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Into the scent of the sword (1)
Early the next day, Gal Si-ryang and I met with Jong Cheon-rak (宗千珞), the lord of the Cheongungdan.
Zhong Tianlu was surprised to see Gal Si Liang.
“I really didn’t know that the soldiers involved in this operation were Gal soldiers.”
“long time no see. how are you?”
Gal Sa-ryang’s attitude was more polite than before. He has been demoted to an ordinary soldier, so his rank is now lower than that of Jong Cheonrak.
Nevertheless, their eyes towards each other were soft. Originally, Jong Cheon-rak respected Gal Sa-ryang, and Gal Sa-ryang was also grateful to Jong Cheon-rak, who supported his will until the end of the three important stages.
Zhong Tianlu got into the carriage with Gal Si Liang.
“The mission is busy, so let’s talk about the details as we go.”
“Yes, you say so.”
The two people got into the carriage first.
At that time, a warrior from Cheongungdan came to me. He introduced himself as Yang Ho (梁浩).
“I will take full charge of escorting you two.”
Usually, when soldiers go on operations together, dedicated drones are assigned to protect them. Their role is to protect the military and escape if the situation arises.
“If a situation arises, please be sure to follow my instructions.”
“I will leave it up to you.”
“Then get in the carriage.”
I got on and the carriage started right away. The warriors of Cheongungdan on horseback followed behind them. Cheongungdan was originally a large-scale organization with up to 1,000 members.
The personnel mobilized for this operation were Cheongungdanju Zhong Tianlu and thirty elites who followed him.
* * *
Galsaryang asked from the running carriage.
“I heard that this operation is a top secret operation.”
“That’s right.”
Zhong Tianlu’s answer was originally supposed to be Gal Si Liang’s. Usually, the people who knew the details of the operation were the soldiers of Jeongjeongak, who were in charge of the operation. In that sense, this operation was unusual.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you the details of the operation yet. “I will let you know when I arrive at my destination.”
“All right.”
A hint of pity passed through Zhong Tianlu’s eyes toward Gal Si Liang. I was well aware of Gal Sa-ryang’s situation through rumors I had heard.
‘Why didn’t you leave Meng?’
This was what Zhong Tianlu wanted to ask. He couldn’t understand Galsaryang. If it were him, he would never have remained in the Murim Alliance while suffering such humiliation.
Although Gal Si-ryang had lost power and influence within the group, Jong Tian-le was not a person whose attitude toward others changed when their situation worsened.
Zhong Tianlu was glad to see Gal Si Liang again, and tried to avoid hurting his pride as much as possible.
Gal Sa-ryang also treated him with caution because he was well aware of his efforts. But this is what I wanted to hear the answer to.
“Knowing where we are going would be of great help to the operation.”
“Originally, this would also be confidential, but considering my past friendship with Galgunsa, I will tell you especially. “The place we are going is Geomhyanglim (劍香林) in Chongqing.”
“Geomhyangrim!”
In the past, one of the three sacred places of Hyeolcheonshinism was Geomhyanglim in Junggyeong.
“thank you for telling me.”
“no. “I don’t know how reassuring it is that the Galgunsa came to this operation.”
“That is an overstatement.”
As I listened to the conversation between the two, I also felt a new emotion.
I remember what it was like when I first saw Zhong Tianlu. I met him before he became a leader. He was very knowledgeable in archery at the time. What I liked was not his archery skills, which he said was the best among the later archers, but his well-maintained arrows.
It was because of his eyes that were as clear as a tip.
He, a young man with messy hair, spoke to me with a large bow strapped to his back.
“This palace will become the best. So one day, I will beat you, the best person in the world.”
The relationship from that time continued and he rose to the position of Cheongungdanju.
Thank you for remaining loyal until the end, Cheonrak.
* * *
Jong Cheon-rak, who had been talking with Gal Si-ryang for some time, got off the carriage and rode on horseback.
Gal Saryang and I unfolded the map and began to analyze the route to Chongqing and the surrounding situation. Although all I knew about the operation was the destination, there were still things that could be done. I found the shortest route to my destination, and on the way
We identified branches of the Murim Alliance that could provide support when a problem arose. There was a significant difference in the results between knowing in advance and rushing to find out when a problem arose.
