In that instant, Baek Jeon-cheon doubted his own ears.
“You say it is not a difficult task?”
“That is correct. Then, we will depart immediately.”
“W-Wait a moment. Young Hero Bu.”
“It is alright.”
Bu Eunseol smiled calmly.
Having been a member of the Nine Assassination Squad, he had a clear grasp of the martial world’s situation regarding each sect. He knew well how absurd this mission was, even without Baek Jeon-cheon saying so. Yet, he did not utter a single complaint.
“If it were not a sect located in Shaanxi, I would have given up.”
“Pardon?”
“Please summon all members of the Rootless Squad to the training ground.”
When Baek Jeon-cheon wore an expression of utter incomprehension, Bu Eunseol drew a smile on his lips instead of answering.
It was merely a simple smile. But it gave a greater sense of trust than shouting, ‘I will complete the mission even if I risk my life!’ with a tragic and resolute expression.
What on earth does he intend to do?
He was the Ten Thousand Knowledge Hall Master, a strategist who saw two or three moves ahead of others. But he could not even guess Bu Eunseol’s thoughts.
I don’t know how long it has been since I felt this way.
There are countless people with excellent martial arts in the Demonic Palace, but few possess multiple talents at once. Moreover, Bu Eunseol was not one to produce results slowly. Perhaps all strategies had been prepared from the moment he called for the Rootless Squad.
I look forward to it. Seeing how he unravels this matter.
He was extremely curious about how Bu Eunseol would unfold the mission in the future.
“Understood. I will summon the Rootless Squad to the training ground immediately.”
Baek Jeon-cheon grinned. Intuitively sensing that the Gangho would be turned upside down once again.
***
In any sect, there are bound to be misfits. Of course, the Demonic Palace was no exception.
Executioners who disobey the command system. Eccentrics whose mental worlds are so unique they cannot mingle with others. Cynical or timid individuals who avoid human relationships altogether. Those whose personalities and actions are so broken they cannot mix with people…
Young martial artists of the Demonic Palace who were ostracized from their affiliations for various reasons are all assigned to a place called the Rootless Squad. And they are not assigned missions. If they do receive an assignment, it is only in one case.
Disposal.
Because cards that cannot be held are destined to be thrown away without regret at any time.
“Captain of the Rootless Squad? This is nonsense.”
Walking to the training ground shoulder-to-shoulder with Bu Eunseol, Hyeok So-jin could not hide his absurdity.
“Giving us a single squad filled with useless executioners and telling us to drive the Streaked Demonic Sect out of Shaanxi? That place is somewhere even the Mount Hua Sect hesitates to touch.”
“…”
“Furthermore, a missin to kill the Sect Leader who is stuck deep inside the Streaked Demonic Sect and never comes out? Didn’t you hear that there are over three thousand disciples in the Streaked Demonic Sect?”
Even though Hyeok So-jin shouted while venting his frustration, Bu Eunseol merely walked on as if he hadn’t heard anything.
In fact, he had expected trials of this magnitude. Rather, he was grateful to be given even a single combat squad. He had even considered going alone with Hyeok So-jin.
Buzz buzz.
Arriving near the training ground, about thirty martial artists were sprawled here and there amidst all sorts of chatter.
They ranged from young men who seemed to have just passed twenty to men nearing their thirties. Some even had bloodshot eyes as if they hadn’t sobered up yet.
“Damn it. To take a mission under the successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion of all people!” a man squatting on the ground shouted in annoyance.
“I heard he’s not even a proper successor? From what I hear, he’s from the Ten Demonic Successors selected this time?”
At that, the martial artists sitting next to him sighed and muttered, “Seems he got on the bad side of the Ten Demonic Sects, they say he was given a mission to just die.”
“Damn, I barely survived eating humble pie. As expected, they send us off in one shot like this.”
Thud, thud.
Hearing footsteps, the buzzing members of the Rootless Squad looked back.
Discovering Bu Eunseol and Hyeok So-jin, they reluctantly frowned and stood up.
Among the members, the man who looked the oldest and had hollow eyes approached and spoke.
“Are you Young Hero Bu of Wolf Fang Pavilion?”
“I am.”
When Bu Eunseol nodded, Jo Nam-cheon’s eyebrows twitched. Even if he was a successor candidate of the Demonic Palace, he felt offended being spoken down to immediately.
“I am Jo Nam-cheon, the temporary Captain of the Rootless Squad. I offer my greetings.”
Although he gathered his hands, his posture was bad, and his expression was crumpled as if he had eaten a rotten persimmon.
