Chapter 136

Chapter 136
## Chapter 136: Heading to Jade Mountain (2)

The evening was smothered by a dense ceiling of clouds, extinguishing the glow of the full moon and plunging the world into a darkness so thick one could barely see a pace ahead. Inside the Moon Embracing Pavilion, Gwan Ung sat in solitude, tipping his vessel back before speaking into the shadows.

“Are you present?”

Hardly had the query left his lips when a figure materialized like a drifting mist, sinking onto one knee with practiced caution.

“Fetch the strategist.”

“As you command.”

Hyeon Nok, the leader of the Sky Guard Unit, dissipated into the gloom as quickly as he had appeared.

A short time later, Strategist Hyeong Mu-gang arrived, his features heavy with the toll of exhaustion.

“You sent for me, Sire?”

Gwan Ung flicked a cup of spirits toward the gasping Hyeong Mu-gang.

“Recover your breath. We will talk then.”

“My thanks.”

Hyeong Mu-gang knelt, draining the offering in a single swallow before attempting to stand. Gwan Ung waved him back down with a casual gesture.

“Remain seated.”

“But, my Lord…”

“I requested your presence because I required a drinking companion. Do you intend to drink while standing like a sentry?”

“I shall sit, then.”

Hyeong Mu-gang suspected the invitation carried more weight than simple camaraderie, but he complied without outward hesitation.

The two men traded pours, and once a significant amount of alcohol had been consumed, Gwan Ung finally broke the silence.

“Give me your thoughts.”

The question was abrupt, yet Hyeong Mu-gang understood the subtext instantly. It was the very dilemma that had trapped the high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Demon Cult—including those currently escorting the Cult Leader—in a cycle of uncertainty. Even after a grueling council lasting half a day, no consensus had been reached.

“We must cease the advance,” Hyeong Mu-gang stated with conviction.

Gwan Ung observed the strategist’s tightly set jaw and the slight flicker of doubt in his gaze before letting out a dry, mocking chuckle.

“You aren’t drained after clashing with those stubborn elders who want to keep pushing? It is quite something that you held your ground when so few shared your perspective.”

“I simply could not allow a third party to reap the rewards of our struggle.”

“So, you place absolute trust in the reports provided by the Zhuge Clan.”

“It is not about the Zhuge Clan. It is my own conclusion, born of my confidence in you, Cult Leader.”

“In me?”

Gwan Ung looked at him, visibly perplexed.

“The correspondence originated from the Zhuge Clan, but it did not bear the seal of their patriarch.”

“True. It was sent under the authority of the Sword Marquess.”

“You once remarked that the Sword Marquess was the only figure of the past era who could truly rival the Heavenly Demon Ancestor—that no one else in the world of martial arts could compare.”

“I said that, yes. But surely that isn’t your sole reasoning?” Gwan Ung asked, skeptical.

“Hardly. They went to great lengths to invoke the Sword Marquess’s prestige—a move that could potentially damage their own reputation. That signifies their level of alarm.”

“It could also be a deceptive maneuver to strike us when our backs are turned.”

“You seem even more convinced than I am that such is not the case.”

A ghost of a smile touched Gwan Ung’s lips at the strategist’s observation.

“Has it truly been over two decades since our paths first crossed?”

“It has been twenty-six years this very year.”

“Ha! Has time flown so quickly? I suppose it explains why you seem to read my thoughts better than I do.”

“I beg your pardon, Sire.” Hyeong Mu-gang lowered his head.

“There is a detail I withheld during the meeting.”

Gwan Ung tossed the confidential message from the Zhuge Clan toward Hyeong Mu-gang.

“Observe the final passage.”

Hyeong Mu-gang spread the parchment carefully, his eyes widening in shock as he read.

“This… can this be?”

“Indeed. The Divine Demon Division has already engaged the Blood Oath Sect in the past. Yet, there is no record of it. Not a single person raised the point during our talks about Blood Oath moles within the cult. Does that not seem remarkably convenient?”

