“Is what you speak truly the truth?”
At Beomdong’s words, Yiqingjian asked back.
Sheng Wang had sustained internal injuries.
His ears perked up at the information Beomdong had brought.
However.
“Yes, it is the truth.”
“Do you have evidence to prove it…?”
Despite being a tantalizing tale, there was a lack of information to prove it.
To those words, Beomdong replied.
“Does the Azure Dragon Great Lord know that there is a Divine Physician near the space where Sheng Wang resides?”
“I know.”
Yiqingjian nodded.
That the Baekhwa Merchant Guild kept the Divine Physician as a guest, and that he was residing in Henan, was already a well-known fact.
Around the time they learned of this, the Alliance side had immediately sent contact to the Divine Physician.
The reason was, of course, the act of hoping he would take up residence in the Alliance, but…
The Divine Physician had firmly refused the Alliance’s request.
No, saying firmly might not be right—he had told them to ask the Baekhwa Merchant Guild’s side, but.
This was no different from a refusal.
What merchant guild would take in the Divine Physician only to pass him off elsewhere?
Moreover, Baekhwa was a place that was somewhat ambiguous to view as pro-Alliance.
There was no way they would accept, and indeed, they did not.
‘If they were going to keep the Divine Physician to themselves, they might as well have handed him over.’
What value did the Divine Physician hold in the Central Plains? Just the news that the Divine Physician had appeared in the vicinity had caused several merchant guilds to move, and it was unknown if martial sects and noble families might mobilize as well.
Yet Baekhwa possessed such a Divine Physician and took no particular action.
Literally, they had provided lodgings, and that was that.
The Alliance had thought on this matter.
‘The reason they keep the Divine Physician in residence is because someone on the merchant guild’s side is in considerably poor health.’
They had reached this conclusion, but.
Nothing had actually been revealed.
Word came that the Divine Physician occasionally treated others, but there was no information that he was being used for some scheme.
Even if they wanted to know more.
‘Approach is difficult.’
The difficulty of infiltrating the location where the Divine Physician was situated was far too high.
They had actually dispatched several informants, but far from returning with information, only harm had occurred.
‘They returned half-crippled or driven mad, did they not.’
None had lost their lives, but it was said they returned having suffered damage little different from death.
This inevitably meant there was something in the lodgings Baekhwa had prepared.
The problem was.
‘There is no evidence to prove this.’
The fact that no evidence remained.
They could not let on that the Martial Alliance had sent informants to investigate.
Most of those who returned had lost their minds, so not even a scrap of information could be obtained.
So much so that.
‘They say Baekhwa is called a demonic lair.’
It was said that internally, the Alliance’s intelligence bureau called the place that.
Yet despite such a situation.
“Are you saying you obtained some information from that place?”
“That is correct.”
“…”
At Beomdong’s words, Yiqingjian’s brows furrowed slightly.
Could those words be true?
Doubt sprouted.
The Flying Dragon Great Lord claimed to have suddenly obtained information from a place called a demonic lair.
Doubts arose regarding this, but.
‘The Flying Dragon Great Lord has no reason to tell a lie.’
Recalling what Beomdong had done until now, he had no reason to speak falsehood.
“…Explain in detail.”
For such reason, Yiqingjian first intended to listen to Beomdong’s words.
“First… there was a certain circumstance.”
“Circumstance?”
“Yes. Sheng Wang recently engaged in fierce combat. The aftermath of the demon summoning carried out by the descendants of the Zhuge family was the cause.”
“…”
The heretics who had raided Henan last time.
The Alliance had lumped them together as mere heretics and announced it to the world.
Matters related to the Zhuge family had also been included in the information sent, but the explanation had been slightly muddled to make it difficult to perceive.
Because of this, only the heretics and the Demonic Cult would remain in people’s minds now.
Research was still ongoing regarding the demon summoning they had carried out.
“The demon summoned at that time was White Grade. A disaster that had only been spoken of in distant history.”
A breathing calamity said to have existed hundreds of years ago.
The demon the Zhuge family had summoned was a monster positioned at the White Grade, and as though the words describing them were true, it had laid waste to the Henan region.
“The one who confronted such a demon head-on was none other than Sheng Wang. As the Azure Dragon Great Lord saw afterward. Was Sheng Wang’s physical condition not rather poor?”
“…”
At Beomdong’s words, Yiqingjian immediately recalled the memory.
The day the White Grade demon had attacked. Immediately after Sheng Wang had caught the demon, when he arrived at the Alliance.
At the time, Yiqingjian had faced Sheng Wang.
At a glance, Sheng Wang’s condition had been poor.
A state where it would not have been odd for him to collapse at any moment.
A body so battered that merely standing on two legs was astonishing.
“Moreover, this occurred after the duel with the Dowang. His condition would be even worse, would it not?”
“…”
It sounded reasonable.
