Chapter: 838
Right after I came out of the Poison King’s room.
I took a moment to put some distance between us and let out a sigh.
Hoo.
Relief washed over me. Fortunately, my plan worked.
‘That was a close call.’
How was I able to draw energy from the magic stone?
I was about to ask the Poison King that very question, but I cleverly used his situation to sneak away without answering.
The problem is, by now the Poison King probably caught on.
‘That old man… he won’t sulk again, right?’
I didn’t think a man his age would get upset about something like this again, but honestly, it’s not impossible considering what happened last time.
Ugh.
I thought it would probably be okay to feel a bit anxious. No, it should be okay.
‘Honestly, if I’m supposed to do upper-level work, he should let this slide.’
Isn’t that just how social life works?
Even if he is a ‘former’, I trusted that the head of one of the four great families would have some leniency.
Or maybe…
‘… I’ll have to tell you.’
I have no choice but to tell the one he cherishes the most. And that person is right here.
“Come out now.”
She was right around me.
At my command, a rustle comes from the bushes nearby. As expected, a woman with an awkward expression quietly walks out.
Of course, it’s Dang So-yeol.
She looked at me with a slightly downcast expression and asked.
“…Did you know?”
She was asking if I knew she was hiding. I responded nonchalantly.
“No.”
I didn’t know. Surprisingly, Dang So-yeol was very skilled at hiding her presence.
Of course, if I had raised my aura to the maximum, I could have caught her…
‘I really would have needed to stretch it to the max.’
But since my Guyeonhwaryun Gong is currently broken, I had to rely more on my Qi Sense.
“You didn’t know?”
Dang So-yeol seemed a bit flustered upon my admission. She probably thought I would have known.
“Yeah. I didn’t know.”
“But… how did you know I was there?”
If she was so good at hiding, how did I figure it out?
The answer is simple.
“Because I thought you would do that.”
“…!”
If it’s Dang So-yeol, or the person I know, it would be just like her.
That was my belief and conviction.
“It just turned out to be right.”
As if to confirm my belief, there she was—Dang So-yeol. That’s all there was to it.
After hearing my words, her eyes widened comically.
Hehehe…
Just a moment later, she covered her mouth and burst into laughter.
“…”
Her adorable smile compelled me to gently ruffle her hair.
At the sudden contact, Dang So-yeol flinched, but she seemed to enjoy the attention despite it.
My fingers got tangled in her light green hair, which felt surprisingly soft to the touch.
Does she manage it separately?
‘That can’t be right.’
A young, unarmed martial artist of Hwagyeong class—she must take care of herself.
At this point, her skin and overall appearance couldn’t help but be good.
After stroking her head for a bit, I finally said what I had been wanting to.
“I heard what the Lord of the Tang said.”
This made Dang So-yeol’s body tense again.
I didn’t pull my hand back; I kept it there.
“Uh… how far did you hear?”
Dang So-yeol asked with an anxious tone. It was obvious her worry.
She probably heard that I mentioned my engagement plans to the Poison King.
That seemed to bother her.
“I didn’t really hear much… Just that you got mad and ran away because the head of the household slipped up?”
I made sure not to reveal everything.
There was no need to lay it all out.
Fortunately, relief appeared on her face at my words.
“That’s good to hear…”
“Why? Shouldn’t I have heard something more?”
“Oh, no.”
I teased a little, and Dang So-yeol waved her hands around, looking quite flustered.
Seeing her reaction, I felt it would be wise not to tease any further.
“Or else, it’s fine.”
So, I withdrew my hand and continued.
“Whatever it is, just resolve it well. The Gaju probably didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
“…”
She didn’t outright deny it. It meant Dang So-yeol could be thinking the same as me.
No, maybe she understands better.
But then.
“…I’m doing my best.”
Even though she probably knew, it appeared that Dang So-yeol couldn’t easily let it slide.
“But… I feel like my father doesn’t get that.”
“Why?”
“If he knew, he wouldn’t have suggested that shortcut to me.”
“…”
“For me, this is a fight where I can’t resort to those kinds of things.”
Her eyes were intense, radiating a determination that screamed she wouldn’t back down.
“…I don’t know what this fight is about, but is it really that important?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, um, okay…”
Her unwavering response caught me off guard. Is this really something that merits that level of seriousness?
“I won’t lose, not ever.”
“But if the Gaju approaches me first and apologizes, I might just give him a break.”
