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The murmuring sound around dissipated.

Only a faint whisper was heard, but in an instant, it sank into silence.

The only sounds that could be heard were the crackling of the dying embers of the lantern attached to the wall.

After being buried in such tranquility for a while—

“Wait… what did the Star Dragon Great Lord just say?”

One of the members from afar whispered.

That marked the moment when the murmuring began to rise again. The difference from before was that most of the conversations were about Il Cheonggeom.

“…The Great Lord is using poison?”

“No, poison aside… what do you mean by Gyecheon Sect Leader?”

That uttered phrase was not small by any means. Thanks to that, everyone around heard it, and the reaction was as intense as expected.

“The Great Lord is involved with the Gyecheon Sect Leader? What on earth does that mean…?”

“I’ve heard it sounds like the Great Lord is partnering with those demonic faction bastards.”

“How ridiculous—!!”

It didn’t take long for panic to turn into fury.

Could it be that the faith towards Il Cheonggeom was stronger? I don’t know. I wasn’t particularly interested.

What mattered was not their reactions, but rather Il Cheonggeom’s response.

‘Nice.’

I smiled. Looking at Il Cheonggeom’s face, I couldn’t help but laugh.

It was truly a sight to behold.

The trembling eyes and the beads of sweat that began to form. The energy fluctuating, proving the anxiety inside.

It was evident that he was quite flustered.

One.

“…What nonsense are you saying right now?”

He was someone who had operated in the Central Plains for dozens of years.

The brief moment of anxiety was clearly visible, but even that was erased in just a few seconds.

“Are you trying to humiliate me with nonsensical words because you’re losing the verbal battle?”

The expression of panic transformed back into anger.

I felt it last time too; this guy wasn’t so simple after all.

‘If I didn’t have any information, I might have doubted him too.’

Would it take such a standard to hide one’s character in this field?

Even thinking about it is exhausting.

“Humiliate? What a hurtful thing to say.”

“If it’s not humiliating, then what is it! Even if you were unhappy about this Deputy Lord business, as you said, we came to support you! I shouldn’t have to endure such insults—!”

The rising voice was filled with genuine emotion, as if it truly felt like an insult and disdain.

How can this even be possible?

‘Is he hiding his anxiety and confusion with anger?’

I keep hearing that I’m terrible at lying, but if possible, I’d like to learn that skill.

But…

“If you felt insulted, I apologize… but I’m merely speaking the information I received.”

“…Information?”

Il Cheonggeom’s eyebrows twitched sharply.

“What information are you talking about?”

“Well… it’s nothing much. I just heard that you intended to use poison against me, Il Cheonggeom.”

“Who would say such nonsense…!”

He tried to add more words but stopped as he checked my fingertips.

What I pointed at was none other than Moon Do-hyuk. Il Cheonggeom checked him and frowned.

He seemed to have realized the situation.

Moon Do-hyuk, facing Il Cheonggeom, stiffened as well. And soon after, he avoided eye contact.

The emotion in his eyes was fear. Seeing this made me nod inwardly.

‘That should be okay.’

Looking at their reactions, it positively felt like a betrayal.

Of course, it could also be an act, but my gut was telling me that what he showed was the truth.

“Does that suffice as an answer from the source?”

I know everything you did. It’s an action that proves it.

Seeing this, Il Cheonggeom seemed troubled as he frowned, but—

“What’s that member’s issue, anyway?”

‘Oh?’

I couldn’t help but admire the response he brought forth.

‘Ah, so you’re going to play dumb, huh?’

That’s a not-so-bad choice indeed.

Since there’s no evidence, it would be okay to act as if he knows nothing for now.

“Are you saying that you’ve never acted foolishly towards me?”

“I’ve said it since earlier. I am the Great Lord of the Martial Alliance who upholds righteousness and cooperation.”

With a tightening grip on the sword, Il Cheonggeom added—

“While I don’t like Star Dragon Great Lord, I am not someone who would throw my honor away to play such tricks.”

“Wow.”

Il Cheonggeom’s words almost made me applaud involuntarily.

How can someone be so shameless?

‘Upkeep righteousness? Honor what?’

If I could, I wanted to laugh out loud. Restraining that was quite torturous.

Really…

‘You guys haven’t changed at all.’

The deeper you dig, the more you reveal a profound bottom. Now, it was at the level of being awe-inspiring.

Since he showed such a deep side, I guess I should offer something in return.

“Well, there’s no evidence yet, so I apologize for my initial doubts.”

I took a step back.

Furthermore.

“I’ve only heard rumors regarding the Gyecheon Sect Leader… but that’s not you, right?”

I have no evidence and I only heard this through rumors. As I spoke like this, as expected, Il Cheonggeom immediately interrupted.

“I won’t listen to any more humiliating remarks. I don’t know where you’ve heard such things, but I would cut my throat before I join hands with those demonic factions.”

“Exactly…! There’s no way our Great Lord would do such a thing!”

“Collaborating with demonic factions… how can such words come about…?”

There were plenty who sided with Il Cheonggeom’s denial. The trust in the Great Lord was overwhelmingly strong.

Seeing their reactions, I whispered quietly.

“…To cut one’s throat.”

Just enough for Il Cheonggeom to hear.

“Or I should be glad. Anyway, I came to ask about the poison, but it seems the matter has turned like this.”

I approached the still wary Il Cheonggeom and continued speaking.

“I apologize for what happened to your Deputy Lord, but I thought I explained the reasons sufficiently.”

