Chapter 38: Chapter 38
“What are you thanking me for?”
Cheon Woo-jin was simply puzzled. He had never done anything deserving of gratitude from the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader, who stared blankly at Cheon Woo-jin, wore an awkward expression.
“At Azure Flower Pavilion, and in front of the Giant Stone Monster’s tomb. Did you not save our Heavenly Tiger Squad members?”
“Ah.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded calmly.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader felt self-conscious under the unusually bright moonlight. Uttering words of thanks or apologies felt unfamiliar to him. Given his personality, it was likely because he rarely owed anyone a debt.
“I understand.”
That was the end of it.
At the unexpected response, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader stared blankly at Cheon Woo-jin as if broken down.
“Hm? Do you have more to say?”
“…It is not that.”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader shut his mouth. In truth, he had plenty to say. More accurately, there was too much he wanted to ask.
In particular, curiosity arose regarding Cheon Woo-jin’s martial prowess. He knew that he had seized first place by displaying overwhelming ability in this selection exam. However, Cheon Woo-jin, whom he had observed while carrying out the mission together, was a man outside ordinary common sense.
For instance, he was a figure who seemed like someone who would only appear in heroic tales of historical legends one read in childhood.
However, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader did not bother to ask. Now was the time to express gratitude, and adding unnecessary words would only dilute the main point.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was a man who knew how to distinguish precisely when to speak and when not to speak.
As the two taciturn men kept their mouths shut, the moonlight illuminated the grounds as if feeling suffocated.
Cheon Woo-jin, glancing lightly toward the sky, spoke.
“May I go in?”
“Go ahead.”
The moment Cheon Woo-jin turned around.
“Wait.”
Cheon Woo-jin, beginning to find it troublesome, looked back at the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader. Then the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s words followed calmly.
“Cheon Do-hwi.”
“What is that?”
“My name.”
“Ah, I apologize.”
Cheon Woo-jin bowed his head slightly. The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader, wearing a faint smile that was barely visible, added.
“If I am conveying my gratitude, should you not at least know my name?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head.
In that manner, the night of the Song Clan, filled with so many things to be grateful for, passed.
* * *
“I shall return, Father.”
Song Yi-yeon bowed deeply.
Song Ha-baek, Patriarch of the Song Clan, smiled with satisfaction.
Wondering when that tiny rascal had grown up so much to become a respectable martial artist.
“Patriarch, we owe you a great debt. We shall come to visit you again next time.”
Led by Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak, several individuals paid their respects to Song Ha-baek. Unable to answer each one individually, Song Ha-baek cupped his fist with his palm and raised it to face height.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Since there was rarely an occasion to perform a fist-and-palm salute in everyday life unless one was a martial artist, his posture was somewhat awkward, but his sincere feelings seemed to reach everyone.
Soon, spearheaded by the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader, the Heavenly Tiger Squad and the Black Tortoise Squad stepped forward in unison. Unlike when they first departed on the mission, these were equal steps, with neither side merely assisting the other.
* * *
Having returned to the Alliance, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader headed straight for the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
Normally, after a mission, it was customary to draft a report and send it to the Military Strategy Department, but for some reason this time, the Alliance Leader had ordered each combat squad leader to visit him in person.
‘Since it was the recruits’ first mission.’
He merely presumed that to be the reason.
While hurriedly moving his feet and organizing the contents of his report in his mind, he spotted an unwelcome face in the distance.
A man fluttering his white robe splendidly and waving his hand.
It was none other than the White Dragon Squad Leader. The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader did not particularly care for him on a personal level. How should he put it, it was because he always seemed more interested in other things than the mission.
“If it isn’t the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader. It looks like you are on your way to report to the Alliance Leader? I have already finished and am on my way out.”
“Ah, is that so.”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader merely nodded his head slightly. Since the timing of his joining the Alliance was relatively late compared to the other squad leaders, he generally spoke with deference.
The White Dragon Squad Leader chuckled playfully and spoke.
“I heard you pulled off quite a feat this time? Completing such a mission with the Black Tortoise Squad in tow, as expected of the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader. It would have been better if our White Dragon Squad had accompanied you, wouldn’t you say?”
“The Black Tortoise Squad also performed well beyond their proper role.”
“Hm, is that so?”
The White Dragon Squad Leader’s eyes narrowed slightly, as though recalling someone.
“Weren’t some rather standout fellows assigned to the Black Tortoise Squad this time? Did they cause any trouble?”
By standout fellows, he meant Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon.
