Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Azure Dragon Squad
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Before Paeng Daesan could even finish speaking, the massive man burst out, freezing the air around him with his sheer presence alone. The overwhelming pressure radiating from his mountain-like frame was enough to make any ordinary martial artist avert their eyes.
Paeng Daesan stumbled back hesitantly. His bloodied face was etched with clear panic.
"S-Squad Leader! What brings you here?"
Squad Leader. The head of the Azure Dragon Squad, Byeok Cheonwi.
Byeok Cheonwi's tiger-like eyes briefly scanned Paeng Daesan's battered face before turning to me without a hint of emotion.
"Why's the Paeng kid in that state? And who the hell are you lot?"
His low, gravelly voice echoed through the space.
The moment Paeng Daesan opened his mouth in a flurry, I stepped forward first. I pulled out the invitation letter stamped with the Murim Alliance headquarters' seal from my robes and held it out to him.
"I'm Shadowless, a physician from the Healer Immortal Sect. I've come at the Azure Dragon Squad's invitation."
Byeok Cheonwi silently took the letter with his enormous hand. He checked the blue dragon seal and the headquarters' stamp, tilting his head slightly. Then, as if something clicked, he alternated between my face and the letter before bursting into booming laughter.
"Uahahaahaha!"
His earth-shaking laugh made every squad member passing by jump and stare our way.
"So you're the young punk physician who cured the Silkworm Devouring Poison! I figured some white-haired old codger would show up from the letter, but damn, you're just a kid! Good, you've come to the right place! Perfect timing!"
Byeok Cheonwi slapped my shoulder with his massive hand, thump thump. There was no malice, but the bone-crushing force made me wince involuntarily. His demeanor had shifted in an instant—from wary beast to a kid who'd found a puppy he liked.
That was when his gaze landed on Soso, half-hidden behind my back.
"Hm? Who's that pretty little thing beside you?"
Terrified by Byeok Cheonwi's rugged features and mountain-sized bulk, Soso clutched my robe tightly and bowed her head. Her voice trembled as she barely managed to speak.
"H-Hellooo..."
She curled her small body as much as possible, clasping her hands at her navel and bowing deeply—like a frightened squirrel.
I wrapped an arm around Soso's shoulders and said,
"She's my assistant. She helps with the medical procedures."
"Oh ho, learning medicine at such a young age already? Heh heh heh."
Byeok Cheonwi beamed at Soso with a warm smile, like a grandfather proud of his granddaughter. It was so at odds with his intimidating first impression that I was momentarily thrown.
Still scared, Soso clung even tighter to my back, peeking out just a bit. Maybe finding it cute, Byeok Cheonwi's laughter grew louder.
Right then, Paeng Daesan, who'd been watching timidly from the side, chimed in.
"Squad Leader! These two are my big bro and sis-in-law!"
A hush fell at Paeng Daesan's proud proclamation, chest puffed out. Byeok Cheonwi narrowed his eyes as if wondering what nonsense that was, but soon shook his head dismissively. Trivial relationships like that didn't seem to matter to him.
"Whatever! Point is, you've stepped into the Azure Dragon Squad—time to see what you're made of!"
Byeok Cheonwi cracked his knuckles with a fist, his eyes gleaming like a battle maniac's.
"Come on, to the training grounds. Let's have a go!"
"......Pardon?"
I asked again, wondering if I'd misheard.
"What do you mean? I didn't come to fight. I was invited as a physician..."
"I know! I get it!"
Byeok Cheonwi bellowed over me. He grabbed my shoulder hard again and grinned. That smile carried a weird sense of camaraderie, like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
"A young buck like you comes to a den of battle-hardened thugs—how could your blood not boil? Hell, I'm already itching all over!"
This guy wasn't listening at all. Or rather, he had no intention of listening. His head was already filled with thoughts of sparring me.
A chill ran down my spine.
My master had once said:
Byeok Cheonwi. Leader of the Azure Dragon Squad. His martial prowess had long surpassed the transcendent realm. No matter how much I strengthened my body, he was a wall beyond walls, beyond walls.
One word flashed through my mind.
'I'm screwed.'
As I realized the gravity and scrambled for an excuse, a pot-lid-sized hand clamped onto the back of my neck.
"Alright, let's go!"
"W-Wait just...!"
My body was hoisted into the air. Like a mother cat carrying her kitten by the scruff, I dangled helplessly as Byeok Cheonwi dragged me along. My legs flailed in the empty air.
"S-Senior Brother!"
Soso, looking on the verge of tears, hurried after us.
Paeng Daesan followed too, eyes sparkling with excitement. His face was full of that absurd admiration: 'As expected of my big bro! Sparring the squad leader!' These guys were all lunatics without a shred of common sense.
