Chapter 26: Qin Dynasty formation

I held the bamboo slip and paused in thought.

The martial arts sects each had their distinct colors.

Each sect had its own specialty. The Taoist swordsmanship was sharp, our Buddhist fist techniques were staunch, and there were also sects

and clans specializing in saber techniques or spear techniques.

So, which sect was the most outstanding in formations?

A method of gathering dozens, hundreds, or thousands of people to face and defeat a similar number of opponents.

Or a way for dozens of first-rate or second-rate martial artists to combine their strength to defeat a transcendent master, and sometimes for

hundreds of people to unite and face a Grandmaster of Hwagyeong.

The government office held the essence of such group battles. Although their individual skills might not have matched the masters of the

martial arts world, no place could rival the government office in terms of the number of martial artists they could mobilize.

Therefore, the government office had been constantly researching these group battle techniques for a long time.

Of course, there were powerful formations in the martial arts world, like our Shaolin’s 108 Arhat Formation. But that was more of an

exception. Most martial artists were lukewarm to formation research.

The Thousand Slaughter Valley was even more so. To infiltrate alone in the dark, eliminate the target, and disappear without a trace—that

was the way of the assassin.

Formations where dozens or hundreds fought together were not something an assassin needed to learn.

The formation in my hand was a special martial art that no one in the Thousand Slaughter Valley possessed.

“Judging by the looks of it, it seems to be a formation from the ancient times.”

I scanned the characters on the bamboo slip once more and opened my mouth.

“What era are we talking about when you say ancient times?”

Nan Cheong asked with curious eyes.

“The Qin Dynasty. One of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States period, and the Qin Dynasty that unified the country.”

“That Qin Shi Huang’s?”

Surprise was evident in Nan Cheong’s voice.

“That’s right.”

“If it’s such a great formation, it must be difficult to learn.”

“It doesn’t seem to be. Rather, because it’s a formation from the ancient times, it has many simpler aspects compared to today’s formations.

But its power is not lacking either.”

“Like how our Thousand Slaughter Valley’s martial arts are simple but practical?”

I nodded at Nan Cheong’s words.

“That’s right. The next ruins we explore will be for training in this Qin Dynasty formation, and then we’ll try using the formation in actual

combat.”

“Understood!”

The girls shouted simultaneously.

Thus, the full-fledged ruins hunting began.

“Now!”

With my shout, my companions moved.

I could hear the sound of footsteps scattering to their respective positions.

The roar coming from afar was getting closer and closer.

Each time the earth rumbled, leaves fell from the trees.

It was the sound of a boar’s footsteps.

We waited in our prepared positions.

It was a formidable opponent for someone with second-rate skills, but we had the numbers, the terrain was favorable, and we had a

formation we had practiced dozens of times.

The boar that appeared through the forest was covered in dark red fur, and its tusks were like curved greatswords.

It was several times the size of an ordinary boar, and its massive frame pushed aside trees as it advanced.

A red aura rose from the boar’s eyes. Judging by the demonic energy emanating from its entire body, even a top-tier master would not have

an easy time in a one-on-one fight.

Boars were not an easy type of animal. This was especially true if they became spiritual beasts or demon beasts. If they managed to gore

properly, boars were known to inflict fatal wounds even on spiritual beings or demon beasts that had lived longer than them.

However, the boar also had a clear weakness.

That was that its attack method was simple.

“Just be careful of it charging in a straight line and driving its tusks in! That’s its only weapon!”

Of course, if one were to be hit by that attack, it was powerful enough to crush bones, even if the opponent was a master. But knowing that

was all there was to it, avoiding it was not that difficult.

“It’s coming!”

One of the girls whispered quietly. The boar was approaching the muddy area we had painstakingly created.

We stood in a V-shape on the wooden stepping stones.

The stepping stones were designed so that the mud would not wet our ankles.

The boar charged. I could hear the sound of its feet slipping on the mud.

“Quickly evade from the left and right and lightly inflict wounds with spiritual energy!”

As my voice rang out, the children moved in unison. Each time the giant boar’s direction changed, the V-formation changed with it.

The girls’ swords gleamed. A single strike could not pierce the boar’s thick hide, but with multiple swords moving in succession, the depth

increased with each strike.

“Kuaaaaak!”

The boar roared and changed direction. Its change of direction was slowed by the mud.

“Lower your stances and maintain the formation!”

We formed the V-formation once again. Each time the boar charged, we evaded from the center and swung our swords from the sides.

Shayak!

Sssk!

Each time a sword was swung, new wounds were added to the boar’s flanks. Before we knew it, the mud was stained red with the boar’s

blood.

Each individual’s attack was weak, but as dozens of cuts accumulated, the boar’s momentum noticeably decreased.

“Scatter!”

At Nan Cheong’s cry, we all scattered. We quickly moved to our respective positions on the stepping stones.

The boar, covered in dark red fur, searched for a new target. With so many people moving at once, it seemed confused about which one to

attack.

“Now!”

At my signal, two girls who were behind the boar attacked its hind legs.

As the two girls’ swords grazed past, blood flowed from the boar’s legs.

“Keuoong!”

The boar turned to charge at the two who had attacked its hind legs, but it slipped on the mud and could not generate proper speed.

Not missing the gap, the other children attacked its hind legs in succession. Now, the boar seemed to have trouble even standing properly.

