Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The Five Flags of Northern Heaven.

The Northern Heaven Alliance, one of the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains, commanded countless combat units.

However, the Five Flags of Northern Heaven could truly be called the five pillars that supported the Northern Heaven Alliance.

It was impossible to explain the Northern Heaven Alliance without speaking of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven.

The spear that stood at the vanguard with destructive offensive power, the White Tiger Flag.

The shield that valued ironclad joint attacks over individual valor, the Black Tortoise Flag.

The wind that swept across the battlefield faster than anyone else, the Blue Dragon Flag.

The Vermilion Bird Flag, which handled long-range support through archery and hidden weapons.

And lastly, the Flying Shadow Flag, the alliance’s shadow, which carried out intelligence work and assassination.

In fact, the Flag Masters of the Five Flags of Northern Heaven were masters who represented the Northern Heaven Alliance, the “Five Pillars of Northern Heaven.”

No fewer than four of these Five Flags of Northern Heaven moved to recruit a single man, Dokgo Jin.

And.

By coincidence, they encountered one another in front of the “Cloud Guest Pavilion,” where Dokgo Jin was temporarily staying.

***

The Cloud Guest Pavilion was where honored guests visiting the Northern Heaven Alliance or envoys from other sects stayed, and Dokgo Jin had been given the annex behind the Cloud Guest Pavilion as his lodging.

Since it had not yet been decided where he would go, he was staying there temporarily until his assignment was made.

It was the highest-grade lodging the Northern Heaven Alliance had provided for Dokgo Jin, who had become the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.

‘The treatment is certainly different.’

Dokgo Jin even had the entire annex to himself. As he looked around the luxurious annex, he once again felt the power of the Dragon-Tiger Tablet.

They had even said they would prepare and bring his meals separately, so there was no luxury quite like this.

‘I almost want to delay returning the Dragon-Tiger Tablet as long as possible.’

Like the previous two Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holders, Dokgo Jin intended to use the Dragon-Tiger Tablet to obtain a treasure from the Purple Tenuity Vault.

‘One of them took a secret manual, and the other took a spirit medicine, was it?’

However, it was not urgent right now. It was something to consider after he had gained enough benefits as the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder.

Dokgo Jin lay down on the bed. Perhaps because it was high quality, it was extremely comfortable.

‘Maybe I should…… rest for a bit.’

He guessed that a storm would soon approach.

He had not expended much stamina in the process of entering the Northern Heaven Alliance, going through Clear Mirror Pavilion, and passing Dragon-Tiger Hall.

However, he had used up a fair amount of mental strength, so he intended to rest even briefly.

“…….”

However, before even one meal’s time had passed, he opened his eyes again. He had felt sharp waves of qi from the direction of the Cloud Guest Pavilion.

‘They move quickly.’

He sensed several familiar presences.

It was not difficult to guess why they had appeared at the Cloud Guest Pavilion.

‘Making a quick decision would not be bad either.’

Dokgo Jin rose with a bitter smile.

It had been an unusually long day.

A heavy silence hung over the Cloud Guest Pavilion, which was so quiet that even the autumn wind seemed to be holding its breath.

At the center of that silence stood a man like a massive fortress, his arms folded.

“…….”

Ma Dong-il, the Vice-Captain of the Black Armor Unit.

His eyes were gently closed, but the heavy aura pouring from his entire body perfectly blocked the path leading toward the annex of the Cloud Guest Pavilion.

“……Your skill at erasing your presence is rather impressive.”

Ma Dong-il spoke quietly without opening his closed eyes.

Behind him, from within the shadow of the pavilion, a man smoothly walked out.

With a pale face and a cold smile, he was Jin So, the Vice-Captain of the Wind Sword Unit.

“I will take that as a compliment, Vice-Captain Ma. I thought you would be dull because you are like a bear, but this is unexpected.”

Jin So’s gaze sharpened.

“However, standing there and blocking the path is poor manners.”

Ma Dong-il shook his head.

“You misunderstand.”

He slowly turned and looked down at Jin So.

“I am merely guarding my position. I have no intention of blocking the path at all.”

“Then if I pass by, you will not do anything?”

At Jin So’s question, Ma Dong-il gave a subtle smile.

