Chapter 149

Chapter 149
## Chapter: 149

### Chapter Title: The Path We Must Take (3)

—

In the heart of the wilderness, navigating a trackless mountain range, a traveler fled in sheer desperation.

His breathing was ragged and shallow, his vision clouded, and his entire frame was drenched in gore. It was only through an iron-clad resolve that he forced his limbs to continue their frantic pace.

“Gah!”

A sharp yelp escaped him as his foot caught on a gnarled root sticking out from the earth, sending him sprawling.

Depleted of the energy required to stand back up, he simply stayed where he fell, staring toward the heavens.

Above the canopy of giant trees, the sky was a piercing, brilliant blue. Amidst that vastness, a tiny dark speck drifted.

“Accursed devils.”

The man spat the words out like venom.

He panted heavily for a long duration, eyes fixed on the firmament, before retrieving a messenger pigeon tucked against his chest. It was the lone prize he had successfully shielded despite his many lacerations.

Ripping a piece of fabric from his tattered attire, he hurriedly etched a report using his own lifeblood as ink. He then rolled the cloth and slid it into the small cylinder attached to the bird’s leg.

“Forgive me. I had hoped to release you in a more secure place. Please, carry through.”

Meeting the bird’s gaze and pressing a soft kiss to its head, he imbued the creature with his final hopes and cast the messenger pigeon into the air.

As if sensing the weight of his plea, the bird beat its wings with sudden power and vanished into the distance.

At that exact moment, the dark speck that had been hovering idly in the sky shifted into motion.

Watching the **Azure Eagle**—the predator that had already intercepted every bird sent by his fallen comrades—begin its hunt, the man gnawed on his lip until it bled.

‘I was far too careless. I never imagined they would prioritize the pigeons.’

**Jang Chu**, a high-ranking operative of the **Beggar Clan**, had been embroiled in a high-stakes shadow war against the **Heavenly Demon Cult’s Shadow Fragrance** network to support the **Nangong Clan**. It wasn’t just the loss of momentum that pained him; it was the realization that the vital secrets he had unearthed might die with him.

“You’ve reached your destination, little vermin.”

A freezing tone from the shadows behind him caused **Jang Chu’s** expression to turn grim.

‘They’ve arrived.’

**Jang Chu** laboriously pushed himself up and pivoted.

Three figures were closing in from roughly thirty feet away. At their lead were two hounds, slightly larger than common felines—beasts specifically bred and conditioned by **Shadow Fragrance**. Their olfactory senses were so sharp that once they caught a trail, conventional evasion was futile. This was the reason why, despite numerous attempts, **Jang Chu** and his brothers-in-arms had been unable to lose their hunters and had perished one by one.

Their tracking finished, the hounds retreated to the flank and settled onto the dirt.

**Jang Chu’s** eyes burned with a fierce light as he looked at the beasts.

Taking a heavy breath, he rose to his full height. He unsheathed the pair of daggers tucked into his belt. Anticipating a final, futile struggle, the **Shadow Fragrance** assassins watched with derisive smirks, silently mocking his effort.

“I’m taking you with me!”

With a guttural shout, **Jang Chu** lunged forward. He flung the daggers with every bit of his remaining vitality. However, their path was unexpected. They weren’t flying toward the mocking assassins, but toward the hounds resting nearby.

In his crippled state, he knew he couldn’t win a direct clash with the agents, so he opted to cripple their capabilities instead of throwing his life away uselessly.

No matter their training, the hounds were unable to evade blades thrown by an elite of the **Beggar Clan** putting his entire soul into the strike. The agents should have moved to protect them, but they hadn’t foreseen **Jang Chu** prioritizing the animals, making their intervention sluggish. By the time they reacted, the twin daggers were already buried in the throats of the dogs.

A split second of arrogance had cost them the pride of **Shadow Fragrance**. The man who had raised these beasts from pups felt his eyes turn crimson with fury.

“You pathetic, sewer-dwelling rat.”

