Baek Woo Jin, who had practically taken over one of the Hao Sect branches, was able to acquire information at a far faster rate than other teams.
The information Baek Woo Jin demanded from them was just one thing.
It was to collect data on the demons or monsters wreaking havoc within the Central Plains.
“Whew, there sure are a lot.”
The report he received was so thick that it looked like it could deliver a decent blow if he swung it at someone’s head.
Moreover, since the subjugation of demons and monsters was the Moorim Alliance’s top priority, most of them had already been confronted by the Moorim Alliance’s warriors or were in the process of being dealt with.
“This won’t do.”
Most of the information known to the Hao Sect was also known to the Beggars’ Sect, and if the Beggars’ Sect knew it, then it was safe to assume the Moorim Alliance knew as well.
So he shifted the direction of his information gathering. He began investigating whether there were any regions where the deaths or disappearances of martial artists repeatedly occurred.
“This is information on the killings or disappearances of martial artists happening across the Central Plains.”
He was reminded of just how twisted the world was.
Across the Central Plains, there were far more disappearances and murders than he had expected and the report was even thicker than before. It had now reached a point where it could truly knock someone out if used to strike them on the head.
“Just my fate, huh.”
He had hoped to make easy breakthroughs using demonic stones, but the world wasn’t making it easy for him.
From that day on, Baek Woo Jin carried the report with him and he read it whenever he found a moment during his training. And so he was gradually narrowing down potential locations for his team requests.
The selected locations were three in total, and the one that seemed most likely was a place called Hundred Li Mountain which was situated on the route from Xi An to Qinghai.
“This place reeks.”
Xinjiang, the base of the demons, and Qinghai Province, the nearest frontline of the Central Plains.
It was more than a possibility. It was almost a certainty.
This was Baek Woo Jin’s instinct, his fate.
“No matter where I go, trouble’s bound to happen.”
He had to remember that this was the world of a novel and that Baek Woo Jin was its protagonist.
Just as murders occurred wherever Conan went, the same applied to Baek Woo Jin. Most of the upcoming incidents would likely happen near him or wherever he went.
The strong conviction he felt about the Hundred Li Mountain might just be his fate asserting itself.
“I wish there were just a few more people.”
Baek Woo Jin led his team members through relentless training during the winter.
He pushed them to their limits, so much so that they were left gasping for breath, like Jang Sam who could barely make a sound except for his ragged breathing after nearly drowning.
Thanks to Baek Woo Jin’s countless real combat experiences and the various harsh methods he employed, his team had developed the ability to adapt to all kinds of challenging situations, but their overall skill level had barely improved.
This was why he was worried. Could five people—one at the peak master level, three at the first-rank level, and one whose level was unknown—really hunt down demons?
He had promised to push his team to their limits, but he had no intention of driving them to their deaths.
He had to provide the minimum safety measures that would save their lives even if their arms and legs were broken, but his ability to shoulder everyone’s difficulties alone was still deficient in many ways.
“Isn’t there anyone?”
For difficult tasks, joining forces with other teams was an option.
Baek Woo Jin first thought of Myeong Jin, but he had already left with his team members for their request.
His request was also quite peculiar.
“He’s gone to experience the Hundred and Eight Arhats Formation firsthand.”
What a madman.
Judging by his personality, it was clear that he had always wanted to experience the Hundred and Eight Arhats Formation directly with his body. It seemed reasonable to suspect that he had expressed this desire through this team mission and used it as an excuse to request access from the reclusive Shaolin Temple.
“Who else is there?”
He recalled the groups of his grade one by one.
They were all either not on good terms with him or outright hostile.
“My brother won’t work.”
He was overly protective of his younger brother, so he would likely shut down the idea of going to hunt demons right from the start. Even if he managed to get permission, it was clear that his brother would take the lead and try to handle everything himself.
“Oh.”
Then someone popped into his mind.
“I can ask Miss Tang!”
Poisonous Phoenix Tang Seon Yeong
She was also a Phoenix and led her own team.
