Chapter 30
Chapter 30
If Un Jongak went along, there was no telling what might happen on the road. The man was like a venomous snake—anyone around him was bound to suffer harm sooner or later.
Previously, the Vice Leader of the Sixth Division had been his target. But if he accompanied them on this mission, then from that moment on, everyone in the Tenth Division would fall into his grasp.
They already had to protect Young Mistress Ak from an unknown murderer while traveling all the way to the Imperial City. Having to keep watch on Un Jongak as well would be impossible.
Seeing Seo Mugyeom deep in thought, both Pyo Inhaeng and Won Jirim quietly waited for him to speak.
Seo Mugyeom didn’t realize they were watching him until he finally raised his head.
“What’s keeping you so deep in thought? I don’t see any issue with Un Jongak coming along. In fact, I thought it might even be beneficial. Do you think otherwise?”
Seo Mugyeom nodded.
“I don’t believe it’s a good idea.”
When he explained his reasoning, Won Jirim quickly agreed.
“Now that I hear it, it makes sense. If he’s someone who killed the Vice Leader of the Sixth Division without cause and ruined his honor, then he’s sure to hold a grudge against the Division Leader who forced him onto this mission. The Vice Leader of the Sixth Division did nothing to deserve what happened to him, and yet he was made to suffer. Who knows what Un Jongak might do if resentment festers in his heart?”
“I see. That sounds reasonable. But if we leave him behind, won’t it bring trouble to those remaining here?”
Won Jirim replied confidently.
“Please trust us. We’ll strengthen our defenses thoroughly. No one will be allowed to listen to a single word he says, and he won’t be permitted to step foot in the Tenth Division.”
Pyo Inhaeng turned to Seo Mugyeom, as if asking whether that would truly be enough.
“Otherwise… there is a simpler way to resolve this,” Seo Mugyeom said.
Both men looked at him, suspecting that something serious would follow.
“When a warrior dies while on a dangerous mission, it isn’t exactly unusual, is it?”
Pyo Inhaeng and Won Jirim exchanged glances.
“I don’t believe Un Jongak is the only one capable of setting traps. Even if that’s how it’s been until now.”
Seo Mugyeom seemed to steel his resolve.
The discussion ended there. Seo Mugyeom and Won Jirim left together, but he said nothing further to him.
“What are you thinking?” Won Jirim asked.
“It’s not time to say yet. I haven’t thought it through clearly enough to explain.”
“Remarkable, truly. To stay so calm in a situation like this… if I were your age, Seo Mugyeom, I couldn’t even imagine it.”
Seo Mugyeom smiled.
It wasn’t the first time he had heard such words. People often marveled that he seemed far too composed for his age.
And it was no wonder. Seo Mugyeom had already lived one full life. In that past life, he had lived six more years beyond this very point in time.
But since no one else knew that, their surprise was natural.
“You’ll have a hard time handling everything here on your own, Vice Leader.”
“Indeed. Even when the Division Leader was around, I felt like I was doing everything by myself. Now that he’s leaving, I can’t help but worry. I suppose I relied on him more than I thought.”
Seo Mugyeom burst into laughter at those words.
It had been a long time since anyone could imagine the Vice Leader speaking so openly. Won Jirim was not someone who would have said such things in front of others before.
But much had changed in a short time.
Seo Mugyeom felt an even stronger determination—he didn’t want to lose a single person from the Tenth Division.
And he believed he could make that happen.
It wasn’t just a possibility anymore. He had to make it happen.
For the mission to escort Ak Seol-ah, the members of the Tenth Division departed from the Divine Martial Sect.
Among them were Ju Jirang and Un Jongak.
Seo Mugyeom thought Ju Jirang didn’t really need to go, but she was firm in her decision.
As the Young Mistress’s guard, she insisted that her presence was necessary. Since it would be strange to object now, Pyo Inhaeng accepted her reasoning.
However, the real reason her request was approved had much to do with Ho Jo-yeong. Upon learning that Ju Jirang was joining the mission, Ho Jo-yeong seemed like a completely different person—his face glowed with joy, as though life itself had become wonderful.
To deny Ju Jirang’s participation after seeing that would have been akin to stabbing Ho Jo-yeong in the heart with a blade.
Seo Mugyeom had warned Ho Jo-yeong repeatedly about Un Jongak, spitting his words in frustration. He told him again and again that Un Jongak had an unhealthy interest in Ju Jirang and that he must be careful. But despite saying he understood, Ho Jo-yeong’s expression was anything but reassuring.
