Chapter 212: The Nanny of the Wolf Fang Squad (2)
So-mu selected all twenty of the direct subordinates who would accompany him on this operation.
With his hands behind his back, So-mu scrutinized each of them. As the strongest members of the Wolf Fang Squad, they exuded a formidable aura.
“Our goal is to rescue the Shaolin monks who are besieged. We will be moving together with the martial artists of the Murim Alliance.”
The moment So-mu finished speaking, a stir went through the squad.
Everyone who wasn’t chosen looked at the selected twenty with envious eyes.
“I’m so jealous. When else would we get to visit the Shaolin Sect if not for a time like this…”
“To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the top masters of the Murim Alliance?”
The members of the Wolf Fang Squad did not truly realize how strong they had become. Even in one-on-one combat, none of them would lose to the members of the White Dragon Squad, the elite force of the Murim Alliance.
Seeing one of the squad members pouting, So-mu chuckled and said,
“It’s a dangerous place, so consider yourselves lucky for not being chosen.”
“For a true soldier like me, captain, only on the battlefield do I feel truly alive. Even if I were to die tomorrow, I still want to go.”
“Then you should have trained harder. I can’t take guys who are obviously going to get themselves killed. Anyway, we depart in two days, so those who were selected, prepare yourselves.”
The selected squad members shouted in unison,
“Yes, sir!”
Just as So-mu was about to turn around, pleased with their thunderous response, he noticed someone lingering at the entrance of the Wolf Fang Squad’s training ground, wearing a long civilian robe.
Judging by his civilian attire inside the military camp, he was either someone related to the military or a visitor.
Noticing him, some of the squad members shouted loudly,
“Hey, mister! This is a training ground, so move along!”
“You shouldn’t sneak peeks at people training like that!”
As the squad members moved to chase him away, So-mu raised his right hand to stop them.
“Wait.”
At So-mu’s gesture, the burly man at the entrance walked over hesitantly.
Though he looked ordinary on the outside, the internal energy felt from his dantian was extraordinary, matching that of the squad members.
He approached So-mu, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed his head deeply.
While the squad members watched his strange behavior in confusion, a warm smile spread across So-mu’s face.
“Sword-foot soldier, Yang-cheol.”
The burly man raised his head, his voice trembling with emotion as he stammered,
“Y-You… still remember my name, Great General…?”
During the defense of Hanzhong Fortress, So-so had once crouched in front of a soldier who had lost his leg, crying for him.
He was a warm-hearted soldier who had taken exceptionally good care of So-so, often giving her snacks.
So-mu had not forgotten how he had channeled his own qi into the man to aid his recovery.
“Of course I do. I also remember what I told you. I said that since you have sufficient talent, do not stop training, and once you achieve bone reconstruction, come find me.”
“Ugh…”
Unable to hold it back any longer, Yang-cheol burst into tears.
It was obvious how much pain and hardship he must have endured to reach this point.
Without anyone’s help, he had opened his Governor and Conception vessels on his own, achieving bone reconstruction solely to regenerate his lost leg. It would have been impossible without a bone-shaving effort.
As Yang-cheol wiped his tears with his sleeve, So-mu gently patted his shoulder.
“Hmm. The Yang-cheol in my memory wasn’t such a weak soldier.”
Yang-cheol was on the older side compared to the rest of the Wolf Fang Squad.
Seeing him sniffle as he tried to hold back his tears, the watching squad members grew solemn.
“I apologize for showing such a pathetic sight. I just… wanted to make sure I thanked you, Great General.”
As Yang-cheol turned to leave, So-mu called him back.
“Is that all? I recall telling you that if you came back to find me, I would accept you into the Wolf Fang Squad.”
Yang-cheol hesitated, not knowing what to do. His hesitation showed that he wanted it, and the Wolf Fang Squad members were quick to pick up on his feelings.
“Welcome, Brother Yang-cheol!”
“Haha. We look forward to working with you.”
Perhaps flustered by the unexpected welcome, Yang-cheol’s face flushed, and his shoulders hunched.
