Book 29 Chapter 9

3000 vs 1

-Dancing Puppets

The chief of the first division of the Black Sun Sect, Black Zhu, who was building a medium-sized force in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, was so annoyed by the continuous search for the past few days that his irritation reached its peak.

"What a damn thing to see! It's already a pain in the ass to be regularly summoned and trained twice a year under the guise of an emergency assembly for smooth coordination…"

It could be said that the search formation of the Heavenly Net, which brought together dozens of minor sects in addition to the main force forming the backbone of the encirclement, could operate without much conflict thanks to such regular training. However, whether Black Zhu, who was mobilized suddenly, was in a good or bad mood was a separate issue.

'We're always being used, are we some kind of fools? Why do we have to form a formation with those unlucky guys from the Enemy Sun Sect!'

The rough-looking man, whose face was flushed with irritation, grumbled.

"Damn it! Where is this damn guy hiding that I can't even see his face? Do you think it makes sense for me, the chief of the Black Sun Sect's first division, to be crawling on the ground like a kid in a place like this?"

"No! Of course not! It is a great waste of manpower to use a special talent like the chief of the first division for such simple labor!"

The subordinate, who sensitively noticed his superior's low mood and was observing his expression, immediately took a rigid posture and answered. It seemed that the immediate answer pleased him.

"Well, rest. You've been under me for a while, and now you know something. But they don't know that in the alliance, tsk tsk tsk. Even a nobody like you knows it."

"Then why don't you go back? Who can stop the great chief of the Black Sun Sect from attending!"

The subordinate shouted, intending to impress him this time. However, what returned was a spinning punch that exploded on his left cheek.

"Ggueeeeeeek!"

The subordinate flew sideways, spewing blood.

"You crazy bastard! Are you trying to see the Black Sun Sect fall apart tomorrow with such a reckless remark?"

"I, I just…"

Clutching his purple swollen cheek, the subordinate got up from the floor and whimpered.

"Although I am the chief of the Black Sun Sect's first division, who is quite influential in Wuhan, I have an obligation to fully cooperate with the alliance's troop mobilization when the Black Heaven Order is activated. The reason we can operate in the underworld of Wuhan is because of the tacit permission of the Black Heaven Alliance!"

The Black Heaven Alliance took the form of a general alliance of dark martial arts sects, so it did not pursue a policy of eradicating other dark martial arts forces within its sphere of influence. If they had, they would have risked wiping out all the dark martial arts sects in Hubei Province.

What the Black Heaven Alliance kept in check was whether the righteous forces encroached upon their territory, not how the dark martial arts sects fought among themselves and increased their power, which they generally overlooked as long as they did not cross the line.

Instead, the superior-subordinate relationship was clear, and when the Black Heaven Order, or mobilization order, was issued, all dark martial arts sects located in southern Hubei had to be under the command of the Black Heaven Alliance, regardless of the reason.

"Do you know what happens to a dark martial arts sect if it does not respond to the Black Heaven Order, or if it disobeys the 'Order' even if it responds?"

"W-what happens?"

"It's erased."

Black Zhu said, making a gesture of drawing a line across his throat with his finger.

"In this world?"

The subordinate replied, trembling like an aspen.

"No, from the list."

"Yes—?"

"It's just a stroke of ink on the list."

"Hoo, I thought…"

Kuwak!

Then, this time, a spinning punch landed on the subordinate's right cheek.

"You fool! Do you know what it means for your name to be deleted from that list? It means that the Black Heaven Alliance will no longer protect you, so you can be eaten freely. Before the ink of that stroke dries, packs of hyenas will rush in from all sides and tear apart the Black Sun Sect. Especially those bastards!"

Black Zhu stretched out his arm and pointed to the warriors in red clothes marching a few steps away from them.

"You mean those hateful bastards!"

They were neighbors to the Enemy Sun Sect, "enemies" who had been fighting for the same territory for decades. However, since they were under the same Black Heaven Alliance, even if they fought over territory normally, they were forced to carry out operations together like this when a mobilization order was issued. The subordinate also had a bad feeling, as he had clashed with them just a few days ago.

He was already dissatisfied with being suddenly mobilized, and now he had to act with those who made his stomach churn just by looking at them.

