Chapter 68 – Becoming One (2)

Chapter 68 – Becoming One (2)

Five days later, the cuju tournament finally began. The vast drill ground was packed with soldiers and civilians alike, radiating intense heat. Stalls and tea houses were set up everywhere, selling all kinds of food. In one corner, crowds could be seen placing bets on the matches.

The first teams to be eliminated were Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong's team, composed of commoners, and Commander Han Baek's team, made up of cavalrymen. Commander Baek Mun-hwi's team of scouts put up a good fight but was ultimately defeated by Il-gwang's team of Gunsunpo marksmen.

Commander Jin Lip's team of logistics soldiers, bolstered by Sal-wang's outstanding performance, made it to the semifinals, but they were narrowly eliminated by So-mu's team.

Before long, the tournament reached the final match.

“Captain So-mu, you must win!”

“Gunsunpo, let's go!”

“Great Hero Il-gwang, win!”

The ball was currently at the feet of a soldier named Yang Kang. Running a few paces, he kicked the ball toward his teammate and shouted:

*Bam!*

“Captain So-mu!”

Receiving the ball on his chest, So-mu began to sprint toward the opponent's side.

“Block him with your bodies!”

Il-gwang chased from the flank, shouting at the top of his lungs, but it was useless. Weaving in a zigzag pattern, So-mu easily bypassed two defenders.

So-mu was only using a tiny fraction of his true strength. Even so, he was starting to enjoy the match.

In an instant, he broke through to within fifteen zhang of the opponent's goal. Although three defenders closed in, So-mu was faster. His right foot drew a curve, striking the bottom of the ball with force.

*Bam!*

The ball soared like an arrow toward the target hole, which was suspended two zhang high in the air and called the Fengliuyan.

“A-Ah, no!”

“Oh my!”

The defenders cried out in despair.

Just then, a small shadow dashed across the field like a flash of lightning. Then, like a spring coiled and released, she leaped high into the air.

The one blocking the Fengliuyan was a young girl with her hair tied in twin tails.

“Hup!”

The moment So-so deflected the ball with her head, the Gunsunpo defenders let out cheers.

“Wooaaah!”

“Great job, So-so!”

Intercepting the ball, Il-gwang charged forward without hesitation. The opposing soldiers rushed to stop him, but they couldn't help but hesitate. The sight of his massive frame charging like a wild bull was far too intimidating.

“Brother, Captain So-mu is coming toward you!”

Il-gwang glanced to his left. So-mu was closing in at a terrifying speed. He didn't dare try to bypass him.

“Gae-chil!”

Il-gwang kicked the ball forward with force.

Hwang Gae-chil, the commander of the Gunsunpo, caught the ball nimbly, but he had no time to hesitate. Two defenders were closing in from both sides. Scanning the field, he spotted So-so running along the right flank.

“So-so!”

*Bam!*

The ball arrived precisely at So-so's feet. Her small foot flicked the ball up, bouncing it on her head.

*Tap! Tap!*

Giggling with excitement, she bounced the ball repeatedly.

“Hehe. Is it my turn now?”

So-so's forehead struck the ball, setting off her charge. Her short legs blurred as she sprinted. A soldier rushed to block her path, but So-so accelerated even more, sliding under his legs along with the ball.

*Swoosh!*

It was a technique that would have been impossible for anyone without her tiny frame. Running a few more paces, So-so quickly scanned her surroundings. No teammates were nearby.

The Fengliuyan was about twenty zhang away. It was a bit far, but at this distance, it was worth a shot.

“Hup!”

Her leg, raised like a scorpion's tail, struck the ball with a thunderous impact.

*BOOM!*

She kicked it so hard that she spun backward in a full flip.

No one on the field had the ability to block a ball soaring that high—except for one person.

Appearing out of nowhere, So-mu leaped high and caught the ball mid-air.

“Hmph.”

So-so pouted.

Although the child was displeased, there was nothing he could do. A match was a match.

