Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Misdirection
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“What? That Azure Wolf?”
“That is correct. Mak Cheong-ju is on the lead boat, and all the Yellow River bandits are following him northward.”
“This is…”
The sudden urgent news from the Yellow River sent the Orthodox Murim Alliance into an uproar.
Why Mak Cheong-ju, all of a sudden?
Why would he be leading a large fleet of ships northward?
The situation was not good.
Yun An-ro had vanished from the Yellow River, leaving only his boat behind, while Neung Un-bi was reportedly heading toward Shaanxi out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, the Sword Emperor, Namgung Mu-wi, had impulsively pursued him to Shaanxi, causing a partial collapse in the Beggars' Union's cordon.
If the Beggars' Union were to be split again in such a situation?
A gap would form.
“Could it be that the Azure Wolf has joined hands with Neung Un-bi?”
“…Judging by his current movements, it's a possibility.”
Listening to the conversation between the scholars of the Military Affairs Department and Jegal Cheong-in, Jegal Min's expression hardened slightly.
He had considered it himself.
It was impossible for them to vanish so suddenly without the help of the river bandits, and there was no way the Beggars' Union, searching in all directions, would fail to pick up their trail.
But the connection was weak.
Mak Cheong-ju, that old fox, couldn't possibly fail to read the current situation, could he?
He must know that with the treaty between the Orthodox and Demonic factions broken, associating with the Demonic Cult would bring more harm than good...
“What is the Beggars' Union doing?”
“A portion of the search party is tailing Mak Cheong-ju's fleet and monitoring it closely.”
“Good. We still haven't grasped Mak Cheong-ju's true intentions…”
“Yes, sir.”
Mak Cheong-ju intended to use himself as a decoy to draw the Orthodox Murim Alliance's attention northward, but the Alliance did not fall for it so easily.
The opponent was Mak Cheong-ju, after all.
Though a river bandit, he was one of the leaders representing the Unorthodox Faction. If they were to stop and search his ships based on suspicion alone, a fight would surely break out.
His strength was well-known, so the damage would be considerable.
Moreover, there was an even greater problem: the public opinion of the Unorthodox Faction.
Doesn't blood always run thicker than water?
If rumors spread that Mak Cheong-ju was being persecuted by the Orthodox Murim Alliance without reason, the entire Unorthodox Faction might rise up.
At a time when they had already broken the treaty and become enemies with the Demonic Cult, creating such a situation would be extremely disadvantageous for the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
However, they couldn't just stand by and watch as Mak Cheong-ju continued to head north.
“Hmm, we need a justification…”
Just as Jegal Cheong-in was trying to think of a pretext to search Mak Cheong-ju's ships, the news he had been waiting for arrived.
“Strategist! An urgent report from the Tongcheon Pavilion!”
“Come in!”
“Yes, sir!”
The person who entered at Jegal Cheong-in's command was the newly appointed head of the Tongcheon Pavilion, replacing his predecessor who was recently beheaded for intentionally delaying reports.
“An urgent report? Where is it from?”
“It's information from Shaanxi.”
“Shaanxi?”
A shadow of disappointment crossed Jegal Cheong-in's face; he had been hoping for information from the Beggars' Union members who had followed the northern waterway.
“Is it from the Sword Emperor?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, what does it say?”
“It says that Neung Un-bi's trail toward Shaanxi was a fake.”
“…What did you say?”
It was a report that made Jegal Cheong-in, who had been listening half-heartedly, snap to attention.
“What do you mean? Wasn't that what was reported directly to the Sword Emperor by a high-ranking member of the Beggars' Union?”
“That is correct. However, according to what the Sword Emperor has reported…”
“Speak quickly! No, bring it here. I'll see for myself!”
Suddenly feeling rushed, Jegal Cheong-in snatched the dispatch from the Tongcheon Pavilion Head's hand and read it.
Neung Un-bi, who was said to have gone to Shaanxi.
But it was the result of a disciple from the Beggars' Union being played by him.
“Soul-stealing Arts?”
“Yes. After observing the beggar, who had just regained consciousness, speaking incoherently, the Sword Emperor determined that he had clearly fallen victim to a type of Soul-stealing Art.”
“...!”
Jegal Cheong-in's face lit up. It was as if his complicated thoughts had been instantly sorted out.
Yun An-ro's trail had vanished, and Neung Un-bi's movements were proven to be a feint.
And Mak Cheong-ju is moving north?
“Heh heh, we finally have a justification. A reason to stop Mak Cheong-ju's ships!”
