Chapter 877: Supreme Heavenly Demon.

The investigation was nearing its end.

Honestly, there wasn’t much of an investigation to speak of.

While they called it an investigation, they were just looking around the place, but there was nothing specific to find out.

Since everything had already been cleaned up, what more could they possibly find?

The only thing they could possibly do was endure the smell of blood and tidy up the corpses.

They searched diligently, hoping to find something understandable within them, but came up with absolutely nothing.

‘They really cleaned up nicely.’

I knew they must have been quite angry. To have handled things so perfectly even amidst that anger…

It was a moment that made me truly realize what kind of existence the Dark King was.

“That’s enough.”

At my words, the warriors of the Seongryong Corps and the Alliance stopped their movements.

“I don’t think there’s any point in continuing.”

“…”

Everyone seemed to agree.

Since they couldn’t find anything even after searching every nook and cranny, it couldn’t be helped.

“Nothing came of it, right?”

“There are traces of something having been erased, but nothing else is visible.”

“How meticulous can they be…”

They had searched the archives and specific locations of the Gyecheon Gate, and even raided branches and the main sect, but there was nothing substantial to find out.

The only thing they could find out was.

“Seriously… I never imagined the former Branch Leader was colluding with the Unorthodox Factions.”

Through the ledger, they could ascertain that the fellow who used the surname Mokri had joined hands with the Gyecheon Gate.

It was hidden quite deeply, so it took a while to find, but they eventually did.

“Wouldn’t it be right to assume the Demonic Cult left this intentionally?”

“Since the information was already discovered, they probably figured there was no need to take it with them.”

“Then, why is there no mention of the One-Clear Sword?”

The One-Clear Sword, along with the Gyecheon Gate, had not only joined hands with the Unorthodox Factions but was also involved with the Demonic Cult.

They had heard that shocking fact directly from the One-Clear Sword’s own lips.

“Perhaps… it’s because the Demonic Cult had information they needed to erase?”

“That makes sense.”

“Whatever the case, since the One-Clear Sword spoke it himself, there’s no need to dig any further into that matter.”

Moreover, the Heavenly Demon himself came and killed the One-Clear Sword.

Even if the information was lost, it had been confirmed by the One-Clear Sword’s confession.

“Really… To think that the leader of the Martial Alliance was committing such acts behind the scenes.”

“In this chaotic situation, there’s no one trustworthy…”

Hearing the words spoken with a sense of bitterness, I said.

“Stop the chatter and gather what we need to take.”

“Understood…!”

At my words, the warriors hurriedly moved. Watching them, I recalled.

‘No one to trust… huh…’

That was indeed true. In this world, there was no one to trust.

Not even myself.

---

I returned to the branch. A day had already passed, and evening had arrived once again.

“Organize the report briefly and send it. The Tang Clan people have arrived to support, so let the kids get some rest.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Reduce the number of sentries by half and I’ll inform the Tang Clan separately, so adjust the timings accordingly.”

“I shall obey.”

Although it was only two days, it had been a grueling march.

Physical fatigue wouldn’t be an issue since they were all high-level martial artists, but mental fatigue was the problem.

Everyone looked visibly exhausted.

If I tried to do anything more with them, it felt like they’d break down before long.

That’s why I had to create mandatory rest time.

If you’re going to keep using them, it’s only right to take care of things like this. That way, you can keep using them without breaking them.

“Support will arrive once the report is sent to the main Alliance, right?”

“Yes, based on the timeframe, it’s estimated to be three months from now.”

“Then, by the time they arrive, we won’t be here anymore.”

Three months was more than enough time to have returned already.

‘Well, they can handle that themselves.’

The belated investigation was merely for show. I didn’t really expect much from the main Alliance’s way of handling things.

“We’ve confirmed enough, so that’s it. Everyone take a rest. Tell Branch Leader Seong that I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Understood.”

I relayed the message and moved. The place I headed towards was my quarters.

‘I need to handle the matters concerning the Poison King by the day after tomorrow… and I should also inform the merchant guilds about the Dokcheon Guild.’

Cheol Ji-seon must have already passed on the message, but I still needed to pay attention.

‘The Beggars’ Sect side too… Before the higher-ups find out, I need to deal with those who took bribes.’

There were informants who spread rumors without the superiors knowing. As soon as the rumors spread, the Beggars’ Sect’s Great Beggars (Daegae) would have moved anyway. It was right to clean them all up before that happened.

‘The Dark King seems busy. Nah-hee also has her schedule. And I can’t rely on Tang Deok.’

That idiot, if you give him a task, you never know what mess he’ll cause. So, I need to assign it to someone else…

‘Ah.’

Just then, one guy came to mind. He should be handling business in the Xi’an area right about now. It seemed like assigning it to him would work.

‘Then I’ll just send him a letter separately later…’

What should I do next?

As I was thinking about that and opened the door to my quarters.

“You’re here.”