Even though they placed within the top five of the selection exam, choosing the Black Tortoise Squad instead of the Heavenly Tiger Squad was a standout matter in itself, and Cheon Woo-jin in particular was already a well-known celebrity within the Alliance due to his conflict with the eldest son of the Gu Clan.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader nodded calmly.
“It was indeed regrettable.”
“Haha, right?”
“Yes, they proved to be exceptionally fine talents. It would have been even better had they joined the Heavenly Tiger Squad and worked alongside us.”
When the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader spoke as if genuinely regretting it, the White Dragon Squad Leader’s expression instantly became awkward. Lightly brushing off that reaction, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader bowed his head.
“I have much work to do even after reporting, so I shall take my leave first.”
“Ahem, very well.”
Soon, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader set off once again. Passing by the White Dragon Squad Leader and heading toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader clicked his tongue and shook his head.
* * *
“This concludes my report.”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon smiled with satisfaction.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s report was neat and without superfluous fluff. From the overview of the incident, its cause, outcome, to its future impact. It felt just like reading a clearly structured written report.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was one of the juniors the Alliance Leader especially cherished.
He had a somewhat taciturn yet upright disposition, and his execution of affairs was impeccably tidy. Of course, it was likely because his outstanding capabilities were sturdy enough that he never had to vacillate here and there.
“Still, it is a strange thing.”
“What do you mean?”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon, resting his chin on his thumb and stroking his beard with his index finger, spoke suddenly.
“The Lust Demon, Blood Immortal, and even Elder Ma Cheong-seok of the Demonic Cult. A dispute broke out among them over the Giant Stone Monster’s corpse?”
“A report from the dispatched investigators will be needed, but for now, Senior Sword King and I judged it to be so.”
There was no other way to explain it. Each and every one was a demonic head capable of looking down on an entire combat squad. There was no expert present powerful enough to kill two of those three.
“You said that when the Sword King and you arrived, the Blood Immortal and the youngest Cheon were already confronting each other.”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s brow furrowed slightly. Because what the Alliance Leader’s words signified was clear.
“Although Recruit Cheon Woo-jin is an extremely strong martial artist, it is difficult to accept that he killed the Lust Demon and the Demonic Cult elder. Furthermore, if that assumption were true, it would mean he overwhelmed three demonic heads while dealing with them at the same time.”
“My point exactly.”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon let out a somewhat mysterious smile.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader felt his mind growing complicated.
“We will know once the investigation results come out, but…”
Since the Alliance Leader brought up the topic first, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader voiced the question he had harbored in his heart all along.
“Alliance Member Cheon Woo-jin’s martial prowess is difficult to comprehend. Moreover, the Alliance Leader surely must have noticed this during the interview, yet you deliberately made him the youngest member of a mere combat squad.”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was a man who considered order and rules exceptionally important. From such a perspective, Cheon Woo-jin was someone who could disrupt the well-established order of the Martial Alliance in a flash.
What youngest member of a mere combat squad could possibly kill Black Wolf Hand, a Third-Grade Public Enemy, without a scratch?
This was not merely an issue concerning the Black Tortoise Squad.
“Does it seem so to you as well?”
“…Yes.”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon seemed to ponder deeply while holding his teacup, then continued speaking.
“I want that fellow to remain in the Martial Alliance.”
“Are you saying he might leave?”
“Who knows. But it would not be strange whenever he left.”
Recalling Cheon Woo-jin, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader nodded. Indeed, Cheon Woo-jin was that sort of person. A man who, even if he suddenly did something out of the blue, would somehow not seem strange at all.
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon’s words suddenly continued.
“Therefore, I considered keeping him as a close aide. He is a fellow who possesses ability worthy of that.”
“Yes.”
“There was a problem. I became the Alliance Leader by myself, without a prominent clan or a master’s assistance. In that process, I received countless jealousies and attacks.”
Only then did the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader understand the meaning of the Alliance Leader’s words.
Even the Alliance Leader, who had risen by proving his abilities on his own, suffered such hardship, so if he abruptly placed Cheon Woo-jin in a high position through the Alliance Leader’s authority, it went without saying what would happen.
“Since ancient times, it was said that an awl in a pouch will reveal itself. He is a talent who will stand out on his own and rise to greater heights without my intervention. There is no need to scratch and create an unnecessary sore.”
“I understand.”
“Of course, that is on the premise that the fellow remains in the Alliance.”
“That is fortunate then.”
