Chapter 224: Branch Leader Myeong Gujeong (1)

Since the Hidden Saint Cult was a cult, their loyalty toward the Young Cult Leader had elements of blind devotion.

Deuksang had realized the gravity of the current situation and came out personally to take command.

There were many things to resolve before they could clear out the Blood Green Unit and leave Jeongju.

Because of that, he had been running around lately. Only now had he been able to come, after hearing that Yong Hwarin had requested assistance from the Blood Green Unit.

Deuksang, after meeting with Jong Munhye and hearing the story, felt immense gratitude toward Yong Hwarin.

Had Yong Hwarin not taken in Jong Munhye and Jong Seok, those two might have already been captured by their pursuers and subjected to all manner of humiliation.

For that reason, Deuksang had issued orders to his subordinates to support Yong Hwarin with their full strength.

In the meantime, Deuksang had been searching for those who once belonged to the Hidden Saint Cult.

His official position within the Hidden Saint Cult had been that of First Guardian Unit Leader.

Now, the core of the Blood Green Unit consisted of the guards who had once belonged to that very unit.

Since these individuals usually hid in the vicinity of their liege and protected them from the shadows, their Stealth Technique was second to none.

Moreover, to counter assassination attempts, they had even been trained in assassination techniques themselves. Because of this, they could now function as assassins.

Deuksang was a large man with a thick beard, looking like a mountain guardian.

However, the sharpness in his eyes and the heaviness of his voice gave the impression of a seasoned general.

“What do we need to do? We’ve set up the ambush as instructed, but we plan to follow Young Master Yong’s strategy for the attack.”

“Thank you. Dozens of carts loaded with grain will be passing through here. Before they do, we plan to hijack them and relocate the goods elsewhere.”

“I understand. In the process of hijacking the carts, may we kill those trying to protect them?”

“Leave the cart drivers alone. Only attack the warriors. Their lives and deaths are at the discretion of the Unit Leader.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t let your guard down. Most of the warriors are elite members of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Do not forget that.”

“The Heavenly Demon Sect, you say?”

Deuksang stood blankly for a moment, overwhelmed by the weight that name carried.

Yong Hwarin briefly explained the situation happening around him.

He explained that the group trying to devour the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was the Heavenly Demon Sect, and that the grain was being used as a ploy to seize control of the union. Upon hearing this, Deuksang chuckled.

“I never thought descendants of the Heavenly Demon Sect still existed.”

Since they were of the same demonic faction lineage, Deuksang naturally took interest.

Yong Hwarin prepared the plan so that the attack could be launched in accordance with his signal after the ambush.

He reminded them that they must move like assassins as much as possible in this operation.

Then Deuksang gathered his subordinates and began explaining the plan for the surprise attack.

Yong Hwarin stood and climbed up onto the ridge. It was a vantage point from where he could see the carts approaching from afar.

It was then that he noticed a butterfly settling on his shoulder.

The butterfly seemed to have been fluttering mid-flight and now rested on his shoulder. Watching it, Yong Hwarin fell into a strange emotional reverie.

‘Could it be that I’ve reached the Boundary of the Upper World, and that’s why the butterfly approached me? Maybe. Now that I’ve grasped the Inner-Outer Realm of the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and begun communing with Nature’s Energy, it may be that I’m becoming one with nature itself.’

Yong Hwarin picked up an acorn and extended his hand toward a squirrel perched on a tree.

He thought that by releasing his Qi outward and communing with Nature’s Energy, the squirrel wouldn’t see him as a threat.

As Yong Hwarin’s Qi synchronized with Nature’s Energy, it began to slowly blend with the surroundings.

Yet, the squirrel merely looked at him and made no move to approach.

“I’ve gotten ahead of myself. This proves that I haven’t fully reached the Inner-Outer Realm. Or maybe my Qi hasn’t completely harmonized with Nature’s Energy yet.”

Disappointed, Yong Hwarin tossed the acorn in front of the squirrel and turned around.

Even after Yong Hwarin left, the squirrel didn’t budge.

Then, something wriggled near the base of the tree and slithered into the forest.

It was a snake, covered in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Only after the snake disappeared did the squirrel come down from the tree, pick up the acorn, and begin gnawing on it.

“I see the carts.”

At Baekseom’s words, Deuksang looked down the ridge.

Soon after, an assassin who had been observing movements below returned.

“How many escorts are there in total?”

“There are about fifty warriors carrying swords. Warriors from the Bukri Clan, Songcheongmun, and even Small Sect Leader Jeok Gwang and Small Sect Leader Cheong Geonmin of Muho Sect have joined the convoy. Moreover, Bukri Haeng, Bukri Sehee, and Bukri So from the Bukri Clan are all part of the escort detail.”

Yong Hwarin, upon hearing that report, was surprised inside.

‘Why would all of them join the grain transport?’

The fact that Bukri Sehee had joined the convoy in particular saddened Yong Hwarin.

“That’s quite a number for just transporting grain.”

When Deuksang murmured this, Yong Hwarin nodded.

The Heavenly Demon Sect had thoroughly deceived both the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and the Geumwon Council.

“To think even Bukri Clan, Jeok Gwang of Songcheongmun, and Cheong Geonmin of Muho Sect joined the effort… Don’t you think there’s some ulterior motive behind all this?”

At Baekseom’s words, Deuksang looked toward Yong Hwarin.

Deuksang clearly shared the same suspicion.

However, there wasn’t much of a special reason these people had taken on the grain transport. If anything, it was to show their loyalty and get into the good graces of Lee Yung, and because Bukri Sehee had joined the grain transport.

