Chapter 573
Yeon Ja-gang, Hall Leader of the Coiling Dragon Hall and member of the Hall of Ascending Martial.
Once, he had been the most prominent figure in the Hall of Ascending Martial and the closest confidant of Yuk Jang-cheon.
But when a man named Seon-u Jin entered the scene, Yeon Ja-gang was relegated to the sidelines.
Not only did Seon-u Jin possess superior intellect, but he also wielded formidable martial arts—something Yeon Ja-gang lacked—along with youth and bold ambition.
Yet, an opportunity finally came to him.
The death of Iron Shield Squad Leader No Dok-cheong presented a chance to hold the Hell Blood Citadel and the Demon Hall accountable.
And Yeon Ja-gang was chosen to lead the negotiations.
Though the Hall Master of Ascending Martial even assigned that thorn in his side, Seon-u Jin, to accompany him, Yeon Ja-gang remained confident.
This mission would earn him great merit and immense trust.
But contrary to his expectations, Yeon Ja-gang lost all his honor and position because of it.
In negotiations that should have been impossible to fail, he incurred massive losses and ended up surrendering the Thousand Hands region to Dan So-ok, the Secret Order Leader of the Demon Hall.
It was an irreparable blunder.
Especially when it became known that he had ignored Peak Leader Seon-u Jin's warning—though Seon-u Jin had sensed signs of trouble beforehand—all because he wanted to claim the achievement for himself.
The disgrace was so severe that Yeon Ja-gang could no longer show his face within the Martial Alliance.
In the end, half by choice and half by force, he had no choice but to step down from his position as Hall Leader.
He entered the Azure Spirit Pavilion, becoming a mere clerk tasked with managing the letters and assignment slips sent to the Martial Alliance.
—There was something about Seon-u Jin.
But Yeon Ja-gang had a plan.
The reason he became a clerk in the Azure Spirit Pavilion was that he had sensed something.
That Seon-u Jin was involved in everything that had happened to him.
—Perhaps he was a spy from the outside.
Because of Seon-u Jin's appearance, Yeon Ja-gang had suffered harsher condemnation than mere failure warranted, plummeting into ruin.
However, regardless of his conviction, Seon-u Jin had undergone thorough investigations multiple times by the Martial Alliance's senior members.
No matter how much they scrutinized him, they found no evidence that he was a spy.
But Yeon Ja-gang did not give up.
—It wasn't that Seon-u Jin was clean. They just hadn't found the proof yet.
He trusted his intuition.
He believed that Seon-u Jin was simply meticulous enough to leave no traces behind.
So he deliberately became a clerk in the Azure Spirit Pavilion and resumed his investigation into Seon-u Jin.
And finally, he discovered something strange.
—Why go to such lengths to handle letters in secret?
The Seonhwa Merchant House occasionally sent letters of greeting addressed to Seon-u Jin.
Yet every time he received them, Seon-u Jin disposed of them as if they were classified documents—erasing all traces with utmost secrecy.
Of course, they might contain private matters, or perhaps it was simply due to Seon-u Jin's meticulous nature.
But the fact that he disposed of every incoming letter so thoroughly—
So thoroughly that even Yeon Ja-gang, a former Hall Leader who had once led an intelligence organization, could only click his tongue in disbelief—
Meant there was something fishy going on.
—There's definitely something.
Convinced that Seon-u Jin was hiding something, Yeon Ja-gang began intercepting his letters faster than anyone else, marking them with secret symbols only he could recognize.
After repeating this tirelessly, he finally found decisive circumstantial evidence.
By chance, Tae Mu-ryong, the Deputy Unit Leader of the Peak Leader's unit, had disposed of a letter meant for Seon-u Jin in his stead—
And that letter bore none of the markings Yeon Ja-gang had secretly left.
—Tae Mu-ryong! He must have also discovered Seon-u Jin's dirty secret!
Finally catching the tail of his prey, Yeon Ja-gang let out a laugh brimming with triumph.
He planned to approach Tae Mu-ryong and begin his investigation.
But in the meantime, Seon-u Jin continued to accumulate achievements.
Before long, he had become not just Yuk Jang-cheon's protégé, but a rising star the entire Martial Alliance had its eyes on.
If he carelessly approached Tae Mu-ryong now—
Not only might his investigation into Seon-u Jin be exposed—
But he could very well end up dead at Seon-u Jin's hands, without so much as a whisper.
—There was a way after all!
After much deliberation, Yeon Ja-gang came up with a brilliant scheme.
Yong Myeong, Hall Leader of the Dragon Coil Hall.
As a rival of Yuk Jang-cheon, the Hall Master of Ascending Martial, he had been struggling to claim the vacant position of Heavenly Martial Brigade Leader.
But when Baek Mu-seong suffered an unexpected injury during a mission and temporarily left the Martial Alliance, Yong Myeong found himself in a difficult position.
