Chapter 12: The Unraveling Plot

“W-What on earth is this, Clan Head?”

The steward asked, his eyes wide.

“Can’t you tell by looking? It’s money. It’s a gift.”

Yeon said, lifting his chin and boasting.
He wasn’t unaware of how much the steward had suffered due to money problems.
That’s why he thought the steward would surely be pleased if he brought money.
But now, he looked bewildered.
He probably couldn’t grasp the situation.

“…Money??”

“Why? If you don’t believe me, check it.”

“No, whether it’s fake or real isn’t what’s important…”

The steward couldn’t understand the current situation.
After all, hadn’t Moyong Yeon gone out to repay the debt owed to the Black Wolf Sect?
The steward desperately tried to make sense of it, racking his brain.

‘Did he find some magic pot that spews money?’

All the ideas that came to mind were absurd fantasies.
The steward, with trembling hands, took out one silver nyang to first verify its authenticity.
Having struggled with money for several years, the steward instantly knew.
All of them were real.

“I-Impossible.”

The steward mumbled in shock, as if dumbfounded.
With this amount, they had more than enough to repay the Black Wolf Sect.
He raised his head and looked at Yeon.
The Clan Head was looking at him with a faint smile.

“Where on earth…! Where on earth did this money come from?!”

“Where did it come from? Is there anywhere else to get it from besides those Black Wolf Sect bastards?”

“Huh?! What on earth…! How…! Is it really alright?!”

“Of course. I got it fair and square.”

Yeon replied casually, then turned to look at Muyoung.
Muyoung reluctantly nodded.

“W-What do those words mean…”

The steward, who asked fearfully, seemed to need many explanations.
But his eyes were sparkling like glass beads, unable to suppress his surging joy.

“Steward! Didn’t the Clan Head say it’s alright! Then it must be alright!”

Il-Woo interjected, seizing the moment.

“Ah, no matter how much, Il-Woo…”

In the steward’s dissuading voice, an undisguised excitement was evident.
Yeon let out a small laugh at his honest, childlike demeanor, unbefitting his age.
The steward usually wore his emotions on his face, but he had never shown such a bright expression before.

‘Yes, this is how you make earning money worthwhile.’

In truth, this wasn’t the first time Yeon had raised emergency funds in this manner.
When he was the leader of the Emperor Sword Unit, he used the money allocated to the unit as if it were his own…

– Is this your money…?

This was because he frequently had problems with the person who held the position of steward in the Emperor Sword Unit.
The gentle-faced man, who was well-liked by everyone, would scowl irritably at him alone, pouring out nagging.

– Stop nagging. Anyway, as long as the amount is correct, that’s all that matters. I even brought more…

– Get a healthy hobby instead of gambling. Write poetry or paint.

– What? Poetry? Painting? That’s ridiculous. You do all that if you want. Why on earth did the Clan Head assign such an annoying person as the steward of the Emperor Sword Unit?

– I don’t know either. If you gamble again, I’ll deduct it from your salary next time, so be aware of that.

– …Jehyun!

The reason Namgung Cheon specifically assigned Namgung Jehyun as the steward of the Emperor Sword Unit was obvious.
Only Namgung Jehyun, who lived like a brother with Yeon, could control the headstrong Yeon.
At the time, Yeon eagerly wished for Namgung Jehyun to be relieved of his steward duties as soon as possible, but now, welcoming a new ‘steward’ made him feel bitter rather than pleased.

“You can use this money however you like.”

“!!”

The steward’s eyes widened.
His eyes flickered with joy, and his cheeks, unbefitting his appearance, blushed like a young girl’s.
Pure joy.
Yeon flinched for a moment, wondering how his face could become even brighter when it was already bright earlier.
He wondered if he had misunderstood ‘however you like’ to mean he could use it personally.
They hadn’t yet accumulated enough money for individuals to indulge in such luxury.

