Formation of the Mad Tiger Squad
The Five Flag Masters of the Northern Heavenly Alliance had gathered in a single hall.
"You've accomplished a tremendous feat, White Tiger Flag Master."
At the Blue Dragon Flag Master's words, the White Tiger Flag Master offered a faint smile.
"It was merely ferreting out a traitor within our own ranks. Hardly an occasion for unbridled joy... yet I presume this settles the matter?"
"..."
While the Blue Dragon Flag Master struggled to conceal his sour displeasure, the Black Tortoise Flag Master spoke up.
"Congratulations, White Tiger Flag Master."
"Hahaha, thank you."
"Don't let it go to your head," the Blue Dragon Flag Master remarked, his tone barbed. "Never forget that this was achieved thanks to the prowess of a recruit, not your own."
The White Tiger Flag Master smoothly deflected the pointed jab with practiced composure.
"Is it not the true measure of a leader's ability to discover exceptional subordinates and utilize them to their fullest?"
"..."
"The Alliance Leader has already granted his approval, so I ask for everyone's willing cooperation."
With the sole exception of the Blue Dragon Flag Master, the other commanders nodded in unison.
The Flying Shadow Flag Master stated impassively, "Of course. That was our agreement."
The Vermilion Bird Flag Master, who had remained quiet until now, finally opened her lips.
"...What a pity. Our Vermilion Bird Flag was holding the lead until now."
"I offer my regrets for that."
Though he spoke courteously, the White Tiger Flag Master could hardly suppress the triumphant satisfaction written across his face.
"So, White Tiger Flag Master, who is it that you have in mind?"
"Who do you think?"
A peculiar gleam flickered in the Vermilion Bird Flag Master's eyes.
"Only one person comes to mind."
"Heh heh. It seems our thoughts are aligned. Consider that the correct answer."
The Blue Dragon Flag Master's brow furrowed deep.
"Surely not... Isn't that far too premature?"
"You are hardly in a position to criticize. If memory serves, you offered him a commander's seat on the spot."
"That was...!"
The Blue Dragon Flag Master began to protest, but bit back his words.
"Hmph. Do as you please. We shall see whether the other squad leaders accept it so easily."
"I will manage that myself, so you need not fret."
The White Tiger Flag Master swept his gaze across the assembly and announced firmly:
"The newly established combat unit shall belong to the White Tiger Flag, and its commander will be the Dragon-Tiger Plaque Master."
Dokgo Jin's eyes widened.
"Squad commander... sir?"
The White Tiger Flag Master gave a decisive nod.
"Indeed. In light of your recent contributions, it is by no means excessive."
"..."
"I shall not interfere in the slightest. From the name of this new unit to the recruitment of its members, everything is entirely at your discretion."
It was an extraordinary, unprecedented offer.
"Such compensation is only fitting, is it not, to make your declining of the Blue Dragon Flag's invitation worthwhile?"
Dokgo Jin bowed his head respectfully.
"Thank you, Flag Master. I shall accept without hesitation."
"Hahaha! Splendid, that's the spirit. I have high expectations."
"However..."
"Hmm?"
"I ask that you bestow the name upon the new unit yourself. Please grant it a title befitting the White Tiger Flag."
"...If you insist."
Pleased by the request, the White Tiger Flag Master pondered for a brief moment before a faint smile crossed his lips.
"How does the Mad Tiger Squad sound?"
Dokgo Jin nodded in approval.
"The Mad Tiger Squad. I like it."
"Excellent. Then the new combat unit shall be designated the Mad Tiger Squad."
The White Tiger Flag Master continued, "In principle, you may draft anyone from within the ranks of the White Tiger Flag. Even if they belong to other banners, you are permitted to select and requisition one member per squad."
"Is such a thing truly permissible?"
"Of course. That was the pact struck among the Flag Masters regarding the Mad Tiger Squad."
One could not simply cobble together any random martial artists to forge a frontline combat squad. Though minor differences existed, the martial capabilities of the various units under the Five Banners of Northern Heaven were generally held in close equilibrium. The same standard applied to a newly formed force. In other words, while he was granted the authority to recruit, his squad's collective prowess was expected to stand shoulder to shoulder with the existing units.
That was by no means an easy endeavor.
Nearly every warrior of proven caliber was already entrenched within an established squad. For that very reason, new combat units were seldom founded, and even if one wished to do so, it could never be done recklessly.
