Chapter 70 – Becoming One (4)

Chapter 70 – Becoming One (4)

Having left Hyeonhwadang, So-mu was patrolling the streets of Hanzhong. Since it was a quiet day, he wandered around the city for over two hours.

The sight of the city, which was changing and developing day by day, was very interesting. The current Hanzhong was in no way inferior to Kaifeng, which was once the capital of the Song Dynasty.

“Haha. Isn't this Captain So-mu? Please try some of this. These are peaches picked today, and they taste quite good.”

It was a general store merchant who was setting up a stall nearby. The peaches were likely snacks he had brought for himself. Although So-mu didn't have much of an appetite, he couldn't ignore the man's kindness.

“Thank you.”

“Lately, my son is obsessed with you, Captain. He says he must join the Wolf Fang Squad when he grows up.”

“Haha. He is welcome anytime.”

So-mu's gaze drifted to the merchant's display. After a brief hesitation, he picked up two pink hair ribbons.

“How much are they?”

When he drew a few copper coins from his chest, the merchant hastily waved his hands.

“Oh, please put those back! You risk your life to protect us, so how could I take your money?”

It was a predictable reaction. However, So-mu had no intention of taking them for free.

He looked down at the scabbard at his waist. Untying the decorative tassel from the hilt of his sword, he handed it to the merchant.

“Give this to your son.”

“H-how can I accept this…?”

Although pleased, the merchant hesitated to accept it. It was an item carried by the captain of the Wolf Fang Squad. His son would surely jump for joy.

“I have received ribbons for my daughter, so this is only fair.”

The merchant's hand trembled slightly as he accepted the tassel. So-mu nodded once and continued down the street.

The problem was that he had come out wearing his military uniform. Every citizen he met greeted him and tried to strike up a conversation. For someone who disliked small talk, it was quite exhausting.

‘I should dress in civilian clothes next time.’

Leaving the streets behind, he headed toward the military camp. After walking for about half an hour, he reached the vicinity but couldn't enter. About thirty soldiers were blocking the path.

“What is going on?”

Sensing his presence, the nearest soldier stood at attention. Placing his fist over his chest, he saluted his superior and said, “It is an honor to meet you, Captain. The catapults deployed in the fortress are about to calibrate their target points. We are blocking the path as it could be dangerous.”

A catapult is a siege engine that hurls large stones at the enemy. While not very effective for defense due to its low accuracy, it was a different story when facing a massive army.

So-mu looked about ten zhang behind the soldiers. Three massive catapults were positioned there, with about thirty soldiers gathered around each one.

“You are working hard.”

The soldier bowed and shouted to his comrades, “It's the captain of the Wolf Fang Squad! Open the path for him!”

The fiercest warrior of the army had arrived. The soldiers hastily split their ranks with looks of deep respect. So-mu replied with a faint smile:

“It's fine. I will watch here with you.”

Mingling with the soldiers, So-mu watched the catapults. They were traction catapults that utilized the principle of levers.

Even a medium-sized catapult required fifty men to load. However, these were custom-made, giant catapults designed for maximum range. If the Hanzhong soldiers hadn't trained in martial arts, they wouldn't have even dreamed of operating them.

“Pull!”

At the officer's command, the soldiers began to exert themselves. Thirty soldiers on each catapult pulled the ropes with all their might.

“Urrrgh!”

“Hyaaa!”

The lever of the catapult slowly drew back, but the progress was extremely slow. It looked like they were bound to fail. The flustered officer shouted continuously:

“Don't just use your mouths, squeeze out every ounce of strength you have!”

At this rate, the soldiers might get hurt. So-mu couldn't just stand by.

As he walked past the soldiers, the officer stood at attention and said urgently, “P-please help us, Captain!”

Nodding, So-mu walked to the ropes of the catapult that looked to be in the most danger. There was no room left to grab.

“It's fine. Step back.”

Five soldiers stepped back at his word. As they did, the remaining soldiers began to be pulled forward by the rope. In that instant, So-mu's hands reached out and gripped the end of the rope.

*Grip!*

The movement of the lever stopped instantly, as if fixed in place. The tension in his hands was heavy.

These catapults were designed solely for range and power, leaving their flaws unaddressed. If the soldiers couldn't pull them, they were useless weapons.

‘Even a hundred ordinary men wouldn't be enough to pull this.’

So-mu channeled his internal energy and pulled with both hands. The veins on his forearms, exposed below his sleeves, bulged. At the same time, an incredible thing happened.

*Creeeeak!*

The rope was pulled back ruthlessly.

So-mu's face remained completely calm. Seeing this, the soldiers let out cheers.

However, the joy was short-lived. The catapult on the right began to tilt dangerously. As a dozen soldiers slipped and fell, the situation grew out of control.

“Ah!”

“Ugh! No!”

Gripping his rope with his left hand, So-mu dashed to the right. Then, his right hand snatched the rope of the other catapult.

*Pull!*

The problem was that most of the soldiers on it had fallen. He was pulling two giant catapults almost entirely by himself. The muscles in his arms swelled, the veins throbbing.

‘It's been a long time since I used this much strength.’

