Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 266 – The Fourth Office (2)

Thousand-men Commander Ma Ra-hyeon frowned and slightly turned his head.

That was because Mok Gyeong-un, although he said Trainee Bae Ji-seok had fainted, was peeling off the living face skin of the alive Bae Ji-seok.

Seeing someone peel off an intact face skin, even if one had a strong stomach, it was naturally difficult to watch.

-Scrape scrape!

As Mok Gyeong-un was carving out the facial skin, he nonchalantly said to him:

“It seems difficult to watch.”

“…What’s there to be pleasant about?”

“I guess your stomach is weaker than I thought.”

“…”

It’s not just about having a strong stomach, but it’s unsettling to peel it off like that when the person is alive and well, not already dead.

Of course, Mok Gyeong-un had explained the reason.

[The skin quickly necrotizes upon death. It’s much better to do it while it’s still elastic and fresh.]

It was a rather valid reason, but it was still burdensome.

Ma Ra-hyeon clicked his tongue inwardly and eventually left the interrogation room to avoid the scene.

Once outside, he let out a long sigh.

“Sigh.”

Normally, it would be something he could never accept, but he couldn’t refuse what Mok Gyeong-un wanted.

Even when he was doing such a horrific act.

He did say that he had selected someone who wouldn’t cause problems if touched, but this was truly a cruel act.

[Trainee Bae Ji-seok?]

[Yes.]

[Is this person someone who won’t cause any issues?]

[He’s an orphan, and before entering as an Imperial Guard trainee, he was a street thug who threatened and extorted elderly merchants in the marketplace and bullied the weak. He was taken in by a faction of the Grand Preceptor Hang Yoon, one of the four powers, under the pretense of finding talented individuals, and if it weren’t for their recommendation, he would have been weeded out beforehand.]

[So he’s not of particularly good character?]

[…Among them, yes.]

[Good. Then let’s go with this person.]

In any case, he wasn’t someone the Hang Yoon was actively promoting, so there wouldn’t be any problems, and in the first place, he wasn’t qualified to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

However, it was a bit pitiful.

Of all people, he had to be caught by such a demon-like guy and meet a miserable end.

***

Early the next morning.

After the period of basic training in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the trainees moved to their respective departments under the guidance of the Thousand-men Commanders they were assigned to for their apprenticeship.

Among them, the number of team members assigned to the Fourth Office was a total of 11.

The one who received the highest score among them was Trainee Joo Woonhyang, who had placed second in the first test.

Someone was closely observing this Joo Woonhyang from behind.

It was none other than Trainee Bae Ji-seok, or rather, Mok Gyeong-un wearing his face skin.

A glimmer of surprise appeared in Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes.

‘His energy has grown quite a bit.’

Joo Woonhyang’s innate true energy had increased compared to before.

Either he had worked tirelessly after competing with him, or perhaps he had a small opportunity.

However, Mok Gyeong-un’s demonic energy had advanced to a level incomparable to when he had fought Joo Woonhyang or Thousand-men Commander So Yerin a few nights ago.

Because of that, Joo Woonhyang’s current level of energy didn’t bother him much.

Mok Gyeong-un slightly licked his lips.

‘I thought he might notice a little.’

Like the other trainees, Joo Woonhyang also failed to notice his presence.

Of course, it could be because the gap in their skills had widened even further, but it was somewhat disappointing compared to his expectations.

Eventually, they arrived at the main hall of the Fourth Office in the Six Offices Building.

The Fourth Office was the department that managed all the prisons within the Imperial Palace.

Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-bo, who was walking ahead, pointed to a building and said:

“Here. This is where you will stay for the next five days.”

It was somewhat smaller and shabbier than the dormitory of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s main building, the Six Offices Building, where they had been temporarily assigned.

They had to stay in such a place for five days?

Most of the trainees seemed to have similar thoughts, as their expressions were not very pleased.

At that moment, someone walked out of the main building of the Fourth Office with their hands behind their back.

The moment they saw the red ceremonial robes, everyone clasped their hands together, lowered their heads, and paid their respects.

-Tap!

The person who came out of the main building of the Fourth Office was none other than Im Gyu-wol, the head of the Fourth Office and the Thousand-men Commander in charge.

He was a man with torn eyes and a pale face.

The overall impression was as if looking at a white snake.

At that moment, Im Gyu-wol abruptly spoke.

“Who here is the one named Joo Woonhyang?”

“That would be me.”

Joo Woonhyang politely replied with his head lowered.

Then, Im Gyu-wol smiled and approached Joo Woonhyang, saying:

“I heard you placed second in the internal energy measurement during the selection process. You can be considered an excellent talent.”

At his praise, Trainee Yeom Gyeong, a disciple of the Huashan Sect, bit his lip.

He was jealous of Joo Woonhyang receiving attention from the start of the apprenticeship.

However, unlike his jealousy, these words did not come from good intentions.

-Shwip!

Im Gyu-wol, who had approached right in front of her, placed his hand on Joo Woonhyang’s shoulder.

At that moment, Joo Woonhyang, who had his head lowered, flinched.

Mok Gyeong-un, who was watching this from right behind, narrowed his eyes.

‘Hmm.’

It seemed that Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol wasn’t simply grabbing his shoulder but applying pressure with his internal energy.

That guess was accurate.

The internal energy flowing from Im Gyu-wol’s hand was entering through Joo Woonhyang’s shoulder and inflicting pain.

-Squeeze!

As he sent his internal energy, Im Gyu-wol smiled nonchalantly and said:

“I have great expectations for you.”

At this, Joo Woonhyang was inwardly flabbergasted.

He was an absurd person.

Saying he had great expectations while trying to suppress him with true energy.

