"What?"

Dam-ak asked back, as if he couldn't understand what he had just heard, and the subordinate giving the report replied nervously.

"W-Well, that is... That guy Jin Sowoon started a brawl at the Hwangsa Sect's quarters..."

'Is he crazy?'

"A brawl?"

"Yes. At first, he fought the warriors of the Hwangsa Sect, and then the other warriors who were watching joined in, so..."

"Is he genuinely crazy?!"

"Y-Yes, he must be. Unless he's out of his mind..."

"That's a war, not a brawl!"

The subordinate, who had been cursing Jin Sowoon alongside him, realized Dam-ak's swearing was directed at him and quickly snapped to his senses.

"I-I apologize."

Dam-ak asked without even glancing in the subordinate's direction.

"So, how many casualties were there?"

"There are a few who sustained heavy injuries within the Hwangsa Sect, but no one died."

"..."

Dam-ak's face stiffened hard as he listened to the report.

No one died from the Hwangsa Sect; if so...

It was just yesterday that he had received the order to look out for Jin Sowoon.

"... Is the Black Flame Dragon dead?"

It was a pity, but it couldn't be helped.

Having caused a ruckus right in the middle of enemy territory while placing faith in his meager skills, getting beaten to death was an inevitable outcome.

At that moment.

The subordinate, watching Dam-ak's mood, carefully continued speaking.

"W-Well, the Black Flame Dragon didn't die."

"... What? How?"

The Hwangsa Sect was a faction with enough combat power to form a core pillar of the Underworld Alliance's founding.

Not only them, but even the onlookers had joined the fray, so how did Jin Sowoon survive?

Just as Dam-ak's expression was about to twist ambiguously between admiration and denial—

"Elder Hyeoltu pulled Jin Sowoon out of there."

"Ah, I see."

Only now did he get a rough picture of what happened.

Unable to discard the arrogance unique to the Orthodox faction, he had acted on the pretext of justification, landed himself in a crisis, and ultimately, Elder Hyeoltu had stepped in to save him.

Jin Sowoon might not have known, but in truth, Hyeoltu's role was closer to that of a protector acting as a watcher.

His head started to throb again.

"I specifically told him not to cause trouble."

Since Cha Seokdu always talked about the Black Flame Dragon whenever he got drunk, Dam-ak had held some expectations.

However, the actions he had shown were nothing more and nothing less than the level of the Orthodox sect disciples that Dam-ak despised.

No, taking it a step further, the careless attitude he displayed in the middle of an enemy camp was even disappointing.

In the end, Jin Sowoon was merely a lucky, overrated greenhorn.

TAP, TAP.

While Dam-ak tapped the desk with his fingers and organized his thoughts.

The subordinate brought up the main issue.

"Because of Jin Sowoon's actions, those gathered in the Underworld Alliance have started expressing their dissatisfaction."

The guy who should have been pointed out as a sinner was wandering around openly, picking fights under the pretext of an investigation.

It would be stranger if they weren't protesting to have Jin Sowoon's head cut off right away.

"Hmm..."

"What should we do? Shall we just let them express it?"

Either way, offering the delegation as a sacrifice would quiet the inside of the Underworld Alliance a bit.

Furthermore, since Jin Sowoon had personally started a fight and handed over the justification, the Murim Alliance wouldn't be able to act rashly if they used the excuse that he had died inadvertently.

However...

"Stop them. Tell them that anyone who acts rashly will be condemned and punished as a warning to others."

The subordinate, who had been hesitating, bowed his head at Dam-ak's words.

"... I will pass on the message."

The subordinate withdrew.

Only a deep sigh settled over the place where just Gun Yuhyeon and Dam-ak remained.

"What on earth is he trying to do..."

Gun Yuhyeon, who was observing Dam-ak's expression, asked cautiously.

"Will this be alright? The people's backlash won't be small."

"... What else can be done? Since the Leader's order was given, I am merely following it for now."

Gun Yuhyeon smiled brightly as he watched Dam-ak grumble.

"It seems you really dislike Young Master Jin."

Dam-ak snorted and replied immediately.

"In all my life, this is the first time I've met someone that outrageous."

"Still, wouldn't it be better to build a good relationship? If a war breaks out, there will be a massive blow."

Dam-ak stared into the distance as if lost in thought for a moment.

"... I'm not afraid, but I should still be careful."

He revealed his inner thoughts, something he hadn't shown to anyone except Cha Seokdu.

Because in this Underworld Alliance, which could never truly be a sanctuary for Dam-ak, Gun Yuhyeon was the only close friend he could share his heart with.

