WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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Chapter 35: Squad Leader (1)

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The Blood-Nurturing Valley had a large open ground known as the plaza.

It could hold more people than any of the training grounds within the valley.

It was usually never full, but now it bustled with cadets and Blood Cult warriors.

“Stand straight!”

“Yes, sir!”

A sharp command was followed by a disciplined reply.

After a year of training, the cadets had been transformed into Blood Cult warriors.

On the right stood high-rank training cadets, with High written on the backs of their garments.

In the center stood the mid-rank training cadets, marked Middle.

On the far left, the cadets marked Low stood in five orderly rows.

“Good.”

Gu SangWoong, the Tyrannical Blood Brigade Leader and overall commander of Blood-Nurturing Valley, stood atop the platform and looked down at the training cadets with satisfaction.

Behind him stood the five Squad leaders under his command.

Three of them had been replaced with new faces.

One had gone missing, and two had been executed for attacking a distinguished guest.

“I will now explain the Position Test.”

Gu SangWoong began explaining the test to the cadets, his voice infused with internal energy.

The Position Test proceeded as follows.

All training cadets would demonstrate the Blood Cult's basic fist-and-kick art, the Blood Demon Fist.

They would then demonstrate the combined attack formations, the Six-Formation Array, Twelve-Formation Array, and Thirty-Six-Formation Array.

Those who completed this process would receive the position of low-rank warrior.

“Among those who pass as low-rank warriors, the candidates recommended by each Squad leader will take the mid-rank warrior Position Test.”

The mid-rank warrior Position Test.

Mid-rank warriors were second-rate warriors, meaning warriors capable of using internal energy.

Most low-rank warriors were at the level called third-rate in the martial world. Many had either failed to properly learn internal energy or had accumulated only one or two years' worth.

On the other hand, to be recognized as a mid-rank warrior, one needed to prove they had accumulated at least ten years of internal energy.

The simplest way to verify this was with a Gyeseseok stone.

A Gyeseseok stone was so hard that only a strike infused with internal energy could leave a mark on it.

“Leaving a mark on the stone is only the beginning.”

They would then spar against the Blood Cult's mid-rank warriors.

If they could endure thirty or more techniques against them, they would receive the position of mid-rank warrior.

Crack!

The mid-rank warriors before the platform loosened up as they waited.

They too had become mid-rank warriors by going through this process.

Unlike low-rank warriors, mid-rank warriors received an additional year of training at their assigned posts. They learned higher-level Martial Arts based on the Blood Cult's basic fist-and-kick art, as well as archery and horsemanship.

“Waaaah!”

The training cadets cheered at Gu SangWoong's explanation.

Naturally, those cheering were the cadets aiming to become mid-rank warriors.

“Lastly, high-rank warriors. Among this batch of high-rank training cadets, those taking the high-rank warrior Position Test are... oh-ho. There are six in total.”

Gu SangWoong looked toward one of the Squad leaders with an approving expression.

The Squad leader had thick eyebrows and a Willow-Leaf Saber at their waist. They were responsible for the high-rank training cadets.

“Not bad.”

The Squad leader puffed out their chest.

There were three other places across the Central Plains, like Blood-Nurturing Valley, that trained new Blood Cult warriors. Six high-rank warrior candidates was a respectable result.

‘A well-trained Advanced can easily face several dozen trained soldiers alone.’

Raising such Advanced martial artists was no easy task for any martial clan, not just the Blood Cult.

That was why producing six candidates was a pleasing result.

Usually, a single location would produce only three or four at most.

“Who are they?”

At Gu SangWoong's question, five of the high-rank training cadets sprang to their feet.

“Training Cadet Yi Gyu!”

“Training Cadet Ha MunChan!”

“Training Cadet Jo SeongWon!”

“Training Cadet...”

As they called out their names in turn, Gu SangWoong smiled with satisfaction and looked behind them.

Several people stood behind the training cadets, watching as if they were spectators.

They were Brigade leaders sent by the Venerable Ones and the Seven Blood Stars to select promising people from among the cadets.

Those who received at least a mid-rank warrior position were usually selected by them.

‘There will be fierce competition.’

Selecting high-rank warriors was literally a war.

