HDCLSSRS Ch 146

Chapter 146 Awakening(2)

“…Whoever that person is, what of it?”

Yangha Pavilion’s master blinked in confusion, his expression that of a frightened child.

“That incident,” Seong Muyeon said quietly, “was when my father — the Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect — realized his own son’s incompetence. Because of that, no one dared to speak of it openly. Even within the sect, the matter was silenced. So if someone outside knows the details… it means they must have some kind of connection to the Demonic Sect.”

“…”

The pavilion master froze for a heartbeat — then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ha! Ridiculous! You expect me to believe that? That he would be a spy of the Demonic Sect? Absurd! Hahahaha!”

He clutched his stomach, laughing until his face turned red.

Muyeon’s expression hardened. The man’s amusement — loud, unrestrained, and misplaced — was beginning to grate on him.

“Then tell me,” he said coldly. “Who is this ‘he’ you’re talking about?”

“…The Young Master.”

The laughter stopped abruptly.

“…What?”

“It was Jegal Un, the Young Master of the Jegal Clan, who told me everything!”

“…!”

The pavilion master looked at their stunned faces and smirked triumphantly.

“See? Now you understand, don’t you? You wouldn’t dare accuse the great Young Master of the Jegal Clan of being a Demonic spy, would you? That’s preposterous! The heir of the great House of Jegal — what could he possibly lack that he’d need to consort with the likes of you?”

“T-that’s not…”

“Even if you call it the ‘Sect Leader’s scandal’ or whatever else, do you really think the brilliant House of Jegal couldn’t uncover such a trivial secret?”

“I… I suppose that’s true, but…”

Muyeon shook his head slowly. The tension drained from his face, replaced by reluctant relief. His earlier suspicion had clearly been overreaching. At least now, it seemed, the spy wasn’t someone as powerful as—

“Third disciple, Kang Ung!”

The door slammed open. Jang Hansu strode in, his expression thunderous.

“Y-yes, Dojang!” Kang Ung leapt up reflexively.

“From this moment, you will represent Mount Hua and defend the sect’s honor.”

“…Sir?”

Kang Ung blinked blankly, earning a sharp glare.

“Get your head straight!”

“Y-yes, sir! I’m sorry!”

“What’s going on?” Muyeon asked, stepping forward. “You said Kang Dojang will represent Mount Hua — what about the others?”

Jang Hansu’s tone was clipped, his face grim.

“We just received a report from a band of wanderers stationed outside. They claim to have spotted suspicious figures to the southeast. It’s likely a detached unit of the Ghost-Slaying Squad. We’ve been asked to confirm it. I’ll take command and lead all Mount Hua disciples — except Kang Ung.”

“All of them? Then what about the Spirit Seal?”

Jang Hansu’s frown deepened, impatience flickering in his eyes.

“There are still plenty of troops in the manor. Wudang has agreed to assist Jegal’s men in guarding the Spirit Seal. It’ll be fine for a while.”

Muyeon swallowed dryly. Something about the timing felt wrong. Why now — when half their forces had already marched to attack the Ghost-Slaying Squad? And why, of all groups, had Mount Hua been singled out?

“…Who issued this order?”

“It came from Young Master Jegal himself. Satisfied?”

Without waiting for a reply, Jang Hansu turned sharply, barking further orders to Kang Ung as he left.

When Muyeon turned back, he found both Bang Gyeom and Seomun Yuha staring after them, their faces equally tense.

“W-why those looks?” Yangha Pavilion’s master stammered. “You’re not seriously suggesting that he’s a spy, are you?”

“…”

“H-how dare you! Living under the Jegal Clan’s roof and daring to question the Young Master’s loyalty? Outrageous!”

“Quiet,” Yuha hissed, rolling his eyes.

The pavilion master instantly fell silent. Yuha sighed, pressing his fingers against his temple.

“Is it just me,” he muttered, “or does this feel wrong to anyone else?”

He lifted his gaze at last. “If — and it’s a big if — Jegal Un is the spy, or even if it’s someone else entirely, this would be the perfect setup to smuggle the Spirit Seal out.”

