The Demonic Supreme Sword Novel - Chapter 80

Chapter 80
## Chapter 80: Chongmyeong Island (1)

“A report has arrived from the branch in Hangzhou. Everyone, examine this.”

Eun Se-chong, the Leader of Haomen, tossed a crumpled piece of parchment onto the table.

The high-ranking members of Haomen held their breath as they smoothed out the letter, sensing the simmering rage behind their leader’s rigid posture and low, dangerous tone. The message, scrawled in crimson, was brief but contained a truth that seemed impossible to believe.

“Can this… can this truly be real?”

Elder Mong Yang spoke in a quivering voice. His spine was already curved with age, making his small frame appear even more diminished.

“I wish it were a fabrication, but it is almost certainly the truth.”

“Ah!”

Mong Yang, who had endured a difficult upbringing alongside Poyang, slumped to the ground as tears began to fall. The other leaders were similarly paralyzed with shock, mourning the loss of brothers and soldiers they had fought beside for years. Even Eun Se-chong, who had intended to speak further, could only grit his teeth in a pained silence.

After a long interval, Mong Yang managed to steady himself and forced the words out.

“What is your command?”

“That is exactly what I am putting to you. What path do you believe we should take?”

Eun Se-chong’s eyes swept across the assembly as he posed the question.

“Our standing with both the Hahu Clan and the Beggars’ Sect has turned poisonous. If the Hahu Clan decides to retaliate in earnest, we will face catastrophic consequences on multiple fronts.”

“We must extend an apology to the Hahu Clan and the Beggars’ Sect immediately. If we claim that these actions were not our will, but rather the result of being coerced by criminals, we might be able to dampen their fury.”

“An apology alone is insufficient. The Hahu Clan has been in a fierce struggle with the Five Great Clans recently; perhaps we can offer them intelligence on their rivals’ activities?”

“The Beggars’ Sect, who compete for the same territories as us, will surely exploit this weakness. It is unfortunate, but we may have to surrender certain business interests to pacify them and save the sect.”

As a torrent of suggestions filled the room, Supreme Protector Pyeon Gwang—the individual truly responsible for the catastrophe—remained mute. Eun Se-chong, irritated by the silence, directed his gaze toward him.

“Why have you nothing to say, Supreme Protector?”

“What can a man of sin possibly offer? Because of my own pride, the children of this sect have paid a terrible price. I am too ashamed to even look you in the eye.”

Pyeon Gwang lowered his head in a show of weakness, offering no defense for himself.

This display of self-reproach startled Eun Se-chong and the other executives. Usually, the Supreme Protector and his loyalists commanded the room with unshakable confidence.

However, Pyeon Gwang was playing a deeper game.

He had successfully manipulated the Butcher Brothers of the Demonic Cult into a collision with the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, just as he had envisioned. While the loss of life was regrettable, his primary objective had been met, and he saw no reason to further provoke the Leader’s anger.

“Regardless, you must have an idea on how to fix this. Speak.”

“The strategies regarding the Hahu Clan and the Beggars’ Sect mentioned by the others seem sound. The true problem is the potential retaliation from the Butcher Brothers.”

“That is the core of my anxiety. If they decide to turn their blades toward our main headquarters, I am terrified of how we might withstand them.”

Eun Se-chong rubbed his aching forehead and pressed on.

“Do you have a plan to counter them?”

“Before we discuss a counter-plan, there is a matter that requires clarity.”

“Clarity? About what?”

“Regardless of the circumstances, they have slaughtered many of our teachers and students. Are we simply going to let their blood go unavenged?”

“That…”

Eun Se-chong found it difficult to respond. He had wrestled with the same thought, but no easy answer existed.

If they sought vengeance, they lacked moral ground since Haomen had initiated the conflict. Yet, if they did nothing, the morale and loyalty of the sect would crumble.

“What do you suggest we do, Supreme Protector?”

Mong Yang asked, stepping in for the hesitant Leader. His voice was sharp with resentment, knowing his friends had died because of Pyeon Gwang’s obsession with destroying the Yangtze Waterway Alliance.

“Vengeance is the only path.”

“We started this fight. If we seek revenge without a just cause, we will be branded as villains by the entire world—do you not realize that?”

“Justice is irrelevant. Their strength is overwhelming. Even if we committed our entire force, victory is not guaranteed.”

Gyo Hwe, seated near Mong Yang, let out a bitter, self-deprecating sigh.

“Does our strike need to be a frontal assault?”

Pyeon Gwang’s lips curled into a slight smirk.

