Chapter 239: Battlefront (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 239: Battlefront (9)
After I finished toying with those Hwangbo bastards, I wandered for a while before heading back to my tent.
“Where did you go so early in the morning?”
I ran into Gu Huibi, who was drenched in sweat from training.
My luck was worse than usual today, bumping into Gu Huibi of all people.
“The usual.”
“Oh, your little stroll?”
“Calling it a stroll makes it sound sentimental.”
“Your sis can be sentimental sometimes, little brother.”
Hearing that, my lips curled into a smile.
“You and your bullshit are worse than usual today…”
True enough.
“…Little brother, I think you mixed up your thoughts with your words.”
“My mistake.”
Lately, my mouth had been getting me into trouble.
Maybe I’d been consuming too much Demonic Qi.
“Ah, it pains me to see my little brother’s mouth getting even looser.”
“…For your information, my mouth has always been like this. Though it’s probably not as bad as yours.”
“Oh, is that so? You wanna fight?”
Gu Huibi smiled as she spoke, a dense Combat Qi radiating from her.
Feeling that, I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
She’s gotten much stronger during this time.
As if to prove she was truly destined to become the next Sword Queen after the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Gu Huibi’s potential seemed to rise without limit.
What’s more, she had both talent and drive, so it was no surprise she grew stronger by the day.
If I had one wish, it was that she’d take the title ‘Crazy Sword’ instead of ‘Sword Queen’—it suited her far better.
No matter how you look at it, ‘Sword Queen’ doesn’t fit that personality of hers.
It just didn’t feel right.
As her Combat Qi gradually enveloped the area, I sensed a faint heat mingling with it.
Gu Huibi was subtly generating heat.
Noticing this, I let out a deep sigh.
“Do you really think you can do anything in your current state?”
She’d just returned from training; surely she wasn’t thinking of sparring with me now.
Gu Huibi smiled as if touched by my concern.
“Little brother, are you worried about your sis right now?”
I’m going to lose it.
Deciding I’d heard enough of her nonsense, I shook my head.
Lately, she’d been picking fights over the smallest things.
Even if it’s not about this, she’s going to yell at me later anyway.
If she found out about the trouble I’d stirred up, she’d definitely scold me. Better to leave before that happened.
Tap.
I walked straight through Gu Huibi’s Combat Qi and the surrounding heat.
Thud—!
Crack!
“…!”
With a single step, I released a pulse of Qi that scattered the Combat Qi and heat like leaves in the wind.
Gu Huibi’s face registered shock, but I didn’t stop.
Who knew what she’d do to me if I stuck around?
“…Next time. I’m busy today—it’s my shift.”
“You really know how to slip away with words.”
Instead of getting angry, Gu Huibi laughed heartily.
In the past, she would’ve beaten me senseless to ‘straighten me out.’
“Weren’t you on shift yesterday?”
“So?”
“And yet you were just training.”
“What’s your point? Shift duty is work. Training is the life of a martial artist.”
I nodded at her words.
If only that idiot Gu Jeolyub could learn a thing or two from her.
Not that I’ve learned much myself.
But I chose to ignore that part. Sometimes, you have to be a little selfish in life.
“You’ll be going at night, right?”
“I prefer noon, but a certain someone ordered me to go at night.”
“Night’s better. The weather’s nicer too.”
“…Since when did we care so much about the weather together?”
Hearing my complaint, Gu Huibi chuckled and headed off in the opposite direction with a smile—toward the Fifth Army’s usual training grounds.
It looked like she was going to train even more.
“Maniac.”
She’s going to train again?
At this point, I was convinced she was utterly obsessed.
* * *
As soon as I returned to the base, I looked for Moyong Hi-ah.
She resided in the Gu Clan’s territory, but this particular area was under the jurisdiction of the Moyong Clan.
Sure enough, most people here wore Moyong Clan attire, and the sharp Qi characteristic of their clan—like a well-sheathed sword—permeated the air.
As I entered, acutely aware of their scrutinizing gazes…
“I greet Young Master Gu.”
An escort from the Moyong Clan greeted me, as if he’d been waiting.
“Good to see you. You’ve stopped with the inspections, I see.”
“…Haha.”
They used to inspect me regularly, but they’d stopped recently.
Maybe it’s because I blew up that one time.
Or maybe Moyong Hi-ah had told them to cut it out.
Either way, I was glad they weren’t bothering me anymore.
“Is she here?”
I asked immediately about Moyong Hi-ah’s whereabouts, and the escort’s expression faltered slightly.
“…The Lady is not present at the moment.”
“Really? Where else would she be at this hour?”
“…”
“Don’t you think that’s a weak excuse?”
