Chapter 226
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: The Real Strategist
It was a single attack.
Though he still radiated a merciless presence, if it had been Neung Un-bi alone, the Yin Wolf Gate would not have been pushed back so easily.
But the Sun and Moon Divine Cult moved with him.
*Shnk!*
Before he knew it, Hwa-yeong's touch, Chung-san's sword, and Wang Cheon's chilling energy had laid a blood-soaked path before Neung Un-bi's feet.
Then, the warriors of the Sacred Fire Valley and the Unhwang Brigade, now reborn as the guards of the Sun and Moon Cult Leader, joined the fray.
Seeing this, Neung Un-bi frowned.
Human lives?
He had long since decided not to concern himself with such things. He might care for those who walked with him, but he had no mercy to spare for enemies who pointed their swords at him.
But when forces clash, allies also suffer casualties. Though it was nothing compared to the Yin Wolf Gate's losses, the Sacred Fire Valley was already taking casualties.
"Hwa-yeong, fall back!"
"I cannot, Cult Leader."
"..."
"I am not unaware of your feelings, Cult Leader, but a sword has its purpose, and a master must know when to step forward."
"Hwa-yeong."
"If you cherish your subordinates so much that you handle everything yourself, then what is the value of our existence?"
"..."
"Your dream, Cult Leader, is not yours alone; it is a dream we all share. Only then does our existence find meaning. Though our strengths may differ, by striving with what we have, we become participants, not bystanders."
At Hwa-yeong's words, Neung Un-bi could no longer argue.
Suddenly, Dam Un-cheon's words came to mind—to become not just a mountain, but a mountain range.
To walk not alone, but together. And when they finally reached the summit, to look down upon the world with no one feeling shame.
Therefore, to stubbornly spare their lives was no different from robbing them of their purpose and the meaning of their existence.
"Huu... I understand. Then I leave the path to you."
"Yes, Cult Leader!"
The warriors who overheard the exchange, along with Hwa-yeong who answered forcefully, began to radiate an even more intense aura. With Neung Un-bi's intention to swallow the Demonic Cult and advance into the world, each of them sought to contribute even a little by fulfilling their duty.
With everyone's will converging in a single direction, it was only natural for their morale to soar.
As they surged forward like a great tidal wave, it was as if a red silk carpet was being unfurled before Neung Un-bi's steps as he approached O-wang, the Gate Master of the Yin Wolf Gate.
"You... you bastards!"
They already had to face immense sacrifices just to deal with Neung Un-bi, but now with the Sacred Fire Valley joining in, the Yin Wolf Gate began to be pushed back. O-wang's face twisted hideously.
"Mu-baek."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
At Hwa-yeong's call, Han Mu-baek, the leader of the assassins, responded.
"Cut off all of the Yin Wolf Gate's communication methods immediately."
"As you command!"
"Venerable Eung-bo."
"Speak."
"Take a hundred warriors, surround the Yin Wolf Gate, and ensure they cannot request any outside help."
"Yes!"
As the tide of battle turned in their favor, Hwa-yeong divided his forces.
It was a good decision.
If the Yin Wolf Gate's situation were to be known outside, it would not be good for them. Neung Un-bi's current actions, for whatever reason, violated the rules of the Dragon Ascension Festival.
Furthermore, having declared a new name, it could be considered treason against the Demonic Cult, and they would have no defense. If Dam Un-cheon were to find out, there was no telling how he would react.
Neung Un-bi smiled faintly at Hwa-yeong's swift response and looked at O-wang.
But something was strange.
Why was he just stamping his feet with a troubled expression?
He was the master of the Yin Wolf Gate. He had inherited the blood of the Demonic Cult, which fought to the death, so he would not flee.
But wasn't he being overpowered?
If he had no intention of abandoning his subordinates and escaping, he should have quickly come up with another plan. Yet his eyes, ears, and mouth were not turned toward the man in the white robes beside him.
Why?
That single question took root in Neung Un-bi's mind.
If he truly possessed a mind superior to Hye Shim-jeong.
If he had foreseen the current situation and set up a double so convincing that even the assassins of the Sacred Fire Valley were confused.
If so, unless he planned to flee, he should have stepped forward to help the Yin Wolf Gate. He should have devised a plan before being asked.
But O-wang didn't ask for his help, and he said nothing to O-wang.
Why?
As he pondered this, Neung Un-bi suddenly searched for a figure amidst the fierce battlefield.
The one who had been the double for the man in white.
"Aigoo, please spare me. Please, spare my life."
"..."
What was that just now?
He was clearly looking at me.
He had been watching me, as if observing, but the moment our eyes met, he threw himself to the ground and began to tremble.
Could that man be...
Feeling suspicious, Neung Un-bi spoke to Hyang-i, who was demurely following him.
"Hyang-i."
"Yes?"
"Grab that man. Don't let him escape."
"Yes? What do you mean...?"
Hyang-i asked, but Neung Un-bi was already leaping over the red carpet his subordinates had created, launching himself toward O-wang.
"Sacred Fire Valley! Fall back immediately!"
"...?"
Fall back in the middle of a battle?
It was an absurd command, but no one argued.
The moment the order was given, the fighting warriors retreated like an ebbing tide.
Neung Un-bi shot forward like an arrow, flying over the heads of the Yin Wolf Gate warriors who were bewildered by their sudden release from combat.
"Cult Leader!"
Seeing him once again charge in alone, Hwa-yeong frowned and called out to him, but he did not answer.
"O-wang!"
"...!"
At the sight of Neung Un-bi suddenly soaring up and descending upon him like a meteor, O-wang gritted his teeth and mustered his energy.
"Red Fang!"
At his call, a giant wolf with blood-red fur, the Red Wolf, charged at Neung Un-bi.
