Chapter 175: Chapter 175
“General Squad Leader?”
Cheon-hwi’s forehead wrinkled.
He had come because the Sect Leader urgently called for him, but he was being handed over an annoying task.
“I told you I wouldn’t do it before.”
“I am sorry for that. But right now, there is no one else to entrust this to but you.”
The Sect Leader spoke in a desperate tone.
Although they had prepared the martial squad based on the growth of the second-generation disciples, in truth, that was a plan for at least a year or two later.
That was because even though the second-generation disciples had grown, their numbers were still the same.
However, due to the failure of the joint operation and the injury of the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, he felt the desperate need for the martial squad and hurriedly advanced the plan.
It might have been hastily advanced.
No, it was definitely hasty.
But it was an unavoidable choice.
They had only just taken flight, and they couldn’t afford to have their wings broken and plummet again.
“But why me?”
Cheon-hwi revealed an annoyed expression.
“Wouldn’t it be better for someone with higher seniority than a mere disciple like me to take on such an important position?”
“That is true, but…”
The Sect Leader showed a bitter smile.
That day during the meeting, when he said he would appoint Cheon-hwi as the General Squad Leader, most of the elders except for a few strongly opposed it.
‘How can you entrust such an important position as the General Squad Leader to a first-generation disciple?’
‘The other Nine Great Sects and One Gang will laugh at us!’
‘I think so too. I could understand if he were the leader of three martial squads, but isn’t the General Squad Leader too excessive a measure?’
Most of their opinions were the same as Cheon-hwi’s words.
However, the Sect Leader ignored their opinions and pushed forward with his own will.
The reason was singular.
“We can’t become stronger that way, can we? For our sect, no, for the disciples to become stronger, your abilities are necessary.”
The Sect Leader stared straight at Cheon-hwi.
Although it was called a martial squad, its ultimate goal was the growth and safety of the disciples.
And the suitable person for that was none other than Cheon-hwi.
Possessing both literary and martial arts skills, as well as leadership.
Moreover, recalling the growth rate of the disciples who had received Cheon-hwi’s teachings…
‘It will be different from now…’
Cheon-hwi smacked his lips with a ‘tsk’ sound.
‘Well, that is true, but.’
The Sect Leader read the change in Cheon-hwi’s expression and added words that could tempt him.
“The purpose of creating the martial squad is, above all, the growth of the disciples. I just want you to lay the foundation for that. After that, you can quit at any time.”
“I can quit at any time?”
It was hard to believe.
Weren’t the elders of the Mount Hua Sect reputed for being inflexible?
Cheon-hwi asked with a suspicious look.
“Is that possible? Even so, the other elders won’t just stand by if you throw away a position.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it somehow.”
The Sect Leader spoke with emphasis.
Currently, what was most important in establishing the martial squad was Cheon-hwi’s existence.
Therefore, he had to seat him as the General Squad Leader no matter what. So he made a proposal that excluded the things Cheon-hwi disliked.
Even to the point of ignoring the elders’ opinions.
And that method slightly shook Cheon-hwi’s heart, who had been disgusted at first.
“Hmm. Just lay the foundation, huh…”
Cheon-hwi stroked his chin.
It was a pretty good proposal, better than he thought.
No, perhaps it was a good thing instead.
The Mount Hua Sect was weaker than he thought, so wasn’t he trying to make them grow hastily?
In the midst of that, if he became the General Squad Leader of the martial squad, he could train them all.
On top of that, he could quit anytime.
It was a proposal with nothing bad about it.
‘Although it will be annoying in the meantime.’
Cheon-hwi’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.
The difference between teaching three people and teaching dozens was too great.
After pondering for a moment, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth.
“Then let’s do that.”
“Thank you.”
When the Sect Leader’s expression became much more comfortable and he smiled at Cheon-hwi’s positive answer.
“Instead, from picking each squad leader of the martial squad to teaching them, give me all the full authority.”
Cheon-hwi added a condition.
“Of course.”
The Sect Leader nodded.
He had already thought of that much since he first considered the position of General Squad Leader.
But that was not the end.
“And from now on, don’t interfere with what I do regarding the martial squad.”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes sank coldly.
“No matter what I do.”
* * *
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen and the second-generation disciples were standing in a disorganized manner at Samong Plaza.
“What is going on?”
“Why suddenly gather everyone…”
Those gathered were anxious.
Because they were suddenly called together after the failure of the joint operation, they intuited that it was not an ordinary matter.
It was then.
Along with the Sect Leader, a few elders walked slowly and stood opposite them.
“Is everyone gathered?”
The Sect Leader let out a calm voice.
Subsequently, the elders lined up behind the Sect Leader, and the atmosphere became solemn.
Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, the disciples all held their breath and stood up straight.
