Chapter 36 – The Rising Star of Hanzhong (2)

Chapter 36 – The Rising Star of Hanzhong (2)

So-mu had a specific reason for choosing Xunyang County as the Wolf Fang Squad's route back to Hanzhong.

'Heo-gyu said they were relocating the Shaanxi branch of the Beggars' Sect here.'

It was information he had received from Heo-gyu before volunteering for the military.

Since the Hui Dynasty was hostile toward martial artists of the Beggars' Sect, relocating the branch was an inevitable choice. Xunyang County was safe as long as Hanzhong did not fall.

On the streets of Xunyang County, disciples of the Beggars' Sect were easy to spot. Right nearby, a disheveled beggar leaned against the wall of a pavilion.

"You are a two-knot disciple," So-mu remarked, approaching him.

The beggar's eyes darted around, sizing So-mu up.

Though he didn't recognize the style of the armor, it was clearly the uniform of the government forces. Moreover, the red tassels decorating the helmet indicated an officer. Slipping up with his tongue could land him in serious trouble. The beggar spoke as politely as possible.

"How may this humble one assist you, officer?"

So-mu pulled a small pouch of copper coins from his robe. It was the change left over from buying So-so's gift.

"Deliver a message to your Branch Leader, and all of this is yours."

The beggar's eyes widened. At a glance, it looked to be about thirty copper pieces. That was enough to buy eight bowls of noodles. Besides, simply delivering a message was no trouble at all.

"R-Really, sir?"

"Just tell him an old friend is looking for him. Whether he comes or not, this money is yours. But I advise you not to lie."

What a windfall. The branch office was located very close by, so this was essentially free money. The beggar's voice filled with excitement.

"Yes, officer! Please wait here for a moment!"

So-mu turned his gaze toward a nearby tea stall.

During this era of Chinese history, tea culture was highly developed, and stalls with two or three outdoor tables were scattered all over the marketplace.

Sitting down at the nearest table, So-mu ordered two cups of perilla leaf tea. It was a cheap tea brewed from dried perilla leaves.

About half a quarter of an hour after the tea was served, a beggar came sprinting toward him from the distance, utilizing a light movement technique. The Branch Leader arrived out of breath, a wide grin on his face.

"Well, look who it is!"

As Heo-gyu sat opposite him, So-mu formed a barrier of qi around them to prevent their conversation from being overheard.

"As you can see."

Heo-gyu stared at So-mu for a long moment, chuckling.

"The legendary Sword Saint has become a government soldier? Even a stray dog would laugh. Haha."

"A man has to make a living. The pay is steady, and it's not a bad gig."

"I heard General Jang-yang won a miraculous victory. I knew you had to be behind it."

During their conversation, So-mu glanced to the right. The two-knot beggar was lingering nearby, watching them expectantly. With a flick of his wrist, So-mu sent the pouch of coins flying straight into the beggar's chest. It was the promised fee.

Once the beggar had danced away in delight, So-mu continued.

"I didn't expect the Beggars' Sect to pay such close attention to state affairs instead of the martial world."

"Right now, our main concern is those bastards from the Hui Dynasty. They've been turning the Jianghu upside down, so we have no choice."

"True. The Mount Hua Sect has fallen, after all."

"And do you think Mount Hua is the only one?"

Confusion flickered on So-mu's face.

It hadn't been long since Mount Hua was destroyed. To think another place had been targeted. He couldn't help but ask.

"I find it hard to believe another sect has fallen so quickly."

"They are currently eyeing the Jongnam Sect. And not long ago, the Shadow Gate suffered a massive assault from the Hui army."

The Shadow Gate.

Located in Shaanxi, the Shadow Gate was the oldest and most notorious assassin organization in the history of the martial world. There was a saying in the Jianghu: 'You can offend the Nine Great Sects and One Association, but never cross the Shadow Gate.'

"Has the Shadow Gate been annihilated as well?"

"I heard the Gate Leader survived. You know of him, right? The genius assassin who claimed the title of Shadow King at an exceptionally young age."

So-mu recalled hearing about him. After he became the Shadow King, the Shadow Gate refused to accept contracts on anyone who had not committed a capital crime.

"The young Gate Leader must be furious."