However, if it were revealed that Seon-u Jin was an external spy—
Not only would Seon-u Jin fall—
But Yuk Jang-cheon himself could be ousted for failing to properly oversee his subordinate.
And Yong Myeong would never let such an opportunity slip by.
The office of Yong Myeong, Hall Leader of the Dragon Coil Hall.
"A scheme to topple the Hall Master of Ascending Martial in one fell swoop."
Yong Myeong eyed Yeon Ja-gang, who stood before him with bowed head, with deep suspicion.
This man had once been Yuk Jang-cheon's trusted subordinate before committing a grave mistake and being demoted to a mere clerk in the Azure Spirit Pavilion. And now, out of nowhere, he sought an audience—claiming he had the perfect plan to bring Yuk Jang-cheon down?
"You were a Hall Leader under the Hall of Ascending Martial and, until now, utterly loyal to Hall Master Yuk, were you not?"
"That is correct."
"And yet, after a major blunder that caused harm to Hall Master Yuk, you were exiled to the Azure Spirit Pavilion."
"Yes."
Yong Myeong's expression twisted in disbelief as he listened to Yeon Ja-gang's unwavering replies.
"And now you come before me, offering a scheme to topple the Hall Master of Ascending Martial? Frankly, I'd sooner believe you were sent by Hall Master Yuk himself to lay a trap for me."
"Naturally, you would be suspicious."
"Then get out. I have no time for this."*
"At least hear me out first."
As Yong Myeong made to turn away, Yeon Ja-gang spoke with unshaken confidence.
"My proposal holds nothing but benefit for you, Hall Master. There is no loss on your part."
"Nothing but benefit. No loss at all."
Yong Myeong's brow furrowed.
Though fallen from grace, Yeon Ja-gang had once been the Hall of Ascending Martial's strategist—a man known for his meticulous caution. For such a man to boldly block his path and make such grandiose claims?
Rubbing his chin, Yong Myeong felt a flicker of curiosity and finally nodded.
"Fine. Speak."
"Seon-u Jin, under Hall Master Yuk's command—he is a spy planted by an outside force."
"Seon-u Jin? That Peak Leader?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha. You're telling me Commander Seon-u is a spy?"
Yong Myeong let out a hollow laugh, utterly unconvinced.
"He was thoroughly investigated long before he even became a First-Grade Commander."
"I am aware."
"Then you must know—you were demoted without even being heard because of him. You've been nursing a grudge against him all this time, haven't you?"
Instead of answering, Yeon Ja-gang slid a ledger across the table.
Inside was a meticulous record of every letter ever addressed to Seon-u Jin.
"This proves nothing."
"Look again, carefully."
At Yeon Ja-gang's urging, Yong Myeong inspected the ledger once more—and this time, he noticed something amiss.
One letter was missing.
And according to the records, it had been handled by none other than Tae Mu-ryong, the Deputy Unit Leader of the Peak Division.
"You're saying the Deputy Unit Leader forged and destroyed a letter meant for Seon-u Jin?"
"Precisely."
Yeon Ja-gang's voice brimmed with certainty.
"I entered the Azure Spirit Pavilion solely to investigate Commander Seon-u. And I personally managed every single letter addressed to him."
Yong Myeong's lips parted slightly.
The Azure Spirit Pavilion was where all incoming letters to the Martial Alliance were received and sorted.
Tracking letters meant for one specific person in that deluge was like searching for a needle in a desert.
And yet, this man had not only done so—he had marked each one with a hidden seal.
"You mean you kept separate records and discreetly marked them, allowing you to detect when a letter had been tampered with?"
"Correct."
"Madness. Do you have any idea how many letters pass through the Azure Spirit Pavilion? And you singled out Seon-u Jin's among them?"
"There was no other way."
Yong Myeong clicked his tongue.
Yeon Ja-gang, once the Hall of Ascending Martial's strategist, had been renowned for his sharp intellect.
But who knew his persistence could be this relentless?
"Still, you and I both know this isn't definitive proof."
Leaning back in his chair, Yong Myeong studied Yeon Ja-gang with renewed interest.
"What exactly do you want from me?"
"The authority to recruit Tae Mu-ryong."
"Authority?"
"Deputy Unit Leader Tae Mu-ryong must have known something was amiss with that letter—yet he chose to dispose of it quietly."
Yeon Ja-gang's voice lowered, conspiratorial.
"There's only one reason for that. If the Peak Leader is exposed as a spy, the entire Peak Division will be dismantled."
"Or perhaps he acted out of loyalty, keeping silent to protect his superior."
"If it were true loyalty, he would have reported the matter to Seon-u Jin."
"Hmm."
Yong Myeong's frown deepened.
"So?"