For over an hour, the fierce clash continued. Neither side had managed to score a single point. Since the regulation time had passed, the match entered sudden death—first to score would win.

As So-mu went on the offensive, the soldiers' cheers grew louder.

“We trust you, Captain So-mu!”

“Let's go!”

On the other hand, the civilians were cheering for the Gunsunpo. Swinging his right foot, So-mu passed the ball to a teammate near the Fengliuyan.

“Catch!”

Since he had blocked his daughter's shot earlier, he felt too awkward to finish the game himself.

A soldier named Hwa Mun caught So-mu's pass and kicked it toward the goal with all his might.

“Hyaaa!”

*Bam!*

Everyone watched the Fengliuyan with bated breath. However, it missed the hole by a mere inch.

*Clang!*

The ball bounced off the rim, flying back to the center of the field. At that moment, a defender and a midfielder ran forward, their feet striking the ball simultaneously from below.

*BOOM!*

Struck with immense force, the ball soared straight up as if to pierce the clouds. So-mu, running forward, leaped off the ground.

It was then.

“Uncle Il-gwang!”

Glancing down, he saw So-so running like a madman. Understanding her intent, Il-gwang lowered his stance and extended his shoulder.

“I trust you!”

The child's feet left the ground, stepping onto Il-gwang's shoulder to launch into a second, spectacular leap.

“Hup!”

Seeing his daughter chasing the ball from below, So-mu looked bewildered.

Exchanging looks with him, So-so grinned. Then, she clenched her tiny fist.

“Mountain-Cleaving Fist!”

‘Huh?!’

Her small fist, glowing with internal energy, lunged toward him. To think she would launch a surprise attack in the middle of a match! It was an angle he couldn't dodge. He had to block or counter.

Yet, how could he strike his own daughter?

Crossing his arms, So-mu braced for the impact, but the strike never came.

‘Was it a feint?’

Before he knew it, So-so had reached the ball, kicking it with her short leg with all her might. Although he could have blocked it if he wanted, he chose to just watch.

*BOOM!*

So-mu chuckled and caught So-so in his arms as they fell. Since they had leaped so high, she might get hurt if she landed awkwardly.

“To think you would trick your father.”

“Hehe.”

The father and daughter landed safely, watching the ball.

*Crash!*

It was the sound of the Fengliuyan's frame cracking. However, because the ball had clearly passed through, the score was ambiguous. In any case, the ball was ruined, and the match could not continue.

After a brief consideration, Jang-yang raised both flags, declaring a joint victory.

“Wooaaah!”

“We won!”

The civilians and the soldiers cheered in unison. Everyone applauded the spectacular match. It was hard to believe this was a city on the brink of war.

A moment later, Jang-yang climbed onto the platform, and all eyes focused on him. The crowd fell silent, waiting for his speech.

“There are winners and there are losers today, but does that truly matter?! Today, we have become one in mind and spirit, and what could be more joyous than this?! We have shown that even if a million-strong army invades, we can stand firm and defend our home! Today's victors are all of you!”

The moment Jang-yang finished speaking, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.

It was louder and more passionate than any cheer heard today.

“Wooaaa!”

“Hooray!”

Just then, the administrator approached and asked, “General, the wealthy merchants of the city have offered to fund a feast tonight. Would that be permitted?”

There was no reason to refuse. In fact, it was a welcome proposal to keep the high morale going.

“Of course. I welcome it.”

* * *

The grand feast held at the drill ground continued late into the night. Soldiers and civilians mingled everywhere. Many soldiers were reunited with their families.

So-mu, dressed in civilian clothes, carried his daughter on his shoulders as they walked through the crowd. Every soldier who recognized him stood up and bowed with respect. It was exhausting just to return all their greetings.

“I am Jin-cheol of the sword infantry. I've always wanted to meet you in person, Captain.”

“I am Dan Gyu of the cavalry.”

“Mm. Good work.”

Walking a few more paces, So-mu spotted a familiar face. At the same time, So-so pointed her finger.

