The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Spear Heaven Martial Emperor Episode 26

Namgung Hyeok immediately assembled the Pungwoon Unit.

Shortly after, all members gathered at the training ground.

Not even a moment later, the Suhodae and Cheongkeomdae arrived.

“We will be conducting joint training with them for the mission departing in two weeks. Everyone take note.”

“Yes!”

The Pungwoon Unit members responded with loud voices without questioning or arguing.

Their vigor was enough to fluster the members of the other two units.

‘The Pungwoon Unit’s discipline is strictly maintained.’

‘Does this mean they trust and follow the Third Young Master to that extent?’

Namgung Hyeok spoke to the two units who were looking surprised.

“From now on, we will proceed with joint training. Since it’s the first day, let’s start by learning how to form and maintain battle formations.”

“Weren’t you going to teach us the formation techniques you used on that battlefield?”

“Maintaining allied battle formations during group combat is the most basic of basics. If the battle formation crumbles, there’s no formation or anything else. No, before that, deploying formation techniques is part of establishing battle formations.”

“But…”

“Are you already raising objections to the training?”

Namgung Hyeok’s gaze became sharp.

The Suhodae Commander who was about to argue flinched.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Good. If that’s the case, I’ll prove it. All Pungwoon Unit members, step forward.”

Thud!

The Pungwoon Unit members went and stood in the center of the training ground.

“I’ll change the first day’s training content. Let’s start with a mock battle between the Pungwoon Unit and the other two units. The Pungwoon Unit will organize their formation and defend, while the attacking side wins if they somehow manage to defeat the Pungwoon Unit members. I’ll pay twenty silver coins from my own pocket to the winning side.”

“…!”

The eyes of the Suhodae and Cheongkeomdae members who were listening changed.

While suddenly having a mock battle was bewildering, the condition of giving prize money to the winning side was attractive.

Moreover, they were confident.

‘Even though they’ve been doing well lately, their individual combat power is probably similar to ours, right?’

‘Obviously their achievements were inflated by the Third Young Master and his close associates’ activities. If it’s just us fighting among ourselves, we can definitely handle it.’

They inwardly thought the Pungwoon Unit’s combat power wasn’t much different from their own.

Here, Namgung Hyeok added the finishing touch.

“Of course, the mock battle won’t just include the members, but the commanders as well. Of course, I’ll only command and won’t participate directly, so lead your units as you see fit.”

“Third Young Master, are you serious?”

The Cheongkeomdae Commander asked, changing his tone.

Even if it was a mock battle, his attitude of not participating while even the commanders were coming out felt arrogant.

“Of course. This side will accept whatever result comes out.”

“Hmph. If we win, we’ll reconsider the joint training.”

The Cheongkeomdae Commander said this while assembling his Cheongkeomdae.

The Suhodae Commander, who had been at a loss, eventually went and stood beside his unit members.

“Then begin.”

“Attack!”

“Waaaaah!”

At the start, the Cheongkeomdae members rushed in like a tide.

They each swung wooden swords toward the Pungwoon Unit members.

Then Namgung Hyeok’s voice rang out.

“First Squad through Fifth Squad. Defensive stance.”

Clatter clatter clatter!

At that moment, the five squads that had moved forward blocked the fierce incoming attacks.

Confirming this, Namgung Hyeok’s next instruction followed.

“Sixth Squad through Tenth Squad. Counterattack.”

Swish!

Smooth sword strikes filled the space between the First through Fifth Squads who were blocking attacks in front.

“Ugh!”

“Gah!”

Some Cheongkeomdae members who had been attacking screamed as they were hit by wooden swords that had penetrated into their chests.

While the enemies were flustered, the squads responsible for defense pushed the Cheongkeomdae members back.

‘Why are they so solid?!’

‘We can’t break through!’

They couldn’t help but be inwardly shocked.

It was just a basic formation formed by three-person squads that came together to form ranks, yet the Cheongkeomdae’s breakthrough power couldn’t penetrate it at all.

“Damn it. Break through!”

Even in this situation, the Cheongkeomdae Commander stubbornly charged at those in the very front.

However, the First Squad at the front easily blocked his charge.

This was defensive power created through countless training sessions with masters like Namgung Hyeok, Ho Young, Jeon Wook, and So Yeon.

Compared to defending against their attacks during training, the Cheongkeomdae Commander’s sword was simply laughable.

Therefore, smiles appeared on the Pungwoon Unit’s faces.

On the other hand, the Cheongkeomdae Commander’s face hardened terrifyingly as he realized their offensive wasn’t working.

He shouted irritably.

“Suhodae Commander! What are you doing! Hurry up and help!”

“H-help the Cheongkeomdae!”

The Suhodae Commander, who had been blankly watching the scene, shouted.

The Suhodae, joining the battle late, targeted the relatively vulnerable-looking rear of the Pungwoon Unit.

But at that moment, a new command was issued.

“All squads form diamond formation. The Ninth and Tenth Squads will position themselves in the empty center, and handle counterattacks whenever there are openings.”

As soon as Namgung Hyeok’s voice was heard, the Pungwoon Unit took a square formation.

In the end, the Cheongkeomdae and Suhodae, who had tried to encircle them half-heartedly, were blocked by solid defense again.

The two commanders tried somehow to break through this formation, but…

“Clash with them! Create openings!”

“Argh!”

“Ugh!”

Every time they tried to attack, only their allies’ injuries increased.

As the Pungwoon Unit continued their defense in a way that complemented each other’s weaknesses, they couldn’t break through the formation.

Eventually.

“Huff, huff, gasp.”

“Commander. Any more than this…!”

The two military units that had been attacking became exhausted first.

The two commanders looked with dismayed expressions at the Pungwoon Unit’s defense, which still appeared solid.

