Chapter 355

Chapter 355: Preparation (5)

“Reckoning by Cheok Pae-myeong’s demeanor, he has already designated us as targets. He will likely exhaust every measure to discover a pretext to strike against us.”

“In that event, the North appears to be the most critical hazard territory.” Il-mok gave a nod of assent to Jin Hayeon’s observation. “If those fellows begin monitoring our mercantile convoys, there is an absolute danger we will be discovered.”

The pathway the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult utilized to journey between the Central Plains and the Western Regions extended across the Desert Route that traversed Xinjiang. To mislead the coalitions of the Central Plains, they had adopted a slightly circuitous course to edge along the periphery of the Northern Steppe prior to traversing the Tianshan Mountain Range.

If the adversary dispatched scouts to observe even that grassland zone, it would be a brief matter of time before they discerned that the Maitreya Luminous Cult’s mercantile convoy was transitioning into Xinjiang.

“Therefore, as an immediate priority, we must bolster vigilance around the merchant convoy. There could be infiltrators slipping into the ranks, or entities tracking us from the shadows.”

“I will ensure they are cautioned. However, what if they circumvent the convoy entirely and attempt to infiltrate directly into the North?”

“That contingency has already been managed to a certain degree, so do not fret excessively over it.”

As Jin Hayeon nodded in response to Il-mok’s reply, Jeong Hyeon cautiously entered the conversation. Although she still faltered in her speech and struggled to maintain eye contact, Jeong Hyeon was now capable of participating in discussions without immense difficulty. “I-Is it because the n-northern nomads have turned into devotees of the M-Maitreya Luminous Cult?”

“Precisely. To speak more accurately, it is because the northern nomads reside in tribal collectives with vast expanses between their camps. Any stranger journeying through would become conspicuous at once.”

“Oh… so because the n-nomads are now devotees, if a d-dubious stranger appears, intelligence would reach us q-quite swiftly.”

As Il-mok nodded like an instructor commending a pupil with the correct response, Jeong Hyeon softly posed her subsequent inquiry. “And if s-suspicious individuals do appear, what is the s-strategy?”

Upon that query, Il-mok’s expression turned thoroughly frigid.

“The North is a barren territory, is it not? Given that there are immense distances separating the nomad settlements, it would not be strange whatsoever if a band of outlaws chanced upon them and slaughtered them out there.”

In short, they would eliminate the scouts and disguise the event as the actions of highwaymen.

“Young Master, pardon me for interjecting, but does our Divine Cult not short the required personnel to monitor and eradicate infiltrators across the vastness of the North?”

“There is no cause for anxiety on that front either. There are already operatives functioning in the North. We shall simply assign the task to them.”

Il-mok had previously detailed in his missive to Wi Jin-hak to delegate this responsibility to them ahead of time. Reflecting on it for a brief moment, a subtle grin surfaced on his features.

‘It appears Eldest Brother has truly mastered the art of directing subordinates. To think he would relegate a task of this nature to that eccentric old fellow.’

Hyeokryeon Seon-ah detected that grin and inquired, “Did a pleasant thought cross your mind?”

“Haha. I was merely contemplating the fellow who is slated to portray the outlaw leader. Let us just say, he is an individual who was practically created to fulfill the role of a bandit.”

Roughly around the period when Il-mok had departed from the central citadel in Xinjiang and Wi Jin-hak had formally designated Hyeokryeon Cheon-gang as the Grand Teacher, a band of individuals traversed the northern ridges of the Tianshan Mountain Range and made entry into the Northern Steppe.

They were clad in dark martial vestments, and a portion of them donned visages sculpted in the image of the Four Heavenly Kings. Among those lacking face coverings, some possessed the traits of Central Plains locals, while others displayed the physique and countenances of northern nomads.

The former group comprised combatants of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The latter group consisted of individuals who had formerly endured servitude. They had been seized by Muslims and transported to be bartered as property before Il-mok intervened to rescue them, subsequently transforming them into passionate adherents of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Among all the nomads undergoing “instruction” at the Missionary Center, these individuals were the most completely indoctrinated. Or to put it plainly, they were the elite cohort selected for possessing the most profound devotion to the tenets of the Divine Cult.

The contingent of approximately fifty individuals departed from the northern boundary of the Tianshan Mountain Range and advanced toward the closest nomadic camp. That territory had formerly been domain commanded by the Oirat tribe, but had transformed into a crucible of inter-tribal warfare ever since Hyeokryeon Il-hwi executed Taragai. And the camp these Heavenly Demon Divine Cult combatants were advancing upon at this moment belonged to one of the resilient clans that had actually endured all that turbulent internal strife.

As the cohort neared the settlement, the inhabitants within burst into frantic activity. Women and young ones concealed themselves inside the tents, while the youthful males seized their armaments and mounted their steeds, with several already notched arrows in their bows.

The Cult’s detachment paused at a range just beyond the potent reach of arrows. The individual in the center who wore a grimacing Four Heavenly Kings visage advanced and thundered. “Summon your mightiest combatant! Let us witness your capability!!”

Notwithstanding the numerous paces separating them, his shout resonated as distinctly as if he had roared directly into their ears. This was entirely due to the stupendous internal force embedded within that cry.

