Chapter 141: Why Are You Out There (2)
Chapter 140 – Why Are You Out There (2)
‘Finally! Real combat!’
A hot flame ignited in the minds of the cadets.
If they stood out during the apprenticeship period, they had a high chance of being appointed to key positions once they became official Martial Alliance members later.
In other words, becoming an apprentice warrior meant laying the stepping stone for success.
Paeng Su-hyeok clenched his two fists tightly and grit his teeth.
‘Although I did not show much in the main tournament, am I not still from the Hebei Paeng Clan, which is strong in real combat? Surely, every organization will want me first.’
In fact, the most popular origin when selecting apprentices was indeed the Hebei Paeng Clan.
Since there was no shortage of reviews stating that the rising stars of sects like Mount Hua or Jongnam, even if they had outstanding martial arts, had poor adaptability in real combat where various variables occurred.
‘If possible, it would be best to go to the Red Wave Corps or the Blue Wave Corps, which are the top organizations within the Alliance…’
However, such a minor wish was utterly shattered by Bi Ryang’s subsequent words.
“Ah, for your information, since the Red Wave Corps and the Blue Wave Corps are currently dispatched on missions, they will not select apprentice warriors this time.”
“Ah…”
Several cadets sighed with faces full of disappointment.
On the other hand, Yun Jong-seung let out a strange sigh of relief.
‘There is no need to apprentice in too dangerous of an organization from the beginning.’
While they were lost in their respective thoughts like that, a middle-aged man strode out from inside the pavilion just then.
Bi Ryang stepped aside and spoke.
“Greet him. He is the Captain of the Iron Rain Squad of the Iron Heart Hall.”
The cadets greeted him with shining eyes.
Iron Heart Hall.
It was an organization that manufactured and managed all the weapons of the Martial Alliance.
Although it could be seen as a kind of forge, because it handled and collected various divine weapons and rare treasures, its scale was larger than expected.
In particular, the Iron Rain Squad, which collected materials like ten-thousand-year cold iron or searched for divine weapons hidden throughout the Jianghu, was also a place where all cadets wished to belong.
Since it could be an opportunity to obtain a pretty good weapon if they were lucky.
‘They say if you belong to the Iron Rain Squad, at the very least, even a single dagger is extraordinary.’
‘They say the Iron Rain Squad members custom-order their weapons.’
‘It might be a chance to have a weapon of my own!’
The cadets looked at the Iron Rain Captain with eyes full of desire.
Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon curled up the corners of his mouth slightly as he looked at the Iron Rain Captain.
‘That brat became the Iron Rain Captain?’
Iron Rain Captain, Yang Gyu-sik.
At first, he almost failed to recognize him because of his face, which had aged too much.
However, his memory resurfaced because of the large mole stamped next to his nose.
He was a fellow whose martial arts skill was terrible but whose wits were incredibly quick.
‘He belonged to the Heavenly Net Corps back then, did he move to the Iron Rain Squad?’
He recalled encountering him while fleeing through the inescapable net deployed by the Heavenly Net Corps.
At that time, because Yang Gyu-sik knelt and begged so desperately, he did not kill him.
Instead, after he threatened him that he would definitely kill him if they met again, it seemed he had transferred organizations.
‘He listened well. Well, it’s nice to see him again.’
However, there was no way Yang Gyu-sik would recognize Namgung Cheon.
Instead, he scanned the cadets and spoke nonchalantly.
“Who is Yun Gyeong?”
“Yes, it is me.”
As Yun Gyeong took a step forward, the other cadets looked at him with eyes mixed with envy and jealousy.
The Iron Rain Captain nodded and turned away without any lingering regret.
“Our squad will take that child.”
“Understood. Yun Gyeong, follow the Captain.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
As Yun Gyeong approached, the Iron Rain Captain turned his body without any lingering regret.
“Uh-uh? Is that it? Are you just leaving?”
Paeng Su-hyeok quickly stepped forward and asked, but the Iron Rain Captain left the place without even replying.
‘Damn it! What on earth is this?’
Paeng Su-hyeok clenched his fists tightly.
Even setting aside himself, not selecting Namgung Cheon, who won the Joint Conference?
Could it be because he inherited the blood of the Great Killing Star?
He glanced at Namgung Cheon, but the party in question looked lukewarm, as if he had no thoughts about it.
That was because Namgung Cheon could guess Yang Gyu-sik’s feelings to some extent.
