Chapter 19: Mission 1

The day after Baek Moo-jin had to drink for the first time in a long while. The mood within the North Heaven Alliance, which had easily identified the warriors of the Danmok Sword Clan, was heavy and somber.

By the Alliance Leader’s order, over a dozen Danmokgeumga warriors knelt bound.

After summoning all the martial artists of the North Heaven Alliance, Alliance Leader Gu Yanghu arrived without delay, ascended the dais, and looked down upon the gathered members.

Judging by the situation, the Danmokgeumga warriors seemed to have no hope of survival. Warriors of the Mokgeomdae, their faces concealed, stood at the rear of those kneeling, swords in hand, waiting.

Breaking the heavy silence, Gu Yanghou spoke.

“Dan Mok-heon, the elder of the Alliance I saw yesterday, entered the rear courtyard and attempted rebellion before being killed. These are the Dan Mok Sword Clan members who followed Dan Mok-heon and instigated the affair. Black Sword Corps Commander.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Execute them.”

Taking that as their signal, the Black Sword members waiting behind drew their swords with a sharp clang. At the Black Sword Master’s command, flashes of sword light erupted, and the Danmu Sword Clan warriors, gagged and bound, fell one after another.

In an instant, the stench of blood began to rise, and Baek Moo-jin, watching, swallowed hard.

‘Huh…’

But the words that followed from Gu Yanghou were even more chilling.

“The Sword Squadron and Demon-Slaying Squadron, effective immediately, attack the Danmokgeum Clan under the command of your captains. Leave not a single dog alive, regardless of reason. Kill them all and return to the camp.”

Startled by Gu Yang-hu’s command, the War Sword Squadron Commander and Demon-Slaying Squadron Commander exchanged glances before responding without delay.

“Commander of the Sword Squadron, we receive your orders.”

“Demon-Slaying Squad Leader, we obey.”

Strange expressions washed over the faces of the sect members. The Danmok Sword Sect was not a black-cloaked faction. Moreover, Danmok Heon was not the sect leader; it was a man named Danmok Pyeong. Without any explanation of the situation, the order to send out both organizations to wipe them out left the sect members bewildered. But who dared refuse such an order? As the Sword Extermination Corps and Demon-Slaying Corps withdrew, only silence hung heavy in the air.

Gu Yanghou’s orders did not stop there.

“The branch chiefs of the Dongcheon Branch and Seogwang Branch have been summoned multiple times on suspicion of bribery, yet they have failed to appear for over a hundred days, using work as an excuse. Therefore, an inspector will be dispatched to investigate the situation at each branch, and each branch chief will be escorted back to the headquarters. First-class courier, Lee Jeong-nam.”

“Yes, Lord.”

After Lee Jeong-nam, a warrior under the Mansion Lord, responded, Gu Yang-hu continued.

“You are appointed as the inspector dispatched to the Dongcheon Branch. Select the necessary personnel and escort the Dongcheon Branch Chief back. If they resist, summary execution is permitted.”

Lee Jeong-nam saluted and answered.

“I receive your orders.”

But the next order was astonishing. Gu Yanghou looked at Baek Moo-jin and said.

“First-Class Military Officer Baek Moo-jin.”

Baek Moo-jin blinked, unaware his name had been called. Then someone beside him tapped Baek Moo-jin.

Gu Yanghu called out to Baek Moo-jin again.

“Baek Moo-jin.”

Startled, Baek Moo-jin answered.

“Yes, Lord.”

As Baek Moo-jin answered, startled glances rippled through the crowd. Some were seeing him for the first time, while others were stunned that someone called a top-tier martial artist was present.

Gu Yanghu quelled the commotion and continued.

“Baek Moo-jin is appointed as the Inspector dispatched to the Seogwang Branch. Select the necessary personnel after consulting with the Chief of the Executive Bureau, and depart before noon. Your mission is identical to Lee Jeong-nam’s. If they refuse transport, you may cut off their heads.”

Baek Moo-jin swallowed hard before responding.

“I accept the order.”

Gu Yanghou swept an imposing glance around the room and briefly outlined the future plan.

