Chapter 520
Bu Eun-seol respectfully clasped his hands together toward Gongson Dan-gyeong.
"Understood."
Then, in a composed voice, he said:
"I will do my utmost."
"Good."
Gongson Dan-gyeong allowed a faint smile to grace her lips before immediately turning to leave the barracks.
As soon as she departed, a chilling silence settled over the interior of the barracks.
Bu Eun-seol exhaled a sigh as he gazed at Gongson Dan-gyeong's Command Plaque resting on the table.
'This time, it's the opposite.'
In the past, when he had participated in large-scale battles to become the Heir of the Demon Hall.
He had been practically abandoned, unable to take on any proper missions due to the Blood Martial Group Leader who had been bribed by Do Cheon-rin.
But now, within the Martial Alliance.
Contrary to that, he had been entrusted with an immense responsibility far beyond what his current position should warrant.
"Commander Seon-u."
At that moment, Seong Jo-yeong turned his gaze toward Bu Eun-seol.
"You've been appointed as the strategist commanding two elite units, so issue your orders. We can't afford to just stand around here doing nothing."
Then, with a faint smile, he added:
"Just so you know, I have no intention of following any orders to remain stationed here for ten days. As the Chief Strategist said, we must breach their defensive line within ten days."
The corners of Seong Jo-yeong's lips curled coldly upward as he finished speaking.
'As if he could actually pull it off.'
When would a Second-grade Commander like him ever have commanded and maneuvered troops of this scale?
Seong Jo-yeong was certain Bu Eun-seol wouldn't know what to do—that he'd be flustered.
But Bu Eun-seol had once led even larger forces in the Demon Hall, wielding them like extensions of his own limbs.
He had even commanded the combined forces of Langya Pavilion and Fleeting Moment Boat of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, plus Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying—all at once.
Far from being flustered, his expression remained so relaxed it bordered on leisurely as he spoke.
"First, Deputy Commander Seong, you will lead an assault on the Heavenly Human Cult's headquarters through Jangsan Gorge."
When Bu Eun-seol showed not the slightest hint of tension, Seong Jo-yeong's eyebrows twitched.
'So he's got nerve, does he?'
"Hmm. You're saying we should attack immediately?"
"Correct. However, there's an eighty to ninety percent chance that an ambush lies in wait near this gorge."
As Bu Eun-seol pointed at the map and explained, Seong Jo-yeong snorted.
"At worst, they'll rain arrows or boulders down on us from above the gorge."
Then, in a confident voice, he declared:
"I'll deploy the Gold Token Unit under my command to block their initial assault, then immediately eliminate any ambushers stationed in the gorge."
Bu Eun-seol fell into deep thought for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. Then, Deputy Commander Muk, you will lead your forces through Yangmun Mountain to attack the Heavenly Human Cult."
"Understood."
Despite receiving their orders, the expressions of the two deputy commanders remained indifferent.
They were deputy leaders already promised the positions of full commanders.
Among the younger generation of Masters, they stood at the pinnacle of status, having attained all the glory they could hope for.
Moreover, this campaign had nothing to do with their own ambitions—it was Gongson Dan-gyeong's independent operation.
Even if they crushed the Heavenly Human Cult, there was nothing in it for them.
"Let me make one thing clear."
Seong Jo-yeong turned back just as he was about to leave the barracks.
"If my unit breaches their defensive line in a single strike, we'll have no choice but to push straight into the Heavenly Human Cult's headquarters. Keep that in mind."
He grinned slyly.
"Even considering the Chief Strategist's position, we can't just stupidly retreat after gaining the upper hand."
"Of course."
'He's straining to act unshaken, is he?'
When an unexpected answer came back, Seong Jo-yeong's expression hardened.
"Let me be clear—this deputy commander bears no ill will toward the Chief Strategist. But in war, victory comes first, and the warriors under my command come first."
"Since you're speaking frankly, Deputy Commander, I'll be honest as well."
Bu Eun-seol matched his firm tone.
"Even if both units advance from both directions right now, penetrating the Heavenly Human Cult's defenses is absolutely impossible."
"What?"
Seong Jo-yeong tilted his head.
"If it's impossible, why are we sending the units in the first place?"
"Consider this advance as nothing more than a scouting mission to assess the enemy's situation."
It was a somewhat absurd answer.
At that moment, Muk In-hyeok twitched his thick eyebrows and asked:
"I'd like to hear your reasoning for deeming it impossible."
"Victory on the battlefield is generally determined by which side defends better."
He continued calmly.
