Chapter 386

Chapter 386
## Chapter 386. The Surprise Attack (4)

—

The local leader of the *Ha-o-mun* stationed in Wuhan had been searching for any sign of the Scholar of the Silkworm Thread Deok-hun and the Investigator of the Ultimate Flower Gam-eung-bo. Upon receiving an urgent update from a subordinate, he immediately set off toward Choyeol Manor.

“An intense clash is underway, you say?”

“Correct, sir. A massive flash lit up the estate like midday, and after a brief lull, the fighting erupted once more.”

The report puzzled him. If combat had broken out, it meant they had encountered the adversary Young Master Jin was pursuing. Yet, if an engagement had already occurred, it defied logic that another would follow so soon. Though his role required him to piece together the grand tapestry of events from mere scraps of intelligence, understanding the full picture from these fragmented details proved nearly impossible.

In moments of uncertainty, personal observation was the only reliable course. Harnessing his internal energy to its absolute limit, he sped toward Choyeol Manor.

*Bang! Rumble! Rumble!*

A deafening detonation tore through the air, threatening to shatter his eardrums, while a brilliant radiance flared so intensely it stung the eyes. Halting his advance, the local leader inquired:

“What is our current distance… from the estate?”

“We are approximately two hundred *jang* away, sir.”

To think that the shockwaves could carry such immense power across a distance of two hundred *jang*.

“How long has this confrontation been raging?”

“It has persisted for longer than a single meal-time (*Sik-gyeong*).”

“…….”

Given that a clash between top-tier masters is typically decided in the blink of an eye, this duration was extraordinarily protracted. This alone confirmed that the conflict within the estate was no mere duel, but an absolute struggle between life and death.

“What in the world… could be transpiring in there…”

Jin-so-un had shared no specifics with him, but judging solely by the individual who had impersonated Song-baek-pung-sa, it was evident that grave forces were at play. While the complete picture eluded him, a synthesis of these isolated occurrences made it perfectly clear which faction required his allegiance.

‘Moreover, Young Master Jin stands as our Guest.’

With his decision finalized, he moved without a moment’s hesitation.

“Rouse every single operative in our branch who has retired for the evening. Effective immediately, command them to relay every single development occurring within Wuhan down to the minutest detail.”

“How exhaustive should these dispatches be, sir?”

What could possibly compel an individual capable of erasing their identity to seek refuge all the way out in Wuhan?

“Instruct them to report even the specific side dishes ordered alongside their liquor.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Have our martial artists advance to within one hundred and fifty *jang* to establish a defensive perimeter. Furthermore……”

*Bang— thump bang! Rumble!*

The primary obstacle remained that blinding light and deafening roar. Should such a commotion persist through the dark hours, it would inevitably draw the gaze of onlookers. Once crowds assembled, controlling the flow of information would become unmanageable. With the whereabouts of the Scholar of the Silkworm Thread and the Investigator of the Ultimate Flower still completely unaccounted for, such attention would merely provide the enemy an opportunity to slip away.

A swift tactical determination was paramount.

“Where lie the nearest agricultural fields?”

“There are extensive rice paddies nearby under the ownership of Elder Master Jang.”

“Elder Master Jang……”

The local leader pondered briefly before a slow nod signaled his resolution.

“Perfect. We shall initiate a game of firewheel (*Jwi-bul-nori*).”

“Out of nowhere…… you mean to do this now, sir?”

The local leader murmured quietly, his eyes fixed on the sky illuminated by artificial brilliance.

“To conceal a flame, it is wisest to submerge it within an even grander conflagration.”

The subordinate from the *Ha-o-mun* tilted his head in confusion.

“But is the timing not somewhat premature?”

Ordinarily, the firewheel festival was reserved for eradicating hibernating pests as winter yielded to spring, making it far too early in the cycle. Igniting the fields now would surely invite backlash, not only from the proprietor Elder Master Jang but also from the tenant farmers whose livelihoods depended on the land. However, that logic applied strictly to the realm of ‘common folk.’

“What is the fundamental purpose of an intelligence operative collecting secrets?”

“Why, to command the highest possible price, of course.”

“Then you must broaden your perspective to encompass the leverage gained from selling that intelligence.”

