Chapter 7: To Hanzhong (3)

A former gang leader of the back alleys, an excommunicated disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, and a tavern keeper. It was an unlikely combination, yet the three of them got along remarkably well. Il-gwang and Cheong-hae needed someone to rely on, and So-mu needed a distraction from his boredom. Furthermore, they were assigned to the same branch. They would undergo their training together in the sword infantry.

“I think it’s about to start,” Il-gwang said, patting Cheong-hae on the back. “Are you nervous? Don’t worry, just relax.”

“I’m not nervous, I’m just bored standing around all day.”

So-mu, who was watching in silence, chimed in, “Just wait a bit. Once training starts, you won’t have time to be bored.”

The number of recruits gathered at the parade ground was around five thousand.

Once everyone was lined up, General Jang-yang finally stepped onto the podium. Clad in splendid armor, he carried himself with dignity, but So-mu could not hide his disappointment. The flow of internal energy from the general was underwhelming. The commander holding a spear behind him looked far stronger.

Well, strength in martial arts is not the only requirement to be a general. War is different from a martial world duel. In a sense, tactical ability might be far more important than martial arts.

Standing between Il-gwang and Cheong-hae, So-mu silently watched as Jang-yang began his speech.

“I am Jang-yang. I thank you all for volunteering to protect the country, but right now, even words of gratitude are a luxury. The enemy is marching toward us at this very moment, and their numbers are at least ten—if not twenty—times our own.”

The moment he spoke, murmurs broke out across the parade ground. Demoralized before they had even begun, the recruits showed signs of panic. Yet Jang-yang continued, unfazed.

“If this region is breached, we cannot win this war. Despite this, Great General Yue Fei is urging us to abandon Hanzhong and gather at Xiangyang. He is convinced we cannot hold this ground. But I tell you, if we hold out, reinforcements will surely be sent to defend this city!”

Jang-yang was making dangerous remarks.

In a wartime situation, disobeying the orders of the Great General was not a matter that ended with simple dismissal. If the outcome was poor, it could easily result in beheading.

Yet his boldness did not stop there. He pulled a manual from his chest and raised it high.

“Though we are outnumbered, we have no reason to fear! The art of war states that a single well-trained soldier holding a strategic pass can withstand a thousand men! If we can move as one, we can easily defend Hanzhong! To begin, I will allow all of you to learn the Vajra Scripture!”

The parade ground erupted in a massive uproar. The previous murmurs were nothing compared to the commotion now.

What was the Vajra Scripture? It was an internal cultivation method of the imperial army, ordinarily permitted only to commanders of general rank and above. For an ordinary soldier, even looking at it was considered a crime. Though it might not be a supreme manual comparable to the secret techniques of the imperial palace, to these recruits, it was a legendary manual.

The recruits were not the only ones shocked. One of the commanders quickly approached Jang-yang and whispered. It was Yang Yeon-jeong, known as the strongest expert in the corps.

“General, please reconsider. If the imperial court finds out, your head will roll.”

“We have lost half of our territory without a single victory. What is there left to fear in this situation? I will take full responsibility. If my single head can save this city, it is a bargain.”

Though they spoke in hushed tones, their words reached So-mu’s ears clearly.

Regardless of the outcome of the battle, it will be a miracle if that man survives.

Even in the Jianghu, passing on a sect’s techniques without permission resulted in excommunication, or in extreme cases, having one’s cultivation destroyed or being executed.

Jang-yang’s actions were a crime punishable by death. Yet, the recruits were filled with pure joy.

Even Il-gwang was trembling with excitement. “I can finally learn real martial arts…”

For Il-gwang, who had only fought using street brawling, this was a dream come true. Cheong-hae, who had already trained in the Mount Hua Sect’s superior cultivation methods, remained indifferent.

Jang-yang’s voice echoed once more.

“The Vajra Scripture is only the beginning! To those with outstanding talent, I will pass on footwork, lightness skills, and every technique I know!”

The faces of the recruits flushed with excitement. It was the look of a herbalist who had stumbled upon a legendary herb in the mountains. To learn techniques reserved for generals? They could not contain their joy.

So-mu saw the resolute determination to die in Jang-yang’s eyes.

His judgment is correct. The elite Hui troops I saw in Baiyang County were trained to a level comparable to martial world experts. Ten thousand ordinary soldiers could not match them. However, no matter how good the manual is, recruits cannot become experts overnight. There isn’t enough time.

Jang-yang was currently harboring the exact same concern.

“But we do not know how much time we have left. We cannot guarantee our preparations will be complete before the enemy arrives. Therefore, only grueling, bone-carving training will bridge the gap to victory!”

For the first time, a deafening cheer erupted from the recruits.

