Chapter 803: Where is my son?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Mukyeon consistently plays dumb to my question.

But that wouldn’t fool anyone.

‘Where did he pick up on it.’

The reason I brought up that condition specifically.

It was a condition I intended to bring up myself from the start.

This was something I prepared even while writing the incident report before coming up here.

The Alliance wouldn’t be able to discard me due to my current value, so even if I got punished for this incident, bringing it up would serve as justification to reduce it.

Support from two Sword Commanders?

It was a part I didn’t really need when writing down the conditions.

What need would I have for their support? This was actually to dampen the spirits of the Grand Leaders, and also…

‘A justification to ignite the spark.’

It was merely a device to be used to create friction.

Didn’t some of them have a fit upon hearing that?

To twist the situation using this, or… prepare to use it at a time like this if necessary.

‘He knew?’

That old man seems to have noticed it like a ghost.

Even if he didn’t know all my intentions, he seemed to know at least my current purpose.

As if to prove it, the old man immediately brought up the modification of the conditions to me.

‘Wow.’

Now I think I get it.

I wondered how he planned to handle the Grand Leaders’ backlash back then.

Was he just waiting for the right time since something was bound to explode anyway?

And.

‘Whatever I do, it seems like it will align with that old geezer’s intentions. So he plans to use me?’

During the Grand Leader summit not long ago.

Mukyeon had taken a stance as if expecting something from me, and I could vaguely grasp his intentions.

Yes, Mukyeon.

He, who returned to the Alliance as the strategist of the battlefield and a ghost of the political arena.

‘He wants a change of personnel.’

He wanted a personnel overhaul within the Murim Alliance.

A personnel change that would reduce backlash and overturn everything at once.

Rather than leaving the stagnant water as it is, he wanted to flush it out with new water.

Mukyeon wanted to establish a new system in preparation for the impending crisis.

And for that, it was necessary to replace the Grand Leaders, who were called the pillars.

And for that purpose.

‘He intends to use me.’

The method the old man chose was me.

He intended to use me to suppress the Grand Leaders, and if necessary, to remove certain individuals.

Honestly, I don’t care.

Although I won’t be merely played by his intentions.

‘Because I have something to use too.’

I also needed to make contact within the Alliance, specifically with Mukyeon, so I intended to cooperate for the time being.

However.

‘He knew about this too?’

Just as I had figured out Mukyeon’s intentions through our current conversation.

It meant Mukyeon also knew my intentions.

Knowing this, he must have called me here directly.

‘What a ghostly old man.’

In preparation for other units rising up due to friction with the Grand Leaders, I used my causing the incident as a reason to delete the condition.

This way, the backlash from other battalions would decrease, and…

‘It’s fine since I was useless anyway and it served as justification for deletion.’

Mukyeon is mediating without suffering any damage, so it’s also a favorable situation.

‘Hahaha.’

I wondered how he planned to untangle this mess.

‘This is really not easy.’

This is why it was difficult to deal with people who had lived long in the political arena.

‘As expected. Is getting rid of him quickly the answer?’

Staying close to this old man for too long seemed like it would only increase my losses.

“The conditions… I hope you, Strategist Muk, will conclude them favorably at your discretion.”

“I will take that as acceptance. Regarding the modified parts, I will send someone to deliver them again.”

“…Yes.”

“Originally, it would be correct for you to wait within the Alliance until the truth is revealed, but I will use my authority a bit for this as well.”

“…Won’t you get fired for abusing your power like that?”

“Haha.”

It was a laugh that implied it was absolutely impossible.

Yes, I think so too. Who would be crazy enough to fire that old man?

“I will consider it a form of consideration. Therefore, I will not forget your wishes, Strategist Muk.”

“This old man doesn’t quite understand what wishes you are referring to.”

He had a face as if he had no idea at all.

I couldn’t tell if he was feigning ignorance or if he genuinely had no such intentions, but…

‘No, it’s clear.’

I was certain.

That the old man had something he wanted to do using me.

He would use me even while suspecting me.

That must be Mukyeon’s intention.

