Chapter 841: Ilcheonkyo.

Of course, I still couldn’t understand why Mun Dohyeok came over to my side.

Honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to trust him.

‘Ilcheonggeom might have used a pointless tactic.’

It could be a high-level ploy to use their spy to destabilize our side.

Meaning, a double agent.

No, considering Mun Dohyeok, maybe a triple agent…?

‘Anyway….’

Just as I couldn’t understand Mun Dohyeok’s choice, trusting him or not was impossible.

As I said before, I can’t trust guys who have a history of betrayal.

Perhaps sensing my suspicion, Mun Dohyeok hid his trembling hands and spoke to me.

“If you wish, I’ll even place a binding spell on myself…. P-please accept me.”

He was saying he’d carve a binding spell into his own body. That wasn’t something he could say lightly.

‘Even if he says that, I doubt I’d believe him.’

I can’t trust someone based on their words alone.

Even setting that aside, I have no intention of trusting this guy.

However.

‘What’s important isn’t this guy’s humanity.’

Mun Dohyeok’s disposition, his earnestness. Or perhaps his desperation.

Those things are irrelevant from the start.

The only thing I need to see through him here is one thing.

‘This guy’s value.’

Where, how, and in what way can he be used? More importantly, does he have any use at all?

That was the only thing I needed to see, and the Mun Dohyeok I saw was.

‘Not bad.’

He was a decent card. A perfect time to use him as a disposable piece, you could say.

‘Hmm.’

What should I do?

I quickly rack my brain. If this is Ilcheonggeom’s move….

‘The countermeasures… at most two options.’

There are options, so it’s manageable.

Then, conversely, if Mun Dohyeok really did betray Ilcheonggeom.

‘It’s awkward to use him as a dagger.’

A powerful single blow is impossible.

Besides, I already have something prepared, so it’s not the right time. If anything, I could use him to mess with them a little.

‘Ughhh.’

So I pondered. It wasn’t about whether this guy was a spy or not.

‘Should I kill him or let him live.’

Whether to get rid of him or not. That’s what I was considering.

There’d be no problem killing him right now. No trace would be left, and nothing would change if this guy died.

Even considering variables, getting rid of him was the logical move.

‘So, should I kill him?’

Hmphht-!

Mun Dohyeok flinched as he looked at me. He seemed to sense a faint killing intent.

“D-Daeju….”

Keeping him alive seemed useless except for messing with Ilcheonggeom, so getting rid of him would genuinely be more beneficial….

“Hmm.”

After pondering, I nodded. Because I had reached a conclusion.

Swoosh.

“H-huhk…!”

As I stood up, Mun Dohyeok startled and crawled backward.

The sight looked quite pathetic. So, looking at him with a disappointed expression, I asked.

“What are you doing?”

“Th-that is… P-please, just spare me….”

“What are you talking about? Who said I was going to kill you?”

“…Y-yes?”

“You asked me to accept you.”

“Huk! Th-then…!”

“Stop acting pathetic and get up. We’re leaving now.”

Solely to spite Ilcheonggeom, there’s definitely a risk, but for now, I’ll accept him. It seemed okay to do this much.

If things get dicey.

‘I can just kill them all.’

Because I had a foolproof solution.

---

I went outside.

Lanterns were already illuminating the entire branch, and the warriors were taking turns preparing for guard duty.

As the Daeju, I didn’t strictly need to stand guard, but since I trained at night, I made it a point to check around occasionally.

“Chung.”

“Yeah. Keep up the good work.”

As I passed, the members who noticed me quickly paid their respects.

I wanted to tell them not to bother, but since there are clear ranks, they have to observe this much.

Otherwise, they sometimes try to take liberties.

‘When that happens, it’s too much trouble to deal with each one individually.’

If they get out of line, I just need to step on them, but moving just for that is bothersome.

As I was patrolling the branch, checking on the members here and there.

“Um, um…. Daeju-nim.”

“What.”

Mun Dohyeok, who was following behind, asked me in an anxious voice.

“Where… are you headed right now?”

He seemed anxious because I was moving without stating my destination.

To this, I chuckled and said.

“Where am I going?”

“Yes.”

“Where else? I’m looking for a place to bury you.”

“…!”

Mun Dohyeok flinched and stopped walking. Fear immediately filled his eyes.

Seeing that, I chuckled and said.

“Just kidding.”

“Ah…! Haha…. J-just kidding, you say.”

“Yeah, I’m going to meet the Cheongnyong Daeju now.”

“Ah, the Cheongnyong Daeju…. Yes?”

At my words, Mun Dohyeok’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean? Exactly what I said. I’m going to see Ilcheonggeom!”

“…N-no.”

“Don’t worry. I just have a few questions.”

“Then… why am I coming along…?”

If you have questions for Ilcheonggeom, why are you bringing me along? Mun Dohyeok asked, seemingly unable to comprehend.

“Well, that’s because…”

To such a question, I answered calmly.

“I have questions about you, so it’s easier if you come along.”

“Huh…? What do you mean…!”

“Ah, stop prying so much. Want me to pierce your lips with a skewer so you can’t talk? Cleanly? I just need you for something, so shut up and follow me.”

“…”

As I said it irritably, Mun Dohyeok finally shut his mouth.