"If I were to reveal that I know the truth, Tae Mu-ryong would be consumed by unbearable unease."
Yeon Ja-gang pressed on.
"And he would realize—no matter how much he wants to shield Commander Seon-u, he no longer can."
The more Yong Myeong listened, the more intrigued he became.
"And then?"
"At that point, Tae Mu-ryong will have no choice. He'll be forced to weigh his options—to consider which side truly benefits him. And when he does..."
A slow smile spread across Yeon Ja-gang's face.
"That's when I make him an offer he can't refuse."
"A proposal?"
"Indeed. If he brings evidence proving that Seon-u Jin is a spy, we could offer him favorable terms—such as a second-grade commander position in the Dragon Coil Hall or the right to bring his own subordinates under his command."
Yeon Ja-gang spoke with a fervent expression.
"But I lack the authority and power to make such an offer. That's why I've come to you, my lord."
In short, his plan was to leverage Yong Myeong's authority to present Tae Mu-ryong with an enticing deal—one that would compel him to produce the evidence they needed.
'Interesting.'
So this was the strategist who had once earned Yuk Jang-cheon's trust.
As the rumors claimed, he truly possessed remarkable cunning and resourcefulness.
'And there's certainly no downside for me.'
Just as Yeon Ja-gang had assured, Yong Myeong stood to lose nothing by proceeding with this scheme.
"Very well. Then let's proceed like this."
Yong Myeong finally spoke.
"If he brings irrefutable proof that topples both Seon-u Jin and Hall Master Yuk... I'll grant Tae Mu-ryong a second-grade commander position under me, along with the right to bring his unit members with him."
When Yeon Ja-gang hesitated, unable to respond immediately, Yong Myeong smiled and nodded.
"And for you—I promise the position of Hall Leader in the Hidden Shadow Hall."
Only then did a wide grin bloom across Yeon Ja-gang's face.
"Thank you."
"But if you fail, or if word of this leaks... I will deny any involvement."
"Of course."
Yeon Ja-gang answered in a firm voice.
"I will absolutely bring proof that Seon-u Jin is an outside spy—and ensure that Hall Master Yuk of the Hall of Ascending Martial is held accountable for it as well."
Tae Mu-ryong's days were relentlessly busy.
Since the unit's commander, Bu Eun-seol, was often away in the martial world, the burden of training and commanding the unit members, as well as managing the unit's overall operations, fell entirely on Tae Mu-ryong's shoulders.
Of course, Jeong Jong-do helped considerably with training and unit management.
But even so, Tae Mu-ryong's workload was piled as high as a mountain.
"Hah..."
Having finished all his duties, Tae Mu-ryong entered his study and sank deeply into his chair.
After completing his work, meditating briefly in his study was his only solace.
But today, an unexpected intruder shattered that small pleasure in an instant.
"Come out."
Tae Mu-ryong spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the shadows stretching across the study.
"Since you're not even bothering to conceal your presence, I assume you have something to say."
Then, a gaunt figure emerged from the darkness.
An elderly man with a rat-like face and unnervingly sinister eyes—none other than Yeon Ja-gang.
"Hall Leader Yeon, to what do I owe this visit?"
"Hall Leader? Please."
Yeon Ja-gang chuckled as he took a seat across from him at the reception table.
"Right now, I'm just a lowly clerk in the Azure Spirit Pavilion, handling other people's letters."
"And yet, knowing that, you barged into the Deputy Unit Leader's office without permission?"
As Tae Mu-ryong's expression hardened, Yeon Ja-gang shook his head.
"No need to be so hostile. I came quietly like this—all for your sake."
"What do you mean?"
"You've suffered quite a bit, haven't you?"
Yeon Ja-gang narrowed his eyes and smirked slyly.
"Because of Commander Seon-u."
Tae Mu-ryong's brow furrowed deeply as he replied in an icy tone.
"If you have no real business here, I'd appreciate it if you left."
"A letter from the Seonhwa Merchant House."
Yeon Ja-gang's voice dropped to a near-whisper.
"You made an identical one and disposed of the original, didn't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You thought you'd handled it perfectly, didn't you?"
Yeon Ja-gang wore a leisurely expression.
"But I've been keeping track of every letter addressed to Commander Seon-u. And I even marked them with a hidden seal."
His lips curled into a smirk as he stared straight at Tae Mu-ryong.
"You had no idea, did you?"
In that instant, Tae Mu-ryong's face stiffened completely.
He had been intercepting and managing all the letters sent to the commander?
And he had even marked them with a hidden seal?
"You must have already guessed—Commander Seon-u is an infiltrator from outside. The letters from the Seonhwa Merchant House are likely coded messages exchanged with his allies."
"You're speaking nonsense."
"Are you denying it?"
Yeon Ja-gang's voice turned cold.
"Even with the evidence right in front of you?"
"Heh."
