Chapter 200 – Head-on Breakthrough (4)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Have you arrived.”

“Haha, were you in the middle of work?”

“It was nothing much.”

Zhuge Wen-hu stood up and greeted Murong Jun.

“Please have a seat here.”

“Thank you.”

After a while, teacups were placed between the two people.

Murong Jun asked with a smirk.

“Is there no alcohol? I think you mentioned you’d treat me to a drink when we were at my residence before.”

Zhuge Wen-hu smiled.

“It’s because I’m in the middle of work. If you could spare some time this evening, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

“That’s a shame. I have an appointment this evening.”

“Then let’s postpone the drinking session for next time.”

“Let’s do that.”

Murong Jun asked as if he were curious.

“So, why did you call this person to your office? Did you perhaps get contacted by the field team?”

“That’s correct.”

Zhuge Wen-hu took out a letter from his chest and handed it over.

Murong Jun, who unfolded the letter, soon nodded.

“It begins from now.”

“That’s correct.”

Zhuge Wen-hu’s face became serious.

“Also, additional information has come in.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect?”

Murong Jun nodded.

“Isn’t it a quite famous place among the Thirty-Six Factions of the Black Path?”

“That’s correct.”

Uncharacteristic of a Black Path faction, the Ghost Iron Sword Sect was a sword sect that had continued a long history of two hundred years.

Surprisingly, their martial arts advocated fair play, uncharacteristic of the Black Path. Although it had excessively domineering aspects, the martial arts itself was not lacking even when compared to the orthodox techniques of the White Path.

“The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was a prestigious faction of the Black Path that has produced high-level swordsmen for generations. In fact, it is said that the martial arts of the current Sect Leader does not fall far behind even when compared to the heads of our Six Great Clans.”

“I know that as well. Wasn’t his alias the Mountain-Breaking Sword Ghost?”

“You are well aware.”

“As much as necessary.”

“That’s correct. Uncharacteristic of a Black Path faction, the Ghost Iron Sword Sect has history and tradition. In the past, it was even called the Number One Sword Sect of the Black Path.”

“So, what are you saying happened to the Ghost Iron Sword Sect?”

“It collapsed.”

For this moment, even Murong Jun could not help but be surprised.

“Are you saying the Ghost Iron Sword Sect was annihilated?”

“That’s correct.”

“Heo! How did that happen?”

Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes flashed.

“It is said they were attacked by experts of unknown identity.”

“Just how outstanding were the experts deployed?”

“We don’t know the details yet. However, the estimated number of attackers is within roughly twenty people, and it is said there were traces of a fire attack remaining.”

Murong Jun shook his head.

“A fire attack is certainly powerful, but it’s hard to believe that a faction on the level of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect fell solely due to a fire attack. I can only think that there was a difference in actual combat power.”

“You observed correctly. In other words, it cannot be denied that the martial arts of the attackers were all uniformly outstanding.”

“But unless all of them were Supreme peak experts, they couldn’t have brought them down without sufficient preparation.”

“I think so too. It is considered that experts with thorough prior investigation, outstanding response capabilities, and furthermore, perfect coordination with each other were deployed.”

Murong Jun’s eyes sparkled.

“The reason you are bringing this up now is because the annihilation of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect is connected to this mission, right?”

Zhuge Wen-hu nodded heavily.

“That’s correct. To be precise, I see a high possibility of that.”

“How do you think it is intertwined?”

“Yang Cheon.”

“……!”

“Their information control capability is truly amazing. Even if the Murim Alliance and the Beggars’ Gang try to dig into it, it becomes increasingly vague the closer we get to the center. So, most of the matters intertwined with Yang Cheon are difficult to be certain of.”

“In other words, the more ambiguous an incident is like this one, the higher the probability it is related to Yang Cheon?”

Zhuge Wen-hu could not help but admit it. That Murong Jun’s resourcefulness and insight were outstanding.

“That’s correct. I spoke of a possibility, but in reality, I view it as certain that Yang Cheon’s side made a move.”

Murong Jun stroked his chin.

