HDCLSSRS Ch 140

Chapter 140 Gift(1)

“Of course I came along with the support unit.”

“He insisted on following us so stubbornly that I almost lost my temper.”

At that moment, Sanggeol, who had just arrived at his quarters, overheard their conversation and spoke sharply before disappearing straight into his room.

“Hehe… You have no idea how boring Mount Hua is without you, Young Master! I nearly died of it! It’s just training, and more training, and more training…”

Despite the scolding he must have endured all the way there, Seomun Yuha laughed brightly, utterly carefree.

Seong Muyeon shook his head helplessly, though the corner of his lips curved up despite himself.

Kang Ung eyed Seomun Yuha warily.

“Hard training is something every swordsman must endure to become great. It’s not something you do for fun.”

“Who said I was talking to you? I wasn’t even addressing you, Dojang.”

“…What did you just say?”

The two of them, being about the same level of maturity, clashed every time they met. Even after a long time apart, they were back to baring their teeth at each other like quarrelsome cubs.

At that moment, Seong Muyeon’s gaze met Jegal Un’s. The latter had just finished his duties and was about to leave.

Though he hadn’t been present during the chaos of the previous day, he had undoubtedly heard reports of what had happened.

Given Jegal Un’s usual attitude toward him, Seong Muyeon thought this was the perfect opportunity for him to make trouble.

Yet Jegal Un’s face betrayed no emotion at all.

Just as Seong Muyeon began to feel uneasy, Jegal Un turned briskly and disappeared from sight.

Mount Hua’s disciples were assigned to a vacant annex nearby, but Sanggeol found it dissatisfactory.

“The Jegal family is trying to act as the natural commanders here. What does that young pup know about leadership?”

With Mount Hua’s arrival, a temporary alliance was formed—comprised of the Jegal family, the Wudang Sect, and several smaller factions native to the region, as well as wandering swordsmen eager to lend their strength. The coalition grew larger by the hour.

Among them, Mount Hua stood as one of the most formidable sects in both size and prestige. Naturally, their voice carried great weight. Because of this, Seong Muyeon had hoped that they would soon recover Seong Mujae.

But Sanggeol shook his head firmly.

“It’s undeniable that our Mount Hua bears some responsibility for this incident. Because of us, Wudang has lost a precious disciple. We are here to answer for that failure and to punish those who have disturbed the order of the martial world.”

His voice grew heavier.

“The alliance will have no interest in the life or death of the Sixth Young Master. From what I can tell, it’s already highly likely that he’s dead. You should give up.”

The cold words made a soft sound of grief rise from a corner of the hall. Bang Gyeom, who had been sitting quietly in the shadows, had his face buried in his hands, overcome by sorrow.

Sanggeol clicked his tongue as if to say, “What now?” and turned his attention back to Seong Muyeon.

“In any case, there’s no reason for you to remain here any longer. You’d best return. Lurking around will only breed resentment.”

“But… what about the Spirit Seal? The Yakseon told me that, in exchange for making the medicine, I had to retrieve it.”

At Seong Muyeon’s question, Sanggeol’s brow furrowed in irritation.

“Surely you’re not implying that Young Master Jegal intends to steal it? The Jegal family is an honored lineage, defenders of this land. Don’t judge them by your shallow standards. The Yakseon won’t mind waiting a little longer.”

There was no arguing with that. In truth, Seong Muyeon was perhaps the most unnecessary person in the manor—hardly more useful than Bang Gyeom.

“You said the Third Young Master planted spies here? No matter. No one could breach the Jegal family’s defenses anyway.”

Seong Muyeon sighed deeply.

Baek Ryeoil, who had been silently observing him, suddenly spoke up.

“Seong Muyeon will stay here.”

“What? Who gave you the right to decide that? The Sect Leader entrusted command to me! You are to obey my orders!”

“I’m not challenging your authority, Elder. But if Seong Muyeon leaves, the Ghost-Slaying Corps will vanish immediately.”

“What? And what makes you so sure of that?”

Baek Ryeoil’s eyes flicked briefly toward Seong Muyeon, who looked deeply uncomfortable. The truth—that the Third Young Master, Seong Muguk, had tried to coerce him—was something only the two of them knew.

