Patrol Unit of the Martial Alliance.
One of the lowest-ranked organizations within the Martial Alliance whose main responsibility is maintaining the order in the Orthodox factions’ sphere of influence centered around the Martial Plains, as well as tracking down wanted criminals.
The reason why the patrol unit, instead of the authorities, maintains order is due to some kind of agreement between the Martial Alliance and the authorities.
The main factor is that the authorities find it difficult to control the martial world.
Having exhausted their national strength for decades trying to keep out the barbarians, they don’t have the resources to enforce strict internal discipline.
There might not be anything they can’t accomplish if they set their mind to it, but if they hand the task over to the Martial Alliance, it will only further solidify their influence, and the authorities can save money.
So to speak, it’s a win-win for both sides.
Thanks to this background, the patrol unit essentially takes on a role similar to police across the Martial Plains—since the officials’ troops can’t handle martial artists, the patrol units effectively spread out and manage the situation.
That’s why the protagonist from the original story, Dan Mok-kyeong, entered the Martial Alliance Patrol Unit and passed the examination with top honors as the easiest way for her to join the Martial Alliance.
It was because starting her warrior career at the patrol unit allowed her to rack up accomplishments the fastest.
Other divisions or departments only admitted candidates once every few years, required proper family background, or at the very least, demanded a top-tier level of skill. Since she was the disciple of a hermit with little connection to the Orthodox factions, joining the patrol unit was her best option.
Additionally, given how much combat the patrol unit engages in, there’s no better place for the protagonist to shine.
Anyhow, she quickly piled up impressive accomplishments, rapidly rising from a junior officer to a squad leader, and from there to captain of a unit—all while catching the eye of the Martial Alliance leader for a key role—
“Aren’t you Mister?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Didn’t you say you’re planning on joining the patrol unit?”
“We’ve finished eating, so it’s time to head out.”
As I said this, Hye-ryeong’s gaze dropped and then rose again.
What’s the matter?
“Aren’t you envying me because I eat so much but don’t get a belly? It must be nice…”
“Just because I eat a lot doesn’t mean I live recklessly enough to let my stomach bulge.”
A warrior’s strength comes from their meals. You’ve got to eat your fill whenever you can. I remember the days when supplies were cut off, and we had to fight while starving for a week—food is always better in abundance.
“But whenever I eat a little more, my stomach grows…”
“A little? You ate at least two servings.”
“Well, for martial artists, that’s one portion!”
Is that so…
I decided not to argue with Hye-ryeong unnecessarily.
It’s not strange for hardworking martial artists to eat a lot.
“Hye-ryeong, don’t you know where the patrol unit is?”
“Umm… won’t we find it if we circle around the outskirts? I heard they’re located somewhere out there…”
So she doesn’t know the exact location either.
Anyway, since I need to get familiar with the Martial Alliance’s terrain by circling around a few times, I might as well search for the patrol unit headquarters along the way. Standing side by side, Hye-ryeong and I looked towards the north.
North.
Since the dormitories and dining hall are located in the north, if we walk along the wall, we should arrive at the patrol unit.
“Let’s go.”
“Alright~”
Hye-ryeong and I began walking slowly along the wall.
—————
“This building…”
“It’s the headquarters of the Four Gods Division! All of the juniors will be assigned to the Four Gods Division, so in a few months, I’ll join the Vermilion Bird Division!”
“That’s right.”
The Vermilion Bird Division. Wasn’t there a female lead there? Though she didn’t have much presence.
It’s hard to describe, but one reason the original work received criticism was for unnecessarily increasing the number of token female leads to stretch its volume.
When it lost popularity, they hastily wrapped it up with a high-speed conclusion where the Heavenly Horse was defeated, leading to the story’s completion. Looking back, why did I end up in a novel like this?
If I had reincarnated in a quieter novel, I wouldn’t have had to worry about figuring out how to fight the Demonic Sect.
“Mister? Are you listening?”
“Ah, sorry. What does ‘Four Gods’ mean?”
I deflected the question, and Hye-ryeong eagerly followed up on the topic.
“The Four Gods refer to the Four Divine Beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise! The Four Gods Division is the main force of the Martial Alliance, named after the Four Divine Beasts!”
This part is consistent with the original work.
What’s the use in changing such details?
“The Four Gods Division…”
“Do you think you could join too, Mister?”
“Hmm…”
Could I?
The Four Gods Division only selects the top-notch juniors from the Orthodox factions, and the other members are handpicked talents recognized throughout the Central Plains. Even the protagonist in the original story took quite a while to transition from the patrol unit to the White Tiger Division.
It was a year, after all.
“It would be nice to work with you in the Vermilion Bird Division, but since you’re a man…”
Hye-ryeong looked at me with a regretful face. Is she that disappointed?
“I don’t necessarily have to enter the Vermilion Bird Division, right?”
“If you don’t join the Vermilion Bird Division, where else will you go?”
“Hmm…”
Honestly, I don’t think joining the Vermilion Bird Division will significantly improve Hye-ryeong’s abilities.
