Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Then, will you also be taking Seo Mugyeom on the Ak Clan’s mission?”
It seemed the Head of the Ak Clan, who was said to be the Sect Leader’s sworn brother, had come in person to request this favor.
“That was my intention.”
“Good. Teamwork is crucial, after all. There are those who can’t achieve much alone, but when they meet someone whose rhythm matches theirs, they accomplish great things together.”
The Sect Leader appeared to be subtly hinting that Seo Mugyeom hadn’t met expectations. Pyo Inhaeng, however, was puzzled as to whether the Sect Leader truly didn’t know what he had discovered about Seo Mugyeom.
But he didn’t have the chance to ask, as the Sect Leader continued speaking.
“Seol-ah is like my own niece. The situation at the Ak Clan has worsened to the point that her departure for the Imperial City can no longer be delayed. That is why I came personally to ask for your help with this task, Leader Pyo. This mission must be carried out in utmost secrecy. I don’t wish for those scheming against the Ak Clan to know we are involved.”
“They’ll find out anyway once we’re assigned to guard Young Mistress Ak, won’t they?”
“The Tenth Division isn’t widely known. So long as you don’t reveal you’re part of the Divine Martial Sect’s Guardian Ten Division, I doubt anyone will realize it. Besides, the Ak Clan’s estate is far from here, and as far as I know, the Tenth Division has never undertaken a mission in Hebei before. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s correct.”
The Guardian Ten Division’s missions weren’t limited by region. So if Pyo Inhaeng hadn’t been so stubborn before, they would’ve already taken on missions in Hebei.
Seo Mugyeom wondered if the Sect Leader was reprimanding the Division Leader, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Moreover, there was no sign of concern on Pyo Inhaeng’s face.
“Good. Then make preparations quickly and set out. I feel relieved knowing you’ll be leading this task personally.”
“Do you have any other orders for us?”
“I’m glad you asked.”
The Sect Leader spoke and took out a hair ornament from his robes.
It was an exquisitely crafted piece made of fine jade, adorned with bird feathers.
“Tell Seol-ah it’s a gift from me. Say I wanted to give her something finer, but there wasn’t enough time.”
The Sect Leader’s affection for Ak Seol-ah was evident, but neither Pyo Inhaeng nor Seo Mugyeom felt particularly moved.
They were determined to complete the mission as it was a personal request from the Sect Leader, yet they couldn’t help but think poorly of a leader who sent his disciples into danger for personal ties.
After the Sect Leader departed, Pyo Inhaeng turned on Seo Mugyeom.
“You brat, how can you be so reckless? You couldn’t even control your expression in front of the Sect Leader! My heart almost dropped to my feet thinking he might punish you on the spot!”
“What do you mean, Leader? The Sect Leader seemed to like me quite a bit.”
When Seo Mugyeom replied with a clueless face, Pyo Inhaeng was speechless.
“Did you think I wouldn’t notice your expression change when he mentioned Young Mistress Ak? Do you think the Sect Leader didn’t see what I saw? You weren’t exactly thrilled about being assigned as her escort, were you?”
At that, Seo Mugyeom’s eyes widened as he looked at him in surprise.
“Leader! Did my expression really show that much? I thought I’d managed to hide it well enough.”
Pyo Inhaeng was at a loss for words.
“Be more careful from now on. You’re still young, so it’s harder for you to mask your emotions. I know you accepted this mission because it’s a good opportunity, but it’s neither beneficial to our sect nor justified in purpose, which must bother you. Still, don’t let anyone see how you feel. Understood?”
“Yes, Leader. Thank you for the advice.”
Pyo Inhaeng felt satisfied hearing Seo Mugyeom’s obedient reply.
“Good. Now go and summon the Vice Leader. It’s time we finally put all our preparations into action.”
“Yes, Leader.”
Seo Mugyeom felt a slight thrill at the thought of accompanying the Division Leader on a new mission through the Murim. When they’d rescued the First Division warriors last time, he’d shown what he was capable of, and he was eager to see how much he’d improved since then.
“But, Leader…”
Just as he was about to step out, Seo Mugyeom hesitated and turned back.
“What is it?”
“Could you… check my pulse again?”
At that, Pyo Inhaeng suddenly remembered and nodded quickly.
“Ah, yes. I was going to mention that too. The Sect Leader’s expression was too calm when he examined you. Didn’t he circulate his qi through you?”
“He did. But…”
Seo Mugyeom described in detail what he had sensed. When Pyo Inhaeng had examined him, he’d been very cautious, but the Sect Leader hadn’t been, and Seo Mugyeom had felt it might go wrong—so he’d suppressed his energy out of fear something bad might happen.
Pyo Inhaeng’s eyes widened in disbelief.
