Chapter 1303
What the heck is this guy? (3)
Step. Step. Step.
A man wrapped in darkness strode down the pristine white marble path like a tiger on the prowl.
His expression was cold, his steps laced with determination.
“S-Stop!”
“You cannot pass any further!”
As he reached the long staircase, the guards crossed their spears, blocking his path.
Anyone observing this scene closely would surely sense something amiss.
The place the guards were protecting was none other than the residence of Jang Ilso the leader of Sapaeryeon.
Even if they were merely guarding a residence, the significance varied depending on the location.
If one guarded the residence of Jang Ilso, no one affiliated with Sapaeryeon dared to act recklessly.
Yet, there was undeniable tension on the faces of those confronting the man in black.
As if they were trying to stop an unstoppable force.
“Step aside.”
“But, Ryeonju has ordered that no one…”
The man in black simply stared down the guards without a word.
At that, one of the guards flinched and lowered his head deeply.
“I’ll say it one last time. Step aside.”
After a moment of silence, the spears of the guards slowly retreated.
Jang Ilso’s orders were absolute.
But the approaching figure made them reconsider the gravity of those stern orders.
He had the power to make them think twice.
With the spears removed, the man ominously moved forward once again.
Rapidly climbing the pristine white marble stairs, he swung open the main doors of the hall without hesitation.
Creak!
The doors swung open forcefully, and the man glanced briefly into the hall.
Then, without hesitation, he strode confidently into the hall.
“You, you’re not allowed in here!”
“Get out immediately!”
The guards rushed forward in panic, blocking his path.
But the man pushed past the guards as if they were annoying, and marched deeper.
“Where is Ryeonju?”
“I-If you continue like this…”
“I asked, where is he?!”
As the man let out a low growl, the gazes of the guards instinctively shifted to one side.
Seemingly understanding, the man moved in the direction they were looking.
“No, you can’t!”
Only a few guards desperately stood in his way…
Or more precisely, they physically blocked the entrance he was heading towards.
“You cannot go in here! Ryeonju will be furious!”
“Step aside.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Oh really?”
“…”
In that moment, the man tightened his fist ever so slightly.
He had the momentum to push through and strike down the guards on his way to enter.
But at that very moment, a languid voice came from behind the guards.
“Why are you all making such a fuss?”
“R-Ryeonju!”
The guards turned pale and hastily looked back.
With a creak, the tightly shut door swung open, revealing a man leisurely strolling out.
Paegun Jang Ilso.
He emerged through the open door.
While his voice remained relaxed and amiable as usual, there was an expression of annoyance lingering on his face, quite different from the demeanor Sapaeryeon’s warriors were accustomed to seeing.
His neatly combed and tied-up hair was now loosened and cascaded down, unrestrained, while his upper body was exposed without any clothing, revealing skin covered in a myriad of large and small scars that resembled tattoos at first glance.
Surprisingly, his body was drenched in sweat, every inch of it.
With each step Jang Ilso took, hot droplets of sweat dripped down rhythmically.
The sweat, unable to withstand the heat emanating from his body, evaporated into steam, rising from his skin.
“Fetch a cloth to wipe my body! Quickly!”
“Yes!”
The bewildered guards began to move hastily.
It was almost unheard of to witness such a sight, so it was even more bewildering.
Yet, the man in black, despite seeing Jang Ilso in such a state, knelt with restrained movements, showing no sign of confusion.
“I greet the Lord.”
Jang Ilso casually brushed aside the hair stuck to his face with a nonchalant gesture.
At that moment, the guard, who had hurried back, anxiously returned with a white cloth he had brought.
“R-Ryeonju, here…”
Jang Ilso glanced briefly at the guards’ faces, which had turned pale with anxiety, then smiled, his eyes twinkling.
“Why are you trembling?”
“W-We…”
“There’s nothing to fear. It’s not your fault.”
Jang Ilso’s gaze shifted towards the kneeling man.
“If there is fault, it lies with those who disregarded your warnings and trespassed here, does it not?”
Despite the overt and clear reprimand, the man’s expression remained unchanged.
He simply bowed his head silently.
“Now, speak up.”
Jang Ilso looked down at him sharply and asked.
“What is the matter?”
The man in black lifted his head and stared back at Jang Ilso.
He knew it too.
That he was currently in a very dangerous situation.
Jang Ilso had a pathological aversion to displaying his training to others.
Was it because he was practicing forbidden techniques that should not be learned by others?
Or was it because he harbored a fatal weakness that must be kept hidden within their ignorance?
Neither.
Training meant exerting oneself and depleting one’s inner strength.
And for someone like Jang Ilso, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, it meant being exceptionally vulnerable during that time.
In other words, during training, he could be more susceptible to attacks than usual.
Jang Ilso could not tolerate the idea of someone approaching him while he was weakened.
So if the man in black couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer right here and now, Jang Ilso would undoubtedly make him pay for it.
Nevertheless, the man in black calmly addressed Jang Ilso without any hint of hesitation.
“Lord. No, Ryeonju.”
“…”
“I have something to report.”
“A report?”
Jang Ilso raised an eyebrow, repeating the words.