The fallen soldiers quickly scrambled to their feet and grabbed the ropes again. The two catapults stabilized and were pulled back successfully.

Just then, So-mu's gaze drifted ten zhang to the right. He had spotted some familiar figures.

A woman dressed in a black cotton dress walked with an elegant stride. Her captivating charm left the nearby soldiers staring blankly.

However, the person So-mu was looking at was not her. It was his daughter, who was holding Yeon Seo-hwa's left hand.

“Father, what are you doing? Hehe.”

She seemed to be in high spirits after learning the flute, a broad grin on her face.

Seeing her, the soldiers on the other catapult called out urgently:

“S-So-so is here.”

“Would you help us, child?”

So-so was a celebrity in the army. Rumors about her being the reincarnation of a heavenly god or a giant in child's form were widespread. Above all, she was loved by everyone.

“Hello~”

Bowing politely, she quickly ran over to the catapult. Although it was an absurd situation to seek help from a child, no one found it strange. The moment So-so's hands gripped the rope, the lever of the catapult drew back easily.

“Hup!”

*Creeeeak!*

With the help of the father and daughter, all three catapults were successfully loaded. The soldiers cheered in unison.

“Wooaaah!”

“Thank you, Captain!”

“Great job, So-so!”

Leaving the cheering soldiers behind, So-mu approached his daughter and showed her the hair ribbons. So-so's eyes widened.

“Is that a present for me?”

“Yes. Hold still for a moment.”

He tried to tie the ribbons in her hair, but it was no easy task for his clumsy hands. Amused by his awkward struggle, Yeon Seo-hwa stepped forward.

“Let me do it, Father.”

Since they were in front of the child, they couldn't speak casually. So-mu silently handed over the ribbons.

Yeon Seo-hwa took them and deftly tied So-so's hair. Tying it in twin bun-tails that looked like rabbit ears, the result was quite adorable.

“Hehe. Am I pretty?”

“Yes. Our So-so looks like a fairy.”

Just then, Yeon Seo-hwa's voice transmission echoed in So-mu's ears.

– You said you had her yourself without a mother? Make sure your lies are at least plausible.

– Don't ask the child useless things.

– Don't worry, I didn't say much. I have that much tact.

– By the way, what brings you here?

Yeon Seo-hwa sent a coy transmission back.

– What's wrong with a master escorting her disciple home?

So-mu chuckled.

– To think the Jade Flower Divine Maiden, who once terrorized the Jianghu, had such a kind side. If the Martial Alliance found out, they would be shocked.

– Whatever. Send her to Hyeonhwadang by ten tomorrow morning.

With that, Yeon Seo-hwa turned and departed.

So-mu let out a sigh, watching her go. The clueless soldiers only stared blankly at her retreating figure.

“Isn't it hard learning music from your master? Do you want to learn something else?”

So-so blushed and murmured bashfully, “No… hehe… I like Master…”

He had tried to test her, but it was useless.

Just then, So-mu looked to his right. A familiar figure was approaching.

“Grandpa!”

“Oh, my granddaughter is here.”

Running forward, So-so leaped into Jang-yang's arms.

“I didn't expect to see you here, General.”

“I came to watch the catapult test. But it seems So-so has finally found a master. How is she?”

Hyeonhwadang was a place Jang-yang had found by having his staff search the city. Out of respect for his effort, So-mu couldn't tell him the truth.

“Thank you. Her skills are likely the best in the Central Plains. At least in terms of skill…”

“Haha. That is a relief. She will grow into a lady of great refinement.”

Of course, So-mu would have agreed if she were only learning music.

Yet, where under heaven was there a lady who practiced the Lion's Roar? A martial art of such monumental, world-shaking power that only unrivaled heroes would use?

Although he was deeply worried, he couldn't show it. He had to change the subject before he lost control of his expression.

“By the way, have you still not found the missing volunteer general?”

Jang-yang nodded with a look of regret.

“Yes. She vanished like the wind. The volunteers actually believe she might have been an immortal.”

“The world is vast, and there are many eccentric masters. What will happen to the volunteer army now?”

“I heard Great Hero Song Gyeom will lead them for now until General So-so returns. It seems they truly believe she will return someday. What a waste of a great female general…”

Jang-yang trailed off. It was because So-so, cradled in his arms, was giggling and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I'm right here. I am General So-so, Grandpa.”

With that, So-so made a dead serious face, mimicking the expression Jang-yang made when he issued military commands.

It was absolutely hilarious. So-mu and Jang-yang burst into laughter simultaneously.

*Pfft!*

“Hahaha!”

The two laughed for a long time before they could compose themselves.

“Haha. I've lost my dignity in front of the soldiers.”

“I've never seen So-so crack a joke like this either.”

Struggling to remain composed, they tried to maintain their expressions. Since the thought itself was too funny, they didn't bring it up again.

“Let us watch the catapult launch.”

“Yes, General.”

As Jang-yang signaled, the officer raised his flag and commanded:

“Fire!”

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*

With a thunderous roar, the three catapults hurled massive stones high into the sky. It was a spectacular sight as the stones sailed over the fortress walls.

While everyone watched with admiration and smiles, So-so alone had her mouth pouted. She looked aggrieved that they hadn't believed her words.