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Silence envelops the room. Breaking the stillness, I spoke to Song Hojeong.

“I’m not interested in any excuses. Honestly, am I wrong?”

The fear was that I might cause a scene or that the young lord might end up getting swept away by the Cheongryong Clan. Regardless of these reasons, Song Hojeong ultimately didn’t trust me.

If he had known, he wouldn’t have acted so recklessly.

“You wanted to avoid burdening the Great Troop? Or did you think you could handle it alone? Either way, your actions were inappropriate.”

“…”

The response faltered. I found it irrelevant.

“I’ve already spoken to the Cheongryong Great Lord. My role is to take responsibility for you. You don’t have to take responsibility for me. Besides—”

I carefully chose my words, hoping not to ignite any ill will in his lowered gaze.

“If I had said this earlier, do you think we would have ended up in this mess?”

To be honest, we would have still encountered a similar predicament, albeit potentially a bit less chaotic… No matter how I spun it, it wouldn’t matter, so I pushed forward.

“Answer me.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Tsk.”

There was little purpose in saying more. I clicked my tongue and pondered what to do next.

Honestly, I wanted to strip him of his position as Deputy Lord and be done with it.

‘In this situation, handing it over to someone else feels dubious.’

Song Hojeong would have to suffice.

It was difficult enough to find anyone in the ranks of the martial artists who weren’t double-crossers. Knowing that the Red Dragon Master had sent a competent person made it even harder.

Thus, it was right to assume I was sparing him because of the Red Dragon Master.

“You’ll be on standby from your duties for a while.”

“Y-Your Lordship….”

“Leave. I’ll handle the matters of the Blue Dragon Clan, so don’t worry about it anymore.”

Not allowing any further remarks, I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

That was about as far as this discussion needed to go.

Song Hojeong’s lips twitched, then he exited, leaving me to face the remaining person.

“Now, speak.”

“…Yes?”

Moon Do-hyuk appeared flustered at my words.

He seemed a bit taken aback by my sudden demand.

So, I decided to elaborate a bit.

“You’ve been itching to say something since earlier. Hurry up with it.”

My gaze had been fixed on Song Hojeong as I urged him to speak.

And this was my way of giving him an easy opportunity to do so.

“Uh… well…”

“Since I’m in a bad mood, make it precise and quick.”

“…Il Cheonggeom has found out about the situation. I can’t tell whether it’s all right or not.”

His words spilled out immediately, causing me to rub the back of my neck. The tension in my muscles tightened as I tried to suppress my frustration.

Moon Do-hyuk was talking about how I had mentioned his betrayal directly to Il Cheonggeom.

“Is anything not okay?”

“Well, it’s just…”

“Why? Are you worried about what Il Cheonggeom might do to you?”

He averted his gaze. It seemed my words had struck a chord. I had no intention of reprimanding him for it.

‘It’s not unfounded.’

After all, Il Cheonggeom’s eyes had been glinting with killing intent when he looked at Moon Do-hyuk. He must have seen that too.

“If that’s unsettling, perhaps you should just go back. Surely he’d take you in.”

“That… that’s not it. I’m genuinely concerned….”

“Just kidding.”

He wouldn’t harm you if you returned.

I chuckled softly and said to Moon Do-hyuk, “Are you curious why I brought up the truth there?”

The reason behind mentioning Il Cheonggeom’s crimes in that moment.

That was probably at the core of Moon Do-hyuk’s curiosity. It was unnecessary for me to make such a remark.

“Isn’t it?”

“That’s… correct.”

He had come all the way to choose my side, only to find his own life in jeopardy.

He seemed to worry about that aspect…

“It’s fine. I did it all with consideration.”

“By consideration, you mean…?”

“It means I had a plan. Do you not believe it?”

“I do… not….”

“Good, now that you’re on my side, just trust it. I’ll manage everything.”

This was of no concern to me. Naturally.

‘In the end, I was going to eliminate them all.’

