Yokai Stirring #3: Massive Conscription and Mysterious Masters
A massive conscription was underway. Rumors were rampant that yokai were swarming in, and the streets were filled with bustling imperial troops. On top of that, the common folk being dragged off for corvée labor were overflowing everywhere.
In the midst of all this, unfamiliar Murim warriors started appearing on the streets. The moment I laid eyes on them, I knew instinctively—they were masters from outside. If it were an army marching in, word would spread like wildfire. But Murim folk didn't move in such large numbers, so the rumors trickled in slower. That meant I had no clue who they were. What faction could they be from? The Murim Alliance's combat unit? Or maybe Gold Guards or East Depot agents in disguise?
Whatever it was, better to play it safe. I tried to slip past casually.
"Hm? Hey, young master? Hold up a sec."
Some guy called out to me. What the hell? Why me? He was a clean-cut man with a heroic air, wrapped in fine clothes. His outfit and weapon screamed "well-off orthodox sect warrior."
"What's the matter?"
No way he's picking a fight, right? I didn't know about the rest, but these new masters were stronger than me. They weren't on the level of those black path vermin.
I couldn't afford to get tangled in any bullshit.
"That sword. Isn't that the Cheonrae Sword? The famed blade of the Namgung family."
He was eyeing my sword.
"Ah, yeah. Got it from the Namgung family."
"Just as I thought! Rumor has it they give it out as a token of gratitude."
"Spot on."
"As a warrior from Anhui Province, you must've helped them out a lot."
"Heh heh heh, you got it. Getting this sword was the luck of a lifetime. But... who might you be?"
He'd been chatting so friendly, but I still didn't know the guy.
"Ah! Forgive my rudeness. Name's Gong Son-tan."
"Gong Son-tan! You don't mean from the Gong Son family?!"
I knew the Gong Son family. That super polite Gong Son-chan from Romance of the Three Kingdoms—pretty much everyone knew that name. So I faked some surprise, and Gong Son-tan grinned, pleased.
"That's right. I've always had a personal interest in the Namgung family's swords... Couldn't help but notice yours and say hi."
I nodded and replied.
"I'm Kim Geun-hyeop. This Cheonrae Sword is what I got for helping the Namgung family."
"Oho...! Mind sharing the details?"
I subtly gauged Gong Son-tan's energy while we talked. As expected of a master—top-tier. Stronger than Serin? No way to tell. But in times like these, chatting too long with an outsider master was a bad idea.
"Sorry, it's sensitive stuff that needs to stay under wraps. Plus, with all the yokai business, I'm swamped—no time to spare."
"Mm... Too bad. I'm here for the yokai mess myself."
"Oh yeah? If Gong Son family warriors are lending a hand, that'll be a huge relief."
"Not just me. The Murim Alliance's combat unit has arrived too, young master."
"The Murim Alliance's combat unit?!"
I yelped in shock, and Gong Son-tan smirked.
"Didn't mean to startle you. I'm a warrior from the Alliance's Meng Ho Dae—the Fierce Tiger Unit."
"Meng Ho Dae?! No way!"
"It's made up of rising stars like me, but there are plenty of other heavy hitters. With them here, this crisis should wrap up easy."
"Holy shit, to think I'd live to see the Murim Alliance's Meng Ho Dae! Incredible!"
This wasn't exaggeration—I was genuinely shocked! The combat unit was already here?!
That said, even with the Murim Alliance's combat unit—made of rising stars—no way this blows over quick. Saseon-nyeo was a witch even Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang feared. If the emperor was Fire Transformation realm and his top generals Mysterious Realm, what could some Alliance unit do against someone they all dreaded?
"Anyway... Let's talk sometime if we get the chance. We'll be staying here."
"Got it. Take care, Hero Gong Son-tan."
"Hero, huh? Heh heh, you're local, aren't you?"
"Yep."
"Ah, in that case, maybe..."
What's he curious about?
"You ever seen the Okhwa Sword?"
"One of the Murim's Four Beauties?"
Why's he asking about Serin?
Gong Son-tan nodded.
"Figured a local like you would've. Heard she's been active lately—any changes to her beauty or anything?"
Bit suspicious. They know each other?
