Chapter 393: The Stratagem of Two Tigers Competing for Prey (2)

Yong Hwarin released all the True Qi of the Fifth Jiazi and first surveyed the surroundings.

He immediately sensed a presence — someone who was watching them while remaining hidden.

‘That stealth technique is impressive. To think I could only detect them after releasing the Fifth Jiazi’s True Qi.’

Yong Hwarin couldn’t tell whether the watcher belonged to the Blood Demon Castle or the Heavenly Demon Castle.

But rather than being concerned, he was relieved that they were being monitored — it meant his movements were being observed exactly as he wished.

As he headed toward the inn that Jeomsoi had told him about, Yong Hwarin suddenly felt the presence of that watcher vanish.

‘Why?’

Puzzled by the disappearance of his observer, Yong Hwarin frowned slightly.

However, he soon realized why.

A group of people was approaching within the range of his Qi sense.

‘So they’ve made their move first.’

Sensing that the approaching group belonged to the Blood Demon Castle, Yong Hwarin grinned faintly.

Knowing he was still under surveillance, he turned to Mo Biyoung and said,

“Yeong Mae, wait here for a bit.”

Pretending to head into the forest to relieve himself, Yong Hwarin invoked the Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art (용은천공) to completely erase his presence.

The watcher kept his eyes fixed on Mo Biyoung after Yong Hwarin disappeared into the trees, assuming that the man would soon return.

To make sure he didn’t miss any movement, the watcher didn’t dare blink.

But then—someone suddenly spoke right behind him.

“Hey! If you stand that stiff for too long, your blood won’t circulate properly. It’s bad for your body.”

The realization that someone had approached so close to him — close enough to whisper in his ear — without him noticing until now made the watcher’s hair stand on end.

He froze, unable to move, not even to turn his head.

Swallowing nervously, he tried to find a chance to counterattack.

“Sorry, but your assignment ends here.”

A sharp sensation pricked the back of his neck, and at once, all strength drained from his body.

His life ended there, deep in the forest.

Yong Hwarin gazed down at the fallen watcher’s body for a moment, then calmly returned to Mo Biyoung.

“Now, we’ll begin in earnest. The Stratagem of Two Tigers Competing for Prey — remember that, Yeong Mae. Steel your heart.”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

Yong Hwarin waited by the path leading up the mountain, slipping fine needles onto his fingers.

Moonwoo trudged up the mountain path, grumbling.

“Why the hell did that bastard come up here? It’s a damn mountain.”

The man who had been watching Yong Hwarin replied,

“It seemed like he intended to stay here for a while.”

“Really? Maybe to train or something?”

Hearing that, Mobek felt uneasy.

“My lord, something’s off. Why would Yong Hwarin come here instead of going to the Heavenly Central Sect? Doesn’t that seem suspicious?”

“What do you mean, suspicious?”

“He could already be aware of our presence.”

Jo Cheonsaeng let out a dry chuckle.

“Even if he does, what does it matter? Do you think two people could handle all of us, even if they lured us into that cave?”

“He could have laid traps inside.”

Jo Cheonsaeng looked at Mobek with clear disdain.

“Mobek, that doesn’t sound like you. Traps? You think we’d be caught by something so petty?”

Indeed, Mobek’s words could almost be taken as an insult. After all, the group here — the Three Kings Guard, Jo Cheonsaeng, and Homa Cheondan — were the Blood Demon Castle’s most elite forces.

They were not the kind of men to fall for simple traps, even if they were laid right before their eyes.

Still, Mobek couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at his chest.

It felt like stepping into a tiger’s den.

‘Am I just hesitant because I don’t want to fight my granddaughter?’

Shiiiing!

A sudden sharp sound sliced through the air — the twang of a snapped lute string.

“Hidden weapon!”

One of the Three Kings Guard shouted.

But by then, three warriors of Homa Cheondan had already been sent sprawling across the ground.

At the same time, a voice rang out — the remaining watcher shouted,

“It’s Yong Hwarin!”

At that, the Blood Demon Castle warriors rushed after him.

“His hidden weapon arts are formidable — don’t approach carelessly!”

Seeing the destructive power of the Dragon Scale Finger (용린지), one of the Three Kings Guard warned the others.

The Blood Demon Castle group sprinted with astonishing speed, but Yong Hwarin, using Floating Step of the Fluttering Shadow (표표섬보), kept slipping out of their reach every time.

Leading them deeper into the forest, Yong Hwarin killed over ten of Homa Cheondan’s warriors before finally entering the cave with Mo Biyoung.

Panting in rage, Moonwoo barked,

“That bastard’s a rat trapped in a jar now! Get in there and kill him!”

But one of the Three Kings Guard stopped him, having sensed something amiss.

“Lesser Lord, calm yourself. If we rush in like this, we’ll only fall prey to his hidden weapons. Even this old man wouldn’t take them lightly.”

“Then what do we do?”

As Moonwoo fumed, another of the Three Kings Guard spoke.

“We’ll take the lead. You follow behind us, Lesser Lord.”

The warriors of the Blood Demon Castle entered the cave, and not long after, Yong Hwarin slipped out through another tunnel.

Outside, Mo Biyoung, who had been waiting for him, spoke.

“What do we do now?”

At her question, Yong Hwarin murmured,

“We call in another tiger.”

“So, it’s a strategy to throw two tigers into one cave and let them fight until they kill each other. But where’s the other tiger?”

“According to the information relayed by the Azure Messenger Rat, the other tiger will arrive soon. They’ll go to the inn I was staying at, so I’ll head there and bring them here. Until then, use the Dragon Scale Finger to make sure those bastards stay alert and don’t leave the formation. And if they somehow get out of the cave, don’t fight them under any circumstances. Go to the place I told you about. Understood?”

