Chapter 26: Showdown
Chapter 26: Showdown
"My apologies, Squad Leader Han Gyo-seong."
"Ah, it's fine, Na So-jeo. When that rascal Seol Pung returns, tell him to buy everyone snacks."
It was the hour when the Seventh Squad was supposed to take over the afternoon patrol. Because Seol Pung and the others had not yet returned, Na Seo-yu had no choice but to ask the First Squad, whose turn was next, to take the patrol instead.
It was an established rule that when members failed to return from duty due to hunting the Ju-gwi, the subsequent squads would shift their schedules to cover the patrol.
But even so, having to go on patrol earlier than the scheduled time was never a pleasant task.
In that sense, it was at least fortunate that the First Squad was next in line after the Seventh.
The Blue Wind Sword Dragon Han Gyo-seong, squad leader of the First Squad where Na Seo-yu and Seol Pung had originally belonged, had smiled kindly, smoothed things over with the others, and taken on the patrol.
Cheon Ju-eun, standing beside Na Seo-yu, spoke to her with a look of relief.
"It's a relief he took it so well. I was a little worried."
Na Seo-yu smiled faintly at those words and replied.
"The First Squad Leader is a good person. Even though he's a bit lazy, has a strong appetite, and is terribly forgetful."
Cheon Ju-eun blinked in confusion and asked.
"...Pardon? From what I heard, he's a renowned genius even within the Mount Qingcheng Sect."
"That's right. When it comes to martial arts, he truly is a genius. Though because of that, he can't understand ordinary people and ends up hurting them. He really is a good person. Of course, he's so wrapped up in his own world that Vice Squad Leader Haewon suffered so much she turned into a nag. But still, he's definitely a good person."
"...Pardon?"
As Cheon Ju-eun, sensing Na Seo-yu had built up quite a bit of resentment, looked at Bae Jong-gwan with questioning eyes, Na Seo-yu let out another sigh and spoke.
"Anyway, I should ask the Second Squad Leader to cover the next patrol as well, right? The Second Squad Leader is a bit intimidating, though..."
At her words, Cheon Ju-eun asked with a slightly stiffened face.
"The Second Squad Leader is Sa Gun-il, the Jeomchang Sword Dragon, correct?"
Na Seo-yu answered her with a slightly worried face.
"That's right. If you're uncomfortable, I can go alone, Ju-eun. You can wait here."
Cheon Ju-eun, whose father had died in the Emperor's Tomb Blood Incident, hated the disciples of the Jeomchang Sect just as Bi Sa-yeong did.
That was precisely why she had not joined the Fourth Squad under Jeomchang Sword Eagle Ma Yu-gyeom when she first entered the Thirteen Squads.
But Cheon Ju-eun shook her head with a bright smile.
"It's fine. They're still comrades we fight alongside. I can't just hold onto hatred forever. As long as it's not someone like Ju Tae-gyeong from our squad, it doesn't matter."
Na Seo-yu smiled as if proud of her and stroked her hair.
"Yes. The Second Squad Leader Sa Gun-il is still the most reasonable person among the Jeomchang Sect members. Though his personality is so cold it's a bit uncomfortable, that's just his nature. It's not because he looks down on people or is arrogant."
At her words, Bae Jong-gwan nodded in agreement and added.
"Indeed, Cheon So-jeo. Even as a fellow man, Squad Leader Sa Gun-il is a truly impressive person. He is like a well-honed blade that treats everyone fairly and coldly."
"...Doesn't treating everyone fairly and coldly just mean he has a bad personality?"
"Ah, that's not it. I must have misspoken. I meant that Squad Leader Sa Gun-il treats people fairly without discrimination. Whether they are strong or weak in martial prowess, and even whether they are from Jeomchang Sect or another school."
Listening to the conversation between Bae Jong-gwan and Cheon Ju-eun, Na Seo-yu secretly let out a sigh.
She was acting nonchalant while asking the other squad leaders to cover the next patrols, but inside, she was growing deeply anxious.
She knew Seol Pung's martial prowess well and thus did not think something had happened to him.
But for the return to be delayed this long was certainly strange.
Surely not...
As Na Seo-yu secretly clasped her two hands together, praying for his safety and that of the others, someone suddenly spoke to her.
"Seol Pung isn't back yet?"
It was Ju Tae-gyeong, the Jeomchang Sword Viper.
He was approaching with three cronies behind him, wearing an arrogant expression.
