Chapter 126: The Saintess and the Witch (4)
Following her interrogation, Baek Myo-jin was thrown back into the dungeon of Chang’an Fortress.
Yeon Seo-hwa had driven dozens of acupuncture needles into her blood points, sealing her martial arts completely. Now, she could neither escape nor take her own life. Even if she were to bite her tongue, the resilient body of a peak demonic practitioner would not allow her to die.
All that remained for the government forces was the complete eradication of the Demonic Cult’s presence in Shaanxi.
According to her confession, there were three hidden branches.
So-mu led the main force to attack the largest branch, while Il-gwang took the Wolf Fang Squad to raid the second. The Righteous Alliance agreed to handle the final one.
Two days later.
Il-gwang returned to the camp, leading the Wolf Fang Squad and the local constables. Behind them marched a dozen bound demonic cultists.
So-mu, who had finished his mission early, was waiting for them.
“Good work. Did we sustain any casualties?”
Il-gwang, the deputy commander of the Wolf Fang Squad, beat his chest and boasted, “How could we lose to such rabble?”
So-mu smirked. Il-gwang clearly didn’t realize that he had been sent to the weakest of the three branches.
In any case, none of the squad members appeared to be seriously injured, just as So-mu had planned.
“But why did you bring back so few prisoners?”
“They resisted to the bitter end, so we had no choice but to send them on their way.”
“Where did you send them?”
Il-gwang looked up at the sky.
“Up there.”
It was hardly surprising. Unless one possessed overwhelming martial strength like So-mu to beat them into submission with a club, subduing enemies who were prepared to die was no easy task.
“What about the branch leader?”
“Sent him away with his men. He was a small fellow, but he put up a fight to the end.”
So-mu let out a soft sigh. It was a pity the branch leader had been killed. But then again, expecting mercy from Il-gwang was foolish.
Just then, So-mu’s gaze drifted to the bundle on Il-gwang’s back.
“What is that bundle? What did you bring back?”
Il-gwang avoided his gaze, replying, “It’s nothing. Just bought a few things at the market.”
It was suspicious. Il-gwang was a man who never spent a single copper unless it was for alcohol.
So-mu gave him a curious look but nodded.
“Dismissed. Go get some rest. You’ve had a long journey.”
As So-mu gave the order, the squad members dispersed, some returning to their barracks while others headed straight to the training grounds.
However, Il-gwang’s behavior was definitely strange. Clutching the massive bundle, he was heading toward a corner of the palace.
Curious, So-mu quietly followed him.
A moment later, he spotted Il-gwang lingering beneath the walls of Snow Flower Academy.
What is he doing there?
It made no sense.
As it happened, the children of the Peace Class were playing in the front yard of Snow Flower Academy. So-so was among them, playing with her friends.
Il-gwang called out to his niece in a hushed voice, “So-so!”
Hearing his voice, So-so turned and saw Il-gwang gesturing for her to come over.
The two of them whispered secretly across the wall.
A moment later, So-so beamed with joy as she received the bundle, which was larger than her own torso.
Watching from the shadows, So-mu was impressed.
Did he spend his salary to buy gifts for the children? To think Il-gwang had such a warm side…
Just then, So-so ran inside and returned, leading someone by the hand.
It was Yeon Cho-hee, the teacher of the Peace Class, looking elegant in a soft pink hanbok.
With a flushed face, Il-gwang stood there, chatting awkwardly with her.
Could it be…?
So-mu couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the rugged Il-gwang acting so bashful. Smiling, he turned back, pleased to have witnessed such an amusing sight.
Since he was already out, he decided to take a walk around the palace.
As time passed, order was rapidly being restored throughout the fortress.
The soldiers he passed saluted him respectfully. Keeping his hands behind his back, So-mu nodded and continued his walk.
About half an hour later, an administrative soldier came running up and saluted.
“Greetings, Captain So-mu.”
“Yes. What is it?”
“The General requests your presence at the Guest Hall.”
The Guest Hall was reserved for hosting external visitors. So-mu had a good idea of who it was.
“A representative from the Righteous Alliance must have arrived.”
The soldier looked surprised but quickly led the way.
“You already knew? This way, sir.”
The Guest Hall was not far away.
Originally, the palace’s guest hall had been a grand building with a lotus pond and a beautiful garden, but it had long since been opened as a public park for the citizens.
The current guest hall was a modest, converted study, simple and unadorned. Since Jang-yang was a man who believed in equality, this was hardly surprising. He never gave special treatment to guests.
The guards stationed outside saluted and opened the door.
“You have arrived, Captain. The General said you may enter immediately.”
Nodding, So-mu stepped inside.
Two men were sitting opposite each other at a long table.
One was Priest Wujin, the leader of the Alliance’s White Dragon Squad and Wudang’s First Sword. The other was General Jang-yang.
As So-mu entered, Wujin immediately stood and bowed deeply.
“It is an honor to meet you.”
So-mu returned the bow and took a seat. In the next instant, Wujin’s telepathic message echoed in his ears.
– I have kept your past secret, so do not worry.
– Please continue to do so. I am merely a low-ranking officer now.
