The Fate of the Crawling Ones
In the martial arts world, revenge was washed away with blood, and revenge followed. However, this was a war limited to people within the realm of martial arts, so the government did not intervene. It would be more accurate to say they couldn't. It was impossible to eliminate all martial artists even if a million troops were mobilized.
The second reason the government did not touch the martial arts world was that, especially among righteous factions, martial artists would assist during invasions by foreign enemies. Even the wicked factions showed a willingness to help if a certain price was paid. Moreover, in areas where various sects had established themselves, bandits did not dare to approach. Each sect had its own reputation, and they were responsible for the peace of the surrounding areas.
What caught the government's interest most was the individual abilities that were rare in the military. Although it was hard to meet the masters of prominent righteous sects or demonic cults, even seeing martial artists of the Huang family level was considered remarkable in their eyes.
Thus, the government began planning to gather martial artists to form a powerful military force directly under the military command. They promised wealth and glory to attract people, but surprisingly, the martial artists did not gather. Most of those who showed up were individuals of little significance.
Confused, the government investigated the martial artists further. The final conclusion was that martial artists prioritized martial arts manuals over wealth and glory. Therefore, for a long time, the government collected various martial arts manuals floating around the martial arts world to attract them. This collection accumulated over time, and those who learned these techniques in the imperial palace developed unique martial arts, resulting in the Huang Palace Martial Arts.
Using the Huang Palace Martial Arts as bait, the government was able to gather a satisfactory group of capable martial artists. This newly formed cavalry unit was named the Imperial Black Wind Brigade. The martial artists who were brought in early from the imperial palace were mostly of the Huang family level, but they still displayed extraordinary power when armed.
The Imperial Black Wind Brigade was provided with excellent steeds and received perfect weapons tailored for each individual, including long swords, shields, jing (a type of gong), arrows, and concealed weapons, along with thick armor and helmets to protect both themselves and their horses. Originally, martial artists did not wear armor, and if they did, it was light and covered only vital areas. If the armor was too heavy, it would hinder their agility. However, since the Imperial Black Wind Brigade was a cavalry unit, the weight of the armor was not a significant issue during mounted combat. With such thorough armament, they showed strength beyond expectations.
The imperial palace utilized the Imperial Black Wind Brigade to subdue foreign ethnic groups. To these foreign peoples unfamiliar with martial arts, the brigade was a formidable presence capable of performing martial arts. The brigade achieved a great victory in its first battle, demonstrating its incredible strength and astonishing the imperial court. They could handle situations that would ordinarily require the mobilization of a hundred thousand troops.
Mobilizing a hundred thousand troops and deploying them is an immense undertaking. With a military force of around a hundred thousand, support from the rear is mandatory, but a force of ten thousand can effectively utilize resources and conscriptions from local farms and existing military units.
In order to pacify these foreign ethnic groups at a low cost, the imperial palace further expanded the Imperial Black Wind Brigade. What was previously considered a third-rate unit gradually improved, and eventually, they built an invincible cavalry corps that possessed both quantity and quality.
Thus, the Imperial Black Wind Brigade continued to grow in number, and currently, it has ten thousand skilled fighters, managed in groups of five thousand on the left and right. The leaders of these groups were appointed as a result of the fearsome power of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade and received special trust from the emperor. They were similar to the Golden Guard and were a direct organization under the emperor.
In a secret chamber within the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and the leader of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade, the head of the Golden Guard, Daeyoungban, were holding a meeting. This meeting was convened at the special request of Daeyoungban to the Emperor. However, the main party, Daeyoungban, had yet to arrive, and currently, only the Emperor and the leader of the Black Wind Brigade were engaged in conversation.
As they shared various topics, the Emperor suddenly recalled something and spoke to General Ok Young-jin, the leader of the Black Wind Brigade. "Why is it that most of the members of the Black Wind Brigade are from the righteous factions, while there are only a few from the unorthodox factions? As far as I know, the leader of the unorthodox factions, the Demon Sect, has many of the strongest masters. Why is it that not a single person from the Demon Sect has come?"
General Ok Young-jin, a master who had carefully considered the situation, was a member of the royal family. He was the son of the Martial King, who had admired martial arts, and was known as the "Shining Blade" due to his prowess in swordsmanship as a disciple of the Cheongseong Sect. Appointed by the Emperor to lead the Imperial Black Wind Brigade, he was a talented individual who had made the brigade even stronger with his exceptional skills.
"Your Majesty, if we send out a recruitment notice for the Black Wind Brigade to each faction, many outstanding individuals will come forward with recommendations. However, not a single disciple of a prestigious righteous faction has come, and as for the Demon Sect, not even one has sent anyone."
"How frustrating! Isn't this an insult to me? I want to see the strongest masters and lead them."
