Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: First Grade Warrior 5
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By the time Baek Moo-jin returned after following the head supervisor, Seo Moon-geuk and Joo Ja-woon, who had been waiting idly, were burning with curiosity.
"What happened?"
Seo Moon-geuk asked first, while Joo Ja-woon scrutinized Baek Moo-jin's expression. Baek Moo-jin looked at the two of them and thought.
'They told me not to mention the results or details...'
He felt awkward hiding something for no good reason, but when his eyes inadvertently landed on Seo Moon-geuk's loose lips, he decided it was better to keep quiet.
Averting his gaze from Seo Moon-geuk's eyes, Baek Moo-jin said, "Nothing much. I just had a chat with Supervisor Lee Yeon-seong about this and that."
"Trying to fool me, are you?"
Seo Moon-geuk circled around Baek Moo-jin, muttering to himself.
"You did it, didn't you!"
"Pardon?"
When Baek Moo-jin asked back, Seo Moon-geuk grinned slyly and said, "Why? Feeling guilty all of a sudden? Your expression just flickered. Who knew Baek here was such a bad liar? Looks like you had a private spar or something, but don't worry—we two can keep a secret. No need to be stingy about it. Between us friends..."
What on earth did Seo Moon-geuk mean by "between us friends"?
Baek Moo-jin cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem."
With a troubled look, he stared at Seo Moon-geuk before glancing down at his own body.
'How did he know? Seo Moon-hyung does have his eccentric side. And why is his intuition so sharp?'
As Baek Moo-jin examined himself, Seo Moon-geuk pointed at his shoes and said, "Look at this. You can't fool the eyes of this Seo Moon-geuk, no matter how hard you try."
Baek Moo-jin asked back, "What's so off about it?"
But Joo Ja-woon seemed to have just taken a close look at Baek Moo-jin's sword. He suddenly cut in, admiring it with a gasp.
"Ho... What a fine sword."
Tsking his tongue, Seo Moon-geuk interrupted Joo Ja-woon and pointed at Baek Moo-jin's feet.
"Don't butt in. See this? The tips of your shoes are wet. That's proof you used an ice technique. Alright, let's find more."
Seo Moon-geuk studied Baek Moo-jin's face, then spoke with a confident expression.
"Look at this. Your face is brighter. You see it, Joo-hyung?"
Joo Ja-woon replied indifferently, "Not really."
Seo Moon-geuk looked displeased and continued, "How can you be so oblivious? After sparring with me last time, Baek-hyung's pale face was practically glowing. Same thing now."
"Just that..."
Baek Moo-jin started to speak but stopped. Seo Moon-geuk grinned triumphantly.
"Didn't realize it about yourself? Baek-hyung, you get in a good mood after a spar. Your complexion brightens, and it shows plainly on your face. It's in your nature."
"In my nature?"
Unable to tell if Seo Moon-geuk was joking or serious, Baek Moo-jin could only marvel. Come to think of it, Seo Moon-geuk was someone who had sparred with him. And from just that one bout, he seemed to have grasped a lot about Baek Moo-jin's personality.
Baek Moo-jin gave an embarrassed smile and confessed half the truth.
"Let's say you're right, Seo Moon-hyung. We did have a private spar, but they asked me not to share the details or outcome. Anyway, I'll be off. I'm starving—need to grab something to eat."
Baek Moo-jin headed to the main hall first, and Seo Moon-geuk and Joo Ja-woon trailed after him noisily, chattering about who he'd fought, whether he'd drawn his sword, and asking to see it up close.
But Baek Moo-jin kept his mouth shut tight, lost in thought. Seo Moon-geuk's quick intuition and deductive skills particularly impressed him, prompting him to reflect on his own actions.
2.
North Heaven Alliance Leader Goo Yang-hoo.
He was the top figure of the North Heaven Alliance, having ascended to leader at the age of forty. But it hadn't even been a hundred days since turning forty or since taking the throne.
Even before becoming leader, Goo Yang-hoo's moniker had been just two syllables: Tyrant Blade.
He had originally been the commander of the previous leader's guard unit, and astonishingly, he rose straight from commander to alliance leader. No matter how much the North Heaven Alliance prioritized strength, Goo Yang-hoo's ascension left members bewildered—especially those who had eyed the position themselves, who were fit to burst with frustration.
We toiled far more, yet they seat this young pup who just guarded the leader? What nonsense is this? Such complaints erupted.
But the previous leader, who had anticipated the backlash, declared at a gathering he personally arranged that anyone could challenge Goo Yang-hoo for the seat.
'The leader's throne is won by strength.'
Those who had been gauging the mood or secretly underestimated Goo Yang-hoo stepped up, but none could defeat him. Moreover, Goo Yang-hoo dispatched five challengers in a row without resting once, showing not even a flicker of strain.
Even so, Goo Yang-hoo's position in the North Heaven Alliance wasn't entirely secure yet.
His former superiors from his guard commander days still whispered things like, "The guard commander got lucky with a sudden promotion."
But Goo Yang-hoo himself couldn't care less about his standing or the gossip.
