Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12: As Long as It Lands (1)

The Phoenix Inn, nestled at the foot of Phoenixmount in the southwestern reaches of Hunan Province.
As twilight descended, a company of men arrived at the Phoenix Inn.
Roughly seventy strong, each radiating a sharpness of presence as though they were blades freshly honed.
When a middle-aged man of commanding build emerged at the center of the group, the men waiting by the Phoenix Inn’s entrance quickly dropped to their knees.

“We greet the Unit Master.”

The members of the Cheonrang Unit who had attacked the escort party alongside Nakwol and barely escaped with their lives could not bring themselves to lift their heads.
Ye Dohwang, the former Unit Master of the Cheonrang Unit who had entrusted the organization to Nakwol and departed for the main house before returning now, saw his face contort with rage.
The moment he beheld his subordinates before him, the tragedy that had befallen them at Yesoo came rushing back.

“Why are there only nine? I heard there were thirteen.”

At Ye Dohwang’s question, Cheon Gubyeong, the most senior among the survivors, lifted his head.

“The others succumbed to their wounds.”
“Hah.”

Ye Dohwang exhaled and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

“The rest of them are in good condition?”
“Yes. All but one have made a complete recovery.”
“You’ve done well.”

Ye Dohwang gave Cheon Gubyeong’s shoulder a light pat.
Before arriving at the Phoenix Inn, Du Gyeong, who had recently become Vice Master, and the senior members had insisted that the survivors be held accountable, but Ye Dohwang harbored no such intention.

“I’ve confirmed the gist of matters through the Yahon Unit’s report. It’s true the Cheonrang Unit’s pride has taken a considerable blow, but honestly, there were far too many unforeseen variables. So rise, all of you. This was not your fault.”
“Y-yes, Unit Master…….”

Cheon Gubyeong’s voice trembled involuntarily as he had braced himself for harsh punishment.

“What are you doing? Get up, now.”

Vice Master Du Gyeong barked the command sharply.
As the survivors, led by Cheon Gubyeong, struggled to their feet, Ye Dohwang called out to him.

“Cheon Gubyeong.”
“Yes, Unit Master.”
“Come with me. I’ve received reports through the Yahon Unit, but there’s a world of difference between reading words on a page and hearing it directly from those who were there. I want to hear the circumstances in detail.”
“Understood.”

Moments later, Cheon Gubyeong found himself seated across from Ye Dohwang with a cup of wine between them.

“Spare me the flowery words. Simply explain the essential facts concisely, as you see them.”

At Ye Dohwang’s instruction, Cheon Gubyeong swallowed hard and began his account.

“From the very moment the enemy discovered our position while we were in hiding, the omens were ill. And furthermore…….”

Cheon Gubyeong spoke rapidly yet calmly, recounting the failed ambush, the fierce battle that followed, the defeat of what they had regarded as their secret weapon—the Five Assassins of Haman—and the deaths of the Unit Master and Vice Master.

“…Considering that the Cheonrang Unit crushed the Bokma Unit and overpowered even those who provided reinforcement from Chamhoe Jade, the Cheonrang Unit was by no means weak. But the Milgeom Unit, and that man who belonged to it…….”

Cheon Gubyeong’s words faltered as the raw anguish of that moment welled up within him.
Observing the fear that bloomed across Cheon Gubyeong’s face at the mention of Dok Gojin, Ye Dohwang could not hide his inner astonishment. Cheon Gubyeong ranked among the Cheonrang Unit’s stronger fighters.

‘Even so, if that’s the degree of reaction Dok Gojin showed, then he truly must be an exceptional martial master.’

Cheon Gubyeong steadied his emotions, added a few more words of explanation, and fell silent.

“You’ve labored enough with explanations. That will suffice.”

Ye Dohwang, pouring drink for Cheon Gubyeong, turned his head.

“The Milgeom Unit is still at Chamhoe Jade, isn’t that right?”

Du Gyeong nodded at Ye Dohwang’s question.

“Yes, I understand they remain there to treat the wounded, as casualties are considerable.”
“Good. We’ll know when we meet him. Just how strong he is.”

Ye Dohwang’s lips twisted into something like a smile.
Ye Dohwang, who had raised the Cheonrang Unit from its position of weakness compared to the other combat units to a strength that stood shoulder to shoulder with theirs, was a man who knew how to savor the competitive spirit that surged within him after so long.

“By the way, how far has the Jeokwol Unit moved by now?”
“According to intelligence from the Yahon Unit, they’ve moved as far as Jeokun Mountain. But that information cannot be trusted.”
“Of course not. The Jeokwol Unit’s movements exceed the Yahon Unit’s intelligence capabilities. They don’t want us to recover our pride. Rather, they’ll move faster to steal that opportunity from us. We must arrive first, no matter what.”

Ye Dohwang’s expression grew bitter as he thought of Jeong Yuhwa, the Jeokwol Unit Master.

“Then shall we attack first?”

Hwang Jibun, the first-rank captain, asked.

“No. Even with some fresh recruits added, we’re frankly short on strength. The ones at Chamhoe Jade are one thing, but the Milgeom Unit and Bokma Unit members who participated in the escort are still there. Especially that one—Dok Gojin—I should probably be careful about him. I’ll know more when I meet him in person, but somehow I have a feeling he might not be below me.”
“That’s absurd.”

