Seeing Zhuge Seoun’s resolute expression, Moyong Kyung nodded reluctantly, as if he had no choice.
“Hmm. Alright.” He forced a smile toward Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin. “I’ve prepared a banquet, so please, both of you, come inside.”
The banquet table was laden with lavish dishes, unthinkable for such a rundown manor. Moyong Kyung had spent a fortune hiring local chefs to prepare the feast.
As the wine flowed, the Zhuge siblings, Hwangbo brothers, and Moyong Kyung chatted, catching up and reminiscing. But Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin merely listened halfheartedly, focusing on eating in silence.
‘Nothing suspicious here.’ In truth, Bu Eunseol had been observing Zhuge Seoun’s group with suspicion.
Even though the pursuit teams from the Zhuge, Moyong, and Hwangbo Clans had united, they were launching a separate pursuit?
It could be youthful recklessness. But the timing was too convenient. And after encountering the masked figures on the ship, Bu Eunseol hadn’t fully let go of his doubts.
Moyong Kyung harbored similar suspicions. ‘The Heavenly Will Scholar broke his promise and left for Yunnan, and just then, these young masters appeared…’
Of course, the martial world rarely unfolded as planned, and unexpected events were common. But Moyong Kyung couldn’t help but view Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin with suspicion.
‘At least they’re not overstepping.’ If the two had tried to insert themselves into the group, Moyong Kyung would have been deeply displeased. But since they quietly focused on their food and stayed out of the conversation, he nodded reluctantly.
‘I’ll keep an eye on them for now.’ After eating and drinking their fill, Moyong Kyung’s expression turned serious as he discussed the plan ahead.
“The Mad Soul Physician has killed five young martial artists while on the run. The three pursuit teams, including our clan’s Sun Rope Corps, are closely tracking his trail.”
Pausing, he continued with a grave expression, “According to Sun Rope Corps’ intelligence, he’s headed to Daemyeong Mountain to shake off the pursuit. The three teams have split up to guard the passes of Daemyeong Mountain.”
Hwangbo Cheongyeong, who had been listening silently with his arms crossed, spoke up.
“Daemyeong Mountain… So he’s planning to flee to Yunnan.”
“Most likely,” Moyong Kyung replied, pausing briefly before looking at Zhuge Seoun. “But you still think differently?”
Zhuge Seoun nodded.
“Yes. I believe he’s not heading to Daemyeong Mountain but to Wuzhong Mountain in the opposite direction, in Sa’myeongbu.”
Surveying the group, he continued, “The Mad Soul Physician has evaded pursuit from both orthodox and demonic factions countless times. He’s managed to stay hidden until now.” Zhuge Seoun spoke with conviction. “That elusive murderer wouldn’t leave traces for a pursuit team to find.”
“So he’s not going to Yunnan?” Hwangbo Cheongyeong asked.
“No, he’ll go to Yunnan,” Zhuge Seoun said, shaking his head. “But…”
He pointed to the map. “He’ll shake off the pursuit at Wuzhong Mountain, and once the encirclement breaks, he’ll head to Yunnan.”
Moyong Kyung, who had been listening silently, spoke up. “I don’t understand. If that’s your reasoning, wouldn’t Lord Zhuge Yeon, leading the Secret Blade Corps, have predicted this?”
Zhuge Seorin answered, “We believe the reason the Mad Soul Physician has evaded pursuit is because the trackers are too skilled.”
“What does that mean?” Moyong Kyung asked, puzzled.
“Experts in a field are sometimes bound by rigid knowledge,” Zhuge Seorin explained calmly. “There’s also another reason.”
“Another reason?”
She continued, her large eyes sparkling. “He has helpers.”
“Helpers?” Moyong Kyung blinked.
“Someone assists the Mad Soul Physician every time he’s pursued, erasing or misleading his tracks.”
Hwangbo Jegyeong shook his head. “Little Sister Rin, even so, would a crazed murderer, a public enemy of the martial world, have helpers?”
