Chapter 455
Did the heavens themselves will Gongson Dan-gyeong's success?
No Dok-cheong, leader of the Martial Alliance's Iron Shield Squad, had been suddenly killed within the Yeogyeong Region—territory under the Hell Blood Citadel's influence.
The cause of death: poisoning. A deliberate cocktail of multiple toxins had ravaged the corpse, making the exact method untraceable. While the perpetrator remained unknown...
Who in Yeogyeong could poison a master like No Dok-cheong?
Only the Hell Blood Citadel's own masters could achieve such a feat.
And upon meticulous examination of the remains, they'd finally discovered traces of the Poison Demon Body Art—a signature technique of the Hell-Blood Fortress's venomous arts.
Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong personally dispatched a formal missive to the Demon Hall in protest:
—The Demon Hall must provide immediate explanation for this incident!
This was an opportunity.
Guizhou had been the Demonic Path's stronghold for generations.
Under normal circumstances, deploying a large Martial Alliance force into Guizhou—where the Hell Blood Citadel stood—would border on impossibility.
—Gun Ok-sang, Deputy Commander of the Divine Guard Unit, you shall lead one-third of the unit's forces to station at Guizhou's border.
But after the Great Cloud Forest incident, the Lord of the Hell Blood Citadel had stepped down, and the citadel's influence had drastically weakened.
Moreover, with the Iron Shield Squad's leader slain by someone presumed to be a Hell-Blood master... she made a brilliant move.
Rather than demanding answers from the Hell Blood Citadel, she directed her demands for explanation and restitution at the Demon Hall—the overarching alliance of the Demonic Path.
Once terms were settled between the two alliances, the Hell Blood Citadel would have no choice but to comply.
And with No Dok-cheong's death, the Martial Alliance now held moral justification.
Gongson Dan-gyeong immediately deployed Deputy Commander Gun Ok-sang with one-third of the Divine Guard Unit's combat forces near the Sichuan-Guizhou border.
—Let Hall Leader Yeon of the Coiling Dragon Hall handle negotiations with the Demon Hall.
She entrusted the talks to Yeon Ja-gang, Hall Leader of the Coiling Dragon Hall—renowned among the Hall of Ascending Martial's strategists as a silver-tongued diplomat.
Of course, had the Chief Strategist herself taken charge, negotiations might have proceeded even more impressively.
But since this involved a regional power struggle over parts of Yeogyeong, it would have been beneath her station as Chief Strategist to intervene directly.
Days later.
Having emerged from the Pinnacle Hall, Bu Eun-seol walked for some time before finally arriving before a pavilion near the Martial Alliance's central hub.
The Hidden Moon Hall.
This was the Strategy Pavilion—residence of the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist.
Once, it had housed Tae Sa-hyeon, who bore the grandiose epithet "Heavenly Mechanism Diviner."
But now it was home to Gongson Dan-gyeong, hailed as the wisest woman in Murim—the "Star of Great Wisdom."
And Bu Eun-seol had been summoned by her.
'It seems they're mobilizing the main force.'
Having already received hints from Yuk Jang-cheon, Bu Eun-seol could guess her plan.
Though the Divine Guard Unit was stationed there, the true objective—negotiating with the Demon Hall to seize influence in Yeogyeong—would fall to the Coiling Dragon Hall.
In case of direct conflict, she clearly intended to dispatch Bu Eun-seol's Pinnacle Unit to support the Coiling Dragon Hall.
After all, Bu Eun-seol—victor of the Phoenix Tournament—possessed the capability to shatter even the Hell-Blood Fortress's battle formations in an instant.
"State your business."
As Bu Eun-seol stepped through the pavilion's entrance, a guard blocked his path with the question.
"Seon-u Jin of the Pinnacle Unit. I come at the Chief Strategist's summons."
"Follow me."
As if briefed beforehand, the guard escorted Bu Eun-seol inward.
Around the pavilion stood first-grade sword units of the Star Guard Corps—elite protectors of the Alliance's highest leadership.
Further within, master-level experts including sword captains were deployed with meticulous precision.
Following the guard through the pavilion's interior, Bu Eun-seol was suddenly struck by a question:
'How exactly did she rise to the Chief Strategist position?'
Orthodox Murim placed utmost importance on hierarchy and seniority.
Even selecting the next Alliance Leader was limited to the Seven Great Leaders—all of whom were middle-aged.
