Chapter 296 |
Flow
Several days ago.
As various news had been conveyed to Tang-gak, information about incidents occurring throughout Zhongyuan was also delivered to the Head of Shinchun.
“Has Yuk Dae-ju been discovered?”
“Yes, Master.”
Yuk Dae-ju was a woman who had infiltrated the Guangdong Jin family, assigned to eventually swallow it up. Like the Head of Unhyangwon from Sichuan or Hwang Gon from the Southern Barbarians, she operated from behind the scenes rather than taking the forefront in the martial world.
In the end, the only one left undiscovered was Sam Dae-ju. No, it went beyond just discovery; the Head of Unhyangwon and Hwang Gon had already lost their lives. Moreover,
“To think Sa Dae-ju would fall as well.”
Even Wi Ji-hak, who was in charge of the Martial Alliance, had lost his life, once again at the hands of the Shaolin Dragon.
With this level of damage, it could be said that their grand plan had already been severely disrupted.
However, abandoning their objectives was not an option.
The Head struggled to contain his boiling anger and spoke.
“First, tell Yuk Dae-ju to join Il Dae-ju in reorganizing Sa-doryeon.”
Currently, Sa-doryeon was in a precarious situation.
The leader of Sa-doryeon and Il Dae-ju, Hyeok Jin-gang, had yet to recover from the injuries inflicted by the Namgung Swordsman.
‘To think that man would act like that.’
While the Shaolin Dragon was formidable, the unexpected assault on Sa-doryeon by the Namgung Swordsman was entirely unforeseen.
Originally, they had prepared countermeasures against the Namgung Swordsman and the Taegeuk Sword Saint, whom they considered the greatest future obstacles among the orthodox sects.
After all, they had shown a semi-retired appearance for over a decade.
However, given the current situation, it was necessary to deploy the assets reserved for the future.
“Also, send a message to Ji-ju.”
The master of Shinchun, who aimed to overthrow the current imperial family and become the new ruler of the sky, was known as Cheon-ju. Ji-ju and In-ju were under his command.
However, their roles were entirely different.
While In-ju was responsible for devising grand plans and deploying personnel across Zhongyuan, Ji-ju had only one role: martial prowess.
Even Hyeok Jin-gang, one of the world’s top three swordsmen, was inferior to Ji-ju in martial strength.
This was expected. One of Ji-ju’s roles was to nurture the Dae-ju.
Shinchun kidnapped or bought numerous children from all over the continent. Children without talent took on minor roles, those with some talent became warriors, and a select few headed to a special training ground. There, those who passed the training with Ji-ju became future Dae-ju.
Although Hyeok Jin-gang was taught by the previous Ji-ju, the current Ji-ju had surpassed his predecessor in martial strength.
Despite having such strength, they had kept Ji-ju hidden to avoid attracting the imperial family’s attention. The imperial family was not foolish.
They allowed the martial artists to roam freely to prevent them from uniting. The current imperial family had overthrown the previous empire with the help of martial artists and knew the danger of them banding together.
Thus, Shinchun operated covertly, intending to utilize their hidden strength only when the imperial family moved too late.
If they revealed their power prematurely, they would face war with the sects and clans of Zhongyuan, instigated by the imperial family’s schemes. Winning such a war would leave them weakened and easy prey for the imperial family.
However, with their plan already disrupted, they needed to take bold action, even at the risk.
“Should we inform them to eliminate the Shaolin Dragon?”
The Head shook his head at the subordinate’s question.
“The Shaolin Dragon is secondary.”
The Head wrote a kill order for Ji-ju and handed the letter to the subordinate.
“How is I Dae-ju’s progress?”
“They plan to send the First and Second Princes of the Demon Sect to deal with the defectors in the Southern Barbarians.”
Upon hearing this, the Head nodded.
“And the end of the letter from I Dae-ju mentioned that So-cheon-ju would accompany them on this expedition.”
So-cheon-ju, the son of Cheon-ju and the future Cheon-ju, was not part of the Head’s plan to head south.
—
“Did you say the Demon Sect has moved?”
When Mu-jin asked again, Liu Seolhwa nodded.
But it wasn’t enough for Jegal Muhwan, who asked again.
“Do you have any information on how many troops moved, which experts moved, or where they were headed?”
“We do not have such detailed information. We only gathered information from merchants traveling around Xinjiang, indicating that the young princes of the Demon Sect were participating, with an estimated force of over three hundred.”