“All of you are my idols. How could someone like me possibly join the Wolf Fang Squad…”
It was the finest elite unit recognized by the entire nation. They enjoyed immense popularity not only among the soldiers but also among the common people.
Song-hwa, the youngest, chuckled and said,
“Oh, come on, feel free to speak comfortably, Brother.”
“T-That…”
At that moment, So-mu looked around at his squad members and sealed the deal.
“Soldier Yang-cheol has shown exceptional talent and perseverance by achieving bone reconstruction on his own, so he is more than qualified to join the Wolf Fang Squad. Centurion Hyeon-jeong, handle his transfer paperwork.”
“Yes, Captain. I will take care of it.”
Nodding, So-mu turned around with a satisfied smile.
Behind him, he could feel Yang-cheol’s heart beating furiously.
‘A second life obtained from the depths of despair. It’s only natural to be happy. Haha. So-so will be thrilled when she hears about this.’
As he walked toward the entrance to leave the training ground, Il-gwang came running toward him in a flurry.
“What’s this, Captain? Are you really planning to leave without me?”
Il-gwang’s face was filled with a strong determination to go.
“You stay here in Chang’an and play with your niece. Seo-hwa is coming with me this time.”
“Sigh. Our So-so has plenty of friends, so you don’t need to worry about her. Take me with you!”
Seeing him throw a tantrum with a body as massive as a bull made So-mu laugh.
However, to prepare for any unforeseen dangers, Il-gwang had to be left behind.
“There won’t be anyone to protect my sister-in-law either. I’ll tell Cho-hee that you’ll be protecting her.”
The moment his sister-in-law was mentioned, Il-gwang’s tone softened.
“Hmm… Is that so? Well, then I suppose I have no choice.”
How could a person’s attitude change so drastically? Suppressing his laughter, So-mu said with a serious face,
“I’m counting on you, Il-gwang. Take good care of my sister-in-law and my daughter.”
“Don’t worry about a thing and have a safe trip, Captain. I will protect them with my life. Make sure you tell Lady Cho-hee!”
“Of course, I will.”
So-mu raised a hand in farewell and left the training ground.
Since he had to finish all preparations within the designated time, he had to move quickly.
***
Two days later, in the early dawn, at the entrance of Mount Zhongnan.
The martial artists gathered in one place to depart for Mount Song.
The core of the force was three hundred first-class masters selected from each sect.
Jeong-myeong, the Alliance Leader and Shaolin Abbot; Abbess Jin-jeong of the Emei Sect; and Elder Mu-jin, the number one sword of the Wudang Sect, each took charge of a group of one hundred.
All three were renowned elders of the Murim. It was the first time they had moved together since the Great Orthodox-Demonic War decades ago.
“Please handle them with care. If they break, it will cause a major catastrophe.”
Tang Eun-jin, a female master of the Tang Clan, was handing out small gourds to the martial artists. What lay inside them was all too obvious.
Watching her, the elders of the Murim Alliance did not look pleased.
Elder Mu-jin of the Wudang Sect sighed and muttered,
“Must we really resort to such methods?”
Abbot Jeong-myeong, however, was in no position to be picky. The very survival of the Shaolin Sect was at stake.
“In our current situation, we have no other choice, do we?”
“For what purpose have we trained in martial arts all our lives? As orthodox martial artists, using poison does not sit well with me.”
“Amitabha. Since it has no lethality, it cannot truly be considered a poison.”
Curious about his meaning, Mu-jin called Tang Eun-jin over and asked,
“You’ve worked hard. I heard that when these gourds break, they release gas. What happens to those who inhale it?”
To Tang Eun-jin, Elder Mu-jin was a grand senior she wouldn’t normally dare to look in the eye. He held the highest seniority among Wudang’s elders and was the successor of the Taiji Wisdom Sword.
She clasped her hands nervously and replied,
“Because we had to prepare them in large quantities in a short time, it was impossible to concoct a lethal poison. Therefore, it has no lethality at all, but…”
“But?”
After a brief hesitation, Tang Eun-jin replied cautiously,
“The moment they inhale the gas, they will experience severe abdominal pain and unstoppable diarrhea.”
Listening from the side, Abbess Jin-jeong of the Emei Sect burst into laughter.
