Chapter 40: Chapter 40
Around fifty youngest recruits were gathered in front of the grand main gates of the Martial Alliance. Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon, having received the Black Tortoise Squad Leader’s order, were also present, but unlike those gathered in small groups chatting away, they somehow felt strangely distanced.
Song Yi-yeon spoke with a serious face.
“Young Hero, it seems we are outcasts.”
“Outcasts? What is that?”
When Cheon Woo-jin tilted his head, Song Yi-yeon, gazing at him blankly, let out a sigh.
“There is such a thing. It is probably better if you just do not know.”
“Understood.”
The atmosphere was generally clamorous. Originally, as the saying goes that love for peers is love for country, whenever members of the same cohort gathered together, there was always plenty to talk about.
The topic of conversation was mainly the martial arts they had learned this time.
“Everyone, watch closely. This is what is called the Golden Wolf Quick Claw Art…”
The youngest of the Golden Wolf Squad sharpened his fingernails and surged qi forward. Then, although not quite reaching sword qi, energy of a similar form rushed forward in the shape of claw marks.
The youngest of the White Dragon Squad standing beside him was startled and responded with the Dragon Thunder Heaven Partitioning Art.
Watching this from a short distance away, Cheon Woo-jin said quietly.
“Young Hero Song, it seems the person who was the first Black Tortoise Squad Leader was exceptionally strong.”
Of course, the martial arts displayed just now were still merely clumsy imitations by the youngest. However, a martial artist with an eye of Cheon Woo-jin’s caliber could glimpse the essence behind those imitations.
In Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes, the profound principles contained in the Black Tortoise Iron Leg Art were fairly deep compared to the martial arts of the other combat squads.
Owing to that, those who could master it would be few and far between.
Perhaps Cheon Woo-jin’s low voice reached far, for Seok Do-byeok, who had displayed the Golden Wolf Quick Claw Art, turned his head.
“…”
Seok Do-byeok seemed to have something to say, but given who the other party was, he could not easily open his mouth.
Soon, he spoke to Namgung Jin, who happened to be beside him.
“Young Hero Namgung, please show us some of the Heavenly Tiger Squad’s martial arts as well. Surely it must be tremendous.”
It was a shallow trick to dampen the spirits of Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin. Of course, Namgung Jin also knew this. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have clicked his tongue at Seok Do-byeok’s shallow trick while still participating.
For trampling down the spirits of those two, especially Song Yi-yeon, was also a very enjoyable matter to him.
However, Namgung Jin shook his head.
“Forget it. I detest useless antics.”
“…Ah, is that so.”
Seok Do-byeok tilted his head. It seemed somewhat different from how Namgung Jin usually looked at the two youngest of the Black Tortoise Squad.
Just how long had such a lively atmosphere continued?
“Everyone looks excited. Most likely, a few among you will not return safely. That is how missions usually are.”
In an instant, silence settled over the grounds.
Before anyone realized, a burly man was standing blankly before the main gates, looking at the youngest recruits of the Martial Alliance.
Everyone looked at him with bewildered eyes.
“Greetings. I am Heavenly Righteousness Division Head Jin Myeong-hwa.”
Simultaneously, everyone except Cheon Woo-jin performed a fist-and-palm salute. To them, as the youngest, even a squad leader was an overwhelmingly distant existence, yet here was a division head above them.
The Heavenly Righteousness Division Head’s gaze turned toward Cheon Woo-jin, who stood motionless by himself. Cheon Woo-jin bowed his head slightly.
‘So it’s that punk.’
The youngest who had caused the biggest stir in the Martial Alliance of late.
Taking in Cheon Woo-jin’s face intently, the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head continued speaking calmly.
“Missions are conducted individually or in pairs. The detailed information is written in the mission scrolls, so take them on your own.”
“…”
At the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head’s extremely bored demeanor, everyone merely exchanged cautious glances. At that, the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head’s face crumpled for an instant. He possessed a sturdy physique and rugged features, and when he crumpled his expression, a menacing aura radiated in that instant.
Seok Do-byeok, standing at the very front, startled and darted forward like an arrow. Behind him, the youngest members of other combat squads, including the White Dragon Squad and Heavenly Tiger Squad, collected the mission scrolls with their names written on them.
The youngest were assigned different missions. The Military Strategy Department had assessed the youngest of each combat squad and assigned missions suited to their origins, familiar locations, or individual aptitudes.
Around the time the youngest were alternating between joy and sorrow while comparing their missions.
“Aren’t you going to take yours?”
“…”
In an instant, everyone’s gaze concentrated.
In the cylinder held by the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head, only the mission scroll inscribed with the names of Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin remained.
Everyone was watching Cheon Woo-jin with eyes tinted with anticipation and wariness.
What this mission symbolized was very significant. Being assigned a difficult mission meant the Martial Alliance evaluated one highly, and at the same time, one could accumulate greater merits than others.