"Insignificant beast!"
*CRACK!*
Struck by the swinging fist, the Red Wolf was slammed into the ground, and through the opening created by the large motion, O-wang's fist shot out.
*BAM!*
Neung Un-bi immediately parried the fist and unleashed a barrage of his own upon O-wang.
O-wang was a warrior worthy of being the head of a gate, but he was no match for Neung Un-bi, who had become a master of Force Aura.
Before even a few exchanges had passed, O-wang was forced back, struggling to defend himself.
"It's over!"
Just as Neung Un-bi, having seized victory, thrust out a palm.
*KRAAANG!*
The Red Wolf that had been slammed into the ground lunged and bit his wrist.
"Tch!"
Forced to retreat, Neung Un-bi grimaced.
*Grrrrrr...*
The Red Wolf blocked O-wang's path, growling menacingly.
It truly was a spirit beast. There had been considerable power in that punch, yet it had withstood it.
"Huu... They said you killed the Sword Emperor. You truly are something."
"..."
"But our Yin Wolf Gate has long practiced the art of man-beast combination. No matter if you've become a master of Force Aura! You will not defeat me!"
Standing with the Red Wolf, O-wang became quite imposing.
"Hmph. As if adding one more mutt will make any difference."
"Mutt? You know nothing of the Red Wolf's power."
"..."
"The Red Wolf is the essence of our Yin Wolf Gate! A spirit beast among spirit beasts, created by breeding thousands of wolves to select for superior traits. Its power is..."
"Shut up."
"..."
"A so-called warrior who won't shut his damn mouth and fight with his fists."
Neung Un-bi cut O-wang off with an annoyed expression.
"If you're so confident, why don't we just fight and see?"
"Fine! I'll make you regret those words! Red Wolf!"
His pride wounded, O-wang gave the command to the Red Wolf.
*Grrrrr.*
Drooling and baring its teeth, the Red Wolf circled Neung Un-bi, its crimson eyes flashing.
It understood its master's command.
But a spirit beast is still a beast.
"Alright, come and get me."
Neung Un-bi said, staring at the Red Wolf with cold eyes, but the wolf only growled low, not daring to attack.
That is the instinct with which beasts are born.
Hadn't he already dealt with spirit beasts until he was sick of them?
So Seon-hwa, the granddaughter of the Demon Beast King and the Cult Leader's fourth disciple.
She, with her unique Eyes of a Thousand Beasts, had attacked him with spirit beasts more times than he could count.
Thus, he knew the instincts of beasts all too well.
The instinct to sense danger.
The instinct to recognize an opponent's strength.
"What's wrong? Scared?"
*Grrr...*
At Neung Un-bi's words, the Red Wolf's snout twitched.
"Should I come to you?"
*Ssk.*
As he took a single step forward, the Red Wolf flinched in surprise and retreated.
The killing intent that extended with that one step had reached the Red Wolf.
"Clever boy. You even know how to measure distance... Then how about this?"
*FWOOSH! RUMBLE!*
When Neung Un-bi suddenly expanded his aura, crushing down, the Red Wolf, now caught within that range, raised its hackles.
*KRAAANG!*
And there was only one thing a creature that felt its life was threatened would do.
Open its maw wide and attack Neung Un-bi.
*CRUNCH!*
Neung Un-bi blocked the attack, and the Red Wolf's teeth sank deep into his forearm.
"Cult Leader!"
Hwa-yeong and the members of the Sacred Fire Valley cried out in alarm, but Neung Un-bi simply glared at the Red Wolf.
And then his voice followed.
"Let go."
At that single short word, the Red Wolf flinched in shock, released its bite, and prostrated itself on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
That's how it was.
No matter how strong a pack of wolves becomes, can they ever stand against a single tiger?
"...Good boy."
When Neung Un-bi reached out and stroked its head, the Red Wolf flinched and let out a small growl.
"Don't worry. As long as you don't bark, I won't hurt you."
Did it understand his words?
The Red Wolf lowered its raised fur and began to lick Neung Un-bi's hand.
"Th-that..."
O-wang's eyes widened at the sight.
The Red Wolf, which had reigned as the king of the northern mountains...
The same Red Wolf that would tear out a tiger's throat had become as docile as a dog tied up in a yard.
"Well, the wolf pup is tamed. Is it your turn now?"
"..."
As Neung Un-bi turned his head to look at him, O-wang swallowed hard.
"So, what will it be? Should I come to you? Or will you come to me? Not that it matters."
"..."
Watching him speak with a grin, O-wang's expression changed dozens of times before he finally collapsed to the ground.
Without the Red Wolf, what could he possibly do?
"I... admit defeat."
"Good. I like a quick decision."
Neung Un-bi stood up with a smirk and walked past O-wang, who had squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head.
"So the war is over... Shall we meet the strategist now?"
As Neung Un-bi approached, the man in white began to tremble, his body stiff. His eyes, fixed on Neung Un-bi, were filled with fear.
"Why are you so scared?"
"I... I..."
"You what?"
"..."
"What? Nothing to say?"
As Neung Un-bi tilted his head and stared, the man in white hurriedly lowered his gaze.
Just as I thought... It seems my guess was correct.
A strange smile on his face, Neung Un-bi looked away from the man in white and slowly turned around. He looked at the man held by Hyang-i and spoke.
"Then you tell me. Your name... was it Kang Ja-seo?"
It was a rather abrupt question.
At the same time, everyone's gaze turned to the one held by Hyang-i.
The one who had been the double for the man in white.
"Why so quiet? Were you planning to run when you saw an opening, but Hyang-i catching you ruined your plans?"
At those words, the terrified man's trembling stopped.
And soon, a sharp light shone from the eyes that had been filled only with fear.
"Damn, I've been found out."