Chapter 417
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 417
Chapter Title: That Guy's Around
Do Sim-geuk frowned as he read the abbreviated report submitted by Pung Geon.
"Call the Vice Corps Leader!"
His shout was directed at the attendant guard outside the tent.
A moment later.
"You called for me?"
"Come in."
Yang Bi-chang arrived.
"What is it?"
Do Sim-geuk handed Yang Bi-chang the report Pung Geon had submitted.
Yang Bi-chang's face stiffened as he quickly scanned the document.
"A new type of jiangshi...
It attacked the Mountain-Crossing Great Wall, with enough power to make the walls tremble?"
The report detailed every fact without omission.
Both Do Sim-geuk and Yang Bi-chang immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.
"It seems like an individual far stronger than the Dark Blood Jiangshi...
Was there such a thing?"
At Do Sim-geuk's question, Yang Bi-chang fell deep into thought but soon shook his head.
"Not in my memory. I heard there were countless bizarre jiangshi during the Great Martial War...
But I didn't see them myself."
It couldn't be helped.
The front lines against the jiangshi had always been the Hocheon Corps' responsibility.
No other reason.
It was because Alliance Leader So Hwi-woong always stood at the vanguard, fighting relentlessly.
Thanks to that, the Righteous Heaven Alliance headquarters and rear warriors only battled the Blood Cult followers.
The Alliance Leader and Hocheon Corps handled the most threatening and horrific demonic beasts: the jiangshi.
At that time, the Hocheon Corps possessed tremendous might.
They had constantly reinforced and expanded their ranks to combat the jiangshi.
After the Great Martial War ended.
No further reinforcements came.
They maintained only with the survivors from those sacrifices.
The Hocheon Corps' original purpose was to guard the Alliance Leader.
With the war over, they returned to their core role, so there was no need to sustain the massive wartime scale.
Of course, there was also the purpose of checking the Alliance Leader's power.
"Any records in the Demon-Sealing Corps' archives?"
"None."
"Hmm."
Do Sim-geuk pondered at Yang Bi-chang's response.
He was wondering how to handle this.
"This isn't something to hide."
Yang Bi-chang said with a serious expression.
"He said to operate by the book for the time being."
Do Sim-geuk relayed his master's words.
"Pardon?"
"Last time, with the new poison jiangshi. It seems Heavenly Eye Pavilion found out too."
Yang Bi-chang's brow furrowed slightly at those words.
That's why he had suggested reporting the facts properly.
Heavenly Eye Pavilion.
It wasn't a place to take lightly.
"And these cheeky bastards already sent someone to report this one too?"
"Pardon?"
Yang Bi-chang reflexively questioned the incomprehensible remark.
"That Black Corps Squad Two. Thinking it an emergency, they sent one squad member to Cheongjeon via express messenger to Heavenly Eye Pavilion."
Yang Bi-chang tilted his head.
"Does Pung Geon know Heavenly Eye Pavilion's cipher?"
It was a cipher even the Corps Leader didn't know.
Of course, Heavenly Eye Pavilion would review it, and if deemed serious, it would be reported upward.
But without the cipher, verification would take time, delaying it further.
"Yu Gwi-gwang. That guy's around."
"Ah..."
The Fierce Dragon Corps' cipher.
Yu Gwi-gwang would know it.
He was one of the most senior members of the Fierce Dragon Corps now.
"Anyway, report this straight to Heavenly Eye Pavilion as is. I'll inform Master separately."
"Understood."
"But what on earth is this thing?"
Pung Geon and the others had been too busy fleeing to even confirm its appearance.
It was only natural to be curious.
Pung Geon.
He was a guy Do Sim-geuk didn't like, but not one to lie about something this critical.
"I don't know. But we should reduce squad activities for now. Stick to maximally secure areas."
"What about White Flower Shadow Grass Herb?"
"If we inform Master, he won't push too hard."
Yang Bi-chang figured that since they'd already been marked once by Heavenly Eye Pavilion, his master wouldn't act rashly.
"Right. Handle it that way."
After responding, Yang Bi-chang stared intently at Do Sim-geuk.
"What? I'm done. Go get to work."
