Chapter 30: Sword Demon Forms a Squad

‘Perfect.’

Hoyeon smiled to himself as he muttered inwardly.

‘I was looking for a chance to act independently anyway, and if I can just form a squad on my own, that’s a jackpot.’

Rather than taking orders from those bratty elites, it suited his nature more to create his own team and gain freedom of movement.

“You said… you want to form a squad?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

At Hoyeon’s firm reply, Moyonghu sighed with regret.

“Think again. Without any support, the land of Liaoning is quite vast.”

“Why would there be no support? Didn’t you say earlier that the magistrates of each district would help us?”

“Well…”

Moyonghu trailed off, and the other young martial elites shook their heads as they looked at Hoyeon.

‘He showed surprising skill, but he’s still just a kid.’

‘Even if a cooperation request has been sent, why would a magistrate obey a mere martial artist?’

‘The success or failure of the Baekga Sword Assembly depends entirely on how much support we get from the Eight Pillars of Liaoning and the other local sects and families.’

To those aware of the situation, Hoyeon looked like a naive fool unaware of how the world worked.

“Are you really forming a squad?”

“Of course.”

“Hm… Very well. Then Namgung Hoyeon will be the leader of the fifth squad.”

Moyonghu reluctantly declared the formation of the new squad.

Moyonghak clicked his tongue in disappointment, while Moyongcheol smirked and looked away.

Meanwhile, Moyongyul felt all the strength drain from his body.

‘Ah…’

He had been planning to persuade Namgung Hoyeon to join the fourth squad.

‘…It’s over.’

Moyongyul gave a bitter smile.

He had been desperately clinging to the edge, trying not to fall off a cliff.

Despite the cold treatment he received because of his different-colored eyes, he had endured.

But now, with even the faintest hope gone, he felt like collapsing.

“Well then, let’s begin the squad formations. All squad leaders, please join the squad you’re most aligned with.”

Moyonghu’s merciless voice rang out.

Moyongyul felt as if he’d been left all alone. Hanging his head low, he shut his eyes tightly.

There was no way anyone would come to him.

Just then—

“What are you doing?”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t just stand there. Sit down. You’ll hurt your neck.”

Moyongyul opened his eyes in shock at the voice beside him.

Namgung Hoyeon was sitting beside him, looking up at him.

“N-Namgung Gongja-nim?”

“What?”

“Why? That’s what I want to ask!”

At Moyongyul’s shocked words, Hoyeon grinned and asked back,

“What are you hoping to gain from the Baekga Sword Assembly?”

“…Me?”

“For me, if I’m being honest, it’s ‘reputation.’ More precisely, the prestige that comes with the name ‘Namgung.’”

Hoyeon looked at Moyongyul’s wide eyes with a meaningful expression and continued.

“To gain fame, you have to do something that isn’t ordinary.”

“Something that isn’t… ordinary.”

“Think about it. If a top-tier warrior beats a third-rate one, no one cares.”

“…That’s true.”

“But if a top-tier defeats a master or even a transcendent… that’s a different story.”

Moyongyul nodded, understanding now.

“You’re saying that you want to form a squad that everyone thinks is doomed to fail and then become the star of the Baekga Sword Assembly.”

“Exactly. Life is a gambler’s den full of moths hoping for a one-shot miracle.”

Hoyeon smiled gently and gestured toward him.

“I told you my goal. Now it’s your turn.”

“…For me, it’s simple. Survival. That’s all I want.”

“Survival, huh…”

Hoyeon’s eyes sparkled at the answer.

‘So he’s not completely clueless.’

Moyongyul clearly understood the situation he was in.

‘This guy is the stain of the Moyong family. For Moyong Mukyeol, it’d be ideal if this illegitimate child dies on a mission.’

A blade has no name.

Even if there are suspicions, the Moyong family’s power could easily cover it up.

In other words, Moyongyul was practically a walking corpse with a death sentence.

“Good. Our interests align.”

“…Sorry?”