Every executive wanted to have many Advanced martial artists under them, so they would go to great lengths to recruit them.

It was one of the benefits of being a high-rank warrior.

Unlike mid-rank and low-rank warriors, high-rank warriors could choose their own assignments.

That also prevented fights from breaking out between the recruiters.

‘Which side will secure the better ones?’

He had watched it during his time as a Squad leader as well, but this selection ceremony was always the most entertaining part.

Usually, each faction respected the others and selected no more than two people. But sometimes, someone would become greedy.

Those were the moments when one could witness the conflict between the factions.

“Then let the Position Test begin!”

With Gu SangWoong's shout, the cadets' Position Test began.

Over half a two-hour period, the demonstrations of the Blood Demon Fist and the Formation Arrays came to an end.

Of the one hundred and six training cadets, fifty-seven were confirmed as low-rank training cadets.

All but two of the low-rank training cadets were confirmed as low-rank warriors.

“Now then. The mid-rank warrior Position Test will begin.”

A total of forty-nine people took the mid-rank warrior Position Test.

Eight failed the test of leaving marks on the Gyeseseok stone.

They were demoted to low-rank warriors.

“Tsk, tsk.”

As Gu SangWoong clicked his tongue, Hae OkSeon, the Squad leader who had overseen the mid-rank warriors, felt her insides boil.

Fortunately, the other mid-rank training cadets succeeded in leaving marks.

The high-rank training cadets had possessed a different level of internal energy from the start. They left impressive marks on the Gyeseseok stone, drawing the attention of the Brigade leaders from the various factions watching from behind.

“Mid-rank warriors, come forward.”

Rumble!

Next came the sparring matches for the remaining forty-one.

Thirty-seven people endured thirty techniques against the mid-rank warriors.

The four who failed were demoted to low-rank warriors.

“Please give us another chance!”

“Brigade Leader!”

Their pleas were useless.

Leaving a mark on the Gyeseseok stone did not earn them any leniency.

The Position Test was conducted thoroughly.

“Thirty-seven confirmed candidates. Not bad.”

Thirty-seven mid-rank warriors at the second-rate level had been confirmed.

After a year of training, they would become fully fledged mid-rank warriors.

“Only the high-rank warrior Position Test remains.”

More than four hours had passed before the proceedings reached this point.

The Position Test had begun early in the morning, and it was already nearing noon.

At this rate, the Position Test would be completed before lunch.

“Now then. The high-rank warrior Position Test will begin...”

Gu SangWoong's gaze shifted elsewhere as he was about to announce the test's start.

The Squad leaders did the same.

A group was approaching from the Main Hall of Blood-Nurturing Hall. It was Han BaekHa, the Sixth Blood Star and Blood-Hand Witch, along with her disciples.

‘What is this about?’

Gu SangWoong sensed that matters were becoming complicated.

“Brigade Leader, over there...”

Gu SangWoong looked where Hae OkSeon pointed.

Another group was approaching from the opposite side of the Main Hall of Blood-Nurturing Hall.

‘Hah...’

A giant wild man wearing tiger-skin garments came into view.

It was Evil Heaven, Bizarre Oddity among the Venerable Ones.

Even from afar, there was no mistaking him.

Behind him followed the twins Song JwaBaek and Song WooHyun, both a head taller than ordinary adults, and So WoonHwi.

* * *

- We certainly got everyone's attention.

‘We did.’

It seemed we had truly stood out.

Appearing like this, we could not help drawing every eye.

From the training cadets to every Blood Cult warrior in the plaza, everyone was looking at us.

- This one seems to enjoy it.

Song JwaBaek, beside me, had the corners of his mouth raised in a foolish grin, as if he were enjoying all the attention.

His younger brother, Song WooHyun, walked with an expressionless face.

Evil Heaven muttered irritably.

“That damned wench is doing the same thing.”

Evil Heaven's gaze was fixed on the Blood-Hand Witch and her group approaching from the Main Hall.

The reason for his foul mood was simple.

Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, had made the same choice as him.

[We will skip the low-rank and mid-rank Position Tests.]

[What?]

[No matter what, you are this one's disciples. I did not teach you carelessly enough to make you take the low-rank and mid-rank tests one by one.]

That was what Evil Heaven had said before we came here.