“Then it is indeed not a poison! That will be quite a sight to behold when used in an emergency. But who came up with this idea?”
The answer came from behind Abbess Jin-jeong.
“It was my idea. Do you like it?”
It was a woman’s low, calm voice. The laughter on Abbess Jin-jeong’s face froze instantly.
“The Saintess of Jade Flowers…”
The government forces had arrived. Yeon Seo-hwa and So-mu walked up side-by-side, followed by twenty members of the Wolf Fang Squad.
“It’s been a while, old Buddhist nun.”
Veins bulged on Abbess Jin-jeong’s shiny forehead. She and Seo-hwa did not have a good history.
“Still as arrogant as ever, like a true Demonic Cult wench.”
The black, charred scar near the crown of Abbess Jin-jeong’s head was a mark left by Seo-hwa’s Black Dragon Sacred Palm during their youth.
Before the atmosphere could turn ugly, So-mu stepped in to mediate.
“We are in a situation where we need to watch each other’s backs, so there’s no need to get worked up. I hope both of you can restrain yourselves until the operation is over.”
“Hmph.”
As Seo-hwa turned her back, the gazes of the Murim Alliance warriors focused on her.
Those who did not know her identity were filled with curiosity. Who was she to make the sect leader of Emei so flustered? Furthermore, she looked remarkably young.
Perhaps finding their stares uncomfortable, Seo-hwa narrowed her eyes and glared back at them.
“Shall I gouge all your eyes out?”
In the past, they had been enemies seeking each other’s lives, so she was bound to be sensitive.
With a smile, So-mu wrapped his left arm around her shoulders.
“Relax and ease your mind. Though we cannot forget the past, let’s consider everyone as allies, at least until this is over.”
“Allies, my foot.”
Her expression gave her away. Despite her blunt words, her mood had already softened considerably, thanks to his soothing touch.
As Seo-hwa joined the ranks of the Wolf Fang Squad, So-mu approached the elders of the Murim Alliance and asked,
“Are all the preparations complete?”
The most anxious of them all was Abbot Jeong-myeong of Shaolin.
He, along with the martial monks who had been dispatched to the Alliance, could not hide their anxiety.
“Amitabha. All preparations are complete.”
“Since we have a long way to go, let us depart immediately.”
As Jeong-myeong gestured, a martial monk stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands. He was Gwang-hye, a first-generation disciple of Shaolin.
“Gwang-hye, lead the way and set the direction.”
“Yes, Abbot. Are we heading straight to Mount Shaoshi?”
Mount Shaoshi was the western peak of Mount Song, where the Shaolin Temple was located. Since the entrance was surrounded by the Neo-Demonic Cult, they could not go there directly.
“No. How can we face the enemy directly without knowing the situation? We have decided to head to Mount Guanxian first to discuss our strategy.”
Mount Guanxian was a small mountain near Mount Song. They planned to set up base there, scout the enemy, and then act.
“Understood, Abbot. We will depart immediately.”
The reinforcements to rescue Shaolin took their first steps.
Their movement speed was extremely fast from the start, as they were all masters capable of wielding sword qi.
The martial artists of the Nine Great Sects led the vanguard, followed by the masters selected from the Five Great Families and smaller sects.
Behind them, twenty government soldiers kept their positions. They were the elite soldiers chosen from the Wolf Fang Squad.
So-mu and Seo-hwa ran side-by-side at the very rear of the procession.
“It’s nice to get some fresh air like this once in a while, isn’t it?”
Seo-hwa’s hair fluttered in the wind, revealing her flawless face.
“Except for the fact that the place we’re getting fresh air is a battlefield.”
So-mu smiled and took the hand of Seo-hwa as she ran beside him. The ring he had gifted her suited her well.
“No matter what happens, I will protect you, my wife. Though I doubt such a situation will ever arise.”
She was, after all, a supreme master of the Demonic Cult who had reached the absolute peak. Being told that someone would protect her was something she had never heard in her entire life.
Her face flushing, Seo-hwa turned her gaze toward the Wolf Fang Squad and said bluntly,
“Focus on those kids instead.”