Chapter 26
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Starting the Summer Combat Festival
“A strategy, you say?”
Dang Jin-san tilted his head quizzically.
“First, we need to clarify our goal. Are we prioritizing winning the Summer Combat Festival, or revenge against Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1?”
“Is there a difference?”
Dan Mok Un-roe tilted his head as well.
As far as they knew, Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 were the strongest in the Dragon Training Pavilion.
If they had to compare, maybe Wa Dragon Corps Squad 1 came close.
To win, they'd have to beat those two groups anyway. Revenge would come naturally in the process.
“The problem is how precarious your skills are. If you're aiming for the top, you need to fight while conserving as much strength as possible. That means delaying your clash with Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 as long as you can.”
Everyone nodded at Ha Mu-baek's explanation.
“But spending time like that means Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 will get familiar with the festival's combat style by then. The Summer Combat Festival isn't real guerrilla warfare—it's just kids playing at it.”
From Ha Mu-baek's perspective, who had experienced actual war, the festival truly felt like child's play, just as he said.
“So, if we meet them at the end, we might fail to get our revenge.”
Dan Mok Un-roe nodded as if he understood.
“And even if we conserve our strength, there's no guarantee all five of us will survive to face them.”
Baek Ri-pyeong added his own thoughts.
“If we prioritize revenge, does that change anything?”
Yeon Ha-min, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
“We'd have to take on Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 first.”
“Before they adapt to Mulberry Peak's terrain and this guerrilla setup—while our strength is at its peak?”
Ha Mu-baek nodded at Yeon Ha-min's question.
“That's the most realistic way for you to get revenge—no, payback—against them.”
“And the biggest obstacle there is Namgung Ji-hu.”
Dan Mok Un-roe spoke with a look of understanding.
The one they truly wanted revenge on was Dang Chu.
They couldn't forget that day's humiliation.
The others hadn't exactly been thrilled watching Dang Chu's antics either, but right now, their anger was aimed squarely at him.
With Ha Mu-baek gone, the five sat in an awkward silence.
“Jin-san should decide.”
Yeon Ha-min broke the long quiet. At her words, everyone's eyes turned to Dang Jin-san.
He was the one with the deepest grudge regarding the goal Ha Mu-baek had mentioned.
“Two of us dropped out during today's training. I figure it'll be similar in the real thing—that monster instructor's standards aren't forgiving. So after taking down Namgung Ji-hu, we'd be three against their remaining four from Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1. That's no easy task.”
Yeon Ha-min analyzed coldly.
As her words ended, the five exchanged glances.
Humiliation. Shame.
They couldn't forget what had happened that day.
That's why it stung. If they'd had even one more month, they might not be agonizing like this.
By then, they would've been confident in group combat on Mulberry Peak. Their growth rate made it feasible.
“Even just aiming for revenge won't be easy. Whew.”
Dan Mok Un-roe let out a sigh.
“We should set a clear target first. If it's revenge, who exactly are we getting it from? Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1?”
Silence returned at Yeon Ha-min's question.
Who did they really want revenge on?
Of course, Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1.
But why had it come to that?
They retraced the incident's beginning. In truth, they'd all overlooked that part until now.
No, they hadn't had the luxury to think about it—Ha Mu-baek had pushed them relentlessly.
Now they finally had the breathing room.
“Dang Chu...”
Dang Jin-san murmured softly.
The other four nodded at his voice.
He was the spark that started it all.
Memories flooded back of his deliberate provocation and the brutal beating they'd taken.
The faces of Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 watching impassively came to mind one by one.
“Yeah, that bastard started it.”
Baek Ri-pyeong nodded slightly.
Everyone's eyes gleamed.
Their primary target was set.
Dang Chu.
Take him down first, then revenge on Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1 if they had the chance.
Even if they lost to Namgung Ji-hu's skill, they had to smash that bastard Dang Chu no matter what.
The goal was decided.
Now for the strategy.
“If Hidden Dragon Squad 1 sticks together, grabbing Dang Chu will be tough.”
Yeon Ha-min said calmly.
“We need to scatter them.”
Everyone nodded in agreement at Baek Ri-pyeong's words.
“Each-one-down. That'll help when facing Namgung Ji-hu later too.”
No one objected to Yeon Ha-min's proposal.
As they discussed goals and tactics, it became clear: she was the best at strategy among them.
The other four looked at her with expectant eyes.
“Then...”
After pondering briefly, Yeon Ha-min spoke, and the four focused intently.
Even early morning, the sunlight stung harshly.
Summer solstice hadn't quite arrived, but perhaps because it was the longest day, the sun beating on their faces felt plenty hot.
At the foot of Mulberry Peak.
Countless Dragon Training Pavilion cadets gathered, buzzing with excitement.
Summer solstice.
The day of the Summer Combat Festival had dawned.
Having spent the night at inns in nearby villages, the cadets assembled at Mulberry Peak looked tense but eager.
Pavilion Lord Pang Do-yul watched them with a pleased smile.
“Splendid. I always love this tense atmosphere before the festival starts. The anticipation of which raw gems will shine this year.”
