Chapter 7 – To Hanzhong (3)

Chapter 7 – To Hanzhong (3)

The leader of the gangsters who dominated the back alleys, the excommunicated disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, and even the owner of the inn. It was a really unlikely combination, but these three got along very well. Il-gwang and Cheong-hae needed someone to rely on, and So-mu needed someone to ease the boredom. Moreover, doesn't it even match the class? It was a situation where I could also participate in a training course at the sword corps.

“I guess it’s time to start.”

Il-gwang said, patting Cheong-hae's back as if to cover it.

“Are you nervous? Don’t worry, just relax.”

“More than that, I’m a bit bored standing around all day.”

So-mu, who was watching silently, also said a word.

“Just wait a little bit. It won’t be boring once the training starts.”

The total number of new soldiers recruited reached about 5,000.

When everyone at the parade ground finished lining up, General Zhang Yang finally appeared on the podium. The appearance of the man wearing splendid armor was full of majesty, but So-mu could not hide his disappointment. This was because the flow of energy felt from the general did not meet expectations. The adjutant-level general holding the polearm behind him looked even stronger.

‘Well, just being strong in martial arts doesn’t mean you can become a general. War was different from martial arts fighting. In some ways, tactical ability may be more important to a general than martial arts.’

Between Il-gwang and Cheong-hae, So-mu silently watched Jang Yang give a speech.

“I am Zhang Yang. I am grateful that you volunteered to protect the country, but right now, even the time to say such things is a luxury. The enemies are advancing towards here even at this very moment. And their number may be at least ten or even twenty times ours.”

The moment Yang Yang finished speaking, the parade ground began to stir. Even before it began, new recruits were showing signs of being scared and demoralized. But he continued speaking as if he didn't care at all.

“If this place is breached, we cannot win this war. Nevertheless, General Ae Fei is urging us to gather our corps in Yangyang. Because he is sure that we will not be able to defend Hanzhong. But if we are able to hold out, we will definitely send reinforcements to defend this place!”

Yang Yang was making dangerous remarks.

It was a wartime situation now. Disobeying the general's ordered was not a matter of simply taking off one's clothes. It was an issue that could have resulted in beheading if the results were bad.

But his spirit did not stop there. He took out a book from his chest and continued to shout.

“Although we are outnumbered, there is no need to be afraid! In the art of war, it is said that one well-trained soldier can take on a thousand men if they block the path! If we can all move as one, even a small number of people will be able to defend Hanzhong! As a start, I will help you learn this Diamond Sutra!”

The parade ground began to stir once again. The commotion just moments ago could not even be compared.

What was Geumgangjin Sutra? It was a government military training method that only generals and higher ranks were allowed to learn. It was a book that would be a crime for ordinary soldiers to even look at. Although it may not be an advanced technique comparable to the imperial martial arts books, for new recruits, it was a level of martial arts that was no different from a world-class feat.

It wasn't just the new recruits who were surprised. One of his generals quickly approached him and whispered to him. It was Yang Yeon-jeong, known as the best expert in the corps.

“General, please reconsider. If the imperial family finds out, they will be beheaded.”

“We lost half of our territory without a single victory. What is more to fear in this situation? I will take full responsibility. If I can protect this place with just my neck, I will benefit.”

They were whispering in low voices, but they sounded very vivid to So-mu's hearing.

‘Regardless of whether the battle was won or lost, it would be difficult for the author to survive even if he had ten lived.’

Even in Jianghu, if you carelessly pass on the martial arts of a monk to others, you will be excommunicated and, in extreme cases, even killed.

Jang Yang's actions amounted to a serious crime that was not worthy of being punished. But that was just his situation, and the new soldiers were engulfed in joy.

Even Il-gwang, who was to So-mu’s left, looked very excited.

“I can finally learn martial arts….”

It was a dream-like opportunity for Il-gwang, who had learned martial arts only through actual combat. Cheong-hae did not seem to be interested because he was already practicing the Mount Hua Sect's Naegongsim method, which was superior to the Diamond Jintra.

They heard Zhang Yang's shout again.

“The Diamond Sutra is just the beginning! I will teach not only footwork and sutra, but also all the martial arts I know, to those with outstanding talent!”

The faces of all new recruits were flushed red. Would a herbalist make this kind of expression when he accidentally gave him a martial arts book in the mountains? New recruits only learn the martial arts allowed to generals. I couldn't help but be happy.

Su Mu saw the resolute will to die in Zhang Yang's eyes.

‘The author’s judgment was not wrong. The elite troops of Hui army seen in Baiyang County were already trained to the point where they were comparable to martial arts masters. Even if 10,000 ordinary soldiers gathered together, they would not be able to oppose them. However, no matter how excellent martial arts skills were taught to new recruits, they will not become experts overnight. ‘There won’t be time?’

Zhang Yang's worries now were no different from Su Mu's concerns.

“But we don’t know how much time we have left. We can’t guarantee how well our preparations will be completed before the enemy arrives. Therefore, only painstaking training will increase our chances of success!”

The cheers of new recruits rang out for the first time at the parade ground.