In particular, Namgung Jin assigned to the Heavenly Tiger Squad, Jin Un of the Mount Hua Sect, and Tang So-yeon of the Tang Clan were already entrusted with missions related to the Unorthodox Path.
Amid everyone’s gazes, Cheon Woo-jin, having approached at a pace that was neither slow nor fast, took the mission scroll. Song Yi-yeon, who followed behind, spoke with a tense face.
“Young Hero, hurry and open it.”
Song Yi-yeon anticipated it in his own way. After all, they were the two individuals who had taken first and third place in the selection exam. Surely a fairly difficult mission that ignited a spirit of challenge must have been assigned.
Checking the mission scroll, Cheon Woo-jin spoke.
“It is an escort mission.”
“Eh?”
Song Yi-yeon let out a deflated sound.
Carefully examining the mission scroll handed to him by Cheon Woo-jin, Song Yi-yeon let out a hollow laugh.
“We are really going to an escort agency.”
The mission was truly simple.
Among the escort agencies affiliated with the Martial Alliance, there was one experiencing conflict over toll fees with a mountain stronghold affiliated with the Green Forest, and they were told to go help.
Of course, what would the youngest have to do? It was merely warning the mountain bandits. Telling them, ‘The Martial Alliance is watching this matter.’
Moreover, it was not a large mountain stronghold that formed the core of the Green Forest, but merely a minor stronghold situated at the bottom rank.
“So, are you not going?”
When the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head asked impassively, Song Yi-yeon, startled, waved his hands urgently.
“Th-there is no way that is the case. We will go immediately and show the righteous spirit of the Martial Alliance to the bandits.”
“Pointlessly grandiose.”
“…”
With a bored expression, the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head merely waved his hand dismissively toward the fifty youngest recruits and walked back into the Alliance.
Standing still for a moment and looking at the spot where the Heavenly Righteousness Division Head had disappeared, the youngest recruits smacked their lips.
“He looks annoyed.”
“Well, since he is a person of division head rank, it must be bothersome to handle even things like this.”
Soon, the youngest members of each combat squad set off one by one.
Suddenly, Seok Do-byeok, the youngest of the Golden Wolf Squad hailing from the Seok Clan Manor, approached the Heavenly Tiger Squad youngest recruits and hovered around.
“Is there by any chance anyone heading to Shaanxi?”
“Ah.”
Jin Un of the Mount Hua Sect nodded. Because each mission took their origins into account, Jin Un was to head to Shaanxi, Namgung Jin to Anhui, and Tang So-yeon to Sichuan.
Seok Do-byeok smiled brightly and spoke.
“I am also heading to Shaanxi, so this works out well. If it is not uncomfortable for you, would you like to travel together?”
“Mmh…”
Jin Un did not answer immediately and dragged his words out. In truth, going alone was more comfortable. But seeing Seok Do-byeok’s earnest expression, it was rather difficult to refuse.
‘Since Senior Brother also told me not to turn away from someone in need…’
Soon, Jin Un nodded his head.
“Very well. Let us go together.”
“Hahaha, thank you. In return, the meals are on me.”
Having said so, Seok Do-byeok examined Namgung Jin’s reaction. His purpose for coming to the Martial Alliance was clear. Having not been born with outstanding martial talent in the first place, it was to foster relationships with prominent figures.
Among them, the person of highest priority was Namgung Jin, the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Clan.
‘He cannot take his eyes off those two.’
Frankly, he did not understand well. Even if they had achieved fairly good results in the selection exam, what did any of that matter before the name of the Namgung Clan?
Stepping closer to Namgung Jin, Seok Do-byeok formed a courteous smile and spoke.
“Did you hear as well, Young Hero Namgung? Those two were given an escort mission. The real divergence has begun. Just one or two years from now, the gap between Young Hero Namgung and those two will be immense.”
It was a typical flattering remark. Of course, it was a statement he would not have made had Seok Do-byeok been born with even an ounce of tact.
Namgung Jin’s brow narrowed in displeasure.
“Mind your own business and do well yourself, Young Hero Seok.”
Having said so, Namgung Jin clicked his tongue and walked away.
Forming an awkward smile, Jin Un spoke to Seok Do-byeok.
“It would probably be best not to bring up those two in front of Young Hero Namgung. Some things happened during this past mission.”
By this mission, it meant the joint undertaking carried out by the Heavenly Tiger Squad and the Black Tortoise Squad to retrieve the Giant Stone Monster’s corpse.
There was no way Seok Do-byeok could have known that Namgung Jin owed a debt of saving his life to Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon.
As each of the youngest departed for their missions, Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon also leisurely walked onward.
Because the deadline for the mission was not particularly urgent, there was no need to rush.
Song Yi-yeon suddenly spoke.
