Chapter 844: Ilcheonkyo. Pama (Demon Destruction).

A few voices could be heard, but they instantly sank into silence.

The only sound was the crackling of embers from the wall-mounted lamp.

As I remained submerged in the silence for quite some time.

“-Just… what did the Seongryong Grand Master say?”

One of the members standing some distance away whispered. From that point on, the murmuring surged again. The difference from before was that most of it was about Ilcheonggeom.

“-…The Grand Master used poison?”

“-No, poison is one thing… but what did they mean by Gyecheon Sect Master?”

It wasn’t a quiet voice, considering how briefly it was uttered. As a result, everyone around heard it, and the reaction was as intense as expected.

“-The Grand Master involved with Gyecheon Sect Master? What in the world does that mean…”

“-From what I hear, it’s like the Grand Master joined hands with some shady character from the unorthodox sects.”

“-What kind of nonsensical talk is this–!!”

It didn’t take long for the confusion to morph into anger. Was it because their faith in Ilcheonggeom was stronger? I don’t know. I wasn’t particularly interested. Because what mattered wasn’t their reaction, but Ilcheonggeom’s.

‘Nice.’

I suppressed a chuckle. I couldn’t help but laugh looking at Ilcheonggeom’s face. It was quite a spectacle. The trembling pupils, the subtly forming beads of sweat. Even the wavering aura, proving the anxiety within. It clearly showed how flustered he was.

But.

“…What nonsense are you spouting right now?”

He was undeniably someone who had been active in these Central Plains for decades. The momentary anxiety was clearly visible, yet he erased it without a trace in mere seconds.

“Are you planning to mess with me with ridiculous words now that you’re losing the argument?”

The confusion on his face shifted back to anger. I felt it last time too; this guy was no pushover.

‘If I didn’t have the information, I probably would have been second-guessing myself.’

Does one need to reach that level to hide their true personality and survive in this world? Just imagining it makes my head hurt.

“Messing with you? That’s a hurtful thing to say.”

“If not messing with you, then what is it! Even if you disliked this whole Deputy Master situation, as you said, we came to support you. We shouldn’t be receiving insults like this-!”

His raised voice felt genuinely emotional, as if truly insulted and scorned. How can someone possibly act like that?

‘Is he masking his anxiety and bewilderment with anger?’

Whenever I do anything, people say I’m terrible at lying, but I’d love to learn if possible.

But…

“I apologize if you felt insulted… but I am speaking based on information I received.”

“…Information?”

Ilcheonggeom’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“What information?”

“Oh, well… it’s nothing else. It’s just that I just heard information that Ilcheonggeom used poison to try something shady with me.”

“Who would say such preposterous things…!”

He tried to add more words, but stopped dead after seeing where my fingertip pointed. The person I pointed to was none other than Mun Dohyeok. Ilcheonggeom frowned upon recognizing him. He seemed to understand the situation. Mun Dohyeok, meeting Ilcheonggeom’s gaze, also stiffened. And then he quickly averted his gaze. The emotion in his eyes was fear. Seeing this, I nodded inwardly.

‘That should suffice.’

Judging by his reaction, it seemed certain he had betrayed me. Of course, that could be an act, but my gut told me his display was genuine.

“Would this suffice as an answer from the source?”

I know everything you’ve done. This action served as proof. Seeing this, Ilcheonggeom frowned, looking troubled.

“What’s the issue with that member?”

‘Oh?’

I had to inwardly admire the words he uttered.

‘Ah. He’s just going to play ignorant?’

It’s certainly not a bad option. Since there’s no real evidence, acting clueless for now wouldn’t be bad.

“So, Senior-nim, are you saying you never did anything shady to me?”

“I’ve been saying it all along. I am the Grand Master of the Great Martial Alliance, upholding righteousness and chivalry.”

Creeak- Ilcheonggeom tightened his grip on his sword.

“It’s true I don’t particularly like my Seongryong Grand Master, but. I am not someone who would cast aside honor to the ground for such schemes.”

“My, my.”

At Ilcheonggeom’s words, I almost clapped involuntarily. How can someone be so shamelessly brazen?

‘Upholding righteousness and chivalry? Honor, my foot?’

If I could, I wanted to burst out laughing. Holding it back was torture. Honestly…

‘You guys never change.’

The more I peel back the layers, the deeper the abyss I find. It had reached the point where I could almost respect it. Since he showed such depth, I suppose I should offer something in return.

“Well. There’s no concrete evidence yet, so I apologize for suspecting you first.”

I conceded a step. Moreover.

“The Gyecheon Sect Master matter was also just based on rumors, but… you’re saying that isn’t true either?”

There was no evidence, only hearsay. As I said that, predictably, Ilcheonggeom immediately interjected.

“I will not listen to any more insults. I don’t know where you heard such things, but I’d rather lose my head than shake hands with the likes of the unorthodox sects.”

“That’s right…! Our Grand Master-nim would never do such a thing!”

“Plotting with the unorthodox sects… how could anyone say such a thing…”

Many sided with Ilcheonggeom’s denial. Their faith in their Grand Master was truly that great. Seeing their reaction, I quietly whispered.

“…Losing one’s head, you say.”

Just loud enough for Ilcheonggeom to hear.

“Or rather, I’m glad if that’s the case. Anyway, I came to ask about the poison, but things took this turn.”

Approaching Ilcheonggeom, who was still wary, I continued speaking.

“I apologize for leaving your Deputy Master in that state. But I believe I’ve explained the reasons sufficiently.”

“…You call that flimsy reason an explanation?”

