novelraw Chapter 145 : Using Fear as a Weapon
Chapter 145 : Using Fear as a Weapon
The time it took to decipher the code was about half a day.
There was no problem in deciphering it as he had become accustomed to the code that utilized footwork, but the problem was the vast amount of information.
By the time the deciphering was finished, the world had at some point turned black.
Six people sat gathered in the conference room, which was lit by ten lanterns.
In front of them was a newly created map based on the code that Gu Yong had deciphered.
“Hmm…”
A groan automatically leaked from the mouths of the Alliance Leader, the External General Manager, and the temple masters who had confirmed the map.
The completed map revealed the branches of the Hao Sect, which were connected as densely as a spider’s web.
At the unexpectedly large scale, everyone gathered in the conference room was at a loss for words for a while.
“Are all of these the branches of the Hao Sect?”
The black dots, which were as densely packed as if black sesame seeds had been sprinkled on the map, were connected by red lines.
A sight like numerous spiders having connected their webs.
“Of course, the scale is considerable, but the actual central branches are…”
Gu Yong placed a small wooden statue carved from wood on the map.
There were twenty-two of them.
“These are the ones. I haven’t been able to find out who the leader of the Hao Sect is or where his main body is, but if we can destroy even these twenty-two branches…”
Gu Yong said, emphasizing his serious voice.
“It will be as if the Heretic Path's Alliance has lost its eyes and ears on the Central Plains martial world.”
“Ooh…”
“Does that mean we can launch a counterattack?”
“However, each branch is closely connected, so if even one of them does not receive news, there is a high possibility that the branches will disappear. Therefore, we must strike all the branches at the same time to be able to destroy all the branches of the Hao Sect without a single one missing.”
“A large number of martial artists will be needed.”
“They must be composed of skilled people.”
“External General Manager.”
“Yes. Alliance Leader.”
“How long do you think it will take to prepare?”
“I will have to discuss it with the Internal General Manager, but in my opinion, it will take about a year just to prepare.”
Gwak Doyeop nodded his head.
“The fact that we have found out the locations of the Hao Sect’s branches must never be revealed. Make sure to prepare in secret.”
“I will do so.”
“The rest of the temple masters, please also be especially careful about information leaks.”
“Yes!”
As Dokgo Jeokmyeong, Yeom Yoa, and Beom U left the place, the Alliance Leader, Gu Yong, and Gwak Myeong remained in the conference room.
The reason they remained was because of the Alliance Leader’s request.
“Do you know why I have left you all here?”
Gwak Myeong knew the reason.
He hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“Alliance Leader. Please promise me one thing.”
“A promise… what does the Wave-Breaking Sword want me to promise?”
A heavy pressure could be felt from Gwak Doyeop’s entire body.
Nevertheless, Gwak Myeong’s gaze was unwavering and calm.
Gwak Doyeop, who was staring at him, withdrew his energy.
“It’s not easy to defeat one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the Righteous Path. Yes, speak.”
“Please promise me that you will leave him alone.”
“…”
While Gwak Doyeop could not easily give an answer, Gu Yong watched the conversation between the two with an interested gaze.
Who on earth was he to make Gwak Doyeop hesitate and make Gwak Myeong ask for a promise from the Alliance Leader?
After a short silence, Gwak Doyeop’s head slowly moved.
“I will do so.”
“Then I will speak.”
Gwak Myeong was about to first explain the series of events that had occurred during the Four Divine Assembly for Gu Yong’s sake, but he soon gave up.
‘There’s no way the Beggars' Sect doesn’t know about this.’
Gwak Myeong, who had judged that there was no way the Beggars' Sect, the largest intelligence organization in the Central Plains, would not know about the events at the Four Daoist Assembly, immediately got to the point.
“The man in black who appeared at that time was once a disciple of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple… the eldest son of the Jin Clan, Jin Sohyun.”
“Jin Sohyun!!”
At that moment, Gu Yong shouted in surprise.
The gazes of the two turned to Gu Yong at the same time.
At that, Gu Yong, who had realized his mistake, gave an awkward smile.
“…My apologies. It was an unexpected name.”
“Didn’t they say he was seriously injured in the fight with the Nameless Pavilion and could no longer use martial arts?”
“I thought so too. But it seems he is perfectly fine.”
“It’s a relief that that child is safe… but wasn’t that man in black poisoned by the Formless Earth Killing Poison at that time? Is he safe now?”