“…”

A chilling voice reached me. As I lifted my head, green eyes greeted me in the middle of the night.

“You’re late.”

It was Tang Soyeol. Tang Soyeol greeted me with an expressionless face. Seeing her, I asked.

“Why are you here… No, since when… have you been waiting?”

“Not long.”

‘Not long,’ my foot. It felt like ages.

‘I’m going crazy.’

I swallowed dryly without realizing it. Even though I was lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed Tang Soyeol was in the room. This meant.

‘She was genuinely suppressing her presence.’

It meant Tang Soyeol was hiding her presence with all her might. This meant she had done something not just in the room, but from the entrance of my quarters.

Whoooosh–!!!

As soon as our eyes met, a barrier enveloped the surroundings as if it had been waiting. It was a barrier. It looked like it was prepared for soundproofing.

“You worked hard again today.”

“…Uh… Yeah… You too.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Oh… really? Why was that?”

“There was something bothering me, so I just couldn’t focus on work. Ah, not working is wrong, so please scold me later.”

“…”

Who would scold someone asking to be punished with such a murderous expression? I couldn’t bring myself to say it, so I swallowed it inwardly.

“…Do you know the Tang Clan Head has arrived?”

“Yes. I know.”

“Did you see him?”

“No. Should I go see him?”

“…Uh. No, I was just asking if you knew.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

The conversation ceased after that. Even though it seemed like a trivial conversation, the hidden barbs pierced my throat. It was a fear I hadn’t felt in a long time. As we sat in silence for a long time.

“Young Master.”

“Hm…?”

Tang Soyeol said, looking at me.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“…”

Gulp.

What I feared had come. My Adam’s apple moved involuntarily. It was a fact I had momentarily forgotten while dealing with work. No, it was a fact I hadn’t forgotten but had been trying hard to ignore.

-‘I won’t let this slide.’

Tang Soyeol’s words asking if I was the Heavenly Demon while looking at me. And her statement that she wouldn’t let it slide easily this time. Recalling that moment, my body grew stiffer. As I stood there stiffly in the dark room without a single light on.

-‘Haa.’

A low sigh was heard.

“Young Master.”

“…Yeah.”

As I couldn’t answer, Tang Soyeol added.

“Are you the Heavenly Demon, Young Master?”

“…”

A confirmation shot, as if she would never let go. My heart sank with a clatter. All I could see was the darkened room and Tang Soyeol’s eyes. She stared solely at me, without blinking. It was her resolve not to let go unless I answered.

“…Ah…”

What should I answer? What excuse should I make? No. Would making an excuse even change anything? Tang Soyeol was already convinced. She might be curious about my answer, but it seemed she had already made up her mind internally. All I could do here was choose. Whether to lie, knowing that Tang Soyeol knew. Or to speak the truth I didn’t want to. That was the only choice.

However.

‘How?’

How could I make that choice? My breath trembled within my anxious eyes. I couldn’t. Unable to speak, I stood there for a long time. Just then.

Swish.

Tang Soyeol suddenly took my hand.

“Young Master.”

Her voice calling me was as calm as ever.

“I don’t know what you fear, Young Master, but…”

For some reason, a faint smile graced Tang Soyeol’s usually expressionless face.

“I like you more than you might think.”

“…”

“You know, don’t you? How I… how I… how we see you.”

‘I.’ ‘I too,’ ‘We.’ The shifting use of the same expression held many implications.

“Normally… I might have pretended not to know… or chosen ignorance because I knew it was difficult for you to speak of.”

The hand holding mine gently brushed against the back of my hand.

“But to do that… this time, Young Master, you were a bit too much.”

“…Too much what?”

What did I even do to deserve this? As I wondered about this.

“You hesitated when you pushed me away, didn’t you?”

“…”

Hearing Tang Soyeol’s words, my eyes widened. She was right. When I was rampaging around wearing a mask. I had hesitated for a moment seeing Tang Soyeol rushing towards me. I had managed to cover it up somehow without showing it, but could that be why Tang Soyeol noticed?

“I didn’t notice just from that. Actually, normally one wouldn’t know… but I guess I’ve seen too much of you, Young Master, to remain ignorant.”

“…”

“So I was curious. Why were you standing there looking like that? For what purpose were you acting again? It’s highly likely not for yourself, right? Because that’s the kind of person you are, Young Master.”

I wanted to deny it. That I was doing this for myself. That I was a much more selfish person than you thought. I wanted to say that, but…

“So I wanted to ask.”

“What…”

“I wondered… if I am, right now, the kind of person who could hear such words from you, Young Master.”

“…”

“Perhaps I could come to know, even just a little, what you hide from ‘us’ whom you cherish. That’s why I asked.”

My expression completely relaxed. It was the usual Tang Soyeol. The calm and cold expression was nowhere to be seen.

“But seeing your reaction now, Young Master, it seems it’s not quite time yet…”

The difference was that she looked subtly hurt and disappointed.

