Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 397

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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 397
Indeed.
Now Seol Woon-hwi had joined hands, however temporarily, with the formidable Gongsun Sect.
One could say without exaggeration that he had become a force capable of moving the entire Murim.
‘…He truly is remarkable.’
Han Seok-hyeon marveled at the thought.
He recalled the first time he had laid eyes on him.
A Division Leader from the remote hamlet of Seol-ap.
An existence nearly abandoned even by the Snow Palace itself.
When that man suddenly began his slaughter, Han Seok-hyeon had sensed it instinctively.
This was a man skilled at concealing his true nature.
The type who, when the moment came to unleash himself, would do so all at once.
What made this truly terrifying was that even while enduring blow after blow, it remained nearly impossible to predict.
So then, what would Seol Woon-hwi do now?
The Zhongyuan Murim would never dare make him their enemy.
To make him an enemy would mean facing the Martial Alliance, the Four Heaven Alliance, and the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance—and beyond that, even the Eternal Snow Palace itself.
A perfect stalemate.
An era of great peace had been perfectly established under the name Seol Woon-hwi.
‘…Since when have you been orchestrating this grand design?’
Han Seok-hyeon did not consider himself a fool.
This was no exaggeration. Seol Woon-hwi trusted Han Seok-hyeon with matters to a degree that proved his exceptional capability.
Before Seol Woon-hwi had first departed for the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, he had given him the Blue Cloud Records.
This compilation of various documents and texts contained the secrets and history of Gangho, along with diverse knowledge—and over half a year, Han Seok-hyeon had read this book no fewer than ten times.
Even in the Blue Cloud Records, there existed no case like Seol Woon-hwi.
In both name and reality.
Seol Woon-hwi transcended the word ‘genius’—he was the Murim’s ‘arbiter.’
Han Seok-hyeon’s expression darkened as he gazed out the window.
But there was a problem.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knuckles against the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened and a man stepped inside.
Shin Su-je.
He was a martial artist of the Five Energy Harmonizing Origin and concurrently served as Unit Commander of the Yangryeong Unit.
The Yangryeong Unit, which had undergone multiple reductions and consolidations, had merged two battalions into one—under Unit Leader Ju So-ah, Battalion Commander Namgung Won Yang, and Unit Commander Shin Su-je.
Though the organizational structures had changed in other ways, what mattered was that this man Shin Su-je enjoyed the trust of both Namgung Won Yang and Ju So-ah.
Of course, Han Seok-hyeon also placed his trust in Shin Su-je. He was a man worthy of confidence—always standing at the forefront, never fearing to shed blood.
“What brings you, Unit Commander Shin?”
“…As always, it is ‘that matter.'”
Han Seok-hyeon let out a sigh, and Shin Su-je did the same.
“Are you not listening again?”
“…Yes.”
Han Seok-hyeon furrowed his brow.
“The Fifth Commander of the Cheon Seol Sip Sam Dae, Dong Bang-jin.”
The moment he spoke that name, Shin Su-je’s face hardened as well.
“To be honest, I cannot understand it. The Supreme Commander dispatched the Fifth Unit of the Cheon Seol Sip Sam Dae to Yang-ryeong-ju to protect it.”
“That is correct.”
“Yet this man is not protecting Yang-ryeong-ju—he is surveilling it.”
Han Seok-hyeon fell silent.
Shin Su-je’s words were true.
Once, Seol Woon-hwi had said that Yang-ryeong-ju was a far larger city than anyone realized, and thus required support from the Main Palace of the Eternal Snow Palace.
Whether it was the Snow Heaven Guard or the Baekryeong-wi.
Whatever was deployed would serve the purpose.
In truth, this reasoning was sound. The martial artists belonging to the Yangryeong Unit numbered at most thirty.
Thirty men could scarcely defend Yang-ryeong-ju itself, let alone the four cities within its jurisdiction.
They held their ground only through the prestige of No Cheon-myeong. To manage things systematically, reinforcements were necessary, and that was precisely what had arrived.
Dong Bang-jin.
The Unit Leader of the Fifth Unit of the Cheon Seol Sip Sam Dae.
