Majeon, Suppressed Demon Pavilion. Conference room.
“...These are the various problems we are facing.”
Yoo Unryong was earnestly explaining to Bu Eunseol the difficult situation confronting the Death Shadow Corps.
The Martial Soul Society had reached the point where it needed to leave Shaanxi and establish branches in new territories to expand its influence. At the same time, the Death Shadow Corps required a base to train not only the Flying Demon Corps but also additional forces recruited from outside.
However, resolving both matters at once was no easy task.
Since neither Mount Hua nor Zhongnan could restrain the Martial Soul Society’s growth, the Martial Alliance branches had resolved to monitor their every move with utmost vigilance and block, at all costs, any attempt at expansion.
Moreover, to be precise, the Flying Demon Corps did not belong directly to Majeon; it was an intelligence organization that Bu Eunseol had personally recruited from outside.
In other words, it was a secret organization operated covertly by Bu Eunseol himself.
Therefore, if the Death Shadow Corps continued to run the Flying Demon Corps directly under its command as it did now, sooner or later its scale and activities could be exposed by Majeon’s intelligence network.
“In short, we need a stronghold where we can establish a Martial Soul Society branch, train the new forces including the Flying Demon Corps, and station them.”
“That’s not difficult.” Bu Eunseol replied calmly to Yoo Unryong’s words. “Soon, we will establish a new mercenary market under the Martial Soul Society’s name near Guangyuan, adjacent to Sichuan… and everything will be resolved.”
“That method won’t work.”
Yoo Unryong firmly shook his head.
“Isn’t that place within the sphere of influence of the Martial Alliance’s Qizhou branch?”
He continued with a grave expression.
“The very reason the Martial Alliance branches are watching with bloodshot eyes is precisely because the Martial Soul Society is expanding its power under the pretext of operating mercenary markets.”
Previously, when Zhongnan tried to pick a fight with the Martial Soul Society, the martial factions had declared that mercenary markets could not be operated by martial organizations—choose one or the other.
If the Martial Soul Society openly established a mercenary market near Sichuan, the Martial Alliance’s Qizhou branch, which claims Qizhou as its sphere of influence, would undoubtedly do everything in its power to stop it.
“He’s right.”
Wi Cheongyeong, who had been listening silently, chimed in.
“If the Martial Soul Society tries to build a mercenary market there, they won’t even be able to finish construction—before the building is even raised, they’ll face constant sabotage.”
“Exactly. That’s why we’re building it there.”
“Huh?”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “Whether they sabotage it or destroy the construction site doesn’t matter. As long as the Martial Soul Society pours in unlimited funds and keeps rebuilding, everything will be over.”
“What does that…?”
“Well, shall we call it social cooperation? Or perhaps a transaction.”
At his cryptic answer, the captains looked bewildered.
It was obvious that the Martial Alliance branch would destroy anything built before a mercenary market could even be completed. Yet he was telling them to keep pouring enormous sums into construction and force it through?
“What are you thinking?”
“There’s no particular ‘thinking’ involved.” Smiling at Yoo Unryong’s question, Bu Eunseol said, “Just trust me. That’s how it will turn out.”
Seeing his absolute confidence, Yoo Unryong scratched his head.
His own resourcefulness and schemes were hardly lacking… yet Bu Eunseol’s plans were utterly impossible to fathom.
“Understood. Then I’ll proceed on the assumption that a mercenary market will be built there and prepare all the captains, including Myo Cheonwoo.”
“No need. For training, Won Semun, Wi Cheongyeong, and Jo Namcheon will be sufficient.”
Yoo Unryong made an awkward face.
He immediately understood why Bu Eunseol wasn’t sending Myo Cheonwoo, who specialized in training.
It was to help himself, who was already overwhelmed with various duties in the Death Shadow Corps.
But he didn’t bother saying thanks or refusing out of formality.
Bu Eunseol was not the type of person to ruin the greater plan over trivial sentiment.
“Understood. We’ll do it that way.”
Yoo Unryong took a deep breath.
He had no idea how it would be possible…
But the plan to create a mercenary market within the Martial Alliance’s sphere of influence, thereby opening a path for the Martial Soul Society to extend into Sichuan, had begun.
***
Tap-tap-tap.
