Chapter 838: Ilcheonkyo.

I, right after leaving the Poison King’s room.

I put some distance between us and let out a sigh.

“Hoo.”

Relief washed over me. Thankfully, the method worked.

‘I dodged that well.’

How to extract energy from the magic stone.

The Poison King was about to ask that, but I used the Poison King’s situation to slip away without hearing the question.

The problem is, the Poison King probably realized it by now.

‘That old man… he won’t get sulky again, will he?’

I thought an old man his age wouldn’t get sulky over something like this, but honestly, remembering last time, it wasn’t impossible.

“Tsk.”

I thought it would be okay, even if I was a little anxious. No, it had to be okay.

‘Honestly, if I’m going to help with the merchant guild’s business too, he should let this slide.’

Isn’t that just social life?

Even though he’s a ‘former’ head, I believed a head of one of the Four Great Families would have this much flexibility.

Or else…

‘…I’ll have to report him.’

I’ll have no choice but to report him to the person the Poison King cherishes most. And that person he cherishes most is.

“Come out now.”

They were right beside me.

At my words, I heard movement from the bushes nearby. As expected, a woman with an awkward expression slowly walked out.

It was, of course, Tang Soyeol.

She looked at me with a slightly crestfallen expression and asked,

“…Did you know?”

She meant, did I know she was hiding. To that, I replied calmly,

“No.”

I didn’t. Surprisingly, Tang Soyeol was quite skilled at concealing her presence.

Of course, if I had maximized my Ki sense, I could have detected her…

‘I would have literally had to push it to the absolute limit.’

Since my Nine Flames Wheel Technique is currently malfunctioning, I would have needed to use even more Ki sense.

“You didn’t know?”

Tang Soyeol looked flustered when I said I didn’t know. She apparently thought I would have known.

“Yeah. I didn’t.”

“But… how did you know I was here?”

How did I know, when I couldn’t even sense her presence?

The answer to this question is simple.

“Because I figured you would be.”

“…!”

If it were Tang Soyeol, the Tang Soyeol I know, she would do this.

It was that kind of trust, that conviction.

“And it turned out I was right.”

As if to prove my conviction correct, Tang Soyeol was here. That was all there was to it.

Hearing my words, Tang Soyeol’s already large eyes widened even further.

“Heeheehee….”

Soon after, she covered her mouth and let out a laugh.

“…”

Seeing her giggle, I playfully reached out and ruffled the top of her head.

Tang Soyeol flinched at the sudden touch, but she didn’t seem to dislike it, enjoying my hand resting there.

My light touch tangled in her light green hair. The texture was exceptionally soft.

Does she take special care of it?

‘That’s probably not it.’

A martial artist. Not just any martial artist, but a master of the Hwajing level, and young at that.

In such a case, it’s only natural for her skin, and everything else about her, to be in good condition.

After stroking her hair for a moment like that.

“I heard from the Tang family head.”

I brought up what I wanted to say.

Then, Tang Soyeol’s body stiffened once more.

I didn’t bother removing my hand.

“How… how much did you hear?”

Tang Soyeol asked, sounding anxious. I could tell just from her tone.

She probably heard about how I proposed the engagement to the Poison King. That seemed to be what worried her.

“I didn’t hear much… just that the Tang family head misspoke, and you got angry and ran away?”

So, I didn’t reveal everything. There was no need to spill it all.

Judging by my words, relief indeed dawned on Tang Soyeol’s face.

“I see….”

“Why? Did you need to hear more?”

“Oh, no.”

I said it teasingly, and Tang Soyeol waved her hands dismissively. She seemed quite hurried.

Seeing her reaction, I figured I shouldn’t tease her any further.

“If not, then that’s fine.”

Saying that, I withdrew my hand and continued,

“Whatever it is, sort it out properly. The family head didn’t say it with ill intent, did he?”

“…”

She didn’t deny it. It meant Tang Soyeol shared my thoughts. No, perhaps she knew it even better.

But.

“…I am doing my best.”

Even knowing that, Tang Soyeol didn’t seem able to easily move past it.

“But it seems my father doesn’t quite understand that.”

“Why?”

“If he did, he wouldn’t have advised me to use shortcuts, at least.”

“…”

“For me, this is a fight where I shouldn’t use such things.”

Her gaze was truly intense. I could feel her resolve not to back down.