Yet despite her extraordinary wisdom and talent, how had they granted the Chief Strategist position—among the top ten in ceremonial precedence—to a young scholar barely thirty?
What exactly had transpired among the high command?
"Chief Strategist, the Pinnacle Leader has arrived."
By the time they reached the office door, the guard announced:
"Enter."
A clear voice filtered through.
"Go ahead."
As the guard opened the door, the spacious office's interior came into view.
Bookshelves crammed with volumes lined the walls, and further in stood a large desk.
Behind it, a beautiful woman brushed characters onto paper with fluid strokes.
Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong herself.
"Pinnacle Leader Seon-u Jin pays respects to the Chief Strategist."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed, Gongson Dan-gyeong set down her brush and smiled.
"Welcome."
Their eyes met, but unlike before, no light emerged to threaten Bu Eun-seol's spirit and mind.
It seemed the power of her Profound Heart's Eye could no longer affect him.
"We meet again since the Phoenix Tournament."
Her voice was low yet crystal clear.
'Not only profoundly wise, but strong-willed.'
In Bu Eun-seol's experience, those with clear, resonant voices tended to be both brilliant and stubborn.
Unaware of his thoughts, Gongson Dan-gyeong rose.
"Please, sit."
After offering the seat, she cut straight to the point:
"Time is short, so I'll be brief."
As she reached the main topic, her graceful demeanor faded, replaced by a heavy, solemn gaze.
It was the bearing worthy of the Chief Strategist steering the vast Martial Alliance.
"Take your unit to Yeogyeong immediately—where the Coiling Dragon Hall is stationed."
"Are there special orders for the main force?"
Bu Eun-seol emphasized the word "special."
The Divine Guard Unit was already deployed, and Yeon Ja-gang—renowned as a negotiation master—had departed for Yeogyeong.
Under these circumstances, dispatching a second-grade combat unit—especially the intelligence-focused Pinnacle Unit—was unusual.
"That means Gongson Dan-gyeong must have separate intentions for you, Commander Bu."
"The Demon Hall would never easily relinquish control of the Yeogyeong Region. Though our alliance holds the advantageous position in negotiations, minor and major clashes are inevitable."
She spoke while staring intently at Bu Eun-seol.
"The Peak Squad has already proven through the Phoenix Tournament that they possess exceptional martial prowess."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slightly, as if realizing something.
"So you designed the tournament's trials anticipating this very situation."
Even before the Phoenix Tournament commenced, she had already laid plans to reclaim the Yeogyeong Region—predicting inevitable confrontations with the Hell Blood Citadel.
"Correct. Every trial in the Phoenix Tournament was designed with battles against the Hell Blood Citadel in mind."
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Ever since the Demon Hall appointed its successor, the Hell Blood Citadel's influence has rapidly declined. I believed the opportunity to reclaim their territory would soon arise."
At Gongson Dan-gyeong's words, Bu Eun-seol's expression darkened.
It wasn't out of sympathy for the Hell Blood Citadel... but rather a creeping suspicion—had she orchestrated No Dok-cheong's death for this purpose?
If she had sacrificed No Dok-cheong to seize the Hell Blood Citadel's territory and solidify her newly appointed authority as Chief Strategist...
Then beneath her elegant exterior lay a truly terrifying and ruthless individual.
"The Hall Master of the Hall of Ascending Martial strongly recommended you. He insisted the Peak Squad is not only an exceptional Information Warfare Unit but also excels in martial prowess—making them invaluable for these negotiations."
It seemed Yuk Jang-cheon was seizing this opportunity to ingratiate both the Coiling Dragon Hall and the Peak Squad with Gongson Dan-gyeong.
He needed to quickly accumulate merit and rally support among the high command to ascend as leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade.
Of course, this wasn't necessarily disadvantageous for Bu Eun-seol either.
Yet something about it left a bitter aftertaste.
'A prodigy young enough to rise as the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist... wouldn't meet me privately just on Yuk Jang-cheon's recommendation alone.'
Moreover, if this were merely a deployment order, she could have relayed it through adjutants or issued an assignment slip. There was no need for a private audience to dispatch him, who held no real influence over negotiations.
"Understood."
But speculation could wait.
For now, he had to immediately carry out the orders given by Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"I shall lead my unit to Yeogyeong and assist the Coiling Dragon Hall as instructed."
"I'll be watching with interest."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed, Gongson Dan-gyeong added:
"After all, they say Commander Seon-u is the type to turn any crisis into an opportunity."