“…That.”
Dang So-yeol seemed hesitant for a moment, gnawing on her lip. Then, she glanced away and said.
“I’ll think about it… and consider it.”
“Okay.”
It seemed like she would be open to conversation if I approached her.
If anything, that’s a relief. Well, to be precise, it’s more of relief for…
‘… the gentleman inside the building.’
I smirked, thinking of the Poison King anxiously chewing on his fingernails.
‘Since I’ve pulled a fast one, should I give him a hand?’
With a little lingering concern, I felt like I ought to do something beneficial.
So, I said to Dang So-yeol.
“I’ll head back first. You should follow after about an hour. Can you manage to come alone?”
“Eh? Why, why? I can come with you….”
“It’s an order. Don’t question it.”
At the word ‘order’, Dang So-yeol’s mouth formed a little ‘O’ shape.
Her expression was a mix of dislike and frustration, but she seemed to accept it without a counter.
I gently touched her chubby cheek.
Ah, now that her baby fat has thinned out a bit, it’s getting hard to call her chubby.
Even during Wi Seol-ah’s era, I found this particularly disappointing.
“Well then, I’ll head out first, see you later.”
After saying my goodbyes, I moved my feet.
Having spent the day, it was time to return.
After returning to the branch, I headed straight to see the branch chief.
“Lord Chang.”
The branch chief, upon spotting me, greeted me with a nod.
“I hope everything is well.”
“Oh, certainly. With such dependable members around, what trouble could arise?”
His words dripped with honeyed flattery. Hearing that, I couldn’t help but smirk.
As always, I don’t particularly enjoy such situations.
Because there’s not a single sane person among those who doll it up with sweet talk.
“I heard you stopped by the Tang Clan for a bit….”
“Yes, I was just away for a short moment. I had some business with the Gaju.”
“I heard the head of the Tang Clan visited a few days ago. It’s unfortunate I couldn’t meet you that day due to some urgent matter.”
The branch chief must have been preoccupied with other affairs that day. I learned this from the Dark King of course.
Even though he seems to know all this, he played it cool, pretending as if he didn’t.
“If you’re busy, that’s understandable. I’ll make sure to pass that along to the Gaju.”
“Haha… thank you.”
“…”
“…”
As the conversation wound down, there was a brief silence. I took a sip of the tea placed in front of me, breaking the quiet.
Swirling it in my mouth slowly.
‘No poison present.’
There was no poison in the tea. Had they really let their guard down? If so, that would genuinely be unfortunate.
‘Or did they catch on?’
I thought it might be prudent to be cautious, especially now that I was beginning to suspect their awareness of the situation.
“Um, if I may ask… why did you wish to meet…?”
Ah.
I paused for a moment, recalling the branch chief’s inquiry. I quickly brought back the main point.
“Apologies. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
“Oh, not at all. It’s perfectly understandable.”
I was unsure of what could be considered acceptable in this context, but I brushed it off for now.
“The reason for my visit, Branch Chief, is to see how far I could count on troop support.”
“You mean… military force?”
The branch chief’s eyes widened at my question.
“Yes. I might need some assistance.”
“…What? Huh?”
My need for military aid was clear, and the branch chief immediately discerned the true meaning behind my words.
“Have you uncovered something?”
Gaining intel.
Had it not been for that, I wouldn’t have suddenly sought support. Even more so.
‘The need for additional support implies some understanding of the opposing forces.’
The words I spoke held countless implications. Fortunately, the branch chief seemed to grasp their significance quite well.
Noting his reaction, I leaned in a little closer. It was to bridge the gap between us.
“I don’t have complete certainty, but… I’ve managed to gather some information.”
“That’s…! The Qinglong Unit has little information to work with… Huh!”
He halted, covering his mouth mid-sentence.
What I just stated implied that how could they achieve something even the Qinglong Unit hadn’t.
The branch chief, realizing this, quickly added an apology.
“I’m sorry… I misspoke.”
“Oh, that’s fine. You can certainly see it that way.”
I waved my hand with a dismissive gesture, adapting his earlier commentary.
“I understand if you don’t believe me, but what I discovered is genuine.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I need to investigate what they’re plotting… but I believe I can verify their troop numbers to some extent…”
I hesitated for a brief moment, mixed with a thoughtful expression.
“Given our current level, it might be a tad risky.”
“…Oh….”