“…I don’t know what kind of fight it is, but is it that important?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, oh, alright…”

Her unwavering answer actually made me flustered. Was this something worth answering like that?

“I absolutely won’t lose.”

“Still, if the family head apologizes first, maybe cut him some slack.”

“…That…”

Tang Soyeol hesitated for a moment, then slightly pursed her lips. Then, avoiding my gaze, she spoke.

“I’ll… think about it.”

“Alright.”

It seemed she was still willing to talk if he approached her. Was that fortunate, at least? More accurately, it wasn’t fortunate for me, but rather…

‘It’s fortunate for the person inside the building.’

I chuckled, picturing the Poison King nervously biting his nails.

‘Since I’ve put a plan in motion, maybe I should help a little.’

Because I’ve done something, I feel a bit concerned, so I should do something before leaving.

Making up my mind, I said to Tang Soyeol,

“I’ll return first, so you come about an hour later. You can come alone, right?”

“Huh? Why, why? I want to go together too….”

“It’s an order. No objections.”

At the word ‘order,’ Tang Soyeol’s mouth clamped shut. She clearly looked displeased, but had no words to retort.

I gently touched her chubby cheeks.

Ah, her cheeks have thinned out, so it’s hard to call them chubby anymore.

It was the same with Wi Seol-ah, this part was quite disappointing.

“Well then, I’m heading back first, so I’ll see you later.”

After saying goodbye, I started walking.

I had spent the day, so it was time to return.

---

After returning to the branch, I immediately sought out the Branch Master.

“Seongryong Daejunim.”

Branch Master Mok, upon seeing me, greeted me with a nod.

“Everything is alright, isn’t it?”

“Ah, of course. With dependable members protecting us, what trouble could there be?”

Those were honey-coated, sly words. Hearing this, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

As always, I don’t enjoy these situations. Because there’s never anyone decent among those who coat their tongues with sweetness.

“I heard you were visiting the Tang family briefly….”

“Yes, I just returned from a brief visit. I had something I needed to discuss with the family head.”

“The Tang family head visited a few days ago as well. It’s regrettable that I had business and couldn’t meet him that day.”

At that time, the Branch Master must have been meeting with Daehwan. This is something I heard from the Dark King.

Even knowing all this, he said with a smile, pretending ignorance.

“It happens when one is busy. I will convey my apologies well to the Tang family head.”

“Hahaha…. Thank you.”

“…”

“…”

The conversation ended, followed by a brief silence. In the awkward atmosphere, I took a sip of the tea placed before me. I held it in my mouth, rolling it around slowly.

‘No poison.’

There was no poison in the tea. Had they not been able to tamper with it this far? If so, that’s truly a shame.

‘Or perhaps, did they catch on?’

There was a possibility they had noticed something, so just as I was about to ponder it a bit,

“Um, regarding that… why did you want to meet me….”

“Ah.”

At the Branch Master’s words, I paused my thoughts. I recalled the main point that had brought me here.

“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“Oh my, no. It’s perfectly understandable.”

I didn’t know what was so understandable, but I ignored it for now.

“The reason I sought out the Branch Master is none other than… if you could provide troop support, I wanted to know how much would be possible.”

“Troop… support, you say?”

At my question, the Branch Master’s eyes widened.

“Yes. It seems I’ll need some support.”

“…No… wait.”

Needing troops. The Branch Master immediately understood the true meaning behind these words.

“Could it be… you’ve discovered something?”

Acquiring information. If that weren’t the case, there would be no need to suddenly request support. Moreover.

‘Needing more support implies having grasped the opposing forces to some extent.’

These words held countless implications. Fortunately, the Branch Master seemed to have grasped the meaning well.

Observing his reaction, I also leaned forward slightly. It was to close the distance with the Branch Master.

“It’s not a certainty, but… I have found out a certain amount.”

“Is that so…! Even the Azure Dragon Squad doesn’t have much information yet… Hup!”

Mid-sentence, the Branch Master covered his mouth. What he meant was, ‘How could you achieve what even the Azure Dragon Squad couldn’t?’

Realizing this, the Branch Master quickly added,

“My apologies… I misspoke.”

“Ah, it’s alright. It’s perfectly understandable to think that way.”

Moving my hand, I applied what the Branch Master had just said to me.

“You might not believe me, but what I found is real.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. I still need to investigate what they’re planning, but… I think I can roughly confirm their troop strength….”

I hesitated for a moment. I added an impression of contemplation.