At the mention of being poisoned by the Formless Earth Killing Poison, Gu Yong’s face turned pale.
‘No!’
Who was Jin Sohyun?
He was the disciple of Bieunggaek, who was currently active as a spy in the Hao Sect.
What if he lost his life due to the Formless Earth Killing Poison that Bieunggaek had smuggled out?
There was no greater disaster than that.
Gu Yong said anxiously.
“What happened to Young Master Jin!?”
Gwak Myeong, who was receiving the glaring gazes of the two from the front, opened his mouth.
“Fortunately, he is safe.”
“Phew…”
“Hah!”
The relief was short-lived, and Gwak Doyeop had a face of incomprehension.
“It’s a relief that that child is safe. But the Formless Earth Killing Poison is an exterminating poison with no antidote. But he’s safe even after being poisoned by it? Was he not poisoned?”
“He was poisoned. But… the Formless Earth Killing Poison could not kill Jin Sohyun.”
This time, even Gu Yong looked at Gwak Myeong with a face that seemed not to understand.
“Couldn’t kill him…? What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t understand either. Jin Sohyun just told me that. Also, it was Jin Sohyun who killed the fleeing Soul-Chasing Poisonous Snake.”
“…”
At this point, Gwak Doyeop was at a loss for words.
It wasn't enough that he had survived a one-on-one fight with the Nameless Pavilion, but he had also protected hundreds of late-stage prospects from the evil scheme of the Poison Sect and the Namrangbang that had occurred at the Four Daoist Assembly.
After that, he had survived even after being poisoned by the Formless Earth Killing Poison, for which there was no antidote.
And he had also found and killed the fleeing master of poison arts, the Soul-Chasing Poisonous Snake.
This was an achievement that a late-stage prospect who had just come of age had accomplished alone.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“I couldn’t believe it either.”
Only then did Gwak Doyeop seem to understand why Gwak Myeong had wanted a promise.
From the moment he had heard about Jin Sohyun, Gwak Doyeop had been thinking of using him to confront the Heretic Path's Alliance.
Gwak Myeong, who knew this, had blocked it in advance so that the Martial Alliance could not use Jin Sohyun.
“If all of this is true, then the martial artist named Jin Sohyun is the most outstanding late-stage prospect in the history of martial arts. Isn’t his talent too precious to be left alone?”
“The achievements he has made are by no means light. And Jin Sohyun… even if we don’t ask him to fight with us, he will rise again when a crisis comes to the righteous martial world. Until then, I want to let him rest even a little.”
Was Gwak Myeong’s earnest heart conveyed?
Gwak Doyeop, the Martial Alliance Leader, did not press him.
But his gaze reached the Hao Sect, which was nested in various parts of the Central Plains.
“That child’s rest will not be very long.”
***
Cheon Yerang felt a sense of strangeness and gripped her sword hilt.
When holding a sword, one’s body and mind should not be shaken.
Selfless unity.
One had to entrust oneself completely to the sword.
But now that she was holding the sword, all sorts of thoughts were complicating her mind.
Cheon Yerang was even confused because this had never happened before.
Now that she could neither swing nor sheathe her sword.
Someone’s voice came from behind Cheon Yerang.
“Are you okay?”
At Cheon Gaseong’s voice coming from behind her, she lightly nodded her head.
“I’m fine.”
Cheon Yerang, who had been poisoned in the fight with the Soul-Chasing Poisonous Snake, Gwi Hak, was able to recover quickly under the devoted care of the Martial Alliance.
“Why did you do it?”
Cheon Gaseong came right up in front of Cheon Yerang.
His gaze was dry.
When there was no answer, Cheon Gaseong asked again.
“It wasn’t like you. Why did you show such an obsession with the man in black?”
“Because I received help.”
“Is that all there is to it?”
Cheon Gaseong’s eyes shone with an intense light, as if demanding the truth.
But Cheon Yerang’s eyes were unwavering.
“Yes.”
Cheon Gaseong reached out his hand, brushed Cheon Yerang’s hair, and said.
“Do not forget your position and role. You are always a person of the White Moon Palace and the daughter of the Palace Lord.”
“…I will keep that in mind.”
“You were here.”
The gazes of the two turned to where the voice had come from at the same time.
Jong Ryeo'ak was standing there.
“The temple master is looking for you.”
Jong Ryeo'ak, who was standing with an annoyed face, left only his business and turned away.
