Answer with Strategy (3)
Song Hwa-rin stood in the training ground, her eyes fixed on a large log in the distance as if it were an enemy. Nearby, Su-ran watched her intently.
With a powerful leap, Song Hwa-rin soared into the air, spinning gracefully before slashing her sword. A brilliant flash followed, and the sword energy sliced cleanly through the log.
“Whoosh!”
The log split perfectly in half, and Song Hwa-rin landed with a bright smile on her face.
“I did it!”
Su-ran rushed over, her excitement palpable. “You did it! You finally used sword energy!”
Today marked the first time Song Hwa-rin successfully unleashed sword energy.
“Yes, I finally did it,” she replied, her voice filled with satisfaction. It was thanks to the new sword technique she had learned, which included a move for releasing sword energy. Following the instructions had led to a resounding success.
For martial artists, the moment they first release sword energy is unforgettable.
“Do you remember your first time?” Song Hwa-rin asked Su-ran.
“Of course. I couldn’t sleep at all that night.”
“Haha, I imagine I’ll be the same.”
“Congratulations, truly.”
“Thank you.”
“Miss, the sword energy you released wasn’t ordinary.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s rare for a first attempt to be so precise and clean.”
“Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?”
“Not at all. Most first attempts barely qualify as sword energy.”
“Even yours?”
“Yes, I could only just feel something leaving the sword.”
“When I set up that log, you must have thought it was impossible.”
“I didn’t laugh, but I never imagined you’d actually cut it. Just releasing sword energy is hard enough, let alone hitting a target.”
“I see.”
Song Hwa-rin realized that the sword technique she had learned was extraordinary, but it was only today that she truly understood its greatness. She thought of Byeok Ri-dan and felt a desire to thank him for teaching her such a remarkable skill. Or perhaps, she mused, it was just an excuse to see him again.
The evidence linking Sima Qian to Jo Byeok was enough to remove Sima Qian from his position as the chief military strategist. Kidnapping children to sell them into prostitution was a crime punishable by death. Having someone like that as his right-hand man would not end with just losing his position.
Gal Sa-ryang planned to unravel the situation like this.
“We need to mobilize the Enforcement Hall.”
The Enforcement Hall was responsible for oversight and law enforcement within the Martial Alliance. No one, except the leader, could refuse their orders. They had the authority to summon, arrest, and search anyone, anywhere.
Usually the quietest place, once the Enforcement Hall moved, it created a formidable storm.
“But the problem is that the head of the Enforcement Hall is on their side.”
When the central organization of the Martial Alliance elected a leader, the head of the Enforcement Hall also supported Ma Bong-gi. In other words, he had been swayed by Gwangwol Danju Ju Cheol-ryong.
“Even so, if we can’t move the Enforcement Hall, the evidence we’ve worked so hard to gather will be useless.”
“We must find a way to move the head of the Enforcement Hall.”
In other words, they needed to create a rift among their enemies.
“And we need to find a way quickly.”
Sima Qian was sharp and driven by ambition. He wouldn’t just sit back after failing to kill Gal Sa-ryang. He would surely try to eliminate him again. They needed to strike first.
I left this matter entirely to Gal Sa-ryang. The issue with Sima Qian was his to resolve. It was a battle of wits among strategists, and I trusted Gal Sa-ryang.
He told me to take a few days off, so I had the chance to read the Gui Mun Dune Seo I had obtained from Saeng Sa Ru.
I already had a basic understanding of formations, so I didn’t find the terminology difficult or incomprehensible.
The book contained incredible formations, written in a way that was easy to understand. I could guess why.
The Gui Mun Dune Seo was meant to be presented to the leader of the Demonic Cult, so it was made comprehensible even to those who weren’t experts in formations.
Thanks to this, I had the opportunity to easily understand and master top-tier formations.
I even practiced as described.
The most basic formations could be created using simple objects around me. By arranging stones or branches, I could easily create a formation that would confuse and mislead people.
Simple formations activated just by placing materials in the correct positions, but as the formations became more advanced, they required more materials, precise control during setup, and the use of specific mental techniques.
Some formations required additional items, and some needed dozens of them.
Naturally, higher-level formations required rare materials. Some formations cost hundreds or thousands of nyang to activate.
Such formations could annihilate martial experts.
However, what was more useful to me was the method of breaking formations rather than setting them up. It was a practical skill.
I learned how to find the positions of the life gate and death gate when trapped in a formation.
Late into the night, as I was studying the Gui Mun Dune Seo, someone came to see me. It was Gal Sa-ryang.
“Shall we take a walk?”
“Yes.”
We left the lodging and walked through the outer grounds of the Martial Alliance under the moonlight. Gal Sa-ryang spoke.
“I’ve found a way to deal with Sima Qian.”
He never failed to meet my expectations.
Sima Qian sat in his office, sifting through documents.
He left most tasks to his subordinates, focusing on his own agenda.
The report he was reviewing contained background checks on personnel within the Martial Alliance. One of Sima Qian’s long-held beliefs was that no one was without flaws. If you lacked ability, you had to rely on cunning to survive.
At that moment, Chae Mo, the chief military officer, entered and spoke cautiously.
“There’s a strange rumor circulating within the Alliance.”
“A strange rumor?”
After hesitating, Chae Mo finally spoke under Sima Qian’s urging.
“There’s a rumor that the Enforcement Hall is planning to investigate you.”
“What?”
Sima Qian was taken aback.
“Why the Enforcement Hall?”
“They’re investigating your connection to Jo Byeok.”
Bang!
Sima Qian slammed his desk in frustration.
“Those fools! I told them there’s no connection! Why are they making a fuss over something that’s in the past?”