Being authorized to draft members across different banners to assemble adequate martial strength was a tremendous boon, but whether that alone would suffice to match the other veteran units remained to be seen.
Yet that was not the end of the conditions.
"However, the individual in question must willingly agree to join the Mad Tiger Squad. If they stubbornly refuse, there is nothing to be done."
"That will certainly not be simple."
"Indeed. Land must also be secured to house the squad, and living quarters must be erected. I shall oversee all of that personally, so you need only focus on gathering your men."
Though he spoke as if bestowing a generous favor, all the logistical and financial backing was provided directly by the Northern Heavenly Alliance; the White Tiger Flag Master was merely designating the plot of land.
"I cannot afford you much time. A fortnight. You must have all your members assembled by then."
"Understood."
A new combat squad.
Factoring in new lodgings, training grounds, and the monthly stipends for the members, this was an immense undertaking that required considerable financial backing.
While this is an extraordinary opportunity for me... does the Northern Heavenly Alliance truly have need of a new combat unit right now?
As one of the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains, the Northern Heavenly Alliance already commanded overwhelming military might. The fact that the White Tiger Flag Master had deliberately chosen a name as aggressive as 'Mad Tiger Squad' was equally telling.
Is he plotting to bring about change, or is an upheaval already on the verge of erupting...?
Whichever it was, it played to his favor.
It would be ideal if this shifts the balance among the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains.
His mother, Baek Hye-ran, had revealed on the day of their ruin that the true mastermind behind the annihilation of the Dokgo Clan was an entity known as Cheonhahoe. Yet no matter how thoroughly he had scoured the dossiers and records of every sect and faction across the Central Plains, not a whisper of Cheonhahoe could be found.
They are undoubtedly lurking in the shadows somewhere.
She would never have spoken falsely about the very conspiracy that exterminated their bloodline.
I will unearth you, without fail. Cheonhahoe.
To achieve that, he had to climb into the supreme leadership of the Northern Heavenly Alliance by any means necessary. Taking command of the Mad Tiger Squad would be his first decisive step forward.
I cannot simply strip away the core fighting strength of the Iron Soul Unit, let alone the other combat squads.
Even with the White Tiger Flag Master's explicit permission, doing so would inevitably invite bitter resentment from the existing commanders.
Even within our own White Tiger Flag, drafting a single person per squad is the realistic limit.
The same held true for the other banners. In reality, taking one person from each banner rather than from each squad would be the most he could manage without inciting open hostility—and even then, it had to be someone who was currently outside their primary combat lineup.
The entire venture hinges on unearthing hidden gems.
Of course, the moment he had been told to handpick his subordinates, one particular figure had immediately crossed his mind.
Dokgo Jin made his way once again to the Cloud Sea Hall, and from there, proceeded directly toward the Heavenly Mechanism Hall. It was to claim the intelligence Sagong Wun had promised him before. Though he gathered dossiers on only a single individual, Dokgo Jin did not consider the political favor wasted in the slightest.
It's decided.
Having thoroughly reviewed the information, Dokgo Jin made his way to the Vermilion Bird Camp to recruit the vice commander of his new squad.
The Vermilion Bird Flag Master was reclining languidly across a long divan.
Resting the slender stem of a long pipe between her lips as she exhaled plumes of fragrant smoke, she exuded a strangely bewitching allure, yet underneath it lingered an unmistakable, razor-sharp presence. Her eyebrows arched in faint surprise as her gaze settled upon Dokgo Jin.
"To think you would come seeking me out. What an unexpected guest."
"It has been some time, Flag Master."
At Dokgo Jin's polite greeting, she took a slow, deep draw from her pipe before venting a long ribbon of white smoke into the air.
"I have heard plenty regarding your recent exploits. Congratulations on being appointed commander of the new combat squad."
As expected, she is already fully aware.
As one of the Five Flag Masters, there was no way she could remain ignorant of the creation of a new unit. Dokgo Jin bowed his head in courtesy.
"Thank you."
"I had hoped to poach you for my Vermilion Bird Flag if the opportunity ever presented itself, but that plan has gone up in smoke. So, what brings you to my quarters?"
"I have come to recruit a talented individual currently belonging to the Vermilion Bird Flag."
"Shouldn't you take that up directly with their squad leader? Surely you aren't trying to pluck one of my personal retainers, are you?"