“Woahhh!”

“Uwahhh!”

Their fears had vanished entirely. Their morale, which had been in the dirt, soared to the heavens.

“Entrust your bodies to me, Jang-yang! From this moment on, you must prepare to die! Those who lack the resolve, leave now!”

At Jang-yang’s gesture, the guards at the rear cleared a path. Yet, with the Vajra Scripture dangling before them, who would walk away? The battle with the Hui army was a problem for later.

Seeing that not a single recruit had left, Jang-yang nodded in satisfaction. As he stepped down, his deputy Yang Yeon-jeong took the stage.

“Listen up! You are not regular soldiers yet! A temporary unit will be formed until you complete your training. Gather according to your assigned branches!”

Five thousand recruits began running around in chaos to find their stations. Watching them scramble to follow the flags, Cheong-hae sighed.

“We are in the sword unit, so we go that way. Follow me.”

So-mu and Il-gwang followed Cheong-hae toward the swordsmen’s gathering point.

Of the five thousand recruits, nearly half were swordsmen. The next largest group was the spearmen at fifteen hundred, followed by five hundred archers.

The cavalry consisted of only about a hundred men who had experience riding. The scouts numbered three hundred, selected from former hunters and those agile in tracking.

In the furthest corner, a hundred support personnel, including cooks and quartermasters, were gathered. Once the alignments were complete, six commanders took charge of their respective units.

“Spearmen, follow me!”

The first to move was Jang-yang’s deputy, Yang Yeon-jeong. Coming from the prestigious Yang family, he was highly accomplished in both academics and martial arts, and was a master of the Yang Family Pear Flower Spear. As the spearmen departed, a fierce-looking commander stepped before the swordsmen.

“I am Wi Jin-cheol, and I am in charge of the sword unit! Only those prepared to die, follow me!”

He was known as the strongest commander in the corps after Yang Yeon-jeong. Following Wi Jin-cheol, the swordsmen marched to the infantry training grounds. On one side, Yang Yeon-jeong was already lining up the spearmen. The other branches had likely moved to different grounds.

Wi Jin-cheol bellowed to the swordsmen, “From now on, we will form squads for tactical training!”

The recruits were divided into squads of a hundred. So-mu, Il-gwang, and Cheong-hae were grouped together, officially designated as Squad 16 of the Sword Infantry.

Once the squads were formed, Wi Jin-cheol began explaining their rules of engagement and basic tactics. However, his words went entirely over So-mu’s head.

I didn’t expect it to be this tedious.

As the lecture dragged on, So-mu scanned the recruits in his squad. Currently, the majority possessed zero combat capability. The road ahead looked incredibly long.

I have to go to battle with these guys? To think Cheong-hae, the youngest disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, is the strongest among us… there truly is no hope.

As So-mu was lost in thought, Wi Jin-cheol’s voice boomed across the training ground.

“You there!”

All eyes turned to the direction Wi Jin-cheol was pointing. His fierce gaze was locked onto So-mu.

“Are you not paying attention? I asked how we should respond if cavalry charges us. Answer, or be prepared to face the consequences.”

Cheong-hae and Il-gwang looked at So-mu in concern. Yet So-mu maintained a blank face, answering in a calm, blunt tone.

“At our current level, we must pack tightly together in a single formation. If we scatter, we die. Unless, of course, we can move faster than a horse and cut down the rider in a single blow.”

A look of surprise crossed Wi Jin-cheol’s face. Dismissing it as luck, he threw another question.

“Not bad. What if we are ambushed by archers in a narrow pass? How do we respond?”

As the Sword Saint who had survived countless battles in the Jianghu and reached the absolute peak, and who had even designed the tactics for the Martial Alliance during the Great War, So-mu’s knowledge was vast.

“An ambush is a preemptive strike. To maximize accuracy, the enemy will shoot directly from close range rather than in an arc. The first volley will be a salvo, which means there will be a brief window before they can nock another arrow and aim. If we charge and wipe them out immediately, we can minimize casualties.”

“And if we lack the speed to charge?”

“We use the corpses of our fallen comrades as shields until our scouts can harass the archers.”

So-mu’s answers were flawless. Watching this, Il-gwang’s small eyes widened in shock. The other recruits looked just as stunned.

The anger on Wi Jin-cheol’s face had vanished completely, replaced by a pleased expression.

“Excellent! Where did you learn that?”

“I merely read it in a few books.”

“To think there is a recruit of your caliber among us. I am pleased. However, the most important thing for you right now is not tactics, but physical strength and mental fortitude. Therefore, today’s tactical training is your first and last. Starting tomorrow, you will miss this day, so enjoy it while you can.”