"I cannot tell you."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's attitude was firm.
Although he was the sa unit commander as the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, he could not tell him the contents of the mission. This mission was one where secrecy was key, and even though they were the sa unit commander, the Black Tortoise Unit's role was clearly 'assistance'.
Of course, the biggest reason was separate.
Cheol Jiak's gaze sank low.
'Does he not trust ?'
Of course, there was no way Cheol Jiak would betray or intentionally leak the mission. It was just that he was doubting his ability.
In case he was captured by the enemy and tortured, in case a mber of the Black Tortoise Unit was taken hostage and threatened, or even in case he got drunk and his mind beca lax.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander thought of various situations and did not trust Cheol Jiak. That distrust was clearly visible in his eyes.
"..."
"..."
A brief staring contest.
Apart from the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's distrust, the fact that he would not tell Cheol Jiak, a unit commander, what even a re Heavenly Tiger Unit mber knew was a matter of pride.
In an atmosphere where it seed sothing would break out at any mont, Deputy Commander Zhuge Lin approached Cheol Jiak.
"Unit Commander, what's wrong?"
Zhuge Lin glanced at the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander and the Black Tortoise Unit Commander.
Soon, Cheol Jiak let out a deep sigh.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
It was the first mission after receiving the newcors. There was no need to cause a useless dispute from the start, and even if a dispute arose, the justification was on that side.
Anyway, in this mission, the Black Tortoise Unit's mission was to assist the Heavenly Tiger Unit.
In other words, all decision-making authority for the mission was with the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander.
Also, since Cheol Jiak had been in the alliance for a long ti, he knew people's personalities well. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander was not a person who handled matters with personal feelings.
He was not intentionally ignoring and looking down on him, but was just considering all possibilities to perfectly carry out this mission.
While the two unit commanders were having a war of nerves.
"How strange. To et from the first mission."
Nangong Jin, who had approached Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon at so point, said with a sneer. Although it was a aningless statent, his expression and tone were strangely annoying.
Song Yiyeon let out a grin.
"I'll be in your care. Young hero Nangong."
"Yes. Assist properly."
Nangong Jin shrugged his shoulders.
While Song Yiyeon was trying hard to swallow his boiling anger.
"No, why is this bastard coming over and starting a fight?"
Nangong Jin's, Song Yiyeon's, and Cheon Woojin's gazes turned.
There, the forr newcor of the Black Tortoise Unit, Jang Woopyeong, was glaring at Nangong Jin with a rather reliable senior's expression.
Nangong Jin let out a silent laugh inwardly, but on the outside, he cupped his fist with a very polite attitude.
"Ah, I did not an to offend Senior Jang. I was just joking with young hero Song here, since we've known each other since we were young. I'm sorry."
"..."
Jang Woopyeong shut his mouth. However, everyone could read the thought revealed on his face.
'The eldest son of the Nangong family knows ...?'
It was a clearly moved expression. He was very surprised that the Sword Dragon of the Nangong family not only gave a polite apology but also knew the na of a re unit mber like himself.
Jang Woopyeong composed his expression with effort and nodded his head.
"Ahem, be careful from now on."
"Yes, of course."
Nangong Jin, who bowed his head politely to the end, soon turned his body and returned to where he was. Jang Woopyeong, who was watching his back, said in a low voice with a flushed face.
"Is he a better guy than I thought?"
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon just looked at Jang Woopyeong with dumbfounded expressions.
* * *
After a brief explanation from the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, the two ard forces began to run towards their destination in their own ways.
The destination was none other than Jiangxi Province.
Cheon Woojin had a special feeling. It was strange to return to that place where he had left alone, with so many martial artists.
'If the White Master had seen this, he would have been pleased.'
He certainly would have. Because the White Master's expression was always happy when he talked about the Martial Alliance.
Cheon Woojin lightly used his movent skills while lost in thought. However, the rough breathing sounds coming from the front kept interrupting his thoughts.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit was running at the front. The Black Tortoise Unit was moving in a state of being slightly behind, surrounding its left, right, and rear in a circle.
