Time of Resurrection (1)
“Currently, two squads from the Sa-hon Company are pursuing what we believe to be elite forces from the Moyong family. One squad is moving in from the north, the other from the east, cutting off their retreat routes.”
Yang Cheon’s expression was as cold as ice as he listened to Baek Seo’s report. His ears took in Baek Seo’s words, while his eyes glared down at Hwan Sa, prostrated before him.
Baek Seo continued. “The five divisions of the Twelve Branches Gods are currently locked in fierce combat with Moyong family forces. Cheong Ho, Su Ryong, and Gwang Gyeon are directly engaging Moyong Gun himself. Reports indicate that Moyong Gun’s martial prowess is exceptional, so the battle’s outcome remains uncertain……”
“Do you know your sin?”
Baek Seo halted his report. Yang Cheon’s words were not directed at him, but at Hwan Sa.
In a trembling voice, Hwan Sa said, “Please kill me, my lord.”
Yang Cheon’s face twisted. “I didn’t send you lot with the Intelligence Chief just to assist him. Even in the worst-case scenario, it was meant to ensure he survived at all costs.”
“……”
“Yet not only did you fail to protect him—you ended up unconscious, carried back on your subordinate’s back?”
Hwan Sa bit his lip. “……Please kill me, my lord.”
There was nothing else he could say.
Yang Cheon, who had been glaring at Hwan Sa with a contorted face, soon let out a sigh. “Report the details.”
Hwan Sa recounted the situation in as calm a tone as possible. His reports were always precise. Delivering events from an objective viewpoint, free of personal bias, was Hwan Sa’s greatest strength.
After hearing the full account, Yang Cheon let out a low sigh. “You fool……”
The image of the Intelligence Chief, Jeong Ui, flashed in his mind. That confident tone, the slightly tense face, but eyes sparkling with passion and wisdom. He was the sort who’d shoulder any responsibility himself. Even with his rough temperament, he knew enough to hold back, saying he’d bring in his fellow sect members later to avoid unsettling the headquarters’ leadership.
Though their connection had been brief, Yang Cheon had thought he’d found a once-in-a-lifetime talent.
“Heaven seemed to grant this Yang Cheon a hidden dragon, only for sudden storm clouds to snatch away the wyrm before it could even sprout.”
Yang Cheon closed his eyes. “How unjust. Is the time not yet ripe?”
For a fleeting moment at first, he’d even suspected the man might be a spy from another faction. But what organization would send such a genius as a mole? And who would root out an infiltrated group’s flaws from the ground up? If anything, they’d fawn for favor, not overhaul the organization or offer up merchant caravan funds bound for the Martial Alliance.
Yet such a promising talent had perished in battle before blooming. It was utterly absurd.
“Moyong Gun.”
Pussssh.
The armrest beneath Yang Cheon’s hand crumbled to dust and scattered. “You dare lay hands on our headquarters?”
What infuriated him even more was something else entirely.
‘We can’t touch the Moyong family recklessly.’
If he were just a lone wolf standing tall and proud, he’d have crushed the Moyong or Shaolin alike, no matter what. But as the leader of an organization, he couldn’t rashly strike one of the Martial Alliance’s pillars.
If Muk Ryong Bu’s strength were enough to wage full war against the Alliance, he’d dispatch his full forces right now to raze the Moyong household.
‘No matter the reason, Moyong Gun struck our headquarters. That means they knew of our existence.’
At that moment, Hwan Sa spoke. “Deputy Leader.”
“What is it?”
“Send……me to the Moyong household.”
“What?”
“I was the one who should have died, not the Intelligence Chief. But he perished, and I survived.”
Hwan Sa raised his head. The eyes of the famously impassive Hwan Sa were bloodshot. “Though our time together was short, his abilities and character were more than enough to become the headquarters’ pillar. How can I stand by while such a talent dies unfulfilled?”
“……”
“I won’t let him walk that final path alone. Please grant me this order.”
Yang Cheon, who had been silently glaring, bellowed, “Silence!”
“……”
“Your sin warrants death! But the Chief saved you, not himself! That means his life now rests upon your shoulders as well!”
Hwan Sa bit his lip.
Yang Cheon waved him off. “Return to your quarters and reflect. I won’t pursue this matter further—so ponder deeply what truly serves the headquarters.”
“……Understood, Deputy Leader.”
It was an unprecedented mercy. And it revealed that Yang Cheon’s vessel was anything but small. Even for a favored subordinate, letting the matter drop without punishment was no small feat.
Once Hwan Sa had left, Yang Cheon turned to Baek Seo. “Moyong Gun knew of our headquarters’ existence.”
“Yes.”
They avoided mention of the Intelligence Chief. More pressing matters demanded attention now.
Yang Cheon’s gaze grew icy. “If Moyong Gun knows, it’s no stretch to assume the Martial Alliance does too.”
Baek Seo ventured cautiously, “It might not be the case.”
“Why do you think that?”
“If they truly knew of us, they wouldn’t have detached Moyong forces just to blow up the entrance.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed. “If they meant to strike, they’d have gone all in. If just observing, they wouldn’t have touched us at all?”
“That’s my view.”
Yang Cheon nodded. “You’re right.”
