Chapter 145

Chapter 145
# Chapter 145: Let Them Slaughter Each Other

Naturally, Namgung Cheon-hu did not fall in obediently with Yang-hui’s urging.

“In just a few days’ time, our Namgung Clan will march as an independent unit. We have already made all necessary preparations.”

“That is true. Yet we have received new intelligence.”

“Then might I at least be told what this intelligence says? You have not even explained the purpose of this expedition.”

It was a reasonable objection—yet one that could be dismissed with a single line.

“At the last gathering of elders, you yourself declared it. You hail from the Baek Clan, and the Namgung Clan is merely its follower; thus you would simply do as you are bidden.”

He had indeed spoken those very words, even if he had immediately raised objections the moment Yang-hui put forward a plan contrary to expectations. Regardless, the fact remained undeniable.

“I ask that you stand by your word. Time is of the essence.”

Namgung Cheon-hu had no choice but to yield.

“……Very well.”

“Assemble at the main gate of the manor in half a shichen.”

Having secured agreement—more through assertion than persuasion—Yang-hui turned to making his own arrangements for the journey. He had no idea how events would unfold, but he was determined to sow utter chaos, come what may.

Half a shichen later, more than forty warriors from the Baek Clan, the Tang Clan, and the Namgung Clan had gathered. Over thirty were peak-tier masters; it was an assembly of true elites.

“I will explain along the way. Follow me, all of you.”

Noticing Namgung Cheon-hu about to press him with questions, Yang-hui took the lead and unleashed his lightness skill. Even as they sped forward, he offered only vague outlines and no full account. Eventually Namgung Cheon-hu’s patience snapped, and he spoke directly.

“Young Master Baek, stop beating about the bush—tell me our destination at the very least. We must know what we are facing to formulate countermeasures and issue advance orders.”

*Hmm. Should I offer a vague reply and gauge his reaction?*

“We have traveled far enough that I may speak plainly. We move to strike the black dao factions of Honam.”

“Honam?”

“Precisely. Reports confirm the black dao of Honam have intervened to lend aid.”

“In that case, their numbers will be considerable. Why bring barely forty of us?”

“Word has leaked regarding the main manor’s designs. We have chosen only those we can trust and departed without revealing our true aim.”

Every word was a carefully contrived fabrication—pure invention. Though, he supposed his discussion with the Black Shadow Hall Leader might pass as intelligence of a kind. It was sufficient to silence Namgung Cheon-hu.

*Suddenly your mind is in turmoil, is it, you old fox?*

Secretly gratified, Yang-hui sent a voice transmission to Jeon Seol-ha, running at his side.

—Seol-ha—thank you for agreeing so readily to join us.

—Whatever do you mean?

Two members of the party did not belong to the Baek, Tang, or Namgung Clans: Jeon Seol-ha and A-du. Yang-hui spoke frankly.

—You knew the truth and still came. That makes you the safeguard of this undertaking.

He had brought Jeon Seol-ha because her sound arts excelled at engaging groups of foes, and because he might yet play the Jeon Clan card. The quick-witted Jeon Seol-ha doubtless understood all this—and still she answered with a bright smile.

—Safeguard? Standing by senior brother is what a junior sister does, is it not?

Her words filled him with genuine gratitude. A true man returns kindness—and grievance—many times over. He would repay her generosity in full, in days to come.

“Young master, we are about to enter Gilju.”

They had left Baek Clan lands and entered territory dominated by the black dao. Yang-hui did not slacken his pace.

“From this point onward, we avoid all main roads. We travel by mountain paths and wilderness alone.”

So they would remain unseen.

“Battle may commence the moment we arrive. Preserve your internal energy and your strength.”

Crossing the breadth of Gilju—the westernmost reaches of Gangseo, bordering Honam—took four full shichen. At last they paused at the frontier.

*Good—we have ample time yet.*

They had set out by day and arrived under cover of night. To engage the Honam black dao, they must wait for dawn.

“Rest now. The Baek Clan will stand watch, so the Namgung Clan—our most vital contingent—should devote itself fully to recovery.”

It was all pretense, designed to keep Namgung warriors from wandering beyond view. He could not yet be certain whether alliances had been struck; that very uncertainty demanded vigilance.

They rested through the night until sunlight spilled once more over the ridges.

—Young master, a band of warriors approaches from the west.
—From their dress, they are black dao. Approximately one hundred and twenty-three in number.
—Roughly half wear matching attire, indicating allegiance to a single sect.

*The Hyeongsan Sect dogs bring sixty, supplemented by every last riffraff from the black dao they could scrape together.*

Yang-hui relayed the report and readied himself. Amidst the bustling preparation, he studied Namgung Cheon-hu’s face—impassive, unreadable. It did not matter. He would learn the truth soon enough.

—Seol-ha, from this moment observe Namgung Cheon-hu closely. Mark every change in expression and bearing.
—As you command, senior brother.

Perhaps believing the Baek Clan’s march remained days away, the black dao advanced unhurriedly along the main thoroughfare. Inevitably, orthodox and black dao found themselves face to face upon the road. The black dao stirred at the sight of them. Yang-hui fixed his gaze on the most richly robed figure among them.

*Hyeongsan Yinblood.*

With backing from the Blood Slaughter Union, he had risen to lead the black dao of Honam—a contemptible wretch who styled himself master of the Hyeongsan Sect while flying the standard of a house Yang-hui had personally destroyed.

“What an unexpected gathering. I had not looked for a reception party!” Hyeongsan Yinblood called, stepping forward with feigned delight. He had affected the same demeanor in Yang-hui’s past life—hiding true intent beneath provocation.

