Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Recapturing the Mountain Fortress
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The short war had ended in just one night.
But that didn't mean they could let their guard down. They'd seen people hiding among the dead, launching surprise sword strikes from the corpses. They had to stay vigilant until the very end.
"Su-ryeon. Sorry to ask, but can you have your Sa Clan members tie these guys up? It'll put my mind at ease if we make it extra secure."
"Who are you asking favors from?"
Led by Su-ryeon, the Sa Clan members began binding the unorthodox warriors with ropes.
The four guarding the fortress's two passages returned.
"Traces of the Yu-ma Seven Swords... Hmm... Su-a's handiwork?"
"She ripped their heads clean off. Judging by the marks... Flawless Nine Yin White Bone Claw. Excellent! Where's Su-a? What a fine disciple!"
"Some were captured without even resisting? Looks like she mastered that Whispering Demon Illusion Technique I taught her. She deserves praise."
"Quick and nimble movements. That's the Black-White Lotus Sword. She's progressing faster than expected... Might need to adjust her training schedule a bit..."
I was relieved no one was injured. Su-a tugged at my sleeve insistently.
Her clothes were soaked in blood. The face looking up at me was just as filthy. I wiped it clean with my sleeve.
"...Daddy."
"Yeah."
"...Did I do good?"
Praising her for killing felt a bit off.
But after cleaning her face, I stroked her hair too.
"You did great."
A war where we killed or were killed.
We were right in the middle of it. Debating with swords over our ideals...
In that, murder was inevitable, really.
Yet even in the heat of battle, I'd seen Su-a hold back her full strength. She'd tried to subdue enemies far below her level whenever possible.
I couldn't help but praise that. Her kind nature hadn't been swept up in the war's frenzy...
From my vantage point watching over her, it was impressive.
"A splendid first real battle."
"...Huaaah..."
Su-a leaned against me, tension draining away as she wobbled. I scooped her up effortlessly.
The gathered four chattered noisily.
"Su-a, you did well, but show no mercy with your sword. Don't go soft like your dad? Slice right through with a bang! Like you're mowing them all down."
"When using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw forms, don't just rip off heads-pull out the spine too, like you're yanking the whole thing. It's cleaner that way since you're killing them anyway!"
"Using the Whispering Demon Illusion Technique was great. But Su-a, don't relax just because the battle's over. Be perfect from start to finish. Stand straight with your back rigid."
"Swift Sword means no hesitation. Pausing midway invites variables. Don't stop for anything. Strike in an instant-bam!-focus on finishing the enemy!"
"......"
I shot my masters a stern look at their feedback. I spun Su-a in my arms, shielding her from their view.
"It was her first real battle. That's enough."
"...Daddyyy..."
"Back off! Junior! You can't baby her like that!"
"Uh, ugh?! Was I too harsh? I thought it was necessary advice... Su, Su-a, you're not mad, right...?"
"Red Cloud, education requires firmness. Coddling isn't the only way."
"D-did I go too far? No, brother-in-law... That's not what I meant... She's just such a quick learner, I got carried away..."
I pulled away from the boisterous group. I asked Dongbang Hyang, slumped against the wall in ropes.
"You know the Sa-do Young Lord?"
Dongbang Hyang rolled his eyes.
His tone was now exceedingly polite.
"...How could someone under the Sa-do Young Lord not know you, Commander?"
"I mean personal ties."
Dongbang Hyang gauged my mood. He nodded with a bright smile.
"Of course! You're no ordinary acquaintance of the Young Lord! Spare me, and you'll have leverage in prisoner exchanges!"
"Is that true?"
"Absolutely!"
Su-a wriggled in my arms and turned her head. She slapped her palm-smack-onto Dongbang Hyang's face.
"...Hmm...?"
Dongbang Hyang blinked. True energy flared from Su-a's fingertips.
She wrote stroke by stroke, like brushing ink. His face twitched, then his eyes glazed over.
"...What is this?"
"Daddy. Ask him again."
Soul-ensnaring technique?
I stroked the cheek of my clever Su-a. I asked him once more.
"Any ties to the Commander?"
"None...at all..."
A habitual liar, huh.
I raised my hand and slapped him-crack. He snapped awake with a scream, blinking.
"Wh-what... just... happened...?"
"You lied to me."
"...Spare me, sir! I was wrong!"
No value as a hostage, then.
He'd been worth only as much as his ability to spread my name to the Sa-do Young Lord. I stood, still holding Su-a.
"Su-ryeon. Send word to the Earth Dragon Vanguard Lord about our capture of the fortress. We'll cover all costs from our side, of course."
"Don't worry about it. I enjoy this."
One Sa Clan member dashed out of the fortress. Now the cleanup was perfect too...
All that remained was waiting for the Heavenly Dragon Corps warriors.
"Phew... Haa... Tension's finally gone."
"Master. Did I do well?"
"...It was my first time with blood on my hands, so mistakes were frequent. Subduing rabble is worlds apart from this."
The three tense disciples collapsed to the ground. I gave them a slight smile.
They were right-plenty of mistakes, shortcomings glaring. But they'd fulfilled their roles beyond that.
"You all did great."
"...M-me too..."
Gu Hwa-rin sidled up beside me slyly.
"Did I do well too?"
"Hwa-rin did great too."
"...Hehe."
Reclaiming a fortress held by over three hundred.
I'd witnessed the value of experts with my own eyes.
Truly...
Like a moving army. That's what experts are.
...
"Congratulations on your great victory!"
Less than a day later, the pre-positioned Heavenly Dragon Corps warriors arrived. After handing over the fortress to their officer, we returned straight to the outpost.
