WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Order
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Heaven-Slaying Sword ◈
Chapter 66: Chapter Eight - Friendly Martial Arts Match (1)
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The founding ceremony ended with an unexpected encounter.
Two days later, a serious atmosphere filled the Dragon Phoenix Unit's First Training Ground.
“Let me introduce myself again. From today on, I'm Kang So-so, and I'll be responsible for your training.”
Yeom So-so greeted them with a smile. Mok Ri-won returned it with an equally bright one.
He was thinking of what had happened two days ago.
-You don't need to tell that Baek-un brat just yet. It'll be better that way. He needs to see you without prejudice, so that when you reveal your identity, he can make a proper judgment.
Yeom So-so's words had become a guidepost for Mok Ri-won, who had lost his way. He could not help looking at her with gratitude.
Dang Hwa-seo tilted her head, but soon let it pass.
After all, being a master of the previous generation who had stood at the forefront of the Bloody Affair was more than enough to earn Mok Ri-won's respect.
“Now, as you've heard, I'll teach you the basics of covert work. Would each of you tell me what you believe is most important when working undercover?”
Dang Hwa-seo spoke first. Her answer was well organized.
“Fabricating one's identity, appearance, and reason for coming to the area.”
“Excellent. What about the rest of you?”
“I think it's important to become friendly with the local residents.”
It was Jegal San.
His usual weasel-like smile rested on his face.
“Rumors circulating among the locals can provide very useful information.”
In the Martial World, he was known as the Strange Dragon.
Since Jegal San often concealed his identity while operating, he had pinpointed a key part of covert work.
Yeom So-so smiled in satisfaction.
“Ah, perhaps it is because you're a Jegal, but your mind is exceptionally sharp.”
“You flatter me.”
“Then who will answer next?”
Silence suddenly fell over the room.
The remaining four members exchanged glances, each waiting for someone else to speak.
Yeom So-so cocked her head, while Dang Hwa-seo let out a quiet sigh.
Then Namgung Jin-cheon proudly squared his shoulders and said, “Slaughtering the witnesses.”
“Don't you think covert work means making sure there are no witnesses in the first place?”
“...”
He sank into silence.
Yeom So-so burst into laughter.
“You're the very image of your grandfather.”
Was that an insult or a compliment?
Namgung Jin-cheon fell into deep contemplation.
Il-un spoke next.
“Hmm, I think it would be best to conceal one's martial ability. Lure the enemy in by making them lower their guard, then capture and torture them...”
“The method itself sounds plausible, but are you really a monk?”
“...”
Il-un also sank into silence.
Hye-un giggled, and Yeom So-so turned to look at her.
Hye-un shrugged.
“Use seduction. Men always become chatterboxes in bed, don't they?”
A great many things came to Yeom So-so's mind, but she could not say any of them.
She chose to look away.
“...Fine. And what does our Ink Dragon think?”
A warmth that had not been there until two days ago appeared on Yeom So-so's face.
Encouraged by it, Mok Ri-won shouted confidently.
“You must wear a bamboo hat and a cloak! Black is even better! Ah! And when you smile, you should only raise the corners of your mouth! That way, you look more imposing!”
Naturally, nothing he said could be normal. Mok Ri-won had given an answer straight out of Tales of Martial Heroes.
Dang Hwa-seo covered her flushed face with a hand.
“...I'm sorry.”
Whatever she was apologizing for, Dang Hwa-seo was sorry nonetheless. And embarrassed.
Yeom So-so smiled faintly.
“All of you, get into the push-up position.”
Yeom So-so thought to herself.
Their assignments would arrive within a month at the latest.
If she had to train them quickly, nothing worked better than a switch.
* * *
Yeom So-so's training had a brutal side to it.
Dang Hwa-seo and Jegal San, who already possessed a certain foundation, were exempted. The other four members, however, received their lessons under conditions where their lives were practically on the line.
It mostly consisted of role-playing.
Yeom So-so pretended to be an old village woman and conversed with the members. Whenever they behaved inappropriately for the situation, she fired blunt-tipped throwing daggers at them.
They were not merely meant to frighten them.
Mok Ri-won and Namgung Jin-cheon, who gave the most wrong answers, were bruised all over and swollen black and blue.
Yeom So-so sighed in amazement.
“...Perhaps you two should just keep your mouths shut.”
They both seemed clever enough, so why did they act equally stupidly?
No, saying they were equal would not be quite right.
Mok Ri-won always failed during conversation. Excitedly, he would blurt out his entire purpose.
Namgung Jin-cheon failed whenever he had to flatter someone. He did not know how to bow.
“I understand Ink Dragon, but what is wrong with you, Sword Dragon? You must have been taught etiquette from childhood.”
“The Namgung heir does not bow.”
“Right, I forgot. That reckless brat Namgung Hyeok could not possibly have given you a proper education.”
“Are you insulting the Supreme Family Head?”
“I'm insulting you, you idiot.”
Namgung Jin-cheon's eyes widened.
“Why are you glaring like that? What, do you want a life-and-death duel?”
Namgung Jin-cheon's gaze lowered.
'I cannot win yet.'
Namgung Jin-cheon knew that he would one day become stronger than that old woman, but he also knew that if they fought now, defeat was certain. He was putting into practice the realization he had gained in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering finals.
Never be arrogant. Always strive forward.
Namgung Jin-cheon swore that he would repay this humiliation in full someday.
He never went easy on anyone merely because they were elderly.
Yeom So-so let out a deep sigh.
Her gaze turned toward Dang Hwa-seo.
