Chapter 449
Chapter 449
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 449
Chapter Title: Coincidence and Inevitability (3)
Yeo Chi-su had come to the Central Plains and received the rank of Guerrilla General.
It wasn't a particularly high position, and even that was just an honorary title, so he had plenty of leisure time.
Thus, he offered various kinds of help to young officers like Won Cheon-seok, who had now become the master of the Loyalty Martial Hall.
Such bonds, great and small, had spread across the land.
However, with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's movements demanding split-second timing, he couldn't visit everyone.
So, after meeting only those who had settled near Luoyang,
he led those who agreed to help back to the Murim Alliance.
"Hey? Look over there, Yong-myeong. That shiny bald head in the distance. Isn't that Monk Won-cheol?"
"You're right. And next to him are big brother and Elder Wang."
As Cheon Jang-ho and Eon Yong-myeong recognized the group returning from the Hao Clan,
from their side, Eon Yong-un spotted Yeo Chi-su's group and hurried over with quick steps.
"I was just about to send a letter saying it was about time you returned. And Master Tae-gong has come back at just the right moment."
At Eon Yong-un's words, Won Cheon-seok, who stood at the front of the retired officers following Yeo Chi-su, tilted his head.
"...Tae-gong?"
Yeo Chi-su immediately opened his mouth to resolve the curiosity.
"Don't you hear 'Hall Master' more than instructor or company commander these days? You've left the secular world behind and earned that title."
"Ah."
"So, all of you, stop calling me General and call me Yeo Tae-gong from now on."
Then he introduced the two sides facing each other.
"Anyway, introductions are in order. This is the Invincible Sword, Eon Yong-un. And these people here are bonds I formed back when I was staying in the Northern Garrison for a while."
In response, Eon Yong-un was the first to clasp his hands politely in greeting.
"I'm Eon Yong-un."
Then, starting with Won Cheon-seok, Yeo Chi-su's destined allies began introducing themselves.
"I'm Won Cheon-seok. I run a small martial hall in Uima County."
"Ji Yun-sim. I guard a salt warehouse in Maengneung Port."
As the introductions continued, Yeo Chi-su grew anxious.
And it was inevitable.
'Bringing in hands by borrowing on old ties is going well enough... but mixing those guys in is another story.'
Officials and warriors do not mix.
Having lived like cows and chickens avoiding each other for years, officials and martial artists were all the more like water and oil.
'They have the same competitive spirit as warriors, but no chance to compete...'
They often belittled each other's achievements or looked down on them.
No need to look far for examples.
Among his old ties who refused Yeo Chi-su's request for help when crisis loomed over the rivers and lakes.
Some had openly stated they wouldn't share a table with martial artists.
'Moreover, the Invincible Sword isn't one with an ordinary temperament.'
Thinking back to his first meeting with Eon Yong-un, it was so.
Recalling how the guy, who needed even a fern hand, had forced himself and Wang Seon-nam, he couldn't help but worry.
While Yeo Chi-su worried alone, the introductions between the two sides ended, and Won Cheon-seok spoke up.
"Thanks to that newsletter, my ears are sore from hearing the name Eon Yong-un, but seeing you in person, you're a fine young man. Your achievements look as impressive as rumored. I see why everyone in the world is talking about Eon Yong-un."
Won Cheon-seok's words were mere polite flattery.
But Yeo Chi-su's heart was already filled with worry.
Moreover, crucially, those in the know sometimes called Eon Yong-un the "Central Plains' Number One Tongue" beyond nicknames like 'Invincible Sword' or 'Central Plains' Greatest Junior.'
So, Won Cheon-seok's flattery felt like it was saying he drew attention because of his handsome looks.
Gulp.
Dry saliva swallowed involuntarily.
"People naturally like stories worth talking about, so tales about me are bound to be exaggerated beyond the truth."
"Folks say they're actually downplayed. Well, anyway, thanks to you, we're eating in a relatively peaceful rivers and lakes."
