Chapter 1744
Nowhere to be seen. (4)
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Rustle.
The loosely bound papers flipped quickly.
In the makeshift office, Ho Gamyeong’s face was shadowed with deep concern as he continually sifted through the documents.
‘It’s not enough.’
They were running out of military provisions. Supplies were dwindling as well.
Despite employing every available means, it was nearly impossible to secure enough provisions to sustain the army from Gangnam all the way to this distant region of Henan.
If this expedition had been planned by an actual army rather than martial artists, the situation would have required more troops dedicated to supply lines than to the battlefield itself.
Ho Gamyeong pressed his throbbing temples with his fingers. How much longer could they hold out without a proper supply unit?
Rip.
The edge of the report, made from cheap paper, tore long across the corner as he flipped it roughly. Staring at the tear, he set the report down and let out a long sigh.
Worse than the inadequate supplies was the fact that the requisition of provisions in Gangnam was not being carried out effectively.
This meant that from the moment he left, Sapaeryeon’s control over Gangnam had rapidly weakened.
Of course, this wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it was happening much faster than anticipated. If this situation continued, it could shake the very foundation of Sapaeryeon.
‘But why…’
Ho Gamyeong’s eyes darkened.
In truth, there is a solution. A simple one, at that.
Plunder.
Seizing food from the nearby commoners would easily resolve the immediate issue.
No one affiliated with the Evil Sects would find this unsettling. Ho Gamyeong could guarantee that if the order were given, provisions would pile up at a speed that would even surprise him.
Of course, even with strict management, some casualties would be inevitable, but that was a price they would have to pay.
The problem was that Jang Ilso, who undoubtedly understood this method, refused to allow it.
‘Ryeonju…’
Until now, Ho Gamyeong had also agreed with Jang Ilso’s approach. The reason why Evil Sects had never managed to seize control of the world was because they had aimed only to dominate, not to govern.
Martial artists are, after all, people who live with their feet on the ground. To solve the issues of food and shelter, the cooperation of the commoners is indispensable.
In this sense, Jang Ilso’s decision to protect the commoners was certainly not wrong. That decision likely became the foundation of Sapaeryeon’s strength as they advanced north.
But now, the situation is different.
This is not the time to gather strength – it is the time to rally everything and unleash it all. Even if it means accepting some undesirable consequences, they must maintain their strongest fighting force. So why, even now, does he refuse to allow plundering?
For the sake of benevolence? What a ridiculous notion. Such a thing doesn’t exist. One could not even begin to count the number of innocent people who have died at Jang Ilso’s hands. He’s even been known to take the lives of his own subordinates – those who fought and died for him – without hesitation if it suited his needs.
To him, the common people are no different from insects. And even the most careful person, who usually watches their step to avoid killing ants, would naturally run without looking down if a tiger were chasing them.
Ho Gamyeong recalled Jang Ilso’s resolute gaze – smooth and gentle as silk, yet cold and unyielding, with no room for dissent.
But even so…
‘I must speak to him once more.’
Ho Gamyeong knew Jang Ilso would not be pleased, but this was something he had to do.
With his resolve firm, Ho Gamyeong stood up.
“Commander!”
Suddenly, the tent flap was thrown open violently, and a subordinate rushed in urgently. Ho Gamyeong’s voice turned icy.
“What is it?”
“The Blood Palace has left the camp.”
“…What?”
The unexpected report caused a flicker of confusion to cross Ho Gamyeong’s face.
“And where is the Blood Palace Lord?”
“It appears that the one leading the Blood Palace is the Blood Palace Lord himself.”
Ho Gamyeong’s eyes turned cold in an instant.
‘Directly?’
There had already been a command issued in the name of Sapaeryeon, forbidding anyone from leaving the camp. And yet, the Blood Palace Lord had personally led his forces out of the camp?
This was nothing short of open defiance.
But it was precisely because of this that Ho Gamyeong became even more composed than usual.
Despite the urgency of the situation, he fell into a deep silence. The subordinate, who had been waiting anxiously, hesitated before prompting him again.
“Commander?”
“Wait.”
Tracking down the Blood Palace Lord wouldn’t be difficult. But considering that the Blood Palace Lord had decided to act so openly, words from others would likely be meaningless.
Especially now, when Ho Gamyeong’s influence had waned after his recent failure.
He didn’t care about his own status, but if he confronted the Blood Palace Lord and failed to rein him in, it would only deepen the mistrust of Sapaeryeon’s members towards their leadership.
‘He must have made his move knowing this full well.’
Ho Gamyeong lightly tapped the papers in front of him with his fingertips.
Reporting this directly to Jang Ilso would be futile. Since the Blood Palace had already disobeyed orders, Jang Ilso would have no choice but to enforce strict punishment to maintain his authority. That’s how power is sustained.
However, it would be difficult to be harsh with the Blood Palace in the current situation. Sapaeryeon might not be able to handle the repercussions.
After a brief pause – one that might have carried irreversible consequences – Ho Gamyeong finally spoke.
“…Send someone to find out why they moved.”
“What? But Commander…”
“…Do I need to repeat myself?”
The subordinate, startled by Ho Gamyeong’s icy glare, quickly bowed low in submission.
“I’ll carry it out immediately.”
As the subordinate hastily retreated, Ho Gamyeong clenched his teeth tightly.
He knew full well that the order he just gave was little more than a formality. But at this moment, it was the only action he could take.
‘This is dangerous.’
