Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Clue (1)
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"You've done a great deed with that difficult and courageous decision alongside the two professors. The results are written right here."
With those words, Murim Alliance Leader Gong Son Mu-gyeol began, unfurling two slips of paper typically tied to a bird's leg from his bosom and posing a question.
"The Demonic Cult's safe house was discovered near Juksan, the gateway to three provinces and right on the doorstep of the Righteous Martial Academy. And the ledger mentions the Water Dragon Escort. So, what do you think will happen if we take this to the Backbone Council?"
At Gong Son Mu-gyeol's words, a single thought flashed through my mind.
'The old frogs will trot out every excuse to defend their tiny ponds and dismiss this as nothing major.'
He didn't seem to be waiting for an answer.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol answered himself and opened his mouth.
"Discovering the safe house has been dealt with, and the Water Dragon Escort in the ledger? They're all in cahoots anyway—what's the big deal? They'll brush it off as insignificant. What do you think? Does this really seem like nothing?"
"Of course not. If the flow of goods along the Yangtze slows even a little, it'll cause massive damage from Sichuan in the west all the way to Namjikye in the east."
The original work had this line.
There are kings in the mountains, but none on the Yangtze.
"Each river station holds barely a handful of power compared to the White Path escort bureaus, and even that's checked and balanced by the eighteen stations fighting over their own interests. You might have thought it was nothing major. But the Demonic Cult..."
"...is a group that blindly follows the Heavenly Demon's reincarnation and their grand demonic lieutenants called cult leader and kings."
"Yes."
What if the Demonic Cult installed a king on the Yangtze?
"If the Demonic Cult absorbs all the river stations, an unprecedented powerhouse will emerge. How many alliance members even have large ships to deploy on the Yangtze right now?"
From the start, we'd learned at the academy that fighting on water is entirely different from land battles.
The White Path Murim barely had sects with ships prepared for such fights.
'In the original, the Demonic Cult exploits that gap to seize the river stations and halt the murim's lifeline of logistics.'
Lost in such thoughts, I furrowed my brow.
Yet for some reason, Gong Son Mu-gyeol was smiling faintly.
"...Amusing?"
"It is. After dealing with people who only care about their own gains day in and day out, meeting a young man who worries about the world with veins bulging in his neck brings a smile naturally. You'll feel it too if you take the Alliance Leader seat someday."
"I'm just worried about eating well and living well myself. If the Demonic Cult rises, what good is a Righteous Martial Academy diploma? Where would I even eat and sleep? And me as Alliance Leader? They wouldn't offer it, and I wouldn't want it anyway."
"Hahaha. Well, that's for the future. Anyway, the Backbone Council will dismiss this as nothing too. The vice leader seat shifted from Nangong family to Zhongnan Sect, but nothing's been renewed. Still, I'm the one who has to devise countermeasures even in this situation."
"Ugh. That's why I hate it."
No job is as extreme as that one.
"Hahaha. So, got any good ideas?"
"Hm. Asking me? Didn't the Grand Strategist come down with you?"
"The Grand Strategist went to review Ma Bang Yeon research materials, didn't he? We'll discuss step by step after handling our tasks."
"Ah."
"Before that, I wanted to hear from Ma Bang Yeon Director. They say you planned most of this counterspy operation?"
"Well, yes, but..."
I pondered what I'd do in Gong Son Mu-gyeol's position right now.
'...With the old frogs grabbing at ankles, how to prepare Yangtze defenses.'
It didn't take long to reach a conclusion.
"Bring in the Southern Jiang Merchant King. He handles Jo Yun and various shipping, with fleets large and small. He's even on the Backbone Council's roster."
Pull in Eun Se-pyeong, father of the Eun siblings.
Plan contingencies, borrow ships for joint training.
"Eun Dae-in. Indeed, involving Silver Radiance Merchant Group would ease defense worries, if not offense. He was the first person I thought of."
But Gong Son Mu-gyeol's expression was somewhat lukewarm.
"However, he's not one moved by grand causes, is he? Known to be cold even toward his children."
"Yes. So approach purely on gains."
"What can we offer for gains?"
I smirked and spoke.
"Why nothing? Offer the future."
"The future?"
"Yes. First, mention the White Path Murim's rigid decision-making and factionalism, emphasizing war with the Demonic Cult is inevitable."
Gong Son Mu-gyeol let out a hollow laugh.
"Pretty sharp, saying that in front of someone trying to prevent it."
"...It's the topic of my Ma Bang Yeon paper. Want some materials?"
"Put that aside. Then?"
"Whether war happens or not isn't the point. The point is you, Alliance Leader, believe it's inevitable. Promise Silver Radiance Merchant Group logistics control when it erupts. You have something to give."
After hearing me out, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"...This could silence even the Backbone Council seniors. If everyone works to prevent it, it's essentially free use of his ships. What could they object to?"
Empathizing with Gong Son Mu-gyeol's plight among Song Yang-ja-like folks, my voice rose.
"Dragging feet that much makes them honorary Demonic Cultists. I'd spread rumors via beggars they're pro-Demonic Cult, demand funds and manpower to oppose."
