Chapter 384
Chapter 384
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 384
Chapter Title: True Blood Pill (1)
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Do Jung-gwang had conveyed his intent to join us by asking for the specifics of our plan.
'I don't need to reveal every little detail...'
Still, to entrust him with a key part in cornering the Blood Cult, I had to give him the big picture.
"Then allow me to outline the overall plan briefly."
At that moment, Do Jung-gwang held up his palm to cut me off.
"Hold on."
He then ordered his two guards, the Twin Ghost Ghosts and One-Eyed Vajra.
"You two, get out."
It was a move to seal any listening ears before diving into sensitive matters.
I wondered if it was truly necessary and voiced my question.
"Aren't those two like extensions of Senior's own hands and feet? No need to send them away, surely?"
"Better they hear less. You can't fully trust me anyway, right?"
Do Jung-gwang shook his head firmly.
"I don't know your plan yet, but nothing in the world goes exactly as planned. Better to eliminate any seeds of suspicion if things go sideways."
Jeong Hyun nodded in admiration at Do Jung-gwang's attitude.
"Eliminating the dark ghosts of suspicion... Quite right. Even blood kin can quarrel and doubt one another. Even under the banner of aiding all under heaven, we should minimize such elements. As expected of the true master of the green forests."
Do Jung-gwang, not grasping the idiom Jeong Hyun used, shook his head.
"Dark ghosts? Hidden spirits... you mean spies? Those guys are too simple-minded for that. I'm just sending them out based on experience to avoid headaches."
It was then that Woo So-reung spoke up with a faint smile.
"Heh heh. What Master Jeong Hyun meant by 'dark ghosts of suspicion' is exactly that—preventing needless doubts. Same context as what you just said, Senior."
"This puny runt? Thought he was sassing the Silver Family's son, now he's grinning at me? Hey, kid. Am I your buddy?"
As Do Jung-gwang furrowed his brow fiercely, Woo So-reung swallowed hard and hid behind me.
"Eek. S-Sorry."
Eun Ha-seong pointed at Woo So-reung and cackled.
"Kuhaha. Knew you'd get scolded eventually."
"Shut your trap too, punk!"
"......"
At Do Jung-gwang's thunderous command,
No Sam clicked his tongue and spoke.
"You idiot. Don't take it out on my kids just 'cause you're embarrassed."
"Idiot ain't fair! Huh?! Shortening it with fancy words is just 'cause I ain't learned 'em! The meaning was right, wasn't it?!"
"Then you're an ignorant fool."
While No Sam and Do Jung-gwang bickered,
I glanced briefly at Dokgo Cheol.
A signal that we were about to discuss the Blood Cult.
"......"
"......"
He gave a small nod, indicating his trust in me.
Clap.
I clapped my hands to refocus attention.
And began the real discussion.
"You won't care about the fine details or backstory... so I'll keep it to the essentials. I plan to bring a portion of the Blood Cult's forces under my command and strike their main base."
With that opening, Do Jung-gwang crossed his arms and tilted his head.
"Take those lunatics under your wing? How's that even possible... No, aren't you lot water and them oil to begin with?"
Eun Ha-seong answered Do Jung-gwang's question.
"It's natural to think that when first hearing Brother Yong-un's idea... but aren't Senior and us water and oil too? The black path's green forest king and the white path's juniors."
"...Well, yeah, that's true."
As Do Jung-gwang was stumped by Eun Ha-seong's retort,
I continued.
"This branch leader Du Xing's words aren't entirely wrong. The Blood Cult is indeed a rising force—that much is accurate."
"...Go on."
"We each dipped our toes in to different degrees, for different reasons. You mentioned before, Senior, someone pushed into the green forests by faction strife. Surely some reached for demonic arts in similar straits."
"......"
"Meaning, among them, some have room for redemption. So there must be those willing to walk the same path, short or long."
"...Huh. You're a strange one in every way."
Do Jung-gwang looked at me like he'd seen every freak there was,
while Master stuck out his tongue in awe.
- Seeing that guy's face, it's over. What a devilishly slick tongue.
Do Jung-gwang soon spoke again.
"So?"
"We'll handle pulling in those we can."
"Then what do I do?"
"Senior, your role is to seize the mountain stronghold at Sungjwa on that map— one of the two red squares—at the right moment."
Having clearly defined his task,
"From your tone... that 'right moment' sounds imminent. To escort you to Namyeong as requested, I've brought my main forces to this green forest stronghold."
Do Jung-gwang expressed concern.
"Me, those two roughnecks I just sent out, and you lot—taking Sungjwa Stronghold with just us seems tough."
"Can't you mobilize minions from nearby strongholds?"
"I've told you over and over—I'm called king, but I can't just order the underlings around willy-nilly."
"Then leak word that the Green Forest King was ambushed and killed."
"...? What're you talking about? Didn't we agree to say I'm alive?"
As Do Jung-gwang tilted his head, Eun Ha-yeon cautiously explained.
"Young Master Eon's meaning is to spread false information. That'll stir up unrest among the green forest bandits, letting Senior seize control of the strongholds."
No Sam shook his head.
"Do Jung-gwang, you really are an idiot."
