Chapter 230
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: The Fabricated Alliance
Ten days had passed since Kang Ja-seo, who had vowed to make the First Young Master believe that Neung Un-bi and So Seon-hwa had formed a united front, departed in secret with the former New Moon Unit, now the Cloud Emperor Unit.
The memory of Kang Ja-seo's sly smile, telling him to just trust him without any detailed explanation, was unforgettable.
Just as he was wondering what kind of trickery he would pull…
“My lord!”
“……?”
“The battle is over.”
At Wang Cheon's sudden report, Neung Un-bi looked toward the Tongbi Pavilion, their third captured territory.
Broken walls and buildings. Countless casualties.
And… prisoners.
Perhaps because they already knew their rear forces were being attacked, their resistance had been quite fierce.
But they couldn't hold back Neung Un-bi's offensive, which was now bolstered by the strength of the Eumrang and Hoeryeong Gates, for long.
In the end, the Tongbi Pavilion raised a white flag and surrendered.
“Does this mean we’ve secured the three northern territories?”
“That is correct. Congratulations, my lord.”
“Hmm… What about the smaller factions under the Tongbi Pavilion?”
“The Venerable of Retribution and the Venerable of Discipline have already begun to organize them.”
“I see.”
Neung Un-bi nodded at Wang Cheon's words.
He had brought down the Tongbi Pavilion, but he had not yet brought the entire surrounding region under his control.
But it wouldn't take long. Not only had Hwa Yeong and Chung San stepped up, but with the fall of the Tongbi Pavilion, the region's pillar, the smaller factions would quickly submit.
That was why he had to move even more quickly from now on. With more warriors to command, there would be more problems, and as his territory expanded, so did the area he had to protect.
First, he had to reorganize his forces by distinguishing those who would follow from those who would not. Only after that task was complete could he move on to the next region.
And along with that, he had to take care of the matter Kang Ja-seo had entrusted to him.
The alliance with So Seon-hwa.
He could stand before the people and announce it himself, but to spread the rumor more effectively, another method was needed.
Aren't people more inclined to listen to whispers behind their backs than what they see in front of them?
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You’re still the same, aren’t you?”
“About what?”
“Spreading baseless rumors.”
At those words, the Divine Maiden, Hyang-i, chuckled, and Wang Cheon glared at Neung Un-bi with narrowed eyes.
“When have I ever spread baseless rumors… I don’t do that anymore. What do you take me for, the Lawful Venerable of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult?”
A hint of defiance colored his grumbling tone, but had they only known each other for a day or two?
Neung Un-bi knew exactly how to handle Wang Cheon.
“You fool.”
“……?”
“Do you not understand why I asked you? Do you really think I meant to scold you?”
“Pardon?”
“Think about it. What effects have the rumors you've spread had until now?”
“Effects?”
“Yes. When you think about it, you were the start of everything.”
As Neung Un-bi’s expression turned serious, Wang Cheon tilted his head.
“When I first dueled the Cult Leader, wasn't it thanks to your rumors that I, who had fallen into Qi deviation, was able to make a comeback?”
“W-well, that’s…”
“And because you ran to your mother, So Seol-ok-su, and exaggerated this and that, I was able to gain the Snow Mountain Manor.”
“……?”
“Is that all? What about the King of the Green Forest? If you hadn't spread rumors back then, would I have been able to come this far?”
“……!”
“Wang Cheon, you are the greatest contributor to who I am today. You may have earned the title of Lawful Venerable for now, but when I conquer the Demonic Cult in the future, how could I ever forget your merits?”
At Neung Un-bi’s completely serious words, Wang Cheon’s eyes began to tremble.
“I told you, didn't I? The day I sit on the throne, you will be seated in a position second to one, but above all others.”
“My lord!”
Hearing the heartfelt cry, it seemed he was now ready to do whatever was asked of him.
Neung Un-bi cheered inwardly and continued.
“Wang Cheon, do you remember what Kang Ja-seo said?”
“I remember!”
“He said to spread the rumor that we have formed an alliance with So Seon-hwa throughout all the territories under our influence.”
“That is correct.”
“Do you think people will believe me if I just say it myself?”
“……”
“I need your help. At least in that area, aren't you the best among us? Even the beggars of the Beggars' Union are nothing compared to you. Of course!”
