“How did it go?”
So ti had passed since we returned to the lodging.
It was now fully nightti, and I was sitting face-to-face with the two who had completed the preliminary rounds.
“Nothing unusual happened, right?”
“Yes.”
Wi Seol-ah nodded in response to my question. She looked slightly amused, as if she had enjoyed herself.
I didn’t ask whether they had passed or not. I assud they had, and that was indeed the case.
“And you.”
I turned my head to look beside her. Next to Wi Seol-ah stood Seong Yul, his face showing faint exhaustion.
“…Yes. I’m the sa.”
“No, you’re not. Judging by that sour face, sothing definitely happened.”
“…”
It seed I had hit the mark.
“What happened?”
“…Nothing happened.”
Even though his expression gave him away, Seong Yul seed determined to pretend otherwise. I tilted my head and spoke casually.
“Alright, then.”
If he didn’t want to talk, that was fine with .
“…”
But as soon as I dropped the subject, Seong Yul’s face twisted subtly.
Look at this guy. I was being considerate, yet he had the nerve to make that face.
“What? You said you didn’t want to talk.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to talk… Nothing really happened.”
“Sure. As long as nothing happened, that’s all that matters.”
“…”
What was his problem? I couldn’t figure him out.
After stretching my body, still stiff from training, Seong Yul asked with a puzzled tone.
“But… how did you co back?”
“Hmm?”
What did he an by that?
“Obviously, I finished and ca back.”
“No… Did you perhaps escape?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Escape? Who’s running away?
As his words grew more absurd, I frowned deeply. Seeing this, Seong Yul quickly added more detail.
“But everyone is supposed to wait after completing the round and return together. When exactly did you arrive here?”
“Hmm?”
I looked at him, bewildered.
“What are you talking about?”
Everyone waits together?
“…That’s not true.”
Hearing Seong Yul, I showed a confused expression.
Hadn’t Bimapa told otherwise? I specifically asked her if I could go ho, and she said I could.
That’s why I just ca straight back here. What was this nonsense?
“Are you serious?”
Looking at my incredulous expression, not only Seong Yul but even Wi Seol-ah nodded their heads.
‘What?’
If what they were saying was true, then why had Bimapa let leave?
I had never heard of such a rule.
‘I don’t get it.’
I really didn’t. I wondered if there was so hidden intention behind it.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Either way, since Bimapa gave permission, and others saw it too, I had an excuse if anyone brought it up. It would be fine. In fact, it was probably better this way.
“Alright, enough about that. Did you eat yet?”
“We’re about to.”
“Then go eat. I had food set aside for you. And you—are you sure nothing happened?”
I asked Seong Yul one last ti.
For a mont, his eyes wavered, but the answer was the sa as before.
“…Yes. Nothing happened.”
“Good.”
I wasn’t going to ask again.
“They said we can rest for the next two days, so take it easy.”
The preliminaries would last three days, which ant they would get two days of rest.
‘As for …’
After going through the trial today, sothing had co to mind. I needed to talk to Cheol Ji-seon separately.
It seed like I would have to slightly adjust my plans.
******************
After sending Seong Yul and Wi Seol-ah away, I imdiately went to find Cheol Ji-seon.
When we t again, Cheol Ji-seon was already waiting for in my room, sorting through a massive stack of papers he’d brought from sowhere.
“What’s all that?” I asked.
“Reports.”
“…All of it?”
“Hmm… about thirty percent of it?”
Thirty percent of that pile was reports? I nearly laughed in disbelief.
“And the remaining seventy percent?”
“The strategists are reviewing it.”
“…”
I had to clear my throat at the thought. It ant Jegal Hyuk was currently handling far more paperwork than what was stacked in front of .
“Why is there so much?”
“Good question. Why is there so much?”
Cheol Ji-seon looked up at as he said this, his gaze practically dripping with grievance.
“Maybe it’s because soone keeps stirring up trouble everywhere?”
“…Hm.”
“…It’s doubled in the past three months alone. What on earth have you been doing?”
To be fair, there had been a lot to handle this year.
The number of Mains had grown, and with the Divine Dragon Martial Tournant acting as a turning point, I had to set up the frawork for many changes.
“I’ve been busy with a few things…”
“Phew…”
Cheol Ji-seon let out a deep sigh of exhaustion, yet he continued to diligently sort through the reports.
Even with the increased workload, he showed no sign of giving up.
‘That’s to be expected.’
Cheol Ji-seon had his reasons to stick around. We both had things to accomplish and gains to achieve from this partnership.
It was the perfect kind of relationship.
He knew it too, which was why he willingly joined in this.
“So…”
While examining the reports, he asked,
“When do you plan to proceed with the Bong Soon Sojeo matter?”
“That title doesn’t suit her at all.”
Bong Soon Sojeo—it sounded strange and awkward no matter how many tis I heard it.
Hearing this, Cheol Ji-seon gave an incredulous look.
“You’re the one who gave her that na.”