"Dunno... Why, you two acquainted?"
"Er, hem. Not exactly..."
Doesn't seem like it. I'll ask Serin later.
"Anyway, nice meeting you, Hero Gong Son-tan. Might cross paths on the battlefield soon. Catch you later."
"Likewise."
Back at Nachal Bang, I shared the news about the Murim Alliance's Meng Ho Dae arriving. Galbi Jong freaked out.
"No way! The Meng Ho Dae?!"
"What, you know 'em?"
"Of course! Those bastards are sneaky and dangerous as hell!"
This prick's at it again.
"Kuk kuk, always bitching at the drop of a hat."
"Same thought here."
Honestly, Galbi Jong's mindset was way off from ours. The only guys I truly vibed with were Song-ssi and Jae Mi-son.
"What makes 'em sneaky?"
"In our unorthodox Murim—"
"Orthodox."
"Ah, back when I was with Heuk Jeon Mun. The Meng Ho Dae's basically the orthodox rising stars unit."
So, promising talents from various sects and families. But in practice, they don't send their absolute best outside their turf. They pick solid second- or third-stringers who can hold their own.
"They're impulsive, glory-hungry types who love showing off. They raid small, weak unorthodox groups whenever, lining their pockets. I've heard all about their nasty rep."
"Huh."
Sounded like good guys to me? Glory-hounds impulsively beating down black path scum? That's the Murim we want.
"Sounds like stand-up dudes."
"Stand-up?!"
"Heh heh heh, Galbi Jong. We're orthodox now. If they wipe out our rivals for us, aren't they the best?"
"Wha...!"
Galbi Jong's eyes widened like he'd had an epiphany. Those sparkling eyes were blinding.
"R-right! To you, Crying Nachal, even the Meng Ho Dae's just pawns... Got it!"
"No."
Quit your bullshit.
The Murim Alliance had dispatched a unit. Hearing the news, Namgung Serin racked her brain, trying to recall the Meng Ho Dae members' faces.
Hmm... No one particularly memorable.
Namgung Serin was top-tier among rising stars. With her overwhelming beauty to boot, countless juniors had approached her to build connections. The Meng Ho Dae guys were no exception. Some had gone beyond chit-chat into full-on courtship, but she'd paid no mind and forgotten who.
Anyway, their skills were generally below hers. She was confident of that.
But they get dispatched everywhere, so their worldly experience outstrips mine. Credit where due.
That gave them higher fame. Okhwa Sword was famous more as a Beauty than warrior, her rep limited to Anhui. Meng Ho Dae? Known across the Central Plains.
Perfect.
She hatched a plan.
This is my chance to spread Geun-hyeop's name in orthodox Murim. He needs the fame. And with Meng Ho Dae here, it'll work great.
The scheme: She'd drag Geun-hyeop around, introducing him to major sect folks as a famous figure herself. Boom—his name spreads. Fame like that pays off big later.
Hee hee, this is what inner assistance means. As principal wife, I must help my husband rise higher.
Bonus: Cement her status as principal wife. She was principal; Wi Ha-young was concubine. Geun-hyeop called them both principal, but two principals? Absurd.
These things are won through conquest. And what’s Wi Ha-young doing now? A golden opportunity like this, and no thought to boosting her husband's fame. Proves I'm the true principal wife: Namgung Serin.
Wi Ha-young was holed up in her room practicing some Taoist spell. No contest. A proper wife thinks of aiding her man anytime.
Namgung Serin had won there.
"Here, take this!"
"What's this?"
Ha-young handed me a pile that looked like talismans.
"Open it up!"
"Huh?"
I unfolded it and realized—it was clothes.
"Talisman clothes or something?"
"Yep yep. Made from anti-demon talismans. Wear it underneath. We're heading into full yokai war soon—gotta prepare, right? It'll shield you from evil energy."
Damn!
"You... You mean you locked yourself in your room just to make this for me?!"
"Hee hee, took you long enough? It's a gift with all my love."
"Ha-young!"
Whoosh! I scooped her up in a hug!
"Eek! H-hey... M-my boobs are getting squished. Can't... breathe..."
Gahhh! Couldn't hold back!
"Eek...! When did you...!"
Serin muttered something.