"......"
He turned to me.
"So my job first is to leak that info without drawing attention? With escapees from here, it can spread naturally."
"Yes. Just ensure neither we nor Master are exposed in the process. And proceed with taking Sungjwa alongside Do Senior. Whatever the bishop council decides, it'll serve as retreat and entry routes."
"Got it."
"Yes. From here, it seems best if you two and we part ways."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The envoy led by Jeon-gal Cheok, departing from Dangan-gu in Hubei Province.
This group, including Namgung Yun and Jeon-gal Seol-ja, ascended the Yangtze toward Sichuan.
Then turned south once more, entering Yunnan territory.
As their first destination, Jeomchang Mountain, drew ever nearer,
Flap flap flap—
Ryong-yong, flying from afar, alighted on the carriage carrying Jeon-gal Cheok and Jeon-gal Seol-ja, pecking at the window.
Tap tap.
Jeon-gal Seol-ja checked the message tied to Ryong-yong's leg,
when Namgung Yun, handling the rear, approached the carriage cautiously.
"...Ryong-yong's flying in?"
"Yes. To disguise Yong-un as being in Shaanxi or with us, we planned it this way."
"I know that. I'm asking about the message content. In case something happened."
As requested, Jeon-gal Seol-ja summarized the message Ryong-yong brought.
"Hm. Word that the Green Forest King was ambushed."
Eon Yong-un's group was with the Green Forest King.
Hearing this, Namgung Yun furrowed his brow as much as possible.
He met eyes with Jeon-gal Cheok inside and spoke.
"...Alliance Leader. Shouldn't we change course?"
His voice low, lest words leak,
heavy with worry.
Jeon-gal Cheok burst into laughter.
"Kehahaha. This kid's got a cute side Grandpa never did."
"...You can laugh now?"
"I can, you fool. Seol-ja, explain so he gets it."
"Ahem. If something happened to Yong-un, news would come encrypted in layers, not like this. This spreading rumor actually proves things are going well."
"...I-Is that so?"
Namgung Yun's ears flushed red as he bowed to Jeon-gal Cheok.
"Sorry for troubling Alliance Leader with needless worry."
"No harm. Your heart's in the right place. We're perhaps the most crucial piece. We must adapt our path if needed. But first, the Beast Palace. We have to pull in those steadfast neutrals."
With that, Jeon-gal Cheok closed his eyes and continued.
"Neutrality is the hardest path, just as the middle way is. It takes real power. The Beast Palace's forces shine only in Wu Lin, but in their lands, they're formidable. Dynasties of the Central Plains gave up on them in frustration."
"I think I understand."
"They likely know the Blood Cult's main base location already. Geopolitically, securing them blocks the Demonic Cultivators of the Ten Thousand Mountains from linking with the Blood Cult."
As he finished,
Jeon-gal Seol-ja murmured with a soft breath.
"A groundwork that'll shine when Yong-un's plan concludes with striking Mount Mangap."
Jeon-gal Cheok smirked and spoke again.
"Over my years, many caught my eye, or Sword Emperor's. But only two earned both our regards in all the world."
"Alliance Leader and Yong-un, you mean?"
"Yes. But the young dragon has a boldness and flexibility the Alliance Leader lacks. He'll achieve his goals. So we must do our part properly."
Silent till now, Namgung Yun pointed ahead.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I see Senior Mae Jin-ok and Jeomchang disciples waiting."
"Then Jeomchang's role is key too. Let's go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ No Sam and Do Jung-gwang.
After parting from them, we disguised ourselves as ordinary folk
and entered our destination, Namyeong territory.
We spent our days waiting for the Blood Cult's assembly signal that Dokgo Cheol had described to appear somewhere.
"No mark today either?"
"Nothing on my end, Young Master Eon."
"Ours neither."
"I didn't see any."
We'd suffered a sudden ambush, but deeply involved Green Forest King Do Jung-gwang in this affair.
It had turned into the best possible outcome, a blessing in disguise.
But ultimately, the bishop council was paramount.
As we waited to pinpoint its time and place,
Dang Ok-gi stared at me intently,
then asked,
"Why stare like that?"
"Hey, Eon Yong-un. Say you find the bishop council's location."
"Not 'say'—I'll definitely find it. Sa-geum in dire straits has no reason to lie. The council convenes somewhere in Namyeong."
"No, that's not my point. Can you really pull the other Blood Cultists under you there? Circumstances differ from contacting Cheol or Sa-geum."
"I convinced the world's people—even you, who once drew steel on your own brother—to accept the Thousand Poison Pill."
"Ack! Why bring that up now?! And you were aiming for that back then!"
Dang Ok-gi had asked, but the others seemed to share the thought.
I stopped teasing Dang Ok-gi and spoke seriously.
"Cheol's uninvited, Sa-geum is. From the gathered intel... this gathering will be a purge."
Namgung Yeong and Jang Seon spoke gravely.
"A place to enforce discipline before battle. It'll be a brutal example, to instill fear."
"Gasp. Doesn't that make it harder?"
But I grinned, eyeing the box with Ghost-Faced Elder garb.
"If a suitable outlet appears... fear will turn to rage."