Not affiliated with the Baekryeong-wi or the Snow Heaven Guard, but a martial artist of the Cheon Seol Moon.
And what was the Cheon Seol Moon?
The maternal sect of Seol Ho-ryeong, the Young Palace Lord. The Cheon Seol Sip Sam Dae, their elite force, had earned renown not only across Seol Mountain but throughout the Zhongyuan Murim.
This was the true problem.
More than a week had passed since Dong Bang-jin’s arrival in Yang-ryeong-ju, yet he had never once cooperated properly.
No—cooperation was not even the issue.
“Yesterday was the same. When the Yangryeong Unit conducted its patrol, he followed along.”
“…”
“Not to assist the patrol, but merely to observe from behind. As if he were watching us.”
Shin Su-je clenched his teeth.
“Chief General Manager. This is a clear overstepping of authority. He did not come to protect Yang-ryeong-ju—he came to surveil and control it.”
“I am aware.”
Shin Su-je fell silent, and Han Seok-hyeon did the same.
By the logic of the conversation, the next words should have been something like ‘Why not expel him? Why do you tolerate this?’ But such questions would be meaningless.
“Dong Bang-jin belongs to the Cheon Seol Moon.”
“That is true.”
“And the Cheon Seol Moon is the maternal sect of Young Palace Lord Seol Ho-ryeong.”
“…I am aware.”
“And the relationship between the Young Palace Lord and the Supreme Commander is very good.”
Han Seok-hyeon continued slowly.
“If I—or rather, if we—were to treat Dong Bang-jin poorly, what would become of us?”
“…”
“Cheon Seol Moon will not sit idle. And they will say this: ‘We merely acted upon the Young Palace Lord’s orders. Yet Seol Woon-hwi’s subordinates attacked us.'”
Shin Su-je bit his lip.
“Then a rift will form between the Young Palace Lord and the Supreme Commander. Whether this is intentional manipulation or personal overreach, our course of action is singular.”
“….”
“Surveillance. Uncovering the true hand behind this is our only recourse.”
Nothing more could be done.
They lacked the authority.
This was an entirely different matter from the friction with the Four Heaven Alliance that had occurred before.
That had been an external force, but this was internal.
“I share your frustration, Unit Commander Shin. But we must endure for now.”
“Until when must we endure?”
“Until the Supreme Commander returns.”
Han Seok-hyeon’s eyes grew cold and sharp.
“When the Supreme Commander arrives, everything will be resolved.”
“…That must be so.”
It was then.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone rapped upon the door. Han Seok-hyeon tilted his head and spoke.
“Enter.”
The door opened and a martial artist from the Yangryeong Unit rushed in.
“Chief General Manager!”
“What is the matter?”
“Unit Leader Dong Bang-jin has again….”
“…Again?”
Han Seok-hyeon’s brow furrowed.
“What has he done this time?”
“He is interrogating the Yang-ryeong merchants. And most forcefully at that….”
Han Seok-hyeon clenched his fist.
‘Dong Bang-jin, this bastard truly….’
He was crossing the line.
Not content with merely protecting Yang-ryeong, nor even with surveillance, he now sought direct control.
Yet this was not the end.
“And upon hearing this news, the Young Master struck down three martial artists from the Cheon Seol Sip Sam Dae.”
“…What…?”
“…All are seriously wounded.”
“….”
“And he has rushed toward where Dong Bang-jin is.”
At those words, Han Seok-hyeon shot to his feet. Shin Su-je rose as well.
At last, Ju So-ah could endure no longer and erupted.
“We must go there at once!”
* * *
Near the city gates of Yang-ryeong-ju.
Dong Bang-jin stood at ease.
Several merchants knelt before him.
“This… this is truly unjust!”
One merchant cried out.
“We are a trading company officially licensed by Yang-ryeong-ju!”
“Licensed?”
Dong Bang-jin let out a derisive snort.
“Unfortunately, circumstances change constantly. The person who granted that license then was not me.”
“….”
“Which means you need my approval.”
“But….”
“Silence.”
His voice was ice.
The merchant closed his mouth.
Dong Bang-jin surveyed his surroundings.