“The rest of the organization is to prepare weapons and stand by, ready to move at any moment. We will strike the Iron Blood Sect next. Keep your mouths shut to prevent leaks that could lead to capture and execution. The Silver Shadow Pavilion will dispatch an advance team to scout the Iron Blood Sect’s vicinity, while the Military Council will report on Black Path movements. The remaining mid-level officers will gather to plan operations and then separately request a strategy meeting with me. Dismissed.”

At Gu Yang-hu’s words, the entire North Heaven Alliance responded with a thunderous chorus.

“We obey your orders!”

Only after Gu Yanghu entered the Alliance Leader’s Chamber did murmurs begin to flow freely among the senior commanders.

“What? Attack the Iron Blood Sect?”

“Did I hear that correctly?”

“Shh! Can’t you all keep quiet! They’re a faction we have to strike anyway.”

“You’ve all been living quite comfortably these past days. Isn’t this what the North Heaven Alliance was meant to be? Good riddance! Better this way!”

It had been over a hundred days since Lord Guyang took office as the new leader. And a half-year gap had followed the previous leader’s death by poison. It was a bolt from the blue for the North Heaven Alliance, which had grown lax to the point of complacency.

But the Iron Blood Sect, one of the North Heaven Alliance’s most formidable adversaries, was a group the Alliance would eventually have to deal with.

Just how much damage would they suffer?

No one knew.

At this moment, every warrior of the North Heaven Alliance had one enemy on their mind.

Guan Minggang, leader of the Iron Blood Sect.

A renowned powerhouse even within the underworld, his nickname was Bloodwind Axe.

His nickname came from the bloodstorm that followed whenever he wielded his massive axe. He was so renowned that the Iron Blood Sect was practically synonymous with Guan Mingjiang.

In a clash of factions, the North Heaven Alliance held no disadvantage. The question, however, was whether the current leader, Duke Gu Yang, could truly defeat Guan Mingjiang.

Even within the North Heaven Alliance, the true extent of Gu Yanghou’s abilities was not widely known.

2.

Baek Moo-jin addressed the Chief Executioner, Woo Tae-jeong.

“How many men should I take?”

“Hmm. It’s tricky since we’re not attacking the entire Seogwang Branch. Technically, we only need to escort the branch chief, but he might lead his men in resistance. First, I’ll relay the Alliance Leader’s orders…”

Wu Taizheng paused mid-sentence, his gaze fixed on Baek Moo-jin.

“Ah, before that, I should explain about this mercenary named Yi Jeong-nam. Before joining the Bukcheon Alliance, he was practically a killer, roaming around slaying masters of the Black Path. That sort of man is going to be an inspector. Do you understand what I mean?”

Baek Moo-jin clicked his tongue in response.

“They call it escorting him, but it’s really a death sentence, isn’t it?”

“He knows exactly what will happen once he arrives at the North Heaven Alliance. Whether he tries to escape or resists… It’s far more dangerous than you might think.”

“Well, I’ll try my best to escort him for now.”

Woo Tae-jeong nodded and said.

“Dispatch ten veteran members from the Sword Corps to go.”

“Too many might actually make it harder. Just one escort should suffice.”

“You want to take someone with you to the Seogwang Branch?”

“Yes, I’m an inspector anyway. Rather than acting intimidating right away… I’ll assess the situation and handle it. Sending fewer people won’t cause misunderstandings, so that’s preferable.”

Woo Tae-jeong stared blankly at Baek Moo-jin.

‘Then again, his martial arts are above first-class martial artist level, so no matter how much the Seogwang Branch Chief might run wild…’

Woo Tae-jeong nodded.

“So be it. If it’s just one person, it’s better to assign a first-class martial artist.”

As Woo Tae-jeong spoke as if granting a favor, Baek Moo-jin cut him off.

“Assign the fifth-rank martial artist Seo Mun-geuk, who is on standby. Two should suffice. To prevent any leaks, we’ll depart immediately once ready.”

“Ah, Seo Mun-geuk?”