The Sect Leader looked at those disciples with a proud expression and opened his mouth.
“You must be curious about the reason I suddenly called you to Samong Plaza.”
People nodded here and there. At the same time, a shadow fell on their faces.
The Sect Leader and the elders read their anxious expressions and smiled bitterly.
However, that was only for a moment; the Sect Leader erased his smile and swept his gaze over the disciples once.
Then he spoke, infusing his voice with internal energy.
“This time, we are planning to establish a new martial squad in our sect. There will be a total of three martial squads, respectively called the Martial Bloom Squad, Flying Sword Squad, and Hwaryeong Squad.”
“M-Martial squad?”
“And three of them?”
The disciples stirred.
Their hearts pounded loudly.
What could it mean to say those words here right now?
A few people gulped down their saliva.
The Sect Leader calmly added his words.
“And the personnel who will belong to this martial squad are none other than you.”
The disciples gasped.
Recalling the current situation of the Mount Hua Sect, the Sect Leader’s words came with even greater weight.
The Sect Leader stared at the tense disciples and opened his mouth.
“You will have many questions. But I was told that the one newly appointed as the General Squad Leader this time will reveal these things rather than me, so ask him.”
When curiosity arose on everyone’s faces.
“Then now, I will introduce the temporary General Squad Leader who will organize this martial squad.”
Along with his words, the Sect Leader turned his head.
Everyone’s gaze moved in that direction as if possessed.
Thump… Thump…
Seeing the person who appeared with the sound of footsteps, they panicked.
“Junior Martial Brother?”
“Martial Uncle Cheon-hwi?”
“Why is Martial Uncle…?”
Standing next to the Sect Leader, Cheon-hwi grinned as he looked at the bewildered disciples.
“They are all familiar faces.”
At Cheon-hwi’s words, the disciples flinched.
“Somehow I ended up taking on the position of General Squad Leader. But since I’ll just lay the foundation and quit later, you don’t need to pay much attention to it.”
When Cheon-hwi openly stated that he would hand over the position later, not only the disciples but even the elders were greatly agitated.
“Sect Leader, what on earth is this?”
“What does he mean by that…?”
“It’s temporary anyway.”
The Sect Leader dismissed their doubts.
“Just watch for now.”
“…”
A few elders wanted to say something, but they closed their mouths at the Sect Leader’s words.
Including the Sect Leader, the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, Hyeon-ryeo, and Hyeon-cheong had all actively pushed Cheon-hwi, so it was a decided matter.
Instead, they suppressed their dissatisfaction and anger internally.
‘How can he be so lacking in responsibility.’
‘This is why a young lad shouldn’t be put in an important position…’
‘Martial prowess and character are different things, has the Sect Leader forgotten that?’
Meanwhile, whether they were agitated or not, Cheon-hwi continued what he had to say.
“Then first, I plan to pick the three squad leaders…”
In an instant, the disciples stiffened.
Because picking a squad leader was not an ordinary matter.
Especially the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were even more tense.
Because they were convinced that the squad leaders would be chosen from among themselves, who possessed the strongest martial prowess.
“I guess it would be good to do it right now?”
When Cheon-hwi spoke, everyone tensed up.
While most were catching their breath, thinking they would decide through spars as expected.
“Then from now on, fight each other.”
Unexpected words were heard.
“What?”
“Yes…?”
Cheon-hwi looked at the flustered disciples and continued speaking in a cold tone.
“Let’s make the three people standing at the end here the squad leaders of the martial squad.”
The disciples stirred.
Usually, it was standard to compete in skill through spars.
But to suddenly just fight blindly.
It wasn’t just the disciples who were flustered.
“…Are you saying the strong rule?”
“Still, shouldn’t we look at character when picking a squad leader?”
“Isn’t it a martial squad? What’s more important than anything else is martial prowess.”
“Even so, to decide the squad leader in such a rule-of-thumb manner is…”
“Even in the Murim Alliance, martial squad leaders are chosen through spars and tests. But how can it be in this way…”
The elders’ expressions were starkly divided.
A few defended it, but as expected, the negative reactions were the majority.
‘I guess words don’t work after all.’
Observing the surrounding reactions, Cheon-hwi shifted his gaze toward Jeok-geom and Seol Ran.
And he transmitted his voice.
[Move.]
The two, who had already heard about this matter in the morning, nodded and moved.
Srrng…
As the two drew their swords.
“Martial Nephew Jeok-geom?”
“Senior Martial Sister?”
The disciples flinched.
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran looked at their reactions, then saluted each other and said.
“I look forward to your guidance, Senior Martial Brother.”
“I look forward to your guidance, Junior Martial Sister.”
The two first looked at each other.
It was like the sparring they did every day before.
