The Slowly Approaching Grip of the Devil - 2
A week later, a demonic figure in his early thirties, sitting at the end of the table and exuding an oppressive dark aura, began to speak. "I've gathered you all here because of astonishing news." His skin had a faint purplish hue, giving him an eerie appearance. But aside from that, his features were sharp and strikingly handsome. The other demonic figures, seated along both sides of the long table, all appearing to be in their late twenties to late thirties, remained silent, emitting only a subtle demonic aura of their own.
"...Mookhyang, the vice leader, is alive!"
The declaration from the purple-skinned man stunned the room. Who was Mookhyang, if not one so skilled that even the sect leader felt a sense of fear toward him? That's why he was thought to have been eliminated. But now, Internal Chief Bukgungno protested in disbelief, his face a mixture of shock and doubt.
"I can't believe this claim about the vice leader. Could it not simply be someone who resembles him? Even if Hwan Soo had managed to rescue him, survival was impossible... While Hwan Soo's body was found, the vice leader's body was never recovered. But at that time, he had ruptured his dantian and heart in an attempt to elevate his power through the Reversed Blood Shura Demonic Art. As you all know, that technique is an extreme martial art that defies the natural order, used only as a last resort to bring out ultimate power, leading to the destruction of all meridians and instant death. Even if he did survive, with shattered meridians and a ruptured dantian, he would be crippled. So how…"
Listening to Bukgungno's reasoning, Elder Hyukmusang interjected, "There's merit to the Internal Chief's reasoning, but based on all the intelligence gathered so far, I can confirm that it is indeed the vice leader. It's understandable that the Muyoung Sect would want to collect information on Mookhyang, considering he was once this sect's greatest master. But even the Imperial Palace showing interest…"
Everyone leaned in attentively, and when Hyukmusang mentioned the Imperial Palace, their curiosity peaked. The palace traditionally refrained from intervening in martial matters.
"The Imperial Palace?"
"The Jin Yi Guard, to be precise. Recently, they secretly obtained information about Mookhyang, but that was detected by the Three Branches Unit. It piqued my curiosity why the Jin Yi Guard, which usually concerns itself only with treason, would suddenly show interest in the martial world—especially in Mookhyang, a figure almost unknown. I tracked it back to find that under General Ok Yeongjin, the head of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade, there is an exceptional warrior named Gukgwang, who is rumored to have lost his past memories."
"Gukgwang?"
The room turned as one to look at the sect leader, seeking confirmation. The sect leader nodded in agreement with Elder Hyukmusang's findings.
"Indeed. Elder Hyukmusang's findings suggest he was named Gukgwang because of his obsession with chrysanthemums. Currently, he's involved in the Mongolian campaign, so I had Deputy Leader Jang Ingeol dispatch four elite warriors familiar with Mookhyang's appearance to confirm his identity. One of them, Jingu, personally confirmed Gukgwang's identity. Although he has forgotten all the martial arts he learned in this sect due to his memory loss, he has mastered palace martial arts to such a degree that he maintains a level close to that of transcendence. As you all know, reaching the state of transcendence is an achievement that only a handful in the Central Plains have attained. While one can mimic his appearance, it would be impossible to replicate his martial prowess. Therefore, I conclude that anyone with such similar looks and mastery of transcendence could only be Mookhyang."
Deputy Leader Neungbigae, shuddering as memories of the terrifying encounter with Mookhyang's powerful energy resurfaced, spoke resolutely, "In that case, we must eliminate him before his memory returns. We may have a chance against him if he's at the Transcendent Realm, but if he reaches the Profound Realm, we're in trouble. Especially considering that he once claimed to be approaching the Life and Death Realm…"
When Mookhyang was ambushed, only two people had taken his powerful strike head-on. Both were deputy leaders at the Transcendent Realm. Jang Ingeol had managed due to his mastery of the Ghostly Soul Invigoration Technique, but Neungbigae's protective energy was destroyed by that single blow. Although the Black Maitreya Demonic Art prevented his meridians from being harmed, just recalling the sight of that mass of blue energy bearing down on him still sent chills down his spine.
"Even if he has lost his memory, if he's truly at the Transcendent Realm, it would be best to mobilize the sect's five greatest forces to eliminate him, leaving no room for future troubles."
"Kekeke…" Jang Ingeol, another deputy leader, let out a laugh. Neungbigae bristled, feeling mocked. "What's so amusing? Are you saying I'm wrong? If we make a mistake and let him slip away, how will you deal with the consequences?"
"No, I'm not saying you're wrong. But there is one very important fact we're all forgetting."
"An important fact?"
"Yes. As everyone knows, Mookhyang achieved remarkable mastery through the practice of Virginity Cultivation. Whatever training brought him to the Profound Realm doesn't matter. What's critical is that the foundation of his inner energy is Virginity Cultivation. If that's the case…"
The sect leader burst into hearty laughter at Jang Ingeol's words. "Kekeke, I'd almost forgotten. Yes, that man always kept his distance from women. But we can't just take it at face value. Check thoroughly to see if he's shared a bed with anyone…"
"Yes, sir," Elder Hyukmusang replied respectfully.
