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chapter 67
“The demonic beasts have begun appearing in each city and causing trouble. People are living in fear because of it.”
A meeting was underway in the Martial Alliance’s council hall.
Je-gal Min-gi, the Alliance’s Chief of Arms, was relaying the reports coming in from each city to the elders and other Alliance officials seated along the long table.
“In some places, people are saying that because martial artists are causing harm, the Imperial Army should be mobilized to disband the martial orders.”
This line of talk arose every time there was a big disturbance, so the elders didn’t take it too seriously at first. But if complaints from the populace kept coming because of the demonic beasts, the Emperor might have to consider the matter.
“If public opinion worsens, there’s a real chance the Imperial Army will be deployed. Before that happens, it would be wise for us to move first and settle this situation ourselves.”
“How do you propose we settle it?” asked the foremost elder, Bulseon Dae-sa.
“I think we should dispatch the Alliance’s armed units — the Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon squads — to each city to support them and hunt down the demonic beasts appearing there.”
Although the Alliance had many armed groups, the units that actually moved the most were those named after the Four Divine Beasts: Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon.
“Will that alone be enough?” someone asked.
They were, after all, dealing with demonic beasts.
“It may be impossible to root them out completely, but I believe we’ll get some effect. And while they buy us time, we can—”
Those listening to Je-gal Min-gi’s plan nodded in agreement.
“I think we should follow the Chief of Arms’ suggestion. If we do, it should reduce casualties.” The elders’ consensus was relayed to the Alliance Leader, Seo Ja-myeong, and he nodded as well.
“And I would like to form an armed unit composed of the late-stage prodigies who will participate in this martial tournament,” Je-gal Min-gi suggested. He proposed creating another armed force and using it.
“You mean make a unit from those contestants? Do you think they’ll be able to cooperate?” many questioned.
A great number would attend the martial tournament: members from prestigious families and major sects would be among them. Even if others wouldn’t mind, the scions and disciples from famous clans and large sects were used to leading and might refuse to serve under anyone else. Such discord could fracture organizational cohesion and create bigger problems.
“If skill is the priority, it should be possible,” Je-gal Min-gi replied.
“Skill…” people murmured.
Although competence could overcome many issues, if a prestigious family’s heirs or disciples lost to unknowns, they would definitely find fault—and the atmosphere would sour.
“And each unit’s leader should be composed of the Alliance’s veterans so they can give the late-stage prodigies practical experience…” Je-gal Min-gi continued. He believed Alliance masters could handle these prodigies, and in truth, there probably weren’t many late-stage prodigies stronger than the Alliance’s top fighters.
“What do the unit heads think?” Seo Ja-myeong asked.
“I think it’s a good idea. If the late-stage prodigies are strong, our existing groups will be provoked into training harder to become stronger.” The sentiments were unanimous.
“Very well. Then we’ll accept this proposal and notify the elders,” Seo Ja-myeong said. Je-gal Min-gi sat back down, having said his piece.
“A great disturbance doesn’t arise all at once. It starts small, so do not let your guard down. Do your best to stop the demonic beasts’ commotion.” With Seo Ja-myeong’s final words, the meeting ended.
Seo Ja-myeong and Je-gal Min-gi remained in the Alliance Leader’s chamber.
“It doesn’t seem that bad, but the Ten Great Houses, the Nine Sect Alliance, and disciples from some sects will surely object,” Seo Ja-myeong said.
Though the Alliance had powerful fighters, there was no guarantee they could beat the late-stage prodigies. Take the Ten Dragons and Eight Spears, for example — they were among the top of the late-stage prodigies and could certainly match the Alliance’s masters. The young man who bested the Sword Marquis’ disciple, or the youth who blocked Sword Sect Hyun Tae-ryeong’s blade, were thought to be capable of defeating the Alliance’s masters.
“We don’t need those kinds,” Seo Ja-myeong said.
Those listening looked to him as if wanting an explanation.
“I don’t mean the Ten Great Houses will accept it; they will see an opportunity to preserve their privileges and will form factions to stir up trouble if they join,” he continued.
“Hmm…”
“I plan to gather everyone except the Nine Sect Alliance and the Ten Great Houses into a new armed force, have them hunt demonic beasts, recognize their merits, and award them accordingly. That way, the Nine Sect Alliance and Ten Great Houses will be naturally absorbed into our ranks.”
It sounded reasonable in theory, but whether it would work in practice was another question.
“It’s completely possible. The recent appearance of demonic beasts allowed several late-stage prodigies to stand out. Those who have the power to defeat the beasts will be motivated as well.” Je-gal Min-gi added.
