"I cannot tell you."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's attitude was resolute.
Although he held the same rank as Cheol Jiak, Commander of the Black Tortoise Unit, he refused to disclose the details of the mission.
Secrecy was essential to this particular assignment, and despite their equal standing as unit commanders, the Black Tortoise Unit had been assigned a strictly supporting role.
Of course, there was another, more important reason for his refusal.
Cheol Jiak's gaze darkened.
Does he not trust me?
Naturally, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander did not believe Cheol Jiak would deliberately betray the Martial Alliance or leak information about the mission.
What he doubted was Cheol Jiak's ability to safeguard that information under every possible circumstance.
What if he were captured by the enemy and tortured?
What if a member of the Black Tortoise Unit were taken hostage and used to threaten him?
Or what if he simply drank too much one evening and let something slip while his guard was down?
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander had considered all these possibilities and concluded that Cheol Jiak could not be trusted with the information.
That distrust was plainly visible in his eyes.
"..."
"..."
For a brief moment, the two men simply stared at each other.
Beyond the insult of being distrusted, there was also the matter of Cheol Jiak's pride.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was refusing to tell a fellow unit commander something that even ordinary members of the Heavenly Tiger Unit already knew.
The atmosphere grew so tense that it seemed a confrontation might erupt at any moment.
Just then, Zhuge Lin approached Cheol Jiak.
"Commander, is something wrong?"
Her gaze moved between the two unit commanders.
After a moment, Cheol Jiak let out a deep sigh.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
This was their first mission since welcoming the new recruits. There was no reason to start an unnecessary dispute before they had even departed.
Besides, even if an argument broke out, the other side had the stronger justification.
After all, the Black Tortoise Unit's assignment was to assist the Heavenly Tiger Unit.
In other words, all authority over the mission's decisions rested with the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
Cheol Jiak had also served in the Martial Alliance long enough to understand the personalities of his fellow officers.
He knew that the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was not someone who allowed personal feelings to dictate his decisions.
He wasn't deliberately slighting Cheol Jiak or looking down on him. He was simply considering every possible risk in order to ensure the mission's success.
Cheol Jiak understood that much.
And so, he chose to let the matter go.
Meanwhile, as the two commanders were engaged in their silent battle of wills—
"How unexpected. To think we'd be working together on our very first mission."
Nangong Jin had somehow made his way over to Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon.
He spoke with a faint sneer.
There was nothing particularly offensive about his words themselves, yet something about his expression and tone made them strangely irritating.
Song Yiyeon forced a smile.
"I look forward to working with you, Young Hero Nangong."
"Indeed. Make sure you provide proper support."
Nangong Jin gave a casual shrug.
Song Yiyeon struggled to swallow the anger boiling inside him.
Then—
"What's this? Why is this bastard coming over here looking for trouble?"
Nangong Jin, Song Yiyeon, and Cheon Woojin all turned toward the voice.
Standing there was Jang Woopyeong, who until recently had been the youngest member of the Black Tortoise Unit.
He was glaring at Nangong Jin with an expression that suggested he was a thoroughly dependable senior ready to defend his juniors.
Nangong Jin laughed silently to himself.
Outwardly, however, he brought his hands together in a perfectly courteous martial salute.
"Ah, I had no intention of offending you, Senior Jang. Young Hero Song and I have known each other since childhood, so I was merely teasing him. My apologies."
"..."
Jang Woopyeong fell silent.
Yet the thoughts running through his mind were written so clearly across his face that everyone could practically read them.
The eldest son of the Nangong family knows who I am...?
He looked genuinely moved.
The Sword Dragon of the Nangong family had not only apologized to him with impeccable courtesy but had even addressed him by name.
And he was merely an ordinary member of the Black Tortoise Unit!
Jang Woopyeong struggled to regain his composure before giving a dignified nod.
"Ahem. Well, be more careful from now on."
"Of course."
Nangong Jin bowed politely once more before turning and returning to his original position.
Jang Woopyeong watched him leave.
Then, his face still faintly flushed, he muttered under his breath.
"Maybe he's a better fellow than I thought?"
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon could only stare at him in disbelief.
******
After the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander gave a brief explanation, the two combat units set off toward their destination, each employing their respective movement techniques.
Their destination was none other than Jiangxi Province.
For Cheon Woojin, the journey stirred an unusual feeling.
It seemed strange to be returning to a place he had once departed from alone, now accompanied by so many martial artists.
White Master would have been pleased to see this.
He was certain of it.
Whenever White Master spoke of the Martial Alliance, his expression had always been filled with happiness.
Lost in those thoughts, Woojin effortlessly employed his movement techniques to keep pace with the others.
However, the sound of labored breathing ahead of him repeatedly interrupted his reflections.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit was running at the front of the formation.
The Black Tortoise Unit followed slightly behind, spreading out to cover the left and right flanks as well as the rear.
