NOVPUB"And me?"
With the faint light of dawn, a young girl peeked into the room.
She slipped in stealthily, like a cat, pushing open the door to Jeong Yeon-shin’s quarters. For a moment, he thought it was Shin Bin-bin and almost struck out.
But her eyes were larger. It was Shin So-bin, his direct junior.
Shin Bin-bin and Shin So-bin. Although the sisters had diverged in their paths—Bin-bin joining the Shunchun Wing and So-bin remaining with Ma Gwang-ik—they had both trained together as children within the Shin family.
Their presences were similar. If Jeong Yeon-shin had been deeper in his meditation, he might have truly lashed out.
Having just finished his breathing exercises, Jeong unfolded his legs from their meditative position and stood.
It’s time.
Everyone would be gathered as promised.
"Seomye sunbae, what about me?"
Shin So-bin trailed after him all the way to Ma Gwang-ik’s pavilion.
Even as Ma Gwang-ik’s unranked disciples lined up to see Jeong off, her gaze never left his face.
"Brother, make sure to beat them all!"
"If any Sichuan bumpkins get in the way, cut them down! Show them just how incredible Ma Gwang-gyeol was!"
"And bring back the others, too. I miss Ming-myeong and Chang Orabeoni..."
Her voice trembled as she mentioned Cheongmyeong and Hyeon Won-chang. Cheongmyeong had been with Ma Gwang-ik for a long time, earning the nickname Ming Orabeoni for his noble appearance and friendly demeanor.
Hyeon Won-chang, known for his easygoing personality, was also dearly missed.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently glanced over the children before stepping out.
As he did, Shin So-bin lightly grabbed his sleeve, trailing behind him.
"Please take me with you. I can help, I promise."
"You need to stay and take care of the others."
His answer was calm, but Shin So-bin’s expression drooped.
Tae Yeom-ryong, walking beside Jeong, chimed in.
"Wasn't your role to act as a caretaker? Watching over the kids’ martial arts training and all that. You know, the youngest always gets stuck with those chores... Oh, just talking to myself here."
"What did you say?!"
"The so-called caretaker is practically a fully grown woman."
"What was that?!"
As the two bickered, Jeong Yeon-shin kept walking without pause.
Before long, they arrived at the main gate of Ipwang Fortress, where two figures approached them from the Shunchun Wing.
It was Namgung Hwa-shin and Shin Bin-bin.
"Bin-bin. How far do you intend to follow us?"
Namgung Hwa-shin turned to her with a calm expression. However, Shin Bin-bin seemed unbothered.
"To Sichuan, gaga."
"The younger disciples must have tried to stop you."
"If I’ve decided to go, what can they do? I’ve arranged for the family to send attendants and martial guards to care for them. I’ve done my part, haven’t I? No reason to worry."
Her face was arrogant, but her haughty demeanor didn’t last.
As Jeong Yeon-shin drew closer, Shin Bin-bin’s complexion turned pale.
In an instant, a torrent of emotions flashed across her face—fear, helplessness, and even a faint blush of shame.
Jeong Yeon-shin suspected Namgung Hwa-shin had told her the truth about what had happened.
There was no need for further words. Jeong gave Namgung Hwa-shin a slight bow.
"Namgung So-hyeop."
"Jeong So-hyeop."
Namgung Hwa-shin returned the gesture and spoke again.
"You will be the leader of this task force. Discipline must be upheld. If any of our Shunchun Wing warriors show insubordination during the mission, I will personally deal with them."
Despite his upright nature, Namgung Hwa-shin was not weak. His tone was sharp, like a honed blade.
Shin Bin-bin, standing beside him, kept her head bowed and offered no further reaction.
"...Understood."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied briefly before walking past them.
As he did, Shin So-bin glanced curiously at her sister’s unusually subdued expression, while Tae Yeom-ryong studied Namgung Hwa-shin with a peculiar look.
"It’s been a while."
"It has." 𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
It was said that Cheonggirin Namgung Se-jin had been a close friend of Tae Yeom-ryong. Namgung Hwa-shin and Tae Yeom-ryong seemed to have some familiarity as well.
Jeong Yeon-shin wondered how Tae Yeom-ryong felt about Namgung Se-jin’s death but set the thought aside for now.
Whoosh—
The open view ahead revealed a striking spectacle of gathered energies.
As Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward, his presence and energy made themselves known.
The warriors of Seomye Ilmaek were all assembled, even earlier than the appointed time.
The sturdy warhorses snorted and stamped, already prepared for departure.
"Zongshi."
"You’ve arrived."
