Kang Sogun

"Instead of doing this here, how about we go and have a cup of tea?"

Ban Yeowol stopped Yu Mungwang, who was continuously asking questions.

She thought that if he was being chased by the Heavenly Martial Faction, his internal energy must be unusual, so it was not polite to ask recklessly.

Yu Mungwang stood up from his seat with a look of disappointment.

"Come to think of it, I'm hungry. How about we go and have dinner together?"

It seemed Yu Mungwang had many things he was curious about.

***

Kang Sogun left the main gate of the Kang Residence. In front of the main gate, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had formed a line.

As Kang Sogun came out, the man standing in front unfolded a scroll and delivered the order.

"Centurion Kang Hwi of the Northeast Army has deserted his military camp without permission. He will be escorted to the Nanjing government office to be questioned for his crime."

The leader looked to be a little over his mid-thirties, and his eyes were very sharp.

"I am the White Tiger of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Yeom Hochu. I will arrest you according to the order from above, so please comply obediently."

Kang Sogun silently held out his hand.

"Hah!"

Yeom Hochu's hand tingled and was temporarily paralyzed, and he dropped the order. The order flew into Kang Sogun's hand.

'Void Object Manipulation?'

A chill ran down Yeom Hochu's spine.

He had not thought that a mere centurion of the Northeast Army would be a master who could perform Void Object Manipulation.

The Void Object Manipulation that Kang Sogun had performed also sent a thrill through the Embroidered Uniform Guards who were behind him.

Although it was called Void Object Manipulation, how many had seen it performed? They had just considered it to be a legendary martial art, but seeing it in front of their eyes, it was understandable.

Although they were the notorious Embroidered Uniform Guard in the court and the martial world, they could not help but be nervous when they realized that Kang Sogun was a master of a different dimension.

Kang Sogun unfolded the order.

'As expected!'

The seal on the order was that of the Grand Scholar of the Nanjing government office, Bang Yeonso.

'He is a deep-minded old man.'

Although he had beaten his son, Bang Ilok, Bang Yeonso had been strangely quiet.

Now he saw that he had investigated Kang Hwi's background, had found the crime of deserting his military camp, and was trying to capture him using the court's order.

"Tell him that I will visit him within a few days."

Kang Sogun said, throwing the order to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Yeom Hochu.

Yeom Hochu had never seen such a person before. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped up, everyone would tremble and be obediently bound, or they would flee, or they would resist and die.

"Wh-what are you doing? To ignore the court's order."

Kang Sogun was about to turn but then glared at Yeom Hochu. Suddenly, a rough killing intent rushed in.

"Tell Bang Yeonso. That it would be good for him to wash his neck and wait."

Yeom Hochu was greatly flustered.

Bang Yeonso ruled the Nanjing government office on behalf of the emperor. His order was no different from the emperor's order.

Kang Sogun's words meant that he would cut off his head, so it was no different from saying that he would defy the emperor.

"Are you planning a rebellion?"

Although Yeom Hochu shouted, grabbing his sword hilt, he could not hide his trembling voice.

It was difficult to handle the killing intent that was blooming from Kang Sogun's entire body.

The bloody energy that rushed in like a storm was not a simple killing intent. It covered Yeom Hochu and the Embroidered Uniform Guard like an energy with a physical form.

"Ugh..."

Yeom Hochu and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were greatly shaken in mind and body and felt a chill as if their flesh were being cut.

Yeom Hochu staggered back.

'Is-is this possible?'

The Embroidered Uniform Guards gathered here, including Yeom Hochu, were masters who had barely risen to the Embroidered Uniform Guard after experiencing all sorts of chaotic battles. It was shocking that such masters were intimidated, unable to handle Kang Sogun's killing intent.

Kang Sogun suddenly burst into a loud laugh, looking up at the sky.

"Hahaha. A rebellion? I will meet the emperor and ask him myself. Whether capturing and killing Bang Yeonso is a rebellion."

Kang Sogun left a cold laugh and went in. The servants hurriedly closed the main gate.

Yeom Hochu stood there, dumbfounded, with a dazed face as if he had been possessed by a ghost.

He had felt the shadow of death in Kang Sogun's killing intent. He touched his neck as if that shadow were sitting on his nape.

"What should we do?"

One of the centurions asked. His face was also pale.

