As dawn fractured the darkness atop Guanmao Peak, Life-Severing Squad Captain Gok Jin-dong ascended the trail toward the Deathly Shadow Squad’s encampment. He arrived to report that the night had passed without incident, but his steps faltered before he could reach the barracks.
His eyes widened in genuine shock.
Bu Eunseol was emerging from the shadows behind the barracks, his robes drenched in fresh, glistening blood.
“What is this, Squad Captain?”
At Gok Jin-dong’s exclamation, Jo Nam-cheon and the other Deathly Shadow Squad members rushed out. Upon seeing their leader’s gruesome state, panic rippled through the group, yet Bu Eunseol merely waved a hand with dismissive calm.
“It is nothing.”
“Nothing? Your entire body is covered in wounds!”
Jo Nam-cheon stepped forward in agitation, but Myo Cheon-woo intervened, approaching calmly to inspect Bu Eunseol’s injuries.
“Not a single trace of a frontal attack.” Myo Cheon-woo frowned, his sharp eyes scanning the lacerations. “Did you fight assassins? These marks suggest secret assassination arts.”
“Assassins?”
A collective gasp swept through the Deathly Shadow Squad. Wi Cheon-gyeong, flustered and pale, pressed for confirmation.
“Squad Captain, is that true?”
“It is.”
Simultaneous with the answer, the squad members turned as one to glare at Gok Jin-dong with predatory hostility. Unless the attackers had fallen from the heavens, they must have bypassed the perimeter guarded by the Life-Severing Squad and the One-Eyed Squad to reach Guanmao Peak.
“What on earth happened! Squad Captain Gok!”
Won Se-mun roared, his hand flying to his weapon as he prepared to charge. Bu Eunseol raised a hand to halt him.
“It is fine. It was nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious! Assassins breached the perimeter to reach you!”
“Did you forget that I ordered the Life-Severing Squad and One-Eyed Squad to rest easy?”
At Bu Eunseol’s calm rebuttal, Won Se-mun stomped his foot in frustration.
“No, even so…”
“Even if you were guarding instead of the Life-Severing Squad, the result would have been the same,” Bu Eunseol stated flatly. “Because it was the Star-Chasing Corps.”
“Star-Chasing Corps?”
Won Se-mun furrowed his brow, his expression turning grave.
“…What is that?”
The Star-Chasing Corps was one of the clandestine assassination units not officially acknowledged by the Martial Righteous Alliance records. Consequently, even Won Se-mun, who prided himself on his knowledge of Gangho rumors, was unfamiliar with the name.
“It is a secret assassination corps of the Martial Righteous Alliance.”
When Myo Cheon-woo answered in his stead, the Deathly Shadow Squad members exchanged looks of disbelief.
“The Martial Righteous Alliance sent assassins to kill the Squad Captain?”
“Not the Alliance leadership, but likely Jo Cheon-wang.”
Understanding dawned on them. They recalled that Bu Eunseol had killed Jo Cheon-wang’s son, Jo Bi-woon.
“The Squad Captain hasn’t been here long, yet they sent assassins to match his arrival?”
“Well, there were circumstances.” Bu Eunseol shook his head as if the matter were merely a tiresome nuisance rather than a brush with death. He turned his gaze to Gok Jin-dong. “No need for a report. Go back.”
“Y-yes.”
Bowing his head, Gok Jin-dong quickly descended the peak to escape the burning glares of the Deathly Shadow Squad.
“And…”
Bu Eunseol called out in a low voice, stopping him.
“Do not set up guard duty just because this happened. Continue to let your members rest easy as you have been.”
“What?”
When Gok Jin-dong furrowed his brow in confusion, Bu Eunseol continued calmly.
“The assassination squad has returned, which means no one else will come here. So just wait comfortably.”
Is he testing me right now?
“How could I dare… do such a thing.”
As Gok Jin-dong hesitated with an anxious expression, Bu Eunseol’s voice turned solemn.
“It is an order. Absolutely do not set up guard duty. Rest easy.”
“Ah, understood.”
