Chapter 147
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Subjugating the Ghost King寨
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In front of the North Heaven Hall, the North Wind Brigade held a raucous send-off ceremony.
Onlookers gathered, murmuring among themselves.
“Huh? North Heaven Hall?”
“Wasn’t this the North Sea Ice Palace’s sub-branch?”
“They changed the name, apparently.”
“Yeah? Anyway, those warriors…”
“They’re called the North Wind Brigade. Must be famous up in the North Sea.”
“Definitely no joke—their vibe is intense. Where are they headed?”
“Word is, they’re going after the Ghost King寨.”
“What? That Ghost King寨 from the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits?”
“Yeah. Heard they’re teaming up with the Shanxi Sword Sect.”
“Oh, right—few years back, the Ghost King寨 sweet-talked the Red River寨 into attacking the Shanxi Sword Sect.”
“Yeah, it was a huge mess.”
“So they’re off to wipe out the remnants.”
“That’s the gist. Even after losing their leadership and elites, the Ghost King寨’s been rampaging like crazy.”
The Ghost King寨 had changed when another vice leader—one who hadn’t joined the attack on the Shanxi Sword Sect—took over as leader.
To rebuild their forces, they’d grown even more ruthless, extorting tolls and ambushing passing merchant caravans left and right.
Their infamy had spread far and wide, but as one of the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits, no one dared touch them carelessly.
“Man, North Heaven Hall’s got some guts.”
“Of course. The hall leader’s the North Heaven Dragon himself—the guy who smashed the elites of both Ghost King寨 and Red River寨 right after arriving.”
“No kidding!”
Some among the chattering crowd were Haomen members.
They were deliberately raising their voices to spread the word.
Yu Gong-seon, blended in among them, saw his eyes gleam.
‘Doing a fine job.’
It was working, just as planned.
He noticed the onlookers’ gazes shifting toward the North Wind Brigade.
No need to mix in lies. Just getting the facts out there would change perceptions.
Seol Hwa-un spoke to the North Wind Brigade Leader, standing at attention with his men.
“No casualties allowed.”
“Of course, Hall Leader. This isn’t like our trip to the Central Plains before. This time, we’ll show the full might of the North Wind Brigade.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded at the brigade leader’s confident expression.
Back then, they’d numbered only thirty—but now, two hundred strong. The difference in power was like night and day.
“We’ll show them what the North Heaven Hall is, and what the North Wind Brigade stands for. Then we’ll return.”
“Good.”
The Ghost King寨 lay in the Wutai Mountains north of Taiyuan. The North Wind Brigade would link up with the Shanxi Sword Sect there before heading straight to the lair.
“Depart!”
Watching the North Wind Brigade march off with high spirits, Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
‘Already allied with the Orthodox Heaven Alliance. We’ve got the justification on our side, so even the bandit overlords won’t move recklessly.’
But the Ghost King寨 wasn’t the only target. The smaller bandit dens around it were prey too.
‘Starting with Wutai Mountains, we’ll sweep every bandit from Shanxi Province.’
And spread the word far and wide to boost the North Heaven Hall’s fame.
“North Wind Brigade Leader, I’m counting on you.”
The brigade’s forces were more than enough.
* * *
It didn’t take long for the rumors to spread.
Ghost King寨 annihilated.
Seol Hwa-un had dealt heavy blows to three bandit dens before, but never erased one entirely.
This time was different.
The Shanxi Sword Sect and North Heaven Hall had wiped the Ghost King寨 from existence.
And it didn’t stop there. The North Wind Brigade mopped up every last bandit around the Wutai Mountains.
The news spread like wildfire in all directions—thanks, of course, to the Haomen and North Heaven Hall’s intelligence networks.
“North Heaven Hall?”
“What’s that?”
“You know the North Heaven Dragon? He’s their leader.”
“What? That North Heaven Dragon?”
Rumors aren’t perfect.
Plenty knew the North Heaven Dragon had taken down two of the Four Demon Envoys, but fewer knew he hailed from the North Sea Ice Palace.
“North Heaven Hall, huh.”
Word of the North Wind Brigade’s bandit purge soon reached the authorities.
In the office of the Taiyuan Provincial Military Commission in Shanxi.
