Chapter 238
Chapter 238
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 65
>Chapter Title: Guard Division Selection Neglect (6)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Soon after, the internal energy measurements for all the cadets were complete.
“Hmm.”
Surveying the number of passers and failures, Sixth Division Commander Chae Ho-seong raised an eyebrow and let out a faint grunt.
Out of a total of 103, there were 37 failures.
That left 66 passers.
Far more had passed the internal energy test than in last year’s selection process.
‘This is unexpected.’
During that time, Chae Ho-seong had participated as a deputy supervisor.
Back then, there had only been 48 passers, but this time the number was much higher.
It meant this cohort was relatively stronger overall.
“Intriguing, isn’t it?”
His remark drew nods of agreement from the six commanders of the Six Divisions standing below the platform.
Exceptional cadets had appeared now and then in the past.
But this group was something else entirely.
Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard had produced two cadets with skills at the commander level or higher.
‘Mok Kyung-un, Joo Un-hyang.’
The two stood out distinctly.
Neither had been expected to shine, yet both had concealed remarkable prowess.
And since neither was an internal appointee, they were now prime candidates for top honors in the Guard Division selection—zhuangyuan and bangyan spots.
While Chae Ho-seong and the other commanders shared similar assessments, only Sixth Division Commander So Ye-rin fixed her gaze on one person.
Mok Kyung-un.
‘...He feels dangerous.’
If she were the chief supervisor, she would have found any excuse to disqualify him.
But she quickly suppressed the thought.
She hadn’t joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard for wealth, glory, or loyalty to the nation anyway.
As long as he didn’t stir up direct trouble, there was no reason to care.
Sixth Division Commander Chae Ho-seong addressed the passers of the internal energy test.
“To those who passed the first stage of the selection process, congratulations.”
“Waaaaah!”
The passers erupted in cheers at his words.
Joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard— the emperor’s elite personal guard—was the greatest honor and glory imaginable.
As the cheering crowd quieted under Chae Ho-seong’s gesture for silence, he continued.
“But the real test begins now. From this point, we will conduct the full one-month Embroidered Uniform Guard selection process.”
The passers focused intently.
This was the explanation of how things would proceed.
“Before the second stage, over the next five days, we will teach the essentials: binding techniques like the Capturing Hand, and basic formations unique to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. There will be no eliminations here.”
The passers breathed sighs of relief.
At least they had five days of breathing room.
Chae Ho-seong smirked at their reaction and pressed on.
“Don’t get too comfortable. Over the remaining month, during your probationary period as Embroidered Uniform Guard apprentices, we will score you continuously and weed out failures.”
“What?”
“Ongoing eliminations?”
The cadets’ faces darkened in a rainbow of dismay.
Excluding just those five days, they’d have to stay on edge constantly.
One cadet, listening silently, raised a hand.
“You mentioned a probationary period as Embroidered Uniform Guard apprentices. How exactly will that work?”
His question stirred murmurs among the others.
No one had heard of a probationary period before.
Chae Ho-seong replied.
“This cohort is lucky.”
“What do you mean?”
“At least before facing elimination, you’ll get a chance to tour the palace interior and experience what the Embroidered Uniform Guard does firsthand.”
The cadets buzzed with excitement.
They hadn’t realized probation meant actual hands-on experience.
Some couldn’t hide their thrill.
‘Of course they’re excited. Chances like this are rare.’
The probationary setup for this selection had come straight from the commander’s suggestion.
It had passed muster with both the southern and northern advance guards.
Testing practical skills through probation wasn’t a bad idea.
Unlike the eager cadets buzzing with anticipation for fieldwork, a glint of interest sparked in Mok Kyung-un’s eyes for entirely different reasons.
‘Just as Mara-hyeon said.’
It matched what the masked Embroidered Uniform Guard commander Mara-hyeon had mentioned.
That meant his promised chance to reach the underground Golden Prison might come sooner than expected.
This was the perfect opportunity.
Chae Ho-seong hadn’t finished yet, so he continued.
“Do you now understand why commanders from each of the Six Divisions are here as deputy supervisors? It’s to rotate you through each division, five days at a time, over the month.”
“Oooooh!”
Cheers rippled from the cadets’ mouths.
They would get experience in every division, not just one.
The Frontline Division—handling inner palace duties—was the top choice, where one could rub shoulders with royals and the inner court staff. Everyone coveted spots there.