It felt like talking to a wall, but there was nothing Seo Mugyeom could do. If Ho Jo-yeong failed to act cautiously, Seo Mugyeom decided he would personally handle whatever trouble arose.
They agreed to travel as quickly as possible until they reached the Ak Clan. No one rested much; they all galloped on horseback without pause.
They had left behind the carriage entirely—every member rode a horse, each one skilled in horsemanship, enough to make one wonder if they had been handpicked for it.
Even Ju Jirang didn’t fall behind; in fact, she often rode ahead of the others.
It wasn’t hard to see why she had been the Vice Leader of the Ninth Division.
From the moment they departed, Seo Mugyeom stayed close to Un Jongak’s side. He shadowed him constantly, making sure the man was never left alone. No matter where they went, Seo Mugyeom was always nearby—Un Jongak couldn’t possibly fail to notice.
Annoyance flashed across his face as he glared at Seo Mugyeom.
“What’s this? Why do you keep hovering around me?”
“I’ve heard much about Vice Leader Un’s reputation. So when I learned you’d be joining this mission, I was overjoyed. I hoped to learn from you, even if only during this assignment.”
“Cut the nonsense. What could you possibly learn from me? Keep hanging around, and it won’t end well for you. Get lost.”
Seo Mugyeom feigned a hurt expression.
“It’s not just admiration that keeps me close to you, Vice Leader Un. To you, it may look like I’m tagging along, but I’m simply following orders. It just so happens that my post is beside you. If you doubt me, you can ask our Division Leader yourself. Though, knowing his temperament, he won’t answer kindly.”
He looked timid, even fearful, but his words revealed he wasn’t afraid of Un Jongak in the least.
Un Jongak knew exactly what kind of position Seo Mugyeom held in the Tenth Division and how much the Division Leader favored him. That alone was irritating. He had wanted to keep a distance from the boy, but right from the start, that plan had gone awry.
He had expected to find opportunities once they were on the road—he was confident in his ability to seize them. But how could he have predicted that Seo Mugyeom would follow him everywhere? Whether it was during meals, sleep, or even when he excused himself to relieve himself—Seo Mugyeom was always there.
“What are you trying to do? Why follow me even to the latrine?”
“Vice Leader Un, I’m trying to imitate everything you do and learn your habits. That’s how I intend to learn from you. The others are all from the Tenth Division, so I can ask and learn from them later. But with you, I won’t have another chance. Shouldn’t I take advantage of this opportunity? Who knows—meeting Vice Leader Un might just be my miraculous opportunity.”
Un Jongak’s insides boiled. How could anyone be this infuriating?
“I don’t know what gives you the courage to act this way, but you’ll regret it soon enough.”
“Vice Leader Un, that hurts my feelings. I truly want to learn from you. We may belong to different divisions, but we’re all warriors under the Guardian Ten Division, are we not? Just as we’re on this mission together, we may work side by side again someday. When that happens, who’s to say I couldn’t be of help? Please don’t dislike me so much.”
Unable to contain his anger, Un Jongak turned sharply away—but Seo Mugyeom immediately followed.
He smiled slyly as he spoke, the very image of a serpent in human form. No matter how one looked at him, he didn’t seem like someone of his age. Un Jongak’s frustration only deepened.
When they finally reached Hebei and arrived at the Ak Clan, everyone couldn’t help but marvel.
The Ak Clan’s manor was far larger, grander, and more magnificent than they had ever imagined. Many among them had traveled widely for various missions, yet even they had never seen such a place.
“It’s incredible,” Ho Jo-yeong said beside Pyo Inhaeng.
Seo Mugyeom also couldn’t hide his awe, nodding along. Even Un Jongak appeared impressed at that moment.
But as they admired the plaque inscribed with powerful calligraphy, they soon noticed something amiss.
There were no guards standing at the gate.
“Why isn’t there a single guard? Even a smaller manor would have at least one or two men posted.”
Pyo Inhaeng urged his horse forward. “We’ll see once we go in.”
They were all weary from days of near-constant travel, but with their destination before them, no one dared rest.
When they called out loudly before the gate, someone finally appeared from within.
Still, it was the residence of a noble clan—one recognized by the Divine Martial Sect Sect Leader himself.
But the person who came out wasn’t a warrior of the clan.
It was a disheveled servant.
Everyone had expected a martial artist to greet them, and so they couldn’t hide their unease.
“Is the Clan Head inside?”
Pyo Inhaeng’s voice carried an effortless authority as he asked.