Chapter 193
Chapter 193
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 55
>Chapter Title: Test (3)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
“How about it? Wouldn’t you like to become this lord’s fourth disciple?”
‘!!!!!!!’
Every single person in the training grounds froze in shock at the leader’s words.
Just moments ago, they had all been worried that the overly aggressive sparring might lead to disaster.
‘A disciple? What’s this all about?’
Among them, the most striking reaction came from Mong Mu-yak.
As the vice leader’s son, his eyes widened as he alternated glances between the leader and Mok Kyung-un.
And for good reason. Mong Mu-yak, who took great pride in his swordsmanship, had one lifelong dream: to receive guidance directly from the leader.
-Clench!
Mong Mu-yak’s fists tightened.
Though his father’s influence had played a role, he had worked tirelessly since entering the inner residence to catch the leader’s eye.
Even after becoming one of the Five Tigers, hailed as the finest later-generation disciple in the Heaven-Earth Society, the leader had never once spared him a glance.
That was why this offer from the leader filled him with resentment—and burning jealousy.
‘Hah!’
In contrast, Seop Chun, another of the Five Tigers and captain of the main residence’s Third Guard Unit, reacted differently.
His gaze toward Mok Kyung-un was almost envious.
He felt the same jealousy, but inwardly, he had been impressed watching Mok Kyung-un endure the leader’s test.
‘What an impressive guy.’
Especially during the leader’s internal energy test, when his blood vessels ruptured in agony—yet he didn’t groan or show a hint of pain. That left a deep impression.
Seop Chun couldn’t help wondering how he would have fared in the same situation.
‘Is this the kind of vessel that rises to the top?’
He could see why the leader would covet such talent.
It was great news for Mok Kyung-un, but Seop Chun wondered if it was truly wise.
As far as he knew, hadn’t Mok Kyung-un just become the Dark Clan Leader’s disciple through the Blood Gorge Initiation Rite not even half a month ago?
Seop Chun glanced at the Dark Clan Leader, Hwan Ya-seon, with concern.
Naturally, having a disciple snatched away like this couldn’t feel good...
‘Is... is it okay?’
Contrary to his worries, the Dark Clan Leader’s expression was calm.
In fact, she had been fidgeting anxiously about her disciple’s fate until just now, but currently, her lips twitched as if trying to hide her excitement.
Seop Chun’s guess was spot on.
‘Ahhh. To think such an opportunity would arise.’
Any other executive would rebel against this situation.
It was only natural.
Who would welcome losing a disciple with such talent?
Of course, she felt a twinge of regret in that sense, but to the Dark Clan Leader, Mok Kyung-un was both her disciple and a follower of the Plum Blossom Cult.
For one of their own to become a disciple of the Heaven-Earth Society’s leader was the perfect chance for the Plum Blossom Cult to infiltrate the society’s core.
As the saying goes, the darkest place is under the lamp.
She believed Mok Kyung-un becoming the leader’s disciple would lay a strong foundation for the Plum Blossom Cult’s revival.
With that, the Dark Clan Leader, Hwan Ya-seon, nodded slightly toward Mok Kyung-un.
It meant: don’t worry about me.
“Leader!”
At that moment, Vice Leader Mong Seo-cheon interjected.
“What is it?”
“Please hold off for a moment.”
“Hold off? Are you questioning this lord’s authority?”
The leader’s tone carried clear displeasure, prompting Vice Leader Mong Seo-cheon to hurriedly clasp his hands and bow his head.
“That’s not it at all. If the society’s leader desires it, who could possibly object?”
“Then why bring it up?”
“It’s just a concern of mine.”
“A concern?”
“Yes.”
“Cough, cough. What exactly concerns you?”
In response to the leader’s question, Vice Leader Mong Seo-cheon carefully broached the subject.
“This boy, Mok Kyung-un, became the Dark Clan Leader’s disciple through the Blood Gorge Initiation Rite.”
“And?”
“Having multiple masters isn’t an issue in itself, but if you take him as your disciple, it changes the meaning. It would be forcibly taking another’s disciple.”
“......”
At those words, one of the leader’s eyes, visible through the bandages, narrowed.
He didn’t look pleased.
Yet Vice Leader Mong Seo-cheon pressed on, gauging the mood.
“Even if you seek the Dark Clan Leader’s permission and accept him, this could provoke backlash from the Elder Hall and the executives.”
