‘Damn it. At this rate, I won't have a life left to live.’
Guard Go Chan was heading toward the Great Madam’s residence, Radiant Blossoms Hall. In the end, he couldn’t get any sleep. No, it would be strange for anyone to fall asleep after hearing that.
Go Chan couldn't bring himself to ask Mok Gyeong-un why he did it, and he was at a loss as to what to do.
‘That madman. I told him so many times to just let him go.’
He never imagined he would kill Jo Il-sang, the second young master’s guard. He thought he had at least that much sense. What on earth was he thinking?
‘If that bastard Mok Eun-pyeong finds out that his guard was killed, all hell will surely break loose.’
Would it just be hell breaking loose? Knowing his personality, he might try to retaliate against Mok Gyeong-un immediately. While the Manor Lord was still alive, he wouldn't be able to kill him, but he might break his arms and legs, or try to kill his guard in the same way.
‘I’m going crazy.’
A pain shot through the back of Go Chan’s neck. Why did he have to kill that man and make things so complicated?
[What about the body?]
[I’ve taken care of it, so you don’t need to worry.]
What did he mean, taken care of it? Did he hide it in the secret place where he found the secret manual? Even so, how long would that last?
The man was sent with a purpose from the start. If he didn’t show up, it would naturally arouse suspicion.
‘What should I do?’
If he hadn't killed him, it would be one thing, but in the current situation, giving this empty shell of a secret manual to the second young master felt incredibly unnerving. Regret washed over him once more. He should have just told Senior Brother Gam everything.
But that chance had already passed. He had lied so much to Senior Brother Gam out of fear of Mok Gyeong-un that if he revealed it now, Gam would no longer trust him. His senior brother was that sensitive and slow to trust others.
‘He was even worse during his active days.’
Thinking back to those times, the gap between then and now was truly immense. He was ruthless to his enemies, but even more so to traitors. 'But this is truly strange.'
Even while remembering that side of Guard Gam, why was he more afraid of that man? He didn't know how things had come to this.
“Hoo.”
Come to think of it, where did his senior brother go? When he was with Mok Gyeong-un, he never left his post unless it was his turn to rest or an extremely urgent matter. But yesterday, he was gone for nearly half a day.
‘What is it?’
Could he be up to something without his knowledge? Go Chan’s eyes narrowed.
At the same time. At the residence of the second young master, Mok Eun-pyeong. Perched on his desk, Mok Eun-pyeong stared at Guard Gam with a cold gaze, his arms crossed.
Having been summoned suddenly without knowing why, Guard Gam found it difficult to grasp the situation. One thing was certain: Mok Eun-pyeong was furious. Guard Gam carefully spoke up.
“Young Master. Why are you acting this way?”
“That’s what I’d like to ask.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s truly a coincidence. I was testing a hunch, but it’s quite unpleasant every time that slight premonition turns out to be true.”
What on earth was he talking about? Guard Gam frowned slightly.
‘Did he realize it’s a fake?’
But if that were the case, the way he was speaking didn’t add up. Right now, Mok Eun-pyeong’s tone was openly hostile towards him.
Thud!
Guard Gam dropped to one knee on the floor, cupping one fist in the other, and said.
“Young Master. This subordinate has no idea what you are talking about. If you would please tell me what is wrong…..”
“What is wrong? Ha!”
With that, Mok Eun-pyeong threw the inkstone from his desk. He could have easily dodged it, but he had to endure Mok Eun-pyeong’s wrath, so Guard Gam took the hit directly.
Thwack!
Drip, drip, drip! Blood trickled down Guard Gam’s forehead. It hurt since he hadn't protected his body with internal energy, but he had learned to endure pain through his breathing, so Guard Gam did his best not to show it.
Staring at Guard Gam, Mok Eun-pyeong spoke.
“I sent one of my guards to confirm that Mok Gyeong-un has lost his martial arts.”
‘…... So that’s it.’
There was a reason after all. But something was strange.
‘If that’s all, there’s no reason to be this angry.’
The fake Mok Gyeong-un had not learned any martial arts. If he had confirmed that, he should have let go of his suspicions, so why was he showing such hostility? As he was thinking, Mok Eun-pyeong continued.
“But that guard has not returned.”
“What?”
Guard Gam raised his head, looking bewildered. What did that mean?
“Do you not understand what I’m saying? My guard, who went to check whether that bastard had lost his martial arts or not, has vanished without a trace.”
‘!?’
That was impossible. Guard Gam’s eyes darted around, looking at the other guards in the room. One of the three guards was missing.
‘Jo Il-sang.’
He was a man on the verge of reaching the first-rate realm. In terms of skill alone, Go Chan, who was currently on guard duty, was no match for him. So how could he have disappeared?