"Wouldn't it be better to investigate more thoroughly? If the report is true, we're in danger too."
Do Sim-geuk grimaced at Yang Bi-chang's words.
"It couldn't breach the Great Wall."
"But it attacked."
"Just once."
"Still, prepare for the unforeseen. We need to investigate and prepare in advance."
"How?"
"The main alliance might have intel. When informing Master, we should request information too. Check Hocheon Corps, Heavenly Eye Pavilion, Elder Council—anywhere."
Do Sim-geuk stared at Yang Bi-chang before sighing.
"Sigh. Fine. I'll do that, so go now."
"Yes. It's absolutely necessary. If by any chance it can breach or destroy the wall, the damage would be incalculable."
With that, Yang Bi-chang left Do Sim-geuk's tent.
He sent the report to Heavenly Eye Pavilion using the designated cipher.
Then, instead of heading to his own tent, he turned toward Pung Geon's.
He felt the need to confirm things directly a bit more.
His senior brother had been alone when receiving the report, and he hadn't been there.
"Squad Leader Pung. You there?"
At Yang Bi-chang's call upon arriving at Pung Geon's tent, Pung Geon appeared.
"What brings the Vice Corps Leader here?"
"About the mission report. I have some questions."
Pung Geon recalled that Yang Bi-chang hadn't been present during the initial report.
"Please, come in."
Inside Pung Geon's tent.
The entire Black Corps Squad Two was gathered there.
Including the Fierce Dragon Corps members.
"Everyone's together."
"We went through it together, so. Still shaken."
Pung Geon gave a wry smile as he spoke.
His words were true.
Recalling it still left his mouth parched.
"How strong was the aura?"
"It felt like it could crumble the wall in one hit."
Gwan Ha-kyeong answered Yang Bi-chang's question.
Yang Bi-chang gazed at her steadily.
His expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
He had gauged her level.
Yang Bi-chang turned to Pung Geon.
"You were supposed to report all squad members' martial prowess levels without omission."
"She just advanced recently. Given the incident, I overlooked it. I'll include it properly in the next regular report."
It was an impeccable response, so Yang Bi-chang said nothing more.
"Congratulations on reaching the Peak realm. Impressive progress. Your future looks promising."
"Thank you."
Gwan Ha-kyeong bowed her head slightly in response.
"If even you sensed that, it must be true. A Peak warrior's senses. Understood. No major operations for now, so recover well."
With that, Yang Bi-chang left Pung Geon's tent.
'Hmm. Black Corps Squad Two...'
Yang Bi-chang's eyes gleamed.
He had only faced Squad Leader Pung Geon directly recently.
The others, it had been months.
Yet in that time, they had all grown unrecognizably stronger.
It wasn't achievement possible in mere months.
'What happened?'
The previous mission where they all returned safe against expectations.
Something had definitely occurred then.
How much time had passed?
Jeok Ga-ye opened her eyes.
A chill wind made Jeok Ga-ye shudder.
The weather had now entered winter.
The pitch-black surroundings made it fittingly cold.
"Any progress?"
Ha Mu-baek, lounging obliquely on a rock, asked Jeok Ga-ye.
Now fully aware of her situation, Jeok Ga-ye clasped her hands in salute and bowed toward Ha Mu-baek.
"Thank you."
It was a heartfelt greeting.
"Yawn. So, how's the progress?"
It was nearly midnight.
Jeok Ga-ye's meditation had lasted that long.
"I think I broke through the wall."
As she spoke, Jeok Ga-ye drew her sword.
A blue aura rose like a haze from her blade.
Ha Mu-baek smiled brightly.
"That's sword qi. Train diligently, and you'll pass through sword threads to sword gang. Of course, with exceptional talent, you might skip sword threads and reach sword gang directly."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Jeok Ga-ye repeated the same words.
She was still dazed.
Her, reaching sword qi realm?
How?
She had joined the Fierce Dragon Corps to avoid starvation.
As a woman.
Most who joined had similar stories.
Of course, her starvation had deeper reasons.
Starve now, or die screaming in two years.
With the resolve to live just two more years, she entered the Fierce Dragon Corps.
Yet she had reached sword qi.
