Chapter 523
'At this rate, we'll be playing Twenty Questions all night.'
Unable to bear it any longer, Muk In-hyeok let out a sigh and intervened.
"So. What exactly is this 'absolutely impossible to conceal' part you mentioned?"
"Hair. In this case, eyelashes would suffice."
A profound gleam shimmered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"Even if they wore masks, they couldn't possibly cover their eyes. By closely examining their eyelashes, we should be able to identify the Poison People without fail."
"Eyelashes... I see."
Muk In-hyeok nodded with an admiring expression.
"If they've been steeped in Extreme Poison for even a short time, their eyelashes would have melted away."
"Correct. Prolonged exposure to poison causes hair to thin or fall out."
What qualities must a strategist possess?
Outstanding wisdom and foresight, of course, but beyond military strategy, they must also have leadership skills, the ability to assess talent, and the insight to deploy the right people in the right places.
In short, a strategist must excel in every field—except martial arts.
And in Muk In-hyeok's eyes,
Bu Eun-seol was an exceptional strategist without a single flaw.
"Now, we can secure victory."
As Seong Jo-yeong nodded in agreement, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"No. With the current situation, victory is impossible."
"What?"
Seong Jo-yeong glared at the unexpected response.
"You can distinguish the Poison People who self-destruct, yet you claim our unit can't win?"
"That's correct."
"Why?"
Bu Eun-seol's reply was somewhat unexpected.
"The Heavenly Human Cult has been preparing for this battle against our alliance for a long time. Even if the two deputy commanders give their all, they won't be able to topple it easily."
"Hmph, so that's what you meant."
The admiration Seong Jo-yeong had felt until now cooled abruptly.
"Martial artists don't fight with their heads or mouths—they fight with their bodies."
"..."
"Your calculations might make the Heavenly Human Cult seem formidable, but the only reason our unit struggled was because of the Poison People's Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast."
"Deputy Commander."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"The Supreme Commander will return in two days. Until then, I ask that you wait."
"I can't understand this."
Muk In-hyeok looked at Bu Eun-seol with a puzzled expression.
"Are you saying we can only win if the Supreme Commander leads?"
"Most likely, yes."
"Why?"
"Because there's something only the Supreme Commander can do."
"And what is that?"
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
"That, I cannot disclose at this moment."
Muk In-hyeok blinked in disbelief.
Seong Jo-yeong let out a scoff and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha. I acknowledge your wisdom and strategic brilliance. But this time, you've misjudged."
"..."
"If we can identify the Poison People, breaching their defensive line is only a matter of time. We can annihilate the Heavenly Human Cult immediately."
Seong Jo-yeong's lips twisted as he spoke.
"But since the Supreme Commander hasn't yet returned from the Capital, our unit absolutely must not destroy the Heavenly Human Cult. Isn't that why you're avoiding an attack and maintaining this standoff?"
"No."
"No? Heh."
Seong Jo-yeong's lips curled.
"Then you're saying there'd be no issue if I led our troops to Jangsan Gorge right now and wiped out the Heavenly Human Cult?"
"Of course. However."
Bu Eun-seol's tone was firm.
"You must be prepared to accept casualties among our forces."
Seong Jo-yeong's eyebrow twitched.
Had Bu Eun-seol pleaded earnestly, he might have settled for breaching their defenses without attacking their headquarters.
But Bu Eun-seol's confident demeanor only fueled his resentment.
"Good. I'll prove your calculations wrong."
Seong Jo-yeong turned away coldly.
"Mark my words. Before the Supreme Commander arrives, the Heavenly Human Cult will be annihilated—and you'll bear the responsibility for it."
"Of course."
Bu Eun-seol answered without hesitation. Seong Jo-yeong turned his back sharply.
He had always dismissed Bu Eun-seol, a mere Second-grade Commander.
But after recognizing his strategic brilliance, he had begun to reconsider.
Yet Bu Eun-seol's sage-like certainty reignited his disdain.
'This brat. Just because he was a little clever, I treated him well.'
The Martial Alliance valued hierarchy and seniority.
No matter how talented someone was, they couldn't rise without the favor of their superiors.
Seong Jo-yeong, long accustomed to deference from subordinates, found Bu Eun-seol's lack of humility—despite his rank—unbearable.
