A Public Challenge
Jo Gun-hyeong, Commander of the Vermilion Shadow Squad.
Now in his late forties, he was a master of throwing daggers and widely acknowledged as one of the foremost hidden weapons experts in the entire Vermilion Bird Banner. To a man of his standing, the sudden news of Tang Pung-yeong’s departure struck like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky.
“Tang Pung-yeong is… what? The vice commander of a new martial unit?”
“Yes, Commander. Banner Lord Jujak has already granted approval, and Tang Pung-yeong is reportedly packing his belongings this very moment.”
At his vice commander’s report, Jo Gun-hyeong slammed his palm onto the desk.
Thud!
“Of all people, why Tang Pung-yeong?! He is one of our core pillars! How on earth does that wretched Dragon Tiger Plaque Master even know who he is?!”
Seeing his commander’s violent outburst, the vice commander subtly pursed his lips.
You never gave a damn about him before…
Though virtually everyone shunned Tang Pung-yeong, to the Vermilion Shadow Squad he had been like a chicken rib—a nuisance to keep, yet far too valuable to throw away. While his gloomy disposition and unsettling obsession with lethal poisons drove others away, his performance on the field of battle was peerless every single time. It was only natural that the sting of regret surged now that he was actually leaving.
“Damn it all. Is there no way to stop this?”
“The Five Banner Leaders have already reached an accord, and the Vermilion Bird Banner Lord personally affixed her seal to the transfer. Besides, Tang Pung-yeong himself consented, so…”
“Do you think I am asking because I don’t know that?! I told you to find a way!”
At Jo Gun-hyeong’s venomous bellow, the vice commander sighed inwardly.
If you cared so much, you should have treated him better while he was here. You practically treated him like a ghost, and now you throw a fit…
Just then, a crisp knock broke through the heavy silence of the office.
Knock, knock.
“Commander, it is Tang Pung-yeong.”
“…Ah! Come in.”
The door swung open and Tang Pung-yeong stepped inside, a modest bundle already slung across his back.
“Ah, welcome, Member Tang.” Jo Gun-hyeong forced an awkward smile onto his face. “What brings you here?”
Though he knew the answer perfectly well, he feigned ignorance.
Tang Pung-yeong glanced briefly at the vice commander standing nearby, his tone as flat and indifferent as ever. “I assume you have heard the news. I have been assigned to the newly formed Mad Tiger Squad, and I came to bid you farewell.”
“I… see. But surely the Mad Tiger Squad hasn’t even established its quarters yet. Are you moving already?”
“Yes. I was granted permission to temporarily use an annex within the Guest House Hall. Now that I am committed to another martial unit, remaining here any longer would be improper.”
Jo Gun-hyeong waved his hand dismissively. “Improper? Nonsense! Think of all the distinguished service you’ve rendered for our squad! You can stay as long as you like. In fact, not transferring at all is an option as well.”
“There is no need. Lingering would only breed discomfort among the other members.” Tang Pung-yeong brought his hands together in a dry, perfunctory clasp and bowed slightly. “Thank you for everything, Commander.”
“W-Wait! Just a moment!” Jo Gun-hyeong hurriedly cut him off. “Won’t you reconsider? Suffering in unfamiliar territory won’t do you any good. Staying with our squad is far better for your future.”
A note of desperate pleading seeped through his voice.
“I will see to it that your stipend is substantially increased, and when the vice commander’s post opens up, I will recommend you first. What do you say?”
Tang Pung-yeong stared back at him with unblinking, impassive eyes. “I appreciate the sentiment, but the matter has already been settled.”
“It doesn’t have to be! If you change your mind, I will personally convince that Mad Tiger Squad Leader somehow!”
“…”
Tang Pung-yeong’s brow twitched faintly.
Rich. What does he think he can accomplish at this late hour?
He was on the verge of issuing a flat refusal when something shifted in his mind, and an enigmatic smirk touched the corners of his mouth.
“…Will you personally convince the Mad Tiger Squad Leader, then?”
“Hmm?”
“If you can manage that, I will reconsider as well.”
Jo Gun-hyeong’s face brightened in an instant. “Truly?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha! Excellent! Leave that fellow to me. Am I not his senior in the Alliance, after all?” Bursting with confidence, Jo Gun-hyeong strode toward the door. “Vice Commander, I’ll be back shortly!”