Frankly, the Vermilion Bird Division seems more like a social setting. Unless she needs camaraderie, it might be a bit awkward. The patrol unit, where she can undergo real combat, might actually suit her better.
Just as a fledgling must eventually leave the nest and learn to flap its wings, Hye-ryeong will eventually need to stand alone as a martial artist and leave the protective embrace of the Hainan Sword Sect.
“How about the patrol unit?”
“Hmm… But everyone will oppose your joining, won’t they?”
“Well, I would too…”
Sending her to such arduous work probably wouldn’t please Elder Baek or the Sect Leader, who seem to value her highly. Sending her to the patrol unit doesn’t seem like a good option.
It would create unnecessary friction with the Hainan Sword Sect, and even if her skills improve meaningfully, the probability of that is rather low.
“What do you plan to do, Mister?”
“For now, I don’t intend to formally join the Martial Alliance.”
A foreigner unknown to this world would need fame to find a place in the Martial Alliance.
For instance, bringing back the head of Gwak Mu-sam from a later chapter in the patrol unit episodes, or taking down a branch of the Demonic Sect.
Big achievements create big justifications.
At the right time, I intend to hunt targets, capture malevolent cultivators to accumulate fame slowly while also earning some money. At the very least, it ensures the Martial Alliance won’t impede my movements.
If possible, I also aim to practice to eventually reach the Master level.
…though, I’m not sure if that’s achievable.
The leader mentioned it took him ten years to become a Master. If I needed to accomplish the same more swiftly, it would only make things more difficult, not easier.
It’s not like I’m living in a battlefield where survival itself can help elevate one’s cultivation.
“If you don’t join the Martial Alliance, where else will you go? Are we leaving far away?”
“You know well. We won’t go far. I just don’t want to officially join the Martial Alliance.”
“Ugh…”
Hye-ryeong let out a groan, crossing her arms. As her arms raised naturally, her prominent, shapely bust was revealed.
Is this intentional? Or is she unaware?
I tapped her shoulder and spoke.
“Don’t worry so much. We’ll just use the Martial Alliance as a base. First, I want to focus on breaking through a stage in cultivation.”
“A cultivation stage…?”
“I want to break through the boundary to a higher level, becoming a Master, surpassing the superlative.”
“A Master…”
“It shouldn’t take too long.”
Just because you wish for it doesn’t mean it happens, but it’s worth trying.
“You’re going to isolate yourself for closed-door cultivation?”
“No. I won’t isolate myself for cultivation.”
Western arts like mine can’t benefit much from the traditional seclusion cultivation methods used in the Central Plains, so even if I do it, it will lack meaning.
Rather than idly wasting time confined in some secluded valley, I should gain more combat experience.
The more I engage in life-and-death duels with martial artists different from the Mamluks, the closer I may come to enlightenment.
Thus, I will seek battles.
…First, I need to find the protagonist.
“Hye-ryeong, let’s move on now.”
“Yes~”
Taking Hye-ryeong with me, I started walking down the path again.
———————–
“Is this the patrol unit headquarters?”
This place is quite large.
Come to think of it, it makes sense since it’s one of the units with the most members. Stroking my chin, I observed the busy patrol unit members rushing around.
If I go in and ask directly, they might find it strange.
With Hye-ryeong beside me, mixing in unnecessary lies might only seem suspicious.
What’s the best way to find Dan Mok-kyeong? Pondering this question, I stepped into the patrol unit headquarters.
“Mister, they’re all staring at us…”
“Don’t worry about it. They’re just curious.”
If someone from the Central Plains sees a Westerner, they can’t help but stare. Ignoring the gazes, I adjusted my straw hat and glanced around.
Although I don’t know their faces, I heard that the protagonist stands out as a remarkable beauty, so just looking might give me an impression, but…
There’s no one particularly handsome around here.
It’s like they’re martial artists trying to intimidate others with their fierce expressions.
“Mister?”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Excuse me…”
“I can speak Central Plains language. There’s no need to be afraid.”
“A color-eyed Central Plains speaker? Could it be Blue-Eyed Lion?”
“That’s right.”
My response caused a middle-aged man who seemed to hold some rank within the patrol unit to exclaim and gaze at me in awe.
“It’s astonishing to meet the infamous Blue-Eyed Lion who subdued Bloodthirsty Demon.”
“Is it?”
“These days, rumors about you are quite common.”
“I see.”
It appears the rumors have spread farther than I expected.
“Ha-ha, what brings you to our patrol unit?”
“Out of admiration for the patrol unit’s efforts to preserve peace in the martial world day and night, I’d like to observe. May I take a look?”
“Observing, you say…”
The middle-aged man, seemingly high-ranking within the patrol unit, glanced briefly at Hye-ryeong, then nodded and spoke.
“Alright. However…”
“I have no intention of causing trouble, so don’t worry.”
“Hem-hem, then please take a good look, but do not enter the inner chambers…”
Did he recognize Hye-ryeong’s attire from the Hainan Sword Sect?
There’s no way someone from the Martial Alliance wouldn’t recognize it.
Shall we proceed then?
“Hye-ryeong, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I began examining the patrol unit headquarters in earnest.
——————
“Let’s move on.”
