The rumor that the Heaven-Human Cult’s Taiping Branch had collapsed along with the Sword Tomb they built spread rapidly through the martial world.
But the martial artists paid it little mind.
Given the sect’s nature—mingled with commoners—branches like this could vanish easily only to be rebuilt later.
Only the third-rate martial artists who hadn’t yet mustered the resolve to visit the Sword Tomb regretted the news. Thanks to the Eight Sword Tomb Rules, most of them lacked the courage to risk their lives and never made the trip.
There had been quite a few third-rate martial artists who dreamed of one day entering the Sword Tomb to obtain a divine sword and secret manual. To third-rate martial artists who had gained neither fortuitous encounters nor opportunities, the Sword Tomb was a beacon of hope.
But now it was gone.
Yet not, not long after that rumor spread, another shocking rumor about the Heaven-Human Cult struck the martial world like a thunderbolt.
—The Heaven-Human Cult committed these atrocities to awaken a massive number of demonic swords, including the Heaven-Human Blood.
—The countless martial artists who entered until now became sacrifices to awaken those demonic swords.
—But since most were nameless second-rate martial artists, the truth remained hidden.
It was an unbelievable rumor.
The Taiping Branch—not even the main sect—had obtained a vast number of demonic swords, including the Heaven-Human Blood, and lured martial artists to sacrifice them in order to awaken the blades?
How could a mere branch pull off something so enormous?
But disbelief was impossible.
The source of the rumor was none other than the Martial Alliance.
—The Heaven-Human Cult lured and massacred hundreds of martial artists. The Alliance will dispatch envoys to severely punish those responsible and discuss measures to prevent recurrence!
Gongsun Dankyeong sent an investigation team to the Heaven-Human Cult to demand accountability for their crimes and probe the full story. With the Martial Alliance Commander herself taking action, martial artists naturally expected the Heaven-Human Cult to pay the appropriate price.
But something entirely unexpected happened.
—The Sword Tomb incident was an aberration by the Taiping Branch. The main sect will punish those involved, so the Martial Alliance should stay out of it.
The Heaven-Human Cult drew a clear line, calling the Sword Tomb incident a rogue act by the Taiping Branch, sent the Alliance envoys packing, and refused the investigation team.
—Have the Heaven-Human Cult gone mad?
No matter how large a sect they had grown into, the Martial Alliance was the righteous coalition that divided the martial world in two. Even if the victims were nameless martial artists, they had been killed without a sound.
As the alliance formed to uphold justice in the martial world, the Alliance had every right to demand punishment. They should be groveling, yet the Heaven-Human Cult dared ignore the Alliance’s demands?
—This is utterly intolerable.
Gongsun Dankyung had already been seeking justification to crush the Heaven-Human Cult.
That was why she sent Bu Eunseol to the Taiping Branch, and through his efforts, uncovered the truth behind the Sword Tomb incident.
He had even obtained evidence—albeit partial—of the massacre of martial artists.
For them to play dumb despite this was absolutely unforgivable.
Finally, Gongsun Dankyung issued a last warning.
—If you do not immediately reveal the truth and accept the investigation team, the Alliance will regard the Heaven-Human Cult as a heretical cult disrupting the martial world.
But no further reply came from the Heaven-Human Cult.
Instead, weren’t they gathering forces from every branch at Yangmun Mountain and erecting solid defensive lines around the main sect?
This was blatant provocation.
Gongsun Dankyung held back no longer.
—We will annihilate the Heaven-Human Cult that disrupts the martial world!
The Martial Alliance Commander, Gongsun Dankyung, immediately declared the sect’s destruction.
But there was a problem here too.
The Martial Alliance leadership had not unanimously approved the annihilation.
The evidence Gongsun Dankyung presented consisted only of fragments of the Heaven-Human Blood and some bodies of martial artists recovered from the collapsed Mount Taiping. She had failed to secure perfect proof that they had massacred the third-rate martial artists who entered the Sword Tomb.
The Heaven-Human Cult was a grand organization that included commoners.
Attacking them simply for refusing investigation demands would look extremely bad.
—Until perfect evidence is brought, we cannot mobilize all Seven Great Divisions at once.
Moreover, the Seven Commanders were skeptical about this annihilation campaign.
Each of them was a candidate to become the next Alliance Leader.
And the selection process for the next leader was based solely on their merits and demerits as Commanders.
In other words, becoming a leader depended on what achievements they made as Commanders.