Provincial Military Commander Wi Seong-bo sat facing a middle-aged scribe.
The Provincial Military Commission controlled a province’s military authority—a high post indeed.
“Say that again.”
Wi Seong-bo, with his ample build and goatee, eyed him with greedy glint.
“Yes, Commander. This new martial faction called North Heaven Hall started with the Ghost King寨 and is wiping out all the bandits in Shanxi Province.”
“…”
“It’s astonishingly fast. Looks like a major sect’s taken root in Shanxi.”
“Is that so? No group springs up overnight. Any idea of their origins?”
“Rumor has it, they were founded by the North Sea Ice Palace up north. Leader’s their young lord.”
Wi Seong-bo’s eyes flashed.
“Hm? Northern barbarians, eh?”
“Yes.”
“Well, well? These barbarians dare set up shop in the Central Plains?”
“…Pardon?”
“Exactly! This is outright invasion!”
The scribe nodded hesitantly.
“Y-Yes, sir.”
“We should dispatch troops to crush them… but they’re a martial faction. Government and jianghu don’t interfere with each other.”
“…Yes.”
“Non-interference means no crossing lines. Fine to hit the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits, but purging other bandits too? That’s overstepping!”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t maintaining public order squarely this commander’s duty?”
The scribe struggled to grasp what Wi Seong-bo was driving at.
“…Aren’t they doing your job for you? Isn’t that good?”
“What nonsense? As I said, government and jianghu are mutually off-limits. We can’t violate that!”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
Wi Seong-bo’s gaze narrowed slyly.
“No good. I’ll have to go complain in person!”
“Ah.”
“Tell Battalion Commander Jin Cheon-ho to prepare for deployment.”
A battalion commander led a thousand troops.
“How many men…?”
“They’re still a martial sect! Mobilize every guard unit soldier!”
“…!”
Wi Seong-bo smirked wickedly.
‘Time to score big, heh heh heh.’
* * *
Three days later, over five thousand troops arrived before the North Heaven Hall. Wi Seong-bo rode at their forefront.
“Hoh, bigger estate than I thought.”
He addressed a general riding just behind.
“Battalion Commander Jin, did you announce my arrival?”
“Yes, Commander. Of course.”
“Then why’s no one out to greet us?”
“Well…”
Creeeak!
Right on cue, the North Heaven Hall gates swung open. Yu Gong-seon stepped out.
“Welcome, Provincial Military Commander.”
Wi Seong-bo softened slightly at the polite bow.
“Ahem. Are you the North Heaven Hall Leader?”
“No, sir. I’m Yu Gong-seon, First Chief Manager of North Heaven Hall.”
“What! This commander comes in person, and the leader doesn’t even show?”
“He’s just returned from an outing and is preparing. I can only apologize on his behalf.”
“Is that so?”
“Please, come to our council hall. If you head there now, the Hall Leader will be waiting right on time.”
“Hm.”
Unsatisfied with the reception, Wi Seong-bo wanted to nitpick more but held back, mindful of the crowd. Plenty of eyes were on them already.
‘Fine, let’s go in first…’
Wi Seong-bo dismounted. At once, Battalion Commander Jin Cheon-ho and five escorting officers fell in behind him.
“Shall we take a look around?”
“Our humble hall—forgive its shortcomings.”
They followed Yu Gong-seon inside.
Wi Seong-bo strolled casually, hands clasped behind his back, surveying the place.
‘Hm, simple and unpretentious—no extravagance—but top-quality materials. Built to last.’
A sly grin crept across his lips.
‘Heh heh heh.’
They soon reached the grand council hall. There sat Second Chief Manager Bing Cho-pung, the North Wind Brigade Leader, and Seol Hwa-un in the seat of honor.
Seol Hwa-un cupped his hands calmly.
“Welcome, Provincial Military Commander. I am the Leader of North Heaven Hall.”
“…!”
Wi Seong-bo’s eyes changed. Startled by Seol Hwa-un’s handsome features, yes—but that wasn’t the real reason.
‘At his age, already radiating natural authority?’
Wi Seong-bo had risen to Provincial Military Commander through sheer cunning, despite lacking martial prowess.
He was exceptional at reading people.