Now that he was finally quiet, I let out a sigh.

Sensing his hesitation, I turned back and added.

“Let me tell you beforehand. There’s no running away now. If you’re sticking with me, do it properly. If I sense you playing games, I’ll deal with you first. Got it?”

“I… I understand….”

At the warning filled with killing intent, Mun Dohyeok’s face turned pale.

This was serious. If he caused trouble again, I’d kill him.

After finishing my checks, I finally asked a member.

“Where is the Budaeju?”

Not Tang Soyeol, but the other remaining one was missing.

The member I asked answered me with a stiff posture.

“The Budaeju is currently at the western residence.”

“The west? If it’s the west then….”

Confirming the location, I tilted my head.

“That’s towards the Cheongnyongdae. Why there?”

I hadn’t heard any reports about needing to go there?

As I wondered, the member spoke with a subtle expression.

“Well…. It seems there was an issue with the Cheongnyongdae regarding information gathering….”

“Hmm?”

What’s this now? An issue?

“So, he was summoned without even reporting to me?”

“That’s correct. The Budaeju was told that the Daeju-nim was out, so he decided to go himself first….”

“Then they should have informed me immediately upon arrival. Why am I only finding out by asking you? It’s too late, isn’t it?”

“…S-sorry.”

“Sorry my ass. Is this how you’re going to do your job?”

It wasn’t just this guy; others were like this too. Ah, this is pissing me off.

“…No. Sorry.”

“You…. Never mind. Tell all members, including you, to assemble in front of my quarters. If even one person is missing, you’ll regret it. Understood?”

“…Y-yes…!”

As I said it irritably, the pale-faced guy quickly answered.

No matter how recently it was established, the reporting system shouldn’t be this messed up.

‘I was trying to ease up a bit, but…’

It was hard to overlook it to the point of blatant disregard.

‘He was called to the Cheongnyongdae just now? Perfect.’

Since he’s going there anyway, I should probably grab him and hear what’s going on.

I immediately dragged Mun Dohyeok towards the residence where the Cheongnyongdae were staying.

Seeing me appear, the Cheongnyongdae members nearby looked surprised. Although they quickly paid their respects upon seeing me, a faint dissatisfaction lingered on their faces.

It wasn’t the first or second time, and I usually ignored it since I didn’t mind that much, but.

“Hey, you there.”

This time, I also had business, so I pointed at one guy and called him.

“…Are you talking to me?”

The targeted guy looked back, asking if it was really him.

“Yes, it’s you, so come over here.”

“…”

He had a reluctant expression.

I was already annoyed, and seeing that face made me even angrier.

“Not smoothing out that expression? Do I need to fix it with my own hands?”

As I spat it out, suppressing my anger, the member swallowed hard and tried to manage his expression.

“I came to see the Cheongnyong Daeju. I heard our Budaeju also came here. Where is he?”

Hearing my words, the member’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His tone suggested he knew something.

“…He’s currently inside talking with our Budaeju-nim….”

“Got it.”

“Uh, wait… just a moment…!”

The guy tried to grab me quickly, but I had already stepped inside the door.

As I entered the Cheongnyongdae’s residence.

-Unb-believable.

-…Discipline…

-How dare… insult the Daeju-nim….

Voices reached my ears. Was it from the center of the residence?

Judging by the voices, it didn’t sound like a peaceful conversation.

The speakers were…

‘Seems like our Budaeju.’

One seemed to be our Budaeju. Then who was the other one?

As I moved closer to find out, the voices became clearer.

-I can’t believe you’re this unreasonable. How will you manage with such inflexibility?

It was a mocking tone, a voice I hadn’t heard before.

-What does that have to do with flexibility…!

As if angered by those words, the Budaeju raised his voice.

-The Seongnyongdae is not a subordinate unit of the Cheongnyongdae. The Cheongnyongdae side came here to provide support, so please do not speak carelessly.

-Ha. Are you trying to lecture me now? Me?

Well, well.

Listening to the conversation, it seemed to be heading in a strange direction.

Interesting. I perked up my ears and quickened my pace.

-I’m not lecturing, just offering a proper suggestion as a fellow Budaeju…

-Hahaha. Same? How absurd. Listen here. How dare you utter such nonsense.

It was a voice filled with sheer absurdity.

Hearing this, I increased my speed.

My vision shifted.

-You were nothing special even when you were in the Jeokryongdae, but now that you wear the badge, you think we’re on the same level? What a delusion.

-Budaeju Jin…! What kind of nonsense is that? Your title is recognized by the Alliance.

-Just because the titles are the same doesn’t mean we’re on the same level. Don’t you think so? The battalions are different, so how can you say we’re the same?

As my feet touched the ground, the first thing I saw was a massive residence.

Several figures stood below.

Who was the owner of the voice? I didn’t need to search long.

In front of our blushing Budaeju stood a guy with an obnoxious expression.

It had to be him.

“To dare claim that the place formed by gathering inferior individuals is the same as this place is like a humiliation to us….”

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

At the call, the guy turned around.

“Huh…?”

The guy’s eyes widened upon seeing my face.

KWAANG-!

“Kuhuk!”

With the follow-up punch, the guy’s jawbone was crushed.