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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Recruiting Warriors
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"These are the warriors selected over the past ten days."
Mujin looked over the two hundred warriors filling the training ground.
Each one wore a gray martial arts uniform, their expressions stern.
Bands of three different colors—red, yellow, and white—were tied around their arms.
"Are you sure you picked the right ones?"
At Mujin's question, Elder Jo nodded.
"As you commanded, we focused on their potential for growth, selecting those who seemed to have a strong will."
"They look so scrawny. I bet they'll all run away soon."
"Please, have faith in them."
Despite Elder Jo's words, Mujin wore a skeptical expression as he addressed the warriors.
"Some of you may already know, but I am Hwa Mujin. If my guess is correct, you've all flocked here because you covet Hwang Jo-san's secret manuals."
The moment Mujin finished speaking, shouts erupted from the warriors.
-That's not true!
-It is not!
Mujin made eye contact with each of the few warriors who had shouted.
"I don't much care for lies. Listen well. Lies are for the weak. The strong have no reason to lie. I will raise my family to be the greatest in Sichuan, and there is no place for the weak in such a family. The strong are the ones who ask, not the kind who scheme and spew falsehoods. Do you understand?"
In response to Mujin's words, the 200 warriors answered in unison.
-Yes, sir!
Hearing Mujin's rather harsh words, Head Butler Do, who had been watching from the side, gently interjected.
"Young Master. Surely there must be some warriors who came here out of genuine admiration for our family?"
Head Butler Do was trying to foster a softer atmosphere for the first meeting between the warriors and their future family head.
But Mujin had no such intentions.
"Genuine admiration, my ass. If that were the case, why didn't a single one of them apply before the Young Dragon Ascension Tournament? They're just a bunch of guys who gathered because they heard we were deciphering Hwang Jo-san's arts."
Not a single person could refute Mujin's statement.
Head Butler Do eventually stepped back with an awkward expression, and Mujin continued.
"Why you've pledged yourselves to the Yeomhwa Family is not important. What is important is that you have been chosen as warriors of the Yeomhwa Family and have committed to a martial house. If any of you are foolishly thinking of learning the secret arts and then turning your back on the family, you'd best leave now!"
After he spoke, Mujin paused for a moment and watched the warriors.
When no one turned to leave, Mujin spoke again.
"I've heard that in the past, there were martial artists who recklessly abandoned the family. Let me say this again: just because it happened in the past doesn't mean I will tolerate such a sight now. If anyone betrays and deserts this family, I will take back everything I have given them. I'm sure you all understand what that means, so you'd be wise to abandon any foolish thoughts."
A heavy atmosphere descended upon the training ground as Mujin finished.
"Does everyone understand that once you've entered, you cannot leave my family until you die?"
When Mujin asked for confirmation once more, the warriors replied in unison.
-Yes, sir!
"Good. From now on, you are warriors of the Yeomhwa Family. This means that no matter what happens, you cannot leave this family without my permission. I see from the bands on your arms that you've been graded according to your level, but forget all that pathetic nonsense. From this moment on, whether you've learned a little more or a little less, you are all equal… trainees."
At Mujin's words, a few warriors glanced around with discontented expressions.
Those who prided themselves on their martial skill were clearly displeased to be treated the same as those with white bands, who had not even reached the入门 level.
However, Mujin completely ignored their expressions and spoke.
"Instructors, forward."
At Mujin's command, the thirteen Crimson Sword warriors who had been standing quietly in a shaded corner of the training ground rushed forward and bowed to Mujin.
"These are the family's instructors who will train you. For the next 120 days, they are the ones you will trust and follow, so I expect you to keep up with their training. There will be no dropouts or desertions. If even one person fails to complete the training, it will not end. Do not forget that only when all 200 of you have completed the training can you truly begin as warriors of our Yeomhwa Family."
The warriors replied to Mujin's words.
-Yes, sir!
Their voices were a little quieter than before. Mujin spoke up.
"I see a few of you look quite dissatisfied. Anyone who can beat down one of the instructors before you and prove their skill will be exempt from this training. Feel free to challenge them anytime."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Four Demons who had trained these new instructors dropped down behind them.
As if appearing from nowhere, the four fearsome figures landed lightly in the training ground, and the restless atmosphere instantly froze.
One look at their faces and their aura told you they were no ordinary men.
Though they were thoroughly suppressing their demonic energy on Mujin's orders, they couldn't hide their imposing presence.
With the murderous aura of the Four Demons at their backs, Mujin spoke one last time.
"Well then, I hope you all complete the training safely."
With that, Mujin, Head Butler Do, and Elder Jo turned and left the training ground.
As the three of them disappeared, a few martial artists stepped forward, breaking through the chilling atmosphere.
