< Episode 21: Captain (1) >
‘no way?’
Jusalgok’s Yeomga frowned and felt uneasy inside.
The reaction he showed when he heard Mok Gyeong-un say that it was a medical examination was unusual.
If it wasn’t for that there’s no way I would have reacted like that in the first place.
‘That can’t be possible.’
Yanga denied it in his heart.
A check-up was literally a method of fighting with a sword.
Jinbeop involves elaborate formulas of change to fit together with certain rules but it was difficult to do so with just the sword technique of Gugyeol.
That means that you have to apply the formula of the gugyeol but I couldn’t picture this in my head at a decent level just by looking at the gugyeol.
‘That guy is that much of a sword expert?’
At least to be able to recognize this just by using Gugyeol alone it would have been difficult unless you were an expert in swordsmanship at the level of Gokju of Jusalgok who was your father.
That’s why I hoped it wouldn’t be cheap.
But unlike that wind
“Why do you think it’s a checkup?”
The demon mask asked Mo Qingyun in a serious tone.
Mok Kyung-un spoke casually.
“Wouldn’t it be possible to carry out a checkup if we see that the methods of the examination are faithful to the basics and that each and every movement line is arranged so that there is no overlap?”
“The movement lines do not overlap….”
The eyes of the demon mask narrowed.
Even if you can practice the sword technique several times or draw the sword in your mind it is quite difficult to draw the movement line up to the sum of the examination.
This is because it is more than just observing one’s own movements.
“hmm.”
The demon mask stroked his chin.
To be honest he is not easily believed.
The insight of a guy who is only 17 or 18 years old is equivalent to that of someone who has reached the level with a sword?
Of course if you have natural talent that can happen.
one
‘That hand…’
Mo Kyung-un’s palm which the evil spirit mask is looking at is not like that at all.
Those are not the hands of an excellent swordsman.
When it comes to swordsmanship the shape of the thumb index finger and little finger naturally changes as one holds the sword for a long time.
However if you look at Mo Gyeong-un’s hands you can see that there wasn’t even a callus on his thumb.
‘The hands are not trained to use a sword.’
Yet such insight emerges.
It would be more understandable if a sword master gave advice.
However there was no way such a person could exist here in Sihyeolgok.
That makes it even more questionable.
Is this guy’s insight really comparable to that of someone who has reached the level of skill with a sword?
The evil spirit mask which was staring at Mo Qingyun said.
“If we were to carry out a checkup with this organization how many people do you think would be most effective?”
Just getting the checkup right is amazing.
But can we really figure this out?
If you get this right too you can truly say that your knowledge of swords is comparable to that of an expert.
To this question Mok Gyeong-un remained silent and then answered.
“Eight.”
At those words a strange look appeared in the eyes of the demon mask.
He even told me exactly the minimum number to roll out the checkup.
Then Mok Gyeong-un continued talking.
“I think I can go up to sixteen or thirty-two.”
“…”
At those words a small exclamation came from the mouth of the demon mask.
Even if I had only said eight I would have said it was pretty good but even the number that can form the examination was accurately guessed.
“Do you think it will be any harder than that?”
“When you expand the sum the arrays begin to overlap.”
Hearing Mo Kyung-un’s words like this the demon mask stuck out his tongue with sincerity.
Heaven and Earth Eight Myeongjin (天地八銘陣).
This is the name of this formation.
It is an excellent exercise in which up to sixteen to thirty-two swordsmen can perform joint exercises with a swordsmanship based on the changes in the eight trigrams (八卦) of the previous generations of the Heaven and Earth Association.
‘Look at this guy.’
I can’t believe I even guessed this.
Does he really have the eyes and insight to match that of a swordsman who has reached the peak?
If that’s the case I really want it.
‘….’
I didn’t mind at all that he came from a martial arts family.
The evil spirit mask that was staring at Mo Qingyun whetted his appetite.
I wanted to satisfy that greed right away but now was not the time as the gateway was in progress.
-Park!