“That's right. Mak Cheong-ju has undoubtedly joined hands with that bastard Neung Un-bi and is trying to help him escape to the north.”
“Exactly! Of course! That's why he mobilized such a large fleet!”
At the Military Affairs scholar's agreement, Jegal Cheong-in slapped his knee in delight.
“Um, sir, there are other reports…”
“Just summarize them for later!”
“Pardon?”
“You fool! Didn't you hear me? The situation is urgent! You can just compile the rest of the reports and bring them later!”
“I-I'm sorry.”
At Jegal Cheong-in's roar, the Tongcheon Pavilion Head shrank back and gathered the other dispatches he was holding.
“You strategists, formulate a plan. I will report to the Grand Elder immediately and get his approval for a confrontation with Mak Cheong-ju.”
“Understood.”
Jegal Cheong-in clutched the dispatch from the Sword Emperor and was about to hurry away when…
“Uncle.”
“Hm?”
The one who stopped Jegal Cheong-in was Jegal Min. He had been assigned to the Military Affairs Department in recognition of his brilliant strategy to turn the situation around and oust Yi Ok-sang when Neung Un-bi fled with Yun An-ro.
However, Jegal Cheong-in knew this was Jegal Cheon-woo's particular way of appointing talent.
Placing him beside himself, the strategist, had the superficial reason of 'observe and learn,' but hidden within was the intention to make them compete.
Wasn't he the type to cast aside even his own flesh and blood if they lacked ability?
Therefore, it was only natural that the look in Jegal Cheong-in's eyes as he gazed at Jegal Min was not a kind one.
“What? Do you have something to say?”
“For now, perhaps we should investigate a little more. If you report rashly…”
“Tsk!”
“…”
“What more is there to confirm? It's obvious to anyone that Mak Cheong-ju is helping Neung Un-bi!”
Jegal Min pressed his lips shut at Jegal Cheong-in's sharp retort.
“It seems you've gotten some misconceptions after stumbling into one successful scheme to take down Yi Ok-sang, but you are still an apprentice strategist. How dare you offer me advice!”
“…I apologize. I was short-sighted.”
“Foolish boy. You achieve one small success and think you can reach the sky… Be mindful of your words and actions from now on.”
“I understand, Uncle.”
Jegal Min bowed his head respectfully at Jegal Cheong-in's rebuke.
“Wait here quietly. Don't disturb the strategists who are devising a plan to capture Mak Cheong-ju.”
“Yes, sir.”
After glaring at him with displeasure, Jegal Cheong-in spun around and hurried toward the rear courtyard where Jegal Cheon-woo was staying.
Following this, the strategists, who had been watching cautiously, began to examine the topographical maps and seriously discuss their countermeasures.
“Haaah… Good grief.”
Having been needlessly scolded for saying one wrong thing, Jegal Min sighed and shook his head.
He had been reprimanded, but his thoughts remained unchanged.
This report is premature.
Jegal Cheong-in is being impatient. He believes he has fallen out of Jegal Cheon-woo's favor due to his previous failure.
But one should not underestimate Neung Un-bi. Though he is barely a man grown, he is as cunning as a thousand-year-old serpent.
Ever since being bested by him at the Three Gates Gorge, hadn't he meticulously studied everything the man had done in the Central Plains?
Sometimes he was crude, other times unpredictable…
There was more to him than what met the eye.
That's why one must look deeper.
First, his unpredictability.
Initially, he had no connection whatsoever to Yun An-ro.
But he stayed at Shaolin, deceived the Orthodox Murim Alliance, and rescued Yun An-ro. Afterward, he twice disrupted their inescapable nets to escape and slipped through the carefully laid traps.
It was as if he could see right through their strategies.
And in the midst of it all, he even used Soul-stealing Arts on a beggar to lure the Sword Emperor, Namgung Mu-wi, to Shaanxi…
A man like that would act so thoughtlessly?
Wasn't this a situation where anyone, like Jegal Cheong-in, would have no choice but to suspect Mak Cheong-ju?
What is seen is surely not the whole picture.
There must be another scheme hidden somewhere.
As Jegal Min pondered, his eyes fell upon the Tongcheon Pavilion Head, who was hesitating, wondering whether to leave or not.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“You said there were more reports, didn't you?”
“Ah!”
At Jegal Min's words, the Tongcheon Pavilion Head looked down at the dispatches he had gathered in his hand.
“Let me see them.”
“But…”
“It's fine. What's the harm in just taking a look?”
“Very well.”
At Jegal Min's gentle smile, the Tongcheon Pavilion Head handed over the bundle of dispatches.
“Oh, quite a lot have come in. You all must be working hard.”
