Light Novel: Volu 2 Chapter 20
Manhwa: Chapters 46-47
Lee Gwak blinked his eyes in surprise.
He recognized the face but couldnt imdiately recall the boys na. The boy then smiled and said,
Its , Lim Ji-moon.
Ah, right!
The brightly smiling boy turned out to be Lim Sobos younger brother, Lim Ji-moon. His face still carried an air of innocent cheerfulness.
Lee Gwak seed quite taken aback, as he hadnt expected to encounter Lim Ji-moon here. Lim Ji-moon only looked at Lee Gwaks surprised face with a hint of amusent.
What are you doing here, brother?
Oh, Master Ma asked to help him.
Really?
Lim Ji-moons eyes widened in surprise, while Ma Duwon chuckled.
He helped a lot at Mount Shaohua. While he may not know how to make new chanisms, hell have no problems with repairs.
Thats impressive.
So I called him here. As you can see, my arms like this.
Ma Duwon shook his bandaged and splinted arm. Lim Ji-moon frowned slightly.
You should have been more careful. Its so sad when you get hurt.
Haha, thats true. Thank you for your concern.
Ma Duwons attitude towards Lim Ji-moon was extrely polite.
Ma Duwons status in the Creation Pavilion was by no ans low. On the contrary, he was among the high-ranking individuals, and yet he showed a courteous deanor towards Lim Ji-moon.
That just an that Lim Ji-moon also holds a high status too.
But Lee Gwak wasnt surprised. He already knew about Lim Sobos status from Nam Woo-gyeong.
It was natural to think that her brother, Lim Ji-moon, would also have an extraordinary status.
Lee Gwaks gaze then shifted to the woman standing behind Lim Ji-moon.
She was a woman who radiated a sharp aura, as if one was looking at a well-honed blade. Her appearance was plain, but the creepy and chilling aura emanating from her entire body was enough to make anyone who looked at her shudder.
The woman stood in a protective stance around Lim Ji-moon. It was clear from her deanor that she wouldnt tolerate even the slightest threat to him.
Lim Ji-moon smiled and introduced the woman.
This is sister Gung Han-seol, my escort.
Nice to et you. Im Lee Gwak, the leader of Squad 13 from the Outer Hall.
Even though Lee Gwak greeted her, Gung Han-seol just stared blankly without responding. Her attitude clearly indicated she was ignoring Lee Gwak. Lim Ji-moon then let out a soft sigh.
Im sorry, big brother. Sister isnt much of a talker. But shes not a bad person.
Its okay, dont worry about it.
Hehe!
Lim Ji-moon gave an awkward laugh.
Lee Gwak looked at him for a mont and then spoke to Ma Duwon.
Then, Ill take my leave and let the two of you talk.
Alright!
See you tomorrow, big brother!
Ma Duwon and Lim Ji-moon bid farewell to Lee Gwak. Lee Gwak bowed to them and then stepped outside. Following him out was Gung Han-seol.
Thud!
As the door closed, Gung Han-seols red lips parted.
Squad 13 Leader Lee Gwak!
Her voice was cold, swirling with chill.
At her sudden call, Lee Gwak frowned slightly.
Please speak.
I dont know how you are acquainted with Young Master Lim, but he is not so insignificant that you, a re squad leader of the Outer Hall, can talk and interact with him so casually. From now on, I hope you dont initiate conversation with him and only do as youre told.
Did you follow out here just to say that?
Yes. I ought to give you a warning.
Lim Ji-moon must be quite important.
He is a person with a genius intellect. Especially in matters of chanical traps, there is no one who can match him. Thats why he is specially taken care of by the alliance. Your status, rely a martial artist of the Outer Hall, is fundantally different from his. So, I would appreciate if you would be especially careful in how you interact with him in the future.
Are you warning not to cross the line?
Yes. Theres a reason why boundaries exist.
Gung Han-seol was firm in her stance.
There wasnt a single gap in her deanor that could be penetrated, even with the finest needle.
Gung Han-seols family had held key positions in the Jade Heaven Alliance for three generations.
Her grandfather was the first leader of the Righteous Heaven Corps1 in the Inner Court, while her father had served as an advisor to the Alliance Leader. She herself, recognized for her martial prowess from a young age, had been recruited in the Secret Court and had risen rapidly through the ranks.