In a certain village in Qizhou Prefecture, countless laborers had gathered and were tirelessly constructing buildings. They stacked stones for foundations, raised wooden frames for skeletons, and enclosed spaces between pillars at regular intervals.
This was precisely the preparation for building a new mercenary market under the Martial Soul Society.
Strictly speaking, this place still fell within the Martial Alliance’s sphere of influence. But as commerce declined, jobs gradually disappeared, and eventually the common people began leaving one by one.
Before long, it had become a virtually deserted ghost village.
That was why they were building the mercenary market here first—to use it as a foothold for expansion.
Rumble.
But at that moment, a large group of martial artists stormed into the construction site.
They were all dressed in white robes embroidered with phoenixes—the uniform of the Martial Alliance.
It was none other than the branch leader of the Martial Alliance’s Qizhou branch, Palm Shaking Heaven Seok Gang, along with his elite subordinates.
“Cease construction immediately.” Seok Gang shouted again in a booming voice. “Stop all work!”
“What’s going on?”
When the laborers asked, the Martial Alliance martial artists shook their heads.
“You cannot build structures here. Halt construction at once.”
The elderly head carpenter in charge of the project tilted his head in confusion.
“This land was legally purchased with money. We’ve hired laborers and intend to build—why is it not allowed?”
“You intend to keep building?”
“Yes, we do.”
Seok Gang swept the old man with cold eyes and said, “Very well, if that’s your stance.”
Turning around, he ordered, “Immediately send a letter to the Martial Soul Society stating that if they do not demolish this site, we will launch a full-scale attack.”
Then he roared so loudly the sky seemed to ring.
“The Martial Soul Society, which claims to be a neutral coalition between righteous and demonic factions, must not extend its influence even one step beyond Shaanxi!”
In the end, Seok Gang was determined to block the Martial Soul Society’s expansion even if it meant open confrontation.
Mounting his horse, he coldly shouted once more at the laborers.
“Whatever happens here from now on, do not regret it.”
Rumble.
With those final words, Seok Gang and his men vanished in a cloud of dust.
A few days later.
A reply from the Martial Soul Society arrived at the Martial Alliance Qizhou branch.
―This is not a branch of our society; we are merely constructing a new mercenary market. It has nothing to do with any martial sect, so the Martial Alliance need not concern itself.
Crunch.
Seok Gang crumpled the letter in his fist.
In short, they were openly declaring they would ignore the Martial Alliance’s warning and continue building the mercenary market.
“Negotiations have broken down.” He muttered with a cold laugh. “They must think that since there are no Martial Soul Society martial artists here yet—only laborers—they can’t be touched?”
The corner of Seok Gang’s mouth curled upward.
He had long suspected that the Martial Soul Society would use a mercenary market as a pretext to create a base for expansion but he was not the type to sit idly by while such nonsense unfolded.
“If you’re going to hide behind carpenters pretending to be innocent common folk…”
Seok Gang grinned viciously, baring his fangs.
“Then we’ll become innocent gangsters ourselves.”
The next day.
Buzz buzz.
The nearly completed mercenary market buildings had been completely demolished.
Not only the halls painstakingly erected by the carpenters, but even the foundation stones had been smashed to pieces.
“So the Martial Alliance martial artists finally made their move.”
The old man looking at the ruined site shook his head.
They hadn’t acted directly; instead, they had used back-alley black faction gangsters to do the destruction.
Since only carpenters and laborers were present at the site right now, if martial artists had intervened personally, they would only earn the accusation of harming common folk.
“In any case, I was told that if it collapses, just keep building.”
The head carpenter muttered indifferently.
When the Martial Soul Society hired them, they had already anticipated such a situation and ordered them to rebuild no matter how many times it was destroyed. Naturally, wages would be paid generously within three days, and all necessary materials would be supplied immediately.
“Hmm, no choice then.”
Swallowing a groan, the head carpenter shouted loudly.
“Rebuild it!”
The Martial Alliance was relentless.
They would leave it alone for a day or two, only for the site to be reduced to ruins again on the third day without fail.
Yet they couldn’t post night sentries or deploy Martial Soul Society troops.
The Alliance used black faction gangsters and when even that wasn’t enough, they would secretly come at night and destroy it themselves.