“My lord!”
Now, a dignified voice and a serious expression were all that was needed.
“Go, Wang Cheon! Go and show them your abilities!”
“As you command!”
Watching Wang Cheon’s back as he ran off, full of enthusiasm, Neung Un-bi smiled with satisfaction.
“Hmph, to think the leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult is such a con artist.”
Hyang-i, who had watched the scene from the side, chuckled and shook her head.
A con?
What did something like that matter?
He had parted ways with justice long ago. To achieve his goal, he didn't care if others called him despicable.
“Hyang-i.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
“No, it’s just that you’re suddenly speaking so casually.”
“Does it matter? Grandma isn’t here. Damn it, trying to act like a Divine Maiden when I’m not used to it is killing me.”
Neung Un-bi let out a dry laugh at Hyang-i’s scowling, grumbling face.
Well, it was understandable. The tomboyish girl had been maintaining a demure appearance ever since she became the Divine Maiden.
“Getting restless?”
“Of course. Every time I see blood, my hands itch like crazy.”
“Perfect. You can get to work, too.”
“Work?”
“Yes. I don’t have a vanguard, so there’s no one suitable to assign.”
“……?”
“Keep an eye on the Hoeryeong Gate Master and the Tongbi Pavilion Master.”
“Them?”
“Even if they’ve submitted to us, they won’t show us everything.”
“True…”
“If they show any signs of secretly communicating with the First Young Master’s side…”
“Slit their throats?”
Hyang-i’s eyes sparkled as she asked, seemingly excited by the very thought.
*You think you can just kill them?*
This crazy assassin… who would believe someone like her was a Divine Maiden?
Neung Un-bi sighed and shook his head.
“Just let me know.”
“Just let you know?”
Though her face was filled with disappointment, Neung Un-bi spoke as if making a vow.
“No matter what they’re plotting, don’t touch them. Got it?”
“...Damn it. Got my hopes up for nothing.”
“If they suddenly die, it could cause a rebellion from within.”
“……”
“Even if we kill them, it must be after revealing their crimes in front of everyone. Only then will there be no backlash.”
“Fine. But this is a secret from Grandma.”
“I’ll take it to my grave.”
“Tch.”
“I’m counting on you.”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Hyang-i nodded and vanished.
Wang Cheon and Hyang-i.
Both were masters in their respective fields (?), so they would surely do well.
All that remained was to see what Kang Ja-seo was doing with the Cloud Emperor Unit.
A strategy to make the First Young Master believe in an alliance that didn't even exist…
* * *
Neung Un-bi’s expansion of his forces proceeded step by step. Just as Kang Ja-seo had planned before he left, it was an expansion just small enough not to alarm Wi Ji-hyeok.
But then, something strange happened.
The moment they were about to advance on the Hwangsa Faction, the fourth territory they intended to subjugate, a white flag shot up from the center of the faction’s stronghold.
“Huh? My lord! It’s a white flag!”
“……?”
Even before Wang Cheon’s shout, Neung Un-bi had been puzzled.
A white flag before the fight had even begun?
What was this all about?
Just as the murmurs from the Sun and Moon Divine Cult and its subordinate forces grew louder, the main gate of the Hwangsa Faction opened.
Soon, a group of unarmed figures walked a considerable distance from the faction and knelt.
“My lord, what should we do?”
Wang Cheon, who asked the question, and everyone else wore bewildered expressions. They couldn't guess the meaning behind their actions.
What could be the intention of those who raised a white flag and bowed their heads of their own accord?
“It could be a trap. I will go first and investigate.”
At Hwa Bi's words, who had approached from the side, Neung Un-bi shook his head.
Of course, it could be a trap.
But everyone was looking at him. Even if it was a trap, he had no choice but to answer the Hwangsa Faction's call.
“I’ll go myself.”
“What? But…”
“They are calling for me right now. If I, the Cult Leader, shrink back because it might be a trap, what will everyone think?”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not so easy to deal with anymore.”
“Of course. I have no doubt about your skills, my lord. But…”
“If you’re so worried, I’ll just take Hyang-i with me. Is that all right?”
“What?”
“Everyone else just thinks she’s the Divine Maiden.”