Although she was unable to train at the Steel Blood Hell Training Ground on Mount Shaohua due to unforeseen circumstances, she never once thought that she was inferior to them, and in reality, it was true.
Lim Ji-moon was her responsibility.
A precious being whom she must protect at all costs, therefore, she couldnt afford to let her guard down.
In her eyes, Lee Gwak seed far too inferior.
She did not know under what circumstances he had beco so casually acquainted with Lim Ji-moon, but she could not allow him, a re leader of the Outer Hall, to continue interacting with Lim Ji-moon in such an informal manner.
Gung Han-seols gaze at Lee Gwak openly displayed these sentints.
Her look demanded an answer from Lee Gwak.
After eting her gaze for a mont, Lee Gwak nodded.
I will do so.
Is that a promise?
I promise. I wont take the initiative to be overly familiar. But
As Lee Gwak added a caveat, Gung Han-seols eyebrows twitched slightly. Yet, Lee Gwak continued unabashed.
If Lim Ji-moon approaches first, I will not turn him away.
Are you ignoring what I just said?
A sharp aura emanated from Gung Han-seols entire body, overwhelming Lee Gwak. It was the kind of montum that a re Outer Hall warrior would not dare to withstand, but Lee Gwak continued, unfazed,
Im not ignoring you. Thats just how human relationships are.
You!
See you tomorrow.
Ignoring her, he turned and walked away.
A twitch ran down Gung Hanseols shoulder. She watched Lee Gwaks retreating back with a fearso gaze.
How dare he, a re Outer Hall warrior
* * *
The next day, Lee Gwak led Squad 13 into the Creation Pavilion. He needed help in transporting the materials needed for the repairs, and Squad 13 was much better and secure than using ordinary porters.
Wow!
Amazing!
Exclamations of awe escaped the lips of the Squad 13 mbers as they entered the inner city. This was the first ti they had ever been inside the inner city.
Initially carefree and awestruck, their deanor soon beca cautious. The atmosphere was markedly different from the outer city.
Not a single one of the martial artists passing by looked normal. All of them had a fierce light shining in their eyes, and every single one of them carried themselves with a hint of discipline.
Above all, the warrior of the inner city radiated a sense of pride, an aura that the warriors of the Outer Hall could never possess.
Phew!
Seok Yi-cheon sighed, feeling overwheld by the atmosphere. Go Cheon-gwang and Woo Il-yeong looked no different from Seok Yi-cheon.
In contrast, Ki Jinhwi and Cheon-wol didnt seem as intimidated.
Whew! They are really sothing. Their glares could almost slice a person in half.
Ki Jinhwi whistled, jesting as Cheon-wol silently nodded in agreent.
At least, thanks to the squad leader, we got to see the inner court, which wasnt even in our fate. Quite the rise in status, huh.
Weve arrived. Please be quiet now.
Understood, squad leader!
When they reached the Creation Pavilion, Ma Duwon, Lim Ji-moon, and Gung Han-seol were already waiting.
Lee Gwak walked up to them.
Sorry for being a bit late.
Not at all! You arrived just in ti. Are these your squad mbers?
Yes, they are.
Good. We needed soone to carry these materials. Take those packages over there and follow .
Ma Duwon pointed to the packages in one corner of the Creation Pavilion. Lee Gwak recognized them as materials for repairing chanisms.
Lee Gwak nodded, and the squad mbers shouldered the materials. They willingly took up the role of porters, with no one showing any signs of displeasure.
Lets get going.
Ma Duwon led the way.
He headed towards the eastern wall of the inner court. Upon arriving, Ma Duwon instructed Lee Gwak,
Put the materials down here and have your squad mbers wait here.
Cant my squad mbers enter as well?
The area were going into is critical for the defense of the main castle. You must assist , but its not permissible to reveal it to your squad mbers. Its not that I dont trust them, its just that the place is of such importance.
Understood.
Lee Gwak agreed and relayed Ma Duwons instructions to his squad.
So, we just have to guard this place?
Yes! Wait here until I return.
Got it.
Dont let anyone inside.
Dont worry and go ahead.
Seok Yi-cheon smiled and gently pushed Lee Gwak forward.
Lee Gwak looked at each of his squad mbers faces before approaching Ma Duwon and Lim Ji-moon.
Since his squad mbers couldnt enter, Lee Gwak carried the necessary materials for today.
Lets go.
Follow , everyone. From now on, you must step exactly where I step. A single misstep could cost you your life, so be extrely careful.
