Strange People and Eccentrics
Jeong Gwang emerged from the city lord's office and sat face-to-face with Hwang Ung.
"Didn't drink any booze? You look fine."
"......You said you'd kill me if I did."
"I figured you'd drink anyway, even if it meant dying."
"......Urk."
"Talk went well. You're the head of the volunteer army now. Volunteer Squad Leader, simple as that."
"......Shortest case, one year? Longest, two?"
"Yeah. That much won't draw flak from the central government. What matters is that a volunteer army existed."
Hwang Ung's face filled with dissatisfaction before he spoke up.
"When we meet again, you have to teach me martial arts, sabu."
Thwack!
"Ack!"
"You gone mad? What? Sabu?"
"Urgh. Th-then what should I call you? Ah! Sseung-nim? Aaaack!"
Jeong Gwang beat on Hwang Ung for a good while before dusting off his hands.
"Wasted my fists for nothing. Say crap like that again, and I'll cut you down with my sword."
"Eek!"
"Don't stir up trouble and just hone the techniques I taught you. Use 'em freely—no one'll suspect a thing."
"Y-yes, sir."
"Swing wild without minding your internal energy, and you'll collapse in no time. Can't teach you more if you're a ghost dropping by."
"Hmph. Think I'd lose to those barbarian bastards?"
"Oh ho. Underestimating the battlefield, are we? You think Mongol cavalry's a joke? You'll be a pincushion for arrows in no time."
"......That strong, huh?"
"Train like hell. It's the only way you'll live."
Hwang Ung's expression turned grave.
Jeong Gwang was an absurdly skilled master.
If even he said this much, the Mongol army had to be the real deal.
'Still, compared to this guy, they're nothing. A righteous sect punk who even knows demonic arts.'
He was curious why, but asking was the last thing on his mind.
'Do that, and I'm dead. Worse than death if word gets out.'
Even a dullard like Hwang Ung knew that much.
'No other path anyway.'
Learning martial arts from Jeong Gwang and growing stronger might just be his fate.
"I'll give it my all."
Jeong Gwang believed him.
Martial arts were more addictive and precious than anything. Hwang Ung was already in the palm of his hand.
In his past life, he'd passed down arts to a few like Hapmil Oh-ga for the same reason.
"Good. Gather the men."
Moments later, the martial volunteer army assembled.
Every one of them brimmed with complaints but forced neutral expressions in Jeong Gwang's presence.
"You all wanna run, right?"
"......"
"Huh? For real?"
As Jeong Gwang rubbed his hands together, cries of denial erupted from all sides.
"It's fine if you bolt. I'll swing by later on my travels. See you then."
Mouths gaped wide.
The world was vast—how the hell?
We number a thousand—how?
"The volunteer army will be called the Volunteer Squad. It's organized as an independent unit, separate from the regular army in various ways. Let me explain the structure."
Squad Leader: Hwang Ung. Staff Officer: Seo Do-han. Deputy Leaders: Twin Protection Guards and Ji Jae-won.
The thousand-plus divided into ten companies of a hundred, each company into ten squads of ten.
"Those I call now are company commanders."
Jeong Gwang eyed ten men and named them. They stepped forward with dazed looks.
"Next, squad leaders."
He named a hundred while scanning their faces. They advanced, faces pale with shock.
'What kind of monster is this?'
'Not just one or two—how does he know every face and name?'
And it didn't end there.
Jeong Gwang went through the rest, naming each by face. He stopped midway due to numbers, but everyone froze, barely breathing.
"Too long if I add origins and hometowns, so we'll stop here."
"......!"
Not just faces and names, but even that?
Anyone else, and they'd scoff. But Jeong Gwang was monstrous enough for it.
"You're temporarily enlisted. The government records everything. Desert, or just run in battle?"
Throats bobbed hard.
"Collective responsibility. Their squad and company bears it. Wanna know what I'll do?"
Absolutely not.
"No, sir!"
"Can I trust you all?"
They roared as one.
"Trust us!"
"We haven't built that trust yet. How long since we met?"
They faltered, but Ji Jae-won—who'd known Jeong Gwang longest—cried out like spitting blood.
"I've known you longest!"
The Twin Protection Guards jumped in like guardians.
