Chapter 11
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Hearing that the Alliance Leader had summoned him, Wi Jin-gyeol made his way straight to the Alliance Leader’s office.
Upon entering, he found the Alliance Leader and Direct Battalion Commander Cheon So-baek gazing out the window. As he approached them, the Alliance Leader slowly turned around. The unusual smile on the Alliance Leader’s face caused Wi Jin-gyeol to pause for a moment.
“Is… something good happening?”
“Indeed, I saw something wonderful.”
Though he didn’t understand the Alliance Leader’s words, Wi Jin-gyeol only managed an awkward smile.
“Anyway, Jin-gyeol, there’s something I wish to discuss.”
“What is it?”
He asked without thinking, but the Alliance Leader’s reply made Wi Jin-gyeol recoil in shock.
“Yeon-cheon joining the Ninth Battalion—what do you mean by that?”
Wi Jin-gyeol asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
It wasn’t unheard of for the descendants of the great families to join the Martial Alliance as members. However, the heir of a family joining the Alliance was something only found in historical records; it was rarely seen.
A family’s heir was meant to ensure its continuation, so taking on life-risking missions was considered too great a risk.
“Jin-gyeol, think rationally. It’s only a temporary position.”
Realizing Wi Jin-gyeol’s understandable concern, the Alliance Leader replied calmly.
“Yeon-cheon’s talent is extraordinary. I want him to experience real combat.”
“Even so, I find it difficult to understand.”
Seeing Wi Jin-gyeol’s firm resistance, the Alliance Leader explained even more gently.
“The Ninth Battalion’s commander is level-headed. He would never act recklessly.”
“Even the best judgment cannot remove the risk of death in battle.”
“I understand that better than anyone. But I can guarantee Yeon-cheon’s safety.”
“How can you be so certain?”
At Wi Jin-gyeol’s question, the Alliance Leader paused, his expression changing as he replied.
“Because that boy is much like me.”
“…What do you mean?”
Surprised by the Alliance Leader’s words, Wi Jin-gyeol asked for clarification. The Martial Alliance Leader exchanged a glance with him before speaking again.
“The boy has been chosen by the True Qi of Nature. He possesses the talent of a Heavenly Qi Sage.”
A Heavenly Qi Sage, one chosen by the True Qi of Nature. It was a title that had always been associated with the Martial Alliance Leader, Lee Won.
Additionally, “Heavenly Qi Sage” was a term once used to describe the great masters of the past, known for shaking the world with their unparalleled martial prowess.
“A… A Heavenly Qi Sage? Are you serious?”
“Yeon-cheon’s aura is not something confined to his body alone. He breathes as if he is one with the natural world.”
Wi Jin-gyeol was left speechless by Lee Won’s words.
More than just talent, the title of Heavenly Qi Sage represented qualities akin to those of a Grandmaster.
If, as the Alliance Leader said, Wi Yeon-cheon truly possessed the qualities of a Heavenly Qi Sage, it was certain he would not easily be put in danger.
Yet, Wi Jin-gyeol still hesitated, not wanting to send his son into such a perilous situation.
“…Even if Yeon-cheon truly is a Heavenly Qi Sage, shouldn’t his own decision matter most?”
Seeing the tremble in Wi Jin-gyeol’s eyes, the Alliance Leader nodded slightly.
“You’re right. His opinion is crucial. Summon Yeon-cheon here.”
Moments after the order was given, a young man arrived outside the office.
* * *
Wi Yeon-cheon couldn’t hide his surprise at what he heard from the Alliance Leader.
“A… a member of the Ninth Battalion? Are you serious?”
“Ha ha, why would I lie to you?”
Caught off guard, he glanced toward his father, who remained silent.
“But I never expressed an intention to join the Alliance…”
“Exactly. Which is why a temporary position will suffice.”
Wi Yeon-cheon found it even harder to comprehend the Alliance Leader’s next words.
‘A member is a member—what is this about a temporary member?’
Sensing Wi Yeon-cheon’s thoughts, the Alliance Leader smiled slyly.
“Perhaps ‘support’ would be a better term than ‘temporary member.’”
“Support?”
“Yes, support. The Ninth Battalion currently lacks a member, yet they have an important mission ahead.”
In short, the Martial Alliance Leader, Lee Won, was asking Wi Yeon-cheon to fill the vacant spot in the Ninth Battalion for the upcoming critical mission.
“If it’s such an important mission, wouldn’t another Alliance member be more suitable than me?” Wi Yeon-cheon asked.
The Alliance Leader shook his head, replying, “No, you are the most suitable.”
“Why do you say that?” Yeon-cheon pressed.
After a brief glance at Wi Jin-gyeol’s eyes, the Alliance Leader smiled at Yeon-cheon. “Because the Ninth Battalion’s mission is to track down the Blood Blade Demon.”
Both Wi Jin-gyeol and Yeon-cheon looked at the Alliance Leader in surprise; this was news even to Jin-gyeol.
“Don’t look so shocked. I’ll explain in detail.”
The Alliance Leader picked up a document from the table.
“We were able to gather information about the Blood Blade Demon faster than expected. Killers claiming to be the Blood Blade Demon have been appearing all over Jianghu.”
Wi Jin-gyeol tilted his head in confusion at the mention of “all over Jianghu.”
Seeing this, the Alliance Leader nodded, understanding the disbelief. “I was curious myself. How could one person appear in so many places?”
With narrowed eyes hinting at his killing intent, he glanced back at the document.
“I believe there’s an organization raising these Blood Blade Demons.”
“What?!”