If the Heaven-Human Cult’s claim was true and they had not massacred martial artists?
This annihilation campaign would not earn merit for the Commanders—it could leave a stain instead.
For that reason, the Commanders were reluctant to take command of the Heaven-Human Cult annihilation.
—Mobilizing all Seven Great Divisions to deal with a sect like the Heaven-Human Cult is far too inefficient.
In the end, because she failed to gain unanimous consent from the Alliance leadership,
The Commanders opted out of the annihilation campaign, and the divisions Gongsun Dankyung could mobilize were limited to two.
—Understood.
Gongsun Dankyung accepted the decision without protest.
Because she had deliberately revealed only part of the evidence Bu Eunseol brought back.
If the former Commanders got involved, Bu Eunseol would have no chance to earn merit.
She had intentionally disclosed only some of the evidence of their crimes to create this very situation.
—Then I will personally lead the Divine Might Corps and Flame Wing Sword Corps, along with their Vice-Commanders, to strike the Heaven-Human Cult.
Gongsun Dankyung appointed Divine Might Corps Vice Lord Seong Joyeong and Flame Wing Sword Corps Vice Lord Muk Inhyeok as deputy commanders.
She herself became supreme commander and led the two divisions toward the Yellow River region.
—Gongsun Dankyung. You will surely pay the price for this forced invasion.
The Heaven-Human Cult raged at news of the Martial Alliance invasion, but inwardly rejoiced that only partial forces from two divisions were coming.
Though a rising sect, they dominated the Yellow River region and commanded nearly sixty thousand followers. Backed by immense financial power, they had recruited renowned martial experts and boasted many skilled in various arts and spells.
The Divine Might Corps and Flame Wing Sword Corps—two divisions led by vice lords—made the outcome unpredictable. Regardless of the Heaven-Human Cult’s reaction, Gongsun Dankyung’s forces entered the Yellow River region.
They stationed troops on the plains near Haseo, the gateway to the Heaven-Human Cult.
As soon as encampments were erected, she summoned the vice lords and corps captains to begin a strategy meeting. To discuss tactics for attacking the Heaven-Human Cult with the vice lords and each unit’s captains.
But as they entered the command tent, all wore strange expressions.
Because a plain-looking young man stood beside Gongsun Dankyung.
Tall but slender, with an extraordinarily gentle face—he looked perfectly suited to flicking abacus beads in a marketplace rather than a battlefield.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol, operating under the alias Seon Woojin, captain of the Supreme Corps.
—From the Ascendant Martial Hall, Captain Seon leads the Supreme Corps.
As all eyes turned to Bu Eunseol, Gongsun Dankyung introduced him.
—I have appointed him as my strategist to discuss strategy and tactics with me in this battle.
Instantly, the commanders’ expressions hardened.
Captain Seon Woojin of the Supreme Corps.
Wasn’t he the very man once rumored to have had a scandalous affair with the Commander?
Moreover, the Commander’s staff was filled with brilliant strategists—why bring him as aide?
In this urgent wartime situation, was the Commander unable to separate public duty from private feelings?
—Though not widely known, Captain Seon is exceptionally skilled in military strategy and troop deployment. I expect great things from him in this battle.
Contrary to Gongsun Dankyung’s bright expression, the gathered commanders pressed their lips tight.
Seeing the martial artists’ sour faces, she added one more line.
—He is absolutely essential for victory.
The martial artists smacked their lips.
Since she said he was essential for victory, they had nothing to say.
But to lose the trust of subordinates before battle even began… this was never a good omen.
—Commander.
At that moment, an urgent voice came from outside the tent.
—An official from the imperial court requests an audience with the Commander.
Gongsun Dankyung frowned.
Why would a court official visit a war camp on the eve of battle?
—Bring him here.
All the commanders were present.
If it was something they needed to know, there was no need to summon him separately—better to discuss it here.
—Ahem.
A cough sounded, and a guard led in a man wearing official robes.
His gait was confident, but his eyes were somehow murky and filled with greed.
He seemed an ordinary bureaucrat with no martial training.
—Hmph.
Coughing again, the official shook his head at the martial artists in the tent.
—You truly look ready for a proper fight.
He nodded to the man following behind.
The follower knelt on one knee, raised both hands high, and presented a scroll.
The official unrolled it and spoke in a solemn voice.
—By His Imperial Majesty’s decree.
All martial artists in the tent calmly paid respects.