Seeing him, Na Seo-yu let out a small sigh and then replied with a face that revealed nothing.
"It seems he's running a bit late. I've asked the First Squad Leader to take the patrol."
Ju Tae-gyeong twisted his lips into a nasty smirk and muttered.
"That's what happens when you go off doing pointless things..."
As Ju Tae-gyeong began to speak, his cronies Ha Mu-jin, Ji Man-geum, and Man Gu-in, standing behind him, began to run their mouths as well.
"Maybe that Seon-woo pig is too scared to face Tae-gyeong and is deliberately not coming back?"
"He'd have every right to be. How hard must his heart be pounding right now? He's probably begging Seol Pung as we speak. 'Squad Leader, I don't want to go back. Please, spare my life.'"
"Wahahaha, that's hilarious."
Na Seo-yu, who had been watching the three of them snicker with pity in her eyes, spoke up.
"You three should have some sense of belonging, not just as fellow members of the same squad but as comrades. Isn't it basic human decency to worry whether something might have happened to your colleagues?"
Ha Mu-jin retorted with a sneer.
"Worry? Why would we? If something happened to Seol Pung, Tae-gyeong would finally become squad leader. Isn't that even better?"
"Exactly. Honestly, it should have happened long ago."
"Right, right."
These words finally changed the look in Na Seo-yu's eyes.
What had been a look of mere pity now became a cold glare directed straight at them.
"Young Master Ju Tae-gyeong as squad leader? Why? Even if it will never happen, if someone has to become squad leader after Squad Leader Seol Pung, wouldn't it be proper for me to take the position?"
"What?!"
"What did you say?! Vice Squad Leader, how dare you say such a thing!"
Na Seo-yu unleashed her aura, pressing down on them.
"How dare? How dare, you say? How dare the likes of you spout such nonsense at me, the vice squad leader?"
Under the pressure of her aura as a mid-tier first-rate martial artist, Ha Mu-jin, Ji Man-geum, and Man Gu-in, who were still mere second-rate, instantly went pale and were forced to shut their mouths.
Ju Tae-gyeong naturally stepped in front of them, blocking her aura as he spoke.
"I am well aware that Na So-jeo is a fine martial artist. But... isn't it a bit lacking for aiming to be squad leader?"
Na Seo-yu smiled brightly at him as he spoke with that arrogant expression and replied.
"I do lack. But are you any better, Young Master Ju? Young Master Ju, you should defeat Young Master Seonwoo Jin first. Though I doubt that will ever happen."
At her sarcastic tone, Ju Tae-gyeong's face hardened as well.
"You think a wretch like that could dare be a match for me?"
"Who knows. But from what I see, Young Master Seonwoo Jin doesn't seem to care about his duel with you in the slightest. What did he say again? That it wasn't a big deal, wasn't it?"
"How dare you!"
As Ju Tae-gyeong exploded with rage, Na Seo-yu smiled brightly and turned around.
"Then good luck to you, Young Master Ju."
But the moment she turned, her expression hardened.
She could sense that Ju Tae-gyeong's realm, which had been similar to her own until recently, had risen by one stage.
In that state, even if Seonwoo Jin consumed a spirit medicine, it was doubtful whether he could handle him.
Her heart grew heavy with anxiety.
As she went to meet the Second Squad Leader, Jeomchang Sword Dragon Sa Gun-il, Na Seo-yu prayed again and again inside.
'Squad Leader, please come back soon. I'm so anxious.'
***
Even by the time the First Squad returned from the afternoon patrol, Seol Pung's party had not come back.
Now it was time for the evening patrol. Na Seo-yu was seeing off the Second Squad Leader Sa Gun-il and his squad members, who were taking the evening patrol in place of the Seventh Squad.
"Squad Leader Sa Gun-il, thank you for your hard work. I apologize for the trouble caused by our squad."
The Second Squad Leader, Jeomchang Sword Dragon Sa Gun-il, merely nodded silently at her words. Just as he was about to depart, he suddenly turned his head and spoke to Na Seo-yu.
"Seol Pung is one of the finest martial artists I know."
At that unexpected statement, Na Seo-yu asked back with a puzzled face.
"Pardon? What do you...?"
Sa Gun-il left just one more line with an indifferent face before turning away and departing.
"So do not worry too much."
Staring blankly at his retreating figure and his seemingly indifferent yet kind consideration, Na Seo-yu let out a soft chuckle.