A sudden, unpleasant intuition flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
'She doesn't trust me.'
When he raised his head and met her gaze directly, he became certain.
'No—she suspects me.'
Just as Yuk Jang-cheon had initially done.
Gongson Dan-gyeong also doubted Bu Eun-seol—likely because his abilities far exceeded what a Second-grade Commander should possess.
'She's been suspicious since the Phoenix Tournament.'
To show that the Pinnacle Unit excelled in all areas...
Bu Eun-seol had shattered a demonic formation during the tournament using unorthodox methods at an impossible speed.
He'd even prepared documentation beforehand to justify his actions, anticipating scrutiny from the high command.
Though Gongson Dan-gyeong had been the first to nod in apparent understanding back then... in truth, she'd been harboring doubts all along.
"Was there anything else?"
"No, nothing at all."
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together.
"Then I shall take my leave."
As he stepped outside the Hidden Moon Hall, his gaze grew heavy and subdued.
Yuk Jang-cheon had also deeply suspected him initially, only relenting after thorough investigations by Jong Jeong-yak.
But Gongson Dan-gyeong was the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist. Given her strategic intellect, her suspicions would run far deeper and darker.
'Perhaps this was inevitable.'
Bu Eun-seol needed to rapidly ascend the ranks and become a core figure within the Martial Alliance.
Thus, he hadn't bothered concealing his exceptional skills—making suspicion an expected consequence.
'She thinks I'm connected to the Demonic Path.'
Sending a largely expendable Second-grade Unit ahead of negotiations with the Demon Hall...
This likely stemmed from her suspicion that Bu Eun-seol was a spy planted by demonic factions.
If true, he would naturally sabotage the negotiations to prevent their success.
'I must dispel her suspicions quickly.'
Having a high-ranking leader like the Chief Strategist doubt him...
Unless resolved promptly, the repercussions would be endless.
'Definitively.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes turned piercingly cold as he gazed at the distant sky.
Had he truly been a Demonic Path spy, this situation would have been torturous.
But Bu Eun-seol felt no hesitation—only a perverse satisfaction.
He was a man driven by vengeance. Whether Demonic Path or Righteous Faction, he bowed to neither.
Moreover, the Hell Blood Citadel had long been a target he intended to destroy.
If dancing around Gongson Dan-gyeong's suspicions was necessary... he'd perform that dance a hundred times over.
Demon Hall, Singular Light Pavilion - Conference Chamber
Under the presiding authority of Supreme Cult Commander Yeop Hyo-cheon, an emergency council of hall masters convened.
The agenda: the murder of Martial Alliance Commander No Dok-cheong in the Yeogyeong Region of Guizhou.
Though the killer remained unidentified, all evidence confirmed the perpetrator was a Master from the Hell Blood Citadel.
The Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong had sent the protest letter to the Demon Hall instead of Hell Blood Citadel to settle the matter more easily.
To resolve this issue, Yeop Hyo-cheon had summoned all Hall Master-rank personnel for this meeting.
"Stationing the Divine Guard Unit at the Guizhou border region is merely a show of force to gain an upper hand in negotiations. They don't actually intend to escalate into armed conflict."
Yeo Bul-hoe, the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Secret Shadow Pavilion, continued his explanation to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"However, the place where Iron Shield Squad Leader No Dok-cheong was killed was Yeogyeong, and they deliberately deployed troops near Guwol Mountain as if to flaunt their actions. Under the pretext of negotiations, they seized the perfect opportunity to position their forces."
"The perfect opportunity, you say."
As Yeop Hyo-cheon narrowed his eyes, Yeo Bul-hoe nodded.
"Recently, Hell Blood Citadel has suffered a decline in influence after the Gongya City Lord stepped down. As a result, they can barely maintain control over the strategically valuable Guwol Mountain region within Yeogyeong."
He continued his explanation.
"Using the investigation and demand for accountability as an excuse, they've planted themselves near Guwol Mountain... Their intentions are obvious."
"So they intend to claim the Guwol Mountain region as Martial Alliance territory."
After hearing Yeo Bul-hoe's explanation, Yeop Hyo-cheon immediately grasped the Martial Alliance's intentions.
"Using negotiations as a pretext, you say."
"Exactly."
"Then it would be best for Hell Blood Citadel to resolve this matter immediately."
Yeop Hyo-cheon swept his gaze across the assembled members and spoke.
