Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 66 : Back to the Martial World

Back to the Martial World

They quickly finished their meal and headed straight for Yeom Baek's office.

Those summoned included Baek Il-gang, Jo Gwang, and also Tang Yerin.

By now, they were so used to moving together that it made sense to call them a team.

'Good.'

Once again, a chance to gain actual combat experience had come up.

He had just been thinking he needed an opportunity to test the martial arts he'd refined through training.

"I'll explain first, so listen."

No sooner had they entered the office than Yeom Baek's voice rang out.

"You four are to go to Wonreung County, Jinju Prefecture. There's a sect there called the Jeongmu Sect that has requested aid. It seems they're having trouble because of bandits blocking a nearby road."

"Bandits, you say?"

Jeong-un asked in return.

Jeong-un was well aware that there was no shortage of bandits and thieves everywhere.

Hadn't he run into them right after leaving the Yu household?

It brought home to him once again what the times had become.

'Martial artists, afraid of bandits?'

But it was strange for martial artists—who carried internal energy within their bodies and wielded force unimaginable to commoners—to be cautious of mere bandits.

And yet, a martial sect that had pacified its territory was suffering because of bandits?

Yeom Baek seemed to read Jeong-un's expression.

"I've heard those bandits seem to possess a sliver of internal energy themselves."

"They're using martial arts to commit banditry?"

This time, Baek Il-gang spoke up in disbelief.

Jeong-un felt much the same.

To have awakened to the use of internal energy, only to turn to thievery.

Just thinking about it was enough to leave one dumbfounded.

'Even if they joined a security bureau, they could live far better.'

If you could handle a bit of martial arts, you'd be treated as an honored guest in any small village.

Rather than living a beggar's life as a roadside bandit, it would be better to wander the Central Plains as a vagabond.

"Isn't there perhaps some other reason? It seems suspicious."

Baek Il-gang asked, and Yeom Baek nodded.

"You're right. If that were all, the Jeongmu Sect would've just organized a suppression campaign themselves."

"Then...?"

"According to information, these bandits claim themselves as a branch of the Green Forest. Jeongmu Sect is wary that if they touch these men, there might be real retaliation."

Jo Gwang shouted loudly.

"The Green Forest—do you mean the Seventy-Two Strongholds?!"

Yeom Baek nodded slightly.

"Yes, you must've heard. Those were the ones who, after learning a bit of martial arts, took to banditry and eventually amassed some power. They're like filthy rats of the nation."

"My god, the Green Forest..."

Jo Gwang covered his mouth and shook his head.

By his reaction, it seemed as if he'd heard the name of some great sect.

'The Seventy-Two Strongholds of the Green Forest.'

Jeong-un had heard of them as well. They were a group of people who wielded their martial strength for thievery.

At first, he thought they were just fools, but it turned out they had their own background.

Not only did they gather, but they had formed a large organization.

Some even said they entered regular deals with local security bureaus and merchant guilds, promising not to pillage for a while in exchange—a ridiculous contract, really.

At their scale, perhaps even a name like that was fitting.

'What a laughable world.'

Who would've thought merchant guilds and security bureaus were dealing with bandits?

To hear there were people like that all over the Central Plains made his fingers itch.

"So your mission is to go there and show those men that the Jeongmu Sect is under the protection of the Murim Alliance. No matter how much they act up, they're still just bandits. When they see warriors from the Heavenly Martial Hall, they'll come to their senses."

"That's all we have to do?"

Jeong-un asked.

"What more do you need?"

"They're just bandits, right? Is it fine to eliminate them all?"

Jeong-un recalled the group of thieves who once attacked him.

They were the kind who didn't hesitate to try and kill a boy who was a mere child in appearance.

And now it was martial artists doing the same?

Their very existence would bring harm to the people's lives.

Martial artists turned thieves—truly, a disaster.

"......."

For a moment, Yeom Baek stared silently at Jeong-un.

Then he gave a faint laugh and said,

"If your strength is enough, do as you will."

"Even if they really are with the Green Forest?"

"It's the same."

Jeong-un nodded.

Then Jo Gwang, who was watching him with a slightly uneasy look, spoke up.

"Is it really all right...? If they're truly affiliated with the Green Forest, couldn't this spark a major conflict?"

"That's not your concern."

Yeom Baek cut him off.

"All that talk about maintaining the balance of the martial world—that's for those higher up. You all have gathered here to wipe out the Evil Faction that oppresses the people. If you can, you should annihilate every last one."

"What about the Jeongmu Sect?"

"What about them?"

"If they are oppressing or exploiting the people, what should we do?"

"......?"

Yeom Baek's eyes widened, and then he let out a hollow laugh.

"I see you learned something from your last mission."

"......."

"I leave it to your judgement. Exploiting the common people is no different from leeching the nation's wealth. If that's truly the case, you may even take down Jeongmu Sect's signboard, if you see fit."

"Understood."

Yeom Baek's expression hardened slightly as he added,

"But you will need proof. Never act just on your own gut feeling. Remember that."

Jeong-un nodded.

He was well aware of that detail. He had no intention of acting just on suspicion or circumstantial evidence.

