“Ok. How can we help?”
At Myo Cheonwoo’s question, Bu Eunseol took a deep breath. His enraged demeanor dissipated like mist, returning to his usual cold and composed self.
“They’ve always been one step ahead, slipping away whenever I caught their tail.”
At Hell’s Blood Fortress and the Martial Alliance.
Whenever Bu Eunseol found a clue and pursued them, they cut their tail instantly.
But this time was different.
Bu Eunseol no longer chased them alone. He would use his full authority and power to pursue them swiftly.
“I deliberately announced at the meeting that I’d attack the Golden Enemy Merchant Group. That news will surely reach their ears.” Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“But I’m not going.”
Myo Cheonwoo, who had been quietly pondering, nodded in admiration. “Feint to the east, strike the west.”
Yoo Unryong chuckled. “More like startling the snake by beating the grass (Tacho Gyeongsa).”
In the martial world, Tacho Gyeongsa often meant “don’t act rashly.” But in military strategy, it referred to provoking the enemy to reveal their identity.
Bu Eunseol’s apparent target was the Golden Enemy Merchant Group, but his real goal was to provoke the masterminds, exposing those lurking in the shadows.
“It’s essentially a diversionary tactic. I’m actually sending forces to the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.”
“I understand. But… will they fall for it?” Arms crossed, Yoo Unryong spoke seriously. “Even so, attacking a merchant group without justification isn’t easy. They might anticipate your plan.”
“They won’t.” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “I mobilized the Cheonsal to ruthlessly annihilate the Four Harmony Alliance. And to save Seo Jinha, I unhesitatingly drew my sword against the Cheonsal Leader.”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
“They’ll judge that I’m not only enraged but capable of such actions.”
“…”
“If there’s even a chance I’d do it, they’ll erase their traces.” Bu Eunseol had drawn his sword against the Cheonsal Leader, a symbol of Majeon, to save Seo Jinha.
They would have heard such rumors.
They’d see Bu Eunseol as someone who relentlessly pursues his goals.
“Even your past actions?” Yoo Unryong’s jaw dropped. “Did you do all that deliberately to deceive them?”
Bu Eunseol didn’t answer.
He hadn’t planned these events or provoked the Cheonsal Leader intentionally. No matter how brilliant his strategies, he couldn’t have foreseen this.
He was genuinely enraged by the Corps Leader’s attitude.
He was simply using what happened strategically.
“You’re deceiving those with superior intelligence and power to find the real enemy.” Myo Cheonwoo muttered, and Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Exactly.”
“But this plan is flawed. Even if you send forces now, it’s too late.” Myo Cheonwoo shook his head. “If they’ve cut their tail instantly despite your swift pursuit, they’ve already started erasing traces at the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.”
“Of course.” Nodding, Bu Eunseol asked So Jamyeong, who had been listening silently, “What’s the situation with the Golden Enemy Merchant Group?”
“As you predicted, my Lord.” So Jamyeong spoke in a low voice. “According to our operatives, a large number of people are secretly leaving the Golden Enemy Merchant Group, heading somewhere.”
“What does that mean? You’ve already deployed operatives there?” Myo Cheonwoo asked in surprise, and Bu Eunseol nodded calmly.
“When we attacked the Four Harmony Alliance with the Cheonsal, we confirmed funds came from the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.” A sharp glint shone in his eyes as he stared into the void.
“I ordered the Nine Deaths Squad leader to monitor them. They’d surely erase all traces related to the Four Harmony Alliance.”
Until now, some force had always been one step ahead of Bu Eunseol.
The moment it was known he attacked the Four Harmony Alliance, they’d undoubtedly erase all traces. Bu Eunseol used their superior intelligence and power against them, setting a trap.
“We haven’t found evidence linking them to Sahyang, but we’ve confirmed they funded not only the Four Harmony Alliance but multiple assassin sects.”
Hearing So Jamyeong, Myo Cheonwoo gasped in admiration. “So you’ve secured enough evidence to bring down the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.”
Bu Eunseol hadn’t mobilized forces without evidence; he had already gathered enough to topple them.
—His mind is terrifyingly sharp.
—Thank goodness he’s not our enemy.
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong exchanged glances, swallowing hard.
Bu Eunseol’s fearsome aspect wasn’t his terrifying martial arts but his cunning strategies and intellect. Since this was unknown to the world, they were helplessly outmaneuvered.