“B-but Wudang’s guarding it too!” the pavilion master stammered, now sweating. “They’d have to be insane to join hands with the Demonic Sect!”

“I’ll go talk to Dojang Jang,” Muyeon said firmly.

Outside, Mount Hua’s disciples were assembling in full armor, their aura sharp with anticipation. Muyeon spotted Kang Ung standing stiffly beside Jang Hansu, who was firing off a rapid barrage of instructions.

“What’s this about?” Muyeon asked, stepping closer. “Have you verified the wanderers who sent the request?”

Jang Hansu’s brows drew tight. “Why do you care? The order came directly from Jegal Un. He’s meticulous — not someone who acts carelessly.”

“…Good,” Muyeon murmured, though his tone said otherwise.

“Out with it,” Jang Hansu snapped. “If you’ve something to say, say it. We don’t have time for your riddles.”

“Wouldn’t it be wise to confirm again before leaving? What if this is a ploy to draw Mount Hua away? Even Jegal Un could make a mistake.”

“Oh, I see,” Jang Hansu said coldly. “You’re worried, aren’t you? Since Kang Ung’s the only one staying behind — no one left to protect you. Scared someone might attack while we’re gone?”

Muyeon’s eyes widened innocently. “Exactly. So how about you don’t go? If something happens while you’re away, poor Kang Dojang will be left alone to handle everything. You know how hard that boy’s worked — nursing his injured master and a useless freeloader like me?”

“…Do you have no pride?”

“It’s more surprising that you’re only realizing that now.”

Jang Hansu sighed sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Don’t patronize me. I know what I’m doing. We verified the wanderers and deemed their report credible. Wudang and Jegal are here guarding the Spirit Seal — they can handle it. If we don’t take care of the stragglers, they might regroup and ambush our main force. This is necessary.”

“Then I have nothing more to say,” Muyeon replied quietly.

“See that you don’t cause trouble. As you said, if you do, Kang Ung will be the one cleaning up after you.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Jegal Un stood afar, watching Mount Hua’s disciples march out in formation.

Muyeon and the others — Yuha, Bang Gyeom, and even the anxious Kang Ung — remained near the entrance, staring after Jegal Un’s retreating figure.

“…We should check on the Spirit Seal,” Muyeon murmured.

Kang Ung, slumping with exhaustion, looked up miserably.

“But if we do something reckless, and something happens, Dojang said I’d be held responsible…”

“What could I possibly do? I’m just going to look.”

Still, the boy’s eyes darted nervously. “I can’t leave my post. If there’s an attack, I need to be ready…”

“Then stay here,” Muyeon said. “Keep watch with the Pavilion Master. Seomun, Bang Gyeom — come with me.”

Both nodded immediately.

The Spirit Seal was stored in the underground vault beneath the central hall — the most heavily guarded location in the manor. Wudang and Jegal warriors patrolled the entrance, and beyond that lay a labyrinth of traps meant to kill intruders before they took another step.

The trio crossed the courtyard until the great hall came into view, standing tall and majestic as ever.

“Seems peaceful enough,” Yuha whispered.

The grand structure was silent, solemn as a temple.

Scanning the grounds, Muyeon spotted Jegal Un at the front, speaking to the guards — giving orders, it seemed, to tighten security even further.

Of course, Muyeon thought. There’s no way Jegal Un could be the spy.

The Jegal Clan had wealth, prestige, and influence beyond measure. What could they possibly gain from betraying the martial world?

He repeated that thought like a mantra, yet one unsettling memory gnawed at him: overhearing Jegal Un’s conversation with the clan head, learning that his position as heir was not secure.

And now, as Muyeon watched him finish speaking and walk off alone down a narrow path, a darker thought began to take shape.

What if Jegal Un wasn’t originally a spy… but became one?

What if he made a deal with the Demonic Sect — trading the Spirit Seal in exchange for securing his place as heir?

After all, the alliance’s mission was to annihilate the Ghost-Slaying Squad — not to protect the Spirit Seal.

And the Third Young Master… he’d sacrifice any pawn, any soldier, if it meant achieving his goal.