The Lecher set down his drink and studied the Alliance ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Leader’s expression.

“......”

Something about that look seemed familiar. After searching his memory, he realized it was one his master often wore. He braced himself, instinctively sensing a lecture was about to begin.

The Lecher refilled his drink, then sat across from the Alliance Leader.

“I—”

“Mongrang.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“Let’s drink first.”

They downed their drinks, then stared each other down. The Lecher recalled how, at times like this, if he opened his mouth carelessly, his master would smack him in the head. So he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Im Sobaek spoke.

“May I talk now?”

“Of course, Alliance Leader.”

Fidgeting with his cup, Im Sobaek said, “I heard the Master asked you for money?”

“Yes.”

“Then give it to him.”

“Pardon?”

“I said give it to him. The Master isn’t the type to waste money.”

“Mm.”

This time, Im Sobaek poured the drink and continued.

“You know this, but the wealth we seized from the Namak Green Forest Alliance—he handed most of it over to the Martial Alliance. If he were greedy, he wouldn’t have done that. Besides, as soon as I cleaned up Namak, I headed north and took Moknyeong’s Command. The Master had plenty of time to embezzle if he wanted, but instead, he gathered up all the loot with the bandits and brought it to the Hyeongsan Branch.”

“I’ve heard bits of that story.”

“Mongrang, do you know what happened to that money?”

The Lecher scratched his forehead before answering.

“I’m not sure.”

“Most of it’s still intact. Well, some of it was used. The Master gave a real beating to Clan Lord Sama Hak at the Hyeongsan Branch.”

Im Sobaek lowered his voice like he was revealing a secret.

“He hated the man to begin with, but how did he even know to go after him like that? Anyway, it was personal. But since a clan lord from an allied faction was seriously injured, he paid handsomely for the treatment—with money from the Namak Green Forest Alliance.”

“Yes.”

“It was a formal duel, so the payment also sent the message that the Haomun and Sama Clan shouldn’t fight over it later.”

“I see.”

“So when the Master asks me for money, it’s right to give it. From what I’ve seen, he has no greed for wealth. Now, do you know why I’m telling you this?”

“No.”

“It’s not just about giving him money. The Master has every right to ask, and I have every reason to say yes. Now tell me—what does he need the money for?”

Only then did the Lecher begin to relax.

“Yes. There’s an empty spot south of Baek Eung-ji where there’s an inn. The Master was ambushed there. By Gwangmyeong Usa’s party. He killed most of their forces, but the Usa escaped.”

Seeing Im Sobaek listening intently, the Lecher continued.

“On the way back, the Master said he’d be taking over that inn. At first, I thought it was just for revenge.”

“And?”

The Lecher glanced at the paper and brush at the edge of the desk.

“May I use that?”

“Go ahead.”

The Lecher dipped a thin brush in ink, took a sheet of paper, and placed it in front of Im Sobaek. Drawing a circle in the center, he said, “This is the inn’s location.”

He moved the brush as he explained.

“Baek Eung-ji lies above, the Martial Alliance to the northeast, the Jecheon Alliance to the southeast. To the east and south, the Sosaeng faction and Baekdo faction are clustered. The Master called this inn a gateway.”

“A gateway?”

“Yes. Look west—southwest lies the Demonic Cult, and northwest is the old headquarters. The Master knows he’s the Cult’s top enemy. He also knows that since my master has the Bright Sword, he’ll remain a target. This time, he’s not planning to act from the newly rebuilt Zaha Inn.”

“He named it Zaha Inn?”

“Yes.”

Im Sobaek thought for a moment, then said, “Then that’s Haomun’s main stronghold.”

The Lecher nodded.

“Exactly. Apparently, he asked the Jecheon Alliance Leader to invest.”

“To Juguk? And that guy agreed?”