“…….”

“Should Elder Master Jang voice his displeasure, remind him of the unacknowledged child he keeps hidden away in Anyang. As for the tenant farmers, assure them that Elder Master Jang will personally provide ample compensation to secure their welfare.”

“Ah!”

Realizing the brilliance of the strategy, the *Ha-o-mun* operatives dispersed with frantic speed. Before long, columns of fire began to consume the surrounding agricultural plots.

*Flash— bang, bang, bang!*

The rice stalks, thoroughly dried by the winter frost, ignited instantly as if drenched in combustible oil. As fresh kindling was introduced to the pyres, the ascending blazes grew massive enough to swallow the flashes emanating from the estate. Concurrently, operatives brought forth loud traditional instruments, striking them with simulated fervor while dancing wildly. Passersby who had been drawn by the distant lights quickly turned back, eager to avoid any entanglement with such rowdy troublemakers.

*Bang! Rumble!*

Even as they successfully bought precious time, thunderous concussions and blinding radiance continued to burst uninterrupted from the estate grounds.

‘Nearly half a double-hour has elapsed already…….’

Despite witnessing the spectacle firsthand, the local leader found the reality difficult to comprehend. To simply sprint continuously for half a double-hour was a feat beyond the reach of most men without pause. Consequently, regardless of a martial artist’s prowess, maintaining an absolute peak output of internal energy for such a duration meant pushing past the threshold of human endurance.

Anxiety for the well-being of Jin-so-un, trapped within that inferno, began to weigh heavily on the leader’s mind. It was precisely at that juncture.

*Flash—*

An explosion of conflicting internal energies—blending brilliant gold, crimson, and pitch black—burst violently in every direction. Stunned by a display that seemed completely detached from mortal capability, he suddenly registered a profound silence; the thunderous roars and blinding flashes within the estate had completely ceased.

“I-is the conflict resolved?”

The subordinate standing beside him muttered the question aloud. The local leader ran his tongue over dry lips, paralyzed by the harrowing realization that he could not foresee what manner of entity would emerge from the ruins.

“Branch leader. Do we move in?”

“…….”

Should Jin-so-un emerge victorious, it would signify the finest possible outcome. Yet, if an adversary stepped forth, the resulting casualties inflicted upon the *Ha-o-mun* would be catastrophic, rendering a hasty decision impossible. Nevertheless, the moment for action arrived, and the local leader tightened his fist, cementing his resolve.

“We advance.”

If Jin-so-un lay gravely wounded, the *Ha-o-mun* was bound by honor to retrieve him. With their frontline fighters leading the formation, they crept cautiously toward the estate. As the distance closed, the true devastation of the grounds—hidden by darkness and distance before—came into horrific focus.

‘What madness transpired here…….’

Though long abandoned, the estate had been fully operational until the previous year, preserved in immaculate condition by its prior occupant.

“…….”

To call the current ruins an ‘estate’ felt entirely generous. The perimeter walls lay completely pulverized, while the surrounding pavilions had either lost their roofs entirely or been reduced to partial splinters. The meticulously laid marble pathways were obliterated beyond recognition, and the underlying earth was deeply gouged and torn apart in every direction. It looked less like a duel and more as though an entire war had been waged within the confines of the walls.

Stepping deeper into the interior, the sheer gruesomeness of the aftermath intensified. Dissevered limbs and shredded flesh littered the area, with crimson pools so vast it was impossible to find clean footing. Not a single intact body remained. The majority of the casualties had been reduced to horrific masses of melted fabric and liquefied flesh, as if subjected to Bone-Melting Powder. The only items left remotely recognizable were the scattered armaments that had slipped from dead hands.

It was an environment where one could confidently declare that a localized purgatory had manifested on earth. Right then.

*Stop.*

The leading martial artist abruptly halted his stride.

“…….”

As a passing cloud unveiled the moonlight, a solitary figure materialized within the shadows. The spectacle it presented was nothing short of absolute nightmare. A man stood there, his upper garments entirely shredded, completely drenched from head to toe in gore.

“*Haa, haa, haa.*”

Resembling a Yaksha from the underworld, the heavily breathing, visibly exhausted warrior slowly turned his gaze toward the intruders. A crimson light flared within his eyes as an overwhelming wave of murderous intent crashed against the *Ha-o-mun* operatives, causing their bodies to lock up instantly as if staring down their apex predator.