The residents of Yang-ryeong-ju watched this place with fearful eyes.
‘Excellent.’
Dong Bang-jin smiled inwardly. The command from Sa Cheon-wook, the Gate Master of Cheon Seol Moon, surfaced in his mind.
-Commander Dong Bang-jin, go to Yang-ryeong-ju, observe its situation, and guard that place.
On the surface, it was not a problematic order.
But Dong Bang-jin had not received orders from Sa Cheon-wook alone.
Seol Cheon-hwa, the leader of Rozen.
-Think about it. Every time Hyeon Seol-rin’s value rises, the power of Cheon Seol Moon and the Young Palace Lord weakens relatively. You must reduce Hyeon Seol-rin’s influence here in the Eternal Snow Palace. First, make Yang-ryeong-ju belong to the Main Palace. If you take charge of its administration, it benefits Cheon Seol Moon, and naturally the Young Palace Lord’s authority will strengthen. Consider only one thing: this is not the Central Plains. His position in the Central Plains can never equal his position in the Eternal Snow Palace.
Though the words were lengthy, the essence boiled down to one thing: weaken Seol Woon-hwi’s power and narrow his foothold within the Eternal Snow Palace.
And if Cheon Seol Moon directly administered Yang-ryeong-ju, that alone would strengthen Cheon Seol Moon’s and the Young Palace Lord’s influence over the Zhongyuan Murim.
Not doing this would be strange.
The Young Palace Lord of the Eternal Snow Palace is Seol Ho-ryeong of the Dae Seol line.
The eldest son of the Polar Descendants.
Dong Bang-jin was certain.
His work ultimately served the Young Palace Lord.
No matter how exceptional Seol Woon-hwi was, he could never surpass the Young Palace Lord.
Dong Bang-jin looked down at the merchants.
“I’ll let it go at this for today. But if I catch you in suspicious behavior again, I will not be merciful.”
“…Yes, yes.”
The merchants hastily retreated.
It was as Dong Bang-jin turned his body.
Something flew toward him.
His brow furrowed as he tilted his head to the side.
Swish—!
The blade grazed past Dong Bang-jin’s cheek and embedded itself in the wall across from him.
A glance revealed it was a sword.
“What kind of madman…”
Dong Bang-jin turned his head with a menacing expression and let out a hollow laugh.
“So it wasn’t a madman—it was a mad woman.”
“…”
“What are you doing right now?”
Ju So-ah asked coldly.
“That’s what I should be asking you.”
“…You’re being curt.”
“There’s no reason to be respectful, is there?”
Dong Bang-jin let out a hollow laugh.
“Ju So-ah. I know you’re the leader of the Yangryeong Unit. But I am the commander of the Fifth Division of the Thirteen Cheon Seol Divisions. I’m a martial artist officially dispatched from the Main Palace of the Eternal Snow Palace.”
“And?”
“And therefore, you have no reason to act carelessly toward me.”
Dong Bang-jin walked forward slowly.
“Besides, you’re only at the Creation Realm. I’m at the Divine Transformation Realm.”
“…”
“Your cultivation falls short, your status falls short—and yet you dare throw a sword at me? Have you lost your mind?”
Ju So-ah’s eyes turned glacial.
“Did you take medicine?”
“…What?”
“Medicine. Did you take it?”
Ju So-ah walked forward slowly.
“You said you came to protect Yang Ling-ju. But what does anything you’re doing now have to do with protection? Interrogating merchants, threatening residents, surveilling the Yangryeong Unit.”
Ju So-ah’s voice grew colder with each word.
“You’re not protecting Yang Ling-ju right now. You’re controlling him.”
“Control?”
Dong Bang-jin scoffed.
“Don’t say ridiculous things. I’m following the orders of the Eternal Snow Palace…”
“The orders of the Eternal Snow Palace?”
Ju So-ah let out a derisive snort.
“The Eternal Snow Palace’s orders were to protect Yang Ling-ju. Not to control him.”
“…”
“Whether it’s the Cheon Seol Moon or whatever, bragging about being the Young Palace Lord’s maternal sect—there are lines that must be observed. Senior Dong Bang-jin. Have you forgotten your age?”

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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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