Zhuge Qing took out his fan, unfolded it, and began to fan himself.

'I thought he was no ordinary person, but he possessed such elusive martial arts.'

Zhuge Qing contemplated for a moment and then frowned.

'I never thought he would come out like this...'

Although he was surprised by the completely different course of action from his expectations, it was also true that his competitive spirit had been aroused.

He had never dreamed that Jin Sa-wol, who he thought would come to him, would invade the prison. That stimulated him.

"Are you challenging me?"

A killing intent briefly lingered in Zhuge Qing's eyes and then disappeared.

If he came out like this, there was nothing for Jin Sa-wol to gain. Yet, if he had come out emotionally, it meant he was challenging him.

Was it that he had nothing to fear? Or was he arrogant?

Whatever it was, it was a stimulus to Zhuge Qing.

He suddenly felt that he had been deceived by Namgung Min.

"How should we handle this?"

A corpse had been generated, and a prisoner had escaped.

"What about the intruders?"

"They all disappeared in less than a quarter of an hour. We sent a pursuit team to chase them, but it was already too late, and on top of that, we couldn't find any traces because of the rain."

Zhuge Qing, who was listening to his subordinate's report, stared at the prison master. The prison master, as if he were a sinner, bowed his head and did not move.

Someone had invaded the Martial Alliance and broken a prisoner out. That was the prison master's responsibility, and it was a major incident for which he would have nothing to say even if his head were to be cut off.

Zhuge Qing, who had been contemplating, said to the prison master, "It's time for the prison master to retire, isn't it? Shouldn't you be returning to your hometown soon?"

"Yes, I understand."

The prison master had no excuse.

"Everyone, keep your mouths shut. This matter will be kept confidential until a decision is made, and we will investigate it separately."

With those words, Zhuge Qing, who had left the prison, commanded a subordinate who was following him, "Call the elder of the Beggars' Sect. Tell him I want to see him today."

"I understand."

As the young subordinate headed for the main gate with his answer, Zhuge Qing headed for the Alliance Leader's residence.

***

Namgung Min, who had just washed his face and was tending to his sword, heard the news of Zhuge Qing's visit and entered the guest room.

Inside, Zhuge Qing had already come and was waiting.

"Sit."

Namgung Min showed his hand and then sat down in a chair.

As the maids approached, placed tea and refreshments, and went out, Zhuge Qing said, "Last night, there was an intruder in the prison. The prisoner he took out was a woman from the Demonic Cult. Jin Sa-wol's maid."

"So Jin Sa-wol came."

It was Namgung Min who was once again surprised by Jin Sa-wol's ability. And he could also understand the reason why Zhuge Qing had come.

Since an intruder had occurred in the prison, he had to decide whether to announce this matter internally and externally or to bury it and just move on.

That was not a problem he could decide on his own.

"How many died?"

"Seven guards of the prison died."

"Keep your mouths shut and handle it secretly. No one has invaded the Martial Alliance. No one has escaped from the prison either."

Namgung Min answered as if he had expected it. He, like a person who had made a conclusion, said again, "As I said before, I feel truly sorry about the inn."

Zhuge Qing knew well what Namgung Min's words meant. It meant that he had no connection to this matter. Zhuge Qing also understood.

"One thing, that person named Jin Sa-wol. There are too many suspicious points. I'm investigating him separately, but he seems to be a much more dangerous person than we think. It might be that the one who killed your son was not Yeon Jeok-sim, but Jin Sa-wol."

At those words, Namgung Min's eyes widened. But he quickly maintained his composure and asked, "Is there any evidence?"

"I'm still investigating."

"When the evidence comes out, let's talk again then."

As Namgung Min's atmosphere changed, Zhuge Qing realized he had made a mistake. As the heavy atmosphere continued, a maid came in and informed Namgung Min, "The elder of the Elder Council has arrived."

"Show him to the tea room."

"Yes."

