Chapter 35
“We’re almost there.”
After capturing one member of Cheon Gangwol’s group who had been returning from reconnaissance, our entire group raced straight toward Cheon Gangwol’s base without looking back.
We knew three other scouts had already passed us and were heading toward our stronghold.
Our stronghold had its gate wide open.
The flag we absolutely could not afford to lose was planted proudly in the center.
If those scouts simply decided to take it, the test could end right there.
Even so, I was not worried.
I was certain they would not do it.
“You’re... not actually insane, are you?”
“M-Myeonghwa. That’s disrespectful! A-Although I also don’t understand...”
“Young Master must have some deeper intention... still...”
“We’ll follow first!”
“We follow!”
When they first heard my plan, even my own group members looked like they could not believe it.
What kind of lunatic opened the gate of a hard-built fortress and then placed the object they absolutely had to protect right in the middle?
Unfortunately, they soon realized that lunatic was their group leader and lord.
Life was cruel.
My belief that Cheon Gangwol’s scouts would not enter our stronghold was not a baseless guess.
It was the conclusion of careful observation.
Cheon Gangwol’s group operated under strict rules and procedure.
They reported what they saw to the base, then acted according to orders from there.
The scouts watching our stronghold would not do anything without instructions.
It was a textbook military principle.
But rules like that could also restrain agents operating in the field.
That was why truly capable field agents had to be taught when to ignore procedure and make independent decisions.
Of course, they also had to be given the authority and responsibility to do so.
If a field operative had neither the authority nor the ability to judge the situation, missions were bound to fail.
Cheon Gangwol’s group had neither.
Just like the military of a certain country I had once served in.
Rules, principles, and procedure could create stability during peace.
But in real combat, they could also make soldiers helpless.
“What about Bijo’s side?”
“We watched the route the whole way. No movement.”
“Good. Everyone, prepare.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Fortunately, Bijo’s group also behaved exactly as expected.
We waited at a point both Bijo’s and Cheon Gangwol’s scouts would have passed.
Only Cheon Gangwol’s scouts appeared.
Bijo’s group had not left its territory.
They had committed completely to defense.
Thanks to that, we could charge straight toward Cheon Gangwol’s base without interference.
Soon, figures appeared in the distance.
“There.”
“Shh. Check the surroundings first.”
“Eight people total, including Cheon Gangwol.”
“No others in the area.”
“Same on the other side!”
“Yes!”
“The flag... Gangwol is holding it himself. Blue. One person is standing beside him as support.”
Hidden like scouts, we carefully examined the enemy base.
Because he had sent reconnaissance teams toward both us and Bijo, his numbers had been cut in half.
His other decision was obvious too.
Cheon Gangwol himself was clutching the flag.
That seemed exactly like something he would do.
He wanted to personally carry all responsibility as the group leader.
“Now looks like the best moment.”
“We need to attack before the scouts sent to Bijo return.”
“The scouts sent toward our side will soon notice something is wrong too.”
My group members were improving rapidly.
Their ability to read the battlefield and make judgments was much better.
This time, I accepted their recommendation.
“Good. We attack now. Everyone follows the operation exactly as planned. Remember that.”
“Exactly as planned.”
“According to plan!”
“According to plan!”
We exchanged looks from within the bushes.
Then we separated and advanced toward Cheon Gangwol’s base.
There was no wasted movement.
Everything had been agreed upon beforehand.
“What’s the situation?”
“Still quiet.”
Morning had fully arrived.
Sunlight filled the sunken basin of Ammajeong.
The martial artists guarding their assigned positions looked as if they had forgotten all about sleep.
Their eyes were sharp.
If even a single rat approached, they would stop it with everything they had.
At the center of them stood a dignified young man with a stern face.
Cheon Gangwol guarded the flag personally.
Looking around at his people holding their assigned positions gave him a sense of security.
Everything seemed ideal.
“Hmm. Wang Gi. What about the scouts? Still no news?”
“Nothing yet. Neither from Bijo’s side nor Third Young Master’s side. Sometimes no news is good news. You told them to report immediately if anything happened. There is no need to worry.”
“Tell everyone to remain cautious. No one should act recklessly. Especially those who may be tempted by personal glory. And Cheon Sowol... That man is impossible to predict.”
“Loyalty. I’ll pass it on.”
Ever since the test began, unease had remained in Cheon Gangwol’s heart.
And the main cause was always his half-brother, Cheon Sowol.
He was impossible to predict.
Sometimes easygoing and sly.
Sometimes rough and cruel.
That alone would have been troublesome enough, but his martial arts were also unexpectedly strong.
Cheon Gangwol could not ignore him.
I’m especially worried about the scouts sent toward Cheon Sowol.
Should I have gone personally?
If fighting had already broken out, Cheon Gangwol knew that Cheon Sowol did not hold back.
Especially because of what an Amma Corps instructor had told him before the test.
[Do you have any other questions?]
[No.]
[Different from your brother. Your older brother asked something else.]
[What...?]
[He asked if killing was allowed.]
That conversation refused to leave his mind.
Cheon Sowol looked friendly when joking around.
But if someone blocked his path, he seemed fully capable of killing another trainee even during a test.
That was Cheon Gangwol’s firm evaluation of him.
Unease made him tighten his grip on the flagpole.
And at that moment...
Fwish!
Thunk!