He struggled to regain his composure, but with his mind still reeling from the recent shock and the loss of his chief, even Yang Cheon couldn’t maintain his usual sharpness.
“Still, we can’t be certain.”
“……”
Yang Cheon rose from his seat. Rage blazed in his eyes. In over a decade serving him, Baek Seo had never seen such fury.
“So, where is Moyong Gun now?”
* * *
“Hoo, hoo.”
The group panted heavily.
Gang Ryang asked, “Is everyone all right?”
Though from the black path, Gang Ryang was exceedingly polite. With them bound to fight together henceforth, it was his way of showing due respect to his elders.
Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered. “But where is that person now? And those explosions from over there……”?
“Shut it, beggar.”
Paeryul asked Gadeuksang, “Just over Cheon Ja Mountain, right?”
“Hah, hah, yes.”
Gadeuksang caught his breath and asked, “But, Senior, are you really going like this?”
“Of course.”
“The field operations team is holding off the enemy!”
“So, you want to go help?”
Gadeuksang bit his lip. “We can’t abandon Young Master Yeon.”
Then Jegal A-yeon spoke. “Know your priorities, Huigae.”
Everyone turned to her in surprise. Jegal A-yeon’s breathing was ragged too. Yet unlike her labored breaths, her expression was colder than anyone else’s there.
“The field ops leader stayed because he chose to. If we could’ve helped, he wouldn’t have planned to fall back alone.”
“B-but……”
“Going back to aid him now would defy orders from above. It’d jeopardize the mission too.”
“The mission’s practically done! Leaving allies behind in this……”
“Listen!”
Gadeuksang flinched at her sharp tone. Fury blazed in Jegal A-yeon’s eyes.
“Think we don’t want to help him? Don’t make a scene. Some of us want it even more than you.”
“……”
“We’re weak—you and me both. Weaklings rushing to save the strong? That what you want—to die?”
“……”
“If you’re so eager to die, bite your sword and drop here. Don’t drag others into your suicide.”
Harsh words, if ever there were. But everyone knew: Jegal A-yeon felt it deepest of all. She was barely holding back the pain tearing at her chest.
Gadeuksang, eyes shaking as he looked at her, bowed his head. “……I spoke out of turn and disturbed you. My apologies.”
Jegal A-yeon sighed. “I get it. How furious you are. But we need cool heads now more than ever.”
“She’s right.”
Jegal A-yeon turned to Paeryul. “Judging by the support request time and the last contact from reinforcements, we should meet them in about an hour if we push. Better to go nonstop, even if it’s grueling.”
Paeryul nodded. “Agreed.”
“Yes.”
Paak!
The group unleashed their movement techniques.
In the silent forest, their ragged breaths echoed everywhere.
Gang Ryang, cautiously gauging the mood, asked Paeryul, “What happened back there?”
He seemed the most composed, so Gang Ryang directed the question there. Paeryul’s breathing wasn’t steady, but it was the best among them.
“Too complicated to explain. Hear it from him later.”
Gang Ryang scratched his head. “Got it.”
It must’ve been frustrating. They’d waited a full day and a half on the peak, yet the key figure was missing, leaving just the group to press on together.
Once I trust, it’s to the end. But curiosity gnawed.
‘Still…’
Gang Ryang looked around in astonishment. ‘To exhaust them this much.’
Even the weakest here, Jegal A-yeon, was a match hard to call. Especially the insight and formations she’d shown escorting him to the manor—truly formidable. In some ways, greater than martial arts themselves.
Everyone here was exceptional talent. For them to be this drained.
‘Muk Ryong Bu…’
Gang Ryang’s face darkened. ‘Was Muk Ryong Bu always this strong?’
He finally understood why Yeon Hojeong had declared he wouldn’t last a month. Without witnessing it, he’d never have believed.
‘It’s fine. Now I know.’
Gang Ryang bit his lip. ‘I need power. Until I’m the strongest, I won’t move rashly.’
How long had they run? Barely half an hour since restarting.
‘……?’
Gang Ryang’s eyes sharpened. “Someone’s coming.”
“I know.”
Paeryul glanced at Jegal A-yeon. Surprise crossed her face too.
“Thought it’d take an hour—what’s so fast?”
Dududududu.
The mountains trembled. Astonishingly, thunderous hoofbeats and earth-shaking vibrations closed in at terrifying speed. Near the pace of peak masters’ footwork.
And moments later.
Kwaaaang!
The massive boulder blocking their path shattered into fragments.
Gang Ryang’s jaw dropped.
Neighhh!
Dozens of warhorses bellowed dragon-like cries as they hurtled forward.
“W-what the hell?!”
Shock filled Jegal A-yeon’s eyes. “Myeol Sa Army!”
Then.
Paaak!
Someone with a bow slung on their back grabbed Jegal A-yeon’s collar and yanked her up. “Muk Division Chief!”
“Hyah!”
Kwarung!
Fifty riders thundered past the group. Not one opened their mouth. They simply urged their mounts onward with sunken, silent eyes.
On their way to rescue their commander, the Myeol Sa Army leader. Their blazing killing intent swept like a fierce gale, shaking Cheon Ja Mountain.