Contrary to Yeo Chi-su's fears, Eon Yong-un behaved with utmost courtesy.
"I've heard that most of you seniors served on the frontiers."
"That's right, but?"
"Hearing such words from those who silently fought enemies in the harsh frontiers fills me with shame. The reason I can puff out my chest claiming achievements is all thanks to seniors like you."
"Hahaha. You're embarrassing me. Your achievements are yours. How could they be ours?"
Seeing this, Yeo Chi-su realized his recent worries were unfounded and stepped back slightly to let the young ones build rapport properly.
Then Wang Seon-nam sidled up to Yeo Chi-su and sent a transmission.
[What a peculiar guy, right?]
[Tell me about it. He has that side too.]
[It's ridiculous. He outright told me my personality is twisted. And now he's acting all polite? What kind of greeting is that? Sheesh.]
[It reminds me of the old days.]
[What old days?]
With that opener, Yeo Chi-su gazed toward the distant South Sea and spoke.
[Strong when strong, soft when soft. Makes me wonder why I couldn't be like that. That kid, even if he'd gone into officialdom, would've commanded the realm.]
[Pfft. I still don't like him.]
[Your mouth says that, but your smiling face says otherwise?]
[He's amazing. Achievements like that at his age. And not riding on family prestige either.]
[Ah, he started by striking his name from the family registry upon entering the rivers and lakes?]
[Yeah. From what I've seen as Hao Clan Leader, those kinds usually overconfident in themselves. Self-made folks often are. But that kid downplays his own hardships and elevates others' efforts.]
[...He has the power to draw people in.]
As the two eccentrics exchanged transmissions,
"So, junior. What should we do?"
Eon Yong-un smoothly changed the subject.
"How about heading to the training grounds first? We need to know each other's skills and specialties precisely to become comrades who can entrust our backs."
He gave a nod to Yeo Chi-su and Wang Seon-nam and headed toward the training grounds.
At that sight, the two eccentrics smiled faintly.
"Hey, Evil Duke. Deciding to come to the secular world following that kid—feels like the right choice, doesn't it?"
"Save that talk for after we repel the demons."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, the separate unit of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult led by Hyeok Ryeon-so was continuing northward through the Wuzhe Valley in the Great Bashan Mountains.
Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!
Hyeok Ryeon-so signaled his men to halt at the sound of footsteps approaching from the opposite direction.
Ppok! Ppok ppok!
From that direction came the bird calls used as contact signals by the cult's spies.
"I'll go."
With that, Intelligence Agent Yang Beom went alone to meet the spy and returned.
Hyeok Ryeon-so opened his mouth.
"What did they say?"
"About thirty li from here is a treacherous pass called Jawo Valley. Passing through that leads to the West Bank. They also brought news of the Murim Alliance."
"Anything useful for our plans?"
"Yes. The righteous sects seem disorganized. The Murim Alliance Leader has detained the White Alliance Council members."
"Is that so? The White Alliance Council is like our Ten Thousand Demons Hall, right?"
"Not exactly the same. Our Ten Thousand Demons Hall exists to unite and enact the Cult Leader's will. The righteous sects' White Alliance Council is just a collection of factions that come and go."
"Right, and they've lost a lot of power lately?"
"That's true, but it's still their decision-making body. Each council member is a key asset, so detaining them is good news for us."
At Yang Beom's words, Hyeok Ryeon-so stroked his chin and asked,
"Is it reliable?"
Yang Beom knelt and replied firmly.
"The faction led by Jang Son-rip has been clashing with the Murim Alliance Leader and Eon Yong-un's group. I stake my neck on it."
"No need to go that far. I didn't ask because I doubt you."
"Understood. Additionally, the spy said the Murim Alliance Leader has summoned martial hall masters large and small near Luoyang. Calling in even such rabble suggests they've suffered losses."
