Book 20 Chapter 8

Recruitment Offer

―Blood Jade Immortal Jade Yukyung

Crash! Bang!

The night at the Phantom Inn, located by the Dongting Lake, began noisily with the sound of tables collapsing.

As a table laden with food overturned, four men tumbled onto the inn floor.

"Disappear at once!"

Youngryeong, sitting at a table, watched their pathetic state with cold eyes and commanded in a chilling voice.

"Get lost! Before I pick your nostrils with chopsticks!"

Mongmu, dusting off his hands, shouted even more vehemently. The men, getting up in awkward positions, didn't even bother to wipe the blood streaming from their noses and fled as if their lives depended on it. Watching them leave with a cold gaze, Hwanmu remarked,

"There are too many vermin, young lady."

"Is that so? How many times has this happened already…"

Youngryeong, straightening her posture, sighed in response.

'This should be the territory of Machonggak, right? Why are they letting such riff-raff run wild?'

She wondered about Machonggak's intentions for allowing common thugs to cause such a commotion unchecked.

"Don't they even patrol here?"

Clap, clap, clap!

It was at that moment that a woman's voice was heard from behind, accompanied by three short, regular claps.

"Your skills are impressive."

Youngryeong, who had felt no presence until the voice spoke, spun around in surprise. Was she in her thirties? A beautiful woman with a confident demeanor, a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes, stood there.

'Incredible presence…'

It was a power that sent shivers down her spine just by looking.

"Who might you be, senior?"

Youngryeong asked, tense.

"My name is Jade Yukyung, for now… Shall we sit and talk?"

Jade Yukyung said, pointing to an empty seat.

"Ah, yes! Of course. Please sit."

Youngryeong quickly rose from her chair and offered her seat.

"Thank you."

"Hmm, so you're here to take the test at Machonggak?"

"Yes. That's right, senior."

"From what I can see, there aren't many people who exude such energy as you throughout the entire place. It's a mystery why a talent like you has been hidden away in some mountain corner until now. For someone from such a remote mountainous region, you seem very well-educated. Your attire doesn't seem out of fashion either. With that appearance, one could believe you are a junior disciple of a prestigious sect."

As she assessed, Youngryeong's attire was impeccable, neat, and tidy.

"Yes, one of my maids is very sensitive about such things. She believes that if her mistress is insulted or ridiculed, it is her own shame."

She had no idea how much Mongmu had tormented her about that on the way here.

"Hmm… A good maid. But you were having trouble because no one knew where Machonggak was?"

"Yes, senior!"

"Then you are lucky. To have met me here."

"Yes?"

"There's no guide as excellent as me for you right now. Because I am…"

But her words were cut short.

"Ah, Captain! I was wondering where you were, and you were here!"

A woman in her twenties, clad from head to toe in flame-colored clothing, entered the inn with quick steps and called out loudly to the woman. She was a striking beauty, enough to draw admiration from onlookers.

"Oh? Ryuha? What brings you here?"

This was Seok Ryuha, the Sword Spirit of Jin Hong, who had a history of being struck and knocked unconscious by Yeomdo at Cheonmu Peak of Huashan.

"Um… there's a bit of a problem! You need to come with me for a moment."

Seok Ryuha said in a hurried voice.

"Has there ever been a day here without a problem?"

"That may be true, but this is a bit more special."

"Is that so?"

Jade Yukyung was about to ask what the matter was that required her presence, but Youngryeong interrupted her.

"Um… but who are you?"

Youngryeong asked with suspicion.

"Ah, don't mind her. She's one of my disciples. Ryuha, say hello. This is Mong Youngryeong, Miss Mong, from Monghwasan. She'll be part of our family soon."

"Oh my, were you recruiting talent?"

"Yes, she seemed like a capable individual. It's a shame you didn't get to see her performance. I need to secure her before other foolish guys get their eyes on her."

Jade Yukyung nodded as if it were obvious.

"Um, I don't really understand what you're saying…"

Some conversation had concluded without her knowledge. Youngryeong found it utterly baffling.

"Ah, if you are admitted to Machonggak, you are to join our unit, the 'Blood Phoenix Brigade.' I'll arrange a suitable position for you."

"Admitted? Who are you?"

Who could possibly say such a thing?

"Oh my, you don't know this person?"

"Unnecessary introductions. I am someone who teaches swordsmanship to children at Machonggak. I am also in charge of Dormitory Seven. You are to join that unit."

"……?"

It was all so sudden that Youngryeong was dumbfounded.

"It seems you don't understand anything yet."

Youngryeong nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I don't understand at all. Besides, join a unit? I'm entering Machonggak to learn!"

"You really know nothing."

Jade Yukyung said, her eyes wide.

"I'm sorry."

Youngryeong apologized involuntarily.

"Good, since you'll be joining our brigade soon, I'll generously teach you with all my heart. There are a total of thirteen brigades here. And twelve dormitories. And the captain in charge of each dormitory is traditionally a 'Martial Instructor.' Of course, there are exceptions."

Her questions were only deepening rather than being resolved.

"Do you know the biggest difference between the dormitory systems of Cheonmu Academy and Machonggak?"

"I don't know."

"It's the difference in dormitory operation. Our proud twelve dormitories at Machonggak are all structured like individual units. The hierarchy within is strict. The captain, vice-captain, and over a hundred members are trained to be ready for battle at any moment. This is to prepare for emergencies. Unlike some fools who think dormitories are just places to eat and sleep, the level of strictness is different."

"Indeed. I'm surprised there was such a difference between the two. I'm learning this for the first time!"

"It's too early to be surprised! Although selections can be random, they are usually through an assessment. In the case of talented individuals, there are often brawls as they try to claim them. Well, that's common. Among them, the Seventh Blood Phoenix Brigade, which I oversee, is called the 'Upper Three Brigades' or 'Demon Three Heavens' of Machonggak."

Youngryeong was startled by her revealed status.

"Then you are…"

She placed her hands on her hips and pushed her chest out confidently. It was a confidence that implied it was natural for others to know who she was. But this time, that natural assumption proved wrong.

"You're a teacher!"

Seok Ryuha, who was rather tripped by Youngryeong's unexpected reaction, twisted her ankle.

"Te-teacher… Haha…"

Although it wasn't entirely incorrect, it sounded incredibly unfamiliar.

"You're the only one who calls me that. I've heard the nickname 'Blood Rakshasa' often, but 'teacher'… I can't even remember the last time I heard that. Good, I'm starting to like you!"

"No, that's… it's not decided yet…"

"Please treat me well too, junior!"

Only then did Seok Ryuha's gaze turn to Youngryeong. Her head tilted slightly to the side.

"Huh? Haven't we met before?"

"I don't recall, no."

"Really? You look so familiar… that's strange…"

Seok Ryuha seemed unconvinced, her head moving back and forth.

"We can catch up later. So, what was it?"

Jade Yukyung asked Seok Ryuha.

"Ah, my mind! That happened too. So, it's that…"

Perhaps conscious of Youngryeong's gaze, Seok Ryuha began whispering into her ear. As the story went on, the frown on Jade Yukyung's face deepened.

"Those fellows dare again…"

Jade Yukyung was someone who became coldly enraged.

"I understand. I'll go now. See you next time, Youngryeong!"

"Safe travels."

Youngryeong bowed respectfully to Jade Yukyung, who disappeared as suddenly as the wind.

"Ah, and it would be good for you to go to the fifth dock on the east side tomorrow. You'll find what you need there."

"What? What is it?"

Youngryeong urgently asked Jade Yukyung, who was moving away.

"The reception desk!"

With those words, the figures of the two women vanished from the inn.