The Invincible Commander – Chapter 9

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HwasanSect

[Translator: Chyluck]

[Proofreader: Chyluck]

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Chapter 9

Huangdu stared blankly at Myunghwan, whose eyes were gone and cheeks torn to his ears.

He’d barely survived, but even if his wounds healed, he’d never live like a person again.

“That servant did this?”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. We were taken down in an instant. I couldn’t even see how he moved.”

“Hmm…”

Huangdu’s face twisted as Myunghwan turned his head, guided by his voice.

How many years had it been?

He’d killed off the old crew and claimed the back alleys.

Though not as grand as Taiyuan, the provincial capital, Jeongyang County was a blessed land to him.

The trade route north ran straight through, with merchants passing endlessly, filling inns and taverns.

Food was abundant.

Escort agencies, merchants, and weary travelers always flocked to his illegal gambling dens to unwind.

Naturally, many took his high-interest loans.

Business thrived more each day.

All he had to do was fend off the occasional tough guy flexing muscle to protect his throne in the alleys.

No notable martial clans or schools had taken root here.

Martial clans didn’t form easily, nor did sects establish themselves overnight.

Not even a branch of a famous sect existed nearby.

This was because of the Wutaishan Gang, a Green Forest faction dominating the region.

No one wanted to clash with them.

Huangdu only needed to pay them occasional tribute.

Beggars from the Beggar Sect roamed, but they were low-ranking informants, nothing more.

This was his world.

Until that crazed servant appeared at the Seoga manor.

Crunch.

His teeth ground involuntarily.

Ten men.

And Myunghwan, practically his second-in-command, was now a cripple.

He was furious.

Because his men were beaten?

Hardly.

What loyalty was there in the alleys to care for them?

Whether Myunghwan’s eyes were gouged, his men’s limbs broken, or they died…

It meant nothing to him.

The problem was his territory was slipping.

His blessed land was at risk.

If ten couldn’t handle him, how could he?

They couldn’t even see him move.

Rumors must already be spreading.

No, he’d heard merchants were already flocking to the Seoga manor.

They’d seen his men, sent to raid, return as wrecks.

They already placed that servant above him.

They’d likely begged the Seoga manor for protection.

Should he rob them?

Move elsewhere?

Would that fix it?

But after long deliberation, there was only one choice.

People are like that.

How could he abandon a place where he’d ruled like a king?

He had to take it back.

No matter how strong, he was just a servant.

Numbers would win, and he’d devised a decent plan.

“Boss…”

As he solidified his thoughts, the blinded Myunghwan flailed his hands, speaking.

Huangdu grasped his hand tightly.

“Avenge me.”

“…”

“I’m wronged.”

Blood dripped from Myunghwan’s empty eye sockets.

Huangdu sighed, staring at him.

“Myunghwan.”

“Yes, boss.”

“The crippled boys who came back said something.”

“What?”

“You offered to sell me out to save yourself?”

“…B-Boss!”

A short sword, now in Huangdu’s hand, plunged into Myunghwan’s heart.

He couldn’t see it coming.

He only felt the pain piercing his chest, too late.

“Urgh…”

“You dog. Selling me to save your skin? Ungrateful bastard.”

“H-Huangdu…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll avenge you. Wait in hell. I’ll send that servant and the Seoga girl there.”

Myunghwan’s trembling body stilled.

Huangdu’s eyes glinted coldly as he stared at the corpse.

“Anyone out there?”

“Yes.”

“Gather the boys. Tonight, we burn the Seoga manor.”

“Yes!”

Sohyang had a new worry.

Her life had changed overnight.

Merchants flooding in meant she couldn’t go out to work or pick up sewing jobs.

No, she didn’t need to anymore.

“Haa.”

Sighing, Sohyang’s eyes fell on the items piled around the room.

New blankets, wrapped goods.

Everyone who ate left gifts, saying not to worry.

People who’d never glanced her way before said so.

And she knew the cause.

It didn’t take much to figure out.

Cheon Sinwoo.

Everything changed since he came to the Seoga manor.

They ate meat every morning, and Chang’s face filled out.

Thugs suddenly attacked, and the next day, Jeongyang’s wife and Woosaeng moved in.

Every improvement in their lives tied back to Cheon Sinwoo.

“Helping like heaven and god…”

His name suddenly made her smile.

What was hard for her became a sea change overnight after he arrived.

What should she do?

He didn’t seem to have bad intentions, but she’d sworn to cut ties with the martial world, and he was clearly a martial artist.

“Mother?”

“Hm?”

“Today was really weird, right?”

“It was.”

“But I loved it.”

“…”

“It’s the first time so many people came.”

“Well…”

“They all called me cute. When I passed through the village, people avoided my eyes, but not today.”

Sohyang’s face softened with pity at Chang’s words.

“I thought they hated me because I was a villain’s son. Guess I was wrong.”

“…!”

Sohyang’s eyes widened.

She’d never told him.

She’d hidden it, buried it.

That’s why she didn’t send him to school.

It wasn’t poverty.

What mother would spare expense on her child’s education?

She could’ve worked herself to the bone to afford it.

She didn’t send him because she feared someone would taunt him as a villain’s seed, wounding him.

She feared he’d learn about his father and despair.

So she sheltered him.

“What do you mean? Who said that?” Sohyang asked, startled.

Chang smiled brightly. “Everyone…”

“E-Everyone?”

“Yes. I have ears, Mother.”

“…”

“I hear people’s whispers. I feel the words in their gazes.”

Sohyang’s heart broke.

He knew.

He never showed it.

She fought back tears.

“Don’t cry. I’m okay,” Chang said.

