Chapter 229
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Sandcastles and Alliances
The battle at Bisa Palace concluded before the night had even deepened.
Though both sides suffered considerable losses, the master of Bisa Palace ultimately knelt before Wi Ji-hyeok and swore his allegiance.
Wi Ji-hyeok’s declaration that a banquet would be held at Bisa Palace had become a reality.
Tables were laden with food and drink, and countless people attended the feast.
However, not a single person among them could bring themselves to sit down.
It was because of an urgent report that had flown in from the rear.
The defeat of Hoeryeong Gate. And the one who had attacked it was none other than Neung Un-bi.
He had won over the neutral Eumrang Gate and struck Hoeryeong Gate.
The atmosphere of the banquet hall, once soaked in the joy of victory, turned ice-cold as if doused with frigid water. Everyone watched Wi Ji-hyeok’s expression.
*Crack!*
“That bastard…”
The cup in Wi Ji-hyeok’s hand couldn’t withstand his grip and shattered.
Blood dripped from his palm, pierced by the broken shards.
“My lord.”
Hwangdeung, who had been appointed Great Protector, hastily tore a piece of his robe and wrapped it around Wi Ji-hyeok’s hand.
It was understandable to be furious.
Hwangdeung had watched from the side as Wi Ji-hyeok gritted his teeth and strived after the defeat of that day.
He had trained as if his life depended on it, as though vowing never to lose again, and had eventually carved out his own realm of mastery.
And yet, once again…
“Let go.”
“My lord.”
“It’s alright, Hwangdeung.”
Contrary to Hwangdeung’s worried expression, Wi Ji-hyeok was composed.
“What is everyone doing?”
“...?”
“Is this not a banquet? Everyone, take your seats.”
As the lord’s command was given, there was no one who would disobey.
But how could they be comfortable? It was more uncomfortable than a bed of nails.
“Tsk, it seems I let my temper get the better of me and ruined a fine occasion.”
“It is not your fault, my lord. This is because of the coward who attacked our rear…”
“Hwangdeung.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Then are we also cowards?”
“Pardon?”
“Though it wasn’t the rear, did we not also use bait to draw their attention while seizing the southernmost part of the Fourth’s territory?”
“I-I apologize. That was not my intention…”
“Enough. This is a battlefield where the five of us must fight like ravenous beasts anyway. It’s better this way. That Un-bi fellow has finally shown his hand…”
“…”
“I’ve been wanting to crush him.”
As Wi Ji-hyeok’s gaze turned chillingly cold, Hwangdeung said no more and stepped back.
“You there, First Elder.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“A feast should feel like a feast. What good is it if it’s too quiet?”
“Pardon?”
“Did you call the musicians and dancers just to have them stand there and stare? Seeing everyone so hesitant, they must be waiting for the music to begin.”
“…Ah!”
At Wi Ji-hyeok’s words, First Elder Bae Hyung shouted towards the banquet hall.
“Musicians, play your instruments! Dancers, liven up the mood!”
As his resounding command fell, the musicians plucked their strings, and dancers rushed out to perform.
“Everyone, raise your cups! This is a banquet prepared by our lord to commend your hard work! For tonight, let us enjoy ourselves to the fullest without a care in the world!”
“Yes!”
As Bae Hyung drained his cup first, the cautious atmosphere instantly erupted into a clamor.
“First Elder.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I’m glad to have you.”
“You-you flatter me, my lord.”
At Wi Ji-hyeok’s praise, Bae Hyung bowed deeply and smiled.
“Now, then… shall we have our own discussion? Since Un-bi has struck our rear, he won’t stop at just occupying Hoeryeong Gate. And Seon-hwa, having lost Bisa Palace, is grinding her teeth, so we must pay attention to that side as well… What should we do?”
At his smiling words, the elders seated at the head table fell into deep contemplation.
Just then, Fourth Elder Kang Un-seo rose with a hardened face, approached Wi Ji-hyeok, and knelt.
“My lord.”
“...?”
“Please punish me.”
“Why?”
“If the Eumrang Gate is part of the Third Young Master’s forces… it seems my younger brother was involved in this matter.”
“Your younger brother?”
“Yes. I heard news that until recently, he was staying at the Eumrang Gate as a guest…”
“I see. So he chose Un-bi in the end.”
“Please punish me, my lord.”
“…That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
“...?”
“Why should I punish you?”
“My lord.”
“It is not your fault that your brother sided with Un-bi, is it?”
“…”
“Un-bi is an outstanding man. Anyone could be charmed by him. Perhaps if you had met Un-bi before me, you might have sided with him as well.”
“My lord! How could I dare…”
“Listen, Fourth Elder.”
“Speak, my lord.”
“What is it that we must do now?”
“Pardon?”
“Should we determine non-existent faults and mete out punishment?”
“…”
“Or should we accept the situation before us and discuss what must be done next?”
“That is…”
“This is for the better. This war is no longer my fight alone. You, too, will have to engage in a fierce battle of wits with your own brother.”
“…”
“Rise and state your plan.”
At Wi Ji-hyeok’s words, Kang Un-seo clenched his jaw.
First Young Master, Wi Ji-hyeok.
He was a man who possessed the dignity and authority befitting the throne more than anyone else.
A man who chose to move forward rather than dwelling on trivial mistakes.
His choice had not been wrong.
“I, Fourth Elder Kang Un-seo, will surely repay my lord’s grace!”
Kang Un-seo slammed his head to the floor with a thud before rising.
Seeing his eyes filled with a fervor that wasn’t there before, Wi Ji-hyeok smiled.
“My lord, you currently have two options. The first is to dispatch troops immediately to block the Third Young Master’s advance, as he has occupied Hoeryeong Gate.”
“Why?”
