Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Alliance - Mission, Intelligence (1)
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Gwon Pyo-wol was strong, and his Peak Realm was lofty.
That single phrase sufficed to sum up the spar from that day.
After Mok Ri-won, among the Dragon-Phoenix Squad members who stepped up, the only one who could somewhat hold his own against Gwon Pyo-wol was Namgung Jincheon.
It was a situation where despair might arise from the overwhelming gap in realms, yet these were the prodigies hailed as the next generation of the righteous martial world.
They were not so weak as to crumble from a single defeat.
“Haah!”
The Dragon-Phoenix Squad's training hall was filled with ragged breaths and fervent heat.
All three practice grounds remained occupied from sunrise, and even after sunset, hardly ever emptying.
Five days had passed since the tournament day.
It was amid these young, hot-blooded youths, having witnessed superior realms, channeling their defeat into relentless training.
“A mission has come down.”
A mission had been assigned to them as well.
In the Dragon-Phoenix Squad Leader's office.
As Dang Hwa-seo flicked the intelligence slip in her hand, five pairs of eyes followed its motion.
Their expressions varied wildly.
“Finally!”
Mok Ri-won looked so thrilled that if he had a tail on his backside, it would be spinning like a windmill.
“In the end...”
Jegal San and Hye-un wore looks of annoyance.
“Hmm.”
Namgung Jincheon and Il-un remained impassive.
The diverse reactions made for quite the spectacle, but that was it.
Dang Hwa-seo's expression was grim.
‘Take these guys?’
Already?
“Where are we headed?!”
At Mok Ri-won's question, Dang Hwa-seo felt a sigh rise unbidden to her lips.
Frankly speaking, wasn't it obvious?
‘Intelligence work is tough.’
Aside from Jegal San, none of them suited espionage.
And the mission that had come down was precisely intelligence gathering.
“...To Shaanxi.”
“Shaanxi! That Shaanxi with Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect!!!”
Worries were always Dang Hwa-seo's burden.
Mok Ri-won was simply trembling in ecstasy over yet another romantic adventure. The others faintly showed only anticipation for heading out.
Dang Hwa-seo felt cold sweat trickling down her back.
‘...We depart in one week.’
Kang So-so's even harsher training was needed.
*
Yeom So-so felt troubled at Dang Hwa-seo's request. It was a sensation she hadn't felt in quite some time.
“Turn these into intelligence operatives? In two weeks? Me?”
“...I'm sorry.”
Dang Hwa-seo was truly apologetic but had no choice.
It was their very first mission since the Dragon-Phoenix Squad's formation.
Naturally, its importance went without saying, and for her record, Dang Hwa-seo needed at least a 'partial success' from this mission.
Of course, Yeom So-so understood Dang Hwa-seo's plight.
“Hmm...”
Yeom So-so hummed thoughtfully, stroking her chin.
Before her stood four green colts whose blood hadn't even dried.
As an assassin and spy without peer, Yeom So-so excelled at the trade, but these were dropouts even she found challenging.
‘At least those two...’
Il-un and Hye-un at least pretended to listen. They were the type one could teach through defeat.
But...
“...Can't we just leave those two behind?”
Yeom So-so said, eyeing Mok Ri-won and Namgung Jincheon.
Dang Hwa-seo swallowed the words 'I wish.'
“Wh-what are you...!”
Mok Ri-won gazed at Dang Hwa-seo pleadingly, as if begging not to be abandoned, while Namgung Jincheon glared wide-eyed once more.
What escaped Dang Hwa-seo's lips was, in the end, a sigh.
“...All squad members are to deploy.”
“Aw.”
Yeom So-so clicked her tongue, pondering alternatives.
‘This is tough.’
Truly, she swore there had been few situations this vexing even in the Blood Slaughter era, and Yeom So-so's wrinkles deepened.
It was then.
Yeom So-so thought of a fairly plausible method.
“Ah.”
At Yeom So-so's exclamation, hope flickered across Dang Hwa-seo's face.
“Is there a way?”
“There is a way, sort of.”
Yeom So-so's gaze turned to Mok Ri-won and Namgung Jincheon.
“Hmm, how about this. Teaching them various scenarios would be too much, so for this mission only, drill them in one single role.”
Like focusing on just one question for an exam.
Dang Hwa-seo's face brightened slightly at Yeom So-so's plan.
*
The spot where the three squad members who avoided flunking had departed.
Dang Hwa-seo stood beside Yeom So-so, looking at the two men, and said.
“The objective of this mission is to locate the demons infiltrating Shaanxi.”
“Hm? Won't Zhongnan and Mount Hua handle it themselves?”
“They are moving too, but they have tails following them, don't they? Their faces are too well-known for covert ops, so there are gaps they can't penetrate. That's what we'll investigate.”
“Then...”
“Yes, we'll go in disguise.”
Mok Ri-won's eyes sparkled.
The word 'disguise' already had him anticipating what human-skin mask he'd wear.
But Mok Ri-won's excitement didn't last long.
“Ah, only Sword Dragon, me, and Il-un Monk will wear masks.”
“Why?!”
“Young Hero Mok's face isn't widely known. That Jegal guy's a natural actor, so his features won't give him away, and White Phoenix here has barely stepped out except for the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.”
