Feeling the anxiety of not knowing when they might be murdered due to the presence of hidden assassins, the heavyweights of the Underworld went around trying to secure money by all means.

Considering the asset value of each of their respective sects, one thousand taels of gold was not a large amount.

The only problem was that this place was the Underworld Alliance, a thousand miles away from their sects.

Moreover, there was no bank that would lend money to them, as they belonged to the Underworld and had zero credit.

In the end, unless they sold the treasures or treasured swords they had on hand, it was impossible to secure the money.

Ultimately, there was only one place they could turn to.

"Did you say you want to borrow money...?"

"... We will pay back the money the moment we return to our sects."

The leader of the Underworld Alliance, Cha Seokdu, looked down at the Sect Leaders belonging to the pro-war faction with a displeased expression.

"Lending it isn't a problem, but... aren't we not exactly in a relationship to exchange money?"

"Leader... since we've already formed an alliance, shouldn't we move forward together?"

"How strange. Until just a few days ago, didn't you all want to oust me, claiming I was secretly colluding with the Murim Alliance?"

The Sect Leaders let out groans and bowed their bodies.

"... Now that hidden assassins have even appeared, how about we forget the past and make a fresh start?"

Unlike the Black Death Gang, Nine Dragons Gang, and Blood Tiger Sect, who had aligned with him from the start, the Sect Leaders of the four sects that had secretly plotted to eliminate Cha Seokdu found themselves in an incredibly awkward situation.

Even so, Cha Seokdu showed generosity and gave them the money.

"Leader, why did you give them the money? You could have used this opportunity to knock them down a peg."

Hwang Bushik could not understand why he had so readily handed over the money.

To such a Hwang Bushik, Cha Seokdu explained step by step.

"Those bastards are the ones who have to join the alliance anyway."

"But Peak Master... no, Leader, they will not be grateful for the generosity you showed. ... Because that's just how they are."

Cha Seokdu also nodded agreeably.

"I know. But didn't we manage to put them in our debt? That is exactly what politics is."

"..."

Since forming the alliance and coming to the Underworld Alliance with Cha Seokdu, this was the story Hwang Bushik had heard the most.

Namely, the words that he needed to learn politics.

"You didn't understand, did you?"

"I apologize."

Cha Seokdu patted Hwang Bushik's shoulder.

"It is fine. You can learn it gradually. We will have plenty of time from now on anyway."

Not only the other sects, but the Four Emperors Peak had also been extorted of five hundred taels of gold by Jin Sowoon.

Nevertheless, Cha Seokdu looked as pleased as if he had received a great gift.

Staring blankly at that sight, Hwang Bushik recalled Jin Sowoon's face.

"Is the reason you are in a good mood also politics?"

"Politics... Yes. It is precisely because of politics."

Watching Cha Seokdu laugh heartily, Hwang Bushik thought he still really didn't know what politics was.

* * *

Having received all the remaining balance, Jin Sowoon stood the people who had come to deliver the money in front of him and double-checked to see if any amount was missing.

"Hmm... It's all correct."

"... Then did you think we would have cheated you?"

"Ay, of course. How could I trust you Underworld bastards?"

"..."

Watching Jin Sowoon flap his gums so recklessly right in the deepest center of the Underworld Alliance, the warriors of the Mado Sect felt like they wanted to knock his teeth out right then and there.

... But they couldn't dare to make a rash move.

"Ahem, then are you starting the work right away?"

"You mean now? Looks like the sun's about to set at any moment, though?"

"We kept the deadline. Now it is your turn to keep the deadline."

The warriors who had come as representatives of each sect pressed Jin Sowoon as solemnly as possible.

"As expected of Underworld figures with filthy tempers. Tsk."

Jin Sowoon picked his ear once and clicked his tongue.

"..."

Who in the world was calling whose temper filthy, when he was the one who had cut off a head and brought it to show people who had already said it was fine.

The Underworld figures each spat curses internally, but none of them dared to voice those words aloud.

... Because they didn't know when he would pull out that damn mind-reading again.

Scanning the silent Underworld warriors, Jin Sowoon clapped his hands.

"Now, shall we get going?"

Then, he immediately headed toward the back of the pavilion.

"The exit is this way."

One warrior spoke, but Jin Sowoon did not stop his steps.

"Ah, I knew you'd press me like this, so I caught one in advance."

"... You caught one in advance?"

The place he headed to was a grain storehouse on one side of an annex.

As he went inside and opened a door in the corner, a gagged person crawled out on all fours, his eyes glaring fiercely.

Jin Sowoon crouched down in front of the man.

"This guy daringly tried to infiltrate the Underworld Alliance organization. He went through the formal procedures to get in, you see. If left alone, he probably would have been promoted all the way to a top position in the Underworld Alliance."