Lim Ji-moon took the lead, walking toward the eastern wall. Gung Han-seol, Ma Duwon, and Lee Gwak precisely followed his footsteps.
Suddenly, they disappeared from the sight of the Squad 13 mbers.
Whoa!
Hmm!
As Go Cheon-gwang and others expressed their surprise, Ki Jinhwi comnted.
It seems theres so sort of formation in place there.
A formation?
Yes! Perhaps an illusion or maze formation, definitely sothing of that sort.
Hmm!
Anyway, our squad leader is really sothing. chanism studies are extrely complex and difficult. When did he even learn all that?
A hint of admiration flickered in Ki Jinhwis eyes.
He intently gazed at the spot where Lee Gwak and others vanished, his eyes shining sharper than ever.
* * *
In an instant, the surrounding scenery rapidly changed.
The city walls disappeared from sight, and suddenly a forest appeared. After passing through the forest, a desolate desert erged.
At that mont, Lim Ji-moons voice could be heard.
This is the Thousand Changing Illusion Soul Array.2 If youre deceived by the landscape in front of you and step in the wrong place, the simple illusion array will transform into a deadly trap. Even a great master cannot guarantee their life in such a situation, so everyone be careful.
Lee Gwak nodded and carefully stepped only where Lim Ji-moon had stepped.
The desolate desert then suddenly turned into a sea of mist. There was a dizzying sense of isolation, as if one was floating alone in the middle of a vast sea of clouds.
He knew all too well that it was an illusion, but he still couldnt help but get goosebumps.
He had experienced similar things a few tis at Mount Shaohua, but the array spread out here was on a completely different level. Designed for the defense of the Jade Heaven Alliance, it was several tis more intricate and threatening.
It was then that Lee Gwaks senses picked up a subtle presence.
It was so discreet that he would never have detected it if his senses werent at peak alert.
Experts!
Lee Gwak realized that experts were lurking throughout the Thousand Changing Illusion Soul Array.
Perhaps it was to be expected.
This was a critical location of the Alliances chanical array, responsible for the defense of the Jade Heaven Alliance. No amount of experts would be too many to guard it.
Anyone entering this area without prior notice was to be instantly executed, even if they were high-ranking mbers of the Alliance.
At that mont, Lim Ji-moon spoke up.
Phew! Weve arrived.
Regaining his focus, Lee Gwak saw that the illusions had vanished, revealing a small iron door.
This ti, Ma Duwon stepped forward. The iron door in front of him operated solely through a chanism.
The surface of the door was embedded with about two dozen beads. Only by pressing the beads in a specific combination would the door be opened.
Ma Duwon quickly pressed the beads, shielding the door with his body. Lee Gwak and Lim Ji-moon deliberately turned their heads away to avoid any misunderstanding.
Clunk!
With a heavy tallic sound, the iron door opened, revealing the space inside.
The sight of nurous gears shing flawlessly together was overwhelming, and Gung Han-seol was the first to be struck by the sight.
Ah!
To her, unfamiliar with chanical arts, the massive chanism appeared like the insides of a giant beast, which she found terrifying.
Ma Duwon, Lim Ji-moon, and Lee Gwak moved inside without hesitation. However, Gung Han-seol hesitated to step forward.
It was then that Lee Gwak turned his head and looked at Gung Han-seol.
Arent you coming in?
SoundlessWind21s Notes:
As of now, there are two introduced corps under the Inner Court: Righteous Blood Corps and Righteous Heaven Corps.
If there are any errors, whether it be grammatical, spelling, translation, or website-related issues, feel free to let know. (`) Anyway, thank you for reading!
Righteous Heaven Corps. Raws: (). y justice / righteousness / aning / foster (father etc) / adopted / artificial (tooth, limb etc) / relationship / friendship tin day / sky / heaven tun round / lump / ball / to roll into a ball / to gather / regint / group / society / classifier for a lump or a soft mass: wad (of paper), ball (of wool), cloud (of smoke) zh owner / master / host / individual or party concerned / God / Lord / main / to indicate or signify / trump card (in card gas)Thousand Changing Illusion Soul Array. Raws: (). qin thousand bin change, transform, alter hun illusion, fantasy, mirage hn soul, spirit zhn disposition of troops / wave / spate / burst / spell / short period of ti / classifier for events or states of short duration
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