#92. Time of the Hunt (6)
“What’re the dreams of a guy with perfect memory like?”
It was Jwa Daegi who asked that question, as we finally shook off the demon cultivators and caught our breath.
“What?”
The guy who’d mastered the spear arts of the renowned military family, the Beijing Yukga, and called himself the Six Forms Wolf. In truth, he’d been a slave there, caught stealing the young master’s martial arts in secret, nearly beaten to death, and fled for his life. His mouth was so foul that we called him “Fucking Six-Forms Jwa Daegi.”
“You know. With a memory like that, you’d remember your dreams perfectly, right? Meeting beauties in your dreams, doing this and that...?”
Another bastard chimed in right away.
“Hey, can you control it in your dreams too? Bang one chick, then switch to another?”
After the daytime brushes with death, exhaustion crashed over us, only for tomorrow’s despair to smother us next. “Fuck! So that bastard’s having all the good times every night?”
To fend off the terror of the death waiting for us tomorrow, we’d kill time every night with this pointless bullshit. Truth be told, Fucking Six-Forms wasn’t far off the mark.
My dreams were precise and vivid. As a kid, there were fun times like he said, nights I actually looked forward to. But after leaving the Small Justice Squad, I avoided sleep for the rest of my life.
“Hahk… hahk… hahk… hahk…”
“Fuck, fuck.”
“Damn it, save us!”
The Small Justice Squad members ran beside me. I knew they were just figments in my dream. I’d already left the squad and hidden away in the remote mountains.
So these vivid scenes, these looks of agony, didn’t shake me easily.
“Why are we running like this?”
“Fuck! The Demonic Cult bastards are chasing us!”
Since it was just a dream from my memories, I spoke to them calmly. “This is just a dream. Stop now.”
“……!”
“……!!”
The ones fleeing desperately glared at me like they wanted to kill me.
““‘It’s a dream to you!’””
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hahk… haaahk. Haaahk.”
I gasped for breath. After regressing, I hadn’t dreamed like this in a while, but it came back.
“A-Are… are you alright, sir?”
Startled, I turned to see Kang Seopyo looking at me with concern. Only then did I realize I’d woken from the dream.
“A nightmare?”
“……Yeah. A nightmare……”
A nightmare… Was it because I missed it? I shut my mouth, unable to answer even myself.
“……”
He didn’t press further. He set down what looked like my share of food and said, “……Fortunately, things are proceeding smoothly. You can rest a bit more.”
“No more pursuers?”
“They must be sleeping too.”
Looking out the window, darkness had already fallen. The bitter aftertaste of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm, plus days of accumulated fatigue—I must’ve slept like the dead.
“Good.”
“……Thank you.”
“?”
I looked up at Kang Seopyo’s sudden words.
“I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you, the gold-silver-bronze brothers made it here safely.”
After linking up with them, the gold-silver-bronze brothers—Geum Pyo, Eunho, and Dongryong—had found even more mental stability. The Namgung family and Iron Sword Sect warriors treated them not as disciples from another sect, but as their own little brothers. It was all thanks to Captain Kang Seopyo and the others’ care.
“Aren’t you going through even harder times because of us?”
Kang Seopyo shook his head. “We should be the ones grateful……”
A faint smile played on Kang Seopyo’s lips—an expression I couldn’t have imagined when we first met at the Ma-ryeong Plateau.
“After you joined us, not a single one of us fell behind.”
“……”
I scratched the back of my head, feeling awkward. In my previous life, no one ever thanked me. The Small Justice Squad bastards would sooner curse me out than say thanks.
“Thank you again.”
“Ah, sure.”
“Sleep a bit more. I’ll let you know if anything happens.”
“Still……”
“You’re the one leading us right now. If you get exhausted, our losses will only grow.”
I nodded at his insistence. Though I’d woken from a nightmare, somehow I felt like I wouldn’t dream again if I went back to sleep.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Are you okay?”
The voice came as soon as he closed the door, and Kang Seopyo’s lips twitched upward.
“If you’re so worried, why not bring it yourself?”
“……Ah, b-but, a room with a man alone……”
Namgung Seonhwa might be ladylike, but she wasn’t this shy around men. Women in the jianghu didn’t stand on such ceremony with men—it wasn’t a day or two thing. For Namgung Seonhwa, raised seeing that naturally, to feel this embarrassed meant…
Perfect timing…
Kang Seopyo’s smile wouldn’t fade. That little girl had grown up and found a man she cared for.
“Come to think of it, I’m a bit worried.”
“Yes?! W-what about?”
An expression of shock she hadn’t shown even hearing we had to take the exam with just twenty people.
“You seemed to have a nightmare. Hope your sleep isn’t too restless……”
“Y-yes… eh?”
“Nothing serious.”
“……”
Only then did Namgung Seonhwa realize he was teasing her, and she fidgeted with her fingers.
“Sorry, but I might be tired tomorrow morning, so could you bring the young master’s meal?”
“……You’ll be tired?”
“Yes…… And if I barge into a man’s room and see him changing, it ruins my mood all day……”
“……”
Namgung Seonhwa’s face flushed red as a jujube.