Tae Mu-ryong let out a low, humorless laugh instead.
"Do I look that stupid to you? Or do you take me for a fool?"
Then, his voice dropped to a frigid tone.
"If you truly had proof that Commander Seon-u is a spy, you'd have gone straight to the Disciplinary Hall. There'd be no reason to come to me."
"If Commander Yeon possessed such evidence..."
Tae Mu-ryong thought coldly,
Then he would have already submitted all the proof to the Disciplinary Hall. There would be no need for him to personally confront me like this.
"Hohoho. They say no weak soldiers serve under a mighty general. It seems you've learned much under him."
Yeon Ja-gang burst into a raspy laugh instead.
"But I never once underestimated you."
"If not, then leave my office at once. Your mere presence here is insult enough."
"I'll go, then. But—"
Yeon Ja-gang chuckled lowly before continuing.
"Because of your reckless decision, your unit members will lose their home and scatter to the winds. Some may even find themselves interrogated by the Disciplinary Hall before long."
"..."
"Do you truly believe your deception can last forever?"
Yeon Ja-gang's voice was insidious, laced with quiet certainty.
"Now that I've confirmed my suspicions, it's only a matter of time. Sooner or later, irrefutable evidence will surface."
"Then by all means, search to your heart's content."
"The Lord of the Dragon Coil Hall has made a promise."
Seeing that persuasion alone wouldn't sway Tae Mu-ryong, Yeon Ja-gang played his final card.
"To you, a Second-grade Commander's position. And to your unit members—their current ranks will remain untouched. You know this, don't you?"
Yeon Ja-gang was a skilled negotiator, a silver-tongued orator.
Without haste, he subtly prodded at Tae Mu-ryong's sense of justice.
"If Commander Seon-u's identity as a spy is exposed, consider the fate awaiting not just you—but every last one of your subordinates."
For the first time, Tae Mu-ryong's gaze wavered.
His own fate mattered little.
But the bright futures of his fiercely loyal unit members—that was something he could not allow to be destroyed.
"You met with the Lord of the Dragon Coil Hall personally?"
"Indeed."
Tae Mu-ryong spoke as if he had reached a decision.
"You swear the Lord of the Dragon Coil Hall truly guaranteed my unit's positions?"
Yeon Ja-gang smiled.
The Dragon Coil Hall's intelligence network had thoroughly investigated Tae Mu-ryong. The man was upright to a fault, his moral compass unshakable.
And just as predicted, the moment their safety and futures were mentioned, his resolve began to crumble.
"Of course."
"How can I trust that?"
"Do you trust people? No—trust the position."
Yeon Ja-gang's voice was firm.
"Do you think the Martial Alliance's elite pledge loyalty to individuals? Hardly. They cling to their ranks, serving only to preserve their own stations."
Tae Mu-ryong gave a faint nod.
Most commanders in the Martial Alliance were obsessed with maintaining their power.
Few remained truly devoted to ideals over status.
Men like Yeon Ja-gang were the exception.
"Very well."
Tae Mu-ryong spoke in a low, resigned voice.
"I will bring you proof that Commander Seon-u is a spy."
"A wise choice."
"On one condition—document the guarantee of my unit's positions first."
"That... is impossible."
Yeon Ja-gang shook his head.
"The Lord of the Dragon Coil Hall has made it clear—he will not intervene until concrete evidence is presented."
"A hound that has finished the hunt is boiled in the pot."
Tae Mu-ryong's voice turned icy.
"From the Dragon Coil Lord's perspective, why honor a promise to me? It'd be far more convenient—and politically tidy—to punish Commander Seon-u and his loyalists in one stroke."
A sharp observation.
For the Dragon Coil Lord, accepting subordinates who were loyal to Seon-u Jin would be a liability.
Eliminating them alongside their commander would be cleaner—and draw no criticism.
If Tae Mu-ryong handed over evidence rashly...
Yong Myeong would never keep his word.
"And for all I know, you could be deceiving me in the middle."
"What do you mean?"
"You might secure your own position while scheming to discard me after I've served my purpose."
Another piercing remark.
Had the Dragon Coil Lord truly made such a promise?
Or was Yeon Ja-gang lying to manipulate him for personal gain?
No one could know for certain.
"A fair point. That could happen."
Yeon Ja-gang conceded with a nod.
"I'll revisit this with the Dragon Coil Lord. But in return, I need your firm promise."
"A promise?"
"That you won't waver—and will deliver the evidence without fail."
"Understood. If you secure that guarantee, I'll present the proof immediately."
Yeon Ja-gang inwardly rejoiced.
At last—the chance had come.
To crush both the spy who had dragged him into ruin and the superior who had discarded decades of loyalty like trash.
Suppressing the urge to dance in triumph, he deliberately drew a deep breath and nodded.
"Then we'll meet again soon."