Though uneasiness churned in his gut, Gok Jin-dong clasped his hands and retreated.
Returning to his encampment, his mind was a tangle of complications. An elite assassination corps of the Martial Righteous Alliance had slipped past their perimeter and ambushed a First-Grade Combat Squad Captain. If they had been standing guard properly, they could have held their heads high even in failure. But hadn’t they spent the night drinking?
Of course, it was Bu Eunseol’s direct order, yet it felt as though a fish bone were lodged in his throat.
“Squad Captain, did something happen?”
One-Eyed Squad Captain Oh Deung-ryong asked cautiously, noting Gok Jin-dong’s pale complexion.
“You look ill.”
After a moment of hesitation, Gok Jin-dong explained the situation.
“Last night, the Deathly Shadow Squad Captain was attacked by an assassination corps of the Martial Righteous Alliance.”
“What?”
“They likely passed through here while we were holding the drinking party.”
In an instant, color drained from Oh Deung-ryong’s face. Bu Eunseol was reputed to be cold-hearted even among the Captains of the Demonic Palace. If it were revealed that their negligence had allowed an assassination attempt, execution would be a mercy.
“Don’t worry. It seems he has no intention of holding us accountable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t he order us to drink in the first place?”
“Ah, that is true. But…”
As Oh Deung-ryong scratched his head nervously, Gok Jin-dong sighed.
“He said it was a formidable assassination corps. He claimed the result would have been the same even if the Deathly Shadow Squad stood guard properly. He even made excuses for us.” He paused, shaking his head in bewilderment. “He reiterated the order absolutely not to set up guard duty, insisting no one else would come.”
“Absolutely not to set up guard duty?”
It was a command impossible to rationalize. Oh Deung-ryong frowned, falling into deep thought, but no answer presented itself.
“Then, was there anything else unusual?”
“That is all.”
“That is a relief. Your expression was so grim I thought you had returned after receiving severe punishment.”
“It just feels like the situation is turning strange.” Gok Jin-dong narrowed his eyes. “The Deathly Shadow Squad Captain is no ordinary man. Yet he says no one will come and orders us to rest easy? It feels ominous somehow.”
Having served as a Squad Captain of the Demonic Palace for years, he possessed not only worldly wisdom but also a sharp intuition for survival.
“Yun Pyeong.”
At Gok Jin-dong’s shout, a subordinate stepped forward and clasped his hands. He was the youngest member of the Life-Severing Squad.
“Did you call, Squad Captain?”
“You. Are you still close with Han So-woong of the Rootless Squad… no, the Deathly Shadow Squad?”
Due to his easygoing personality, Yun Pyeong maintained friendships even with the former Rootless Squad members whom others ignored. He and Han So-woong were particularly close.
“Yes. We even had a drink together not long ago.”
“Good.” Gok Jin-dong nodded, lowering his voice. “The Deathly Shadow Squad Captain’s attitude is suspicious. Meet him when you have time and examine the situation up there.”
“Understood.”
***
Two days later.
Yun Pyeong returned from Guanmao Peak after speaking at length with Han So-woong.
“They are drinking and playing?”
“That is correct.”
Hearing the report, Gok Jin-dong couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“They said the Deathly Shadow Squad Captain originally doesn’t take much interest in the affairs of the Demonic Palace. He doesn’t impose sanctions or interference as long as the members do their jobs properly.”
Yun Pyeong’s report painted a picture of utter debauchery. The Deathly Shadow Squad on Guanmao Peak rested lazily during the day and held drinking parties every night. Even the Squad Captain himself mingled and drank alongside them.
Gok Jin-dong frowned deeply. Since Bu Eunseol had disciplined the disorderly Rootless Squad, he had assumed the man was an impressive leader. But perhaps he led them well simply because he was a ruffian just like them?
“According to him, we really can rest easy. He said the Deathly Shadow Squad Captain is absolutely not a man who speaks with a forked tongue. And…” Yun Pyeong added a meaningful remark. “Isn’t the Deathly Shadow Squad currently a First-Grade Combat Squad? We have become Second-Grade Squads under their command.”
