Recruitment Ends, Adventure Begins (1)
Word spread through the Murim Alliance that Hyun-cheon-dae was recruiting warriors.
Baek So-cheon's return. Hyun-cheon-dae's warrior recruitment.
Seasoned with rumors of conflict between the Alliance Lord and the Grand Strategist, this became the most intriguing news in recent days.
"Who'd even go for that?"
It was like tying a bell around a cat's neck. No matter how much they respected Baek So-cheon or wanted to serve under him, it wasn't an easy decision. Joining Hyun-cheon-dae could mean falling out of favor with the Iron Sword Squad leader—and potentially the Murim Alliance Lord himself.
But things unfolded differently than expected.
The first to step up and volunteer was someone completely unexpected: Cheon-su, the Iron Sword Squad's sixth unit leader, the very man Baek So-cheon had sparred with in the training grounds.
"I've come to apply for Hyun-cheon-dae. Will you accept me?"
Baek So-cheon hadn't anticipated his arrival either.
"Even if you do well here, you might start as a squad leader at best—or just a regular warrior."
"I'm prepared for that."
"May I ask why you're applying?"
"I want to serve under you, Captain."
"If it's because of what happened at the training grounds, you don't have to."
"If it was just that, I wouldn't have come."
Given Chung Yang's temperament, he'd only harass him more.
"Then?"
"I've admired you for a long time."
Baek So-cheon knew this wasn't flattery. He recalled how faithfully Cheon-su had followed him back in the training grounds. Still, he probed gently.
"Then why did you demand a demonstration at the transcendent peak level back there?"
It had been Chung Yang's order, but Cheon-su offered a deeper reason.
"I knew you'd succeed."
"What if I'd died?"
"I wasn't worried. I believed you wouldn't attempt it if it were impossible."
That faith had allowed him to carry out Chung Yang's command so calmly. Without it, he couldn't have followed through so loyally.
"Aren't you afraid?"
The question omitted Chung Yang's grudge—or potential retaliation.
"I am."
"Yet?"
"I believe you'll protect me, Captain."
No more questions were needed.
"Welcome to Hyun-cheon-dae."
Baek So-cheon extended his hand. Cheon-su gripped it firmly.
"I'll serve you with unwavering loyalty."
Baek So-cheon called in Im Choong and Beon Saeng to introduce them to Cheon-su.
That day, besides Cheon-su, fourteen more Iron Sword Squad warriors joined Hyun-cheon-dae. Three were squad leaders, including No Woong of the third unit.
All of them had fought life-and-death battles alongside Baek So-cheon during his time as Iron Sword Squad leader. Some owed him their lives; others had respected him steadfastly from then until now.
They'd seen the old Baek So-cheon return during the training grounds incident and decided to join him.
Just fifteen people? Far from it! Baek So-cheon hadn't expected even that many. He knew well how hard it was to have even one person rush to your aid when you needed it.
Of course, when Chung Yang heard the news, he flew into a rage.
"What? Fifteen of them joined? Those worthless scum!"
Hwang Il-bi blocked him as he moved to storm off.
"Hold back!"
"Hold back? How can I?"
"What will you do if you go? Their hearts are already gone."
Hwang Il-bi had played a part in their departure, of course. When a few warriors had cautiously asked if they could leave, he'd told them to go ahead—and even added to serve well in his stead.
"Baek So-cheon! That bastard!"
"Calling him as an instructor was the first mistake."
Hwang Il-bi laid the blame squarely on Chung Yang. It was true, so Chung Yang had no retort. He'd never dreamed things would turn out like this.
Chung Yang shot to his feet.
"Where are you going?"
"When a tiger goes mad, you call in a more seasoned hunter."
Handing his prey to another hunter bruised his pride as Iron Sword Squad leader, but now wasn't the time for face-saving.
"I'll accompany you."
Hwang Il-bi followed. He needed to stick close to know what was happening.
"You just thought it wasn't the tiger going mad, but the hunters, didn't you?"
"No, sir!"
"Don't play dumb. You stay here."
As Chung Yang left the office, Hwang Il-bi thought to himself,
'Fortune teller. What a fortune teller.'
Chung Yang was heading to meet the Bi-gak lord.
