The friends of the Sa-gwi are advancing, so we need to organize a scouting team to assess their scale and types.
“Looks like things are finally moving.”
It was about time to start taking action.
“Is there nothing else? Like an apology or something?”
“Nothing. Just a straightforward summons.”
Serin received the letter and frowned.
“I really don’t know when they plan to apologize. Well, I think we’ll have to go tomorrow to hear them out and decide whether to lodge a formal complaint.”
“Let’s go with that.”
Regardless of what happened, Serin had reputation and backing from the Namgoong Clan. No one would want to cross someone like her.
They would definitely try to apologize somehow.
“Hmm, so you’re saying we’re going to work tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Then should I get ready to head out too?”
Hayoung casually remarked while stretching.
Bringing Hayoung along, huh. Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter.
“Actually, it might become a bit chaotic if you join, Wi Hayoung.”
“Well, that’s what I think too.”
“What? You were thinking about that?”
“Of course. Just having the Jade Flower Sword was already noisy, right? And if you add the Fiery Lotus to the mix, what’ll happen then?”
I’m worried about that too.
“The atmosphere definitely won’t be pleasant. But they know about face-saving. They just stirred up a fuss because of me; would they really want to do that again?”
“That’s true. I’m on the same page.”
Even if I take Hayoung along, they might grumble about me having two Martial Arts Beauties with me, but it won’t be anything to worry about.
Everyone might be a bit upset, but so what?
“Besides, we can’t leave out a master like Wi Hayoung in such an important mission. For Geunhyeop’s safety as well.”
“Heh heh heh, what am I, a child?”
“I’ll treat you like one for a while. Anyway, this mission involves not only the government officials but also the Golden Guard and the Alliance. Do your best.”
“I’ll do that.”
I will give it my all.
Since it’s a scouting mission, it shouldn’t be too difficult. And finding out more about the Sa-gwi army in advance wouldn’t hurt.
If I manage to make a good contribution, I could elevate my reputation in the righteous Martial Arts world. That would bring benefits in many ways, so I should do well.
“Then, Geunhyeop. I’ll be restraining myself from using my power today.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means don’t slyly touch my body. We’ll have separate rooms today.”
“What?!”
Why!?
Why on earth do we have to be in separate rooms!?
I was startled and shouted, and Serin frowned with her arms crossed.
“What on earth are you so shocked about? We need to prepare quickly and leave before sunrise. In this situation, do you really want to mess around and play late into the night? You lecher!”
“Hehe, come on. I know it’s important. Even if you visit me and touch me at dawn, we won’t make a night of it. Get some good sleep and be in top shape.”
“What?! Geunhyeop! Did you visit Wi Hayoung’s room at dawn?!”
—Shiver!
Serin’s eyes widened as she glared at me.
No way, what nonsense is Wi Hayoung spouting?!
“That can’t be true!”
“You lecher! I was going to comfort you after the mission, but that’s not happening now! Be prepared for a blood draw!”
“Nooo!”
And so we teased each other before heading to our respective rooms.
* * *
Dawn.
After finishing the preparations, we headed to the gathering point. I felt both tense and excited. If we succeed, it would elevate our Na-chal Party’s reputation. Then we could stand shoulder to shoulder with the righteous Martial Arts groups in this region.
—Murmurs.
The official sector was already buzzing. It seemed that many from the righteous sects and the Tiger Unit had gathered.
I tried to seamlessly join their ranks, but—
“Oh, it’s the Jade Flower Sword…!”
“It’s the Jade Flower Sword!”
Not happening.
With Serin around, naturally.
Currently, Serin was wearing a modest outfit and even had a bamboo hat, somewhat hiding her appearance, but it wasn’t enough to mask her charm.
However—
“Uh, uh?!”
“Isn’t that the Fiery Lotus?!”
“She’s a female master from the Mosan Sect!”
Naturally, Hayoung also attracted attention. Recently, I designated a battle outfit for Hayoung. Though she was dressed modestly, unless she covered her ample bosom, there was no way she wouldn’t catch eyes.
Everyone present instantly recognized the Fiery Lotus and exclaimed loudly.
“Sigh. This is what happens when I show up.”
Hayoung smirked with a sly look.
“Excuse me! Fiery Lotus! I’m Choi Junmo from the Tiger Unit!”
Just then, one of the Tiger Unit members stepped forward.
“But…?”
“I didn’t know you were coming. It brings me great joy to have such a powerful master joining us… but why are you with the Na-chal?”
—Everyone’s attention shifted at once.
They realized.
I was in the middle, flanked by the Jade Flower Sword and the Fiery Lotus.
“Wait…?”
“No way?!”
“Noooo!”
All of them held their breath, while Hayoung simply said.
“Yep, that’s right. This wonderful hero here is my partner. Hehe.”
As soon as she playfully responded,
“Wha-What?!”
“Ugh?!”
“That’s impossible!”
The same scene from before was repeating… Yeah, I knew it. Even I was surprised to be caught between two Martial Arts Beauties.
“That can’t be true! There’s no way! The Jade Flower Sword and the Fiery Lotus, the two flowers of the Martial Arts world, have gone to one man?!”
“Ugh! Noooo!”
“This can’t be real!”