"Haha, his revenge has already begun. Officers of the Hui army have been dying mysteriously one after another. Who do you think is behind it?"

Holding his teacup, So-mu fell into thought. The information Heo-gyu had shared was highly intriguing.

'General Jang-yang, who lacks martial arts, desperately needs a bodyguard to survive this chaotic era. If I can recruit the Shadow King, he would be the perfect fit. But it won't be easy.'

To think of hiring the Shadow King as a bodyguard. Anyone else would have fainted at the absurdity of the idea.

But to So-mu, he was a highly coveted talent. If there was even a ten percent chance, he had to try.

"If you catch even a whisper of his whereabouts, let me know immediately. You know where to find me, right?"

"Where else? The Wolf Fang Squad under General Jang-yang."

"You already knew that?"

"How many beggars from our sect do you think are in Hanzhong? Since it's the wealthiest city in Shaanxi, everyone is begging to be sent there. Anyway, I doubt you called me out just for idle gossip. What do you need?"

"Since we lack manpower, our corps' intelligence-gathering capabilities are limited. I want the Beggars' Sect to forward all information gathered on the Hui Dynasty to our camp in Hanzhong."

The moment So-mu finished speaking, Heo-gyu burst into laughter. Once he finally calmed down, he spoke with an amused grin.

"You really take the Beggars' Sect for granted, don't you? Intelligence is our livelihood. You expect us to just hand it over for free?"

It was the reaction So-mu had expected. Taking a quiet sip of his tea, he spoke softly.

"If Hanzhong falls, the Beggars' Sect won't be safe either."

So-mu was correct.

Hanzhong was a vital strategic hub. If it fell, the entire Central Plains would be placed in mortal danger. It was no exaggeration to say that the survival of the martial world hung on the success of the Hanzhong forces.

Should they fall, the situation would become incomparably worse.

"So we are in the same boat? I can't make any promises, but since it's your request, I will discuss it with the Sect Leader. He happens to be visiting, so we should have a decision today."

"And I have one more favor."

Heo-gyu stared at So-mu with a suspicious look. He suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Don't tell me it's what I think it is."

"It is. I just realized I gave all my remaining money to that beggar earlier. Can you cover the bill?"

Heo-gyu let out a long sigh, his face twisting in annoyance.

* * *

Upon returning to the military camp, the Wolf Fang Squad headed straight to their barracks to unpack. In the training grounds to their left and right, soldiers were diligently training.

Walking another half a quarter of an hour, they reached the Wolf Fang Squad's training ground. A young girl in training robes was swinging a sword all by her lonesome. She looked somewhat lonely.

"So-so!"

Hearing the familiar voice, So-so whipped her head around. Spotting her father and uncles, tears welled in her eyes at the sight of the familiar faces she had missed.

Running as fast as her legs could carry her, she threw herself into So-mu's arms.

"Daddy! What took you so long?!"

"Have you been good?" So-mu asked, hugging her tightly.

Instead of answering, So-so looked around expectantly. "Where is my present?"

Seeing her search for a gift first, the onlookers couldn't help but chuckle. They couldn't tell if she was waiting for her father or for the present.

Il-gwang nudged Cheong-hae, snickering. "See? What did I tell you?"

"It would have been a disaster if you had forgotten," Cheong-hae agreed.

So-mu reached into his pack and pulled out a garment.

It was a traditional Korean Hanbok, which had become highly popular in the Central Plains after being introduced a decade ago. It featured a snow-white upper top, a pink jeogori embroidered with flower patterns, and a chima that fell all the way to her ankles. It was a high-quality garment made of fine silk, looking incredibly vibrant.

Receiving the dress, So-so's tears vanished, replaced by a bright smile.

"Hehe! Feel this, Daddy! It's so soft!"

It was a natural reaction, given it was her first time touching silk. It had always pained So-mu to see her running around the camp in rough training clothes all day.

Watching her hug the dress in delight, a warm smile spread across So-mu's face.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Thank you, Daddy!"

So-mu patted her head. "Since I've just returned, I must go report to the General first."

"Grandpa? I know where he is!"

Naturally, he would be in his office at this hour. Feigning ignorance, So-mu followed So-so, turning to his squad.