To Yang Gyu-sik, himself in his past life must have been an existence like a grim reaper.
Thus, he would not have the slightest desire to get involved with his son, Namgung Cheon.
Bi Ryang spoke again.
“Now, now, everyone don’t be too discouraged. Next, the Medicine Heaven Hall Master has arrived.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than an old man with a white beard grown down to his chest walked out from inside the pavilion.
His slightly hunched back and sharply slanted eyes gave off a much fiercer impression than the Iron Rain Captain.
‘It’s the Medicine Heaven Hall!’
Paeng Su-hyeok clenched his fists again.
Right, what did it matter if the Iron Rain Squad was out?
The Medicine Heaven Hall was also a place that could not be ignored. No, in some aspects, it was much better than the Iron Rain Squad.
All the spiritual pills manufactured by the Martial Alliance were made in this Medicine Heaven Hall.
In particular, the Spirit-Tracking Corps, which was an organization that collected spiritual herbs and spiritual beasts, was a place difficult to enter even if one wanted to.
Moreover, wasn’t there a saying that if one became a warrior belonging to the Medicine Heaven Hall, they basically carried at least one spiritual pill around?
Filled with anticipation, Paeng Su-hyeok looked at the Medicine Heaven Hall Master with eyes containing strong determination.
‘Here is the talent! Quickly select me…!’
“There is no talent to select in the Medicine Heaven Hall.”
“……Eh?”
Not only Paeng Su-hyeok but also the other cadets looked at the departing Medicine Heaven Hall Master with blank expressions.
“Uh-uh? Is he really leaving like that?”
When Yun Jong-seung asked with a bewildered expression, Bi Ryang replied with a troubled face.
“It seems to be that way.”
“What is this! Seriously! Are you saying we look that terrible?”
As Paeng Su-hyeok huffed with a highly angered expression, Bi Ryang tried to soothe him with a forced smile.
“Now, now, since there are still opportunities. Next, they came from the Heavenly Aid Hall.”
The Heavenly Aid Hall could be seen as the place in charge of all the finances of the Martial Alliance.
As a place that managed funds, the surveillance was more brutal than anywhere else.
Paeng Su-hyeok lit the fire in his chest again.
Right, what did it matter if the Iron Heart Hall and the Medicine Heaven Hall were out?
Wasn’t the Heavenly Aid Hall practically the mistress holding the Martial Alliance’s funds tightly?
‘They say the warriors belonging to the Heavenly Aid Hall even smell different when they fart!’
In short, it meant even the food they ate was expensive.
Since it was a place where funds overflowed that much.
Just then, a middle-aged man in an elegant scholar style revealed himself on the platform.
Namgung Cheon frowned slightly.
‘The Heavenly Aid Hall Master… a face I see for the first time. Surely he must have a deep friendship with the Alliance Leader.’
Money comes first in order to run an organization no matter what is done.
Therefore, that old serpent must have won over the Heavenly Aid Hall Master first.
Or he had seated his own person as the Heavenly Aid Hall Master to begin with.
That old guy also looked completely benevolent on the outside like the Alliance Leader, but there might be dozens of dark serpents inside his mind.
For now, he was a target of vigilance.
While Namgung Cheon was having such thoughts, the Heavenly Aid Hall Master spoke in a calm voice.
“I will take Cadet Jin So-hong.”
“Understood. So-hong, come forward.”
At Bi Ryang’s words, Jin So-hong answered and stepped forward.
Paeng Su-hyeok bit his lips tightly.
‘Well, since So-hong is the Gold King’s daughter, it is understandable. Next is me…’
“That is all.”
The Heavenly Aid Hall Master turned away without any lingering regret.
Thus, Jin So-hong left the place, following the Heavenly Aid Hall Master.
Paeng Su-hyeok, who failed to be selected this time as well, fell into shock and could not emerge from it.
‘Why… why do they not select me!’
After that, the Guest Reception Hall Master and the Wind Shadow Hall Master also ascended the platform in turn, scanned the cadets, and simply went back down.
Of course, Namgung Cheon also carefully examined their profiles each time.
‘There are familiar faces, unfamiliar faces, and faces I am half-sure about.’
Thus, only the Alliance Guard Hall and the Righteous Sword Hall remained.
Cheol Pae-gang, the Alliance Guard Hall Master, stepped forward first.
‘Every time I see that one-eyed guy, I feel sorry for no reason.’
He did not remember precisely, but the one who pierced Cheol Pae-gang’s eye was probably himself.