“Backlash from the Elder Hall and executives? What nonsense is that?”
“All your previous disciples hail from renowned martial families loyal to our society. They’re the sons of those who contributed greatly since our founding.”
The leader scoffed at that.
He had already grasped what the vice leader was driving at.
“Are you saying his background is the problem?”
“Yes. No matter your decision, Leader, this will draw opposition from the Elder Hall and executives.”
“Opposition...”
“Though he’s sworn loyalty, he’s still a hostage from the orthodox sects. Accepting someone unproven and without solid merits as a disciple warrants reconsideration.”
At this, his son Mong Mu-yak nodded in agreement.
His father was right on this point.
Taking a hostage from the orthodox sects as a disciple would spark endless complaints, with people questioning the leader’s true intentions everywhere.
The leader hadn’t appeared publicly for so long due to illness; expecting no backlash at all would be naive.
-No.
As the vice leader opposed, another voice of dissent arose.
It was Cheong Ryeong.
The moment the leader made the offer, she flew into a rage and sent her objection to Mok Kyung-un.
-Ignore that bastard’s proposal! His clan toys with people through sweet talk. It could even be dangerous.
Mok Kyung-un found her agitation puzzling.
In truth, this was a golden opportunity.
It allowed direct communication with the leader, bypassing the other disciples.
Moreover, with the rift already formed with the eldest young master, Na Yul-ryang, becoming the leader’s disciple would strip him of any pretext to attack openly.
Under the leader’s protection, he could expand his influence.
Cheong Ryeong surely knew this was a prime chance.
Yet her vehement opposition suggested otherwise.
‘A grudge?’
He could tell from her voice alone how furious she was.
That confirmed it for Mok Kyung-un.
She harbored a blood-deep grudge, wishing for the Heaven-Earth Society’s destruction—but at its heart lay the leader.
More precisely, the previous leader.
Over a century, the prior leader would have died of old age.
Thus, to Cheong Ryeong, the entire bloodline bore that grudge.
‘She can’t tolerate entering the service of her enemy’s kin?’
That seemed to be her mindset.
Mok Kyung-un wasn’t accustomed to others’ emotions.
But he had experienced hatred firsthand when he lost his grandfather, so he understood her outburst.
However,
-Please calm down.
-Calm? This isn’t something to stay calm about. Even without becoming that fiend’s disciple, there are plenty of ways for you to avenge our grudge against him and this lord. Don’t fall for empty flattery.
-It’ll be too late otherwise.
-You, mortal!
-Cheong Ryeong.
-You insist on ignoring this lord’s advice and doing as you please again?
-Emotions are clouding your judgment.
-Nonsense! This lord is perfectly rational...
-This gives us official access to the leader. We can grow stronger under his nose, lulling him into complacency. You must see that much.
-......
Cheong Ryeong huffed without responding to Mok Kyung-un’s words.
Her grudge made it hard to contain her anger, but she recognized the logic in his argument.
-Think rationally. Isn’t this something to welcome?
-Welcome?
-Yes.
-You think this is enjoyable?
-Yes. It will be. Gaining his trust as his disciple, then plunging a dagger of betrayal into his heart—wouldn’t that be perfect for you, Cheong Ryeong?
-!!!!!!
Cheong Ryeong’s fury momentarily subsided at Mok Kyung-un’s excited tone, as if thrilled by the mere thought.
She had been consumed by hatred for his bloodline, wanting nothing more than to kill them.
But Mok Kyung-un’s words rang true.
‘Teach that fiend’s bloodline the meaning of betrayal?’
Yes.
The mortal was right.
Simply killing them wouldn’t satisfy.
She had to strip them of everything tied to him and make them taste the same anguish.
Only then could her century of resentment ease.
-Can you truly do that to him?
-If that’s what you want.
-......Then do as you wish.
Cheong Ryeong relented.
Mok Kyung-un’s lips twitched. He dropped to one knee, formed a fist salute toward the leader, and declared loudly.
“If the leader accepts me, how could I refuse such an honor? Please take me as your disciple!”
Vice Leader Mong Seo-cheon shook his head at Mok Kyung-un’s words.
“Please reconsider.”
Though he said that, Mong Seo-cheon was half-resigned.
The leader never retracted his words.
Throughout his arguments, the leader had eyed him with clear displeasure.
