“Then, I’m off now.”
“Ah, who will I do the early morning bloody gymnastics and running with now that you’re gone?”
“Haha, that’s for you guys to figure out.”
Jo Ga-ju shook hands one by one with his fellow trainees who were feeling down. Knowing that Jo Ga-ju’s decision was firm, his companions tried to smile as they saw him off.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
A spear strapped to Jo Ga-ju’s shoulder swayed. The trainees gazed at Jo Ga-ju’s back, leaving the training center with strong strides.
“I thought we’d all reunite as members of the Golden Guards… You just never know with people.”
“Yeah, isn’t that the truth?”
The atmosphere in the dormitory was chaotic. All because Jo Ga-ju had suddenly decided to leave, claiming to have found his own path.
“Ugh! I’m off for an outing!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon shot up.
“Where are you going?”
“I thought I’d drop by to greet the master who made Jo Ga-ju’s spear!”
“Gold Iron Workshop, huh? Hmm…”
Jae Sang-hae stood up.
“Let’s go together. We need to return the training weapon soon, so I’ve been lax about getting a new one!”
“Yeah… That makes sense.”
The trainees nodded. The twelfth squad’s training weapon was just equipment for training, and they needed personal ones for future practices.
“Hey! You’re not all planning to swarm the Gold Iron Workshop, are you? That’ll just delay the date to receive your gear, so scatter and place your orders!”
“That’s a good point. It’s going to take a considerable amount of time, so we should hurry.”
The trainees shook off their seats and started preparing to go out. Buying their new training weapons was the perfect way to relieve their melancholic feelings with Jo Ga-ju leaving.
“Somehow, the training weapon feels a bit lackluster now.”
“Hey, the thing is, a weapon’s lightness is its essence!”
“If it’s too light, it gets sensitive and hard to control!”
Those unfamiliar with anything but the training weapons bickered about weapons. Already, the image of their own custom weapons danced in the trainees’ minds.
Before long, the trainees scattered to find a blacksmith, including Gwang Jae-ryeon and Jae Sang-hae who arrived at the Gold Iron Workshop.
“Then I’ll have a chat with the weapon master! You take your time chatting with that ‘brother’ of yours.”
Jae Sang-hae left, and Gwang Jae-ryeon sought out Mak-yul, a master who had once worked at the Gold Iron Workshop.
“Is that you, Gwang Jae-ryeon!”
“Master, it’s been a while!”
“Right! I received your letter just fine! There’s nothing wrong with the spear I made, is there?”
“Hahaha! Master, your skills are still top-notch!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon and Mak-yul patted each other on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“I just wanted to greet you, master. Also, I thought I’d gather a few usable weapons while I was at it.”
“Weapons? Speaking of which, you’re taking the Golden Guards exam, right? Come on, sit down.”
Mak-yul pulled out a bottle of liquor from somewhere.
“Seriously, master! You still haven’t kicked the habit of sneaking drinks in the forge, have you?”
“You little brat! It’s rare to see you, so it’s a special treat! This is liquor distilled by the heat of the furnace! It’ll knock you out! And while we’re at it, tell me about that fancy Golden Guards exam!”
“Ahahaha! It’ll blow your mind!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon and Mak-yul exchanged drinks.
“The training instructor showed up wearing a bright red jacket and a round hat, and I couldn’t believe my eyes! Plus, they seemed to hesitate to wear those raggedy pants!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon’s storytelling level was not exactly impressive. But what were they talking about? The training center stories!
Stories about the military that could easily amplify in the heat of the moment!
Gwang Jae-ryeon spat as he shared tales of military training!
Blood-splashing gymnastics, mountain running, and the essential training!
The mysterious face of the girl at the Yong Sang Inn that Jo Ga-ju, Okryong, and Kang Chumo-ru visited!
The victory in the mock battles!
And the following training.
The selection exam and the princess Yuya who visited the exam site. And the story of passing the selection exam and the gifts received from Princess Yuya.
“Wow! Amazing! So you’ve finally passed!”
“Oh, master, there’s still Golden Guards training left!”