‘Enjoy it while you can.’
‘Pathetic fools.’
‘They have no idea hell starts now.’
The commanders from each division smirked inwardly at the reactions.
Sure, it was a chance to experience the divisions, but it could become the harshest selection process ever, with the highest elimination rate.
Scores would be assigned under constant supervision, leading to a stream of dropouts.
“Before the five days of basic training, I’ll assign teams to your first probationary division.”
“Already?”
“This is intense.”
“Please, Frontline Division!”
“I want Elite Division!”
The announcement that teams for the Six Divisions were already set filled everyone with eager anticipation.
Who wouldn’t wonder where they’d start?
The most coveted were naturally the Frontline Division for inner palace duties, the Intelligence Division as another Embroidered Uniform Guard pillar, and the Elite Division under the peerless beauty Sixth Division Commander So Ye-rin, known as the Guard’s ice flower.
‘They’ll rotate through all divisions in order anyway, so it’s just playing both ends against the middle.’
Mok Kyung-un mused to himself amid their hopes.
It didn’t matter much where they started—good or bad.
The structure ensured they’d apprentice everywhere eventually.
The second exam ultimately judged how well they adapted to assignments and demonstrated excellence as future Embroidered Uniform Guards.
‘The Golden Prison handlers are the Prison Division, right?’
Of course, he hoped for Prison Division first.
It would shorten the timeline.
And,
‘I hope the teams split up.’
He especially wanted teams separated from Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak.
They had sworn loyalty, but strictly speaking, they belonged to the Heaven-Earth Society.
Whether they’d blindly follow orders conflicting with the society’s interests remained questionable.
Chief Supervisor Sixth Division Commander Chae Ho-seong spoke again.
“Teams are assigned based on internal energy test rankings. The commanders here have placed you in divisions at their discretion—no complaints allowed. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!!!”
Team assignments began.
Frontline Division Commander Hwa Yeong-in stepped up first and called the first team.
“Cadet Namgung Cheonghyeon.”
At the first name, Namgung Cheonghyeon—who had remained impassive—twitched the corner of his mouth.
He too had favored the inner palace Frontline Division.
Mong Mu-yak, who had sidled up next to Seop Chun, whispered.
“It might be because Namgung Clan’s Namgung Hye, Namgung Cheonghyeon’s sister, is an imperial consort.”
“Consort?”
“Yes. The Namgung Clan has long had ties with high officials, and they apparently got the clan head’s daughter into the palace early through those connections.”
“I see.”
Hearing this explained Namgung Cheonghyeon’s reaction.
He was probably thrilled at the early chance to see his sister.
Starting with Namgung Cheonghyeon, the first team members were called one by one.
“Yahoo!”
“Frontline Division from the start!”
“Lucky!”
Those assigned to Frontline Division right away cheered uncontrollably.
The inner palace division, guarding the emperor and royals, was clearly the dream posting for every aspiring Embroidered Uniform Guard.
‘Good thing I dodged Frontline Division.’
Unlike them, Mok Kyung-un had zero interest.
He wanted only the Prison Division with its underground Golden Prison.
‘Rankings-based, so with third-place Namgung Cheonghyeon in Frontline, I shouldn’t end up there.’
Five divisions left—20% odds.
But then came an unexpected call.
“Cadet Mok Kyung-un.”
‘Huh?’
His name followed.
Mok Kyung-un raised his hand without showing surprise.
“With this, first team for Frontline Division is complete.”
‘!?’
Mok Kyung-un furrowed his brow.
Rankings considered, the top six shouldn’t overlap at all.
Yet third-place Namgung Cheonghyeon and first-place him on the same team? It didn’t add up.
Unless he was seventh—but he wasn’t.
Mok Kyung-un stroked his chin.
‘...This isn’t random.’
Raising an objection wouldn’t change divisions, so despite his suspicions, he stayed silent.
First team calls ended.
66 cadets made exactly 11 per team.
“Next, second team.”
Surveillance Division Commander Si Woo-ryang stepped forward.
The Surveillance Division handled checks and guards for inner and outer palace areas.
It offered contact with countless palace officials.
“Cadet Seop Chun.”
Seop Chun was called first.
As teams split, Seop Chun gave Mok Kyung-un a regretful look.
“Too bad. Same team might’ve gotten us to ‘that place’ faster.”
Mok Kyung-un smiled wordlessly.
Seop Chun had realized the probation sped up chances for the underground Golden Prison.
