A drowsy spring afternoon sun poured down.
In the second-floor hall of the main pavilion at Sword Fragrance Manor, several figures sat in a circle.
Clan Master Dokgo Muyoung, two elders of the Dokgo clan, Black Tortoise Squad Leader Neung Unbi, Han Chugwang and Seok Hyeonja, as well as Ryu Yeong, Dokgo Seol, and Jo Jeonhu.
Before each of the nine lay a small table, with tea and light refreshments arranged upon it.
Dokgo Muyoung, still unable to erase the pained look from his face as he gazed at Ryu Yeong's battered features, spoke.
"Shouldn't you… rest a little longer?"
At that, guilt stabbed through Dokgo Seol and Jo Jeonhu, both hardly free of responsibility. Dokgo Seol bowed her head low, while Jo Jeonhu stared into the courtyard sky outside as if distracted.
Ryu Yeong smiled and replied,
"I'm fine. More importantly—where is Pyeong-u?"
"That boy left early this morning, saying he had errands for you."
Since the subject had come up, Dokgo Muyoung had wanted to ask about Pyeong-u's strange behavior. He couldn't make sense of it—he wanted to confirm if Pyeong-u truly was following Ryu Yeong's orders.
Why would he need clothes of the demon cult, when he wasn't sneaking into a demonic branch stronghold? And why meddle in the cooks' food preparations in the kitchen?
The oddities didn't end there.
At this very moment, Pyeong-u was likely seeking out opera performers, visiting apothecaries, and checking ironmongers, just as Ryu Yeong had requested.
There were too many questions. As Dokgo Muyoung hesitated where to begin, Ryu Yeong asked first,
"Pyeong-u must be busy because of me. Then—what has the demon cult been doing in the meantime?"
Dokgo Muyoung bit back a wry smile, then changed his mind. Better to first report on Sichuan's martial situation.
Just then, White Tiger Squad Leader, the Wandering King Bang Yacheol, arrived in the hall at the summons. Everyone present rose to their feet.
Bang Yacheol returned their salutes in silence—until his eyes lit up.
He had spotted the Invincible Sword, Han Chugwang.
They had only crossed paths briefly at the Martial Alliance, little more than exchanging names. Acquaintances, but never in real conversation.
When Han Chugwang saw Bang Yacheol's gaze on him, he looked down at his bandage-wrapped body and said,
"I had heard the Wandering King was here, but in my condition I failed to greet you properly."
By status, Han Chugwang might stand higher. Yet, being thirteen years younger, he treated Bang Yacheol with utmost respect as a senior of the martial world.
Bang Yacheol, once considered a candidate for the Star of the Conqueror, had been seen by many wandering warriors as such. But after joining the Martial Alliance abruptly, his light had dimmed.
He nodded, then moved to the one seat remaining.
Dokgo Muyoung called out to him.
"Hero Wandering King, this is Lord Ryu Yeong, known as the Scholar of the Martial World."
At that introduction, Ryu Yeong looked embarrassed. He had heard of the epithet, but it still felt awkward.
"I am Ryu Yeong. I have long heard of your renown, Hero Wandering King. It is an honor to meet you."
As Ryu Yeong bowed politely, Bang Yacheol's eyes flickered. So this was the young man whom Strategist Jegal Cheon had ordered him to observe.
"Pleased to meet you."
And then his lips sealed shut. Though he might have asked about the young man's battered face, Bang Yacheol, true to his taciturn nature, said nothing.
Those who knew his silence well could only stifle wry smiles. Even expecting it, it was hard to grow used to.
The brief greetings ended. Just as they were about to sit, new arrivals approached—the trio of Namgung Su, Jang Deukmu, and Hwa Ga-yeon, who stopped at the steps of the hall.
Namgung Su spoke in a formal tone.
"Clan Master Dokgo, if it is not an imposition, may we join you?"
At the question, Dokgo Muyoung's gaze shifted to Ryu Yeong, silently asking for his opinion.
The sight left Namgung Su and his companions dumbfounded.
It was as if the true authority at this gathering lay with Ryu Yeong himself.
Flustered, Ryu Yeong quickly responded,
"Are they not the famed young talents of renowned sects? They've come to aid us—how could I refuse them? Many hands make light work, after all."
Dokgo Muyoung stroked his beard and nodded.