With blinding speed, the agent’s fist collided with **Jang Chu’s** jaw. Having used his last reserves on the throw, **Jang Chu** collapsed under the impact.

The **Shadow Fragrance** operative began to stomp on the fallen man, blood painting the forest floor.

**Jang Chu** bore the brutal assault in silence.

As his mind began to slip away and the world turned to shadow, he caught a glimpse of the dark speck in the sky tumbling downward.

‘…….’

He couldn’t be certain of the pigeon’s survival. But in the plummeting of the eagle, he saw a glimmer of hope.

Finally, as **Jang Chu’s** heart stilled, a small, triumphant smile lingered on his face.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

In the dead of night, the **Ha Hu Clan** reinforcements finally cleared the mountain pass. They called a halt to the march and began to set up camp.

Drained by days of relentless travel since departing their ancestral home, the fatigue was etched into every face. Under normal circumstances, they would have maintained a steadier pace, but the reports of the **Heavenly Demon Cult’s** impending siege on the **Heavenly Peak Fortress** forced them to hurry.

“The men are at their breaking point.”

**Ha Hu Hyo**, the commander of the relief force, looked at his followers with a heavy heart.

“We have pushed them to the edge, it’s true. But we have secured an extra day of time because of it. We can recover once we are within the fortress walls.”

**Ha Hu Geun**, the heir apparent to the clan, offered a canteen as he spoke.

“I’m fine.”

Declining with a wave of his hand, **Ha Hu Hyo** scanned the horizon.

“I see no signs of civilization.”

“If I recall correctly, we must travel another twenty li before we encounter a settlement.”

“That is quite a distance.”

“The hour is late and the men are spent. Let’s make our camp here, brother,” suggested **Ha Hu Myeong**, who stood close by.

“What is your assessment?” **Ha Hu Hyo** asked **Ha Hu Geun**.

“My uncle is correct. Even if we reached a village, there wouldn’t be enough room for a force of this size.”

“So be it. We halt here.”

Following **Ha Hu Hyo’s** command, the retainers split into groups to light campfires and prepare basic rations.

“By this hour, **Elder Poison Fang** and the **Tang Clan** warriors should have arrived at the **Heavenly Peak Fortress**.”

“Most likely. Their last message said they were nearly there.”

**Ha Hu Geun** thought back to the most recent dispatch from the stronghold.

“I was confused why they didn’t wait for us and rushed ahead—it turns out it was to save **Elder Soaring Heaven Sword**. If not for **Elder Poison Fang**, we would be facing a catastrophe right now.”

Both **Ha Hu Hyo** and **Ha Hu Geun** nodded solemnly at **Ha Hu Myeong’s** observation.

“The heavens have not deserted our cause.”

**Ha Hu Hyo’s** voice wavered with emotion.

The thought of **Nangong Gyung**, who had been tirelessly moving to hold back the **Heavenly Demon Cult**, brought a sharp ache to his chest.

“On another note, has there been any word from those companions? They started their journey before **Elder Poison Fang**, so they should have reached the destination long ago,” **Ha Hu Myeong** inquired.

“They were tied up dismantling the **Blood Forest**.”

“Ah, the **Blood Forest**. I was stunned when the news broke. Who would have guessed the infamous **Blood Forest** could be crushed like that?”

“Their stronghold at **Jade Mountain** isn’t far from the **Heavenly Peak Fortress**, so they will arrive in time. They might even be there already.”

“I’m finally going to see that man’s martial arts with my own eyes. Honestly, I’m dying of curiosity. I know his reputation, but seeing is believing.”

**Ha Hu Myeong** was visibly vibrating with anticipation at the prospect of seeing **Sima Geon’s** skills, momentarily forgetting the gravity of the enemies they were about to face.

“There is only one detail that concerns me.”

“Concerns? Like what?”

“The **Heavenly Peak Fortress Lord’s** personality is notoriously rigid. I’m worried about how he will receive **Young Master Sima’s** group.”