“…Understood, sir.”
The vice commander tilted his head as he watched the two men depart.
What was that? Why do I get the feeling the commander just walked straight into a trap…?
Dokgo Jin had already moved his quarters to an annex within the Guest House Hall.
Three days have already slipped by.
A fortnight was far shorter than it seemed.
How am I going to recruit the rest of the squad…?
Initially, he had planned to shamelessly poach a few dependable hands from the Iron Soul Unit. However, a thoroughly drunken Yoo Seol-ah had practically begged him to spare her squad, leaving him no choice but to give her his word. Of course, if he were to post a public recruitment notice right this second, warriors across the Northern Heavenly Alliance would flock to him in droves. Such was the weight carried by his title as the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master.
Yet that would not suffice for Dokgo Jin. He intended to run the Mad Tiger Squad as a lean, elite strike force.
Thirty members at most. Not one more.
Truth be told, he had little formal study in large-scale military strategy, and he lacked the confidence to direct vast formations in battle.
Which means every single member must be a master well above average.
The trouble was that martial artists of that caliber were already entrenched in established units, enjoying prestige and pay commensurate with their prowess.
The Northern Heavenly Alliance prioritizes martial capability above all else.
While pragmatic, that operational philosophy worked directly against Dokgo Jin’s current needs. Securing Tang Pung-yeong had been a monumental stroke of fortune in itself.
Talents like Tang Pung-yeong don’t come along often.
Even if others existed, he simply lacked the time to seek them out and reel them in. He had discussed the dilemma with Tang Pung-yeong earlier, but the man had offered no immediate solution, saying only that he would give it thought.
The ideal outcome would be for such masters to seek him out of their own accord, but that was wishful thinking. While his feats—claiming the Dragon Tiger Plaque and conquering the Mugeuk Gate—carried substantial weight, they were not quite enough to compel seasoned veterans to abandon their posts.
I need a decisive catalyst.
It was then.
“…?”
Sensing a presence outside, Dokgo Jin turned toward the door.
Sure enough.
Knock, knock!
“Dragon Tiger Plaque Master, it’s me!”
A familiar voice rang out.
A dry smirk pulled at Dokgo Jin’s lips. “Come in.”
The door flew open, and Mok Woo-jeon marched inside, his face flushed with indignant fury.
“Welcome, Brother Mok.”
“Hey! How could you do this to me?!”
Dokgo Jin feigned innocence. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I heard you’ve been appointed commander of this newly formed Mad Tiger Squad! And that you brought in Tang Pung-yeong as your vice commander! Is that true?!”
Dokgo Jin nodded placidly. “It is.”
“How could you not breathe a single word of this to me?!” Mok Woo-jeon shook a tight fist in the air, sputtering with outraged passion. “You should have come to me first! How could you run off to that Tang Clan bastard before even asking me?!”
“I’m not quite following…”
“Fine, let’s be generous! Let’s say you went to him first because he belonged to an existing squad and the paperwork would take longer! But then shouldn’t you have come straight to me next?!”
Dokgo Jin tilted his head. “To you, Brother Mok?”
“Yes! Isn’t Mok Woo-jeon the single most qualified talent for a squad led by the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master?!”
“Calm yourself, Brother Mok.”
“Do I look like a man who can calm down right now?! You even moved right here, barely a stone’s throw from my quarters, and you didn't even drop by…”
Dokgo Jin watched him with a faint smile.
There was no need for me to seek you out. I knew you’d come storming in the moment you caught wind of it.
Mok Woo-jeon vented his wounded pride for a good while longer. Only when his fury had somewhat cooled did Dokgo Jin speak up.
“I understand your point. In short, you wish to join the Mad Tiger Squad as well, Brother Mok?”
“Well, of course I—!”
Mok Woo-jeon froze mid-sentence.
Wait. Something about this feels off…
“Very well. I shall accept you as a member of our squad, so let us leave it at that.”
“Uh… no, well, it’s not that I was begging to…”
“Are you saying you do not wish to join, then?”
“Th-that’s not it either!”
“Then the matter is settled.”
“…”
Mok Woo-jeon’s expression twisted into something peculiar.