"... Mmph! Mmph!"

Jin Sowoon forcefully pulled on the cheek of the gagged man.

The man tried to lessen the pain by moving his face along with Jin Sowoon's hand, but with his hands and feet bound, there was a limit to how much he could move.

RIIIIP.

The skin was torn off, and no blood flowed out at all.

Only another layer of skin was visible beneath the torn skin.

"No matter if it's the Underworld, you should do basic identity checks. Otherwise, guys like this will come in again and aim for your necks."

SHING.

SLASH.

Drawing his sword, Jin Sowoon cut off the hidden assassin's head in a single stroke.

Watching the head fall with a thud and roll away, the Underworld figures also clicked their tongues in astonishment.

At that moment, one warrior stepped forward and asked.

"Then, when are you going to catch the other hidden assassins?"

Jin Sowoon tilted his head.

"Other hidden assassins? This is the last one, though?"

"What?"

"I said this guy is the last one. Didn't you hear me?"

"..."

Jin Sowoon stood up, massaging his shoulder and beginning to loosen his muscles.

"Anyway, this great warrior has taken care of all the hidden assassins, so please tell everyone to return to their quarters and rest easy."

The faces of the Underworld figures simultaneously turned into yakshas.

'Fuck... then why the hell did he take the money?'

'It means this guy had nothing to do with our sect in the first place!'

'... Black Flame Dragon, you vicious bastard!'

As the expressions of the Underworld figures turned grotesque, Ilmyeong, who had been watching the whole situation from Jin Sowoon's side, whispered worriedly.

"Benefactor Jin... Was there a need to provoke their anger like this? It would have been enough to just tell them the hidden assassins were dealt with."

Unlike Ilmyeong, who lowered his voice as much as possible, Jin Sowoon shrugged his shoulders.

"What are they gonna do about it if they get pissed?"

"Huh?"

"I said, what are they gonna do about it?"

Ilmyeong's worries grew at the confident declaration that showed not a speck of concern, but in reality, even after a day passed, no one raised an objection or vented their dissatisfaction to Jin Sowoon.

As if hoping this storm-like incident would pass quickly, everyone just kept their heads down, holding their breath.

Jin Sowoon patted his bulging front robes and laughed heartily.

"I bet those Underworld bastards learned a lesson on what happens when they do bad things from this opportunity. Kyahyahyahyah."

Ilmyeong just couldn't comprehend who exactly was calling whom the bad guy here.

* * *

"... So that happened."

Gun Yuhyeon, who was listening to the story, let out a small sigh of admiration.

He thought there would at least be a standard of righteousness from an Orthodox practitioner.

Dam-ak, who was recounting the story, also let out a long sigh.

"I just don't know what on earth is going on inside his head. ... I don't even know if he's a true Orthodox practitioner."

"Haha, whether an Orthodox practitioner or an Underworld figure, aren't they all just the same people of Jianghu in the end?"

"Pardon?"

At Gun Yuhyeon's meaningful remark, Dam-ak tilted his head.

However, Gun Yuhyeon did not bother adding an explanation.

Just then, a guard protecting the pavilion blocked him.

"We will be conducting a brief inspection of your belongings."

"What does that mean?"

At Dam-ak's words, the guard bowed his head.

"The Leader has ordered that anyone entering or leaving the pavilion from now on be disarmed."

"What did you say?"

Is he still bothered by what Jin Sowoon said?

Dam-ak ordered in a calm tone.

"Do you not know who this person is? Step back."

"I cannot do that."

"Are you really...!"

As Dam-ak was about to explode with anger at the guard, Gun Yuhyeon quickly stepped in.

"It is fine, Strategist Dam. It's not a difficult task, anyway."

"... But..."

Gun Yuhyeon slowly shook his head.

"It is truly fine."

Then, he looked at the guard.

"Do I just need to take out all my belongings?"

With a relaxed gesture, he took out a small coin pouch, an identification tag, a brush, and an inkstone from his sleeve and showed them.

Meanwhile, another guard slowly patted down Gun Yuhyeon's clothes to check if there were any other weapons.

"It is all done. You may enter."

"I am sorry, Sir Yuhyeon."

"Don't mention it. Strategist Dam is such an important figure, so isn't this only natural?"

Dam-ak, his anger still seemingly unresolved, glared at the guards and ordered.

"That is enough, everyone step back."

"... We cannot do that."

"Did I not say so? I have things to discuss privately with Sir Yuhyeon, so not only you but turn away anyone who tries to enter from now on."

"... Understood."

The guards left the pavilion, and Dam-ak and Gun Yuhyeon stepped inside.

