Bu Eunseol’s fingers tightened around the letter.
It was an utterly unbelievable fact. The Gong Twin Demons were renowned masters in the demonic sect for over a decade. To think that they were spies for the Martial Alliance?
“If I refuse?” Bu Eunseol said.
The eyes of the masked man, who had been smiling all along, turned cold.
“Are you saying you’d refuse a Gapho mission?”
“It’s troublesome.”
At Bu Eunseol’s reply, the masked man said icily, “A Gapho mission is essentially an order. Refusing it means defying Majeon’s command.”
“Hmm.”
“As someone who’s worked in the Nine Deaths Squad, you know well… the consequences don’t fall on you alone.” Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
Refusing a Gapho mission could lead to punishment for insubordination. Being locked in a dungeon didn’t scare him.
The problem was that Bu Eunseol was the Ten Demon Warrior of Nangyang.
‘If I refuse, it will harm the main sect.’
Moreover, Dan Cheong had gone to great lengths to ensure Bu Eunseol could join the Nine Deaths Squad.
If he refused a mission directly from Majeon and committed insubordination, the repercussions would undoubtedly affect Nangyang and Dan Cheong as well.
“Are you going to refuse?” the masked man asked, his tone playful but laced with suspicion.
In that moment, a strange thought flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Is Majeon doubting me? Majeon was home to countless masters.
Even if the Gong Twin Demons were spies for the orthodox sect, there were plenty of experts capable of dealing with them. Yet, they issued a Gapho mission specifically designating him? Unless he was under suspicion, it didn’t add up.
“No choice, then.” As Bu Eunseol calmly accepted the letter, the masked man’s eyes curved into crescents.
“A wise decision.” The next day.
Rising early in the morning, Bu Eunseol donned his travel attire.
Dealing with the Gong Twin Demons required caution. Not only were they skilled in martial arts, but they were also the heads of the Yueyang Branch.
What if someone was using high-level intelligence to create a diversion? What if the masked man wasn’t from Majeon but a spy for the Martial Alliance?
‘It’s unlikely, but…’ If nothing else, the unique emblem of the Nine Deaths Squad was hard to forge. It was created with special ink made exclusively within Majeon.
‘I’d better verify it properly.’ Unleashing swift qinggong, Bu Eunseol headed for Gyerim.
That was where the Gong Twin Demons had killed a Majeon spy. Surely, the Nine Deaths Squad’s Gyerim Branch would hold records of that day’s events and the truth. Traveling day and night without rest, Bu Eunseol finally arrived in Gyerim.
I need to find the branch leader.
Thanks to Shang Liang’s proposal, Bu Eunseol had access to the Yueyang Branch’s information at will. He knew better than anyone how the branch processed and stored information.
The Nine Deaths Squad’s Gyerim Branch. This was a place where the orthodox sect’s intelligence organizations held sway over the demonic sect.
As a result, Majeon’s intelligence operations had to function covertly. In a shabby alley slightly outside Seongdo.
An old manor located there was the Nine Deaths Squad’s Gyerim Branch.
Swish.
Unleashing Swift Beyond Shadow, Bu Eunseol infiltrated the manor with ghost-like movements. Disguised as an ordinary manor, the interior was bustling with activity. Yet no one noticed Bu Eunseol’s movements.
There’s a secret chamber here too.
Entering a hall labeled Solitary Reflection, his eyes gleamed as he saw shelves stacked with books.
Creak, rumble. As he haphazardly moved the books on the shelf, a metallic grinding sound revealed a hidden passage.
“Is that you, Gi Hyeon?” A low male voice echoed as Bu Eunseol emerged from the dimly lit secret passage. Inside, a middle-aged man with a plump build was sipping tea at a table piled with letters.
He was Jin Dong, the leader of the Gyerim Branch.
“Who are you?” Seeing an unfamiliar young man glaring at him, Jin Dong quickly reached for a mechanism under the table.
“No use pressing it,” Bu Eunseol said, placing a long metal rod on the table with a tap. “I disabled all the alarm mechanisms on my way in.”
After a brief silence, Jin Dong narrowed his eyes.
“What do you want?”
“Everything about the Gong Twin Demons’ activities in Gyerim four years ago.”
“The Gong Twin Demons?” Jin Dong looked at Bu Eunseol with a puzzled expression. “Why are you after useless information?”
“Just hand it over. I’m not here to harm the branch.”
Tap, tap, tap.
Bu Eunseol lightly tapped the floor several times. It was the signal used when a Nine Deaths Squad member had to reveal their identity under unavoidable circumstances.
“Which branch are you from?”
“You don’t need to know. I’m short on time, so just give me the information.”
“Why should I?” Nine Deaths Squad members always conceal their identities, and there’s no interaction between branches.
In short, they only follow direct orders from Majeon.
“You’d better provide it.” Bu Eunseol drew his longsword like lightning and sheathed it just as quickly.
Clank.
The moment he released the sword, the teacup in front of Jin Dong shattered into eight pieces.
“Refuse, and your head will be split into eight pieces as well.”
“Even for the reckless Nine Deaths Squad, killing another branch’s leader?” Jin Dong smirked and said calmly, “If this is formally reported to Majeon, do you think you and your sect will escape unscathed?”
Though Nine Deaths Squad members operate solo and conceal their identities, there’s still a system in place.
Killing a fellow demonic sect member or disrupting the system could bring severe sanctions not only on the individual but also on their sect.
Knowing this well, Jin Dong spoke with confidence.