If the Martial Soul Society started stationing martial artists for guard duty?
That would immediately create the exact situation the Martial Alliance desperately wanted—an excuse to deploy force.
They had already sent the letter, securing justification for armed conflict.
―This is going to turn into a war.
As the constantly rebuilt structures were reduced to rubble again and again, some laborers grew terrified and a few fled.
In any case, the fact that the Martial Alliance was secretly demolishing what the Martial Soul Society built meant that this could ultimately escalate into open war between martial factions.
―Anyone who wants to leave may go. I won’t stop you.
―And starting tomorrow, I will raise the daily wage.
Strangely, the Martial Soul Society’s response was calm.
Whether the Martial Alliance destroyed the buildings or not, they kept hiring laborers and pushing construction forward.
They didn’t cling to those who left and for those who stayed long-term, they generously increased wages.
Before long, wage settlements shifted from every three days to immediate daily payment.
―Ah, whatever.
―If a fight breaks out, it’ll just be between two factions anyway.
They say money can even command ghosts.
Since the Martial Soul Society paid reliably and treated them generously…
The laborers gradually grew bolder, rebuilding every time a building collapsed, and work continued without cease.
As this cycle of destruction and reconstruction repeated endlessly, a bizarre situation began to unfold.
Workers from across the Central Plains who had experience cutting timber started flocking to the site. Skilled carpenters poured in, and as materials flowed in without interruption, not only eateries for the laborers but even small blacksmith shops for making tools began to appear.
―Look carefully. Even materials that have been smashed and broken like this can be reused with the right method.
Moreover, with the Martial Soul Society’s permission, the veteran carpenters studied ways to reprocess and reuse the materials destroyed by the black faction gangsters.
They taught these techniques to their apprentices.
As skilled carpenters developed new methods, other carpenters came to learn them and people eager to learn such skills began flocking in even greater numbers.
Buzz buzz.
Before anyone realized, the ghost village, once devoid of people, had regained vitality and become a gathering place for master carpenters.
Clop-clop-clop.
A group of mounted martial artists arrived in the village.
It was Seok Gang, leading his men once again to visit the site.
“These bastards…”
He had repeatedly ordered black faction gangsters to demolish the buildings and sometimes sent his own men at night to wreck them directly.
Yet they never tired; they simply kept rebuilding without end.
Looking around, Seok Gang bit his lip.
In the short time he had been away, construction had advanced considerably, and the village itself had become quite respectable.
“Fine!”
Any damage to the common folk would be temporary.
But he could not sit idly while the Martial Soul Society expanded.
Now he intended to provoke them openly.
“Demolish every building that has been erected—immediately!”
He had already issued warnings and sent a letter declaring readiness for full-scale war.
No longer would they rely on black faction gangsters; now they would use force to spark conflict.
“The more direct the clash, the better! Tear it all down!”
Rumble.
In the end, they drove out the laborers and once again demolished the Martial Soul Society’s mercenary market under construction.
He wanted to set it ablaze, but with the village now prospering, that was no longer feasible.
“Let’s see how long you can keep this up!”
Seok Gang shouted coldly while staring at the ruined mercenary market.
“Withdraw!”
Just as he turned his horse to leave,
“Excuse me, sir.”
A group of elderly carpenters stepped forward, blocking the path of Seok Gang and his men.
“Could you please stop destroying things now?”
“What?”
“For us, whenever you destroy it, more work appears—so we’re happy to keep building.”
The old man glanced cautiously at Seok Gang and continued.
“But every time you destroy it, innocent workers get hurt, just like before.”
Seok Gang’s anger flared at the audacity of mere carpenters stepping forward, but he couldn’t lash out at common folk.
Suppressing his rage, he said, “You don’t understand anything. What you are building will become a base for puppets that will one day bring disaster to the martial world.”
“…Is that so.”
The old carpenter shook his head and bowed politely.
“I understand.”
Then he turned away wearily.
Watching the carpenters walk off with slumped shoulders and dejected expressions, Seok Gang felt deeply uneasy, but he suppressed his emotions and turned his horse.
…Three months had already passed.
The Martial Alliance kept unilaterally destroying everything.
The Martial Soul Society made no reaction whatsoever and simply continued construction in silence.
