Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Find the Ghost Bow Squad (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Ghost Bow Squad was an elite unit of a small number, but each member was a hero worth a hundred men. There was nothing to fear when traversing the world with them at my side.
All of the Demonic Cult's Five Great Forces were like that, but the Ghost Bow Squad was especially renowned for slaughtering dozens or even hundreds with a single bow. Finding even a trace of them filled me with immense joy.
But that joy was short-lived.
"Their traces are unmistakable... but they've been gone for a long time."
The Heavenly Demon examined the signs and confirmed they belonged to the Ghost Bow Squad, but they seemed at least five years old. Regret filled him.
If they had been from just one or two years ago, he would have tracked them down no matter what.
What should I do? Borrow the Abyss Hall's intelligence network again?
As his worries deepened, it happened.
"Gunryong. From what I know, the entire Ghost Bow Squad hails from the small mountain tribes of Heavenly Mountain. Is that right?"
Sogang approached actively, something suddenly coming to mind.
"Yes, that's correct."
Heavenly Mountain, the Demonic Cult's main base and a place infamous throughout the Central Plains martial world as their stronghold.
Numerous tribes coexisted on that massive mountain range.
The Ghost Bow Squad originated from the Rui Tribe among them—a mountain tribe that herded goats and primarily used bows. Among Heavenly Mountain's traditional tribes, they were cool-headed rather than belligerent.
"In particular, I hear they were born and raised in high-altitude regions and prefer operating in lofty mountains."
"Spot on. The Rui Tribe of Heavenly Mountain roams the highlands, firing arrows as they go."
The Heavenly Demon marveled repeatedly at Sogang's extraordinary knowledge, spouting facts despite not being from the Demonic Cult or that era.
"No matter how much the times and the current Ghost Bow Squad have changed from yours, Gunryong, the Rui Tribe's nature wouldn't have vanished. For instance, out of the countless mountains in the Central Plains, they chose this Mount Tai—known for its extreme height and peril."
Sogang showed impressive insight.
Come to think of it, the place where they'd found the Ghost Bow Squad's traces was also quite steep and elevated.
"Moreover, with their exceptional archery skills, they wouldn't have hidden their abilities completely while idling away. For example, they might have received aid from slash-and-burn villagers or formed a bandit-like group. At the same time, as the legendary Ghost Bow Squad of the Demonic Cult, they'd surely remain independent, not joining any formal bandit stronghold."
"That's persuasive."
Yang Hui-gun nodded in agreement.
"That gives us at least two leads. First, they reside in a high-altitude region of the Central Plains. Second, they're exceptional bow wielders who have formed a mountain stronghold or hidden deep in the mountains—but not a formal bandit lair."
Sogang's eyes sparkled with keen intelligence as he spoke.
"If we pass those two clues to the Abyss Hall with its formidable intelligence network, couldn't they uncover a few groups suspicious of being the Ghost Bow Squad?"
Sogang's words made perfect sense.
A group residing in high mountains and specializing in the uncommon martial art of archery.
With those two pieces of information, the Abyss Hall's vast network might resolve this surprisingly easily.
"Oh, that's a great idea. You just sounded exactly like Hui!"
The Heavenly Demon showered praise without reserve, impressed by Sogang's reasoning that exceeded expectations.
"Heh heh heh, really?"
Sogang leaped with joy at being compared to Ma An-cheon-noe Sima Hui, whom he admired so much.
This trip to Mount Tai was wrapping up successfully, achieving its modest goals.
"Oh, right! Gunryong. What about these two?"
This time, Yang Dae-un grinned while pointing at Yang Bi and Mangon.
Yang Bi and Mangon smiled innocently, baring their teeth, terrified of being silenced here without a trace.
"Don't smile. You're growing on me."
At the Heavenly Demon's cold words, Mangon and Yang Bi paled,
"You two. Do you have anywhere to go?"
but brightened at the implication of mercy, contrasting his tone.
"We have nowhere to return to."
"If you take us in, we'll do anything."
The Heavenly Demon gave a slight smile.
He had been keeping an eye on them inwardly.
Yang Bi was quick-witted, silver-tongued, and resourceful.
The slash-and-burn village chief and villagers had been fooled entirely thanks to this Yang Bi's brazenness.
What the Heavenly Demon particularly noted was Mangon's skeletal structure.
Even without proper martial arts training, overpowering a third-rate warrior with innate strength is a rare talent.
Compared to Yang Hui-gun's Extreme Null Body, it was like a speck in the ocean, but he possessed martial bones exceptional enough for prestigious orthodox sects to covet. If raised well, he could serve not only Ghost Sword Manor but eventually the revived Demonic Cult.
"Dae-un. Train that brute in martial arts, and put the dwarf to work in the merchant caravans or business operations."
"Yes, sir!"
With one word from the Heavenly Demon, the two—who had talents and personalities overlooked by all, turning them into con artists—
had their lives changed.
"Y-Yes? You mean..."
"We've truly been accepted into Ghost Sword Manor?"
From the Heavenly Demon's order to Yang Dae-un's hearty acceptance, everything proceeded smoothly, leaving them dazed yet tearfully joyful.
For them, who had claimed to serve the Heavenly Demon and Demonic Cult, joining Ghost Sword Manor—founded by the loyal ghost sword Yang U-ryang—was a dream come true.
They had ears and eyes; during their time with the Heavenly Demon, they'd heard nonstop about Ghost Sword Manor's rising prestige.
