Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Mission 1
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After a long day in which Baek Moo-jin had to drink alcohol for the first time in ages, the atmosphere in the North Heaven Alliance hung heavy the next day. They had easily rooted out the warriors from the Danmok Sword Family.
By order of the Alliance Leader, over a dozen Danmok Sword Family warriors had been bound and forced to their knees.
Alliance Leader Goo Yang-hoo had summoned every warrior in the North Heaven Alliance and ascended the platform without delay, gazing down at the assembled members.
Judging by the situation, the Danmok Sword Family warriors had no chance of survival. Silent Sword Unit members, faces shrouded, stood at the ready behind the kneeling men, swords gripped tightly in hand.
Goo Yang-hoo broke the heavy silence.
"Yesterday, Dan Mok-heon—who was once an elder of our Alliance—attempted a rebellion from within our ranks and met his end. These are the Danmok Sword Family retainers who followed him as ringleaders. Silent Sword Unit Commander."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"Carry out the execution."
At his signal, a sharp shing rang out as the Silent Sword Unit members waiting behind drew their blades. The commander gave the order, sword flashes gleamed, and the gagged Danmok Sword Family warriors toppled one after another.
In an instant, the metallic tang of blood wafted through the air. Baek Moo-jin, watching, swallowed hard.
'Hoo...'
But Goo Yang-hoo's next words sent an even deeper chill through the air.
"As of this moment, the Battle Sword Unit and Demon Extermination Unit will march on the Danmok Sword Family under their commanders' leads. Leave not a single dog alive—regardless of reason—and return to the Alliance."
The Battle Sword Unit Commander and Demon Extermination Unit Commander exchanged a brief glance at Goo Yang-hoo's shocking command before responding without hesitation.
"Battle Sword Unit Commander receives the order."
"Demon Extermination Unit Commander receives the order."
A ripple of unease passed over the faces of the Alliance members. The Danmok Sword Family wasn't a Black Path faction. Moreover, Dan Mok-heon wasn't even their patriarch—Dan Mok-pyeong held that title. Sending two full organizations to wipe them out without so much as an investigation left everyone stunned. Yet who would dare defy the Alliance Leader's command? Silence reigned as the Battle Sword Unit and Demon Extermination Unit departed.
Goo Yang-hoo's orders didn't end there.
"The East Heaven Branch Chief and West Light Branch Chief stand accused of accepting bribes. Despite multiple summons, they've evaded us for over a hundred days, citing duties. We will dispatch inspectors to assess their branches' situations and escort the branch chiefs back to the Alliance. First Grade Warrior Lee Jeong-nam."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
Lee Jeong-nam, a warrior attached to the Alliance Leader's Hall, replied. Goo Yang-hoo continued.
"You are appointed inspector to the East Heaven Branch. Assemble the necessary personnel and escort the branch chief here. If he resists, deal with him on the spot."
Lee Jeong-nam cupped his fists in salute.
"Receives the order."
But the following command was truly something to behold. Goo Yang-hoo turned to Baek Moo-jin.
"First Grade Warrior Baek Moo-jin."
Baek Moo-jin blinked vacantly, oblivious that his name had been called. Someone nudged him from the side.
Goo Yang-hoo called again.
"Baek Moo-jin."
Baek Moo-jin jolted to attention.
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd as Baek Moo-jin replied. Some were seeing him for the first time, others shocked to hear him named a First Grade Warrior.
Goo Yang-hoo quelled the unrest and pressed on.
"Baek Moo-jin is appointed inspector to the West Light Branch. Consult with the Execution Hall Leader to select personnel and depart before afternoon. Your mission is identical to Lee Jeong-nam's. If he refuses escort, you have permission to take his head."
Baek Moo-jin swallowed dryly before replying.
"Receives the order."
Goo Yang-hoo swept an intimidating gaze over the assembly and outlined the next steps in clipped tones.
"All other organizations: maintain your weapons and stand ready to deploy at any moment. We will strike the Iron Blood Gang next. No leaks—seal your lips on pain of death. Hidden Shadow Pavilion, send advance scouts to probe the Iron Blood Gang's surroundings. Military Affairs Council, report on Black Path movements. Mid-level officers, convene to devise strategies and request a separate strategy meeting with me. Dismissed."
The entire North Heaven Alliance thundered in response.
"Receives the order!"
Only after Goo Yang-hoo retreated into the Alliance Leader's Hall did the murmurs erupt, centered on the senior commanders.
"What? Striking the Iron Blood Gang?"
"Did I hear that right?"
"Shh! Keep it down! It's a faction we had to hit eventually."
"You've all had it too easy lately. This is the North Heaven Alliance we know! Finally!"
Alliance Leader Goo Yang-hoo had held office for just over a hundred days—following half a year of stagnation under the previous leader's seclusion. This was a bolt from the blue for an Alliance gone thoroughly slack.
Yet the Iron Blood Gang, one of their greatest rival factions, was a problem the North Heaven Alliance would have to address sooner or later.
How much damage would they suffer?
No one knew.
In that moment, every North Heaven Alliance warrior had the same foe in mind.
Iron Blood Gang Leader Gwan Min-gang.
A powerhouse even among the Black Path, his moniker was Blood Wind Great Axe.
