Episode 143: Return to the Demonic Sect
“Here, here, and… here.”
Sabikang pointed to three locations on the map.
The martial artists of the Guiyeongdan, gathered around the table, waited silently for Sabikang to continue.
“This is the Huayang Inn, over here is the Yuga Trading Company, and this one…”
“The Jin Family Estate, I presume,” Guiyeongdan’s leader, Ungpae, interjected knowingly.
Sabikang chuckled. “You catch on quickly.”
“Those first two places are the most notable in the area,” Ungpae explained.
“In what way?” Sabikang inquired.
“Well, the Huayang Inn is the largest in the region. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s famous for its excellent facilities and food. Local dignitaries frequent it, and it’s a hub for martial artists. It’s a place where a lot of information flows, centrally located in the area.”
“I see. I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Ungpae mused, tilting his head.
“Then why did you choose this place?” he asked, puzzled.
“Just something I know,” Sabikang replied cryptically.
Ungpae frowned slightly but didn’t press further.
Sabikang turned to him again. “What about the Yuga Trading Company?”
“They’ve suddenly expanded their influence in the area, becoming a major player. They claim to be a trading company, but no one knows what they trade or where they deliver. They hide behind business secrecy, but it’s suspicious. It’s a key location in the area.”
“Haha, it seems I’m learning more from you than the other way around. And the Jin Family Estate?” Sabikang asked.
This time, Hongyeom, another member, answered. “The Jin Family Estate is noteworthy simply because of its name. They own the largest manor in the area and wield significant influence. The head of the family isn’t a martial artist, but they have a considerable number of martial artists under their command due to their inherited wealth. They’re known for their arrogance.”
Sabikang nodded slowly. He hadn’t known these details, but in his past life, these places were all secret branches of the Blood Alliance. If these three locations fell, the Blood Alliance would be cornered.
Ungpae asked, “Why did you point out these locations?”
“They’re likely secret branches of the Blood Alliance.”
“These places?” Ungpae looked at Sabikang in surprise.
Sabikang nodded, and Ungpae’s expression turned to one of confusion. How did Sabikang know these were secret branches when he seemed to lack basic information about them?
Sabikang continued, “I can’t say for certain, but the probability is high.”
“So our mission is…” Ungpae began.
“Yes, to confirm if they’re indeed secret branches of the Blood Alliance. It shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”
“Easier than pie,” Ungpae replied confidently.
Sabikang nodded. The Guiyeongdan was renowned for its information-gathering skills, which had only improved since they focused solely on intelligence work.
“Report back to me as soon as you confirm,” Sabikang instructed.
“Understood,” the Guiyeongdan members responded in unison, bowing.
A carriage traveled along the road, carrying Gu Yun, the chief strategist of the Justice Alliance. He gazed out the window, lost in thought, when a voice whispered in his ear.
[The weather’s getting chilly. Perhaps you should close the window?]
“Hmm? Haha. Why don’t you join me in here? It’s rather dull traveling alone.”
[My duty is to protect you at all times, sir. I cannot join you.]
Revealing oneself to protect someone is a challenging task. Gu Yun smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll just continue as I am. This weather is nothing. I’ve endured harsher winters.”
Indeed, compared to the winters of his heart, this cold breeze was refreshing.
The voice, belonging to Biryong, continued. [But Sabikang is quite audacious, isn’t he? Ordering you around like that…]
“Haha, Biryong, you’re starting to sound like those old men from the Alliance. Does it matter who comes and goes?”
[But you’re an important figure in the Alliance…]
“Important, you say… Am I really doing anything as significant as Sabikang?”
[Of course you are!]
“Biryong, let’s be honest. Sabikang is extraordinary. When I placed my trust in him months ago, I never imagined we’d see results like this. Yet here we are.”
[But his reckless words have placed a heavy burden on you. The Alliance has high expectations of you. Even the leader believes you have a special plan to end this war soon. Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to add to your burden.]
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Biryong fell silent, and Gu Yun returned to watching the passing scenery. The expectations placed on him by the Alliance were immense, all because of Sabikang’s words at a banquet. He hadn’t explicitly said, “The chief strategist has a grand plan,” but he certainly implied it.
That’s why he was on his way to meet Sabikang now, to find out what basis he had for such claims. Did he really have a strategy to corner the Blood Alliance overnight?
Despite everything, Gu Yun wasn’t anxious. In fact…
“To be honest, I’m looking forward to it.”
Biryong’s voice was uncertain. [What do you mean?]
“I’m curious about what he’ll do to surprise me this time.”
[I hope there are no surprises.]
“Isn’t it amusing when you think about it?”
[Amusing?]
“I’ve always been a thinker, calculating and logical since birth. But the greatest benefit I’ve gained was when I listened to my heart, without logic or calculation, and sought out Sabikang.”
[…]
“Life is unpredictable. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you find yourself on a different path. Sometimes you step into places you never should have. It makes you wonder if you’ve lived wrongly. Yet, I still don’t have the answer.”
[I always respect your judgment, sir.]
