Chapter 202: Let's Go All the Way (1)
The headquarters of Shadow Gate.
In a dark warehouse located somewhere within the palace, three children had gathered.
Since they had learned the Dark Shadow Divine Art, which was personally passed down by the Shadow King, the darkness was no obstacle to them.
Blending perfectly into the shadows, the children were practicing the martial arts of Shadow Gate.
“I’m counting on you, Yeong-yeong.”
“Okay…”
Baek-sang and Yeong-yeong faced each other and cupped their fists in greeting.
Standing in the center with her arms crossed, So-so announced the start of the spar.
“Begin!”
Instantly, the figures of both children vanished into the darkness.
To the naked eye, nothing could be seen, but So-so’s round eyes darted back and forth, following their movements.
At a certain moment, two streaks of light flashed simultaneously in the empty air and clashed.
Clang!
With a loud clash, the tangled clusters of light separated once more.
But that was all. Long moments passed, and only silence filled the room.
It was entirely different from a typical spar. It was closer to a duel between two assassins.
This was only natural, as every single stance of Shadow Gate was designed to kill in a single blow.
Although they were using blunt swords without channeling their internal energy, they couldn’t simply fight in the open. The core of Shadow Gate’s martial arts lay in waiting for the perfect opportunity from within the darkness.
Fifteen minutes passed without either of them making a single movement.
As time dragged on, So-so’s boredom only grew.
“Sigh. This is boring.”
Baek-sang had been learning martial arts from his father since he first started walking. He was a child whose outstanding natural talent had even been praised by So-mu.
On the other hand, although Yeong-yeong, who came from the Emei Sect, was less skilled than Baek-sang, she possessed an overwhelming amount of internal energy because she had consumed the Life-Sustaining Pill.
It didn’t seem like the match would end anytime soon. The two of them simply continued to face each other from ten feet away in the dark.
Finally, losing her patience, So-so stepped between them.
“I want to play too.”
A two-on-one fight. The training always ended up this way.
As if they had expected this, Baek-sang and Yeong-yeong launched their attacks immediately.
From out of nowhere, two streaks of light shot forward like arrows, one slightly after the other.
It was the Shadow-Chasing Light Slash, one of the signature techniques of Shadow Gate.
Without panicking, So-so lightly swayed her upper body backward. For a split second, a sword blade seemed to pass slowly in front of her chest.
Then, as she twisted her waist, another blade grazed past her flank.
Swish!
Yeong-yeong and Baek-sang revealed themselves on either side of So-so.
“How did you dodge that? You’re amazing, So-so…”
“But it won’t be so easy today!”
Though two sword points were aimed at her from both sides, So-so grinned.
“This is so much fun! Let’s go, guys!”
The moment she finished speaking, Baek-sang and Yeong-yeong executed the Shadow Step.
Immediately, two shadows wrapped around So-so like lightning.
A deafening din erupted as three blunt swords clashed repeatedly.
Clack! Clatter, clatter!
Even in a two-on-one situation, So-so remained completely relaxed.
“Faster~!”
The movements of the three grew swifter. The moment their speed reached its peak, three flashes of light burst forth. It was as beautiful as flowers blooming in the sun.
It was the Life-Taking Blossom Strike, an advanced technique designed to blind the opponent before taking their life.
Clang!
The three figures crossed paths and backed away to create space.
They faced each other in a triangular formation, preparing for the next exchange.
“All three of you have improved quite a lot.”
At the familiar voice, the children’s heads snapped in one direction.
There stood the Shadow King, Baek Ri-hyeon, with his hands clasped behind his back. Despite how close he was, they hadn’t even sensed when he had arrived.
Overjoyed, the children ran to him and hugged him around the waist.
“Sect Leader!”
“We missed you!”
“Did you have a safe trip?”
Baek Ri-hyeon stood frozen, not knowing what to say. He was not used to this kind of warmth.
The path of a lonely assassin had no room for family or friends.
Who in his entire life had ever welcomed him like this? It was a feeling he was experiencing for the very first time.
An unfamiliar, strange emotion washed over him.
“…”
Silence fell as he stood surrounded by the little ones.
Suddenly, feeling a ticklish sensation at his side, Baek Ri-hyeon looked down.
So-so had poked her finger through a hole in his black robes and was wiggling it around.
“W-What are you doing?”
“A hole! My dad’s friend, Uncle Heo-gyu, walks around dressed just like this!”