A wry, troubled smile touched her lips as she continued, "Not that I couldn't part with them if you were truly desperate... but the mere thought of recruiting and training a replacement gives me a pounding headache."
"Of course not. However, given the identity of the person I wish to take, I believed it only proper to obtain the Flag Master's personal consent first."
An intrigued glint appeared in her eyes.
"Oho. Just who could it be for you to act with such formality?"
"Tang Pung-yeong of the Vermilion Shadow Squad."
"...!"
The Vermilion Bird Flag Master's expression subtly stiffened.
"As I anticipated, you are well acquainted with his value."
"Hmm. I heard that you recently accompanied him during the escort mission for the Master of the Cloud Sea Hall. I had no idea you were observing that fellow so intently."
"Will you grant your permission?"
The Vermilion Bird Flag Master drew another long breath from her pipe and exhaled slowly.
"Pheeew."
A delicate crease formed between her brows.
"I had been keeping him tucked away in secret, intending to appoint him as a squad commander the moment a new unit was formed or a vacancy opened... Had I known this would happen, I should have at least bestowed a vice commander's post upon him beforehand."
"..."
"Well, it cannot be helped. If Tang Pung-yeong wishes to go, you may take him. On one condition."
"What might that be?"
"You must answer my question truthfully."
Her eyes narrowed into razor-thin crescents.
"Your martial arts... they aren't the Dark Soul Style, are they?"
"I am not quite sure what you mean..."
"There is no need to feign ignorance before me. Ah, worry not. I have no intention of telling a soul. Consider it nothing more than idle personal curiosity."
"..."
When Dokgo Jin remained silent, she continued with the gleeful enthusiasm of a child who had uncovered a secret.
"Do you have any idea how many days I spent scouring the archives after that day just to unearth the true nature of your martial arts? I managed to narrow the candidates down to a select few. Care to hear them?"
She began counting them off on her slender fingers.
"First is the Nine Hells Underworld Scripture."
One of the most horrific yin-cold internal arts in recorded history, a legendary discipline said to pursue the ultimate realm of cold flames.
"Second is the Dark Ink Yama Art, and third is the Abyssal Heavenly Demon Art."
The Dark Ink Yama Art was a renowned unorthodox style that wielded pitch-black true qi, while the Abyssal Heavenly Demon Art was a lost, ancient demonic manual that served as a variation of the Great Energy Absorption Art.
"Among these three, is there one that you practice?"
Dokgo Jin replied impassively.
"They sound like exceptionally profound arts... yet I have never heard of a single one."
"Is that so? Then none of the three are correct?"
"That is correct. I do not know what led the Flag Master to entertain such thoughts, but the discipline I cultivate is undeniably the Dark Soul Style."
Yet the Vermilion Bird Flag Master gave no indication of taking his denial at face value.
"So none of the three, after all? Just as I suspected."
A subtle, knowing light shifted within her gaze.
In that case...
Watching her reaction, Dokgo Jin was inwardly taken aback.
Has she been searching for the identity of my martial arts all this time?
Though he had claimed utter ignorance, Dokgo Jin was, in truth, thoroughly familiar with all three techniques. Every single one of them shared undeniable similarities with the Nine Nether Dark Sky Scripture. To think she had deduced that much without ever witnessing him unleash his martial arts in earnest.
Her curiosity runs dangerously deep.
At this rate, it would hardly be strange if the name of the Nine Nether Dark Sky Scripture crossed her mind before long.
Of course, all I must do is deny it to the end.
Of that, he was completely certain. There was not a single martial artist in the contemporary Jianghu capable of recognizing the Nine Nether Dark Sky Scripture. Even so, the Vermilion Bird Flag Master's razor-sharp intuition was undeniably unsettling.
"Very well. Since it appears you have spoken your truth, I grant my permission."
"Thank you. I shall take my leave."
As Dokgo Jin stepped out of the room, a profound smile curled across the lips of the Vermilion Bird Flag Master, left behind in the quiet chamber.
"My, this is far more fascinating than I imagined."
She had not brought up those three martial arts to confirm his discipline; she had named them purely for the sake of elimination.
In truth, there was an entirely different legacy upon which she placed the greatest suspicion.
"Could it truly be the Dark Emperor?"
Her dark, fathomless eyes flickered like a burning candle in the gloom.
Dark Sky Martial Emperor
Author | Jeong Cheon
Publisher | Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Executive Editor | Editorial Department
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