'If I can't handle it myself, I need to move the Bi-gak lord.'
Right now, only the Iron Sword Squad and Bi-gak had the power to oppose Baek So-cheon.
Especially since both organizations had once been led by Baek So-cheon himself. Surely the Bi-gak lord felt the same unease he did.
Chung Yang entered the Bi-gak lord's office, guided by an attendant.
The moment he stepped in, he froze in shock.
'Gasp!'
Baek So-cheon was already there.
'Why the hell is this guy here?'
Seeing his startled expression, Baek So-cheon smiled.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"No."
In the Bi-gak lord's presence, Chung Yang quickly composed himself.
"How have you been, Pavilion Lord?"
"Come in, Squad Leader."
The current Bi-gak lord, On Byeok-hwa, was a woman.
In her fifties, her face bore no makeup, which only enhanced her striking presence. Fine lines around her eyes spoke of experience, and her gaze was so intense it could make ordinary warriors tremble.
She wasn't from the Murim Alliance originally; the Alliance Lord had brought her in from outside. Hailing from Gang-seo, she'd once gained fame by cutting down all seven of the infamous Guizhou Seven Swords in a single encounter. Her many heroic deeds had earned her widespread respect in the martial world, though details of her exact skills and personal history remained shrouded.
"Have a seat. If it's inconvenient, you can wait in another room."
"I'm fine."
Chung Yang sat beside Baek So-cheon.
His original plan had been to form a united front with the Bi-gak lord to push Baek So-cheon back out.
'Damn it. He beat me to it!'
He assumed Baek So-cheon had come to lobby the Bi-gak lord to oust him.
But that wasn't why Baek So-cheon was there.
"Shall we continue our conversation? So, you're asking me to send some Bi-gak warriors to Hyun-cheon-dae?"
"Yes. Just ten, please."
Chung Yang, listening in, was stunned inwardly.
'He came asking for Bi-gak warriors? This guy's completely insane. As if Bi-gak would spare any.'
Baek So-cheon went even further.
"If you just send them outright, they'll harbor resentment. Dispatch them as a draft instead."
In other words, keep their stipends and affiliation with Bi-gak.
On Byeok-hwa responded calmly to the outrageous demand.
"Why should I?"
"Hyun-cheon Pavilion created Hyun-cheon-dae to form a swift-response unit to check the Black Heaven Alliance."
Chung Yang interjected slyly.
"Isn't that what Bi-gak and the Iron Sword Squad are for?"
"Exactly. And they do it splendidly. But both have their weaknesses."
On Byeok-hwa's eyes gleamed with interest.
"What are they?"
"Bi-gak is undoubtedly the Alliance's elite force, but it moves solely on the Alliance Lord's orders—his direct unit. That limits its autonomy. Especially now, with war against the Black Heaven Alliance looming, each organization's independence is crucial."
It wasn't wrong. Bi-gak was the strongest unit in the Alliance, yet firmly bound to the Lord.
"And what about the Iron Sword Squad's weakness?"
Chung Yang asked urgently. Normally, she'd defend Bi-gak first before touching on the Iron Sword Squad, but he was impatient.
"It's too large."
"We have many members, but they're divided into units."
"Yet they all answer to one commander's orders."
With a single chain of command, it was still one massive organization, no matter how subdivided.
"Simply put, Squad Leader, how well do you know your warriors' personal details?"
Chung Yang had no answer.
Baek So-cheon turned to On Byeok-hwa.
"Hyun-cheon-dae won't grow too large. It'll stay elite, moving fast to support Bi-gak and the Iron Sword Squad. If you doubt me, trust Je-gal the Strategist."
"What if I send only troublesome warriors from Bi-gak?"
"You won't."
"How can you be sure, when you don't know me?"
"I may not know you, Pavilion Lord, but I know the Alliance Lord. He wouldn't entrust such power to someone like that."
Though currently at odds with him, the Murim Alliance Lord was a master at employing talent.
Their gazes locked in the air. Neither could read the other's true intent from eyes or expression alone.
Finally, On Byeok-hwa accepted.
"Very well. I'll draft ten from Bi-gak."
"Thank you."
