Chapter 22
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Is That Really Training?
It was already late May.
The Summer Combat Festival was now just a little over twenty days away.
During that time, the five members of Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven had endured training so grueling that the term "hellish training" seemed like a joke.
And the result?
Now, when they held up their shields and executed the Three Talents Sword Method together, their coordination was quite solid. Even in spars against Ha Mu-baek, who simulated real combat, they could hold out for a decent amount of time.
"The basics are done now."
Ha Mu-baek said calmly after the spar ended. But the five wore faces drained of color.
They'd pushed themselves to the brink of death so far. And now the basics were over?
"But we're short on time. Well, that was expected."
At those words, Dang Jin-san's jaw dropped as he stared at Ha Mu-baek.
"I-Instructor. What you're saying is... you tricked us all this time...?"
His finger trembled as he pointed at Ha Mu-baek.
It was the reaction of deep betrayal.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You said we could get revenge at the Summer Combat Festival! That's why we've been rolling around on the verge of death... And you knew from the start we'd be short on time?"
Dang Jin-san's voice brimmed with resentment.
"Well, I said we'd be short on time. Never said we couldn't do it."
"What kind of sophistry is that?"
"Not sophistry. More like a loophole, maybe?"
All eyes from Squad Seven turned to Ha Mu-baek at once.
"If this were a one-on-one duel, we wouldn't have that margin. But the Summer Combat Festival's different. They chase you into the mountains for a team battle. A mock guerrilla war, basically."
"So?"
Dang Jin-san's tone had softened considerably.
"Duels and battles aren't the same. Victory isn't just about whose martial arts are superior. The winner is the strong one."
"You planning some really underhanded tactic?"
Dang Jin-san's eyes narrowed.
"In war, nothing's underhanded or cowardly. Survival is justice. Survival is righteousness."
"This is a martial tournament, though?"
"And a guerrilla war too."
"So?"
"Training ends here for today. Rest up well. Starting tomorrow, we'll camp on-site and run mock drills."
The mountain where the Summer Combat Festival was held was always the same place. Everyone knew it.
"Is that allowed?"
Yeon Ha-min asked quietly.
"No one said it wasn't."
The five nodded slowly at Ha Mu-baek's nonchalant reply.
"Then go wash up and rest. Tomorrow, the gates of true hell open."
With that, Ha Mu-baek turned to leave. But he headed in an unusual direction.
"Instructor, where are you going?"
Dang Jin-san shouted loudly.
"Scouting."
With those words, Ha Mu-baek vanished swiftly.
First, they needed to know their enemy.
The glimpse he'd gotten at Devouring Dragon Pavilion that day wasn't quite enough, so Ha Mu-baek moved to gauge their strength accurately.
Because he'd only checked out Dang Chu so far.
In a team battle where the whole squad moved together, he needed to assess the other four as well.
Ha Mu-baek's steps toward the Hidden Dragon Corps training ground were light yet stealthy.
He strolled casually, as if without a care, but even cadets passing right by him didn't sense his presence.
'Hidden Dragon Corps first-years, Squad One, right?'
He passed countless training grounds assigned by rough squad rankings. Glancing at them, Ha Mu-baek gave a wry smile.
'That's a proper training ground.'
Compared to that, the Fierce Dragon Corps' was just an open lot. Far too cramped by comparison.
It was fine for Squad Seven's current training, though.
In any case, the Dragon Training Pavilion's grounds were vast enough to assign dedicated fields to each squad.
Amid them, Ha Mu-baek found Hidden Dragon Corps first-year Squad One's training ground.
'Impressive.'
It stood out from the others.
Did they rank squads by skill? Squad One's field was top-notch.
And the people training there individually were exceptionally skilled.
The supervising instructor offered only brief pointers, not actively teaching.
There was no need.
'These are the types who graduate Hidden Dragon Corps and join the Righteous Heaven Alliance main sect.'
Disciples slightly removed from the power centers of their sects or clans.
Yet the talented ones passed through the Dragon Training Pavilion to enter the Righteous Heaven Alliance headquarters.
It resolved internal factional strife and boosted the sect's standing in the Alliance.
One stone, two birds.
'But those two...'
Ha Mu-baek's gaze lingered on Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu.
They had no business being here.
They were siblings at the heart of power. Their father was the Namgung Clan head.
Namgung Ji-hu should be deep into learning the clan head's exclusive art, the Emperor Sword Form, back at the Namgung Clan right now.
Yet here he was, diligently practicing the Soaring Bow Unfettered Sword at the Hidden Dragon Corps training ground.
'Definitely Namgung Ji-hu. He's eighteen this year. Recognized as the young clan heir, prime time to solidify his position...'
Ha Mu-baek watched him with puzzled eyes for a moment.
'This is a problem.'
Ha Mu-baek frowned.
Namgung Ji-hu's skill exceeded expectations. Far more than the vague sense he'd gotten that day.
The other four were within the anticipated range, no issue.
'That proficient in Soaring Bow Unfettered Sword...'
He couldn't fathom the Namgung Clan head's intentions. Sending such a promising son to the Dragon Training Pavilion instead of grooming him as heir.
It added worry lines to Ha Mu-baek's face.
Dabie Mountains.
A vast range stretching northwest to southeast along the borders of Henan, Hubei, and Anhui provinces.
One branch extended toward Hubei, reaching north of Wuchang to form a small mountain.
Mulan Mountain.
Named after a tale of a woman named Mulan, it drew quite a few tourists.