As if understanding his heart, a faint smile hung on Gun Yuhyeon's lips.

"War only forces sacrifices upon everyone. Aren't you well aware of this, Strategist Dam?"

Dam-ak nodded heavily.

"I know it better than anyone. However, I also know that merely avoiding it out of fear will result in nothing."

"That is also true."

"Besides, I don't think that guy will be able to find the culprit whom even we haven't been able to locate so far."

Pondering over Dam-ak's assertion, Gun Yuhyeon opened his mouth.

"Hmm... From my personal experience dealing with him, I have a feeling he might actually find them."

Gun Yuhyeon was not one to easily acknowledge his opponents.

Because he himself had broken through disadvantageous conditions to secure dominance within the Underworld Alliance, he wouldn't even bat an eye at anyone unless they were considerably capable.

Yet he had acknowledged Jin Sowoon.

Dam-ak frowned without realizing it.

"Why do you think so?"

Gun Yuhyeon lifted the teacup placed before him.

"I'm worried that talking about what I felt while gambling with him might only trouble your mind, Strategist."

"I'll filter it out on my own, so please speak freely."

"Hmm..."

Gun Yuhyeon paused for a moment and took a sip of tea before continuing.

"He seemed like a person who produces results no matter what. It's just that his process gets on other people's nerves."

The Black Flame Dragon, Jin Sowoon.

It was clear that he was a man like a jagged stone.

However.

"I believe he is undoubtedly someone who creates the results he wants, one way or another."

He was undoubtedly a special and exceptional existence.

Listening quietly to Gun Yuhyeon's story, Dam-ak shook his head.

"Getting on people's nerves, you say... Doesn't that mean he could be a dangerous person who causes an even bigger problem in the process of solving one?"

"Heh heh... I suppose that could be true. If I had known the method he used to win the gamble from the start, I would have been quite angry myself."

A brief silence flowed between the two men.

Dam-ak stood up from his seat as if having made a decision.

"I must go meet that Black Flame Dragon. If things continue this way, even if he finds the culprit, the atmosphere is such that a war might break out regardless."

Gun Yuhyeon also nodded.

"We must definitely avoid such a tragedy."

The Underworld Alliance had just managed to take its first difficult step.

They couldn't afford to collapse already when they were just barely standing.

Dam-ak strode purposefully toward the door.

"Ah, right!"

Then he looked back as if he had remembered something.

"... What happened to my comrades' families?"

In an instant, a dark shadow was cast over Gun Yuhyeon's face.

He clenched both fists tightly, looking ashamed.

"I've been searching everywhere in all four directions, but not even a trace was left behind to show where they went."

"Is that so..."

"Do not worry. We will never give up."

At the comforting words, Dam-ak forced a smile.

"I feel sorry for constantly being indebted to you."

Having already hidden his shadow, Gun Yuhyeon shook his head and scoffed at himself.

"This is the only thing I can do, isn't it?"

* * *

As I expected, the investigation became much easier starting the next day.

Vice Sect Leader Bae Hwanjang of the Hwangsa Sect, whom I hadn't been able to meet the day before, came to the quarters I was staying at with an expression full of dissatisfaction.

'What can you even do if you're displeased, geez.'

"What were you doing at the time of the crime?"

"Grit... Jin Sowoon, I swear I'll chew you up and eat you one day."

"Yes, yes. I get it, so just answer the question for now."

"... I called for gisaengs at a brothel and held a small banquet with my subordinates."

'A banquet should have been enough, but he even called gisaengs? These guys really are experts at playing around.'

"You were playing around quite passionately while your Sect Leader was dying."

"GRIND."

After interrogating the subordinates who attended the banquet one by one and sending Ilmyeong to the brothel to verify the facts, it was proven that Bae Hwanjang was absent from the crime scene.

Following that, in the same manner, Vice Sect Leader Gal Munjeong of the Four Dragons Sect and his subordinates.

Mae Bongsik of the Mado Sect and his escort.

Do Bongsu of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brothers—we finished investigating all of them.

During that time, I received about eight death threats, and the threat to set fire to the Taiyi Sect and annihilate it was given as many as eighteen times.

However, tracking down the culprit still remained a mystery.

"Then, we'll conclude the investigation here. You may leave."

As Do Bongsu of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brother, who was spewing vulgar curses, were leaving the interrogation room.

The Red Phoenix Ring vibrated slightly.

'Hm?'

It was very small and faint, but a tiny sliver of qi seeped into my body through the Red Phoenix Ring.

I initially thought it only reacted to demonic qi... but does it react to Underworld martial arts too?

While I was briefly lost in thought over the sudden situation, Hyeoltu spoke to me.