“Very well. Also talk to the families; we’ll have them participate,” Seo Ja-myeong said.
If Ok Se-gi, famed as the best of the Ten Dragons and Eight Spears, joined the units, outside perception would shift.
“Thank you, Alliance Leader!” they replied.
“No need for thanks… By the way, have you located that young man yet?” Seo Ja-myeong asked. Despite Alliance efforts to find the youth who had matched Sword Sect Hyun Tae-ryeong, they hadn’t succeeded.
“He’s said to be with Jeok Hwa-myeong at the West Gate family. We should find him soon,” Je-gal Min-gi answered.
Their only lead was that the youth and Jeok Hwa-myeong were together. If they found Jeok Hwa-myeong, they could at least learn something, so it was a matter of time.
“It’s reassuring to see powerful figures appear during chaos, but it’s dangerous as well,” Seo Ja-myeong observed.
“We’ll investigate thoroughly and treat them cautiously,” Je-gal Min-gi promised.
“Do that. Use the Biik Unit to find hidden men quickly and eradicate them.”
When Geom-ryeong returned to Hwaseong Medical Hall from the Guga Ironworks, Yu Ak-gun and Jeok Hwa-myeong were there.
“You’ve come at last?”
“Is everything done with the West Gate family?”
“It’s nothing to be done or undone. They gathered to fill their bellies; for drifters like us, it was embarrassing to remain there.” Geom-ryeong got the gist.
“I expected to arrive a few days late, so I ordered a sword from Guga Ironworks, but it will take five days, so I’ll stay here until then,” Yu Ak-gun said.
“Do as you please.” Geom-ryeong asked Yu Ak-gun to tell him what he knew about Sa Hak-ryeong of the Bloodless House.
“Sa Hak-ryeong was an orphan. He had remarkable physique and caught the eye of the former lord Dam Dae-dok, so from childhood he lived in the Ten Night Fortress.” Yu Ak-gun recounted everything he knew.
“He showed great talent in martial arts and extraordinary business acumen. He turned the modest Ten Night Fortress into a major sect in no time. With many followers’ support, he married Dam Dae-dok’s daughter and inherited the Ten Night Fortress. After that, to seize complete control…” Yu Ak-gun relayed the rest as hearsay.
“So if it began in childhood, it’s been at least forty years,” Geom-ryeong said.
“Huh?” Yu Ak-gun asked.
“The conspiracy has been in motion for forty years. The reason I asked you to find out about him is…” Geom-ryeong told them about his eavesdropped conversation between Sa Hak-ryeong and Naeng Seo-ryang. The two men were skeptical, but Geom-ryeong couldn’t have lied.
“Couldn’t there be another way?” Yu Ak-gun asked.
“Like what?” Geom-ryeong asked.
“You say they poisoned and used him like a puppet, but that’s hard to believe. Confirm it personally — disguise yourself, meet Naeng Seo-ryang, see whether he’ll reveal the truth. Something like that…” Yu Ak-gun suggested. It had merit.
“Why make it so complicated?” Jeok Hwa-myeong wondered.
“People who can’t trust others are like that. If the plot has been brewing for at least forty years, they’d be even more cautious,” Yu Ak-gun said.
Yu Ak-gun’s knowledge of plots, stratagems, and schemes outclassed Jeok Hwa-myeong’s.
“Those who waited forty years won’t fail to wait another year or two. They’ll move only when they’re certain.”
“That means there could be similar cases in the sects of each city?” Jeok Hwa-myeong’s expression turned serious.
“So you asked me to investigate?” Yu Ak-gun asked.
“Yes. How many?”
“Too many to identify,” Geom-ryeong replied. “Also, another piece of intel: when demonic beasts appeared in the cities, new rising masters showed up.”
“Rising masters?”
“Yes. There are about thirty in total: fifteen on the rogue side, ten aligned with orthodox factions, and five impartial. Soju and Gunha are included among the impartial five.”
“That’s favorable,” Jeok Hwa-myeong said.
Yu Ak-gun looked a bit disdainful. “Sometimes you seem thoughtless.”
“Why?”
“Have you considered why I reported this to Soju? Isn’t the appearance of rising masters a good sign?”
“It’s good, but the issue is that these rising masters appeared when the demonic beasts showed up.”
While the two argued, Geom-ryeong continued to think. Their conversation didn’t end, and after organizing his thoughts, he told them: “That’s all you need to know. Also, go to Gwisoo Villa and tell the master I want to see him.”
“To the master of Gwisoo Villa?” Yu Ak-gun clarified.
“Yes. Tell him I have something to say.” Geom-ryeong instructed.
