Wi Cheongyeong couldn’t hide his astonishment.
‘Discerning martial skill or energy with a glance is something only those who’ve surpassed the Heavenly Realm can do.’ He was gravely mistaken.
Having spent years as a spy, Bu Eunseol could read a person’s build and muscle structure as if seeing through their clothes, memorizing it like a face. He had noticed that Wi Cheongyeong and the second squad members had well-developed thigh muscles.
‘Such thigh muscles can generate maximum force instantly and have exceptional endurance.’ Glancing at the second squad’s muscles, Bu Eunseol turned his head. There stood Hyeok Sojin, Jo Namcheon, and the unassigned members, looking on blankly.
“The leader of the third squad…” Bu Eunseol began.
Hyeok Sojin grinned at Jo Namcheon, assuming he’d be chosen since he was known as Bu Eunseol’s assistant.
“Jo Namcheon, you take it.”
Hyeok Sojin’s face crumpled instantly. “B-Brother Bu? Then what about me…?”
“Heh heh heh, you sure know how to pick people,” Jo Namcheon said, grinning at Hyeok Sojin.
But Bu Eunseol’s next words wiped the smile off his face.
“And Sojin, you’re the deputy leader. When I’m absent, you’ll take command.”
Jo Namcheon’s face twisted horribly.
“Pfft!” Hyeok Sojin, eyes curved like crescents, leaned close to Jo Namcheon and said solemnly, “From now on, I’ll call you Flapper.”
Then, as if nothing happened, he flashed a cheeky grin, the epitome of infuriating.
“Stop talking nonsense and get out of my face,” Jo Namcheon snapped, veins bulging on his forehead as he trembled with anger.
“But,” Wi Cheongyeong, who had been silent, spoke up, staring at Bu Eunseol through his bangs. “Why call him Jo Namcheon properly and me Bangs?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why am I Bangs while he gets his full name?” As Wi Cheongyeong protested defiantly, those around him looked shocked.
He was usually taciturn and reserved.
“He introduced himself and greeted me,” Bu Eunseol said, sweeping his cold gaze over Wi Cheongyeong and the others. “What have you done besides saying you don’t want to be squad leader?”
Wi Cheongyeong, speechless, lowered his head and fell silent.
Then, tactlessly, Won Semun stepped forward. “My name is Won Semun.”
“Too late, Twin Swords,” Bu Eunseol cut him off.
Won Semun’s face flushed red and blue, but he bit his lip, holding back further argument for the sake of his squad leader status.
“Why split us into squads?” Jo Namcheon asked.
“Unless it’s an all-out battle, thirty men won’t move together. Each squad will have separate tasks.”
“Are you sure about this?” Han Seowung, standing behind Won Semun, tapped his bronze shell armor and asked. “Going to Shaanxi like this?”
“What do you mean?”
Han Seowung grinned challengingly. “This mission’s success rate is already near zero.” He pointed at the members glaring at Bu Eunseol or grinding their teeth. “Why stir up their resentment by handling things so arbitrarily?”
Indeed, aside from Jo Namcheon, Won Semun, and Wi Cheongyeong, most members openly displayed their discontent. The only reason they’d survived in Majeon despite being troublemakers was their peak-level skills, capable of handling missions solo.
Even in Majeon, few dared to cross them, and their pride was sky-high. Yet Bu Eunseol treated them like street dogs, despite being appointed leader by the Demon Emperor’s command.
Most members couldn’t accept his attitude.
“It doesn’t matter,” Bu Eunseol said with a cold smile. “This fight doesn’t require unity anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Han Seowung asked, his mouth agape.
Did Bu Eunseol plan to head to Shaanxi recklessly, resigned to failure?
“Why lead us to Shaanxi for a losing battle?”
Bu Eunseol looked at the distant sky, a faint smile on his lips. “Just do as I say.” The brigade members exchanged puzzled looks.
—What is this guy?
Past superiors had either tried to subdue them with martial prowess or asserted authority through rank. But Bu Eunseol, despite his exceptional skill, didn’t use force or flaunt his status. His detached, cynical demeanor, keen observation, and subtle charisma captivated their hearts. He even sparked curiosity, as if hiding something unknown.
Curiosity.
Human relationships begin with curiosity. It’s human nature to want to know the unknown.
‘It’s a start,’ Bu Eunseol thought, smiling as he saw the members’ skeptical glances. ‘They’ll follow my orders, if only to see who I am and what my commands will achieve.’
“Move out,” he said.
As Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin turned, the brigade members, as if entranced, hurriedly followed.
***
Naganlu Tower.
The most famous tavern in Xi’an Prefecture. Its scenic surroundings were one reason, but it was renowned for selling fine white wine crafted by the master of the West Peak Distillery at a low price.
Buzz buzz.
The three-story Naganlu Tower was filled with travelers and notables enjoying drinks.
“…” At a table by the top-floor window, five warriors in blue robes sat with stern faces, drinking. Each wore a sword adorned with two tassels bearing a plum blossom pattern.
They were second-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.
Crunch.
