Jegal Myeong was the first to accept the reality, speaking evenly.

“In the end, there are two dungeons—or more—and we don’t even know which of them holds the hostages.”

Seo Heo lowered his head further.

“The most likely case is that they’re scattered.”

“Hm.”

If they didn’t strike simultaneously, the lives of those trapped in one place or another could be at risk.

Given Mount Wudang’s terrain, their stronghold was split across several peaks; with their current numbers, they were far too short-handed to attack all points at once.

“We should wait for reinforcements from elsewhere to arrive, then.”

Other sects and clans, hearing that the Namgoong Clan had brought its forces to bear, were sending help one after another.

The Jegal Clan, Mount Hua Sect, and Zhongnan Sect—whose bases lay relatively near—had already arrived, and Shaolin’s reinforcements were due shortly.

Waiting for them and striking as many points as possible at once was the best way to reduce casualties.

Just then, as Jegal Myeong offered that plan—

“If we stall for time, the battle will turn more against us.”

Everyone gathered for council turned toward the tent’s entrance.

A faint smile touched Namgoong Mucheon’s lips.

As the tent flap lifted, three entered: the Mounted Pursuit Chief sent to investigate the Beggar’s Union; the former Shaolin Abbot, Gong Cheon; and the Heaven-Flower Sword Phoenix, Namgoong Seolhwa.

At Gong Cheon’s arrival, all within rose as one and saluted with cupped fists.

Jegal Myeong stepped back to yield a seat; Gong Cheon took the place nearest Namgoong Mucheon and returned the room’s courtesy.

Once the greetings ended and everyone sat, Seolhwa and Yu Gang clasped fists to the assembly as well.

“Having concluded the matter in Hebei, the Mounted Pursuit Chief Yu Gang pays respects to the Alliance Lord.”

With Yu Gang’s salute, Seolhwa bowed, too.

Namgoong Mucheon lifted a hand to receive it.

“You’ve done well. I read the report by message slip. The two of you accomplished a great task.”

“We only did what we ought.”

The resolution with the Beggar’s Union—and their agreement to cooperate—had already been reported by courier to the Alliance leadership.

News had also gone out that they’d received help from the Sado Union while the Martial Alliance was too tied up with Wudang to provide proper support.

“You must be tired, yet you hurried to join us. Both of you, sit.”

Seolhwa and Yu Gang took the far end of the table.

Now gathered were the Alliance Lord Namgoong Mucheon, the Strategist Jegal Myeong, the Chief Division Lord Seop Mugwang with two Division Lords of force, and four commanders representing the reinforcements.

Hardly had they sat when Namgoong Mucheon addressed Seolhwa:

“What did you mean just now? Why do you judge that delaying will make the engagement worse?”

Her view cut directly against the Alliance’s expectations.

Wudang’s stronghold at the mountaintop meant they could receive no resupply.

“We thought that if we kept up the pressure, they’d tire and surrender or their fighting strength would wane.”

Seolhwa shook her head.

“Do you think they didn’t know that holing up on the summit would cut them off from supplies?”

Wudang’s Seo Heo blurted an answer.

“T-that’s because the pellets clouded their judgment...!”

“No.”

Seolhwa looked at him.

He was of the same generation as her father, Namgoong Cheongun; under her piercing gaze, he shrank and looked away.

In her previous life as well, Wudang destroyed itself because of ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ the Expanding Blood Pellet. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

But it wasn’t because they went berserk, unable to overcome the addiction to Substitute Blood Pellets.

If the rampage from addiction had been the cause, the Blood Cult would not have called it “self-destruction.”

Which meant—

“Saying they lost judgment because of addiction is wrong.”

Wudang had been regulating the intervals at which they took pellets.

As proof, even at the time of that event a few years from now, they were still keeping their symptoms in check.

Too late to turn back, yes—but not bereft of reason.

“Digging in at the summit is, in essence, a no-retreat formation. It’s a tactic for those with nowhere to fall back.”

If you entrench on the summit, the enemy can ring the mountain and besiege you—simple as that.

Would Wudang, not yet devoid of reason, truly choose a tactic tantamount to stepping into their own grave?

“On the other hand, height makes it easy to watch enemy movement and thus to defend. In short, it’s well-suited to buying time.”

Faces around the table grew grave.

Well-suited to buying time.

The notion had come up in discussion already, only to be dismissed as unlikely.

For now, they hadn’t seen what Wudang could possibly gain by stalling.

“Do you know what they aim to gain with time?”

“You said the Martial Alliance’s people are in their hands.”