But most importantly, the Dragon Training Pavilion's Summer Combat Festival was held here every year.
Early morning.
Ha Mu-baek and the five from Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven stood at the mountain's base, laden with huge packs.
"This is where the Summer Combat Festival happens. Every year, and this year too."
"You sure?"
Dang Jin-san asked skeptically.
"Already confirmed with the Pavilion Lord."
Dang Jin-san shut his mouth at the firm reply.
"Told the Pavilion Lord yesterday. We'll participate directly from here on festival day."
Meaning they'd stay here until it ended.
The five faces twisted in misery.
At least there was an inn at the base, thanks to tourists.
They'd already passed it. Heads turned back instinctively. Ha Mu-baek read the cadets' thoughts easily.
"Doubt we'll get to rest there anyway."
Words they didn't want to hear.
"Hurry up."
Ha Mu-baek took the lead at a brisk pace.
They followed wearily, each shouldering a massive leather pack.
"When I saw those five huge packs ready at dawn today, I had a feeling it'd come to this..."
Dang Jin-san muttered despondently.
"At least the instructor prepared everything."
Dan Mok Un-roe said calmly. If they'd had to buy this themselves, it'd be a huge burden for him.
He sent most of his stipend to his mother, leaving only pocket money.
They finally stopped deep in the mountains. Ha Mu-baek looked around and nodded.
"Good spot."
A clearing amid dense trees. Ha Mu-baek set down his pack first.
He pulled out a large tarp, drove stakes, and tied it securely between trees.
A proper canopy formed in seconds.
"We'll use this as base camp for the next few days' training."
The five, slumped and catching their breath after dropping packs, listened silently.
"Dawn to early morning: heart method and form practice. Then real-combat mock drills."
"How do the mock drills work?"
Dang Jin-san's question.
"Hunting."
"Pardon?"
They had to ask at the unexpected answer.
"Hunting. Start with animals. Do it yourselves today. Succeed, you eat. Fail, no dinner."
"Whaaat?"
Dang Jin-san's exclamation stretched longer.
This was new. The instructor always ensured they ate well before.
And skipping meals right after arriving?
"Didn't pack any food. Local sourcing. So hunt successfully."
"What about foraging?"
Baek Ri-pyeong asked.
"Sure, if you want grass without meat. Your call."
Fruits weren't ripe yet.
Only unripe ones around. Maybe the first berries forming.
They didn't even know where those were.
Edible options: mushrooms or greens. But mushrooms could be poisonous.
One mistake, and lives at risk.
"Um. Is this really training?"
Dang Jin-san asked, utterly unconvinced.
"In war, guerrilla warfare is hunting. Just targeting humans instead. Can't catch animals but claim you'll catch people? Absurd."
"W-We aren't at war, it's a martial tournament?"
"If they don't see it that way, you treat it like war to win. Especially against Hidden Dragon Corps Squad One."
"......"
At the mention of Hidden Dragon Corps, Dang Jin-san clamped his mouth shut.
He'd forgotten for a moment.
The purpose of all that grueling training.
To crush Hidden Dragon Corps Squad One—to avenge that day's humiliation.
"Starts with animal hunting, but later I'll be prey sometimes, or you will."
Ha Mu-baek supplemented the training explanation.
"Ultimately: tracking, ambushing, raiding, fleeing. The essence of guerrilla war. Hunter role trains tracking and raids; prey trains ambushes and escapes. Perfect method."
All focused intently on Ha Mu-baek's words.
"Skip today's heart method and forms—count the travel time. Now go hunt."
Ha Mu-baek pulled cloth from his pack, tied it at a good height between trees. A simple hammock formed in air; he lay down and closed his eyes.
"Do we hunt your dinner too, Instructor?"
Dang Jin-san's voice held complaint.
"I'll handle mine. Worry about yours."
Then he shut his mouth tight.
The five exchanged glances.
Anyone here have hunting experience?
They scanned faces.
Baek Ri-pyeong stepped forward slightly.
"Back at Zhongnan Sect, a little..."
Zhongnan Sect, deep in Zhongnan Mountains. As a secular sect, maybe they hunted.
The other four eyes lit with hope.
"But not with these tools..."
Right—only their jian swords and shields. How to hunt with that?
Then, as if struck by idea, Dan Mok Un-roe opened his pack.
First, inventory what they had.
Ha Mu-baek, turned away with eyes closed, sensed it via presence and smiled faintly.
First task: passed.
"Ah. Here."
Baek Ri-pyeong found it first.
A slightly dried bowstave, coiled string, arrows.
String the stave: usable bow complete.
The five plucked strings.
"Not bad."
Dang Jin-san nodded. No formal archery training, but he'd shot bows hunting as hobby.
Hunts with beaters, though.
Beaters drove game; he shot from afar. Pastime, not real hunting.
Thus, Dang Jin-san counted himself inexperienced too.
Only Dang Jin-san and Baek Ri-pyeong knew bows, so they quickly taught the other three.
"Can we use bows in the Summer Combat Festival?"
Dang Jin-san asked suddenly. Banned, and this was pointless.
"Just no arrowheads."
Ha Mu-baek replied casually.
Eyes of those hastily learning archery turned to Baek Ri-pyeong.
What now?
"Find game."
Obvious.
Who didn't know that?
How to find it. That mattered.
"Start with tracks."
Baek Ri-pyeong headed into the dense woods, eyes gleaming as he scanned the ground.
First step in hunting: find the prey's traces.