Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Journey to Liaoning
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The first to board the carriage was, naturally, Umun Hye. There was no way she would let Dan Hyeong-u go without her. Jegal Rin and Yeom Hye-mi followed right behind her. And surprisingly, Jo Seol-yeon joined them as well.
Naturally, Tang Ho-gwan and the escort agent also boarded the carriage.
Once everyone was aboard, Dan Hyeong-u lightly leaped onto the roof of the carriage. As if they had expected as much, the Sword King and Sword Demon followed suit.
Jong Chil let out a sigh as he watched them. With those people standing on the roof, he'd have to drive the carriage in constant tension again.
Jong Chil slowly climbed into the driver's seat.
The massive carriage departed from the Henan Escort Bureau.
Even amid the bustle, Hyeong Pyo watched the carriage leave from afar. Regret filled his eyes.
In truth, with Dan Hyeong-u's abilities, he could have reached the destination and returned alone in no time. But Hyeong Pyo had deliberately chosen not to send him off solo. He wanted to create some intimate time for him and Jo Seol-yeon.
That was why he had planned the carriage trip. But the plan had leaked, and now the group had swelled to the point where he needed another carriage.
People had latched on one after another, like thread following a needle. Naturally, any hope of alone time with Jo Seol-yeon was out of the question.
From the bureau's perspective, they were all immensely helpful and powerful allies. But at times like this, they felt like a thorn in his side.
"That's why they say the human heart is so fickle."
Muttering to himself with a hollow expression, Hyeong Pyo melted back into the daily routine of the bureau.
"So, where exactly are we heading right now?"
Jo Seol-yeon let out a quiet sigh inside at Yeom Hye-mi's question. From the sidelong glances, it seemed no one knew the destination. They had all just followed along because Dan Hyeong-u said they were going somewhere.
"We're heading to Liaoning."
"Liaoning? We were going all the way out there? Why?"
From Heuchang, where the Henan Escort Bureau was located, to Shenyang, the castle town of Liaoning, it was nearly three thousand li by the official roads. No matter how skilled Jong Chil was as a driver, it wasn't a distance they could cover in a short time.
Besides, this journey wasn't just about rushing to the destination. It was meant to be a leisurely trip, taking in the scenery along the way. Now that things had turned out this way, it might be better to just hurry there and back, but Jo Seol-yeon decided against it.
After all, spending a long time together could lead to all sorts of events and experiences. The mere thought of sharing them with Dan Hyeong-u made her heart feel like it might burst.
"Big Brother Dan has some business there."
The moment she said it was Dan Hyeong-u's errand, the atmosphere inside the carriage shifted. He was still a mysterious figure. They knew next to nothing about him.
"Sounds plenty intriguing."
Everyone nodded at Jegal Rin's meaningful words. Perhaps this trip would uncover some clue to Dan Hyeong-u's secrets.
The carriage quickly filled with the women's chatter. Amid the commotion, two men sat awkwardly, unaccustomed to the noise: Tang Ho-gwan and the escort agent.
Both were thinking the same thing.
'Should've stayed outside if I knew it'd be like this.'
The Martial Alliance was thrown into chaos. A single piece of sudden news had arrived. The Vermilion Bird Unit Leader reported it to the Alliance Leader immediately, and all the executives gathered for an emergency meeting.
"Vermilion Bird Unit Leader, is this true?"
No sooner had they assembled than one elder bellowed the question. The others stared at the Vermilion Bird Unit Leader with the same intensity. With a grim expression, she nodded.
"It's true. Heavenly Demon Castle has begun to move."
A chill silence fell over the hall at her confirmation. Any other matter would have sparked murmurs, but not this. Heavenly Demon Castle was that terrifying. No, the very idea of the demons mobilizing filled them with dread.
Mountain Breaking Sword Dugun Un, the Alliance Leader, broke the silence.
"Is the Heavenly Demon moving personally?"
"It appears so."
