Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 378

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 378
“Your petty thirst for revenge.”
Seol Woon-hwi’s voice dropped low.
“Your meaningless cries to the world, like insects, have defiled the death of Song Hak.”
The surroundings fell silent.
“Did you wish to boast of that meager martial skill? Did you want to experiment on an old man who had never learned martial arts? Did you want to see him writhe in agony?”
Seol Woon-hwi’s subdued voice resonated throughout the interrogation chamber, and with each word, Yeom Chu-seop’s body trembled.
“I have witnessed countless insects in the Murim, but few compare to you. It is almost admirable.”
Everyone turned their gaze toward Seol Woon-hwi.
“Song Hak sought to die protecting the Yang Empire. That was his path, his loyalty.”
Seol Woon-hwi looked down at Yeom Chu-seop.
“But the Hwan-myeong Group severed that path and made his death a tool of war.”
“…The Hwan-myeong Group?”
Someone murmured.
“What is the Hwan-myeong Group?”
“I’ve never heard of it….”
Seol Woon-hwi ignored them and focused solely on Yeom Chu-seop.
“Did you wish for an easy death?”
“….”
“Was Song Hak’s death merely preparatory work to incite war between the Yang Empire and the Jeokna Kingdom?”
Yeom Chu-seop’s face turned pale.
Seol Woon-hwi let out a quiet laugh.
“Song Hak’s reputation is considerable, yet his death alone would not spark war. And even if your lips continue to speak Jeok Myeong-cheol’s name, it would not escalate to war.”
Seol Woon-hwi paused briefly before continuing.
“But you could certainly sow distrust toward the Jeokna Kingdom among the people of the Yang Empire.”
Yeom Chu-seop clenched his teeth.
Seol Woon-hwi turned to face the interrogation chamber door.
“Rumors spread quickly outside, I see.”
“….”
“It appears you have your own information network. The swiftness of their movements suggests quite a number of your people have infiltrated Geonkon Castle.”
Seol Woon-hwi observed Yeom Chu-seop’s expression and nodded.
“Your reaction confirms it.”
“Wait, hold on.”
An official approached Seol Woon-hwi.
“What exactly is this Hwan-myeong Group?”
“They are those who promote division between nations.”
Seol Woon-hwi spoke coldly.
“Song Hak’s assassination was part of their scheme.”
“How could that be….”
“In the Jeokna Kingdom, the Third Prince Jeok Myeong-cheol is known as someone with excessive hands. While he is human and makes mistakes, he would not go so far as to order the assassination of someone of Seong Tae-su’s caliber, who was entrusted with his personal guard.”
“….”
“But the world doesn’t know that. All they see is that a figure from Jeokna Kingdom killed Seong Tae-su of Yang Empire—nothing more.”
I glanced around the room.
“The rumors have already spread, and people are growing anxious. Distrust toward the enemy nation is accumulating.”
The faces around me hardened.
“But this is only the beginning.”
“…The beginning?”
I continued.
“The Hwan-myeong Group won’t stop at one act. They’ll orchestrate a chain of incidents to maximize the conflict between the two nations.”
The interrogation chamber stirred with unease.
“Then….”
“There will be another assassination.”
I looked at Yeom Chu-seop.
“This time, it will be against Jeokna Kingdom.”
Yeom Chu-seop’s eyes widened considerably.
‘This… insane bastard… a monster… what the hell is he…?’
Unfortunately, his inner thoughts remained unheard by those around him.
“They’ll stage it so that a figure from Yang Empire appears to have killed a key official of Jeokna Kingdom. That’s how they’ll provoke war between the two nations.”
“In, insane… but is that… realistically possible?”
“Why do you think it’s impossible?”
“….”
“As distrust accumulates, both sides will take measures—sending envoys or whatever else—to resolve it. And the Hwan-myeong Group will manipulate those situations skillfully, creating circumstances favorable to themselves.”
“….”
“If I were them, I’d use the Hwan-myeong Group’s influence to fabricate false justifications—claiming the envoys caused problems—then massacre them all. The resentment deepens, the misunderstanding grows, and an organization as concealed as the Hwan-myeong Group possesses exactly that level of capability.”
And.
“I doubt there’s a fool in this room who believes all officials of Jeokna Kingdom don’t desire war.”
The world contains many kinds of people.
War is certainly a massive gamble where countless die, yet there are those who amass great wealth or seize power from that very game.
Could there truly be none who’ve prepared for this in advance?
Could there truly be no military officers who wish to train their forces and test them? A nation can never truly be one. It can only appear to be.
It can only appear unified.
The word “leadership” didn’t emerge for nothing.
I approached Yeom Chu-seop again.
Then I spoke in a low voice.
“I’m asking just in case.”
“…What… what is it….”
“Who’s next?”
Yeom Chu-seop bit his lip.
Blood trickled down.
“I don’t know….”
It was a voice growing quieter, more subdued.
“I didn’t expect anything anyway.”
I turned to look at Mak So-hong.
“Unit Leader Mak.”
“…Yes.”
“Hand this person over to the Imperial Court. And inform the enemy kingdom of the facts as well… If possible, actively investigate sects and families that have been annihilated recently.”
“…You wish to inform the enemy kingdom as well?”
“Yes.”
I spoke with cold precision.
