Chapter 1647
Find It Quickly, Quickly. (1)
Jo Geol stared blankly at the man standing before him.
"…What did you say?"
"I asked why we have to do this."
The speaker looked to be in his forties—a stubborn, middle-aged swordsman glaring at Jo Geol with undisguised displeasure.
"Didn't you hear me?"
Instead of replying, a hollow laugh slipped from Jo Geol's mouth.
He often joked that there was no hierarchy in Hwasan, but in truth, Hwasan was far from disorderly. And the man standing in front of him was twice his age.
Under these circumstances, Jo Geol found himself momentarily at a loss, regardless of whether the man's argument was reasonable.
"Is there… some kind of problem?"
Jo Geol asked cautiously, his eyes darting.
The middle-aged swordsman snorted.
"You're asking that? You should be asking what isn't a problem. Can't you see it?"
"What?"
"How are we supposed to train here!"
The man—Moyong Banghwa—gestured sharply behind him.
The training ground was filled with people in mixed attire. Swordsmen, Taoists, martial artists, beggars—members of countless sects gathered together.
It was a bizarre sight. So bizarre it felt almost apocalyptic.
And yet, Jo Geol tilted his head.
"So… what exactly is the issue?"
"This is driving me insane!"
Moyong Banghwa thumped his chest.
"Training! Proper training! Training for war!"
"…Right? That's why we're all here, aren't we?"
"Have you ever seen someone this obtuse!"
Moyong Banghwa's voice rose.
"How can we train seriously with disciples from other sects watching us? We can't even practice our core techniques—only basic movements!"
"…What?"
"In this critical moment, just before war, how can such inefficiency be tolerated? What was the vice-leader thinking when he issued this order?"
"Uh…"
Ordinarily, Jo Geol would've snapped back—
If you hate it so much, take it up with the higher-ups!
But he couldn't.
He was the vice-leader.
And admitting he was simply relaying orders wasn't an option.
"Please calm down. Training is something we just have to—"
"No!"
Jo Geol flinched at the intensity.
"Secret techniques! Why are they called secret techniques if you can practice them in front of outsiders? Does Hwasan not understand that concept?"
Jo Geol blinked.
Do we?
Hwasan prohibited teaching techniques to other sects—but training in front of others?
If Chung Myung heard this, he'd scoff and say that if martial arts could be learned by watching, they'd be third-rate trash.
He'd probably beat me for trying to slack off.
But this wasn't Hwasan.
And worse—the others seemed to agree with Moyong Banghwa.
"…So what are you saying?"
"I can't train here anymore."
"…Excuse me?"
Jo Geol asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
"No—what do you mean by that?"
"I said I can't train or cultivate here!"
"The Moyong family rules forbid practicing secret techniques in front of outsiders. But you order us to train together. That's contradictory."
"That is—"
"And repeating only superficial drills before war is pointless. It's better to refine our skills elsewhere."
"…Are you saying you'll disobey orders?"
"Disobey?"
Moyong Banghwa bristled.
"Do I look like someone who disobeys orders? How dare you insult me!"
"No, it's just that it sounds like—"
"We're not demanding explanations. Didn't you say Hwasan prefers discussion over authority?"
At some point, I had quietly become we.
Jo Geol's confusion deepened.
"…Did I?"
Since when did Hwasan work like that?
Wasn't it just Chung Myung beating everyone into agreement?
Thud!
Moyong Banghwa stamped his foot.
"So either consult the higher-ups or coordinate among yourselves. Give me an answer I can accept."
"…."
"Isn't that your job as vice-leader?"
Jo Geol could only gape as Moyong Banghwa turned and walked away.
Soon after, the others dispersed—more than half leaving.
The training ground emptied rapidly.
"Uh…"
Jo Geol tugged at his hair.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Argh! I just want to—!"
Bang!
Jo Geol kicked the wall.
"It'll break!"
"If it breaks, we rebuild!"
"Have you ever considered not breaking it?"
"…Ugh!"
Stopped by Yoon Jong, Jo Geol began stomping the floor instead.
"I should've kicked his mouth!"
"Yes. That's how we feel about you. Do you get it now?"
"Oh, you want to die?"
Jo Geol snapped.
"What about your division?"
"They're… enthusiastic."
"Oh?"
"So enthusiastic that the Beggars Sect ran off to practice the Dog-Beating Staff Formation."
"…."
"They said if not now, then when. During war?"
"The Beggars Sect…"
"They're free spirits. Like the wind."
"Stop grinding your teeth. You'll wear them down."
Yoon Jong clutched his head.
Jo Geol sighed sympathetically. Moyong was bad—but the Beggars Sect was psychological warfare.
"Those people…"
"They're subtly resisting. They don't openly oppose us—but they don't recognize us either."
"If they were going to resist, why not from the start!"
"They consider their agreement with the higher-ups separate."
"…Do they care we were forced into this?"
"…No."
They sighed together.
"This is killing me."
Most were older. Experience became authority.
"Wisdom of Gangho," indeed.
"What about Sasuk—"
"Eeek!"
Jo Geol jumped as Baek Cheon staggered toward them, pale as a ghost.
"Sasuk! Are you sick? You look like Jang Ilso!"
"…I envy you."
"…What?"
"I envy orphans."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"…My father keeps asking for proper instructions."
"…."
"And Jin Geumryong stands there with his arms crossed, questioning every decision."
Ah.
"I swear—"
"Sasuk, put the sword down."
"Is there a way to become an orphan later in life?"
"No!"
Jo Geol shook him.
Yoon Jong could only stare.
"This is absurd."
With war imminent, they were arguing over authority.
"…Do people not change at all?"
"Apparently not."
Then—
"Dojang! Dojang!"
Namgung Dowi ran toward them.
"Something terrible happened!"
"What now?"
"Monk Hye Yeon beat someone up!"
"…Who?"
"One of my division members!"
The three stared at each other.
"…He's a genius."
"No, it's a disaster!"
"I kind of want to try—"
"Put the sword down!"
Yoon Jong stood abruptly.
"Let's go. Now."
They rushed off.