Chapter 21: The Wolf's Fangs (2)
General Jang-yang visited the medical barracks with So-mu.
The area was far more chaotic than they had anticipated. Renowned physicians from Hanzhong had gathered in droves to offer their assistance. Although the army had its own medics, they were few in number and possessed limited medical expertise. Even though the barracks were strictly off-limits to civilians under normal circumstances, the military had no choice but to welcome their help with open arms.
Upon noticing General Jang-yang, the medics quickly stood at attention. The visiting physicians, unsure of how to behave, offered awkward clasped-hand salutes. Jang-yang took the hands of the physicians one by one, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
So-mu followed Jang-yang into the depths of the barracks. To their left and right, over a hundred wounded soldiers lay on wooden cots receiving treatment. Despite their painful injuries, the soldiers’ expressions were remarkably bright. It was likely because they had survived a hopeless battle with their honor intact.
At the far end of the barracks, they found the man they were looking for: Commander Wi Jin-cheol of the sword infantry. Completely oblivious to their arrival, an old man was busy suturing Wi Jin-cheol’s abdomen. So-mu’s eyes glinted briefly as he observed the physician, but the light quickly faded.
“How is his condition?” Jang-yang asked from behind.
Startled by the voice, the old physician jumped and cried out, “Heavens, you startled me! I told you to make some noise when you come in!”
Jang-yang smiled sheepishly. “Haha. My apologies.”
Finally realizing who he was speaking to, the physician bowed his head repeatedly. “Ah, General! You’ve arrived. I thought you were one of the medics…”
“Think nothing of it. Will he be able to recover?”
“Normally, with a penetrating wound like this, not only the injured area but the surrounding organs would be severely damaged. But surprisingly, all his other organs are completely intact. Even the bleeding was much less than expected… Whoever performed the first aid on him, if not for their quick action, he would have died long ago.”
Hearing the old physician’s words, Jang-yang turned to So-mu behind him. “Come to think of it, who did perform the first aid?”
“I am not sure. I was swept up in the melee immediately after…” So-mu replied smoothly.
“A pity. I wished to reward them, but since we do not know who it was…”
So-mu naturally and gently took hold of Wi Jin-cheol’s hand. It was a subtle move to examine his condition internally.
‘He has crossed the critical threshold, but his qi and blood are still unstable. Since his body has been conditioned by martial arts, he should recover quickly once his internal energy is replenished.’
While channeling his own true energy into Wi Jin-cheol’s body, So-mu maintained a calm expression and asked the physician, “Master, how long will his recovery take?”
“He should be able to get out of bed in about a month.”
“He is a vital pillar of our army. Please do everything you can for him.”
“Of course. We must save a man of his importance!”
By the time they finished their brief exchange, So-mu had completed his task. Jang-yang was already preparing to leave. He looked down at the unconscious Wi Jin-cheol and murmured softly, “Seeing that you are safe sets my mind at ease. I have a mountain of work waiting for me, so I must leave for now and return later.”
So-mu silently followed Jang-yang out. But as they reached the middle of the barracks’ central aisle, a soft voice transmitted via internal energy echoed directly in So-mu’s ears.
– You are hiding something, young man. Being able to manipulate another person’s qi and blood requires one to be at least a master of the peak realm.
It was the voice of the old physician who was treating Wi Jin-cheol. So-mu remained calm, showing no outward reaction as he replied via the same transmission technique.
– You are quite the actor yourself, Master. What brings the legendary Mo Cheong, the Physician of Absolute Life, to a place like this?
This time, it was the physician who was startled.
– I left the jianghu over fifteen years ago. How could you possibly know my name?
– Haha. Perhaps your eyes are failing you in your old age, Master. We met once, long before you retired.
The old man hesitated for a moment, and after a brief pause, his voice trembled through the transmission.
– Could it be… are you the person I think you are?
– It would be best if we pretend not to know each other.
– Will you be staying here?
– If your path does not diverge from mine, Master, we will meet again.
With that, their secret conversation ended.
Once they stepped out of the barracks, Jang-yang bade him farewell. “I must head over to oversee the interrogation of the prisoners.”
“Will they be integrated into the regular army?”
“Their homes were occupied, and they have nowhere else to go. If they wish to join us, we should accept them. Come to think of it, you will be quite busy yourself for the time being.”
***
It would take a few more days for the enemy forces advancing through Shiquan County to the east to arrive.
Group 16 squad of the sword infantry was officially disbanded and reborn as an independent unit: the Wolf Fang Squad. For the time being, the command had prohibited all combat units from training outdoors. Thus, the members of the Wolf Fang Squad remained in their barracks, concentrating on cultivating their internal energy.
“Damn it! Being cooped up in the barracks for days is going to drive me crazy.”
Exhausted from meditating and regulating his breathing all day long, Il-gwang grumbled and flopped flat onto the floor. Having had all the acupuncture points across his body cleared, the speed at which his internal energy accumulated was monstrous. Naturally, the mental toll of processing that energy was equally taxing.
Lying on the floor, Il-gwang squinted his eyes. He saw a squad member hovering in front of him—a boy with a small frame, large eyes, and a cute face. His name was Song-hwa, and along with Cheong-hae, he was one of the youngest members of the Wolf Fang Squad.
“Song-hwa, come step on my back for a moment.”
“Yes?”
“I said come step on my back for a bit.”
Song-hwa knew exactly what Il-gwang wanted. Stepping onto Il-gwang’s broad back, Song-hwa walked around, pressing down with his feet. However, his light weight did little to relieve the sturdy man.