The situation where the result of who had won was already clear.

“We lost.”

In the end, the Suhodae Commander was the first to admit it.

The Cheongkeomdae Commander ground his teeth as if frustrated, but couldn’t deny the Suhodae Commander’s words.

“You worked hard.”

Namgung Hyeok spoke in a calm voice. He looked like someone who had easily anticipated such a result.

“Now do you understand the importance of an unbreakable battle formation?”

“We understand fully. However, it would take quite a bit of training to move in such perfect unison.”

“Of course it would. However, two weeks is by no means a short time. Within that period, I’ll train you sufficiently for what’s needed to carry out the mission.”

The two commanders felt a chill upon hearing Namgung Hyeok’s words.

Didn’t those words mean he would drill them like crazy until they got it right?

And that target would likely include the commanders themselves. They couldn’t shake the feeling that they had gotten into trouble.

However.

“Since some people sustained minor injuries today, we’ll stop here. Now, you two each take this.”

Such thoughts completely disappeared when they saw the bundle of silver coins that Namgung Hyeok produced.

“Wasn’t this only for the winner?”

“I changed my mind. Since we’ll be working together from now on, I can give this much anytime. Take your men and go have a drink.”

“Th-thank you. We’ll put it to good use.”

The two commanders accepted the bundles of silver coins thrust into their hands in bewilderment.

It seemed the Third Young Master before them was quite strict, but…

At the same time, they thought he was also quite generous.

“Don’t be late for tomorrow’s training. Well then.”

Namgung Hyeok led the victorious Pungwoon Unit and disappeared from the training ground.

The remaining Suhodae and Cheongkeomdae stared blankly at where they had departed.

They felt they should take the remaining training seriously.

* * *

After that.

Namgung Hyeok began training not only the Pungwoon Unit but also the Suhodae and Cheongkeomdae.

The basics were the same as when he trained the Pungwoon Unit.

Starting from the very fundamentals like matching steps, then learning to move in three-person formations, and steadily creating various formations.

But things changed slightly when they entered advanced training.

They all acquired shields with their newly received budget.

Shields were essential to deal with the forest bandits holed up in their mountain stronghold without casualties. However, some viewed this unfavorably.

“Hmph. To think warriors of the Namgung Family would carry shields because they’re afraid of arrows.”

“The Third Young Master is quite cowardly too. They’re just forest bandits – isn’t he being too afraid?”

Those were members of the Death Extermination Unit.

Since they belonged to Namgung Jangcheon’s faction, they spread bad rumors about Namgung Hyeok and criticized him whenever they had the chance.

But Namgung Hyeok paid no attention.

He simply carried out his duties silently.

Thus, two weeks passed quickly and the day of departure approached.

“Go and show those forest bandits the power of the Main House.”

Namgung Jangcheon said this while looking back and forth between Namgung Hwan and Namgung Hyeok.

On the surface, it seemed like he was encouraging both, but in reality, he desperately hoped Namgung Hwan would achieve merit.

“We will show a performance worthy of the Namgung Family name.”

Namgung Hwan spoke confidently with a smile.

He was confident.

He knew that Namgung Hyeok was conducting strange training with three military units, but the Death Extermination Unit was strong even among second-class squads.

That meant they could easily crush mere forest bandits.

‘We must sweep them away first.’

Namgung Hwan thought this and made his firm resolution.

After the departure ceremony ended, the Death Extermination Unit, Pungwoon Unit, and the remaining two military units set out toward Palgongsan Mountain.

Though they departed from the same Namgung Family Estate, there wasn’t much interaction between them.

They only occasionally glanced at each other.

Thus, they were able to arrive at their destination, Palgongsan Mountain.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Do Gyeom, the overall commander for this Jeokyeomchae subjugation. Please treat me well.”

The military officer who introduced himself as Do Gyeom informed them of the general situation.

First, that the number of soldiers dispatched by the government was roughly five hundred.

But they were carefully selected elite troops.

However, Namgung Hyeok’s expression was subtle as he listened to the story.

‘Quite few enemy forces.’

Of course, the enemies also numbered only around five hundred, but they were holed up in a mountain stronghold.

This wasn’t a battle on open plains.

And to safely subjugate enemies entrenched in a mountain stronghold required at least three times the troops.

Having only five hundred meant they were either underestimating the enemy or the commander lacked sense.

‘Maybe it’s both.’

Namgung Hyeok thought this while crossing his arms.

He quietly kept his mouth shut and listened to the conversation between the Myeolsadae Commander, Namgung Hwan, and Do Gyeom.

“When do you plan to proceed with the subjugation?”

“Since you’ve come a long way, I’m thinking of resting for a day or two. Then we’ll launch a full-scale attack and sweep them away.”

“Good. Our Death Extermination Unit will take the vanguard and open the path. Once the stronghold’s gate is opened, please deploy the government forces.”

It was a standard method.

One of the most common ways to attack defending enemies was to use special forces to infiltrate the enemy camp.

The only problem was whether the enemies would comply obediently.

If there were just a few masters in the enemy camp, their army’s casualties would snowball.

If they couldn’t open the stronghold’s gate quickly, a rain of arrows would pour down.

“If you advance so rashly, it will be quite dangerous. We’ll go together too.”

“Hmph. What nonsense. For the Death Extermination Unit, this level of work is nothing. Third-class squads should just stay quietly in the rear guard and watch.”

Namgung Hwan snorted.

From his attitude, he really seemed to think it was easy work.

Mentioning the rear guard showed he not only wanted to monopolize the glory but probably thought they were sufficient on their own.

Namgung Hyeok didn’t try to stop them anymore.

He simply looked at the Myeolsadae Commander and Namgung Hwan with a calm voice.

“I clearly warned you.”

It was clearly their side that didn’t accept that warning.

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