The nickname stemmed from the bloody tempests that erupted whenever he swung his massive axe—a man so synonymous with the Iron Blood Gang that the two were practically one and the same.
On a faction-versus-faction basis, the North Heaven Alliance held no disadvantage. The real question was whether the current Alliance Leader, Goo Yang-hoo, could best Gwan Min-gang.
Goo Yang-hoo's true prowess remained something of a mystery, even within the Alliance.
2.
Baek Moo-jin spoke to Execution Hall Leader Woo Tae-jeong.
"How many should I take?"
"Tough call. We're not razing the entire West Light Branch—just escorting the branch chief. But he might rally his men and resist. Transmitting the Alliance Leader's words as-is..."
Woo Tae-jeong trailed off, eyeing Baek Moo-jin.
"Ah, but first, let me explain about this Lee Jeong-nam fellow. Before joining the North Heaven Alliance, he was little more than an assassin hunting down Black Path masters. And now he's heading out as an inspector. You see what I'm getting at?"
Baek Moo-jin clicked his tongue.
"So 'escort' really means 'go kill him,' huh?"
"They know full well what awaits at the North Heaven Alliance. Whether they bolt or fight back... It's riskier than it sounds."
"I'll do my best to bring him in."
Woo Tae-jeong nodded.
"I'll assign ten veteran Sword Unit members."
"That many might complicate things. Just one should do."
"One, to the West Light Branch?"
"Yes. I'm an inspector, after all. No need to go in guns blazing... I'll gauge the situation and adapt. Fewer bodies means less chance of misunderstanding—safer that way."
Woo Tae-jeong stared at Baek Moo-jin in mild bewilderment.
'Well, his skills outstrip a First Grade Warrior. Even if the branch chief throws a fit...'
Woo Tae-jeong nodded.
"Fine. At least pair up with a First Grade Warrior, then."
Woo Tae-jeong spoke with what he considered generosity, but Baek Moo-jin cut in.
"Assign the on-standby Fifth Grade Warrior Seo Moon-geuk. Two of us should be plenty. To avoid leaks, we'll head out as soon as we're ready."
"Seo Moon-geuk, eh?"
True to Baek Moo-jin's word, Seo Moon-geuk was still waiting assignment. Untapped potential, whispers that he was wasted at Fifth Grade. Woo Tae-jeong deemed it a solid pick.
"All right. I'll send word."
"Thank you."
3.
"Wh-what? What did you say?"
"Brother Seo Moon, get ready quick. I've been assigned as inspector. You're my deputy."
"Why? Why me? Why?!"
"I recommended you."
"Why?! What for?! Why drag someone who's finally getting some rest?!"
Told out of nowhere he was off to the West Light Branch, Seo Moon-geuk exploded. He'd been enjoying a proper break, after all. And from the rough outline, it wasn't some cakewalk—worst case, he and Baek Moo-jin might have to take down the branch chief between them.
Seo Moon-geuk grumbled.
"Bothersome... dangerous... exhausting..."
Baek Moo-jin put on a grave face.
"Brother Seo Moon, you know this little brother's a total greenhorn in the jianghu. Send me alone, and I might not even find the West Light Branch. But you've got the smarts, the ingenuity, and—let's be real—top-tier martial arts. Heading to East Heaven Branch is First Grade Warrior Lee Jeong-nam with a dozen Sword Unit escorts. Execution Hall Leader told me the same: muster a dozen men. Guess what I told him?"
Hooked despite himself, Seo Moon-geuk asked with a sour expression.
"What?"
Baek Moo-jin kept up the solemn tone.
"I told him one Seo Moon-geuk warrior is all we need. The two of us—you and me—can handle this mission flawlessly. He asked if I was serious. So I said: 'This was slated for a dozen inspectors—give me and Seo Moon-geuk the support that entails. We'll get it done.' That's what I said."
"Huh... And what'd the Execution Hall Leader say to that?"
"'Isn't Seo Moon-geuk just a Fifth Grade?'"
Seo Moon-geuk bristled the instant Baek Moo-jin spoke. Baek Moo-jin pressed on.
"So I set him straight: 'Brother Seo Moon's skills are way beyond Fifth Grade. His wits and cunning are unmatched...'"
"Enough already! Spare me the honeyed flattery. You're a rotten little brother."
Baek Moo-jin cracked a sly smile. Seo Moon-geuk tsked.
"When do we leave?"
"Now."
"Haa..."
Seo Moon-geuk clutched his forehead, belatedly regretting taking Baek Moo-jin under his wing. Baek Moo-jin drove the point home.
"I'm counting on you, brother."
"Stringing me along... Should've known better."
Baek Moo-jin grinned. It wasn't a joke, though. Better to travel light with Seo Moon-geuk's unexpected sharpness than herd a pack of half-baked Sword Unit grunts.
Seo Moon-geuk stepped off to pack. Baek Moo-jin trailed after.
"By the way, where is the West Light Branch?"
Seo Moon-geuk sighed.
"You're the type who'd tail me all the way to Mount Wudang without directions. I'll guide—just keep up."
Baek Moo-jin clapped his back.
"As expected of Brother Seo Moon, scion of the great Seo Moon Family..."
"Sure, great Seo Moon Family—but it keeps sounding like a dig. Cut it out."
"Understood."
Seo Moon-geuk shot him a glare. Baek Moo-jin flashed a thumbs-up.
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