It was the most basic of formations.
If enemies appeared from the front, the main force would engage and eliminate them, while the supporting force guarded against threats approaching from any other direction.
Naturally, there was a considerable difference in martial strength between the two units.
For that reason, the Heavenly Tiger Unit was adjusting its pace to accommodate the Black Tortoise Unit.
Even so, the three new recruits among the Heavenly Tiger Unit were already breathing heavily.
Regardless of their individual martial abilities, they clearly had little experience covering such long distances at high speed without stopping.
It must be a difference in technique.
The gap between martial artists who had spent at least ten years carrying out missions and promising young talents who had only just ventured beyond the protection of their families and sects was considerable.
No matter how gifted the newcomers might be, there were things that could only be learned through experience.
Just then, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who was leading the formation, glanced over his shoulder.
He slowed his pace and moved toward the three new recruits.
"Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, Tang Soyeon."
"Yes, Commander!"
"Are you finding it difficult?"
The three fell silent.
More precisely, they wanted to admit that they were struggling, but they were too busy studying the commander's expression to decide whether they should.
And so, Song Yiyeon answered in their place.
"Ah, it's certainly difficult..."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander and the three newcomers turned to look at Song Yiyeon.
Then, without a word, they turned their heads away again.
The commander's stern voice rang out.
"We are not even traveling at our usual pace. We have already slowed down to match the Black Tortoise Unit. If you still cannot keep up, then you are not qualified to accompany the Heavenly Tiger Unit on missions."
Having delivered that warning, the commander accelerated and shot forward.
The three recruits had thought he was approaching to offer them encouragement.
Instead, they had received a harsh reprimand.
Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, and Tang Soyeon gritted their teeth.
They had finally earned places in the prestigious Heavenly Tiger Unit.
They could not afford to be expelled on their very first mission.
While the three were steeling themselves to endure, Song Yiyeon was experiencing his own private hell at the rear of the formation.
Jang Woopyeong quietly approached him.
"Our unit normally runs a little faster and covers greater distances too. We're taking it easy today because of you newcomers, so even if you're struggling, think of it as training and endure it."
"...Yes, Senior."
Jang Woopyeong might ordinarily come across as somewhat foolish and unreliable, but once a mission began, he was every inch a martial artist of the Martial Alliance.
Seeing his senior's unexpectedly stern demeanor, Song Yiyeon pulled himself together.
He circulated more of his internal energy and increased his speed.
Cheon Woojin, who had been running beside him and observing his movements, spoke casually.
"Lower your posture a little more."
"I feel like I'll fall if I do that..."
"Trust your body's instincts. Your body is capable of handling that much, Young Hero Song."
The instincts developed through years of martial training could sometimes allow a martial artist to perform feats that defied ordinary expectations.
And from Cheon Woojin's perspective, Song Yiyeon's body was still capable of considerably more than he was asking of it.
"...Then I'll trust you, Young Hero Cheon, and lower my posture?"
Woojin nodded silently.
Song Yiyeon immediately lowered his upper body.
It was something he could only bring himself to do because he trusted his friend.
For martial artists, falling while using movement techniques was a far more frightening prospect than it was for ordinary people.
The speeds at which they traveled were on an entirely different level.
A fall could easily result in one or two broken bones.
"Uh... uh..."
As Song Yiyeon leaned forward, his entire center of gravity shifted downward and ahead of his feet.
He felt as though he might topple over at any moment.
Yet, just as Woojin had instructed, he resisted the urge to consciously correct his balance and instead entrusted his movements to his instincts.
Each time he felt himself about to fall, his legs instinctively moved a fraction faster.
One foot would shoot forward and touch the ground just in time to support his weight.
Although his movements looked rather precarious, he continued running without falling.
My speed has increased considerably. And because my center of gravity is lower, I'm using less strength...
Song Yiyeon turned to look at Cheon Woojin with renewed admiration.
This was not the kind of advice just anyone could offer.
That means Young Hero Cheon can clearly see every movement I make, as well as the condition of my body.
When faced with a cliff too tall to climb, people generally did not even consider attempting it.
Song Yiyeon felt much the same way about Cheon Woojin.
He could not bring himself to feel jealous of his friend.
Instead, he was genuinely curious.
Just how high had Cheon Woojin's martial abilities reached?
Woojin continued speaking in his usual calm voice.
"You wouldn't be able to use your movement techniques like that in an actual fight. But consider this a training method to help you become more familiar with how your body moves."
"...I understand."
Thanks to Woojin's advice, Song Yiyeon had already regained much of his composure.
He nodded while maintaining his new running posture.
How far had they traveled at that relentless pace?
Suddenly, Cheon Woojin raised his gaze toward the distant sky.
A moment later, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander looked in the same direction.
Then the Black Tortoise Unit Commander and the various deputy commanders turned their heads one after another.
