Chapter 846: Ilcheonkyo. Pama (Demon Destruction).

Silence hung heavy. Breaking the stillness, I said to Song Hojeong.

“I’m not listening to any denials. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Perhaps fearing I’d cause a ruckus if they heard. Or that the young Daeju would be manipulated at Cheongryongdae. Even without these reasons, Song Hojeong ultimately couldn’t trust me.

If they had known, they wouldn’t have acted so unreasonably.

“Did you want to prevent harm to the division? Or did you believe you could handle it alone? Whatever the reason, what you did was not right.”

“…”

There was no answer. It didn’t matter.

“I told the Cheongryongdaeju too. My role is to take responsibility for you all. You are not supposed to take responsibility for me. Besides.”

I kept taking deep breaths, fearing any murderous intent might appear in my lowered gaze.

“If you had told me sooner, do you think a situation like this would have occurred?”

Even if you had told me honestly, the same disaster would have happened. It might have been a little less severe, though… It probably would have been roughly the same, right?

However, since this wasn’t what was important right now, I just pushed forward.

“Answer me.”

“…I apologize.”

“Tsk.”

Talking further was meaningless. Clicking my tongue briefly, I thought, “So, what should I do now?”

If it were up to me, I’d want to strip them of all their unit leader positions and be done with it.

‘Even considering this situation, it’s awkward to give the position to someone else.’

At least Song Hojeong is the better option.

In the first place, it’s harder to find someone who isn’t a spy among the Meng faction’s warriors. And knowing the Jeokryongdaeju sent someone good made it even more so.

In this case, it would be accurate to say I let him off because of the Jeokryongdaeju.

“…Sit out your missions for a while.”

“D-Daeju-nim….”

“Get out. And I’ll handle the Cheongryongdae matters myself, so don’t worry about it anymore.”

Without listening to what he was trying to say further, I issued a command for him to leave.

This was the appropriate limit.

Song Hojeong moved his lips. Eventually heading out, I looked at the remaining one.

“Now, speak.”

“…Yes?”

At my words, Moon Do-hyeok replied, seemingly flustered.

He didn’t seem to get it due to the sudden words.

So, I elaborated a bit.

“You seemed like you had something you wanted to say earlier. Hurry up and say it.”

His eyes that kept glancing over while I was nagging Song Hojeong were a sign.

That’s why I set the stage directly to make it easier for him to speak.

“Ah… well… uh…”

“Since I’m not in a good mood right now, get to the point, fast.”

“…Ilcheonggeom has learned of the situation, and I’m unsure if it’ll be alright.”

At the words that came out immediately, I touched the back of my neck. As I tried to contain my anger, my muscles felt tense.

Moon Do-hyeok was talking about me mentioning his betrayal directly to Ilcheonggeom.

“What wouldn’t be okay?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Why? Are you worried about what Ilcheonggeom might do to you?”

He averted his eyes. My guess was spot on. I had no intention of saying anything about it.

‘He has reason to worry.’

Even without that, Ilcheonggeom’s eyes, which were looking at Moon Do-hyeok, were gleaming with murderous intent. Moon Do-hyeok must have seen that too.

“If that’s what’s worrying you, try going back again. They might take you back?”

“N-No, that’s not it… I’m genuinely just worried…”

“I’m kidding.”

They wouldn’t have stopped me if I had gone.

Smirking, I said to Moon Do-hyeok.

“You’re wondering why I brought up the truth back then?”

Why I mentioned Ilcheonggeom’s crime in that situation. That’s likely the root of Moon Do-hyeok’s curiosity. There was no need to do so.

“Am I wrong?”

“Y-Yes…”

After coming all the way here to choose my side, he found himself in a situation where his life is now at risk.

It seems he’s worried about that…

“It’s okay. It was all done with a plan in mind.”

“A plan, you say…?”

“I had a plan. Can’t you trust me?”

“No… I, I believe you.”

“Right, since you’ve sided with me anyway, just trust me. I’ll take care of it.”

It didn’t concern me. After all.

‘I’m going to kill them all anyway.’