—Ahem.
Uncomfortable that the martial artists only paid respects without fanfare, the official coughed again but soon read aloud in a clear voice.
—According to the report from the Shaanxi Governor, the Martial Alliance Commander Gongsun Dankyung has led martial artists to destroy a virtuous sect in the Yellow River region.
‘Virtuous sect?’
As the commanders’ eyes widened, the official continued reading.
—I do not concern myself with disputes among martial artists. However, I will not tolerate innocent commoners suffering from martial artists’ blades.
Thud.
Hearing this, the commanders’ eyes bulged.
Normally, such interference came only at the provincial level.
Yet they had moved the governor to submit a memorial directly to the Emperor?
But Gongsun Dankyung’s expression remained calm.
As if she had foreseen this.
—However, the Martial Alliance has long cooperated with the court and acted in harmony, so there must be circumstances. Before striking the Heaven-Human Cult, bring all evidence and explain.
When the official finished, silence fell over the tent.
Unable to bear it, the official coughed and added,
—His Majesty wishes to hear the explanation for the Heaven-Human Cult subjugation in person.
In short, the Emperor was ordering Gongsun Dankyung to come to the capital and personally explain why she was subjugating the Heaven-Human Cult.
Clearly, the Heaven-Human Cult had connections in the government and was stalling for time.
—His Majesty is gravely mistaken. The Heaven-Human Cult is not a gathering of virtuous commoners but a heretical cult that massacred martial artists.
Gongsun Dankyung replied.
—I will provide evidence and documents to that effect.
Fortunately, she possessed clear proof of the Heaven-Human Cult’s crimes.
Had she only the flimsy evidence circulating in the martial world, she would never have launched this annihilation campaign.
—Unnecessary.
But the official shook his head.
—Did you not hear what this official just said?
He spoke to Gongsun Dankyung with an arrogant expression.
—As written in the imperial edict, His Majesty wishes to see and hear the evidence in person.
The martial artists in the tent were stunned.
Telling the supreme commander, who must direct all forces, to suddenly travel to the capital, present evidence, and explain in person?
—Ahem.
As the atmosphere in the tent grew hostile, the official coughed and said,
—The Heaven-Human Cult is not a martial faction but a religious order, is it not? Since commoners are involved, striking without His Majesty’s permission is unacceptable.
His words were somewhat understandable.
The Emperor had never viewed the martial world favorably.
He cared nothing for martial artists killing each other, but the Heaven-Human Cult included commoners.
For the Martial Alliance—a coalition of martial artists—to attack them, sanctions were inevitable.
—So in the end, I must personally convince His Majesty with evidence.
—Precisely.
—But both sides have already entered a state of war. Without a commander present, unavoidable fighting could break out.
—Unless one side is completely crushed, His Majesty will understand a certain degree of conflict.
At that, Gongsun Dankyung and the martial artists snorted.
Clearly, the Heaven-Human Cult had strong ties in the bureaucracy and had used them to sway the court.
Since battle was now inevitable, this scheme was meant to sap the Alliance’s morale while buying time.
—Very well.
Gongsun Dankyung nodded.
—I will personally travel to the capital, present the evidence to His Majesty, and convince him.
—Do so.
The official nodded with satisfaction and left with his entourage.
Once he was gone, the commanders’ faces turned extremely dark.
Even rushing, the round trip to the capital would take about ten days.
The bigger problem: they had roughly fifteen days to fight here.
Thus, they needed to engage in some combat…
And until Gongsun Dankyung returned, maintain a stalemate—neither winning nor losing.
“Since things have come to this, we have no choice.” She scanned the commanders, then spoke in a stern voice as if having made up her mind.
“While I am in the capital, Captain Seon will command the battle.”
Every martial artist in the tent looked as if they’d been punched in the gut.
Appointing a second-grade captain no one had ever heard of to command two divisions for ten days while the Commander was absent?
“Wait.” Unable to accept it, Divine Might Corps Vice Lord Seong Joyeong widened his eyes.
“Commander, what did you just say?”
“I said I am entrusting full command authority to Captain Seon.”
Seeing no hesitation in Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes, Seong Joyeong blinked several times.
“The Heaven-Human Cult must have engineered this situation through the court, calculating our military strength, their defenses, and the time required for battle.”
“…”
“We absolutely cannot waste these ten days. I ask for the Vice Lord’s understanding.”
