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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Tang Clan Normalization (2)
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With Gihwan Escort Agency's head Gi Yeong-gyu dead, the agency was in chaos.
He had three sons.
And all three stepped up, claiming they would take his place.
-Too many captains, and the ship heads for the mountains.
'That's not all. Trust in the agency has plummeted with the head's death.'
-No fool entrusts goods to an agency without trust.
'Heh. Who'd trust escorts who couldn't even protect their own boss?'
Dang Yu-wol recalled what he'd heard.
Those who had consigned goods to Gihwan Escort Agency were swiftly terminating their contracts.
-So, we just pick up what's fallen, then?
'In a way, yes. But we need more people first.'
A group of escorts had come before, and more were still arriving.
But they weren't enough.
-People, huh. Shall we ask Sanggwan Ryu for help?
'That's fine, but we can't neglect nurturing talent either.'
Some who would shine in the future were right here in Sacheon.
They hadn't caught attention yet, so now was the time to secure them.
Dang Yu-wol headed straight for Seongdo's Mercenary Hall.
It was where mercenaries gathered.
"Oh! Welcome, sir!!"
"Quite a crowd."
"Yes, well, Gihwan Escort Agency is collapsing. More and more of their escorts are looking for new jobs."
"No point staying on a sinking ship, eh?"
"Heh heh. Their head wasn't that respected anyway."
Gihwan Escort Agency was already done for.
Far better to curry favor with the Tang Clan.
He bowed to Dang Yu-wol as if it were the most natural thing.
"So, what brings the Young Clan Head here?"
"Recruiting people for the escort agency."
"Then you've come to the right place."
The Mercenary Hall chief grinned and handed over documents.
Records of all the registered martial artists currently there.
-Quite a few.
'Hm... Found them.'
There were three he needed to find.
Two were at the Mercenary Hall.
"I'd like to meet these two."
"Right away! Hey, boys, bring these folks out!!"
"Yes, sir!"
The staff moved quickly.
Moments later, a man and a woman appeared.
A fierce-looking woman and a relaxed man.
Both appeared to be in their mid-thirties.
"I'm Yu Hwa of the Seven Star Spear."
"Gi Cheol of the Overheated Claw Foot."
"Both are first-rate masters with escort experience. Perfect for your request, Young Clan Head."
The chief briefly explained their Gihwan Escort Agency background and stepped back.
Letting them talk among themselves.
-Superb Flowing Star Yu Hwa and Demon-Slaying Sword Gi Cheol. They're only first-rate now.
'They make their mark later, after more time passes.'
Given proper martial arts and training, they'd grow faster and stronger.
The two seemed reluctant, probably because Dang Yu-wol had summoned them.
"I'll make it simple. Thirty silver taels a month. I'll make you both Escort Leaders."
"Hm... You mean Sacheon Escort Agency?"
"It's a small outfit. Not sure that's for us..."
"Plus one more thing."
"...?"
"What's that?"
"I'll look over your martial arts."
At his words, they looked stunned, then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!! Didn't know the Tang young master had a knack for comedy!!"
Yu Hwa laughed heartily, baring her teeth.
Murderous intent and fighting spirit gleamed in her eyes.
"Think you can teach a battle-hardened first-rate master, just because you're from a prestigious clan?"
"And if I can?"
"Then prove it."
Yu Hwa grabbed her spear and headed outside.
Dang Yu-wol glanced at Gi Cheol.
Gi Cheol hadn't spoken, but he seemed to share the sentiment.
"What about you?"
"Same thoughts here... Let's test you together."
"Then let's go."
Outside, Yu Hwa was already on the Mercenary Hall's training ground.
She held a practice spear.
-At least she's decent. Not jumping straight to a real spear.
'Could just be self-preservation.'
Dang Yu-wol smiled and stepped onto the training ground.
"You Tangs probably don't even know spear techniques. Care to learn a move first?"
"Of course."
"Then show me."
He gripped a practice spear and slowly aimed it at her.
"...!!"
Cold sweat trickled down Yu Hwa's back.
Just from the stance, she could tell.
This man's spear style.
Something was different.
-Ak Clan's spear technique?
'Yes.'
The original spear art of the famed Ak Clan, which produced the master Ak Wi.
Long extinct, before it was modified into the Blood River Spear Technique and distributed to Blood Cult members.
-Did you alter it?
'Correct.'
One of the Blood Cult's many research projects was modifying martial arts.
Of course, he'd known the original too.
