The bustling noise around them vanished.
Though faint murmurs could be heard, they instantly sank into silence.
The only sound audible was the crackling of embers from the lamps attached to the wall.
Just as they remained buried in that silence for a while.
"Earlier... what did the Seongryong Daeju just say?"
One of the members from a distance whispered.
Taking that as a cue, the murmuring surged again. If there was a difference from before, it was that most of the conversations were about Ilcheonggeom.
"...The Daeju using poison?"
"No, poison is one thing, but... what do you mean Gyecheon Munju?"
For something blurted out briefly, the voice was not very quiet. Thanks to that, everyone nearby heard it, and their reaction was as fierce as expected.
"The Daeju being involved with the Gyecheon Munju? What in the world does that mean..."
"From what I hear, it sounds like the Daeju joined hands with those Demonic Path bastards."
"What kind of nonsense is this--!!"
It didn't take long for their panic to turn into anger.
Was it because their trust in Ilcheonggeom was stronger? I didn't know. Nor did I particularly care.
Because what mattered wasn't their reaction, but Ilcheonggeom's reaction.
'Good.'
I harbored a smile. Looking at Ilcheonggeom's face, I couldn't help but laugh.
It truly was a spectacle.
From his trembling pupils to the drops of sweat forming unconsciously, and even his wavering qi that proved the anxiety within him.
All of it showed just how panicked the bastard was.
However.
"...What nonsense are you spouting right now?"
The bastard was undeniably a figure who had been active in this Central Plains for decades.
His momentary anxiety was clearly visible, but even that was erased without a trace in a matter of seconds.
"Are you planning to mock me with nonsensical words because you're losing the argument?"
The panic on his expression turned back into anger.
I felt it last time too, but this guy was quite formidable.
'Even I would have been doubtful if I didn't have the information.'
Does one have to be at that level to hide their true nature in this world?
It was a tiring life just imagining it.
"Mockery? You say rather disappointing things."
"If it's not a mockery, then what! No matter how much this Vice Daeju incident displeased you, as you said, we came here to support you. This is not a place for us to just receive such insults--!"
His raised voice carried genuine emotion, as if he truly felt insulted and contemptuous.
How could he really do that.
'Is he hiding his anxiety and bewilderment with anger?'
I'm always told I'm terrible at lying whenever I do anything, but if it's possible, I'd like to learn it from him to some extent.
However...
"I am sorry if you heard it as an insult... But I am also clearly telling you based on the information I heard."
"...Information?"
Ilcheonggeom's eyebrows twitched briefly.
"What information are you talking about."
"Well... It's nothing much. I just heard the information that you, Ilcheonggeom, used poison to try and do something improper to me."
"Who would say such nonsense...!"
He tried to add more, but the bastard stopped dead in his tracks when he saw my fingertip.
The person I pointed at was none other than Mun Dohyeok. Ilcheonggeom saw him and frowned.
He seemed to realize what was going on.
Mun Dohyeok, meeting Ilcheonggeom's eyes, also stiffened. And soon averted his gaze.
The emotion in his eyes was fear. Seeing this, I nodded inwardly.
'That much should be fine.'
Looking at his reaction, it was certain that he had betrayed him.
Of course, that too could be an act, but my eyes were telling me that the sight the bastard showed was the truth.
"Does this suffice as an answer for the source?"
I know everything you've done. This was my action to prove it.
Seeing this, Ilcheonggeom also frowned as if troubled.
"What does that member have to do with anything."
'Oh?'
At the words the bastard brought up, I had to let out a sigh of admiration inwardly.
'Ah. So you're going to play dumb?'
It was certainly not a bad choice.
Since there was no evidence anyway, it would be fine to step forward acting like he knew nothing for now.
"Senior's words mean, in the end, that you have never done anything improper to me."
"I've been saying it since earlier. I am the Daeju of the Great Murim Alliance who upholds righteousness and chivalry."
Squeeze—! Ilcheonggeom put strength into the hand holding his sword.
"It is true that I, Seongryong Daeju, do not like you. However, I am not someone who has thrown my honor to the ground to pull such dirty tricks."
"Wow."
At Ilcheonggeom's words, I almost clapped without realizing.
How can he be so shameless?
'Uphold righteousness and chivalry? What honor?'
I felt like laughing out loud. Holding it back was agonizing.
Really...
'You guys never change.'
The more I peel it back, the deeper the bottom they show. It was almost to the point of being admirable.
Since you showed such a deep side, I should also put out something too.
"Well. Since there's no evidence yet. I'm sorry for doubting you first."
I took a step back.
Moreover.
"The Gyecheon Munju matter is also something I only heard as a rumor, but... You're saying this isn't true either, right?"
There was no evidence, and I had only heard it as a rumor. When I said that, as expected, Ilcheonggeom immediately interjected.
"I will not listen to any more insulting words. I don't know where you heard such things, but I would rather lay down my neck than join hands with the likes of the Demonic Path."
"That's right...! Our Daeju would never do such a thing!"
"Plotting with the Demonic Path... How could you say such things..."
There were plenty of people who agreed with Ilcheonggeom's denial. Their trust in the Daeju was that tremendous.
Seeing that reaction, I quietly whispered.
"...Lay down your neck, you say."
Just loud enough for Ilcheonggeom to hear.
"It would be a relief if it's not true. Anyway, I came to ask you about the poison, and things turned out like this."
I continued speaking as I approached Ilcheonggeom, who was still on guard.
"I apologize for making your Vice Daeju look like that. But I believe I have explained the reason sufficiently."
"...That flimsy reason is an explanation?"
