The Five Banners Converge
The Five Banners of Northern Heaven.
As one of the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains, the Northern Heaven Alliance commanded countless martial detachments beneath its grand banner. Yet, it was the Five Banners that truly formed the five great pillars upholding the alliance. Indeed, to speak of the Northern Heaven Alliance without mentioning them was impossible.
The spear leading the vanguard with devastating destructive power: the White Tiger Banner.
The shield that prized an iron-walled coordinated defense over individual glory: the Black Tortoise Banner.
The wind sweeping across the battlefield swifter than any other: the Azure Dragon Banner.
The ranged vanguard providing fire support with divine archery and deadly concealed weapons: the Vermilion Bird Banner.
And finally, the shadow of the alliance handling intelligence and silent assassinations: the Flying Shadow Banner.
The commanders who governed these Five Banners were none other than the five supreme martial masters representing the pinnacle of the alliance—the Five Pillars of Northern Heaven.
Now, an astonishing four of those five banners had mobilized for the sake of recruiting a single man: Dokgo Jin.
And as fate would have it, their paths collided directly outside the Cloud Guest Pavilion, where Dokgo Jin was temporarily residing.
The Cloud Guest Pavilion was an opulent estate typically reserved for esteemed foreign guests and emissaries visiting the Northern Heaven Alliance. Dokgo Jin, however, had been granted the private annex situated just behind the main pavilion. Because his final division had not yet been decided, he was placed there until his official posting was determined. It was the highest grade of lodging the alliance could offer, bestowed upon him in honor of his newly earned status as a Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master.
The difference in treatment really is night and day.
He had the entire detached villa to himself. Looking around the luxuriously appointed quarters, Dokgo Jin felt the sheer weight of the Dragon-Tiger Plaque anew. The alliance attendants had even promised to deliver his meals directly to his door; luxury did not get any greater than this.
I almost want to delay handing this plaque back as long as possible.
Just as the two previous plaque masters had done, Dokgo Jin intended to use the token to claim a priceless treasure from the Zimi Vault. One took an esoteric manual, and the other claimed a divine elixir, if I remember correctly.
There was no burning rush, however. That was a matter to contemplate after extracting every last ounce of privilege his current standing afforded him. Dokgo Jin stretched out upon the plush bed. Befitting high-class quarters, the bedding was remarkably soft and comfortable.
Perhaps I should rest for a little while...
He knew all too well that a storm would soon break over his head. Entering the Northern Heaven Alliance, enduring the interrogation of the Bright Mirror Pavilion, and fighting his way through the Dragon Tiger Pavilion had not drained much of his physical stamina. Even so, the mental strain had been considerable, making even a brief respite welcome.
He closed his eyes.
Yet less than fifteen minutes had passed before his eyelids snapped open again. A sharp, prickling ripple of qi was radiating from the entrance of the Cloud Guest Pavilion.
They certainly don't waste any time.
Several familiar presences registered in his perception. It took no great leap of logic to divine why they had gathered at his doorstep.
Well, getting this sorted out quickly wouldn't be the worst thing.
With a wry smile, Dokgo Jin pushed himself up from the bed. It had already been an exceptionally long day.
Outside, a heavy stillness blanketed the courtyard of the Cloud Guest Pavilion, so profound that even the autumn breeze seemed to hold its breath. At the center of that silence stood a man built like a towering fortress wall, his thick arms crossed over his armored chest.
It was Ma Dong-il, Vice-Commander of the Black Armor Unit.
Though his eyes remained serenely shut, the crushing aura rolling off his massive frame formed an impassable barricade, completely sealing the path leading toward the annex.
"Quite impressive, hiding your presence like that," Ma Dong-il rumbled in a low voice without bothering to open his eyes.
From the deep shadows cast by the pavilion eaves behind him, a slender figure slipped forward like a phantom. A pale complexion framed by a cold, razor-thin smile—it was Jin So, Vice-Commander of the Wind Sword Unit.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Vice-Commander Ma. For a man built like a bear, I assumed your senses would be rather dull, but you're full of surprises." Jin So's eyes narrowed to sharp crescents. "Planting yourself in the middle of the road like an iron gate, however, is hardly good manners."
Ma Dong-il shook his head slowly. "You misunderstand."
He turned his colossal frame, casting a heavy gaze down upon Jin So. "I am merely standing where I wish to stand. I have no intention of blocking anyone's path."
"Then you won't raise a finger if I walk right past you?"
A subtle, ambiguous smirk tugged at the corner of Ma Dong-il's mouth. "Who can say?"
"See? Just as I expected."
Their gazes clashed in midair. Neither drew steel nor unleashed open killing intent, yet a taut, suffocating battle of wills unfolded between them as each probed the other's resolve.
Tap, tap, tap.
Through their unspoken standoff, an impatient, brisk set of footsteps rang out across the stone path.