“What do we do now?” Myo Cheonwoo asked, and Bu Eunseol handed each of them a rolled scroll.
“The details are written here.”
They unrolled the scrolls simultaneously.
Myo Cheonwoo, glancing at Yoo Unryong’s scroll, teased, “Wow, Yoo Unryong, you’re climbing fast. Commanding first-tier leaders?” Turning to Bu Eunseol, he asked, “Just follow what’s written here?”
“Yes. Select the best operatives from the Death Shadow Corps.” Bu Eunseol spoke cautiously. “Provoke them to create a tense situation, but never attack. If you do, the sect will be in trouble.”
Taking a deep breath, he looked into the void.
“If this strategy works…”
Bu Eunseol didn’t finish, but the three understood.
This could finally uncover the main base of Sahyang, the assassin sect that had stirred the martial world for generations without revealing itself.
***
Golden Enemy Merchant Group
Initially, it dealt with local landlords in Hangzhou, trading tea leaves for modest profits. Over a decade ago, it began monopolizing high-quality leather from Sichuan, reaping huge profits.
As it grew, the Golden Enemy Merchant Group built broad connections with government officials and martial factions, sending substantial funds annually. Growing rapidly, it was rumored to soon rank among the top ten merchant groups in the Central Plains.
In Linxian, where this prominent merchant group was based, an air of tension hung.
Martial artists dispatched from Majeon had tightly surrounded the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.
Their number was a staggering five hundred.
All were first-tier corps martial artists, equivalent to the full force of a major martial faction. Yet the merchant group’s martial artists, retainers, and hired mercenaries prepared for battle without fear.
—Even if it’s Majeon, sending such forces without justification?
—Is this about Blood Serpent Valley? All we did was send annual funds to the Four Harmony Alliance.
—Hmph, even if they wipe us out, Majeon won’t escape unscathed!
Creak.
A side gate opened, and dozens of people emerged.
The merchant group was evacuating its children and women.
Unless facing an archenemy, it was an unwritten rule not to harm civilians or children unfamiliar with martial arts. Especially against Majeon, a coalition of the demonic martial world, such leniency was expected.
Halt.
Fifty martial artists blocked the path of the children and civilians. It was Myo Cheonwoo and the Death Shadow Corps.
“You can’t leave.”
“What?” A middle-aged woman widened her eyes, and Myo Cheonwoo spoke with a voice laced with killing intent.
“There might be informants linked to the Four Harmony Alliance among you.”
The woman pleaded, “Then at least let the children go. Holding them hostage in martial affairs…”
Boom!
A garden stone by the gate exploded into dust with a loud blast.
Myo Cheonwoo had unleashed his palm force.
“I said, go back.”
Rumble.
Frightened by Myo Cheonwoo’s cold gaze, the children hurriedly retreated inside.
Boom.
The main gate, bearing the merchant group’s signboard, opened, and an old man in ceremonial robes stepped out.
It was Yeo Unsang, the head of the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.
“What is this outrage in broad daylight!” He shouted, sweeping his gaze over the surrounding martial artists. “What crime has our merchant group committed for Majeon to send such forces!”
As the head of a merchant group earning millions of taels annually, Yeo Unsang’s demeanor was confident, undaunted by the martial artists.
“Why aren’t you letting the children go? What crime have they committed?”
“Father, no!” A middle-aged man, likely his son, rushed to block him. “You mustn’t provoke them.”
“Gyeun, stay back!” As the father and son argued,
Clop, clop.
A man on horseback approached slowly from the front. Wearing a mask, he was tall, with a black-sheathed sword at his waist.
His eyes radiated a sharp, piercing light.
Step.
Dismounting, he looked down at Yeo Unsang and his son, Yeo Gyeun.
Swish.
Removing his mask, he revealed sharp eyes. It was Yoo Unryong.
—What?
The first-tier leaders’ expressions twisted.
They had thought the Martial Soul Command Lord was leading them, but it was his aide, Yoo Unryong.
“The Golden Enemy Merchant Group funded not only the Four Harmony Alliance but various unorthodox sects to expand its influence.”
Yoo Unryong spoke loudly, and Yeo Unsang shouted back, “Is it wrong to pay factions along the routes where we transport furs?”
