Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Preparation Prevents Peril
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The Azure Dragon Unit was fundamentally composed of five divisions, centered around the Unit Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, and the Vice-Commander, Cheon Gi-seom.
Each division was made up of three squads,
and each squad consisted of five members.
Five members like Seo-bong formed a single squad,
three squads formed a single division,
and five divisions made up the Azure Dragon Unit.
The two youngest division commanders in the unit were the Flowing Water Sword, Ho Ryang, and the Thunderstorm Lightning Spear, Jin Guk.
Despite their skill, their young age made them targets of envy and jealousy from the other division commanders.
When Ho Ryang and Jin Guk were defeated in the spar, the other three division commanders gloated and began to mock them.
“Hmph, after all that strutting around, it's about time you learned some humility, isn't it? It's better this way. Imagine the shame if you'd gone to the Divine Dragon Assembly only to be crushed! Hahaha!”
“Exactly. What good is being a 'promising division commander'? Losing to some newcomer named Pa-sun, then to Un-pyo who caused a scene and left the unit... Things are going just great.”
The older division commanders openly humiliated them.
Seo-bong also became a target of ridicule, not from the senior division commanders, but from his fellow unit members and squad leaders.
“Forget the division commander for a moment. How could a supposed martial artist like you lose to a clueless pretty boy? What have you been learning all this time?”
“I'm sorry.”
His squad leader, Wan-hyeong, reprimanded him.
“Let's hear your excuse. Why exactly did you suddenly collapse?”
“I-I... I don't remember.”
“And you call that an excuse?”
“...I'm sorry.”
The Azure Dragon Unit believed the stories of the Heavenly Dance Family's Fourth Young Master's exploits in Blade Leaf Valley were blatant lies.
Just then, the Unit Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, and Vice-Commander, Cheon Gi-seom, entered.
“Enough. Everyone, assemble.”
“Yes, sir!”
The division commanders stood at the front, with the rest falling into neat rows and columns.
“You saw them during the recent spar, but allow me to make a formal introduction. This is the Heavenly Dance Family's Fourth Young Master, Baek Mu-heun, whom we are sworn to protect, along with his subordinates, Pa-sun and Un-pyo.”
“...!”
The members of the Azure Dragon Unit were all stunned.
*'What are they doing here?!'*
However, Mu-heun, Pa-sun, and Un-pyo paid them no mind. Mu-heun stepped forward as their representative and spoke.
“A pleasure to meet you all. I should have come to pay my respects sooner. My apologies for the delay.”
Everyone in the Azure Dragon Unit was puzzled.
The Family Head, Baek Gun-hak, and the other young masters had visited several times to offer their thanks and interact with the unit, but this was the Fourth Young Master's first visit.
“Ah, that's right. I already greeted a few of you this morning. Hehe, a rather sharp greeting, I must admit. Hoho.”
“...”
The Azure Dragon Unit's Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, was taken aback by Mu-heun's demeanor.
It wasn't the Fourth Young Master's usual way of speaking. His tone and laughter were like that of a sheltered scholar who knew nothing of the world. Every gesture felt foreign.
But he soon understood the reason for Baek Mu-heun's words.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
The atmosphere of reprimand towards Ho Ryang, Jin Guk, and Seo-bong vanished, replaced by sharp, angry glares directed at the Fourth Young Master.
Taking it a step further, Pa-sun and Un-pyo were openly smirking at Ho Ryang and Jin Guk.
A shimmering heat seemed to rise before his eyes.
To Cheon Ga-rak, the fury of the Azure Dragon Unit was almost tangible.
Yet, only the Unit Commander understood the true intention behind Mu-heun's actions.
Mu-heun, despite being the target of the unit's collective rage, remained unfazed and continued.
“The reason I'm here is that, just as I exchanged martial skills with you, I hoped you would all exchange dance with us.”
“Dance, Fourth Young Master? Are you serious?”
Vice-Commander Cheon Gi-seom asked, dumbfounded.
“Indeed. The Family Head and the Unit Commander have already given their consent, so please comply. I assure you it will be an enjoyable time.”
“What?”
Everyone in the Azure Dragon Unit, except for Cheon Ga-rak, stared with their mouths agape.
***
-The Office of the Heavenly Dance Family Head
At my request, the Heavenly Dance Family Head, Baek Gun-hak, and the Azure Dragon Unit Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, gathered in one place. I had only told them that we had an important matter to discuss.
