With the appearance of the second victim, the atmosphere in the Underworld Alliance became even sharper.

The few people who could still be seen cracking jokes or secretly drinking had all disappeared, and as if they had made a promise, everyone maintained their silence and watched the situation.

Ak Byeongbi, who had been receiving treatment at the medical hall, ultimately had no choice but to return to his quarters.

He needed a lot more rest for his wounds to fully heal, but because Underworld figures kept suddenly storming into the medical hall several times a day, he had to leave.

"The physician has agreed to visit once a day for now, so please do not worry too much."

"..."

Despite Ilmyeong's comfort, Ak Byeongbi could not easily open his mouth.

Regardless of the outcome, if he traced the cause of the matter, it all stemmed from him.

As if he knew Ak Byeongbi's feelings, Ilmyeong smiled softly and said.

"There is nothing to be done about what has already happened. It was never your fault to begin with, Head. The important issue now is how we will resolve this going forward, is it not?"

Ilmyeong tried his best to comfort him.

However, due to the heavy atmosphere, no one could easily bring themselves to speak.

At that moment.

"Hmm... It won't be that simple of a problem, will it? The current atmosphere isn't ordinary."

Breaking the silence, Yeom Gwibi's sharp voice flew in.

It was a remark that threw cold water on an already bad atmosphere, but no one refuted it.

Just as she said, the delegation was currently facing the worst possible situation.

"Hmph, moreover, because the situation has worsened like this, we can't even run away."

Pausing for a moment, Yeom Gwibi touched her lips and looked at Tang Seo-hee.

"If you try to run away now, all the Underworld bastards gathered at the Underworld Alliance will start hunting you down."

"..."

Tang Seo-hee's clenched fists began to tremble, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

Ever since Do Bongsu of the Blood Sword Sect died, the atmosphere had turned bloody.

Every fifteen minutes, rocks and hidden weapons flew into the delegation's quarters, and beyond the wall, people holding weapons and protesting that they would kill the delegation continued to pile up.

As if to block Yeom Gwibi's gaze, Ilmyeong stood in front of Tang Seo-hee.

"But don't you know as well, Benefactor Yeom? Benefactor Tang... did not do it."

The person identified as the culprit who killed Do Bongsu this time was none other than Tang Seo-hee.

There had been no official announcement from the Underworld Alliance's command, nor had any witnesses come forward.

But based solely on the Ox-Hair Needle found on the corpse, the Underworld figures were pointing to her as the suspect in Do Bongsu's murder.

"Since Benefactor Yeom was watching us all through last night, couldn't you prove that Benefactor Tang was unable to leave the quarters?"

Yeom Gwibi nodded obediently.

"Of course I can prove it."

However, she soon stared at Ilmyeong with sharp eyes.

"The important thing is, who would believe that?"

"..."

At the point when Ak Byeongbi was pinpointed as the culprit who killed Gu Gye-ak, the distrust toward the delegation had already reached an extreme.

In the midst of that, Do Bongsu was murdered and an Ox-Hair Needle was found, so suspicion shifting to the Tang Clan, a prestigious family of hidden weapons and poison, seemed like a natural progression.

Moreover, it just so happened that one of White-Handed Divine Maiden Tang Seo-hee's specialties was throwing poison-coated Ox-Hair Needles.

A situation where all arrows were flying toward the delegation's necks, as if perfectly prepared.

Yeom Gwibi pointed at Ak Byeongbi with her chin.

"I don't know if this will be any comfort, but in my opinion, that Head offering up his neck is the fastest way to resolve things right now."

Then, sweeping her hair back with her smooth fingers, she spat out.

"If not that, then everyone dies."

"..."

At Yeom Gwibi's words, Tang Seo-hee's gaze turned sharp.

While a heavy silence wrapped around the inner room.

"Jin Sowoon... where did that guy go?"

Ak Byeongbi, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

Ilmyeong replied immediately.

"He went out, saying he had business outside."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"..."

In a situation where tens of thousands of Underworld figures gathered at the Underworld Alliance were aiming for the delegation's necks, what could possibly be so important that he had to move even at the risk of his life?

But if it was him, surely...

'He'll be able to find a way to keep them alive and return somehow.'

The fact that he broke through the Nine Sects and One Gang's encirclement during that fierce standard exam and finally reached Wuhan had been a hot topic even among the Inspection Pavilion members for a while.

As if having made a decision, Ak Byeongbi looked at Ilmyeong with a detached face.

"Ilmyeong."

"Yes."

"When Jin Sowoon returns, formulate an escape plan."

"..."

Even though Ilmyeong didn't reply, Ak Byeongbi continued speaking.

"I will stay behind. The agreement and alliance are already lost causes, so look for a way back leaving me behind. This is my final order as the Head."

"..."

Ilmyeong, who had been quietly listening to Ak Byeongbi's words, shook his head.

"I apologize, but I cannot follow that."

"What?"

"Benefactor Jin already spoke of this."

"What does that mean?"

Ilmyeong shrugged and informed him.

