Duel

“Apologies, Captain Han Gyoseong.”

“Ah, it’s fine, Lady Na. When Seol Pung comes back, tell him to share some snacks.”

Originally, it was Seventh Squad’s turn to patrol in the afternoon, but since Seol Pung and his members had not yet returned, Na Seoyu had no choice but to ask First Squad to take their place.

It was the established rule that if someone failed to return in time because of hunting Spider Ghosts, the next squad would take their shift earlier.

Still, that didn’t mean anyone would be happy to go out before their designated time.

In that sense, it was fortunate that the squad following Seventh was First.

Captain of First Squad, Blue Wind Sword Dragon Han Gyoseong, who had once served with Na Seoyu and Seol Pung, kindly soothed his members with a smile and led them out on patrol.

Cheon Jueun, standing beside Na Seoyu, spoke with a look of relief.

“It’s fortunate he accepted so kindly. I was a little worried.”

Na Seoyu smiled faintly and replied.

“Captain of the First Squad is a good man. Though he is a little lazy, greedy with food, and terribly forgetful.”

Blinking in surprise, Cheon Jueun asked.

“…Huh? I heard he was recognized as a genius even within the Qingcheng Sect?”

“That’s true. He really is a genius when it comes to martial arts. Though because of that, he can’t understand ordinary people and sometimes hurts them. But he’s truly a good person. Of course, his own world is so strong that Vice-captain Haewon unnie suffered and turned into a nagger. But yes, he really is a good person.”

“…What?”

At Na Seoyu’s words, which hinted at some long-standing grievances, Cheon Jueun glanced at Bae Jonggwan with her eyes, asking silently what was going on. Na Seoyu sighed and said again.

“Anyway, I should also ask the Second Squad Captain to take the next shift. Though… I find him rather burdensome…”

Cheon Jueun’s face stiffened slightly as she asked.

“Second Squad Captain… that would be Diancang Sword Dragon Sa Gunil, right?”

Na Seoyu replied with a slightly worried look.

“Yes. If it bothers you, I’ll go by myself. You can wait.”

Cheon Jueun’s father had died in the Muhwang Tomb Blood Incident, so like Bi Sayoung, she bore a grudge against disciples of Diancang Sect.

That was why, when she first joined the Thirteenth Unit, she had not gone into Captain Ma Yugyeom’s Fourth Squad.

But Cheon Jueun smiled brightly and shook her head.

“It’s fine. We’re comrades fighting together, after all. We can’t keep hating forever. As long as it’s not someone like Ju Taegyeong in our squad, it doesn’t matter.”

Na Seoyu smiled as if proud of her and patted her head.

“Yes, Captain Sa Gunil of Second Squad is the most reasonable among the Diancang Sect people. Of course, he’s so cold that it feels burdensome, but that’s just his nature. It’s not because he looks down on others or is arrogant.”

At her words, Bae Jonggwan nodded and added.

“That’s right, Lady Cheon. Captain Sa Gunil is truly admirable, even to men like me. He’s like a well-forged sword, treating everyone equally coldly.”

“…Equally coldly to everyone? Isn’t that just a bad personality?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it. I just phrased it badly. What I mean is, he treats everyone fairly, without discrimination. Whether their martial ability is strong or weak, whether they’re from Diancang Sect or another sect.”

Listening to Bae Jonggwan and Cheon Jueun’s exchange, Na Seoyu secretly sighed.

Though she acted casual while asking the other captains to cover shifts, inwardly she was uneasy.

She knew Seol Pung’s martial ability well enough not to think anything had happened to him.

But for his return to be delayed this long was certainly strange.

Surely not….

As Na Seoyu clasped her hands together in secret prayer for his and his members’ safety, suddenly someone spoke to her.

“Seol Pung isn’t back yet?”

It was none other than Diancang Sword Viper Ju Taegyeong.

He walked toward her with an arrogant expression, three lackeys following behind him.

Seeing him, Na Seoyu let out a small sigh, then answered with a neutral expression.

“Seems he’s a little late. I asked the First Squad Captain to take the patrol.”

Ju Taegyeong sneered.

“See, you went and did something useless…”

As he began to speak, his lackeys—Ha Mujin, Ji Manggeum, and Man Guin—also opened their mouths.

“Maybe that Seonu pig is just afraid to duel Taegyeong and decided not to come back at all?”

“Could be! His heart must have been trembling. He’s probably begging Seol Pung right now: ‘Captain, I don’t want to go back. Please spare me.’”