“Who knows.”

“See? I knew it.”

The two men’s gazes clashed in the air.

They did not draw their weapons or reveal killing intent, but a taut probing match continued as they tested each other’s intentions.

Step, step.

Amid that subtle war of nerves, bold footsteps cut in.

“……?”

When the two men turned their heads, a woman carrying twin swords on her back was approaching with a deep scowl on her face.

It was none other than Yu Seol-ah.

She looked back and forth between the two men with fierce eyes, then let out a hollow laugh, as if she found the situation absurd.

“What are all of you doing here? You must not be busy.”

“The she-cat of the Iron Soul Unit has arrived.”

When Jin So smiled slyly, Yu Seol-ah furrowed her brow and snapped at him.

“Do not smile, will you? And Vice-Captain Ma, move out of the way. Our Captain has been pestering me to bring the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder back no matter what, so I need to pass.”

“Interesting. The Captain of our main unit said the same thing.”

Ma Dong-il did not look as though he had any intention of moving aside. Yu Seol-ah’s eyes sharpened.

“Then go in and persuade him. Why are you blocking the wrong path?”

“Would it not be troublesome if others interfered while I was persuading him?”

“Ah, so you intend to drive everyone else away and monopolize him?”

“Something like that.”

“You are far too confident. Do you have no shame? Do you not know who brought the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder here?”

“I know very well. That is why I am grateful.”

Ma Dong-il’s eyes gleamed.

“Thank you for finding the next Captain of the Black Armor Unit.”

“Ha! Who decided he would be the next Captain?”

Jin So nodded in agreement.

“Vice-Captain Yu is right about that. The Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder is the man who will become the next Captain of the Wind Sword Unit.”

The gazes of the three tangled in the air.

It was a situation where three Vice-Captains of combat units representing the Black Tortoise Flag, Flying Shadow Flag, and White Tiger Flag were growling at one another while keeping each other in check.

It was then.

Sssss.

Suddenly, the fallen leaves nearby swept across the ground and gathered toward one place.

Though no wind was blowing, the flow of the atmosphere had been forcibly twisted. The three of them looked in that direction at the same time.

“……!”

Since when had he been there?

A man wearing a blue martial arts uniform was standing there.

His appearance was exceptionally eye-catching.

He had delicate lines like a woman, but his eyes were narrow and slanted like a snake’s, giving him an eerie impression.

In particular, the fishy smile hanging at the edges of his thin lips stirred a strange unpleasantness that scraped at the nerves of anyone who saw it.

It was Gwan Jeok-un, the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit, the elite force under the Blue Dragon Flag.

“……Even the Blue Dragon Flag.”

Ma Dong-il’s expression hardened.

The Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit was the most cherished confidant of the Blue Dragon Flag Master, and he was also one of the leading experts within the Northern Heaven Alliance. His appearance was certainly unexpected.

‘To think they would send the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit.’

That alone showed how serious the Blue Dragon Flag was about recruiting Dokgo Jin.

The Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit swept a cold gaze over the three of them, then calmly opened his mouth.

“All of you, go back.”

A short and concise sentence.

It carried an oppressive force that was difficult to refuse. However, it was slightly insufficient to intimidate the three Vice-Captains.

“What?”

Yu Seol-ah was about to flare up, but the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit cut her off and gestured toward the annex with his chin.

“Our Blue Dragon Flag has decided to take the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder in.”

At the bold declaration of the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit, Jin So felt a strange sense of incongruity.

‘What is that confidence?’

Of course, since a Captain had personally come, it was true that he carried far more weight than the others.

However, that was still not enough for him to speak with such certainty.

“Who decided that?!”

Yu Seol-ah’s hand moved toward the hilt of her sword, and a heavy aura rose from Ma Dong-il’s entire body.

Jin So also gripped the sword hilt at his waist and released killing intent.

No matter how much their opponent was a Captain, they too had come here with the permission of not only their own Captains, but even their Flag Masters.

They could not withdraw over a few mere words.

The aura emitted by the four masters tangled together, and the backyard of the Cloud Guest Pavilion filled with pressure so heavy that even breathing became difficult.

None of them moved first, but that static confrontation instead created even greater tension.

