Chapter 143
Translator: penny
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Defying the Order
"Yes. Since we're at it, I'd like to spar with the most recent arrival."
The unit leader tossed a question at Namgung Chan, who exuded unwavering confidence.
"Hmm, the most recent arrival, you say... Is there a particular reason for that?"
"No special reason. It's just that beating a senior who's been rolling around here forever would be awkward for both sides... The newcomer seems like a better match."
A bold statement brimming with the assurance that he could defeat anyone.
But it was hard to make a big issue out of it.
Setting aside the mentalist argument that a martial artist needs confidence...
'In reality, that guy's skill level is enough to beat most people.'
Namgung Chan's realm had surpassed the early pinnacle stage, fully mastering the pinnacle realm.
He might not match the unit leader at the super pinnacle, but he was on par with the squad leaders commanding each unit.
The other squad members acknowledged it too, letting out only low groans without rebutting.
But,
"Sword Dragon, do I look like a fool to you?"
The unit leader's words were completely unexpected.
Namgung Chan looked at him in bewilderment.
"What do you...?"
"Do you think I don't know why you joined the White Tiger Unit? And yet you specifically want to fight that greenhorn? Everyone knows that kid's involved with the Sword Phoenix. How much of a pushover do you think I am to spout such nonsense?!"
Silence fell instantly.
Some didn't catch on, but over half the group seemed to grasp it.
'Tch, the leader's sharper than I thought.'
I figured it out right away as the person involved, but I hadn't expected him to catch on.
I'd been grinning at the thought of force-feeding some manners into Namgung Chan, so this felt a bit disappointing.
But while I was just mildly bummed, Namgung Chan must have felt like he'd been struck by lightning.
He hurriedly tried to make excuses.
"It's a misunderstanding. That's not what I meant at all..."
But the leader ignored him and turned to Wang Jeom.
"Three-Eyed Sword, I'm disappointed in you too! If you lose a fair spar like a man, accept it. Don't resort to such cowardly tricks?!"
By now, the aura of a super pinnacle expert rippled around the leader.
Wang Jeom, hit full force by the pressure, trembled and bowed his head.
"I-I'm sorry, Leader. I let my thirst for revenge blind me..."
Only then did the onlookers seem to catch on.
They might not know why Namgung Chan wanted to fight me, but they'd all seen Wang Jeom stirring trouble in the middle.
In the end, cracks formed in Namgung Chan's confident facade.
Leaving the frowning guy behind, the leader stepped forward.
"Listen up, White Tiger Unit! Deployment is right around the corner! Until then, all injury-risk spars are forbidden. Anyone who breaks this rule will answer to me, Hyeok Jongdae!"
No one replied.
It wasn't defiance; Hyeok Jongdae's presence alone had frozen everyone solid.
Of course, it had nothing to do with me.
'Whoa, so that's why everyone fears the leader.'
His ability to dominate the area was no joke.
He hadn't earned the White Tiger Unit leadership for nothing.
Hyeok Jongdae slowly scanned the squad members before turning back to Namgung Chan.
"Sword Dragon, you hear that too. I'll let this slide as a first offense, but pull another cheap stunt in front of me, and I'll break your limbs and ship you back to the Namgung family. Got it?"
He even dragged the Namgung family into it.
But with Wang Jeom already admitting guilt, Namgung Chan's options were limited.
"...Understood."
In the end, he retreated with a sour expression like he'd eaten shit.
Our eyes met by chance.
I didn't miss the moment, curling my lips up at him.
Smirk.
Infuriated by my manly grin, he ground his teeth and glared.
'This isn't half bad either.'
I regretted not thrashing him myself, but this flow had its own fun.
I could always discipline him later.
"What are you doing? Squad leaders, get training started!"
No one dared chime in under Hyeok Jongdae's command.
As everyone began dispersing,
Pfft.
I gifted him one last tiny sneer.