"However, there is a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
General Ok Young-jin spoke cautiously. "Your Majesty, in the case of righteous and unorthodox factions, it doesn't matter, but in the case of the Demon Sect, a strict hierarchy based on strength governs their world. For them, the hierarchy of seniority is not important; the ranking is determined by the strength of martial arts. Even if their leader, the Sect Leader, exists, if someone stronger practices martial arts, they can be expelled from that position."
"So?"
"If we accept members from the Demon Sect, there must be a stronger person from the righteous factions to maintain control. If a very strong person comes, there's a risk of rebellion…"
"Hmm… That could be the case. If they have only received that kind of education since childhood…"
"Therefore, it would be wise to reconsider the acceptance of members from the Demon Sect."
"However, as you said, if power governs the organization, wouldn't your martial arts be sufficient?"
"Indeed."
"Then why is it a problem?"
"Your Majesty! The Demon Sect is a formidable force boasting a grand tradition within the martial world. If they send a top master, even I wouldn't dare to make a counter-argument."
"Are they that strong?"
"Your Majesty! All four Demon Kings of the unorthodox factions are gathered within the Demon Sect. It is said that each of them possesses the power to move mountains."
"Hm… If that's the case, shouldn't the righteous factions send even stronger individuals?"
"To do that, a more enticing bait would be necessary. In fact, we started collecting martial arts secrets about 300 years ago, and the quality of the Imperial Palace's martial arts still falls short compared to those of the prestigious righteous factions. That is the problem."
"Are you saying that, even after collecting martial arts secrets under the titles of past emperors, the quantity is still so small?"
"Your Majesty, I regret to say that the quantity is not the issue. The quality is the problem."
"Quality… Is the quality of the Imperial Palace's martial arts that low? Then how can we improve it?"
"Currently, the quality of the Imperial Palace's martial arts isn't that low. However, only a few individuals, including myself, have mastered the three main martial arts of the Imperial Palace. If we were to reveal such martial arts now, it would create problems. We should only disclose them after acquiring more advanced martial arts. But obtaining such powerful martial arts is incredibly difficult…"
"Do not make excuses. There were several martial arts you mentioned earlier; have you obtained them?"
"Indeed, they are extremely powerful martial arts, but they remain unclaimed, so all that needs to be done is to acquire them."
"What did you say…"
"Your Majesty, the Northern Star Martial Art and the Thunderbolt Martial Art, which derives from it, as well as the Flame Martial Art."
"Right. Those are indeed them. However, isn't 'Northern Star' referring to the territory of the Dongyi tribe, where ancient states like Goguryeo and Balhae once flourished?"
"That is correct. The term 'Northern Star' refers to the Balhae region."
"Then does that mean the Northern Star Martial Art is a martial art created by the barbarian Dongyi tribes?"
"Indeed."
"Martial arts from the Central Plains are considered the best, so why would we seek out such barbaric martial arts?"
"I apologize, Your Majesty. To be precise, the Northern Star Martial Art is a compilation of the elevated martial arts from Balhae. It is said that a person named Gu Hwi, renowned as the strongest in the martial world, began to take an interest in the martial arts of this region during his later years and discovered remarkable martial arts in Balhae. He then compiled them to create the Northern Star Martial Art."
"Is that martial art truly that impressive?"
"The Northern Star Martial Art is a complex system formed by gathering many martial arts techniques. It is a confusing art divided into parts without a cohesive structure. This martial art absorbs the essence of nature to enhance its power and is presented in a form that instructs on how to reach the peak of martial arts through the right mindset, precautions, and the best methods for mastering martial arts. Many martial artists have attempted to practice the Northern Star Martial Art, but due to its complexity, with almost no instructional texts available, and the fact that much of it is incomplete, it has proven very difficult to master. Consequently, those who practiced the Northern Star Martial Art extracted beneficial aspects from it and developed several martial arts, namely the Flame Martial Art and the Thunderbolt Martial Art. The creators of these arts have reportedly said when questioned why they have not completed the Northern Star Martial Art, 'If I were to change anything, it would unknowingly eliminate the essence that the martial art aims to convey at its core. These are merely fragments, yet each one is so perfect that there is no need for additional details. Even I cannot fully understand it, so if someone emerges who can completely master it, they will likely be a master of life and death.'"
"As you said, if it's that difficult to master, wouldn't it be of little use even if we acquire it?"
"Not at all. Even if it's not that impressive in itself, many martial artists will gather just to catch a glimpse of the martial art. The Northern Star Martial Art is still an incredibly enticing bait."
"Hmm… With such a long prelude, it seems you have been unable to acquire it."
"I am deeply grateful. With my abilities, I could not ascertain where it went."