The evil spirit mask threw something at Mo Kyung-un.
Mok Gyeong-un who accepted it opened his palm and found a silver plaque with the inscription “i (二).”
The demon mask said.
“The second chief is also you.”
-Roaring!
At those words the boys who were watching were agitated.
When Mok Gyeong-un returned to the second position following the first it was bound to become a hot topic.
What on earth is that guy?
Where do you come from to get to the second top spot already?
-Wow!
Jusalgok’s Yeomga gritted his teeth.
Of course he thought the second chief was his but he had no idea that even that would be taken away like this.
He was one of the three sects who received the most attention in this Sihyeolgok.
But it turned out to be funny.
‘…..Tree farming.’
That guy’s name was completely stuck in my mind.
I felt like I had to somehow repay this humiliation to feel better.
‘We’ll see.’
You have to be prepared if only the gold gate blocking the spiracle is released.
While doing so the demon mask spoke.
“I would like to sincerely congratulate the eighty people who have passed the second hurdle. You have become qualified to become intermediate warriors of this Heaven and Earth Association.”
‘Intermediate warrior!’
His words filled the eyes of some boys with joy.
That’s because from intermediate level warriors the treatment is different even within the Cheonjihoe.
It could be said that among middle-level warriors those who possessed skills were qualified to become a great leader who could lead a team of low-level warriors.
Even though they were exhausted the demon mask continued to speak to them whose eyes were alive.
“Becoming an intermediate warrior requires the ability to lead a unit and the ability to undergo examinations. “You may have heard it just now but the gyeol on the flag is a swordsmanship gyeol of swordsmanship that can be performed only with at least eight people.”
Those words caught everyone’s eyes.
The gateway was not simply made up of extreme trials.
It was for this reason that there was no choice but to form a group of eight people in the first place.
“ruler. Now anyone with a sense of insight will be able to guess what the third gateway is.”
“…”
“You there.”
A boy jumped up from his seat at the nod of the demon mask.
“yes!”
“What do you think the third gate is?”
“that…”
“Speak clearly.”
“We are holding a medical examination with the eight people who passed the test!”
Most people seemed to think the same thing when hearing the boy’s words so they nodded their heads slightly.
That was the only thing that could be guessed here.
As I was doing so the demon mask opened its mouth and motioned for me to sit down.
“right. The third hurdle is for eight people to work together as a group and perform a perfect examination to eliminate the target.”
The boys were internally relieved at his words.
The first and second gates harmed each other and left me mentally and physically exhausted.
It was an experience I wouldn’t want to repeat if I had to do it twice.
“But here too there are conditions and restrictions.”
‘Conditions and restrictions?’
“First you will be given a day’s rest so decide on a team leader during that time. Of course we must also form a group of eight people including the leader.”
‘uh?’
The boys frowned at the words of the demon mask.
Now this means that the eight people defending the flag do not have to be in the same group.
In this way the group could be reorganized again.
‘good!’
A few people were openly happy about this.
Among them were Jusalgok’s Yeomga and Mo Yu-cheon.
No in fact most of them who were internally distressed about whether they would have to be in the same group as Mok Gyeong-un again had a similar reaction.
“For your information those who become captains must pass the third hurdle regardless of whether or not they take the medical examination…”
-Sigh!
The demon mask took out a square wooden plaque that appeared to be an identity card from its chest.
It had the word Daeju (隊主) engraved on it.
‘Huh? no way?’
‘Daejupae?’
The boys’ eyes focused on the wooden plaque.
Then the evil spirit mask chuckled and continued his words.
“You are also eligible to become a great lord.”
‘!!!!!!’
The boys kept their mouths shut at the words of the demon mask but could not hide their excitement.
Among middle-level warriors only a few who have the qualifications of seniority become great masters.
But does this mean that the lender will be decided on this occasion?
However a question arose in the minds of everyone who was excited here.
‘Then you all want to be the team leader right?’
Among those who have come to this point is there anyone who would not want to become a leader?
