Chapter 22
The Martial Alliance assigned missions to each armed force in time for the new recruits' incorporation.
It was meant to give seniors and juniors time to get to know each other and to build bonds by experiencing missions together.
However, these missions inevitably had their difficulty set based on an objective judgment of each armed force's martial might.
There was a considerable difference in martial power even among the same armed forces.
For example, upper-tier armed forces like the Heavenly Tiger Unit, the Golden Wolf Unit, and the Poison King Unit took on quite difficult missions. Naturally, their achievements piled up quickly, and the members were recognized by the alliance.
On the other hand, lower-tier armed forces like the Black Tortoise Unit and the White Dragon Unit were mainly assigned easy missions. Although there was the advantage of having less risk, it was a structure where it was difficult to be recognized by the alliance.
This was also the reason why Song Yiyeon's and Cheon Woojin's choices were ridiculed.
"Anyway, for that reason, everyone change and assemble."
As Zhuge Lin's order fell, the martial artists of the Black Tortoise Unit moved in perfect order.
Cheon Woojin was truly in a daze. Because the unit members surrounding the two newcomers were endlessly asking and explaining something.
Having lived his whole life in a quiet mountain valley with his two taciturn masters, it was the first time he had experienced hearing so many voices at the same time.
By the time Cheon Woojin felt dizzy, Song Yiyeon, befitting the son of a merchant family, seemed to have already made friends, calling them 'senior' and 'brother'.
"Wow, Senior Jang, are you also from Anhui? To think I'd meet a senior from my hometown here!"
Jang Woopyeong, who burst into hearty laughter at Song Yiyeon's flattery, put his arms around the shoulders of the two newcomers.
"Do you know how big a province Anhui is? Especially since it's adjacent to Hubei where the Martial Alliance is located, there are three people from Anhui in our Black Tortoise Unit alone, three."
"Wow, it's even better that there are three seniors from my hometown."
Jang Woopyeong shook his head at the endless flattery. However, he did not dislike Song Yiyeon's bright appearance. No, he liked the taciturn Cheon Woojin too. He was just very happy that a new recruit had come.
'I'm, I'm finally escaping being the youngest!'
In the entire history of the Martial Alliance, it was the first time a successful applicant had applied to the Black Tortoise Unit. In the end, there were no new recruits, and those who were transferred from other armed forces were usually assigned to the Black Tortoise Unit.
Of course, since everyone was senior to Jang Woopyeong, he had lived as the youngest for nearly ten years. He only took comfort in the fact that he had joined the alliance at a very young age and had not yet reached thirty.
The only person who shared that sorrow in the entire vast Martial Alliance was the youngest of the White Dragon Unit.
Of course, that guy was still the youngest, and he had escaped that position this time.
"Now, you two newcomers, remember what I'm about to say. The person over there has a rather sensitive personality, so don't needlessly provoke him..."
"Hey, don't let him hear you."
"See, he's very sensitive. And that person is a really nice person. So you can fool around a bit."
"No, but that bastard..."
"Hahaha, I'm kidding. Anyway, you two, if you have any difficulties in your life, tell me. This big brother will solve most of them for you."
Zhuge Lin, who was watching this from a distance, let out a hollow laugh.
'I wonder who that clumsy Jang Woopyeong is going to help...'
Of course, she didn't say it out loud. Although Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin were also precious juniors, Jang Woopyeong was the same.
There was no need to hurt his pride.
"Move quickly!"
Of course, she couldn't just stand by and watch them fool around before a mission. At Zhuge Lin's roar, Jang Woopyeong flinched and quickened his pace.
"Let's go quickly. The deputy commander may look like that, but she has a pretty nasty temper when she's angry."
"No, she looks like that normally?"
Song Yiyeon let out a sly laugh, then made eye contact with Zhuge Lin and disappeared ahead of Jang Woopyeong.
* * *
A dark martial robe and monk's garment with '玄' written in gold thread on the chest.
Cheon Woojin, wearing this, moved his arms and shoulders.
Since he had always worn loose and comfortable martial robes when he was with his masters, it was extremely uncomfortable.
In the meantime, Song Yiyeon, who had finished changing, approached with a silly smile.
"Young hero Cheon, you look quite dashing in that."
Song Yiyeon was genuinely impressed. Because Cheon Woojin looked really cool in the dark martial robe. It suited his unique dangerous and story-filled atmosphere very well.