‘If I had that money, I would have used it myself instead of giving it away!’

Yeon quickly continued.

“Of course, it’s not a salary. It’s meant to be used for the family…”

“Thank you!!”

“…Steward. You understood me correctly, right?”

Yeon asked unenthusiastically, and the steward nodded vigorously.

‘Ultimately, it’s just telling him to work, so why is he happy?’

But since he was happy, Yeon decided to drop his suspicion, as it would be strange to question why he was happy.

“One more favor, if you please.”

“Yes! Just say the word!”

“Could you have someone look into the Azure Ghost with the remaining money?”

The steward tilted his head for a moment, as if he had received a completely unexpected request.

“The Azure Ghost?”

Yeon’s nodding face was tinged with a serious light.

‘Namgung Jehyun…’

Yeon was extremely worried about his long-unseen friend, and at the same time, missed him deeply.

The interior of the cave was filled with the smell of blood.
Corpses lay strewn among messy household items, as if people had hurriedly sought refuge.
They were all warriors who seemed capable, but they met their deaths instantly due to an overwhelming difference in strength, with no trace of even minimal resistance visible on their bodies.

“H-Hee hee!”

In a deep corner, Nam Gyeong, the leader of the Daeryu Sect, who had abandoned his subordinates and fled to save himself, was trembling with fear.
Stomp.

“J-Just a moment! Please have mercy!”

And standing before him, a cool and handsome man looked down at Nam Gyeong with an upright posture.
He was the one who had created this horrific scene of slaughter in just a single ilgak (about 15 minutes).
The man’s face, as smooth and beautiful as if sculpted from white jade, was tinged with a gloomy aura, and his eyes, looking at his opponent, were unfocused.
Because of this, the man’s appearance was like a perfect, but lifeless, porcelain doll.

“I-I truly know nothing about it!”

“You said you know nothing?”

The man’s polite tone, in contrast to the copious bloodstains on the sword he held, created an even more chilling atmosphere.

“That’s right. Please…”

Nam Gyeong nodded vigorously at the man’s words.

“But it’s strange. Others say differently… Then what about the rumor that Nam Gyeong, the leader of the Daeryu Sect, not only knows the whereabouts of the Musang Divine Arts but actually possesses them?”

“T-That’s just… if I say I have the Musang Divine Arts, everyone gets scared yet looks up to me…”

The man let out a laugh as if intoxicated.
There was no need to hear more.

“Haha. Indeed. That’s why everyone makes the mistake of coveting it…”

The man would go anywhere there was a rumor related to the Musang Divine Arts to uncover the truth.
But like now, about 90% of it was pretentious boastings by those who admired the Musang Divine Arts.
The Musang Divine Arts.
The rumors about it were already legendary.
But ten years ago, after the Blood-Hand Sword Ghost disappeared with the Musang Divine Arts from the battlefield to subjugate him, its fame became even more tangible.

‘The Blood-Hand Sword Ghost averted the crisis with the Musang Divine Arts.’

An immortal secret manual that, with just one fragment, not only easily defeated hundreds of warriors but also allowed the Blood-Hand Sword Ghost, who was destined to die, to escape.
Moreover, since neither his corpse nor even a fragment of it could be found, the rumors only grew more rampant.
The Blood-Hand Sword Ghost is alive.
Namgung Yeon is alive.

“…”

The man’s laughter gradually faded.

“Keuk…”

Soon, he let out a groan and frowned, like someone suffering from a headache.

“Noisy…”

The cave was empty except for the two of them, so at the word “noisy,” Nam Gyeong covered his mouth in fear, stifling his sobs.
The man staggered for a moment, then took out a small bottle from his pocket.
Inside the glass bottle were dozens of black, glowing pills.
The man, with practiced hands, took out several and swallowed them.
Nam Gyeong, trembling in fear, widened his eyes at the sight.

‘What is that?’

