Pyo Seung was not a brilliant strategist. However, he was not the type of person to try and solve everything with brute force either.
After finishing dinner, he gathered all his subordinates together.
“As you all know, we cannot spend the night outdoors. Therefore, we must choose one of two options: attack again tonight, or return to Wuhan. I want to hear your thoughts.”
“Vice Sect Leader, since when did we start overthinking things? We just fight until we can’t, and if we fail, we die. Isn’t that right?”
“Do you really need to say something so obvious at such length?”
“Hahaha, exactly.”
The members of the Seomyeongdae seemed to have already accepted the fact that this place might become their grave. Looking at them as they answered without hesitation, one could feel a sense of calm instead.
“Fine. Then I will explain the operation, so make sure you understand it perfectly and move without mistake. With today’s plan, we will either become heroes of the Haomun or we will all die. Do you understand?”
“Why bother with becoming heroes? Hahaha.”
All the members let out a low, growling laugh.
In truth, the Seomyeongdae was a force that the Sect Leader had raised in secret solely for himself. However, in reality, they had spent much more time carrying out missions and working alongside Pyo Seung. In the process, whether they realized it or not, a bond had formed between them.
Pyo Seung looked around at them once more. Once tonight passed, he might never be able to face them again. No, that would almost certainly be the case.
‘What would it have been been like if we had met in a better environment?’
As useless emotions surged within him, Pyo Seung let out a hollow laugh. Then, he gave his instructions in a firm voice.
“Listen closely. First, while everyone else prepares for a frontal assault, you, you, you, and you—the four of you will set fires on the left and right sides of their manor. If possible, infiltrate the manor itself, but if it’s too difficult, just set the manor walls on fire. After starting the fires, rejoin us immediately at the rear of the manor.”
The four men Pyo Seung pointed out were the fastest members of the Seomyeongdae.
“Yes, sir!”
“Once those four set the fires, the rest of us will charge through the front. We’re ending this tonight.”
“Don’t worry, sir.”
“This will be the end. Let’s meet as friends in the next life. I won’t let your sacrifices be in vain.”
“Forget being friends; be born as my son instead. I want to nag you all day. Hahaha.”
“I’ll be the younger brother.”
A smile touched Pyo Seung’s face.
“I’ll remember that and ask the Great King Yama for the favor.”
“Hahahaha!”
***
The members of Squad One greeted Nanseol, Hong Hyeon, and Pang Gipyeong upon their return.
“I didn’t think you would be back so soon. You’ve really worked hard.”
Du Ilchung bowed his head.
“I apologize. We should have arrived sooner.”
Every member of Squad One glared at Jo Mu.
“I know how hard you all tried to get here quickly. I’m just glad you’re here.”
Pang Gipyeong, who had been listening, changed the subject.
“Enough with the pleasantries. Let’s think about what to do next.”
Pang Gipyeong looked at Nanseol.
“The enemy won’t have been able to retreat into the city because of their agreement with the Cheonrangpa. Furthermore, they wouldn’t have been prepared for a situation like this.”
“Most likely.”
“Spending the night outdoors in this weather is a suicidal act, so they will attack again tonight by any means necessary.”
“Hmm… that makes sense.”
Gwak Sugi, who had been listening, spoke up.
“No matter what the Bangju said, we should have pursued the bastards while they were retreating.”
“If we had done that, we might have dealt with more of them, but the Baekseong could have been injured in the process. You know very well that isn’t what your Bangju wants.”
“I know. But it was such a good opportunity…”
Du Ilchung scolded Gwak Sugi.
“Enough! Under no circumstances will any action against the Bangju’s wishes be permitted. Anyone who does so will have to deal with my sword first.”
“No, I’m just saying we should have, not that I actually will.”
As Gwak Sugi complained about the unfairness, Go Gu blocked him.
“Alright, we get it. So what should we do now?”
“If we have to settle this tonight, shouldn’t we prepare for a surprise attack? Since they were defeated in a head-on clash during the day, they’ll try a sneak attack. But since everyone can see it coming, can we even call it a surprise attack?”
