Chapter 1303: Who The Hell Is That Guy? (Part 3)

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A man enveloped in dark clothes walked down the white marble path like a tiger on the prowl. His expression was cold, and there was a hint of anger in his steps. 

"Halt! You can't go any further!"

As he reached the long staircase, the guards crossed their spears, blocking his path. Anyone observing this scene closely would undoubtedly sense something peculiar.

The place guarded by these guards was none other than the residence of Jang Ilso, the Leader of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

Even if they were just guard dogs, the level of protection varied depending on the location.

If you were a guard protecting Jang Ilso's residence, no one affiliated with the Evil Tyrant Alliance would dare to act insolently.

However, there was a clear tension on the faces of those facing the black-clad figure. It was as if they were trying to stop an unstoppable force.

"Move aside."

"Ryeonju-nim explicitly ordered that no one should enter..."

The man in black simply stared at the guards in silence. Then, the guards flinched, and their heads bowed deeply.

"I said it for the last time. Move aside."

After a brief silence, the guards slowly lifted their spears. Ryeonju's order was stern. But the approaching figure made them reconsider that stern order. He was someone with enough power to make them think twice.

As the spears were lowered, the black-clad man resumed his steps. Swiftly climbing the white marble staircase, he forcefully pushed open the main gate of the courtyard.

Creak!

The door swung open roughly, and the man quickly scanned the courtyard. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward into the interior.

"You... You're not allowed to enter here!"

"Get out immediately!"

Panicking, the guards rushed forward, blocking his path. But the man in black, as if annoyed, pushed aside the guards and confidently moved deeper inside.

"Where is Ryeonju?"

"W-We can't let you in like this!"

"Where is he?"

As the man in black shouted, the gazes of the guards instinctively focused in one direction. As if understanding, he moved toward the direction they were looking.

"No, you can't!"

A few desperate guards physically blocked his way, or more precisely, the door he was heading towards.

"This place is off-limits! Ryeonju will be furious!"

"Move aside."

"Absolutely not!"

"Is that so?"

Crack. At that moment, the man in black slightly clenched his fist. He was about to smash through the guards and forcefully enter. But at that very moment, a calm voice resonated from behind the guards.

"Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Ryeonju-nim!"

The guards turned around with pale faces in a hurry.

The tightly closed door creaked open, and a man walked out slowly.

Paegun Jang Ilso.

That man revealed himself through the open door.

Despite his usual leisurely and amiable voice, there was a hint of annoyance in his expression, and his appearance was noticeably different from what the Evil Tyrant Alliance members were accustomed to.

His usually neatly combed and tied-up hair now hung loose, and his upper body was bare, devoid of any clothing. The exposed flesh, covered in scars large and small, gave the impression of tattoos etched across his entire body. Surprisingly, his body was drenched in sweat.

With every step Jang Ilso took, hot droplets of sweat fell rhythmically. The sweat, unable to withstand the heat of his feverish body, turned into steam, rising along his body.

"Bring me a cloth! Quickly!"

"Yes!"

The startled guards began to move hastily. Such a sight was almost unheard of, making it all the more bewildering.

However, the man in black, even upon seeing Jang Ilso in such a state, knelt without a hint of surprise.

"I pay my respects, Leader."

Jang Ilso casually brushed the hair clinging to his face with an indifferent gesture. At that moment, the guards hurriedly returned, presenting a white cloth they had brought.

"Ryeonju-nim, here..."

Jang Ilso, glancing down at the guards with bluish faces, smiled with narrowed eyes.

"Why are you trembling?"

"W-We..."

"No need to be afraid. It's not your fault."

Jang Ilso's gaze shifted towards the prostrated man.

"If there's any fault, it lies with the one who dared to enter here against your words. Isn't that right?"

Despite the explicit reprimand, the man's expression remained unchanged. He silently bowed his head.

"Now, speak."

Jang Ilso asked, looking down at him.

"What's going on?"

The man in black raised his head and stared at Jang Ilso. He knew.

He knew that he was in a perilous situation right now.

Jang Ilso despised revealing his training to others.

Was it because he was practicing forbidden arts that should not be known to humans? Or was there a fatal weakness hidden within his martial arts that needed to be kept concealed?

None of that was true.

Training meant pushing oneself and depleting one's internal energy.

And martial artists of such a high caliber like Jang Ilso became even more vulnerable during training.

In other words, during his training, he could become more susceptible to attacks than usual. Jang Ilso couldn't tolerate someone approaching him during his weakened state.

So, if the man in black couldn't provide a proper answer here, Jang Ilso would undoubtedly exact a heavy price.

Nevertheless, the man in black, without any sign of hesitation, calmly looked at Jang Ilso and spoke.

"Leader. No, Ryeonju-nim."

"...?"

"I have something to report."

"A report?"

Jang Ilso furrowed his brow with half-closed eyes.

"Hmm. Report..."

His lips, slightly tinged with a bluish hue due to the absence of cosmetics, creepily curled upwards.