“Young Hero Cheon, I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“I feel as if you received such a mission for no other reason than because of me. Because I am the child of a merchant clan.”
Song Yi-yeon thought as much. Someone of Cheon Woo-jin’s caliber had the ability to easily accomplish any difficult mission. Yet he had ended up receiving such a low-grade mission merely because he was entangled with him.
Cheon Woo-jin burst into a quiet chuckle.
“What is wrong with being the child of a merchant clan?”
“In the martial world, after all…”
“I am an orphan.”
“…Oh dear.”
In an instant, Song Yi-yeon felt dizzy before his eyes.
Amid such a somewhat subdued atmosphere, the two merely took steady steps that were neither rushed nor sluggish.
* * *
Hubei Province, Yicheng County.
It was a small-to-medium city located between Wuhan, where the Martial Alliance headquarters was situated, and Danjiangkou, where the Zhuge Clan and Wudang Sect were located.
“Looks like this is the place.”
Song Yi-yeon spoke while looking at the flag fluttering high. On the red flag, the characters for ‘Yicheng’ were written in splendid calligraphy.
This mission was to escort the Henan-bound convoy of the Yicheng Escort Agency.
As Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon peeked around, an escort warrior who glanced at them through the open door approached.
“Could you perhaps be the esteemed guests from the Alliance?”
“Yes, that is correct. Did we find the right place…”
The middle-aged escort warrior with a sword at his waist performed a fist-and-palm salute to the two in a polite manner. In Jianghu, that was the kind of presence a Martial Alliance member was. Those where only the most outstanding martial artists of the Righteous Path gathered, always leading the fight for justice and fairness.
At the middle-aged escort warrior’s polite attitude, Song Yi-yeon, flustered, returned the fist-and-palm salute.
In the meantime, Cheon Woo-jin asked.
“When does the escort convoy depart?”
“Ah, it will take some time. We have only just begun packing the cargo. First, let me guide you to the Agency Head.”
When they followed the escort warrior into the Yicheng Escort Agency, everyone’s gaze gathered on them. Rumors had already spread throughout the entire agency, for a middle-aged man with graying hair soon came out in stockinged feet to welcome them.
“Aigo, welcome. I am So Sang-jeong, the Agency Head of this small escort agency. The mountain bandit bastards’ momentum was so fierce that we had no choice but to request aid from the Alliance, yet to think you would come here in person.”
“Pleased to meet you, Agency Head. I am Song Yi-yeon of the Martial Alliance’s Black Tortoise Squad.”
“I am Cheon Woo-jin.”
Brief greetings were exchanged.
Agency Head So Sang-jeong said he would prepare the convoy shortly and had the two wait in the reception room.
Drinking tea offered by the Yicheng Escort Agency, Song Yi-yeon spoke.
“Since it is an escort journey to Henan, I think the mission will conclude faster than expected. Because it is not that far.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head.
It was at that moment.
– Agency Head, what is this? Looking at them, aren’t they just young kids who recently joined the Alliance?
At the voice echoing from quite a distance away, Song Yi-yeon’s hand holding the teacup froze.
Song Yi-yeon let out an awkward laugh.
“They probably find us untrustworthy. Since their livelihood depends on this matter.”
“I understand.”
However, the voices continued to reach them. Though they seemed to be speaking with lowered voices in their own way, in the realm of Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin, it sounded as if they were speaking right beside them.
– Tsk, this is something to be resolved through the prestige of the Martial Alliance’s name in the first place, not an affair to start a fight over.
– What if a fight breaks out? Leaving me aside, who will take responsibility if our kids get injured or killed?
– It is not as if I do not understand Escort Leader Jang’s sentiments. But would the Martial Alliance have sent them without even that much consideration?
– Haah…
Apparently, there was a difference of opinion between the Yicheng Agency Head and the escort leader of this convoy.
Song Yi-yeon let out an awkward chuckle, and Cheon Woo-jin merely shrugged his shoulders.
– Forget it. I will speak to them myself.
– Hey! Look here, Escort Leader Jang! Escort Leader Jang!
However, the quite angry-sounding footsteps soon drew closer.
“I am Jang Seong-guk, the escort leader for this convoy. May I speak with you for a moment?”
Soon, a voice was heard right in front of the reception room.
Standing up abruptly, Song Yi-yeon opened the door, and a middle-aged man with an impressive ruddy face revealed himself.
“I am Song Yi-yeon of the Martial Alliance’s Black Tortoise Squad. Pleased to meet you.”
“What class are you?”
“Pardon?”
“Which Martial Alliance class, I asked.”
Escort Leader Jang abruptly spoke informally. While Song Yi-yeon could not contain his bewilderment, Escort Leader Jang’s words followed.
“I am Jang Seong-guk of the Martial Alliance Henan Branch, 116th class.”