66 - Goodwill (1) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

The inauguration ceremony ended with an unexpected encounter. Two more days had passed since then, and a serious atmosphere enveloped the first training hall of the Yongbongdan. "I'll introduce myself again. From today onwards, I, Kang Soso, will be in charge of your training." Yeom Soso greeted them with a bright smile, to which Mok Riwon responded with a pretty smile of her own. She was recalling the incident from two days ago. -There's no need to tell Baekun yet. It's actually better that way. They can see you without prejudice, and make a proper judgment when your identity is revealed. Yeom Soso's words had become a guiding light for Mok Riwon, who had been lost, and gratitude unavoidably surfaced in her gaze towards him. Dang Hwa-Seo tilted his head but soon dismissed the attitude. After all, being a former master on the frontlines of the Blood Spies was an achievement enough to command respect from Mok Riwon's perspective. “Now, as you've heard, I will teach you the basics of undercover operations. Can each of you tell me what you think is most important in undercover work?” Yeom Soso prompted, and Dang Hwa-Seo was the first to speak up, his speech organized. "Manipulation of identity and face, and fabricating the circumstances of how you came to be in the undercover area." "Excellent. What about the others?" "I think it's important to become close with the local residents." Jegal San said, with a characteristic weasel-like smile on his face. "The rumors circulating among the locals can be quite a source of good information." Kang Ho mentioned, hinting at the core aspect of being undercover in his role as a strange dragon. Yeom Soso smiled contentedly. "Aha, maybe it's because you're that brat Jegal, but your head is exceptionally clear." "That's too much praise." "Then, who's next?" Suddenly, silence hung in the air. The remaining four members hesitated, watching each other, engulfed in silence. Yeom Soso tilted his head, and a sigh leaked from Dang Hwa-Seo. Amid the situation, Namgung Jincheon boldly spoke up. "Erasing all witnesses." "You don't think making sure there are no witnesses is part of undercover missions?" “...” He sank into silence. Yeom Soso laughed heartily. "You're so much like your grandfather." It was uncertain whether that was an insult or a compliment. Namgung Jincheon plunged into deep contemplation over it. Amidst this, Il Woon spoke. "Um, I think it's best to hide one's power. By making the enemy let down their guard and drawing them in, then capturing and interrogating them..." "Sounds plausible, but are you actually a monk?" “...” Il Woon sank into silence. At this, Hye Woon laughed out loud, and Yeom Soso turned to look at her. Hye Woon shrugged and said. "I'd resort to using beauty. After all, aren't men known to become talkative in bed?" Yeom Soso had many thoughts but ended up saying none of them. He chose to ignore her comment. "...Well then, what do you think, Mokryong?" Warmth filled Yeom Soso's face for the first time. Emboldened by this, Mok Riwon confidently shouted. "One must wear a cloak and bamboo hat! Black would be even better! Ah! And when smiling, only lift the corners of the mouth! That way, it looks more dignified!" Of course, the words that came out were far from normal. Mok Riwon was thoroughly giving an answer suited for 'The Tales of the Jianghu Heroes'. Dang Hwa-Seo covered his bright red face with his hands. "...I'm sorry." Though it was unclear what he was apologizing for, Dang Hwa-Seo indeed felt sorry and embarrassed. Yeom Soso quietly smiled. "Everyone, onto your stomachs and stretch out." Yeom Soso thought. The mission will be assigned within a month at the latest. To train them quickly, there was nothing better than a bamboo stick. * Yeom Soso's training had its harsh aspects. Dang Hwa-Seo and Jegal San, who already had some foundations, were spared, but the remaining four experienced a training situation akin to walking on a tightrope between life and death. Mostly, it was scenario playing. Yeom Soso would pretend to be an old woman of the village and engaged the members in conversation. Whenever their actions did not fit the situation, he would shoot dull-ended flying daggers at them. They were not for intimidation. Actually, Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon, who gave the most incorrect answers, had their entire bodies bruised and swollen. Yeom Soso exclaimed in wonder. "...Perhaps you all should just keep your mouths shut." Still, it seemed their qualities were excellent, but how could their actions be so uniformly foolish? No, it was an error to say they were the same. The part where Mok Riwon erred was always during conversations. Mok Riwon excitedly blurted out her objectives. Where Namgung Jincheon erred was in situations requiring pacification of the other party. Namgung Jincheon did not know how to bow. "Mokryong might be understandable, but why are you like this, Geomryong? You should've been educated in manners from a young age." "The successor of Namgung does not bow." "Right, I forgot. That thunderhead Namgung Hyuk probably didn't provide proper education." "Are you insulting the Supreme Head?" "That's an insult, you fool." Namgung Jincheon's eyes bulged. "Why are you glaring like that? What, do you want to duel to the death?" Namgung Jincheon's gaze lowered. 