"We'll wipe out the Heavenly Human Cult immediately."
Seong Jo-yeong immediately mobilized the troops and marched toward Jangsan Gorge.
After his departure, silence filled the barracks.
"From Deputy Commander Seong's perspective, it's not unreasonable."
Muk In-hyeok, who had been standing quietly, finally spoke.
"When martial artists are over thirty, their physical and martial prowess reaches its peak. By then, most become overconfident in their abilities."
He looked at Bu Eun-seol and smiled faintly.
"And since our alliance gathers talents from various factions, we prioritize allocation and rank over ability. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Are you telling me to flatter him?"
"If possible."
Muk In-hyeok's gaze was unusually gentle and kind—perhaps he had genuinely taken a liking to Bu Eun-seol.
"The reason our unit retreated earlier was the same as Deputy Commander Seong—I couldn't distinguish the Poison People who used the Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast."
"I'm aware."
Bu Eun-seol's tone was so indifferent that Muk In-hyeok tilted his head in puzzlement.
"Are you saying that even if our division went instead of the Divine Guard Unit, we would suffer the same defeat?"
"That's correct."
There was not a flicker of hesitation in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Only then did Muk In-hyeok realize it—
That this young martial artist possessed wisdom and insight far beyond what ordinary people could even fathom.
"I'd like to hear your reasoning."
Muk In-hyeok spoke as if he couldn't quite grasp it.
"Is the Heavenly Human Cult truly that formidable?"
"It's not a matter of combat power disparity."
"Then what?"
"They have numbers, and we are few. This is their territory, and we are the ones on an expedition. Moreover, they have been preparing for battle for a long time... And yet, one crucial condition for victory remains unfulfilled."
"A condition for victory?"
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"If the Heavenly Human Cult fails to repel this attack, they will be utterly annihilated—completely wiped out. That's why they will defend with their lives on the line. Not only that, but they likely have masters stationed beyond the defensive frontlines."
"Hmm."
"But the Martial Alliance's battle groups are not as desperate as they are. In a situation like this, breaking through their defenses is all we can do."
"Ah... I see."
Finally understanding something, Muk In-hyeok nodded.
"Then, couldn't you be the one to fulfill that condition? You are the acting chief strategist, after all."
"A deputy is still just a deputy. It can never produce the same effect."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he looked at Muk In-hyeok.
"Just like persuading Deputy Commander Seong."
"I see."
Muk In-hyeok couldn't hide his admiration.
Though not on the same level as Bu Eun-seol, he too was a man of remarkable wisdom and insight.
Through this brief conversation—
He had realized what the missing condition for victory was, and what he himself needed to do now.
"But Deputy Commander Seong is a proud and stubborn man. If no one reins him in, he'd rather die than retreat."
"Will you do it, Deputy Commander Muk?"
"If that is your order."
Muk In-hyeok spoke with a serious expression.
"An order from the acting chief strategist."
For the first time, a smile full of trust appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Gaining recognition from someone like Muk In-hyeok was no easy feat.
A deputy commander of one of the Seven Great Battle Groups—
That position was the highest a young martial artist of exceptional talent could rise to.
"Then I leave it to you."
"Good. I'll depart immediately."
"No. I ask that you delay your departure by about an hour."
Muk In-hyeok blinked for a moment before his eyes lit up.
"Hohoho. You've got Deputy Commander Seong's personality pegged, haven't you? Indeed, he's the type who won't be satisfied until he's tasted the bitter and the sweet for himself."
Muk In-hyeok took a deep breath and nodded.
"Then I'll leave in one hour."
"Thank you."
As Muk In-hyeok left the barracks, a faint smile also appeared on Bu Eun-seol's lips.
'It's going well.'
Gaining recognition for his wisdom from Muk In-hyeok—or Seong Jo-yeong—
That was one of the most crucial tasks in this expedition.
'Now, only the final plan remains.'
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
If everything went according to plan—
He would rise to become the leader of a first-tier battle group in the Martial Alliance.
***
Seong Jo-yeong, leading the Divine Guard Unit, immediately charged through Majestic Mountain Gorge toward the Heavenly Human Cult, breaking through their defensive lines once again.
'Just as predicted.'