Perhaps out of pride, he had decided to skip the low-rank and mid-rank warrior tests.

But it seemed Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, had thought the same way.

The high-rank warrior test was about to begin, and she had brought Dam YeHwa, whom she had taken as a disciple.

“If you disgrace this one's name, you will answer for it.”

Evil Heaven took out his irritation on us for no reason.

After watching him behave this way for a year, we had grown used to it.

- This one does not seem to enjoy it.

Song JwaBaek's foolish grin vanished.

I understood completely.

While training together, I had seen him beaten so severely that it was a miracle he survived, about once a month.

Evil Heaven called it Meridian Opening Technique for the Golden Blood Body, but it was really just an indiscriminate pummeling.

- Remember that time?

‘What?’

- When we got caught teaching the Golden Blood Body ki circulation method?

‘Ah...’

We had been caught in less than a month.

I had not known it then, but circulating ki for the Golden Blood Body caused a heat-rash phenomenon on the skin. Evil Heaven noticed our reddened skin.

As a result, the two of us were beaten and then made to hang from a cliff for nearly half a day.

Perhaps the memory had been carved into his bones, because Song JwaBaek never disobeyed anything Evil Heaven said.

- You were the same.

As if I had any choice but to be afraid.

When it came to Martial Arts and training, Evil Heaven's teachings resembled hell itself.

I had thought he would merely offer advice on sword art, but I had spent nearly half a day training external energy with the twins.

He drove people so hard that I wanted to die.

- Thanks to that, we gained strong muscles.

I had to admit it.

My muscles had become as hard as stones, though not as much as the twins'.

While I spoke with the SoDam Sword, we reached the front of the platform.

“Hail the Blood! Hail the Blood! Hail the Blood-Blood!”

Gu SangWoong and the five Squad leaders descended from the platform and paid their respects to Evil Heaven.

They then bowed their heads toward Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, who stood next in rank.

Han BaekHa also greeted Evil Heaven with a fist-and-palm salute.

“I greet the Venerable One.”

Standing between both sides, Gu SangWoong cautiously spoke.

“What brings the two of you all the way to the site of the Position Test...?”

“Heh heh, why else would we come?”

“Pardon?”

“I came to have these disciples take the Position Test.”

Evil Heaven pointed at us with his enormous hand, as if introducing us.

“The same goes for me, Brigade Leader Gu.”

Han BaekHa brought Dam YeHwa, standing at her side, forward.

It had been six months since I last saw her, and she was clearly different from before.

She had grown more mature. Back then, she had seemed like a shy young girl, but now confidence filled her eyes.

“You are both making a spectacle of yourselves.”

Evil Heaven clicked his tongue at Han BaekHa.

Han BaekHa brushed it aside with ease and addressed Gu SangWoong in her usual expressionless manner.

“Though we are late, it appears you are just about to begin the high-rank warrior Position Test. This child can take it with them, correct?”

“...The high-rank warrior Position Test?”

“Yes.”

Gu SangWoong could not hide his discomfort at her words.

She had interrupted the process and asked to begin with the high-rank warrior Position Test, so his reaction was understandable.

I had assumed we would take the tests from the beginning as well.

This made me truly understand why people said having powerful backing was important.

“Can they or can they not?”

Evil Heaven pressed Gu SangWoong as though berating him for hesitating.

After struggling with the matter, Gu SangWoong cautiously opened his mouth.

“If they are disciples of the Venerable One and the Sixth Blood Star, then they will naturally pass the low-rank and mid-rank Position Tests with ease.”

“Heh heh, you state the obvious.”

Evil Heaven shrugged.

Gu SangWoong lowered his voice before speaking to him.

“However, Venerable One, not only are the training cadets here, but Brigade leaders belonging to the other Venerable Ones and Seven Blood Stars are watching for selections as well.”

“What?”

At Gu SangWoong's signal, I looked toward the far end of the plaza, where ten men stood.

They appeared to be Brigade leaders serving the Venerable Ones and Seven Blood Stars.

When Evil Heaven looked at them, they started and immediately performed fist-and-palm salutes.

“Hail the Blood! Hail the Blood! Hail the Blood-Blood!”

Since they were Brigade leaders, their voices carried clearly even from afar.