“This person has tarnished Jeok Myeong-cheol’s honor. Once he learns of this, he will actively work to clear his name and take action. Above all, it’s evident that the Hwan-myeong Group will soon cause trouble in the enemy kingdom, so they too must understand the situation.”
“However…”
Mak So-hong trailed off, but I already knew what he was trying to say.
It was a question shared by everyone present here except me.
Was the Jeokna Kingdom truly innocent?
“The Jeokna Kingdom is innocent.”
My voice carried conviction.
“The Hwan-myeong Group has merely begun their work to drive a wedge between the two nations. If we don’t reveal the truth, the distrust that has taken root will only deepen. Acting first is the wisest course.”
Mak So-hong nodded.
“…Understood.”
I looked around at those gathered.
“If any of you here truly grieve for Song Hak’s death, then spread information about the Hwan-myeong Group to the Imperial Court and the world.”
“…Information, you say?”
“These are people who move to sow division between nations.”
I clasped my hands behind my back quietly.
“They wield their blades against the entire world without even knowing who their true enemies are. They gather survivors of fallen sects, descendants of families destroyed by internal strife, families of those who died under false accusations—and under the guise of revenge, they seek to ignite war.”
Silence fell.
“I am a martial artist belonging to the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, and thus I belong to no nation.”
“…”
“As is natural wherever people dwell, when friction arises, it must be resolved. War? It may come to pass. But all such things require proper justification.”
“…”
“From what I can see, the Hwan-myeong Group’s cause is not just. It is merely the death throes of malice. I do not wish for Song Hak’s death to become the spark that ignites such desperation.”
“…Hmm…”
“I made a promise with Song Hak. He asked me to help once if the Yang Empire ever faced crisis, and I accepted. That is why I stand here now.”
Everyone’s eyes gleamed.
They could not be unaware of my reputation for valuing gratitude and grudges.
“Your task is clear. You must spread word of the Hwan-myeong Group’s existence and find and eliminate them.”
It was then.
An official from the Imperial Court made a cupped fist salute.
“Understood. I will report this to the Imperial Court.”
“Thank you.”
And then.
A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his mid-forties spoke.
“I too shall employ every resource at Geonkon Castle’s disposal to root them out and eliminate them.”
Seol Woon-hwi regarded him for a moment, a subtle smile crossing his face.
“So you are Geonkon Castle’s new Provincial Governor.”
“Indeed. I am Woo Bang-cheol.”
“I am Seol Woon-hwi.”
“…But tell me, is it true that Elder Song did not pass peacefully?”
“Yes. He fell victim to the Soul-Severing Needle Technique and died without uttering a single cry of pain until his final moment.”
Woo Bang-cheol’s fists clenched tightly.
“I have informed Unit Leader Mak here of the exact location of the wound and the martial art used, so if you bring skilled physicians and martial artists to investigate, you should be able to uncover everything.”
And then.
“Now that the organization’s name has been revealed, if you capture a member of the Hwan-myeong Group and torture them alongside the others, they will confess everything. These are people who have already lost everything once. You must inflict endless suffering without allowing them to die—only then will they open their mouths.”
“…I am grateful for your kindness.”
“I have merely kept my promise.”
Woo Bang-cheol then asked Seol Woon-hwi a question.
“You do not understand.”
“Understand what?”
“If the Hwan-myeong Group truly exists, their blades will eventually be turned toward you.”
“I am aware.”
“Can you bear it?”
Seol Woon-hwi laughed softly.
“How could a man born into this world fear a little blood spilled in the course of keeping his promises?”
Everyone in the room marveled at those words.
Truly, was he not an extraordinary man?
“I shall take my leave.”
Seol Woon-hwi gestured to Namgung Won Yang and moved toward the door.
And it was precisely three steps later.
“Wait… a moment.”
Seol Woon-hwi turned his head.
It was Mak So-hong.
“…Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“I shall not let Elder Song Hak’s death be in vain.”
Having spoken thus, Mak So-hong bowed deeply and continued.
“And I thank you.”
“There is no need for courtesy.”
Seol Woon-hwi turned away.
“I have merely kept my promise.”
Thus the two departed from the interrogation chamber.
* * *
Upon leaving the fortress, Seol Woon-hwi and Namgung Won Yang made their way to the Main Branch of the Beggar Sect located in Geonkon Castle.
As the two entered, a figure emerged to greet them.
A middle-aged man dressed far too neatly for a beggar.
It was Cheon Su-gang, famous by the aliases Six Knot Beggar and Iron Hand Ghost.
He smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while, Young Master Seol.”
“It’s an honor to see you again, Senior Cheon.”
Seol Woon-hwi offered a cupped fist salute.
Cheon Su-gang returned the salute.
“I’ve heard the rumors. You’ve left the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“What a waste. A man of your caliber leaving the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”
“All things have their proper time, do they not?”
“…True. You remain unchanged.”
Cheon Su-gang gestured with his hand.
“You didn’t come merely to exchange pleasantries. Come inside.”
The two were naturally guided into the office within the Main Branch.
Cheon Su-gang settled into his seat and continued.
“I should have said this sooner, but given your nature, I saw this coming.”
…
“Despite appearances, I’m a man who has had friction with you. I know well enough what kind of man you are.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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