Because after consuming the pills, the man’s face became very blank.
But soon after.

‘What do I care!’

With eyes that looked lost, as if he had fallen into a deep abyss, Nam Gyeong felt that this was his only chance to escape.
The moment he took a step.
Snap.
Nam Gyeong had no time to scream, nor to comprehend what had happened to him.
A beautiful, delicate hand, like his appearance, gently grasped the back of his head.
He closed his eyes, then opened them to see his upper body in the distant, accompanied by the sound of breaking bones.
The man twisted Nam Gyeong’s neck as if pulling it off.
Blood gushed from Nam Gyeong’s neck, who had met his death without realizing it.
The man, overflowing with a wild aura, looked down at it for a moment.
The man’s face, which had been devoid of expression until now, was filled with confusion.

“…”

But that too was only for a moment.
The man collected his chaotic energy and returned to his ‘usual’ self.
The man casually threw it aside.
The grotesque sound of the head falling echoed in the cave, and another presence was heard in the cave.
It was the man’s subordinate.
The man asked without looking back.

“Next?”

“Hebei.”

Meanwhile. Around the same time.
The residence of Black Wolf, adorned with luxurious furniture in a refined style and carpets embroidered with gold.
Black Wolf, who was enjoying luxury in his room, frowned.

“…That’s what happened.”

He had heard an unbelievable story from Pil-Gu, who was severely beaten.
Clang!
The wine glass in Black Wolf’s hand shattered, scattering everywhere.
His clenched fist was filled with anger.

“Is that true?”

“I am truly sorry, Boss… I have no excuse.”

Even after seeing Pil-Gu prostrate himself, Black Wolf’s anger showed no signs of abating.
Black Wolf’s already menacing face became even more ferocious when anger clouded it.

“Didn’t you say you would make Moyong Yeon squander his entire fortune?”

“…Yes.”

“But instead of making him incur debt, he even took the Tiger Moon Tower’s money?”

“…Yes.”

“And you came back in this state, unable to even properly capture that kid?”

“I have no excuses…”

“You rotten bastard!!”

Black Wolf, unable to contain his rage, jumped up and kicked Pil-Gu in the stomach.
Thump!!

“Keuk! Boss… I’m truly sorry…”

“Shut up, I won’t listen to your excuses. If you don’t want to die, there’s only one thing you need to do now.”

Pil-Gu swallowed hard, awaiting Black Wolf’s command like a condemned prisoner awaiting sentence.
“Immediately apprehend those who lost money to the Moyong Clan Head, and punish those involved!”

“Huh? B-But! Then how will the gambling den operate…!”

Black Wolf glared at Pil-Gu with wide eyes.
His menacing expression suggested that no excuse would be tolerated.

“…Understood.”

Pil-Gu bit his lip, saluted, and went outside.
Silence descended upon the room, now empty save for Black Wolf.

“…Phew.”

Black Wolf let out a deep sigh, then walked to check if Pil-Gu had completely disappeared.

‘…He’s gone.’

As Black Wolf felt relieved, his expression instantly changed.

“Dmn it, dmn it…! What should I do?”

His former dignified composure was gone without a trace, and he began biting his nails like a child.
His terrified appearance was incongruous with his menacing exterior.
Click. Click.
Black Wolf’s behavior seemed excessive, even for someone whose secret gambling funds had been completely plundered by the Moyong Clan Head.

“Confound it!”

Unable to stay still, Black Wolf suddenly flung open the door and stepped outside.
Whoosh!
An unidentified masked man subdued him in one swift motion.

“Keuk!”

“You know well enough why I’ve come, don’t you?”

A sudden attack by a mysterious figure.
A chilling voice intimidated Black Wolf.
Clang.
In an instant, a sharp blade was at Black Wolf’s throat.
He was in a state where his neck could be severed at any moment.
One might expect him to roar, asking who it was, and struggle to break free…
But Black Wolf did not.