Its once imposing giant size had become a shackle.

The more it struggled to escape the muddy area, the deeper it sank.

“Now!”

At my cry, Nan Cheong moved. The boar, with its feet trapped in the mud, could no longer offer proper resistance.

Her sword accurately pierced the boar’s eyes. Judging by the depth, it must have reached the brain.

“Keueoeeeeeok!”

The boar’s final cry filled the forest. Its giant body fell heavily into the mud.

I was deeply moved as I looked at the fallen boar. To be able to achieve this level of results with a formation that we had just started learning.

“We… we did it!”

The girls’ cheers erupted. Their faces were full of pride.

The day had come for me to leave the Thousand Slaughter Valley.

For my safety, I would be using a different identity and name for the next few months, away from the Thousand Slaughter Valley.

I sorted out the last of the spoils and recalled the past battles.

Everything had gone smoothly. So smoothly that it was almost unsettling, but it had remained smooth until the end.

Enemies weak to fire, like zombies, were burned to death, and simple enemies like boars were lured into muddy areas. Those with good

eyesight were confused using mirrors, and those who were swift but weak were easily caught using nets.

Everything was just as I had seen in the game. The characteristics and weaknesses of each spirit beast. Just knowing that gave us a great

advantage.

The formation maximized that advantage. The fact that we were able to achieve this much without anyone dying or even getting injured was

entirely thanks to the formation.

This… could we conquer even more difficult places?

Should I increase the conquest speed?

It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have the same thought.

But the next level of ruins are guarded by beings even more powerful than what I know.

Youkai of transcendent-level or several youkai of first-rate.

Now, confronting them is no different than gambling. It is not worth risking these children’s lives.

I checked the spoils one last time. Spirit medicine ingredients, various treasures, and martial arts books.

“This is enough.”

I muttered to myself. We had already obtained enough. There was no need to be greedy.

A smile appeared on my lips. After roughly calculating the value of the treasures and spirit medicine ingredients, it came out to a

considerable amount. If I disposed of these properly, it would become a decent military fund.

It was enough funds to create my own force, separate from the Thousand Slaughter Valley, and this was an era where there were plenty of

people wanting to make a living with the sword.

Right now, I could easily hire three or four men with a single gold coin I casually flicked.

Of course, they wouldn’t have the outstanding talent of the Guiyeongdang’s girls, nor would they have the agility to learn the assassin

techniques taught at Guiyeongdang. Their loyalty would also be questionable.

But that doesn’t matter. I have no intention of creating an assassin group.

An armed group capable of large-scale combat. That’s what I want.

But in the end, the idea of creating my own new force did not materialize.

“You seem to have a knack for seducing women.”

Two hours before departure, my chief bodyguard, Yuha noona, said in her unique, solemn voice.

She was wearing a red silk robe, and a subtle fragrance spread with each movement.

“Yes…? What do you mean…”

I had a bewildered expression.

“It’s already widely rumored within the valley that Nan Cheong wanted to take on your guard duty as her wish. But you know… this time, all

thirteen girls made the same request. To let them go as your bodyguards.”

She lifted her teacup, took a sip, and gave a playful smile, which was different from her usual self.

My face flushed instantly. I could feel my ears turning red.

“What… what is this…”

“How did you do it? Did you use the method from back then? Soothing wounds when they are weakest and saying pleasing words? To all 13,

no, including Nan Cheong, all 14 of them?”

I waved my hands in panic.

“It’s not like that!”

“To be honest, I almost got seduced too.”

I was silent for a moment at Yuha noona’s words. I was reminded of the day she rejected my confession. Even after the rejection, we still

maintained a good relationship, but the memory of that day was still vivid.

“You’re the only one I’ve said that much to, noona.”

I said with sincerity.

“Hmm, hmm… That’s an honor.”

Yuha noona seemed flustered for a moment. It was a different reaction from her usual calm demeanor.

“Ah, anyway, I don’t know anything about this. And there’s no way the valley would allow it!”

To add as many as 13 martial artists to my bodyguard detail, it was a clear waste of manpower.

“Junho, you seem to be mistaken about something.”

Yuha noona continued, looking at my bewildered expression.

“What is it?”

“Thirteen second-rate masters are not a great force. I was assigned for your protection, so consider that that much is a bonus.”

We came outside together. There, all the girls from our faction were standing in a row. They looked like they were somewhat aligned.

I turned to Yuha noona with a sudden thought.

“I’m going to be the son of a government official who came down for recuperation, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then what about the kids?”

“I’ll just say they’re my disciples. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m actually taking them as disciples.”

The girls’ expressions brightened instantly upon hearing those words.

Even if they weren’t formal disciples, the anticipation of possibly getting a chance to learn her martial arts shone in their eyes.

The steps down the mountain were light. A year ago, I climbed this mountain as a s*ave, but now I was going down as a disciple of a

transcendent master, an individual commanding 13 second-rate masters.

Looking back, the mountain gate of the Thousand Slaughter Valley was vaguely visible in the clouds.

But now it was time to walk a new path.

Of course, on the surface, I would be acting as the son of a government official who came down for recuperation. But that was just the

superficial story.

My real purpose was different.

To raise a force that was loyal to me, not the Thousand Slaughter Valley.

I already had thirteen loyal subordinates, and more would come in the future.

A smile appeared on my lips. The steps down the mountain became even lighter.