Chapter 29
Chapter 29
“How many people from the Tenth Division will be accompanying us?”
Even at Ju Jirang’s continued question, Ho Jo-yeong answered cautiously.
“It would be best if you confirm that on the day itself. I haven’t been given much authority, so I’m not certain what I can and can’t tell you. It’s not that I wish to be difficult, but I don’t want to make a mistake, so I ask for your understanding.”
“Of course. We’ll find out naturally when the time comes, so I’ll confirm it then. I must have made you uncomfortable, Ho Warrior.”
“It’s not that, ma’am. It’s just that there are parts I can’t speak about easily.”
Ho Jo-yeong was a polite man, and Ju Jirang found him likable.
“Is there anything I should prepare in particular?”
“I’m not sure about that either. However, since the journey might be rough, it would be wise to bring as many weapons and medicines as you can. Of course, the Tenth Division will also bring its own supplies.”
“Understood. You’ve been helpful. I’ll prepare accordingly and wait.”
“Yes, Vice Leader.”
Ju Jirang nodded and left the Small Training Hall.
Ho Jo-yeong felt his legs go weak and his heart pounding hard.
As he watched Ju Jirang’s retreating figure, Seo Mugyeom suddenly appeared. It was unclear where he had been hiding all this time.
“Senior!”
Seo Mugyeom startled him as if he had done it on purpose, and Ho Jo-yeong let out a loud yelp.
“Suspicious. Very suspicious. Senior, could it be that you—?”
Seo Mugyeom asked teasingly with a grin, and Ho Jo-yeong’s face turned beet red.
“What are you talking about? It’s nothing like that!”
“What’s not like that? I didn’t even say anything.”
Realizing he had stepped into his own trap, Ho Jo-yeong awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
Seo Mugyeom looked at Ho Jo-yeong and suddenly thought of Un Jongak.
From the beginning, the reason he intended to accompany Ju Jirang was entirely because of Un Jongak. After all, it was Un Jongak who had murdered Jang Ilmun, the Vice Leader of the Sixth Division, and deceived the people of the Guardian Ten Division. Seo Mugyeom needed Ju Jirang to uncover the truth behind it.
Since Un Jongak was fond of and close to Ju Jirang, Seo Mugyeom had hoped to gather information about him during the mission.
But what was he supposed to do if Ho Jo-yeong harbored feelings for Ju Jirang?
‘He’s going to get hurt…’
Thinking that, Seo Mugyeom glanced at Ho Jo-yeong. Seeing Seo Mugyeom, who had been teasing him just moments ago, suddenly fall silent in thought, Ho Jo-yeong probably guessed the reason.
“Don’t make that face. I know what you’re thinking, but it won’t interfere with the mission. And it’s one-sided anyway, so I’ll make sure my feelings don’t show.”
Ho Jo-yeong said awkwardly, gave Seo Mugyeom’s shoulder a light tap, and left.
Even after hearing that, Seo Mugyeom couldn’t leave right away. Ho Jo-yeong was one of the people he was most grateful to in all his past lives. He wondered—if he couldn’t help someone like that, what could he possibly do?
‘Did Vice Leader Ju stay by Un Jongak’s side even after realizing what kind of man he was? Was it because she knew about his violent nature but couldn’t bring herself to leave? Did she fall for him while ignorant of his true nature at the Martial Arts Academy and then get ensnared by him?’
Countless thoughts flooded his mind.
‘Ah… who knows. It’s not like I’ve experienced something like that myself.’
At times like this, sweating it out was the best remedy, so he returned to the Small Training Hall. But even after working up a sweat, nothing really changed.
Before their departure to Hebei for the mission, Un Jongak came to see Pyo Inhaeng.
Pyo Inhaeng had been expecting him, knowing the man would likely show up at least once.
Un Jongak was far less arrogant than he had been before. During that time, the Tenth Division Leader and his division had risen considerably in prestige.
However, it seemed Un Jongak felt compelled to speak about Ju Jirang no matter what, so he came to Pyo Inhaeng’s office.
Perhaps Pyo Inhaeng’s previous warning had taken effect, as this time Un Jongak entered politely after being announced by the guard at the door.
Ever since Won Jirim nagged him to keep guards at his door now that his position was higher, much had changed.
Pyo Inhaeng was in the middle of wrapping up several matters before the Hebei mission and was extremely busy. Still, meeting Un Jongak was something he couldn’t postpone.
“Greetings to the Tenth Division Leader.”
“Have a seat.”
Pyo Inhaeng spoke while glancing down again at the ledger on his desk.