Wi Jin-gyeol, who had been listening in silence, spoke out with anger. The Alliance Leader, acknowledging the wrath of the former Demon Slayer Commander, continued.
“And all the rumors about the Blood Blade Demon seem to lead back to one place.”
By now, both Wi Jin-gyeol and Yeon-cheon were completely focused on the Alliance Leader.
“It’s the Ghost Cry Group.”
With that, the Alliance Leader handed over the document, filled with detailed information on the Ghost Cry Group.
Just from a single lead on the Blood Blade Demon, the Martial Alliance’s intelligence network had uncovered extensive details about the Ghost Cry Group’s base.
“Throughout Jianghu…” Wi Jin-gyeol read. The group had left traces not only in Hunan, where the Wi family resided, but also in Hubei, Jiangsu, and Shandong. It was as if they had spread across all of the Central Plains.
As the Demon Slayer Commander swiftly scanned the document with a steely gaze, ready to speak, Yeon-cheon interrupted him with a calm observation.
“Their main base is likely in Hubei.”
“Hubei? What makes you think that?”
The Alliance Leader listened intently as Yeon-cheon continued.
“Though the Wudang Sect and the Jegal Family are based there, Hubei is also surrounded by tall mountains. I heard that in the past, remnants of the Demonic Cult couldn’t easily infiltrate Hubei.”
“True.”
“Yet this document states that rumors of the Blood Blade Demon are now circulating within Hubei itself. Additionally, Hubei is near both the Yangtze River and, across Shanxi and Hunan, the Yellow River as well.”
“So, they’ve used the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers to spread throughout Jianghu?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“So you believe the Ghost Cry Group is somewhere in the mountains of Hubei?”
“Yes.”
“But if that’s the case, wouldn’t that mean we have to search the entirety of Hubei?”
As the two seasoned warriors focused their attention on him, Yeon-cheon, undeterred, continued.
“The Ghost Cry Group is probably situated in northern Hubei.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because it’s closest to Shanxi and Hunan.”
“Hmm?”
Shanxi, known as the home of the Three Great Sword Sects—Mount Hua, Zhongnan, and Wudang—was also close to Shaolin and the Martial Alliance in Hunan. It seemed counterintuitive to suggest the Ghost Cry Group would be near such powerful factions.
“You mean ‘hidden under the light’?”
After a moment’s thought, Yeon-cheon nodded in response to the Alliance Leader’s question.
“The people might feel safest there, with the Nine Schools in the west and the Alliance to the east. The Ghost Cry Group may feel the same.”
“But why? We could invade that location at any moment.”
Wi Yeon-cheon pointed to the center of the document with a sly smile.
“That’s why there are no rumors about the Blood Blade Demon in the northern part of Hubei.”
After Yeon-cheon’s explanation, the Alliance Leader looked at Wi Jin-gyeol with a gentle smile, as if to say he had never doubted his own judgment. Wi Jin-gyeol, however, could only return an awkward smile in response.
“Jin-gyeol, what do you think?”
“I agree with my son.”
“Ha ha, so your son truly possesses both intellect and martial prowess.”
Wi Yeon-cheon glanced back and forth between his father and the Alliance Leader before he spoke again.
“Then, will you dispatch the Ninth Division there?”
“It seems so.”
Yeon-cheon, preparing to say something more, met his father’s gaze—one filled with worry. Seeing that look, he closed his mouth, but Jin-gyeol, unable to hold back any longer, nodded.
“Alliance Leader, please allow Yeon-cheon to join the Ninth Division.”
“Father…”
“It’s all right. I can see in your eyes that you’re already there.”
His father forced a smile, attempting to ease his own concerns. Although following his father’s wishes was the right thing, Yeon-cheon’s heart felt otherwise.
“Thank you.”
Standing up, Yeon-cheon respectfully clasped his hands in a martial salute toward his father, honoring him as a warrior.
The Alliance Leader, I Won, who had been watching both Jin-gyeol and Yeon-cheon, spoke with a warm smile.
“Even if it’s temporary, becoming a member of the Ninth Division means you should meet the Division Captain, don’t you think?”
“You mean the Ninth Division Captain?”
“Yes.”
The thought of meeting the Division Captain—the renowned sword of the Martial Alliance—set Yeon-cheon’s heart racing.
“I would be honored.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
Shortly after, the Ninth Division Captain, summoned by the Alliance Leader, entered the hall, his expression tense.
‘So, this is the Captain of the Ninth Division…’
His hands rough and calloused, the Captain clasped them together, offering a respectful bow. His respectful attitude left a strong impression on Yeon-cheon.
“Captain Gun Heon-woo greets the Alliance Leader and the Commander.”
“It’s been a while, Captain Gun.”
“There’s no need to call me ‘Commander’ anymore.”
In contrast to the warm welcome of the two senior men, Gun Heon-woo maintained a stiff expression. Despite his serious demeanor, the energy radiating from him was remarkable.
Like Jeong Myeo-yeon, he exuded the presence of a Supreme Boundary martial artist. The razor-sharp energy wrapped around his body seemed to affirm his title as the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Division.
Approaching Gun Heon-woo, Yeon-cheon gave a respectful martial salute.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Captain.”
“Pardon? Oh, I’m Gun Heon-woo.”
Unaware of the full situation, Gun Heon-woo returned the gesture with politeness.
“Haha, Captain, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with him.”
To Heon-woo, the young man standing alongside the Alliance Leader and the Demon Slayer Commander was unmistakably someone from a prestigious family, hence his courtesy. But hearing that formality wasn’t necessary left him slightly puzzled.
“This boy will temporarily join the Ninth Division.”
“…Excuse me?”
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