Even after a maid brought out tea for the two and Gun Yuhyeon filled the teacups, Dam-ak's expression showed no signs of softening easily.

Gun Yuhyeon gave his characteristic soft smile and soothed Dam-ak.

"I am fine, so please let go of your anger. I have fully received Strategist Dam's sentiments."

"It is not just because of you, Sir Yuhyeon."

Dam-ak caught his breath for a moment, then continued.

"... That man Jin Sowoon is stirring up the Underworld Alliance too much."

He was a truly irksome individual.

If his work was done, he should just quietly return to the Murim Alliance.

Instead, he went around meddling in the Underworld Alliance's affairs to the bitter end.

Gun Yuhyeon lifted his teacup and casually remarked.

"Isn't that all for the sake of the Underworld Alliance?"

"What would an Orthodox practitioner do for the Underworld Alliance? There's no telling what kind of conspiracy might be hidden behind it."

Gun Yuhyeon, savoring the scent of the tea, slowly nodded.

"Hmm... It is certainly true that people of Jianghu have a strong tendency to distrust one another."

"..."

For some strange reason, Dam-ak felt that his conversation with Gun Yuhyeon today was not flowing as smoothly as usual.

CLINK.

"By the way... why did you ask to see me separately?"

When Gun Yuhyeon asked while putting down his teacup, Dam-ak finally snapped back to his senses.

"As the Underworld Alliance gradually stabilizes, we are able to spur on the effort to find the culprits who ambushed the academy."

"Hoh... Is that true?"

"Yes. Additionally, the day has finally come for me to repay my debt to the Cheongwan Sect."

For just a brief moment, Gun Yuhyeon's picture-perfect smile vanished.

"...?"

"With the Underworld Alliance's support, the Cheongwan Sect will take charge of one of the Underworld Alliance's Southern Sea branches."

Dam-ak was as excited as a child at the thought of finally being able to clear a bit of the debt that had piled up layer by layer over the years.

"The annual support amount will likely not be small. In addition, I have one more thing to tell you: I have submitted a letter of recommendation for you, Sir Yuhyeon, to the Leader."

"... A recommendation for me?"

"Yes. I thought perhaps we might be able to work together in the Office of Strategy..."

"Hmm, is that so?"

Dam-ak, who had been speaking excitedly, noticed Gun Yuhyeon's consistently expressionless reaction and studied his face.

"I am worried that perhaps I stepped forward too presumptuously."

"Ah! Not at all. I anticipated that you might do so."

"Pardon?"

Gun Yuhyeon smiled gently, as if it were nothing.

"Ah, nothing. Please continue."

"..."

Dam-ak felt a strong sense of oddity at Gun Yuhyeon's behavior, which was somehow different from usual.

At that moment, Gun Yuhyeon slowly opened his mouth.

"Perhaps, after that, you intended to ask me to put more effort into finding the families of your dead comrades... Well, you were planning to say something like this, right?"

"..."

Dam-ak felt cold sweat running down his spine.

However, Gun Yuhyeon took a leisurely sip of his tea, paying no mind to the frozen Dam-ak.

"But what should be done about it?"

He then looked at Dam-ak and gave a bright smile.

"Since they are already all dead, you see."

"...!"

Without even a moment to organize his complicated thoughts, Gun Yuhyeon's words were thrown like a bomb.

"W-What does that...!"

Over the head of Dam-ak, who barely held onto a body that felt ready to collapse at any second, Gun Yuhyeon's voice struck coldly.

"It is exactly as I said. You won't be able to find them. They already died long ago and are buried deep underground."

"What?"

And then.

STAB.

A pain like being seared with a hot iron assaulted his stomach.

Dam-ak reflexively lowered his head.

Before he knew it, Gun Yuhyeon's hand had pierced through his stomach and gone inside.

"Keugh!"

Along with an unbearable cough, blood burst from his mouth.

"W-What is this..."

Leaving Dam-ak, who wore an expression of disbelief, alone, Gun Yuhyeon was completely absorbed in looking over his bloodstained hand.

"Why didn't this lodge in properly? Could it be that you are wearing an artifact?"

"Keugh..."

Dam-ak's lips trembled.

Why... why...

He wanted to ask the reason more than anything else, but no words came out.

Gun Yuhyeon displayed a soft yet somewhat cold smile.

"You have an expression that says you want to ask the reason. There was no other reason. Hmm... if I really had to say something, just that I wasn't the person Strategist Dam thought I was from the very beginning?"

'Could he be a hidden assassin wearing a human-skin mask?' Dam-ak had such a suspicion, but for some reason, he felt that wasn't the case.

"Originally, I intended to use you to instigate a fight between the two factions of Jianghu people to drain their strength... What a pity. To have it end like this without even seeing you display your capabilities."

