The Eerie Fields Beyond the Walls
Outside the city walls, the atmosphere was as grim and foreboding as it gets. This should have been familiar territory, but no such thought crossed my mind. It felt like wandering through some massive field of terror.
We marched at a steady pace, scanning our surroundings. No corpse stench yet, which meant the Sagwi Legion was still some distance away. So what? Naturally, my eyes drifted to the mood among my teammates.
"..."
It was damn awkward. Even Geuk-hyeon, who was supposed to apologize to us, just moved with his Meng Hu Dai crew without saying a word.
In that tense vibe, the order to rest came down, and we quickly scarfed down some food. Maybe the tension eased a bit after that?
"Hey."
Some Meng Hu Dai guys approached, striking up a conversation.
"What's up?"
"Got a question. Jeolgyu Nachal. Mind chatting for a sec?"
"Sure... why not."
What the hell did they want? As I got closer, the guy muttered quietly.
"How the fuck did you snag those Murim beauties? Two of 'em, no less. Spill the method—pretty please?"
I figured it was something dumb like that.
"Just some positive connections led to talking, and it happened."
"Bullshit! No connection makes that possible!"
"Everyone's different, right? Anyway, later."
"Ah...!"
No real secret to share even if they begged.
"What'd they say?"
"Just how I hooked the Murim flowers."
"Hee hee, and what'd you tell 'em?"
"Brushed it off. Said we had positive connections."
Serin and Hayeong both flashed soft smiles at that. But honestly, connections or excuses don't matter. Those two became mine because I'm Kim Geun-hyeop, the unparalleled great hero of this world.
"Hey, Okhwa Geom."
"Hm?"
Then more Meng Hu Dai guys came over.
"Ahem. Everything... comfortable?"
"No issues."
"Then..."
The awkward bastard hemmed and hawed, fishing for words. This prick. Hitting on my woman right in front of me?
I was about to snap when Serin stepped up.
"Chatting with another man in front of my betrothed feels off-putting. I hope you understand."
"What."
I eyed the Meng Hu Dai guy and said,
"You heard her."
"I didn't say shit!"
"Raising your voice at my fiancée now?"
"That's not—!"
Their faces flushed beet red. A few glanced at Hayeong, trying to pipe up, but...
"What, me too? Buzz off?"
"No, it's not like that! Just curious!"
"Ohh, really?"
"Yeah. Uh... about Maosan Sect Taoist arts, maybe."
Forcing chit-chat, huh.
"Persistent. Stop hitting on my women. They said no."
"The hell? I wasn't pawing at anyone! You're insulting me!"
"They don't wanna talk, but you keep trying."
"You...!"
Hostility flickered in the guy's eyes. This was going south fast. More problems than expected. These assholes got no shame? Jealousy or not, trying to make moves with me right here?
I thought Murim Alliance upright warriors would behave, but my assumption was way off.
Seeing this shitshow, I could already picture more idiots losing it over the Murim beauties and acting rude down the line.
"Enough!"
Just as the argument heated up, Geuk-hyeon bellowed.
"Ugh."
"Meng Hu Dai Leader. Mind your men? This is getting troublesome."
"You lot! Over here, now!"
"Y-yes, sir."
The deflated pricks slunk back to their boss. After that, Geuk-hyeon avoided our eyes. Just soured the mood further.
"Jeez. Hilarious. It's my call if I respond or not, right? They weren't this blatant before—must be jealousy cranking it up."
"I've never seen such rudeness."
"I'll handle it."
Losing their minds 'cause two Murim flowers are mine? Time to grab one and lay down the law proper.
"No need for you to step in, Geun-hyeop. If it happens again, I'll deal with it."
"Should I just talisman-smack 'em?"
"Heh heh, no need."
Both subtly pissed—gotta make it up to 'em later. We pressed on through the awkward trek, and soon the corpse stench rode the wind.
"Corpse smell means Sagwi nearby. Careful from here."
"Yes, sir!"
At Geuk-hyeon's order, we formed ranks and advanced slowly. How long passed?