“Wahaha, that’s hilarious.”

Na Seoyu looked at the three of them with contempt and said.

“You three should show some sense of belonging, not only as squadmates but as fellow comrades. Isn’t worrying about what might have happened to your comrades the right thing to do as human beings?”

Ha Mujin sneered back.

“Worry? Why would we? If something happened to Seol Pung, then Taegyeong would finally become captain. Isn’t that better?”

“Exactly. That’s what should have happened long ago.”

“Right, right.”

That was the last straw that changed Na Seoyu’s eyes.

From mere contempt, her gaze turned cold as she glared at them.

“You say Young Master Ju Taegyeong should be captain? Why? If anyone were to become captain after Captain Seol Pung, wouldn’t it be me, the vice-captain?”

“What?!”

“How dare you say such a thing?!”

Na Seoyu released her martial pressure and overwhelmed them.

“How dare you? How dare the likes of you speak that way to me, the vice-captain?”

Being only second-class, Ha Mujin, Ji Manggeum, and Man Guin turned pale under the aura of a mid first-class martial artist like her, forced to shut their mouths.

At that, Ju Taegyeong calmly stepped forward and blocked her pressure, saying.

“I know well that Lady Na is a fine martial artist. But… aren’t you a little lacking to aim for captain?”

Na Seoyu smiled faintly at his arrogance and replied.

“Yes, I am lacking. But not as much as you, Young Master Ju. You should first defeat Young Master Seonu Jin. Not that I think you’ll manage.”

Her mocking tone made Ju Taegyeong’s face stiffen.

“You think that trash could ever be my opponent?”

“Who knows? But from what I’ve seen, Young Master Seonu Jin doesn’t even consider a duel with you important. He said it wasn’t worth caring about.”

“How dare he!”

Ju Taegyeong exploded with anger, but Na Seoyu only smiled brightly and turned away.

“Then good luck, Young Master Ju.”

But the moment she turned, her face hardened.

She had sensed that Ju Taegyeong’s level had risen since not long ago.

At this rate, even with elixirs, could Seonu Jin really handle him? She felt uneasy.

As she went to meet Captain Sa Gunil, Na Seoyu prayed again and again in her heart.

‘Captain, please come back soon. I’m so anxious…’

Until First Squad returned from afternoon patrol, Seol Pung and his men still hadn’t come back.

By the time evening patrol had to begin, Na Seoyu was seeing off Captain Sa Gunil of Second Squad and his members, who would patrol in place of Seventh Squad.

“Captain Sa Gunil, thank you for your effort. I’m sorry for troubling you because of our squad.”

Without a word, Sword Dragon Sa Gunil of Second Squad simply nodded. Just as he was about to depart, he suddenly turned his head and said to Na Seoyu.

“Seol Pung is one of the greatest martial artists I know.”

At the unexpected words, Na Seoyu looked puzzled.

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

But with his usual indifferent face, Sa Gunil only added one more line before turning back to lead his men.

“So don’t worry too much.”

Struck by his seemingly indifferent yet caring words, Na Seoyu stared blankly at his retreating figure before letting out a small laugh.

Apparently, her face had looked worse than she thought.

Taking a deep breath to steel her heart, she turned back to her squad with a smile.

“Alright! Just because the captain isn’t here doesn’t mean we can slack off. Let’s train—Jueun? What’s wrong with you?”

She suddenly noticed Cheon Jueun covering her flushed face with both hands.

Seeing her dazed eyes fixed on Sa Gunil’s back, Na Seoyu could roughly guess the situation.

Smirking, she called again.

“Jueun?! Time for training!”

“Y-yes?! Yes! Right away, unnie!”

Beside her, the dull Bae Jonggwan was still sneaking lovestruck glances at Cheon Jueun, looking elated.

Na Seoyu sighed helplessly.

Just then, Ju Taegyeong approached once more.

Na Seoyu sighed again and asked him.

“What is it this time, Young Master Ju?”

Ju Taegyeong chuckled and said.

“Don’t you think this situation is getting a bit serious? Shouldn’t we report to the commander and form a search party?”

His expression was anything but serious. Na Seoyu smiled faintly in reply.

“What are you talking about? You, of all people, know Captain’s martial ability. It’s only been three days.”

But this time Ju Taegyeong responded smoothly.

“Not ‘only,’ but ‘already.’ As far as I know, no one has ever returned after disappearing for three days in the jungle. The round trip should take a single day. Three days… Blind faith doesn’t help. If you want to be captain, you must sometimes judge coldly and accept reality.”