But going together would hinder carrying out the arachnid lord’s secret orders.
This was better.
“Cadet Geum Jong-hyeon.”
Next was fourth-place Geum Jong-hyeon from the internal energy test.
His expression soured at the call.
Like Namgung Cheonghyeon earlier, he seemed displeased at teaming with Heaven-Earth Society rookie Seop Chun.
“Tsk tsk. Knows who’s in for it.”
As a Righteous Alliance disciple from Jongnam Sect, he wasn’t thrilled with Seop Chun either.
The rest of second team followed.
Unlike first team’s Frontline cheers, these cadets showed little joy.
“Next, third team.”
Intelligence Division Commander Oh Mu-gi called names.
Many favored intelligence work, drawing pleased reactions.
Third team included Mong Mu-yak and nine others.
“Next, fourth team.”
Prison Division Commander Mak Myeong-ho stepped up.
Cadets flinched at the sight.
Five of the Six Divisions had fans to varying degrees, but not Prison.
‘Golden Prison handlers.’
Prison Division managed all palace prisons and inmates.
Its notorious spot: the underground Golden Prison.
Housing traitors to monstrous central plains villains, overseen by the Six Divisions’ Prison Division—everyone dreaded it.
‘Please not me.’
‘Not Golden Prison first.’
All prayed to skip Prison Division.
Prison Division Commander Mak Myeong-ho spoke.
“Cadet Joo Un-hyang.”
‘Yes!’
‘Score!’
A few cheered inwardly.
Hwasan Sect’s Yeom Gyeong and Wi Bu-cheong among them.
Joo Un-hyang apparently had more enemies than he seemed.
‘Too bad.’
Mok Kyung-un clicked his tongue.
He’d wanted Prison first, but Joo Un-hyang got it.
‘No choice.’
Now he hoped for Prison next rotation.
“Pfft.”
Hwasan Sect’s Yeom Gyeong openly snickered at Joo Un-hyang.
Others might not know, but Yeom Gyeong loathed him for a reason.
At a Daoist sect gathering, before luminaries from Hwasan, Gongdong, and Jongnam, Joo Un-hyang had humiliated him.
‘Damn bet.’
That wager earned Joo Un-hyang genius status while he got called a dunce.
Yeom Gyeong despised him since.
He just wanted him to fail—and now, assigned to dreaded Prison Division at the start? He nearly cheered aloud.
‘Golden Prison is hell even for Embroidered Uniform Guards. Bad luck from the jump, Joo Un-hyang.’
Yeom Gyeong smirked openly.
Then Prison Division Commander Mak Myeong-ho called the next.
“Cadet Yeom Gyeong!”
‘!?’
Yeom Gyeong’s face twisted instantly.
‘Damn it!’
He’d been mocking moments ago—now this bolt from the blue?
“Wh-why me?”
Unable to accept, Yeom Gyeong raised his hand.
Mak Myeong-ho scowled and raised his voice.
“I said no objections to team assignments.”
“But...”
“Cadet Yeom Gyeong. That’s a penalty point already.”
“Huh?”
“Best to warn you now: three penalty points from us deputy supervisors during probation means immediate elimination and demotion to Guard Division trainee. Got it?”
Yeom Gyeong seethed inside.
Who’d imagine objecting would deduct points instantly?
“Any complaints?”
“N-no, sir.”
Arguing more would hurt him.
Stuck with penalties and the worst team, Yeom Gyeong ground his teeth, cursing Commander Mak Myeong-ho inwardly.
After fourth team, one watched regretfully.
Wi Bu-cheong, disciple of Evil Silent Sword Gwi Sa-man, sixth lord of the Evil Alliance.
‘Tch.’
He’d hoped to team with Joo Un-hyang.
To sabotage his Embroidered Uniform Guard dreams—or worse.
Wi Bu-cheong soon shook his head.
‘Nah, doesn’t matter.’
No need for same team.
A faint killing intent flickered briefly in his eyes toward Joo Un-hyang.
* * *
That afternoon, after teams were set, basic Embroidered Uniform Guard training began.
Unlike Guard Division trainers, these were proper Embroidered Uniform Guard instructors.
The 66 first-stage passers were arbitrarily assigned to barracks there.
Late evening after training,
Cadets scattered through the Embroidered Uniform Guard training grounds.
Post-dinner was free time.
Rest in barracks or use private training rooms—either fine.