“You worry too much. Even a stubborn fool knows when the house is on fire. If a leader can’t understand the gravity of his own peril, he’s a lost cause.”

**Ha Hu Myeong** waved the concern away, but **Ha Hu Geun**, who was well-acquainted with **Sanggwan Cheon’s** character, remained troubled.

“Your nephew has a point. Even **Elder Poison Fang** expressed anxiety over it.”

**Ha Hu Myeong’s** eyes widened at **Ha Hu Hyo’s** confirmation.

“Even **Elder Poison Fang**?”

“Yes.”

“Good grief! **Lord Sanggwan** was a champion everyone looked up to, but it seems the apple fell far from the tree. What if that idiot actually tries to turn **Young Master Sima’s** group away?”

“…….”

**Ha Hu Hyo** found no easy words to offer.

“We can only pray that things don’t escalate to that point.”

**Ha Hu Geun** spoke softly, though his voice carried little conviction.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Elder.”

“You may enter.”

With the signal, **Joo Seunggeon** stepped into the chamber with caution.

“Report.”

**Sword Demon Dragon**, taking a slow sip from his cup alongside **Phantom Soul Fist**, gestured for him to take a seat.

As **Joo Seunggeon** sat, **Phantom Soul Fist** filled a cup for him.

“The **Ha Hu Clan** relief forces have reached the area.”

**Sword Demon Dragon** poured a drink and asked, “Where are they?”

“**Sang Ung**.”

“**Sang Ung**?”

Noting **Sword Demon Dragon’s** confusion, **Joo Seunggeon** offered a small, strained smile.

“It wasn’t familiar to me either. However……”

**Joo Seunggeon** set his cup down and pulled a map from his robes.

“Our current position is here, and the **Ha Hu** reinforcements navigated the mountains to arrive at **Sang Ung** right here.”

“That is quite close.”

“Yes. Roughly half a day’s travel.”

“Then why are we waiting? We should strike immediately.”

**Phantom Soul Fist’s** eyes took on a predatory glow.

“Their forced march has left them vulnerable and exhausted.”

“Aren’t we in a similar state?”

“Perhaps, but we can engage them in peak condition without overextending ourselves.”

“But……”

**Sword Demon Dragon** raised a hand to silence **Phantom Soul Fist**.

“Is that region the **Cheonri Plains**?”

“Indeed, right here.”

The location **Joo Seunggeon** pointed out was relatively near their own camp but a significant distance from **Sang Ung**, where the reinforcements were currently resting.

“Get some sleep tonight and intercept them at the **Cheonri Plains**. They have to keep moving to reach the fortress, so we will have the advantage in stamina. Furthermore, the area is carpeted in dense pampas grass.”

“Ideal for a surprise attack.”

“Precisely. It’s the perfect terrain for an ambush and a pincer movement, allowing us to fully utilize our superior numbers.”

“Understood. We move at daybreak?”

“Their exact departure time is a variable, so to ensure success, yes—at first light.”

“Understood. Make the preparations.”

The instruction was clear.

As **Joo Seunggeon** stood to leave, he hesitated.

“By the way, have we found any sign of the **Divine Demon Division Leader**?”

**Joo Seunggeon’s** face grew taut.

“**Gang Hwang** reports that he has vanished without a trace.”

“He isn’t at the **Heavenly Peak Fortress**?” **Phantom Soul Fist** asked with a scowl.

“No. There are whispers that the **Fortress Lord** actually drove the **Divine Demon Division Leader’s** group away, though it hasn’t been verified.”

“What? He turned them away? For what reason?” **Phantom Soul Fist** asked, genuinely stunned.

“It appears he views them with suspicion due to their associations with the **Heavenly Demon Cult**.”

“Hah!”

Rendered speechless, **Phantom Soul Fist** could only stare at **Joo Seunggeon** in disbelief.

**Sword Demon Dragon** let out a short, mocking laugh and lifted his cup.

“It seems the heavens are truly on our side.”