It was the most basic formation. If an enemy appeared from the front, the main force would destroy them, and the auxiliary force would guard all directions except the front.
Of course, since there was a considerable difference in martial might between the two ard forces, the Heavenly Tiger Unit was matching the speed of the Black Tortoise Unit.
Nevertheless, the three newcors, including Nangong Jin, were very out of breath.
Apart from their martial might, they must have had no experience running such a long distance at full speed in a short period of ti.
'It must be a difference in technique.'
The gap between those who had perford missions for at least ten years and the rising talents who had just co out of the fence was quite large.
Then, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who was advancing at the forefront, glanced back and then slowed down and headed towards the three newcors.
"Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, Tang Soyeon."
"Yes, unit commander."
"Is it hard?"
The three were silent. To be precise, they wanted to answer that it was hard, but they seed to be watching his expression.
So, Song Yiyeon answered instead.
"Ah, it's hard..."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander and the three newcors of the Heavenly Tiger Unit glanced at Song Yiyeon and then turned their heads again.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's firm voice continued.
"We are not at our usual speed, but are matching the speed of the Black Tortoise Unit. Nevertheless, if you fall behind, it ans you are not qualified to perform missions with the Heavenly Tiger Unit."
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who said so, flew forward. He had thought he had co to encourage them, but it was a stern warning.
Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, and Tang Soyeon gritted their teeth.
They couldn't be kicked out on their first mission after getting into the Heavenly Tiger Unit.
While the three were strengthening their resolve, Song Yiyeon at the rear was also in a living hell. Jang Woopyeong stealthily approached and said.
"We also usually run a little faster and farther. We're being considerate of the newcors, so even if it's hard, think of it as training and endure it."
"...Yes, senior."
Although Jang Woopyeong usually seed sloppy, he was one of the martial artists of the Martial Alliance once a mission began.
Song Yiyeon, who ca to his senses at his unexpectedly firm appearance, operated his internal energy more and increased his speed.
Cheon Woojin, who was running next to him and watching him, said casually.
"Lower your posture a little more."
"I think I'll fall then..."
"Entrust your body to your instincts. Your body, young hero, can handle that much."
The instincts of a martial artist who had trained for a long ti sotis displayed abilities beyond common sense. In Cheon Woojin's eyes, Song Yiyeon's body still had plenty of room.
"...Then I'll trust you, young hero, and lower it?"
Cheon Woojin nodded without a word. At the sa ti, Song Yiyeon lowered his posture. It was an action that could only be done because he trusted his friend.
Unlike ordinary people, falling was a considerable fear for martial artists. Because the speed at which they ran was on a different level. Sotis, a bone or two would break.
"Uh, uh..."
As he lowered his upper body, the balance of his entire body tilted down and forward. It felt like he would fall at any mont, but as Cheon Woojin had said, he did not bother to control his body and entrusted it to his instincts.
Whenever it felt like he would fall, Song Yiyeon's two legs moved forward a step faster and touched the ground.
Although he looked sowhat precarious, he was enduring it.
'The speed has also beco much faster, and since the balance is directed downwards, I'm using less strength...'
Song Yiyeon looked at Cheon Woojin with new eyes. This was not advice that just anyone could give.
'It ans that in young hero Cheon's eyes, all my movents and the state of my body are clearly visible.'
Just as you don't think of climbing a cliff that is too high, he didn't even feel jealous of young hero Cheon.
He was just genuinely curious about how high his level was.
Then, Cheon Woojin's words continued calmly.
"You can't use your movent skills like that in a real fight. However, think of it as a training thod to get used to the feeling of your body."
Anyway, thanks to that, Song Yiyeon, who had regained his composure, nodded his head.
How far had they run in one breath like that?
Cheon Woojin's gaze suddenly turned to the distant sky. Following that, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, and the various deputy commanders turned their heads in order and looked at the sa place.
A peregrine falcon was approaching at a trendous speed. Soon, the peregrine falcon, which had narrowed the distance in an instant, naturally landed on the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's shoulder.
