Sa-gwi Onslaught: Reconnaissance Deployment
"Looks like they're finally on the move."
It was about time. "Anything else? Like an apology, maybe?"
"Nope. Just a heads-up that they're coming."
Serin took the letter and frowned. "I have no idea when they plan to apologize. Well, we'll hear them out tomorrow and decide whether to lodge a formal protest then."
"Sounds good."
No matter what, Serin had the prestige and the Namgung Family backing her up. Nobody in their right mind would want to make an enemy of her. They'd apologize one way or another.
"Hmmm, so you're heading out for work tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then I should get ready to go out too?" Ha-young stretched with a big yawn.
Taking Ha-young along? Whatever, no big deal.
"Actually, if you come too, Wi Ha-young, things might get a bit rowdy."
"Yeah, that's what I think too."
"What? You were already thinking that?"
"Of course. Even just Okhwa Geom alone was a lot, right? Add Geophwa Buyong on top of that—what do you think happens?"
I was worried about the same thing.
"The atmosphere won't be great, sure. But they know about face-saving. They just caused a huge scene over me—think they'll do it again?"
"True enough. That's what I'm thinking too."
Bringing Ha-young would stir up some noise about me having two of the Murim's Four Beauties on my arm, but it wasn't worth stressing over. Everyone would be pissed, sure. But so what?
"Besides, we can't leave out a powerhouse Taoist like Wi Ha-young on a mission this important. Not if we care about your safety, Geun-hyeop."
"Heh heh heh, what am I, a kid?"
"For the time being, yeah, you're getting the kid treatment. Anyway, this is official business from the government, the Royal Guard, and the Alliance. Give it your all."
"You bet."
I'll do my best. Recon mission shouldn't be too tough. Plus, scouting the Sa-gwi legion ahead of time isn't a bad idea. Like Serin said, rack up some merits and I can spread Nachal Bang's name through the righteous Murim world. All upsides—let's make it happen.
"Alright then, Geun-hyeop. No heavy lifting tonight."
"What're you talking about?"
"Don't go sneaking your hands all over me. Separate rooms tonight."
"What?!"
Why the hell separate rooms?! I yelped in shock, and Serin furrowed her brows, crossing her arms.
"What's there to freak out about? We have to gear up and head out before dawn. You wanna chase skirts and party all night in a situation like this? You lecher."
"Kukuku, hey, I get how important this is. Even if you sneak into my room at dawn for a feel, no consummation tonight. Sleep tight and be in top form, okay?"
"What?! Geun-hyeop! You went to Wi Ha-young's room at dawn?!"
Zap! Serin glared at me with axe eyes. What the hell, Ha-young—why'd you spout that nonsense?!
"As if!"
"You lecher! I was gonna reward you after the mission, but forget it! Get ready to get your pressure points sealed!"
"Nooooo!"
We bantered and teased each other like that before heading to our separate rooms.
Dawn. We'd finished prepping and headed to the rally point. Nerves and excitement mixed in my gut. Nail this, and Nachal Bang's rep skyrockets. Then we can stand toe-to-toe with the righteous Murim folks around here.
Buzz buzz.
The government camp was already buzzing. Righteous Murim warriors and Alliance Tiger Unit members were all gathered. I tried slipping into the crowd naturally, but...
"Oh, Okhwa Geom..!"
"It's Okhwa Geom!"
No chance. Not with Serin here. She was in modest clothes with a veiled hat to partially hide her face, but it wasn't enough.
And then...
"Wha—what?!"
"Isn't that Geophwa Buyong?!"
"Mosan Sect's female Taoist!"
Of course Ha-young drew aggro too. I'd picked out her battle outfit lately. Modest clothes or not, with those unbound massive tits, she was bound to get spotted. Everyone on site recognized Geophwa Buyong and shouted.
"Haa. See? This is what happens when I show up."
Ha-young scratched her head, bragging lightly.
"Ex, excuse me! Geophwa Buyong! I'm Choi Jun-mo of the Tiger Unit!"
One Tiger Unit guy came up. "And?"
"We didn't know you'd come. Having a powerhouse Taoist like you join us is a huge relief... B-but why are you with Jeolgyu Nachal..?"
Sizzle.
Everyone realized it. Me in the middle. Okhwa Geom and Geophwa Buyong on either side.
"No way...?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Impossible!"
As everyone gasped, Ha-young spoke up. "Yeah, that's 'cause this handsome hero here's my man. Kukuku."