Because Gun Yuhyeon was swinging his hand with his usual expression, his usual smile.

STAB.

"Please direct your resentment toward that man, Jin Sowoon."

As if that had been his true form all along.

* * *

["Foolish boy. Do you think I would want you to seek revenge?"]

Somehow, he felt as though he could hear his master's scolding voice.

Yes, if it were Teacher Cheonhak, he definitely would have told him to throw away his desire for revenge and just do what he had to do.

Nevertheless, the one who stubbornly forced his way into Jianghu was himself.

Vowing to definitely show the bitter taste of this world to the bastards who believed martial power was everything, he had thrown himself into Jianghu.

However, what was the result?

In the end, he had merely been played within their grasp.

'Since when was it?'

There was no need to even think about it. All the pieces of the puzzle had already clicked together.

Attacking the academy, killing his master and comrades, and even saving him—it was all that man's plan.

The one who consoled him when he had fallen into despair, the one who gave him the courage to step out into the world again, was also that man, yet...

All of it... had merely been a stepping stone to play this unfunny puppet game.

'Still, there is one thing that brings comfort.'

No matter who that man was, no matter where he belonged.

There was the fact that the things he had done were stopped by Jin Sowoon.

And the fact that, even though he could have disappeared without a trace, Dam-ak was threatening enough to him that he stubbornly had to kill him before leaving.

'Though I don't know if I should take comfort in this.'

Thanks to wearing the Iron Scale Garment that Cha Seokdu had given him, he didn't lose his life in a single strike, but because of that, he had to suffer even more the bitterness and pain of betrayal.

"Heh heh..."

Perhaps his body had calmed down a bit, as a laugh leaked out.

Was this the terminal lucidity that the people of Jianghu spoke of?

At that moment.

"To think you would laugh. You are truly like a great man, Strategist Dam."

A voice could faintly be heard.

"Who... are you?"

"Asking who I am is a meaningless question."

That voice was exceedingly cold and dry.

"... Then?"

"Where I come from is what matters."

Dam-ak barely squeezed out enough strength to ask.

"... Where did you come from?"

"I came from hell at the end of the world."

"Hell..."

It was a place that perfectly suited the person standing before him.

Unless it was someone who lived in such a place, there was no way they could harbor such malicious intent toward a single person.

"... Did you really kill all the people of the academy and even their families?"

A familiar yet unfamiliar smile was painted on the man's face.

"Thanks to that, didn't Strategist Dam hold a grudge against the Murim Alliance and work even harder?"

"Is that so..."

Spitting out a hollow laugh, Dam-ak suddenly grew curious.

"... Are you not afraid? Of the Underworld Alliance's revenge?"

"Because it is something I must confront someday."

He looked toward the doorway, thinking to at least try shouting, but the surroundings had already transformed into a deep red space.

It was similar to the formation array he had once experienced at the Four Emperors Peak.

Like this, no matter how much he shouted, there would be no one to hear him.

"Still, the time we spent together was enjoyable. I probably won't be able to forget it."

"... You speak disgusting words."

Did he truly consider him his one and only close friend, not even knowing he was this kind of person?

More than the fact that he had stabbed his stomach just now, more than the fact that he had ambushed the Cheongwa Academy, the fact that he had thoroughly deceived him all this time angered him to the bone.

'To entrust my comrade's family... to a person like this...'

If he had the power, if he possessed the power to pay any price, he wanted to burn this very body just to get revenge on that man.

'What can a guy who hasn't practiced a single trace of martial arts...'

In the end, it seemed Jianghu was not a place for him to exist.

His eyelids grew heavier bit by bit.

Was it because he had shed too much blood?

He felt as if he could see the phantoms of his master and his comrades.

'I'd rather not meet them just yet...'

Right at the moment Dam-ak's eyes were slowly about to close.

CRACK.

Golden cracks appeared between the deep red walls.

Then, centering around those hairline cracks, the wall shattered little by little until...

FLASH!

Through it, a single streak of golden light flew in.

Dam-ak, whose eyes were about to close, unwittingly snapped them wide open.

'A dragon?'

The streak of golden light wrapped around Gun Yuhyeon's hand and began to yank it back.

"What on earth is this...!"

Gun Yuhyeon, who had been about to deliver the final blow, furrowed his brow and turned his head to where Dam-ak's gaze was fixed.

There stood a man strolling in casually, carrying a sword wreathed in golden radiance over his shoulder.

'Jin Sowoon?'

"Black Flame Dragon...!"

Jin Sowoon swung the Black Dragon Sword without delay.

BANG! BA-BA-BA-BANG!

The golden Sword Qi bursting from the sword poured out as if to bisect Gun Yuhyeon's body.

"Open your mouth. Here comes justice!!!"