Chapter 82
How the Heaven Defying Alliance Takes Back a Woman (2)
An urgent dispatch arrived at the strategy command center of the Heaven Mystery Pavilion.
Sima Iljung brought the message to Zhuge Hyeon and reported,
“An urgent report has arrived from the Chongqing Branch. The Heaven Defying Alliance is moving troops toward Chongqing.”
“What force?”
Sima Iljung answered in a trembling voice.
It was a name far more alarming than any organization of the Heaven Defying Alliance he had ever reported before.
“The Black Banner.”
Zhuge Hyeon shot to his feet.
The Black Banner.
It was the most elite organization in the entire Heaven Defying Alliance.
The Black Banner answered only to the Alliance Leader himself and was known as the strongest force within the Heaven Defying Alliance.
“Their target?”
“The Chongqing Branch.”
“Why now of all times!”
The Iron Cavalry Corps and Iron Sword Corps were undergoing special training in Hebei.
They were far too distant to be recalled immediately.
“The First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps is standing by as a reserve force.”
“Send them first.”
“Yes.”
Zhuge Hyeon headed for the door.
“I’m going to the Alliance Leader’s Hall. Find Captain Baek and tell him to come there!”
“Yes!”
Baek Socheon hurried into Unryong Hall.
He had come running immediately after receiving the urgent summons.
“What happened?”
Zhuge Hyeon explained that the Black Banner was heading toward the Chongqing Branch.
Once Baek Socheon understood the situation, he spoke to Ak Sogun.
“I’ll lead the Hyeoncheon Unit there as reinforcements.”
“You?”
“The fact that the Black Banner is moving at a time like this is suspicious. I think it may have something to do with the Blood Cult sending a matchmaker.”
Furthermore, the fact that the Heaven Defying Alliance Leader’s personal force was moving at a time like this gave Baek Socheon a certain feeling.
Yeomhwasin is calling me.
But he could hardly tell the other two that this was merely his intuition.
Even if his hunch proved wrong, the Chongqing Branch still needed reinforcements.
“I’ll go and find out what they’re trying to accomplish.”
Ak Sogun did not deliberate for long.
In a situation like this, Baek Socheon was the person most likely to uncover the truth.
Ak Sogun formally issued the order.
“Lead the Hyeoncheon Unit there and resolve the situation. But proceed carefully.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Baek Socheon respectfully cupped his fists before turning and leaving.
***
Gwak Won, the leader of the Chongqing Branch, had personally come out to the border region.
This was the first time since the ceasefire that the Heaven Defying Alliance had exerted military pressure on Chongqing.
They currently had one hundred and fifty men.
More forces that had been deployed elsewhere were still gathering.
But if their opponent was the Black Banner, numbers meant little.
The Black Banner was the elite among the elite of the Heaven Defying Alliance, and it was said that each of its members could take on dozens of ordinary martial artists.
“Still no word from headquarters?”
“No.”
Reinforcements had surely been dispatched, yet no message had arrived.
“Don’t be afraid! We can stop them!”
“Yes!”
But Gwak Won’s expression remained grim.
Once a person rose to the position of branch leader, all sorts of rumors about the broader situation naturally reached his ears.
Lately, rumors that war with the Heaven Defying Alliance was imminent had been circulating frequently.
And now the Black Banner was coming?
He feared that the war might begin right here in Chongqing.
Just then, a subordinate hurried over.
“The Iron Sword Corps has arrived.”
Fifty warriors from the First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps reached the area.
Gwak Won and the warriors of the Chongqing Branch visibly relaxed.
Since the enemy was sending elite troops, they needed elites of their own.
Of course, the First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps alone could not match the Black Banner.
Even so, their arrival made it feel as though everyone could finally breathe again.
Hwang Ilbi dismounted and greeted Gwak Won.
“I am Hwang Ilbi, commander of the First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps.”
“I’m Gwak Won, leader of the Chongqing Branch.”
“What is the situation?”