"It's quite a marvel that the investigation became easier just as you predicted, but the culprit is still nowhere to be seen. What are you going to do?"

Since I was starting to get used to hearing Hyeoltu's sarcasm, I answered casually.

"I never thought we'd be able to uncover the culprit with this kind of investigation in the first place."

"What?"

'Geez, you're quite naive despite how you look.'

"Do you really think a guy who openly committed murder would show himself during such a formality?"

"Then what?"

I looked at Hyeoltu and flashed a grin.

"I'm waiting for the culprit's next move."

"Next move?"

Those who plot schemes are sensitive to the mood of the masses.

Creating a pretext to incite the masses and using that incitement to achieve their own profits.

This is exactly the specialty of those who devise stratagems.

The situation was perfectly set for this incident as well.

The atmosphere had been set by Gu Gye-ak's death, and because I, a member of the delegation, was acting out of line under the guise of an investigation, the mood inside the Underworld Alliance was boiling over.

A golden opportunity for the culprit hiding in the dark.

It was a temptation they absolutely could not pass up.

"The culprit will definitely make their next move."

"..."

While Hyeoltu was frowning, Ilmyeong approached my side.

"Benefactor Jin, a person named Dam-ak has come to visit."

'Hmm, I was wondering why he hadn't shown up.'

I nodded immediately.

"I'll go out to meet him."

* * *

Right now, Dam-ak was like chicken ribs to me—useless to keep, but a waste to throw away.

Considering the distant future's Orthodox-Demonic Great War, it was true that it would be helpful if he operated as the Chief Strategist within the Underworld Alliance.

But either way, as an adversary of the Murim Alliance right now, he was an incredibly difficult existence to deal with.

Furthermore, I didn't know the reason, but he seemed to harbor a hatred toward the Murim Alliance—no, toward the Orthodox faction as a whole.

This was definitely not a good sign.

Moreover, judging by how he smoothed over the trouble I caused and was moving the personnel of the Underworld Alliance, at least on the surface, it seemed he had already seized control of a significant portion of the Underworld Alliance.

His resourcefulness, which had been outstanding in my past life, was shining just the same in my current life.

Unlike his usual disposition, Dam-ak approached me with quick steps.

"What are you doing right now?"

By the looks of it, his mood had soured due to a situation he couldn't control.

I gave a shrug of my shoulders.

"As you can see, I'm conducting an investigation."

"You don't mean trying to get yourself killed?"

His characteristically sharp glare looked even fiercer today.

While he was slowly seizing control of the Underworld Alliance with his outstanding stratagems, I had rained on his parade.

It was only natural that he would resent me quite a bit.

"Isn't my death a good thing from your standpoint, Strategist Dam?"

"Do you even have to ask..."

That was exactly why I wanted to know.

Whether he was a person who would become an enemy of the Murim Alliance right now, or a comrade I could work with in the future.

If it were the former, it would be unfortunate, but eliminating him would be easier, and if it were the latter, I had to keep him alive by any means necessary and ensure he seized control of the Underworld Alliance.

I deliberately provoked him.

"Aren't you someone who belongs to the pro-war faction, Strategist Dam?"

"Does not fearing a war make me someone who desires a war?"

"Well... I suppose that's true."

At my perfectly calm reaction, Dam-ak firmly pressed his temples as if trying not to lose his composure and muttered.

"Just what on earth are you thinking? Regarding the incident with the Hwangsa Sect, and calling the heads of each sect under the guise of an investigation. Are you acting while fully aware of what the consequences will be?"

"It is exactly as I expected."

Dam-ak's eyes flew wide open.

"Do you really... want to bury your bones in this place?"

I stared intently at Dam-ak.

"I have one thing I want to ask."

At the sudden change in my atmosphere, Dam-ak's eyes also settled down calmly.

I did not avoid his gaze.

"Why do you hate the Murim Alliance?"

A momentary silence flowed.

Dam-ak leaned his body back and answered incredibly defensively.

"... I am the Chief Strategist of the Underworld Alliance. Isn't it natural for me to hate the Murim Alliance?"

Well, for me, who knew how he had busily rushed about for the survival of the Murim Alliance in my past life, I couldn't easily accept his words.

Because he wasn't the type of person who simply used his brain for wealth and glory.

I leaned forward toward him by the exact amount he had leaned back.

"A person who genuinely hates the Murim Alliance doesn't pretend to be in the pro-war faction. They would quietly wait for the war to happen."

"...!"

"Raising your voice on purpose and laying down threats is an intentional act to make the pro-war faction believe you are on their side, is it not?"

