Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Crossroads (2)
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At the very moment the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader and the former Sword Empress were holding their meeting at Snow Pine Pavilion, an urgent gathering was taking place elsewhere.
As the middle-aged man arrived, the two men who had been waiting rose from their seats.
"You've arrived?"
Yang Guk-chung, Deputy Leader of the Vanguard Demon Division, offered a respectful bow.
"Sit."
The middle-aged man, Jeo Su-ryang, gestured with his hand as he took the seat of honor.
"You've heard the story, I take it?"
"Yes. I never imagined the Sword Empress would come looking for us."
Jeo Su-ryang nodded in agreement with Yang Guk-chung's words.
"You're not the only one. No one saw it coming. That's why all hell's breaking loose."
Jeo Su-ryang sneered as he pictured the leaders scattered in small groups, waiting anxiously for the Cult Leader and Sword Empress's meeting to end.
"Haeng Cho."
"Yes."
The man seated beside Yang Guk-chung bowed his head in response.
"What do you think they'll discuss?"
Haeng Cho, who seemed to have already pondered the question, answered immediately.
"It looks like she's here to mediate."
"Mediate between us and the Nangong Clan?"
"Yes. Otherwise, her actions make no sense. She'll probably invoke our cult to call off the fight."
"Hm."
A short groan escaped Jeo Su-ryang's lips.
The revelations from the Jeon Gal Clan and the Sword Empress had exposed a massive number of puppets they'd controlled using the Marriage Soul Hex over the years. More than thirty percent of the power base they'd meticulously built was gone in just a few days.
The silver lining was that they'd silenced them with the dormant parasites implanted in their bodies before they could talk. Had they failed, even those who'd grown steadily under the Heavenly Demon Cult's careful plans would have been uncovered.
"Will the Leader accept the Sword Empress's proposal?"
"It's unlikely, but possible."
"Unlikely, you say."
Haeng Cho spoke cautiously to Jeo Su-ryang's mutter.
"Even if the odds are low, we should prepare for it."
"Prepare how?"
In response to Yang Guk-chung's question, Haeng Cho replied with a chilling expression.
"We need to eliminate the mediator."
"Eliminate the Sword Empress?"
Yang Guk-chung asked in shock.
"Yes."
"Impossible. She's the Sword Empress."
Unlike Yang Guk-chung, who shook his head firmly, Haeng Cho thought differently. As someone active in the Strategy Division, he had access to far more information.
"You know how the Sword Empress line began."
"Yes."
"A new Sword Empress means the previous one steps down. It's not just retiring—she passes all her internal energy to her successor. That's the tradition of the Sword Pavilion."
"Oh, there's something like that?"
Yang Guk-chung asked, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Yes."
"Even for the next generation's sake, handing over your core energy isn't easy. Impressive. Anyway, let's say eliminating her is possible. The Heavenly Demon Cult will deny involvement. They'll probably drag our cult's name into it too. The Nangong Clan isn't stupid—they'll sense something off about her death."
Yang Guk-chung was highly skeptical of Haeng Cho's idea.
"Will they believe the Heavenly Demon Cult's claims?"
Haeng Cho asked with a meaningful look.
"What?"
"Haven't you heard about Peerless Pavilion? They refused the Divine Demon Division Leader's help just because he was from the Heavenly Demon Cult. It's insane for anyone in their right mind, but to them, it's natural. You know that self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude typical of the orthodox sects? And it's not just the Nangong Clan. Considering the Sword Empress's reputation, warlords from all directions won't let her death slide. No matter how the Heavenly Demon Cult explains, it won't matter. That's enough on its own, but if you're still worried..."
Haeng Cho's gaze turned to Jeo Su-ryang.
"We have people in the Nangong Clan's camp. Using them to shape public opinion would make it even easier."
"I agree. If our people in the Nangong camp move, it'll be effective for sure. And right now, with a clash between the Heavenly Demon Cult and Nangong Clan being absolutely vital for us, I think your judgment is sound, Haeng Cho. Yang Guk-chung."
"Yes."
"How many can we mobilize?"
"Only about five can move without raising suspicion."
Jeo Su-ryang furrowed his brow.
"Too few. Prepare them anyway."
"Understood."
"Haeng Cho."