Yet, just as suddenly, the murderous red gleam dissolved entirely, replaced by a calm, collected voice that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding carnage.

“Ah, so you’ve arrived?”

The local leader could only stammer in absolute bewilderment.

“Y-Young Master Jin, is that truly you?”

“The darkness must be playing tricks on your eyes. It is indeed me.”

As the moon fully emerged from behind the clouds, Jin-so-un’s form was illuminated clearly. The sight caused even the seasoned vanguard of the *Ha-o-mun* to instinctively recoil a step. Jin-so-un merely shook his head, looking down at the scattered remains of flesh.

“They proved quite troublesome to eliminate.”

“D-did you dispatch the entirety of them by your own hand?”

“A few attempted to flee the perimeter, but I managed to intercept them all, fortunately.”

Jin-so-un recounted the feat with total nonchalance, as if discussing an ordinary chore.

“……I, I see.”

A cold shiver raced down the local leader’s spine, leaving his skin crawling with goosebumps.

“What is the situation across Wuhan? Given that these operatives were deployed in such force, it appears they executed their preparations with extreme thoroughness.”

“……I have mobilized our entire roster from their slumber and fanned them out across the city.”

“Mmm, excellent.”

Swallowing hard, the local leader ventured a cautious inquiry.

“What exactly was the allegiance of these individuals……”

Before the leader could complete his thought, another *Ha-o-mun* runner burst into the courtyard out of breath.

“A-an absolute crisis has struck the Murim Alliance!”

“A crisis, you say?!”

“Yes, sir! The inner sanctuaries have been entirely locked down, and every single Martial Pavilion has received emergency deployment orders—”

*Bang.*

The air fractured with a sharp concussive pop as an oppressive weight of pure killing intent flooded the space, causing hearts to skip a beat. Terrified, the *Ha-o-mun* members turned their eyes toward the source of the aura. Jin-so-un stood there, his expression perfectly unreadable, before speaking coldly.

“I shall take my leave ahead of you.”

*Thump!*

As his feet pushed off the shattered earth to propel him skyward, the ground beneath ruptured outward in a concussive shockwave. Before anyone could even process the sheer magnitude of the internal energy displayed, Jin-so-un’s silhouette had already vanished into the ink-black night.

“……What under heaven is unfolding?”

“Branch leader! W-what are our directives?!”

The local leader was left entirely stunned. Yet, amidst the chaos, one truth remained blindingly clear to him.

“Sound the absolute alarm! Order every operative to abandon their current objectives and concentrate entirely on this development!”

Whatever the catalyst, this single night possessed the power to fundamentally reshape the entire destiny of the *Gangho*.

—

—

*Rattle, rattle.*

The collection of small stones nestled in her palm had dwindled significantly. Dang-seo-hui, lightly running her fingers over the remaining pebbles, muttered aloud:

“That situation was exceedingly perilous (*-geos-iya*).”

“Have you already forgotten the mandate to never lower your vigilance?”

Pouting her cheeks, Dang-seo-hui turned a glaring gaze toward Yong-so-ah.

“Finding common ground with you is impossible (*-geos-iya*)! Do you honestly believe I felt trepidation (*-geos-iya*)?”

“You undeniably manifested a flustered demeanor when faced with their unorthodox tactics.”

Yong-so-ah replied devoid of emotion, his eyes resting upon the lifeless forms of the assassins strewn about his boots.

“When confronting entities that operate completely contrary to natural human self-preservation, a moment of disorientation is entirely expected……”

*Clench—*

Hurlilng her remaining stone forcefully to the dirt, Dang-seo-hui reached out and tugged sharply on the trim of Yong-so-ah’s attire.

“Had I not intervened to neutralize the secondary assassin, managing these adversaries entirely on your own would have proved a monumental task (*-geos-iya*)!”

As dust contaminated the pristine fabric of his white martial vestments, Yong-so-ah’s brow twitched with irritation.

“Even taking that into account, our target ultimately managed to elude us.”