While everyone was looking at that sight, Jang Woopyeong, who had approached Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin at so point, said.
"It's a ssenger hawk. It's a guy that's incomparably faster and more accurate than a normal carrier pigeon. It's almost at the level of a spiritual beast, so there are only a few places in the world that can handle a ssenger hawk."
"As expected, the Martial Alliance is amazing."
Song Yiyeon let out a pure admiration. He, who was born and raised in a rchant family, also knew the importance of fast and accurate information delivery. In fact, the Anhui Song family had tried to ta a ssenger hawk several tis, but had failed each ti.
Jang Woopyeong shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, it's no big deal."
"But why is the senior shrugging?"
"Ahem, you brat, I am the Martial Alliance and the Martial Alliance is . Don't you know about love for the alliance, love for the alliance?"
"...Yes."
While the two were exchanging silly words.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander slowly lowered his speed and sent a signal, and everyone who was using their movent skills stopped.
Nangong Jin, Jin Yun, and Tang Soyeon were panting.
Although Song Yiyeon was also quite out of breath, he pretended to be fine because Nangong Jin was glancing at him.
Then, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, asked.
"Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, what's wrong?"
"...The mission is suspended."
Cheol Jiak's brow narrowed.
"Why?"
"They say there was incorrect information. It will take about three days to sort out the newly obtained information and update the mission. We'll have to wait nearby for now."
At the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's words, the atmosphere beca unsettled. There would be no inn that could accommodate so many people. It ant that they would have to camp out.
So martial artists were already examining the surrounding terrain and features as if they were used to it.
"The sun is starting to set, so we should start a fire first."
Cheol Jiak also cracked his neck left and right and searched for a tree to smash. Usually, when they camped out, Cheol Jiak would smash a large tree in one blow and use it for firewood.
It was then.
"Since we have arrived in Hefei, how about waiting at our family's residence?"
For a mont, everyone's eyes lit up. The man who had uttered those words was none other than the newcor of the Heavenly Tiger Unit. In other words, they had been invited to the number one family in the world.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander showed a look of displeasure.
"The Sword King elder will also be there, so how can we be so rude."
Even if he was the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who was called the best among the unit commanders of the ard forces, he had no choice but to be mindful of the Sword King, who was the head of the Nangong family and was called one of the three great swordsn of the world.
However, Nangong Jin shook his head.
"No. My father will definitely be pleased."
Everyone seed to be filled with a subtle expectation. Since the Nangong family was considered the best in the martial world, it would be a good experience to be able to stay there for even a short ti.
Most of all, it was obvious that the sleeping quarters and als would be top-notch.
Soon, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who had been thinking for a long ti, nodded his head.
"Then the Black Tortoise Unit Commander and I will first pay our respects to the elders of the family and ask for permission before staying."
"That would be good."
Cheol Jiak nodded.
Many people cheered inwardly at the dramatic compromise. Of course, there was also a man who cheered on the outside.
"Wow, the Nangong family!"
For a mont, everyone's gaze turned to the forr newcor of the Black Tortoise Unit, Jang Woopyeong. Jang Woopyeong scratched his head as if he was embarrassed.
"Ahem, when else would I get to go to the Nangong family if not at a ti like this. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to see the Sword King elder."
At the words 'Sword King', the eyes of those with swords on their waists sparkled. The man who was most respected by swordsn, along with the Martial Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, was the Sword King, Nangong Wu.
It was then.
"E-excuse ...!"
At the sudden shy shout, everyone's gaze turned. Song Yiyeon glanced at people's expressions and carefully began to speak.
"Our Anhui Song family is also nearby."
"..."
Jang Woopyeong cursed with his eyes.
Song Yiyeon, who had scratched his head, continued in a more dejected voice.
"It's even closer..."
"Hah."
In the silence, Nangong Jin's hollow laugh was heard particularly loudly. The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander looked at Cheol Jiak. It was a gaze that seed to ask what he was going to do.
(End of Chapter)
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