Guard Gam parted his lips.
“That cannot be.”
“What?”
“This subordinate has absolutely not told a lie. That man.....no, Young Master Mok Gyeong-un’s body is incapable of using martial arts. And the man named Go Chan guarding Young Master Mok Gyeong-un is also only a second-rate practitioner, so he cannot handle Guard Jo Il-sang.”
He could say that with certainty. However, there wasn't a hint of trust in Mok Eun-pyeong’s eyes. They hadn't built any trust in the first place, and with the guard not returning, his suspicions had only grown.
“Would you believe those words if you were me?”
“It is the truth. If you do not believe me, I am willing to stake this arm.”
Guard Gam rolled up the sleeve of his right arm as he spoke. For a martial artist to wager his own arm was not much different from betting everything. At his strong stance, Mok Eun-pyeong snorted and said.
“You’ll stake your arm? Fine. Then prove that what you say is true.”
“Prove it?”
“If what you say is true, there’s no way Guard Jo would fall to such pathetic whelps. I’ll give you about two hours. Find Guard Jo and bring him here.”
“....... I understand.”
Guard Gam’s voice sank heavily. He felt like something had gone terribly wrong. It seemed he had to find out for himself what had happened.
Mok Eun-pyeong warned him in a voice tinged with killing intent.
“If you fail to find him, you had better be prepared to offer not just your arm, but that pathetic life of yours as well.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Guard Gam emerged from the residence of the second young master, Mok Eun-pyeong, his face hardened frighteningly. Suppressing his emotions with great effort, he hurried his steps toward the Medicine Hall. Then, on the path, he ran into someone.
“Huh? S-Senior Brother?”
“You!”
It was Guard Go Chan. Go Chan couldn't hide his bewilderment. Of all times, he never expected to run into Guard Gam like this while secretly carrying out Mok Gyeong-un’s orders.
Seeing Go Chan, Guard Gam, with an angry face, lowered his voice and said.
“What are you doing here? I’m sure I told you not to leave his side for a single moment.”
“Well......”
Seeing his inability to answer properly, Guard Gam’s eyes sharpened. Guard Gam’s fingers moved toward the dagger hidden in his wrist as he spoke.
“Don’t tell me you’re plotting something with him?”
“P-Plotting?”
“Then why did you disobey my order?”
“It’s not like that.......”
Go Chan’s mind went blank, and he was at a loss for what to say. He couldn’t possibly talk about the hollow secret manual he was carrying in his clothes for Mok Eun-pyeong.
‘Damn it.’
He had no choice. In the end, Go Chan lied.
“Actually, the Inner Hall Master summoned me, saying he had something to ask about what happened at the main hall yesterday.......”
“What? The Inner Hall Master?”
Guard Gam frowned. This path certainly led to the Inner Hall Master’s office. And although they were guards, they were also members of the Lotuswood Sword Manor, so if the Inner Hall Master summoned them, they had no choice but to obey.
However, ‘This guy?’ He could see Go Chan’s eyes trembling faintly. An ordinary person would find it hard to detect, but his trained senses made it possible.
He was clearly nervous. If the Inner Hall Master had summoned him, he wouldn't be reprimanded for leaving his post despite his orders, so there was no reason to be this nervous. Guard Gam’s eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings.
There were some people a short distance away, but none were noticeable or close by. After confirming this, Guard Gam pushed Go Chan against a wall, pressing one of the vital points on his neck.
Pak! Thud!
“Keuk!”
“You must have a death wish.”
“S-Senior Brother?”
“Speak. What are you hiding?”
“Hiding? I’m really not hiding anything......”
Shink!
Guard Gam aimed the dagger at the area near Go Chan’s heart and said.
“One of the second young master Mok Eun-pyeong’s guards has disappeared.”
“.........”
“The person he went to find was that fake one. Are you still going to feign ignorance?”
‘D-Damn it.....’
He didn’t think he’d be found out so quickly. The situation he had feared had occurred. No, was this really the situation he had feared?
How did his senior brother, who wasn't even there last night, know about this?
“W-Wait a minute. How do you know that, Senior Broth..... Don’t tell me you’ve already made contact with the second young master’s side?”
He already knew that Gam was planning to switch allegiances. But he hadn’t decided on who yet. However, knowing the situation on the second young master Mok Eun-pyeong’s side meant that he had already switched to him.
“Why, without any discussion.....”
Squeeze!
“Heuk!”
As Guard Gam’s hand on the vital point of his neck tightened, Go Chan couldn't finish his sentence. To the pained man, Guard Gam said.
“Am I in a position to discuss and report every little thing to you? And are you in any position to question me about such things right now?”
“P-Please let go.....”
As the pain intensified, Go Chan pleaded. Guard Gam loosened his grip and whispered in his ear.