The outcome was already predictable.
He would push his will through regardless.
Then the leader spoke.
“Do you think this lord concerns himself with such trifles?”
‘Ahhh.’
As expected?
However,
The leader, about to continue, suddenly furrowed his brow and fell silent.
This lasted for a moment.
No one knew what caused it.
Soon, the leader resumed.
“......That said, the vice leader’s point has merit.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s sworn loyalty, but his background and merits aren’t fully verified. Backlash from the Elder Hall and executives is only natural.”
‘What?’
Suddenly, the leader was siding with him.
The man was capricious, but he rarely yielded his stance in such situations.
Why the change?
As he puzzled, the leader continued.
“However, this child is the sole successor to the Moon Sword Form.”
“......”
“That alone washes away any background issues. Don’t you agree?”
“......Yes.”
The Moon Sword Form.
He had overlooked it.
Few in the Elder Hall or among the executives knew, save a select few.
If word spread that Mok Kyung-un had mastered the long-lost Moon Sword Form after a century, it would cause a stir.
He had erred in judgment by not considering this.
Yet the leader pressed on.
“But this time, I’ll respect the vice leader’s opinion.”
“Pardon?”
“If he succeeds in this mission, his merits and loyalty will be proven. Agreed?”
“That is...”
“That is?”
“......You’re right, Leader.”
This mission was crucial.
Its success could determine the leader’s return to the front lines.
Thus, succeeding would merit recognition.
Moreover,
‘The imperial palace crawls with Justice Alliance scum. If he doesn’t seek their aid or attempt escape, it proves he’s truly one of us.’
His rapid growth and attitude were suspicious.
He could even poison the leader.
But if all conditions were met, accepting him as a disciple posed no issue.
It would be a boon for the society, gaining a prodigy.
However,
‘For safety, I should tell Mu-yak to keep an eye on him.’
He’d instruct his son, Mong Mu-yak, to watch him.
If any disloyalty surfaced, eliminate him swiftly.
The leader then turned to Mok Kyung-un.
“Did you hear?”
“Yes.”
“Complete this mission successfully. Do so, and I’ll accept you as my fourth disciple.”
“What mission?”
Mok Kyung-un asked, puzzled.
He had come here without prior details.
The leader chuckled dryly and nodded toward the vice leader.
“The vice leader will explain the mission.”
With that, he approached Mok Kyung-un and whispered.
“I hope you meet this lord’s expectations.”
He then turned with hands behind his back and left the training grounds.
Watching his retreating figure, Mok Kyung-un smacked his lips.
‘This is a hassle.’
He had thought he could become the disciple immediately.
That would’ve let him uncover Ghost Sword secrets quickly, but nothing came easy.
No choice but to undertake this mission.
Only then could he become the fourth disciple.
* * *
-Step, step!
As the leader walked the corridor, he pressed a palm to the wall and coughed violently.
“Cough, cough.”
The fit lasted longer than usual.
Beside him, someone who had been hiding emerged from the shadowed alcove.
“You’ve overexerted yourself.”
“Feels like it’s been ages.”
The leader wiped blood from his lips.
The boy exceeded expectations, forcing him to draw deeper on his vital energy—a considerable strain.
The figure moved to support the leader, who leaned against the wall.
The leader shook his head.
“No need.”
“But...”
“No need for fuss. This lord knows his own body best.”
“Understood.”
The man in the shadows bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
The leader suddenly recalled something and asked.
“By the way, what was that earlier? You said you’ve seen him before?”
He had reluctantly postponed accepting the disciple due to the transmitted message urging him to wait.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have entertained the vice leader’s objection.
The shadowed figure replied.
“......I’m not certain.”
“Not certain?”
“He resembles him, but his identity, name—everything differs too much.”
“Resembles? Who?”
“Cough, cough.”
The leader coughed harshly and staggered.
The man rushed forward to support him.
In the lantern light, the man’s face emerged from shadow: a middle-aged warrior with a long scar above his left eyebrow, gripping a blackened sword like charred wood in his right hand.
Supporting the leader, he answered the earlier question.
“The Sickle Murder Ghost.”
“Sickle Murder Ghost? Who’s that?”
It was an unfamiliar moniker to the leader.
The man spoke in a meaningful tone.
“A ghost who should have died.”
[Chapter 55 Test (3)] End
ⓒ Han Jung-wol-ya