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“…What did you just say?”

Yusa asked back at Shin Cheol’s words. It was only natural.

After all, he had just heard an unbelievable story.

Bloodline? Did that guy just refer to himself as a bloodline?

“What do you mean by that?”

As the words slipped from his mouth, he recalled the figure in his mind. That guy.

The one who had issued commands contrary to his own, disregarding his orders.

Not only had he crushed his pride, but he also looked down haughtily until he vanished.

The very person he was determined to tear apart the next time they met.

‘That guy…’

Is he the master’s bloodline? Yusa’s widened eyes were still not shrinking from Shin Cheol’s words.

‘No way.’

The rising questions gradually morphed into something alien.

The reason orders failed to reach him.

The same power that worked on the master did not affect that guy.

‘Could it be that he…’

Is truly the master’s bloodline?

‘…No.’

As soon as the thought arose, Yusa shook his head. That can’t be. Even if he is the master’s child, that doesn’t change a thing.

An order is a power that exists as a being.

Because he is the master, he exists in the heavens. Below him stand the generals.

Even if that guy is indeed the master’s child, it’s strange to consider him of a higher rank than the master.

Judging that, Yusa glared dangerously at Shin Cheol.

“You’re not trying to play mind games again, are you?”

“Do I look so relaxed as to play games with you?”

“Doesn’t seem like it?”

“…Hmm.”

At Yusa’s words, Shin Cheol scratched his cheek.

To deny it would make him seem somewhat too relaxed, even in his own eyes.

“…It’s absurd.”

Seeing that, Yusa furrowed his brow and let out a sigh. That guy has not changed at all. Suddenly, that thought crossed his mind.

Still the same as before. Just like when the master brought him in as the new general.

Even now, he felt quite displeased.

He was the one who had protested the most back then.

How could they appoint a stranger as a general?

He had vehemently objected, the first to stand up against the master that day.

‘…’

Recalling that day, Yusa bit his lip. Was it that day?

When he fell out of favor with the master and his position began to shake.

Slowly.

A strange sensation spread from Yusa’s toes.

The nauseating energy crept up along his legs, brushed against his neck, and began to seep through his mouth like a squirming creature.

“…So.”

Swallowing his emotions, Yusa spoke.

“If, as you said, that’s my wish… then there will be friction in what he wants to do, right?”

If he truly wishes to become the master.

That would mean he cannot align himself with that Heavenly Demon guy. Changing the world and wanting to be the master means facing directly against Yusa’s wishes.

As if hinting at that, Yusa voiced it out, causing Shin Cheol to tilt his head.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean, what? That guy also dreams of being master.”

If he wishes to be the master, then he shouldn’t partner up with that guy.

As he pointed that out, Shin Cheol chuckled.

“You’re under some kind of misunderstanding.”

“What?”

“That guy… ah… no. He doesn’t wish to be the master.”

What does that even mean? He wants to change the world, but doesn’t wish to be master?

Those were incomprehensible words.

Is he really joking around? Just as Yusa was about to narrow his eyes again.

“Therefore, if you want to hear straightforward words, make a clear choice.”

Interrupting Yusa’s response, Shin Cheol told him.

“Feel the unease here and maintain your old life. Or reclaim your readiness to soar toward where you want to go. Choose.”

“…”

A choice.

Whether to join hands with those guys.

Or remain here, fulfilling his duties as a general.

‘If I stay as a general…’

He would have to report the plans of these guys to the master. That way, he could capture those who dared to rebel against the master.

It would then create justification for erasing that guy and Hwasan, whom he utterly despised.

However.

‘If I make that choice…’

Will that guy remain quiet?

Yusa questioned if that monster would leave him unstirred.

Having seen the extent of his power several times already.

Even Yusa, who had reigned as a strong person of the Moon Night Clan all his life, had called him a monster.

If he decided to stay as a general.

He would need to prepare to run from that guy and report to the master.

Next.

‘If I choose those guys…’

What happens if I turn my back on the master and choose them?

‘Truly…’

Do they have a plan?

Could that guy be the master’s bloodline after all?

Does he genuinely want to change the world but has no desire to be the master?

And ultimately.

‘If I grasp those guys’ hands…’

Could I become the master?

All kinds of thoughts invaded his mind.

If only the possibilities were concerned, it would be better to hold his current position. By using this as an opportunity, he could solidify his place even more.

‘That Duryeong, that ignorant fool. That damned girl Yarang, even that annoying crow.’

If he could solidify his position so that no one could do anything about it.

That would indeed be more beneficial.

Pudduk-!

Yusa clenched his fist as the thoughts kept swirling.