His sly smile made him look like a snake.

At that moment, Na Seoyu finally understood why his nickname was Sword Viper of Diancang.

Just standing before him made her skin crawl.

But she couldn’t refute him either.

It was true that no one had ever returned after vanishing three days in the jungle. And above all, Na Seoyu herself was deeply uneasy.

Yet she couldn’t show weakness before Ju Taegyeong. Biting her lip, she steadied herself and declared.

“As vice-captain, I decide in the captain’s absence. We’ll wait until tomorrow before taking action.”

Ju Taegyeong smirked.

“Is that so? Captain Ma Yugyeom thought otherwise. Tomorrow, I suspect a captain’s assembly will be called first.”

Na Seoyu’s face filled with fury.

“You! You dared to tell Captain Ma Yugyeom without permission?!”

But even before her anger, Ju Taegyeong’s tone remained smooth.

“It’s for the good of our squad and the Thirteenth Unit. The longer this drags on, the more others will suffer. Better to resolve it quickly before it grows worse.”

“You—truly!”

At that moment, another voice cut in.

“Indeed. It should have been resolved before it grew worse. I was too soft. Jin, you were right.”

“Now that you’ve realized, it’s fine. Rotten fruit must be removed quickly, or else the rest will rot.”

Startled, both Na Seoyu and Ju Taegyeong turned their heads sharply.

And their faces showed opposite emotions.

“Captain!”

“Seol Pung?!”

There stood four figures, somewhat tired but unharmed, smiling as they returned.

Na Seoyu covered her mouth in relief, while Cheon Jueun and Bae Jonggwan rushed to them with bright faces.

“Captain!”

“Captain! Sayoung! Jin! Lady Cheong!”

“Kyaah! Captain! Why so late? Seoyu unnie was so worried!”

Cheon Jueun ran at him like she was about to leap into his arms, making Seol Pung flinch and step back awkwardly.

“Ah, s-sorry. I foolishly got injured, so Jin carried me back, and that delayed us.”

At that, Na Seoyu, who had been watching with teary eyes, rushed to him in shock.

“You’re hurt?! Where? How badly? Are you alright now?!”

Flustered under her fierce concern, Seol Pung stammered.

“J-just some internal injuries, nothing serious. They already healed on the way back. And…”

He scratched his head awkwardly, but with uncharacteristically gentle eyes, he said.

“Sorry for being late, Lady Na. And thank you for worrying about me.”

Hearing such gentle words from him for the first time, Na Seoyu’s emotions surged, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Both she and Seol Pung were startled.

“Ah! N-no, these tears aren’t because I’m sad—”

“M-my apologies, Lady Na. I was wrong.”

“No, that’s not what I mean—”

While the two flustered, Ju Taegyeong was speaking to Seonu Jin with a twisted face.

“So you did manage to return in time. But let me be clear. Even if you carried your captain back, nothing changes. Don’t think I’ll postpone our duel.”

Seonu Jin chuckled and replied.

“Hm? You’re here too? Postpone? Why postpone? I’d rather finish quickly and rest. Let’s get it over with.”

As if treating it like a bothersome chore, his words made Ju Taegyeong’s face burn. He grabbed his sword.

“You insolent—!”

Seonu Jin smiled faintly.

“Shall we just do it here? That works too.”

Ju Taegyeong froze.

No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t fight here.

This duel had to be fought in front of as many witnesses as possible.

He wanted the largest possible audience, to utterly crush Seonu Jin and flaunt his newfound strength.

He wanted to engrave into everyone’s memory that he had reached the level of a top first-class martial artist.

Grinding his teeth, Ju Taegyeong said.

“Half a shichen from now, at the training arena. Don’t even think of running.“

“Eh? Run away? Me? Why?”

Still smirking, Seonu Jin infuriated him further. Ju Taegyeong turned on his heel, walking off quickly.

He would first go to see Ma Yugyeom, his senior disciple of Diancang, knowing he would help fan the flames.

The thought of trampling Seonu Jin before countless witnesses made his heart race with anticipation.

He wouldn’t kill him. But he would push him to the brink of death.

So thoroughly, so cruelly, that Seonu Jin would wish he had died.

So he’d never dare even breathe in his presence again.

Already, Ju Taegyeong trembled with excitement.

As Ju Taegyeong left, Bi Sayoung asked Seonu Jin.

“Jin, are you really okay?”

