How the Black Heaven Alliance Retrieves Its Woman (2)
A urgent dispatch flew into the strategic command center of Hyun-cheon Pavilion.
Sa-ma Il-jung brought the incoming carrier pigeon scroll and reported it to Je-gal Hyeon.
"An urgent report has come in from the Jung-kyeong Branch. Black Heaven Alliance forces are moving toward Jung-kyeong."
"What forces?"
Sa-ma Il-jung spoke in a trembling voice. It was a name more serious than any Black Heaven Alliance organization he'd reported on before.
"The Black Banner."
Je-gal Hyeon shot up from his seat.
Black Banner.
It was the Black Heaven Alliance's top elite unit.
The Black Banner answered only to the Alliance Lord's direct orders and was known as the strongest organization in the Black Heaven Alliance.
"Their target?"
"The Jung-kyeong Branch."
"Why now, of all times!"
The Iron Cavalry Unit and Iron Sword Unit were in special training in Ha-buk. It was too far to recall them immediately.
"The Iron Sword First Unit is on standby as reserves."
"Dispatch them first."
"Yes, sir."
As Je-gal Hyeon left the room, he added,
"I'm heading to the Alliance Lord's hall. Tell Deputy Leader Baek to come there!"
"Yes, sir!"
Baek So-cheon rushed into the Yun-ryong Hall.
He'd come straight away after receiving the urgent summons.
"What is it?"
Je-gal Hyeon explained that the Black Banner was heading to the Jung-kyeong Branch.
Having grasped the situation, Baek So-cheon said to Ak So-gun,
"I'll lead Hyun-cheon-dae and provide support."
"You?"
"The fact that the Black Banner is moving in this situation doesn't bode well. It seems connected to the Blood Cult sending a matchmaker."
Moreover, for the Black Heaven Alliance Lord's direct unit to move in such circumstances...
A single premonition flashed through Baek So-cheon's mind.
'Yeom Hwa-sin is calling me.'
But he couldn't voice such a hunch to the two men.
Even if it was wrong, the situation demanded support for the Jung-kyeong Branch.
"I'll go and uncover their intentions."
Ak So-gun's deliberation was brief. In this scenario, no one could assess the matter more accurately than Baek So-cheon.
Ak So-gun issued the formal order.
"Lead Hyun-cheon-dae and resolve it! But handle it with utmost caution."
"Yes, Alliance Lord."
Baek So-cheon gave a respectful fist salute and turned to leave.
Jung-kyeong Branch Leader Gwak-won had come out to the border area himself.
This was the first time since the truce that the Black Heaven Alliance had pressured Jung-kyeong.
His side's forces numbered one hundred fifty for now, with more still gathering from outposts.
But against the Black Banner, numbers meant little. The Black Banner was the elite of the elite in the Black Heaven Alliance, with each member said to match dozens of ordinary warriors.
"No word from headquarters yet?"
"No, sir."
Support must have been dispatched, but no news had arrived.
"Don't lose heart. We can hold them off!"
"Yes, sir!"
But Gwak-won's expression wasn't bright. At his level, he'd heard various rumors about the unfolding situation. Lately, whispers of war with the Black Heaven Alliance weren't uncommon. And now the Black Banner? He feared it might signal war's start right here in Jung-kyeong.
Then a subordinate reported,
"The Iron Sword Unit has arrived."
Fifty men from the Iron Sword First Unit had reached the site.
Gwak-won and the Jung-kyeong Branch warriors breathed in relief. With elite enemy forces incoming, they needed elites on their side too.
Of course, the First Unit alone couldn't handle the Black Banner, but their arrival eased the pressure somewhat.
Dismounting, Hwang Il-bi greeted Gwak-won.
"Iron Sword First Unit Leader Hwang Il-bi."
"Jung-kyeong Branch Leader Gwak-won."
"What's the situation?"
"They'll hit us within half a shichen. Blocking with just one unit seems insufficient. No more reinforcements?"
"They're coming! The most reliable support is on the way."
"Oh? Is Bi-gak coming?"
"No. Hyun-cheon-dae is coming now."
"Hyun-cheon-dae?"
Gwak-won's face stiffened instantly. He'd heard rumors about Hyun-cheon-dae. It was a newly formed unit led by Baek So-cheon, with only about twenty members.
He'd heard Baek So-cheon had reconciled with Ak So-gun, but that was separate from this crisis.
The rumor should have been about regained martial prowess, not reconciliation.