As Baek Moo-jin said, he was a martial artist still on standby. He hadn’t even been officially assigned yet, and rumors circulated that Seo Mun-geuk was too skilled to remain at the fifth rank. Woo Tae-jeong thought it wasn’t a bad choice.

“Exactly. I’ll send word.”

“Thank you.”

3.

“Wh-wh-wh-what?”

“Seo Moon-gyeok, get ready quickly. I’ve been assigned the Inspector General’s duties. You’re the Deputy Inspector General.”

“Why, why, why me of all people?”

“I recommended you.”

“Why! Why! For what reason! What for! Why pick someone who’s resting peacefully!”

Seo Moon-geuk erupted in anger when told he had to leave for the Seogwang Branch unexpectedly. He was in the middle of a well-deserved rest, so the shock was inevitable. Moreover, from what he vaguely heard about the mission, it wasn’t an easy task. If things went wrong, it could mean Seo Moon-geuk and Baek Moo-jin would have to take down the Seogwang Branch Chief themselves.

Seo Mun-geuk grumbled.

“It’s bothersome, dangerous, exhausting…!”

Baek Moo-jin spoke with a serious expression.

“Brother Seomun, I’m a newcomer to the martial world, aren’t I? Honestly, if I were told to go alone, I wouldn’t even be able to find the Seogwang Branch. Brother Seomun, you’re brilliant in strategy, quick-witted, and your martial arts are actually quite formidable, aren’t they? For the Dongcheon Branch, a top-tier martial artist named Yi Jeong-nam is going as the inspector, accompanied by over ten sword guards as his assistants. But I specifically recommended only you, Brother Seo-mun. Executive Director Woo Tae-jeong insisted I mobilize over ten men to go too. So, do you know what I said?”

Seo Mun-geuk, hooked by Baek Moo-jin’s words, asked back with a flustered expression.

“What did you say?”

Baek Moo-jin continued in his usual serious expression and solemn tone.

“I said one inspector, Seo Mun-geuk, is sufficient. Brother Seo Mun and I alone can carry out this mission splendidly. When I said that, he replied, ‘Is that so?’ So I said, ‘Since the original plan was to assemble a team of over ten inspectors, please provide me and Inspector Seo Mun-geuk with support commensurate with that scale. We will accomplish the mission reliably.’ That’s what I said.”

“Huh… And then what did the Chief of the Enforcement Bureau say?”

“Isn’t Seo Mun-geuk a Fifth-Rank Guest? That’s what he said.”

As soon as Baek Moo-jin said this, Seo Mun-geuk flushed with anger. Baek Moo-jin continued.

“So I made it perfectly clear. Brother Seo Mun absolutely possesses abilities far beyond those of a Fifth-Rank Warrior. Moreover, his wit and strategic acumen are exceptional…”

“Enough! Enough! Where did you learn to spout such honeyed nonsense? You’re a rotten little brother.”

Baek Moo-jin smiled faintly, and Seo Moon-geuk grunted.

“When are we leaving?”

“Right now.”

“Haa…”

Seo Mun-geuk clutched his forehead. He was belatedly regretting that he should never have taken Baek Moo-jin as his younger brother. Amidst this, Baek Moo-jin drove the point home.

“I’ll go wherever you lead me.”

“He goes back and forth, back and forth… I really misjudged him.”

Baek Moo-jin smiled. It wasn’t a joke, actually. He thought it would be far more efficient to travel with Seo Moon-geuk, who unexpectedly possessed sharp qualities, than to be swarmed by a bunch of incompetent sword guards.

When Seo Mun-geuk said he’d go inside to pack his things, Baek Moo-jin followed and asked.

“But where exactly is the Seogwang Branch?”

Seo Mun-geuk sighed.

“You’re the kind of person who’d just follow along even if I guided you to the Wudang Sect. I’ll lead the way, so just stick close.”

Baek Moo-jin then patted Seo Mun-geuk on the back and said.

“As expected of Brother Seomun. The great Ximen family…”

“Now, now. It is the Great Ximen Clan, but it keeps sounding sarcastic. Stop it.”

“Understood.”

Seo Mun-geuk glared, and Baek Moo-jin gave him a thumbs-up.