"Yes. So do your best. Got it?"
Yang Bi and Mangon, who had expected death here only to have their lives turned around, bowed deeply amid tears.
"Sniff... We'll give our all."
"Wah! We'll devote our bodies to never tarnishing Ghost Sword Manor's name."
Thus, Ghost Sword Manor shed its name of scorn and ridicule, reborn as a sect of dreams and hope for some.
Seeing this, manor lord Yang Dae-un and heir Yang Hui-gun felt proud.
"And Sogang."
"Yes, Gunryong."
The Heavenly Demon was somewhat impatient by nature; once he decided on something, he needed to act on it immediately to feel satisfied.
"Contact the Abyss Hall Lord right away."
The enigmatic, alluring Abyss Face Chae So-ryeong, who led the Abyss Hall.
"......"
Her face was veiled as always in soft fabric, but her trembling shoulders clearly showed her agitation.
"Pardon? This time, you want us to find people living in high-altitude regions?"
Chae So-ryeong grumbled in complaint at Sogang and the Heavenly Demon's request.
Initially, the Heavenly Demon had planned to subdue them by force but instinctively sensed it wasn't the right approach.
Moreover, he planned to fully recruit the Abyss Hall—with its unparalleled intelligence—for the Demonic Cult's reconstruction, so he couldn't treat them lightly.
In the worst case, they might refuse to meet him.
"I'll pay generously in gold right away."
"Young hero Gunryong, some things can't be bought with gold. Our Abyss Hall has piles of massive jobs."
Chae So-ryeong stated firmly.
She had undertaken the Heavenly Demon's tasks so far partly out of fear of his prowess, but mostly from curiosity about his identity.
Yet after months, with nothing uncovered, there was no reason to keep taking his commissions.
"How about this, then."
The Heavenly Demon preferred swinging his fist over persuasion, but this was an exception.
"If you find them... I'll tell you what you've wanted so badly."
"What I wanted?"
"My identity."
The Heavenly Demon promised.
He had already recovered over eighty percent of his forces, with his skills steadily advancing toward full restoration.
Though persecution of the Demonic Cult persisted, the unorthodox sects—enemies of enemies—didn't hate or fear it.
"Is that true?"
As expected.
Chae So-ryeong's eyes lit up with fervent interest.
I know you're deeply tied to the Demonic Cult.
But beyond that, nothing.
She knew zilch.
Above all, her curiosity about this man called Gunryong was growing, and she desperately wanted to uncover it. For the leader of the Central Plains' top intelligence group to not know an intriguing man's identity was a matter of pride.
"Have you ever seen me lie?"
"Fine."
Though their meeting was brief, Chae So-ryeong had gauged Gunryong's character well enough to accept.
"I'll mobilize every ability and connection at the Abyss Hall Lord's disposal to locate the Ghost Bow Squad. I'll prioritize this above all else. But!"
Chae So-ryeong fixed an intense gaze on the Heavenly Demon, piercing even through her veil.
"I trust you'll keep your promise."
"A man's word is worth a thousand gold."
Once more, a tense staredown unfolded between the Heavenly Demon and the Abyss Hall Lord.
"Oh, right!"
The Heavenly Demon spoke up while facing Chae So-ryeong's veiled countenance.
"That beauty mark under your eye, Hall Lord Chae. It's a charm point—no need to cover it with makeup; you're beautiful enough."
"......?!!"
Chae So-ryeong unconsciously touched her veil and face.
Wondering if it had slipped.
Confirming the veil intact, chills ran through her entire body.
This veil is made of heavenly silkworm thread—even entry-to-sainthood masters can't see through it casually.
Yet he'd not only discerned her features but even a mole hidden by makeup—what did that mean?
It meant even the heavenly silkworm veil couldn't block this man Gunryong's gaze.
Which implied Gunryong had far surpassed the sainthood realm.
Perhaps... he's an even bigger figure than I imagined. Far, far bigger.
Her thoughts reached that point, and Chae So-ryeong shuddered violently.
Satisfied that she'd realized his intent, the Heavenly Demon smirked.
It wasn't mere flattery; it was a subtle warning.
I yielded once because you helped find Yang Hui-gun last time and will labor again now.
The old Heavenly Demon wouldn't have tolerated such nonsense.
Back then, he'd have smashed everything instead of negotiating with his identity.
Since he needed the Abyss Hall's info going forward—and they had aided greatly before—he remembered the favor clearly.
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
The Heavenly Demon departed in his usual laid-back manner.
As he left, the shocked Chae So-ryeong tore off her heavenly silkworm veil.
"Just watch. No matter what, I'll pinpoint the Ghost Bow Squad's location!"
The Heavenly Demon was a master of psychological warfare, and thanks to it, Abyss Hall Lord Chae So-ryeong set aside all else to hunt for the Ghost Bow Squad.
She investigated every highland in the Central Plains and anyone using the peculiar Great Bow.
But time passed without a trace.
Are we really going to fail like this?
As days dragged on without hope, Chae So-ryeong despaired, hanging her head.
She truly wanted to know Gunryong's identity, but just then, the Abyss Hall vice-lord reported astonishing news.
"Hall Lord! They say people claiming to be the Ghost Bow Squad have appeared at the Great Bow Sect!"
Incredibly, the Ghost Bow Squad had surfaced not in highlands or a mountain lair, but at one of the Ten Great Unorthodox Powers—the Great Bow Sect, the Central Plains' top archery sect.
How on earth had this happened?