"Is it true that if we defeat the instructors, we can skip the training?"
"I would like to challenge an instructor."
"I'll challenge one too!"
"I will also issue a challenge!"
The four martial artists who stepped forward all had red bands tied around their arms.
Cheol-muk silently observed the four men.
They were clearly second-rate warriors at a glance.
Watching them, Cheol-muk, who exuded a qualitatively different aura from the white-banded pre-initiates or the yellow-banded third-rate martial artists who had barely begun, spoke curtly.
"Fine. Each of you, choose an opponent."
The four red-banded warriors scanned the instructors and chose opponents they thought they could handle.
"The rest of you, step back and make space."
At Dong-jeok's command, 196 martial artists scurried backward.
Once the unchosen instructors also stepped back, Cheol-muk spoke.
"Begin."
As soon as he gave the command, Cheol-muk didn't forget to send a telepathic message.
-If a single one of you loses, I'll make you feel like the last three months were paradise.
The four instructors who received Cheol-muk's message flinched and drew their swords.
And with that, the fight between the eight men began.
The fight was over all too quickly.
-Clang! Ch-chang!
Even the last martial artist who held out couldn't last 100 seconds against his instructor before his sword was knocked from his hand.
The other fights had ended within 50 seconds.
"That's enough. The four of you who lost, return to your positions."
At Cheol-muk's command, the defeated men acknowledged their loss and returned to their original spots.
Cheol-muk approached the youngest instructor, who had defeated the last man, and whispered quietly.
"100 seconds? You'll stay behind in the training ground after today's session is over."
At Cheol-muk's words, the young man, who had only just escaped the Four Demons' grasp to become an instructor, looked utterly miserable.
Once the pecking order with the new family warriors was established, the Four Demons left the training ground.
Now, only the instructors and the warriors remained.
As soon as the Four Demons were gone, the thirteen instructors shouted in unison.
-All of you, unbuckle your sword belts and take off your upper garments!
***
As Mujin surveyed the newly renovated estate, which had shed its old, worn-out appearance, he spoke with a displeased expression.
"What's that now?"
"It's a Haetae statue, said to ward off misfortune. I had it installed since it's a fixture every orthodox martial family should have."
Mujin sighed at Head Butler Do's casual reply.
"It doesn't look like it's made of ordinary stone. It seems expensive."
"With a new wind blowing through the family and new people joining, I spent a little to ward off any bad luck."
"..."
There were times when Mujin saw how Head Butler Do spent money and wondered how the man had managed to restrain himself all this time.
"Spend wisely, Head Butler Do. It's not like we have scoundrels lining up to throw money at us, and we've just brought in two hundred warriors. We can't have their monthly salaries be late."
"Our businesses are starting to get back to normal, so you needn't worry too much. More importantly, it's about the Young Master and Young Lady."
At the mention of his two younger siblings, Mujin stopped walking and turned to the head butler.
"What about Dojin and Soyeon?"
"They've been focusing too much on martial arts lately."
"It's only natural for children of a martial family to dedicate themselves to martial arts. What's the problem?"
"Well… I believe they should also pursue their studies a bit more. Ever since they began their initiation into the secret arts, they've stopped attending their academy, have they not?"
"Studies? Don't they know how to read most characters already?"
"..."
The head butler fell silent at Mujin's words.
Of course, they could read most characters. But that was only the basic literacy needed for daily life.
"Young Master. They are still the direct descendants of the family. Shouldn't they have a certain level of education?"
"What for? Kids who will live by the sword only need to be good with a blade. It's not like they're going to take the provincial exams, so why burden tired kids with studies? As it is, they have morning training and then spend four hours in the afternoon on breathing exercises. They barely have time to run around and play outside, so if we add studies to that, when will they ever get to play?"
Despite Mujin's words, Head Butler Do did not give up.
"When the two of them become adults, there might be gossip. We cannot let them be called uneducated, can we?"
"Who? What kind of son of a bitch would say such a thing?"
Seeing Mujin getting agitated, Head Butler Do shook his head.
"There are several such places even here in Xichang. Later, when the two of them master the Red Flame Arts and their names become known throughout Sichuan, those who love to gossip will surely talk. What if it affects their marriage prospects then…"
"What nonsense. For children of a martial family, reading five thousand characters is more than enough. Who would dare call them uneducated? That's enough. I have no intention of tormenting the kids, so stop talking nonsense."
As someone who had been part of a school where techniques were passed down from a single master, learning only the minimum characters necessary to read manuals and get by in life, Mujin couldn't understand the point of setting aside extra time for academic studies.
However, the prestigious orthodox families all valued scholarly pursuits.
It was due to a culture that considered it a disgrace for a disciple of a renowned house to be known for their lack of literacy.