Apparently, her expression must have looked quite bad.
Resolving to steel her heart further, she took a deep breath and turned back around with a smiling face to look at the squad members.
"Alright! Just because the squad leader isn't here doesn't mean we can slack off! Let's at least get some training in... Ju-eun? What's wrong with you?"
She found Cheon Ju-eun suddenly burying her bright red face in her two hands.
Seeing her dazed gaze directed at Sa Gun-il's retreating figure, Na Seo-yu could roughly grasp the situation.
With a wry smile, she called out to Cheon Ju-eun again.
"Ju-eun! We have to go train!"
"Huh?! Yes! Yes! Eonni!"
The oblivious Bae Jong-gwan stood right next to her, still sneaking glances at Cheon Ju-eun with a look of utter infatuation on his face.
A sigh escaped her before she knew it.
Just then, Ju Tae-gyeong approached once more.
Na Seo-yu let out a sigh and asked him.
"What is it this time, Young Master Ju?"
Ju Tae-gyeong smirked and spoke to her.
"I was thinking this is getting rather serious. Wouldn't it be better to inform the Commander and organize a search party?"
Na Seo-yu smiled brightly at Ju Tae-gyeong, who said this with an expression that was not the least bit serious, and replied.
"What are you talking about? You know the squad leader's martial prowess better than anyone. It's only been three days."
But this time, Ju Tae-gyeong also retorted with a composed expression.
"Shouldn't it be 'already' rather than 'only'? As far as I know, no one who has vanished into the jungle for three days has ever returned alive. They said the location was a round trip of a single day, yet it has been three days... It's not good to have too much blind faith. If you wish to become squad leader, shouldn't you be able to coldly assess the situation and accept reality at times?"
With that sinister smile, Ju Tae-gyeong looked exactly like a snake.
She felt she finally understood clearly why his nickname was the Jeomchang Sword Viper.
Na Seo-yu suddenly felt goosebumps just from standing before him.
But that aside, she could not refute his words.
It was true that no one who had not returned in three days had ever survived, and more than anything, Na Seo-yu's own heart was terribly anxious.
But she could not show weakness in front of Ju Tae-gyeong. Biting her lip firmly to collect herself, Na Seo-yu spoke resolutely.
"In the absence of the squad leader, the vice squad leader, that is, myself, makes the judgment. I will wait until tomorrow and then take action."
At that, Ju Tae-gyeong let out a scoff and replied.
"Is that so? Squad Leader Ma Yu-gyeom seemed to think differently. Most likely, the squad leader summons will happen first thing tomorrow."
Upon hearing those words, Na Seo-yu's expression instantly filled with fury.
"You! Surely you didn't take it upon yourself to inform Squad Leader Ma Yu-gyeom of this fact?!"
But even in the face of Na Seo-yu's rage, Ju Tae-gyeong only answered with an oily, unctuous attitude.
"It was all done for the good of our squad and the Thirteen Squads. The longer this situation drags on, the greater the damage to the other squad members, is it not? The best course is to resolve the problem swiftly before it grows, I say."
"You, honestly!"
At that moment, someone cut in.
"Indeed, you're right. The problem should have been resolved before it grew, but I was far too soft. Jin, your words were correct."
"It's good that you realize it now, even if late. If there's a rotten fruit, it must be picked out quickly so the other fruits don't rot as well."
Startled by that voice, Na Seo-yu and Ju Tae-gyeong whipped their heads around.
And then, the two of their expressions split into stark contrast.
"Squad Leader!"
"Seol Pung?!"
There, looking somewhat exhausted but with faces perfectly intact, four people had returned, smiling.
Na Seo-yu clamped her hand over her own mouth, her expression overflowing with emotion, while Cheon Ju-eun and Bae Jong-gwan rushed toward them with bright, beaming faces.
"Aaaah!"
"Squad Leader! Sa-yeong! Jin! Lady Cheong!"
"Kyaaaah! Squad Leader! Why are you so late! Seo-yu eonni was terribly worried, I tell you!"
At Cheon Ju-eun's fierce, almost tackling charge, Seol Pung flinched and pulled his body back, answering awkwardly.
"Ah, s-sorry. Like an idiot, I suffered a bit of an injury and was late because Jin had to carry me back."
At those words, Na Seo-yu, who had been watching with tears welling in her eyes, was shocked and rushed over to him.
"You were injured?! Where?! How badly? Are you alright now?!"
