Chapter 771
Demon Hall, Hidden Demon Pavilion. Grand Conference Hall.
"...These are the scattered issues we currently face."
Yu Un-ryong was diligently explaining the difficult circumstances the Death Shadow War Unit was confronting to Bu Eun-seol.
The time had come for the Silent Sky Society to expand beyond Shaanxi and establish a new branch in another region.
Coincidentally, the Death Shadow War Unit also needed a base to train additional forces they had recruited from outside, including the Flying Demon Unit.
However, solving these two problems was no easy task.
With Mount Hua and Zhongnan unable to contain the Silent Sky Society's influence,
the Murim Alliance branch had resolved to keep a close watch on their movements—desperately obstructing any attempts at expansion.
Moreover, strictly speaking, the Flying Demon Unit did not belong to the Demon Hall. It was an intelligence organization Bu Eun-seol had secretly recruited from outside.
In other words, it was a covert force under Bu Eun-seol's personal command.
If the Death Shadow War Unit continued to operate the Flying Demon Unit as a direct subordinate force like this,
sooner or later, its scale and activities would be exposed by the Demon Hall's intelligence network.
"In short, we need a base—both to establish a Silent Sky Society branch and to train and station new forces, including the Flying Demon Unit."
"That's not difficult."
Bu Eun-seol responded calmly to Yu Un-ryong's words.
"We'll soon establish a new Wanderers' Market under the Silent Sky Society's name near Guangyuan, adjacent to Sichuan... That will resolve everything."
"That method won't work."
Yu Un-ryong shook his head firmly.
"Isn't that area under the jurisdiction of the Murim Alliance's Kiju Branch?"
He continued with a grave expression.
"The Murim Alliance branches are watching like hawks precisely because they fear the Silent Sky Society expanding its influence through operating a Wanderers' Market."
Back in Zhongnan, when the orthodox factions had confronted the Silent Sky Society, they had issued an ultimatum:
they had to choose one of the two—since martial factions were forbidden from running such markets.
If the Silent Sky Society openly established a Wanderers' Market near Sichuan,
the Murim Alliance's Kiju Branch, which held authority over the region, would undoubtedly resist with all their might.
"He's right."
Wi Cheon-gyeong, who had been listening silently, chimed in.
"If the Silent Sky Society tries to set up a Wanderers' Market there, they won't even get past the construction phase before facing interference."
"Correct. That's exactly why we'll build it there."
"...What?"
Bu Eun-seol spoke composedly.
"It doesn't matter if they interfere or even destroy the construction site. As long as the Silent Sky Society pours unlimited funds into rebuilding it continuously, everything will be resolved."
"What kind of...?"
"Call it... social cooperation. Or perhaps a transaction."
His cryptic response left the deputies bewildered.
Even if the Murim Alliance branch was certain to destroy the construction before the Wanderers' Market could be established,
why would they keep investing massive funds to force the project through?
"What are you thinking?"
"There's nothing to think about."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly at Yu Un-ryong's question.
"Trust me. That's how it will be."
At his confident words, Yu Un-ryong scratched his head.
His own wisdom and strategies were by no means lacking... yet Bu Eun-seol's plans remained utterly unfathomable.
"Very well. Then I'll proceed under the assumption that the Wanderers' Market will be established there and prepare all deputies, including Myo Cheon-u."
"No need. Training will be handled by just three: Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and Jo Nam-cheon."
Yu Un-ryong wore an awkward expression.
He understood why Myo Cheon-u—specialized in training—wasn't being sent.
It was to assist him, who was swamped with the Death Shadow War Unit's various tasks.
But he didn't bother thanking him or refusing out of politeness.
Bu Eun-seol wasn't the type to jeopardize grand schemes over trivial sentiments.
"Understood. I'll proceed accordingly."
Yu Un-ryong took a deep breath.
He had no idea how this would be possible, but...
The strategy to establish a Wanderers' Market within the Murim Alliance's territory—paving the way for the Silent Sky Society's expansion into Sichuan—had begun.
Thud. Thud.
In a certain village within Kiju Prefecture, countless laborers had gathered, tirelessly constructing buildings.
They laid stones for foundations, raised wooden frames, and partitioned spaces between pillars with uniform precision.
This was the preparation for the Silent Sky Society's new Wanderers' Market.