The Unorthodox and Demonic Factions, living in a culture where power was everything, naturally had a different perspective on literary education.
After finishing their conversation, Mujin entered his personal training ground to find Dojin and Soyeon already there, warming up.
"Big brother!"
"Brother!"
"You're here already?"
A smile naturally spread across Mujin's face as he looked at his two younger siblings, who ran up and hugged one of his legs each.
"Yup! Big brother, you're going to teach me the Flaming Phoenix Flight today, right?"
For the past few days, Soyeon had shown an interest in the advanced technique, the Flaming Phoenix Flight.
"The Flaming Phoenix Flight? Hmm. Learning the form itself isn't difficult, but I think it's still too early for you. Why do you want to learn it?"
"Jomu was bragging that his dad taught him the Returning Tide Slash. He keeps showing off, saying it's an advanced sword form. I want to learn an advanced technique quickly too."
"Jomu… that kid from the Jo family at the Sangro Martial Hall?"
"Yup!"
"Returning Tide Slash. Isn't that part of the Little Green Sword style?"
Mujin asked, looking at Head Butler Do who was standing behind him.
"That is correct."
Mujin narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"Was the Sangro Martial Hall established by a secular branch of Emei? Since when did those nuns start taking in male secular disciples?"
Instead of the head butler, Elder Jo answered Mujin's question.
"Since they ended their 15-year seclusion, they have not placed restrictions on the gender of their secular disciples."
The two old men sometimes felt as if Mujin had come from the past when they talked to him.
But since he had spent more of the past years out of his mind than in it, neither of them paid it much mind.
"What makes the Returning Tide Slash an advanced sword form? Hwa Soyeon, listen carefully. Advanced martial arts are important to a warrior in many ways. It's not good for someone who isn't ready to start too early. If you don't understand the form and reach a level where you can imbue it with intent, it's meaningless—nothing more than learning just another technique."
At Mujin's words, Soyeon nodded with a dejected expression.
"Now is the time to build a solid foundation for a tall tower. Just because you add another floor quickly doesn't mean you can build higher."
Even with Mujin drawing a clear line, Soyeon's expression didn't brighten.
But Mujin didn't try to persuade her any further.
When it came to martial arts, he had no intention of unconditionally indulging his siblings' whims.
"That's enough talk. Prepare for movement technique training!"
"..."
"If you keep pouting like that, Soyeon, we won't do any movement training."
"I'll do it! I'm not pouting. I was just thinking for a moment!"
Soyeon puffed out her cheeks and furrowed her brow, looking exactly like Mujin.
As the three of them began their training, Elder Jo and Head Butler Do naturally turned and left the training ground.
"It must feel lonely."
At Head Butler Do's words, Elder Jo nodded with a bitter smile.
It was because Elder Jo had recently completely stepped away from Dojin and Soyeon's training.
"Who would have thought they would finish all the introductory arts so quickly? I thought they would be in my care for at least another three years. It's too fast, far too fast."
Elder Jo's words were laced with deep concern.
"Their bloodline is different, is it not? They were born with great martial talent, so we should be happy."
"That may be so… but the faster you run, the harder you fall."
At Elder Jo's words, Head Butler Do looked up at the sky.
"He will watch over them. Just as he did for the Young Master, he will surely watch over them."
With that, the two men walked with heavy steps toward the reception hall.
Lately, with no training grounds available, the two old men had been practicing Hwang Jo-san's martial arts together in the front yard of the reception hall.
Just as they arrived, Masok opened the newly installed main gate and ran inside.
In one hand, he carried a heavy rope tied with meat for Mujin and his siblings, and in the other, he held a large bundle of sweets. He spotted the two old men as he ran in and shouted.
"Head Butler! Elder! We have guests!"
Following behind him as he ran inside were two men dressed in high-quality silk, their expressions dark.
Head Butler Do tilted his head and walked toward the main gate.
"I am the head butler of the Yeomhwa Family. May I ask what brings you to our home…?"
As he trailed off, the other man began his own introduction.
"I am Manager Do Bu-o of the Pungyang Merchant Guild. I have come, shamelessly I might add, to request your urgent assistance."
At his words, Head Butler Do's expression brightened.
"Manager Do! From the Pungyang Merchant Guild. Please, come inside."
"Uhm…"
When the man named Manager Do hesitated and called out to the head butler walking ahead, he turned back with a look of realization.
"Ah, you have warriors with you. It's alright, you may all come in."
Only after the head butler gave his permission did the dozen or so warriors who had been waiting outside the main gate enter the family estate.
Watching the twelve warriors, each with a sharp and formidable presence, Elder Jo sensed that something unusual was afoot.
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