In that instant, a spark of realization flashed in Gok Jin-dong’s eyes.
The Captain of a First-Grade Combat Squad had the qualification to carry out solo missions. Conversely, they had to take responsibility for all actions within their sphere of influence. That meant if the Life-Severing Squad and One-Eyed Squad drank and caused an accident, all responsibility would fall on Bu Eunseol’s shoulders.
“Kuhuhuhu.”
Only when that logic settled did Gok Jin-dong feel at ease, a smile returning to his lips.
“I thought he was a new generation Grandmaster. It seems he was just someone who hit it off with those ruffians.”
He had worried for nothing. Even if they drank every day and rested easy, they were merely following orders faithfully. They bore no liability.
“I should follow orders thoroughly from now on.”
Gok Jin-dong addressed the members of both squads loudly.
“Continue to rest easy. Don’t even think about standing guard duty.” He grinned. “Because that is the order given by the Deathly Shadow Squad Captain, sir.”
***
Before they knew it, four days had passed.
Bu Eunseol was indeed a man of his word. He issued no orders regardless of how leisurely the subordinate squads rested, and indeed, his own squad was resting comfortably on the peak.
“Yawn, this is boring.”
Leaning against a rock, Gok Jin-dong looked at the distant sky. Waiting at the foot of a mountain where people rarely passed for four days was driving him mad with boredom.
“I wish something would just explode already.”
As soon as the words left his lips, a Life-Severing Squad member sprinted over.
“We’re in trouble!”
The member ran straight to Gok Jin-dong, breathless.
“Big trouble, Squad Captain!”
“What is it?”
When Gok Jin-dong asked with a hardened face, the member shouted, his voice cracking with urgency.
“They say tens of thousands of Imperial Army troops are flocking here to Hainan!”
“Government troops?”
Gok Jin-dong’s mind went blank. It was incomprehensible.
“Are you saying the Imperial Palace is intervening in Murim affairs?”
“Hasn’t there been much damage to the civilians near Mount Wuzhi due to this standoff?”
“So?”
When Gok Jin-dong shouted with bulging eyes, the member spoke faster.
“Besides, the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief is not an ordinary martial artist.”
The Peerless Phantom Divine Thief was a mysterious figure holding the weaknesses of both the Righteous and Demonic paths. Capturing him was an opportunity to seize the leverage of the entire Gangho.
“They intend to capture the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief?”
“Even if that isn’t the intent… with the forces of the Righteous and Demonic paths gathering and flexing their muscles, the Imperial Palace must be uncomfortable.” Swallowing hard, the member continued. “And the damage from this standoff is being borne by innocent civilians.”
“Mm.”
As Gok Jin-dong groaned, the member delivered the final blow.
“Perhaps due to this news, rumor has it that last night the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain found and ambushed the Heavenly Sword Corps Captain of the Martial Righteous Alliance.”
“The Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain revealed himself?”
“Yes. If we drag this out any longer and the Imperial Army really storms in, both the Demonic Palace and the Martial Righteous Alliance will end up like dogs chasing chickens.”
If government troops stormed Mount Wuzhi, the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief might actually rejoice and reveal himself. Being escorted by the government would be infinitely preferable to being butchered by the masters of the Righteous and Demonic paths.
“Then it means an all-out war will break out soon…”
Piiiiing! Boom!
As if to prove Gok Jin-dong’s words, two fireworks soared into the sky side by side in the distance. The signal flares used by Demonic Palace squads and Martial Righteous Alliance Sword Squads to request reinforcements had exploded simultaneously.
It was clear that a squad of the Demonic Palace and a Sword Squad of the Martial Righteous Alliance had clashed nearby.
“I must meet the Deathly Shadow Squad Captain.”
Making a decision, Gok Jin-dong moved to ascend the peak.
Step, step.
Just then, dozens of figures descended from the top of Guanmao Peak. It was Bu Eunseol and the Deathly Shadow Squad.
“Squad Captain.”
As Gok Jin-dong bowed upon discovering Bu Eunseol, all the members bowed together.