When they realized this sighs of pain naturally came out of the boys’ mouths.
I was wondering if this gateway was okay but it seemed like I would have to fight again in the end.
‘shit.’
‘There are eighty people so only eight are qualified.’
‘That’s also unclear.’
‘If we fight for the position of group leader and die one group will just be eliminated.’
If something goes wrong with anyone all seven people are eliminated.
It could never be considered easier than the second gateway.
While doing so the demon mask spoke.
“Now let’s talk about constraints.”
“…..”
“The restriction is no murder.”
‘!?’
Everyone was puzzled by those words.
Does the prohibition on murder in the constraints mean that we literally cannot kill each other?
Everyone looked at the demon mask in puzzlement.
I thought it would answer the question as to why.
however
“That’s it.”
‘This is it?’
‘So you’re saying we can decide on a leader without killing him?’
Everyone was dumbfounded by the simple yet different constraints.
Mok Gyeong-un on the other hand chewed his appetite as if he felt something was missing.
I thought I could enjoy it like the second gateway but when restrictions were placed on murder the enjoyment disappeared.
‘….This bastard. ‘Why are you feeling regretful?’
Seeing him like this the boys next to him clicked their tongues.
On the contrary shouldn’t we consider it fortunate?
At least your life won’t be lost at this gateway.
-Rattle!
At that time warriors in red belts began taking out unusually shaped metal objects from the wooden box.
The demon mask pointed at it with his hand and said.
“I will retrieve the golden doorprint before going to the accommodation beyond the mountain.”
‘ah!’
Everyone’s expressions brightened at those words.
I wondered how long I would have to wear the gold door print but I am finally free from it.
The restriction of not being able to use internal energy made them more uncomfortable than they thought.
‘at las.’
Jusalgok’s Yeomga twitched his lips.
I’ve been waiting for so long but the restrictions on my inner strength are finally being lifted.
Yan Ga glared at the back of Mo Kyung-un’s head who was standing in front of him.
I was unable to respond to that strange magic spell due to restrictions on my strength but if the restrictions were lifted the situation would be different.
‘I’ll let you crawl across my crotch.’
There were restrictions on murder but it didn’t matter.
As long as you don’t kill him that’s fine.
Thinking of this he felt so good that the corners of his mouth turned up.
* * *
Beyond the mountain there was a lodging building where you could rest.
Since it was designed so that two people could rest in one room the boys each found someone they liked and chose a room.
It didn’t take very long.
This is the rest time given during the day.
The boys’ behavioral tendencies were divided into two categories.
The boys in the first category filled their hunger with the snacks prepared in the room and then went to a lucky breakfast together.
Since they were physically and mentally exhausted from fighting all night they were trying to restore their bodies to normal as much as possible with a fortune-telling breakfast.
The boys of the second tendency were different from these.
They also had a strong desire to rest but decided that it would be better to move first and secure resources.
Therefore they attempted to contact boys who were originally in the same group or people they had in mind.
The move was made in advance as competition would intensify in the near future.
And here a third tendency also existed.
-Wood!
The chanting of the Jusal song filled his hunger and relaxed his body.
He was tired and had a strong desire to cry like that guy sitting on the bed but he decided that now was the right time so he had to hurry.
‘Now is your chance.’
The target was the tree-cultivating guy.
All you have to do is kill him so if you turn him into a half-asshole you won’t have to worry from this point on.
Other guys are no match for him anyway.
One thing as well as his strange technique is strangely annoying.
‘So hit first.’
As long as the ban was lifted he was confident.
Although he has mastered strange techniques he has reached the peak and has also mastered the secret technique of Jussalgok.
‘Then shall we start hunting?’
After relaxing Yeomga grabbed the door and opened it.
however
‘!?’
Mok Gyeong-un was standing in front of the door with a smiling face.
“you…”
“Hey. “I guess you had the same thoughts as me.”
Malice filled with laughter.
For a moment Yeomga who was about to step forward confidently felt a chill go down his spine.
< Episode 21: Captain (1) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
