Chapter 269
Chapter 269
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: Acting Captain
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"Hmm..."
With a faint groan, Han Baek groggily opened his eyes.
He scanned his surroundings with barely open eyes.
Warriors lay scattered here and there, dead to the world in sleep.
Taking in the sight, Han Baek soon clutched his throbbing head.
'Right, yesterday the Cult Leader rented out the entire Sound Flower Pavilion for a grand banquet.'
As time passed, the banquet's mood had grown ever more heated, and the squad members had ended up chugging booze without restraint until they all passed out in their seats.
Staring blankly at his comrades, he soon smirked and pushed himself upright.
"Days like this are necessary too."
They'd all been on edge, training with the constant readiness to move at a moment's notice.
Sometimes, loosening that tension was more important than pushing harder.
Han Baek could well understand the Cult Leader's intentions in arranging this gathering.
Clunk.
Stepping out into the rear courtyard, he headed for the railing.
"Yawn..."
The crisp air of early dawn, when the sun was just on the verge of rising.
Han Baek drew in a deep breath of the chill to shake off his drowsiness.
As he stared vacantly ahead, unfocused...
"You're up. I was just about to call for you."
"C-Captain?!"
Ji Wolhon had appeared abruptly at his side and spoken.
Han Baek's heart nearly leaped from his chest.
The man had closed in to arm's length without him noticing a thing.
Flustered for a moment, Han Baek replayed the words and straightened his posture.
"You were calling for me?"
"Indeed."
Just in time—he'd been about to summon him.
Han Baek sensed that Ji Wolhon had some orders for him.
'Making me clean up after the party? Or maybe assigning a joint mission with the Heavenly Storm Corps after their deep talks last night?'
But Han Baek's guesses were all wrong.
Ji Wolhon's next words, delivered in a flat tone, hit like a thunderclap.
"I'm leaving this place."
"What?!"
Han Baek's eyes widened in shock, his voice rising uncontrollably.
The captain of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad leaving?
What kind of catastrophe was this?
As he opened his mouth to demand an explanation, Ji Wolhon continued.
"No need for such surprise. It's not permanent—the Cult Leader granted me leave, so I'm just stepping away for a bit."
"Ah..."
Han Baek instantly grasped the implication.
And he couldn't help but admire Hyeok Mulin's sharp insight in granting it.
But right after, a mix of relief and worry washed over him.
Relief that the captain wasn't abandoning his post or leaving the squad.
And worry over the void his absence would leave.
"Then when will you return?"
"Couldn't say."
Ji Wolhon's answer was honest.
Who could predict when he'd break through that wall?
That was precisely why Hyeok Mulin had approved indefinite leave.
At that, Han Baek voiced his concern.
"So who will lead the squad in the meantime?"
The captain who had formed the current Divine Demon Blood Death Squad was stepping away.
A devastating loss of their irreplaceable strength.
The squad could crumble without him.
Yet Ji Wolhon offered no answer to the question.
He simply stood there, staring fixedly at Han Baek.
"...?"
Meeting that gaze, Han Baek gradually broke into a cold sweat.
He realized what it meant.
"...You're joking, right?"
"No. It's you and no one else."
Gulp.
Swallowing hard, Han Baek spoke with a stiff expression.
"I'm a nobody with nothing to offer. Even temporarily, I can't fill the role of captain."
Han Baek downplayed his own worth, trying to decline the temporary command.
Ji Wolhon fell silent for a moment, then slowly turned his gaze forward, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"If there's a mission to eliminate someone, I'd hand it to Danri Hyang."
He continued in that even tone.
"And for destroying a group or sowing chaos, it'd go to Man Hyobom."
Han Baek nodded in agreement.
The two were the squad's top forces, each with their unique strengths—he'd have assigned them the same way.
But then came the unexpected follow-up.
"However, for a mission that must succeed no matter what."
Ji Wolhon's eyes turned to Han Baek.
"I'd give you full authority without hesitation."
"...!"
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, reformed under Hyeok Mulin.
Its three vice-captains, who had been there from the start, each had distinct traits.
And among them, Ji Wolhon was certain Han Baek was the most suited to lead them all.
Not because he was flawless.
He couldn't match Ji Wolhon's overwhelming presence backed by raw power.
But Han Baek possessed a steadfast command ability and unifying force all his own, making him the best fit to lead the squad overall.
Hearing the explanation, Han Baek came to understand his reasoning.
'Fair enough. I wouldn't trust those two either.'
Man Hyobom, who just caused trouble everywhere, and Danri Hyang, who barely communicated.
If either became captain, even temporarily, the squad was more likely to collapse than endure.
In the end, it had to be him.
For the sake of the squad.
"Haa."
With a sigh, Han Baek accepted his fate.
"You'd better come back soon. Otherwise, someone might steal your seat."
"Heh."
Ji Wolhon curved his lips into a smile.
