Chapter 145
A little later,
The deputy commander tried to speak with a bright tone.
“Anyway, I’ve decided to handle the interrogation myself.”
Though he spoke of interrogation, the likelihood of the Blood Wolf Sect Master surviving unscathed was almost zero.
His sense of duty as a soldier, coupled with a personal vendetta toward the respected Wulin Alliance leader, fueled his determination to extract information by any means necessary.
At that moment, Jo Haseong, who had attended the meeting, spoke up.
“At least we managed to find Hongyeon Pavilion early. Without Lord Jo’s help, it would have been extremely difficult to resolve this crisis.”
The deputy commander gave a courteous nod to Jo Haseong.
“The Alliance owes you a great deal. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I’m honored to be of help.”
Jo Haseong smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
Jo Yang’s branch office played a significant role in resolving the Hongyeon Pavilion incident. Utilizing the network of branch offices and staff across Hangzhou, they tracked the spread of the poison.
Fortunately, since Hongyeon Pavilion’s operation period wasn’t long, the amount of poison released wasn’t substantial.
‘Most people didn’t exhibit severe symptoms of addiction, but…’
However, not everyone was the same.
A small number of individuals reacted sensitively to the medicine, showing symptoms of bodily discomfort or even addiction.
The Wulin Alliance set up temporary clinics and dispatched physicians, which helped stabilize the situation.
“Rather, Lord Doyul, you are truly remarkable,” Jo Haseong said, looking at Doyul with admiration.
“You must have wanted to interrogate the Blood Wolf Sect Master yourself, yet you withdrew first.”
Doyul had stated his intention not to participate in the interrogation.
‘The Blood Sect was deeply involved in my father’s death.’
The fear that emotions could cloud his judgment led him to this decision.
“In truth, I didn’t think we’d even capture the Blood Wolf Sect Master.”
Jo Haseong’s admiration sparked comments from others.
“Blood Wolf Sect Master is a close confidant of the Vice Leader, so he must possess significant information.”
“He will be a major aid in uncovering the Blood Sect’s schemes.”
“You’ve done an incredible job, Lord Doyul.”
Doyul smiled warmly in response to the praises.
“It’s nothing, really.”
However, Yerin saw through it.
He was merely offering a polite smile.
Doyul was in the worst mood at the moment.
—
After the meeting ended,
As people began to disperse, Yerin quickly walked over and stood beside Doyul. Without hesitation, she took his hand.
“My lady?”
Doyul looked at Yerin with a slightly surprised expression.
Usually, she paid close attention to maintaining her image as a noblewoman, especially in front of others, and avoided public displays of affection.
Yet, Yerin grasped his hand firmly.
“I understand how you feel, Doyul.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I want to take revenge with my own hands.”
Instantly, Doyul’s calm demeanor wavered slightly.
Taking a short breath, Yerin continued.
“In fact, I often reflect on the events in Sichuan Province.”
The tragic fate of the Dang Clan, Dang Yejun, and the countless villagers who went missing.
Those haunting images constantly appeared in her mind.
Yerin squeezed her eyes shut briefly and then reopened them.
“I’m angry that I couldn’t protect them.”
“…That’s understandable.”
“Of course, I don’t have a personal affection for Dang Clan’s leader or Dang Yejun. But…”
Yerin tightened her grip on Doyul’s hand.
“They didn’t even uphold the most basic dignity toward human beings.”
The Vice Leader mocked Dang Clan’s leader, thrusting his sword into him.
The dead rose with eerie moans.
The hollow eyes of the woman they left behind.
And Dang Yejun relentlessly attacked Yerin, oblivious to his injuries.
“I didn’t feel any affection toward them, but I still wanted to seek revenge.”
Yerin looked directly into Doyul’s eyes.
“So, how intense must your desire for revenge be, Doyul, after losing your father to the Blood Sect?”
“….”
Her words hit home.
‘Yes, I….’
Doyul’s gaze grew colder.
‘I wanted to kill the Blood Wolf Sect Master myself.’
The deepest, most hidden thought he could never admit aloud.
The only reason Doyul spared the Blood Wolf Sect Master was because of Yerin.
He wished to present only the best version of himself to her, the man who matched her ideals.
He wanted to keep his dark desire for revenge hidden forever.
So, he endured.
But now…
‘You already knew, didn’t you?’
