The fierce battle continued.
Thanks to the arrival of powerful reinforcements, we were able to break through the front lines, pushing deeper and surrounding the undead, repeating the extermination strategy.
If the enemy was an army of humans, they would have actively countered such tactics. But the opponents were these mindless undead. The Yuan cavalry was strong, but as the number of martial artists increased, they couldn’t exert their strength, and to begin with, those bastards are undead who can’t even muster proper command.
Thanks to that, the tide of battle changed dramatically. Soldiers who had been on the defensive began to advance, creating a powerful synergy with our martial artist reinforcements, leading to continuous victories.
Finally, we succeeded in driving away the undead legion that had occupied the area.
“Wowwwww!”
“Ooooh!”
Many people hugged each other in joy, crying buckets. Even our Nachalbang members were on the ground, sobbing heartily.
“Captain! I’m so happy!”
“I’m alive! We survived!”
“Woohooo!”
I felt the same joy.
“Phew! We finally won!”
“It was a tough time. But to overcome it like this truly fills my heart with joy.”
“I feel the same. Ah, what a great ending!”
Serin and Hayoung fought tirelessly, achieving great results. Truly martial arts history was being made. Every time they shone, everyone gasped in admiration.
“You all worked hard! To collaborate with the masters, I, the Anti-Demon Monk Dojin! I am truly impressed!”
The monks of the Soryeong Temple announced the end of the situation.
They seemed genuinely pleased.
“Heh heh, it looks like we managed to resolve it somehow.”
“The Golden Guards took care of the beasts, making it considerably easier.”
“That’s the Golden Guards for you… But there’s one thing bothering me.”
“What is it?”
Just as Jaemi Son was about to say something, Galbijong interrupted.
“Ma-sun. I can’t see Ma-sun.”
“Oh, that bastard.”
Flying Mummy.
He disappeared the moment we turned the tide. Acting like he had something important to do, as soon as the martial artists were mobilized, he fled.
“That guy is definitely a subordinate of the Four Fairies. There has to be more to it.”
“…”
There probably is something more.
Four Fairies.
She is that kind of presence. More importantly, she has already infiltrated this area once. And she did it without being caught.
What does the Four Fairies really want? I can’t know the intentions of the woman who caused this chaos, but one thing is certain. What we did, defeating the undead legion, is probably not good for her.
“…”
Thinking that far made me feel a sudden chill. That crazy woman. She called me her son and asked to see me again. Would she secretly come looking for me again? Would she question why I killed her undead?
Because of the presence of the Four Fairies, I couldn’t fully celebrate.
“Geunhyeop?”
“Ah, just thinking for a moment. Why?”
“I too am bothered by the existence of that Ma-sun. But even if he exists, there’s nothing he can do against the Golden Guards, right? I think he hid himself once the Golden Guards started moving.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Anyway. The undead issue may be over, but our work is just beginning.”
As she said that, Serin took my hand.
“Let’s go through the rewards and acknowledgments.”
“Oh boy, what a hassle.”
Somehow, I feel like this will be more tiring than the battle.
But it seems like Serin has no intention of letting me go.
* * *
The acknowledgment ceremony began.
“Attention!”
The governor seated on the main throne shouted, looking down at the martial artists. Soon, officials brought documents, and upon receiving them, the governor began to issue his praise.
I focused on the martial artists around me rather than the content.
Many familiar faces were absent.
This incident caused many sacrifices among the upright martial artists of this area. When we first went for reconnaissance, there were various sect members, but now only a fraction remained visible.
Of course, it’s proof that they fought hard, so the governor recognized their efforts and gave rewards. But it will take quite some time for them to recover their strength.
“And now, Nachalbang!”
It’s our turn.
“Captain Jeol-kyu Nachal and Jade Flower Sword! And Fiery Lotus as well! They have made significant contributions!”
As pre-notified, we moved forward to complete the formalities.
Although our Nachalbang suffered damages, compared to the sects that faced near annihilation, our situation was relatively good.
“Wowwwww!”
“Ooooh!”
As we received the awards and stepped down, the members cheered energetically. This will spread the fame of our Nachalbang far and wide. Since we are currently the strongest upright faction in this area, the locals will acknowledge it, and now that reinforcements have come from outside, the rumors will surely spread.