To him, it was almost unthinkable.
The Sect Leader was the man who had rebuilt the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s successor from ruin—reviving it from the ashes when it was on the brink of collapse.
He had achieved that feat partly because the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had prepared for a successor, leaving behind secret manuals and elixirs. The Sect Leader had discovered those and quickly reached the realm of the Extreme Demon.
For such a man to have missed something within Seo Mugyeom was hard to believe. Even if Seo Mugyeom had tried, it didn’t seem possible that he could’ve hidden his qi from the Sect Leader.
That thought led Pyo Inhaeng to another concern—had something gone wrong with Seo Mugyeom’s internal energy since then?
“Hold out your hand.”
Even though other matters awaited him, Pyo Inhaeng couldn’t ignore this one.
When Seo Mugyeom extended his hand, the Division Leader placed his fingers on the young man’s wrist and carefully sent his qi inward.
As his energy entered, Seo Mugyeom realized again how rough and forceful the Sect Leader’s approach had been compared to Pyo Inhaeng’s gentle touch.
As Pyo Inhaeng’s qi flowed along Seo Mugyeom’s acupoints, it soon found the immense pool of internal energy coiled deep within him. It was even denser than before—proof of Seo Mugyeom’s steady progress.
Relieved that the energy hadn’t disappeared, Pyo Inhaeng exhaled.
“Now, hide your internal energy, Seo Mugyeom.”
At his words, Seo Mugyeom immediately suppressed his qi.
Pyo Inhaeng sent his own energy again—and was shocked to find that the internal energy he had just sensed was now completely gone.
He could still faintly feel the cultivated energy, but the source—the core of that immense qi—had vanished entirely.
Alarmed, he checked Seo Mugyeom’s acupoints several more times, but it was nowhere to be found. Watching his reaction, Seo Mugyeom realized his guess had been correct.
Eventually, Pyo Inhaeng gave up and withdrew his hand.
“How is that even possible?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never done it before, but when I tried, it just worked. I thought it best not to let the Sect Leader know.”
Pyo Inhaeng was amazed. Anyone else—especially someone Seo Mugyeom’s age—would have tried to flaunt such an ability to gain the Sect Leader’s favor.
“Seo Mugyeom, if the Sect Leader learned what you can do, endless opportunities would open for you. You could even become one of his closest guards. Anyone else would kill for that chance. Didn’t that thought cross your mind?”
Thinking about it, he realized it was true.
But when asked if the idea appealed to him—he couldn’t say it did.
Seo Mugyeom hesitated, unable to answer, and Pyo Inhaeng sighed.
“This is troublesome. I must’ve spoiled you too much. Good grief.”
If left alone, who knew what he might say next? Pyo Inhaeng smirked to himself, feeling somewhat proud that his teaching had made Seo Mugyeom so loyal he no longer considered leaving.
“Fine. Stay by my side for a few more years and keep learning. As the saying goes, ‘a needle hidden in a sack cannot be concealed.’ With your skill, even if you don’t try to show off, people will inevitably recognize your talent.”
“Yes, Leader.”
From that moment, Seo Mugyeom busied himself carrying out the Division Leader’s orders.
The message was delivered to those who would accompany Young Mistress Ak on her journey to the Imperial City, and among them was Ju Jirang.
Seo Mugyeom first gathered the others to head to the Division Leader’s office, then went to him directly.
“Leader, should I inform Vice Leader Ju Jirang as well?”
“Of course.”
Then, as if realizing what Seo Mugyeom was thinking, Pyo Inhaeng added,
“You’re worried Un Jongak will meddle again, aren’t you? Well, there’s no helping it now. Go find Ju Jirang, bring her here, and wait outside.”
“Yes, Leader.”
The plans they had long prepared for were finally being set into motion.
On her way back from a mission, Ju Jirang was lost in thought over recent events.
Where had it all begun?
When the Sixth Division’s Vice Leader suddenly died and Un Jongak took his place—that had been one of the most significant turns in her life.
Ever since they met at the Martial Arts Academy, Ju Jirang had quietly harbored feelings for him. She had never believed that someone like Un Jongak could ever return her affection. But one day, she received a love letter from him. Even now, the memory made her face flush. It had felt so unreal that she wondered if he was playing a cruel joke.
Un Jongak could easily have found someone better, yet he had written that she was the only one he loved. Since that day, Ju Jirang’s affection for him had only grown.
Then something unexpected happened.
The Tenth Division was assigned a mission—to escort the daughter of the Ak Clan Head, who was the Sect Leader’s sworn brother. Since it involved protecting a young lady, it was preferable to include a female martial artist, and one of sufficient skill at that. Ju Jirang believed she was the only one within the Guardian Ten Division who met both criteria.