"Moreover, this is the Heavenly Human Cult's territory. They'll have fortified their defenses not just with the advantage of terrain, but with all manner of measures."
"Hmm."
"There's no way they'd allow both units to reach their headquarters."
"Isn't that stating the obvious? Of course they'll resist, of course they'll defend."
Muk In-hyeok raised the corner of his mouth.
"That much is hardly sufficient to act as a strategist in place of the Chief Commander."
"There is another reason."
Bu Eun-seol continued his explanation.
"According to intelligence gathered by the main force, the Heavenly Human Cult has been preparing for battle for a long time."
"..."
"As if to prove it, they had already established a flawless defensive line even before the Alliance entered the Yellow River region—without the slightest sign of unrest."
"So?"
"At the very least, the Majestic Mountain Gorge where Vice Leader Seong intends to advance will be rigged with traps that even a sizable army would struggle to defend against."
Bu Eun-seol wore a faint smile.
"To increase our chances of success even slightly, we must send a Reconnaissance Squad to approach with caution."
"So it all boils down to that obvious conclusion."
Muk In-hyeok sneered.
"Commander Seon-u. You haven't been with the Alliance long, so perhaps you don't know this yet."
He curled his lips upward as he spoke.
"This division is composed of exceptional martial artists capable of annihilating enemies under any adverse conditions. Do you understand what that means?"
The Divine Guard Unit and the Heavenly Martial Division.
True to their names, they were elite combat units whose members demonstrated divine might and martial prowess on the battlefield, cutting down foes with unmatched skill.
Moreover, their opponents were merely a cult from the Unorthodox Faction, mixed in with commoners.
To approach cautiously out of fear of their traps, waiting for the Reconnaissance Squad to return before attacking—to him, that was nothing short of an insult.
Muk In-hyeok furrowed his brow and said,
"So you're saying not only Vice Leader Seong but this entire division would fail?"
"That is correct."
"Then you're implying you can predict what their traps are?"
"Yes."
"I'd like to hear it."
"The Heavenly Human Cult has been entrenched in this region of the Yellow River for so long that they've grown familiar to the common folk. Especially those near Yangmun Mountain—they've relied heavily on the cult's aid during years of famine, and thus trust them deeply."
Bu Eun-seol spoke without hesitation, as if he had already grasped every detail of the situation.
"Civilians must not be sacrificed in the conflicts of martial artists. But the Heavenly Human Cult could easily manipulate them into being used in this battle."
"Indeed, you've analyzed it that far."
Muk In-hyeok was hardly surprised.
The information Bu Eun-seol had mentioned was something he himself had already received through his subordinates.
"But no matter what schemes they devise, nothing changes."
Muk In-hyeok's voice was resolute.
"No matter what methods they employ, even if the Heavenly Human Cult mobilizes all their forces—they cannot defeat this division."
Though the cult possessed considerable military strength, it was only due to the vast wealth they had spent to recruit a handful of martial artists.
Most of them were likely either insignificant vagrants or individuals who wielded bizarre sorcery.
There was no way they could stand against the rigorously trained warriors of the Martial Alliance.
And even if they set traps using civilians, they could simply be ignored—avoiding conflict with them altogether.
"Commander Seon-u. Let me give you one piece of advice."
"I am all ears."
"If you consider too many things, the battlefield can become unnecessarily complicated."
Muk In-hyeok grinned coldly.
"Sometimes, the best strategy is to act as swiftly and simply as possible."
In the end, he was no different from Seong Jo-yeong.
Whether Gongson Dan-gyeong was punished or not—
They had no intention of waiting even ten days. If an opportunity arose, they would annihilate the Heavenly Human Cult immediately.
"I will take your words to heart."
As Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong turned to leave, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together once more.
"I wish you victory."
Once the two division leaders had exited, all the hall leaders and commanders under them turned away coldly and followed them out.
"Troublesome."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled deeply.
He wasn't worried about commanding the division or failing in his mission.
As the Martial Soul Lord, he had schemed countless times to annihilate enemies and led armies into battle—this was nothing new.
What truly concerned him was Gongson Dan-gyeong's hidden agenda.
'What is her real objective?'
Bu Eun-seol had spent a long time in the Hidden Moon Hall's secret chamber, discussing strategies with Gongson Dan-gyeong to strike the Heavenly Human Cult.
And he had deduced that she had been observing the cult's movements for a long time, working to bring them down.
Did that mean the Heavenly Human Cult was somehow connected to the Infinite Realm?
Or was she aiming to gain something else entirely by orchestrating their collapse?