"Yes."
"If the Leader decides to halt the attack or withdraw, contact the Blood Command immediately. I'm not sure exactly how many are operating nearby, but they should have enough force to get it done. The target is the Sword Empress. Eliminate her before she returns to the Nangong Clan."
"I'll prepare."
As Jeo Su-ryang closed his eyes, signaling he was done, Yang Guk-chung and Haeng Cho exchanged glances and rose.
Gwan Ung, who had tossed and turned all night and finally dozed off at dawn, summoned the Strategist, the Shadow Squad, and the Secret Guard leaders the moment he opened his eyes.
Hyeong Mu-gang, having pulled an all-nighter, rushed in with a haggard face and bloodshot eyes, while Sima Ryu and Heuk Cha also looked somewhat fatigued.
"Did you sleep well, Leader?"
Gwan Ung cracked his neck side to side in response to Hyeong Mu-gang's greeting.
"You know that's impossible. Any developments?"
"No major movements detected. A couple of suspicious behaviors were noted, but they were within acceptable limits."
Gwan Ung frowned at Heuk Cha's words.
"Suspicious, but acceptable? What does that mean?"
"A few Vanguard Demon Division members slipped out of camp discreetly. But it turned out they were just hunting and drinking..."
"Certain?"
"Yes."
"Fine then. But I absolutely agree with the Sword Empress—Blood Fiend Cult rats are hiding in our ranks. The ones we swept out before were just underlings. We couldn't even uncover the higher-ups."
Heuk Cha ground his teeth, recalling the spies who died suddenly before proper interrogation.
"A bit disappointing. We dangled the bait just like she said, but nothing bit. I figured at least a few would."
"My apologies."
Heuk Cha bowed his head as if it were his personal failing.
"Once this battle ends, we'll track them properly. Fighting while knowing opportunists are lurking—it sours my mood."
"I'll chase them to the ends of hell and wipe them out."
Seeing Heuk Cha's resolve, Gwan Ung thought he should grant the Secret Guard more power and authority.
"What's the external situation?"
Gwan Ung turned to Sima Ryu.
"Still chaotic. Nangong Clan and Beggars' Sect informants are everywhere—hard to tell friend from foe."
"No particularly suspicious movements?"
"Small groups were spotted, but... nothing concerning."
"Certain?"
After a pause, Sima Ryu replied uncertainly.
"We couldn't assess their individual skills, so I can't say for sure. My apologies."
Gwan Ung, aware of the Shadow Squad agents' abilities, had no choice but to nod.
"Can't be helped. You're keeping a close eye on the Sword Empress's group, right?"
"Well..."
As Sima Ryu trailed off, Gwan Ung's gaze sharpened.
"I said watch them properly."
"Sorry. They clashed with Beggars' Sect members and lost her."
"So the Sky Guard Unit lost her too? Did you hear?"
Gwan Ung turned to ask.
Sky Guard Unit Leader Hyeon Nok shook his head stiffly.
"No word."
"They're searching together."
Gwan Ung's eyes narrowed at Sima Ryu's answer. An ominous feeling crept over him.
"Find her fast."
"Don't worry too much. News will come soon."
Gwan Ung eyed the bowing Sima Ryu with displeasure before turning to Hyeong Mu-gang.
"How are the elders?"
"Talkative. Most still oppose retreat."
Gwan Ung let out a hollow chuckle at Hyeong Mu-gang's report.
"They'll be miffed if they knew I never planned to. Tell them soon—the attack proceeds as scheduled."
"Understood."
"And after the battle..."
Gwan Ung's words cut off.
The Strategy Division's second-in-command, Deputy Strategist Yuk Yu-so, came rushing in with a pale face.
"St-Strategist."
"What insolence before the Leader?"
Hyeong Mu-gang glared fiercely.
"S-Sorry."
"What's got you in such a panic?"
At Gwan Ung's question, Yuk Yu-so dropped to his knees.
"Just now, word from Jang Gon."
"Jang Gon?"
Gwan Ung glanced at Hyeong Mu-gang, who answered promptly.
"One of ours in the Strategy Division. Attending the Supreme Elder."
Gwan Ung's expression hardened at "Supreme Elder."
"I was waiting for this. Per plan, they should've hit Peerless Pavilion last night. What happened?"