"Indeed. They are trustworthy youths. Come, join us."
As the three ascended to the second floor, Dokgo Muyoung spoke.
"It would be too troublesome to rearrange the seats. Sit behind the Black Tortoise Squad Leader."
At those words, Namgung Su clenched his jaw unconsciously.
A second-line seat!
It was understandable—the circle was already filled. But still, to sit behind while the Scholar of the Martial World sat at Dokgo Muyoung's side? Humiliating. Especially with Lady Dokgo Seol present, whom he secretly admired.
In contrast, Jang Deukmu and Hwa Ga-yeon were exhilarated. For the first time, they were attending a strategy council alongside tacticians and generals.
Dokgo Muyoung's gaze swept around the circle before settling once more on Ryu Yeong, seated at his side.
"Now, let us begin. Hahaha. Where to start… As you foresaw, Lord Ryu, the Heavenly Demon Sword has made his move. Fortunately, the Tang clan was spared, but the Qingcheng Sect is now in turmoil."
Thus, he began recounting the warning letters Ryu Yeong had sent to Qingcheng and the Tang clan, and the tragedy at Wudun Village, describing every detail.
By the time Dokgo Muyoung finished, an entire gak (about half an hour) had passed.
Black Tortoise Leader Neung Unbi took up the thread.
"For now, Strategist Wu has gone with Young Hero Paeng to Qingcheng. To gauge the Heavenly Demon Sword's intent directly. I believe he has already withdrawn his forces, but still…"
Before he could finish, Jo Jeonhu's eyes went wide and he blurted out,
"You mean Strategist Bingbong of the Martial Alliance? The genius said to remember everything after seeing it once? She's come to Sichuan?"
Neung Unbi nodded. Jo Jeonhu smiled in relief.
But only briefly—his expression grew dark again.
Could even she truly stop the Heavenly Demon Sword?
An even match?
He shook his head. The balance tipped steadily toward the Heavenly Demon Sword.
"Strategist Bingbong is indeed extraordinary, but whether she can withstand the Heavenly Demon Sword… I doubt it."
Dokgo Muyoung, hoarse from his long narration, sipped his tea and nodded.
"It is worrisome. Still, I believe no greater disaster will occur. Bingbong herself has gone, and the difference in forces is too vast."
Stroking his beard, he looked at Ryu Yeong.
"Still, what a pity. If only Bingbong or Qingcheng's headmaster had heeded your warning from the start, the Wudun tragedy would never have happened. Truly regrettable."
Sighing, Dokgo Muyoung suddenly recalled something.
"Ah, yes. A messenger pigeon from Strategist Bingbong arrived last night from Qingcheng…"
She declared she would use the Bimu Ledger—which had been seized by the Heavenly Demon Sword—to reclaim the initiative, and with it both justification and practical advantage.
As Dokgo Muyoung relayed this, the eyes around the hall glimmered with admiration.
Hwa Ga-yeon whispered excitedly to Jang Deukmu,
"Wow! That's Sister Bingbong for you. Amazing."
Jang Deukmu whispered back,
"To turn the Bimu Ledger against him? Brilliant. That ice-cold lady really pulled it off. Still, the Scholar of the Martial World, who foresaw the Heavenly Demon Sword's moves, is no less impressive."
Everyone else seemed to agree, nodding in unison.
However, Ryu Yeong alone sat in deep thought, staring fixedly at the teacup before him.
Dokgo Seol, whose eyes had been riveted on him all along, studied his grave expression and asked,
"Lord Ryu, is something troubling you? To me, Sister Bingbong's stratagem seems both fresh and brilliant."
Ryu Yeong lifted his head and replied,
"Yes, well, that is true. But there is something else that troubles me more."
Turning to Dokgo Muyoung, he asked,
"You said this morning that at Wolseong Lake, they held a memorial rite for the disciples who died at Wudun Village while awaiting the Heavenly Demon Sword, correct?"
As he spoke, Ryu Yeong's expression grew increasingly stern. Even Dokgo Muyoung, not knowing why, felt tension creeping into his chest.
"And what of it? The Qingcheng sect always cremates their dead there."
"Two hundred and fifty perished at Wudun Village. They must have identified every body and transferred them to Wolseong Lake, yes?"
The question was so unexpected that the assembly looked at one another in confusion. Jo Jeonhu tilted his head and asked,
"Lord Ryu, must you examine the corpses? What use is there in looking upon the dead?"
