Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Stirrings of the Unorthodox Factions
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‘My head feels like it's going to explode.’
I dedicated every moment, aside from sleeping and eating, to instructing the squad members in their martial arts training.
I had to understand their constitutions, teach them martial arts that suited them, and stick close to correct their movements and guide the flow of their true energy to ensure they trained properly.
The flow of true energy was especially crucial, as it had to perfectly align with their forms to be truly effective.
A month passed.
I was so busy teaching the squad members that a month flew by without a moment’s rest.
During that time, it felt like even ten bodies wouldn't have been enough, but now I had a little breathing room.
They had grown somewhat accustomed to the new martial arts I taught them, and Hwang Yeop had them under perfect control as the vice-commander.
I switched my method to observing them from a distance, then calling them over one by one to instruct them on their weaknesses.
My body was a little more at ease, but my mind was still racing as I had to watch and assess them.
“They're training really hard.”
“You're here?”
It was Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
Many martial artists had visited this place, but I had been too busy and had politely declined to meet them.
But now I had some time, and since it was none other than Zhuge Mun-hyeon, I couldn't just turn him away.
“Their spirit is quite sharp.”
“They are still lacking in many ways. They need to train continuously.”
“No, there's no need for modesty. Although I haven't mastered any exceptional martial arts myself, I've seen many outstanding warriors during my time as a strategist for the Martial Arts Alliance, so I know how to judge a martial artist. When they were first selected, they were practically uncut gems. I wondered when they would ever be polished into jewels, but in just a month, the outlines of gems are already showing. Truly remarkable.”
“Hahahaha.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“You shouldn't judge them as gems just yet. The Evil-Repelling Sword Squad is not just one of the many squads in the Martial Arts Alliance. It must become the squad that represents the Alliance. I will make it so you can hold your head high, Strategist.”
If the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad, a strike team directly under the Intelligence Bureau, became stronger than the Four Great Brigades, Zhuge Mun-hyeon's prestige would rise another level.
As I displayed strong confidence, a question suddenly arose in Zhuge Mun-hyeon's mind.
But he did not show his doubt outwardly.
“I certainly hope it turns out that way. The Evil-Repelling Sword Squad is, after all, a strike team directly under the Intelligence Bureau. It would be a wonderful thing if they grew stronger.”
“It will definitely happen.”
“Is there anything you lack? I will provide whatever you need.”
“Please provide us with elixirs. The squad members' aptitudes are fine, but most are young and lack internal energy. They don't have to be exceptional elixirs, but I ask for your help.”
“And you?”
“I'm fine.”
My body, having consumed even the Azure Stone Milk, no longer reacted to most ordinary elixirs.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. I will provide a steady supply of ordinary elixirs. Their internal energy may not increase rapidly, but if they take them consistently and practice energy circulation, the speed at which they accumulate internal energy will double.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
“Vice-Commander Hwang is doing an excellent job, so I'm not experiencing any particular difficulties. If he visits you later with a request, please don't refuse and provide him with support.”
“I will. In any case, keep up the hard work.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon stood up from his seat.
He watched the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad's training for a while longer before turning back toward the Intelligence Bureau.
His gentle expression hardened.
‘No matter how I think about it, it's bizarre. Beating Sak Cheon-hyeok is one thing. But to transform warriors who were mere uncut gems into jewels in just a month… Of course, I can still see their shortcomings, but I've never even heard of someone making martial artists grow so rapidly.’
His face was colored with bewilderment.
‘This is something that might not be possible even for someone with vast experience in martial arts. Just what kind of life has Guyang Cheon lived? Heh. So there's something that even I, Zhuge Mun-hyeon, famed for my sharp mind, cannot solve.’
Zhuge Mun-hyeon let out a dry laugh.
He never once boasted of his own brilliance in front of others.
But he held great pride in his intelligence.
That was why, when even his mind couldn't unravel the mystery of Guyang Cheon, a sense of emptiness washed over him.
‘I'll find out someday. Someday.’
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head and returned to the Intelligence Bureau.
Another month passed.
The members of the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad had now become distinctly more warrior-like and much stronger.
The speed at which they accumulated internal energy was more than twice as fast as Zhuge Mun-hyeon had anticipated.
This was possible because I had adjusted the paths for their energy circulation to suit their individual constitutions, which greatly sped up their orbital cycles.
The Commander's office.
I sat across from Hwang Yeop, drinking tea and continuing our discussion about the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.
“Commander. There are currently four individuals who are distinguishing themselves in the squad.”
“Four of them.”
For the past two months, I had intensively trained these warriors who were no better than uncut gems, and now the results were beginning to show.
In particular, there were quite a few who had learned the martial arts quickly and shown remarkable growth.
Hwang Yeop had singled out four from among them.
“These men will become the future of the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.”
“I think so too. They all started under the same conditions, yet they've grown noticeably, like bamboo shoots after the rain. As long as they don't become lazy, it will be difficult for the other members to surpass them.”
“Who are they?”
I was very curious about Hwang Yeop's judgment.
Would the four he chose match the four I had in mind?
If so, I would have to acknowledge Hwang Yeop's keen eye.
“Seong Hwi, Jeok Yo-san, Jongri Hyeok, and Ju Ha-yun.”
They were an exact match for the ones I had chosen in my mind.
Seong Hwi had already been at a slightly higher level than the others, but this time he gritted his teeth and threw himself into training, and was now considered the strongest warrior in the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.
Back when he was at the clan, he had been greatly shocked after witnessing the Lightning Flash and had devoted himself to training, raising his martial prowess.
Having joined the squad in that state, it would have been difficult for the other members, who were at the level of uncut gems, to surpass him in such a short time.
