novelraw Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Chapter 59
From that moment on, Pyo Inhaeng began calling out names one by one. The ones he named were those considered weak even within the Tenth Division. As a few names were called, everyone began to understand the criteria.
It seemed he didn’t intend to take those whose names were called on the mission. But it wasn’t something to be happy about.
Still, a few among them showed signs of quiet relief.
In total, more than thirty names were called.
“Those who have been named just now will stay here. Remain and wait—if we send a request for backup, come to support us immediately.”
Everyone had a sense that such a request for reinforcement was unlikely.
“I will go with you, Division Leader.”
A few voiced their wishes, but Pyo Inhaeng was resolute.
“Those whose names were called should feel ashamed. I’m not taking you because I don’t believe you can pull your weight out there. Instead of pleading to be taken now, you should have fulfilled your responsibilities from the start. This is the consequence of not training properly. While your comrades head out on a mission where they may die, you cannot even accompany them.”
Seo Mugyeom felt Pyo Inhaeng’s words were harsh, but he couldn’t blame him. It was a cold statement, but not wrong. If everyone had been properly prepared, Pyo Inhaeng wouldn’t have had to leave anyone behind.
The others could at least use advanced movement arts to evade during battle when it got intense.
The martial artists who had been called looked even more sullen and guilty, seemingly aware of why the Division Leader had made that decision.
Seo Mugyeom thought that, given the situation, he only needed to do his part and ensure everyone made it back alive.
When Seo Mugyeom stepped past the others and approached Pyo Inhaeng, the latter didn’t know why he had come. He didn’t expect anything important—perhaps just a brief word of reassurance.
But then Seo Mugyeom said something utterly unexpected.
“Division Leader, is it possible for me to hear other people’s telepathic messages?”
Pyo Inhaeng blinked, staring into space before looking at Seo Mugyeom. He figured this wasn’t a sudden curiosity, and that Seo Mugyeom had heard someone else’s telepathy.
“What do you mean? Did you hear someone else’s telepathic message?”
“Yes, I believe it was the Sect Leader.”
Seo Mugyeom explained everything in one go to avoid repeated questions. Pyo Inhaeng looked at him in utter shock.
If someone could hear others’ telepathy, why would anyone bother using their internal energy to send them?
He had never heard of such a thing.
“That’s absurd.”
“Right? I thought it was strange too.”
Yet he couldn’t believe Seo Mugyeom would make something like that up.
“If you’re saying it so clearly, then the Sect Leader must have been watching you. Seems like this all happened because of you—what do you think?”
“What could I possibly do? That’s the Sect Leader’s doing.”
At that, Pyo Inhaeng laughed.
“It’s not a pleasant thought, but it was something that needed to be done. I’ve heard about it too. The bodies of Divine Cultists were mistreated, many people died, and yet the Cult itself stayed silent. Perhaps the Sect Leader thought the Divine Cultists wouldn’t retaliate. Don’t think of it as something the Sect Leader forced upon us. Instead, think of it as something we’re able to do thanks to the Demon Lord’s help—for those waiting for us.”
“Yes, Division Leader.”
Seo Mugyeom honestly hadn’t expected him to say that.
“Division Leader, come to think of it, I must be lucky. In this situation, I get to serve someone like you.”
Pyo Inhaeng felt awkward hearing such words.
Seo Mugyeom wasn’t the type to say things like that easily either, so both tried to change the topic quickly.
At that moment, Seo Mugyeom suddenly remembered Ak Seol-ah.
“Division Leader, what about Young Mistress Ak? In case…”
He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. Saying what if we don’t return was hard even for him.
“You’re right. If we don’t make it back, she won’t be able to escape either.”
Pyo Inhaeng seemed deep in thought, then looked at Seo Mugyeom.
“Go to the Ninth Division and bring Vice Leader Ju.”
“Yes, Division Leader.”
Seo Mugyeom also agreed that the only one they could trust right now was Ju Jirang.
Worried something else might happen along the way, Seo Mugyeom hurried to the Ninth Division.
There, more people didn’t recognize him than did. Some knew his name but not his face, and even those who did didn’t seem very interested.
A few whispered about him, but Seo Mugyeom focused on finding Ju Jirang.
“Do you know where I can find Vice Leader Ju? I’ve come under orders from the Tenth Division Leader.”
Nobody would dare disregard such a message.