Something was approaching through the sky at tremendous speed.
It was a peregrine falcon.
The bird rapidly closed the distance between itself and the traveling martial artists.
Then, as naturally as if it had done so countless times before, it landed on the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's shoulder.
While everyone was watching, Jang Woopyeong approached Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon.
"That's a messenger hawk."
His tone carried a hint of pride.
"It's incomparably faster and more reliable than an ordinary carrier pigeon. These birds are practically spiritual beasts. There are only a handful of places in the world capable of raising and handling messenger hawks."
"As expected of the Martial Alliance. That's amazing."
Song Yiyeon sounded genuinely impressed.
Having been born and raised in a merchant family, he understood better than most how valuable the rapid and accurate delivery of information could be.
In fact, the Anhui Song family had attempted to tame messenger hawks on several occasions.
Every attempt had ended in failure.
Jang Woopyeong shrugged.
"Well, it's nothing particularly special."
"But Senior, why are you the one acting so proud?"
"Ahem! You brat, I am the Martial Alliance, and the Martial Alliance is me! Haven't you ever heard of loyalty to the Alliance? Love for the Alliance?"
"...Yes, Senior."
The two continued exchanging their ridiculous remarks.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander gradually reduced his speed.
He raised a hand and gave a signal.
At once, every martial artist using movement techniques slowed to a stop.
Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, and Tang Soyeon were panting heavily.
Song Yiyeon was also quite short of breath.
However, when he noticed Nangong Jin glancing in his direction, he immediately pretended that he was perfectly fine.
Just then, Cheol Jiak approached the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
"Commander, what's happened?"
"...The mission has been suspended."
Cheol Jiak frowned.
"Why?"
"We've been informed that some of the intelligence was incorrect. They say it will take approximately three days to organize the newly acquired information and revise the mission accordingly. We'll have to remain somewhere nearby until then."
At the commander's explanation, a restless murmur spread through the assembled martial artists.
Finding an inn large enough to accommodate so many people would be virtually impossible.
That meant they would have to camp outdoors.
Some of the more experienced martial artists had already begun examining the surrounding terrain, searching for suitable places to establish a campsite.
"The sun's starting to set. We'd better get a fire going first."
Cheol Jiak cracked his neck from side to side and began looking around for a suitable tree to break.
Whenever the Black Tortoise Unit camped outdoors, he would usually knock down a large tree with a single blow and use it for firewood.
It was just as he was searching for one that a voice interrupted.
"Since we've already reached Hefei, why don't we wait at my family's residence?"
For a moment, everyone's eyes lit up.
The person who had made the suggestion was none other than one of the Heavenly Tiger Unit's new recruits.
In other words, they had just received an invitation to visit the family widely regarded as the foremost martial household in the world.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, however, looked uncomfortable.
"The Sword King will be there as well. How could we impose on him so rudely?"
Even the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, widely regarded as the finest among the Martial Alliance's combat-unit commanders, could not afford to disregard the Sword King.
As the head of the Nangong family and one of the three greatest swordsmen in the martial world, the Sword King commanded immense respect.
Nangong Jin, however, shook his head.
"No. My father will certainly be pleased."
A subtle sense of anticipation spread through the assembled martial artists.
The Nangong family was considered the foremost of the great martial families.
Even spending a short time at its residence would be a memorable experience.
And above all else, there was little doubt that the accommodations and meals would be exceptional.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander considered the matter for some time.
At last, he nodded.
"Very well. In that case, Commander Cheol and I will first pay our respects to the family's elders and request permission for our units to stay."
"That sounds reasonable."
Cheol Jiak nodded in agreement.
Many of the martial artists silently celebrated the unexpected turn of events.
Of course, there was one man who could not contain his excitement quite so discreetly.
"Wow! The Nangong family!"
Every head turned toward Jang Woopyeong, the former youngest member of the Black Tortoise Unit.
Realizing that he had attracted everyone's attention, Jang Woopyeong scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Ahem. Well, when else would I ever get a chance to visit the Nangong family? If I'm lucky, I might even get to see the Sword King himself."
At the mention of the Sword King, the eyes of the sword-bearing martial artists immediately brightened.
Alongside the Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, the Sword King, Nangong Wu, was among the figures most deeply revered by swordsmen throughout the martial world.
And then—
"E-excuse me...!"
A hesitant voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned toward the speaker.
Song Yiyeon glanced nervously at the expressions around him before cautiously opening his mouth.
"Our Anhui Song family's residence is nearby too."
"..."
Jang Woopyeong's eyes practically hurled curses at him.
Song Yiyeon scratched his head.
Then, in a noticeably more dejected voice, he added—
"It's actually even closer..."
"Hah."
In the silence that followed, Nangong Jin's hollow laugh rang out with particular clarity.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander turned toward Cheol Jiak.
His gaze seemed to ask what Cheol Jiak intended to do.