“If I recall correctly, the Divine Demon Division was rarely stationed at the stronghold during that period. They were constantly deployed, moving from one conflict to the next. They likely crossed blades with the Blood Oath Sect then. However, failing to document such a pivotal encounter is highly suspicious.”

“What if the report was filed, but someone ensured it never saw the light of day?”

“That would be exposed the moment the Divine Demon Division returned. It would be far too dangerous to try and bury it.” Hyeong Mu-gang argued.

“Not necessarily. Recall the absolute anarchy of that time. Skirmishes were breaking out everywhere, every single day—not just in isolated spots, but across the entire landscape simultaneously. Think of the sheer volume of paperwork. Even if a discrepancy was noted, nobody would think twice. It would be dismissed as a clerical error amidst the chaos.”

Gwan Ung rotated the cup in his fingers as he spoke.

“If it’s found, it’s a minor mistake. If not, the secret remains safe. If there are Blood Oath infiltrators within our ranks, which path would they take?”

“The latter…” Hyeong Mu-gang trailed off as the realization hit him. His eyes grew wide. “Could it be the Shadow Squad?”

“That is the highest probability. But if the agents in the field belong to the Shadow Squad, then the individuals responsible for organizing and scrutinizing those reports reside within the Strategist Division.”

Hyeong Mu-gang’s face drained of color as Gwan Ung pointed the finger at his own department. As the primary strategist for the Heavenly Demon Cult, he took pride in his leadership, but many of his subordinates were veterans who had held their posts for years. A deep-cover agent of the Blood Oath Sect could easily have remained hidden under his nose.

“Most of the double agents identified by the Zhuge Clan were embedded in intelligence wings. The reason for that is self-evident.”

“Then why have you not commanded a cessation of hostilities? While we are locked in combat with the southern factions, there is no telling what the Blood Oath Sect might be orchestrating from the shadows…”

Hyeong Mu-gang stopped mid-sentence, struck by a sudden chilling thought. His voice trembled as he asked, “Could the internal strife within the Martial Alliance be their handiwork as well?”

“We have certainly put in the effort to fuel that fire ourselves. Your Strategist Division in particular.”

“True, but this feels… different.”

Gwan Ung nodded slowly. “We cannot dismiss the possibility. Regardless, stopping our momentum now is no simple task.”

“Why so?”

“Victory relies on impetus. The cult is currently at the zenith of its power. If we halt now, rekindling that fire will be incredibly difficult. Our enemies will use the reprieve to fortify themselves.”

“But we are talking about the Blood Oath Sect.”

“Which is precisely why I am conflicted.”

Gwan Ung offered a pained smile and turned his eyes toward the garden pond, where a few stray lotus leaves drifted on the dark water. In that moment, the clouds parted, allowing the full moon to gaze down at its own shimmering reflection.

Gwan Ung stared at the moon’s restored brilliance for a long moment before his hand tightened around his drink. The ceramic shattered, grinding into fine dust between his fingers.

Gwan Ung looked at Hyeong Mu-gang, his eyes burning with renewed intensity.

“Strategist.”

Recognizing that a choice had been made, Hyeong Mu-gang answered firmly. “I am listening, Sire.”

“We shall pursue both objectives. Regardless of the Blood Oath Sect’s schemes, we cannot squander this divine opportunity. The offensive continues.”

Hyeong Mu-gang pressed his lips together but offered no further protest. Once the Cult Leader had spoken, the path was set. It was a subordinate’s role to see the mission through with everything they had.

“Furthermore, we will purge the vermin hiding among us. I am granting you full control over the Sky Guard Unit and the Secret Guards. Act with haste. Eradicate every last one of them.”

“By your command!” Hyeong Mu-gang pressed his brow to the floor in a sign of absolute loyalty.

—

“Phew. It doesn’t look like much from a distance, but this peak is a nightmare to climb.”

Noe Jeon let out a low whistle as he scanned the towering stone pillars and vertical drops.