Dang Hwa-seo was covering her face and apologizing again.
“...I'm sorry.”
Naturally, even she did not know what she was apologizing for.
* * *
Three days passed in training.
The members had mostly operated only within the Dragon Phoenix Unit, but the time had come for them to work as part of the Martial Alliance.
It was not an assignment. This had been scheduled long before that.
“In two days, we will have a martial arts match with the White Sword Unit.”
It was a friendly martial arts match.
It would not be a simple match. These friendly matches were an unseen battleground that determined the standing of each division and unit.
Since the Dragon Phoenix Unit already received various privileges, failing to prove their abilities there would leave their position within the Alliance uncertain. Dang Hwa-seo emphasized that point.
“The White Sword Unit will send six martial artists, just like us. Six out of a hundred. That means they will send their finest.”
The members also looked serious.
At least on this matter, Dang Hwa-seo had no further concerns.
'Their martial ability is exceptional, at least.'
They would achieve excellent results in a match.
“How will we decide the bracket?” Mok Ri-won asked.
Dang Hwa-seo shook her head.
“We have no information. In a friendly martial arts match, even arranging the bracket is part of the competition. That is another matter we must consider.”
Then she added, “Ah, but the format has already been decided.”
“Oh! What is it?”
“A winner-stays-on match.”
The members stirred at those words.
In a winner-stays-on match, the victor continued on to the next bout. The order of the matchups was therefore even more important.
As people who had always lived as the protagonists of their own lives, they all wanted a favorable place in the lineup.
“May I take the lead?” Il-un raised his hand.
The lead fighter was the first person to step onto the stage.
Il-un wanted to fight first and secure as many wins as possible.
But he was not the only one who felt that way.
“Me too! I want to take the lead!”
“I will take it.”
“Wouldn't I be better suited to lead? I'll get knocked down in one blow and make the enemy lower their guard!”
Mok Ri-won, Hye-un, and Jegal San spoke in turn.
Jegal San had no intention of performing well in the match.
“Hm? Sister, strategically speaking, it would not be bad to use me as a sacrificial piece and draw out one of their fighters.”
“...You, a martial artist who avoids a martial arts match, must be very proud.”
“The strong conceal thirty percent of their strength!”
“Do you have strength to conceal?”
“No!”
Jegal San gave a thumbs-up. Dang Hwa-seo let out a deep sigh.
Still, she did not look entirely troubled.
In fact, he was right. Strategically speaking, Jegal San's plan was quite good.
A sacrificial piece should be sent out early to learn even one more of the enemy's strategies, rather than kept in the middle where their fighters would already be known.
The idea was appealing.
“...Hmm. I think it would be best to put Jegal San in the lead. Does anyone object?”
No one did.
Their goal was to secure victories.
Having Jegal San reveal their first opponent's abilities was instead a good thing. The contest for the next position became even fiercer.
“If I go out, everyone else can rest! I will defeat them all!”
“Benefactor Mok, looking down on one's opponent is not a good habit.”
“Th-that's not what I meant...!”
“Isn't it? Both of you, stay still. I said I would go first.”
The atmosphere instantly became like a bustling market.
Dang Hwa-seo felt a sharp throb at the back of her head as she watched Mok Ri-won and Hye-un loudly throw childish fits, while Il-un stubbornly insisted that he would not yield.
Jegal San asked Namgung Jin-cheon, who was beside him, “Brother Namgung, are you not interested in the order?”
“I am last.”
“Hm?”
“The strong do not step forward carelessly.”
Namgung Jin-cheon watched the three bickering with an indifferent expression.
Jegal San could not help thinking, 'By that logic, shouldn't Brother Mok be last?'
Naturally, he did not say it aloud.
The argument grew more heated, and they were just about to hurt each other's feelings.
Dang Hwa-seo, furious to the point of bursting, shouted, “Enough! Enough! We will draw lots for the order!”
It settled the situation with refreshing decisiveness.
At the sight of her anger, the members quietly agreed without a word of protest.
The drawing began afterward.
Mok Ri-won's turn came second to last.
He was not a man blessed with good luck in such things.
* * *
That afternoon, Mok Ri-won walked through the Alliance beside Dang Hwa-seo, his lips pushed out in a pout.
“...The drawing was definitely rigged. It had to be.”
“Are you still saying that?”
“It is true! How can I, who drew last, get the worst lot? Young Lady, you are too much. You pretended not to care, then drew the second position in one go!”
Dang Hwa-seo giggled.
For some reason, even the way he voiced his indignant complaints looked adorable.
“Even if you say that, I will not trade with you.”
“Agh...”
Mok Ri-won's shoulders drooped.
Dang Hwa-seo's smile deepened.
“Still, it will reach your turn. I intend to win just once and step down, and their leader will surely be Unit Leader Golden Sword. Monk Il-un and White Phoenix will likely step down in the middle as well.”
“Great Hero Golden Sword is coming?”
“Yes. I hear it has become customary for division leaders and unit leaders to participate in friendly matches.”
“Oh...!”
Wouldn't he get tired, being so busy feeling happy one moment and sad the next?
Dang Hwa-seo could not stop smiling at Mok Ri-won's constantly shifting emotions.
They continued walking.
“...Ah, Division Leader.”
Someone was approaching from the other end of the corridor.
He had a sturdy bearing, deep, steadfast wrinkles, and a golden scabbard hanging at his waist.
It was the White Sword Unit's Unit Leader, Golden Sword Kwon Pyo-wol.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he said with a faint smile.
Footnotes:
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