At the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s unexpected remark, the Alliance Leader expressed curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
“In truth, while on the mission with Alliance Member Cheon Woo-jin, I felt it was regrettable. If he had chosen the Heavenly Tiger Squad, we could have carried out more missions.”
“That is true.”
“However, if the Alliance Leader’s wish is to keep him bound to the Martial Alliance, the Black Tortoise Squad is rather better.”
At that, Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon let out a pleased chuckle.
“This is the first time.”
“Pardon?”
“That you have praised another person before me. Certainly, the Black Tortoise Squad Leader is a fellow who knows how to move people’s hearts.”
“Ahem…”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader cleared his throat unnecessarily, looking embarrassed.
“Then, you may return now. Let us talk again once the investigation results are out.”
“Yes, understood.”
After the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader departed, Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon, left alone in his office, fell deep into thought.
Based on the report, he slowly painted the situation in his mind.
As expected, the strangest thing was not Cheon Woo-jin’s martial prowess, the deaths of the Lust Demon and the Demonic Cult elder, nor the leaked information.
Just who killed the fleeing Blood Immortal so easily?
How many martial artists in the world were capable of doing so?
‘Ominous. Truly ominous.’
Soon, only the Alliance Leader’s long sigh filled the office.
* * *
The Black Tortoise Squad Leader picked his ear with his little finger.
“Is someone badmouthing me?”
“With a high probability, it is the White Dragon Squad Leader.”
At Zhuge Rin’s sharp retort, the Black Tortoise Squad Leader glared.
“Hey, is the White Dragon Squad Leader your close friend?”
Of course, Zhuge Rin merely snapped her head away.
Be that as it may, the Black Tortoise Squad Leader was in high spirits for the first time in a while.
Because a high-grade mission had been completed for the first time in a long while, quite a hefty reward had been granted.
The Black Tortoise Squad Leader shook money pouches toward the Black Tortoise Squad members sitting before him like baby birds.
“I divided it into exactly thirty equal shares. Come forward and take one each.”
Originally, the reward was the squad leader’s portion. Of course, it was common to share it to some extent with the members, but among greedy squad leaders, there were cases where they monopolized it alone.
However, the Black Tortoise Squad Leader always shared even small rewards equally with the squad members. Although his own rank was higher, his absurd reason was that food expenses cost more during one’s energetic youth.
“Now, starting with the youngest.”
At Cheol Ji-ak’s designation, Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin stepped forward.
Song Yi-yeon, scratching his head as though this situation was somewhat awkward, picked up one money pouch.
It was at that moment.
“Junior Song. Take mine as well.”
It was none other than the former youngest, Jang Woo-pyeong.
Everyone looked at Jang Woo-pyeong with round eyes. Because the person who rejoiced the most whenever rewards were distributed was originally Jang Woo-pyeong.
“What has gotten into a guy crazy about money?”
At the Black Tortoise Squad Leader’s playful question, Jang Woo-pyeong smacked his lips.
“What did I even do in this mission? Shamelessly, I only ended up in debt of my life to the youngest.”
Even while saying so, his gaze was firmly fixed on the money pouch. To anyone looking, it was the expression of a person whose insides were twisting in agony.
Song Yi-yeon let out an utterly awkward laugh.
“Ha, haha… I am fine, Senior.”
“No. I am not fine. Take it.”
Jang Woo-pyeong spoke with intense force in his eyes. At that sight, Song Yi-yeon scratched his head in embarrassment.
At that moment, when Do Seong-hwi, sitting next to Jang Woo-pyeong, raised his hand, everyone’s gaze converged. He was the man who had been in the Black Tortoise Squad the longest after Cheol Ji-ak, and a senior certified by Jang Woo-pyeong as needlessly sensitive.
“Junior Cheon, take mine as well.”
It was for the same reason as Jang Woo-pyeong. Both of them had nearly died at Azure Flower Pavilion from the seductive arts of Black Wolf Hand and the courtesans, but they had survived thanks to the two youngest.
Song Yi-yeon was truly in a predicament. In truth, he had more than plenty of money. Moreover, he knew full well how much Senior Jang loved money.
He appreciated the gesture, but it was also somewhat burdensome.
‘How can I smoothly refuse this…’
Around the time he was immersed in such thoughts.
“Yes.”
Cheon Woo-jin picked up one more money pouch without a trace of hesitation and returned to his seat. Song Yi-yeon wore a flabbergasted expression.
Historically, Cheon Woo-jin was not a man to treat his masters’ words lightly.
– Naturally, there are few things under heaven better than money.
Of course, those were the words of Black Elder.
Yet White Elder had also constantly nodded in agreement.