As Yang Beom's report continued for a moment,
"!"
Hyeok Ryeon-so suddenly raised his hand, halting his subordinates.
Yang Beom, knowing Hyeok Ryeon-so—who had mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to the third stage—had superhuman senses, sent a transmission.
[It's a bit far since I can't hear it. Shall we move quickly?]
[The West Bank is right there. Better be thorough.]
[Yes.]
Yang Beom replied curtly and thought,
'He shows magnanimity to close aides like us, but he's thorough like this too. Truly kingly talent.'
Such pin-drop silence lasted about a quarter hour.
"!"
After what felt like a long time, even the other cultists caught the presence Hyeok Ryeon-so had detected.
"...Jackpot."
"Yeah. With this, this winter we'll..."
Yang Beom quickly gestured left and right.
Paht!
The two cultists scattered like mist and soon dragged back two herb gatherers with sacks, forcing them to kneel before Hyeok Ryeon-so.
"Eek!"
"Spare us! I didn't see anything!!"
Hyeok Ryeon-so left the noisy, wailing one alone
and shot a condensed orb of Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy at the one curled up pale-faced.
Poooeoeoeong!
The struck herb gatherer exploded in an instant.
Seeing his companion—traveling together just moments ago—burst into chunks of flesh, the remaining one trembled like an aspen and slammed his head to the ground again.
"Please spare me!"
Hyeok Ryeon-so spoke to him in a dry tone.
"Speak out of turn or lie, and you'll end up like him. I'll ask. Who are you?"
"W-we're slash-and-burn farmers from nearby."
"This is a treacherous pass even beasts avoid."
"Th-that friend just fell in here recently and said he saw some spirit herb in a cave, so we came to pick it."
"If true, there's a slash-and-burn village nearby?"
"Yes. It's true."
"Guide us. We'll see if you're lying."
"Th-then you'll spare me?"
Finishing the interrogation, Hyeok Ryeon-so nodded to the cultists who brought the gatherers.
It meant to go to the village and wipe it out.
As the herb gatherer and two cultists left, Yang Beom asked Hyeok Ryeon-so,
"Why save the noisy one for last? Don't you despise such types with your keen senses, Young Master?"
"The pale one seemed like he'd faint before spilling what I want if I scared him more. And since they're friends, but he only begged for himself—giving a sliver of hope seemed like it'd make him talk."
At Hyeok Ryeon-so's words, Yang Beom and the separate unit's cultists thought he should be the next Cult Leader.
"From silent waiting to that interrogation. Your wisdom and thoroughness remind me of the Cult Leader in his youth."
"What. I'm far from Father."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Three days after the retired officers led by Yeo Chi-su joined the Eastern Expedition Society and began coordinating,
Gong Son-mu-gyeol and I gathered everyone participating in this plan to inspect the overall readiness and reassign roles.
"I'm Eon Yong-un, director of the Ma Clan Alliance. The reason I've gathered you all today is that Admiral Dae, out at sea, has confirmed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's forces are on the move."
With that opener, I got straight to the point.
"They were estimated to reach Shaanxi soonest, or Sichuan at latest by now. So we've gathered for final role assignments."
Then I asked if there was any reference information in the meantime.
"With the situation changing by the minute, enemy movements are paramount. Any news from the past day?"
"Hao Clan."
"Hao Clan. Speak."
"In Taeho, people resembling cultists raided a refugee village. Thanks to the Invincible Sword's prior warning, we evacuated, so no casualties. But could any Sword Demon legacy have leaked in?"
"No need to worry. I took everything there. Any other news?"
No other new reports beyond the Hao Clan.
"Alliance Leader."
I signaled Gong Son-mu-gyeol with my eyes that we could proceed.
As he opened his mouth,
"It was a hopeless fight, but we've come this far with everyone's help. Thank you all. Especially Yong-un. I'm glad you're here."
Through the open window, Eung-yong-i flew in.