Just as Bu Eun-seol had foreseen, the Poison People—those capable of detonating themselves with the Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast—
All of them lacked even a single eyelash.
In an ordinary battle, even if they had noticed such a detail, dealing with them would have been difficult.
Not only were they cutting down enemies swarming in chaos, but they also had to check for nearly invisible eyelashes.
But the warriors of the Divine Guard Unit were elites even within the Martial Alliance.
With their keen Enhanced Vision, they swiftly identified those capable of self-destruction and prioritized cutting them down first.
Eventually, as the masters capable of using the Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast disappeared, the once-sturdy defensive line crumbled—
And the Divine Guard Unit advanced boldly inward.
'How do you like that?!'
As they broke through the defenses and immediately pushed toward the Heavenly Human Cult's main stronghold, Seong Jo-yeong wore a triumphant smile.
As long as the Poison People didn't self-destruct, the martial arts of the Heavenly Human Cult's followers could never hold back the Divine Guard Unit's elites.
But something was strange.
Even though they had nearly reached the cult's main stronghold, they couldn't push inside.
Despite the defensive line being breached, the battle still raged on.
'Those people—'
Only then, as he observed the battle, did Seong Jo-yeong realize the reason.
At some point, martial artists wielding peculiar swords had appeared before the cult's palace.
They all wore black demon-masks, wielded exceptional sword techniques, and commanded the cultists with flawless discipline.
Though the defensive line had been breached, the Heavenly Human Cult's forces still outnumbered the Divine Guard Unit twenty to one.
Moreover, their attacks and retreats were unexpectedly methodical—
Making it impossible to advance further.
"Fall back!"
Seong Jo-yeong, infuriated, drew his sword and charged to the front.
Swish!
At the same time, a rainbow-colored radiance shot into the sky, and razor-sharp Sword Qi severed the wind as it poured down upon the masked warriors.
"It's the Flying Eagle Sword Art!"
One of the masked warriors shouted as the storm of Sword Qi descended upon them.
Clang-clang-clang!
At the same moment, the warriors at the forefront moved in a circular formation, their steps chaotic as they unleashed a flurry of disparate sword techniques all at once.
And just like that, the cascading Sword Qi of the Flying Eagle Sword Art scattered like embers striking stone, sparks flying in all directions before vanishing into nothingness.
'Those bastards...?'
Seong Jo-yeong's eyes widened.
The masked warriors had executed a variation of the Vertical and Horizontal Shadowless Formation—a defensive sword formation of the Martial Alliance!
'How do these Heavenly Human Cultists know our formation?!'
To counter the attack of a supreme master, one needed a sword stroke of equal might.
But ordinary warriors couldn't achieve that alone—so they devised a method where each warrior executed a different Sword Stroke, combining them to form a single, formidable technique.
That was the essence of the Vertical and Horizontal Shadowless Formation.
And what the Ghost-Faced Envoys had just deployed was none other than a modified version of it.
"Damn them!"
Seong Jo-yeong unleashed the Thunderstorm Severing Star, a decisive stroke from the Flying Eagle Sword Art, cutting through the masked warriors.
But as time passed, the warriors of the Divine Guard Unit were gradually pushed back.
Soon, only Seong Jo-yeong remained at the front, fighting alone.
'Again... Seon-u Jin's prediction was right!'
Seong Jo-yeong inwardly cursed.
Was that man some kind of reincarnation of Zhuge Liang?
How could he foresee everything without even stepping onto the battlefield?
Whoosh!Thud.
Just then, a sharp Sound of Breaking Air tore through the battlefield as a towering figure landed beside Seong Jo-yeong.
It was Muk In-hyeok.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Drawing his sword instantly, he unleashed a storm of Sword Qi, forcing the charging Ghost-Faced Envoys back dozens of yards.
"Brother Seong. We should withdraw the troops and retreat."
Muk In-hyeok's voice was amicable yet firm.
"If we drag this battle out any longer, morale will plummet uncontrollably, and we'll suffer heavy losses."
He knew.
Muk In-hyeok knew Seong Jo-yeong was too proud to order a retreat himself—but if no one intervened, his stubbornness would only lead to devastating casualties.
"Understood."
Seong Jo-yeong wasn't the sharpest mind, but he wasn't a fool either.