Galsaryang, who had been looking at the map for a while, suddenly asked.
“This will be the first operation.”
“Yes, it is.”
“But you don’t seem too nervous?”
“The soldier is with you, right?”
“You are good at saying things that are pleasant to hear.”
“I meant it. What’s there to be afraid of when you’re with someone who once led the entire Murim Alliance? Oh, is this answer also going to be misunderstood?”
It wasn’t visible because he had his head down, but I could tell that Gal Sa-ryang was laughing. It was very important to build up goodwill and trust in him, even little by little.
This time I asked.
“You must have experienced many operations like this, right?”
“It did.”
“Which operation do you remember most?”
Honestly, I was curious. What kind of fight was it that he remembers the most?
Was this one of the fights against the Black Taoist Thirteen Alliance? Or is it a fight against the Blood Heavenly God Church? Maybe it wasn’t an operation that day to find the whereabouts of the Demon Cultist and kill him?
But an unexpected answer came out.
“Operation New Dragon.”
It was my first time hearing this too.
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“What kind of operation was that?”
He just smiled but didn’t answer anything.
Operation Shinryong?
No matter how much I tried to remember, I couldn’t remember it. If a place name had been attached to the name of the operation, I would have been able to guess roughly, but if the name was made like a secret word, I would not be able to figure it out.
What kind of operation was it?
* * *
That night, we set up camp.
Several bonfires were lit, and a security net was spread out in all directions.
I personally provided Galsaryang with a place to sleep. I spread soft leaves on the floor and placed the blanket I brought on top.
“The night air is cold, so cover yourself with a blanket and sleep.”
“You can cover yourself with this blanket.”
“no. I’m trained in martial arts so I don’t get cold like this. “I brought this for you, soldier.”
“Thank you.”
I was happy that I could now take care of what I couldn’t take care of in my previous life.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“No. “It feels good to be outside after a long time.”
In the past, when we were at war with Sima Yudu, he moved with me and planned the strategy. I took it for granted and never thought that he might be having a hard time.
Now that I think about it, it must have been really difficult for him. A person who did not know how to do martial arts had to move with the martial arts people. Even though he rode horses and rode carriages, it must have been really hard for him. The war went on for a very long time
just because.
At that time, Zhong Tianlu came up holding a bottle of alcohol.
“Would you like a drink?”
“great.”
The two people shared a drink.
Zhong Tianlu looked at me and asked.
“From what I heard earlier, you learned martial arts?”
“Yes, I learned home appliance martial arts.”
“If a fight breaks out with the enemy, don’t just step in.”
“All right.”
I was really hoping that something like that wouldn’t happen.
I left the two of them drinking and moved a little further away. Still, I could hear their conversation.
Through the back and forth conversation, it was clear that Zhong Tianlu had not changed at all since his youth. He is a typical warrior with strong loyalty.
Although he was the person I needed, he was not someone who would come easily.
Rather, it was a more difficult opponent to attract than Gal Sa-ryang. Because his loyalty was not towards people. He was for the Murim Alliance and for this powerhouse. It would be reassuring if you were on my side, but I don’t want to force you into it.
There was no angle.
As I was sitting like that, Yang Ho, who was our escort earlier, called me. A few soldiers who were not on guard duty tonight were gathered together and having a drink.
Because they were so elite and disciplined, there was a sense of freedom.
They offered me a drink too.
“It’s cold. Let’s have a drink.”
“thank you.”
He also handed me some hot soup. Perhaps because we often camped out, the spicy soup tasted quite good.
“Ah, it’s delicious.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
The warriors of Cheongungdan were experts in archery. Of course, that didn’t mean only bows were used. Everyone had learned basic sword techniques and was wearing a sword.
“Have you learned swordsmanship?”
“That’s right.”
“It is very rare for Jeongeuigak soldiers to have learned martial arts.”
Everyone nodded at those words.
“I am still a newcomer who is unfamiliar with the word military.”
Then everyone said something one by one.
“But the military is the military.”
“Am, that’s right.”
“Won’t the day come when you will lead us? Now, please take good care of us then.”