Whether it was Ilcheonggeom or anyone else, or even Moon Do-hyeok, I had no intention of sparing anyone. That’s why it doesn’t matter to me.

“So stop worrying, I’ll handle everything, so you should stay out of it too… Ah, wait.”

As I was about to send Moon Do-hyeok out too, something suddenly occurred to me.

“Because I think I’ll have something for you to do later, stay put.”

“Understood…”

Moon Do-hyeok nodded, his expression anxious.

He didn’t seem to fully believe me.

It wouldn’t make a difference. He already had no options besides me anyway.

“If you understand, you can leave now.”

“…Sir.”

“Oh, on your way out, tell someone to come in.”

“Yes? Who are you referring to?”

To Moon Do-hyeok’s question, I said with a smile.

“They’re probably sleeping right about now… Send them over even if you have to wake them up. Tell them I need them.”

Just at this time, there was one person I needed.

******************

As time passed and it got later into the night, a guest entered my quarters.

It was a young man with a very sleepy expression.

He had a very displeased look on his face, as if asking what business could possibly bring me here at this hour.

The young man’s identity was Cheol Ji-seon.

He asked me in a sigh-filled voice.

“…What is it?”

“Come on in.”

I greeted the exhausted young man with a smile, but his expression didn’t improve.

“Hey… Yangcheon-ah.”

“Yeah.”

“…I’m on the final guard duty.”

“Indeed. You must be working hard.”

“…Hoo…”

Cheol Ji-seon rubbed his forehead.

Yeah, Cheol Ji-seon had the shittiest rotation among the night watch duty. It was always the same.

During his time in Sichuan, he’d never gotten out of that rotation.

‘Because I set it up like that.’

Not just Cheol Ji-seon, but all my acquaintances were the same.

Excluding Tang Soyeol, as he’s the Daeju, even Wi Seol-ah or Namgung Bi-ah were assigned to that rotation.

As a result, this guy looks utterly exhausted.

“What can you do? You know this is how it should be.”

“No… that’s not the problem. If you knew that, why call me now?”

It’s almost time for the shift change. He seems displeased about being called out right before it.

But what choice is there?

“If you’re salty, become the Daeju.”

“…”

“What the hell, you punk? Stop giving me that look. Shall we train together for the first time in ages?”

“Hahaha… haha… I’m looking nicely.”

“Right, that’s how it should be.”

Although I feel bad about waking him up, it was necessary for me.

Because the sooner it happened, the better.

“I didn’t call you for any particular reason. Oh, are you up for staying up all night?”

“…Is that even a choice?”

“No.”

“But why ask… Fine. What do I need to do?”

Seeing the glare in his eyes, Cheol Ji-seon agreed. As expected, he’s sharp.

Pleased with that, I nodded and said.

“It’s not for anything else, it just feels like the time is ripe.”

“Time?”

“Yeah, time.”

“What time are you talking about?”

To his question, as if he didn’t understand, I said, clicking my tongue.

“What else? It’s time to reap the traps I’ve laid.”

“…”

At my words, Cheol Ji-seon narrowed his eyes slightly. He looked like he understood what I meant.

“Now?”

“Yeah, now. Because we need to harvest them all, I need you to get moving.”

The groundwork I had laid since coming to Sichuan. Now was the time to trigger it all.

However.

“Isn’t this a little too soon?”

Cheol Ji-seon, seemingly displeased with the situation, looked at me skeptically.

That’s understandable, as the scheduled date I had mentioned was about three days later than now.

I also wanted to give it more time if possible. However.

“Something came up.”

Because of the unexpected events, I needed to accelerate the plan.

“Even if we move it up a bit anyway, there’s no problem, right?”

“I don’t think there will be a problem. How do you plan to do it?”

“Do what?”

“Never mind touching Gyechenmun. Isn’t Ilcheonggeom what you’re after? Then… it seems difficult to start things right away…”

“What difference does it make?”

“Huh?”

I said, tilting my head.

“We can just handle both at once.”

“What?”

Cheol Ji-seon reacted with surprise upon hearing that, but I found that reaction odd instead.