“Family Head, and Unit Commander, have you ever heard of a 'round dance'?”
“A round dance?”
The Unit Commander replied as if he'd never heard the term.
“Yes. It's a dance performed by moving in a circle.”
“I am aware of it, but why do you ask?”
The Family Head knew of it, but his tone implied he couldn't fathom the reason for my question.
“I intend to manifest a formation through the Myriad Fragrance Round Dance to prepare for an impending attack.”
“Myriad Fragrance Round Dance? A formation? An attack? Hah... Who in the world is attacking us!? Speak plainly.”
The Unit Commander was shocked, while the Family Head's expression hardened as he asked.
“Was it... Pavilion Lord Mong-o who told you this?”
“Yes.”
“The party Pavilion Lord Mong-o mentioned is the Red Demon Pavilion. Or, to be precise, the Red Demon Pavilion's secret unit, the Specter Unit.”
“The Specter Unit?”
The Unit Commander had never heard the name before.
“It is the Red Demon Pavilion's secret unit. I'm told they are a highly trained force that leaves no trace, regardless of the mission's success or failure.”
“S-Such a...”
“That is why I plan to prepare in advance and invite them over.”
“Invite them!?”
Cheon Ga-rak couldn't hide his astonishment.
*'The Fourth Young Master is unfazed by news of an attack. But to invite them? No, that's not it. I shouldn't take the word 'invite' at face value. The Fourth Young Master is calmly assessing the situation and devising a countermeasure.'*
I observed Cheon Ga-rak's and my father's reactions as I spoke.
“Since we're going to be attacked anyway, I plan to raise the stakes and invite them myself. For that, I need the Azure Dragon Unit's cooperation.”
Cheon Ga-rak was shocked yet again.
*'This man isn't afraid of the attack. He's relishing it.'*
“R-Raise the stakes and invite the enemy? Fourth Young Master, what on earth are you thinking?”
My father still remained silent, while the Unit Commander couldn't contain his curiosity.
“I intend to use the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art via the method I mentioned earlier.”
“What? Heart-Severing what?”
Cheon Ga-rak's reaction was expected, but the moment the formation's name left my lips, my father, who had been composed all this time, asked in shock.
“You mean to tell me you know how to use that grand art?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Family Head, what kind of grand art is it to warrant such a reaction?”
“...I do not know of the Myriad Fragrance Round Dance. However, the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art is a grand art that literally steals the hearts of those who enter it, bewitching and binding their souls.”
“Steals their hearts and binds their souls?”
“Yes. I have only heard tales of it, never seen it myself, but it is said that those caught in this grand art become empty shells, their souls departed.”
“S-Such a...”
*'He knows it well. As expected of the Heavenly Dance Family Head.'*
“Among the fruits I brought from Blade Leaf Valley, there is one that carries the Myriad Fragrance. While researching its uses, I discovered that with the right application, it can be used to cast the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art. Thus, I will prepare the grand art and invite this band of killers.”
Hearing my words, my father asked worriedly.
“Mu-heun, isn't this too dangerous?”
Cheon Ga-rak also tried to dissuade me, citing the danger.
“He's right. It would be better for me and the Azure Dragon Unit to guard your chambers, Young Master.”
*'Cheon Ga-rak, Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit. The more I see of him, the more I like this man.'*
“Haha, when I say 'invite,' all it entails is drinking, singing, and dancing. Besides... there is no chance that I will come to harm, so do not worry. Isn't that right, Unit Commander?”
The Unit Commander understood my question immediately. Having witnessed my martial prowess firsthand, he surmised that unless the assassin was extraordinarily powerful, killing the Fourth Young Master would be impossible.
In the entire Divine Cult, only a group like the Killing Palace had assassins of that caliber... No matter how strong the Red Demon Pavilion's secret unit was, they stood no chance of killing the Fourth Young Master.
“Hmm... That is true.”
Furthermore, if a genius with such an extraordinary mind prepared in advance, it was likely that the entire Azure Dragon Unit couldn't defeat him. However...
“Drinking, singing, and dancing?”
“The Moon Spirit Unit, provided by Pavilion Lord Mong-o, will come to my residence. They will greet the guests dressed as servants. Please prepare alcohol and food, and summon the Azure Dragon Unit.”