“Chang…”

“I know about my father. A villain, a martial world enemy. He killed many, right? But I think he wasn’t all bad.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen your eyes sometimes. Thinking of him, right?”

“You…”

“I felt longing. Different from when you talk about Grandfather.”

“…”

“So I know. You don’t think he was as bad as people say.”

“Chang…”

“I also know you want to kick out Sinwoo hyung because he’s a martial artist. You’re scared trouble will come because of it.”

Sohyang was speechless, her eyes trembling as she looked at her son.

“You knew?”

“Come on, your voice is so loud. The house is old. I hear everything.”

“…”

“Don’t worry about me. If you don’t want it, I won’t become a martial artist. A man’s ambition doesn’t have to be in the martial world. I can study hard to be a scholar or join the military even without martial arts.”

His smile was innocent, but his words were profound.

He knew everything.

He never spoke of it.

He never complained.

Sohyang could only hug him, her throat tight with emotion.

She regretted not noticing how mature he was, hiding it all this time.

How much had he suffered alone?

“Don’t cry,” Chang said.

“…”

“You’re prettiest when you smile.”

His words, as tears fell, made her hands tremble.

They echoed someone’s last words.

“By the way, Sinwoo hyung is on the roof.”

“Huh?”

“All day. Starving.”

“How do you know? Did Young Master Cheon tell you?”

“No. I just feel it.”

“What?”

“It’s hard to explain, but… I feel it.”

Sohyang stared at her son, shocked.

He felt it?

She hadn’t known.

That her son had such a strange sense…

Bloodline.

It was innate.

Not something she could block, a fate to accept.

She felt pathetic for her ignorance.

“I’ve been too careless as a mother.”

“You were busy.”

“…”

“Cooking, laundry, work, teaching me to read. You were too busy.”

“Is that why you didn’t tell me?”

“I knew it’d make you harder if I struggled.”

“Chang…”

“Yes.”

“Some mothers get mad at their kids, but none suffer because of them. So don’t think like that anymore.”

“I won’t.”

“And don’t bottle up your struggles. Share your worries.”

“I will.”

“And… I’m sorry. I didn’t know my son was so admirable.”

“Let Sinwoo hyung stay. He’ll be fine. People who came said he beat the bad thugs and brought peace to the streets.”

“…”

“Not all martial artists are bad. Someone has to protect, right? You taught me that powerless justice is helpless, and strength without justice is violence.”

“…”

“Sinwoo hyung did the right thing. He helped the weak.”

Chang’s defense of Cheon Sinwoo felt like persuading her heart, which had rejected the martial world.

Sohyang sighed, smiling faintly.

She was less wise than her young son.

Fearing the past’s continuation, she’d hidden everything.

But her son already knew, accepted it, and moved forward.

“Do you want Young Master Cheon to stay with us?”

“Yes. He’s a good person. I feel good energy. His words and actions toward us feel sincere. And I don’t think he’d leave even if you kicked him out. He seems super stubborn.”

She could only hug her brightly smiling son.

“Mother, I can’t breathe.”

“Just a bit, let’s stay like this.”

“I’m suffocating…”

Sohyang smiled at his whining and hugged him tighter.

After a while, she tucked Chang into bed and stepped outside.

It was quiet.

Unlike the bustling day, it was serene.

Woosaeng and Jeongyang’s wife must have retired for the night.

But then—

Clink.

“…?”

Rustle.

“…”

Faint sounds reached her ears.

From the kitchen.

Sohyang stepped lightly toward it.

Grabbing the handle, she flung the door open.

“…”

“…”

Cheon Sinwoo, holding a bowl and spoon, froze like a statue.

He swallowed hard under Sohyang’s cold gaze.

Damn, hunger must’ve dulled his senses.

He hadn’t felt her approach.

“Hoo.”

As Sohyang sighed, Cheon Sinwoo smiled awkwardly, stammering.

“M-My lady, this, uh… I was just…”

He couldn’t string words together.

He didn’t even notice rice grains on his face from eating hurriedly.

He must’ve been starving.

As Chang said, hiding on the roof all day without food.

Probably watching her, afraid she’d tell him to leave.

Shaking her head, Sohyang stepped into the kitchen.

Cheon Sinwoo flinched, stepping aside, shrinking like a thief caught stealing food.

He’d looked fierce and terrifying fighting thugs.

But before her, he had the eyes of a timid puppy.

Maybe Chang was right.

Like the Seoga family once did for others.

Someone had to protect.

Letting go of a long-held resolve, she silently picked up a small bowl and approached the water jar.

She filled it and handed it to Cheon Sinwoo.

“Eating too fast can upset your stomach.”

“Huh?”

Startled, Cheon Sinwoo blinked, not taking the bowl.

“Next time, pheasant would be nice. I’m tired of boar and wolf.”

“W-What does that mean?”

“The old lady’s a great cook. A pheasant stew from your catch would be delicious.”

“M-My lady, do you mean…?”

“Yes. I’m counting on you, Young Master Cheon.”

Sohyang smiled brightly, bowing to him.

“Drink the water.”

Cheon Sinwoo, staring, downed the bowl in one gulp.

Her smile was still beautiful, the water sweet as honey.

He could finally live as a servant.

“But promise me one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t wield your strength recklessly. Always walk toward what’s right.”

“…”

“I know someone who, crushed by life, had a sad fate.”

Her eyes looked lonely for a moment. Realizing she meant him, Cheon Sinwoo’s heart surged, and he bowed his head.

She thought that?

A sad fate…

Her first true words to him weighed heavy on his chest, and his face hardened.

Whizz.

A sound cut through the air by his ear.

…An arrow?