Il Cheonggeom or anyone else. Even Moon Do-hyuk, I had no intention of letting anyone survive. That’s why I said it didn’t matter.

“So stop worrying, I’ll handle everything, so you can just stay out of it… Ah, never mind.”

I was about to send Moon Do-hyuk away when a fleeting thought crossed my mind.

“You might have some tasks later, so stay on standby.”

“Understood….”

He nodded with an uneasy expression.

It seemed there was quite a lack of trust on his part.

But that wouldn’t change anything. After all, he had no choice but to rely on me.

“If you get it, you can leave now.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, do tell one person to come in while leaving.”

“Yes? Which individual do you mean?”

At his question, I smiled brightly.

“Perhaps they are sleeping now… But wake them up and send them my way. I have matters to discuss.”

Just then, there was someone I needed.

Time passed, and when night deepened a bit more, a guest entered my residence.

It was a young man bearing a rather drowsy expression.

His face was filled with displeasure, as if to ask what in the world could warrant his presence at this hour.

The identity of the young man was Cheol Jiseon.

With a voice tinged with sighs, he asked me, “…What’s the matter?”

“Welcome.”

I greeted the tired fellow with a smile, but his expression didn’t brighten in return.

“Well, Yangcheon….”

“Yes?”

“…I’m on night watch duty.”

“Right. You’ve been through a lot.”

“…Hoo.”

Cheol Jiseon rubbed his forehead.

Indeed, Cheol Jiseon was the one who had the worst luck among the night watch. It was a fixed role.

He had never once escaped this duty while performing the Sichuan journey.

‘I assigned it to him, after all.’

Not just Cheol Jiseon, but anyone I was acquainted with knew the score.

Excluding Tang Soyeol, as the Deputy Lord, even Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah were designated for this role.

Thanks to that, he appeared to be utterly exhausted.

“What can you do? You know this is the correct path.”

“No… That’s not the problem. I know it, but why am I called at this hour?”

It seemed he was displeased at being summoned just before the shift change.

But what could I say?

“If you don’t like it, then become the Great Lord.”

“…”

“Hey now, can’t you open your eyes cuter? How about we train together for a bit since it’s been a while?”

“Hahaha… ha… I’m opening them cutely.”

“Right, that’s how it should be.”

I felt guilty for waking him, but it was indeed a necessary matter for me.

The sooner, the better.

“I didn’t call you for nothing. By the way, are you planning to stay up all night?”

“…Is that even a choice?”

“Not at all.”

“But why do you ask…? I see. What should I do?”

Noticing my glare, Cheol Jiseon complied. He truly was a quick-witted fellow.

I nodded approvingly at his response.

“It’s not much; I think it’s about time.”

“Time?”

“Uh, time.”

“What time are you referring to?”

Seeing him puzzled, I clicked my tongue and replied, “What do you think? It’s about time to start harvesting the traps we set.”

“…”

At my words, Cheol Jiseon slightly narrowed his eyes, showing he understood what I meant.

“Right now?”

“Yeah, right now. We need to pick everything we’ve set in motion, so I need you to move.”

The matters I had laid in place since arriving in Sichuan were now ripe for engagement.

However, “Isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

Cheol Jiseon seemed to express concerns over the situation, doubting my timing.

It was to be expected, since I had initially planned to wait until three days from now.

I would have preferred to give it more time, but…

“Something came up.”

With various matters arising, I needed to accelerate my plans.

“If I speed it up, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“I don’t think there should be a problem. What do you plan to do?”

“Do what?”

“Dealing with Gyecheon Sect is one thing. But isn’t Il Cheonggeom your main target? Then… It’s difficult at the moment….”

“What’s the concern?”

“Eh?”

I nodded and replied, “We’ll deal with both at once.”

“What?”

Cheol Jiseon looked surprised by my words, yet I found his reaction a bit baffling.

What was the issue here?

“It’s the perfect situation.”

From my perspective, it was undeniably an opportune moment to establish any justification.