Since Yeom Hochu, whose internal energy was strong, had felt death, the fear that the Embroidered Uniform Guards below the centurion had experienced would have been greater.

Yeom Hochu did not know what to do.

Since he had received the order, he could not go back like this. But he did not have the courage to face that terrible killing intent again.

He could instinctively know that if he faced that killing intent again, he would surely die.

"I will guard here, so report to the Thousand-household Commander and request reinforcements."

The centurion disappeared in a hurry.

Yeom Hoch-u retreated about thirty feet from the Kang Residence, blocked every road, and waited.

***

The Heavenly Martial Hall of the Heavenly Martial Faction.

Gu Yeongang looked at Jo Gaeryang, who was entering his office, with an indifferent face.

Jo Gaeryang performed the proper etiquette and said.

"I have just returned. I would like to ask for punishment for not being able to carry out the order."

It meant that he would take responsibility for letting Kang Sogun and Yeon Hwasim escape.

"Is that really all?"

Gu Yeongang asked.

Jo Gaeryang just bowed his head silently.

"We have lost many masters in this expedition. Was the Heavenly Martial Faction such a powerless place? I don't know if I can continue to entrust you with the position of military strategist."

Jo Gaeryang bowed his waist further. As Jo Gaeryang was silent, Gu Yeongang slammed his fist on the desk.

"It is true that the martial arts of the bastard named Kang Sogun surpassed our expectations. But the Heaven's Mandate Brigade, the Black Horse Brigade, the Heavenly Star Brigade, and the Dark Heaven Brigade. Even the Killing Demon Brigade and the Ghost Shadow Brigade were defeated in succession, and seven of the Ten Guests of Heavenly Martial have died!"

Gu Yeongang's anger gradually grew stronger.

"With that much military power, we could have had a battle with the Dragon Slaying Society or the Great Righteous Martial Hall. But we have not achieved any results. If you cannot explain the reason, I cannot help but hold you responsible for the use of troops."

Jo Gaeryang slowly straightened his waist. His face was calm.

"There is something I have not yet been able to report to you, Faction Master."

"What is it?"

"Although the purpose of this expedition was to avenge the Third Young Master, for me, as a military strategist, it was also a move to draw out the Dragon Slaying Society and the Great Righteous Martial Hall."

"What?"

"Last summer, the Yocheon Pavilion Master died. Although one of the Four Great Powers of the world had disappeared, there was no great change in the martial world. Because a tripod can stand on three legs."

Gu Yeongang's eyes widened as he glared at Jo Gaeryang. Jo Gaeryang continued with a solemn face.

"But we cannot remain in a standoff forever. Moreover, coincidentally, the previous emperor passed away around the same time. It was a time when both the court and the martial world were in turmoil."

Jo Gaeryang's voice rose.

"As you, Faction Master, may have guessed, the power of the court has deeply penetrated the martial world."

"What on earth are you trying to say? Speak simply."

"Either the Dragon Slaying Society or the Great Righteous Martial Hall, or both, are forces related to the court."

"..."

"In fact, it has been revealed that the Great Righteous Martial Hall is the military force that is protecting the current imperial family. Then it is clear that the Dragon Slaying Society is a hostile force to it."

"What does the fact that they are the forces of the court have to do with the failure of this expedition? This matter is a failure of the use of troops!"

Gu Yeongang, thinking that Jo Gaeryang was trying to persuade him with clever words, shouted.

Jo Gaeryang said calmly.

"That is correct. It is a failure of the use of troops. But this was a self-inflicted injury plan that was deliberately suffered."

"What? Hah!"

Gu Yeongang was dumbfounded. The military brigade commanders, who were like his own hands and feet, had died or had become disabled in succession, and he had lost many martial artists.

Although Gu Yeongang had a military force that he was secretly raising, from the outside, the Heavenly Martial Faction had lost nearly half of its military power.

"That is exactly it. The Heavenly Martial Faction has suffered a great blow. It is important for us to exaggerate this and to make it seem as if we have suffered a greater blow than we actually have."

"What are you saying? To exaggerate the damage we have suffered to the enemy? Are you mad?"

"The reason a tripod can stand on three legs is because the strength of the legs is the same. If one leg collapses, it is difficult to support with the other two legs."

Jo Gaeryang went to the wall where the map was hanging and then pointed to one side.