"He said that if the Head starts spouting crap like, 'I'll stay behind,' or 'Leave me!', I should strike your acupoints and put you to sleep."

"..."

Ilmyeong smiled gently as he looked at Ak Byeongbi.

"Benefactor Jin said that he hasn't given up yet, and he won't give up in the future either."

Ak Byeongbi bit his lip tightly.

Following that, Tang Seo-hee's voice, having regained her composure at some point, was heard.

"Command has already been passed over to Jin Sowoon. Which means, the Head has absolutely no authority."

When even Tang Seo-hee said that, Ak Byeongbi could no longer open his mouth.

He couldn't understand at all why Jin Sowoon was trying to take such a difficult path.

'Does he... consider me a true comrade?'

For some reason, he felt a corner of his chest grow tight.

In truth, Ak Byeongbi couldn't understand it.

Perhaps if he had been accompanied by the disciples of the Five Great Noble Clans he normally socialized with, he would have been abandoned long ago.

And if the situation were reversed, he would have made the same choice.

'Because that is the right choice and the rational judgment.'

No matter how close they were, they couldn't stay on a sinking ship together.

Yet Jin Sowoon, who wasn't from the Five Great Noble Clans, was even risking his life for him, someone who had previously committed a grave mistake against him.

Ak Byeongbi couldn't easily come to terms with that fact.

Nevertheless.

A small desire to grab the hand Jin Sowoon extended bloomed in his chest.

"So, please rest for a while, Head. We will all return together."

"... Understood."

Those who give up taking responsibility are not granted the right to choose.

Ak Byeongbi clamped his mouth shut so as not to be a burden anymore.

At that moment.

KNOCK KNOCK-

The sound of knocking on the door was heard, and maids entered the room carrying food.

"I was worried about what we'd do for meals since we can't go out. Good thing they brought this, at least."

Yeom Gwibi stretched and sat at the table, while Ilmyeong prepared some gruel and brought it to Ak Byeongbi first.

The moment everyone picked up their spoons to fill their hungry stomachs.

Suddenly, Tang Seo-hee reached out both hands and threw Ox-Hair Needles.

CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!

Yeom Gwibi, who had dropped her spoon due to the Ox-Hair Needles, frowned, and Ak Byeongbi, who had spilled his gruel, looked at Tang Seo-hee with a blank expression.

"What are you doing?"

Her nerves on edge from being continuously cooped up in the inner room, Yeom Gwibi slightly raised her killing intent, but Tang Seo-hee's gaze remained directed at the table.

"Benefactor Tang..."

"..."

Eventually, Tang Seo-hee approached the table without a word and stabbed a long needle into the meat dish Yeom Gwibi had been about to put in her mouth.

"...!"

The moment she saw the long needle turn black, even though Tang Seo-hee said nothing, Yeom Gwibi immediately realized what it meant.

"Poison!"

Tang Seo-hee then began to stick needles into the other dishes one by one.

All the needles stuck into the dozen or so side dishes and the rice turned black.

Only after checking all the food did Tang Seo-hee straighten her body and mutter softly while looking back at the group.

"... We will need to be careful."

It was her usual emotionless tone, but the others somehow felt a chilling sensation.

* * *

With every step I take, people's hostile gazes fall upon me.

There are those grinding their teeth.

There are those fingering the hilts of their swords.

Among them, there was even a man whose martial robes were bulging as if he had drawn up his internal energy...

Soon, his companions spotted the person next to me and hurriedly held him back.

Hyeoltu, who was watching this entire spectacle, clicked his tongue.

"... You're a bastard completely crazy to die."

Is that so?

Come to think of it, there were many times in my past life when I just wanted to die.

Especially after the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out, on the nights when I survived by stepping over the corpses of the Minor Orthodox Unit and Alliance members, I desperately wished I wouldn't open my eyes again.

A bitter smile formed on my lips without my realization.

"Does it look like that?"

"Or did you think it would look any different?"

But the reason I was able to hide my desire to die deep in my heart and keep moving forward was none other than anger.

Anger toward the Murim Alliance, which considered our lives as mere numbers.

Anger toward the privileged who tried to use us as consumables, claiming we weren't as important as them.

And above all, anger toward the Demonic Cult, which thought they could dictate our life and death as they pleased.

That anger was what allowed me to continue living.

The malice of vowing to pluck out at least one of the enemy's eyeballs, even if it meant having my heart ripped out and my throat slit.

The venomous spite of guaranteeing I'd leave damage on the enemy, even if my death was certain.

That was the driving force that kept our Minor Orthodox Unit alive.

In this life, too, I intend to fully unleash that venomous malice.

"I don't care how it looks. Obsessing over appearances is exactly what the culprit wants."

That is why I am moving like a madman who has laid his life on the line.

Because that bastard surely hopes we stay hidden like criminals.

Because he hopes we tremble in fear and run away.

If that's what the bastard wants, then simply wandering around as if my life is forfeit is a scene he wouldn't want.