- Isn't that too much your style!
A word from my master at my waist.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahahahaha. Need to consult the Grand Strategist. Anyway, enough of that."
"More to discuss?"
"How about resting with me today?"
He suggested a picnic.
"Pardon? In these times?"
"Because of these times. You never rest. Show me that right hand."
"Here."
"Calluses built up fast. Busy with Ma Bang Yeon and such, yet diligent with sword practice? You don't rest enough. Stamina training and swinging the sword are good. But people need rest too."
- He's right. As I always say, rest when resting, let go when letting go. You're too relentless, Yong-un!
"......"
"Put it all down and go hiking. The Ma Bang Yeon professors all raved about slowly climbing a mountain."
Why hiking out of nowhere?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With Gong Son Mu-gyeol and my master both insisting, even I couldn't refuse.
Deciding to rest, I packed essentials and stepped out.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol, in simple attire with a travel pack like it held a fishing rod, furrowed his brow.
"...What's with all that luggage?"
"Tent cloth, rations, jerky, windbreaker, and sundries for emergencies?"
"Leave it all. I got onigiri and fruit from the academy cafeteria. Just bring yourself."
Strict order to lighten up.
Helpless, I dropped the gear, took only my master, and followed Gong Son Mu-gyeol.
Chasing him as he occasionally checked a map.
Whoosh—
Suddenly.
A modest waterfall poured into a valley, white foam swirling with the current.
"This spot's perfect. Great vibe, right?"
It was indeed prime.
Cool scenery ahead, sunny clearing wide like a field.
A cave nearby for rain shelter.
"Wouldn't let me bring gear but you check a map hiking. Nice spot."
"Hahaha. Soak these fruits from the bag in the valley stream, gather dry twigs for fire. I'll build a windbreak with stones, prep the fire pit, and fish."
While I soaked fruit and built fire, Gong Son Mu-gyeol fished.
Soon, two palm-sized fish caught; he gutted one.
"Need help?"
"You know how?"
"Yes."
"Come try."
"Yes, sir."
"Right. Gut it, splay the belly, skewer with a stick. You know everything?"
"They call this 'son-in-law knows best'?"
"Hahaha."
We grilled and ate fish and fruit.
Whoosh—
Soaking feet in stream, staring blankly at waterfall.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol smirked.
"How is it?"
"Nice..."
"No bluffing. Itching?"
"...Honestly, yes."
"Then move. Spar?"
Rare chance to spar someone like Gong Son Mu-gyeol unless his disciple.
'Status, position, busy.'
Only possible on a day like this.
I rose gladly, hand to Regret at waist.
But Gong Son Mu-gyeol shook head.
"Not real swords. This."
He tossed a wooden sword from his pack.
The bundled rods: one fishing, rest wooden swords.
Still puzzled.
"Real sword closer to combat? Swordplay fiercer."
"True, but training isn't only from brutal fights. Heard you insist on combat-like spars."
"......"
"Predicting Demonic Cult war earlier too—you live too fiercely due to inept elders. Want to show there's this kind of training today."
I sheathed Regret per his words.
Assumed stance with wooden sword.
"Infuse internal energy first. Careful. Cheap wood, no iron core—overdo it, blade snaps."
Humm—
"Prestigious heirs break a few one-hand swords regaining feel. You coat sword aura on first try. Come at me."
Said come, showed no openings.
Standing still, none forever.
Screee—!!
I unleashed Flying Shadow Heaven-Splitting Step, swung wooden sword.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol parried.
Crack! Crack!
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
His sword blocked crudely, no feints, flourishes, big moves.
I sped up in stretched time, he matched exactly.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!!!
Too fast? Thick sword aura on glowing wood pushed back.
Thwack!!!
'Force it, wooden sword flies.'
Sweat poured like rain, no opening found.
Reset stance, gathered thoughts.
'Like facing a waterfall.'
My strikes before his sword: mere scattered foam.
'My wooden sword near bursting with more energy, his thicker haze clings.'
Showing essence of sword aura difference.
'Always poured and spun energy.'
Trapped in pseudo sword aura fusing blood vessel arts.
Change method.
Focus senses on Heaven-Splitting energy waves and cheap wood feedback.
'Just enough for wood to endure. One more layer here.'
Humm—
To land blow, not force waterfall—instead flow my sword into his.
Thwack!!!!!
Trance halted sharply, vision cleared.
Waterfall foam roared finer.
Whoosh—!!
Gong Son Mu-gyeol spoke.
"Focus returned? Achieved insight?"
"Not full achievement, but cracked the wall more."
"Ha. Teacher skilled or student? Ambiguous. Anyway, circulate energy, regulate."
"Yes."
Bowed thanks, sat cross-legged.
Shortly after meditating.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dozen footsteps rushing through forest nearby hit my ears.
"!?"
"You sensed it too. The guests we awaited arrived."
"Awaited guests?"
"Grand Strategist said safe house scale means more nearby bases. Search one side, movement opposite."
"...Said rest, but no real rest planned?"