Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Changsin Brigade
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At Dang Cheong’s question, Baek-yeon answered calmly.
“It seems they’re from the Martial Alliance.”
“The Martial Alliance?”
“They had completely disposed of their weapons and belongings to hide their identities.”
“They even got rid of their belongings?”
“Yes. However, it seems they weren't too meticulous, as everything they had was from the Hao-mun.”
Baek-yeon spoke with a look of conviction.
“Judging by the members’ weapons and possessions, they are likely one of the Commander’s subordinate units… either the Chupung Brigade or the Biun Brigade.”
“Hmm.”
Dang Cheong, staring into his teacup with cold eyes, muttered.
“If this had blown up, it would have been perfect for framing the Commander, making it seem like his independent action rather than the Martial Alliance’s.”
“Indeed. The information about this child was likely leaked by a Martial Alliance spy planted within the Demonic Palace.”
“But I don’t understand. The boy has only just arrived at the Nangya Pavilion.”
“It must be because of the rumors about his exceptional talent.”
Baek-yeon let out a deep sigh.
“Their intention is to pull out the root before the weed grows too lush. They see him as a great future enemy.”
“Hmm.”
With a deep sigh, Dang Cheong scratched his head.
He hadn't even properly learned any martial arts yet… but Bu Eun-seol had already been marked not only by the Ten Demonic Sects and the Demonic Palace’s Council of Elders, but by the Martial Alliance as well.
‘Is this unavoidable?’
After a moment of deep thought, Dang Cheong shook his head.
‘Trials always follow a hero. Even the finest steel cannot become a great sword if it is not forged.’
Trials make a person stronger.
Dang Cheong had no doubt that the trials descending upon Bu Eun-seol would only make him stronger.
And to overcome those trials, he needed to learn a powerful martial art as quickly as possible.
‘There’s no other way. Since time is short… I’ll have to teach him myself.’
Dang Cheong nodded his head, having made his decision.
“Bu Eun-seol. You must learn the Nangya Pavilion’s true esoteric martial arts as soon as possible. Are you aware of this?”
“Of course.”
“Then you must have already decided who you wish to learn from, correct?”
As he asked, Dang Cheong wore a benevolent smile, as if the answer was obvious.
After all, the most skilled practitioner besides the Pavilion Lord was standing right before him. He had no doubt that the boy would choose him.
“I…”
But Bu Eun-seol said something completely unexpected.
“I wish to learn martial arts in the midst of real combat.”
“Hm? Real combat?”
“Did you not tell me before? That the foundation of practical combat arts is to observe much and learn from within it.”
—The foundation of practical combat arts is the eye. But when you reach a certain level, you can discern your enemy’s movements just by watching, and you can even adopt their techniques in the heat of battle.
Recalling his own words, Dang Cheong furrowed his brow.
“So you mean to learn martial arts by experiencing real combat?”
“Yes.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded with a somber expression.
“It seems the time I have left… is not much.”
Jeok-bung had estimated it would take Bu Eun-seol three years to master all of the Nangya Pavilion’s martial arts.
In other words, the time Bu Eun-seol was actually given was far less than three years.
“If you’ve set your mind to it… very well. But how do you plan to experience real combat and learn martial arts?”
Bu Eun-seol, as if he had already thought it through, spoke fluently.
“Previously, Master Cheol told me about the Changsin Brigade.”
“The Changsin Brigade?”
“Yes. A combat unit that deals with those who harm or provoke the Pavilion.”
“And?”
As Dang Cheong’s brows drew together, Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
“Wouldn't the seniors of the Changsin Brigade be the most experienced in practical combat in the Pavilion? I wish to witness their combat firsthand.”
“So… you’re saying you want to join the Changsin Brigade?”
“That is correct.”
At that, Baek-yeon, who had been listening quietly, shook his head.
“You foolish boy. Do you know what kind of place the Changsin Brigade is?”
Looking down at Bu Eun-seol, he spoke with a solemn expression.
“The Changsin Brigade is composed of the roughest and fiercest individuals in this Pavilion. They especially despise those who lack skill.”
As Baek-yeon continued, his expression grew even sterner.
“Furthermore, the leader of the Changsin Brigade, So-jeon, has a temper that is beyond words.”
“I’ve heard. That he has personally beaten to death disciples of the Nangya Pavilion who lacked skill.”
Baek-yeon’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“You know that, and you still want to join?”
“I want to join *because* I know.”
“You foolish boy! A little talent has filled you with arrogance. What you’re saying now is…”
Just then, Dang Cheong, who had been listening in silence, interjected.
“Come to think of it, the Changsin Brigade’s next target is the Wind and Thunder Valley, isn’t it?”