It looks like a dangerous choice. Yet, the old man must go this far.

That’s understandable, because…

‘Even if I don’t kill him… it seems he doesn’t have much time left.’

Mukyeon didn’t seem to have much time left.

‘…’

As I thought about it, I moved slightly as if something had occurred to me.

“Strategist Muk.”

“Yes.”

“Are… are you finished with what you wanted to say?”

“I think I’ve said all I needed to say. If you’re busy, you may return for now. I will speak with the Guardian Corps separately.”

“Understood. Then, I will visit you again once there are developments.”

“Return safely. I will not escort you out.”

“Yes. I’ll see you next time.”

I gave a slight bow and turned around.

Just as I reached for the doorknob to leave.

“Ah, and Strategist Muk.”

I turned my head slightly and spoke to him.

“About that tea.”

“Yes?”

“Instead of that, you should dry and drink Muryeongcho (無嶺草). Taeseomhwa (兌閃華) does have a paralyzing effect, but no matter how much you dry it, a slight toxicity remains, so drinking Muryeongcho would be more effective for pain relief.”

“…”

“Well then.”

I finished speaking and closed the door, leaving.

Immediately after.

“…Hoho.”

Mukyeon whispered with an expression as if he’d been hit.

“As expected… what a shame.”

His voice was mixed with deep regret.

---

After finishing the meeting with Mukyeon, I returned straight to my quarters.

Since I had caused the incident, the gazes directed at me within the Alliance were strange, but…

Perhaps Mukyeon had already passed the word, as no one tried to stop me.

To think they’d just let me go after I turned a Grand Leader into mush.

Moreover.

‘Some of them looked quite pleased.’

A sense of exhilaration, perhaps.

Amidst their uncomfortable expressions, I could clearly feel a sense of relief.

‘Twin Sword Demon. I can tell what that old man was up to inside the Alliance.’

Seeing this, it was clear how much of a show Twin Sword Demon had put on within the Alliance.

Despite his considerable time as a Grand Leader, he was defeated by me, who had only recently joined.

And yet, there were people who liked it?

How on earth had he been behaving to elicit such reactions?

It’s truly baffling.

‘Anyway. Mukyeon said he’d handle it, so it seems like this part will work out somehow.’

Mukyeon said he would cover up the fact that I pulverized a Grand Leader.

Even though the overall conversation differed, this was his intention.

Also.

‘If possible, he can cover for me. So, ‘go ahead and try’.’

I could feel that kind of thought.

This part was purely my assumption.

‘I’ll have to test the waters and confirm this.’

What exactly were Mukyeon’s true intentions?

How much did he see, and how far could I push it?

I had to confirm these things step by step.

However, if there was one thing that worried me…

‘It’s ambiguous.’

My perspective was too limited to understand and act against Mukyeon.

Even if I rack my brain, I felt like I wouldn’t be a match for him.

If I felt like I was being toyed with, it was better to just stay put.

I had to be careful about making judgments and acting alone.

‘Hmm….’

My opponent is an old monster.

If the Three Venerables reached the heavens through martial arts.

He might have reached the heavens through other means.

‘…Even if Cheonyurang-aga was relatively lacking in combat sense.’

That person was skilled even in such senses.

‘I can’t afford to make a rash move.’

When planning in Hanam, I had to use my head several times more than usual.

Of course, I knew Je gal-hyeok would arrive soon, so it would be better than usual, but…

‘The question is whether I can use the current Je gal-hyeok in conjunction with Mukyeon.’

No matter how smart Je gal-hyeok is, he’s not the same as in my past life.

Since he wasn’t someone I should involve deeply in this matter in the first place, I had to find many other ways.

“Hoo…”

As I thought, a sigh escaped me naturally.

The complexities were truly more than just one or two.

It was a frustrating situation, making me wonder why there were so many issues.

Each one was overwhelmingly daunting for my ignorant brain to solve. Such a damn situation.

“…You guys, seriously.”

I had to barely hold back my irritation as I looked at the people in front of me.