“They’ll probably arrive within half an hour. The First Unit alone won’t be enough to stop them. Are there no further reinforcements?”
“They’re coming. The most reliable reinforcements we could ask for are coming.”
“Oh! Is the Secret Pavilion coming?”
“No. The Hyeoncheon Unit is on its way.”
“The Hyeoncheon Unit?”
Gwak Won’s expression stiffened.
He had heard rumors about the Hyeoncheon Unit.
It was a newly created unit led by Baek Socheon.
And it numbered barely more than twenty.
He had heard that Baek Socheon had reconciled with Ak Sogun, but that was an entirely separate matter.
What they needed right now was not a rumor that he had reconciled with the Alliance Leader.
They needed a rumor that he had recovered his martial arts.
Several Chongqing Branch warriors whispered among themselves.
“Damn it. We’re finished.”
“We’re as good as dead.”
“Why did it have to be the Hyeoncheon Unit?”
Hwang Ilbi turned toward them and shouted,
“Quiet! If it weren’t for that man, you would already be rotting underground!”
Those who had been complaining immediately shut their mouths like clams.
Hwang Ilbi was normally capable of humoring even Chungyang, but this time his anger was genuine.
He understood their fear.
But he would not tolerate them belittling Baek Socheon.
Gwak Won cautiously asked,
“Will the Hyeoncheon Unit really be enough as reinforcement?”
Hwang Ilbi answered firmly.
“Yes.”
He did not know that Baek Socheon had recovered his internal energy.
That certainty came purely from Hwang Ilbi’s faith and loyalty toward him.
“You really think so?”
“Yes. Even if the entire Heaven Defying Alliance came instead of just the Black Banner, it would be enough.”
More precisely, it was a declaration that if Baek Socheon were there, Hwang Ilbi would not mind dying alongside him.
Hwang Ilbi deployed his men.
He sent his fastest subordinates ahead as scouts and positioned the Iron Sword Corps at the front.
The Chongqing Branch warriors formed ranks behind them.
Unless circumstances were unusual, the more skilled martial artists naturally stood at the front while the weaker ones supported them from behind.
Even after moving to the rear, however, the Chongqing Branch warriors were still trembling.
“Even if they’re the Iron Sword Corps, the enemy is the Black Banner.”
“We’re far too outnumbered.”
Several men whispered, spreading anxiety among the others.
By contrast, the warriors of the First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps kept their mouths firmly shut and stared ahead.
A short while later, one of the scouts returned and reported to Hwang Ilbi.
“They should arrive within fifteen minutes.”
“How many?”
“Approximately two hundred.”
“Were there warriors from any other units mixed among them?”
“No. They all appeared to be members of the Black Banner.”
Gwak Won’s expression hardened.
Counting the First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps, they had roughly two hundred men here.
But the difference in quality was so enormous that numbers were meaningless.
If they fought, they would be annihilated.
Gwak Won shouted to a subordinate,
“Send another request for reinforcements to headquarters immediately!”
“Yes!”
The subordinate ran off.
Unlike the frantic branch warriors, Hwang Ilbi remained calm.
The First Unit of the Iron Sword Corps was equally composed, befitting an elite force.
They were uneasy inside, but every one of them was a veteran who had survived countless battles.
Then someone shouted,
“Reinforcements have arrived!”
Everyone turned.
A little over twenty horses were galloping toward them.
Gwak Won looked unimpressed, but Hwang Ilbi was delighted.
“He’s here!”
Gwak Won thought to himself,
He may have been a hero once, but why is Hwang Ilbi so eager to see a man who doesn’t even have internal energy anymore?
The Hyeoncheon Unit rode up and came to a halt.
Baek Socheon dismounted and greeted Gwak Won first.
“I’m Baek Socheon.”
“Gwak Won.”
The two exchanged greetings.
Then Gwak Won’s gaze shifted to the Hyeoncheon Unit warriors standing behind Baek Socheon.
Not only Gwak Won but all the branch warriors were startled.
