Chapter 147
“That’s a bit… I have a lot on my plate.”
The League Master inadvertently answered with a slightly reluctant tone.
At that, the physician knitted his brow sharply.
“Please, do not overexert yourself, League Master. Understood?”
“Y-Yes, I understand.”
So intense was the physician’s tone that even the stubborn League Master nodded obediently.
Only after receiving the League Master’s confirmation did the physician’s expression soften slightly.
“However, given how strong you are, the recovery itself will be quite swift.”
“Is that really true?”
Suddenly, Lord Joo leaned in.
The sparkle in his eyes made it clear that he was even more excited than the League Master himself.
“Of course! Why would I lie?”
“You’re truly remarkable!”
Lord Joo embraced the physician tightly.
“Sir, I can’t breathe!”
The physician feigned a gasp though he was still smiling broadly.
Doyul, though silent, wore a deeply pleased expression.
Among them,
Yerin remained silent.
‘…It’s fortunate the poison has been neutralized.’
Yerin thought back to the findings of the investigation into Hong Yeon’s Tea.
‘There were no records left in Yeon’s documents.’
The only accomplishment was proving that the tea sold by Hong Yeon matched the one consumed by the League Master.
‘If the real goal was to poison the League Master, there was no need to create Hong Yeon at all.’
They could have easily bribed someone to discreetly serve the tea without raising suspicion.
In fact, nearly succeeded with that plan.
However,
‘Why was the tea sold publicly?’
Yerin narrowed her eyes.
It was a noticeable poison-laden tea with a clear toxic effect.
With the Medical Hall in the League, investigating the tea’s effects would not be difficult.
That meant, eventually, the poison would be revealed.
‘Strange.’
Yerin couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling about why the Blood Cult used such an obvious tactic.
Her mind was restless as she tried to understand the reasoning behind it.
* * *
As promised, the League Master recovered remarkably quickly.
In just a few days, he regained his ability to move freely, and today, he even entered the sparring arena.
‘Though compared to before, his movements are slightly slower…’
Watching the League Master throw a punch, Yerin nodded in satisfaction.
‘Still, this is a significant improvement.’
Today’s opponent for the League Master was Doyul.
Despite not having fully recovered his strength, the League Master did not falter against Doyul.
Even with diminished stamina, his level of skill demonstrated how disciplined and prepared the League Master had always been.
Then, suddenly—
“No, League Master!”
The sight of the League Master sparring caused Lord Joo to panic and rush forward.
“Didn’t I tell you not to overexert yourself!”
The League Master flinched, then sheepishly smiled.
“We owe so much to the Lord of the Ice Palace and the Madam. We must repay their kindness, right?”
The League Master was still focused on the greater goal—eradicating Blood Cult.
“To do that, we must finish off Blood Cult as soon as possible. Am I not right, Lord Doyul?”
At the League Master’s playful question, Doyul gave a sly smile.
“Of course. We’re waiting for the day you eliminate Blood Cult.”
“This weight is getting heavy,”
The League Master feigned a shrug of his shoulders.
“You’ll have to bear even more. Did you think Thousand-Year Snowflower was a cheap item?”
The League Master and Doyul shared a laugh, looking at each other with camaraderie.
Watching them, Yerin pondered deeply.
‘The League Master truly has the full support of the League.’
Ever since the League Master stood up, the League had regained vitality.
Lord Joo, the League members, even the physicians of the Medical Hall, and even the disciples—all seemed much more at ease with the League Master leading.
‘However, the Blood Wolf Sect Leader remains a challenge…’
Despite all the persuasion, threats, and even torture, the Blood Wolf Sect Leader still stubbornly kept his mouth shut.
‘Such tenacity is what allows him to maintain the position of Blood Cult’s Blood Wolf Sect Leader.’
The interrogation overseen by Lord Joo had left him exasperated.
‘What is the Blood Wolf Sect Leader planning?’
While the righteous factions—Murim Alliance and White Dao Sect—hated Blood Cult, Blood Cult harbored a similar level of disdain for them.
Creating Hong Yeon and operating openly…
“My lady?”
At that moment, a voice calling her snapped Yerin out of her thoughts.
It was Doyul.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Yerin shook her head quickly.
‘There’s still nothing conclusive yet.’
Currently, the Murim Alliance is in a fragile state of stability.
Rather than prematurely unsettling people, it would be better to gather more information and raise doubts when the time is right.
“Come here, Madam!”