"Right. I won't keep you waiting long."
Turning away from Han Baek, he left final words.
"Take care of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad while I'm gone."
He'd decided to leave without bidding each member farewell.
After all, it wasn't like he was quitting the squad—just taking a short break.
He could face them properly when he returned.
With that, Ji Wolhon headed to the Heavenly Demon Palace before setting off on his introspective journey.
'I already paid my respects yesterday, but still.'
He wanted one last glimpse of the Cult Leader's face before departing Heavenly Mountain.
Striding toward the palace, he soon spotted Hyeok Mulin's figure in the distance.
But...
"...Hm?"
For some reason, an unbelievable person stood beside the Cult Leader.
'The Sword Lord?'
The Cult Leader and the Sword Lord were together in one place.
Staring at the scene, Ji Wolhon soon smiled and turned away.
The Cult Leader was forging a bond with the Sword Lord.
To already bridge such intimacy with a rival he'd faced as foe—not ally—in mere days.
Impressed by Hyeok Mulin's affinity and inclusiveness, Ji Wolhon left Heavenly Mountain without interrupting their exchange.
"...Sword Lord."
"You called?"
"Don't you have clan matters to attend to?"
However, Ji Wolhon's fond imaginings didn't match the actual atmosphere.
Cheon Sumyeong, the Sword Lord who'd sought out Hyeok Mulin out of intense curiosity, hadn't left his side since.
Wherever Hyeok Mulin went, the Sword Lord was there beside him.
A touch annoyed, Hyeok Mulin asked.
But...
"Nothing pressing."
Cheon Sumyeong shook his head, dashing Hyeok Mulin's hopes.
Having stepped back from the front lines, he had no clan duties demanding his attention.
Sure, he could handle plenty if he stepped up, but no one dared burden the former patriarch without cause.
After all, he'd delegated full authority to the clan head upon ascending to Grand Patriarch.
After losing the bet to Hyeok Mulin, the Sword Lord had withdrawn from active duty cleaner than anyone could have hoped.
But...
'Never saw this coming.'
No, who could have?
The Sword Lord shadowing Hyeok Mulin like a ghost.
It was a situation where even Hyeok Mulin couldn't easily shake him off.
In Pure Heaven Pavilion, he simply sat in a chair across the desk, watching Hyeok Mulin work, and never interfered with his training—just observed quietly nearby.
He merely watched Hyeok Mulin's every move.
As this persisted, rumors began to spread far and wide.
Two warriors who'd stood opposed like enemies on a log bridge were suddenly inseparable.
And since the Sword Lord had approached first, the astonishment doubled.
'All sorts of wild rumors are flying because of him.'
Like the Heavenly Demon allying with the Sword Lord to conquer the Central Plains.
Or the Heavenly Demon controlling the Sword Lord's mind.
Of course, most were outlandish tales no one would believe, destined to fizzle out quickly.
Besides, rumors of the Sword Lord's friendship weren't bad for Hyeok Mulin, the Heavenly Demon.
An ancient martial master and one of the Divine Cult's top powers, after all.
His prestige bolstered Hyeok Mulin's back.
'Doesn't make him any less of a nuisance, though.'
Hyeok Mulin began to rethink things.
The more interest the Sword Lord showed in him, the more curious Hyeok Mulin grew about the Sword Lord.
A master who'd reached the pinnacle with the sword.
To Hyeok Mulin, a swordsman and warrior, he was irresistibly fascinating.
Before long, they'd shifted to mutually observing each other.
The pity was that Cheon Sumyeong only watched, never intervening no matter what Hyeok Mulin did.
He just observed during training too.
Hyeok Mulin wanted a change in this dynamic.
Now that they were spending time together, he yearned to witness more of the man's martial prowess firsthand.
Thus, he devised a plan.
Step, step.
Hyeok Mulin's footsteps led outside the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Passing the inner and outer walls in turn, Cheon Sumyeong shot him a puzzled glance.
'Where to now?'
Having shadowed him, he'd mapped Hyeok Mulin's routines somewhat.
No reports had come in, yet he was suddenly heading beyond the outer walls.
Cheon Sumyeong tilted his head, but the mystery didn't last.
Crunch.
Hyeok Mulin set foot into the Heavenly Mountain ranges beyond the walls.
Pausing there briefly.
Glance.
He turned his head slightly back, meeting Cheon Sumyeong's eyes.
"...?"
As the Sword Lord puzzled over the enigmatic look.
Whoosh.
Hyeok Mulin's figure moved.
No words, no warning—he vanished like the wind.
As if daring him to catch if he could.
"...Ho."
Though he'd planned to simply watch.
"Very well. I'll indulge you."
A smile spread across the Sword Lord's lips at Hyeok Mulin's provocation.
And the instant he lightly stepped forward.
Kaboom!
The silent earth split, shockwaves rumbling through the mountains.