“Even a madman has money,” she replied. “Among assassins, there are many scoundrels who’ll work for the right price.”
“Hmm.” Moyong Kyung nodded, conceding, “That could be possible.”
As expected of the Zhuge Sect.
Their insight that an expert’s knowledge could become a weakness was remarkable, and their broader perspective set them apart from ordinary martial artists.
“So, what’s the plan?” Moyong Kyung asked.
Zhuge Seoun answered, “To pass through Wuzhong Mountain, he must go through this point.” He spread out the map, his expression solemn. “This villain is known for his exceptional movement techniques. The moment he arrives, we must surround him immediately.”
Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Seoun’s eyes gleamed. “Brother Moyong, Young Master Bu, and Young MasterHyeok will block his escape routes and defend. I, Brother Hwangbo, and Jegyeong will attack, engaging in a rotating battle. If we do this, we’ll surely win.”
His confident voice prompted nods from the group. His plan seemed flawless, with no apparent weaknesses.
But they didn’t know.
Martial world strategists often devise perfect plans, but in practice, unpredictable situations frequently arise.
***
Dozens of masters were racing through the darkened mountain.
Rustle rustle.
Despite brushing past trees and bushes, they made almost no sound. The martial artists, divided into three formations, maintained a triangular formation as they moved at a steady pace.
Clack.
The leader halted his movement technique and raised his hand. The others following him held their breath and stopped.
“As expected, he’s heading this way,” the leader said, nodding after examining the ground for a while.
Dressed in a high-quality robe with navy embroidery, he carried a long, skewer-like sword on his back—a style that could be mistaken for an assassin’s in darker clothing. But his upright gaze exuded righteousness.
This was Moyong Cheongun, the leader of the Moyong Clan’s Sun Rope Corps.
“We’ll finally catch that madman,” said a sturdy man with iron gauntlets on both hands, approaching Moyong Cheongun.
It was Hwangbo Kwangun, the leader of the Hwangbo Clan’s Thunder Corps.
“Something’s off,” said a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, with a judge’s brush at his waist, as he examined the tracks on the ground.
“The traces of his escape are subtle but too structured,” said Zhuge Yeon, the leader of the Zhuge Sect’s Secret Blade Corps.“It’s as if they were left just subtle enough for experts like us to barely notice.”
“Hah, what nonsense,” Moyong Cheongun laughed. “Are you saying that madman predicted our pursuit routes and planted traces? That’s absurd.”
“Of course,” Zhuge Yeon said, shaking his head softly. “But perhaps… a helper foresaw our pursuit and deliberately misled us.”
“Hahaha, only a Zhuge would think that,” Moyong Cheongun said with a laugh. “Didn’t we anticipate he might have helpers? That’s why our three clans formed this massive pursuit team.”
“No, what I mean is… what if those helpers are part of an intelligence organization?” Zhuge Yeon suggested.
“No way,” Hwangbo Kwangun interjected, nodding in agreement with Moyong Cheongun. “What deranged faction would systematically aid a public enemy of both orthodox and demonic factions?”
“Brother Yeon, sometimes you need to keep it simple,” Hwangbo Kwangun continued. “His trail, hidden for over a decade, suddenly appeared, didn’t it?”
“But…”
Hwangbo Kwangun waved his hand. “His luck’s run out. That’s why we’ve caught his trail.”
Tapping the Goechun gauntlets on his hands, he grinned. “Don’t worry. Even if we miss his trail, the men stationed ahead will block his escape.”
“Understood,” Zhuge Yeon replied, though he felt uneasy.
Rustle.
Moyong Cheongun and Hwangbo Kwangun led their men, resuming their movement techniques.
“Hmm.”
The traces suggested capturing the Mad Soul Physician was only a matter of time. But why did it feel so strange?
‘Pointless thoughts.’ Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Yeon shook his head to dispel his doubts and followed his men.