"It must be an important report, enough to restore my wounded mood, perhaps?"

Jang Ilso's eyes sparkled.

It was a dangerous signal.

However, his two eyes emanating murderous intent quickly regained their composure as the man in black continued speaking.

"There are unusual movements among the troops that went to Southern Island."

"..."

"In my judgment, it was an urgent matter."

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso, who had been silent for a moment, handed a cloth he held to the guards. Then, looking at the man in black as if in contemplation, he briefly clicked his tongue.

He turned and walked away.

"Follow."

"Yes."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Jang Ilso walked briskly towards one side of the courtyard. The guards, waiting in advance, quickly opened the door in pace with his steps, revealing a large and splendid bathroom filled with hot steam.

Jang Ilso walked into the center of the bath. Drenched up to his upper body, he leaned against the wall of the tub and lazily rested his head.

Though not particularly remarkable, he seemed incredibly arrogant.

His long, black hair, released from its ties, flowed in various directions on the water's surface.

Jang Ilso spoke.

"Jeokho." [Could mean 'Red Tiger']

"Yes, Ryeonju."

"Continue with what you were saying. Did you say Gakmyung was acting strange?"

"Exactly..."

The one addressed as Jeokho swallowed dry saliva and opened his mouth.

"Not strange, but rather suspicious."

"...Suspicious?"

"Yes, Ryeonju."

In the hot water, steam continuously rose, obscuring Jang Ilso's face in a bluish hue. Nevertheless, Jeokho could guess what expression Jang Ilso might be making. Jang Ilso spoke.

"...You don't particularly like Gakmyung, I know that. But isn't this going a bit too far? Even when someone is trampled upon, there should be a minimum of etiquette required."

"It's not a provocation, Ryeonju."

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso looked at Jeokho as if urging him to provide a more detailed answer.

"Since arriving in Southern Island, the regular reports that used to come to the headquarters once a day have stopped."

At Jeokho's words, Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed slightly.

The reports Jeokho was referring to meant the regular reports sent by Ho Gakmyung to the headquarters. Jang Ilso trusted Ho Gakmyung, so he didn't consider receiving such reports necessary, but Ho Gakmyung strictly and stubbornly followed the established rules.

Even though Jang Ilso disregarded the reports he submitted, Ho Gakmyung's reports to the headquarters remained consistent.

"It stopped... it stopped. Does it mean something significant has happened?"

Jeokho pulled out another report from his possession and laid it on the floor.

"And this is the report that has arrived today."

Jeokho unfolded the report and showed it to Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso glanced at it briefly.

His eye creases twitched slightly.

"The battle in Southern Island... is it lasting longer than expected?"

"Yes."

Below that were several reasons listed. However, Jang Ilso didn't pay attention to those reasons. The crucial point was that, considering the abilities of Ho Gakmyung and the forces he led, there was no reason for the battle with Southern Island to be prolonged.

Unless someone intervened, Southern Island could never resist Ho Gakmyung. Therefore, this report either contained false information or there was something omitted from the report.

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Who has looked at the report?"

"Me."

Jang Ilso looked at Jeokho as if amused.

A report sent by the Myriad Man Manor's expeditionary force was sent directly to the manor itself, so anyone with a certain position could see it. However, if Ho Gakmyung sent the report, the story would have been a bit different.

Although those were the rules in principle, who would dare to casually open a report sent by Ho Gakmyung?

Jang Ilso wouldn't bother examining reports that weren't urgent, and others wouldn't dare open Ho Gakmyung's report. So, in principle, this report would never have seen the light of day if Jeokho hadn't finished his training and arrived at the headquarters earlier than planned. [why is this random ass side character so competent...chung myung be jealous...village idiot...]

Swoosh.

Jang Ilso's fingers lightly tapped the surface of the water.

"So... is something happening down there that I'm unaware of?"

His gaze darkened slightly.

"As the situation was not certain enough to report to the Leader, I personally conducted some additional investigations."

Having finished speaking, Jeokho silently looked at Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso nodded slowly. It meant to continue.

"From the investigation, it seems that a conscription order has been issued in the name of the Commander to small and medium-sized sects in the south."

"... A conscription order?"

"Yes. And... although it's not yet certain...."

A faint tension appeared on Jeokho's face.

"There are indications that the Hao Sect has moved."

It was news that carried a weight different from the previous report. Jang Ilso mumbled slowly.

"For small and medium-sized sects, that's expected... but the Hao Sect..."

When all this information was put together, the conclusion was clear.

"Gakmyung is..."

Swoosh.

As if calculating something, he lightly tapped the water's surface with his fingertip.

"Gakmyung is deceiving me...."

Jang Ilso's long eyelashes drew a crescent.

Cold and dark pupils, and gently curved eyes.

The two contrasting elements coexisted, creating a momentarily eerie atmosphere.

"Is that what this means?"

A slow and gentle tone. However, within it, an overwhelming weight suppressed the air in the bathroom.