“Since when did assassin sects collect tolls from merchant groups?” Yoo Unryong looked down at Yeo Unsang coldly.
“Assassins who don’t hesitate to kidnap children.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never done such things!” Though he protested, Yeo Unsang’s face paled.
“Did you think our sect’s intelligence was a joke?” With a cold smile, Yoo Unryong pulled a scroll from his robes.
It contained evidence gathered by the Nine Deaths Squad, which had been monitoring the merchant group in Linxian for a long time.
“Here’s proof of your misdeeds.”
Thud.
Yoo Unryong tossed the scroll to Yeo Unsang.
He frantically read its contents, as did his son, Yeo Gyeun.
“Father…” Yeo Gyeun’s face turned ashen.
The scroll detailed shocking facts.
Not only had the Golden Enemy Merchant Group funded assassin sects, but it was also involved in child abductions, with clear evidence.
Thud.
Biting his lip, Yeo Unsang knelt before Yoo Unryong.
“I couldn’t refuse the offer of a powerful backer to grow our merchant group.” He lowered his head in despair. “I alone managed the funds secretly. My son and his family are innocent… please spare them.”
As he confessed, the merchant group’s subordinates and retainers, preparing for battle, gaped.
The benevolent Yeo Unsang, linked to assassins kidnapping children?
“Our sect isn’t here to spare or kill you.” Holding the horse’s reins, Yoo Unryong smiled coldly. “We’ve already handed all the evidence to the authorities. Since you’re involved in child abductions, face imperial justice.”
“What, why?” Yeo Unsang, bewildered, scanned Majeon’s forces. “You’re not here to punish me, so why bring such forces?”
“If we hadn’t turned things upside down, your martial artists and retainers wouldn’t have seen you confess.”
Yeo Unsang’s face paled.
If Majeon annihilated the merchant group, that would be the end. But facing imperial punishment, the merchant group would face asset confiscation, and their disgrace would haunt their descendants for generations.
“Move out.” As Yoo Unryong turned his horse, Majeon’s forces moved in unison.
‘I wonder how he’s doing.’
Yoo Unryong’s eyes narrowed, gazing at the distant sky. The Golden Enemy Merchant Group was a minor matter.
The real task was Bu Eunseol catching Sahyang’s tail.
***
At that moment, Bu Eunseol and So Jamyeong arrived at Huidang Mountain in Tianzhou Prefecture.
This was the destination of the covert group that had left the Golden Enemy Merchant Group.
Swish.
A member of the Nine Deaths Squad, hidden in the forest, appeared before Bu Eunseol and So Jamyeong.
It was Bi Hong, the deputy leader of the Nine Deaths Squad.
“Bi Hong, deputy leader of the Nine Deaths Squad, greets the Martial Soul Command Lord.” Bu Eunseol nodded lightly but didn’t speak easily.
The distant pavilions were the place the Nine Deaths Squad, long stationed at the Golden Enemy Merchant Group, had finally located.
“That’s… Sahyang?”
“Yes.” At Bu Eunseol’s question, Bi Hong lowered his head and spoke softly. “We confirmed the kidnapped children were taken there.”
Bu Eunseol and So Jamyeong’s faces hardened.
Sahyang.
The reason this mysterious assassin sect had remained hidden for generations…
Was because they had nested in a place no one could have anticipated.
“However, only a few know that place is Sahyang. Their facilities are completely concealed, and most of them are ordinary civilians.” As Bi Hong explained, So Jamyeong spoke cautiously with a grave expression.
“My Lord, no sect, not even ours, can deploy forces there.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Sahyang wasn’t a place where Majeon, the Martial Alliance, or any martial faction could send forces. Moreover, most people there were ordinary civilians, and it was impossible to discern who belonged to Sahyang.
“Hmm.” After deep contemplation, Bu Eunseol spoke. “Good work. All Nine Deaths Squad operatives, including the leader, return to the sect.” Taking a deep breath, he continued. “To conquer that place, brute force won’t suffice. I’ll handle it after thoroughly investigating their internal affairs.”
“Understood.” So Jamyeong and Bi Hong saluted, then led their operatives to withdraw from Huidang Mountain covertly.
“Sahyang.”
Staring at the distant pavilions, Bu Eunseol clenched his fists.
He had found the main body.
Now, all that remained was to uproot the hidden roots embedded below in one fell swoop.
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