“Yes. If you’re not satisfied, as you said, you can go to the Alliance headquarters and punish me, or file a claim separately. However. We also need to resolve the part where I suspect you, Senior-nim.”

“…”

Even if you play ignorant now, what happens when we return? At my words, laden with such meaning, Ilcheonggeom purses his lips.

“By all means. I committed no crime, so there’s no need to fear. But what if everything Seongryong Grand Master suspects turns out to be a lie?”

What if everything I say is a lie? It won’t happen, but if it did…

“What else can I do? I’d have to kneel and beg for forgiveness. For making baseless suspicions. For my wrongdoing.”

“Ha… that’s certainly a mouth-watering prospect.”

From the way he spoke, I could tell.

‘It feels like it doesn’t matter either way.’

It doesn’t matter whether I get investigated or not. It seemed that way not just for me, but for Ilcheonggeom as well. Perhaps the reason is the same as mine.

‘Because there won’t be anything to investigate upon our return.’

You won’t be returning from here. That must be the same thought Ilcheonggeom is having as me.

“Anyway…”

As I walked, I found myself right in front of him before I knew it. Despite the close distance, whether fortunately or not, Ilcheonggeom didn’t draw his sword. He was just glaring at me, raising his aura. Looking into those menacing eyes, I said.

“If you’re not going to deal with this immediately. I’ve said everything I needed to say… and shown you what I needed to show, so may I leave now?”

I declared I was leaving, even after wrecking his Deputy Master. Normally, Ilcheonggeom wouldn’t have let me go. Just like before, it was a matter concerning his position, so he would have tried to hold me back somehow. He definitely would have.

‘As expected.’

Ilcheonggeom just glared at me without taking any further action. I briefly considered using this as leverage, but I simply walked past him.

“I’ll hear the ‘before and after’ circumstances you mentioned from my people separately and visit you again. I assume you’d want that too, Senior-nim. Am I right?”

“…”

There was no answer. As always, silence implies affirmation. You don’t want it either, do you? This meant he needed time to think of an excuse. Or perhaps…

‘Time to prepare even more sinister schemes.’

I said it because I figured he needed it. Then.

“…As I said again, I will not let this matter pass easily.”

Ilcheonggeom said it as if growling. His words were full of hostility, but ultimately meant he would let me go for now. In other words, it was just empty talk. Knowing all that, I pursed my lips and said.

“Yes. Whatever you say.”

“Kkeudeuk.”

I completely passed Ilcheonggeom. His gaze was still fixed on my face. The other members of the Blue Dragon Squad were glaring at me with menacing eyes. Feeling that, I muttered.

“What are you looking at? Look down, you bastards.”

Swaaa–!!

“…Kkuhk!”

“Gasp…!”

Releasing a burst of pressure, their gazes shifted away. At the same time, I held my breath and braced myself.

‘I almost fucked up.’

The energy I released in anger contained killing intent. It was because I had momentarily forgotten my current condition. I had to be careful.

“Hooouuu…”

I took a quiet breath and shifted my gaze. Moving slightly, I spotted the guy I was looking for.

“Hey.”

“Yes, yes…!”

The guy answered hastily to my call. It was Song Hojung, the Seongryong Deputy Master.

“You wanna talk?”

“…”

As I said that, contorting my face, Song Hojung swallowed dryly. I clicked my tongue briefly and walked, my members following behind me.

---

After Gu Yangcheon disappeared like that.

With Gu Yangcheon gone, silence enveloped the Blue Dragon Squad’s quarters. No one dared to speak easily. They quietly watched Ilcheonggeom’s reactions and confirmed Gu Yangcheon had completely left. After a little time passed and they were certain.

“Damn it…! What does that brat know!”

As if waiting for this moment, a member spoke up.

“How dare he suspect our Grand Master? Using poison? Unbelievable.”

“That’s right. How dare he utter such slander!”

“It’s all because he’s young. He hasn’t matured enough and only sees what he wants to see.”

“No matter how talented he is, with that kind of disposition, I doubt he can properly manage the squadron.”

Most of it was criticism directed at Gu Yangcheon.

“I know he’s strong, but the position of Alliance Grand Master isn’t achieved through strength alone.”

“That’s true. He made great contributions during the raid, but… this time, he crossed the line too far.”

The words continued without pause. They all seemed to agree, getting worked up. If they wanted to, they could probably keep going. Just as they were about to unleash the words they had been holding back.

“For our Grand Master-nim’s sake, we must insist this to the higher-ups once we return to Hanam…”

“Stop.”

The ongoing speech was concluded with a single short word. It was Ilcheonggeom, who had been listening quietly, speaking with power. The sheer weight of that power made everyone shut up instantly. In the silence that fell once more. Ilcheonggeom added.

“Let’s end the unnecessary discussion; dealing with the situation comes first. Take the Deputy Master to a physician immediately.”

“Ah, understood…!”

Following Ilcheonggeom’s order, personnel moved urgently. Due to their focus being solely on Gu Yangcheon, they only belatedly noticed the Deputy Master had collapsed. Several members approached the groaning Deputy Master to help him up.

“Kkeueu… Heueu.”

“Deputy Master-nim. Are you alright…?”

“Hurry up…!”

They walked, supporting the Deputy Master’s battered body. As they passed Ilcheonggeom while escorting the Deputy Master.

“…!”

One of the members froze momentarily upon seeing Ilcheonggeom. It was understandable, as Ilcheonggeom’s face was now contorted like a demon’s, filled with killing intent. As if. He desperately wanted to kill someone.