“There's Uncle Cheol-du!”

Cheol-du was sitting on the grass, feeding porridge to an elderly woman.

‘It must have been no easy feat for her to travel all the way here.’

So-mu checked the elderly woman's vital energy. Her pulse was extremely weak. At this rate, she wouldn't last another six months.

‘Cheol-du should have had enough money from his pay. Did he not get her treated?’

Listening in, he heard their conversation.

“Grandmother, have you been visiting the physician regularly?”

“I am fine now. Just seeing my grandson's face makes me feel completely healed.”

“Don't lie to me. What did you do with the money I sent home?”

“I can't spend that! That is for our Cheol-du's wedding.”

“Sigh! You're driving me crazy, seriously.”

Cheol-du pounded his chest in frustration. So-mu, listening from the side, felt equally suffocated.

Come to think of it, Mo Cheong, the greatest physician in the martial world, was currently residing in Hanzhong.

‘I should ask the Chief Physician to take a look at her.’

As So-mu was making up his mind, someone approached him.

“Captain! How about going out for a drink? Haha. Today, it's on me.”

It was Il-gwang. Behind him stood a dozen members of the Wolf Fang Squad. They seemed to be in high spirits after winning the prize money.

The reason they had sought him out in civilian clothes was obvious. Although Il-gwang, as a centurion, had freedom of movement, the squad members needed So-mu's permission to leave the military camp.

Since today was a joyous occasion, there was no harm in joining them.

The fifteen-odd Wolf Fang members headed to the Hwayang Inn in the city. Since most of the crowd was gathered at the drill ground, the inn was relatively quiet.

Taking their seats, the squad members ordered a feast of food and drinks, enjoying their time together. Having hit the jackpot, So-so was fully focused on stuffing her face.

“So-so, what are you going to do with your prize money?”

Since a young child had received such a large sum of five silver coins, they were naturally curious.

“I'm going to share it with Cheong-hae and Ah-hae.”

A warm smile appeared on So-mu's face. He was proud of his daughter for caring for her poor friends.

Just then, the voices of some drunk customers nearby grew louder. Judging by their slurred speech, they were heavily intoxicated. Since they were uttering dangerous words, So-mu couldn't help but pay attention.

“I heard the masterminds behind the kidnapping of children here are actually the imperial family. Is that true?”

“Indeed, they are absolute trash. My nephew from Wu'an was dragged away to build the imperial palace and forced into hard labor for a year before he managed to escape. A healthy young man returned looking like a skeleton!”

“And look at that bastard Jang Jun! All those who feed on the state's payroll are the same!”

The Wolf Fang members grew displeased as they listened. As Il-gwang put down his chopsticks, So-mu held out his hand.

“Leave them be.”

“Tch. You have a broad mind, Captain. We risk our lives to protect them, yet they lump us in with those bastards and curse us. Doesn't that make you angry?”

Unlike his men, So-mu had a faint smile on his face.

“If we suppress the voices of the people with force just because we don't want to hear them, we lose our identity. No need to take it to heart. You know that, right?”

His anger somewhat appeased, Il-gwang picked up his chopsticks again and grumbled, “I was just going to warn them. I had no intention of hitting them.”

Just as the squad members were about to focus on their food again—

*Bang!*

It was the sound of a table being slammed. The drunk customers' voices suddenly grew even louder.

“But our Hanzhong army is different! And if anyone dares to curse General Jang-yang, I will beat them to death!”

“Indeed! Only when a man like our General rules the country will the world change!”

If the Wolf Fang Squad had come in their military uniforms, those men would never have dared to utter such treasonous words, even if drunk. They were technically subjects for arrest, but the squad had no intention of doing so.

“Come here for a moment.”

At Il-gwang's call, the waiter rushed over. Il-gwang handed him a handful of coppers and said, “Pay for those customers' meal over there, and keep the change.”

With a broad grin, the waiter bowed repeatedly.

“Yes, milord!”