Some branch warriors whispered,
"Damn! We're screwed."
"We're as good as dead."
"Why Hyun-cheon-dae of all things!"
Hwang Il-bi bellowed at them,
"Quiet! If not for him, you'd already be rotting in the ground!"
The complainers clamped their mouths shut like clamshells.
Hwang Il-bi, who usually humored even Chung Yang's whims, was genuinely angry this time. He understood their anxiety, but he couldn't tolerate them disparaging Baek So-cheon.
Gwak-won asked cautiously,
"Can Hyun-cheon-dae alone provide sufficient support?"
Hwang Il-bi replied firmly,
"They can."
He didn't know about the recovered inner power, but this confident answer stemmed from his faith and loyalty to Baek So-cheon.
"They can?"
"Yes. Even if the entire Black Heaven Alliance came, not just the Black Banner."
More precisely, it was a declaration that he'd gladly die alongside Baek So-cheon.
Hwang Il-bi positioned his subordinates. He sent fast scouts ahead and placed the Iron Sword Unit at the front.
Behind them lined the Jung-kyeong Branch warriors. Unless in special circumstances, the strongest stood front, with weaker ones supporting from rear.
Though pulled back, the branch warriors still trembled.
"Even with the Iron Sword Unit, against the Black Banner..."
"We're too outnumbered."
Some whispers fueled unease.
In contrast, the Iron Sword First Unit warriors grimly stared ahead, lips sealed.
Soon, a scouting Iron Sword warrior returned and reported to Hwang Il-bi.
"They'll arrive within one shichen."
"Enemy numbers?"
"About two hundred."
"Any other warriors mixed in?"
"No. All Black Banner."
Gwak-won, overhearing, paled. Including the First Unit, their side totaled two hundred. The power gap left no room for surprises—engagement meant annihilation.
Gwak-won shouted to a subordinate,
"Request more support from headquarters, now!"
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate dashed off.
Unlike their panic, Hwang Il-bi remained composed. His elite First Unit matched that calm. Though inwardly anxious, they were battle-hardened veterans.
Then someone shouted,
"Reinforcements have arrived!"
All turned to see about twenty riders galloping toward them.
Gwak-won looked skeptical, but Hwang Il-bi beamed.
"You've come!"
Gwak-won thought inwardly,
'No matter his past heroism, why eagerly await someone without inner power now?'
Hyun-cheon-dae reined in before them.
Dismounting, Baek So-cheon greeted Gwak-won first.
"Baek So-cheon."
"Gwak-won."
The two exchanged salutes.
Gwak-won's gaze shifted to Hyun-cheon-dae behind Baek So-cheon. Not just him—all branch warriors were stunned.
They exuded an aura fiercer than the Iron Sword Unit. Their eyes burned with life, fitting the phrase perfectly.
Hyun-cheon-dae warriors, formerly Iron Sword members, raised hands in casual greetings. The Iron Sword Unit had heard rumors, especially of their unimaginable training. Indeed, their old comrades had transcended.
"You've arrived?"
Hwang Il-bi bowed politely to Baek So-cheon.
He hadn't shown it, but he'd been tense too—against the Black Banner, no less.
Seeing Baek So-cheon melted that anxiety like snow.
"Situation?"
"Two hundred Black Banner, arriving within one shichen."
"Two hundred means they're all coming."
"Yes."
They wouldn't move en masse without a frontal assault.
'War hasn't started yet.'
Baek So-cheon trusted Yeom Hwa-sin's words of war in spring. He wasn't one to deceive over such things.
Thus, this movement was surely symbolic.
Baek So-cheon told Gwak-won,
"From now on, I'll command operations."
"Yes, please do."
He sensed unease and reluctance from Gwak-won but ignored it.
Baek So-cheon deployed forces based on terrain—any veteran would nod in approval.
Hyun-cheon-dae up front, then Iron Cavalry Unit, Jung-kyeong Branch in rear.
Beon Saeng, at the foremost line, felt like he was dreaming. He stood to block the Black Banner. Even more astonishing: the Iron Sword Unit behind him.
'We're the vanguard.'
Pride mingled with fear. The tension in the air heralded death's approach.
One shichen later, the Black Banner arrived.
The lead warrior bore a flag. Black with golden "Black Banner" characters—majestic and imposing.
The two hundred spread out before them. Each one's presence was extraordinary. The weakest matched Iron Sword warriors; the strongest surpassed Hyun-cheon-dae.