“I don’t know which reckless sect you’re from, but if you back off now…”
“I am Bu Eunseol of Nangyang.” Jin Dong’s eyes widened as Bu Eunseol’s gaze glinted with a bloodthirsty light. “Even if I kill a few nobodies like you, I won’t face punishment. Understand?”
“Wait, Bu Eunseol… the Ten Demon Warrior?” Jin Dong’s confident smile froze instantly.
He, too, was the head of an intelligence organization.
He had received reports that Bu Eunseol, the most prominent rising star among the Ten Demon Warriors, was even eyed by the Elder Council. Killing a mere Gyerim Branch leader wouldn’t bring him any repercussions.
“Even if you’re a warrior of the Ten Demonic Sects… only Nine Deaths Squad members can access the information we handle.”
“You’re slow. Did you forget I proved I’m a Nine Deaths Squad member?” Bu Eunseol said in a cold voice, “I am Number Eighteen of the Yueyang Branch.”
Jin Dong’s jaw dropped.
In the past year, a legendary Nine Deaths Squad member had emerged in the Yueyang Branch, completing impossible missions. Tales of Number Eighteen had spread relentlessly among intelligence organizations.
And that Number Eighteen was Bu Eunseol?
“You’re Number Eighteen…”
As Jin Dong stammered, Bu Eunseol said, “If it’s too much trouble, I’ll just kill you and take it.”
Without hesitation, he drew his sword. A chilling aura filled the secret chamber, and Jin Dong felt as if his neck were freezing.
“Wait, wait! I was just stunned for a moment!” Wiping cold sweat, Jin Dong hurriedly stood and pointed to a shelf. “I’ll get it right away. Just wait.”
“Hmph.” Bu Eunseol sheathed his sword with a low scoff, and the oppressive aura dissipated.
Jin Dong, unconsciously touching his neck, said, “The information stored in the branch is all in code…”
“I know. Just lead me to the secret chamber.”
Bu Eunseol had become an expert in handling information. He had mastered the classification of high-purity intelligence coming into the Yueyang Branch and the decryption of Majeon’s codes.
He was skilled enough to join Nangyang’s Peongan Corps without issue.
“This way.” Jin Dong opened the secret chamber door and pointed to a shelf.
Bu Eunseol began swiftly scanning the books piled there.
“This is…” As he meticulously combed through the information from that time, his eyes widened.
He had finally confirmed the truth with his own eyes.
-All factions, whether orthodox or demonic, train spies professionally. Let alone alliances like Majeon and the Martial Alliance.
Suddenly, Dan Cheong’s words from before he joined the Nine Deaths Squad echoed in his ears.
-In personal duels, victory depends on who wields their sword faster. But in conflicts between factions or powers, it depends on who operates the better intelligence network.
“So that’s how it is.” Closing the book, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
Even now, the Martial Alliance and Majeon were engaged in a silent war.
***
Returning from Gyerim, Bu Eunseol rested at his hideout for a day.
As evening approached, he bought three jars of premium yellow wine and ginger-topped roasted chicken from Jianghalu. He then sent a letter to the Haehyeon Bookstore via a young errand boy.
Tonight, let’s share a drink in the bamboo forest by the west gate.
Dusk was settling.
In the bamboo forest outside the west gate stood a small pavilion. This pavilion was built long ago for drunkards to enjoy the scenery while drinking. But with fine taverns and distilleries springing up nearby, it had fallen out of use.
Pour.
Shang Liang and Ma Yun, sitting in the old pavilion, filled large bowls with yellow wine.
Gulp, gulp.
As the strong yet fragrant liquor slid down their throats, Shang Liang exclaimed, “Ahh, this is great.” The sound of rustling bamboo leaves carried on the breeze.
Gazing at the bright moon through the bamboo, Shang Liang muttered, “You live long enough, you see all sorts of things.” Sipping his drink, he looked at Bu Eunseol and said, “To think the Young Master would invite us for a drink first.”
“Exactly,” Ma Yun said, grinning widely. “In all my life, I never imagined being treated to a drink by the Young Master.”
“…” As always, Bu Eunseol silently sipped his drink instead of responding.
“You know what?” Ma Yun said, smiling as he addressed Bu Eunseol. “Brother and I often mimic your way of drinking.”
Bu Eunseol’s drinking habits were consistent.
He didn’t down strong liquor in one go but sipped it slowly, like tea, at a steady pace. It seemed slow, but he drank continuously, consuming far more than those who chugged their cups.
“Exactly. At first, it seemed underwhelming, but the more I watched, the more I copied it,” Shang Liang muttered.
Ma Yun grinned. “They say when you like someone, you even pick up their habits.”
But Bu Eunseol continued drinking silently. In less than half an hour, all three jars of liquor were emptied.
“Have I ever drunk so heartily in my life?” Shang Liang exclaimed.
“Truly,” Ma Yun nodded.
A brief silence fell over the bamboo forest. With a wry smile, Shang Liang looked at Bu Eunseol and nodded.
“Now that we’ve finished the drinks, say what you need to say.” They already knew.
Bu Eunseol had invited them here to broach a difficult topic.
“You think I have something to say?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Shang Liang chuckled. “It’s been almost a year since we met, hasn’t it?” Normally, Shang Liang spoke to Bu Eunseol with utmost respect.
But now, for some reason, he spoke casually, like an elder.
“A year isn’t a short time.”
“Then you must also know I’m not one for many words.”
“True. You’re taciturn. But you don’t usually drink this fast.” Shang Liang said calmly, “When someone has something they don’t want to say, they often borrow the courage of liquor.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Fine.” With an unusually low and somber gaze, Bu Eunseol asked them.
“Are you really spies for the Martial Alliance?”
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