In that moment, Baek Jeoncheon doubted his ears.
“Not a difficult task?”
“Yes. I’ll depart immediately.”
“Wait, wait a moment, Brother Bu.”
“It’s fine.” Bu Eunseol gave a calm smile.
Having been a member of the Nine Deaths Squad, he was well-versed in the affairs of the martial world. Even without Baek Jeoncheon’s explanation, he knew how absurd this mission was. Yet he didn’t utter a single complaint.
“If it weren’t a sect in Shaanxi, I might have given up,” he said.
“Pardon?”
“Gather all the Rootless Brigade members to the training ground.” Baek Jeoncheon wore a look of utter incomprehension, but Bu Eunseol only smiled faintly in response.
It was a simple smile.
Yet it inspired more trust than a grim, resolute declaration of risking his life to complete the mission.
‘How does he plan to do this?’ Baek Jeoncheon, the master of the Manbak Hall, was a strategist who saw several steps ahead of others. But he couldn’t even guess what Bu Eunseol was thinking.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way.’ Majeon was filled with countless skilled martial artists, but few possessed such multifaceted talents. Moreover, Bu Eunseol wasn’t one to produce results slowly. Perhaps the moment he summoned the Rootless Brigade, his strategy was already in place.
‘I’m looking forward to it. How will he unravel this?’ Baek Jeoncheon was intensely curious about how Bu Eunseol would approach this mission.
“Understood. I’ll summon the Rootless Brigade to the training ground immediately.” Baek Jeoncheon smiled broadly.
He had a premonition that the martial world was about to be turned upside down once again.
***
Every sect has its misfits. Majeon was no exception.
Rebels who defied the chain of command.
Eccentrics whose unique mindsets made it impossible to blend with others.
Cynical or timid individuals who avoided human relationships entirely.
Those whose personalities and actions were so broken they couldn’t integrate with others. For various reasons, young warriors rejected by their respective groups were assigned to the Rootless Brigade. And they were rarely given missions. If they were, it was for one reason only.
Disposal.
A useless card is discarded without hesitation.
“Leader of the Rootless Brigade? That’s absurd.” Walking side by side with Bu Eunseol toward the training ground, Hyeok Sojin couldn’t hide his disbelief. “They give you a brigade of useless troublemakers and expect you to drive the Marauder Sect out of Shaanxi? Even the Mount Hua Sect hesitates to touch them.”
“…”
“And kill the sect leader holed up deep in their stronghold? Didn’t you hear their disciples number over three thousand?” Despite Hyeok Sojin’s frustrated outburst, Bu Eunseol continued walking as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
He had anticipated a trial of this magnitude. He was almost grateful they’d given him a martial brigade at all. He’d even considered going with just Hyeok Sojin.
Buzz buzz.
As they approached the training ground, the clamor of chatter filled the air, with about thirty warriors sprawled about haphazardly. They ranged from young men barely past twenty to those nearing their thirties. Some even had bloodshot eyes, as if still hungover.
“Damn it. Of all people, we’re stuck under a Nangyang Pavilion heir,” one man crouched on the ground grumbled irritably. “And not even a proper successor, I hear. They say he’s one of the newly chosen Ten Demonic Warriors.”
The warriors sitting nearby sighed and muttered among themselves.
“I heard the Ten Demonic Sects and Elder Hall gave him a mission meant to kill him.”
“Damn it. I managed to scrape by, but they’re sending us to our doom like this.”
Step step.
Hearing footsteps, the murmuring Rootless Brigade members turned around. Spotting Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, they reluctantly stood, grimacing. The oldest-looking member, a man with hollow eyes, approached and spoke.
“Are you Brother Bu of Nangyang Pavilion?”
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol nodded, and the man, Jo Namcheon, twitched his eyebrows.
Despite being a successor candidate, Bu Eunseol’s informal tone irked him.
“Jo Namcheon, temporary leader of the Rootless Brigade, greets you.” He clasped his hands, but his posture was sloppy, and his expression was as sour as if he’d bitten into a rotten persimmon. “Oh, my mistake. Since you’re now the leader of the Rootless Brigade, I’m just another member.”
Grumbling, he glanced at Hyeok Sojin and said, “And this is…?”
“Hyeok Sojin.” When Hyeok Sojin responded informally like Bu Eunseol, Jo Namcheon smirked.
“A member of Majeon?”
“No.”
“Pity,” Jo Namcheon said with a mocking grin. “If you were, you’d definitely be one of us.”
“That’s rich. As the heir of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, why would I join Majeon?”
“Oh, the heir of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect?” Jo Namcheon said, clasping his hands again with mock surprise. “An honor to meet you.”
His tone was polite, but his expression was bored, laced with a yawn, clearly meant to belittle.
“Why are you yawning in my face?” Hyeok Sojin asked.
“I’m tired from lack of sleep last night,” Jo Namcheon replied.
“I can wake you up real quick.”
“I’d like to see that.” As Hyeok Sojin and Jo Namcheon glared at each other fiercely, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“Is this the entire Rootless Brigade?”
“Yes,” Jo Namcheon answered.
Bu Eunseol scanned the faces of the slouching brigade members one by one. They were like a motley crew from the streets. Some glared at him menacingly, while others avoided his gaze, heads bowed. Some wore weapons, others carried hidden devices, and some even had bronze shell armor or concealed weapons embedded in their bodies.
“Good,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding with satisfaction.
Hyeok Sojin’s jaw dropped. “Good?”
“They each have strong personalities,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “In the martial world, personality can be a weapon.”
“Or a trigger for self-destruction in a group,” Hyeok Sojin retorted.