Their salutes were precise, like the workings of a finely tuned mechanism.
The synchronized motion of clasped hands and bowed heads resembled the legendary Bronze Men of the Eighteen Arhat Formation at Shaolin Temple.
Even without deep knowledge, one could sense the gravity of their respect.
"Hmm. Truly impressive," murmured Grand Commander Im Jin-myeong.
It wasn’t just the warriors who had gathered. Officials from the command center had come to see off the rescue team as well.
Last night, when Jeong Yeon-shin had returned with the list of personnel, the command center had conditionally approved the mission, still uncertain of the roster’s legitimacy.
"If the names on this list are accurate, we’ll recognize it as an official task force," they had said.
"Seomye Martial Vein..."
Grand Commander Im Jin-myeong stroked his beard as he gazed at the assembled warriors.
An unusual event was unfolding.
While Ipwang Fortress had seen its fair share of warriors, it was rare for so many to unite under a single leader.
The Grand Commander turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.
"Jeong So-hyeop."
"Yes, Grand Commander."
"When you return with them intact, and if your accomplishments and merits continue to grow..."
What vision crossed his mind?
For a moment, a glint seemed to flash in the Grand Commander’s eyes, but he trailed off, shaking his head.
"We won’t burden you with expectations. I formally authorize your mission."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin responded promptly. The Grand Commander smiled faintly.
"As this is an interim task force, we’ll name it Hwanikdae—the Returning Wings Unit—in hopes of Ma Gwang-ik’s safe return. The primary goal is his rescue, but should that prove impossible, identifying the culprits will suffice. Both objectives will be documented."
"Both will be achieved."
Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice was calm, yet there was a chilling edge that made a few nearby officials shudder.
In truth, Jeong Yeon-shin had a third goal in mind—revenge.
The Grand Commander nodded without further comment.
"Proving the fortress's resilience is just as important. Whether this unparalleled prodigy succeeds or falls in the harsh lands of Sichuan remains to be seen..."
Jeong Yeon-shin was already a Blue Rank warrior. He had reached a level where he could operate independently.
Moreover, he was forging a new martial lineage.
While the command center could authorize his missions, they no longer had the authority to dictate his actions.
His position had risen immeasurably.
The Grand Commander turned, watching the retreating figure of Seomye.
Gradually, more warriors fell in line behind him.
The rustling of their robes and the clinking of the swords at their waists filled the air.
It was a scene brimming with solemn elegance.
"Jeong So-hyeop."
"...?"
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced back slightly. The Grand Commander spoke once more.
"The Lord of the Fortress is currently in Beijing but sent a message for his disciple. It arrived early this morning."
"...Please relay it."
"Here it is."
From within his robes, the Grand Commander produced a rolled parchment and tossed it toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
It flew straight, propelled by internal energy.
The warriors of Seomye Ilmaek instinctively stepped aside.
Jeong Yeon-shin caught it and unfurled the parchment.
The characters were written in an elegant haeseo script—neat yet flowing.
"Imbue intent into the currents you create. If you breathe with Divine Art, your sword shall ascend to its rightful rank."
"..."
For a moment, the melodious voice of his master seemed to echo in his ears. It was an uncanny feeling.
"What does it say?"
Tae Yeom-ryong, peeking over his shoulder, asked, only to have his hair yanked back by Shin So-bin.
Though her actions were rough, her eyes held a melancholy glimmer as she spoke.
"Seomye sunbae, come back safely."
"I will."
With the Fortress Lord’s second teaching in hand, Jeong Yeon-shin turned and began his march. The mission had finally begun.
***
Thud, thud, thud!
The sound of horse hooves echoed like thunder. It was a familiar noise, having accompanied them for over fifteen days atop their warhorses.
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yeon-shin patted the neck of his foaming-at-the-mouth steed, soothing it for its service. At the same time, he kicked off its back, leaping into the air.
It was time to switch modes of travel. The treacherous terrain of Sichuan demanded agility now, and lightfoot techniques were more efficient.
Thump!
The ground beneath him bore the imprint of his foot as he landed.
Behind him, the warriors who had dismounted followed his lead, taking to the air and transitioning seamlessly into lightfoot movement.
“We’re close.”
The thought crossed Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind.
They were crossing the Juzhou Prefecture of Sichuan Province, meaning they had already reached the province’s borders from Huguang in the east.
Throughout the journey, they had changed horses ceaselessly. The last set of exhausted steeds had been abandoned just short of the final relay station.
Thump! Thump!
Their relentless strides tore across the ground, swift and decisive.
