novelraw Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
For several reasons, Ju Jirang had no doubts when the Tenth Division Leader said she had been selected for that mission.
But then Un Jongak suddenly came to her, telling her that she wouldn’t be going on that mission after all and that she should remember that. Ju Jirang hadn’t thought the task would be difficult and had even felt proud that she had finally found something she could do for the Divine Martial Sect. Because of that, she couldn’t understand why Un Jongak would say such a thing.
She told him what she thought, believing that once she explained, Un Jongak would accept it.
He had always been kind to her, so she never imagined that her words might anger him.
Worried that their relationship might turn sour, Ju Jirang eventually backed off, saying she understood. After that, neither Un Jongak nor the Tenth Division Leader brought up the mission again, and Ju Jirang assumed she had simply been excluded from it.
‘Why did Jongak act that way? Why didn’t he want me on that mission? Was it because it was dangerous? Or because it would take too long to travel all the way to the Imperial City?’
But there had been many other missions just as dangerous and time-consuming. Un Jongak had never once told her not to accept those.
‘Could it be because it’s with the Tenth Division? Maybe he doesn’t trust them?’
That seemed plausible—until she thought more deeply about it.
‘No, that can’t be it. People have been saying lately that the Tenth Division has changed, right? Who would have guessed that the Tenth Division Leader and Seo Mugyeom were that strong? Well, some did say that the Tenth Division Leader had always been strong, just that his skills had suddenly declined for some unknown reason. Strange indeed. What could have happened? How did he regain his strength? Now that even Jongak knows the Tenth Division isn’t what it used to be, maybe he won’t object anymore?’
Lost in thought, Ju Jirang soon arrived at the Divine Martial Sect.
The path home after completing a mission smoothly was always peaceful. She wanted to savor that feeling as she returned to her quarters, but a low-ranking martial artist from the Ninth Division came running toward her.
“Vice Leader, a martial artist from the Tenth Division—Seo Mugyeom—came to see you. He waited for quite a while and just left. He said it was regarding a mission and asked that you visit the Tenth Division as soon as you returned.”
“Understood. So I should go find Seo Mugyeom, then?”
“I didn’t ask for details, but I believe that would be fine.”
Ju Jirang nodded and immediately turned her steps.
She had planned to wash and change before meeting Un Jongak, but it seemed she would have to postpone that until after finishing her business with the Tenth Division.
When Ju Jirang arrived at the Tenth Division, someone recognized her—it was Ho Jo-yeong.
The moment their eyes met, Ho Jo-yeong stiffened awkwardly, like something inside him had broken. He should have greeted her and asked her purpose for coming, but instead, he just stared blankly and lowered his head.
Wondering what he was doing, Ju Jirang asked,
“Martial Artist Seo Mugyeom was said to be looking for me. Do you know where he is?”
“Ah… yes! I’ll guide you.”
Ho Jo-yeong quickly stepped forward to lead the way.
Ju Jirang knew Ho Jo-yeong fairly well. Normally, she didn’t know many of the common martial artists from other divisions, but Ho Jo-yeong was famous—not for exceptional skills, but for his vast network of connections. So many people she knew also knew him that she had often heard stories about him, even unintentionally.
He was younger than Ju Jirang and they had little in common.
‘Ah… was he the one who once asked if I could teach him throwing knife techniques because he wanted to learn hidden weapons?’
She had completely forgotten that incident until now. She remembered how dumbfounded she had been at the time—so much so that she had simply stared at him without replying and then walked away.
That had probably been the last time they’d exchanged anything resembling a conversation. She never expected to run into him again like this.
“Have you practiced throwing knives since then?”
“…Pardon?”
Ho Jo-yeong’s face turned crimson.
Ju Jirang thought it was a ridiculous reaction and wondered if her question was really that difficult to answer. Ho Jo-yeong, flustered, bowed his head and couldn’t respond.
Ju Jirang shook her head slightly in disbelief.
When they reached the Small Training Hall, Ho Jo-yeong turned and said,
“Please wait here a moment. I’ll bring him right away.”
Ju Jirang found it amusing. It was just a common martial artist training inside—what was the big deal about her waiting outside? Then she recalled hearing that Seo Mugyeom had helped the Tenth Division Leader rescue the First Division’s martial artists and tilted her head.
‘Does Seo Mugyeom really have something special hidden within him?’
While she pondered that, Ho Jo-yeong returned with Seo Mugyeom.
It was the first time Ju Jirang had seen him up close. Seo Mugyeom had a refined appearance and unusually deep eyes. Though she knew his age, there was no hint of youthful recklessness about him; rather, he exuded a calm and steady presence.
Relying on her martial instincts, Ju Jirang assessed his physique—there wasn’t an ounce of unnecessary flesh. From that alone, she could tell how harshly Seo Mugyeom disciplined himself.
Ju Jirang despised people who were lenient with themselves but harsh toward others. Seeing Seo Mugyeom, she felt he wasn’t one of those types, and that alone earned him her favor.