Does it feel that good?
“S-stop it!”
Kang Seopyo burst out laughing at her reaction, realizing she knew she was being teased. At his laugh, the embarrassed Namgung Seonhwa quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, what are the Cheonggungdae warriors doing with the gold-silver-bronze brothers?”
The warriors, who’d briefly sprawled out to rest after boarding, were gathering on deck one by one. They drew swords, demonstrated moves, and chatted. The gold-silver-bronze brothers led the talk, while the Cheonggungdae and Iron Sword Sect warriors listened.
“Learning sword formations from the Tae-eul Gate disciples.”
“Sword formations…?”
Namgung Seonhwa tilted her head. Did Tae-eul Gate have famous formations? And why would Namgung family or Iron Sword Sect warriors learn someone else’s?
“They say it’s similar to the White Tiger Sword Formation.”
She knew that one. The Murim Alliance’s official group sword array, linked to the White Tiger Sword Technique. Impressive name, but just a crude mix of the Three Talents and Eight Trigrams formations for easy learning by Alliance riffraff.
“Why bother with the White Tiger Formation…?”
“Not exactly the same. Word is, Young Master Jin taught it—modified it himself for them to learn.”
At Jin Sowoon’s name, Namgung Seonhwa’s reaction was amusing for a moment. Kang Seopyo gazed at the gathered warriors and continued.
“It’s simple, easy, and highly practical.”
Namgung Seonhwa couldn’t understand it more. Simple and easy meant less power. Why squeeze it into rest time?
“……They called it the White Tiger Formation’s ‘rice guard’ formation.”
“……What?”
“The formation the gold-silver-bronze brothers use to protect meals.”
“……”
Namgung Seonhwa’s gaze shifted to the deck. There, at the center surrounded by warriors, the brothers were demonstrating the White Tiger Sword Formation. No wonder it looked familiar—it was the one they used during mealtime ambushes.
Even when other warriors got fed up and stopped cooking after attacks, the gold-silver-bronze brothers stubbornly made and ate rice.
“Everyone wanted to learn it badly… and they readily agreed to teach……”
“……”
This time, Kang Seopyo’s face reddened. He understood the warriors’ feelings, but relaying it directly to his lady was embarrassing.
“Tired of jerky life… Our family arts are powerful but lack versatility… The White Tiger can be done with just three……”
“……Can I learn it too?”
“Pardon?”
“No, I should. I want to cook rice with Sister Moran.”
“Ah…… Let’s go.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Before reaching Sahong Port, we stopped the boat mid-river and crossed the current diagonally. To counter anyone waiting ahead at Sahong Port.
“It’s awfully quiet.”
Seong Moran’s words as she circulated qi to dry her wet uniform. As she said, the surroundings were eerily still, belying our journey’s perils.
“Let’s move first.”
The Three Passes exam was held in four jianghu locations: Nanyue in Henan, Dongcheon in Shaanxi, Chengdu in Sichuan, and Aebuk Mountain in Hunan. Placed east, west, south, and north, each two provinces from the Alliance’s Muhwan base, for examinee convenience across the land.
This fixed travel routes, leading weaker rivals to ambush paths. That’s why we’d faced not just Jeongchang and Huayang Escort Bureau, but endless challengers.
Running through the night, we reached Sahong Port by dawn. Examinees waited there for boats. Namgung Seonhwa murmured low.
“Fewer than expected… Good or bad?”
“I’d wait at the Fengxian junction, not here.”
“Me too.”
We bypassed Sahong Port toward Sukcheon. No tails yet.
Pip-yook—
Chewing jerky for breakfast, the messenger bird approached crying. I fed it jerky and opened the scroll.
- Wudang's Hyeonjeong and two others, plus their warriors.
- Huashan's Yeon Umun and three others, plus their warriors.
※ Currently waiting at the Fengxian junction.
The Haomen report named the Wudang and Huashan disciples pursuing us. Oddly, they matched my memories.
Who are they?
Not from this exam cohort. Yet they lingered in my mind—curious. As I rifled through my mental library, Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa approached.
“What’re you thinking?”
“These names feel familiar.”
I showed them the scroll. Seong Moran nodded knowingly.
“Hyeonjeong—famous as Dragon Child’s disciple.”
“Dragon Child’s disciple?”
“Yes. Always stuck to him when he was at Wudang Mountain. Hyeonjeong’s talented too—Wudang’s rising star.”
“And Yeon Umun?”
“Yeon family eldest son. Entered Huashan as a lay disciple—taking the academy exam now, I guess.”
Yeon family—famous for fist and kick arts, top ten in the world. For the heir to join Huashan for swordsmanship meant talent rivaling Hyeonjeong’s.
“Just that?”
Still uneasy, I pressed, but Seong Moran shook her head.
“That’s plenty. Not to be underestimated.”
“Hm……”
As I delved into Simhyeongak records, the gold-silver-bronze brothers caught my eye.
“What’re you punks doing?”
The three were playfully grabbing each other’s sleeves while walking.
“Ah…… We learned some acupoint strikes from the Namgung warriors.”
“Acupoint strikes?”
