the dais.
“Those damn bastards…”
Ko Ja-heung gripped the armrests of his chair so hard they splintered, grinding his teeth.
This war against the Righteous Martial Alliance was more crucial to him than anything—the eldest son of Northern Branch Leader Ko Jin-gang.
He was already in his forties. He was supposed to succeed his father and lead the next generation of the Northern Branch, but his reputation was sorely lacking.
It was all because his father was too strong.
Who was Ko Jin-gang?
There were so many at the pinnacle of their fields that counting them would exhaust ten fingers, but limiting it to the unorthodox sects, everyone could tally them on three.
Yangtze River Water Dragon, Southern Heaven Black Spear, Northern Province Blood Flame.
Ko Jin-gang was that Northern Province Blood Flame—or Blade King.
Having such a legendary father meant Ko Ja-heung was dismissed as merely the Blade King’s son, the Northern Branch Leader’s heir. It was so bad that even past forty, he lacked so much as a nickname.
Forever overshadowed by his father, he was an unlucky son who couldn’t even properly spread his wings…
Was it a small mercy that he wasn’t treated like a pup born to a tiger sire?
His inheritance of the Northern Branch was a foregone conclusion, yet people always fretted over the next generation’s leadership.
In that situation, this chance had been hard-won, begged and pleaded from his father.
Seeing the warriors lined up before the lofty Northern Branch banner, now emblazoned with “Ja-heung,” filled him with boundless pride.
He had stationed himself at Pingliang, one of the five gateways linking to Shaanxi, and repeatedly provoked the Taibai Sword Sect.
Using every dirty trick, he finally lured them in, then used that as pretext to strike Shaanxi in one fell swoop.
Not just Pingliang, but assaults on Huanxian, Chensu, Xihe, and Wudu—the four bordering areas—simultaneously created an unstoppable momentum. It felt like Shaanxi could be conquered any moment.
But the gains lasted only until the initial battle.
At the Taibai Sword Sect’s request, the Righteous Martial Alliance’s Mysterious Dragon Unit politely asked him to withdraw.
Had sneering at a mere warrior band’s nagging and refusing been a mistake?
Fallen for the enemy commander’s stratagem, he hadn’t advanced but suffered repeated defeats. He lost six strongholds, and was even pushed back from Pingliang, his initial base.
His father’s fury upon hearing the news was inevitable.
Command naturally passed to the Ghostly Alliance Three Monsters dispatched from the Northern Branch, reducing him to reporting every action.
Then came the Righteous Martial Alliance’s alliance missive.
But repeated defeats left him no opportunity.
Orders for kidnapping to gain leverage in negotiations came down, and under the Three Monsters’ lead, he abducted Zhuge Murin and the Mysterious Dragon Unit leader.
Buoyed by that, the Northern Branch recovered the lost strongholds under the Three Monsters’ orders and reestablished the front lines.
Yet now, with momentum on their side, they refused to press forward?
Ko Ja-heung absolutely could not stop.
If he did, all the credit would go to the Three Monsters, leaving him reviled and branded a failure.
Worse, his half-brothers, eyeing his position despite his status as heir, might snatch it away.
So Ko Ja-heung secretly mobilized warriors to attack Chanyang.
The result: a great victory.
The Three Monsters’ leader, Yang Hwa, sent a furious letter, but what could be done about territory already seized?
He thought this would let him return to the front lines.
But during the Three Monsters’ escort of the hostages, Chanyang was taken?
Crunch.
Grinding his molars, Ko Ja-heung barked sharply.
“Sangcheon, assemble the warriors.”
“…”
“We must reclaim Chanyang.”
“What? What are you saying? Didn’t Lord Feng already warn you harshly for acting on your own last time?”
“…”
Ko Ja-heung’s brow furrowed in irritation at his subordinate Sangcheon’s words.
The “Lord Feng” he meant was Yang Hwa, the eldest of the Ghostly Alliance Three Monsters.
With rage already boiling over Chanyang’s loss, seeing even his trusted retainer defer to Yang Hwa pushed Ko Ja-heung to the brink.
“You mad bastard!”
Thwack!
His fury turned to kicks.
“Have you forgotten who your master is? I took in a wretch with nowhere to go!”
Thud, thud-thud-thud!
Even amid the brutal kicks, Sangcheon offered loyal counsel to the end.
“My lord, you must endure. You can’t fall further out of favor with the Branch Leader.”
“Shut your mouth, you fool! Do as I say—why so much talk!”
Thud, thwack, thud!
Ko Ja-heung trampled Sangcheon awhile, then grabbed a staff and began beating him.
“That’s enough, Young Branch Leader.”
“…”
The prolonged thrashing halted only when a stern-faced elder entered.
Yang Hwa, the eldest of the Ghostly Alliance Three Monsters and one trusted by Northern Branch Leader Ko Jin-gang.
“Tch, what brings Lord Feng to my quarters at this hour?”
“…”
Ko Ja-heung tossed the staff aside and returned to his seat.
Yang Hwa frowned at the casual discard, then ordered the writhing Sangcheon on the floor.
“You, leave us.”
“…Yes.”
Sangcheon staggered up, bowed cautiously, and exited.
After a long silence, Yang Hwa spoke.
“…You seem quite angry.”
“…”
His tone seemed concerned, but his eyes held subtle disdain. Ko Ja-heung replied with a venomous sneer.
