Chapter 544
A bright smile spread across Ju Hwaran’s face.
Beyond the window, her retreating figure grew distant with Song Ilseom silently following her like a shadow. She looked both delicate and dignified.
“She’s amazing, Lady Ju.”
At the voice of Hyuk Mujin from behind, I quietly nodded.
‘She was like that back then, too.’
I suddenly recalled the day I first met Ju Hwaran.
Surrounded by hundreds of enemies in a hopeless situation, she hadn’t backed down. That look in her eyes… Perhaps she was much closer to being a true martial artist than I had thought.
“It’s a bit unfortunate.”
“Yeah, she carries a heavy burden. Her father is still unable to move…”
“Not that.”
“Hmm?”
When I turned my head, I saw Hyuk Mujin wearing a pitiful expression.
“If it was just about earning merit, she had other options. So why did she come all the way here?”
A reason… I mulled it over and sighed.
“No way…”
“Yes. That ‘no way.’”
“She thought she could earn greater merit?”
“…Forget it. This is disgusting.”
Just as I was wondering whether to hit or scold him, a voice came to rescue Hyuk Mujin.
“Ahh, that felt good.”
After nearly a meal’s time in the outhouse, Jeok Cheon-Gang reappeared.
Grinning widely with the joy of a smooth delivery, he reached for a liquor bottle but paused when he saw Hyuk Mujin’s expression.
“Why are you making a face like you chewed on dung?”
“Senior Jeok. That is…”
As Hyuk Mujin began explaining, Jeok Cheon-Gang listened quietly and eventually widened his eyes.
“The granddaughter of the Escort King came here?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, I did feel an unusual presence pass by while I was straining back there. Must’ve been one of them.”
Jeok Cheon-Gang stroked his crimson beard and continued.
“I’d heard something happened while I was on the verge of death, but to think it led to this… Quite a persistent connection.”
“So what do you think is the reason she came to see you despite other options?”
Jeok Cheon-Gang’s mouth twitched.
“Do I really have to say that out loud?”
“Of course not. That’s why you’re a true great hero, sir.”
As Hyuk Mujin’s face lit up like an LED bulb, Jeok Cheon-Gang spoke again with a meaningful smile.
“She must’ve thought she could earn a massive merit.”
Oh, the bulb just went out.
Hyuk Mujin’s expression instantly dimmed like midnight.
“…Are you serious?”
Jeok Cheon-Gang nodded with confident composure.
“She may have been rewarded handsomely by the Zhongnan Sect, but to maintain and lead the Escort Bureau in the future, she’ll need fame and skill in Murim. From what I’ve seen, she understands how the world works.”
“Uh, Senior Jeok?”
“What?”
“Pardon me, but… have you ever had a lover before?”
Jeok Cheon-Gang thought deeply and replied.
“Of course I have.”
“When was that?”
“Let’s see… I was around ten at the time. So it must’ve been over a hundred years ago.”
“…Why do you ask?”
“No, it’s nothing. I think I was doing wall-facing meditation all this time.”
“…He’s a wall. The wall. The Wailing Wall.”
While Hyuk Mujin muttered like an enlightened monk, Jeok Cheon-Gang turned his gaze toward me.
“By the way, what are you planning to do?”
“…Hm.”
“Judging by that look, it seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
I shrugged.
“You’re sharp. I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“From what I hear, it’s not a bad choice. You’re a freak, but reaching the peak level at your age is a significant achievement. If you’ve been involved with the Escort Bureau since childhood, your experience should also be considerable.”
“I think the same. Song Ilseom as a bodyguard is a huge asset by skill alone.”
Though Jeok Cheon-Gang had been unconscious during their visit, he’d heard the whole story afterward and understood it without trouble.
“A descendant of the Guangdong Jin Clan… From what I felt back in the outhouse, he’s reached quite the level.”
“…A bit gross, but I agree.”
Jeok Cheon-Gang was a supreme expert who had achieved [Reversed Aging]. If even he judged Song Ilseom as formidable, then no one could dispute the man’s martial prowess.
‘Another genius unknown to the world.’
He lost his family early and was abandoned by the world. Wandering battlefields as a vagabond swordsman, he eventually drew his own blade.
Song Ilseom wasn’t a hothouse flower—he was a weed that had survived harsh winds and storms.
His other name, [Soul Chaser], remained a legend even among vagabonds.
‘Not on the level of Cheongpung or Moon Kyung, but still a reliable force.’
Regretful, but not unsatisfied. It’s true that our lineup until now had been ridiculously impressive.
It only made sense for things to start shifting.
A supreme expert can turn the tide of a losing battle. To hold back the spreading flames of war, this was the right decision.
‘That’s why Ma Jong-hak also split up Cheongpung and me.’
There are many fires, and a single fire truck can’t respond to them all.
To win the war against Dark Heaven—and to prevent even greater losses—this was the natural course.
And… I would now need to gather teammates to help extinguish this blaze.
It was time to decide with rationality and logic.
‘There’s no helping it.’
No matter how I looked at it, this was the best choice. Even if it wasn’t the best, it was still the next best.
