Chapter 150

Chapter 150
## Chapter 150: Thousand Li Plain (1)

“What are you implying? Soldiers vanished right under our noses?”

The morning council had barely commenced when Sanggwan Cheon shouted, his voice thick with disbelief at the startling news.

Gong Jeong, having just received a report from the Beggars’ Sect operatives currently embroiled in a brutal shadow war with the Heavenly Demon Cult, wore a grim, stony expression as he spoke.

“The Wind Demon Brigade, which accompanied the Blood Light Martial Emperor, has disappeared along with several other units. Their exact destination remains unknown, but it is certain they are operating independently.”

“Is it possible they intend to strike first, before our primary strength can mobilize?”

Sanggwan Je, who had already reviewed the situation with Gong Jeong, dismissed Sanggwan Cheon’s theory with a slow shake of his head.

“A surprise raid through the network of observers we have stationed around Bi Cheon Castle is a physical impossibility. The same applies to our own movements.”

“In that case, where have they gone?”

“Could they be moving to eliminate the smaller organizations in the vicinity? Several sects have yet to gather at this location.”

Sanggwan Baek disagreed with the suggestion from Zaha Sect Leader Yu Jin-gyo.

“It sounds harsh, but I would prefer that were the truth. While the loss of life would be tragic, their goals and positions would be transparent. The reality is that such a move is highly unlikely.”

“What is your assessment then, Senior Sanggwan?”

Yu Jin-gyo pressed him, unsettled by the dark look on Sanggwan Baek’s face.

“My concern is that they have set their sights on the reinforcements from the Ha Hu Clan.”

Sanggwan Baek shifted his gaze toward Sanggwan Je.

“I would be relieved to find my intuition is wrong, but what is your take on this?”

Sanggwan Je exchanged a look with Gong Jeong and let out a heavy breath before replying.

“I am of the same mind. It is the most logical objective.”

Gong Jeong confirmed Sanggwan Je’s statement.

“The intelligence gathered by the Beggars’ Sect supports that conclusion as well.”

“But we had no reports of this until now. If the Ha Hu Clan were the mark, wouldn’t they have had to move days ago?”

Gong Jeong shook his head solemnly at Sanggwan Cheon’s skepticism.

“That explains why we have lost contact with numerous disciples over the past few days. It isn’t just our people; a significant number of scouts from the Nangong Clan have vanished as well.”

“The work of the Dark Shadows?”

“Precisely. Only they could manage it.”

Gong Jeong clenched his teeth, the memory of the brothers lost in the lethal chess match against the Dark Shadows fueling his anger.

“Has the Ha Hu Clan been warned?”

“We dispatched a runner immediately. However, the problem is that we only confirmed the missing troops this morning. Even at a full gallop, it is uncertain if the warning will reach them before the blades start swinging.”

“Just utilize a messenger pigeon.”

Sanggwan Je snapped at Sanggwan Cheon in irritation.

“To whom? These birds aren’t magic; they require established routes and constant training to function…”

Sanggwan Je stopped himself, not wanting to further diminish the sect leader’s standing by arguing about avian logistics in front of the council.

“You are saying we are already too late.”

Sanggwan Je nodded tiredly at Sanggwan Baek’s summary.

“Correct. The engagement may already be underway.”

Sanggwan Baek looked back to Gong Jeong.

“The missing force you mentioned. The Wind Demon Brigade?”

“Yes. That is the one.”

“What is their estimated strength?”

“Approximately one hundred combatants, by our count.”

“And their combat capability? I want the unfiltered opinion of the Beggars’ Sect.”

The room fell silent as everyone waited for Gong Jeong’s answer.

After a moment of deliberation, Gong Jeong spoke with a voice like lead.

“We rank them as being, at the very least, equal to the elite warriors of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Clans.”

“At the very least.”

Sanggwan Baek repeated the words in a soft, heavy sigh.

A palpable dread filled the room. That small qualification—”at the very least”—seemed to crush the spirits of those present.

—

As the first light of dawn broke, the warriors of the Heavenly Demon Cult, spearheading by the Wind Demon Brigade, moved to intercept the incoming Ha Hu Clan. By the hour of the snake, they reached the Thousand Li Plain. The sight of the boundless silver grass rippling like a sea under the breeze left them momentarily awestruck.

“It is a shame. A location of such grace is about to be drenched in gore.”

Sword Demon Dragon lamented, idly snapping a stem of grass. This prompted a raspy, unsettling laugh from Ghost Soul Fist.

“Kehahaha! Surely the deep crimson will only enhance the scenery? It gives the place a certain character.”

“I simply hope the only blood spilled belongs to our foes.”

Ju Seung-geon offered his quiet perspective.

“Naturally. Put your faith in this old man and stay calm. I will see to it personally.”

Ghost Soul Fist boomed, flexing his disproportionately large hand.

“The Ha Hu Clan is a power that rivals the Five Great Clans. We must be prepared for the possibility of significant losses.”

In contrast to the bravado of Ghost Soul Fist, Sword Demon Dragon remained intensely analytical.

“I will take your caution to heart.”

Ju Seung-geon gave a respectful nod. However, internally, he shared the same ironclad confidence as Ghost Soul Fist.

“When do these Ha Hu Clan fools arrive?”

Protector Blood Armor Hand Pyeong An inquired. While he didn’t command the same fame as Sword Demon Dragon or Ghost Soul Fist, his lethal skill was undeniable, a trait shared by the three elders positioned beside him.

“They should be here within the hour.”

Sword Demon Dragon seemed slightly caught off guard by the timing.

“They have moved with great haste. Had we not departed early as you suggested, we might have been the ones arriving late.”