He was none other than Dokgo Ryong, the Patriarch of the Dokgo Family.

When Wi Jin-hak assigned the role of Grand Teacher to Hyeokryeon Cheon-gang, he indicated that there was a distinct mission to relegate to Dokgo Ryong. And Dokgo Ryong was currently traveling to execute that exact assignment bestowed upon him by Wi Jin-hak.

To gather the fragmented nomads under the standard of the Maitreya Luminous Cult.

An element of the objective was to assimilate the nomads and augment their military power, but the primary rationale was that it would be significantly simpler to deceive the Central Plains if these individuals were operating under the guise of Maitreya Luminous Cult devotees.

And the reason Wi Jin-hak allocated such a monumental undertaking to Dokgo Ryong was quite uncomplicated.

In contrast to the nomads who took up residence near the borders of the Central Plains, the nomads who established themselves at the base of the Tianshan Mountain Range are fierce to the extreme.

The ancient Oirat tribe had served as ample confirmation of that trait.

Owing to this, Dokgo Ryong was essentially granted unbridled permission by Wi Jin-hak to create chaos and subjugate the nomads through force. Subsequent to that, they would “reclaim” them utilizing the benevolence and tenets of the Maitreya Luminous Cult.

As anticipated of conflict-tested nomads, Dokgo Ryong’s thunderous challenge elicited a reaction from them, though not the specific one he desired.

Setting aside their initial startled response, not a single soul actually came forward to accept his challenge. They merely maintained their bows aimed at the group, exuding the aura of individuals prepared to ignite a clash at any instant.

“Do you all possess a desire for demise!!”

Even when his secondary shout was infused with far greater internal force than the initial one, he still received an absolute absence of compliance.

Just as an enraged Dokgo Ryong was prepared to command an assault—

“H-hold, please hold!!”

One of the nomad proselytes accompanying the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult called out in fractured Central Plains tongue.

“C-Central Plain. Speech. They. Do not comprehend.”

“Oh…”

It required a brief interval for Dokgo Ryong to comprehend his own oversight, and a foolish small utterance escaped him. Yet immediately after, he simply tilted his head backward and erupted into a resounding roar of amusement.

“Kuahahaha! In that case, step up here and interpret for me!”

The nomad convert moved forward with a somewhat distressed countenance.

Once the nomad devotee concluded interpreting Dokgo Ryong’s challenge, the males within the camp conversed in low tones among themselves for a spell. Subsequently, a mature fellow rode out on horseback.

“Kuhahahaha!”

Dokgo Ryong erupted into a spirited laugh and bounded directly toward the man.

“Let us observe if you can offer me a respectable clash!!”

Dokgo Ryong executed a savage display of swordsmanship, and the nomad combatant could not withstand the monstrous momentum laden within every strike of that gargantuan blade. Within merely three unblemished exchanges, he was hurled completely from his steed.

The fellow had recognized he was destined to fail from the beginning. That thunderous roar by itself had been entirely sufficient to inform him how immense the disparity was.

“Ugh… and what do you propose to do with us at present?”

The fellow inquired with an apprehensive expression, and the nomad convert rushed forward to interpret.

“Kuhahaha! From this hour onward, you shall adhere to the doctrines of our Maitreya Luminous Cult! Commit to that, and we shall impart our wisdom and our script to you, and ensure you are nourished!”

Those were remarkably magnanimous conditions. Yet the fellow still inquired distrustfully, “Those are attractive phrases, but you intend to exploit us as bondsmen, do you not?”

It must be acknowledged that even when facing death, his allegiance remained with his clan.

Dokgo Ryong instantly shot back at the fellow’s query. “Are your ears defective? Or is your intellect impaired? When did I ever utter the word ‘bondsman’?”

He then directed an intense gaze toward the nomad convert executing the interpretation.

“You worthless brat. You are not mangling the translation, are you?”

“Absolutely not!”

The disconcerted convert rapidly turned back toward the nomad combatant.

“You shall not be reduced to bondsmen!”

“Then what transpires if we decline?”

Dokgo Ryong gestured with his massive blade from the northern quadrant, then toward the west.

“Then vacate this territory immediately. From this hour onward, this domain pertains to the Maitreya Luminous Cult!”

Hence, even a rejection would not result in their execution.

The tone and demeanor were intimidating, but the stipulations themselves were remarkably compassionate.

The nomadic fellow glanced toward the convert.

“Are you certain you interpreted that accurately?”

“…Hah. This individual, that individual, everyone creates a dilemma.”

Unlike when Dokgo Ryong had been distrustful of him, the nomad devotee merely released a deep breath and replied. “If you truly find it impossible to believe, then simply assemble your clan and depart this instant as the revered leader commanded. Just do not harbor any foolish notions regarding resistance. You will all be massacred.”

As the fellow visibly swallowed hard at the subtly veiled menace, the nomad devotee offered his own perspective on the situation. “Given that we are kindred nomads, I shall provide one additional insight. These individuals are not deceivers who speak one way and act another. That is precisely why we adhere to the Maitreya Luminous Cult ourselves.”