If battle erupted, Baek So-cheon would have to reveal his prowess.
A suffocating tension hung briefly.
Then the Black Banner parted, and a man strode forth.
The allied warriors gasped in shock. Some involuntarily cried out in primal terror.
The man was none other than Black Heaven Alliance Lord Yeom Hwa-sin.
He unleashed his aura freely. An overwhelming energy swept the area. Weaker branch warriors collapsed on the spot amid the raging force.
Yeom Hwa-sin said to Baek So-cheon,
"Hahaha, as expected, you're sharp. Knew I'd come, didn't you?"
Baek So-cheon nodded.
"Figured as much."
"That's why playing with you is fun. Come closer."
Baek So-cheon stepped forward without hesitation. Hwang Il-bi murmured from behind,
"Deputy Leader, it's dangerous."
"It's fine. Stay put."
"Yes."
Baek So-cheon reached Yeom Hwa-sin.
"With your subordinates watching, I should save you some face, right?"
Yeom Hwa-sin amiably placed a hand on Baek So-cheon's shoulder like an old friend.
Baek So-cheon brushed it off casually.
"Hahaha."
Yeom Hwa-sin laughed heartily, and onlookers' eyes widened.
Who in the world could so indifferently reject the Alliance Lord's touch?
All stared in astonishment, especially Gwak-won, who'd dismissed Baek So-cheon inwardly. His past heroism was no fluke—Baek So-cheon remained as commanding as ever.
The two strolled side by side along the confrontation line.
"Blood Cult sent a matchmaker, huh?"
"So that's why you're here."
"What do you think? Want to marry her?"
"That what you came to ask?"
"It's your marriage. Shouldn't I know?"
"You mistaking me for your son?"
"Hahahaha."
His booming laughter echoed. Though their words were inaudible, the laugh reached both sides.
"I'd love if you were my son."
"Cut the nonsense. Why are you here? Telling me to reject them?"
Yeom Hwa-sin gave an unexpected reply.
"No. I'm not so reckless as to meddle in your marriage."
"Then why?"
"Gotta give my son a chance too."
"What?"
"We sent matchmakers to the Blood Cult first."
"...!"
"Rejecting us to send one to you? They look down on us."
"Don't hold back. You could wipe out the Blood Cult."
"But at great cost to the main alliance."
The Blood Cult's power was no joke.
"We can't wage war, but you young ones can, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"Bi-mu Cho-chin."
"...!"
A martial tournament for a bride. In other words, Baek So-cheon and Yeom Sa-won would compete to decide the marriage.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Myeol Ji-ryun's coming to the Murim Alliance, right?"
Yeom Hwa-sin had already grasped even that classified info.
"Yes."
"I'll send my son too. You three decide the marriage."
"You're sending your son to the Murim Alliance now?"
"Yes."
"What if we take him hostage?"
"To claim a loved one, you fight with your life on the line."
Right—he wouldn't flinch at a hostage situation. He'd exploit it gleefully.
Baek So-cheon halted and stared at him.
"Why stare like that?"
"You always call me smart, but you seem the fool. I can't fathom your intentions."
"I'll send my son soon."
"What if I refuse?"
Yeom Hwa-sin grinned.
"You won't want to."
The unspoken threat was all the more menacing.
Yeom Hwa-sin waved casually toward the righteous warriors, then turned back.
His mountain-like frame lumbered away.
Baek So-cheon watched him and the Black Banner vanish in a cloud of dust.
'What are your true intentions?'
This colossal foe had unbreakable exterior and inscrutable depths.
Baek So-cheon returned.
All sighed in relief, but gazes toward him had shifted. Hyun-cheon-dae especially felt renewed awe for their leader.
Striding to converse with Yeom Hwa-sin and returning unscathed?
Who among righteous warriors could manage that?
Gwak-won stood awkwardly before him, regretting his prior disdain.
Baek So-cheon showed no displeasure. He wasn't bothered to begin with—his heart was broad enough for such human faults.
The true foe now wasn't allies' minor flaws.
"You've worked hard. Keep it up."
"Ah... yes! Understood."
"See you later."
Mounting up, Baek So-cheon told Hwang Il-bi,
"We'll head out first!"
"We'll wrap up and follow."
As Baek So-cheon galloped off, Hyun-cheon-dae mounted and trailed. No one was hurt. The only change: the weight of their loyalty to Baek So-cheon.