Creeeak.

I leaned back in my chair, resting my chin on my hand as I continued to speak to Cheol Jiseon.

“The honorable Il Cheonggeom, respected by the Central Plains and the members, is in reality collaborating with a demonic faction and plotting treason.”

Tap, tap. I tapped my thigh with my fingers.

“Then the Star Dragon will launch a surprise attack.”

“…”

“In the process, a battle breaks out, and oops…! Such a fierce fight occurs that no one survives, huh?”

With every word I spoke, Cheol Jiseon’s expression subtly crinkled, but I didn’t care.

“Moreover, because of the fighting, members from the Star Dragon side ended up getting killed… Isn’t that just too tragic?”

“…Yangcheon….”

“What do you think? Does this seem like a problem in your eyes?”

“…”

“From my perspective, I see none.”

Unless a plethora of variables came rushing in, there were no issues.

And those variables…

“You’re supposed to eliminate.”

Cheol Jiseon was meant to handle that part.

Once I mentioned that plan, Cheol Jiseon frowned at me.

“…You mean kill them all…?”

“All? What a terrifying thought!”

One might think I enjoyed taking lives just by hearing that.

“I told you, I only kill those I intend to.”

“But, there are also unavoidable sacrifices in combat….”

“Hahaha… Jiseon.”

As I burst into laughter, Cheol Jiseon kept his mouth shut.

“If you’re going to nitpick about that, you shouldn’t have shown up now. Don’t you think it’s a little late?”

“…”

“And, what you refer to as unavoidable sacrifices, I’m telling you to act precisely to minimize them. Don’t you understand?”

“…No. I do understand.”

“Then you shall move according to the order.”

An order is given, and you comply. That should always suffice.

This was to alleviate the guilt Cheol Jiseon may have felt.

“So just do as instructed. As always, I’ll take the responsibility.”

It would be my fault if anything went wrong.

This was a critical point in establishing the situation.

“I’ve organized the details in a letter pertaining to the job. Look at this and proceed in order.”

Cheol Jiseon took the letter I pulled out.

With that setup, all that was left was to handle the matters I’d requested.

So I began to think of the next steps, when suddenly,

“Then what about you?”

Cheol Jiseon abruptly asked me.

“What?”

“If you take sole responsibility for everything, then who takes responsibility for you?”

“…”

His unexpected question left me momentarily speechless.

Fortunately, it didn’t last for long.

“What are you saying? Why would anyone be responsible for me? I’ll handle it my way.”

“Why are you always….”

Urgh!

As Cheol Jiseon attempted to voice his thoughts, he twisted his face and turned away.

“I will complete the assigned tasks before today ends.”

With those words, Cheol Jiseon exited my residence.

I found myself scratching my temple as I watched him leave.

– Who will be responsible for you?

That parting statement kept spinning in my mind.

It seemed it would linger for some time.

“Tsk… Why do you have to spout unnecessary nonsense?”

I’d simply do as instructed; there was no need for his meddling.

Who will take care of me? It was neither needed nor desired.

‘Because I want to avoid creating such situations.’

Let’s hope such thoughts fade away.

“Hoo.”

I ran my fingers through my throbbing head. I needed to erase such thoughts quickly.

‘Don’t dig too deep. Focus on something else.’

If I got tangled up in this, I would end up doing nothing. So I hurriedly shifted my thoughts elsewhere.

‘The plan can be pushed forward without issue… but what bothers me is…’

Focusing on my body, particularly my heart.

That’s when I felt a certain pulsating sensation within.

An uncontrollable bloodlust.

Or perhaps something described as an evil spirit.

I bit my lip as I recognized that feeling.

‘This is the variable.’

Variables that might arise during the battle.

I needed to eliminate concerns before the incident began. And fortunately, I had some ideas on how to address this.

“…I need to make a quick trip to the Tang Clan.”

Thankfully, I at least had a general direction in mind for ameliorating the situation.

 

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