Jang Ingeol then declared confidently, "If he's been practicing Virginity Cultivation, the clean-up will be straightforward."
"But even that won't be simple," the sect leader replied, skeptical. Jang Ingeol looked at him, puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you forgetting where Mookhyang is now?"
"..."
"Killing a Hundred-Man Commander from the Imperial Black Wind Brigade, directly under the Emperor, would be considered treason against the Imperial Court, no matter how you frame it. My point is, as long as he's part of the Black Wind Brigade, taking him down won't be easy."
At the sect leader's cautious suggestion, Elder Hyukmusang chuckled and spoke in a low voice. "Hehehe, there's a very simple way to avoid all that trouble."
"What is it?"
"Right now, the schemer Eom Seung isn't too fond of General Ok Yeongjin. After all, Ok Yeongjin was one of the figures who went off on their own and initiated the war with the Mongols, disregarding Eom Seung. To someone like Eom Seung, who wants to manipulate the imperial family, a loyal and inflexible figure like Ok Yeongjin must be quite the thorn in his side. So, we persuade Eom Seung to eliminate Ok Yeongjin."
"Eliminate Ok Yeongjin? And why would he?"
"If Ok Yeongjin is removed, then the high-ranking commanders associated with him, those at or above the rank of Hundred-Man Commander, will likely be purged as well."
"But the imperial family lacks the skilled fighters needed to eliminate them. That plan is bound to fail unless Ok Yeongjin chooses to end his life…"
"That's why we subtly suggest that the sect will assist in eliminating Ok Yeongjin and his subordinates. We could promise to take care of someone like Gukgwang on our end, and offer our full cooperation in disposing of the others. It would be quite the enticing bait, don't you think? Surely enough to pique the interest of the 'big fish.'"
The sect leader, though intrigued, responded with a slightly doubtful tone. "Hmm… it's a clever plan. We'd kill Mookhyang and gain an ally in the imperial family. But don't you think they might be suspicious of an offer that benefits them so one-sidedly?"
Realizing the point, Elder Hyukmusang immediately proposed an additional strategy. "Yes, that's possible. In that case, we could demand a moderate amount of gold or land—enough to avoid suspicion—and suggest that, once they've seized power, they should aid our sect in taking control of the Central Plains."
"That's a sound plan. As for how we handle Mookhyang, Elder Hyukmusang, you will deploy the Trident Squad to investigate his inner energy and confirm whether he truly practices Virginity Cultivation. Based on the findings, we'll decide on the approach. Also, I want you to make contact with Eom Seung."
"At your command!"
The Conclusion of the Battle on the Tenryeong Plains - 1
In the hidden chamber of the Demon Sect, a secret meeting was taking place, while on the battlefield, General Ok Yeongjin and his army were locked in a critical confrontation with Cheoljincheon, one that would decide Mongolia's fate. Song had committed all its resources to the war against the Liao, and if Ok Yeongjin's elite forces were defeated, Song would be unable to engage Mongolia until it had fully recovered its strength post-war. However, history shows that the aftermath of a major war does not allow for an immediate recovery, and anti-war sentiments typically prevail. Thus, unless substantial time passes, initiating conflict with other nations would be unthinkable.
Cheoljincheon, a war-hardened Mongol who understood even the Mongols' own weariness from prolonged conflict, was determined to take Ok Yeongjin's head and secure a swift victory. But from Ok Yeongjin's perspective, losing this battle was not an option either. He knew that failing to eliminate Cheoljincheon, who was capable and ambitious enough to unify Mongolia, would jeopardize Song's future. Thus, despite objections from his subordinates, Ok Yeongjin resorted to a brutal battle strategy designed to strike fear into the Mongols for decades.
When the battle commenced, everything went according to Ok Yeongjin's plan. He divided his forces into three divisions, initially intending to operate as one unit but adjusting based on intelligence from Katakui about the enemy's formation. Each wing of the Mongol army, commanded by Katakui and Tekujin, maintained a cautious approach, and Ok Yeongjin signaled for his own left and right wings to engage their counterparts. His arrangement ensured that the allied forces' formation consisted of 10,000 Mongols on each flank, 60,000 in the central unit, and 9,000 Black Wind Brigade troops in the rear. The infantry held the base, ready to respond if necessary.
From the outset, the battle favored the allied forces. For some reason, the enemy's left and right wings did not fight aggressively and began to falter, allowing the allied forces to deal significant damage to the Mongols. Observing this, Ok Yeongjin remarked to General Magilsu with satisfaction.
"Hahaha, despite your concerns, it looks like this will end swiftly."
"All thanks to your good fortune, General. It seems victory is always on your side."
"At this rate, we won't even need the Black Wind Brigade. Perhaps I was too cautious calling them in."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, General Magilsu responded, "I apologize for my over-caution, General."
However, as the generals exchanged lighthearted remarks, the battle took a sudden turn. The enemy's central forces temporarily retreated, and as the allied forces pursued, the central unit abruptly turned back and attacked. Meanwhile, what they had believed to be their allied wings closed in on their sides and rear, encircling and attacking them with concentrated force.