Strictly speaking, this land belonged to the Murim Alliance's sphere of influence. But as commerce declined, jobs gradually vanished, and commoners began leaving one by one.
Before long, the village had become a desolate place with no remaining residents.
Thus, the Silent Sky Society had seized the opportunity to build a Wanderers' Market here first—laying the groundwork for expansion.
Rumble.
But then, a swarm of martial artists stormed into the construction site.
They all wore plain white uniforms emblazoned with the Murim Alliance's phoenix emblem.
Leading them was the Kiju Branch Leader of the Murim Alliance—
"One Palm Shakes Heaven" Seok Gang—and his elite subordinates.
"Halt the construction."
Seok Gang raised his voice once more.
"Cease all work immediately!"
"What's the matter?"
When the laborers asked, the Murim Alliance martial artists shook their heads.
"You are forbidden to build here. Stop all construction at once."
The elderly foreman in charge tilted his head in confusion.
"We purchased this land fairly with money. Why can't we hire workers and proceed with construction?"
"So you intend to continue?"
"That's right."
Seok Gang swept his cold gaze over the old man and spoke.
"If that's your answer... Very well."
He turned away as he replied.
"Send a letter to the Soul Society immediately, stating that if they do not demolish this place, we will launch a full-scale attack."
And with a voice that shook the heavens, he roared:
"The Soul Society, which claims to be a coalition between orthodox and heterodox factions, must not extend its influence even a single step beyond Shaanxi!"
In the end, Seok Gang was determined to block the Soul Society's expansion of power, even at the cost of a direct confrontation.
Mounted on his horse, he coldly shouted once more at the laborers:
"Whatever happens here from now on, do not regret it."
Rumble—
With those final words, Seok Gang and his subordinates kicked up a cloud of dust as they departed.
A few days later.
A reply from the Soul Society arrived at the Martial Alliance's Kiju Branch.
—That place is not our branch, but a new Wanderers' Market under construction. It has nothing to do with any martial sects, so the Martial Alliance need not concern itself.
Crinkle.
Seok Gang crumpled the letter in his fist.
In short, the reply made it clear—they were ignoring the Martial Alliance's warning and would continue building the Wanderers' Market.
"Negotiations have broken down, then."
He let out a cold chuckle and muttered to himself:
"They must think we can't touch them yet because there are no Soul Society martial artists here—only laborers."
The corner of Seok Gang's lips curled up.
He had long suspected that the Soul Society was using the Wanderers' Market as an excuse—
To establish a foothold for expanding their influence.
But Seok Gang was not the kind of man to sit idly by, fooled by such empty words.
"If you lot are going to hide behind carpenters and pretend to be innocent civilians..."
His grin turned sinister, baring his fangs.
"Then we'll play the part of upstanding thugs for you."
The next day.
Roar—
The nearly completed structures of the Wanderers' Market lay in complete ruin.
Not only the pavilions painstakingly built by the carpenters, but even the foundation stones had been utterly smashed to pieces.
"So the Martial Alliance's warriors have finally made their move."
The old master carpenter surveyed the devastated site and shook his head.
The Martial Alliance hadn't acted directly—instead, they had used back-alley Black Syndicate thugs to do the destruction.
After all, the only people here now were carpenters and laborers.
If martial artists had intervened, they would've been accused of harming innocent civilians.
"Well, we were told to keep rebuilding even if it gets demolished."
The old master carpenter muttered indifferently.
When the Soul Society had hired them, they had already anticipated this scenario.
They had ordered that no matter how many times the structures were destroyed, the construction must continue.
Naturally, they had promised generous wages to be paid within three days, along with immediate resupply of materials.
"Hmph, what choice do we have?"
The old master carpenter swallowed his frustration and shouted loudly:
"Rebuild it!"
The Martial Alliance was relentless.
Just when it seemed they would leave things untouched for a day or two, by the third day, the site would inevitably be reduced to ruins again.
Yet they couldn't post night sentries or deploy the Soul Society's forces.
The Martial Alliance was using Black Syndicate thugs—
And if that failed, they would sneak in at night to demolish everything in secret.
But what if the Soul Society sent martial artists to guard the site?
That would create the exact scenario the Martial Alliance was desperate for—a justification to deploy force.
After all, they had already sent their letter, securing the pretext for armed conflict.
