Chapter 373: Mobile Unit Sortie (3)
Murong Yu, who had planted the Demon-Sweeping Great Sword into the ground along with its scabbard and placed both hands on the hilt, was truly exuding the aura of a great general of a nation.
Heavy armor tightly wrapped his entire body.
However, it was not ordinary heavy armor. Unlike other armors, the heavy armor used by the Demon-Sweeping Army was improved for use against Murim warriors, so the joints were soft, there were no restrictions on movement, and each part was detachable.
However, it was not a formal dress uniform. It was the attire for all members of the Demon-Sweeping Army, including Murong Yu, to go on a sortie.
And it was the same for the Evil-Annihilating Army as well.
Murong Yu looked up at the sky.
“The wind is nice.”
Before they knew it, the cold winter had passed, and it was now perfectly spring. It was a season that was just right for taking a step toward a new beginning.
Murong Yu, who had been quietly looking up at the sky, closed his eyes.
‘Older brother.’
He recalled the conversation with Murong Jun.
‘I am sorry. I did such a thing without even a word.’
‘What are you saying? From the moment I came to you, older brother, I made a pledge to humbly accept whatever task it may be. This much is nothing.’
‘I am still sorry. I made you serve a person younger than yourself as a superior, so no matter how far-sighted a decision it was, my heart does not feel good.’
‘It is fine. As you also know, older brother, Commander Yeon’s ability is real. To be honest, he is not a person I can embrace.’
‘Do not say it like that. Of course, it is certainly true that Yeon Ho-jeong, that guy’s ability is outstanding. However, I do not think you are inferior to Yeon Ho-jeong.’
‘You overpraise me.’
‘Just as you have what Yeon Ho-jeong lacks, Yeon Ho-jeong has many things you lack. Although I have fought with that guy for a long time, he is definitely a guy with a lot to learn from. While being with him, steal and learn a lot.’
‘I will do so.’
‘And I have a separate favor to ask of you.’
‘Please speak.’
‘As you know, Yeon Ho-jeong is the eldest son of the Yeon Clan Patriarch. And the Yeon Clan Patriarch is building friendships with the Strategist and the Tang Clan Patriarch. From what I heard, Master Kong-kong and Taoist Immortal Seung-hyeon of Wudang also seem to view Commander Yeon quite admirably.’
‘He is a talent worthy of that.’
‘Among the other six clans, there are two clans that maintain neutrality without sharply opposing each other. The Namgung and Peng clans. Among them, the Namgung clan maintains a good relationship with me, but a child of the Peng clan is under Yeon Ho-jeong. Perhaps the Peng Clan Patriarch will also care more about that side than our side.’
‘…….’
‘I am not trying to talk about the advantage or disadvantage in power. It means that much information can go to that side.’
‘Are you telling me to snatch information?’
‘There is no need to snatch it actively. Yeon Ho-jeong is a quick-witted guy. If you overdo it, you may become in danger, so just let me know the things that enter your ears.’
‘…….’
‘Why? Does it bother your mind?’
‘It would be a lie to say no. Before being a Murim warrior, I am an alliance member of the Murim Alliance, and before being an alliance member, I am the Commander of the Demon-Sweeping Army. And now I have become a member of the Demon-Sweeping and Evil-Annihilating Army.’
‘Before being a member of the Demon-Sweeping and Evil-Annihilating Army, you are also a member of the Murong Clan.’
‘…….’
‘If it truly bothers your mind, I will not urge you any further.’
‘No. It’s just that my heart is like that, it is not a difficult task to tell you the information I hear.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You are welcome. I only hope this will help you become the Alliance Leader.’
‘Of course. I have not forgotten my dream and goal. It’s just that a matter that must be handled prior to that has arisen.’
‘You must be talking about the Three Cults.’
‘That’s right. The mere fact that the lowly mixed breeds from outside the borders are targeting the Central Plains has angered me enough to make smoke come out of my ears. But regardless of their origins, they have the power to make the Central Plains boil with the fires of war. No matter how important our dream is, it cannot be more important than that.’
