Chapter 232
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: What Are You All Doing?
"Quite impressive from early in the morning."
Wei Ji-gun remarked as he started walking.
"No, sir. Just had nothing else to do."
"We didn't even introduce ourselves yesterday, did we? Folks around here call me Old Man Wei."
"Name's Namgung Hwi."
Namgung Hwi gave the alias he'd been using since Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest.
"First things first, you'll need to set that sword aside."
It was absurd for a mere laborer to go around armed with a blade.
Near the eastern wall.
Several modest cabins stood there.
"This is the laborers' rest area. Leave your things here. You can share mine for the time being."
Wei Ji-gun pointed to one of the rooms.
Then he headed to what looked like a storage shed and pulled out two brooms.
"Let's start with some sweeping."
Wei Ji-gun's assigned area was around the Fierce Dragon Corps' training grounds, so Namgung Hwi followed behind, broom in hand, and swept along.
Despite having only his left arm, there was no awkwardness in his sweeping at all.
The angle of the broom, the pressure, the direction, the surface area touching the ground—everything was flawless.
Wei Ji-gun nodded approvingly at the sight.
Though he was currently concealing his true cultivation, for a warrior who had reached the transcendent realm, sweeping with a broom was child's play.
The two worked together efficiently, finishing the cleanup around the Fierce Dragon Corps training grounds before noon.
"Having an extra pair of hands makes all the difference. Work gets done twice as fast."
Wei Ji-gun grinned.
"Now, let's go grab some food."
With that, he led Namgung Hwi toward the Devouring Dragon Pavilion.
Previously, laborers and Fierce Dragon Corps disciples had been restricted to the south section, but ever since Ha Mu-baek turned things upside down, that rule no longer applied.
They went to the nearby east section, got their meals, and sat at a table.
As Namgung Hwi picked up his chopsticks and ate, he felt the cadets glancing his way.
Probably because of his hideous, one-armed appearance.
A few even whispered among themselves.
"You okay with that?"
Wei Ji-gun asked cautiously.
"Nothing out of the ordinary."
Namgung Hwi replied calmly.
Of course, this hadn't happened back in the village. These were the stares he'd endured while traveling from Anhui Province to Wuchang after leaving home.
They were well into their meal when...
"Oh? Elder, you're eating early today."
The Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven cadets, having finished their morning duties, spotted Wei Ji-gun upon entering the east section and greeted him.
Wei Ji-gun smiled warmly at Dan Mok Un-roe's greeting.
"Got some help starting today."
At that, the cadets' eyes turned to Namgung Hwi.
Namgung Hwi looked back at them as well.
A glint appeared in his eyes.
These were the ones he'd seen last night at the Golden Dragon Tower's first floor, with the Hocheon Corps Leader.
The cadets showed no particular reaction to Namgung Hwi's scarred face from sword wounds.
Nor to his missing arm.
A novel response for Namgung Hwi.
"New guy, huh?"
Dan Mok Un-roe asked.
"Yeah. Enjoy your meals."
The cadets bowed politely to Wei Ji-gun and Namgung Hwi before leaving.
"Who are those cadets?"
"Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven. My disciple's students."
They already had a rough sense of each other's skills, so Wei Ji-gun spoke freely.
'Could it be the Hocheon Corps Leader?'
He'd seen the Hocheon Corps Leader with those cadets yesterday.
If so, then Old Man Wei's disciple might be the Hocheon Corps Leader himself.
And if that were true, Old Man Wei was far more formidable than Namgung Hwi had imagined.
"Shall we move on to the next task?"
Wei Ji-gun stood after finishing his meal.
Their destination was the northeast corner of the Dragon Training Pavilion.
The laundry area.
"This is..."
Namgung Hwi's eyes widened.
"What's with the surprise? It's the cadets' uniforms. The Fierce Dragon Corps doesn't have their own, but Hidden Dragon and Wa Dragon do. Laborers handle the washing."
Wei Ji-gun said it like it was no big deal.
"Hah."
Washing uniforms, too.
A fitting place for disciples of prestigious orthodox sects.
Wei Ji-gun and Namgung Hwi claimed a spot at the laundry area and got to work.