The circumstances were exactly as Beomdong said; this clearly meant Sheng Wang’s condition was poor, no matter who looked at it, but.
“That is purely speculation. Do you not have the definite evidence you spoke of earlier?”
“Yes. That is why I am telling you that I sent an informant to verify.”
“Verify what?”
“Last night. I mean that Sheng Wang was entering and leaving the Divine Physician’s lodgings.”
“…!”
At Beomdong’s words, Yiqingjian’s eyes narrowed.
Sheng Wang had been entering and leaving the Divine Physician’s lodgings.
At those words, Yiqingjian stroked his own chin.
Seeing this, Beomdong continued.
“You may already know, but… Sheng Wang is the son of the current guild master. Since it is the residence held by the guild master, entering and leaving would seem to be no problem. But is the situation not peculiar?”
“…Hmph.”
Many thoughts flashed by.
In the end, Beomdong’s words contained absolutely no concrete evidence.
But as he kept mentioning, the circumstances were the problem.
A duel with the Dowang. After that, fighting a demon. Then going to the Divine Physician’s lodgings.
‘That alone is somewhat lacking, but.’
Yiqingjian, recalling this, suddenly remembered the situation just before.
The Golden Dragon Great Lord and the Iron Dragon Great Lord.
The action Sheng Wang had shown while confronting those two.
‘That was definitely cold sweat.’
The moment Yiqingjian blocked him, Sheng Wang had wiped away flowing cold sweat.
His expression had not looked particularly strained, but…
‘Could he truly be in a state of internal injury?’
The moment he entered the Alliance.
Even then, when he was fighting a battle of aura with him.
Sheng Wang had approached close and grabbed him so he could not draw his sword.
An enormous pressure had been felt then. But within it, Yiqingjian had definitely been able to feel it.
‘His energy wavered.’
Within, Sheng Wang’s energy had subtly wavered.
That was not an act one could do deliberately.
He had never in his life seen anyone who could make their energy tremble artificially like that.
If such a thing were possible.
‘That would be no human, but a monster.’
An act that even the Three Venerables, said to approach divinity, could not perform.
Knowing this, Yiqingjian began to sympathize with Beomdong’s logic.
However.
“Why do you tell me this?”
Why was the Flying Dragon Great Lord giving him such information now?
This was the greatest doubt.
“It seems you are mentioning this directly to me. I suppose you do not intend to report it to your superiors.”
“…”
At Yiqingjian’s words, Beomdong nodded.
“That is correct. If the Azure Dragon Great Lord does not wish it, there is no need to bother reporting it.”
“…”
“The reason I am giving this information to the Great Lord now is nothing special.”
Beomdong’s eyes glinted as he continued speaking.
“I do not like Sheng Wang, just as the other Great Lords do. Moreover, I thought this information might be necessary for the Azure Dragon Great Lord.”
“…Ha.”
Hearing those words, Yiqingjian let out a hollow laugh.
“If he has sustained internal injuries, they are likely quite severe. To add the words of a martial artist who participated in the battle with the demon at that time: it is said he coughed up blood and collapsed.”
How should he take this?
What intention did Beomdong truly have in saying such things to him?
What action did Beomdong wish him to take, that he spoke thus of Sheng Wang’s internal injuries?
He was engulfed in all manner of thoughts.
“…”
For a long while afterward, Yiqingjian was silent, covering his mouth.
“…I have heard your tale well.”
He spat out the words to Beomdong with a somewhat darkened expression.
“It seems I have much to think on. Might you leave now?”
“…Understood.”
At Yiqingjian’s words, Beomdong rose without hesitation.
The moment he was about to step out the door after that.
“Azure Dragon Great Lord.”
“…Speak.”
“As you asked earlier. If the Great Lord does not wish it, I do not intend to report this matter to the higher-ups. What do you think?”
So Beomdong asked.
“…”
Yiqingjian spoke in a voice mixed with the sound of breathing at the question.
“For the time being… I do not think you need report it. When my deliberation is finished, I shall speak to you separately then.”
“…Understood.”
Having heard the answer, Beomdong slightly bowed his head and went out the door.
Having walked calmly, and walked again, barely putting distance between himself and Yiqingjian.
“Huk… hrrk…!”
Beomdong collapsed with a thud somewhere no one could see.
Drop.
Cold sweat he had been holding back flowed down his jaw.
Plop, plop. Droplets dampened the floor.
Beyond that, Beomdong had to catch his breath with eyes widened wide.
“What on earth… what on earth…”
When he touched his arm with a trembling hand, he felt goosebumps standing on end.
It could not be helped.
“Your task is but one thing.”
“After about one shichen passes from now, find Yiqingjian.”
The reason Beomdong had sought out Yiqingjian was none other than because of the words of Sheng Wang. Ouyang Tian.
“He will likely be very angry. Do not mind it and simply say exactly as I have told you. You run the intelligence bureau, so you are good at memorizing, are you not?”