Both men turned their heads toward the sound. Striding toward them was a slender swordswoman with a pair of matching blades strapped across her back, her fair brow knotted in a deep scowl. It was Yoo Seol-ah.
She glared daggers between the two men before letting out an exasperated scoff. "What are the two of you doing loitering around out here? Don't tell me you have nothing better to do?"
"Ah, the little wildcat of the Iron Soul Unit has arrived," Jin So remarked with a sly, knowing chuckle.
Yoo Seol-ah's scowl deepened, her tone snapping like a whip. "Wipe that smirk off your face, Jin So. And Vice-Commander Ma, be a dear and step aside, would you? My commander has been barking in my ear to drag the Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master back to our barracks no matter what. I need to get through."
"How amusing," Ma Dong-il rumbled, planting his boots firmly into the flagstones without the slightest intention of budging. "My commander gave me the exact same instructions."
Yoo Seol-ah's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Then go inside and convince him yourself! Why stand out here blocking the thoroughfare like a boulder?"
"It would be rather troublesome if certain uninvited guests barged in while I was in the middle of negotiating, wouldn't it?"
"Ah, so you're trying to lock everyone else out and hoard him for yourself?"
"Something along those lines."
"My, aren't we shameless? Have you no conscience at all? Who do you think scouted the Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master and brought him to the alliance in the first place?"
"I know very well," Ma Dong-il said, his eyes gleaming with a solid, unshakeable light. "And for that, the Black Armor Unit is eternally grateful to you. Thank you for unearthing our next commander."
"Ha! Who said he's going to be your next commander?!"
Jin So nodded smoothly in agreement. "On that point, Vice-Commander Yoo is entirely correct. The Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master is destined to become the next commander of the Wind Sword Unit."
The three gazes tangled fiercely in the autumn air. Vice-commanders representing the core martial units of the Black Tortoise, Flying Shadow, and White Tiger Banners stood locked in a three-way standoff, snarling at one another like territorial predators.
It was right at that moment.
Swishhh.
Without warning, the dry leaves scattered across the courtyard swept along the ground, drawn into a sudden, unnatural vortex. Though not a single gust had blown, the atmospheric currents had been violently warped. All three vice-commanders snapped their heads toward the disturbance in unison.
Standing quietly beside the courtyard wall was a man clad in azure martial robes.
None of them had sensed his arrival. His appearance was uniquely striking: he possessed features as delicate and refined as a noblewoman's, yet his eyes were slitted and cold as an adder's, inspiring an instinctive shudder. Worst of all was the cruel, mocking smirk playing across his thin lips—a smile that grated against the nerves of anyone who looked upon it.
It was Gwan Jeok-un, Commander of the Dragon Fang Unit, the supreme elite vanguard under the Azure Dragon Banner.
"...Even the Azure Dragon Banner?" Ma Dong-il's expression hardened instantly.
The Dragon Fang Commander was the most trusted confidant of the Azure Dragon Banner Leader and widely recognized as one of the premier experts in the entire Northern Heaven Alliance. His personal appearance was an utter bolt from the blue.
To think they dispatched the Dragon Fang Commander himself...
That single fact revealed the terrifying extent of the Azure Dragon Banner's obsession with recruiting Dokgo Jin.
Gwan Jeok-un swept an icy, dismissive gaze over the three vice-commanders before speaking in a flat, indifferent tone.
"All of you, go back."
A curt, simple command. Yet beneath those few words lay an overbearing pressure that brooked no defiance. Even so, it was not quite enough to force three seasoned vice-commanders to bow their heads.
"Excuse me?" Yoo Seol-ah's temper flared.
Before she could launch into a tirade, Gwan Jeok-un cut her off with a flick of his chin toward the annex. "The Azure Dragon Banner has already decided to take the Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master under our wing."
Hearing his brazen proclamation, Jin So felt an odd prickle of suspicion. Where does that confidence come from?
Granted, the arrival of a full unit commander carried far greater weight than mere vice-commanders. But that alone was hardly reason to speak as if the matter were already settled.
"Says who?!" Yoo Seol-ah hissed, her hand snapping directly to the hilt of the twin swords at her back.
A suffocating, mountain-heavy aura erupted from Ma Dong-il's frame, while Jin So gripped the hilt resting at his waist, releasing razor-sharp killing intent. Regardless of the man's status as a commander, they had all come armed with the personal blessings of their unit leaders and banner lords. They had no intention of retreating after a few arrogant words.
The clashing qi of the four experts tangled in the courtyard, filling the air with a pressure so thick that drawing breath became an ordeal. Though no one took the first step, the frozen, deadlocked silence only heightened the unbearable tension.
Creak.
Shattering the fragile standoff, the heavy wooden door of the annex swung open. Every pair of eyes whipped toward the sound.
Dokgo Jin stepped across the threshold, his expression entirely placid.