That's why he had gone out to investigate in Jinyang Prefecture at night, after all.

"As you all know, Yu Jeong-un will command this mission. All decisions and judgements are to follow his lead. As the Annihilating One-Slash, the responsibility is heavy."

He briefly glanced at Jeong-un's left arm, and for some reason, a slight smile played on his lips.

"Get your preparations finished today. Be ready to depart at first light tomorrow."

Jeong-un nodded.

He already began to recall the martial arts he intended to complete through this operation.

* * *

There was nothing to pack.

As always, once they received their orders, the General Affairs Department prepared everything.

They even handed out traveling packs with all essential items.

All that was left to do was to review and refine the martial arts techniques he'd trained.

"Young Hero Yu!"

From early morning, Jo Yoo-hyeon from the General Affairs Department came looking for Jeong-un.

Judging from his tone, he must have been waiting from early on.

"What is it?"

"You're leaving for your mission soon, aren't you? It was a close call."

He handed Jeong-un something long, wrapped in cloth.

"This is..."

The moment he received it, he realized what it was.

The grip felt so familiar in his hand.

Shuffle.

Unwrapping the cloth, it was indeed the black sword he'd sent for repairs.

But its appearance was somewhat changed in a familiar way.

The blade, originally jet-black, now held a deep, pitch-dark luster.

At first glance, it was enough to make one catch one's breath.

"I asked the oldest blacksmith at the Heavenly Martial Hall. I made sure to request he devote extra care, since this sword has a story behind it."

It seemed he had taken Jeong-un's words to heart.

As Jeong-un quietly stared at the sword, Jo Yoo-hyeon grinned and spoke.

"Try drawing it."

At those words, he drew the blade without hesitation.

Srrk.

Gold and bronze shimmered smoothly along the ink-like blade ridge.

Above it, the snow-white blade caught the pale morning sunlight, scattering pure rays.

Naturally, Jeong-un circulated his true ki and sent it flowing through the sword.

Energy ran from his fingertips along the sword guard to fill the blade.

It felt so free, as if the sword were a natural extension of his body.

"......"

He stared at the sword in silence for a moment, then sheathed it and bowed to Jo Yoo-hyeon.

"The sword has been reborn. Thank you so much."

"No need to mention it. It's only right that I support you."

"Then, until next time."

"Good fortune."

Parting ways with Jo Yoo-hyeon, Jeong-un made his way to the front gate of Blue Scale Hall.

There, his three companions were already waiting, chatting amongst themselves.

Noticing Jeong-un's presence, they all turned at once.

"To be the last one even when you're two-striped."

"What are you talking about? We're still early."

Tang Yerin shot Baek Il-gang a look, then smiled at Jeong-un.

"Looks like we're doing another mission together, this lineup."

It was as she said. It was the same team as their first assignment.

The only difference was that instead of Lee Si-geon leading them, Jeong-un was now in that role.

He suddenly recalled hearing the General Affairs Department say they grouped together people who got along well.

Thinking back, perhaps it was a wise decision.

At that moment, Jo Gwang, beside him, spoke and broke Jeong-un's thoughts.

"Now that you're two-striped, I can serve comfortably."

With a small laugh, he began to walk.

Once again, they set out into the martial world.

* * *

Four reddish-brown horses carrying martial artists in black martial robes trotted lightly down the road.

As all of them were martial artists, conversing on horseback was no trouble at all.

Each had something to say about the mission, most of it revolving around the Green Forest.

"To begin with, those men can hardly even be called martial artists."

Baek Il-gang, in particular, seemed to think the assignment would be an easy one.

"To have trained in martial arts only to turn to banditry in the mountains? No one in their right mind would waste their life like that. At best, they're the sort who barely scraped together a feeble dantian through shoddy partial training."

"What if it really is a Green Forest branch?"

Jo Gwang spoke with clear unease.

"I heard rumors they keep and share their own kill lists. Some even say the entire Cheonji mountains are crawling with Green Forest underlings. Let's not make a big mess and just scare them off as the corps leader instructed. That should be enough for a successful mission record."

Baek Il-gang turned to Jo Gwang and asked earnestly,

"Did you really take the entrance test when you joined?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just saying, everyone makes mistakes—especially in personal matters."

"...... After this is done, I'll be sure to send you a duel invitation."

Jeong-un listened to his companions' banter with a slight smile.

He thought it was a skill in itself to joke around like that without any ill will.

"You're not concerned whether they're with the Green Forest or not?"

Meanwhile, Tang Yerin quietly asked.

Jeong-un nodded in reply.

"I agree with what the corps leader said. Just by existing, they're harm to the people. Our purpose is to wipe them out, but we'll stay flexible as the situation demands."

He glanced around at his companions.

He wasn't alone now. He was responsible for leading the group safely through the mission.

Whatever decisions were made, they would have to be careful ones.

"Let's not discuss anything openly. We're not alone."

Jeong-un nodded wordlessly.

For some reason, hearing that he wasn't alone made the back of his neck itch.

And unrelated to that, he replayed the mission details in his mind.