"By time served, I claim the longest!"
Quick-witted Seo Do-han followed.
"Trust builds from the heart, not years!"
Shouts erupted everywhere.
Begging trust, vowing no betrayal.
Jeong Gwang smirked, pressing palms together in a fist salute.
"I wish you all martial fortune."
The city lord gaped in shock.
Call them volunteers, but they'd seemed ready to riot any moment. Yet in a flash, they showed discipline like veterans of ten years!
"This good enough?"
"Splendid!"
"They'll stay that way, so no worries. Issues? Send word to the Murim Alliance."
"Thanks! Truly grateful!"
"No biggie. Now, about payment?"
"......"
"Off to another city?"
"Haha! My nephew's a true hero—straight to the point!"
"Who're you calling nephew?"
"Qinghai's lord is my friend! Makes you my nephew."
"Whatever. No discounts."
"Kuhk......"
Jeong Gwang and the Kunlun Taoists received a grand send-off and passed through the gates. They all rode horses—performance bonuses Jeong Gwang had claimed like spoils.
Thanks to that, they made up for lost time with swift travel.
"Whew. Already in Shaanxi Province."
"Fast is good, but it still hurts."
"You too, junior brother? Heh. I can't get used to it either."
Kunlun Taoists preferred walking as proper for priests. More honestly, they lacked funds for horses.
Only Jeong Gwang and Baek Seung-mu could ride. Even Jeong Gwang, experienced from his past life, chafed sore in the groin.
'Should've made lizard undergarments for this spot too.'
Thinking of the Scale-less Dragon brought Baek Jin-hwan's family to mind, then the Kongtong Sect.
Passing their turf, they might show up to cause chaos—but apparently not that stupid.
Kunlun was under everyone's gaze now. Starting trouble would snowball uncontrollably.
'They didn't lose with cause—just wrecked their home base. Bringing it up's pure shame. Murim Alliance might nitpick to jump 'em.'
Some would side with Kongtong, sure.
'The more, the better.'
Jeong Gwang looked forward to that day.
"Senior brother. What're you thinking to smile like that?"
"Was I smiling?"
"Yes. Rarer than usual."
"Hm. Guess I've been pent up."
"Pent up?"
"Long story."
Baek Seung-mu's face turned odd.
Jeong Gwang smacked his head.
Smack!
"Guh!"
"Junior brother. Taoists shouldn't think like that."
"Wh-what'd I think?"
Jeong Gwang sent a transmission to the flushing Baek Seung-mu.
-That thing I mentioned before. Wanna test it?
"......!"
Curious about punishment for breaking chastity vows? Try it.
-......Gonna kill me?
-No dao title yet, right?
Dao titles required proper rites back at Kunlun.
-You're still a layman. Jin-san disciple, but not yet a full Taoist. Got it?
-Even so......
-Not a hard no, huh?
-Absolutely not! Excommunication!
-Gotta try to know.
-Senior brother!
Jeong Gwang inwardly clicked his tongue.
'Man with no guts.'
Pity, but what could he do? Junior brother and all.
He could at least build some boldness as senior.
'Gotta get him drinking.'
Booze brought meat to mind.
'Wonder what Shaanxi cuisine's like.'
Past life, he'd lorded over Xinjiang like a god but never ventured Central Plains proper.
This life, he planned to sample every famous dish.
Meanwhile, the elder Taoists caught the transmission vibe between Jeong Gwang and Baek Seung-mu and smiled warmly.
Misreading nineteen years of youngest-disciple life as bonding with his new junior.
At the inn, Un-ja and Heo-ja Taoists gathered.
With travel plans settled, Un Hak spoke.
"Urgent stuff's wrapped up roughly, so let's discuss the postponed matter."
About Baek Seung-mu.
"Exceptional merchant, but unrelated to the sect core, so table that. From watching, a bit rigid but principled and diligent."
The Taoists nodded.
"Age means no delaying martial training. Anyone keen?"
The eight Heo-ja Taoists pictured Baek Seung-mu. Good heart per Un Hak, but his aptitude lagged other disciples.
'Entered too late. Can't properly guide him.'
Silence. Un Hak asked Heo Jik.
"Heo Jik. Your thoughts?"
"Eh! Me?"