“Is this achievable?”
“Of course! Naturally! It’s for the sake of the alliance… being of service is a true honor!”
The branch chief hurriedly proclaimed, as though hesitation was not an option, and seeing him, I couldn’t help but feel relieved.
“Just as I thought… I knew the branch chief would assist.”
“Hah….”
“Then I’ll trust the branch chief and make preparations accordingly.”
“…Yes, yes. Understood.”
The branch chief displayed a rather peculiar reaction while nodding.
And thus, the dialogue concluded.
On my way to the residence of Seongryongdae, I observed my surroundings with caution.
The branch chief seemed flustered despite agreeing to the sudden demand for troops.
Did I really uncover something? I felt that unease was merely a faint shadow…
However, I found satisfaction in the clarity of his response.
‘I hope it flows smoothly.’
Whether it’s through Ilcheonggeom.
Or through Dae-hwan.
It didn’t matter who—it was essential they recognized that I intended to take action.
‘If possible, it should be through Ilcheonggeom.’
But I can’t manage this aspect entirely to my liking, so I could only keep my fingers crossed for a good outcome.
‘…I need to wrap this up soon too.’
At the latest, within seven days.
If things move quickly, maybe in three. That’s my timeline.
Having worked diligently on this, I’m confident it’ll turn out well unless some significant issue pops up.
If there was any snag, it would be:
‘The fact that I can’t currently utilize the Guyeonhwaryun Gong.’
Because my main martial arts technique being blocked requires me to tread carefully.
‘It’s not that I can’t do it without it…’
But it implies I still have to be watchful.
Screwing up could lead to everything falling apart.
Tsk.
Most of my plans were centered around my abilities, so I never anticipated a problem would crop up at this moment.
I tried to dismiss it as a minor issue, but looking at it closely, it’s a massive variable.
‘Is there no other way?’
Either resolve this situation as swiftly as possible, or find a way to manage it easily despite my current limitation.
I needed to brainstorm some solution.
Tap. Tap.
While I continued tapping my fingertips lightly, arms crossed.
Vroom.
“Hm?”
I sensed a presence from somewhere—a direct approach.
‘Who could it be?’
Looking ahead, I could tell for sure it was coming my way. As I turned my gaze, a face soon became visible.
It was a man, sporting the uniform of Seongryongdae.
“…My lord.”
A figure approached me cautiously and formally bowed. I looked at him and replied.
“Excuse me… I’m a disciple…”
“Moon Do-hyuk. What brings you here?”
“…”
I remembered his name.
He seemed to be a first-class martial artist. That must be the guy behind—
‘The ears and mouth of Ilcheonggeom.’
Currently, he was being used by Ilcheonggeom in their little games.
As I called his name first, he displayed a confused expression, perplexed as to why I knew him. Why is he reacting like that?
Noticing his strange demeanor, I kept watching him silently.
“…Did you… know my name?”
Moon Do-hyuk uttered something even stranger.
“What?”
I let out a hollow chuckle at his ridiculous question.
“This isn’t a circus, my man. I can’t not know the names of my subordinates.”
“…”
If you’re trying to keep them beneath you, memorize their names at the very least. Are you seriously unaware of your crew?
Are you trying to suggest you don’t remember names?
No, that doesn’t feel right.
“It doesn’t seem like you’re suffering from heatstroke in this temperature. What’s going on?”
“…Well… uh…”
Ah.
Moon Do-hyuk hesitated.
Now it all made sense—
‘Ilcheonggeom probably said something to him.’
He must have come here to carry out some task on Ilcheonggeom’s instructions.
I intuitively understood.
Realizing the reality, a subtle smile crept onto my face.
‘Of course, if there’s nothing going on, something seems off.’
Remaining still would bring only more suspicion. Fortunately, now he’s attempting to engage me makes everything simpler to gauge.
‘So, what exactly do you intend to do?’
What on earth is Ilcheonggeom planning to pursue?
I anticipated he would begin to spew some false information.
It’s likely an attempt to check my movements by leaking fake findings.
Currently, that’s the most plausible scenario, though I was also considering several other possibilities.
No matter how poorly they execute their schemes, at least one option would pop up.
As I pondered all this while staring at Moon Do-hyuk… Finally, he broke his silence.
But.
“…My lord.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Ilcheonggeom… is targeting you.”
“…Huh?”
To my absolute surprise, I received an unexpected revelation.
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