At that moment, Black Zhu's gaze met the goat-bearded man standing at the forefront of the red-clothed warriors.

"Oh my, who is this? Isn't this the chief of the Black Sun Sect, Chief Black? Long time no see."

The goat-bearded man waved his hand happily and pretended to know him.

'Oh, this guy! You've been next to me for three hours already. Now you're acting like you're seeing me for the first time?'

Who do you think you're treating as invisible! Nice to meet you, my ass!

"Oh my, who is this? Isn't this the second chief of the Enemy Sun Sect, Na-jeon? Nice to meet you. Hmm, let me see. Has it really been three days since you tried to stab me in the gut? It's been a long time."

Then, the goat-bearded man, Ho Han-geom Na-jeon, replied with a smile, even though a vein pulsed on his forehead.

"Oh, don't say that. If Chief Black hadn't tried to turn our gambling house into ashes, would I have done such a terrible thing? Didn't Chief Black also cut me in the side back then? What would have happened if I hadn't had my girdle?"

'What would have happened? You could have made ten portions of blood sausage with what was inside your side. It definitely went in properly that time…'

"Haha, it seems that martial artists should use good weapons and girdles. Who knew that the top-quality natural crocodile leather girdle I bought with great effort would be so helpful? You can't even block a knife with a cheap, third-rate cotton girdle like the one Chief Black uses. You'd better take good care of it, or you might have your intestines pulled out unexpectedly!"

'Oh, so you're wearing that crocodile leather girdle that's all the rage these days?'

Black Zhu, who had been planning to buy a first-grade cowhide girdle this time, couldn't help but feel bitter. Seeing Na-jeon bragging about his luxury leather girdle, he felt a surge of emotion from deep within his chest.

"And I am no longer the second chief, but the 'first' chief. I was recognized for not turning the gambling house into ashes thanks to this luxury girdle. Please pay attention to my title from now on. It's a shame, if only you had aimed better then, you could have become the chief of the great division. Anyway, now you and Chief Black are equals, same (同). Class (級)."

It was a mistake that Black Zhu stabbed Na-jeon in the stomach and, being slightly careless, let his knife slide off due to the miraculous effect of the luxury crocodile leather girdle.

"Who says I'm your equal? You weak goat bastard, how dare you try to match me, an elder?"

Black Zhu couldn't help but get excited when that guy started talking about being equals.

"Hoho, why are you looking at me like that? Did I say anything wrong? Shall I show you with my skills? It doesn't seem like my sword was in vain last time, did it?"

Suddenly, the side where Na-jeon's sword had passed felt hot. Hatred flared up in Black Zhu's heart.

Na-jeon, as if he had just remembered, had a sly smile on his lips.

"You damn brat, how dare you try to match me, an elder!"

Black Zhu's clenched fists trembled, but he ultimately did not throw them.

In fact, they could fight with their mouths, but not directly. Even if he wanted to send that guy to the next world immediately, it was impossible. The Black Heaven Alliance was not so lenient as to allow personal fights during an operation.

If he threw even one punch, the Black Sun Sect's name would be erased from the Black Heaven Alliance's roster that very day. Then, it would become prey for surrounding dark martial arts factions, and that guy knew it, which was why he was provoking him. He couldn't lose what he had built over decades in a single moment of anger.

"Let's see after this is over. I'll show you what a true first chief is like. Don't expect your crocodile leather girdle to help you then."

"Crocodile girdle, you mean this? Here it is, here."

As if to provoke him, Na-jeon untied his belt and lifted his upper garment, revealing a lustrously tanned black crocodile leather girdle wrapped around his waist. It was definitely high-quality, with the crocodile emblem of 'Guribitong,' a shop specializing in high-end girdles, clearly embossed.

"Here, here. Can you see it clearly? Do you want to stab it? Do you want to stab it hard?"

Rumble rumble rumble!

Black Zhu's fists trembled violently.

Then, something no one expected happened.

Shrekk!

'Huh?'

What on earth is that sound?

Black Zhu, whose fists were trembling, blinked and looked down at his stomach.

A girdle made of plain cloth was revealed between his severed abdomen. Even though it wasn't a luxury item, without it, he would have suffered a serious injury.