He didn’t know the reason, but unless he looked down on him, there was no way he would press down on him with such vast internal energy.

So he slightly raised his head to glance at his face, and contrary to his smiling face, he was looking at him with a condescending gaze.

‘Why is he doing this?’

Joo Woonhyang didn’t hide his puzzlement.

For some unknown reason, Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol was clearly acting emotionally towards him.

His guess was correct.

‘I heard you’re receiving attention from So Yerin?’

Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol had fallen for So Yerin’s beautiful appearance the moment he first saw her, another Thousand-men Commander, and had been yearning for her for a long time.

However, she, known as the Ice Flower of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had always been cold towards him.

Whenever he showed interest, she always rejected him bluntly.

‘But why is she, of all people, showing interest in a mere trainee like you?’

It was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

‘I don’t know how great of a talent you are, but I’ll make you regret being assigned to me.’

He couldn’t let anyone who received even the slightest attention from her go unscathed.

He would make them realize their place.

He was going to start by suppressing him with true energy to inflict internal injuries and show him hell during the five days he would be here in the Fourth Office.

‘I’ll directly eliminate you within my jurisdiction.’

In any case, this was his domain.

Even if he tormented him and made him drop out, there was no one who would blame or criticize him.

Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol raised his internal energy even more.

Even if he had placed second in the internal energy measurement, this guy was just a trainee.

‘You’ll feel your insides being shaken.’

But something was strange.

By now, Joo Woonhyang should have collapsed or at least screamed, unable to endure the true energy pressing on his insides.

However, there was no reaction at all.

-Crack!

At that moment, cracks appeared on the floor where Joo Woonhyang was standing.

Seeing this, one of Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol’s eyebrows raised.

This was a phenomenon that was only possible if he sent the true energy he had injected through his Yongcheon acupoint.

‘Look at this guy?’

He was a young man who hadn’t even reached adulthood yet.

Such a guy had deflected his energy?

Yes. That’s right.

-Woooosh!

At that moment, Im Gyu-wol’s cultivation level rose.

-Flinch!

“Thousand-men Commander!”

Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-bo, who noticed this, called out to Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol.

He had been quietly observing what he was doing while continuously holding Joo Woonhyang’s shoulder, but he didn’t expect him to be applying such internal energy pressure on a trainee.

However, Im Gyu-wol had no intention of ending it here.

‘Try enduring this too.’

Im Gyu-wol raised his cultivation level even more.

Then, Joo Woonhyang’s body gradually began to tremble as well.

‘Tsk.’

He tried to protect his shoulder with his own innate true energy and deflect the incoming internal energy, but as the cultivation level increased further, it became increasingly difficult.

-Crack crack!

The cracks on the floor had somehow spread to the other trainees nearby.

Startled, they stepped back.

Before they knew it, everyone’s attention was focused on them.

‘What the hell is he doing?’

‘Why is the Thousand-men Commander doing this?’

Anyone could see that Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol was pressuring Joo Woonhyang with his internal energy.

Seeing Joo Woonhyang’s complexion gradually worsening, it might turn into a problem.

At that moment, Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-ho approached to dissuade him.

“Thousand-men Commander. That’s enough…”

“Don’t interfere.”

Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol rebuked him in a low voice and waved his hand.

It meant not to intervene.

At this, Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-ho couldn’t hide his difficulty.

Having served Im Gyu-wol for a long time, he knew his personality better than anyone else.

If he tried to stop him here, his anger might turn towards him.

-Crack crack!

“Ugh.”

For the first time, a small groan escaped from Joo Woonhyang’s mouth.

It seemed he had finally reached his limit due to Im Gyu-wol’s continuous internal energy pressure.

As an apprentice going through the Embroidered Uniform Guard selection process, he couldn’t rebel against the examiner, so he had no choice but to endure it one-sidedly.

‘Hehehe. You’ve reached your limit now.’

The corners of Im Gyu-wol’s mouth curled up eerily.

Although it was admirable that the brat had endured his internal energy despiteh his young age, it was now over.

Im Gyu-wol tried to raise his cultivation level to finish it off decisively.

-Crack crack!

As he raised his cultivation level further, the cracks on the floor spread even farther.

Joo Woonhyang’s complexion worsened, indicating he had reached his limit.

It was at that very moment.

-Grab!

Someone grabbed his right wrist.

‘Huh?’

Im Gyu-wol, who had raised his cultivation level to nearly the 7th stage, frowned fiercely.

Among the trainees, there was no one at a level capable of stopping him.

Naturally, he thought it was Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-ho who had intervened.

So…

“I told you not to interfere… You?”

It was none other than Trainee Bae Ji-seok, or rather, Mok Gyeong-un wearing his face skin as a human skin mask.

Seeing this, one of Im Gyu-wol’s eyebrows raised.

Not even Thousand-men Commander Mak Myeong-ho, but an apprentice trainee who hadn’t even ranked in the top positions in the first test was now grabbing his wrist?

At this, Im Gyu-wol was flabbergasted and tried to shake him off.

However…

-Grip!

‘What?’

Im Gyu-wol’s eyes trembled.

That was because he couldn’t shake off the guy’s hand.

He had even raised his cultivation level to the 8th stage, yet it remained immovable.

To the perplexed Im Gyu-wol, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said in a polite voice:

“Thousand-men Commander. It seems you have sufficiently tested the trainee, so how about stopping here?”

“You…”

Who the hell was this guy?

His cultivation level was much stronger than Joo Woonhyang, who had placed second in the internal energy test.

Thousand-men Commander Im Gyu-wol’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

All the apprentice trainees were looking at him, and he thought that if he continued this power struggle here, he might end up embarrassing himself.