Creak.

“……!”

Breaking the taut silence, the door of the annex slowly opened. Everyone’s gaze fixed on that place at once.

Dokgo Jin had finally appeared.

“You are all too noisy. Come inside for now.”

After leaving those words, Dokgo Jin went back inside.

“…….”

They looked at one another, then hurried into the annex.

***

Dokgo Jin and the four people sat facing one another at a large table.

‘Hmm.’

Dokgo Jin inwardly nodded as he examined their auras.

‘The Vice-Captains have auras befitting Vice-Captains, and the Captain has an aura worthy of a Captain.’

The aura of Gwan Jeok-un, the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit, was certainly outstanding. Even if the three Vice-Captains attacked him together, it would be difficult for them to win.

‘But…… he cannot compare to the Captain of the Iron Soul Unit.’

Dokgo Jin had not seen many Captains, but the difference was greater than he had expected.

‘So he is not called the strongest Captain for nothing.’

Rather, it was enough to make Yeom Baek, who was satisfied with the position of Captain, seem strange.

Meanwhile, Jin So thought it was at least fortunate.

‘It is a relief that the Vermilion Bird Flag did not come.’

By coincidence, most of the Vermilion Bird Flag’s leadership was out on missions, so they had not appeared here.

‘If they had, the competition would have been even fiercer.’

After seeming to gauge the mood, Jin So quickly opened his mouth.

“Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder, you remember who I am, yes?”

It was a suitable first move. The other three looked disappointed.

Dokgo Jin nodded.

“Of course. You were the person in charge of the Second Gate of Dragon-Tiger Hall, were you not?”

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Jin So, the Vice-Captain of the Wind Sword Unit.”

“Good to meet you.”

“Your remarkable senses were truly impressive. I instinctively thought you were a suitable talent for our unit. And on top of that, you are the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder!”

Jin So’s eyes sparkled.

“I will be direct. Come to the Flying Shadow Flag. If the Wind Sword Unit does not suit you, we can place you in another combat unit of the Flying Shadow Flag as well.”

“…….”

“We will guarantee you treatment at the level of a squad leader or higher. Your monthly stipend will also be far superior compared to the other four Northern Heaven Flags.”

The Flying Shadow Flag was the place that received the largest budget among the Five Flags of Northern Heaven.

That was because it had many special missions, and since it had fewer personnel than the other flags, its monthly stipends were more than twice as high.

‘Using money like that is dirty……!’

The other Vice-Captains flinched and watched Dokgo Jin’s expression, but he himself did not feel particularly moved.

Then Ma Dong-il opened his mouth.

“We are also acquainted, are we not? I am Ma Dong-il, Vice-Captain of the Black Armor Unit. Our Black Tortoise Flag will grant you squad leader-level treatment, as well as the qualification to become a candidate for the next Captain.”

‘A Captain candidate, is it?’

From Dokgo Jin’s perspective, it was not a bad offer.

Ma Dong-il glanced at Jin So and continued.

“Although we do not have as much money as the Flying Shadow Flag, the pride of being the shield that protects our alliance is an honor that cannot be exchanged for anything.”

“Hmph, are you saying the Flying Shadow Flag has no honor?”

“It is just a figure of speech.”

“What?”

While Jin So and Ma Dong-il were engaged in a war of nerves, the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit opened his mouth with a relaxed expression.

“Did you come here to have a contest of qi? How pathetic.”

The three Vice-Captains were dumbfounded.

‘No, the person who was confronting us just a moment ago is saying that…….’

“If the Flying Shadow Flag and the Black Tortoise Flag truly wanted the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder, someone at the Captain level should have come personally. Is that not so?”

No matter how much their target was the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder, the fact that a Captain had personally come was certainly surprising.

The other three had no choice but to acknowledge that.

“…….”

Dokgo Jin stared at the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit with an interested expression.

Meeting his gaze, the Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit spoke.

“I am Gwan Jeok-un, Captain of the Dragon Fang Unit of the Blue Dragon Flag.”

His eyes flashed.

“I will keep this brief. We will give you the position of Captain of the Dragon Wing Unit.”

“……!”

Shock appeared on the faces of the other three.