“It’s an offshoot of the Mui Mountain range, which explains the terrain. It only gets more treacherous as you move further south.”

Gwa Yu’s explanation caused Man Chu to tilt his head in doubt.

“I’ve never heard anyone describe Mui Mountain as difficult. Just vast and impressive.”

“You’ve heard stories; he’s actually trekked through it. Who do you think is the better source?”

“Good point.” Man Chu gave a sheepish grin at Cheol Woo’s remark and unhooked a container from his side.

“Let me have a drop of that.” Cheol Woo reached out with a sly look. While the others carried water, Man Chu’s flask was filled with spirits.

“Chief, we should pause for a bit. I’m starving—let’s stop to eat. And let’s take care of that, too.” Cheol Woo gestured toward the massive wild boar draped over Black Wolf’s shoulders as he handed the flask back.

“Very well.”

Following Sima Geon’s approval, Man Chu and Gwa Yu went to work. Man Chu found a suitable clearing and began piling stones for a hearth, while Gwa Yu went off to gather dry branches for the fire. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t stop to cook until nightfall, but Black Wolf’s fresh kill changed the plans. The boar needed to be processed and prepared.

The task of “cooking” involved maintaining a steady fire, skinning the beast, seasoning the meat with the salt they carried, and slowly roasting it. It was a labor-intensive process.

*Woooowooo!*

As Gwa Yu and Man Chu labored over the flames, Black Wolf claimed a whole rear leg for himself, letting out a grunt of pure satisfaction.

“Look at him, acting all high and mighty.” Cheol Woo scoffed, tossing a small stone toward the beast.

“Don’t mess with a creature while it’s eating. Leave him alone—he provided the meal, after all.” Noe Jeon scolded him, and Cheol Woo simply shrugged.

“He catches one pig and you act like he’s a hero? If I felt like it, I could bring down a tiger in the blink of an eye. I’m just feeling lazy today.”

“Sure you could. And then what? Tiger meat is terrible—it’s stringy and smells like a swamp.” Noe Jeon wrinkled his nose, thinking back to a tiger he had hunted during his time in the Divine Demon Division.

Even with a roaring fire, the thick slabs of boar took their time to reach the right temperature. Man Chu rotated the meat with precision to ensure it didn’t burn, occasionally carving off finished slices.

“Now that is perfection. Absolutely delicious.”

Cheol Woo was in high spirits, washing down the roasted meat with gulps of liquor. Noe Jeon, busy chewing, gave him a playful kick.

“Don’t be a glutton. Pass some over to Man Chu—he’s the one doing all the work at the fire. And that drink isn’t even yours.”

“It’s fine.” Man Chu reached into his gear and produced two additional flasks.

“More alcohol?” Cheol Woo’s eyes sparkled, but Man Chu shook his head firmly.

“These are for me.”

“I never said they weren’t! Heh heh! Come on, share a little.” Cheol Woo turned his now-empty flask upside down, offering a mischievous grin.

Man Chu recognized that look and sighed, knowing he was in for a headache.

But in that instant…

Black Wolf, who had been focused entirely on his meal, suddenly jerked his head up. Sima Geon, who was using Gwa Yu’s blade to thin-slice some meat, went perfectly still.

“Silence.”

At Sima Geon’s command, the joking and chewing stopped immediately.

“What is… wait.” Cheol Woo stood up abruptly. “That sounds like a skirmish. Do you hear it?”

“I do.”

“It sounds like it’s quite a distance away.”

Realizing the meal was over, Cheol Woo grabbed the boar’s leg from the embers, ripped off a massive piece of meat, and snatched up the contested flask in his other hand.

“Is this part of the Blood Forest’s domain?” Sima Geon asked Gwa Yu.

“It isn’t officially their land, but the Blood Forest are the only ones in this region who would be engaging in a blade fight.”

“We will find out when we get there.” Sima Geon returned the knife and rose to his feet.

Man Chu and Noe Jeon quickly finished the meat they were holding, casting a lingering, mournful look at the unfinished feast.