After receiving the hall master’s letter, the Rescue Team and I hurried back to the Martial Forest Alliance.
On the way back to the Martial Forest Alliance, I could immediately sense how famous my group had become.
“It’s the Bicheongmacha!”
“The Brain Knife Outcast has appeared!”
Every time we passed through the city of Hanam, crowds flocked to recognize the Bicheongmacha.
As we neared the Martial Forest Alliance, the ever-increasing crowds delayed our schedule, leaving the Rescue Team and us no choice but to choose sleeping outdoors instead of staying in an inn.
“Ho ho ho!”
Thanks to such fame, Tang Do-yeon’s joyskyrocketed.
“Is that really the famed Bicheongmacha?”
“They say it’s the fastest cart in the world!”
“Hahaha! Did you hear that?”
This praise of the Bicheongmacha as the fastest cart in the world made it feel like we were the ones dying from it.
Tang Do-yeon had always only encountered negative perceptions about the Bicheongmacha.
Being called the fastest cart in the world was precisely the kind of praise that could make Tang Do-yeon dance with delight.
“I want to show true Bicheongmacha speed in front of them!”
…Tang Do-yeon’s elation was directly tied to the speed of the Bicheongmacha.
“Don’t forget we’re with the Rescue Team!”
“With so many people, we need to be extra cautious just in case something happens!”
The fame of the Bicheongmacha turned the journey back to the Martial Forest Alliance into a frantic effort to calm the growing excitement of Tang Do-yeon, who seemed ready to charge ahead at any moment.
“Khuhuhuhuhu!”
Listening to Tang Do-yeon’s laughter, which seemed poised to whip the reins and rush forward at any moment, I anxiously arrived at the Martial Forest Alliance.
“Welcome.”
Upon arriving at the Martial Forest Alliance, I faced Hall Master Yeon Cheon-baek, who looked as worn out as I felt after worrying so much about Tang Do-yeon during the journey.
Hall Master Yeon Cheon-baek.
He appeared significantly fatigued, which was only natural.
Before the Blood Sect incident unfolded, the Martial Forest Alliance engaged mainly in social gatherings and martial arts tournaments, regardless of its grand title.
And Yeon Cheon-baek was a perfect fit for such mild events.
With him suddenly commanding a full-scale offensive against the Blood Sect encompassing the entire Martial World, it’s only natural he felt burdened in various ways.
That said, it wasn’t that I doubted Yeon Cheon-baek’s capabilities.
The Martial Forest Alliance was surrounded by an array of illustrious sects. It’s not like when selecting a leader, they just grabbed anyone without considering the current situation.
He certainly had the capability to perform the duties of a leader, regardless of temperament.
“Thank you for the efforts in recapturing the Botamun.”
“It was all thanks to the support of the Rescue Team from the Martial Forest Alliance.”
“Haha, you’re too modest. With how drained you look, I can imagine how fierce the battles with the Saber Beast were.”
…I couldn’t bring myself to say it was because of Tang Do-yeon, so I merely lowered my head lightly.
Looking at me with friendly eyes, the hall master soon got to the main subject.
“The reason I called you here urgently is to launch an offensive against the Blood Sect’s forces.”
“I’ve heard rumors about that. A few of the Blood Sect’s strongholds have been revealed, correct?”
“Yes, indeed. Therefore, our faction aims to investigate one of those strongholds.”
The hall master unfolded a map and pointed to a location.
“Our faction has determined this is the most suitable spot for investigation. It notably has a weaker Badger Entity among the entities currently revealed.”
Attacking the Blood Sect’s stronghold was necessary.
It presented the opportunity to eliminate entities and gain valuable information from the stronghold.
At the same time, it was undoubtedly a dangerous endeavor.
Since it’s the enemy’s stronghold, their defenses are likely to be well-equipped.
“This attack will involve many experts.”
Yeon Cheon-baek seemed to be considering that aspect as he soon mentioned reinforcements.
“The Martial Forest Alliance currently has esteemed experts from various sects gathered. The Shaolin Temple’s Eighteen Arhats, Hwa-dang Sect’s Tai Chi Swordmaster, and other renowned experts whose names you’d recognize right away. To ensure a safe investigation, ten Hwa-gyeong experts have joined the existing Rescue Team.”
“Oh.”
Now that’s what I call a substantial investment.
To be honest, the power of the Rescue Team was already impressive.
It included numerous Peak Experts along with Moyong Seo and Feng Ying Hall Master, who were Hwa-gyeong experts.
This meant twelve Hwa-gyeong experts were deployed for this stronghold investigation.
From the position of the sects belonging to the Martial Forest Alliance, it was merely a bit of extra support, but when that little bit converges within the Martial Forest Alliance, it becomes overwhelming power.
This aspect showcased the true strength of the Martial Forest Alliance and was why I joined hands with them.
“Will the Brain Knife Outcast also lend your strength?”
“Of course.”
I nodded without hesitation.
* *
The investigation team was indeed a sight to behold.
Nine Great Sects.
Shaolin Sect. Wu-dang Sect. Hwa-san Sect. Ami Sect. Cheong-seong Sect. Jeomchang Sect. Gunlun Sect. Jongnam Sect. Haenam Sect. And Kaebang.
Five Great Clans.