Pressed by her ferocious intensity, Seol Pung answered in a daze.
"Ah, I, I suffered some internal injuries, but it's nothing. I've already fully recovered on the way back. And...."
Seol Pung, having spoken up to there, smiled awkwardly, but spoke with a gentle gaze not typical of his usual self.
"I'm sorry for returning late, Lady Na. And thank you for worrying."
At Seol Pung's gentle words, the first she had ever heard from him, Na Seo-yu choked up in a flash.
Tears streamed down from her eyes.
Then, in an instant, Na Seo-yu who had shed tears, and Seol Pung who had witnessed it, were both startled.
"Ah! Th-this isn't tears, no. It's not that I'm sad, it's just—"
"S-sorry, Lady Na. I was truly in the wrong."
"Ah, no, I'm telling you that's not it."
While they were flustered with each other like that, beside them, Ju Tae-gyeong, his expression twisted, was speaking to Seonwoo Jin.
"So you managed to return within the time after all. Let me be clear, even if you carried the squad leader back, nothing changes. Don't think I will postpone the duel."
At that, Seonwoo Jin, who had let out a chuckle, retorted.
"Huh? You were here too? Postpone? Why would I postpone? I want to finish this fast and get some rest. Come on, let's hurry up. Let me rest."
Enraged by Seonwoo Jin's words dismissing him as if handling a bothersome chore, Ju Tae-gyeong gripped his sword.
"You bastard, how dare you!"
Then, Seonwoo Jin smiled brightly and said.
"Ah, shall we just do it here? Sounds good to me."
At Seonwoo Jin's words, Ju Tae-gyeong had no choice but to hesitate.
No matter how angry he was, he couldn't do that.
This duel had to be held publicly, in front of as many people as possible.
Ju Tae-gyeong wanted to grind this arrogant bastard into pulp and show off his own skills in front of the maximum number of spectators.
He wanted to sear it fiercely into everyone's minds that he had now become a worthy first-class upper-level martial artist, that he was a talent of such outstanding caliber.
Grinding his teeth, Ju Tae-gyeong suppressed his fury and said.
"Half an hour later, at the sparring ground. I trust you won't run away."
"Huh? Run away? Me? Why would I?"
Turning away from Seonwoo Jin, who was twisting his insides with an expression of sheer incredulity to the very end, Ju Tae-gyeong began to walk away with quick strides.
His first thought was to go find Ma Yu-gyeom, whom he served as the eldest disciple of Jeomchang.
If it was him, he would take care of blowing this up out of proportion.
His heart was already pounding with anticipation at the thought that soon, he would be able to trample Seonwoo Jin before a huge crowd.
He couldn't kill the bastard, but he planned to push him to the very brink of death.
Very thoroughly, as cruelly as possible.
To make him think dying would have been better.
So that he'd never dare breathe in front of him again.
Already, his whole body trembled with excitement.
***
As Ju Tae-gyeong grew distant, Bi Sa-yeong abruptly asked Seonwoo Jin.
"Jin, are you really alright?"
Seonwoo Jin laughed bitterly and answered.
"No, I'm not. I'm so tired I feel like I might collapse. So it's extremely fortunate he didn't want to fight right now. I have to start energy cultivation right away."
As Seonwoo Jin slumped down right there and entered into energy cultivation, Na Seo-yu asked Seol Pung with worry-filled eyes.
"I felt it today, but it seems Ju Tae-gyeong's level has risen another stage. Will Seonu Gongja be alright?"
At those words, Seol Pung, Bi Sa-yeong, and Hae Cheong-yeon looked at each other and smiled broadly.
Bi Sa-yeong spoke with confidence.
"Just watch, Lady Na. You will likely be shocked out of your wits."
"...Pardon?"
Na Seo-yu, Cheon Ju-eun, and Bae Jong-gwan only exchanged bewildered glances with one another.
***
After a full half hour of energy cultivation, I rose and finally headed toward the sparring ground.
I had roughly expected it, but a considerable crowd had gathered at the sparring ground.
It seemed that bastard Ju Tae-gyeong had deliberately rallied people.
Besides Squad Leader Ma Yu-gyeom of the Fourth Squad, minus Squad Leader Sa Gun-il of the Second Squad who was out on patrol, it looked like every other squad leader had come to spectate.
First Squad Leader, Blue Wind Sword Dragon Han Gyo-seong, Third Squad Leader, Tang Family Sword Peak Dang Yeo-eun....
