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Of course, I still couldn’t understand why Moon Do-hyuk came toward me.

Honestly, I didn’t even trust him.

‘Il Cheonggeom might have used some useless trick.’

It could be a scheme to shake us by using his agent on his side.

That would mean double agent.

No, considering Moon Do-hyuk, is it triple agent…?

‘Anyway…’

As much as I couldn’t understand Moon Do-hyuk’s choice, trusting him was impossible.

As I mentioned before, I couldn’t trust someone with a history of betrayal.

Perhaps because he was aware of such suspicion, Moon Do-hyuk hid his trembling hands and spoke to me.

“If you wish, I will make a Golden Binding… please accept it.”

He would brand the Golden Binding on himself. It was not something to be said lightly.

‘Even if he says that, I won’t trust him.’

I couldn’t trust someone just because they said something.

Besides, I had no intention of trusting this guy.

However.

‘What’s important is not his humanity.’

Moon Do-hyuk’s character or desperation. Such things were completely irrelevant.

What I needed to see through him was only one thing.

‘His value.’

How, where, and in what way can he be used? And whether he is useful at all.

The only thing I needed to see was that, and from what I observed of Moon Do-hyuk—

‘Not bad.’

He was a decent card. It was just the right time to use him as a discard.

‘Hmm.’

What should I do?

I thought briefly. If this is Il Cheonggeom’s scheme…

‘There are maybe two ways to deal with it.’

Not many, but there are some.

If so, conversely, if Moon Do-hyuk truly betrayed Il Cheonggeom—

‘Using him as a dagger is ambiguous.’

A powerful blow would be impossible.

Plus, I had already prepared something, so it wasn’t a necessary time. If I wanted to nitpick, I could use him just to mess with him a little.

‘Hmm.’

So I thought. It’s not about whether this guy is a traitor or not.

‘Should I kill him or save him?’

I was pondering whether to remove him from sight or not.

I could kill him right away without issue. It wouldn’t change anything even if he died without leaving a trace.

Even considering the variables, it was indeed correct to just remove him completely.

‘So should I kill him?’

Shudder!

Moon Do-hyuk looked at me and trembled. It seemed he sensed the faint killing intent.

“G-Great Lord…”

There wasn’t much use even if I spared him, as it would only mean messing with Il Cheonggeom, so it would beneficial to just remove him outright…

“Hmm.”

After contemplating, I nodded. Because I had reached a conclusion.

Swish.

“Gasp…!”

As I rose, Moon Do-hyuk flinched in fright and crawled backward.

His appearance looked quite pitiful. So, with a disdainful expression, I asked him.

“What are you doing?”

“T-That… please, just spare me…”

“What do you mean? Who’s going to kill you?”

“…Y-Yes?”

“You said to accept it.”

“Gah! Th-Then…!”

“Stop with your nonsense and get up. We’re leaving now.”

In order to fool Il Cheonggeom, there was undoubtedly some risk, but for now, I would accept him. I felt it was fine to do this much.

If things went wrong.

‘I can just kill them all.’

I had a definite solution.

I stepped outside.

The lamps were already illuminating the entire branch. The martial artists were preparing for the night watch in order.

As the Great Lord, I didn’t need to participate in the night watch, but since I trained during the night, I made a habit of checking in occasionally.

“Chung.”

“Ah. Good job.”

The members who checked on me as I passed quickly saluted.

I wanted to say not to bother, but given the ranks, this level of protocol had to be maintained.

Otherwise, sometimes they might get too bold.

‘It gets annoying to deal with them.’

I could just squash them if they got too bold, but I didn’t want to move for that.

While making rounds, checking on the members here and there.

“U-Um… Great Lord.”

“Why.”

Moon Do-hyuk, who had been trailing behind me, asked in an uneasy voice.

“W-Where are you headed to right now?”

It seemed he was anxious since I hadn’t mentioned a destination.

In response, I smirked and said.

“W-Where do you think? I’m looking for a place to bury you.”

“…!!”

Moon Do-hyuk flinched and halted. Instantly, fear filled his eyes.

Seeing that, I chuckled.

“I’m just kidding.”

“Ah…! Haha… you’re joking.”

“Actually, I’m going to meet Cheongryong Great Lord.”

“Ah, the Cheongryong Great Lord… yes?”

Upon hearing that, Moon Do-hyuk’s eyes widened.

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“What do you mean what? I’m going to see Il Cheonggeom, of course.”

“…W-What?”

“Don’t worry. I just have a few questions to ask.”

“If that’s the case… then why am I…?”

If you have questions for Il Cheonggeom, why are you taking me with you? Moon Do-hyuk asked with confusion.

“Well…”

I replied coolly to that question.

“Because I have some questions about you, it’s just convenient to take you along.”

“Y-Yes? What does that mean…!”

“Ah, stop prying. Do you want me to pierce your lips so you can’t talk? Just shut up and follow me because I need you.”

“…”

After saying that with annoyance, Moon Do-hyuk finally closed his mouth.

With him finally quiet, I sighed.

Noticing a lingering apprehension, I turned back and added.

