With the new recruits about to join their respective units, the Martial Alliance assigned missions to each of its combat forces.
These assignments were intended to give seniors and juniors an opportunity to become acquainted and strengthen their bonds through shared experiences in the field.
Naturally, however, the difficulty of each mission was determined by an objective assessment of the unit's martial strength.
And there were considerable differences in strength even among the Martial Alliance's own combat units.
For example, elite forces such as the Heavenly Tiger Unit, the Golden Wolf Unit, and the Poison King Unit were entrusted with particularly difficult missions. Their accomplishments naturally accumulated quickly, earning their members recognition within the Alliance.
On the other hand, lower-ranking forces such as the Black Tortoise Unit and the White Dragon Unit were generally assigned easier missions. Although these carried less risk, the arrangement also made it difficult for their members to distinguish themselves and earn recognition.
That was precisely why Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon had been ridiculed for their choices.
"Anyway, that's how things stand. Everyone, get changed and assemble."
At Zhuge Lin's command, the martial artists of the Black Tortoise Unit immediately began moving with practiced discipline.
Cheon Woojin, however, was thoroughly bewildered.
The unit members had surrounded the two newcomers and were constantly asking questions, offering explanations, and talking about one thing after another.
Having spent his entire life in a quiet mountain valley with his two taciturn masters, Woojin had never experienced so many people talking to him at once.
By the time his head began to spin, Song Yiyeon had already made friends with several of the men.
As expected of someone raised in a merchant family, Song had no trouble striking up conversations, cheerfully addressing everyone as "Senior" or "Brother."
"Oh! Senior Jang, you're from Anhui too? What a coincidence! To think I'd meet someone from my hometown here!"
Jang Woopyeong burst into hearty laughter at Song Yiyeon's flattery and threw an arm around each of the newcomers' shoulders.
"Do you have any idea how big Anhui Province is? Besides, it borders Hubei, where the Martial Alliance is located. There are already three people from Anhui in the Black Tortoise Unit. Three!"
"Really? That's even better! Three seniors from my hometown!"
Jang Woopyeong shook his head at the relentless flattery.
But he certainly didn't dislike Song Yiyeon's bright, cheerful manner.
In fact, he liked the quiet Cheon Woojin just as much.
He was simply delighted that new recruits had finally arrived.
I-I'm finally going to stop being the youngest!
In the entire history of the Martial Alliance, this was the first time successful applicants had voluntarily chosen to join the Black Tortoise Unit.
Until now, no newly accepted applicants had ever joined it. The unit's ranks had been filled primarily by martial artists transferred from other combat forces.
Naturally, everyone who arrived had been senior to Jang Woopyeong.
As a result, he had spent nearly ten years as the youngest member of the unit.
His only consolation had been that he had entered the Martial Alliance at a very young age and was still not quite thirty.
Throughout the vast Martial Alliance, there was only one other person who shared his particular misery: the youngest member of the White Dragon Unit.
Of course, that poor fellow was still the youngest in his unit.
Jang Woopyeong, on the other hand, had finally escaped.
"Now then, you two newcomers, listen carefully. There's someone over there who's rather sensitive, so you'd better not provoke him unnecessarily..."
"Hey! Don't let him hear you!"
"See? I told you he's sensitive. Now, that fellow over there is a genuinely nice person, so you can joke around with him a little."
"Why, you bastard...!"
"Hahaha! I'm only kidding!"
Jang Woopyeong laughed heartily before continuing.
"Anyway, if either of you runs into trouble, just come to me. Your big brother here can take care of most problems for you."
Watching the exchange from a short distance away, Zhuge Lin let out an incredulous little laugh.
And just what does that hopeless Jang Woopyeong think he can help them with...?
Naturally, she kept that thought to herself.
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon were precious juniors, but Jang Woopyeong was just as dear to her.
There was no reason to wound his pride.
"Get moving!"
Of course, that didn't mean she could stand around watching them fool about when they were supposed to be preparing for a mission.
At Zhuge Lin's sharp shout, Jang Woopyeong flinched and hurriedly quickened his pace.
"Come on, let's get going. The Deputy Commander might not look it, but she's got a nasty temper when she's angry."
"What do you mean, she might not look it? Doesn't she always look like that?"
Song Yiyeon gave a sly chuckle.
Then his eyes met Zhuge Lin's.
He promptly hurried ahead of Jang Woopyeong and disappeared from view.
******
A dark martial robe and a monk-style outer garment, with the character 玄 embroidered in gold thread across the chest.
Cheon Woojin, now dressed in the Black Tortoise Unit's uniform, rolled his shoulders and moved his arms experimentally.
It felt terribly uncomfortable.
Having always worn loose, comfortable martial robes while living with his masters, he found the unfamiliar clothing rather restrictive.
Just then, Song Yiyeon approached, having finished changing as well. A foolish grin spread across his face.
"Young Hero Cheon, you look quite impressive in that uniform."
Song's admiration was genuine.
Cheon Woojin looked exceptionally striking in the dark martial robes. They suited the peculiar air of danger and mystery that surrounded him, as though he were a man with countless untold stories.