Wa Dragon Corps Leader Sang Gyeong-mun shook his head at Pang Do-yul's words.
“I'm not so sure. Honestly, I don't see why we need this elaborate tournament setup. Something like the Winter Tournament would be better—less waste of time and manpower.”
“These are the future pillars of the Righteous Heaven Alliance. Guerrilla experience like this will be great fertilizer for their growth.”
Pang Do-yul replied sternly to Sang Gyeong-mun's negativity.
“In my view, a tournament where luck plays such a big role over skill is inherently unfair.”
Sang Gyeong-mun didn't back down.
“Didn't you say you skipped the last war?”
Sang Gyeong-mun's eyebrow twitched at Pang Do-yul's question. As one of Thunder Citadel's last desperate squad, he'd emerged from secluded training after the war had ended.
Talk of war was his sore spot.
But since it came from the Pavilion Lord, he swallowed his anger.
His face still twisted, though.
Pang Do-yul noticed but pressed on without showing it.
“Wars are often decided by such irrationalities.”
Pang Do-yul fell silent then, turning his gaze back to the cadets.
A simple tent nearby held numerous instructors.
They would serve as judges for the festival.
One instructor per squad moves with them. When squads clash, the two instructors determine individual incapacitations, and ultimately victory or defeat.
The squad's assigned instructor shadows them, witnessing every fight.
But no interference allowed.
Cheating via sound transmission or similar means results in instant loss if caught.
Judges were crucial, so fourth-year Hidden Dragon and Wa Dragon cadets' instructors were pulled in.
Thus, fourth-years ended classes early for summer break.
Second- and third-years were already on break too.
Only first-years competed in the festival to cap their first semester.
Non-participating squads gathered to watch.
Fierce Dragon Corps was no exception.
Most cadets looked bored, uninterested, just scanning the area.
Only Squad 7 stared intently at one spot, eyes sharp.
Squad 7 wore crisp Fierce Dragon Corps uniforms Ha Mu-baek had prepared.
After washing in the valley yesterday and resting properly, their ragged looks were gone, dark circles faded.
Bloodshot eyes had normalized.
Not peak condition, but perfectly prepped—warmed up just right before battle.
Their gaze fixed on Hidden Dragon Squad 1.
Dang Chu sensed it. Pathetic.
“Those trash. Don't even know their place.”
“Dang Chu. Quiet down.”
Dang Chu shut his mouth at Namgung Ji-hu's words but shot Squad 7 a displeased glare.
Time came; Pang Do-yul ascended the prepared platform.
“Today marks the culmination of our first-year cadets' first semester. Fierce battles will rage until the last squad remains. Rules as briefed. Good luck to all.”
Pang Do-yul stepped down after the brief speech.
Next up: Hidden Dragon Corps Leader Neung U-dam.
“The Summer Combat Festival begins now. All squads, enter Mulberry Peak with your judges. Combat starts in one shichen. Move out!”
Cadets sprang into action at Neung U-dam's shout.
Judges joined their assigned squads.
Fierce Dragon Squad 7 got theirs—a Wa Dragon instructor. He glanced at Ha Mu-baek.
“You coming along?”
“That's the plan.”
“You know the rules?”
Ha Mu-baek nodded.
“Then let's go.”
Baek Ri-pyeong took point. The five dashed toward Mulberry Peak.
The judge and Ha Mu-baek followed.
Baek Ri-pyeong calmly observed those ahead.
Their target was set.
Hidden Dragon Squad 1.
Dang Chu first and foremost.
They tracked carefully.
To strike first, they needed positions locked.
Overconfidence?
Hidden Dragon Squad 1 moved slowly.
Dang Chu glanced back and locked eyes with Dang Jin-san.
He scowled.
“Namgung Ji-hu. We've got a tail.”
“A tail?”
Namgung Ji-hu, leading, peeked back. Amid squads going their ways, one persistently followed theirs.
“Fierce Dragon Squad 7?”
Namgung Ji-hu murmured flatly.
“Don't even know their place.”
Dang Chu grumbled. This time, Namgung Ji-hu said nothing.
“What are they thinking? They couldn't even handle you alone.”
Namgung Ji-yu muttered, baffled. Her brother just shook his head.
It'd been less than two months.
After Dang Chu's provocation, they'd gotten crushed.
Chasing revenge for that grudge? They'd just repeat history.
Fierce Dragon's skill level was obvious.
“No need to worry. Dang Chu alone can clean them up.”
Yeong Ho-jun said dismissively.
Cheong Wu-ja nodded in agreement.
“Shields for bows? Hilarious. Like that'll help those weaklings.”
Dang Chu sneered. Close enough to see Squad 7's gear clearly.
Unwarrior-like equipment.
Suits soldiers or hunters.
Hidden Dragon Squad 1's was simple: one shortsword each.
Dang Chu carried twenty bladeless darts for hidden weapons. Festival banned projectiles otherwise, so he'd chosen these.
Ha Mu-baek overheard it all.
Perfect. Complacency is a great ally for my kids.
A sly smile crept onto his lips.
The judge tilted his head at the sight.