“Thank you for recognizing our efforts.”
“Just from the sheer volume, it's clear this is no ordinary matter… Let's see, there's a dispatch from the western blockade area… Huh? Huayin County?”
“Ah, that's a report from the Street Blossoms.”
“The Street Blossoms?”
“They are the street beggars who have not yet joined the Beggars' Union.”
“I see.”
Jegal Min nodded and was about to flip past the dispatch when a particular line caught his eye, making him pause.
“Hm?”
“Is something wrong?”
“…”
The Tongcheon Pavilion Head tilted his head and asked, but Jegal Min couldn't take his eyes off the dispatch sent by the Street Blossoms of Huayin County.
“Ha, just as I thought… I knew it.”
“Sir?”
“Ah, it's nothing. I've seen enough. Please compile these and report to the Military Affairs Department later.”
“Yes, sir.”
Taking back the dispatches, the Tongcheon Pavilion Head bowed respectfully and withdrew.
And in the hand of Jegal Min, who had stepped forward as if to see him off, was the dispatch sent by the Street Blossoms, which he had subtly taken.
“‘The King of the Green Forest…’ ‘A figure resembling the King of the Green Forest was spotted in the foothills near Huayin County…’”
A cold smile touched the corners of Jegal Min's lips.
It was just as he had thought. Perhaps Mak Cheong-ju's grand fleet was just a ploy by that bastard Neung Un-bi.
And wasn't the Sword Emperor's dispatch just too timely?
It had instantly lured in the Orthodox Murim Alliance, which had been hesitating, unsure whether to act while watching Mak Cheong-ju.
It was as if the heavens themselves were helping him.
“Then I can't just stand by and watch. If heavenly fortune has smiled upon you, then I must add a touch of misfortune to restore the balance.”
Jegal Min slowly made his way to the rear courtyard where Jegal Cheon-woo was staying.
Timing his arrival for after Jegal Cheong-in had finished his report and departed.
***
“What do you mean by that?”
“It is exactly as you heard.”
Facing Jegal Cheon-woo alone, Jegal Min sat with his back straight and replied.
“Exactly as I heard?”
“Yes.”
“You expect me to believe that Mak Cheong-ju is a decoy?”
“No.”
“…What?”
“I am saying that he *might* be a decoy.”
Seeing Jegal Min's calm smile, Jegal Cheon-woo's eyes narrowed.
Such confidence in my presence?
I placed him beside Jegal Cheong-in to carefully observe his qualities, thinking he was just a youngster who had gotten lucky with one achievement… Was I wrong?
“Explain in detail your reasons for this suspicion.”
“The King of the Green Forest has appeared in Huayin County.”
“The King of the Green Forest?”
“Yes. Mak Cheong-ju and Jong Ri-gang are the closest of friends. Furthermore, Huayin County is not far from the Three Gates Gorge.”
“Hmm… So? You think they've joined hands and are plotting something?”
“It may be a stretch, but in my opinion, it seems Mak Cheong-ju has become the decoy.”
“Mm.”
“Yun An-ro disappeared on the river, and suddenly Mak Cheong-ju began heading north with a large fleet.”
“…”
“Isn't this a situation where anyone would be forced to suspect him? If I were Neung Un-bi, I wouldn't bother going north.”
“The King of the Green Forest has been appearing all over the Central Plains recently. Are you aware?”
“Yes. He's been directly forming ties with the merchants of the Central Plains and expanding his territory.”
“Indeed.”
“Of course, one could think his appearance in Huayin County is to seize the interests of the Mount Hua Sect, which has sealed its gates, feeling responsible for the recent incident.”
“But why did you suspect otherwise?”
“I am not stating a suspicion, but suggesting we confirm it.”
“Confirmation…”
“If Neung Un-bi and Yun An-ro are truly on Mak Cheong-ju's ships, then fine. But if not, the Orthodox Murim Alliance will suffer a great loss.”
Jegal Cheon-woo nodded.
His words had merit.
“Very well. However, the situation with Mak Cheong-ju is more certain, so I cannot withdraw our forces. Can you confirm it?”
“I won't need any troops.”
“What?”
“Isn't the Sword Emperor already in Shaanxi? I will persuade him to investigate the King of the Green Forest.”
After a moment of thought, Jegal Cheon-woo unfolded a piece of paper and quickly wrote on it.
“Give this to the Sword Emperor, and he will help you. Go.”
“Thank you.”
Taking the letter, Jegal Min left the rear courtyard and immediately mounted his horse.
Following the heavenly fortune granted to Neung Un-bi came misfortune.