However, because it was not leather, it could not prevent the blood from spreading.

"What on earth…"

Black Zhu, who had been complacent, never expecting a knife to be swung at him, was bewildered by the unexpected blow.

If he was going to swing a knife, the provoked party should swing it, so why was the provocateur swinging it?

But it was clearly Na-jeon's knife that had cut through his abdomen. And his other hand was still holding up his shirt, proudly displaying the 'Guribitong' girdle.

Na-jeon's face was pale and he seemed very flustered, but Black Zhu, whose eyes were rolling, couldn't see it.

"You damn goat bastard! How dare you stab me with a knife?"

Finally, Black Zhu's suppressed anger erupted.

"No, Chief Black, this is a misunderstanding…"

"Okay, fine! You die today."

"I'm telling you it's a misunderstanding!"

He shook both hands as if to deny it, then swung his sword again. This time, Black Zhu was prepared and blocked the sword strike with his large sword.

Clang!

Sparks flew as the sword and the sword collided.

"Hey, you goat bastard! Is this also a misunderstanding!"

"Y-yes! M-misunderstanding!"

Na-jeon nodded with a flustered expression. However, to Black Zhu, those words only had the opposite effect.

"Misunderstanding? Where the hell is that sea, you goat bastard! I'll finish you off today!"

Black Zhu shouted, swinging his large sword horizontally as if to catch a goat.

"Hey guys, wipe out the red ones!"

Na-jeon, flustered, blocked the large sword that was whistling through the air and shouted to his subordinates.

" M-m-make them stop!"

People weren't so kind as to just die when they charged at them. The defenders of the Enemy Sun Sect all drew their weapons and confronted them.

Shouts echoed from here and there, curses and insults flew back and forth, and hatred crossed, and the fight escalated.

"Hey, everyone, why are you doing this? We are on a mission. Everyone, calm down."

Jeong O-sam, the grand master of the White Sun Sect, a man of reason, tried to stop them.

Fwhip!

However, what flew were the swords of Black Zhu, the chief of the first division of the Black Sun Sect, and Na-jeon, the chief of the first division of the Enemy Sun Sect.

Clang!

Fortunately, as a grand master, his martial arts were superior to the other two, and he was able to block the surprise attack.

"How dare you!"

Sparks flew from the eyes of Jeong O-sam, the grand master of the White Sun Sect.

"T-this is a misunderstanding, Grand Master Jeong!"

"Misunderstanding? Where the hell is that sea, you sons of bitches!"

Repeating the words Black Zhu had just said to Na-jeon, Jeong O-sam also joined the fight, swinging his twin swords.

If the superior jumps in, how can the subordinates just stand by?

Now, no one could stop this chaotic mess.

The fight between the two sects became a fight between three sects, and the fight between three sects became a fight between five sects, and the fight between five sects quickly escalated into a fight between ten sects.

The fight spread among three thousand people in an instant, like grass fires in dry autumn.

However, Black Zhu did not know. Na-jeon also did not know. Of course, neither did Jeong O-sam.

The existence of invisible threads connected to the arms and shoulders of himself and Na-jeon.

The existence of someone hidden on a nearby tree, twitching their five fingers as if playing an instrument.

The fact that the invisible threads extending from the fingertips of that being were connected to the threads attached to their arms and shoulders.

And the fact that the front hair of that being was so long it covered their eyes.

That he was smiling as he watched the encirclement of the Heavenly Net Sect, which was collapsing in an instant due to his light performance.

The Secret Teachings of the Flying Thunder Sword (飛雷刀)

Chapter of the Puppet (傀儡)

Puppet Dance (傀儡舞)

Dance of the Foolish People (愚民群舞)

Hell of Distrust (不信地獄)

That was the name of the song Bi Ryuyeon was playing, and humans were dancing to its rhythm.

The dance, far from subsiding, only intensified.

Hell of Arising Calamities (阿鼻叫喚).

It was the final act of the dance called the Hell of Distrust, which leads to the destruction of oneself and all others.

"How can this be…! I can't believe it. It really turned out this way…"

People were shouting angrily and fighting each other everywhere. The formation had already shattered, and holes began to appear in the once-solid iron wall of humanity. Few people were paying attention to Bi Ryuyeon and his group anymore.