“How did you know to come here…?”

“…”

At my question, the three people sitting in front of me flinched.

They were women with different hair colors, and every single one of them stood with both arms raised high.

It was Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah, and Tang Soyeol.

They looked as if they were being punished.

I hadn’t ordered them to do it; it was a stance they took themselves.

“I definitely tried to keep it secret. How did you know?”

Even when I asked, no answer came.

Each of them was busy avoiding my gaze.

Among them, I firmly grabbed Wi Seol-ah’s cheek in the center.

“Eeeek…!”

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Mas-master, it huuurts…”

Even while saying it hurt, Wi Seol-ah didn’t actually give an answer.

It was the same for the others.

The reason I gathered them like this and tormented them was none other than this.

“…Seriously, how did you know and apply?”

It was because these three had all applied to the Dragon Guard.

Knowing they would apply immediately if they knew, I had deliberately posted the notice the day before to start recruitment urgently, but today I saw all three had already joined.

‘How much trouble did I go through to draw attention?’

Not only did I post the notice, but I also used various methods to draw attention without them noticing.

Since none of them seemed to pay any attention, I thought the plan had succeeded, but…

‘The fact that these three joined…’

Means they knew and were prepared long ago, and pretended not to know before suddenly appearing like this.

Thanks to that, things got complicated.

Honestly, even if I had realized, I could have just disqualified all of them…

‘It all went downhill starting with Namgung Bi-ah.’

Things got tangled when Namgung Bi-ah started sparring with Silver Wolf Sword.

Talk about Namgung Bi-ah had subtly begun to spread throughout Hanam.

Both her skills and the way she presented herself were perfect for becoming known.

Recently, I had only been in my quarters, so there was no reason for such rumors to spread, but…

Just one instance led to this situation.

And it wasn’t just Namgung Bi-ah.

“…Why are you guys here too…”

Wi Seol-ah, the Island Moon Sword.

Tang Soyeol, the Poison Scroll.

Since they showed incredible performances at the Martial Arts Tournament, their reputations had skyrocketed.

But those two also applied to the Dragon Guard and came looking for me.

Since I had already accepted Namgung Bi-ah, I ended up accepting these two as well.

Thanks to that, another piece of baseless gossip was added to my rumors.

What was it again?

‘They said the Saint King put his women into the Dragon Guard to keep them under his thumb.’

The moment I heard it, I wanted to find whoever spread the rumor and tear them apart.

‘I’m going crazy.’

It was a situation where I couldn’t help but sigh.

“W-we can do well too.”

“That’s right… Since it’s already like this. Wouldn’t it be good if we tried hard?”

“…Mm.”

“Hoo.”

Tried hard, my foot.

Of course, they’d do well. But that wasn’t the important thing right now.

Since I had already accepted them, there was nothing more I could do, but I still felt regret.

‘I shouldn’t have accepted them.’

If I hadn’t accepted Namgung Bi-ah in the first place, this problem wouldn’t have occurred.

Because I couldn’t do that, it ended up like this.

Alright, let’s put this aside for now.

“Seriously, how did you know? Who was it?”

“…”

As expected, all three remained silent.

“I’ll go easy on whoever tells me.”

“That’s…!”

Tang Soyeol reacted immediately to my casual remark, but…

Thwack-!

“Mmph!”

Wi Seol-ah, standing in the center, swung her arm and covered Tang Soyeol’s mouth.

“…Unni.”

“…Nn… Nnngh.”

At Wi Seol-ah’s soft call, Tang Soyeol quickly nodded.

Frowning at the sight, I tried to ask again, but…

“You really won’t tell…!”

-Master.

“…”

I had to stop my outburst upon hearing the voice in my ear.

It was Nari’s telepathic message.

-I apologize for interrupting your conversation.

-…What is it?

This was an important situation for me too, and Nari usually doesn’t interrupt like this, so I asked what was wrong first.

Then.

-It’s nothing else, but.

-Just now, it is reported that the Dark King has arrived in Hanam.

“…”

I heard a title I hadn’t heard in a long time.