***
Wuzhong Mountain.
Though not very high, it was dense with forests and rugged terrain. Its main ridge, formed of rocks, created a picturesque canyon. At the darkened midsection of Wuzhong Mountain, a small figure climbed, breathing heavily.
“Huff, huff.” It was a young man in tattered clothes, carrying a bamboo basket on his shoulder.
The steep mountain path seemed to strain him, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Ha.” Reaching a flat section, the young man sighed and paused.
His clear, pure eyes sparkled under the starlit sky, shining even in the darkness.
“Gulp, gulp.” Taking a water pouch from his bamboo basket, he drank deeply, wiped the sweat from his brow, and resumed walking.
“He looks like a peddler traveling between villages,” Zhuge Seoun sent a voice transmission to the group, watching the young man from the dense forest. “He’ll pass soon, so let’s stay put and wait.”
Hwangbo Jegyeong frowned and sent a transmission back. “It’s been a day already. When will this Mad Soul Physician show up?”
“He’s likely taking a wide detour to shake off the pursuit, so probably by tomorrow…”
Rustle.
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol, hidden in a tree, dropped to the ground. He calmly walked toward the young man.
“Young Master Bu!” Zhuge Seoun sent a startled transmission, but Bu Eunseol, as if he hadn’t heard, approached the young man from behind.
“Ack!” The young man, catching his breath against a large tree, jumped back in shock upon seeing Bu Eunseol. “Who are you?”
Bu Eunseol didn’t answer, instead scanning the young man with a cold gaze.
Nodding as if realizing something, he said, “So that’s how it is.”
“What?”
“Reveal your true identity.”
“W-what are you talking about?” the young man stammered.
“Mad Soul Physician.”
A flash of light passed through the young man’s eyes. But it was fleeting, and he quickly resumed his innocent expression.
“Mad Soul Physician? What’s that?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol clenched his fist tightly. It wasn’t a mere threat—winds swirled around him, and a blade-like killing intent surged.
“Young Master Bu!” Unable to stand by, Zhuge Seoun leaped from the forest, blocking Bu Eunseol’s path. “What are you doing? Why suddenly…?”
“He’s the Mad Soul Physician,” Bu Eunseol said.
“What? This young man?” Zhuge Seoun asked, incredulous.
Bu Eunseol muttered, as if to himself, “Using the skin of a young man so skillfully… no wonder he couldn’t be caught.”
Boom!
Staring down the young man, Bu Eunseol threw a sudden punch. Though thrown lightly, it unleashed a terrifying gust and immense force toward the young man’s face.
Crash!
But the force struck the tree behind, not the young man. Leaning against the tree, the young man had dodged with lightning speed.
“An interesting one,” the young man said, his once clear and bright voice now entirely different.
His once transparent, sparkling eyes were now vertically slit, like a bat’s. This was the true face of Gongsun Guryeong, the crazed murderer who dissected people alive—the Mad Soul Physician.
“Gongsun Guryeong!” The Hwangbo brothers and Moyong Kyung shouted, leaping from the air to surround him.
“So you’re the Mad Soul Physician!”
Despite being encircled, Gongsun Guryeong’s expression remained unchanged. His gaze stayed fixed on Bu Eunseol.
“The skin I wear is real, taken from young men. How could you tell?”
“Who knows,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“How did you figure it out?” Gongsun Guryeong pressed persistently.
If he couldn’t get an answer from Bu Eunseol, his disguise might be exposed again in the future. This cunning murderer was determined to extract the answer, even through conversation.
“I didn’t know. In fact, I was almost fooled,” Bu Eunseol said.
Gongsun Guryeong was a public enemy and murderer of both orthodox and demonic factions. With no need for courtesy, Bu Eunseol spoke down to him as if addressing a subordinate.
“You look desperate to know.”
“Then tell me before I die,” Gongsun Guryeong insisted.
Bu Eunseol smirked. “The bamboo basket.”