The Heavenly Net Sect, known as having doors to enter but no doors to exit, now had countless doors opening everywhere. With every curse and every exchanged fist, doors were being flung open one by one.

"Hey, Hui, do you know why they're called foolish people?"

"Why is that?"

"Because they are excellent."

Bi Ryuyeon said with a chuckle.

"Excellent? Clearly, the 'foolish' in foolish people is…"

Not that, Bi Ryuyeon interrupted and sneered.

"They are truly excellent at dancing to others' tunes. What's the point of having a perfect formation? It's made up of people anyway. Look, just by pulling a few strings from behind. It's already like this, isn't it?"

Where Bi Ryuyeon pointed. There, under the rising sun, a refreshing hell of distrust, hatred, and violence dawned.

"What's refreshing about it? It's terrible."

Jang Hong shook his head.

"The wounds of distrust spread quickly, don't they? That's why it's refreshing."

"Ryuyeon, you are truly… a terrifying person."

Jang Hong exclaimed, his words a mix of lament and admiration as he looked at Bi Ryuyeon. Bi Ryuyeon just chuckled.

"What's so scary about me? The direction of your finger is wrong, sir. The scary thing is not me, but over there, over there."

Bi Ryuyeon's finger pointed to the very place where the refreshing hell of distrust was still unfolding.

"What's scary about it?"

"Then isn't it scary? The stupidity and ignorance of the masses? Don't you find it scary that these crowds, who don't even realize they're being manipulated, dance like puppets to someone else's tune? I find it truly frightening. I can't even imagine how stupidly they will act and how foolishly they will dance."

The most frightening thing about foolish people is that they have no common sense or concept.

"Is that something someone pulling the strings from behind can say?"

"It's not just me pulling them, is it? How many people are trying to pull the strings from behind? It's the one being pulled who is foolish."

To be so shameless, it's truly admirable.

"Your skill in reinforcing subcutaneous fat never fails to impress me. Your iron-faced skill seems to have already surpassed the imperviousness to swords and fire and reached the realm of flawless perfection."

"I'm serious, it's the people over there who are scary, really. It's really scary that they are pulled just because they are pulled. Isn't it?"

Bi Ryuyeon shook his head as if he was disgusted.

"Haa, Ryuyeon, you are right. The masses are truly a sad existence."

Moyong Hwi muttered with a gloomy face. They, who should have united and pursued a common goal, were too busy stabbing each other. To think that so many people fell into internal strife in an instant… Perhaps, as Bi Ryuyeon said, the masses are the most terrifying existence.

"Well, thanks to that, it's become a bit easier for us to move, hasn't it?"

Namgoong Sang defended his senior disciple.

"That's true."

After all, Jang Hong was a person who operated in the shadows. He was one of those who knew better than anyone how rampant behind-the-scenes manipulations were in this world.

"Then it's fine."

Having been with Bi Ryuyeon for a long time, Namgoong Sang was not unfamiliar with his senior disciple's demeanor.

'It's not like it's only been a day or two. That's just how the senior disciple is.'

And Bi Ryuyeon didn't pull strings from behind for them.

'He just pulls them from the front.'

Whether to consider that good or bad was ambiguous.

"You say you're scared, but you're good at pulling puppet strings. You're a strange friend… It's a relief that you're not an enemy."

"Then what about our bet?"

Bi Ryuyeon grinned, curling his fingers into a circle.

"Haa, I was a fool to make a bet with you. This bet is your victory."

Jang Hong said, resolving to charge this cost as an alliance operational expense.

"Then I owe you three hundred nyang."

"Considering we broke through the Heavenly Net Sect for only three hundred nyang, we should consider it cheap."

In any case, the door was now open.

***

Crossing the Heavenly Net Sect was no exaggeration to say that they had finally crossed a mountain. A mountain they had to pass to reach their destination.

The human barrier tended to rely heavily on the mobility of cavalry, so there were not many search parties in the mountains. However, Jang Hong was perplexed when they reached their desired destination too easily.

"Something is strange…"

"What is it, Brother Jang?"

To Moyong Hwi's low question, Jang Hong shook his head with a serious expression.

"It's too easy."