Wrinkles formed on the forehead of Dam-ak, who had been glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

"... You've misunderstood something. Every action I took was sincere. I am of the principle that it is perfectly fine to go to war with the Murim Alliance as much as necessary. I am confident in winning, too."

I'm sure he is.

He was the genius military tactician who led the Murim Alliance forces when they were close to ruin and held onto the Demonic Cult's ankles, after all.

However, it seemed my political skills were a step above his.

"If you truly were such a person, Strategist Dam, you would have just left this situation alone instead of trying so hard to fix it. Because once the wrath of the Underworld warriors tears the delegation to shreds, a war with the Murim Alliance will inevitably follow."

"... Did you not consider that I am moving because there was an order from the Leader?"

Smoothing his forehead, Dam-ak glared at me with a blunt expression once again.

"I hate the hypocritical Orthodox Murim. I hate the Murim Alliance, which only preaches justice with their words, even more. If you people were truly righteous beings as you claim to be, my master and my comrades wouldn't have died..."

Suddenly stopping his words, he swept a hand over his face and added.

"... If the moment the Murim Alliance collapses ever comes, I will be the one standing right in front of it, smiling."

Clearly, it felt like the fragment that cultivated his hatred had just briefly revealed itself...

'Master and comrades...'

His hatred was far deeper than I thought.

I nodded lightly.

"I see."

"If you are going to make some kind of excuse..."

"I have no such thing."

"..."

When it came to the ecology of the Murim Alliance and the hypocrisy of the Orthodox faction, there was no one who knew it better than me.

Which was exactly why I had nothing more to say.

"No matter what you went through, Strategist Dam, it must certainly be the Murim Alliance's fault. I do not wish to give any excuses or justifications regarding that."

Perhaps because it was an unexpected answer, Dam-ak's face crumpled heavily.

I didn't mind it and continued speaking.

"Because I also know very well how the Murim Alliance operates and how many unjust things happen within it. Even if I were to make excuses about it, it wouldn't heal your scars, Strategist Dam."

"..."

I bowed my head slightly toward him, who was glaring at me.

"However, I do want to tell you that I am sorry."

It wasn't something I did, nor was it something committed by someone related to me.

I didn't know what had happened, but if I looked into it, the types of people I despised would definitely be involved.

Even so, in order to offer even a little bit of comfort, I apologized with a sense of guilt as someone affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

Whether that would reach him or not, I couldn't tell.

"..."

Dam-ak, whose face had been distorted, recovered his complexion.

"... Since it's not something related to you, there is no reason for me to accept your apology."

Eventually, Dam-ak stood up from his seat as if he didn't want to face me any longer.

"Please do not cause any more of a commotion. Because if you cause any more trouble than this, you might not be able to preserve your life."

As he said that and lifted his body to head outside, I called out to stop him.

"Strategist Dam. I suggest you bolster your escorts, just in case."

"What is that supposed..."

"If a war is what the culprit desires, then you, Strategist Dam, who are currently controlling the Underworld Alliance, would be a thorn in their side. They will definitely reach out for you."

"... I will take care of my own business."

"And there is one more thing I want to ask. Do you happen to know a person named Gun Yuhyeon of the Cheongwan Sect?"

"... I know him."

"How is he? Is he a trustworthy person?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I was asking because it's my first time hearing of a sect called the Cheongwan Sect."

Wrinkles formed on Dam-ak's forehead.

"The Cheongwan Sect is a small-scale sect located in the Southern Sea. Historically, it is also a sect with a long heritage nearing a hundred years."

"Is it a trustworthy place?"

"... Are you suspecting Gun Yuhyeon?"

"It's not that. I was hoping to get some help from him. I was asking to hear your esteemed opinion on him beforehand, Strategist Dam."

"He is a person of faith and belongs to a loyal sect. The reason they became affiliated with an Underworld sect was partly because they were ostracized by the Murim Alliance after taking drastic measures to stop the pirates attacking the nearby fishing villages."

"Hmm... I suppose that could happen."

Dam-ak spoke with his usual sharp glare.

"Do not place a burden on the Cheongwan Sect and Gun Yuhyeon. They are people in too precarious a position to carry a burden like you."

'Hmm... But if he's that trustworthy of a person, I can't help but borrow his brains.'

I purposely didn't answer and saw him off.

Dam-ak also tried to say something, but soon whipped his head away as if it were bothersome and left the inner room.

And the next morning.

Do Bongsu was found as a corpse in the Blood Sword Sect's quarters.

And on his corpse, an Ox-Hair Needle—frequently used by the Tang Clan—was found.