Ignoring the jab, Bu Eunseol stood before the brigade members.
Jo Namcheon, glancing around, signaled a few members and said quietly, “Stand up and form ranks.”
But Bu Eunseol waved his hand dismissively. “No need to make them stand.”
Flashing a white-toothed smile, he added, “Whether lying down or standing, their ears are open.”
The brigade members’ eyes sparkled, sensing Bu Eunseol wasn’t an ordinary leader.
“I am Bu Eunseol, leader of the Rootless Brigade,” he said, sweeping his solemn gaze over them. “You will leave Majeon with me and head to Yulin.”
—Yulin? In Shaanxi?
The members exchanged frowns, but Bu Eunseol continued, “The Demon Emperor’s command is to drive the Marauder Sect out of Shaanxi, kill its leader, and proclaim Majeon’s authority.” Their faces crumpled at his words.
“With just this group, take on a sect of over three thousand?”
“Damn it, they’re telling us to die.”
“Why don’t you give up your candidacy, Leader? Then we’d get normal missions.” At the bold remarks of a few members, Bu Eunseol flashed a white-toothed grin.
“Exactly the reactions I expected. Is it because of your flawed mindsets?” A chilling silence swept through the training ground.
Sweeping his gaze over the members again, Bu Eunseol said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’ve seen plenty of fools like you who think they’re special since childhood.”
The members’ eyes flared with killing intent. They were outcasts due to various circumstances, not because they lacked skill or intelligence. Some were even ostracized due to their high status. Yet this young man, barely older than them, was dismissing their very existence?
“Leader,” Jo Namcheon said in a low voice, unable to hold back. “Whatever else, don’t wound their pride.”
“Pride?” Bu Eunseol replied.
“You may be an heir of Nangyang Pavilion, but some here have notable backgrounds,” Jo Namcheon said with a sly grin, pointing to a young man with bangs covering his eyes. “That one, Wi Cheongyeong, is the half-brother of the Cheonsal Brigade Leader. And that one with twin swords, Won Semun, is the grandson of the Third Secret Hall Master, who oversees Majeon’s mechanisms. Understand?”
“Ridiculous,” Bu Eunseol said with a cold smile. “What status do mere pawns following my orders have?”
At that, Won Semun, the youth with twin swords, flared with anger. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“Hmph, trying to control us from the start? Childish.”
Regaining his composure, Won Semun scoffed, but Bu Eunseol replied calmly, “Listen well. I became temporary leader because of the Demon Emperor’s command. I have no expectations of you.”
A frigid chill seemed to blow through the training ground.
“Why bother taking us if you have no expectations?” asked Han Seowung, a member in bronze shell armor at the back.
“As I said, I’m taking pawns to carry out the Demon Emperor’s command. And…” Bu Eunseol’s eyes glinted with a chilling bloodlust. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Witnessing his terrifying aura, the brigade members reacted in three ways. Some were surprised, others nodded in acknowledgment, and some glared menacingly.
‘As expected…’ Bu Eunseol memorized the faces of the members and their reactions. ‘Few can be subdued by force.’
Majeon was filled with exceptional masters. If these members could be won over with displays of strength, they wouldn’t be in the Rootless Brigade.
—Everyone wants to hear certain words.
A disciple of the Manbak Hall, Shim Wol, had once said this in Majeon.
—And those who say those words are remembered as good people.
Humans crave recognition, especially those with volatile, rebellious natures.
“You,” Bu Eunseol said, pointing at Won Semun, who had just challenged him.
Won Semun smirked, ready to fight if force was used.
“Got something to say?”
“You carry twin swords, so I’ll call you Twin Swords from now on. And you’re the leader of the first squad.”
“Squad… leader?”
Turning away, Bu Eunseol pointed at nine members with defiant, menacing gazes. “You nine are in the first squad. Stand behind Twin Swords.”
The chosen members’ eyes grew fiercer, but seeing Bu Eunseol’s unwavering expression, they reluctantly lined up behind Won Semun.
Strangely, Won Semun’s expression shifted. Instead of defiance, his eyes held confusion and curiosity.
“Why am I the squad leader?” he asked.
“Among the hotheads, you’re the strongest.” Won Semun was momentarily speechless, his mouth agape.
“Hmph, fine,” he said, clearing his throat and turning away with a scoff. “But remember, I’m following the Demon Emperor’s orders, not yours!” Despite his words, a faint glint of joy shone in his eyes.
Those with volatile personalities and pride in their skills crave positions of superiority. By acknowledging Won Semun’s strength and giving him a role, Bu Eunseol had instantly won him over.
‘Volatile and simple ones are easier.’ With insight into human nature rivaling an eighty-year-old’s, Bu Eunseol knew that assigning the fiery, skilled Won Semun to manage the rebellious members would ensure he took responsibility.
“Bangs,” he said, pointing at Wi Cheongyeong, who stared at the ground with long hair covering his eyes. “I’ll call you Bangs from now on. You’re the leader of the second squad.” But Wi Cheongyeong kept his head down, as if he hadn’t heard.
“Did you hear me?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“I can’t do it. Squad leader or whatever,” Wi Cheongyeong said, shaking his head. “I’m not strong like Won Semun.”
“I didn’t choose you for strength. Shut up and take it.” Bu Eunseol pointed at nine more members. “You nine are in the second squad. Stand behind him.”
Those he chose were all lean, with long legs.
Wi Cheongyeong’s eyes flickered faintly. ‘This guy…’ The members Bu Eunseol selected not only had similar builds to Wi Cheongyeong but also shared his specialty. They excelled in movement techniques beyond the others.
‘Can he discern martial prowess just by looking?’
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