The aura emanating from them was even more intense than that of the Iron Sword Corps.
Gwak Won finally understood what people meant when they said someone’s eyes were truly alive.
Those among the Hyeoncheon Unit who had formerly belonged to the Iron Sword Corps raised their hands and casually greeted their former comrades.
The Iron Sword Corps had heard many rumors about the Hyeoncheon Unit.
In particular, they had heard that their training was beyond imagination.
Looking at them now, it was obvious that these were no longer the comrades they remembered.
“You’ve arrived.”
Hwang Ilbi respectfully greeted Baek Socheon.
He had not shown it outwardly, but even Hwang Ilbi had been nervous.
Their opponent was the Black Banner, after all.
Yet the moment he saw Baek Socheon, his anxiety melted away like snow.
“What’s the situation?”
“Two hundred members of the Black Banner will arrive within fifteen minutes.”
“Two hundred? Then they’re bringing everyone.”
“Yes.”
Unless this was intended as a frontal attack, there was no reason for the entire Black Banner to move together.
This still isn’t war.
Baek Socheon believed Yeomhwasin’s claim that the war would begin in spring.
Yeomhwasin was not the sort of person who would bother lying to him about something like that.
Then this movement had to be symbolic.
Baek Socheon turned to Gwak Won.
“I’ll take command of the operation from this point onward.”
“Yes. Please do.”
Baek Socheon sensed some unease and dissatisfaction from Gwak Won, but pretended not to notice.
He deployed the troops according to the surrounding terrain.
Anyone with field experience would have nodded approvingly at the arrangement.
The Hyeoncheon Unit stood at the very front.
Behind them came the Iron Sword Corps.
The Chongqing Branch held the rear.
Standing at the very front, Beonsaeng felt as though he were dreaming.
He was currently standing there to stop the Black Banner.
Even more astonishing was the fact that the Iron Sword Corps was behind him.
We’re the vanguard.
He felt both proud and afraid.
The tension filling the area made it clear that death had drawn frighteningly close.
Fifteen minutes later, the Black Banner arrived.
The warrior at the very front carried a flag.
The black banner, emblazoned with majestic golden characters, radiated overwhelming authority.
Two hundred Black Banner warriors formed ranks before them.
The presence of each individual was extraordinary.
Even the weaker ones were comparable to warriors of the Iron Sword Corps, while the strongest exceeded members of the Hyeoncheon Unit.
If battle broke out, Baek Socheon would have no choice but to reveal that his martial arts had returned.
A suffocating silence lingered for a moment.
Then the Black Banner split apart to either side.
A single man walked out from between them.
The orthodox martial artists recoiled in horror when they recognized him.
Some even let out instinctive screams without realizing it.
“Ugh!”
The man who had emerged was none other than Yeomhwasin, Alliance Leader of the Heaven Defying Alliance.
He unleashed his presence without restraint.
A tremendous force swept over the surroundings.
Under the raging pressure, some of the more timid Chongqing Branch warriors collapsed where they stood.
Yeomhwasin looked at Baek Socheon.
“Hahaha! I knew you were smart. You knew I would come, didn’t you?”
Baek Socheon nodded.
“I thought you might.”
“This is why playing with you is so much fun. Come closer.”
Baek Socheon walked forward without hesitation.
Behind him, Hwang Ilbi quietly tried to stop him.
“Captain, it’s dangerous.”
“It’s fine. Stay where you are.”
Baek Socheon walked all the way up to Yeomhwasin.
“Your subordinates are watching. I should at least help you save some face.”
As though putting an arm around an old friend, Yeomhwasin casually rested a hand on Baek Socheon’s shoulder.
Baek Socheon immediately slapped it away.
“Hahahaha!”
Yeomhwasin burst into booming laughter.
Everyone watching stared with widened eyes.
Who else in the world could casually brush Yeomhwasin’s hand aside like that?
They watched the two men in astonishment.
Gwak Won, who had been dismissive of Baek Socheon earlier, was particularly stunned.
