WHUFF!

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi blew the ash that had settled on the table away with a breath from his mouth, then rose from his chair.

Then he walked to the massive round table in the middle of the great hall.

On the surface of that table, the Central Plains under heaven had been reduced and contained in full.

Thousands of mountains rose as models, and the rivers flowing between them were there as well—along with the main roads and prefectures and counties, marked in meticulous detail.

Its sense of reality was so overwhelming it felt like he was looking down at the Central Plains from the sky.

All across that topographic map of the realm, small flags had been planted, and on those flags were written not only the names of the great orthodox sects and clans of the martial world, but also black-path gangs and the Demonic Eight Divisions.

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s gaze drove like a nail into the middle of the main road that ran from Gujiang County to Wuhan.

After a long time without the slightest movement, his gaze slowly shifted—until it reached Aju County.

“Hidden Shadow. What decision do you think I should make?”

In one corner of the great hall, darkness rippled, and a Sound Transmission voice came into Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s ear.

—My lord, I beg pardon, but this subordinate does not hold opinions.

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s brow furrowed.

“That answer, always the same—how tedious. How long have you been with me?”

—No matter how my lord presses me, there are no words you will hear. I am nothing more than a messenger.

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi stared straight into the darkness in that corner of the hall.

“Is it really true that you are no more than a messenger?”

—I do not understand the point of your question.

“I’m asking what you would do if your master ordered you to do something other than deliver messages. For instance, if he told you to take the thing sitting on my shoulders.”

—My lord, those are words that cannot be spoken. I will act as though I did not hear them.

“Cannot be spoken? I don’t know your master at all, so how can you be so certain?”

—My master has formed an alliance with my lord. The only token of that alliance is this messenger. If you command me to surrender myself this very moment, then from then on there will no longer be any Hidden Shadow who comes to see my lord.

If you wanted it, the connection to that person called “master” would vanish without a trace through the death of the messenger—himself.

It was also a question thrown back at him: if every secret could be buried so easily, for what reason would anyone want your head?

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi could not help but accept it.

There were no restraints placed on him, and it was a condition he could erase at any time—that was why he had accepted the proposal of alliance.

And yet, suspicion remained.

And when he received a startling message like today, that suspicion lifted its head even higher.

As Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s silence grew long, the darkness in the hall’s corner rippled again.

—My lord, the errand I brought today is also nothing more than a suggestion from my master as one party to the alliance. As you always have, my lord need only decide.

“If I oppose it, you’ll fold the Aju ‘release’ operation?”

—It is Martial Alliance territory overseen by my lord, so naturally. My master fears a fracture in the alliance, and therefore seeks my lord’s permission.

“That much, even I know.”

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi nodded and continued.

“But when you bring a proposal as astonishing as today’s, it’s impossible not to be taken aback. I’ve long known your master has been in contact with the Demonic Eight Divisions—but to draw out the Alliance of the Demonic Path’s Public Contract, and even mobilize the Hidden Moon Forest... frankly, I feel awe at your master’s ability—something beyond awe.”

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi expressed “I feel fear” with that roundabout phrasing.

—As my lord has surely already surmised, my master is allied with those who seek justice, like my lord. That is why such things are possible, so please set your mind at ease.

It was a gentle way of telling him not to guard himself against that master.

“So the Alliance of the Demonic Path issued a Public Contract because it too seeks justice?”

—From the Alliance of the Demonic Path’s perspective, could this not be the realization of justice?

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi of the Martial Alliance naturally knew that the dispute between the Alliance of the Demonic Path and the Wudang Sect had ended through the Martial Alliance’s mediation.

And after that, he also knew that the Dark Cavern Taoist, holding up his status as a layman, had massacred the Alliance of the Demonic Path’s pursuit team.

“It would be their justice, yes.”

—My lord, please decide whether it is acceptable. Once again, I tell you: there will not be even the slightest thing that makes my lord inconvenienced.

That was true.

It would only be a brief disturbance in Aju County.

And yet Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi hesitated to decide.

If it were only the Dark Cavern Taoist, there would be no reason to agonize. The Wudang Sect was one of the targets who sought justice—and it would also be the removal of one of the Wudang Sect’s overwhelming forces.

The problem was that Hu Gae of the Beggar Clan, and another party of companions who had nothing to do with it, were mixed in as well. And the sacrifice of innocent commoners would be unavoidable.

Even if it was only tacit consent, it was clearly abetting murder.

As Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s deliberation deepened, Sound Transmission came to his ear again.

—My lord, my master feared that the news they bring would interfere with the matter my lord has prepared in pursuit of justice.

Hearing that, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi made his decision.

He had already vowed that if he could achieve the justice he sought, he would trade with demons as well.

‘I will enter the flames of the hell of nine heavens and repay my sins.’

Looking down at the realm topographic map on the round table, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi said,

“Fine. I can’t let them scatter ash over a bowl of rice that’s already cooked.”

The moment his words ended, the lamps lighting the great hall flickered.

Baek Ri-gi knew that Hidden Shadow had left the hall through the secret passage allowed only to him.

—STEP. STEP.

Returning to the desk, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi chose one of the ropes hanging along a cabinet and pulled it.

A moment later, the great hall’s doors opened, and a martial artist in blue martial robes entered and offered a respectful salute.