Jeong infused the movements Cheongmyeong had taught him into his lightfoot technique. His steps carved through the air like a gale, propelling him forward at remarkable speed.
The martial aura of the elite following him was equally dazzling. They were the warriors of Ipwang Fortress’s Hwanikdae.
Ever since they had entered the rugged paths of Sichuan, rumors had begun to spread.
“Look there! Warriors from Ipwang Fortress are cutting through Sichuan like a storm!”
"Hey, interim commander."
Tae Yeom-ryong appeared at Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, speaking casually even as he effortlessly maintained pace.
Despite the rigorous nature of their lightfoot techniques, Tae Yeom-ryong’s demeanor was relaxed, a testament to the seemingly inexhaustible power of his Solar Divine Pulse and his mastery of Hwangbo Clan’s supreme martial arts.
"Speak."
"We’ll be arriving soon, but there’s something you should know beforehand."
"Go on."
Jeong’s response was terse. Tae Yeom-ryong chuckled faintly.
"Alright, since you’re being so accommodating, I’ll be blunt. This is about my rather pitiful circumstances."
"..."
"As you know, my blasted clan caused quite a stir and ended up being charged with treason by Ipwang Fortress. Under normal circumstances, someone like me—next in line for the clan leadership—shouldn’t have survived."
Jeong Yeon-shin had wondered about that himself.
No matter how promising Tae Yeom-ryong’s future might have seemed, he had been a marked man, his death almost a certainty. The fact that he had survived was no small miracle.
"I was captured and spent my days waiting to die, but somehow, I made it out alive. The thing is, my position is still precarious. Honestly, how many in Ipwang Fortress truly trust me? They follow the orders of the Fortress Lord, not me. Living a life of suspicion with only a short time left—it’s not exactly delightful."
"...And?"
"I have to prove my worth. To you, Seomye-nauri."
Tae Yeom-ryong’s grin deepened as he glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin’s profile.
"No matter what I do, don’t be surprised."
"..."
It wasn’t until half a day later that Jeong Yeon-shin understood what Tae Yeom-ryong had meant.
When Hwanikdae reached the cliff where Ma Gwang-ik’s trail had vanished, a group of beggars was waiting for them.
"Welcome. We’ve been expecting you."
One of the beggars, a greasy-faced youth, stood and greeted them. The smell of roasted meat clung to him.
But none of the Hwanikdae warriors dared to underestimate him. At his waist hung a rope tied with six knots.
"Six Knots. He’s a minor lord of the Beggars’ Sect, Zongshi. That one is a Hugae," Hong Joo-geum whispered from behind Jeong Yeon-shin.
The Beggars’ Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, was a faction composed of beggars who had mastered martial arts and created an unparalleled intelligence network across the realm.
"Yesterday, the Tang Clan’s twin prodigies passed through, and today, Ipwang Fortress’s imperial blades have arrived."
The Hugae spread his arms theatrically as he spoke.
When the words "imperial blades" fell from the beggar’s lips, they were far from complimentary.
The Ming Dynasty and Ipwang Fortress officially denied any association, making the phrase a veiled insult.
But Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t interested in verbal sparring.
"Tang Clan?"
He recalled the command center’s report.
Traces of Ma Gwang-ik’s presence had reportedly been found alongside evidence of the Tang Clan’s techniques.
The legendary Mancheonhwa-u technique—known throughout the martial world—was among the clues.
"Oh, Bai Qilin and Tae Yeom-ryong too. So the rumors were true. Bai Qilin is even more handsome than described, and Tae Yeom-ryong’s poppies look fresh as ever."
The Hugae smiled slyly as his gaze swept over Hwanikdae. His tone and mannerisms made it hard to discern his true intentions.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes darkened.
Then it happened.
Smack!
The back of the Hugae’s head snapped forward. Tae Yeom-ryong had silently appeared beside him and was now speaking in a low voice.
"So, who are these Tang prodigies? And what brought them here?"
"What the—"
The Hugae’s indignant outburst was cut off mid-sentence as Tae Yeom-ryong’s palm struck his head again.
This time, the air around them rippled with heat as Tae Yeom-ryong’s aura surged.
Boom!
The Hugae slammed into the ground like a frog, his protective energy shattered in an instant.
The tremors from the impact reverberated through the earth.
Tae Yeom-ryong squatted beside the fallen Hugae.
"Poppy enthusiasts like me tend to misplace their strikes, don’t they? Is this your first time seeing it?"
He grinned mischievously as he spoke.
This was just the beginning.
Hwanikdae had arrived in Sichuan’s martial society, their blades sharpened for vengeance.