“…That meager reason is an explanation?”

“Yes. If you’re not satisfied, as you said, you can punish me at the main clan. However, I suppose we need to resolve the parts where I’m suspicious of you as well.”

“…”

Even if he stays ignorant now, what will happen when he returns? That’s the implication reflected in my words, and Il Cheonggeom pursed his lips.

“As you wish. I have committed no wrongdoing, so there’s nothing to fear. But, what if everything the Star Dragon Great Lord suspects is false?”

What if everything I say is a lie? That’s unlikely, but if it were indeed…

“What could you do? You’d have to kneel and beg for forgiveness. For casting unnecessary doubts. For being wrong.”

“Hah… that’s quite a delicious tale.”

It was evident from our conversation that he seemed unconcerned about this.

‘There’s a feeling of indifference here.’

Whether he goes to be investigated or not, it doesn’t matter. It seems that both he and I shared that sentiment.

Most likely, the reason would be the same for them as for me.

‘You can’t return from here.’

That’s the very thought that Il Cheonggeom would be pondering.

“Anyway…”

As I walked, I found myself drawing closer.

Despite the distance being so short, Il Cheonggeom didn’t swing his sword.

He simply glared at me while raising his energy.

Facing those deadly eyes, I spoke.

“If you’re going to deal with me immediately or not, I’ve conveyed all I needed to convey… and shown what I needed to show, so may I leave?”

Despite having crushed his Deputy Lord, I boldly declared that I would leave.

If it were usual, Il Cheonggeom wouldn’t let me go.

Surely, it was related to the standing of his position, so he would try to detain me by any means.

That was for sure.

‘Just as I thought.’

Il Cheonggeom merely glared at me without taking any further action.

I briefly contemplated whether to make a fuss about this, but I simply walked past him.

“The ‘around’ circumstance you kept mentioning, I’ll hear it separately from my people and visit again. I believe that’s something you’d want as well, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

No response came. As always, silence was a form of affirmation.

You wouldn’t want to, would you? It meant that you needed time to think over your explanation.

Unless…

‘Time to prepare for even more severe tricks.’

It was a remark made out of that anticipation. Hence.

“Once again, I won’t let this matter slide.”

Il Cheonggeom said this with a growl.

While his words were filled with Qi, he was essentially saying he would let me go for now.

It was a mere wordplay. Knowing all this, I shrugged my lips.

“Yes. As you please.”

“Nod.”

I completely passed by Il Cheonggeom.

His gaze remained fixed on my face. Other Blue Dragon members glared at me with murderous intent.

Feeling that, I muttered.

“What are you staring at? Look away, you little brats.”

Swoosh—!!

“…Ugh!”

“Cough…!”

As I released my qi, their gazes were pushed away.

At the same time, I held my breath and focused my heart.

‘That was a close one.’

The killing intent that erupted from my frustration nearly slipped my mind. I needed to be careful.

“Phew…”

Slightly lowering my breath, I shifted my gaze. After moving a little, I spotted the guy I was looking for.

“Hey.”

“Yes, yes…!”

The guy answered in haste. It was none other than Song Hojeong, the Star Dragon Deputy Lord.

“Can you come talk to me?”

“…”

As I twisted my face, Song Hojeong swallowed hard.

With a short click of my tongue, I walked, leading the members behind me.

After Gu Yangcheong disappeared.

When Gu Yangcheong left, the Blue Dragon’s residence fell into a stillness.

No one spoke easily.

Everyone quietly glanced at Il Cheonggeom, assessing whether Gu Yangcheong had completely left.

After some time passed, and certainty arose—

“Damn it…! What does that kid know!”

It was as if the members had been waiting for this moment, one spoke up.

“How dare they suspect our Great Lord? Poison? How absurd!”

“Exactly! Who dares to spout such nonsense!”

“That’s simply because they are young. They can’t see beyond their own perceptions.”

“Even if their talent is exceptional, with a personality like that, I can’t see them managing the troop properly.”

Most of the comments were insults toward Gu Yangcheong.

“We know he’s strong, but the position of the Great Lord isn’t one that can be reached through pure strength.”

“That’s true. He played a significant role in the ambush, but… this time, he has crossed the line excessively.”

The comments kept flowing. Everyone seemed to share that sentiment, appearing energized.

It looked like they could go on without pause.

As they were about to unleash the words they had been holding back—

“I must insist that for the sake of our Great Lord, when we return to Hanam, we must bring this matter to the higher-ups…”

“Enough.”

The flowing comments were halted by a single sentence. Il Cheonggeom, who had been listening quietly, declared with force.

The weight of his presence had them instantly quiet down.

In the newfound silence, he added—

“Let’s cut off unnecessary chatter and prioritize stabilizing the situation. Take the Deputy Lord to the physician first.”

“Ah, understood…!”

At Il Cheonggeom’s command, the personnel hurriedly moved.

Due to the focus on Gu Yangcheong, they belatedly noticed that the Deputy Lord had collapsed.

Several members approached the Deputy Lord, offering their support.

“Ugh… ugh.”

“Deputy Lord! Are you okay…?”

“Move quickly…!”

They helped the Deputy Lord, whose condition was a mess, forcing him to walk.

As they passed Il Cheonggeom with the Deputy Lord, a member froze up, looking at Il Cheonggeom.

It was understandable, as Il Cheonggeom’s face now twisted with murderous intent, almost resembling a demonic spirit.

As if he desperately wanted to kill someone.

 

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