As Gukhyeon said, we had ventured quite deep into the area. Compared to other martial artists from rival sects who had been pulled away for missions, we had entered an extremely dangerous core region.
I had a feeling the Yuan cavalry was about to show up.
How much longer had we moved?
“…Stop.”
Gukhyeon issued the stop command.
“You, you. Check the left front. And Namchal Room, scout the right front.”
“Right.”
The members of the Tiger Brigade moved, and we followed suit, advancing cautiously towards the right front.
“Ugh.”
All around us was a demonic paradise. I had the sense that their main force was nearby. As I thought that, I carefully repeated my advance.
“Stop. Over there.”
Hayoung stretched out her arm and blocked my path.
Words were unnecessary. Serin and I lowered our postures and stealthily moved forward, and just as we advanced a bit.
“…”
We spotted the Yuan cavalry stationed over there.
There were about ten of them. Could it be those guys we saw last time? But looking closely, there was one that looked a bit different. The one wearing armor that seemed less rusty… Moreover, blue qi was rising from its empty eye sockets.
This guy looked incredibly strong, even with just a glance.
Is it one of their leaders?
—Thud, thud.
Without a word, Serin hit my body to signal retreat.
We immediately withdrew to where Hayoung was.
“Hayoung. There are cavalry ahead. About ten of them. But one looks pretty tough.”
“I saw blue qi rising from the skull’s eye sockets. It definitely has a stronger demonic energy.”
“Hmm… this is dangerous. A commander? For now, let’s pull back. Take note of the location.”
“Okay.”
We recorded the location on the map we received and quickly retreated to where Gukhyeon was.
“Oh, you’re back.”
“Leader of the Tiger Brigade. We spotted an enemy cavalry unit. Among them, there seems to be a commander-level entity.”
“A commander-level entity?”
Gukhyeon’s eyes widened at that.
“I witnessed it being larger than the others and saw blue qi burning from its eye sockets.”
“It also had a rotten flag on it. It must be a commander-level entity.”
As Serin elaborated, Gukhyeon nodded.
“Understood. Let’s wait for the other members to return.”
Not long after, the scout from the Tiger Brigade returned. After reporting to Gukhyeon, he nodded and approached us again.
“Namchal Room. I will issue a new mission. You said you found a commander-level entity, right? Lure it to this point.”
“What?”
You want us to lure it?
What kind of nonsense is this?
“Here, I will mark it on the map.”
Gukhyeon nonchalantly marked the map and handed it to me.
Wait, is this guy serious right now?
“Did you just say to lure the cavalry commander? Leader of the Tiger Brigade?”
“I know it’s a dangerous mission. However, it’s a necessary task for the safety of the people. The demon group known as Saegimuri has no intellect. If luring the commander can change the direction of their forces’ advance, it would be a tremendous achievement.”
I almost let out a curse.
This ass is dressing it up all nicely, but the conclusion is clear. He wants us to attack the leader and get chased.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. That mission is impossible. You want us to lure a commander in the heart of enemy territory? We can’t do that; the Tiger Brigade should handle it.”
“What did you say?”
Gukhyeon’s expression twisted at my words.
“Leader of the Tiger Brigade. Think logically. You want just three people to penetrate deep into the enemy’s territory and lure a commander? That’s just a suicide mission. Are we only capable of such a strategy?”
“Jade Flower Sword…! So, you’re saying you won’t do it!”
“We can’t carry out such a ridiculous operation.”
“What?! Are you going to neglect your duty?”
Gukhyeon shouted with his eyes wide open.
“We are not doing this as a joke! We are carrying out the orders of the Brigade, as well as the royal family, and you’re going to defy those orders just because you’re a bit scared? I can’t allow that!”
What a load of crap.
“Heh heh heh, then let the Tiger Brigade show us how to lure. We’re still not clear on what we should do.”
“Shut up, you traitor!”
“Oh wow. Now I’m a traitor too? Hey, Gukhyeon.”
I can’t take this anymore.
“You shit-eating bug.”
“W-What did you say…?”
“You suddenly issue a suicide order and then talk nonsense? Hey, tell me honestly.”
I’ve been suspecting something was off.
“Are you holding a grudge because of last time? Is that why you issued such a ridiculous order to screw us over? Huh?”
In that moment, my suspicion turned to certainty. The attitude these guys had shown so far. The subtle contempt. And the fact that they issued this nonsensical order.
Putting all that together, it became clear.
Gukhyeon, this bastard, has a serious grudge against us because of last time. Otherwise, there’s no way he could pull this kind of nonsense.
But seriously, a guy from the Martial Alliance is doing this kind of thing?
This is the kind of scheme only the Assassin’s Room would come up with.
“What a crazy scum. Is a piece of shit like you calling itself the combat force of the Martial Alliance? The Martial Alliance is going downhill, clearly.”
“I’ll kill you.”
I poked the bear, and Gukhyeon revealed his murderous intent.
“You scum… do you think you can say that to me, the Leader of the Tiger Brigade and get away with it?”
“Leader! Let’s just kill this bastard!”
“Leader!”