"With you here, Elder, we'll finish quick."
A man focused on scrubbing spotted Wei Ji-gun and smiled.
The other laborers noticed Namgung Hwi but said nothing.
Wei Ji-gun had vouched for him.
And above all...
His one-armed washing was extraordinarily fast.
Faster and cleaner than those with two good arms.
He even spread and beat the wet clothes perfectly in one go.
Once laundry was done...
"Alright, last task of the day."
He led Namgung Hwi to the armory.
"This is where the weapons used by Hidden Dragon and Wa Dragon cadets for training are kept. They're dulled for safety, but they still need maintenance."
With that, he pulled a clean cloth from a shelf and began polishing a dusty saber.
Namgung Hwi grabbed a dusty sword and settled in.
He wedged it between his knees and carefully wiped it with his left hand.
Wei Ji-gun watched him intently.
"Anything else I might buy, but this looks inconvenient. Do you maintain your own sword like that?"
Namgung Hwi's hand paused at Wei Ji-gun's question.
"No, sir."
Wei Ji-gun nodded.
Anyone could tell it wasn't handled that way.
"No one's here but us. Others rarely come by. And if someone does? You'd sense them long before. So relax and do it your way."
Wei Ji-gun spoke as if he knew everything.
"If you insist, then."
Namgung Hwi spread his knees.
The sword, which should have fallen, hovered instead.
Telekinetic control.
Namgung Hwi floated the sword before him and meticulously polished it with the cloth.
He cleaned one blade in seconds.
"Impressive."
Wei Ji-gun smiled.
"This?"
While polishing, Namgung Hwi noticed an inscription on the blade.
"The name of the assigned user."
"These are personalized weapons?"
"Must be a good budget year—they issued these to Hidden Dragon, Wa Dragon, and even Fierce Dragon Corps."
"Shouldn't warriors maintain their own weapons?"
Namgung Hwi's tone was stern.
A weapon was one with its wielder.
Handing it off to others was unacceptable.
As a swordsman, he couldn't overlook it.
"Exactly. And they do. These are the ones no one claims. Tailored for the cadets' unique styles, but they've already got better personal weapons from their sects."
"Ah..."
That made sense.
Those from Hidden Dragon and Wa Dragon would have sect-issued signature weapons.
This was just wasteful spending.
Not something a day-one laborer should worry about, but...
"That's why I handle them. Shame to let them gather dust."
Namgung Hwi nodded at Wei Ji-gun's words.
Ten days flew by.
The day wall contemplation training ended.
Dang Jin-san and Yeon Ha-min emerged from the contemplation hall.
"Ughhh... Finally, some sunlight!"
Dang Jin-san stretched as he spoke.
His face looked a bit paler.
After all, ten days staring at walls without seeing the sun.
Yeon Ha-min remained composed.
But soon, both their faces hardened.
A middle-aged woman was glaring at them.
A burly middle-aged man stood beside her.
"So you're the bastards..."
Her eyes blazed with fury at Yeon Ha-min and Dang Jin-san.
"Damn it. Cursed fools."
Cheol Ryeong's voice rang out then.
He'd exited a step behind Dang Jin-san and Yeon Ha-min.
He too spotted the middle-aged pair.
"Huh? M-Mom? Damn it, what the hell! You came but didn't get me out?! Uncle's here too!"
Cheol Ryeong exploded at his mother the moment he saw her.
He seemed adjusted to his broken tooth; no lisping.
Dang Jin-san and Yeon Ha-min were dumbfounded.
Especially Yeon Ha-min.
What had her own mother meant to her?
Yet this guy treated his like that.
Truly an irredeemable mutt.
"Hey, Jin-san!"
Then the Fierce Dragon Corps cadets arrived en masse.
They'd timed it for the end of wall contemplation.
"Hm?"
They halted upon approaching.
Having spotted the menacing middle-aged duo.
Their auras were fiercely threatening—clearly superior experts.
Why were such figures here?
"M-Mom! What happened?!"
Cheol Ryeong snapped at Gu So-so again.
Now realizing who they were, the cadets subtly gathered around Yeon Ha-min and Dang Jin-san.
"Quiet down, Cheol Ryeong."