“Don’t think I’m not listening just because I’m looking at this. I’m a man capable of handling two things at once.”
Un Jongak bristled, feeling slighted. Had Pyo Inhaeng become so arrogant just because he’d helped the First Division a little?
“Are you here to chat? If you have nothing to say, I’d appreciate it if you left.”
“No, I do have something to say.”
He had almost forgotten how short-tempered Pyo Inhaeng was.
“I’ve come to request something regarding Vice Leader Ju Jirang. Please exclude her from this mission. Instead, I can recommend someone more suitable.”
“We’re leaving the day after tomorrow, and you’re suggesting a replacement? That’s amusing. If that’s all you came for, I can save you the trouble. I have no such intention, so you may leave.”
“Division Leader, why must it be Vice Leader Ju? Vice Leader Ju is…”
Un Jongak paused, then continued as if conceding defeat.
“She’s the woman I love. I want to protect her. But this mission is far too dangerous, isn’t it? You know that as well as I do. The reason for taking her is supposedly that having a female warrior is ideal for guarding Young Mistress Ak—but Ak Clan’s current situation hardly allows for such luxuries, does it? When someone’s starving, it doesn’t matter if you feed them fine delicacies or plain gruel—it’s all the same.”
“That’s quite the heartfelt speech. Unfortunately, I have no interest in such things. And if Vice Leader Ju truly thought that way, she shouldn’t have joined the Martial Arts Academy, nor the Guardian Ten Division. But since she did, she must bear that responsibility. If she’d fallen in love and couldn’t perform her duties, she should’ve left the division. She’s an adult and a martial artist. Don’t you think that’s something she must decide for herself?”
Pyo Inhaeng didn’t even lift his head as he spoke.
Then Un Jongak, as if resolved, said firmly,
“Then I’ll go as well.”
“….”
Pyo Inhaeng finally looked up from the ledger.
‘Hmm. That might actually work better. I brought Ju Jirang along to learn more about Un Jongak—but if Un Jongak insists on coming himself, then there’s no need for her to go. Should I leave Ju Jirang behind and just take Un Jongak?’
His mind whirred rapidly.
Un Jongak waited nervously, expecting Pyo Inhaeng to refuse.
Pyo Inhaeng studied him intently. From what Seo Mugyeom had told him, Un Jongak was a wicked and deceitful man, yet his feelings for Ju Jirang seemed unexpectedly sincere. Then again, it wasn’t impossible—love wasn’t something reason could control.
Pyo Inhaeng had seen Ju Jirang himself and knew she wasn’t an unrivaled beauty, but to Un Jongak, she must have seemed the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Hmm…”
After a moment of thought, Pyo Inhaeng nodded.
“Fine. But you’ll handle your own tasks. Don’t expect the Sixth Division Leader to cover for you.”
“Of course. Don’t worry. I’ll prepare accordingly.”
As Un Jongak turned to leave, Pyo Inhaeng called out,
“Did you forget something?”
“Sir?”
“I granted your request, didn’t I? And yet you were about to walk out without a word of thanks?”
Un Jongak was speechless.
He had only asked to join the mission. How was that a favor to him? If anything, his presence would make things smoother, not cause problems—or so he believed.
Still, to avoid pointless argument, he bowed.
“Thank you.”
“Next time, put some sincerity into it. And see to it that I don’t have to remind you again.”
Though exasperated, Un Jongak said nothing more and left.
After he was gone, Pyo Inhaeng summoned several people through the guards outside.
Vice Leader Won Jirim and Seo Mugyeom entered.
He had once often called Ho Jo-yeong as well, but lately that had changed. Conversations with Ho Jo-yeong tended to drag on since he was slower to grasp matters.
As he thought of that, Pyo Inhaeng frowned slightly.
‘Ho Jo-yeong joined earlier, and he used to be known for his quick wits. How did I end up thinking of him as slow? Shouldn’t Seo Mugyeom be the one with that reputation?’
He shook his head.
Listing all the ways Seo Mugyeom baffled him would take all night.
Before long, the two men entered—Won Jirim walking leisurely, Seo Mugyeom arriving in a rush.
“Busy, I see?”
Pyo Inhaeng remarked, noticing the dust in Seo Mugyeom’s hair and the dirt on his clothes.
He must have been running around all day finalizing preparations for their departure to Hebei.
“My apologies, Division Leader.”
“No need. It’s not like you were playing around.”
Then he quickly explained how Un Jongak had come, requested to join the mission, and how he had granted that request.
Won Jirim nodded indifferently, while Seo Mugyeom appeared deep in thought.