The Blood Palace moving independently, the Sun Palace Lord harboring resentment towards Ryeonju, and Haomunju, who surely harbored deep hatred for Ho Gamyeong himself…
If not for the strength of Maninbang, the very foundation of Sapaeryeon. And the power of Black Ghost, which was absorbed without issue, Sapaeryeon might have already been torn to shreds.
In such a situation, the only things Ho Gamyeong could rely on were Jang Ilso’s formidable control over the situation and the tenuous hope that the Blood Palace would not wish for a fate that led to their demise at the hands of the Just Sects.
This must be what it feels like to perform a high-wire act over a bottomless pit.
“Hoo…”
Ho Gamyeong exhaled slowly, rubbing his forehead. First, he needed to report to Ryeonju…
Flap.
But yet another uninvited guest arrived. Someone had opened the entrance to Ho Gamyeong’s tent and stepped inside. Feeling the presence, Ho Gamyeong furrowed his brow.
No matter how much his position had weakened, Ho Gamyeong was still the Commander of Sapaeryeon. He was not someone who should have to tolerate such disrespect.
‘How dare they…’
Having just heard about the situation with the Blood Palace, his already mounting anger flared up in an instant. However, the moment he recognized who had entered, Ho Gamyeong regained his composure.
“…What is it?”
The intruder, clad in black martial attire and a mask, did not answer immediately. The only sound was the irritating squeak of a cheap iron sword hanging at his waist.
“I asked what you want.”
Ho Gamyeong repeated his question. The masked figure once again remained silent, offering only a cold, empty gaze that sent a chill through the air.
Ho Gamyeong had served Jang Ilso for many years and had walked a blood-soaked path, killing countless beasts of the Evil Sects.
Yet, now, in the presence of this masked figure, Ho Gamyeong felt a creeping unease. The man’s gaze, devoid of any overt malice or intense hatred, emanated a coldness so profound that even Ho Gamyeong, with all his experience, found it difficult to measure.
Finally, the masked man spoke.
“The letter.”
“What?”
“The letter is overdue.”
“…”
Ho Gamyeong stared at the masked figure for a moment, then suddenly turned his attention to his desk. After a brief search, he found a dust-covered envelope and looked back at the masked man.
“It seems there was a mistake.”
The masked man showed no reaction, as if he had no interest in talking to Ho Gamyeong unless it was absolutely necessary. His behavior could have easily been perceived as disrespectful, but Ho Gamyeong chose not to let it show.
He tossed the envelope he held in his hand to the masked man.
Thud.
The masked man caught it effortlessly, immediately tearing open the envelope.
Without blinking, he read the letter as though he were devouring it, his eyes never leaving the page for a second.
After what seemed like a long while, the masked man finally finished reading and folded the paper. He cast a glance at Ho Gamyeong and spoke in a flat, emotionless tone.
“You’re a day late.”
“I told you, there was a mistake-“
“If this happens again, don’t expect your head to stay where it is. I’ll make sure your master’s head is severed right along with yours. Keep that in mind.”
A frigid, mocking light flickered in Ho Gamyeong’s eyes.
“Fine, I’ll accept that. After all, a good master doesn’t kick a dog just because it’s barking for being fed late.”
“…”
The masked man offered no response, only a brief, contemptuous glance before turning to leave.
Just before the masked man left the tent, Ho Gamyeong added.
“But even a dog has duties to fulfill. It might growl when it’s hungry, but after being fed, it should wag its tail like a proper dog. There’s no need to hold onto foolish pride.”
The masked man slowly turned to face Ho Gamyeong once more, his eyes brimming with a cold murderous intent. The seething hatred behind his gaze was unmistakable, something far from what could be considered ordinary.
Yet, Ho Gamyeong remained unfazed as he calmly spoke.
“Don’t forget, this is the deal ‘you’ wanted.”
“…”
“Or was it not?”
At those words, the masked man fully turned to face Ho Gamyeong, his body now completely aligned with him.
A suffocating tension filled the tent, thick enough that it felt as if someone might draw a blade at any moment.
But after a brief pause, the masked man slowly bowed his head. It was a deep bow, exaggerated in its carefulness, as if to ensure there could be no misinterpretation or fault found.
Ho Gamyeong stood tall, silently looking down at the masked man’s bowed figure.
With the bow complete, the masked man rose just as slowly and then swiftly left the tent. The tension that had been stretched to its limit snapped, releasing in an instant.
Ho Gamyeong let out a short, controlled breath.
Provoking him was dangerous. But the risk was worth it, for it allowed Ho Gamyeong to gain one crucial insight:
‘They can be trusted.’
As absurd as it seemed, those people were indeed trustworthy.
At least until this deal was completed, they would remain perfect allies. No matter what trials they might face, the price they stood to gain from this transaction was simply too great for them to betray it.
And as long as they don’t betray, the advantage in this war remains firmly in their grasp.
“But this alone won’t be enough.”
Hadn’t Jang Ilso taught him that?
It doesn’t matter how difficult it is to stabilize a precarious situation – what truly matters is that the enemy’s situation is even more dire. If their position is worse than yours, victory will ultimately fall into your hands.
To ensure that…
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze hardened.
“I have never imagined that what I prepared just in case would be used like this…”
This is why one can never predict the twists of fate.
He returned to his seat and picked up a brush. But his eyes were not on the paper spread out on the desk – they were focused on the open window, looking out into the distance.
Mount Wudang. The place where his enemy resided.
“Perhaps… I’ve been overcomplicating things all along.”
Ho Gamyeong’s eyes regained their complete composure, cold and calculating.
The hand holding the brush began to write, carving the words into the paper with the precision of a knife slicing into flesh. The letter he wrote – a dagger in the guise of a message – was being meticulously sharpened.
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