“You brat! Now that I’m all ears, I’ve heard! They say anyone who steps into Golden Guards training becomes a member unless they’re insane! So, what’s this false modesty? Receiving gifts from the princess? You’ve truly made a name for yourself!”
And finally, Jo Ga-ju who left that morning.
“Ahh, you kicked that Golden Guards position to the curb?”
“…That’s right. It’s the path I must take, and he did it without any regrets, just like that!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon poured liquor down his throat. Mak-yul, watching him quietly, spoke up.
“Are you saying you need to get a new weapon?”
“Ugh… yes. Well, master, since you’re not good at crafting small things, could you recommend a decent craftsman?”
“Why do you need a master?”
Gwang Jae-ryeon looked at Mak-yul. Mak-yul raised a finger and poked Gwang Jae-ryeon.
“The best craftsman in the North should make their own weapons.”
“…Master.”
“Since it’s getting late and we’ve had our fill of liquor, let’s save it for tomorrow! You can use my workshop starting tomorrow.”
Gwang Jae-ryeon couldn’t say a word. Mak-yul finished the last of his liquor, stood up, and said,
“Don’t forget, the forge wakes up early, right? Come running as soon as the sun rises!”
Gwang Jae-ryeon gazed at Mak-yul’s receding figure, feeling a mix of emotions.
* *
Tap.
I closed the setting book I was memorizing and stared at the door. It had been a while since I sensed someone lingering at my door.
I understand hesitating. Turning away from the glory of the Golden Guards is not an easy thing.
But lingering outside my door for half an hour definitely crossed a line.
I yelled out loudly.
“Kang Chumo-ru!”
“Yikes!”
“Come in!”
“Yikes!”
Kang Chumo-ru hurriedly entered and took a disciplined stance.
“Do you have something to say? Trainee Kang Chumo-ru?”
“Yikes!”
I stifled a sigh as I looked at Kang Chumo-ru. I had fully expected him to come to me. No, I was completely certain of it.
“Um, I wish to give up the Golden Guards training!”
“What is the reason? Trainee Kang Chumo-ru.”
“Because I want to lead soldiers!”
Jo Ga-ju and the other five, along with the various talented members of the twelfth squad.
I believe they will eventually find their own paths, even if it takes time.
But the timing was the problem. Did the twelfth squad trainees really need to quit right now?
Let’s think from the perspective of the current twelfth squad trainee.
Even if they hold onto their goals, there’s no immediate need to quit now.
They can finish the Golden Guards training, become a member, and then think about their options. Obtaining the title of a Golden Guards member would also be a benefit if they weren’t looking to delve into the military.
However, for Kang Chumo-ru, in order to achieve his dream, he now had to quit.
“I’ve had several chances to lead soldiers in the field, but I’ve only truly demonstrated real tactics here! I can’t forget the feeling of victory during the mock battle when I executed my strategies! Well, it’s not really because of my skills, but because my peers believed in me and followed me!”
The Golden Guards are, after all, a select few. Even with enough personnel, they only arranged about fifteen members per unit. So, a single Golden Guards unit would consist of at best between ten to twenty members.
In contrast, the Imperial Army is structured with hundreds, even thousands of troops.
“From mock battles to real sieges! My peers listened to my strategies, and they made time to train with me! I enjoyed that process! And the feeling of winning in the siege based on those strategies… I can’t put it into words!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Even when I close my eyes, the scenes from that time and various strategies keep replaying in my mind! In these moments, I couldn’t help but wonder, if I find such excitement and joy in leading just a handful of people… what would it be like to command dozens or even hundreds of troops?”
While Kang Chumo-ru was not quitting the Golden Guards because of their elite status, there was another real reason. That reason was what led to my conviction that Kang Chumo-ru would quit the Golden Guards.
“When I imagined it, I felt a strong desire to lead in the Imperial Army and implement strategies! If possible… I want to be a general commanding thousands, if not tens of thousands of troops!”
Once someone becomes a Golden Guards member, they cannot return to the Imperial Army. This is stated clearly in military law.
It’s a measure to maintain discipline in the Golden Guards.
