Chapter 845: Ilcheonkyo. Pama (Demon Destruction).

After raising hell at Cheongryongdae, the place I naturally headed to was my quarters.

It was late at night, and my physical condition wasn’t great either.

Just then, I had something to discuss with Song Hojeong-nim, so I was walking along, bringing the personnel with me.

“What the-?”

While walking along dragging the members, I noticed something strange.

I looked around, heightening my senses.

But still, I felt nothing.

Lanterns lit brightly enough not to be dark at night, and the faint presence of insects felt from the surrounding locations.

That was about it.

So, what was strange?

I found this silence strange.

“Why isn’t anyone here?”

Surely, even just a little while ago, members were stationed at various points along the path. It was time to prepare for the night watch, so personnel should have been visible here and there, but for some reason, no one was visible on the way.

Sensing a subtle clue, I looked behind me and asked.

“Hey.”

At my call, those behind me flinched. Why were they freaking out just because I called out?

Wondering who to look at, I glanced at Song Hojeong-nim, who was closest.

“Why isn’t anyone here?”

“Well, I… I don’t really know… I’ll look into it immediately.”

Song Hojeong-nim looked genuinely perplexed, as if he truly didn’t know. Well, after all, he came out with me, who was just at Cheongryongdae, so there was no way he’d know.

As he seemed about to move to assess the situation, I stopped him with my hand.

“Seriously, what the hell. Then where did everyone go?”

Where did these guys go instead of working? I walked on, frowning at the absurd situation.

As I continued walking towards my quarters like that.

“…Hmm?”

The presence I hadn’t felt before was now caught by my senses. My senses felt different as I got closer to the quarters.

‘They’re all gathered.’

All the presences I’d been wondering about were gathered at the quarters.

‘Seriously, what is this.’

‘What the hell are these guys doing over there?’

Moreover, it wasn’t just any quarters. To be precise, it was the quarters where I stay.

‘What on earth could they be plotting to cause that situation?’

‘Please, let it be nothing serious.’

I was scared.

I was afraid I’d get annoyed and explode over some trivial matter. That’s what scared me.

I walked, taking deep breaths repeatedly, finally arriving in front of the quarters.

I cautiously peered through the door. But…

“Huh…?”

My eyes involuntarily widened at the scene unfolding before me.

It was completely unexpected. I had hoped it wasn’t a big deal, but it was a huge deal.

“…F*, what is this.”

Because it was so different from what I expected, the surprise outweighed the annoyance, perhaps?

As I froze involuntarily at such a sight, Song Hojeong-nim, who was behind me, approached, wondering what was going on.

“Master-nim. What is it… Gasp?”

Song Hojeong-nim also saw the situation inside and was left speechless. Let alone the other members; they were all the same.

They were all reacting the same way I was.

It was understandable, because…

“Why are they acting like that?”

“I… I don’t know either.”

It was because all the personnel who should have been on night watch were bowing their heads to the ground in front of my quarters. They maintained the posture somehow, even while trembling violently.

In the utterly bizarre situation, I gasped and approached.

-Groan…

-Ugh…

They must have been like this for quite a while; they were in a sorry state. Not only were groans heard from here and there, but they were also soaked in sweat.

“What are you guys?”

When I asked, the guy at the very front suddenly jolted upright.

“Loyal-!”

“…Loyalty or whatever. What is this?”

“As ordered by Master-nim, we were gathered and waiting…!”

Huh?

“An order? What order did I give…”

Stopping mid-sentence, I looked at the face of the guy reporting to me. It was familiar. Of course, he’s a Seongryongdae member, so I know his face, but…

‘…This guy.’

I was wondering where I’d seen him before – it was the guy Song Hojeong-nim mentioned had gone to Cheongryongdae.

‘Wait a minute… Then?’

As I recalled that much, a memory flashed through my mind. I remembered giving this guy an order back then. That was definitely…

‘…Did I tell all the guys currently outside to gather in front of my quarters?’

I remember saying that because I didn’t like the way they were acting, wanting to put them in their place. So, the order this guy mentioned must refer to that… Then why…

“…Why the hell are they bowing their heads?”

Why on earth were they burying their heads in the ground? I couldn’t quite understand it. If I told them to gather, they just needed to be gathered. What kind of f*ed up situation did they create?

Looking at the guy with that meaning in mind.

“…Uh… Master-nim said last time… if he told us to gather, we were to wait in this state…”

“…”

At his slightly aggrieved words, I had to run my hand over my forehead.

‘…Right.’

It was because I recalled that I had actually said those words. It was probably around the time I was coming to Sichuan. Back then too, a problem had arisen regarding the night watch, and I had put them in their place once. I think I told the members back then.

“-If you keep acting like this, and you don’t want to die, then from now on, when I tell you to gather, bury your heads in the ground. This isn’t an empty threat, so take it to heart.”

Saying it like a growl seems to have caused this situation.

‘Shit, they sure listen well.’

Even though I had forgotten about it, upon reflection, it was my fault.

“Hmph…”

Letting out a sigh, I added.

“…Rise.”

At the single word, the guys who were bowing their heads got up instantly. They were all soaked in sweat and looked utterly exhausted.

“…Uh… hmm.”

I had originally intended to put them in their place a bit regarding the unit leader’s duties. But seeing their state, I didn’t feel like doing it anymore.