The maid went out with light steps. As she left, Zhuge Qing stood up from his seat.

"I'll get up."

As Zhuge Qing went out with a cupped fist salute, Namgung Min silently drank his tea and stared at the back of the departing Zhuge Qing.

'He's going to become a Han Xin at this rate.'

Recalling Han Xin, the closest aide of Liu Bang who had founded the Han Dynasty, Namgung Min shook his head.

He seemed unusually impatient.

***

A beggar in ragged clothes, who had entered through the back gate of the alliance, had disheveled hair and a dark complexion, making it impossible to tell his age.

His eyes were barely visible, and he had several bamboo tubes filled with liquor tied to his waist.

He looked around and then sat down under a pine tree far from the back gate. After a short while, a liquor barrel flew through the air.

The beggar's eyes flashed open, he caught the liquor barrel, and then quickly smelled it.

"It's bamboo leaf liquor."

"Take it."

As Zhuge Qing approached, the beggar showed a pleased smile.

"What is it?"

"Jin Sa-wol. Tell me where he is."

"Is the person you're looking for the owner of the Gangnam Grand Inn?"

"Yes."

The name Jin Sa-wol was not common. And if it was a big shot that Zhuge Qing would mention, it could only be the owner of the Gangnam Grand Inn.

"If I find him?"

Although the beggar asked, Zhuge Qing shook his head and retreated. It meant that just finding him was enough. The beggar also did not have any more curiosity.

The beggar embraced the liquor barrel, left the alliance, and headed for the fortress. The sun rose above the beggar's head and began to emit a bright light.

***

A man was tied to a chair. His clothes were stained red, and his whole body was trembling.

"It's the Martial Alliance. They are people from the Martial Alliance. Cough! Cough!"

The face of Bang-sik, who had coughed up blood, was so swollen that its original shape could not be recognized. Perhaps because he had been beaten so much, he was covered in blood.

The most important thing to Bang-sik was not the Hao Faction, but his own life. What use would money be tomorrow if he died today? That was also the heart of the unorthodox faction members.

Of course, there were also those who were well-trained and loyal, but such people were extremely rare in the actual martial world.

That is why people praise those who have shown loyalty. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Bi-sun, as if he liked Bang-sik, took out a gold sore medicine, applied it to his face, and said, "If you had talked like that from the beginning, you wouldn't have gotten hurt like this. My hand was a bit too much."

"No. It's my fault for not recognizing a master of the martial world. Then, will you release me?"

"There's no reason to kill someone so honest."

Bi-sun took out a money pouch, put it in Bang-sik's bosom, and showed a smile.

"When your face heals, forget about today's events. Use this to relieve your feelings."

"Thank you, my lord."

Bang-sik's heart was tearing apart, having to say thank you after being beaten like a dog.

'It's a sin to be powerless! You fucking bastard. Just you wait. I'll remember that face clearly, so I'll kill you someday.'

Bang-sik smiled hideously and bowed his head.

"Hehehe."

Bi-sun patted his shoulder and then went outside. Bang-sik, who had been sitting blankly for a long time after he left, spat.

"Kaak! Spit! Fuck! You bastard who will fall into a shit pit and die!"

After spitting out curses, he gasped for breath and then lay down on the floor. And he fell into a deep sleep.

When the sun set and darkness fell, Bang-sik, who had opened his eyes, came out of his room and headed somewhere.

Behind him, Bi-sun was following without a sound.

There were also various kinds of people. Bang-sik, who spoke fluently, was just a dog in Bi-sun's eyes.

If it was a dog loyal to its master, it would go to its master.

***

"Cough! Cough!"

Son Ae-hwa, who was lying under a thick quilt, coughed and opened her eyes. Although she still had a fever and her body was cold, her mind was at ease.

Smelling the decoction, she looked around and then drank the water placed by her bedside.

At the sound of coughing, Jin Sa-wol opened the door and came in.

"You're awake."

"I'm much better."