“Wow!”

“Waaah!”

The recruits' fears had already disappeared. The morale and motivation of those who had fallen to the bottom were soaring sky high.

“Entrust your bodies to me, Zhang Yang! From now on, everyone will have to prepare to die, so those who are not confident should leave immediately!”

When Zhang Yang made a gesture, the soldiers behind the new recruits began to clear the way. But who would turn back when they see the Diamond Sutra right in front of them? The battle with Hui army was a matter of later.

After confirming that no one had left, Zhang Yang nodded with a satisfied expression. As he came down from the podium, his deputy Yang Yeon-jeong stepped up to take his place.

“Remember! You are not part of the regular army yet! A temporary unit will be formed to stay with you until you complete the training course, so everyone line up according to their respective classes!”

About 5,000 new soldiers began running around in the middle of nowhere to find their location. Cheong-hae sighed and said as he saw them struggling to follow the flag.

“We are the sword corps, so we are over there. I will take the lead.”

So-mu and Il-gwang followed Cheong-hae and slowly moved to the place where the sword soldiers were gathered.

Of the 5,000 new soldiers, as many as half were swordsmen. The next largest number were spearmen, at about 1,500, and those classified as archers also reached about 500.

The cavalry consisted of only about a hundred people who had experience in horseback riding. The advance guard consisted of about 300 people, including those who had previously been hunters, and were skilled at chasing and were agile.

In the far corner, about a hundred special forces, including cooked and quartermasters, were gathered. After everyone finished lining up, the six department commanders took charge of their respective departments one by one.

“The spear troops follow me!”

The first person to move was Yang Yeon-jeong, Yang Yang's deputy. He was from the Yang family, has outstanding literary and martial skills, and was known as a master of Yang Gai painting. As the spear troops left, a general with a strong appearance came to the front of the sword troops.

“This is Wi Jin-cheol, who is in charge of the sword corps! Only those who are ready to die will follow me!”

He was known as the second most powerful person in the corps next to Yang Yeon-jeong. The sword soldiers moved to the infantry training ground along Wijincheol. On one side of the training ground, Yang Yeon-jeong was already lining up the spearmen. The remaining classes probably moved to other training grounds.

Wi Jin-cheol shouted at the swordsmen.

“From now on, we will form a group to do tactical training together!”

Recruits were sorted into groups of about 100 people. So-mu, Il-gwang, and Cheong-hae moved together, and they were given the official title of the Sixteenth Team of the Sword Infantry.

Once the group formation was over, Wi Jin-cheol began explaining the action guidelines and basic tactics. However, none of his explanation reached So-mu’s ears.

‘I didn’t know it would be this boring.’

As boredom continued, So-mu scattered the new recruits in his group one by one. Currently, most of them had no fighting ability. The future seemed distant.

‘You mean we have to fight together with these guys from now on? Cheong-hae, the youngest member of the Mount Hua Sect, was the best… … . There really was no answer.’

It was a moment when So-mu was lost in his own thoughts. At that time, Wi Jin-cheol's shout struck the eardrums of the new soldiers.

“You there!”

Everyone's eyes were focused on the direction Wi Jin-cheol's finger extended. His finger, as he blinked his eyeball, was clearly pointed at So-mu.

“Aren’t you concentrating? I told you how to respond if the cavalry charges in? If you can’t respond, you’d better be prepared.”

Cheong-hae and Il-gwang looked at So-mu with worried eyes. However, he maintained a blank expression and answered in a blunt tone.

“At their current level, they will have to gather together in one place. If they scatter, they will die. Unless they can move faster than a horse and cut down the rider with a single blow.”

A puzzled expression appeared on Wei Jin-cheol’s face. I dismissed it as just luck and asked the question again.

“Quite good. We were surprise attacked by archers in a narrow alley. How will we respond?”

The person who rose to the top position by experiencing all kinds of battled in the Jianghu was the Sword Saint. So-mu's knowledge was so extensive that he personally planned the tactics of the Martial Alliance during the Battle of Jeongma.

“A surprise attack is a preemptive attack, so to increase accuracy, we will shoot directly from close range rather than a curved line. The first shot will be a salvo, so there is time before you can raise your bow again and finish aiming. If you run out and sweep away at the same time as the surprise attack, you can block it without any additional damage.”

“What if I don’t have the ability to do that?”

“We will lift the corpses of fallen allies and use them as shields until our advance soldiers begin to harass the archers.”

There was no hesitation in So-mu’s remarks. Il-gwang, who was watching the scene, kept blinking his beetle-like eyes and opening his mouth. The other soldiers were no different from him.

The anger on Wi Jin-cheol's face had already been completely erased. If anything, he seemed to be in a better mood.

“That’s great! Where did you learn that?”

“I just saw it in a few books.”

“I’m very happy to hear that there are some useful recruits among the new recruits. However, the most important thing for you now is not tactics, but strong physical strength and mental strength. Therefore, today is the first and last time of tactical training. Starting tomorrow, I will miss this moment very much, so it would be better to enjoy it to the fullest.”