"Yes. Similar temperaments. You'd raise him well."
Heo Jik's face twisted. He'd considered it due to guilt toward his sister, but issue remained.
"Seung-mu's my nephew."
"You've cut worldly ties—what's the problem?"
"My discipline's lacking. Can't treat him fairly."
"Mm. Can't be helped then."
Un-ja Taoists nodded gravely.
Worried He'd favor blood kin due to self-awareness—what more to say?
"Then what...... Ah!"
Un Hak eyed Heo Cheong.
"You take him."
"Me?"
"Yes. Heo-ja eldest, yet only took Jeong Gwang—and late at that."
"True, but......"
"You can teach him well. And it'll help you too. Thoughts?"
As Heo Cheong pondered, Jeong Gwang transmitted.
-Master, accept him.
-Huh. Eavesdropping?
-Not the point. Please? Yeah?
Heo Cheong inwardly chuckled.
This disciple never begged except as a kid for arts. Him asking meant he'd taken a shine to Baek Seung-mu.
'Wants to stick close. What wouldn't I do for you?'
Actually to exploit him closer, but Heo Cheong couldn't know.
"I'll follow Uncle Master's words."
"Good. Someone fetch Seung-mu."
Soon after, Baek Seung-mu performed the nine prostrations to Heo Cheong.
Heo Cheong whispered to the teary-eyed Baek Seung-mu.
"Long time till you return for your dao title. But you're sect disciple now. Be one Kunlun and yourself can be proud of."
"I will, Master!"
First disciple in nearly twenty years since Jeong Gwang. Smiles bloomed.
Jeong-ja disciples especially buzzed, plotting excitedly.
"Eldest senior brother. New sharp junior—time for a run after ages?"
"Shh. Hearts understood. Let's push."
Jeong U's declaration—reliable, diligent, trusted—drew inner cheers from young Taoists.
"Jeong Hyeon excels here. Junior, got a plan?"
Jeong Hyeon, once cave-bound half a year for caught meat and booze, now fine with scents.
'Redemption chance! Nail it!'
Jeong Hyeon grinned after thought.
"Xian's Shaanxi capital soon. Clans'll invite elders. That's our shot."
"What if they say join us?"
"Heh. Ways around."
Jeong Hyeon's gaze hit Jeong Gwang.
"Maknae...... no, junior brother. You step up."
Jeong Gwang, quietly scheming Baek Seung-mu's tasks, blinked.
"Me? How?"
"In Xian, say you've neglected training. Elders'll freak and bail. Perfect?"
All admired Jeong Hyeon's cunning.
Except Jeong Gwang.
"Huh. Realized I've slacked on training too long."
"......!"
"Start now."
"J-junior brother! Why?!"
Hellish training resumed.
Baek Seung-mu collapsed with fever in under an hour. Others cursed adapted bodies, sweating buckets.
Days later, they reached Xian.
Jeong Gwang hid his face under a square hat. Riding kept Kunlun and Jade Dragon rumors from spreading here yet.
"Haha. Gotta travel like this from now on."
"Indeed. Inconveniences Jeong Gwang, but dodges fuss—lucky."
Elders chuckled while Jeong Gwang and Jeong-ja disciples gawked around.
Gansu like Qinghai, but Shaanxi's Xian was a massive metropolis.
'Good. Came out right.'
Nodding, Jeong Gwang glanced aside. Taoists in blue robes exited an inn.
Elders spotting them late lit up.
Long swords with blue tassels.
Red plum blossoms embroidered on sleeves.
One sect name flashed in minds.
'Huashan Sect?'
Seeing Kunlun, they exuded blade-sharp aura.
'Relations with the sect aren't bad—why?'
Mount Hua, West Peak of Central Plains Five Mountains. Taoist holy site.
Always top-three in Nine Great Sects One Gang. Prestigious among prestigious.
Huashan Sect, famed for Plum Blossom Sword Technique and signature arts shaking the jianghu!
Pondering reasons, Jeong Gwang inwardly marveled.
'Whoa. That's Huashan? Didn't believe it, but matches tales exactly.'
Central Plains vast, eccentrics abound—true indeed.
Unbelievable sight without seeing.
'Grown men embroidering flowers. No shame?'