Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 73
>Chapter Title: Death Line Division (3)
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The cadets watching from around them began to murmur.
Just moments ago, when Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol had pressured Joo Woon-hyang with his internal energy, the atmosphere had been oppressively heavy and cold.
But then, one of the cadets had intervened midway, changing the situation entirely.
Even Heavenly Protector Mok Myeong-ho, the second-in-command of the Death Line Division, had been too afraid of Division Chief Im Gyu-wol to touch him. No one had expected an apprentice cadet in the midst of the Imperial Guard selection to step forward in such a moment.
'What the hell? That guy?'
'Grabbing Sixth Heavenly Protector's arm? Is he insane?'
'Does he want to fail the selection exam that badly?'
Those who thought this were the cadets ranked in the lower brackets from the preliminary round.
'What? Did he just withstand Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's energy right now?'
'......I didn't think this guy had that deep of internal energy?'
Disciples from the Volcanic Sect like Yeom Gyeong, or the top-ranked cadets, couldn't hide their inner surprise at the sight of Cadet Bae Ji-seok—who had only been mid-tier—enduring Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's pressure.
Of course, the real Bae Ji-seok couldn't have done it.
Inside that face's shell was a completely different person.
It was Mok Kyung-un.
'!?'
Thanks to him, Joo Woon-hyang escaped Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's internal energy pressure. Frowning, she lifted her head and stared at Mok Kyung-un, who wore Cadet Bae Ji-seok's face.
Their statuses as cadets in different divisions meant they had never crossed paths or spoken.
Even during training right before becoming apprentices, it had been the same.
Yet,
'......This is weird.'
Joo Woon-hyang felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
It felt somehow familiar, despite the different face and voice.
'No way?'
Joo Woon-hyang eyed Mok Kyung-un's face suspiciously.
It was right then.
-Kwak!
The grip of Mok Kyung-un's hand, which had been clutching Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's wrist, tightened even more.
'Huh.... This bastard?'
Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's expression hardened at the intensifying grip strength.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say this guy's energy now surpassed his own eight-star cultivation.
-Parr rr!
His wrist was trembling.
If they had been alone, he might have surged his energy and ended it right there.
But there were too many eyes on them now.
If he showed himself being pushed back in energy, his authority would crumble in the eyes of the apprentice cadets he was supposed to be testing.
'Damn it.'
Yet stopping here and saying something was awkward too.
After all, he was the one who had started it.
It was right then.
-Tak!
Mok Kyung-un, who had been gripping his wrist, suddenly released his hand. He clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and spoke politely.
"Indeed, I cannot withstand Sixth Heavenly Protector's energy. I apologize for interrupting the testing of another cadet midway. I only stepped in fearing the cadet under examination might get hurt, so please forgive me generously."
-Hic!
At Mok Kyung-un's actions, Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol's eyes sharpened.
'This damn bastard.....'
What a cunning fox.
He had nearly humiliated him, but not only did he withdraw at just the right moment—he even deliberately chose a path that preserved his face.
-Kkuk!
Im Gyu-wol clenched his fist, barely suppressing his anger.
Showing emotion here would ruin his dignity and leave him without justification.
Thus, he alternated sharp glances between Mok Kyung-un and Joo Woon-hyang standing side by side, then soon smiled nonchalantly.
"As expected of the cadets participating in this Imperial Guard selection—they say your skills are outstanding, and it's well deserved. Enduring my sudden internal energy test so well, and responding flexibly for the sake of a rival and comrade... I'm impressed."
"No, sir."
"My apologies."
Joo Woon-hyang and Mok Kyung-un answered simultaneously.
Im Gyu-wol then patted their shoulders with a magnanimous tone.
"I'll give you two special bonus points."
-Murmur murmur!
'Bonus points?'
'Was it really just a test?'
The cadets couldn't hide their envy at his words.
The atmosphere had been so tense they feared some disaster, but seeing Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol even award bonus points made it seem like he had truly been testing them on the spur of the moment.
On the other hand, Joo Woon-hyang inwardly clicked her tongue at Im Gyu-wol's handling ability.
'No wonder he rose to this position.'
He could have lost face by acting on emotion, but he was quite adept at navigating situations.
Of course, she figured his insides must be boiling furiously.
She thought she should be extra cautious around him for a while.
As expected, though Im Gyu-wol spoke with feigned magnanimity, he was grinding his teeth inwardly.
'I'll deal with you bastards later.'
"Then achieve good results over the next five days and join the Imperial Guard."
Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol withdrew, biding his time inwardly.
As he entered the Death Line Division headquarters, Joo Woon-hyang calmed her boiling qi.
Even though she had vented as much as possible, Im Gyu-wol's internal energy was a level above hers, so she had nearly suffered internal injuries.
'It could have been trouble if it dragged on longer.'
Fortunately.
If she hadn't properly assimilated the innate true energy that Sixth Heavenly Protector So Ye-rin had infused, it could have been disastrous.
As she settled her qi, Joo Woon-hyang turned to Mok Kyung-un wearing Cadet Bae Ji-seok's face and opened her mouth.
"You wouldn't happen to be......"
"Happen to be what?"
Joo Woon-hyang, about to ask something, soon stopped herself.
Instead, she simply expressed her gratitude.
"Thanks. I avoided internal injuries thanks to you stepping in."
"That's a relief."
At those words, Joo Woon-hyang's eyes narrowed.
The voice was deep, but that manner of speaking, that tone... it was definitely...
Just then, Heavenly Protector Mok Myeong-ho approached Joo Woon-hyang and Mok Kyung-un, speaking softly so only they could hear.