"Grraaah."
"Groooek."
"Grrraa...!"
Weird cries echoed, and eyes snapped that way.
"Gasp...!"
Zombies! Real fucking zombies! Those blood-red eyes, rotting flesh, exposed bones! Actual corpses shambling around, gruesomely dead!
Undead in Murim? This ain't wuxia anymore...!
"Sagwi. Battle ready."
"Ready."
Meng Hu Dai surged forward. First zombies for me too—shocking, but no fear. I killed the Demon Nachal; some zombies scare me?
"Exterminate!"
"Hah!"
Geuk-hyeon commanded, and they leaped. Clang! Swords swung hard, carving through Sagwi.
"Ooh."
I admired their skill. Clean work. Shitty attitudes aside, Murim Alliance combat unit—top-tier skill and experience expected.
But Sagwi seemed weak as rumored.
"Grraaah!"
They lunged to bite, arms wide, but slow, limbs mangled—no real threat. Slash! Arms and heads flew in seconds.
"Geun-hyeop. Us too."
"Let's go!"
We took left flank with Meng Hu Dai. Serin and Hayeong fine—no worries. Focus on Sagwi!
"Kraaah!"
Sagwi gaped wide, charging—but Ha! I unleashed Dae-ryu Geom-beop, splitting its skull clean.
Shifted with footwork, pierced a charging one's palm, then brow. Stab!
Sagwi: just moving corpses, yokai trash. Black path thugs with weapons tougher. Losing to zombies? No face for a Murim man.
"Haaah!"
I flowed Dae-ryu Geom-beop, slicing Sagwi down. Serin elegant, precise cuts shredding them. Hayeong swung her stone staff, flames torching hordes.
Time passed. Sagwi annihilated.
"Whew!"
Sword work felt refreshing. This is Murim life.
"Geun-hyeop. How was it?"
"No biggie. Sagwi are weaklings."
"True. But hordes from all sides? Disaster. Watch for that against Sagwi."
"Got it. Noted."
Wiping sweat, I spotted Hayeong doing something.
"Hayeong?"
"Ah, gimme a sec. Quick memorial rite."
"Ooh...! As expected from our Taoist! Even rites—such a kind heart!"
"Kukuku, of course."
"Serin. Join?"
"Of course."
We helped Hayeong with a simple rite. Victims of that evil witch Saseon-nyeo's schemes—innocent folk turned zombies. Poor bastards.
Rite done...
"Truly Maosan Sect's Taoist. Comforting the Sagwi-ified—admirable."
Another opening for chit-chat.
"Taoist's duty."
"Respect."
No need to block. But Meng Hu Dai faces looked off. Superior smirks at me? Weird vibe.
Staring back, one spoke.
"Brother, too much force in your sword."
"What?"
"Sagwi weaker than civilians. Overkill wastes energy. Inexperienced, huh."
Ah. Got it. Picking on my skill. First Sagwi, so yeah, didn't hold back.
"Okhwa Geom. Protect Jeolgyu Nachal well. Still green."
"Geophwa Buyong! Any rite orders, command me!"
Meng Hu Dai tossed barbs. These fucking pricks.
"Geun-hyeop. Sweat on your forehead."
"Yeah."
Serin dabbed it with her handkerchief.
"Hot? Water?"
Hayeong offered her gourd.
"Uh, we...!"
"Tch!"
"Damn!"
Meng Hu Dai grimaced and backed off.
"Girls...!"
Dispelling them like that.
"Man. Being pretty's exhausting."
"Yeah yeah."
The two nodded. Normally not this bad, but their jealousy turned eyes full psycho—draining as hell.
Anyway, battle over. Quick regroup. Meng Hu Dai started investigating.
Geuk-hyeon spoke up.
"Enemy territory from here. Scout deeper, gather intel. Cooperate."
What we came for.
"Got it."
"Sounds like a request, but it's an imperial order via Jinuiwi. Do well."
"Sure."
He nodded and returned to his men.
Alright. Time to intel-gather in this corpse field.