novelraw Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Pyo Inhaeng pointed his sword at Yoon Seok’s throat as he knelt.
Won Jirim and Seo Mugyeom, who were also present, could not utter a word. Their mouths hung open in shock as they stared at Pyo Inhaeng.
They were too afraid to stop him, worried that saying something might provoke him even more.
The tip of Pyo Inhaeng’s sword slowly pressed into Yoon Seok’s tender flesh.
Yoon Seok, seemingly not believing that Pyo Inhaeng would really go that far, gradually became terrified.
Pyo Inhaeng showed no sign of backing down, as if determined to make Yoon Seok realize how gravely he had misjudged him all this time.
Won Jirim looked at Seo Mugyeom. Though he had served the Division Leader for a long time, this was a first. If the Division Leader truly killed Yoon Seok here, the situation would spiral beyond control. Yet, he didn't believe he could persuade him. The fear of the consequences loomed large in his mind.
It was then that Seo Mugyeom slowly stepped forward and spoke to Pyo Inhaeng.
“Division Leader, Vice Division Leader Yoon has no authority to command the Tenth Division. Where is the proof that I trained in a martial art outside the Divine Martial Sect or learned techniques from an outsider? I am a man of the Divine Martial Sect, and I have never learned any martial arts that do not belong to our Sect. If Vice Division Leader Yoon insists otherwise just because my martial arts overwhelmed him, then he must believe nothing of the Divine Martial Sect.”
At that, Pyo Inhaeng slowly turned his head toward Seo Mugyeom.
When Yoon Seok had spouted nonsense and Pyo Inhaeng had denied it, he had been unsure of whose words people would believe.
That anxiety drove him to act far more aggressively than usual, out of fear that he might lose his command over the Tenth Division.
Seo Mugyeom had realized this and was telling him that there was no need to be that way.
“Division Leader, we believe in you. Please believe in us as well. We are not frightened children who do nothing but cry in fear. When times are difficult, we are the ones who can help you. The Tenth Division is not so easily swayed by the babblings of someone like Vice Division Leader Yoon.”
Only then did Pyo Inhaeng fully understand what had been gnawing at his mind.
“Division Leader, you of all people know that I didn’t learn martial arts from anyone else. I learned from you. Am I wrong? When we dueled and trained together, didn’t we constantly seek new ways of attack and defense? Didn’t we both refine and reduce multiple techniques together?”
It now seemed like Seo Mugyeom was even showing him the way forward.
“You’re right.”
“If Vice Division Leader Yoon claims that my martial arts couldn’t be from the Divine Martial Sect just because I overpowered him, then he no longer deserves to remain as Vice Division Leader of the Guardian Tenth Division. That’s what you should argue. I am not afraid. His punishment can come later. I believe in you, Division Leader, but I will not hide behind you either.”
As Seo Mugyeom finished, Pyo Inhaeng’s lips curled widely to the side, then he burst into loud laughter as if he were thoroughly amused.
“Kuhuhuhu, Yoon Seok. Do you even know who you've messed with? Do you realize who you dared to provoke? We are the Tenth Division. You dared to strike against the Guardian Ten Division’s Tenth Division!”
Then, Pyo Inhaeng withdrew his sword.
Blood trickled from Yoon Seok’s throat. Everyone would see that wound and know it came from Pyo Inhaeng.
All of them—Pyo Inhaeng, Seo Mugyeom, and Won Jirim—understood how great a humiliation that scar would be for Yoon Seok. Regardless of the resentment he already held toward the Tenth Division, it would now grow beyond measure. But they were neither afraid nor uneasy.
It was no different from watching a drowning ant rage at not being saved—it didn’t matter in the slightest.
“The entire Eighth Division will have to step in. You alone wouldn’t even make for a decent fight. Go and tell the Eighth Division Leader. I challenge him to a duel. Tell him to come to the Grand Martial Training Hall at noon tomorrow. He may choose to avoid it, but then he must bear the consequences. Whoever loses the duel shall surrender their sword arm—no weapons involved.”
Pyo Inhaeng’s words were resolute and unyielding.
Yoon Seok stood dazed, his earlier venom and killing intent completely vanished. It was as if the events unfolding before him didn’t feel real.
“Yoon Seok!”
Pyo Inhaeng shouted, imbuing his voice with internal energy. Only then did Yoon Seok finally snap back to his senses.
“…!”
“Go deliver the message. And if you fail to do so properly, you will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”
As Pyo Inhaeng spoke, Yoon Seok stammered a reply and then fled in a panic.
Pyo Inhaeng, Won Jirim, and Seo Mugyeom were not the only ones there.
The Tenth Division’s warriors had been watching from a distance. Believing it wasn’t their place to step in, they had stayed back—until Yoon Seok left, and then they rushed forward.
“Division Leader, are you all right?”
Hearing his subordinates’ concerned clamor, Pyo Inhaeng looked at them.
“Life as a warrior of the Tenth Division will not be easy from here on. From now on, there will be little you can do. You may want to leave the Tenth Division now, or stay and brace for the storm ahead. Simply being part of the Tenth Division may bring you isolation and ridicule.”
Speaking seriously, Pyo Inhaeng looked into their eyes.
Yet none of the warriors appeared worried or unsettled by his words.
“Shall we weed out those likely to falter now, Division Leader? Let anyone who hasn’t declared their intentions now be forbidden from leaving later.”
It was Ho Jo-yeong who spoke. His face showed excitement, and the others wore similar expressions.
They did not see the situation as a crisis.
Pyo Inhaeng thought they had not fully grasped the gravity of the situation and was about to explain. But Won Jirim stopped him.
“Division Leader, don’t you think it’s not because they don’t understand? Maybe it’s time to trust your subordinates.”
Hearing that, Pyo Inhaeng looked around at his people.
He was not someone to fall into false hope from sweet words. He only allowed himself hope when the circumstances warranted it.
“Arm yourselves and gather at the Grand Martial Training Hall.”
Those who had been enjoying the moment, imagining that the Division Leader might be moved, suddenly flinched.
A chill ran down their spines, sensing that something momentous was about to unfold. Yet, the moment the command was given, everyone moved in perfect coordination. Soon, only Pyo Inhaeng and Seo Mugyeom remained.
Even Won Jirim had vanished the moment Pyo Inhaeng finished speaking, but Seo Mugyeom remained, unmoving, and Pyo Inhaeng turned to look at him.
“Seo Mugyeom, are you disobeying orders?”
“No, sir. I just need my fists. As long as I head to the Grand Martial Training Hall, that’s enough. I can borrow a weapon from someone else if I need it. Lately, I’ve grown fond of doing just that.”
In the end, Pyo Inhaeng burst into laughter.
Then, as if he had to say this, he looked at Seo Mugyeom.
“Thank you for protecting my pride. Lately, I feel like I’m finally standing on solid ground.”
Seo Mugyeom felt a pang in his chest. Standing on solid ground—wasn’t that something everyone took for granted? Yet for the Division Leader, it was something to be grateful for, something that moved him.
“Division Leader, I’ll become someone you think of first when forming a strategy. I’ll be someone you can count on, so you can easily devise even the most difficult plans.”
Pyo Inhaeng chuckled at his confident words. As he began walking toward the Grand Martial Training Hall, he said,
“You already are.”
Seo Mugyeom smiled, grateful to hear such words from his Division Leader.