The moment we passed through the heavy doors, the heat of the open training grounds and hundreds of gazes hit my skin. Being hauled like luggage by the neck was prime spectacle. Azure Dragon Squad members mid-training everywhere stopped to gawk at our bizarre procession. Their stares mixed curiosity, wariness, and faint pity for the poor prey dragged by their hulking leader.
"Uahaha! Clear out, everyone! We've got a special guest today!"
Byeok Cheonwi's voice boomed across the entire grounds. He finally dropped me roughly in the center. Thud—I hit the ground hard, a sharp pain shooting through my tailbone.
"Senior Brother!"
Soso rushed over, face pale as she knelt beside me. Tears already welled in her big eyes. Off to the side, Paeng Daesan clenched his fists, face flushed with thrill. In his eyes, I wasn't being dragged against my will—I was some grand master who'd strode in to test the leader. Madmen, every last one.
Byeok Cheonwi ignored the commotion, yanking a greatsword as big as his torso from his back and slamming it into the ground at the edge with a boom.
"Alright, young physician. Since you're in the Azure Dragon Squad, I'll show some manners."
He crossed his arms, looking down at me as he declared,
"I won't use weapons or internal energy. Just my bare fists against you."
I had no real internal energy to speak of. This was his one and only lifeline thrown my way.
"And I'll let you have the first move. Come at me like a man!"
He jerked his chin, urging me to attack.
I rose slowly. The crowding stares, Soso's worried eyes, Paeng Daesan's manic glee—all felt distant. Only the towering wall before me, Byeok Cheonwi, felt real.
'No avoiding this.'
Only one choice now. Win or lose, end this farce as fast as possible. Then head back and...
I closed my eyes. Soso's full, soft breasts floated in my mind. Once this was over, I'd bury my face in that plush heaven and knead until I lost my mind. That was my sole reason—and reward—for enduring this.
I gathered everything within. The mental fortitude honed slaughtering bandits—I pushed it to the limit, imprinting suggestions into my body.
'Faster. See everything.'
Dynamic vision enhancement.
'Like the wind. Untouchable.'
Leg strength enhancement.
Every cell screamed as hot flames surged through my veins. My vision flashed bright; all movements around slowed. My leg muscles swelled, brimming with power.
I held my breath.
And kicked off the ground.
Kwaaaang—!
The solid training ground cracked like a spiderweb where I'd stood. The recoil launched me forward at speed beyond sound.
Byeok Cheonwi's face zoomed into view. No fancy techniques—I relied purely on enhanced physicality. Pure violence. Speed was power. Just the fastest, hardest punch. But its force far outstripped any third-rate martial artist's full power. It'd deal damage, for sure.
But.
Byeok Cheonwi didn't flinch at my desperate charge. A relaxed smile even played on his lips. Right as my fist neared his face.
Whoosh.
He kept his legs planted, merely leaning his upper body back lightly.
Swoosh.
My fist sliced empty air before his nose, explosive power spilling forward uselessly. I staggered off-balance.
Byeok Cheonwi didn't miss that split-second opening.
"Too slow."
A low voice whispered past my ear as a boulder-sized fist entered my peripheral vision. My maxed dynamic vision caught it. Taking that hit would pulverize me. Death's chill crawled up my spine.
'No!'
I squeezed every ounce of mental power. The focus that once controlled dozens of bandits at once—I poured it into a single will, one target.
'Stop!'
My consciousness shot like an invisible spear at Byeok Cheonwi's mind.
"......!"
It was brief, so very brief. His eyes flickered for an instant. His incoming fist slowed by a hair's breadth. The transcendent master's iron will repelled the suggestion instantly, but that sliver of time was enough to change everything.
I twisted my stumbling body by force. His fist grazed my side. And in that gap,
Counter to counter punch.
All remaining power into a fist straight at his face.
Swoosh.
The fist grazed his nose tip exactly. Not hard bone—soft flesh. The moment that faint sensation touched my knuckles.
Flash.
Krraaang—!
Vision whited out as a world-shattering impact exploded in my gut. Byeok Cheonwi's other fist. My organs twisted; all air burst from my lungs.
"Kuh... hack...!"
My body crumpled like paper, hurtling dozens of jang through the air. Vision spun like a top. Sky and earth flipped; countless faces blurred past.
Kwaaaang!
The flight ended with horrific impact to my back. Slamming into the training ground's thick outer wall, bones cracked audibly. A massive crack split the wall; dust billowed thickly.
Consciousness faded fast. Vision dimmed to black. In that final moment, three sights burned in:
Soso sprinting madly toward me, sobbing hysterically.
Paeng Daesan, arms thrust up in cheer, yelling, "As expected of my big bro!" like a maniac.
And... Byeok Cheonwi, who'd sent me flying with one blow, indifferently wiping his nose.
A vivid streak of blood trickled from his left nostril.