Muk In-hyeok had come personally, preserving his dignity. If he kept pushing, it would only result in needless deaths.
"Retreat!"
Seong Jo-yeong immediately gave the order.
A thunderous cheer erupted from the Heavenly Human Cult's side.
—WAAAAAH!
It was the triumphant roar of having repelled the Martial Alliance's forces.
Grind.
Seong Jo-yeong gritted his teeth.
He didn't bother with empty threats like "Just you wait."
There would be no further humiliation.
Even if it meant bowing his head to Seon-u Jin, he would get the strategy needed to crush them.
Gongson Dan-gyeong had returned.
Having gone to the Capital under the Emperor's orders, she had finally arrived back at the barracks at Haseo.
Judging by her exhausted appearance and slightly gaunt face, much had happened in her absence.
Originally, they should have already annihilated the Heavenly Human Cult and returned to the Martial Alliance.
But the Emperor's command—or rather, the Empress Dowager's scheming that had moved him—had wasted precious time.
"You've been through much."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded at Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong standing before her.
"You carried out the order flawlessly—breaking their defensive lines without exterminating the cult."
The two men wore awkward expressions.
They had done nothing. Everything had been possible only because of Bu Eun-seol's command.
"Commander Seon-u."
Then, Gongson Dan-gyeong turned her gaze to Bu Eun-seol.
"I've heard everything. Your command was exceptional."
She was genuinely impressed.
The Heavenly Human Cult's unexpected combat strength and strategy. The uncontrollable tempers of the two division commanders.
And yet, despite orders to only breach the defensive lines—without securing victory—until her return, he had maintained a stalemate.
It had been a near-impossible task.
But Bu Eun-seol had turned the cult's own strategies against them, dismantling their defenses.
To the two division commanders, he had fed tactics after each failure, earning their trust while buying time.
"They not only laid a Boundary Formation in the ravine but also mobilized civilians. And in the end, they even deployed Poison People capable of the Dragon-Subduing Soul-Expelling Blast."
Gongson Dan-gyeong had already dissected every detail of the campaign on her way back.
And Bu Eun-seol had accomplished it all—not just as well as she would have, but better.
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
"Their schemes were transparent. There was little difficulty."
"Chief Strategist, has the matter been resolved?"
When Seong Jo-yeong asked, she nodded.
"Of course. The Emperor has verified all evidence and declared the Heavenly Human Cult a Heretical Sect that must be eradicated."
The Emperor had summoned her to the Capital to present evidence—to ensure all officials saw undeniable proof, preventing the Empress Dowager from further opposition.
"That's a relief."
As Seong Jo-yeong responded, Gongson Dan-gyeong murmured in a low voice,
"Now that all defensive lines have been shattered, only the extermination of the Heavenly Human Cult remains."
Seong Jo-yeong's expression turned sheepish.
He had led the Divine Guard Unit in an assault against the Heavenly Human Cult, yet far from annihilating them, he had only demoralized his own troops before retreating.
"The Heavenly Human Cult's forces are no pushovers."
Since Gongson Dan-gyeong was already aware of the situation, Seong Jo-yeong bit his lip and spoke with a shameful expression.
"Our unit attempted to breach their defensive lines and penetrate the cult's stronghold, but in the end, we failed to defeat them."
The Divine Guard Unit had more experience in large-scale battles than any other combat division.
Even after breaking through the defensive lines and engaging the Heavenly Human Cult in full-scale combat, they had ultimately retreated after prolonged resistance—the humiliation was beyond words.
"Commander Seon-u."
Without needing to be told, Gongson Dan-gyeong seemed to grasp everything as she turned to Bu Eun-seol.
"Why didn't you use the supreme command authority I granted you?"
"If I had made such a decision, the soldiers would have doubted its legitimacy. Instead, I would have been accused of overstepping my bounds and abusing authority."
"Hmm."
She rubbed her forehead briefly before slowly blinking her large eyes and nodding.
"I suppose that makes sense."
Listening to their exchange, Seong Jo-yeong couldn't hold back his curiosity.
"Commander Seon-u, you also predicted that our unit wouldn't be able to defeat them, didn't you?"
He scratched the back of his head as if unable to comprehend.