Heo-gyu was the Chief Branch Leader of the Beggars’ Sect. Baek Ri-hyeon had seen him a few times while guarding Jang-yang.
For the leader of Shadow Gate to be compared to a member of the Beggars’ Sect—he couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
“How could you compare me to a beggar?”
“But your clothes look exactly the same~”
“I… I was just about to buy a new set.”
Hearing this, So-so, who was clinging to his waist, smiled.
“You don’t have to buy one. Hehe.”
At So-so’s signal, Baek-sang ran over and retrieved something from a nearby box.
“We bought this for you.”
Receiving the black robes in a daze, Baek Ri-hyeon tilted his head.
“What is… this?”
“A present for our Sect Leader!”
Even at a glance, the martial robes were made of high-quality, expensive fabric.
Holding the black robes, he stood completely still, his mind flooded with a whirlwind of emotions.
Baek-sang and Yeong-yeong also spoke up.
“Please try it on.”
“Hurry, Sect Leader…”
The fingers clutching the black robes trembled slightly.
It was the first present he had ever received in his entire life, and it had come at such a late age.
Warmth filled his chest at the unfamiliar sensation. Before he knew it, moisture welled in his eyes.
Noticing this, So-so’s eyes sparkled as she asked, “Sect Leader, are you crying?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I have never shed a single tear in my life.”
“Liar. I definitely saw it just now.”
“You saw wrong.”
Baek Ri-hyeon quietly turned his head away.
“You’re going to wear it from now on, right?”
“Well… since you went out of your way to buy it, I suppose I have no choice.”
Contrary to his words, his voice was thick with emotion.
“We bought some for ourselves, too!”
“Let’s put them on together!”
“Yeah, okay!”
The children ran to a corner and began scrambling to put on their respective robes.
Had they ordered matching uniforms for the sect? Baek Ri-hyeon watched them in confusion.
Then, his mouth slowly fell open.
He blinked his eyes in disbelief, his voice stammering.
“W-What is that?”
Yeong-yeong smiled brightly as she pulled up her black trousers.
“It’s a rabbit! Isn’t it pretty?”
Even in the darkness, the rabbits embroidered on the backs of the children’s robes were all too clear to his eyes.
Dread sinking in, Baek Ri-hyeon quickly flipped over the black robes he was holding. Sure enough, he gasped and spoke in pure horror.
“H-How do you expect me to wear this…”
So-so, who had already finished changing, shouted with a serious expression, “The word of Shadow Gate is weightier than ten thousand pieces of gold!”
It was a lesson he had taught the children himself.
And Baek Ri-hyeon was a man who never went back on his word.
“Sigh…”
If there was any saving grace, it was that the embroidery used dark threads, making it barely visible in the dark.
His face, which had been filled with deep emotion just moments ago, slowly crumbled into a look of sheer despair.
***
“The enemy is retreating!”
The defenders of Hangu Pass let out cries of joy.
“Waaaaah!”
“Hurrah!”
It was only after losing nearly thirty percent of his forces that Mahyul decided to withdraw. Although most of them were commoners used as arrow shields, more than ten thousand regular soldiers had also perished.
Above all, the annihilation of the three hundred Crimson Guards and Mahyul’s personal guard, the Azure Shadow Squad, had dealt the final blow.
At the center of the watchtower, where the flag of the State of So fluttered, Great General So-mu stood alone with his hands behind his back.
Il-gwang wiped the blood from his hands as he approached.
“Boss, are we just going to let them go? Let’s chase them down right now and smash their heads in.”
So-mu shook his head without hesitation.
“Mahyul is not an easy opponent. If we open the gates and pursue, he’ll welcome it. There’s no need to force ourselves.”
Even at a glance, the enemy’s retreating formation was unusual. They were organized around trigger crossbowmen, ready for a counterattack.
If they were careless, they could easily suffer a setback. There was no need to take unnecessary risks by launching a pursuit with their smaller force.
Il-gwang smacked his lips in disappointment.
“Those bastards got lucky today.”
“I’m not sure which side was truly lucky, but it seems the situation has been settled for now.”
“Are we heading back immediately?”
“Yes. There is no reason to stay here any longer.”
Il-gwang’s expression brightened instantly, and he spoke as if he had been waiting for this.
“Take me with you.”
Despite his large build, his eyes were full of desperate longing. There was no way So-mu didn’t know the reason.