'Though not the true essence of the Ak Clan's spear art.'
Martial arts aren't mastered by just memorizing manuals.
You must grasp the essence within.
'But I memorized the manual and know how to use it.'
Plus, Dang Yu-wol had reached the Martial God realm in his past life.
Even without the essence, he could imitate the manual perfectly.
-Smart one.
'As Father said, I'm the type who's smart but doesn't put in effort.'
-Just that?
'Maybe one of the abilities gained from awakening to my past life.'
He didn't know why.
But that wasn't the point.
'The point is to use everything I can.'
-Fair enough. That woman looks tense.
'Then I should move first. Can't stand here forever.'
As Ye-ui said, Yu Hwa was tense.
Dang Yu-wol lightly shook the spear tip aimed at her.
Her eyes followed the tip, and that's when he thrust.
"Hah!!"
"Ugh?!"
A sharp strike like a snake eyeing prey.
The swaying tip seemed to multiply in an instant.
'What?!'
Too tense—her spear wouldn't move right.
She felt like a frog before a viper.
"Raaah!!"
A wild swing.
But Dang Yu-wol effortlessly deflected it.
"Heuk!!"
The follow-up flowed like water.
Unsatisfying to Dang Yu-wol, but enough to smack Yu Hwa.
"Kuhk!!"
"That enough?"
No inner energy, just the form—yet she knew.
His spear art was leagues above hers.
"Impressive... Not your average spear style."
"Correct."
"And you'll teach it to me?"
Her tone had shifted to respect.
Not just deference to strength.
Proof she'd found someone worth following.
"What I just showed is mere imitation."
"Th-that was imitation?!"
If mere imitation was this good...
How powerful would the real thing be?
Yu Hwa felt anticipation.
"If you learn it, you can wield it properly."
'This is... a fated opportunity.'
Martial arts were precious.
She knew her own were low-grade.
How much she'd suffered to acquire even them.
'And now, a first-rate art...!!'
Respect welled up as a martial artist.
Yu Hwa knelt before Dang Yu-wol.
"Please take care of me from now on."
"Sure."
With hierarchy set, no need for formalities.
Yu Hwa accepted it naturally.
"Now, Gi Cheol. Your turn."
"...This is getting interesting."
Gi Cheol gripped his saber and stepped onto the training ground.
He slowly aimed it at him.
"What will you teach me?"
Dang Yu-wol took a wooden saber and exhaled before Gi Cheol.
"Haa..."
Then unleashed the form.
Gi Cheol doubted his eyes.
In an instant, the wooden saber multiplied into dozens.
"...Impossible."
Before he knew it, the saber tip touched his throat.
"...I've fought on countless battlefields, gained experience... but this saber art is new to me."
"It's called Phantom Demon Revolving Saber. Imitation level, but convincing, no?"
"Imitation... you say?"
And yet this powerful.
Gi Cheol knelt without hesitation.
He drew his saber across his palm.
Seeing it, Yu Hwa hastily did the same.
"Mercenaries offering blood means pledging our lives."
"To a martial artist, martial arts are life itself."
Thus, repay the grace with life.
They were sincere.
-Hm. A bit overboard.
'Most mercenaries never learn proper arts. At best, second-rate.'
-True. Proper arts are taught only to verified disciples in proper sects.
'Not for nothing the saying "not for outsiders."'
They eked out a living selling their skills.
Who'd teach them real arts?
So their感動 and respect weren't strange.
"No need for that. Just do your jobs well."
He hired Yu Hwa and Gi Cheol, looked for more, but none matched them.
Regrettable, but later it was.
-Still, some usable ones.
'Grab those too.'
After consulting Ye-ui and hiring promising warriors, they returned to the agency.
Sanggwan Ryu was there.
"Need escorts?"
"Already hit the Mercenary Hall. Hired most of who we need."
"I see. Had some good men under me to introduce."
"No need?"
"They're skilled. Trustworthy too."
"Then I'll take them."
Escort numbers and quality determined the agency's size. More good ones weren't bad.
"And if you're doing escorts, can you take Taeseong Pavilion's goods too?"
"Consigning here?"
"Yes. Want to supply liquor and food ingredients for Taeseong Pavilion."
"Hm. That shouldn't be hard. Where from?"
"Shipped from Yaan in Sacheon. Need it transported."
"Original agency?"
"Gihwan Escort Agency."
He felt no regret ditching the failing agency.
"They did a shitty job."
"We'll be different. Don't worry."
They really would be.