Seizures followed suit.
“Sigh. I knew this would happen, Geunhyeop.”
“I thought so too. But what can we do? We can’t hide it forever.”
“We didn’t really need to hide, did we? Just say it.”
“True.”
I quietly observed the frenzy of the righteous martial artists.
“You! You! How could…!”
One man pointed at me with tears in his eyes.
“I had a fateful connection, so this happened.”
“That’s impossible!”
“To have claimed the Fiery Lotus after the Jade Flower Sword…! Ugh!”
But seriously, how can you all act like this when you don’t even know me?
I waited for the commotion to settle.
“Quiet! What’s going on?!”
The head of the Tiger Unit, Guk-hyun, along with another member, appeared.
“Well, Captain! The Fiery Lotus from the Mosan Sect has appeared!”
“What? Has she come to provide support? Good news.”
“But…!”
—Whispers.
A short report.
—Swish!
Simultaneously, Guk-hyun and his entourage’s gazes turned toward me.
“Greetings, Tiger Unit Head. However, before we greet one another, I want to settle the matter that transpired between us.”
This guy seems to have some intention of apologizing at least, right?
“Huh. I understand. But now, I think we should deal with the current issues first. I’d appreciate it if you kept this under wraps until then.”
“Sure.”
Serin nodded.
“Now, it seems we’re all gathered. I will begin issuing mission orders. Follow the commands well.”
As Guk-hyun stepped up to the podium, he started calling out the names of the sects, issuing commands. It seemed each sect was assigned a Tiger Unit member to lead them on a reconnaissance mission, all departing in different directions.
“The Na-chal Party will go with me.”
Guk-hyun called us over.
He seemed to want to throw apologies while moving together. The expressions of the Tiger Unit members were not pleasant, but it didn’t matter. As long as we did our jobs.
“Let’s do well together.”
I had no intention of messing around. How could I act foolish before the Golden Guard?
“…Right.”
Guk-hyun nodded with an ominous expression, then began explaining a few more things. When the sun rose, we ventured out into the realm.
To scout the Sa-gwi troops.
* * *
The Tiger Unit members were in great shock. To think that the Jade Flower Sword was the partner of the Na-chal. It was too shocking.
To possess two of the beauties deemed flowers of the Martial Arts world—was this even real? Many martial artists had dreamed of such a thing, but no one had actualized it. Sure, past martial arts beauties had found their partners, but no one ever managed to claim more than two.
’Is that guy really such a remarkable man?’
A man with two Martial Arts Beauties, the Na-chal.
Could he really be that impressive?
No way.
He must have played some tricks. First off, just by looking at him, he’s not appealing. His pale skin and tall frame make one question his health. How could someone like that ever allure the Martial Arts Beauties?
“Ugh…!”
“Ugh!”
“The Fiery Lotus…!”
Anyway, the Tiger Unit was in utter shock.
Especially those who were fans of the Fiery Lotus were hit the hardest. The Jade Flower Sword was a traditional beauty, but the other martial arts beauties were distinct in their charm. The Fiery Lotus was no exception. In the underworld, she was called the “Great Mountain’s Bosom.” Many worshiped her exaggeratedly ample chest.
“While we, swordsmen like us, are carrying out dangerous missions on the Alliance’s orders to protect the realm, that worthless guy is frolicking around with Martial Arts Beauties. I wonder whose sacrifice that’s for.”
Guk-hyun swallowed his hatred and carefully kept it hidden.
The mission commenced.
They included the Na-chal and two Martial Arts Beauties in a team with him.
‘I’m going to scout the Sa-gwi now.’
Scouting itself should be fine. The Jade Flower Sword is an exceptional warrior. She wouldn’t struggle against mere Sa-gwi.
But the problem is that the cause of this whole mess involves the Four Fairies.
‘It definitely won’t end with just the Sa-gwi. There has to be more behind this. I need to uncover that.’
That mission would be highly dangerous, but it could also yield significant returns.
In fact, we didn’t need to bear that risk.
There’s plenty of bait available.
‘I’ll lead them deeper and deeper into danger. I’ll start with simple missions, and once they complete those, I’ll feign praise while giving them increasingly perilous tasks. It must be something that only they can undertake.’
If they cared about their honor, they would keep at it.
‘Eventually, there will come a point where they feel overwhelmed and refuse to proceed. But it won’t matter. After all, this is a command from the Golden Guard, surpassing even the orders from the court. Refusing a mission is unthinkable. Disobedience is a serious crime.’
In the end, they would be faced with the dangerous tasks.
‘This will work. No matter how much revenge they seek, acting openly will get them caught by the Namgoong Clan. Instead, I’ll slowly push them into a quagmire.’
If I push them until they hit their breaking point, emotions will naturally run high, and they will undoubtedly act out.
In the process, they will inevitably defy the order.
After creating a crime, I can then use that weakness to control them.
“Heh.”
Guk-hyun’s lips curled into a smile. Just thinking about that scene got him excited. As he worked with the Tiger Unit, his martial skills and scheming had both advanced markedly. Who would dare to devise such a plan against the Namgoong Clan’s Jade Flower Sword?
Only he could pull this off.
‘However… I’m not quite sure how to handle the Fiery Lotus.’
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