novelraw Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Chapter 56
“Are you saying the Tenth Division Leader requested a duel?”
The Sect Leader asked in a low voice.
“Yes. It feels strange to even call it a request. It seems more like he issued a warning demanding participation. From what I heard, the Eighth Division’s Vice Leader, Yoon Seok, targeted the Tenth Division’s regular warrior, Seo Mugyeom. Apparently, they had once been on a mission together, and Seo Mugyeom’s martial prowess was quite exceptional. Since then, Yoon Seok had been waiting for a chance to bring him over to the Eighth Division, and it seems a conflict arose from that.”
Even as he spoke, Jang Unchan wasn’t sure if he should be saying all this.
The Sect Leader had many responsibilities and despised when others wasted his time with long-winded reports. Though he usually appeared affable, he wouldn’t hesitate to flare up if something threatened the values he held dear.
There were times when people misjudged the situation and ended up thoroughly flustered, as if doused with a bucket of water.
Because of that, watching the Sect Leader’s mood during briefings had become second nature. This time was no different.
It couldn’t be too brief, nor too drawn out—Jang Unchan had to carefully read the Sect Leader’s expression.
The Sect Leader listened to his story with what seemed like genuine interest.
“So the Eighth Division’s Vice Leader did that?”
“Yes, Sect Leader. But it appears Seo Mugyeom turned him down.”
“Is that so? Isn’t it usually quite free for warriors to move between divisions within the Guardian Ten Division?”
“That’s true. It has been so until now. I thought Seo Mugyeom would be the same. But apparently, he responded very firmly.”
“What reason did he give?”
By then, they were already far from the topic Jang Unchan had originally intended to report.
But since the Sect Leader showed interest, Jang Unchan began to share the details he knew.
“Seo Mugyeom went on a mission with the Tenth Division Leader this time, didn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Jang Unchan replied, surprised that the Sect Leader even knew Seo Mugyeom’s name.
“Tell me the details.”
Jang Unchan considered how far into the details he should go, but eventually explained everything based on the Tenth Division Leader’s report.
Although his story grew a bit long, the Sect Leader didn’t stop him and kept listening attentively.
Jang Unchan didn’t understand what the Sect Leader wanted to hear specifically, but continued speaking nonetheless.
He was about to bring up the part where the Tenth Division Leader forced a duel on the Eighth Division Leader, but the Sect Leader shook his head.
“I’d like to hear more about Seo Mugyeom. He’s quite intriguing.”
Jang Unchan tilted his head, wondering what there was to find so interesting about Seo Mugyeom in this situation. Still, he continued sharing everything the Sect Leader seemed curious about.
“I see. Did you say the duel is scheduled for tomorrow?”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“The Tenth Division Leader said he’d demand an arm from the loser, but that doesn’t mean the First Division Leader has to permit it. What do you plan to do?”
“That’s actually another problem. If he insists despite my objections, it would damage my leadership authority.”
“Right. That’s true. Then I’ll go speak to him myself. If the Tenth Division Leader dares act on his own without listening to the Sect Leader’s orders, he should know he won’t be forgiven.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Jang Unchan seemed relieved even just hearing that.
“We won’t just wait around then. Let’s go right now.”
With that, the Sect Leader stood up.
His firm body, barely concealed by his robes, made it clear he hadn’t neglected his training even now. Though he never spoke of his training, it wasn’t hard to imagine.
As a disciple of the Divine Martial Sect, Jang Unchan earnestly wished for the Sect Leader’s success.
“What would you think about making tomorrow’s duel more public? The Divine Martial Sect is a place where the strong reign, but too much power has accumulated in the First Division, don’t you think? Wouldn’t you agree? Until now, the First Division could be considered the group of strongest individuals in the Guardian Ten Division. Even if we exclude the leaders and vice leaders of other divisions. What do you think, First Division Leader? Do you believe the First Division still deserves that reputation?”
Jang Unchan hadn’t expected to be asked that question on the spot. Wasn’t it obvious? Of course the First Division still earned that reputation.
But before he could answer, the Sect Leader spoke again.
“What about Seo Mugyeom? Yoon Seok coveted him so much he went all the way to the Tenth Division. That keeps bothering me. I know Yoon Seok acts as he pleases. He probably looked down on the Tenth Division too. I’ve long disliked how the other warriors of the Guardian Ten Division belittled and underestimated the Tenth Division. I even encouraged it to some extent.”
Jang Unchan understood what that meant.
He had contributed to creating that atmosphere in the Guardian Ten Division largely because of the Sect Leader’s influence. Believing the Sect Leader wanted that, Jang Unchan had subtly encouraged it.