—At this rate, war will break out.
As the repeatedly rebuilt structures kept collapsing, some laborers grew terrified, and a few even fled.
No matter how one looked at it, the Martial Alliance's covert destruction of the Soul Society's construction—
Ultimately meant this would escalate into a full-blown war between martial sects.
—Those who wish to leave may go. We won't stop you.
—And starting tomorrow, wages will be increased.
Strangely, the Soul Society's response was unexpected.
Whether the Martial Alliance destroyed the buildings or not, they kept hiring laborers to continue construction.
They didn't stop those who left.
Instead, they generously raised wages for those who stayed.
Before anyone realized it, they had even changed the payment system—instead of settling wages every three days, they now paid daily.
—Ah, who knows?
—Even if a fight breaks out, it'll just be between the two sects.
Wasn't there a saying that money could even make ghosts turn millstones?
Since the Soul Society paid reliably and treated them well, the laborers—
Gradually grew bolder. Even if the buildings were destroyed, they rebuilt them again and again, working tirelessly.
As this cycle of destruction and reconstruction continued, something bizarre began to happen.
Laborers from the Central Plains—those who had even the slightest experience in woodcutting—began flocking to the site.
Skilled carpenters arrived in droves, and as materials kept flowing in—
Not only did eateries pop up to feed the workers, but even small forges for crafting tools began appearing.
—Watch closely. Even these broken materials can be reused.
Moreover, with the Soul Society's permission, experienced carpenters—
Began researching ways to salvage and repurpose materials ruined by the Black Syndicate thugs.
And they taught these methods to their apprentices.
As skilled carpenters developed new techniques—
More carpenters came to learn them.
And then, even more people arrived, eager to master these skills.
Roar—
The once-desolate ghost town...
Had, before anyone noticed, regained its vitality, transforming into a gathering place for master craftsmen.
Clop, clop, clop—
A group of mounted martial artists arrived in the village.
Seok Gang, leader of the Martial Alliance's Kiju Branch, had returned with his subordinates for another visit.
"These bastards..."
He'd already sent Black Syndicate thugs to demolish the buildings multiple times, and occasionally had his own subordinates sneak in at night to wreck them further.
Yet they kept rebuilding tirelessly, without showing any sign of exhaustion.
Seok Gang bit his lip as he surveyed the surroundings.
In just the short time he'd been away,
construction had progressed considerably, and the village itself had transformed into something far more substantial.
"Fine!"
The commoners' suffering would be temporary.
But allowing the expansion of the Martial Soul Society's influence was unthinkable.
Now, he intended to provoke them outright.
"Tear down every last one of these newly built structures!"
He had already issued warnings to the Martial Soul Society and even sent formal letters declaring the possibility of all-out war.
No more relying on Black Syndicate thugs—this time, he would use sheer force to incite conflict.
"A direct confrontation would be even better! Smash it all to pieces!"
With a thunderous clamor,
they drove out the laborers and once again reduced the Wanderers' Market—still under construction by the Martial Soul Society—to rubble.
Part of him wanted to set the whole place ablaze, but the village had grown too prosperous for such extreme measures now.
"Let's see how long they can keep this up!"
Seok Gang glared coldly at the wreckage of the market and shouted.
"We're leaving!"
Just as he turned his horse to depart,
"Excuse me, sir."
A group of elderly carpenters stepped forward, blocking the path of Seok Gang and his martial artists.
"Could you please stop tearing things down now?"
"What did you say?"
"Well, if you keep demolishing things, it just means more work for us, so we don't mind it too much."
The old man spoke cautiously, gauging Seok Gang's reaction.
"But every time you destroy something, innocent workers get hurt."
Seok Gang's fury surged at the audacity of mere carpenters interfering,
but he couldn't vent his anger on civilians. Suppressing his rage, he spoke through gritted teeth.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with. What you're building is nothing but a forward outpost for puppets that will bring calamity to the martial world."
"...Is that so?"
The old carpenter shook his head slowly, then bowed respectfully.
"I understand."
With that, he turned away, shoulders slumped in resignation.
Watching the dejected carpenters retreat, Seok Gang felt an uneasy, sour sensation in his gut.
But he stifled his emotions and turned his horse around.
...Three months had already passed.