‘Your words are right. Therefore, I also have something to tell you.’
‘What is it?’
‘The Black Dragon Manor.’
‘……!’
‘I do not like the fact that you joined hands with the Black Dragon Manor Lord. But if you have already joined hands, it would be best to utilize him to the maximum.’
‘Mhm.’
‘However, I heard that an organization of the Three Cults provided great help in establishing the Black Dragon Manor.’
‘Yes, I suppose that part also needs to be sorted out.’
‘I have never seen him in person, but if the rumors in the world are true, Yang Cheon, the Black Dragon Manor Lord, is one of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats. The Three Cults gave such a person power and authority, and furthermore, made him establish the Black Dragon Manor. Just by that fact alone, he is one of the most dangerous people in Jianghu.’
‘He will think they used each other. Yang Cheon will certainly think so.’
‘It is Yang Cheon’s freedom to think so, but the important thing is the fact that the Three Cults are that capable and dangerous group.’
‘Right.’
‘In order to draw the Black Dragon Manor entirely under your command, older brother, a clash with the Three Cults in another area is inevitable. If so, the fact that you joined hands with Yang Cheon might be revealed to the whole world.’
‘…….’
‘Before fighting the Three Cults, I think they must be sorted out first.’
‘I am keeping it in mind. However, it will not be easy.’
‘Of course it will be. But just because it is not easy, we cannot postpone it indefinitely.’
‘Mhm.’
‘So I propose. For this joint army’s sortie, I want the target to be fixed on the Black Path.’
‘The Black Path? Are you saying we should strike the Black Dragon Manor side?’
‘That is correct.’
‘No! That is overly dangerous!’
‘I am not saying we should invade. I am just saying we should give Yang Cheon a sense of alertness and provide a justification to draw him in as an ally.’
‘Justification?’
‘My thought is like this. When we strike the Black Path…….’
At that time, a powerful wave of qi spread from afar.
Murong Yu opened his eyes wide.
“All troops, align.”
Chwareuk!
The lined-up soldiers straightened their postures once again.
The sight of five hundred warriors wearing dark heavy armor, and in front of them, fifty warriors wearing light armor that prioritized mobility, was truly a spectacular sight among spectacular sights.
“…….”
Looking at their appearances, Yeon Ho-jeong inwardly sighed.
‘They’re stiff.’
Two moving armies with different characteristics suddenly had to merge into one.
The order from the superiors is absolute. Since the order had fallen, it was only natural to carry it out as is.
However, the two moving armies were too different in nature.
In order for two units with distinctly different characteristics to merge into one, a process of their own is naturally necessary. It would be the superior’s capability to make that process short and smooth, but it was still too sudden of an order.
‘The one who first proposed this was Murong Jun. Setting aside various intentions, he also knows. That they are stronger when combined into one than when scattered.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘It’s not like he has absolutely no ulterior motives. He probably ordered his younger brother to do something. Planting eyes in the enemy’s heart using life as bait… It’s a measure truly fitting of Murong Jun.’
Because he knew that, Yeon Ho-jeong could not treat Murong Yu recklessly. Of course, he had no intention of doing so, nor were they in such a relationship.
‘But apart from that, the moment will come when the moving armies also have to join forces to fight against the Three Cults. In preparation for that time, it must mean to try matching our teamwork from now on.’
Yeon Ho-jeong unknowingly smiled bitterly.
‘Murong Jun was also in a hurry.’
A moment later, Yeon Ho-jeong stepped onto the podium. Muk Bi, who came with him, stood behind Murong Yu and looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong.
With the Crazy Dragon Axe resting on his shoulder, Yeon Ho-jeong, who looked down at the roving army that had become one, opened his mouth.
“There is a name decided by the superiors.”