The nomad fellow contemplated the matter for a duration, “Would it be permissible if I deliberated with my kinsmen prior to rendering a response?”

Dokgo Ryong laughed and replied magnanimously, “Proceed by all means! And if you wish to perish, feel free to opt for defiance! I have been yearning for an exceptional bloodletting.”

The convert serving as interpreter prudently resolved to heavily modify the message.

“Ahem. He stated to take your time and deliberate thoroughly before rendering your choice.”

The nomadic fellow offered a bow and retreated to the camp.

Following a half-hour or so of intense discussion, he emerged once more and stepped forward.

“We shall align with the Maitreya Luminous Cult.”

“And here I was anticipating a legitimate duel.”

“He remarks that you have made an exceptional decision.”

The nomad convert gleefully provided them an expression that was entirely contradictory to what Dokgo Ryong had actually muttered.

Adhering to the fellow’s guidance, the Maitreya Luminous Cult’s combatants entered the settlement and commenced distributing small quantities of the grain and other provisions they had transported.

Furthermore, the nomad-born proselytes implemented everything they had acquired at the Missionary Hall. From chanting sacred songs to imparting the tenets, and subsequently instructing them in the speech of the Central Plains.

The following day, they left behind a handful of nomad converts and a few combatants to monitor the camp and departed once more, bringing along a small number of warriors integrated from the clan.

They advanced to an alternate settlement. Parallel to the initial encounter, some clans yielded and were integrated after Dokgo Ryong bested their most powerful combatant. Alternative clans resolved to gather their belongings and journey north or west rather than submit to the Maitreya Luminous Cult.

And certain clans, well…

Slash.

They permitted their senseless arrogance to govern them, only for the entire tribe to be hacked to fragments by Dokgo Ryong’s massive blade.

After moving forward in this manner for a span of days, they began to experience a deficit of personnel. This was due to the necessity of stationing a few nomadic converts behind within every clan to oversee the proselytizing, alongside a small number of Heavenly Demon Divine Cult martial artists to defend them and maintain supervision over the inhabitants.

However, it did not pose a significant dilemma.

They still possessed combatants gathered from the integrated settlements battling beside Dokgo Ryong, and the auxiliary forces they had been anticipating arrived precisely on schedule.

“As anticipated of the Patriarch of the Dokgo Family. I never envisioned you would have advanced this far already.”

The auxiliary forces brought supplementary food rations for the camps they integrated. Once they had allocated the provisions and the fresh battalions had integrated, Dokgo Ryong departed upon the path once more.

“Uahahaha! I sincerely desire we encounter some slightly more resilient miscreants who will actually present a genuine clash this time!”

He genuinely appeared more like a combat-infatuated madman desperate for an altercation rather than an individual endeavoring to propagate the benevolent word of the Maitreya Luminous Cult, yet Dokgo Ryong was completely steadfast when it came to executing the directives of Wi Jin-hak.

Consequently, he persisted in overtaking dozens of clans for a considerable duration.

That was when he detected a recognizable countenance among the freshly arrived reinforcements.

“Grandson! What brings you to this location?!”

It was Dokgo Pae, Dokgo Ryong’s primary grandson. “Grandfather! I was dispatched here by the commands of the Cult Leader. He indicated you have been charged with an vital undertaking, so I ought to come assist you and acquire knowledge from you while doing so!”

“Uahahaha! As anticipated, the Cult Leader truly is an individual of magnificent stature!”

Dokgo Ryong laughed thunderously.

In truth, it had merely been Il-mok’s recommendation that given they were already dispatching Dokgo Ryong on this “evangelical campaign,” they might as well accompany him with someone of a similar nature.

Il-mok had actually pondered the notion of deploying all three generations of the Dokgo Family, but since they could not simply leave the central citadel entirely unstaffed, they reached a compromise by leaving only Dokgo Ryong’s primary son behind.

“Grandfather, the Cult Leader individually charged me with a missive to convey to you. He stated to guarantee you obtained it.”

“A missive from the Cult Leader. Let us inspect it.”

Dokgo Ryong extended his hand, and Dokgo Pae spiritedly extracted the document from his tunic and transferred it over.

Dokgo Ryong scanned through the contents in their entirety and let out a resounding laugh, prompting Dokgo Pae to inquire, “What are the directives, Grandfather?”

“It indicates there is a massive probability the sanctimonious fools from the Orthodox Faction are going to dispatch scouts around this region quite shortly. Thus, his directives are to masquerade as outlaws and obliterate every single one of those miscreants.”

“Does that imply we finally possess the opportunity to crush some Orthodox sanctimonious skulls!?”

Observing the unadulterated delight radiating on Dokgo Pae’s countenance upon hearing the prospect of crushing some hypocrites’ skulls, Dokgo Ryong provided a powerful nod of assent.

“Precisely! Let us utilize this occasion to satisfy our craving with the fluid of the Orthodox Faction miscreants! Kuhahaha!!”

“Indeed, Grandfather! Uahahaha!”

The grandfather and grandson locked gazes and burst into unrestrained, wild laughter.

Anyone who observed them would have classified them as outlaws or mountain marauders without a single moment of hesitation.