Of course, Song still considered himself the more handsome of the two.
Whatever anyone else might think, Song Yiyeon's confidence in his own appearance was practically unshakable.
At least when the Nangong family wasn't involved.
"Hmm. It's a little uncomfortable."
"Even so, wearing this makes me feel like I've finally become a proper martial artist of the Martial Alliance. Hehe."
Just as the two finished adjusting their uniforms—
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the changing room door.
Naturally, it had to be Zhuge Lin, the only woman among them.
After making certain that everyone else had finished changing, Song Yiyeon hurried over to open the door, eager to prove himself a diligent new recruit.
Zhuge Lin stepped inside.
"Is everyone ready?"
Some members of the unit were older than her or had served longer, so she maintained a respectful, formal tone when speaking in her official capacity.
"Yes, Deputy Commander!"
Answers came from every corner of the room.
After confirming that everyone was prepared, Zhuge Lin's expression settled into a calm, composed mask.
It was entirely different from her usual manner.
A faintly cold, unapproachable air surrounded her, much like the impression she had given Woojin when they first met aboard the boat.
"The mission is simple."
The moment Zhuge Lin began speaking, the relaxed expressions of the unit members turned serious.
Others might look down on them, but the Black Tortoise Unit was still one of the Martial Alliance's combat forces.
Its members understood the importance of their duties.
Zhuge Lin's expression grew more solemn as she continued.
"We're to assist the Heavenly Tiger Unit."
"Huh?"
Jang Woopyeong couldn't hide his disappointment.
He glanced at Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon before quietly approaching Zhuge Lin.
"Deputy Commander, come on. This is the newcomers' very first mission. Why do we have to play a supporting role?"
"It's the decision of the Military Affairs Department. What can we do about it?"
"But isn't the Military Affairs Department practically in the Zhuge family's pocket? Couldn't you put in a word and get us assigned something more impressive?"
Zhuge Lin's eyes narrowed.
Jang Woopyeong immediately cleared his throat and took a cautious step backward.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
"Junior Jang, you're saying something rather dangerous. Are you suggesting that the Martial Alliance's Military Affairs Department can be swayed by the influence of a single family?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Well, it can, actually. Isn't that why my suspension has already been lifted?"
"...?"
Jang Woopyeong stared at her in disbelief, his eyes narrowing.
Which way am I supposed to take this?
Zhuge Lin continued as though nothing had happened.
"Of course, assigning missions is the exclusive authority of the Military Affairs Department, so even the Zhuge family can't interfere with its decisions. Besides, you know perfectly well that I'm hardly treated like a proper eldest daughter of the family, don't you?"
"...I'm sorry."
Jang Woopyeong shook his head, reproaching himself.
For a moment, he had forgotten that there were certain complications between the Deputy Commander and the Zhuge family.
Zhuge Lin placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Well then, shall we get going? Junior Jang, make sure you look after our two newcomers properly. Understood?"
"Yes, of course!"
Jang Woopyeong straightened up, his expression becoming noticeably more disciplined.
Zhuge Lin smiled in satisfaction.
The sight of that smile, however, brought a troubled expression to Jang Woopyeong's face.
"Deputy Commander, please don't smile at me like that. It's honestly making my heart flutter."
Objectively speaking, Zhuge Lin was a beautiful woman.
A cold beauty, to be precise, with features that ordinarily gave her a rather frosty appearance.
Whenever she smiled brightly, it was only natural that people's gazes were drawn toward her.
Of course, whether his observation was true or not, that was hardly something a subordinate should say to his deputy commander.
And so, punishment followed immediately.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Smack!
A sharp, light sound rang out as Jang Woopyeong's head jerked backward.
A red palm print appeared on his forehead.
Of course, the members of the Black Tortoise Unit were close enough to exchange jokes—and blows—like this without taking offense.
They had worked together for so long, without transfers or reinforcements to change their ranks, that such familiarity had become perfectly natural.
Zhuge Lin casually brushed off her hands before turning toward the two newcomers.
"I know you two are exceptionally strong, but this is your first mission. For now, just consider it an opportunity to observe and learn."
Then she added, with an entirely straight face, "Of course, if we encounter a dangerous situation, you're welcome to protect me. I'll permit it."
"..."
Cheon Woojin stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.
"I'm joking."
Zhuge Lin gave a gentle smile, then turned and headed out of the changing room.
"The Unit Commander is waiting, so everyone hurry outside."
Just before leaving, she added one last remark.
"Oh, and perhaps I wasn't entirely joking..."
For some reason, Woojin felt as though he had just heard something he would have been better off not hearing.
He promptly decided to erase it from his memory.
Meanwhile, Jang Woopyeong had somehow recovered his confident expression.
Grinning foolishly once more, he threw his arms around the shoulders of the two newcomers.
"Come on, let's go. It's been a long time since the entire Black Tortoise Unit went out on a mission together."
******
By the time the entire Black Tortoise Unit had finished its preparations and assembled before the Martial Alliance's main gate, the Heavenly Tiger Unit was already waiting.