Gu Tan-gil said in a stern voice.
Cheol Ryeong flinched.
Uncle never acted like this. Especially not with Mom around.
"How pathetic must your skills be to get beaten like that?"
Cheol Ryeong bristled at Gu Tan-gil's words.
"Uncle, it's... those cowards ambushed—"
The cadets looked incredulous.
Cowardly? It had been a fair fight.
Gu Tan-gil said it, but inwardly he was rattled.
Every cadet before him was exceptionally skilled.
Their clear, profound gazes revealed their levels.
'How the hell did they train them to this caliber...'
The Infinite Pills from before contemplation had boosted their inner energy further, but Gu Tan-gil had no way of knowing.
Meanwhile, Gu So-so seethed.
"Those filthy scum dared touch my son..."
She directed killing intent at the cadets.
A few swallowed dryly under her pressure.
"So-so."
Gu Tan-gil restrained his sister.
What good would intimidating these kids do here?
Especially if he showed up?
As if reading his thoughts...
"What are you all doing?"
Ha Mu-baek appeared.
His deep gaze swept over Gu So-so, Gu Tan-gil, and Cheol Ryeong.
Gu So-so flinched under his eyes.
"Feels like only a few days passed..."
Her faint mutter made her tremble, conscience pricked.
"L-Let's go."
Gu So-so turned tail first.
"M-Mom! Why didn't you get me out?!"
Gu Tan-gil grabbed Cheol Ryeong by the nape and dragged him off.
The cadets stared blankly.
"He called him uncle... That must be the Iron Armory Pavilion Lord."
Dang Jin-san muttered.
He clearly recalled Cheol Ryeong boasting of being the lord's nephew.
Baek Ri-pyeong nodded slightly.
"Called his mom and uncle here to the Pavilion to bail him out quick?"
Joo Woo-myeong muttered in disbelief.
"Irredeemable pathetic mutt."
Yeon Ha-min concluded.
"What are you lot doing here? You got out—go train, drill, attend class, whatever."
With that, Ha Mu-baek departed.
The storm passed, leaving the Fierce Dragon cadets alone.
Now properly eyeing their welcoming comrades, a glint entered Dang Jin-san's eyes.
Ten days of energy circulation.
He'd made minor gains.
Largely thanks to the Infinite Pills.
But the others seemed changed too.
He could tell.
"You guys, don't tell me..."
"Yeah. We ate them."
Dang Jin-san chuckled at Baek Ri-pyeong's words.
"Good. Not suffering that hellish taste alone."
His gaze shifted to Joo Woo-myeong.
He'd changed too.
"How was it? Felt good, right?"
Dang Jin-san grinned.
"Yeah. Thought it was some insane stunt at first."
Just recalling the taste sent shivers.
"Ji-hu and Ji-yu too."
Baek Ri-pyeong added.
Even Yeon Ha-min looked surprised.
Who'd have thought the instructor cared for those two as well.
Though considering the taste, it might've been torment.
"They okay?"
Dang Jin-san asked genuinely curious.
"Nah. They said they got screwed at first."
Dan Mok Un-roe chuckled, recalling.
"Yeah, right after it's brutal. Just the awful taste lingering, no change felt."
Dang Jin-san nodded understandingly.
"But it kicked in the next day."
Someone like Namgung Ji-hu would've noticed immediately.
"Alright, let's check our training results."
They all headed to the Fierce Dragon Corps training grounds.
It was supposed to be classroom time.
But they'd all skipped for this.
To welcome the two and compare gains.
On the way, they ran into Namgung Hwi.
He was sweeping deftly with his left arm.
The cadets bowed and continued on.
"New laborer?"
Dang Jin-san was seeing him for the first time.
"Yeah."
Dan Mok Un-roe replied lightly.
"Impressive."
Dang Jin-san recalled the fluid motion.
One arm, yet so natural you wouldn't notice.
"Oh, Ji-hu and Ji-yu are coming too."
Dan Mok Un-roe added as it occurred to her.
Namgung Hwi overheard.
The names matched the two kids from Hebai.
His sweeping stopped.
"Hey! You! What're you doing!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
A hulking brute packed with muscle.