CFZ

“Is that truly the case?”

Bumdong’s words prompted Ilcheong Sword to ask again.
The Star King had sustained internal injuries.
The information he brought was tempting.

However—
“Yes, it’s true.”
“And do you have proof of this?”

Despite the intriguing nature of the claim, evidence to substantiate it was lacking.
To this, Bumdong replied:
“Do you know that the Divine Doctor is present near the Star King’s residence?”

“I do.”
Ilcheong Sword nodded.
It was already widely known that the Baekhwa Trading Company hosted the Divine Doctor as a guest and that he resided in Hanan.

When this became known, the Alliance had quickly sent a request to the Divine Doctor.
Naturally, the intent was to persuade him to make the Alliance his base of operations.
But the Divine Doctor had flatly refused.

Well, calling it a flat refusal might be a bit of a stretch—he had merely suggested they discuss it with the Baekhwa Trading Company.
But in practice, this was no different from a rejection.
What merchant group would willingly hand over the Divine Doctor once they had him?

Especially when the Baekhwa Trading Company’s alignment with the Alliance was ambiguous at best.
They had no reason to comply, and indeed, they hadn’t.
‘If they were going to keep the Divine Doctor like that, they might as well have handed him over.’
The Divine Doctor’s value in Zhongyuan was immeasurable.

The mere rumor of his presence nearby was enough to stir sects, clans, and trading groups into action.
Yet the Baekhwa Trading Company did nothing with such a prized possession.
They simply gave him a place to stay—and left it at that.

From the Alliance’s perspective:
‘The only logical reason for keeping the Divine Doctor must be that someone within the company is gravely ill.’
But no evidence of this ever surfaced.

Although rumors occasionally emerged that the Divine Doctor treated others, there was no sign that this was being leveraged for any broader agenda.
Even attempts to investigate further:
‘Were met with difficulties.’

The Divine Doctor’s residence was nearly impenetrable.
In fact, several agents sent to gather intelligence had not only failed but returned in miserable states.
‘Some came back crippled, others mentally unstable.’

Though no lives were lost, the damages were severe enough to be comparable.
This could only mean one thing—
‘There is something inside the Baekhwa Trading Company’s premises.’

The problem was—
‘There’s no proof.’
There was no evidence left /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ behind.

The Alliance couldn’t exactly admit to sending spies.
And those who returned were too deranged to provide useful information.
To the extent that:

‘They even began calling the Baekhwa Trading Company a demon’s lair.’
That was the label now circulating within the Alliance’s intelligence division.
Even in such a situation—

“You’re saying you managed to obtain information from there?”
“Yes.”
“...”

Ilcheong Sword frowned slightly at Bumdong’s words.
Could it really be true?
Doubts arose.

The Fierce Dragon Division leader had suddenly obtained information from a place rumored to be a demon’s lair.
Suspicion lingered—
‘But there’s no reason for him to lie.’

Given Bumdong’s track record, there was no apparent reason for deceit.
“…Explain yourself in detail.”
For that reason, Ilcheong Sword decided to hear him out.

“First…there were clear indications.”
“Indications?”
“Yes. The Star King recently engaged in an intense battle. It was caused by the Jegal Clan’s summoning of fiends.”

“...”
The recent attack on Hanan by unorthodox forces.
The Alliance had publicly grouped them as mere outlaws.

Information about the Jegal Clan’s involvement had been included in reports but presented in a vague manner, making it difficult to comprehend.
As a result, most people only remembered outlaws and the Demonic Cult.
Research on the summoned fiends was still ongoing.

“The fiends summoned then were White-Rank—a calamity from ancient history.”
Monsters described as living disasters.
The Jegal Clan had summoned White-Rank creatures, and true to their reputation, they had ravaged Hanan.

“It was the Star King who faced those fiends directly. You saw his condition afterward, did you not?”
“...”
Bumdong’s words brought back Ilcheong Sword’s memories.

The day of the White-Rank fiend’s attack.
When the Star King arrived at the Alliance after defeating the monster—
Ilcheong Sword had seen him then.