“Yes. The Master hopes to get investment from the Jecheon Alliance, the Martial Alliance, and the Sosaeng faction. He’ll probably involve other large and small groups affiliated with Haomun. He ordered me to collect the flags of each investor. The actual money doesn’t matter. What he wants is to show off—he wants to plant Haomun’s flag in a base built with backing from the Jecheon Alliance, the Martial Alliance, and others. He wants to boast with a kaleidoscope of banners.”

Im Sobaek had been quietly listening. His gaze now shifted to the map, to that lone circle on an otherwise empty expanse—it looked terribly precarious and lonely.

A gateway, he said?

Im Sobaek looked up and stared at the Lecher.

“...Is the Master planning to die?”

The Lecher nodded.

“Yes.”

“So after pushing everyone to invest, he plans to let the Demonic Cult destroy the Zaha Inn?”

The Lecher sighed briefly.

“Yes, you’ve understood exactly.”

Maybe because he was the Martial Alliance Leader, he grasped the situation astonishingly fast. The Lecher studied his face. Though Im Sobaek was silent and deep in thought, this time the Lecher didn’t dare interrupt.

Only now did he notice how much more white had crept into the Alliance Leader’s hair since last time.

Im Sobaek leaned back in his chair, touching his chin with one hand.

“So Juguk understands the Master’s intent?”

“He probably does.”

“This scheme the Master’s cooking up—it’s far too grand and dangerous. The flags and the funding are secondary. The real problem is how exposed he’s making himself. I can guess what sort of feelings inspired this strategy, but why is he suddenly so furious?”

“Pardon?”

“Why is he so angry?”

“Do you think he is?”

“The Zaha I know loves messing with people. I thought he’d keep tormenting the Cult with hit-and-run tactics. That’s his nature—he’s great at adapting. Even acting alone, he could lure Cult units around and wipe them out.”

“Mhm.”

“Think about it. Even if the Master were our enemy, he’d be hard to catch. Unless I personally took up the sword, it’d be tough. Our side would take too many losses, so I’d probably call him off. The same goes for the Demonic Cult. Of course, the Cult Leader’s nature is different from mine.”

“Agreed.”

“Anyway, what the Master is saying now is that he’ll stand at the front. He’s abandoning the style he’s best at. Unless he’s seething with rage, how could he abandon his nature like that?”

“Makes sense.”

“He’s planted Haomun’s flag right in the center of the Central Plains before war has even started. It’s a challenge to the Cult—a declaration that he won’t run.”

The Lecher recalled the look on Third’s face as he drove a dagger into the table.

“......”

“In the end, the Master probably figured Haomun alone can’t stop the Demonic Cult. So he’s gathering the flags of those who might be willing to fight. If Zaha Inn falls, those flags burn with it.”

“Exactly.”

“Mongrang.”

“Yes.”

“His cause is righteous and just. So, regardless of my personal feelings, I have to support the Master’s strategy. But there’s one problem—the people who’ll stay at the Zaha Inn will be in danger... Did he say anything else about that?”

“No, he didn’t. But I can tell you why he was so angry.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“He chased Gwangmyeong Usa, but the bastard started a hostage situation at the Tongcheon Faction. He killed the men, took the women and children hostage, then summoned the Master and demanded he explain the Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance.”

“...Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance.”

“Contrary to what I expected, the Master explained it to him, then persuaded him and let him go. It’s hard to describe in words, but that’s what happened.”

“And the women and children?”

“They all survived. The Jecheon Alliance Leader arrived and promised joint investment in rebuilding the Tongcheon Faction. After that, the Master brooded for a long time... and then he came up with this plan. Just as you said—he must’ve been furious. He usually smiles so often that I couldn’t read his emotions.”

The Lecher poured Im Sobaek another drink.

Im Sobaek stared at the cup and muttered, “I really shouldn’t be drinking this much during working hours.”

But contrary to his words, he drank it down again. Then he looked at the Lecher and said,

“I’ll proceed with the investment. I’ll send a flag too.”

“Yes.”

Just then, an officer knocked on the door from outside.

“Alliance Leader, Strategist Gongson is requesting an audience.”