“If the Moon Spirit Unit is also present, our forces will be significantly bolstered. Would this Specter Unit still dare to come?”
“Precisely. That is why they will be dressed as servants, and why we will be drinking and dancing.”
“I see... You intend to deliberately show the enemy a scene of complacent revelry to lure them into an attack.”
“Correct. I will prepare a feast for the Azure Dragon Unit, so please ensure they eat and drink heartily. Meanwhile, you, the Vice-Commander, the Moon Spirit Unit Leader, and my subordinates will hide out of sight.”
“Because if the Vice-Commander and I are present, we cannot lure them into an attack.”
“Yes. Then, the enemies will reveal themselves, and at that moment, I will activate the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art.”
“I understand.”
My father also nodded.
“Let us eat, drink, sing, and dance together. Then we will naturally capture them, extract the Specter Unit's hearts and souls, and break their will.”
“So you can force them to confess their connection to the Red Demon Pavilion.”
“Exactly.”
The Heavenly Dance Family Head, Baek Gun-hak, closed his eyes for a moment in thought.
*'This is far too dangerous. A single misstep could lead to casualties.'*
I, too, was concerned about my father. The emotions he showed on the surface were surprise and pride, but beneath them lay a current of 'worry.'
But I was soon reassured.
My father's expression had changed to one of complete trust.
*'Look at the Fourth's actions thus far. Keeping him sheltered is not the best course. How can I clip the wings of a child who is about to soar?'*
“Very well. I will provide all necessary resources. Unit Commander, what say you?”
“I, too, will take all necessary measures.”
“I thank you both for your consideration.”
Having gained a new life, the Divine Doctor slowly colored the people around him with his own hue. Such was the life of the Divine Doctor.
***
After inviting the Azure Dragon Unit, Mu-heun began preparing the Myriad Fragrance Round Dance and the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art in the garden in front of his residence.
*'The fragrance of the Myriad Fragrance Blood Jade Tree fruit is limitless.'*
“This gentle fragrance flowing through the air can become that of an apple or a pear, depending on how it's combined.
Furthermore, a certain fragrance can act as an invisible ink, allowing one to draw the diagram of a formation in the air.”
“A-Amazing.”
The Moon Spirit Unit Leader, Geum-ryeong, marveled at the Heavenly Dance Family's Fourth Young Master's formation.
The gently drifting Myriad Fragrance drew the diagram of the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art in the empty air.
The invisible ink of the Myriad Fragrance was drawn vast and wide, enough to cover Mu-heun's entire residence and more. Even if someone were to pass through and disturb it, it would quickly return to its place, like an ineradicable shadow.
Finally, he turned longan fruit, which calms the mind and eases tension, into a fragrance and dispersed it into the air.
“If the round dance is performed here, here, and here, the Heart-Severing Soul-Binding Secret Art will activate.”
“Understood.”
Geum-ryeong, a steadfast female warrior who had survived in the martial world.
She had witnessed no small number of extraordinary skills in her time, but this was a first.
*'The world is a wide place.'*
Until Pavilion Lord Mong-o went to see him for herself, Geum-ryeong had been half in doubt.
But upon her return from meeting the Heavenly Dance Family's Fourth Young Master, the Pavilion Lord described him in even more mysterious terms.
[ Baek Mu-heun is no ordinary man. ]
[ He knew that I was coming and that the Red Demon Pavilion Lord was watching. ]
[ Listen well. ]
[ He will overcome this attack even without my help. Therefore, you must do your utmost to ensure his preparations go as smoothly as possible. ]
It would be a lie to say she had no doubts, so she had come to see for herself just how remarkable he was and report back, but seeing it in person was even more astonishing.
He had recognized the disguised Moon Spirit Unit at a glance and had laid out every task with perfect clarity.
The Moon Spirit Unit had twenty members in total. With the Azure Dragon Unit, the number of people approached nearly a hundred, yet it seemed he had a detailed plan for everything worked out in his head.
Even Jang-bong... no, Pa-sun, had changed so much she didn't recognize him when they met. How could Pa-sun have changed so quickly?
As Geum-ryeong was lost in thought about Pa-sun,
Mu-heun spoke to her.
“All preparations are complete. Now, bring out the food and alcohol. For the alcohol, please bring Fenjiu, the famous liquor of Shanxi.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And... by any chance, can you sing?”
“Pardon?”