"If anyone has an opinion on this, speak now."
At that moment, Baek Hyo-myeong, the Investigation Hall Leader from Hell Blood Citadel, spoke up.
"Since the Martial Alliance sent the official letter to our Hall, shouldn't we be the ones to resolve it?"
His expression was deeply aggrieved as he spoke.
"Ultimately, wasn't this entire incident caused by someone from this Hall?"
Suppressing his indignation, he forced himself to continue.
"If the City Lord hadn't been forced to step down... If our faction's influence hadn't been weakened in the first place—the Martial Alliance wouldn't have dared to make such a move."
Though Baek Hyo-myeong didn't name anyone outright, he was clearly implying that Bu Eun-seol was the cause.
"Well, you're not wrong."
Yeop Hyo-cheon wore a faint smile.
"Besides, since the Martial Alliance has come out swinging, it's only right that this Hall handles the matter."
As the assembled members nodded in agreement, he continued.
"Who did the Martial Alliance send as their negotiator?"
Yeo Bul-hoe answered Yeop Hyo-cheon's question.
"They've dispatched the Coiling Dragon Hall Leader, who operates under the Hall of Martial Ascension."
—So that's why the Supreme Cult Commander called this Hall Master meeting.
Only then did the Hall Masters in attendance grasp the situation and nod in understanding.
After all, this was merely a minor faction dispute, and the Martial Alliance had sent a Hall Leader to negotiate.
Thus, there was no real need for the Demon Hall's high command to gather for such a meeting.
"The Coiling Dragon Hall, huh."
Yeop Hyo-cheon chuckled dryly.
"The Martial Alliance really does love their justifications."
What if the Martial Alliance had sent a powerful First-grade Sword Unit or a combat division?
They would have had to prepare for battle immediately, with no room for negotiation.
But sending the Coiling Dragon Hall and an intelligence unit under the Hall of Martial Ascension out of the blue?
Whatever their true intentions, they were at least presenting a facade of prioritizing negotiations.
Justification—nothing was more important to the Martial Alliance than that.
"In that case, we should send someone of equivalent standing..."
The high command members, understanding Yeop Hyo-cheon's implication, nodded.
For example, if the Martial Alliance sent a Third-grade Commander, dispatching a First-grade Commander from the Demon Hall would damage their prestige.
Similarly, if the Martial Alliance sent a Hall Leader and the Demon Hall sent a mere Squad Leader, the difference in authority would make negotiations impossible.
"Then shouldn't we send someone one rank higher?"
Yeo Bul-hoe spoke up.
"Since the Martial Alliance is playing the victim in this matter."
After all, the Martial Alliance had lost a Commander.
Thus, they would make various demands, and to handle them smoothly—
It was only right to send someone of higher status than a mere Hall Leader to lead the negotiations.
"Since this matter involves not just negotiations but also a battle for territory, we'll need someone with exceptional strategic insight."
Though it might seem like a minor territorial dispute, the Guwol Mountain region was a crucial trade route frequented by merchant groups.
Not only was it a significant source of revenue, but this power struggle was essentially a contest of strength between the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
Therefore, they needed an outstanding tactician who could minimize losses—
And maximize gains.
"Hmm."
Yeop Hyo-cheon pondered for a moment before stroking his chin.
"Then the only suitable candidate is the Martial Soul Lord."
Then, looking at Baek Hyo-myeong, he added calmly,
"It was the Martial Soul Lord's investigation into Hell Blood Citadel that weakened their influence, ultimately forcing the Gongya City Lord to step down."
The meeting hall buzzed with murmurs.
Even if Bu Eun-seol's actions had dealt a heavy blow to Hell Blood Citadel—
He was the Heir of the Demon Hall, one of the top ten figures in the high command.
For someone of his status to negotiate with a mere Hall Leader sent by the Martial Alliance? It would only undermine the Demon Hall's prestige and dignity.
"Supreme Cult Commander..."
Perhaps sensing the mood, Baek Hyo-myeong spoke cautiously to Yeop Hyo-cheon.
"That would only diminish our Hall's standing."
Yeop Hyo-cheon shook his head with a smile.
"That's just how it appears. As Hall Leader Baek said, the Martial Soul Lord bears no small responsibility in this matter..."
After a brief pause in thought, he continued leisurely,
"Still, it would be best if someone close to the Lord handled it."
As if he had already made up his mind, a peculiar smile played at the corners of Yeop Hyo-cheon's lips.