Seolhwa’s eyes lowered.

“Most of them are trained masters, are they not?”

“!”

“...Don’t tell me...!”

To buy time to make pellets using the Alliance’s people?

Seolhwa drew out the pouch of Expanding Blood Pellets and opened it.

Seo Heo’s eyes flew wide.

“T-that’s...!”

He lurched to his feet, hands trembling.

Seolhwa watched him without missing a beat.

“Expanding Blood Pellets. With actual blood from top-tier masters. I obtained them by chance while carrying out the Beggar’s Union mission.”

She sent the pellets around for inspection.

Namgoong Mucheon’s expression darkened as far as it could go the moment he saw them—he felt the furious taint of blood within.

“The more you take of Expanding Blood Pellets or Substitute Blood Pellets, the stronger the addiction—but your strength rises just as rapidly.”

“So they were stalling to build power.”

Jegal Myeong grimaced and set the pellets down. Gong Cheon examined them and passed them on; Seo Heo, hands shaking, handed them to the next.

In that moment, Seop Mugwang couldn’t hold back and sprang to his feet.

“Then we go in now. If Seolhwa’s right, we’ve no time to sit on our hands!”

“But we still don’t know the dungeon’s exact—”

“I do.”

All eyes swung to Seolhwa again.

Meeting each gaze in turn, she spoke with quiet confidence.

“I know where the dungeons are.”

Soon after, the council broke up in haste, and the Martial Alliance moved at once to make ready.

There were five dungeon sites in all.

While Namgoong Mucheon led the main force against Wudang’s central stronghold, Seop Mugwang, Gong Cheon, and two Division Lords would each take elite detachments to hit four sites.

The last would be assigned to a two-person team: Yu Gang and Seolhwa.

“The Wudang warriors who’ve been taking pellets will fight beyond our expectations. Be cautious in every movement.”

With that final charge from Namgoong Mucheon, people began filing out to prepare for battle.

In the bustle, Seo Heo’s gaze fixed on the Expanding Blood Pellets sitting alone on the table.

“...”

Thump, thump—his heartbeat pounded in his ears.

His breath ran ragged; his pulse roared until the world went dim at the edges.

At some point, his hand reached toward the pellets.

It was nearly within a foot when—

Snatch—

A hand seized the pouch.

Startled, Seo Heo looked to the one who’d taken it.

Namgoong Seolhwa.

The Namgoong clan lord’s daughter—the one who’d brought the pellets—held them.

“You’re to go with the main force, yes?”

She tucked the pellets into her robe as if it were nothing and asked.

Seo Heo swallowed and forced the corners of his mouth up.

“Yes. I’ll move with your father. I know the location of the sect’s original dungeon best.”

“I see. We’ll count on you.”

She dipped her head in a brief bow and turned to go.

“W-wait...!”

“Yes?”

“That pellet... be careful. It’s more dangerous than you think.”

Seolhwa’s lips curved faintly.

“Thank you for the concern. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

She stepped out and made for her grandfather, Namgoong Mucheon.

Seo Heo watched her whisper something at the Alliance Lord’s ear, then followed the others out of the tent.

****

“Kh....”

“Just... bear it a little longer.”

Drip—

Cold sweat streamed down Jegal Hwi’s brow.

He bit his lip and carefully poured water over the wound.

The rations’ drinking water wasn’t very clean, but even this was desperately needed.

Haa... haa....

Namgoong Cheonghae’s breathing grew harsher.

His hand gripped Jegal Hwi’s arm.

“Deputy Strategist....”

“Drink the rest. You haven’t had a sip in days.”

“But...”

“My leg is already past saving.”

Feeling had long since fled his thigh.

The stench of rot told the tale well enough.

Even with treatment this instant, he wouldn’t recover as before.

Just then—

Noise rose outside the dungeon, and soon two Daoists entered.

Jegal Hwi moved to sit in front of Namgoong Cheonghae, wary.

“Grab anyone. No time.”

With their Blood Channels sealed, they couldn’t even resist.

The bars swung open and the Daoists stepped inside.

“This one, maybe?”

“The elder said hurry it up. The one with the leg wound won’t walk well—take this one.”

They seized Jegal Hwi by both arms.

He glanced at Namgoong Cheonghae and, without a struggle, let them haul him up.

Then—

“Not the boy. Take me.”

Biting back pain, Namgoong Cheonghae pushed himself upright.

Pressed for time, the Daoists exchanged a look of annoyance and moved to ignore him—but his next words froze their feet.

“I am a warrior who has reached the upper tiers—beyond.”