Meanwhile, the Martial Alliance itself was in turmoil over the still-undecided matter of the next Alliance Lord, especially now that the next Alliance Lord would be determined by voluntary support within the alliance.
As a result, branch leaders from every region had been ordered to return to the main headquarters, clearly state their positions, and participate in discussions about candidates.
―Perfect!
Seok Gang inwardly cheered.
He had been continuously reporting to higher-ups about the Martial Soul Society issue and agonizing over how to handle it. Now was his chance to clearly inform the mid-level leadership of the Martial Soul Society’s provocations and obtain a solution.
―The alliance is already effectively split into three factions. Moreover, the Alliance Lord has once again entered seclusion…
At present, they were not in a position to wage full-scale war against Majeon, so they should limit themselves to containment without causing major conflict.
That was the final conclusion.
Returning to his branch, Seok Gang could barely contain his fury.
“This is exactly why the alliance’s prestige can no longer compare to Majeon’s!”
Crash!
He dramatically hurled an inkstone across the office, but all that returned was a sense of humiliation.
He was merely the branch leader of Qizhou—one of the weakest and most nominal branches in the entire Martial Alliance.
He had no choice but to obey the orders of the alliance’s mid-level leadership.
Then, another opportunity arrived.
―The deputy head of the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord Institute is currently inspecting each branch. Having heard about the conflict between our branch and the Martial Soul Society, he is coming to inspect our combat readiness.
At his subordinate’s sudden report, Seok Gang burst into a satisfied laugh.
The Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord Institute head might be unknown outside the martial world, but within it, he wielded power fearsome enough to make birds fall from the sky.
He could even be called the de facto branch leader capable of mobilizing every Martial Alliance branch.
And now the deputy head of that very institute was personally coming here?
“The Martial Soul Society must not dare covet the alliance’s sphere of influence. The deputy head will take full responsibility—so prepare to wipe them out completely.”
Incredibly, Tae Muryong—the right-hand man of Seon Woojin, one of the candidates for the next Alliance Lord—was supporting his position?
“Since the Martial Soul Society already dominates Shaanxi as a single force, they may have other ulterior motives…”
What followed was even more astonishing.
If combat broke out, he promised to provide additional troops and vast funds to minimize damage.
“Prepare perfect combat readiness so we can sweep them away in one stroke—make sure the Martial Soul Society never sets foot here again.”
At Tae Muryong’s command, Seok Gang eagerly began combat preparations.
In truth, the Qizhou branch, being deep within righteous faction territory, had enjoyed peace and had long been run lazily and negligently.
As a result, promotion opportunities were over.
Seok Gang had resigned himself to growing old here forever but if he could achieve the feat of stopping the Martial Soul Society’s expansion?
A high position in the main headquarters was no longer just a dream.
“Begin training!” Seok Gang solemnly ordered his men. “Train until we won’t yield even against the Martial Soul Society’s elite!”
To achieve perfect combat readiness, they needed another round of training to restore discipline and military spirit.
Fortunately, thanks to the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division Lord Institute’s support, preparations proceeded smoothly.
―It is reported that construction of the mercenary market is nearly complete.
―Thanks to the construction, the village is prospering. Merchants have moved in, and a proper commercial district has formed.
Occasional intelligence reports from subordinates came in, but it didn’t matter.
No—in fact, it was better.
Because once everything was perfectly destroyed, that would be the end of it.
“If a commercial district has formed… then from our branch’s perspective, a sudden source of revenue has appeared. Hahaha!”
Seok Gang grew even more enthusiastic and trained his men with ferocious intensity.
Those bastards had turned a barren village into a thriving one and even established a commercial zone.
If they drove out the Martial Soul Society?
They could seize that juicy golden egg for themselves.
And finally… after completing training, the entire force of the Qizhou branch was reborn as a perfect elite unit.
Rumble rumble.
With the sound of a herd of cattle passing, hundreds of troops began entering the village where the mercenary market was being built.
It was Seok Gang and the full strength of the Qizhou branch.
“From now on, we will demolish that mercenary market—so everyone stand aside!”
Seok Gang shouted confidently.
But something unexpected happened.
Every commoner in the area stood with fire in their eyes, blocking their path.
“You cannot destroy it any longer!”