They seemed to have been unsure from a distance, but had now recognized him.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Evil Heaven was not someone who concerned himself with such matters.

At his indifferent response, Gu SangWoong carefully said,

“Even so, there are many watching. Would it not be best for your disciples to at least prove that they possess the basic qualifications?”

“What?”

Evil Heaven looked displeased and was about to lose his temper when Han BaekHa intervened.

“Venerable One, Brigade Leader Gu's words have merit. As the head of Blood-Nurturing Valley, he wishes to handle this according to the main cult's laws. Shall we hear him out first?”

“Hmph. You are one to talk.”

Evil Heaven clicked his tongue.

“So what must they prove?”

At Evil Heaven's question, Gu SangWoong pointed somewhere.

The Gyeseseok stone used for the mid-rank warrior Position Test stood where he indicated.

“If your disciples prove that they are qualified to take the high-rank warrior Position Test, no one will object even if we omit some of the procedures.”

In other words, they needed to prove at least a basic amount of internal energy.

At those words, the corners of Han BaekHa's lips faintly rose.

It seemed she did not consider the task difficult.

“For the sake of Brigade Leader Gu's dignity, we should do at least this much. YeHwa.”

“Yes, Master.”

Han BaekHa indicated the Gyeseseok stone with a tilt of her head.

Dam YeHwa understood her master's intent, nodded lightly, and walked toward the stone.

Then she took a deep breath.

Dam YeHwa's hands gradually turned a faint red.

‘Blood Jade Hand.’

She had only learned it for six months, yet her progress was remarkable.

I had heard that the color of the Blood Jade Hand deepened the more one trained it. Now I understood why the Blood-Hand Witch had accepted Dam YeHwa as her disciple.

“Hah!”

With a short shout, she struck the Gyeseseok stone with both palms.

Crack, crack, crack!

A clear palm print appeared where Dam YeHwa's Blood Jade Hand struck, and cracks spread across the Gyeseseok stone.

“Oooh!”

Exclamations rose from the training cadets watching.

No one had shown that level of achievement among the marks left on the Gyeseseok stone so far.

Even the Squad leaders seemed quite surprised.

Dam YeHwa returned and gave a respectful fist-and-palm salute.

“I am embarrassed to say that I did my best.”

Han BaekHa looked at Dam YeHwa with satisfaction before turning to Gu SangWoong.

“Is that sufficient proof, Brigade Leader Gu?”

“It is more than sufficient. You have a truly talented disciple, Sixth Blood Star. To achieve such progress in only six months...”

Gu SangWoong praised Dam YeHwa, apparently just as surprised.

Han BaekHa nodded with satisfaction and looked calmly at Evil Heaven.

“Hmph!”

Evil Heaven snorted and looked at me.

His sound telepathy echoed in my ear.

[If you damage this one's dignity, you will answer for it.]

Ah...

What did I have to do to avoid damaging his dignity?

Did that mean I had to show an even greater result than Dam YeHwa?

“What are you waiting for? Go!”

At Evil Heaven's urging, I gave a fist-and-palm salute and walked to the Gyeseseok stone.

Dam YeHwa's palm print was still clearly visible.

Before my regression, I had not even taken the mid-rank warrior Position Test, so I had no sense of how much Force of ki I needed to use to show an equal or better result.

- You will use internal energy, right?

‘Yes.’

My innate life energy was a trump card.

For now, I needed to demonstrate my achievement with internal energy alone.

I slowly clenched my fist and steadied my breathing.

“Whew.”

Then I raised my Force of ki.

There was no point holding back and failing to even damage the Gyeseseok stone.

‘Eight levels.’

“Hah!”

I thrust my fist at the Gyeseseok stone with all my strength.

How much damage could eight levels of Force of ki inflict upon it?

Crunch!

In that instant, my fist sank into the Gyeseseok stone.

‘What?’

The Gyeseseok stone was not nearly as hard as I had expected.

I had never imagined my fist would sink in this deeply.

Almost half my fist was buried in it.

Sensing an odd silence, I turned my head to the side.

‘!!!’

Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, who was watching beside me, had a furrowed brow.

Meanwhile, the corners of Evil Heaven's mouth had risen.

- You gauged the standard well.

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