Furthermore, Seong Hwi's aptitude was excellent, and he hadn't slacked off in his efforts after joining, so it was only natural that he rose to the top of the squad.
“My thoughts are the same.”
“Including Seong Hwi, there are currently 41 members. Let's divide them into four teams and make those four the team leaders.”
“Good. I'll leave that to you, Vice-Commander Hwang.”
“Then how about we select them like this?”
Hwang Yeop presented a roster he had prepared in advance.
As I trusted him completely, Hwang Yeop demonstrated a level of efficiency far higher than I had anticipated.
I took the roster and meticulously examined each name.
I focused on the chemistry between the team leaders and their members.
Considering not only their personalities but also the conflicting aspects of their martial arts, I noticed a few areas that could be improved.
I thought about whether it would be better to switch a few members to different teams, but I approved it as it was.
On second thought, while a few placements seemed problematic, they weren't serious enough to warrant a change.
And I wanted to empower Hwang Yeop.
“Good. Let's do that. However, if you observe them and think it's better to change the team members, bring it to my attention. I'll change them immediately. By the way, how is your martial arts training going, Vice-Commander?”
“Understood. I showed quite rapid progress at first, but now I feel a bit stagnant.”
“It's probably due to a lack of real combat experience.”
“I think so too.”
“However.”
“Please speak.”
“At this rate, the team leaders' martial prowess will surpass yours. That's for certain.”
“Even so, a team leader is just a team leader.”
Hwang Yeop showed his confidence.
I had always lived by managing my subordinates based on my overwhelming martial prowess, so I couldn't understand his confidence.
“Won't they try to challenge you from below? Aren't you worried? Warriors instinctively follow the strongest. Whether they express it openly or not.”
“Martial arts isn't everything. Even when I served as the commander of the Vermilion Bird Brigade, I had many subordinates with higher martial skill than me. New recruits, especially, would challenge me if their prowess was greater. But once we were dispatched to eliminate unorthodox factions, they would realize that martial arts isn't the only thing that matters. After that, they would never dare to challenge me again.”
Hwang Yeop radiated strong confidence.
In a way, he was a similar type to Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
If a man like him had high martial skill, he was someone who could rise to a much higher position.
It was a pity that his ordinary martial prowess was holding him back.
“I'll be counting on you.”
“Yes, Commander. Since you trust me with this, I will do my best. If you have any instructions in the future, please give the order at any time. I will carry it out immediately.”
I stood up, thinking to myself.
If I could get my hands on a decent elixir, I would have Hwang Yeop take it to increase his internal energy.
Hwang Yeop was experienced and clever, so he had never been seriously injured on the battlefield before.
However, this was a time when the forces of the unorthodox factions, including the Dark Blood Heaven Cult, were reviving, so the battlefields to come would be far harsher.
“Train them harder. Make them remember that every drop of sweat shed in training will save their lives on the battlefield.”
“Understood.”
I gave him a few more instructions before sending him away.
I went outside, looked up at the blue sky, and muttered.
“It's too peaceful. When will this peace be shattered? I hope not too much blood will be shed.”
I recalled the time when we subjugated the unorthodox factions, including the Dark Heavenly Cult.
The hellish tragedy came to mind, and I shook my head vigorously to banish the thought.
Had I spoken it into existence?
Slowly, the air of war began to drift through the martial world.
The Dark Blood Heaven Cult, which had closed its Shanxi branch and retreated after I defeated Amheuk Il-hyeol, Chil-hyeol, and Seop Yu-heun, had begun to stir once more.
They weren't the type to back down easily, but I had thought they would at least remain quiet for a while, so it came as a great shock.
The Intelligence Bureau.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon was in a serious conversation with the Bureau's Vice-Chief, Yuk Yeong-seo.
“Movement from the Dark Blood Heaven Cult has been detected again in Shanxi.”
“What is the basis for your certainty?”
“Because they are the only faction there that currently possesses such powerful warriors.”
“Don't jump to conclusions like that. We never completely eradicated the Evil Emperor Union, the Black Way Union, or the Blood Palace, all of which we brought down. The Dark Blood Heaven Cult—a combination of the Dark Heavenly Cult and the Blood Heaven Cult, which the former Alliance Leader defeated—has revealed itself. Do you think the successors of those other factions would simply stand by? Ah, but the Blood Palace fell last year, so it would be difficult for them.”
“Of course, you are right, Bureau Chief. But another reason for my judgment is that their movements are similar to those of the Dark Blood Heaven Cultists we detected last time.”
“Deploy the enforcers from the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion and the Demon-Slaying Pavilion to investigate them intensively. I thought it was strange how quiet things have been.”
“Um, what about Affectionate?”
Yuk Yeong-seo asked cautiously, watching Zhuge Mun-hyeon's expression.
“Do not mention him for the time being. If necessary, I will make a move myself. He is a precious card to play against the Dark Blood Heaven Cult.”
“Understood.”
Yuk Yeong-seo immediately complied.
It was because his thoughts were in perfect alignment with Zhuge Mun-hyeon's.
Affectionate was completely different from any type of warrior he had ever encountered.
He was young, yet seasoned.
Cunning, yet full of vigor.
Furthermore, he moved alone and subdued legendary demonic masters.
“If it's Affectionate, he won't disappoint your expectations, Bureau Chief.”
“My thoughts exactly. Let us strive for peace in the martial world.”
“Yes, Bureau Chief.”
Yuk Yeong-seo clasped his fist and withdrew from the Bureau Chief's office.
The Intelligence Bureau had always been busy, but with reports of the unorthodox factions stirring in Shanxi, it began to move with even greater urgency.