The Earth Dragon Vanguard Lord's mouth stretched ear to ear. He greeted me with booming laughter.
"Red Cloud hero! You did splendidly! Who could've guessed you'd retake the fortress with just ten?! Ha! Even the Sa-do Young Lord, who trembled at Murim Alliance warriors, must be quaking now!"
"Too much praise. Please retract it."
"You're perfect except one thing, Red Cloud hero. What you did warrants some boasting. Chest out, back straight! Nose high! Since you handled something huge for us, I'll request a bonus from Heavenly Dragon Corps HQ! I've cleared a tent just for you-go rest!"
I didn't refuse the Vanguard Lord's kindness. With more people, costs rose too.
We headed to the empty tent and unpacked. As proof of his care, the tent was impeccably clean at a glance.
Large, spotless compared to others, no odors.
Food rations came to us first too. No lines; servers brought meals like to honored guests.
"Yummy...!"
"Eat slowly."
The Heavenly Dragon Corps outpost.
I scanned the surroundings. Seemed we'd stay a while, so I wanted somewhere better than a tent to lay Su-a.
"Red Cloud. It's getting cold."
Black Orchid voiced my exact thought. I nodded.
"The issued sleeping bags aren't warm enough, so I plan to hunt beasts and skin them."
Black Orchid fanned my face with her fan.
"How about resting a bit? You're always moving except when sleeping-it's worrying."
"Just this, then rest."
"Stubborn as ever. But you know beasts sense presence keenly. With so many people, you'll have to go far to hunt."
Not wrong.
Beasts flee human scent. No large game nearby for good pelts.
"But luckily, deep mountains are close."
"Deep mountains, sure. But first... did you check the sky?"
"The sky...?"
"Weather's off. Winter's not here, yet the wind's unusually chill. Clouds gathering visibly... Snow soon, probably. Odd part: other areas on the way weren't like this. Just this region's colder."
"...Something affecting the weather?"
"Nothing certain. But suspicious. Not arrays or spells... Maybe something influencing weather entered the area."
Black Orchid snapped her fan shut.
"Deeper into the forest, riskier. If going far anyway, take me. Not doubting you, but no one's as versatile as me?"
"...True, but..."
"Great. Shall we hunt pelts together? Us two, two days tops. Tell the friendly Earth Dragon Vanguard Lord and go."
Her seamless words left me staring at Black Orchid.
She smiled brightly.
"Got a better plan?"
"No, but... feels calculated."
"Oh? Just a misunderstanding."
Not wrong. With her versatility, she'd lure beasts with arrays like before.
Shorten hunt time. I excused us to the group first.
And predictably, all opposed.
"Where do you two think you're sneaking off to!"
"No. Absolutely not. Yeah. Nope."
"Orchid sis... Always trying to pull ahead alone...? You fox!"
"No idea what you mean. I just advised since Red Cloud seemed to need help."
"Daddy. Me too."
"Th-then me too..."
"Me too! Master!"
Facing their group insistence, I got permission from the Earth Dragon Vanguard Lord first.
He agreed readily.
"You fleeing now would be funnier. I'll give three days. Enough?"
"Thank you, Vanguard Lord."
"Thanks? I should thank you! Haha!"
Leaving the chuckling Vanguard Lord, we ended up going as a group.
"...Can't stand others benefiting, huh..."
Black Orchid pouted briefly, then got over it.
Target: deep forest. We moved to get beast pelts for winter, plus fresh meat.
Into the unclaimed woods between Heavenly Dragon Corps and Sa-do Alliance territories.
To hunt beasts.
...
"We finally seized the fortress, and they took it back?"
"Yes, Commander."
At the Sa-do Alliance heart. In a massive, towering building far from the front...
Sa-do Alliance Leader Gu Ok-gyeong scowled.
He'd thought rare good news had arrived...
Only for that chance to slip away. Better not to hear it at all.
"Should've kept quiet from the start. Who? The idiot who lost the fortress after taking it?"
"Cheon-gwi Dongbang Hyang."
"Dongbang Hyang...? Who the hell's that?"
"Normal not to remember. He wasn't important."
"Still, snatching it from under Earth Dragon Vanguard Lord's nose means some skill? What'd we gain?"
"No other news. Just that Dongbang Hyang's captured."
"Who caught him?"
"Murim Alliance support captain, Red Cloud."
"...Murim Alliance?"
Dongbang Hyang he might ignore, but not that.
The Alliance Leader stood. He turned to his grooming bodyguard warrior.
"If Murim Alliance warriors caught him... Pretty skilled?"
"Called Mok-seong too. Famous for rooting out our plants in Heavenly Dragon Corps."
"That's worthless. Our 'people' left inside are trash not worth calling warriors."
The Alliance Leader tapped his cheek with a finger.
"Murim Alliance... Murim Alliance... That name sours my mood every time. But get this: if they sent experts, means Murim Alliance is serious this time? Experts are precious even to them."
"Exactly, Commander."
"Capturing and grilling them might cheer me up... Where's Dae-un? Not back?"
"No. Said he'd fetch a spirit beast's inner core, hasn't shown."
The Alliance Leader stretched his stiff back.
"Dae-un's great otherwise. But overreacts. Just a bit sluggish, and he dashes off for an inner core... Not fitting for Sa-pa Supreme Sword."
"Means he cares that much for you?"
"Excessive loyalty. Anyway, have Dae-un report to me immediately on return."
The Alliance Leader loosened up lightly.
"Nothing beats Sa-pa Supreme Sword for handling Murim Alliance pests."
The Alliance Leader's bodyguard warrior.
Poison Snake Sword Yeong-wol bowed demurely.
"Understood, Commander."