“Do you know where they were headed?”
“We learned they were heading south.”
“South likely means the Southern Barbarians.”
Jegal Muhwan nodded at Mu-jin’s words.
“Though they could change direction, the Southern Barbarians seem the most probable. The defectors from the Demon Sect are there.”
The Demon Sect sent forces to deal with the defectors.
‘Can Ou-yang Pae withstand this?’
Such thoughts naturally arose. Even with the recruitment of Cheong Nae-wang, their total force barely exceeded two hundred.
This was only a third or a half of the Demon Sect’s power.
Even if Ou-yang Pae had improved his skills, it was better to send reinforcements.
The problem was how to persuade the others.
The people here were all orthodox sect leaders who despised the Demon Sect.
Before Mu-jin could speak, Jegal Muhwan spoke up.
“We need to send reinforcements to the Southern Barbarians.”
Predictably, the reaction was negative.
“Helping the defectors in the Southern Barbarians?”
“Letting the Demon Sect fight among themselves benefits us.”
Jegal Muhwan responded to Tang Pae-jin and Master Hyun-cheon’s questions.
“The young princes of the Demon Sect are in league with Ji-ju of Shinchun. This means the current leadership of the Demon Sect is essentially Shinchun’s pawns. The defectors are essentially our allies.”
“This is nonsense.”
“The Demon Sect is a den of demons. Letting them kill each other is the best strategy.”
Despite the negative reactions, Jegal Muhwan unfolded his fan.
“You’re only seeing part of the picture. Think about it. If the Demon Sect had intervened in the war, we would be fighting them and the Martial Alliance in Shaanxi.”
After finishing, he pointed his fan at Mu-jin.
“In this sense, our Shaolin Fist King’s decision to send the defectors to the Southern Barbarians was a masterstroke.”
Everyone present looked confused.
Mu-jin had omitted details about Ou-yang Pae and the Red Tiger Group when explaining events in the Southern Barbarians.
Jegal Muhwan’s mention of defectors was puzzling.
‘That guy, did he bring it up on purpose?’
Mu-jin reluctantly explained the details about Ou-yang Pae and the Red Tiger Group, including how they repelled the Four Divine Units.
Naturally, the reactions were not good.
Among them, Master Hyun-cheon’s expression was particularly dark.
Though they aimed to stop Shinchun, aligning with the Demon Sect was hard to accept.
Especially since Mu-jin, who was crippled in ‘that’ attack, was allying with them.
“Hohoho, it seems there are still misunderstandings about the Demon Sect.”
Jegal Muhwan began explaining again.
He logically argued that the attack forty years ago was Shinchun’s doing, using geography, traces left by the attackers, supply lines, and the methods of the Heavenly Demon.
Watching Jegal Muhwan persuade Master Hyun-cheon with logic, Mu-jin had a sudden thought.
‘In the second part of the novel, a monk allied with Ou-yang Pae.’
Shaolin viewed the Demon Sect as sworn enemies. A disciple allying with the sect leader?
‘Maybe the third part of the novel revealed the truth about that event.’
Mu-jin had no idea about the third part, having fallen asleep after five minutes, but it seemed plausible.
Perhaps they discovered the truth about Shinchun and proposed an alliance with Ou-yang Pae and Dao Yuetian.
Mu-jin knew about the shadowy forces from the second part of the novel, but others didn’t.
While Mu-jin pondered, Jegal Muhwan finished his explanation and looked at Master Hyun-cheon.
Naturally, Master Hyun-cheon couldn’t easily accept it.
Having believed it was the Demon Sect’s doing for forty years, understanding Jegal Muhwan’s words intellectually was one thing; accepting them emotionally was another.
“The records I mentioned are all in the Martial Alliance’s archives. If you wish, you can send Shaolin disciples to retrieve and verify them.”
Jegal Muhwan wasn’t one to care about such emotions.
“We know you have a grudge against the Demon Sect, but war is like this. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. At least until we defeat Shinchun, we need to ally with them. The defectors must keep the Demon Sect’s focus so we have a higher chance of winning the war. For this, we must help them this time.”
When he finished, everyone was silent
, lost in thought.
Though they understood the necessity of aiding the defectors, their hearts were still conflicted.
To break their hesitation, Jegal Muhwan delivered the final blow.
“Achieving great cause or avenging grudges, either way, surviving is essential, isn’t it?”