What is this foul feeling in my gut?
A beat too late, chagrin washed over his features.
Dammit! I just made it look like I was desperate to get in!
In truth, quite a few martial squads had approached Mok Woo-jeon with recruitment offers, but he had brushed them aside, claiming he needed time to consider.
I was planning to act reluctant, like I was doing the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master a favor when he came to ask me…
Yet he hadn't even lasted a single day after hearing the rumor before scurrying straight to Dokgo Jin’s doorstep.
Good grief! I’m not usually this frivolous!
Grimacing, Mok Woo-jeon scrutinized Dokgo Jin, but the young master’s impassive face revealed nothing.
Something about this leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Smacking his lips, Mok Woo-jeon muttered, “So what is my position, then?”
“A regular squad member.”
“What?! Tang Pung-yeong gets to be the vice commander and I’m just a regular rank-and-file?!”
“There is no helping that. We only require a single vice commander, and the post has already been given to Tang Pung-yeong.”
“Urgh.”
As Mok Woo-jeon groaned in defeat, another knock sounded at the door.
“Dragon Tiger Plaque… no, Mad Tiger Squad Leader. It is Jo Gun-hyeong, Commander of the Vermilion Shadow Squad.”
“Please, enter.”
The door swung open, revealing Jo Gun-hyeong accompanied by Tang Pung-yeong.
Dokgo Jin rose from his seat and clasped his hands in courteous greeting. “It is an honor to meet you, Commander Jo.”
“Ahem. Well met.”
Jo Gun-hyeong awkwardly returned the salute. After exchanging brief pleasantries with Mok Woo-jeon, who was sitting nearby, Jo took a seat, feeling an unexpected prickle of tension. The aura radiating from Dokgo Jin was far sharper than the rumors had suggested.
The Dragon Tiger Plaque Master… he is even more formidable than they say.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Jin and Tang Pung-yeong exchanged a fleeting glance across the room.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment as squad leader,” Jo Gun-hyeong began. “A promotion this swift is virtually unheard of in the history of our Alliance. Banner Lord Baekho must hold you in high esteem.”
“Thank you. But what brings you here so late in the evening?”
Faced with Dokgo Jin’s blunt inquiry, Jo Gun-hyeong cleared his throat and steered toward his true purpose.
“In truth, I have come regarding Member Tang. As you well know, he is the core of our Vermilion Shadow Squad. To have such a linchpin abruptly transferred to a newly founded unit inflicts an unbearable blow to our combat strength.”
Jo Gun-hyeong subtly gauged Dokgo Jin’s reaction. Dokgo Jin merely gazed back at him, motionless.
Remarkably composed for a newly appointed commander. He’s no pushover.
Jo Gun-hyeong pressed on. “I understand full well that a new unit requires capable hands. But speaking as a senior within the Alliance, one must also respect the stability of existing squads.”
“…”
“In exchange for Member Tang, I am willing to personally recommend two other capable martial artists. Therefore, would you be willing to reconsider this requisition?”
Though Jo Gun-hyeong’s phrasing was polite, beneath it ran a heavy undertone of seniority—a clear demand to save face for an elder commander.
Dokgo Jin remained silent, his gaze shifting back toward Tang Pung-yeong. Tang Pung-yeong’s lips moved silently, forming words without sound.
A sharp glint flashed through Dokgo Jin’s eyes. He grasped Tang Pung-yeong’s meaning in an instant.
“That will be difficult,” Dokgo Jin said.
“Hmm?”
“This transfer was already ratified by the Five Banner Leaders, and Young Hero Tang himself gave his consent. Demanding that it be overturned when the procedures are already in motion seems rather excessive.”
Jo Gun-hyeong’s gaze chilled. “Are you saying you refuse to heed my words?”
A faint thread of killing intent seeped from his frame.
Yet Dokgo Jin remained thoroughly unfazed. “How could I ever disregard the counsel of an esteemed senior? It is simply that there is no proper justification to reverse a decision that has already been finalized.”
“What are you getting at?”
“How about this? You and I hold a duel to decide Tang Pung-yeong’s fate.”
“What?”
“A public duel, before all eyes. That way, should you prevail, you will have more than enough justification to reclaim him, will you not?”
Jo Gun-hyeong’s face hardened like stone.