Published at 26th of January 2026 10:12 pm

Chapter 381

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The Struggle for the Position of Young Sect Leader.

That phrase was the first thing that caught my attention.

'... What even is that?'

It was my first time hearing the term. Was that even a thing? I looked at Yu Chun-gil with suspicion.

『... Was that even a thing?』

He had the exact same reaction. He clearly had no idea either.

On top of that—

'Never mind the struggle, but Baek Yun is the daughter of the Chun family... in other words...'

He hoped to help Chun Hye-In? Is that what he bargained with the Tyrant King for?

'Why?'

I couldn't understand why Baek Yun would wish for something like that.

'... So that's why they were together?'

In the store room, I saw Baek Yun and Chun Hye-In together. I narrowed my eyes at that. I still wasn't sure what this "struggle" really was, but what mattered was—

'At any rate, Chun Hye-In is included in Baek Yun's objective.'

The fact that his goals somehow involved Chun Hye-In had me focusing on that point.

"Whatever the details, you're going to get involved either way. Will you be alright with that?"

"... Hmm."

The Struggle for the Position of Young Sect Leader. Hearing that phrase, I narrowed my eyes. I could guess what he meant, that I'd inevitably get caught up in it.

'Even if I don't know what it is, as long as the term Young Sect Leader is in there...'

There's no avoiding getting involved. I had to admit that.

"I'll handle that on my own."

I needed time to investigate. And even if I did learn more, my decision likely wouldn't change.

'Even if I don't know what this struggle is, for now, it's best to keep the Tyrant King interested.'

"Hm."

Shortly after I answered, the Tyrant King nodded.

"If that's what you wish, fine. In other words, you'll get me what I want, yes?"

"... If it's at least within my knowledge, that is."

"Good. If what you're talking about matches what I want..."

A smirk.

"I'll also grant what you wish for."

The Tyrant King smiled.

* * *

Right after my conversation with the Tyrant King, I returned to my quarters before it became day. As soon as I entered, faint blue eyes greeted me.

It was Do Hyung.

He was in the middle of sitting up, as if he'd just woken from sleep.

"Where have you been?"

"I was out training."

"Really? Impressive."

With that, Do Hyung said no more. Who's he calling impressive, anyway?

'... Does he normally wake up at this hour?'

Do Hyung was always up before me, so I guess waking at this time was truly his routine.

Can people really do that?

No matter how little sleep someone needs...

"Senior."

"What is it?"

"... Do you usually get up at this hour?"

"Yes."

Do Hyung answered with a perfectly calm expression.

Wow. So he wakes up and trains at this time?

'That's insane.'

No matter how passionate you are, is that even possible?

Woooong.

The Guardian Spirit gently circulated around Do Hyung's body. I glanced at it for a moment, then asked as Do Hyung was about to leave.

"Senior, may I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"... Do you know anything about the struggle for the position of Young Sect Leader?"

He stopped in his tracks.

Then, turning his opened Moon Eye toward me, he asked:

"You don't know?"

"Excuse me?"

"I asked if you don't know about it."

"Ah, no."

I'd never heard of it. At least not to my memory. Upon hearing this, Do Hyung spoke right away.

"I see. Seems no one's explained it to you."

"What exactly is it?"

"It's just as it sounds."

Do Hyung spoke as if I should think simply.

"A struggle to claim the position of Young Sect Leader. That's all it means."

"... A struggle for the seat of Young Sect Leader?"

Hearing this, I glanced at Yu Chun-gil again.

『... What nonsense is this?』

His reaction didn't change. For the actual former Sect Leader not to know...

"Is it a recent thing?"

"Yes."

As expected.

So this struggle thing was only put in place recently.

"The Sect Leader announced that it would be held every ten years. Next year is that ten-year cycle."

"... A struggle held every ten years."

『Huh.』

Yu Chun-gil let out a sigh at that.

『What a ridiculous thing to create.』

His words were heavy with discontent. He clearly couldn't understand either.

"So what happens when it's held...?"

"What do you mean?"

Do Hyung seemed puzzled by my question and tilted his head.

"It's a struggle. People fight each other."

"... Fight? Everyone, without conditions?"

"Of course not."

"Then?"

"Only those who have awakened the Moon Eye can enter."

"Ah."

Those who have opened the Moon Eye. In other words...

'Does that mean people from the Small Moon Division?'

Not everyone who awakens the Moon Eye joins the Small Moon Division, but normally they belong there.

'All those who have opened the Moon Eye, huh.'

And if this is a struggle for the Young Sect Leader position...

"If you win, does that mean you become Young Sect Leader?"

"Yes."

That much was clear from the name. So then...

"Do you become the next Sect Leader if that happens?"

"That's different."

"That's different?"

"Yes. Anyone can become the Sect Leader at any time—by challenging the current Sect Leader and winning."

"..."

That is true.

Becoming Blue Moon Sect Leader meant being the strongest within the current sect.

Anyone who desired that seat could issue a challenge whenever they wished.

So then—

"Then is there any point to becoming Young Sect Leader?"

Why go through this struggle just to claim that position? At my question—

"There's one reason."

"And that is...?"

"If you claim the position of Young Sect Leader—"

Before Do Hyung finished, he looked out the window.

The moon was still up; dawn had yet to arrive.

"You'll be allowed entry into the Moon Palace."

"The Moon what...?"

『Unbelievable.』

Yu Chun-gil reacted instantly, his eyes flashing.