"Is it not supposed to be easy?"

"No, it's like… this isn't the Heavenly Net Sect I know."

For its terrifying name, the 'Great Area Encirclement and Annihilation Formation,' the construction of the encirclement was too loose. Even though this 'Great Area Encirclement and Annihilation Formation' was a formation designed to prevent anything inside from getting out, it was somewhat vulnerable when going from the outside to the inside. However, even so, it was too soft.

The deployment of the formation was a top secret, so he didn't know the detailed contents yet, but it was still a formation called an annihilation formation. It felt somehow unsettling to end so easily.

"Don't think about swindling me out of three hundred nyang."

"I wouldn't do anything that bad for the sake of my life, so don't worry."

It was best not to do such unhealthy things.

"It's as if they deliberately let us in. Well… it's probably just my anxiety."

But the unsettling feeling persisted.

'Am I being too sensitive?'

If only he had more information about this annihilation formation…

It was difficult to make a judgment based on the information he currently had.

He was originally in charge of intelligence, so he always made judgments based on information, not on uncertain feelings.

His role was originally information gathering, meaning collecting. Judging was not his job.

So, out of habit, he ignored his feelings and withheld his judgment.

Little did he know that this would be their downfall.

"Well, we've finally arrived at the riverbank with a series of cliffs. Where exactly is that Nancheon, Uncle Jang Hong?"

Jang Hong's thoughts stopped at Bi Ryuyeon's words.

"I don't know the exact location either. I forgot."

"Don't say things like that so confidently."

Jang Hong felt the gazes of everyone turned towards him intensely.

"My skin feels tingly. But this just means it's an important secret place. Don't worry. I'll remember it soon, as soon as we find 'Nancheon'."

"So what does that Nancheon look like?"

"It's a flower. A red flower of the azalea family. You need to find the Nancheon growing on the cliff. It's next to a pine tree growing on a cliff where a winding torrent flows."

Although Jang Hong explained vaguely but earnestly, his companions' reactions were somewhat skeptical.

"Can we find that flower in this season? Unless it's a flower that blooms all year round…"

"There is."

"What's your basis?"

Jang Hong then pointed behind them with his finger and said,

"Because it's blooming over there."

"Yes?"

The three of them quickly turned their heads back.

And there, indeed, dozens of small red flowers were blooming like red beads.

A pine tree stretched out sideways on the edge of a cliff that seemed to be cut at a sharp angle. And from that pine tree, a vine hung down towards the river. And beneath it, between the jagged rocks that bulged and protruded, the river swirled.

If they fell, they would hit the protruding rocks like iron nails and wouldn't even be able to recover their bones. And next to that pine tree, among the grass, small red flowers dotted the ground.

Rather than being showy, they were flowers that looked like small dots from afar. Nevertheless, a voice filled with emotion flowed from Jang Hong's lips.

"That is Nancheon!"

At that moment, whispers about the Great Sanctuary, the final refuge, were heard in Jang Hong's mind.

Special First-Class Emergency System Approval

Top Secret Information Declassified

Great Sanctuary Information Release

It felt as if someone was whispering in his ear. It felt like his own previously implanted suggestion, or like a voice of someone he didn't know at all, or like the voice of the Alliance Leader Na Baekcheon.

Flash!

As the memories sealed by his self-suggestion were released, the location of the Great Sanctuary came to mind.

"I never thought it would be in a place like that…"

The information seemed to surprise even Jang Hong himself, and he muttered in disbelief.

"Where is it?"

"The Great Sanctuary is there."

Jang Hong pointed to the center of a whirlpool raging amidst sharp, jagged rocks.

A log, swept from somewhere, was caught in the spiral whirlpool and spun around…

Crack!

It hit a protruding rock with a loud noise and broke in half.

"……"

Seeing that sight, Bi Ryuyeon, Namgoong Sang, Moyong Hwi, and Jang Hong were all speechless.

"Hmm, I don't have any suicidal tendencies, you know? You go first, sir."

Bi Ryuyeon said in a calm voice, looking at Jang Hong with a suspicious gaze.

"Are you, are you suspecting me now? Do you think I would really tell you the wrong place?"

Jang Hong shouted, feeling indignant.