Seonu Jin smiled bitterly.

“Of course not. I’m so exhausted I might collapse. Lucky he didn’t force me to fight right now. I need to cultivate my energy immediately.”

He sat cross-legged on the spot and entered circulation, making Na Seoyu look anxiously at Seol Pung.

“Today, I felt it… Ju Taegyeong’s level has risen again. Will Young Master Seonu be alright?”

Seol Pung, Bi Sayoung, and Hae Cheongyeon exchanged knowing smiles.

Bi Sayoung said confidently.

“Just wait and see, Lady Na. You’ll be surprised.”

“…What?”

Na Seoyu, Cheon Jueun, and Bae Jonggwan only exchanged puzzled looks.

---

After circulating for half a shichen, I finally rose and headed for the training arena.

As expected, a large crowd had gathered.

Ju Taegyeong had gone out of his way to call people.

Captain Ma Yugyeom of Fourth Squad was there, and aside from Captain Sa Gunil on patrol, all other captains had come to watch.

Captain Han Gyoseong of First Squad, Captain Tang Yeo-eun of Third Squad….

Clearly, Ju Taegyeong wanted to crush me in front of as many as possible.

But…

Standing in the center of the arena, sneering, his face triggered memories from my past life.

The contempt, the insults. How he always opposed Captain Seol Pung and sowed discord. And most of all—the image of Lady Na Seoyu’s death, caused by this man, burned vividly in my mind.

A laugh escaped me.

At last, in this second life, I could repay it all.

As I entered, Ju Taegyeong’s eyes glittered with anticipation.

“I won’t kill you. But I’ll disgrace you so much you’ll wish you were dead.”

I could guess his thoughts.

He probably wanted to kill me but knew he couldn’t with so many witnesses.

I smirked, raised a finger, and beckoned.

“Shut up and come.”

His face froze. Then, gripping his sword, he shouted.

“You insolent brat!”

His sword flashed like lightning.

Shuaak!

Incredible speed.

The famed thrust of Diancang Sect, said to pierce even the sun.

But as it stabbed toward my right chest, I shifted lightly. My body flowed like a drifting petal, slipping past it.

My sword remained sheathed.

“What?!”

Frowning, he unleashed a chain of thrusts.

Hazy sword-light poured like raindrops in fog.

“Haaaah!”

Shuaaaa!

But the result was the same.

I already knew Diancang Sect’s Four-Day Sword from my past life. And now, my cultivation and insight far surpassed his.

Especially after the Spider Ghost incident, my mastery of Heavenly Wind Movement had already gone beyond my previous life.

Like the wind, my steps alone evaded his storm of thrusts with ease.

I glanced at Bi Sayoung—his expression blank with awe.

Of course. The peerless art of the Heavenly Wind Steps was nullifying Diancang Sect’s Four-Day Sword.

This was my way of thanking him for the elixirs.

Ju Taegyeong’s face flushed with shame as none of his attacks landed.

“What are you doing?! Just running away?!”

I laughed.

He still hadn’t realized what it meant, failing to defeat me even with my sword unsheathed.

Or maybe he refused to admit it.

So I told him simply.

“Up to now, it’s been the Heavenly Wind Steps of the Bi Clan.”

“…What?”

He frowned. I gripped my sword hilt and grinned ferociously.

“And now—it’s the Seonu Clan’s Thirteen Swords.”

“What?!”

At that instant, my sword finally roared out of its scabbard like a white dragon.

Shuaaaak!

With the unsheathing, sword-qi spread like wings, covering him.

The First Form of the Seonu Thirteen Swords—Divine Eagle Soars.

“Ugh?!”

He stumbled back in panic, trying to defend.

My grin widened.

Retreating before the opponent’s strike? What a fool.

He had opened the path himself. There was no reason to hesitate.

I linked directly into the Second Form—Divine Eagle Sheds Feathers.

Like falling feathers, dozens of glittering sword-lights showered him.

It was the pinnacle of phantom blades.

His panicked face came into clear view.

“Hhhk?!”

As he desperately flailed his sword to block, one single sword-light among the phantoms shot forth like a lightning bolt.

The Third Form of the Seonu Thirteen Swords—Divine Eagle Descends Strong.

My blade stopped right before his throat.

Ju Taegyeong stared at it in shock.

Three forms. That was all it took.

He could not believe his defeat.

“Th-this… how can this be…”

I grinned.

“Call me hyung now, Ju Taegyeong.”

Never in past or present life had his face been so miserably twisted.