“...Yes, but.”
“Excellent. Then, relay a message to So-jeon. Tell him to include this boy as a member when they go to the Wind and Thunder Valley.”
Instantly, Baek-yeon’s face hardened.
“Vice Pavilion Lord. Are you saying this because you don’t know that man’s temper?”
“I know it well. It’s because I know it well that I’m sending him. He’ll only be a temporary member, not a formal one anyway.”
“Absolutely not.”
Baek-yeon said with a resolute expression.
“Even if So-jeon manages to suppress his temper and accept him, this mission is so dangerous that even the members of the Changsin Brigade must risk their lives.”
“I’m well aware of that, too.”
“And you still intend to send him?”
At that, Dang Cheong grinned.
“Baek-yeon. Why don’t you try trusting that child for once?”
Instantly, Baek-yeon fell silent.
Because those were the exact words he had spoken to Dang Cheong before sending Bu Eun-seol to the Demonic Palace.
“I trust that child’s judgment. The fact that he could speak so confidently before me… means he must have agonized over it countless times and concluded there is a fair chance of success.”
“Ugh.”
With a bitter expression, Baek-yeon let out a low groan.
Just as he had first believed in Bu Eun-seol’s potential, this time, Dang Cheong was choosing to believe in it.
“I understand.”
Glancing at Bu Eun-seol’s burning eyes, Baek-yeon cupped his hands.
“I will go and deliver the message to So-jeon myself.”
***
The Changsin Brigade.
A combat unit of the Nangya Pavilion composed of thirty members in total.
The martial skill of each member had reached the pinnacle, and the prowess of their leader, So-jeon, and vice-leader, Je-un, was said to rival that of the hegemons who ruled entire regions.
And now, they were being ordered to accept Bu Eun-seol, who had just entered the Nangya Pavilion, as a member?
Naturally, So-jeon could not accept such an order.
Inside the Nangya Pavilion, in a VIP room on the second floor of the Manseong Inn.
“Are you trying to joke with me right now?”
The Changsin Brigade’s leader, So-jeon, glared as he sat across from Baek-yeon at a table laden with drinks.
“You want me to take a brat like that to the Wind and Thunder Valley? Does this So-jeon look like a nanny who takes care of snot-nosed kids?”
Watching So-jeon, who seemed like an incarnation of Zhang Fei with his stiff beard bristling, Baek-yeon shook his head.
“This is a direct order from the Vice Pavilion Lord.”
“Then I’ll go see the Vice Pavilion Lord myself and refuse him personally.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Baek-yeon produced a token engraved with a single wolf from his pocket.
It was the Heavenly Wolf Tablet, symbolizing the Vice Pavilion Lord of the Nangya Pavilion.
“This is…”
As So-jeon hesitated, Baek-yeon spoke coldly.
“He said he has a mountain of headaches to deal with already and doesn’t want to waste time bickering with you.”
Dang Cheong had anticipated So-jeon would come to argue and had sent Baek-yeon with the token in advance.
“So, in the end, I must take that brat with me.”
“He is no mere brat.”
Baek-yeon said after downing a cup of liquor.
“That child went into the Demonic Palace all by himself, shattered the conspiracy of the Hwau Sword Sect and the White Horse Temple, and came out.”
“I don’t care what that fellow has done.”
So-jeon’s attitude remained firm, as if he still didn’t acknowledge Bu Eun-seol as a disciple of the Nangya Pavilion.
“There’s no helping it. Look at this.”
With a bitter smile, Baek-yeon took a small letter from his robes and held it out.
“Even Senior Brother Neung in the Demonic Palace saw this child and sent a message to the Pavilion, asking us to pay special attention to him.”
“Senior Brother… Neung-gak, you mean?”
So-jeon’s eyes wavered as he took the letter.
Neung-gak was the master of the Cheongi Hall, essentially the commander of the Nangya Pavilion.
However, the Lord of the Demonic Palace, recognizing his transcendent martial talent early on, had personally recruited Neung-gak into the Demonic Palace and appointed him as the master of the Hyeonhyeon Hall.
So-jeon, in particular, had learned the most about martial arts from Neung-gak and was one of his most loyal followers.
“I have no choice.”
So-jeon drained the large cup filled with liquor.
“No, perhaps this is for the better.”
Wiping his mouth, he held the cup, his eyes flashing.
“I was planning on seeing that brat soon anyway.”
Understanding So-jeon’s meaning, Baek-yeon spoke firmly.
“He is a child who has returned after overcoming death several times. Don’t even think about conducting that test of yours.”
“A test? There’s no need for any test.”
*Thud.*
So-jeon set down the cup he was holding and grinned, baring his canines.