“True. Their pace exceeded our projections, but we still hold the advantage. We will take a brief moment of rest and then move into our ambush positions.”

“Why bother with hiding? We could simply encircle them the moment they appear and wipe them out.”

Ju Seung-geon met Ghost Soul Fist’s suggestion with a thin smile.

“An effective strategy, certainly. But I am worried about minimizing our own casualties…”

Ju Seung-geon’s eyes drifted toward the Ghost Dao Clan, who were resting nearby. At that moment, Gok Seon, the leader of the Ghost Dao Clan, approached accompanied by two of his elders.

Gok Seon gave a curt greeting to Sword Demon Dragon and the others before looking at Ju Seung-geon.

“I understand we have an hour. How shall we contribute to the slaughter?”

“We will utilize an ambush followed by a full encirclement.”

“A sound plan. The silver grass is tall enough to hide an army. Though, judging by your tone, I suspect the primary ambush is not for us.”

Gok Seon watched Ju Seung-geon with a calculating gaze.

“Does the Ghost Dao Clan wish to lead the ambush?”

Ju Seung-geon asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“No. We would be honored, but we lack the specific expertise. We will focus on cutting off their escape once the trap is sprung.”

“Very well. I leave that to you. But remember—no one is to break through your line.”

“Fear not. The Ghost Dao Clan may not be the largest force, but we are far from helpless.”

Gok Seon turned away, ending the conversation. He offered another respectful nod to Sword Demon Dragon and his peers before heading back to his men.

Sword Demon Dragon tracked the two elders walking behind Gok Seon for a long time, his expression turning pensive.

“It seems we have been underestimating the Ghost Dao Clan. We should have scrutinized them more closely.”

“I beg your pardon? What do you mean…?”

Ju Seung-geon was interrupted by Ghost Soul Fist, who spoke up quickly.

“So you sensed it too. I was beginning to think I had misread them.”

“They wouldn’t have survived this long if they were truly weak.”

Ghost Soul Fist let out a short laugh at Ju Seung-geon’s confusion.

“It means the Ghost Dao Clan is more formidable than you give them credit for. Do not treat them as fodder from here on out.”

Ju Seung-geon was genuinely stunned. To hear Ghost Soul Fist—a man whose arrogance was legendary—speak highly of the Ghost Dao Clan was a revelation.

‘If that is the case, it bodes well, but I remain skeptical.’

Ju Seung-geon looked toward Gok Seon and his elders with a newfound curiosity.

“They will be here in thirty minutes.”

“They are at the expected distance.”

The reports from the Dark Shadows, who were using sound-transmitting insects to shadow the Ha Hu Clan reinforcements, arrived with rhythmic precision.

“Fifteen minutes out.”

Finally, the signal came that the prey was almost upon them.

Despite two hundred warriors hidden in the brush, the Thousand Li Plain was eerily still. Not a single breath disturbed the natural rhythm of the fields.

A soft wind blew through.

The only sound was the dry rustling of the silver grass—until a sudden, haunting howl of a beast tore through the quiet.

Wooooooo!

It was a wolf’s cry, deep and resonant as if coming from the high peaks.

The warriors were confused by the presence of a wolf in the plains, but they remained disciplined. Wolves were known to wander near settlements occasionally, and the mountains were not far from the Thousand Li Plain.

The long howl finally faded.

For a moment, silence returned, and it seemed the peace would hold—until a series of agonizing screams shattered the air.

“Argh!”

“Kaaak!”

The screams didn’t come in isolation; they erupted from several spots at once.

Ju Seung-geon surged forward like a bolt of lightning at the first sound of distress.

In an ambush where silence was the ultimate weapon, a scream could only mean the hunters had become the hunted.

The cries weren’t originating from the Wind Demon Brigade in the center; they were coming from the northern perimeter. That was where the Ghost Dao Clan was positioned.

“Those incompetent fools!”

Ju Seung-geon’s expression became demonic.

Any respect he had briefly felt for the Ghost Dao Clan after Ghost Soul Fist’s warning evaporated instantly.

Ju Seung-geon gave a sharp whistle, signaling his scattered men to converge.

As he did, Sword Demon Dragon and the other leaders arrived from the southern flank.

“What has happened?”

“Have the Ha Hu Clan reached us already?”

Sword Demon Dragon and Ghost Soul Fist asked in rapid succession.

“It appears they detected our presence. The screams are coming from the north, not the east—they must have circled around for a flank attack.”

“What kind of idiocy is this? Where were the Dark Shadows while we were being flanked?”

Ghost Soul Fist was livid.

At that moment, a Dark Shadow operative named Kang Hwang came sprinting through the tall grass.

He looked just as bewildered as the leaders.

“Explain this! You said we had fifteen minutes!”

Ju Seung-geon snarled, looking as if he might throttle the man.

“I… I came to ask the same! What is happening?”

“Are you truly this dense? Listen to the screams! The Ha Hu Clan has engaged us.”

Ghost Soul Fist glared at Kang Hwang with murderous intent.

The pressure from that gaze was suffocating, but Kang Hwang managed to choke out an answer.

“H-Ha Hu… Clan? No. They are still half an hour away from this position.”

“Then who the hell is killing our men?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“That’s enough.”

Sword Demon Dragon stepped in, pulling the trembling Kang Hwang away from Ghost Soul Fist.

“You are absolutely certain it isn’t the Ha Hu Clan?”

“Positively. The Dark Shadows are stuck to them like glue. It is definitely not the Ha Hu Clan.”

“Then who is it?”

As if to answer Sword Demon Dragon’s question, that same chilling wolf’s howl rang out across the silver grass once more.