Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The White Dragon Spear
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“That's music to my ears.”
Hyeok Mulin nodded at Jang Wi's words.
'Finally ready to begin, are they.'
It was about time.
Any later, and things would get tricky.
“Then we'll prepare to head straight to Pure Heaven Pavilion right—”
“Hold on.”
As Jang Wi turned to leave, Hyeok Mulin stopped him.
“There's still one more thing.”
“Pardon?”
Jang Wi tilted his head at the words.
What could he mean?
There were only two vice commanders who had won their duels.
And hadn't the Cult Leader already left Heavenly Martial Hall?
Was there anything else left to do?
“The sun's set. Shall we take it slow and head over?”
Ignoring Jang Wi's confusion, Hyeok Mulin's figure shot toward the sunset sky.
The dim night.
The training ground, open to any warrior of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, stood empty save for one lone figure.
It was Han Baek, still practicing under the moonlight well into the late hours, swinging his sword relentlessly.
Hoo— hoo—
He had been repeating the same motion for hours in his personal training.
His battered body was drenched in sweat long ago.
The duel had already pushed his physical limits beyond breaking, and mentally, he was at his threshold.
Then—
Pak!
As he extended his sword path through the air toward the straw dummy, his focus slipped for a split second, sending his blade flying.
The sword's body—not the edge—had grazed the straw, slipping from his grip in that instant.
Breathing raggedly, Han Baek stared vacantly at the sword sprawled on the ground.
“Can't even cut down a single dummy anymore, huh.”
He berated himself with a hollow expression.
When Han Baek had been selected for the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and named a vice commander, mere satisfaction had been his only feeling.
To serve as vice commander of the Cult Leader's direct guard—the pinnacle of the cult, the most noble honor.
He had been grateful for the high regard and vowed to repay it with every ounce of his strength.
'Damn it...'
But when the squad's honor was on the line in the duel, he alone was the one vice commander who hadn't won.
He had struggled desperately, dragging it out ugly just to end in a draw.
So in pure skill, he was inferior—and it was as good as a loss.
'The problem is me.'
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad was strong.
The commander went without saying, and Man Hyobom had proven why he was once a top candidate for heir to one of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
Even Danri Hyang, who matched Man Hyobom's might, was steadily earning the squad's trust despite his Central Plains origins.
'Maybe I should step down from this position.'
Their status was equal, but their actual standing was worlds apart.
No matter how doggedly he trained, he'd spend his life chasing their heels.
To Han Baek now, the men beside him felt like insurmountable walls.
His heart was on the verge of giving up.
Did he really belong here?
Wouldn't he just burden the Cult Leader more as a vice commander?
Lost in turmoil, he let out a sigh.
Then he trudged over, bending to pick up his sword.
“Still here, I see.”
Han Baek whipped around at the familiar voice from behind, immediately bowing his head low.
“I pay respects to the exalted Cult Leader!”
“Training this late into the night—you're a model for all warriors.”
“No, I'm just struggling to patch up my shortcomings, however little.”
“No one throws stones at someone who strives, regardless of reason.”
Silence fell between them after Hyeok Mulin spoke.
Han Baek couldn't fathom why he had suddenly come here.
As he waited in quiet, Hyeok Mulin broke it first.
“Han Baek.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you pick up a sword?”
At the piercing question, Han Baek bowed deeply.
“Forgive me. For my lacking skill, sitting in a position beyond my worth...”
“No, that's not what I asked.”
“......Pardon?”
Thinking it a rebuke, Han Baek tilted his head.
Hyeok Mulin pointed at the sword.
“I asked why you chose the sword over other weapons—what drove you to it.”
“Well... that is...”
Han Baek pondered, then answered.
“As a child, I caught the eye of the dojo master in our village and learned for free. The dojo specialized in swords, so I naturally picked it up.”
“I see. So no other martial arts besides swordsmanship.”
“Yes. Just basic fisticuffs—nothing else.”
Though he couldn't grasp the intent, Han Baek answered earnestly.
Hyeok Mulin nodded knowingly.
“You started wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“You should be wielding a spear, not a sword.”
“A... long spear, you mean?”
“Exactly. No room for debate.”
Han Baek had simply grown accustomed to the sword since youth.
Most foes so far, he could beat with it.
His skill had reached that level.
But now in the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, as a vice commander under the Heavenly Demon, his future enemies would be leagues beyond those small fries.
Without change, he'd be weeded out.
“In your eyes, compared to others, what's your greatest strength?”
“My strength?”
His eyes wavered as Han Baek mumbled uncertainly.
“All I can think of is sensing danger a bit quicker than most before it hits.”
“You know it well. That's why you need a spear.”
At least he wasn't blind to himself.
“When you swung your sword, you shone at pressuring foes safely from max range.”
“Forgive me.”
“Not blaming you. It's just each person's style—and that suits you best.”
However.
“To best use that style, wield a spear.”
In combat, Han Baek kept precarious distance, trading blows.
The farther he stayed, the fewer crises, his movements freer.
So why fight with a short sword when a long spear gave him reach advantage?
'Excelling at crisis detection is a blessed gift. It means senses sharper than others by steps.'
The sword was the wrong fit for him.
In his past life, he'd realized too late.
He'd first gripped a spear past forty then.
But now was different.
Hyeok Mulin planned to boost him from the start.
“Take this.”
He handed Han Baek a martial arts manual.
Han Baek received it politely, eyes shifting to the cover—then bulging wide.
“Th-this is the White Dragon Spear Technique of the Jangyang Seven Houses...!”
The Jangyang Seven Houses were once so renowned their spear arts were adopted wholesale by the Central Plains military.
But now, without heirs, their lineage was severed, their family arts believed lost to the world.
And their crowning heirloom was the White Dragon Spear Technique.
Any spearman would sell their soul a hundred times over to learn it.
“It suits you perfectly.”
For the sturdy Han Baek, Hyeok Mulin had brought the finest military spear art.
As Hyeok Mulin smiled, Han Baek teared up, prostrating flat.
With choked voice, he kowtowed repeatedly.
“I swear loyalty till my bones return to dust.”
“Good. I expect great things.”
“Yes. I will repay this grace.”
Expect all you want.
With a faint smile, Hyeok Mulin turned, leaving the prostrated Han Baek behind.
Exiting the training ground leisurely, he headed straight for Pure Heaven Pavilion.
The night was long, and his day far from over.
“You've arrived.”
Entering Pure Heaven Pavilion, Sima Jin waited at the central table, documents neatly arranged.
Hyeok Mulin sat, leaning forward.
“Kept you waiting.”
“Not at all. You arrived just as I finished sorting.”
“Let's begin.”
“Yes.”
Sima Jin began reciting his preparations for founding Secret Affairs Hall.
“Prioritizing accessibility, we renovated the closest annex to Pure Heaven Pavilion—nearly complete. The recruits for Secret Affairs Hall were selected and contacted via the Sima Clan's independent intel network...”
Details dominated on the Heavenly Demon Palace grounds chosen as headquarters and the initial personnel he'd gathered.
Hyeok Mulin listened intently, pleased.
“It's really right around the corner now.”
“Indeed. However...”
But as Sima Jin finished, a touch of trouble crossed his face.
“However?”
“Well...”
He trailed off, sighing.
Shaking his head regretfully.
“We still haven't secured a head for it.”
Sima Jin was only overseeing the framework; his true role as deputy strategist was handling Hyeok Mulin's duties and cult affairs.
Combining deputy strategist and Hall Lord was too burdensome and inefficient, so he planned a separate lord to make Secret Affairs Hall independent.
“A Hall Lord. Your recruits aren't up to it?”
“Yes. They'll make fine cogs, but none have the drive to lead.”
“I see.”
“Of course, I screened several fitting candidates, but all had flaws, so I couldn't choose easily. That's why I requested your insight today.”
“Fine. List them one by one.”
“Yes. First candidate: Mo Seol, under the Great Military Strategist at Demon Scripture Pavilion...”
Sima Jin rattled off four or five names.
From the cult's deputy strategist to Man Clan chief steward, his brother, and the head of Black Dog, the shadowy intel group ruling the underworld—solid figures poured from his lips.
“High bar you've set.”
“I rate Secret Affairs Hall's potential above Open Faction or Hao Clan. The leader's role is crucial for that growth, so yes, strict standards—and I won't lower them.”
“Yet you're struggling to recruit one.”
“...Yes.”
Those named were proven talents.
But each had reasons making alliance tough.
“Can't take Deputy Strategist Mo Seol. He's Sima Geuk's right hand.”
“True. Pulling the Man Clan's chief steward would breed resentment toward you.”
Even taking a direct Sima Clan member drew Sima Jin's lukewarm stance.
The Heavenly Demon-Sima Clan ties already looked thick; deeper entanglement would harm.
Heavenly Demon Palace swallowed by Sima Clan would paint the Heavenly Demon as their puppet.
“Black Dog's head, Chu Gwang, is out.”
“I shelved him too. Skilled, but too risky as lord.”
Chu Gwang founded Black Dog, infamous for ruling Shinjang's underworld.
But his vast ambition and innate cruelty split opinions wildly.
“Not a single viable candidate among them.”
“Regrettably, yes.”
“Lowering standards here would be a shame.”
Hmm.
Hyeok Mulin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Then nodded, jotting a location and name on paper, handing it to Sima Jin.
“Th-this person...!?”
Sima Jin's pupils quivered faintly at the paper.
Then he tilted his head.
“Who is it?”
The name was unknown even to Sima Jin, who prided himself on knowing every talent in Shinjang.
“One who meets—no, exceeds—your criteria. And soon, Secret Affairs Hall's lord.”
“What?!”
Sima Jin shot up, clutching the paper fiercely.
“Who the hell is this to have such talent?”
“No fun if I spoil it.”
“......Pardon?”
“Find them, and you'll have your answers.”
Gazing out the window with a sly smile, Hyeok Mulin shifted his eyes to the night.