“Well now, not even a greeting anymore?”
“The Young Branch Leader and I are equals, and I’m here by the Branch Leader’s command to oversee, so no need for formalities.”
“…”
Ko Ja-heung’s lips twitched as Yang Hwa spoke flatly, expression unchanging.
“Oh, is that so? Well, with such a lofty name, why would the Branch Leader’s son catch your eye?”
“Your words cut deep.”
“Hmph!”
“…”
“So, what brings the great one here?”
Yang Hwa let out a small sigh at the scoff and head-turn.
“I’ve come to have you reaffirm, Young Branch Leader.”
“…”
“The Branch Leader is pursuing the alliance. Provoke the Righteous Martial Alliance no further.”
“Are we just to watch Chanyang? They attacked us!”
“It’s their land originally.”
“Nonsense! It’s land I seized.”
“…”
“Had Lord Feng not appeared to steal the credit, my name would lead that battle.”
“…”
As Ko Ja-heung raised veins bulging, glaring, Yang Hwa sighed again and spoke calmly.
“Young Branch Leader, I told you clearly: stay out of this.”
“Shut it! A mere Lord Feng ordering me around?”
“…”
Yang Hwa gazed impassively at the shouting Ko Ja-heung, then chuckled softly.
“You seem to be under some delusion, Young Branch Leader.”
“What?”
“This is a warning.”
“…!”
Ko Ja-heung’s face stiffened at the chill in Yang Hwa’s eyes.
“If you ignore my warning and stir more needless trouble, it won’t end in words.”
“Y-You…”
“I trust you understand.”
Ko Ja-heung’s face flushed crimson, but Yang Hwa rose indifferently and left the hall.
Boom! Crash!
A sharp explosion sounded beyond the closing door.
Ko Ja-heung, unable to contain his rage, had hurled something at Yang Hwa’s back.
“Whew…”
Outside, Yang Hwa grimaced, gazing at the sky.
He felt inwardly regretful.
Young Branch Leader Ko Ja-heung, forty years old. He hadn’t always been so lacking…
No innate genius, but sufficient to lead a band.
Plenty could have shored up his weaknesses.
But his brilliant father was poison to him.
Magpie and stork. An impossible gap, yet striving to catch up tore him apart.
His greed to grow stronger faster, gain fame quicker, had ruined him.
Regret aside, he couldn’t consider Ko Ja-heung’s plight.
The Northern Branch Leader’s will and the branch’s gains came first…
“Lord Feng, please don’t take it to heart.”
“…”
Anxious Sangcheon, waiting outside, approached and spoke.
A pity…
Had he not stayed by Ko Ja-heung out of gratitude, he could have risen higher, become a pillar of the Northern Branch.
Yang Hwa shook his head faintly, eyeing Sangcheon’s bruises with regret.
With such talent at his side, yet unused—like pearls on a swine’s neck?
“Sangcheon, give it up.”
“…”
“We of the Branch Leader’s era have no choice, but you have far more time ahead.”
“…”
“I’ll watch your position…”
“Don’t say that, Lord Feng.”
“…”
“He is my benefactor.”
“…”
“Though he wanders astray now, he is my life to me.”
Yang Hwa frowned at the resolute words laced with loyalty.
An unorthodox warrior should chase self-interest, yet so stubbornly upright.
That very trait made one want to open doors for him…
“Sangcheon!”
As Yang Hwa tried once more, unable to hide regret, Ko Ja-heung’s irritable call rang from within.
“The Young Branch Leader calls. Farewell.”
“…”
Yang Hwa clicked his tongue, watching Sangcheon bow hastily and hurry inside.
Calling for Sangcheon again meant he’d vent by heading out, anger as excuse.
To wine and women…
“Whew…”
Yang Hwa sighed deeply, shaking his head.
What of it? Better he drown his rage that way.
Far better drunk and immobile.
Though under watch, with elite sub-branch warriors aside, most awaited at outlying Lanzhou posts—no real danger.
At worst, a tavern brawl.
But rumors would trouble, so he’d seal off the liquor house area.
As Yang Hwa decided and moved to summon warriors—
“Lord Feng! Lord Feng! There you are!”
“…”
A warrior rushed up, reporting breathlessly.
“The Righteous Martial Alliance has moved.”
“What?”
“The Mysterious Dragon Unit leads; subordinate sects guarding the front are advancing on Chensu.”
“What!”
Yang Hwa’s eyes widened in shock.
Chensu was one gateway between Shaanxi and Gansu.
Reclaiming Chanyang? Fair enough.
The Young Branch Leader had acted alone; they’d planned to return it anyway.
So they hadn’t stirred upon retaking it.
Frontline warriors aside, the Righteous Martial Alliance’s Grand Commander Zhuge Su-beom, briefed by now, would grasp their intent.
Kidnapping, not killing.
It declared alliance willingness, but only if demands met.
Thus the warning to the Young Branch Leader against reattacking Chanyang…
Advancing into Shaanxi? Continuing the war?
Abandoning Zhuge Murin and the Mysterious Dragon leader?
His mind swirled with hypotheses.
But his duty wasn’t speculation.
Judgment belonged to the Northern Branch Leader. His role: investigate and report.
“Damn it! To the battlefield. I’ll see for myself!”
“Yes!”
Yang Hwa mounted without delay and galloped toward the front.