“It seems you miss my sister-in-law, Cho-hee.”
“W-Who? Me?!”
Il-gwang’s face flushed red in an instant, which was quite an amusing sight.
Letting out a soft chuckle, So-mu turned his gaze to the left.
“Vice Prefect Yoo!”
It was Yoo Gwang, the defense commander of Hangu Pass. Being called upon, he quickly stepped forward and stood at attention before So-mu.
“Yes, General!”
“You’ve managed the pass well during this time. Thanks to the solid defenses you prepared, we held them off without any losses.”
Yoo Gwang grinned from ear to ear. To receive such high praise from the supreme military commander was bound to put him in a great mood. Moreover, the man before him was his idol.
“Command me as you wish, General! I will gladly sacrifice my life to defend this pass.”
“The enemy won’t be returning. To celebrate our victory, let the defenders eat and rest to their hearts’ content tonight. The Bureau of Military Affairs will cover the expenses.”
“Thank you, General. Are you returning to the capital first?”
So-mu nodded and patted the commander’s shoulder.
“I must. And just for today, you may allow them to sneak a drink or two—as long as it doesn’t reach Min-gong’s ears.”
A knowing smile appeared on Yoo Gwang’s face.
It was an instruction to keep his subordinates quiet. Since the Great General had permitted it, there would be no issue, but Jang-yang, who adhered strictly to military discipline, would certainly not be pleased if he found out.
“Yes, General. I understand what you mean.”
Nodding, So-mu prepared to depart with Il-gwang.
He ordered the other generals and soldiers who had come from Chang’an as reinforcements to stay for a few more days before returning.
“Safe travels, General!”
“Thank you for your hard work, General!”
Above the gates, the officers and soldiers shouted their farewells as So-mu departed.
He raised a hand above his head in response.
“Let’s go, Boss.”
“Yes. Let’s head out.”
So-mu and Il-gwang ran side by side using their light movement techniques, heading toward Chang’an.
While it would take five days by horseback, it took less than half a day for them when running at full speed.
Departing at noon, they reached Chang’an before evening fell.
Il-gwang vanished off somewhere, while So-mu headed straight for the Bureau of Military Affairs.
He had rushed straight to Hangu Pass immediately after finishing his six months of secluded meditation. Having been away for so long, there was a mountain of work waiting for him.
The pavilion of the Bureau of Military Affairs was located at the heart of the palace.
The guard at the entrance stood at attention the moment he spotted him.
“Loyalty!”
His voice was filled with vigor.
Nodding, So-mu walked inside and asked, “Your name was Jin Sam, wasn’t it? Looking at your uniform, it seems you’ve been promoted by one rank in the meantime.”
The difference in their status was like heaven and earth. Overjoyed that So-mu remembered him, Jin Sam was beside himself.
“H-How do you know my name…”
“I have a fairly decent memory. In any case, congratulations.”
Leaving him behind, So-mu headed straight to his private office.
Seeing the documents piled high on his desk, he felt a headache coming on.
Although he had delegated most administrative duties to his subordinates, matters requiring his personal signature could not be avoided.
It seemed they had set aside everything except for the most urgent tasks.
“Sigh. Administrative work really doesn’t suit me.”
He spent a full two hours looking through the documents without moving, yet he hadn’t even finished a tenth of it.
He needed to find a solution. He couldn’t afford to be buried under this mountain of paperwork forever.
Just then, an official knocked and reported, “General, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“Advisor Jin has arrived.”
Advisor Jin Yoo-so. Having passed the civil service exam as the top scholar, she was a brilliant administrator who had contributed greatly to the nation’s policies. At the same time, she was a highly capable talent who was entrusted with managing the state’s internal affairs whenever Jang-yang was absent.
“Please bring her in.”
He couldn’t fathom the reason. For a high-ranking civil official like her to visit the Bureau of Military Affairs in person was highly unusual.
So-mu stood up to welcome her.
“I am Jin Yoo-so. You have worked hard, General.”
“I only did what needed to be done. Please, have a seat.”
The two sat facing each other at a small table in the corner of the office.
While the official went to fetch tea, she got straight to the point.
“Actually… I have came to ask a favor of you, General.”
Hearing that she needed a favor, So-mu’s expression actually brightened.
He glanced subtly at the mountain of paperwork on his desk and said, “You’ve come to the right place. As fellow officials, we should help each other when times are tough.”