“…Forget it. Since I’ve confirmed, go back to your positions and do your duties for now.”

“Is there anything else you wanted to say…?”

“Why is that? You want to hear more even though I’m letting you go? Fine, go back to bowing your heads then.”

“…Ah, no…! Loyalty!”

As I waved them away, they all moved and disappeared. What remained was the thick smell of sweat, the damp floor, and a changed mindset.

‘From now on, I need to be more careful about what I say.’

Words I blurted out in anger came back around to cause this. Seeing this, I felt the need to watch my mouth.

The situation became somewhat quieter. Judging by the dispersing presences, it seemed they were returning to their positions.

After confirming this much, I turned my head and looked at Song Hojeong-nim.

“Have the remaining guys go to their respective positions too…”

After sending off the members who had followed me as well.

I spoke to the unit leaders, Song Hojeong-nim and Mun Dohyeok-nim.

“You two, follow me inside.”

I had a lot to ask.

---

After entering the quarters, I sat down and made the two of them stand. I didn’t even pour tea. Maintaining only a single lantern, I opened my mouth.

“Song Hojeong-nim.”

“…Yes. Master-nim.”

“Explain the situation.”

No need for lengthy talk. He surely knows the reason I called him here too.

As if my prediction was correct, Song Hojeong-nim calmly opened his lips.

“It started with… contact from the Cheongryongdae side.”

“The reason?”

“They proposed information sharing…”

“Sharing?”

“Yes.”

I nodded at Song Hojeong-nim’s words. Information sharing. Just hearing the words, it sounds like there’s no major issue. Cheongryongdae is a support unit, and we are currently in the middle of a mission, so it seems even less problematic, but…

“If that’s the reason, why did you head to Cheongryongdae for it?”

That’s not what I’m curious about. Everything else is fine, but why did you go there of your own volition? That was more important to me.

“…”

Song Hojeong-nim couldn’t answer. Seeing that, I asked one more thing.

“You. You were going to refuse, right?”

“…That’s correct.”

He had tried to refuse Cheongryongdae’s proposal. This was something I could tell just from our brief conversation earlier. That’s why I was even more curious.

“But why did you go?”

When I asked nonchalantly, Song Hojeong-nim pondered for a long time before answering me.

“…It was to refuse.”

He headed to Cheongryongdae to refuse. The words were so absurd that I chuckled involuntarily.

“They were the ones who proposed information sharing, and you went there yourself to refuse it?”

“…Yes.”

“Are you a f*ing idiot?”

“…!”

At my distinctly harsh words, Song Hojeong-nim’s eyes wavered. It was enough to be considered insulting, but I didn’t stop.

“It was just ‘sharing’ in name only; Cheongryongdae wouldn’t have given any information, right?”

“…”

Not only were his eyes wavering, but he swallowed dryly. It meant ‘correct’.

“This wasn’t sharing, it was a tribute. And you, hearing this, would naturally try to refuse. Right or wrong?”

“That’s correct… But.”

“Shut your mouth. I’m still talking.”

Song Hojeong-nim shut his mouth, swallowing.

“Make your excuses later if you can. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

My brow furrowed involuntarily.

“Judging by the circumstances, I get that they spouted that kind of bullshit, saying Cheongryongdae is somehow superior, higher ranking, and that you must follow their orders. Just hearing it, it’s f*ing bullshit.”

I could tell without even seeing it. It was impossible not to know, just looking at their actions a little.

“Furthermore, telling you to come over and whatnot… I understand they were ignoring you too. Fine. Although I didn’t appreciate your actions, I accept it all. But do you know what really pisses me off?”

The most infuriating part here was something else entirely.

“Why do I only find out about this now? Why do I learn about it only after everything has blown up? That’s what pisses me off the most. Understand?”

I, the leader of a brigade, only now learn the whole story. This part was the most incomprehensible and infuriating.

“Now, try explaining. Why didn’t you report to me?”

I asked, glaring, but Song Hojeong-nim only moved his lips, unable to speak easily.

“Go on, make your excuse.”

I asked repeatedly, urging him on. Only then did the hesitant Song Hojeong-nim finally open his mouth.

“Receiving the proposal was something that happened yesterday…”

“Be precise. It wasn’t a proposal, it was a demand, right?”

“…The demand came yesterday. It happened when Master-nim was away.”

“Right, but then?”

“Well… I thought it was right to handle it on my end first…”

“Wait.”

I cut off Song Hojeong-nim’s excuse. There was something I needed to clarify.

“Why handle it on your end? No, why are you making the choice in the first place?”

“What?”

“If I was away, shouldn’t you have waited, reported, and then proceeded? Why are you acting unilaterally? Are you higher rank than me?”

“…No.”

“Then you should report to me and seek permission first, f*, why are you doing whatever you please?”

“I apologize… My thinking was short-sighted at the time. Please punish me.”

“Not punishment… Hmph…”

I finally pinched the bridge of my nose. Seeing the flow of the conversation, it seemed he ultimately had something he needed to say.

“Song Hojeong-nim.”

“Yes.”

“It wasn’t short-sightedness. You knew everything all along.”

“Ah, no… I, I really…”

“Stop wagging your tongue uselessly; you just didn’t trust me, that’s all.”

“…!”

Song Hojeong-nim’s eyes widened like saucers upon hearing that.