The bastard's plan was likely to crush me in front of all those people.
But....
I looked at Ju Tae-gyeong, standing at the center of the sparring ground with a greasy smirk.
Seeing the bastard's face as he waited for me, memories from my past life suddenly came flooding back.
The times he had horrifically ignored and insulted me, the constant nitpicking and causing infighting within the squad by challenging Squad Leader Seol Pung on everything, and above all else, the scene where Lady Na Seo-yu had died because of that bastard surfaced vividly in my head.
A laugh escaped me.
At last, in this second life, the time had finally come to repay all of it.
As I entered the sparring ground, the bastard spoke to me, his eyes filled with glee.
"I won't kill you. But I'll make you so ashamed you'll wish you were dead."
I roughly understood what he was thinking.
In truth, he wanted to kill me, but figured he couldn't because there were too many witnesses.
I smirked and curled a finger, beckoning the bastard.
"Shut up and come at me."
In a flash, his face hardened stiffly, then he immediately grabbed his sword hilt and yelled.
"You cur! How dare you!"
And then, his sword became a ray of light and struck at me.
Syu-ha-ak!
Astonishing speed.
It was the thrust of the Jeomchang Sect, said to shoot down even the sun itself.
The moment that thrust was about to pierce my right chest, my body moved lightly, deflecting his sword as naturally as a flower petal blown by the wind.
My sword still remained undrawn.
"What?!"
His brow furrowed slightly, and the bastard immediately unfurled the Linked Chain Grass technique.
His sword, emitting a hazy sword qi, poured down like streams of rain falling through mist.
"Haaaap!"
Syu-ha-ak!
But the outcome was the same.
I had known his Sail Sword Technique inside out since my previous life, and on top of that, his internal power and level were no longer a match for me now.
Furthermore, since the Ju-gwi incident, my achievement in the Cheonpung Movement Technique had already surpassed that of my past life.
With only slight footwork, my body, moving as softly as if carried by the wind, evaded every single one of his thrusts that came like a shower.
I glanced over and saw that Bi Sa-yeong's expression was one of dazed wonder.
He must have been deeply moved.
This was because the ultimate technique of the Bi Sect, the Cheonpung Step, was neutralizing the Jeomchang Sect's Sail Sword Technique.
It was my token of gratitude to this brother, Bi Sa-yeong, for the spirit medicine.
Having continued his relentless offensive yet failing to land a hit on me, Ju Tae-gyeong burst out in fury, his face flushed red with humiliation.
"What kind of cowardly act is this?! Do you intend to do nothing but keep running?!"
A laugh rose up.
It seemed he still didn't understand the meaning of failing to gain the upper hand against me when I hadn't even drawn my sword.
Or else,
He simply refused to acknowledge it.
I told him simply.
"Up until now, that was the Bi Sect's Cheonpung Step."
"...What did you say?"
As he furrowed his brow and questioned me, I now gripped my sword hilt and grinned fiercely.
"And from now on, it's the Seonwoo Clan's Seonwoo Thirteen Swords."
"What?"
At that instant, my sword finally became a white dragon and leaped free from its scabbard.
Syu-ha-ak!
Along with the drawing of the sword, a cloudy sword qi spread like unfurling wings, covering the bastard.
It was the first form of the Seonwoo Thirteen Swords, Divine Eagle Flight.
"Ugh?!"
Startled, the bastard stepped back and tried to defend.
My smile deepened.
Stepping backward in the face of an opponent's offense—he was an even bigger fool than I thought.
Since he had opened the path himself, there was no reason to hesitate.
I immediately connected into the second form, Divine Eagle Spreading Wings.
From the hazy outspread wings, dozens of sparkling sword lights began to fall upon him like feathers pouring down.
It was the Illusion Sword brought to its peak.
The bastard's panicked expression vividly entered my sight.
"Heok?!"
Just as he was about to swing his sword in a daze to defend,
From among the countless illusion swords, a single sword light alone became a beam and shot toward him.
It was the third form of the Lightning Thirteen Swords, Divine Eagle Descending River.
Ju Tae-gyeong simply stared blankly at my sword, stopped right before his own throat.
He looked unable to believe his defeat, which had taken mere three seconds.
"Th-this... this can't be happening...."
I grinned and told the bastard.
"Now call me hyung, Ju Tae-gyeong."
Across both my past and current life, it was the moment his face twisted most wretchedly.