"The Great Righteous Martial Hall and the Dragon Slaying Society were each facing each other on behalf of the forces of the court. The reason the two did not clash sooner was because we, the Heavenly Martial Faction, were here."

Gu Yeongang silently looked at the map.

"Now the Heavenly Martial Faction has suffered a great blow and will go into seclusion. The two forces will see this as an opportunity and will immediately clash."

"Can you guarantee that?"

"They will consider it a decisive battle that must end the opponent before the Heavenly Martial Faction can build up its power again. We just have to watch the two fight."

Jo Gaeryang smiled calmly.

"They do not know the military power that we have secretly raised. When the two fight and suffer mutual destruction, we can just push them out of the martial world."

***

"Congratulations. Military Strategist."

Gu Yangsu said, crossing his legs and sitting on a chair, swinging one foot. An unreadable smile was on his face.

"I thought the military strategist would be kicked out without a doubt due to the failure of this expedition. But to have captured my father's heart with a few words. You are truly amazing."

There was a sting in Gu Yangsu's words.

Jo Gaeryang had known early on that the second young master of the Heavenly Martial Faction, Gu Yangsu, was deep-minded.

Although he hung out with idlers, frequented brothels, and his behavior also seemed frivolous, he was a person who should never be shown a weakness.

"He just believed in my loyalty."

Jo Gaeryang said calmly.

Gu Yangsu suddenly straightened his posture and leaned his face forward.

"Oh, I see. Loyalty. Loyalty, you say. Do you mean to say my father is the emperor? If you're not careful, my father might be framed as a traitor."

The word "loyalty" was a word officially used only for the emperor.

"I don't know what the Second Young Master is trying to say."

Even Jo Gaeryang, who was called the Divine Strategist, was careful because he did not know where this playboy with a twisted personality, Gu Yangsu, would jump.

Gu Yangsu turned his gaze and looked at the map hanging behind Jo Gaeryang and muttered as if to himself.

"The Heavenly Martial Faction has been thoroughly embarrassed in the martial world because of this incident. Since the Heaven's Mandate Brigade, which is called the vanguard, was broken in succession by one bastard. Moreover, haven't a great many masters died?"

Gu Yangsu closed his eyes and recited the names of the dead one by one as if recalling their faces.

"Wu Wonsong, Go Gyeongyeom, Heukgwi, the Killing Demon Brigade Commander, and so on. They were truly precious masters."

Gu Yangsu stopped talking and opened his eyes. A strange light lingered in his half-closed eyes.

"But do you know what?"

Jo Gaeryang was thinking that Gu Yangsu's eyes were like a snake's.

"Looking closely, the ones who died were the trusted subordinates who had fought countless battles with my father."

"It was a truly regrettable matter. To think that the evil villain had such outstanding martial arts."

Jo Gaeryang nodded with a grave face. But inwardly, he was greatly surprised.

'Could this bastard know my inner thoughts?'

Jo Gaeryang continued with a solemn face.

"They will be recorded as the heroes of the Heavenly Martial Faction. They will share in the glory on the day the Faction Master conquers the world."

"Hahaha."

Gu Yangsu suddenly burst into laughter.

"Conquer the world?"

Gu Yangsu giggled ostentatiously and stood up from his seat. And then he strode out of Jo Gaeryang's office.

As Gu Yangsu was leaving, he added another word.

"On that day of conquering the world. I am truly curious who will be sitting in that seat."

After Gu Yangsu left, Jo Gaeryang sat in his office, where darkness was falling, for a long time without even lighting a lamp.

***

No Ichil came to the thatched hut where Jungrang was staying.

"We cannot stay here any longer. We will escort the crown prince and move to a safe place. Since the situation is not good, it will be difficult to ask you to come with us."

"I knew it. I will never forget the help you have given us so far."

No Ichil had something prepared to say.

"Actually, it seems the Seventh Hall Master has taken a liking to you. The Eighth Hall Master also likes Miss Yeon."

Jungrang flinched and looked at No Ichil.

"Those two are exceptional even in the Great Righteous Martial Hall. To be honest, they are closer to wild men of the martial world."

Jungrang nodded. No Ichil proposed.

"How about you take Miss Yeon and Great Warrior Sim and follow those two?"

(End of Chapter)