The enraged Tiger Brigade members were closing in. Gukhyeon glared at me with a look that seemed like he’d slice me up at any moment, just like a gang leader.
“Ha. You’re insane.”
“These bandit-like scum.”
Serin and Hayoung also began to show their intentions to kill.
Given how things had gone, there was no way we could resolve this peacefully. In the end, the conflict within the Martial World can only be resolved with power and violence.
They ordered us a suicide mission. That’s completely unacceptable. If these guys live, they’ll probably report back to the Golden Guard with manipulated information. Then we’re done for.
The Tiger Brigade must be annihilated today.
“So.”
Just as murderous intentions clashed, Gukhyeon spoke up.
“Are you going to commit a grave sin such as defying orders, fleeing the battlefield, committing treason, and killing allies?”
“That’s absurd. Leader of the Tiger Brigade. This is entirely a result of the pride of the Tiger Brigade—”
“Shut up! It’s all your fault!”
“Huh?”
Why is this Serin’s fault?
“This damn bitch…! How dare you insult me!”
Gukhyeon’s lips trembled with rage.
“You have not only tarnished our Tiger Brigade’s honor but also insulted the Martial Alliance!”
“What the hell are you talking about? The ones who tarnished their honor are you all! From start to finish! So why are you blaming me?”
“Haha! Until the end, you keep yapping! Do you think that petty nickname of Jade Flower Sword will protect you?”
As Serin tilted her head, Gukhyeon shouted again.
“Decide! Will you follow our orders and enter there, or will you refuse and face punishment? The latter will involve the Golden Guard, and the Namgoong Clan will not escape unscathed!”
Gukhyeon’s thoughts overwhelmed me, but I listened carefully to find an opportunity.
“If you refuse both, I’ll specially give you this chance! Kneel down now and apologize for defaming my authority, face, and honor in front of everyone! And pay the price!”
“Ha ha ha! You’ve really lost it, Gukhyeon!”
So it seems Serin was the target after all?
This is just plain obvious, obvious.
“You’re just begging to die! Gukhyeon! Save that flashy bullshit for your mom!”
“W-What?!”
“Did you learn that kind of behavior from your mommy? You start trouble first, and then blame us?”
It seems that after I publicly criticized Gukhyeon last time for his blatant display, he took it as an insult.
This is why martial artists can’t be trusted.
Prestige is always more important than right or wrong.
“It seems I might find out where Gukhyeon’s mom works.”
“You bastard! You’ve forsaken the last chance I gave you! Everyone! Annihilate the enemy!”
Alright, so this is how martial artists should behave!
The demonic scum I killed also put up a fight.
Good, welcome. You probably thought I’ve only been dealing with demons, huh? But I’ve been working harder to analyze how these bastards fight and how they employ their martial arts.
“Y-Yes? Leader! But Jade Flower Sword and Fiery Lotus are…!”
“They were just deceived by the Screaming Demon!”
“We just need to eliminate the Screaming Demon!”
What the hell is this nonsense?
“Then do just that!”
“Hey, Gukhyeon. What the hell are you saying?”
“Obviously, it’s nonsense, Geunhyeop. Now that we know the enemy’s goals, there’s no more need for negotiation. We must do nothing but kill them all.”
“Uh-huh. Yeah, I want to kill these bandit-like scum.”
It was the moment I decided to take down the first enemy who charged at us.
—Kiyaaaaaaah!
—Saaah!
Suddenly, from over there, a wicked wail pierced through as a foul chill swept over like a whirlwind, engulfing the place we were in.
“What the…!”
And then—
—Clatter, clatter!
The sound of hooves striking the ground echoed. In an instant, I understood the situation. The harsh sound of galloping hooves—it was the Yuan cavalry!
“Here they come.”
“Yikes.”
The skeletal cavalry from the Yuan, wielding their rusty weapons, charged toward us!
“Geunhyeop!”
“L-Leader!”
Our decision was swift.
Under Serin’s command, we immediately took cover behind a large tree. However, the Tiger Brigade acted a step too late.
“What the hell! Execute the retreat plan! Maintain formation!”
“Graaaah!”
“Uaaah!”
Instead of retreating, they immediately formed a line to counter the cavalry. A surprisingly solid formation quickly emerged, and the Tiger Brigade members, wielding their blades, attempted to strike at the charging cavalry, but—
—Thwack!
That skeleton cavalry’s hand was faster than them…!
The flying blade sliced through the chest of a Tiger Brigade member!
No matter what, to kill a combat force of the Martial Alliance in one strike…!
“Damn it! Geunhyeop! It seems like we won’t be able to escape!”
“Ugh…!”
“We’re coming!”
We hurriedly took cover behind the tree, but some of the cavalry had already passed us by and were turning their heads to aim at us.
There was no way to escape.
It can’t be helped.
We have to fight.
The Tiger Brigade members can be dealt with later. Right now, we need clear the cavalry and secure an escape route.
“Two! Guard me! That’d be better!”
“Hayoung!”
Fortunately, we had a skilled mage long-range attacker with us!
“Now!”
Hayoung raised her staff and sent her talismans flying.
I kept a watchful eye while targeting the charging skeletal cavalry.
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