Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The General's Command
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All eyes turned to General Chung Yeon. If Wi Seongcheon had one minor grievance with the man, it was that he had gathered them for a meal, yet hadn't waited for it to end before pulling rank and diving into heavy matters.
Of course, he didn't show it outright. Wi Seongcheon stared fixedly at General Chung Yeon while subtly maneuvering his chopsticks to pick at food from a nearby plate.
As expected of a general's feast—the dishes were superb.
"So."
Dang Seona spoke up. She fixed her gaze on General Chung Yeon's face. Her eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head slightly.
"What is it you wish to order us to do, General?"
"Order, order... Would a request not suffice?"
"A request can be refused. But an order cannot. Can you accept refusal, General?"
"Haha!"
General Chung Yeon burst into laughter. He shook his head and filled a fresh cup with liquor. Then he personally handed it to Dang Seona.
"If you put it that way, I suppose I must insist. Regrettably, I have no intention of accepting your refusal in this matter."
"Then command us."
Dang Seona replied in a frosty tone as she accepted the cup from General Chung Yeon. She drained it cleanly and set the empty cup on the table.
"Subjugate the demon beast nest."
His gaze, which had been fixed on Dang Seona, shifted to the other students.
"Soldiers and hunters discovered the nest several months ago, but unfortunately, we have yet to succeed in purging it."
"Have you failed, or simply not attempted it?"
"If I must clarify, we haven't truly tried. As you all know, demon beast frontlines are always short on talent. We have numbers enough, but far too few true experts who can shine. That's why I seek your aid."
General Chung Yeon scanned the faces of the gathered students one by one as he spoke. It was regrettable, but true. Even as the foremost frontline, the Gansu demon beast outpost lacked experts in sufficient density.
Those worthy of being called 'true' experts operated beyond the frontlines, in the demon realms themselves. The ones here merely served as a bulwark to prevent the beasts from advancing further.
"I'm no martial artist myself, but I know how formidable the prodigies dubbed Dragon-Phoenixes are. With your help, purging a mere demon nest should be trivial. The beasts prowling these parts aren't so fearsome anyway."
"Be honest."
Dang Seona said with a smirk.
"You're just looking to minimize soldier casualties, aren't you? No matter how powerful the beasts in the nest, your outpost's full might could purge it anytime. The reason you haven't... is because you've been waiting for sharp, usable blades like us."
"You're right."
General Chung Yeon smiled faintly at Dang Seona, who met his eyes squarely.
"No need to hide it. You are fine blades—unbreakable and keen. Even if one snaps, it's no great loss since they aren't my blades. Does that displease you?"
"Yes."
"But if I command it, you must obey. I command this outpost and serve as general of the imperial army. You live in the world of murim, but don't forget: even murim lies within the empire's domain."
"Understood."
Wi Seongcheon replied. General Chung Yeon's eyes turned to him. Having finished his meal in the interim, Wi Seongcheon dabbed his mouth and met the general's gaze.
"...To be precise, I'm no Dragon-Phoenix. Was it rude of me to answer?"
"A hidden dragon is still a dragon."
Muyeon Jun muttered. He flicked the rim of a liquor cup on the table with his fingertip and nodded.
"If that's what you seek from us, General, I'd undertake it whether as command or request. My fated enemies aren't limited to the Heavenly Demon and Demonic Cult. If demon beasts are kin to the demonic, they must be hunted."
"I shall follow as well."
Sang Irin nodded, and Tae Heemyung spoke up. He'd been stealing overt glances at Wi Seongcheon earlier, but now his face burned with resolve as he faced General Chung Yeon.
"Successfully purging the nest will drastically reduce the beasts wandering nearby. For the greater good, I, Tae Heemyung, pledge my body to the cause."
"Yes, yes."
Cheong Ubin sneered at Tae Heemyung's brimming sense of justice. Haji Tae, who had been quietly pouring his own drinks, nodded as well, and even Hwangbo Seongu agreed despite his listless expression.
"We'll do it."
"If it's an order."
Paeng Yeonhwa and Dang Heeran responded. The ones who hadn't were Jeomchang's Yeong Jin and Dang Seona. Yeong Jin glanced at Dang Seona's expression before asking.
"When do we depart?"
"If you're ready, we can set out tomorrow."
"You've been preparing for the nest purge since before we arrived?"
"Your intentions aren't the priority. The day's delay was merely to assess if any promising blades lurked among the students here for training."
Yeong Jin smirked at the response.
"Understood. Tomorrow works for me."
"And you, the Tang Clan's Sahee?"
"If the general commands it, I must obey. However."