“Gasp, gasp! T-This matter was unavoidable. Please, just spare my life!”

Instead, he seemed to know the masked man’s identity, offering only a terrified apology.
His appearance was so servile that the man who had been scolding Pil-Gu moments ago was nowhere to be seen.
The masked man, on the other hand, whose reaction was calm, almost cold, spoke.

“I warned you to be careful when you boasted of your arrogance.”

Black Wolf, thoroughly tensed, gulped at the masked man’s words.
The masked man could take his life at any moment.
Although Black Wolf was the leader of the Black Wolf Sect, in their relationship, the masked man held an overwhelmingly superior position.
He had no choice but to lower his stance.

“It’s, it’s just a temporary setback, but there will be no problem in destroying the Moyong Clan!”

“It must be so. Otherwise, I will regret putting you in this position. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

Clang—

“Keuk!”

Whoosh!

Black Wolf was released, and the masked man vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.

“Choke! Gasp, d*mn it! What is going on!”

Black Wolf clutched his neck, checking if he was alright.
Only a little blood stained his fingers; there were no major injuries.
Relief flooded him when he confirmed he was fine.

“Gasp, gasp…”

He genuinely thought he was going to die just now.
Black Wolf, who had been trembling for a long time, clutched his head and began to shout.

“Aaaargh!! Why is this happening to me!!”

He had thrown away all dignity and composure.
It was not a situation where he could afford to have them.
Black Wolf was certain.

‘If this happens again, I’m truly dead!’

The masked man who had just visited was indeed the kind of person to do that.
Who was he?

‘F*ck, if I knew, I wouldn’t be so frustrated.’

The masked man was the one who had turned Black Wolf, a common street thug, into the leader of the Black Wolf Sect.
But Black Wolf did not know the masked man’s true identity.
The only thing he knew was that he was the strongest and most uncommonly wealthy individual he had ever met.
He had been watching his back and helping him grow, and then, once he had gained some power, he suddenly appeared and made an offer.

– Destroy every last weed growing in the Moyong Clan. Don’t ask for reasons. Can you do it?

Black Wolf, who had grown strong with the man’s power, found it difficult to refuse his offer.
The man knew Black Wolf inside and out.
Moreover.

‘…The conditions themselves weren’t bad.’

He promised to let him enjoy as much power and wealth as he desired, and at that time, the Moyong Clan’s fortunes were already declining.
It was like killing two birds with one stone, so it was a good offer for Black Wolf.
As if to prove this, the plans related to the Moyong Clan had been progressing well just a few days ago.

‘Keuk, the goal was within reach, and then this happens!’

The masked man’s warning echoed in Black Wolf’s mind.

– It must be so. Otherwise, I will regret putting you in this position. Do you understand?

The words, ‘I will regret it.’
The meaning was obvious.

‘He’s going to replace me with someone else.’

Fear surged, and his hands began to tremble.
In front of the masked man, he was merely a replaceable part.
Keuk!
It was humiliating enough to bring tears to his eyes, but it was reality.

‘I must be careful…!’

Black Wolf tried to compose himself and re-evaluated the situation.
Then, his heart, which he thought wouldn’t calm down, gradually settled.

“Right, if I think about it again…”

His situation wasn’t so bad.
He had just stumbled a bit after a series of victories, hadn’t he?

“I can just take the money back.”

Moreover, the Moyong Clan’s problems were not just financial.
There was a mountain of accumulated problems, such as talent acquisition, so how could the clan be revived?

“Absolutely impossible.”

It was an impossible task unless a master suddenly fell from the sky.
As his thoughts organized, confidence returned to Black Wolf’s chest.

“Hehehe.”

At this point, Black Wolf devised a plan.
He would go back to the Moyong Clan to retrieve the money.

“Kahaha!”

Black Wolf let out a hearty laugh.
It was a perfectly flawless plan to make up for his subordinates’ blunders.