Soon, Seo Mugyeom met Ju Jirang.
She seemed surprised he had come to find her.
“What’s going on, Warrior Seo? Did… Warrior Ho ask for me?”
She asked with a hopeful look.
“That’s not it. Actually, the Tenth Division is in some trouble. I hope you’ll hear the details on the way.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
Ju Jirang looked at Seo Mugyeom with an expression that asked if she could hear the story while walking. But since people were still around, Seo Mugyeom waited until they were alone before speaking.
When he explained what had happened, her eyes widened.
“How could something like that happen? I’ve heard of the Geumhwa Trading Company before. I even saw them on a mission once. They’re no ordinary group. The escort warriors guarding them are much stronger than the average martial artist. And those involved in this matter would be the ones protecting the company head and his immediate family. I heard they were specially summoned from the Imperial City.”
Seo Mugyeom hadn’t known that, but Ju Jirang was well-informed.
“We have to tell the Division Leader. Even if I have to beg in front of the Sect Leader, we mustn’t go there. We’ll all die. I can’t understand how the Sect Leader could give such an order.”
Seo Mugyeom thought she needed to know more and chose to speak.
“I heard the Sect Leader speak to his attendants.”
He told her about the telepathy, explaining it as if he had simply overheard the Sect Leader, without mentioning that he had actually received the telepathy. Still, Ju Jirang was surprised.
She understood the Sect Leader wouldn’t have allowed Seo Mugyeom to hear such a thing on purpose. But she held her questions, thinking this wasn’t the time.
“I called for you because of Young Mistress Ak. In case the Tenth Division doesn’t return from the mission, we want to entrust her to you.”
It was not an easy request, and Seo Mugyeom wouldn’t blame her if she refused. But Ju Jirang nodded without much hesitation.
“I understand. I’ll do it. Don’t worry about that. But I truly hope you all return safely. Please, Warrior Seo.”
Seo Mugyeom could guess what worried her most. Of course, she cared about everyone’s safety, but her concern for Ho Jo-yeong must have been overwhelming.
“I’ll do everything I can to make sure nothing happens to Senior Ho.”
Ju Jirang looked guilty for making him say something like that.
“I don’t understand why the Sect Leader is doing this. I never imagined he was that kind of person.”
“I feel the same. But perhaps we shouldn’t just dwell on fear now. They say crisis is an opportunity, right? I want to believe that.”
“You’re right. Coming from you, Warrior Seo, I can believe it. You're not someone who backs down from obstacles.”
Seo Mugyeom found himself deep in thought, realizing he’d come to be seen in such a way.
Meanwhile, they arrived at the Tenth Division.
The Tenth Division’s warriors were preparing to head out, and Ho Jo-yeong was among them.
He didn’t understand why Ju Jirang was there and quickly looked away, as if not wanting to leave behind someone who would mourn him, knowing he had little chance of returning.
“The Division Leader should be in the office. You can go see him, right?”
“Of course.”
Ju Jirang replied and headed for the Division Leader’s hall. Meanwhile, Seo Mugyeom approached Ho Jo-yeong.
Ho Jo-yeong assumed Seo Mugyeom had come to comfort him and was about to say there was no need. But Seo Mugyeom spoke first.
“Senior, remember what I kept telling you during our duels—that one habit you absolutely had to fix? This time, fight like you will fix it. Understood? This will be a life-or-death battle, but remember—it could also be our chance. Don’t think of it as going to die—think of it as going to break through a wall. Even if you want to die, I won’t let you.”
Seo Mugyeom then went around to speak with the others as well.
As if worried they might have forgotten, he repeated all the things he had persistently pointed out in the past.
“If you still don’t fix it this time, I’ll follow you after death just to nag you.”
Saying that, Seo Mugyeom paused. Others might have taken it as a joke, but he felt a pang as soon as he said it.
And he vowed not to die meaninglessly out there.
“What if this time…?”
Then he remembered something he’d long forgotten.
If he were to hover near death during this mission, perhaps Gwei would find him and turn him into a Blood Demon.
But that thought faded quickly. Now, he only wanted to teach them as much as he could.
Just then, Ho Jo-yeong approached.
“Mugyeom, we’ll take care of the preparations. You should go see Soso.”
“….”
Seo Mugyeom wanted to say it was fine, but everyone looked at him and nodded.