At a glance, the Star King’s condition had been dire.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if he collapsed right then and there.
The fact that he’d remained standing on his own two feet had been remarkable.

“And this was after his duel with the Blade King. His condition must have worsened.”
“...”
It was a plausible argument.

Bumdong’s points were consistent and logical, indicating the Star King’s poor condition.
But—
“That’s just speculation. You still lack concrete proof.”

“Yes. Which is why I sent someone to confirm it.”
“Confirm it?”
“Last night. The Star King was seen entering the Divine Doctor’s residence.”

“…!”
Ilcheong Sword’s eyes narrowed.
The Star King entered the Divine Doctor’s residence.

Hearing this, Ilcheong Sword rubbed his chin.
Bumdong continued:
“As you may know…the Star King is the son of the Baekhwa Trading Company’s current leader. It might not seem strange for him to visit his family’s property, but under the circumstances, it’s suspicious.”

“…Hmm.”
Many thoughts raced through his mind.
Ultimately, Bumdong’s claims lacked tangible evidence.

But as he emphasized, the circumstances were questionable.
A duel with the Blade King, followed by a battle with fiends—and now visiting the Divine Doctor?
‘It’s not enough, but…’

Ilcheong Sword suddenly recalled a recent moment.
The Golden Dragon and Iron Dragon Division leaders.
When the Star King faced them—

‘That was sweat.’
Ilcheong Sword had deflected an attack and noticed the Star King wiping sweat from his brow.
His expression hadn’t betrayed fatigue, but—

‘Was he injured?’
Ilcheong Sword began to consider Bumdong’s argument seriously.
“Why are you telling me this?”

The biggest question remained—
“It seems you don’t intend to report this to the higher-ups.”
“...”

Bumdong nodded.
“I thought you’d find this information useful.”
“…Ha.”

Hearing this, Ilcheong Sword scoffed.
“…I’ll think about it. Leave me for now.”
“…Understood.”

 
Without hesitation, Bumdong rose to his feet at Ilcheong Sword’s words.
Just as he was about to step out the door—

“Azure Dragon Division Leader.”
“…Speak.”
“As I mentioned earlier, if you do not wish it, I have no intention of reporting this matter to the higher-ups. What do you think?”

Bumdong’s question lingered.
“...”
Ilcheong Sword exhaled quietly before replying.

“For the time being… there’s no need to report it. Once I’ve made up my mind, I’ll inform you then.”
“…Understood.”
Bumdong slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment and stepped out.

He walked steadily, step by step, until Ilcheong Sword was far behind him.
Only then—
“Huff… Huff…!”

Bumdong collapsed in a hidden corner where no one could see him.
Drip.
Sweat, which he had been holding back, rolled down his chin and fell to the ground.

Droplets stained the floor as Bumdong struggled to catch his breath, his eyes wide with panic.
“What… what the hell…”
His trembling hand reached up to his arm, feeling the goosebumps that covered it.

And how could he not tremble?
“You have one job to do.”
“Wait about an hour, then approach Ilcheong Sword.”

It was all because of the Star King—Gu Yangcheon’s orders.
“He’ll probably be angry, but don’t pay it any mind. Just say exactly what I tell you to. You’re in intelligence, so memorization shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Gu Yangcheon had drilled specific phrases into Bumdong.

No matter what Ilcheong Sword said, Bumdong was instructed to respond in a precise manner.
And so he did.
But before long, Bumdong was stunned.

‘What is this…? What the hell is this?’
No matter what Ilcheong Sword asked, Bumdong’s memorized answers matched perfectly.
There were slight deviations, but the responses fit the flow of the conversation.

“Ask him before you leave.”
Gu Yangcheon’s final instruction.
“See if he’ll allow you to report this to the higher-ups. If he says no, it means we’ve succeeded.”

“…Temporarily hold off on reporting it.”
Ilcheong Sword’s reply overlapped with Gu Yangcheon’s words.
The uncanny resonance of the two voices made Bumdong break into another cold sweat.