Moyong Hi-ah rarely went out demon hunting. She spent most of her time training or in her tent. Occasionally, she’d drop by my tent unannounced for a chat.
There were times like this when they claimed she wasn’t in, and their excuses were getting more convincing each time.
“Hah, is she sulking again?”
She probably didn’t want to see my face right now.
So she’d locked herself in her tent and refused to come out.
Once, I’d barged in and dragged her out, and you know what she said?
…She got mad because I’d forgotten to meet her due to training.
Something like that.
Sure, it was my fault, but I didn’t get why she chose to sulk in silence instead of unleashing the cutting insults she’d use on anyone else.
Should I barge in again this time?
I considered it, but after a moment’s thought, I decided against it.
First, I knew there had to be a reason for her behavior, and second… it was just too much hassle.
“Tsk.”
I turned away from Moyong Hi-ah’s tent and walked off.
Even now, I could feel her presence inside.
She really was the person I understood the least.
“Have a safe journey back.”
“Make sure she eats. She looks skinnier every time I see her.”
“Yes, I will convey the message when the Lady returns.”
“I’m sure it’s not easy for you either.”
…No need to keep up the act. It’s obvious she’s inside.
I left Moyong Hi-ah to her own devices and headed back to Gu Clan territory.
It was nearly lunchtime, around when Namgung Bi-ah would wake up and wait for me.
Now that I think about it, the letters should be arriving soon.
It was rare to get multiple letters at once, but I was expecting several this time.
There was news from the Gu Clan about internal affairs, information from the Central Plains that I managed separately, and whatever Tang Soyeol sent—three letters in total.
…Tang Soyeol is something else.
In her first letter, she’d written nonsense about coming to join me at the frontlines immediately. But her next letter said she couldn’t come because the Clan Lord, the Poison King, was restricting her.
And also…
Something about the Poison King wanting to meet me…
I panicked when I first read that.
Drawing the attention of the Poison King was as terrifying as being remembered by the Dark King.
Not that I’ve run into any trouble yet.
He might not have been serious, but I couldn’t shake my unease.
The Poison King, like the Dark King, was one of the top martial artists associated with death.
He’s not… too concerned, right?
I might be called the True Dragon or whatever, but I’m still just a young prodigy. There’s no way the Poison King would pay me much attention.
At least, that’s what I hoped.
Lost in thought, I made my way back to my tent.
“Huh?”
I spotted some unfamiliar faces.
“You crazy bastards…!”
There was also a guy raging wildly.
Who’s that?
It took me a moment to place him, but then I remembered.
He was one of the martial artists from the Murim Alliance, brought here by Gu Jeolyub.
Right, the guy who fainted when he saw my face.
If I recalled correctly, his name was Bi Yeonsum.
“Why’s he causing a scene?”
As I moved closer, I recognized the others too.
The unfamiliar individuals wore the same Murim Alliance uniforms as Bi Yeonsum.
The man at the front was speaking to him.
“Comrade Bi… Last time, we—”
“Comrade? Save it.”
Bi Yeonsum’s expression soured; he clearly had no interest in listening.
Undeterred, the man continued in a conflicted tone.
“Sigh… We were helpless in that situation. Can’t you show a little understanding?”
At that, a vein bulged on Bi Yeonsum’s neck.
“Helpless? You call that helpless?”
His face twisted into an incredulous smile.
“You used me as bait so you could escape! And now you call it a situation where you were helpless?”
“Have you no shame? Coming here after abandoning a comrade—using him as bait—do you have any dignity left?”
Listening to Bi Yeonsum, I started to grasp the situation.
This kind of thing happens all the time.
It’s common on the frontlines.
Surviving by sacrificing a comrade as bait is an age-old tactic.
Humans are far more cunning than you’d think.
I wonder how many would still cling to their Orthodox Sect ideals when death is staring them in the face.
After witnessing countless despicable acts, this sort of thing feels mundane.
Humans can be more demonic than Demons themselves.
Holding a grudge over something so trivial isn’t worth it.
Such is the reality of the Central Plains.
So that bastard should just go back and…
“I’m not going back.”
“Huh?”
I was dumbstruck by Bi Yeonsum’s words.
What did he just say?
“I won’t return to a place full of trash like you. I’d rather stay here and…!”
The Alliance members were stunned as Bi Yeonsum shouted.
Though I couldn’t see their faces, I knew they were conflicted.
I felt the same.
After watching the whole exchange, I spoke up, barely containing my anger.
“With whose permission?”
“…Ah!”
Bi Yeonsum and the Alliance members flinched when they saw me.
They seemed to know who I was.
“T-True Dragon.”