“Hold on, it’s not that I want to command the troops.” Seong Joyeong pointed to Flame Wing Sword Corps Vice Lord Muk Inhyeok beside him. “But Vice Lord Muk is brilliant, calm, and has fought in many large battles. He may not surpass the Commander, but he can lead troops admirably.”
“Of course, Vice Lord Muk taking command would be fine too.” Gongsun Dankyung looked at Muk Inhyeok.
“But Vice Lord Muk will never accept command.”
“What do you…”
“What I want is to breach most of their defensive lines within ten days but not enter. Maintain a standoff.”
Breach the defenses but keep a standoff. That was nearly impossible.
This wasn’t a skirmish of one or two enemies—it was a clash of sixty thousand against six thousand.
To break through the defensive line, reach their main camp, and then withdraw?
Tactically and strategically, it was almost impossible.
“This campaign must not fail. Will Vice Lord Muk take full responsibility if something happens?”
At Gongsun Dankyung’s question, Seong Joyeong fell silent.
Truthfully, this expedition was nearly Gongsun Dankyung’s unilateral decision.
She had brought troops using only the Commander’s authority, without leadership consensus. Moreover, Seong Joyeong and Muk Inhyeok were already full of complaints.
Their direct superiors, the Commanders, had opted out, and they had been suddenly dragged to the battlefield.
Both were vice lords who had risen to the highest possible rank at a young age. Even earning merit here offered no benefit.
Taking responsibility for the battle was out of the question.
“The Commander is right. I absolutely do not want command.” Muk Inhyeok spoke up. “But entrusting the fate of our divisions to a second-grade captain is something I absolutely wish to avoid.”
His eyes flashed as he looked back and forth between Gongsun Dankyung and Bu Eunseol. “If things go wrong, that second-grade captain certainly won’t take responsibility.”
“I will take responsibility.” She placed her commander’s seal on the table and declared confidently.
“I will take responsibility for everything that happens under Captain Seon’s command.”
Muk Inhyeok shut his mouth, at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected the Commander to stake her position and accept full responsibility.
“Commander, then allow me one question.” Seong Joyeong spoke. “We follow this second-grade captain’s orders, maintain a standoff on the battlefield, but the Heaven-Human Cult launches a preemptive attack. What if our division responds and ends up annihilating them?”
He stared at Gongsun Dankyung with gleaming eyes.
“Whose responsibility would that be?”
If the Martial Alliance crushed the Heaven-Human Cult before she met the Emperor?
Gongsun Dankyung, traveling to the capital, would be defying imperial orders. But once battle began and victory was at hand, withdrawing was equally impossible.
“Once combat begins, thousands of martial artists enter a frenzied state beyond reason. Having reached their main camp, they could wipe them all out.”
“That too will be my responsibility.”
Seong Joyeong’s eyes widened at Gongsun Dankyung’s words. “You’re serious?”
If that happened, “taking responsibility” would not end with words.
Defying the Emperor’s decree and annihilating the Heaven-Human Cult—she could lose not only her position as Commander but her life.
“But that won’t happen.” Gongsun Dankyung’s eyes brimmed with confidence. “As long as Captain Seon commands, by the time I return, we will have breached only the defensive lines.”
Seong Joyeong raised an eyebrow.
She was young enough to become Commander, so surely a master of cunning strategies.
But Seon Woojin did not seem to possess such ability.
In the end, Gongsun Dankyung had staked her future on an extremely slim chance.
‘She’s too young, everything must look easy to her.’ Seong Joyeong inwardly shook his head.
Unless he stepped up to command, he had no choice but to follow the Commander’s order.
She had wagered everything.
“Very well. Since the Commander insists, I will comply.”
“Vice Lord Muk?”
At Gongsun Dankyung’s question, Muk Inhyeok also nodded. “I will do the same.”
“Good. Then I will immediately go to the capital, resolve this, and return.” She looked at Bu Eunseol and nodded.
“Captain Seon. I’m counting on you.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke with a strong voice. “Until I return, breach all enemy defensive lines but do not destroy their main camp.”
In truth, this was a near-impossible mission.
Bu Eunseol could not answer immediately.
This situation had been neither hinted at nor discussed in advance.
“You can do it, right?” But Gongsun Dankyung smiled brightly.
If she had been ordered to command troops for ten days and create such a deadlock?
Though difficult, she would have accomplished it in the end.
Gongsun Dankyung believed.
If she could do it…
Bu Eunseol absolutely could too.
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