So.

Are you really satisfied with that?

As that question echoed, Yusa instinctively replied.

“…For now.”

Filled with emotion, he spoke.

“…I want to talk to him.”

“Ha.”

The corners of Shin Cheol’s mouth twisted into a grin.

“By all means.”

*

The sun rose brightly at noon. Under the scarlet sky.

It was an exceptionally quiet and tranquil Yawol.

Due to the incident involving the Blue Family and what had happened to the previous White Chief, the atmosphere had become somewhat bleak and subdued.

People either walked cautiously, scanning their surroundings or stayed indoors altogether.

Yawol Castle had also half-sealed its gates, resulting in almost no entry or exit for outsiders.

Neither able to go out nor come in.

That was the exact situation in Yawol right now.

In that scenario, behind the alley where the previous White Chief faced trouble.

A few individuals gathered in a shabby building.

Most of them wore the same clothes: white martial robes adorned with plum blossom embroidery.

They each had swords at their waists, staring at someone with excited expressions.

“Sect Leader…! How did you get here…!”

One of the martial artists managed to speak up, and the old man sitting at the table waved his hand with a slight smile.

“I just stopped by to see familiar faces after a long time. How have you been?”

The leader of Hwasan, Shin Cheol, observed his disciples.

They were all his second-generation disciples.

“I heard Seol-Young visited recently.”

“That’s right.”

“Anything else going on?”

“…Aside from that…”

The sect leader glanced at Shin Cheol.

“Recently… the atmosphere in Yawol hasn’t been good.”

“Right… an unknown presence attacked the nobles, creating a peculiar sense of alertness.”

“…Who in the world is this crazy nut who dares to touch the nobles? Truly chaotic.”

Hearing that, Shin Cheol couldn’t help but cough involuntarily.

That madman’s face had flashed in his mind.

At that moment.

Creeeak-!

The door to the building opened, and someone entered. The martial artists inside quickly grabbed their swords at the sudden intrusion.

“Damn it.”

As soon as a curse was heard from the doorway, Shin Cheol let out an exasperated sigh.

‘He’s here.’

It was the arrival of that madman.

“Damn, this is such a pain in the ass! Seriously. Maybe I should just quit this gig!”

Striding in with a voice thick with irritation. The martial artists were momentarily stunned by his bold and casual entrance.

“Uh…”

“Who… is that?”

In confusion, they wondered who he was, but it didn’t take long for them to realize. They suddenly remembered seeing this face when Gu Bong had come over last time.

The fierce, sharp gaze and voice that looked remarkably like his face.

Moreover, his temper was just like that of his father, the White Chief, whom he once pummeled out of frustration.

“What are you staring at? Just ignore me and continue what you were doing.”

The young man who appeared.

Gu Yangcheong waved his hand dismissively at the martial artists.

“…”

Anyone would think he was the owner of this place.

“Oh, I’m beat.”

Gu Yangcheong trudged over to sit in front of Shin Cheol. At that moment, Shin Cheol was covering his face for some reason.

“Hey, Noya. What are you doing?”

“…Please don’t talk to me for a moment.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s a bit hard to look up because of the embarrassment.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Why is he saying this all of a sudden? Gu Yangcheong looked at Shin Cheol with a confused expression.

After a little while, Shin Cheol finally let go of the hand that was covering his face.

“Whew…”

Gu Yangcheong looked at him with a face that asked what sort of weird behavior that was.

Although he didn’t seem to care too much, he picked his nose and asked Shin Cheol.

“Did you finish your work well?”

The blunt query caught Shin Cheol off guard.

“Did you?”

“…I’m done, more or less.”

“Same here.”

More or less.

Though not perfectly, they made it through adequately.

Both exchanged the same answer, glaring at each other with displeased looks.

“Why didn’t you do a better job?”

“…You said to trust your experience. What kind of ‘more or less’ is that? I guess I’m just aging poorly.”

“You little…?”

“Hey? No violence allowed.”

As Shin Cheol attempted to stand, Gu Yangcheong quickly raised his hands.

This mad old man was always on the verge of hitting someone.

With that bad temper, how could he still be a master?

It was beyond comprehension.

Tsk tsk. Shin Cheol clicked his tongue, sat back down, and asked Gu Yangcheong.

“So, how did your confirmation go?”

“Oh, that.”

Upon hearing that, Gu Yangcheong nodded and spoke.

The confirmation he had mentioned. That referred to.

“Yes. It seems that even the leader can be affected by demon energy.”

The Moon Night Clan. Could even someone of the leader’s caliber be affected by demon energy?

That was what Gu Yangcheong had come to confirm.

 

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