Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Squad Leader - Mission, Intelligence (13)
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Things in Shaanxi were drawing to a close.
The demons, led by O Gang-ak, had been treated by warriors from the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect before departing under escort. The people of the Lesser Clan Manor, who had endured ceaseless hardship over the past month, were now gradually recovering and returning to their routines, one by one.
Mok Ri-won asked Dang Hwa-seo.
“Now, what will become of them?”
“Pardon?”
“I heard the manor lord of the Lesser Clan Manor has passed away. Along with the woman who was tricked by the Flame Demon into becoming his wife.”
“Ah, you meant that.”
Dang Hwa-seo relayed to Mok Ri-won everything she knew.
She spoke of how the manor lord’s half-brother lived in another region of Shaanxi, and when they contacted him, he replied that they should sell off the Lesser Clan Manor and divide the proceeds among the servants.
And how the site of the Lesser Clan Manor would be managed by the Murim Alliance for the time being.
Having heard it all, Mok Ri-won widened his eyes.
“That half-brother is truly remarkable. Normally, one would say they wanted to take over as manor lord themselves.”
“Indeed. He’s a rare virtuous man. I heard he actually got along quite well with the manor lord. He said he had many fond memories with the servants as well… and that he didn’t want to see them cast out onto the streets.”
It was a heartwarming tale, but thinking of those who had sacrificed in the process made it bittersweet all the same.
Mok Ri-won gave a wry smile and nodded.
“Then when do we return?”
“Probably within three days. There’s still a bit of business left with the local branch here.”
At those words, Mok Ri-won stealthily eyed Dang Hwa-seo.
Of course, he knew that this ‘business’ included the fallout from his own impulsive actions.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Wasn’t it something we all did together?”
“Even so. In the end, it started because of my stubbornness…”
“Young Hero Mok.”
Dang Hwa-seo cut off Mok Ri-won’s words.
She rose from her seat and went to his side.
He looked so dejected, pitiful even.
Despite having done the right thing, he was the first to check others’ reactions—hadn’t he been suppressing himself too much all this time?
With that thought, Dang Hwa-seo let out a soft chuckle and embraced Mok Ri-won.
She pulled his head to her chest.
“Little Sister…?”
Mok Ri-won flinched, his face flushing red.
His bewildered expression left his body rigid.
Dang Hwa-seo chuckled and stroked the back of his head.
“Yes, to be honest, it was dangerous. If something like this happens again, I’m not sure I’d take your side.”
“As expected…”
“But.”
Mok Ri-won’s eyes rolled toward Dang Hwa-seo’s face.
She smiled deeply.
“That doesn’t mean I regret today. We ran around on foot for the sake of justice, didn’t we? Without making excuses like ‘there was no choice.’”
She truly had no regrets.
Beyond anything else, there was the satisfaction of walking the righteous path without deceiving herself.
It was a choice without remorse.
“This was worth attempting. And it succeeded, too. So for now, just be happy about it.”
“Little Sister…!”
“As I said, I’ll take responsibility. As squad leader.”
Dang Hwa-seo pinched Mok Ri-won’s cheek.
Overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes shimmered.
“As expected, there’s no one but you, Little Sister!”
Mok Ri-won threw his arms around Dang Hwa-seo.
Startled, she straightened up with a jolt, but soon let out a ‘pfft’ and patted his back.
“Yes, yes. So now you need to cheer up.”
“Got it! I’ll muster all my energy!”
“And I’m saying it again: if something like this happens next time, I won’t necessarily help? I won’t let Young Hero Mok rush into reckless endeavors.”
“Yep! Got that too!”
In the makeshift squad leader’s office, Mok Ri-won’s spirited shout and Dang Hwa-seo’s laughter echoed.
The two, locked in embrace, didn’t separate for quite some time.
“Squad Leader Dang, are you….”
It was around the time Deputy Squad Leader Il-un came for a report.
At the sound of his approach, the two hurriedly pulled apart, but their faces were flushed red.
A situation that left even Il-un tilting his head in confusion.
Dang Hwa-seo couldn’t say a word.
Only belatedly did she realize that when Mok Ri-won had hugged her back, she’d secretly enjoyed how adorable he was.
Today, too, Dang Hwa-seo was wrestling with her own lascivious urges.
*
Three days passed.
Having wrapped up all remaining matters in Shaanxi, the Dragon-Phoenix Squad packed their belongings and exchanged farewells.
“Then take care!”
Those seeing them off were none other than the people of the Lesser Clan Manor.
Mok Ri-won said this to Seon-u at the front and smiled.
Seon-u bowed deeply, eyes shining.
“Thank you once again. Great hero! I’ll never forget this grace for the rest of my life!”
“You embarrass me.”
Mok Ri-won scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.
At that pure, handsome face, a few young women of the manor let out sighs of ‘Ah….’
The reaction was as ever.
Seon-u chuckled as he glanced at the servants, then asked Mok Ri-won.
“Will we meet again?”
He had received too great a grace.
As said before, it was one he’d never forget in his lifetime.
Rather than just holding onto gratitude, he wanted to repay it someday.
To grow splendidly and say, ‘Look at the one you saved—he’s done well.’
As Seon-u gazed at Mok Ri-won with such anticipation, Mok Ri-won smiled brightly.
“If fate brings us together again.”
