Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Heading to Jade Mountain (2)
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The night was so dark under a blanket of clouds that even the full moon was hidden away, making it impossible to see more than a step ahead. Gwan Ung sat in the Moon Embracing Pavilion, tilting his cup, and spoke quietly.
"Are you there?"
Before the words had even finished, a man appeared like smoke and cautiously dropped to one knee.
"Bring the strategist."
"Understood."
Sky Guard Unit Leader Hyeon Nok vanished after his brief reply.
Moments later, Strategist Hyeong Mu-gang arrived, his face etched with exhaustion.
"You summoned me?"
Gwan Ung tossed a cup of liquor at Hyeong Mu-gang, who was panting heavily.
"Catch your breath first, then speak."
"Thank you."
Hyeong Mu-gang knelt, downed the liquor Gwan Ung had given him in one gulp, and started to rise. Gwan Ung gestured for him to stay down.
"Just sit."
"But..."
"I called you because there's no one else to drink with. You planning to do it standing?"
"I'll sit."
Hyeong Mu-gang knew it couldn't be that simple, but he obeyed without showing it.
They exchanged cups, and a fair amount of liquor had passed between them when Gwan Ung spoke.
"What do you think?"
It seemed like an out-of-the-blue question, but Hyeong Mu-gang grasped its meaning immediately.
It was the issue that had plunged not just him, but all the Heavenly Demon Cult's top leaders—even those traveling with the Cult Leader—into a quagmire of doubt. Despite a fierce meeting lasting over half a day, no conclusion had been reached.
"We should halt," Hyeong Mu-gang said firmly.
Gwan Ung stared at Hyeong Mu-gang's stubbornly pursed lips and the faint tremor in his eyes, then let out a scoffing laugh.
"Even after clashing with those old fogeys who insist on pressing the attack, you're not worn out? Impressive that you held firm to the end when so few backed your view."
"I couldn't let the fisherman's profit slip away."
"You trust the intel from the Zhuge Clan completely."
"It's not the Zhuge Clan. It's my judgment based on faith in you, Cult Leader."
"In me?"
Gwan Ung eyed him with puzzlement.
"The letter came from the Zhuge Clan, but not in the name of their clan head."
"Right. It came in the name of the Sword Marquess."
"You once said the Sword Marquess was the only one in the past who could truly match the Heavenly Demon Ancestor. That no one else in the martial world measured up."
"I did. But surely not just for that?"
Gwan Ung asked incredulously.
"Far from it. They went out of their way to use the Sword Marquess's name—a matter that might even cost them face. That shows their desperation."
"It could be a ploy to strike us from behind."
"You seem even more certain than I that it's not."
Gwan Ung let out a faint smile at Hyeong Mu-gang's words.
"Has it been over twenty years since we forged our bond?"
"Exactly twenty-six this year."
"Heh! Already that long? Makes sense—you know my mind better than I do."
"My apologies."
Hyeong Mu-gang bowed his head.
"There's something I didn't mention earlier."
Gwan Ung tossed the secret missive from the Zhuge Clan to Hyeong Mu-gang.
"Read the end."
Hyeong Mu-gang unfolded it carefully, and his eyes shook violently.
"This..."
"Yes. The Divine Demon Division already clashed with the Blood Oath Sect once. Yet no one knows. Not a single soul mentioned it during discussions of Blood Oath infiltrators in our cult. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"
"If memory serves, the Divine Demon Division was rarely at headquarters back then. They were constantly on the move, fighting battle after battle. They must have encountered the Blood Oath Sect then. But failing to report something this crucial is suspicious."
"What if the report was made, but someone buried it?"
"It would come out when the Divine Demon Division returns. Too risky to suppress."
Hyeong Mu-gang said skeptically.
"No, it's not. Think about the chaos back then. Fights breaking out everywhere, every day, not just one or two spots but simultaneous eruptions across the land. Imagine the flood of reports. Even if a lapse was spotted, no one would make a fuss. Just chalk it up to a simple mistake."
Gwan Ung spun the cup in his hand as he continued.
"So, if it's discovered, no big issue. If not, perfect. If Blood Oath spies are hiding in our cult, which would they choose?"
"The latter..."
Hyeong Mu-gang sensed something off and fell silent.
His eyes widened.
"Could it be the Shadow Squad?"
"Highest likelihood. But if the field agents are Shadow Squad, then the ones compiling and analyzing reports are in the Strategist Division."
Hyeong Mu-gang paled as Gwan Ung implicated his own division.
As the Heavenly Demon Cult's strategist, he prided himself on controlling the division, but most staff were long-time holdovers. A Blood Oath infiltrator operating in secret would likely have gone unnoticed.
"Most of the spies the Zhuge Clan uncovered were from intel organizations. No need to explain why."
"Then why not order a halt to the fighting? While we're tangled with the southern martial world, who knows what the Blood Oath Sect might pull from the shadows..."
Hyeong Mu-gang paused, as if struck by a thought, and asked in a trembling voice.