Yong-so-ah shifted his focus toward the private quarters of Zhuge-so-myeong. Three out of the four elite protectors tasked solely with safeguarding Zhuge-so-myeong had ultimately perished. The caliber of their martial prowess was never in question; to be selected as a personal shield for Zhuge-so-myeong meant ranking among the absolute peak combatants within the *Gangho*.

The true obstacle lay in the terrifying fanaticism of their foes.

“Are you even capable of conceptualizing the agony of watching one’s own flesh dissolve (*-geos-iya*)?”

When the emergency sirens shattered the peace, dozens of mobilized guards and sentries rushed to fortify the perimeter of the pavilion, just as the partially liquefied remains of the three protectors were being carried away. Staring at the grim sight, Yong-so-ah murmured softly.

“I cannot comprehend it.”

“I happen to have suffered the dissolution of the flesh on my fourth digit once before (*-geos-iya*).”

Dang-seo-hui extended her hand, spreading her fingers wide. The complexion of her fourth finger bore a distinctly irregular coloration.

“Because of that experience…… I swore an oath never to inflict such a toxin even upon my worst adversary (*-geos-iya*).”

“They represent an anomaly whose actions defy rational anticipation.”

Though his tone retained its customary detachment, an undercurrent of deep self-reproach resonated within Yong-so-ah’s words. Right then.

“*Tsk, tsk*, what an absurd uproar to inflict upon the late hours.”

Zhuge-so-myeong emerged from the confines of the pavilion, clicking his tongue in obvious irritation.

“Chief Strategist, the true affiliations of these infiltrators remain unverified. For your own security, remaining indoors would be wisest……”

Intercepting the protector’s recommendation, Zhuge-so-myeong scowled fiercely and bellowed:

“Are you implying that the lives of vibrant youths are somehow less valuable than that of an old dotard like myself!”

“A-ah, no, sir, that was not my intent……”

“Squandering, absolutely throwing away your life forces to shield what manner of significant figure.”

Unseen by those around him, Zhuge-so-myeong squeezed his hands into tight fists as he watched the three broken forms being carted away from the pavilion grounds.

“I am transferring to the *Mantong-bu*. Stand down the high-alert status and dismiss the bulk of the forces, retaining only a minimal escort detail.”

“With respect, Chief Strategist……”

“Hundreds of sentries patrol the outer sanctuaries of this Alliance, and sophisticated mechanical traps defend every corridor of the inner halls. Yet, the inner sanctuaries of the Murim Alliance were compromised regardless. Under such parameters, what true utility is gained by merely compounding the guard count?”

“…….”

Finding no counterargument, the protector bowed his head and retreated. After casting a sweeping glance across the pavilion grounds, Zhuge-so-myeong began his trek toward the *Mantong-bu*, halting directly in front of Dang-seo-hui and Yong-so-ah.

“Give me an account.”

His piercing gaze shifted between the two of them, as if attempting to look straight through their hidden motives.

“Does the persistent presence of you two lingering about my immediate vicinity bear any connection to tonight’s events?”

Confronted by the Chief Strategist’s interrogation, Yong-so-ah chose absolute silence.

“…….”

Zhuge-so-myeong’s analytical gaze then locked onto Dang-seo-hui.

“Did that individual Jin-so-un enlist your aid for this?”

Caught off guard, Dang-seo-hui let out an involuntary hiccup, her speech fracturing into a noticeable stammer.

“I, I—*hic*—possess no knowledge of this matter (*-geos-iya*). I simply, simply—*hic*—journeyed here to pursue my education (*-geos-iya*).”

“…….”

“……sir.”

Zhuge-so-myeong maintained a long, intense scrutiny of Dang-seo-hui’s expression.

“……An enigma of a person whom I cannot begin to decipher.”

Turning on his heel, he promptly departed the pavilion grounds. Once he was out of earshot, Dang-seo-hui released a massive breath of relief.

“*Phew*…… I maintained total silence, behaving as a true paragon of righteousness (*-geos-iya*).”

“…….”

Yong-so-ah directed a thoroughly unimpressed, dull stare toward her, but.

“I am an authentic champion of justice (*-geos-iya*).”

Such judgment mattered little to Dang-seo-hui, whose eyes sparkled with pride as she pumped her fist confidently into the air.