If Seong Muyeon were to leave the alliance’s protection, the Third Young Master’s men would almost certainly seize him, fulfilling their goals and prompting the Ghost-Slaying Corps’ withdrawal.

Since he couldn’t reveal the truth, Baek Ryeoil simply said,

“They took the Sixth Young Master, didn’t they? Naturally, they’ll come for the Seventh next. Last time, they failed because of me.”

“…You have a point.”

After a moment’s thought, Sanggeol nodded, stroking his beard.

“We can’t let him flee when we might soon face the enemy head-on. Very well—I permit the Seventh Young Master to remain. But I trust you’ll conduct yourself properly. The alliance is fragile enough as it is; we can’t afford internal discord.”

He spoke as if bestowing a favor. Baek Ryeoil’s expression darkened at the elder’s arrogance, and when Bang Gyeom glared so fiercely that Seong Muyeon had to step in front of him to block the view, the tension thickened.

“Of course! I won’t take a single step outside the room.”

As Seong Muyeon accepted obediently, Sanggeol ceased his criticism and turned his attention elsewhere. Seong Muyeon exhaled quietly in relief.

‘…If they’d arrived yesterday, I would’ve been sent straight back to Mount Hua.’

The atmosphere in the coalition was such that even the sound of his breathing could spark hostility. Though everyone was holding their tongues now, it was only a matter of time before someone dredged up the past to accuse him again.

Even if he couldn’t contribute, Seong Muyeon wanted to stay and understand the unfolding situation. And as Baek Ryeoil had said, if he left, the Third Young Master would surely pounce.

Not long after, Jegal Un convened a meeting. Sanggeol, Baek Ryeoil, and Jang Hansu went to attend, leaving Seong Muyeon to finally breathe easily.

“Do you really think the Sixth Young Master… is gone?”

Bang Gyeom’s sudden, mournful question broke the quiet. His eyes were glistening as he looked up at Seong Muyeon.

“Do you think so too, Seventh Young Master?”

“Ah… well.”

Seong Muyeon couldn’t answer right away. Even he wasn’t sure.

The Third Young Master had borne a grudge against Seong Mujae for fleeing with his Spirit Seal—but would that alone drive him to kill? He couldn’t say.

As Seong Muyeon hesitated, Bang Gyeom clutched at his robe.

“No! The Sixth Young Master isn’t someone so weak! He’s alive—he must be alive! You’ll look for him, won’t you? You won’t give up, will you?!”

“W-what are you doing?!”

“You need him too, don’t you, Seventh Young Master?! Please—let me help! You can’t give up!”

It took Kang Ung rushing over to pull him away. Bang Gyeom collapsed to the floor, shoulders shaking as silent tears streamed down his face.

“Why do you follow your master so blindly?” Kang Ung asked, frowning. “I told you before—you’re no longer part of the Demonic Sect. Even if you find him, you can’t go back.”

Seong Muyeon frowned slightly, adjusting his disheveled clothes.

“…He saved our lives, over and over, while we fled from the Third Young Master’s pursuit. Even when everyone else fell one by one, when I was the only one left, the Sixth Young Master risked his very life force to protect me.”

Bang Gyeom’s trembling voice was soaked with grief.

“He spoke harshly, but he never acted cruelly… I just want to know whether he’s alive or dead. If I knew that much, I could leave without regret. Please, Seventh Young Master.”

He bowed low until his forehead touched the floor.

“…”

Seong Muyeon looked down at him, conflicted. Of course, he wanted to find the Sixth Young Master too. It was time to stop pretending his only reason was to obtain the medicine.

“I know he wasn’t a bad person,” he said quietly.

Bang Gyeom lifted his tear-streaked face.

“But he wasn’t a good one either.”

Selfish, irritable, frustrating—yes. But he was the kind of man who fiercely protected those he considered his own.

“I want to save him too. But…”

Just then, the door burst open.

“Guess what I brought from the kitchen! …Huh? Why’s everyone acting like someone died?”

Seomun Yuha stood in the doorway, holding a tray piled high with snacks, sweating nervously as though he had stumbled into a funeral.