"Then, the Flame Divine Art... It seems to be a martial art from the Yanggi sect, correct?"
"Indeed. The extreme Yang martial art absorbs the essence of nature, similar to the Northern Star Divine Art, while easily absorbing the opponent's energy, melting even steel. There are several advantages, but it is very difficult to learn due to its extreme Yang martial arts, and there are many issues with the integration of the captured energies, resulting in an incomplete human martial art."
"It was the time of the Hellfire Clan, but they suddenly became eager, causing that secret technique to vanish. From what we've investigated, it seems it may have been absorbed by the Demon Sect. The figures of the Demon Sect are using the Absorption Great Technique, which appears to be an advanced form of the Flame Divine Art."
"If that is the case, the Flame Divine Art has a master. What about the Thunderbolt Divine Art?"
"The Thunderbolt Divine Art is a developed form of the Northern Star Divine Art, utilizing the martial essence of the Northern Star Divine Art to create numerous techniques, thus advancing into a more refined martial art. In the past, it was practiced by the practitioners of the Sapa sect, but the sudden desire for it has caused it to disappear. Currently, we do not even know who the practitioners of the Sapa sect are, and further investigation will be necessary to learn more."
Just then, General Daeyoungban rushed in. After greeting the Emperor, he urgently spoke up.
"Your servant, Jang Muk-gi, reports. The reason I called this meeting is due to the serious state of the martial world."
"Serious?"
"Yes. A wicked sect in the martial world is preparing to commit the grave crime of challenging the imperial authority."
"Speak."
"According to the information I have obtained, there is a sect in the martial world called the Asura Blood Sect. They are in the process of creating a zombie army, and these zombies cannot be harmed by ordinary weapons, which means the lower-ranking warriors of the imperial palace will be unable to counter them. They are preparing to invade the imperial palace with this army, and I have received reports that approximately 30% of it is completed. It would be best to eliminate any concerns before they produce any more."
The general said, "Still, zombies are people who have been resurrected. Can they truly challenge the imperial authority?"
"Your servant, Ok Young-jin, replies. From what I have heard, zombies are made by reviving the dead using special techniques, turning them into puppets that have lost their humanity. Regardless of their overall strength, they cannot be killed with ordinary methods, as they are originally the dead. However, a zombie of the fifth rank could very well overpower the imperial palace."
"If that is the case, this is a major issue. General Daeyoungban, lead the Black Wind Brigade to show the imperial authority's dignity. When can we punish those traitors?"
"Yes, the Black Wind Brigade is currently deployed to the border against the barbarian tribes, but as soon as they return, I will deploy them."
The Emperor then drew forth the treasured sword he carried and presented it to the general.
"Go forth and punish the traitors with the Fokma Heaven Shattering Sword."
The Fokma Heaven Shattering Sword is one of the ten great divine swords, said to have been crafted by the renowned artisan Yeojin. It is said to possess mystical power that suppresses evil forces. This sword, one of the most powerful weapons against the wicked techniques like zombies, has always been wielded by the Emperor. The general received the sword with both hands and said,
"Your servant, Ok Young-jin, will follow the Emperor's command."
"Time is of the essence; you should head out immediately."
"Yes! Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Twenty days later, after the Black Wind Brigade returned with maximum speed, the Imperial Black Wind Brigade gathered a total of 13,325 soldiers. They began to set up camp about 20 li from Daemang Mountain. Inside the tent, General Ok Young-jin was discussing plans with several of his subordinate generals while unfolding a map. At that moment, a young general entered and spoke.
"General Ji Jeonsu has arrived!"
"Oh! Let him in."
General Ji Jeonsu entered with four of his subordinate generals. He politely bowed to General Ok Young-jin and said,
"General, I apologize for being late."
"You've arrived just in time. Please come in."
"Yes."
"How many troops have you brought?"
"I have brought 50,000 soldiers. I apologize for not being able to bring more."
"That is sufficient. Divide the 50,000 troops into two and station them here and here to block the traitors' escape route."
"Understood."
"And General Jeon Yang, take 20,000 imperial soldiers and split them in half to guard these two locations. The traitors must not escape."
As General Ok Young-jin pointed out the areas on the map with a stick, General Jeon Yang raised a question.
"If they are already in motion, how can we block their escape?"
"There is no need to worry about those who escape. The enemy probably cannot completely give up on this place; they might attempt a small-scale escape or send a scout. We have already taken measures for that. Based on the information available, the enemy's main forces are definitely still present. The messengers and scouts have received emergency orders, and they have been instructed to rigorously inspect all travelers and supply shipments, so there should be no major issues. We have also prepared for any pigeons or hawks that may fly away, so the generals need not worry."
"Will the Black Wind Brigade charge directly into the traitors' stronghold as per the general's plan?"