With a slow pour, Dang Seona filled her cup and eyed General Chung Yeon with half-lidded eyes.
"Since you seek tools like us, may I request a tool of my own?"
"As many as you need."
"Though not summoned here, I'll bring my maids, the Twin-Headed Poisoners, for the purge. No issue with that?"
"None at all. Though I'm curious—they're tools as well?"
"Yes. If you want Sahee, you need them."
"Not a difficult request."
"And one more."
Dang Seona brought the cup to her lips. She licked a few drops with her tongue and smiled seductively.
"Exclude my little sister."
The abrupt words whipped Dang Heeran's head around. Her eyes widened as she gaped at Dang Seona. But Dang Seona didn't spare her sister a glance, keeping her eyes locked on General Chung Yeon.
"Why?"
"No need for her."
Dang Seona answered without hesitation.
"My sister and I use the same martial arts. We both grew up in the Tang Clan and trained identically. But she's inferior to me in every way. If I'm going, she has no need to."
"Sister...!"
"Shh."
Dang Seona's eyes slid to Dang Heeran with a glance.
"Don't think otherwise? Then say it. Dang Heeran, what are you better at than me? Hidden techniques? Poison arts? Body techniques?"
Dang Heeran's lips quivered.
"Nothing. We're sisters, but you're not like me. I wield everything you use far better than you. So why have you there at all?"
"That's..."
"Your worries and answers don't matter. Face reality: with me here, you're redundant. You'd only get in the way."
"N-No, that's not..."
Dang Heeran replied in a trembling voice. A chill crawled over her skin. Watching her sister's face twist in rage and humiliation, Dang Seona felt a thrill deep in her chest.
Dang Heeran imagined the stares upon her as crawling insects on her skin, and Dang Seona's piercing gaze as a blood-cold serpent.
"Even with Sister here... I, I..."
[Hey.]
Wi Seongcheon sent a transmission to Dang Heeran. Her body jolted.
[Don't look this way. You don't want to irk your senior, right?]
Dang Heeran bit her lip. Without turning to Wi Seongcheon, she steadied her breathing.
[If you really want to go, say what I tell you. Got it?]
'...What's this all of a sudden?'
Though Wi Seongcheon's transmission flustered her, Dang Heeran opened her mouth as instructed.
"...It's true I'm inferior to my sister in many ways, but I don't think that warrants an exception."
As Wi Seongcheon directed, Dang Heeran stared straight at General Chung Yeon. The general watched the exchange with amused glinting eyes, refraining from interrupting.
But with Dang Heeran now staring him down and pressing, he had to respond.
"Why?"
"It might... prove necessary. This may sound off, but there's no need to use an ox-cleaver for chickens. If you have a chicken knife, it's more convenient."
Insulting words, but Dang Heeran couldn't deny them. She swallowed hard and pressed on.
"Don't you want more blades at your disposal, General?"
"Indeed."
General Chung Yeon nodded. Dang Seona narrowed her eyes and glared at Dang Heeran. General Chung Yeon smiled at Dang Seona.
"You seem quite fond of your sister."
"Yes."
General Chung Yeon chuckled at her curt reply.
"I'd like to oblige you, but as she says... More blades suit me fine, even if their edges vary sharply. Especially when she desires it so strongly. So it shall be."
"How could I defy the general's decision?"
Dang Seona retorted snidely. General Chung Yeon laughed heartily as he rose. He grabbed a liquor bottle and strolled about, refilling each student's cup.
"Now, to the purge's success."
Returning to his seat, General Chung Yeon raised his cup high. Dang Seona openly glared at Dang Heeran as she brought her cup to her lips. Dang Heeran downed hers as if drinking poison.
"Tomorrow's purge."
No firm schedule had been set, but Muyeon Jun already declared it for tomorrow.
General Chung Yeon didn't contradict him. Muyeon Jun set down his empty cup and looked General Chung Yeon in the eye.
"Will you join us, General?"
"Of course."
General Chung Yeon nodded.
"It's not my first nest purge. I've led the soldiers in every one personally."
"Don't come."
Muyeon Jun said. General Chung Yeon's eyes widened as he glared at him.
"What did you say?"
"Minimal forces. Elite aces outshine masses of useless numbers. It's far quicker. Frankly, we need no support from your outpost's soldiers or hunters. We're enough on our own. No—even I alone suffice."
The other students shot Muyeon Jun glares at that. They felt dismissed. But Muyeon Jun continued undeterred.
"If you go, your guards will inevitably follow. A waste of manpower. Demon beasts hunting humans instinctively spot the weakest link."
"...Am I a hindrance?"
"Yes."
Muyeon Jun nodded.