The suave line, uncharacteristic of him, was of course borrowed from *Tales of the Jianghu Heroes*.
The squad members’ faces showed ‘Of course it is.’
But Seon-u, unaware of the book, let out an exclamation.
“If fate brings us…!”
He mulled over the words.
Meanwhile, Dang Hwa-seo spoke.
“Take care. If anything else happens, contact us through the Murim Alliance’s Shaanxi branch.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Then we’ll really be off. Take care.”
Dang Hwa-seo said this, turned, and patted Mok Ri-won’s shoulder.
Mok Ri-won waved grandly and turned as well.
Thus, the Dragon-Phoenix Squad began departing down the road.
Seon-u watched their retreating figures with flushed cheeks.
In his eyes burned no small admiration.
The sight of them upholding justice with smiles and departing without lingering was enough to ignite a spark in the boy’s heart.
“Mother….”
“Hm?”
“I have a dream now.”
Seon-u’s mother looked at him.
Seeing his face aflame with excitement, she burst into laughter and asked.
“What is it?”
“To be a hero of the jianghu.”
Seon-u clenched his fists tightly.
His gaze remained fixed on where the Dragon-Phoenix Squad had vanished.
‘The life the great hero saved. I want to make it meaningful.’
Once, he thought it was all over.
He thought he’d die in despair where not even an inch ahead was visible.
But no.
There was someone who extended a helping hand to a child with nothing, asking for nothing in return.
There were people with such warm kindness and courage.
Seon-u thought to himself.
He wanted to become like that, too.
And so he shouted.
“I want to be a hero of the jianghu!”
From this day, the boy’s dream became that of a jianghu hero.
*
The journey back from Shaanxi to Wuhuan in Hubei was lighthearted.
While the Dragon-Phoenix Squad finished their business there, rumors had spread ahead to every city they passed, boosting their fame even further.
How could a warrior not enjoy their name’s value rising?
How could they not delight at the word ‘hero’ attached to their name?
It was truly a joyful journey.
And even upon returning to the Murim Alliance and ending it, the pleasure only deepened.
“You’re back.”
“Yes! We’ve returned!”
At the Dragon-Phoenix Squad’s hall upon return.
Mok Ri-won sought out Yeom So-so first and called out beaming.
Yeom So-so chuckled heartily and said.
“I heard the stories. You did something amazing. Well done.”
Mok Ri-won blushed and chuckled.
Then Yeom So-so brewed a cup of tea and handed it to him, saying.
“So, will you tell me the details of what happened?”
“Ah, well, it started when we entered Shaanxi…”
Mok Ri-won’s chatter stretched on at length.
His excitement was so palpable that even listeners felt their moods lift.
From which moment what happened, and what emotions he felt then—Yeom So-so’s smile grew ever warmer as the tale unfolded in detail.
Once it all ended, Yeom So-so nodded and said.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It wasn’t hard at all! I was that proud!”
“Yes, but it was reckless.”
A pause.
Mok Ri-won’s body trembled.
Confusion crossed his face.
But it didn’t last long.
The meaning of Yeom So-so’s words was surely one the other squad members had heard ad nauseam.
Mok Ri-won smiled wryly and said.
“…I just thought my master wouldn’t have backed down in such a situation.”
“Mok would have indeed. But do you know? There’s a difference between Mok and you.”
Mok Ri-won tilted his head at Yeom So-so’s words.
“A difference…?”
“Strength.”
Yeom So-so’s smile was no longer purely warm.
“Do you know? Every moment Mok made his name in the jianghu, he was the strong one. Overwhelmingly so.”
Mok Ri-won’s mouth shut tight.
It wasn’t news to him.
Mok Seon-o’s debut in the jianghu had come very late.
He was already nearing forty, a middle-aged man, and by then his martial prowess had reached the Transcendent Realm.
No one in the jianghu of that time could harm him.
“As I said, this jianghu follows the law of the strong. The strong one’s words become law. The reason Mok could become such a great hero was ultimately because he was the strong one.”
“…You mean my strength is lacking.”
“Yes. Lacking by a wide margin. Impressive for your age, but the jianghu doesn’t go easy because you’re young.”
Mok Ri-won clenched his fist.
Infuriating.
As a warrior, it infuriated him, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.
“…I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Do you know why I’m saying this?”
“You judge that I’ve grown arrogant now.”
Mok Ri-won’s eyes had hardened with resolve.
Only then did Yeom So-so smile contentedly.
‘His head is sharp, that one.’
His actions seemed a bit dim, but his comprehension was excellent.
He grasped ten meanings from a single word.
Even saying this much was out of excessive worry, but Yeom So-so felt no need to continue.
‘He’ll grow up just fine on his own.’
Besides, even without her, Mok Ri-won had good comrades around him who’d give sound advice.
“Yes, I’ll stop nagging here.”
“Thank you for the guidance. I’ll refine myself further.”
“Good. By the way…”
Yeom So-so trailed off with a grin.
“…You did mess up, after all.”
“Yes.”
“White Cloud will summon you.”
White Cloud.
It referred to Spear Star Sa Baek-un, leader of the Murim Alliance.
Panic colored Mok Ri-won’s face.
Yeom So-so smiled playfully.
“It’s just the usual procedure, so no need to tense up. Though who knows what he’ll do, given his interest in you.”
What followed was a chuckle tinged with amusement.
“See if you can get through it well.”