“Because fighting with an enemy at your back is the worst of all strategies.”
“Hmm… so you’re suggesting we give back the hard-won Bisa Palace to the Fourth? Tell me the other option.”
As Wi Ji-hyeok shook his head, Kang Un-seo’s lips curled into a smile. He knew that given Wi Ji-hyeok’s nature, he would never choose to retreat.
“Then, advance.”
“Advance?”
“That’s right. Advance even faster than the Third Young Master approaches. So fast that he cannot catch up.”
“But if we leave him be, Un-bi’s power will grow, won’t it?”
“That is true… but the Third Young Master has a fatal weakness.”
“A weakness?”
“Indeed. He has taken the Eumrang Gate and Hoeryeong Gate, and he will continue to expand his territory. But in the end, it is a sandcastle. A force hastily gained is always bound to turn away.”
“A sandcastle, you say…”
“Leave it to me. I will devise a scheme to break them apart.”
“…”
“You, my lord, need only to keep advancing as you are now.”
After a moment of consideration, Wi Ji-hyeok nodded his head.
“That doesn’t sound bad. Turning back a step already taken is not the action of one who will become the ruler of the Demonic Cult.”
“…”
“The scheme to break Un-bi’s forces apart… do as you see fit. Also, it matters not if you fail. If his power grows, it will only make him a more worthy opponent, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Now, then, let’s fill our cups. Tonight, let’s get thoroughly drunk.”
“Yes!”
As the banquet’s atmosphere ripened, the night deepened.
***
“A hostage?”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm…”
After the battle at Hoeryeong Gate had ended, Neung Un-bi frowned at what Kang Ja-seo said in the meeting to discuss their future plans.
“Do we really have to do that?”
“Yes.”
“For what reason?”
“Right now, Cult Leader, what you have built is no different from a sandcastle.”
“…”
“Although the master of Hoeryeong Gate has admitted defeat for now, there’s no telling when he might turn his back on us.”
Kang Ja-seo was right.
Even if he expanded his territory, its foundation was not solid. Furthermore, by raising the banner of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult and opposing the Demonic Cult, those who joined him would become traitors.
No matter how much it was about continuing history and tradition, not everyone would agree.
To overcome this situation, Kang Ja-seo wanted to take the Hoeryeong Gate Master’s most cherished son as a hostage. As his territory expanded, the number of hostages would likely increase.
It was a vile, yet correct, choice. Even if their enemies tried to stir up internal strife someday, with his son’s life on the line, he would not be able to make a decision easily.
“But what if,”
“Please speak.”
“What if the fate of his clan is at stake? Wouldn’t he abandon even his son then?”
“That might happen someday. My brother, for instance, would surely try to incite internal conflict to shake us. He would offer them much more to make us fall into disarray from within.”
“Hmm…”
He would certainly do so. Weren’t internal strife and sowing discord also strategies?
“However, it won’t be for a while. He will likely make his move in earnest once he judges that our forces have become a threat to the First Young Master’s.”
“That makes sense.”
“Until then, we will be able to expand our forces without much trouble.”
“But if it’s a problem that will erupt someday… wouldn’t it be better to solidify our bonds from now?”
“That is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because there is nothing you can offer them, Cult Leader.”
“Hmm…”
He had started this path by rejecting the Demonic Cult in the first place. Even if he expanded his power through a series of victories for now, he was bound to face a great obstacle someday.
That time would inevitably come, sooner or later.
The same would be true even if he conquered the Dragon Ascension Festival and challenged the main fortress. It was customary to defeat all the disciples and challenge the Cult Leader, but who would stand by and watch him do it?
Him, who had denied the long-standing legitimacy of the Demonic Cult and stood in opposition to the Six Families…
He might have to fight the Six Families, the Elder Council, and the Elder Division before he could even challenge the Cult Leader.
Just as Neung Un-bi’s brow furrowed deeply, Kang Ja-seo proposed another plan.
“Therefore, there is something we must do starting now.”
“...?”
“If you succeed, the sandcastle will turn into a stone pagoda.”
“What is it?”
At Neung Un-bi’s question, Kang Ja-seo took a breath, paused for a moment, and then continued.
“An alliance with the Fourth Young Lady, So Seon-hwa.”
“Pardon?”
At Kang Ja-seo’s words, not only Neung Un-bi but everyone gathered in the meeting room wore puzzled expressions.
An alliance with So Seon-hwa, out of the blue?
It would be great if it happened, but would she even consider it?
“Master Kang.”
“Yes.”
“What on earth do you mean? The Fourth is also competing in the Dragon Ascension Festival. There’s no way she would ally with us, is there?”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Kang Ja-seo smiled faintly.
“Of course not.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Cult Leader.”
“…”
“The truth does not matter.”
Neung Un-bi tilted his head at Kang Ja-seo’s words.
“We just need to claim that it is so.”
“Are you suggesting we deliberately spread rumors?”
“As I said, whether it’s true or not is unimportant. What’s important is making people believe it.”
“…”
“So, make them believe, starting now. Speak of it relentlessly whenever you appear before the masses. The same goes for everyone else here. Keep talking about it. That’s how people are. If they hear the same thing over and over, suspicion will grow where there was none. They’ll start to wonder if perhaps we really did form an alliance.”
“But the Fourth will deny it, won’t she?”
“She will.”
“Then, even if her subordinates are fooled, the First Young Master’s side will know it’s not true…”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Kang Ja-seo smiled wickedly and said.
“Leave that part to me. If you lend me a few swift men, I will make it so that the more the Fourth Young Lady denies it, the stronger our alliance will appear.”
“Pardon?”
“Cult Leader, you just continue to attack the First Young Master’s rear and build your strength. I will support you from behind.”