"The purge will succeed regardless. You'll survive too. But it'll be a hassle. Protecting you will get others killed. What do you want, General? Purge success? Or the merits and glory of leading your aged body to the frontlines in valor?"
"I'm not so old as to be called decrepit."
"No. You are old, General. Your past self was surely strong—strong enough to claim this rank. But you became general by surviving in the army until old age, not by martial prowess."
General Chung Yeon's brow twitched. Muyeon Jun's face remained serene.
"Your arts ceased advancing long ago. Your body can't withstand time's onslaught. That outwardly robust frame—how much can it move? To my eyes, your qi is muddied. And this: you're ill, General."
Boom!
General Chung Yeon slammed his fist on the table. A leg splintered, and it collapsed.
"Silence."
"Heed this counsel. For tomorrow's purge, if you insist on coming, I'll act alone without joining."
"Even if I order otherwise?"
"You can't order me, General. I heed only the heavens that birthed me and my own will."
"A general can't command you? The heavens granted me my authority."
"The Emperor is not the heavens."
General Chung Yeon shot to his feet. His hand lashed out toward Muyeon Jun's throat. Muyeon Jun didn't resist. General Chung Yeon's hand seized his neck. Guards dropped from the ceiling, drawing blades aimed at Muyeon Jun.
"How dare you!"
General Chung Yeon snarled, face contorted. Sang Irin half-rose, but Muyeon Jun raised a hand to halt her. He met General Chung Yeon's eyes squarely.
"The heavens are the heavens alone."
Muyeon Jun replied calmly. General Chung Yeon's cheeks trembled. He gripped Muyeon Jun's neck with force... but his fingers were yielding. He felt the steady, lively pulse beneath.
"The Emperor is but a man born of woman. He can never be the heavens."
"You claim to be different...?!"
"I am. I am the Heavenly Being. I dare not call myself the heavens from hubris, but my fate was ordained by them, birthed for the world's sake—that Heavenly Being is I. General, release me and dismiss your guards."
"You've insulted His Imperial Majesty...!"
"The heavens birthed me. My fate is to exterminate all demonic kin. Now, you insult the heavens' will."
The students, Wi Seongcheon included, watched General Chung Yeon and Muyeon Jun with tense eyes. The blade-wielding guards glanced at General Chung Yeon. Trembling, he bit his lower lip.
"...Stand down...!"
"Your will."
The guards sheathed their swords. General Chung Yeon released Muyeon Jun's neck and slumped his shoulders.
"I offered counsel out of respect for you, General."
Muyeon Jun said, staring at him with impassive eyes.
"What an old general can do isn't charge valiantly on the battlefield—it's to remain here as this outpost's general and issue orders. What say you, General?"
"...I'll stay at the outpost."
Muyeon Jun nodded at General Chung Yeon's reply. The general sighed deeply and sank into his seat.
"...I don't understand."
"What?"
"I heard the Demonic Cult assaulted the Heavenly Academy."
"It wasn't much of an assault."
"True enough. But spies infiltrated it, didn't they? ...Heavenly Being. Answer me."
General Chung Yeon glared at Muyeon Jun as he spat the words.
"Why did you come here? I thought you wouldn't. The Demonic Cult, silent for so long, targeted you directly—vaulting the Heavenly Academy's formidable walls. This isn't the academy. No one protects you here."
"I need no protection."
"That's not my point. Aren't you... afraid? They might target you here too."
"I fear nothing."
Muyeon Jun answered without pause.
"I came because I do not fear the Demonic Cult. I was born clutching the fate of demon extermination and have lived to fulfill it. They may be stronger, but I fear them not. To fear them is to deny my own existence."
General Chung Yeon said nothing, merely staring at Muyeon Jun's face.
"Had I shunned this place for fear of spies, all would mock me—the Heavenly Being, cowering from the Demonic Cult. I cannot bear such scorn. Countless pin their hopes on the Heavenly Being."
"...Indeed. You are the Heavenly Being."
General Chung Yeon murmured with a long sigh.
"...For tomorrow's purge, I'll assign only a guide soldier. As you say, no unnecessary troops. ...That suffice?"
"Plenty."
"One more question. Why exclude even the other soldiers?"
"I lack certainty I can protect them all."
"...Ha!"
General Chung Yeon let out a dry laugh and nodded.
"I see."
I'm old.
He felt it keenly each time his body weighed heavy, but to have it driven home so brutally by a mere youth...
"...I'll send nest details to your lodgings. And... Hidden Dragon."
General Chung Yeon turned to Wi Seongcheon.
"Your request, I'll grant after the purge succeeds."
"Yes."
Wi Seongcheon nodded.