Cheon Woojin surveyed the assembled martial artists with an indifferent gaze.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, whom he had met before, still carried himself with the sharp, imposing presence of a finely honed blade.
Nangong Jin was there as well, along with Tang Soyeon of the Sichuan Tang family and Jin Yun of the Mount Hua Sect.
All three were among the five highest-ranked applicants in the selection examinations, alongside Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon.
Suddenly, Song Yiyeon spoke.
"Young Hero Cheon, they're glaring at us. Especially Nangong Jin."
"...An inferiority complex, I suppose."
"Ahem. Is that so?"
In truth, the Heavenly Tiger Unit members hardly seemed interested in the Black Tortoise Unit at all.
Even so, the atmosphere surrounding the two units was unmistakably different.
If the Black Tortoise Unit resembled a neighborhood association setting out on its regular patrol, the Heavenly Tiger Unit looked as solemn and imposing as the last surviving force of the Orthodox Path preparing to confront the Demonic Cult.
The contrast was almost comical.
While Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon were observing the Heavenly Tiger Unit—
"Buy one, won't you?"
A wrinkled hand suddenly appeared before them.
It belonged to an elderly woman who made a living selling four-leaf clovers to people passing through the Martial Alliance's main gate.
These plants, commonly known as four-leaf rabbit grass, were relatively rare. According to popular superstition, finding one was a sign of good fortune.
Song Yiyeon instinctively reached into his robes.
Then his expression fell.
"Oh dear, what am I going to do? I didn't bring my money pouch when I changed clothes..."
He turned toward Woojin.
"Young Hero Cheon, did you happen to bring yours?"
Cheon Woojin shook his head.
There was no particular reason to carry money when setting out on a mission.
"What's this?"
A rough voice suddenly interrupted them.
Cheol Jiak, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, had approached without their noticing and was looking over the situation.
His appearance was so fierce that even a mountain bandit would have seemed mild-mannered beside him.
The elderly woman visibly shrank back in alarm.
Cheol Jiak approached her.
"How much are you asking?"
"...One iron coin each."
"How many are you planning to sell before you head home today?"
The old woman's eyes darted from side to side as she considered the question.
Then she answered cautiously.
"About thirty..."
In fact, she had just added another ten to her original target.
She was a rather shrewd old woman.
Cheol Jiak reached into his robes, pulled out his money pouch, and emptied its contents into her hand.
"I'll buy the whole lot. Could you give me two of them? This is all the money I brought."
The old woman's face immediately lit up.
"Oh, my! Thank you so much, sir..."
Cheol Jiak simply grinned as he accepted the thirty four-leaf clovers.
The elderly woman departed with a noticeably lighter step.
Just then, Zhuge Lin approached.
"Commander, really! You hardly have any money to begin with. What are you going to do if you spend everything you have on things like this?"
"...You brat. I'm still a unit commander who draws a salary from the Martial Alliance."
Zhuge Lin shook her head.
Meanwhile, Cheol Jiak began distributing the four-leaf clovers among the members of the Black Tortoise Unit, handing them out one by one.
"This is the kind of luck money can't buy. It's the newcomers' first mission, so everyone make sure you keep yours safely tucked inside your robes."
Jang Woopyeong couldn't help snickering.
"Isn't it just a superstition, Commander?"
"I happen to like superstitions."
Cheol Jiak's expression was perfectly serious.
Seeing that, Jang Woopyeong immediately wiped the smile from his face and nodded with equal solemnity.
"Yes, sir."
Then he asked, "But what exactly is this mission, anyway?"
"Who knows? I suppose we'll find out now."
With that, Cheol Jiak turned and made his way toward the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
The commander and his subordinates had been speaking quietly among themselves.
When they noticed Cheol Jiak approaching, they exchanged glances and fell silent.
Cheol Jiak's eyebrows twitched.
"Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander."
"Yes, Commander."
Although the Heavenly Tiger Unit enjoyed a considerably higher standing within the Martial Alliance than the Black Tortoise Unit, Cheol Jiak was still the senior of the two commanders.
And the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was not a man ignorant of proper etiquette.
He had always addressed Cheol Jiak respectfully, regardless of the difference in their units' prestige.
"So, what exactly is this mission? If we're supposed to assist you, I ought to know what we're assisting with."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's lips moved slightly, as though he found himself in an uncomfortable position.
After a moment's hesitation, he finally answered.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you."
"What?"
"This is a mission in which secrecy is of the utmost importance."
Cheol Jiak's eyes narrowed.
From what he had observed, the ordinary members of the Heavenly Tiger Unit already appeared to know the details of the assignment.
Yet their commander was refusing to share that information with him.
"You're telling me that you won't reveal something even your ordinary subordinates know? To another unit commander?"
His voice grew colder.
"Is it because you think I can't be trusted to keep a secret?"
Cheol Jiak's expression turned distinctly menacing.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander let out a quiet sigh.
Then he looked Cheol Jiak directly in the eyes.
"I'm sorry, but yes."
"..."
A fierce battle of wills immediately erupted between the two commanders as they glared at one another.
And before long, every eye was fixed upon them.