Perplexity appeared on the faces of the soldiers who were looking up at Yeon Ho-jeong with complex feelings. What did that mean from the very first word?
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned and said.
“They said they would call us, the merged Demon-Sweeping Army and Evil-Annihilating Army, the Righteous Justice Army. Isn’t it fun? Isn’t it a classic name enough to make you laugh? Haha!”
In Yeon Ho-jeong’s own way, it might have been a word offered as a joke to relieve the tension of the soldiers.
However, unfortunately, his joke that wasn’t a joke failed miserably. It was the same during his time as Yeon Ji-pyeong, but he was a person who returned to the past after living for decades, and he was also a person whose emotions had been worn down by all sorts of wars. Such a ridiculous joke could not possibly work.
“…….”
The soldiers looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong with flustered eyes.
And Yeon Ho-jeong, who saw those gazes, was also flustered.
He glanced at Murong Yu and Muk Bi. The two people sighed and shook their heads side to side.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled awkwardly.
“Yeah, trying to use my brain unlike me only shattered the mood further. Let’s just go my way.”
“…….”
“From now on, we move as one. We, who have newly become one, will be called the Righteous Justice Army, and the Grand Commander is me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke while looking around the Demon-Sweeping Army with subtle eyes.
All members of the Demon-Sweeping Army maintained expressionless faces, but even from a distance, some of their eyes were distorted.
“It might be bewildering because it’s sudden, and there will be some whose pride is hurt. I dare say there will be some among you whose paranoia flares up and chew me out behind my back.”
It was quite a direct statement. At least, it wasn’t something a person called a commander should say at a founding ceremony.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke frankly.
“Whether you curse or lose motivation or whatever, I will not care up to that point. I don’t want to get involved, and even if I try to get involved, it would be meaningless.”
“…….”
“However, the one thing I want from you is this. When an order falls, react immediately as you were trained. That is the only thing.”
In an instant, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes changed.
“I don’t have the confidence to give you honor. But I have the confidence not to let you die a dog’s death. That is the one thing I can promise.”
“…….”
“Dismiss now. You have worked hard lining up for no reason.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who came down from the podium, spoke to Murong Yu.
“Commander Murong, how about you dismiss the soldiers and see me for a moment?”
Murong Yu firmly cupped his fists.
“I receive the Grand Commander’s order.”
He turned around and shouted.
“All troops, dismiss. There is no training today.”
The Demon-Sweeping Army relaxed their postures. A murmuring sound spread among those who had kept their mouths shut.
At that time, Yeon Ho-jeong shouted loudly.
“Evil-Annihilating Army!!”
A terrifying dignity was loaded in the voice that rang out resoundingly.
How great the intimidation given by that shout was, the murmuring sound completely disappeared.
All members of the Demon-Sweeping Army and Evil-Annihilating Army looked at Yeon Ho-jeong in tension.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face was completely distorted.
“Can you not hear Commander Murong’s order? You must have clearly heard the sound telling you to dismiss?”
“……!”
“React immediately to a superior’s order. In my absence, Commander Murong is the supreme commander who can command the Righteous Justice Army on my behalf, and he is the superior of you all.”
“…….”
“Since it is the first time, I will let it slide. If you show such an ugly appearance once again, I will punish all of you with a heavy penalty.”
At the fierce threat, the atmosphere of the training ground became bloody.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Murong Yu and nodded his head.
Murong Yu shouted.
“All troops, dismiss!”
Only then did both the Demon-Sweeping Army and the Evil-Annihilating Army relax their postures and dismiss.
Yeon Ho-jeong snorted.
“These punks are lacking discipline.”
Murong Yu, who approached his side, smacked his lips and said.
“My head hurts immensely from broad daylight. Would you like to have a cup of wine?”
“What? It’s giving me goosebumps. Just do as you normally did.”
“Good. The wine will be bought by you, younger brother Yeon.”
“Speaking informally right away. You lack discipline.”
“…….”
“Let’s go.”