Although the twelfth squad is unique, typically over 80% of Golden Guards candidates are composed of former Imperial Army members. What would happen if someone who was once a Golden Guards member could freely return to the Imperial Army?
People might think, “Hey, I’ll just give the Golden Guards a shot. If it doesn’t work out, I can always return.” Imagine those considering their local networks and careers are still intact… Why cling to life in the Golden Guards? They could just try it out and easily come back if it’s not their thing.
If such applicants appeared in droves, how could they maintain discipline?
Once trained as Golden Guards and formally joining the ranks, there’s no turning back for a commander. If Kang Chumo-ru wanted to become the commander he desired, he had no choice but to quit now.
* *
“Trainee Kang Chumo-ru’s interest in command was something the headquarters was already aware of.”
“Yikes!”
“However, I am a bit worried. You were loitering in front of my door for half an hour. If I hadn’t called you, would you have found the courage to come in?”
“Not at all!”
Kang Chumo-ru shouted without realizing it.
“My desire to become a commander and general is real! The reason I hesitated is not because of that!”
“What then?”
Kang Chumo-ru swallowed dryly while looking at Ho Cheon-an, who was staring at him intently. Was it okay to say this? One needs to have some shame… Especially since I’d be causing problems for Ho Cheon-an while quitting the Golden Guards…
Feeling goosebumps on his back when Ho Cheon-an tilted his head slightly, Kang Chumo-ru realized it was now or never!
“I want to use it!”
“…What are you talking about, Trainee Kang Chumo-ru?”
“The training methods you used while educating the twelfth squad! I want to know if I can use them too!”
Ho Cheon-an was silent. Kang Chumo-ru squeezed his eyes shut and poured out his thoughts.
“The reason I hesitated in front of the door is not that I didn’t want to leave the Golden Guards! It was because I wanted to ask if I could borrow the training methods you used to train us! If I become a commander, I want to utilize them to cultivate a formidable army!”
Kang Chumo-ru’s voice gradually lowered.
“I wished to get your permission to use the methods you employed, but now I’m leaving and asking will put you in a tough spot…”
Ho Cheon-an paused for a moment.
“…Trainee Kang Chumo-ru, let me ask again. Are you saying you want to use blood-splash training, simulated battlefield training, mountain running, or uniforms?”
“Yikes!”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Ho Cheon-an’s perplexed expression, Kang Chumo-ru swallowed hard and passionately explained. If Ho Cheon-an didn’t want him to use it, he would have said so without hesitation. He never expected Kang Chumo-ru would approach him with this request.
Kang Chumo-ru’s instincts as a commander sparked.
“Instructor! Your teaching methods are the future of the Imperial Army! These training methods yield results in just a month! They can train thousands into a strong army!”
“…Huh. Maybe this is fate.”
Ho Cheon-an briefly envisioned the image of millions of Imperial troops performing the blood-splash routine and shook his head. The enthusiasm of one among one million shouting out commands… twenty of them yelling “one, two, three, four”… and countless others roaring for formation…!
“Trainee Kang Chumo-ru, it’s a bit harsh for those who have no martial arts knowledge.”
“I’ll improve upon that! Instructor, please…!”
Ho Cheon-an gazed at the earnest Kang Chumo-ru… and ultimately pulled out a bag he had kept underneath his seat.
“Take this, Trainee Kang Chumo-ru.”
“…What is this?”
“This is the round hat and clothes I used.”
Kang Chumo-ru’s eyes widened.
“Instructor…!”
“I thought to share some tips, but… I’ve already taught everything I know to the trainees. I believe you can do this well, Trainee Kang Chumo-ru.”
“Instructor!!”
“I’ll be rooting for you, Trainee Kang Chumo-ru.”
Kang Chumo-ru accepted the bag from Ho Cheon-an, making a vow.
“With the training methods passed down by the instructor, I will cultivate an army stronger than any in this world!!”
Thus began the legend of Kang Chumo-ru’s army, known as the Jeokgwi Daebyeol, striking fear into the hearts of foreign peoples!