“Explain yourself.”

“Have we ever been a sect that fights in the light? We should engage them on our terms—quietly, in the shadows, where no one can see.”

“Do you have a specific method in mind?”

“There are several. However, I require the endorsement of the Leader and this council before proceeding.”

“What is it?”

Eun Se-chong asked, his curiosity overriding his anger.

“We must officially declare that the Hangzhou branch acted entirely on its own.”

“What are you saying?”

“That is unthinkable!”

Cries of protest erupted, led by Eun Se-chong. The outrage was loudest among those who had been close to Poyang and Dumirok.

“I have no right to face those who died, but this is our only viable move.”

Pyeon Gwang bowed deeply to the Leader and then raised his voice to address the room.

“Think logically. If this were an official decree from the main sect, our liability would be endless. But what if we state it was the Hangzhou branch acting independently, forced into a corner by the pressure of local bandits?”

Pyeon Gwang locked eyes with Eun Se-chong.

“And besides, have they not already paid for their mistakes with their lives?”

“Hmm.”

Eun Se-chong let out a soft groan. It was a cold calculation, but it was likely the only way to shield Haomen. Still, the morality of it felt like a lead weight in his stomach.

“While we pin the blame on the Hangzhou branch, we should paint them as tragic victims. Simultaneously, we must quietly circulate rumors that those butchers are actually depraved monsters of the demonic way. It will limit their freedom to act.”

“A war of reputation, then? You believe they won’t attack the main headquarters if the public believes the culprits are already dead.”

“Precisely.”

“I am skeptical. Especially if something happens to that girl they took…”

Eun Se-chong shivered, unable to finish the grim thought.

“We can also provide them with information regarding the movements of the Hongikbang.”

“The location of the Hongikbang?”

“Yes. Are they not searching for them? Currently, the Hongikbang is making their way to Chongmyeong Island.”

“Ah!”

“Chongmyeong Island… of course.”

The realization dawned on the room. While it lacked a formal marketplace, Chongmyeong Island was notorious for its illicit human trafficking. Though the authorities had suppressed it recently, the slave trade always found a way to persist. In fact, a secret auction had just recently been established there.

“If we apologize for the ‘rogue’ Hangzhou branch and show our good faith by revealing the Hongikbang’s path, we can settle the debt of the past.”

“This sounds like nothing more than your own fantasy, Supreme Protector.”

Mong Yang cut in.

“Even if they don’t believe us, the public’s view of them will change—and that is enough. But that is only the beginning. We will leak the Hongikbang’s position to the butchers, and then we will leak information to the Hongikbang as well.”

“To the Hongikbang?”

The council looked at him with confusion.

“We tell the Hongikbang that a group of elite warriors from the Hahu Clan has departed Hangzhou specifically to hunt them down.”

“Why say it is the Hahu Clan instead of the butchers?”

“Because it is believable. The Hongikbang knows the Hahu Clan lost kin at the Clear Heart Clinic. They are already aware of the clan’s mobilization.”

“You don’t actually want them to save the girl, do you, Supreme Protector?”

Pyeon Gwang ignored Eun Se-chong’s sarcastic remark with a shake of his head.

“It matters not to me. We simply provide the information to both sides and let fate decide who survives.”

“But if the girl dies, their fury will be aimed directly at us!”

Gyo Hwe shouted.

“It will fall upon the Yangtze Waterway Alliance first, will it not? The Hangzhou branch that orchestrated the plan has already been wiped out.”

“The blade could still find its way to our throats.”

“That is why the battle of public opinion is vital. If they believe we have sacrificed enough, the ‘righteous’ factions won’t allow them to go on a rampage—not if they want to preserve their own image of honor and justice.”

Pyeon Gwang spoke with cold conviction, but the glares he received were anything but warm. It was infuriating that the man who caused the mess was now suggesting they use the dead as scapegoats.

Yet, no one could offer a better alternative. Personal feelings aside, his strategy was the most practical for the sect’s survival.

Pyeon Gwang wasn’t finished.

“But that is only part of the retribution. I have one final move.”

“And what is that?”

Eun Se-chong asked, his face sour at how Pyeon Gwang had taken control of the meeting.

“According to the earlier reports, the Living Immortal Medical House fought against both the butchers and the Demonic Cult, correct?”

“I remember. That is why I was so insistent that we leave no trail. Not that it matters now.”

Eun Se-chong sighed.

“Consider why the Demonic Cult has been so active lately.”