Sacheon Tang Family, Namgung Clan. Hwangbo Clan. House of Jegal, Moyong Clan.
Among the Nine Great Sects, one expert from each of the eight, excluding Jeomchang and Kaebang, joined the investigation, and one Hwa-gyeong expert from both Namgung Clan and Hwangbo Clan joined from the Five Great Clans.
Together with the already cooperating Feng Ying Hall Master and Moyong Seo, that meant all the Hwa-gyeong experts from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans were part of the investigation team, excluding Jeomchang and House of Jegal.
The formation was nothing short of impressive.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling thrilled—after the addition of the Hwa-gyeong experts, the morale of the investigation team soared to the heavens.
My companions were visibly excited.
With the opportunity to witness the skills of the esteemed Hwa-gyeong experts from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, it made sense that, as a martial artist, they’d be thrilled.
“Wow, really, having thirteen Hwa-gyeong experts together makes the Qi in the surroundings twist oddly—it was truly a spectacle I had never seen before!”
“Ho ho, if the Big Brother had joined, it would have been even more spectacular.”
“I’m more than satisfied being with the Senior Seo in the Bicheongmacha.”
Hyeok Gi-rin grinned, petting Seo Gong, who was sprawled on his lap.
Since joining the Martial Forest Alliance, Seo Gong had adjusted so well to life in the cart that he seemed to have morphed into a sticky rice cake, lazily wagging his tail.
Being a clever creature, Seo Gong probably recognized that being outside wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
“Anyway, it’s reassuring. To be fair, other folks did their best during the Saber Beast confrontation, but I felt slightly uneasy.”
Following Miss Yeo Il-ye’s statement, my companions, including myself, nodded.
Honestly, there were quite a few perilous moments when the Blood People charged in like their lives depended on it. There were several close calls where attacks nearly missed Feng Ying Hall Master’s tiles.
Conversely, this attack squad was not only capable of perfectly blocking the Blood People’s assault but was at a level where they could lend a hand in the decisive battle against the entities, making it easy to feel relaxed.
I leaned against the backrest and closed my eyes.
Sometimes, a comfortable journey is necessary.
* *
Clop, clop.
The investigation team was traveling entirely by cart.
Among the experts in the investigation team, there were many recognizable faces, so it would be tantamount to notifying the Blood Sect of an incoming attack if we traveled using Qi skills or horseback.
Moyong Yeon-hwa leaned back in the cart, staring at the Bicheongmacha in the middle row, letting the motion of the cart take her.
Having become famous even in appearance now, it had a new design to disguise its exterior, yet for Moyong Yeon-hwa, what mattered more than the cart’s looks was who was inside.
Ho Cheon-an.
Reflecting on Ho Cheon-an complicated her feelings.
Back at the Botamun.
She thought that the anxious feeling gnawing at her heart was worry.
Ohaengjin had managed to suppress the Saber Beast by a thin margin, and she thought that if Ho Cheon-an operated Ohaengjin like this, there would come a time when they would be in danger.
What if Ho Cheon-an and their team got seriously hurt?
Wouldn’t it be better for me to join them and spread the Six Star Chen for Ho Cheon-an’s safety?
With such thoughts, she lingered around Ho Cheon-an’s group.
After observing the faces in the investigation team, Moyong Yeon-hwa realized she no longer needed to worry about Ho Cheon-an’s safety.
Was there any investigation team without powerful experts in the Martial Forest Alliance?
The Martial Forest Alliance, having proven this point, ensured that Ho Cheon-an’s people were well-protected while also allocating numerous Hwa-gyeong experts to deal with entities.
So, she thought her heart would be settled, but…
Why does it still feel so tight in my chest?
Moyong Yeon-hwa pressed her hand against her heart.
Still, the knot in her heart showed no signs of unraveling, so all she could do was wear a bitter smile.
‘What exactly do I want?’
Hadn’t she worked hard while delaying her relationship with Ho Cheon-an to finalize matters with the Shengsu Faction?
But now that she had met Ho Cheon-an and gained the reason to join them for the Six Star Chen, she couldn’t find a way to control her stirred feelings.
Moyong Yeon-hwa looked at the members of the Moyong Clan sitting in the same cart. Most of those onboard were members of the Shengsu Faction.
Volunteers wishing to restore the honor their clan had lost because of the mistakes made during the Blood Sect’s manipulation and their own actions.
“So, we must raise the supports in the mine in the exact order, or else it won’t properly support the tunnel.”
“Indeed, that’s true.”
Hearing the conversation between Moyong Seok-jil and Moyong Mo, who embodied the will for the reconstruction of the Shengsu Faction, she calmed herself.
Amid the chaos while the Blood Sect unleashes disasters throughout the Martial World. And right at the center opposing the Blood Sect stood Ho Cheon-an, someone who Moyong Yeon-hwa had to help to seize the Blood Sect’s ambitions.
It was time to give her best for both the reconstruction of the Shengsu Faction and the peace of the Martial World.
In such circumstances, where romantic feelings had any place?
‘Yes, once everything is over… then…’
By now, Moyong Mo and Moyong Seok-jil, who had ceased their conversation, were looking at Moyong Yeon-hwa, but she was too preoccupied with reigning in her emotions to notice their gazes, fixated only on the sky.
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