Im Sobaek replied, “Tell him to come back after half a shichen.”

“Yes, sir.”

Im Sobaek said, “Mongrang, your master will never leave the Master’s side.”

“I know.”

“Somehow... I get the feeling the reason you know that and the reason I know that are a little different.”

“Do you?”

Im Sobaek studied his face, then said, “It’s partly a guess, but do you want to hear it?”

“Yes.”

“Something similar happened before you were born.”

The Lecher hadn’t expected this. Im Sobaek continued.

“It was at Okhwa Palace.”

“...Does that have anything to do with my master?”

“Why assume it doesn’t? Strictly speaking, it was the defeat of the Okhwa-Baekdo Alliance. Baekdo tried to save those in Okhwa Palace, but the palace burned. The palace lord died. The Demonic Cult eliminated the apostates and left. Back then, your master wasn’t the Left Guardian. He would’ve been young—I don’t know if he was even involved.”

“......”

“Time passed, and he became the Left Guardian. Survivors of Okhwa Palace are rare. Records are sparse, but those who witnessed the massacre understood why the Cult is feared. Even Baekdo’s masters who came to help died in large numbers. Among them were the fathers and masters of today’s renowned martial leaders. Still, few were saved. Anyway, one day I saw you fighting... and you were using an incredibly rare ice art.”

The Lecher looked at him.

“Yes.”

“Then I heard news—Gwangmyeong Left Guardian of the Cult had defected. He was reportedly staying in Baek Eung-ji. Some of my men suggested we go capture him, but I was torn. A defector... would no longer be Cult.”

“Yes.”

“I heard he took a disciple. Second son of the Wind-and-Cloud Mong Family. Born of a woman who wasn’t the main wife.”

The Lecher looked straight at him without blinking.

“......”

Im Sobaek continued.

“If the first thing that former Left Guardian did after defecting was seek out a survivor of Okhwa Palace, what was his intent? And to take that survivor’s child as his disciple—was it penance? A declaration to abandon the demonic path? I wondered quietly to myself, then issued an order to the Martial Alliance: don’t touch the former Left Guardian. I also dispatched a few special operatives. Nothing serious happened, but we did get a few reports about his disciple’s behavior.”

“...Yes.”

“Unexpectedly, the Sword Demon later requested a duel. When I met your master then, I realized—he wasn’t a fool. He didn’t come at me out of pride or ambition. Leaving his demonic sword behind and proposing a wooden sword duel? It was arrogant, yes. But it felt like he wanted to show you that fight. The Master probably watched too. And strangely, he looked like someone learning to wield a sword anew.”

Im Sobaek looked at the Lecher.

“Well? The reason you believe, and the reason I believe—they’re different, aren’t they? If the Master planted a flag below Baek Eung-ji, your master won’t walk away. He’s always been looking for a place to die while facing the Cult.”

The Lecher turned his gaze aside and muttered.

“So that’s what this is...”

Words failed him. He suddenly dropped his forehead onto the table. Even though the Martial Alliance Leader was watching, the Lecher clutched his head with one hand and didn’t lift it for a while. When he finally raised his head, he looked at Im Sobaek.

“...I’m sorry.”

Im Sobaek refilled his drink and said,

“Mongrang, I know how strong you really are. Your martial arts. I believe your heart will grow as firm as your ice arts in time. Tell the Master—he can burn through all the funds if needed. I’ll support him however I can. But once the plan succeeds, you must all run. Let the inn burn if it must—but don’t burn with it. We’ll gather and strike back. That’s an order.”

“Understood, Alliance Leader.”

The two shared another drink, then exhaled deeply. Im Sobaek looked quietly at the Lecher and said,

“You’re a grown man. I’ll keep it a secret that you cried a little.”

Wiping his eyes with his thumb, the Lecher replied,

“I didn’t cry. Just... a big piece of dust got in there.”

For the first time that day, Im Sobaek smiled.

“Alright.”