Ouyang Tian had drilled several lines into Beomdong.
He told him to answer in this manner no matter what Yiqingjian said.
Having heard that, Beomdong simply began the conversation as instructed.
And before long, he was astonished.
‘What… what on earth?’
No matter what Yiqingjian spat out, it matched well with the answers he had memorized.
There were slight differences, but everything fit together.
“Before you leave, ask him.”
Finally.
“Ask if you may report to the higher-ups. At that point. If Yiqingjian answers thus, it is a success.”
“To the higher-ups.”
“To not report for the time being…”
Ouyang Tian’s voice and Yiqingjian’s answer overlapped.
At the words that resonated like an echo, Beomdong had to wipe away cold sweat repeatedly.
‘What on earth.’
How had this situation come about?
Beomdong’s eyes trembled at the unbelievable situation.
At the same time, fear surged in.
Just what kind of being had he been caught by?
His pounding heart tightened up to his throat.
He wanted to confess everything to Yiqingjian and hide himself away.
Could he not ask Yiqingjian for help, quickly take his daughter, and go into hiding?
Such thoughts arose repeatedly, but.
In the end, Beomdong could not make such a choice.
Because his instincts kept telling him.
That he must obey his words. That he must not choose differently.
His instincts had screamed thus, and this was the result.
‘…I…’
Had he made the right choice?
This was unequivocally an act of betraying the Alliance.
Even so, was he alright?
He felt as though he was gradually being engulfed by thick darkness.
As Beomdong trembled thus.
[Confirmed.]
A voice suddenly brushed past Beomdong’s ear.
He immediately raised his head and surveyed his surroundings.
“What…? Who is it?”
[Having confirmed you have carried out the command, I shall inform the Master.]
[You have worked hard.]
“No—!! I asked who you are!!”
Beomdong screamed repeatedly in terror, but the woman’s voice could no longer be heard.
Thud.
Beomdong’s legs gave out.
“…Ridiculous…”
Had they been watching him carry out the command?
“Ha… haha.”
So this meant it was a situation where he could not even betray them from the start.
Beomdong covered his face with trembling hands.
He had to tremble like that for a while.
*****************
At the point when I returned to my residence after leaving the Alliance.
As I was sitting quietly at the residence admiring the pond, someone approached and spoke to me.
“Master.”
At the familiar voice, I turned my head to see Nahi kneeling beside me.
When my gaze fell on her, Nahi immediately added.
“I have delivered the message as instructed.”
I nodded at the report.
“Although I could not approach closely due to Yiqingjian’s aura, I delivered the message at the moment the attendant came out, as instructed.”
“Well done.”
“However… though I could not confirm whether the attendant truly carried out the command…”
Nahi spoke to me as if worried, but at her words, I merely held back a snicker.
“It’s fine. He would have done it anyway.”
There was no way Beomdong would have made a different choice.
“That bastard is exceedingly narrow-minded.”
A man who, ostensibly, runs the intelligence bureau, yet cannot see the forest more than one would think.
No, he could see the forest to some extent, but he was a man who could not properly read the situation he himself was in.
I am certain.
‘That is why he died like a pathetic fool in his past life.’
He will not be able to defy my words.
“So just doing that much is enough.”
“…Understood.”
This much is appropriate for now.
The attendant will tremble in terror as he sees the noose gradually heading toward his own neck.
That fear had to be endlessly maximized.
Made to fill up thus gradually.
‘And make it burst at the end.’
As humiliatingly as it is tragically.
That is how Beomdong’s certain end had to be.
‘With Beomdong, this much is enough for now.’
Now the problem is…
‘When Yiqingjian will make his move.’
He bit the bait easily, but merely biting was not the end.
‘Yiqingjian is rather large game, you see.’
He is a great fish such that if you pull right after he bites, the line will snap immediately.
To reel him in, it was important to make him exhaust more strength.
‘Let’s see… this part.’
There are still many ways to use him, so think more on it.
I must head to the Alliance again tomorrow, so organize the plans regarding that.
With that judgment, as I rested my chin on my hand.
“Master.”
I turned my head again at Nahi’s sudden call.
“What.”
“There is a matter to report additionally.”
“Hm?”
A report. The information I wanted is finished, so this must be something to deliver personally.
‘What is it. Is it that Jiseon bastard… or is it Zhuge Hyeok.’
I wondered thus.
“It is said that the First Elder of the Gu family has arrived in Henan.”
“…Huh?”
It was an unexpected answer.
“The First Elder?”
“Yes. It is news I just heard… Master?”
Nahi looked at me with widened eyes.
She appeared surprised at the sudden action.
“Where are you going?”
She asked cautiously with such eyes.
At those words, I, who had been quickly packing my belongings, spoke.
“Where do you think I’m going?”
Why ask the obvious.
“I have to run.”
At my answer, Nahi made a rare, dumbfounded expression.