What’s the problem?

“The timing is just right.”

As I see it, it’s a perfect scenario, no matter what justification we create.

Screech.

Leaning back in my chair and resting my chin on my hand, I continued speaking to Cheol Ji-seon.

“Ilcheonggeom, who is respected by the Central Plains and its members, was actually colluding with a scoundrel from the Demonic Cult, someone deserving of being torn to shreds, and dreaming of rebellion.”

Tap, tap. I tapped my thigh with my hand.

“Seongryongdae, having discovered that, launches a surprise attack.”

“…”

“A battle broke out in the process. Oops…! Due to the intense fight, we couldn’t subdue them and ended up killing them all?”

The more I spoke, the more I could see Cheol Ji-seon’s expression subtly contorting. I paid it no mind.

“Even on Seongryongdae’s side, members ended up dying due to the battle… It’s such a sad thing, isn’t it?”

“…Yangcheon, you…”

“What do you think? If it turns out like this, do you see any issues?”

“…”

“In my view, there are none.”

As long as no variables suddenly appear, there’s no problem.

And those variables.

“You take care of them.”

Cheol Ji-seon frowned and asked me.

“…You mean kill everyone…?”

“What are you talking about? What scary words are these?”

If anyone heard that, they’d think I like killing people.

“I told you. I only kill those who deserve to die.”

“But, in battle, there are also unavoidable sacrifices…”

“Hahaha… Ji-seon-ah.”

As I chuckled, Cheol Ji-seon fell silent.

“If you’re going to nitpick about that, you shouldn’t bring it up now. Don’t you think it’s too late?”

“…”

“And, the unavoidable sacrifices you’re talking about – even to reduce those, I’m telling you to run around. Don’t you understand?”

“…No. I understand.”

“Then just follow the orders.”

I give the order, and you follow. This is always sufficient.

These were words that could best alleviate Cheol Ji-seon’s potential guilt.

“So just do as you’re told. As always, I’ll take responsibility.”

Whatever happens, it’s fine as long as it’s my fault.

This was the part I focused on most when considering the situation.

“I’ve organized the related tasks in a letter, so look at this and proceed in order.”

Cheol Ji-seon received the letter I took out.

With this done, now I just need to deal with the remaining tasks.

So, I was immediately thinking of the next schedule.

“Then what about you?”

Cheol Ji-seon suddenly said to me.

“What?”

“If you take responsibility for everything alone, then who’s responsible for you?”

“…”

At his out-of-the-blue remark, I was momentarily speechless.

Fortunately, it didn’t last long.

“What are you talking about? Why would anyone be responsible for me? I can handle myself.”

“You… why are you always…”

Squeeze!

Cheol Ji-seon, who was about to speak, twisted his face and then turned his back.

“…I’ll finish the task I was ordered to do before the day ends.”

After saying that, Cheol Ji-seon left the quarters.

Watching the door Cheol Ji-seon had left through, I had to scratch my temple.

-Who takes responsibility for you?

The words he spat out kept echoing in my head.

It seemed like it would be like this for a while.

“Tsk… Why did that kid have to say such useless things?”

He should have just done as he was told; what annoying nosiness.

Who takes responsibility for me? There was no need for it, and I didn’t want it.

‘Because I don’t want anyone to become like that, that’s why I’m causing all this crap.’

“Hoo.”

I covered my throbbing head. I had to quickly erase the thought.

‘Don’t delve too deep. Think of something else.’

If I get caught up in things like this, I won’t be able to do anything.

So, I quickly thought of something else.

‘Moving the plan forward won’t be a problem, but what’s bothering me is…’

Focusing on my body, specifically my heart, I concentrated my attention there.

Then, I felt a wriggling sensation from within.

Uncontrollable murderous intent.

Or something called ‘Simma’.

Feeling that, I bit my lip.

‘This is the variable.’

The variable that will occur during battle.

I had to deal with the possible person before things happened. What’s relatively better here is.

“…I need to visit Dangmun for a moment.”

Fortunately, I’ve figured out a way to deal with it.