—Just why are you trying to destroy the Heavenly Human Cult?
An ordinary person would have asked that question while they were in the chamber.
Especially since she had proposed they work together—she wouldn't have avoided answering.
But Bu Eun-seol did not ask.
She was not her close friend.
They were merely parties whose interests aligned, entering into a transactional relationship.
In such cases, prying into each other's circumstances was unwise. They had to maintain an appropriate distance, and what was left unspoken should remain unquestioned.
Only then could trust be built within this exchange.
"Had this been in the past, I would have assumed all of this was yet another test for me."
But she had openly declared her intent to eradicate the Infinite Realm, and even if Bu Eun-seol were a spy for the Three Realms, she had said it wouldn't matter.
That could only mean she genuinely sought to utilize Bu Eun-seol's abilities.
There was no way she would orchestrate such a troublesome test.
Besides, hadn't she already predicted that the Heavenly Human Cult would manipulate the imperial court to buy time?
Bu Eun-seol recalled the conversation they had shared days prior.
"But if we ultimately move against the Heavenly Human Cult, the imperial household will oppose us."
Gongson Dan-gyeong, who had been formulating the entire plan alongside him, suddenly dropped a bombshell.
"The Heavenly Human Cult enjoys the formidable protection of the Empress Dowager."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened.
There wasn't a soul in the imperial court who didn't know that the Empress Dowager's influence surpassed even the Emperor's.
It was common knowledge that she had consolidated her power by collecting the secrets and weaknesses of the imperial family and officials.
Because of this, no one in the court dared defy her.
And yet, the Heavenly Human Cult was under her protection?
"The Heavenly Human Cult is one of the major sources of funding for the Empress Dowager. So if the Martial Alliance moves against them, she will never stand idly by."
A faint smile played on Gongson Dan-gyeong's lips.
"Especially since it's widely known that our alliance lacks solid evidence."
"Even if we had evidence, wouldn't it be impossible to strike the Heavenly Human Cult as long as the Empress Dowager opposes it?"
"Not necessarily."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's smile deepened subtly.
"There's no way the Emperor is unaware that the Heavenly Human Cult is one of the Empress Dowager's financial pipelines."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"The Empress Dowager will undoubtedly demand that the Emperor prevent our attack. Unable to resist her pressure, His Majesty will likely issue an edict ordering us to present definitive evidence."
A mischievous grin curled at the corner of her lips.
"But what if, contrary to expectations, our Chief Strategist presents irrefutable evidence before the entire court? Rather than appeasing the Empress Dowager, the Emperor might just issue an order to annihilate the Heavenly Human Cult outright."
"I see... That makes sense."
Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but marvel at Gongson Dan-gyeong's cunning stratagem.
She had anticipated her opponent's moves in advance and turned them into an inescapable snare.
"So in the end, even matters of the Murim are inseparable from the imperial court."
His intelligence network had always been focused solely on the martial world.
His ultimate goal was to find the murderer who killed his grandfather—and those who had harmed his parents.
He had paid little attention to the imperial court's affairs and knew little of its inner workings.
But Gongson Dan-gyeong, true to her position as the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist, understood the court's dynamics as clearly as if she were reading a palm.
Not because she took an interest in court affairs—
But because, ultimately, even matters of the Murim were inextricably tied to the imperial court.
"So the evidence against the Heavenly Human Cult must not be fully disclosed yet."
By withholding the evidence, Gongson Dan-gyeong was not only giving Bu Eun-seol a chance to distinguish himself—
But also blocking any interference from the Heavenly Human Cult.
"Correct. Soon, the Empress Dowager will have the Emperor summon me to the Capital. And she'll time it just before the battle begins, ensuring maximum inconvenience."
"Then you must already have a countermeasure prepared."
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Gongson Dan-gyeong flashed a bright smile, revealing pearly white teeth.
"Of course."
Emerging from his recollection, Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
From the very beginning, all of this had unfolded within Gongson Dan-gyeong's expectations.
But there was one thing they hadn't discussed—
The fact that Bu Eun-seol would take command of the troops as acting Chief Strategist.
"So her so-called 'countermeasure' was to entrust everything to me."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
She had claimed to have prepared all contingencies, so he hadn't pressed for details—
Only to realize now that her brilliant plan was to hand him full command.
"Well, if I lack the ability to handle a situation like this, I shouldn't even dream of becoming a Leader."
Perhaps this was—
Gongson Dan-gyeong's way of testing whether Bu Eun-seol had what it took to be one.
"To become a Leader..."