“If he can survive this expedition, I’ll acknowledge him as a disciple of the Nangya Pavilion.”
***
Wind and Thunder Valley.
A sect that branched off from the Heretical Cults, they honed their martial arts through body strengthening techniques and human modification.
What was peculiar was that the Wind and Thunder Valley was a band of ruffians shunned even by the Demonic Path.
This was because they did not hesitate to kidnap children for their human modification research or engage in human trafficking for money.
Having committed all sorts of atrocities in the martial world for a long time, all the factions of both the Orthodox and Unorthodox paths gnashed their teeth at them.
The reason the Wind and Thunder Valley remained intact despite this was because it was truly a natural fortress.
To enter, one had to cross sheer cliffs fitted with all sorts of mechanisms and hidden weapons, and then pass through the Ice Crystal Lake.
For this reason, even the Changsin Brigade of the Nangya Pavilion, warriors who were each a match for a hundred men, hesitated to enter at the entrance.
“It’s much farther than I heard.”
Sheer cliffs.
So-jeon scowled as he looked at the cliff on the other side.
Between the two cliffs, there was only a single thick rope.
Just then, a member next to So-jeon spoke.
“The bigger problem is the fierce winds blowing around the rope bridge. And…”
He pointed to a small building erected near the opposite cliff.
“There’s a watchtower set up there.”
The watchtower was made of stone, and instead of windows, only a very small slit was visible.
It seemed to have been built that way to prevent the guards from being taken by a surprise attack, allowing them to watch the other side only through that tiny gap.
“If we show ourselves, the guard inside will cut the rope immediately.”
So-jeon, who was looking at the cliff with his arms crossed, narrowed his eyes.
“Je-un.”
“Your orders.”
“Can you do it?”
“I’ll have to try.”
Cracking his neck, Vice-leader Je-un took out two willow leaf daggers, as thin as leaves, from his robes.
Then he stared at the watchtower with intense concentration.
‘He intends to throw daggers from here?’
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened as he watched.
The distance from here to the watchtower on the other side was at least seventy *jang*. From this side, the watchtower looked like a small dot.
Furthermore, the slit in the watchtower was extremely narrow, just barely wide enough to see outside. And he was going to throw light willow leaf daggers all the way there?
*Ssk.*
Throwing a hidden weapon a long distance requires a large motion.
But Je-un’s posture didn’t change at all.
‘Has he achieved Mind-Sword Unity?’
Mind-Sword Unity. A state where the sword and the mind are one.
Upon reaching such a state, one is no longer bound by physical limitations when executing sword techniques. One can unleash them just as effectively whether sitting or lying down.
‘It was a good thing I entered the Hwau Sword Sect’s advanced hall.’
If Bu Eun-seol hadn't learned the profound principles of swordsmanship from Dan Cheon-yang, the instructor of the advanced hall, he would not have been able to appreciate such a state.
*Phat.*
Finally, the willow leaf daggers in Je-un’s hands shot through the air.
Flying in two streaks, the daggers were sucked precisely through the slit of the watchtower seventy *jang* away.
“…”
A silence fell for a moment.
So-jeon, standing still, glanced at Je-un.
“Is it done?”
“We’ll have to see.”
Je-un narrowed his eyes and looked at the watchtower.
“Even if the guard is dead, there could still be a mechanism installed on the rope between the cliffs.”
“True. We can’t have any mishaps.”
So-jeon nodded calmly and pointed at Bu Eun-seol.
“You, cross the bridge.”
From his tone and attitude, it was clear he didn't recognize Bu Eun-seol as part of the Changsin Brigade’s fighting force.
In other words, he was sending him into a dangerous place first because he thought it wouldn’t matter if he died.
“Understood.”
But Bu Eun-seol stepped forward without a second word.
*Whoooosh!*
The rope stretched between the cliffs swayed in the blowing wind.
*Tak.*
Stepping onto the rope, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and drew up his internal energy.
The rope constantly swayed with the strong wind, making it impossible to cross without using an adhesion art on the soles of his feet.
*Shuffle, shuffle.*
Bu Eun-seol walked on the rope with extreme caution.
One misstep, and he would fall to the bottom of the ten-thousand-*zhang* cliff, his body shattered to pieces.
“His internal energy is quite solid.”
Je-un, watching him, let out a sound of admiration.
“To be able to properly use an adhesion art on a rope like that.”
So-jeon didn’t reply, merely watching in silence.
Just as Bu Eun-seol, moving slowly but steadily, reached about the halfway point,
*Clunk.*
Suddenly, a section of the wall of the building near the watchtower opened,
*Swiiiiiish!*
And a swarm of hidden weapons suddenly descended upon Bu Eun-seol’s entire body.