“But it’s okay. It’s just not yet… I believe it will be possible someday. So, I’ll pretend today’s question never happened. So you don’t have to worry about it.”

Tang Soyeol, having spoken, moved. She walked past me. But suddenly, Tang Soyeol stopped and said to me.

“Ah, just in case you were wondering…”

My gaze turned back.

“No matter what you become, Young Master… I don’t care.”

Her words struck me. My body moved.

“Actually, I liked your face at first… anyway, now… Oops.”

My arms pulled Tang Soyeol towards me. Her small frame sank into my embrace.

“Ah, no…!”

Tang Soyeol’s body trembled as she was held. Heat rose in my chest. Tang Soyeol’s face must have been flushing.

“Th-this. That… this…”

“That’s right.”

“…Wha…?”

“I am that.”

“…!”

I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘Heavenly Demon’ out loud because it was embarrassing. So I vaguely confirmed it indirectly. It was something I blurted out without thinking. As I watched Tang Soyeol leave, my body moved on its own.

“…And.”

I moved my lips. After hesitating for a moment, I said to Tang Soyeol.

“First, I’m saying this so you don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I can’t tell you because you’re insignificant.”

“Oh… really?”

It was the opposite, actually.

“I was afraid you’d hate me if I told you.”

“What?”

“That’s the only reason I couldn’t speak.”

“…Why…?”

“…That much. Well, it must mean it’s important.”

Afraid she might hate me for doing things like this. That’s what I was afraid of, so I couldn’t speak. It was the same now. As I spoke, I lowered my head. Tang Soyeol was looking at me with a deeply flushed face. What does my expression look like right now? I don’t know. I couldn’t even imagine what kind of expression I was making.

“So… right now, uh…”

“Young Master.”

My attempt to continue was cut off by Tang Soyeol. Tang Soyeol, with a face that looked like it might explode, smiled and said.

“I love you.”

It was a sudden statement. It had nothing to do with the current situation.

“…Huh?”

But I couldn’t question it. I didn’t have the energy to.

“You probably already know, but I mean it.”

The moment I heard her words, my mind went blank. Yes, it was a fact I should have known long ago. It was at the level where not knowing would make me an idiot. However, hearing it directly made a different impact. As I lost my composure amidst the cold sweat starting to flow.

“What about you, Young Master?”

Tang Soyeol asked me.

“How do you feel?”

“…”

Me?

‘How about me…’

How am I? As soon as I thought about it, my mind found the answer. I already knew, so it wasn’t hard to find. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“I…”

Just as I was about to answer Tang Soyeol like that.

-‘Do you know that?’

Something suddenly surfaced in my mind.

‘…What is this.’

It’s a memory. But I don’t know what memory it is. As I frowned and concentrated, I heard someone else’s voice.

-‘What are you talking about?’

It was my voice. However, it was a bit lower, and my voice held an inexplicable hint of laughter.

-‘I love you.’

This time, it was a woman’s voice.

-‘But you probably don’t know.’

-‘I know.’

-‘You might know. But you don’t know the details.’

Is this delusion? Conversations I never had are coming to mind.

-‘I know very well.’

‘Why do you think I wouldn’t know?’

-‘Because you won’t.’

-‘I can’t understand.’

-‘It’s okay if you don’t understand.’

‘Just know it.’

The woman continued, saying that was all. Why is that? Her words seemed somewhat sad. What are these memories in the first place? Why are memories like these suddenly popping into my head? As I frowned, unable to comprehend.

-‘I… love you enough to do anything for you.’

-‘…’

-‘So, you, who receive the love of someone as great as me. Live always with gratitude.’

-‘How grandiose.’

-‘That’s right. Because I am a grandiose and great being.’

-‘Your self-esteem is unnecessarily high.’

‘Yes, so what should I do in return for receiving the love of such a great person?’

-‘Hm?’

‘You don’t really need to do anything.’

-‘Does that mean I should just live receiving?’

‘That’s fine too. Because that alone is enough. However, if you absolutely insist on doing something for me.’

I can’t see. I can’t see the situation or who I’m talking to at all. All I feel is the voice.

-‘If I want, call my name anytime.’

-‘…That’s a strange reward.’

‘Is that enough?’

-‘It’s enough. This will be much harder than you think. Being able to call it anytime… is something much harder than you expect.’

-‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘I can do that much anytime.’

-‘Really?’

The woman laughed.

-‘Good. I’ll trust you then… That’s enough for me.’

-‘I don’t understand…’

I laughed too, bewildered. Just then.

-‘Hey.’

The woman said to me.

-‘Will you call it now?’

-‘Now?’

-‘Yeah. I suddenly wanted to hear it.’

At the woman’s words, the me in the memory spoke. And I unintentionally repeated the name.

“…Ye Hwa (嫛華).”

It was truly a name like a shimmering haze.