She answered playfully, and...
"Wh-what did you saaaay?!"
"Ughhh!"
"No wayyy!"
It happened again, just like last time... Yeah, I figured it'd go down like this. Even I think having two Murim's Four Beauties is insane.
"Lies! It has to be lies! No way! Okhwa Geom and Geophwa Buyong, two flowers of the Murim's Four Beauties, to one man?!"
"Arrrghhh!"
"This can't be real!"
The freakouts spread.
"Haa. Knew it'd be like this, Geun-hyeop."
"Me too. But what can ya do? Can't hide it forever."
"No need to hide, right? Just own it."
"True."
I watched the righteous warriors lose their shit.
"Y-you! How...!"
One of them pointed at me, tears streaming. "We hit it off. That's how."
"No waaay!"
"First Okhwa Geom, now Geophwa Buyong too...! Sob!"
Hey, you barely know them—why the meltdown? As the commotion died down...
"Quiet! Shut it! What the hell's going on?!"
Tiger Unit Leader Geuk-hyeon showed up with Gong Son-tan and the others.
"Leader! Mosan Sect's Geophwa Buyong appeared!"
"What? Reinforcements? Perfect."
"But...!"
Whispers.
Quick report.
Whoosh! Geuk-hyeon and his cronies' eyes locked on me.
"Good to see you, Tiger Leader. But before greetings, let's settle things between us first."
This bastard at least seems willing to apologize?
"Sigh. I know. But handling the crisis comes first. Put it on hold till then?"
"Fine."
Serin nodded. "Alright, looks like everyone's here. Time to assign missions. Follow your commanders."
Geuk-hyeon climbed the platform, calling out sects and issuing orders. Each group's getting a Tiger Unit commander for recon. Departing different directions, it seems.
"Nachal Bang, you're with me."
He called us. Putting us in his group with other Tiger members.
"Got it."
Probably apologize while we move. Tiger guys looked sour, but whatever. Just do the job.
"Let's do this right."
No slacking. Can't fuck around against the Royal Guard. "...Sure."
Geuk-hyeon, with his sinister vibe, nodded, then more briefings. When the sun rose, we headed out beyond the prefecture. To scout the Sa-gwi.
The Tiger Unit was floored. Beyond Okhwa Geom, even Geophwa Buyong was Jeolgyu Nachal's woman?! Unbelievable. Two of the famed Murim's Four Beauties—flowers of the martial world—in one guy's pocket? Countless warriors dreamed it, none achieved it. Even past Beauties paired off, but never two or more for one man.
Is that guy really that great?
Jeolgyu Nachal, the man with two Beauties. Is he the real deal? No way. Must've tricked them. Doesn't even look healthy—pale skin, tall frame. No way he seduces Murim flowers.
"Sob...!"
"Urghhh!"
"Geophwa Buyong!"
The Tiger Unit reeled hardest. Especially her fans over Okhwa Geom's. Okhwa was classic beauty, but the others had killer charm too. Geophwa Buyong especially—shadow circles called her Mount Tai Tits. Huge-chest worshippers galore.
While heroes like us risk death on Alliance orders guarding the Central Plains, that playboy frolics with Beauties. Who's this sacrifice even for?
Geuk-hyeon swallowed his hate, keeping cool. Mission underway. Put Jeolgyu Nachal and the two Beauties in his group.
Off to scout Sa-gwi like this.
Recon's fine. Okhwa Geom's peak realm—no struggle against mere Sa-gwi. But the culprit behind this is Saseon-nyeo.
Won't end with just Sa-gwi. Something more. Gotta uncover it.
Risky, but huge merits. No need to take the risk ourselves. Got bait to throw.
I'll ease them into danger. Start with easy tasks, praise success, ramp up danger. 'Only you can do this.'
Honor-bound, they'll keep going.
Eventually hit limit, refuse. But no escape. Royal Guard orders, court command. Refusal's mutiny—capital crime.
They'll shoulder the danger.
Perfect. Can't revenge openly or Namgung catches wind. Slowly drag 'em into the mire.
Push past limits, tempers flare, rudeness follows. Inevitable disobedience. Pin the crime, control via weakness.
Heh.
Geuk-hyeon's lips curled. Imagining it thrilled him. Tiger Unit work honed his martial arts and schemes. Who else dares scheme against Namgung's Okhwa Geom? Only him.
But... what about Geophwa Buyong?