"They failed to take it and retreated."
"Hm."
A short groan escaped Gwan Ung. He'd anticipated from Yuk Yu-so's reaction, but the shock was real.
"Why fail? Peerless Pavilion had forces, but not enough to stop the Supreme Elder. What variable?"
"As you said, they had the upper hand early. But..."
"But?"
"Th-The Divine Demon Division Leader and Diamond Yaksha joined in..."
Yuk Yu-so buried his head, unable to continue.
No further explanation needed. Those names said it all.
"Didn't the Divine Demon Leader and his group leave Peerless Pavilion after being refused? Why return?"
Hyeong Mu-gang grilled Sima Ryu sharply.
"Th-That is..."
Sima Ryu, not yet informed of the Shadow Squad agents monitoring Sima Geon and others near Peerless Pavilion being wiped out, had nothing to say.
"We know they're strong. But the Supreme Elder retreating without a fight? Hard to swallow."
"He took heavy injuries fighting the one leading the Hahuu Clan."
"Injuries? The Hahuu Clan has someone who could wound the Supreme Elder?"
Gwan Ung asked in surprise.
"Hahuu Hyo, identified as their top expert succeeding the Sword Ghost."
"Even so."
Gwan Ung nodded at Hyeong Mu-gang's explanation but seemed dissatisfied that a top Heavenly Demon Cult expert was badly hurt by a mere Hahuu Clan member.
"Then we can't rule out them heading to the Nangong Clan."
"Leaving Peerless Pavilion unguarded won't be easy. No one thinks the fight's over just because the Supreme Elder retreated. But as you say, we can't discount the possibility."
Gwan Ung nodded in agreement with Hyeong Mu-gang.
"Sima Ryu."
"Yes, Leader."
"Watch their movements properly. No more mistakes."
"I'll keep it in mind."
Sima Ryu bowed, sweating coldly.
Then—
"L-Leader!"
With a sudden shout, the Shadow Squad's third-in-command, Yu Seop-pung, rushed in looking frantic.
In the same state as Deputy Strategist Yuk Yu-so moments ago, Gwan Ung gave a wry smile and gestured.
Yu Seop-pung prostrated himself in panic.
"L-Leader, I..."
"Quiet. What exploded?"
Under the irritated tone, Yu Seop-pung spoke without lifting his head.
"Th-The Sword Empress is dead."
Gwan Ung shot to his feet.
"What did you say? The Sword Empress is what?"
A terrifying killing intent began pouring from Gwan Ung's body.
"R-Reports say she and her escorts were killed. Some Sky Guard Unit members confirmed dead too."
Yu Seop-pung answered labored under the suffocating pressure.
"Sky Guard Unit too! Certain?"
"Th-That..."
"I asked if it's certain!"
"R-Reports say so. I'll v-verify again."
Yu Seop-pung stammered.
"Damn it!"
Gwan Ung slammed the table in fury; it collapsed.
"Hyeong Mu-gang."
"Yes."
"Convene the council immediately."
"Understood."
Hyeong Mu-gang hurried out.
"Heuk Cha."
"Yes, Leader."
"Your word on no suspicious movements—solid?"
Heuk Cha nodded after a moment's thought.
"I stake my neck on it."
"Good. But something nags—the hunters. Check them again. Hurry."
"Yes, sir!"
Heuk Cha vanished like smoke after bowing.
"Sima Ryu."
"Yes, Leader."
"If not Heuk Cha's miss, it's outsiders. You mentioned unidentified small groups. Probably them. Find them. All out."
"Yes, sir!"
Sima Ryu withdrew with a heavy face.
Alone, Gwan Ung recalled the Sword Empress's words at parting from Snow Pine Pavilion.
I'll prove how dangerous the Blood Fiend Cult is. If I return and you signal halting the Nangong attack, those chaos-mongers won't sit idle. They'll scheme from within the Heavenly Demon Cult or Nangong Clan. Maybe even target me directly.
It was entirely plausible. He'd refused direct protection but tracked her via Shadow Squad nonstop, ordering the Sky Guard Unit to shield her discreetly. Yet she'd been breached.
"Blood Fiend Cult."
A chilling smile curled Gwan Ung's lips as he murmured the name.