“Hmm…”
“Hyang-i, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Without waiting for Hwa Yeong's answer, Neung Un-bi stepped forward from the formation, accompanied only by Hyang-i.
Hwa Yeong frowned at the sight of the two walking slowly.
“Lawful Venerable.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s advance the formation slowly.”
“What? But the lord told us not to move… And the Divine Maiden is with him, isn't she?”
“I know. But if the Hwangsa Faction has ill intentions, we won’t be able to react from this distance.”
“Hmm… Understood. I will do so.”
At Hwa Yeong’s words, Wang Cheon quickly relayed the command to the formation.
Soon, the formation began to follow Neung Un-bi, slowly, slowly closing the distance to the Hwangsa Faction.
In the meantime, Neung Un-bi stopped a short distance from the kneeling figures.
[Nothing. There’s nothing.]
At Hyang-i’s telepathic message, Neung Un-bi nodded.
He had already surveyed the surroundings himself.
His senses detected no one other than the kneeling figures. That meant there were no assassins.
Furthermore, as he approached, he had examined the surrounding terrain, but there was nothing that could be used as the axis of a formation.
Then what was it?
He couldn't fathom why the Hwangsa Faction would greet him with a white flag.
In that case… he had no choice but to face it head-on.
“You may raise your heads.”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, a middle-aged man who had been bowing his head straightened his back, still on his knees.
“I am Neung Un-bi.”
“I am Sa Gong-hyeon, the Master of the Hwangsa Faction.”
“The Master?”
“That is correct.”
“That’s strange. Aren’t you already allied with the First Young Master? Why do you greet me with a white flag?”
“It is a pure surrender.”
“A pure surrender?”
“Indeed.”
“I find that hard to believe. Are you saying you intend to betray the First Young Master?”
“Betrayal, you say?”
“……”
“The purpose of the Dragon Ascension Ceremony is to select the future master who will lead the Demonic Cult. The forces under them can always pledge allegiance to the one who seems most likely to succeed.”
“Likely? So you mean to bet your future on me?”
“That is correct.”
“I’m curious as to why. For what reason?”
“I have heard many rumors about the Third Young Master.”
“……”
“But because your forces were lacking, did not all factions hesitate to join hands with you? We, too, had judged that the First Young Master had the greatest chance of ascending to the throne.”
At the Hwangsa Faction Master’s words, Neung Un-bi’s eyes narrowed.
*Had judged?* Did that mean not anymore?
Even so, that wasn't a reason to extend a hand to him first.
Although he had Seonghwa Valley, his publicly known forces consisted only of the Eumrang Gate and two other sects, along with the smaller factions in those regions. As Kang Ja-seo had said, he was spreading false rumors internally about an alliance with So Seon-hwa to strengthen their unity, but it was still nothing more than a castle made of sand.
So what had this man seen to say such things to him?
“However! Since the Third Young Master has already joined forces with the Fourth Young Lady, we no longer have any need to hesitate.”
“What?”
At those words, Neung Un-bi squinted one eye.
What was going on?
No matter how fast a word without feet travels, had the rumor intentionally spread by Wang Cheon already reached the Hwangsa Faction?
“...How did you know that? Has the rumor already spread this far?”
“This? The fact that the Third Young Master is aiding the Fourth Young Lady is rampant on the front lines. How could I not know?”
“……”
“I heard the Fourth Young Lady is vehemently denying it, but I also heard that the First Young Master has already secured the secret letters exchanged between your two camps. Therefore, after careful consideration, we have decided to side with the Third Young Master.”
His mind went blank.
Kang Ja-seo…
This was undoubtedly his doing.
The way to turn a sandcastle into a stone pagoda was through trickery on the front lines.
He hadn’t just spread rumors; he had created evidence. So even if So Seon-hwa denied it, what use would it be?
Her denial would only backfire, reinforcing the conviction that an alliance had been formed.
He suddenly recalled what Kang Ja-seo had said.
*The truth doesn’t matter.*
*What matters is what people believe.*
In that moment, Neung Un-bi, guessing what Kang Ja-seo was up to, let out a bitter smile.
Don't they say that a truly brilliant strategist doesn't predict the situation, but sets the stage so the situation unfolds according to their predictions?
In the end, Kang Ja-seo was no different from one of the Zhuge.
The only difference was that he was on his side.