“Squad Captain. Did you hear the news? Currently, government troops are…”
“No need to worry.”
Bu Eunseol cut him off, extending a hand to silence him.
“An all-out war will absolutely not happen.”
Even while descending, he seemed to have heard the panicked conversation. He continued calmly.
“Rather, we will likely cooperate temporarily with the Martial Righteous Alliance.”
“What do you mean?”
“If we fight each other head-on in this situation, we will lose the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief or he will be taken by the government.” Bu Eunseol pointed to the fireworks of the Demonic Palace and Martial Righteous Alliance embroidering the distant sky. “We must absolutely prevent such a situation. Therefore, the Palace and the Alliance have no choice but to move together.”
“Then, those fireworks are not requests for reinforcements, but signaling cooperation?”
“Correct. The Peerless Phantom Divine Thief was likely discovered in that vicinity.”
Gok Jin-dong’s jaw dropped. It made perfect sense. Joining forces to kill the thief would be more beneficial to both sides than handing him over to the Imperial Court.
“But… where are you going, Squad Captain?”
“It was stifling staying only on that peak. Now my squad will take charge of this place, so you guys go up there.”
“Without joining the pursuit?”
“We will not join.”
Gok Jin-dong couldn’t understand. Even if his status meant he didn’t need to establish merit, was Bu Eunseol truly such an irresponsible ruffian?
“Still, if you want to establish merit, Squad Captain…”
As Gok Jin-dong trailed off, Bu Eunseol let out a cold smile.
“If you don’t want to, it can’t be helped. I have no choice but to assign you another mission.”
“N-No.”
Gok Jin-dong waved both hands frantically. He feared Bu Eunseol might assign him some suicide mission just to punish him.
“We will go up to Guanmao Peak immediately.”
Lest the First-Grade Captain change his mind, the Life-Severing Squad and One-Eyed Squad quickly packed up and moved to the peak.
When they had finally disappeared up the trail, Myo Cheon-woo, who had been standing indifferently beside Bu Eunseol, spoke slowly.
“Now, tell us everything.”
“Tell you what?”
“Government troops are storming in, yet you want to leisurely set up camp here? It doesn’t make sense.”
The Bu Eunseol he knew was a figure more terrifying for his schemes than his martial arts. Myo Cheon-woo spoke with conviction.
“Isn’t all this your doing? I’m telling you to spill it now.”
“Government troops are not coming.”
“What?”
“It seems Yoo Woon-ryong did his job properly.”
“What does that mean? Why Yoo Woon-ryong?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a nonchalant expression that belied the magnitude of his words.
“I had Yoo Woon-ryong spread the rumor that the government is storming this place.”
“What?”
“Of course, since we had to deceive intelligence organizations, we actually had to move some troops. That is why I entrusted this task to him.”
The members, including Myo Cheon-woo, looked at him as if they had seen a ghost.
“Squad Captain. How did this happen?”
Finally unable to hold back his curiosity, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward.
“You moved the government on purpose?”
“Correct.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
“Only then will the Palace and the Martial Righteous Alliance stop their standoff and immediately gather their strength to kill the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief.”
From the start, Bu Eunseol had no intention of blindly executing the orders given by the Grand Commander and the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain. Furthermore, the longer the standoff dragged on, the more unstable his position would become. All attention would be focused on the thief, and who knew what treacherous orders the leadership might issue in the chaos.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol unfolded a scheme to break the stalemate and force the two factions to cooperate.
“The reason the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief remained undetected while hiding in this area is because the masters of the Righteous and Demonic paths were paralyzed by their standoff.”
Bu Eunseol looked at his members.
“But if the two sides join forces to search…”
A flash of light sparked in his eyes, sharp and calculating.
“Then the Peerless Phantom Divine Thief will have no escape. Eventually, he will be forced to break through the encirclement and flee.”
Our Squad Captain is truly crazy…
The members couldn’t hide their astonishment. He had kicked over the chessboard set by the leaders of the Demonic Palace and the Martial Righteous Alliance, using a phantom army of government troops to force an endgame in a single stroke.