Toward him who gave no answer, Zhuge Wen-hu continued speaking.

“Yang Cheon is gathering the Black Path and increasing his power. But not all of the Black Path has gone under his command. The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was one of them.”

“What a stupid thing to do.”

“Yes?”

Murong Jun frowned.

“The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was a prestigious faction of the Black Path. To show off his power by tearing down a force of that magnitude… I don’t know about right now, but looking ahead, it’s a foolish act.”

Zhuge Wen-hu smiled.

“I think so too.”

“But the Yang Cheon we have investigated so far is not a person to make such a bad move.”

“If Yang Cheon brought down the Ghost Iron Sword Sect, it would not have been to show off his power and force.”

“Meaning the gain obtained from causing an annihilation is greater than anything else.”

“Currently, Yang Cheon’s number one desired priority is the expansion of the Black Path’s power. But from a long-term perspective, he made a foolish choice.”

“Are you saying he brought down the Ghost Iron Sword Sect because it is a choice that is not foolish even from a long-term perspective?”

“If this one move is not a bad move but a good move, for what reason would it be reasonable to say he brought them down?”

“He appeased them.”

Murong Jun smirked.

“One of the important figures of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect crawled under Yang Cheon.”

“……!”

“In other words, someone betrayed the faction.”

Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes shone brightly.

‘Really, this person is…’

Zhuge Wen-hu was confident that he was more outstanding than Murong Jun when it came to professional strategies and tactics.

However, when it came to the ability to look at human nature and deduce the situation of an incident, he had no choice but to admit that Murong Jun had the upper hand over him.

It was an insight that highlighted the cunningness of someone who had navigated through political enemies his entire life to seize power. Zhuge Wen-hu felt his wariness grow even more, while also feeling that Murong Jun’s abilities were a shame to not fully utilize.

“I thought about it for a long time after receiving this report. And I reached the same conclusion right before you arrived, Patriarch. That there is a traitor in the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.”

“You saw it well.”

“It’s probably a figure who is not only well-versed in the supreme martial arts of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect but also someone whose character wouldn’t be flawed by a single mistake.”

“I suppose so. It could be narrowed down to the Sect Leader’s closest aide or his disciple.”

“In my opinion…”

“There’s a high probability it’s the disciple.”

“That’s correct.”

Murong Jun smiled.

“I understand why the Strategist called me to tell me this story.”

Zhuge Wen-hu, who was staring fixedly at Murong Jun, let out a sigh.

“Why are you doing that?”

“It’s because it’s a shame.”

“What is?”

“I was thinking how great it would be if the Patriarch used that amazing insight and mind for the people of the world.”

Murong Jun burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha, this person is not as great a figure as the Strategist thinks. So let’s stop the empty talk there.”

“…….”

“Give me paper, brush, and ink. I must send a letter to the field team.”

“It is already prepared.”

Murong Jun wrote the letter with vigorous yet delicate strokes.

“How is it?”

Zhuge Wen-hu nodded.

“It is good. However…”

“It will inevitably become dangerous faster than expected.”

“At the same time, it is a way to go deeper.”

Murong Jun smirked.

“Will you be okay, Strategist? The moment this letter is sent, the field team is effectively entering the maw of hell. And isn’t your own flesh and blood in that field team?”

Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.

“I know that this mission is dangerous, and my daughter knows it too.”

“Hahaha!”

“Also, I am not the father of a child right now, but the Strategist of the Murim Alliance. I cannot miss a golden opportunity because of personal feelings.”

“You are truly amazing.”

Murong Jun, who dried the ink by shaking the paper, neatly folded the completed letter and stamped his seal.

“Here it is.”

“I will send it right away.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

“I have narrowed down the information network with the field team to the shortest distance. It will arrive in three days at the shortest, and within six days at the longest.”

“What an incredible speed.”

Murong Jun stood up from his seat.

“Then I will be going now.”

He turned his body.

Looking at Murong Jun, who was about to open the door of the office, Zhuge Wen-hu opened his mouth.