『Ha. That's downright absurd.』

His voice was full of anger. I scratched my cheek, looking at Yu Chun-gil.

"I see. Understood..."

"Can I leave now?"

"Yes, see you next time."

With that, Do Hyung left to resume training.

Once I was alone with Yu Chun-gil, I turned to him.

"What on earth is going on?"

What was all this talk about Young Sect Leader and this struggle? Unable to understand, I asked.

『Chun Seonghwa. That snot-nosed brat's stirring up pointless things. Young Sect Leader? What a joke.』

"This didn't exist when Grandpa was around?"

『There was never any need. If you wanted the Sect Leader's seat, you took it by beheading the current one. That's the Blue Moon Sect's rule.』

"..."

Not just a challenge, but actual beheading?

『That's what it means to reach the level of Sect Leader. The challenger draws their sword, staking their life; the loser dies.』

It was as brutal as could be.

『By tradition, they say if the Sect Leader dies of natural causes, the next leader is chosen through a martial contest, but has that ever happened?』

They've all died to challengers, it seems.

『And now a Young Sect Leader? Absurd. As if that weren't enough... the Moon Palace, opened to everyone?』

"... Why do you react so strongly to this Moon Palace thing?"

When the words "Moon Palace" came up, Yu Chun-gil's reaction was too intense—as though the Virtuous Moon Sword had crossed a line.

『That place is accessible only to the Sect Leader. Also, it contains the Moon Remnants left by all previous Sect Leaders.』

"... I see. And?"

A private space for the Sect Leader. Sure, that made sense. But Moon Remnants? I'd never heard the term.

『For purifying your ki and to acquire the secret techniques of the Blue Moon Sect... But I suppose it doesn't really matter to you.』

"How come?"

『The secrets held within? Mine are far superior to anything in there.』

"... Uh, right."

His confidence was overflowing.

But—

"Then why are you so annoyed?"

If you're more powerful than anything in there, why even care?

Why was he so disgruntled about it?

『It's not just about tradition—I need it.』

"Need what?"

『To fully master the Blue Moon Mind Technique you possess, you need the Moon Remnants.』

"Huh?"

What was he talking about now?

"You need it for completion?"

『Tsk... I was hoping you'd get them slowly, but that brat from the Chun family had to mess everything up. Looks like there's no choice.』

Yu Chun-gil's eyes sparkled.

『Young Sect Leader. You'll have to aim for that ridiculous position.』

"... Huh?"

At his firm pronouncement, I could only mumble in confusion.

* * *

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Under the moonlight, the Blue Moon Sect's foremost swordsman—

Virtuous Moon Sword, Chun Seonghwa—tapped his desk with his fingertips. He did so expressionlessly, repeating the motion long enough that—

Or maybe just with enough force—that the desk had a fingertip-sized hole in it.

Despite the marks, he kept tapping again and again.

His face betrayed nothing, but his bearing suggested just a hint of impatience.

At that moment—

"Have you waited long?"

Someone entered Virtuous Moon Sword's room as if it were only natural. It was the Tyrant King.

Looking at Virtuous Moon Sword, he spoke, causing the other man to look at him.

"I have not been waiting."

"Is that so? Pity."

The Tyrant King, unprovoked by the Virtuous Moon Sword's words, took a seat across from him.

"What brings you here?"

Virtuous Moon Sword asked.

"I didn't really have any business—just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"I know you deliberately allowed me to stay in this place."

"...."

"If not for your permission, I couldn't have set foot in the Blue Moon Sect. Isn't that so?"

Virtuous Moon Sword did not object.

Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, so the Tyrant King had to interpret that answer for himself.

"I can't imagine anything that happens here escapes your notice."

Again, there was no answer.

"So let me say thank you, and for what's to come as well."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really? Then I'd prefer you keep not knowing."

He chuckled. As he did, he examined Virtuous Moon Sword internally.

'Honestly...'

It's said the Blue Moon Sect Leader has always been a monster. No need to mention the one before.

'And the current leader, too...'

Could you compare him to the Sword Saint? Hard to say, but one thing is certain: he was formidable.

That's what made him curious.

"Who do you think will be your successor?"

"...."

At that, Virtuous Moon Sword's eyes glimmered.

Behind those words was the unspoken question: who do you think will kill you?

"I've never given it any thought."

"Why? Because there's still plenty of time?"

"No."

At the suggestion that it was too soon to worry, Virtuous Moon Sword shook his head.

"Time is irrelevant."

"Then?"

"No one will ever defeat me anyway."

"...."

At those words the corners of the Tyrant King's mouth lifted.

Arrogant and haughty—but coming from Virtuous Moon Sword, it carried weight.

"Interesting. Yes, it was a pointless question."

A martial artist ought to be just like that.

Satisfied, the Tyrant King rose to his feet.

"I came just to express my gratitude and seek permission. The night is late and I've said my piece, so I'll take my leave."

"I still don't understand what gratitude or permission you're talking about."

"It's fine. If you keep not knowing, all the better. Until next time. Ah—"

The Tyrant King turned back just as he was about to leave.

"That youngster, the Sword Saint's successor—you've raised a decent one."

With those words, the Tyrant King vanished.

"...."

Left alone, Virtuous Moon Sword looked out the window again. His expression unchanged from the beginning.

And as he looked at the moon, Virtuous Moon Sword gave the slightest of nods.

As if to say—

The Tyrant King was right.

TL's Corner:

There's a lot of mystery about the Virtuous Moon Sword...

He's quite a monster, huh.

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