"If you've got complaints, come say it to my face."
Goo Yang-hoo had a personality that perfectly matched his Tyrant Blade moniker.
"A young examinee named Baek Moo-jin defeated a First Grade Warrior."
"A First Grade Warrior?"
Execution Hall Leader Woo Tae-jeong answered the alliance leader's question.
"It was Jang Geon, Goo Ee-hwan's guard. He lost."
Woo Tae-jeong already knew Jang Geon's true identity. And Goo Yang-hoo knew him well too.
The guard commander position had its peculiarities.
For the sake of protecting the leader, he was privy to classified missions, infiltrators, and disguised operatives—everything. In other words, Goo Yang-hoo had known about Jang Geon even before becoming leader.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Goo Yang-hoo's ascension was thanks to the previous leader's unwavering trust. When it came to the North Heaven Alliance, Goo Yang-hoo knew far more details than even the high-ranking officials did.
"Barely won? Or..."
Grasping the intent of the question, Woo Tae-jeong replied curtly.
"Overwhelmingly."
"Age?"
"Twenty-two."
"Young. Weapon?"
"Sword seems primary. Didn't draw it from the start."
"Sect?"
"Snow Mountain Baek Family. Ever heard of it?"
"Snow Mountain Baek Family?"
Gazing down at the pond, Goo Yang-hoo crossed his arms and replied.
"Snow Mountain Baek Family... Rings a bell. I pride myself on a good memory, but it's fuzzy. Must've been something someone mentioned in passing."
"Is that so? I asked around, but no one knew."
"I'll ask the elders later if they do."
"Understood."
"Anyway... If he beat Jang Geon, he's got real talent."
Turning his back, Goo Yang-hoo glanced over his shoulder and issued an order to Woo Tae-jeong.
"Execution Hall Leader."
"Yes."
"Compile a rough list of everyone in the main alliance who could overwhelmingly defeat Jang Geon in a spar. Include elders, those dispatched out... everyone from combat units and beyond."
"Understood."
"Once it's done, bring it and that Baek Moo-jin to me. I'll meet him personally."
"Understood. Anything else...?"
"No."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Alone now, Goo Yang-hoo silently gazed at the serene pond, thinking.
'Twenty-two and already beat a First Grade Warrior... Faster than my own record.'
3.
After filling his belly, Baek Moo-jin slipped out of the main hall alone and grabbed a passing young maid, asking out of the blue.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, Warrior Baek."
"I'd like to see a mirror."
"A mirror? There's a small shared one. Shall I fetch it?"
"Later, please."
"Yes."
"Oh, and is there somewhere I can be alone for a bit? A training ground would be ideal..."
"Shall I show you to the annex out back? It's called an annex, but it's spacious enough—people often train their martial arts there solo. Should be empty now."
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
The maid walked ahead, then suddenly stopped and turned to Baek Moo-jin.
"But, Warrior Baek?"
"Yes."
"Feel free to speak casually. Call me So-ah."
Baek Moo-jin replied so naturally it startled her.
"So-ah? Alright, I will."
"Ah, yes."
Baek Moo-jin looked at So-ah, who blushed for no reason and hurriedly turned away, walking briskly ahead.
Arriving at the annex So-ah showed him, Baek Moo-jin thanked her and entered alone. But he quickly poked his head out again and called her.
"Oh, So-ah."
"Yes."
"If Seo Moon-hyung or Joo-hyung come looking, tell them you don't know."
So-ah smiled brightly and replied, "Got it."
"Thanks. Oh, and there's a mirror inside. No need to bring one."
"Understood. Rest well."
"Sure."
As So-ah left, Baek Moo-jin muttered to himself.
"Not here to rest..."
The annex had plenty of space for sword practice. It was impeccably clean, as if swept daily. A mirror—the one he'd requested from the maid—hung on one wall.
Baek Moo-jin stood before it, staring at his face. Seo Moon-geuk's words came to mind.
'Baek-hyung, you get in a good mood after a spar. Your complexion brightens, and it shows plainly on your face.'
The bronze mirror didn't reflect colors vividly. Even so, Baek Moo-jin's skin was whiter than most women's.
'I thought I was expressionless, but he saw that in my face?'
Maybe Seo Moon-geuk was just unusually perceptive. It was a tiny detail, but Baek Moo-jin dwelled on it.
Staring into the mirror, he examined his expression.
'Won't let it show next time.'
Besides, getting excited and showing it after beating someone wasn't proper for a warrior's mindset.
Next, he checked his damp shoes.
He resolved to be careful with both mindset and appearance. Things he never considered during solo training. Walking back to the center, Baek Moo-jin prepared to review the spar, replaying the events.
But he began imagining different scenarios.
'What if enemies multiplied in that moment...'
'What if spectators ambushed...'
'What if hidden weapons flew from behind...'
Baek Moo-jin added variables to the situation he'd faced.
Raw power and real-world experience were worlds apart. In this quiet space, recalling his bout with the First Grade Warrior, Baek Moo-jin began his own earnest training.