Yu Ak-gun nodded, somewhat worried, and asked quietly, “May I reveal Soju’s identity?”
“You want to die?” Geom-ryeong replied.
“What reason do you have to point a sword at us?” Sa Hak-ryeong of the Bloodless House — lord of Ten Night Fortress — met a masked man on his way back to Ten Night Fortress from the West Gate family.
The masked man suddenly attacked him and the warriors guarding him.
The guards fought to protect Sa Hak-ryeong but were no match for the masked assailant.
“They were all top-tier fighters protecting him; I can’t believe even they couldn’t touch that masked man,” people wondered.
“You should have made the conspiracy more believable if you planned to conspire,” the masked man said.
The masked man was Geom-ryeong. He wore the mask partly out of habit and partly to conceal his face.
Hearing the word “conspiracy,” Sa Hak-ryeong flinched but soon recovered and sneered.
“Conspiracy…?”
“Where have you hidden the demonic beasts?” Geom-ryeong narrowed his eyes, expecting the other to know more.
“Demonic beasts?” Sa Hak-ryeong pretended ignorance, unconvinced without solid proof.
“If this becomes known to the martial world, what will happen? You don’t even trust your own servants and have poisoned them….” Geom-ryeong continued, pressing.
“Who are you!” Sa Hak-ryeong’s demeanor changed; a murderous aura swelled around him.
“Are you admitting it now?” Geom-ryeong asked.
“I don’t know why you’re throwing yourself onto death. One question: who did you tell about this?” Sa Hak-ryeong’s attitude signaled he might admit everything.
“To no one. I only suspected they were hiding the beasts,” Sa Hak-ryeong answered.
“That’s fortunate.”
“Of course. If you’re going to tell me, why not tell me everything and kill me afterwards?” Sa Hak-ryeong taunted.
“Where are the demonic beasts hidden?” Geom-ryeong demanded.
A faint smile formed on Sa Hak-ryeong’s lips. “Go ask the King of the Underworld!” he spat.
The attack came suddenly, but Geom-ryeong seemed to anticipate it and moved.
Sa Hak-ryeong’s strange movements couldn’t land a blow on Geom-ryeong. Geom-ryeong studied Sa Hak-ryeong’s martial technique, probing for where the beasts were hidden, but he couldn’t find that. He did discover something else.
“Is the mastermind behind this Seo Jang?” Geom-ryeong asked.
Sa Hak-ryeong froze, stunned. He stared at Geom-ryeong.
“I could sense a trace of Seo Jang’s technique in your martial art,” Geom-ryeong said.
Sa Hak-ryeong admitted everything.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need to hide it.”
A hallmark of Seo Jang’s technique was Yuga Art — using internal energy to freely stretch and manipulate the body.
Slash!
Sa Hak-ryeong’s arm lengthened and lunged in an attack, but Geom-ryeong smiled as he evaded.
“Enough of guessing. I’ll kill you and observe their reaction to be sure,” Geom-ryeong said, drawing the sword at his waist.
Though Yuga Art that could stretch and shrink the body was formidable, compared to the arts Geom-ryeong had mastered, it was child’s play.
A nearly invisible fast stroke severed Sa Hak-ryeong’s wrist.
A brief cry, then Sa Hak-ryeong backed away and glared. “So you finally show yourself?”
Geom-ryeong didn’t understand.
“Show myself for what?”
“The Ghost Demon Lord, Gu Young-cheol!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been searching for him. Now that the Ghost Demon Lord Gu Young-cheol has shown himself, others will appear as well.” Sa Hak-ryeong’s words implied a connection between Gu Young-cheol and Seo Jang.
“What difference does that make?” Geom-ryeong asked skeptically but couldn’t probe further because Sa Hak-ryeong attacked.
Whoosh!
Vanishing as if using the Phantom Move, Geom-ryeong reappeared behind Sa Hak-ryeong and moved his sword. Sa Hak-ryeong’s arm shot up into the air.
“What do you mean?” Sa Hak-ryeong cried.
Swish!
Without time to feel pain, Sa Hak-ryeong swung his remaining arm — Geom-ryeong appeared behind him again and cut off that arm too.
“Gah!” Sa Hak-ryeong fell to his knees with both arms severed.
“What do you mean? That my appearance means you’ll move in earnest?” Sa Hak-ryeong asked.
“Soon you’ll know,” Geom-ryeong replied gloatingly.
Sa Hak-ryeong bit his tongue and took his own life.
Geom-ryeong looked down at the corpse and narrowed his eyes.
“You said you were waiting for me? That we’d soon know?” he mused.
He thought for a moment but could not understand the meaning.
“I suppose I’ll find out if I wait.”