“I heard you were looking for me. I just returned and came straight here after hearing that. I was told you waited a while and left, so I suppose we must have missed each other on the way.”
Ho Jo-yeong, who had come along to guide her, realized then that Ju Jirang tended to speak at length.
“I’m sorry for troubling you when you haven’t even had time to rest, Vice Leader. I would’ve waited longer if I’d known you’d return so soon.”
“No, it’s fine. But it looks like you’ve already been training hard. Your clothes are soaked through.”
“Yes, I tend to train intensively each time.”
As Seo Mugyeom spoke, he glanced briefly at Ho Jo-yeong.
Ho Jo-yeong was one of the few people Seo Mugyeom valued most within the Tenth Division. Lately, as he’d been spending more time sparring with the Division Leader, they hadn’t been together as much, but Seo Mugyeom still liked Ho Jo-yeong best among his peers.
But now that same Ho Jo-yeong was acting strangely beside Ju Jirang—stiff, awkward, like a malfunctioning puppet. Seo Mugyeom, who had known him for a long time, had never seen him behave this way.
Even if he was usually oblivious to matters of affection, it was impossible not to notice that Ho Jo-yeong had feelings for Ju Jirang.
Originally, Seo Mugyeom had planned to explain the escort mission for Ak Seol-ah himself, but there was no reason Ho Jo-yeong couldn’t do it instead.
All that needed to be said were the departure time and that the Sect Leader had ordered secrecy regarding the mission.
“Vice Leader, I’m terribly sorry, but I just remembered something the Division Leader assigned to me. Senior Ho here can explain in my place. Would that be all right? My apologies. As you know, our Division Leader is quite terrifying—if I’m even a little late, I’ll be in for a scolding.”
“Of course, go ahead.”
If it had been anyone else, she might have questioned it, but since he mentioned Pyo Inhaeng, Ju Jirang didn’t argue.
Seo Mugyeom’s lie was so natural that even Ho Jo-yeong didn’t realize he was being given an intentional opportunity to talk with her.
“Oh, really? Then go quickly. Just tell the Division Leader you were delayed because you were escorting Vice Leader Ju. He might scold you for forgetting his orders otherwise.”
Ho Jo-yeong, already flustered, now even looked worried for Seo Mugyeom. Considering Pyo Inhaeng’s temperament, such a situation wasn’t impossible, and his concern seemed entirely genuine.
Grateful for Ho Jo-yeong’s thoughtfulness, Seo Mugyeom nodded.
“Go on, then. If the Division Leader scolds you, I’ll… hmm, no. Just explain it well.”
Ju Jirang had been about to say she would vouch for him, but recalling all she had heard about the Tenth Division Leader’s temper, she swallowed the words.
Once Seo Mugyeom left, Ho Jo-yeong suddenly looked uneasy.
“Um… then… uh… where should we talk? Perhaps at the training hall? It’s where Mugyeom usually trains, but since he’s gone now, it should be empty. And, well, since the Sect Leader ordered strict secrecy for this mission…”
“Ah, I see.”
Ju Jirang nodded readily, and Ho Jo-yeong led her to the Small Training Hall.
The wall that Seo Mugyeom had shattered with his fist had yet to be repaired. Tall trees beyond the wall provided some natural cover, acting as a makeshift barrier.
The Division Leader had said there was no point in wasting money fixing it when Seo Mugyeom could easily break it again anyway.
Thus, the wall of the Small Training Hall remained exactly as it had been after Seo Mugyeom destroyed it—and that sight immediately caught Ju Jirang’s attention.
She tried to focus on what Ho Jo-yeong was saying, but her gaze kept drifting toward the ruined wall.
“Martial Artist Ho, that wall… was it—”
“Ah…”
In truth, Ho Jo-yeong had long admired Ju Jirang, who had become the Vice Leader of the Guardian Ten Division purely through her own effort and skill, without any special treatment for being a woman. He had always wanted a chance to speak with her, and now fate had given him one.
So he wanted to tell her everything she asked—but realized that this particular question wasn’t one he should answer.
There was a reason the Division Leader had effectively turned this place into Seo Mugyeom’s personal training ground.
“That’s…”
A martial artist knew better than to reveal all of another’s strength, and Ho Jo-yeong was about to keep quiet. Yet an urge to boast about Seo Mugyeom stirred within him.
After a moment’s hesitation, he decided not to speak. He trusted that Seo Mugyeom would prove his worth on his own, without needing anyone to explain.
“I’m not sure about that. Anyway, I brought you here to discuss the escort mission for Young Mistress Ak.”
“Ah… I see.”
Ju Jirang’s face flushed slightly. Asking an inappropriate question only to be refused an answer made her feel embarrassed.
“So, you’ll need to make preparations soon. We’ll be departing in a few days, so you shouldn’t accept any other assignments from now on. And regarding this mission—its purpose and destination must remain secret. If there are people who might guess your involvement, it would be best to mislead them with false information.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“The Sect Leader wishes it so.”
“I understand.”
Ju Jirang replied and nodded.