"I'll see you all at the barracks later. Go get some rest."

"Yes, Captain!"

"We'll head ahead, then!"

Leaving the squad behind, So-mu headed straight for Jang-yang's office. Since Jang-yang had already heard of their return and was waiting, they were admitted immediately.

"The office has changed quite a bit," So-mu noted.

The simple, tidy state of the General's office was nowhere to be found. A Xiangqi board lay discarded in the corner, and half-eaten snacks were scattered here and there. It was clearly So-so's doing.

"Haha. The empty office used to feel so lonely, but she kept things lively," Jang-yang chuckled.

So-mu's gaze naturally drifted toward the ceiling and the door frame. They were brand new. Moreover, there were faint traces of combat on the walls.

'An assassin came.'

The need to find a bodyguard for Jang-yang was growing more urgent by the day. But before he could address that, he had to wrap up his report.

The Wolf Fang Squad had returned less than half a month after setting out. Though Jang-yang undoubtedly had countless questions, he waited patiently for So-mu to speak.

"The campaign ended in defeat, General."

"I figured as much. You wouldn't have returned so quickly otherwise. Tell me, what happened? It sounds like a long story, so take a seat first."

So-mu bowed his head and glanced at his daughter.

"So-so, Grandpa and I have important matters to discuss. Would you like to go play outside for a bit?"

"No, I want to stay here with Daddy," she pouted, clinging to him.

Having been apart for so long, she didn't want to leave his side. As So-mu wore a troubled expression, Jang-yang waved his hand with a warm smile.

"It is fine, let her stay. She is being quiet, so there is no need to send her away."

To the elderly, familyless general, So-so had already become like his own granddaughter. Handing her a few treats, So-so smiled brightly and ran over to a corner to sit down.

Staring at his daughter, So-mu shook his head with a chuckle before turning to Jang-yang. He detailed everything that had transpired from the moment they joined the gathering point to the dissolution of the army. Jang-yang's expression shifted constantly as he listened.

When So-mu finished, Jang-yang addressed the most heartening part of the report.

"Hahaha! Evacuating the residents of Huihuan Town like that… You did well!"

"It was an action that could have put you in political danger, General."

"Nonsense. If you had participated in the pillaging, I would have been deeply disappointed. You did the right thing."

"But I worry that our actions might have disadvantaged the army in the battle."

"The battle was lost before it even began. Our opponent is the Hui Dynasty, which breeds massive numbers of warhorses on the northern steppes. Marching onto an open plain without any preparation is practically begging to be slaughtered. It is a tragedy that General Ugo died because of an incompetent commander. To lose such a fine general so pointlessly…"

"The Commander-in-Chief seemed blinded by greed for military merit."

"Yu Gwang-se has always been that way. How could a man who values his own safety over the nation have the qualities of a Commander-in-Chief? But compared to Jang Jun, Yu Gwang-se is practically a saint."

Director of the Privy Council Jang Jun. The man who had promised to join the gathering with fifty thousand troops but never showed up.

"To be worse than Yu Gwang-se… I find that hard to believe. What kind of man is he?"

"An absolute scoundrel. The moment word spreads that Jang Jun is marching, the villagers along his path flee their homes."

So-mu noticed Jang-yang's hands trembling. It was the first time he had seen the General speak of someone with such intense vitriol. He couldn't help but ask.

"Does he pillage that often?"

"He has no interest in fighting the enemy. He only leads his men to plunder and loot every village they pass. They even drag off women and rape them. It makes me question if he is truly a general of our empire."

Just hearing about it made So-mu's blood boil. It was so absurd he could only let out a cold laugh.

'This man named Jang Jun is certainly not fit to live.'

He was a cancer that needed to be excised. Even though they were technically on the same side, So-mu resolved to eliminate him at the first opportunity.

As So-mu fell into silent contemplation, Jang-yang spoke again with a serious expression.

"Now that the Hui Dynasty has seized the momentum, they will soon begin their march south. We must strengthen our defenses. But before we do that, there are a few pressing matters we must address."

"What are they, General?"

"Recently, hundreds of refugees have been arriving in Hanzhong every day. I was just about to head out and oversee the situation. Come, let us go together."