Among the people Baek Woo Jin could ask, she was the one most likely to agree.
He wanted to run to her and ask immediately, but it wasn’t the right time yet.
Pushing aside the thick report, he headed to the inn that served as the branch office of Hao Sect.
“Ah, young hero! Welcome!”
The innkeeper, whom he had met before, dropped everything and came out to greet him warmly.
He entered the guest room at the far end of the second floor and passed a message to the innkeeper.
“Tell the branch leader to bring more information about the Hundred Li Mountain incident.”
“Yes!”
“And bring some good side dishes.”
“Oh, of course! I’ll bring only the best ones for you.”
Before long, the table was filled with steaming hot side dishes.
When Baek Woo Jin flicked a silver coin to the innkeeper, a broad smile spread across his face.
“Enjoy your meal, young hero!”
As the innkeeper closed the door and left, Baek Woo Jin immediately picked up his chopsticks.
Since he owed them quite the big “debt”, he could use the inn free of charge. It was a great place to visit whenever he felt like having a meal or a light drink.
“Hmm?”
Just as he was about to put a piece of braised pork into his mouth, he sensed someone outside the door.
Who is it?
Whoever it was thought they were hiding their presence fairly well, but Baek Woo Jin sensed them clearly.
As he focused his senses more keenly, a sweet fragrance which he had smelled before, faintly wafted in through his heightened sense of smell.
It’s Miss Tang.
It was the scent of an aphrodisiac he had detected along with Tang Seon Yeong’s body fragrance.
***
“You’ve got some nerve.”
This was her reaction when he mentioned subjugating demons.
There were no limits to team missions. All they had to do was achieve what was expected of them, as long as they were willing to take responsibility for the grades distributed accordingly.
Demon and monster subjugation were among the requests guaranteed to earn high marks, but few students dared to attempt them.
“How many extra lives do you think you have?”
Even students desperate for grades were not eager to risk their lives.
“Unless you’re planning to get all your teammates killed, you’d better quit.”
It was a sincere piece of advice.
In the past, team leaders who led subjugation missions for team missions had always survived. Most of them were seasoned experts who had reached the peak master level.
It was always the team members beneath them who died. Those who had yet to fully blossom were the ones often losing their lives in vain.
“I’m bringing in Miss Tang so they don’t die.”
Baek Woo Jin replied.
“I don’t think I can protect everyone with just my strength yet.”
“Hmph, so you want to borrow my strength?”
“That’s right.”
“What if I refuse to lend you my strength?”
“Well, then I’ll just have to find another way.”
There was a resolute determination in his tone.
Tang Seon Yeong let out a small sigh.
“Ha, is giving up not an option for you?”
“No, it’s not.”
His voice was firm as if she were his sworn enemy.
“Do you have some kind of grudge against demons?”
“Not a grudge exactly, but, well.”
He wasn’t sure how to put it.
Should he call them prey, a meal, or perhaps just a snack?
Tang Seon Yeong’s face turned sad when she saw the reluctant expression on his face. She wondered if there was a tragic story hidden behind his actions, perhaps losing someone dear to a demon.
“If it’s something painful to talk about, you don’t have to.”
At the sound of her compassionate voice, something he had never heard before, Baek Woo Jin tilted his head in confusion.
It seemed she was misunderstanding something.
“Yes. You really won’t give up, will you?”
She was lost in thought for a moment before she nodded her head.
“Alright. I’ll help you. But just me—not my whole team.”
Baek Woo Jin readily agreed.
“That’s more than enough.”
What he wanted from the start was her, not the team she led. When dealing with demons, what mattered was quality, not quantity.
“One more thing.”
She added another condition.
“Since I’m helping you, you’ll have to grant me a favor later, too.”
“That’s fair enough.”
If you receive, you should also give. It wasn’t a difficult condition to accept.
Tang Seon Yeong extended her glass.
“Deal, then?”
Baek Woo Jin also raised his glass and lightly clinked it against hers.
***
The weather warmed up quite a bit.