The warriors gritted their teeth, glaring at a private room inside the third floor. Outrageous nonsense was spilling from it.
“Did you know? Baek Munryong, the third of Mount Hua’s Ten Swords, used to clean our stables.”
“Heh heh. What’s that? Elder Gu Daewon of Mount Hua worked as a debt collector for my father.”
As the voices from the private room grew louder, the Mount Hua disciples clenched their fists. What audacious lunatics were spouting such nonsense…
In Xi’an, the heart of Mount Hua’s influence, no less?
“Bear it,” said Bang Wook, the eldest among them, in a low voice. “They say even the emperor is insulted behind his back.”
At his words, his junior, Gok Sangcheon, forced a smile. “Senior’s right. No need to react to drunken fools’ nonsense…”
But his words were cut off.
An intolerable remark came from the private room.
“No big deal. Did you know? Mount Hua’s current leader, Pung Wonsan, was a lifelong servant in our house…” As the sect leader’s name was mocked, the Mount Hua disciples rose in fury.
“Who’s spouting nonsense in broad daylight?” Bang Wook roared, storming to the private room. “The one who insulted our leader, come out now!”
The door opened, and a man with flushed cheeks staggered out.
“Who’re you?”
“We’re Mount Hua disciples!”
“Mount Hua disciples, huh?” The man, dazed, clapped his hands. “Then we’re all one family!”
“One family? What nonsense?”
The man grinned, showing yellowed teeth. “Since Pung Wonsan was our servant, you’re all servants too…” His words were cut short.
Enraged, Bang Wook threw a punch at his face.
“Hmph.” But the man dodged with a scoff. “As expected of servant disciples, your punch is pathetic,” he sneered, picking his nose.
Bang Wook’s eyes blazed like torches. “Those who insult our sect face only death!”
Shing!
As Bang Wook drew his sword, the other disciples followed suit.
But the man grinned and leaned into the private room. “Hey, the servant disciples are drawing swords to kill me.”
One by one, nine armed men emerged from the room. Their eyes gleamed, and their stances were steady. Bang Wook realized these weren’t ordinary drunks but martial experts.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“This is my answer.”
Crash! Thud!
The tavern turned into a battlefield.
The six Mount Hua disciples, including Bang Wook, fought valiantly with their swords. But the fight ended more quickly than expected.
“Ugh.” In less than an hour, the six Mount Hua disciples lay battered on the floor.
“Daring to challenge our sect and think you’ll leave Shaanxi unscathed?” Bang Wook spat, seething.
The man grinned and shook his head. “We’re not leaving.”
“What?”
“What fault do greenhorns like you have? It’s all that servant’s fault for teaching you poorly.” Chuckling, the man knelt and forcibly took Bang Wook’s sword.
“What are you doing?”
“Tell that servant: we’ll be sightseeing in Shaanxi for four days. If he wants his sword back, come find us.”
“Servant?”
“Pung Wonsan.”
Slash!
Bang Wook’s eyes blazed with fury.
This man was still calling Mount Hua’s leader a servant, humiliating them.
“Fine, we’ll come,” Bang Wook said, swallowing his rage and killing intent. “If you’re men, don’t flee Shaanxi!”
“Heh heh. Worrying about nothing,” the man, Won Semun, said, tucking the stolen sword into his belt. “I keep my promises, so bring that servant when you come.”
***
Zhongnan Sect, Jade Clear Hall.
A small Taoist temple ten li from the Zhongnan Sect’s main base.
Originally used for secluded training or mental cultivation, it now served as the residence of Jin Garyeong, the sect leader’s great-uncle, who had retired long ago. Free from sect duties, he lived like an immortal.
“Shall I study the Lishan Chess Manual, said to be played by immortals?” he mused.
At over a hundred years old, his sole joy was go. He had built a dedicated go room in the Jade Clear Hall.
Buzz buzz…
But noises of shouting and cursing came from the direction of the Zhongnan Sect’s main base. It didn’t sound like the sect’s disciples.
“Where is everyone?” Jin Garyeong asked a servant sweeping the courtyard, noticing the absence of disciples.
“Since noon, ruffians have been showing up, challenging our first-generation disciples to spar,” the servant replied.
“Sparring?” Jin Garyeong frowned.
Occasionally, young warriors roamed sects for friendly matches to gain fame. But they usually targeted reclusive masters or dominant regional sects, not major factions like the Nine Great Sects.
“So the main hall’s disciples are dealing with it?”
“The elders said most disciples are out in the martial world…”
“Hmm. Understood,” Jin Garyeong said, waving his hand, uninterested in sect affairs.
Entering the go room, he carefully opened a cabinet.
Inside was a go board made of five-hundred-year-old ginkgo wood and jade go stones. He had discarded his beloved sword from his martial days but cherished this board and stones, polishing them daily.
Creak.
Smiling contentedly, Jin Garyeong froze.
“…” His mouth gaped like a fish on a hook, eyes wide.
The ancient go board and jade stones were gone. In their place was a dark, foul-smelling lump.
It looked like cow dung…
And smelled and felt like it too.
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