“Ah, my mistake. Since Young Hero Bu has taken the role of Captain of the Rootless Squad, I have become an ordinary member.” Speaking grumpily, he glanced at Hyeok So-jin and said, “The person beside you is…”
“Hyeok So-jin.”
When Hyeok So-jin answered informally like Bu Eunseol, Jo Nam-cheon grinned and said, “Are you a person of the Demonic Palace?”
“No.”
“What a pity.”
Jo Nam-cheon snickered and said.
“If you were affiliated with the Demonic Palace, you would surely have become a member of this squad.”
“Ridiculous. As the successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, there is no way I would belong to the Demonic Palace.”
“Oho, so you were the successor of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying?” Jo Nam-cheon gathered his hands toward Hyeok So-jin again with renewed interest. “It is an honor to meet you.”
His tone was polite, but his expression was bored and mixed with yawns. The intention to ignore him deliberately was evident.
“Why are you yawning while looking at my face?”
“Because I didn’t sleep well yesterday and am tired.”
“I can wake you up completely.”
“I look forward to that.”
As the gazes of Hyeok So-jin and Jo Nam-cheon staring at each other became fierce, Bu Eunseol stepped forward and spoke.
“Is this everyone in the Rootless Squad?”
“That is correct.”
Bu Eunseol stared at the faces of the Rootless Squad members sitting in crooked postures one by one.
It truly looked like seeing miscellaneous goods scattered in a marketplace.
Some glared at Bu Eunseol fiercely, while others bowed their heads without even being able to lift their gaze. There were those carrying weapons, those with hidden weapon devices, and even those wearing armor like Bronze Shell Armor or carrying Condensed Shape Hidden Weapons hidden inside their bodies.
“Good.”
When Bu Eunseol nodded with satisfaction, Hyeok So-jin beside him opened his mouth.
“Good, you say?”
“Each has strong individuality.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“Individuality can become a weapon. In the Gangho.”
“It can also become a cause for self-destruction. In group actions, that is.”
Ignoring Hyeok So-jin’s rebuke, Bu Eunseol stood in front of the Rootless Squad members.
Then Jo Nam-cheon, who had been glancing around, gestured to some members and spoke in a low voice.
“Get up and form ranks.”
Bu Eunseol waved his hand calmly and said, “There’s no need to make them stand.” He revealed his white teeth and smiled, saying, “Whether they’re listening lying down or standing up, their ears will be open.”
Hearing those words, the members’ eyes sparkled toward Bu Eunseol. They realized he was not a person with ordinary thoughts either.
“I am Bu Eunseol, who has become the Captain of the Rootless Squad.”
Bu Eunseol, sweeping the members with solemn eyes, spoke in a low voice.
“You will leave the Demonic Palace with me and go to Yulin.”
—Yulin? Do you mean Yulin in Shaanxi?
As the members looked at each other’s eyes and frowned, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“It is the Divine Demonic Emperor’s order to drive the Streaked Demonic Sect in Yulin out of Shaanxi land, kill the Sect Leader of Streaked Demonic Sect, and widely make known the dignity of the Demonic Palace.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, the faces of the Rootless Squad members crumpled mercilessly.
“Drive out the Streaked Demonic Sect numbering over three thousand from Shaanxi with just these people?”
“Damn it, it’s just telling us to die.”
“Instead of that, how about Captain sir gives up the successor candidacy? Then we would take on ordinary missions again.”
At the unrestrained words of some members, Bu Eunseol rather laughed, revealing his white teeth. “You act exactly as expected. Is it because you have unsound mindsets?”
In an instant, silence swept through the training ground.
Bu Eunseol swept over the Rootless Squad members once more and spoke in a low voice.
“Do not worry. I have seen idiots who think they are special like you guys to the point of sickness since I was young.”
In an instant, murderous intent flowed from the eyes of the Rootless Squad members.
These people were merely unable to harmonize with others due to various circumstances. They were by no means idiots with weak martial arts or low intelligence. Among the members, there were even those who couldn’t harmonize because of their high status. Yet Bu Eunseol, who wasn’t much different in age, denied their very existence outright?
“Captain.”
Unable to watch any longer, Jo Nam-cheon advised in a low voice.
“Whatever else, it is better not to touch the members’ pride.”
“Pride?”
“I know the Captain is the successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion… but there are those with special statuses in the Rootless Squad as well.”
Grinning, Jo Nam-cheon pointed at a young man who had kept his head bowed all along.
“Over there, the member covering his eyes with his bangs, Wi Cheon-gyeong, is the half-brother of the Heavenly Assassination Squad Captain. And over there, Won Se-mun carrying twin swords is the grandson of the Three Secrets Pavilion Master, who is in charge of the mechanisms of this Palace. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Ridiculous.”