"Yes. If you don't like it, then go to the Alliance as you said and punish me, or make a separate demand. However, the matter of me doubting you, Senior, must also be resolved together."
"..."
What are you going to do when you go back even if you play dumb right now? At those words containing that meaning, Ilcheonggeom curled his lip.
"As much as you want. I have committed no crime, so I have no need to be afraid. But, what if everything that Seongryong Daeju is suspecting turns out to be false?"
What if everything I say is false? That won't happen, but if it is...
"What would I do? I would get on my knees and apologize. For doubting you needlessly. For being wrong."
"Ha... That is truly a mouth-watering story."
I could tell from the conversation we were throwing back and forth.
'It feels like it doesn't matter anyway.'
Whether I go back and get investigated or not doesn't matter. It seemed that wasn't just me, but Ilcheonggeom felt the same way.
Probably, the reason was the same as mine.
'Because there won't be any going back to get investigated.'
You won't return from this place.
That was likely the same thought Ilcheonggeom was recalling.
"Anyway..."
As I walked, I found myself already right in front of his face.
The distance was this close, but fortunately or unfortunately, Ilcheonggeom didn't swing his sword.
He was just glaring at me and raising his qi.
Looking at those murderous eyes, I spoke.
"If you're not going to do anything about it right now. I've delivered my message... And I've shown you what I needed to show. So may I take my leave now?"
Even though I had battered his Vice Daeju, I declared I would just leave.
Normally, Ilcheonggeom wouldn't have let me go.
Just like before, since his position was on the line, he would have tried to hold me back somehow.
He definitely would have.
'As expected.'
Ilcheonggeom only glared at me without taking any special action.
I briefly considered using this as an excuse, but just walked past him.
"I will hear the 'before and after' circumstances you keep mentioning from our guys separately and visit you again. I think you would want that too, Senior. Right?"
"..."
No answer. As always, silence is consent.
You want it too. This meant that you needed time to think up an excuse.
Or rather...
'Time to prepare even dirtier tricks.'
I said that because he seemed to need it. Then.
"...I'll say it again, I will not let this go easily."
Ilcheonggeom said so with a growl.
His words were full of hostility, but ultimately, he was saying he would let me go for now.
In a word, it was just playing with words. Knowing that full well, I curled my lips and spoke.
"Yes. Go ahead."
Step. I walked completely past Ilcheonggeom.
His gaze was still fixed on my face. The other Cheongryong Division members were glaring at me with murderous eyes.
Feeling that, I muttered.
"What are you looking at. Lower your eyes, you bastards."
Saaaa--!!
"...Kuh!"
"Keok...!"
After letting out a burst of qi pressure once, their gazes were forced away.
At the same time, I suppressed a gasp and steadied my heart.
'I almost fucked up.'
The qi I lashed out with out of anger had carried killing intent with it.
It was because I forgot about my current physical condition for a moment. I had to be careful.
"Huuu..."
I calmed my breathing quietly and shifted my gaze. Moving a little, I saw the bastard I was looking for.
"Hey."
"Y-Yes...!"
The bastard answered urgently to my call. It was Song Hojeong, the Vice Daeju of Seongryong.
"You need to see me for a bit?"
"..."
Speaking with a twisted expression, Song Hojeong swallowed dry saliva.
I clicked my tongue briefly and walked, with the members moving along behind me.
******************
After Gu Yangcheon disappeared like that.
After Gu Yangcheon left, the Cheongryong Division's quarters were enveloped in silence.
No one easily opened their mouths.
They quietly observed Ilcheonggeom's mood and checked whether Gu Yangcheon, who had left, had completely disappeared.
After some time passed and they became certain.
"Damn it...! What does that young punk know!"
As if they had been waiting for this moment, a member opened his mouth.
"How dare he doubt our Daeju? Used poison, he says? It's utterly absurd."
"That's right. How dare he spout such nonsense!"
"It's all because he's young. He's immature and only sees what he wants to see."
"No matter how outstanding his talent is, with a disposition like that, I wonder if he can properly run a division."
Most of it was cursing about Gu Yangcheon.
"I know he's strong, but the Alliance's Daeju isn't a position you rise to just with strength."
"That's right. Even if he achieved great merit in the raid... He crossed the line too much this time."
The words continued without pause. Everyone seemed to sympathize and get heated up.
If they wanted to, it felt like they could keep going.
Just as they were about to pour out the words they had been holding back at least now.
"For the sake of our Daeju, we must firmly bring this up to the higher-ups when we return to Henan..."
"Stop."
The continuing words were terminated by a single short word. It was a word spat out by Ilcheonggeom, who had been listening quietly, imbued with qi.
The qi was so heavy that everyone immediately shut their mouths.
In the quieted atmosphere once again, Ilcheonggeom added.
"Stop the unnecessary talk there, and tend to the situation first. Take the Vice Daeju to the physician first."
"Ah, yes...!"
At Ilcheonggeom's command, the personnel moved urgently.
Because their minds were focused on Gu Yangcheon, they belatedly realized that the Vice Daeju had collapsed.
A few members approached the Vice Daeju, who was letting out groans, and supported him.
"Keuh... Heueu."
"Vice Daeju. Are you okay...?"
"Hurry up and move...!"
They walked while supporting the Vice Daeju's battered body.
Then, the moment they passed by Ilcheonggeom while taking the Vice Daeju.
"...!"
One of the members saw Ilcheonggeom and stiffened instantly.
It was no wonder, because Ilcheonggeom's face was currently contorted like a vengeful spirit, filled with killing intent.
As if.
As if he was determined to kill someone without fail.