"I don't know the reason, but you've both essentially been marked by Sixth Heavenly Protector. Thanks to that, the next five days will be exhausting. I'll keep watch, but both of you, be as cautious as possible."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Mok Kyung-un and Joo Woon-hyang clasped their hands, bowed politely, and replied.
* * *
That night.
Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol personally prepared two maps.
Labeled "Golden Prison Battle Map," these depicted the paths of the underground Golden Prison.
The imperial palace's underground prison had been continuously expanded for hundreds of years, forming cave-like structures. Vast and dark, it was all too easy to get lost.
Thus, the Death Line Division's Imperial Guards carried these Golden Prison maps to avoid losing their way.
However, these maps were different from the usual ones.
'Heh.'
Relying on this map would lead them astray to unexpected places.
Especially to traps rigged with mechanisms.
'Now they'll learn why, for so long, not a single person except one has escaped unscathed from the imperial palace's underground Golden Prison.'
He wouldn't even need to dirty his own hands.
If they died wandering the underground Golden Prison, no explanation would be necessary.
'Joo Woon-hyang, Bae Ji-seok.'
He had nearly been humiliated because of those damn fools.
Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol curled his lips slyly.
The thought of them meeting their end while lost in the underground Golden Prison thrilled him uncontrollably.
Im Gyu-wol soon rolled up the two maps, tied them with red strings, and placed them among the nine maps.
He used red strings only for the ones meant for them.
Satisfied, he left his office and headed to his private quarters.
Those with command above Heavenly Protector rank received private quarters, and at Sixth Heavenly Protector level and above, they got rooms this luxurious.
-Tuk!
Hanging his outer robe on the rack, Im Gyu-wol lay on the bed in a good mood.
It was right then.
-Puk! Puk!
'Huhk!'
His back arched like a bow.
Something had pierced two points on his spine simultaneously—the pain was indescribable.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn't make a sound.
'Wh-what is this?'
Bewildered, he heard a clattering from under the bed.
Then, someone crawled out from beneath it.
Seeing the face of this shadowy figure, Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol could only be horrified.
'Bae Ji-seok?'
It was none other than Cadet Bae Ji-seok—no, Mok Kyung-un wearing his face.
Mok Kyung-un brought his lips to Im Gyu-wol's ear and whispered softly.
"Got tired waiting. Sixth Heavenly Protector."
-Hic!
'Th-this bastard? How the hell did he get in?'
Sixth Heavenly Protector Im Gyu-wol was utterly bewildered.
The Death Line Division headquarters was guarded by Escort Division warriors around the perimeter, and the quarters building was patrolled by the lowest-ranking Imperial Guards on rotation.
Had he slipped past them all?
'Fine, infiltration aside—how did he evade my senses? Did a mere cadet really surpass my cultivation?'
At his reaction, Mok Kyung-un chuckled.
"Nice expression."
With that, Mok Kyung-un lightly touched his bow-curved waist.
-Kuk!
'Kkuuuugh!'
Im Gyu-wol writhed in such agony that his pale face turned beet red.
Veins even bulged on his forehead.
'You son of a bitch!'
He genuinely wanted to tear Mok Kyung-un apart.
But when Mok Kyung-un pressed near his spine once more,
'Kwaaaaaah!'
Lightning-like pain shot through his entire body from the spine.
It was the first time in his life he'd felt such torment.
Even breathing properly was difficult.
"Hak! Hak! Hak!"
Cold sweat beaded on Im Gyu-wol's face.
Watching him with evident enjoyment, Mok Kyung-un curled his lips slyly and whispered in his ear when he had barely grown accustomed to the pain.
"I read an acupuncture book once. It said there's a forbidden acupuncture technique you shouldn't do carelessly. Know what it is?"
'H-how the hell would I know that crap?'
Unable to speak, Im Gyu-wol glared murderously at Mok Kyung-un.
Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly.
"Ah, right, forgot you can't answer. Nothing major—it's called vertebral acupuncture. It says even master physicians shouldn't carelessly needle the spine. If done wrong, the needles can burrow into the vertebrae, which is dangerous, apparently?"
'What?'
Im Gyu-wol's pupils shook at Mok Kyung-un's words.
But this was just the beginning.
"And the fun part? The pain intensifies so much you end up paralyzed from the waist down, never walking again."
'P-paralyzed?'
Im Gyu-wol felt like he was going mad.
The pain in his waist was too severe to dismiss.
Terrified, his face grew ever paler.
Mok Kyung-un whispered in his ear.
"I'm the overly cautious type, so I don't let it slide when someone harbors malice toward me."
-Kuk!
'Kkuuuuugh.'
As the needles dug deeper, Im Gyu-wol twisted in torment, unable to think straight.
Gazing at his suffering with delight, Mok Kyung-un waited until he adjusted somewhat, then brought something to his eye.
-Swsh!
'!?'
It was a sharp needle.
Holding it right before his eyeball, Im Gyu-wol couldn't help but panic.
What was he planning to do with this?
Curious, Mok Kyung-un explained.
"This needle belonged to someone—it’s coated in poison. Curious what kind?"
'Poison?'
Earthquake in Im Gyu-wol's pupils at the poisoned needle.
The tip wavering before his eyes was torment enough; poison on top made him feel insane.
To the terrified man, Mok Kyung-un smiled casually.
"Nothing special, but if it pierces the eyeball, the poison spreads fast to the brain, leaving your mind vegetable-like?"
'!!!!!!!'
Nothing special?
[Chapter 73: Death Line Division (3)] End