"Could the Martial Alliance's infighting be their doing too?"
"We've been working hard on that ourselves. The Strategist Division especially."
"True, but it just feels that way."
Gwan Ung nodded gravely.
"Can't rule it out. Still, halting the offensive isn't easy."
"Why not?"
"Momentum in battle is key. Our cult's at its peak now. Stop, and reigniting this blaze won't be simple. They'll prepare more thoroughly."
"But it's the Blood Oath Sect, of all groups."
"Exactly why I'm torn."
Gwan Ung smiled bitterly and turned his gaze outside to the pond, where a few lotus leaves floated lazily.
Just then, the full moon peeked through the clouds, smiling down at its reflection in the sky and the water.
Gwan Ung stared blankly at the moon reclaiming its full glory, then gripped his cup fiercely.
The cup crumbled to sand in his hand.
Gwan Ung called to Hyeong Mu-gang with blazing eyes.
"Strategist."
Sensing the decision, Hyeong Mu-gang replied in a tense voice.
"Yes, sir."
"We'll chase two hares. Blood Oath involvement or not, we can't waste heaven's gift. Maintain the attack."
Hyeong Mu-gang bit his lip but said no more.
Once the Cult Leader decided, there was no turning back. A subordinate's duty was to follow with all his might.
"And we'll root out the rats hiding in our midst. You have full authority to deploy the Sky Guard Unit and Secret Guards. Do it fast. Catch them all."
"Understood!"
Hyeong Mu-gang kowtowed, pressing his forehead to the ground in acceptance. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Whew. Doesn't look that tall, but this mountain's a beast."
Noe Jeon whistled as he surveyed the massive boulders and sheer cliffs.
"It's a spur of the Mui Mountain range, so that's why. Things get several times rougher heading south."
Gwa Yu's words made Man Chu tilt his head in confusion.
"Never heard Mui Mountain called treacherous. Just big and majestic."
"You've heard tales; he's lived it. Who's more reliable?"
"Fair point."
Man Chu grinned sheepishly at Cheol Woo's jab and pulled a waterskin from his belt.
"Gimme a sip."
Cheol Woo reached out slyly. While others carried water, Man Chu's held liquor.
"Chief, let's take a break. I'm starving—let's eat. And deal with that too."
Cheol Woo pointed at the huge wild boar slung over Black Wolf's back, handing back the skin.
"Sure."
With Sima Geon's approval, Man Chu and Gwa Yu sprang into action.
Man Chu scouted a spot and began stacking stones for a fire. Gwa Yu gathered firewood nearby.
Normally, they'd only light a fire for dinner or camping, but now was different. Black Wolf had just hunted the boar, and it needed cooking.
"Cooking" meant building a fire, skinning the boar, salting the meat they'd brought ahead, and roasting it. Tedious work, all told.
Woooowooo!
While Gwa Yu and Man Chu tended the fire and meat, Black Wolf, claiming the whole hind leg, let out a pleased growl.
"Acting smug."
Cheol Woo snorted and chucked a pebble.
"Even dogs don't touch food. Leave him be—he got us a feast."
Noe Jeon chided, and Cheol Woo shrugged dismissively.
"One boar and you talk like it's a favor? If I wanted, I'd bag a tiger in a blink. Just too lazy."
"Sure, sure. And what then? Tigers taste awful, all tough and rank."
Noe Jeon wrinkled his nose, recalling a tiger he'd hunted during Divine Demon Division days.
Despite the roaring flames, the thick meat took time to cook.
Man Chu flipped it expertly to avoid charring, slicing off cooked portions.
"Perfect. Damn good."
Cheol Woo, chasing boar meat with booze, beamed. Noe Jeon, munching away, nudged his leg.
"Don't hog it. Give Man Chu some—he's slaving over the grill. And it's not even yours."
"I'm good."
Man Chu rummaged in his pack and pulled out two more skins.
"More booze?"
Cheol Woo's eyes lit up, but Man Chu shook his head firmly this time.
"Mine."
"Who said otherwise? Heh heh! Just share a bit."
Cheol Woo dangled the now-empty skin upside down, grinning.
Man Chu knew that grin spelled trouble and grimaced.
Right then.
Black Wolf, snout-deep in his meal, snapped his head up. Sima Geon, thinly slicing boar with Gwa Yu's knife, froze.
"Quiet."
At Sima Geon's word, the chatter died.
"What... huh?"
Cheol Woo bolted upright.
"Sounds like fighting. Right?"
"Seems so."
"Pretty far off."
Sensing the banquet's end, Cheol Woo snatched the boar's hind leg from the fire, tore off a huge hunk, and grabbed the commandeered skin in his other hand.
"This Blood Forest territory?"
Sima Geon asked Gwa Yu.
"Not strictly their turf, but the only ones who'd draw blades around here are Blood Forest."
"We'll see when we check."
Sima Geon handed back the knife and stood.
Man Chu and Noe Jeon, hastily devouring meat, exchanged regretful glances.