Cheol Pae-gang glared with his one eye and scanned the cadets.
Meanwhile, Paeng Su-hyeok did not let go of hope this time either.
‘Right, if it is build, I have nothing to be discouraged about!’
Paeng Su-hyeok stared at the Alliance Guard Hall Master with a determined expression.
The Alliance Guard Hall that protects the Martial Alliance!
‘They say the warriors belonging to the Alliance Guard Hall have uniforms with a different sheen!’
Since it was in charge of the defense of the Alliance, the place where the most stylish uniforms were worn was indeed the Alliance Guard Hall.
Moreover, because they patrolled and monitored Wuhan, they received respect in a single body from the commoners of Wuhan.
‘Well, although it is not a position I particularly want… still, it has style.’
Paeng Su-hyeok comforted himself in his own way and waited for the Alliance Guard Hall Master to point him out.
However, the Alliance Guard Hall Master Cheol Pae-gang did not point out Paeng Su-hyeok this time either.
“I will take Baek Mu-geuk and Murong Gang.”
“Haaa…”
While Paeng Su-hyeok let out a voice like a groan in frustration, the Righteous Sword Hall Master next to him took a step forward and spoke.
“Then, our Righteous Sword Hall will take Yu Hyeon and the rest.”
Wh-What? The rest? The reeeest?
Paeng Su-hyeok was dumbfounded.
Not even calling his name, but saying the rest! It was not as if he was treating them like leftovers! No, did he treat them like leftovers?
In addition, why did it have to be the Righteous Sword Hall of all places?
It was not a place overflowing with spiritual medicines, nor was it a place where one could handle divine weapons. Did it overflow with money, or was the sheen of their uniforms different?
“The Righteous Sword Hall warriors are those who only serve to stand like a folding screen when executing the law in the Alliance…”
While Paeng Su-hyeok muttered to himself softly, the Righteous Sword Hall Master looked at Bi Ryang and continued.
“If possible, could the guiding instructor also participate?”
“Me?”
“Since we are taking many people at once, I thought a leader would be needed.”
“Mmm. Understood. I will.”
As Bi Ryang spoke with a bright smile, the Righteous Sword Hall Master finally let out a sigh of relief as if his mind was at ease, and turned away.
Paeng Su-hyeok ground his teeth hard.
‘At this rate, it feels like they set us up as extras just to take Instructor Bi Ryang!’
Although it was a matter of hurt pride, what could they do?
Since the cadets had no choice to begin with.
* * *
Righteous Sword Captain, Gye Du-sik, walked with strides along the corridor with a highly angered expression.
“Hall Master!”
Flinging open the door of the Hall Master’s office, he glanced at the cadets and Bi Ryang standing to one side, and then slammed his hands down on the desk without even paying them mind.
Bam!
“Did you not emphasize that this mission is important?”
The Righteous Sword Hall Master frowned as if it was starting again and let out a sigh.
“I am not deaf. I can hear well even if you speak quietly.”
“Why are you really doing this?”
“What do you mean?”
The Hall Master looked at the distant mountains outside the window.
Gye Du-sik’s face turned red.
“Are you asking because you do not know? Why on earth do we have to drag such greenhorns along on that important mission!”
Gye Du-sik’s finger pointed to the cadets, including Namgung Cheon.
The Hall Master let out a shallow sigh and continued.
“Because it is important, is that not why we reinforced the numbers? Since four squads of the Righteous Sword Unit are currently executing missions, you must be shorthanded.”
“Ha! Reinforcements?”
Gye Du-sik wore an absurd expression and looked back at the cadets once again.
He knitted his brows fiercely.
“If you are really going to reinforce the numbers, you should recruit proper warriors! At this rate, how is this any different from telling me to act as a babysitter?”
At this point, Paeng Su-hyeok, who had been merely listening, could not help but fly into a rage.
“Hey, listening to you go on, your words are too harsh. Calling us babysat, of all things…”
“Shut up!”
The moment Gye Du-sik shouted with a fierce momentum, Paeng Su-hyeok shut his mouth without realizing it.
Regardless, Gye Du-sik shouted toward the Righteous Sword Hall Master.
“I absolutely cannot accept this!”
Just then, a clear voice rang out.
“Oh, is that disobedience of orders right now? It is exciting right from the start of the apprenticeship!”
At the place everyone turned to look, Namgung Cheon was sending a somehow cheering gaze with sparkling eyes.