The Seven Great Leaders of the Murim Alliance rarely made appearances, even within the Alliance itself.
At first glance, one might assume they were in closed-door cultivation, but in truth, they were constantly engaged in work.
They were candidates to become the next Alliance Chief—they wouldn't waste even a single day.
However, Seon-u Jin's identity had been given to him by the Divine Calculator. Could he truly rise to the rank of Leader with this borrowed identity? The question lingered.
'No... he's probably hoping for it.'
The Divine Calculator likely wanted to stir chaos within the Murim Alliance.
Otherwise, he would never have revealed that one of the Seven Great Leaders was the murderer of Bu Eun-seol's grandfather.
'I'll see this through to the end.'
In his current identity as Seon-u Jin, there was nothing he could do.
He needed to climb higher, and fast—only then could he find the murderer, uncover the state of the Three Realms, and break it.
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol turned and studied the map spread across the barracks.
To do that, he had to flawlessly complete this mission.
Seong Jo-yeong arrived at Jangsan Gorge with the Divine Guard Unit's troops in tow.
Sheer cliffs rose sharply on either side, forming a steep slope, and the path was so narrow that only a single carriage could pass through at a time.
The gorge stretched for about forty ri. With cliffs flanking both sides, it was painfully obvious that ambush troops lay in wait.
And even a small rock thrown from above could prove deadly...
It was the perfect terrain for a small force to hold back an entire army.
"Ridiculous."
Yet Seong Jo-yeong smirked.
There was a stark difference between battles fought by ordinary soldiers and those fought by martial artists.
Martial artists could leap about ten feet in the air and shatter boulders with their bare fists.
No matter how advantageous the terrain, no matter how brilliant the strategy—
In the end, battles between martial artists were decided by sheer martial might.
Gazing at the gorge, Seong Jo-yeong barked an order.
"Send the Gold Token Unit ahead to scout for traps."
At once, warriors clad in sturdy armor and bearing intricately designed shields stepped forward.
Clank, clank, clank!
Without hesitation, they activated their movement techniques and charged into the gorge.
Their formation remained flawless as they sprinted forward, shields gleaming—like golden statues come to life.
But then, something strange happened.
The Gold Token Unit, which had been dashing forward without pause, was visibly slowing down.
Splash!
At the same time, an unexpected substance rained down from above.
One might have expected boulders or hidden weapons—but instead, it was a thin, murky liquid.
Drip, drip.
The Gold Token Unit raised their shields, but the diluted liquid seeped through the gaps.
"Ugh—!"
Immediately, the warriors began retching.
The liquid reeked of an indescribably foul stench.
Not only that, but where it touched their skin, an unbearable itch spread, turning their flesh red and inflamed.
"This is—!"
Mo-ak, commander of the Gold Token Unit, gritted his teeth after catching a whiff.
"Diluted Nine Blight Miasma Poison!"
Nine Blight Miasma Poison was a cheap toxin made from excrement and various poisonous herbs.
Because it was so inexpensive and easy to produce, it was commonly traded in the Black Market.
The Heavenly Human Cult had anticipated that the troops crossing the gorge would prepare for boulders or hidden weapons—
So instead, they had prepared vast quantities of diluted Nine Blight Miasma Poison.
There was no better poison to disorient the enemy and crush their morale.
"Fall back!"
In the end, the Gold Token Unit retreated before even crossing halfway.
The gorge stretched for forty ri—forcing their way through in one go was impossible.
Moreover, the poison seeping into their armor left their entire bodies itching, with blisters rising on their skin.
If they pushed forward recklessly, the Nine Blight Miasma Poison would render them combat-ineffective.
"Since they have troops to spare, they resort to unconventional methods."
Seong Jo-yeong, watching the scene, shouted an order.
"Heavenly Speed Unit—eliminate the remnants hiding in the gorge!"
Ordinary soldiers would never be able to deal with enemies lying in ambush atop the cliffs.
But these were the elite warriors of the Murim Alliance. The Heavenly Speed Unit, in particular, was composed of the Divine Guard Unit's finest experts in movement techniques.
Whoosh! Thud!
In an instant, they kicked off protruding rocks and began scaling the cliffs.
Each of them carried a shield borrowed from the Gold Token Unit—
Since it was obvious that boulders or arrows would rain down as they climbed.
But nothing fell from above.
Thanks to that, the Heavenly Speed Unit nearly reached the cliff's edge in a single burst.
"...?"
Then, something strange happened.
Even though they were almost at the top, the cliffs seemed to be growing taller.