It was fortunate that he had instructed Heo-gyu to keep his mouth shut.
If word got out that he was the Sword Saint, it would bring endless annoyance, not to mention ruin his tactical advantages.
Jang-yang looked at So-mu with a bright smile.
“The Alliance has also purged the Demonic Cult branch at Mount Qinggang. Haha! Now that all the demonic cultists in Shaanxi have been cleared, it is indeed a day to celebrate.”
It was a predictable outcome. However, the true battle was only beginning.
“We have only cleared Shaanxi. Since we drew first blood, they will begin their activities in earnest.”
“Indeed. That is why I have sent requests for cooperation to the regional military governors. For now, I worry more for the martial world than the military.”
Wujin bowed again and spoke, “In truth, because the military intervened, the Alliance has been able to catch its breath. Though we expect sporadic retaliatory attacks… as long as you continue to assist us as you are now, we will be able to hold our ground.”
Even peak masters of the martial world struggled to meet the gaze of Wudang’s First Sword. The fact that Wujin was showing such deference was rare. It spoke volumes about the dire situation of the Righteous Alliance.
Jang-yang nodded.
“Having a common enemy makes us allies. Of course we must cooperate.”
“We are deeply reassured by your support, General. We will also cooperate to the best of our ability.”
Their conversation continued for some time. Since the Alliance had swallowed its pride, the atmosphere remained pleasant.
An implicit alliance with the Shaanxi military.
For the Alliance, this meant they had the indirect backing of the Sword Saint. That was likely why they were trying so hard to win Jang-yang’s favor.
Understanding Wujin’s intentions, So-mu smiled bitterly. However, it didn’t matter. For now, their goals aligned.
After exchanging final greetings, the meeting concluded.
“Thank you for your valuable time.”
“Not at all. I will see you again.”
After bidding farewell to Jang-yang, Wujin bowed to So-mu once more.
“I look forward to working with you in the future.”
So-mu understood the hidden meaning behind his words. Still, he returned the salute.
“Safe travels.”
Leaving the Guest Hall, Jang-yang and So-mu walked together in silence, each lost in thought. A moment later, So-mu broke the silence.
“By the way, the military examination is only a few days away.”
“Yes. Five days remain. I hope many talented individuals show up.”
“The governors of other regions will likely protest.”
“Undoubtedly. We are pushing through an initiative outside our official jurisdiction. But it is a task that must be done.”
“Since we removed the restrictions on age and gender for the first time in history, a massive crowd will gather.”
“Is that not a good thing? When it comes to serving the country, there should be no discrimination based on age or gender.”
So-mu nodded in agreement and asked, “Should I also participate in the examination?”
Jang-yang burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! You have already proven your martial prowess and tactical brilliance on the battlefield. Why would you need to take an exam? In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Please speak, General.”
“Could you serve as a judge for the military examination?”
If it was just that, there was no reason to refuse. It was a simple task.
“Understood. I will do so.”
Returning to the Wolf Fang Squad barracks, So-mu sat in meditation.
As the sun set, the squad members returned one by one.
However, something was wrong. Despite the late hour, So-so had not returned. Il-gwang was also missing. The other squad members had no idea where they were.
Where on earth did she go?
His daughter had never stayed out this late before.
As he paced outside the barracks, the missing duo finally appeared.
Il-gwang was carrying So-so on his shoulders, happily skipping along. It was a complete departure from his usual rugged demeanor. He seemed to be in high spirits.
“What makes you so happy?”
Startled by the sudden voice, Il-gwang froze in his tracks.
“N-Nothing.”
From his shoulders, So-so waved her hand and beamed, “Father!”
“My daughter, what were you doing?”
“Uncle bought presents for my friends! And Teacher Cho-hee bought us delicious food! Hehe.”
“So you met Teacher Cho-hee? With Uncle Il-gwang?”
Il-gwang tapped So-so’s leg. Startled, So-so quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
“Oh, right! It was a secret…”
“Sigh…”
With a red face, Il-gwang carried So-so and bolted inside the barracks.
Watching them run, So-mu smiled. His suspicion was now a certainty.
I hope he doesn’t end up heartbroken.
No matter how one looked at it, Il-gwang did not have the face that women found attractive. Seeing him with Cho-hee was like seeing a beast standing next to a beauty.
Gazing at the starlit sky, So-mu felt a rare moment of sentimentality.
But suddenly, his ears twitched. He sensed an unpleasant presence nearby.
Someone is using light movement, hiding their presence.
So-mu’s senses were refined enough to detect the slightest shift in the wind within a hundred yards.
Leaping onto the roof, he quickly scanned the area. It didn’t take long to spot his target.
A figure clad in black was leaping across the palace roofs. Judging by his movements, he was at least a first-rate expert.
An assassin?
He had definitely sneaked in with ill intent. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have appeared like this in the dead of night.
And he was heading straight for General Jang-yang’s office.
What a foolish effort.
So-mu felt a twinge of pity for the assassin’s struggles. If he knew who the General’s guard was, he would never have dared to attempt this.
What should I do…? There is no need for me to step in.
After a moment’s thought, So-mu decided to follow him to see what he was up to.