“Right Military Strategist, did you summon me?”

“You’ll need to go to Aju County. The task is simple—bring a troupe of acrobats into the city.”

“...?”

When the martial artist looked at him with puzzled eyes, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi said,

“It seems they’re carrying a few troublesome items, and a friend asked me to handle it since it’s something they’d rather not show others.”

“Understood.”

Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi stared straight at the martial artist and said,

“From this moment, these orders are not as the Strategists’ Office—but as the Heaven-and-Earth Net Society.”

In an instant, a sharp light flashed in the martial artist’s eyes.

“Your command will be carried out!”

*****

“WAAAH!”

Staring at the East Gate of Aju County City, Hu Gae let out a shout of delight.

“Finally... we’re here!”

It was the moment five days of hardship finally ended.

Taking mountain paths was difficult even for martial masters.

The brush was so thick there was no way to call it a path, and even that would constantly break off into cliffs and sheer drop-offs.

And because they had to avoid villages completely and keep seeking mountains, the hardship only grew worse.

In any case, thanks to that suffering, they had been able to enter the Martial Alliance’s territory without meeting any annoying uninvited guests.

‘Hardship ends, happiness begins—that’s what this is.’

Hu Gae started thinking about what side dishes he would order once they got into an inn.

‘Today, I’m not thinking about anything. I’ll just eat and drink until I’m satisfied.’

Once they entered the Martial Alliance’s main headquarters, it was obvious there would be no room to breathe.

As soon as the Martial Alliance heard the news they carried, it would be like poking a beehive.

Starting with the Alliance Leader, people ranked above him would call for him from every direction, and those of equal or lower standing would come diligently seeking him out.

Hu Gae shouted loudly toward Kwak Yeon and Jin Cheongha, who were trailing about twenty zhang behind.

“Hey! Hurry up. Aju County City is right in front of us.”

Hu Gae couldn’t help but be amazed at Jin Cheongha.

Even though she’d slowed her pace compared to normal, she had followed steadily without falling behind.

‘Her beauty clearly hid her martial skill.’

Hu Gae decided that once they entered the Martial Alliance’s main headquarters, he would be sure to recommend her for a position worthy of her ability.

“We really are here! This time too, I thought you were just saying it to cheer us up.”

“That’s because I was, to give you energy....”

Hu Gae stole a glance at Jin Cheongha, who was catching her breath, and continued.

“Let’s rest here for a moment and then go into the city. The sun’s got a long way to fall, so there’s no need to rush.”

“Sub-Branch Master, if you’re doing that because of me, you don’t have to rest.”

“Oh? Really? We can do that?”

As Hu Gae’s eyes sparkled, Kwak Yeon smiled faintly.

“You—why are you smiling?”

“Because it’s nice to see how consistent you are, Brother.”

“HEM! Since we’re already here, I just figured it’d be better to rest comfortably at an inn, that’s all.”

“Understood. Miss Jin must feel the same way. Miss Jin, isn’t that right?”

“Yes. I want to get into a guesthouse as soon as possible too.”

Hu Gae brightened and said,

“Then let’s go right now.”

Not long after the three came down the mountain path and started walking along the main road, the sound of a group of horses’ hooves thundered in.

—THUDDUDDUDDU!

With a rider holding a blue pennant marked with the character Patrol in the lead, a group of martial men on horseback galloped down the main road toward them.

“It’s the Martial Alliance’s patrol.”

Hu Gae recognized them and continued.

“I heard they massively reinforced patrols inside Martial Alliance territory because of the All-Under-Heaven Heroes Assembly—looks like it’s true.”

It carried the meaning that they could set their worries down now.

No matter how bold an assassin group was, they couldn’t make a move inside the Martial Alliance’s territory.

—THUDDUDDUDDU!

The Martial Alliance patrol rode up fast and stopped their horses in perfect unison in front of the three.

“From your attire, you seem to be fellows of the martial world. State your identities—who you are, and where you are from.”

All the patrol guards were wearing matching blue martial robes with the character Alliance emblazoned clearly on their chests.

“The Martial Alliance’s guards work hard. I am Hu Gae, Chwi Dugae of the Beggar Clan, living by begging.”

The eyes of the Martial Alliance patrol guards widened in shock.

“Ah! So you are Hu Gae of the Beggar Clan. We heard you were coming and have long waited, eager to meet you. We are on duty, so please forgive us for not offering full ceremony.”

The leader of the patrol guards substituted a proper greeting with a deeply respectful salute.

“Why would you be eager to meet a beggar that looks like this? And for Beggar Clan beggars, as long as you don’t curse at us, it counts as a greeting—so don’t mind it.”

Hu Gae laughed loudly, then pointed at Kwak Yeon and Jin Cheongha beside him as he continued.

“These two friends are traveling with me, and we intend to go to the Martial Alliance’s main headquarters and state their identities there, so don’t ask separately.”

“If they are companions of Hu Gae, how could we object? However, we patrol guards will escort Hu Gae and your companions to the gates of Aju.”

It meant they couldn’t simply take his identity by words alone and let them pass.

“For us, there’s no reason to refuse.”

“Then we will escort you.”

As the patrol guards moved as if to surround the three, Hu Gae gave Kwak Yeon a quick wink.

With the Martial Alliance’s security this thorough, don’t worry anymore.