If the bastard hates it, I'm even confident enough to run around the Underworld Alliance stark naked.

Soon, as we entered the largest pavilion on the east side of the Underworld Alliance, the clamoring atmosphere inside instantly froze.

A pavilion shared by those among the alliance whose factions weren't particularly strong.

Because of that, there were more Underworld warriors gathered here than in any place I had visited so far.

Pushing through the crowd, a giant man holding an axe handle stood in front of me.

"Isn't that the Black Flame Dragon!"

He scanned me up and down before violently crumpling his face.

"Where do you think you are, daring to come here?"

"I'm here on business, so step aside."

"Hmph! Who are you trying to kill this time!"

I let out a snicker without realizing it.

"Even if I were the culprit, would I be strutting around risking my life in broad daylight just to kill a rat like you?"

"What?! You bastard!"

As if he didn't need to hear anymore, the giant man tried to seize my neck with his left hand.

I lightly pushed his hand away, grabbed his sleeve, and unfolded Snowflake, smashing him headfirst into the floor.

CRASH!

The giant man who crashed through the wooden floor immediately fainted, and the Underworld warriors, as if they had been waiting for this, each drew their weapons and prepared for battle.

SHING-SHING-SHING!

Just as another large-scale fight was about to break out at any moment.

A deep sigh was heard from beside me.

"Haa..."

THUMP.

When Hyeoltu kicked the ground, the warriors standing around were unable to maintain their stances and slumped onto the floor one by one.

Oh my. What kind of technique is that?

The Underworld bastards gathered here should be people with some standing in Jianghu.

Yet those guys couldn't endure it and fell to their knees, as if their legs had given out.

Anyway, the more I see him, the more amazing he is.

Looking around the settled situation, Hyeoltu growled low.

"Did you not hear the order not to act rashly?"

"..."

At Hyeoltu's words, everyone had faces full of dissatisfaction, but after seeing that heaven-defying move he had just shown, no one had the guts to dare talk back.

Once the area was cleared, I started moving again, and Hyeoltu asked me as if he were dumbfounded.

"What exactly did you come here for?"

"Because it's impossible for me to solve this alone. I came to ask for help."

"Help?"

"Yes. If it's too hard to do alone, shouldn't you ask for help?"

At my words, Hyeoltu even let out a snort of disbelief.

"Was that the attitude of someone who came asking for help just now?"

I gave a light shrug.

"Isn't it normal in the Underworld Murim that the strong get to do whatever they want?"

"..."

One of the absolute rules of the Underworld Murim is the law of the jungle.

In the past, I thought it was a very unfair rule, but in my current situation, there is no rule more convenient than this.

Doesn't it mean that if you're physically strong, you don't have to rack your brain trying to convince ignorant fools?

Following the rules of the Underworld Murim, I confidently walked inside.

And then.

"Welcome."

At a table to one side, Gun Yuhyeon was waiting for me with a smile that made one feel good just looking at it.

Such a carefree attitude.

He really is no ordinary person.

"Did you know? That I would come?"

"I thought there was a chance you might."

Just the fact that he anticipated my arrival made coming to find Gun Yuhyeon worthwhile.

I immediately got to the point.

"Could you help us?"

"Hmm..."

If he were to move with me now, there was no telling what inconveniences he would suffer within the Underworld Alliance afterward.

Because of that, while it might be different for Hyeoltu, it wouldn't be easy for a disciple of a small sect like the Cheongwan Sect to readily step forward.

However...

"Am I absolutely necessary for that matter?"

If asked whether he was absolutely necessary or not, of course he was.

I carefully chose my words for a moment before answering.

"Without you, Young Master Yuhyeon, I believe it will be difficult to resolve this matter properly."

Gun Yuhyeon bowed his head as if lost in thought for a moment.

'Should I have asked somewhere without people around?'

As expected, with so many eyes watching, he couldn't help but hesitate.

But soon, an unexpected answer returned.

"I will help."

Gun Yuhyeon said without changing his expression.

"Are you really... going to be okay with this?"

I was the one who asked, but I didn't expect him to accept so readily.

"Is this not all for the sake of the Underworld Alliance and the Murim Alliance? Of course I must help."

"Thank you for thinking so."

As I cupped my fists, Gun Yuhyeon added with an apologetic expression.

"However, before that, may I make the decision after getting Strategist Dam's permission?"

Why is Dam-ak suddenly being brought up?

"He is a precious person to me, so I do not wish to upset him."

I felt that this was truly an action befitting Gun Yuhyeon's personality.

I readily nodded.

"Of course. Even if we cannot work together, I will remember what you said today."

Gun Yuhyeon once again formed his signature radiant smile.

"Thank you for understanding."

Leaving Gun Yuhyeon behind like that, I exited the pavilion with Hyeoltu.

"Smiling in a situation like this..."

At my soliloquy, Hyeoltu grumbled.

"What are you talking about?"

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

"Nothing."

"Are you done acting crazy now?"

"Yes."

With this, all preparations were complete.

Now it was time to catch the hidden culprit in earnest.