Of course, his own face was more handsome. No matter what anyone thought, Song Yiyeon's well-founded self-esteem was quite high as long as the Nangong family was not involved.
"Hmm, it's a bit uncomfortable."
"Still, wearing this makes me feel like I've really become a martial artist of the Martial Alliance, hehe."
By the time the two had finished changing.
Knock, knock-
Someone knocked on the door of the changing room. Naturally, it would be the only woman, Zhuge Lin.
After confirming that all the surrounding martial artists had changed, Song Yiyeon moved quickly like a newcomer.
The door opened and Zhuge Lin, who had entered, said.
"Is everyone ready?"
Since there were members who were senior to her in terms of seniority or age, she used honorifics when delivering official messages.
"Yes, deputy commander."
Answers came from all over, and Zhuge Lin, who had confirmed this, had a calm expression completely different from usual. At that, a slightly cold and unapproachable atmosphere emanated from her. Just like when they had first met on the boat.
"The mission is simple."
As Zhuge Lin began, the expressions of the unit members, who had been in a rather loose atmosphere, became serious. Even if others pointed fingers, the Black Tortoise Unit was in charge of the martial power of the Martial Alliance.
Zhuge Lin also said with a more serious expression.
"Assist the Heavenly Tiger Unit."
"Huh?"
Jang Woopyeong made a disappointed sound. Soon, he glanced at Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin, then quietly approached Zhuge Lin and said.
"No, deputy commander. Still, it's the newcomers' first mission, so what's with assisting?"
"It's the decision of the military affairs department, so what can we do?"
"Isn't the military affairs department completely in the palm of the Zhuge family's hand? Can't the deputy commander say something and change it to a cooler mission?"
Zhuge Lin's eyes narrowed. Seeing this, Jang Woopyeong let out a dry cough and took a step back, but it was already too late.
"Our junior Jang is saying something dangerous. Is the Martial Alliance's military affairs department a place that is swayed by the influence of a single family?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Actually, it is. That's why I was released from suspension already, isn't it?"
"...?"
Jang Woopyeong narrowed his eyes as if he was dumbfounded.
Which tune was he supposed to dance to?
Regardless, Zhuge Lin's words continued.
"Of course, the mission is the unique authority of the military affairs department, so even the Zhuge family can't do anything about it. Moreover, you know I'm not even treated as a proper eldest daughter, right?"
"...I'm sorry."
Jang Woopyeong shook his head in self-reproach. He had forgotten for a moment that there was something between the deputy commander and the Zhuge family.
Zhuge Lin, who placed her hand on Jang Woopyeong's shoulder, said.
"Then let's get going. Our junior Jang has to take good care of the two newcomers. You know that, right?"
"Yes, of course."
Jang Woopyeong answered with a more disciplined look. Zhuge Lin smiled with satisfaction. At that smile, Jang Woopyeong showed a look of displeasure.
"Deputy commander, please don't smile like that. I'm honestly shaken."
Zhuge Lin was objectively a beauty. A cold beauty with a very cold impression at that. Every time she smiled brightly, gazes would be focused on her.
Of course, regardless of whether it was true or not, it was not something a unit member should say to a deputy commander, so she immediately went into punishment.
"Are you crazy?"
Slap-!
With a light sound, Jang Woopyeong's head was thrown back. His forehead was red in the shape of a palm.
Of course, the relationship between the members of the Black Tortoise Unit was strong enough to exchange such jokes. It was a natural thing since they had been together for a long time without any transfers or reinforcements.
Zhuge Lin, who lightly dusted off her hands, looked at the two newcomers and said.
"I know you two are very strong, but it's your first mission, so just think of it as watching and learning for now. Of course, if a dangerous situation arises, you can protect me. I'll allow it."
"..."
Cheon Woojin looked at Zhuge Lin as if he was dumbfounded.
"I'm kidding."
Soon, Zhuge Lin, who let out a gentle smile, turned her body and left the changing room.
"The unit commander is waiting, so everyone come out quickly. Ah, and it might not be a complete joke..."
For some reason, he felt like he had heard something he shouldn't have from behind, but Cheon Woojin immediately erased it from his memory.
Jang Woopyeong, who had put on a cool expression again for some reason, let out a silly smile and put his arms on the shoulders of the two newcomers.