But most chose training rooms over rest, steeling for the selection ahead.
One empty barrack.
-Swish!
The door to a pitch-black room—not even a lamp lit—creaked open silently.
Someone slipped in cautiously through the narrow gap.
Faint moonlight from the window revealed his face.
Wi Bu-cheong, disciple of Evil Alliance’s sixth lord, Evil Silent Sword Gwi Sa-man.
‘No one here, as expected.’
Wi Bu-cheong grinned.
He’d guessed they’d all be in private training rooms—including his target.
Scanning the four-man room, his eyes landed on luggage by one bunk’s table.
He smirked coldly.
‘Found it.’
Locating his target’s spot, Wi Bu-cheong drew something from his bosom.
Tiny, razor-sharp needles.
Taking a few barely visible ones, he approached the wooden pillow by the bunk and began inserting them.
“Heh heh heh.”
He stifled laughter, savoring it.
Imagining the owner lying down to sleep, excitement surged.
Once those needles pierced neck or scalp, everything would go perfectly.
Lost in delighted fantasy, Wi Bu-cheong turned to leave.
But then,
“The one I was waiting for doesn’t show, and instead some rat sneaks in.”
-Flinch!
Someone now leaned against the doorframe.
Wi Bu-cheong, staring in shock, gasped.
“You... Mok Kyung-un?”
It was Mok Kyung-un at the door.
Wi Bu-cheong couldn’t hide his inner panic.
He’d checked the room empty before entering, and planting the needles, he’d sensed no presence.
How was this guy here?
Mok Kyung-un sniffed the air, then spoke.
“Giltweed root, triple leaf herb, scorpion lily root, poppy dried in earthworm venom... You prepared something fun.”
‘!?’
Wi Bu-cheong’s eyes bulged.
He didn’t know the exact poisons on the needles.
Just that,
[With slow-penetrating toxins plus hallucinogenic poppy, it’ll erode the brain bit by bit, driving madness.]
That much.
He hadn’t expected poppy named aloud.
But worse: he’d identified the ingredients.
‘How?’
How could he distinguish scents on those tiny needles from this distance?
Impossible without sniffing right up close.
But that wasn’t the priority.
Someone had caught his act—disaster.
Wi Bu-cheong tried to stay calm and defuse.
“Hey, easy now.”
“Easy about what?”
“This isn’t bad for you. We’re all rivals, but Joo Un-hyang’s your biggest headache.”
The bunk belonged to Joo Un-hyang.
Wi Bu-cheong figured Mok Kyung-un would bite.
“Deal with him, and no one in Guard Division selection can rival you.”
“Hoo.”
He got a reaction.
Not an idiot—he’d see the gain.
Might even let it slide.
“I set the board. Just look the other way, and we’re good.”
“Pretend you saw nothing. Right?”
Wi Bu-cheong grinned.
“Exactly. Knew we’d click. But staying here’s awkward, so I’ll head out and...”
-Swish!
Mok Kyung-un vanished from the door.
Wi Bu-cheong whipped around in alarm, but Mok Kyung-un now stood by Joo Un-hyang’s bunk.
‘When?’
He hadn’t seen it, even watching.
As panic set in, Mok Kyung-un extended his palm toward the wooden pillow.
The inserted needles pulled free, floating midair.
“Air snatch?”
He’d known Mok Kyung-un’s energy was advanced from stage one, but this profound?
Sensing trouble, Wi Bu-cheong lunged for the door.
But before he could,
-Pak!
Mok Kyung-un had grabbed his hair, yanking back.
“Gah!”
Pain nearly drew a scream, but
“Shh. Gotta be quiet.”
Mok Kyung-un warned.
Flustered, Wi Bu-cheong blurted to Mok Kyung-un.
“Wh-what’s your deal?”
“Dunno.”
“Dunno? This benefits you too. Just ignore it—why...”
-Grip!
“Krrk!”
Before he finished, Mok Kyung-un yanked harder, leaning in with a smile.
“Truth is, I don’t care what you do.”
“D-don’t care? Then why?”
“Problem is, folks who taste blood once don’t stop at one go.”
“No, that’s...”
“No need to explain. I get it.”
“You too? What?”
“Once you taste blood, you can’t stop craving more.”
‘!?’
With that, Mok Kyung-un’s lips curved ear to ear.
Wi Bu-cheong’s pupils shook wildly at the malice-filled face.
< 65화 시위부 무시 (6) > End