No matter how well-crafted the human-skin mask, it carried awkwardness. To reduce suspicion from outsiders, a few needed to show real faces.
And those three were the most suitable.
It was a reasonably logical judgment.
Even as Mok Ri-won pouted, Dang Hwa-seo continued.
“Our identities will be the sons of a provincial merchant house from Jiangxi out on a tour, with attendants. Sword Dragon, me, and Young Hero Mok will play the young masters, and the other three the attendants.”
Namgung Jincheon nodded at her words.
Satisfaction graced his face.
“Fits perfectly.”
Namgung Jincheon wouldn't know. The reason he was a young master was to hide those piercing eyes no mask could cover.
He'd spend most of the journey confined to the carriage.
Of course, Dang Hwa-seo had no intention of revealing that.
She clapped her hands and said.
“So, for the next two weeks starting today, you two will learn to eat well, sleep well, and act like spoiled merchant sons.”
Yeom So-so chuckled darkly as she took over.
“Now then, start insulting each other.”
Mok Ri-won and Namgung Jincheon's eyes met.
*
To state the obvious.
Mok Ri-won had been mild-mannered since childhood, never uttering harsh words to others.
Even in heated moments, his retorts never vilified, and he was so innocent that speaking ill wounded him more.
“Yo-you son of a...!”
Mok Ri-won squeezed out the words with eyes squeezed shut, body trembling as he tried to continue, but it wasn't easy.
In contrast, what of Namgung Jincheon?
“Filthy trash.”
He was arrogant and ruthless by nature.
No need to act the spoiled brat—he already was one, setting aside his martial prowess.
Mok Ri-won gasped as if wounded.
But Namgung Jincheon didn't stop.
“Know your place, you worm. Bow your head. Don't even breathe without permission. Who do you think you're smirking at?”
Each word stabbed like a dagger.
Mok Ri-won choked on his breath.
He needed to counterattack, but he knew no vicious retorts for such barbs.
Naturally, his gaze turned to Dang Hwa-seo, pleading for help.
Dang Hwa-seo felt pity swell at his heartbreaking sight.
‘Maybe have him play the polite young lord instead...’
No, that wouldn't do.
Dang Hwa-seo shook her head, steeling her softening heart.
The key to this Shaanxi trip was flaunting status to rummage through places.
And with Namgung Jincheon stuck in the carriage, it fell to Mok Ri-won.
Dang Hwa-seo resolved to be harsh.
“Young Hero Mok! Is that all you've got?!”
“B-but...!”
“Counterattack now!”
Mok Ri-won's eyebrows twitched.
Betrayal smeared his face, twisting Dang Hwa-seo's gut.
But all this was for Mok Ri-won's sake.
Dang Hwa-seo gladly played the villain.
Yeom So-so watched the farce and thought.
‘At least it'll never be boring.’
If it weren't her problem, their antics were prime entertainment.
*
Mok Ri-won's face was half-dead as he walked the Alliance corridors.
A week already. With other squad members joining in, hearing nothing but abuse all day left him without a moment's peace, so he'd snuck out.
“...Silent Dragon?”
The voice that reached him then belonged to none other than Golden Sword Gwon Pyo-wol.
Mok Ri-won's head whipped around.
And lit up brightly.
“Golden Sword Hero!”
“Something wrong? You look awful.”
Mok Ri-won felt a surge of emotion at those words.
He wanted to pour out all the grievances he couldn't voice.
As his lips fluttered to complain, his eyes caught Gwon Pyo-wol's scabbard.
“H-Hero! Your scabbard!”
“Ah, this?”
Gwon Pyo-wol's scabbard was no longer golden.
He wore a shabby one, like any common warrior.
“Felt it didn't suit me yet. Putting it away for now.”
A faint, relieved smile adorned Gwon Pyo-wol's face as he stroked it.
Mok Ri-won blinked in surprise, then smiled.
“I see.”
Some change must have dawned in his heart. Mok Ri-won didn't pry.
He simply said.
“Congratulations. Looks like you've had an epiphany!”
“A minor one.”
Gwon Pyo-wol chuckled and waved it off. Then he asked Mok Ri-won again.
“But why the long face?”
Concern etched his features.
Mok Ri-won's chest ached anew, and with a sigh, he spilled his woes.
The lament stretched a full incense stick's time.
Having heard it all, Gwon Pyo-wol stroked his chin and nodded.
“Hmm, tough indeed. Stabbing at another's heart with words.”
“Exactly! How can I be vicious to innocents?! The little miss and seniors... especially Sword Dragon is the worst!”
Gwon Pyo-wol smiled awkwardly.
‘Not on good terms with Sword Dragon, huh.’
Such a pure soul—this friend. Gwon Pyo-wol pondered helpful advice.
Having done countless espionage missions in the Blood Slaughter era, he recalled how he'd overcome training hardships.
“...Ah.”
Something came to mind.
“How about trying this?”
Mok Ri-won's head tilted.
Gwon Pyo-wol's smile turned mischievous.
After their not-so-secret exchange, the next day's practice ground.
“...My god.”
Dang Hwa-seo was stunned.