Son Ae-hwa touched her forehead and sat up, leaning against the wall. Since a brazier was placed, the room was full of heat, and her complexion had improved a lot.

There was no difficulty in moving her mouth either.

"The Ghost Hand Pavilion and the Blood Killing Faction joined hands and attacked the inn. The inn burned down, and the whereabouts of General Manager Bi and Pavilion Master Jo are unknown. It is said that most of the inn's warriors have died."

At Jin Sa-wol's story, Son Ae-hwa's eyes widened.

"Zhuge Qing must have told the master of the Ghost Hand Pavilion that you, the innkeeper, killed the Blood Killing Faction Leader. It's my fault."

"It's not your fault. Zhuge Qing didn't like me from the beginning."

Although it was Jin Sa-wol who was speaking indifferently with an expressionless face, Son Ae-hwa felt an unknown coldness.

Jin Sa-wol turned his head, looked out the window, and then stood up from his seat.

"Rest. I'm glad you're alive."

Jin Sa-wol, who had thrown a word to Son Ae-hwa, left the room. Son Ae-hwa, with a face as red as a peach, covered herself with the blanket.

As Jin Sa-wol went out to the yard, he watched a black figure approaching. It was Seo Mun-ryeon.

Seo Mun-ryeon, wearing a black night-walking suit, was frowning deeply.

The fact that she had come to find Jin Sa-wol without even changing her clothes was proof that she was very angry.

"How can a person be so heartless? To abandon me and run away alone?"

"Did you find him?"

Although Seo Mun-ryeon was full of disappointed feelings, Jin Sa-wol was not interested in her feelings.

"Find what?"

"Woo Jeong-bong."

"That's not what's important. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

"Thank you."

Jin Sa-wol answered with an indifferent face and without any hesitation. Although Seo Mun-ryeon had heard the words she wanted to hear, for some reason, she didn't feel good.

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had been staring blankly at Jin Sa-wol for a moment, contemplated for a moment how to hit this bastard.

"Woo Jeong-bong is in Guguang now."

"Is that so?"

"What should I do? Should I tell him to come here?"

"I'll go."

"Can't I just hit you once?"

Seo Mun-ryeon's eyes widened at the words that had come out instinctively without her realizing it. She was surprised at herself.

Jin Sa-wol, finding it absurd, sneered and then said, "Zhuge Qing dislikes me. He probably can't tolerate someone from the Demonic Cult being in the same boat as the Martial Alliance. Do you think such a Zhuge Qing would just leave the Hao Faction, which has deep ties with the Demonic Cult, alone?"

At those words, Seo Mun-ryeon recalled something.

'Assassination?'

There was a sufficient possibility.

"I'll have to look around a bit."

"Be careful, and I'll leave tomorrow."

"Leave at dawn. I saw that the number of Beggars' Sect members has noticeably increased on my way here. It seems the Martial Alliance has moved the Beggars' Sect."

At Seo Mun-ryeon's story, Jin Sa-wol turned his body without a word.

Seeing his back, Seo Mun-ryeon trembled both her hands. It was a feeling of having done a good deed but still feeling something was fishy.

"Go change your clothes. You smell of sweat."

"Hmph!"

At Jin Sa-wol's words, Seo Mun-ryeon snorted and then headed for her room.

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had returned to her room, got into a large water bucket for a bath. As she sat in the hot water, the annoyance that had filled her heart seemed to melt away.

"Master."

At Mae Gang-hwa's voice, Seo Mun-ryeon turned her head.

"Come in."

Mae Gang-hwa, who had entered while listening to Seo Mun-ryeon's gentle voice, was holding a towel.

She approached Seo Mun-ryeon and said, "The Hall of Light Master of the Martial Alliance wants to see you. At the time and place you want, Master."

From what Mae Gang-hwa said, it sounded as if the Martial Alliance was making a big concession.

But Seo Mun-ryeon glared at Mae Gang-hwa with a cold face.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

(End of Chapter)