“It’s not the na, it’s the ‘Sojeo’ part that’s the problem.”
“That’s not the issue here.”
We exchanged aningless banter before Cheol Ji-seon let out another long sigh.
“Enough chit-chat. Seriously, what’s the plan?”
“What do you an? We’ll stick to the plan.”
Nothing significant had changed, after all.
But Cheol Ji-seon looked skeptical at my response.
“Do you really think that’ll work?”
I smirked at his doubtful tone.
“Why? You don’t think it will?”
“It’s old news. Even if the Alliance was in the wrong, would sothing that happened in the past really have an impact now?”
He had a point.
Jegal Hyuk had ntioned sothing similar. Digging up the past might not deliver a strong enough blow.
“The past, you say. Of course, that’s true…”
On the surface, Cheol Ji-seon was right.
Unfortunately, there was one thing they weren’t considering.
“People are far too attached to the past. You’re no exception, are you?”
“…”
At my words, Cheol Ji-seon fell silent.
His goal was to restore the Jegal Clan’s honor.
The Alliance had frad his clan, and he wanted to clear their na and return them to prominence.
That was why he joined hands with .
He, too, couldn’t let go of the past.
‘Neither can I.’
No one ever truly escapes their past.
The past shapes the present—how could anyone simply forget it?
The sa applied to the Martial Alliance.
As long as people rembered, they could never escape their sins.
‘They’ll never escape.’
Even if the Alliance tried to bury the past, those who knew would never forget. That trust would slowly erode, piece by piece.
Especially since we had evidence on our side.
“So don’t worry about it and stick to the plan.”
“…Alright.”
“How’s the situation in Hubei?”
“I set it up as you instructed. If you give the word, Na Sojeo will move imdiately. But…”
Cheol Ji-seon’s face clouded slightly with concern.
“It seems the Alliance caught on faster than we expected. I heard the Ilryong Daeju is personally involved.”
The Ilryong Daeju…
‘So they sent the Amgaek leader.’
He was the head of the Alliance’s assassination unit.
Though his na was less prominent due to Amwang’s reputation, he was still a highly skilled assassin.
“That’s fine.”
“…It’s fine?”
“Yeah.”
Even if they sent the Ilryong Daeju, it didn’t matter.
“I expected this.”
“…?”
Cheol Ji-seon’s eyes widened.
“…So that’s why you’re sending Na Sojeo?”
At his words, I broke into a grin.
“That’s a secret. Think whatever you like.”
My casual response made him pale slightly.
“…You’re terrifying. Truly.”
I clicked my tongue and moved on.
“That’s settled. The bigger issue is with Dowang. I’m revising the plan for that.”
“Why? Is it because Dowang’s forces are stronger than expected?”
“Are you insane?”
Where did he even get that idea?
“But you seed pleased when Dowang joined the tournant.”
“I was. Dowang’s participation is a huge gain for us.”
Having the head of one of the Four Great Families participate gave plenty of opportunities to exploit.
However—
“It’s not a problem. I just ca up with a better way to use this situation. If there’s an opportunity, I might as well make the most of it.”
“What do you an?”
“There are three scenarios to prepare for. Listen carefully and rember.”
I issued my instructions to Cheol Ji-seon, framing it as a request.
The first scenario: Dowang faces in the tournant.
The second scenario: Dowang doesn’t face in the tournant.
And finally—
“The third scenario: Dowang dies before the tournant.”
“…!”
Cheol Ji-seon’s face hardened.
I quickly added an explanation.
“I’m not saying I’ll make that happen. It’s just a precaution.”
The situation needed to be airtight.
We couldn’t afford any gaps.
I instructed Cheol Ji-seon to prepare for all three possibilities in advance.
“And for the second and third scenarios, inform Hwangbo Gaju as well.”
“Hwangbo Gaju?”
“Yes. There’s sothing that man needs to know ahead of ti.”
The Hwangbo patriarch had a lot on his plate.
“We need to start laying the groundwork now.”
That would make things easier later.
“I’ll write up the rest and send it to Hyuk myself. Just handle this part for .”
“This part? That’s still too much…”
“Then do you want to take care of the rest?”
“I’ll just focus on what I already have, thank you.”
Cheol Ji-seon seed fully aware that his workload was far lighter than Jegal Hyuk’s.
‘It’s not that Cheol Ji-seon is incompetent—Jegal Hyuk’s just a monster.’
If he wanted to, Cheol Ji-seon could probably handle more. It’s just that he didn’t have the sa relentless drive as Jegal Hyuk.
Since I had passed on all the instructions, I stood up to leave.
Seeing the piles of scattered reports on the floor, I turned back and said,
“I’ll get you a room soon. You can’t stay here forever.”
Cheol Ji-seon looked startled at the ntion of separating rooms.
“…W-Wait, you an alone?”
“I’ll assign guards so no one sneaks in and kills you.”
“W-Wait, what?”
His face turned pale at my blunt words, but it was the truth.