"I am suggesting that a spy from the demon cult may have hidden himself among the bodies."
At those words, everyone's eyes flew wide in shock. Dokgo Muyoung in particular recalled the contents of the letter Ryu Yeong had sent to Qingcheng.
"Ah! That's right—you warned us. That even a corpse brought inside must be examined carefully!"
The others gasped again. Had the Scholar of the Martial World truly foreseen even that possibility?
"Yes. I warned that if a master infiltrated, there were two dangers. First, they might cause chaos with fire. But that was less likely…"
Dokgo Muyoung finished his thought for him.
"They would use poison."
"Exactly. And should that happen, the Qingcheng Sect could collapse in vain."
Neung Unbi, eyes bulging, let out a startled cry.
"Now that I think of it—at Wudun Village, the guards and servants at the training hall all vanished without a trace! That could mean… it would have been impossible to verify identities properly. Or worse—that the Heavenly Demon Sword prevented it on purpose!"
With Ryu Yeong's warning, and the points raised by Dokgo Muyoung and Neung Unbi, a stir rippled through the room. Everyone began to realize that his grim prediction might well come true.
Hwa Ga-yeon, pale as a sheet, muttered to Jang Deukmu,
"Senior Brother… if—if the Qingcheng Sect truly falls, then won't the demon cult target this place next, Sword Fragrance Manor? After all, the Tang clan is too difficult to touch. If the demon forces stationed at the Sichuan branch march here, what will become of us?"
Though her voice was soft, everyone present—save Ryu Yeong—was a martial artist of no small skill, and none missed her words. More than a few found their hands or eyes trembling involuntarily.
It felt as though the shadow of death itself was creeping closer behind them without their knowing.
The only one who had not heard Hwa Ga-yeon's whisper, Ryu Yeong, spoke in a regretful tone,
"We can only hope that the Qingcheng sect leader and Strategist Bingbong will judge wisely."
No one opened their mouth.
Though they worried for Qingcheng, it was her whispered fear that chilled them now, making the spring sunlight feel suddenly cold.
Ryu Yeong, parched, drained his tea in a single gulp before speaking again.
"Regrettable as it is, we can do no more but await news from Qingcheng. Now then—has truly nothing happened at the Tang clan? Not even the slightest matter?"
Despite his question, the hall was steeped in heavy silence. Just as Ryu Yeong tilted his head in puzzlement, finding it odd, Dokgo Muyoung pursed his lips, hesitated, then finally spoke.
"Before that, I must ask one thing. Could the demon forces in the Sichuan branch launch a sudden assault here? Even if we call for Tang clan reinforcements, should the demons move swiftly, we could be in grave peril."
All eyes turned to Ryu Yeong. For a fleeting instant, an oppressive, suffocating heaviness wrapped the hall.
Jo Jeonhu clenched his fist and declared,
"If they come, then we'll simply show them the true strength of the orthodox sects! If Lord Ryu devises the plan and we fight together, then—though the cost be high—we can endure until Tang reinforcements arrive."
Swallowing hard, he looked at Ryu Yeong with bold confidence.
"Isn't that so, Lord Ryu?"
Ryu Yeong shook his head.
"No stratagems are necessary. The demon cult will not attack us."
"What? They won't attack?"
"That's right."
Jo Jeonhu's taut expression slackened into relief, and then brightened.
"Is that so? Ha ha ha! A pity. I had hoped to take down at least a demon elder or young master with these hands."
Those who had shared the battlefield with Ryu Yeong also revealed traces of relief in their faces.
Seeing this, Namgung Su and his companions shook their heads. They had not realized how much weight the words of the Scholar of the Martial World carried for these people.
So much so, it was almost absurd—leaving them speechless.
At last, Hwa Ga-yeon, unable to restrain herself, spoke up with a bewildered look.
"Scholar of the Martial World, may I ask you one thing?"
"Yes? Of course, go ahead."
"If, by some chance, the demon forces do march upon us—we number barely three hundred. We cannot withstand them. Would it not be wiser to prepare than to leave an eternal regret upon a mere guess?"
Beside her, Jang Deukmu nodded, and indeed, all eyes were once again fixed upon Ryu Yeong.
With a shrug, he replied,
"There are two reasons why they cannot attack us."