Dugun Un frowned at the Vermilion Bird Unit Leader's words.
"Report the details."
"The Heavenly Demon and the core experts of Heavenly Demon Castle have left Xinjiang. However, we couldn't pinpoint their exact movements, so their destination remains unknown."
The Martial Alliance had eyes and ears hidden in Xinjiang and Qinghai. It was a necessary measure to monitor Heavenly Demon Castle and the major demons.
Demons didn't usually band together due to their nature, but they often moved in groups of dozens. The truly powerful ones wandered alone, of course.
As long as they weren't so weak they'd die by the roadside, demons vastly preferred solitude. It let them drink more blood undisturbed and monopolize women for their depravities.
The Martial Alliance's role in Xinjiang and Qinghai was to disrupt large demon gatherings and keep watch on Heavenly Demon Castle. As long as they managed that, there was little to fear from the demons.
But fail at it, and the martial world was as good as finished. The demons' power was that fearsome.
Heavenly Demon Castle was a massive force, held in check only by Dugun Un's might. The demons feared the Golden Demon Art above all. How could they not, when it could shatter a lifetime of demonic arts in an instant?
Yet now, that Heavenly Demon Castle was on the move.
"Meaning they have some certainty."
The Heavenly Demon wasn't just some martial powerhouse. He was deeper-thinking than most. If he was moving, he had confidence in something.
"Can they overcome the Golden Demon Art?"
Every time the Alliance Leader spoke, the elders and executives flinched.
In truth, the Alliance Leader and Jegal Jung-cheon shared a secret unknown to the others: the Sword Demon was free of the Golden Demon Art's influence. It wasn't confirmed yet, but the signs pointed that way. Clearly, the Heavenly Demon had left Xinjiang to meet the Sword Demon.
"Even so, it doesn't seem complete. If it were, the other demons would have mobilized too."
Jegal Jung-cheon was the one who spoke, and everyone agreed.
The demons lusted after the Central Plains. When the Heavenly Qi Master's secret manual appeared last time, hadn't hordes of them swarmed in?
Not all, of course, because they lacked certainty. Only the most greed-driven ones had gathered.
But if they'd truly found a way past the Golden Demon Art, the others wouldn't sit idle. Nor would the Heavenly Demon withhold it from them. Chaos in the Central Plains martial world would make his goals far easier to achieve.
"The Strategist's words ring true. It's probably not perfected yet. Or perhaps they haven't obtained it at all."
Dugun Un eased the room's tension somewhat before continuing.
"How about we take this chance to gauge Martial Emperor Castle's power?"
Jegal Jung-cheon bowed his head at Dugun Un's suggestion.
"A wise judgment."
The other elders nodded as well. If they could mobilize Martial Emperor Castle, it would be ideal.
They could blow their nose without lifting a hand. Plus, everyone was curious what would happen if the Martial Emperor and Heavenly Demon truly clashed.
"A fine plan. But can we move Martial Emperor Castle?"
When one elder asked, Jegal Jung-cheon nodded confidently.
"Of course."
If Jegal Jung-cheon said so, it was so. No one raised objections. The meeting ended more anticlimactically than expected.
Once the elders and executives had left, Jegal Jung-cheon remained alone with Dugun Un, discussing future plans with serious expressions.
"Can you really move Martial Emperor Castle?"
"Moving them is easy. They're driven by intense competitive spirits."
Dugun Un had no choice but to agree. Martial Emperor Castle and Heavenly Demon Castle were much alike—groups of similar minds, differing only in that one side were demons and the other weren't.
"Handle it as you see fit."
"Understood. That said, Alliance Leader."
"Speak."
Jegal Jung-cheon paused before broaching the subject delicately.
"What if we moved them as well?"
Dugun Un knew exactly who "them" meant. He pondered for a moment.
"Is there a compelling reason?"
"Merely to ensure it's thoroughly finished."
Dugun Un tilted his head at Jegal Jung-cheon's words.