From a distance, the League Master’s hearty voice rang out.
“If you’re alright, I’d like to spar with the Madam this time. Would that be alright?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Yerin forced her suspicions away and stepped toward the sparring arena, moving forward despite her unease.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning.
The deepest part of the Murim Alliance, the most dangerous prison for the worst criminals—Naeok.
Chains shackled Blood Wolf Sect Leader, his body leaning against the wall with closed eyes.
His entire body bore the marks of harsh torture.
“….”
Amid the oppressive silence, the Blood Wolf Sect Leader suddenly opened his eyes.
The pale dawn light filtered through a small, grimy window.
Hypnotized by the faint glow, the Blood Wolf Sect Leader slowly licked his dry lips.
“Finally… ten days, huh.”
Amidst constant threats, coercion, interrogation, and torture, the reason Blood Wolf Sect Leader had managed to retain his sanity was simple.
It was simply because—
“It’s time.”
Blood Wolf Sect Leader’s lips stretched into a wide, chilling smile.
A maddened grin overtook his face.
“Then, for the final journey…”
Mixing with his eerie chuckles, a soft murmur resonated darkly.
“I suppose a gift to the little Palace Master would be fitting.”
* * *
Early morning arrived.
Doyul heard an unexpected message.
“The Blood Wolf Sect Leader… is asking for me?”
“Yes, Palace Master.”
A Murim member nodded with a perplexed expression.
The situation was clear.
After maintaining a deafening silence, the Blood Wolf Sect Leader suddenly spoke.
‘Bring the Palace Master.’
Even though his strength was nearly depleted, and despite his limbs being tightly shackled with iron chains, a fierce intensity radiated from Blood Wolf Sect Leader as though ready to tear through anyone in his path.
‘To the Palace Master, I will reveal everything.’
That meant—
Blood Wolf Sect Leader bared his teeth, laughing like a predator.
‘But to anyone else, I will reveal nothing.’
Recalling that conversation, the Murim member let out a heavy sigh.
“…It was instructed to relay that message. What will you do?”
“I suppose I must go.”
Even as he spoke, Doyul hesitated, his feet rooted in place.
The Murim member looked at him quizzically.
“Palace Master?”
“….”
Doyul bit his lip.
‘If I face Blood Wolf Sect Leader alone, will I be able to maintain my composure?’
He had clashed with him once before, and back then, he had managed to hold onto his reason by recalling Yerin.
But now, facing him alone again…
‘Doyul.’
Watching him closely, Yerin’s eyes narrowed.
Though Doyul maintained a composed facade, Yerin could see through his facade.
His hands trembled slightly.
Even when trying to hide the trembling by clutching his robes tightly, his discomfort was evident.
‘Then.’
Yerin reached out and clasped Doyul’s hand gently.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Yes? But Blood Wolf Sect Leader specifically named only the Palace Master…”
“My husband is going, so naturally, I’ll go too.”
The Murim member looked troubled, but Yerin’s resolve didn’t waver.
Instead, she tightened her grip on his hand.
“Are you not going?”
“Ah, yes, understood.”
The Murim member gave Yerin a doubtful look before turning away.
Doyul quietly lowered their clasped hands and glanced down.
The trembling had already subsided.
“…Thank you.”
Doyul murmured softly.
At this, Yerin exaggeratedly widened her eyes.
“Well, honestly, I have no idea why you’re thanking me.”
Yerin’s playful teasing brought a faint smile to Doyul’s face.
A warmth spread through his chest.
* * *
Yerin and Doyul slowly walked deeper into the dimly lit Naeok.
At a distance, behind the iron bars, sat the Blood Wolf Sect Leader.
“Palace Master.”
Blood Wolf Sect Leader slowly raised his gaze.
Noticing Yerin standing behind Doyul, he frowned irritably.
“I only called for the Palace Master. I didn’t expect the Madam to follow along.”
“Did you really think I would come alone? Blood Wolf Sect Leader, you underestimate me too much.”
Doyul didn’t flinch as he calmly countered.
“Hmph, unbelievable.”
For a moment, Blood Wolf Sect Leader wore a stunned expression, but soon, his lips curled into a smirk.
Then, he leisurely began to speak.
“What does it matter now? So, what do you want to hear?”
He spoke as if he were offering a great favor.
“About your father’s death? Or perhaps how did we manage to infiltrate Heasimgung in the past? Whatever it is, I’ll answer it all.”