“That’s true.”
Na Myeong, who had been listening silently, asked a question.
“I’m genuinely curious, but why are they targeting the Sect Leader?”
Hearing that, Pang Gipyeong looked at Nanseol.
“Now that I think about it, that fellow earlier said he wasn’t going to kill you but capture you. What exactly is the reason they’re trying to catch you?”
Nanseol looked at everyone as if she had made a decision and opened her mouth.
“The truth is, it isn’t my life they want. They are after the Mangwon-pae, one of the command tokens of the Haomun. The Haomun’s command token is called the Mangwon-cheon-pae, which is divided into the Mangwon-pae and the Mangcheon. My father gave me the Mangwon-pae shortly before he was murdered twenty years ago. It seems the people who killed my father took the Mangcheon. That’s why they’re trying to take the Mangwon-pae from me. One needs the complete Mangwon-cheon-pae to fully rule over the Haomun.”
“So that’s what happened. Then until now, Doak has been only half a Sect Leader.”
“Yes, that’s right. Some of the disciples held out, saying they couldn’t recognize him as the Sect Leader unless he showed them the Mangwon-cheon-pae.”
“Then do you have that plaque with you now?”
“Actually… the Mangwon-pae is currently with Bangju Kang.”
“What? No, why?”
Everyone looked at Nanseol with bewildered expressions. As Ga Seokho let out a surge of killing intent in surprise, everyone glared at him with sharp eyes.
“That’s… I gave it to Bangju Kang when he went to his hometown. If he has that plaque, he can receive information from the Haomun disciples who are on our side.”
Nanseol’s voice trailed off.
“In the end, the item those bastards want isn’t even here.”
“It’ll be quite a sight when they find out.”
Hong Hyeon looked at Gwak Sugi and said, “Tell us, Sugi. What would you do if you were them?”
“Unless they have special reinforcements, they have almost no other choice. It will be hard for them to make it through tonight. Everyone knows that spending a miserable night on an expedition, especially in the middle of winter, is suicide. Regardless of whether the operation succeeds, the longer they stall, the more disadvantaged they become. Then the question is ‘how will they attack?’ They pushed in from the front this morning because they were confident in their strength. But even with Elder Pang just watching, they failed. Their situation is unfavorable and their strength isn’t overwhelming, so if they want to take something, there’s only one way. A diversion. This is their last attempt, so they’ll charge in with everything they have. Pyo Seung will use that chaos to personally sneak in with the real elites and target the Sect Leader.”
“Then how about moving the Sect Leader to another location?” Du Ilchung asked.
“That’s not an option. Our strength is superior, but if even a hint of information leaks out while the Sect Leader is being moved elsewhere, the worst-case scenario could unfold.”
At that moment, a voice was heard from outside the office.
“Ruju! A letter has arrived from the Bangju!”
Everyone was surprised and rushed outside.
“It is a letter sent by the Bangju.”
Nanseol took the letter with trembling hands. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the letter in her hand. Nanseol took a deep breath and opened it with shaking fingers. As her eyes followed the lines of the letter, tears began to stream down her face.
After seeing the letter Nanseol handed him, Hong Hyeon shouted to everyone.
“The Bangju says he has eliminated Doak and obtained the Mangwon-cheon-pae!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The cheers of the members continued for a long time.
“Then, where did Bangju Kang say he is now?”
“The place he sent the letter from is Huangshan in Anhui Province. If it’s the Bangju, won’t he arrive by tomorrow night or early the next morning?”
Nanseol, regaining her composure, went back into the office and asked for everyone’s opinion.
“The situation has changed rapidly. Now that the complete Mangwon-cheon-pae is in our hands, they have no justification for attacking us. No, they shouldn’t be fighting us; they should be kneeling before me.”
“That’s right. You are the Sect Leader of the Haomun now.”
“Will they recognize me?”
“They have to. They are strictly disciples of the Haomun as well.”
Nanseol quickly wrote a letter.
“We must go to Pyo Seung with this letter and the Bangju’s letter, which bears the seal of the Mangwon-cheon-pae.”