"I don't understand why we couldn't crush them despite our overwhelming combat power. The Chief Strategist seems to know the reason as well..."
"Bilsa-jeuksaeng, bilsaeng-jeuksa—one must seek death to live, and clinging to life invites death."
Only those prepared to die can survive, while those who desperately cling to life will perish.
In an instant, Seong Jo-yeong's eyes widened.
He finally realized why they had lost to the Heavenly Human Cult despite their overwhelming strength.
"We lacked desperation."
His face was filled with shame.
The cultists had fought tooth and nail, staking their lives on the line.
But even though the Divine Guard Unit possessed the power and force to smash through enemy lines like a tidal wave, they had fought cautiously, unwilling to risk injury.
From their perspective, this was just a mission to eliminate some heretical sect holed up in the Yellow River region. They had no desire to suffer even minor injuries.
Even if they achieved a great victory—
Even if they won this battle—there was no glory to be gained from it.
This difference in mindset created a gap as vast as heaven and earth, transcending mere martial strength and strategic superiority.
"Of course, that's not the only reason."
When Gongson Dan-gyeong smiled bitterly, Seong Jo-yeong blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean...?"
"Commander Seon-u will explain the rest."
Bu Eun-seol nodded and continued calmly.
"This operation against the Heavenly Human Cult wasn't unanimously approved by the entire alliance."
He looked at the two deputy commanders and spoke steadily.
"Because of that, the warriors of our combat divisions believe this mission was forcibly pushed through by the Chief Strategist. They also assume that all the glory of victory will go solely to her."
As Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong nodded, he went on.
"From Hall Master-ranked officers down to the lowest unit members—everyone harbors doubts about this battle. After all, there's nothing to be gained from it."
From the warriors' perspective—
Even if they wiped out the Heavenly Human Cult, it would merely be eliminating yet another insignificant heretical sect in the murim.
"So the problem was flawed from the start. We should have convinced the entire alliance to secure justification and brought a full-strength force."
At Muk In-hyeok's muttering, Bu Eun-seol nodded again.
"Correct. But that was due to my failure in gathering irrefutable evidence and the unique structure of our alliance. It's no one's fault."
The Martial Alliance had a high command with the anomalous authority of the Seven Great Leaders.
Most of them carried out independent missions to accumulate achievements.
But this operation wasn't under the command of a unit leader—instead, they were directly following the orders of a young, inexperienced strategist, Gongson Dan-gyeong...
That, too, had contributed to the drop in morale.
"Recently, both deputy commanders have also been extremely busy."
Jeong Cheon-je and Shin Do-mu-bi were eager to appoint successors as soon as possible.
To that end, the Seven Great Leaders were striving to amass merits, and Muk In-hyeok and Seong Jo-yeong were assisting in that effort.
Yet they had been abruptly summoned for a mission that wouldn't even contribute to their achievements—
Naturally, neither of them was pleased.
"Then what should we do?"
At Muk In-hyeok's question, Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
"We must turn the warriors of our combat divisions into loyal followers who serve the Chief Strategist with genuine devotion."
The best way to command subordinates is to earn their admiration, making them willingly pledge their loyalty.
"Easier said than done. Gaining the soldiers' hearts and securing their obedience in such a short-term battle is nearly impossible, isn't it?"
"The next method is to command them through authority. If the Chief Strategist issues strict orders and imposes penalties for failure, they'll have no choice but to comply."
Bu Eun-seol swiftly added,
"Of course, that's not the ideal solution either."
"Then what?"
"If we can't make the troops follow out of loyalty, and authority alone isn't enough, then we must offer them sufficient honor."
Then, without hesitation, he added,
"One of the greatest strategies for victory is to grant the glory of triumph to the soldiers themselves."
"Unfortunately, there's no honor to be gained from merely crushing the Heavenly Human Cult."
Seong Jo-yeong sighed and shook his head.
"Besides, the warriors of our unit are indifferent to fame and wealth. Even if we offered them gold and jewels, they wouldn't be particularly pleased."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"There are many kinds of honor."
Then, with a meaningful expression, he said,
"Murim warriors equate honor with martial prowess."
"Then—"
With a resolute look, Bu Eun-seol declared,
"The Chief Strategist should use her supreme command authority to open the Pratyekabuddha Hall for them."