"Yes. It seems that the enemy's forces are not well organized, and I believe it is better to use the Black Wind Brigade for this task. However, there is still an area of concern. If any of the soldiers among them have weapons that can harm our soldiers, we need to gather those."
"Understood. When will the attack commence?"
"We will begin at dawn tomorrow. I would appreciate it if you could provide weapons by then. The specifications should be prepared in such a way that they can be returned after the battle. If any of the borrowed weapons are damaged, appropriate compensation will be provided."
"Understood. Then I shall take my leave."
The next day, the attack by the Imperial Black Wind Brigade commenced at dawn. Despite the formidable abilities of the Black Wind Brigade, the presence of numerous masters and zombies inflicted significant damage. Over 20 elite members of the Black Wind Brigade fell in battle, and many were injured. Still, it could have been worse, thanks to the weapons capable of cutting through iron as if it were straw.
In particular, the zombie in the blue clothing possessed an astonishing power. Ordinary zombies were slow in their movements, but their speed was nothing short of phenomenal. Thirty percent of the damage to the Black Wind Brigade was due to them. Fortunately, their numbers were not very large. Thanks to the 70,000 troops completely surrounding the area, not a single enemy was able to escape and they were all annihilated. All the books and documents the enemies possessed were confiscated. Although some were burned by the enemies, a significant portion remained intact because the materials they used were not easily flammable—originally, it would take considerable time to completely turn them to ash. Despite the outer portions being burned, most were successfully seized. All these materials were sent to the Imperial Palace, where the martial artists analyzed and researched their martial arts and techniques.
Even one more skilled fighter - 1
"Sect Leader! An unexpected incident has occurred."
Prince Yang of the Asura Blood Sect urgently requested a meeting with the sect leader, who was resting in his room.
"What is it?"
"The Asura Blood Sect and the Imperial Palace have clashed!"
"The Imperial Palace?"
"Yes! The Imperial Black Wind Brigade attacked the Imperial Palace, annihilating all the ghouls and skilled fighters present there."
"The Imperial Black Wind Brigade? I heard they are renowned for their prowess and have even learned the martial arts of the Imperial Palace. Their immense power seems capable of toppling even deities. But still... what happened?"
"It seems the Imperial Black Wind Brigade also suffered significant losses. Approximately twenty of their fighters were killed, and the number of injured has surpassed sixty."
"That's impossible! The Imperial Black Wind Brigade wears heavy armor and even outfits their horses with armor. How could they sustain such losses?"
"According to the information, there were already about twenty ghouls created, over fifty new ghouls, and the defenders included several formidable fighters. The damage was done to them."
"Indeed, the warriors of the Imperial Palace are more focused on external combat than internal energy. However, the Imperial Black Wind Brigade is different; they should have amassed their internal energy."
"They probably wouldn't have suffered such losses against warriors from the martial world. Martial world fighters often bleed when struck."
"The problem is those ghouls, who are virtually indestructible. The fact that the damage was limited to that extent is thanks to their heavy armor and shields."
The sect leader, feeling that the important discussion was over, gently grasped Prince Yang's slender waist and pulled her into his embrace, saying, "In any case, this is getting interesting. How is it that a bait meant for fish has caught a carp?"
"...Sect Leader, it seems that the Imperial Palace is still shrouded in the darkness of the situation in the martial world."
"Quite so. With this incident, it seems the need for skilled fighters will increase. We must ensure we have ample skilled fighters prepared for future conflicts. Therefore, we should provide special training to those with outstanding achievements in various martial arts to nurture the next generation of fighters."
"This incident has increased the necessity for skilled fighters."
The sect leader leisurely started to undress Prince Yang, who didn't seem to mind his actions.
"Alright, alright. You take care of it."
"Yes, about the current assignment with Mu Hyang... Hmm... As a top assassin, he successfully eliminated twenty-three targets, but he is still inexperienced in terms of martial arts. We should consider that his success in carrying out the mission was more due to his cunning than his martial prowess. Therefore, he is still learning martial arts in his spare time."
"Oh, please don't say that. You make it sound as if I can't speak."
"Hmm... He excels with the sword, so I'd like him to be trained accordingly."
The sect leader couldn't help but admire Prince Yang's exceptionally youthful physique that didn't match her age.
"Indeed. Although he is still young, many remember his name within the assassination division due to his outstanding skills in assassination and swordsmanship. However, since I already told you to take care of things, you may proceed as you see fit."
"The rest can be handled by trainees, but since Mu Hyang is under the command of the assassination division, it would be more convenient if you could speak to him instead of him coming to see me."
"I understand. I'll inform my subordinate."
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
With that, the sect leader embraced her, who had become a perfect beauty, and walked toward the bed.