Though spring hadn’t fully arrived, it was warm enough for outdoor activities.
Sensing the time had finally come, Baek Woo Jin pushed his team members a bit harder.
“Hyat!”
Shin Ye Hwa swung her crescent blade, and the sound of the wind it stirred was far stronger than it had been during the martial arts tournament.
Her remarkable progress was evident, but instead of praise, Baek Woo Jin hurled sharp criticism.
“My late grandmother could swing better than you!”
Shin Ye Hwa stopped and tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Your grandmother’s still alive, isn’t she?”
“Well, um…”
He had been taken aback after his recent encounter with Baek Young Hak, who had shown a cold attitude towards his son after a long time, so he avoided bringing up family memories.
“Th-There is… Another grandmother, aside from my real one…”
After trailing off, he suddenly burst out in an angry tone.
“Is this the time for chit-chat?!”
“Kyaa!”
Shin Ye Hwa’s wails followed his furious strikes.
After trampling on each person with vigor, Baek Woo Jin gathered the ones sprawled on the ground like ragdolls after some time had passed.
“It’s about time.”
Even though his words were abrupt and thrown together, they all understood perfectly.
“We figured this would come up sooner or later…”
Their tone suggested they had expected this.
Jang Sam struggled to raise his upper body and asked him.
“Are you really planning to subjugate demons?”
“Yes.”
His voice was firm, leaving no room for objections, and Gu Wang Soo and Jang Sam bowed their heads at the same time.
“We have no choice…”
“He’s not leaving any room for negotiation, is he?”
It seemed like the two of them had been plotting something together.
Jegal Yeon Ji, who had been quietly lying down, cautiously called out to him.
“Um, young master Baek.”
“Yes?”
“Well, no matter how much I think about it, isn’t it going to be difficult with just this team?”
She had a point, and Baek Woo Jin was pleased that Jegal Yeon Ji brought it up. He could sense that, as a strategist, she was still considering their forces.
“It would be tough with just us, so I’ve called for reinforcements.”
Shin Ye Hwa who had been quietly listening perked up and asked.
“Who?”
“They’re on their way, so you can see for yourself.”
As if summoned by their conversation, there was a knock on the door of the training room shortly after.
Baek Woo Jin personally unlocked and opened the door.
“Hello.”
Tang Seon Yeong greeted everyone in the room with her eyes sparkling mischievously as always.
“We were just talking about you, Miss Tang. Come on in.”
“Then, excuse me.”
Tang Seon Yeong stepped lightly over the threshold of the training room.
“Oh!”
“Wow.”
Exclamations burst from Jang Sam and Gu Wang Soo as they greeted the dazzling beauty in front of them.
Tang Seon Yeong smiled lightly as if she was used to that reaction.
“Wh-Who is she?”
In contrast, Shin Ye Hwa who was seeing this type of beauty for the first time stared at her with a face full of wariness.
Jegal Yeon Ji who was beside her spoke up.
“Poisonous Phoenix Tang Seon Yeong …”
Through her fluttering bangs, her eyes blazed as if they were engulfed in flames.
“Wait, you mean ‘that’ Poisonous Phoenix?”
Stories about the Poisonous Phoenix were famous inside the academy. Rumors said she had led countless men to ruin. They also described her as a poisonous spider who saw men as prey.
“Nice to meet you; I’m Tang Seon Yeong.”
Shin Ye Hwa shot up from her seat following her casual greeting.
“What’s your relationship with Woo Jin-ah?”
“Huh…?”
Tang Seon Yeong’s eyes narrowed at the blunt question.
Before she could answer, Baek Woo Jin stepped in between the two.
“We just know each other in passing, so don’t worry about it and sit down.”
“Ugh…”
Shin Ye Hwa who was intimidated by his indifferent gaze hesitated and stepped back.
“Fufu.”
Tang Seon Yeong was standing behind Baek Woo Jin and smiling triumphantly when she felt a piercing gaze from afar and turned her head.
Through her bangs, her eyes blazed as if they were engulfed in the flames of fury.
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