'With this power...'
A sudden thought.
She startled and shook it off.
The instructor was right there.
Such thoughts could wait until she was alone.
"A face full of stories?"
Ha Mu-baek didn't miss that fleeting change.
"Well, that's your business; I don't need to know. Don't get arrogant just because you reached sword qi. Keep refining it."
Ha Mu-baek said as he rose from the rock.
"Yes!"
Jeok Ga-ye responded vigorously.
"Then, shall I check the results briefly?"
Ha Mu-baek drew his sword.
Jeok Ga-ye hurriedly assumed her stance.
The two faced each other, swords raised.
Ha Mu-baek chuckled and lowered his sword.
"Good. At this level, you could handle a poison jiangshi alone."
He could tell just from the aura of her drawn sword.
She had fully mastered sword qi through meditation.
A level worthy of first-rate.
She could wield it freely anytime.
Jeok Ga-ye's eyes widened round.
She knew poison jiangshi well from countless practical trainings.
Handle that monster alone?
Unbelievable.
"Go rest inside. I'm off."
Ha Mu-baek strolled away, vanishing from the grand training ground.
Left alone, Jeok Ga-ye raised her lowered sword.
"Sword qi realm..."
She murmured softly.
Memories flashed through her mind.
Unable to starve or muster courage to end it herself.
She joined the Fierce Dragon Corps to die by another's hand in two years.
Yet she grew this strong.
Now.
"I want to live..."
Jeok Ga-ye whispered, barely audible.
The man who made her contemplate death.
The new pavilion lord who ruined her peaceful village.
With this power, she could judge him.
To do that.
She had to endure five years in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest.
"Can I do it?"
A sudden doubt arose.
The moment it surfaced.
A fierce desire boiled up.
Revenge.
Powerless, she had sought the Fierce Dragon Corps to abandon all and die.
Now with power.
She wanted revenge before dying.
Ha Mu-baek's voice transmission echoed in her mind.
Jeok Ga-ye startled and looked around.
But Ha Mu-baek was nowhere.
How far away had he sent the transmission?
No, she was more shocked he sensed her killing intent from so far.
"Tsk."
Ha Mu-baek clicked his tongue as he headed to the dorms.
The Fierce Dragon Corps was meant to raise meat shields for the Demon-Sealing Corps.
A place to rear the doomed.
Those who came here were at life's dead end, driven to desperation.
They naturally had tragic backstories.
Ha Mu-baek had ignored them.
He just wanted to prevent their pointless deaths as expendables.
But with power gained, those tragedies reared their heads with killing intent.
Nothing good about it.
Revenge was a fine motivator but also the worst heart demon.
"Should I teach them how to suppress killing intent too?"
Ha Mu-baek muttered irritably.
Time left was truly scant now.
The Summer Combat Festival approached.
The Fierce Dragon Corps cadets gathered at the grand training ground for training, their eyes blazing fiercely.
It couldn't be helped.
The day before.
They had all witnessed it clearly at the grand training ground.
Not Squad Seven cadets.
They saw Squad Seven as beings from another world entirely.
Whatever Squad Seven showed, it didn't stimulate the Fierce Dragon Corps cadets.
It's just Squad Seven being Squad Seven.
They're different from us.
Such thoughts dominated the cadets.
But.
Yesterday.
The one who displayed sword qi.
Wasn't Squad Seven.
She was a Fierce Dragon Corps cadet like them.
She had reached sword qi in just one day.
The cadets had watched her for nearly two years.
They knew her well.
She was ordinary, no different from them.
She just trained a bit harder.
As if chased by something.
That was the only difference; no outstanding talent.
Yet she was the first to reach sword qi.
Even surpassing first-year oddballs who were disciples of famed sects yet joined Fierce Dragon Corps.
The implication was huge.
It planted in the cadets the thought: maybe I can do it too.
Thus, their eyes burned differently, and the momentum of their swinging swords had changed.
They glanced sidelong at Jeok Ga-ye.
Ha Mu-baek smiled faintly at the sight.
Not intentional.
But it had reformed their mindset.
Erasing the creeping thought that it was impossible no matter what.
Replacing it with: maybe I can.