Hwang Jibun shook his head firmly. The others reacted the same way.
To them, Ye Dohwang was legend itself.
But Cheon Gubyeong’s thoughts differed from theirs.
The moment he recalled Dok Gojin, an ominous premonition arose unbidden—that Ye Dohwang might actually lose. Yet it was a thought he could never let show, so he simply held his tongue in silence.

* * *

In the late morning, Dok Gojin arrived at the Milgeom Unit’s lodgings.
Just as he was about to open the door, Yong Cheolseung’s voice reached him.

“I heard about it while eating just now—apparently there was quite a commotion at dawn. Tens of thousands of birds covered Chamhoe Jade, or so they said.”
“What nonsense? I didn’t hear anything like that.”

At Woo Gon’s rebuke, Yong Cheolseung narrowed his eyes.

“It’s true, I’m telling you. If you don’t believe me, go ask.”
“Ah, so that’s why there was so much bird droppings everywhere.”
“Right, our youngest knows what he’s talking about.”

Yong Cheolseung patted Ha Jogyeong’s shoulder in approval for jumping in aptly.

“Anyway, because of the sudden swarm of birds…….”

Dok Gojin let out a quiet laugh at Yong Cheolseung’s exaggerated voice from inside, then pushed open the door and stepped in.
Creak!
The rusted hinges made a terrible racket, and those who had just come in for breakfast suddenly stared at Dok Gojin with startled faces. Namgoong Ho in particular looked half-dazed, as though he’d seen a ghost.
Yu Seollan was the first to react.

“You!”

Yu Seollan rushed forward with eyes blazing.

“My apologies.”

Dok Gojin quickly bowed his head.

“You bastard, seriously!”

Though she poured out rough words without ceasing and her insides roiled with heat, Yu Seollan could not muster further anger. When a martial artist arrived at a moment of enlightenment, what could possibly be more important?

The moment Yu Seollan stepped back, questions erupted from all sides.

“Did you really attain a clue to enlightenment after hearing thunder?”
“Where did you undergo your Seclusion Training?”
“You said it would take about four days, didn’t you? Why are you back so soon? Could it be that the results…….”

‘His aura gives off nothing at all. Could he have truly reached the state of Banpakguijin?’

It was almost impossible to believe. It had already been shocking enough that Dok Gojin had reached Samhwachujeong at his age. But to have broken through another barrier so soon after attaining that state—it was beyond comprehension.

“Well, I suppose the saying about Remarkable Growth applies perfectly to you.”
“Thank you.”

Jong Gak was at a loss for words, struck by such composed demeanor, such measured speech.

“By the way, I have something to say to everyone.”

The reaction to Dok Gojin’s words was immediate and intense.

“What is it?”

“Could you be saying you’re leaving the Milgeom Unit?”

Dok Gojin smiled faintly at the lighthearted remarks, then grew serious.

“The Milgeom Unit is too weak.”

A thunderbolt might as well have struck the Milgeom Unit’s quarters.

“There will be countless dangers ahead. Many will be wounded, as they were in Yesoo, and some may even lose their lives. I cannot bear to taste such sorrow again.”

There was an edge to Woo Gon’s voice—he who had lost an arm in Yesoo.

“And frankly, we don’t go around hearing that we’re weak either. We fought the Cheonrang Unit and won. You’re the only one who’s cowed us with your strength.”

“You were a bit harsh this time. Apologize to them, won’t you?”
“I think what you said is right, though.”

Ha Jogyeong offered his meek agreement, but Namgoong Ho, who knew Dok Gojin’s temperament better than anyone, was watching with the look of someone asking what nonsense this was.

“I will help you all grow stronger. I’ll make you at least twice as powerful as you are now.”

Dok Gojin’s gaze shifted toward Yu Seollan and Jong Gak, who stood slightly apart.

“That applies to the section leader and Vice Master as well. Of course, assuming you’re willing to accept it.”

Before Dok Gojin could finish, Yu Seollan cried out.

“Obviously!”

The moment Yu Seollan answered, Jong Gak stepped forward too.

“When we’re learning, we set aside rank.”

Those who had been angry with Dok Gojin were instead caught off guard by his words. Especially Yu Seollan, who lived and died by pride, had yielded so easily that they couldn’t have imagined it.

“Is there really a way? If so, there’s no reason we can’t.”
“If you’re willing to help, then of course….”

All the unit members lowered their eyes and nodded quietly.
Sensing their hunger to grow stronger, Dok Gojin broke into a bright smile and spoke.

“But first, I have a gift for you.”

Dok Gojin set a cloth bundle on the bed.

“A…gift? What is it?”

As everyone’s curiosity stirred, the cloth unfolded to reveal foul-smelling Medicinal Pills. Unable to contain her curiosity, Yu Seollan broke off a piece and tasted it.

“Spirit Medicine to help you all grow stronger.”

“I myself would pick this up and eat it right now. This Spirit Medicine is truly something you can’t obtain even with a fortune.”

“Manyeon… seok… Manyeon Seokgyun?”

“Did… did you really obtain Manyeon Seokgyun?”

Some in the crowd tilted their heads at the unfamiliar name, but most seemed to know what Manyeon Seokgyun was—what kind of Spirit Medicine it represented.

“What do you think? Are you beginning to look forward to it now?”

Dok Gojin smiled brightly, savoring his companions’ reactions.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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