Having organized my thoughts, I called out someone’s name in a low voice.
“Hyuk Mujin.”
Though he always seemed slow, Hyuk Mujin was sharp when it mattered.
At least when I called him by his full name, he could tell that the atmosphere was different.
“Yes, Captain.”
“Let me ask you directly.”
The choice wasn’t mine alone. Each of our decisions would come together to form a shared resolve.
But before I could even finish my sentence, Hyuk Mujin quickly responded.
“I’ll go with you.”
“…What?”
“I’m saying I’ll follow you, Captain. Isn’t that what you were going to ask?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then that’s settled. No need to ask. It’s only natural that thread follows the needle. Well, except for backstabbers like the Nine Dragon Association. That’s why you can’t trust outsiders from other sects. Always so full of baggage.”
As Hyuk Mujin grinned playfully, I silently looked at him, then raised the corner of my mouth.
“You won’t regret it?”
“Regret?”
“Yeah. Regret.”
“Captain, did you know?”
Hyuk Mujin continued with a serious look in his eyes.
“Ever since I met you, my life has been one big regret.”
“You bastard.”
“But you know, I realized that a few more regrets aren’t so bad.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he spoke slowly, his eyes staring into empty space, as if tracing back to somewhere in his past.
“Just a few years ago, people used to call me the son of the Hyuk family’s fabric shop. But at some point, they started calling me the [Swift Wind Sword]. Some even called me the right hand of the [Blazing Fire Dragon]. I really liked that.”
“Mujin, you…”
“Hehe. Are you moved?”
“No, not that. You’re not the right hand—you’re the pinky toe.”
“Wow, Captain, come on. After everything I’ve been through, I’m still the pinky toe?”
His indignant expression made me chuckle. Maybe it was time for a promotion.
“Then pinky finger.”
“…Left hand pinky?”
“Right hand.”
“Right hand, huh.”
After a brief thought, Hyuk Mujin cautiously proposed a negotiation.
“Then how about pinky on the right hand and… the thumb?”
“In your next life.”
“Knew it. Then not the thumb—how about the index?”
“Not a chance.”
“Damn. So I’ll need to devote my whole life just to become the right hand. Does that make any sense?”
“Yeah, it’ll take your whole life. So stay by my side till then. Don’t die.”
…Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.
I hadn’t bathed that long ago, but my skin suddenly felt itchy. Scratching my chin for no reason, I held out my hand.
“C-Captain…”
With moist eyes, Hyuk Mujin firmly clasped my hand.
Grip.
“Captain’s right pinky, Hyuk Mujin. With all my loyalty…”
“…What are you doing?”
“…Huh?”
“Who said anything about a handshake? Hand over what you got earlier.”
“…Ah.”
Clicking his tongue as if he expected it, Hyuk Mujin pulled out two bamboo slips from his robes—the ones I’d given him earlier.
Each was tied with string and labeled with small writing.
Hidden Dagger Flower — Ju Hwaran.
Soul Chaser — Song Ilseom.
But these weren’t the only slips I needed to receive.
Seeing that I hadn’t withdrawn my hand yet, Hyuk Mujin seemed to sense something and frowned.
“Captain. Are you serious?”
“Yeah.”
“Haa… I don’t know if this is the right decision.”
With a sigh, he added two more slips to the pile.
I silently looked down at the names and nicknames written on the strings.
Black Dragon Blade — Sama Pyo.
Giant Tiger Cub — Taesan.
Hyuk Mujin’s words lingered in my ears.
“I don’t know if this is the right decision.”
And the reason was simple. I wasn’t sure either if this was the best choice.
But the next moment, Jeok Cheon-Gang’s voice cut through my hesitation with certainty.
“What’s there to hesitate about? Just move forward.”
My cluttered thoughts cleared up.
Taking a soft breath, I whispered toward the depths of my heart.
‘Ju Hwaran, Song Ilseom, Sama Pyo, Taesan… and lastly, Hyuk Mujin.’
Letting all five names flow in a single breath, I entered the command.
‘Approve membership for Twin Dragons Pavilion.’
To that silent whisper, a voice answered.
Ding.
– Processing membership approval procedure.
– Confirmed. Hidden Dagger Flower – Ju Hwaran. Soul Chaser Song – Ilseom. Black Dragon Blade – Sama Pyo. Giant Tiger Cub – Taesan. Swift Wind Sword – Hyuk Mujin.
– Do you wish to officially accept these five as members of Twin Dragons Pavilion?
Y / N
The answer was already decided.
I gave a small nod of consent, and the translucent hologram floating in the air changed pages like a book.
Ding.
– One condition of the quest [Be My Comrade!] has been fulfilled.
– Secured a minimum of 5 comrades (Complete).
– All minimum members have been selected!
– The final step to becoming an official Pavilion Master remains. Please name the Pavilion you will lead!
A name, huh.
I hadn’t given any thought to what I’d call this newly formed group.
But no matter how hard I thought, nothing would top the one that had just crossed my mind.
Fire Dragon Pavilion.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Like celebratory fireworks, clear chimes burst out, and a bold system notification echoed in my ears.