"Thoroughness is good. But Martial Emperor Castle will handle them. No need to bruise their pride unnecessarily."
Dugun Un was right. Martial Emperor Castle dwellers were obsessed with martial prowess and victory. They'd resent any outside interference in a clash with Heavenly Demon Castle experts.
"No direct involvement needed. I just think certainty is best. They're surely still bound by the Golden Demon Art."
Only then did Dugun Un grasp Jegal Jung-cheon's intent. He was right—better to leave nothing to chance, especially with demons who practiced unique demonic arts.
"That would be best. Ideally, handle it before they meet the Sword Demon."
Jegal Jung-cheon bowed deeply in assent.
Their destination was obvious. To meet the Sword Demon, they'd head straight for the Henan Escort Bureau.
Leak that intel to Martial Emperor Castle and nudge them along, and they'd move for sure. Even if the Martial Emperor refused, it didn't matter. He didn't fully control Martial Emperor Castle anyway.
With everything sorted, Jegal Jung-cheon retired to his quarters and collapsed onto his bed.
Today had been far more exhausting than usual. Many matters handled, and each incident was far from ordinary.
"The Heavenly Demon moving personally..."
The Heavenly Demon himself was on the move. One misstep, and every sect in the martial world might turn on him. The Heavenly Demon's death wouldn't spark a Righteous-Demonic War—the demons' bonds were too weak for that.
But if he'd found a way to escape the Golden Demon Art, everything changed. The martial world would truly be in peril.
Years of fighting the unorthodox had increased battle-hardened warriors, but overall strength had waned.
A true Righteous-Demonic War would deliver a fatal blow.
"And that's not the end of it."
It wouldn't end there. Forces beyond the Central Plains eyed the martial world covetously.
The massive powers in the so-called outer regions, especially the most dangerous North Sea Ice Palace, lurked in wait.
They'd invaded once before, so they could again—likely sharpening their blades for the opportunity.
"With the Thunder Emperor not resurfacing..."
Last time the North Sea Ice Palace invaded, the Thunder Emperor repelled them. But he was gone now, his lightning-wielding arts long lost.
The Tang family was supposedly restoring it, but no success yet. Rumors floated, but nothing solid.
"What on earth is Rin doing, anyway..."
Jegal Rin had sent a letter recently, stating she'd be leaving the Martial Alliance for a while.
No reason given, which was frustrating, but he couldn't stop her. He trusted she had important motives.
Jegal Rin was the future of the Jegal family.
The Victory Dragon Unit arrived at the Martial Alliance today, minus Jegal Rin. Ha Won-hu's sour expression was ignored. Too many complications to micromanage.
In the end, Jegal Jung-cheon tossed and turned, unable to sleep amid his worries. Dawn broke before he knew it.
Jegal Jung-cheon's days started early, mostly spent with the Alliance Leader.
Anyone with business for him had to visit at this hour.
Today, someone with urgent matters arrived right on time.
"Strategist Jegal, it's Sang-pyeong."
Sang-pyeong handled odd jobs under Jegal Jung-cheon. He invited him in.
"Come in."
Sang-pyeong entered and promptly pulled two letters from his bosom, offering them politely.
"Letters that arrived late yesterday afternoon."
"Who sent them?"
"One from the Taiyuan Sect in Shanxi, the other from the Jeong Cheon Alliance."
Jegal Jung-cheon couldn't hide his surprise. The Taiyuan Sect was Ha Won-hu—current Victory Dragon Unit Leader's—home sect. He was the sect leader's son.
The Taiyuan Sect belonged to the Martial Alliance, so a letter to the Strategist was nothing unusual. But the Jeong Cheon Alliance was different.
"Hand them over."
Jegal Jung-cheon took the letters. Sang-pyeong bowed and exited.
Not even waiting for the door to close, Jegal Jung-cheon hastily unfolded them. Astonishingly, both contained nearly identical contents.
"Well, now."