We should use the rewards and fame received today to grow our influence. The area has been devastated, but our organization, being somewhat intact and famous, will attract many people. Let’s use this situation well to elevate Nachalbang into a great sect.
“Next, I would like to commend the righteous ones who risked their lives to provide support!”
Next, rewards were also given to the reinforcements.
And thus, the acknowledgment ceremony concluded.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
“There’s still more to go. Geunhyeop.”
Just when I thought of leaving, Serin grabbed my hand.
Ah, we have to greet them.
“Serin. Do we really have to go today?”
“Of course we do. If not now, when will we introduce ourselves? Now that we’ve received awards and gained some fame, it’s the perfect timing. Hurry up, Geunhyeop.”
“Ugh…”
Serin dragged me along without hesitation.
But then Hayoung came over.
“Come on, let’s go greet them.”
Serin naturally started pulling my other hand.
“What’s going on?”
“Huh? You said we should greet them. So I should be right next to you, right?”
“…”
Are they really competing over me…!?
This feels just like King Solomon commanded to tear apart a child caught between two mothers!
—Crack!
“Ah!”
I instantly wrapped my arms around the waists of both Serin and Hayoung.
“Let’s go like this!”
This explicitly shows they both belong to me.
“W-What are you doing wrapping your arms around us!”
“Ugh!”
Both of them were clearly embarrassed and quickly distanced themselves, muttering that it was inappropriate to act like that in front of others. Smoothly ending the competition!
Thus, I went to greet the upright martial artists who had come as reinforcements.
“Ah! Masters! You’ve come!”
The Anti-Demon Monks of Soryeong Temple warmly welcomed us. To be honest, the greetings were somewhat ceremonial, as we had already exchanged a few words while fighting the undead. We had forged a bond of camaraderie through battle, just not formally greeted each other.
“Thank you for your hard work, Monk.”
“It’s nothing much. But now that I see it, how did the Jade Flower Sword become the spouse of a martial arts history figure?”
“Ehehe, it was a positive connection.”
The monks of the Soryeong Temple were rather indifferent to the personal affairs of martial artists. They merely mentioned it out of curiosity to break the ice.
But the other martial artists were not the same.
“Miss…!”
“Oh, Master!”
The Namgoong Clan’s combat force couldn’t hide their dissatisfaction, while the Mosan Sect’s masters cast sharp glares at Hayoung, reprimanding her.
They weren’t entirely friendly.
However, they had all witnessed the prowess of Jeol-kyu Nachal. Naturally, they had fought together in the same space.
Thanks to that, we were able to mingle without issue and enjoy a gathering and drinking session.
“But it’s rather intriguing.”
Dojin, the monk remarked.
“The Jeol-kyu Nachal young hero seems to have very pure and abundant internal energy, despite not being from a clan or sect.”
“Oho, you can see that?”
“It’s not bragging, but I can feel it to a certain extent.”
A monk from the Soryeong Temple recognized my internal energy and praised it highly.
“And you were also exceptional in slicing through the undead. I have no idea where such a martial artist came from. I’m glad to have met such talent.”
“Ha ha! I too am very glad to meet highly reputed Anti-Demon Monks!”
From listening to Dojin’s evaluation, it seems there are few among the Soryeong monks that could surpass my internal energy.
But the most surprising thing for them was that my internal energy was as pure as that of monks training in spiritual martial arts.
This proves that my energy is pure enough for the monks to acknowledge it.
“…”
But I can’t fully celebrate.
Though we’ve had festivities after the incident, all I feel is pressure rather than relief.
What on earth is that woman thinking to do?
* * *
The following day, post-battle handling began.
We needed to clean up the scattered corpses of the undead throughout the city. Moreover, we had to address the collapsed buildings and assorted debris. Not to mention, we had to conduct sanitation measures to prevent the spread of disease.
Even I, having grown as a martial artist, was becoming fatigued by it all. Nevertheless, assistance from nearby areas was coming in, allowing for reconstruction to gradually start.
Then one day, while being careless…
“Son? Mommy is here. Did you miss me?”
The Four Fairies showed up again!
“Gahh!”
What the hell!
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