“I understand.”

After confirming Mo Biyoung’s resolve several times, Yong Hwarin headed toward the inn.

The Demonic Master (Masa) had tracked Jo Wonmook all the way to an inn.

Since he had already informed them of Yong Hwarin’s location, they arrived swiftly.

From afar, Yong Hwarin spotted Jo Wonmook and Yu Maelim, tilting his head slightly.

They weren’t the ones he had been expecting.

‘Why did they come looking for me?’

He grew suspicious as he watched Jo Wonmook questioning Jeomsoi about his whereabouts.

Soon after, he noticed a group of people watching them from a distance.

‘So the Heavenly Demon Sect warriors followed that man here. But there’s no way he doesn’t know that.’

Sensing that there was more to the situation, Yong Hwarin decided it was best to meet with Masa first.

Masa, realizing that Yong Hwarin wasn’t at the inn, quietly separated himself from the others.

He was certain Yong Hwarin would come to him.

And indeed, a voice soon flowed directly into his ear.

– Elder, I’m on the tree a hundred jang away.

Masa flinched in shock.

‘What? Did he just send a telepathic message from a hundred jang away?’

Even telepathy had a definite range.

Without sufficient internal energy, it was impossible to send a message that far.

Even the top martial masters of the Murim could only reach about ten jang — so to send a message from a hundred jang away was astonishing.

‘That brat… he’s turning into a monster even this old man can hardly fathom.’

Realizing this, Masa thought that luring the Heavenly Demon Sect here had been the right move.

To transmit a voice from that distance, one’s internal energy had to surpass at least the Fourth Jiazi.

– Just listen to me. When I attack, follow after me. You’ll come across a cave — go inside. There, the Blood Demon Castle’s warriors will be searching for me. I’ve already provoked them, so their nerves will be on edge. They’ll likely mistake anyone entering for me. Of course, since they’re masters, it won’t take long before they realize the Heavenly Demon Sect warriors have demonic energy. When that happens, my plan will fall apart — that’s when you must intervene and make the two sides clash.

As soon as Masa nodded once, Yong Hwarin’s telepathic voice came again.

– Then I’ll begin my assault shortly.

Hearing that, Masa immediately stepped into the inn.

He needed to explain the situation to Yu Maelim and Jo Wonmook, so they wouldn’t panic when Yong Hwarin attacked.

After telepathically relaying everything, Jo Wonmook replied through telepathy.

– It seems Young Master Yong plans to use the Stratagem of Killing with Another’s Blade. If it works, he’ll take down both tigers at once. A shame I can’t witness it myself — it’ll be quite the spectacle.

As soon as Masa finished speaking, screams and shouts erupted outside the inn.

“Ambush!”

“Someone’s firing hidden weapons!”

At that, Masa bowed lightly to the two and rushed out.

Watching him go, Yu Maelim sent a telepathic message to Jo Wonmook.

– Master Jo, how did Young Master Yong even manage to win over the Third Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect? Rumor has it that man’s conduct is utterly disgraceful. Yet he doesn’t seem the mad fool the rumors make him out to be.

Jo Wonmook smiled faintly.

– Either he abandoned his title as the Third Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect out of admiration for Yong Hwarin, or Yong found his weakness. Either way seems likely.

– That was my thought as well.

– Still, to have a man like that dancing in his palm shows that Yong Hwarin is no ordinary person.

That was the very thing Jo Wonmook respected about him.

When Yong Hwarin had first appeared at Mount Jungeuk Peak, Jo Wonmook had only thought of him as a strange youth with an odd aura. But now, his curiosity was piqued.

He hadn’t felt intrigued by anyone in decades, and so he couldn’t help but grin.

Masa examined the corpses felled by hidden weapons and shouted,

“The culprit is Yong Hwarin! Spread out and search the area!”

Seeing Masa act according to plan, Yong Hwarin moved again.

It puzzled him that the old man had gone into the inn, but he quickly realized — he must’ve gone to inform The Greatest Sword Under Heaven about the situation.

The fact that The Greatest Sword Under Heaven didn’t emerge confirmed it.

‘But that’s a mistake on the old man’s part. If there’s even one capable strategist among them, they’ll realize it’s odd that The Greatest Sword Under Heaven hasn’t stepped outside.’

Indeed, Yong Hwarin’s instincts were right.

Mak Gyo, once a strategist for Yang Gwak and later appointed as the military advisor to Ok Girin, muttered,

“The Greatest Sword Under Heaven came here to find Yong Hwarin, yet he doesn’t react even when he hears Yong’s attacking? That’s strange.”

The fact that the Third Young Master had gone into the inn and come back out only deepened his suspicion.

So Mak Gyo decided to inform Ok Girin and approached him.

Ok Girin, enraged at seeing his subordinates drop one after another under Yong Hwarin’s hidden weapons, roared and lashed out in all directions searching for him.

But he couldn’t find even a trace.

Astonishingly, Yong Hwarin was a hundred jang away, firing needles with the Dragon Scale Finger.

‘Terrifying… even the telepathy was impressive, but to take down elite warriors with hidden weapons from a hundred jang away?’

Masa shuddered at the display of Yong Hwarin’s strength.

He truly was growing at a terrifying pace.

In martial arts, there was always a limit.

Whether in technique, internal strength, or enlightenment, no one could master everything at once.

Yet Yong Hwarin seemed bound by no such limitations.

As he thought that, Masa noticed Mak Gyo glancing in his direction before rushing toward Ok Girin.

‘That brat… did he figure something out?’

Seeing Masa approach, Mak Gyo practically sprinted toward the enraged Ok Girin, who was stomping and shouting in fury.

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