“The cult…”

Eun Se-chong’s voice trailed off as his eyes widened. The realization hit him.

“They believe someone among that group possesses the holy artifact they’ve been hunting.”

“Are you suggesting we contact the Demonic Cult? They likely already know where the butchers are.”

Pyeon Gwang shook his head at Mong Yang’s intervention.

“We simply need to drop a hint about their specific hiding place.”

Pyeon Gwang picked up his cold cup of tea and allowed a cruel grin to touch his lips.

“If the cult wants that relic badly enough, they will find a way to take it.”

—

“Soju is just ahead. Should we take the long way around?”

Gwan Seung, who was scouting in front, turned back to ask. Yu Wol considered this for a moment and smiled. He could see the exhaustion in the eyes of his men; they had been pushing themselves without a break for days.

“When does the auction begin?”

Yu Wol asked the man beside him. Jin Woo-gi, whose eyes reflected the same fatigue as the rest, answered immediately.

“It starts tomorrow. We’ve already sent word to the Chief that we have the girl. The news has traveled. Anyone interested in her will wait as long as it takes.”

“Is she being handled correctly?”

“Yes. We are keeping her under heavy sedation to prevent any trouble. You don’t need to worry, so…”

Jin Woo-gi hesitated, trying to read Yu Wol’s expression. Seeing the opening, Yu Wol gave a small nod.

“Fine. We will rest for one day, and then—”

Suddenly, Yu Wol’s face went cold. He spun around and snatched an object out of the air that had been flying toward them from the left. Realizing it was an arrow, Jin Woo-gi and Gwan Seung yelled out.

“Hostiles!”

“Form a perimeter!”

The warriors of the Hongikbang reacted instantly, spreading out and preparing for a fight. Despite being common soldiers, their discipline was impressive.

“Relax. There is no need for a panic.”

Yu Wol called out as he began to unwrap a piece of cloth tied to the shaft of the arrow.

The small scrap of fabric contained a brief warning.

‘The Hahu Clan is on our trail?’

Yu Wol’s jaw tightened at the name of the clan.

‘But why?’

The answer came in the very next sentence. Members of the Hahu family had been patients at the Clear Heart Clinic during the massacre.

‘Curses! Of all the people to be there.’

They hadn’t stopped to identify every patient, and even if they had, they likely would have proceeded anyway.

“What does it say, Deputy Chief?”

Jin Woo-gi asked tentatively.

“We are being hunted.”

“What?”

Shocked, Jin Woo-gi took the cloth from Yu Wol and scanned the text.

“If this is accurate, we are in deep trouble.”

“We can’t be sure if this information is true.”

Gwan Seung looked over Jin Woo-gi’s shoulder, his expression full of doubt.

“We don’t know the source or what they hope to gain by telling us.”

“We can’t simply disregard it. Regardless of the source’s intent, the incident at the Clear Heart Clinic was real. If the Hahu Clan is truly coming for us…”

Jin Woo-gi stopped speaking, looking at Yu Wol.

In the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, few could match Yu Wol’s combat skill. But the Hahu Clan was a different beast entirely. They didn’t know the size of the force coming for them, but a direct battle would almost certainly end in their defeat.

Yu Wol snapped the arrow in half as he felt the weight of their stares.

“Chongmyeong Island is close. Regardless of who sent this or who is following us, we complete the sale quickly and retreat.”

“Then the rest in Soju… Argh!”

Gwan Seung cried out as he was poked in the ribs.

“Stop your whining. Didn’t you hear the Deputy Chief? We are finishing this fast.”

“I wasn’t disagreeing! I was just—”

As Jin Woo-gi glared at him, Gwan Seung rubbed his side and fell silent.

“Jin Woo-gi.”

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”

“We are going to divide our strength.”

“Are you certain? This could be an ambush.”

“I am going to provide them with a false trail.”

Jin Woo-gi understood the plan immediately.

“I understand.”

With a quick signal, the group split in two. However, the majority of the strongest fighters stayed with Yu Wol, making his group significantly larger.

“We will bypass Soju and head straight for Chongmyeong Island. Jin Woo-gi.”

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”

“Cover our tracks as you follow us. Go through Soju first, then travel by a different route.”

“Do we meet at Chongmyeong Island?”

“That is the plan for now. But if the situation feels wrong or dangerous, use your own discretion.”

“Understood.”

Jin Woo-gi gave a serious nod. Yu Wol gave him a look of confidence before leading his unit away. Shortly after, Jin Woo-gi’s team began to move, carefully hiding the footprints of the men who had gone before them.