“Hey, didn’t I tell you guys to call me by my name? I’m sure I kindly informed the bastards who visited me last time.”
I’d made sure not to leave any scars. I was being incredibly generous.
“I-I apologize, Brother Gu! It was a slip of the tongue!”
“That’s fine. But why are you struggling to bring him back after coming all this way? Can’t you handle anything yourselves?”
“Uh… well…”
They hesitated, unable to respond.
Useless bastards.
If he won’t cooperate, just beat him up. Why do they always act like true Orthodox Sect members at times like this?
“You too.”
“Y-Yes?”
“They came to get you. You should go back.”
Bi Yeonsum avoided my gaze.
This piece of shit—
“Hey, I said go.”
“Huh?”
“Those inhuman bastards… they…”
Bi Yeonsum bit his lip, still furious, but seeing him like this, I could only sigh.
“So what?”
“Pardon?”
“Whether you were mistreated or those bastards wronged you, do I need to know?”
“That’s not what I—”
“Then what is it? If something makes you angry, deal with it yourself. Is that thing on your hip a backscratcher? What do you mean you won’t go? Get lost.”
“…”
Why does he yap when he has a perfectly good sword?
“…I’m a martial artist. Martial arts… shouldn’t be used for something like this.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Kids like you, who have nothing, always cling to some lofty belief.”
Just like Gu Jeolyub. I don’t know why they’re like this.
Bi Yeonsum’s brow furrowed at my words.
“You’re going too far.”
“Of course I am. I want you to feel like shit.”
His expression darkened as I berated him.
I pressed on.
“And what’s this about staying? Do you think you’re the first bastard to come here like this?”
“What do you mean…?”
Gu Jeolyub hadn’t brought just one or two people, and he wasn’t the only one who’d brought martial artists here.
Some were from the Murim Alliance, and some had been treated just as poorly as Bi Yeonsum.
He wasn’t the first to end up in this situation.
“What will you do if you don’t go? Stay?”
“…If you permit it… I’ll stay and offer my support…”
“I already said no. Why are you dreaming up scenarios on your own?”
“…”
“What would you even accomplish by staying? We’re already struggling to pay everyone. You’d just be another mouth to feed.”
That part was a lie.
I wasn’t in charge of salaries, and the Gu Clan paid martial artists handsomely.
Rumors had even started that Father was giving money to the Swordsmen Army.
But Bi Yeonsum didn’t back down.
“I don’t need money.”
His determined response surprised me.
“…You don’t need money?”
“Yes… I just don’t want to be associated with the Murim Alliance while I’m on the frontlines.”
His expression was resolute.
“So, if you’ll allow me… I will—”
“So…”
“Hmm?”
“You’re saying you don’t want to go back. You want to stay here. You’re asking for my permission to work here for free?”
“H-Huh? Work…? Y-Yes, that’s right.”
Bi Yeonsum stammered, pausing as if he’d noticed something odd about the phrasing, then nodded hurriedly.
He probably thought I was coming around.
After pretending to think for a moment, I addressed him.
“Then you’ll need to sign a contract. Formal matters should be handled officially.”
“…Ah! S-So you’re letting me stay?”
“No need for permission between us. So, you’ll sign the contract, right?”
“Y-Yes! As long as I can stay here…!”
He’d gone from ‘fucker’ and ‘bastard’ to being part of ‘we,’ but Bi Yeonsum didn’t seem to notice.
Seeing his determination, I smiled brightly and nodded.
“Good. Go discuss the details with the Vice Captain later… Oh, what were we talking about before?”
After finishing my short, pleasant chat with Bi Yeonsum, I turned to the Alliance members.
“Now, what was it again?”
“Master Gu sent a letter requesting the return of the Alliance martial artist under your protection, so we came…”
“Ah, right. I did.”
The man’s response jogged my memory.
I nodded, staring at the group.
“So, who’s responsible for mistreating our kid?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked who mistreated our kid.”
“Brother Gu… What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I heard you used him as bait and ran.”
“No, wait! What do you mean?”
“I’m asking who did it… Oh, was it all of you? That’d be easier—saves me the trouble of picking one out.”
“W-Wait, Brother Gu…! No, Master Gu! Why are you acting like this?!”
Crack.
As I stepped forward, cracking my knuckles, Bi Yeonsum watched with a dumbfounded expression.
What’s happening all of a sudden…?
He seemed confused by my sudden shift.
Because of that, he didn’t notice Gu Jeolyub struggling in the Vice Captain’s grip in the background.
Gu Jeolyub was desperate, his eyes screaming at Bi Yeonsum.
—Run away!
But those earnest words failed to reach Bi Yeonsum’s ears.