"You are making too much noise out here," he said calmly. "For now, all of you, come inside."
Without waiting for an answer, Dokgo Jin turned on his heel and walked back into the parlor.
The four martial artists exchanged tense, wary glances before following him into the villa in rapid succession.
Inside, Dokgo Jin sat across from the four guests at a broad wooden table.
Hmm.
He observed the pressure radiating from each of them, nodding faintly to himself. The vice-commanders possess a presence true to their rank, and the commander carries an aura befitting his station.
Gwan Jeok-un's martial foundation was undeniably formidable; even if the other three joined hands, they would struggle to defeat him. Even so... he is nowhere near the level of the Iron Soul Commander.
Though Dokgo Jin had not encountered many squad leaders within the alliance yet, the disparity was far wider than he had anticipated. I suppose they do not call Yeom Baek the strongest commander for nothing. In fact, it seemed almost bizarre that a man of Yeom Baek's monstrous caliber was content remaining a simple frontline unit commander.
Meanwhile, Jin So took a quiet breath of relief. At least the Vermilion Bird Banner didn't show up.
As fortune would have it, most of the Vermilion Bird Banner's top commanders were currently away on long-term deployments. Had they been here, this bidding war would have been twice as vicious.
Seizing the momentary pause, Jin So took the initiative to speak first. "Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master, I trust you remember who I am?"
It was a clever opening gambit. The other three displayed subtle twitches of annoyance at being beaten to the punch.
Dokgo Jin gave a mild nod. "Of course. Were you not the examiner overseeing the Second Gate at the Dragon Tiger Pavilion?"
"Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Jin So, Vice-Commander of the Wind Sword Unit."
"A pleasure to meet you."
"Your extraordinary sensory acuity left a profound impression on me," Jin So said, his eyes gleaming with genuine hunger. "My instincts told me on the spot that you were a talent custom-made for our ranks. And to think you emerged as a Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master on top of it!"
Leaning forward slightly, Jin So pressed his advantage. "I will be blunt. Come to the Flying Shadow Banner. If the Wind Sword Unit does not suit your taste, I can arrange your placement in any other combat detachment beneath our banner."
Dokgo Jin remained silent, listening impassively.
"We will guarantee you the privileges of a squad leader or higher from day one. And your monthly stipend will far outstrip anything the other four banners could ever dream of offering."
Among the Five Banners of Northern Heaven, the Flying Shadow Banner commanded the most lavish budget by a wide margin. Because they undertook high-risk black operations with a lean roster of elite operatives, their individual pay scale was more than double that of the other banners.
Fighting dirty with silver, are we?!
The other vice-commanders bristled, nervously checking Dokgo Jin's reaction. To their surprise, Dokgo Jin's expression remained completely indifferent, unmoved by the mention of wealth.
Seeing an opening, Ma Dong-il chimed in with his deep, resonant baritone. "We are already acquainted as well, are we not? I am Ma Dong-il, Vice-Commander of the Black Armor Unit. Our Black Tortoise Banner will match their offer of squad leader status—and grant you the immediate qualification to stand as the candidate for our next unit commander."
Candidate for unit commander, is it? Dokgo Jin thought. From his perspective, that was far from a bad proposition.
Ma Dong-il cast a derisive sidelong glance at Jin So before continuing. "We may not swim in coin like the Flying Shadow Banner, but the pride of serving as the unyielding shield that protects the Northern Heaven Alliance is an honor that no mountain of gold can ever buy."
"Hah! Are you suggesting the Flying Shadow Banner lacks honor?" Jin So snapped.
"I am merely stating what we stand for."
"What did you say?!"
As the two vice-commanders bickered across the table, Gwan Jeok-un spoke up, his voice dripping with cool derision.
"Did you two come all this way just to stage a petty squabble? How pathetic."
The three vice-commanders stared at him in disbelief. Wasn't this arrogant bastard the one trying to pick a fight in the yard two minutes ago?!
"If the Flying Shadow Banner and Black Tortoise Banner truly possessed the sincerity to recruit a Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master, your unit commanders should have come in person. Am I wrong?"
Even for a Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master, the direct, personal visit of a full-fledged unit commander was an extraordinary honor. That was a reality the three vice-commanders had no choice but to swallow in silence.
Dokgo Jin shifted his gaze, regarding Gwan Jeok-un with quiet curiosity.
Meeting his eyes, Gwan Jeok-un raised his chin. "I am Gwan Jeok-un, Commander of the Dragon Fang Unit under the Azure Dragon Banner."
His slitted, reptilian eyes glinted with supreme certainty.
"I will keep this brief. We offer you the position of Commander of the Dragon Wing Unit."
Shock and sheer disbelief rippled across the faces of the three vice-commanders.
Dark Sky Martial Emperor
Author | Jeong Cheon
Publisher | Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Managing Editor | Editorial Department
Published by | Samyang C&C – Dreambooks
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