Although they said it as a joke, their sincerity was contained there. For some reason, I felt moved because I could feel what the minds of the warriors working in the field were feeling. Because just a year ago, these were my subordinates.
“Yes, I won’t forget.”
“Don’t just talk! please!
“haha. “I will definitely remember it.”
Drinking with them was fun.
Galsaryang glanced at me from afar.
* * *
When we were completely out of Hubei Province, Zhong Tianlu gave an order to his subordinates.
“Everyone disperse and gather at your destination!”
If more than thirty people moved at once, no matter how careful they were, they were bound to attract attention. So, in normal cases, it was common to disperse and move and then gather at an agreed upon location.
At that time, Gal Sa-ryang came out.
“Sect lord.”
“Please speak, Master Gal.”
“I advise you to move rather than disperse.”
Perhaps because it was an unexpected recommendation, Zhong Tianlu looked somewhat surprised.
“If this many people move at once, it will attract attention. “If the information leaks, he might notice and run away.”
“Maybe so.”
“May I ask why?”
“I don’t know the details of this mission, but I think it would be better to be more careful if it is a mission related to the Demonic Cult.”
“Are you saying that this operation could be a trap?”
Of course, Jong Cheon-rak may have said this thinking that it was the Demonic Cult who had laid the trap.
Gal Saryang did not mention the possibility that the trap might have been sold by the Murim Alliance.
“yes. “If that were the case, we would all be destroyed individually.”
“Hmm.”
“I have a bad feeling. Please trust my hunch.”
Zhong Tianlu was troubled. He knew better than anyone else what kind of person Gal Sa-ryang was. Because there were more than one or two battles won thanks to the strategy he decided on.
“Even if it’s a trap, if we all move together, we can minimize the damage.”
“All right. “I will follow the military’s will.”
Fortunately, Zhong Tianlu did not persist.
* * *
We moved without dispersing our troops.
A day passed, and then the next day.
The incident occurred in the early morning of the fourth day.
I woke up. My instinct, which felt a sense of crisis, woke me up from my sleep.
Ahead, I could see a bonfire that was almost completely burned out.
Just before the sun rose, it was the time when the tension among the warriors standing guard was the most relaxed.
I raised my spirits to the maximum and looked around. Very secret movements were being detected from all directions. The numbers were not one or two.
This time, I saw an unmanned person standing guard on our side.
There was one person in each direction and two people in the center.
Because the movement was so secret, the presence of those approaching was not yet noticed.
They came a little closer. Right before they hit the player.
“It’s the enemy!”
Everyone jumped up at my shout. The first people to react were the warriors who were standing in line. In an instant, they pulled out a demonstration and fired arrows.
Ping ping ping ping!
As expected from the elites of the three important divisions of the Murim Alliance, they were extremely agile. They were not embarrassed by the sudden surprise attack, and the arrows that flew accurately hit the enemies.
The same was true for those who were sleeping.
The time it took to wake up, get up, measure the arrow, check the enemy, and launch it was literally the blink of an eye.
Ping ping ping ping ping ping ping!
In an instant, dozens of arrows filled the air.
It was a narrow difference, but the difference between going first or losing was very big. In particular, these people mainly used bows. If you give distance, you will be at an absolute disadvantage.
The ambushers, deprived of the first attack, fled, leaving behind a dozen corpses. Although the sneak attack failed, the retreat was not normal.
“Don’t chase! Strengthen your alert posture!”
The unmanned soldiers scattered in all directions and were on alert.
Fortunately, thanks to the quick response, there were no casualties here.
There were nine corpses of enemies in total.
The body was examined, but no traces were found. There were no tattoos or any belongings. The weapons used were also featureless.
That meant only one thing.
“They are warriors from an elite organization.”
Whether it’s Spray or another organization.
I also stood among the warriors and looked at the corpse. What I paid attention to was that I wondered if they might be people who had taken the Bulhoe Demon Spiritual Order. Fortunately it wasn’t. If those who took the drug start going crazy right before they die, Cheongungdan unmanned
They won’t be able to handle it.
Gal Si-liang approached Zhong Tian-lu and asked softly.
“What kind of mission is this?”
martial arts,