However, currently, unlike the numerous previous spars, their mindset itself was different.
This was especially true for Jeok-geom.
‘Can I win?’
Having observed Seol Ran’s growth most closely for five days, he swallowed his nervousness.
Seol Ran was the same.
‘What an incredible momentum. Is that when he absorbed all the energy of the White Gold Pill?’
Jeok-geom didn’t know, but currently, Seol Ran’s eyes sparkled at the momentum he exuded.
“Then.”
“Then.”
The moment the two spat out the same words.
Clang!
The sound of metal burst out like a qi wave.
The disciples nearby were startled by the shockwave and flinched back.
At that time, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth again.
“Ah, right! From now on, those who fall first or don’t fight properly will have extra training later.”
It was a low voice.
However, that voice buried the sharp sound of metal and pierced their ears.
At the same time, a chill rose up.
‘If we fall first, we die!’
‘We don’t know what kind of things he might do.’
For a moment, as the nightmares of the Dark Fragrance Pill and Body Transformation Art flashed through their minds.
“Hahaha! As expected of my Junior Martial Brother!”
Cheon-hyang burst into laughter.
Whatever was so funny, she even shed tears while laughing before raising her sword.
And then she pointed at Jeok-geom and Seol Ran.
“But do we have to spar like that?”
“Why do you do such a thing? It’s not like the enemy will spar with you one-on-one.”
As she spoke, Cheon-hwi’s lips twisted.
“Ah! So that’s why you failed the joint operation and returned.”
In an instant, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen stiffened.
Because they never dreamed he would mention the joint operation.
Cheon-hyang’s expression also stiffened.
She had also participated in the joint operation, but hadn’t they eventually been defeated and retreated?
“Are you saying we shouldn’t care about the means and methods, Junior Martial Brother?”
Cheon-hwi clapped his hands and said.
“That’s right! As expected, Senior Martial Sister understands best.”
“Hehe. Is that so? Good.”
Cheon-hyang immediately raised her internal energy.
“Since the Hall of Medicine Lord is also present, I’ll run wild to my heart’s content just as you want, Junior Martial Brother.”
With those words, she exuded her momentum.
No, it wasn’t just her.
Those who felt a threat to their lives at Cheon-hwi’s words stood on strict guard.
And that atmosphere gradually spread, slowly dyeing Samong Plaza.
Soon, one by one drew their swords, and then.
Clang! Chaeng!
The sounds of clashing could be heard from all directions.
“I’m sorry, Junior Martial Brother! But shouldn’t I survive too?”
“Ugh! I-I have to survive too!”
“M-Martial Uncle!”
“I’m sorry!”
The disciples tangled up and fought.
Soon, Samong Plaza became filled with people fighting without exception, but.
“Too honest.”
Cheon-hwi looked on with disapproving eyes.
Was it because their nature belonged to the righteous faction?
They were fighting one-on-one without doing pincer attacks or ambushes.
“What I wanted was a fight close to real combat, not this.”
As he frowned.
“Ah!”
Suddenly thinking of a good method, Cheon-hwi smiled sinisterly.
Following that, he bent down and picked up small pebbles dropped on the ground.
“If it’s not like real combat, I can just make it like real combat myself.”
With those words, he flicked his finger.
Swish!
In an instant, dozens of pebbles dug between the fighting individuals.
Thwack! Thwack!
“Keuk!”
“Kek!”
Groans flowed out from here and there.
Not only that.
Specifically, a few pebbles slyly touched the sword blades of those attacking, twisting their trajectories in another direction.
“Heup!”
“…?!”
Due to that, a few who were suddenly attacked dodged in fright.
“What are you doing!”
“A-No! I didn’t do it. A shock suddenly came to my sword…”
The attackers were equally flustered. After all, their sword trajectories had suddenly twisted.
“Suddenly someone touched my sword…”
“It seems it was an ambush…”
Just as a few were hurriedly trying to clear up the misunderstanding through conversation.
“That won’t do.”
Cheon-hwi flicked pebbles again.
Thwack! Thwack!
“Heup! You attack again? Alright, let’s see which one of us dies!”
“What are you talking about! It’s you, Senior Martial Brother, who just struck the back of my head, isn’t it? Since I said I didn’t do it, are you doing such a thing out of spite?”
Due to Cheon-hwi’s continuous stone-throwing, the disciples eventually began to distrust each other.
“Come at me, all of you! Do you think I’ll just fall just because you ambush me!”
“The one who farts gets angry! It was you!”
“Uwaaah! Come on!”
Then, tangling into one, a messy fight broke out in Samong Plaza.
“Yes, this is it.”
Looking down at Samong Plaza that had turned into a chaotic mess, Cheon-hwi smiled warmly and crossed his arms.
“Now it’s somewhat worth watching.”
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