Meng Hu Dai #1
We pushed forward steadily, smashing through the yokai legions blocking our path. As expected, it wasn't just the Little Blue Ghosts—horned ghosts and even ghouls were showing up. But none of them were a match for us.
"The fact that ghouls are appearing means a ghost gate has definitely opened somewhere. Ghouls only inhabit hell."
"Did the Saseon-nyeo open it?"
"We can't know for sure. With the Little Blue Ghosts stirring, negative yin energy could have gathered and naturally torn open a ghost gate."
"Hmm."
While assessing the situation, we cut down the swarming Little Blue Ghosts. I was finally getting the hang of controlling my power. No need to go all out against mere Little Blue Ghosts, as they say. Holding my sword a bit lighter made it less taxing on my stamina—much more comfortable.
"..."
Whether they disliked my approach or not, the Meng Hu Dai members shot me dissatisfied looks. Whatever.
"Ha-young, you still not sensing any more sinister energy?"
"Hmm, honestly, this whole area's thick with that kind of vibe, so it's hard to pick out anything specific."
"Yeah?"
Nothing we could do about it, then.
"Halt!"
That's when Geuk-hyeon issued the stop order. As we stood guard, he approached and said, "It seems the ones we smashed were stragglers from their main force."
"I had a similar hunch."
"...Then we need to find the enemy main body. We'll split into three units from here."
Three? He explained: he'd stay back with command and a few others; we'd scout left; Meng Hu Dai would go right.
"No issues. We'll do it."
"Good... Be careful."
I turned and informed the group right away. "Scout left to locate the main force? No problem. Geun-hyeop, in this case, secure a retreat route, avoid combat, and move out."
"You always know just what to say. Alright, let's go. Command stays here, others head right."
"Yes. Finding the main body should earn us some solid merit."
We decided quickly and moved out. Just me, Serin, and Ha-young—a trio party. Traveling light like this felt damn good.
"Whoa, being next to those assholes was suffocating. Fuck, I gotta teach those pricks a lesson someday."
"Hee-hee, calm down, Geun-hyeop. They're nobodies."
"True, but still."
"Hey, that Geuk-hyeon guy seems shady to me."
Ha-young spoke up.
"Shady? Yeah, I thought so too. How shady, though?"
"His eyes are all sleazy? Doesn't seem right to me. How's a guy like that even in the Murim Alliance?"
"Good point. Felt off from the start. Let's watch him."
Who knows what he'd pull.
"Plus, he couldn't even control Meng Hu Dai properly. His skills are questionable. And those Meng Hu Dai guys were so rude... Makes me lose faith in the Murim Alliance."
If even Serin judged it that way, the Murim Alliance was seriously fucked.
"Guess the Murim Alliance isn't some flawless good-guy group. Anyway, let's do our job."
"Indeed."
"Ahh, just the three of us is bliss. Let's roll!"
And so we began our scout.
We swung wide, avoiding fights and pushing ahead. Little Blue Ghosts appeared now and then, but we kept moving. The deeper we went, the thicker the sinister energy hanging in the air became.
"Careful. Something's up."
If Ha-young felt it, something was definitely there. We proceeded with utmost caution, cresting a hill and peering down—and that's when we saw it.
"...!"
New sights.
"Yuan cavalry...!"
Skeletal warriors mounted on bony warhorses. The horses wore rusted chainmail; the long-dead riders donned rotting armor. We ducked for cover immediately.
"Ha-young, that's Yuan cavalry?"
"You can tell by the armor. Elite riders for sure. Careful—they're monsters who dominated countless battlefields in life. Rumor has it each one's power rivals a Peak realm master."
"Whoa."
Yuan cavalry too OP...!
"But now they're just horned ghosts. Not as strong, but the problem's their numbers. Over ten just now... Too much for our forces alone."
Horned ghosts or not, Yuan riders were one-man armies. Not like those brittle bone scrubs that shatter in one hit.
"Definitely Saseon-nyeo's doing... We should avoid combat. Geun-hyeop, don't even think about fighting. Even as horned ghosts, those are Yuan riders."
Serin urged, a Peak realm swordmaster who could wield sword aura—wary against these skeletal knights. That's how terrifying Yuan cavalry were.