“Patriarch.”

“Mm? Do you have something else to say?”

“Please be active in the command center from now on. Things might happen where every second counts.”

It also meant not to plot useless things at his residence.

Murong Jun smiled.

“I was intending to do so anyway. Three days later, I will make the place where the command center has gathered my temporary residence.”

* * *

“Yeon… A-ah, no! Third! Let me see you for a moment!”

Ga Deuk-sang pulled Yeon Ho-jeong into a room.

“What is it?”

“Look at this.”

Ga Deuk-sang took out a letter smaller than a palm from his chest and handed it over. The letter was densely filled with tiny, sesame-like characters.

“It came from the Sect.”

The Sect must mean the Murim Alliance. Yeon Ho-jeong read the letter with a calm mind.

After a while, his eyes wavered.

Ga Deuk-sang licked his lips.

“I knew it was a dangerous mission, but I never thought we’d dig into the center right from the start.”

“…….”

“Mm? Third?”

Ga Deuk-sang, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, was momentarily startled.

Brrr.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s hands holding the letter were trembling slightly. Both of his eyes were bloodshot, and killing intent was creeping up from his body.

“Hey!”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was suddenly startled, instinctively withdrew his killing intent.

Ga Deuk-sang clicked his tongue.

“Why is this punk suddenly pouring out killing intent every time we meet? Are you determined to make your Eldest Martial Brother’s heart explode?!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Goodness! What on earth is it that you’re like this? Is there something bothering you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong glared at the four characters of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.

Ghost Iron Sword Sect. A prestigious faction of the Black Path famous for a clean sword intent that didn’t match its domineering power.

And there, there was an iron-blooded game-changer who had fought countless battles together with Yeon Ho-jeong in the past.

‘Gang Ryang!’

One of the Five Great Divine Generals of the Black Emperor Castle.

The person who was called the strongest and worst expert of the Black Path Murim, along with the Divine Bow Muk Bi, Jin Yang, and others, was none other than Gang Ryang.

Gang Ryang’s sword had reached a deeper realm than any swordsman in the Orthodox Path Murim. Although his achieved realm and strength were clearly below Murong Jun’s, the sword intent itself was something he had realized more than Murong Jun; he was a true swordsman.

The greatest genius in the history of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.

A hot-blooded swordsman who lost his faction and became a loner, regained the hope to live under Yeon Ho-jeong’s command, and fiercely clashed with the White Path.

‘On top of that… the Ghost Iron Sword Sect was annihilated?’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘Are you saying that even if history changes, the results do not change?!’

The Murim Alliance was established much faster than in the original history, and Yang Cheon also did not openly gather the Black Path like this.

The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was annihilated, but it didn’t collapse this fast either. According to the original history, the annihilation of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect was an event that would occur only ten years later.

Everything had changed. Everything was changing.

“Eldest Martial Brother.”

“Huh?”

“Please ask the kids who follow you to look into one thing for me.”

Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes sparkled.

He intuitively realized that Yeon Ho-jeong’s request this time was an extremely personal matter.

“What is it? Tell me.”

“Please check if there are any survivors in the annihilated Ghost Iron Sword Sect, and if there are, please get me that list.”

“…Hmm, understood.”

He didn’t know what it was about, but he felt like he should do that for now.

“But are you okay?”

Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.

“I’m okay.”

He was shocked for a moment, but he was fine again now. He was the head of this mission. If the leader wavered, the lives of the members would be in danger before the mission.

Ga Deuk-sang nodded.

“Good. Let’s look into this separately, and what do you think about the letter sent from the Sect?”

“We have to go. However, let’s wait just three more days.”

“Three days? Why?”

“Digging in from our side first could raise suspicions, but it’s natural for them to approach us first.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Trust me. They will definitely come.”

Two days later.

Bang!

The door of the tavern opened as if it were breaking, and a group of people wearing blood-colored martial arts uniforms appeared.

The middle-aged man standing at the front spoke in a cold voice.

“We came from the Blood Sparrow Sect. Is there a group here consisting of two men and two women?”