Gu Yun smiled warmly. “As the head of the Tianan Pavilion once said, I’m still young and have much to learn. It’s frustrating, but also a relief.”
Biryong remained silent, and Gu Yun sank back into contemplation as the carriage made its way toward Yongcheon Pass.
“Target these locations,” Sabikang instructed, pointing to the same spots on the map he had shown the Guiyeongdan earlier.
As he had predicted, all three were confirmed as secret branches of the Blood Alliance.
“This is the Huayang Inn, the Yuga Trading Company, and the Jin Family Estate.”
“I know of these places; they’re quite famous. But why target them? Aren’t they just ordinary places?”
“They’re merely disguised as such. They’re all secret branches of the Blood Alliance.”
“Secret branches…!” Gu Yun exclaimed, taken aback.
He hadn’t considered it. The places Sabikang pointed out were influential in their regions, warranting attention. But secret branches of the Blood Alliance?
“It would be wise to have trusted leaders and teams strike all three simultaneously,” Sabikang advised.
“What’s their strength?” Gu Yun asked.
“The Huayang Inn has one supreme master, five peak masters, and fifty first-rate fighters. The Yuga Trading Company has two supreme masters, twenty peak masters, and a hundred first-rate fighters. The Jin Family Estate is similar to the Yuga Trading Company.”
Gu Yun shivered at the detailed intelligence Sabikang had gathered.
“But the Jin Family Estate seemed so ordinary…”
“Ordinary, perhaps, but greedy. The head of the family allied with the Blood Alliance as soon as they emerged.”
“Where does this level of intelligence come from?”
“I have my own followers,” Sabikang replied vaguely, and Gu Yun didn’t press further. That wasn’t the priority now.
The locations Sabikang identified were strategic points in the current conflict. If they were indeed secret branches, capturing them could end the war. The Blood Alliance would have no choice but to negotiate, possibly even initiating talks themselves. The Justice Alliance would negotiate from a position of strength.
‘This man never ceases to amaze me,’ Gu Yun thought, nodding.
“Understood. I’ll confirm through the Tianan Pavilion and then…”
“No. Act immediately. The Blood Alliance’s attention is on the Justice Alliance. If the Tianan Pavilion moves, they might catch on.”
“But… moving the Alliance’s forces based solely on your word…”
Sabikang’s smile turned cold. “Have you grown fond of playing military games now that you’ve secured your position?”
“That’s going too far!” Gu Yun raised his voice for the first time, and a murderous aura filled the air, emanating from Biryong.
Sabikang chuckled. “It seems the desperation you had when you first sought me out has faded. Back then, you said it was like gambling, didn’t you?”
“Of course, but…!”
“The situation’s different now, is it? Time to stop gambling and start calculating profits? Well, if that’s where you’re satisfied, so be it.”
With that, a blade swiftly extended toward Sabigang.
“How dare you!”
It was Biryung.
Before anyone realized, a cold blade was pressed against Sabigang’s throat.
Yet Sabigang merely chuckled coldly.
“So, this is as far as your courage takes you. You’ve done well until now.”
Sabigang brushed the blade aside and stood up without hesitation.
Biryung’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous aura emanating from her.
“Shall we proceed, then?”
“Hmm?”
Sabigang turned back.
Biryung flinched and glanced at Guyun.
“Commander…!”
But Guyun raised a hand to silence her.
He spoke with a calm, steady voice.
“You’re right. I was mistaken for a moment. I forgot the dice are still rolling.”
“Finally, we understand each other.”
“As soon as we return, I’ll assemble a strike team. The gamble isn’t over yet. Not until this war is concluded. And until we cut out the rot from our alliance.”
Guyun’s expression had changed noticeably.
Sabigang smirked.
“Now that’s the look I remember. You’ve made the right decision. If that’s the case, the Blood Alliance will…”
“They’ll agree to negotiate. We can end this conflict.”
“Indeed.”
“But the real battle will begin then. Once negotiations are underway and both our alliance and the Blood Alliance find stability, I’ll initiate an internal investigation.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Even though the cadets have proven themselves, their martial skills are still at an intermediate level. You understand we can’t form an inspection team with cadets who lack a top-tier master, right?”
“There’s no need to worry. They’ll become strong enough soon.”
“I feel like I’ve been hearing that for nearly a year. No matter how talented, reaching the pinnacle takes at least a year… and now we have only three months left.”
“Hmm.”
Sabigang gazed intently at Guyun.
Guyun met his gaze, clearly unwilling to back down on this issue.
Their eyes locked in a fierce, silent battle.
After a moment.
“Very well. On the day I’m officially appointed as inspector, if I find the cadets’ skills lacking…”
“If you find them lacking?”
“Then you don’t have to assign them to the inspection team.”
“Does that mean…”
“I’ll take charge of the inspection team you assemble.”
Guyun narrowed his eyes.
He could sense the sincerity in Sabigang’s expression.
‘Where does he get such confidence?’
Sabigang never fails to surprise him.
Today was no exception.
“Understood. Then I’ll trust you and head back.”
Guyun rose from his seat.