This place was dangerous enough that even a minor mishap could end badly.
“Guards, hmm…”
I paused, thinking briefly about who to assign. Then I spoke without much thought.
“It should be safe until the tournant, so I’ll use soone from the Hwangbo family for now… After that, I’ll send Bong Soon.”
“B-Bong Soon Sojeo?”
At the ntion of Bong Soon, Cheol Ji-seon flinched, his expression full of disbelief.
I understood. Even I wouldn’t trust her completely.
But what could I do?
“Anyone else?”
“Everyone’s busy.”
“What about Young Lord Seong? He’s strong too!”
“Bong Soon’s stronger.”
At least for now.
“That’s not the point!”
“What else matters? Strength is what counts for a guard. Anyway, I’m leaving it at that.”
“No, wait—!”
Cheol Ji-seon tried to protest further, but by then, I had already closed the door behind .
Before he could follow, I quickly leapt away, soaring through the air toward my next destination.
******************
Beneath the moon, I flew for a short while before arriving at my intended location.
I had moved slightly beyond Henan and into a forest.
It was exactly where I needed to be. I gradually lowered my altitude, landing softly in the shadowed woods.
Thud.
It was a forest so dark that even the moonlight didn’t touch it.
It felt darker than the last ti I had been here.
‘Hoo…’
I steadied my breathing and scanned my surroundings.
The air was cool, a reminder that sumr had passed.
The sound of crickets chirping and the faint scent of grass cald my mind sowhat. But in contrast, my thoughts were tangled and heavy with every step I took.
‘Tch…’
The reason was simple.
I was on my way to et Gu Heebi.
Or more specifically—
‘Cheonma.’
I had co to see the Cheonma she was keeping.
Even if I had other goals related to Gu Heebi, my primary reason for being here was Cheonma.
I should have co sooner.
But I hadn’t.
Even now, I could have walked faster, but my feet dragged.
I forced myself to move forward.
I didn’t want to go.
I didn’t want to see.
But I had to.
This filthy contradiction warred within .
Images from the last ti I saw her flashed in my mind—the Cheonma who looked so different from what I rembered, her sorrowful gaze and voice.
The mory unsettled .
Honestly, I didn’t want to go.
My thoughts were still a ss.
But—
‘I have to go.’
There was no other choice.
If there were no other solutions, the only way left was to face it head-on.
‘My energy…’
I had used over half of it breaking through the trial, but it had mostly recovered by now.
I had prepared my body in case a fight broke out.
What should I ask first?
I would probably start by asking Gu Heebi about my grandfather.
And also—
‘I need to ask about my father.’
My father still hadn’t shown up, even though the martial tournant was already underway.
Madam Mi told not to worry, but I couldn’t shake the unease.
Perhaps Gu Heebi knew sothing.
That was the first thing I intended to ask.
And then—
‘I need to ask Cheonma sothing.’
About the Lord of the Black Night Palace, who had taken her.
About the Taejeolgwi he had. I needed to know where he was.
If she refused to tell , there would be trouble, but I would deal with that when the ti ca.
Step by step, I walked through the forest, thoughts swirling in my head.
And then—
“…”
I stopped abruptly.
Sothing felt wrong.
‘What is it?’
Why—
‘Why can’t I hear anything?’
It was a pitch-black night, lit only by moonlight.
It wasn’t unusual for the forest to be quiet, but this was different.
All the sounds around had vanished.
The crickets that had been chirping. The wind brushing through the grass.
Everything was gone.
Pure silence.
I took a single step forward.
“…”
My foot touched the ground, yet there was no sound.
The bizarre, chilling sensation made instinctively gather my energy.
Kiiiing—!
The rings of Nine Flas Firewheel spun, igniting heat within my body.
Fwoosh—!
Blue flas erupted around .
At the sa ti, I expanded my senses, spreading my energy across the entire forest.
It took only a mont to cover the area.
And yet, I felt nothing.
“Damn it.”
What the hell was this?
Tension gripped as I tried to make sense of the situation.
“That’s a beautiful fla.”
“…!”
A voice.
“The color may differ from its aning, but it’s exquisite in itself. Well cultivated.”
A murky, dark voice.
I didn’t need to turn my head.
The voice ca from directly in front of .
“The quality is superb. I like it.”
Hwaruk.
The embers crackled.
In the silence, sothing began walking toward .
Haruruk.
Amid the halted sounds and frozen air—
A fla, shaped like a human, walked toward .
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly. Sweat trickled down my back.
Kiiiing—!
My heart pounded, and my energy roared in response.
Resonance. My fla was resonating with it.
That ant—
That fla was Nine Flas Firewheel.
“And so, I am curious.”
I wanted to speak, but my lips wouldn’t move.
“You are more than qualified. Overqualified, in fact, and already complete. Why have you not yet inherited the karma?”
The fla reached out, stopping right in front of .
“And moreover…”
It brushed my cheek, speaking softly.
“Why have you beco such a vile creature? My precious bloodline.”
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