‘How does a mere warrior carry such presence…’
Wi Seong-bo shook his head.
‘Doesn’t matter. He’s jianghu folk. Can’t touch me.’
He reminded himself why he’d brought an army.
“Pleased to meet you, Hall Leader. I am Shanxi’s Provincial Military Commander.”
“Sit.”
“Very well.”
He’d planned to demand the seat of honor right away, but sensing Seol Hwa-un wasn’t ordinary, he held back.
Once seated, Seol Hwa-un offered tea.
“Hearing you were coming, I prepared fine Dragon Well tea. Please.”
“Much obliged.”
‘Wait—this brat keeps treating me like an equal?’
He itched to bellow, but restrained himself.
‘Yeah. That’s for inferiors.’
No sense letting it derail his goal.
“…”
Yet the hall felt oppressively heavy. No one projected aura, no one spoke—and still, it weighed on him.
‘Stay calm.’
Wi Seong-bo sipped his tea, forcing nonchalance.
‘Don’t get intimidated. He’s just a youth past twenty.’
Pretending to drink, he stole a glance at Seol Hwa-un.
“…”
Their eyes met—and a chill ran through him.
“…!”
He flinched and looked away.
‘What kind of glare is that on a kid?’
Serene, yet piercingly cold.
Wi Seong-bo’s leg trembled faintly with unease.
‘Damn it. Wrap this up and get out.’
Feigning casualness, he spoke.
“Ahem, I’d love to chat more, Hall Leader, but duty calls.”
“…”
He got to the point.
“Word is, North Heaven Hall’s been purging bandits.”
“Indeed. Soon, no bandits left in Shanxi.”
Wi Seong-bo’s eyes widened slightly.
‘Already?!’
He quickly schooled his expression.
“Impressive. But you know that’s officially this office’s domain?”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Even with government-jianghu non-interference, isn’t this too much? You should’ve at least consulted me!”
“Heard you’d been sitting on your hands. Was I wrong?”
Wi Seong-bo scowled.
“Hey! Who’s spreading that crap? You think I don’t have a mountain of duties? I was planning to handle them in due time!”
“And I sped up your timeline.”
“Hah! Young man, you’re impossible! Should I petition His Majesty for punishment? You crossed the line first—don’t blame me!”
“…”
The hall grew heavier still at his bluster. The North Heaven Hall leaders’ gazes turned icy.
‘Hmph, think I’m scared?’
Seol Hwa-un spoke calmly.
“What do you want?”
“What kind of talk is that? I want nothing. This office merely…”
Seol Hwa-un cut him off.
“Enough. Cut the nonsense and say what you want.”
“…!”
Wi Seong-bo flinched again at the quiet pressure. Normally, he’d push the intimidation game, but he just wanted out now.
‘Damn, a bit rushed, but no choice.’
He showed his hand.
“Fine. Straight to it. All the bandit loot North Heaven Hall seized—hand it to the government.”
“…”
“It’s stolen from innocent folk. I’ll recover and distribute it properly. A donation from you wouldn’t hurt either.”
Seol Hwa-un chuckled softly.
“So that’s it.”
“…What?”
Seol Hwa-un rose slowly.
“…!”
To Wi Seong-bo, it felt like a massive mountain looming up.
‘Wh-What!’
Seol Hwa-un looked down with chilling eyes.
“Provincial Military Commander Wi.”
Wi Seong-bo spat venomously.
“This northern barbarian thinks he can disrespect me just because…!”
“Go ahead.”
Thud.
Seol Hwa-un placed a small metal badge—adorned with ornate tassels—on the table. Wi Seong-bo’s eyes bulged.
“Th-This… a Governor’s Badge?!”
Governor.
Dispatched directly from the imperial palace to tour and oversee provinces. Far higher rank than Provincial Military Commander.
‘G-Gold one, even…!’
Wi Seong-bo shot to his feet and prostrated himself.
“Th-This lowly one greets the Governor!”
“Provincial Military Commander Wi.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Withdraw your troops at once. Bring Shanxi’s Provincial Administration Commissioner and Surveillance Commissioner to me.”
These were the key officials managing Shanxi alongside him.
“…!”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes gleamed coldly.
“Remember. One day.”