In truth, it was precisely these two reasons that had prompted Cheong Geonmin and Jeok Gwang to volunteer for the grain transport.

“It’s a hassle to have so many unexpected people join in, but we’ll proceed according to the plan. Just one thing I ask—please avoid killing anyone from the Bukri Clan if at all possible.”

Yong Hwarin listened to the assassin’s report and fell deep into thought.

‘Why would Bukri Sehee join this grain transport? I’ll have to confirm for myself whether she really joined, as the assassin claimed.’

Yong Hwarin spoke to Deuksang.

“I’ll go and scout the situation myself.”

“Do as you will. Baekseom! Accompany him.”

“Yes, Division Leader.”

As Yong Hwarin disappeared in an instant, Baekseom quickly followed behind.

“He’s fast as lightning.”

Deuksang marveled at Yong Hwarin’s movement arts.

Yong Hwarin observed the passing carts from atop a tree a hundred jang away.

There were easily more than fifty carts loaded with grain.

‘With that amount, the main family could eat for over a year and still have plenty left.’

Yong Hwarin drew upon his internal energy to enhance his vision.

From afar, the figures escorting the carts began to come into view.

He noticed Cheong Geonmin and Jeok Gwang stealing glances at Bukri Sehee over and over again, and he could already tell why they had joined the grain transport.

‘Is Bukri Sehee also doing this to get on that Young Master’s good side?’

That was the only explanation Yong Hwarin could think of.

Then his gaze fixed on a man lying atop one of the sacks of rice on a cart.

‘Who is that?’

A middle-aged man was lying leisurely on the rice sacks, waving his hand in the air.

Then the man picked up a grain of rice and, astonishingly, mountain birds flew over to peck at the grain from his hand.

“Mm!”

Yong Hwarin flinched at the sight.

‘Is that man on the same level as the Namgung elder? Has he reached the Upper World Boundary?’

It was hard to believe. To others, it may have simply looked like birds landing to feed, but for mountain birds—who instinctively avoid unfamiliar presences—to perch on a human’s hand meant something far more significant.

Bukri Haeng, too, was staring intently at the bird perched on the man’s hand.

Then he muttered in a small, regretful voice.

“A man has reached a level even Father could not attain.”

It sounded almost hollow, prompting Bukri Sehee to ask,

“Orabeoni, what’s so impressive about a bird eating food?”

Bukri Haeng responded in a cold tone.

“You ask because you don’t understand. Do you think a wild bird that’s never encountered a human would easily perch on a person’s hand? And yet, that bird sat there without hesitation. It means that man’s state is extraordinary. I don’t even know what to call such a level.”

He was her half-brother, notoriously stingy with praise. Seeing him this surprised made Bukri Sehee feel like it must be something amazing, but she still didn’t really understand why.

Then Bukri So, from behind, spoke.

“I don’t know who that person is either. But he’s already a master of considerable skill.”

Bukri Sehee asked,

“Even the Chief Administrator can’t win against him?”

Her tone held a slight sneer, causing the corners of Bukri So’s mouth to twitch faintly.

“It wounds my pride, but that man is beyond what I can handle. Even this Young Master treats him with utmost courtesy—he’s not just a mere bookstore owner.”

Bukri Sehee threw Bukri So a scornful glance and turned her head away.

“Sehee, there’s something you should know. Once this grain transport ends and we reach Mount Goisan, we’ll be meeting the Third Tai Gong of the Heavenly Demon Sect. You must make a good impression. If you act rudely on purpose, understand that it will bring disadvantage to our clan.”

“It’s truly a sorrowful thing if our clan has fallen so far that a mere girl like me must be offered up to some old man.”

Bukri Sehee said it aloud, clearly for Bukri Haeng to hear.

But Bukri Haeng said nothing, continuing to stare only at the bird in Myeong Gujeong’s hand.

Bukri Sehee lowered her head deeply.

‘What is my life even supposed to be? I’ve been treated like some human elixir since I was young, and now they want me to become some old demon’s concubine? I know I wasn’t born of Father’s legitimate wife, but this is too cruel.’

In moments like these, Yong Hwarin’s face would inevitably come to mind.

‘Would it have been better if I’d told Young Master Yong everything? He surely would’ve helped me.’

But Bukri Sehee shook her head.

She didn’t want to place such a heavy burden on Yong Hwarin.

“Sehee, I’m sorry. This happened because I lacked strength.”

Bukri Haeng spoke while turning away.

“If we had power, you wouldn’t have to suffer this fate.”

Bukri Haeng felt too ashamed to look at Bukri Sehee.

Originally, the Bukri Clan and the Heavenly Demon Sect had agreed to strengthen their ties by sending a direct family member to the Heavenly Demon Sect.

Officially, it was to study the Heavenly Demon Sect’s martial arts, but in truth, it was little different from being a hostage.

Bukri Chang searched for a direct descendant whose death would cause the least issue if things went awry—and that person was Bukri Sehee.

However, Bukri Sehee had been raised almost like a human spiritual medicine, and Bukri Chang still needed her to complete his martial arts.

“I’ll gain power within a year. Then you won’t have to go to the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

Bukri Chang had promised to send Bukri Sehee a year later and was now preparing to present her to the Third Tai Gong.

In a year, the energy of the spiritual medicine within Bukri Sehee’s body would have been completely extracted, so even if she became the Third Tai Gong’s concubine, there would be no further use for her.

Here, one could glimpse Bukri Chang’s calculating nature and cold-heartedness.

Sending Bukri Sehee in a year meant he intended to obtain everything he could from the Changhwang Fist before fulfilling his promise.

If the secret manual of the Changhwang Fist was not handed over before then, it meant he would nullify the agreement.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep