Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Temporary Total Commander
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“Total Commander?”
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed.
He had rushed over because the Sect Leader summoned him urgently, only to be saddled with an annoying task.
“I told you before, I'm not doing it.”
“I apologize for that. But right now, you're the only one I can entrust this to.”
The Sect Leader spoke in a pleading tone.
They had planned to form the armed forces based on the growth of the second-generation disciples, but that was supposed to be at least two years away.
The numbers hadn't changed, even if those disciples had grown stronger.
However, the failure of the joint operation and the injury to the Martial Training Pavilion Lord had made the need for armed forces urgent, forcing them to accelerate the plans.
It might have been too hasty.
No, it was definitely hasty.
But it was an unavoidable choice.
They had only just begun to soar; they couldn't afford to have their wings broken and plummet again.
“But why me?”
Cheonhwi made no effort to hide his annoyance.
“Shouldn't such an important position go to someone with higher seniority than a mere disciple like me?”
“That's true, but...”
The Sect Leader gave a wry smile.
At that meeting, when he announced Cheonhwi's appointment as Total Commander, most of the elders—save a few—had strongly objected.
'How can we entrust the vital role of Total Commander to a first-generation disciple?'
'The other Nine Great Sects will laugh at us!'
'I agree. I could understand if it were commanders of the three units, but Total Commander is too much.'
Most echoed Cheonhwi's sentiments.
But the Sect Leader ignored their opinions and pushed through his decision.
For one simple reason.
“How else can we grow stronger? For our sect—no, for the disciples to grow strong, we need your abilities.”
The Sect Leader stared straight at Cheonhwi.
The armed forces' ultimate purpose was the growth and safety of the disciples.
And the perfect person for that was none other than Cheonhwi.
Accomplished in both letters and martial arts, with leadership to boot.
Moreover, recalling the growth of the disciples under his guidance...
'It'll be different from now...'
Cheonhwi smacked his lips with a 'tch'.
'Well, that's true.'
Reading the shift in Cheonhwi's expression, the Sect Leader added a tempting offer.
“The purpose of forming the armed forces is above all the disciples' growth. Just lay the foundation for that, and you can step down anytime afterward.”
“Step down anytime?”
It was hard to believe.
Wasn't the Mount Hua Sect's elders renowned for their rigid adherence to rules?
Cheonhwi asked with a skeptical look.
“Is that even possible? Even if, the other elders won't just sit idly by if I abandon the position.”
“Don't worry about that. I'll handle it somehow.”
The Sect Leader emphasized firmly.
Right now, nothing was more crucial for establishing the armed forces than Cheonhwi's presence.
So he had to seat him as Total Commander, no matter what. That was why he made the offer, excluding everything Cheonhwi disliked.
Even ignoring the elders' opinions.
And that approach shook the heart of Cheonhwi, who had initially recoiled.
“Hmm. Lay the foundation, huh...”
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
It was a better proposal than expected.
No, it might even be a good turn of events.
Wasn't the Mount Hua Sect weaker than thought, rushing to accelerate growth?
In that case, becoming Total Commander would let him train them all.
And he could step down anytime.
There was no downside.
'Though it'll be a hassle in the meantime.'
Cheonhwi's eyebrows twitched slightly.
The difference between teaching three and teaching dozens was vast.
After a moment's contemplation, Cheonhwi spoke.
“Fine, let's do it that way.”
“Thank you.”
As the Sect Leader's expression relaxed into a smile at Cheonhwi's positive response,
“But in return, give me full authority over everything—from selecting the unit commanders to their training.”
Cheonhwi added a condition.
“Of course. That's a given.”
The Sect Leader nodded.
He had anticipated at least that much when considering the Total Commander role.
But it didn't end there.
“And from now on, don't interfere with anything I do regarding the armed forces.”
Cheonhwi's eyes darkened coldly.
“No matter what I do.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Plum Blossom Sword Guards and second-generation disciples stood in disarray at Sammong Plaza.
“What's going on?”
“Why summon everyone so suddenly...”
The gathered disciples were anxious.
After the joint operation's failure, suddenly calling everyone meant it was no ordinary matter.
At that moment.
The Sect Leader arrived slowly with several elders, standing opposite them.
“Is everyone here?”
The Sect Leader's calm voice flowed out.
The elders lined up behind him, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Overwhelmed, the disciples straightened up, swallowing hard.
The Sect Leader looked at them proudly and spoke.
“You're wondering why I called you all to Sammong Plaza so suddenly.”
Nods rippled through the crowd, shadows falling over their faces.
The Sect Leader and elders read their anxiety and smiled bitterly.
But only briefly. The Sect Leader erased his smile, scanning the disciples once more.
Infusing his voice with inner energy, he declared,
“This time, our sect will establish new armed forces. Three units in total: the Martial Blossom Unit, Flying Sword Unit, and Flower Spirit Unit.”
“A-armed forces?”
“Three of them?”
The disciples stirred.
Their hearts pounded fiercely.
What did it mean for him to say that here and now?
A few swallowed hard.
The Sect Leader continued calmly.
“And the members of these armed forces will be you.”
The disciples gasped.
Considering the Mount Hua Sect's current state, his words weighed even heavier.
The Sect Leader gazed at the tense disciples and spoke.
“You must have many questions. But he—the one newly appointed as Total Commander—said he'd explain, so ask him.”
As curiosity lit up their faces,
“Then, allow me to introduce the temporary Total Commander who will organize these armed forces.”
With those words, the Sect Leader turned his head.
All eyes followed as if entranced.
Thud—thud—
They were stunned by the one who appeared with those footsteps.
“Junior brother?”
“Martial Uncle Cheonhwi?”
“Why Martial Uncle...?”
Cheonhwi, standing beside the Sect Leader, grinned at the baffled disciples.
“All familiar faces.”
The disciples flinched at his words.
“Somehow, I ended up as Total Commander. But I'll just lay the foundation and step down later, so no need to worry too much.”
As Cheonhwi openly declared he'd hand over the position later, not only the disciples but the elders too erupted in commotion.
“Sect Leader, what is this?”
“What does that mean...?”
“It's only temporary anyway.”
The Sect Leader dismissed their doubts.
“Just watch for now.”
“...”
Some elders wanted to protest but shut their mouths at his words.
It was already decided, with the Sect Leader, Martial Training Pavilion Lord, Hyeonryeo, and Hyeoncheong all backing Cheonhwi strongly.
Instead, they swallowed their resentment inwardly.
'How can he lack responsibility like that.'
'This is why we shouldn't put young ones in important positions...'
'Talent and character are different; has the Sect Leader forgotten that?'
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi continued regardless of their agitation.
“First, let's select the three unit commanders...”
The disciples froze instantly.
Selecting commanders was no small matter.
Especially the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, who were certain it would be from their ranks—the strongest.
“Might as well do it now, right?”
Everyone tensed at Cheonhwi's words.
Most expected a sparring match and steadied their breaths.
“Then, from now on, fight each other.”
The abrupt command rang out.
“What?”
“Pardon...?”
Cheonhwi looked at the flustered disciples and continued coldly.
“The last three standing here will be the unit commanders.”
The disciples buzzed.
Usually, strength was tested through formal spars.
But suddenly, just fight indiscriminately?
The disciples weren't the only ones shocked.
“...The law of the jungle?”
“Even for commanders, shouldn't we consider character?”
“It's armed forces. Strength matters more than anything.”
“Even so, deciding commanders this haphazardly...”
“Even the Murim Alliance selects unit leaders through spars and tests. How can we do it like this...”
The elders' expressions split sharply.
A few defended, but negative reactions dominated.
'Words don't work after all.'
Glancing at the reactions, Cheonhwi shifted his gaze to Jeokgeom and Seollan.
He sent a transmission.
『Move.』
Already briefed that morning, the two nodded and acted.
Shing—
As they drew their swords,
“Jeokgeom, junior nephew?”
“Junior sister?”
The disciples flinched.