“It seems like with our current capabilities, it might be a bit dangerous.”

“…Hoh….”

“Would it be possible?”

“Of, of course. Naturally. It’s for the sake of the Alliance… it’s truly an honor.”

The Branch Master, perhaps unable to show hesitation, blurted it out immediately. Seeing him like that, I said with relief,

“As expected… I knew Branch Master-nim would help.”

“Hahaha….”

“Then, trusting only you, Branch Master-nim, we will also make our preparations accordingly.”

“…Yes, yes. I understand.”

The Branch Master nodded with a peculiar reaction.

The conversation thus concluded.

---

On the way back to the Seongryong Squad’s quarters. I reviewed everything as I walked.

Although the Branch Master agreed to the sudden request for troops, his flustered expression was evident.

Did I really find something? A faint sense of anxiety could be felt, but… Rather, it was a reaction I liked, as he seemed to have understood clearly.

‘Will it flow in smoothly?’

Whether the words reach Ilcheon Geom. Or reach Daehwan. It didn’t matter which of the two it was. What was important was making them aware that I was planning something.

‘If possible, it should be Ilcheon Geom.’

I couldn’t control this part as I wished, so all I could do was hope it would go well.

‘…I need to wrap up this business soon too.’

At the latest, seven days and nights. Or as short as three days. I planned to handle it within that time.

I had planned it diligently, so it should go well unless there were major issues… The only snag was this.

‘The fact that I can’t use the Nine Flames Wheel Technique right now.’

Since my main martial art was blocked, I had to pay extra attention.

‘Even if I can’t do it without this, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it.’

But it meant I still had to be careful. Because if things went wrong, everything could fall apart.

“Tsk.”

Most of my calculations were based on me being at full strength. Who knew a problem would suddenly arise here.

I tried to think of it lightly, but clearly, it was a major variable.

‘Is there no way?’

Either resolve the inner demon as quickly as possible, or do something to handle it easily in this state. I had to come up with some method.

Tuk. Tuk.

Because of that, I was tapping my fingertips lightly with my arms crossed.

Woong.

“Hmm?”

I sensed movement from somewhere. It was straight ahead.

‘Who is it?’

Judging by the path, they were definitely coming towards me. I immediately focused my gaze, and soon, a face came into view.

It was a man. Moreover, a man wearing the Seongryong Squad’s uniform.

“…Daejunim.”

The person approached cautiously and performed a fist-and-palm salute towards me. Seeing him, I said,

“Excuse me…. I am Mundo….”

“Mundo Hyuk. What is it?”

“…”

I remembered his name. His cultivation seemed to be at the first-class level. That guy is probably…

‘Ilcheon Geom’s ears and mouth.’

He was the guy Ilcheon Geom was using for his schemes right now.

When I called his name first, the guy made an unreadable expression. Why is he making that kind of face? It was a strange reaction, so I just watched him.

“…You… knew my name?”

Mundo Hyuk uttered something even stranger.

“What?”

I let out a hollow laugh at his nonsensical reply and said,

“What nonsense is that? Why wouldn’t I know a member’s name?”

“…”

If you intend to keep someone below you, you should at least memorize their name. Could you not even memorize this? Could he be sarcastically implying I wouldn’t even remember his name? No, it doesn’t feel like that?

“You don’t seem to have heatstroke in this weather. What is it?”

“…Well… that is….”

‘Ah.’

Mundo Hyuk hesitated. Seeing that, I understood.

‘Ilcheon Geom must have said something.’

He must have come to do something to me, following Ilcheon Geom’s orders. I could intuitively grasp that.

Realizing the truth, I laughed inwardly.

‘Right. It would be disappointing if he didn’t do anything.’

If he just stayed put, I would have been more concerned. How great is it that he’s attempting something like this? It makes it easy to figure things out.

‘Now. What is he trying to do?’

What exactly is Ilcheon Geom trying to do? My prediction was that he would first spout false information. He’d hint that he found something to check my movements. That was the highest probability right now. I was also considering a few other possibilities. At the very least, one of these must be it.

Thinking so, I looked at Mundo Hyuk… Mundo Hyuk, who had been silently remaining quiet, finally broke his hesitation and spoke to me.

However.

“…Daejunim.”

“Yeah.”

“Ilcheon Geom… is targeting you.”

“…Huh?”

Surprisingly, words I hadn’t expected came to my ears.