After that, the two who had gone to find Gwak Myeong followed him and walked into the estate.
Mujin and Namgung Seoru were also there.
Both of them were people who had achieved excellent results in the sparring competition held at the Four Daoist Assembly.
Finally, Gwak Doyeop came to them.
At the appearance of the Alliance Leader, the five late-stage prospects clasped their fists and bowed their heads.
“You have all gathered well. The reason I have called you is none other than…”
What Gwak Doyeop held out in front of them was a pure white sword.
The White Heaven Sword.
The sword, which was originally a prize to be given to the winner of the Four Daoist Assembly, had gone missing due to Jin Sohyun and had now returned.
“Shouldn’t we determine the owner of this sword?”
At the Alliance Leader’s proposal, the gazes of the martial artists gathered in one place changed.
In particular, Jong Ryeo'ak, Namgung Seoru, and Mujin, as befitting swordsmen, showed their desire for the famous sword made by Danya without reservation.
On the other hand, Cheon Yerang and Cheon Gaseong did not reveal their inner thoughts.
‘They say they have undergone harsh training for a long time, and their ability to hide their feelings is also extraordinary.’
Gwak Doyeop purely admired the two martial artists without a sound.
He took back the White Heaven Sword and smiled faintly.
“Shall we resume the stopped match?”
The answer was already decided.
The three martial artists, excluding Cheon Gaseong and Cheon Yerang, said in unison.
“Yes!”
***
The bottom of the estate where the Four Daoist Assembly had not ended.
In the dark underground where no unauthorized person could even set foot, the fully bound Ju O raised his head.
The person who had appeared holding a torch stood in front of Ju O.
“You’ve finally come. It’s so dark and damp here that my eyes are dim and my whole body is stiff.”
“Did the food suit your taste?”
“It was so-so. The meat dish that came out today was quite delicious.”
Ju O did not feel anything special from the newly appeared man in black.
In any case, this was the land of the Martial Alliance.
There was no one who would harm him, who was cooperating without a single lie.
“I see.”
The man in black stood face to face with Ju O.
“You said you were just a simple signalman?”
“Yes! I didn’t think something like this would happen. I just followed the orders of the deputy leader as a member of the Namrangbang.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“The one standing before you now is the leader of the Hidden Shadow Unit, So Soil.”
The man in black took off his mask and revealed his face.
It was an ordinary appearance with no special features.
“I haven’t seen you before.”
“I have served the Martial Alliance for a very long time, but not many know my face.”
“Ah… I… see.”
Ju O’s gaze wavered.
The quick-witted boy seemed to know the reason why So Soil had revealed himself.
“I’m glad you enjoyed your last meal.”
The Hidden Shadow Unit.
At the very bottom of the Martial Alliance.
The ones who handled the most secret and dirty work.
So Soil took out a long needle from his bosom.
Ju O, who discovered this, let out a deep sigh.
“No wonder… they gave me meat…”
That evening.
In the underground of the Martial Alliance, several corpses were carried on stretchers and moved without anyone knowing.
As So Soil, who had finished his work, finished his report, Dokgo Jeokmyeong nodded his head.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Dokgo Jeokmyeong looked around the wide estate where a great disaster had almost occurred.
“If they shake the wall of the righteous martial world by using fear as a weapon…”
His gaze quietly sank.
“What real fear is… we will show them.”
***
Clop— Clop—!
Hwanggu, who had been moving along the main road for several days already, was tired and hungry.
Unlike when he had to arrive at the estate where the Four Daoist Assembly was being held on time, there was no need to hurry now.
Was that why?
Jin Sohyun was sleeping sprawled out on the haystack, letting the time pass by.
Thanks to that, Hwanggu had to pull the cart endlessly toward the north.
Moo—!
Having no choice, Hwanggu mooed shortly.
But Jin Sohyun did not respond.
Could it be that that terrible human had died?
Moo!
This time, he mooed a little louder.
There was still no answer.
If that human had really died, what should I do now?
I’m hungry.
I’m tired.
I’m exhausted.
Hwanggu, who knew that even though he was just a mere beast, the only one who could help him was a human, turned his head.
He flared his nostrils, found a place where people lived, and pulled the cart.
And so, the oxcart carrying Jin Sohyun slowly moved toward the village.
The lazybones, who was sleeping on the haystack with the sky as his blanket, was completely unaware.
“Mmmnya.”
(End of Chapter)