The Martial Alliance had been unilaterally destroying,
while the Martial Soul Society continued construction without so much as a word of protest.
Meanwhile, the Martial Alliance was in chaos over the still-undecided succession of the next Alliance Leader.
As voluntary supporters determined the Alliance's support base,
all branch leaders were eventually summoned to the main alliance to present clear opinions and deliberate on the next candidate.
—Perfect!
Seok Gang inwardly cheered.
He had already been struggling to report the Martial Soul Society's provocations to his superiors and devise a solution.
Now, he could directly inform the senior officials of their defiance and return with a decisive plan.
—The main alliance is practically split into three factions. And with the Alliance Leader entering closed-door training again...
We're not in a position to wage full-scale war against the Demon Hall yet, so for now, we must restrain ourselves and avoid major conflict.
That was the final conclusion.
Returning to his branch, Seok Gang could barely contain his fury.
"This is exactly why the Martial Alliance's prestige can't compare to the Demon Hall's these days!"
CRASH!
He hurled an inkstone across his office in frustration, but all that followed was a crushing sense of self-loathing.
As the branch leader of Kiju—one of the weakest, most insignificant branches—
he had no choice but to obey the orders of the alliance's senior members.
Then, another opportunity arose.
—The Deputy Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau is conducting inspections of all branches.
Upon hearing about the conflict with the Martial Soul Society, he has decided to personally assess our combat readiness.
At the sudden report, Seok Gang broke into a satisfied grin.
Within the Martial Alliance, the Secret Intelligence Bureau Chief might be just another figure,
but outside the martial world, his authority was absolute—capable of making even birds fall from the sky with a single command.
He was practically the Martial Alliance's de facto Chief Branch Leader, with the power to mobilize any branch at will.
And now, his deputy was coming here personally?
"The Martial Soul Society must not set its sights on our Alliance’s sphere of influence. As Deputy Chief, I will take responsibility and ensure they are wiped out completely."
To his astonishment, the right-hand man of Seon-u Jin—one of the leading candidates for the next Alliance Leader and Chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau—
Tae Mu-ryong, was supporting his stance.
"As a single faction, the Martial Soul Society—which dominates Shaanxi—may have ulterior motives..."
What came next was even more shocking.
If battle broke out,
to minimize losses, Tae Mu-ryong promised additional troops and vast financial support.
"Prepare for flawless combat readiness. Ensure the Martial Soul Society is crushed so thoroughly they will never dare set foot here again."
Following Tae Mu-ryong's orders, Seok Gang eagerly began battle preparations.
Truthfully, the Kiju Branch had always been peaceful, operating lazily within the Righteous Faction's sphere of influence.
Promotion opportunities were nonexistent—
Seok Gang had resigned himself to rotting away here until old age.
But what if he could distinguish himself by halting the Martial Soul Society's expansion?
A high-ranking position in the main alliance might not be just a dream.
"Commence training!"
Seok Gang barked sternly at his subordinates.
"Drill until not even the Martial Soul Society's elite soldiers can push us back!"
To achieve perfect combat readiness, they needed rigorous training, discipline, and restored military order.
Fortunately, thanks to the support of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, preparations progressed steadily.
—"The construction of the Wanderers' Market is nearly complete."
—"Thanks to the construction, the village is thriving. Even merchants from the commercial world have entered, forming their own commercial district."
Reports from his subordinates came in intermittently, but it didn't matter.
No—in fact, it was all the better.
After all, once they completely demolished it, that would be the end of it.
"If a commercial district has formed... then from the branch's perspective, a sudden source of income has appeared. Hahaha!"
Seok Gang, invigorated, trained his subordinates even more fiercely.
Those bastards had developed a barren village and even established a commercial district.
What if they drove out the Martial Soul Society?
They could seize that golden opportunity for themselves.
And finally... the troops of the Kiju Branch completed their training, reborn as a perfect elite force.
Rumble, rumble.
With a sound like a herd of cattle passing by, hundreds of troops began advancing toward the village where the Wanderers' Market stood.
It was Seok Gang and the entire Kiju Branch force.
"From now on, we will demolish that Wanderers' Market—everyone, step aside!"
Seok Gang shouted with great momentum.
But something unexpected happened.
Every commoner in the area, eyes blazing, blocked their path.
"You can't destroy it anymore!"