"Let's go, it's been a while since the entire Black Tortoise Unit has gone on a mission."
* * *
When the entire Black Tortoise Unit, who had finished their preparations, gathered in front of the main gate of the Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Tiger Unit was already waiting.
Cheon Woojin looked at the Heavenly Tiger Unit with a nonchalant gaze. The unit commander he had seen before was still as sharp as a well-honed blade, and Nangong Jin, Tang Soyeon of the Tang family, and Jin Yun of the Huashan sect were also there.
The three were all successful applicants who were in the top five along with Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin.
Suddenly, Song Yiyeon said.
"Young hero Cheon, they're glaring at us. Especially Nangong Jin."
"...It's an inferiority complex."
"Ahem, is that so."
In the first place, that side didn't seem to have any interest in the Black Tortoise Unit. The atmosphere itself was certainly somewhat different from the Black Tortoise Unit.
If the Black Tortoise Unit felt like a local neighborhood association going on a neighborhood patrol, the Heavenly Tiger Unit was as solemn as the last remaining armed force of the white path facing the Demonic Cult.
While Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon were observing the Heavenly Tiger Unit.
"Buy one."
A wrinkled hand suddenly approached the two.
It was an old woman who sold four-leaf clovers to those who came and went from the Martial Alliance. It was commonly called a four-leaf rabbit grass, and since it was a rare grass, there was a superstition that it symbolized good luck.
Song Yiyeon fumbled in his robes and then showed a look of displeasure.
"Aigoo, what should I do. I didn't bring my money pouch separately when I changed... Did young hero Cheon perhaps bring his?"
Cheon Woojin shook his head. There was no reason to bring money when going on a mission.
"What?"
Then, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, who had suddenly approached, surveyed the situation. Because his impression was so rough that it put a mountain bandit to shame, the old woman seemed a little scared.
Soon, Cheol Jiak approached the old woman and said.
"How much is it?"
"...One iron coin."
"How many do you plan to sell today before you go?"
The old woman rolled her eyes from side to side and then answered.
"About thirty..."
In the meantime, she had added ten more to her original goal. She was a rather resourceful old woman.
Soon, Cheol Jiak took out a money pouch from his robes, emptied it, and placed it in the old woman's hand.
"I'll buy them all, so can't you just give me two? This is all the money I brought."
The old woman smiled brightly.
"Aigoo, thank you so much..."
Cheol Jiak, who had received the thirty four-leaf clovers, just replied with a grin.
The old woman left with a much lighter step, and the approaching Zhuge Lin said.
"No, unit commander. You don't have any money. What are you going to do if you spend all your fortune on something like this?"
"...I'm still a unit commander who receives a salary from the Martial Alliance, you brat."
Zhuge Lin shook her head.
In the meantime, Cheol Jiak began to distribute the four-leaf clovers to the unit members one by one.
"This is luck that money can't buy. Since it's your first mission, everyone keep it well in your robes."
Jang Woopyeong let out a smirk.
"It's just a superstition, isn't it, unit commander?"
"I like superstitions."
When Cheol Jiak said with a serious face, Jang Woopyeong followed suit and hardened his expression and nodded his head.
"Yes. But what is this mission anyway?"
"I wonder. We'll have to check now."
Cheol Jiak, who said so, headed towards the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander and the unit members, who were talking among themselves, glanced at him and shut their mouths.
At that sight, Cheol Jiak's eyebrows twitched.
"Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander."
"Yes, unit commander."
Although the Heavenly Tiger Unit was rated higher than the Black Tortoise Unit, Cheol Jiak was still senior to the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was also not a man who did not know his manners, so he would always use honorifics to Cheol Jiak.
"So, what is this mission anyway? I need to know to assist or whatever."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's lips moved as if he was in a difficult situation, and then he finally said.
"I cannot tell you."
"What?"
"Because it is a mission where secrecy is important."
Cheol Jiak narrowed his eyes. It seemed that the Heavenly Tiger Unit members already knew the contents of the mission.
"You won't tell a unit commander what a mere unit member knows? And because you're afraid I won't be able to keep a secret?"
Cheol Jiak's expression became rather menacing.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who let out a slight sigh, looked straight at Cheol Jiak and said.
"I'm sorry, but yes."
"..."
Soon, a fierce staring contest broke out between the two unit commanders, and the attention of everyone in the room was focused.
(End of Chapter)