Training proceeded without further incident.
Namgung Chan glared at me murderously now and then, but just smirking back was enough.
That alone made him tremble with rage.
It was so amusing that today I glanced not just at Red Peak, but at Namgung Chan too.
Thanks to that, I got summoned by First Squad Leader Yang Dogun again.
"Sigh... Fine, I'll let it slide today. That guy must be getting on your nerves."
Yang Dogun had the wrong idea, but I didn't correct him.
No more nagging that way.
"Anyway, you've got it rough. Of all people, to get targeted by that jerk."
In the direction Yang Dogun nodded, a crowd had gathered.
White Tiger Unit members flocking to chat with Namgung Chan during break time.
I'd worried his initial massive whiff might isolate him, but the Namgung family backing and Sword Dragon title were powerful.
"What do you think? Manageable?"
"How's the Namgung family viewing recent events...?"
He'd erased all traces of the demon face he'd shown me, greeting everyone with a kindly smile.
'Tch, boring.'
Should've just let us spar outright.
Then the interrupter himself bellowed.
"Break's over! Fall in!"
"Fall in!"
Everyone shouted and rushed into formation.
I just mouthed it lazily while strolling over.
Yang Dogun glared midway, but since this was routine, he just shook his head.
And so the uneventful day wrapped up.
That's when it happened.
As usual, Moyong Hui came to meet me, but a welcome guest stood beside her.
"Huh? Lady Namgung?"
Namgung Chan’s sister, Namgung Sua, whom I'd drunk with recently.
She smiled warmly in greeting.
"Young Master Mok, long time no see."
"Yes, it's been a while."
To gauge the situation, I glanced at Moyong Hui.
But she hung her head like she'd done something wrong.
'What's going on?'
Her reaction made no sense.
If Namgung Sua was just here for her brother, no reason for that...
But my question was quickly answered by Namgung Sua.
"Young Master Mok must be busy lately. I suggested meeting up with Sister Hui several times, but she kept turning me down..."
News to me. I shot Moyong Hui a hurried look.
She avoided my eyes, refusing to lift her head.
'Hui-ah, something like that happened...?'
Namgung Sua continued before I could react.
"So I came myself this time. With my brother transferring to the White Tiger Unit, how about we all grab dinner tonight?"
I'd welcome it, but not sure about Namgung Chan.
Several suggestions, though...
'Eh, whatever. No point grilling her here.'
If it was Moyong Hui, I'd play along.
"Sorry, Lady Namgung. I've been swamped since arriving. But today's free, so let me treat you all as apology."
I had no intention of rejecting free fortune, though.
Even that moved Moyong Hui; she looked up with sparkling eyes.
Just as the mood warmed,
A saboteur appeared.
"Namgung Sua, what are you doing here?!"
Namgung Chan's voice dripped irritation.
His sister frowned slightly.
"Am I not allowed? Anyway, Brother, tonight with Young Master Mok and Sister Hui..."
I secretly hoped he'd refuse.
Better with two ladies and me.
But his response was wildly unexpected.
"Don't you remember me telling you not to hang with that filthy bitch?!"
I doubted my ears.
'Filthy... bitch?'
Not "guy," but "bitch."
And he wasn't looking at me—he eyed Moyong Hui.
'He's talking about my Hui right now?'
Moyong Hui gazed at him mournfully.
Namgung Sua scowled in anger.
"Brother, what did you just call Sister Hui?! Apologize right now!"
"Tch, uphold the Namgung family's dignity. You're acting like..."
My head burned hot; their argument dragged on.
The leader's morning words flashed by.
-Listen up, White Tiger Unit! Deployment is right around the corner! Until then, all injury-risk spars are forbidden. Anyone who breaks this rule will answer to me, Hyeok Jongdae!
Forbidding injury-risk spars.
No mercy for breakers.
'Fuck that.'
Before I knew it, my fist flew toward Namgung Chan's face.