“Jump!”
At Il-gwang’s urging, Song-hwa began hopping around on his back like a rabbit.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Like this?”
“Higher~.”
A satisfied smile slowly spread across Il-gwang’s face.
As Song-hwa was mindlessly jumping, his gaze drifted toward the entrance of the barracks where someone was stepping inside. Caught off guard, his foot slipped.
Crunch!
“Kgh! Why did you step on my neck?!”
As Il-gwang clutched his neck and curled up like a shrimp, Song-hwa’s face turned pale.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
Coughing a few times, Il-gwang staggered to his feet. “Forget it, move aside.”
A dozen soldiers were entering the barracks, each carrying a wooden box. Feeling bored anyway, Il-gwang’s curiosity was piqued, and he stomped over to them.
“What’s this? Are these for us?”
“It’s a gift from the General to your squad.”
The soldiers set the boxes down and immediately turned back, leaving the tent. As the barracks grew noisy, several recruits finished their meditation and gathered around.
“Big brother Il-gwang, what is it?”
“What’s inside?”
Squatting down to peer inside, Il-gwang let out a low whistle of admiration.
“Wow. This is incredible! Look how soft this is!”
What Il-gwang pulled out was a piece of custom-made black armor. Unlike the standard-issue armor of ordinary soldiers that barely covered the chest, this armor offered complete protection down to the shoulders and knees. It was bound together with durable cords, allowing for easy movement while remaining remarkably light. The accompanying black helmet was shaped like a bamboo hat.
“Everyone, try them on.”
Excited, the squad members grabbed a set each and quickly began fitting them on. Two of the black armors had the character for ‘Ten’ embroidered on the right shoulder, meant for Il-gwang and Cheong-hae, who had been appointed as squad leaders. If so, there had to be one for the squad commander as well.
“Commander So-mu!”
One of the squad members quickly found So-mu’s armor and presented it to him. So-mu’s black armor was embroidered with the character for ‘Hundred’ on the right shoulder. Complete with a helmet adorned with red tassels, his set was clearly distinguished from the rest.
Clad in their new black armor, they stared at one another in awe. The snug fit and sleek design made them look almost like assassins. So-mu watched them quietly before asking, “Do you not like it? If it’s uncomfortable, let me know. We can always go back to our old armor.”
The squad members frantically waved their hands, vehemently protesting.
“Absolutely not!”
“Haha! We love it!”
“It’s the best!”
A faint smile touched So-mu’s lips, pleased to see his men so enthusiastic.
“From this day forward, our Wolf Fang Squad is the army’s special assault unit. That means we will be tasked with the most dangerous missions on the front lines. To survive, we will have to undergo even harsher training. Are you all prepared?”
With their confidence already soaring to the heavens, So-mu’s warning went in one ear and out the other. The squad members were too busy admiring their new black armor from every angle.
It was then. Suddenly, the sound of drums signaling a summons began to echo through the camp.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
“It seems it’s finally time to move out.”
Having already donned their armor, the Wolf Fang Squad had no need for further preparation. When they stepped outside, they saw a dozen soldiers marching through the camp, beating their drums. One of them spotted So-mu and jogged over.
“Commander So-mu, you are requested in the war room immediately.”
As a squad commander, So-mu now enjoyed great freedom of movement. No one in the military camp would block him, no matter where he wished to go.
When he entered the war room, General Jang-yang and the other commanders had already taken their places. As So-mu offered a polite bow at the entrance, Commander Jin-rip of the archers gestured to him.
“Take a seat over there.”
A seat had been prepared for So-mu in a corner. He sat down quietly and focused his attention on Jang-yang.
“Now that everyone is here, let us begin. The enemy has halted thirty li away. They likely still have no idea that we have annihilated Muka’s army.”
Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong nodded in agreement. “Since the two armies were advancing from opposite directions, it makes sense that they are still in the dark. That means they will be off their guard. Will this be another field battle, General?”
“Our total force, including the surrendered troops, stands at seven thousand. The enemy, on the other hand, numbers fifteen thousand. Although we are outnumbered, this is a far better position than our last battle. Furthermore, our soldiers’ morale is soaring. There is no need for us to lock ourselves in a siege defense.”
“But if we clash head-on in a pitched battle, our casualties will still be severe.”
“Indeed, if we fight them head-on. That is why I am planning a night raid for tonight. What are your thoughts on this?”
Commander Baek Moon-hwi, who led the scouts, spoke up. “In their eyes, we are probably still nothing but a ragtag militia. They would never expect a sudden night raid. However, while my scouts excel at tracking and reconnaissance, they are not trained for launching a full-scale night assault.”
“Which is exactly why we formed the Wolf Fang Squad,” Jang-yang replied, turning to him. “What say you, Commander So-mu?”
So-mu’s assessment aligned with Jang-yang’s. If this enemy force was weaker than Muka’s, there was no reason to prolong the campaign by retreating into a siege, which would only increase their own casualties. However, to persuade the other commanders, he needed to stretch the truth a little.
“Under the guidance of Commander Wi Jin-cheol, the Wolf Fang Squad has already completed intensive training for night raids. Once we launch the surprise assault and throw the enemy lines into chaos, the main army can sweep in and easily crush them.”
Commander Baek Moon-hwi gave him a doubtful look. “So Wi Jin-cheol was preparing this in secret… Still, do you truly believe a surprise raid can succeed with a mere hundred men?”
“The Wolf Fang Squad is not that weak, Commander.”