Du Ilchung stepped forward. “I will go.”
“Not alone,” Nanseol replied, and Jo Mu stepped up.
“I’ll go with the Squad Leader.”
Nanseol looked at Hong Hyeon and asked, “Captain, do you know their current location?”
“Yes, I have it figured out.”
“Please go through the trouble, the two of you. Don’t get caught up in any unnecessary trouble; just deliver the letters and return immediately.”
“Don’t worry.”
Taking the two letters, Du Ilchung and Jo Mu quickly headed out.
‘Those bastards need to make the right decision…’
While everyone was lost in thought looking toward the main gate, Pang Gipyeong shouted.
“Get yourselves together! It isn’t over yet, is it? They might act differently than we expect. So we must prepare in our own way.”
“You’re right. We have to prepare for the possibility of them coming again.”
“Let’s make a plan from scratch again.”
Pang Gipyeong pointed to Gwak Sugi. “You, speak again.”
“The enemy’s strength is about 100 men. Excluding the casualties from today’s fight, there appear to be about eighty of them left. Unless they have additional forces, the method they will choose is to temporarily disperse our strength. There are many ways to do it, but considering the expected attack time is at night, the most effective means is fire. After causing confusion with a fire attack and dispersing our forces, they will draw our attention by concentrating all their strength in one place. Then, Pyo Seung will try to sneak in and subdue the Sect Leader.”
Everyone nodded.
“Is there a way to counter it?” Pang Gipyeong asked again.
“We need to prepare water at several locations around the manor walls in advance to prepare for fire attacks and strengthen our patrols. And as long as all our forces, including the Sect Leader, do not scatter, there will be nothing more they can do. However, since it’s obvious they’ll charge in like they’re ready to die, we must be prepared for some sacrifice.”
Nanseol’s heart grew heavy at the thought of sacrifices from an unnecessary fight.
“Since the two squad leaders have gone, let’s wait for good results. I’m sure there will be good news.”
***
Du Ilchung and Jo Mu moved quickly toward the hill where the Seomyeongdae was staying. They had to deliver the letters before the enemy began their attack to prevent an unnecessary fight.
As they diligently climbed the mountain path while darkness began to settle, five men appeared before them as if they had dropped from the sky.
“You bastards must be dying to get killed.”
The man in the lead drew his saber and approached the two.
“If you were going to show up, you should’ve done it sooner. I’m exhausted,” Jo Mu replied casually, causing the opponent’s eyes to bulge.
“Hah, a fellow with a lot of nerve. I quite like that. Let’s see just how much nerve you have.”
The rest of the men chuckled as they surrounded the two. At that moment, Du Ilchung held out the letters to the men.
“Deliver these to your leader. We’ll wait here for a confirmation.”
Just as the men were growling with expressions that said ‘what kind of nonsense is this,’ one of them stepped forward and snatched the letters.
“You, go and deliver these to the Vice Sect Leader.”
“No, what’s the point? Why don’t we just kill them and take the letters?”
However, when the man who had taken the letters remained silent, the grumbling man took them and disappeared up the mountain.
“I don’t know what this is, but since it seems you’ve staked your lives on it, I’ll let you live until we hear back.”
“Suit yourself. I need to get some rest.”
Ignoring the opponent’s gaze, Jo Mu sat down on the spot and made himself comfortable.
After about 30 minutes had passed, a lot of movement was felt from up the mountain. Jo Mu stood up and glanced at Du Ilchung, then scanned the surroundings as if preparing to flee at any moment.
As the presence of more people grew, the Seomyeongdae members began to appear one by one, and in an instant, they completely surrounded the two.
A moment later, Pyo Seung approached Du Ilchung with the two letters in his hand.
“How can I believe this?”
“If you cannot trust the seal of the Mangwon-cheon-pae, then there is nothing more to say.”
“I see. Then I have no choice but to meet in person. In the meantime, I should let my people rest. It’s too cold up here.”
“Don’t worry about that. I will make sure you can stay at the inn below.”
“Good. Lead the way.”
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