“Hmm. A report…”
His lips, slightly tinged with a bluish hue due to the lack of makeup, curled up eerily.
“Is it an important report? One that can lift my mood?”
Jang Ilso’s eyes gleamed.
It was a dangerous signal.
However, the cool composure that had initially covered his eyes was quickly restored as the man in black continued speaking.
“The movements of the troops sent to Hainan are unusual.”
“…”
“In my judgment, it was a matter of urgency.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of silence, Jang Ilso handed the cloth he held to one of the guards.
Then, with a contemplative look, he glanced at the man and briefly clicked his tongue.
Turning away, he began to walk.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Step. Step. Step.
Jang Ilso strode towards one side of the hall.
The guards, who had been waiting, promptly opened the door, matching his pace.
A large and luxurious bath, filled with hot steam, was revealed.
Jang Ilso walked into the center of the bath.
Submerged up to his upper body, he leaned against the wall of the tub and lazily tilted his head back.
Though it wasn’t a particularly grand gesture, it exuded an unmistakable arrogance.
His long, black hair, now untied, flowed freely on the surface of the water.
Jang Ilso spoke.
“Jeok Ho.”
“Yes, Ryeonju.”
“Continue what you were saying. So, did you say Gamyeong was behaving strangely?”
“To be exact…”
Jeok Ho, as he was called, swallowed dryly before speaking.
“Rather than strange, it’s suspicious.”
“…Suspicious?”
“Yes, Ryeonju.”
Steam constantly rose from the hot water, obscuring Jang Ilso’s face with a faint haze.
But even without seeing his expression, Jeok Ho could guess what it might be.
“…I know that you don’t particularly like Gamyeong. But isn’t this a bit extreme? Even when trampling on someone, there should be some decorum.”
“It’s not a conspiracy, Ryeonju.”
“Hmm?”
Jang Ilso glanced at Jeok Ho as if urging him to provide a more specific answer.
“Since arriving in Hainan, the regular reports that used to come to headquarters once a day have stopped.”
At this, Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The reports Jeok Ho mentioned referred to the regular reports sent by Ho Gamyeong to the headquarters.
While Jang Ilso trusted Ho Gamyeong and didn’t feel the need for such reports, he still strictly adhered to his principles, perhaps to the point of appearing inflexible.
Even if Jang Ilso chose not to pay attention to the reports he submitted.
“They’ve stopped… What does that imply? That something has happened?”
Jeok Ho retrieved another report from his pouch and placed it on the floor.
“And this is the report that arrived today.”
He unfolded the report and presented it to Jang Ilso.
Jang Ilso glanced at it briefly.
The corners of his eyes twitched slightly.
“The battle with Haenam… is lasting longer than anticipated?”
“Yes.”
Several reasons were listed underneath.
But Jang Ilso paid them no mind.
What mattered was the fact that considering the capabilities of Ho Gamyeong and the forces he brought to Hainan, there was no reason for the battle with Haenam to be prolonged.
Unless someone intervenes, Haenam cannot possibly withstand the onslaught of Maninbang.
So, this report either contains falsehoods or it is a report with something crucial omitted.
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Who has opened the report?”
“It was me.”
Jang Ilso looked at Jeok Ho as if amused.
Reports sent by the main force’s troops were meant to be sent directly to Maninbang’s headquarters, so anyone with a certain position could see them.
But if it was Ho Gamyeong who sent the report, the situation would be a bit different.
While it may be a principle, who would dare to casually open a report sent by Ho Gamyeong?
Jang Ilso wouldn’t bother to examine a report unless it was urgent, and others wouldn’t dare to open a report sent by Ho Gamyeong, so the report wouldn’t have seen the light of day in the first place.
If Jeok Ho hadn’t finished his training early and arrived at headquarters ahead of schedule, the report would have never been seen.
Splash.
Jang Ilso lightly tapped the surface of the water with his finger.
“So… what’s happening beneath me that I’m unaware of?”
His expression darkened slightly.
“As the matter I have to report to you is not entirely certain, I personally conducted some additional investigation.”
After finishing his statement, Jeok Ho silently looked at Jang Ilso.
Jang Ilso nodded slowly, indicating for him to continue.
“According to my investigation, it seems that mobilization orders were issued to the small and medium-sized martial arts sects in the south in the name of the commander.”
“…Mobilization orders?”
“Yes. And… although it’s not yet certain…”
A slight tension flickered across Jeok Ho’s face.
“There are indications that Haomun has been mobilized.”
This news carried a weight different from the previous report.
Jang Ilso murmured slowly.
“Even if it’s understandable for small and medium-sized sects… but Haomun…”
Putting all this information together, the conclusion was clear.
“Gamyeong…”
Tap.
As if pondering something, he tapped the surface of the water with his fingertip.
“Gamyeong is deceiving me…”
Jang Ilso’s long eyes formed a crescent-like curve.
The cold, piercing gaze, coupled with the softly curved eyes, created an eerie atmosphere that momentarily filled the air with a chilling aura.
“Is that what you mean?”
His tone was slow and gentle.
Yet, beneath it lay an overwhelming weight that seemed to press down on the very air within the bath.
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