“I’ll say this in advance. There’s no way out now. If you’re going to stick around, do it properly. If I sense you’re being wishy-washy, I won’t keep you around. Got it?”

“I-I understand…”

His complexion turned pale at my warning filled with killing intent.

This was serious. If he kept being a nuisance, I would end him.

After finishing up the checks and reaching the last member, I asked.

“Where is the Deputy Lord?”

The other one was missing, not Tang Soyeol.

The member I questioned straightened his posture and replied.

“The Deputy Lord is currently in the western quarters.”

“West? If it’s west…”

I tilted my head in confirmation of the location.

“Isn’t that towards the Cheongryong Clan? Why there?”

I hadn’t heard any reports about needing to be there.

As I questioned, the member’s expression became strange.

“That is… there seems to have been an issue with the Cheongryong Clan regarding information gathering…”

“Hmm?”

What does that mean? An issue?

“So, he was summoned without reporting to me?”

“Yes. The Deputy Lord mentioned you were out, so he decided to go see them directly…”

“Then, he should have at least conveyed it to me upon arrival. Why am I only finding out now? That’s too late, don’t you think?”

“…I-I’m sorry.”

“Sorry won’t cut it. Do you plan to run things like this?”

Not only this guy, but the others acted this way too. Ah, this is infuriating.

“…No, sir. I’m sorry.”

“You… no, you included, gather all members in front of my quarters. If even one is absent, they’ll know death. Understood?”

“…Y-Yes, Great Lord!”

As I spoke with irritation, the guy turned pale and hastily responded.

No matter how new they were, the reporting system couldn’t be this chaotic.

‘Just wanted to let things slide a bit.’

But going to the point of being ignored was something I couldn’t overlook.

‘Oh, they were called to the Cheongryong Clan? Perfect.’

It seemed I needed to catch them and have a talk.

Immediately, I dragged Moon Do-hyuk towards the place where the Cheongryong Clan was staying.

As I appeared, the members from the Cheongryong Clan around showed signs of surprise. Even bowing at once, but there seemed to be a hint of dissatisfaction in their expressions.

It wasn’t something new for me, so I often ignored it, but—

“Hey, you.”

This time, I pointed at one of them since I had business with him.

“…Are you talking to me?”

The pointed member responded as if he was shocked it could be him.

“Yeah, you. Come over here.”

“…”

He looked reluctant.

I was already irritated, and seeing that expression only made my anger rise.

“Do you plan to keep that face? Should I change it for you with my own hands?”

Suppressing my anger, I spat that out, and the member swallowed hard, making an effort to control his expression.

“I’m here to see the Cheongryong Great Lord. I heard our Deputy Lord is here too. Where is he?”

Upon hearing my words, the member’s eyes narrowed a bit.

As if he knew something.

“…The Deputy Lord is currently speaking with our Great Lord inside…”

“Got it.”

“W-Wait a moment…!”

The guy tried to stop me urgently, but I had already stepped inside through the door.

As I entered the Cheongryong Clan’s quarters.

—W-What the…

—Discipline is…

—Dare to insult the Great Lord…

I could hear voices in my ears. Is it coming from the center of the quarters?

From the tone of voice, it didn’t seem like a peaceful conversation.

The ones talking are…

‘Our Deputy Lord, I think.’

One sounded like our Deputy Lord. Then who was the other?

Trying to close in to figure it out, the voices became clearer.

—To think you wouldn’t understand this much. How do you plan to proceed with such a lack of flexibility?

The tone seemed to be mocking, and it was a voice I hadn’t heard before.

—W-What does flexibility have to do with this…!

It seemed the Deputy Lord became angry, raising his voice.

—The Star Dragon Clan is not an inferior unit of the Cheongryong Clan. Our Cheongryong Clan clearly reached out for support, so don’t speak recklessly.

—Hah. Are you trying to teach me? Me?

It seemed things were getting quite strange listening to their conversation.

Interesting. Eager to hear more, I quickened my steps.

—I’m not teaching you; I’m respectfully making a suggestion because we’re both Deputy Lords…

—Hahaha. You think we’re in the same league? What nonsense are you spouting?

His voice was filled with disbelief.

Hearing that made me quicken my pace.

The scenery changed.

—When I was at the Red Dragon Clan, I wasn’t anything special, but did you think that wearing an armband means we’re in the same class? What a delusion.

—Lord Deputy…! How can you say such nonsense? Titles were recognized by the panel.

—Just because the titles are the same doesn’t mean we’re in the same league. Is that not so? The units are different, so how can we be treated equally?

As my feet touched the ground, the first thing to come into view was a grand quarter.

Standing beneath were several figures.

Who could be the owner of the voice? I wouldn’t need to search for long.

In front of the Deputy Lord, whose face was burning red, stood a guy with a terrible expression.

It had to be him.

“Dare to say that a place made of incompetent fools is the same as here is nothing but shame for us…”

“Yo.”

“Hmm?”

The guy turned back at my call.

“Huh…?”

As he recognized my face, his eyes widened.

Crash!

“Gah!”

With a following punch, his jawbone shattered.

 

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