Not just the carpenters who had built the Wanderers' Market, but now all the merchants in the area stood together, blocking the Martial Alliance's forces.
"After all the evil deeds you've committed, now you're openly planning to wipe it all out?"
"Evil... evil deeds?"
Seok Gang was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed himself and began calmly persuading the villagers.
"That Wanderers' Market will eventually become a martial faction under the Martial Soul Society! Our Alliance absolutely cannot allow that!"
"Martial faction or not, stop trampling on our home!"
"Kill us and walk over our corpses if you must! We won't stand for this any longer!"
The commoners and nearby merchants had united firmly, desperately blocking Seok Gang and the Martial Alliance troops.
'Something's off.'
Seok Gang sensed something strange.
Commoners never interfered in martial artists' conflicts.
That was an unwritten rule.
Yet here they were, risking their lives to oppose them so fiercely?
'They must have planted spies.'
Manipulating commoners from the shadows to obstruct battle wasn't a particularly special strategy—it was a common tactic in military doctrine.
'The only problem is they can't sustain it for long.'
Seok Gang smirked.
As the commander of a Martial Alliance branch, he was deeply versed in military strategy.
If they rooted out the spies inciting the commoners, and if time passed?
This kind of operation could be broken in no time.
"Very well."
Having made up his mind, Seok Gang raised the corner of his mouth and took a step back.
"If that's your stance, we'll withdraw for today."
Ordering his troops to retreat, he immediately dispatched his adjutants to investigate the village's situation and identify those who had incited the resistance.
"None?"
But an unexpected result emerged.
There were no Martial Soul Society members behind the commoners.
"Then why are they so desperately blocking our advance?"
At Seok Gang's question, his adjutant scratched his head.
"Well..."
He spoke with an awkward expression.
"The Martial Soul Society promised to make this place a neutral buffer zone between orthodox and heterodox factions, ensuring no force—not even the Black Syndicate—could set foot here."
"A neutral buffer zone?"
"Yes. They formalized it in writing—no faction could lay hands on the merchants' or commoners' money or profits..."
"What?"
Seok Gang's eyes bulged.
Wherever a commercial district flourished, the back-alley Black Syndicate would inevitably move in—
Or the Demonic Path, the Black Path, or even the Righteous Faction's sphere of influence would claim it.
Because spheres of influence were ultimately about money.
The Demonic Path and Black Path openly and ruthlessly extorted wealth,
While the White Path factions received "voluntary donations" in exchange for protection.
But the Martial Soul Society had taken measures to ensure no faction could establish influence in this thriving village—
And had guaranteed the people's full profits.
"These lunatics..."
Seok Gang gritted his teeth.
Merchants were a breed that clung to money for dear life.
Of course, if the Martial Alliance took over, their profits would shrink—
So they had banded together of their own will, desperately opposing any conflict.
"...I was wrong."
Finally grasping the situation, Seok Gang sighed.
As long as the commoners and merchants were willing to risk their lives in opposition,
He realized there was no way to tear down the Wanderers' Market the Martial Soul Society had built.
"Just how much money do they have to forsake all profit from their own sphere of influence?"
Moreover, the village's prosperity was also the Martial Soul Society's doing.
And they hadn't even bribed the villagers with vast sums—
Instead, they had created jobs, allowing the village to prosper on its own.
"What should we do?"
At his subordinate's question, Seok Gang lowered his head.
"...It's over."
Then, in the most pitiful voice, he gave the order.
"There will be no battle. Everyone, return to your posts."
At Seok Gang's words, the adjutants cautiously filed out of his office.
"Hahaha..."
Seok Gang let out a hollow laugh.
They weren't the Demonic Path or the Black Path.
They were the Martial Alliance, united under the banner of protecting the weak and upholding the order of Murim.
They couldn't wage a war that the commoners opposed with their lives. And if they forcibly laid hands on them?
If buildings were destroyed or commoners were severely injured in the process?
They wouldn't just be dealing with a martial faction—the government office would get involved.
The entire Kiju Branch might be wiped out in one fell swoop.
"I thought those bastards wouldn't last long, but..."
Realizing that every step of their plan had been part of a meticulous strategy, Seok Gang muttered—
"The Martial Soul Society has a terrifying strategist among them."
With a desolate expression, he lowered his head.