Not only the carpenters who had built the mercenary market, but now all the merchants in the area were standing together to block the Martial Alliance troops.
“You’ve committed evil deeds until now, and now you intend to wipe it all out completely in broad daylight?”
“Evil… evil deeds?”
Seok Gang was momentarily flustered but soon began calmly persuading the residents.
“That mercenary market will eventually become a base for the martial faction called the Martial Soul Society! Our alliance can never tolerate such a thing!”
“Martial faction or whatever—stop meddling with our livelihood!”
“Just kill us and pass through! We can’t take it anymore!”
The common folk and nearby merchants stood united, desperately blocking Seok Gang and the Martial Alliance forces.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Seok Gang sensed something off.
Common folk never interfere in fights between martial artists.
That was an ironclad rule.
Yet here they were, risking their lives in such fierce opposition?
‘They’ve planted agents.’
Using agents hidden among the commoners to obstruct battle was hardly an original strategy; it was common in military tactics.
‘The only problem is that they can’t maintain it for long.’
Seok Gang sneered.
As someone who commanded a Martial Alliance branch, he was well-versed in strategy. If they identified and removed the agents inciting the commoners, and if time passed?
Such a tactic would quickly collapse.
“Very well.” Having finished thinking, Seok Gang curled his lip and took a step back. “Since that is your opinion, we will withdraw for today.”
After ordering the troops to retreat, he immediately instructed his adjutants to investigate the village situation and identify who was inciting them.
“No one?”
But the result was unexpected.
There were no Martial Soul Society agents behind the commoners.
“Then why are they so desperately blocking our alliance’s entry?”
At Seok Gang’s question, his adjutant scratched his head awkwardly.
“Well… it’s because…”
He said with an embarrassed expression.
“The Martial Soul Society promised to make this place a neutral buffer zone between righteous and demonic factions—where no force, not even black factions, would be allowed to interfere.”
“A neutral buffer zone between righteous and demonic?”
“Yes. They promised in a written document that no faction would touch the merchants’ or commoners’ money or profits…”
“What?”
Seok Gang’s eyes widened in shock.
Wherever a commercial district develops, black factions from the back alleys inevitably appear first. Whether demonic, black path, or righteous faction spheres of influence… it was inevitable.
Spheres of influence ultimately mean money.
Demonic and black path factions openly extort money ruthlessly, while righteous factions collected it in the form of voluntary donations.
Yet the Martial Soul Society had taken measures to prevent any faction from entering this thriving village and promised to guarantee the residents’ full profits.
“These crazy bastards.”
Seok Gang ground his teeth.
Merchants were people who would stake their lives on money.
Naturally, if the Martial Alliance entered, their profits would decrease.
So they had voluntarily banded together and were now desperately opposing any battle.
“…We’ve lost.”
Finally grasping the situation, Seok Gang let out a deep sigh.
As long as the common folk and merchants were willing to risk their lives in opposition, there was no way to destroy the mercenary market the Martial Soul Society had built—no matter what method was used.
“How much money do they have that they’re willing to forgo any profit from a sphere of influence?”
Moreover, the prosperity of this village was something the Martial Soul Society had brought.
And they hadn’t even bribed them with vast sums of money.
They had created ‘jobs’—allowing the village to prosper on its own initiative.
“What should we do?”
At his subordinate’s question, Seok Gang bowed his head.
“…That’s enough.”
Then, in the most forlorn voice imaginable, he ordered, “There will be no battle. Everyone return to your positions.”
At Seok Gang’s words, the adjutants carefully exited his office.
“Heh heh heh.”
Seok Gang let out a hollow laugh.
They were not demonic or black path factions.
They were the Martial Alliance, gathered under the banner of protecting the weak and upholding order in the martial world.
They could not wage a war that the common folk desperately opposed.
And if they forced their hand and harmed the people, if buildings were destroyed or commoners seriously injured in the process?
Then it would no longer be a matter for martial factions—the government offices would be mobilized.
In the worst case, the entire Qizhou branch could be wiped out.
“I thought they would eventually break… but…”
Realizing that every step so far had been part of a meticulously calculated strategy, Seok Gang murmured,
“The Martial Soul Society has a terrifying strategist.”
He lowered his head with a lonely expression.
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