“To be honest, I acted on impulse, but I’d rather not work alone. I can’t even use the Iron Sword Division for this mission.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Two’s better than one. I need someone to run errands, and I doubt you’ll steal my spotlight.”

At Hoyeon’s offer, Moyongyul’s jaw slowly dropped.

“If you stick with me, at least you won’t die getting stabbed in your sleep. So, want to ally with the Fifth Squad?”

“Y-Yes! I’m in!”

Moyongyul nodded furiously and accepted Hoyeon’s offer.

Then—

“Hehe, may I join you as well?”

“Hm?”

Hoyeon turned his head at the voice behind him.

A young man with a generous, benevolent look in golden robes stood there. With wide earlobes and a Buddha-like aura, he clasped his hands and introduced himself.

“I’m Shangguan Hai, the third son of the Shangguan family.”

“Shangguan family…!”

Moyongyul widened his eyes. The Shangguan family was one of the Ten Great Families.

“…And your reason?”

Hoyeon raised a brow as he asked. Shangguan Hai smiled warmly.

“Haha, our family rose through silver trading and security escort businesses. Do you know what’s most important to a merchant?”

“Money?”

At Hoyeon’s response, Shangguan Hai shook his head.

“People. The ‘Guan (關)’ in Shangguan refers to relationships. Money is just a byproduct of connections.”

“Ho?”

Hoyeon nodded, intrigued by this merchant’s philosophy.

Shangguan Hai continued.

“To be honest, I don’t care about the results of the Baekga Sword Assembly. What matters are the connections with the young elites gathered here.”

“So?”

“A merchant’s virtue is not to make enemies. Choosing a Moyong prince may upset other factions.”

“True. I’m the only one who’s not a Moyong.”

“Exactly.”

Shangguan Hai bowed again, clearly pleading.

But in truth, he didn’t reveal his full motive.

‘You know what’s more important than avoiding enemies? Meeting a single great person.’

He’d heard it a thousand times from his father growing up.

Rather than ten mediocre talents, build a bond with one genius.

‘I feel it… Namgung Hoyeon! You reek of the God of Wealth!’

Watching Danri Sanwol’s martial arts match had given him a strong conviction.

If you can’t become a dragon, ride on one and soar.

And Shangguan Hai had chosen Namgung Hoyeon as his dragon.

“Well, not bad. But I’ll be taking all the fame.”

“Haha! Of course! I’ll support you from behind. This man has plenty of money!”

Shangguan Hai shouted confidently, and Hoyeon nodded before turning to Moyongyul.

“That okay with you?”

“Yes, hyungnim!”

“…Hyungnim?”

“Well, we’ll be seeing each other a lot. I can’t keep calling you ‘Gongja-nim’ forever, can I?”

Moyongyul fidgeted shyly as his voice trailed off.

Hoyeon shrugged.

“Suit yourself.”

“Ah!”

“Then the squad will be us three—”

“Wait. Could you accept one more member?”

Hoyeon tilted his head and looked around.

By now, all the groups in the training ground had been divided.

First Prince Moyonghu had the largest group, followed by Moyongcheol, then Moyonghak.

“Who do you mean? Squad formation is already complete.”

“There’s one more. Probably passed out drunk in his room by now.”

“…Doesn’t sound very useful.”

“He’s capable, trust me. His only flaw is his lack of motivation.”

Seeing Hoyeon unconvinced, Shangguan Hai thumped his chest.

“He’s like me—no desire for fame. Perfectly aligns with your goals.”

“…Alright. If he gets in the way, we’ll just ditch him.”

“Hahaha! You joke well.”

“…I wasn’t joking.”

Just as Hoyeon scratched his messy hair—

“Hmm?”

He felt a gaze from the direction of Squad 2. It was Jegal Ahyeon, staring intently at him.

She moved her lips.

“Can we talk later?”

[The rest of the chapter — including Jegal Ahyeon’s warning, Hoyeon’s rejection of her alliance, and the Moyong patriarch’s ominous reaction — continues in the next message due to length.]