'I can't win yet.' Namgung Jincheon knew that someday he would become stronger than that old woman, but he also understood that if he fought now, he would inevitably lose. It was a realization he had come to during the final match at the Yongbong branch. Always humble, always striving for improvement. Namgung Jincheon harbored a deep resolution to repay this humiliation manifold someday. He was someone who never showed mercy, even towards the elderly. Yeom Soso heaved a deep sigh. His gaze was directed towards where Dang Hwa-Seo was, apologizing with his face covered. "...I'm sorry." Of course, he himself didn't know what he was apologizing for. * The training had continued for three days now. Although they were mostly operating within the Yongbong group, the time was approaching for them to start working as a part of the Martial Alliance. It wasn't the assignment of a mission. That was scheduled much earlier. "The day after tomorrow will be the friendly competition with Baekgeomdae." It was precisely a friendly match. But it wasn't just any match. The friendly competition was an invisible battleground to determine the rankings among the different groups and factions. Since the Yongbong group enjoyed several privileges, failing to demonstrate their abilities there could jeopardize their standing within the alliance, and Dang Hwa-Seo emphasized this point. "There will be six martial artists from Baekgeomdae, just as many as us. Yes, out of a hundred, six. It means their elite will come." The members also bore a serious demeanor. However, at this moment, even Dang Hwa-Seo was not overly worried. 'After all, they are individuals exceptional in martial prowess.' They were expected to perform well in the match. "How will the matchups be determined?" Mok Riwon asked. Dang Hwa-Seo shook his head in response. "There's no information. The nature of a friendly competition means even the drawing of match-ups is part of the competition, so this is something we also need to consider." He added one more thing. "Ah, but the format of the competition has already been decided." "Oh! What is it?" "A winning streak." At those words, the members' bodies buzzed with excitement. A winning streak meant the winner of a match would continue to face off in subsequent matches. It emphasized the importance of the order of matches since everyone, being accustomed to being the protagonist, desired to get a favorable position in the match lineup. "May I be the vanguard?" Il Woon raised his hand. The vanguard meant being the first to go up for the match. Il Woon desired to be the first to compete and rack up as many victories as possible. But was he the only one with that desire? "Me too! I want to be in the vanguard!" "I should be the one." "Shouldn't I be better as the vanguard? I'll fall at once to make the enemies let down their guard!" One by one, Mok Riwon, Hye Woon, and then Jegal San spoke. Jegal San did not want to show a good performance in the match. "Eh? Sister, tactically, using me as a sacrificial piece to expose one of their hand isn't bad, right?" "Is avoiding a match something to be proud of as a martial artist?" "The strong hide three parts of their strength!" "Do you have strength to hide?" "None!" Jegal San proudly thumbed up. At this, Dang Hwa-Seo heaved a deep sigh. However, it wasn't all a headache-inducing situation. In truth, it was. Strategically speaking, Jegal San's plan was quite a good tactic. After all, a sacrificial pawn should ideally be played earlier rather than later in a continuous sequence to dig out at least one more strategy from the opponent. It was a tempting idea. "...Um, I think it would be best to appoint Jegal San as the vanguard. Any objections?" There were none. Their objective was to accumulate victories. So, having Jegal San take on the opening and use the tactic of sacrifice was actually beneficial, making the competition for the following spots even more intense. "I'll go out and win everything myself, so the rest of you can rest! I'll win it all!" "Lord Mok, underestimating the opponent isn't a good habit." "But, that's not what I meant...!" "No, no. Just wait, the two of you. I said I'll go first." The atmosphere quickly turned chaotic as if in a marketplace. Dang Hwa-Seo felt a headache watching Mok Riwon and Hye Woon squabble loudly, with Il Woon stubbornly asserting himself in between. Meanwhile, Jegal San asked Namgung Jincheon, who was beside him. "Aren't you interested in the order, Namgung brother?" "I will be last." "Hm?" "The strong do not step forward lightly." Namgung Jincheon looked on with an indifferent expression at the three quarreling. To that, Jegal San unwittingly thought. 'By that logic, shouldn't Mok Riwon be the last?' Of course, he didn't vocalize his thought. Just as the quarreling was getting intense and emotions were about to flare. Dang Hwa-Seo, red with anger, shouted. "Stop! That's it-! We'll decide the order by drawing lots!" It was a clear resolution to the situation. Her angry demeanor silenced any potential objections from the members. Following the drawing of lots. Mok Riwon's turn was second last. He was not lucky with draws. * That same afternoon. Mok Riwon was walking with Dang Hwa-Seo across the alliance, lips pouted. "The draw must have been rigged, I'm certain of it. That's the only explanation." "Are you still on about that?" "How could I possibly draw the worst lot when I was the last to pick! You as well, miss, it's quite something how you showed no interest only to casually draw the second turn in one go!" Dang Hwa-Seo chuckled. The reason he found the sight, where Mok Riwon was indignantly grumbling about his misfortune, somehow charming was because of the sense of injustice emanated by the latter. "I'm not going to change it no matter what you say." "Aish…" Mok Riwon's shoulders slumped. Dang Hwa-Seo's smile grew even wider. "Still, it will reach your turn, Mok Sosyeop. My plan is to secure just one victory and then step down. And, considering the leader of their side is sure to be Geumgeom Kwon Pyowol, both Il Woon the monk and Baekbong will probably step down in the middle too." "Geumgeom Daehyeop is coming out?" "Yes. It has become a kind of tradition in friendly sparring matches that the heads and grandmasters participate. It seems such culture has solidified without us noticing." "Oh…!" One wonders if Mok Riwon didn't busy himself too much with being both elated and dejected. Dang Hwa-Seo couldn't stop laughing at the diligent emotional fluctuations of Mok Riwon. They continued walking as they talked. "...Ah, Grandmaster." There was someone walking towards them from the opposite end of the corridor. With a robust impression and forthright wrinkles. And the sheathed sword on his waist shining with golden hue, it was none other than the grandmaster of Baekgeomdae, Geumgeom Kwon Pyowol. "It's a surprise to see you here." He smiled knowingly.