He had thought Baek Socheon had only been a hero once upon a time.
But he had been wrong.
Baek Socheon still stood as proudly as he had back then.
The two began walking side by side along the boundary separating their forces, almost as though they were taking a leisurely stroll.
“I heard the Blood Cult sent you a matchmaker.”
“So that’s what brought you here.”
“Well? Do you want to marry her?”
“You came all this way just to ask me that?”
“It concerns your marriage. Shouldn’t I know?”
“Are you mistaking me for your son?”
“Hahahahaha!”
Yeomhwasin’s hearty laughter thundered across the area.
The warriors on either side could not hear their conversation, but everyone heard that booming laugh.
“I really wish you were my son.”
“Enough nonsense. Why are you here? Did you come to tell me to reject their proposal?”
Yeomhwasin gave an unexpected answer.
“No. I’m not unreasonable enough to interfere in your marriage.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Our son deserves a chance too, doesn’t he?”
“What are you talking about?”
“We were the ones who sent a matchmaker to the Blood Cult first.”
“…!”
“They rejected us and sent a matchmaker to you instead. They’ve treated us like fools.”
“Then don’t tolerate it. Someone like you could wipe out the Blood Cult, couldn’t you?”
“And our Alliance would suffer enormous losses in return.”
The Blood Cult’s strength was nothing to scoff at either.
“We can’t go to war, but you youngsters can settle it among yourselves.”
“What do you mean?”
“A Martial Contest for Marriage.”
“…!”
It meant choosing a husband through martial competition.
In other words, Yeomhwasin was proposing that Baek Socheon and Yeom Sawon fight, with the marriage decided by the outcome.
“What in the world is wrong with you?”
“I heard Meol Jiryun has agreed to come to the Martial Alliance.”
As expected, Yeomhwasin had already learned even that confidential information.
“That’s right.”
“I’ll send my son as well. The three of you can gather together and settle this marriage.”
“You mean you’re going to send your son into the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“What if we take him hostage?”
“If a man wants the woman he loves, he should be willing to risk his life and fight for her.”
Right.
Even if they took Yeom Sawon hostage, Yeomhwasin would not so much as blink.
He would probably welcome the situation and find some way to use it.
Baek Socheon stopped walking and stared at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re always telling me I’m smart, but I think I must actually be an idiot. No matter how much I think about it, I cannot understand why you’re doing this.”
“I’ll send my son soon.”
“What if I refuse?”
Yeomhwasin grinned.
“You’d be better off not doing that.”
The threat was even more intimidating because he never explained what would happen if Baek Socheon refused.
Yeomhwasin raised a hand and waved once toward the orthodox martial artists before turning around.
His enormous, mountain-like body slowly strode away.
Baek Socheon watched Yeomhwasin and the Black Banner disappear into the distance amid clouds of dust.
What exactly are you plotting?
That gigantic enemy possessed an exterior that could not be broken and intentions that could not be read.
Baek Socheon returned to his own side.
Everyone was visibly relieved.
But the way they looked at him had changed.
The Hyeoncheon Unit warriors in particular were reminded once again of just how extraordinary their leader truly was.
He had simply walked over, spoken casually with Yeomhwasin, and returned.
Which other orthodox martial artist could possibly do such a thing?
Gwak Won hesitantly stepped in front of him.
He had secretly looked down on someone this extraordinary.
Baek Socheon showed no displeasure.
In truth, he was not offended at all.
His heart was broad enough to understand that such doubts were only natural.
The enemy they needed to fight was not the small shortcomings of their own comrades.
“You’ve worked hard. Please continue to do your best.”
“Ah… yes! I will.”
“Then I’ll see you again.”
Baek Socheon mounted his horse and called to Hwang Ilbi.
“We’ll head back first!”
“We’ll finish things here and follow you.”
Baek Socheon galloped away.
The Hyeoncheon Unit mounted their horses and followed behind him.
No one had been injured.
Only one thing had changed.
The weight of their loyalty toward Baek Socheon had grown heavier.