Jeokgeom and Seollan glanced at their reactions, then cupped fists to each other.
“Please go easy, senior brother.”
“You too, junior sister.”
They faced each other first.
It was like their daily spars.
But their mindset was different from countless past matches.
Especially Jeokgeom.
'Can I win?'
Having witnessed Seollan's growth up close for five days, he swallowed his tension.
Seollan felt the same.
'What immense presence. Is this after absorbing all the Platinum Pill's energy?'
Jeokgeom was unaware, but Seollan eyed his aura with sparkling eyes.
“Then.”
“Ready.”
The moment they spoke in unison,
Clang!
The metallic clash exploded like a shockwave.
The surrounding disciples recoiled in surprise.
Then Cheonhwi spoke again.
“Oh, right! From now on, anyone who falls first or doesn't fight properly will have extra training later.”
It was a low voice.
But it pierced their ears, overriding the sharp clang.
A chill ran through them simultaneously.
'Fall first, and you're dead!'
'Who knows what he'll do.'
As nightmares of the Dark Fragrance Unit and Transformation Qi Art flashed in their minds,
“Hahaha! That's my junior brother!”
Cheonhwi burst into laughter.
Tears streaming from mirth, she drew her sword and pointed at Jeokgeom and Seollan.
“But do we have to spar like that?”
“Why do that? Enemies don't give you one-on-one duels.”
Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
“Ah! So that's why the joint operation failed and you came back.”
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards froze.
They never dreamed he'd mention the joint operation.
Cheonhwi's expression hardened too.
She had participated but ultimately retreated in defeat.
“He means don't hold back on means or methods, right?”
Cheonhwi clapped.
“Exactly! Junior sister gets it best.”
“Heh, so that's it? Good.”
Cheonhwi immediately circulated her qi.
“With the Medical Hall Leader here, I'll go wild as junior brother wants.”
With those words, she unleashed her presence.
No, not just her.
Those sensing a threat to their lives from Cheonhwi's words heightened their vigilance.
The tension spread, slowly enveloping Sammong Plaza.
One by one, they drew swords.
Clang! Shing!
Clashes echoed from all directions.
“Sorry, junior brother! But I need to survive too!”
“Ugh! M-me too!”
“M-Martial Uncle!”
“Sorry!”
The disciples tangled in combat.
Soon, Sammong Plaza was filled with fighters, not a single one left out.
“Too honest.”
Cheonhwi watched with dissatisfaction.
Was it their righteous nature?
They fought one-on-one, no joint attacks or ambushes.
“I wanted real combat, not this.”
As he frowned,
“Ah!”
Cheonhwi grinned slyly, struck by an idea.
He crouched, picking up small pebbles from the ground.
“If it's not real enough, I'll make it real.”
With that, he flicked his fingers.
Whoosh!
Dozens of pebbles instantly burrowed between the fighters.
Thud! Thud!
“Guh!”
“Kek!”
Groans rose here and there.
And not just that.
Some cleverly struck the swords of attackers mid-swing, altering their trajectories.
“Hep!”
“...?!”
Several, hit by sudden attacks, panicked and dodged.
“What are you doing?!”
“N-no! I didn't do it. My sword suddenly jolted...”
The attackers were equally flustered—their sword paths had twisted inexplicably.
“Someone tampered with my sword...”
“It's an ambush...”
As some hurriedly clarified misunderstandings,
“Not like that.”
Cheonhwi flicked more pebbles.
Thud! Thud!
“Hup! Attacking again? Fine, let's see you die first!”
“What nonsense! Aren't you the one who just hit my head from behind? I said I didn't, and you get petty?!”
Under Cheonhwi's relentless pebble barrage, the disciples began distrusting each other.
“Come at me all together! Think an ambush will take me down easily?!”
“The one who farts gets mad! It was you!”
“Uwaaah! Come on!”
Eventually, they all tangled into one chaotic brawl across Sammong Plaza.
“Yes, that's more like it.”
Looking down at the mess, Cheonhwi smiled contentedly, arms crossed.
“Now it's worth watching.”