“Have you stuffed your skull with straw, or has your sight rotted away? Do we appear here to greet you?”

Hyeongsan Yinblood fell momentarily silent; he had not anticipated such blunt insult.

“And to whom do I owe the pleasure, young sir?”

“You know full well who I am, cur.”

“If I did, I should not ask, friend dao.”

*Friend dao*—a term of fellowship among those who walked the same path, traditionally used by practitioners toward one another.

“Friend dao? I would sooner call a dog companion than a brainless knave like you.”

“You wield a sharp tongue for one so young.”

“What of it? I have no gift for parsing drivel, so I cannot pretend to follow your meaning.”

Hyeongsan Yinblood paused again; such open defiance was unlooked for.

“The young master of the Baek Clan! It is an honor indeed to meet the renowned Ascending Sword Dragon.”

“Only moments ago you claimed ignorance of my identity.”

“What business brings so distinguished a champion of the orthodox faith into black dao lands?”

“Only moments ago you claimed ignorance of my identity.”

“……And attended by so large a retinue, too.”

“Only moments ago you claimed ignorance of my identity.”

Silence descended for the third time. Hyeongsan Yinblood understood at last: no civil discourse was intended.

*Childish, perhaps—but it is the perfect answer to such as he. He seeks to goad at every turn; I must strike first and drive it home that I will not be bested in words.*

“Still no reply? I thought you claimed not to know who I was.”

“It seems our friend dao has no stomach for conversation.”

“How does one hold discourse with a dog?”

“Ha! Not that it is impossible. The world holds many worse than beasts.”

“I waste no time on idle chatter. But I shall grant you one chance.” He put the question plainly. “Why do Honam’s refuse encroach upon Gangseo?”

“We merely wander with my followers. Honam offers nothing worth seeing anymore.”

“Spare me your fables.”

Whatever answer he received, Yang-hui meant to dismiss it as falsehood. To rouse his opponent fully, he must go further still.

“Truly, it was folly to reason with a beast.” He shook his head, watching Hyeongsan Yinblood’s jaw tighten. *The taunt strikes home.*

“Ascending Sword Dragon—you know the truth already, it seems. Let us speak plainly. How came you by word of my company’s passage?”

The trap was sprung; his adversary would talk. Yang-hui pressed on.

“From your own confederate, naturally.”

It was no untruth—he owed the intelligence to the Black Shadow Hall Leader. He recalled their parting exchange:

“Black Shadow Hall Leader, our Baek Clan seeks above all to slip free of the Namgung Clan’s oversight and machinations. So I propose this: we shall make target solely of the black dao forces in Honam and Gilju.”

“And what assurance have I of your good faith?”

“I stake the honor of the Baek Clan upon it.”

“Bold words—claiming to uphold the righteousness of the Heaven-Covering Sword!”

The arrangement had followed confirmation of Hyeongsan Yinblood’s role. In return, the Black Shadow Hall Leader had passed a single piece of intelligence:

“I shall give you the date and route by which the Hyeongsan Sect and their allies enter Gangseo. We shall see what use you make of it.”

That was the full account. From Hyeongsan Yinblood’s perspective, however, he could not know whose hand had betrayed him. A cunning schemer, he would have spun webs of trust far and wide—he would never guess which strand had broken.

*I wonder whom you suspect.*

Then came the message he awaited.

—Senior brother—Namgung Cheon-hu acts with great suspicion.

Jeon Seol-ha’s report confirmed it. Doubtless he had given himself away.

“Here is the truth, Hyeongsan Yinblood: unlike you, I placed my trust elsewhere—and was fool enough to do so. Now you shall pay the price.”

Hyeongsan Yinblood, who had studied Yang-hui’s every look with obsessive care, broke into wild laughter.

“Ha! Hahaha! To hear me called fool! It has been an age! Hahaha!”

Murderous intent thickened the air.

“You hold this knowledge yet bring scarcely forty men! You may number masters, but what then? It seems it is you who shall rue such arrogance—or am I mistaken?”

Yang-hui might have mustered far greater strength. He had chosen not to, for two reasons: a larger host would risk discovery en route, and might defeat his true purpose entirely.

“Have you forgotten already our cause? The Heaven-Covering Righteousness does not count heads before it strikes.”

As Yang-hui drew his blade, every Baek clansman followed suit. Tang Clan members readied poisons and hidden weapons. A moment later, at Namgung Cheon-hu’s signal, the Soaring Heaven Sword Squad raised their arms in turn.

*Kieeeek!*

The sword hummed, a note like a hawk’s piercing cry.

“What use for words? Victory is the only truth! Let us see who stands proven right!”

“At last—some sense! You shall regret this, boy!”

As the Hyeongsan Sect and their allies unleashed a tide of killing intent, Yang-hui offered a faint smile and stepped back.

“Regret? Absurd! The Great Namgung Clan knows no regret upon its path!”

“Clan Leader Namgung! Teach these insolent fools the might of the Great Namgung!”

Forewarned, Baek Clan members fell back in unison. The Tang Clan withdrew to the rear, the formation taking shape naturally: the Namgung Clan’s Soaring Heaven Sword Squad stood at its head.

“In battle, command rests with the strongest! From this hour, Baek and Tang place themselves under the Namgung!”

“……Young Master Baek.”

The words were spoken, the stage set—there was no turning back, no avoiding the clash. Namgung Cheon-hu had maintained composure throughout; now undisguised alarm touched his face.

“We obey, Clan Leader!”

*Whether they have struck a bargain I still do not know—but mark this:*

A slow smile spread.

*You are both enemies of the Baek Clan—that much is certain.*

So let it begin.

Slay one another.