Bu Eunseol, wearing a cold laugh, spoke in a low voice.
“What status do chunks of meat that execute my orders have?”
At those words, flames rose in the eyes of the young man carrying twin swords, Won Se-mun.
“What did you just say.”
“You must have heard.”
“Hmph, do you intend to discipline us in that way from the start? How childish.”
Regaining his cool, Won Se-mun scoffed, and Bu Eunseol spoke calmly, “Listen well. I became the temporary Captain simply because it is the Divine Demonic Emperor’s order. In other words, I have no expectations of you whatsoever.”
In that moment, a chilling cold wave seemed to blow through the training ground.
“Why take members you don’t even expect anything from?”
At Han So-woong’s question, Bu Eunseol, a member wearing Bronze Shell Armor at the very back, replied, “I’ve already told you. I’m carrying chunks of meat to carry out my orders upon receiving the Divine Demonic Emperor’s command. And…” A gruesome blood-red light flashed in his eyes, emitting cold air. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Witnessing Bu Eunseol’s terrifying aura, the Rootless Squad members showed three reactions.
Surprised as if unexpected. Or nodding as if acknowledging. Or sending ferocious glares.
‘As expected…’
Bu Eunseol clearly remembered the faces of the members reacting in three categories in his mind.
Lost in deep thought for a moment, he nodded, ‘It means there are few who can be suppressed by force.’
The Demonic Palace is teeming with experts of tremendous skill. If these people were the kind whose loyalty could be won by showing powerful martial prowess? They would never have been dragged to the Rootless Squad.
—Everyone has words they want to hear.
These were the words of Sim Wol, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Knowledge Hall whom he had seen in the Demonic Palace in the past.
—And if you say those words… they will always remember the one who said them as a good person.
Every human has a strong desire to be acknowledged by others. Especially those with radical and rebellious personalities, even more so.
“You.”
Bu Eunseol’s finger pointed at Won Se-mun, who had picked a fight just before.
When Bu Eunseol looked straight at him, he rather wore a smile. His aura suggested he wouldn’t hesitate to turn things upside down if force was used.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Since you carry twin swords, I will call you Twin Swords from now on.”
“What?”
“And you are the Team Leader of the First Team.”
“T-Team Leader?”
Looking away from him, Bu Eunseol pointed one by one at the nine members who had been sending challenging and ferocious glares without delay.
“You are the members of the First Team from now on. Go stand behind Twin Swords.”
The eyes of the members selected by the finger became even more vicious. However, when Bu Eunseol’s expression remained unchanged, they stood in a line behind Won Se-mun as if they had no choice. But there was something strange about it. The look in Won Se-mun’s eyes, who had been given the status of Team Leader, subtly changed. Instead of a rebellious expression, it was now filled with bewilderment and puzzlement.
“Why am I the Team Leader?”
“Because among the bastards with dirty tempers, you are the strongest.”
Won Se-mun’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he remained speechless. “Hmph, well, it’s not something I can control.” He cleared his throat, scoffed, and turned away. “But remember this: I am not following your orders; I am obeying the Divine Demonic Emperor’s command!”
Although he said that, a faint light of joy flowed from his eyes. Those with radical personalities and pride in their martial arts desire a status superior to others. But when Bu Eunseol acknowledged his martial prowess and gave him a title, he was instantly pleased.
‘Radical and simple people are rather easy.’
Bu Eunseol has a deep understanding of human nature, no less than an eighty-year-old man. Since he gave a position to Won Se-mun, who had the strongest temper and martial arts, and entrusted him with the management of rebellious members, he would take responsibility and manage the members.
“Bangs.”
Bu Eunseol pointed at Wi Cheon-gyeong, who was looking only at the ground with his long hair covering even his eyes.
“From now on, I will call you Bangs. And you are the Team Leader of the Second Team.”
But he just kept his head down as if he hadn’t heard anything.
“Did you understand?”
However, Wi Cheon-gyeong shook his head. “I cannot do it. Team Leader or whatever. And I am not strong in martial arts like Won Se-mun.”
“I didn’t pick you as Team Leader because your martial arts are strong, so shut up and take it.”
And Bu Eunseol pointed at the members one by one with his finger again.
“And you nine also belong to the Second Team. Go behind him.”
The people Bu Eunseol pointed to were all those with slender frames and long legs.
In an instant, Wi Cheon-gyeong’s eyes flashed faintly.
‘This person…’
The people Bu Eunseol pointed to were all not only similar in build to Wi Cheon-gyeong but also had the same specialty. They were exactly those whose Lightness Skills were exceptionally superior to others.
‘Can this person know what martial arts one has learned just by looking?’