Chung Yang nearly exploded in fury. This left no way to reclaim the warriors poached from the Iron Sword Squad.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Baek So-cheon bowed politely and departed.
Now alone with On Byeok-hwa, Chung Yang spoke.
"You can't send them."
"Why not?"
"Will the Alliance Lord allow it?"
"I have discretion for this much."
When the Lord didn't sway her, Chung Yang tried another angle.
"That man's after your position."
"My position?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why? It's the seat he once held, and it wields the greatest power."
"I don't think so."
"Pardon?"
"Just like Baek the Captain said. I don't know him well, but I know the Alliance Lord. In this crisis on the brink of war, he wouldn't elevate someone who'd play politics."
"But..."
He almost blurted that it wasn't the case now. But that crossed a line. Once the Bi-gak lord decided, it was final.
On Byeok-hwa gazed steadily at Chung Yang before revealing a new truth calmly.
"Squad Leader Chung."
"Yes, Pavilion Lord."
"When Baek the warrior was demoted from Iron Sword Squad leader, do you know who he recommended as his successor?"
"Who?"
Chung Yang thought of Hwang Il-bi.
The unexpected name came from On Byeok-hwa's lips.
"You, Squad Leader Chung."
"What?"
Chung Yang's eyes widened.
"No. That can't be."
"It's true. He recommended you to the Grand Strategist. Informally, of course."
"Why me?"
"I don't know. I can't read his mind."
Chung Yang, dazed for a moment, bid farewell.
"I'll be going now."
"Take care."
As Chung Yang left, On Byeok-hwa walked to the window.
She watched Baek So-cheon walking away in the distance with a deeper gaze than when he'd made his request, until he vanished from sight.
Leaving the Bi-gak lord's office, Chung Yang went straight to Baek So-cheon.
"Is it true?"
"What's that?"
"That when you were demoted from squad leader, you recommended me."
After a pause, Baek So-cheon replied.
"Yes."
Stunned, Chung Yang pressed.
"Why? We weren't even close then."
"Because I saw you as the right person for it."
"Why me?"
"I know you have great ambition for advancement. As long as you do, you won't ruin the Iron Sword Squad. You're selfish and hot-tempered, but not corrupt. Long-term, someone political like you is better than a stubborn type."
A short sigh escaped Chung Yang. He'd never imagined this.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
If he'd known, he wouldn't have clashed with Baek So-cheon from the start. How could he antagonize someone who'd endorsed him? He wouldn't have gotten beaten either.
"What should I have said? 'I recommended you, so treat me well'? You'd have used it politically, but I'm not that type. Didn't you know that about me?"
Chung Yang almost shouted but sighed instead.
"That doesn't change things between us."
"Of course not."
Chung Yang turned sharply and stormed out of Baek So-cheon's office.
Descending, he ran into the Iron Sword Squad warriors who'd joined Hyun-cheon-dae. They greeted him apologetically. Cheon-su, the sixth unit leader, stood at the front.
Chung Yang spoke angrily.
"You damn fools."
Cheon-su and the others bowed silently. They'd abandoned the Iron Sword Squad, after all.
"You worthless bastards! Since you're here, do it right. Don't tarnish the Iron Sword Squad's name. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
The warriors answered reflexively.
Back in the Iron Sword Squad offices, Chung Yang sat alone in his chair, lost in thought.
Hwang Il-bi approached cautiously.
"Did something happen?"
He could tell the hunter hunt had gone awry.
Chung Yang stood.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"To drink."
"Now? It's still daytime."
"Come on. Let's go!"
"Alright, then."
As they walked, Chung Yang muttered lowly.
"If you want to go, join Hyun-cheon-dae."
"Why bring that up again?"
Chung Yang suddenly halted.
"Go ahead. You think you're all that? Who are you showing off to? Am I the only trash here?"
This was the first time Hwang Il-bi had seen him so agitated and defeated. He was the type to smile at setbacks and plot revenge. Hwang Il-bi understood the emotional outburst—dealing with Baek So-cheon wasn't easy for anyone.
Hwang Il-bi gently pulled him along.
"You haven't even drunk yet, and our squad leader's already wasted. Come on, let's get properly smashed today, just us two. I've got the snacks covered—drinks on me!"