‘What is this?’
How could this have happened?
Overwhelmed by disbelief, Bumdong’s eyes trembled.

Fear surged through him.
What kind of being had he become entangled with?
His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.

For a moment, he considered confessing everything to Ilcheong Sword and running away.
Maybe he could hide somewhere safe with his daughter?
That thought flashed through his mind repeatedly.

But in the end, Bumdong couldn’t act on it.
His instincts screamed at him.
‘Don’t defy him. Don’t take another path.’

His gut feeling had warned him all along.
And this was the result.
‘…Did I…’

Had he made the right choice?
Was this not outright betrayal of the Alliance?
Yet even knowing this, was he truly fine with it?

Dark thoughts enveloped him.
As Bumdong shivered in terror—
[Confirmed.]

“…!!”
A voice brushed against his ear.
His head shot up as he scanned his surroundings.

“Who’s there…? Who are you?!”
[The task has been verified. I will inform the Master.]
[You’ve done well.]

“No—! Who the hell are you?!”
Bumdong screamed in fear, but the woman’s voice had already vanished.
Thud.

His legs gave out beneath him.
“…Unbelievable…”
Had someone been watching him carry out his orders?

“Ha… Haha.”
He couldn’t even attempt betrayal.
Bumdong buried his face in his trembling hands.

And there, he sat shaking.

   *****************
   
After leaving the Alliance and returning to my quarters, I sat quietly by the pond, staring at the water.

Then, someone addressed me.
“Master.”
At the familiar voice, I turned my head.

Nahi was kneeling beside me.
Meeting my gaze, she immediately continued.
“I delivered the message as instructed.”

I nodded in response to her report.
“I couldn’t get too close because of Ilcheong Sword’s Qi presence, but I relayed the words just as you ordered when Bumdong stepped out.”
“Good job.”

“…However… I couldn’t confirm whether Bumdong actually carried out the orders….”
Nahi spoke with concern, but I merely smirked.
“Don’t worry. He did it.”

“...”
There was no way Bumdong would have acted differently.
“That bastard’s too narrow-minded.”

For someone supposedly in charge of intelligence, he lacked perspective.
No—he could see the big picture, but he was utterly incapable of reading the situation he was in.
I was certain of it.

‘That’s why he died like an idiot in my past life.’
He wouldn’t dare disobey me.
“Just leave it at that for now.”

“…Understood.”
This was enough for the time being.
Bumdong would soon realize the noose around his neck was tightening.

And that fear—I had to let it fester.
I had to make it grow and grow—
‘Until it explodes in the end.’

Shamefully. Pathetically.
That was how Bumdong’s end had to be.
‘Bumdong’s settled for now.’

Now, the real issue—
‘When will Ilcheong Sword make his move?’
I’d baited him well, but that wasn’t the end of it.

‘Ilcheong Sword is a big fish.’
If I pulled too hard after getting a bite, the line would snap.
To reel him in, I needed to let him struggle and exhaust himself first.

‘Let’s see… this part requires more planning.’
I had plenty of options left to explore, so I decided to think it through a little more.
For now, my priority was preparing for tomorrow’s visit to the Alliance.

Just as I rested my chin in my hand—
“Master.”
Nahi called out to me again.

“What is it?”
“I have additional information to report.”
“Hm?”

A report?
The matter I wanted resolved was already done.
This must be something personal.

‘Ji-seon’s business? Or Jegal Hyuk?’
I wondered what it could be until Nahi clarified.
“Elder Il from the Gu Clan has arrived in Hanan.”

“…What?”
I heard something I hadn’t expected.
“Elder Il?”

“Yes. It’s fresh news—Master?”
Nahi’s eyes widened as she looked at me.
She seemed startled by my sudden movement.

“…Where are you going?”
She asked cautiously as I hurriedly began packing my things.
To her, I replied—

“What do you mean, where am I going?”
Wasn’t it obvious?
“I’m running.”

“...”
Nahi looked genuinely dumbfounded—something I rarely saw.