Yerin spoke without hesitation.
“So, honestly, if Doyul had killed the Blood Wolf Sect Master right then and there, it would’ve been fine.”
“Yes?”
Doyul stared blankly as if struck by a blow to the back of his head.
“Why are you so surprised?”
Yerin looked at him curiously, tilting her head slightly.
“Ha, but… that’s not right, is it?”
Flustered, Doyul trailed off, his words halting.
“If I let go of the chance to uncover the Blood Sect’s schemes because of my desire for revenge…”
“Ah, but that’s an idealistic point of view.”
Yerin pouted, her expression unchanged.
“Everyone has priorities, right?”
“Well, yes… that’s true.”
“My most important person is Doyul,” Yerin said with a tone that felt almost like a universal truth as if the sun rose in the east and set in the west.
Doyul, momentarily speechless, felt her gaze penetrating deeply into his soul.
“So, if I didn’t stand by Doyul’s side, whose side would I take?” Yerin asked straightforwardly.
“That’s… it seems like it would have to be you.”
“Of course.”
Yerin nodded confidently, her indifferent eyes meeting Doyul’s.
“For example, let’s say we went back to the time when I was caught in the moment when the Vice Leader created chaos.”
“…”
“There was an opportunity to capture the Vice Leader, but if I couldn’t overcome my desire for revenge and ended up killing him—what would you do?”
“That’s unavoidable, isn’t it?”
Doyul instantly looked bewildered at her question.
“The Vice Leader caused harm not only to the martial world but to civilians and even killed your father and brother.”
“Blood Wolf Sect Master did the same.”
Doyul blinked, his mind momentarily stunned.
“Through Hongyeon Pavilion, they inflicted harm upon civilians and were complicit in the death of the previous Lord.”
“…”
Doyul paused, his thoughts racing.
Thinking back, he had never considered it from this perspective before.
“Doyul, you said it was ‘unavoidable’ to kill the Vice Leader.”
Yerin continued calmly.
“Similarly, if you killed Blood Wolf Sect Master, I wouldn’t mind at all. It’s just unavoidable.”
“…”
“But Doyul chose to endure his anger for the greater good, handing over the Blood Wolf Sect Master to the Wulin Alliance.”
Though Doyul didn’t verbally respond, the intensity in his gaze indicated that he was deeply listening.
Yerin’s voice gained a passionate edge.
“That’s a truly remarkable thing—to overcome such immense anger and choose the right path.”
With that, Yerin casually shrugged her shoulders.
“Today, Doyul looked incredibly cool.”
“…My lady.”
“But don’t forget. No matter what choice Doyul makes, I’ll always be on your side.”
Yerin finished with heartfelt sincerity.
At that moment, Doyul’s eyes widened slightly in astonishment.
‘It’s strange.’
Since meeting Blood Wolf Sect Master, no—since rushing to the Wulin Alliance upon hearing about the Alliance Leader’s addiction—
His previously suffocating chest felt suddenly freed.
“…I see.”
Slowly, a genuine smile spread across Doyul’s face.
Yerin narrowed her brows slightly.
“Why are you smiling? Did I say something funny?”
“No, it’s just…”
Doyul struggled to hold back a laugh for a moment before softly whispering,
“I just feel like the happiest person right now.”
“Eh?”
Yerin had a slightly perplexed expression, but Doyul was sincere.
The fact that there was someone absolutely by Doyul’s side, unwaveringly supporting him, brought immense comfort.
‘I feel so at ease.’
Doyul smiled once more—a refreshing, carefree smile.
All worries and burdens melted away with that smile.
—
A Few Days Later
Good news arrived.
Finally, the commander of the Frost Sword Unit had arrived at the Wulin Alliance.
“Greetings, Lord and Madam.”
The commander of the Frost Sword Unit bowed respectfully.
Yerin and Doyul warmly welcomed him.
“It’s truly good to see you again.”
“It feels like it’s been years,” Doyul added with a chuckle, despite the fact that it had only been a few months since they left the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
So much has happened since then.
‘I never imagined the situation would escalate this rapidly, to summon the Frost Sword Unit to Central Plains…’
Yerin’s thoughts were tangled.
“So, where is the Thousand-Year Snowflower?”
“It’s right here.”
In response to Doyul’s question, the commander produced a lacquered case containing the Thousand-Year Snowflower.