"It could happen. Isn't there any reason why it couldn't? Right?"

Then Namgoong Sang and Moyong Hwi nodded in agreement.

"You, even you guys…"

Namgoong Sang was one thing, but for Moyong Hwi to nod as well, Jang Hong was immensely shocked. The companions' eyes, still filled with suspicion, were fixed on Jang Hong.

"No. Trust me. If you jump in exactly there, you can go to the underwater cave where the Great Sanctuary is, a.ma.do!"

"A.ma.do?"

The last word sounded anything but satisfactory.

"Th-that's because it's my first time too…"

Jang Hong chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, but no one laughed along.

"Hmm, Senior Disciple, are you really going to jump into a place like that?"

"Why would I? This looks like a group suicide to me. I don't want to jump into the river with a bunch of men. That's water pollution!"

Bi Ryuyeon replied firmly to Namgoong Sang's serious question.

"Oh, come on, trust me."

"What basis do I have to trust you, sir? Absolutely not."

"Come on, why don't you jump down and try? There's even a saying, 'Death brings life' (死卽生)."

"Brother Jang, what if you really die?"

"Well, then… there's nothing we can do."

It was truly irresponsible. Three pairs of sharp, distrustful eyes fixed on Jang Hong.

"W-what do you want to say?"

Jang Hong asked, sweating coldly.

"A stone from another mountain (他山之石)!"

Moyong Hwi said.

"Leading by example (率先垂範)!"

Namgoong Sang said.

"Respect for elders (長幼有序)!"

And finally, Bi Ryuyeon spoke.

The will of the three was unshakeable, and he could not dare to refuse.

"Haa, alright, alright. If you jump first, won't that be enough? If you jump first! Haa, I'm number one… number one…"

Jang Hong looked at the fiercely swirling river and let out a long sigh. He had wanted to avoid being first somehow, but it seemed like it would remain a wish.

"Okay, then you're number one. And I'll jump last."

"Why, Ryuyeon?"

"Because I'll see if the person who jumps first dies or not, and then I'll jump."

"……"

Bi Ryuyeon looked at the three speechless people and asked as if asking why they were like that.

"Why? Normally, you learn from the mistakes of others to minimize losses. Learning from your own mistakes comes at too high a price, especially when that price is death like this time."

"Then how can we trust that you will actually jump?"

"Don't worry, I promised Yerinn. I said I would bring her father back. So I won't break my promise to Yerinn."

"Then can you break your promise to us?"

"Well, that's up to your imagination."

Bi Ryuyeon smiled. It was a truly ominous smile full of freshness.

In any case, there was no other way.

Jang Hong, as the first challenger, closed his eyes as if Sim Cheong leaping into Indangsu, and jumped into the whirlpool.

"Well then, let's all meet again in the Dragon Palace (龍宮)!"

Wheee!

Jang Hong's body, drawing a tail, was sucked into the whirlpool.

And then it never reappeared.

"……"

After watching the swirling whirlpool for a long time, Bi Ryuyeon quietly clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

As if praying for the repose of the dead in the water. Moyong Hwi and Namgoong Sang, who were next to him, also respectfully clasped their hands and bowed their heads in silent prayer.

With his eyes closed and hands clasped, Bi Ryuyeon quietly murmured.

"Goodbye, sir. I will never forget your sacrifice."

Then he turned around without any lingering attachment.

At that moment, the tip of his middle finger was slightly pulled back.

"Tsk, he's alive."

The Brain Spirit Thread, which he had quickly tied to Jang Hong's ankle, reacted.

This was proof that Jang Hong was moving, and proof that there was indeed something beneath the whirlpool.

"Haa, then I guess I have no choice but to go. Don't you think so?"

"My clothes will get wet… and wrinkled…"

Moyong Hwi seemed displeased with his clothes getting wet. After all, how could he, who was fastidious about his clothes getting messed up, like it? But what else could be done?

Bi Ryuyeon pushed Namgoong Sang from behind as if to urge him on, and Namgoong Sang jumped in. Then, with a reluctant expression, Moyong Hwi jumped in.

"Father-in-law, I'm coming!"

And finally, after confirming that all three were safe, Bi Ryuyeon threw himself into the whirlpool.