"Kukuku, look at her scared. No need to freak. I'm a Daoist, remember? Exorcising yokai's my specialty."
"That's my Ha-young! You're the one I trust...!"
"Doesn't mean we seek a fight. Gather intel and bail."
"Agreed."
We collected info ultra-carefully. Soon, facts emerged: this cavalry was the vanguard. Behind them loomed a massive yokai legion.
"Even in death, oppressing the Han. Looks like they're commanding. Can't go deeper—time to head back."
"Good."
Further in was suicide. Retreat.
Naachalbang scouts returned. Geuk-hyeon feigned welcome as he took their report.
'What? Yuan cavalry?'
Horned-ghost Yuan riders leading Little Blue Ghosts. Geuk-hyeon felt a twinge of tension.
'Cavalry are strong... Can't rush this.'
Unlike weak regular horned ghosts, ex-Yuan rider horned ghosts were powerhouses. Especially in numbers—extreme caution needed.
"Well done. As expected. There's a commander. Must be the Jade Flower Sword and Plunder Fire Lotus. Mission accomplished splendidly."
He praised them, then schemed inwardly.
'Perfect. Use this.'
Yuan cavalry: mighty yokai. Send them to assassinate the riders. Can't order outright—gradually steer them there.
'Three elites can't handle a legion-leading cavalry. They'll disobey or desert. Twist it that way, gain the upper hand.'
Geuk-hyeon plotted slyly. Submit the plan to Jinyiwei for approval, crush any Murim backlash.
Back from scouting, we pooled intel with Meng Hu Dai's. Rough estimate: yokai legion heavy on Yuan cavalry. No way Murim folk alone could hold.
"Need more precise info. Detail their formation and scale, form a strike team of Murim experts to assassinate commanders."
Geuk-hyeon oozed overconfidence. He proposed using Murim to take out enemy leaders. Craving merit, but feasible?
Even mindless Little Blue Ghosts—plunging into their heart to hit mighty Yuan rider yokai was suicidal.
"Hmm."
"Hrm..."
Assembled righteous warriors murmured.
"No worries. Scout thoroughly; execute only if viable. This is merit opportunity. Jinyiwei pleased? Even the imperial court hears of us."
Merit, huh. Would the court care about grunts like us? Seemed all upside for Jinyiwei.
"Assassinate Yuan cavalry? Tough sell, Geun-hyeop."
"Yeah, unrealistic."
Serin stroked her chin gravely. "My concern is—"
"Hm?"
"Jinyiwei might order it. If he submits and gets approval, we must obey."
"Ah."
True. Meng Hu Dai were Jinyiwei puppets. Approved plan? We dive into hell.
"Damn. Can't even warn Jinyiwei."
"No choice but caution."
This felt ominous.
Next day, Geuk-hyeon declared, "Jinyiwei orders: precise scout, then assassinate enemy commanders."
"What?!"
"Into the heart of enemy lines?!"
Murim folk shouted in shock.
"Calm. Not human army—just Little Blue Ghost rabble. Gaps aplenty. Exploit them—totally doable."
"What about Yuan cavalry? Even breaching, we gotta take them!"
"What? Doubting Meng Hu Dai? Think we can't handle yokai like that?!"
Geuk-hyeon bellowed; the warrior backed down.
"N-no, not that..."
"Disobey? Report to Jinyiwei!"
"...We'll obey."
Watching, I thought: This'll go south. Knew it, you Jinyiwei fucks. Power corrupts.
"Prepare to deploy. Scout enemy lines again."
Thus, full re-scout: all Murim assembled, expedition-style. Reaching the corpse-reeking zone, Geuk-hyeon said, "Disperse from here. Gong Son-tan, form squads and scout now."
"Yes!"
"And... Naachalbang."
"What?"
His gaze hit me. "You'll go deeper with us."
"Deeper? Why?"
"You're the strongest here. Can't send riffraff—too weak. But you? Different."
Dead serious, acknowledging our prowess. Bullshit flattery to use us.
"Cleared with Jinyiwei already. Follow without question."
"...Fine."
Damn Jinyiwei manipulator. No choice.
"Let's move."
We followed Geuk-hyeon and his lackeys deeper.