The ghost of Jo Byeok continued to haunt him. He knew that being linked to Jo Byeok would be his downfall.
It wasn’t just about Jo Byeok running a brothel with young girls. He could easily deny knowledge of that.
He had used Jo Byeok to handle numerous tasks, including eliminating people who shouldn’t have been killed. If those actions were exposed, it would be the end for him.
“Could this be related to the current situation?”
Gal Sa-ryang’s face came to mind. Or perhaps it was Ma Bong-gi’s faction trying to remove him. Either way, he needed to extinguish the immediate threat.
“Damn it! Go fetch the head of the Enforcement Hall!”
“Yes, understood.”
Chae Mo hurried out.
Sima Qian’s eyes narrowed with disdain.
“Arrogant fool! How dare you try to challenge me?”
Three days later, a carriage quietly entered a manor shrouded in darkness.
Though it was late and no one was watching, two skilled guards on the driver’s seat surveyed the surroundings. Only after confirming no one was around did they open the carriage door.
The person who stepped out was Ga Gyeong, the head of the Enforcement Hall.
A graceful woman led him inside. She was a rare beauty, elegant and dignified, a middle-aged woman of remarkable poise.
Inside, Sima Qian awaited him.
He rose to greet Ga Gyeong warmly.
“Welcome, Ga Dang-ju.”
Ga Gyeong felt uneasy.
“What brings you to request a meeting with me?”
Since becoming the chief military strategist, Sima Qian had never asked to meet him privately, especially not in such a secluded manor.
“Let’s sit and have a drink first.”
Sima Qian guided him to the seat of honor, insisting despite Ga Gyeong’s reluctance.
The table was set with exquisite dishes and expensive wine.
Ga Gyeong accepted the wine but set it down without drinking. He was uncomfortable with the situation, but Sima Qian had insisted it was important. Given the nature of his work, Ga Gyeong rarely interacted with others in the organization, but he couldn’t refuse a request from the chief military strategist.
“What is this about?”
“There’s no rush, it’s been a while since we last met.”
At that moment, the door opened, and the elegant woman who had guided Ga Gyeong entered. Her beauty was so striking that it naturally drew attention.
“This is Lady Im. Her wisdom is invaluable, and I often rely on her.”
Sima Qian clarified that this was not a brothel but a private residence.
The woman greeted Ga Gyeong with respect.
“It’s an honor to meet the esteemed head of the Enforcement Hall.”
“You’re too kind.”
Soon after, a young woman entered.
“This is my sister. Come in and greet our guests.”
“My name is Hwa-seon.”
Ga Gyeong was taken aback the moment he saw her.
She was stunning. Ga Gyeong couldn’t take his eyes off her. It wasn’t just her youth and beauty; she had the exact appearance he favored. She was the kind of woman he had dreamed of meeting, even in his dreams.
Sima Qian’s background checks included even personal preferences.
The preparation had indeed been worth it. The moment he saw her, Gakyung felt his composure slip. There was something he couldn’t suppress with reason alone.
“Care for a drink, my lord?”
He knew it was a trap, yet he couldn’t refuse.
When Gakyung came to his senses, he found himself lying on a bed.
His head throbbed. It had been a long time since he’d drunk so much.
Beside him lay a naked woman. The young woman from the night before. Flashes of memory returned—wild, passionate moments shared with her through the night.
Just then, he heard Sima Qian’s voice from outside.
“Master Ga, are you awake?”
Gakyung dressed and stepped outside. It was clear this was a calculated hospitality.
“What is it you want?”
Sima Qian smiled.
“I want nothing. As I grow older, I’ve come to realize that we should enjoy life. How miserable it would be to work ourselves to death.”
Sima Qian wasn’t the type to reveal his desires so easily.
They met again two days later, and the day after that.
Gakyung was utterly captivated by the woman.
Sima Qian knew he had taken the bait perfectly. He had dealt with people in many ways throughout his life.
There are a few things that work well: flattery, displays of power, money, and the allure of a beautiful woman.
For Gakyung, it was the woman that worked best.
Before the drinks were served and the women entered, Gakyung asked during their private moment.
“Now, tell me. I’m not so oblivious.”
Gakyung’s demeanor towards Sima Qian was much softer than on the first day.
Sima Qian realized it was time to reel in the line. Leave it too long, and the fish would eat the bait and swim away.
“Very well. I’ll be honest. I’ve heard rumors that the disciplinary office intends to investigate you.”
“I’ve heard those rumors too. So that’s what this is about.”
Gakyung had no intention of investigating him. He had only heard about it through rumors.
He hadn’t known about it on the first day he met Sima Qian, which left him puzzled about the man’s intentions.
It was only after hearing the rumors the next day that he could guess. Sima Qian was trying to curry favor with him because of it. In their subsequent meetings, Gakyung pretended to be unaware. In such relationships, the one who shows their hand first is at a disadvantage.
On the other hand, Sima Qian thought Gakyung was feigning ignorance. After all, even he wouldn’t easily admit to investigating someone.
It was time to make his move.
“Jobeok, yes, I know him. I occasionally had him run errands. But I swear I had no idea he was running such a place.”
“I see.”
“When you’re handling big matters, there are things you need to deal with quietly.”
“I understand.”
Gakyung had already made up his mind about this.
“When you’re handling big matters, there are things you need to bury.”
If he had intended to refuse, he should have walked away on the first day.
Just then, the door opened, and two women entered. Seeing their faces, a smile naturally spread across Gakyung’s face.
Sima Qian, pleased that his strategy had worked, beamed as well.
“Let’s have a great time today!”
But he was unaware of one crucial thing.
He wasn’t the one playing; he was the one being played.