“What are you hiding? Tell me the truth. Otherwise.....”
Stab!
The tip of the dagger pierced his chest. As the dagger went in, Guard Gam frowned at the unfamiliar sensation. He had intended to just lightly prick the flesh, but this felt different.
With that, Guard Gam shoved his hand into the chest of Go Chan’s clothes.
“W-Wait....”
Grasp!
“Keck!”
Soon, the secret manual of the Lotuswood Heart Transformation Method, with only two pages inside, was revealed in Guard Gam’s hand. Seeing it, Guard Gam’s eyes widened.
“This is?”
‘I’m doomed.’
Go Chan squeezed his eyes shut.
Thud!
The door to the Medicine Hall burst open, and Guard Gam stormed in with a frightening expression. There were three Medicine Hall workers inside, but he paid them no mind and strode directly toward Mok Gyeong-un, who was sitting up in bed reading a book. Guard Gam approached right in front of him.
He parted his lips, his voice low enough for only Mok Gyeong-un to hear.
“What have you done?”
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un replied without taking his eyes off the book.
“What are you talking about?”
“Hoo.”
Guard Gam let out a deep sigh. Then, he slyly showed a book from his bosom.
[Lotuswood Heart Transformation Method] It was the secret manual for the Lotuswood Heart Transformation Method.
Guard Gam spoke in a voice mixed with annoyance.
“How on earth did you get this?”
At that, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head slightly, looked at the secret manual of the Lotuswood Heart Transformation Method, and smirked.
“You’re laughing?”
“It seems Guard Go Chan was unlucky.”
“What?”
“The fact that you brought that here means you took it from Guard Go Chan, am I wrong?”
“.........”
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un’s unwavering composure, Guard Gam was momentarily dumbfounded. It wasn't just his insight; this fellow never lost his calm. To maintain such a demeanor even after being caught in his scheme, he was truly a bold one.
Well, with guts like that, he must have been able to kill the real Mok Gyeong-un. But to backstab him like this was unforgivable.
Shink!
From an angle no one could see, Guard Gam drew his dagger and aimed it at the left side of Mok Gyeong-un’s ribs. Then he spoke in a low voice.
“What on earth did you do to Go Chan?”
“Do to him?”
“Isn’t it because you did something to him that he’s keeping his mouth shut so tightly?”
Before coming to find Mok Gyeong-un, Guard Gam had taken Go Chan to his quarters and interrogated him. He used the Muscle-Separating and Bone-Dislocating Torture and even cut off two of his fingers. Yet, he refused to talk until the end.
[Speak.]
[........]
[I said, speak!]
[.......]
At that sight, Guard Gam was genuinely puzzled. Although this man was different from ordinary people, he wasn't someone Go Chan couldn't handle. He couldn't understand why Go Chan was so afraid.
If he had his way, he would have tortured him all day to find out the reason. But he didn’t have time.
[I’ll give you about two hours.]
‘Damn it!’
The time given to him by the second young master, Mok Eun-pyeong, was merely two hours. Within that time, he had to find his guard, Jo Il-sang. Otherwise, Mok Eun-pyeong would surely try to kill him.
So, in the end, he had left Go Chan and rushed here to the person responsible, Mok Gyeong-un. But, “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mok Gyeong-un maintained his pretense of ignorance.
The sight of him even shrugging his shoulders made his anger boil over.
Grit!
Gritting his teeth, Guard Gam changed the question.
“Fine. I’ll find out what you did to that Go Chan fellow later. Now, tell me. Did you see Jo Il-sang, Young Master Mok Eun-pyeong’s guard?”
Jo Il-sang, the second young master Mok Eun-pyeong's guard. A master on the verge of the first-rate realm. There was no way Mok Gyeong-un, who hadn't learned martial arts, and Go Chan, who was merely second-rate, could have done anything to him.
That should be the case, but what was this feeling of unease? Just then, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
“Ah. You mean the person who came to see me last night wearing a mask?”
“........ Yes. That man.”
“I saw him.”
At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Guard Gam steadied his breathing and asked.
“You didn’t do anything to him, did you?”
“Come on. What could I have done? What power do I have?”
Mok Gyeong-un waved his hand dismissively. At those words, Guard Gam was about to conclude that he hadn’t been able to harm him. But then, “How could a person who lost his martial arts due to a damaged dantian do anything to someone like that?”
‘!?’
Guard Gam frowned. What was this? The fact that this man knew he had told others he had lost his martial arts meant......
“You.......”
Mok Gyeong-un leaned in and whispered in his ear with a laugh.
“You finally switched sides to the second young master... but this fake one didn't play along and killed the second young master's guard. What are we to do.”
‘!!!!!!’
In an instant, Guard Gam’s expression froze solid.