“Yes. They said every warrior should know basics.”
Their Thirteen Golden Acupoint Strikes—I knew it well. Not as common as Three Talents Sword, but standard for anyone with martial experience. The brothers were filling gaps in Tae-eul Gate’s arts themselves.
“……Should we not learn it?”
Geum Pyo glanced warily. Sects often banned outside or street arts.
I shook my head. “Doesn’t matter. No—train hard.”
“Really? But the warriors said overdoing it might affect your core arts……”
“You punks won’t overdo it anyway, right?”
“……Senior Brother……”
“Kidding. Know what’s greatest in Tae-eul Sword Lord’s arts?”
“……Ten Thousand Swords of Heaven and Earth, right?”
Geum Pyo stated it obviously; Eunho and Dongryong nodded.
“Just the strongest. Not the greatest.”
“Then?”
“Tae-eul True Scripture.”
Without question, the pinnacle of his arts.
“Its essence is enlightenment in all things under heaven.”
“……Pardon?”
“Other arts are just his interpretations via the Scripture.”
The brothers still looked lost.
“With just the Scripture, Tae-eul Gate’s arts endure without others.”
“Doesn’t make sense.”
“Ten Thousand Swords, Small Heaven Sword, Great Heaven Sword, Cartoon Invincible Fist—all mere forms and stances.”
“But without forms, it’s not martial arts.”
“Tch. Do absolute masters crush foes with fancy forms?”
“……”
“Forms are ladders to enlightenment. Once atop, you need none.”
Understanding dawned on their faces.
“Focus on Scripture cultivation. Learn many arts diligently. Someday, you’ll forge your own forms.”
“Us?”
Eunho, ever keen on martial depth, brightened; I nodded.
“Yes. That’s why the Scripture is supreme.”
With that, the brothers ramped up their circulation.
“You rascals! Don’t slow down, or how’ll you pass the exam?!”
They sped up again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“No incidents here either.”
We’d been on high alert passing Seoju, resting briefly at Cheonggung Merchant Group’s branch. But leaving drew eyes—we couldn’t hide anymore. Yet nearing Fengxian, no examinees.
“Never been this peacefully unnerving.”
We’d left tracks on purpose, even cooked openly in clearings at night. Still no pursuit. We’d scoured likely ambush spots—no signs.
“What’s going on?”
If only Wudang and Huashan schemed, they’d move in sync. But rivals abounded. Like when Huayang chased us, others exploited gaps—should be more now.
Pip-yook—
I looked up at the hawk’s cry. The daily morning bird was late—past noon. It slowed on my shoulder, offering its leg. I fed jerky and read.
- Wudang's Hyeonjeong and two others, plus warriors.
- Huashan's Yeon Umun and three others, plus warriors.
※ Pursuit lost.
“……”
“……”
“……”
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, reading over my shoulder, fell silent. Our worst fear realized.
“At least five hundred strong.”
“Hide all at once?”
Even we struggled hiding our group. Assassins or bandits rarely exceeded ten moving together—common sense. Yet they vanished from Haomen’s eyes, rivaling Beggars’ Sect.
“Must be hiding somewhere.”
“Captain Cho, Captain Kang—tighten security.”
“……”
As they scanned warily, I finally found the names in my mental library’s depths.
“!”
I eyed the sun’s position. It dipped toward the western mountains. I turned urgently.
“From now on—full speed.”
“Huh?”
“Why run like an ambush is coming?”
To the brothers too: “Stop circulating—sprint full out.”
“……?”
“……”
“……Yes.”
My urgency tensed Namgung and Iron Sword warriors.
“Might be worse than Wudang or Huashan waiting.”
“Huh?”
“What do you……”
Maybe too late. No signs from Seoju to Fengxian.
“Young Master Jin, explain!”
“Move first.”
“……”
As I bolted without explanation, brothers led; Namgung and Iron Sword followed. Must reach village fast. If right, night is theirs.
Thump—thump—
My heart pounded wildly. Not from intent or emotion. I’d lived once, mastered Tae-eul True Scripture this life—clear-minded beyond all.
“……Young Master Jin, explain. You’re scaring us.”
“……”
Even knowing the foe—what to say? Would they believe? Even the Alliance hadn’t, when they surfaced.
“Enemies.”
“Enemies?”
“Yes.”
Mental library depths. Simhyeongak files I’d ignored.
[Unsolved Case Report]
- Wudang's Hyeonjeong
- Huashan's Yeon Umun
※ Annihilated with disciples. Suspected ambush by trained professionals.
※ Feature: Some bones on exhumed corpses blackened.
Fragments too scattered. Never imagined them active here now.
“Specialize in ambushes and raids.”
Extended senses snagged something.
“Down!”
Warriors ducked in shock. But slower ones took black flying needles to the gut, spurting blood.
“What the……”
Even I, with Scripture, barely sensed it. Unthinkable for them.
“Felt nothing.”
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran stared at the forest in disbelief. Shadows stretched long; twenty black figures emerged one by one.
“……”
All gaped at the bizarre sight, speechless.
“What…… are they……?”
The Darkness Severance Soul Group. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s most terrifying blades.