“I wanted them to learn what happens when you're weak. But now, the Tenth Division Leader challenged the Eighth Division Leader to a duel, and the loser is to give up an arm. If things go that way, the ones who used to look down on the Tenth Division—like the Eighth—will now face the same humiliation. The Eighth Division will become the new Tenth Division and suffer all the mockery that the Tenth used to endure.”
“Understood, Sect Leader.”
Jang Unchan acknowledged his words.
“I must be off. I’m very much looking forward to this.”
As the Sect Leader left, his attendants followed.
What Pyo Inhaeng had started had now brought even the Sect Leader into motion.
At that very hour, while the Sect Leader was heading to the Guardian Ten Division, Pyo Inhaeng remained blissfully unaware, enjoying perfect peace of mind. He had gathered his subordinates in the training hall and launched into a speech.
“From now on, I’ll attack at random. If you think you can’t handle it, leave the training hall now. If you stay, expect to endure until the end. I’ll keep attacking. Enduring will become your blood and flesh. If you can’t take it, just run.”
Pyo Inhaeng didn’t elaborate further.
People looked at each other, unsure of what was happening. Seo Mugyeom steeled his resolve to remain in the training hall no matter what. But Pyo Inhaeng immediately called out to him.
“Seo Mugyeom, come forward. Help me. Let’s defeat all these villains together.”
“…Excuse me?”
“This is a mock duel. They say you should raise precious children harshly. The more you value your seniors, the harder you must hit. If you go easy on them, I’ll assume you don’t care about them and attack you even harder.”
How could Seo Mugyeom possibly back down after hearing that?
“Seniors…”
“No, Mugyeom. Don’t say that. You mustn’t. I’m saying you scare me more than the Division Leader does.”
Ho Jo-yeong had let the truth slip. Pyo Inhaeng’s lips curled into a cruel smile.
“Ho Jo-yeong, is that what you’re saying? Since you’ve said it, you can take responsibility for it, right?”
It seemed Pyo Inhaeng decided to start with Ho Jo-yeong, delighted at the opportunity.
“D-D-Division Leader! What are you doing?! I—Argh! I—!”
Ho Jo-yeong began swinging his sword wildly.
To avoid being pummeled, he had no choice but to go all out.
Everyone watched Ho Jo-yeong and swallowed dryly. Some began thinking of forming alliances, knowing their turn was coming soon.
Determined not to die at the Division Leader’s hands, some gathered to form a sword formation.
Many agreed to the plan. But Seo Mugyeom believed even that formation would be broken easily.
“Huh? But Ho Jo-yeong’s holding out pretty well?”
Someone commented, and the ones who’d been too busy discussing plans looked up.
Seo Mugyeom also turned toward Ho Jo-yeong, having heard the others.
Now that he thought about it, he should’ve noticed something was off even before turning his head.
The sound of weapons clashing didn’t come in rapid-fire bursts like beans popping.
Instead, it rang out in continuous, noisy clatters.
In hindsight, that noise made no sense.
Unless both duelists were at similar levels, it wouldn’t happen. But this was a Division Leader and a regular warrior—yet the latter was managing to block?
People began thinking maybe the Division Leader wasn’t being as brutal as he claimed.
They started to believe they’d gotten worked up over nothing.
Then, the ones who had gone on escort duty with Ak Seol-ah stepped forward.
“Division Leader, may we also join in attacking you?”
Without waiting for a reply, they charged forward to assist Ho Jo-yeong.
Pyo Inhaeng found it ridiculous but didn’t stop them. If he’d truly intended to overpower Ho Jo-yeong, the man wouldn’t have lasted a second. But Pyo Inhaeng’s goal was training, not beating him up.
He had watched the warriors of the Tenth Division for a long time and knew them well. Until now, he had thought they were always ready to leave and thus never grew attached.
What was the point in nurturing those who would just leave once they grew strong? It wasn’t just betrayal—it could one day endanger the Tenth Division due to their inside knowledge.
So he decided to rely on no one and lead the Tenth Division by his own strength.
At the time, he hadn’t realized how lonely that fight had been. But now, he felt it keenly.
He began to think maybe things could be different now.
That’s why he made up his mind to train Ho Jo-yeong properly. His goal wasn’t to defeat him, so he didn’t strike too fast to block. Like guiding a toddler learning to walk, he waited patiently as Ho Jo-yeong took each step.
In the process, Ho Jo-yeong was gripped by fear multiple times and wanted to give up. But he came to understand how seriously the Division Leader was treating him.
So he held on with everything he had. The belief that there was something to be gained by enduring kept him going. Even if he died here, he felt he had no choice but to continue.